Associate Editors

Trey Jansen, Eleanor Lowe, Lucy Munro, Dee Anna Phares, Jan Sewell

Editorial Advisory Board

Gregory Doran, Chief Associate Artistic Director, Royal Shakespeare Company
Jim Davis, Professor of Theatre Studies, University of Warwick, United Kingdom
Charles Edelman, Senior Lecturer, Edith Cowan University, Western Australia
Lukas Erne, Professor of Modern English Literature, Université de Genève, Switzerland
Maria Evans, Director of Learning, Royal Shakespeare Company
Akiko Kusunoki, Tokyo Woman’s Christian University, Japan
Ron Rosenbaum, author and journalist, New York, United States
James Shapiro, Professor of English and Comparative Literature, Columbia University, United States
Tiffany Stern, Beaverbrook and Bouverie Fellow and Tutor in English, University of Oxford,
United Kingdom

Editorial Assistants

Christopher Campbell
Penelope Freedman
James Gibson
Sophie Holroyd
Ayako Kawanami
Takashi Kozuka
Esme Miskimmin
Oliver Phillips
Paul Prescott
Charlotte Scott
Will Sharpe
Erin Sullivan

2007 Modern Library Edition

Copyright © 2007 by The Royal Shakespeare Company

All rights reserved.

Published in the United States by Modern Library, an imprint of The Random

House Publishing Group, a division of Random House, Inc., New York

MODERN LIBRARY and the TORCHBEARER Design are registered trademarks of Random House, Inc.

“Royal Shakespeare Company,” “RSC,” and the RSC logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of The Royal Shakespeare Company.

ISBN 9780679642954
eBook ISBN 9780345546562

www.modernlibrary.com

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PREFACE

As Shakespeare wrote for a company of actors and as the First Folio was the product of the work of many hands, so this edition is a product of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s principle of ensemble. Jonathan Bate’s role has been akin to that of a theater company’s artistic director: he devised the guiding principles, wrote almost all the introductory materials, and was final arbiter for every editorial decision. He gladly takes responsibility for all the edition’s failings. Eric Rasmussen has been like a stage director overseeing the performance of the complete works: line by line, through nearly a million words of Shakespeare, he has made choices about modernization, punctuation, emendations, and stage directions. He has edited thirty of the thirty-eight plays in this edition and checked the remaining eight, for which primary credit belongs to Eleanor Lowe (King John, 1 and 2 Henry VI, Henry VIII, Coriolanus), Dee Anna Phares (Macbeth and Othello), and Lucy Munro (Pericles). Jonathan Bate edited the poems and sonnets, with assistance from Jan Sewell, Penelope Freedman, and James Gibson.

Héloïse Sénéchal was chief commentary editor, researching and writing the explanatory notes for about half the plays herself and revising the initial work on the other half, which was undertaken by Eleanor Lowe, Jan Sewell, Charlotte Scott, Esme Miskimmin, Penelope Freedman, Christopher Campbell, Takashi Kozuka, and Erin Sullivan. “First pass” edits, establishing the core of the play texts, were undertaken by Sophie Holroyd, Trey Jansen, Dee Anna Phares, and Will Sharpe. Ayako Kawanami and Paul Prescott assisted with text preparation early in the project, and Oliver Phillips with tabular material. Jan Sewell and Trey Jansen played the hugely important role of checking, improving, and proofreading every work. Equally indispensable was our eagle-eyed copy editor, Tracey Day. Over fifteen person-years of editorial labor have gone into the project and every word of Shakespeare has been scrutinized by five or six pairs of editorial eyes—but still, as in every previous edition, there are bound to be errors, and we would like to express our gratitude in advance to any readers who may draw our attention to them via the edition’s website, www.therscshakespeare.com. Every effort will be made to incorporate corrections in later reprints and our forthcoming editions of individual works. Also to be found at the website are an array of supporting materials, including hints on Shakespearean verse speaking with audio examples, a bibliography (readily updatable online as it could not be in print), a more detailed account of our editorial procedures than that provided in the general introduction, and RSC production histories of all the plays.

We gratefully acknowledge the work of our many predecessors in bringing Shakespeare from script to print. We have been especially influenced by the following: John Hemings, Henry Condell, Ralph Crane, Isaac Jaggard, Edward Blount, and their collaborators for the production of the First Folio; Nicholas Rowe and his successors for establishing the modern editorial tradition; Samuel Johnson for principles that helped to shape this edition; the select company of editors—Charles Knight, Charlotte Porter and Helen Clarke, Herbert Farjeon—who stayed loyal to the Folio in the centuries dominated by conflations and Quartos; successive generations of editors for Oxford, Cambridge, and the Arden series; the example of David Bevington; Stanley Wells and his collaborators on the 1986 Oxford edition for a new paradigm against which to measure ourselves.

The theoretical and practical work of many scholars has helped to shape our editorial principles, but special notice should be given to the work of Peter Blayney, Lukas Erne, John Jowett, and Paul Werstine. Our explanatory notes owe an immense debt not only to the commentaries of previous editions, but also to the creators of the Oxford English Dictionary Online, Early English Books Online, and Literature Online, the editors of Athlone Shakespeare Dictionaries, and the work of David and Ben Crystal (Shakespeare’s Words), Ian Lancashire (Early Modern English Dictionary Database and Lexicons of Early Modern English), and Gordon Williams (Dictionary of Sexual Language and Imagery in Shakespearean and Stuart Literature and A Glossary of Shakespeare’s Sexual Language).

We have always been conscious of standing on the shoulders of giants, while being aware that our predecessors will disagree with several of our key principles and hundreds of our local decisions. Such is the process of Shakespearean editing, which will continue so long as the plays are read and performed.

Jonathan Bate, University of Warwick

Eric Rasmussen, University of Nevada, Reno

The forms of Elizabethan secretary hand: the variant strokes suggest how difficult it would have been to read the original manuscripts, which is one reason why the early printed texts are prone to error and the modern editorial process remains so laborious and speculative.

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

Jonathan Bate

“After God, Shakespeare has created most”

(Alexandre Dumas, French novelist whose works have been translated into nearly a hundred languages and adapted into over two hundred films, figures surpassed by Shakespeare alone)

“Shakespeare was conscious of a double or treble reality fused together into one line or a single word”

(Cesare Pavese, Italian poet and novelist)

“Somehow Shakespeare always had something to say to us”

(Ahmed Kathrada, imprisoned on Robben Island with Nelson Mandela)

Shakespeare Our Perennial Contemporary

Hamlet is delighted when he hears the news that the players have returned to Elsinore. He greets them as personal friends. Some of the theater enthusiasts among the courtiers of Queen Elizabeth and then King James, such as the Earl of Southampton, the Earl of Pembroke, and the Earl of Montgomery, would have greeted Shakespeare and his fellow actors in the same way. The circumstances of the fictional acting company at Elsinore reflect those of the real company, the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, that first put on Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Their highest priority is to be available on demand for court performances, if necessary reshaping their repertoire in response to a particular demand, as when Hamlet asks for a speech of some dozen or sixteen lines to be inserted into their tragedy. While waiting to be summoned to the palace, they perform regularly in the city, trying out each new play in the court of public opinion. They are an all-male company, whose teenage apprentices play the female parts. Their business at the box office faces a range of challenges, from state censorship to closure because of plague to rival attractions and in particular a fashionable new company consisting entirely of highly trained schoolboys.

Given that the players in Hamlet are in part a witty self-representation of Shakespeare’s own acting company, it is fair to assume that Shakespeare himself believed as Hamlet does that actors are “the abstracts and brief chronicles of the time.” According to contemporaneous dictionaries, an “abstract” was “a little book or volume gathered out of a greater,” “an abridgement, epitome, summary, compendium, short course, or discourse.” In an age of long sermons, interminable homilies, and closely printed treatises on ethics and politics, plays provided a crash course in the way of the world, an instantaneous mirror of manners and of life. The weighty folio volumes of The Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland gathered by Raphael Holinshed and others were anything but “brief.” In a fraction of the time it would have taken to read them—and at a fraction of the cost of buying the book—Shakespeare’s players, as they moved from the Rose to the Theatre to the Curtain to the Globe, offered the London public an abridgement and compendium of the nation’s history.

Their dramatized “chronicles” of times past—whether British, European, ancient Greek, or Roman—were also mirrors of the present. All productions were “modern dress,” with just the occasional period detail such as emblematic togas to represent classical Rome. More money was spent on the purchase of costumes than the commissioning of scripts. The kings, dukes, and ladies in the plays would have looked impressively courtly not least because their wardrobe consisted in part of the secondhand clothes of courtiers: often when aristocrats died, they would bequeath items of clothing to their servants, who would sell them to the players. From his reading and his firsthand experience of submitting his work for the approval of the Master of the Revels, then of performing at court, Shakespeare learned the language and manners of courtiership. So his characters came to speak and to gesture, as well as to be dressed, in the manner of monarchs and their entourage. A Duke of Buckingham or Earl of Pembroke in the audience might have seen himself mirrored in one of his ancestors in the chronicle plays. King James, who claimed descent from Banquo, would have watched “the Scottish play” with close attention. And the followers of the Earl of Essex, who liked to consider him the modern Achilles, would have found rich food for thought in Shakespeare’s deconstruction of the Achillean code of chivalry in his Troilus and Cressida, written soon after Essex’s dramatic fall from Queen Elizabeth’s favor.

Whether set or written in the past, all great plays speak to present times. In Shakespeare, topical allusion is rare—the odd flattering glance at Queen Elizabeth, one conspicuous nod to Essex in Henry V—but the sense of the fictional world on stage as a mirror of the real world beyond the auditorium is pervasive.

Theater is unique among the arts of the word in the degree to which it is public, collaborative, multidimensional, and unpredictable. The greatest playwrights combine many different skills: they share the gift of narrative with the novelist and the epic storyteller, the arts of persuasive oratory with the lawyer and the public speaker, the trick of minting language anew with the poet, the ability to bring the past back to life with the historian, and the capacity to imagine—indeed to shape—the future with the prophet. While doing all this, they have always to think in three dimensions, to write for a body as well as a voice, to animate a stage as well as a page. At the same time, they rely on trust. Whereas the poet or novelist writes in the expectation of a direct relationship between their words, their imagined world and the minds of their readers, the playwright’s work is always incomplete. It is only brought to fruition through the work of intermediaries: the actors and all the other professionals involved in the process of putting on a play.

Theater writing accordingly offers a unique combination of presence and absence. The audience is present in the same room as the performers. This is what makes the ancient and primal art of theater different from such modern media as radio, film, television, DVD, and Webcast. Indeed, the audience’s response helps to shape the performance, which will be subtly different on every occasion. There is always a sense of risk. An actor might forget his lines: Shakespeare plays with the possibility in Coriolanus, when his mouthy protagonist is reduced to silence by the arrival of his pleading family (“Like a dull actor now, / I have forgot my part, and I am out, / Even to a full disgrace”). A stage effect may misfire, as when a faulty cannon burned down Shakespeare’s Globe near the end of his career. A slip in a sword fight may shed real blood (this happened to me when I was playing Macbeth as a schoolboy, probably as punishment for our failure to observe the theatrical superstition of never uttering the title Macbeth but referring instead to “the Scottish play”). An unruly audience may overwhelm the stage (again, Shakespeare plays with the idea when Caliban and his drunken companions interrupt the play-within-the-play in The Tempest, provoking Prospero into an elegy on the evanescence of the theater of human life itself). The authorities may close a show for political reasons, as in Hamlet the usurping King of Denmark closes “The Mousetrap” before it is finished and as the deposition scene in Richard II was too sensitive to be printed or perhaps even to be played.

Shakespeare recognized that human affairs always embody a combination of permanent truths and historical contingencies, of—to use the terms of his age—”nature” and “custom.” At one level, he is “not of an age, but for all time.” He works with archetypal characters, core plots, and perennial conflicts, as he dramatizes the competing demands of the living and the dead, the old and the young, men and women, self and society, integrity and role-play, insiders and outsiders. He grasps the structural conflicts shared by all societies: religious against secular vision, country against city, birth against education, strong leadership against the people’s voice, the code of honor against the energies of erotic desire. But he also addressed the conflicts of his own historical moment: the transition from Catholicism to Protestantism and feudalism to modernity, the formation of national identity, trade, and immigration, the encounter with new worlds overseas, the shadow of foreign powers. He was restricted by the customs of his age, notably when it came to the subordination of women, but at the same time he was prophetic of future ages. Despite the inferior position of most women in his society and the fact that the convention of his theater meant that female parts were played by young men, he gives a remarkable degree of freedom and mental agility to his women.

Shakespeare’s black characters were originally played by white actors with faces blackened by charred cork, but ever since the black singer, actor, and political activist Paul Robeson played Othello to Peggy Ashcroft’s Desdemona in the 1930s, this drama of interracial marriage has been made to address pressing contemporary concerns of ethnic, cultural, and religious difference. In the early twenty-first century, the Islamic connotations of “the Moor” became as significant as his color.

Shakespeare endures because with each new turn of history, a new dimension of his work opens up before us. When George III went mad, King Lear was kept off the stage—it was just too close to the truth. During the Cold War, Lear again became Shakespeare’s hottest play, its combination of starkness and absurdity answering to the mood of the age, inspiring the Polish critic Jan Kott to compare it to Samuel Beckett’s Endgame in his influential book Shakespeare our Contemporary (1961), and both the Russian Grigori Kozintsev (1969) and the English Peter Brook (1971) to make darkly brilliant film versions.

Early in 1934, when the French Socialist government was close to collapse, a new translation of Coriolanus was staged at the Comédie Française in Paris. The production was perceived as an attack on democratic institutions. Rioting pro- and antigovernment factions clashed in the auditorium. The Swiss translator was branded a foreign Fascist. The prime minister fired the theater director and replaced him with the head of the security police, whose artistic credentials were somewhat questionable. What are we to conclude from this real-life drama? That Coriolanus’ contempt for the rabble makes Shakespeare himself into a proto-Fascist? How could it then have been that the following year the Maly Theatre company in Stalin’s Moscow staged a production of the same play that sought to demonstrate that Coriolanus was an “enemy of the people” and that Shakespeare was therefore a true Socialist? Shakespeare was neither an absolutist nor a democrat, but the fact that both productions were possible is one of the major reasons why he continues to live through his work four centuries after his death.

On June 20, 2006, a production of Titus Andronicus directed by Yukio Ninagawa opened at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon (see Plates), as part of a festival in which Shakespeare’s complete works were staged in the course of a year. Titus is a dramatization of the bloody and inexorable logic of revenge in a militarized world where the highest value is placed upon the code of honor. For Shakespeare and his original audiences, imperial Rome was synonymous with such a culture; the Ninagawa production powerfully aligned the play with Samurai codes of behavior (twenty years earlier, the same director had achieved a similar cultural translation in an internationally acclaimed staging of Macbeth). This Titus was an abstract and brief chronicle of several times at once: Ninagawa followed Shakespeare in skillfully collapsing several phases of ancient Roman history into one (primitive, republican, imperial, decadent), while at the same time spectators were conscious of both Shakespeare’s sixteenth-century England and the enduring influence of Samurai Japan. But the play still spoke to the present: that same day in Iraq two American soldiers had their throats slit in revenge for the death in an air strike two weeks earlier of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq. According to the Mujahedeen Shura Council, this ritualized act of vengeance was carried out personally by al-Zarqawi’s successor—just as Titus exacts revenge with his own remaining hand. So long as we have wars, rape, codes of honor, and violent acts of revenge, Shakespeare’s tragic vision will go on being contemporary. So long as we continue to be fascinated by human relationships—children rebelling against parents, mothers struggling to let their sons grow up and break free, best friends falling for the same girl, servants and counselors who are wiser than their masters, ordinary people using jokes as a way of deflating those in authority—his comic vision will also remain alive.

People are not really killed on the Shakespearean stage (whereas people do sometimes really kiss each other, which is one of the important differences between tragedy and comedy). People do not speak highly rhetorical five-beat iambic pentameter verse lines in real life (whereas many lines in Shakespeare, sometimes tragic but more usually comic, are spoken in prose, which is one of the important differences between his work and that of more austere dramatists such as Sophocles and Racine). Shakespearean deaths and Shakespearean speeches are stylized. There can be no such thing as an entirely naturalistic staging of Shakespeare. Stylistically, the kind of drama from which he is furthest is soap opera—though, gloriously, for all the fine language and exotic settings, many of his plots and themes inhabit the same realm as those of soap (boy meets girl, marriage goes wrong, people grow old). Every production has to maintain a delicate balance between creating the illusion of reality and self-consciously acknowledging the theatrical process. Shakespeare loved that duality, which is why one of his favorite devises is what critics call “metadrama”: plays-within-the-play, impersonation and dressing-up, allusions to the world as theater and life as acting, direct addresses to the audience, choric figures who are both inside and outside the action.

In his world, character is not predetermined. People become themselves through action, dialogue, the process of thinking. Drama is a basic tool for discovery of the self, achieved through exile, disguise, soliloquy, and scenic counterpoint. For Shakespeare, value is not absolute. It depends upon reflection, as when a person’s “virtues shining upon others / Heat them and they retort that heat again / To the first giver” (Troilus and Cressida). Shakespeare’s theory of human relativity is made possible by his dramatic medium, by double plots, contradictions between word and action, and the constant presence of a questioning audience.

In our journey through life or a character’s journey through a play, do we find a core of “self” or do we make ourselves up as we go along? In Shakespeare, those with prewritten scripts find their plotted stories disrupted: Prospero, Angelo, the men in Love’s Labour’s Lost, Shylock, Bertram, Leontes, Henry IV, Coriolanus, Lear. The powerful exception is Prince Hal/Henry V, who always remains ruthlessly in control of his master plan even as he gives the impression of being just one of the boys. Those who improvise are the characters who most excite Shakespeare (and us): Hamlet, Falstaff, Lady Macbeth, Beatrice, Rosalind, Viola, the Bastard in King John, Mercutio, Cleopatra, and in their darker way Richard III, Edmund in Lear, and Iago. Those who cannot adapt to change inspire our pity (Richard II, Othello). At the deepest level, Shakespeare’s most successful characters are the best actors.

“Shakespeare’s plays,” wrote Dr. Samuel Johnson in the preface to his edition of 1765, “are not in the rigorous and critical sense either tragedies or comedies, but compositions of a distinct kind; exhibiting the real state of sublunary nature, which partakes of good and evil, joy and sorrow, mingled with endless variety of proportion and innumerable modes of combination; and expressing the course of the world, in which the loss of one is the gain of another; in which, at the same time, the reveller is hasting to his wine, and the mourner burying his friend; in which the malignity of one is sometimes defeated by the frolic of another; and many mischiefs and many benefits are done and hindered without design.” Tragedy and comedy are terms that go back to the drama of the ancient Greeks. In ancient Athens the two kinds were strictly separated. Tragedy concerned the downfall of great men and women, larger-than-life figures, kings and queens, mythical heroes, and antiheroes—Agamemnon, Clytemnestra, Oedipus, Hercules, Medea. Comedy was filled with ordinary people: petulant fathers, unruly wives, clever servants, young lovers on the make. Arbiters of taste have a tendency to shelter themselves under the wings of tradition. For this reason, literary theorists from the sixteenth to the eighteenth century regarded the practices of the ancients as rules to be obeyed rather than examples to be admired. In Shakespeare’s lifetime, Sir Philip Sidney wrote with lofty disdain of the “mongrel tragi-comedy,” which was the staple fare of the London stage. In Dr. Johnson’s century, critical sophistication was frequently regarded as synonymous with French taste—and that meant the rigorous classicism of Racine and Voltaire.

Johnson’s preface to Shakespeare was written in a spirit of English empiricism that did not worry itself about neoclassical rules. “There is always an appeal open from criticism to nature,” he says: Shakespeare’s plays are great for the very reason that they mingle joy with sorrow and high with low. They may not conform to the model of the ancients, but they are true to life. The fall of the mighty is only ever part of the picture. Even Shakespeare’s severest tragedies have their comedians: the Porter in Macbeth, Lear’s Fool. Even his happiest comedies have their malcontents: Jaques in As You Like It, Don John in Much Ado about Nothing. We might go so far as to say that all Shakespeare’s plays are tragicomedies and that is one of the principal reasons why his drama is, as Dr. Johnson also recognized, “the mirror of life.”

Shakespeare’s Debut: The “Upstart Crow”

William Shakespeare was an extraordinarily intelligent man who was born and died in an ordinary market town in the English Midlands. He lived an uneventful life in an eventful age. Like many clever country boys, he moved to the city in order to make his way in the world. Like many creative people, he found a career in the entertainment business.

Public playhouses and professional full-time acting companies reliant on the market for their income were born in Shakespeare’s childhood. When he arrived in London as a man, a new phenomenon was in the making: the actor who is so successful that he becomes a “star.” The word did not exist in its modern sense, but the pattern is recognizable: audiences went to the theater not so much to see a particular show as to witness the comedian Richard Tarlton or the dramatic actor Edward Alleyn.

Allegedly the son of a pig farmer, Tarlton came from the provinces. His trademark costume was a russet suit and buttoned cap. He graduated from the role of tavern jester to that of professional clown. His persona was the country innocent who is apparently baffled by the ways of the city, but whose outsider’s eye gave him the ability to prick the bubble of pretension and anatomize the follies of the age. He died in 1588, but his name lived on for years; it has been claimed with some justice that he was the first Englishman of humble origins to become a national “celebrity.” His role as company clown for the Queen’s Men made possible the roles that Shakespeare wrote for his clowns, Will Kempe and Robert Armin: Lance and Lancelet, Costard, Dogberry and Bottom, Touchstone, Feste, the gravedigger in Hamlet, and Lear’s unnamed Fool. More than this, his status as outsider looking in, countryman in the city, was a kind of model for Shakespeare’s own art, which is at once a quip and a shrug, planned and improvised, involved and detached.

A panorama of Shakespeare’s London, showing the theaters on the south bank of the River Thames, a location on the margins of the city in an area associated with brothels and violent entertainment for the masses: by a pleasing irony, the engraver has captioned the bearbaiting arena “The Globe” and the theater “beere bayting h[ouse].”

Whereas Tarlton the comedian died young, Alleyn the tragedian lived long. He established his fame with mighty roles such as Marlowe’s striding Tamburlaine, but then, like many a modern star, he recognized that there was more money and artistic control to be gained in becoming his own producer than in remaining a hired gun. A skilled entrepreneur, he built a succession of theaters that doubled as bearbaiting houses, and became a very rich man. After dabbling in local politics, he decided to immortalize himself through philanthropy by endowing a college at Dulwich. Two years younger than Shakespeare, he was always a step ahead of him. Alleyn was the man who revealed for the first time that the entertainment business could make you rich, famous, and respectable.

At the royal court, meanwhile, there was a new demand for sophisticated entertainment. A few years before Shakespeare’s birth, Queen Elizabeth I had inherited an England that had oscillated between extremes of Protestantism and Roman Catholicism. The nation was weak and marginal in comparison with the might of Spain on the European mainland, let alone the Ottoman Empire beyond the Mediterranean Sea. Through a delicate balancing act, the young queen kept in play opposing religious faiths, rival courtiers, and multiple diplomatic liaisons. By refusing to submit to any potential husband, she claimed to be married to her people. Through the cultural patronage offered by her courtiers and the mythmaking symbolism afforded by poetry, spectacle, and painting, she shaped an image of herself as a virgin goddess and her nation as a new imperium, a worthy successor to the ancient Roman Empire that had mastered more than half the known world. During the 1580s, John Lyly—who had become the most fashionable writer in the land, thanks to his Euphues, the Anatomy of Wit: Very Pleasant for All Gentlemen to Read (1578)—wrote a series of plays for court performance, composed in finely spun prose and played by talented boy actors from the London choir schools. Lyly flattered the queen while at the same time appealing to the classical learning of the social elite and exploiting the aura of flirtation and femininity that was inevitable in a court where ambitious males vied for Her Majesty’s attention. In Lyly’s hands, courtship was inseparable from courtiership, the vicissitudes of love on stage serving as metaphor for the fickleness of favor in the royal presence chamber.

Shakespeare was an actor before he was a writer. It appears not to have been long before he realized that he was never going to grow into a great comedian like Tarlton or a great tragedian like Alleyn. Instead, he found a role within his company as the man who patched up old plays, breathing new life, new dramatic twists, into tired repertory pieces. He paid close attention to the work of the university-educated dramatists who were writing history plays and tragedies for the public stage in a style more ambitious, sweeping, and poetically grand than anything that had been seen before. But he may also have noted that what his friend and rival Ben Jonson would call “Marlowe’s mighty line” sometimes faltered in the mode of comedy. Going to university was all well and good for honing the arts of rhetorical elaboration and classical allusion, but it could lead to a loss of the common touch. To stay close to a large segment of the potential audience for public theater, it was necessary to maintain the spirit of Tarlton, to write for clowns as well as kings, and to intersperse the flights of poetry with the humor of the tavern, the privy, and the brothel.

In the 1580s and early 1590s, several of Lyly’s plays appeared in print. They offered Shakespeare a model for what might appeal at court: a tumble of clever words, witty banter between lovers, substantial female roles to be played by cross-dressed boys who sometimes slip back into male attire. The women are always one step ahead of the men, more sensitive of spirit, quicker of mind and tongue. A quick study and a brilliant mimic, Shakespeare realized that it was possible to do it all. To write both heroic and villainous roles for serious actors in the vein of Alleyn, as Marlowe had done. To churn out jokes and comic misunderstandings for Tarlton’s successors. And to create linguistically and emotionally challenging female parts to be played by youthful males. To appeal to the queen and the ladies and gentlemen of the court as well as the gallants of the town and the denizens of the Bankside taverns. To find a voice that spoke to both the queen and her commoners.

The chronology and the pattern of authorship of Shakespeare’s early works are impossible to pin down.¹ It seems, though, that by the summer of 1592 he had made his first steps in comedy, history, and tragedy. Many of those first steps—and not a few of his later ones—depended on an art of rewriting existing repertoire rather than creating new plays from scratch. In the late eighteenth century, wrestling with the thorny problem of the authorship of the Henry VI plays, the great scholar Edmond Malone predicted that “A time may arrive, in which it will become evident, from books and manuscripts yet undiscovered and unexamined, that Shakespeare did not attempt a single play on any subject, till the effect of the same story, or at least the ruling incidents in it, had been tried on the stage and familiarized to his audience.” He has almost been proved right.

With The Two Gentlemen of Verona and The Taming of the Shrew, Shakespeare created two very different courtship comedies. The Two Gentlemen, with its language of courtly love and its juxtaposition of the conflicting demands of desire and friendship, was close to the style and preoccupations of Lyly, whereas The Shrew was written in a harsher vein and more robust language, pushing at the borderline between violence and play. It is possible that both comedies were reworkings of existing repertory: the primary source for The Two Gentlemen of Verona may have been a lost pastoral called Felix and Philismena, played at court by the Queen’s Men, while a surviving script published in 1594 as The Taming of a Shrew may reflect a pre-Shakespearean version of the story of the formidable Kate.

Though the evidence is not absolutely decisive, it is probable that Shakespeare’s first tragedy, Titus Andronicus, was also a new version of an old play. When it was published early in 1594, the title page indicated that it had been acted by several different companies. Stylistic analysis has revealed the hand of George Peele in the first act especially, but we do not know whether Shakespeare wrote in active collaboration with Peele or took over an older play by Peele, left the first act more or less intact and reworked the remainder more inventively. Whatever its origins, once in Shakespeare’s hands Titus became a tour de force. As his Shrew put violence into courtship comedy, so his Andronicus put black comedy into bloodstained tragedy. Over twenty years later, Ben Jonson was complaining that audiences were still swearing that “Jeronimo or Andronicus are the best plays yet” (Jeronimo was Thomas Kyd’s hugely popular Spanish Tragedy, foundation text of the revenge tradition and another play from which Shakespeare learned a potent rhetoric).

Comedy and tragedy, but also history: Shakespeare was one of the first to realize that theater could be the medium to make the national past available to a wider audience than the elite who could afford to read large history books. He accordingly domesticated the model of Christopher Marlowe’s Tamburlaine, an epic two-part drama full of elevated rhetoric, reversals of fortune, and energetic battles. England’s disintegration took the place of exotic Tamburlaine’s military career as the central action of his first foray into historical drama. A two-part dramatization of the Wars of the Roses, entitled The First Part of the Contention betwixt the Two Famous Houses of York and Lancaster and The True Tragedy of Richard Duke of York, established Shakespeare as a force to be reckoned with in the London theater world. A few years later, sophisticated Ben Jonson would mock both the language and the staging of these plays—”with three rusty swords, / And help of some few foot and half-foot words, / Fight over York and Lancaster’s long jars”—but in the early 1590s, the high-flown passion of York’s excoriation of Queen Margaret, the “she-wolf of France,” thrilled the ears of playgoers:

               O, tiger’s heart wrapt in a woman’s hide!

               How couldst thou drain the life-blood of the child,

               To bid the father wipe his eyes withal,

               And yet be seen to bear a woman’s face?

               Women are soft, mild, pitiful and flexible;

               Thou stern, obdurate, flinty, rough, remorseless.

               Bid’st thou me rage? Why, now thou hast thy wish.

               Wouldst have me weep? Why, now thou hast thy will.

               For raging wind blows up incessant showers,

               And when the rage allays, the rain begins.

The rhetorical formality, the accumulation of epithets, and symmetries of phrasing, would have assisted the actor in memorizing such a speech and then delivering it memorably in the testing environment of an open-air stage. The contrasting play of “tiger’s heart” and “woman’s hide,” the stimulus to the archetypal tragic actions of raging and weeping (which would have been expressed by gesture as well as word), the clash of opposites (“soft” against “stern,” “flexible” against “flinty”), the sense that the face can both reveal and deceive: every aspect of the writing provides rich potential for the actor. At the same time, there is a startling reversal of customary roles. York is a senior actor, a master, but his role is to be humiliated by a boy, the apprentice in the female role. For force of passion and sheer range of expression, the part of Queen Margaret was unprecedented on the English stage. Shakespeare’s audacity in giving such prominence to a mere apprentice, in stretching female representation so far beyond the conventional romantic roles of Lyly’s comedies, was a severe challenge to theatrical custom.

The First Part of the Contention and The True Tragedy of Richard Duke of York appeared in print in 1594–95. The published scripts in pocket “Quarto” or “Octavo” format were shorter versions of the plays than those printed in 1623 in the posthumous First Folio of Shakespeare’s complete works as the second and third parts of Henry VI.² The play that the Folio calls The First Part of Henry the Sixth was not published in the 1590s, but it was an undoubted hit on stage. Performed as new or newly revised at the Rose Theatre in March 1592, it juxtaposed the origins of the Wars of the Roses with the battles in France between plain-speaking English Talbot and tricksy French Joan of Arc. In a pamphlet published later that year Thomas Nashe praised the power of the performance: “How would it have joyed brave Talbot, the terror of the French, to think that after he had lain two hundred years in his tomb, he should triumph again on the stage and have his bones new-embalmed with the tears of ten thousand spectators at least, at several times, who in the tragedian that represents his person imagine they behold him fresh bleeding?” Nashe may, however, have had a vested interest in exaggerating the triumph of the Talbot play: stylistic analysis suggests that he had a hand in its writing himself. There are also strong resemblances to the work of two other university-educated dramatists, Robert Greene and George Peele. Perhaps, then, as a result of the success of Shakespeare’s Wars of the Roses plays, Philip Henslowe, proprietor of the Rose, commissioned a new treatment of the earlier part of King Henry VI’s reign from some combination of Nashe, Greene, and Peele—only for Shakespeare to stamp his own mark on it once it was in the hands of the actors.

There is not enough evidence to rule out the possibility that all three Henry VI plays may include elements of collaborative writing or reworking of older plays. In the early years of his career, Shakespeare seems to have been a hired man, a jack of all trades: the bit-part actor who had found a niche for himself as a reformer of old plays was now contributing distinctive scenes to new ones. His stylistic fingerprints have been tentatively identified in a range of plays that apparently belong to the early 1590s: he may have written a powerful scene of domestic quarreling in the admirable detective tragedy Arden of Faversham; since the eighteenth century there have been strong arguments in favor of his authorship of some witty scenes in The Reign of Edward III, where the king attempts to seduce the Countess of Salisbury with some assistance from his court poet Lodowick; there are some notable verbal parallels between his early works and Edmund Ironside, a chronicle-based drama concerning a native English rebellion against the rule of King Canute. In 1595, the old play of Locrine (set in the primitive Britain where Shakespeare would locate King Lear) was printed with a title page describing it as “Newly set forth, overseen and corrected by W. S.” Though there is no evidence to link this “W. S.” to Shakespeare, it does seem that he cut his teeth as a writer in the role of overseer, improver, and new setter forth of old scripts.

It was galling for established writers to see their work being “corrected” by a mere actor. Late in 1592, a pamphlet was published under the title Greene’s Groatsworth of Wit, bought with a Million of Repentance. Prepared for the press by the playwright and printer Henry Chettle, it purportedly contained the dying wishes of the prolific writer Robert Greene, whose life had ended in squalor and poverty a few months before. One section took the form of a letter addressed “To those Gentlemen his quondam acquaintance, that spend their wits in making plays.” The gentlemen in question are recognizable as Christopher Marlowe, Thomas Nashe, and George Peele. The first two had, like Greene, graduated from Cambridge University, while Peele was an Oxford man. Collectively known by scholars as the “university wits,” they had written the best plays of the late 1580s and early 1590s, often working in collaboration with one another. The Groatsworth complains that the players—”those puppets, I mean, that spake from our mouths, those antics garnished in our colours”—were getting rich on the back of the university men’s labor, yet offering them minimal reward. Stop writing for the theater, warns the voice of the dying Greene, or you will end up in my sorry condition. What is more, there is a new threat to the professional writers, coming from within the acting trade:

Trust them not, for there is an upstart crow beautified with our feathers that, with his “Tiger’s heart wrapped in a player’s hide,” supposes he is as well able to bombast out a blank verse as the best of you: and being an absolute Johannes Factotum, is in his own conceit the only Shake-scene in a country. O that I might intreat your rare wits to be employed in more profitable courses: and let those apes imitate your past excellence and never more acquaint them with your admired inventions…whiles you may, seek you better masters, for it is a pity men of such rare wits should be subject to the pleasure of such rude grooms.

The parody of York’s line in 3 Henry VI, with “woman’s hide” wittily changed to “player’s hide,” together with the pun “Shake-scene,” leaves no room for doubt that the person under attack here is Shakespeare, the actor turned redresser of plays. The implication is that the actors, who are not gentlemen but lowly “grooms” in the service of their patrons, are taking the “inventions” of the freelance playwrights and altering them at their “pleasure,” mainly through the agency of the “upstart crow.” “Upstart” suggests Shakespeare’s inferior social origin. Johannes Factotum means “jack of all trades,” an allusion to the perceived breach of decorum whereby he has dabbled in both the vulgar trade of acting and the genteel profession of writing.

The image of the “upstart crow” and the conceit of “Shake-scene in a country,” the latter word perhaps calculated to suggest the opposite of “city” sophistication, suggest that the author of the Groatsworth has in his sights not only Shakespeare’s lack of a university degree but also his rural simplicity. Regional dialects were strongly divergent at this time: when Shakespeare came to London, both his accent and his speech idioms would have seemed provincial. The academic curriculum and social customs of Cambridge would have gone a long way toward homogenizing the Kentish Marlowe and the East Anglian Greene and Nashe in their patterns of thought, speech, and behavior. Shakespeare, by contrast, came straight to London from the Forest of Arden. If there is a self-portrait in his plays, it is probably to be found in a parodic representation of his own much-mocked origins: the figure of William, the country bumpkin in the Arden of As You Like It. It would be no surprise if we were to learn that Shakespeare played this cameo role himself. There had been pastoral interludes in Greene’s comedies, but one of Shakespeare’s hallmarks was the pervasive dramatic pattern of a movement between court and country, city and forest, sophistication and the simple life, a movement that reflected his own double life as London theatrical entrepreneur and provincial Warwickshire property speculator with pretensions to gentility.

The Back Story: Shakespeare of Stratford

Pomewater, Crab, Bitter Sweeting, Pippin, Leathercoat: Shakespeare knew his English apples better than any other dramatist. His language is scattered with flowers that are described with both botanical exactitude and folk knowledge. Damask, musk, and dog rose; the “pale” primrose that is “first-born child of spring”; crocuses with their “saffron wings”; daffodils “that come before the swallow dares”; the blue-veined harebell; “freckled” cowslips; “streaked gillyvors” (bicolored carnations artificially grafted so that some call them “nature’s bastards”); “larks-heels” or larkspurs; “sweet” marjoram; “hot” lavender; the “luscious woodbine” and its “sweet honeysuckle” flower; the eglantine or sweetbriar; “long purples,” an orchid with testicle-shaped roots that Gertrude in Hamlet says maids call “dead men’s fingers” but “liberal shepherds give a grosser name” (the plant was variously known as “priest’s pintel,” “bollock grass,” and “dog’s cullions,” but also as “the rampant widow,” which is ironic coming from Gertrude). The list could extend for pages, as could an account of Shakespeare’s technical knowledge of country pursuits such as falconry—which was one of his distinctive metaphors for relations between the sexes, as when Juliet longs for a falconer’s voice to call back her “tassel-gentle” Romeo or, more darkly, when Othello makes an extended comparison of Desdemona to a “haggard,” the term for a wild or unbroken hawk.

One of the ways in which Shakespeare made the imaginary worlds of his plays seem real was through an art of exactitude. This required greater truth to nature than to history. Historically, King Henry IV died in the spring of the year, but dramatically Shakespeare requires a late-summer mood at the climax of his two-part drama about the relationship between Prince Hal and Sir John Falstaff. He accordingly drops in a casual allusion to Hinckley Fair (a famous cattle market held annually on August 26) and refers to the sowing of the “headland” (the strip at the end of the furrow where the plough turns, which was planted later than the main field), with “red” (spring) as opposed to white (winter) wheat. Two centuries after the play was written, agricultural writers noted with amazement that red wheat was indeed sown on the Cotswold Hills as late as August.

Like Tarlton before him, Shakespeare enjoyed feigning rustic simplicity. He fooled his more urbane rivals by hiding his sophistication behind the pose of the “natural.” The “rude mechanicals” who rehearse their play in A Midsummer Night’s Dream are described as “hempen home-spuns,” suggesting the countryman’s garment of coarse hemp, as opposed to the fine silks and furs of court dress, and yet it is the most seemingly simpleminded of the group, Nick Bottom the weaver, who is granted an intimate encounter with the fairy queen and who achieves a special grace even as he is mocked as an ass. When Shakespeare witnessed his words being played before Queen Elizabeth, he must have felt a little like Bottom himself.

We will never know what drove his ambition, but his father’s ill-fortune may have been part of the story. The human life cycle in early modern England was such that a man often fathered children around the time his own father died. So it was for John Shakespeare. His father Richard, a tenant farmer who lived in the village of Snitterfield, just north of Stratford-upon-Avon, died in 1560 or 1561. John Shakespeare, born in about 1530, had married Mary Arden—daughter of his father’s landlord, socially a cut above him—when he was in his late twenties, by which time he was established as a glove maker and leather dresser in Stratford. William, their first surviving son, was born in April 1564. He grew up to write plays in which a “great round beard” is compared to “a glover’s paring knife,” and the soft kidskin leather known as “cheverel,” used to make gloves, turns into a metaphor for his own most valuable commodity, namely his gift with words. Thus Mercutio jokes about Romeo’s wit of cheverel that “stretches from an inch narrow to an ell broad.” Since “wit” was also a playful term for a man’s sexual organ, the line contains sustained bawdy wordplay that exemplifies the wit it describes. Again, Feste in Twelfth Night says that “a good wit” can handle fragments of proverbial wisdom like a cheverel glove: “How quickly the wrong side may be turned outward!” The capacity to turn things inside out in an instant—whether through verbal pyrotechnics, twists of plot, turns of character, or intellectual reversals—is Shakespeare’s hallmark. It is satisfying that cheverel is one of the signs he hangs above his metaphorical shop: he made his living from his wit where his father had made his from gloves.

John and Mary Shakespeare had five subsequent children, of whom the most intriguing is the youngest, Edmund, who was born in 1580 and later followed William to London, where he became an actor, presumably as an apprentice in his brother’s company. The other survivors, sister Joan and brothers Gilbert and Richard, lived impeccably dull and respectable local lives. The black sheep of the family was John Shakespeare’s brother, William’s Uncle Henry, who frequently found himself on the wrong side of the law, at various times being fined, imprisoned or excommunicated for affray, debt, trespass, refusing to pay his tithes, and going to church in a hat instead of a cap.

By the time William was seven, his father had bought more property and achieved respectability in the town, holding the posts of bailiff and chief alderman of the borough council. This entitled him to send his children, free of charge, to the local grammar school. The King’s New School provided a thorough grounding in Latin. A scene in The Merry Wives of Windsor featuring a clever schoolboy called William being drilled in his grammar has the smack of a personal memory being turned to comic account. The curriculum does not survive, but there was considerable uniformity in what was taught across the Elizabethan grammar school system, so Shakespeare’s classroom experience may be readily inferred from others that do. Boys would remain in the first form until they could read Latin aloud with correct pronunciation and clear expression. They would then proceed to the second form, where they would be introduced to grammar: first the eight parts of speech, then the “concords of grammar and Latin speech to know the agreement of parts amongst themselves.” After this initial grounding, work could begin on set texts, such as “the precepts of Cato with such other little books wherein is contained not only the eloquence of the tongue, but also good plain lessons of honesty and godliness.” More demanding and literary texts were introduced in the third form, typically Aesop’s fables, the poetry of Virgil, Cicero’s letters, and the comedies of Terence. Boys who succeeded in mastering these would eventually be promoted to the fourth form, where there was a demanding regime of daily translation from Latin to English and back again, of readings in more advanced set texts, lessons in the rules of Latin versification, and composition of “epistles.”

This pattern of work offers a glimpse of Shakespeare’s beginnings as an author. Literary creation begins in translation and is inseparable from a program of reading: so it was that nearly all Shakespeare’s plays were reworkings of preexistent texts. The “epistles” that the boys had to write to one another were his first exercise in the art of dramatic empathy: the requirement was to write a letter (in Latin) as if you were a famous figure from a classical story. Thus the boy Shakespeare might have been asked to imagine that he was wise old Nestor “exhorting Achilles by letter, that he bear bravely the snatching away of Briseida by Agamemnon, showing that one must bear even with an evil ruler, and public good must be preferred to private grief” or—being asked to inhabit the opposing side in the Trojan War—to write in the voice of Antenor persuading King Priam “that he should not be unwilling to return the stolen Helen to her Menelaus, either because it was just in itself, or because it would be the part of a very foolish ruler on account of the most shameful love of an effeminate youth and hardly a man Paris to cause that so many very brave men should enter battle.” Another exercise would be to use an incident in the life of, say, Julius Caesar or Mark Antony in order to exemplify some moral or political “theme.” The work of playwriting was an extension of the grammar school repertoire, cunningly adapted so as to be less obviously didactic.

The teaching of style and eloquence was as important as the moral content. From Erasmus’ De Copia Shakespeare learned the art of linguistic amplitude, saying the same thing several times over in a display of rhetorical ingenuity. From Cicero’s letters to his friends and his Offices, a handbook on ethical citizenship, he learned to polish and balance his sentences. He was regularly taught lessons in the art of persuasion. One of the specimen letters in Erasmus’ textbook was on the theme of persuading a young man to marry: Shakespeare’s sonnet sequence would begin with a set of variations on just such a theme, while a dialogue such as that between Helen and Parolles in All’s Well That Ends Well as they debate the pros and cons of virginity wittily imitates and elaborates upon several points made by Erasmus. The schoolroom technique of learning to argue both sides of a question—in utramque partem—was invaluable training not only for lawyers and politicians, but also for dramatists. Shakespeare imbibed his dialogic way of thinking unconsciously through the daily grind of his exercises in the Stratford-upon-Avon classroom. One suspects that his conscious mind would have been more engaged by the stories he encountered: in Ovid he read of erotic obsessions and magical transformations from man to beast, in Caesar he found the technical vocabulary of warfare, and in Sallust the machinations of conspiracy and power politics.

Ben Jonson, writing with the pride and insecurity of the learned autodidact, claimed in his commendatory poem in the First Folio that Shakespeare had “small Latin and less Greek.” Small by Jonson’s prodigious standards is large by ours: Shakespeare seems to have had enough Latin to base his Comedy of Errors and Rape of Lucrece on classical sources that had not been published in English translation. This is less surprising when one discovers that the boys in the upper forms of an Elizabethan grammar school were expected to speak Latin at all times, save when they were assisting in the instruction of the lower forms.

The expectation that the senior boys would teach the junior is in accordance with the time-honored system of learning by means of apprenticeship. On completing their grammar school education, many of the Stratford boys would have been apprenticed into a trade. Richard Field, Shakespeare’s near contemporary, went to London, found a position with a master printer and went on to become a master himself, with special skill in the printing of classical texts. Provided their parents could afford it, the most intellectually gifted pupils went on to Oxford or Cambridge University and thence to a career in the Church or the law. This was the road that Shakespeare did not take and the reason he was regarded by the university-educated writers as an “upstart crow.”

Why didn’t Shakespeare go to university? His father was clearly ambitious and determined. As well as establishing his glove and leather business, he dealt in wool, managed farmland for sheep-grazing, and apparently also practiced a little moneylending. Many of his business deals ended in litigation in the local courts, but that was common in the period. Young Will must have seemed like prime university material: bright as a button and son of the chief alderman of the town council. But in Will’s thirteenth year, his father stopped attending local council meetings. He should have been fined for this (others in Stratford were), but he was not. The local tax assessments show that he was asked to pay less than he should have been, given his status. The clear signs are that he was in financial difficulties, but that his colleagues were initially willing to cut him some slack and give him the chance to set his affairs in order. Business was conducted largely on a credit basis, so a few bad debtors and a lack of cash reserves could cause big trouble. John Shakespeare’s problems seem to have begun when one particular creditor pursued him hard. Over the next few years, he started selling land and trying to raise cash. He mortgaged a house in Wilmcote, the village where his wife had been brought up, to her brother-in-law from Barton on the Heath (a village mentioned in The Taming of the Shrew). Fearful of arrest for debt and consequent social humiliation, he stopped attending church. So at exactly the period when Shakespeare might have gone to university—boys typically went up in their mid-teens—he was needed at home.

John Shakespeare had overextended himself. He was struggling to maintain his young family. The likelihood is that Will spent his late teens as his father’s apprentice in the leather business. According to John Aubrey, one of the earliest, albeit not the most reliable, witnesses to Shakespeare’s life, “he exercised his father’s trade, but when he killed a calf, he would do it in a high style and make a speech.” Shakespeare probably cut up the hides rather than killed the calves, but the anecdote gives a sense of the intellectual frustration of this occupation for a man of his intelligence.

Many portraits have been claimed as images of Shakespeare. The only representation that is unquestionably authentic is the dome-headed engraving on the title page of the First Folio. The painting with the best provenance, going back to Shakespeare’s godson William Davenant, is the so-called Chandos portrait in London’s National Portrait Gallery, with its swarthy look, casually untied collar and stylish single gold earring. Engravings based on the portrait, such as this one, circulated widely in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, shaping the popular perception of Shakespeare.

At the age of eighteen, Shakespeare impregnated Anne (otherwise known as Agnes) Hathaway, a woman eight or nine years his elder. A special licence was issued, allowing them to be married without the usual three prior readings of the banns. A bond had to be provided as surety against any legal irregularity: since William was a minor, the money was put up by some friends of the Hathaways. The marriage took place at the end of November 1582, in a village outside Stratford. These circumstances suggest a degree of haste and concealment: John Shakespeare’s financial problems may have been a factor (one only has to imagine a twist upon Much Ado About Nothing to visualize the potential embarrassment of the groom’s father being arrested for debt during the wedding ceremony).

Susanna Shakespeare was born six months after the wedding, a few weeks after the third birthday of Will’s brother Edmund. About a year and a half later, Anne gave birth to twins, Hamnet and Judith, named after Hamnet (a variant spelling of Hamlet) and Judith Sadler, family friends who would have served as godparents. During the years 1585–87 there were several actions for debt against John Shakespeare in the local courts. He racked up fines for failing to appear in court in answer to them. Three times he was bound over to keep the peace, in circumstances related to the debts. So it was that in the first years of his legal majority, William Shakespeare had to be the breadwinner for a household of four children under the age of seven.

At exactly this point he disappears from the historical record, only reemerging at the moment when the Groatsworth describes him as an “upstart crow.” Did he go to seek his fortune as a soldier in the Dutch wars? A memorable scene in 2 Henry IV, located in his native Cotswolds, reveals his knowledge of the process of recruitment, while play after play is steeped in the technical language of warfare and military life. Did he exploit his “small Latin” and become a lawyer’s clerk, a “noverint” (this was the route toward the theater world taken by another talented, modestly born writer, Thomas Kyd)? Play after play is also steeped in the technical language of the law. In the late twentieth century, there was a popular theory that Shakespeare spent time as a servant in a recusant Catholic household in Lancashire, but the purported evidence was highly circumstantial and is largely discredited.³ The best hint as to how he spent these so-called lost years comes via Aubury from the son of Christopher Beeston, one of Shakespeare’s acting colleagues, who recalled that he had been “in his younger years a schoolmaster in the country.” It has not, however, been established where or for how long this might have been the case. New evidence may yet be found. Why, for instance, did the distinguished poet and courtier Fulke Greville, whose family home was at Alcester near Stratford, take pride in being known as “Shakespeare’s master”? Was it simply because he was the local lord of the manor or could he have found young Will a teaching position, perhaps on the Welsh border where he had extensive powers of patronage? In several of the plays Shakespeare is unusually interested in Wales and the Welsh language. His most memorable schoolmaster is a Welshman, Sir Hugh Evans in The Merry Wives of Windsor, whose accent and foibles are mimicked with a degree of detail that conceivably hints at affectionate parody of a sometime colleague.

But this is all guesswork. All that is known for sure is that sooner or later Shakespeare tried to restore his family’s fortunes by going to London and becoming an actor. Several of his plays rework originals in the repertoire of the Queen’s Men, the leading company of the late 1580s, who toured widely (they made several visits to Stratford-upon-Avon) and were known for their anti-Catholic propaganda. Perhaps he initially had some association with them. Most of the actors who would go on to be his closest colleagues cut their teeth in the company known as Lord Strange’s Men, so he is highly likely to have been a member of that troupe. In 1592, some of his plays were in the hands of a short-lived, mainly touring, company under the patronage of the Earl of Pembroke. It is not known whether he traveled with them.

The Playhouses

While Shakespeare was still at school in Stratford, James Burbage, leader of the players who toured the land under the patronage of the Earl of Leicester, realized the potential offered by the massive expansion in the population of London that had occurred over the previous two generations: build a permanent playhouse and you have full control of your box office and your programming. You also have the potential to establish an audience base of repeat attendees in a way that was not possible when you were perpetually on the road. In 1576, he took a twenty-one-year lease on a site in Shoreditch to the northeast of the city and set about building a theater, working in partnership with his brother-in-law, John Brayne. Burbage’s playhouse—simply called The Theatre—soon became a landmark. A preacher at St. Paul’s Cross spoke of the “gorgeous Playing-place erected in the fields,” dutifully adding that it resembled “the old heathenish Theatre at Rome” in being “a showplace of all beastly and filthy matters.” The City of London was dominated by puritan-leaning figures who for generations would habitually associate plays with “unchastity,” “sedition,” and “uncomely matter.” That is why the actors relied on the court for patronage and why the public playhouses were always built in the “liberties” on the margins of London, outside the jurisdiction of the City fathers. It is also why Shakespeare took pleasure in teasing or exposing such puritanical figures as Malvolio in Twelfth Night and Angelo in Measure for Measure.

Southwark was an area on the south bank of the river, reached either by ferry or by walking across London Bridge, where the severed heads of executed traitors were displayed on poles as a reminder of the consequence of treason. Once on the south side, you could look back over the river to see St. Paul’s Cathedral towering over the city, but many of the buildings around you were brothels and gambling dens. This was the place for bearbaiting and cockfights. It was here that a new theater, the Rose, opened in 1587. Under the management of Philip Henslowe, it was used by several of the acting companies who over the next few years broke the monopoly of the Queen’s Men. Among those who played there were Lord Strange’s Men. Their patron, Ferdinando Stanley, Lord Strange (later Earl of Derby), had taken over some of Leicester’s Men, just as he followed in Leicester’s footsteps in supporting the publication of translations and other literary works. Richard Burbage, son of James, was a leading figure in the troupe. Several others were to join him in forming the core of a new company, the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, in 1594, after the mysterious sudden death of their patron. Since Shakespeare’s plays first emerge in the repertoire of Strange’s at the Rose, it may be inferred that Burbage, who became his closest colleague, was someone he met very soon after making his way into the theater world.

Elizabethan playhouses were “thrust” or “one-room” theaters. To understand Shakespeare’s original theatrical life, we have to forget about the indoor theater of later times, with its proscenium arch and curtain that would be opened at the beginning and closed at the end of each act. The proscenium arch theater, which held sway from the 1660s to the 1960s, divided the audience from the actors. Stage and auditorium were effectively two separate rooms: the audience looked from one world into another as if through the imaginary “fourth wall” framed by the proscenium arch. The picture-frame stage, together with the elaborate scenic effects and backdrops beyond it, created the illusion of a self-contained world—especially once nineteenth-century developments in the control of artificial lighting meant that the auditorium could be darkened and the spectators made to focus on the lighted stage. Shakespeare, by contrast, wrote for a bare platform stage with a standing audience gathered around it in a courtyard in full daylight. The audience were always conscious of themselves and their fellow spectators, and they shared the same “room” as the actors. A sense of immediate presence and the creation of rapport with the audience were all-important. The actor could not afford to imagine he was in a closed world, with silent witnesses dutifully observing him from the darkness.

Reconstructions of Elizabethan playhouses have relied heavily on this drawing by Arendt van Buchell, purportedly showing the Swan Theatre, which was built in 1596, but recent scholarship has shown that van Buchell was a poor draughtsman and unreliable copyist, so its details, such as the deep thrust stage and thick canopy-supporting pillars, should not be relied upon. The archaeology of the Rose Theatre suggests that Elizabethan stages were usually wider, shallower, and tapered.

Since there is no authentic image of the interior of a Shakespearean theater, we reproduce a hypothetical one, based on various kinds of evidence and designed by Charcoalblue: it is intended to suggest the vibrant atmosphere of the outdoor courtyard playhouses.

Since Shakespeare’s theatrical career began at the Rose, there was enormous interest when the theater’s foundations were excavated in 1989. The stage was revealed to be wide and shallow, trapezoid in shape, like a lozenge. This design had a great deal of potential for the theatrical equivalent of cinematic split-screen effects, whereby one group of characters would enter at the door at one end of the tiring-house wall at the back of the stage and another group through the door at the other end, thus creating two rival tableaux. Many of the battle-heavy and faction-filled plays that premiered at the Rose have scenes of just this sort.

At the rear of the Rose stage, there were three capacious exits, each over ten feet wide. Unfortunately, the very limited excavation of a fragmentary portion of the original Globe site, also in 1989, revealed nothing about the stage. The first Globe was built in 1599 with similar proportions to those of another theater, the Fortune, albeit that the former was polygonal and looked circular, whereas the latter was rectangular. The building contract for the Fortune survives and allows us to infer that the stage of the Globe was probably substantially wider than it was deep (perhaps forty-three feet wide and twenty-seven feet deep). It may well have been tapered at the front, like that of the Rose.

The capacity of the Globe was said to be enormous, perhaps in excess of three thousand. It has been conjectured that about eight hundred people may have stood in the yard, with two thousand or more in the three layers of covered galleries. The other “public” playhouses were also of large capacity, whereas the indoor Blackfriars Theatre that Shakespeare’s company began using in 1608—the former refectory of a monastery—had overall internal dimensions of a mere forty-six by sixty feet. It would have made for a much more intimate theatrical experience and held a much smaller capacity, probably of about six hundred people. Since they paid at least sixpence a head, the Blackfriars attracted a more select or “private” audience. The atmosphere would have been closer to that of an indoor performance before the court in the Whitehall Palace or at Richmond. That Shakespeare always wrote for indoor production at court as well as outdoor performance in the public theater should make us cautious about inferring, as some scholars have, that the opportunity provided by the intimacy of the Blackfriars led to a significant change toward a “chamber” style in his last plays—which, besides, were performed at both the Globe and the Blackfriars. After the occupation of the Blackfriars a five-act structure seems to have become more important to Shakespeare. That was because of artificial lighting: there were musical interludes between the acts, while the candles were trimmed and replaced. Again, though, something similar must have been necessary for indoor court performances throughout his career.

Plague and Poetry

Times were hard for the players in the years 1592–94. In June 1592, the theaters were closed by government order, following a public disturbance. They reopened briefly in the depths of the following winter, but were then closed again for almost a full year, this time due to an increase in plague. The best way of stopping the spread of infection was to prevent public gatherings such as plays, bearbaitings and bowling matches. So just as Shakespeare was establishing himself as a theater writer, his means of livelihood was cut off. Back home, his father had recently been blacklisted for non-attendance at church—not in the category of Jesuits, fugitives, recusants, or people “vehemently suspected to be such,” but among those who stayed away for fear of process for debt (Henry Field, father of the apprentice printer Richard, was on the same list). A case against John Shakespeare was also being heard in the Court of Common Pleas.

With the need to earn money for the family more pressing than ever and his writing gifts established, Shakespeare responded to the closure of the theaters by writing nondramatic verse in the hope of gaining patronage. This was a common strategy at the time, since the publication of a poem with a flattering dedication to a wealthy aristocrat could potentially yield three forms of income—a small cash payment from the publisher, a gift from the patron as thanks for the dedication, and, if one was very lucky, some form of secretarial or other employment in his lordship’s household. Shakespeare (and several other writers, including the same Tom Nashe who seems to have had a hand in 1 Henry VI) targeted Henry Wriothesley, the third Earl of Southampton, ward to Lord Burghley, the most powerful man in England. Southampton was shortly to come into his majority and—it was hoped—a considerable fortune. In the weeks after the closure of the theaters, Shakespeare polished off his witty and erotic Venus and Adonis, a brilliantly inventive imitation of Ovid, and persuaded his Stratford friend Richard Field to print it, complete with a fulsome dedication to Southampton in which Shakespeare promised that he would dedicate his “idle hours” (of which he had many because of the continuing plague) to the composition of “some graver labour.”

The latter came to fruition as the longer, more rhetorically elaborate and more sombre Rape of Lucrece, published a year later in May 1594, with a shorter but more intimate-sounding dedication, suggesting that Southampton had offered Shakespeare some sort of reward. It may have been in Southampton’s household, either in London or at Titchfield in Hampshire, that Shakespeare met the Anglo-Italian John Florio, whose works he would read with profit and who perhaps provoked in him an interest in Italian culture. Like many of his contemporaries, Shakespeare was fascinated by the way that Italy was the home of courtly and artistic sophistication, but also the fount of political and sexual intrigue. The former was exemplified by Petrarch’s love sonnets and Baldassare Castiglione’s handbook on the art of being a courtier, the latter by Machiavelli’s maxim that “might is right” and Pietro Aretino’s heady literary concoctions of satire and eroticism.

Clever, sexy, intuitively responsive to the classics without being academically stifled by them, Venus and Adonis struck an instant chord with educated, fashion-conscious young male readers in London and the two universities. They constituted the principal market for artful poetry, so Field was duly rewarded: Venus and Adonis became the bestselling long poem of the age. It established Shakespeare’s reputation as the absolute master of witty words. This must have felt like a satisfying riposte to the Groatsworth. Furthermore, from this point onward, the financial fortunes of the Shakespeare family greatly improved: there were no more lawsuits against John Shakespeare and a concerted attempt was made to recover Mary Arden’s property in Wilmcote. Within a few years, there were two clear signs that the Shakespeares had been restored to respectability in Stratford-upon-Avon: in 1596, John Shakespeare, almost certainly through his son’s agency, was petitioning for a coat of arms and thus the status of a proper gentleman, and in May the following year William struck an excellent bargain in purchasing New Place, the second-largest house in town.

Shakespeare was probably the first writer in England to become wealthy on the proceeds of his work: by the end of the 1590s, he had bought New Place, the second-largest property in Stratford-upon-Avon. He had also obtained the status of a “gentleman” and a family coat of arms: in this eighteenth-century engraving, it is displayed above the door of his house. The spear on the bend of the coat of arms plays on the bearer’s name: Shakespeare could never resist a pun.

The Lord Chamberlain’s Man

The accumulation of wealth had not, however, come from the poetry. Field and the publisher to whom he subsequently transferred the right to print Venus and Adonis would have taken the profit on sales, and when the Earl of Southampton came of age in 1595 he was found to have far less wealth than expected, so did not prove a munificent patron (a later source speaks of him giving Shakespeare “a thousand pounds” for a purchase, but this is likely to be a gross exaggeration). But in the theater world the cards fell right for Shakespeare. Plague abated and the playhouses reopened in the summer of 1594. The authorities took the opportunity to establish two companies in an effective duopoly, one troupe under the patronage of the Lord Chamberlain (Henry Carey, Lord Hunsdon) and the other under his son-in-law, the Lord Admiral (Charles, Lord Howard). To have two strong companies on hand with repertoires of proven quality and suitability, rather than having to deal with half a dozen companies, who could be difficult to track down when on tour, was the best way of ensuring that royal commands for court performances could always be met at short notice and with the prospect of results that satisfied Queen Elizabeth. The Lord Admiral’s Men, with Edward Alleyn as star and his son-in-law Philip Henslowe as theater manager, were based at the Rose on the south bank of the River Thames, with the plays of the recently murdered Christopher Marlowe (and others influenced by them) at the core of their repertoire. The Lord Chamberlain’s Men, with Richard Burbage as star, Augustine Phillips and later John Hemings as company manager, were based at the theater in Shoreditch, with the plays written or revised by Shakespeare at the core of their repertoire. The premature demise of Marlowe and Greene meant that Shakespeare had suddenly become the preeminent writer for the public stage.

He also invented a new role for himself, that of in-house company dramatist. Where his peers and predecessors had to sell their plays to Henslowe or another manager on a poorly paid piecework basis, Shakespeare took a percentage of the box-office income. The Lord Chamberlain’s Men was constituted as a joint stock company, with the profits being distributed among the core actors who had invested as sharers. Shakespeare acted himself—he appears in the cast lists of some of Ben Jonson’s plays as well as the list of actors’ names at the beginning of his own collected works—but his principal duty was to write two or three plays a year for the company. By holding shares, he was effectively earning himself a royalty on his work, something almost without precedent in English literary history. At the beginning of Shakespeare’s career, theater had been dominated by Alleyn the tragedian and Tarlton the clown. When the Lord Chamberlain’s Men collected their fee for performance at court in the Christmas season of 1594, three of them went along to the Treasurer of the Chamber: Burbage the tragedian, Kempe the clown, and Shakespeare the scriptwriter. That was something new.

We do not know which two plays they performed before the queen that Christmas. The most likely is The Comedy of Errors, a dazzlingly contrived farce of twins and mistaken identity, fashioned from the ancient Roman comedy of Plautus: this was the show they played to a riotous audience of young lawyers at Gray’s Inn on December 28, so it would have made sense also to have given it at court a day or two before. If, as was often the case, the queen had requested mixed fare, the other play might have been The Tragedy of Richard the Third, the historical drama that rounds off the Wars of the Roses begun in the Henry VI plays. Written as a showcase for Richard Burbage, the title role was more demanding in both range and length than anything written hitherto in English drama. Here the arts of self-consciously villainous playacting and self-examination in the form of soliloquy were developed as never before. To judge from subsequent allusions, both admiring and parodic, Crookback Richard was the first of Burbage’s signature roles.

The next four years were the golden period in Shakespeare’s career. In his early thirties and in full command of both his poetic and his theatrical medium, he perfected his art of comedy, while also developing his tragic and historical writing in new ways. In 1598, Francis Meres, a Cambridge University graduate with his finger on the pulse of the London literary world, praised Shakespeare for his excellence across the genres:

As Plautus and Seneca are accounted the best for comedy and tragedy among the Latins, so Shakespeare among the English is the most excellent in both kinds for the stage; for comedy, witness his Gentlemen of Verona, his Errors, his Love Labours Lost, his Love Labours Won, his Midsummer Night Dream and his Merchant of Venice: for tragedy his Richard the 2, Richard the 3, Henry the 4, King John, Titus Andronicus and his Romeo and Juliet. As Epius Stolo said that the Muses would speak with Plautus’ tongue if they would speak Latin, so I say that the Muses would speak with Shakespeare’s fine filed phrase if they would speak English.

For Meres, as for the many writers who praised the “honey-flowing vein” of Venus and Adonis and Lucrece, Shakespeare was marked above all by his linguistic skill, by the gift of turning elegant poetic phrases. Half the plays mentioned by Meres had not been published by 1598, so he must have known them from the theater or by reputation—which is striking, since plays were advertised in terms of their title, content, and the identity of the acting company, not with a credit to the playwright. It is not inconceivable that Meres read some of the plays in manuscript: there are surviving examples of plays from the period being copied for the purpose of private reading (one of them, the so-called Dering manuscript, is a skillfully edited conflation of the two parts of Henry IV). Meres certainly knew that what he called Shakespeare’s “sugared sonnets” were circulating “among his private friends.”

The surprise in the list is the comedy called Love’s Labour Won. Was this a lost sequel to Love’s Labour’s Lost, a play that ends with an offstage death resulting in the delay of a year before the ladies will allow themselves to be won? Or was it an early version of a comedy subsequently revised under another title—As You Like It, perhaps, or Much Ado About Nothing or All’s Well That Ends Well? In 1953, a bookseller’s inventory dating from 1603 was discovered: among the plays listed were not only The Merchant of Venice, The Taming of a Shrew, and Love’s Labour Lost, but also Love Labours Won. This seems to prove that the play was actually printed, with no copies surviving (by no means a unique occurrence—all copies of the first printed edition of Love’s Labour’s Lost are also lost, while only single copies survive of the first editions of two of Shakespeare’s most popular works, Venus and Adonis and Titus Andronicus). The absence of Love’s Labour Won from the Folio may lend weight to the theory that it was an alternative title for a known play, but a lost play could be accounted for by a copyright dispute of the kind that meant that Troilus and Cressida very nearly failed to make it into the Folio. A copy of the Quarto edition of Love’s Labour Won might still turn up, in what would be the most sensational literary discovery of modern times.

By the year 1598 it was clear that Shakespeare’s name was a highly marketable commodity. Several of his plays, as well as the two narrative poems, had been in print for a few years, but it was only now that his name began appearing on the title page, something that was very much the exception rather than the rule when theater scripts were published. A publisher named William Jaggard cashed in on his name by producing a tiny volume of poetry called The Passionate Pilgrim by W. Shakespeare. It included three sets of verses lifted from Love’s Labour’s Lost, together with two Shakespeare sonnets that had been circulating in manuscript and that would eventually form part of the full collection of 1609, but also a selection of songs and sonnets by other authors. When the volume was reprinted in 1612, Jaggard added some work by Thomas Heywood, who immediately objected and in doing so mentioned that he had heard that Shakespeare was also displeased at Jaggard’s sharp practice.

During the years around the turn of the century, Shakespeare perfected his comic art in Much Ado about Nothing, As You Like It, The Merry Wives of Windsor, and Twelfth Night. He brought his sequence of English history plays to a climax with Henry V. And, after the more domestic subject matter of Romeo and Juliet, he turned his tragic muse back to affairs of state with Julius Caesar and Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. Caesar is one of the handful of Shakespearean plays for which we have an eyewitness account of an early performance. It took place in September 1599 at the newly built Globe on Bankside, where the Lord Chamberlain’s Men had rebuilt their theater, following the expiry of the lease on their site in Shoreditch. The spectator was a Swiss student, Thomas Platter. In his journal of his visit to England, he especially noted two aspects of the production: the size of the cast (“nearly fifteen characters”) and the jig at the end of the show (performed by four dancers, two dressed in men’s clothes and two in women’s). He was probably used to reading ancient tragedy, Seneca especially, where the casts were much smaller. The sheer scale and variety of the action of a Shakespeare play was what impressed him. The fact that Platter singled out the closing jig—and that his journal moved directly from play-going to the two other popular “theatrical” entertainments available in Southwark, cockfighting and bearbaiting—may suggest that he did not take the drama all that seriously. He did, however, observe that it had a vital educative role for the native London audience: “With these and many more amusements the English pass their time, learning at the play what is happening abroad; indeed men and womenfolk visit such places without scruple, since the English for the most part do not travel much, but prefer to learn foreign matters and take their pleasures at home.” The suggestion is that for Elizabethan Londoners the theater was not only a medium of mass entertainment, but also a prime source of news, opinion, and political knowledge.

Shakespeare’s personal story during these years was mixed. He made enough money to restore his father’s fortunes and buy a big house, together with the status conferred by a family coat of arms, but success and prosperity were overshadowed by the death in August 1596 of his only son Hamnet, aged eleven. The influence of such a loss on his work is incalculable. It adds peculiar poignancy to Constance’s lament on the death of her similarly aged child Arthur in King John, which may have been written shortly afterward (“Grief fills the room up of my absent child”), but then again King John may have been written earlier. Some five years later, Viola’s moving response to the loss of her twin brother in Twelfth Night, and her joy in the reunion with him, give a very echo to what we may imagine were the feelings of the similarly aged Judith Shakespeare, while Hamlet (the variant spelling of Hamnet) has much to say about fathers and son in the context of death and grief—but Hamlet was an old play from the late 1580s that Shakespeare did not rework into its extant form until around 1600.

The nearest we may come to an immediate reaction to Hamnet’s death is a curious incident that autumn when Shakespeare became involved in a dispute between Francis Langley, the money broker who had financed the building of the Swan Theatre, and an agent acting on behalf of a quarrelsome, litigious Surrey Justice of the Peace who was not averse to sharp practice in his personal affairs. Shakespeare’s part in the affair is mysterious, though it is not impossible that he was engaged in negotiations with Langley at this time with a view to the Lord Chamberlain’s Men playing at the Swan, which would have given them exposure on the south bank of the river, in the backyard of their rival Henslowe, who was still operating out of the Rose. What is intriguing about this brush with the law is its proximity to Hamnet’s death. Hot-tempered dramatists such as Christopher Marlowe and Ben Jonson seemed to be forever getting into street fights (sometimes to the death) and ending up in court, whereas Shakespeare habitually kept his nose out of other people’s quarrels. This time, though, a threat was made and he was bound over to keep the peace: perhaps it was the one occasion where his grief was such that he let his temper fray.

On the financial side of things, he was a less than perfect citizen: in 1597 and 1598, lodging in Bishopsgate, he defaulted on his local taxes, while back in Stratford he was accused of having illegally hoarded a large quantity of malt or grain during a shortage. Letters and legal documents reveal him making loans, calling in debts, and accumulating considerable acreage of land as well as additional properties in and around Stratford all through these years and into the new century. Shakespeare’s father died in 1601 and his mother seven years later, and the family property in Henley Street passed to him, further enhancing his status as one of the town’s wealthiest men.

The Ensemble at Work

Like many crafts, the making of theater is a conservative profession. There is a way of doing things that actors and support staff learn early in their training, then stick by throughout their careers. Customs and techniques are broadly the same in different companies; conventional practices endure for generations. So although the archive of Shakespeare’s company is almost entirely lost, their practices may be inferred from such sources as the papers of Philip Henslowe, manager of the rival Admiral’s Men, and from an array of other fragmentary materials—including the practices of the players in Hamlet and Peter Quince’s amateur troupe in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

In the absence of typewriters and photocopying machines, reading aloud would have been the means by which the company got to know a new play. The tradition of the playwright reading his complete script to the assembled company endured for generations. A copy would then have been taken to the Master of the Revels for licensing. The theater book holder or prompter would then have copied the parts for distribution to the actors. A partbook consisted of the character’s lines, with each speech preceded by the last three or four words of the speech before, the so-called “cue.” These would have been taken away and studied or “conned.” During this period of learning the parts, an actor might have had some one-to-one instruction, perhaps from the dramatist, perhaps from a senior actor who had played the same part before, and, in the case of an apprentice, from his master. A high percentage of Desdemona’s lines occur in dialogue with Othello, of Lady Macbeth’s with Macbeth, Cleopatra’s with Antony, and Volumnia’s with Coriolanus. The roles would almost certainly have been taken by the apprentice of the lead actor, usually Burbage, who delivers the majority of the cues. Given that apprentices lodged with their masters, there would have been ample opportunity for personal instruction, which may be what made it possible for young men to play such demanding parts.

After the parts were learned, there would usually then be a single rehearsal before the first performance. With six different plays to be performed on every week, there was no time for more. Actors, then, would go into a show with a very limited sense of the whole. The notion of a collective rehearsal process that is itself a process of discovery for the actors is wholly modern and would have been incomprehensible to Shakespeare and his original ensemble. Given the number of parts an actor had to hold in his memory, the forgetting of lines was probably more frequent than in the modern theater. The book holder was on hand to prompt.

When new plays were first performed, a prologue would be delivered. At the end of the show, audience reaction was gauged and alterations might be made before the next performance. Some shows were dropped after one performance, others after three. Thereafter, a successful play would enter the repertoire and probably not be altered any further, though it might be reworked when revived in later seasons.

Backstage personnel included the property man, the tire-man (“tire” being short for “attire”) who oversaw the costumes, callboys, attendants, and the musicians, who might play at various times from the main stage, the rooms above, and within the tiring-house. To judge from a comic exchange in the induction to Ben Jonson’s Cynthia’s Revels, dramatists were prone to make a nuisance of themselves backstage: “we are not so officiously befriended by him as to have his presence in the tiring-house, to prompt us aloud, stamp at the book-holder, swear for our properties, curse the poor tire-man, rail the music out of tune and sweat for every venial trespass we commit, as some author would, if he had such fine eagles as we” (this play was performed by the boy actors—”eagles” is the same metaphor as Hamlet’s “little eyases”). There was often tension between the acting companies and the freelance playwrights from whom they purchased scripts: it was a smart move on the part of Shakespeare and the Lord Chamberlain’s Men to bring the writing process in-house.

Front of house there were the “gatherers” who collected the money from audience members: a penny to stand in the open-air yard, another penny for a place in the covered galleries, sixpence for the prominent “lord’s rooms” to the side of the stage. In the indoor “private” theaters, gallants from the audience who fancied making themselves part of the spectacle sat on stools on the edge of the stage itself. Scholars debate as to how widespread this practice was in the public theaters such as the Globe. Once the audience were in place and the money counted, the gatherers were available to be extras on stage. That is one reason why battles and crowd scenes often come later rather than early in Shakespeare’s plays. There was no formal prohibition upon performance by women, and there certainly were women among the gatherers, so it is not beyond the bounds of possibility that female crowd members were played by females.

The play began at two o’clock in the afternoon and the theater had to be cleared by five. After the main show, there would be a jig—which consisted not only of dancing, but also of knockabout comedy (it is the origin of the farcical “afterpiece” in the eighteenth-century theater). So the time available for a Shakespeare play was about two and a half hours, somewhere between the “two hours’ traffic” mentioned in the prologue to Romeo and Juliet and the “three hours’ spectacle” referred to in the preface to the 1647 Folio of Beaumont and Fletcher’s plays. The prologue to a play by Thomas Middleton refers to a thousand lines as “one hour’s words,” so the likelihood is that about two and a half thousand, or a maximum of three thousand lines made up the performed text. This is indeed the length of most of Shakespeare’s comedies, whereas many of his tragedies and histories are much longer, raising the possibility that he wrote full scripts, possibly with eventual publication in mind, in the full knowledge that the stage version would be heavily cut. The short Quarto texts published in his lifetime—they used to be called “bad” Quartos—provide fascinating evidence as to the kind of cutting that probably took place. So, for instance, the First Quarto of Hamlet neatly merges two occasions when Hamlet is overheard, the “fishmonger” and the “nunnery” scenes.

The social composition of the audience was mixed. The poet Sir John Davies wrote of “A thousand townsmen, gentlemen and whores, / Porters and servingmen” who would “together throng” at the public playhouses. Though moralists associated female play-going with adultery and the sex trade, many perfectly respectable citizens’ wives were regular attendees. Some, no doubt, resembled the modern groupie: a story attested in two different sources has one citizen’s wife making a postshow assignation with Richard Burbage and ending up in bed with Shakespeare—supposedly eliciting from the latter the quip that William the Conqueror was before Richard III. Defenders of theater liked to say that by witnessing the comeuppance of villains on the stage, audience members would repent of their own wrongdoings, but the reality is that most people went to theater then, as they do now, for entertainment more than moral edification. Besides, it would be foolish to suppose that audiences behaved in a homogeneous way: a pamphlet of the 1630s tells of how two men went to see Pericles and one of them laughed while the other wept. Bishop John Hall complained that people went to church for the same reasons that they went to the theater: “for company, for custom, for recreation…to feed his eyes or his ears…or perhaps for sleep.”

Men-about-town and clever young lawyers went to be seen as much as to see. In the modern popular imagination, shaped not least by the film Shakespeare in Love (1998) and the opening sequence of Laurence Olivier’s Henry V film (1944), the penny-paying groundlings stand in the yard hurling abuse or encouragement and hazelnuts or orange peel at the actors, while the sophisticates in the covered galleries appreciate Shakespeare’s soaring poetry. The reality was probably the other way round. A “groundling” was a kind of fish, so the nickname suggests the penny audience standing below the level of the stage and gazing in silent open-mouthed wonder at the spectacle unfolding above them. The more difficult audience members, who kept up a running commentary of clever remarks on the performance and who occasionally got into quarrels with players, were the gallants. Like Hollywood movies in modern times, Elizabethan and Jacobean plays exercised a powerful influence on the fashion and behavior of the young. John Marston mocks the lawyers who would open their lips, perhaps to court a girl, and out would “flow / Naught but pure Juliet and Romeo.”

Scenery was limited, though sometimes set pieces were brought on (a bank of flowers, a bed, the mouth of hell). The trapdoor from below, the gallery stage above, and the curtained discovery-space at the back allowed for an array of special effects: the rising of ghosts and apparitions, the descent of gods, dialogue between a character at a window and another at ground level, the revelation of a statue or a pair of lovers playing at chess. Ingenious use could be made of props, as with the ass’s head in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. In a theater that does not clutter the stage with the material paraphernalia of everyday life, those objects that are deployed may take on powerful symbolic weight, as when Shylock bears his weighing scales in one hand and knife in the other, thus becoming a parody of the figure of Justice who traditionally bears a sword and a balance. Among the more significant items in the property cupboard of Shakespeare’s company, there would have been a throne (the “chair of state”), joint stools, books, bottles, coins, purses, letters (which are brought on stage, read or referred to on about eighty occasions in the complete works), maps, gloves, a set of stocks (in which Kent is put in King Lear), rings, rapiers, daggers, broadswords, staves, pistols, masks and vizards, heads and skulls, torches and tapers, lanterns that served to signal night scenes on the daylit stage, a buck’s head, an ass’s head, animal costumes. Live animals also put in appearances, most notably the dog Crab in The Two Gentlemen of Verona and possibly a young polar bear in The Winter’s Tale.

This image from the title page of an academic play, William Alabaster’s Roxana, may be inspired by an indoor playhouse. It gives a sense of the audience’s closeness to the action, of the tapered stage and its rail, and of the curtain or “arras” across the back. Scholars debate whether some of Shakespeare’s audience members would have occupied the galleries above the stage, as here—in his plays, the space “aloft” is often used for action or music making.

The costumes were the most important visual dimension of the play. Playwrights were paid between £2 and £6 per script, whereas Alleyn was not averse to paying £20 for “a black velvet cloak with sleeves embroidered all with silver and gold.” No matter what the period in the play is, actors wore mainly contemporary costume. The excitement for the audience came not from any impression of historical accuracy, but from the richness of the attire and perhaps the transgressive thrill of the knowledge that here were commoners like themselves strutting in the costumes of courtiers in effective defiance of the strict sumptuary laws whereby in real life people had to wear the clothes that befitted their social station.

To an even greater degree than props, costumes could carry symbolic importance. Racial characteristics could be suggested: a breastplate and helmet for a Roman soldier, a turban for a Turk, long robes for exotic characters such as Moors, a gabardine for a Jew. The figure of Time, as in The Winter’s Tale, would be equipped with hourglass, scythe, and wings; Rumor, who speaks the prologue of 2 Henry IV, wore a costume representing a thousand tongues. The wardrobe in the tiring-house of the Globe would have contained much of the same stock as that of Philip Henslowe at the Rose: green gowns for outlaws and foresters, black for melancholy men such as Jaques and people in mourning such as the Countess in All’s Well That Ends Well (at the beginning of Hamlet, the prince is still in mourning black when everyone else is in festive garb for the wedding of the new king), a gown and hood for a friar (or a feigned friar like the duke in Measure for Measure), blue coats and tawny to distinguish the followers of rival factions, a leather apron and ruler for a carpenter (as in the opening scene of Julius Caesar—and in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, where this is the only sign that Peter Quince is a carpenter), a cockle hat with staff and a pair of sandals for a pilgrim or palmer (the disguise assumed by Helen in All’s Well), bodices and kirtles with farthingales beneath for the boys who are to be dressed as girls. A gender switch such as that of Rosalind or Jessica seems to have taken between fifty and eighty lines of dialogue—Viola does not resume her “maiden weeds,” but remains in her boy’s costume to the end of Twelfth Night because a change would have slowed down the action at just the moment it was speeding to a climax. Henslowe’s inventory also included “a robe for to go invisible”: Oberon, Puck, and Ariel must have had something similar.

As the costumes appealed to the eyes, so there was music for the ears. Comedies included many songs. Desdemona’s willow song, perhaps a late addition to the text, is a rare and thus exceptionally poignant example from tragedy. Trumpets and tuckets sounded for ceremonial entrances, drums denoted an army on the march. Background music could create atmosphere, as at the beginning of Twelfth Night, during the lovers’ dialogue near the end of The Merchant of Venice, when the statue seemingly comes to life in The Winter’s Tale, and for the revival of Pericles and of Lear (in the Quarto text, but not the Folio). The haunting sound of the hautboy is suggested a realm beyond the human, as when the god Hercules is imagined deserting Mark Antony. Dances symbolized the harmony of the end of a comedy—though in Shakespeare’s world of mingled joy and sorrow, someone is usually left out of the circle.

The most important resource was, of course, the actors themselves. They needed many skills: in the words of one contemporary commentator, “dancing, activity, music, song, elocution, ability of body, memory, skill of weapon, pregnancy of wit.” Their bodies were as significant as their voices. Hamlet tells the player to “suit the action to the word, the word to the action”: moments of strong emotion, known as “passions,” relied on a repertoire of dramatic gestures as well as a modulation of the voice. When Titus Andronicus has had his hand chopped off, he asks “How can I grace my talk, / Wanting a hand to give it action?” A pen portrait of “The Character of an Excellent Actor” by the dramatist John Webster is almost certainly based on his impression of Shakespeare’s leading man, Richard Burbage (who was also a skilled painter):

Whatsoever is commendable in the grave Orator, is most exquisitely perfect in him; for by a full and significant action of body, he charms our attention: sit in a full theatre, and you will think you see so many lines drawn from the circumference of so many ears, whiles the actor is the centre …and for his voice ’tis not lower then the prompter, nor louder then the foil and target. By his action he fortifies moral precepts with example; for what we see him personate, we think truly done before us: a man of a deep thought might apprehend the ghosts of our ancient heroes walked again, and take him (at several times) for many of them. He is much affected to painting and ’tis a question whether that make him an excellent player, or, playing an exquisite painter. He adds grace to the poet’s labours: for what in the poet is but ditty, in him is both ditty and music…All men have been of his occupation: and indeed, what he doth feignedly that do others essentially: this day one plays a monarch, the next a private person. Here one acts a tyrant, on the morrow an exile: a parasite this man tonight, tomorrow a precisian, and so of divers others.

Though Burbage was admired above all others, praise was also heaped upon the apprentice players whose alto voices fitted them for the parts of women. A spectator at Oxford in 1610 records how the audience were reduced to tears by the pathos of Desdemona’s death. The puritans who fumed about the biblical prohibition upon cross-dressing and the encouragement to sodomy constituted by the sigh of an adult male kissing a teenage boy on stage were a small minority. Little is known, however, about the characteristics of the leading apprentices in Shakespeare’s company. It may perhaps be inferred that one was a lot taller than the other, since Shakespeare often wrote for a pair of female friends, one tall and fair, the other short and dark (Helena and Hermia, Rosalind and Celia, Beatrice and Hero).

No image survives of a Shakespearean apprentice, but this is Ned Kynaston, last of the “boy actors,” a famous Desdemona and the subject of Stage Beauty (2004), an excellent movie that reimagines the time when actresses first took on Shakespeare’s female parts in the 1660s.

“He that plays the king shall be welcome; his majesty shall have tribute of me: the adventurous knight shall use his foil and target: the lover shall not sigh gratis: the humorous man shall end his part in peace: the clown shall make those laugh whose lungs are tickled o’th’sear: and the lady shall say her mind freely, or the blank verse shall halt for’t”: Hamlet’s welcome of the players to Elsinore suggests that a degree of typecasting—the king, the adventurer, the lover, the humorous man, and so forth—was customary in Shakespeare’s theater, a practice borne out by the tendency of his scripts to use generic speech headings such as “King,” “Clown,” “Bastard,” and “Braggart.” But putting the names of the Chamberlain’s Men to particular parts is almost impossible. Burbage was undoubtedly Richard III, Romeo, Hamlet, Othello, and Lear, but was his apprentice, young Nick Tooley, the original Viola, Beatrice, Portia, and Rosalind? Did “stuttering” Hemings, as he was known, play Polonius and Lafew? When Henry Condell graduated to the status of full company sharer, did he become Edgar in Lear and Malcolm in Macbeth? We know little about Shakespeare’s own acting roles—an early allusion indicates that he often took royal parts and a venerable tradition gives him old Adam in As You Like It and the ghost of old King Hamlet. Save for Burbage’s lead roles and the generic part of the clown, all such castings are mere speculation. We do not even know for sure whether the original Falstaff was Will Kempe or another actor who specialized in comic roles, Thomas Pope.

Kempe left the company in early 1599. Tradition has it that he fell out with Shakespeare over the matter of excessive improvisation. He was replaced by Robert Armin, who was less of a clown and more of a cerebral wit: this explains the difference between such parts as Lancelet, Gobbo, and Dogberry, which were written for Kempe, and the more verbally sophisticated Feste and Lear’s Fool, which were written for Armin.

One thing that is clear from surviving “plots” or storyboards of plays from the period is that a degree of doubling was necessary. 2 Henry VI has over sixty speaking parts, but more than half of the characters only appear in a single scene and most scenes have only six to eight speakers. At a stretch, the play could be performed by thirteen actors. When Thomas Platter saw Julius Caesar at the Globe in 1599, he noted that there were about fifteen. Recent research suggests that a typical Lord Chamberlain’s Men production had a cast of twenty-three (nine sharers, eight older apprentices or hired men, six boys), suggesting that there was less doubling of substantial roles than has sometimes been supposed, but it nevertheless remains suggestive when a major character is absent for a large part of the play. Why doesn’t Paris go to the Capulet ball in Romeo and Juliet? Perhaps because he was doubled with Mercutio, who does. In The Winter’s Tale, Mamillius might have come back as Perdita and Antigonus been doubled by Camillo, making the partnership with Paulina at the end a very neat touch. Titania and Oberon are often played by the same pair as Hippolyta and Theseus, suggesting a symbolic matching of the rulers of the worlds of night and day, but it is questionable whether there would have been time for the necessary costume changes. As so often, one is left in the realm of tantalizing speculation.

“Dangerous Matter”: Politics and Religion

From the summer of 1594 to March 1603 the Lord Chamberlain’s Men played in London with few interruptions. They undertook a limited amount of touring: they are found at Cambridge and Ipswich in the eastern counties in 1594–95, at Faversham in Kent in the summer of 1596, at a private house in Rutland in the Midlands just after Christmas that year (a hurried trip for a one-off performance of Titus Andronicus, before returning to court duties), and on a longer tour to the southeast and southwest in 1597, venues including Dover, Rye, Marlborough, and Bristol. The reason for this longer tour was that the London theaters were closed for a period as punishment for the production at the newly built Swan Theatre of a politically ill-advised play called The Isle of Dogs. It is not known whether Shakespeare traveled with his fellows. In King Lear he reveals his knowledge of the thriving economy of samphire gathering on Dover cliff, so he is likely to have gone there.

Ironically, the only literary composition to survive in Shakespeare’s handwriting is a scene for a play that was never performed and with which he had very limited involvement. It seems to have been sometime around the turn of the century that the Lord Chamberlain’s Men obtained the script of a play about Sir Thomas More that had not been staged, due to political objections from the Master of the Revels who licensed all performances. Shakespeare contributed a skillful scene in which More quelled a rioting crowd through the force of his rhetoric. In a characteristic balancing act, he managed both to animate the ordinary people in the crowd with colorful detail (thus Doll says that More’s care for the people is witnessed by his having “made my brother, Arthur Watchins, Sergeant Safe’s yeoman”) and to argue in More’s voice on behalf of both empathy with the dispossessed (in this case immigrants) and respect for the order of the state (“For to the king God hath his office lent / Of dread, of justice, power and command, / Hath bid him rule, and willed you to obey”). This was not enough to make the play acceptable: “Leave out the insurrection wholly, with the cause thereof,” demanded the Master of the Revels, with the result that it languished in manuscript until the nineteenth century, when a scholar realized for the first time that here were a few precious pages in Shakespeare’s fluent, barely punctuated hand. Contrary to the expectation established by Hemings and Condell’s observation in the preface to the First Folio that when Shakespeare handed his manuscripts over to his acting company there was barely a crossing-out, the scene from Sir Thomas More reveals him in the process of having second thoughts even as he composes.

Since the 1700s, the cult of Shakespeare has been closely bound up with the idealization of Queen Elizabeth I. The plays of Shakespeare have often been set beside the poetry of John Donne, the gentleman-like virtues of Sir Philip Sidney, the global circumnavigation of Francis Drake, the colonial enterprise of Sir Walter Ralegh, and the defeat of the Spanish Armada: these, it has been said, were the fruits of England’s golden age. The reality is that Queen Elizabeth inherited, and Shakespeare grew up in a divided and vulnerable nation. The Spanish threat and the Irish problem would not go away. The queen’s tactic of not marrying was a highly effective way of keeping open a range of possible alliances, but by the 1590s it had created severe anxiety about the succession to the throne. In the period when Shakespeare was writing his plays, the queen and her ministers had come to rely more and more on coercion, threat, and surveillance in order to maintain authority.

At the end of his career, writing in collaboration with John Fletcher, Shakespeare turned his direct attention to the moment that shaped the historical context of his own life: Henry VIII’s decision to divorce Katherine of Aragon and marry Anne Boleyn (or Bullen) in the hope of siring a son to succeed him on the throne of England, an act of high political risk that eventually had consequences for the spiritual life of the entire nation. When Shakespeare’s father John was born, there was no Church other than that of Rome. When Shakespeare was born, there was a new state religion, the Church of England. When Shakespeare’s father was born, he owed a subject’s obedience to the king but a soul’s obedience to God via the Pope. During Shakespeare’s youth, successive Popes excommunicated the Queen of England and licensed her assassination. Drastic measures were taken to protect her safety. Shakespeare lived in a world of government spies, Catholic conspiracies, supposed Catholic conspiracies that were really secret service frame-ups, and public executions of traitors. In 1584, the queen’s Privy Council, their eyes cast anxiously on the claim to the throne of Elizabeth’s Catholic cousin, Mary Queen of Scots, instigated a “Bond of Association for the Preservation of Her Majesty’s Royal Person,” whereby they vowed “to pursue to utter extermination all that shall attempt by any act, counsel, or consent to anything that shall tend to the harm of Her Majesty’s Royal Person, or claim succession to the Crown by the untimely death of Her Majesty; vowing and protesting in the presence of the Eternal and Everliving God to prosecute such persons to the death.” The Bond, to which hundreds of Englishmen signed up, specifically called for vengeance in the event of the queen’s assassination. The world of oaths and factions, plot and counterplot, murder, and seizure of the throne, vengeance, and blood, in Shakespeare’s tragedies and histories should be understood in this historical context.

The public drama had enormous propaganda potential. A play such as Christopher Marlowe’s dramatization of The Massacre at Paris that had occurred on Saint Bartholomew’s Day in 1572 was the perfect way of inflaming the people against murderous Popish tyranny and also creating sympathy for London’s population of exiled Huguenot Protestants. But the drama had equal and opposite subversive potential. In 1597, an order went out for all the playhouses to be demolished as a result of Nashe and Jonson’s “lewd and mutinous” The Isle of Dogs, which had been staged at the Swan. Had the order been carried through, Shakespeare’s career would have been cut short well before he wrote many of his greatest plays. As it was, the Privy Council relented, though for a time performances were restricted to the two trusty troupes, the Lord Chamberlain’s and Lord Admiral’s Men. But plays touching on politics, religion, and international relations always retained the element of risk. The archives of the Revels office are punctuated by entries that reveal the censorship process at work: “this is too insolent and to be changed” scribbled against a speech, or the note “I did refuse to allow a play of Massinger’s because it did contain dangerous matter, as the deposing of Sebastian King of Portugal by Philip the Second and there being a peace sworn twixt the Kings of England and Spain.” A passage about York usurping the crown through popular incitement appears in the original published version of the play that became 2 Henry VI, but not the Folio text. References to Irish rebellion are toned down in the same play and Macmorris’ plea on behalf of the Irish nation is absent from the 1600 Quarto of Henry V. The deposition scene is absent from the first three editions of Richard II. Passages concerning rebellion seem to have been removed from 2 Henry IV. Shakespeare had to change the name of Oldcastle to Falstaff so as not to tarnish the memory of a famous proto-Protestant martyr.

In 1599, severely dangerous matter was published in the form of a history of the reign of Henry IV by Sir John Hayward, a follower of the queen’s restless favorite, the Earl of Essex, in which it was argued that Richard II’s weakness as a ruler was sufficient justification for Henry Bullingbrook’s seizure of the throne. The book was suppressed, but its aura of subversion clung to Shakespeare’s dramatization of the same material: the day before Essex and his followers attempted to seize the court in February 1601, they commissioned a performance of Richard II at the Globe, as if to prepare Londoners for the removal of an anointed but ineffective monarch.

Shakespeare’s political beliefs are as elusive as his religion, his sexuality, and just about everything else about him that matters. Precisely because he was not an apologist for any single position, it has been possible for the plays to be effectively reinterpreted in the light of each successive age. In the four centuries since his death, he has been made the apologist for all sorts of diametrically opposed ideologies, many of them anachronistic—we should not forget that he was writing before the time when toleration and liberal democracy became totemic values. But the political appropriation of him is true to his own practice: he too was a great trader in anachronism. He took the political structures of ancient Rome and mapped them onto his own time and state with fascinating effect. The Rape of Lucrece is set at the moment of transition from monarchy to republic, Coriolanus during the republican era, Julius Caesar at the pivotal moment when a crown is offered and refused but the republic collapses anyway, Antony and Cleopatra ends with the beginning of empire, and Titus Andronicus fictionalizes the Roman Empire in decay, approaching the time when the great city will be sacked by “barbarian” hordes from the north. King Lear and Cymbeline find echoes of the modern in the matter of ancient Britain. The history plays speak at once to the generations before Shakespeare and to his live audience. Several other plays use contemporary Italy as a mirror. Humanist learning and mercantile travel meant that the eyes of the Elizabethans were open to alternative forms of government other than the hereditary monarchy they experienced at home. They had great admiration for Venice, regarding that island city-state as a model of antipapal modernity and trading prowess. Venice had no monarch but a sophisticated oligarchic system, which was observed by English travelers and absorbed by readers such as Shakespeare by way of Lewis Lewkenor’s translation of Contarini’s The Commonwealth and Republic of Venice (an important source for Othello).

Not so long ago, it was commonplace for historians to assert that republican thought had no following in England until well into the seventeenth century—that the intellectual conditions, which made the Cromwellian republic possible only emerged a few years before the extraordinary moment when the English chopped off their king’s head. Recent scholarship has shown that this was not the case: republican discourse, if not overt republican polemic, was widespread in Shakespeare’s time. So, for instance, the anti-imperial Roman historian Tacitus was read, discussed, and admired as the most dispassionate of historians, whose work combined moral insight into the behavior of political actors with an assessment of their value as governors. Several of Shakespeare’s plays may by this light be described as “Tacitean.” The flavor of Tacitus is wonderfully captured in Justus Lipsius’ dedicatory epistle to his translation of the Annals: “Behold a theatre of our modern life: I see a ruler rising up against the laws in one passage, subjects rising up against a ruler elsewhere. I find the devices which make the destruction of liberty possible and the unsuccessful effort to regain it. I read of tyrants overthrown in their turn, and of power, ever unfaithful to those who abuse it.” This could equally well serve as a conspectus of Shakespeare’s history plays and political tragedies.

The association of Shakespeare with Tacitism is especially interesting because it aligns him with the Earl of Essex. Henry Savile, the first English translator of Tacitus, became provost of Eton school through Essex’s patronage and there were a number of other Tacitean scholars and apologists in his circle. Shakespeare’s patron, Southampton, was a follower of Essex, so it must have been a political gesture on Shakespeare’s part to dedicate to him The Rape of Lucrece, a highly Tacitean account of the tyranny of Tarquin and the establishment of the Roman republic. Shakespeare’s most explicit contemporary political allusion is a flattering allusion in one of the Henry V choruses to Essex’s military expedition against the Irish. The commissioning of the performance of Richard II on the eve of the Essex rebellion suggests that the Tacitean faction still considered Shakespeare to be effectively their house dramatist in the last years of the old queen’s reign. But with his usual cunning, Shakespeare somehow managed to throw off the association: Essex was executed for treason and Southampton was sent to the Tower, but the players got away with a reprimand. They claimed that they had only put on the show because they had been well paid to do so.

The King’s Man

Shakespeare sometimes wrote in direct flattery of Queen Elizabeth, as in the epilogue to a court performance on Shrove Tuesday 1599, which our edition is the first to include in the main body of his work (see poem “To the Queen”). And the Virgin Queen is almost certainly the immortal phoenix of the mysteriously beautiful poem that has become known as “The Phoenix and Turtle,” written the same year as the Essex rebellion. But when the old queen finally died in 1603, Henry Chettle expressed surprise that Shakespeare’s “honied muse…dropped no sable tear” in her memory. Though there seems not to have been a published elegy, Shakespeare did perhaps reflect on the end of the era and the uncertain times to come in Sonnet 107, with its reference to the “eclipse” of the “mortal moon” (in classical mythology, the moon was associated with Diana the virgin huntress—and Elizabeth in turn was associated with her).

The new king, James I, who had held the Scottish throne as James VI since he had been an infant, immediately took the Lord Chamberlain’s Men under his direct patronage. Henceforth they would be the King’s Men, and for the rest of Shakespeare’s career they were favored with far more court performances than any of their rivals. There even seem to have been rumors early in the reign that Shakespeare and Burbage were being considered for knighthoods, an unprecedented honor for mere actors—and one that in the event was not accorded to a member of the profession for nearly three hundred years, when the title was bestowed upon Henry Irving, the leading Shakespearean actor of Queen Victoria’s reign.

The King’s Men were given the status of Grooms of the Chamber. Each sharer in the company was given four and a half yards of red cloth from the Master of the Great Wardrobe for the occasion of the new king’s ceremonial procession through the City of London in March 1604. Henslowe’s rival company, now under the patronage of the new queen, enacted a spectacle along the way. It is not known whether the King’s Men performed or marched, perhaps assisting in the bearing of the royal canopy (implied by Sonnet 125?).

King James and his family: Shakespeare began writing in the time of the unmarried Queen Elizabeth, but after 1603, when his company became the King’s Men, he knew that his plays would be performed in front of a royal family—royal weddings and dynastic liaisons become a preoccupation in his later plays.

In August that year, they had to close the theater and spend eighteen days literally “waiting” in attendance at Somerset House during the visit of a special envoy from the King of Spain, while a peace treaty was being thrashed out. This moment of suspension was an important turning point in Shakespeare’s career. Elizabethan Shakespeare was a war poet: the Armada and the campaigns against the Spanish in the Netherlands had overshadowed his whole career. Jacobean Shakespeare was a peace poet: of course he still wrote battle scenes, which were always good box office, but a play such as Coriolanus is equally interested in the question of what happens to a man of action in time of peace. A Scottish king working in harmony with the English court brings peace at the climax of Macbeth, Cymbeline ends with a peace treaty, and Antony and Cleopatra concludes with Octavius becoming Augustus and promising to fulfill his prediction that “The time of universal peace is near.” James liked to see himself as a modern Augustus, at once the bringer of peace across Europe and the founder of a new empire (“Britain,” in contrast to Elizabeth’s “England”). Shakespeare’s Jacobean plays resonate with the new king’s preoccupations: in Macbeth, the Gunpowder Plot, witchcraft, the lineage of Banquo, the practice of “touching” subjects to cure them of scrofula, known as “the king’s evil”; in Lear, the need to unite Britain and the dire consequences of its division; in Cymbeline, Britain as a new Rome and the talismanic Welsh port of Milford Haven, where Henry Richmond landed at the dawn of the Tudor dynasty; in The Winter’s Tale and The Tempest, royal children and dynastic liaisons.

During the early years of the new reign, Shakespeare lodged in Cripplegate at the home of Christopher Mountjoy, a “tire-maker” of French Huguenot origin who may have been involved with the costuming of the King’s Men. A very rare fragment of Shakespeare’s own voice is to be heard in a deposition that he lodged with the Court of Requests in 1612 in a case of matrimonial dispute involving the Mountjoys’ daughter and their apprentice. Shakespeare had helped to facilitate the match, but could not remember the financial details of the marriage settlement. His deposition seemed calculate to offend neither side, to be generous without making any commitments. When pressed, he said that “more to this interrogatory he cannot depose” or that he could “say nothing touching any part or point of the same interrogatory.” To say nothing or to refuse to depose more than a little: he was as guarded before the court as he was in his writing.

An anecdote handed down from an actor in Shakespeare’s company said that he was “the more to be admired” because “he was not a company-keeper,” adding that he lived in Shoreditch, “would not be debauched” and, if invited to go out on the town in pursuit of women, would say that he was not feeling well. And yet the “dark lady” sonnets give the impression of being written in the voice of a man who knows sexual passion, guilt, and, even apparently the mercury-bath cure for syphilis. There is no firm evidence concerning the question of his sexuality, and in particular the degree of homoerotic charge in his idealization of the “fair youth” of his other sonnets—whoever that may have been, if indeed he was a real person at all.

Shakespeare’s productivity rate slowed in the Jacobean years, not because of age or some personal trauma, but because there were frequent outbreaks of plague, causing the theaters to be closed for long periods. The King’s Men were forced to spend many months on the road. Between November 1603 and 1608, they are to be found at Leicester, Coventry, Oxford and Bridgnorth in the Midlands, Bath and Barnstaple in the West Country, Faversham, Fordham, Maidstone and Dover in Kent, Saffron Walden and Dunwich in East Anglia. Attractive as it might be to imagine Shakespeare in Barnstaple shortly before the writing of King Lear, listening to a Devon accent that he then gives to the disguised Edgar, it is possible that he stopped touring with his colleagues in these later years. He may indeed have stopped acting: he is in the cast lists of Ben Jonson’s Every Man in his Humour (1598) and Sejanus (1603), but, unlike Burbage, Hemings, Condell, and the rest, not those of Volpone (1605), The Alchemist (1610), and Catiline (1611). An early owner of a copy of the First Folio scribbled against the names of the King’s Men actors details about his knowledge of them. Against Shakespeare he wrote “least,” or perhaps “ceast,” “for making”—this enigmatic comment might suggest that as “maker” of plays Shakespeare reduced his commitment to acting in them.

With the London theaters closed so much of the time and a large repertoire on the stocks, Shakespeare seems to have focused his energies on writing a few long and complex tragedies that could have been played on demand at court: Othello, King Lear, Antony and Cleopatra, Coriolanus, and Cymbeline are among his longest and poetically grandest plays. Macbeth only survives in a shorter text, which shows signs of adaptation after Shakespeare’s death. The bitterly satirical Timon of Athens, apparently a collaboration with Thomas Middleton that may have failed on the stage, also belongs to this period. In comedy, too, he wrote longer and morally darker works than in the Elizabethan period, pushing at the very bounds of the form in Measure for Measure and All’s Well That Ends Well. It might even be argued that he was turning into a more literary and less theatrical author. The 1608 Quarto edition of King Lear emphasized its status as a “true chronicle history” as much as the fact that it had been played before His Majesty the King at Whitehall on Saint Stephen’s night. One of the two printed issues of Troilus and Cressida in 1609 has a title page again emphasizing history as opposed to theater, together with an epistle conspicuously addressed to the reader as opposed to the playgoer. It was also in 1609 that the sonnets were published, with their many references to the achievement of immortality through the work of the pen. It is not, however, certain whether or not this volume was authorized by Shakespeare himself.

From 1608 onward, when the King’s Men began occupying the indoor Blackfriars playhouse (as a winter house), Shakespeare turned to a more romantic style. His company had a great success with a revived and altered version of an old pastoral play called Mucedorus. It even featured a bear. The younger dramatist John Fletcher, meanwhile, sometimes working in collaboration with Francis Beaumont, was pioneering a new style of tragicomedy, a mix of romance and royalism laced with intrigue and pastoral excursions. A play called Philaster, or Love lies a-bleeding was the prime example. Shakespeare experimented with this idiom in Cymbeline and it was presumably with his blessing that Fletcher eventually took over as the King’s Men’s company dramatist. The two writers apparently collaborated on three plays in the years 1612–14: a lost romance called Cardenio (based on the love-madness of a character in Cervantes’ Don Quixote), Henry VIII (originally staged with the title “All is True”), and The Two Noble Kinsmen, a dramatization of Chaucer’s “Knight’s Tale.” These were written after Shakespeare’s two final solo-authored plays, The Winter’s Tale, a self-consciously old-fashioned work dramatizing the pastoral romance of his old enemy Robert Greene, and The Tempest, which at one and the same time drew together multiple theatrical traditions, diverse reading and, contemporary interest in the fate of a ship that had been wrecked on the way to the New World.

The collaborations with Fletcher suggest that Shakespeare’s career ended with a slow fade rather than the sudden retirement supposed by the nineteenth-century Romantic critics who read Prospero’s epilogue to The Tempest as Shakespeare’s personal farewell to his art. In the last few years of his life Shakespeare certainly spent more of his time in Stratford-upon-Avon, where he became involved in further property dealings and litigation. His voice is heard in an acrimonious dispute over the enclosure of the fields on the Welcombe Hills on the edge of town. As in the Mountjoy case, he was careful to balance his position between the parties. But his London life also continued. In 1613 he composed an impresa, or emblem, to be painted by Richard Burbage and carried during the Accession Day tilt by the Earl of Rutland, one of the old circle of Southampton and Essex. In the same year, Shakespeare made his first major London property purchase: a freehold house in the Blackfriars district, close to his company’s indoor theater. The Two Noble Kinsmen may have been written as late as 1614, and Shakespeare was in London on business a little over a year before he died.

He made his will in March 1616, but soon altered it in order to protect the interests of his daughter Judith, when he discovered that her new husband, Thomas Quiney, had impregnated another woman. The bulk of his estate went to his elder daughter Susanna and her very respectable husband, Dr. John Hall. Shakespeare’s widow would have been entitled to a life interest in a third of the estate. The famous late insertion in the will whereby she is bequeathed the “second-best bed” has been the subject of endless speculation. John and Susanna doubtless got the best bed, but we are unlikely ever to know whether the mention of the second-best one was an affectionate gesture, a slight, a joke, or of some other unexplained significance. The most touching aspect of Shakespeare’s will is the bequest of money to buy memorial rings for his three closest colleagues among the actors, John Hemings, Richard Burbage, and Henry Condell.

He died on April 23, 1616, which may have been his fifty-second birthday. An old but unsubstantiated local tradition claimed that he expired after a drinking bout during a visit from fellow authors Michael Drayton and Ben Jonson. Two days later he was buried. As a tithe owner, he was entitled to a place in the chancel of the parish church. Some doggerel on the stone that covers the grave has been assigned, also by local tradition, to his own pen: “Good friend, for Jesus’ sake forbear / To dig the dust enclosèd here. / Blessed be the man that spares these stones, / And cursed be he that moves my bones.” The sentiments are strictly conventional and the lines could have been written by anybody.

His immediate family died out within two generations, when his library and other possessions would have been dispersed, if he had a library, that is: just as he had the quality of a magpie in his literary borrowings, so the books he read in preparing to write his plays may well have been borrowed rather than owned. At one time or another about 130 surviving books have been put forward as bearing his signature or initials. Among them are copies of Florio’s translation of Montaigne in the British Museum, the Aldine edition of Ovid’s Metamorphoses in the Bodleian Library in Oxford, and Sir Thomas North’s translation of Plutarch’s Lives of the Most Noble Grecians and Romanes in the Greenock Library in Scotland. Most, if not all, of the signatures are forgeries. Not long after his death, a stone monument was erected in Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon. But, as readers and other writers quickly recognized, his living monument was his work.

The Great Feast of Languages

When Shakespeare’s daughter Susanna died in July 1649, just a few weeks after England was proclaimed a commonwealth instead of a kingdom, she was described in her epitaph as “witty above her sex.” “Something of Shakespeare was in that,” continued the verses cut on her gravestone. From the initial reception of Venus and Adonis through the dedicatory material prefaced to the First Folio to this nod toward his daughter’s lineage, Shakespeare was renowned above all for his wit and his mastery of language. He lived in an age when the English language was undergoing a huge expansion, sucking in new words from all over Europe and beyond, and he worked in a profession wholly reliant upon the memorable use of language.

The eloquent and persuasive arrangement of words was the essence of the drama, as John Marston made explicit when he brought the figure of “Rhetoric” onstage near the beginning of his play about playing, Histriomastix:

               Rhetoric will put her richest habit on

               Of gestures, voice and exornation:

               Her tropes and schemes shall dignify her sense

               And honour peace with clearest eloquence.

Like all his poetic contemporaries, Shakespeare had a profoundly figurative imagination. Composition was conceived in terms of figures of words, divided into tropes (a word shifted away from its usual context or signification) and schemes (words arranged in expressive patterns), and figures of thought (such as frankness of speech, understatement, vivid description, the structural division of argument, accumulation, refining, dwelling on the point, comparison, exemplification, simile, personification, emphasis, conciseness, ocular demonstration). Tropes and schemes were both a device to assist actors in memorizing their lines and a method of organization to make the words spoken on stage vivid and memorable for the audience.

Even today Shakespeare is admired for certain kinds of rhetorical effect, such as simile (Cleopatra’s “The stroke of death is as a lover’s pinch / Which hurts and is desired”), metaphor (Cleopatra’s “Dost thou not see the baby at my breast / That sucks the nurse asleep?”) and an array of devices of repetition and variation—as when Macbeth imagines how the blood on his hands will “The multitudinous seas incarnadine, / Making the green one red,” which essentially says the same thing twice, first in orotund Latinate phrasing, then in plain monosyllabic Anglo-Saxon. But Shakespeare’s original audience would have taken pleasure in recognizing dozens of elaborate verbal figurations, ranging from catachresis (words wrenched from common usage, as in Hamlet’s “I will speak daggers to her, but use none”) to asyndeton (the omission of conjunctions—as occurs throughout Sonnet 129) to anacoluthon (changing the grammatical construction in the middle of the sentence, in imitation of the way we often speak) to synonymy (repeating the same idea in different terms: “This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle, / This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars, / This other Eden, demi-paradise”) to anadiplosis (repetition of a word from the end of one line or clause to begin the next line or clause, as in Hotspur’s dying speech, “But thought’s the slave of life, and life, time’s fool; / And time that takes survey of all the world / Must have a stop”) to antimetabole or chiasmus (the mirrored pairing of two clauses—Polonius’ “foolish figure” exemplifed by “ ’tis true ’tis pity, / And pity it is true”) to epanalepsis (the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning and end of the same clause or sentence—Lear’s “Nothing will come of nothing”) to isocolon (phrases or clauses of parallel structure and approximately equal length) to climax (a series of phrases or clauses in order of increasing importance, often with key terms repeated using anadiplosis and often arranged in the form of tricolon or threefold amplificatio). The rhetorical handbooks listed dozens more such effects.

Shakespeare is sometimes said to have coined more new English words than anyone else, with the possible exception of James Joyce. This is not true. The illusion of his unique inventiveness in this regard was created by the tendency of the Oxford English Dictionary to cite examples from him as the first usage of a word. That was because of his ready availability when the dictionary was created at the end of the Victorian era. Now that there are large digitized databases of sixteenth-century books, it is easy to find prior occurrences for many supposed Shakespearean coinages. Despite this, the list of neologisms remains impressive. To give a random selection of words, Shakespeare is responsible for such verbs as “puke,” “torture,” “misquote,” “gossip,” “swagger,” “blanket” (Poor Tom’s “blanket my loins” in Lear), and “champion” (Macbeth’s “champion me to the utterance”). He seems to have invented the nouns “critic,” “mountaineer,” “pageantry,” and “eyeball,” the adjectives “fashionable,” “unreal,” “bloodstained,” “deafening,” “majestic,” and “domineering,” and the adverbs “instinctively” and “obsequiously” in the sense of “behaving in the appropriate way to render obsequies for the dead” (only in the eighteenth century did the word come to connote “excessive deference”—perhaps as the very result of Richard III’s feigning performance of the word). Many of his coinages are not new words, but old words in new contexts (such as the application of “manager” to the entertainment business, with A Midsummer Night’s Dream’s “manager of mirth”) or new compounds or old words wrested to new grammatical usage. “Lord Angelo dukes it well in his absence” is a good example of the latter in Measure for Measure, and in Macbeth “I’ll devil-porter it no further” offers compounding and grammatical conversion in the same instance.

Though twenty-first-century electronic databases diminish the extent of Shakespeare’s actual coinages, they immeasurably enrich our sense of the astonishingly multivalent, polysemous quality of his language. As will be seen from our on-page explanatory notes, even an apparently simple word may have two or three very different meanings. Early modern dictionaries suggest that Shakespeare and his contemporaries thought of words not as referring to one thing, but as signifiers of a range of subtly related meanings. So, for instance, “conscience,” a key word in Hamlet, is defined in John Baret’s triple English, French, and Latin dictionary of 1574 as “witness of one’s own mind, knowledge, remorse,” thus simultaneously suggesting modern “consciousness” as well as the associations of a guilty conscience. “Honest,” a key word in Othello, is revealed by John Florio’s 1598 World of Words to be within a spectrum of words including “loyal,” “true,” “trusty,” “upright,” “faithful,” “righteous,” “natural,” “good,” “godly,” and “civil,” all of which are wonderfully inapposite for “honest lago.”

One particular area where multiple signification operates extensively in Shakespeare is that of sexual reference. Puns on body parts, such as “thing” and “will” for the penis, “nothing” and “case” for the vagina, have long been recognized in both the comedies and the sonnets, but a long tradition of editorial reticence has meant that it is still not fully appreciated how pervasive sexual innuendo is across the full range of Shakespeare’s works. Our explanatory notes do not shy away from the bawdy energies of “back-trick,” “banquet,” “bauble,” “beard,” “bog,” “Brentford,” “buried face upwards,” “chink,” “clack-dish,” “her very c’s, her u’s, and [‘n’] her t’s, and thus makes she her great P’s,” “focative is caret / And that’s a good root,” “Neapolitan bone-ache,” “out,” “part,” “purse,” “ring,” “stones,” and scores of cognate terms. Words such as “out” do not, of course, always have a sexual connotation, but an exchange such as the following in As You Like It depends on the bawdy pun, whereby Orlando uses the actor’s sense of forgetting one’s lines (“lost for words”) and Rosalind responds as if he intended the bawdy one (“denied entry”). Her reply also depends on “honesty” meaning “chastity,” and “rank” meaning “lustful” and/or “in heat”:

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     Who could be out, being before his beloved mistress?

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Marry, that should you, if I were your mistress, or I should think my honesty ranker than my wit.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     What, of my suit?

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Not out of your apparel, and yet out of your suit. Am not I your Rosalind?

Sexual punning is not only a symptom of the unprecedented extent and exuberance of Shakespeare’s verbal wit, but also a source of his boundless commitment to life. We will fully understand his vision only when we unashamedly acknowledge how he can move in an instant from such uplifting similes and metaphors as “It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night / As a rich jewel in an Ethiope’s ear” and “But, soft, what light through yonder window breaks? / It is the east, and Juliet is the sun” to the sentiment expressed by Mercutio just seconds before, “O Romeo, that she were, O, that she were / An open arse and thou a pop’rin pear,” where the innuendo comes from not only the resemblance of the medlar fruit to a woman’s genitals but also the naughty play on “pop it in.”

Cult and Heresy

In 1612, around the time that Shakespeare was beginning to work in collaboration with John Fletcher, perhaps as a prelude to his retirement, the young dramatist John Webster wrote a preface to his tragedy The White Devil in which he expressed his “good opinion” of the “worthy labours” of his peers in the art of playmaking: the grandiose style of George Chapman, the learning of Ben Jonson, the collaborative enterprise of Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher, and “the right happy and copious industry of Mr Shakespeare, Mr Decker [sic], and Mr Heywood.” Shakespeare’s plays are thus praised for being plentiful in number and well judged in execution. He is placed in the company of Thomas Dekker and Thomas Heywood, two other prolific and highly professional writers who made their living from the stage. But he is mentioned after four writers who, while equally professional and industrious, were better connected to the court and the gentry—Chapman, Jonson, Beaumont, and Fletcher. Four years later, in the spring of 1616, Beaumont and Shakespeare died within a few weeks of each other. Beaumont became the first dramatist to be honored with burial in the national shrine of Westminster Abbey, beside the tombs of Geoffrey Chaucer (the father of English verse) and Edmund Spenser (the greatest poet of the Elizabethan era). Shakespeare was laid to rest in the provincial obscurity of his native Stratford-upon-Avon. That same year, Ben Jonson became the first English dramatist to publish a collected edition of his own plays written for the public stage. He was much mocked for his presumption in doing so, especially under the title of Works, suggestive of an edition of a classical author such as Virgil or Horace. Webster learned many of the tricks of his trade from Shakespeare, but if he had been asked which of his contemporaries would achieve immortality and come to be regarded as the greatest playmaker since the ancient Greek tragedians, he could as well have plumped for either Jonson or the team of Beaumont and Fletcher. Or possibly even Chapman. We now think of Shakespeare as a unique genius, the embodiment indeed of the very idea of artistic genius, but in his own time, though widely admired, he was but one of a constellation of theatrical stars.

How is it, then, that when we reach the eighteenth and nineteenth century Shakespeare’s fame has outstripped that of all his peers? Why was he the sole dramatist of the age who would eventually have a genuinely international, ultimately a worldwide, impact?

One of the ways in which writers endure is through their influence on later writers. Jonson intuited this in his dedicatory poem to the 1623 First Folio of Shakespeare’s collected plays, where he described Shakespeare as a “star” whose “influence” would “chide or cheer” the future course of British drama. Once the Folio was available to, in the words of its editors, “the great Variety of Readers,” the plays began to influence not just the theater but poetry more generally. The works of Milton, notably his masque Comus, were steeped in Shakespearean language. Indeed, the young Milton’s first published poem was a sonnet prefixed to the second edition of the Folio, in which Shakespeare was said to have built himself “a live-long Monument” in the form of his plays. Shakespeare was Milton’s key precedent for the writing of his epic Paradise Lost (1667) in blank verse rather than rhyme. Even later seventeenth-century poets, such as King Charles II’s Poet Laureate John Dryden, who were committed to rhyme, acknowledged the power of his dramatic blank verse. As an act of homage to “the Divine Shakespeare” Dryden abandoned rhyme in All for Love (1678), his reworking of the Cleopatra story.

The London theaters were closed during the years of civil war and republican government in the middle of the seventeenth century. The years after the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660 were characterized by a somewhat schizophrenic attitude to Shakespeare. On the positive side, he was invoked for his inspirational native genius, used to support claims for English naturalness as opposed to French artifice, and for the moderns against the ancients. In a sweeping Essay of Dramatic Poesy (1668), Dryden described Shakespeare as “the man who of all Modern, and perhaps Ancient Poets, had the largest and most comprehensive soul.” He brushed off charges of Shakespeare’s lack of learning with the memorable judgment that “he needed not the spectacles of Books to read Nature.”

Contemporaneously with Dryden, the learned Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of Newcastle, praised Shakespeare for his extraordinary ability to enter into his vast array of characters, to “express the divers and different humors, or natures, or several passions in mankind.” Yet at the same time, the courtly elite had spent their years of exile in France and come under the influence of a highly refined neoclassical theory of artistic decorum, according to which tragedy should be kept apart from comedy and high style from low, with dramatic “unity” demanding obedience to strict laws. For this reason, Dryden and his contemporaries took considerable liberties in polishing and “improving” Shakespeare’s plays for performance. According to the law of poetic justice, wholly innocent characters should not be allowed to die: Nahum Tate therefore rewrote King Lear (1681) with a happy ending in which Cordelia marries Edgar. Tate also omitted the character of the Fool, on the grounds that such a figure was beneath the dignity of high tragedy.

The more formal classicism of Jonson and the courtly romances of Beaumont and Fletcher answered more readily to the Frenchified standards of the Restoration theater. Actors, though, were demonstrating that the most rewarding roles in the repertoire were the Shakespearean ones. Thomas Betterton (1635–1710), the greatest player of the age, had enormous success as Hamlet, Sir Toby Belch, Henry VIII, Macbeth, Timon of Athens, Lear, Falstaff, Angelo in Measure for Measure, and Othello (some of these in versions close to the original texts, others in heavily adapted reworkings). Playhouse scripts of individual plays found their way into print, while the Folio went through its third and fourth printings. By the end of the century, Shakespeare was well entrenched in English cultural life. But he was not yet the unique genius.

Thomas Betterton’s veneration for the memory of Shakespeare was such that late in his life he traveled to Warwickshire in order to find out what he could about the dramatist’s origins. He passed a store of anecdotes to the poet, playwright, and eventual Poet Laureate Nicholas Rowe, who wrote “Some Account of the Life of Mr William Shakespeare,” a biographical sketch published in 1709 in the first of the six volumes of his Works of Shakespeare, the collection that is usually regarded as the first modern edition of the plays. Rowe’s biography offered a mixture of truth and myth, calculated to represent Shakespeare as a man of the people. It tells of how young Will was withdrawn from school when his father fell on hard times, and how he then got into bad company and stole deer from the park of local grandee Sir Thomas Lucy. The resultant prosecution forced him to leave for London, where he became an actor and then a dramatist. There is no documentary warrant for the deer-stealing story. Rowe’s account is a symptom of how every age reinvents Shakespeare in its own image. The road from the provinces to London was a familiar one in the eighteenth century—Samuel Johnson and David Garrick walked it in real life, Henry Fielding’s Tom Jones in fiction. Shakespeare served as exemplar of the writer who achieved success, and an unprecedented degree of financial reward, from his pen alone. The Earl of Southampton may have helped him on his way in his early years, but he was essentially a self-made man rather than a beneficiary of court and aristocratic patronage. For writers such as Alexander Pope and Samuel Johnson, struggling in the transition from the age of patronage to that of Grub Street professionalism, Shakespeare offered not only a body of poetic invention and a gallery of living characters but also an inspirational career trajectory.

If we had to identify a single decade in which the “cult of Shakespeare” took root, in which his celebrity and influence came to outstrip that of his contemporaries once and for all, it would probably be the 1730s. There was a proliferation of cheap mass-market editions, while in the theater the plays came to constitute about a quarter of the entire repertoire of the London stage, twice what they had been hitherto. The promotion of Shakespeare was driven by a number of forces, ranging from state censorship of new plays to a taste for the shapely legs of actresses in the cross-dressed “breeches parts” of the comedies. The plays were becoming synonymous with decency and Englishness, even as the institution of the theater was still poised between respectability and disrepute.

David Garrick (1717–1779), the actor who may justly be claimed as the father of what George Bernard Shaw later christened “bardolatry,” arrived in London at a propitious moment. Shakespeare was growing into big business and the time was ripe for a new star to cash in on his name. As in many a good theater story, Garrick’s first break came when he stepped in as an understudy and outshone the actor who normally took the part. This was followed by a more formal debut, again of a kind that established a pattern for later generations: the revolutionary new reading of a major Shakespearean part. For Garrick, it was Richard III (for Edmund Kean in the next century, it was Shylock). After this, there was no looking back. Garrick did all the things we have come to expect of a major star: he took on the full gamut of Shakespeare, he had an affair with his leading lady (the gorgeous and talented Peg Woffington), and he managed his own acting company, supervising the scripts and directing plays while also starring in them. It was because of Garrick’s extraordinary energy in all these departments that he not only gave unprecedented respectability to the profession of actor, but also effectively invented the modern theater. The “actor-manager” tradition that he inaugurated stretched down to Laurence Olivier and beyond.

It was in the art of self-promotion that Garrick was unique. His public image was secured by William Hogarth’s vibrant painting of him in the role of Richard III (see illustration below), confronted with his nightmares on the eve of the battle of Bosworth Field. The most frequently engraved and widely disseminated theatrical portrait of the eighteenth century, this iconic image simultaneously established Garrick as the quintessential tragedian and inaugurated the whole tradition of large-scale Shakespearean painting. Hitherto, the elevated genre of “history painting” had concentrated on biblical and classical subjects. With Hogarth’s image—created in the studio, though influenced by Garrick’s stage performance—Shakespearean drama joined this august company.

An engraving from William Hogarth’s famous painting of Garrick as Richard III, confronting the ghosts on the night before the battle of Bosworth Field. Painted in the artist’s studio, but influenced by the cluttered and “realistic” stage sets of the eighteenth century—a world away from the bare boards of the Globe.

The climax of Garrick’s career in bardolatry was the Jubilee that he organized in commemoration of the bicentenary of Shakespeare’s birth. The event took place in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1769, on the occasion of the opening of a new town hall, a mere five years later than the anniversary it was supposed to mark. It lasted for three days, during which scores of fashionable Londoners descended on the hitherto obscure provincial town where Shakespeare had been born. The literary tourist industry began here: local entrepreneurs did good business in the sale of Shakespearean relics, such as souvenirs supposedly cut from the wood of the great Bard’s mulberry tree. Not since the marketing in medieval times of fragments of the True Cross had a single tree yielded so much wood. The Jubilee program included a grand procession of Shakespearean characters, a masked ball, a horse race, and a firework display. In true English fashion, the outdoor events were washed out by torrential rain. At the climax of the festivities Garrick performed his own poem, “An Ode upon dedicating a building and erecting a statue to Shakespeare at Stratford-upon-Avon,” set to music by the leading composer Thomas Arne. In the manner of a staged theatrical “happening,” Garrick had arranged for a member of the audience (a fellow actor), dressed as a French fop, to complain—as French connoisseurs of literary taste had complained for generations—that Shakespeare was vulgar, provincial, and overrated. This gave Garrick the opportunity to voice his grand defence of Shakespeare. Though the whole business was much mocked in newspaper reports, caricatures, and stage farces, it generated enormous publicity for both Garrick and Shakespeare across Britain and continental Europe. The Jubilee did more than make Stratford-upon-Avon into a tourist attraction: it inaugurated the very idea of a summer arts festival.

In an age when orthodox religion was facing severe challenges, the cult of Shakespeare was becoming a secular faith. Thanks to the enthusiasm of poets, critics, and translators such as Samuel Taylor Coleridge, William Hazlitt and John Keats in England, J. W. von Goethe and the Schlegel brothers in Germany, Victor Hugo and Alexandre Dumas in France, during the nineteenth-century era of Romanticism, the grammar school boy from the edge of the Forest of Arden became the supreme deity not just of poetry and drama, but of high culture itself.

There was, however, a downside to the apotheosis. Gods have an unfortunate propensity to attract wild-eyed extremists and earnest cranks. A few years after Garrick’s Jubilee, a retired Oxford don named the Reverend James Wilmot went poking around Stratford-upon-Avon in pursuit of relics and reminiscences of the divine William. Disappointed by the paucity of what he found, he became the first person to consider the possibility that the plays might really have been written by someone else. He did not, however, publish his theory.

Fast-forward to the mid-nineteenth century. Bardolatry and the British Empire are in their heyday. It is 1852. An unsigned article in an Edinburgh magazine asks for the first time the question over which so much ink would be needlessly spilt in the next century and a half: “Who wrote Shakspeare?” The author found it hard to reconcile the glories of the plays with our knowledge of Shakespeare’s life—his mealy-mouthed business dealings, his churlish will (that “second-best bed”). Maybe Shakespeare hired someone else to do his writing for him? Within a few years, a favored candidate emerged: Lord Bacon, one of the most learned authors of the age. It did not seem to matter that Bacon’s “new philosophy” of scientific empiricism represented an altogether different species of learning from that of the plays, with their habitual skepticism and casual resort to folk wisdom. Nor that Bacon’s own efforts at drama were distinctly wooden. The theory that “Shakespeare was Bacon” remained popular for half a century, despite numerous reasoned refutations. After the First World War, dozens of other candidates began to be brought forward. Those who found most vociferous support in the twentieth century were aristocrats such as William Stanley, the sixth Earl of Derby, and Edward de Vere, the seventeenth Earl of Oxford.

The love of conspiracy theories that pervaded Western popular culture in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries gave continuing prominence to the “authorship dispute.” One response to the phenomenon is dismissive: what does it matter so long as we have the plays? But there is a repellent snobbery in the idea that a man from an ordinary background could not have written the plays, that the true author must have been an aristocrat in disguise. Shakespeare’s family and fellow townspeople knew his gift: they represented him as a writer on his Stratford monument and compared him to Socrates and Virgil in the inscription upon it. His fellow actors and intimate associates in the running of his theater company, whom he remembered in his will, knew that he wrote the plays: they edited the First Folio and never doubted his authorship. Ben Jonson knew Shakespeare extremely well: Shakespeare acted in his plays, they quoted and parodied each other’s works, he contributed verses to the First Folio (a short poem affirming that the frontispiece was a true likeness of the author and a long epistle praising him as “swan of Avon” and saying that the plays were very good despite their poor attainment in the classical languages). In both his conversations with fellow poet Drummond of Hawthornden and his commonplace book, Jonson discussed Shakespeare’s compositional method and his relationship with the actors. Others who described Shakespeare as both an actor and a writer included Sir George Buc, William Camden, Leonard Digges (stepson of an overseer of Shakespeare’s will), John Davies of Hereford (on at least two occasions), and the author of the academic Parnassus plays. Among those who knew Shakespeare and described him as a writer were Francis Beaumont (who praised the plays specifically on the grounds of their lack of book learning) and Francis Meres, who knew some of the sonnets in manuscript (perhaps including the one with the phrase “my name is Will,” which has always proved mildly embarrassing to proponents of the view that the real author was called Francis or Edward or Christopher or Elizabeth).

The poor quality of the French, the hazy knowledge of European geography and the howlers in the representation of court etiquette in the plays rule out the authorship of any highly educated courtier or gentleman. Specific allusions, for instance to the names of villages around Stratford-upon-Avon and to individuals such as Shakespeare’s schoolmate and publisher Richard Field and the local Somerville family, prove that the author was from Warwickshire. Though Shakespeare lets slip his identity in casual passing allusions of this kind, early modern plays were not autobiographical documents. Nearly all Shakespeare’s plots were taken over from old plays, novels, history books, and other sources. They were not encodings of a secret life at court, as conspiracy theorists like to propose. Indeed, the principal failure of all “disguised aristocrat” fantasies about the authorship of the plays is their failure to account for the deeply collaborative nature of early modern theater: stray speech headings and other details reveal how Shakespeare wrote particular parts for particular actors; allusions to other plays, especially during the period of fierce intercompany rivalry around 1600, reveal that he was in constant dialogue with rival playwrights; the plays have many technical innovations intimately linked to practicalities of the theater, such as the opening of the Globe in 1599 and the introduction of act divisions in response to the move to Blackfriars in 1608: all these are signs of a professional theatrical insider, not an accomplished gentleman amateur. Above all, there is the fact of actual collaboration: the revision of other men’s plays in the early works, the involvement with Thomas Middleton and George Wilkins (author of the first half of Pericles) in the early 1600s, and the co-writing of the last three plays with Fletcher. We know an immense amount about how plays were put together collaboratively and a whole battery of stylometric tests has enabled us to work out which playwright wrote which scenes. The “disguised aristocrat” theory cannot account for this. Besides, all verifiable stylometric tests conclusively rule out every alternative candidate who has been proposed as the true author of Shakespeare.

Other anti-Stratfordian claims reveal astonishing ignorance of the age. How could Shakespeare have been a literary man, it is asked, when he left no books in his will? Francis Bacon (one of the most advanced thinkers of the age), Richard Hooker (the leading theologian of the Anglican faith), and Samuel Daniel (the first English author to publish a collected edition of his literary works) left no books in their wills either. People did not habitually include inventories of their possessions in their wills. How could he have written such brilliant plays when there is so little evidence of his having received a formal education? The roll of the Stratford-upon-Avon grammar school is lost, but Shakespeare was entitled to attend it free of charge, by virtue of his father’s civic office, and the range of knowledge and allusion in the plays matches closely with what he would have learned in grammar school. The comic Latin lesson in The Merry Wives of Windsor and the pedantic schoolmaster in Love’s Labour’s Lost are manifestly the creations of a grammar school boy, not a privately educated aristocrat.

Shakespeare is no different from his fellow dramatists: George Chapman and Ben Jonson were the two most famously learned theater writers of the age, yet there is no contemporary record of either of them having attended school of any kind, let alone university. Jonson probably went to Westminster School, leaving to become a bricklayer’s apprentice before reaching the upper forms—but his attendance is an inference on the basis of circumstantial evidence, exactly as is Shakespeare’s attendance at King Edward’s grammar school in Stratford-upon-Avon. Nor do we know anything about the schooling of Henry Chettle, Thomas Dekker, Michael Drayton, Thomas Heywood, Thomas Middleton, John Webster, and a host of others.

Where are Shakespeare’s play manuscripts and letters? The same place as nearly all the play manuscripts and letters of the other Elizabethan and Jacobean dramatists: lost because nobody at the time thought that the work of these popular entertainers, let alone the details of their lives, were sufficiently important to merit preservation for posterity. Immensely talented dramatists such as Christopher Marlowe, Thomas Middleton, and Thomas Heywood did not even have the benefit of close friends in the theater world to put together collected editions of their plays, as Hemings and Condell did for Shakespeare. It would in fact be more plausible to mount a case that Jonson did not write Jonson (a learned bricklayer?) or that Chapman did not write Chapman (translating Homer without a university degree!) than that Shakespeare did not write Shakespeare. Jonson’s and Chapman’s plays show far more classical learning than those of Shakespeare and as acute an understanding of court intrigue and politics, and yet they too were “uneducated” writers, so why has no one questioned their authorship? The logical conclusion of the fact that no one has done so is that the “Shakespeare authorship debate” is not a proper historical question with its roots in the early modern period, but an epiphenomenon, an aberrant offshoot of the nineteenth-century Romantic cult of Shakespeare. It stems from a desire to give Shakespeare a strong personality, and in so doing denies his greatest gift: the ability to suppress his own personality and absorb himself in his characters, to empathize not only with kings and lords, but also with daughters who disobey their fathers and outsiders who challenge the social order.

The First Folio Restored⁴

Shakespeare initially wrote his plays as scripts for performance, not finished literary works for publication. In order to understand the status of his texts and the editorial problems they present, we must begin by abandoning the modern model of literary authorship, with its movement from the solitary figure of the writer and a piece of paper (or a typewriter or computer screen) to the submission of a manuscript, typescript or computer file to a publisher, followed by the process of copyediting and proofreading. The traditional mark of a writer’s authorization of his or her final text is the return of corrected proofs to a publisher, who then submits them to a printer for mass reproduction, binding, and distribution via the book trade. It is probable that Shakespeare only ever personally corrected the proofs of two of his forty or so works: the narrative poems Venus and Adonis and Lucrece. In every other case, a process of conjecture is required in order to establish some kind of authoritative text.

A printing house: in the background, the compositors are picking the individual letters out from the case, while in the foreground the leaves are being inked before being put through the press.

Nearly all the necessary raw manuscript materials are lost. Aside from the scene for Sir Thomas More, we have no working manuscripts in Shakespeare’s hand, no scribal transcripts of the originals, no “playbooks” or “promptbooks” from his theater, no printer’s copy, no authorially marked-up proof sheets. This is not unusual for the period. The editors of Christopher Marlowe and John Webster face exactly the same problems. We do know that Shakespeare’s friend and rival Ben Jonson carefully oversaw the progress of his plays into print, so his texts present fewer problems, but again the manuscripts behind them are lost. Printers did not archive the copy from which they worked; theater companies did keep master copies of their scripts, but these would mutate over time as theatrical innovations led to a process of rewriting. One of Shakespeare’s late collaborative works, Cardenio, survives only in the indirect form of an eighteenth-century rewrite of a playbook that was reworked some time in the late seventeenth century.

Plays are not like novels, poems, or biographies. They are not “owned” by an individual author. The best modern analogy for the status of an Elizabethan theater script is the film screenplay. Screenwriters traditionally occupy a lowly position in the Hollywood food chain. More often than not, teams of writers are employed. Sometimes one team will be sacked and another brought in to fix up a script. Producers will then demand changes on the basis of their perception of what will be commercially successful. Directors will demand changes on the basis of their own artistic vision. Stars will demand changes that enhance their own parts. Writers end up well down the credit list. Only after the industry matured did the notion of a published screenplay take hold; publication remains the exception rather than the rule, reserved for “classics” and films that are either exceptionally successful or unusually “artistic.” And when a screenplay is published, it is far more likely to be the studio’s finished version or the “director’s cut” than the writer’s or writers’ original script.

In every one of these particulars, there is an analogy with the theater in Shakespeare’s time (which is why Hollywood loved, and heaped Oscars upon, the 1998 film Shakespeare in Love). The theater manager Philip Henslowe was like a Hollywood producer: he would employ teams of writers to create new works and fix up old ones; it was star actors such as Edward Alleyn, not writers such as Robert Greene, who dominated the scene at the Rose (which is why Greene, or his colleague Henry Chettle, seems to have become bitter when a minor actor called William Shakespeare began fixing up other people’s plays and even writing his own). Publication of plays was the exception rather than the rule. Most of the scripts that did find their way into print in the 1580s and 1590s lacked an author’s name on the title page. The name of the acting company who had played the work (“with great applause”) was what mattered. The identity of the playwright was not considered a selling point. It is a mark that Shakespeare was beginning to be considered someone special, perhaps an unusually literary dramatist, that after some half-dozen of his plays were published anonymously from 1594 onwards, in 1598 his name appeared on the title pages of texts of Love’s Labour’s Lost, Richard II, and Richard III.

During Shakespeare’s lifetime about half his surviving plays were published in the format known as Quarto (so called because the sheets of paper that came off the printing press were folded in four). In terms of size, relatively low price, and function (books to be read through rather than lovingly preserved in a library), the modern paperback provides a good analogy. The print run for play Quartos was unlikely to be more than a thousand copies at most. A few of Shakespeare’s Quartos were sufficiently good sellers to go through several editions. By the time of his death there were six Quarto printings of 1 Henry IV, Richard II, and Richard III, and three of Hamlet, Pericles, Romeo and Juliet, and Titus Andronicus. Since we know nothing about box-office returns from the Theatre and the Globe, demand for printed copies is the best measure we have of the relative success of the plays. These seven—three histories, three tragedies, and a collaboratively-written romance—qualify as the best answer to the question “Which were Shakespeare’s most successful plays in his own lifetime?” Frequency of allusion and imitation in the work of other dramatists provides confirmatory evidence. Ben Jonson was distinctly dismayed that Titus and Pericles, which he regarded as ramshackle affairs in contrast to his own more polished scripts, were such crowd-pleasers. But none of the plays was so successful in print as Venus and Adonis, which went through nine editions in Shakespeare’s lifetime and a further six in the next twenty years. By a considerable margin the most widely read long poem of the age, it ensured that Shakespeare’s name was synonymous with poetic eloquence and erotic delight.

In the year of Shakespeare’s death, Ben Jonson became the first dramatist for the public stage to gather his plays in the more durable form of a “collected works.” Three years later a publisher called Thomas Pavier put out editions of ten purported Shakespearean plays (among them the apocryphal Sir John Oldcastle Part 1 and A Yorkshire Tragedy). This looked like an unauthorized attempt at a “collected Shakespeare.” It certainly seemed so to the King’s Men. With the assistance of the Earl of Pembroke, who was Lord Chamberlain and a good friend to the actors, the three leading players, Burbage, Hemings, and Condell, obtained a blocking order against further productions of a similar kind. Burbage died soon after, leaving Hemings and Condell to begin the work of gathering materials for an authorized edition. The process involved collecting old Quartos and comparing them with the scripts held by the company. For previously unpublished plays, transcripts were made of the prompter’s “book,” some of them by a professional scribe called Ralph Crane. After long delays in the printing house, the great book was finally published in 1623 under the title Mr William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies Published according to the True Originall Copies. Printed in large double-columned “Folio” format, it was adorned with Martin Droeshout’s engraving of Shakespeare and an array of preliminary matter, including Ben Jonson’s commendatory poems praising his fellow playwright as “Soul of the Age,” as a rival even to Sophocles, and as a dramatic artist whose works were “for all time,” surpassing “all that was ever writ.” Without the Folio, half of Shakespeare’s output would have been lost forever, and several other plays would have only survived in error-strewn texts. Among the eighteen Folio-only plays are The Tempest, As You Like It, Twelfth Night, Julius Caesar, Macbeth, and Antony and Cleopatra.

The Folio was reprinted three times before the end of the seventeenth century, but by early in the eighteenth it was beginning to have an antiquated feel. Shakespeare’s reputation was on the rise and a new middle-class reading public was emerging. The time was ripe for a “modernized” edition and the task was entrusted to the poet and dramatist Nicholas Rowe. In preparing his text, Rowe made a mistake that has never been fully rectified. He noticed that Hamlet’s last major soliloquy—“How all occasions do inform against me/And spur my dull revenge”—was missing from the Folio text of the play but present in the early Quarto. He accordingly stitched together the two texts, creating a composite version of Hamlet in the hope that it represented Shakespeare’s true original. But it did not. Modern bibliographic investigation has decisively shown that the early printed texts of Hamlet represent different moments in the play’s evolving stage history. A “conflated” Hamlet is not a Shakespearean original: it is a version of the play created by Rowe nearly a hundred years after Shakespeare’s death.

The eighteenth-century editors who followed Rowe, beginning with Alexander Pope, went even further with the “pick-and-mix” approach, mingling the variant Quarto and Folio texts of many more plays, most notably King Lear, Othello, Richard II, Richard III, and Troilus and Cressida. This approach continued in the mainstream editorial tradition through the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The Oxford edition of 1986 began the work of separating out the early texts, recognizing the discrete versions of Hamlet and King Lear. But it still moved inconsistently between versions, even printing the Henry VI plays in their Folio texts but with their Quarto titles. In short, then, all existing Shakespeare editions are deeply flawed: Rowe set editors off down the wrong path and they have not returned.

So it is that, astonishingly, the Shakespeare First Folio—unquestionably the most important single book in the history of world drama—has not been edited in its own right for about three hundred years. By “edited” we mean reproduced with the correction of presumed printer’s errors and the modernization of spelling and punctuation. There have been facsimile reproductions and diplomatic transcriptions of the Folio: these, however, are not corrected and modernized editions. Editing of a kind took place in the Second Folio of 1632, the Third Folio of 1663 (and its second issue of 1664), and the Fourth Folio of 1685. Some corrections were made and there was an element of modernization, but the interventions were fairly minimal: conventions of spelling, punctuation, and typography changed between 1623 and 1685, but far less than they have done in the three and a bit centuries since.

For the eighteen Folio-only plays, there is only one version to print, but where there are both Quartos and Folios, the story is complicated. The Quartos can be divided into two categories. Seven of them are short in length and contain frequent misprints and lines that don’t make sense: The First Part of the Contention and The True Tragedy of Richard Duke of York (which became the second and third parts of Henry VI in the Folio), the First Quarto of Romeo and Juliet, the First Quarto of Hamlet, Henry V, The Merry Wives of Windsor, and the one Quarto play of which there is no Folio text, Pericles.⁵ Thirteen others are long and well printed: Titus Andronicus, Richard II, Love’s Labour’s Lost, 1 Henry IV, 2 Henry IV, Richard III, the Second Quarto of Romeo and Juliet, the Second Quarto of Hamlet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Merchant of Venice, Much Ado About Nothing, Troilus and Cressida, Othello. Uniquely, the Quarto of King Lear is long, but with many misprints and lines that do not make sense. It is a special case, its errors stemming from the particular circumstances of its first publication: a printer unused to working with plays and a manuscript probably based on Shakespeare’s working draft, known in the period as “foul papers.”

In the twentieth century, the short Quartos were described as “bad” texts because of their high degree of error, because the Second Quartos of Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet advertised themselves as, respectively, “Newly corrected, augmented and amended” and “Newly imprinted and enlarged to almost as much again as it was, according to the true and perfect copy,” and because Hemings and Condell’s preface to the First Folio spoke of how their authoritative text was replacing “diverse stolen and surreptitious copies, maimed and deformed by the frauds and stealths of injurious imposters that exposed them.” In all probability, though, this remark refers to Pavier’s illicit Quartos of 1619, not those published in Shakespeare’s lifetime.

The short Quartos have variously been supposed to be first drafts, abridgements for performance or perhaps touring, stenographers’ reports or—the most popular theory in the twentieth century—actors’ memorial reconstructions. There is an inherent implausibility about the theory that some of the minor actors pieced together the texts from memory, employed a scribe to copy as they recited, then went slyly to a “pirate” publisher, so the latter hypothesis has been much criticized, though the First Quarto of Hamlet and the Quarto of The Merry Wives of Windsor do bear some marks of reconstruction from memory. Whatever the origins of the various short Quartos, they represent the plays in very different form from that authorized by Hemings and Condell. In preparing the text of such plays as Henry V and Merry Wives, the Folio editors consciously rejected the “short” Quarto and used different manuscript sources, probably the “book” held by the acting company (sometimes known as the “promptbook,” though that is not a term from the period).

With five of the long Quartos, there are very few differences from the Folio. These are Love’s Labour’s Lost, 1 Henry IV, Second Quarto Romeo and Juliet, The Merchant of Venice, Much Ado About Nothing. The norm here is that the Folio text was printed from a Quarto, with errors introduced and corrections made, but stage directions were added, presumably following consultation of the “book” held at the theater. Most editors work from the Quartos, but insert the Folio’s stage directions. We use the reverse procedure, respecting the integrity of the Folio but using the Quartos to correct its printing errors.

In four cases—Titus Andronicus, Richard II, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 2 Henry IV—there are significant local differences, such as added scenes, the change of a character’s identity in a single scene, an element of rewriting or the marks of censorship. So, for instance, the darkly comic “fly-killing” scene is in Folio Titus but not Quarto. The same goes for the deposition scene at the center of Richard II. In Folio Dream, Egeus instead of Philostrate introduces the revels in the final scene. In these plays, the Folio was printed from a Quarto, but in the preparation of copy for the printers there was more thoroughgoing attention to a manuscript source. Most modern editors back-project the Folio additions such as the fly-killing scene into their Quarto-based texts, thus creating a hybrid. We prefer, again, to respect the integrity of the Folio, though make use of the Quartos in correcting printers’ errors.

The five remaining plays present the greatest textual challenge. They also happen to be five of Shakespeare’s longest plays: Hamlet, Richard III, Othello, King Lear, and Troilus and Cressida. In each case there are major differences between the Quarto and Folio texts—substantial additions or omissions, hundreds of variant lines and words. In each play, some of the differences can be attributed to printing errors in one text, but many cannot. Here Quartos and Folios were printed from different principal sources (for example, Quarto from the authorial manuscript or a transcript of it, and Folio from the theatrical promptbook or a transcript of it). To complicate matters, the Folio editor sometimes consulted a Quarto when his manuscript copy was unclear. The best explanation for the major differences is that the two versions represent two moments in the life of the play, with intervening revisions having been undertaken by Shakespeare or the acting company or another dramatist on behalf of the acting company or a scribe preparing a written text or some combination thereof. It is with these plays that the editorial tradition of conflation has been most damaging.

In Shakespeare’s time, when the creation of a book involved the extraordinarily laborious process of picking out each individual letter from a case of type, printers preferred if at all possible to work from a book that was already printed rather than a manuscript, since the latter was much more difficult to read. The most significant fact about the printing of the First Folio is that Hemings and Condell had the opportunity to provide the printing house with Quarto texts of a large number of plays that could simply have been reprinted in the new large-page double-column format of the Folio. Pavier had produced his 1619 collection at speed because he was working from existing Quartos, not manuscripts. But Hemings and Condell did not do this. Even where Folio did use Quartos as copy texts, there was consultation of playhouse manuscripts. And in the case of the four big plays where there was an adequately printed Quarto, they chose to work from a different, playhouse-derived source that would have been much slower to print. Their choice not to take the easy option is a major reason why we should respect the integrity of their enterprise, why we should not conflate and why we print the Folio texts of Hamlet, Richard III, Othello, King Lear, and Troilus and Cressida. In some cases, the Quartos are probably closer to Shakespeare’s original manuscript draft, but the Folio is undoubtedly closer to his playhouse. For an edition such as this one, which is commissioned by a Shakespearean acting company, the copy text has to be the one authorized by Shakespeare’s own acting company.

This is not to say that we have edited the Folio as if the Quartos did not exist. Quarto readings are invaluable in the process of identifying and correcting printing errors in the Folio. And, indeed, it is a matter of peculiar good fortune that they exist for several of the tragedies. The overall standard of printing in the First Folio is remarkably high, though there are degrees of variation according to the nature of the printer’s copy for each play and the habits of the various members of the team of compositors who worked on the project. However, after the comedies and histories were completed, a new and less competent printer joined the team. Probably an apprentice, he is known by scholars as “Compositor E.” He was responsible for typesetting large chunks of Troilus and Cressida, Titus Andronicus, Romeo and Juliet, King Lear, and Othello: consultation of the Quartos allows us to undo much of his bad work in these plays. He also set parts of Antony and Cleopatra and Cymbeline, together with a page of Timon of Athens: since there are no Quartos of these plays, correction of his errors in them requires a higher degree of editorial conjecture.

None of the Folio plays is without error. “Compositor E” is a special case, but even “A” and “B,” the principal setters, had their vagaries and their careless moments. It probably did not help that ale was abundantly available in the printing shop, in order that there would be a ready supply of “chamberly” (urine), which was customarily used to moisten the leather of the inking balls. A modern editor would be foolish to reproduce a manifest compositorial error out of an obsessive desire to stay true to Folio. On many occasions, the Quarto text is manifestly accurate and the Folio compositor has made a clear error: on these occasions the Quarto reading must be restored. Because of compositorial errors, the Folio as printed did not exactly correspond to the Folio as Hemings and Condell wanted it printed. Our text is the first to seek to recover (in modernized form) the closest thing we have to an “authorized” Shakespeare: the text that Hemings and Condell prepared for Isaac Jaggard’s printers in the early 1620s. Facsimiles reproduce what came out of Jaggard’s shop. Most editions go back two steps to an irrecoverable supposed “original”—Shakespeare’s working manuscript or the purported text of the first performance. No edition until ours has begun from an attempt to reconstruct and then modernize what Hemings and Condell authorized: the texts that went into Jaggard’s shop in the form of transcripts of promptbooks for some plays and Quartos marked up with reference to the theater for others.

Like all editors since those of the 1632 Second Folio, we have attempted to be more accurate than the First Folio compositors were. Our golden rule has been to follow the Folio whenever it makes sense, but correct it from the Quartos when a Quarto is manifestly correct and the Folio manifestly erroneous. So too with the larger question of emendation: we follow the Folio whenever it makes sense, but correct it from the editorial tradition when the editorial tradition makes sense of what is manifestly erroneous in the Folio. In cases where differences between Folio and Quarto are, in the editors’ judgment, due not to a compositor’s error but to a divergence in copy (because of authorial or playhouse revision, or intelligent alteration or annotation or sophistication on the part of the book-keeper or editor or scribe who prepared the Folio text), the Folio is followed, but if the revision is of substance and interest it is flagged in the textual notes. For the sake of completion, substantial Quarto-only passages—which are especially numerous in Hamlet and King Lear—are edited separately at the end of each play where they occur.

Our text, then, aims to be simultaneously authentic and modern. Spelling and punctuation must be modernized to ensure that Shakespeare remains a living dramatist. Speech headings need to be rendered consistent and other tidying up is necessary for the sake of the modern reader and actor. We aim to return to the origins of Shakespearean editing in homage to Hemings, Condell, and their team, but at the same time we have learned the lesson of late twentieth-century scholarship and editorial theory: that there is no single definitive authorial text, because many different agents at different moments influence the creation and dissemination of a play. To stress again: our claim to originality is that we have edited a real book (the First Folio), not an imaginary construct (“the plays as they came from Shakespeare’s hand,” as in the dominant editorial tradition, or “the plays as first performed” as in the revisionist school of editing). We grant that this results in the alteration of some things that Shakespeare originally wrote, as in the case of oaths, which were modified (“heaven” for “God,” removal of the blasphemous “zounds” and “ ’sblood”) following a parliamentary act of 1606. We accept that there are almost certainly passages in the Folio that are the result of playhouse additions after Shakespeare’s death or scribal regularization and emendation in the process of preparing copy. But such features are worth retaining for the sake of editorial consistency, of fidelity to the ambition of recovering the plays at one particular key moment in their evolutionary history, and of recognition that Shakespeare’s achievement was at the profoundest level collaborative.

We have also respected the Folio in editing its preliminary matter. And we have demarcated the non-Folio works (poems, sonnets, Quarto-only passages of Hamlet and Lear, together with the two collaborative plays, Pericles and The Two Noble Kinsmen) by setting them in double-column format—a deliberate inversion of the original distinction whereby Quartos were single column and Folio double. Unlike some modern editors, we are not fully persuaded that Shakespeare wrote the Countess of Salisbury scenes in the anonymous play Edward III—stylometric analysis increases our skepticism—so that play is not included.⁶

To illustrate the results of our method, here are two simple examples, one of Quarto/Folio variation and the other of our presumption against emendation unless it is absolutely necessary. Each involves a kiss. Othello tells the assembled senators of Desdemona’s reaction to his narrative of his exotic military adventures. Quarto has “She gaue me for my paines a world of sighes.” Folio has “She gaue me for my paines a world of kisses.” Nearly all editions follow Quarto, even when Folio is their base-text. The assumption seems to be that Desdemona would not be so forward as to kiss Othello when he is still a comparative stranger. But “kisses” for “sighes” is an unlikely scribal or printer’s error. It is more probable that each reading is true to the play at the particular moment in its life represented by the respective texts. We edit Folio, so we retain Folio’s “kisses.” We note in our commentary that, in the usage of the period, “kisses” could mean “gentle touches,” but it is also the case that Venetian customs of courtesy in the play are by any standard forward—Cassio greets Iago’s wife Emilia with a kiss on arrival in Cyprus and Iago’s manipulation of Othello plays intensely on the Moor’s lack of ease with Venetian body language. A Desdemona who kisses Othello in the imagined pre-action of the play is a stronger, more active and interesting character than one who merely sighs in admiration for his charisma.

At the climax of Much Ado About Nothing, all modern editions give Benedick the line “Peace, I will stop your mouth,” at which point in all modern productions he kisses Beatrice. But the Folio reads “Leon. Peace I will stop your mouth.” It is hard to imagine that the printer misread the speech heading “Bene” as “Leon” and, besides, by this point in the play Benedick is addressing Beatrice with the intimate “thou” and “thy,” not the more formal “you” and “your.” There is therefore every reason to suppose that Shakespeare intended the line to be spoken by Leonato—who perhaps forces Benedick and Beatrice into a kiss. By restoring the Folio line to its original speaker we create the possibility for a staging that is at once more challenging and, in all probability, more authentic.

Editing the Folio has involved us in hundreds of decisions of this sort.

We hope that our edition may come to be regarded as a modern equivalent to the eighteenth-century example of Dr. Samuel Johnson. As Johnson drew on the revolutionary textual innovations of his predecessors such as Lewis Theobald, but had a presumption in favor of the authority of the Folio and of explaining rather than emending Shakespeare’s text, so we draw on late twentieth-century scholarly innovations but inaugurate the twenty-first-century editorial tradition by falling back on Johnsonian common sense and gratitude to John Hemings and Henry Condell for their extraordinary work in making Shakespeare available “to the great variety of readers” in a text that keeps his plays anchored in the place from which they came and where they continue to be most alive: the theater. Here, then, is the actors’ Shakespeare: the text authorized by the King’s Men and edited for the Royal Shakespeare Company.

¹ For a conjectural chronology of all the works, see charts at the end of the book.

² For further discussion of the early texts of Shakespeare, see “The First Folio Restored,” pp. li–lviii.

³ In particular, it has been persuasively shown that the “William Shakeshafte” named in the will of Alexander Hoghton of Lea Hall near Preston in Lancashire could not have been the young Shakespeare.

⁴ A longer and more technical discussion of the textual question and our editorial procedures is available on the edition’s website www.therscshakespeare.com.

⁵ The Two Noble Kinsmen by John Fletcher and William Shakespeare first appeared in Quarto in 1634, from the printer of the Second Folio.

⁶ A link to an electronic text is provided on the edition’s website, www.therscshakespeare.com. We accept that Theobald’s Double Falsehood (1728) is indirectly derived from Shakespeare and Fletcher’s lost Cardenio, but the relationship is too distant to merit inclusion. We would also welcome further investigation of Shakespeare’s possible hand in the anonymous Arden of Faversham and the possibility that he intervened somewhere in the theatrical life of other Chamberlain’s/King’s Men plays such as Satiromastix (1601), Thomas Lord Cromwell (1602), The London Prodigal (1605), The Merry Devil of Edmonton (1608), A Yorkshire Tragedy (1608), and Mucedorus with “new additions” (1610).

USER’S GUIDE

Titles follow the First Folio, where there are sometimes minor variations of nomenclature between contents list, title at head of play and running header—our default preference is the title at the head of the play (thus, for example, Love’s Labour’s Lost and The Tragedy of Cymbeline as opposed to the contents list’s Love’s Labour Lost and Cymbeline King of Britain). Some of the plays were originally staged with different titles (e.g., The Second Part of Henry the Sixth began its life as The First Part of the Contention betwixt the two famous Houses of York and Lancaster, and Henry the Eighth seems to have been called All is True).

Lists of Parts are supplied in the First Folio for only six plays, so these are predominantly editorial, arranged by groups of character (thus for A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the court, the genteel lovers, the artisans, the fairies). Capitals indicate that part of the name which is used for speech headings in the script (thus “PROSPERO, the right Duke of Milan” and “Sir John FALSTAFF“).

Locations are provided by the Folio for only two plays (The Tempest is set on “an uninhabited island” and Measure for Measure in Vienna). Eighteenth-century editors, working in an age of elaborately realistic stage sets, were the first to provide detailed locations. Given that Shakespeare wrote for a bare stage and often an imprecise sense of place, we have relegated locations to the explanatory notes at the foot of the page, where they are given at the beginning of each scene where the imaginary location is different from the one before. We have emphasized broad geographical settings rather than specifics of the kind that suggest anachronistically realistic staging. Thus Sicilia and Bohemia or court and country in The Winter’s Tale, Venice and Cyprus in Othello, not usually such locations as “another room in the palace.” Indications of movement from outdoors to indoors are given where appropriate.

Act and Scene Divisions were provided in the Folio (they were absent from the Quartos published in Shakespeare’s lifetime). Sometimes, however, they were erroneous or omitted; corrections and additions supplied by editorial tradition are indicated by square brackets. Five-act division is based on a classical model, and act breaks provided the opportunity to replace the candles in the indoor Blackfriars playhouse, which the King’s Men used after 1608, but Shakespeare did not necessarily think in terms of a five-part structure of dramatic composition. The Folio convention is that a scene ends when the stage is empty. Nowadays, partly under the influence of film, we tend to consider a scene to be a dramatic unit that ends with either a change of imaginary location or a significant passage of time within the narrative. Shakespeare’s fluidity of composition accords well with this convention, so in addition to act and scene numbers we provide a running scene count in the right margin at the beginning of each new scene, in the typeface used for editorial directions. Where there is a scene break caused by a momentary bare stage, but the location does not change and extra time does not pass, we use the convention running scene continues. There is inevitably a degree of editorial judgment in making such calls, but the system is very valuable in suggesting the pace of the plays (it reveals, for instance, the great compression of Othello).

Speaker’s Names are often inconsistent in Folio. We have regularized speech headings, but retained an element of deliberate inconsistency in entry directions, in order to give the flavor of Folio.

Verse is indicated by lines that do not run to the right margin and by capitalization of the first letter of each line. The Folio printers sometimes set verse as prose, and vice versa (either out of misunderstanding or for reasons of space). We have silently corrected in such cases, although in some instances there is ambiguity, in which case we have leaned toward the preservation of Folio layout. Folio sometimes uses contraction (“turnd” rather than “turned”) to indicate whether or not the final “-ed” of a past participle is sounded, an area where there is variation for the sake of the five-beat iambic pentameter rhythm. We use the convention of a grave accent to indicate sounding (thus “turnèd” would be two syllables), but would urge actors not to overstress. In cases where one speaker ends with a verse half-line and the next begins with the other half of the pentameter, editors since the late eighteenth century have indented the second line. We have abandoned this convention, since the Folio does not use it, and nor did actors’ cues in the Shakespearean theater. An exception is made when the second speaker actively interrupts or completes the first speaker’s sentence.

Spelling is modernized, but older forms are occasionally maintained where necessary for rhythm or aural effect. For instance, “y’are” is generally modernized to “you’re,” but the old form is retained in Regan’s “I know you are of her bosom…Y’are. I know’t.”

Punctuation in Shakespeare’s time was as much rhetorical as grammatical. “Colon” was originally a term for a unit of thought in an argument. The semicolon was a new unit of punctuation (some of the Quartos lack them altogether). We have modernized punctuation throughout, but have given more weight to Folio punctuation than many editors, since, though not Shakespearean, it reflects the usage of his period. In particular, we have used the colon far more than many editors: it is exceptionally useful as a way of indicating the way in which many Shakespearean speeches unfold clause by clause in a developing argument that gives the illusion of enacting the process of thinking in the moment. We have also kept in mind the origin of punctuation in classical times as a means of assisting the actor and orator: the comma suggests the briefest of pauses for breath, the colon a middling one, and a full stop, or period, a longer pause. Semicolons, by contrast, belong to an era of punctuation that was only just coming in during Shakespeare’s time and that is coming to an end now: we have accordingly only used them where they occur in our copy texts (and not always then). Dashes are sometimes used for parenthetical interjections where the Folio has brackets. They are also used for interruptions and changes in train of thought. Where a change of addressee occurs within a speech, we have used a dash preceded by a full stop (or occasionally another form of punctuation). Often the identity of the respective addressees is obvious from the context. When it is not, this has been indicated in a marginal stage direction.

Entrances and Exits are fairly thorough in Folio, which has accordingly been followed as faithfully as possible. Where characters are omitted or corrections are necessary, this is indicated by square brackets (e.g., “[and Attendants]”). Exit is sometimes silently normalized to Exeunt and Manet anglicized to “remains.” We trust Folio positioning of entrances and exits to a greater degree than most editors: thus, for instance, we follow Folio in having the other characters enter in the middle of Petruchio’s speech to Kate at Taming of the Shrew, 2.1.268–81, making the latter part of the speech into a kind of game for the benefit of the onstage audience (an interpretation that strongly shaped Greg Doran’s RSC production).

Other Stage Directions such as stage business, asides, and indications of addressee are rare in Folio. Modern editions usually mingle editorial directions with original Folio and Quarto ones, sometimes marking interventions by means of square brackets. We have sought to distinguish what could be described as directorial interventions of this kind from Folio-style directions (either original or supplied) by placing the former in the right margin in a different typeface. There is a degree of subjectivity about which directions are of which kind, but the procedure is intended as a reminder to the reader and the actor that Shakespearean stage directions are often dependent upon editorial inference alone and are not set in stone. We also depart from editorial tradition in sometimes admitting uncertainty and thus printing permissive stage directions, such as an Aside? (often a line may be equally effective as an aside or a direct address—it is for each production or reading to make its own decision) or a may exit or a piece of business placed between arrows to indicate that it may occur at various different moments within a scene.

Line Numbers in the left margin are editorial, for reference and to key the explanatory and textual notes.

Explanatory Notes at the foot of each page explain allusions and gloss obsolete and difficult words, confusing phraseology, occasional major textual cruces, and so on. Particular attention is given to nonstandard usage, bawdy innuendo, and technical terms (e.g., legal and military language). Where more than one sense is given, commas indicate shades of related meaning, slashes alternative or double meanings.

Textual Notes at the end of each play indicate major departures from the Folio. They take the following form: the reading of our text is given in bold and its source given after an equals sign, with “Q” indicating that it derives from the principal Quarto and “Ed” that it derives from the editorial tradition. The rejected Folio (“F”) reading is then given. A selection of Quarto variants and plausible unadopted editorial readings are also included. Thus, for example, at Hamlet, 3.4.180, “bloat = Ed. F = blunt. Q = blowt,” indicates that we have adopted the editorial reading “bloat” where Folio has “blunt” and Quarto has “blowt.”

“Key Facts” boxes at the beginning of each work give information on plot, sources, proportion of verse and prose, textual issues, authorial attribution when doubtful or collaborative, date of composition, and first performance. They also include lists of substantial parts (characters who speak more than about forty lines) in descending order of size. Since the definition of a line spoken is variable (because of prose and half-lines), figures are given in terms of a percentage of the whole, the number of speeches delivered and the number of scenes the character is onstage. These lists make it possible to distinguish between works that are more ensemble-based (e.g., A Midsummer Night’s Dream and 2 Henry IV) and those that are dominated by a small number of characters (e.g., Othello and 1 Henry IV). Though there is a degree of imprecision about these lists as a result of editorial interventions, they offer much valuable information—for instance that Sir Toby Belch has the largest part in Twelfth Night and that only six lead characters so dominate their world that their part is over three times the length of anyone else’s in the play (Hamlet, Richard III, Timon, Macbeth, Prospero, Henry V).

PRELIMINARY PAGES OF THE FIRST FOLIO

               To the Reader¹

               This figure that thou here see’st put,

               It was for gentle Shakespeare cut;

               Wherein the graver had a strife

               With Nature to outdo the life:

               O, could he but have drawn his wit

               As well in brass as he hath hit

               His face, the print would then surpass

               All that was ever writ in brass.

               But since he cannot, reader, look

               Not on his picture, but his book.

                                                                 Ben Jonson

TO THE MOST NOBLE AND INCOMPARABLE PAIR OF BRETHREN, WILLIAM Earl of Pembroke etc., Lord Chamberlain to the King’s most excellent majesty, AND PHILIP Earl of Montgomery etc., gentleman of his majesty’s bedchamber, both Knights of the most noble Order of the Garter and our singular good LORDS

                  Right Honourable,

                  Whilst we study to be thankful in our particular for the many favours we have received from your lordships, we are fallen upon the ill fortune to mingle two the most diverse things that can be: fear and rashness, rashness in the enterprise and fear of the success. For when we value the places your highnesses sustain, we cannot but know their dignity greater than to descend to the reading of these trifles, and, while we name them trifles, we have deprived ourselves of the defence of our dedication. But since your lordships have been pleased to think these trifles something heretofore, and have prosecuted¹³ both them and their author, living, with so much favour, we hope that, they outliving him and he Ben Jonson not having the fate, common with some, to be executor to his own writings, you will use the like indulgence toward them you have done unto their parent. There is a great difference whether any book choose his patrons or find them: this hath done both. For so much were your lordships’ likings of the several parts when they were acted as, before they were published, the volume asked to be yours. We have but collected them and done an office to the dead to procure his orphans guardians, without ambition either of self-profit or fame, only to keep the memory of so worthy a friend and fellow alive as was our SHAKESPEARE, by humble offer of his plays to your most noble patronage. Wherein, as we have justly observed no man to come near your lordships but with a kind of religious address, it hath been the height of our care, who are the presenters, to make the present worthy of your highnesses by the perfection. But there we must also crave our abilities to be considered, my lords. We cannot go beyond our own powers. Country hands reach forth milk, cream, fruits, or what they have: and many nations, we have heard, that had not gums and incense, obtained their requests with a leavened cake. It was no fault to approach their gods by what means they could, and the most, though meanest, of things are made more precious when they are dedicated to temples. In that name therefore, we most humbly consecrate to your highnesses these remains of your servant Shakespeare, that what delight is in them may be ever your lordships’, the reputation his, and the faults ours, if any be committed by a pair so careful to show their gratitude both to the living and the dead as is

                  Your lordships’ most bounden,⁴⁷

JOHN HEMINGE, HENRY CONDELL.⁴⁸

                  To the great variety of readers

                  From the most able to him that can but⁵⁰ spell: there you are numbered. We had rather you were weighed, especially when the fate of all books depends upon your capacities, and not of your heads alone, but of your purses. Well, it is now public, and you will stand for your privileges, we know: to read and censure. Do so, but buy it first. That doth best commend a book, the stationer says. Then, how odd soever your brains be, or your wisdoms, make your licence the same, and spare not. Judge your six-penn’orth,⁵⁹ your shilling’s worth, your five shillings’ worth at a time, or higher, so you rise to the just rates, and welcome. But whatever you do, buy. Censure will not drive a trade or make the jack⁶² go. And though you be a magistrate of wit, and sit on the stage at Blackfriars⁶⁴ or the Cockpit to arraign plays daily, know, these plays have had their trial already, and stood out all appeals, and do now come forth quitted⁶⁷ rather by a decree of court than any purchased letters of commendation.

                      It had been a thing, we confess, worthy to have been wished that the author himself had lived to have set forth and overseen his own writings. But since it hath been ordained otherwise, and he by death departed from that right, we pray you do not envy his friends the office of their care and pain to have collected and published them, and so to have published them as where, before, you were abused with divers⁷⁶ stolen and surreptitious copies, maimed and deformed by the frauds and stealths of injurious impostors that exposed them, even those are now offered to your view cured and perfect of their limbs, and all the rest absolute in their numbers, as he conceived them. Who, as he was a happy imitator of nature, was a most gentle expresser of it. His mind and hand went together, and what he thought he uttered with that easiness that we have scarce received from him a blot in his papers. But it is not our province, who only gather his works and give them you, to praise him. It is yours, that read him. And there we hope, to your diverse capacities, you will find enough both to draw and hold you, for his wit can no more lie hid than it could be lost. Read him, therefore, and again, and again, and if then you do not like him, surely you are in some manifest danger not to understand him. And so we leave you to other of his friends whom if you need can be your guides: if you need them not, you can lead yourselves and others. And such readers we wish him.

John Heminge, Henry Condell.

                  To the memory of my beloved, the AUTHOR Master William Shakespeare and what he hath left us

100

100         To draw no envy, Shakespeare, on thy name

               Am I thus ample¹⁰¹ to thy book and fame:

               While I confess thy writings to be such

               As neither man nor muse¹⁰³ can praise too much:

               ’Tis true, and all men’s suffrage.¹⁰⁴ But these ways

105

105         Were not the paths I meant unto thy praise,

               For silliest¹⁰⁶ ignorance on these may light,

               Which, when it sounds at best, but echoes right;

               Or blind affection, which doth ne’er advance

               The truth, but gropes, and urgeth all by chance;

110

110         Or crafty malice might pretend this praise,

               And think to ruin where it seemed to raise.

               These are as some infamous bawd¹¹² or whore

               Should praise a matron: what could hurt her more?

               But thou art proof against them, and indeed

115

115         Above th’ill fortune of them, or the need.

               I therefore will begin. Soul of the age!

               The applause, delight, the wonder of our stage!

               My¹¹⁸ Shakespeare, rise. I will not lodge thee by

               Chaucer¹¹⁹ or Spenser, or bid Beaumont lie

120

120         A little further to make thee a room.

               Thou art a monument without a tomb,

               And art alive still while thy book doth live

               And we have wits to read and praise to give.

               That I not mix thee so, my brain excuses:

125

125         I mean with great but disproportioned muses.¹²⁵

               For if I thought my judgement were of years

               I should commit¹²⁷ thee surely with thy peers,

               And tell how far thou didst our Lyly¹²⁸ outshine,

               Or sporting Kyd,¹²⁹ or Marlowe’s mighty line.

130

130         And though thou hadst small¹³⁰ Latin and less Greek,

               From thence to honour thee I would not seek

               For names, but call forth thund’ring Aeschylus,¹³²

               Euripides, and Sophocles to us,

               Pacuvius,¹³⁴ Accius, him of Cordova dead,

135

135         To life again, to hear thy buskin¹³⁵ tread

               And shake a stage: or, when thy socks¹³⁶ were on,

               Leave thee alone for the comparison

               Of all that insolent Greece or haughty Rome

               Sent forth, or since did from their ashes come.

140

140         Triumph, my Britain, thou hast one to show

               To whom all scenes¹⁴¹ of Europe homage owe.

               He was not of an age, but for all time!

               And all the muses still were in their prime

               When like Apollo¹⁴⁴ he came forth to warm

145

145         Our ears, or like a Mercury¹⁴⁵ to charm!

               Nature herself was proud of his designs,

               And joyed to wear the dressing of his lines,

               Which were so richly spun, and woven so fit,

               As since she will vouchsafe¹⁴⁹ no other wit.

150

150         The merry Greek,¹⁵⁰ tart Aristophanes,

               Neat Terence, witty Plautus,¹⁵¹ now not please,

               But antiquated and deserted lie

               As¹⁵³ they were not of nature’s family.

               Yet must I not give nature all: thy art,

155

155         My gentle Shakespeare, must enjoy a part.

               For though the poet’s matter nature be,

               His art doth give the fashion, and that he

               Who casts to write a living line must sweat,

               Such as thine are, and strike the second heat

160

160         Upon the muses’ anvil, turn the same,

               And himself with it that he thinks to frame;

               Or for the laurel¹⁶² he may gain a scorn,

               For a good poet’s made as well as born.

               And such wert thou. Look how the father’s face

165

165         Lives in his issue, even so the race

               Of Shakespeare’s mind and manners brightly shines

               In his well-turned and true-filed lines,

               In each of which he seems to shake a lance,¹⁶⁸

               As brandished at the eyes of ignorance.

170

170         Sweet swan of Avon!¹⁷⁰ What a sight it were

               To see thee in our waters yet appear,

               And make those flights upon the banks of Thames

               That so did take Eliza¹⁷³ and our James!

               But stay, I see thee in the hemisphere

175

175         Advanced, and made a constellation there!

               Shine forth, thou star of poets, and with rage

               Or influence chide or cheer the drooping stage,

               Which, since thy flight from hence, hath mourned like night

               And despairs day, but for thy volume’s light.

180

                                                                 BEN JONSON

                  Upon the lines and life of the famous scenic poet, Master William Shakespeare

               Those hands which you so clapped go now and wring,

               You Britons brave, for done are Shakespeare’s days.

185

185         His days are done that made the dainty plays

               Which made the globe¹⁸⁶ of heav’n and earth to ring.

               Dried is that vein, dried is the Thespian¹⁸⁷ spring,

               Turned all to tears, and Phoebus¹⁸⁸ clouds his rays.

               That corpse, that coffin now bestick¹⁸⁹ those bays

190

190         Which crowned him poet first, then poets’ king.

               If tragedies might any prologue have,

               All those he made would scarce make one to this,

               Where fame, now that he gone is to the grave

               Death’s public tiring-house¹⁹⁴ the nuntius is.

195

195         For though his line of life went soon about,

               The life yet of his lines shall never out.

                                                                 HUGH HOLLAND¹⁹⁷

                  To the memory of the deceased author Master W. Shakespeare

               Shakespeare, at length thy pious fellows give

200

200         The world thy works, thy works by which outlive

               Thy tomb thy name must; when that stone is rent,

               And time dissolves thy Stratford monument,

               Here we alive shall view thee still. This book,

               When brass and marble fade, shall make thee look

205

205         Fresh to all ages. When posterity

               Shall loathe what’s new, think all is prodigy²⁰⁶

               That is not Shakespeare’s; ev’ry line, each verse

               Here shall revive, redeem thee from thy hearse.

               Nor²⁰⁹ fire nor cank’ring age, as Naso said

210

210         Of his, thy wit-fraught²¹⁰ book shall once invade.

               Nor shall I e’er believe or think thee dead,

               Though missed, until our bankrupt stage be sped,²¹²

               Impossible, with some new strain t’outdo

               Passions of Juliet and her Romeo,

215

215         Or till I hear a scene more nobly take

               Than when thy half-sword parleying²¹⁶ Romans spake.

               Till these, till any of thy volume’s rest

               Shall with more fire, more feeling be expressed,

               Be sure, our Shakespeare, thou canst never die,

220

220         But crowned with laurel, live eternally.

                                                                 LEONARD DIGGES²²¹

                  To the memory of Master W. Shakespeare

               We wondered, Shakespeare, that thou went’st so soon

               From the world’s stage to the grave’s tiring-room.²²⁴

225

225         We thought thee dead, but this thy printed worth

               Tells thy spectators that thou went’st but forth

               To enter with applause. An actor’s art

               Can die, and live to act a second part.

               That’s but an exit of mortality;

230

230         This, a re-entrance to a plaudite.²³⁰

                                                                 JAMES MABBE²³¹

The Works of William Shakespeare, containing all his Comedies, Histories and Tragedies: truly set forth, according to their first ORIGINAL.
The names of the principal actors in all these plays:

William Shakespeare | Samuel Gilburne
Richard Burbage | Robert Armin
John Hemmings | William Ostler
Augustine Phillips | Nathan Field
William Kempe | John Underwood
Thomas Pope | Nicholas Tooley
George Bryan | William Ecclestone
Henry Condell | Joseph Taylor
William Sly | Robert Benfield
Richard Cowley | Robert Gough
John Lowin | Richard Robinson
Samuel Cross | John Shank
Alexander Cook | John Rice

Catalogue of plays in the First Folio (Troilus and Cressida is missing: copy was only obtained at the last minute, after the preliminary pages were printed).

A page from the First Folio.

PRELIMINARY PAGES OF THE FIRST FOLIO

To the Reader poem printed opposite the title page    graver engraver, who was Martin Droeshout (1601–1650?), a Flemish immigrant from a family of painters    Ben Jonson dramatist and friend of Shakespeare; original poem is signed “B. I.” (“I” and “J” were interchangeable in seventeenth-century typography)    Dedication WILLIAM…Pembroke William Herbert (1580–1630), a notable patron of books and the arts, who as Lord Chamberlain took special responsibility for the acting company to which Shakespeare had belonged, the King’s Men; it has been suggested that he might have been the dedicatee of Shakespeare’s sonnets    King’s…majesty James I of England (he was also King James VI of Scotland)    PHILIP…Montgomery Philip Herbert (1584–1650), William’s brother, a favorite at the court of King James I    gentleman…bedchamber an official court post    Order…Garter the highest order of English knighthood

13    prosecuted treated

47    bounden obliged

48    JOHN HEMINGE, HENRY CONDELL Shakespeare’s fellow actors in the King’s Men; Heminge (1566–1630, so spelled here, but “Hemings,” “Hemmings,” or “Heminges” elsewhere) appears to have acted as the company’s business manager. Both he and Condell (1576–1627) were among the original sharers in the Lord Chamberlain’s Men

50    but only just

59    six-penn’orth six old pence was the price of a small Quarto volume; the First Folio cost 16–20 shillings (20 shillings was one old pound), depending on the binding

62    jack mechanism

64    Blackfriars…Cockpit both indoor theaters; Shakespeare’s company used the Blackfriars from 1608 onward during the winter months; wealthy gallants could pay two shillings to sit on a stool at the side of the stage    arraign interrogate/find fault with

67    quitted absolved, acquitted (i.e., popular acclaim on the stage has already judged the plays’ success)

76    divers…conceived them perhaps an allusion to an unauthorized attempt to publish a collected Shakespeare in 1619, which seems to have inspired the King’s Men to begin preparing their own edition

101    ample liberal, unsparing

103    muse poet, i.e., one inspired by a Muse (a classical goddess presiding over the arts)

104    suffrage common consent

106    silliest simplest, most artless    light land or chance upon

112    bawd pander, go-between

118    My…room an allusion to William Basse or John Donne’s elegy “On Mr. Wm. Shakespeare,” which circulated widely in manuscript before it was first published in 1633: “Renowned Spenser, lie a thought more nigh / To learned Chaucer, and rare Beaumont lie / A little nearer Spenser, to make room / For Shakespeare in your threefold-fourfold tomb.”

119    Chaucer Geoffrey Chaucer (1340?–1400), regarded as the father of English poetry    Spenser Edmund Spenser (1552?–1599), author of the epic romance The Faerie Queene, regarded as the greatest Elizabethan poet    Beaumont Francis Beaumont (1584–1616), playwright known for his collaborations with John Fletcher

125    disproportioned muses i.e., lesser poets

127    commit connect/consign

128    Lyly John Lyly (1554–1606), regarded as the best pre-Shakespearean writer of comedy

129    Kyd Thomas Kyd (1558–1594), renowned for his influential play The Spanish Tragedy    Marlowe’s mighty line Christopher Marlowe (1564–1593), renowned for the brilliance and lofty rhetorical flourish of his pentameter lines in plays such as Tamburlaine the Great, The Jew of Malta, and Doctor Faustus

130    small…Greek Shakespeare’s grammar school education would have given him a good grounding in Latin, but little if any Greek; Jonson, by contrast, paraded his formidable learning (despite not having been to university)

132    Aeschylus…Sophocles the three great writers of ancient Greek tragedy

134    Pacuvius…dead Roman tragedians    him of Cordova i.e., Seneca

135    buskin high, thick-soled boot worn by the actors in ancient Athenian tragedy

136    socks the soccus or low shoe worn by comedians

141    scenes stages, theaters

144    Apollo Greek and Roman sun god, patron of music and poetry

145    Mercury messenger of the gods

149    vouchsafe grant

150    merry Greek rascal, jester; applied here to the Greek writer of old comedy,    Aristophanes (c.444–c.380 BC), considered tart since his satire was sharp and personal

151    Terence, witty Plautus (second century BC) stylish exponents of sophisticated and influential Roman new comedy

153    As as if

162    laurel its foliage signifies victory or distinction in poetry

168    shake a lance puns on Shakespeare’s name

170    swan of Avon the River Avon flows through Shakespeare’s birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon; swans were sacred to Apollo and there are many on the Avon

173    Eliza…James Queen Elizabeth I and her successor King James I

186    globe plays on the name of the Globe Theatre

187    Thespian of Thespis, the traditional father of Greek tragedy (sixth century BC)

188    Phoebus Apollo as god of poetry, music, and the sun

189    bestick adorn, bedeck    bays laurel leaves, a sign of distinction in poetry

194    tiring-house room or place where actors dressed for the stage    nuntius theatrical messenger (Latin)

197    HUGH HOLLAND poet, fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge

206    prodigy abnormal, monstrous

209    Nor neither    Naso the Roman poet Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso, 43 BC–AD 18)

210    wit-fraught stored or supplied with wit, intelligence

212    sped provided, furnished

216    half-sword parleying debating at close quarters

221    LEONARD DIGGES poet, member of University College, Oxford; his stepfather, Thomas Russell, was an overseer of Shakespeare’s will

224    tiring-room dressing room (stage metaphor)

230    plaudite round of applause

231    JAMES MABBE (“I. M.” in First Folio), fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford    Burbage (1568–1619) leading tragedian and close friend of Shakespeare; an original sharer in the Lord Chamberlain’s Men    Phillips (d.1605), original sharer and business manager, also jig writer    Kempe (d.1603) leading comedian and dancer of the 1590s; left Shakespeare’s company in 1599; spelled “Kempt” in Folio    Pope (d.1603), sharer, with company by 1597    Bryan (d.1612), sharer, with company by 1596–97    Sly (1573–1608), sharer, with company by 1597    Cowley (1568–1619), sharer, with company by 1598    Lowin (1576–1653), sharer, joined company in 1603, later took over some of Burbage’s leading roles and Hemings’ managerial responsibility    Cross (1568?–?)    Cook (1583–1614), apprenticed to Hemings by 1597, later a sharer, played major female roles    Gilburne (fl. 1605) apprenticed to Phillips by 1597, played major female roles    Armin (1568–1615) took over from Kempe; a more cerebral, less physical comedian, he sang and also wrote plays    Ostler (d.1614), originally with a boy-company, joined King’s Men by 1610, married Hemings’ daughter    Field (1587–c.1620), originally a boy actor; also wrote plays; only joined the King’s Men after Shakespeare’s death    Underwood (c.1588?–1624) originally with a boy-company, joined King’s Men by 1608, became sharer    Tooley (1583–1623) Burbage’s apprentice, played major female roles in 1590s, remained with King’s Men until his death    Ecclestone (1591–1623), with company by 1610, possibly having been an apprentice in 1590s    Taylor (1586–1652), sharer, took over some of Burbage’s leading roles and Hemings’ managerial responsibility    Benfield (1583–1649) only joined King’s Men in 1615    Gough (d.1624) apprentice to Phillips or Pope, later a sharer, played female roles in 1590s    Robinson (c.1595?–1648) Burbage’s apprentice, then adult with King’s Men (married his master’s widow)    Shank (d.1636) joined King’s Men after 1616    Rice (fl.1607–30) with King’s Men by 1607

FOREWORD

Michael Boyd
Artistic Director,
Royal Shakespeare Company

The endurance of Shakespeare depends not only on the felt experience of good, vivid theater, but also on dynamic scholarship that reveals his living text. So we have pursued a long-held ambition: the creation of the first RSC Complete Works edition. Editing Shakespeare, like staging his plays, is a constantly evolving process. We’re delighted to be working with Random House and Macmillan on this new edition with a team led by Jonathan Bate—one of the foremost Shakespeare scholars of his generation and a valued presence in the RSC rehearsal room. By way of a foreword I’d like simply to make a few recommendations on how to read this book:

First, remember that you are reading scripts, blueprints for performance to a live audience and parts for actors to learn and embody. There’s an extent to which you shouldn’t “read” this book at all, but rather speak the parts out loud. You need to imagine the use of space, time, pitch, and rhythm, as well as the (sometimes) unspoken voice of the audience, that are all essential to the realization of what the scripts imply. They were not written as literature and should not be “read” as such.

If you are relatively new to Shakespeare’s work, don’t be put off by any sense that his work might be difficult to appreciate. A surprisingly small part of that difficulty is due to the distance between Shakespeare’s English and today’s. The detailed glossary notes and your own best guesses can deal with that. Most of Shakespeare’s “difficulty” is the product of intelligence at play or the linguistic compression of passionate thought, be it erotic love or political rage. Sometimes difficulty is an important part of the narrative, with characters being deliberately misleading or obscure. They might be talking to each other or to the audience in code, but the clues are always there, and the puzzles are enjoyable and significant.

Trust the Folio-based text being as close as we can get to the favored draft of Shakespeare’s original acting company. And trust the author. The best way to celebrate Shakespeare’s extraordinary status as the world’s favorite artist four hundred years after his death is to trust him to take you to places you had previously not imagined or understood. Many of these texts would probably have been heavily cut for public performance, but to cut or ignore those scenes or speeches that don’t immediately make sense, without the author at your side, is perilous.

It’s particularly tempting with a Complete Works edition to look for Shakespeare’s “essential” voice, to seek for consistency of tone and concept. It’s also probably a big mistake. Indeed, one of the most essential secrets of Shakespeare’s survival and brilliance as an artist is his utterly successful sublimation of himself into the constantly conflicting voices of his characters. Thus he avoided the stringent political censorship better than any of his contemporary rivals and thus he avoided stifling his living dramas with the authorial voice of an essayist. Don’t try to decide what the plays are about. Let them be rowdy, lyrical, dirty, and inconsistent in your head. Read Jack Cade’s manifesto in 2 Henry VI and Gonzalo’s manifesto in The Tempest in another part of the book and enjoy the ride on Shakespeare’s dangerous contradictions.

Lastly and most importantly—be inspired and not intimidated by the achievement of this great human artist.

THE TEMPEST

The Tempest was almost certainly Shakespeare’s last solo-authored play. We do not know whether he anticipated that this would be the case. It was also the first play to be printed in the First Folio. Again, we do not know whether it was given pride of place because the editors of the Folio regarded it as a showpiece—the summation of the master’s art—or for the more mundane reason that they had a clean copy in the clear hand of the scribe Ralph Crane, which would have given the compositors a relatively easy start as they set to work on the mammoth task of typesetting nearly a million words of Shakespeare. Whether it found its position by chance or design, The Tempest’s place at the end of Shakespeare’s career and the beginning of his collected works has profoundly shaped responses to the play ever since the early nineteenth century. It has come to be regarded as the touchstone of Shakespearean interpretation.

The narrative is concentrated on questions of mastery and rule. During the tempest in the opening scene, the normal social order is out of joint: the boatswain commands the courtiers in the knowledge that the roaring waves care nothing for “the name of king.” Then the back story, unfolded at length in Act 1 scene 2, tells of conspirators who do not respect the title of duke: we learn of Prospero’s loss of power in Milan and the compensatory command he has gained over Ariel and Caliban on the island. The Ferdinand and Miranda love knot is directed toward the future government of Milan and Naples. There is further politic plotting: Sebastian and Antonio’s plan to murder King Alonso and good Gonzalo, the madcap scheme of the base born characters to overthrow Prospero and make drunken butler Stephano king of the island. The theatrical coups performed by Prospero, assisted by Ariel and the other spirits of the island—the freezing of the conspirators, the harpy and the vanishing banquet, the masque of goddesses and agricultural workers, the revelation of the lovers playing at chess—all serve the purpose of requiting the sins of the past, restoring order in the present, and preparing for a harmonious future. Once the work is done, Ariel is released (with a pang) and Prospero is ready to prepare his own spirit for death. Even Caliban will “seek for grace.”

But Shakespeare never keeps it simple. Prospero’s main aim in conjuring up the storm and bringing the court to the island is to force his usurping brother Antonio into repentance. Yet when the climactic confrontation comes, Antonio does not say a word in reply to Prospero’s combination of forgiveness and demand. He wholly fails to follow the good example set by Alonso a few lines before. As for Antonio’s sidekick Sebastian, he has the temerity to ascribe Prospero’s magical foresight to demonic influence. For all the powers at Prospero’s command, there is no way of predicting or controlling human nature. A conscience cannot be created where there is none.

Samuel Taylor Coleridge described Prospero as “the very Shakespeare, as it were, of the tempest.” In other words, the leading character’s conjuring up of the storm in the opening scene corresponds to the dramatist’s conjuring up of the whole world of the play. The art of Prospero harnesses the power of nature in order to bring the other Italian characters to join him in his exile; by the same account, the art of Shakespeare transforms the platform of the stage into a ship at sea and then “an uninhabited island.” “Art” is the play’s key word. Caliban is Prospero’s “other” because he represents the state of nature. In the Darwinian nineteenth century, he was recast as the “missing link” between humankind and our animal ancestors.

Prospero’s backstory tells of a progression from the “liberal arts” that offered a training for governors to the more dangerous “art” of magic. Magical thinking was universal in the age of Shakespeare. Everyone was brought up to believe that there was another realm beyond that of nature, a realm of the spirit and of spirits. “Natural” and “demonic” magic were the two branches of the study and manipulation of preternatural phenomena. Magic meant the knowledge of hidden things and the art of working wonders. For some, it was the highest form of natural philosophy: the word came from magia, the ancient Persian term for wisdom. The “occult philosophy,” as it was known, postulated a hierarchy of powers, with influence descending from disembodied (“intellectual”) angelic spirits to the stellar and planetary world of the heavens to earthly things and their physical changes. The magician ascends to knowledge of higher powers and draws them down artificially to produce wonderful effects. Cornelius Agrippa, author of the influential De occulta philosophia, argued that “ceremonial magic” was needed in order to reach the angelic intelligences above the stars. This was the highest and most dangerous level of activity, since it was all too easy—as Christopher Marlowe’s Dr. Faustus found—to conjure up a devil instead of an angel. The more common form of “natural magic” involved “marrying” heaven to earth, working with the occult correspondences between the stars and the elements of the material world. The enduring conception of astrological influences is a vestige of this mode of thought. For a Renaissance mage such as Girolamo Cardano, who practiced in Milan, medicine, natural philosophy, mathematics, astrology, and dream interpretation were all intimately connected.

But natural magic could never escape its demonic shadow. For every learned mage such as Agrippa or Cardano, there were a thousand village “wise women” practicing folk medicine and fortune-telling. All too often, the latter found themselves demonized as witches, blamed for crop failure, livestock disease, and the other ills of life in the premodern era. Prospero is keen to contrast his own white magic with the black arts of Sycorax, Caliban’s mother, but the play establishes strong parallels between them. He was exiled from Milan to the island because his devotion to his secret studies gave Antonio the opportunity to usurp the dukedom, whilst Sycorax was exiled from Algiers to the island because she was accused of witchcraft; he arrived with his young daughter, whilst she arrived pregnant with the child she had supposedly conceived by sleeping with the devil. Each of them can command the tides and manipulate the spirit world that is embodied by Ariel. When Prospero comes to renounce his magic, he describes his powers in words borrowed from the incantation of another witch, Medea in Ovid’s great storehouse of ancient mythological tales, the Metamorphoses. Prospero at some level registers his own kinship with Sycorax when he says of Caliban “this thing of darkness I / Acknowledge mine.” The splitting of subject and verb across the line ending here, ensuring a moment’s hesitation in the acknowledgment, is an extreme instance of the suppleness with which late Shakespeare handles his iambic pentameter verse.

Shakespeare loved to set up oppositions, then shade his black and white into gray areas of moral complexity. In Milan, Prospero’s inward-looking study of the liberal arts had led to the loss of power and the establishment of tyranny. On the island he seeks to make amends by applying what he has learned, by using active magic to bring repentance, restore his dukedom, and set up a dynastic marriage. Yet at the beginning of the fifth act he sees that to be truly human is a matter not of exercising wisdom for the purposes of rule, but of practicing a more strictly Christian version of virtue. For sixteenth-century humanists, education in princely virtue meant the cultivation for political ends of wisdom, magnanimity, temperance, and integrity. For Prospero what finally matters is kindness. And this is something that the master learns from his pupil: it is Ariel who teaches Prospero about “feeling,” not vice versa.

Ariel represents fire and air, concord and music, loyal service. Caliban is of the earth, associated with discord, drunkenness, and rebellion. Ariel’s medium of expression is delicate verse, whilst Caliban’s is for the most part a robust, often ribald, prose like that of the jester Trinculo and drunken butler Stephano. But, astonishingly, it is Caliban who speaks the play’s most beautiful verse when he hears the music of Ariel. Even in prose, Caliban has a wonderful attunement to the natural environment: he knows every corner, every species of the island. Prospero calls him “A devil, a born devil, on whose nature / Nurture can never stick,” yet in the very next speech Caliban enters with the line “Pray you tread softly, that the blind mole may not hear a footfall,” words of such strong imagination that Prospero’s claim is instantly belied.

Caliban’s purported sexual assault on Miranda shows that Prospero failed in his attempt to tame the animal instincts of the “man-monster” and educate him into humanity. But who bears responsibility for the failure? Could it be that the problem arises from what Prospero has imprinted on Caliban’s memory, not from the latter’s nature? Caliban initially welcomed Prospero to the island and offered to share its fruits, every bit in the manner of the “noble savages” in Michel de Montaigne’s essay “Of the Cannibals,” which was another source from which Shakespeare quoted in the play (Gonzalo’s Utopian “golden age” vision of how he would govern the isle is borrowed from the English translation of Montaigne). Caliban only acts basely after Prospero has printed that baseness on him; what makes Caliban “filth” may be the lessons in which Prospero has taught him that he is “filth.”

Caliban understands the power of the book: as fashioners of modern coups d’état begin by seizing the television station, so he stresses that the rebellion against Prospero must begin by taking possession of his books. But Stephano has another book. “Here is that which will give language to you,” he says to Caliban, replicating Prospero’s gaining of control through language—but in a different mode. Textual inculcation is replaced by intoxication: the book that is kissed is the bottle. The dialogic spirit that is fostered by Shakespeare’s technique of scenic counterpoint thus calls into question Prospero’s use of books. If Stephano and Trinculo achieve through their alcohol what Prospero achieves through his teaching (in each case Caliban is persuaded to serve and to share the fruits of the isle), is not that teaching exposed as potentially nothing more than a means of social control? Prospero often seems more interested in the power structure that is established by his schoolmastering than in the substance of what he teaches. It is hard to see how making Ferdinand carry logs is intended to inculcate virtue; its purpose is to elicit submission.

Arrival on an island uninhabited by Europeans, talk of “plantation,” an encounter with a “savage” in which alcohol is exchanged for survival skills, a process of language learning in which it is made clear who is master and who is slave, fear that the slave will impregnate the master’s daughter, the desire to make the savage seek for Christian “grace” (though also a proposal that he should be shipped to England and exhibited for profit), references to the dangerous weather of the Bermudas and to a “brave new world”: in all these respects, The Tempest conjures up the spirit of European colonialism. Shakespeare had contacts with members of the Virginia Company, which had been established by royal charter in 1606 and was instrumental in the foundation of the Jamestown colony in America the following year. Some time in the autumn of 1610, a letter reached England describing how a fleet sent to reinforce the colony had been broken up by a storm in the Caribbean; the ship carrying the new governor had been driven to Bermuda, where the crew and passengers had wintered. Though the letter was not published at the time, it circulated in manuscript and inspired at least two pamphlets about these events. Scholars debate the extent to which Shakespeare made direct use of these materials, but certain details of the storm and the island seem to be derived from them. There is no doubt that the seemingly miraculous survival of the governor’s party and the fertile environment they discovered in the Bahamas were topics of great public interest at the time of the play.

The British Empire, the slave trade, and the riches of the spice routes lay in the future. Shakespeare’s play is set in the Mediterranean, not the Caribbean. Caliban cannot strictly be described as a native of the island. And yet the play intuits the dynamic of colonial possession and dispossession with such uncanny power that in 1950 a book by Octave Mannoni called The Psychology of Colonisation could argue that the process functioned by means of a pair of reciprocal neuroses: the “Prospero complex” on the part of the colonizer and the “Caliban complex” on that of the colonized. It was in response to Mannoni that Frantz Fanon wrote Black Skin, White Masks, a book that did much to shape the intellectual terrain of the “postcolonial” era. For many Anglophone Caribbean writers of the late twentieth century, The Tempest, and the figure of Caliban in particular, became a focal point for discovery of their own literary voices. The play is less a reflection of imperial history—after all, Prospero is an exile, not a venturer—than an anticipation of it.

As regular players at royal command performances in the Whitehall Palace, the King’s Men knew that from the end of 1608 onward, the teenage Princess Elizabeth was resident at court. A cultured young woman who enjoyed music and dancing, she participated in court festivals and in 1610 danced in a masque called Tethys. Masques—performed by a mixed cast of royalty, courtiers, and professional actors, staged with spectacular scenery and elaborate music—were the height of fashion at court in these years. Shakespeare’s friend and rival Ben Jonson, working in conjunction with the designer Inigo Jones, was carving out a role for himself as the age’s leading masque-wright. In 1608 he introduced the “antimasque” (or “antemasque”), a convention whereby grotesque figures known as “antics” danced boisterously prior to the graceful and harmonious masque itself. Shakespeare nods to contemporary fashion by including a betrothal masque within the action of The Tempest, together with the antimasque farce of Caliban, Stephano, and Trinculo smelling of horse-piss, stealing clothes from a line, and being chased away by dogs. One almost wonders whether the figure of Prospero is a gentle parody of Ben Jonson: his theatrical imagination is bound by the classical unities of time and place (as Jonson’s was) and he stages a court masque (as Jonson did). Perhaps this is why a few years later, in his Bartholomew Fair, Jonson parodied The Tempest in return.

Prospero’s Christian language reaches its most sustained pitch in the epilogue, but his final request is for the indulgence not of God but of the audience. At the last moment, humanist learning is replaced not by Christian but by theatrical faith. Because of this it has been possible for the play to be read, as it so often has been since the Romantic period, as Shakespeare’s defense of his own dramatic art. Ironically, though, the play itself is profoundly skeptical of the power of the book and even of the theater. The book of art is drowned, whilst the masque and its players dissolve into vacancy like a “baseless fabric” or a dream.

KEY FACTS

PLOT: Twelve years ago Prospero, the Duke of Milan, was usurped by his brother, Antonio, with the help of Alonso, King of Naples, and the King’s brother Sebastian. Prospero and his baby daughter Miranda were put to sea and landed on a distant island where ever since, by the use of his magic art, he has ruled over the spirit Ariel and the savage Caliban. He uses his powers to raise a storm that shipwrecks his enemies on the island. Alonso searches for his son, Ferdinand, although fearing him to be drowned. Sebastian plots to kill Alonso and seize the crown. The drunken butler, Stephano, and the jester, Trinculo, encounter Caliban and are persuaded by him to kill Prospero so that they can rule the island. Ferdinand meets Miranda and they fall instantly in love. Prospero sets heavy tasks to test Ferdinand and, when satisfied, presents the young couple with a betrothal masque. As Prospero’s plan draws to its climax, he confronts his enemies and forgives them. Prospero grants Ariel his freedom and prepares to leave the island for Milan.

MAJOR PARTS: (with percentage of lines/number of speeches/scenes on stage) Prospero (30%/115/5), Ariel (9%/45/6), Caliban (8%/50/5), Stephano (7%/60/4), Gonzalo (7%/52/4), Sebastian (5%/67/4), Antonio (6%/57/4), Miranda (6%/49/4), Ferdinand (6%/31/4), Alonso (5%/40/4), Trinculo (4%/39/4).

LINGUISTIC MEDIUM: 80% verse, 20% prose.

DATE: 1611. Performed at court, November 1, 1611; uses source material not available before autumn 1610.

SOURCES: No known source for main plot, but some details of the tempest and the island seem to derive from William Strachey, A True Reportory of the Wreck and Redemption of Sir Thomas Gates, Knight (written 1610, published in Purchas his Pilgrims, 1625) and perhaps Sylvester Jourdain, A Discovery of the Bermudas (1610) and the Virginia Company’s pamphlet A True Declaration of the Estate of the Colony in Virginia (1610); several allusions to Virgil’s Aeneid and Ovid’s Metamorphoses (most notably the imitation in Act 5 scene 1 of Arthur Golding’s 1567 translation of Medea’s incantation in Ovid’s 7th book); Gonzalo’s “golden age” oration in Act 2 scene 1 based closely on Michel de Montaigne’s essay “Of the Cannibals,” translated by John Florio (1603).

TEXT: First Folio of 1623 is the only early printed text. Based on a transcript by Ralph Crane, professional scribe working for the King’s Men. Generally good quality of printing.

THE TEMPEST

PROSPERO, the right Duke of Milan

MIRANDA, his daughter

ALONSO, King of Naples

SEBASTIAN, his brother

ANTONIO, Prospero’s brother, the usurping Duke of Milan

FERDINAND, son to the King of Naples

GONZALO, an honest old councillor

ADRIAN and FRANCISCO, lords

TRINCULO, a jester

STEPHANO, a drunken butler

MASTER of a ship

BOATSWAIN

MARINERS

CALIBAN, a savage and deformed slave

ARIEL, an airy spirit

The Scene: an uninhabited island

Act 1 Scene 11.1

running scene 1

       A tempestuous noise of thunder and lightning heard. Enter a Shipmaster and a Boatswain

MASTER

MASTER     Boatswain!

BOATSWAIN

BOATSWAIN     Here, master. What cheer?²

MASTER

MASTER     Good:³ speak to th’mariners. Fall to’t yarely, or we run ourselves aground! Bestir,⁴ bestir!

       Exit

       Enter Mariners

BOATSWAIN

BOATSWAIN     Heigh, my hearts!⁵ Cheerly, cheerly, my hearts! Yare, yare! Take in the topsail. Tend⁶ to th’master’s whistle.— To the storm Blow, till thou burst thy wind, if room enough.

       Enter Alonso, Sebastian, Antonio, Ferdinand, Gonzalo and others

ALONSO

ALONSO     Good boatswain, have⁸ care. Where’s the master? Play the men.

BOATSWAIN

BOATSWAIN     I pray now, keep below.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Where is the master, boatswain?

BOATSWAIN

BOATSWAIN     Do you not hear him? You mar¹¹ our labour. Keep your cabins! You do assist the storm.

GONZALO

GONZALO     Nay, good, be patient.

BOATSWAIN

BOATSWAIN     When the sea is. Hence!¹⁴ What cares these roarers for the name of king? To cabin! Silence! Trouble us not.

GONZALO

GONZALO     Good, yet remember whom thou hast aboard.

BOATSWAIN

BOATSWAIN     None that I more love than myself. You are a counsellor:¹⁷ if you can command these elements to silence, and work¹⁸ the peace of the present, we will not hand¹⁹ a rope more: use your authority. If you cannot, give thanks you have lived so long, and make yourself ready in your cabin for the mischance of the hour, if it so hap.²¹— To the Mariners Cheerly, good hearts!—
To the Courtiers

                  Out of our way, I say.

       Exeunt [Boatswain with Mariners, followed by Alonso, Sebastian, Antonio, and Ferdinand]

GONZALO

GONZALO     I have great comfort from this fellow: methinks he²³ hath no drowning mark²⁴ upon him: his complexion is perfect gallows. Stand fast, good Fate, to his hanging: make the rope of his destiny²⁵ our cable, for our own doth little advantage. If he be not born to be hanged, our case is miserable.

       Exit

       Enter Boatswain

BOATSWAIN

BOATSWAIN     Down²⁷ with the topmast! Yare! Lower, lower! Bring her to try with main course. (A cry within) A plague upon this howling! They are louder than the weather or our office.²⁹

       Enter Sebastian, Antonio and Gonzalo

                  Yet again? What do you here? Shall we give o’er³⁰ and drown? Have you a mind to sink?

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     A pox³² o’your throat, you bawling, blasphemous, incharitable dog!

BOATSWAIN

BOATSWAIN     Work you then.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Hang, cur!³⁴ Hang, you whoreson, insolent noisemaker! We are less afraid to be drowned than thou art.

GONZALO

GONZALO     I’ll warrant³⁶ him for drowning, though the ship were no stronger than a nutshell and as leaky as an unstanched³⁷ wench.

BOATSWAIN

BOATSWAIN     Lay her ahold,³⁸ ahold! Set her two courses off to sea again! Lay her off!

       Enter Mariners, wet

MARINERS

MARINERS     All lost! To prayers, to prayers! All lost!

BOATSWAIN

BOATSWAIN     What, must⁴⁰ our mouths be cold?

GONZALO

GONZALO     The king and prince at prayers: let’s assist them, for our case is as theirs.

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     I’m out of patience.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     We are merely⁴³ cheated of our lives by drunkards. This wide-chopped rascal: would thou mightst lie drowning, the washing of ten tides!⁴⁴

45

45   

GONZALO

GONZALO           He’ll be hanged yet,⁴⁵

               Though every drop of water swear against it

               And gape at wid’st⁴⁷ to glut him.

       [Exeunt Boatswain and Mariners]

       A confused noise within

[VOICES OFF-STAGE]

[VOICES OFF-STAGE]     Mercy on us! — We split,⁴⁸ we split! — Farewell, my wife and children! — Farewell, brother! — We split, we split, we split!

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Let’s all sink wi’th’king.

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     Let’s take leave of him.

Exeunt [Antonio and Sebastian]

GONZALO

GONZALO     Now would I give a thousand furlongs⁵² of sea for an acre of barren ground: long heath,⁵³ brown furze, anything. The wills above be done! But I would fain⁵⁴ die a dry death.

       Exit

Act 1 Scene 21.2

running scene 2

       Enter Prospero and Miranda

MIRANDA

MIRANDA     If by your art,¹ my dearest father, you have

               Put the wild waters in this roar, allay² them.

               The sky, it seems, would pour down stinking pitch,³

               But that the sea, mounting to th’welkin’s⁴ cheek,

5

5             Dashes the fire⁵ out. O, I have suffered

               With those that I saw suffer: a brave⁶ vessel —

               Who had, no doubt, some noble creature in her —

               Dashed all to pieces. O, the cry did knock

               Against my very heart. Poor souls, they perished.

10

10             Had I been any god of power, I would

               Have sunk the sea within the earth, or ere¹¹

               It should the good ship so have swallowed, and

               The fraughting souls¹³ within her.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Be collected:¹⁴

15

15             No more amazement.¹⁵ Tell your piteous heart

               There’s no harm done.

MIRANDA

MIRANDA     O, woe the day!

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     No harm:

               I have done nothing but in care of thee —

20

20             Of thee, my dear one, thee, my daughter — who

               Art ignorant of what thou art: nought knowing

               Of whence I am,²² nor that I am more better

               Than Prospero, master of a full poor cell,²³

               And thy no greater father.²⁴

25

25   

MIRANDA

MIRANDA           More to know²⁵

               Did never meddle with²⁶ my thoughts.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     ’Tis time

               I should inform thee further. Lend thy hand

               And pluck my magic garment from me. So: Lays down his magic cloak

30

30             Lie there, my art. Wipe thou thine eyes, have comfort.

               The direful spectacle of the wreck, which touched

               The very virtue of compassion in thee,

               I have with such provision³³ in mine art

               So safely ordered that there is no soul —

35

35             No, not so much perdition³⁵ as an hair

               Betid³⁶ to any creature in the vessel

               Which thou heard’st cry, which thou saw’st sink. Sit down, Miranda sits

               For thou must now know further.

MIRANDA

MIRANDA     You have often

40

40             Begun to tell me what I am, but stopped

               And left me to a bootless inquisition,⁴¹

               Concluding ‘Stay: not yet.’

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     The hour’s now come,

               The very minute bids thee ope⁴⁴ thine ear:

45

45             Obey, and be attentive. Canst thou remember

               A time before we came unto this cell?

               I do not think thou canst, for then thou wast not

               Out⁴⁸ three years old.

MIRANDA

MIRANDA     Certainly, sir, I can.

50

50   

PROSPERO

PROSPERO           By what? By any other house or person?

               Of any thing the image, tell me, that

               Hath⁵² kept with thy remembrance.

MIRANDA

MIRANDA     ’Tis far off,

               And rather like a dream than an assurance⁵⁴

55

55             That my remembrance warrants.⁵⁵ Had I not

               Four or five women once that tended⁵⁶ me?

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Thou hadst; and more, Miranda. But how is it

               That this lives in thy mind? What see’st thou else

               In the dark backward⁵⁹ and abysm of time?

60

60             If thou rememb’rest aught⁶⁰ ere thou cam’st here,

               How thou cam’st here thou mayst.

MIRANDA

MIRANDA     But that I do not.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Twelve year since, Miranda, twelve year since,

               Thy father was the Duke of Milan and

65

65             A prince of power.

MIRANDA

MIRANDA     Sir, are not you my father?

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Thy mother was a piece⁶⁷ of virtue, and

               She said thou wast my daughter; and thy father

               Was Duke of Milan, and his only heir

70

70             And princess, no worse issued.⁷⁰

MIRANDA

MIRANDA     O the heavens!

               What foul play had we, that we came from thence?

               Or blessèd⁷³ wast we did?

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Both, both, my girl.

75

75             By foul play — as thou say’st — were we heaved thence,

               But blessedly holp⁷⁶ hither.

MIRANDA

MIRANDA     O, my heart bleeds

               To think o’th’teen⁷⁸ that I have turned you to,

               Which is from⁷⁹ my remembrance. Please you, further.

80

80   

PROSPERO

PROSPERO                   My brother and thy uncle, called Antonio —

               I pray thee, mark⁸¹ me — that a brother should

               Be so perfidious⁸² — he whom next thyself

               Of all the world I loved, and to him put

               The manage⁸⁴ of my state, as at that time

85

85             Through all the signories⁸⁵ it was the first,

               And Prospero the prime⁸⁶ duke, being so reputed

               In dignity, and for the liberal arts⁸⁷

               Without a parallel; those being all my study,

               The government I cast upon my brother

90

90             And to my state⁹⁰ grew stranger, being transported

               And rapt in secret studies. Thy false uncle —

               Dost thou attend me?

MIRANDA

MIRANDA     Sir, most heedfully.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Being once perfected⁹⁴ how to grant suits,

95

95             How to deny them, who t’advance and who

               To trash for over-topping,⁹⁶ new created

               The creatures that were mine, I say, or changed ’em,⁹⁷

               Or else new formed⁹⁸ ’em; having both the key

               Of officer and office, set all hearts i’th’state

100

100             To what tune pleased his ear, that¹⁰⁰ now he was

               The ivy¹⁰¹ which had hid my princely trunk

               And sucked my verdure¹⁰² out on’t.— Thou attend’st not.

MIRANDA

MIRANDA     O good sir, I do.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     I pray thee, mark me:

105

105             I, thus neglecting worldly ends,¹⁰⁵ all dedicated

               To closeness¹⁰⁶ and the bettering of my mind

               With that, which but¹⁰⁷ by being so retired,

               O’er-prized¹⁰⁸ all popular rate, in my false brother

               Awaked an evil nature, and my trust,

110

110             Like a good parent,¹¹⁰ did beget of him

               A falsehood¹¹¹ in its contrary, as great

               As my trust was, which had indeed no limit,

               A confidence sans¹¹³ bound. He being thus lorded,

               Not only with what my revenue yielded,

115

115             But what my power might else exact:¹¹⁵ like one

               Who having into¹¹⁶ truth, by telling of it,

               Made such a sinner of his memory

               To credit his own lie, he did believe

               He was indeed the duke, out o’th’substitution¹¹⁹

120

120             And executing th’outward face¹²⁰ of royalty

               With all prerogative: hence his ambition growing —

               Dost thou hear?

MIRANDA

MIRANDA     Your tale, sir, would cure deafness.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     To have no screen¹²⁴ between this part he played,

125

125             And him¹²⁵ he played it for, he needs will be

               Absolute Milan.¹²⁶ Me — poor man — my library

               Was dukedom large enough: of temporal royalties¹²⁷

               He thinks me now incapable. Confederates¹²⁸ —

               So dry¹²⁹ he was for sway — wi’th’King of Naples

130

130             To give him annual tribute,¹³⁰ do him homage,

               Subject¹³¹ his coronet to his crown, and bend

               The dukedom yet¹³² unbowed — alas, poor Milan —

               To most ignoble stooping.

MIRANDA

MIRANDA     O the heavens!

135

135 

PROSPERO

PROSPERO             Mark his condition¹³⁵ and th’event, then tell me

               If¹³⁶ this might be a brother.

MIRANDA

MIRANDA     I should sin

               To think but¹³⁸ nobly of my grandmother:

               Good wombs have borne bad sons.

140

140         

PROSPERO

PROSPERO             Now the condition.

               This King of Naples, being an enemy

               To me inveterate,¹⁴² hearkens my brother’s suit,

               Which was, that he,¹⁴³ in lieu o’th’premises

               Of homage, and I know not how much tribute,¹⁴⁴

145

145             Should presently extirpate¹⁴⁵ me and mine

               Out of the dukedom, and confer fair Milan,

               With all the honours, on my brother: whereon,

               A treacherous army levied, one midnight

               Fated to th’purpose, did Antonio open

150

150             The gates of Milan, and i’th’dead of darkness

               The ministers¹⁵¹ for th’purpose hurried thence

               Me and thy crying self.

MIRANDA

MIRANDA     Alack, for pity!

               I, not rememb’ring how I cried out then,

155

155             Will cry it o’er again: it is a hint¹⁵⁵

               That wrings mine eyes to’t.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Hear a little further,

               And then I’ll bring thee to the present business

               Which now’s upon’s: without the which, this story

160

160             Were most impertinent.¹⁶⁰

MIRANDA

MIRANDA     Wherefore did they not

               That hour destroy us?

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Well demanded, wench:

               My tale provokes that question. Dear, they durst¹⁶⁴ not,

165

165             So dear the love my people bore me: nor set

               A mark so bloody on the business: but

               With colours fairer, painted¹⁶⁷ their foul ends.

               In few,¹⁶⁸ they hurried us aboard a barque,

               Bore us some leagues to sea, where they prepared

170

170             A rotten carcass of a butt,¹⁷⁰ not rigged,

               Nor tackle, sail, nor mast: the very rats

               Instinctively have quit it. There they hoist¹⁷² us,

               To cry to th’sea that roared to us; to sigh

               To th’winds, whose pity sighing back again,

175

175             Did us but loving wrong.¹⁷⁵

MIRANDA

MIRANDA     Alack, what trouble

               Was I then to you!

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     O, a cherubin¹⁷⁸

               Thou wast that did preserve me. Thou didst smile,

180

180             Infused with a fortitude from heaven,

               When I have decked¹⁸¹ the sea with drops full salt,

               Under my burden groaned, which¹⁸² raised in me

               An undergoing stomach,¹⁸³ to bear up

               Against what should ensue.

185

185 

MIRANDA

MIRANDA          How came we ashore? Prospero sits

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     By providence divine.

               Some food we had, and some fresh water, that

               A noble Neapolitan, Gonzalo,

               Out of his charity — who being then appointed

190

190             Master of this design¹⁹⁰ — did give us, with

               Rich garments, linens, stuffs¹⁹¹ and necessaries,

               Which since have steaded much.¹⁹² So, of his gentleness,

               Knowing I loved my books, he furnished me

               From mine own library with volumes that

195

195             I prize above my dukedom.

MIRANDA

MIRANDA     Would¹⁹⁶ I might

               But ever see that man.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Now I arise: Prospero stands

               Sit still,¹⁹⁹ and hear the last of our sea-sorrow.

200

200             Here in this island we arrived, and here

               Have I, thy schoolmaster, made thee more profit²⁰¹

               Than other princes can that have more time

               For vainer²⁰³ hours, and tutors not so careful.

MIRANDA

MIRANDA     Heavens thank you for’t. And now, I pray you, sir,

205

205             For still ’tis beating in my mind: your reason

               For raising this sea-storm?

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Know thus far forth:

               By accident most strange, bountiful Fortune —

               Now my dear lady²⁰⁹ — hath mine enemies

210

210             Brought to this shore: and by my prescience²¹⁰

               I find my zenith²¹¹ doth depend upon

               A most auspicious star, whose influence²¹²

               If now I court not, but omit,²¹³ my fortunes

               Will ever after droop. Here cease more questions:

215

215             Thou art inclined to sleep. ’Tis a good dullness,²¹⁵

               And give it way:²¹⁶ I know thou canst not choose.— Miranda sleeps

               Come away, servant, come. I am ready now.

               Approach, my Ariel,²¹⁸ come.

       Enter Ariel

ARIEL

ARIEL     All hail, great master! Grave²¹⁹ sir, hail! I come

220

220             To answer thy best pleasure; be’t to fly,

               To swim, to dive into the fire, to ride

               On the curled clouds: to thy strong bidding task²²²

               Ariel and all his quality.²²³

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Hast thou, spirit,

225

225             Performed to point²²⁵ the tempest that I bade thee?

ARIEL

ARIEL     To every article.

               I boarded the king’s ship: now on the beak,²²⁷

               Now in the waist,²²⁸ the deck, in every cabin,

               I flamed amazement:²²⁹ sometime I’d divide

230

230             And burn in many places; on the topmast,

               The yards²³¹ and bowsprit would I flame distinctly,

               Then meet and join. Jove’s²³² lightning, the precursors

               O’th’dreadful thunderclaps, more momentary

               And sight-outrunning²³⁴ were not; the fire and cracks

235

235             Of sulphurous roaring, the most mighty Neptune²³⁵

               Seem to besiege and make his bold waves tremble,

               Yea, his dread trident²³⁷ shake.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     My brave spirit!

               Who was so firm, so constant, that this coil²³⁹

240

240             Would not infect his reason?

ARIEL

ARIEL     Not a soul

               But felt a fever of the mad²⁴² and played

               Some tricks of desperation. All but mariners

               Plunged in the foaming brine and quit the vessel,

245

245             Then all afire²⁴⁵ with me: the king’s son, Ferdinand,

               With hair up-staring²⁴⁶ — then like reeds, not hair —

               Was the first man that leaped; cried ‘Hell is empty

               And all the devils are here.’

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Why, that’s my spirit!

250

250             But was not this nigh²⁵⁰ shore?

ARIEL

ARIEL     Close by, my master.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     But are they, Ariel, safe?

ARIEL

ARIEL     Not a hair perished:

               On their sustaining²⁵⁴ garments not a blemish,

255

255             But fresher than before: and, as thou bad’st me,

               In troops²⁵⁶ I have dispersed them ’bout the isle.

               The king’s son have I landed by himself,

               Whom I left cooling of²⁵⁸ the air with sighs

               In an odd angle²⁵⁹ of the isle, and sitting,

260

260             His arms in this sad knot.²⁶⁰ Folds his arms

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Of the king’s ship,

               The mariners, say how thou hast disposed,

               And all the rest o’th’fleet?

ARIEL

ARIEL     Safely in harbour

265

265             Is the king’s ship: in the deep nook where once

               Thou call’dst me up at midnight to fetch dew²⁶⁶

               From the still-vexed Bermudas,²⁶⁷ there she’s hid;

               The mariners all under hatches²⁶⁸ stowed,

               Who, with a charm²⁶⁹ joined to their suffered labour,

270

270             I have left asleep: and for the rest o’th’fleet —

               Which I dispersed — they all have met again,

               And are upon the Mediterranean float²⁷²

               Bound sadly home for Naples,

               Supposing that they saw the king’s ship wrecked

275

275             And his great person perish.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Ariel, thy charge

               Exactly is performed; but there’s more work:

               What is the time o’th’day?

ARIEL

ARIEL     Past the mid season.²⁷⁹

280

280 

PROSPERO

PROSPERO             At least two glasses.²⁸⁰ The time ’twixt six and now

               Must by us both be spent most preciously.²⁸¹

ARIEL

ARIEL     Is there more toil? Since thou dost give me pains,²⁸²

               Let me remember²⁸³ thee what thou hast promised,

               Which is not yet performed me.

285

285 

PROSPERO

PROSPERO             How now? Moody?²⁸⁵

               What is’t thou canst demand?

ARIEL

ARIEL     My liberty.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Before the time be out?²⁸⁸ No more!

ARIEL

ARIEL     I prithee,

290

290             Remember I have done thee worthy service,

               Told thee no lies, made thee no mistakings, served

               Without or²⁹² grudge or grumblings: thou did promise

               To bate²⁹³ me a full year.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Dost thou forget

295

295             From what a torment I did free thee?

ARIEL

ARIEL     No.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Thou dost: and think’st it much to tread²⁹⁷ the ooze

               Of the salt deep,

               To run upon the sharp wind of the north,

300

300             To do me business in the veins o’th’earth

               When it is baked with frost.

ARIEL

ARIEL     I do not, sir.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Thou liest, malignant thing. Hast thou forgot

               The foul witch Sycorax,³⁰⁴ who with age and envy

305

305             Was grown into a hoop?³⁰⁵ Hast thou forgot her?

ARIEL

ARIEL     No, sir.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Thou hast. Where was she born? Speak: tell me.

ARIEL

ARIEL     Sir, in Algiers.³⁰⁸

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     O, was she so? I must

310

310             Once in a month recount what thou hast been,

               Which thou forget’st. This damned witch Sycorax,

               For mischiefs manifold, and sorceries terrible

               To enter human hearing, from Algiers,

               Thou know’st, was banished: for³¹⁴ one thing she did

315

315             They would not take her life. Is not this true?

ARIEL

ARIEL     Ay, sir.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     This blue-eyed³¹⁷ hag was hither brought with child,

               And here was left by th’sailors. Thou, my slave,

               As thou report’st thyself, was then her servant:

320

320             And, for³²⁰ thou wast a spirit too delicate

               To act her earthy³²¹ and abhorred commands,

               Refusing her grand hests,³²² she did confine thee

               By help of her more potent ministers,³²³

               And in her most unmitigable³²⁴ rage,

325

325             Into a cloven³²⁵ pine, within which rift

               Imprisoned thou didst painfully remain

               A dozen years: within which space she died,

               And left thee there, where thou didst vent thy groans

               As³²⁹ fast as mill-wheels strike. Then was this island —

330

330             Save for the son that she did litter³³⁰ here,

               A freckled whelp,³³¹ hag-born — not honoured with

               A human shape.

ARIEL

ARIEL     Yes: Caliban³³³ her son.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Dull thing,³³⁴ I say so: he, that Caliban

335

335             Whom now I keep in service.³³⁵ Thou best know’st

               What torment I did find thee in: thy groans

               Did make wolves³³⁷ howl and penetrate the breasts

               Of ever-angry bears; it was a torment

               To lay upon the damned, which Sycorax

340

340             Could not again undo. It was mine art,

               When I arrived and heard thee, that made gape³⁴¹

               The pine and let thee out.

ARIEL

ARIEL     I thank thee, master.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     If thou more murmur’st,³⁴⁴ I will rend an oak

345

345             And peg³⁴⁵ thee in his knotty entrails till

               Thou hast howled away twelve winters.

ARIEL

ARIEL     Pardon, master:

               I will be correspondent³⁴⁸ to command

               And do my spriting³⁴⁹ gently.

350

350 

PROSPERO

PROSPERO             Do so: and after two days

               I will discharge³⁵¹ thee.

ARIEL

ARIEL     That’s my noble master!

               What shall I do? Say what? What shall I do?

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Go make thyself like a nymph o’th’sea,

355

355             Be subject to no sight but thine and mine: invisible

               To every eyeball else. Go take this shape

               And hither come in’t: go! Hence with diligence!

       Exit [Ariel]

               Awake, dear heart, awake. Thou hast slept well. Awake. To Miranda

MIRANDA

MIRANDA     The strangeness of your story put

360

360             Heaviness³⁶⁰ in me.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Shake it off. Come on:

               We’ll visit Caliban, my slave, who never

               Yields us kind answer.

MIRANDA

MIRANDA     ’Tis a villain,³⁶⁴ sir, I do not love to look on.

365

365 

PROSPERO

PROSPERO             But, as ’tis,

               We cannot miss³⁶⁶ him: he does make our fire,

               Fetch in our wood and serves in offices³⁶⁷

               That profit us. What, ho! Slave! Caliban!

               Thou earth,³⁶⁹ thou! Speak!

370

370 

CALIBAN

CALIBAN              There’s wood enough within.

       Within

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Come forth, I say! There’s other business for thee:

               Come, thou tortoise! When?

       Enter Ariel like a water-nymph

               Fine apparition: my quaint³⁷³ Ariel,

               Hark in thine ear.

375

375 

ARIEL

ARIEL             My lord, it shall be done.

       Exit

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Thou poisonous slave, got³⁷⁶ by the devil himself

               Upon thy wicked dam:³⁷⁷ come forth!

       Enter Caliban

CALIBAN

CALIBAN     As wicked dew as e’er my mother brushed

               With raven’s feather from unwholesome fen³⁷⁹

380

380             Drop on you both! A southwest³⁸⁰ blow on ye

               And blister you all o’er!

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     For this, be sure, tonight thou shalt have cramps,

               Side-stitches that shall pen thy breath up: urchins³⁸³

               Shall, for that vast³⁸⁴ of night that they may work,

385

385             All exercise³⁸⁵ on thee: thou shalt be pinched

               As³⁸⁶ thick as honeycomb, each pinch more stinging

               Than³⁸⁷ bees that made ’em.

CALIBAN

CALIBAN     I must eat my dinner.

               This island’s mine by Sycorax my mother,

390

390             Which thou tak’st from me. When thou cam’st first,

               Thou strok’st me and made much of me: wouldst give me

               Water with berries³⁹² in’t, and teach me how

               To name the bigger³⁹³ light, and how the less,

               That burn by day and night: and then I loved thee

395

395             And showed thee all the qualities o’th’isle,

               The fresh springs, brine-pits,³⁹⁶ barren place and fertile.

               Cursed be I that did so! All the charms³⁹⁷

               Of Sycorax — toads, beetles, bats — light³⁹⁸ on you!

               For I am all the subjects that you have,

400

400             Which first was mine own king: and here you sty⁴⁰⁰ me

               In this hard rock,⁴⁰¹ whiles you do keep from me

               The rest o’th’island.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Thou most lying slave,

               Whom stripes⁴⁰⁴ may move, not kindness! I have used thee —

405

405             Filth as thou art — with humane⁴⁰⁵ care, and lodged thee

               In mine own cell, till thou didst seek to violate⁴⁰⁶

               The honour of my child.

CALIBAN

CALIBAN     O ho, O ho! Would’t had been done!

               Thou didst prevent me: I⁴⁰⁹ had peopled else

410

410             This isle with Calibans.

MIRANDA

MIRANDA     Abhorred slave,

               Which any print⁴¹² of goodness wilt not take,

               Being capable⁴¹³ of all ill. I pitied thee,

               Took pains to make thee speak, taught thee each hour

415

415             One thing or other: when thou didst not, savage,

               Know thine own meaning, but wouldst gabble like

               A thing most brutish, I endowed thy purposes

               With words that made them known. But thy vile race⁴¹⁸ —

               Though thou didst learn — had that in’t which good natures

420

420             Could not abide to be with: therefore wast thou

               Deservedly confined into this rock, who hadst

               Deserved more⁴²² than a prison.

CALIBAN

CALIBAN     You taught me language, and my profit on’t

               Is, I know how to curse. The red-plague⁴²⁴ rid you

425

425             For learning⁴²⁵ me your language.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Hag-seed,⁴²⁶ hence!

               Fetch us in fuel, and be quick: thou’rt best⁴²⁷

               To answer other business. Shrug’st thou, malice?

               If thou neglect’st or dost unwillingly

430

430             What I command, I’ll rack⁴³⁰ thee with old cramps,

               Fill all thy bones with aches, make thee roar,

               That beasts shall tremble at thy din.

CALIBAN

CALIBAN     No, pray thee.—

               I must obey: his art is of such power, Aside

435

435             It would control my dam’s god, Setebos,⁴³⁵

               And make a vassal⁴³⁶ of him.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     So, slave, hence!

       Exit Caliban

       Enter Ferdinand, and Ariel, invisible, playing and singing

ARIEL

ARIEL     Come unto these yellow sands,

       Song

                                    And then take hands:

440

440                              Curtsied when you have, and kissed

                                    The wild waves whist:⁴⁴¹

                                    Foot it featly⁴⁴² here and there,

                                    And, sweet sprites, bear

                                    The burden.

445

445 

[SPIRITS    

[SPIRITS    Within, sing the] (burden,⁴⁴⁵ dispersedly)

                                    Hark, hark! Bow-wow!

                                    The watch-dogs bark: bow-wow.

ARIEL

ARIEL     Hark, hark! I hear

                                    The strain⁴⁴⁹ of strutting chanticleer

450

450                              Cry, cock-a-diddle-dow.

FERDINAND

FERDINAND     Where should this music be? I’th’air or th’earth?

               It sounds no more: and sure it waits upon⁴⁵²

               Some god o’th’island. Sitting on a bank,

               Weeping again the⁴⁵⁴ king my father’s wreck,

455

455             This music crept by me upon the waters,

               Allaying both their fury and my passion⁴⁵⁶

               With its sweet air: thence I have followed it —

               Or it hath drawn me rather — but ’tis gone.

               No, it begins again.

460

460 

ARIEL

ARIEL             Full fathom five⁴⁶⁰ thy father lies,

       Song

               Of his bones are coral made:

               Those are pearls that were his eyes:

               Nothing of him that doth fade,⁴⁶³

               But doth suffer⁴⁶⁴ a sea-change

465

465             Into something rich and strange.

               Sea-nymphs hourly ring his knell:⁴⁶⁶

445 

[SPIRITS    

[SPIRITS    Within, sing the] (burden) Ding-dong.

ARIEL

ARIEL     Hark! Now I hear them: ding-dong, bell.

FERDINAND

FERDINAND     The ditty⁴⁶⁹ does remember my drowned father.

470

470             This is no mortal⁴⁷⁰ business, nor no sound

               That the earth owes.⁴⁷¹ I hear it now above me.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     The fringèd curtains⁴⁷² of thine eye advance

               And say what thou see’st yond.⁴⁷³

MIRANDA

MIRANDA     What is’t? A spirit?

475

475             Lord, how it looks about! Believe me, sir,

               It carries a brave⁴⁷⁶ form. But ’tis a spirit.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     No, wench: it eats, and sleeps, and hath such senses

               As we have, such. This gallant⁴⁷⁸ which thou see’st

               Was in the wreck: and, but⁴⁷⁹ he’s something stained

480

480             With grief — that’s beauty’s canker⁴⁸⁰ — thou mightst call him

               A goodly⁴⁸¹ person: he hath lost his fellows

               And strays about to find ’em.

MIRANDA

MIRANDA     I might call him

               A thing divine, for nothing natural⁴⁸⁴

485

485             I ever saw so noble.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     It goes on, I see, Aside

               As my soul prompts⁴⁸⁷ it.— Spirit, fine spirit: I’ll free thee To Ariel

               Within two days for this.

FERDINAND

FERDINAND     Most sure, the goddess

490

490             On whom these airs⁴⁹⁰ attend! Vouchsafe my prayer

               May know if you remain⁴⁹¹ upon this island,

               And that you will some good instruction give

               How I may bear me⁴⁹³ here: my prime request,

               Which I do last pronounce, is — O you wonder!⁴⁹⁴ —

495

495             If you be maid⁴⁹⁵ or no?

MIRANDA

MIRANDA     No wonder, sir,

               But certainly a maid.

FERDINAND

FERDINAND     My language? Heavens!

               I am the best⁴⁹⁹ of them that speak this speech,

500

500             Were I but where⁵⁰⁰ ’tis spoken.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     How? The best?

               What wert thou if the King of Naples heard thee?

FERDINAND

FERDINAND     A single thing,⁵⁰³ as I am now, that wonders

               To hear thee speak of Naples. He⁵⁰⁴ does hear me:

505

505             And that he does, I weep. Myself am Naples,

               Who with mine eyes, never since at ebb,⁵⁰⁶ beheld

               The king my father wrecked.

MIRANDA

MIRANDA     Alack, for mercy!

FERDINAND

FERDINAND     Yes, faith, and all his lords, the Duke of Milan

510

510             And his brave son⁵¹⁰ being twain.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     The Duke of Milan Aside

               And his more braver daughter could control⁵¹² thee

               If now ’twere fit to do’t. At the first sight

               They have changed eyes.⁵¹⁴— Delicate Ariel, To Ariel

515

515             I’ll set thee free for this.— A word, good sir, To Ferdinand

               I fear you have done⁵¹⁶ yourself some wrong: a word.

MIRANDA

MIRANDA     Why speaks my father so ungently?⁵¹⁷ This

               Is the third man that e’er I saw: the first

               That e’er I sighed for. Pity move my father

520

520             To be inclined my way.

FERDINAND

FERDINAND     O, if a virgin,

               And your⁵²² affection not gone forth, I’ll make you

               The Queen of Naples.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Soft,⁵²⁴ sir, one word more.—

525

525             They are both in either’s⁵²⁵ powers: but this swift business Aside

               I must uneasy⁵²⁶ make, lest too light winning

               Make the prize light.— One word more: I charge⁵²⁷ thee To Ferdinand

               That thou attend⁵²⁸ me: thou dost here usurp

               The name thou ow’st not,⁵²⁹ and hast put thyself

530

530             Upon this island as a spy, to win it

               From me, the lord on’t.⁵³¹

FERDINAND

FERDINAND     No, as I am a man.

MIRANDA

MIRANDA     There’s nothing ill can dwell in such a temple:⁵³³

               If the ill-spirit have so fair a house,

535

535             Good things will strive to dwell with’t.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Follow me.— To Ferdinand

               Speak not you for him: he’s a traitor.— Come: To Miranda/To Ferdinand

               I’ll manacle thy neck and feet together:

               Seawater shalt thou drink: thy food shall be

540

540             The fresh-brook mussels,⁵⁴⁰ withered roots and husks

               Wherein the acorn cradled. Follow.

FERDINAND

FERDINAND     No!

               I will resist such entertainment⁵⁴³ till

               Mine enemy has more power.

       He draws, and is charmed from moving

545

545 

MIRANDA

MIRANDA             O dear father,

               Make not too rash a trial of him, for

               He’s gentle,⁵⁴⁷ and not fearful.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     What, I say,

               My foot⁵⁴⁹ my tutor?— Put thy sword up, traitor: To Ferdinand

550

550             Who mak’st a show but dar’st not strike, thy conscience

               Is so possessed with guilt. Come from thy ward,⁵⁵¹

               For I can here disarm thee with this stick, Brandishes his staff

               And make thy weapon drop.

MIRANDA

MIRANDA     Beseech you, father. Kneels or attempts to stop him

555

555 

PROSPERO

PROSPERO             Hence! Hang not on my garments.

MIRANDA

MIRANDA     Sir, have pity:

               I’ll be his surety.⁵⁵⁷

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Silence! One word more

               Shall make me chide⁵⁵⁹ thee, if not hate thee. What,

560

560             An advocate for an impostor? Hush!

               Thou think’st there is no more such shapes⁵⁶¹ as he,

               Having seen but him and Caliban. Foolish wench,

               To⁵⁶³ th’most of men this is a Caliban,

               And they to him are angels.

565

565 

MIRANDA

MIRANDA             My affections

               Are then most humble: I have no ambition

               To see a goodlier man.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Come on, obey: To Ferdinand

               Thy nerves⁵⁶⁹ are in their infancy again

570

570             And have no vigour⁵⁷⁰ in them.

FERDINAND

FERDINAND     So they are:

               My spirits,⁵⁷² as in a dream, are all bound up.

               My father’s loss, the weakness which I feel,

               The wreck of all my friends, nor this man’s threats,

575

575             To whom I am subdued, are but light to me,

               Might I but through⁵⁷⁶ my prison once a day

               Behold this maid: all corners else⁵⁷⁷ o’th’earth

               Let liberty make use of: space enough

               Have I in such a prison.

580

580 

PROSPERO

PROSPERO             It works.— Come on.— Aside/To Ferdinand

               Thou hast done well, fine Ariel!— Follow me.— To Ariel/To Ferdinand

               Hark what thou else shalt do me.⁵⁸² To Ariel

MIRANDA

MIRANDA     Be of comfort:

               My father’s of a better nature, sir,

585

585             Than he appears by speech: this is unwonted⁵⁸⁵

               Which now came from him.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Thou shalt be as free To Ariel

               As mountain winds; but then⁵⁸⁸ exactly do

               All points of my command.

590

590 

ARIEL

ARIEL             To th’syllable.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Come, follow.— Speak not for him. To Ferdinand/To Miranda

       Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 1

running scene 3

       Enter Alonso, Sebastian, Antonio, Gonzalo, Adrian, Francisco and others

GONZALO

GONZALO     Beseech you, sir, be merry; you have cause — To Alonso

               So have we all — of joy, for our escape

               Is much beyond³ our loss. Our hint of woe

               Is common: every day some sailor’s wife,

5

5             The masters⁵ of some merchant, and the merchant

               Have just our theme of woe. But for the miracle —

               I mean our preservation — few in millions

               Can speak like us: then wisely, good sir, weigh⁸

               Our sorrow with our comfort.

ALONSO

ALONSO     Prithee, peace.¹⁰

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     He receives comfort like cold porridge. Antonio and Sebastian speak apart

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     The visitor¹² will not give him o’er so.

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     Look, he’s winding up the watch of his wit:¹³ by and by it will strike.

GONZALO

GONZALO     Sir— To Alonso

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     One: tell.¹⁵

GONZALO

GONZALO     When every grief is entertained¹⁶ that’s offered, comes to th’entertainer—

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     A dollar.¹⁷ Aside to Antonio, but overheard by Gonzalo

GONZALO

GONZALO     Dolour¹⁸ comes to him, indeed: you have spoken truer than you purposed.

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     You have taken it wiselier¹⁹ than I meant you should.

GONZALO

GONZALO     Therefore, my lord— To Alonso

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Fie, what a spendthrift is he of his tongue!

ALONSO

ALONSO     I prithee, spare.²² To Gonzalo

GONZALO

GONZALO     Well, I have done: but yet—

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     He will be talking.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Which, of he or Adrian, for a good wager, first begins to crow?²⁵

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     The old cock.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     The cockerel.²⁷

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     Done. The wager?²⁸

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     A laughter.²⁹

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     A match!

ADRIAN

ADRIAN     Though this island seem to be desert³¹—

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     Ha,³² ha, ha!

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     So: you’re paid.

ADRIAN

ADRIAN     Uninhabitable and almost inaccessible—

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     Yet—

ADRIAN

ADRIAN     Yet—

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     He could not miss’t.

ADRIAN

ADRIAN     It must needs be of subtle,³⁸ tender and delicate temperance.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Temperance was a delicate³⁹ wench.

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     Ay, and a subtle,⁴⁰ as he most learnedly delivered.

ADRIAN

ADRIAN     The air breathes upon us here most sweetly.

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     As if it had lungs, and rotten ones.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Or as ’twere perfumed by a fen.⁴³

GONZALO

GONZALO     Here is everything advantageous to life.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     True: save⁴⁵ means to live.

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     Of that there’s none, or little.

GONZALO

GONZALO     How lush and lusty⁴⁷ the grass looks. How green!

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     The ground indeed is tawny.⁴⁸

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     With an eye⁴⁹ of green in’t.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     He misses not much.

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     No: he doth but mistake the truth totally.

GONZALO

GONZALO     But the rarity⁵² of it is — which is indeed almost beyond credit—

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     As many vouched⁵³ rarities are.

GONZALO

GONZALO     —That our garments, being, as they were, drenched in the sea, hold notwithstanding their freshness and glosses, being rather new-dyed⁵⁵ than stained with salt water.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     If but one of his pockets could speak, would it not say he lies?

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     Ay, or very falsely pocket up⁵⁸ his report.

GONZALO

GONZALO     Methinks our garments are now as fresh as when we put them on first in Afric,⁶⁰ at the marriage of the king’s fair daughter Claribel to the King of Tunis.

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     ’Twas a sweet marriage, and we prosper well in our return.

ADRIAN

ADRIAN     Tunis was never graced before with such a paragon to their queen.

GONZALO

GONZALO     Not since widow Dido’s⁶³ time.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Widow! A pox o’that! How⁶⁴ came that ‘widow’ in? Widow Dido!

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     What if he had said ‘widower Aeneas’⁶⁵ too? Good lord, how you take it!

ADRIAN

ADRIAN     ‘Widow Dido’, said you? You make me study of⁶⁶ that: she was of Carthage, not of Tunis.

GONZALO

GONZALO     This⁶⁸ Tunis, sir, was Carthage.

ADRIAN

ADRIAN     Carthage?

GONZALO

GONZALO     I assure you, Carthage.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     His word is more than the miraculous harp.⁷¹

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     He hath raised the wall and houses too.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     What impossible matter will he make easy next?

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     I think he will carry this island home in his pocket and give it his son for an apple.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     And, sowing the kernels⁷⁶ of it in the sea, bring forth more islands.

GONZALO

GONZALO     Ay.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Why, in good time.

GONZALO

GONZALO     Sir, To Alonso we were talking that our garments seem now as fresh as when we were at Tunis at the marriage of your daughter, who is now queen.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     And the rarest⁸¹ that e’er came there.

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     Bate,⁸² I beseech you, widow Dido.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     O, widow Dido? Ay, widow Dido.⁸³

GONZALO

GONZALO     Is not, sir, my doublet⁸⁴ as fresh as the first day I wore it? I mean, in a sort—

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     That sort⁸⁵ was well fished for.

GONZALO

GONZALO     —When I wore it at your daughter’s marriage.

ALONSO

ALONSO     You cram these words into mine ears against

               The stomach⁸⁸ of my sense. Would I had never

               Married my daughter there: for, coming thence,

90

90           My son is lost and — in my rate⁹⁰ — she too,

               Who is so far from Italy removed

               I ne’er again shall see her. O thou mine heir

               Of Naples and of Milan, what strange fish

               Hath made his meal on thee?

95

95   

FRANCISCO

FRANCISCO     Sir, he may live:

               I saw him beat the surges⁹⁶ under him,

               And ride upon their backs; he trod the water,

               Whose enmity he flung aside, and breasted

               The surge most swoll’n that met him: his bold head

100

100         ’Bove the contentious waves he kept, and oared¹⁰⁰

               Himself with his good arms in lusty¹⁰¹ stroke

               To th’shore, that o’er his wave-worn basis¹⁰² bowed,

               As¹⁰³ stooping to relieve him: I not doubt

               He came alive to land.

105

105 

ALONSO

ALONSO             No, no, he’s gone.

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     Sir, you may thank yourself for this great loss, To Alonso

               That would not bless our Europe with your daughter,

               But rather loose¹⁰⁸ her to an African,

               Where she, at least, is banished from your eye,

110

110         Who¹¹⁰ hath cause to wet the grief on’t.

ALONSO

ALONSO     Prithee, peace.

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     You were kneeled to and importuned¹¹² otherwise

               By all of us: and the fair soul herself

               Weighed between loathness¹¹⁴ and obedience at

115

115         Which¹¹⁵ end o’th’beam should bow. We have lost your son,

               I fear, forever: Milan and Naples have

               More widows in them of this business’ making

               Than we bring men to comfort them.

               The fault’s your own.

120

120 

ALONSO

ALONSO             So is the dear’st¹²⁰ o’th’loss.

GONZALO

GONZALO     My lord Sebastian,

               The truth you speak doth lack some gentleness,

               And time¹²³ to speak it in: you rub the sore,

               When you should bring the plaster.

125

125 

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN             Very well.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     And most chirurgeonly.¹²⁶

GONZALO

GONZALO     It is foul weather in us all, good sir, To Alonso

               When you are cloudy.

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     Foul weather?

130

130 

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Very foul.

GONZALO

GONZALO     Had I plantation¹³¹ of this isle, my lord—

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     He’d sow’t with nettle-seed.¹³²

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     Or docks, or mallows.

GONZALO

GONZALO     And were the king on’t, what would I do?

135

135 

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     Scape being drunk for want¹³⁵ of wine.

GONZALO

GONZALO     I’th’commonwealth I would by¹³⁶ contraries

               Execute all things: for no kind of traffic¹³⁷

               Would I admit: no name of magistrate:

               Letters¹³⁹ should not be known: riches, poverty,

140

140         And use of service,¹⁴⁰ none: contract, succession,

               Bourn,¹⁴¹ bound of land, tilth, vineyard, none:

               No use of metal, corn, or wine, or oil:

               No occupation, all men idle, all:

               And women too, but innocent and pure:

145

145         No sovereignty.

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     Yet he would be king on’t.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     The latter end of his commonwealth forgets the beginning.

GONZALO

GONZALO     All things in common¹⁴⁸ nature should produce

               Without sweat or endeavour: treason, felony,

150

150         Sword, pike,¹⁵⁰ knife, gun, or need of any engine,

               Would I not have: but nature should bring forth,

               Of it own kind, all foison,¹⁵² all abundance,

               To feed my innocent people.

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     No marrying ’mong his subjects?

155

155 

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     None, man, all idle: whores and knaves.

GONZALO

GONZALO     I would with such perfection govern, sir,

               T’excel the golden age.¹⁵⁷

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     ’Save his majesty!

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Long live Gonzalo! Bowing or doffing hats

GONZALO

GONZALO     And — do you mark¹⁶⁰ me, sir?

ALONSO

ALONSO     Prithee, no more: thou dost talk nothing to me.

GONZALO

GONZALO     I do well believe your highness: and did it to minister occasion¹⁶² to these gentlemen, who are of such sensible¹⁶³ and nimble lungs that they always use to laugh at nothing.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     ’Twas you we laughed at.

GONZALO

GONZALO     Who in this kind of merry fooling am nothing to you: so you may continue and laugh at nothing still.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     What a blow was there given!

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     An¹⁶⁹ it had not fallen flat-long.

GONZALO

GONZALO     You are gentlemen of brave metal:¹⁷⁰ you would lift the moon out of her sphere,¹⁷¹ if she would continue in it five weeks without changing.

       Enter Ariel [invisible] playing solemn music

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     We would so, and then go a-batfowling.¹⁷²

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Nay, good my lord, be not angry.

GONZALO

GONZALO     No, I warrant¹⁷⁴ you: I will not adventure my discretion so weakly. Will you laugh me asleep, for I am very heavy?¹⁷⁵

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Go sleep, and hear us. All sleep except Alonso, Sebastian, and Antonio

ALONSO

ALONSO     What, all so soon asleep? I wish mine eyes

               Would, with themselves, shut up my thoughts.

               I find they are inclined to do so.

180

180 

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     Please you, sir,

               Do not omit¹⁸¹ the heavy offer of it.

               It seldom visits sorrow: when it doth, it is a comforter.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     We two, my lord, will guard your person

               While you take your rest, and watch your safety.

185

185 

ALONSO

ALONSO     Thank you. Wondrous heavy. He sleeps

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     What a strange drowsiness possesses them!

       [Exit Ariel]

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     It is the quality o’th’climate.

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     Why

               Doth it not then our eyelids sink? I find

190

190         Not myself disposed to sleep.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Nor I: my spirits are nimble.

               They fell together all, as¹⁹² by consent

               They dropped, as by a thunder-stroke. What might,

               Worthy Sebastian? O, what might? — No more.—

195

195         And yet, methinks I see it in thy face,

               What thou shouldst be: th’occasion speaks¹⁹⁶ thee, and

               My strong imagination sees a crown

               Dropping upon thy head.

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     What? Art thou waking?¹⁹⁹

200

200 

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Do you not hear me speak?

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     I do, and surely

               It is a sleepy language and thou speak’st

               Out of thy sleep. What is it thou didst say?

               This is a strange repose, to be asleep

205

205         With eyes wide open: standing, speaking, moving,

               And yet so fast asleep.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Noble Sebastian,

               Thou let’st thy fortune sleep — die, rather: wink’st²⁰⁸

               Whiles thou art waking.

210

210 

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     Thou dost snore distinctly:²¹⁰

               There’s meaning in thy snores.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     I am more serious than my custom:²¹² you

               Must be so too, if heed²¹³ me: which to do

               Trebles thee o’er.²¹⁴

215

215 

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     Well, I am standing water.²¹⁵

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     I’ll teach you how to flow.

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     Do so: to ebb

               Hereditary sloth²¹⁸ instructs me.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     O,

220

220         If²²⁰ you but knew how you the purpose cherish

               Whiles thus you mock it: how in stripping it

               You more invest²²² it. Ebbing men, indeed,

               Most often, do so near the bottom run

               By their own fear, or sloth.

225

225 

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     Prithee, say on:²²⁵

               The setting²²⁶ of thine eye and cheek proclaim

               A matter²²⁷ from thee; and a birth, indeed,

               Which throes²²⁸ thee much to yield.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Thus, sir:

230

230         Although this lord²³⁰ of weak remembrance, this,

               Who shall be of²³¹ as little memory

               When he is earthed,²³² hath here almost persuaded —

               For he’s a spirit of²³³ persuasion, only

               Professes to persuade — the king his son’s alive:

235

235         ’Tis as impossible that he’s undrowned

               As he that sleeps here swims.

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     I have no hope

               That he’s undrowned.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     O, out of that ‘no hope’

240

240         What great hope have you! No hope that way is

               Another way so high a hope,²⁴¹ that even

               Ambition²⁴² cannot pierce a wink beyond,

               But doubt discovery there. Will you grant with me

               That Ferdinand is drowned?

245

245 

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     He’s gone.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Then, tell me: who’s the next heir of Naples?

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     Claribel.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     She that is Queen of Tunis: she that dwells

               Ten leagues²⁴⁹ beyond man’s life: she that from Naples

250

250         Can have no note,²⁵⁰ unless the sun were post —

               The man i’th’moon’s too slow — till new-born chins

               Be rough and razorable: she that from whom²⁵²

               We all were sea-swallowed, though some cast²⁵³ again —

               And by that destiny — to perform an act

255

255         Whereof²⁵⁵ what’s past is prologue, what to come

               In yours and my discharge.²⁵⁶

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     What stuff²⁵⁷ is this? How say you?

               ’Tis true, my brother’s daughter’s Queen of Tunis:

               So is she heir of Naples, ’twixt which regions

260

260         There is some space.²⁶⁰

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     A space whose every cubit²⁶¹

               Seems to cry out, ‘How shall that Claribel

               Measure us back²⁶³ to Naples? Keep in Tunis,

               And let Sebastian wake.²⁶⁴’ Say this were death

265

265         That now hath seized them: why, they were no worse

               Than now they are. There be that can rule Naples

               As well as he²⁶⁷ that sleeps: lords that can prate

               As amply and unnecessarily

               As this Gonzalo: I myself could make²⁶⁹

270

270         A chough of as deep chat. O, that you bore²⁷⁰

               The mind that I do! What a sleep were this

               For your advancement! Do you understand me?

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     Methinks I do.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     And how does your content²⁷⁴

275

275         Tender²⁷⁵ your own good fortune?

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     I remember

               You did supplant²⁷⁷ your brother Prospero.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     True:

               And look how well my garments²⁷⁹ sit upon me,

280

280         Much feater²⁸⁰ than before. My brother’s servants

               Were then my fellows:²⁸¹ now they are my men.

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     But for your conscience.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Ay, sir: where lies that? If ’twere a kibe,²⁸³

               ’Twould put me to²⁸⁴ my slipper: but I feel not

285

285         This deity²⁸⁵ in my bosom: twenty consciences

               That stand ’twixt me and Milan, candied²⁸⁶ be they,

               And melt ere they molest! Here lies your brother,

               No better than the earth he lies upon,

               If he were that which now he’s like — that’s dead —

290

290         Whom I with this obedient steel — three inches of it — Touching sword or dagger

               Can lay to bed forever: whiles you, doing thus,

               To the perpetual wink²⁹² for aye might put

               This ancient morsel,²⁹³ this Sir Prudence, who

               Should not²⁹⁴ upbraid our course. For all the rest,

295

295         They’ll take suggestion as a cat laps milk:

               They’ll tell²⁹⁶ the clock to any business that

               We say befits the hour.

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     Thy case, dear friend,

               Shall be my precedent. As thou got’st Milan,

300

300         I’ll come by Naples. Draw thy sword: one stroke

               Shall free thee from the tribute³⁰¹ which thou payest,

               And I the king shall love thee.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Draw together:

               And when I rear³⁰⁴ my hand, do you the like,

305

305         To fall it on Gonzalo.

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     O, but one word. They talk apart

       Enter Ariel [invisible] with music and song

ARIEL

ARIEL     My master through his art foresees the danger To Gonzalo, who still sleeps

               That you, his friend, are in, and sends me forth —

               For else his project³⁰⁹ dies — to keep them living.

310

310         While you here do snoring lie,

       Sings in Gonzalo’s ear

               Open-eyed conspiracy

               His time³¹² doth take.

               If of life you keep a care,

               Shake off slumber, and beware:

315

315         Awake, awake!

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Then let us both be sudden. Antonio and Sebastian draw their swords

GONZALO

GONZALO     Now, good angels preserve the king! Waking

ALONSO

ALONSO     Why, how now? Ho, awake! Why are you drawn? The others wake

               Wherefore this ghastly³¹⁹ looking?

320

320 

GONZALO

GONZALO     What’s the matter?

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     Whiles we stood here securing your repose,

               Even now, we heard a hollow burst of bellowing

               Like bulls, or rather lions: did’t not wake you?

               It struck mine ear most terribly.

325

325 

ALONSO

ALONSO     I heard nothing.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     O, ’twas a din to fright a monster’s ear,

               To make an earthquake! Sure it was the roar

               Of a whole herd of lions.

ALONSO

ALONSO     Heard you this, Gonzalo?

330

330 

GONZALO

GONZALO     Upon mine honour, sir, I heard a humming,

               And that a strange one too, which did awake me:

               I shaked you, sir, and cried: as mine eyes opened,

               I saw their weapons drawn: there was a noise,

               That’s verily.³³⁴ ’Tis best we stand upon our guard,

335

335         Or that we quit this place: let’s draw our weapons.

ALONSO

ALONSO     Lead off this ground, and let’s make further search

               For my poor son.

GONZALO

GONZALO     Heavens keep him from these beasts!

               For he is sure i’th’island.

340

340 

ALONSO

ALONSO             Lead away.

ARIEL

ARIEL     Prospero, my lord, shall know what I have done.

               So, king, go safely on to seek thy son.

       Exeunt [separately]

Act 2 Scene 2

running scene 4

       Enter Caliban with a burden of wood. A noise of thunder heard

CALIBAN

CALIBAN     All the infections that the sun sucks up

               From bogs, fens, flats,² on Prosper fall, and make him

               By inch-meal³ a disease. His spirits hear me,

               And yet I needs must curse. But they’ll nor⁴ pinch,

5

5             Fright me with urchin-shows,⁵ pitch me i’th’mire,

               Nor lead me like a firebrand⁶ in the dark

               Out of my way, unless he bid ’em: but

               For every trifle are they set upon me,

               Sometime like apes, that mow⁹ and chatter at me,

10

10           And after bite me: then like hedgehogs, which

               Lie tumbling in my barefoot way and mount

               Their pricks at my footfall: sometime am I

               All wound¹³ with adders, who with cloven tongues

               Do hiss me into madness.

       Enter Trinculo

                                         Lo,¹⁴ now, lo!

15

15           Here comes a spirit of his, and to torment me

               For bringing wood in slowly. I’ll fall flat:

               Perchance he will not mind¹⁷ me. Lies down and covers himself with his cloak

TRINCULO

TRINCULO     Here’s neither bush nor shrub to bear off¹⁸ any weather at all, and another storm brewing: I hear it sing i’th’wind: yond same black cloud, yond huge one, looks like a foul bombard²⁰ that would shed his liquor. If it should thunder as it did before, I know not where to hide my head: yond same cloud cannot choose but fall by pailfuls. Sees Caliban What have we here? A man or a fish? Dead or alive? A fish, he smells like a fish: a very ancient and fishlike smell: a kind of not-of-the-newest poor-John.²⁴ A strange fish! Were I in England now — as once I was — and had but this fish painted,²⁵ not a holiday fool there but would give a piece of silver: there would this monster make a man:²⁶ any strange beast there makes a man: when they will not give a doit²⁷ to relieve a lame beggar, they will lay out ten to see a dead Indian.²⁸ Legged like a man and his fins like arms! Warm, o’my troth! I do now let loose²⁹ my opinion, hold it no longer: this is no fish, but an islander that hath lately suffered by a thunderbolt. Thunder Alas, the storm is come again! My best way is to creep under his gaberdine:³¹ there is no other shelter hereabout. Misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows: I will here shroud³³ till the dregs of the storm be past. Trinculo gets under Caliban’s cloak

       Enter Stephano, singing With a bottle in his hand

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     I shall no more to sea, to sea:

35

35           Here shall I die ashore—

               This is a very scurvy³⁶ tune to sing at a man’s funeral: well, here’s my comfort.

       Drinks

                                    The master, the swabber,³⁸ the boatswain and I,

       Sings

                                    The gunner and his mate,

40

40                                Loved Mall, Meg and Marian and Margery,

                                    But none of us cared for Kate.

                                    For she had a tongue with a tang,⁴²

                                    Would cry to a sailor, ‘Go hang!’

                                    She loved not the savour⁴⁴ of tar nor of pitch,

45

45                                Yet a tailor⁴⁵ might scratch her where’er she did itch:

                                    Then to sea, boys, and let her go hang!

               This is a scurvy tune too: but here’s my comfort.

       Drinks

CALIBAN

CALIBAN     Do not torment me: O!

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     What’s the matter?⁴⁹ Have we devils here? Do you put tricks upon’s with savages and men of Ind,⁵⁰ ha? I have not scaped drowning to be afeard now of your four legs: for it hath been said, ‘As proper⁵¹ a man as ever went on four legs, cannot make him give ground⁵²’: and it shall be said so again, while Stephano breathes at’nostrils.⁵³

CALIBAN

CALIBAN     The spirit torments me: O!

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     This is some monster of the isle with four legs, who hath got, as I take it, an ague.⁵⁶ Where the devil should he learn our language? I will give him some relief,⁵⁷ if it be but for that. If I can recover him, and keep him tame, and get to Naples with him, he’s a present for any emperor that ever trod on neat’s leather.⁵⁸

CALIBAN

CALIBAN     Do not torment me, prithee: I’ll bring my wood home faster.

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     He’s in his fit now, and does not talk after⁶⁰ the wisest. He shall taste of my bottle: if he have never drunk wine afore, it will go near to remove his fit. If I can recover him and keep him tame, I⁶² will not take too much for him: he shall pay for him that hath him, and that soundly.

CALIBAN

CALIBAN     Thou dost me yet but little hurt: thou wilt anon,⁶⁴ I know it by thy trembling. Now Prosper works upon thee.

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     Come⁶⁶ on your ways: open your mouth: here is that which will give language⁶⁷ to you, cat. Open your mouth: this will shake your shaking, Gives Caliban a drink I can tell you, and that soundly: you cannot tell who’s your friend: open your chaps⁶⁸ again. Caliban spits it out

TRINCULO

TRINCULO     I should know that voice: it should be— but he is drowned, and these are devils. O, defend me!

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     Four legs and two voices: a most delicate⁷² monster! His forward voice now is to speak well of his friend: his backward voice is to utter foul speeches and to detract.⁷⁴ If all the wine in my bottle will recover him, I will help his ague. Come. Amen! I will pour some in thy other mouth.

TRINCULO

TRINCULO     Stephano!

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     Doth thy other mouth call me? Mercy, mercy! This is a devil, and no monster: I will leave him, I have no long⁷⁸ spoon.

TRINCULO

TRINCULO     Stephano! If thou be’st Stephano, touch me and speak to me, for I am Trinculo — be not afeard — thy good friend Trinculo.

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     If thou be’st Trinculo, come forth: I’ll pull thee by the lesser legs.⁸¹ Pulls him out If any be Trinculo’s legs, these are they. Thou art very Trinculo indeed! How cam’st thou to be the siege⁸³ of this moon-calf? Can he vent Trinculos?

TRINCULO

TRINCULO     I took him to be killed with a thunder-stroke: but art thou not drowned, Stephano? I hope now thou art not drowned: is the storm overblown?⁸⁵ I hid me under the dead moon-calf’s gaberdine for fear of the storm: and art thou living, Stephano? O Stephano, two Neapolitans scaped! Trinculo and Stephano embrace or dance

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     Prithee, do not turn me about: my stomach is not constant.

CALIBAN

CALIBAN     These be fine things, an if⁸⁹ they be not sprites. Aside That’s a brave god and bears celestial liquor: I will kneel to him.

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     How didst thou scape? How cam’st thou hither? Swear by this bottle how thou cam’st hither. I escaped upon a butt of sack⁹² which the sailors heaved o’erboard, by this bottle which I made of the bark of a tree with mine own hands since I was cast ashore.

CALIBAN

CALIBAN     I’ll swear upon that bottle to be thy true subject, for the liquor is not earthly.

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     Here: swear then how thou escap’dst.

TRINCULO

TRINCULO     Swum ashore, man, like a duck: I can swim like a duck, I’ll be sworn.

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     Here, kiss the book.⁹⁹ Gives Trinculo the bottle Though thou canst swim like a duck, thou art made like a goose.¹⁰⁰

TRINCULO

TRINCULO     O Stephano, hast any more of this?

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     The whole butt, man: my cellar is in a rock by th’sea-side, where my wine is hid.— How now, moon-calf? How does thine ague? To Caliban

CALIBAN

CALIBAN     Hast thou not dropped from heaven?

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     Out o’th’moon, I do assure thee: I was the man i’th’moon when time was.¹⁰⁵

CALIBAN

CALIBAN     I have seen thee in her, and I do adore¹⁰⁷ thee: my mistress showed me thee, and thy dog,¹⁰⁸ and thy bush.

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     Come, swear to that: kiss the book: Gives Caliban the bottle I will furnish it anon with new contents.¹¹⁰ Swear. Caliban drinks

TRINCULO

TRINCULO     By this good light,¹¹¹ this is a very shallow monster! I afeard of him? Aside? A very weak monster! The man i’th’moon? A most poor, credulous monster! Well drawn,¹¹² monster, in good sooth!¹¹³

CALIBAN

CALIBAN     I’ll show thee every fertile inch o’th’island: and I will kiss thy foot. I prithee, be my god.

TRINCULO

TRINCULO     By this light, a most perfidious¹¹⁶ and drunken monster! When’s god’s Aside? asleep, he’ll rob his bottle.

CALIBAN

CALIBAN     I’ll kiss thy foot: I’ll swear myself thy subject.

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     Come on then: down, and swear. Caliban kneels

TRINCULO

TRINCULO     I shall laugh myself to death at this puppy-headed¹²⁰ monster. A most scurvy monster! I could find in my heart to beat him— Aside?

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     Come, kiss. To Caliban

TRINCULO

TRINCULO     —But that the poor monster’s in drink:¹²³ an abominable monster!

CALIBAN

CALIBAN     I’ll show thee the best springs: I’ll pluck thee berries: I’ll fish for thee and get thee wood enough. A plague upon the tyrant that I serve! I’ll bear him no more sticks, but follow thee, thou wondrous man.

TRINCULO

TRINCULO     A most ridiculous monster, to make a wonder of a poor drunkard! Aside?

CALIBAN

CALIBAN     I prithee, let me bring thee where crabs¹²⁸ grow: and I with my long nails will dig thee pignuts:¹²⁹ show thee a jay’s nest and instruct thee how to snare the nimble marmoset:¹³⁰ I’ll bring thee to clust’ring filberts, and sometimes I’ll get thee young scamels¹³¹ from the rock. Wilt thou go with me?

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     I prithee, now lead the way without any more talking. Trinculo, the king and all our company else being drowned, we will inherit here.— To Caliban Here, bear my bottle. Fellow Trinculo, we’ll fill him by and by again.

135

135 

CALIBAN

CALIBAN             Farewell master: farewell, farewell!

       Sings drunkenly

TRINCULO

TRINCULO     A howling monster: a drunken monster!

CALIBAN

CALIBAN     No more dams I’ll make for¹³⁷ fish, Sings

                                    Nor fetch in firing¹³⁸ at requiring,

                                    Nor scrape trencher,¹³⁹ nor wash dish,

140

140                              ’Ban, ’Ban, Cacaliban

                                    Has a new master: get a new man.

               Freedom, high-day!¹⁴² High-day, freedom! Freedom, high-day, freedom!

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     O brave monster, lead the way!

       Exeunt

Act 3 Scene 1

running scene 5

       Enter Ferdinand, bearing a log

FERDINAND

FERDINAND     There be some sports¹ are painful, and their labour Sets down the log

               Delight in them sets off: some kinds of baseness²

               Are nobly undergone, and most poor matters

               Point to rich ends. This my mean⁴ task

5

5             Would be as heavy to me as odious, but

               The mistress which I serve quickens⁶ what’s dead

               And makes my labours pleasures: O, she is

               Ten times more gentle than her father’s crabbed;⁸

               And he’s composed of harshness. I must remove

10

10           Some thousands of these logs and pile them up,

               Upon a sore injunction.¹¹ My sweet mistress

               Weeps when she sees me work and says such baseness¹²

               Had never like executor. I forget:¹³

               But these sweet thoughts do even refresh my labours, Picks up the log

15

15           Most busy least,¹⁵ when I do it.

       Enter Miranda and Prospero Prospero at a distance, unseen

MIRANDA

MIRANDA     Alas, now pray you, To Ferdinand

               Work not so hard. I would the lightning had

               Burnt up those logs that you are enjoined¹⁸ to pile.

               Pray, set it down and rest you: when this burns

20

20           ’Twill weep²⁰ for having wearied you. My father

               Is hard at study: pray now, rest yourself,

               He’s safe for these three hours.

FERDINAND

FERDINAND     O most dear mistress,

               The sun will set before I shall discharge²⁴

25

25           What I must strive to do.

MIRANDA

MIRANDA     If you’ll sit down,

               I’ll bear your logs the while: pray give me that,

               I’ll carry it to the pile.

FERDINAND

FERDINAND     No, precious creature,

30

30           I had rather crack my sinews, break my back,

               Than you should such dishonour undergo,

               While I sit lazy by.

MIRANDA

MIRANDA     It would become³³ me

               As well as it does you; and I should do it

35

35           With much more ease, for my good will is to it,

               And yours it is against.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Poor worm, thou art infected.³⁷ Aside

               This visitation³⁸ shows it.

MIRANDA

MIRANDA     You look wearily.

40

40   

FERDINAND

FERDINAND               No, noble mistress, ’tis fresh morning with me

               When you are by⁴¹ at night. I do beseech you,

               Chiefly that I might set it in my prayers,

               What is your name?

MIRANDA

MIRANDA     Miranda.— O my father,

45

45           I have broke your hest⁴⁵ to say so.

FERDINAND

FERDINAND     Admired Miranda,

               Indeed the top⁴⁷ of admiration, worth

               What’s dearest to the world! Full many a lady

               I have eyed with best regard, and many a time

50

50           Th’harmony of their tongues hath into bondage⁵⁰

               Brought my too diligent⁵¹ ear. For several virtues

               Have I liked several women, never any

               With so full soul but some defect in her

               Did quarrel with the noblest grace she owed,⁵⁴

55

55           And put⁵⁵ it to the foil. But you, O you,

               So perfect and so peerless, are created

               Of every creature’s best.

MIRANDA

MIRANDA     I do not know

               One of my sex; no woman’s face remember,

60

60           Save from my glass,⁶⁰ mine own: nor have I seen

               More that I may call men than you, good friend,⁶¹

               And my dear father: how⁶² features are abroad,

               I am skilless⁶³ of; but by my modesty —

               The jewel in my dower⁶⁴ — I would not wish

65

65           Any companion in the world but you:

               Nor can imagination form a shape

               Besides yourself to like of. But I prattle

               Something too wildly, and my father’s precepts⁶⁸

               I therein do forget.

70

70   

FERDINAND

FERDINAND               I am in my condition⁷⁰

               A prince, Miranda: I do think, a king —

               I would not so — and would no more endure

               This wooden slavery than to suffer

               The flesh-fly⁷⁴ blow my mouth. Hear my soul speak:

75

75           The very instant that I saw you, did

               My heart fly to your service, there resides

               To make me slave to it, and for your sake

               Am I this patient log-man.

MIRANDA

MIRANDA     Do you love me?

80

80   

FERDINAND

FERDINAND               O heaven, O earth, bear witness to this sound,

               And crown what I profess with kind event⁸¹

               If I speak true: if hollowly,⁸² invert

               What best is boded⁸³ me to mischief: I,

               Beyond all limit of what⁸⁴ else i’th’world,

85

85           Do love, prize, honour you.

MIRANDA

MIRANDA     I am a fool

               To weep at what I am glad of.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Fair⁸⁸ encounter Aside

               Of two most rare⁸⁹ affections! Heavens rain grace

90

90           On that which breeds⁹⁰ between ’em.

FERDINAND

FERDINAND     Wherefore weep you?

MIRANDA

MIRANDA     At mine unworthiness, that dare not offer

               What I desire to give; and much less take

               What I shall die to want.⁹⁴ But this is trifling,

95

95           And all the more it seeks to hide itself

               The bigger bulk it shows. Hence, bashful cunning,⁹⁶

               And prompt me, plain and holy innocence.

               I am your wife, if you will marry me:

               If not, I’ll die your maid:⁹⁹ to be your fellow

100

100         You may deny me, but I’ll be your servant

               Whether you will or no.

FERDINAND

FERDINAND     My mistress,¹⁰² dearest, Kneels

               And I thus humble ever.

MIRANDA

MIRANDA     My husband, then?

105

105 

FERDINAND

FERDINAND             Ay, with a heart as willing

               As¹⁰⁶ bondage e’er of freedom: here’s my hand.

MIRANDA

MIRANDA     And mine, with my heart in’t: and now farewell

               Till half an hour hence.

FERDINAND

FERDINAND     A thousand¹⁰⁹ thousand!

       Exeunt [Ferdinand and Miranda, separately]

110

110 

PROSPERO

PROSPERO             So glad of this as they I cannot be,

               Who are surprised¹¹¹ withal: but my rejoicing

               At nothing can be more. I’ll to my book,

               For yet ere supper-time must I perform

               Much business appertaining.¹¹⁴

       Exit

Act 3 Scene 2

running scene 6

       Enter Caliban, Stephano and Trinculo

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     Tell not me:¹ when the butt is out we will drink water: not a drop before; therefore bear up,² and board ’em. Servant-monster, drink to me.

TRINCULO

TRINCULO     Servant-monster? The folly of this island!— Aside They say there’s but five upon this isle: we are three of them: if th’other two be brained⁴ like us, the state totters.

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     Drink, servant-monster, when I bid thee: thy eyes are almost set⁶ in thy head. Caliban drinks

TRINCULO

TRINCULO     Where should they be set else? He were a brave monster indeed, if they were set in his tail.⁹

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     My man-monster hath drowned his tongue in sack: for my part, the sea cannot drown me: I swam, ere I could recover¹¹ the shore, five and thirty leagues off and on. By this light, thou shalt be my lieutenant, monster, or my standard.

TRINCULO

TRINCULO     Your lieutenant, if you list:¹³ he’s no standard.

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     We’ll not run,¹⁴ Monsieur Monster.

TRINCULO

TRINCULO     Nor go¹⁵ neither: but you’ll lie like dogs and yet say nothing neither.

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     Moon-calf, speak once in thy life, if thou be’st a good moon-calf.

CALIBAN

CALIBAN     How does thy honour? Let me lick thy shoe. I’ll not serve him: he is not valiant.¹⁸

TRINCULO

TRINCULO     Thou liest, most ignorant monster: I am in case¹⁹ to justle a constable. Why, thou deboshed²⁰ fish thou, was there ever man a coward that hath drunk so much sack as I today? Wilt thou tell a monstrous²¹ lie, being but half a fish and half a monster?

CALIBAN

CALIBAN     Lo, how he mocks me! Wilt thou let him, my lord?

TRINCULO

TRINCULO     ‘Lord’, quoth he! That a monster should be such a natural!²⁴

CALIBAN

CALIBAN     Lo, lo, again! Bite him to death, I prithee.

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     Trinculo, keep a good tongue in your head: if²⁶ you prove a mutineer, the next tree. The poor monster’s my subject and he shall not suffer indignity.

CALIBAN

CALIBAN     I thank my noble lord. Wilt thou be pleased to hearken once again to the suit I made to thee?

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     Marry,³⁰ will I: kneel and repeat it: I will stand, and so shall Trinculo.

       Enter Ariel, invisible

CALIBAN

CALIBAN     As I told thee before, I am subject to a tyrant, a sorcerer, that by his cunning³² hath cheated me of the island.

ARIEL

ARIEL     Thou liest.

CALIBAN

CALIBAN     Thou liest, thou jesting monkey, thou: To Trinculo I would my valiant master would destroy thee. I do not lie.

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     Trinculo, if you trouble him any more in’s tale,³⁶ by this hand, I will supplant³⁷ some of your teeth.

TRINCULO

TRINCULO     Why, I said nothing.

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     Mum³⁹ then, and no more.— Proceed. To Trinculo/To Caliban

40

40   

CALIBAN

CALIBAN               I say by sorcery he got this isle:

               From me he got it. If thy greatness will

               Revenge it on him — for I know thou dar’st,

               But this thing⁴³ dare not —

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     That’s most certain.

45

45   

CALIBAN

CALIBAN               Thou shalt be lord of it, and I’ll serve thee.

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     How now shall this be compassed?⁴⁶

               Canst thou bring me to the party?⁴⁷

CALIBAN

CALIBAN     Yea, yea, my lord: I’ll yield him thee⁴⁸ asleep,

               Where thou mayst knock a nail into his head.

50

50   

ARIEL

ARIEL               Thou liest, thou canst not.

CALIBAN

CALIBAN     What a pied⁵¹ ninny’s this? Thou scurvy patch— To Trinculo

               I do beseech thy greatness give him blows, To Stephano

               And take his bottle from him: when that’s gone

               He shall drink nought but brine, for I’ll not show him

55

55           Where the quick freshes⁵⁵ are.

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     Trinculo, run into no further danger: interrupt the monster one word further, and by this hand, I’ll turn⁵⁷ my mercy out o’doors and make a stockfish of thee.

TRINCULO

TRINCULO     Why, what did I? I did nothing. I’ll go further off.

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     Didst thou not say he lied?

ARIEL

ARIEL     Thou liest.

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     Do I so? Take thou that. Beats Trinculo As you like this, give⁶² me the lie another time.

TRINCULO

TRINCULO     I did not give the lie. Out o’your wits and hearing too? A pox o’your bottle! This can sack and drinking do: a murrain⁶⁴ on your monster, and the devil take your fingers!

CALIBAN

CALIBAN     Ha, ha, ha!

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     Now, forward⁶⁷ with your tale.— To Caliban/To Trinculo Prithee, stand further off.

CALIBAN

CALIBAN     Beat him enough:⁶⁸ after a little time,

               I’ll beat him too.

70

70   

STEPHANO

STEPHANO               Stand further.— Come, proceed. To Trinculo/To Caliban

CALIBAN

CALIBAN     Why, as I told thee, ’tis a custom with him

               I’th’afternoon to sleep: there thou mayst brain⁷² him,

               Having first seized his books: or with a log

               Batter his skull, or paunch⁷⁴ him with a stake,

75

75           Or cut his weasand⁷⁵ with thy knife. Remember

               First to possess his books; for without them

               He’s but a sot,⁷⁷ as I am, nor hath not

               One spirit to command: they all do hate him

               As rootedly⁷⁹ as I. Burn but his books.

80

80           He has brave utensils⁸⁰ — for so he calls them —

               Which when he has a house, he’ll deck⁸¹ withal.

               And that most deeply to consider is

               The beauty of his daughter: he himself

               Calls her a nonpareil:⁸⁴ I never saw a woman,

85

85           But only Sycorax my dam, and she:

               But she as far surpasseth Sycorax

               As great’st does least.

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     Is it so brave a lass?

CALIBAN

CALIBAN     Ay, lord: she will become⁸⁹ thy bed, I warrant,

90

90           And bring thee forth brave brood.⁹⁰

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     Monster, I will kill this man: his daughter and I will be king and queen — ’save our graces!⁹² — and Trinculo and thyself shall be viceroys. Dost thou like the plot, Trinculo?

TRINCULO

TRINCULO     Excellent.

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     Give me thy hand, I am sorry I beat thee: but, while thou livest, keep a good tongue in thy head.

CALIBAN

CALIBAN     Within this half hour will he be asleep:

               Wilt thou destroy him then?

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     Ay, on mine honour.

100

100 

ARIEL

ARIEL             This will I tell my master. Aside

CALIBAN

CALIBAN     Thou mak’st me merry: I am full of pleasure,

               Let us be jocund.¹⁰² Will you troll the catch

               You taught me but while-ere?¹⁰³

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     At thy request, monster, I will do reason,¹⁰⁴ any reason: come on, Trinculo, let us sing.

                                    Flout¹⁰⁶ ’em and scout ’em

       Sings

                                    And scout ’em and flout ’em,

                                    Thought is free.

CALIBAN

CALIBAN     That’s not the tune.

       Ariel plays the tune on a tabor and pipe

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     What is this same?

TRINCULO

TRINCULO     This is the tune of our catch, played by the picture of Nobody.¹¹¹

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     If thou be’st a man, show thyself in thy likeness: if thou be’st a devil, take’t¹¹³ as thou list.

TRINCULO

TRINCULO     O, forgive me my sins!

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     He that dies pays all debts: I defy thee. Mercy upon us!

CALIBAN

CALIBAN     Art thou afeard?

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     No, monster, not I.

CALIBAN

CALIBAN     Be not afeard, the isle is full of noises,

               Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not:

120

120         Sometimes a thousand twangling¹²⁰ instruments

               Will hum about mine ears; and sometime voices,

               That if I then had waked after long sleep,

               Will make me sleep again, and then in dreaming,

               The clouds methought would open and show riches

125

125         Ready to drop upon me, that when I waked

               I cried to dream again.

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     This will prove a brave kingdom to me, where I shall have my music for nothing.

CALIBAN

CALIBAN     When Prospero is destroyed.

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     That shall be by and by:¹³⁰ I remember the story.

       [Exit Ariel, playing music]

TRINCULO

TRINCULO     The sound is going away: let’s follow it, and after do our work.

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     Lead, monster: we’ll follow. I would I could see this taborer:¹³³ he lays it on.

TRINCULO

TRINCULO     Wilt come? I’ll follow Stephano. To Caliban

       Exeunt

Act 3 Scene 3

running scene 7

       Enter Alonso, Sebastian, Antonio, Gonzalo, Adrian, Francisco and others

GONZALO

GONZALO     By’r lakin,¹ I can go no further, sir,

               My old bones ache. Here’s a maze² trod indeed

               Through forth-rights³ and meanders. By your patience,

               I needs must rest me.

5

5     

ALONSO

ALONSO           Old lord, I cannot blame thee,

               Who am myself attached⁶ with weariness

               To th’dulling of my spirits: sit down and rest.

               Even here I will put off⁸ my hope, and keep it

               No longer for my flatterer:⁹ he is drowned

10

10           Whom thus we stray to find, and the sea mocks

               Our frustrate¹¹ search on land. Well, let him go.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     I am right glad that he’s so out of hope. Aside to Sebastian

               Do not for¹³ one repulse forgo the purpose

               That you resolved t’effect.

15

15   

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN           The next advantage will we take thoroughly. Aside to Antonio

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Let it be tonight: Aside to Sebastian

               For now they are oppressed¹⁷ with travail, they

               Will not, nor cannot use such vigilance

               As when they are fresh.

       Solemn and strange music: and [enter] Prospero on the top, invisible. Enter several strange shapes, bringing in a banquet, and dance about it with gentle actions of salutations, and inviting the king and others to eat, they depart

20

20   

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN           I say tonight: no more. Aside to Antonio

ALONSO

ALONSO     What harmony is this? My good friends, hark!

GONZALO

GONZALO     Marvellous sweet music.

ALONSO

ALONSO     Give us kind keepers,²³ heavens. What were these?

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     A living drollery.²⁴ Now I will believe

25

25           That there are unicorns: that in Arabia

               There is one tree, the phoenix’²⁶ throne, one phoenix

               At this hour reigning there.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     I’ll believe both:

               And what does else want credit,²⁹ come to me,

30

30           And I’ll be sworn ’tis true: travellers ne’er did lie,

               Though fools at home condemn ’em.

GONZALO

GONZALO     If in Naples

               I should report this now, would they believe me?

               If I should say I saw such islanders —

35

35           For certes³⁵ these are people of the island —

               Who though they are of monstrous³⁶ shape, yet note

               Their manners are more gentle, kind, than of

               Our human generation³⁸ you shall find

               Many, nay almost any.

40

40   

PROSPERO

PROSPERO           Honest lord, Aside

               Thou hast said well: for some of you there present

               Are worse than devils.

ALONSO

ALONSO     I cannot too much muse⁴³

               Such shapes, such gesture, and such sound, expressing —

45

45           Although they want the use of tongue — a kind

               Of excellent dumb discourse.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Praise in departing.⁴⁷ Aside

FRANCISCO

FRANCISCO     They vanished strangely.⁴⁸

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     No matter, since

50

50           They have left their viands⁵⁰ behind: for we have stomachs.

               Will’t please you taste of what is here?

ALONSO

ALONSO     Not I.

GONZALO

GONZALO     Faith, sir, you need not fear. When we were boys,

               Who would believe that there were mountaineers,⁵⁴

55

55           Dewlapped⁵⁵ like bulls, whose throats had hanging at ’em

               Wallets⁵⁶ of flesh? Or that there were such men

               Whose heads stood in their breasts? Which now we find

               Each putter-out⁵⁸ of five for one will bring us

               Good warrant of.

60

60   

ALONSO

ALONSO             I will stand to,⁶⁰ and feed,

               Although⁶¹ my last: no matter, since I feel

               The best is past. Brother, my lord the duke,

               Stand to, and do as we.

       Thunder and lightning. Enter Ariel, like a harpy: claps his wings upon the table, and, with a quaint device, the banquet vanishes

ARIEL

ARIEL     You are three men of sin, whom Destiny,

65

65           That hath to instrument⁶⁵ this lower world

               And what is in’t, the never-surfeited⁶⁶ sea

               Hath caused to belch up you; and on this island,

               Where man doth not inhabit — you ’mongst men

               Being most unfit to live — I have made you mad;

70

70           And even with suchlike valour⁷⁰ men hang and drown

               Their proper selves.⁷¹ You fools: I and my fellows Alonso, Sebastian, and Antonio draw their swords

               Are ministers of Fate: the elements⁷²

               Of whom your swords are tempered may as well

               Wound the loud winds, or with bemocked-at⁷⁴ stabs

75

75           Kill the still-closing waters,⁷⁵ as diminish

               One dowl⁷⁶ that’s in my plume. My fellow ministers

               Are like⁷⁷ invulnerable. If you could hurt,

               Your swords are now too massy⁷⁸ for your strengths,

               And will not be uplifted. But remember —

80

80           For that’s my business⁸⁰ to you — that you three

               From Milan did supplant good Prospero,

               Exposed unto the sea — which hath requit⁸² it —

               Him and his innocent child: for which foul deed,

               The powers, delaying — not forgetting — have

85

85           Incensed the seas and shores, yea, all the creatures

               Against your peace. Thee of thy son, Alonso,

               They have bereft: and do pronounce by me

               Ling’ring perdition⁸⁸ — worse than any death

               Can be at once — shall step by step attend

90

90           You and your ways: whose⁹⁰ wraths to guard you from,

               Which here in this most desolate isle else falls

               Upon your heads, is nothing but heart’s sorrow

               And a clear life ensuing.

       He vanishes in thunder: then, to soft music, enter the shapes again, and dance, with mocks and mows, and carrying out the table [depart]

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Bravely the figure of this harpy hast thou

95

95           Performed, my Ariel: a grace it had, devouring:⁹⁵

               Of my instruction hast thou nothing bated⁹⁶

               In what thou hadst to say. So,⁹⁷ with good life

               And observation strange,⁹⁸ my meaner ministers

               Their several kinds⁹⁹ have done. My high charms work,

100

100         And these, mine enemies, are all knit up¹⁰⁰

               In their distractions:¹⁰¹ they now are in my power,

               And in these fits¹⁰² I leave them, while I visit

               Young Ferdinand — whom they suppose is drowned —

               And his and mine loved darling.

       [Exit above]

105

105 

GONZALO

GONZALO             I’th’name of something holy, sir, why stand you

               In this strange stare?

ALONSO

ALONSO     O, it is monstrous, monstrous:

               Methought the billows¹⁰⁸ spoke and told me of it,

               The winds did sing it to me, and the thunder —

110

110         That deep and dreadful organ-pipe — pronounced

               The name of Prosper: it did bass¹¹¹ my trespass.

               Therefore my son i’th’ooze¹¹² is bedded: and

               I’ll seek him deeper than e’er plummet¹¹³ sounded

               And with him there lie mudded.¹¹⁴

       Exit

115

115 

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN             But¹¹⁵ one fiend at a time,

               I’ll fight their legions o’er.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     I’ll be thy second.¹¹⁷

       Exeunt [Sebastian and Antonio]

GONZALO

GONZALO     All three of them are desperate: their great guilt,

               Like poison given to work a great time after,

120

120         Now ’gins to bite the spirits.¹²⁰ I do beseech you —

               That are of suppler joints — follow them swiftly

               And hinder them from what this ecstasy¹²²

               May now provoke them to.

ADRIAN

ADRIAN     Follow, I pray you.

       Exeunt omnes

Act 4 Scene 1

running scene 8

       Enter Prospero, Ferdinand and Miranda

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     If I have too austerely¹ punished you, To Ferdinand

               Your compensation² makes amends, for I

               Have given you here a third³ of mine own life,

               Or that for which I live: who once again

5

5             I tender⁵ to thy hand. All thy vexations

               Were but my trials of thy love, and thou

               Hast strangely⁷ stood the test: here, afore heaven,

               I ratify⁸ this my rich gift. O Ferdinand,

               Do not smile at me that I boast her⁹ of,

10

10           For thou shalt find she will outstrip all praise

               And make it halt¹¹ behind her.

FERDINAND

FERDINAND     I do believe it gainst¹² an oracle.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Then, as my guest, and thine own acquisition

               Worthily purchased,¹⁴ take my daughter: but

15

15           If thou dost break her virgin-knot before

               All sanctimonious¹⁶ ceremonies may

               With full and holy rite be ministered,

               No sweet aspersion¹⁸ shall the heavens let fall

               To make this contract grow; but barren hate,

20

20           Sour-eyed disdain and discord shall bestrew²⁰

               The union of your bed, with weeds so loathly²¹

               That you shall hate it both. Therefore take heed,

               As Hymen’s²³ lamps shall light you.

FERDINAND

FERDINAND     As I hope

25

25           For quiet days, fair issue²⁵ and long life,

               With such love as ’tis now, the murkiest den,

               The most opportune place, the strong’st²⁷ suggestion

               Our worser genius can, shall never melt

               Mine honour into lust, to take away

30

30           The edge of that day’s celebration

               When I shall think or³¹ Phoebus’ steeds are foundered,

               Or night kept chained below.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Fairly spoke.

               Sit then and talk with her: she is thine own. Ferdinand and Miranda sit and talk

35

35           What, Ariel! My industrious servant, Ariel!

       Enter Ariel

ARIEL

ARIEL     What would my potent master? Here I am.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Thou and thy meaner fellows your last service

               Did worthily perform, and I must use you

               In such another trick. Go bring the rabble,³⁹

40

40           O’er whom I give thee power, here to this place:

               Incite them to quick motion, for I must

               Bestow upon the eyes of this young couple

               Some vanity⁴³ of mine art: it is my promise,

               And they expect it from me.

45

45   

ARIEL

ARIEL              Presently?⁴⁵

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Ay, with a twink.⁴⁶

ARIEL

ARIEL     Before you can say ‘come’ and ‘go’,

               And breathe twice and cry ‘so, so’,

               Each one, tripping on his toe,

50

50           Will be here with mop and mow.⁵⁰

               Do you love me, master? No?

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Dearly, my delicate Ariel: do not approach

               Till thou dost hear me call.

ARIEL

ARIEL     Well: I conceive.⁵⁴

       Exit

55

55   

PROSPERO

PROSPERO             Look thou be true:⁵⁵ do not give dalliance To Ferdinand

               Too much the rein: the strongest oaths are straw

               To th’fire i’th’blood:⁵⁷ be more abstemious,

               Or else goodnight⁵⁸ your vow.

FERDINAND

FERDINAND     I warrant you, sir,

60

60           The white cold virgin snow upon my heart

               Abates the ardour of my liver.⁶¹

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Well.

               Now come, my Ariel! Bring a corollary,⁶³

               Rather than want a spirit: appear, and pertly.⁶⁴

65

65           No tongue! All eyes! Be silent.

       Soft music. Enter Iris

IRIS

IRIS     Ceres,⁶⁶ most bounteous lady, thy rich leas

               Of wheat, rye, barley, vetches,⁶⁷ oats and peas;

               Thy turfy⁶⁸ mountains, where live nibbling sheep,

               And flat meads⁶⁹ thatched with stover, them to keep:

70

70           Thy banks with pionèd⁷⁰ and twillèd brims,

               Which spongy⁷¹ April at thy hest betrims

               To make cold⁷² nymphs chaste crowns; and thy broom-groves,

               Whose shadow the dismissèd⁷³ bachelor loves,

               Being lass-lorn:⁷⁴ thy poll-clipped vineyard,

75

75           And thy sea-marge⁷⁵ sterile and rocky-hard,

               Where thou thyself dost air:⁷⁶ the queen o’th’sky,

               Whose wat’ry arch⁷⁷ and messenger am I,

               Bids thee leave these,⁷⁸ and with her sovereign grace,

       Juno descends In her chariot

               Here on this grass-plot, in this very place,

80

80           To come and sport.⁸⁰ Her peacocks fly amain:

               Approach, rich Ceres, her to entertain.

       Enter Ceres

CERES

CERES     Hail, many-coloured messenger, that ne’er

               Dost disobey the wife of Jupiter:⁸³

               Who, with thy saffron⁸⁴ wings, upon my flowers

85

85           Diffusest honey drops,⁸⁵ refreshing showers,

               And with each end of thy blue bow⁸⁶ dost crown

               My bosky⁸⁷ acres and my unshrubbed down,

               Rich scarf to my proud⁸⁸ earth: why hath thy queen

               Summoned me hither to this short-grassed green?

90

90   

IRIS

IRIS           A contract of true love to celebrate,

               And some donation⁹¹ freely to estate

               On the blest lovers.

CERES

CERES     Tell me, heavenly bow,

               If Venus⁹⁴ or her son, as thou dost know,

95

95           Do now attend the queen? Since they did plot

               The means that⁹⁶ dusky Dis my daughter got,

               Her and her blind boy’s⁹⁷ scandaled company

               I have forsworn.⁹⁸

IRIS

IRIS     Of her society

100

100         Be not afraid: I met her deity

               Cutting the clouds towards Paphos,¹⁰¹ and her son

               Dove-drawn¹⁰² with her. Here thought they to have done

               Some wanton¹⁰³ charm upon this man and maid,

               Whose vows are that no bed-right¹⁰⁴ shall be paid

105

105         Till Hymen’s¹⁰⁵ torch be lighted — but in vain.

               Mars’ hot minion¹⁰⁶ is returned again:

               Her waspish-headed¹⁰⁷ son has broke his arrows,

               Swears he will shoot no more, but play with sparrows,¹⁰⁸

               And be¹⁰⁹ a boy right out.

110

110 

CERES

CERES             Highest queen of state,

               Great Juno, comes: I know her by her gait.¹¹¹ Juno alights

JUNO

JUNO     How does my bounteous¹¹² sister? Go with me

               To bless this twain,¹¹³ that they may prosperous be,

               And honoured in their issue.

115

JUNO

JUNO     Honour, riches, marriage-blessing,

       They sing

                                    Long continuance, and increasing,¹¹⁶

                                    Hourly joys be still¹¹⁷ upon you,

                                    Juno sings her blessings on you.

CERES

CERES     Earth’s increase, foison¹¹⁹ plenty,

120

120                              Barns and garners¹²⁰ never empty,

                                    Vines with clust’ring bunches growing,

                                    Plants with goodly burden bowing:

                                    Spring¹²³ come to you at the farthest,

                                    In the very end of harvest.

125

125                              Scarcity and want shall shun you,

                                    Ceres’ blessing so is on you.

FERDINAND

FERDINAND     This is a most majestic vision, and

               Harmonious charmingly.¹²⁸ May I be bold

               To think these spirits?

130

130 

PROSPERO

PROSPERO             Spirits, which by mine art

               I have from their confines called to enact

               My present fancies.¹³²

FERDINAND

FERDINAND     Let me live here ever:

               So rare a wondered¹³⁴ father, and a wise,

135

135         Makes this place paradise.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Sweet, now, silence!

               Juno and Ceres whisper seriously:¹³⁷

               There’s something else to do. Hush, and be mute,

               Or else our spell is marred.

       Juno and Ceres whisper, and send Iris on employment

140

140 

IRIS

IRIS             You nymphs, called Naiads,¹⁴⁰ of the windring brooks,

               With your sedged¹⁴¹ crowns and ever-harmless looks,

               Leave your crisp channels,¹⁴² and on this green land

               Answer your summons: Juno does command.

               Come, temperate¹⁴⁴ nymphs, and help to celebrate

145

145         A contract of true love: be¹⁴⁵ not too late.

       Enter certain nymphs

               You sunburned sicklemen¹⁴⁶ of August weary,

               Come hither from the furrow¹⁴⁷ and be merry:

               Make holiday: your rye-straw hats put on,

               And these fresh nymphs encounter every one

150

150         In country footing.¹⁵⁰

       Enter certain reapers, properly habited: they join with the nymphs in a graceful dance, towards the end whereof Prospero starts suddenly and speaks: after which, to a strange, hollow, and confused noise, they heavily vanish

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     I had forgot that foul conspiracy Aside

               Of the beast Caliban and his confederates

               Against my life: the minute of their plot

               Is almost come.— Well done. Avoid:¹⁵⁴ no more! To the spirits

155

155 

FERDINAND

FERDINAND     This is strange: your father’s in some passion¹⁵⁵ To Miranda

               That works him strongly.

MIRANDA

MIRANDA     Never till this day

               Saw I him touched with anger, so distempered.¹⁵⁸

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     You do look, my son, in a movèd sort,¹⁵⁹

160

160         As if you were dismayed: be cheerful, sir.

               Our revels¹⁶¹ now are ended. These our actors,

               As I foretold¹⁶² you, were all spirits and

               Are melted into air, into thin air,

               And, like the baseless¹⁶⁴ fabric of this vision,

165

165         The cloud-capped towers, the gorgeous palaces,

               The solemn temples, the great globe¹⁶⁶ itself,

               Yea, all¹⁶⁷ which it inherit, shall dissolve,

               And, like this insubstantial pageant¹⁶⁸ faded,

               Leave not a rack¹⁶⁹ behind. We are such stuff

170

170         As dreams are made on; and our little life

               Is rounded¹⁷¹ with a sleep. Sir, I am vexed,

               Bear with my weakness, my old brain is troubled:

               Be not disturbed with my infirmity.

               If you be pleased, retire into my cell¹⁷⁴

175

175         And there repose. A turn or two I’ll walk

               To still my beating mind.

       FERDINAND and MIRANDA     

FERDINAND and MIRANDA

We wish your peace.

       Exeunt [Ferdinand and Miranda]

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Come with a thought:¹⁷⁸ I thank thee, Ariel: come!

       Enter Ariel

ARIEL

ARIEL     Thy thoughts I cleave to:¹⁷⁹ what’s thy pleasure?

180

180 

PROSPERO

PROSPERO             Spirit, we must prepare to meet with Caliban.

ARIEL

ARIEL     Ay, my commander: when I presented Ceres,

               I thought to have told thee of it, but I feared

               Lest I might anger thee.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Say again, where didst thou leave these varlets?¹⁸⁴

185

185 

ARIEL

ARIEL             I told you, sir, they were red-hot¹⁸⁵ with drinking,

               So full of valour that they smote¹⁸⁶ the air

               For breathing in their faces, beat the ground

               For kissing of their feet: yet always bending¹⁸⁸

               Towards their project. Then I beat my tabor,

190

190         At which, like unbacked colts,¹⁹⁰ they pricked their ears,

               Advanced¹⁹¹ their eyelids, lifted up their noses

               As¹⁹² they smelt music: so I charmed their ears,

               That calf-like they my lowing¹⁹³ followed through

               Toothed¹⁹⁴ briars, sharp furzes, pricking gorse and thorns,

195

195         Which entered their frail shins: at last I left them

               I’th’filthy-mantled¹⁹⁶ pool beyond your cell,

               There dancing up to th’chins, that¹⁹⁷ the foul lake

               O’erstunk their feet.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     This was well done, my bird.

200

200         Thy²⁰⁰ shape invisible retain thou still:

               The trumpery²⁰¹ in my house, go bring it hither,

               For stale²⁰² to catch these thieves.

ARIEL

ARIEL     I go, I go.

       Exit

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     A devil, a born devil, on whose nature

205

205         Nurture can never stick: on whom my pains,

               Humanely²⁰⁶ taken, all, all lost, quite lost.

               And as with age his body uglier grows,

               So his mind cankers.²⁰⁸ I will plague them all,

               Even to roaring.²⁰⁹ Come, hang them on this line.

       Enter Ariel, loaden with glistering apparel etc. Ariel hangs up the finery

       Enter Caliban, Stephano and Trinculo, all wet Prospero and Ariel stand apart

CALIBAN

CALIBAN     Pray you, tread softly, that²¹⁰ the blind mole may not hear a footfall: we now are near his cell.

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     Monster, your fairy,²¹² which you say is a harmless fairy, has done little better than played²¹³ the jack with us.

TRINCULO

TRINCULO     Monster, I do smell all horse-piss, at which my nose is in great indignation.

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     So is mine. Do you hear, monster? If I should take a displeasure against you, look you—

TRINCULO

TRINCULO     Thou wert but a lost²¹⁸ monster.

CALIBAN

CALIBAN     Good my lord, give me thy favour still.

220

220         Be patient, for the prize I’ll bring thee to

               Shall hoodwink this mischance:²²¹ therefore speak softly,

               All’s hushed as midnight yet.

TRINCULO

TRINCULO     Ay, but to lose our bottles in the pool!

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     There is not only disgrace and dishonour in that, monster, but an infinite loss.

TRINCULO

TRINCULO     That’s more to me than my wetting: yet this is your harmless fairy, monster.

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     I will fetch off²²⁸ my bottle, though I be o’er ears for my labour.

CALIBAN

CALIBAN     Prithee, my king, be quiet. See’st thou here,

230

230         This is the mouth o’th’cell: no noise, and enter.

               Do that good mischief²³¹ which may make this island

               Thine own forever, and I thy Caliban

               For aye²³³ thy foot-licker.

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     Give me thy hand. I do begin to have bloody thoughts.

TRINCULO

TRINCULO     O King²³⁵ Stephano, O peer! Sees the apparel O worthy Stephano, look what a wardrobe here is for thee!

CALIBAN

CALIBAN     Let it alone, thou fool: it is but trash.

TRINCULO

TRINCULO     O, ho, monster: we know what belongs to a frippery.²³⁸ Puts on a gown O King Stephano!

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     Put off that gown, Trinculo: by this hand, I’ll have that gown.

TRINCULO

TRINCULO     Thy grace shall have it.

CALIBAN

CALIBAN     The dropsy²⁴¹ drown this fool: what do you mean

               To dote thus on such luggage?²⁴² Let’s alone

               And do the murder first: if he awake,

               From toe to crown he’ll fill our skins with pinches,

245

245         Make²⁴⁵ us strange stuff.

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     Be you quiet, monster.— Takes it down Mistress line,²⁴⁶ is not this my jerkin? Now is the jerkin under the line:²⁴⁷ now, jerkin, you are like to lose your hair and prove a bald jerkin.

TRINCULO

TRINCULO     Do, do: we steal by line and level,²⁴⁹ an’t like your grace.

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     I thank thee for that jest: Gives Trinculo a garment here’s a garment for’t: wit shall not go unrewarded while I am king of this country. ‘Steal by line and level’ is an excellent pass of pate:²⁵² there’s another garment for’t. Gives another

TRINCULO

TRINCULO     Monster, come put some lime²⁵³ upon your fingers, and away with the rest.

CALIBAN

CALIBAN     I will have none on’t: we shall lose our time,

255

255         And all be turned to barnacles,²⁵⁵ or to apes

               With foreheads villainous²⁵⁶ low.

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     Monster, lay to your²⁵⁷ fingers: help to bear this away where my hogshead of wine is, or I’ll turn you out of my kingdom: go to, carry this.

TRINCULO

TRINCULO     And this. They load Caliban with garments

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     Ay, and this.

       A noise of hunters heard. Enter diverse spirits, in shape of dogs and hounds, hunting them about, Prospero and Ariel setting them on

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Hey, Mountain,²⁶¹ hey!

ARIEL

ARIEL     Silver! There it goes, Silver!

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Fury, Fury! There, Tyrant, there: hark! Hark! Caliban, Stephano, and Trinculo are driven out

               Go, charge my goblins that they grind²⁶⁴ their joints

265

265         With dry convulsions,²⁶⁵ shorten up their sinews To Ariel

               With agèd cramps,²⁶⁶ and more pinch-spotted make them

               Than pard²⁶⁷ or cat o’mountain.

ARIEL

ARIEL     Hark, they roar.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Let them be hunted soundly. At this hour

270

270         Lies at my mercy all mine enemies:

               Shortly shall all my labours end, and thou

               Shalt have the air at freedom:²⁷² for a little,

               Follow, and do me service.

       Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 1

running scene 9

       Enter Prospero in his magic robes, and Ariel

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Now does my project¹ gather to a head.

               My charms crack not,² my spirits obey, and Time

               Goes upright with his carriage. How’s the day?³

ARIEL

ARIEL     On the sixth hour, at which time, my lord,

5

5             You said our work should cease.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     I did say so,

               When first I raised the tempest. Say, my spirit,

               How fares the king and’s followers?

ARIEL

ARIEL     Confined together

10

10           In the same fashion as you gave in charge,¹⁰

               Just as you left them; all prisoners, sir,

               In the line-grove¹² which weather-fends your cell:

               They cannot budge till your release. The king,

               His brother, and yours abide¹⁴ all three distracted,

15

15           And the remainder mourning over them,

               Brimful of sorrow and dismay: but chiefly

               Him that you termed,¹⁷ sir, the good old lord Gonzalo:

               His tears run down his beard, like winter’s¹⁸ drops

               From eaves of reeds. Your charm so strongly works ’em

20

20             That if you now beheld them, your affections²⁰

               Would become tender.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Dost thou think so, spirit?

ARIEL

ARIEL     Mine would, sir, were I human.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     And mine shall.

25

25           Hast thou, which art but air, a touch, a feeling

               Of their afflictions, and shall not myself,

               One of their kind, that relish²⁷ all as sharply

               Passion as they, be kindlier moved²⁸ than thou art?

               Though with their high²⁹ wrongs I am struck to th’quick,

30

30           Yet with my nobler reason gainst my fury

               Do I take part:³¹ the rarer action is

               In virtue than³² in vengeance. They being penitent,

               The sole drift³³ of my purpose doth extend

               Not a frown further. Go, release them, Ariel:

35

35           My charms I’ll break, their senses I’ll restore,

               And they shall be themselves.

ARIEL

ARIEL     I’ll fetch them, sir.

       Exit

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Ye elves of hills, brooks, standing³⁸ lakes and groves,

               And ye that on the sands with printless foot³⁹

40

40           Do chase the ebbing Neptune, and do fly⁴⁰ him

               When he comes back: you demi-puppets⁴¹ that

               By moonshine do the green sour ringlets⁴² make,

               Whereof the ewe not bites:⁴³ and you whose pastime

               Is to make midnight mushrooms,⁴⁴ that rejoice

45

45           To hear the solemn curfew,⁴⁵ by whose aid —

               Weak masters⁴⁶ though ye be — I have bedimmed

               The noontide sun, called forth the mutinous winds,

               And ’twixt the green sea and the azured vault⁴⁸

               Set roaring war:⁴⁹ to the dread rattling thunder

50

50           Have I given fire,⁵⁰ and rifted Jove’s stout oak

               With his own bolt: the strong-based⁵¹ promontory

               Have I made shake and by the spurs⁵² plucked up

               The pine and cedar. Graves at my command

               Have waked their sleepers, oped,⁵⁴ and let ’em forth

55

55           By my so potent art. But this rough⁵⁵ magic Prospero traces a circle with his staff

               I here abjure:⁵⁶ and when I have required

               Some heavenly music — which even now I do —

               To work mine end⁵⁸ upon their senses that

               This airy charm is for, I’ll break my staff,

60

60           Bury it certain⁶⁰ fathoms in the earth,

               And deeper than did ever plummet⁶¹ sound

               I’ll drown my book.

       Solemn music. Here enters Ariel before: then Alonso, with a frantic gesture, attended by Gonzalo: Sebastian and Antonio in like manner, attended by Adrian and Francisco. They all enter the circle which Prospero had made, and there stand charmed: which Prospero observing, speaks:

               A solemn air,⁶³ and the best comforter To Alonso

               To an unsettled fancy,⁶⁴ cure thy brains,

65

65           Now useless, boil⁶⁵ within thy skull!— There stand, To Sebastian and Antonio

               For you are spell-stopped.⁶⁶

               Holy Gonzalo, honourable man, To Gonzalo

               Mine eyes, ev’n sociable⁶⁸ to the show of thine,

               Fall fellowly⁶⁹ drops.— The charm dissolves apace, Aside

70

70           And as the morning steals upon the night,

               Melting the darkness, so their rising⁷¹ senses

               Begin to chase the ignorant⁷² fumes that mantle

               Their clearer reason.— O good Gonzalo,

               My true⁷⁴ preserver, and a loyal sir

75

75           To him thou follow’st,⁷⁵ I will pay thy graces

               Home both in word and deed.— Most cruelly

               Didst thou, Alonso, use me and my daughter:

               Thy brother was a furtherer⁷⁸ in the act.—

               Thou art pinched for’t now, Sebastian.— Flesh and blood, To Antonio

80

80           You, brother mine, that entertain⁸⁰ ambition,

               Expelled remorse and nature:⁸¹ whom, with Sebastian —

               Whose inward pinches⁸² therefore are most strong —

               Would here have killed your king: I do forgive thee,

               Unnatural though thou art. Their understanding

85

85           Begins to swell, and the⁸⁵ approaching tide

               Will shortly fill the reasonable shore

               That now lies foul and muddy. Not one of them

               That yet looks on me or would know me. Ariel,

               Fetch me the hat⁸⁹ and rapier in my cell:

90

90           I will discase⁹⁰ me, and myself present

               As⁹¹ I was sometime Milan. Quickly, spirit:

               Thou shalt ere long be free. Ariel gets hat and rapier, returns immediately

       Ariel sings and helps to attire him:

ARIEL

ARIEL     Where the bee sucks, there suck I:

                                    In a cowslip’s bell⁹⁴ I lie:

95

95                                There I couch⁹⁵ when owls do cry.

                                    On the bat’s back I do fly

                                    After summer merrily.

                                    Merrily, merrily shall I live now

                                    Under the blossom that hangs on the bough.

100

100 

PROSPERO

PROSPERO             Why, that’s my dainty Ariel. I shall miss

               Thee: but yet thou shalt have freedom. So, so, so. Arranges his attire

               To the king’s ship, invisible as thou art:

               There shalt thou find the mariners asleep

               Under the hatches: the master and the boatswain

105

105         Being awake, enforce¹⁰⁵ them to this place;

               And presently,¹⁰⁶ I prithee.

ARIEL

ARIEL     I drink the air¹⁰⁷ before me, and return

               Or ere¹⁰⁸ your pulse twice beat.

Exit

GONZALO

GONZALO     All torment, trouble, wonder, and amazement

110

110         Inhabits here: some heavenly power guide us

               Out of this fearful¹¹¹ country!

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Behold, sir king,

               The wrongèd Duke of Milan, Prospero:

               For more assurance that a living prince

115

115         Does now speak to thee, I embrace thy body,

               And to thee and thy company, I bid Embraces him

               A hearty welcome.

ALONSO

ALONSO     Whether thou be’st he or no,

               Or some enchanted trifle¹¹⁹ to abuse me —

120

120         As late I have been — I not know: thy pulse

               Beats as of flesh and blood: and since I saw thee

               Th’affliction of my mind amends,¹²² with which

               I fear a madness held me: this must crave —

               An if this be at all¹²⁴ — a most strange story.

125

125         Thy¹²⁵ dukedom I resign, and do entreat

               Thou pardon me my wrongs. But how should Prospero

               Be living and be here?

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     First, noble friend, To Gonzalo

               Let me embrace thine age, whose honour cannot

130

130         Be measured or confined.

GONZALO

GONZALO     Whether this be¹³¹

               Or be not, I’ll not swear.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     You do yet taste

               Some subtleties¹³⁴ o’th’isle, that will not let you

135

135         Believe things certain. Welcome, my friends all.—

               But you, my brace¹³⁶ of lords, were I so minded, Aside to Sebastian and Antonio

               I here could pluck his highness’ frown upon you,

               And justify you¹³⁸ traitors: at this time,

               I will tell no tales.

140

140 

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN             The devil speaks in him. Aside to Antonio, but overheard by Prospero

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     No.—

               For you, most wicked sir, whom to call brother To Antonio

               Would even infect my mouth, I do forgive

               Thy rankest¹⁴⁴ fault — all of them — and require

145

145         My dukedom of thee, which perforce¹⁴⁵ I know

               Thou must restore.

ALONSO

ALONSO     If thou be’st Prospero,

               Give us particulars of thy preservation:

               How thou hast met us here, whom three hours since

150

150         Were wrecked upon this shore? Where I have lost —

               How sharp the point of this remembrance is —

               My dear son Ferdinand.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     I am woe¹⁵³ for’t, sir.

ALONSO

ALONSO     Irreparable is the loss, and Patience

155

155         Says it is past her cure.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     I rather think

               You have not sought her help, of whose soft grace

               For the like¹⁵⁸ loss, I have her sovereign aid,

               And rest myself content.¹⁵⁹

160

160 

ALONSO

ALONSO             You the like loss?

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     As great to me as late,¹⁶¹ and supportable

               To make the dear loss have I means much weaker

               Than you may call to comfort you: for I

               Have lost my daughter.

165

165 

ALONSO

ALONSO             A daughter?

               O heavens, that they were living both in Naples,

               The king and queen there! That¹⁶⁷ they were, I wish

               Myself were mudded in that oozy bed

               Where my son lies. When did you lose your daughter?

170

170 

PROSPERO

PROSPERO             In this last tempest. I perceive these lords

               At this encounter do¹⁷¹ so much admire

               That they devour their reason¹⁷² and scarce think

               Their¹⁷³ eyes do offices of truth: their words

               Are natural breath. But, howsoe’er you have

175

175         Been justled¹⁷⁵ from your senses, know for certain

               That I am Prospero, and that very duke

               Which was thrust forth of Milan, who most strangely

               Upon this shore, where you were wrecked, was landed

               To be the lord on’t.¹⁷⁹ No more yet of this,

180

180         For ’tis a chronicle¹⁸⁰ of day by day,

               Not a relation¹⁸¹ for a breakfast, nor

               Befitting this first meeting. Welcome, sir:

               This cell’s my court: here have I few attendants,

               And subjects none abroad:¹⁸⁴ pray you look in.

185

185         My dukedom since you have given me again,

               I will requite¹⁸⁶ you with as good a thing,

               At least bring forth a wonder,¹⁸⁷ to content ye

               As much as me my dukedom.

       Here Prospero discovers Ferdinand and Miranda playing at chess

MIRANDA

MIRANDA     Sweet lord, you play me false.¹⁸⁹

190

190 

FERDINAND

FERDINAND             No, my dearest love,

               I would not for the world.

MIRANDA

MIRANDA     Yes, for a score¹⁹² of kingdoms you should wrangle,

               And I would call it fair play.

ALONSO

ALONSO     If this prove

195

195         A vision of the island, one dear son

               Shall I twice lose.

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     A most high miracle.¹⁹⁷

FERDINAND

FERDINAND     Though the seas threaten, they are merciful:

               I have cursed them without cause. Kneels

200

200 

ALONSO

ALONSO             Now all the blessings

               Of a glad father compass²⁰¹ thee about.

               Arise, and say how thou cam’st here.

MIRANDA

MIRANDA     O wonder!

               How many goodly²⁰⁴ creatures are there here!

205

205         How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world,

               That has such people in’t.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     ’Tis new to thee.

ALONSO

ALONSO     What is this maid with whom thou wast at play? To Ferdinand

               Your eld’st²⁰⁹ acquaintance cannot be three hours:

210

210         Is she the goddess that hath severed us,

               And brought us thus together?

FERDINAND

FERDINAND     Sir, she is mortal:

               But by immortal providence, she’s mine:

               I chose her when I could not ask my father

215

215         For his advice, nor thought I had one.²¹⁵ She

               Is daughter to this famous Duke of Milan,

               Of whom so often I have heard renown,²¹⁷

               But never saw before: of whom I have

               Received a second life: and second father

220

220         This lady makes him to me.

ALONSO

ALONSO     I am hers.²²¹

               But, O, how oddly will it sound that I

               Must ask my child forgiveness.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     There sir, stop:

225

225         Let us not burden our remembrances with

               A heaviness²²⁶ that’s gone.

GONZALO

GONZALO     I have inly²²⁷ wept,

               Or should have spoke ere this. Look down you gods,

               And on this couple drop a blessèd crown.

230

230         For it is you that have chalked forth²³⁰ the way

               Which brought us hither.

ALONSO

ALONSO     I say amen, Gonzalo.

GONZALO

GONZALO     Was Milan²³³ thrust from Milan that his issue

               Should become kings of Naples? O, rejoice

235

235         Beyond a common joy, and set it down

               With gold on lasting pillars: in one voyage

               Did Claribel her husband find at Tunis,

               And Ferdinand her brother found a wife

               Where he himself was lost, Prospero his dukedom

240

240         In a poor isle, and all of us our selves

               When no man was his own.

ALONSO

ALONSO     Give me your hands: To Ferdinand and Miranda

               Let grief and sorrow still²⁴³ embrace his heart

               That doth not wish you joy.

245

245 

GONZALO

GONZALO             Be it so. Amen!

       Enter Ariel, with the Master and Boatswain amazedly following

               O, look, sir, look, sir! Here is more of us!

               I prophesied, if a gallows were on land,

               This fellow could not drown.— Now, blasphemy,²⁴⁸ To Boatswain

               That swear’st grace o’erboard, not an oath on shore?

250

250         Hast thou no mouth by land? What is the news?

BOATSWAIN

BOATSWAIN     The best news is that we have safely found

               Our king and company: the next, our ship,

               Which but three glasses²⁵³ since we gave out split,

               Is tight and yare²⁵⁴ and bravely rigged as when

255

255         We first put out to sea.

ARIEL

ARIEL     Sir, all this service Aside to Prospero

               Have I done since I went.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     My tricksy²⁵⁸ spirit! Aside to Ariel

ALONSO

ALONSO     These are not natural events: they strengthen

260

260         From strange to stranger. Say, how came you hither?

BOATSWAIN

BOATSWAIN     If I did think, sir, I were well awake,

               I’d strive to tell you. We were dead of sleep,

               And — how we know not — all clapped under hatches,²⁶³

               Where, but even now, with strange and several²⁶⁴ noises

265

265         Of roaring, shrieking, howling, jingling chains,

               And more diversity of sounds, all horrible,

               We were awaked: straightway at liberty,²⁶⁷

               Where we, in all our trim,²⁶⁸ freshly beheld

               Our royal, good and gallant ship, our master

270

270           Cap’ring²⁷⁰ to eye her. On a trice, so please you,

               Even in a dream, were we divided from them

               And were brought moping²⁷² hither.

ARIEL

ARIEL     Was’t well done? Aside to Prospero

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Bravely, my diligence. Thou shalt be free. Aside to Ariel

275

275 

ALONSO

ALONSO             This is as strange a maze as e’er men trod,

               And there is in this business more than nature

               Was ever conduct²⁷⁷ of: some oracle

               Must rectify our knowledge.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Sir, my liege,

280

280         Do not infest your mind with beating²⁸⁰ on

               The strangeness of this business. At picked leisure²⁸¹ —

               Which shall be shortly single²⁸² — I’ll resolve you,

               Which²⁸³ to you shall seem probable, of every

               These happened accidents.²⁸⁴ Till when, be cheerful

285

285         And think of each thing well.²⁸⁵— Come hither, spirit, Aside to Ariel

               Set Caliban and his companions free:

               Untie the spell.—

       [Exit Ariel]

                                    How fares my gracious sir? To Alonso

               There are yet missing of your company

               Some few odd lads that you remember not.

       Enter Ariel, driving in Caliban, Stephano and Trinculo, in their stolen apparel

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     Every man shift²⁹⁰ for all the rest, and let no man take care for himself: for all is but fortune.²⁹¹ Coraggio, bully-monster, coraggio!

TRINCULO

TRINCULO     If these be true spies²⁹² which I wear in my head, here’s a goodly sight.

CALIBAN

CALIBAN     O Setebos, these be brave spirits indeed!

               How fine my master is! I am afraid

295

295         He will chastise me.

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     Ha, ha!

               What things are these, my lord Antonio?

               Will money buy ’em?

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Very like.²⁹⁹ One of them

300

300         Is a plain fish, and no doubt marketable.

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Mark but the badges³⁰¹ of these men, my lords,

               Then say if they be true.³⁰² This misshapen knave,

               His mother was a witch, and one so strong

               That could control the moon, make flows and ebbs,

305

305         And³⁰⁵ deal in her command without her power:

               These three have robbed me, and this demi-devil —

               For he’s a bastard³⁰⁷ one — had plotted with them

               To take my life. Two of these fellows you

               Must know and own: this thing of darkness I

310

310         Acknowledge mine.

CALIBAN

CALIBAN     I shall be pinched to death.

ALONSO

ALONSO     Is not this Stephano, my drunken butler?

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     He is drunk now: where had he wine?

ALONSO

ALONSO     And Trinculo is reeling ripe:³¹⁴ where should they

315

315         Find this grand liquor that hath gilded³¹⁵ ’em?

               How cam’st thou in this pickle?³¹⁶ To Trinculo

TRINCULO

TRINCULO     I have been in such a pickle since I saw you last that I fear me will³¹⁷ never out of my bones: I shall not fear fly-blowing.³¹⁸

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     Why, how now, Stephano?

320

320 

STEPHANO

STEPHANO             O, touch me not: I am not Stephano, but a cramp.³²⁰

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     You’d be king o’the isle, sirrah?³²¹

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     I should have been a sore³²² one then.

ALONSO

ALONSO     This is a strange thing as e’er I looked on. Points to Caliban

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     He is as disproportioned in his manners³²⁴

325

325         As in his shape. Go, sirrah, to my cell:

               Take with you your companions: as you look

               To have my pardon, trim it handsomely.³²⁷

CALIBAN

CALIBAN     Ay, that I will: and I’ll be wise hereafter,

               And seek for grace.³²⁹ What a thrice-double ass

330

330         Was I to take this drunkard for a god

               And worship this dull fool!

PROSPERO

PROSPERO     Go to, away!

ALONSO

ALONSO     Hence, and bestow your luggage where you found it.

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     Or stole it, rather.

       [Exeunt Caliban, Stephano and Trinculo]

335

335 

PROSPERO

PROSPERO             Sir, I invite your highness and your train

               To my poor cell, where you shall take your rest

               For this one night: which, part of it, I’ll waste³³⁷

               With such discourse as I not doubt shall make it

               Go quick away: the story of my life

340

340         And the particular accidents³⁴⁰ gone by

               Since I came to this isle: and in the morn

               I’ll bring you to your ship, and so to Naples,

               Where I have hope to see the nuptial

               Of these our dear-beloved solemnized,³⁴⁴

345

345         And thence retire me to my Milan, where

               Every third thought³⁴⁶ shall be my grave.

ALONSO

ALONSO     I long

               To hear the story of your life, which must

               Take³⁴⁹ the ear strangely.

350

350 

PROSPERO

PROSPERO             I’ll deliver all,

               And promise you calm seas, auspicious gales

               And sail so expeditious³⁵² that shall catch

               Your royal fleet far off.— My Ariel, chick,

               That is thy charge: then to the elements

355

355         Be free, and fare thou well.— Please you, draw near.³⁵⁵

       Exeunt [all but Prospero]

EPILOGUE SPOKEN BY PROSPERO

EPILOGUE SPOKEN BY PROSPERO 

               Now my charms³⁵⁶ are all o’erthrown,

               And what strength I have’s mine own,

               Which is most faint: now ’tis true,

               I must be here confined by you,³⁵⁹

360

360         Or sent to Naples. Let me not,

               Since I have my dukedom got

               And pardoned the deceiver, dwell

               In this bare island by your spell,

               But release me from my bands³⁶⁴

365

365         With the help of your good hands:³⁶⁵

               Gentle breath³⁶⁶ of yours my sails

               Must fill, or else my project fails,

               Which was to please. Now I want³⁶⁸

               Spirits to enforce, art to enchant,

370

370         And my ending is despair,

               Unless I be relieved by prayer,³⁷¹

               Which pierces³⁷² so, that it assaults

               Mercy itself, and frees all faults.

               As you from crimes would pardoned be,

375

375         Let your indulgence³⁷⁵ set me free. Awaits applause

       Exit

Textual Notes

F = First Folio text of 1623, the only authority for the play

F2 = a correction introduced in the Second Folio text of 1632

Ed = a correction introduced by a later editor

SD = stage direction

SH = speech heading (i.e., speaker’s name)

List of parts based on “Names of the Actors” (reordered) at end of F text

1.1.7 SD Ferdinand = Ed. F = Ferdinando 50 wi’th’ = Ed. F = with’

1.2.129 wi’th’ = Ed. F = with 202 princes = Ed. F = Princesse (old spelling of ‘princes’) 330 she = Ed. F = he

2.2.139 trencher = Ed. F = trenchering

3.1.2 sets = Ed. F = set 15 least = F2. F = lest

3.2.106 scout = Ed. F = cout (107 F = skowt)

3.3.2 ache = F2. F = akes 34 islanders = F2. F = Islands

4.1.12 gainst = Ed. F = Against (beginning new half-line) 13 guest = F. Some eds emend to gift. 57 abstemious = F2. F = abstenious 67 vetches spelled Fetches in F 80 Her = Ed. F = here 119 SH CERES = Ed. (no change of singer in F) 134 wise = F. Some eds emend to wife 209 them on = Ed. F = on them

5.1.18 run = F2. F = runs 77 Didst = F (catchword on sig. B2v; text reads Did) 87 lies = Ed. F = ly 118 Whether = Ed. F = Where 291 Coraggio…coraggio = F2. F = Coragio…Corasio

Act 1 Scene 1

 1.1    Location: a ship at sea    Boatswain ship’s chief officer

    2    cheer news/encouragement

    3    Good good fellow/good, you’re there    yarely swiftly

    4    Bestir be active

    5    hearts hearties    Cheerly heartily, willingly    yare quick    Take…topsail reducing the sail lessens the force of the wind pushing the ship toward land

    6    Tend pay attention to    Blow…enough blow until you burst, as long as we have enough rock-free sea to maneuver in

    8    have take    Play the act like

  11    mar ruin

  14    Hence be gone    roarers waves/riotous people

  17    counsellor adviser/member of the king’s council

  18    work…present calm the current events

  19    hand handle

  21    hap happen

  23    he…gallows “he that is born to be hanged shall never be drowned” (proverbial)

  24    mark ominous indicator

  25    rope of his destiny i.e., the hangman’s noose    cable anchor rope

  27    Down…topmast reduce the height of the ship’s main mast (to increase stability)    to…course i.e., as near as possible to a standstill

  29    our office we are as we undertake our work

  30    o’er up

  32    pox plague

  34    cur dog

  36    warrant…drowning guarantee he will not drown

  37    unstanched promiscuous/sexually unsatisfied/menstruating freely

  38    Lay her ahold keep the ship steady by sailing close to the wind    Set…to raise both foresail and mainsail in order to drive the ship into open sea

  40    must…cold i.e., must we die/must our prayers be ineffective

  43    merely completely    wide-chopped loudmouthed/with mouth wide open

  44    ten tides pirates were hanged on the shore where their bodies remained during three tides

  45    hanged yet i.e., will survive to be hanged on land

  47    at wid’st wide open    glut swallow

  48    We split the ship is splitting apart/we are shipwrecked

  52    furlong 220 yards    acre furlong

  53    long heath heather    brown furze withered gorse

  54    fain rather

Act 1 Scene 2

 1.2    Location: the rest of the play is set in various parts of Prospero’s island    Prospero from Latin for “to cause to succeed”; in Italian and Spanish means “fortunate, prosperous”    Miranda from Latin for “to wonder, marvel”; means “she who is admired”

    1    art skill, magic, learning

    2    allay calm

    3    pitch black substance obtained from boiling tar

    4    welkin’s sky’s

    5    fire lightning

    6    brave splendid

  11    or ere before

  13    fraughting souls those constituting the freight (cargo)

  14    collected calm, composed

  15    amazement fear/wonder

  22    whence I am where I am from    more better of a higher rank

  23    full poor cell very humble dwelling, often that of a hermit or monk

  24    no greater father no more important a father than this cell suggests

  25    More to know desire to know more

  26    meddle with mingle with/intrude upon

  33    provision foresight

  35    perdition loss, damage

  36    Betid happened

  41    bootless inquisition useless inquiry

  44    ope open

  48    Out fully

  52    Hath…remembrance remains in your memory

  54    assurance certainty

  55    warrants guarantees

  56    tended cared for/waited upon

  59    backward past period abysm abyss, gulf

  60    aught anything

  67    piece exemplar, image

  70    no worse issued (you are) of no less noble birth

  73    blessèd fortunate

  76    holp helped

  78    o’th’teen of the    trouble turned you to caused you

  79    from absent from

  81    mark pay attention to

  82    perfidious treacherous

  84    manage management

  85    signories domains/governing bodies of Italian states

  86    prime foremost

  87    liberal arts seven scholastic disciplines: grammar, logic, rhetoric, music, astronomy, geometry, arithmetic

  90    state country/role as duke    stranger estranged    transported And rapt absorbed and enraptured

  94    perfected skilled (in)    suits petitions, requests

  96    trash for over-topping rein in for being overly ambitious    new…mine promoted or gave new positions to Prospero’s officials (creatures)

  97    changed ’em substituted others for them/altered their duties

  98    new formed ’em created new positions/changed their allegiances    key control (plays on senses of “musical key” and “tuning key”)

100    that so that

101    ivy…trunk the rapid growth of ivy on a tree’s trunk can choke or poison the tree

102    verdure sap/vitality/power

105    worldly ends i.e., state or governmental duties

106    closeness solitude

107    but only    retired secluded, secret

108    O’er-prized…rate outstripped the people’s understanding/was too precious for the people to value

110    good parent “good parents breed bad children” (proverbial)    beget of breed in

111    falsehood…contrary deception that, in its opposing nature, was

113    sans without    lorded made lord

115    else exact otherwise demand    one…lie i.e., one who has lied so frequently that he has made his memory false (a sinner) by coming to believe in his own lies

116    into unto it i.e., the lie

119    out o’th’substitution as a result of having usurped me

120    th’outward face the appearance

124    screen separation/obstacle

125    him i.e., himself; Antonio benefits from playing the role of duke

126    Absolute Milan wholly the Duke of Milan and wielding absolute power

127    temporal royalties practical concerns of state

128    Confederates (he) conspires

129    dry thirsty, desperate    sway power

130    tribute payment of an agreed sum

131    Subject…crown subject himself to Alonso, the king (a duke wore a coronet)

132    yet as yet

135    condition pact/disposition    event outcome

136    If…brother if this might be the action of a brother/if I might be the brother to such a man

138    but anything but

142    inveterate long-standing    hearkens listens to

143    he i.e., the King of Naples    in…homage in return for the conditions of allegiance/servility

144    tribute money

145    presently extirpate immediately uproot

151    ministers agents    thence away

155    hint experience/occasion

160    impertinent irrelevant

164    durst dared

167    painted dressed up, disguised

168    few brief    barque small ship

170    butt barrel

172    hoist launched

175    loving wrong i.e., although they blew us to sea, the winds pitied us

178    cherubin angel

181    decked covered/adorned    drops full salt i.e., tears

182    which i.e., Miranda’s smile

183    undergoing stomach courage to endure

190    design plan

191    stuffs equipment, provisions

192    steaded much been very useful    gentleness nobleness

196    Would I wish

199    Sit still remain seated

201    more profit benefit far more

203    vainer more idle careful caring/painstaking

209    my dear lady i.e., Fortune

210    prescience foresight/visionary power

211    zenith peak of fortune (literally, highest point of the heavens)

212    influence power/invisible substance supposed to stream from stars and affect one’s destiny

213    omit ignore

215    dullness sleepiness

216    it way in to it

218    Ariel as well as having connotations of “airiness,” the name is Hebrew for “lion of God”; also the name of a magical spirit in various occult texts; perhaps evocative of the archangel Uriel

219    Grave learned, respected, dignified

222    task instruct

223    quality skills/other spirits

225    to point in every respect

227    beak prow

228    waist middle

229    flamed amazement appeared as a terrifying fire

231    yards crossbars on masts    bowsprit long pole that holds a sail

232    Jove’s…thunderclaps thunder and lightning were the chief weapons of the king of the gods

234    sight-outrunning quicker than the eye can follow

235    Neptune Roman god of the sea

237    trident three-pronged spear, carried by Neptune

239    coil turmoil

242    of the mad such as mad people suffer    played…desperation displayed symptoms of despair, recklessness

245    all afire i.e., the ship caught fire

246    up-staring standing on end

250    nigh near

254    sustaining necessary/buoyant

256    troops groups

258    cooling of cooling

259    angle nook, corner

260    sad knot i.e., folded, a sign of melancholy

266    dew a common ingredient of magic potions

267    still-vexed Bermudas the Bermuda islands were famed for fearful storms

268    under hatches i.e., below deck

269    charm spell    suffered labour i.e., the tiring work performed during the storm

272    float sea

279    mid season noon

280    two glasses two hourglasses (so it is about 2 p.m.)

281    preciously valuably

282    pains work, effort

283    remember remind

285    Moody ill-humored/stubborn/willful

288    time be out fixed period of service is over

292    or either

293    bate me deduct from my term of service

297    tread…deep walk on the muddy sand of the ocean floor

304    Sycorax name of uncertain origin, possibly derived from Greek sus (“pig”) and korax (“raven”), animals associated with witchcraft

305    hoop i.e., bent posture

308    Algiers seaport capital of Algeria, in North Africa

314    for…life probably meaning that Sycorax was pregnant and therefore could not be executed

317    blue-eyed with dark circles under the eyes or with blue eyelids, thought to be a sign of pregnancy    hag witch    with child pregnant

320    for because    delicate fine in quality/ethereal

321    earthy coarse/of the earth

322    hests commands

323    ministers assistants

324    unmitigable impossible to assuage

325    cloven cleft, split

329    As…strike as often as each blade of a waterwheel hits the water

330    litter give birth to (term applied to animals)

331    whelp puppy, son of a bitch    hag-born born of a witch

333    Caliban anagram of “can[n]ibal”; perhaps derived from the Romany word caulibon (“dark thing”)

334    Dull thing may refer to Ariel or Caliban

335    in service as a servant

337    wolves…bears i.e., even moved fierce beasts

341    gape open

344    murmur’st complain    rend tear apart

345    peg fasten    entrails innards (literally, intestines)

348    correspondent responsive, obedient

349    spriting magical actions of a sprite (spirit)    gently quietly, tamely

351    discharge free

360    Heaviness sleepiness

364    villain base, lowborn/wicked person

366    miss do without

367    offices duties

369    earth earthy thing/low creature/piece of dirt

373    quaint ingenious/elegant

376    got conceived

377    dam mother

379    fen swampy ground

380    southwest winds from the southwest were thought to bring damp, disease-ridden air

383    urchins hedgehogs/spirits in hedgehog form

384    vast expanse/long period

385    exercise work

386    As…honeycomb i.e., as many times as there are cells in a honeycomb/so that you resemble a honeycomb

387    Than than the    ’em i.e., honeycombs

392    berries possibly grapes to make a mild wine, or juniper berries, which would create a kind of gin

393    bigger…less i.e., the sun and moon

396    brine-pits pools of salt water

397    charms spells

398    light alight

400    sty pen up, confine

401    hard rock cave

404    stripes lashes of a whip    kindness goodwill/natural feeling/kinship    used treated

405    humane human/benevolent

406    violate…child i.e., rape Miranda

409    I…else otherwise I would have populated

412    print imprint, image

413    capable…ill only susceptible to evil/able to perform any kind of evil

418    race innate disposition

422    more more punishment

424    red-plague red sores were caused by, amongst other diseases, the plague    rid destroy

425    learning teaching

426    Hag-seed offspring of a witch

427    thou’rt best you would be better off

430    rack torture    old cramps plentiful cramps/cramps of old age/cramps similar to those Caliban has experienced previously

435    Setebos a Patagonian god mentioned in sixteenth-century travel narratives

436    vassal servant, slave

441    whist (become) silent

442    Foot it featly dance skillfully

445    burden chorus, refrain

449    strain song    chanticleer rooster

452    waits upon attends/anticipates

454    the for the

456    passion acute grief

460    fathom five five fathoms (thirty feet) deep

463    fade decompose

464    suffer undergo

466    knell funeral bell

469    ditty song/lyrics    does remember recalls/commemorates

470    mortal human (plays on the sense of “deathly”)

471    owes owns

472    fringèd curtains i.e., eyelids advance open

473    yond yonder, over there

476    brave handsome, noble, splendid

478    gallant fashionable, handsome young man

479    but except that    something somewhat

480    canker infection, corruption

481    goodly handsome, fine

484    natural human

487    prompts directs, urges, wills

490    airs Ariel’s songs    Vouchsafe grant (that)

491    remain live

493    bear me behave

494    wonder plays on the Latin root of Miranda’s name (“mirandus”—i.e., “wonderful”)

495    maid human/a virgin, unmarried

499    best i.e., highest in rank (a king, assuming his father is drowned)

500    where i.e., Naples

503    single thing solitary/a bachelor/one and the same person (as the King of Naples)

504    He i.e., as I am now king and hear my own grief

506    ebb low tide (i.e., without tears)

510    son Antonio’s son is never mentioned again; perhaps Shakespeare forgot or cut the part, neglecting this reference    twain separated

512    control challenge/govern

514    changed eyes gazed at one another, exchanged loving looks    Delicate fine/ethereal

516    done…wrong i.e., spoken falsely in your claim to be king

517    ungently harshly/discourteously

522    your…forth you have not fallen in love with or betrothed yourself to someone else

524    Soft wait a moment

525    either’s each other’s

526    uneasy difficult    light easy, but in next line sense shifts to “less valuable/unchaste”

527    charge command

528    attend listen to, take heed of

529    ow’st not do not own

531    on’t of it (the island)

533    temple i.e., Ferdinand’s body

540    fresh-brook mussels inedible freshwater mussels

543    entertainment treatment/hospitality

547    gentle noble/courteous fearful frightening

549    foot i.e., inferior body part (proverbial: “do not make the foot the head”)

551    ward defensive posture

557    surety guarantor

559    chide scold/punish

561    shapes i.e., men

563    To compared to

569    nerves sinews, muscles

570    vigour strength

572    spirits vital powers/senses

576    through i.e., from

577    all corners else everywhere else

582    do me do for me

585    unwonted uncharacteristic

588    then i.e., if that is to be the case

Act 2 Scene 1

    3    much beyond far outweighs    hint circumstance, occasion

    5    masters…merchant officers of some merchant ship

    8    weigh balance

  10    peace possibly Sebastian puns on “peas” by introducing porridge, a vegetable stew

  12    visitor charitable visitor offering comfort or advice

  13    wit intelligence

  15    tell count (the strokes)

  16    entertained received

  17    dollar a large silver coin (playing on the sense of entertainer as “performer”)

  18    Dolour sorrow    purposed intended

  19    wiselier more profoundly/wittily

  22    spare desist

  25    crow i.e., speak

  27    cockerel young cock/young man

  28    wager bet, stake

  29    A laughter “he wins that laughs” (proverbial); may also play on the sense of “the whole number of eggs laid by a hen before she is ready to sit”

  31    desert deserted

  32    Ha…paid most editors assume that the speakers of these two lines should be reversed, so that Antonio wins the bet and laughs, then Sebastian replies that the laugh pays off the debt; but it could be that Sebastian laughs in response to Adrian’s words (seems deserted? – of course it’s deserted) and that by doing so he has paid off the bet

  38    subtle refined temperance moderate climate (Antonio’s response treats Temperance as the name of a woman)

  39    delicate pleasure-seeking, voluptuous

  40    subtle crafty, sexually experienced learnedly delivered uttered authoritatively

  43    fen bog, marshland

  45    save except

  47    lusty of vigorous growth

  48    tawny yellowish brown

  49    eye tinge

  52    rarity exceptional nature    credit belief

  53    vouched acknowledged

  55    new-dyed brand new

  58    pocket up conceal

  60    Afric Africa    Tunis North African city, now the capital of Tunisia

  63    Dido’s Dido, Queen of Carthage, was the widow of Sychaeus, but was famed for her love affair with Aeneas; she committed suicide when he left her; there may also be a lewd pun on the slang term “dido” (genitals/dildo)

  64    How…in? Antonio contests the reference to an abandoned woman as a widow

  65    “widower Aeneas” Aeneas had been married to Creusa, who died in the sack of Troy

  66    study of examine, meditate on

  68    This…Carthage Tunis was about ten miles from Carthage and became the most important city in the region after Carthage fell

  71    miraculous harp in Greek mythology, Amphion’s music caused the walls of Thebes to rebuild themselves

  76    kernels pips

  81    rarest most splendid/beautiful

  82    Bate disregard

  83    Ay, widow Dido if there is a missing speech prefix, this could be a cynical interjection from Sebastian

  84    doublet close-fitting jacket in a sort to some extent

  85    sort perhaps a reference to the drawing of lots or to the “sorting” offish for market

  88    stomach appetite/inclination    sense disposition

  90    rate opinion

  96    surges waves

100    oared rowed

101    lusty vigorous

102    wave-worn basis the eroded base of the cliff rising from the shore

103    As as if

108    loose release, turn loose (as one would an animal)

110    Who probably applies to Alonso’s eye, but possibly to Claribel    wet the grief weep

112    importuned pleaded with

114    loathness loathing, repulsion

115    which…bow which half of the scales should sink

120    dear’st most precious/significant part (i.e., Ferdinand)

123    time i.e., appropriate time

126    chirurgeonly surgeon-like

131    plantation opportunity for colonization (Antonio plays on the sense of “planting”)

132    nettle-seed…mallows common wild plants/weeds

135    want lack

136    by…things implement the opposite to what is usual

137    traffic trade, commerce

139    Letters scholarship, learning

140    use of service practice of having servants    succession inheritance

141    Bourn land boundary    tilth farmed land

148    in common communal

150    pike spear    engine device/machinery/weapon

152    foison plenty

157    golden age in classical mythology, the earliest of ages, when life was idyllic

160    mark hear, observe

162    minister occasion provide an opportunity (for laughter)

163    sensible responsive, sensitive    nimble agile, swift to respond    use are accustomed

169    An…flat-long if it had not been delivered with the flat side of the sword (rather than the sharp edge)

170    metal puns on “mettle” (constitution, courage)

171    sphere position in the heavens    five weeks i.e., rather than the usual four, which ought to be long enough

172    a-batfowling catching roosting birds/swindling

174    warrant assure    adventure…weakly risk my sound judgment for such a slight cause

175    heavy drowsy

181    omit reject, ignore    it i.e., sleep

192    as as if

196    occasion speaks opportunity speaks to

199    waking awake

208    wink’st shut your eyes (i.e., refuse to see what is in front of you)

210    distinctly meaningfully, clearly

212    custom usual self

213    heed you heed

214    Trebles thee o’er makes you three times greater

215    standing water not ebbing or flowing (i.e., open to ideas/idle)

218    Hereditary sloth natural laziness/my position as younger brother to a king

220    If…it if only you realized that your mockery reveals your intentions/if only you realized that despite your mockery you harbor genuine desires

222    invest clothe, adorn    Ebbing declining

225    say on speak more, go on

226    setting look/fixed appearance

227    matter of importance

228    throes…yield gives you much pain to bring forth

230    lord i.e., Gonzalo    remembrance memory

231    of…memory as little remembered

232    earthed dead and buried

233    spirit of expert at, epitome of    only Professes (as an adviser) makes it his sole vocation

241    high a hope i.e., of gaining the crown

242    Ambition…there ambition itself could not glimpse it and doubt that there is anything to achieve/ambition itself could not ordinarily proceed a fraction further without fear of discovery

249    leagues a league was about three miles    man’s life a lifetime’s journey

250    note communication/information    post messenger

252    from whom i.e., returning from whose wedding

253    cast vomited up

255    Whereof…prologue in relation to which all that has gone before is only a prelude to what is to come

256    discharge performance/management

257    stuff notion/rubbish

260    space distance

261    cubit about twenty inches (the length of the forearm)

263    Measure us back travel back over us (i.e., retrace her steps)    Keep remain

264    wake i.e., to his opportunity

267    he i.e., Alonso    prate prattle

269    make…chat train a jackdaw to be as profound

270    bore…do shared my intention/were of my way of thinking/were resolved like me

274    content liking

275    Tender value, regard

277    supplant overthrow

279    garments i.e., his duke’s robes

280    feater with a better fit

281    fellows companions, equals men servants

283    kibe chilblain, blister

284    put me to force me to wear

285    deity i.e., conscience

286    candied made of ice, crystallized

292    perpetual wink endless sleep aye ever

293    morsel piece of flesh/scrap

294    Should not must not be allowed to

296    tell…hour declare it is whatever time we require/agree to any business that we propose

301    tribute annual sum payable by Antonio to Naples in return for receiving Alonso’s help in deposing Prospero

304    rear raise

309    project plan

312    time opportunity

319    ghastly full of fear

334    verily certain

Act 2 Scene 2

    2    flats plain, swampy ground

    3    inch-meal inch by inch

    4    nor neither pinch torment

    5    urchin-shows goblin apparitions

    6    firebrand will-o’-the-wisp, moving light

    9    mow grimace, make faces

  13    wound wound round    cloven split    Trinculo perhaps from the Italian trincare (“to drink eagerly”)

  14    Lo look

  17    mind notice

  18    bear off ward off

  20    bombard leather wine jug

  24    poor-John dried hake, a fish mainly eaten by the poor

  25    fish painted i.e., on a sign to attract passersby

  26    make a man make a man rich/be taken for a man

  27    doit trifling sum (a small Dutch coin)

  28    dead Indian American Indians were sometimes displayed to the paying public    Legged with legs

  29    let loose take back

  31    gaberdine coarse-textured cloak

  33    shroud shelter

  36    scurvy wretched, disagreeable

  38    swabber sailor who washes the deck

  42    tang sting

  44    savour smell

  45    tailor…itch she would let a tailor (proverbially lecherous) have sex with her (itch may suggest venereal disease)

  49    the matter happening

  50    Ind India

  51    proper normal/fine    four legs Stephano sees the legs of both Trinculo and Caliban and adapts a common proverb

  52    give ground yield

  53    at’nostrils through his nostrils

  56    ague sickness, shaking, fever

  57    relief refreshment, sustenance    recover revive

  58    neat’s leather cowhide

  60    after in the manner of

  62    I…him i.e., no price can be too high for him

  64    anon shortly

  66    Come…ways come on/come here

  67    language…cat “ale will make a cat speak” (proverbial)    shake cast off

  68    chaps jaws

  72    delicate extraordinary/ingeniously made/delightful

  74    detract slander

  78    long spoon “he should have a long spoon that sups with the devil” (proverbial)

  81    lesser legs presumably Trinculo has shorter legs than Caliban

  83    siege excrement (Stephano pulls Trinculo out from between Caliban’s legs)    moon-calf monstrosity, misshapen creature, idiot (born under the moon’s influence)    vent discharge/fart

  85    overblown blown over

  89    an if if

  92    butt of sack barrel of Spanish white wine

  99    kiss the book alludes to kissing the Bible to confirm an oath, and to the phrase “kiss the cup” (i.e., “have another drink”)

100    goose simpleton; also suggests drunken giddiness

105    when time was once

107    adore worship    mistress i.e., Miranda

108    dog…bush in folklore, the man in the moon had been banished there with his dog after he illegally gathered kindling (his    bush) on a Sunday

110    new contents i.e., more wine

111    good light i.e., the sun shallow gullible, naive

112    drawn drunk

113    sooth truth

116    perfidious treacherous

120    puppy-headed stupid

123    in drink drunk

128    crabs crab apples

129    pignuts edible roots, earth chestnuts

130    marmoset small monkey    filberts hazelnuts

131    scamels of uncertain meaning; perhaps error for “seamews” (seagulls) or “shamois” (goat); a fish or shellfish has also been suggested, but rock and young go better with the goatish sense

137    for i.e., to trap

138    firing firewood

139    trencher wooden plate

142    high-day holiday

Act 3 Scene 1

    1    sports activities, pastimes    painful arduous    their…off the pleasure derived from the task is enhanced by the hard work/pleasure in undertaking the task removes the sense of effort

    2    baseness contemptible work

    4    mean lowly

    6    quickens enlivens

    8    crabbed irritable, churlish

  11    sore injunction severe command

  12    baseness…executor such a lowly task has never had such a performer

  13    forget forget to work

  15    Most busy least being busy seems like being at leisure, thanks to sweet thoughts of Miranda

  18    enjoined bound

  20    weep by releasing drops of moisture or resin

  24    discharge carry out

  33    become be fitting for

  37    infected with love

  38    visitation visit (plays on senses of “bout of plague” and “charitable visit to the poor”)

  41    by nearby

  45    hest command

  47    top epitome, pinnacle

  50    bondage slavery

  51    diligent attentive

  54    owed owned

  55    put…foil thwarted it/disputed it (as in a swordfight)

  60    glass mirror

  61    friend lover

  62    how…abroad what people look like in the world

  63    skilless ignorant    modesty virtue, chastity

  64    dower dowry

  68    precepts instructions, orders

  70    condition social rank

  74    flesh-fly fly that lays its eggs in dead flesh    blow contaminate/deposit eggs in/swell

  81    kind event favorable outcome

  82    hollowly insincerely

  83    boded intended    mischief misfortune, harm

  84    what whatever

  88    Fair excellent, pleasing

  89    rare special, profound

  90    that which breeds that which develops/their children

  94    to want for lack of

  96    Hence, bashful cunning away with timid devices/coy artfulness

  99    maid virgin/servant fellow spouse

102    mistress sweetheart

106    As…freedom as slavery embraces freedom

109    thousand i.e., farewells

111    surprised delightfully bewildered/taken unawares    withal by    it my…more nothing could make me rejoice more

114    appertaining relevant to this

Act 3 Scene 2

    1    Tell not me presumably to stop drinking    out finished

    2    bear up stay standing/approach    board ’em get on board/attack (i.e., “drink up”)

    4    brained furnished with a brain/drunk

    6    set drunkenly fixed/glazed (Trinculo plays on the sense of “placed”)

    9    tail may play on the sense of “penis” or “bottom”

  11    recover reach    five…leagues about 100 miles    off and on more or less    standard ensign or flag-bearer (puns on the sense of “person capable of standing”)

  13    list wish

  14    run i.e., away from battle

  15    go walk    lie lie down/deceive

  18    valiant worthy/courageous

  19    case fit state, state of readiness    justle jostle

  20    deboshed debauched, corrupted

  21    monstrous huge/unnatural/befitting a monster

  24    natural simpleton, idiot (plays on the sense of “normal, naturally formed”)

  26    if…tree i.e., you’ll be hanged like a    mutineer

  30    marry by the Virgin Mary (a mild oath)    stand stand still/listen/remain upright

  32    cunning art, skill, craft

  36    tale may pun on “tail,” especially if Trinculo has just kicked Caliban in the backside

  37    supplant uproot (plays on the sense of “usurp”)

  39    Mum be quiet

  43    this thing i.e., Trinculo

  46    compassed accomplished

  47    party person in question

  48    yield him thee deliver him to you

  51    pied multicolored (refers to a jester’s clothing)    patch fool/clown/rogue

  55    freshes freshwater streams

  57    turn…o’doors banish any feelings of mercy    stockfish dried cod; Stephano threatens to beat Trinculo as fish is beaten before cooking; he may also imply that he will take Trinculo’s drink away

  62    give…lie accuse me of lying/insult me

  64    murrain plague (literally, disease affecting cattle and sheep)

  67    forward go on

  68    enough thoroughly

  72    brain murder, dash out his brains

  74    paunch stab in the stomach

  75    weasand windpipe

  77    sot idiot/drunkard

  79    rootedly deep-seatedly

  80    utensils instruments of magic or alchemy/household goods

  81    deck withal decorate/furnish with

  84    nonpareil unsurpassed, one without equal

  89    become befit/grace

  90    brood offspring

  92    ’save our graces God save us    viceroys deputy rulers

102    jocund joyful    troll sing merrily    catch musical round

103    while-ere a while ago

104    reason anything within reason

106    flout…’em insult them and mock them    tabor small drum

111    picture of Nobody i.e., someone invisible

113    take’t…list take it as you will/do as you wish

120    twangling resonant/twanging

130    by and by soon/immediately    story scheme

133    this taborer drummer (i.e., Ariel)    lays it on i.e., bangs the drum with energy

Act 3 Scene 3

    1    By’r lakin by our Ladykin (i.e., the Virgin Mary)

    2    maze network of tracks, labyrinth

    3    forth-rights and meanders straight and winding paths

    6    attached seized

    8    put off cast off

    9    for my flatterer to be my indulgent, flattering courtier

  11    frustrate fruitless/frustrated

  13    for because of    repulse setback    forgo give up

  17    oppressed worn down    travail labor/traveling

  23    keepers protecting spirits

  24    drollery puppet show/comic entertainment/humorous picture

  26    phoenix mythical Arabian bird that was consumed by fire every 500 years, then resurrected from the ashes

  29    want credit lack credibility

  35    certes certainly

  36    monstrous unnatural/unusual

  38    generation race

  43    muse wonder at

  47    Praise in departing keep your praise until the occasion is over (proverbial)

  48    strangely surprisingly/unnaturally

  50    viands food    stomachs appetites

  54    mountaineers mountain dwellers

  55    Dewlapped with folds of loose skin around the throat

  56    Wallets sagging bags

  58    putter-out…one brokers offered the traveler five times an initial sum deposited if he returned safely from his journey with proof that he had reached his destination    putter-out broker/traveler

  60    stand to come forward/begin eating

  61    Although even if (it is to be)    harpy mythical monster with a woman’s face and body and a bird’s wings and claws; sometimes agents of divine vengeance    quaint device ingenious mechanism/contrivance

  65    to instrument at its disposal/as its agent    lower world i.e., the sublunar, mortal world

  66    never-surfeited never satisfied, hungry

  70    suchlike valour insane fearlessness

  71    proper selves themselves

  72    elements…tempered i.e., fire and earth from which your swords are forged (tempered); these two elements are powerless against the other two (winds and    waters)

  74    bemocked-at scorned

  75    still-closing waters ever-united/self-healing

  76    dowl small feather    plume plumage

  77    like equally

  78    massy heavy

  80    business purpose

  82    requit repaid/avenged

  88    perdition ruin (with connotations of “damnation”)

  90    whose…ensuing i.e., to guard yourselves from the anger of the powers, which will otherwise befall you on this deserted island, you must live a faultless life of profound repentance    mocks and mows jeering expressions/grimaces and pouts

  95    devouring all-consuming (or possibly Ariel has eaten part of the banquet)

  96    bated omitted

  97    So likewise    good life great realism/much liveliness

  98    observation strange particular, careful attention    meaner lower ranking

  99    several kinds various/individual roles    high elevated, sophisticated, powerful

100    knit up tied up, entangled

101    distractions agitation, temporary madness

102    fits attacks, turmoil

108    billows great waves

111    bass pronounce in a deep, resonant voice    trespass wrong, crime

112    ooze muddy sand on the seabed

113    plummet instrument used to measure the depth of water    sounded sank

114    mudded buried in mud

115    But…o’er as long as they come one at a time I’ll fight whole armies of devilish spirits

117    second supporter/backup fighter in a duel

120    spirits faculties, vital powers

122    ecstasy frenzy

Act 4 Scene 1

    1    austerely severely

    2    compensation i.e., Miranda

    3    third i.e., a very important part (possibly Miranda is a third of Prospero’s age; or she shares his    life with his dukedom and his art)

    5    tender offer/betroth    vexations afflictions

    7    strangely admirably, exceptionally

    8    ratify formally approve

    9    her of of her

  11    halt proceed lamely

  12    gainst even in the face of

  14    purchased obtained/won

  16    sanctimonious holy

  18    sweet aspersion fragrant shower

  20    bestrew cover

  21    loathly loathsome

  23    Hymen in Greek and Roman mythology, the god of marriage (represented by a young man carrying a    lamp)

  25    fair issue beautiful children

  27    strong’st…can most powerful temptation/influence that our bad angel (worser genius) can exert on us

  31    or either    Phoebus the sun god, whose horse-drawn chariot carried the sun across the heavens    foundered lame

  39    rabble i.e., crowd of more lowly spirits

  43    vanity trifling/dazzling display

  45    presently immediately

  46    with a twink in the wink of an eye

  50    mop and mow grimace and pout

  54    conceive understand

  55    true faithful    dalliance frivolity, amorous conversation

  57    th’fire i’th’blood passion, lust

  58    goodnight farewell to

  61    liver thought to be the seat of sexual desire

  63    a corollary an extra (spirit)

  64    pertly briskly    Iris rainbow goddess and messenger of the gods

  66    Ceres goddess of the harvest and the earth    leas fields

  67    vetches coarse crops, often dried for animal feed

  68    turfy grassy

  69    meads meadows    thatched with stover covered with hay, winter animal feed

  70    pionèd…brims alluding to the agrarian practice of cutting and laying hedges to border or enclose pasture    pionèd dug, trenched    twillèd interwoven, plaited branches    brims hedges, borders

  71    spongy rainy, damp    hest command    betrims trims with dew or rain/adorns with blossom

  72    cold modest, chaste    crowns coronets of flowers    broom-groves groves of broom (a yellow-flowered shrub)

  73    dismissèd rejected

  74    lass-lorn forsaken, bereft of a sweetheart    poll-clipped pollarded, pruned

  75    sea-marge coast

  76    air take the air    queen o’th’sky i.e., Juno

  77    wat’ry arch rainbow

  78    these i.e., the landscape described above

  80    sport make merry    peacocks the sacred birds of Juno who drew her carriage    amain swiftly

  83    wife of Jupiter Juno, married to the king of the gods

  84    saffron orange-red

  85    Diffusest honey drops scatters sweet rain/dew

  86    bow rainbow

  87    bosky bushy, full of thickets    unshrubbed down bare, undulating hills

  88    proud splendid

  91    donation gift, favor    estate bestow

  94    Venus…son Cupid was son to Venus, goddess of love

  96    means that manner in which    dusky Dis dark Pluto, the rich god of the underworld; aided by Venus and Cupid, he kidnapped Ceres’s daughter Proserpine who was forced to spend half of every year with him

  97    blind boy’s Cupid, god of love, was blind    scandaled disgraceful

  98    forsworn rejected

101    Paphos city in Cyprus, home to the cult of Venus

102    Dove-drawn doves, the birds of love, pull Venus’s chariot

103    wanton mischievous/lascivious

104    bed-right i.e., sex

105    Hymen’s…lighted symbolizing the completion of the marriage ceremony

106    Mars’ hot minion i.e., lustful Venus, lover to the god of war

107    waspish-headed peevish, spiteful and, literally, one who stings (with arrows)

108    sparrows proverbially lecherous birds

109    be…out behave in all respects like a boy not a god

111    gait bearing, movement

112    bounteous generous

113    twain couple

116    increasing children/fruitfulness

117    still always

119    foison abundance

120    garners granaries

123    Spring…harvest may spring arrive as soon as the autumn harvest is over (so there is no winter)

128    charmingly enchantingly/melodiously/pleasingly    be bold take the liberty, venture

132    present fancies immediate imaginings/whims

134    wondered to be wondered at, extraordinary

137    seriously importantly/solemnly

140    Naiads water nymphs    windring winding and wandering

141    sedged made from sedge, a coarse grassy plant growing by rivers

142    crisp channels rippling streams

144    temperate gentle/abstemious

145    be…late come quickly/arrive before the couple make love

146    sicklemen harvesters (a sickle is a hooked knife used for reaping)

147    furrow i.e., fields (literally, groove made by a plough)

150    country footing rustic dance    properly habited appropriately clad (i.e., in their harvesting clothes)    heavily slowly, sadly/suddenly

154    Avoid be gone

155    passion agitation, turmoil

158    distempered disturbed, ill-humored

159    movèd sort distressed state

161    revels (courtly) entertainment/masque

162    foretold you told you earlier

164    baseless without a foundation/illusory    fabric building/structure

166    globe world (puns on the Globe theater)

167    all i.e., all those, all the people    it i.e., the    globe

168    pageant spectacle/scene

169    rack shred of cloud, fragment of mist (perhaps with play on “wrack”—i.e., wreck)

171    rounded completed/surrounded (perhaps with play on “crowned”)

174    cell humble dwelling

178    with a thought quickly, as swiftly as I think of you

179    cleave to adhere to, respond rapidly to

184    varlets rogues

185    red-hot fired up/red in the face

186    smote struck

188    bending turning, proceeding

190    unbacked colts untrained, unbroken young horses

191    Advanced opened

192    As as if

193    lowing mooing

194    Toothed prickly    briars…thorns all types of thorny, coarse shrubs

196    filthy-mantled covered with scum or rotting weeds

197    that so that    lake…feet i.e., being stirred up, the lake stank even more foully than their feet

200    Thy…still i.e., remain invisible

201    trumpery fancy garments, worthless finery

202    stale bait

206    Humanely as a human/benevolently    lost wasted on him/corrupted by him

208    cankers decays, becomes malignant

209    roaring moaning, wailing    line clothes-line/lind (i.e., lime tree)    glistering glittering

210    that so that even

212    fairy i.e., Ariel

213    played…with tricked/played the knave

218    lost ruined, destitute

221    hoodwink this mischance cover up this misfortune

228    fetch off retrieve    o’er ears up to my ears (in the stinking lake)

231    mischief evil, wrongdoing

233    aye ever

235    King…peer allusion to a popular ballad (“King Stephen was a worthy peer”) about kings and their clothing

238    frippery secondhand clothes shop

241    dropsy disease in which the body accumulates fluid

242    luggage trappings, encumbrances

245    Make…stuff transform we ourselves into extraordinary material

246    Mistress line i.e., the clothesline/tree    jerkin close-fitting jacket

247    under the line off the clothesline or tree/at the equator, or metaphorically, genitals, and thus    bald from either a sailor’s fever or syphilis    hair many jerkins were made from animal fur and cured (i.e., “hairless”) leather

249    line and level methodically    an’t like if it please

252    pass of pate witty thrust

253    lime birdlime, a sticky substance spread on branches to snare birds

255    barnacles sea creatures/type of goose (hence connotations of stupidity, as with apes)

256    villainous villainously/vilely (playing on “villain,” a servant or lowly person)

257    lay to your use    hogshead large cask    diverse various

261    Mountain…Tyrant the names of the spirits as hounds, all of which imply their powerful personalities

264    grind torment/crush

265    dry convulsions painful cramps    shorten up contract

266    agèd cramps pains of old age    pinch-spotted bruised from pinches

267    pard leopard/panther    cat o’mountain wild cat

272    air at freedom freedom of the air (i.e., be released)    a little short time

Act 5 Scene 1

    1    project plan (with associations of “alchemical experiment”)    gather…head come to fruition/begin to boil (a vital stage in alchemy)

    2    crack not do not fail/do not overboil    Time…carriage Time walks more easily with his burden

    3    How’s the day? What time is it?

  10    gave in charge instructed

  12    line-grove grove of lime trees    weather-fends shelters

  14    abide remain    distracted distressed/maddened

  17    termed called

  18    winter’s…reeds winter rain from thatched roofs

  20    affections feelings

  27    relish…Passion feel the force of emotion/suffering as acutely

  28    kindlier moved affected with more compassion

  29    high extreme    th’quick most tender part

  31    take part join forces    rarer more unusual/profound

  32    than rather than

  33    drift aim

  38    standing still/stagnant

  39    with printless foot leaving no trace

  40    fly flee

  41    demi-puppets tiny creatures

  42    sour ringlets fairy rings, darker circles of grass supposedly caused by fairies dancing

  43    ewe not bites sheep will not eat the grass because it is sour

  44    midnight mushrooms mushrooms that grow overnight; toadstools were particularly associated with fairies

  45    solemn curfew nine o’clock bell; after the evening curfew, the spirits were free until dawn

  46    masters ministers/magicians    bedimmed eclipsed/clouded over

  48    azured vault blue sky

  49    roaring war i.e., caused a storm

  50    fire i.e., lightning    rifted split    oak a tree particularly associated with the king of the gods

  51    strong-based promontory sturdy headland

  52    spurs i.e., roots

  54    oped opened

  55    rough violent/imperfect

  56    abjure solemnly reject    required summoned

  58    end purpose

  60    certain a certain number of    fathoms a fathom was about six feet

  61    plummet instrument used to measure the depth of water    sound penetrate    frantic mad

  63    air melody

  64    fancy imagination

  65    boil that boil

  66    spell-stopped motionless, arrested by the spell

  68    sociable sympathetic    show sight (Gonzalo is weeping)

  69    Fall fellowly let fall compassionate    apace swiftly

  71    rising awakening

  72    ignorant dull/befuddled    mantle cloak

  74    true honest

  75    follow’st serve    pay…Home repay the debt in full

  78    furtherer enabler

  80    entertain court/welcome

  81    remorse and nature pity and kinship

  82    inward pinches inner turmoil/tortures of conscience

  85    the…shore i.e., their awakening senses begin to move them toward understanding

  89    hat and    rapier signs of a gentleman    rapier sword

  90    discase undress/change costume

  91    As…Milan as I looked when I was Duke of Milan

  94    cowslip’s bell the bell-shaped petals that form the flower

  95    couch rest/conceal myself

105    enforce urge/drive

106    presently immediately

107    drink the air i.e., devour the way, travel quickly

108    Or ere before

111    fearful terrifying/awe-inspiring

119    trifle illusion, trick    abuse deceive/harm

122    amends improves

124    be at all is even real

125    Thy…resign Alonso gives up his claims over Milan, a tributary state to Naples

131    be…not is or is not real

134    subtleties illusions, magical contrivances (plays on sense of “sugar confections”)

136    brace pair

138    you you as

144    rankest most grievous

145    perforce of necessity

153    woe sorry

158    the like asimilar    sovereign excellent/healing

159    content satisfied/resigned

161    as late recent    supportable…weaker I have far fewer means at my disposal with which to make my grief bearable

167    That i.e., were it necessary in order for that to be the case

171    do…admire are so astonished

172    devour their reason their reason is consumed    think…truth believe their eyes

173    their…breath they are speechless

175    justled jostled

179    on’t of it

180    chronicle…day a narrative to be told over many days/one day at a time

181    relation report

184    abroad elsewhere

186    requite repay/respond to

187    wonder puns on Miranda’s name

189    play me false are cheating

192    a score twenty    wrangle wage war

197    miracle continues wordplay on Miranda’s name

201    compass encircle

204    goodly splendid, worthy

209    eld’st oldest, longest

215    one i.e., a living father

217    renown report/honor

221    hers i.e., her father (in-law)

226    heaviness grief/weight

227    inly inwardly

230    chalked forth marked out

233    Milan…Milan i.e., the Duke of Milan (Prospero)…the dukedom

243    still always    his heart the heart of anyone who

248    blasphemy…shore i.e., the Boatswain, who curses freely on his ship, is uncharacteristically silent

253    glasses hourglasses (i.e., three hours)    gave out reported

254    tight and yare efficient and seaworthy

258    tricksy cleverly playful

263    clapped under hatches shut up below deck

264    several various

267    at liberty i.e., released from below deck

268    trim finery/clothes

270    Cap’ring leaping/dancing    On a trice instantly

272    moping dazed, bewildered

277    conduct guide/director

280    beating dwelling

281    picked leisure a chosen moment of free time

282    be shortly single soon be undivided (referring to leisure)

283    Which…probable in a manner that will convince you

284    happened accidents events that have taken place

285    well easily/cheerfully

290    shift look out for

291    fortune chance, fate    Coraggio “have courage” (Italian)    bully gallant/my old mate

292    spies i.e., eyes

299    like likely    One…fish presumably Caliban

301    badges livery

302    true legitimate/honest

305    And…power could adopt some of the moon’s power without its authority/could operate beyond the reach of the moon’s power

307    bastard illegitimate/hybrid

314    reeling ripe drunk and staggering

315    gilded flushed/enlivened

316    pickle trouble/inebriation/state of being preserved in liquor

317    will…bones (the alcohol) will never leave my body

318    fly-blowing decay (the blowfly lays eggs in dead flesh)

320    cramp i.e., doubled-up from either the pinches of Ariel’s torment or drunkenness

321    sirrah sir (contemptuous)

322    sore aching/dreadful

324    manners behavior/moral conduct

327    trim it handsomely adorn the cell beautifully

329    grace mercy, direction    thrice-double sixfold (three times two)

337    waste pass away

340    accidents events

344    solemnized marked with ceremony

346    Every third thought i.e., I will frequently meditate on death, as a good Christian should

349    Take…strangely be an extraordinary, captivating thing to hear

352    expeditious swift    catch catch up with

355    draw near probably an invitation to the others to approach his cell, but the phrase also means “attend,” thus preparing the audience for the epilogue

356    charms…o’erthrown my magic is relinquished (o’erthrown plays on the sense of “usurped”)

359    you the audience

364    bands bonds

365    hands i.e., in applause

366    Gentle breath kind words/cries of approval

368    want lack

371    prayer approbation and forgiveness

372    pierces…assaults penetrates so deeply that it moves

375    indulgence approval (playing on the Catholic sense of “official release from sin”)

THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA

The Two Gentlemen of Verona is one of Shakespeare’s early plays, perhaps even his first. We do not know exactly when it was written or first performed, but its stylistic and dramatic features distinguish it as early work: a small cast, a preponderance of end-stopped verse lines, a degree of simplicity in both language and characterization. Though the play has the relative superficiality of youth, it also has the virtues of that time of life: freshness, energy, pace, wholeheartedness, a desire to get to the point and to speak its mind. It is about the things that matter most urgently to young people: themselves, their friendships, and their love affairs. It makes its drama out of the conflicts between these things: how can you be simultaneously true to yourself, to your best friend, and to the object of your sexual desire? Especially if the person you’ve fallen in love with happens to be your best friend’s girlfriend.

In all sorts of ways, The Two Gentlemen is a prototype for later Shakespearean developments. The cross-dressed heroine recurs in the more renowned comedies of the late 1590s and early 1600s. The outlaw scenes introduce a movement out from “civil” society into a “wilderness” or green world, where surprising developments take place, anticipating the enchanted wood of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and the forest of Arden in As You Like It. The soliloquies of Proteus, meanwhile, offer an early example of a Shakespearean character undergoing a crisis of personal identity, of consciousness—already we are moving into the territory that will be taken in very different (and of course much more complex) directions in the self-communion of Richard III, Richard II, and eventually Hamlet.

The play begins by establishing the friendship between the two gentlemen. Valentine’s name suggests the patron saint of lovers in the Christian tradition, while that of Proteus evokes the shape-changing god of the classical tradition. The names are enough to suggest that Valentine will be the constant lover, Proteus the fickle one. Initially, though, Valentine is associated with the pursuit of “honor” rather than sexual desire. He intends to seek his fortune in the city of Milan instead of “living dully sluggardized at home.” His plan would immediately have pricked the interest of many members of the play’s original London audience, who would themselves have made the journey from the provinces to the capital—as indeed Shakespeare had done himself not long before writing the play.

Proteus, meanwhile, has undergone a psychological rather than a physical journey: he has left himself, his friends, and all, for love. His desire for Julia has “metamorphosed” him and made him neglect his studies, waste his time, and go to “war with good counsel.” The didactic literature of the age was full of admonitions against such self-abuse. Young gentlemen were supposed to study the arts of good behavior and good citizenship, not to be distracted by affairs of the heart and effeminizing influences. Stage plays came into the latter category, which partially accounts for the antitheatrical diatribes of Elizabethan “puritans.”

The opening also establishes oppositions between generations and genders. Shakespeare then sets up a dialogue across the barrier of class by means of witty banter between master and servant. Valentine’s servant Speed is there to anatomize the characteristics of the mooning courtly lover: he observes his master folding his arms like a melancholy malcontent, relishing love songs, walking alone, sighing like a schoolboy who knows he’s going to be in trouble for losing his spelling book, weeping, speaking in a whining voice, and rejecting food like someone on a diet. Much as the play celebrates the transforming energies of young love—and indeed engages with its destructive potential—it also mocks the courtly idiom of love-language, not least through the contrast between the artificial poeticisms of the genteel characters and the robust prose voice of their servants.

The name Speed suggests the quickness of wit that is confirmed by this servant’s linguistic facility and awareness of the gentlemen’s foibles. He always seems to be one step ahead of Valentine, anticipating what his master’s going to do next in an aside shared with the audience. Proteus’s servant Lance also has a name that suggests mental sharpness: Shakespeare himself was often praised by his contemporaries for having a wit that was as sharp as the spear in his name. Ironically, though, Lance’s way of proceeding is anything but pointed: his role is that of the clown for whom everything goes wrong and who confuses his words (“the prodigious son” for the prodigal son, “a notable lover” misheard as “a notable lubber”). When he tries to use his shoe, his staff, his hat, and his dog to act out the scene of his farewell from his family, he gets into a terrible tangle. The joke is that this should be asa result of the unpredictability of the live dog on stage, but actually it is due to Lance’s own incompetence. At the end of the fourth act, Lance has a second two-hander with his dog, a riff on the theme of a servant’s obedience to his master. As Lance makes a mess of the demands of Proteus, so Crab fails to do the will of Lance: “Did not I bid thee still mark me, and do as I do? When didst thou see me heave up my leg and make water against a gentlewoman’s farthingale?”

While Speed mocks Valentine’s transformation into a lover, Lance succumbs to desire in the manner of his master. He falls in love with a milkmaid, the unseen prototype of the hoyden character-type that will be incarnated in the fat kitchen maid of The Comedy of Errors and As You Like It’s goatherd Audrey. Lance’s catalog of the milkmaid’s down-to-earth virtues and vices parodies the courtly lover’s enumeration of the beauties of his mistress.

Silvia is the beautiful lady of courtly romance, the object of men’s devoted gaze and fantastic desire, a woman on a pedestal who reveals little of her inner life. Julia, by contrast, wears her heart upon her sleeve as she moves from domesticity to danger when she sets off in pursuit of Proteus. Her decision to do so reveals the sexual double standard that was pervasive in Shakespeare’s time: whereas a young man is condemned for sluggardizing at home, a young woman risks being made the object of scandal by setting out from home.

One of Shakespeare’s favorite techniques was the dramatically ironic counterpointing of scenes: we see Julia proving her love for Proteus by setting off on her dangerous journey immediately after we have seen Proteus renouncing his love for Julia because he has been smitten by the sight of Silvia. The scene when Valentine introduces his best friend to the girl he has fallen in love with is brief but very subtly written. It turns on the correspondence between the language of courtesy and that of courtship. Valentine asks Silvia to welcome Proteus “with some special favour” and to “entertain him” in her service. What he means is “please treat my friend with respect,” but since in the courtly idiom the language of service is synonymous with that of love, Proteus is given an opening to project himself into the role of a rival lover—when Silvia modestly refers to herself as a “worthless mistress” he responds by saying that he would fight to the death anyone else who described her thus. In a sense, the crux of the play lies in the double meaning of the word “mistress.”

Proteus explores his own transformation in two soliloquies that come in rapid succession. In the first, he introduces the image of his love for Julia as akin to a wax image melted to oblivion by the heat of his new desire for Silvia. At the same time, he recognizes that what he has fallen in love with is merely a “picture,” the outer image of her beauty. The play begins to probe more deeply into the nature of love when in later scenes a series of questions are asked about the relationship between the “shadow” of surface beauty and the “substance” or “essence” of personality within. In parallel with this motif, the action develops the concerns of Proteus’s second major soliloquy: making and breaking vows, finding and losing selves, and the conflict between “sweet-suggesting love” and “the law of friendship.” “In love,” Proteus asks at the play’s crisis point, “Who respects friend?”

Prior to the last few years of Shakespeare’s career, his plays were performed without an interval. Despite this, there is often a perceptible change in the action at the beginning of the fourth act. The plot has been wound to the full, so now the unwinding begins. Here the turning point is marked by the movement away from court and city to a wood peopled by some rather genteel outlaws. One of them swears “By the bare scalp of Robin Hood’s fat friar” and it is the jolly camaraderie of the Merry Men, stripped of the old story’s violence and political edge, that is evoked by these outlaws.

Desire feeds itself on rejection. The more Silvia spurns Proteus, the more he desires her. By the same account, the more he spurns Julia, the more she dotes on him. In the play’s richest sequence, music is introduced to establish a nocturnal setting in which Proteus displaces Turio and woos Silvia at her window, not knowing that he is overheard by Julia in her pageboy disguise: this is her dark night of the soul. But then in a bold and very Shakespearean twist, when Proteus confronts the disguised Julia face to face he takes rather a fancy to her boy-self: “Sebastian is thy name? I like thee well, / And will employ thee in some service presently.” The words “employ” and “service” maintain the punning on the shared language of domestic obligation and sexual engagement. Anticipating Viola in Twelfth Night, Julia finds herself in the painful position of being “servant” to the man whose “mistress” she really wants to be. Hitherto Proteus has regarded Julia as nothing more than a decorative blonde. Now that he thinks she is Sebastian, he unwittingly begins to intuit her inner qualities.

At this point, the play reaches its highest point of sophistication and self-conscious artfulness. The audience is offered two images: a portrait of Silvia and a description of Sebastian, dressed in Julia’s clothes, playing the part of a rejected lover, Ariadne deserted by Theseus in a famous story from classical mythology. The contrast between the two images effectively turns the scene into a Shakespearean claim for the superiority not only of the player’s art to the portrait painter’s but also of his own dramatization of love to the static vision of courtly romance. The painting, like the lady of romance, is but a “senseless form” to be “worshipped, kissed, loved, and adored.” The actor, by contrast, can evoke the real pain of passion so convincingly (“so lively acted”) that the audience may be moved to tears. No one is better than Proteus at expressing eternal adoration in the artful language—all sighs and poetic hyperbole—of the courtly lover, but his fickleness reveals the essential insincerity of the code. Paradoxically, it is the play-actor who is truly sincere: “Sebastian” is really Julia, passioning not for Theseus’s but for Proteus’s perjury and unjust flight.

Painters can achieve tricks of the eye—perspectival illusions of depth, anamorphic representations that vary in appearance according to where the viewer stands—but the theatrical imagination can do much more: the imagined performance of Sebastian as Ariadne is mapped on to the achieved performance of both Julia as Sebastian in the world of the play and the boy-actor as Julia on the stage where the drama was first brought to life. Throughout his career, Shakespeare will return to such complex layered effects of illusion and reality, in accordance with his core belief that we are all players in the great theater of the world.

Having gone emotionally deep in the fourth act, Shakespeare speeds toward a conventional comic conclusion in the fifth. The forest of the jolly outlaws is his device for doing so. It is not a psychologically complex environment like the wood in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Rather, it is a place where the polished veneer of civil society is stripped away, allowing people to act impulsively on their desires. Psychological consistency is not the point here: one moment Proteus is threatening to rape Silvia, the next Valentine is seeking to demonstrate that he values gentlemanly friendship above erotic desire by offering Silvia to Proteus. We do get the ending we expect and desire, but the abruptness with which it comes about is a sign of impatience or immaturity on Shakespeare’s part—but then again, his mind was so restlessly inventive that he never really cared for endings.

KEY FACTS

PLOT: Valentine sets off from Verona for Milan to see the world. Proteus stays at home because of his love for Julia. She is in love with him, but neither knows of the other’s love until Lucetta shows Julia a love letter from Proteus. He is reading her reply when his father, Antonio, informs him of his decision to send him to the duke’s court to join Valentine. The lovers take their leave and swear eternal constancy. In Milan, Proteus finds that Valentine has fallen in love with Silvia, the duke’s daughter, and plans to elope with her to foil her father’s plan to marry her to Turio. Valentine confides his plan to his friend but Proteus, infatuated with Silvia at first sight, betrays the plan to the duke and Valentine is banished from Milan. In the wilderness he encounters a band of outlaws and is elected their leader. Meanwhile Julia, disguised as Sebastian, has come to Milan in search of Proteus. Overhearing him declare his passion for Silvia, she is devastated but, under cover of her disguise, enters his service as a page. When Proteus sends her with a message to Silvia, Julia is encouraged to find that his advances are again rejected and that Silvia remains faithful to Valentine. Silvia escapes into the forest to join Valentine. The duke and Turio set out in pursuit, followed by Proteus and Julia. Silvia is captured by the outlaws but then rescued by Proteus, who, seeing that she still spurns him, tries to force himself on her. Valentine intervenes and Proteus is forced to confront his act of betrayal. Julia reveals her identity and a reconciliation begins.

MAJOR PARTS: (with number of speeches/scenes on stage) Proteus (20%/147/11), Valentine (17%/149/6), Julia (14%/107/7), Speed (9%/117/6), Lance (9%/68/4), Duke (9%/48/5), Silvia (7%/58/6), Lucetta (3%/48/2), Turio (3%/36/5).

LINGUISTIC MEDIUM: 80% verse, 20% prose. High frequency of rhyme.

DATE: Early 1590s. Mentioned by Francis Meres in 1598. Presumed on stylistic grounds to be one of the earliest plays, but no firm evidence for any particular year.

SOURCES: Main plot based on a story in Jorge de Montemayor, Diana Enamorada (originally in Spanish—English translation by Bartholomew Yong published 1598, but circulated in manuscript several years earlier); plot may be mediated via a lost Queen’s Men play of the 1580s, Felix and Feliomena. Other literary influences seem to include Arthur Brooke, Romeus and Juliet (1562), and John Lyly, Euphues (1578), and perhaps Midas (ca. 1589).

TEXT: First Folio of 1623 is the only early printed text. Based on a transcript by Ralph Crane, professional scribe working for the King’s Men. Generally good quality of printing.

THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA

SPEED, a clownish servant to Valentine

LANCE, the like to Proteus

DUKE OF MILAN, father to Silvia

SILVIA, beloved of Valentine

EGLAMOUR, agent for Silvia in her escape

ANTONIO, father to Proteus

PANTINO, servant to Antonio

TURIO, a foolish rival to Valentine

JULIA, beloved of Proteus

LUCETTA, waiting-woman to Julia

HOST, where Julia lodges

OUTLAWS, with Valentine

Servants, Musicians, Lance’s dog Crab

Act 1 Scene 11.1

running scene 1

       Enter Valentine [and] Proteus

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Cease to persuade, my loving Proteus:

               Home-keeping youth have ever homely² wits.

               Were’t not affection³ chains thy tender days

               To the sweet glances of thy honoured love,

5

5             I rather would entreat thy company

               To see the wonders of the world abroad,

               Than — living dully sluggardized⁷ at home —

               Wear out thy youth with shapeless⁸ idleness.

               But since thou lov’st, love still,⁹ and thrive therein,

10

10           Even as I would, when I to love begin.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Wilt thou be gone? Sweet Valentine, adieu.

               Think on thy Proteus, when thou haply¹² see’st

               Some rare noteworthy object in thy travel.

               Wish me partaker in thy happiness

15

15           When thou dost meet good hap:¹⁵ and in thy danger —

               If ever danger do environ¹⁶ thee —

               Commend thy grievance¹⁷ to my holy prayers,

               For I will be thy beadsman,¹⁸ Valentine.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     And on a love-book¹⁹ pray for my success?

20

20   

PROTEUS

PROTEUS           Upon some book I love, I’ll pray for thee.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     That’s on some shallow story of deep love:

               How young Leander²² crossed the Hellespont.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     That’s a deep story, of a deeper love,

               For he was more than over-shoes in love.²⁴

25

25   

VALENTINE

VALENTINE           ’Tis true: for you are over-boots in love,

               And yet you never swam the Hellespont.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Over the boots? Nay, give²⁷ me not the boots.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     No, I will not, for it boots²⁸ thee not.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     What?

30

30   

VALENTINE

VALENTINE           To be in love, where scorn is bought with groans:

               Coy³¹ looks with heart-sore sighs, one fading moment’s mirth,

               With twenty watchful,³² weary, tedious nights;

               If haply won, perhaps a hapless³³ gain,

               If³⁴ lost, why then a grievous labour won;

35

35           However,³⁵ but a folly bought with wit,

               Or else a wit by folly vanquishèd.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     So, by your circumstance,³⁷ you call me fool.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     So, by your circumstance,³⁸ I fear you’ll prove.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     ’Tis Love you cavil³⁹ at: I am not Love.

40

40   

VALENTINE

VALENTINE           Love is your master, for he masters you:

               And he that is so yokèd⁴¹ by a fool,

               Methinks should not be chronicled for⁴² wise.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Yet writers say: as in the sweetest bud

               The eating canker⁴⁴ dwells, so eating love

45

45           Inhabits in the finest wits of all.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     And writers say: as the most forward⁴⁶ bud

               Is eaten by the canker ere it blow,⁴⁷

               Even so by love, the young and tender wit

               Is turned to folly, blasting⁴⁹ in the bud,

50

50           Losing his verdure,⁵⁰ even in the prime,

               And all the fair effects⁵¹ of future hopes.

               But wherefore⁵² waste I time to counsel thee

               That art a votary⁵³ to fond desire?

               Once more, adieu. My father at the road⁵⁴

55

55           Expects my coming, there to see me shipped.⁵⁵

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     And thither will I bring thee, Valentine.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Sweet Proteus, no: now let us take our leave.

               To Milan⁵⁸ let me hear from thee by letters

               Of thy success⁵⁹ in love, and what news else

60

60           Betideth⁶⁰ here in absence of thy friend:

               And I likewise will visit thee with mine.⁶¹

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     All happiness bechance⁶² to thee in Milan.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     As much to you at home: and so, farewell.

       Exit

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     He after honour hunts, I after love;

65

65           He leaves his friends to dignify⁶⁵ them more;

               I leave⁶⁶ myself, my friends and all, for love.

               Thou, Julia,⁶⁷ thou hast metamorphosed me:

               Made me neglect my studies, lose my time,

               War⁶⁹ with good counsel, set the world at nought;

70

70           Made wit with musing⁷⁰ weak, heart sick with thought.

       [Enter Speed]

SPEED

SPEED     Sir Proteus, ’save you.⁷¹ Saw you my master?

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     But⁷² now he parted hence to embark for Milan.

SPEED

SPEED     Twenty to one then, he is shipped already,

               And I have played the sheep⁷⁴ in losing him.

75

75   

PROTEUS

PROTEUS           Indeed, a sheep doth very often stray,

               An if⁷⁶ the shepherd be awhile away.

SPEED

SPEED     You conclude that my master is a shepherd, then, and I a sheep?

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     I do.

SPEED

SPEED     Why then, my⁷⁹ horns are his horns, whether I wake or sleep.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     A silly answer, and fitting well a sheep.

SPEED

SPEED     This proves me still a sheep.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     True: and thy master a shepherd.

SPEED

SPEED     Nay, that I can deny by a circumstance.⁸³

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     It⁸⁴ shall go hard but I’ll prove it by another.

SPEED

SPEED     The shepherd seeks the sheep, and not the sheep the shepherd; but I seek my master, and my master seeks not me. Therefore I am no sheep.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     The sheep for fodder⁸⁷ follow the shepherd, the shepherd for food follows not the sheep: thou for wages followest thy master, thy master for wages follows not thee. Therefore thou art a sheep.

SPEED

SPEED     Such another proof will make me cry ‘baa⁹⁰’.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     But dost thou hear? Gav’st thou my letter to Julia?

SPEED

SPEED     Ay, sir: I, a lost-mutton,⁹² gave your letter to her, a laced-mutton, and she, a laced-mutton, gave me, a lost-mutton, nothing for my labour.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Here’s too small a pasture for such store⁹⁴ of muttons.

SPEED

SPEED     If the ground be overcharged,⁹⁵ you were best stick her.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Nay, in that you are astray:⁹⁶ ’twere best pound you.

SPEED

SPEED     Nay, sir, less than a pound⁹⁷ shall serve me for carrying your letter.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     You mistake: I mean the pound — a pinfold.⁹⁸

SPEED

SPEED     From a pound to a pin?⁹⁹ Fold it over and over, ’tis threefold too little for carrying a letter to your lover.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     But what said she?

SPEED

SPEED     Ay. Nods his head

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Nod — ay — why, that’s ‘noddy’.¹⁰³

SPEED

SPEED     You mistook, sir: I say she did nod, and you ask me if she did nod, and I say ‘ay’.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     And that set together is noddy.

SPEED

SPEED     Now you have taken the pains to set it together, take¹⁰⁷ it for your pains.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     No, no, you shall have it for bearing the letter.

SPEED

SPEED     Well, I perceive I must be fain to bear¹⁰⁹ with you.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Why sir, how do you bear with me?

SPEED

SPEED     Marry,¹¹¹ sir, the letter, very orderly, having nothing but the word ‘noddy’ for my pains.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Beshrew¹¹³ me, but you have a quick wit.

SPEED

SPEED     And yet it cannot overtake your slow purse.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Come come, open the matter¹¹⁵ in brief: what said she?

SPEED

SPEED     Open your purse, that the money and the matter may be both at once delivered.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Well, sir: here is for your pains. What said she? Gives a coin

SPEED

SPEED     Truly, sir, I think you’ll hardly¹¹⁹ win her. Examines coin, with contempt

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Why? Couldst thou perceive¹²⁰ so much from her?

SPEED

SPEED     Sir, I could perceive¹²¹ nothing at all from her; no, not so much as a ducat for delivering your letter. And being so hard to me that brought your mind,¹²² I fear she’ll prove as hard to you in¹²³ telling your mind. Give her no token but stones, for she’s as hard as steel.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     What said she, nothing?

SPEED

SPEED     No, not so much as ‘Take this for thy pains.’ To testify your bounty,¹²⁶ I thank you, you have testerned me;¹²⁷ in requital whereof, henceforth carry your letters yourself. And so, sir, I’ll commend¹²⁸ you to my master.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Go, go, be gone, to save your ship from wreck,

       [Exit Speed]

130

130         Which cannot perish having thee aboard,

               Being destined to a drier death¹³¹ on shore.

               I must go send some better messenger:

               I fear my Julia would not deign my lines,¹³³

               Receiving them from such a worthless post.¹³⁴

       Exit

Act 1 Scene 21.2

running scene 2

       Enter Julia and Lucetta

JULIA

JULIA     But say, Lucetta — now we are alone —

               Wouldst thou then counsel me to fall in love?

LUCETTA

LUCETTA     Ay, madam, so³ you stumble not unheedfully.

JULIA

JULIA     Of all the fair resort⁴ of gentlemen

5

5             That every day with parle⁵ encounter me,

               In thy opinion, which is worthiest love?

LUCETTA

LUCETTA     Please you repeat their names, I’ll show my mind,

               According to my shallow simple skill.

JULIA

JULIA     What think’st thou of the fair Sir Eglamour?⁹

10

10   

LUCETTA

LUCETTA           As of a knight well-spoken, neat¹⁰ and fine;

               But, were I you, he never should be mine.

JULIA

JULIA     What think’st thou of the rich Mercatio?¹²

LUCETTA

LUCETTA     Well of his wealth; but of himself, so so.

JULIA

JULIA     What think’st thou of the gentle¹⁴ Proteus?

15

15   

LUCETTA

LUCETTA           Lord, Lord: to see what folly reigns in us!

JULIA

JULIA     How now? What means this passion¹⁶ at his name?

LUCETTA

LUCETTA     Pardon, dear madam: ’tis a passing¹⁷ shame

               That I — unworthy body as I am —

               Should censure¹⁹ thus on lovely gentlemen.

20

20   

JULIA

JULIA           Why not on Proteus, as of all the rest?

LUCETTA

LUCETTA     Then thus: of many good, I think him best.

JULIA

JULIA     Your reason?

LUCETTA

LUCETTA     I have no other, but a woman’s reason:

               I think him so because I think him so.

25

25   

JULIA

JULIA           And wouldst thou have me cast²⁵ my love on him?

LUCETTA

LUCETTA     Ay, if you thought your love not cast away.²⁶

JULIA

JULIA     Why he, of all the rest, hath never moved²⁷ me.

LUCETTA

LUCETTA     Yet he, of all the rest, I think best loves ye.

JULIA

JULIA     His little speaking²⁹ shows his love but small.

30

30   

LUCETTA

LUCETTA           Fire that’s closest kept burns most of all.

JULIA

JULIA     They do not love that do not show their love.

LUCETTA

LUCETTA     O, they love least that let men know their love.

JULIA

JULIA     I would I knew his mind.

LUCETTA

LUCETTA     Peruse this paper, madam. Gives a letter

35

35   

JULIA

JULIA           ‘To Julia’. Say, from whom?

LUCETTA

LUCETTA     That the contents will show.

JULIA

JULIA     Say, say: who gave it thee?

LUCETTA

LUCETTA     Sir Valentine’s page: and sent, I think, from Proteus.

               He would have given it you, but I, being³⁹ in the way,

40

40           Did in your name receive it: pardon the fault, I pray.

JULIA

JULIA     Now, by my modesty, a goodly broker!⁴¹

               Dare you presume to harbour wanton⁴² lines?

               To whisper and conspire against my youth?

               Now trust me, ’tis an office⁴⁴ of great worth,

45

45           And you an officer fit for the place.

               There, take the paper: see it be returned,

               Or else return no more into my sight.

LUCETTA

LUCETTA     To plead for love deserves more fee⁴⁸ than hate.

JULIA

JULIA     Will ye be gone?

50

50   

LUCETTA

LUCETTA           That⁵⁰ you may ruminate.

       Exit

JULIA

JULIA     And yet I would I had o’erlooked⁵¹ the letter;

               It were a shame to call her back again

               And pray her to⁵³ a fault for which I chid her.

               What fool is she, that knows I am a maid,

55

55           And would not force the letter to my view!

               Since maids, in modesty, say ‘no’ to that

               Which they would have⁵⁷ the profferer construe ‘ay’.

               Fie, fie: how wayward⁵⁸ is this foolish love

               That — like a testy⁵⁹ babe — will scratch the nurse

60

60           And presently,⁶⁰ all humbled, kiss the rod!

               How churlishly⁶¹ I chid Lucetta hence,

               When willingly I would have had her here!

               How angerly⁶³ I taught my brow to frown,

               When inward joy enforced my heart to smile!

65

65           My penance is to call Lucetta back

               And ask remission⁶⁶ for my folly past.

               What ho! Lucetta!

       [Enter Lucetta]

LUCETTA

LUCETTA     What would your ladyship?

JULIA

JULIA     Is’t near dinner-time?

70

70   

LUCETTA

LUCETTA           I would it were,

               That you might kill your stomach⁷¹ on your meat

               And not upon your maid. Drops a letter, then picks it up

JULIA

JULIA     What is’t that you took up so gingerly?

LUCETTA

LUCETTA     Nothing.

75

75   

JULIA

JULIA           Why didst thou stoop then?

LUCETTA

LUCETTA     To take a paper up that I let fall.

JULIA

JULIA     And is that paper nothing?

LUCETTA

LUCETTA     Nothing concerning me.

JULIA

JULIA     Then let⁷⁹ it lie for those that it concerns.

80

80   

LUCETTA

LUCETTA           Madam, it will not lie⁸⁰ where it concerns,

               Unless it have a false interpreter.⁸¹

JULIA

JULIA     Some love of yours hath writ to you in rhyme.

LUCETTA

LUCETTA     That⁸³ I might sing it, madam, to a tune.

               Give me a note: your ladyship can set⁸⁴—

85

85   

JULIA

JULIA           As little by such toys⁸⁵ as may be possible.

               Best sing it to the tune of ‘Light o’love’.⁸⁶

LUCETTA

LUCETTA     It is too heavy⁸⁷ for so light a tune.

JULIA

JULIA     Heavy? Belike it hath some burden⁸⁸ then?

LUCETTA

LUCETTA     Ay, and melodious were it, would you sing it.

90

90   

JULIA

JULIA           And why not you?

LUCETTA

LUCETTA     I cannot reach so high.⁹¹

JULIA

JULIA     Let’s see your song. Takes the letter

                                              How now, minion!⁹²

LUCETTA

LUCETTA     Keep tune⁹³ there still, so you will sing it out:

               And yet methinks I do not like this tune.

95

95   

JULIA

JULIA           You do not?

LUCETTA

LUCETTA     No, madam, ’tis too sharp.⁹⁶

JULIA

JULIA     You, minion, are too saucy.

LUCETTA

LUCETTA     Nay, now you are too flat,⁹⁸

               And mar⁹⁹ the concord with too harsh a descant:

100

100         There wanteth but a mean¹⁰⁰ to fill your song.

JULIA

JULIA     The mean is drowned with your unruly bass.¹⁰¹

LUCETTA

LUCETTA     Indeed, I bid the base¹⁰² for Proteus.

JULIA

JULIA     This babble shall not henceforth trouble me.

               Here is a coil with protestation!¹⁰⁴ Tears the letter

105

105         Go, get you gone, and let the papers lie:

               You would be fing’ring¹⁰⁶ them to anger me.

LUCETTA

LUCETTA     She makes it strange,¹⁰⁷ but she would be best pleased

               To be so angered with another letter.

       [Exit]

JULIA

JULIA     Nay, would¹⁰⁹ I were so angered with the same:

110

110         O hateful hands, to tear such loving words;

               Injurious wasps,¹¹¹ to feed on such sweet honey

               And kill the bees that yield it with your stings!

               I’ll kiss each several paper¹¹³ for amends.

               Look, here is writ ‘kind Julia’. Unkind¹¹⁴ Julia, ↓Examining the pieces↓

115

115         As¹¹⁵ in revenge of thy ingratitude,

               I throw thy name against the bruising stones,

               Trampling contemptuously on thy disdain.

               And here is writ ‘love-wounded Proteus’.

               Poor wounded name: my¹¹⁹ bosom as a bed

120

120         Shall lodge thee till thy wound be throughly¹²⁰ healed;

               And thus I search¹²¹ it with a sovereign kiss.

               But twice or thrice was ‘Proteus’ written down.

               Be calm, good wind, blow not a word away

               Till I have found each letter, in the letter,

125

125         Except mine own name: that, some whirlwind bear

               Unto a ragged,¹²⁶ fearful, hanging rock,

               And throw it thence into the raging sea.

               Lo, here in one line is his name twice writ:

               ‘Poor forlorn Proteus, passionate Proteus,

130

130         To the sweet Julia’: that¹³⁰ I’ll tear away:

               And yet I will not, sith¹³¹ so prettily

               He¹³² couples it to his complaining names.

               Thus¹³³ will I fold them, one upon another;

               Now kiss, embrace, contend,¹³⁴ do what you will.

       [Enter Lucetta]

135

135 

LUCETTA

LUCETTA             Madam, dinner is ready, and your father stays.¹³⁵

JULIA

JULIA     Well, let us go.

LUCETTA

LUCETTA     What, shall these papers lie like tell-tales here?

JULIA

JULIA     If you respect¹³⁸ them, best to take them up.

LUCETTA

LUCETTA     Nay, I was taken up¹³⁹ for laying them down.

140

140         Yet here they shall not lie, for¹⁴⁰ catching cold. Picks up the pieces

JULIA

JULIA     I see you have a month’s mind to¹⁴¹ them.

LUCETTA

LUCETTA     Ay, madam, you may say what sights you see;

               I see things too, although you judge I wink.¹⁴³

JULIA

JULIA     Come, come: will’t please you go?

       Exeunt

Act 1 Scene 31.3

running scene 3

       Enter Antonio and Pantino

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Tell me, Pantino, what sad¹ talk was that

               Wherewith my brother held you in the cloister?²

PANTINO

PANTINO     ’Twas of his nephew Proteus, your son.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Why? What of him?

5

5     

PANTINO

PANTINO           He wondered that your lordship

               Would suffer⁶ him to spend his youth at home,

               While other men, of slender reputation,⁷

               Put forth⁸ their sons to seek preferment out:

               Some to the wars to try their fortune there,

10

10           Some to discover islands far away,

               Some to the studious universities;

               For any or for all these exercises,

               He said that Proteus your son was meet,¹³

               And did request me to importune¹⁴ you

15

15           To let him spend his time no more at home,

               Which would be great impeachment¹⁶ to his age,

               In having known no travel in his youth.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Nor need’st thou much importune me to that

               Whereon this month I have been hammering.¹⁹

20

20           I have considered well his loss of time,

               And how he cannot be a perfect²¹ man,

               Not being tried²² and tutored in the world:

               Experience is by industry achieved

               And perfected by the swift course of time.

25

25           Then tell me, whither were I best to send him?

PANTINO

PANTINO     I think your lordship is not ignorant²⁶

               How his companion, youthful Valentine,

               Attends the emperor²⁸ in his royal court.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     I know it well.

30

30   

PANTINO

PANTINO           ’Twere good, I think, your lordship sent him thither:

               There shall he practise tilts³¹ and tournaments,

               Hear sweet discourse,³² converse with noblemen,

               And be in eye of³³ every exercise

               Worthy his youth and nobleness of birth.

35

35   

ANTONIO

ANTONIO           I like thy counsel: well hast thou advised.

               And that thou mayst perceive how well I like it,

               The execution³⁷ of it shall make known.

               Even with the speediest expedition³⁸

               I will dispatch him to the emperor’s court.

40

40   

PANTINO

PANTINO           Tomorrow, may it please you, Don Alfonso

               With other gentlemen of good esteem

               Are journeying to salute the emperor

               And to commend⁴³ their service to his will.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Good company: with them shall Proteus go.

       [Enter Proteus, reading]

45

45           And in good time!⁴⁵ Now will we break with him.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Sweet love, sweet lines, sweet life!

               Here is her hand,⁴⁷ the agent of her heart;

               Here is her oath for love, her honour’s pawn.⁴⁸

               O, that our fathers would applaud our loves

50

50           To seal⁵⁰ our happiness with their consents.

               O heavenly Julia!

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     How now? What letter are you reading there?

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     May’t please your lordship, ’tis a word or two

               Of commendations⁵⁴ sent from Valentine,

55

55           Delivered by a friend that came from him.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Lend me the letter: let me see what news.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     There is no news, my lord, but that he writes

               How happily he lives, how well beloved

               And daily gracèd⁵⁹ by the emperor,

60

60           Wishing me with him, partner of his fortune.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     And how stand you affected⁶¹ to his wish?

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     As one relying on your lordship’s will,

               And not depending on his⁶³ friendly wish.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     My will is something sorted⁶⁴ with his wish.

65

65           Muse⁶⁵ not that I thus suddenly proceed:

               For what I will, I will, and there an end.

               I am resolved that thou shalt spend some time

               With Valentinus in the emperor’s court:

               What maintenance⁶⁹ he from his friends receives,

70

70           Like exhibition⁷⁰ thou shalt have from me.

               Tomorrow be in readiness to go:

               Excuse it not,⁷² for I am peremptory.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     My lord, I cannot be so soon provided:⁷³

               Please you deliberate a day or two.

75

75   

ANTONIO

ANTONIO           Look⁷⁵ what thou want’st shall be sent after thee.

               No⁷⁶ more of stay: tomorrow thou must go.

               Come on, Pantino, you shall be employed

               To hasten on his expedition.

       [Exeunt Antonio and Pantino]

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Thus have I shunned the fire for fear of burning,

80

80           And drenched me in the sea where I am drowned.

               I feared to show my father Julia’s letter,

               Lest he should take exceptions⁸² to my love,

               And with the vantage⁸³ of mine own excuse

               Hath he excepted most against⁸⁴ my love.

85

85           O, how this spring of love resembleth

               The uncertain glory of an April day,

               Which now shows all the beauty of the sun,

               And by and by a cloud takes all away.

       [Enter Pantino]

PANTINO

PANTINO     Sir Proteus, your father calls for you:

90

90           He is in haste, therefore I pray you go.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Why, this it is: my heart accords⁹¹ thereto,

               And yet a thousand times it answers ‘no’.

       Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 12.1

running scene 4

       Enter Valentine [and] Speed

SPEED

SPEED     Sir, your glove.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Not mine: my gloves are on.²

SPEED

SPEED     Why then, this may be yours, for this is but one.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Ha! Let me see: ay, give it me, it’s mine.

5

5             Sweet ornament⁵ that decks a thing divine.

               Ah, Silvia,⁶ Silvia!

SPEED

SPEED     Madam Silvia! Madam Silvia! Calls

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     How now, sirrah?⁸

SPEED

SPEED     She is not within hearing, sir.

10

10   

VALENTINE

VALENTINE           Why, sir, who bade you call her?

SPEED

SPEED     Your worship, sir, or else I mistook.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Well, you’ll still¹² be too forward.

SPEED

SPEED     And yet I was last chidden for being too slow.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Go to,¹⁴ sir: tell me, do you know Madam Silvia?

15

15   

SPEED

SPEED           She that your worship loves?

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Why, how know you that I am in love?

SPEED

SPEED     Marry, by these special marks:¹⁷ first, you have learned — like Sir Proteus — to wreathe¹⁸ your arms like a malcontent: to relish a love-song like a robin-redbreast: to walk alone like one that had the pestilence:¹⁹ to sigh like a school-boy that had lost his A B C: to weep like a young wench that had buried her grandam:²⁰ to fast like one that takes diet: to watch²¹ like one that fears robbing: to speak puling²² like a beggar at Hallowmas. You were wont, when you laughed, to crow like a cock; when you walked, to walk like one of the lions: when you fasted, it was presently²⁴ after dinner: when you looked sadly, it was for want of money. And now you are metamorphosed with a mistress, that, when I look on you, I can hardly think you my master.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Are all these things perceived in me?

SPEED

SPEED     They are all perceived without ye.²⁸

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Without me?²⁹ They cannot.

SPEED

SPEED     Without³⁰ you? Nay, that’s certain: for, without you were so simple, none else would. But you³¹ are so without these follies, that these follies are within you, and shine through you like the water³² in an urinal, that not an eye that sees you but is a physician to comment on your malady.³³

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     But tell me, dost thou know my lady Silvia?

SPEED

SPEED     She that you gaze on so, as she sits at supper?

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Hast thou observed that? Even she,³⁶ I mean.

SPEED

SPEED     Why sir, I know her not.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Dost thou know her by my gazing on her, and yet know’st her not?

SPEED

SPEED     Is she not hard-favoured,³⁹ sir?

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Not so fair, boy, as well-favoured.⁴⁰

SPEED

SPEED     Sir, I know that well enough.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     What dost thou know?

SPEED

SPEED     That she is not so fair as, of you, well-favoured.⁴³

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     I mean that her beauty is exquisite, but her favour⁴⁴ infinite.

SPEED

SPEED     That’s because the one is painted⁴⁵ and the other out of all count.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     How painted? And how out of count?

SPEED

SPEED     Marry, sir, so painted to make her fair, that no man counts of⁴⁷ her beauty.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     How⁴⁸ esteem’st thou me? I account of her beauty.

SPEED

SPEED     You never saw her since she was deformed.⁴⁹

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     How long hath she been deformed?

SPEED

SPEED     Ever since you loved her.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     I have loved her ever since I saw her, and still I see her beautiful.

SPEED

SPEED     If you love her, you cannot see her.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Why?

SPEED

SPEED     Because Love is blind.⁵⁵ O, that you had mine eyes, or your own eyes had the lights⁵⁶ they were wont to have when you chid at Sir Proteus for going ungartered!⁵⁷

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     What should I see then?

SPEED

SPEED     Your own present folly and her passing deformity: for he, being in love, could not see to garter his hose;⁶⁰ and you, being in love, cannot see to put on your hose.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Belike, boy, then you are in love, for last morning you could not see to wipe my shoes.

SPEED

SPEED     True, sir: I was in love with my bed. I thank you, you swinged⁶⁴ me for my love, which makes me the bolder to chide you for yours.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     In conclusion, I stand affected to⁶⁶ her.

SPEED

SPEED     I would you were set,⁶⁷ so your affection would cease.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Last night she enjoined me to write some lines to one she loves.

SPEED

SPEED     And have you?

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     I have.

SPEED

SPEED     Are they not lamely writ?

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     No, boy, but as well as I can do them. Peace! Here she comes.

SPEED

SPEED     O, excellent motion!⁷³ O, exceeding puppet! Now will he interpret to her. Aside

       [Enter Silvia]

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Madam and mistress, a thousand good-morrows.

SPEED

SPEED     O, ’give⁷⁵ ye good ev’n: here’s a million of manners. Aside

SILVIA

SILVIA     Sir Valentine and servant,⁷⁶ to you two thousand.

SPEED

SPEED     He⁷⁷ should give her interest, and she gives it him. Aside

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     As you enjoined me, I have writ your letter

               Unto the secret, nameless friend⁷⁹ of yours,

80

80           Which I was much unwilling to proceed in

               But for my duty to your ladyship. Gives her a letter

SILVIA

SILVIA     I thank you, gentle servant: ’tis very clerkly⁸² done.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Now trust me, madam, it came hardly off:⁸³

               For being ignorant to whom it goes

85

85           I writ at random, very doubtfully.⁸⁵

SILVIA

SILVIA     Perchance⁸⁶ you think too much of so much pains?

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     No, madam, so⁸⁷ it stead you, I will write —

               Please you command — a thousand times as much.

               And yet—

90

90   

SILVIA

SILVIA           A pretty period!⁹⁰ Well, I guess the sequel,

               And yet I will not name it: and yet I care not.

               And yet take this⁹² again. And yet I thank you, Offers him the letter

               Meaning henceforth to trouble you no more.

SPEED

SPEED     And yet you will, and yet another ‘yet’. Aside

95

95   

VALENTINE

VALENTINE           What means your ladyship? Do you not like it?

SILVIA

SILVIA     Yes, yes: the lines are very quaintly⁹⁶ writ,

               But, since unwillingly, take them again.⁹⁷ Offers the letter again

               Nay, take them.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Madam, they are for you.

100

100 

SILVIA

SILVIA             Ay, ay: you writ them, sir, at my request,

               But I will none of¹⁰¹ them. They are for you:

               I would have had them writ more movingly.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Please you, I’ll write your ladyship another.

SILVIA

SILVIA     And when it’s writ, for my sake read it over,

105

105         And if it please you, so:¹⁰⁵ if not, why, so.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     If it please me, madam? What then?

SILVIA

SILVIA     Why, if it please you, take it for your labour;¹⁰⁷

               And so, good morrow, servant.

       Exit

SPEED

SPEED     O, jest unseen, inscrutable, invisible Aside

110

110         As a nose on a man’s face, or a weathercock on a steeple!

               My master sues to¹¹¹ her, and she hath taught her suitor,

               He being her pupil, to become her tutor.

               O, excellent device!¹¹³ Was there ever heard a better?

               That my master, being scribe,

115

115         To himself should write the letter?

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     How now, sir? What, are you reasoning¹¹⁶ with yourself?

SPEED

SPEED     Nay, I was rhyming: ’tis you that have the reason.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     To do what?

SPEED

SPEED     To be a spokesman from Madam Silvia.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     To whom?

SPEED

SPEED     To yourself: why, she woos you by a figure.¹²¹

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     What figure?

SPEED

SPEED     By a letter, I should say.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Why, she hath not writ to me?

SPEED

SPEED     What need she, when she hath made you write to yourself? Why, do you not perceive the jest?

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     No, believe me.

SPEED

SPEED     No believing you indeed, sir. But did you perceive her earnest?¹²⁸

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     She gave me none,¹²⁹ except an angry word.

SPEED

SPEED     Why, she hath given you a letter.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     That’s the letter I writ to her friend.

SPEED

SPEED     And that letter hath she delivered, and there an end.¹³²

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     I would it were no worse.

SPEED

SPEED     I’ll warrant¹³⁴ you, ’tis as well:

135

135         For often have you writ to her, and she in modesty,

               Or else for want¹³⁶ of idle time, could not again reply,

               Or fearing else some messenger that might her mind discover,¹³⁷

               Herself hath taught her love himself to write unto her lover.

               All this I speak in print,¹³⁹ for in print I found it.

140

140         Why muse you, sir? ’Tis dinner-time.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     I have dined.¹⁴¹

SPEED

SPEED     Ay, but hearken, sir: though the chameleon¹⁴² Love can feed on the air, I am one that am nourished by my victuals,¹⁴³ and would fain have meat. O, be not like your mistress: be moved,¹⁴⁴ be moved.

       Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 22.2

running scene 5

       Enter Proteus [and] Julia

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Have patience, gentle Julia.

JULIA

JULIA     I must, where is² no remedy.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     When possibly I can, I will return.

JULIA

JULIA     If you turn⁴ not, you will return the sooner.

5

5             Keep this remembrance⁵ for thy Julia’s sake. Gives a ring

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Why then, we’ll make exchange; here, take you this. Gives a ring

JULIA

JULIA     And seal the bargain with a holy kiss. They kiss

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Here is my hand for my true constancy:⁸

               And when that hour o’erslips⁹ me in the day,

10

10           Wherein I sigh not, Julia, for thy sake,

               The next ensuing hour some foul mischance¹¹

               Torment me for my love’s forgetfulness.

               My father stays¹³ my coming: answer not,

               The tide is now; nay, not thy tide of tears,

15

15           That tide will stay¹⁵ me longer than I should.

               Julia, farewell. What, gone without a word?

       [Exit Julia]

               Ay, so true love should do: it cannot speak,

               For truth hath better deeds than words to grace¹⁸ it.

       [Enter Pantino]

PANTINO

PANTINO     Sir Proteus, you are stayed for.

20

20   

PROTEUS

PROTEUS           Go: I come, I come.

               Alas, this parting strikes poor lovers dumb.

       Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 32.3

running scene 6

       Enter Lance [leading his dog, Crab]

LANCE

LANCE     Nay, ’twill be this hour ere¹ I have done weeping: all the kind of the Lances have this very fault. I have received my proportion,² like the prodigious son, and am going with Sir Proteus to the Imperial’s³ court. I think Crab, my dog, be the sourest-natured dog that lives: my mother weeping, my father wailing, my sister crying, our maid howling, our cat wringing her hands, and all our house in a great perplexity, yet did not this cruel-hearted cur⁶ shed one tear: he is a stone, a very pebble stone, and has no more pity in him than a dog. A Jew⁷ would have wept to have seen our parting. Why, my grandam, having no eyes, look you, wept herself blind at my parting. Nay, I’ll show you the manner of it.⁹ This shoe is my father. No, this left¹⁰ shoe is my father. No, no, this left shoe is my mother. Nay, that cannot be so neither. Yes, it is so, it is so: it hath the worser sole.¹¹ This shoe with the hole¹² in it is my mother, and this my father. A vengeance on’t, there ’tis. Now, sir, this staff¹³ is my sister, for, look you, she is as white as a lily and as small as a wand.¹⁴ This hat is Nan, our maid. I am the dog: no, the dog is himself, and I am the dog. O, the dog is me, and I am myself. Ay, so, so. Now come I to my father. Father, your¹⁶ blessing: now should not the shoe speak a word for weeping. Now should I kiss my father: well, he weeps on. Now come I to my mother: O, that she could speak now like a wood¹⁸ woman! Well, I kiss her. Why, there ’tis; here’s my mother’s breath¹⁹ up and down. Now come I to my sister; mark the moan she makes. Now the dog all this while sheds not a tear nor speaks a word: but see how I lay the dust²¹ with my tears.

       [Enter Pantino]

PANTINO

PANTINO     Lance, away, away: aboard! Thy master is shipped, and thou art to post after with oars. What’s the matter? Why weep’st thou, man? Away, ass, you’ll lose the tide,²³ if you tarry any longer.

LANCE

LANCE     It is no matter if the tied²⁵ were lost, for it is the unkindest tied that ever any man tied.

PANTINO

PANTINO     What’s the unkindest tide?

LANCE

LANCE     Why, he that’s tied here, Crab, my dog.

PANTINO

PANTINO     Tut, man, I mean thou’lt lose the flood,²⁹ and in losing the flood, lose thy voyage, and in losing thy voyage, lose thy master, and in losing thy master, lose thy service, and in losing thy service— Lance gestures for him to stop Why dost thou stop my mouth?

LANCE

LANCE     For fear thou shouldst lose³² thy tongue.

PANTINO

PANTINO     Where should I lose my tongue?

LANCE

LANCE     In thy tale.³⁴

PANTINO

PANTINO     In thy tail!³⁵

LANCE

LANCE     Lose the tide, and the voyage, and the master, and the service, and the tied! Why, man, if the river were dry, I am able to fill it with my tears: if the wind were down, I could drive the boat with my sighs.

PANTINO

PANTINO     Come: come away, man. I was sent to call³⁹ thee.

LANCE

LANCE     Sir, call me what thou dar’st.

PANTINO

PANTINO     Wilt thou go?

LANCE

LANCE     Well, I will go.

       Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 42.4

running scene 7

       Enter Valentine, Silvia, Turio [and] Speed

SILVIA

SILVIA     Servant!

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Mistress?

SPEED

SPEED     Master, Sir Turio frowns on you.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Ay, boy, it’s for love.

SPEED

SPEED     Not of you.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Of my mistress, then.

SPEED

SPEED     ’Twere⁷ good you knocked him.

       [Exit]

SILVIA

SILVIA     Servant, you are sad.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Indeed, madam, I seem so.

TURIO

TURIO     Seem you that¹⁰ you are not?

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Haply I do.

TURIO

TURIO     So do counterfeits.¹²

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     So do you.

TURIO

TURIO     What seem I that I am not?

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Wise.

TURIO

TURIO     What instance¹⁶ of the contrary?

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Your folly.

TURIO

TURIO     And how quote¹⁸ you my folly?

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     I quote it in your jerkin.¹⁹

TURIO

TURIO     My jerkin is a doublet.²⁰

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Well, then, I’ll double your folly.

TURIO

TURIO     How?²²

SILVIA

SILVIA     What, angry, Sir Turio? Do you change colour?

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Give him leave, madam, he is a kind of chameleon.

TURIO

TURIO     That hath more mind to feed on your blood than live²⁵ in your air.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     You have said, sir.

TURIO

TURIO     Ay, sir, and done²⁷ too, for this time.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     I know it well, sir: you always end²⁸ ere you begin.

SILVIA

SILVIA     A fine volley²⁹ of words, gentlemen, and quickly shot off.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     ’Tis indeed, madam, we thank the giver.

SILVIA

SILVIA     Who is that, servant?

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Yourself, sweet lady, for you gave the fire.³² Sir Turio borrows his wit from your ladyship’s looks, and spends what he borrows kindly³³ in your company.

TURIO

TURIO     Sir, if you spend³⁴ word for word with me, I shall make your wit bankrupt.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     I know it well, sir: you have an exchequer³⁶ of words and, I think, no other treasure to give your followers, for it appears by their bare liveries³⁷ that they live by your bare words.

SILVIA

SILVIA     No more, gentlemen, no more: here comes my father.

       [Enter Duke]

40

DUKE

DUKE     Now, daughter Silvia, you are hard beset.⁴⁰

               Sir Valentine, your father is in good health:

               What say you to a letter from your friends

               Of much good news?

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     My lord, I will be thankful

45

45           To any happy messenger⁴⁵ from thence.

DUKE

DUKE     Know ye Don Antonio, your countryman?⁴⁶

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Ay, my good lord, I know the gentleman

               To be of worth⁴⁸ and worthy estimation,

               And not without desert⁴⁹ so well reputed.

50

50   

DUKE

DUKE           Hath he not a son?

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Ay, my good lord, a son that well deserves

               The honour and regard of such a father.

DUKE

DUKE     You know him well?

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     I knew him as myself, for from our infancy

55

55           We have conversed and spent our hours together,

               And though myself have been an idle truant,

               Omitting⁵⁷ the sweet benefit of time

               To clothe mine age⁵⁸ with angel-like perfection,

               Yet hath Sir Proteus — for that’s his name —

60

60             Made use and fair advantage of his days:

               His years but young, but his experience old,

               His head unmellowed⁶² but his judgement ripe,

               And in a word — for far behind his worth

               Comes all the praises that I now bestow —

65

65           He is complete⁶⁵ in feature and in mind,

               With all good grace to grace a gentleman.

DUKE

DUKE     Beshrew me, sir, but if he make this good,⁶⁷

               He is as worthy for an empress’ love,

               As meet to be an emperor’s counsellor.

70

70           Well, sir, this gentleman is come to me,

               With commendation from great potentates,⁷¹

               And here he means to spend his time awhile:

               I think ’tis no unwelcome news to you.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Should I have wished a thing, it had been he.

75

75   

DUKE

DUKE           Welcome him then according to his worth.

               Silvia, I speak to you, and you, Sir Turio,

               For Valentine, I need not cite⁷⁷ him to it:

               I will send him hither to you presently.

       [Exit]

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     This is the gentleman I told your ladyship

80

80           Had come⁸⁰ along with me, but that his mistress

               Did hold his eyes locked in her crystal looks.⁸¹

SILVIA

SILVIA     Belike that⁸² now she hath enfranchised them

               Upon some other pawn for fealty.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Nay, sure, I think she holds them prisoners still.

85

85   

SILVIA

SILVIA           Nay, then he should be blind, and being blind,

               How could he see his way to seek out you?

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Why, lady, Love hath twenty pair of eyes.

TURIO

TURIO     They say that Love⁸⁸ hath not an eye at all.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     To see such lovers, Turio, as yourself:

90

90           Upon a homely⁹⁰ object, Love can wink.

SILVIA

SILVIA     Have done, have done: here comes the gentleman.

       [Turio may exit]

       [Enter Proteus]

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Welcome, dear Proteus! Mistress, I beseech you,

               Confirm his welcome with some special favour.

SILVIA

SILVIA     His worth is warrant⁹⁴ for his welcome hither,

95

95           If this be he you oft have wished to hear from.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Mistress, it is: sweet lady, entertain⁹⁶ him

               To be my fellow-servant to your ladyship.

SILVIA

SILVIA     Too low⁹⁸ a mistress for so high a servant.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Not so, sweet lady: but too mean⁹⁹ a servant

100

100         To have a look of such a worthy mistress.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Leave¹⁰¹ off discourse of disability:

               Sweet lady, entertain him for your servant.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     My duty¹⁰³ will I boast of, nothing else.

SILVIA

SILVIA     And duty never yet did want his meed.¹⁰⁴

105

105         Servant, you are welcome to a worthless mistress.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     I’ll die¹⁰⁶ on him that says so but yourself.

SILVIA

SILVIA     That you are welcome?

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     That you are worthless.

       [Enter Turio, or a servant enters and whispers to Turio]

TURIO

TURIO     Madam, my lord your father would speak with you.

110

110 

SILVIA

SILVIA             I wait upon his pleasure. Come, Sir Turio,

               Go with me. Once more, new servant, welcome.

               I’ll leave you to confer of home affairs:

               When you have done, we look to hear from you.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     We’ll both attend upon your ladyship.

       [Exeunt Silvia and Turio]

115

115 

VALENTINE

VALENTINE             Now, tell me: how do all from whence you came?

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Your friends are well and have them much commended.¹¹⁶

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     And how do yours?

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     I left them all in health.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     How does your lady? And how thrives your love?

120

120 

PROTEUS

PROTEUS             My tales of love were wont to¹²⁰ weary you:

               I know you joy not in a love discourse.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Ay, Proteus, but that life is altered now.

               I have done penance for contemning¹²³ Love,

               Whose high imperious¹²⁴ thoughts have punished me

125

125         With bitter fasts, with penitential¹²⁵ groans,

               With nightly tears and daily heart-sore sighs:

               For in revenge of my contempt of love,

               Love hath chased sleep from my enthrallèd¹²⁸ eyes,

               And made them watchers of¹²⁹ mine own heart’s sorrow.

130

130         O gentle Proteus, Love’s a mighty lord,

               And hath so humbled me, as I confess,

               There is no¹³² woe to his correction,

               Nor to¹³³ his service no such joy on earth.

               Now no discourse, except it be of love:

135

135         Now can I break my fast, dine, sup and sleep

               Upon the very naked¹³⁶ name of love.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Enough: I read your fortune in your eye.

               Was this¹³⁸ the idol that you worship so?

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Even she;¹³⁹ and is she not a heavenly saint?

140

140 

PROTEUS

PROTEUS             No, but she is an earthly paragon.¹⁴⁰

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Call her divine.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     I will not flatter her.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     O, flatter me, for love delights in praises.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     When I was sick,¹⁴⁴ you gave me bitter pills,

145

145         And I must minister the like¹⁴⁵ to you.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Then speak the truth by¹⁴⁶ her; if not divine,

               Yet let her be a principality,¹⁴⁷

               Sovereign to all the creatures on the earth.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Except my mistress.

150

150 

VALENTINE

VALENTINE             Sweet,¹⁵⁰ except not any,

               Except¹⁵¹ thou wilt except against my love.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Have I not reason to prefer mine own?

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     And I will help thee to prefer¹⁵³ her too:

               She shall be dignified with this high honour,

155

155         To bear my lady’s train, lest the base earth

               Should from¹⁵⁶ her vesture chance to steal a kiss,

               And of so great a favour growing proud,

               Disdain¹⁵⁸ to root the summer-swelling flower

               And make rough winter everlastingly.

160

160 

PROTEUS

PROTEUS             Why, Valentine, what braggardism¹⁶⁰ is this?

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Pardon me, Proteus: all I can¹⁶¹ is nothing

               To¹⁶² her whose worth makes other worthies nothing.

               She is alone.¹⁶³

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Then let her alone.

165

165 

VALENTINE

VALENTINE             Not for the world: why, man, she is mine own,

               And I as rich in having such a jewel

               As twenty seas, if all their sand were pearl,

               The water nectar, and the rocks pure gold.

               Forgive me that I do not dream on thee,¹⁶⁹

170

170         Because thou see’st me dote upon¹⁷⁰ my love.

               My foolish rival, that her father likes —

               Only for¹⁷² his possessions are so huge —

               Is gone with her along, and I must after:

               For love, thou know’st, is full of jealousy.

175

175 

PROTEUS

PROTEUS             But she loves you?

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Ay, and we are betrothed: nay, more, our marriage-hour,

               With¹⁷⁷ all the cunning manner of our flight,

               Determined of:¹⁷⁸ how I must climb her window,

               The ladder made of cords, and all the means

180

180         Plotted and ’greed¹⁸⁰ on for my happiness.

               Good Proteus, go with me to my chamber,

               In these affairs to aid me with thy counsel.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Go on before: I shall inquire you forth.¹⁸³

               I must unto the road, to disembark¹⁸⁴

185

185         Some necessaries¹⁸⁵ that I needs must use,

               And then I’ll presently attend you.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Will you make haste?

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     I will.

       Exit [Valentine]

               Even as one heat another heat expels,¹⁸⁹

190

190         Or as one nail by strength drives out another,

               So the remembrance¹⁹¹ of my former love

               Is by a newer object¹⁹² quite forgotten.

               Is it mine eye or Valentine’s praise?

               Her true perfection or my false transgression¹⁹⁴

195

195         That makes me reasonless¹⁹⁵ to reason thus?

               She is fair: and so is Julia that I love —

               That I did love, for now my love is thawed,

               Which, like a waxen image gainst a fire

               Bears no impression of the thing it was.

200

200         Methinks my zeal²⁰⁰ to Valentine is cold,

               And that I love him not as I was wont.

               O, but I love his lady too too much,

               And that’s the reason I love him so little.

               How shall I dote on her with more advice,²⁰⁴

205

205         That thus without advice²⁰⁵ begin to love her?

               ’Tis but her picture²⁰⁶ I have yet beheld,

               And that hath dazzlèd my reason’s light:

               But when I look²⁰⁸ on her perfections,

               There is no reason but²⁰⁹ I shall be blind.

210

210         If I can check²¹⁰ my erring love, I will:

               If not, to compass²¹¹ her I’ll use my skill.

       Exit

Act 2 Scene 5

running scene 8

       Enter Speed and Lance [separately. Lance with his dog, Crab]

SPEED

SPEED     Lance, by mine honesty, welcome to Padua.¹

LANCE

LANCE     Forswear² not thyself, sweet youth, for I am not welcome. I reckon this always, that a man is never undone³ till he be hanged, nor never welcome to a place till some certain shot⁴ be paid and the hostess say ‘Welcome!’

SPEED

SPEED     Come on, you madcap: I’ll to the ale-house with you presently, where, for one shot of five pence, thou shalt have five thousand welcomes. But, sirrah, how did thy master part with Madam Julia?

LANCE

LANCE     Marry, after they closed in earnest,⁸ they parted very fairly in jest.

SPEED

SPEED     But shall she marry him?

LANCE

LANCE     No.

SPEED

SPEED     How then? Shall he marry her?

LANCE

LANCE     No, neither.

SPEED

SPEED     What, are they broken?¹³

LANCE

LANCE     No, they are both as¹⁴ whole as a fish.

SPEED

SPEED     Why then, how stands the matter¹⁵ with them?

LANCE

LANCE     Marry, thus: when it stands well with him, it stands well with her.

SPEED

SPEED     What an ass art thou! I understand thee not.

LANCE

LANCE     What a block¹⁸ art thou, that thou canst not! My staff understands me.

SPEED

SPEED     What thou say’st?

LANCE

LANCE     Ay, and what I do too: look thee, I’ll but lean, and my staff understands me.

SPEED

SPEED     It stands under thee, indeed.

LANCE

LANCE     Why, stand-under and under-stand is all one.

SPEED

SPEED     But tell me true, will’t be a match?

LANCE

LANCE     Ask my dog: if he say ‘ay’, it will. If he say ‘no’, it will. If he shake his tail and say nothing, it will.

SPEED

SPEED     The conclusion is, then, that it will.

LANCE

LANCE     Thou shalt never get such a secret from me but by a parable.²⁸

SPEED

SPEED     ’Tis well that I get it so. But Lance, how say’st thou²⁹ that my master is become a notable³⁰ lover?

LANCE

LANCE     I never knew him otherwise.

SPEED

SPEED     Than how?

LANCE

LANCE     A notable lubber,³³ as thou reportest him to be.

SPEED

SPEED     Why, thou whoreson³⁴ ass, thou mistak’st me.

LANCE

LANCE     Why, fool, I meant not thee, I meant thy master.

SPEED

SPEED     I tell thee, my master is become a hot lover.

LANCE

LANCE     Why, I tell thee, I care not though he burn himself in love. If thou wilt, go with me to the alehouse: if not, thou art an Hebrew, a Jew, and not worth the name of a Christian.

SPEED

SPEED     Why?

LANCE

LANCE     Because thou hast not so much charity in thee as to go to the ale⁴¹ with a Christian. Wilt thou go?

SPEED

SPEED     At thy service.

       Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 6

running scene 9

       Enter Proteus alone

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     To leave my Julia, shall I be forsworn?

               To love fair Silvia, shall I be forsworn?

               To wrong my friend, I shall be much forsworn.

               And ev’n that power⁴ which gave me first my oath

5

5             Provokes me to this threefold perjury.

               Love bade me swear, and Love bids me forswear;

               O sweet-suggesting⁷ Love, if thou hast sinned,

               Teach me, thy tempted subject, to excuse it.

               At first I did adore a twinkling star,

10

10           But now I worship a celestial sun.

               Unheedful¹¹ vows may heedfully be broken,

               And he wants wit¹² that wants resolved will

               To learn¹³ his wit t’exchange the bad for better.

               Fie, fie, unreverend¹⁴ tongue, to call her bad,

15

15           Whose sovereignty so oft thou hast preferred¹⁵

               With twenty thousand soul-confirming¹⁶ oaths.

               I cannot leave¹⁷ to love, and yet I do:

               But there I leave to love where I should love.

               Julia I lose, and Valentine I lose:

20

20           If I keep them, I needs must lose myself.

               If I lose them, thus find I²¹ by their loss:

               For²² Valentine, myself, for Julia, Silvia.

               I to myself am dearer than a friend,

               For love is still most precious in itself,

25

25           And Silvia — witness heaven that made her fair²⁵ —

               Shows Julia²⁶ but a swarthy Ethiope.

               I will forget that Julia is alive,

               Remembering that my love to her is dead.

               And Valentine I’ll hold²⁹ an enemy,

30

30           Aiming at Silvia as a sweeter friend.

               I cannot now prove constant³¹ to myself,

               Without some treachery used to Valentine.

               This night he meaneth with a corded³³ ladder

               To climb celestial Silvia’s chamber-window,

35

35           Myself in counsel³⁵ his competitor.

               Now presently I’ll give her father notice

               Of their disguising³⁷ and pretended flight,

               Who, all enraged, will banish Valentine,

               For Turio he intends shall wed his daughter.

40

40             But Valentine being gone, I’ll quickly cross,⁴⁰

               By some sly trick, blunt⁴¹ Turio’s dull proceeding.

               Love, lend⁴² me wings to make my purpose swift,

               As thou hast lent me wit to plot this drift.⁴³

       Exit

Act 2 Scene 72.7

running scene 10

       Enter Julia and Lucetta

JULIA

JULIA     Counsel, Lucetta: gentle girl, assist me,

               And ev’n in kind love, I do conjure² thee,

               Who art the table³ wherein all my thoughts

               Are visibly charactered⁴ and engraved,

5

5             To lesson⁵ me and tell me some good mean

               How with my honour I may undertake

               A journey to my loving Proteus.

LUCETTA

LUCETTA     Alas, the way is wearisome and long.

JULIA

JULIA     A true-devoted pilgrim is not weary

10

10           To measure¹⁰ kingdoms with his feeble steps:

               Much less shall she that hath Love’s wings to fly,

               And when the flight is made to one so dear,

               Of such divine perfection as Sir Proteus.

LUCETTA

LUCETTA     Better forbear¹⁴ till Proteus make return.

15

15   

JULIA

JULIA           O, know’st thou not his looks are my soul’s food?

               Pity the dearth¹⁶ that I have pined in,

               By longing for that food so long a time.

               Didst thou but know the inly¹⁸ touch of love,

               Thou wouldst as soon go kindle fire with snow

20

20           As seek to quench the fire of love with words.

LUCETTA

LUCETTA     I do not seek to quench your love’s hot fire,

               But qualify²² the fire’s extreme rage,

               Lest it should burn above the bounds of reason.

JULIA

JULIA     The more thou damm’st it up, the more it burns.

25

25           The current²⁵ that with gentle murmur glides,

               Thou know’st, being stopped, impatiently doth rage:

               But when his fair course is not hinderèd,

               He makes²⁸ sweet music with th’enamelled stones,

               Giving a gentle kiss to every sedge²⁹

30

30           He overtaketh in his pilgrimage,

               And so by many winding nooks he strays

               With willing sport³² to the wild ocean.

               Then let me go, and hinder not my course:

               I’ll be as patient as a gentle stream,

35

35           And make a pastime of each weary step,

               Till the last step have brought me to my love,

               And there I’ll rest, as after much turmoil

               A blessèd soul doth in Elysium.³⁸

LUCETTA

LUCETTA     But in what habit³⁹ will you go along?

40

40   

JULIA

JULIA           Not like a woman, for⁴⁰ I would prevent

               The loose encounters of lascivious men:

               Gentle Lucetta, fit me with such weeds⁴²

               As may beseem⁴³ some well-reputed page.

LUCETTA

LUCETTA     Why then, your ladyship must cut your hair.

45

45   

JULIA

JULIA           No, girl, I’ll knit⁴⁵ it up in silken strings

               With twenty odd-conceited⁴⁶ true-love knots.

               To be fantastic⁴⁷ may become a youth

               Of greater time⁴⁸ than I shall show to be.

LUCETTA

LUCETTA     What fashion, madam, shall I make your breeches?

50

50   

JULIA

JULIA           That fits as well as ‘Tell me, good my lord,

               What compass⁵¹ will you wear your farthingale?’

               Why, ev’n what fashion thou best likes, Lucetta.

LUCETTA

LUCETTA     You must needs have them with a codpiece,⁵³ madam.

JULIA

JULIA     Out, out, Lucetta! That will be ill-favoured.⁵⁴

55

55   

LUCETTA

LUCETTA           A round hose,⁵⁵ madam, now’s not worth a pin

               Unless you have a codpiece to stick pins on.⁵⁶

JULIA

JULIA     Lucetta, as thou lov’st me, let me have

               What thou think’st meet and is most mannerly.⁵⁸

               But tell me, wench, how will the world repute me

60

60           For undertaking so unstaid⁶⁰ a journey?

               I fear me it will make me scandalized.⁶¹

LUCETTA

LUCETTA     If you think so, then stay at home and go not.

JULIA

JULIA     Nay, that I will not.

LUCETTA

LUCETTA     Then never dream on infamy,⁶⁴ but go.

65

65           If Proteus like your journey when you come,

               No matter who’s displeased when you are gone:

               I fear me he will scarce be pleased withal.⁶⁷

JULIA

JULIA     That is the least, Lucetta, of my fear:

               A thousand oaths, an ocean of his tears,

70

70           And instances⁷⁰ of infinite of love

               Warrant⁷¹ me welcome to my Proteus.

LUCETTA

LUCETTA     All these are servants to deceitful men.

JULIA

JULIA     Base men, that use them to so base effect.

               But truer stars did govern Proteus’ birth:

75

75           His words are bonds,⁷⁵ his oaths are oracles,

               His love sincere, his thoughts immaculate,⁷⁶

               His tears pure messengers sent from his heart,

               His heart, as far from fraud as heaven from earth.

LUCETTA

LUCETTA     Pray heav’n he prove so when you come to him.

80

80   

JULIA

JULIA           Now, as thou lov’st me, do him not that wrong

               To bear a hard⁸¹ opinion of his truth:

               Only deserve my love by loving him,

               And presently go with me to my chamber

               To take a note of what I stand in need of,

85

85           To furnish⁸⁵ me upon my longing journey.

               All that is mine I leave at thy dispose,⁸⁶

               My goods, my lands, my reputation:

               Only, in lieu thereof,⁸⁸ dispatch me hence.

               Come, answer not, but to it presently.

90

90           I am impatient of my tarriance.⁹⁰

       Exeunt

Act 3 Scene 13.1

running scene 11

       Enter Duke, Turio [and] Proteus

DUKE

DUKE     Sir Turio, give us leave,¹ I pray, awhile:

               We have some secrets to confer about.

       [Exit Turio]

               Now, tell me, Proteus, what’s your will with me?

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     My gracious lord, that which I would discover

5

5             The law of friendship bids me to conceal,

               But when I call to mind your gracious favours

               Done to me — undeserving as I am —

               My duty pricks⁸ me on to utter that

               Which else no worldly good should draw from me.

10

10           Know, worthy prince, Sir Valentine my friend

               This night intends to steal away your daughter:

               Myself am one made privy to¹² the plot.

               I know you have determined to bestow her

               On Turio, whom your gentle daughter hates,

15

15           And should she thus be stol’n away from you,

               It would be much vexation¹⁶ to your age.

               Thus, for my duty’s sake, I rather chose

               To cross my friend in his intended drift,

               Than, by concealing it, heap on your head

20

20           A pack of sorrows which would press you down,

               Being unprevented, to your timeless²¹ grave.

DUKE

DUKE     Proteus, I thank thee for thine honest care,

               Which to requite,²³ command me while I live.

               This love of theirs myself have often seen,

25

25           Haply when they have judged me fast asleep,

               And oftentimes have purposed²⁶ to forbid

               Sir Valentine her company and my court.

               But fearing lest my jealous aim²⁸ might err

               And so unworthily disgrace the man —

30

30           A rashness that I ever yet have shunned —

               I gave him gentle³¹ looks, thereby to find

               That which thyself hast now disclosed to me.

               And that thou mayst perceive my fear of this,

               Knowing that tender youth is soon suggested,³⁴

35

35           I nightly lodge her in an upper tower,

               The key whereof myself have ever kept:

               And thence she cannot be conveyed away.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Know, noble lord, they have devised a mean

               How he her chamber-window will ascend,

40

40           And with a corded ladder fetch her down:

               For which, the youthful lover now is gone,

               And this way comes he with it presently,

               Where, if it please you, you may intercept him.

               But, good my lord, do it so cunningly

45

45           That my discovery⁴⁵ be not aimed at:

               For love of you, not hate unto my friend,

               Hath made me publisher⁴⁷ of this pretence.

DUKE

DUKE     Upon mine honour, he shall never know

               That I had any light⁴⁹ from thee of this.

50

50   

PROTEUS

PROTEUS           Adieu, my lord: Sir Valentine is coming.

       [Exit Proteus]

       [Enter Valentine]

DUKE

DUKE     Sir Valentine, whither away⁵¹ so fast?

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Please it your grace, there is a messenger

               That stays to bear my letters to my friends,

               And I am going to deliver them.

55

55   

DUKE

DUKE           Be they of much import?

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     The tenor⁵⁶ of them doth but signify

               My health and happy being at your court.

DUKE

DUKE     Nay then, no matter. Stay with me awhile:

               I am to break⁵⁹ with thee of some affairs

60

60           That touch me near,⁶⁰ wherein thou must be secret.

               ’Tis not unknown to thee that I have sought

               To match my friend Sir Turio to my daughter.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     I know it well, my lord, and sure the match

               Were rich and honourable: besides, the gentleman

65

65           Is full of virtue, bounty,⁶⁵ worth and qualities

               Beseeming⁶⁶ such a wife as your fair daughter.

               Cannot your grace win her to fancy him?

DUKE

DUKE     No, trust me, she is peevish,⁶⁸ sullen, froward,

               Proud, disobedient, stubborn, lacking duty,

70

70           Neither regarding⁷⁰ that she is my child

               Nor fearing me as⁷¹ if I were her father.

               And, may I say to thee, this pride of hers,

               Upon advice,⁷³ hath drawn my love from her,

               And, where I thought the remnant⁷⁴ of mine age

75

75           Should have been cherished by her child-like duty,

               I now am full resolved to take a wife

               And turn her out to who⁷⁷ will take her in:

               Then let her beauty be her wedding-dower,⁷⁸

               For me and my possessions she esteems⁷⁹ not.

80

80   

VALENTINE

VALENTINE           What would your grace have me to do in this?

DUKE

DUKE     There is a lady in Verona here

               Whom I affect:⁸² but she is nice and coy,

               And nought⁸³ esteems my agèd eloquence.

               Now therefore would I have thee to my tutor —

85

85           For long agone⁸⁵ I have forgot to court,

               Besides, the fashion of the time is changed —

               How and which way I may bestow myself⁸⁷

               To be regarded⁸⁸ in her sun-bright eye.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Win her with gifts, if she respect not words:

90

90           Dumb jewels often in their silent kind⁹⁰

               More than quick⁹¹ words do move a woman’s mind.

DUKE

DUKE     But she did scorn a present that I sent her.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     A woman sometime scorns what best contents her.

               Send her another: never give her o’er,⁹⁴

95

95           For scorn at first makes after-love the more.⁹⁵

               If she do frown, ’tis not in hate of you,

               But rather to beget⁹⁷ more love in you.

               If she do chide, ’tis not to have you gone,

               Forwhy,⁹⁹ the fools are mad, if left alone.

100

100         Take no repulse, whatever she doth say,

               For¹⁰¹ ‘get you gone’, she doth not mean ‘away!’

               Flatter and praise, commend,¹⁰² extol their graces:

               Though¹⁰³ ne’er so black, say they have angels’ faces.

               That man that hath a tongue, I say is no man

105

105         If with his tongue¹⁰⁵ he cannot win a woman.

DUKE

DUKE     But she I mean is promised by her friends¹⁰⁶

               Unto a youthful gentleman of worth,

               And kept severely from resort of men,

               That¹⁰⁹ no man hath access by day to her.

110

110 

VALENTINE

VALENTINE             Why then I would resort to her by night.

DUKE

DUKE     Ay, but the doors be locked and keys kept safe,

               That no man hath recourse to her by night.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     What lets¹¹³ but one may enter at her window?

DUKE

DUKE     Her chamber is aloft, far from the ground,

115

115         And built so shelving¹¹⁵ that one cannot climb it

               Without apparent hazard of his life.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Why then, a ladder quaintly¹¹⁷ made of cords

               To cast up, with a pair of anchoring hooks,¹¹⁸

               Would serve to scale another Hero’s tower,¹¹⁹

120

120         So¹²⁰ bold Leander would adventure it.

DUKE

DUKE     Now, as thou art a gentleman of blood,¹²¹

               Advise me where I may have such a ladder.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     When would you use it? Pray, sir, tell me that.

DUKE

DUKE     This very night; for Love is like a child

125

125         That longs for everything that he can come by.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     By seven o’clock I’ll get you such a ladder.

DUKE

DUKE     But, hark thee: I will go to her alone.

               How shall I best convey the ladder thither?

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     It will be light, my lord, that you may bear it

130

130         Under a cloak that is of any length.¹³⁰

DUKE

DUKE     A cloak as long as thine will serve the turn?¹³¹

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Ay, my good lord.

DUKE

DUKE     Then let me see thy cloak:

               I’ll get me one of such another¹³⁴ length.

135

135 

VALENTINE

VALENTINE             Why, any cloak will serve the turn, my lord.

DUKE

DUKE     How shall I fashion me¹³⁶ to wear a cloak?

               I pray thee, let me feel thy cloak upon me. Takes Valentine’s cloak and discovers a letter

               What letter is this same?¹³⁸ What’s here? ‘To Silvia’! and a rope ladder concealed under it

               And here an engine¹³⁹ fit for my proceeding.

140

140         I’ll be so bold to break the seal for once.

               ‘My thoughts do harbour¹⁴¹ with my Silvia nightly, Reads

               And slaves they are to me that send them flying.

               O, could their master come and go as lightly,¹⁴³

               Himself¹⁴⁴ would lodge where, senseless, they are lying.

145

145         My herald¹⁴⁵ thoughts in thy pure bosom rest them,

               While I, their king, that thither them importune,¹⁴⁶

               Do curse the grace¹⁴⁷ that with such grace hath blessed them,

               Because myself do want¹⁴⁸ my servants’ fortune.

               I curse myself, for they are sent by me,

150

150         That they should harbour where their lord should be.’

               What’s here?

               ‘Silvia, this night I will enfranchise¹⁵² thee.’

               ’Tis so: and here’s the ladder for the purpose.

               Why, Phaeton¹⁵⁴ — for thou art Merops’ son —

155

155         Wilt thou aspire to guide the heavenly car,

               And with thy daring folly burn the world?

               Wilt thou reach stars because they shine on thee?

               Go, base intruder, overweening slave,¹⁵⁸

               Bestow thy fawning smiles on equal mates,¹⁵⁹

160

160         And¹⁶⁰ think my patience, more than thy desert,

               Is privilege for thy departure hence.

               Thank me for this more than for all the favours

               Which, all too much, I have bestowed on thee.

               But if thou linger in my territories

165

165         Longer than swiftest expedition¹⁶⁵

               Will give thee time to leave our royal court,

               By heaven, my wrath shall far exceed the love

               I ever bore my daughter or thyself.

               Be gone! I will not hear thy vain excuse,

170

170         But as thou lov’st thy life, make speed from hence.

       [Exit]

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     And why not death, rather than living torment?

               To die is to be banished from myself,

               And Silvia is myself: banished from her

               Is self from self. A deadly banishment:

175

175         What light is light, if Silvia be not seen?

               What joy is joy, if Silvia be not by?¹⁷⁶

               Unless it be to think that she is by

               And feed upon the shadow¹⁷⁸ of perfection.

               Except¹⁷⁹ I be by Silvia in the night,

180

180         There is no music in the nightingale.

               Unless I look on Silvia in the day,

               There is no day for me to look upon.

               She is my essence, and I leave to be¹⁸³

               If I be not by her fair influence¹⁸⁴

185

185         Fostered,¹⁸⁵ illumined, cherished, kept alive.

               I¹⁸⁶ fly not death, to fly his deadly doom:

               Tarry I here, I but attend on¹⁸⁷ death,

               But fly I hence, I fly away from life.

       [Enter Proteus and Lance]

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Run, boy, run, run, and seek him out.

190

190 

LANCE

LANCE             So-ho,¹⁹⁰ so-ho!

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     What see’st thou?

LANCE

LANCE     Him we go to find: there’s not a hair¹⁹² on’s head but ’tis a Valentine.¹⁹³

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Valentine?

195

195 

VALENTINE

VALENTINE             No.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Who then? His spirit?¹⁹⁶

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Neither.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     What then?

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Nothing.

200

200 

LANCE

LANCE             Can nothing speak? Master, shall I strike?

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Who wouldst thou strike?

LANCE

LANCE     Nothing.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Villain,²⁰³ forbear.

LANCE

LANCE     Why, sir, I’ll strike nothing.²⁰⁴ I pray you—

205

205 

PROTEUS

PROTEUS             Sirrah, I say forbear. Friend Valentine, a word.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     My ears are stopped²⁰⁶ and cannot hear good news,

               So much of bad already hath possessed them.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Then in dumb silence will I bury mine,²⁰⁸

               For they are harsh, untuneable and bad.

210

210 

VALENTINE

VALENTINE             Is Silvia dead?

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     No, Valentine.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     No Valentine²¹² indeed, for sacred Silvia.

               Hath she forsworn²¹³ me?

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     No, Valentine.

215

215 

VALENTINE

VALENTINE             No Valentine, if Silvia have forsworn me.

               What is your news?

LANCE

LANCE     Sir, there is a proclamation that you are vanished.²¹⁷

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     That thou art banished — O, that’s the news —

               From hence, from Silvia, and from me thy friend.

220

220 

VALENTINE

VALENTINE             O, I have fed upon this woe already,

               And now excess of it will make me surfeit.²²¹

               Doth Silvia know that I am banishèd?

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Ay, ay: and she hath offered to the doom²²³ —

               Which unreversed stands in effectual force —

225

225         A sea of melting pearl, which some call tears:

               Those at her father’s churlish feet she tendered,²²⁶

               With them, upon her knees, her humble self,

               Wringing her hands, whose whiteness so became²²⁸ them

               As if but now they waxèd²²⁹ pale for woe.

230

230         But neither bended knees, pure hands held up,

               Sad sighs, deep groans, nor silver-shedding tears

               Could penetrate her uncompassionate sire;²³²

               But Valentine, if he be ta’en, must die.

               Besides, her intercession²³⁴ chafed him so,

235

235         When she for thy repeal²³⁵ was suppliant,

               That to close²³⁶ prison he commanded her,

               With many bitter threats of biding²³⁷ there.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     No more, unless the next word that thou speak’st

               Have some malignant²³⁹ power upon my life:

240

240         If so, I pray thee breathe it in mine ear,

               As²⁴¹ ending anthem of my endless dolour.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Cease to lament for that thou canst not help,

               And study²⁴³ help for that which thou Iament’st:

               Time is the nurse and breeder of all good.

245

245         Here if thou stay, thou canst not see thy love:

               Besides, thy staying will abridge²⁴⁶ thy life.

               Hope is a lover’s staff: walk hence with that

               And manage²⁴⁸ it against despairing thoughts.

               Thy letters may be here, though thou art hence,

250

250         Which, being writ to me, shall be delivered

               Even in the milk-white bosom of thy love.²⁵¹

               The time now serves not to expostulate:²⁵²

               Come, I’ll convey thee through the city-gate,

               And ere I part with thee, confer at large²⁵⁴

255

255         Of all that may concern thy love-affairs.

               As thou lov’st Silvia, though²⁵⁶ not for thyself,

               Regard²⁵⁷ thy danger, and along with me.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     I pray thee, Lance, an if thou see’st my boy,²⁵⁸

               Bid him make haste and meet me at the North-gate.

260

260 

PROTEUS

PROTEUS             Go, sirrah, find him out. Come, Valentine.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     O, my dear Silvia! Hapless Valentine!

       [Exeunt Valentine and Proteus]

LANCE

LANCE     I am but a fool, look you, and yet I have the wit to think my master is a kind of a knave: but that’s all²⁶³ one, if he be but one knave. He lives not now that knows me to be in love, yet I am in love, but a team of horse²⁶⁴ shall not pluck that from me, nor who ’tis I love: and yet ’tis a woman, but what woman, I will not tell myself: and yet ’tis a milkmaid,²⁶⁶ yet ’tis not a maid, for she hath had gossips: yet ’tis a maid,²⁶⁷ for she is her master’s maid, and serves for wages. She hath more qualities²⁶⁸ than a water-spaniel, which is much in a bare Christian. Pulls out a paper Here is the cate-log²⁶⁹ of her condition. ‘Inprimis: She can fetch and carry.’ Why, a horse can do no more; nay, a horse cannot fetch,²⁷⁰ but only carry, therefore is she better than a jade.²⁷¹ ‘Item: She can milk.’ Look you, a sweet virtue in a maid with clean hands.

       [Enter Speed]

SPEED

SPEED     How now, Signior Lance? What news with your mastership?

LANCE

LANCE     With my master’s ship? Why, it is at sea.

SPEED

SPEED     Well, your old vice²⁷⁵ still: mistake the word. What news, then, in your paper?

LANCE

LANCE     The blackest news that ever thou heard’st.

SPEED

SPEED     Why, man? How black?

LANCE

LANCE     Why, as black as ink.

SPEED

SPEED     Let me read them.

LANCE

LANCE     Fie on thee, jolt-head,²⁸¹ thou canst not read.

SPEED

SPEED     Thou liest: I can.

LANCE

LANCE     I will try²⁸³ thee. Tell me this: who begot thee?

SPEED

SPEED     Marry, the son of my grandfather.

LANCE

LANCE     O illiterate loiterer! It was the son of thy grandmother: this proves that

               thou canst not read.

SPEED

SPEED     Come, fool, come: try me in²⁸⁷ thy paper.

LANCE

LANCE     There: and Saint Nicholas²⁸⁸ be thy speed. Gives him the paper

SPEED

SPEED     ‘Inprimis: She can milk.’ Reads

LANCE

LANCE     Ay, that she can.

SPEED

SPEED     ‘Item: She brews good ale.’

LANCE

LANCE     And thereof comes the proverb ‘Blessing of your heart, you brew good ale.’

SPEED

SPEED     ‘Item: She can sew.²⁹⁴’

LANCE

LANCE     That’s as much as to say ‘Can she so?’

SPEED

SPEED     ‘Item: She can knit.’

LANCE

LANCE     What need a man care for a stock²⁹⁷ with a wench, when she can knit him a stock?

SPEED

SPEED     ‘Item: She can wash and scour.’

LANCE

LANCE     A special virtue, for then she need not be washed and scoured.³⁰⁰

SPEED

SPEED     ‘Item: She can spin.³⁰¹’

LANCE

LANCE     Then may I set³⁰² the world on wheels, when she can spin for her living.

SPEED

SPEED     ‘Item: She hath many nameless virtues.³⁰³’

LANCE

LANCE     That’s as much as to say ‘bastard virtues’³⁰⁴ that indeed know not their fathers, and therefore have no names.

SPEED

SPEED     Here follow her vices.

LANCE

LANCE     Close at the heels of her virtues.

SPEED

SPEED     ‘Item: She is not to be kissed fasting in respect of³⁰⁸ her breath.’

LANCE

LANCE     Well, that fault may be mended with a breakfast. Read on.

SPEED

SPEED     ‘Item: She hath a sweet mouth.³¹⁰’

LANCE

LANCE     That makes amends for her sour breath.

SPEED

SPEED     ‘Item: She doth talk in her sleep.’

LANCE

LANCE     It’s no matter for that, so she sleep³¹³ not in her talk.

SPEED

SPEED     ‘Item: She is slow in words.’

LANCE

LANCE     O villain, that set this down among her vices! To be slow in words is a woman’s only virtue: I pray thee out with’t, and place it for her chief virtue.

SPEED

SPEED     ‘Item: She is proud.³¹⁷’

LANCE

LANCE     Out with that too: it was Eve’s legacy,³¹⁸ and cannot be ta’en from her.

SPEED

SPEED     ‘Item: She hath no teeth.³¹⁹’

LANCE

LANCE     I care not for that neither, because I love crusts.

SPEED

SPEED     ‘Item: She is curst.³²¹’

LANCE

LANCE     Well, the best is, she hath no teeth to bite.

SPEED

SPEED     ‘Item: She will often praise³²³ her liquor.’

LANCE

LANCE     If her liquor be good, she shall: if she will not, I will, for good things should be praised.

SPEED

SPEED     ‘Item: She is too liberal.³²⁶’

LANCE

LANCE     Of her tongue she cannot,³²⁷ for that’s writ down she is slow of: of her purse she shall not, for that I’ll keep shut. Now, of another thing³²⁸ she may, and that cannot I help. Well, proceed.

SPEED

SPEED     ‘Item: She hath more hair than wit, and more faults than hairs, and more wealth than faults.’

LANCE

LANCE     Stop there: I’ll have her. She was mine and not mine, twice or thrice in that last article. Rehearse³³³ that once more.

SPEED

SPEED     ‘Item: She hath more hair than wit’—

LANCE

LANCE     More hair than wit? It may be I’ll prove³³⁵ it. The cover of the salt hides the salt, and therefore it is more than the salt; the hair that covers the wit is more than the wit, for the greater hides the less. What’s next?

SPEED

SPEED     ‘And more faults than hairs’—

LANCE

LANCE     That’s monstrous:³³⁹ O, that that were out!

SPEED

SPEED     ‘And more wealth than faults.’

LANCE

LANCE     Why, that word makes the faults gracious.³⁴¹ Well, I’ll have her: and if it be a match, as nothing is impossible—

SPEED

SPEED     What then?

LANCE

LANCE     Why, then will I tell thee — that thy master stays for thee at the North-gate.

SPEED

SPEED     For me?

LANCE

LANCE     For thee? Ay, who art thou? He hath stayed for a better man than thee.

SPEED

SPEED     And must I go to him?

LANCE

LANCE     Thou must run to him, for thou hast stayed so long that going will scarce serve the turn.

SPEED

SPEED     Why didst not tell me sooner? ’Pox of³⁵¹ your love letters!

       [Exit]

LANCE

LANCE     Now will he be swinged³⁵² for reading my letter; an unmannerly slave, that will thrust himself into secrets. I’ll³⁵³ after, to rejoice in the boy’s correction.

       Exit

Act 3 Scene 2

running scene 12

       Enter Duke [and] Turio

DUKE

DUKE     Sir Turio, fear not but that she will love you,

               Now Valentine is banished from her sight.

TURIO

TURIO     Since his exile she hath despised me most,

               Forsworn my company and railed⁴ at me,

5

5             That⁵ I am desperate of obtaining her.

DUKE

DUKE     This weak impress⁶ of love is as a figure

               Trenchèd⁷ in ice, which with an hour’s heat

               Dissolves to water and doth lose his form.

               A little time will melt her frozen thoughts

10

10           And worthless Valentine shall be forgot.

       [Enter Proteus]

               How now, Sir Proteus, is your countryman,

               According to our proclamation, gone?

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Gone, my good lord.

DUKE

DUKE     My daughter takes his going grievously?¹⁴

15

15   

PROTEUS

PROTEUS           A little time, my lord, will kill that grief.

DUKE

DUKE     So I believe, but Turio thinks not so.

               Proteus, the good conceit¹⁷ I hold of thee —

               For thou hast shown some sign of good desert¹⁸ —

               Makes me the better¹⁹ to confer with thee.

20

20   

PROTEUS

PROTEUS           Longer than I prove loyal to your grace

               Let me not live to look upon your grace.

DUKE

DUKE     Thou know’st how willingly I would effect²²

               The match between Sir Turio and my daughter?

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     I do, my lord.

25

25   

DUKE

DUKE           And also, I think, thou art not ignorant

               How she opposes her against my will?

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     She did, my lord, when Valentine was here.

DUKE

DUKE     Ay, and perversely she persevers so.

               What might we do to make the girl forget

30

30           The love of Valentine, and love Sir Turio?

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     The best way is to slander Valentine

               With falsehood, cowardice and poor descent:³²

               Three things that women highly hold in hate.

DUKE

DUKE     Ay, but she’ll think that it is spoke in hate.

35

35   

PROTEUS

PROTEUS           Ay, if his enemy deliver³⁵ it:

               Therefore it must with circumstance³⁶ be spoken

               By one whom she esteemeth as his friend.

DUKE

DUKE     Then you must undertake to slander him.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     And that, my lord, I shall be loath³⁹ to do:

40

40           ’Tis an ill office for a gentleman,

               Especially against his very⁴¹ friend.

DUKE

DUKE     Where your good word cannot advantage him,

               Your slander never can endamage him;

               Therefore the office is indifferent,

45

45           Being entreated to it by your friend.⁴⁵

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     You have prevailed, my lord: if I can do it

               By aught⁴⁷ that I can speak in his dispraise,

               She shall not long continue love to him.

               But say this weed⁴⁹ her love from Valentine,

50

50           It follows not that she will love Sir Turio.

TURIO

TURIO     Therefore, as you unwind her love from him,

               Lest it should ravel⁵² and be good to none,

               You must provide⁵³ to bottom it on me,

               Which must be done by praising me as much

55

55           As you in worth dispraise Sir Valentine.

DUKE

DUKE     And, Proteus, we dare trust you in this kind⁵⁶

               Because we know, on Valentine’s report,

               You are already Love’s firm votary,

               And cannot soon revolt and change your mind.

60

60           Upon this warrant⁶⁰ shall you have access

               Where you with Silvia may confer at large —

               For she is lumpish,⁶² heavy, melancholy,

               And, for your friend’s sake, will be glad of you —

               Where you may temper⁶⁴ her by your persuasion

65

65           To hate young Valentine and love my friend.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     As much as I can do, I will effect.

               But you, Sir Turio, are not sharp⁶⁷ enough:

               You must lay lime⁶⁸ to tangle her desires

               By wailful sonnets,⁶⁹ whose composèd rhymes

70

70           Should be full-fraught⁷⁰ with serviceable vows.

DUKE

DUKE     Ay, much is the force of heaven-bred poesy.⁷¹

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Say that upon the altar of her beauty

               You sacrifice your tears, your sighs, your heart.

               Write till your ink be dry, and with your tears

75

75           Moist it again, and frame⁷⁵ some feeling line

               That may discover⁷⁶ such integrity:

               For Orpheus’⁷⁷ lute was strung with poets’ sinews,

               Whose golden touch could soften steel and stones,

               Make tigers tame and huge leviathans⁷⁹

80

80           Forsake unsounded deeps⁸⁰ to dance on sands.

               After your dire-lamenting⁸¹ elegies,

               Visit by night your lady’s chamber-window

               With some sweet consort;⁸³ to their instruments

               Tune⁸⁴ a deploring dump. The night’s dead silence

85

85           Will well become such sweet-complaining grievance.

               This, or else nothing, will inherit⁸⁶ her.

DUKE

DUKE     This discipline⁸⁷ shows thou hast been in love.

TURIO

TURIO     And thy advice this night I’ll put in practice.

               Therefore, sweet Proteus, my direction-giver,

90

90           Let us into the city presently

               To sort⁹¹ some gentlemen well skilled in music.

               I have a sonnet that will serve the turn

               To give⁹³ the onset to thy good advice.

DUKE

DUKE     About it,⁹⁴ gentlemen!

95

95   

PROTEUS

PROTEUS           We’ll wait upon your grace till after supper,

               And afterward determine our proceedings.

DUKE

DUKE     Even now about it. I will pardon you.⁹⁷

       Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 14.1

running scene 13

       Enter certain Outlaws

FIRST OUTLAW

FIRST OUTLAW Fellows, stand fast: I see a passenger.¹

SECOND OUTLAW

SECOND OUTLAW If there be ten, shrink not, but down with ’em.

       [Enter Valentine and Speed]

THIRD OUTLAW

THIRD OUTLAW Stand,³ sir, and throw us that you have about ye.

               If not, we’ll make you sit and rifle⁴ you.

5

5     

SPEED

SPEED           Sir, we are undone; these are the villains

               That all the travellers do fear so much.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     My friends—

FIRST OUTLAW

FIRST OUTLAW That’s not so, sir: we are your enemies.

SECOND OUTLAW

SECOND OUTLAW Peace: we’ll hear him.

10

10   

THIRD OUTLAW

THIRD OUTLAW Ay, by my beard, will we: for he is a proper¹⁰ man.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Then know that I have little wealth to lose;

               A man I am, crossed with¹² adversity:

               My riches are these poor habiliments,¹³

               Of which, if you should here disfurnish¹⁴ me,

15

15           You take the sum and substance¹⁵ that I have.

SECOND OUTLAW

SECOND OUTLAW Whither travel you?

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     To Verona.

FIRST OUTLAW

FIRST OUTLAW Whence came you?

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     From Milan.

20

20   

THIRD OUTLAW

THIRD OUTLAW Have you long sojourned²⁰ there?

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Some sixteen months, and longer might have stayed,

               If crookèd²² fortune had not thwarted me.

FIRST OUTLAW

FIRST OUTLAW What, were you banished thence?

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     I was.

25

25   

SECOND OUTLAW

SECOND OUTLAW For what offence?

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     For that which now torments me to rehearse:

               I killed a man, whose death I much repent,

               But yet I slew him manfully, in fight,

               Without false vantage²⁹ or base treachery.

30

30   

FIRST OUTLAW

FIRST OUTLAW Why, ne’er repent it, if it were done so;

               But were you banished for so small a fault?

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     I was, and held³² me glad of such a doom.

SECOND OUTLAW

SECOND OUTLAW Have³³ you the tongues?

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     My youthful travel therein made me happy,³⁴

35

35           Or else I often had been miserable.

THIRD OUTLAW

THIRD OUTLAW By the bare scalp of Robin Hood’s fat friar,³⁶

           This fellow were³⁷ a king for our wild faction!

FIRST OUTLAW

FIRST OUTLAW We’ll have him. Sirs, a word. Outlaws confer privately

SPEED

SPEED     Master, be one of them: it’s an honourable kind of thievery.

40

40       

VALENTINE

VALENTINE       Peace, villain.

SECOND OUTLAW

SECOND OUTLAW Tell us this: have you anything⁴¹ to take to?

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Nothing but my fortune.

THIRD OUTLAW

THIRD OUTLAW Know then that some of us are gentlemen,

           Such as the fury of ungoverned⁴⁴ youth

45

45       Thrust from the company of awful⁴⁵ men.

           Myself was from Verona banishèd

           For practising⁴⁷ to steal away a lady,

           An heir and niece,⁴⁸ allied unto the duke.

SECOND OUTLAW

SECOND OUTLAW And I from Mantua,⁴⁹ for a gentleman,

50

50       Who, in my mood,⁵⁰ I stabbed unto the heart.

FIRST OUTLAW

FIRST OUTLAW And I for such like petty crimes as these.

           But to the purpose: for we cite⁵² our faults,

           That they may hold excused⁵³ our lawless lives;

           And partly, seeing you are beautified

55

55       With goodly shape,⁵⁵ and by your own report

           A linguist and a man of such perfection

           As we do in our quality⁵⁷ much want—

SECOND OUTLAW

SECOND OUTLAW Indeed, because you are a banished man,

           Therefore, above the rest,⁵⁹ we parley to you:

60

60       Are you content to be our general?

           To make a virtue of necessity

           And live as we do in this wilderness?

THIRD OUTLAW

THIRD OUTLAW What say’st thou? Wilt thou be of our consort?⁶³

           Say ‘ay’, and be the captain of us all:

65

65       We’ll do thee homage⁶⁵ and be ruled by thee,

           Love thee as our commander and our king.

FIRST OUTLAW

FIRST OUTLAW But if thou scorn our courtesy, thou diest.

SECOND OUTLAW

SECOND OUTLAW Thou shalt not live to brag what we have offered.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     I take your offer and will live with you,

70

70       Provided that you do no outrages⁷⁰

           On silly⁷¹ women or poor passengers.

THIRD OUTLAW

THIRD OUTLAW No, we detest such vile base practices.

           Come, go with us: we’ll bring thee to our crews,⁷³

           And show thee all the treasure we have got,

75

75       Which, with ourselves, all rest at thy dispose.⁷⁵

    Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 24.2

running scene 14

    Enter Proteus

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Already have I been false to Valentine,

           And now I must be as unjust to Turio:

           Under the colour³ of commending him,

           I have access my own love to prefer.

5

5         But Silvia is too fair, too true, too holy,

           To be corrupted with my worthless gifts;

           When I protest⁷ true loyalty to her,

           She twits⁸ me with my falsehood to my friend;

           When to her beauty I commend⁹ my vows,

10

10       She bids me think how I have been forsworn

           In breaking faith with Julia, whom I loved;

           And notwithstanding all her sudden quips,¹²

           The least whereof would quell a lover’s hope,

           Yet, spaniel-like, the more she spurns my love,

15

15       The more it grows and fawneth on her still.

    [Enter Turio and Musicians]

           But here comes Turio; now must we to her window,

           And give some evening music to her ear.

TURIO

TURIO     How now, Sir Proteus, are you crept¹⁸ before us?

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Ay, gentle Turio, for you know that love

20

20       Will creep²⁰ in service where it cannot go.

TURIO

TURIO     Ay, but I hope, sir, that you love not here.²¹

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Sir, but I do: or else I would be hence.

TURIO

TURIO     Who, Silvia?

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Ay, Silvia: for your sake.

TURIO

TURIO     I²⁵ thank you for your own. Now, gentlemen, Let’s tune, and to it lustily²⁶ awhile.

    [Enter, at a distance, the Host, and Julia in boy’s clothes] They talk apart

HOST

HOST     Now, my young guest, methinks you’re allicholly;²⁷ I pray you, why is it?

JULIA

JULIA     Marry, mine host, because I cannot be merry.

HOST

HOST     Come, we’ll have you merry: I’ll bring you where you shall hear music and see the gentleman that you asked for.

JULIA

JULIA     But shall I hear him speak?

HOST

HOST     Ay, that you shall.

JULIA

JULIA     That will be music. Music plays

HOST

HOST     Hark, hark!

JULIA

JULIA     Is he among these?

HOST

HOST     Ay: but peace, let’s hear ’em.

       [PROTEUS or A MUSICIAN sings the] song

                                Who is Silvia? What is she?

                                That all our swains³⁸ commend her?

                                Holy, fair and wise is she:

40

40                                The heaven such grace⁴⁰ did lend her,

                                That she might admirèd⁴¹ be.

                                Is she kind as she is fair?

                                For beauty lives with kindness:

                                Love doth to her eyes repair,⁴⁴

45

45                                To help him of⁴⁵ his blindness,

                                And, being helped, inhabits there.

                                Then to Silvia let us sing,

                                That Silvia is excelling;

                                She excels each mortal thing

50

50                                Upon the dull earth dwelling.

                                  To her let us garlands bring.

HOST

HOST     How now? Are you sadder than you were before? How do⁵² you, man? The music likes⁵³ you not.

JULIA

JULIA     You mistake: the musician likes me not.⁵⁴

HOST

HOST     Why, my pretty youth?

JULIA

JULIA     He plays false,⁵⁶ father.

HOST

HOST     How, out of tune on the strings?

JULIA

JULIA     Not so: but yet so false that he grieves my very heart-strings.

HOST

HOST     You have a quick⁵⁹ ear.

JULIA

JULIA     Ay, I would I were deaf: it makes me have a slow⁶⁰ heart.

HOST

HOST     I perceive you delight not in music.

JULIA

JULIA     Not a whit, when it jars⁶² so.

HOST

HOST     Hark what fine change⁶³ is in the music.

JULIA

JULIA     Ay, that change is the spite.⁶⁴

HOST

HOST     You would have them always play but one thing?⁶⁵

JULIA

JULIA     I would always have one⁶⁶ play but one thing. But, host, doth this Sir Proteus that we talk on Often resort unto this gentlewoman?

HOST

HOST     I tell you what Lance his man told me: he loved her out⁶⁹ of all nick.

JULIA

JULIA     Where is Lance?

HOST

HOST     Gone to seek his dog, which tomorrow, by his master’s command, he must carry for a present to his lady.

JULIA

JULIA     Peace, stand aside: the company parts. Julia and the Host stand aside

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Sir Turio, fear not you: I will so plead That you shall say my cunning drift excels.

TURIO

TURIO     Where meet we?

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     At Saint Gregory’s well.⁷⁷

TURIO

TURIO     Farewell.

    [Exeunt Turio and Musicians]

    [Enter Silvia above, at her window]

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Madam, good even to your ladyship.

SILVIA

SILVIA     I thank you for your music, gentlemen. Who is that that spake?

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     One, lady, if you knew his pure heart’s truth, You would quickly learn to know him by his voice.

SILVIA

SILVIA     Sir Proteus, as I take it.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Sir Proteus, gentle lady, and your servant.

SILVIA

SILVIA     What’s your will?⁸⁶

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     That I may compass yours.⁸⁷

SILVIA

SILVIA     You have your wish: my will is even this,

           That presently you hie⁸⁹ you home to bed.

90

90       Thou subtle,⁹⁰ perjured, false, disloyal man:

           Think’st thou I am so shallow, so conceitless,⁹¹

           To be seduced by thy flattery,

           That hast deceived so many with thy vows?

           Return, return, and make thy love⁹⁴ amends.

95

95       For me — by this pale⁹⁵ queen of night I swear —

           I am so far from granting thy request

           That I despise thee for thy wrongful suit,⁹⁷

           And by and by⁹⁸ intend to chide myself,

           Even for this time I spend in talking to thee.

100

100 

PROTEUS

PROTEUS         I grant, sweet love, that I did love a lady:

           But she is dead.

JULIA

JULIA     ’Twere false, if¹⁰² I should speak it; Aside

           For I am sure she is not burièd.

SILVIA

SILVIA     Say that she be: yet Valentine thy friend

105

105     Survives; to whom, thyself art witness,

           I am betrothed. And art thou not ashamed

           To wrong him with thy importunacy?¹⁰⁷

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     I likewise hear that Valentine is dead.

SILVIA

SILVIA     And¹⁰⁹ so suppose am I: for in his grave

110

110     Assure thyself, my love is burièd.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Sweet lady, let me rake it from the earth.

SILVIA

SILVIA     Go to thy lady’s grave and call hers¹¹² thence,

           Or at the least, in hers sepulchre¹¹³ thine.

JULIA

JULIA     He heard not that. Aside

115

115 

PROTEUS

PROTEUS         Madam, if your heart be so obdurate,¹¹⁵

           Vouchsafe¹¹⁶ me yet your picture for my love,

           The picture that is hanging in your chamber.

           To that I’ll speak, to that I’ll sigh and weep:

           For since the substance of your perfect self

120

120     Is else¹²⁰ devoted, I am but a shadow,

           And to your shadow¹²¹ will I make true love.

JULIA

JULIA     If¹²² ’twere a substance, you would sure deceive it, Aside

           And make it but a shadow, as I am.

SILVIA

SILVIA     I am very loath to be your idol, sir;

125

125     But, since¹²⁵ your falsehood shall become you well

           To worship shadows and adore false shapes,

           Send to me in the morning, and I’ll send it.

           And so, good rest.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     As wretches have o’ernight

130

130     That wait for execution in the morn.

    [Exeunt Proteus and Silvia, separately]

JULIA

JULIA     Host, will you go?

HOST

HOST     By my halidom,¹³² I was fast asleep.

JULIA

JULIA     Pray you, where lies¹³³ Sir Proteus?

HOST

HOST     Marry, at my house.¹³⁴ Trust me, I think ’tis almost day.

135

135 

JULIA

JULIA         Not so: but it hath been the longest night

           That e’er I watched, and the most heaviest.¹³⁶

    [Exeunt]

Act 4 Scene 34.3

running scene 15

    Enter Eglamour

EGLAMOUR

EGLAMOUR     This is the hour that Madam Silvia

           Entreated me to call and know her mind:

           There’s some great matter she’d employ me in.

           Madam, madam.

    [Enter Silvia above, at her window]

5

5 

SILVIA

SILVIA       Who calls?

EGLAMOUR

EGLAMOUR     Your servant and your friend;

           One that attends your ladyship’s command.

SILVIA

SILVIA     Sir Eglamour, a thousand times good morrow.

EGLAMOUR

EGLAMOUR     As many, worthy lady, to yourself:

10

10       According to your ladyship’s impose,¹⁰

           I am thus early come to know what service

           It is your pleasure to command me in.

SILVIA

SILVIA     O, Eglamour, thou art a gentleman —

           Think not I flatter, for I swear I do not —

15

15       Valiant, wise, remorseful,¹⁵ well accomplished.

           Thou art not ignorant what dear good will

           I bear unto the banished Valentine,

           Nor how my father would enforce me marry

           Vain¹⁹ Turio, whom my very soul abhorred.

20

20       Thyself hast loved, and I have heard thee say

           No grief did ever come so near thy heart

           As when thy lady and thy true love died,

           Upon whose grave thou vowed’st pure chastity.

           Sir Eglamour, I would²⁴ to Valentine,

25

25       To Mantua, where I hear he makes abode;

           And for²⁶ the ways are dangerous to pass,

           I do desire thy worthy company,

           Upon whose faith and honour I repose.²⁸

           Urge not my father’s anger, Eglamour,

30

30       But think upon my grief, a lady’s grief,

           And on the justice of my flying hence,

           To keep me from a most unholy match,

           Which heaven and fortune still³³ rewards with plagues.

           I do desire thee, even from a heart

35

35       As full of sorrows as the sea of sands,

           To bear me company and go with me:

           If not, to hide what I have said to thee,

           That I may venture to depart alone.

EGLAMOUR

EGLAMOUR     Madam, I pity much your grievances,³⁹

40

40       Which, since I know they virtuously are placed,

           I give consent to go along with you,

           Recking⁴² as little what betideth me

           As much I wish all good befortune⁴³ you.

           When will you go?

45

45       

SILVIA

SILVIA       This evening coming.

EGLAMOUR

EGLAMOUR     Where shall I meet you?

SILVIA

SILVIA     At Friar Patrick’s cell,⁴⁷

           Where I intend holy confession.

EGLAMOUR

EGLAMOUR     I will not fail your ladyship.

50

50       Good morrow, gentle lady.

SILVIA

SILVIA     Good morrow, kind Sir Eglamour.

    Exeunt [separately]

Act 4 Scene 4

running scene 16

    Enter Lance [with his dog, Crab]

LANCE

LANCE     When a man’s servant shall play the cur¹ with him, look you, it goes hard: one that I brought up of² a puppy: one that I saved from drowning, when three or four of his blind brothers and sisters went to it. I have taught him, even as one would say precisely, ‘thus I would teach a dog’. I was sent to deliver him as a present to Mistress Silvia from my master, and I came no sooner into the dining-chamber but he steps me⁶ to her trencher and steals her capon’s leg: O, ’tis a foul thing when a cur cannot keep⁷ himself in all companies. I would have, as one should say, one that takes upon him⁸ to be a dog indeed, to be, as it were, a dog at all things. If I had not had more wit than he, to take⁹ a fault upon me that he did, I think verily¹⁰ he had been hanged for’t: sure as I live, he had suffered for’t, you shall judge. He thrusts me¹¹ himself into the company of three or four gentlemanlike dogs under the duke’s table: he had not been there — bless the mark¹² — a pissing while,¹³ but all the chamber smelt him. ‘Out with the dog!’ says one. ‘What cur is that?’ says another. ‘Whip him out’, says the third. ‘Hang him up’, says the duke. I, having been acquainted with the smell before, knew it was Crab, and goes me to the fellow that whips the dogs: ‘Friend,’ quoth I, ‘you mean to whip the dog?’ ‘Ay, marry, do I’, quoth he. ‘You do him the more wrong,’ quoth I, ‘’twas I did the thing you wot of.’¹⁸ He makes me no more ado, but whips me out of the chamber. How many masters would do this for his servant? Nay, I’ll be sworn, I have sat in the stocks²⁰ for puddings he hath stolen, otherwise he had been executed: I have stood on the pillory²¹ for geese he hath killed, otherwise he had suffered for’t.— To Crab Thou think’st not of this now. Nay, I remember the trick you served me when I took my leave of Madam Silvia: did not I bid thee still mark²³ me and do as I do? When didst thou see me heave up²⁴ my leg and make water against a gentlewoman’s farthingale? Didst thou ever see me do such a trick?

    [Enter Proteus, and Julia disguised as Sebastian]

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Sebastian is thy name? To Julia I like thee well and will employ thee in some service presently.

JULIA

JULIA     In what you please, I’ll do what I can.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     I hope thou wilt.— To Lance How now, you whoreson peasant, where have you been these two days loitering?

LANCE

LANCE     Marry, sir, I carried Mistress Silvia the dog you bade me.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     And what says she to my little jewel?³²

LANCE

LANCE     Marry, she says your dog was a cur,³³ and tells you currish thanks is good enough for such a present.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     But she received my dog?

LANCE

LANCE     No indeed did she not: here have I brought him back again.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     What, didst thou offer her this from me? Points to Crab

LANCE

LANCE     Ay, sir: the other squirrel³⁸ was stolen from me by the hangman boys in the market-place, and then I offered her mine own, who is a dog as big as ten of yours, and therefore the gift the greater.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Go get thee hence, and find my dog again,

           Or ne’er return again into my sight.

           Away, I say: stay’st thou to vex me here?

    [Exit Lance with Crab]

           A slave, that still an end⁴⁴ turns me to shame.

45

45       Sebastian, I have entertained⁴⁵ thee,

           Partly that I have need of such a youth

           That can with some discretion do my business,

           For ’tis no trusting to yond⁴⁸ foolish lout,

           But chiefly for thy face and thy behaviour,⁴⁹

50

50       Which, if my augury⁵⁰ deceive me not,

           Witness⁵¹ good bringing up, fortune and truth:

           Therefore know thou, for this I entertain thee.

           Go presently, and take this ring with thee, Gives a ring

           Deliver it to Madam Silvia;

55

55       She loved me well delivered⁵⁵ it to me.

JULIA

JULIA     It seems you loved not her, to leave⁵⁶ her token: She is dead, belike?

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Not so: I think she lives.

JULIA

JULIA     Alas!

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Why dost thou cry ‘Alas’?

JULIA

JULIA     I cannot choose but pity her.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Wherefore shouldst thou pity her?

JULIA

JULIA     Because methinks that she loved you as well

           As you do love your lady Silvia:

65

65       She dreams on him that has forgot her love,

           You dote on her that cares not for your love.

           ’Tis pity love should be so contrary:

           And thinking on it makes me cry ‘Alas’.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Well, give her that ring and therewithal⁶⁹

70

70       This letter. That’s her chamber. Tell my lady Gives a letter

           I claim the promise for her heavenly picture.

           Your message done, hie home unto my chamber,

           Where thou shalt find me, sad and solitary.

    [Exit]

JULIA

JULIA     How many women would do such a message?

75

75       Alas, poor Proteus, thou hast entertained

           A fox to be the shepherd of thy Iambs.

           Alas, poor fool,⁷⁷ why do I pity him

           That with his very heart despiseth me?

           Because he loves her, he despiseth me:

80

80       Because I love him, I must pity him.

           This ring I gave him when he parted from me,

           To bind him to remember my good will.

           And now am I, unhappy messenger,

           To⁸⁴ plead for that which I would not obtain,

85

85       To carry that which I would have refused,

           To praise his faith which I would have dispraised.

           I am my master’s true-confirmèd⁸⁷ love,

           But cannot be true servant to my master,

           Unless I prove false traitor to myself.

90

90       Yet will I woo for him, but yet so coldly

           As, heaven it knows, I would not have him speed.⁹¹

    [Enter Silvia, attended by her servant Ursula]

           Gentlewoman, good day: I pray you, be my mean⁹²

           To bring me where to speak with Madam Silvia.

SILVIA

SILVIA     What would you with her, if⁹⁴ that I be she?

95

95       

JULIA

JULIA       If you be she, I do entreat your patience

           To hear me speak the message I am sent on.

SILVIA

SILVIA     From whom?

JULIA

JULIA     From my master, Sir Proteus, madam.

SILVIA

SILVIA     O, he sends you for a picture?

100

100 

JULIA

JULIA         Ay, madam.

SILVIA

SILVIA     Ursula, bring my picture there. Ursula brings the picture

           Go give your master this: tell him from me,

           One Julia, that his changing thoughts forget,

           Would better fit his chamber¹⁰⁴ than this shadow.

105

105 

JULIA

JULIA         Madam, please you peruse this letter. Gives her a letter

           Pardon me, madam, I have unadvised¹⁰⁶

           Delivered you a paper that I should not:

           This is the letter to your ladyship. Takes back the letter and gives another

SILVIA

SILVIA     I pray thee, let me look on that again.

110

110 

JULIA

JULIA         It may not be: good madam, pardon me.

SILVIA

SILVIA     There, hold.¹¹¹

           I will not look upon your master’s lines:

           I know they are stuffed with protestations¹¹³

           And full of newfound¹¹⁴ oaths, which he will break

115

115     As easily as I do tear his paper. Tears the letter

JULIA

JULIA     Madam, he sends your ladyship this ring. Offers the ring

SILVIA

SILVIA     The more shame for him that he sends it me,

           For I have heard him say a thousand times

           His Julia gave it him at his departure.

120

120     Though his false finger have profaned¹²⁰ the ring,

           Mine shall not do his Julia so much wrong.

JULIA

JULIA     She thanks you.

SILVIA

SILVIA     What say’st thou?

JULIA

JULIA     I thank you, madam, that you tender¹²⁴ her.

125

125     Poor gentlewoman, my master wrongs her much.

SILVIA

SILVIA     Dost thou know her?

JULIA

JULIA     Almost as well as I do know myself.

           To think upon her woes, I do protest

           That I have wept a hundred several times.

130

130 

SILVIA

SILVIA         Belike she thinks that Proteus hath forsook her?

JULIA

JULIA     I think she doth: and that’s her cause of sorrow.

SILVIA

SILVIA     Is she not passing fair?

JULIA

JULIA     She hath been fairer, madam, than she is:

           When she did think my master loved her well,

135

135     She, in my judgement, was as fair as you.

           But since she did neglect her looking-glass

           And threw her sun-expelling mask¹³⁷ away,

           The air hath starved the roses in her cheeks

           And pinched the lily-tincture¹³⁹ of her face,

140

140     That now she is become as¹⁴⁰ black as I.

SILVIA

SILVIA     How tall was she?

JULIA

JULIA     About my stature:¹⁴² for at Pentecost,

           When all our pageants of delight¹⁴³ were played,

           Our youth got me to play the woman’s part,

145

145     And I was trimmed¹⁴⁵ in Madam Julia’s gown,

           Which served me as fit, by all men’s judgements,

           As if the garment had been made for me:

           Therefore I know she is about my height.

           And at that time I made her weep a-good,¹⁴⁹

150

150     For I did play a lamentable part.

           Madam, ’twas Ariadne,¹⁵¹ passioning

           For Theseus’ perjury and unjust flight,

           Which I so lively¹⁵³ acted with my tears

           That my poor mistress, movèd therewithal,

155

155     Wept bitterly: and would I might be dead

           If I in thought felt not her very sorrow.

SILVIA

SILVIA     She is beholding¹⁵⁷ to thee, gentle youth.

           Alas, poor lady, desolate and left!

           I weep myself to think upon thy words.

160

160     Here, youth, there is my purse: I give thee this Gives money

           For thy sweet mistress’ sake, because thou lov’st her.

           Farewell.

       [Exeunt Silvia and Ursula]

JULIA

JULIA     And she shall thank you for’t, if e’er you know her.

           A virtuous gentlewoman, mild¹⁶⁴ and beautiful.

165

165     I hope my master’s suit¹⁶⁵ will be but cold,

           Since she respects my mistress’¹⁶⁶ love so much.

           Alas, how love can trifle with itself!

           Here is her picture: let me see, I think

           If I had such a tire,¹⁶⁹ this face of mine

170

170     Were full as lovely as is this of hers.

           And yet the painter flattered her a little,

           Unless I flatter with myself too much.

           Her hair is auburn, mine is perfect yellow;

           If that be all the difference in his love,

175

175     I’ll get me such a coloured periwig.¹⁷⁵

           Her eyes are grey as glass, and so are mine:

           Ay, but her forehead’s low, and mine’s as high.¹⁷⁷

           What should it be that he respects¹⁷⁸ in her

           But I can make respective¹⁷⁹ in myself,

180

180     If this fond Love were not a blinded god?

           Come, shadow,¹⁸¹ come, and take this shadow up,

           For ’tis thy rival.— O thou senseless form,¹⁸² Looks at the picture

           Thou shalt be worshipped, kissed, loved and adored;

           And were there sense in his idolatry,

185

185     My substance should be statue¹⁸⁵ in thy stead.

           I’ll use¹⁸⁶ thee kindly, for thy mistress’ sake

           That used me so: or else, by Jove¹⁸⁷ I vow,

           I should have scratched out your unseeing eyes

           To make my master out of love with thee.

    Exit

Act 5 Scene 15.1

running scene 17

    Enter Eglamour

EGLAMOUR

EGLAMOUR     The sun begins to gild¹ the western sky,

           And now it is about the very hour

           That Silvia, at Friar Patrick’s cell, should meet me.

           She will not fail; for lovers break not hours,⁴

5

5         Unless it be to come before their time,⁵

           So much they spur their expedition.⁶

           See where she comes.—

    [Enter Silvia, with a mask]

                                Lady, a happy evening!

SILVIA

SILVIA     Amen, amen.⁸ Go on, good Eglamour,

           Out at the postern⁹ by the abbey-wall;

10

10       I fear I am attended¹⁰ by some spies.

EGLAMOUR

EGLAMOUR     Fear not. The forest is not three leagues¹¹ off:

           If we recover¹² that, we are sure enough.

    Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 25.2

running scene 18

    Enter Turio, Proteus, [and] Julia [disguised as Sebastian]

TURIO

TURIO     Sir Proteus, what says Silvia to my suit?

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     O, sir, I find her milder² than she was,

           And yet she takes exceptions at your person.³

TURIO

TURIO     What? That my leg is too long?

5

5 

PROTEUS

PROTEUS       No, that it is too little.⁵

TURIO

TURIO     I’ll wear a boot, to make it somewhat rounder.

JULIA

JULIA     But love will not be spurred⁷ to what it loathes. Aside

TURIO

TURIO     What says she to my face?

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     She says it is a fair⁹ one.

10

10       

TURIO

TURIO       Nay then, the wanton¹⁰ lies: my face is black.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     But pearls are fair; and the old saying is,

           Black men are pearls in beauteous ladies’ eyes.

JULIA

JULIA     ’Tis true, such pearls¹³ as put out ladies’ eyes, Aside

           For I had rather wink than look on them.

15

15       

TURIO

TURIO       How likes she my discourse?

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Ill,¹⁶ when you talk of war.

TURIO

TURIO     But well, when I discourse of love and peace.

JULIA

JULIA     But better indeed, when you hold your peace.¹⁸ Aside

TURIO

TURIO     What says she to my valour?

20

20       

PROTEUS

PROTEUS       O, sir, she makes²⁰ no doubt of that.

JULIA

JULIA     She needs not, when she knows it cowardice. Aside

TURIO

TURIO     What says she to my birth?²²

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     That you are well derived.²³

JULIA

JULIA     True: from a gentleman to a fool. Aside

25

25       

TURIO

TURIO       Considers she my possessions?

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     O ay, and pities²⁶ them.

TURIO

TURIO     Wherefore?

JULIA

JULIA     That such an ass should owe²⁸ them. Aside

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     That they are out by lease.²⁹

30

30       

JULIA

JULIA       Here comes the duke.

    [Enter the Duke]

DUKE

DUKE     How now, Sir Proteus; how now, Turio.

           Which of you saw Eglamour of late?

TURIO

TURIO     Not I.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Nor I.

35

35       

DUKE

DUKE       Saw you my daughter?

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Neither.

DUKE

DUKE     Why then,

           She’s fled unto that peasant Valentine,

           And Eglamour is in her company.

40

40       ’Tis true, for Friar Laurence⁴⁰ met them both

           As he, in penance, wandered through the forest.

           Him⁴² he knew well, and guessed that it was she,

           But, being masked,⁴³ he was not sure of it.

           Besides, she did intend confession

45

45       At Patrick’s cell this even,⁴⁵ and there she was not.

           These likelihoods confirm her flight from hence.

           Therefore I pray you stand⁴⁷ not to discourse,

           But mount you⁴⁸ presently and meet with me

           Upon the rising of the mountain-foot

50

50       That leads toward Mantua, whither they are fled:

           Dispatch,⁵¹ sweet gentlemen, and follow me.

    [Exit]

TURIO

TURIO     Why, this it is to be a peevish girl,

           That flies her fortune⁵³ when it follows her.

           I’ll after, more to be revenged on Eglamour

55

55       Than for the love of reckless⁵⁵ Silvia.

    [Exit]

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     And I will follow, more for Silvia’s love

           Than hate of Eglamour that goes with her.

    [Exit]

JULIA

JULIA     And I will follow, more to cross that love

           Than hate for Silvia, that is gone for love.

    Exit

Act 5 Scene 35.3

running scene 19

    [Enter] Silvia [with the] Outlaws

FIRST OUTLAW

FIRST OUTLAW Come, come, be patient:

           We must bring you to our captain.

SILVIA

SILVIA     A thousand more mischances³ than this one

           Have learned me how to brook⁴ this patiently.

5

5 

SECOND OUTLAW

SECOND OUTLAW Come, bring her away.

FIRST OUTLAW

FIRST OUTLAW Where is the gentleman that was with her?

THIRD OUTLAW

THIRD OUTLAW Being nimble-footed, he hath outrun us.

           But Moyses and Valerius⁸ follow him.

           Go thou with her to the west end of the wood,

10

10       There is our captain: we’ll follow him that’s fled.

           The thicket is beset,¹¹ he cannot scape.

    [Exeunt Second and Third Outlaws]

FIRST OUTLAW

FIRST OUTLAW Come, I must bring you to our captain’s cave.

           Fear not: he bears an honourable mind,

           And will not use a woman lawlessly.

15

15       

SILVIA

SILVIA       O Valentine, this I endure for thee!

    Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 4

running scene 19 continues

    Enter Valentine

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     How use¹ doth breed a habit in a man!

           This shadowy desert,² unfrequented woods,

           I better brook than flourishing peopled towns:

           Here can I sit alone, unseen of any,

5

5         And to the nightingale’s complaining⁵ notes

           Tune my distresses and record⁶ my woes.

               O thou that dost inhabit in my breast,

               Leave not the mansion⁸ so long tenantless,

               Lest, growing ruinous, the building fall

10

10           And leave no memory of what it was.

               Repair¹¹ me with thy presence, Silvia:

               Thou gentle nymph,¹² cherish thy forlorn swain. Commotion within

               What hallowing¹³ and what stir is this today?

               These are my mates, that make their wills their law,

15

15           Have¹⁵ some unhappy passenger in chase.

               They love me well: yet I have much to do

               To keep them from¹⁷ uncivil outrages.

               Withdraw thee, Valentine: who’s this comes here? Stands aside

       [Enter Proteus, Silvia, and Julia disguised as Sebastian]

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Madam, this service I have done for you —

20

20           Though you respect²⁰ not aught your servant doth —

               To hazard life and rescue you from him²¹

               That would have forced²² your honour and your love.

               Vouchsafe²³ me for my meed but one fair look:

               A smaller boon²⁴ than this I cannot beg,

25

25           And less than this I am sure you cannot give.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     How like a dream is this? I see and hear: Aside

               Love, lend me patience to forbear awhile.

SILVIA

SILVIA     O miserable, unhappy that I am!

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Unhappy were you, madam, ere I came:

30

30           But by my coming I have made you happy.

SILVIA

SILVIA     By thy approach³¹ thou mak’st me most unhappy.

JULIA

JULIA     And me, when he approacheth to your presence. Aside

SILVIA

SILVIA     Had I been seizèd by a hungry lion,

               I would have been a breakfast to the beast

35

35           Rather than have false Proteus rescue me.

               O, heaven, be judge how I love Valentine,

               Whose life’s as tender³⁷ to me as my soul!

               And full³⁸ as much, for more there cannot be,

               I do detest false perjured Proteus.

40

40           Therefore be gone, solicit⁴⁰ me no more.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     What dangerous action,⁴¹ stood it next to death,

               Would I not undergo for one calm look:

               O, ’tis the curse in love, and still approved,⁴³

               When women cannot love where they’re beloved.

45

45       

SILVIA

SILVIA           When Proteus cannot love where he’s beloved.

               Read over Julia’s heart, thy first best love,

               For whose dear sake thou didst then rend⁴⁷ thy faith

               Into a thousand oaths; and all those oaths

               Descended into perjury, to love me.

50

50           Thou hast no faith left now, unless thou’dst two,⁵⁰

               And that’s far worse than none: better have none

               Than plural faith, which is too much by one.

               Thou counterfeit⁵³ to thy true friend!

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     In love

55

55           Who respects⁵⁵ friend?

SILVIA

SILVIA     All men but Proteus.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Nay, if the gentle spirit⁵⁷ of moving words

               Can no way change you to a milder form,⁵⁸

               I’ll woo you like a soldier, at arms’ end,⁵⁹

60

60           And love you ’gainst the nature of love: force ye. He grabs her

SILVIA

SILVIA     O heaven!

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     I’ll force thee yield to my desire.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Ruffian, let go that rude uncivil⁶³ touch, Comes forward

               Thou friend of an ill fashion!⁶⁴

65

65       

PROTEUS

PROTEUS           Valentine!

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Thou common⁶⁶ friend, that’s without faith or love,

               For such is a friend now. Treacherous man,

               Thou hast beguiled⁶⁸ my hopes; nought but mine eye

               Could have persuaded me. Now I dare not say

70

70           I have one friend alive: thou wouldst disprove me.

               Who should be trusted, when one’s right hand⁷¹

               Is perjured to the bosom? Proteus,

               I am sorry I must never trust thee more,

               But count⁷⁴ the world a stranger for thy sake.

75

75           The private⁷⁵ wound is deepest. O time most accurst,

               ’Mongst all foes that a friend should be the worst!

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     My shame and guilt confounds⁷⁷ me.

               Forgive me, Valentine: if hearty sorrow

               Be a sufficient ransom for offence,

80

80             I tender’t⁸⁰ here. I do as truly suffer

               As e’er I did commit.⁸¹

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Then I am paid:

               And once again I do receive thee⁸³ honest.

               Who⁸⁴ by repentance is not satisfied

85

85           Is nor⁸⁵ of heaven nor earth, for these are pleased:

               By penitence⁸⁶ th’Eternal’s wrath’s appeased.

               And that my love⁸⁷ may appear plain and free,

               All that was mine in Silvia I give thee.

JULIA

JULIA     O, me unhappy! Swoons

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Look to the boy.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Why, boy! Why, wag!⁹¹ How now? What’s the matter? Look up: speak.

JULIA

JULIA     O, good sir, my master charged⁹² me to deliver a ring to Madam Silvia, which, out of my neglect, was never done.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Where is that ring, boy?

JULIA

JULIA     Here ’tis: this is it. Produces her own ring

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     How? Let me see. Takes ring Why, this is the ring I gave to Julia.

JULIA

JULIA     O, cry you mercy,⁹⁷ sir, I have mistook: This is the ring you sent to Silvia. Offers another ring

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     But how cam’st thou by this ring? At my depart⁹⁹ I gave this unto Julia.

JULIA

JULIA     And Julia herself did give it me, And Julia herself hath brought it hither. Reveals herself

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     How? Julia?

JULIA

JULIA     Behold her that gave aim¹⁰³ to all thy oaths,

               And entertained¹⁰⁴ ’em deeply in her heart.

105

105         How oft hast thou with perjury cleft the root!¹⁰⁵

               O Proteus, let this habit¹⁰⁶ make thee blush.

               Be thou ashamed that I have took upon me

               Such an immodest raiment,¹⁰⁸ if shame live

               In a disguise of love!

110

110         It¹¹⁰ is the lesser blot, modesty finds,

               Women to change their shapes than men their minds.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Than men their minds? ’Tis true. O heaven, were man

               But constant, he were perfect. That one error

               Fills him with faults, makes him run through all th’sins:

115

115         Inconstancy¹¹⁵ falls off ere it begins.

               What is in Silvia’s face but I may spy

               More fresh in Julia’s, with a constant eye?

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Come, come, a hand from either. Proteus and Julia join hands

               Let me be blest to make this happy close:

120

120         ’Twere pity two such friends should be long foes.

PROTEUS

PROTEUS     Bear witness, heaven, I have my wish forever.

JULIA

JULIA     And I mine.

       [Enter Outlaws, with Duke and Turio]

OUTLAWS

OUTLAWS     A prize, a prize, a prize!

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Forbear, forbear, I say! It is my lord the Duke. Outlaws release Duke and Turio

125

125         Your grace is welcome to a man disgraced,¹²⁵

               Banished Valentine.

DUKE

DUKE     Sir Valentine?

TURIO

TURIO     Yonder is Silvia, and Silvia’s mine. Steps forward

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Turio, give¹²⁹ back, or else embrace thy death: Draws his sword

130

130         Come not within the measure¹³⁰ of my wrath.

               Do not name Silvia thine: if once again,

               Verona shall not hold¹³² thee. Here she stands,

               Take but possession of her with a touch:

               I dare thee but to breathe upon my love.

135

135 

TURIO

TURIO             Sir Valentine, I care not for her, I.

               I hold him but a fool that will endanger

               His body for a girl that loves him not:

               I claim her not, and therefore she is thine.

DUKE

DUKE     The more degenerate and base art thou

140

140         To make such means¹⁴⁰ for her as thou hast done,

               And leave her on such slight conditions.¹⁴¹

               Now, by the honour of my ancestry,

               I do applaud thy spirit, Valentine,

               And think thee worthy of an empress’ love:

145

145         Know then, I here forget all former griefs,

               Cancel all grudge, repeal¹⁴⁶ thee home again,

               Plead¹⁴⁷ a new state in thy unrivalled merit,

               To which I thus subscribe:¹⁴⁸ Sir Valentine,

               Thou art a gentleman and well derived,

150

150         Take thou thy Silvia, for thou hast deserved her.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     I thank your grace: the gift hath made me happy.

               I now beseech you, for your daughter’s sake,

               To grant one boon that I shall ask of you.

DUKE

DUKE     I grant it, for thine own, whate’er it be.

155

155 

VALENTINE

VALENTINE             These banished men that I have kept withal¹⁵⁵

               Are men endued with worthy qualities:

               Forgive them what they have committed here

               And let them be recalled from their exile:

               They are reformèd, civil, full of good,

160

160         And fit for great employment,¹⁶⁰ worthy lord.

DUKE

DUKE     Thou hast prevailed: I pardon them and thee.

               Dispose of¹⁶² them as thou know’st their deserts.

               Come, let us go: we will include all jars¹⁶³

               With triumphs,¹⁶⁴ mirth and rare solemnity.

165

165 

VALENTINE

VALENTINE             And as we walk along, I dare be bold

               With our discourse to make your grace to smile.

               What think you of this page, my lord?

DUKE

DUKE     I think the boy hath grace¹⁶⁸ in him: he blushes.

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     I warrant you, my lord, more grace¹⁶⁹ than boy.

170

170 

DUKE

DUKE             What mean you by that saying?

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     Please you, I’ll tell you as we pass along,

               That you will wonder what hath fortunèd.¹⁷²

               Come Proteus, ’tis your penance but to hear

               The story of your loves discoverèd.

175

175         That done, our day of marriage shall be yours,

               One feast, one house, one mutual happiness.

       Exeunt

Textual Notes

F = First Folio text of 1623, the only authority for the play

F2 = a correction introduced in the Second Folio text of 1632

Ed = a correction introduced by a later editor

SD = stage direction

List of parts based on “Names of all the Actors” (reordered) at end of F text

F spells Protheus, Thurio, Panthino and Panthion

All entrances mid-scene = Ed. F groups names of all characters in each scene at beginning of scene

1.1.26 swam spelled swom in F 44 eating love = F. Some eds emend to doting love 66 leave = Ed. F = loue 67, 2.1.25 metamorphosed spelled metamorphis’d in F 77 a sheep = F2. F = sheepe 127 testerned = F2. F = cestern’d

1.2.101 your = F2. F = you

1.3.17 travel spelled trauaile in F which could mean either travel or travail 89 father = F2. F = Fathers

2.4.100 worthy = F2. F = worthy a 193 Is it = F2. F = It is mine eye = Ed. F = mine 211 SD Exit = F2. F = Exeunt

2.5.29 that = F2. F = that that

2.6.0 SD alone F = solus

3.1.56 tenor = Ed. F = tenure 274 master’s ship = Ed. F = Mastership 308 kissed fasting = Ed. F = fasting

3.2.14 grievously = F (corrected). F (uncorrected) = heauily

4.1.35 often had been = F2. F = often had beene often

4.2.109 his = F2. F = her

4.3.42 Recking = Ed. F = Wreaking

4.4.38 hangman = Ed. F = Hangmans 52 thou = F2. F = thee 56 to leave = F2. F = not leaue

5.2.18 your = Ed. F = you

Will Kempe, company clown to the Lord Chamberlain’s Men; he is shown with a man playing the tabor, a common instrument in the musical accompaniment to the plays.

Act 1 Scene 1

List of parts: clownish servant actually a quick-witted page boy    the like actually older than Speed and more foolish—the role for the company clown

 1.1    Location: Verona    Valentine his name signifies a lover (from the patron saint of lovers)    Proteus from the Greek god known for his ability to change shape at will; a name often used to suggest deceit

    2    homely simple/dull

    3    affection love/sexual desire    tender youthful

    7    sluggardized in a state of idleness

    8    shapeless purposeless

    9    still constantly

  12    haply by chance

  15    hap chance

  16    environ surround

  17    Commend thy grievance entrust your unhappiness

  18    beadsman person paid to pray for others

  19    love-book courtship manual or tale of love

  22    Leander…Hellespont in classical mythology Leander regularly swam across the Hellespont to see his lover Hero, until one night he drowned

  24    over-shoes in love shoe-deep/immersed in love

  27    give…boots don’t make a fool of me

  28    boots profits

  31    Coy disdainful

  32    watchful wakeful

  33    hapless unlucky

  34    If…won if the lover fails to win his lady then all that he will have gained is sorrow and effort

  35    However whatever the outcome    but merely    a folly foolishness

  37    circumstance elaborate speech

  38    circumstance situation

  39    cavil quibble/complain    Love refers here to Cupid

  41    yokèd bound/controlled

  42    chronicled for recorded as being

  44    eating canker worm that feeds off and destroys plants

  46    forward early

  47    blow bloom

  49    blasting withering

  50    verdure green freshness    prime spring

  51    effects outcome

  52    wherefore why    counsel advise

  53    votary devoted worshipper    fond foolish/doting

  54    road harbor

  55    shipped dispatched on board a ship

  58    Milan northern Italian dukedom

  59    success destiny

  60    Betideth takes place

  61    mine i.e., my letters full of news

  62    bechance happen

  65    dignify honor (by improving his own reputation in the world)

  66    leave abandon/neglect

  67    Julia possibly named after the Juliet in Arthur Brooke’s poem Romeus and Juliet; her name may also signify passion, being derived from the hot month of July

  69    War disagree

  70    musing pondering    Speed a name suggesting quick wit; possibly ironic in places as Speed is sometimes slow to go about his errands

  71    ’save you God save you

  72    But just

  74    sheep puns on “ship”

  76    An if if

  79    my…horns as he owns me my horns belong to him (Speed implies that this makes Valentine a cuckold)

  83    circumstance reasoned argument

  84    It…another it’ll be unfortunate if I can’t prove the point with a different explanation

  87    fodder food

  90    baa puns on the contemptuous “bah”

  92    mutton sheep    laced-mutton a prostitute wearing either lace or a tightly laced bodice

  94    store great quantity

  95    overcharged overcrowded    stick slaughter/have sex with

  96    astray wandering into error (puns on the idea of “a stray sheep”)    pound confine in an animal pound/beat

  97    pound reference to money, though still punning on a beating

  98    pinfold animal pen

  99    pin insignificant amount    Fold multiply (puns on pinfold) with additional suggestions of folding a letter

103    “noddy” fool

107    take…pains have it as a reward for the trouble you have taken

109    fain to bear obliged to put up (with suggestions of carrying on behalf of)

111    Marry by the Virgin Mary    orderly dutifully/properly

113    Beshrew the devil take

115    open the matter reveal the information

119    hardly with great difficulty

120    perceive understand/glean

121    perceive receive (may play on purse)    ducat gold coin

122    brought your mind conveyed your feelings to her

123    in…mind when you tell her of your emotions in person    token lover’s gift    stones jewels

126    bounty generosity

127    testerned me given me sixpence (a “testern”)    requital whereof return for which

128    commend present greetings from

131    drier death i.e., hanging

133    deign my lines accept my letter

134    post messenger/idiot

Act 1 Scene 2

 1.2    Lucetta diminutive form of “Lucy”

    3    so providing that    stumble trip/have sex    unheedfully carelessly/recklessly

    4    resort company

    5    parle talk

    9    Sir Eglamour almost certainly a different Eglamour from the one who appears later in the play; amor is Latin for “love”

  10    neat elegant

  12    Mercatio his name suggests that he is a merchant

  14    gentle well-born/honorable

  16    passion outburst

  17    passing surpassing, extreme (puns on passion)

  19    censure pass judgment on

  25    cast bestow

  26    cast away wasted

  27    moved wooed

  29    little speaking very few words on the subject

  39    being…it happening to meet him I took the letter on your behalf

  41    goodly broker fine intermediary

  42    wanton passionate/lewd

  44    office position

  48    fee recompense

  50    That…ruminate (yes) in order to enable you to think

  51    I had o’erlooked I wish I had read

  53    pray her to beg her to commit    chid rebuked

  57    have…‘ay’ rather the person making the offer interpreted as “yes”

  58    wayward perverse, unreasonable

  59    testy irritable

  60    presently immediately    kiss the rod be obedient    rod cane

  61    churlishly roughly, ungraciously

  63    angerly angrily

  66    remission forgiveness

  71    kill your stomach satisfy your appetite/calm your bad temper (meat was pronounced “mate” and thus puns on    maid)

  79    let…concerns leave it there for those it is intended for

  80    lie…concerns fib about its contents

  81    false interpreter untrustworthy/untrue reader

  83    That in order that

  84    set set to music (in the next line Julia intends the sense of “set store by”)

  85    toys trifles

  86    ‘Light o’ love’ a popular tune

  87    heavy serious/burdensome    light frivolous/of little weight

  88    burden bass accompaniment/chorus/   heavy load

  91    reach so high sing at such a high pitch/win someone of Proteus’s status

  92    minion minx, mischievous one

  93    tune melody/temper    so…out in that way you will finish the song/rid yourself of your mood

  96    sharp shrill/cross

  98    flat tunelessly low in pitch/blunt

  99    mar spoil    concord harmony    descant harmonious variation on the tune

100    mean middle point/method/tenor (a male voice—i.e., that of Proteus)

101    unruly bass uncontrolled bass voice/unworthy, low behavior

102    bid the base sing the male part/challenge to a chase

104    coil with protestation fuss about declarations of love

106    fing’ring fiddling with/stealing

107    makes it strange pretends she doesn’t care

109    would…same I wish that I had the letter back to be able to appear enraged by it/I wish that it really was anger that I was feeling about the letter

111    Injurious wasps unjust/harmful wasps (i.e., fingers)

113    several paper scrap of the torn-up letter

114    Unkind cruel/unnatural

115    As as if

119    my…thee I shall keep the scrap of paper with your name on it in my breast pocket/my heart will nurture your name

120    throughly thoroughly

121    search clean/probe (a wound)    sovereign healing

126    ragged rugged

130    that i.e., the part with her name on it

131    sith since

132    He…names he links my name to his lamenting one

133    Thus…another Julia folds the paper so that her name is lying upon that of Proteus (the sexual nature of this is continued in the following line in which the actions described become increasingly physical)

134    contend grapple, engage with sexually

135    stays waits

138    respect value

139    taken up rebuked

140    for lest they should

141    month’s mind to preference for

143    judge I wink think my eyes are shut

Act 1 Scene 3

 1.3    Pantino possibly from “pantler,” a type of servant, and the Italian diminutive ino

    1    sad serious

    2    cloister covered arcade adjoining a building

    6    suffer allow

    7    slender reputation lesser/insignificant status/repute

    8    Put forth send out into the world    preferment advancement, favor

  13    meet suitable

  14    importune urge

  16    impeachment…age discredit to him when he is older

  19    hammering thinking hard about

  21    perfect complete/fully rounded and experienced

  22    tried tested

  26    ignorant unaware

  28    emperor the Duke of Milan—he is referred to as both “emperor” and “duke” in the play

  31    practise tilts take part in jousts

  32    sweet discourse elegant conversation

  33    in eye of witness to

  37    execution carrying out

  38    expedition haste

  43    commend commit

  45    in good time just at the right moment    break with reveal the plan to

  47    hand handwriting

  48    pawn pledge

  50    seal ratify/complete

  54    commendations greeting

  59    gracèd favored

  61    stand you affected are you inclined

  63    his i.e., Valentine’s

  64    something sorted somewhat in agreement

  65    Muse wonder

  69    maintenance allowance    friends supporters/relatives

  70    Like exhibition the same amount

  72    Excuse it not make no excuses    peremptory resolved

  73    provided equipped

  75    Look see that

  76    No…stay no further talk of lingering

  82    take exceptions make objections

  83    vantage benefit

  84    excepted most against caused the greatest obstacle to

  91    accords agrees

Act 2 Scene 1

 2.1    Location: Milan

    2    on pronounced “one” (thus allowing for the pun in the following line)

    5    ornament item of clothing    decks adorns

    6    Silvia from the Latin “silva” meaning “woods”; also signifies a woodland deity or spirit

    8    sirrah sir (authoritative)

  12    still always    forward hasty/lively

  14    Go to expression of dismissive impatience

  17    special marks particular signs

  18    wreathe fold (considered a sign of melancholy)    malcontent discontented person    relish sing/have a taste for/enjoy

  19    pestilence plague (victims were shunned for fear of infection)    lost his ABC lost his schoolbook/forgotten the alphabet

  20    grandam grandmother

  21    watch remain awake

  22    puling whiningly    beggar at Hallowmas beggars traditionally made special requests for aid on All Saints’ Day (November 1)    wont accustomed previously

  24    presently immediately    want lack

  28    without ye externally

  29    Without me out of my presence

  30    without unless

  31    you…you you surround these follies so fully that they are visible within you/you are so simple that even without these external signs of folly your internal folly would shine through

  32    water…urinal urine in a glass vessel used by doctors for diagnosis

  33    malady illness

  36    Even she herself

  39    hard-favoured ugly

  40    well-favoured attractive/gracious

  43    of you, well-favoured preferred by you

  44    favour goodwill/charm

  45    painted artificial (painted on with cosmetics)    out…count beyond calculation

  47    counts of esteems, values

  48    How…me? i.e., Do you think nothing, then, of my judgment?

  49    deformed disfigured/transformed by love in Valentine’s eyes

  55    Love is blind Cupid was traditionally depicted as blind

  56    lights clear-sightedness

  57    ungartered with his garters undone (i.e., disheveled, traditionally a sign of one in love)

  60    hose breeches (Valentine is in an even worse condition than Proteus, who at least managed to put on his hose)

  64    swinged beat

  66    stand affected to love (in his reply, Speed plays on the sense of stand as “have an erection”)

  67    set calm/seated

  73    motion puppet show    interpret to her provide the words for the puppet (Silvia)

  75    ’give…ev’n God give you a plain “good evening” (instead of these elaborate greetings)    million of excessive quantity

  76    servant a lover who served and was devoted to his lady

  77    He…him as her lover, Valentine should express personal interest in Silvia, yet she gives him financial interest by doubling the number of greetings he has given her

  79    friend lover

  82    clerkly scholarly

  83    came hardly off was accomplished with difficulty

  85    doubtfully hesitantly

  86    Perchance…pains perhaps you think it is not worth making so much effort

  87    so…you as long as it is of help to you

  90    pretty period fine/clever pause/conclusion    the sequel what was to come next

  92    this i.e., the letter

  96    quaintly skillfully

  97    again back

101    none of have nothing to do with

105    so so be it

107    for your labour as payment for your efforts

111    sues to pleads with/courts

113    device scheme/invention

116    reasoning talking/debating

121    figure ingenious device/number

128    earnest to be serious (the following line plays on the sense of “financial deposit”)

129    none nothing

132    end end to the matter/purpose

134    warrant assure

136    want lack

137    discover reveal

139    in print very precisely, as if quoting from a book

141    I have dined implying that he has feasted upon Silvia’s looks

142    chameleon…air Love was supposed to be changeable, like the chameleon, a creature that can alter its color and that was reputed to survive on air

143    victuals food    fain willingly

144    moved sympathetic/persuaded to go to dinner

Act 2 Scene 2

 2.2    Location: Verona

    2    is there is

    4    turn change, become unfaithful

    5    remembrance love token, keepsake

    8    constancy fidelity

    9    o’erslips passes by unnoticed

  11    mischance misfortune

  13    stays awaits

  15    stay detain

  18    grace adorn/do honor to

Act 2 Scene 3

 2.3    Lance short form of Lancelot; the name may also be derived from the Old French l’ancelot (“attendant”)

    1    ere before    kind family

    2    proportion malapropism for “portion” (i.e., “allowance”)    prodigious malapropism for “prodigal,” a reference to the well-known Bible story

    3    Imperial’s emperor’s    Crab from “crab-apple,” a sour fruit

    6    cur dog

    7    Jew considered to be pitiless wept herself blind at my parting. Nay, I’ll show you the manner of it. This shoe is

    9    manner of it way it happened    shoe Lance uses his shoes to represent his parents

  10    left thought to be inferior to the right

  11    sole puns on “soul” (women supposedly had souls inferior to those of men)

  12    hole plays on the sense of “vagina”    A vengeance on’t a mild oath: Lance is struggling to remove his shoe

  13    staff tall walking stick    small slim

  14    wand slender stick

  16    your i.e., I ask for your

  18    wood mad (playing on the fact that Lance’s shoe is wooden)

  19    mother’s breath Lance is smelling the shoe    up and down in every way/exactly    mark note

  21    lay the dust dampen the dust underfoot

  23    post hasten    lose miss

  25    tied i.e., Crab (puns on tide)

  29    flood sea’s tide

  32    lose lose/loosen

  34    tale talk, story

  35    tail anus

  39    call summon

Act 2 Scene 4

 2.4    Location: Milan    Turio Latin for “sprig, young shoot,” perhaps suggesting the character’s immaturity

    7    ’Twere…knocked it would be a good idea to hit

  10    that what

  12    counterfeits fakes, impostors

  16    instance evidence

  18    quote observe (pronounced like “coat,” this plays on    jerkin in the next line)

  19    jerkin jacket worn over a    doublet

  20    doublet close-fitting jacket

  22    How? What?

  25    live…air live near you/listen to you speak/live off the same air you breathe (like a chameleon)

  27    done finished/acted (as opposed to having said)    this time the moment (Turio suggests that in the future he may “do” more, i.e., fight Valentine)

  28    end…begin stop before you’ve started (i.e., before actually dueling)

  29    volley discharge (of weapons)

  32    the fire i.e., the spark to set off the    volley/ignite the guns

  33    kindly naturally/lovingly

  34    spend spend like money/waste

  36    exchequer treasury

  37    bare liveries shabby uniforms (worn by a gentleman’s servants or dependants)

  40    hard beset energetically besieged (by suitors)

  45    happy messenger messenger bringing good news

  46    countryman man from the same country

  48    worth wealth/rank/worthiness    worthy estimation deserving of respect

  49    without desert undeservedly

  57    Omitting disregarding

  58    age present age/eventual old age

  62    unmellowed young (with no gray hairs)    ripe mature

  65    complete perfect    feature physical appearance

  67    make this good lives up to this description

  71    potentates powerful rulers

  77    cite urge

  80    Had come would have come

  81    looks gaze

  82    Belike that perhaps    enfranchised…fealty freed his eyes in return for an alternative pledge of loyalty/freed them in favor of another lover’s pledge of loyalty

  88    Love…all Cupid was blind

  90    homely plain/unattractive    wink shut its eyes

  94    warrant guarantee

  96    entertain receive

  98    low humble    high dignified/superior

  99    mean unworthy

101    Leave…disability stop this talk of inadequacy

103    duty i.e., a servant’s duty

104    want his meed lack its recompense

106    die i.e., in a fight    but except for

116    them much commended conveyed their hearty greetings

120    were wont to used to

123    contemning condemning, despising

124    imperious magisterial/commanding

125    penitential undergoing penance

128    enthrallèd enslaved

129    watchers of sleepless over/vigilant over

132    no…correction no misery as bad as that which results from Love’s punishment

133    to in comparison to

136    very naked mere

138    this i.e., Silvia

139    Even she she indeed/exactly so

140    paragon person of surpassing excellence

144    sick i.e., with love (for Julia)    bitter pills i.e., did not indulge me, but administered unpleasant-tasting medicine

145    minister the like give you the same treatment

146    by about

147    principality one of the nine orders of angels

150    Sweet a term of friendly affection

151    Except unless    except against object to

153    prefer promote, advance

156    from…kiss brush against her clothing

158    Disdain…flower refuse to allow the flowers to take root in it

160    braggardism bragging arrogance

161    can i.e., can say

162    To compared to    worthies things of value

163    alone unique

169    dream on thee pay you much attention

170    dote upon focus lovingly on/be infatuated with

172    for because

177    With…flight along with every detail of our ingenious escape plan

178    Determined of decided on

180    ’greed agreed

183    inquire you forth seek you out

184    disembark unload (from the boat)

185    necessaries personal luggage

189    expels drives out (applying heat was thought to ease a burn)

191    remembrance memory

192    object sight

194    false transgression faithless sin/wrongful violation of loyalty

195    reasonless without cause    to reason thus justify myself/explore matters in this way

200    zeal devotion/loyalty

204    advice reflection

205    without advice unadvisedly

206    picture appearance

208    look come to look (in the future)    perfections exquisite inner qualities

209    no reason but no doubt that

210    check restrain/reprimand    erring wandering/wrongful

211    compass win/embrace

Act 2 Scene 5

    1    Padua most editors emend to “Milan,” assuming that Shakespeare forgot his location, but it is conceivable that Speed is winding up the travel-weary and slow-witted Lance by naming the wrong city

    2    Forswear swear falsely/perjure (Lance claims that he is not welcome, but may also imply cheekily that Speed swears falsely because he does so on his honesty)    reckon think/add up

    3    undone ruined (puns on the notion of untying a hanged body)

    4    shot payment/tavern bill    hostess landlady of an inn

    8    closed in earnest embraced/agreed in a serious manner (there may also be a glance at the sense of earnest as “financial pledge,” thus contributing to the banter about money)    fairly kindly/cordially

  13    broken fallen out (in the following line Lance plays on “in pieces”)

  14    as…fish proverbial (whole puns on “hole,” which, along with fish, was slang for “vagina”)

  15    stands the matter goes the business (stands puns on “to become erect” and    matter on “sexual liaison”; Lance picks up on this in the following line)

  18    block blockhead    understands stands beneath/supports (puns on Speed’s sense of “comprehend”; the staff may be used to suggest a penis)

  28    parable comparison/enigmatic speech

  29    how say’st thou what do you say to the suggestion

  30    notable noticeable/notorious

  33    lubber clumsy lout

  34    whoreson bastard (whore’s son)    thou mistak’st me you misunderstand me (Lance interprets “you mistake me, Speed, for my master, Valentine”)

  41    ale ale-house/country festival (possibly a church festival, which a Jew would not attend; alternatively Lance may be associating Jewishness with a lack of Christian charity)

Act 2 Scene 6

    4    power…oath love, which made me swear fidelity to Julia

    7    sweet-suggesting sweetly tempting/seductive    if…it if you have ever sinned/if you have sinned by making me false (to Julia), teach me how to justify it

  11    Unheedful thoughtless    heedfully carefully/conscientiously

  12    wants wit lacks intelligence

  13    learn teach

  14    unreverend irreverent, impudent    her i.e., Julia

  15    preferred urged

  16    soul-confirming soul-strengthening (Proteus has sworn by his soul)

  17    leave cease

  21    thus find I so I find myself

  22    For in exchange for

  25    fair beautiful/pale-complexioned

  26    Shows Julia reveals, shows up Julia to be    swarthy Ethiope dark-complexioned Ethiopian (considered unattractive)

  29    hold consider

  31    constant faithful, true

  33    corded rope

  35    in counsel being in his confidence    competitor associate/rival

  37    disguising…flight deceptive intended escape

  40    cross thwart

  41    blunt stupid

  42    lend give

  43    drift scheme

Act 2 Scene 7

 2.7    Location: Verona

    2    conjure entreat

    3    table writing tablet, notebook

    4    charactered written

    5    lesson teach    mean method

  10    measure travel over

  14    forbear have patience/desist

  16    dearth famine

  18    inly inward

  22    qualify moderate

  25    current i.e., in water

  28    makes…stones creates a pleasing sound as it babbles over the smooth stones

  29    sedge rushlike plants

  32    sport entertaining activity    wild open/untamed

  38    Elysium heaven

  39    habit clothing

  40    for…men as I wish to avoid the improper advances made by lewd men

  42    weeds garments

  43    beseem be appropriate for

  45    knit tie, knot

  46    odd-conceited elaborately devised

  47    fantastic imaginative, fanciful

  48    time age

  51    compass circumference    farthingale hooped petticoat

  53    codpiece conspicuous attachment sewn onto the front of breeches (also implies the penis)

  54    ill-favoured unsightly

  55    round hose breeches with close-fitting legs that gave a padded appearance to the upper area; usually adorned with a prominent codpiece    not…pin not worth anything/not worthy of a penis

  56    stick pins on some codpieces were decorated with pins

  58    mannerly appropriate (puns on “man”)

  60    unstaid immodest

  61    scandalized disgraced

  64    dream on infamy worry about getting a bad reputation

  67    withal with it

  70    instances evidence    infinite infinity

  71    Warrant…Proteus guarantee that Proteus will welcome my arrival

  75    bonds binding promises    oracles guaranteed truth tellers

  76    immaculate pure

  81    hard poor    truth sincerity/fidelity

  85    furnish maintain/equip    longing journey journey undertaken as a result of longing

  86    at thy dispose under your control

  88    in lieu thereof in exchange for which

  90    tarriance delay

Act 3 Scene 1

 3.1    Location: Milan

    1    give us leave leave us (polite)

    8    pricks spurs

  12    privy to aware of/entrusted with

  16    vexation anger/distress

  21    timeless premature

  23    requite repay    command me ask any favor of me

  26    purposed intended

  28    jealous aim suspicious guess

  31    gentle kind/friendly/courteous    thereby…me in order to try and discover the information you have just revealed to me

  34    suggested tempted

  45    discovery…at revelation that Proteus exposed Valentine’s secret is not suspected

  47    publisher revealer    pretence intention

  49    light enlightenment, indication

  51    whither away where are you going

  56    tenor content

  59    am to break want to broach

  60    touch me near affect me significantly, are close to my heart

  65    bounty generosity

  66    Beseeming befitting

  68    peevish headstrong    froward obstinate

  70    regarding considering/respecting

  71    as…were as she should do toward

  73    advice reflection

  74    remnant…age remainder of my days

  77    who whoever

  78    wedding-dower dowry

  79    esteems values

  82    affect love/favor    nice reluctant/temperamental

  83    nought…eloquence does not care for the love-talk of an old man

  85    agone ago    forgot to court forgotten how to woo

  87    bestow myself behave

  88    regarded well-regarded

  90    kind nature

  91    quick lively

  94    her o’er up on her

  95    after-love the more later love greater

  97    beget produce

  99    Forwhy because

101    For by

102    commend praise    extol…graces elaborate on their virtues

103    Though…black however dark-complexioned/unattractive they be

105    with his tongue through talking/flattery (plays on the idea of oral sex)

106    friends family

109    That so that

113    lets prevents

115    shelving projecting

117    quaintly skillfully

118    anchoring hooks heavy hooks attached to the rope ladder as a means of securing it to the window

119    Hero’s tower in classical myth, Leander was guided to Hero by a light in her tower

120    So provided

121    blood rank/good family

130    of any length reasonably long

131    serve the turn fit the purpose

134    such another the same

136    fashion me adapt myself

138    this same this one here

139    engine…proceeding device (the ladder) suitable for the very scheme I have been planning

141    harbour lodge/take refuge

143    lightly freely, easily

144    Himself i.e., Valentine    senseless unconscious    lying reposing/dwelling

145    herald messenger    them themselves

146    thither them importune urge them to go there

147    grace…grace good fortune that with such honor

148    want lack    servants’ i.e., thoughts’

152    enfranchise liberate

154    Phaeton…son in Greek mythology Phaeton was the son of the sun god Helios and Clymene (wife of    Merops); he drove Helios’s sun-chariot (heavenly car), but could not control it, burned part of the earth, and was killed with a thunderbolt hurled by Zeus

158    overweening slave arrogant rogue

159    equal mates women of your own worth/social status

160    And…hence know that it is my patience, rather than any merit of your own, that is responsible for permitting you to leave

165    expedition departure

176    by nearby

178    shadow image

179    Except unless

183    leave to be cease to exist

184    influence power/substance thought to emanate from stars that influenced human fate

185    Fostered nurtured    illumined lit up

186    I…doom I am not really escaping death in fleeing the duke’s sentence (doom)

187    attend on wait for/serve

190    So-ho a hunting cry

192    hair puns on “hare”

193    a Valentine a true lover/token of love (Valentine is a lover right down to his very hairs)

196    spirit ghost

203    Villain rogue

204    I’ll strike nothing I won’t hit anything/if I hit a spirit I will be striking nothing as it has nobody

206    stopped blocked

208    mine i.e., my news

212    No Valentine no longer able to be a lover/no longer myself (as existence was dependent on Silvia’s presence)

213    forsworn rejected

217    vanished malapropism for “banished”

221    surfeit be ill from overeating

223    doom…force the sentence of banishment, which, as long as it is not reversed, stands in full force

226    tendered made an offering of

228    became suited

229    waxèd grew

232    sire father

234    intercession prayer on someone else’s behalf chafed enraged

235    thy repeal the reversal of your sentence/your return    suppliant petitioner

236    close secure/secluded

237    biding (her) remaining

239    malignant evil/harmful/infectious

241    As…dolour so that it might be a funeral hymn to my infinite sorrow

243    study think about

246    abridge shorten

248    manage handle, wield

251    thy love i.e., Silvia

252    expostulate discuss/expound

254    confer at large discuss in full

256    though…thyself even if not for your own sake

257    Regard pay heed to

258    my boy i.e., Speed

263    all…knave doesn’t matter as long as he is a knave in one thing only    He…that not a man alive

264    horse horses

266    maid virgin    gossips godparents (i.e., she has had a child)

267    maid servant    serves provides domestic service/has sex

268    qualities accomplishments    water-spaniel submissive dog    bare mere/naked (i.e., not hairy like a dog)

269    cate-log…condition catalog (list) of her attributes    Inprimis “in the first place” (Latin)

270    fetch respond to an instruction to fetch something

271    jade worthless old horse/loose woman    Item Latin term for “next” (in a list)    milk milk a cow/drain one of money/suckle a baby/cause ejaculation (clean hands may continue the idea of masturbation)

275    vice bad habit/comic character in morality plays known for his puns

281    jolt-head blockhead

283    try test    begot conceived

287    in on

288    Saint Nicholas patron saint of scholars    speed protector (puns on Speed’s name)

294    sew stitch (Lance interprets “sow seed” and is therefore surprised that a woman can do so)

297    stock dowry    knit…stock knit him a stocking/conceive stupid offspring for him

300    washed and scoured cleaned and scrubbed/beaten

301    spin spin wool/have sex

302    set…wheels have an easy life (wheels plays on “spinning wheels”)

303    nameless virtues inexpressible qualities

304    bastard virtues illegitimate children

308    in respect of because of

310    sweet mouth sweet tooth/lecherous mouth

313    sleep puns on “slip” (to commit an error/lapse sexually)

317    proud haughty/high-spirited/lecherous

318    Eve’s legacy the result of Eve’s greedy desire in the Garden of Eden

319    no teeth possibly a result of having a sweet mouth, though teeth could also fall out after treatment for syphilis

321    curst bad-tempered (plays on crust)

323    praise taste (in the following line Lance has understood “speak highly of’)

326    liberal unrestrained in her manner/free with her sexual favors

327    cannot cannot be

328    another thing i.e., her vagina (plays on purse, which had the same slang meaning)

333    Rehearse repeat

335    prove i.e., with a verbal demonstration of logic    more than greater than in that it entirely conceals the salt    cover…salt lid of a large salt cellar (salt may pun on both “wit” and “lechery”)

339    monstrous outrageous/unnatural    out wrong/not on the list

341    gracious acceptable

351    Pox of a plague on

352    swinged beaten    unmannerly ill-mannered

353    I’ll…correction I’ll follow so that I can enjoy seeing his punishment (for being late)

Act 3 Scene 2

    4    railed ranted abusively

    5    That so that

    6    impress impression, imprint    figure shape

    7    Trenchèd cut, engraved

  14    grievously sorrowfully

  17    conceit opinion

  18    desert worth, deserving

  19    the better more inclined

  22    effect bring about

  32    descent social status

  35    deliver speak

  36    circumstance detailed evidence

  39    loath very reluctant

  41    very true

  45    friend i.e., the duke

  47    aught…dispraise anything that I can say to damage his character

  49    weed root out

  52    ravel get tangled up

  53    provide prepare    bottom wind into a ball (Silvia’s love is being imaged as thread being unwound from Valentine and wound around Turio)

  56    kind business

  60    warrant authorization

  62    lumpish dull/despondent    heavy gloomy

  64    temper mold

  67    sharp ardent, keen

  68    lime birdlime, a sticky substance spread on branches to catch birds    tangle entangle, trap

  69    wailful sonnets lamenting, wistful love poems    composèd carefully constructed

  70    full-fraught…vows entirely filled with vows of service

  71    heaven-bred poesy poetry inspired by heaven

  75    frame compose

  76    discover reveal    integrity absolute devotion/total sincerity

  77    Orpheus in Greek legend, a musician so skillful that his music could even charm animals, rocks, and trees    sinews tendons

  79    leviathans sea monsters

  80    Forsake unsounded deeps abandon the unfathomed parts of the sea

  81    dire-lamenting deeply sorrowing    elegies mournful love poems

  83    consort group of musicians

  84    Tune sing    deploring doleful    dump sorrowful melody

  86    inherit gain possession of

  87    discipline learning/teachings

  91    sort select

  93    give…to bring about the initiation of

  94    About it on with the business

  97    pardon you i.e., from having to wait upon me

Act 4 Scene 1

 4.1    Location: wilderness/forest

    1    passenger traveler

    3    Stand stop (sit in the following line plays on the sense of “remain standing”)

    4    rifle rob

  10    proper fine-looking

  12    crossed with thwarted by

  13    habiliments clothes

  14    disfurnish deprive

  15    sum and substance everything

  20    sojourned stayed

  22    crookèd malign, devious

  29    false vantage unfair advantage

  32    held…doom was pleased to get such a (reasonable) sentence

  33    Have…tongues? Can you speak any foreign languages?

  34    happy fortunate/accomplished

  36    fat friar i.e., Friar Tuck, a member of Robin Hood’s band of outlaws

  37    were would be (a good)    faction group

  41    anything…to any resources

  44    ungoverned uncontrolled, reckless, violent

  45    awful worthy of respect (or possibly a printer’s error for “lawful”)

  47    practising plotting

  48    niece kinswoman (phrase sometimes emended to “An heir, and near allied”)

  49    Mantua northern Italian dukedom

  50    mood rage

  52    cite acknowledge/mention

  53    hold excused explain/justify

  55    shape appearance/figure

  57    quality profession

  59    above the rest for this reason above all    parley talk/negotiate

  63    consort company/group

  65    do thee homage perform acts of allegiance/acknowledge your superiority

  70    outrages acts of violence

  71    silly defenseless

  73    crews gang

  75    dispose disposal

Act 4 Scene 2

 4.2    Location: Milan

    3    colour pretext    commending praising

    7    protest swear

    8    twits taunts/reproaches

    9    commend offer/declare

  12    quips sharp retorts

  18    crept moved quietly, stealthily

  20    creep crawl    go walk upright

  21    love not here i.e., do not love Silvia

  25    I…own i.e., it’s a good thing for your sake that you made your meaning clear

  26    lustily heartily    Host innkeeper

  27    allicholly the Host means “melancholy”

  38    swains youths/lovers

  40    grace virtue/favor/elegance

  41    admirèd marveled at

  44    repair hasten

  45    of with

  52    do are

  53    likes pleases

  54    likes me not does not please me/does not love me

  56    plays false plays out of tune/is unfaithful    father respectful term for an old man

  59    quick sharp (in the following line Julia plays on the sense of “lively, rapid” when she contrasts quick with slow)

  60    slow heavy/not rapid

  62    jars sounds discordant

  63    change modulation (in the following line Julia plays on the sense of “fickle/unfaithful”)

  64    spite vexation

  65    but one thing only the same melody

  66    one…thing a lover play only one role (play is sexually suggestive and thing puns on “vagina”)

  69    out…nick beyond reckoning

  77    Saint Gregory’s well has been identified as an actual well near Milan

  86    will intent/desire

  87    compass yours fulfill your wishes/win your approval/gain your sexual desire

  89    hie hurry

  90    subtle cunning, treacherous

  91    conceitless witless

  94    thy love i.e., Julia

  95    pale…night i.e., the moon (associated with chastity)

  97    wrongful suit dishonorable/insulting courtship

  98    by and by immediately

102    if even if

107    importunacy persistent entreaties

109    And…I in that case, you may assume that I am too

112    hers i.e., her (Julia’s) love

113    sepulchre bury

115    obdurate unyielding

116    Vouchsafe permit

120    else elsewhere

121    shadow image/portrait (playing on the usual sense in the previous line)

122    If…am if the image in Silvia’s picture was real, you would be false to it and reduce it to mere shadowy unreality, just as you have done to me (Julia is changed from her real self through both heartbreak and disguise)

125    since…well as it will suit your fickle nature well

132    halidom all I consider holy

133    lies lodges

134    house i.e., inn

136    heaviest sorrowful/darkest

Act 4 Scene 3

 4.3    Eglamour amour (French for “love”) suggests a lover; his own lady having died, Eglamour remains devoted to the cause of true love by functioning as a knightly escort to Silvia

  10    impose command

  15    remorseful compassionate

  19    Vain foolish

  24    would want to go

  26    for because

  28    repose rely

  33    still always

  39    grievances distress/sorrowful affections

  42    Recking caring    betideth befalls

  43    befortune happen to

  47    cell simple dwelling

Act 4 Scene 4

    1    play the cur play up/be knavish/behave like a dog    goes hard is tough

    2    of from

    6    steps me steps (me is emphatic)    trencher plate    capon’s chicken’s

    7    keep control

    8    takes upon him undertakes    a dog at adept at (puns on the literal meaning of dog)

    9    take…did plead guilty to his wrong doing

  10    verily truly    had would have

  11    thrusts me thrusts

  12    bless the mark i.e., pardon the phrase I am about to use

  13    pissing while short time (literally, the time it takes to urinate)

  18    wot of have learned about    makes…ado makes no more fuss

  20    stocks contraption for public punishment in which a person had their wrists and ankles confined    puddings sausages

  21    pillory instrument of punishment in which a person had their head and wrists confined

  23    still mark always pay attention to

  24    heave up raise    make water urinate

  32    jewel i.e., the pretty dog Proteus thinks Lance delivered to Silvia

  33    cur dog/ill-bred fellow    currish mean-spirited/snarling

  38    squirrel i.e., small dog (contemptuous)    hangman boys rascally boys fit for the hangman

  44    still an end continuously (possible printer’s error for “on end”)

  45    entertained taken into service

  48    yond yonder

  49    behaviour bearing/manners

  50    augury discernment/prediction

  51    Witness are evidence of

  55    delivered who gave

  56    leave part with/forsake

  69    therewithal with it

  77    poor fool Julia refers to herself

  84    To…obtain i.e., Silvia’s love (for Proteus)

  87    true-confirmèd truly established/legitimate/declared

  91    speed succeed

  92    mean means/agent

  94    if…she if I am indeed Silvia

104    fit his chamber suit his room

106    unadvised inadvertently

111    hold wait a moment

113    protestations declarations (of love)

114    newfound recently invented

120    profaned abused/treated irreverently

124    tender care for/esteem

137    sun-expelling mask mask worn by a lady to protect her complexion from the sun

139    pinched the lily-tincture eroded the lily-white color

140    as…I Julia may have besmirched her face as part of her disguise

142    stature height    Pentecost Whitsun, Christian festival held on the seventh Sunday after Easter

143    pageants of delight enjoyable plays/entertainments

145    trimmed dressed up

149    a-good in earnest

151    Ariadne…flight in Greek mythology Ariadne was abandoned by her love Theseus despite the fact that she had helped him to escape from the labyrinth that contained the beastly Minotaur    passioning passionately sorrowing

153    lively in a lifelike way/convincingly

157    beholding indebted

164    mild gracious, kind

165    suit…cold wooing (of Silvia) will be in vain/received coldly

166    my mistress i.e., Julia herself

169    tire headdress

175    periwig wig

177    as high the same height as (i.e., no lower than) hers

178    respects values/admires

179    respective worthy of    respect

181    shadow the disguised/heartbroken Julia    take…up pick up this picture/take on this rival

182    senseless form unconscious image

185    statue i.e., an idol    stead place

186    use treat

187    Jove king of the gods

Act 5 Scene 1

 5.1    Location: outside the city

    1    gild tinge with gold

    4    break not hours do not fail to keep meetings

    5    before their time early

    6    expedition speedy action

    8    Amen, amen i.e., amen to that/yes indeed

    9    postern side or back gate

  10    attended followed

  11    three leagues about nine miles

  12    recover reach    sure secure

Act 5 Scene 2

 5.2    Location: Milan

    2    milder more gracious, gentler

    3    person physical appearance

    5    little thin

    7    spurred urged on (plays on the idea of the spurs of a riding-boot)

    9    fair attractive/pale-complexioned/effeminate

  10    wanton willful, capricious woman    black tanned

  13    pearls cataracts/syphilitic sores    put out make useless    eyes eyes/vaginas (syphilis infected both the eyes and the genitals)

  16    Ill…war i.e., she does not like it when you talk of violence/your talk of war only reminds her of your inadequacy for masculine pursuits

  18    hold your peace remain silent

  20    makes has

  22    birth noble ancestry

  23    derived descended

  26    pities is concerned for/considers pitiful

  28    owe own

  29    out by lease rented out/not entirely in one’s possession

  40    Friar Laurence possibly a slip for Friar Patrick, the friar at whose cell Silvia and Eglamour met, though conceivably another friar is being referred to

  42    Him i.e., Eglamour

  43    being masked she having on a mask

  45    even evening

  47    stand delay

  48    mount you rise up/get on horseback

  51    Dispatch hurry up

  53    flies her fortune flees her good fortune (i.e., Turio’s courtship)

  55    reckless uncaring

Act 5 Scene 3

 5.3    Location: wilderness/forest

    3    more mischances greater misfortunes

    4    brook endure

    8    Moyses and Valerius i.e., two of the outlaws (“Moyses” is a form of “Moses”)

  11    beset surrounded/beseiged

Act 5 Scene 4

    1    use custom

    2    desert deserted place

    5    complaining sorrowing

    6    record sing

    8    mansion i.e., his breast, love’s dwelling place

  11    Repair revive (plays on the senses “reconstruct” and “return”)

  12    nymph beautiful one/semidivine being

  13    hallowing shouting

  15    Have who have

  17    from from committing

  20    respect value    aught anything

  21    him i.e., the First Outlaw

  22    forced…love i.e., sexually assaulted/raped you

  23    Vouchsafe grant    meed reward    fair favorable/beautiful

  24    boon favor

  31    approach loving advances

  37    tender precious

  38    full just

  40    solicit urge/chase after favors

  41    action course of action/fighting

  43    still approved continually tested/proven

  47    rend tear up    faith promises, fidelity

  50    thou’dst two i.e., you are somehow able to be a faithful lover to two women at once

  53    counterfeit…friend false imitation of a true friend like Valentine

  55    respects takes into consideration

  57    spirit nature/breath of air (this latter sense, picked up on in moving, implies proximity between Silvia and Proteus)    moving wooing/stirring

  58    form manner of behaving/appearance

  59    at arms’ end at sword’s point/with my penis

  63    uncivil uncivilized, brutish

  64    ill fashion wicked sort

  66    common commonplace (i.e., showing no special qualities of friendship)

  68    beguiled deceived

  71    right hand i.e., his closest friend, Proteus

  74    count consider

  75    private personal/internal

  77    confounds overcomes

  80    tender’t offer it

  81    commit do wrong

  83    receive thee regard you as

  84    Who he who

  85    nor neither    these i.e., heaven and earth

  86    penitence repentance    th’Eternal’s God’s

  87    love i.e., friendship    free generous

  91    wag lad

  92    charged instructed

  97    cry you mercy forgive me

  99    depart departure (from Verona)

103    gave aim was the object of

104    entertained received

105    cleft the root split the bottom of my heart

106    habit outfit (Julia’s page disguise; also puns on the sense of “behavior”)

108    raiment clothing    if…love if it is in fact shameful to disguise oneself for love/if you can feel shame, being a false lover

110    It…minds propriety considers it less disgraceful for women to disguise themselves than for men to be unfaithful

115    Inconstancy…begins unfaithful passions drop away even before they begin

125    disgraced dishonored (plays on the sense of “out of favor”)

129    give move

130    measure range

132    hold protect (“Verona” may be a slip for “Milan”, which is Turio’s home)

140    means efforts

141    slight conditions insubstantial grounds

146    repeal recall

147    Plead…merit argue that there is a new state of affairs now that you have shown your superior deserving

148    subscribe bear witness/acknowledge

155    kept withal lived with

160    employment service

162    Dispose of make arrangements for    as…deserts in accordance with their deservings

163    include all jars bring to an end, shut up all discord

164    triumphs festivities    rare solemnity marvelous celebration

168    grace virtue/charm

169    grace ideal female beauty

172    fortunèd come to pass

THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR

In 1702 the poet and critic John Dennis rewrote The Merry Wives of Windsor with the title The Comical Gallant: or, the Amours of Sir John Falstaff. Dennis claimed that the original Shakespearean play was a particular favorite of Queen Elizabeth. Indeed, he reported, “This comedy was written at her command, and by her direction, and she was so eager to see it acted that she commanded it to be finished in fourteen days; and was afterwards, as tradition tells us, very well pleased at the representation.” A few years later, the story was elaborated in the biography appended to Nicholas Rowe’s edition of Shakespeare: the Queen was so well pleased “with that admirable character of Falstaff in the two parts of Henry the Fourth” that she commanded Shakespeare “to continue it for one play more, and to show him in love.”

We do not know whether the story is true, but there is great appeal in the idea of Falstaff reincarnated by royal command and transposed from tavern and battlefield to lady’s chamber and linen basket. There is no doubt that the play’s popularity on the eighteenth- and nineteenth-century stage owed much to its status as a vehicle for Falstaff. And at the end of the nineteenth century, the drama underwent another transposition as it was recreated in perhaps the greatest of all Shakespearean operas, Verdi and Boito’s Falstaff.

A seventeenth-century educational theorist called Philip King complained that it was ridiculous to suggest that “the condition of all our English women may be drawn out of Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor.” And in the 1660s, the leading English female intellectual of the age, Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of Newcastle, singled out those wives as particularly strong examples of Shakespeare’s gift for representing women: “who could describe Cleopatra better than he hath done, and many other females to his own creating, as Nan Page, Mrs Page, Mrs Ford, the Doctor’s Maid, Beatrice, Mrs Quickly, Doll Tearsheet, and others, too many to relate?” Though King disapproved and the Duchess approved, they clearly agreed that The Merry Wives was one of Shakespeare’s best plays for women. Whereas Shakespeare’s other comedies are courtship dramas that end with weddings or the promise of them, The Merry Wives of Windsor is more interested in how witty wives sustain society. The play is Shakespeare’s nearest approach to sitcom, where the setting is domestic and people are forever rushing in and out of doors.

“The Merry Wives” indicates that this is a play in which the women will be on top. “Of Windsor” promises a comedy of English town life. This is in sharp contrast to Shakespeare’s other comedies of the late 1590s and early 1600s, with their courtly, continental, and often pastoral settings. Indeed, with the exception of the Eastcheap scenes in the Henry IV plays, Windsor is the closest Shakespeare comes to the one major dramatic genre of the age that he did not attempt: the comedy of London life. City comedy was the forte of the group of slightly younger dramatists who came onto the theater scene around the turn of the century—Ben Jonson, Thomas Dekker, and Thomas Middleton.

But Windsor is not London. Though the play includes several types familiar from city comedy—the jealous husband, the marriageable citizen’s daughter, the simpleton up from the country—the setting is more provincial town than buzzing metropolis. The dramatist’s own experience of life in Stratford-upon-Avon was probably a more formative influence on the creation of this play than any literary source of the kind that inspired most of his other comedies. The scene in which a cheeky boy called William is drilled in Latin grammar feels as close to autobiographical reminiscence as anything in Shakespeare.

Nor is Windsor a generic English town. The castle and the royal park made it synonymous with the monarchy. During the closing nocturnal scene in the park, Mistress Quickly in the role of Queen of the Fairies offers a good luck charm to Queen Elizabeth, whom the poet Edmund Spenser had immortalized a few years before under the guise of England’s Faerie Queene. Given its royal setting, its close relationship to the history plays, and the fact that it is the only Shakespearean comedy with an English setting, The Merry Wives is inevitably interested in questions of Englishness. The comic treatment of honor and cozening, true and false knighthood, and the nature of gentility rearticulates some of the matter of the Henry IV plays in a new key, but the most sustained exploration of national identity takes place at the level of language.

Shakespeare has always been so admired for his poetry that the language of The Merry Wives has often been underrated for the simple reason that of all his plays this is the one with the highest proportion of prose. Yet its command of the prose medium is unstoppable: from first to last there is a stream of wordplay, innuendo, and hilarious linguistic misapprehension. The comic suitors are the key here: the Welsh parson Sir Hugh Evans and the French Doctor Caius are characterized by their abuse of the English language. Extraordinary mileage is obtained from Caius’s verbal tics (“By gar,” “vat is?”) and such simple substitutions as Evans’s “f” for “v” (thus in the Latin language lesson, the grammatical term “vocative” becomes the obscene-sounding “focative”). Verbal sparring stands in for physical. Whereas in the history plays national pride comes from prowess at arms, here it is a matter of prowess at words. When the Welshman and the Frenchman prepare to fight a duel over their rivalry for Anne, Shallow and Page remove their swords and the Host says “Let them keep their limbs whole and hack our English.

Comedy at the expense of foreigners for their abuse of the English tongue might be described as crudely patriotic or mildly xenophobic. A deeper patriotism and a richer form of comedy come from the capacity of the English language to turn adversity to advantage. That is the art of Falstaff, as it is in a more general sense the art of Shakespeare and his actors. Falstaff is repeatedly humiliated, but his mastery of the English language always gives him the last word. On discovering that he has been pinched and beaten not by real goblins but by Sir Hugh and his class of children, Falstaff magnificently retorts “Have I lived to stand at the taunt of one that makes fritters of English?” and then “I am not able to answer the Welsh flannel.” He is physically humiliated (“dejected”), but his linguistic gift never fails. Like his creator, he can seemingly conjure anything into language. Again and again, a bodily battering is transformed into the opportunity for a verbal display in which a tone of feigned incredulity creates a unique combination of excess and humility, self-delusion and self-knowledge that is irresistible to a theater audience.

KEY FACTS

PLOT: Sir John Falstaff, staying in Windsor and down on his luck, decides to restore his fortunes by seducing the wives of two wealthy citizens. He sends Mistress Page and Mistress Ford identical love letters, but they discover his double-dealing and set about turning the tables, arranging an assignation at Mistress Ford’s house. The jealous Frank Ford has heard of Falstaff’s plan and decides to test his wife’s fidelity. Pretending to be Master Broom, he pays Falstaff to seduce his wife on his behalf, twice almost catching them together. The Pages’ daughter Anne is pursued by three suitors. The French physician Doctor Caius is her mother’s choice, whilst her father favors Slender, Justice Shallow’s kinsman. Anne herself is in love with Fenton. Mistress Quickly is being paid by all three suitors to advance their cause. A duel between Doctor Caius and Parson Evans is averted when the Host of the Garter Inn plays a trick on them, and they in turn pay him back. In Windsor Great Park at night, Falstaff is set up for his final punishment—and one of Anne Page’s suitors is successful.

MAJOR PARTS: (with percentage of lines/number of speeches/scenes on stage) Falstaff (17%/136/9), Mrs. Page (12%/101/9), Ford (12%/99/9), Mrs. Quickly (10%/74/9), Evans (8%/87/9), Mrs. Ford (6%/85/7), Page (6%/75/11), Slender (5%/56/7), Shallow (4%/59/7), Caius (4%/49/8), Host (4%/46/8), Fenton (4%/20/4), Pistol (2%/29/5), Simple (2%/25/5), Anne Page (1%/19/3).

LINGUISTIC MEDIUM: 10% verse, 90% prose. Highest proportion of prose in the Complete Works.

DATE: 1597–1601. Allusion to the Order of the Garter in the final scene has led to supposition that the play was performed at, or indeed commissioned for, the Garter Feast held at Whitehall in April 1597, when George Carey, Lord Chamberlain and patron of Shakespeare’s acting company, was elected to the order, as (in absentia) was Frederick Duke of Württemberg (which may account for the allusions to a German duke in the scene involving the Host’s horses). The 1597–98 winter season at court and the Garter festivities for 1599 have also been proposed as the occasion: the argument for the latter, when Henry Brooke, eighth Lord Cobham, was elected Knight of the Garter, is interwoven with the Brooke/Broom crux (see “Text”, below). The argument against 1597 is that it would place the play before 2 Henry IV, which seems counterintuitive: the relationship between Falstaff and Shallow, together with the retinue of “irregular humorists,” is more likely to have been created in the history play and reanimated in the comedy than vice versa (though it has been suggested that The Merry Wives was dashed off when Shakespeare was halfway through the writing of 2 Henry IV). The element of “humoral” comedy suggests a date after Ben Jonson introduced this vogue in Every Man in his Humour (1598). The argument against a special Garter commission is that a full-length comedy, as opposed to a shorter masque or entertainment of a more courtly kind, is unlikely to have been performed on such an occasion. It is possible that the Garter dimension is a vestige of an earlier commissioned work that was expanded into a comedy for the public stage. The play is not mentioned by Meres, suggesting late 1598 or 1599 as the earliest date for public performance. The 1602 Quarto title page clearly indicates performance both before the court and in the public theater. Quarto omits the speech alluding to the Order of the Garter and many other references to Windsor and the court. The major differences between Quarto and Folio texts (see below) suggest several stages of composition and probably performance in different versions.

SOURCES: No known source for the main plot, but the gallant who attempts to seduce another man’s wife, is interrupted, and is hidden in a bizarre place was a traditional comic motif, as was the clever wife who gets the upper hand (there is an example in one of the tales in Barnabe Riche’s Farewell to Military Profession, a book that provided Shakespeare with the main source for Twelfth Night); the Anne Page plot of rival suitors for an attractive daughter also has many analogues. The horse-stealing episode may allude to the Duke of Württemberg’s visit to England in 1592 and has parallels with a comic sequence in Marlowe’s Dr. Faustus. Falstaff with his horns in the park combines the folktale of Herne the Hunter with the classical myth (from Ovid’s Metamorphoses) of Actaeon. The pinching Fairies are themselves pinched from act four scene three of John Lyly’s play Endymion, the Man in the Moon (published 1591).

TEXT: Published in Quarto in 1602, in a version that has the hallmarks of a “reported text” of a stage production. About half the length of the Folio, and with many textual corruptions, the Quarto was reprinted in 1619. The First Folio text of 1623 was set from a transcript by Ralph Crane, professional scribe to the King’s Men, though it is not certain whether he worked from the playhouse “book” or an authorial manuscript.

The Quarto calls into question two other significant details in the Folio. First, the name by which Ford calls himself when disguised: this is “Brooke” in Quarto but “Broom” in Folio. “Brooke” was clearly Shakespeare’s original intention, being an aquatic variation on “Ford” and the occasion for at least one liquid pun (“Such Brooks are welcome to me, that o’erflows such liquor”—2.2.107). The change to “Broom” in Folio may well have been made in order to avoid offending the powerful family with whom Shakespeare had already been in trouble over a name in 1 Henry IV. Lord Cobham had objected to the name Sir John Oldcastle, with the result that Shakespeare changed it to Sir John Falstaff. The Cobham family name was Brooke, so perhaps they intervened again, or the name was changed for fear that they might. We follow Folio’s Broom, but in production it is probably best to revert to Brook, in order to make the watery jokes work. Falstaff does not, after all, hide in a broom cupboard: he is thrown into a brook.

The other issue is the color coding at the climactic moment of the play, when Anne’s three suitors come on and take the fairy each of them supposes is her, whilst the children are singing their song and pinching Falstaff. In Folio, Master Page tells Slender that his daughter will be in white, but when Slender comes on with the humiliating news that he has grabbed and married a boy, he says that he took a fairy in green. With Caius, it is the other way round: Mistress Page tells him that Anne will be in green, but he takes a boy in white. Editors since the eighteenth century have reversed the colors in the dialogue at the end, to make them consistent with those of the initial plan. Since the inconsistency is much more likely to be the author’s than the printer’s, we have not done this, but attention is drawn to this issue in the gloss and the textual notes.

THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR

MISTRESS MARGARET PAGE, of Windsor

MASTER GEORGE PAGE, her husband

ANNE PAGE, their daughter

WILLIAM PAGE, a boy, their son

MISTRESS ALICE FORD, of Windsor

MASTER FRANK FORD, her husband

MASTER FENTON, a young gentleman, in love with Anne Page

SIR JOHN FALSTAFF

ROBIN, Falstaff’s pageboy

PETER SIMPLE, servant to Slender

SIR HUGH EVANS, a Welsh parson

HOST of the Garter Inn

DOCTOR CAIUS, a French physician

JOHN RUGBY, his servant

MISTRESS QUICKLY, his housekeeper

Servants; Children of Windsor playing Fairies

Act 1 Scene 11.1

running scene 1

       Enter Justice Shallow, Slender [and] Sir Hugh Evans

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Sir¹ Hugh, persuade me not. I will make a Star Chamber matter of it. If he were twenty Sir John Falstaffs, he shall not abuse Robert Shallow, esquire.

SLENDER

SLENDER     In the county of Gloucester, Justice of Peace and Coram.³

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Ay, cousin⁴ Slender, and Custalorum.

SLENDER

SLENDER     Ay, and Rato-lorum⁵ too; and a gentleman born, master parson, who writes himself Armigero⁶ in any bill, warrant, quittance or obligation, Armigero.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Ay, that I do, and have done any time these three hundred years.

SLENDER

SLENDER     All his successors — gone before him — hath done’t, and all his ancestors — that come after him — may. They may give⁹ the dozen white luces in their coat.¹⁰

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     It is an old coat.

EVANS

EVANS     The dozen white louses do become¹² an old coat well. It agrees well passant. It is a familiar¹³ beast to man, and signifies love.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     The luce is the fresh fish. The salt fish is an old coat.¹⁴

SLENDER

SLENDER     I may quarter,¹⁵ coz.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     You may, by marrying.

EVANS

EVANS     It is marring indeed, if he quarter it.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Not a whit.

EVANS

EVANS     Yes, py’r lady:¹⁹ if he has a quarter of your coat, there is but three skirts for yourself, in my simple conjectures. But that is all one: if Sir John Falstaff have committed disparagements unto you, I am of the church, and will be glad to do my benevolence,²¹ to make atonements²² and compromises between you.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     The Council²³ shall hear it, it is a riot.

EVANS

EVANS     It is not meet²⁴ the Council hear a riot: there is no fear of Got in a riot. The Council, look you, shall desire to hear the fear of Got, and not to hear a riot. Take²⁵ your vizaments²⁶ in that.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Ha, o’my life, if I were young again, the sword should end it.

EVANS

EVANS     It is petter that friends²⁸ is the sword, and end it. And there is also another device²⁹ in my prain, which peradventure prings goot discretions with it. There is Anne Page, which is daughter to Master Thomas³⁰ Page, which is pretty virginity.

SLENDER

SLENDER     Mistress Anne Page? She has brown hair, and speaks small³¹ like a woman.

EVANS

EVANS     It is that fery³² person for all the ’orld, as just as you will desire, and seven hundred pounds of moneys, and gold and silver, is³³ her grandsire upon his death’s-bed — Got deliver to a joyful resurrections! — give,³⁴ when she is able to overtake seventeen years old. It were a goot motion,³⁵ if we leave our pribbles and prabbles, and desire a marriage between Master Abraham and Mistress Anne Page.

SLENDER

SLENDER     Did her grandsire leave her seven hundred pound?

EVANS

EVANS     Ay, and her father is³⁹ make her a petter penny.

SLENDER⁴⁰

SLENDER     I know the young gentlewoman: she has good gifts.

EVANS

EVANS     Seven hundred pounds, and possibilities,⁴¹ is goot gifts.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Well, let us see honest⁴² Master Page. Is Falstaff there?

EVANS

EVANS     Shall I tell you a lie? I do despise a liar as I do despise one that is false, or as I despise one that is not true. The knight, Sir John, is there, and I beseech you, be ruled by your well-willers.⁴⁵ I will peat the door for Master Page. Knocks What, ho! Got pless your house here!

PAGE

PAGE     Who’s there? Speaks within and then enters

EVANS

EVANS     Here is Got’s plessing, and your friend, and Justice Shallow, and here young Master Slender, that peradventures shall tell⁴⁹ you another tale, if matters grow to your likings.

PAGE

PAGE     I am glad to see your worships well. I thank you for my venison, Master Shallow.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Master Page, I am glad to see you: much good do it your good heart. I wished your venison better, it was ill⁵⁴ killed. How doth good Mistress Page? And I thank you always with my heart, la⁵⁵ — with my heart.

PAGE

PAGE     Sir, I thank you.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Sir, I thank you: by⁵⁷ yea and no, I do.

PAGE

PAGE     I am glad to see you, good Master Slender.

SLENDER

SLENDER     How does your fallow⁵⁹ greyhound, sir? I heard say he was outrun on Cotsall.⁶⁰

PAGE

PAGE     It could not be judged,⁶¹ sir.

SLENDER

SLENDER     You’ll not confess, you’ll not confess.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     That he will not.— ’Tis your fault,⁶⁴ ’tis your fault.— ’Tis a good dog. Aside to Slender/To Page

PAGE

PAGE     A cur,⁶⁵ sir.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Sir, he’s a good dog, and a fair dog, can there be more said? He is good and fair. Is Sir John Falstaff here?

PAGE

PAGE     Sir, he is within: and I would⁶⁸ I could do a good office between you.

EVANS

EVANS     It is spoke as a Christians ought to speak.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     He hath wronged me, Master Page.

PAGE

PAGE     Sir, he doth in some sort⁷¹ confess it.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     If it be confessed, it is not redressed. Is not that so, Master Page? He hath wronged me, indeed he hath, at⁷³ a word, he hath. Believe me: Robert Shallow esquire saith he is wronged.

PAGE

PAGE     Here comes Sir John.

       [Enter Falstaff, Bardolph, Nim and Pistol]

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Now, Master Shallow, you’ll complain of me to the king?

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Knight, you have beaten my men, killed my deer, and broke open my lodge.⁷⁸

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     But not kissed your keeper’s⁷⁹ daughter?

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Tut, a pin!⁸⁰ This shall be answered.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     I will answer it straight:⁸¹ I have done all this. That is now answered.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     The Council shall know this.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     ’Twere better for you if it were known in counsel.⁸³ You’ll be laughed at.

EVANS

EVANS     Pauca verba⁸⁴, Sir John, goot worts.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Good worts?⁸⁵ Good cabbage. Slender, I broke your head. What matter have you against me?

SLENDER

SLENDER     Marry, sir, I have matter in my head against you, and against your cony-catching⁸⁷ rascals, Bardolph, Nim and Pistol.

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     You Banbury cheese!⁸⁹

SLENDER

SLENDER     Ay, it is no matter.⁹⁰

PISTOL

PISTOL     How now, Mephostophilus?⁹¹

SLENDER

SLENDER     Ay, it is no matter.

NIM

NIM     Slice,⁹³ I say! Pauca, pauca. Slice, that’s my humour.

SLENDER

SLENDER     Where’s Simple, my man? Can you tell, cousin?

EVANS

EVANS     Peace, I pray you. Now let us understand. There is three umpires in this matter, as I understand; that is, Master Page — fidelicet⁹⁶ Master Page — and there is myself — fidelicet myself— and the three⁹⁷ party is — lastly and finally — mine host⁹⁸ of the Garter.

PAGE

PAGE     We three to hear it and end it between them.

EVANS

EVANS     Fery goot, I will make a prief¹⁰⁰ of it in my note-book, and we will afterwards ’ork¹⁰¹ upon the cause with as great discreetly as we can.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Pistol!

PISTOL

PISTOL     He hears with ears.

EVANS

EVANS     The tevil¹⁰⁴ and his tam! What phrase is this? He hears with ear? Why, it is affectations.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Pistol, did you pick Master Slender’s purse?

SLENDER

SLENDER     Ay, by these gloves, did he, or I would I might never come in mine own great chamber¹⁰⁸ again else, of seven groats in mill-sixpences, and two Edward shovel-boards, that cost me two shilling and two pence apiece of Yead¹⁰⁹ Miller, by these gloves.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Is this true, Pistol?

EVANS

EVANS     No, it is false,¹¹² if it is a pick-purse.

PISTOL

PISTOL     Ha, thou mountain-foreigner!¹¹³ Sir John and master mine, I combat challenge¹¹⁴ of this latten bilbo. Word of denial in thy labras¹¹⁵ here! Word of denial: froth and scum, thou liest!

SLENDER

SLENDER     By these gloves, then, ’twas he. Points to Nim

NIM

NIM     Be avised,¹¹⁸ sir, and pass good humours: I will say ‘marry trap’ with you, if you run¹¹⁹ the nuthook’s humour on me. That is the very note of it.

SLENDER

SLENDER     By this hat, then, he¹²⁰ in the red face had it: for though I cannot remember what I did when you made me drunk, yet I am not altogether an ass.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     What say you, Scarlet and John?¹²²

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     Why, sir, for my part, I say the gentleman had drunk himself out of his five sentences.

EVANS

EVANS     It is his five senses. Fie, what the ignorance is!

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     And being fap,¹²⁶ sir, was, as they say, cashiered: and so conclusions passed the careers.

SLENDER

SLENDER     Ay, you spake in Latin then too. But ’tis no matter. I’ll ne’er be drunk whilst I live again, but in honest, civil, godly company, for this trick. If I be drunk, I’ll be drunk with those that have the fear of God, and not with drunken knaves.

EVANS

EVANS     So Got ’udge¹³¹ me, that is a virtuous mind.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     You hear all these matters denied, gentlemen, you hear it.

       [Enter Anne, with wine]

PAGE

PAGE     Nay, daughter, carry the wine in: we’ll drink within.

       [Exit Anne]

SLENDER

SLENDER     O heaven, this is Mistress Anne Page! Aside?

       [Enter Mistress Ford and Mistress Page]

PAGE

PAGE     How now, Mistress Ford?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Mistress Ford, by my troth, you are very well met. By your leave,¹³⁶ good mistress. Kisses her

PAGE

PAGE     Wife, bid these gentlemen welcome. Come, we have a hot venison pasty to¹³⁸ dinner. Come, gentlemen, I hope we shall drink down all unkindness.

       [Exeunt all except Shallow, Slender and Evans]

SLENDER

SLENDER     I had rather than forty shillings I had my book¹⁴⁰ of Songs and Sonnets here.

       [Enter Simple]

                  How now, Simple, where have you been? I must wait on myself, must I? You have not the Book of Riddles¹⁴² about you, have you?

SIMPLE

SIMPLE     Book of Riddles? Why, did you not lend it to Alice Shortcake upon Allhallowmas¹⁴⁴ last, a fortnight afore Michaelmas?

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Come, coz. Come, coz, we stay¹⁴⁵ for you. A word with you, coz. Marry, this, coz: there is, as ’twere, a tender,¹⁴⁶ a kind of tender, made afar off by Sir Hugh here. Do you understand me?

SLENDER

SLENDER     Ay, sir, you shall find me reasonable. If it be so, I shall do¹⁴⁸ that that is reason.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Nay, but understand me.

SLENDER

SLENDER     So I do, sir.

EVANS

EVANS     Give ear to his motions.¹⁵² Master Slender, I will description the matter to you, if you be capacity of¹⁵³ it.

SLENDER

SLENDER     Nay, I will do as my cousin Shallow says. I pray you pardon me, he’s a Justice of Peace in his country,¹⁵⁵ simple though I stand here.

EVANS

EVANS     But that is not the question. The question is concerning your marriage.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Ay, there’s the point, sir.

EVANS

EVANS     Marry, is it: the very point of it, to Mistress Anne Page.

SLENDER

SLENDER     Why, if it be so, I will marry her upon any reasonable demands.¹⁵⁹

EVANS

EVANS     But can you affection the ’oman?¹⁶⁰ Let us command to know that of your mouth or of your lips, for divers¹⁶¹ philosophers hold that the lips is parcel of the mouth. Therefore, precisely, can you carry¹⁶² your good will to the maid?

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Cousin Abraham Slender, can you love her?

SLENDER

SLENDER     I hope, sir, I will do as it shall become one that would do reason.

EVANS

EVANS     Nay, Got’s lords and his ladies, you must speak possitable,¹⁶⁵ if you can carry her your desires towards her.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     That you must. Will you, upon¹⁶⁷ good dowry, marry her?

SLENDER

SLENDER     I will do a greater thing than that upon your request, cousin, in any reason.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Nay, conceive¹⁷⁰ me, conceive me, sweet coz. What I do is to pleasure you, coz. Can you love the maid?

SLENDER

SLENDER     I will marry her, sir, at your request. But if there be no great love in the beginning, yet heaven may decrease¹⁷³ it upon better acquaintance, when we are married, and have more occasion to know one another. I hope upon familiarity will grow more contempt. But if you say ‘Marry her’, I will marry her — that I am freely dissolved,¹⁷⁶ and dissolutely.

EVANS

EVANS     It is a fery discretion answer. Save the fall¹⁷⁷ is in the ’ord ‘dissolutely’ — the ’ort is, according to our meaning, ‘resolutely’ — his meaning is good.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Ay, I think my cousin meant well.

SLENDER

SLENDER     Ay, or else I would I might be hanged, la!

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Here comes fair Mistress Anne.

       [Enter Anne]

                  Would I were young for your sake, Mistress Anne.

ANNE

ANNE     The dinner is on the table, my father desires your worships’ company.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     I will wait on him, fair Mistress Anne.

EVANS

EVANS     ’Od’s plessèd will! I will not be absence at the grace.

       [Exeunt Shallow and Evans]

ANNE

ANNE     Will’t please your worship to come in, sir?

SLENDER

SLENDER     No, I thank you, forsooth,¹⁸⁷ heartily. I am very well.

ANNE

ANNE     The dinner attends¹⁸⁸ you, sir.

SLENDER

SLENDER     I am not a-hungry, I thank you, forsooth.— To Simple Go, sirrah,¹⁸⁹ for all you are my man, go wait upon my cousin Shallow.

       [Exit Simple]

                  A justice of peace sometime may be beholding¹⁹¹ to his friend for a man. I keep but three men and a boy yet, till my mother be dead: but what though,¹⁹² yet I live like a poor gentleman born.

ANNE

ANNE     I may not go in without your worship: they will not sit till you come.

SLENDER

SLENDER     I’faith, I’ll eat nothing. I thank you as much as though I did.

ANNE

ANNE     I pray you, sir, walk in.

SLENDER

SLENDER     I had rather walk here, I thank you. I bruised my shin th’other day with playing at sword and dagger with a master of fence¹⁹⁸ — three veneys for a dish of stewed prunes¹⁹⁹ — and, by my troth, I cannot abide the smell of hot meat since. Why do your dogs bark so? Be there bears i’th’town?

ANNE

ANNE     I think there are, sir. I heard them talked of.

SLENDER

SLENDER     I love the sport²⁰² well, but I shall as soon quarrel at it, as any man in England. You are afraid if you see the bear loose, are you not?

ANNE

ANNE     Ay, indeed, sir.

SLENDER

SLENDER     That’s meat and drink to me, now. I have seen Sackerson²⁰⁵ loose twenty times, and have taken him by the chain: but, I warrant²⁰⁶ you, the women have so cried and shrieked at it that it passed.²⁰⁷ But women, indeed, cannot abide ’em: they are very ill-favoured²⁰⁸ rough things.

       [Enter Page]

PAGE

PAGE     Come, gentle Master Slender, come: we stay for you.

SLENDER

SLENDER     I’ll eat nothing, I thank you, sir.

PAGE

PAGE     By cock and pie,²¹¹ you shall not choose, sir. Come, come.

SLENDER

SLENDER     Nay, pray you lead the way.

PAGE

PAGE     Come on, sir.

SLENDER

SLENDER     Mistress Anne, yourself shall go first.

ANNE

ANNE     Not I, sir, pray you, keep on.²¹⁵

SLENDER

SLENDER     Truly, I will not go first. Truly, la! I will not do you that wrong.

ANNE

ANNE     I pray you, sir.

SLENDER

SLENDER     I’ll rather be unmannerly than troublesome. Goes first You do yourself wrong, indeed, la!

       Exeunt

Act 1 Scene 2

running scene 2

       Enter Evans and Simple

EVANS

EVANS     Go your ways, and ask of¹ Doctor Caius’ house, which is the way; and there dwells one Mistress Quickly, which is in the manner of his nurse,² or his dry nurse, or his cook, or his laundry,³ his washer and his wringer.

SIMPLE

SIMPLE     Well, sir.

EVANS

EVANS     Nay, it is petter yet. Give her this letter. Gives letter For it is a ’oman that altogether’s acquaintance⁵ with Mistress Anne Page. And the letter is to desire and require her to solicit⁷ your master’s desires to Mistress Anne Page. I pray you, be gone: I will make an end of my dinner, there’s pippins⁸ and cheese to come.

       Exeunt

Act 1 Scene 3

running scene 3

       Enter Falstaff, Host, Bardolph, Nim, Pistol [and] page [Robin]

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Mine host of the Garter!

HOST

HOST     What says my bully rook?² Speak scholarly and wisely.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Truly, mine host, I must turn away some of my followers.

HOST

HOST     Discard, bully Hercules,⁴ cashier. Let them wag. Trot, trot.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     I sit at⁵ ten pounds a week.

HOST

HOST     Thou’rt an emperor: Caesar, Kaiser⁶ and Pheazar. I will entertain Bardolph: he shall draw,⁷ he shall tap. Said I well, bully Hector?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Do so, good mine host.

HOST

HOST     I have spoke. Let him follow.— To Bardolph Let me see thee froth⁹ and lime. I am at a word: follow.

       [Exit]

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Bardolph, follow him. A tapster¹¹ is a good trade. An old cloak makes a new jerkin:¹² a withered servingman a fresh tapster. Go, adieu.

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     It is a life that I have desired. I will thrive.

       [Exit Bardolph]

PISTOL

PISTOL     O base Hungarian wight,¹⁴ wilt thou the spigot wield?

NIM

NIM     He was gotten in drink.¹⁵ Is not the humour conceited?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     I am glad I am so acquit¹⁶ of this tinderbox. His thefts were too open: his filching was like an unskilful singer, he kept not time.

NIM

NIM     The good humour¹⁸ is to steal at a minute’s rest.

PISTOL

PISTOL     ‘Convey’, the wise it call. ‘Steal?’ Foh! A fico¹⁹ for the phrase.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Well, sirs, I am almost out at heels.²⁰

PISTOL

PISTOL     Why then, let kibes²¹ ensue.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     There is no remedy: I must cony-catch, I must shift.²²

PISTOL

PISTOL     Young ravens must have food.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Which of you know Ford of this town?

PISTOL

PISTOL     I ken the wight:²⁵ he is of substance good.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     My honest lads, I will tell you what I am about.²⁶

PISTOL

PISTOL     Two yards, and more.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     No quips now, Pistol! Indeed, I am in the waist two yards about, but I am now about no waste: I am about thrift. Briefly, I do mean to make love to²⁹ Ford’s wife. I spy entertainment³⁰ in her: she discourses, she carves, she gives the leer of invitation. I can construe³¹ the action of her familiar style, and the hardest voice of her behaviour — to be Englished³² rightly — is, ‘I am Sir John Falstaff’s.’

PISTOL

PISTOL     He hath studied her will,³³ and translated her will, out of honesty, into English.

NIM

NIM     The³⁵ anchor is deep. Will that humour pass?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Now, the report goes she has all the rule of her husband’s purse: he hath a legion of angels.³⁷

PISTOL

PISTOL     As³⁸ many devils entertain. And ‘To her, boy!’ say I.

NIM

NIM     The humour rises:³⁹ it is good. Humour me the angels.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     I have writ me⁴⁰ here a letter to her. Shows letters And here another to Page’s wife, who even now gave me good eyes too, examined my parts with most judicious oeillades.⁴² Sometimes the beam of her view gilded my foot, sometimes my portly belly.

PISTOL

PISTOL     Then did the sun on dunghill shine.

NIM

NIM     I thank thee for that humour.⁴⁵

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     O, she did so course⁴⁶ o’er my exteriors with such a greedy intention, that the appetite of her eye did seem to scorch me up like a burning-glass.⁴⁷ Here’s another letter to her. She bears the purse too: she is a region in Guiana,⁴⁸ all gold and bounty. I will be cheaters⁴⁹ to them both, and they shall be exchequers to me. They shall be my East and West Indies, and I will trade⁵⁰ to them both.— To Nim Go bear thou this letter to Mistress Page — and thou this to Mistress Ford. To Pistol We will thrive, lads, we will thrive.

PISTOL

PISTOL     Shall I Sir Pandarus of Troy⁵³ become, And⁵⁴ by my side wear steel? Then Lucifer take all! Gives back the letter

NIM

NIM     I will run⁵⁵ no base humour. Here, take the humour-letter. Gives the letter back I will keep the ’haviour of reputation.⁵⁶

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Hold, sirrah, bear you these letters tightly,⁵⁷ To Robin

               Sail like my pinnace⁵⁸ to these golden shores.

               Rogues, hence, avaunt!⁵⁹ Vanish like hailstones: go,

60

60           Trudge, plod away o’th’hoof,⁶⁰ seek shelter, pack!

               Falstaff will learn the humour⁶¹ of the age,

               French thrift,⁶² you rogues, myself and skirted page.

       [Exeunt Falstaff and Robin]

PISTOL

PISTOL     Let vultures gripe⁶³ thy guts! For gourd and fullam holds,

               And high and low⁶⁴ beguiles the rich and poor:

65

65           Tester⁶⁵ I’ll have in pouch when thou shalt lack,

               Base Phrygian Turk!⁶⁶

NIM

NIM     I have operations⁶⁷ which be humours of revenge.

PISTOL

PISTOL     Wilt thou revenge?

NIM

NIM     By welkin⁶⁹ and her star!

PISTOL

PISTOL     With wit or steel?⁷⁰

NIM

NIM     With both the humours,⁷¹ I. I will discuss the humour of this love to Ford.

PISTOL

PISTOL     And I to Page shall eke⁷² unfold How Falstaff, varlet vile, His dove will prove,⁷⁴ his gold will hold, And his soft couch defile.

NIM

NIM     My humour shall not cool. I will incense Ford to deal with poison. I will possess him with yellowness,⁷⁷ for the revolt of mine is dangerous. That is my true humour.

PISTOL

PISTOL     Thou art the Mars of malcontents.⁷⁹ I second thee, troop on.

       Exeunt

Act 1 Scene 4

running scene 4

       Enter Mistress Quickly, Simple and John Rugby

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY What, John Rugby! I pray thee go to the casement and see if you can see my master, Master Doctor Caius, coming. If he do, i’faith, and find anybody in the house, here will be an old³ abusing of God’s patience and the King’s English.

RUGBY

RUGBY     I’ll go watch.

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY Go, and we’ll have a posset⁶ for’t soon at night, in faith, at the latter end of a sea-coal⁷ fire.— [Exit Rugby] An honest, willing, kind fellow, as ever servant shall come in house withal,⁸ and, I warrant you, no tell-tale nor no breed-bate. His worst fault is that he is given to prayer, he is something peevish⁹ that way, but nobody but has his fault. But let that pass. Peter Simple you say your name is?

SIMPLE

SIMPLE     Ay, for fault¹² of a better.

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY And Master Slender’s your master?

SIMPLE

SIMPLE     Ay, forsooth.

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY Does he not wear a great round beard, like a glover’s¹⁵ paring-knife?

SIMPLE

SIMPLE     No, forsooth, he hath but a little wee face, with a little yellow beard: a Cain-coloured¹⁷ beard.

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY A softly-sprighted¹⁸ man, is he not?

SIMPLE

SIMPLE     Ay, forsooth, but he is as¹⁹ tall a man of his hands as any is between this and his head. He hath fought with a warrener.²⁰

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY How say you? O, I should remember him: does he not hold up his head, as it were, and strut in his gait?

SIMPLE

SIMPLE     Yes, indeed, does he.

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY Well, heaven send Anne Page no worse fortune. Tell Master Parson Evans I will do what I can for your master. Anne is a good girl, and I wish—

RUGBY

RUGBY     Out, alas!²⁶ Here comes my master. Within

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY We shall all be shent.²⁷ Run in here, good young man, go into this To Simple closet.²⁸ Simple goes into the closet He will not stay long. What, John Rugby? John! What, John, I say?

       [Enter Rugby]

                  Go, John, go inquire for my master. I doubt²⁹ he be not well, that he comes not home.

       [Exit Rugby]

                  And³¹ down, down, adown-a, etc. She sings

       [Enter Caius]

CAIUS

CAIUS     Vat is you sing? I do not like des toys.³² Pray you, go and vetch me in my closet une boîtie en vert:³³ a box, a green-a box. Do intend vat I speak? A green-a box.

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY Ay, forsooth, I’ll fetch it you.— Aside I am glad he went not in himself. If he had found the young man, he would have been horn-mad.³⁶ She goes into the closet

CAIUS

CAIUS     Fe, fe, fe, fe, ma³⁷ foi, il fait fort chaud. Je m’en vais voir à le Court la grande affaire.

       [Enter Mistress Quickly with a box]

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY Is it this, sir?

CAIUS

CAIUS     Oui, mette-le au mon pocket. Dépêche,⁴⁰ quickly. Vere is dat knave Rugby?

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY What, John Rugby? John?

       [Enter Rugby]

RUGBY

RUGBY     Here, sir!

CAIUS

CAIUS     You are John Rugby, and you are Jack Rugby. Come, take-a your rapier, and come after my heel to the court.

RUGBY

RUGBY     ’Tis ready, sir, here in the porch.

CAIUS

CAIUS     By my trot,⁴⁶ I tarry too long. Od’s me, que ai-je oublié. Dere is some simples in my closet dat I vill not for the varld I shall leave behind. He goes into the closet

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY Ay me, he’ll find the young man there and be mad.

CAIUS

CAIUS     O diable⁴⁹, diable! Vat is in my closet? Within Villain, larron! Rugby, my rapier! Pulls Simple out

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY Good master, be content.

CAIUS

CAIUS     Wherefore shall I be content-a?

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY The young man is an honest man.

CAIUS

CAIUS     What shall de honest man do in my closet? Dere is no honest man dat shall come in my closet.

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY I beseech you be not so phlegmatic.⁵⁶ Hear the truth of it: he came of⁵⁷ an errand to me, from Parson Hugh.

CAIUS

CAIUS     Vell.

SIMPLE

SIMPLE     Ay, forsooth, to desire her to—

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY Peace, I pray you.

CAIUS

CAIUS     Peace-a your tongue. Speak-a your tale. To Mistress Quickly/To Simple

SIMPLE

SIMPLE     To desire this honest gentlewoman, your maid, to speak a good word to Mistress Anne Page for my master in the way of marriage.

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY This is all, indeed, la! But I’ll ne’er⁶⁴ put my finger in the fire, and need not.

CAIUS

CAIUS     Sir Hugh send-a you? Rugby, baillez⁶⁶ me some paper. Tarry you a little-a while. Rugby brings paper. Caius writes

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY I am glad he is so quiet. Aside to Simple If he had been throughly moved, you should have heard him so loud and so melancholy.⁶⁹ But notwithstanding, man, I’ll do you⁷⁰ your master what good I can: and the very yea and the no is, the French doctor, my master — I may call him my master, look you, for I keep his house, and I wash, wring, brew, bake, scour, dress meat⁷² and drink, make the beds and do all myself—

SIMPLE

SIMPLE     ’Tis a great charge⁷⁴ to come under one body’s hand. Aside to Mistress Quickly

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY Are you avised⁷⁵ o’that? Aside to Simple You shall find it a great charge, and to be up early and down late. But notwithstanding — to tell you in your ear, I⁷⁶ would have no words of it — my master himself is in love with Mistress Anne Page. But notwithstanding that, I know Anne’s mind — that’s neither here nor there.

CAIUS

CAIUS     You jack’nape,⁷⁹ give-a this letter to Sir Hugh. Gives a letter to Simple By gar, it is a shallenge. I will cut his troat in de park,⁸⁰ and I will teach a scurvy jack-a-nape priest to meddle or make.— To Simple You may be gone. It is not good you tarry here.— By gar, I will cut all his two stones.⁸² By gar, he shall not have a stone to throw at his dog.

       [Exit Simple]

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY Alas, he speaks but for his friend.

CAIUS

CAIUS     It is no matter-a ver⁸⁴ dat: do not you tell-a me dat I shall have Anne Page for myself? By gar, I vill kill de Jack⁸⁵ priest: and I have appointed mine host of de Jarteer⁸⁶ to measure our weapon. By gar, I will myself have Anne Page.

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY Sir, the maid loves you, and all shall be well. We must give folks leave to prate.⁸⁸ What the good-year!

CAIUS

CAIUS     Rugby, come to the court with me.— To Mistress Quickly By gar, if I have not Anne Page, I shall turn your head out of my door. Follow my heels, Rugby.

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY You shall have An—⁹¹

       [Exeunt Caius and Rugby]

                  fool’s-head of your own. No, I know Anne’s mind for that: never a woman in Windsor knows more of Anne’s mind than I do, nor can do more than I do with her, I thank heaven.

FENTON

FENTON     Who’s within there, ho? Within

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY Who’s there, I trow?⁹⁶ Come near the house, I pray you.

       [Enter Fenton]

FENTON

FENTON     How now, good woman? How dost thou?

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY The better that it pleases your good worship to ask.

FENTON

FENTON     What news? How does pretty Mistress Anne?

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY In truth, sir, and she is pretty, and honest,¹⁰⁰ and gentle, and one that is your friend¹⁰¹ — I can tell you that by the way — I praise heaven for it.

FENTON

FENTON     Shall I do any good, thinkest thou? Shall I not lose my suit?

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY Troth, sir, all is in his hands above: but notwithstanding, Master Fenton, I’ll be sworn on a book¹⁰⁴ she loves you. Have not your worship a wart above your eye?

FENTON

FENTON     Yes, marry, have I. What of that?

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY Well, thereby hangs a tale: good faith, it¹⁰⁷ is such another Nan — but, I detest,¹⁰⁸ an honest maid as ever broke bread. We had an hour’s talk of that wart. I shall never laugh but in that maid’s company. But, indeed, she is given too much to allicholy¹¹⁰ and musing. But for you — well, go to—

FENTON

FENTON     Well, I shall see her today. Hold, there’s money for thee: let me have thy voice¹¹² in my behalf. If thou see’st her before me, commend me—

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY Will I? I’faith, that we will. And I will tell your worship more of the wart the next time we have confidence,¹¹⁴ and of other wooers.

FENTON

FENTON     Well, farewell, I am in great haste now.

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY Farewell to your worship.

       [Exit Fenton]

                  Truly, an honest gentleman. But Anne loves him not. For I know Anne’s mind as well as another does. Out upon’t,¹¹⁸ what have I forgot?

       Exit

Act 2 Scene 1

running scene 5

       Enter Mistress Page With a letter

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE What, have I scaped¹ love-letters in the holiday-time of my beauty, and am I now a subject for them? Let me see: Reads ‘Ask me no reason why I love you, for though Love use Reason for his precisian,³ he admits him not for his counsellor. You are not young, no more am I: go to then, there’s sympathy.⁴ You are merry, so am I: ha, ha, then there’s more sympathy. You love sack,⁵ and so do I: would you desire better sympathy? Let it suffice thee, Mistress Page, at the least if the love of soldier can suffice, that I love thee. I will not say, pity me — ’tis not a soldier-like phrase — but I say, love me. By me,

               Thine own true knight,

10

10           By day or night,

               Or any kind of light,

               With all his might

               For thee to fight,

                                    John Falstaff.’

                  What a Herod of Jewry¹⁵ is this? O wicked, wicked world! One that is well-nigh worn to pieces with age, to show himself a young gallant?¹⁶ What an unweighed behaviour hath this Flemish¹⁷ drunkard picked — with the devil’s name — out of my conversation, that he dares in this manner assay me? Why, he hath not been thrice in my company! What should I say¹⁹ to him? I was then frugal of my mirth — heaven forgive me! Why, I’ll exhibit a bill in the parliament for the putting down²¹ of men. How shall I be revenged on him? For revenged I will be, as sure as his guts are made of puddings.²²

       [Enter Mistress Ford]

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD Mistress Page, trust me,²³ I was going to your house.

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE And, trust me, I was coming to you. You look very ill.²⁴

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD Nay, I’ll ne’er believe that; I have²⁵ to show to the contrary.

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Faith, but you do, in my mind.

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD Well, I do then: yet I say I could show you to the contrary. O Mistress Page, give me some counsel!

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE What’s the matter, woman?

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD O woman, if it were not for one trifling respect,³⁰ I could come to such honour!

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Hang the trifle, woman, take the honour. What is it? Dispense with trifles: what is it?

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD If I would but go to hell³⁴ for an eternal moment or so, I could be knighted.

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE What? Thou liest! Sir Alice Ford? These knights will hack,³⁶ and so thou shouldst not alter the article³⁷ of thy gentry.

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD We burn daylight.³⁸ Here, read, read. Gives letter to Mistress Page Perceive how I might be knighted. I shall think the worse of fat men, as long as I have an eye to make³⁹ difference of men’s liking. And yet he would not swear, praised women’s modesty, and gave such orderly and well-behaved reproof to all uncomeliness,⁴¹ that I would have sworn his disposition would have gone⁴² to the truth of his words. But they do no more adhere and keep place together than the hundred Psalms to the tune of ‘Greensleeves’.⁴⁴ What tempest, I trow, threw this whale — with so many tuns of oil in his belly — ashore at Windsor? How shall I be revenged on him? I think the best way were to entertain⁴⁶ him with hope, till the wicked fire of lust have melted him in his own grease. Did you ever hear the like?

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Letter for letter, but that the name of Page and Ford differs. To thy great comfort in this mystery of ill opinions,⁴⁹ here’s the twin-brother of thy letter. Shows her own letter But let thine inherit⁵⁰ first, for I protest mine never shall. I warrant he hath a thousand of these letters, writ with blank space for different names — sure, more — and these are of the second edition. He will print them, out of doubt, for he cares not what he puts into the press,⁵³ when he would put us two. I had rather be a giantess, and lie under Mount Pelion.⁵⁴ Well, I will find you twenty lascivious turtles⁵⁵ ere one chaste man.

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD Why, this is the very same: the very hand,⁵⁶ the very words. Compares the two letters What doth he think of us?

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Nay, I know not. It makes me almost ready to wrangle⁵⁸ with mine own honesty. I’ll entertain⁵⁹ myself like one that I am not acquainted withal: for, sure, unless he know some strain⁶⁰ in me that I know not myself, he would never have boarded⁶¹ me in this fury.

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD ‘Boarding’, call you it? I’ll be sure to keep him above deck.⁶²

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE So will I: if he come⁶³ under my hatches, I’ll never to sea again. Let’s be revenged on him. Let’s appoint him a meeting, give him a show of comfort⁶⁴ in his suit and lead him on with a fine-baited⁶⁵ delay, till he hath pawned his horses to mine host of the Garter.

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD Nay, I will consent to act any villainy against him that may not sully the chariness⁶⁸ of our honesty. O, that my husband saw this letter! It would give eternal food to his jealousy.

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Why, look where he comes, and my good man too: he’s as far from jealousy as I am from giving him cause, and that — I hope — is an unmeasurable distance.

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD You are the happier woman.

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Let’s consult together against this greasy knight. Come hither. They withdraw

       [Enter Ford with Pistol, and Page with Nim]

FORD

FORD     Well, I hope it be not so.

PISTOL

PISTOL     Hope is a curtal⁷⁶ dog in some affairs. Sir John affects⁷⁷ thy wife.

FORD

FORD     Why, sir, my wife is not young.

PISTOL

PISTOL     He woos both high and low, both rich and poor,

80

80           Both young and old, one with another, Ford.

               He loves the gallimaufry,⁸¹ Ford, perpend.

FORD

FORD     Love my wife?

PISTOL

PISTOL     With liver⁸³ burning hot. Prevent,

               Or go thou like Sir Actaeon,⁸⁴ he

85

85           With Ringwood⁸⁵ at thy heels.

               O, odious is the name!⁸⁶

FORD

FORD     What name, sir?

PISTOL

PISTOL     The horn, I say. Farewell.

               Take heed, have open eye, for thieves do foot⁸⁹ by night.

90

90           Take heed, ere summer comes, or cuckoo-birds⁹⁰ do sing.

               Away,⁹¹ Sir Corporal Nim!

               Believe it, Page, he speaks sense.

       [Exit]

FORD

FORD     I will be patient. I will find out this. Aside

NIM

NIM     And this is true, I like not the humour of lying. To Page He hath wronged me in some humours: I should have borne⁹⁵ the humoured letter to her, but I have a sword, and it shall bite upon my necessity.⁹⁶ He loves your wife: there’s the short and the long. My name is Corporal Nim. I speak and I avouch ’tis true: my name is Nim, and Falstaff loves your wife. Adieu. I love not the humour of bread and cheese.⁹⁸ Adieu.

       [Exit]

PAGE

PAGE     ‘The humour of it’, quoth a!¹⁰⁰ Here’s a fellow frights English out of his wits.

FORD

FORD     I will seek out Falstaff.

PAGE

PAGE     I never heard such a drawling, affecting¹⁰² rogue.

FORD

FORD     If I do find it¹⁰³ — well.

PAGE

PAGE     I will not believe such a Cataian,¹⁰⁴ though the priest o’th’town commended him for a true man.

FORD

FORD     ’Twas a good sensible fellow — well.

PAGE

PAGE     How now, Meg? Mistress Page and Mistress

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Whither go you, George? Hark you. Ford come forward

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD How now, sweet Frank, why art thou melancholy?

FORD

FORD     I melancholy? I am not melancholy. Get you home, go.

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD Faith, thou hast some crotchets¹¹¹ in thy head now.— Will you go, Mistress Page?

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Have with you.¹¹³— You’ll come to dinner, George?— Look who comes yonder: she shall be our messenger to this paltry knight. Aside to Mistress Ford

       [Enter Mistress Quickly]

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD Trust me, I thought on her: she’ll fit it.¹¹⁵ Aside to Mistress Page

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE You are come to see my daughter Anne?

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY Ay, forsooth, and I pray how does good Mistress Anne?

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Go in with us and see. We have an hour’s talk with you.

       [Exeunt Mistress Page, Mistress Ford and Mistress Quickly]

PAGE

PAGE     How now, Master Ford?

FORD

FORD     You heard what this knave told me, did you not?

PAGE

PAGE     Yes, and you heard what the other told me?

FORD

FORD     Do you think there is truth in them?

PAGE

PAGE     Hang ’em, slaves! I do not think the knight would offer¹²³ it. But these that accuse him in his intent towards our wives are a yoke¹²⁴ of his discarded men: very rogues, now they be out of service.

FORD

FORD     Were they his men?

PAGE

PAGE     Marry, were they.

FORD

FORD     I like it never the better for that. Does he lie¹²⁸ at the Garter?

PAGE

PAGE     Ay, marry, does he. If he should intend this voyage¹²⁹ toward my wife, I would turn her loose to him, and what he gets more of her than sharp words, let it lie on my¹³¹ head.

FORD

FORD     I do not misdoubt¹³² my wife, but I would be loath to turn them together. A man may be too confident. I would have nothing lie on my head. I cannot be thus satisfied.

PAGE

PAGE     Look where my ranting¹³⁵ host of the Garter comes: there is either liquor in his pate¹³⁶ or money in his purse, when he looks so merrily.

       [Enter Host]

                  How now, mine host?

HOST

HOST     How now, bully-rook? Thou’rt a gentleman.

       [Enter Shallow]

                  Cavaliero¹³⁹ Justice, I say!

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     I follow, mine host, I follow. Good¹⁴⁰ even and twenty, good Master Page. Master Page, will you go with us? We have sport in hand.

HOST

HOST     Tell him, Cavaliero Justice: tell him, bully-rook.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Sir, there is a fray to be fought between Sir Hugh the Welsh priest and Caius the French doctor.

FORD

FORD     Good mine host o’th’Garter, a word with you. They speak apart

HOST

HOST     What sayst thou, my bully-rook?

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Will you go with us to behold it? To Page My merry host hath had the measuring of their weapons, and, I think, hath appointed them contrary¹⁴⁸ places, for, believe me, I hear the parson is no jester.¹⁴⁹ They speak apart Hark, I will tell you what our sport shall be.

HOST

HOST     Hast thou no suit against my¹⁵⁰ knight, my guest-cavalier?

FORD

FORD     None, I protest.¹⁵¹ But I’ll give you a pottle of burned sack to give me recourse to him, and tell him my name is Broom, only for a jest.

HOST

HOST     My hand, bully. Thou shalt have egress and regress¹⁵³ — said I well? — and thy name shall be Broom. It is a merry knight.— To Shallow and Page Will you go, An-heires?¹⁵⁴

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Have with you, mine host.

PAGE

PAGE     I have heard the Frenchman hath good skill in his rapier.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Tut, sir, I could have told you more. In these times you stand on distance:¹⁵⁷ your passes, stoccadoes,¹⁵⁸ and I know not what. ’Tis the heart, Master Page, ’tis here, ’tis here. I have seen the time, with my long sword,¹⁵⁹ I would have made you four tall¹⁶⁰ fellows skip like rats.

HOST

HOST     Here, boys, here, here! Shall we wag?¹⁶¹

PAGE

PAGE     Have with you. I had rather hear them scold¹⁶² than fight.

       [Exeunt Host, Shallow and Page]

FORD

FORD     Though Page be a secure¹⁶³ fool, and stands so firmly on his wife’s frailty, yet I cannot put off my opinion so easily. She was in his¹⁶⁴ company at Page’s house, and what they made¹⁶⁵ there I know not. Well, I will look further into’t, and I have a disguise to sound¹⁶⁶ Falstaff. If I find her honest, I lose not my labour: if she be otherwise, ’tis labour well bestowed.

       Exit

Act 2 Scene 2

running scene 6

       Enter Falstaff [and] Pistol

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     I will not lend thee a penny.

PISTOL

PISTOL     Why, then the world’s mine oyster, which I with sword will open.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Not a penny. I have been content, sir, you should lay my countenance to pawn.³ I have grated upon⁴ my good friends for three reprieves for you and your coach-fellow⁵ Nim, or else you had looked through the grate, like a gemini of baboons. I am damned in hell for swearing to gentlemen my friends you were good soldiers and tall fellows. And when Mistress Bridget lost the handle⁷ of her fan, I took’t upon⁸ mine honour thou hadst it not.

PISTOL

PISTOL     Didst not thou share?⁹ Hadst thou not fifteen pence?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Reason,¹⁰ you rogue, reason. Think’st thou I’ll endanger my soul gratis? At a word, hang¹¹ no more about me, I am no gibbet for you. Go — a short knife and a throng — to your manor of Picked-hatch,¹² go! You’ll not bear a letter for me, you rogue. You stand upon your honour. Why, thou unconfinable¹³ baseness, it is as much as I can do to keep the terms of my honour precise.¹⁴ Ay, ay, I myself sometimes, leaving the fear of heaven on¹⁵ the left hand, and hiding mine honour in my necessity, am fain¹⁶ to shuffle, to hedge and to lurch: and yet, you rogue, will ensconce¹⁷ your rags, your cat-a-mountain looks, your red-lattice phrases, and your bold-beating¹⁸ oaths, under the shelter of your honour? You will not do it? You?

PISTOL

PISTOL     I do relent.²⁰ What would thou more of man?

       [Enter Robin]

ROBIN

ROBIN     Sir, here’s a woman would speak with you.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Let her approach.

       [Enter Mistress Quickly]

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY Give²³ your worship good morrow.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Good morrow, good wife.

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY Not so,²⁵ an’t please your worship.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Good maid, then.

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY That I am, I’ll be sworn,

               As my mother was the first hour I was born.²⁸

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     I do believe the swearer. What with me?

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY Shall I vouchsafe your worship a word or two?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Two thousand, fair woman, and I’ll vouchsafe³¹ thee the hearing.

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY There is one Mistress Ford, sir — I pray come a little nearer this ways³³ — I myself dwell with master Doctor Caius—

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Well, on.³⁴ Mistress Ford, you say—

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY Your worship says very true. I pray your worship come a little nearer this ways.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     I warrant thee nobody hears. Gestures toward Pistol and Robin Mine own people, mine own people.

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY Are they so? Heaven bless them, and make them his servants.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Well, Mistress Ford: what of her?

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY Why, sir, she’s a good creature. Lord, lord, your worship’s a wanton!⁴¹ Well, heaven forgive you, and all of us, I pray—

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Mistress Ford, come, Mistress Ford.

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY Marry, this is the short and the long of it: you have brought her into such a canaries⁴⁴ as ’tis wonderful. The best courtier of them all — when the court lay at Windsor — could never have brought her to such a canary. Yet there has been knights, and lords, and gentlemen, with their coaches, I warrant you — coach after coach, letter after letter, gift after gift, smelling so sweetly, all musk, and so rushling,⁴⁸ I warrant you, in silk and gold, and in such alligant terms, and in such wine and sugar of the best and the fairest that would have won any woman’s heart: and, I warrant you, they could never get an eye-wink of⁵⁰ her. I had myself twenty angels⁵¹ given me this morning, but I defy all angels — in any such sort,⁵² as they say — but in the way of honesty: and, I warrant you, they could never get her so much as sip on a cup with the proudest of them all. And yet there has been earls, nay, which is more, pensioners,⁵⁴ but, I warrant you, all is one with her.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     But what says she to me? Be brief, my good she-Mercury.⁵⁶

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY Marry, she hath received your letter, for the which she thanks you a thousand times; and she gives you to notify⁵⁸ that her husband will be absence from his house between ten and eleven.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Ten and eleven.

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY Ay, forsooth, and then you may come and see the picture, she says, that you wot⁶² of. Master Ford, her husband, will be from home. Alas, the sweet woman leads an ill life with him: he’s a very jealousy man. She leads a very frampold⁶⁴ life with him, good heart.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Ten and eleven. Woman, commend me to her. I will not fail her.

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY Why, you say well. But I have another messenger⁶⁶ to your worship. Mistress Page hath her hearty commendations to you too: and let me tell you in your ear, she’s as fartuous⁶⁸ a civil modest wife, and one, I tell you, that will not miss you⁶⁹ morning nor evening prayer, as any is in Windsor, whoe’er be the other: and she bade me tell your worship that her husband is seldom from home, but she hopes there will come a time. I never knew a woman so dote upon a man. Surely I think you have charms,⁷² la. Yes, in truth.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Not I, I assure thee. Setting the attraction of my good parts⁷³ aside, I have no other charms.

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY Blessing on your heart for’t!

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     But I pray thee tell me this: has Ford’s wife and Page’s wife acquainted each other how they love me?

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY That were a jest indeed! They have not so little grace,⁷⁸ I hope — that were a trick indeed! But Mistress Page would desire you to send her your little page, of all loves.⁸⁰ Her husband has a marvellous infection to the little page, and truly Master Page is an honest man. Never a wife in Windsor leads a better life than she does: do what she will, say what she will, take all, pay all, go to bed when she list,⁸³ rise when she list, all is as she will, and truly she deserves it, for if there be a kind⁸⁴ woman in Windsor, she is one. You must send her your page, no remedy.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Why, I will.

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY Nay, but do so, then, and, look you, he may come and go between you both: and in any case have a nay-word,⁸⁸ that you may know one another’s mind, and the boy never need to understand anything, for ’tis not good that children should know any wickedness. Old folks, you know, have discretion, as they say, and know the world.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Fare thee well, commend me to them both. There’s my purse: I am yet thy debtor.— Boy, go along with this woman. [Exeunt Mistress Quickly and Robin] This news distracts⁹⁴ me.

95

95   

PISTOL

PISTOL           This punk⁹⁵ is one of Cupid’s carriers.

               Clap⁹⁶ on more sails, pursue, up with your fights,

               Give fire. She is my prize,⁹⁷ or ocean whelm them all!

       [Exit]

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Say’st⁹⁸ thou so, old Jack? Go thy ways: I’ll make more of thy old body than I have done. Will they yet look after⁹⁹ thee? Wilt thou, after the expense of so much money, be now a gainer? Good body, I thank thee. Let them say ’tis grossly¹⁰⁰ done, so¹⁰¹ it be fairly done, no matter.

       [Enter Bardolph, with a goblet]

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     Sir John, there’s one Master Broom below would fain¹⁰² speak with you and be acquainted with you, and hath sent your worship a morning’s draught of sack.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Broom is his name?

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     Ay, sir.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Call him in.

       [Exit Bardolph]

                  Such Brooms are welcome to me, that o’erflows such liquor. Aha, Mistress Ford and Mistress Page, have I encompassed¹⁰⁸ you? Go to, via!

       [Enter Bardolph, with Ford disguised, carrying a bag of money]

FORD

FORD     Bless you, sir.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     And you, sir. Would you speak with me?

FORD

FORD     I make bold¹¹¹ to press with so little preparation upon you.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     You’re welcome. What’s your will? Give us leave,¹¹² drawer.

       [Exit Bardolph]

FORD

FORD     Sir, I am a gentleman that have spent much: my name is Broom.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Good Master Broom, I desire more acquaintance of you.

FORD

FORD     Good Sir John, I sue¹¹⁵ for yours: not to charge you, for I must let you understand I think myself in better plight¹¹⁶ for a lender than you are, the which hath something emboldened me to this unseasoned¹¹⁷ intrusion. For they say, if money go before, all ways do lie open.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Money is a good soldier, sir, and will on.¹¹⁹

FORD

FORD     Troth, and I have a bag of money here troubles me. Sets it down If you will help to bear it, Sir John, take all, or half, for easing me of the carriage.¹²¹

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Sir, I know not how I may deserve to be your porter.

FORD

FORD     I will tell you, sir, if you will give me the hearing.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Speak, good Master Broom: I shall be glad to be your servant.

FORD

FORD     Sir, I hear you are a scholar — I will be brief with you — and you have been a man long known to me, though I had never so good means as desire to make myself acquainted with you. I shall discover¹²⁷ a thing to you, wherein I must very much lay open mine own imperfection. But, good Sir John, as you have one eye upon my follies, as you hear them unfolded, turn another into the register¹²⁹ of your own, that I may pass with a reproof the easier, sith¹³⁰ you yourself know how easy it is to be such an offender.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Very well, sir, proceed.

FORD

FORD     There is a gentlewoman in this town, her husband’s name is Ford.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Well, sir.

FORD

FORD     I have long loved her, and, I protest to you, bestowed much on her: followed her with a doting observance,¹³⁶ engrossed opportunities to meet her, fee’d every slight occasion that could but niggardly give me sight of her: not only bought many presents to give her, but have given largely¹³⁸ to many to know what she would have given.¹³⁹ Briefly, I have pursued her as love hath pursued me, which hath been on the wing of all occasions. But whatsoever I have merited, either in my mind or in my means,¹⁴¹ meed I am sure I have received none, unless experience be a jewel that I have purchased at an infinite rate, and that hath taught me to say this:

               ‘Love like a shadow flies¹⁴⁴ when substance love pursues,

145

145         Pursuing that that flies,¹⁴⁵ and flying what pursues.’

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Have you received no promise of satisfaction¹⁴⁶ at her hands?

FORD

FORD     Never.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Have you importuned¹⁴⁸ her to such a purpose?

FORD

FORD     Never.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Of what quality was your love, then?

FORD

FORD     Like a fair house built on another man’s ground, so that I have lost my edifice by mistaking the place where I erected¹⁵² it.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     To what purpose have you unfolded this to me?

FORD

FORD     When I have told you that, I have told you all. Some say that though she appear honest¹⁵⁵ to me, yet in other places she enlargeth her mirth so far that there is shrewd construction¹⁵⁶ made of her. Now, Sir John, here is the heart of my purpose: you are a gentleman of excellent breeding, admirable discourse, of great admittance,¹⁵⁷ authentic¹⁵⁸ in your place and person, generally allowed for your many war-like, court-like and learned preparations.¹⁵⁹

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     O, sir!

FORD

FORD     Believe it, for you know it. Points to the bag There is money: spend it, spend it, spend more, spend all I have, only give me so much of your time in exchange of it, as to lay an amiable¹⁶³ siege to the honesty of this Ford’s wife. Use your art of wooing, win her to consent to you. If any man may, you may as soon as any.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Would it apply well to¹⁶⁵ the vehemency of your affection that I should win what you would enjoy? Methinks you prescribe to yourself very preposterously.¹⁶⁶

FORD

FORD     O, understand my drift:¹⁶⁷ she dwells so securely on the excellency of her honour that the folly¹⁶⁸ of my soul dares not present itself. She is too bright to be looked against.¹⁶⁹ Now, could I come to her with any detection in my hand, my desires had instance¹⁷⁰ and argument to commend themselves: I could drive her then from the ward¹⁷¹ of her purity, her reputation, her marriage-vow, and a thousand other¹⁷² her defences, which now are too too strongly embattled against me. What say you to’t, Sir John?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Master Broom, I will first make bold with your money. Takes the bag Next, give me your hand. And last, as I am a gentleman, you shall, if you will, enjoy Ford’s wife.

FORD

FORD     O, good sir!

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     I say you shall.

FORD

FORD     Want¹⁷⁸ no money, Sir John: you shall want none.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Want no Mistress Ford, Master Broom, you shall want none. I shall be with her, I may tell you, by her own appointment. Even as you came in to me, her assistant or go-between parted from me. I say I shall be with her between ten and eleven, for at that time the jealous rascally knave her husband will be forth.¹⁸² Come you to me at night: you shall know how I speed.¹⁸³

FORD

FORD     I am blest in your acquaintance. Do you know Ford, sir?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Hang him, poor cuckoldly knave, I know him not. Yet I wrong him to call him poor: they say the jealous wittolly¹⁸⁶ knave hath masses of money, for the which his wife seems to me well-favoured.¹⁸⁷ I will use her as the key of the cuckoldly rogue’s coffer, and there’s my harvest-home.¹⁸⁸

FORD

FORD     I would you knew Ford, sir, that you might avoid him if you saw him.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Hang him, mechanical¹⁹⁰ salt-butter rogue! I will stare him out of his wits, I will awe him with my cudgel. It shall hang like a meteor¹⁹¹ o’er the cuckold’s horns. Master Broom, thou shalt know I will predominate¹⁹² over the peasant, and thou shalt lie with his wife. Come to me soon at night. Ford’s a knave, and I will aggravate his style.¹⁹⁴ Thou, Master Broom, shalt know him for knave and cuckold. Come to me soon at night.

       [Exit]

FORD

FORD     What a damned Epicurean¹⁹⁶ rascal is this? My heart is ready to crack with impatience. Who says this is improvident¹⁹⁷ jealousy? My wife hath sent to him, the hour is fixed, the match is made. Would any man have thought this? See the hell of having a false¹⁹⁹ woman: my bed shall be abused, my coffers ransacked, my reputation gnawn at, and I shall not only receive this villainous wrong, but stand²⁰⁰ under the adoption of abominable terms, and by him that does me this wrong. Terms, names! Amaimon²⁰² sounds well: Lucifer, well: Barbason, well: yet they are devils’ additions,²⁰³ the names of fiends. But Cuckold? Wittol? Cuckold? The devil himself hath not such a name. Page is an ass, a secure²⁰⁴ ass. He will trust his wife, he will not be jealous. I will rather trust a Fleming²⁰⁵ with my butter, Parson Hugh the Welshman with my cheese, an Irishman with my aqua-vitae²⁰⁶ bottle, or a thief to walk²⁰⁷ my ambling gelding, than my wife with herself. Then she plots, then she ruminates, then she devises: and what they think in their hearts they may effect — they will break their hearts but they will effect. Heaven be praised for my jealousy! Eleven o’clock the hour. I will prevent this, detect my wife, be revenged on Falstaff, and laugh at Page. I will about it. Better three hours too soon than a minute too late. Fie, fie, fie! Cuckold, cuckold, cuckold!

       Exit

Act 2 Scene 3

running scene 7

       Enter Caius and Rugby

CAIUS

CAIUS     Jack Rugby!

RUGBY

RUGBY     Sir?

CAIUS

CAIUS     Vat is the clock, Jack?

RUGBY

RUGBY     ’Tis past the hour, sir, that Sir Hugh promised to meet.

CAIUS

CAIUS     By gar, he has save his soul, dat he is no come. He has pray his Pible well, dat he is no come. By gar, Jack Rugby, he is dead already, if he be come.

RUGBY

RUGBY     He is wise, sir. He knew your worship would kill him, if he came.

CAIUS

CAIUS     By gar, de herring is no⁸ dead, so as I vill kill him. Draws Take your rapier, Jack. I vill tell you how I vill kill him.

RUGBY

RUGBY     Alas, sir, I cannot fence.

CAIUS

CAIUS     Villainy,¹¹ take your rapier.

RUGBY

RUGBY     Forbear. Here’s company. Caius sheathes his sword

       [Enter Host, Shallow, Slender and Page]

HOST

HOST     Bless thee, bully doctor.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     ’Save¹⁴ you, Master Doctor Caius.

PAGE

PAGE     Now, good master doctor.

SLENDER

SLENDER     Give you good morrow, sir.

CAIUS

CAIUS     Vat be all you, one, two, tree, four, come for?

HOST

HOST     To see thee fight, to see thee foin,¹⁸ to see thee traverse, to see thee here, to see thee there, to see thee pass thy punto, thy stock,¹⁹ thy reverse, thy distance, thy montant.²⁰ Is he dead, my Ethiopian? Is he dead, my Francisco? Ha, bully! What says my Aesculapius,²¹ my Galen, my heart of elder? Ha? Is he dead, bully stale? Is he dead?

CAIUS

CAIUS     By gar, he is de coward Jack-priest of de vorld. He is not show his face.

HOST

HOST     Thou art a Castalion²⁴ king-urinal. Hector of Greece, my boy!

CAIUS

CAIUS     I pray you bear witness that me have stay, six or seven, two, tree hours for him, and he is no come.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     He is the wiser man, Master Doctor: he is a curer of souls, and you a curer of bodies. If you should fight, you go against the hair²⁸ of your professions. Is it not true, Master Page?

PAGE

PAGE     Master Shallow, you have yourself been a great fighter, though now a man of peace.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Bodykins,³² Master Page, though I now be old and of the peace, if I see a sword out, my finger itches to make one.³³ Though we are justices and doctors and churchmen, Master Page, we have some salt³⁴ of our youth in us. We are the sons of women, Master Page.

PAGE

PAGE     ’Tis true, Master Shallow.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     It will be found so, Master Page.— Master Doctor Caius, I am come to fetch you home. I am sworn of the peace. You have showed yourself a wise physician, and Sir Hugh hath shown himself a wise and patient churchman. You must go with me, Master Doctor.

HOST

HOST     Pardon, guest-justice.⁴¹ A word, Monsieur Mockwater.

CAIUS

CAIUS     Mock-vater? Vat is dat?

HOST

HOST     Mockwater, in our English tongue, is valour, bully.

CAIUS

CAIUS     By gar, then I have as much mock-vater as de Englishman. Scurvy Jack-dog⁴⁴ priest! By gar, me vill cut his ears.

HOST

HOST     He will clapper-claw⁴⁶ thee tightly, bully.

CAIUS

CAIUS     Clapper-de-claw? Vat is dat?

HOST

HOST     That is, he will make thee amends.

CAIUS

CAIUS     By gar, me do look he shall clapper-de-claw me, for, by gar, me vill have it.

HOST

HOST     And I will provoke him to’t, or let him wag.

CAIUS

CAIUS     Me tank you for dat.

HOST

HOST     And, moreover, bully— Speaks aside with Shallow, Page and Slender but first, Master guest, and Master Page, and eke Cavaliero Slender, go you through the town to Frogmore.⁵⁴

PAGE

PAGE     Sir Hugh is there, is he?

HOST

HOST     He is there. See what humour he is in. And I will bring the doctor about by the fields. Will it do well?

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     We will do it.

PAGE, SHALLOW and SLENDER

PAGE, SHALLOW and SLENDER  Adieu, Good Master Doctor.

       [Exeunt Page, Shallow and Slender]

CAIUS

CAIUS     By gar, me vill kill de priest, for he speak for a jack-an-ape⁶⁰ to Anne Page.

HOST

HOST     Let him die. Sheathe thy impatience, throw cold water on thy choler. Go about the fields with me through Frogmore. I will bring thee where Mistress Anne Page is, at a farmhouse a-feasting, and thou shalt woo her. Cried game,⁶³ said I well?

CAIUS

CAIUS     By gar, me dank you vor dat. By gar, I love you, and I shall procure-a you de good guest: de earl, de knight, de lords, de gentlemen, my patients.

HOST

HOST     For the which I will be thy adversary⁶⁷ toward Anne Page. Said I well?

CAIUS

CAIUS     By gar, ’tis good, vell said.

HOST

HOST     Let us wag, then.

CAIUS

CAIUS     Come at my heels, Jack Rugby.

       Exeunt

Act 3 Scene 1

running scene 8

       Enter Evans and Simple Evans with a sword in one hand and a book in the other

       Simple carrying Evans’ gown

EVANS

EVANS     I pray you now, good master Slender’s serving-man, and friend Simple by your name, which way have you looked for Master Caius, that calls himself doctor of physic?³

SIMPLE

SIMPLE     Marry, sir, the Petty-ward,⁴ the Park-ward, every way: Old Windsor way, and every way but the town way.

EVANS

EVANS     I most fehemently desire you, you will also look that way.

SIMPLE

SIMPLE     I will, sir. Steps aside and keeps watch

EVANS

EVANS     Pless my soul, how full of chollors⁸ I am, and trempling of mind! I shall be glad if he have deceived me. How melancholies I am! I will knog⁹ his urinals about his knave’s costard¹⁰ when I have good opportunities for the ’ork. Pless my soul!

                                    To shallow rivers,¹² to whose falls Sings

                                    Melodious birds sings madrigals.¹³

                                    There will we make our peds of roses,

15

15                                And a thousand fragrant posies.

                                    To shallow—

                  Mercy on me! I have a great dispositions to cry.

                                    Melodious birds sing madrigals. Sings

                                    When¹⁹ as I sat in Pabylon

20

20                                — And a thousand vagram²⁰ posies.

                                    To shallow, etc.

SIMPLE

SIMPLE     Yonder he²² is coming, this way, Sir Hugh.

EVANS

EVANS     He’s welcome.

                                    To shallow rivers, to whose falls— Sings

                  Heaven prosper the right! What weapons is he?

SIMPLE

SIMPLE     No weapons,²⁶ sir. There comes my master, Master Shallow, and another gentleman, from Frogmore, over the stile, this way.

       Enter Page, Shallow and Slender

EVANS

EVANS     Pray you give me my gown, or else keep it in your arms. Reads his Bible

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     How now, Master Parson? Good morrow, good Sir Hugh. Keep a gamester from the dice, and a good student from his book, and it is wonderful.

SLENDER

SLENDER     Ah, sweet Anne Page! Aside?

PAGE

PAGE     ’Save you, good Sir Hugh!

EVANS

EVANS     ’Pless you from³³ his mercy sake, all of you!

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     What, the sword³⁴ and the word? Do you study them both, Master Parson?

PAGE

PAGE     And youthful still: in your doublet and hose,³⁵ this raw rheumatic day?

EVANS

EVANS     There is reasons and causes for it.

PAGE

PAGE     We are come to you to do a good office, Master Parson.

EVANS

EVANS     Fery well: what is it?

PAGE

PAGE     Yonder is a most reverend gentleman, who, belike,³⁹ having received wrong by some person, is at most odds⁴⁰ with his own gravity and patience that ever you saw.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     I have lived fourscore⁴² years and upward: I never heard a man of his place, gravity and learning so wide⁴³ of his own respect.

EVANS

EVANS     What is he?

PAGE

PAGE     I think you know him: Master Doctor Caius, the renowned French physician.

EVANS

EVANS     Got’s will, and his passion of my heart, I had as lief⁴⁷ you would tell me of a mess of porridge.⁴⁸

PAGE

PAGE     Why?

EVANS

EVANS     He has no more knowledge in Hibocrates⁵⁰ and Galen, and he is a knave besides — a cowardly⁵¹ knave as you would desires to be acquainted withal.

PAGE

PAGE     I warrant you, he’s⁵² the man should fight with him. To Shallow

SLENDER

SLENDER     O sweet Anne Page! Aside?

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     It appears so by his weapons. Keep them asunder: here comes Doctor Caius.

       [Enter Host, Caius and Rugby] Evans and Caius prepare to fight

PAGE

PAGE     Nay, good Master Parson, keep in your weapon.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     So do you, good Master Doctor.

HOST

HOST     Disarm them, and let them question.⁵⁸ Shallow and Page take their swords Let them keep their limbs whole and hack our English.⁵⁹

CAIUS

CAIUS     I pray you, let-a me speak a word with your ear. Vherefore vill you not meet-a me?

EVANS

EVANS     Pray you, use your patience.— Aside to Caius/Aloud In good time.

CAIUS

CAIUS     By gar, you are de coward, de Jack dog, John ape.

EVANS

EVANS     Pray you, let us not be laughing-stocks to other men’s humours. Aside to Caius I desire you in friendship, and I will one way or other make you amends.— I will knog your urinal about your knave’s coxcomb.⁶⁶ Aloud

CAIUS

CAIUS     Diable! Jack Rugby, mine host de Jarteer, have I not stay⁶⁷ for him to kill him? Have I not, at de place I did appoint?

EVANS

EVANS     As I am a Christians soul, now look you, this is the place appointed, I’ll be judgement by⁷⁰ mine host of the Garter.

HOST

HOST     Peace, I say, Gallia and Gaul,⁷¹ French and Welsh, soul-curer and body-curer!

CAIUS

CAIUS     Ay, dat is very good, excellent.

HOST

HOST     Peace, I say. Hear mine host of the Garter. Am I politic?⁷⁴ Am I subtle? Am I a Machiavel?⁷⁵ Shall I lose my doctor? No, he gives me the potions and the motions.⁷⁶ Shall I lose my parson? My priest? My Sir Hugh? No, he gives me the proverbs and the no-verbs.⁷⁷ To Caius/To Evans Give me thy hand, terrestrial, so. Give me thy hand, celestial,⁷⁸ so. Boys of art, I have deceived you both: I have directed you to wrong places. Your hearts are mighty, your skins are whole, and let burned sack be the issue.⁸⁰— To Page and Shallow Come, lay their swords to pawn.— Follow me, lads of peace, follow, follow, follow.

       [Exit] To Caius and Evans

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Trust me, a mad host. Follow, gentlemen, follow.

SLENDER

SLENDER     O sweet Anne Page! Aside?

       [Exeunt Shallow, Slender and Page]

CAIUS

CAIUS     Ha, do I perceive dat? Have you make-a de sot⁸⁴ of us, ha, ha?

EVANS

EVANS     This is well, he has made us his vlouting-stog.⁸⁵ I desire you that we may be friends, and let us knog our prains together to be revenge on this same scall,⁸⁶ scurvy cogging companion,⁸⁷ the host of the Garter.

CAIUS

CAIUS     By gar, with all my heart. He promise to bring me where is Anne Page: by gar, he deceive me too.

EVANS

EVANS     Well, I will smite his noddles.⁹⁰ Pray you, follow.

       [Exeunt]

Act 3 Scene 2

running scene 9

       Enter Robin [followed by] Mistress Page

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Nay, keep your way,¹ little gallant. You were wont to be a follower, but now you are a leader. Whether² had you rather lead mine eyes, or eye your master’s heels?

ROBIN

ROBIN     I had rather, forsooth, go before you like a man than follow him like a dwarf.

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE O, you are a flattering boy. Now I see you’ll be a courtier.

       [Enter Ford]

FORD

FORD     Well met, Mistress Page. Whither go you?

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Truly, sir, to see your wife. Is she at home?

FORD

FORD     Ay, and as⁹ idle as she may hang together, for want of company. I think, if your husbands were dead, you two would marry.

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Be sure of that — two other husbands.

FORD

FORD     Where had you this pretty weather-cock?

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE I cannot tell what the dickens his¹³ name is my husband had him of. What do you call your knight’s name, sirrah?

ROBIN

ROBIN     Sir John Falstaff.

FORD

FORD     Sir John Falstaff?

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE He, he. I can never hit on’s name. There is such a league¹⁷ between my good man and he. Is your wife at home indeed?

FORD

FORD     Indeed she is.

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE By your leave, sir, I am sick till I see her.

       [Exeunt Mistress Page and Robin]

FORD

FORD     Has Page any brains? Hath he any eyes? Hath he any thinking? Sure they sleep, he hath no use of them. Why, this boy will carry a letter twenty mile as easy as a cannon will shoot point-blank twelvescore.²³ He pieces out his wife’s inclination, he gives her folly²⁴ motion and advantage. And now she’s going to my wife, and Falstaff’s boy with her. A man may hear²⁵ this shower sing in the wind. And Falstaff’s boy with her. Good plots, they are laid, and our revolted²⁶ wives share damnation together. Well, I will take him,²⁷ then torture my wife, pluck the borrowed veil of modesty from the so-seeming Mistress Page, divulge²⁸ Page himself for a secure and wilful²⁹ Actaeon, and to these violent proceedings all my neighbours shall cry aim.³⁰ A clock strikes The clock gives me my cue, and my assurance bids me search: there I shall find Falstaff. I shall be rather praised for this than mocked, for it is as positive as the earth is firm that Falstaff is there. I will go.

       [Enter Page, Shallow, Slender, Host, Evans, Caius and Rugby]

SHALLOW, PAGE and OTHERS

SHALLOW, PAGE and OTHERS Well met, Master Ford.

FORD

FORD     Trust me, a good knot.³⁴ I have good cheer at home, and I pray you all go with me.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     I must excuse myself, Master Ford.

SLENDER

SLENDER     And so must I, sir. We have appointed to dine with Mistress Anne, and I would not break with³⁸ her for more money than I’ll speak of.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     We have lingered about a match between Anne Page and my cousin Slender, and this day we shall have our answer.

SLENDER

SLENDER     I hope I have your good will, father Page.

PAGE

PAGE     You have, Master Slender, I stand wholly for you. But my wife, Master Doctor, is for you altogether.

CAIUS

CAIUS     Ay, be-gar, and de maid is love-a me. My nursh-a Quickly tell me so mush.

HOST

HOST     What say you to young Master Fenton? To Page He capers,⁴⁶ he dances, he has eyes of youth, he writes verses, he speaks holiday,⁴⁷ he smells April and May. He will carry’t,⁴⁸ he will carry’t, ’tis in his buttons, he will carry’t.

PAGE

PAGE     Not by my consent, I promise you. The gentleman is of no having:⁴⁹ he kept company with the wild⁵⁰ prince and Poins. He is of too high a region, he knows too much. No, he shall not knit a knot⁵¹ in his fortunes with the finger of my substance. If he take her, let him take her simply:⁵² the wealth I have waits on my consent, and my consent goes not that way.

FORD

FORD     I beseech you heartily, some of you go home with me to dinner. Besides your cheer, you shall have sport: I will show you a monster.⁵⁵ Master Doctor, you shall go, so shall you, Master Page, and you, Sir Hugh.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Well, fare you well.— Aside to Slender We shall have the freer wooing at Master Page’s. [Exeunt Shallow and Slender]

CAIUS

CAIUS     Go home, John Rugby, I come anon.⁵⁹ [Exit Rugby]

HOST

HOST     Farewell, my hearts.⁶⁰ I will to my honest knight Falstaff, and drink canary with him. [Exit]

FORD

FORD     I think I shall drink in pipe wine⁶² first with him. Aside I’ll make him dance.— Will you go, gentles?⁶³ Aloud

ALL

ALL     Have with⁶⁴ you to see this monster.

       Exeunt

Act 3 Scene 3

running scene 10

       Enter Mistress Ford and Mistress Page

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD What, John? What, Robert?

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Quickly, quickly! Is the buck-basket²—

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD I warrant. What, Robin, I say!

       [Enter John and Robert with a laundry basket]

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Come, come, come.

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD Here, set it down.

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Give your men the charge,⁶ we must be brief.

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD Marry, as I told you before, John and Robert, be ready here hard⁷ by in the brew-house,⁸ and when I suddenly call you, come forth, and without any pause or staggering take this basket on your shoulders: that done, trudge with it in all haste, and carry it among the whitsters¹⁰ in Datchet Mead, and there empty it in the muddy ditch close by the Thames side.

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE You will do it? To John and Robert

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD I ha’ told them over and over, they lack no direction. Be gone, and come when you are called.

       [Exeunt John and Robert]

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Here comes little Robin.

       [Enter Robin]

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD How now, my eyas-musket?¹⁶ What news with you?

ROBIN

ROBIN     My master, Sir John, is come in at your back-door, Mistress Ford, and requests your company.

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE You little Jack-a-Lent,¹⁹ have you been true to us?

ROBIN

ROBIN     Ay, I’ll be sworn. My master knows not of your being here and hath threatened to put me into everlasting liberty²¹ if I tell you of it: for he swears he’ll turn me away.²²

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Thou’rt a good boy. This secrecy of thine shall be a tailor to thee, and shall make thee a new doublet and hose. I’ll go hide me.

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD Do so.— To Robin Go tell thy master I am alone.

       [Exit Robin]

                  Mistress Page, remember you your cue.

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE I warrant thee: if I do not act it, hiss me.

       [Exit]

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD Go to, then. We’ll use this unwholesome humidity,²⁸ this gross watery pumpion.²⁹ We’ll teach him to know turtles from jays.

       [Enter Falstaff]

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Have³⁰ I caught thee, my heavenly jewel? Why, now let me die, for I have lived long enough: this is the period³¹ of my ambition. O this blessèd hour!

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD O sweet Sir John!

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Mistress Ford, I cannot cog,³³ I cannot prate, Mistress Ford. Now shall I sin in my wish: I would thy husband were dead. I’ll speak it before the best lord. I would make thee my lady.

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD I your lady, Sir John? Alas, I should be a pitiful lady!

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Let the court of France show me such another. I see how thine eye would emulate the diamond: thou hast the right arched beauty of the brow that becomes the ship-tire,³⁹ the tire-valiant, or any tire of Venetian admittance.

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD A plain kerchief,⁴⁰ Sir John: my brows become nothing else, nor that well neither.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Thou art a tyrant to say so: thou wouldst make an absolute⁴² courtier, and the firm⁴³ fixture of thy foot would give an excellent motion to thy gait in a semi-circled farthingale. I see what thou wert if Fortune⁴⁴ thy foe were not, Nature thy friend. Come, thou canst not hide it.

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD Believe me, there’s no such thing in me.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     What made me love thee? Let that persuade thee there’s something extraordinary in thee. Come, I cannot cog and say thou art this and that, like a many of these lisping hawthorn-buds⁴⁹ that come like women in men’s apparel and smell like Bucklersbury⁵⁰ in simple time. I cannot. But I love thee, none but thee — and thou deservest it.

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD Do not betray me, sir. I fear you love Mistress Page.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Thou mightst as well say I love to walk by the Counter-gate,⁵³ which is as hateful to me as the reek⁵⁴ of a lime-kiln.

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD Well, heaven knows how I love you, and you shall one day find it.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Keep in that mind, I’ll deserve it.

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD Nay, I must tell you, so you do, or else I could not be in that mind.

ROBIN

ROBIN     Mistress Ford, Mistress Ford, Speaks within or enters here’s Mistress Page at the door, sweating and blowing⁵⁹ and looking wildly, and would needs speak with you presently.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     She shall not see me: Falstaff hides himself I will ensconce me⁶⁰ behind the arras.

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD Pray you, do so: she’s a very tattling woman.

       [Enter Mistress Page] Robin may enter here

                  What’s the matter? How now?

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE O Mistress Ford, what have you done? You’re shamed, you’re overthrown, you’re undone⁶⁴ forever!

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD What’s the matter, good Mistress Page?

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE O, well-a-day,⁶⁶ Mistress Ford, having an honest man to your husband, to give him such cause of suspicion!

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD What cause of suspicion?

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE What cause of suspicion? Out upon you!⁶⁹ How am I mistook in you?

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD Why, alas, what’s the matter?

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Your husband’s coming hither, woman, with all the officers in Windsor, to search for a gentleman that he says is here now in the house by your consent, to take an ill advantage of his absence. You are undone.

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD ’Tis not so, I hope.

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Pray heaven it be not so, that you have such a man here! But ’tis most certain your husband’s coming, with half Windsor at his heels, to search for such a one. I come before to tell you. If you know yourself clear,⁷⁷ why, I am glad of it: but if you have a friend⁷⁸ here, convey, convey him out. Be not amazed, call all your senses to you, defend your reputation, or bid farewell to your good life⁷⁹ forever.

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD What shall I do? There is a gentleman my dear friend — and I fear not mine own shame so much as his peril. I had rather than a thousand pound he were out of the house.

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE For shame, never stand⁸⁴ ‘you had rather’ and ‘you had rather’. Your husband’s here at hand! Bethink you of some conveyance⁸⁵ — in the house you cannot hide him. O, how have you deceived me? Look, here is a basket. If he be of any reasonable stature, he may creep in here, and throw foul linen upon him, as if it were going to bucking. Or — it is whiting-time⁸⁸ — send him by your two men to Datchet Mead.

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD He’s too big to go in there. What shall I do?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Let me see’t, let me see’t, O, let me see’t! I’ll in, I’ll in. Comes out of hiding Follow your friend’s counsel. I’ll in.

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE What, Sir John Falstaff? Aside to Falstaff Are these your letters, knight?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     I love thee. Help me away. Gets into the basket. They cover him with foul linen/To Robin Let me creep in here. I’ll never—

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Help to cover your master, boy.— Call your men, Mistress Ford.— To Falstaff You dissembling⁹⁶ knight!

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD What, John! Robert! John!

       [Exit Robin]

       [Enter John and Robert]

                  Go take up these clothes here quickly. They attempt to fit the cowl-staff⁹⁸ Where’s the cowl-staff? Look, how you drumble!⁹⁹ Carry them to the laundress in Datchet Mead. Quickly, come.

       [Enter Ford, Page, Caius and Evans]

FORD

FORD     Pray you, come near. To Page, Caius and Evans If I suspect without cause, why then make sport at me, then let me be your jest, I deserve it. How now? Whither bear you this?

JOHN

JOHN     To the laundress, forsooth.

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD Why, what¹⁰³ have you to do whither they bear it? You were best meddle with buck-washing.

FORD

FORD     Buck?¹⁰⁵ I would I could wash myself of the buck! Buck, buck, buck! Ay, buck! I warrant you, buck — and of the season¹⁰⁶ too, it shall appear.

       [Exeunt John and Robert with the basket]

                  Gentlemen, I have dreamed tonight.¹⁰⁷ I’ll tell you my dream. Here, here, here be my keys: ascend my chambers,¹⁰⁸ search, seek, find out. I’ll warrant we’ll unkennel the fox. Locks the door Let me stop this way first. So, now uncape.¹⁰⁹

PAGE

PAGE     Good Master Ford, be contented.¹¹⁰ You wrong yourself too much.

FORD

FORD     True, Master Page. Up, gentlemen. You shall see sport anon. Follow me, gentlemen.

       [Exit]

EVANS

EVANS     This is fery fantastical humours and jealousies.

CAIUS

CAIUS     By gar, ’tis no the fashion of France: it is not jealous in France.

PAGE

PAGE     Nay, follow him, gentlemen. See the issue of his search.

       [Exeunt Page, Caius and Evans]

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Is there not a double excellency in this?

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD I know not which pleases me better, that my husband is deceived, or Sir John.

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE What a taking¹¹⁹ was he in, when your husband asked who was in the basket!

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD I am half afraid he will have need of washing,¹²¹ so throwing him into the water will do him a benefit.

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Hang him, dishonest rascal! I would all of the same strain¹²³ were in the same distress.

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD I think my husband hath some special suspicion of Falstaff’s being here, for I never saw him so gross in his jealousy till now.

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE I will lay a plot to try¹²⁷ that, and we will yet have more tricks with Falstaff: his dissolute disease will scarce obey this medicine.

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD Shall we send that foolish carrion,¹²⁹ Mistress Quickly, to him, and excuse his throwing into the water, and give him another hope, to betray him to another punishment?

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE We will do it: let him be sent for tomorrow eight o’clock to have amends.

       [Enter Ford, Page, Caius and Evans]

FORD

FORD     I cannot find him. Maybe the knave bragged of that he could not compass.¹³⁵

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Heard you that? Aside to Mistress Ford

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD You use¹³⁷ me well, Master Ford, do you?

FORD

FORD     Ay, I do so.

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD Heaven make you better than your thoughts!

FORD

FORD     Amen!

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE You do yourself mighty wrong, Master Ford.

FORD

FORD     Ay, ay, I must bear it.

EVANS

EVANS     If there be any pody in the house, and in the chambers, and in the coffers, and in the presses,¹⁴⁴ heaven forgive my sins at the day of judgement.

CAIUS

CAIUS     By gar, nor I too. There is no bodies.

PAGE

PAGE     Fie, fie, Master Ford, are you not ashamed? What spirit, what devil suggests this imagination? I would not ha’ your distemper¹⁴⁷ in this kind for the wealth of Windsor Castle.

FORD

FORD     ’Tis my fault, Master Page. I suffer for it.

EVANS

EVANS     You suffer for a pad conscience: your wife is as¹⁵⁰ honest a ’omans as I will desires among five thousand, and five hundred too.

CAIUS

CAIUS     By gar, I see ’tis an honest woman.

FORD

FORD     Well, I promised you a dinner. Come, come, walk in the park, I pray you pardon me. I will hereafter make known to you why I have done this. Come, wife, come, Mistress Page. I pray you pardon me. Pray heartily pardon me.

PAGE

PAGE     Let’s go in, gentlemen, but trust me, we’ll mock him.— To Caius and Evans I do invite you tomorrow morning to my house to breakfast. To Ford, Caius and Evans After, we’ll a-birding¹⁵⁸ together, I have a fine hawk for the bush. Shall it be so?

FORD

FORD     Anything.

EVANS

EVANS     If there is one, I shall make two in the company.

CAIUS

CAIUS     If there be one or two, I shall make-a the turd.

FORD

FORD     Pray you, go, Master Page.

       [Exeunt all but Evans and Caius?]

EVANS

EVANS     I pray you now remembrance¹⁶³ tomorrow on the lousy knave, mine host.

CAIUS

CAIUS     Dat is good, by gar, with all my heart.

EVANS

EVANS     A lousy knave, to have his gibes and his mockeries.

       Exeunt

Act 3 Scene 4

running scene 11

       Enter Fenton [and] Anne

FENTON

FENTON     I see I cannot get thy father’s love,

               Therefore no more turn² me to him, sweet Nan.

ANNE

ANNE     Alas, how then?

FENTON

FENTON     Why, thou must be thyself.⁴

5

5             He doth object I am too great of birth,

               And that, my state⁶ being galled with my expense,

               I seek to heal it only by his wealth.

               Besides these, other bars⁸ he lays before me:

               My riots⁹ past, my wild societies,

10

10           And tells me ’tis a thing impossible

               I should love thee but as a property.

ANNE

ANNE     Maybe he tells you true.

FENTON

FENTON     No, heaven so speed¹³ me in my time to come!

               Albeit I will confess thy father’s wealth

15

15           Was the first motive that I wooed thee, Anne,

               Yet, wooing thee, I found thee of more value

               Than stamps¹⁷ in gold or sums in sealèd bags.

               And ’tis the very riches of thyself

               That now I aim at.

20

20   

ANNE

ANNE           Gentle Master Fenton,

               Yet seek my father’s love, still seek it, sir.

               If opportunity and humblest suit

               Cannot attain it, why, then — hark you hither! They speak apart

       [Enter Shallow, Slender and Mistress Quickly]

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Break²⁴ their talk, Mistress Quickly. My kinsman shall speak for himself.

SLENDER

SLENDER     I’ll²⁵ make a shaft or a bolt on’t. ’Slid, ’tis but venturing.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Be not dismayed.²⁶

SLENDER

SLENDER     No, she shall not dismay me: I care not for that, but that I am afeard.

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY Hark ye, Master Slender would speak a word with you.

ANNE

ANNE     I come to him.— This is my father’s choice. Aside to Fenton O, what a world of vile ill-favoured³⁰ faults Looks handsome in three hundred pounds a year!

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY And how does good Master Fenton? They speak apart Pray you, a word with you.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     She’s coming. To her, coz. O boy, thou³³ hadst a father!

SLENDER

SLENDER     I had a father, Mistress Anne: my uncle can tell you good jests of him. Pray you, uncle, tell Mistress Anne the jest how my father stole two geese out of a pen, good uncle.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Mistress Anne, my cousin loves you.

SLENDER

SLENDER     Ay, that I do, as well as I love any woman in Gloucestershire.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     He will maintain you like a gentlewoman.

SLENDER

SLENDER     Ay, that I will, come⁴⁰ cut and long-tail, under the degree of a squire.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     He will make you a hundred and fifty pounds jointure.⁴¹

ANNE

ANNE     Good Master Shallow, let him woo for himself.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Marry, I thank you for it: I thank you for that good comfort. She calls you, coz. I’ll leave you. Stands aside

ANNE

ANNE     Now, Master Slender.

SLENDER

SLENDER     Now, good Mistress Anne.

ANNE

ANNE     What is your will?⁴⁷

SLENDER

SLENDER     My will? ’Od’s heartlings,⁴⁸ that’s a pretty jest indeed! I ne’er made my will yet, I thank heaven. I am not such a sickly creature, I give heaven praise.

ANNE

ANNE     I mean, Master Slender, what would you with me?

SLENDER

SLENDER     Truly, for mine own part, I would little or nothing with you. Your father and my uncle hath made motions.⁵² If it be my luck, so; if not, happy man be his dole. They can tell you how things go better than I can. You may ask your father, here he comes.

       [Enter Page and Mistress Page]

55

55   

PAGE

PAGE           Now, Master Slender — love him, daughter Anne.—

               Why, how now? What does Master Fenton here?

               You wrong me, sir, thus still to haunt⁵⁷ my house:

               I told you, sir, my daughter is disposed of.

FENTON

FENTON     Nay, Master Page, be not impatient.

60

60   

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Good Master Fenton, come not to my child.

PAGE

PAGE     She is no match for you.

FENTON

FENTON     Sir, will you hear me?

PAGE

PAGE     No, good Master Fenton.—

               Come, Master Shallow. Come, son Slender, in.—

65

65           Knowing my mind, you wrong me, Master Fenton.

       [Exeunt Page, Shallow and Slender]

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY Speak to Mistress Page.

FENTON

FENTON     Good Mistress Page, for that⁶⁷ I love your daughter

               In such a righteous fashion as I do,

               Perforce,⁶⁹ against all checks, rebukes and manners,

70

70           I must advance the colours⁷⁰ of my love

               And not retire. Let me have your good will.

ANNE

ANNE     Good mother, do not marry me to yond⁷² fool.

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE I mean it not, I seek you a better husband.

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY That’s my master, Master Doctor.

75

75   

ANNE

ANNE     Alas, I had rather be set quick⁷⁵ i’th’earth,

               And bowled to death with turnips!

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Come, trouble not yourself. Good Master Fenton,

               I will not be your friend nor enemy:

               My daughter will I question how she loves you,

80

80           And as I find her, so am I affected.⁸⁰

               Till then, farewell, sir. She must needs go in,

               Her father will be angry.

FENTON

FENTON     Farewell, gentle mistress.— Farewell, Nan.

       [Exeunt Mistress Page and Anne]

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY This is my doing, now. ‘Nay,’ said I, ‘will you cast away your child on a fool, and a physician? Look on Master Fenton.’ This is my doing.

FENTON

FENTON     I thank thee, and I pray thee once⁸⁶ tonight, Give my sweet Nan this ring. Gives her a ring and money There’s⁸⁷ for thy pains.

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY Now heaven send thee good fortune.

       [Exit Fenton]

                  A kind heart he hath. A woman would run through fire and water for such a kind heart. But yet I would my master had Mistress Anne, or I would Master Slender had her: or, in sooth,⁹¹ I would Master Fenton had her. I will do what I can for them all three, for so I have promised, and I’ll be as good as my word — but speciously⁹³ for Master Fenton. Well, I must of another errand to Sir John Falstaff from my two mistresses. What a beast am I to slack it!

       Exit

Act 3 Scene 5

running scene 12

       Enter Falstaff

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Bardolph, I say!

       [Enter Bardolph]

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     Here, sir.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Go fetch me a quart³ of sack: put a toast in’t.

       [Exit Bardolph]

                  Have I lived to be carried in a basket like a barrow⁴ of butcher’s offal, and to be thrown in the Thames? Well, if I be served such another trick, I’ll have my brains ta’en out and buttered, and give them to a dog for a new-year’s gift. The rogues slighted me⁷ into the river with as little remorse as they would have drowned a blind bitch’s puppies,⁸ fifteen i’th’litter. And you may know by my size that I have a kind of alacrity in sinking: if the bottom were as deep as hell, I should down.⁹ I had been drowned, but that the shore was shelvy¹⁰ and shallow — a death that I abhor, for the water swells a man — and what a thing should I have been when I had been swelled? I should have been a mountain of mummy.¹²

       [Enter Bardolph with sack]

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     Here’s Mistress Quickly, sir, to speak with you.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Come. let me pour in some sack to the Thames water, for my belly’s as cold as if I had swallowed snowballs for pills to cool the reins.¹⁵ Call her in.

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     Come in, woman.

       [Enter Mistress Quickly]

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY By your leave, I cry you mercy!¹⁷ Give your worship good morrow.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Take away these chalices. To Bardolph Go, brew me a pottle¹⁸ of sack finely.

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     With eggs, sir?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Simple²⁰ of itself. I’ll no pullet-sperm in my brewage.— How now?

       [Exit Bardolph]

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY Marry, sir, I come to your worship from Mistress Ford.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Mistress Ford? I have had ford enough. I was thrown into the ford, I have my belly full of ford.²⁴

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY Alas the day, good heart, that was not her fault. She does so take on with²⁵ her men: they mistook their erection.²⁶

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     So did I mine, to build upon a foolish woman’s promise.

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY Well, she laments, sir, for it, that it would yearn²⁸ your heart to see it. Her husband goes this morning a-birding. She desires you once more to come to her between eight and nine. I must carry her word quickly. She’ll make you amends, I warrant you.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Well, I will visit her. Tell her so, and bid her think what a man is. Let her consider his frailty,³³ and then judge of my merit.

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY I will tell her.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Do so. Between nine and ten, say’st thou?

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY Eight and nine, sir.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Well, be gone. I will not miss³⁷ her.

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY Peace be with you, sir.

       [Exit]

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     I marvel I hear not of Master Broom. He sent me word to stay within. I like his money well. O, here he comes.

       [Enter Ford, disguised as Broom]

FORD

FORD     Bless you, sir!

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Now, Master Broom, you come to know what hath passed between me and Ford’s wife.

FORD

FORD     That indeed, Sir John, is my business.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Master Broom, I will not lie to you: I was at her house the hour she appointed me.

FORD

FORD     And sped you,⁴⁷ sir?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Very ill-favouredly,⁴⁸ Master Broom.

FORD

FORD     How so, sir? Did she change her determination?⁴⁹

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     No, Master Broom, but the peaking cornuto⁵⁰ her husband, Master Broom, dwelling in a continual ’larum⁵¹ of jealousy, comes me in the instant of our encounter, after we had embraced, kissed, protested,⁵² and, as it were, spoke the prologue of our comedy: and at his heels a rabble of his companions, thither provoked and instigated by his distemper, and, forsooth, to search his house for his wife’s love.

FORD

FORD     What, while you were there?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     While I was there.

FORD

FORD     And did he search for you, and could not find you?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     You shall hear. As good luck would have it, comes in one Mistress Page, gives intelligence of Ford’s approach: and, in her invention and Ford’s wife’s distraction, they conveyed me into a buck-basket.

FORD

FORD     A buck-basket?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Yes, a buck-basket! Rammed⁶² me in with foul shirts and smocks, socks, foul stockings, greasy napkins, that,⁶³ Master Broom, there was the rankest compound of villainous smell that ever offended nostril.

FORD

FORD     And how long lay you there?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Nay, you shall hear, Master Broom, what I have suffered to bring this woman to evil for your good. Being thus crammed in the basket, a couple of Ford’s knaves, his hinds,⁶⁸ were called forth by their mistress to carry me in the name of foul clothes to Datchet Lane: they took me on their shoulders, met the jealous knave their master in the door, who asked them once or twice what they had in their basket. I quaked for fear, lest the lunatic knave would have searched it, but fate, ordaining he should be a cuckold, held⁷² his hand. Well, on went he for a search, and away went I for foul clothes. But mark⁷³ the sequel, Master Broom. I suffered the pangs of three several⁷⁴ deaths: first, an intolerable fright, to be detected with⁷⁵ a jealous rotten bell-wether: next, to be compassed, like a good bilbo in the circumference of a peck,⁷⁶ hilt to point, heel to head, and then, to be stopped in like a strong distillation⁷⁷ with stinking clothes that fretted in their own grease. Think of that, a man of my kidney,⁷⁸ think of that — that am as subject to heat as butter — a man of continual dissolution⁷⁹ and thaw: it was a miracle to scape suffocation. And in the height of this bath, when I was more than half stewed in grease like a Dutch dish,⁸¹ to be thrown into the Thames, and cooled, glowing hot, in that surge, like a horse-shoe. Think of that — hissing hot — think of that, Master Broom.

FORD

FORD     In good sadness,⁸⁴ sir, I am sorry that for my sake you have suffered all this. My suit then is desperate. You’ll undertake her no more?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Master Broom, I will be thrown into Etna,⁸⁶ as I have been into Thames, ere I will leave her thus. Her husband is this morning gone a-birding. I have received from her another embassy⁸⁸ of meeting: ’twixt eight and nine is the hour, Master Broom.

FORD

FORD     ’Tis past eight already, sir.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Is it? I will then address me to my appointment. Come to me at your convenient leisure, and you shall know how I speed. And the conclusion shall be crowned with your enjoying her. Adieu. You shall have her, Master Broom. Master Broom, you shall cuckold Ford.

       [Exit]

FORD

FORD     Hum! Ha! Is this a vision? Is this a dream? Do I sleep? Master Ford awake, awake, Master Ford! There’s a hole⁹⁶ made in your best coat, Master Ford. This ’tis to be married, this ’tis to have linen and buck-baskets. Well, I will proclaim myself what I am. I will now take the lecher. He is at my house. He cannot scape me, ’tis impossible he should. He cannot creep into a halfpenny purse,⁹⁹ nor into a pepper-box. But, lest the devil that guides him should aid him, I will search impossible places. Though what I am¹⁰¹ I cannot avoid, yet to be what I would not shall not make me tame. If I have horns to make one mad, let the proverb go with me: I’ll be horn-mad.¹⁰²

       Exit

Act 4 Scene 1

running scene 13

       Enter Mistress Page, Mistress Quickly [and] William

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Is he at Master Ford’s already, think’st thou?

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY Sure he is by this,² or will be presently. But truly he is very courageous³ mad about his throwing into the water. Mistress Ford desires you to come suddenly.⁴

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE I’ll be with her by and by. I’ll but bring my young man here to school. Look where his master comes. ’Tis a playing-day,⁶ I see.

       [Enter Evans]

                  How now, Sir Hugh, no school today?

EVANS

EVANS     No, Master Slender is⁸ let the boys leave to play.

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY Blessing of his heart!

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Sir Hugh, my husband says my son profits nothing in the world at his book. I pray you, ask him some questions in his accidence.¹¹

EVANS

EVANS     Come hither, William. Hold up your head. Come.

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Come on, sirrah, hold up your head. Answer your master, be not afraid.

EVANS

EVANS     William, how many numbers is in nouns?

WILLIAM PAGE

WILLIAM PAGE Two.¹⁵

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY Truly, I thought there had been one number more, because they say, ‘Od’s nouns’.¹⁷

EVANS

EVANS     Peace your tattlings!¹⁸ What is ‘fair’, William?

WILLIAM PAGE

WILLIAM PAGE Pulcher.

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY Polecats?²⁰ There are fairer things than polecats, sure.

EVANS

EVANS     You are a very simplicity ’oman. I pray you peace. What is lapis, William?

WILLIAM PAGE

WILLIAM PAGE A stone.

EVANS

EVANS     And what is ‘a stone’, William?

WILLIAM PAGE

WILLIAM PAGE A pebble.

EVANS

EVANS     No, it is lapis. I pray you, remember in your prain.

WILLIAM PAGE

WILLIAM PAGE Lapis.

EVANS

EVANS     That is a good William. What is he, William, that does lend articles?²⁷

WILLIAM PAGE

WILLIAM PAGE Articles²⁸ are borrowed of the pronoun, and be thus declined: Singulariter²⁹, nominativo, hic, haec, hoc.

EVANS

EVANS     Nominativo, hig, hag, hog, pray you mark: genitivo³⁰, huius. Well, what is your accusative case?

WILLIAM PAGE

WILLIAM PAGE Accusativo, hinc³²— Faltering

EVANS

EVANS     I pray you, have your remembrance, child, accusativo, hing, hang, hog.³³

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY ‘Hang-hog’³⁴ is Latin for bacon, I warrant you.

EVANS

EVANS     Leave your prabbles,³⁵ ’oman. What is the focative case, William?

WILLIAM PAGE

WILLIAM PAGE O,³⁶ — vocativo, O.

EVANS

EVANS     Remember, William, focative is caret³⁷.

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY And that’s a good root.

EVANS

EVANS     ’Oman, forbear.

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Peace!

EVANS

EVANS     What is your genitive case plural, William?

WILLIAM PAGE

WILLIAM PAGE Genitive case?

EVANS

EVANS     Ay.

WILLIAM PAGE

WILLIAM PAGE Genitive: horum⁴⁴, harum, horum.

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY Vengeance of⁴⁵ Ginny’s case, fie on her! Never name her, child, if she be a whore.

EVANS

EVANS     For shame, ’oman.

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY You do ill to teach the child such words: he teaches him to hick⁴⁸ and to hack, which they’ll do fast enough of themselves, and to call ‘horum’ — fie upon you!

EVANS

EVANS     ’Oman, art thou lunatics? Hast thou no understandings for thy cases and the numbers of the genders? Thou art as foolish Christian creatures as I would desires.

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Prithee, hold thy peace. To Mistress Quickly

EVANS

EVANS     Show me now, William, some declensions⁵⁴ of your pronouns.

WILLIAM PAGE

WILLIAM PAGE Forsooth, I have forgot.

EVANS

EVANS     It is qui, quae, quod. If you forget your quies, your quaes, and your quods, you must be preeches.⁵⁷ Go your ways, and play, go.

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE He is a better scholar than I thought he was.

EVANS

EVANS     He is a good sprag⁵⁹ memory. Farewell, Mistress Page.

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Adieu, good Sir Hugh.

       [Exit Evans]

                  Get you home, boy. Come, we stay too long.

       Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 2

running scene 14

       Enter Falstaff [and] Mistress Ford The basket is brought out

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Mistress Ford, your sorrow hath eaten up my sufferance.¹ I see you are obsequious² in your love, and I profess requital to a hair’s breadth, not only, Mistress Ford, in the simple office³ of love, but in all the accoutrement, complement⁴ and ceremony of it. But are you sure of your husband now?

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD He’s a-birding, sweet Sir John.

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE What, ho, gossip⁶ Ford! What, ho! Within

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD Step into th’chamber, Sir John.

       [Exit Falstaff]

       [Enter Mistress Page]

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE How now, sweetheart, who’s at home besides yourself?

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD Why, none but mine own people.⁹

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Indeed?

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD No, certainly.— Speak louder. Whispers to her

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Truly, I am so glad you have nobody here.

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD Why?

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Why, woman, your husband is in his old lines¹⁴ again: he so takes on yonder with my husband, so rails against all married mankind, so curses all Eve’s daughters of what complexion¹⁶ soever, and so buffets himself on the forehead, crying, ‘Peer out,¹⁷ peer out!’, that any madness I ever yet beheld seemed but tameness, civility and patience to¹⁸ this his distemper he is in now. I am glad the fat knight is not here.

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD Why, does he talk of him?

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Of none but him, and swears he was carried out, the last time he searched for him, in a basket: protests to my husband he is now here, and hath drawn him and the rest of their company from their sport to make another experiment²⁴ of his suspicion. But I am glad the knight is not here: now he shall see his own foolery.

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD How near is he, Mistress Page?

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Hard by, at street end. He will be here anon.

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD I am undone. The knight is here.

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Why then you are utterly shamed, and he’s but a dead man. What a woman are you? Away with him, away with him! Better shame than murder.

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD Which way should he go? How should I bestow³¹ him? Shall I put him into the basket again?

       [Enter Falstaff]

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     No, I’ll come no more i’th’basket. May I not go out ere he come?

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Alas, three of Master Ford’s brothers watch the door with pistols, that none shall issue out: otherwise you might slip away ere he came. But what make you³⁵ here?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     What shall I do? I’ll creep up into the chimney.

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD There they always use³⁸ to discharge their birding-pieces. Creep into the kiln-hole.³⁹

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Where is it?

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD He will seek there, on my word. Neither press, coffer, chest, trunk, well, vault, but he hath an abstract⁴² for the remembrance of such places, and goes to them by his note: there is no hiding you in the house.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     I’ll go out then.

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE If you go out in your own semblance,⁴⁵ you die, Sir John — unless you go out disguised.

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD How might we disguise him?

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Alas the day, I know not. There is no woman’s gown big enough for him: otherwise he might put on a hat, a muffler⁴⁹ and a kerchief, and so escape.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Good hearts, devise something: any extremity rather than a mischief.⁵⁰

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD My maid’s aunt, the fat woman of Brentford,⁵¹ has a gown above.

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE On my word, it will serve him: she’s as big as he is — and there’s her thrummed⁵³ hat and her muffler too. Run up, Sir John.

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD Go, go, sweet Sir John. Mistress Page and I will look⁵⁴ some linen for your head.

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Quick, quick! We’ll come dress you straight:⁵⁶ put on the gown the while.

       [Exit Falstaff]

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD I would my husband would meet him in this shape.⁵⁸ He cannot abide the old woman of Brentford; he swears she’s a witch, forbade her my house and hath threatened to beat her.

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Heaven guide him to thy husband’s cudgel, and the devil guide his cudgel afterwards!

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD But is my husband coming?

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Ay, in good sadness⁶⁴ is he, and talks of the basket too, howsoever he hath had intelligence.⁶⁵

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD We’ll try⁶⁶ that, for I’ll appoint my men to carry the basket again, to meet him at the door with it, as they did last time.

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Nay, but he’ll be here presently. Let’s go dress him like the witch of Brentford.

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD I’ll first direct my men what they shall do with the basket. Go up, I’ll bring linen for him straight.

       [Exit]

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Hang him, dishonest⁷² varlet! We cannot misuse him enough.

               We’ll leave a proof, by that which we will do,

               Wives may be merry, and yet honest⁷⁴ too.

75

75           We do not act⁷⁵ that often jest and laugh,

               ’Tis old but true: still⁷⁶ swine eat all the draff.

       [Exit]

       [Enter Mistress Ford with John and Robert]

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD Go, sirs, take the basket again on your shoulders. Your master is hard at⁷⁷ door. If he bid you set it down, obey him. Quickly, dispatch.⁷⁸

       [Exit]

JOHN

JOHN     Come, come, take it up.

ROBERT

ROBERT     Pray heaven it be not full of knight again.

JOHN

JOHN     I hope not, I had as lief⁸¹ bear so much lead. John and Robert lift the basket

       [Enter Ford, Page, Shallow, Caius and Evans]

FORD

FORD     Ay,⁸² but if it prove true, Master Page, have you any way then to unfool me again?— Set down the basket, villain. John and Robert set down the basket Somebody call my wife. Youth in a basket! O, you panderly⁸⁴ rascals, there’s a knot, a gin,⁸⁵ a pack, a conspiracy against me. Now shall the devil be shamed. What, wife, I say! Come, come forth. Behold what honest clothes you send forth to bleaching.

PAGE

PAGE     Why, this passes,⁸⁸ Master Ford. You are not to go loose any longer, you must be pinioned.⁸⁹

EVANS

EVANS     Why, this is lunatics, this is mad as a mad dog!

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Indeed, Master Ford, this is not well indeed.

FORD

FORD     So say I too, sir.

       [Enter Mistress Ford]

                  Come hither, Mistress Ford — Mistress Ford the honest woman, the modest wife, the virtuous creature, that hath the jealous fool to her husband. I suspect without cause, mistress, do I?

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD Heaven be my witness you do, if you suspect me in any dishonesty.

FORD

FORD     Well said, brazen-face, hold it out!⁹⁷ Come forth, sirrah! Pulls clothes out of the basket

PAGE

PAGE     This passes.

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD Are you not ashamed? Let the clothes alone.

FORD

FORD     I shall find you anon.

EVANS

EVANS     ’Tis unreasonable. Will you take up your wife’s clothes? Come away.

FORD

FORD     Empty the basket, I say! To John and Robert

PAGE

PAGE     Why, man, why?

FORD

FORD     Master Page, as I am a man, there was one conveyed out of my house yesterday in this basket. Why may not he be there again? In my house I am sure he is. To John and Robert My intelligence is true, my jealousy is reasonable. Pluck me out all the linen.

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD If you find a man there, he shall die a flea’s death.¹⁰⁷ John and Robert empty the basket

PAGE

PAGE     Here’s no man.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     By my fidelity,¹⁰⁹ this is not well, Master Ford. This wrongs you.

EVANS

EVANS     Master Ford, you must pray, and not follow the imaginations of your own heart. This is jealousies.

FORD

FORD     Well, he’s not here I seek for.

PAGE

PAGE     No, nor nowhere else but in your brain.

FORD

FORD     Help to search my house this one time. If I find not what I seek, show¹¹⁴ no colour for my extremity, let me forever be your table-sport.¹¹⁵ Let them say of me, ‘As jealous as Ford, that searched a hollow walnut for his wife’s leman.’¹¹⁶ Satisfy me once more, once more search with me. John and Robert refill the basket and exeunt with it

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD What, ho, Mistress Page, come you and the old woman down. My husband will come into the chamber.

FORD

FORD     Old woman? What old woman’s that?

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD Why, it is my maid’s aunt of Brentford.

FORD

FORD     A witch, a quean,¹²² an old cozening quean! Have I not forbid her my house? She comes of¹²³ errands, does she? We are simple men, we do not know what’s brought to pass under the profession¹²⁴ of fortune-telling. She works by charms, by spells, by th’figure,¹²⁵ and such daubery as this is, beyond our element. We know nothing. Come down, you witch, you hag, you! Come down, I say! Takes a cudgel

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD Nay, good sweet husband.— Good gentlemen, let him not strike the old woman.

       [Enter Mistress Page leading Falstaff in woman’s clothes]

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Come, Mother Prat,¹²⁹ come, give me your hand.

FORD

FORD     I’ll prat¹³⁰ her. Beats Falstaff Out of my door, you witch, you rag, you baggage, you polecat, you runnion!¹³¹ Out, out! I’ll conjure you, I’ll fortune-tell you.

       [Exit Falstaff]

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Are you not ashamed? I think you have killed the poor woman.

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD Nay, he will do it. ’Tis¹³³ a goodly credit for you.

FORD

FORD     Hang her, witch!

EVANS

EVANS     By¹³⁵ yea and no, I think the ’oman is a witch indeed. I like not when a ’oman has a great peard. I spy a great peard under his muffler.

FORD

FORD     Will you follow, gentlemen? I beseech you, follow. See but the issue of my jealousy. If I cry¹³⁸ out thus upon no trail, never trust me when I open again.

PAGE

PAGE     Let’s obey his humour¹³⁹ a little further. Come, gentlemen.

       [Exeunt Ford, Page, Shallow, Caius and Evans]

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Trust me, he beat him most pitifully.

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD Nay, by th’mass, that he did not: he beat him most unpitifully, methought.

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE I’ll have the cudgel hallowed¹⁴³ and hung o’er the altar. It hath done meritorious¹⁴⁴ service.

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD What think you? May we, with the warrant¹⁴⁵ of womanhood and the witness of a good conscience, pursue him with any further revenge?

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE The spirit of wantonness¹⁴⁷ is, sure, scared out of him. If the devil have him not in fee-simple,¹⁴⁸ with fine and recovery, he will never, I think, in the way of waste,¹⁴⁹ attempt us again.

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD Shall we tell our husbands how we have served¹⁵⁰ him?

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Yes, by all means, if it be but to scrape the figures¹⁵¹ out of your husband’s brains. If they can find in their hearts the poor unvirtuous fat knight shall be any further afflicted, we two will still be the ministers.¹⁵³

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD I’ll warrant they’ll have him publicly shamed, and methinks there would be no period¹⁵⁵ to the jest, should he not be publicly shamed.

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Come, to the forge with it, then shape it.¹⁵⁶ I would not have things cool.

       Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 3

running scene 15

       Enter Host and Bardolph

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     Sir, the German desires to have three of your horses. The duke himself will be tomorrow at court, and they are going to meet him.

HOST

HOST     What duke should that be comes so secretly? I hear not of him in the court. Let me speak with the gentlemen. They speak English?

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     Ay, sir. I’ll call them to you.

HOST

HOST     They shall have my horses, but I’ll make them pay, I’ll sauce them.⁶ They have had my house a week at command.⁷ I have turned away my other guests. They must come off,⁸ I’ll sauce them. Come.

       Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 4

running scene 16

       Enter Page, Ford, Mistress Page, Mistress Ford and Evans

EVANS

EVANS     ’Tis¹ one of the best discretions of a ’oman as ever I did look upon.

PAGE

PAGE     And did he send you both these letters at an instant?²

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Within a quarter of an hour.

FORD

FORD     Pardon me, wife. Henceforth do what thou wilt.

5

5             I rather will suspect the sun with cold

               Than thee with wantonness. Now doth thy honour stand,

               In him that was of late an heretic,⁷

               As firm as faith.

PAGE

PAGE     ’Tis well, ’tis well, no more.

10

10           Be not as extreme in submission as in offence.

               But let our plot go forward. Let our wives

               Yet once again, to make us public sport,

               Appoint a meeting with this old fat fellow,

               Where we may take him and disgrace him for it.

FORD

FORD     There is no better way than that they spoke of.

PAGE

PAGE     How? To send him word they’ll meet him in the park at midnight? Fie, fie, he’ll never come.

EVANS

EVANS     You say he has been thrown in the rivers and has been grievously peaten as an old ’oman. Methinks there should be terrors in him, that he should not come. Methinks his flesh is punished, he shall have no desires.

PAGE

PAGE     So think I too.

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD Devise but how you’ll use²² him when he comes,

               And let us two devise to bring him thither.

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE There is an old tale goes that Herne the hunter,²⁴

25

25           Sometime²⁵ a keeper here in Windsor Forest,

               Doth all the winter-time, at still midnight,

               Walk round about an oak, with great ragged²⁷ horns,

               And there he blasts²⁸ the tree, and takes the cattle,

               And makes milch-kine²⁹ yield blood, and shakes a chain

30

30           In a most hideous and dreadful manner.

               You have heard of such a spirit, and well you know

               The superstitious idle-headed eld³²

               Received and did deliver to our age

               This tale of Herne the hunter for a truth.

35

35   

PAGE

PAGE           Why, yet there want³⁵ not many that do fear

               In deep of night to walk by this Herne’s Oak.

               But what of this?

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD Marry, this is our device:

               That Falstaff at that oak shall meet with us.

40

40   

PAGE

PAGE           Well, let it not be doubted but he’ll come,

               And in this shape.⁴¹ When you have brought him thither,

               What shall be done with him? What is your plot?

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE That likewise have we thought upon, and thus:

               Nan Page my daughter, and my little son,

45

45           And three or four more of their growth,⁴⁵ we’ll dress

               Like urchins,⁴⁶ oafs and fairies, green and white,

               With rounds of waxen tapers⁴⁷ on their heads,

               And rattles in their hands. Upon a sudden,

               As Falstaff, she and I are newly met,

50

50           Let them from forth a sawpit⁵⁰ rush at once

               With some diffusèd⁵¹ song. Upon their sight,

               We two in great amazèdness will fly:

               Then let them all encircle him about,

               And fairy-like to pinch the unclean knight,

55

55           And ask him why, that hour of fairy revel,

               In their so sacred paths he dares to tread

               In shape profane.

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD And till he tell the truth,

               Let the supposèd fairies pinch him sound,⁵⁹

60

60           And burn him with their tapers.

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE The truth being known,

               We’ll all present ourselves, dis-horn the spirit,

               And mock him home to Windsor.

FORD

FORD     The children must

65

65           Be practised well to this, or they’ll ne’er do’t.

EVANS

EVANS     I will teach the children their behaviours, and I will be like a

               jack-an-apes also, to burn the knight with my taber.

FORD

FORD     That will be excellent. I’ll go buy them vizards.⁶⁸

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE My Nan shall be the queen of all the fairies,

70

70           Finely attirèd in a robe of white.

PAGE

PAGE     That silk will I go buy.— And in that time Aside

               Shall Master Slender steal my Nan away,

               And marry her at Eton.⁷³— Go, send to Falstaff straight. To Mrs. Page and Mrs. Ford

FORD

FORD     Nay, I’ll to him again in name of Broom:

75

75           He’ll tell me all his purpose. Sure, he’ll come.

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Fear not you that.— Go get us properties⁷⁶ To Page, Ford, and Evans

               And tricking⁷⁷ for our fairies.

EVANS

EVANS     Let us about it. It is admirable pleasures and fery honest knaveries.

       [Exeunt Page, Ford and Evans]

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Go, Mistress Ford,

80

80           Send quickly to Sir John, to know his mind.

       [Exit Mistress Ford]

               I’ll to the Doctor. He hath my good will,

               And none but he, to marry with Nan Page.

               That Slender, though well landed,⁸³ is an idiot,

               And he⁸⁴ my husband best of all affects.

85

85           The Doctor is well moneyed, and his friends

               Potent at court. He, none but he, shall have her,

               Though twenty thousand worthier come to crave her.

       [Exit]

Act 4 Scene 5

running scene 17

       Enter Host [and] Simple

HOST

HOST     What wouldst thou have, boor?¹ What, thick-skin? Speak, breathe, discuss: brief, short, quick, snap.

SIMPLE

SIMPLE     Marry, sir, I come to speak with Sir John Falstaff from Master Slender.

HOST

HOST     There’s his chamber, his house, his castle, his standing-bed and truckle-bed.⁴ ’Tis painted about with the story of the Prodigal,⁵ fresh and new. Go, knock and call. He’ll speak like an Anthropophaginian⁶ unto thee. Knock, I say.

SIMPLE

SIMPLE     There’s an old woman, a fat woman, gone up into his chamber. I’ll be so bold as stay, sir, till she come down. I come to speak with her indeed.

HOST

HOST     Ha? A fat woman? The knight may be robbed. I’ll call.— Bully knight, bully Sir John! Speak from thy lungs military.¹⁰ Art thou there? It is thine host, thine Ephesian,¹¹ calls.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     How now, mine host? Above or within

HOST

HOST     Here’s a Bohemian-Tartar¹³ tarries the coming down of thy fat woman. Let her descend, bully, let her descend. My chambers are honourable. Fie! Privacy?¹⁴ Fie!

       [Enter Falstaff]

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     There was, mine host, an old fat woman even now with me, but she’s gone.

SIMPLE

SIMPLE     Pray you, sir, was’t not the wise woman¹⁸ of Brentford?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Ay, marry, was it, mussel-shell.¹⁹ What would you with her?

SIMPLE

SIMPLE     My master, sir, my Master Slender, sent to her, seeing her go through the streets, to know, sir, whether one Nim, sir, that beguiled²¹ him of a chain, had the chain or no.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     I spake with the old woman about it.

SIMPLE

SIMPLE     And what says she, I pray, sir?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Marry, she says that the very same man that beguiled Master Slender of his chain, cozened him of it.

SIMPLE

SIMPLE     I would I could have spoken with the woman herself: I had other things to have spoken with her too, from him.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     What are they? Let us know.

HOST

HOST     Ay, come. Quick.

SIMPLE

SIMPLE     I may not conceal³¹ them, sir.

HOST

HOST     Conceal them, or thou diest.

SIMPLE

SIMPLE     Why, sir, they were nothing but about Mistress Anne Page, to know if it were my master’s fortune to have her or no.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     ’Tis, ’tis his fortune.

SIMPLE

SIMPLE     What, sir?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     To have her or no. Go, say the woman told me so.

SIMPLE

SIMPLE     May I be bold to say so, sir?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Ay, sir, like³⁹ who more bold.

SIMPLE

SIMPLE     I thank your worship. I shall make my master glad with these tidings. [Exit]

HOST

HOST     Thou art clerkly,⁴¹ thou art clerkly, Sir John. Was there a wise woman with thee?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Ay, that there was, mine host, one that hath taught me more wit than ever I learned before in my life. And I paid nothing for it neither, but was paid for my learning.

       [Enter Bardolph]

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     Out, alas, sir. Cozenage, mere⁴⁶ cozenage!

HOST

HOST     Where be my horses? Speak well of them, varletto.⁴⁷

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     Run away with the cozeners, for so soon as I came beyond Eton, they threw me off from behind one of them, in a slough of mire,⁴⁹ and set spurs and away, like three German devils, three Doctor Faustuses.⁵⁰

HOST

HOST     They are gone but to meet the duke, villain. Do not say they be fled. Germans are honest men.

       [Enter Evans]

EVANS

EVANS     Where is mine host?

HOST

HOST     What is the matter, sir?

EVANS

EVANS     Have a care of your entertainments.⁵⁵ There is a friend of mine come to town tells me there is three cozen-germans⁵⁶ that has cozened all the hosts of Readings,⁵⁷ of Maidenhead, of Colebrook, of horses and money. I tell you for good will, look you. You are wise and full of gibes and vlouting-stocks,⁵⁸ and ’tis not convenient⁵⁹ you should be cozened. Fare you well.

       [Exit]

       [Enter Caius]

CAIUS

CAIUS     Vere is mine host de Jarteer?

HOST

HOST     Here, Master Doctor, in perplexity and doubtful dilemma.

CAIUS

CAIUS     I cannot tell vat is dat.⁶² But it is tell-a me dat you make grand preparation for a duke de Jamany.⁶³ By my trot, dere is no duke that the court is know to come. I tell you for good will. Adieu.

       [Exit]

HOST

HOST     Hue⁶⁵ and cry, villain, go!— To Bardolph/To Falstaff Assist me, knight, I am undone!— Fly, run, hue and cry, villain! To Bardolph I am undone!

       [Exeunt Host and Bardolph]

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     I would all the world might be cozened, for I have been cozened and beaten too. If it should come to the ear of the court, how I have been transformed and how my transformation hath been washed and cudgelled, they would melt me out of my fat drop by drop, and liquor⁷⁰ fishermen’s boots with me. I warrant they would whip me with their fine wits till I were as crestfallen as a dried pear. I never prospered since I forswore⁷² myself at primero. Well, if my wind were but long enough, I would repent.

       [Enter Mistress Quickly] Now, whence come you?

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY From the two parties, forsooth.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     The devil take one party and his dam⁷⁶ the other, and so they shall be both bestowed.⁷⁷ I have suffered more for their sakes, more than the villainous inconstancy of man’s disposition is able to bear.

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY And have not they suffered? Yes, I warrant, speciously⁷⁹ one of them. Mistress Ford, good heart, is beaten black and blue, that you cannot see a white spot about her.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     What tell’st thou me of black and blue? I was beaten myself into all the colours of the rainbow, and I was like⁸³ to be apprehended for the witch of Brentford. But⁸⁴ that my admirable dexterity of wit, my counterfeiting the action of an old woman, delivered me, the knave constable had set me i’th’stocks, i’th’common stocks, for a witch.

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY Sir, let me speak with you in your chamber. You shall hear how things go, and, I warrant, to your content. Here is a letter will say somewhat — good hearts, what ado here is to bring you together! Sure, one of you does not serve heaven well, that you are so crossed.⁹⁰

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Come up into my chamber.

       Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 6

running scene 17 continues

       Enter Fenton [and] Host

HOST

HOST     Master Fenton, talk not to me. My mind is heavy. I will give over¹ all.

FENTON

FENTON     Yet hear me speak. Assist me in my purpose, And, as I am a gentleman, I’ll give thee A hundred pound in gold more than your loss.

HOST

HOST     I will hear you, Master Fenton, and I will, at the least, keep your counsel.⁵

FENTON

FENTON     From time to time I have acquainted you

               With the dear love I bear to fair Anne Page,

               Who mutually hath answered my affection —

               So far forth⁹ as herself might be her chooser —

10

10           Even to¹⁰ my wish. I have a letter from her

               Of such contents as you will wonder at;

               The mirth¹² whereof so larded with my matter,

               That neither singly can be manifested

               Without the show of both. Fat Falstaff

15

15           Hath a great scene.¹⁵ The image of the jest

               I’ll show you here at large.¹⁶ Hark, good mine host:

               Tonight at Herne’s Oak, just ’twixt twelve and one,

               Must my sweet Nan present the Fairy Queen —

               The purpose why is here — in which disguise,

20

20           While other jests are something rank on foot,²⁰

               Her father hath commanded her to slip

               Away with Slender, and with him at Eton

               Immediately to marry. She hath consented. Now, sir,

               Her mother — ever strong against that match

25

25           And firm for Doctor Caius — hath appointed

               That he shall likewise shuffle²⁶ her away,

               While other sports are tasking of²⁷ their minds,

               And at the dean’ry,²⁸ where a priest attends,

               Straight marry her. To this her mother’s plot

30

30           She, seemingly obedient, likewise hath

               Made promise to the doctor. Now, thus it rests:³¹

               Her father means she shall be all in white,

               And in that habit,³³ when Slender sees his time

               To take her by the hand and bid her go,

35

35           She shall go with him. Her mother hath intended,

               The better to denote³⁶ her to the doctor —

               For they must all be masked and vizarded —

               That quaint³⁸ in green she shall be loose enrobed,

               With ribbons pendent³⁹ flaring ’bout her head;

40

40           And when the doctor spies his vantage⁴⁰ ripe,

               To pinch her by the hand, and on that token,⁴¹

               The maid hath given consent to go with him.

HOST

HOST     Which means she to deceive, father or mother?

FENTON

FENTON     Both, my good host, to go along with me.

45

45           And here it rests, that you’ll procure the vicar

               To stay⁴⁶ for me at church, ’twixt twelve and one,

               And, in the lawful name of marrying,

               To give our hearts united ceremony.

HOST

HOST     Well, husband⁴⁹ your device. I’ll to the vicar.

50

50           Bring you the maid, you shall not lack a priest.

FENTON

FENTON     So shall I evermore be bound to thee:

               Besides, I’ll make a present⁵² recompense.

       Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 1

running scene 17 continues

       Enter Falstaff [and] Mistress Quickly

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Prithee, no more prattling. Go, I’ll hold.¹ This is the third time. I hope good luck lies in odd numbers. Away, go. They say there is divinity² in odd numbers, either in nativity, chance, or death. Away.

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY I’ll provide you a chain, and I’ll do what I can to get you a pair of horns.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Away, I say. Time wears.⁶ Hold up your head, and mince.

       [Exit Mistress Quickly]

       [Enter Ford, disguised as Broom]

                  How now, Master Broom? Master Broom, the matter will be known tonight, or never. Be you in the park about midnight, at Herne’s Oak, and you shall see wonders.

FORD

FORD     Went you not to her yesterday, sir, as you told me you had appointed?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     I went to her, Master Broom, as you see, like a poor old man, but I came from her, Master Broom, like a poor old woman. That same knave Ford, her husband, hath the finest mad devil of jealousy in him, Master Broom, that ever governed frenzy. I will tell you, he beat me grievously, in the shape of a woman, for in the shape of man, Master Broom, I fear not Goliath¹⁵ with a weaver’s beam, because I know also life is a shuttle.¹⁶ I am in haste. Go along with me, I’ll tell you all, Master Broom. Since I plucked geese, played truant and whipped top,¹⁷ I knew not what ’twas to be beaten till lately. Follow me, I’ll tell you strange things of this knave Ford, on whom tonight I will be revenged, and I will deliver his wife into your hand. Follow. Strange things in hand,²⁰ Master Broom. Follow.

       Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 2

running scene 18

       Enter Page, Shallow [and] Slender

PAGE

PAGE     Come, come. we’ll couch¹ i’th’castle-ditch till we see the light of our fairies. Remember, son Slender, my daughter—

SLENDER

SLENDER     Ay, forsooth, I have spoke with her and we have a nay-word³ how to know one another: I come to her in white, and cry ‘mum’,⁴ she cries ‘budget’, and by that we know one another.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     That’s good too. But what needs either your ‘mum’ or her ‘budget’? The white will decipher⁷ her well enough. It hath struck ten o’clock.

PAGE

PAGE     The night is dark: light and spirits will become⁸ it well. Heaven prosper our sport! No man means evil but the devil, and we shall know him by his horns. Let’s away. Follow me.

       Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 3

running scene 18 continues

       Enter Mistress Page, Mistress Ford [and] Caius

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Master Doctor, my daughter is in green. When you see your time, take her by the hand, away with her to the deanery, and dispatch² it quickly. Go before into the park. We two must go together.

CAIUS

CAIUS     I know vat I have to do. Adieu.

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Fare you well, sir.

       [Exit Caius]

                  My husband will not rejoice so much at the abuse of Falstaff as he will chafe⁶ at the Doctor’s marrying my daughter. But ’tis no matter. Better a little chiding than a great deal of heartbreak.

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD Where is Nan now, and her troop of fairies? And the Welsh devil Hugh?

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE They are all couched in a pit hard by Herne’s Oak, with obscured¹¹ lights, which, at the very instant of Falstaff’s and our meeting, they will at once display to the night.

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD That cannot choose but amaze¹⁴ him.

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE If he be not amazed, he will be mocked. If he be amazed, he will every way be mocked.

MISTRESS FORD WE’LL

MISTRESS FORD WE’LL     betray him finely.

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Against such lewdsters and their lechery. Those that betray them do no treachery.

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD The hour draws on. To the Oak, to the Oak!

       Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 4

running scene 18 continues

       Enter Evans [disguised, with others as] Fairies

EVANS

EVANS     Trib,¹ trib, fairies. Come, and remember your parts. Be pold, I pray you. Follow me into the pit, and when I give the watch-’ords,² do as I pid you. Come, come, trib, trib.

       Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 5

running scene 18 continues

       Enter Falstaff [disguised as Herne]

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     The Windsor bell hath struck twelve, the minute draws on. Now, the hot-blooded gods assist me! Remember, Jove,² thou wast a bull for thy Europa. Love set on thy horns. O powerful Love, that in some respects makes a beast a man, in some other a man a beast. You were also, Jupiter, a swan for the love of Leda.⁴ O omnipotent Love, how near the god drew to the complexion of a goose. A fault done first in the form of a beast. O Jove, a beastly fault!⁶ And then another fault in the semblance of a fowl. Think on’t, Jove, a foul fault! When gods have hot backs,⁷ what shall poor men do? For me, I am here a Windsor stag, and the fattest, I think, i’th’forest. Send me a cool rut-time,⁹ Jove, or who can blame me to piss my tallow?¹⁰ Who comes here? My doe?

       [Enter Mistress Ford and Mistress Page]

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD Sir John? Art thou there, my deer?¹¹ My male deer?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     My doe with the black scut!¹² Let the sky rain potatoes, let it thunder to the tune of Greensleeves, hail kissing-comfits¹³ and snow eryngoes. Let there come a tempest of provocation,¹⁴ I will shelter me here. Embraces her

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD Mistress Page is come with me, sweetheart.¹⁵

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Divide¹⁶ me like a bribed buck, each a haunch: I will keep my sides to myself, my shoulders for the fellow¹⁷ of this walk, and my horns I bequeath your husbands. Am I a woodman,¹⁸ ha? Speak I like Herne the hunter? Why, now is Cupid¹⁹ a child of conscience: he makes restitution. Horns within As I am a true spirit, welcome.

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Alas, what noise?

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD Heaven forgive our sins.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     What should this be?

MISTRESS FORD and MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS FORD and MISTRESS PAGE Away, away! They run off

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     I think the devil will not have me damned, lest the oil²⁴ that’s in me should set hell on fire. He would never else cross²⁵ me thus.

       Enter [Evans, disguised as before; Pistol, as Hobgoblin; Mistress Quickly, Anne and others, as] Fairies [with tapers]

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY Fairies black, grey, green and white,

               You moonshine revellers and shades²⁷ of night,

               You orphan²⁸ heirs of fixèd destiny,

               Attend²⁹ your office and your quality.

30

30           Crier³⁰ Hobgoblin, make the fairy oyez.

PISTOL

PISTOL     Elves, list³¹ your names. Silence, you airy toys.

               Cricket, to Windsor chimneys shalt thou leap.

               Where fires thou find’st unraked³³ and hearths unswept,

               There pinch the maids as blue as bilberry,³⁴

35

35           Our radiant queen hates sluts and sluttery.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     They are fairies, he that speaks to them shall die. Aside

               I’ll wink³⁷ and couch: no man their works must eye. Lies down upon his face

EVANS

EVANS     Where’s Bede? Go you, and where you find a maid

               That ere she sleep has thrice her prayers said,

40

40           Raise⁴⁰ up the organs of her fantasy:

               Sleep she⁴¹ as sound as careless infancy.

               But those as⁴² sleep and think not on their sins,

               Pinch them, arms, legs, backs, shoulders, sides and shins.

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY About,⁴⁴ about.

45

45           Search Windsor Castle, elves, within and out.

               Strew good luck, oafs,⁴⁶ on every sacred room,

               That it may stand till the perpetual doom,⁴⁷

               In state as⁴⁸ wholesome as in state ’tis fit,

               Worthy⁴⁹ the owner and the owner it.

50

50           The several⁵⁰ chairs of order look you scour

               With juice of balm⁵¹ and every precious flower.

               Each fair instalment,⁵² coat, and sev’ral crest,

               With loyal blazon⁵³ evermore be blest.

               And nightly meadow-fairies, look you sing,

55

55           Like to the Garter’s compass,⁵⁵ in a ring.

               Th’expressure⁵⁶ that it bears, green let it be,

               More fertile-fresh than all the field to see.

               And Honi⁵⁸ soit qui mal y pense write

               In em’rald tufts, flowers purple, blue and white,

60

60           Like sapphire, pearl and rich embroidery,

               Buckled⁶¹ below fair knighthood’s bending knee.

               Fairies use flowers for their charactery.⁶²

               Away, disperse. But till ’tis one o’clock,

               Our dance of custom⁶⁴ round about the oak

65

65           Of Herne the hunter, let us not forget.

EVANS

EVANS     Pray you, lock hand in hand, yourselves in order set.

               And twenty glow-worms shall our lanterns be,

               To guide our measure⁶⁸ round about the tree.

               But stay, I smell a man of middle-earth.⁶⁹

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Heavens defend me from that Welsh fairy, Aside lest he transform me to a piece of cheese!⁷¹

PISTOL

PISTOL     Vile worm, thou wast o’erlooked⁷² even in thy birth. To Falstaff

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY With trial-fire⁷³ touch me his finger-end.

               If he be chaste, the flame will back descend

75

75           And turn⁷⁵ him to no pain. But if he start,

               It is the flesh of a corrupted heart.

PISTOL

PISTOL     A trial, come.

EVANS

EVANS     Come, will this wood⁷⁸ take fire? They burn him with their tapers

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     O, O, O!

80

80   

MISTRESS QUICKLY

MISTRESS QUICKLY Corrupt, corrupt, and tainted in desire.

               About⁸¹ him, fairies, sing a scornful rhyme,

               And, as you trip,⁸² still pinch him to your time.

FAIRIES

FAIRIES     [sing] The Song

               Fie on sinful fantasy,⁸⁴ Fie on lust and luxury! During this song they pinch Falstaff.

85

85           Lust is but a bloody fire,⁸⁵ Caius comes one way and steals away

               Kindled with unchaste desire, a boy in green; Slender another way and

               Fed in heart, whose flames aspire, takes off a boy in white; and Fenton

               As thoughts do blow them, higher and higher. comes and steals away Anne.

               Pinch him, fairies, mutually,⁸⁹ A noise of hunting is heard within.

90

90           Pinch him for his villainy. All the Fairies run away.

               Pinch him and burn him and turn him about, Falstaff pulls off his buck’s

               Till candles and starlight and moonshine be out. head and rises

       [Enter Page, Ford, Mistress Page and Mistress Ford]

PAGE

PAGE     Nay, do not fly, I think we have watched⁹³ you now.

               Will none but Herne the hunter serve your turn?⁹⁴

95

95   

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE I pray you, come, hold⁹⁵ up the jest no higher.

               Now, good Sir John, how like you Windsor wives?

               See you these, husband? Do not these fair yokes⁹⁷ Points to horns

               Become the forest better than the town?

FORD

FORD     Now, sir, who’s a cuckold now? Master Broom, Falstaff’s a knave, a cuckoldly knave: here are his horns, Master Broom. And, Master Broom, he hath enjoyed nothing of Ford’s but his buck-basket, his cudgel, and twenty pounds of money, which must be paid to Master Broom. His horses are arrested¹⁰² for it, Master Broom.

MISTRESS FORD

MISTRESS FORD Sir John, we have had ill luck, we could never meet.¹⁰⁴ I will never take you for my love again, but I will always count you my deer.¹⁰⁵

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     I do begin to perceive that I am made an ass.

FORD

FORD     Ay, and an ox too. Both the proofs¹⁰⁷ are extant.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     And these are not fairies. I was three or four times in the thought they were not fairies, and yet the guiltiness of my mind, the sudden surprise¹⁰⁹ of my powers, drove the grossness of the foppery¹¹⁰ into a received belief, in despite of the teeth of all rhyme and reason, that they were fairies. See now how wit¹¹¹ may be made a Jack-a-Lent,¹¹² when ’tis upon ill employment!

EVANS

EVANS     Sir John Falstaff, Unmasks serve Got, and leave your desires, and fairies will not pinse you.

FORD

FORD     Well said, fairy Hugh.

EVANS

EVANS     And leave you your jealousies too, I pray you.

FORD

FORD     I will never mistrust my wife again till thou art able to woo her in good English.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Have I laid my brain in the sun and dried it, that it wants matter¹¹⁹ to prevent so gross o’erreaching¹²⁰ as this? Am I ridden with a Welsh goat too? Shall I have a coxcomb¹²¹ of frieze? ’Tis time I were choked with a piece of toasted cheese.

EVANS

EVANS     Seese is not good to give putter. Your belly is all putter.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     ‘Seese’ and ‘putter’? Have I lived to stand at the taunt of one that makes fritters¹²⁴ of English? This is enough to be the decay of lust and late-walking through the realm.

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Why Sir John, do you think, though we would have thrust virtue out of our hearts by the head and shoulders, and have given ourselves without scruple to hell, that ever the devil could have made you our delight?

FORD

FORD     What, a hodge-pudding?¹²⁹ A bag of flax?

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE A puffed¹³⁰ man?

PAGE

PAGE     Old, cold, withered and of intolerable¹³¹ entrails?

FORD

FORD     And one that is as slanderous as Satan?

PAGE

PAGE     And as poor as Job?¹³³

FORD

FORD     And as wicked as his wife?

EVANS

EVANS     And given to fornications, and to taverns, and sack, and wine, and metheglins,¹³⁶ and to drinkings, and swearings, and starings, pribbles and prabbles?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Well, I am your theme.¹³⁸ You have the start of me. I am dejected. I am not able to answer the Welsh flannel.¹³⁹ Ignorance itself is a plummet o’er me. Use me as you will.

FORD

FORD     Marry, sir, we’ll bring you to Windsor, to one Master Broom, that you have cozened of money, to whom you should¹⁴² have been a pander. Over and above that you have suffered, I think to repay that money will be a biting affliction.

PAGE

PAGE     Yet be cheerful, knight. Thou shalt eat a posset¹⁴⁵ tonight at my house, where I will desire thee to laugh at my wife, that now laughs at thee. Tell her Master Slender hath married her daughter.

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Doctors doubt that. Aside If Anne Page be my daughter, she is, by this,¹⁴⁸ Doctor Caius’ wife.

       [Enter Slender]

SLENDER

SLENDER     Whoa ho, ho, father Page!

PAGE

PAGE     Son, how now? How now, son, have you dispatched?¹⁵¹

SLENDER

SLENDER     Dispatched? I’ll make the best in Gloucestershire know on’t. Would I were hanged, la, else.

PAGE

PAGE     Of what,¹⁵⁴ son?

SLENDER

SLENDER     I came yonder at Eton to marry Mistress Anne Page, and she’s a great lubberly¹⁵⁶ boy. If it had not been i’th’church, I would have swinged him, or he should have swinged¹⁵⁷ me. If I did not think it had been Anne Page, would I might never stir — and ’tis a postmaster’s¹⁵⁸ boy.

PAGE

PAGE     Upon my life, then, you took the wrong.¹⁵⁹

SLENDER

SLENDER     What need you tell me that? I think so, when I took a boy for a girl. If I had been married to him, for all he was in woman’s apparel, I would not have had him.¹⁶²

PAGE

PAGE     Why, this is your own folly. Did not I tell you how you should know my daughter by her garments?

SLENDER

SLENDER     I went to her in green,¹⁶⁵ and cried ‘mum’, and she cried ‘budget’, as Anne and I had appointed, and yet it was not Anne, but a postmaster’s boy.

       [Exit]

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Good George, be not angry. I knew of your purpose, turned my daughter into white,¹⁶⁸ and indeed, she is now with the Doctor at the deanery, and there married.

       [Enter Caius]

CAIUS

CAIUS     Vere is Mistress Page? By gar, I am cozened. I ha’ married un garçon, a boy, un paysan¹⁷¹, by gar, a boy. It is not Anne Page. By gar, I am cozened.

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Why, did you take her in white?¹⁷²

CAIUS

CAIUS     Ay, by gar, and ’tis a boy. By gar, I’ll raise¹⁷³ all Windsor.

       [Exit]

FORD

FORD     This is strange. Who hath got the right Anne?

PAGE

PAGE     My heart misgives me. Here comes Master Fenton.

       [Enter Fenton and Anne]

                  How now, Master Fenton?

ANNE

ANNE     Pardon, good father. Good my mother, pardon.

PAGE

PAGE     Now, mistress, how chance you went not with Master Slender?

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Why went you not with Master Doctor, maid?

180

180 

FENTON

FENTON             You do amaze¹⁸⁰ her. Hear the truth of it:

               You would have married her most shamefully,

               Where there was no proportion¹⁸² held in love.

               The truth is, she and I, long since contracted,¹⁸³

               Are now so sure¹⁸⁴ that nothing can dissolve us.

185

185         Th’offence is holy that she hath committed,

               And this deceit loses the name of craft,

               Of disobedience, or unduteous title,¹⁸⁷

               Since therein she doth evitate¹⁸⁸ and shun

               A thousand irreligious cursèd hours

190

190         Which forcèd marriage would have brought upon her.

FORD

FORD     Stand not amazed, here is no remedy. To Page and Mistress Page

               In love the heavens themselves do guide the state.¹⁹²

               Money buys lands, and wives are sold by fate.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     I am glad, though you have ta’en a special stand¹⁹⁴ to To Page and Mistress Page

195

195         strike at me, that your arrow hath glanced.¹⁹⁵

PAGE

PAGE     Well, what remedy? Fenton, heaven give thee joy!

               What cannot be eschewed must be embraced.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     When night-dogs run, all sorts of deer are chased.

MISTRESS PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE Well, I will muse¹⁹⁹ no further. Master Fenton,

200

200         Heaven give you many, many merry days.

               Good husband, let us every one go home,

               And laugh this sport o’er by a country fire,

               Sir John and all.

FORD

FORD     Let it be so. Sir John,

205

205         To Master Broom you yet shall hold your word,

               For he tonight shall lie with Mistress Ford.

       Exeunt

Textual Notes

Q = First Quarto text of 1602

F = First Folio text of 1623

Q3 = a correction introduced in the Third Quarto text of 1630

F2 = a correction introduced in the Second Folio text of 1632

Ed = a correction introduced by a later editor

SD = stage direction

SH = speech heading (i.e., speaker’s name)

List of parts = Ed

All entrances midscene = Ed. F groups names of all characters in each scene at beginning of scene

1.1.19 py’r lady spelled per-lady in F 113–16 set as verse = Q. F = set as prose 114 latten = Q (spelled laten). F = Latine 127 careers spelled Car-eires in F 175 contempt = Ed. F = content

1.3.0 SD and Robin = Ed. F = Page (pageboy) 9 lime = Q. F = liue 37 legion = Ed. Q = legions. F = legend 42 oeillades spelled illiads in F 60 o’th’hoof = F2. F = ith’hoofe 61 humour = Q. F = honor

1.4.33 une boîtie en vert = Ed. F = vnboyteene verd 37–8 chaud. Je m’en vais voir à le Court la grande affaire; Ed. F = chando, le man voi a le Court la grand affaires 65 baillez = Ed. F = ballow 87 good-year = Ed. F = good-ier

2.1.1 I = Q3. Not in F 40 praised = Ed. F = praise 150 cavalier spelled Caualeire in F 151 SH FORD = Q. F = Shal 152 Broom = F (spelled Broome). Ford’s disguised name is Brooke throughout Q

2.2.27 That I am = Q. Omitted in F 162 exchange = Q3. F = enchange

2.3.41 A word = Q. F = a

3.1.4 Petty = Ed. F = pittie 77 Give…terrestrial, so = Q. Not in F 81 lads = Q. F = Lad

3.3.26 cue spelled Qu in F 44–5 Fortune thy foe were not, Nature thy friend = F2 punctuation. Comma after foe in F 54 kiln = Ed. F = kill 102 SH JOHN = Ed. F = Ser 129 foolish = F2. F = foolishion

3.4.13 SH FENTON = Q3. Not in F 56 Fenton = Ed. F = Fenter

3.5.20 sperm spelled Spersme in F

4.1.51 lunatics = Ed. F= Lunaties

4.2.39 kiln = Ed. F = Kill 70 direct = Q3. F = direct direct 72 misuse him = F2. F = misuse 79, 81 SH JOHN = Ed. F = 1. Ser 80 SH ROBERT = Ed. F = 2. Ser 81 as lief = F2. F = liefe as 103 SH PAGE = Ed. F = M. Ford. 127 not strike = Q3. F = strike

4.3.7 house = Q. F = houses

4.4.5 cold = Ed. F = gold 29 makes = F2. F = make 58 SH MISTRESS FORD = Ed. F = Ford

4.5.31 SH SIMPLE = Ed. F = Fal. 41 art = Q. F = are

4.6.36 denote = Ed. F = deuote

5.2.2 daughter = F2. Omitted in F

5.3.10 Hugh = Ed. F = Herne

5.5.46 oafs spelled Ouphes in F 57 More = F2. F = Mote 82 SH FAIRIES = Ed. Not in F 84–92 Stage direction based on Q, but with colours of costumes altered to conform to F – see ‘Text’ in Key Facts 173 un paysan = Ed. F = oon pesant

Title page of the Quarto version of the play, with Falstaff credited above the Merry Wives.

Act 1 Scene 1

 1.1    Location: the entire play is set in Windsor (twenty-five miles west of London), moving between the streets, the homes of Page and Ford, the Garter Inn, a field outside the town and, in the fifth act, the Great Park near Windsor Castle

    1    Sir the usual title for a clergyman    persuade urge/argue with    Star Chamber court consisting of most of the King’s Privy Council, which met in a chamber with stars painted on its ceiling

    3    Coram corruption of “quorum,” a group of judges whose presence was required at a trial

    4    cousin kinsman    Custalorum corruption of “custos rotulorum,” the keeper of the shire records and a justice of the peace

    5    Rato-lorum i.e., “rotulorum”

    6    writes himself Armigero i.e., signs himself armiger, Latin for “esquire” (one entitled to bear arms/a gentleman)    bill legal document/document requiring the payment of debts    warrant document authorizing a judicial sentence/the payment of debts between two parties    quittance document certifying release from a debt or obligation    obligation contract binding a person to an action or payment

    9    give display (in a coat of arms)    luces pikes (freshwater fish)

  10    coat coat of arms (Evans’s louses—lice—plays on the sense of “garment”)

  12    become suit    passant (heraldic term for) walking/surpassingly

  13    familiar well-known/overly intimate

  14    coat Shallow plays on Evans’s Welsh pronunciation of    coat as “cod”

  15    quarter add the arms of another family to one’s coat of arms (Evans understands “cut into four”)    coz cousin (i.e., kinsman)

  19    py’r lady by Our Lady (i.e., the Virgin Mary); Evans often substitutes “p” for “b”    skirts separate sections forming the lower part of a coat

  21    do my benevolence lend my help

  22    atonements agreement/reconciliation (Evans often makes singular words into plurals)    compromises joint agreement/settlement made by an arbitrator

  23    Council King’s Privy Council, which often heard cases of    riot; Evans seems to think Shallow is referring to a church council

  24    meet fitting    Got God (Evans often substitutes “t” for “d”)

  25    Take…that take that into consideration

  26    vizaments advisements

  28    friends…sword i.e., friendship is substituted for violence

  29    device plan    peradventure perhaps/most likely    discretions judgment

  30    Thomas later named as George (presumably Shakespeare’s memory slip)

  31    small in a high-pitched/light/quiet voice

  32    fery very (Evans often substitutes “f’ for “v”)    ’orld world    just exact/exactly

  33    is has

  34    give given (her)

  35    motion suggestion    pribbles and prabbles petty squabbles

  39    is…penny will give her more besides

  40    Slender most editors reassign to Shallow, since Slender has already said he knows Anne    gifts qualities (Evans takes the word literally)

  41    possibilities financial prospects

  42    honest respectable/upright/sincere

  45    well-willers well-wishers

  49    tell…tale have something else to say to you

  54    ill clumsily/poorly/illegally (by Falstaff)

  55    la an intensifier equivalent to “indeed”

  57    by…no a very mild oath

  59    fallow light brown

  60    Cotsall the Cotswold hills, in central England

  61    judged decided conclusively

  64    ’tis your fault you (Slender) are to blame for teasing Page

  65    cur dog (may or may not be contemptuous)

  68    would wish    office service

  71    in some sort partly/to some extent

  73    at in    Pistol pronounced to sound like “pizzle” (“penis”)

  78    lodge hunting lodge/gamekeeper’s cottage

  79    keeper’s gamekeeper’s

  80    pin i.e., a trifle    answered accounted for/responded to as a legal charge (Falstaff plays on the sense of “replied to”)

  81    straight straight away

  83    in counsel in secret (puns on    Council)

  84    Pauca verba Latin for “few words”

  85    worts plants of the cabbage family (a joke on Evans’s pronunciation of “words”)    broke wounded    matter cause of complaint (Slender shifts the sense to “matter of significance,” while playing on the sense of “pus from a wound”)

  87    cony-catching cheating (literally “rabbit-catching”)

  89    Banbury cheese the Oxfordshire town was known for its thin cheeses; Slender is being mocked for being pale and slight

  90    matter importance (plays on sense of “substance”)

  91    Mephostophilus a devil, well known from Christopher Marlowe’s play Doctor Faustus

  93    Slice i.e., gash him with a sword/slice him up like a cheese    Pauca i.e., briefly (from pauca verba)    humour inclination/frame of mind

  96    fidelicet Evans means videlicet (Latin for “namely”)

  97    three third

  98    host innkeeper    Garter perhaps a reference to the Garter Inn in Windsor

100    prief brief/summary

101    ’ork work    discreetly discretion

104    tevil…tam devil and his dam (i.e., mother)

108    great chamber main room/hall    groats fourpenny coins    mill-sixpences sixpences that had their designs impressed on them in a stamping mill    Edward shovel-boards shillings made in the reign of Edward VI (used in the game of shovel-board)

109    Yead i.e., Ed (Edward)

112    it is false he is dishonest (Evans responds to “true, Pistol” as if it were “true Pistol”—i.e., “honest Pistol”)

113    mountain-foreigner i.e., Welshman

114    combat challenge challenge combat (i.e., trial by combat)    latten brass/tin-plate/thinly hammered    bilbo sword (from Bilbao, Spanish town famed for sword manufacture)

115    labras lips (from either the Spanish labros or the Latin labra, both meaning “lips”)

118    Be avised think carefully/take my advice    pass good humours be agreeable    ‘marry trap’ contemptuous phrase of uncertain meaning, the general sense of which may be something like “be off with you/mind your own business/you’ve caught yourself out”    marry by the Virgin Mary

119    run…me behave like a constable    nuthook hooked stick used to pull nuts from trees; slang for “constable”    very note right tune (i.e., the truth); perhaps with a play on “nut”

120    he…face i.e., Bardolph

122    Scarlet and John Will Scarlet and Little John were two of Robin Hood’s companions;    Scarlet is applied to Bardolph because of his drunkard’s red nose

126    fap drunk    cashiered dismissed/got rid of/thrown out of the tavern    conclusions…careers his conclusions about what had happened galloped beyond all bounds career short gallop at full speed

131    ’udge judge    mind intention

136    leave permission

138    pasty to pie for

140    book…Sonnets probably Songs and Sonnets, a collection of poems, most of them about love, published by Richard Tottel in 1557 and known as Tottel’s Miscellany

142    Book of Riddles unidentified; several Elizabethan collections of riddles existed

144    Allhallowmas All Saints’ Day, November 1    Michaelmas the feast of Saint. Michael, September 29; Simple is wrong in saying it is two weeks after Allhallowmas

145    stay wait

146    tender offer (i.e., of marriage, made on behalf of Slender)    afar off indirectly/in a roundabout manner

148    do…reason i.e., behave in a reasonable manner/cooperate

152    motions suggestions

153    be capacity of have the capacity to understand

155    country district    simple…here as sure as I stand here/although I seem humble/despite my own undistinguished status

159    demands requests

160    ’oman woman

161    divers various    parcel part

162    carry…to feel inclination/affection for (with a quibble on the slang sense of    will—i.e., “sexual desire/penis”)

165    possitable malapropism for “positively”    carry her convey/direct

167    upon providing that she comes with/on the promise of

170    conceive understand

173    decrease malapropism for “increase”

176    dissolved resolved    dissolutely malapropism for “resolutely”

177    fall i.e., error ’ord word

187    forsooth in truth

188    attends waits for

189    sirrah sir (authoritative)    for all although

191    beholding indebted

192    what though what of it

198    fence fencing    veneys technical (French) term for each assault in a fencing match (from venu, “come”); pun (not intended by Slender) on “Venus”, slang for prostitute

199    stewed prunes known to be a popular dish in brothels (“the stews”)    smell…meat unintentionally suggesting whore’s flesh

202    the sport bearbaiting, a popular Elizabethan pastime

205    Sackerson a well-known bear kept at Paris Garden in Southwark

206    warrant assure

207    passed was past belief

208    ill-favoured ugly

211    cock and pie a mild oath; either a literal reference to fowl and cooked pie or a corruption of “God” and an allusion to the church rules concerning the celebration of Saints’ days    you…choose polite way of saying “I insist/you have no choice”

215    keep on go ahead/carry on

Act 1 Scene 2

    1    of concerning

    2    nurse housekeeper    dry nurse i.e., not a wet nurse, who would look after a baby

    3    laundry laundress    wringer one who wrings out clothes after they have been washed

    5    altogether’s acquaintance is well acquainted

    7    solicit urge/court favor for

    8    pippins apples

Act 1 Scene 3

    2    bully rook jolly companion/old rogue

    4    bully Hercules old mate Hercules (the Greek hero)    cashier dismiss    wag move on

    5    sit at live here at the cost of

    6    Kaiser emperor    Pheazar vizier (chief minister to a ruler), or possibly a nonsense word to rhyme with Caesar and Kaiser    entertain employ

    7    draw…tap withdraw liquor from a cask in the manner of an innkeeper    Hector hero of the Trojan war

    9    froth make the beer froth up on top as a means of serving less    lime flavor wine with lime in order to mask its sourness    I…word i.e., without further ado

  11    tapster barman

  12    jerkin close-fitting jacket

  14    Hungarian wight thievish, beggarly person (with a play on “hungry”)    spigot peg used to stop the hole in a cask of liquor

  15    gotten in drink conceived while his parents were drunk    Is…conceited isn’t that an ingenious/witty notion

  16    acquit rid    tinderbox i.e., Bardolph, an inflammable and red-faced man    open obvious

  18    good humour best method/way to do it    at…rest in the space of a minute (rest plays on the sense of “moment of silence within a piece of music”)

  19    fico “fig” (Italian; a contemptuous word, sometimes accompanied by the obscene gesture of thrusting the thumb between two fingers)

  20    out at heels out of money (literally, with shoes or stockings worn through)

  21    kibes chilblains

  22    shift provide for myself/live by deception/live on my wits

  25    ken the wight know the person

  26    am about up to (Pistol interprets “measure about the waist”)

  29    make love to court/woo

  30    entertainment welcome/a pleasant reception (with sexual connotations)    carves is a courteous and generous hostess/has sex    leer sideways glance/sexually inviting look

  31    construe interpret/translate/analyze grammatically    action working/oratorical gesture (with sexual connotations)    familiar usual/plain/courteous/overly intimate    hardest voice most severe expression/most difficult grammatical form to translate

  32    Englished translated into English

  33    will inclination/sexual desire/legal document    honesty chastity

  35    The…deep probably “this idea (of Falstaff’s) is firmly entrenched”    that humour pass Falstaff’s frame of mind change/Falstaff’s inclination get him anywhere/my neat expression gain approval

  37    legion of angels great number of gold coins (plays on the sense of “host of heavenly beings”)

  38    As…entertain employ just as many devils    To her a cry of encouragement such as might be used to a hound pursuing prey

  39    The humour rises the wit improves/(Falstaff’s) inclination grows    Humour…angels let your inclination lead to the acquisition of the money (me is emphatic)

  40    writ me written

  42    oeillades amorous looks

  45    humour turn of phrase

  46    course run (her eyes)    intention intent observation/purpose

  47    burning-glass magnifying glass

  48    purse plays on sense of “vagina” Guiana country in South America fabled for its great wealth

  49    cheaters escheator, a district official who supervised escheats, estates that returned to the monarch’s possession in the absence of a valid heir (plays on sense of “sexual cheat, deceiver”)    exchequers treasuries

  50    trade plays on sense of “have sex with”

  53    Pandarus of Troy in Greek legend, the go-between (or pander) in Troilus and Cressida’s love affair

  54    And…steel i.e., and having stooped to such an unmanly profession, still call myself a soldier

  55    run…humour undertake no such low task    humour-letter having repeated humour so often, Nim’s use of it has begun to become meaningless; possibly he means “letter written out of fancy” or simply adds humour for contemptuous emphasis

  56    ’haviour of reputation an honorable bearing/a reputable manner

  57    tightly properly/well

  58    pinnace small sailing vessel

  59    avaunt be gone

  60    o’th’hoof on foot    pack be off

  61    humour mood/fashion

  62    French thrift economy, possibly a French tendency to have only one page rather than several attendants    skirted wearing a coat with a fully skirted lower section

  63    gripe grip/afflict the bowels with pain    gourd and fullam false or loaded dice    holds hold good/continue to be effective

  64    high and low i.e., dice loaded to produce either high or low numbers    beguiles deceives

  65    Tester sixpence    pouch (my) purse

  66    Phrygian Turk i.e., base, barbarous person    Phrygia region in Asia Minor conquered by the Turks in the fifteenth century; now part of modern Turkey

  67    operations plans    humours of inclinations for

  69    welkin sky

  70    wit or steel intelligence/ingenuity or violence (the sword)

  71    humours methods    discuss make known    humour nature

  72    eke also

  74    prove put to the test (sexually)

  77    yellowness i.e., jealousy    revolt i.e., against Falstaff

  79    Mars of malcontents most warlike of rebels    Mars god of war

Act 1 Scene 4

    3    old great

    6    posset hot drink made with milk, liquor, and spices    soon at night before the night is too far advanced

    7    sea-coal superior type of coal transported by sea from the north of England

    8    withal with    breed-bate troublemaker

    9    peevish foolish/perverse

  12    fault i.e., lack

  15    glover glove maker    paring-knife knife used for trimming leather

  17    Cain-coloured reddish-yellow    Cain in the Bible, the world’s first murderer

  18    softly-sprighted gentle/mild in spirit

  19    as…hands as brave (tall) a fighter    between…head in these parts

  20    warrener gamekeeper/one in charge of an enclosure for breeding rabbits

  26    Out, alas! exclamation of dismay

  27    shent blamed/rebuked

  28    closet private room

  29    doubt fear

  31    And…adown-a the refrain of a song

  32    toys trifles (i.e., songs)

  33    une botie en vert French for “a green box” (boîtie may also mean “surgeon’s instrument case”)    Do intend i.e., do you hear (from the French entendre)

  36    horn-mad wildly enraged, like a horned beast/madly jealous like a cuckold (horned husband of an unfaithful wife)

  37    ma…affaire by my faith, it’s very hot. I’m going to see the great business at the    Court

  40    Oui…Dépêche “yes; put it in my pocket: hurry up”

  46    trot troth (faith)    Od’s me God save me    que ai-je oublié “what have I forgotten”    simples medicinal herbs

  49    diable devil    larron thief

  56    phlegmatic dull/cold; presumably Quickly means “choleric”—i.e., “angry/hot”

  57    of on

  64    ne’er…not never burn my fingers (i.e., meddle) unnecessarily

  66    baillez bring

  69    melancholy introspective/sullen/broodingly angry; perhaps another error for “choleric”

  70    you since you ask; or simply emphatic    yea…no truth

  72    dress meat prepare food

  74    charge responsibility/burden

  75    avised aware/informed    You…it i.e., it certainly is/let me assure you it is

  76    I…it I wouldn’t wish any word of it to get out

  79    jack’nape ape (hence “fool/upstart”)    gar God

  80    park enclosed hunting ground    meddle or make interfere

  82    stones testicles

  84    ver for

  85    Jack knavish

  86    Jarteer Garter    measure our weapon swords were measured before a duel to ensure that they were of equal length (weapon has phallic connotations)

  88    prate chatter/gossip    What the good-year what the devil

  91    An puns on “Anne” (whom Caius will be a    fool to woo)

  96    trow wonder    near in

100    honest chaste

101    friend sympathizer/favorer (with a play on the sense of “lover”)

104    book i.e., Bible

107    it…Nan what an extraordinary girl she is    Nan diminutive of “Anne”

108    detest malapropism for “protest” (i.e., declare)

110    allicholy malapropism for “melancholy”    go to expression of impatient dismissal

112    voice support

114    confidence malapropism for “conference”; Quickly means “private conversation”

118    Out upon’t expression of irritation

Act 2 Scene 1

    1    scaped escaped    holiday-time best time/heyday

    3    precisian puritan/strict spiritual adviser (some editors emend to “physician”)    counsellor adviser/confidant

    4    sympathy agreement/affinity (between us)

    5    sack Spanish white wine

  15    Herod of Jewry i.e., ranting villain; in the Bible, Herod of Judaea ordered the deaths of John the Baptist and the infant Jesus; he was presented in morality plays as both evil and absurdly boastful

  16    gallant fashionable young gentleman/one who woos ladies    unweighed unconsidered

  17    Flemish from the Netherlands; the Flemish were proverbially heavy drinkers

  19    should I say could I have said

  21    putting down suppression (perhaps with sexual connotations)

  22    puddings sausages (also used to refer to the human guts)

  23    trust me believe me/depend upon it

  24    ill unwell/out of sorts (Mistress Ford responds to the sense of “ugly”)

  25    have have something (i.e., the letter)

  30    respect consideration

  34    go to hell i.e., by committing adultery with Falstaff

  36    hack strike repeatedly with a sword/have sex/make a whore of a woman

  37    article…gentry nature of your social rank

  38    burn daylight i.e., waste time

  39    make…liking discriminate between men’s physiques

  41    uncomeliness unseemly behavior

  42    gone…of accorded with

  44    ‘Greensleeves’ a popular love song, here incongruously juxtaposed with the sacred tunes of the    Psalms (some editors emend    hundred to “hundredth,” suggesting specific allusion to Psalm 100, “All people that on earth do dwell / Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice”)    tuns barrels/tons

  46    entertain receive/welcome/occupy his attention

  49    ill opinions Falstaff’s poor opinions of the women’s virtue

  50    inherit take possession (of Falstaff’s offer)

  53    into the press into the printing press/under pressure of his weight during sex

  54    Mount Pelion in Greek mythology, warring giants piled Pelion on top of Mount Ossa in an attempt to reach Olympus, home of the gods

  55    turtles turtledoves, proverbially faithful birds    ere before

  56    hand handwriting

  58    wrangle…honesty quarrel with my own virtue

  59    entertain treat/consider

  60    strain quality

  61    boarded accosted/wooed (Mistress Ford picks up on the sense of “have sex with”)    fury fierce passion

  62    above deck i.e., above the waist

  63    come plays on the sense of “have an orgasm”    hatches with vaginal connotations

  64    comfort…suit encouragement in his courtship

  65    fine-baited tempting/alluring/skillfully baited

  68    chariness careful preservation

  76    curtal with a tail docked or cut off

  77    affects aims at/loves

  81    gallimaufry mixture (literally, stew made from a variety of odds and ends)    perpend consider

  83    liver thought to be the seat of the passions    Prevent i.e., act now to stop Falstaff

  84    Actaeon in Greek mythology, the goddess Diana turned Actaeon into a stag after he had seen her bathing; he was then killed by his own hounds

  85    Ringwood one of Actaeon’s hounds    thy some editors emend to “his”

  86    the name i.e., of cuckold (Actaeon’s horns made him a symbol of cuckoldry)

  89    foot walk

  90    cuckoo-birds known for laying their eggs in other birds’ nests; they were associated with cuckolds because of their name, and their call was considered a warning to married men

  91    Away come away

  95    should have borne was to have carried

  96    upon my necessity when I need it

  98    bread and cheese i.e., basic rations (perhaps those received in the service of Falstaff)

100    quoth a said he    his its

102    affecting affected

103    it i.e., it to be true

104    Cataian person from Cathay (China), used to mean “scoundrel”    though even if

111    crotchets whims/peculiar ideas

113    Have with you I’ll come with you/let’s go

115    fit it suit the part

123    offer attempt

124    yoke pair

128    lie lodge

129    voyage sexual advances

131    lie on my head be my responsibility/fault (in his response, Ford plays on the idea of wearing a cuckold’s horns on one’s head)

132    misdoubt mistrust/doubt    turn them release them (language used of cattle)

135    ranting jovial/boisterous/verbally extravagant

136    pate head

139    Cavaliero knight/courtly gentleman (from the Spanish caballero or the Italian cavaliere)

140    Good…twenty good day, many times over

148    contrary different/opposing

149    no jester i.e., Evans is skilled at swordsmanship/Evans is deadly serious

150    my…guest-cavalier i.e., Falstaff, who is a    guest at the Host’s inn

151    protest declare    pottle drinking vessel containing half a gallon (about four pints)    burned sack mulled wine/wine containing burnt sugar    recourse access

153    egress and regress right of exit and entry (legal terms)

154    An-heires of unclear meaning; possibly a partly anglicized version of the Dutch mynheers (“gentlemen”) or a corruption of ameers or “emirs” (Arab princes or military commanders)

157    stand on distance attach importance to the prescribed distance between the two duellists

158    passes, stoccadoes thrusts (technical terms used in fencing)    heart courage/spirit

159    long sword heavier weapon (the lighter rapier was now more fashionable)

160    tall brave/skillful with weapons

161    wag go

162    scold quarrel/wrangle

163    secure overconfident    stands…frailty relies so firmly on what is in fact his wife’s moral weakness

164    his i.e., Falstaff’s

165    made did

166    sound sound the depth of/examine/make trial of

Act 2 Scene 2

    3    countenance to pawn borrow money on the strength of being in my service    countenance standing/reputation

    4    grated upon harassed with demands

    5    coach-fellow companion (literally, one of a pair of horses harnessed to a coach)    grate prison bars (plays on grated)    gemini pair

    7    handle…fan these were often made of precious material such as ivory or silver

    8    took’t upon swore by

    9    share have a share in it

  10    Reason with good reason    gratis for nothing

  11    hang…me cease to be a burden to me (hang plays on the sense of “put to death”)    a…throng i.e., go and find a crowd where you may cut people’s purse-strings with a short knife

  12    Picked-hatch a brothel or a disreputable part of London (literally, the half-door surmounted by spikes that may have characterized a brothel)

  13    unconfinable limitless/infinite

  14    precise pure/scrupulously observed

  15    on…hand disregarded/to one side

  16    fain…lurch obliged to deceive, dodge, and cheat

  17    ensconce hide, as in a small fort (sconce)    cat-a-mountain wild cat    red-lattice alehouse (wooden lattices painted red characterized a tavern)

  18    bold-beating excessively presumptuous/repeatedly coarse

  20    relent yield

  23    Give God give

  25    Not so i.e., I am not a    wife

  28    As…born Quickly means “just as much of an innocent maid as I was when I was born, like my mother was before me,” but actually says “just as much of a virgin as my mother was in childbirth”

  31    vouchsafe permit (Quickly means something like “entreat”)

  33    ways way

  34    on go on

  41    wanton seducer/lewd person/unruly one

  44    canaries malapropism for “quandary”; a canary was either a dance or a wine    wonderful astonishing

  48    rushling Quickly means “rustling”    alligant Quickly means “elegant”;    alligant was a form of “alicant,” a Spanish wine

  50    eye-wink of glance from

  51    angels i.e., as a bribe for her help from one of the suitors

  52    sort manner/way

  54    pensioners “poor Knights of Windsor,” who prayed for the King in return for an annuity

  56    she-Mercury female Mercury, the messenger of the gods

  58    notify understand/take note

  62    wot know

  64    frampold sour-tempered

  66    messenger Quickly means “message”

  68    fartuous Quickly means “virtuous”    civil modest decent and proper

  69    miss you miss (you is emphatic)

  72    charms magic spells

  73    parts personal qualities/physical features

  78    grace decency

  80    of all loves for the sake of love    infection to Quickly means “affection for”

  83    list pleases

  84    kind plays on the sense of “sexually willing”

  88    nay-word code word

  94    distracts bewilders

  95    punk prostitute    carriers messengers

  96    Clap put (promptly)    fights screens used during a sea battle to protect the crew

  97    prize treasure/captured vessel    whelm capsize/sink

  98    Say’st…Jack? i.e., is that how things are (Falstaff is talking to himself)

  99    look after look at (desirously)

100    grossly clumsily/coarsely (puns on the sense of “fat”)

101    so as long as    fairly fully/well (puns on the sense of “handsome”)

102    fain eagerly

108    encompassed got hold of/got round (plays on the sense of “embraced”)    via Italian exclamation of encouragement to action

111    make bold am presumptuous    preparation advance warning

112    Give us leave leave us please    drawer one who draws liquor/a tapster

115    sue beg    charge burden— i.e., with expense

116    plight condition/health

117    unseasoned unseasonable/ill-timed

119    on go forward

121    carriage carrying (of it)

127    discover reveal

129    register record

130    sith since

136    observance attentiveness/dutiful service    engrossed gathered    fee’d employed

138    largely generously

139    would have given would like to have given to her

141    means methods/resources/wealth    meed reward

144    flies flees    substance wealth/body (as opposed to shadow)

145    that flies which runs away from it (love)

146    satisfaction payment/sexual gratification

148    importuned urged

152    erected plays on the idea of penile erection

155    honest chaste    mirth enjoyment of pleasure/merriment

156    shrewd construction malicious judgment

157    great admittance i.e., widely received by society/admitted by the best persons

158    authentic respectable    generally allowed approved of by all

159    preparations accomplishments

163    amiable amorous

165    apply well to be appropriate to/fit in with

166    preposterously perversely/irrationally/foolishly

167    drift plan

168    folly lewdness/foolishness

169    against at directly (as if she were the sun)    detection accusation/exposure

170    instance evidence

171    ward protection/defensive posture (a fencing term)

172    her of her

178    Want lack

182    forth away from home

183    speed get on/succeed

186    wittolly contentedly cuckolded    the which which reason

187    well-favoured good-looking

188    harvest-home harvest gathered in/celebratory harvest festival

190    mechanical base, coarse (from the word for a manual worker)    salt-butter cheap

191    meteor considered to be a bad omen

192    predominate have ascendancy (an astrological term)

194    aggravate his style add to his title (by calling him cuckold and knave)

196    Epicurean pleasure-loving/sensual

197    improvident unwary/rash

199    false unfaithful/dishonest

200    stand…terms have to put up with being called offensive names

202    Amaimon…Barbason names of devils

203    additions names/titles

204    secure overconfident/unsuspecting

205    Fleming person from Flanders (a country in the Netherlands, whose inhabitants were supposedly very fond of    butter)

206    aqua-vitae strong spirits such as whiskey

207    walk exercise    ambling gelding easily ridden horse

Act 2 Scene 3

    8    no…as not so dead as he will be when

  11    Villainy i.e., villain

  14    ’Save God save

  18    foin thrust/lunge with a sword    traverse pierce with a sword/move from side to side in fencing

  19    punto, thy stock thrust with the point of the sword    reverse backhanded thrust or “punto reverso”    distance (awareness of) the distance that must be kept from the opponent

  20    montant upward thrust    Ethiopian i.e., person of dark hair and complexion    Francisco i.e., Frenchman

  21    Aesculapius Greek god of medicine    Galen famous second-century Greek physician    heart of elder i.e., as opposed to the firm “heart of oak” that denoted courage; the elder tree is low and has soft wood    bully stale my old laughingstock/my old inspector of urine (i.e., doctor)

  24    Castalion perhaps suggesting Spanish (from Castile)    king-urinal ruler over urine diagnosis    Hector of Greece the famed warrior was in fact from Troy

  28    against the hair contrary to/against the grain

  32    Bodykins by God’s dear body

  33    make one join in

  34    salt savor/liveliness

  41    guest-justice like Falstaff, Shallow is also staying at the Garter Inn    Mockwater i.e., one who analyzes urine, perhaps with “mock” suggesting a degree of quackery (plays on “make water”—i.e., urinate from fear)

  44    Jack-dog male dog/mongrel/knavish dog

  46    clapper-claw beat/thrash

  54    Frogmore small village near Windsor

  60    for a jack-an-ape on behalf of an ape (i.e., Slender)

  63    Cried game probably a sporting exclamation

  67    adversary the Host knows that Caius will misunderstand and take the word to mean something like “advocate”

Act 3 Scene 1

    3    physic medicine

    4    Petty-ward i.e., toward Windsor Little (“petit”) Park    Park-ward toward Windsor Great Park    Old Windsor village near Windsor, south of    Frogmore

    8    chollors choler (i.e., bile/anger)

    9    knog knock (possibly “knot”)    urinals vessel containing urine for medical inspection (possibly Evans confusedly intends “testicles”)

  10    costard head (literally, large apple)

  12    To shallow rivers throughout the following two stanzas, Evans sings parts of Christopher Marlowe’s well-known poem “Come live with me and be my love”    falls cascades/waterfalls

  13    madrigals songs for several voices (more generally, pastoral or love songs)

  19    When…Pabylon Evans inserts a line from the metrical version of Psalm 137    Pabylon Babylon

  20    vagram vagrant (malapropism for “fragrant”)

  22    he i.e., Caius

  26    No weapons presumably Simple means that, unlike Evans, Caius has not yet drawn his sword

  33    from Evans means “for”

  34    word i.e., scripture

  35    doublet and hose close-fitting jacket and breeches (without his gown)

  39    belike probably

  40    at most odds at the greatest variance

  42    fourscore eighty (literally, four times twenty)

  43    wide…respect indifferent to his own reputation/far from proper consideration of himself/far from his own nature

  47    as lief just as soon/rather

  48    mess of porridge serving of meat and vegetable stew, eaten before the main course

  50    Hibocrates Hippocrates, famous Greek physician of the fifth century BC

  51    a cowardly i.e., as cowardly a

  52    he’s i.e., Evans

  58    question dispute/debate

  59    hack our English mangle the English language instead

  66    cockscomb head (literally, cap resembling the comb of a cock, worn by a professional fool)

  67    stay waited

  70    judgement by judged by/ruled by the judgment of

  71    Gallia and Gaul Wales (from the French “Galles”) and France

  74    politic cunning/wily    subtle crafty/sly

  75    Machiavel intriguer/unscrupulous schemer (from Niccolò Machiavelli’s The Prince, a sixteenth-century treatise perceived as advocating political cunning)

  76    motions bowel motions (i.e., laxatives or enemas)

  77    no-verbs warnings as to what is forbidden/ (Welsh) nonsense words    terrestrial i.e., Caius, who ministers to the body

  78    celestial i.e., Evans, who deals with spiritual matters    art skill/learning

  80    issue outcome    to pawn i.e., as they are no longer needed

  84    sot fool

  85    vlouting-stog flouting-stock (i.e., laughingstock)

  86    scall scald (i.e., scabby/scurvy/contemptible)

  87    cogging companion cheating rascal

  90    noddles head

Act 3 Scene 2

    1    keep your way keep going    were wont used

    2    Whether which

    9    as…together as idle as she can be whilst remaining in one piece/those who are as idle as she is may as well keep each other company

  13    his…of is the name of the person my husband got the boy from

  17    league i.e., of friendship

  23    twelve score (from a distance of) 240 paces or yards    pieces out increases

  24    folly lewdness    motion and advantage prompting and opportunity

  25    hear…wind foresee what is to come (as one may anticipate rain before it actually arrives)

  26    revolted i.e., from virtue and fidelity

  27    take him catch him out/encounter him

  28    divulge reveal

  29    wilful willing    Actaeon i.e., a cuckold (due to the horns he received when turned into a stag)

  30    cry aim applaud/shout encouragement (a term from archery)

  34    knot group/company    cheer entertainment/food and drink

  38    break with break my word to

  46    capers is merry and lively/dances/leaps

  47    speaks holiday speaks in a lively, entertaining way/uses choice language

  48    carry’t be successful/carry it off    ’tis…buttons he has the essential quality within him/he is sure to succeed

  49    having wealth, means

  50    wild…Poins i.e., Prince Henry and Poins, who appear in Shakespeare’s Henry IV plays    region social standing

  51    knit a knot secure/repair    substance wealth

  52    simply i.e., as she is, with no dowry

  55    monster i.e., Falstaff, imaged here as a so-called monster exhibited at a fair

  59    anon shortly

  60    hearts fine friends    canary sweet wine from the Canary Islands (in Ford’s response, he plays on the sense of “lively dance”)

  62    pipe wine wine from the wooden cask (pipe puns on the sense of “musical instrument”)    make him dance i.e., make him leap/beat him

  63    gentles gentlemen

  64    Have with we shall come

Act 3 Scene 3

    2    buck-basket laundry basket (to buck is to wash)

    6    charge instructions

    7    hard close

    8    brew-house outhouse for brewing beer

  10    whitsters bleachers of clothing    Datchet Mead meadow between Windsor Little Park and the River Thames

  16    eyas-musket young hawk that has not been fully trained

  19    Jack-a-Lent figure or puppet of a man traditionally pelted during Lent

  21    liberty i.e., unemployment

  22    turn me away sack me

  28    humidity dampness/collection of fluids (i.e., Falstaff)

  29    pumpion pumpkin    turtles from jays turtledoves (proverbially faithful) from brightly colored birds (i.e., loose women)

  30    Have…jewel? a slightly adapted line from Philip Sidney’s sonnet sequence Astrophil and Stella

  31    period goal/climax

  33    cog cheat/flatter    prate prattle/brag

  39    ship-tire ornamental headdress shaped like or inspired by a ship    tire-valiant elaborate headdress    Venetian admittance accepted as fashionable in stylish Venice

  40    kerchief simple head covering    become suit

  42    absolute perfect

  43    firm…foot confident tread    semi-circled farthingale semicircular boned petticoat worn underneath the back of the dress

  44    Fortune…friend i.e., Nature has favored Mistress Ford with beauty but Fortune has prevented her from being a lady (Falstaff continues to imply that he could raise her estate)

  49    hawthorn-buds i.e., budding courtiers/affected young gallants

  50    Bucklersbury street in the City of London known for shops selling medicinal herbs    simple time midsummer, when herbs (simples) were most readily available

  53    Counter-gate gate to the Counter, a debtor’s prison in Southwark

  54    reek smoke/foul smell    lime-kiln kiln for making mortar

  59    blowing puffing    presently immediately

  60    ensconce me hide myself    arras large tapestry wall hanging

  64    undone ruined

  66    well-a-day expression of regret    to as

  69    Out upon you! expression of frustration and condemnation

  77    clear innocent/free from blame

  78    friend lover    amazed stunned

  79    good life i.e., existence as a respectable woman/reputation

  84    stand waste time (saying)

  85    conveyance contrivance to get Falstaff out of the house

  88    whiting-time bleaching time

  96    dissembling deceptive

  98    cowl-staff pole used by two people to carry a    cowl (tub or basket)

  99    drumble move sluggishly

103    what…do what business is it of yours    You…buck-washing a proper concern of yours is it to interfere with washing clothes

105    Buck laundry, but Ford puns on the senses of “stag,” whose horns represent cuckoldry, and “lecherous man”

106    of the season in the rutting season

107    tonight i.e., last night

108    chambers inner rooms/bedrooms    unkennel drive out

109    uncape uncover (or perhaps a printer’s error for “escape” or “uncase”)

110    contented calm/satisfied

119    taking agitated state

121    need of washing i.e., as he may have urinated or defecated in fright

123    strain nature

127    try test

129    carrion old bag/whore

135    compass achieve/embrace

137    use treat

144    presses large cupboards

147    distemper…kind bad temper/disordered mind of this sort

150    as…desires as I could possibly wish for (unintentionally punning on the sense of “as I could desire sexually”)

158    a-birding hunt small birds using a    hawk to drive them into leafless bushes

163    remembrance…host i.e., let us remember the revenge we have planned on the Host for the trick he played on us over the duel

Act 3 Scene 4

    2    turn refer

    4    be thyself i.e., take matters into your own hands

    6    state…expense my estate being damaged by my spending    galled made sore through chafing

    8    bars obstacles

    9    riots wasteful/dissipated lifestyle    societies companionships

  13    speed prosper

  17    stamps coins (stamped with an image)

  24    Break interrupt

  25    I’ll…on’t i.e., I’ll do it one way or another (a shaft is a slender arrow used in a longbow, while a bolt is the shorter, thicker one used in a crossbow)    ’Slid by God’s eyelid (a common phrase)    but venturing only a matter of having a go

  26    dismayed frightened; Slender’s reply suggests that he does not understand the word

  30    ill-favoured ugly

  33    thou…father i.e., remember that you had a valiant father/a father who once wooed a woman; Slender misunderstands this as a prompt for conversation with Anne

  40    come…long-tail come what may (literally, refers to a horse/dog with either a docked or a long tail)

  41    jointure marriage settlement provided for the wife by the husband in the event of his death

  47    will wish (Slender understands the legal sense of the term; there may also be a play on the sense of “sexual desire”)

  48    ’Od’s heartlings by God’s dear heart

  52    motions urgings    happy…dole i.e., may the man who gets you be happy with his lot

  57    haunt hang around

  67    for that because

  69    Perforce of necessity    checks rebukes/obstacles    manners means of behaving (to me)

  70    advance the colours raise the flag (as if toward an opposing army)

  72    yond yonder

  75    set quick buried alive (up to the neck)

  80    affected inclined

  86    once at some point

  87    There’s i.e., there’s money

  91    sooth truth

  93    speciously malapropism for “specially”    of be on

Act 3 Scene 5

    3    quart i.e., two pints    toast piece of hot toast sometimes added to wine

    4    barrow barrow-load

    7    slighted me tipped me contemptuously

    8    blind bitch’s puppies the newborn, blind puppies of a bitch

    9    down sink

  10    shore was shelvy banks were sloping

  12    mummy dead flesh

  15    reins kidneys

  17    cry you mercy beg your pardon

  18    pottle drinking vessel containing half a gallon (equivalent to four pints)

  20    Simple plain/unmixed (with eggs)    I’ll I’ll have    pullet-sperm chicken seed (i.e., eggs)

  24    ford river water

  25    take on with rant at, berate

  26    erection malapropism for “direction” (i.e., instruction; Falstaff’s response brings in the architectural and phallic senses)

  28    yearn move to compassion

  33    frailty moral frailty (contrasted here with Falstaff’s supposed resolution in keeping his appointment with Mistress Ford)

  37    miss fail to meet

  47    sped you were you successful

  48    ill-favouredly poorly

  49    determination intention/decision

  50    peaking cornuto skulking/mean-spirited cuckold

  51    ’larum alarm/agitation    comes me comes (me is an intensifier)

  52    protested declared (love)

  62    Rammed perhaps, coming after    buck, with a play on “ram” (male sheep, horned like the buck, and also associated with lust)

  63    that so that

  68    knaves, his hinds servants (both terms may also be derogatory)

  72    held with held

  73    mark note

  74    several separate

  75    detected with discovered by    rotten diseased    bell-wether ram (sometimes castrated) wearing a bell round his neck as a means of leading the flock    compassed surrounded/bent over like a strong sword    bilbo sword from Bilbao, town in Spain noted for excellent sword manufacture

  76    peck two-gallon container used to store dry goods    stopped shut, stoppered

  77    distillation concentrated substance    fretted became corroded/fermented

  78    kidney constitution/nature

  79    dissolution melting/dissolving (puns on the sense of “loose living”)

  81    Dutch dish the Dutch were supposedly very fond of butter

  84    good sadness all seriousness

  86    Etna volcano in Sicily

  88    embassy message

  96    hole…coat i.e., even I have a fault (proverbial; possibly with sexual connotations)

  99    halfpenny purse small purse for small coins

  101    what I am i.e., a cuckold

102    horn-mad wildly enraged, like a horned beast/madly jealous like a cuckold

Act 4 Scene 1

    2    by this by this time

    3    courageous vigorously/extremely, or possibly a malapropism for “outrageous(ly)”

    4    suddenly immediately

    6    playing-day holiday

    8    is…play i.e., has asked that the boys be given a holiday, the privilege of a visitor to the school

  11    accidence principles of Latin grammar; the following examples are drawn from William Lilly and John Colet’s A Short Introduction of Grammer, the official prescribed text for schools

  15    Two i.e., single and plural

  17    ‘Od’s nouns’ Quickly is confusing the abbreviated phrase “by God’s (i.e., Christ’s) wounds” with the idea of odd numbers

  18    Peace your tattlings! Leave off your prattling!

  20    Polecats weasel-like animals/whores (pronounced in a more similar manner than today, Quickly is confusing the word with the Latin    pulcher)

  27    articles i.e., the (definite article) or a/an (indefinite article)

  28    Articles…hoc a direct quotation from Lilly’s Grammer    pronoun part of speech used to designate an object without naming it directly; e.g., “this/that”

  29    Singulariter in the singular    nominativo in the nominative case    hic, haec, hoc common Latin pronouns

  30    genitivo the genitive case (is)

  32    hinc the correct form is in fact hunc, though Evans fails to spot this (unless his subsequent hing is a printer’s error for hung)

  33    hing, hang, hog i.e., hunc, hanc, hoc

  34    ‘Hang-hog’ hanging up a pig is necessary to produce bacon

  35    prabbles silly chatter/irritating interruptions    focative i.e., vocative; Evans’s pronunciation inadvertently plays on “fuck”    case plays on the sense of “vagina”

  36    O suggestive of the vagina

  37    caret Latin for “is missing”; Quickly’s response shows that she hears the word as “carrot,” which, along with    root, is slang for “penis”

  44    horum plays on “whore”    harum plays on “hare” (another slang term for a prostitute)

  45    Vengeance of a plague upon    Ginny’s case Quickly misunderstands “genitive case” as “this woman Ginny’s case (vagina)”

  48    hick…hack drink (hiccup) and to go whoring/to have sex (with whores)

  54    declension the variation of a pronoun etc. through its different cases

  57    preeches breeched (i.e., whipped on the buttocks)

  59    sprag i.e., sprack (smart/alert)

Act 4 Scene 2

    1    sufferance suffering

    2    obsequious compliant/dutiful

    3    office role/(sexual) performance    accoutrement adornments, apparel

    4    complement accompanying etiquette    sure of secure from

    6    gossip friend

    9    people i.e., servants

  14    lines tricks    takes on rants

  16    complexion appearance/coloring

  17    Peer out i.e., show yourselves (addressed to his cuckold’s horns)

  18    to compared to

  24    experiment trial

  31    bestow dispose of/stow (him) away

  35    what make you what are you doing

  38    use…birding-pieces make it a custom to fire their guns

  39    kiln-hole opening to the oven

  42    abstract list

  45    semblance appearance

  49    muffler scarf covering part of the face and the neck

  50    mischief injury, misfortune

  51    Brentford originally “Brainford,” a village between Windsor and London, known for amorous assignations    above upstairs

  53    thrummed fringed/with a shaggy surface

  54    look look for

  56    straight straight away    the while in the meantime

  58    shape outward appearance/disguise

  64    good sadness all seriousness

  65    intelligence information

  66    try test

  72    dishonest deceitful, lecherous

  74    honest chaste, virtuous

  75    act actually commit misdeeds/have sex

  76    still quiet    draff swill, leftovers given to pigs

  77    hard at close by/right at the

  78    dispatch hurry

  81    as lief rather

  82    Ay…again? Ford’s reply to whatever Page has just said—presumably something to the effect of “if it prove false that Falstaff is there, you will look like a fool”

  84    panderly pimping/go-between

  85    gin gang    Now…shamed i.e., now the truth will out (proverbial: “speak the truth and shame the devil”)

  88    passes surpasses/is excessive

  89    be pinioned have your wings clipped

  97    hold it out keep up your deception

107    flea’s death i.e., a miserable death/he shall be crushed like a parasitic insect

109    fidelity faith

114    show…extremity offer no excuse for my extreme behavior

115    table-sport joke amongst company

116    leman lover

122    quean hussy/whore    cozening cheating

123    of on

124    under the profession in the name

125    by th’figure by drawing up horoscopes    daubery trickery    element understanding (literally, the element in which one rightfully belongs)

129    Mother Prat prat means “a trick” though it was also slang for the buttocks

130    prat practice tricks on/beat (or simply a nonce-word derived from the name)    rag worthless wretch

131    runnion abusive term for a woman, perhaps “mangy old bag”

133    ’Tis…you i.e., that will reflect well on you (said in irony)

135    By…no a very mild oath (moderated from the Quarto text’s stronger “By Jesu”)

138    cry…trail bark like a hunting dog when there is in fact no scent    open bark loudly at a scent

139    obey his humour humor him

143    hallowed blessed/dedicated to God

144    meritorious deserving of reward

145    warrant assurance/authorization (with play on the legal sense: “document authorizing a judicial sentence”)

147    wantonness lust

148    fee-simple absolute possession (legal term used of land or property)    fine and recovery legal procedures employed to transfer the ownership of land

149    waste legal term referring to the damage or alteration of land or property by a tenant (puns on “waist”)

150    served treated (with a play on the sense of “had sex with”)

151    figures fantasies

153    ministers agents

155    period conclusion

156    shape it i.e., as one would mold hot iron in the    forge

Act 4 Scene 3

    6    sauce them make them pay overly high prices

    7    at command at their disposal

    8    come off pay up

Act 4 Scene 4

    1    ’Tis…’oman she is one of the most prudent/sensible women

    2    an instant the same time

    7    heretic unbeliever/holder of unorthodox religious beliefs

  22    use treat/behave toward

  24    Herne the hunter huntsman of great skill who was wounded after saving the king from a vicious stag; his own life was saved when the dead beast’s antlers were tied to his head, but he was later framed for or caught poaching and hanged himself from an oak in Windsor Great Park, which he is said to haunt

  25    Sometime at one point/formerly

  27    ragged rough, jagged

  28    blasts withers    takes bewitches

  29    milch-kine dairy cows

  32    eld people from the past

  35    want lack

  41    shape disguise/appearance

  45    growth size

  46    urchins goblins/elves    oafs goblin or elf children/changelings

  47    tapers candles

  50    sawpit pit over which wood was laid to be sawn

  51    diffusèd confused, disordered

  59    sound soundly

  68    vizards masks

  73    Eton village over the river from Windsor

  76    properties theatrical props

  77    tricking adornments

  83    well landed in possession of a good amount of land

  84    he…affects my husband favors him most

Act 4 Scene 5

    1    boor peasant, ill-bred fellow    thick-skin idiot    discuss declare

    4    standing-bed and truckle-bed the truckle-bed was a smaller bed on castors kept beneath the main (standing) bed

    5    Prodigal the Prodigal (extravagant) Son, who appears in the biblical parable (Luke 15)

    6    Anthropophaginian cannibal

  10    lungs military military lungs

  11    Ephesian boon companion/fellow degenerate

  13    Bohemian-Tartar i.e., savage, dissolute person

  14    Privacy seclusion, concealment (implying that Falstaff has been having sex with the “woman”)

  18    wise woman woman skilled in magic

  19    mussel-shell perhaps Simple is gaping open-mouthed or is being imaged as something worthless and insignificant

  21    beguiled deceived

  31    conceal malapropism for “reveal”

  39    like…bold as bold as the boldest

  41    clerkly learned

  46    mere absolute

  47    varletto i.e., varlet, loosely Italianized by the Host

  49    slough of mire muddy bog

  50    Doctor Faustuses In Christopher Marlowe’s play of the same name, Doctor Faustus, a German, sold his soul to the devil; this passage seems to allude to a scene in which three characters are thrown in a mire

  55    entertainments the hospitality you provide for your guests

  56    cozen-germans cheating Germans/men pretending to be Germans (plays on “cousin german”—i.e., first cousin)

  57    Readings…Colebrook small towns not far from Windsor (Readings is Caius’s Welsh plural for Reading;    Colebrook is now Colnbrook)

  58    vlouting-stocks flouts (i.e., mockery); literally flouting-stocks (i.e., laughingstocks)

  59    convenient appropriate

  62    dat…come i.e., who is known to have arrived or is due to arrive at court

  63    Jamany i.e., Germany

  65    Hue…villain a cry used to call for the pursuit of a criminal (addressed to Bardolph)

  70    liquor smear with oil or grease (to render waterproof)

  72    forswore…primero cheated in a card game but swore that I had not    wind breath

  76    dam mother

  77    bestowed got rid of

  79    speciously malapropism for “specially”

  83    like likely/about

  84    But were it not for the fact that

  90    crossed thwarted

Act 4 Scene 6

    1    over up (my efforts in support of your pursuit of Anne Page)

    5    counsel secret

    9    So far forth insofar

  10    to in accordance with

  12    mirth i.e., the humorous account of the humiliation of Falstaff    larded…matter intermingled with my current concerns

  15    scene i.e., role in the drama    image idea

  16    at large in full (Fenton may be showing the Host Anne’s letter)

  20    rank on foot abundantly afoot

  26    shuffle smuggle

  27    tasking of occupying

  28    dean’ry house belonging to the dean of a church

  31    it rests the matter stands

  33    habit clothing

  36    denote mark out

  38    quaint prettily/fashionably    loose enrobed loosely dressed/gowned with an outer garment

  39    pendent hanging    flaring spread out/waving in the wind

  40    vantage opportunity

  41    token sign

  46    stay wait

  49    husband manage (with an obvious pun)    device plan

  52    present immediate

Act 5 Scene 1

    1    hold keep the appointment

    2    divinity divine power

    6    wears wears away/is running out    mince i.e., get moving (literally, walk daintily/trippingly)

  15    Goliath…beam according to the Bible, the giant Goliath had a spear like a weaver’s beam (i.e., wooden roller in a loom)

  16    shuttle another quotation adapted from the Bible; a shuttle was an instrument used in weaving for passing thread to and fro

  17    whipped top made a top (child’s toy) spin by lashing it

  20    in hand are happening

Act 5 Scene 2

    1    couch lie/hide

    3    nay-word code word

    4    ‘mum’…‘budget’ “mumbudget” was a phrase meaning “keep silent”

    7    decipher reveal

    8    become suit

Act 5 Scene 3

    2    dispatch get on with it/conclude it

    6    chafe be vexed/inflamed

  11    obscured concealed

  14    choose but amaze fail to terrify/astound

Act 5 Scene 4

    1    Trib trip (i.e., come on/move nimbly)

    2    watch-’ords watchwords (i.e., password/signal)

Act 5 Scene 5

    2    Jove…Europa Europa, daughter of the King of Phoenicia, was carried away by Jove, king of the gods; disguised as a bull, he swam to Crete with her on his back

    4    Leda in the guise of a swan,    Jupiter (or Jove) seduced Leda, wife of the King of Sparta

    6    fault sin, with particular application to fornication and possible play on “vagina”

    7    backs loins

    9    rut-time mating season    piss my tallow piss away my fat; stags were thought to urinate more frequently during the mating season, by the end of which their energetic behavior had caused them to lose weight

  10    piss my tallow piss away my fat; stags were thought to urinate more frequently during the mating season, by the end of which their energetic behavior had caused them to lose weight    doe female deer/mate/whore

  11    deer puns on “dear”

  12    scut tail/vulva    potatoes sweet or Spanish potatoes were considered aphrodisiacs

  13    kissing-comfits confectionary for sweetening the breath    eryngoes candied roots of the sea holly; a type of sweetmeat viewed as an aphrodisiac

  14    provocation sexual stimulation

  15    sweetheart puns on “sweet hart” (i.e., male deer)

  16    Divide…buck in order to conceal the theft, stolen (bribed) deer were cut up and divided rapidly amongst the poachers

  17    fellow…walk gamekeeper of this part of the wood

  18    woodman hunter/womanizer/lunatic

  19    Cupid…restitution i.e., Cupid is conscientiously making amends to me

  24    oil i.e., grease/fat

  25    cross thwart    Hobgoblin another name for Puck or Robin Goodfellow

  27    shades spirits

  28    orphan parentless/neglected/friendless    heirs…destiny offspring who have set roles to carry out/inheritors of destiny (perhaps with the power to influence it)

  29    Attend…quality attend to your duties and particular occupations

  30    Crier town crier, maker of public announcements    oyez i.e., “hear ye”

  31    list listen for    toys insubstantial creatures

  33    unraked without coals and ashes heaped together to maintain burning through the night

  34    bilberry small blue-black fruit

  37    wink shut my eyes    eye observe

  40    Raise…fantasy stimulate her imagination, give her delightful dreams

  41    Sleep she may she sleep    careless free from anxiety

  42    as who

  44    About about it/to action

  46    oafs elves

  47    perpetual doom judgment day

  48    as…fit as sound in condition as it is deserving of dignity

  49    Worthy worthy of

  50    several…order individual seats assigned to the Knights of the Garter (in the castle chapel)

  51    balm fragrant herbs

  52    instalment stall (i.e., place or seat assigned to a knight)    coat coat of arms    crest heraldic device originally worn on a helmet

  53    blazon banner bearing the coat of arms

  55    compass circle (i.e., the Garter ribbon, worn below the knee)

  56    Th’expressure picture, expression (i.e., fairy-ring or circle of darker green grass)

  58    Honi…pense “shamed be he who thinks evil (of it)” (the French motto that appeared on the Garter ribbons)

  61    Buckled tied

  62    charactery writing

  64    dance of custom customary dance

  68    measure stately dance

  69    man of middle-earth i.e., a mortal, dwelling on the earth (midway between heaven and hell)

  71    cheese supposedly the favorite food of the Welsh

  72    o’erlooked looked on with the evil eye, bewitched

  73    trial-fire testing fire    touch me touch (me is emphatic)

  75    turn expose    start recoil, flinch

  78    wood i.e., Falstaff’s finger

  81    About surround

  82    trip dance/skip    still continually

  84    fantasy imaginings/amorous desire
luxury lechery    green…Anne the original Quarto stage direction has Caius taking a boy in red, Slender one in green, and Anne in white; see “Text” in Key Facts

  85    bloody fire fire in the blood/lustful fire

  89    mutually all together

  93    watched spied and caught

  94    serve your turn do for you

  95    hold…higher maintain the joke no more

  97    yokes Falstaff’s antlers are shaped like the oxen’s yoke

102    arrested seized by legal warrant (until the debt is paid)

104    meet encounter one another amorously

105    deer puns on “dear”

107    proofs i.e., his horns    extant apparent/protruding

109    surprise…powers ambush of my faculties/understanding

110    foppery trickery, foolery    in…of in spite of, the face of

111    wit intelligence

112    Jack-a-Lent figure of a man traditionally pelted during Lent, butt of jokes

119    wants matter lacks the means

120    o’erreaching deception    with by

121    coxcomb fool’s cap (with a crest like a cock’s comb)    frieze coarse woolen cloth

124    fritters fried scraps of battered meat    late-walking going out with whores late at night

129    hodge-pudding pudding made from a random assortment of ingredients    bag of flax sack of flax (plant fibers used for cloth)

130    puffed swollen

131    intolerable insufferable/excessively large/impossible to carry

133    Job in the Bible, Job suffered great poverty; his wife advised him to curse God for it

136    metheglins spiced liquor of Welsh origin    starings glares

138    theme subject (of your mockery)    start of advantage over    dejected cast down, humbled, humiliated

139    flannel coarse woolen cloth    Ignorance…me I am searched to the very depths by ignorance itself (i.e., Evans); may pun on “plumbet” (woolen fabric)    plummet device for measuring the depth of the sea

142    should…pander were to have been a pimp

145    posset hot drink made with milk, liquor, and spices

148    this this time, now

151    dispatched managed things

154    Of what i.e., know of what

156    lubberly loutish

157    swinged beaten

158    postmaster keeper of post horses (which were hired out for the swift conveyance of messages)

159    took the wrong went wrong (in following instructions); Slender responds to the sense of “made a mistake (in thinking the boy was Anne)”

162    had him accepted him as my wife/had sex with him

165    green most editors emend to “white” for consistency with the setup in Act 5 scene 2

168    white most editors emend to “green” for consistency with the setup in Act 4 scene 6

171    paysan peasant

172    white most editors emend to “green” for consistency with the setup in Act 5 scene 3

173    raise rouse

180    amaze bewilder

182    proportion…love balanced, mutual loving relationship

183    contracted engaged (secretly)

184    sure firmly bound

187    unduteous title undutifulness    title name

188    evitate avoid

192    guide the state rule matters

194    stand advantageous position from which a hunter may shoot

195    glanced struck superficially

199    muse wonder/grumble

MEASURE FOR MEASURE

The most widely read book in Shakespeare’s England was the “Geneva” translation of the Bible. Because of this, the title of Measure for Measure would have been readily recognized by the play’s original audience as an allusion to the opening verses of the seventh chapter of Saint Matthew’s gospel:

Judge not, that ye be not judged.

For with what judgement ye judge, ye shall be judged, and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

And why see’st thou the mote, that is in thy brother’s eye, and perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

The running head summarizing the content of this page in the Geneva Bible reads “Christ’s doctrine— God’s providence.” Of all Shakespeare’s plays, Measure for Measure is the one in which the dramatization of Christian doctrine and the motions of divine providence are most prominent. Angelo sees the mote in Claudio’s eye (getting his girlfriend Juliet pregnant before marrying her, albeit after becoming engaged to her) and fails to perceive the beam in his own (dumping his girlfriend Mariana upon discovering that she hasn’t got any money). He judges Claudio, but the duke contrives to judge him by his own measure.

The Geneva Bible included interpretative glosses in its margins. Beside the “measure for measure” verses appeared the admonition “hypocrites hide their own faults, and seek not to amend them, but are curious to reprove other men’s.” That could as well be an instant character sketch of Angelo. He is more than once described as “precise,” a term applied to no other character in Shakespeare. It was a word that often went with “puritan,” as may be seen from the way in which Shakespeare’s acquaintance John Florio defined the phrase Gabba santi in his Anglo-Italian dictionary: “a precise dissembling puritan, an hypocrite.”

Despite the steer given by the title, the play is much more tangled than the old drama on which it was based, George Whetstone’s History of Promos and Cassandra, which showed “the unsufferable abuse of a lewd magistrate,” “the virtuous behaviour of a chaste lady,” and “the perfect magnanimity of a noble king in checking vice and favouring virtue,” all for the purpose of revealing “the ruin and overthrow of dishonest practices” and “the advancement of upright dealing.” Shakespeare took Whetstone’s basic plotline and principal characters—the indecent proposal, the hypocritical dealing of the lawgiver, the beautiful gentlewoman asked to give up her chastity in return for her brother’s life, the ruler who returns and sorts everything out—but greatly complicated the moral vision. Whetstone’s character of Promos has two anguished soliloquies in which he reflects on his desire for Cassandra. They offer a structural anticipation of Angelo’s self-questioning “What’s this? What’s this? Is this her fault or mine? / The tempter or the tempted, who sins most? Ha?” and “When I would pray and think, I think and pray / To several subjects.” Whetstone, however, lacks Shakespeare’s gift of writing soliloquy with meditative pauses, shifts between argument and emotion, and rhetorical twists that create the illusion that the character is having the thought as he speaks rather than speechifying on a predetermined theme. Promos’ dilemma is set up in terms of a simple opposition between reason and desire; with Angelo, on the other hand, it is the force of Isabella’s reason—her powers of linguistic persuasion—that inflames his desire. He wants her not because she’s beautiful or even because she is on the verge of taking a vow of perpetual chastity, but because he loves to see her mind and tongue at work. “She speaks, and ’tis such sense / That my sense breeds with it.” Here rational sense is the very thing that stirs sensuality. In a good production, sexual chemistry crackles between Angelo and Isabella even as she resists him. Being a man who is used to getting his way, he does not realize how much he loves it when he does not. Two strong wills strain against each other. As we watch, there is a little part of us that anticipates—or even hopes—that they will end up marrying each other in the manner of Shakespeare’s other sparring couples, Petruchio and Kate, Berowne and Rosaline, Beatrice and Benedick.

Intriguingly, the Mariana plotline is Shakespeare’s key innovation in the plot: Whetstone’s play and the various sixteenth-century Italian versions of the story do not have the “bed trick” and they end with the king or duke punishing the Angelo figure by having him marry the Isabella figure (in order to repair her honor) before being executed. The Isabella figure then intervenes, professes her love for the man who has abused her, he is pardoned, and they live happily ever after. Shakespeare transposes these turns onto Mariana and saves Angelo from execution. Mercy prevails over justice: it should be remembered that the “measure for measure” passage in Saint Matthew’s gospel is at the heart of the Sermon on the Mount, in which Jesus lays out his moral code, sharply distinguishing his new covenant of forgiveness from the harsher “eye for an eye” law of the Old Testament.

The introduction of Mariana into the story displaces the marriage plot from Isabella, seemingly leaving her free to return to the nunnery and take her final vows. But the play ends with the wholly unexpected twist of the duke’s proposal. In one way, it is a fitting union. Having made the wrong choice of deputy (Escalus would have done the job much better), the duke makes the right choice of wife: Isabella will bring to his household the moral fiber that has been lacking, without any of Angelo’s hypocrisy. Her “ghostly father” will become her husband and the mother superior of the nunnery will have to do without her: the monastic virtues will be brought from the contemplative to the active life, from the cloister to the secular state, in a manner characteristic of the sixteenth-century Protestant Reformation. In another way, though, it is an astonishing ending. This has not been a courtship comedy. And is there not a little touch of moral blackmail in the proposal? Angelo’s proposition was: sleep with me and I will save your brother’s life. The duke’s is: I have saved your brother’s life, so marry me.

It has sometimes been argued that Shakespeare was becoming bored with comedy’s conventional happy ending in multiple marriages. Perhaps this is a parody of a comic ending. He certainly turned away from comedy in the next few years of his writing career. Strikingly, Isabella does not respond to the proposal. Does she fall into the duke’s arms with silent and submissive joy? Or look puzzled? Or aghast? Some productions of the play leave the ending open, with a kind of freeze-frame effect. It is not unknown—though without textual warrant—for Isabella to look the duke up and down, then turn away and march back to the sisterhood.

The puzzle over the ending is bound up with broader interpretative anxieties about the duke. He may be regarded as a Godlike figure, benignly controlling the world of the play from behind the scenes. But is it healthy for a human to take on the role of divine providence? Angelo is a moral hypocrite, but it should not be forgotten that the origin of the word “hypocrite” is the Greek term for an actor. It is the duke who is the role-player, the actor. Does he have the right to impersonate a friar and hear the confessions of Claudio and Mariana? “Confess” is another of the play’s key words, used in both its spiritual and judicial senses.

The part of Lucio is considerably bigger than that of Angelo. Where Angelo is a false-seeming angel crested with the devil’s horn, Lucio plays a seductive Lucifer to the duke’s God. To adapt what William Blake said of John Milton’s Paradise Lost, Shakespeare was a true poet and of the devil’s party without (perhaps) knowing it. Lucio speaks deep truths in light language: the extinction of sexual desire would require the gelding and spaying of all the youth of the city; the duke is in certain senses a creature of “dark corners.” It is almost the first law of the Shakespearean universe that the voice of the devil’s advocate should not be silenced. “I am a kind of burr,” says Lucio, “I shall stick.”

The first recorded performance of Measure for Measure took place on December 26, 1604, as part of the royal Christmas festivities. It was, then, one of the first plays written by Shakespeare for his new monarch. Within weeks of Queen Elizabeth’s death in 1603, Shakespeare’s acting company had been renamed the King’s Men. Over the next ten years they played at court between a dozen and twenty times a year, far more often than any other company. Though the duke is by no means an allegorical representation of King James, the play reveals Shakespeare moving into territory that fascinated the king: a concern with slander and reputation, an anatomy of the secret springs of power as opposed to a public display of majesty in the style of Queen Elizabeth’s pageants and processions (“I love the people, / But do not like to stage me to their eyes”), a demonstration of the intricacies of theological and moral debate (one of James’ first acts on arriving in London was to convene a conference at Hampton Court in which he participated in the contentions of high and low churchmen over such matters as the estate of holy matrimony and the question of who could legitimately perform the sacraments). The king would therefore have been the ideal spectator for such set pieces as the duke’s rhetorical mortification of Claudio (“Be absolute for death”). An acute ironist himself, he would have enjoyed the irony whereby Claudio is instantly persuaded by the duke’s richly rendered argument, only to change his position a few minutes later when his sister tells him of Angelo’s offer—at which point he voices a speech about the horrors of bodily decay and spiritual damnation that is the very antithesis of the duke’s argument against life.

Though the play is set in Vienna, the brothels in the “suburbs” or “liberties” of the city evoke the London in which it was performed, where theater and the sex trade stood side by side on the south bank of the Thames. The malapropisms of Constable Elbow, meanwhile, are in the vein of very English humor associated with Dogberry in Much Ado about Nothing and Mistress Quickly in The Merry Wives of Windsor. At the same time, the play has the whiff of both sexual license and political intrigue that the Elizabethans and Jacobeans associated with Italy. The duke’s plan to get Angelo to do his dirty work for him could be read as a political strategy deriving from the pages of Machiavelli.

A drama is always a species of trial, in which actions, motives, and ideas are tested before the jury of an audience. The Duke of Vienna—like Duke Prospero of Milan in The Tempest—is a dramatist engaged upon a test. How is unbridled carnal license best restrained, in order to save society from the ravages of sexual disease and the burden of unwanted children? By extreme puritanism of the kind advocated by Angelo? This solution is tested and found severely wanting. What does the duke offer in its place? In theory the answer is a middle road between justice and mercy, licence and restraint. The technical term for this third way is “temperance,” a key virtue in classical ethics. The duke, says Escalus, is “A gentleman of all temperance.” Temperance, however, depends on everyone behaving reasonably and obeying the rule of moderation. What Shakespeare recognizes—as the duke does not—is that people simply cannot be relied upon to show perpetual temperance. So it is that at the very center of the action we find the extraordinary bit part of Barnardine, the man who announces that he will not be executed today, thank you very much, because he has a hangover. The whole of the duke’s plot nearly collapses because of him. It is salvaged only by the palpably improbable device of inventing the pirate Ragozine who just happens to look like Claudio and to die at the right moment. Barnardine, wrote the great nineteenth-century essayist William Hazlitt, “is a fine antithesis to the morality and the hypocrisy of the other characters of the play.”

KEY FACTS

PLOT: The Duke of Vienna decides to leave the city for a while, appointing his deputy, Angelo, to govern in his absence. Angelo resolves to revive vigorous laws against sexual license, which have fallen into disuse. Under these laws a young gentleman, Claudio, is sentenced to death for having made his fiancée Juliet pregnant before their wedding ceremony. Claudio’s sister Isabella, a novice nun, is persuaded by his friend Lucio to plead with Angelo for her brother’s life. Angelo promises to free Claudio if Isabella will sleep with him. She refuses and tells her brother that she must keep her honor and he, therefore, must die. The duke has stayed in Vienna disguised as a friar observing the new regime and he now persuades Isabella to pretend to accede to Angelo’s demands. Her place in Angelo’s bed is secretly taken by Mariana, Angelo’s former fiancée whom he deserted. After the event, Angelo betrays Isabella by trying to carry out Claudio’s execution but his plans are foiled by the duke’s intervention.

MAJOR PARTS: (with percentage of lines/number of speeches/scenes on stage) Duke (30%/194/9), Isabella (15%/129/8), Lucio (11%/111/5), Angelo (11%/83/5), Escalus (7%/78/5), Provost (6%/65/7), Pompey (6%/60/4), Claudio (4%/35/4), Elbow (2%/28/2), Mariana (2%/24/3), Overdone (1%/15/2).

LINGUISTIC MEDIUM: 65% verse, 35% prose.

DATE: Performed at court December 26, 1604; probably written earlier the same year.

SOURCES: Main plot from George Whetstone’s two-part play Promos and Cassandra (1578) and the novella in Giraldi Cinthio’s Hecatommithi (1565) that was Whetstone’s source; the bed trick was a common romance motif, though not in these sources; the “disguised duke” motif appears in a number of contemporaneous plays, such as John Marston’s The Malcontent and Thomas Middleton’s The Phoenix (both ca. 1603).

TEXT: The 1623 Folio is the only early text. It was typeset from a transcript by the scribe Ralph Crane, though the nature of Crane’s copy is not clear. The absence of swearwords from the play’s seamy underbelly suggests a theatrical script from after the 1606 Act against profanity. The song at the beginning of Act 4 also occurs (with a second stanza) in Rollo Duke of Normandy by John Fletcher and others (1616–19). It has been suggested that the song, perhaps together with the ensuing dialogue between the duke and Mariana, was introduced as part of a revision of the play in which a five-act structure was imposed. The soliloquy “O place and greatness” (4.1.59) has often been regarded as an interpolation. The duke is unnamed in the text, but called Vincentio in Crane’s list of parts. These, and other minor inconsistencies and loose ends, have led to the supposition that the Folio text is a theatrical adaptation—in which some have detected the hand of Thomas Middleton—as opposed to a pure Shakespearean original.

MEASURE FOR MEASURE1.1a

THE DUKE, unnamed in play, but “Vincentio” in Folio list of roles

ANGELO, the Deputy

ESCALUS an ancient lord

CLAUDIO, a young gentleman

LUCIO, a fantastic

Two other like GENTLEMEN

PROVOST

THOMAS and PETER, two friars (probably the same character, with misremembered name)

A JUSTICE

VARRIUS, a lord, friend to the duke

ELBOW, a simple constable

FROTH, a foolish gentleman

POMPEY, the clown, servant to Mistress Overdone

ABHORSON, an executioner

BARNARDINE, a dissolute prisoner

ISABELLA, sister to Claudio

MARIANA, betrothed to Angelo

JULIET, beloved of Claudio

FRANCISCA, a nun

MISTRESS OVERDONE, a bawd

BOY, singer attending Mariana

Lords, Officers, Citizens, Servants, Messenger, Attendants

The Scene: Vienna

Act 1 Scene 11.1

running scene 1

       Enter Duke, Escalus, Lords [and Attendants]

DUKE

DUKE     Escalus.

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     My lord.

DUKE

DUKE     Of government the properties³ to unfold

               Would seem⁴ in me t’affect speech and discourse,

5

5             Since I am put to know⁵ that your own science

               Exceeds, in that,⁶ the lists of all advice

               My strength⁷ can give you. Then no more remains

               But⁸ that to your sufficiency as your worth is able,

               And let them work. The nature of our people,

10

10           Our city’s institutions,¹⁰ and the terms

               For common justice, you’re as pregnant¹¹ in

               As art and practice¹² hath enrichèd any

               That we remember. There is our commission, Hands him a paper

               From which we would not have you warp.¹⁴ Call hither,

15

15           I say, bid come before us Angelo.

       [Exit an Attendant]

               What¹⁶ figure of us think you he will bear?

               For you must know, we have with special soul¹⁷

               Elected him our absence to supply;¹⁸

               Lent him our terror,¹⁹ dressed him with our love,

20

20           And given his deputation²⁰ all the organs

               Of our own power. What think you of it?

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     If any in Vienna be of worth

               To undergo²³ such ample grace and honour,

               It is Lord Angelo.

25

25   

DUKE

DUKE           Look where he comes.

               Enter Angelo

ANGELO

ANGELO     Always obedient to your grace’s will,

               I come to know your pleasure.²⁷

DUKE

DUKE     Angelo,

               There is a kind of character²⁹ in thy life

30

30           That to th’observer doth thy history³⁰

               Fully unfold.³¹ Thyself and thy belongings

               Are³² not thine own so proper as to waste

               Thyself upon thy virtues, they on thee.

               Heaven doth with us as we with torches do,

35

35           Not light them for themselves: for if our virtues

               Did not go forth of³⁶ us, ’twere all alike

               As if we had them not. Spirits³⁷ are not finely touched

               But³⁸ to fine issues, nor nature never lends

               The smallest scruple³⁹ of her excellence

40

40           But, like a thrifty⁴⁰ goddess, she determines

               Herself the glory of a creditor,

               Both thanks and use. But I do bend⁴² my speech

               To one that can my⁴³ part in him advertise.

               Hold⁴⁴ therefore, Angelo.

45

45           In our remove⁴⁵ be thou at full ourself:

               Mortality⁴⁶ and mercy in Vienna

               Live in thy tongue and heart. Old Escalus,

               Though first in question,⁴⁸ is thy secondary.

               Take thy commission. Offers a paper

50

50   

ANGELO

ANGELO           Now, good my lord,

               Let there be some more test made of my mettle,⁵¹

               Before so noble and so great a figure⁵²

               Be stamped upon it.

DUKE

DUKE     No more evasion.

55

55           We have with a leavened⁵⁵ and preparèd choice

               Proceeded to you: therefore take your honours. Angelo takes paper

               Our haste from hence is of so quick condition⁵⁷

               That it prefers itself⁵⁸ and leaves unquestioned

               Matters of needful value.⁵⁹ We shall write to you,

60

60           As time and our concernings⁶⁰ shall importune,

               How it goes with us, and do look⁶¹ to know

               What doth befall you here. So, fare you well:

               To th’hopeful⁶³ execution do I leave you

               Of your commissions.

65

65   

ANGELO

ANGELO           Yet give leave,⁶⁵ my lord,

               That we may bring you something⁶⁶ on the way.

DUKE

DUKE     My haste may not admit⁶⁷ it,

               Nor need you, on mine honour, have⁶⁸ to do

               With any scruple. Your scope is as mine own,

70

70           So to enforce or qualify⁷⁰ the laws

               As to your soul seems good. Give me your hand,

               I’ll privily⁷² away. I love the people,

               But do not like to stage me⁷³ to their eyes:

               Though it do well,⁷⁴ I do not relish well

75

75           Their loud applause and aves⁷⁵ vehement,

               Nor do I think the man of safe discretion⁷⁶

               That does affect⁷⁷ it. Once more, fare you well.

ANGELO

ANGELO     The heavens give safety to your purposes!

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     Lead⁷⁹ forth and bring you back in happiness!

80

80   

DUKE

DUKE           I thank you. Fare you well.

       Exit

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     I shall desire you, sir, to give me leave

               To have free speech with you; and it concerns⁸² me

               To look into the bottom of my place.

               A power I have, but of what strength and nature

85

85           I am not yet instructed.

ANGELO

ANGELO     ’Tis so with me. Let us withdraw together,

               And we may soon our satisfaction have

               Touching⁸⁸ that point.

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     I’ll wait upon your honour.

       Exeunt

Act 1 Scene 21.2

running scene 2

       Enter Lucio and two other Gentlemen

LUCIO

LUCIO     If the duke with the other dukes come not to composition¹ with the King of Hungary, why then all the dukes fall upon² the king.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN Heaven grant us its peace,³ but not the King of Hungary’s!

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN Amen.

LUCIO

LUCIO     Thou concludest like the sanctimonious⁵ pirate, that went to sea with the Ten Commandments, but scraped one out of the table.⁶

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN ‘Thou shalt not steal’?

LUCIO

LUCIO     Ay, that he razed.⁸

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN Why, ’twas a commandment to command the captain and all the rest from their functions:¹⁰ they put forth to steal. There’s not a soldier of us all that, in the thanksgiving before meat,¹¹ do relish the petition well that prays for peace.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN I never heard any soldier dislike it.

LUCIO

LUCIO     I believe thee; for I think thou never wast where grace was said.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN No? A dozen times at least.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN What, in metre?¹⁵

LUCIO

LUCIO     In any proportion¹⁶ or in any language.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN I think, or in any religion.

LUCIO

LUCIO     Ay, why not? Grace is grace, despite of all controversy:¹⁸ as for example, thou thyself art a wicked villain, despite of all grace.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN Well, there²⁰ went but a pair of shears between us.

LUCIO

LUCIO     I grant, as there may between the lists²¹ and the velvet. Thou art the list.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN And thou the velvet. Thou art good velvet; thou’rt a three-piled piece,²² I warrant thee. I had as lief²³ be a list of an English kersey as be piled, as thou art piled, for a French velvet.²⁴ Do I speak feelingly now?

LUCIO

LUCIO     I think thou dost, and indeed, with most painful feeling²⁵ of thy speech. I will, out of thine own confession,²⁶ learn to begin thy health, but, whilst I live, forget to drink after thee.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN I think I have done myself wrong,²⁸ have I not?

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN Yes, that thou hast, whether thou art tainted or free.²⁹

       Enter Bawd [Mistress Overdone]

LUCIO

LUCIO     Behold, behold, where Madam Mitigation³⁰ comes! I have purchased as many diseases under her roof as come to—

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN To what, I pray?

LUCIO

LUCIO     Judge.³³

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN To three thousand dolours³⁴ a year.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN Ay, and more.

LUCIO

LUCIO     A French crown³⁶ more.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN Thou art always figuring³⁷ diseases in me, but thou art full of error, I am sound.

LUCIO

LUCIO     Nay, not as one would say, healthy: but so sound³⁹ as things that are hollow; thy bones are hollow,⁴⁰ impiety has made a feast of thee.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN How now! To Mistress Overdone Which of your hips has the most profound⁴¹ sciatica?

MISTRESS OVERDONE

MISTRESS OVERDONE Well, well. There’s one yonder arrested and carried to prison was worth five thousand of you all.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN Who’s that, I pray thee?

MISTRESS OVERDONE

MISTRESS OVERDONE Marry,⁴⁵ sir, that’s Claudio, Signior Claudio.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN Claudio to prison? ’Tis not so.

MISTRESS OVERDONE

MISTRESS OVERDONE Nay, but I know ’tis so. I saw him arrested, saw him carried away, and, which is more, within these three days his head to be chopped off.

LUCIO

LUCIO     But, after⁴⁹ all this fooling, I would not have it so. Art thou sure of this?

MISTRESS OVERDONE

MISTRESS OVERDONE I am too sure of it. And it is for getting Madam Julietta with child.

LUCIO

LUCIO     Believe me, this may be: he promised to meet me two hours since, and he was ever precise⁵³ in promise-keeping.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN Besides, you know, it draws⁵⁴ something near to the speech we had to such a purpose.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN But most of all agreeing with the proclamation.⁵⁶

LUCIO

LUCIO     Away! Let’s go learn the truth of it.

       Exeunt [Lucio and Gentlemen]

MISTRESS OVERDONE

MISTRESS OVERDONE Thus, what with the war, what with the sweat,⁵⁸ what with the gallows and what with poverty, I am custom-shrunk.⁵⁹

       Enter Clown [Pompey]

                  How now? What’s the news with you?

POMPEY

POMPEY     Yonder man⁶¹ is carried to prison.

MISTRESS OVERDONE⁶²

MISTRESS OVERDONE Well, what has he done?

POMPEY

POMPEY     A woman.

MISTRESS OVERDONE

MISTRESS OVERDONE But what’s his offence?

POMPEY

POMPEY     Groping⁶⁵ for trouts in a peculiar river.

MISTRESS OVERDONE

MISTRESS OVERDONE What, is there a maid⁶⁶ with child by him?

POMPEY

POMPEY     No, but there’s a woman with maid by him. You have not heard of the proclamation, have you?

MISTRESS OVERDONE

MISTRESS OVERDONE What proclamation, man?

POMPEY

POMPEY     All houses⁷⁰ in the suburbs of Vienna must be plucked down.

MISTRESS OVERDONE

MISTRESS OVERDONE And what shall become of those in the city?

POMPEY

POMPEY     They shall stand for seed:⁷² they had gone down too, but that a wise burgher put in⁷³ for them.

MISTRESS OVERDONE

MISTRESS OVERDONE But shall all our houses of resort⁷⁴ in the suburbs be pulled down?

POMPEY

POMPEY     To the ground, mistress.

MISTRESS OVERDONE

MISTRESS OVERDONE Why, here’s a change indeed in the commonwealth! What shall become of me?

POMPEY

POMPEY     Come, fear you not: good counsellors⁷⁸ lack no clients. Though you change your place, you need not change your trade: I’ll be your tapster⁷⁹ still. Courage! There will be pity taken on you; you that have worn⁸⁰ your eyes almost out in the service, you will be considered.

MISTRESS OVERDONE

MISTRESS OVERDONE What’s to do here, Thomas⁸² tapster? Let’s withdraw.

POMPEY

POMPEY     Here comes Signior Claudio, led by the provost to prison, and there’s Madam Juliet.

       Exeunt

Act 1 Scene 3

running scene 2 continues

       Enter Provost, Claudio, Juliet, Officers; Lucio and the two Gentlemen [follow]

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Fellow, why dost thou show me thus to th’world?

               Bear me to prison, where I am committed.

PROVOST

PROVOST     I do it not in evil disposition,³

               But from Lord Angelo by special charge.

5

5     

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO           Thus can the demigod Authority

               Make us pay down⁶ for our offence by weight

               The⁷ words of heaven; on whom it will, it will,

               On whom it will not, so. Yet still ’tis just.

LUCIO

LUCIO     Why, how now, Claudio? Whence⁹ comes this restraint?

10

10   

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO           From too much liberty,¹⁰ my Lucio, liberty:

               As surfeit¹¹ is the father of much fast,

               So every scope¹² by the immoderate use

               Turns to restraint. Our natures do pursue,

               Like rats that ravin¹⁴ down their proper bane,

15

15           A thirsty¹⁵ evil, and when we drink we die.

LUCIO

LUCIO     If I could speak so wisely under an arrest, I would send for certain of my creditors:¹⁷ and yet, to say the truth, I had as lief have the foppery of freedom as the morality¹⁸ of imprisonment. What’s thy offence, Claudio?

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     What but to speak of would offend again.

LUCIO

LUCIO     What, is’t murder?

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO      No.

LUCIO

LUCIO     Lechery?

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO      Call it so.

PROVOST

PROVOST     Away, sir. You must go.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     One word, good friend. Lucio, a word with you.

LUCIO

LUCIO     A hundred, if they’ll do you any good.

               Is lechery so looked after?²⁷

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Thus stands it with me: upon a true contract²⁸

               I got possession of Julietta’s bed.

30

30           You know the lady, she is fast³⁰ my wife,

               Save³¹ that we do the denunciation lack

               Of outward³² order. This we came not to

               Only for propagation of a dower³³

               Remaining in the coffer of her friends,³⁴

35

35           From whom we thought it meet³⁵ to hide our love

               Till time had made³⁶ them for us. But it chances

               The stealth of our most mutual entertainment³⁷

               With character too gross³⁸ is writ on Juliet.

LUCIO

LUCIO     With child, perhaps?

40

40   

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO           Unhappily, even so.

               And the new deputy now for the duke —

               Whether it be the fault and glimpse of newness,⁴²

               Or whether that the body public⁴³ be

               A horse whereon the governor doth ride,

45

45           Who, newly in the seat, that⁴⁵ it may know

               He can command, lets it straight⁴⁶ feel the spur:

               Whether the tyranny be in his place,⁴⁷

               Or in his⁴⁸ eminence that fills it up,

               I stagger in⁴⁹ — but this new governor

50

50           Awakes me⁵⁰ all the enrollèd penalties

               Which have, like unscoured⁵¹ armour, hung by th’wall

               So long that nineteen zodiacs⁵² have gone round

               And none of them⁵³ been worn; and, for a name,

               Now puts the drowsy and neglected act

55

55           Freshly on me. ’Tis surely for a name.

LUCIO

LUCIO     I warrant it is: and thy head stands so tickle⁵⁶ on thy shoulders that a milkmaid, if she be in love, may sigh it off. Send after the duke and appeal to him.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     I have done so, but he’s not to be found.

               I prithee, Lucio, do me this kind service:

60

60           This day my sister should the cloister⁶⁰ enter

               And there receive her approbation.⁶¹

               Acquaint her with the danger of my state,

               Implore her, in my voice, that she make friends

               To⁶⁴ the strict deputy: bid herself assay him.

65

65           I have great hope in that, for in her youth

               There is a prone⁶⁶ and speechless dialect,

               Such as move⁶⁷ men. Beside, she hath prosperous art

               When she will play with reason and discourse,⁶⁸

               And well she can persuade.

LUCIO

LUCIO     I pray she may; as well for the encouragement of the like,⁷⁰ which else would stand under grievous imposition,⁷¹ as for the enjoying of thy life, who I would be sorry should be thus foolishly lost at a game of tick-tack.⁷² I’ll to her.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     I thank you, good friend Lucio.

LUCIO

LUCIO     Within two hours.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Come, officer, away!

       Exeunt

Act 1 Scene 4

running scene 3

       Enter Duke and Friar Thomas

DUKE

DUKE     No, holy father, throw away that thought:¹

               Believe not that the dribbling dart² of love

               Can pierce a complete³ bosom. Why I desire thee

               To give me secret harbour⁴ hath a purpose

5

5             More grave and wrinkled⁵ than the aims and ends

               Of burning youth.

FRIAR THOMAS

FRIAR THOMAS May your grace speak of it?

DUKE

DUKE     My holy sir, none better knows than you

               How I have ever loved the life removed,⁹

10

10           And held in idle price¹⁰ to haunt assemblies

               Where youth and cost¹¹ and witless bravery keeps.

               I have delivered to Lord Angelo —

               A man of stricture¹³ and firm abstinence —

               My absolute power and place here in Vienna,

15

15           And he supposes me travelled to Poland,

               For so I have strewed¹⁶ it in the common ear,

               And so it is received. Now, pious sir,

               You will demand¹⁸ of me why I do this.

FRIAR THOMAS

FRIAR THOMAS Gladly, my lord.

20

20   

DUKE

DUKE           We have strict statutes and most biting laws,

               The needful bits and curbs²¹ to headstrong weeds,

               Which for this fourteen years we have let slip,²²

               Even like an o’ergrown²³ lion in a cave

               That goes not out to prey. Now, as fond²⁴ fathers,

25

25           Having bound up the threat’ning twigs of birch,²⁵

               Only to stick it in their children’s sight

               For terror, not to use, in time the rod²⁷

               Becomes more mocked than feared: so our decrees,

               Dead²⁹ to infliction, to themselves are dead,

30

30           And liberty³⁰ plucks justice by the nose,

               The baby beats the nurse, and quite athwart³¹

               Goes all decorum.³²

FRIAR THOMAS

FRIAR THOMAS It rested in your grace

               To unloose this tied-up justice when you pleased:

35

35           And it in you more dreadful³⁵ would have seemed

               Than in Lord Angelo.

DUKE

DUKE     I do fear, too dreadful.

               Sith³⁸ ’twas my fault to give the people scope,

               ’Twould be my tyranny to strike and gall³⁹ them

40

40           For what I bid them do, for we bid this be done,

               When evil deeds have their permissive pass⁴¹

               And not the punishment. Therefore indeed, my father,

               I have on Angelo imposed the office,⁴³

               Who may in th’ambush⁴⁴ of my name strike home,

45

45           And yet my⁴⁵ nature never in the fight

               To do in slander. And to behold his sway,⁴⁶

               I will, as ’twere a brother⁴⁷ of your order,

               Visit both prince⁴⁸ and people: therefore, I prithee,

               Supply me with the habit⁴⁹ and instruct me

50

50           How I may formally⁵⁰ in person bear me

               Like a true friar. More reasons for this action

               At our more leisure shall I render you;

               Only, this one: Lord Angelo is precise,⁵³

               Stands at⁵⁴ a guard with envy, scarce confesses

55

55           That his blood flows, or that his appetite

               Is more to bread than stone. Hence shall we see,

               If power change purpose,⁵⁷ what our seemers be.

       Exeunt

Act 1 Scene 5

running scene 4

       Enter Isabella and Francisca, a nun

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     And have you nuns no further privileges?

FRANCISCA

FRANCISCA     Are not these large enough?

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     Yes, truly. I speak not as desiring more,

               But rather wishing a more strict restraint

5

5             Upon the sisterhood, the votarists⁵ of Saint Clare.

LUCIO

LUCIO     Ho? Peace be in this place!

       Within

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     Who’s that which calls?

FRANCISCA

FRANCISCA     It is a man’s voice. Gentle Isabella,

               Turn you the key, and know his business of him;

10

10           You may, I may not: you are yet unsworn.¹⁰

               When you have vowed, you must not speak with men

               But in the presence of the prioress.¹²

               Then, if you speak, you must not show your face,

               Or, if you show your face, you must not speak.

15

15           He calls again. I pray you, answer him.

       [Exit]

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     Peace and prosperity! Who is’t that calls?

       [Enter Lucio]

LUCIO

LUCIO     Hail, virgin, if you be, as those cheek-roses¹⁷

               Proclaim you are no less. Can you so stead¹⁸ me

               As bring me to the sight of Isabella,

20

20           A novice²⁰ of this place and the fair sister

               To her unhappy²¹ brother Claudio?

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     Why her unhappy brother? Let me ask,

               The rather for²³ I now must make you know

               I am that Isabella and his sister.

25

25   

LUCIO

LUCIO           Gentle and fair, your brother kindly²⁵ greets you.

               Not to be weary²⁶ with you, he’s in prison.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     Woe me! For what?

LUCIO

LUCIO     For that which, if myself might be his judge,

               He should receive his punishment in thanks:²⁹

30

30           He hath got his friend³⁰ with child.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     Sir, make me not your story.³¹

LUCIO

LUCIO     ’Tis true.

               I would not, though ’tis my familiar³³ sin

               With maids to seem the lapwing³⁴ and to jest,

35

35           Tongue³⁵ far from heart, play with all virgins so.

               I hold you as a thing enskied³⁶ and sainted

               By your renouncement,³⁷ an immortal spirit,

               And to be talked with in sincerity,

               As with a saint.

40

40   

ISABELLA

ISABELLA           You⁴⁰ do blaspheme the good in mocking me.

LUCIO

LUCIO     Do not believe it. Fewness⁴¹ and truth, ’tis thus:

               Your brother and his lover have embraced.⁴²

               As those that feed grow full, as blossoming time

               That from the seedness⁴⁴ the bare fallow brings

45

45           To teeming foison,⁴⁵ even so her plenteous womb

               Expresseth⁴⁶ his full tilth and husbandry.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     Someone with child by him? My cousin⁴⁷ Juliet?

LUCIO

LUCIO     Is she your cousin?

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     Adoptedly, as school-maids change their names

50

50           By vain⁵⁰ though apt affection.

LUCIO

LUCIO     She it is.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     O, let him marry her.

LUCIO

LUCIO     This is the point.

               The duke is very strangely gone from hence,

55

55           Bore⁵⁵ many gentlemen, myself being one,

               In hand and hope of action: but we do learn

               By those that know the very nerves of state,

               His giving-out⁵⁸ were of an infinite distance

               From his true-meant design.⁵⁹ Upon his place,

60

60           And with full line⁶⁰ of his authority,

               Governs Lord Angelo, a man whose blood

               Is very snow-broth:⁶² one who never feels

               The wanton⁶³ stings and motions of the sense,

               But doth rebate⁶⁴ and blunt his natural edge

65

65           With profits⁶⁵ of the mind, study and fast.

               He — to give fear to use⁶⁶ and liberty,

               Which have for long run by the hideous⁶⁷ law,

               As mice by lions — hath picked out an act,

               Under whose heavy sense⁶⁹ your brother’s life

70

70           Falls into forfeit.⁷⁰ He arrests him on it,

               And follows close the rigour of the statute

               To make him an example. All hope is gone,

               Unless you have the grace⁷³ by your fair prayer

               To soften Angelo: and that’s my pith⁷⁴ of business

75

75           ’Twixt you and your poor brother.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     Doth he so seek his life?

LUCIO

LUCIO     Has censured⁷⁷ him already,

               And, as I hear, the provost hath a warrant

               For’s execution.

80

80   

ISABELLA

ISABELLA           Alas, what poor ability’s in me

               To do him good?

LUCIO

LUCIO     Assay⁸² the power you have.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     My power? Alas, I doubt—

LUCIO

LUCIO     Our doubts are traitors,

85

85           And make us lose the good we oft might win

               By fearing to attempt. Go to Lord Angelo,

               And let him learn to know, when maidens sue,⁸⁷

               Men give⁸⁸ like gods: but when they weep and kneel,

               All their petitions⁸⁹ are as freely theirs

90

90           As they themselves would owe them.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     I’ll see what I can do.

LUCIO

LUCIO     But speedily.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     I will about it straight,

               No longer staying but to give the mother⁹⁴

95

95           Notice of my affair. I humbly thank you:

               Commend me to my brother. Soon at night⁹⁶

               I’ll send him certain word of my success.⁹⁷

LUCIO

LUCIO     I take my leave of you.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     Good sir, adieu.

       Exeunt [separately]

Act 2 Scene 1

running scene 5

       Enter Angelo, Escalus, Servants, [and a] Justice

ANGELO

ANGELO     We must not make a scarecrow of the law,

               Setting it up to fear² the birds of prey,

               And let it keep one shape, till custom³ make it

               Their perch and not their terror.

5

5     

ESCALUS

ESCALUS           Ay, but yet

               Let us be keen,⁶ and rather cut a little

               Than fall⁷ and bruise to death. Alas, this gentleman

               Whom I would save had a most noble father.

               Let but your honour know —

10

10           Whom I believe to be most strait¹⁰ in virtue —

               That, in the working of your own affections,¹¹

               Had time cohered with place or place with wishing,

               Or that¹³ the resolute acting of your blood

               Could have attained th’effect of your own purpose,

15

15           Whether you had not sometime in your life

               Erred¹⁶ in this point which now you censure him,

               And pulled the law upon you.

ANGELO

ANGELO     ’Tis one thing to be tempted, Escalus,

               Another thing to fall. I not deny,

20

20           The jury passing²⁰ on the prisoner’s life,

               May in the sworn twelve²¹ have a thief or two

               Guiltier than him they try. What’s open made²² to justice,

               That justice seizes. What²³ knows the laws

               That thieves do pass on thieves? ’Tis very pregnant,²⁴

25

25           The jewel that we find, we stoop and take’t

               Because we see it, but what we do not see

               We tread upon, and never think of it.

               You may not so extenuate²⁸ his offence

               For²⁹ I have had such faults, but rather tell me,

30

30           When I, that censure him, do so offend,

               Let mine own judgement pattern out³¹ my death,

               And nothing³² come in partial. Sir, he must die.

       Enter Provost

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     Be it as your wisdom will.

ANGELO

ANGELO     Where is the provost?

35

35   

PROVOST

PROVOST           Here, if it like³⁵ your honour.

ANGELO

ANGELO     See that Claudio

               Be executed by nine tomorrow morning.

               Bring him his confessor, let him be prepared,³⁸

               For that’s the utmost³⁹ of his pilgrimage.

       [Exit Provost]

40

40   

ESCALUS

ESCALUS           Well, heaven forgive him, and forgive us all. Aside

               Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall.

               Some run⁴² from breaks of ice, and answer none,

               And some condemnèd for a fault alone.⁴³

       Enter Elbow [and] Officers [with] Froth [and] Clown [Pompey]

ELBOW

ELBOW     Come, bring them away: if these be good people in a commonweal that do nothing but use⁴⁵ their abuses in common houses, I know no law. Bring them away.

ANGELO

ANGELO     How now, sir, what’s your name? And what’s the matter?

ELBOW

ELBOW     If it please your honour, I am the poor duke’s⁴⁸ constable, and my name is Elbow: I do lean⁴⁹ upon justice, sir, and do bring in here before your good honour two notorious benefactors.⁵⁰

ANGELO

ANGELO     Benefactors? Well, what benefactors are they? Are they not malefactors?

ELBOW

ELBOW     If it please your honour, I know not well what they are, but precise⁵² villains they are, that I am sure of, and void⁵³ of all profanation in the world that good Christians ought to have.

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     This comes off well:⁵⁵ here’s a wise officer. To Angelo

ANGELO

ANGELO     Go to,⁵⁶ what quality are they of? Elbow is your name? Why dost thou not speak, Elbow?

POMPEY

POMPEY     He cannot, sir: he’s out at elbow.⁵⁸

ANGELO

ANGELO     What are you, sir?

ELBOW

ELBOW     He, sir? A tapster, sir, parcel-bawd,⁶⁰ one that serves a bad woman, whose house,⁶¹ sir, was, as they say, plucked down in the suburbs: and now she professes a hot-house,⁶² which, I think, is a very ill house too.

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     How know you that?

ELBOW

ELBOW     My wife, sir, whom I detest⁶⁴ before heaven and your honour—

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     How? Thy wife?

ELBOW

ELBOW     Ay, sir: whom, I thank heaven, is an honest woman—

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     Dost thou detest her therefore?

ELBOW

ELBOW     I say, sir, I will detest myself also, as well as she, that this house, if it be not a bawd’s house, it is pity⁶⁹ of her life, for it is a naughty house.

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     How dost thou know that, constable?

ELBOW

ELBOW     Marry, sir, by my wife, who, if she had been a woman cardinally⁷¹ given, might have been accused in fornication, adultery and all uncleanliness⁷² there.

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     By the woman’s means?⁷³

ELBOW

ELBOW     Ay, sir, by Mistress Overdone’s means: but as she spit in his⁷⁴ face, so she defied him.

POMPEY

POMPEY     Sir, if it please your honour, this is not so.

ELBOW

ELBOW     Prove it before these varlets⁷⁷ here, thou honourable man, prove it.

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     Do you hear how he misplaces?⁷⁸ Aside to Angelo

POMPEY

POMPEY     Sir, she came in great with child, and longing — saving⁷⁹ your honour’s reverence — for stewed prunes.⁸⁰ Sir, we had but two in the house, which at that very distant⁸¹ time stood, as it were, in a fruit-dish, a dish of some three-pence — your honours have seen such dishes, they are not China dishes, but very good dishes—

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     Go to, go to: no matter for the dish, sir.

POMPEY

POMPEY     No, indeed, sir, not⁸⁵ of a pin: you are therein in the right. But to the point. As I say, this Mistress Elbow, being, as I say, with child, and being great-bellied, and longing, as I said, for prunes, and having but two in the dish, as I said, Master Froth here, this very man, having eaten the rest, as I said, and, as I say, paying for them very honestly, for, as you know, Master Froth, I could not give you three-pence again.⁹⁰

FROTH

FROTH     No, indeed.

POMPEY

POMPEY     Very well: you being then, if you be remembered, cracking the stones⁹² of the foresaid prunes—

FROTH

FROTH     Ay, so I did indeed.

POMPEY

POMPEY     Why, very well: I telling you then, if you be remembered, that such a one and such a one were past cure of the thing⁹⁶ you wot of, unless they kept very good diet, as I told you—

FROTH

FROTH     All this is true.

POMPEY

POMPEY     Why, very well, then—

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     Come, you are a tedious fool. To the purpose: what was done to Elbow’s wife, that he hath cause to complain of? Come me¹⁰¹ to what was done to her.

POMPEY

POMPEY     Sir, your honour cannot come to that yet.

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     No, sir, nor I mean it not.

POMPEY

POMPEY     Sir, but you shall come to it, by your honour’s leave. And, I beseech you, look into¹⁰⁵ Master Froth here, sir, a man of fourscore pound a year, whose father died at Hallowmas.¹⁰⁶ Was’t not at Hallowmas, Master Froth?

FROTH

FROTH     All-hallond eve.¹⁰⁷

POMPEY

POMPEY     Why, very well, I hope here be truths. He, sir, sitting, as I say, in a lower chair,¹⁰⁸ sir, ’twas in the Bunch of Grapes,¹⁰⁹ where indeed you have a delight to sit, have you not?

FROTH

FROTH     I have so, because it is an open¹¹¹ room and good for winter.

POMPEY

POMPEY     Why, very well, then. I hope here be truths.

ANGELO

ANGELO     This will last¹¹³ out a night in Russia,

               When nights are longest there. I’ll take my leave

115

115         And leave you to the hearing of the cause,¹¹⁵

               Hoping you’ll find good cause¹¹⁶ to whip them all.

       Exit [Angelo]

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     I think no less. Good morrow to your lordship.— Now, sir, come on: what was done to Elbow’s wife, once more?

POMPEY

POMPEY     Once, sir? There was nothing done¹¹⁹ to her once.

ELBOW

ELBOW     I beseech you, sir, ask him what this man did to my wife.

POMPEY

POMPEY     I beseech your honour, ask me.

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     Well, sir, what did this gentleman to her?

POMPEY

POMPEY     I beseech you, sir, look in this gentleman’s face. Good Master Froth, look upon his honour, ’tis for a good purpose. Doth your honour mark¹²⁴ his face?

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     Ay, sir, very well.

POMPEY

POMPEY     Nay, I beseech you, mark it well.

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     Well, I do so.

POMPEY

POMPEY     Doth your honour see any harm in his face?

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     Why, no.

POMPEY

POMPEY     I’ll be supposed¹³⁰ upon a book, his face is the worst thing about him. Good, then, if¹³¹ his face be the worst thing about him, how could Master Froth do the constable’s wife any harm? I would know that of your honour.

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     He’s in the right. Constable, what say you to it?

ELBOW

ELBOW     First, an it like¹³⁴ you, the house is a respected house; next, this is a respected fellow, and his mistress is a respected woman.

POMPEY

POMPEY     By this hand, sir, his wife is a more respected person than any of us all.

ELBOW

ELBOW     Varlet, thou liest, thou liest, wicked varlet! The time is yet to come that she was ever respected¹³⁸ with man, woman or child.

POMPEY

POMPEY     Sir, she was respected with him before he married with her.

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     Which is the wiser here? Justice or Iniquity?¹⁴⁰ Is this true?

ELBOW

ELBOW     O thou caitiff!¹⁴¹ O thou varlet! O thou wicked Hannibal! I respected with her before I was married to her? If ever I was respected with her, or she with me, let not your worship think me the poor duke’s officer. Prove this, thou wicked Hannibal, or I’ll have mine action of battery¹⁴⁴ on thee.

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     If he took¹⁴⁵ you a box o’th’ear, you might have your action of slander too.

ELBOW

ELBOW     Marry, I thank your good worship for it. What is’t your worship’s pleasure I shall do with this wicked caitiff?

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     Truly, officer, because he hath some offences in him that thou wouldst discover¹⁴⁹ if thou couldst, let him continue in his courses till thou know’st what they are.

ELBOW

ELBOW     Marry, I thank your worship for it.— To Pompey Thou see’st, thou wicked varlet, now, what’s come upon thee: thou art to continue¹⁵² now, thou varlet, thou art to continue.

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     Where were you born, friend?

FROTH

FROTH     Here in Vienna, sir.

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     Are you of fourscore pounds a year?

FROTH

FROTH     Yes, an’t¹⁵⁷ please you, sir.

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     So. What trade are you of, sir?

POMPEY

POMPEY     A tapster, a poor widow’s tapster.

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     Your mistress’ name?

POMPEY

POMPEY     Mistress Overdone.

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     Hath she had any more than one husband?

POMPEY

POMPEY     Nine, sir: Overdone¹⁶³ by the last.

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     Nine? Come hither to me, Master Froth. Master Froth, I would not have you acquainted with tapsters: they will draw¹⁶⁵ you, Master Froth, and you will hang them.¹⁶⁶ Get you gone, and let me hear no more of you.

FROTH

FROTH     I thank your worship. For mine own part, I never come into any room in a tap-house,¹⁶⁸ but I am drawn in.

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     Well, no more of it, Master Froth, farewell.—

       [Exit Froth]

                  Come you hither to me, Master Tapster. To Pompey What’s your name, Master Tapster?

POMPEY

POMPEY     Pompey.

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     What else?

POMPEY

POMPEY     Bum, sir.

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     Troth, and your bum is the greatest thing about you, so that in the beastliest sense you are Pompey the Great.¹⁷⁵ Pompey, you are partly a bawd, Pompey, howsoever you colour it in¹⁷⁶ being a tapster, are you not? Come, tell me true, it shall be the better for you.

POMPEY

POMPEY     Truly, sir, I am a poor fellow that would live.¹⁷⁸

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     How would you live, Pompey? By being a bawd? What do you think of the trade, Pompey? Is it a lawful trade?

POMPEY

POMPEY     If the law would allow it, sir.

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     But the law will not allow it, Pompey, nor it shall not be allowed in Vienna.

POMPEY

POMPEY     Does your worship mean to geld and splay¹⁸³ all the youth of the city?

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     No, Pompey.

POMPEY

POMPEY     Truly, sir, in my poor opinion, they will to’t¹⁸⁵ then. If your worship will take order for the drabs and the knaves, you need not to fear¹⁸⁶ the bawds.

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     There is pretty orders¹⁸⁷ beginning, I can tell you: it is but heading and hanging.

POMPEY

POMPEY     If you head and hang all that offend that way but for ten year together, you’ll be glad¹⁹⁰ to give out a commission for more heads: if this law hold in Vienna ten year, I’ll rent the fairest house in it after¹⁹¹ three-pence a bay. If you live to see this come to pass, say Pompey told you so.

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     Thank you, good Pompey, and, in requital of¹⁹³ your prophecy, hark you: I advise you, let me not find you before me again upon any complaint whatsoever, no, not for dwelling where you do. If I do, Pompey, I shall beat¹⁹⁵ you to your tent, and prove a shrewd¹⁹⁶ Caesar to you: in plain dealing, Pompey, I shall have you whipped. So, for this time, Pompey, fare you well.

POMPEY

POMPEY     I thank your worship for your good counsel— Aside but I shall follow it as the flesh¹⁹⁹ and fortune shall better determine. Whip me? No, no, let carman²⁰⁰ whip his jade: The valiant heart’s not whipped out of his trade.

       Exit

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     Come hither to me, Master Elbow, come hither, Master Constable. How long have you been in this place²⁰³ of constable?

ELBOW

ELBOW     Seven year and a half, sir.

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     I thought by the readiness²⁰⁵ in the office you had continued in it some time. You say, seven years together?

ELBOW

ELBOW     And a half, sir.

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     Alas, it hath been great pains²⁰⁸ to you. They do you wrong to put you so oft upon’t. Are there not men in your ward²⁰⁹ sufficient to serve it?

ELBOW

ELBOW     Faith, sir, few of any wit²¹⁰ in such matters: as they are chosen, they are glad to choose me for them. I do it for some piece of money, and go²¹¹ through with all.

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     Look you bring me in the names of some six or seven, the most sufficient of your parish.

ELBOW

ELBOW     To your worship’s house, sir?

215

215 

ESCALUS

ESCALUS             To my house. Fare you well.

       [Exit Elbow]

               What’s o’clock, think you? To Justice

JUSTICE

JUSTICE     Eleven,²¹⁷ sir.

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     I pray you home to dinner with me.

JUSTICE

JUSTICE     I humbly thank you.

220

220 

ESCALUS

ESCALUS             It grieves me for the death of Claudio,

               But there’s no remedy.

JUSTICE

JUSTICE     Lord Angelo is severe.

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     It is but needful.²²³

               Mercy²²⁴ is not itself that oft looks so,

225

225         Pardon is still the nurse of second woe:

               But yet, poor Claudio! There is no remedy.

               Come, sir.

       Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 2

running scene 5 continues

       Enter Provost [and a] Servant

SERVANT

SERVANT     He’s¹ hearing of a cause: he will come straight,

               I’ll tell him of you.

PROVOST

PROVOST     Pray you, do.— I’ll know

       [Exit Servant]

               His pleasure,⁴ maybe he will relent. Alas,

5

5             He⁵ hath but as offended in a dream!

               All sects,⁶ all ages smack of this vice, and he

               To die for’t?

       Enter Angelo

ANGELO

ANGELO     Now, what’s the matter, provost?

PROVOST

PROVOST     Is it your will Claudio shall die tomorrow?

10

10   

ANGELO

ANGELO           Did not I tell thee yea? Hadst thou not order?

               Why dost thou ask again?

PROVOST

PROVOST     Lest¹² I might be too rash.

               Under¹³ your good correction, I have seen

               When, after execution, judgement hath

15

15           Repented¹⁵ o’er his doom.

ANGELO

ANGELO     Go to, let that be mine.¹⁶

               Do you your office, or give up your place,

               And you¹⁸ shall well be spared.

PROVOST

PROVOST     I crave your honour’s pardon.

20

20           What shall be done, sir, with the groaning²⁰ Juliet?

               She’s very near her hour.²¹

ANGELO

ANGELO     Dispose of²² her

               To some more fitter place, and that with speed.

       [Enter Servant]

SERVANT

SERVANT     Here is the sister of the man condemned

25

25           Desires access to you.

ANGELO

ANGELO     Hath he a sister?

PROVOST

PROVOST     Ay, my good lord, a very virtuous maid,

               And to be shortly of a sisterhood,²⁸

               If not already.

30

30   

ANGELO

ANGELO           Well, let her be admitted.

       [Exit Servant]

               See you the fornicatress³¹ be removed.

               Let her have needful but not lavish means.

               There shall be order³³ for’t.

       Enter Lucio and Isabella

35

35    

PROVOST

PROVOST     ’Save your honour!

ANGELO

ANGELO     Stay a little while.— To Provost

               You’re welcome: what’s your will? To Isabella

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     I am a woeful suitor³⁷ to your honour,

               Please but your honour hear me.

ANGELO

ANGELO     Well, what’s your suit?

40

40   

ISABELLA

ISABELLA           There is a vice that most I do abhor,

               And most desire should meet the blow of justice,

               For which I would not plead, but that I must,

               For which I must not plead, but that I am

               At war ’twixt will⁴⁴ and will not.

45

45   

ANGELO

ANGELO           Well, the matter?⁴⁵

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     I have a brother is condemned to die:

               I do beseech you, let it be his⁴⁷ fault,

               And not my brother.

PROVOST

PROVOST     Heaven give thee moving⁴⁹ graces! Aside

50

50   

ANGELO

ANGELO           Condemn the fault and not the actor of it?

               Why, every⁵¹ fault’s condemned ere it be done:

               Mine were the⁵² very cipher of a function,

               To fine⁵³ the faults whose fine stands in record,

               And let go by⁵⁴ the actor.

55

55   

ISABELLA

ISABELLA           O, just but severe law!

               I had a brother, then. Heaven keep your honour.

LUCIO

LUCIO     Give’t⁵⁷ not o’er so. To him again, entreat him, Aside to Isabella

               Kneel down before him, hang upon his gown.

               You are too cold. If you should need a pin,⁵⁹

60

60           You could not with more tame a tongue desire it.

               To him, I say!

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     Must he needs die? To Angelo

ANGELO

ANGELO     Maiden, no remedy.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     Yes, I do think that you might pardon him,

65

65           And neither heaven nor man grieve at the mercy.

ANGELO

ANGELO     I will not do’t.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     But can you, if you would?⁶⁷

ANGELO

ANGELO     Look what⁶⁸ I will not, that I cannot do.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     But might you do’t, and do the world no wrong,

70

70           If so your heart were touched with that remorse

               As mine is to him?

ANGELO

ANGELO     He’s sentenced, ’tis too late.

LUCIO

LUCIO     You are too cold. Aside to Isabella

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     Too late? Why, no, I that do speak a word

75

75           May call it back again. Well, believe this:

               No ceremony that to great ones ’longs,

               Not the king’s crown, nor the deputed sword,⁷⁷

               The marshal’s⁷⁸ truncheon, nor the judge’s robe,

               Become⁷⁹ them with one half so good a grace

80

80           As mercy does.

               If he had been as you⁸¹ and you as he,

               You would have slipped like him, but he, like you,

               Would not have been so stern.

ANGELO

ANGELO     Pray you, be gone.

85

85   

ISABELLA

ISABELLA           I would to heaven I had your potency,⁸⁵

               And you were Isabel. Should it then be thus?

               No, I would tell⁸⁷ what ’twere to be a judge,

               And what a prisoner.

LUCIO

LUCIO     Ay, touch him, there’s the vein.⁸⁹ Aside to Isabella

90

90   

ANGELO

ANGELO           Your brother is a forfeit of⁹⁰ the law,

               And you but waste your words.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     Alas, alas!

               Why, all the souls that were⁹³ were forfeit once,

               And he⁹⁴ that might the vantage best have took

95

95           Found out the remedy. How would you be,

               If he, which is the top of judgement, should

               But judge you as you are? O, think on that,

               And mercy then will breathe within your lips

               Like man new made.⁹⁹

100

100 

ANGELO

ANGELO             Be you content, fair maid,

               It is the law, not I, condemn your brother.

               Were he my kinsman, brother, or my son,

               It should be thus with him. He must die tomorrow.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     Tomorrow? O, that’s sudden! Spare him, spare him!

105

105         He’s not prepared for death. Even for our kitchens

               We kill¹⁰⁶ the fowl of season: shall we serve heaven

               With less respect than we do minister¹⁰⁷

               To our gross¹⁰⁸ selves? Good, good my lord, bethink you;

               Who is it that hath died for this offence?

110

110         There’s many have committed it.

LUCIO

LUCIO     Ay, well said. Aside to Isabella

ANGELO

ANGELO     The law hath not been dead, though it hath slept:

               Those¹¹³ many had not dared to do that evil,

               If the first that did th’edict infringe

115

115         Had answered for his deed. Now ’tis awake,

               Takes note of what is done, and, like a prophet,

               Looks in a glass¹¹⁷ that shows what future evils,

               Either now,¹¹⁸ or by remissness new-conceived,

               And so in progress to be hatched and born,¹¹⁹

120

120         Are now to have no successive degrees,¹²⁰

               But ere¹²¹ they live to end.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     Yet show some pity.

ANGELO

ANGELO     I show it most of all when I show justice:

               For then I pity those I do not know,

125

125         Which a dismissed¹²⁵ offence would after gall,

               And do him right that, answering one foul wrong,

               Lives not to act another. Be satisfied;

               Your brother dies tomorrow; be content.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     So you must be the first that gives this sentence,

130

130         And he, that suffers. O, it is excellent

               To have a giant’s strength, but it is tyrannous

               To use it like a giant.

LUCIO

LUCIO     That’s well said. Aside to Isabella

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     Could great men thunder

135

135         As Jove¹³⁵ himself does, Jove would ne’er be quiet,

               For every pelting,¹³⁶ petty officer

               Would use his heaven for thunder,

               Nothing but thunder! Merciful heaven,

               Thou rather with thy sharp¹³⁹ and sulphurous bolt

140

140         Splits the unwedgeable¹⁴⁰ and gnarlèd oak

               Than the soft myrtle:¹⁴¹ but man, proud man,

               Dressed in a little brief¹⁴² authority,

               Most ignorant of what he’s most assured¹⁴³ —

               His glassy¹⁴⁴ essence — like an angry ape

145

145         Plays such fantastic¹⁴⁵ tricks before high heaven

               As makes the angels weep, who, with our spleens,¹⁴⁶

               Would all themselves laugh mortal.¹⁴⁷

LUCIO

LUCIO     O, to him, to him, wench: he will relent. Aside to Isabella

               He’s coming,¹⁴⁹ I perceive’t.

150

150 

PROVOST

PROVOST             Pray heaven she win him. Aside

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     We cannot weigh¹⁵¹ our brother with ourself.

               Great men may jest with¹⁵² saints, ’tis wit in them,

               But in¹⁵³ the less foul profanation.

LUCIO

LUCIO     Thou’rt i’th’right, girl, more o’that. Aside to Isabella

155

155 

ISABELLA

ISABELLA             That in the captain’s but a choleric¹⁵⁵ word,

               Which in the soldier is flat¹⁵⁶ blasphemy.

LUCIO

LUCIO     Art avised¹⁵⁷ o’that? More on’t. Aside to Isabella

ANGELO

ANGELO     Why do you put¹⁵⁸ these sayings upon me?

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     Because authority, though it err like others,

160

160         Hath yet a kind of medicine in itself

               That skins¹⁶¹ the vice o’th’top. Go to your bosom,

               Knock there, and ask your heart what it doth know

               That’s like my brother’s fault. If it confess

               A natural guiltiness¹⁶⁴ such as is his,

165

165         Let it not sound¹⁶⁵ a thought upon your tongue

               Against my brother’s life.

ANGELO

ANGELO     She speaks, and ’tis such sense¹⁶⁷ Aside

               That my sense¹⁶⁸ breeds with it.— Fare you well. Starts to go

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     Gentle my lord, turn back.

170

170 

ANGELO

ANGELO             I will bethink me. Come again tomorrow.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     Hark how I’ll bribe you: good my lord, turn back.

ANGELO

ANGELO     How? Bribe me?

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     Ay, with such gifts that heaven shall share with you.

LUCIO

LUCIO     You¹⁷⁴ had marred all else. Aside to Isabella

175

175 

ISABELLA

ISABELLA             Not with fond¹⁷⁵ sicles of the tested gold,

               Or stones¹⁷⁶ whose rates are either rich or poor

               As fancy¹⁷⁷ values them, but with true prayers

               That shall be up at heaven and enter there

               Ere sunrise, prayers from preservèd¹⁷⁹ souls,

180

180 From fasting maids¹⁸⁰ whose minds are dedicate

               To nothing temporal.¹⁸¹

ANGELO

ANGELO     Well, come to me tomorrow.

LUCIO

LUCIO     Go to, ’tis well; away! Aside to Isabella

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     Heaven keep your honour safe.

185

185 

ANGELO

ANGELO     Amen. Aside

               For I am that way going to temptation,

               Where prayers cross.¹⁸⁷

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     At what hour tomorrow

               Shall I attend your lordship?

190

190 

ANGELO

ANGELO             At any time ’fore noon.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     ’Save¹⁹¹ your honour!

       [Exeunt Isabella, Lucio and Provost]

ANGELO

ANGELO     From thee, even from thy virtue.

               What’s this? What’s this? Is this her fault or mine?

               The tempter or the tempted, who sins most? Ha?

195

195         Not she — nor doth she tempt — but it is I

               That, lying by the violet¹⁹⁶ in the sun,

               Do as the carrion¹⁹⁷ does, not as the flower,

               Corrupt¹⁹⁸ with virtuous season. Can it be

               That modesty¹⁹⁹ may more betray our sense

200

200         Than woman’s lightness?²⁰⁰ Having waste ground enough,

               Shall we desire to raze the sanctuary²⁰¹

               And pitch²⁰² our evils there? O, fie, fie, fie!

               What dost thou? Or what art thou, Angelo?

               Dost thou desire her foully²⁰⁴ for those things

205

205         That make her good? O, let her brother live!

               Thieves for their robbery have authority

               When judges steal themselves. What, do I love her,

               That I desire to hear her speak again,

               And feast upon her eyes? What is’t I dream on?

210

210         O cunning enemy,²¹⁰ that to catch a saint

               With saints dost bait thy hook! Most dangerous

               Is that temptation that doth goad us on

               To sin in loving virtue: never could the strumpet,

               With all her double vigour,²¹⁴ art and nature,

215

215         Once stir my temper,²¹⁵ but this virtuous maid

               Subdues me quite. Ever till now,

               When men were fond,²¹⁷ I smiled and wondered how.

       Exit

Act 2 Scene 3

running scene 6

       Enter [separately] Duke [disguised as a friar] and Provost

DUKE

DUKE     Hail to you, provost — so¹ I think you are.

PROVOST

PROVOST     I am the provost. What’s your will, good friar?

DUKE

DUKE     Bound³ by my charity and my blest order,

               I come to visit the afflicted spirits

5

5             Here in the prison. Do me the common right⁵

               To let me see them and to make me know

               The nature of their crimes, that I may minister

               To them accordingly.

PROVOST

PROVOST     I would do more than that, if more were needful.

       Enter Juliet

10

10           Look, here comes one: a gentlewoman of mine,¹⁰

               Who, falling in the flaws¹¹ of her own youth,

               Hath blistered her report.¹² She is with child,

               And he that got¹³ it, sentenced: a young man

               More fit to do another such offence

15

15           Than die for this.

DUKE

DUKE     When must he die?

PROVOST

PROVOST     As I do think, tomorrow.

               I have provided for you, stay awhile, To Juliet

               And you shall be conducted.¹⁹

20

20   

DUKE

DUKE           Repent you, fair one, of the sin you carry?

JULIET

JULIET     I do, and bear²¹ the shame most patiently.

DUKE

DUKE     I’ll teach you how you shall arraign²² your conscience

               And try²³ your penitence, if it be sound

               Or hollowly²⁴ put on.

25

25   

JULIET

JULIET           I’ll gladly learn.

DUKE

DUKE     Love you the man that wronged you?

JULIET

JULIET     Yes, as I love the woman that wronged him.

DUKE

DUKE     So then it seems your most offenceful act

               Was mutually committed?

30

30   

JULIET

JULIET           Mutually.

DUKE

DUKE     Then was your sin of heavier³¹ kind than his.

JULIET

JULIET     I do confess it, and repent it, father.

DUKE

DUKE     ’Tis meet so,³³ daughter, but lest you do repent

               As that³⁴ the sin hath brought you to this shame,

35

35           Which sorrow is always toward ourselves,³⁵ not heaven,

               Showing we would not spare heaven as we love it,

               But as we³⁷ stand in fear—

JULIET

JULIET     I do repent me, as³⁸ it is an evil,

               And take the shame with joy.

40

40   

DUKE

DUKE           There rest.⁴⁰

               Your partner, as I hear, must die tomorrow,

               And I am going with instruction⁴² to him.

               Grace go with you, Benedicite⁴³.

       Exit

JULIET

JULIET     Must die tomorrow! O injurious⁴⁴ love,

45

45           That respites⁴⁵ me a life, whose very comfort

               Is still⁴⁶ a dying horror!

PROVOST

PROVOST     ’Tis⁴⁷ pity of him.

       Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 4

running scene 7

       Enter Angelo

ANGELO

ANGELO     When I would pray and think, I think and pray

               To several² subjects. Heaven hath my empty words,

               Whilst my invention,³ hearing not my tongue,

               Anchors⁴ on Isabel: heaven in my mouth,

5

5             As if I did but only chew his name,

               And in my heart the strong and swelling evil

               Of my conception.⁷ The state whereon I studied

               Is like a good thing, being often read,

               Grown seared⁹ and tedious: yea, my gravity,

10

10           Wherein — let no man hear me — I take pride,

               Could I with boot¹¹ change for an idle plume

               Which the air beats for vain.¹² O place, O form,

               How often dost thou with thy case, thy habit,¹³

               Wrench awe from fools and tie¹⁴ the wiser souls

15

15           To thy false seeming? Blood,¹⁵ thou art blood.

               Let’s¹⁶ write good angel on the devil’s horn —

               ’Tis¹⁷ not the devil’s crest.

       Enter [a] Servant

                                    How now? Who’s there?

SERVANT

SERVANT     One Isabel, a sister, desires access to you.

ANGELO

ANGELO     Teach¹⁹ her the way.

       [Exit Servant]

                                    O heavens,

20

20           Why does my blood thus muster to²⁰ my heart,

               Making both it unable for itself,²¹

               And dispossessing²² all my other parts

               Of necessary fitness?

               So play the foolish throngs²⁴ with one that swoons,

25

25           Come all to help him, and so stop the air

               By which he should revive: and even so

               The general,²⁷ subject to a well-wished king,

               Quit their own part²⁸ and in obsequious fondness

               Crowd to his presence, where their untaught²⁹ love

30

30           Must needs appear offence.

       Enter Isabella

                                              How now, fair maid?

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     I am come to know your pleasure.

ANGELO

ANGELO     That³² you might know it would much better please me Aside?

               Than to demand what ’tis.— Your brother cannot live.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     Even so.³⁴ Heaven keep your honour. She starts to go

35

35   

ANGELO

ANGELO           Yet may he live awhile, and it may be

               As long as you or I: yet he must die.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     Under your sentence?

ANGELO

ANGELO     Yea.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     When, I beseech you? That in his reprieve,³⁹

40

40           Longer or shorter, he may be so fitted⁴⁰

               That his soul sicken not.

ANGELO

ANGELO     Ha! Fie, these filthy vices! It were as good

               To pardon him that hath from⁴³ nature stolen

               A man already made, as to remit⁴⁴

45

45           Their saucy sweetness⁴⁵ that do coin heaven’s image

               In stamps⁴⁶ that are forbid: ’tis all as easy

               Falsely⁴⁷ to take away a life true made

               As to put mettle⁴⁸ in restrainèd means

               To make a false one.

50

50   

ISABELLA

ISABELLA           ’Tis⁵⁰ set down so in heaven, but not in earth.

ANGELO

ANGELO     Say you so? Then I shall pose you⁵¹ quickly.

               Which had you rather, that the most just law

               Now took your brother’s life, or, to redeem him,

               Give up your body to such sweet uncleanness

55

55           As she that he hath stained?

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     Sir, believe this,

               I had rather give my body than my soul.

ANGELO

ANGELO     I talk not of your⁵⁸ soul. Our compelled sins

               Stand more for number than for account.

60

60   

ISABELLA

ISABELLA           How say you?

ANGELO

ANGELO     Nay, I’ll not warrant⁶¹ that, for I can speak

               Against the thing I say. Answer to this:

               I, now the voice of the recorded law,

               Pronounce a sentence on your brother’s life.

65

65           Might there not be a charity in sin

               To save this brother’s life?

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     Please⁶⁷ you to do’t,

               I’ll⁶⁸ take it as a peril to my soul,

               It is no sin at all, but charity.

70

70   

ANGELO

ANGELO           Pleased you to do’t at peril of your soul,

               Were equal poise⁷¹ of sin and charity.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     That I do beg his life, if it be sin,

               Heaven let me bear it. You granting of my suit,

               If that be sin, I’ll make it my morn⁷⁴ prayer

75

75           To have it added to the faults of mine,

               And nothing of your answer.⁷⁶

ANGELO

ANGELO     Nay, but hear me.

               Your sense⁷⁸ pursues not mine: either you are ignorant,

               Or seem so crafty,⁷⁹ and that’s not good.

80

80   

ISABELLA

ISABELLA           Let me be ignorant, and in nothing good,

               But graciously⁸¹ to know I am no better.

ANGELO

ANGELO     Thus wisdom wishes to appear most bright

               When it doth tax⁸³ itself, as these black masks

               Proclaim an enshield⁸⁴ beauty ten times louder

85

85           Than beauty could, displayed. But mark⁸⁵ me,

               To be receivèd⁸⁶ plain, I’ll speak more gross:

               Your brother is to die.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     So.

ANGELO

ANGELO     And his offence is so, as it appears,⁸⁹

90

90           Accountant⁹⁰ to the law upon that pain.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     True.

ANGELO

ANGELO     Admit⁹² no other way to save his life —

               As I subscribe not⁹³ that, nor any other,

               But in⁹⁴ the loss of question — that you, his sister,

95

95           Finding yourself desired of such a person,

               Whose credit⁹⁶ with the judge, or own great place,

               Could fetch your brother from the manacles

               Of the all-building⁹⁸ law, and that there were

               No earthly mean to save him, but that either

100

100         You must lay down the treasures¹⁰⁰ of your body

               To this supposed,¹⁰¹ or else to let him suffer:

               What would you do?

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     As much for my poor brother as myself:

               That is, were I under the terms¹⁰⁴ of death,

105

105         Th’impression¹⁰⁵ of keen whips I’d wear as rubies,

               And strip¹⁰⁶ myself to death, as to a bed

               That longing have been sick for, ere I’d yield

               My body up to shame.

ANGELO

ANGELO     Then must your brother die.

110

110 

ISABELLA

ISABELLA             And ’twere the cheaper way.

               Better it were a brother died at once,

               Than that a sister by redeeming him

               Should die for ever.¹¹³

ANGELO

ANGELO     Were not you then as cruel as the sentence

115

115         That you have slandered so?

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     Ignomy¹¹⁶ in ransom and free pardon

               Are of two houses. Lawful mercy

               Is nothing kin¹¹⁸ to foul redemption.

ANGELO

ANGELO     You seemed of late to make the law a tyrant,

120

120         And rather proved the sliding¹²⁰ of your brother

               A merriment¹²¹ than a vice.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     O pardon me, my lord, it oft falls out¹²²

               To have what we would¹²³ have, we speak not what we mean.

               I something¹²⁴ do excuse the thing I hate,

125

125         For his advantage that I dearly love.

ANGELO

ANGELO     We are all frail.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     Else¹²⁷ let my brother die,

               If not a fedary,¹²⁸ but only he

               Owe¹²⁹ and succeed thy weakness.

130

130 

ANGELO

ANGELO             Nay, women are frail too.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     Ay, as the glasses where they view themselves,

               Which are as¹³² easy broke as they make forms.

               Women? Help heaven!¹³³ Men their creation mar

               In profiting by them. Nay, call us ten times frail,

135

135         For we are soft as our complexions are,

               And credulous¹³⁶ to false prints.

ANGELO

ANGELO     I think it well.¹³⁷

               And from this testimony of your own sex —

               Since I suppose¹³⁹ we are made to be no stronger

140

140         Than¹⁴⁰ faults may shake our frames — let me be bold.

               I do arrest your words. Be that¹⁴¹ you are,

               That is, a woman; if you be more, you’re none.¹⁴²

               If you be one, as you are well¹⁴³ expressed

               By all external warrants, show it now,

145

145         By putting on the destined livery.¹⁴⁵

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     I have no tongue but one.¹⁴⁶ Gentle my lord,

               Let me entreat you speak¹⁴⁷ the former language.

ANGELO

ANGELO     Plainly conceive¹⁴⁸ I love you.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     My brother did love Juliet,

150

150         And you tell me that he shall die for’t.

ANGELO

ANGELO     He shall not, Isabel, if you give me love.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     I know your virtue hath a licence¹⁵² in’t,

               Which seems a little fouler than it is,

               To pluck on¹⁵⁴ others.

155

155 

ANGELO

ANGELO             Believe me, on mine honour,

               My words express my purpose.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     Ha! Little honour to be much believed,

               And most pernicious¹⁵⁸ purpose! Seeming, seeming!

               I will proclaim¹⁵⁹ thee, Angelo, look for’t.

160

160         Sign me a present¹⁶⁰ pardon for my brother,

               Or with an outstretched¹⁶¹ throat I’ll tell the world aloud

               What¹⁶² man thou art.

ANGELO

ANGELO     Who will believe thee, Isabel?

               My unsoiled name, th’austereness¹⁶⁴ of my life,

165

165         My vouch¹⁶⁵ against you, and my place i’th’state,

               Will so your accusation overweigh,

               That you shall stifle¹⁶⁷ in your own report

               And smell of calumny.¹⁶⁸ I have begun,

               And now I give my sensual¹⁶⁹ race the rein:

170

170         Fit thy consent to my sharp appetite,

               Lay by¹⁷¹ all nicety and prolixious blushes

               That banish¹⁷² what they sue for. Redeem thy brother

               By yielding up thy body to my will,

               Or else he must not only die the death,

175

175         But thy unkindness¹⁷⁵ shall his death draw out

               To ling’ring sufferance.¹⁷⁶ Answer me tomorrow,

               Or, by the affection¹⁷⁷ that now guides me most,

               I’ll prove a tyrant to him. As for you,

               Say what you can; my false o’erweighs your true.

       Exit

180

180 

ISABELLA

ISABELLA             To whom should I complain? Did I¹⁸⁰ tell this,

               Who would believe me? O perilous mouths,

               That bear in them one and the self-same tongue,

               Either of condemnation or approof,¹⁸³

               Bidding the law make curtsy¹⁸⁴ to their will,

185

185         Hooking both right and wrong to th’appetite,

               To follow as it draws!¹⁸⁶ I’ll to my brother.

               Though he hath fallen by prompture¹⁸⁷ of the blood,

               Yet hath he in him such a mind of honour

               That, had he twenty heads to tender down¹⁸⁹

190

190         On twenty bloody blocks,¹⁹⁰ he’d yield them up

               Before his sister should her body stoop

               To such abhorred pollution.

               Then Isabel, live chaste, and brother, die;

               More¹⁹⁴ than our brother is our chastity.

195

195         I’ll tell him yet of Angelo’s request,

               And fit¹⁹⁶ his mind to death, for his soul’s rest.

       Exit

Act 3 Scene 1

running scene 8

       Enter Duke [disguised], Claudio and Provost

DUKE

DUKE     So then you hope of pardon from Lord Angelo?

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     The miserable have no other medicine

               But only hope:

               I’ve hope to live, and am prepared to die.

5

5     

DUKE

DUKE           Be absolute⁵ for death: either death or life

               Shall thereby be the sweeter. Reason thus with life:

               If I do lose thee, I do lose a thing

               That none but fools would keep. A breath thou art,

               Servile⁹ to all the skyey influences

10

10           That dost this habitation¹⁰ where thou keep’st

               Hourly afflict. Merely,¹¹ thou art death’s fool,

               For¹² him thou labour’st by thy flight to shun,

               And yet runn’st toward him still. Thou art not noble,

               For all th’accommodations¹⁴ that thou bear’st

15

15           Are¹⁵ nursed by baseness. Thou’rt by no means valiant,

               For thou dost fear the soft and tender fork¹⁶

               Of a poor worm.¹⁷ Thy best of rest is sleep,

               And that thou oft provok’st,¹⁸ yet grossly fear’st

               Thy death, which is no more.¹⁹ Thou art not thyself,

20

20           For thou exists on many a thousand grains

               That issue²¹ out of dust. Happy thou art not,

               For what thou hast not, still thou striv’st to get,

               And what thou hast, forget’st. Thou art not certain,²³

               For thy complexion²⁴ shifts to strange effects

25

25           After²⁵ the moon. If thou art rich, thou’rt poor,

               For like an ass, whose back with ingots²⁶ bows,

               Thou bear’st thy heavy riches but a journey,

               And death unloads thee. Friend hast thou none,

               For thine own bowels²⁹ which do call thee sire,

30

30           The mere³⁰ effusion of thy proper loins,

               Do curse the gout, serpigo³¹ and the rheum

               For ending thee no sooner. Thou hast nor³² youth, nor age,

               But as it were an after-dinner’s³³ sleep

               Dreaming on both, for all thy blessèd youth

35

35           Becomes as agèd,³⁵ and doth beg the alms

               Of palsied eld.³⁶ And when thou art old and rich,

               Thou hast neither heat, affection, limb,³⁷ nor beauty

               To make thy riches pleasant. What’s yet in this

               That bears³⁹ the name of life? Yet in this life

40

40           Lie hid more thousand deaths; yet death we fear,

               That makes⁴¹ these odds all even.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     I humbly thank you.

               To sue⁴³ to live, I find I seek to die,

               And, seeking death, find life. Let it⁴⁴ come on.

45

45   

ISABELLA

ISABELLA           What, ho! Peace here, grace and good company. Within

PROVOST

PROVOST     Who’s there? Come in. The wish⁴⁶ deserves a welcome.

DUKE

DUKE     Dear sir, ere long I’ll visit you again. To Claudio

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Most holy sir, I thank you.

       Enter Isabella

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     My business is a word or two with Claudio.

50

50   

PROVOST

PROVOST           And very welcome. Look, signior, here’s your sister.

DUKE

DUKE     Provost, a word with you. Duke and Provost talk apart

PROVOST

PROVOST     As many as you please.

DUKE

DUKE     Bring me to hear them speak, where I may be concealed.

        Provost and Duke withdraw and hide themselves

50

55   

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Now, sister, what’s the comfort? Provost may exit

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     Why,

               As all comforts are: most good, most good indeed.

               Lord Angelo, having affairs to⁵⁷ heaven,

               Intends you for his swift ambassador,

               Where you shall be an everlasting leiger;⁵⁹

60

60           Therefore your best appointment⁶⁰ make with speed,

               Tomorrow you set on.⁶¹

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Is there no remedy?

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     None, but such remedy as, to save a head,

               To cleave⁶⁴ a heart in twain.

65

65   

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO           But is there any?

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     Yes, brother, you may live;

               There is a devilish mercy in the judge,

               If you’ll implore it, that will free your life,

               But fetter⁶⁹ you till death.

70

70   

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO           Perpetual durance?⁷⁰

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     Ay, just,⁷¹ perpetual durance, a restraint,

               Though⁷² all the world’s vastidity you had,

               To a determined scope.⁷³

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     But in what nature?⁷⁴

75

75   

ISABELLA

ISABELLA           In such a one as, you consenting to’t,

               Would bark⁷⁶ your honour from that trunk you bear,

               And leave you naked.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Let me know the point.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     O, I do fear thee, Claudio, and I quake,

80

80           Lest thou a feverous⁸⁰ life shouldst entertain,

               And six or seven winters more respect⁸¹

               Than a perpetual honour. Dar’st thou die?

               The sense⁸³ of death is most in apprehension,

               And the poor beetle that we tread upon

85

85           In corporal sufferance⁸⁵ finds a pang as great

               As when a giant dies.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Why⁸⁷ give you me this shame?

               Think you I can a resolution⁸⁸ fetch

               From flow’ry tenderness?⁸⁹ If I must die,

90

90           I will encounter⁹⁰ darkness as a bride,

               And hug it in mine arms.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     There spake my brother: there my father’s grave

               Did utter forth a voice. Yes, thou must die.

               Thou art too noble to conserve a life

95

95           In base appliances.⁹⁵ This outward-sainted deputy,

               Whose settled visage⁹⁶ and deliberate word

               Nips youth i’th’head⁹⁷ and follies doth enew

               As falcon doth the fowl, is yet a devil:

               His filth within being cast,⁹⁹ he would appear

100

100         A pond as deep as hell.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     The prenzie¹⁰¹ Angelo?

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     O, ’tis the cunning livery of hell,

               The damned’st body to invest¹⁰³ and cover

               In prenzie guards!¹⁰⁴ Dost thou think, Claudio,

105

105         If I would yield him my virginity

               Thou mightst be freed?

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     O heavens, it cannot be.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     Yes, he¹⁰⁸ would give’t thee, from this rank offence,

               So to offend him still. This night’s the time

110

110         That I should do what I abhor to name,

               Or else thou diest tomorrow.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Thou shalt not do’t.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     O, were it but my life,

               I’d throw it down for your deliverance¹¹⁴

115

115         As frankly¹¹⁵ as a pin.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Thanks, dear Isabel.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     Be ready, Claudio, for your death tomorrow.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Yes. Has he affections¹¹⁸ in him,

               That thus can make him bite¹¹⁹ the law by th’nose,

120

120         When he would force¹²⁰ it? Sure it is no sin,

               Or of the deadly seven, it is the least.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     Which is the least?

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     If it were damnable, he being so wise,

               Why would he for the momentary trick¹²⁴

125

125         Be perdurably fined?¹²⁵ O Isabel!

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     What says my brother?

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Death is a fearful thing.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     And shamèd life a hateful.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Ay, but to die, and go we know not where,

130

130         To lie in cold obstruction¹³⁰ and to rot,

               This sensible warm motion¹³¹ to become

               A kneaded clod;¹³² and the delighted spirit

               To bathe in fiery floods, or to reside

               In thrilling¹³⁴ region of thick-ribbèd ice,

135

135         To be imprisoned in the viewless¹³⁵ winds,

               And blown with restless violence round about

               The pendent¹³⁷ world: or to be worse than worst

               Of those that lawless and incertain¹³⁸ thought

               Imagine howling — ’tis too horrible!

140

140         The weariest and most loathèd worldly life

               That age, ache, penury¹⁴¹ and imprisonment

               Can lay on nature¹⁴² is a paradise

               To¹⁴³ what we fear of death.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     Alas, alas!

145

145 

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO             Sweet sister, let me live.

               What sin you do to save a brother’s life,

               Nature¹⁴⁷ dispenses with the deed so far

               That it becomes a virtue.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     O you beast!¹⁴⁹

150

150         O faithless coward! O dishonest¹⁵⁰ wretch!

               Wilt thou be made a man¹⁵¹ out of my vice?

               Is’t not a kind of incest to take life

               From thine own sister’s shame? What should I think?

               Heaven shield¹⁵⁴ my mother played my father fair,

155

155         For such a warpèd¹⁵⁵ slip of wilderness

               Ne’er issued from his blood. Take my defiance!¹⁵⁶

               Die, perish! Might but¹⁵⁷ my bending down

               Reprieve thee from thy fate, it should proceed.

               I’ll pray a thousand prayers for thy death,

160

160         No word to save thee.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Nay, hear me, Isabel.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     O, fie, fie, fie!

               Thy sin’s not accidental,¹⁶³ but a trade.

               Mercy to thee would prove itself¹⁶⁴ a bawd,

165

165         ’Tis best that thou diest quickly.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     O, hear me, Isabella! The Duke comes forward

DUKE

DUKE     Vouchsafe¹⁶⁷ a word, young sister, but one word.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     What is your will?

DUKE

DUKE     Might you dispense¹⁶⁹ with your leisure, I would by and by have some speech with you: the satisfaction¹⁷⁰ I would require is likewise your own benefit.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     I have no superfluous leisure, my stay must be stolen out of other affairs, but I will attend¹⁷² you awhile. She walks apart

DUKE

DUKE     Son, I have overheard what hath passed between you and your sister. Angelo had never the purpose¹⁷⁴ to corrupt her; only he hath made an assay of her virtue to practise¹⁷⁵ his judgement with the disposition of natures. She, having the truth of honour in her, hath made him that gracious¹⁷⁶ denial which he is most glad to receive. I am confessor to Angelo, and I know this to be true. Therefore prepare yourself to¹⁷⁸ death: do not satisfy your resolution with hopes that are fallible. Tomorrow you must die, go to your knees and make ready.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Let me ask my sister pardon. I am so out of love with life that I will sue to be rid of it.

DUKE

DUKE     Hold you there.¹⁸² Farewell.

       [Exit Claudio]

                  Provost, a word with you. Provost enters or comes forward

PROVOST

PROVOST     What’s your will, father?

DUKE

DUKE     That now you are come, you will be gone. Leave me awhile with the maid. My mind promises with my habit¹⁸⁶ no loss shall touch her by my company.

PROVOST

PROVOST     In good time. Isabella comes forward

       Exit

DUKE

DUKE     The hand that hath made you fair hath made you good: the goodness¹⁸⁸ that is cheap in beauty makes beauty brief in goodness; but grace,¹⁸⁹ being the soul of your complexion,¹⁹⁰ shall keep the body of it ever fair. The assault that Angelo hath made to you, fortune hath conveyed to my understanding; and, but that frailty¹⁹¹ hath examples for his falling, I should wonder at Angelo. How will you do to content this substitute,¹⁹³ and to save your brother?

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     I am now going to resolve¹⁹⁴ him. I had rather my brother die by the law than my son should be unlawfully born. But, O, how much is the good duke deceived in Angelo! If ever he return and I can speak to him, I will open my lips in vain, or discover his government.¹⁹⁷

DUKE

DUKE     That shall not be much amiss. Yet, as the matter now stands, he will avoid¹⁹⁸ your accusation: he made trial of you only. Therefore fasten your ear on my advisings:²⁰⁰ to the love I have in doing good a remedy presents itself. I do make myself believe that you may most uprighteously²⁰¹ do a poor wronged lady a merited²⁰² benefit, redeem your brother from the angry law, do no stain to your own gracious person, and much please the absent duke, if peradventure²⁰³ he shall ever return to have hearing of this business.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     Let me hear you speak further. I have spirit²⁰⁵ to do anything that appears not foul in the truth of my spirit.²⁰⁶

DUKE

DUKE     Virtue is bold, and goodness never fearful. Have you not heard speak of Mariana, the sister of Frederick, the great soldier who miscarried²⁰⁸ at sea?

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     I have heard of the lady, and good words went with her name.

DUKE

DUKE     She should this Angelo have married, was affianced²¹⁰ to her by oath, and the nuptial appointed:²¹¹ between which time of the contract and limit of the solemnity, her brother Frederick was wrecked at sea, having in that perished vessel the dowry of his sister. But mark how heavily²¹³ this befell to the poor gentlewoman: there she lost a noble and renowned brother, in his love toward her ever most kind and natural:²¹⁵ with him, the portion and sinew of her fortune, her marriage-dowry: with both, her combinate²¹⁶ husband, this well-seeming Angelo.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     Can this be so? Did Angelo so leave her?

DUKE

DUKE     Left her in her tears, and dried not one of them with his comfort, swallowed his vows whole, pretending in her discoveries of dishonour:²¹⁹ in few, bestowed her on her own lamentation, which she yet²²⁰ wears for his sake: and he, a marble to her tears, is washed with them, but relents not.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     What a merit were it in death to take this poor maid from the world? What corruption in this life that it will let this man live! But how out of this can she avail?²²⁴

DUKE

DUKE     It is a rupture that you may easily heal, and the cure of it not only saves your brother, but keeps you from dishonour in doing it.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     Show me how, good father.

DUKE

DUKE     This forenamed maid hath yet in her the continuance²²⁸ of her first affection: his unjust unkindness — that in all reason should have quenched her love — hath, like an impediment²³⁰ in the current, made it more violent and unruly. Go you to Angelo, answer his requiring²³¹ with a plausible obedience, agree with his demands to the point.²³² Only refer yourself to this advantage: first, that your stay with him may not be long, that the time may have all shadow and silence in it, and the place answer to convenience.²³⁴ This being granted in course, and now follows all: we shall advise this wronged maid to stead up²³⁵ your appointment, go in your place. If the encounter²³⁶ acknowledge itself hereafter, it may compel him to her recompense; and here, by this is your brother saved, your honour untainted, the poor Mariana advantaged, and the corrupt deputy scaled.²³⁸ The maid will I frame²³⁹ and make fit for his attempt. If you think well to carry this as you may, the doubleness²⁴⁰ of the benefit defends the deceit from reproof. What think you of it?

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     The image²⁴¹ of it gives me content already, and I trust it will grow to a most prosperous perfection.²⁴²

DUKE

DUKE     It lies much in your holding up.²⁴³ Haste you speedily to Angelo: if for this night he entreat you to his bed, give him promise of satisfaction. I will presently to Saint Luke’s, there at the moated grange²⁴⁵ resides this dejected Mariana. At that place call upon me, and dispatch²⁴⁶ with Angelo, that it may be quickly.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     I thank you for this comfort. Fare you well, good father.

       Exit

       Enter Elbow [and] Officers [with Pompey, the] Clown

ELBOW

ELBOW     Nay, if there be no remedy for it, but that you will needs buy and sell men and women like beasts, we shall have all the world drink brown²⁴⁹ and white bastard.

DUKE

DUKE     O heavens, what stuff²⁵¹ is here?

POMPEY

POMPEY     ’Twas²⁵² never merry world since of two usuries the merriest was put down, and the worser allowed by order of law a furred gown to keep him warm; and furred with fox²⁵⁴ and lamb-skins too, to signify that craft, being richer than innocency, stands²⁵⁵ for the facing.

ELBOW

ELBOW     Come your way, sir. Bless you, good father friar.

DUKE

DUKE     And you, good brother father.²⁵⁷ What offence hath this man made you, sir?

ELBOW

ELBOW     Marry, sir, he hath offended the law; and, sir, we take him to be a thief too, sir, for we have found upon him, sir, a strange picklock,²⁵⁹ which we have sent to the deputy.

DUKE

DUKE     Fie, sirrah,²⁶¹ a bawd, a wicked bawd!

               The evil that thou causest to be done,

               That is thy means to live. Do thou but think

               What ’tis to cram a maw²⁶⁴ or clothe a back

265

265         From such a filthy vice. Say to thyself,

               From their abominable and beastly touches

               I drink, I eat, array²⁶⁷ myself, and live.

               Canst thou believe thy living is a life,

               So stinkingly depending?²⁶⁹ Go mend, go mend.

POMPEY

POMPEY     Indeed, it does stink in some sort,²⁷⁰ sir, but yet, sir, I would prove—

DUKE

DUKE     Nay, if the devil have given thee proofs²⁷¹ for sin, Thou wilt prove his. Take him to prison, officer: Correction²⁷³ and instruction must both work Ere this rude²⁷⁴ beast will profit.

ELBOW

ELBOW     He must before²⁷⁵ the deputy, sir, he has given him warning. The deputy cannot abide a whoremaster. If he²⁷⁶ be a whoremonger, and comes before him, he were as good go a mile on his errand.

DUKE

DUKE     That²⁷⁸ we were all, as some would seem to be, Free²⁷⁹ from our faults, as faults from seeming free!

       Enter Lucio

ELBOW

ELBOW     His neck will come to²⁸⁰ your waist — a cord, sir.

POMPEY

POMPEY     I spy comfort, I cry²⁸¹ bail. Here’s a gentleman and a friend of mine.

LUCIO

LUCIO     How now, noble Pompey? What, at the wheels of Caesar? Art thou led in triumph?²⁸² What, is there none of Pygmalion’s²⁸³ images, newly made woman, to be had now, for putting²⁸⁴ the hand in the pocket and extracting clutched? What reply, ha? What sayest thou to this tune, matter and method? Is’t not drowned i’th’last rain,²⁸⁶ ha? What sayest thou, Trot? Is the world as it was, man? Which is the way? Is it sad,²⁸⁷ and few words? Or how? The trick of it?

DUKE

DUKE     Still thus,²⁸⁸ and thus, still worse!

LUCIO

LUCIO     How doth my dear morsel,²⁸⁹ thy mistress? Procures she still, ha?

POMPEY

POMPEY     Troth,²⁹⁰ sir, she hath eaten up all her beef, and she is herself in the tub.

LUCIO

LUCIO     Why, ’tis good: it is the right of it,²⁹¹ it must be so. Ever your fresh whore and your powdered²⁹² bawd, an unshunned consequence, it must be so. Art going to prison, Pompey?

POMPEY

POMPEY     Yes, faith, sir.

LUCIO

LUCIO     Why, ’tis not amiss,²⁹⁵ Pompey. Farewell: go, say I sent thee thither. For debt, Pompey? Or how?

ELBOW

ELBOW     For being a bawd, for being a bawd.

LUCIO

LUCIO     Well, then, imprison him. If imprisonment be the due²⁹⁸ of a bawd, why, ’tis his right. Bawd is he doubtless, and of antiquity²⁹⁹ too, bawd-born. Farewell, good Pompey. Commend me to the prison, Pompey: you will turn good husband³⁰⁰ now, Pompey, you will keep the house.

POMPEY

POMPEY     I hope, sir, your good worship will be my bail.

LUCIO

LUCIO     No, indeed, will I not, Pompey, it is not the wear.³⁰³ I will pray, Pompey, to increase your bondage.³⁰⁴ If you take it not patiently, why, your mettle is the more. Adieu, trusty Pompey.— Bless you, friar.

DUKE

DUKE     And you.

LUCIO

LUCIO     Does Bridget paint³⁰⁷ still, Pompey, ha?

ELBOW

ELBOW     Come your ways, sir, come.

POMPEY

POMPEY     You will not bail me, then, sir? To Lucio

LUCIO

LUCIO     Then, Pompey, nor now. What news abroad,³¹⁰ friar? What news?

ELBOW

ELBOW     Come your ways, sir, come.

LUCIO

LUCIO     Go to kennel,³¹² Pompey, go.

       [Exeunt Elbow, Pompey and Officers]

                  What news, friar, of the duke?

DUKE

DUKE     I know none. Can you tell me of any?

LUCIO

LUCIO     Some say he is with the Emperor of Russia. Other some,³¹⁵ he is in Rome. But where is he, think you?

DUKE

DUKE     I know not where: but wheresoever, I wish him well.

LUCIO

LUCIO     It was a mad fantastical trick³¹⁸ of him to steal from the state, and usurp the beggary he was never born to. Lord Angelo dukes it well in his absence: he puts transgression to’t.³¹⁹

DUKE

DUKE     He does well in’t.

LUCIO

LUCIO     A little more lenity³²² to lechery would do no harm in him: something too crabbed³²³ that way, friar.

DUKE

DUKE     It is too general³²⁴ a vice, and severity must cure it.

LUCIO

LUCIO     Yes, in good sooth,³²⁵ the vice is of a great kindred; it is well allied, but it is impossible to extirp³²⁶ it quite, friar, till eating and drinking be put down. They say this Angelo was not made by man and woman after this downright³²⁷ way of creation. Is it true, think you?

DUKE

DUKE     How should he be made, then?

LUCIO

LUCIO     Some report a sea-maid³³⁰ spawned him. Some, that he was begot between two stock-fishes.³³¹ But it is certain that when he makes water his urine is congealed ice, that I know to be true: and he is a motion generative,³³² that’s infallible.

DUKE

DUKE     You are pleasant,³³³ sir, and speak apace.

LUCIO

LUCIO     Why, what a ruthless thing is this in him, for the rebellion of a codpiece³³⁴ to take away the life of a man. Would the duke that is absent have done this? Ere he would have hanged a man for the getting³³⁶ a hundred bastards, he would have paid for the nursing a³³⁷ thousand. He had some feeling of the sport, he knew the service,³³⁸ and that instructed him to mercy.

DUKE

DUKE     I never heard the absent duke much detected for women,³³⁹ he was not inclined that way.

LUCIO

LUCIO     O sir, you are deceived.

DUKE

DUKE     ’Tis not possible.

LUCIO

LUCIO     Who, not the duke? Yes, your beggar of fifty,³⁴³ and his use was to put a ducat in her clack-dish;³⁴⁴ the duke had crotchets in him. He would be drunk too, that let me inform you.

DUKE

DUKE     You do him wrong, surely.

LUCIO

LUCIO     Sir, I was an inward³⁴⁷ of his. A shy fellow was the duke, and I believe I know the cause of his withdrawing.³⁴⁸

DUKE

DUKE     What, I prithee, might be the cause?

LUCIO

LUCIO     No, pardon. ’Tis a secret must be locked within the teeth and the lips: but this I can let you understand, the greater³⁵¹ file of the subject held the duke to be wise.

DUKE

DUKE     Wise? Why, no question but he was.

LUCIO

LUCIO     A very superficial, ignorant, unweighing³⁵⁴ fellow.

DUKE

DUKE     Either this is the envy³⁵⁵ in you, folly, or mistaking: the very stream of his life and the business he hath helmed³⁵⁶ must upon a warranted need give him a better proclamation.³⁵⁷ Let him be but testimonied in his own bringings-forth, and he shall appear to the envious a scholar, a statesman and a soldier: therefore you speak unskilfully,³⁵⁹ or, if your knowledge be more, it is much darkened in your malice.

LUCIO

LUCIO     Sir, I know him, and I love him.

DUKE

DUKE     Love³⁶¹ talks with better knowledge, and knowledge with dearer love.

LUCIO

LUCIO     Come, sir, I know what I know.

DUKE

DUKE     I can hardly believe that, since you know not what you speak. But if ever the duke return — as our prayers are he may — let me desire you to make your answer³⁶⁴ before him. If it be honest you have spoke, you have courage to maintain³⁶⁵ it; I am bound to call upon you — and, I pray you, your name?

LUCIO

LUCIO     Sir, my name is Lucio, well known to the duke.

DUKE

DUKE     He shall know you better, sir, if I may live to report you.

LUCIO

LUCIO     I fear you not.

DUKE

DUKE     O, you hope the duke will return no more, or you imagine me too unhurtful an opposite.³⁷⁰ But indeed I can do you little harm. You’ll forswear³⁷¹ this again?³⁷²

LUCIO

LUCIO     I’ll be hanged first. Thou art deceived in me, friar. But no more of this. Canst thou tell if Claudio die tomorrow or no?

DUKE

DUKE     Why should he die, sir?

LUCIO

LUCIO     Why? For filling³⁷⁶ a bottle with a tundish. I would the duke we talk of were returned again. This ungenitured³⁷⁷ agent will unpeople the province with continency.³⁷⁸ Sparrows must not build in his house-eaves, because they are lecherous. The duke yet would have dark deeds³⁷⁹ darkly answered, he would never bring them to light. Would he were returned! Marry, this Claudio is condemned for untrussing.³⁸¹ Farewell, good friar. I prithee, pray for me. The duke, I say to thee again, would eat mutton on Fridays.³⁸² He’s now past it, yet and I say to thee, he would mouth with³⁸³ a beggar, though she smelt brown bread and garlic. Say that I said so. Farewell.

       Exit

DUKE

DUKE     No might nor greatness in mortality Can censure ’scape.³⁸⁶ Back-wounding calumny The whitest virtue strikes. What king so strong Can tie the gall³⁸⁸ up in the sland’rous tongue? But who comes here?

       Enter Escalus, Provost and [Officers with] Bawd [Mistress Overdone]

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     Go, away with her to prison.

MISTRESS OVERDONE

MISTRESS OVERDONE Good my lord, be good to me: your honour is accounted a merciful man, good my lord.

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     Double³⁹³ and treble admonition, and still forfeit in the same kind? This would make mercy swear³⁹⁴ and play the tyrant.

PROVOST

PROVOST     A bawd of eleven years’ continuance, may it please your honour.

MISTRESS OVERDONE

MISTRESS OVERDONE My lord, this is one Lucio’s information³⁹⁶ against me. Mistress Kate Keepdown³⁹⁷ was with child by him in the duke’s time, he promised her marriage. His child is a year and a quarter old come Philip and Jacob.³⁹⁸ I have kept it myself; and see how he goes about to abuse me!

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     That fellow is a fellow of much licence.⁴⁰⁰ Let him be called before us. Away with her to prison. Go to, no more words. [Exeunt Officers with Mistress Overdone] Provost, my brother⁴⁰² Angelo will not be altered: Claudio must die tomorrow. Let him be furnished with divines,⁴⁰³ and have all charitable preparation. If my brother wrought⁴⁰⁴ by my pity, it should not be so with him.

PROVOST

PROVOST     So please you, this friar hath been with him, and advised him for th’entertainment⁴⁰⁶ of death.

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     Good even, good father.

DUKE

DUKE     Bliss and goodness on you!

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     Of whence are you?⁴⁰⁹

DUKE

DUKE     Not of this country, though my chance⁴¹⁰ is now To use it for my time.⁴¹¹ I am a brother Of gracious order, late come from the See⁴¹² In special business from his holiness.

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     What news abroad⁴¹⁴ i’th’world?

DUKE

DUKE     None, but that there is so⁴¹⁵ great a fever on goodness that the dissolution of it must cure it. Novelty is only in request,⁴¹⁶ and it is as dangerous to be aged in any kind of course⁴¹⁷ as it is virtuous to be constant in any undertaking. There is scarce truth enough alive to make societies⁴¹⁸ secure, but security enough to make fellowships⁴¹⁹ accurst. Much upon this riddle runs the wisdom of the world. This news is old enough, yet it is every day’s news. I pray you, sir, of what disposition was the duke?

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     One that, above all other strifes,⁴²² contended especially to know himself.

DUKE

DUKE     What pleasure⁴²³ was he given to?

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     Rather rejoicing to see another merry than merry at anything which professed to make him rejoice. A gentleman of all temperance. But leave we him to his events,⁴²⁶ with a prayer they may prove prosperous, and let me desire to know how you find Claudio prepared. I am made to understand that you have lent him visitation.⁴²⁷

DUKE

DUKE     He professes to have received no sinister measure⁴²⁹ from his judge, but most willingly humbles himself to the determination⁴³⁰ of justice: yet had he framed to himself, by the instruction⁴³¹ of his frailty, many deceiving promises of life, which I by my good leisure⁴³² have discredited to him, and now is he resolved to die.

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     You⁴³³ have paid the heavens your function, and the prisoner the very debt of your calling. I have laboured for the poor gentleman to the extremest⁴³⁴ shore of my modesty, but my brother justice have I found so severe that he hath forced me to tell him he is indeed Justice.⁴³⁶

DUKE

DUKE     If his own life answer the straitness⁴³⁷ of his proceeding, it shall become him well: wherein if he chance to fail, he hath sentenced himself.

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     I am going to visit the prisoner. Fare you well.

440

440 

DUKE

DUKE             Peace be with you.

       [Exeunt Escalus and Provost]

               He who the sword of heaven⁴⁴¹ will bear

               Should be as holy as severe:

               Pattern⁴⁴³ in himself to know,

               Grace to stand,⁴⁴⁴ and virtue go,

445

445         More⁴⁴⁵ nor less to others paying

               Than by self-offences weighing.

               Shame to him whose cruel striking

               Kills for faults of his own liking.

               Twice treble shame on Angelo,

450

450         To weed⁴⁵⁰ my vice and let his grow!

               O, what may man within him hide,

               Though angel on the outward side!

               How may likeness⁴⁵³ made in crimes,

               Making practice⁴⁵⁴ on the times,

455

455         To draw⁴⁵⁵ with idle spiders’ strings

               Most pond’rous and substantial things!

               Craft⁴⁵⁷ against vice I must apply.

               With Angelo tonight shall lie

               His old betrothèd⁴⁵⁹ but despised,

460

460         So disguise⁴⁶⁰ shall, by th’disguised,

               Pay⁴⁶¹ with falsehood false exacting,

               And perform an old contracting.⁴⁶²

       Exit

Act 4 Scene 14.1

running scene 9

       Enter Mariana and [a] Boy, singing

BOY

BOY     Take, O, take those lips away,

                   That so sweetly were forsworn,²

               And those eyes, the³ break of day,

                   Lights that do mislead the morn;

5

5             But my kisses bring again, bring again,

               Seals of love, but sealed in vain, sealed in vain.

       Enter Duke [disguised as before]

MARIANA

MARIANA     Break off thy song, and haste thee quick away:

               Here comes a man of comfort, whose advice

               Hath often stilled⁹ my brawling discontent.

       [Exit Boy]

10

10           I cry you mercy,¹⁰ sir, and well could wish

               You had not found me here so musical.

               Let me excuse me, and believe me so,

               My¹³ mirth it much displeased, but pleased my woe.

DUKE

DUKE     ’Tis good; though music oft hath such a charm¹⁴

15

15           To make bad good, and good provoke to harm.

                  I pray you tell me, hath anybody inquired for me here today? Much upon¹⁶ this time have I promised here to meet.

MARIANA

MARIANA     You have not been inquired after: I have sat here all day.

       Enter Isabella

DUKE

DUKE     I do constantly¹⁹ believe you. The time is come even now. I shall crave your forbearance²⁰ a little, maybe I will call upon you anon for some advantage to yourself.

MARIANA

MARIANA     I am always bound to you.

       Exit

DUKE

DUKE     Very well met,²³ and well come.

               What is the news from this good deputy?

25

25   

ISABELLA

ISABELLA           He hath a garden circummured²⁵ with brick,

               Whose western side is with a vineyard backed,

               And to that vineyard is a planchèd²⁷ gate

               That makes his opening²⁸ with this bigger key. Shows keys

               This other doth command²⁹ a little door,

30

30           Which from the vineyard to the garden leads.

               There have I made my promise, upon the

               Heavy³² middle of the night to call upon him.

DUKE

DUKE     But shall you on your knowledge³³ find this way?

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     I have ta’en a due³⁴ and wary note upon’t:

35

35           With whispering and most guilty diligence,

               In action³⁶ all of precept, he did show me

               The way twice o’er.

DUKE

DUKE     Are there no other tokens³⁸

               Between you ’greed³⁹ concerning her observance?

40

40   

ISABELLA

ISABELLA           No, none, but only a repair⁴⁰ i’th’dark,

               And that I have possessed⁴¹ him my most stay

               Can be but brief, for I have made him know

               I have a servant comes with me along,

               That stays upon⁴⁴ me, whose persuasion is

45

45           I come about my brother.

DUKE

DUKE     ’Tis well borne up.⁴⁶

               I have not yet made known to Mariana

               A word of this.— What ho, within! Come forth!

       Enter Mariana

               I pray you be acquainted with this maid,

50

50           She comes to do you good.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     I do desire the like.⁵¹

DUKE

DUKE     Do you persuade yourself that I respect you?

MARIANA

MARIANA     Good friar, I know you do, and have found it.⁵³

DUKE

DUKE     Take, then, this your companion by the hand,

55

55           Who hath a story ready for your ear.

               I shall attend your leisure,⁵⁶ but make haste,

               The vaporous night approaches.

MARIANA

MARIANA     Will’t please you walk aside?

       Exit [Mariana with Isabella]

DUKE

DUKE     O place⁵⁹ and greatness! Millions of false eyes

60

60           Are stuck⁶⁰ upon thee: volumes of report

               Run with these false and most contrarious quests⁶¹

               Upon thy doings, thousand escapes⁶² of wit

               Make thee the father⁶³ of their idle dream

               And rack⁶⁴ thee in their fancies.

       Enter Mariana and Isabella

65

65           Welcome, how agreed?

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     She’ll take the enterprise upon her, father,

               If you advise it.

DUKE

DUKE     It⁶⁸ is not my consent,

               But my entreaty too.

70

70   

ISABELLA

ISABELLA           Little⁷⁰ have you to say

               When you depart from him, but, soft and low,

               ‘Remember now my brother.’

MARIANA

MARIANA     Fear me not.

DUKE

DUKE     Nor, gentle daughter, fear you not at all.

75

75           He is your husband on a pre-contract:⁷⁵

               To bring you thus together ’tis no sin,

               Sith⁷⁷ that the justice of your title to him

               Doth flourish⁷⁸ the deceit. Come, let us go:

               Our⁷⁹ corn’s to reap, for yet our tithe’s to sow.

       Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 24.2

running scene 10

       Enter Provost and Clown [Pompey]

PROVOST

PROVOST     Come hither, sirrah. Can you cut off a man’s head?

POMPEY

POMPEY     If the man be a bachelor, sir, I can. But if he be a married man, he’s his wife’s head,³ and I can never cut off a woman’s head.

PROVOST

PROVOST     Come, sir, leave⁴ me your snatches, and yield me a direct answer. Tomorrow morning are to die Claudio and Barnardine. Here is in our prison a common⁶ executioner, who in his office lacks a helper: if you will take it on you to assist him, it shall redeem⁷ you from your gyves: if not, you shall have your full time of imprisonment and your deliverance⁸ with an unpitied whipping, for you have been a notorious bawd.

POMPEY

POMPEY     Sir, I have been an unlawful bawd time¹⁰ out of mind, but yet I will be content to be a lawful hangman. I would be glad to receive some instruction from my fellow partner.

PROVOST

PROVOST     What, ho, Abhorson!¹³ Where’s Abhorson there?

       Enter Abhorson

ABHORSON

ABHORSON     Do you call, sir?

PROVOST

PROVOST     Sirrah, here’s a fellow will help you tomorrow in your execution. If you think it meet,¹⁶ compound with him by the year, and let him abide here with you. If not, use him for the present and dismiss him. He cannot plead his estimation¹⁷ with you: he hath been a bawd.

ABHORSON

ABHORSON     A bawd, sir? Fie upon him, he will discredit our mystery.¹⁹

PROVOST

PROVOST     Go to, sir, you weigh equally:²⁰ a feather will turn the scale. Exit

POMPEY

POMPEY     Pray, sir, by your good favour²¹ — for surely, sir, a good favour you have, but that you have a hanging look²² — do you call, sir, your occupation a mystery?

ABHORSON

ABHORSON     Ay, sir, a mystery.

POMPEY

POMPEY     Painting,²⁴ sir, I have heard say, is a mystery; and your whores, sir, being members of my occupation, using painting, do prove my occupation a mystery. But what mystery there should be in hanging, if I should be hanged, I cannot imagine.

ABHORSON

ABHORSON     Sir, it is a mystery.

POMPEY

POMPEY     Proof?

ABHORSON

ABHORSON     Every true³⁰ man’s apparel fits your thief—

POMPEY

POMPEY     If it be too little for your thief, your true man thinks it big³¹ enough. If it be too big for your thief, your thief thinks it little³² enough. So every true man’s apparel fits your thief.

       Enter Provost

PROVOST

PROVOST     Are you agreed?

POMPEY

POMPEY     Sir, I will serve him, for I do find your hangman is a more penitent³⁵ trade than your bawd: he³⁶ doth oftener ask forgiveness.

PROVOST

PROVOST     You, sirrah, provide your block and your axe tomorrow, four o’clock.

ABHORSON

ABHORSON     Come on, bawd, I will instruct thee in my trade. Follow.

POMPEY

POMPEY     I do desire to learn, sir, and I hope, if you have occasion to use me for your own turn,⁴⁰ you shall find me yare. For truly, sir, for your kindness I owe you a good turn.⁴¹

       [Exeunt Pompey and Abhorson]

PROVOST

PROVOST     Call hither Barnardine and Claudio.

               The one has my pity; not a jot the other,

               Being a murderer, though⁴⁴ he were my brother.

       Enter Claudio

45

45           Look, here’s the warrant, Claudio, for thy death. Shows warrant

               ’Tis now dead midnight, and by eight tomorrow

               Thou must be made immortal. Where’s Barnardine?

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     As fast locked up in sleep as guiltless labour⁴⁸

               When it lies starkly⁴⁹ in the traveller’s bones.

50

50           He will not wake.

PROVOST

PROVOST     Who can do good on⁵¹ him?

               Well, go, prepare yourself. But hark, what noise? Knocking within

               Heaven give your spirits comfort.— By and by.

       [Exit Claudio]

               I hope it is some pardon or reprieve

55

55           For the most gentle Claudio.

       Enter Duke [disguised as before]

               Welcome father.

DUKE

DUKE     The best and wholesom’st spirits of the night

               Envelop you, good provost. Who called here of late?

PROVOST

PROVOST     None, since the curfew⁵⁹ rung.

60

60   

DUKE

DUKE           Not Isabel?

PROVOST

PROVOST     No.

DUKE

DUKE     They will, then, ere’t be long.

PROVOST

PROVOST     What comfort is for Claudio?

DUKE

DUKE     There’s some in hope.

65

65   

PROVOST

PROVOST           It is a bitter deputy.

DUKE

DUKE     Not so, not so: his life is paralleled⁶⁶

               Even⁶⁷ with the stroke and line of his great justice.

               He doth with holy abstinence subdue

               That in himself which he spurs on his power

70

70           To qualify⁷⁰ in others. Were he mealed with that

               Which he corrects,⁷¹ then were he tyrannous,

               But this⁷² being so, he’s just. Now are they come.

       [Exit Provost]

               This is a gentle⁷³ provost: seldom when

               The steelèd⁷⁴ jailer is the friend of men. Knocking within

75

75           How now? What noise? That spirit’s⁷⁵ possessed with haste

               That wounds th’unsisting⁷⁶ postern with these strokes.

       [Enter Provost]

PROVOST

PROVOST     There he must stay until the officer

               Arise to let him in. He⁷⁸ is called up.

DUKE

DUKE     Have you no countermand⁷⁹ for Claudio yet,

80

80           But he must die tomorrow?

PROVOST

PROVOST     None, sir, none.

DUKE

DUKE     As near the dawning, Provost, as it is,

               You shall hear more ere morning.

PROVOST

PROVOST     Happily⁸⁴

85

85           You something know, yet I believe there comes

               No countermand, no such example⁸⁶ have we:

               Besides, upon the very siege⁸⁷ of justice

               Lord Angelo hath to the public ear

               Professed the contrary.

       Enter a Messenger

90

90           This is his lordship’s man.

DUKE

DUKE     And here comes Claudio’s pardon. Aside?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     My lord hath sent you this note, Gives a paper and by me this further charge, that you swerve not from the smallest article of it, neither in time, matter, or other circumstance. Good morrow, for, as I take it, it is almost day.

PROVOST

PROVOST     I shall obey him.

       [Exit Messenger]

DUKE

DUKE     This is his pardon, purchased⁹⁶ by such sin Aside

               For which the pardoner himself is in.

               Hence⁹⁸ hath offence his quick celerity,

               When it is borne in high authority.

100

100         When vice makes mercy, mercy’s so extended,¹⁰⁰

               That for the fault’s love¹⁰¹ is th’offender friended.—

               Now, sir, what news?

PROVOST

PROVOST     I told you. Lord Angelo, belike¹⁰³ thinking me remiss in mine office, awakens me with this unwonted¹⁰⁴ putting-on, methinks strangely, for he hath not used it before.

DUKE

DUKE     Pray you let’s hear.

PROVOST

PROVOST     Reads the letter ‘Whatsoever you may hear to the contrary, let Claudio be executed by four of the clock, and in the afternoon Barnardine. For my better satisfaction,¹⁰⁸ let me have Claudio’s head sent me by five. Let this be duly¹⁰⁹ performed with a thought that more depends on it than we must yet deliver.¹¹⁰ Thus fail not to do your office, as you will answer¹¹¹ it at your peril.’ What say you to this, sir?

DUKE

DUKE     What¹¹² is that Barnardine who is to be executed in th’afternoon?

PROVOST

PROVOST     A Bohemian born, but here nursed up and bred, one that is a prisoner nine years old.¹¹³

DUKE

DUKE     How came it that the absent duke had not either delivered him to his liberty or executed him? I have heard it was ever his manner to do so.

PROVOST

PROVOST     His friends still wrought¹¹⁷ reprieves for him: and indeed, his fact, till now in the government of Lord Angelo, came not to an undoubtful¹¹⁸ proof.

DUKE

DUKE     It is now apparent?

PROVOST

PROVOST     Most manifest, and not denied by himself.

DUKE

DUKE     Hath he borne himself penitently in prison? How seems he to be touched?¹²¹

PROVOST

PROVOST     A man that apprehends¹²² death no more dreadfully but as a drunken sleep, careless, reckless, and fearless of what’s past, present, or to come: insensible¹²³ of mortality and desperately mortal.

DUKE

DUKE     He wants¹²⁵ advice.

PROVOST

PROVOST     He will hear none. He hath evermore¹²⁶ had the liberty of the prison. Give him leave to escape hence, he would not. Drunk many times a day, if not many days entirely drunk. We have very oft awaked him, as if to carry him to execution, and showed him a seeming¹²⁹ warrant for it, it hath not moved him at all.

DUKE

DUKE     More of him anon. There is written in your brow, Provost, honesty and constancy. If I read it not truly, my ancient skill beguiles¹³¹ me, but in the boldness of my cunning, I will lay¹³² myself in hazard. Claudio, whom here you have warrant to execute, is no greater forfeit to the law than Angelo who hath sentenced him. To make you understand this in a manifested effect,¹³⁴ I crave but four days’ respite, for the which you are to do me both a present¹³⁵ and a dangerous courtesy.

PROVOST

PROVOST     Pray, sir, in what?

DUKE

DUKE     In the delaying death.

PROVOST

PROVOST     Alack, how may I do it, having the hour limited¹³⁸ and an express command, under penalty, to deliver his head in the view of Angelo? I may make¹³⁹ my case as Claudio’s, to cross¹⁴⁰ this in the smallest.

DUKE

DUKE     By the vow of mine order, I warrant¹⁴¹ you, if my instructions may be your guide, let this Barnardine be this morning executed, and his head borne to Angelo.

PROVOST

PROVOST     Angelo hath seen them both and will discover the favour.¹⁴⁴

DUKE

DUKE     O, death’s a great disguiser, and you may add to it. Shave the head and tie¹⁴⁵ the beard and say it was the desire of the penitent to be so bared¹⁴⁶ before his death: you know the course¹⁴⁷ is common. If anything fall to you upon this, more than thanks and good fortune, by the saint whom I profess, I will plead against it with my life.

PROVOST

PROVOST     Pardon me, good father, it is against my oath.

DUKE

DUKE     Were you sworn to the duke or to the deputy?

PROVOST

PROVOST     To him and to his substitutes.

DUKE

DUKE     You will think you have made no offence, if the duke avouch¹⁵³ the justice of your dealing?

PROVOST

PROVOST     But what likelihood is in that?

DUKE

DUKE     Not a resemblance,¹⁵⁶ but a certainty. Yet since I see you fearful that neither my coat,¹⁵⁷ integrity, nor persuasion can with ease attempt you, I will go further than I meant, to pluck all fears out of you. Shows a letter Look you, sir, here is the hand¹⁵⁸ and seal of the duke: you know the character,¹⁵⁹ I doubt not, and the signet is not strange¹⁶⁰ to you.

PROVOST

PROVOST     I know them both.

DUKE

DUKE     The contents of this is the return of the duke; you shall anon over-read it at your pleasure, where you shall find within these two days he will be here. This is a thing that Angelo knows not, for he this very day receives letters of strange tenor,¹⁶⁵ perchance of the duke’s death, perchance entering into some monastery, but by chance nothing¹⁶⁶ of what is writ. Look, th’unfolding star calls up the shepherd. Put not yourself into amazement how these things should be; all difficulties are but easy when they are known. Call your executioner, and off with Barnardine’s head. I will give him a present shrift¹⁶⁹ and advise him for a better place. Yet¹⁷⁰ you are amazed, but this shall absolutely resolve you. Come away. It is almost clear dawn.

       Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 3

running scene 10 continues

       Enter Clown [Pompey]

POMPEY

POMPEY     I am as well acquainted¹ here as I was in our house of profession: one would think it were Mistress Overdone’s own house, for here be many of her old customers. First, here’s young Master Rash.³ He’s in for a commodity of brown paper and old⁴ ginger, ninescore and seventeen pounds, of which he made five marks ready money. Marry, then ginger was not much in request, for the old women⁵ were all dead. Then is there here one Master Caper,⁶ at the suit of Master Three-pile⁷ the mercer, for some four suits of peach-coloured satin, which now peaches⁸ him a beggar. Then have we here young Dizzy and young Master Deep-vow and Master Copperspur⁹ and Master Starve-lackey the rapier and dagger man, and young Drop-heir¹⁰ that killed lusty Pudding, and Master Forthright the tilter, and brave¹¹ Master Shoe-tie the great traveller, and wild Half-can that stabbed Pots, and I think forty more, all great doers¹² in our trade, and are now ‘for the Lord’s sake’.

       Enter Abhorson

ABHORSON

ABHORSON     Sirrah, bring Barnardine hither.

POMPEY

POMPEY     Master Barnardine! You must rise¹⁵ and be hanged. Master Barnardine!

ABHORSON

ABHORSON     What ho, Barnardine!

BARNARDINE

BARNARDINE A pox¹⁷ o’your throats! Within Who makes that noise there? What are you?

POMPEY

POMPEY     Your friends, sir, the hangman. You must be so good, sir, to¹⁸ rise and be put to death.

BARNARDINE

BARNARDINE Away, you rogue, away! Within I am sleepy.

ABHORSON

ABHORSON     Tell him he must awake, and that quickly too.

POMPEY

POMPEY     Pray, Master Barnardine, awake till you are executed, and sleep afterwards.

ABHORSON

ABHORSON     Go in to him and fetch him out.

POMPEY

POMPEY     He is coming, sir, he is coming: I hear his straw²⁵ rustle.

       Enter Barnardine

ABHORSON

ABHORSON     Is the axe upon the block, sirrah?

POMPEY

POMPEY     Very ready, sir.

BARNARDINE

BARNARDINE How now, Abhorson? What’s the news with you?

ABHORSON

ABHORSON     Truly, sir, I would desire you to clap²⁹ into your prayers, for, look you, the warrant’s come.

BARNARDINE

BARNARDINE You rogue, I have been drinking all night, I am not fitted³¹ for’t.

POMPEY

POMPEY     O, the better, sir, for he that drinks all night, and is hanged betimes³² in the morning, may sleep the sounder all the next day.

       Enter Duke [disguised as before]

ABHORSON

ABHORSON     Look you, sir, here comes your ghostly father.³⁴ Do we jest now, think you?

DUKE

DUKE     Sir, induced by my charity, and hearing how hastily you are to depart, I am come to advise you, comfort you and pray with you.

BARNARDINE

BARNARDINE Friar, not I. I have been drinking hard all night, and I will have more time to prepare me, or they shall beat out my brains with billets.³⁸ I will not consent to die this day, that’s certain.

DUKE

DUKE     O, sir, you must, and therefore I beseech you Look forward on the journey you shall go.

BARNARDINE

BARNARDINE I swear I will not die today for any man’s persuasion.

DUKE

DUKE     But hear you⁴³—

BARNARDINE

BARNARDINE Not a word. If you have anything to say to me, come to my ward,⁴⁴ for thence⁴⁵ will not I today.

       Exit

       Enter Provost

DUKE

DUKE     Unfit to live or die. O, gravel⁴⁶ heart!

               After him, fellows, bring him to the block.

       [Exeunt Abhorson and Pompey]

PROVOST

PROVOST     Now, sir, how do you find the prisoner?

DUKE

DUKE     A creature unprepared, unmeet⁴⁹ for death,

50

50           And to transport him⁵⁰ in the mind he is

               Were damnable.

PROVOST

PROVOST     Here in the prison, father,

               There died this morning of a cruel fever

               One Ragozine,⁵⁴ a most notorious pirate,

55

55           A man of Claudio’s years,⁵⁵ his beard and head

               Just of his colour. What if we do omit⁵⁶

               This reprobate⁵⁷ till he were well inclined,

               And satisfy the deputy with the visage⁵⁸

               Of Ragozine, more like to Claudio?

60

60   

DUKE

DUKE           O, ’tis an accident⁶⁰ that heaven provides!

               Dispatch it⁶¹ presently, the hour draws on

               Prefixed⁶² by Angelo. See this be done,

               And sent according to command, whiles I

               Persuade this rude⁶⁴ wretch willingly to die.

65

65   

PROVOST

PROVOST           This shall be done, good father, presently.

               But Barnardine must die this afternoon.

               And how shall we continue⁶⁷ Claudio,

               To save me from the danger that might come

               If he were known alive?

70

70   

DUKE

DUKE           Let this be done:

               Put them in secret holds,⁷¹ both Barnardine and Claudio.

               Ere twice the sun hath made his journal greeting⁷²

               To yonder generation,⁷³ you shall find

               Your safety manifested.⁷⁴

75

75   

PROVOST

PROVOST           I am your free dependant.⁷⁵

DUKE

DUKE     Quick, dispatch, and send the head to Angelo.

       Exit [Provost]

               Now will I write letters to Angelo —

               The provost, he shall bear them — whose contents

               Shall witness to him I am near at home,

80

80           And that by great injunctions⁸⁰ I am bound

               To enter publicly. Him I’ll desire

               To meet me at the consecrated fount,⁸²

               A league⁸³ below the city, and from thence,

               By cold gradation⁸⁴ and well-balanced form,

85

85           We shall proceed with Angelo.

       Enter Provost [with Ragozine’s head]

PROVOST

PROVOST     Here is the head. I’ll carry it myself.

DUKE

DUKE     Convenient is it. Make a swift return,

               For I would commune⁸⁸ with you of such things

               That want no ear but yours.

90

90   

PROVOST

PROVOST           I’ll make all speed.

       Exit

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     Peace, ho, be here!

       Within

DUKE

DUKE     The tongue of Isabel. She’s come to know

               If yet her brother’s pardon be come hither.

               But I will keep her ignorant of her good,

95

95           To make her heavenly comforts of⁹⁵ despair,

               When it is least expected.

       Enter Isabella

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     Ho, by your leave!

DUKE

DUKE     Good morning to you, fair and gracious daughter.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     The better, given me by so holy a man.

100

100         Hath yet the deputy sent my brother’s pardon?

DUKE

DUKE     He hath released him, Isabel — from the world.

               His head is off and sent to Angelo.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     Nay, but it is not so.

DUKE

DUKE     It is no other.

105

105         Show your wisdom, daughter, in your close¹⁰⁵ patience.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     O, I will to him and pluck out his eyes!

DUKE

DUKE     You shall not be admitted to his sight.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     Unhappy Claudio, wretched Isabel,

               Injurious world, most damnèd Angelo!

110

110 

DUKE

DUKE             This nor hurts him nor profits you a jot.

               Forbear it¹¹¹ therefore, give your cause to heaven.

               Mark what I say, which you shall find

               By every syllable a faithful verity.¹¹³

               The duke comes home tomorrow — nay, dry your eyes —

115

115         One of our convent, and his confessor,¹¹⁵

               Gives me this instance.¹¹⁶ Already he hath carried

               Notice to Escalus and Angelo,

               Who do prepare to meet him at the gates,

               There to give up their power. If you can, pace¹¹⁹ your wisdom

120

120         In that good path¹²⁰ that I would wish it go,

               And you shall have your bosom on¹²¹ this wretch,

               Grace¹²² of the duke, revenges to your heart,

               And general honour.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     I am directed by you.

125

125 

DUKE

DUKE             This letter, then, to Friar Peter give, Gives a letter

               ’Tis that he sent me of the duke’s return.

               Say, by this token I desire his company

               At Mariana’s house tonight. Her cause and yours

               I’ll perfect him withal,¹²⁹ and he shall bring you

130

130         Before the duke, and to¹³⁰ the head of Angelo

               Accuse him home and home.¹³¹ For my poor self,

               I am combinèd¹³² by a sacred vow,

               And shall be absent. Wend you¹³³ with this letter:

               Command these fretting waters¹³⁴ from your eyes

135

135         With a light heart; trust not my holy order

               If I pervert¹³⁶ your course. Who’s here?

       Enter Lucio

LUCIO

LUCIO     Good even. Friar, where’s the provost?

DUKE

DUKE     Not within, sir.

LUCIO

LUCIO     O, pretty Isabella, I am pale at mine heart to see thine eyes so red: thou must be patient. I am fain¹⁴⁰ to dine and sup with water and bran: I dare not for my head fill my belly. One fruitful¹⁴¹ meal would set me to’t. But they say the duke will be here tomorrow. By my troth, Isabel, I loved thy brother. If the old fantastical¹⁴² duke of dark corners¹⁴³ had been at home, he had lived.

       [Exit Isabella]

DUKE

DUKE     Sir, the duke is marvellous little beholding¹⁴⁴ to your reports, but the best is, he¹⁴⁵ lives not in them.

LUCIO

LUCIO     Friar, thou knowest not the duke so well as I do. He’s a better woodman¹⁴⁶ than thou tak’st him for.

DUKE

DUKE     Well, you’ll answer this one day. Starts to go Fare ye well.

LUCIO

LUCIO     Nay, tarry, I’ll go along with thee. I can tell thee pretty¹⁴⁹ tales of the duke.

DUKE

DUKE     You have told me too many of him already, sir, if they be true. If not true, none were enough.

LUCIO

LUCIO     I was once before him for getting a wench with child.

DUKE

DUKE     Did you such a thing?

LUCIO

LUCIO     Yes, marry, did I, but I was fain to forswear¹⁵⁴ it. They would else have married me to the rotten medlar.¹⁵⁵

DUKE

DUKE     Sir, your company is fairer¹⁵⁶ than honest. Rest you well.

LUCIO

LUCIO     By my troth, I’ll go with thee to the lane’s end. If bawdy talk offend you, we’ll have very little of it. Nay, friar, I am a kind of burr,¹⁵⁸ I shall stick.

       Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 4

running scene 11

       Enter Angelo and Escalus

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     Every letter he hath writ hath disvouched¹ other.

ANGELO

ANGELO     In most uneven² and distracted manner. His actions show much like to madness. Pray heaven his wisdom³ be not tainted. And why meet him at the gates and redeliver⁴ our authorities there?

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     I guess not.

ANGELO

ANGELO     And why should we proclaim it in an hour before his entering, that if any crave redress of injustice, they should exhibit their petitions⁷ in the street?

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     He shows his reason for that: to have a dispatch⁸ of complaints and to deliver us from devices⁹ hereafter, which shall then have no power to stand against us.

ANGELO

ANGELO     Well, I beseech you, let it be proclaimed betimes¹¹ i’th’morn. I’ll call you at your house. Give notice to such men of sort and suit¹² as are to meet him.

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     I shall, sir. Fare you well.

ANGELO

ANGELO     Good night.

       Exit [Escalus]

15

15           This deed unshapes¹⁵ me quite, makes me unpregnant

               And dull¹⁶ to all proceedings. A deflowered maid,

               And by an eminent body¹⁷ that enforced

               The law against it!¹⁸ But that her tender shame

               Will not proclaim¹⁹ against her maiden loss,

20

20           How might she tongue²⁰ me? Yet reason dares her no,

               For my authority bears²¹ of a credent bulk

               That no particular scandal once can touch

               But it confounds the breather.²³ He should have lived,

               Save that his riotous²⁴ youth with dangerous sense

25

25           Might in the times to come have ta’en revenge

               By²⁶ so receiving a dishonoured life

               With ransom of such shame. Would yet he had lived!

               Alack, when once our grace we have forgot,

               Nothing goes right: we would, and we would not.

       Exit

Act 4 Scene 54.5

running scene 12

       Enter Duke [in his own habit] and Friar Peter

DUKE

DUKE     These letters at fit time deliver me.¹ Gives letters

               The provost knows our purpose and our plot.

               The matter being afoot, keep your instruction³

               And hold you ever⁴ to our special drift,

5

5             Though sometimes you do blench⁵ from this to that,

               As cause doth minister.⁶ Go call at Flavius’ house,

               And tell him where I stay. Give the like notice

               To Valentius, Rowland, and to Crassus,

               And bid them bring the trumpets⁹ to the gate.

10

10           But send me Flavius first.

FRIAR PETER

FRIAR PETER It shall be speeded¹¹ well.

       [Exit]

       Enter Varrius

DUKE

DUKE     I thank thee, Varrius, thou hast made good haste.

               Come, we will walk. There’s other of our friends

               Will greet us here anon, my gentle¹⁴ Varrius.

       Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 64.6

running scene 13

       Enter Isabella and Mariana

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     To speak so indirectly¹ I am loath.

               I would say the truth, but to accuse him² so,

               That is your part. Yet I am advised to do it,

               He⁴ says, to veil full purpose.

5

5     

MARIANA

MARIANA           Be ruled by him.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     Besides, he tells me that if peradventure⁶

               He speak against me on the adverse side,

               I should not think it strange, for ’tis a physic⁸

               That’s bitter⁹ to sweet end.

       Enter [Friar] Peter

10

10   

MARIANA

MARIANA           I would¹⁰ Friar Peter—

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     O, peace, the friar is come.

FRIAR PETER

FRIAR PETER Come, I have found you out a stand¹² most fit,

               Where you may have such vantage on¹³ the duke

               He shall not pass you. Twice have the trumpets sounded.

15

15           The generous and gravest citizens

               Have hent¹⁶ the gates, and very near upon

               The duke is entering: therefore hence, away!

       Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 1

running scene 14

       Enter Duke [in his own habit], Varrius, Lords, Angelo, Escalus, Lucio, [and] Citizens, at several doors

DUKE

DUKE     My very worthy cousin,¹ fairly met! — To Angelo

               Our old and faithful friend, we are glad to see you. To Escalus

ANGELO and ESCALUS

ANGELO and ESCALUS Happy return be to your royal grace!

DUKE

DUKE     Many and hearty thankings to you both.

5

5             We have made inquiry of you, and we hear

               Such goodness of your justice that our soul

               Cannot but yield⁷ you forth to public thanks,

               Forerunning more requital.⁸

ANGELO

ANGELO     You make my bonds⁹ still greater.

10

10   

DUKE

DUKE           O, your desert speaks loud, and I should wrong it

               To lock it in the wards¹¹ of covert bosom,

               When it deserves with characters¹² of brass

               A forted¹³ residence ’gainst the tooth of time

               And razure¹⁴ of oblivion. Give me your hand,

15

15           And let the subject¹⁵ see, to make them know

               That outward courtesies would fain¹⁶ proclaim

               Favours¹⁷ that keep within. Come, Escalus,

               You must walk by us on our other hand,

               And good supporters are you.

       Enter [Friar] Peter and Isabella

20

20   

FRIAR PETER

FRIAR PETER Now is your time. Speak loud and kneel before him.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     Justice, O royal duke! Vail your regard²¹ Kneels

               Upon a wronged — I would fain²² have said, a maid.

               O worthy prince, dishonour not your eye

               By throwing it on any other object

25

25           Till you have heard me in my true complaint

               And given me justice, justice, justice, justice!

DUKE

DUKE     Relate your wrongs: in what, by whom? Be brief.

               Here is Lord Angelo shall give you justice,

               Reveal²⁹ yourself to him.

30

30   

ISABELLA

ISABELLA           O worthy duke,

               You bid me seek redemption of the devil.

               Hear me yourself, for that which I must speak

               Must either punish me, not being believed,

               Or wring³⁴ redress from you. Hear me, O, hear me here!

35

35   

ANGELO

ANGELO           My lord, her wits, I fear me, are not firm.

               She hath been a suitor³⁶ to me for her brother

               Cut off³⁷ by course of justice—

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     By course of justice!

ANGELO

ANGELO     And she will speak most bitterly and strange.³⁹

40

40   

ISABELLA

ISABELLA           Most strange, but yet most truly will I speak.

               That Angelo’s forsworn,⁴¹ is it not strange?

               That Angelo’s a murderer, is’t not strange?

               That Angelo is an adulterous thief,

               An hypocrite, a virgin-violator,

45

45           Is it not strange and strange?

DUKE

DUKE     Nay, it is ten times strange.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     It is not truer⁴⁷ he is Angelo

               Than this is all as true as it is strange;

               Nay, it is ten times true, for truth is truth

50

50           To⁵⁰ th’end of reck’ning.

DUKE

DUKE     Away with her. Poor soul,

               She speaks this in⁵² th’infirmity of sense.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     O prince, I conjure⁵³ thee, as thou believ’st

               There is another comfort⁵⁴ than this world,

55

55           That thou neglect me not with that opinion⁵⁵

               That I am touched⁵⁶ with madness. Make not impossible

               That which but seems unlike. ’Tis not impossible

               But one, the wicked’st caitiff⁵⁸ on the ground,

               May seem as shy,⁵⁹ as grave, as just, as absolute

60

60           As Angelo: even so may Angelo,

               In all his dressings,⁶¹ caracts, titles, forms,

               Be an arch-villain. Believe it, royal prince:

               If he be less, he’s nothing, but he’s more,

               Had I more name⁶⁴ for badness.

65

65   

DUKE

DUKE           By mine honesty,

               If she be mad — as I believe no other —

               Her madness hath the oddest frame of sense,⁶⁷

               Such a dependency⁶⁸ of thing on thing,

               As e’er I heard in madness.

70

70   

ISABELLA

ISABELLA           O gracious duke,

               Harp⁷¹ not on that, nor do not banish reason

               For inequality, but let your reason serve

               To make the truth appear where it seems hid,

               And hide⁷⁴ the false seems true.

75

75   

DUKE

DUKE           Many that are not mad

               Have, sure, more lack of reason. What would you say?

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     I am the sister of one Claudio,

               Condemned upon the act⁷⁸ of fornication

               To lose his head, condemned by Angelo.

80

80           I, in probation⁸⁰ of a sisterhood,

               Was sent to by my brother, one Lucio

               As then⁸² the messenger—

LUCIO

LUCIO     That’s I, an’t like your grace.

               I came to her from Claudio, and desired her

85

85           To try her gracious fortune with Lord Angelo

               For her poor brother’s pardon.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     That’s he indeed.

DUKE

DUKE     You were not bid to speak.

LUCIO

LUCIO     No, my good lord,

90

90           Nor wished⁹⁰ to hold my peace.

DUKE

DUKE     I wish you now, then.

               Pray you take note of it. And when you have

               A business for yourself,⁹³ pray heaven you then

               Be perfect.⁹⁴

95

95   

LUCIO

LUCIO           I warrant⁹⁵ your honour.

DUKE

DUKE     The warrant’s for yourself: take heed to’t.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     This gentleman told somewhat⁹⁷ of my tale—

LUCIO

LUCIO     Right.

DUKE

DUKE     It may be right, but you are i’the wrong

100

100         To speak before your time.— Proceed.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     I went

               To this pernicious¹⁰² caitiff deputy—

DUKE

DUKE     That’s somewhat madly spoken.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     Pardon it,

105

105         The phrase is to the matter.¹⁰⁵

DUKE

DUKE     Mended¹⁰⁶ again. The matter: proceed.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     In brief, to¹⁰⁷ set the needless process by —

               How I persuaded,¹⁰⁸ how I prayed and kneeled,

               How he refelled¹⁰⁹ me, and how I replied,

110

110         For this was of much length — the vile conclusion

               I now begin with grief and shame to utter.

               He would not, but by gift of my chaste body

               To his concupiscible¹¹³ intemperate lust

               Release my brother. And after much debatement¹¹⁴

115

115         My sisterly remorse¹¹⁵ confutes mine honour,

               And I did yield to him. But the¹¹⁶ next morn betimes,

               His purpose surfeiting,¹¹⁷ he sends a warrant

               For my poor brother’s head.

DUKE

DUKE     This is most likely.¹¹⁹

120

120 

ISABELLA

ISABELLA             O, that¹²⁰ it were as like as it is true!

DUKE

DUKE     By heaven, fond¹²¹ wretch, thou know’st not what thou speak’st,

               Or else thou art suborned¹²² against his honour

               In hateful practice.¹²³ First, his integrity

               Stands without blemish. Next, it imports no reason¹²⁴

125

125         That with such vehemency he should pursue¹²⁵

               Faults proper to himself. If he had so offended,

               He would have weighed¹²⁷ thy brother by himself,

               And not have cut him off.¹²⁸ Someone hath set you on.

               Confess the truth, and say by whose advice

130

130         Thou cam’st here to complain.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     And is this all?

               Then, O you blessèd ministers¹³² above,

               Keep me in patience, and with ripened time

               Unfold¹³⁴ the evil which is here wrapt up

135

135         In countenance!¹³⁵ Heaven shield your grace from woe,

               As I, thus wronged, hence unbelievèd go! She starts to go

DUKE

DUKE     I know you’d fain be gone. An officer!

               To prison with her. Shall we thus permit Isabella is arrested

               A blasting¹³⁹ and a scandalous breath to fall

140

140         On him so near us? This needs must be a practice.¹⁴⁰

               Who knew of your intent and coming hither?

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     One that I would were here, Friar Lodowick.¹⁴²

DUKE

DUKE     A ghostly¹⁴³ father, belike. Who knows that Lodowick?

LUCIO

LUCIO     My lord, I know him, ’tis a meddling friar,

145

145         I do not like the man. Had he been lay,¹⁴⁵ my lord,

               For certain words he spake against your grace

               In your retirement,¹⁴⁷ I had swinged him soundly.

DUKE

DUKE     Words against me? This’¹⁴⁸ a good friar, belike.

               And to set on this wretched woman here

150

150         Against our substitute! Let this friar be found.

LUCIO

LUCIO     But yesternight, my lord, she and that friar,

               I saw them at the prison: a saucy¹⁵² friar,

               A very scurvy¹⁵³ fellow.

FRIAR PETER

FRIAR PETER Blessèd be your royal grace.

155

155         I have stood by, my lord, and I have heard

               Your royal ear abused.¹⁵⁶ First, hath this woman

               Most wrongfully accused your substitute,

               Who is as free from touch or soil¹⁵⁸ with her

               As she from one ungot.¹⁵⁹

160

160 

DUKE

DUKE             We did believe no less.

               Know you that Friar Lodowick that she speaks of?

FRIAR PETER

FRIAR PETER I know him for a man divine and holy,

               Not scurvy, nor a temporary meddler,¹⁶³

               As he’s reported by this gentleman.

165

165         And on my trust a man that never yet

               Did, as he vouches,¹⁶⁶ misreport your grace.

LUCIO

LUCIO     My lord, most villainously,¹⁶⁷ believe it.

FRIAR PETER

FRIAR PETER Well, he in time may come to clear himself,

               But at this instant he is sick, my lord,

170

170         Of a strange¹⁷⁰ fever. Upon his mere request,

               Being come to knowledge that there was complaint

               Intended ’gainst Lord Angelo, came I hither,

               To speak, as from his mouth, what he doth know

               Is true and false, and what he with his oath

175

175         And all probation¹⁷⁵ will make up full clear,

               Whensoever he’s convented.¹⁷⁶ First, for this woman.

               To justify¹⁷⁷ this worthy nobleman

               So vulgarly¹⁷⁸ and personally accused,

               Her shall you hear disprovèd to her eyes,¹⁷⁹

180

180         Till she herself confess it.

DUKE

DUKE     Good friar, let’s hear it.

       [Exit Isabella, guarded]

               Do you not smile at this, Lord Angelo?

               O heaven, the vanity¹⁸³ of wretched fools!

               Give us some seats. Come, cousin Angelo,

185

185         In this I’ll be impartial: be you judge

               Of your own cause.

       Enter Mariana [veiled] Seats brought in for Duke and Angelo

                                    Is this the witness, friar?

               First, let her show her face, and after speak.

MARIANA

MARIANA     Pardon, my lord, I will not show my face Kneels?

               Until my husband bid me.

DUKE

DUKE     What, are you married?

MARIANA

MARIANA     No, my lord.

DUKE

DUKE     Are you a maid?

MARIANA

MARIANA     No, my lord.

DUKE

DUKE     A widow, then?

MARIANA

MARIANA     Neither, my lord.

DUKE

DUKE     Why, you are nothing then: neither maid, widow, nor wife?

LUCIO

LUCIO     My lord, she may be a punk,¹⁹⁷ for many of them are neither maid, widow, nor wife.

DUKE

DUKE     Silence that fellow. I would he had some cause¹⁹⁹

200

200         To prattle for himself.

LUCIO

LUCIO     Well, my lord.

MARIANA

MARIANA     My lord, I do confess I ne’er was married,

               And I confess besides I am no maid.

               I have known²⁰⁴ my husband, yet my husband

205

205         Knows not that ever he knew me.

LUCIO

LUCIO     He was drunk then, my lord, it can be no better.

DUKE

DUKE     For²⁰⁷ the benefit of silence, would thou wert so too.

LUCIO

LUCIO     Well, my lord.

DUKE

DUKE     This is no witness for Lord Angelo.

210

210 

MARIANA

MARIANA             Now I come to’t, my lord.

               She that accuses him of fornication,

               In self-same manner doth accuse my husband,

               And charges²¹³ him, my lord, with such a time

               When I’ll depose²¹⁴ I had him in mine arms

215

215         With all th’effect²¹⁵ of love.

ANGELO

ANGELO     Charges she more²¹⁶ than me?

MARIANA

MARIANA     Not that I know.

DUKE

DUKE     No? You say your husband.

MARIANA

MARIANA     Why, just,²¹⁹ my lord, and that is Angelo,

220

220         Who thinks he knows that he ne’er knew my body,

               But knows he thinks that he knows Isabel’s.

ANGELO

ANGELO     This is a strange abuse.²²² Let’s see thy face.

MARIANA

MARIANA     My husband bids me, now I will unmask. Unveils

               This is that face, thou cruel Angelo,

225

225         Which once thou swor’st was worth the looking on:

               This is the hand which, with a vowed contract,

               Was fast belocked²²⁷ in thine: this is the body

               That took away the match²²⁸ from Isabel,

               And did supply²²⁹ thee at thy garden-house

230

230         In²³⁰ her imagined person.

DUKE

DUKE     Know you this woman?

LUCIO

LUCIO     Carnally, she says.

DUKE

DUKE     Sirrah, no more!

LUCIO

LUCIO     Enough, my lord.

235

235 

ANGELO

ANGELO             My lord, I must confess I know this woman,

               And five years since there was some speech of marriage

               Betwixt myself and her, which was broke off,

               Partly for that her promised proportions²³⁸

               Came short of composition,²³⁹ but in chief

240

240           For that²⁴⁰ her reputation was disvalued

               In levity. Since which time of five years

               I never spake with her, saw her, nor heard from her,

               Upon my faith and honour.

MARIANA

MARIANA     Noble prince, Kneels?

245

245         As there comes light from heaven and words from breath,

               As there is sense in truth and truth in virtue,

               I am affianced this man’s wife as strongly

               As words could make up vows. And, my good lord,

               But Tuesday night last gone in’s garden-house

250

250         He knew me as a wife. As this is true,

               Let me in safety raise me from my knees,

               Or else forever be confixèd²⁵² here,

               A marble monument!

ANGELO

ANGELO     I did but smile²⁵⁴ till now.

255

255         Now, good my lord, give me the scope²⁵⁵ of justice,

               My patience here is touched.²⁵⁶ I do perceive

               These poor informal²⁵⁷ women are no more

               But instruments of some more mightier member²⁵⁸

               That sets them on. Let me have way,²⁵⁹ my lord,

260

260         To find this practice out.

DUKE

DUKE     Ay, with my heart

               And punish them to your height of pleasure.

               Thou foolish friar, and thou pernicious woman,

               Compact²⁶⁴ with her that’s gone, think’st thou thy oaths,

265

265         Though they would swear down²⁶⁵ each particular saint,

               Were testimonies against his worth and credit

               That’s sealed in approbation?²⁶⁷ You, Lord Escalus,

               Sit with my cousin, lend him your kind pains²⁶⁸

               To find out this abuse, whence ’tis derived.

270

270         There is another friar that set them on,

               Let him be sent for. Duke gets up and Escalus takes his seat

FRIAR PETER

FRIAR PETER Would he were here, my lord, for he indeed

               Hath set the women on to this complaint.

               Your provost knows the place where he abides,

275

275         And he may fetch him.

DUKE

DUKE     Go do it instantly.

       [Exit Provost]

               And you, my noble and well-warranted²⁷⁷ cousin,

               Whom it concerns to hear this matter forth,²⁷⁸

               Do with your injuries as seems you best

280

280         In any chastisement.²⁸⁰ I for a while

               Will leave you, but stir not you²⁸¹ till you have

               Well determined²⁸² upon these slanderers.

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     My lord, we’ll do it throughly.²⁸³

       Exit [Duke] Signior Lucio, did not you say you knew that Friar Lodowick to be a dishonest person?

LUCIO

LUCIO     Cucullus²⁸⁶ non facit monachum: honest in nothing but in his clothes, and one that hath spoke most villainous speeches of the duke.

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     We shall entreat you to abide here till he come and enforce²⁸⁸ them against him. We shall find this friar a notable²⁸⁹ fellow.

LUCIO

LUCIO     As any in Vienna, on my word.

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     Call that same Isabel here once again, I would speak with her. Exit an Attendant Pray you, my lord,To Angelo give me leave to question, you shall see how I’ll handle²⁹² her.

LUCIO

LUCIO     Not better than he, by her own report.

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     Say you?²⁹⁴

LUCIO

LUCIO     Marry, sir, I think, if you handled her privately,²⁹⁵ she would sooner confess, perchance²⁹⁶ publicly she’ll be ashamed.

       Enter Duke [in his friar’s disguise], Provost, Isabella [and Officers]

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     I will go²⁹⁷ darkly to work with her.

LUCIO

LUCIO     That’s the way, for women are light²⁹⁸ at midnight.

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     Come on, mistress, here’s a gentlewoman denies all that you have said.

LUCIO

LUCIO     My lord, here comes the rascal I spoke of, here with the provost.

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     In very good time. Speak not you to him till we call upon you.

LUCIO

LUCIO     Mum.³⁰²

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     Come, sir, did you set these women on to slander Lord Angelo? They have confessed you did.

DUKE

DUKE     ’Tis false.

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     How?³⁰⁶ Know you where you are?

DUKE

DUKE     Respect³⁰⁷ to your great place, and let the devil

               Be sometime honoured³⁰⁸ for his burning throne.

               Where is the duke? ’Tis he should hear me speak.

310

310 

ESCALUS

ESCALUS             The duke’s in us,³¹⁰ and we will hear you speak:

               Look³¹¹ you speak justly.

DUKE

DUKE     Boldly, at least. But, O, poor souls,

               Come you to seek the lamb here of the fox?

               Good³¹³ night to your redress! Is the duke gone?

315

315         Then is your cause gone too. The duke’s unjust,

               Thus to retort³¹⁶ your manifest appeal,

               And put your trial in the villain’s mouth

               Which here you come to accuse.

LUCIO

LUCIO     This is the rascal, this is he I spoke of.

320

320 

ESCALUS

ESCALUS             Why, thou unreverend³²⁰ and unhallowed friar,

               Is’t not enough thou hast suborned these women

               To accuse this worthy man, but, in foul mouth³²²

               And in the witness of his proper ear,³²³

               To call him villain, and then to glance³²⁴ from him

325

325         To th’duke himself, to tax³²⁵ him with injustice?

               Take him hence, to th’rack³²⁶ with him! We’ll touse you

               Joint by joint, but we will know his purpose.

               What? Unjust?

DUKE

DUKE     Be not so hot.³²⁹ The duke dare

330

330         No more stretch³³⁰ this finger of mine than he

               Dare rack his own. His subject am I not,

               Nor here provincial.³³² My business in this state

               Made me a looker-on here in Vienna,

               Where I have seen corruption boil and bubble

335

335         Till it o’errun the stew:³³⁵ laws for all faults,

               But faults so countenanced³³⁶ that the strong statutes

               Stand like the forfeits³³⁷ in a barber’s shop,

               As much in³³⁸ mock as mark.

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     Slander to th’state! Away with him to prison!

340

340 

ANGELO

ANGELO             What can you vouch against him, Signior Lucio?

               Is this the man that you did tell us of?

LUCIO

LUCIO     ’Tis he, my lord. Come hither, goodman³⁴² baldpate. Do you know me?

DUKE

DUKE     I remember you, sir, by the sound of your voice. I met you at the prison, in the absence of the duke.

LUCIO

LUCIO     O, did you so? And do you remember what you said of the duke?

DUKE

DUKE     Most notedly,³⁴⁶ sir.

LUCIO

LUCIO     Do you so, sir? And was the duke a fleshmonger,³⁴⁷ a fool, and a coward, as you then reported him to be?

DUKE

DUKE     You must, sir, change persons with me, ere you make³⁴⁹ that my report: you indeed spoke so of him, and much more, much worse.

LUCIO

LUCIO     O thou damnable fellow, did not I pluck thee by the nose for thy speeches?

DUKE

DUKE     I protest I love the duke as I love myself.

ANGELO

ANGELO     Hark, how the villain would close³⁵³ now, after his treasonable abuses.

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     Such a fellow is not to be talked withal. Away with him to prison. Where is the provost? Provost lays hands the Duke Away with him to prison. Lay bolts³⁵⁵ enough upon him. Let him speak no more. Away with those giglots³⁵⁶ too, and with the other confederate on companion!

DUKE

DUKE     Stay, sir, stay awhile. To Provost

ANGELO

ANGELO     What, resists he? Help him, Lucio.

LUCIO

LUCIO     Come, sir, come, sir, come, sir. Foh, sir! Why, you bald-pated, lying rascal, you must be hooded, must you? Show your knave’s visage, with a pox to you: show your sheep-biting³⁶² face, and be hanged an hour! Lucio pulls off the friar’s hood and discovers the Duke; all rise Will’t not off?

DUKE

DUKE     Thou art the first knave that e’er mad’st³⁶³ a duke.—

               First, provost, let me bail³⁶⁴ these gentle three.—

365

365         Sneak not away, sir, for the friar and you To Lucio

               Must have a word anon.— Lay hold on him. Lucio is arrested

LUCIO

LUCIO     This may prove worse than hanging. Aside?

DUKE

DUKE     What you have spoke I pardon. Sit you down, To Escalus

               We’ll borrow place³⁶⁹ of him.—

370

370         Sir, by your leave. To Angelo, whose seat he takes

               Hast thou or³⁷¹ word or wit or impudence

               That yet can do thee office?³⁷² If thou hast,

               Rely upon it till my tale be heard,

               And hold³⁷⁴ no longer out.

375

375 

ANGELO

ANGELO             O, my dread³⁷⁵ lord,

               I should be guiltier than my guiltiness,

               To think I can be undiscernible,³⁷⁷

               When I perceive your grace, like power divine,

               Hath looked upon my passes.³⁷⁹ Then, good prince,

380

380         No longer session³⁸⁰ hold upon my shame,

               But let my trial be mine own confession:

               Immediate sentence then and sequent³⁸² death

               Is all the grace I beg.

DUKE

DUKE     Come hither, Mariana.—

385

385         Say: wast thou e’er contracted to this woman? To Angelo

ANGELO

ANGELO     I was, my lord.

DUKE

DUKE     Go take her hence, and marry her instantly.—

               Do³⁸⁷ you the office, friar, which consummate,

               Return him here again.— Go with him, provost.

       Exeunt [Angelo, Mariana, Friar Peter and Provost]

390

390 

ESCALUS

ESCALUS             My lord, I am more amazed at his dishonour

               Than at³⁹¹ the strangeness of it.

DUKE

DUKE     Come hither, Isabel.

               Your friar is now your prince. As I was then

               Advertising³⁹⁴ and holy to your business,

395

395         Not changing³⁹⁵ heart with habit, I am still

               Attorneyed³⁹⁶ at your service.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     O give me pardon

               That I, your vassal,³⁹⁸ have employed and pained

               Your unknown sovereignty.

400

400 

DUKE

DUKE             You are pardoned, Isabel:

               And now, dear maid, be you as free⁴⁰¹ to us.

               Your brother’s death, I know, sits at your heart,

               And you may marvel why I obscured⁴⁰³ myself,

               Labouring to save his life, and would not rather

405

405         Make rash remonstrance⁴⁰⁵ of my hidden power

               Than let him so be lost.⁴⁰⁶ O most kind maid,

               It was the swift celerity⁴⁰⁷ of his death,

               Which I did think with slower foot came on,

               That brained⁴⁰⁹ my purpose. But, peace be with him.

410

410         That life is better life, past fearing death,

               Than that which lives to fear. Make it your comfort,

               So⁴¹² happy is your brother.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     I do, my lord.

       Enter Angelo, Mariana, [Friar] Peter [and] Provost

DUKE

DUKE     For this new-married man approaching here,

415

415         Whose salt⁴¹⁵ imagination yet hath wronged

               Your well defended honour, you must pardon

               For Mariana’s sake. But as he adjudged⁴¹⁷ your brother,

               Being criminal, in double violation

               Of sacred chastity and of promise-breach⁴¹⁹

420

420         Thereon dependent for your brother’s life,

               The very mercy of the law cries out

               Most audible, even from his proper⁴²² tongue,

               ‘An Angelo for Claudio, death for death!’

               Haste still⁴²⁴ pays haste, and leisure answers leisure,

425

425         Like doth quit⁴²⁵ like, and measure still for measure.

               Then, Angelo, thy fault’s thus manifested,

               Which, though⁴²⁷ thou wouldst deny, denies thee vantage.

               We do condemn thee to the very block⁴²⁸

               Where Claudio stooped to death, and with like haste.

430

430         Away with him!

MARIANA

MARIANA     O my most gracious lord,

               I hope you will not mock⁴³² me with a husband.

DUKE

DUKE     It is your husband mocked you with a husband.

               Consenting to the safeguard of your honour,

435

435         I thought your marriage fit, else⁴³⁵ imputation,

               For that he knew you, might reproach your life

               And choke your good to come. For⁴³⁷ his possessions,

               Although by confiscation they are ours,

               We do instate⁴³⁹ and widow you withal,

440

440         To buy you a better husband.

MARIANA

MARIANA     O my dear lord,

               I crave no other, nor no better man.

DUKE

DUKE     Never crave him, we are definitive.⁴⁴³

MARIANA

MARIANA     Gentle my liege— Kneels

445

445 

DUKE

DUKE             You do but lose your labour.⁴⁴⁵

               Away with him to death.— Now, sir, to you. To Lucio

MARIANA

MARIANA     O my good lord! Sweet Isabel, take my part,

               Lend me your knees, and all my life to come

               I’ll lend you all my life to do you service.

450

450 

DUKE

DUKE             Against all sense⁴⁵⁰ you do importune her.

               Should she kneel down in mercy of this fact,⁴⁵¹

               Her brother’s ghost his pavèd bed⁴⁵² would break,

               And take her hence in horror.

MARIANA

MARIANA     Isabel,

455

455         Sweet Isabel, do yet but kneel by me,

               Hold up your hands, say nothing, I’ll speak all.

               They say best men are moulded out of faults,

               And for the most⁴⁵⁸ become much more the better

               For being a little bad: so may my husband.

460

460         O Isabel, will you not lend a knee?

DUKE

DUKE     He dies for Claudio’s death.

ISABELLA

ISABELLA     Most bounteous sir,

               Look, if it please you, on this man condemned, Kneels

               As if my brother lived. I partly think

465

465         A due sincerity governed his deeds,

               Till he did look on me: since it is so,

               Let him not die. My brother had but⁴⁶⁷ justice,

               In that he did the thing for which he died.

               For Angelo,

470

470         His⁴⁷⁰ act did not o’ertake his bad intent,

               And must be buried but as an intent

               That perished by the way. Thoughts are no subjects,⁴⁷²

               Intents but merely thoughts.

MARIANA

MARIANA     Merely, my lord.

475

475 

DUKE

DUKE             Your suit’s unprofitable.⁴⁷⁵ Stand up, I say. They stand

               I have bethought me of another fault.

               Provost, how came it Claudio was beheaded

               At an unusual hour?

PROVOST

PROVOST     It was commanded so.

480

480 

DUKE

DUKE             Had you a special warrant for the deed?

PROVOST

PROVOST     No, my good lord, it was by private message.

DUKE

DUKE     For which I do discharge you of your office.

               Give up your keys.

PROVOST

PROVOST     Pardon me, noble lord,

485

485         I thought it was a fault, but knew it not,⁴⁸⁵

               Yet did repent me after more advice,⁴⁸⁶

               For testimony whereof, one in the prison,

               That should by private order else have died,

               I have reserved⁴⁸⁹ alive.

490

490 

DUKE

DUKE     What’s he?

PROVOST

PROVOST     His name is Barnardine.

DUKE

DUKE     I would thou hadst done so by Claudio.

               Go fetch him hither, let me look upon him.

       [Exit Provost]

ESCALUS

ESCALUS     I am sorry, one so learnèd and so wise

495

495         As you, Lord Angelo, have still⁴⁹⁵ appeared,

               Should slip so grossly, both in the heat of blood⁴⁹⁶

               And lack of tempered⁴⁹⁷ judgement afterward.

ANGELO

ANGELO     I am sorry that such sorrow I procure,⁴⁹⁸

               And so deep sticks it in my penitent heart

500

500         That I crave death more willingly than mercy,

               ’Tis my deserving, and I do entreat it.

       Enter Provost, Barnardine, Claudio [muffled, and] Julietta

DUKE

DUKE     Which is that Barnardine?

PROVOST

PROVOST     This, my lord.

DUKE

DUKE     There was a friar told me of this man.

505

505         Sirrah, thou art said to have a stubborn soul

               That apprehends⁵⁰⁶ no further than this world,

               And squar’st⁵⁰⁷ thy life according. Thou’rt condemned,

               But, for those earthly faults, I quit⁵⁰⁸ them all,

               And pray thee take this mercy to provide

510

510         For better times to come. Friar, advise him,

               I leave him to your hand. What muffled⁵¹¹ fellow’s that?

PROVOST

PROVOST     This is another prisoner that I saved,

               Who should have died when Claudio lost his head,

               As like almost to Claudio as himself. Unmuffles Claudio

515

515 

DUKE

DUKE             If he be like your brother, for his sake To Isabella

               Is he pardoned. And, for your lovely sake,

               Give me your hand and say you will be mine,

               He is my brother too. But fitter time for that.

               By this Lord Angelo perceives he’s safe,

520

520         Methinks I see a quickening⁵²⁰ in his eye.

               Well, Angelo, your evil quits⁵²¹ you well:

               Look⁵²² that you love your wife, her worth worth yours.

               I find an apt remission⁵²³ in myself.

               And yet here’s one in place⁵²⁴ I cannot pardon.

525

525         You, sirrah, that knew me for a fool, a coward, To Lucio

               One all of luxury,⁵²⁶ an ass, a madman —

               Wherein have I so deserved of you,

               That you extol⁵²⁸ me thus?

LUCIO

LUCIO     ’Faith, my lord. I spoke it but according to the trick.⁵²⁹ If you will hang me for it, you may, but I had rather it would please you I might be whipped.

DUKE

DUKE     Whipped first, sir, and hanged after.

               Proclaim it, provost, round about the city:

               If any woman wronged by this lewd fellow —

               As I have heard him swear himself there’s one

535

535         Whom he begot with child — let her appear,

               And he shall marry her. The nuptial finished,

               Let him be whipped and hanged.

LUCIO

LUCIO     I beseech your highness, do not marry me to a whore. Your highness said even now, I made you a duke. Good my lord, do not recompense me in making me a cuckold.⁵⁴⁰

DUKE

DUKE     Upon mine honour, thou shalt marry her.

               Thy slanders I forgive, and therewithal⁵⁴²

               Remit⁵⁴³ thy other forfeits. Take him to prison,

               And see our pleasure herein executed.⁵⁴⁴

545

545 

LUCIO

LUCIO             Marrying a punk, my lord, is pressing to death,⁵⁴⁵ whipping, and hanging.

DUKE

DUKE     Slandering a prince deserves it.

       [Exeunt Officers with Lucio]

               She, Claudio, that you wronged, look you restore.⁵⁴⁷

               Joy to you, Mariana. Love her, Angelo:

               I have confessed her⁵⁴⁹ and I know her virtue.

550

550         Thanks, good friend Escalus, for thy much goodness,

               There’s more behind⁵⁵¹ that is more gratulate.

               Thanks, provost, for thy care and secrecy,

               We shall employ thee in a worthier place.

               Forgive him, Angelo, that brought you home

555

555         The head of Ragozine for Claudio’s,

               Th’offence pardons itself. Dear Isabel,

               I have a motion⁵⁵⁷ much imports your good,

               Whereto if you’ll a willing ear incline,

               What’s mine is yours and what is yours is mine.

560

560         So, bring⁵⁶⁰ us to our palace, where we’ll show

               What’s yet behind,⁵⁶¹ that’s meet you all should know.

       [Exeunt]

Textual Notes

F = First Folio text of 1623, the only authority for the play

F2 = a correction introduced in the Second Folio text of 1632

Ed = a correction introduced by a later editor

SD = stage direction

SH = speech heading (i.e., speaker’s name)

List of parts based on “Names of All the Actors” (reordered) at end of F text

1.1.74 relish spelled rallish in F 80 SD Exit = F2. F places SD after line 79

1.2.42 SH MISTRESS OVERDONE = Ed. F = Bawd. (throughout) 61 SH POMPEY = Ed. F = Clo. or Clow. (throughout)

1.3.18 morality = Ed. F = mortality

1.4.11 and witless = F2. F = witlesse 22 fourteen = F Some eds emend to nineteen 28 Becomes more = Ed. F = More 46 in = F. Some eds emend to me or it 50 me = Ed. F omits

1.5.2 SH FRANCISCA = Ed. F = Nun 58 giving-out = F. Some eds emend to givings-out

2.1.13 your = Ed. F = our

2.2.75 back again = F2. F = againe 118 now = F. Some eds emend to new or raw 121 ere = Ed. F = here 135 ne’er = F2 F = neuer

2.4.9 seared = Ed. F = feard 53 or = Ed. F = and 80 me be = F2. F = be

3.1.29 sire = Ed. F = fire 53 me…them = Ed. F = them to hear me 72 Though = Ed. F = Through 97 enew = Ed. F = emmew 141 penury = F2. F = periury 210 by oath = F2. F = oath 267 eat, array = Ed. F = eate away 279 Free from = F2. F = From 361 dearer = Ed. F = deare 382 now…yet = F. Some eds. emend to not past it yet 412 See = Ed. F = Sea 417 it is = Ed. F = as it is

4.1.23 well come = F. Some eds emend to welcome 61 quests = F2. F = Quest

4.2.35–6 = F. Some eds assign the speech to Abhorson 84 Happily Spelled Happely in F 90 Assigned to the Provost = Ed. F assigns to the Duke lordship’s = Ed. F = Lords 91 Assigned to the Duke = Ed. F assigns to the Provost

4.3.10 Forthright = Ed. F = Forthlight 11 Shoe-tie Spelled Shootie in F 73 yonder = Ed. F = yond 115 convent Spelled Couent in F

4.4.4 redeliver = Ed. F = re-liuer

4.5.6 Flavius’ = Ed. F = Flavia’s 8 Valentius = Ed. F = Valencius

5.1.14 me = Ed. F = we 187 her = F2 F = your 438 confiscation = F2. F = confutation 561 that’s = F2. F = that

Act 1 Scene 1

1.1a   List of parts: fantastic extravagant, showy dresser/person with fanciful ideas    Provost officer in charge of the arrest, custody, and punishment of offenders    Isabella sometimes “Isabel” for sake of meter    Juliet sometimes “Julietta” for sake of meter    bawd pimp

1.1b  Location: with the exception of Act 4 scenes 1 and 5, the entire play is set in Vienna, moving between the duke’s palace, the street, the monastery, the nunnery, the prison, and, in the final scene, the city gates

    3    properties particulars, qualitites    unfold explain

    4    seem…t’affect make it appear that I loved/make it seem as if I wished to display

    5    put to know obliged to acknowledge    science knowledge

    6    that i.e., knowledge of the properties of government    lists limits

    7    strength mental capacity

    8    But…work unclear, possibly because certain words have been omitted accidentally; the general sense seems to be “other than to rely on the workings of your ability (sufficiency) and worth”

  10    institutions customs/laws    terms conditions/sessions of the law court

  11    pregnant knowledgeable

  12    art and practice learning and experience

  14    warp deviate

  16    What…bear? How do you think he will represent me? How will he perform as my substitute?    figure duke’s stamp on a coin or seal

  17    special soul inner conviction, particular consideration

  18    supply occupy as a substitute

  19    terror supreme authority, power to punish    dressed…love furnished him with our ability to grant favors/invested him with our favor

  20    deputation position as deputy    organs instruments

  23    undergo sustain    grace favor    Angelo from the word “angel,” a celestial being as well as a gold coin bearing the image of the Archangel Michael

  27    pleasure wishes

  29    character distinctive mark/personal trait/individual handwriting

  30    history life story/record

  31    unfold narrate/reveal    belongings attributes

  32    Are…proper do not belong to you exclusively (i.e., you have a duty to the public good to share your talents)    waste…thee i.e., you cannot squander your virtues for purely personal ends or waste your personal efforts purely on cultivating your virtues

  36    of from (i.e., in public service)

  37    Spirits souls/temperaments    touched created/put to the test or stamped, like coins

  38    But…issues except to do fine deeds/except, like coins, to be refined and put into circulation

  39    scruple tiny amount

  40    thrifty frugal, economical    determines…use appoints herself the privileges of a creditor, namely both gratitude for the loan and financial interest (use puns on the sense of “actively using nature’s gifts”)

  42    bend direct

  43    my…advertise instruct me

  44    Hold wait a moment/be steadfast, or “take what I am about to offer you”

  45    remove absence    at full in every respect

  46    Mortality (power to impose) the death penalty

  48    first in question first under consideration/senior    secondary deputy

  51    mettle character/spirit; puns on “metal” (of a coin)

  52    figure image

  55    leavened carefully considered/matured (like dough left to rise)

  57    quick condition urgent a nature

  58    prefers itself takes precedence    unquestioned unexamined

  59    needful value necessary importance

  60    concernings affairs    importune urge

  61    look expect

  63    th’hopeful the promising

  65    leave permission

  66    bring you something accompany you a little

  67    admit allow

  68    have…scruple concern yourself with any doubt

  70    qualify moderate

  72    privily secretly

  73    stage me publicly display myself

  74    do well is fitting/politically appropriate/pleasing to the crowd

  75    aves welcoming shouts

  76    safe discretion sound judgment

  77    affect cultivate, like

  79    Lead may they lead you

  82    concerns…place is important to me to establish the full extent of my position

  88    Touching regarding

Act 1 Scene 2

 1.2    Lucio from the Italian for “light” (bright/of loose morals)

    1    composition settlement

    2    fall upon attack

    3    peace…Hungary’s plays on the notion of a “hungry peace,” during which jobless soldiers struggled to feed themselves

    5    sanctimonious outwardly pious

    6    table thin stone or wood slab inscribed with the Ten Commandments

    8    razed erased

  10    from their functions to desist from their occupations    put forth set out

  11    meat a meal    petition entreaty

  15    metre verse

  16    proportion form

  18    controversy refers to religious dispute over the nature of God’s    grace (mercy), in particular the puritan–Catholic controversy over whether one’s soul was saved by one’s actions in life or by grace alone

  20    there…us i.e., we are both cut from the same cloth

  21    lists plain fabric edging

  22    three-piled piece trebly thick, of high quality material/sufferer from hemorrhoids

  23    lief willingly    kersey plain, coarsely woven cloth    piled luxuriously thick/bald (a symptom of syphilis)

  24    French velvet fancy garment (plays on the fact that syphilis was known as the “French disease,” and syphilitic scars were sometimes covered with velvet patches)    feelingly aptly/painfully

  25    painful feeling conviction/pain caused by oral syphilitic ulcers

  26    confession admission    begin…thee toast your health, but remember not to drink after you (since the cup will be contaminated)

  28    done myself wrong misrepresented myself/laid myself open to mockery

  29    tainted or free infected or healthy    Overdone her name implies that she is a worn-out prostitute (to “do” was slang for “to have sex”)

  30    Mitigation i.e., one who relieves (mitigates) sexual desire

  33    Judge guess

  34    dolours lamentations/silver coins

  36    French crown gold coin (plays on baldness caused by syphilis)

  37    figuring calculating/imagining

  39    sound healthy/echoingly resonant

  40    bones are hollow brittle bones were a symptom of late syphilis    impiety lust, sin

  41    profound acute    sciatica pain in the upper hip, thought to be a symptom of syphilis

  45    Marry by the Virgin Mary

  49    after despite

  53    precise scrupulous

  54    draws…purpose is relevant to the conversation we had on that topic

  56    proclamation public declaration/legal prohibition

  58    sweat sweating-sickness/induction of sweating as a treatment for syphilis

  59    custom-shrunk lacking in customers    Pompey his name has (ironic) connotations of “pomp and splendor”; Pompey the Great was a famous Roman general of the first century BC

  61    Yonder man i.e., Claudio

  62    done Pompey’s response puns on the sense of “had sex with”

  65    Groping…river i.e., sex (literally, a reference to catching fish by hand)    peculiar privately owned, with play on female private parts

  66    maid young unmarried woman/virgin (plays on the sense of “type of fish”)

  70    houses…suburbs brothels, almost always situated in city suburbs

  72    stand for seed like plants, remain unharvested so that they may generate another crop (stand plays on the sense of “have an erection” and    seed on “semen”)    burgher citizen

  73    put in bid/interceded

  74    resort regular visiting

  78    counsellors advisers/lawyers

  79    tapster waiter, barman

  80    worn…service worked so long and hard in the business/become almost blind from syphilis through sexually servicing so many men

  82    Thomas generic name for a    tapster

Act 1 Scene 3

    3    evil disposition malice

    6    down immediately    weight in full (literally, weighing rather than counting coins, in order to ensure their true value)

    7    The…heaven according to the Bible (specifically Romans 9:15, in which God says “I will have mercy on him to whom I will show mercy”)

    9    Whence…restraint? Why have you been arrested?

  10    liberty freedom/sexual license

  11    surfeit excess, overindulgence    fast starvation/restraint

  12    scope opportunity, freedom

  14    ravin…bane eagerly devour their particular poison (ratsbane, usually arsenic oxide)

  15    thirsty thirst-provoking (rat poison dehydrates rodents)

  17    creditors i.e., those who would arrest him (for debt)    lief willingly    foppery folly

  18    morality wisdom

  27    looked after vigilantly pursued, watched out for

  28    true contract i.e., both parties declared their intention to marry, in the presence of witnesses

  30    fast firmly

  31    Save except    denunciation official declaration

  32    outward public/legal

  33    propagation of a dower increase/production of a dowry

  34    friends relatives/protectors

  35    meet right

  36    made…us made them into our allies

  37    mutual entertainment love making

  38    character too gross writing that is only too large, obvious

  42    glimpse of newness brief dazzling of new power

  43    body public state/populace

  45    that so that

  46    straight straight away

  47    in his place inherent in his official position

  48    his…up the pride of the man who occupies that position

  49    stagger in am uncertain about

  50    Awakes me revives (me is emphatic)    enrollèd legally recorded

  51    unscoured unpolished, rusty

  52    zodiacs years

  53    them i.e., the armor/laws    for a name to gain a reputation

  56    tickle precariously

  60    cloister nunnery

  61    approbation probationary period as a novice (one in the early stages of becoming a nun)

  64    To with    assay assault/test/tempt

  66    prone ready/gentle, tractable, submissive    speechless dialect silent communication (body language)

  67    move affects/arouses    prosperous art successful rhetorical skill

  68    discourse rationality, understanding

  70    the like others guilty of the same offense

  71    grievous imposition serious accusation/penalty

  72    game of tick-tack form of backgammon involving the placing of pegs in holes, hence a euphemism for sex

Act 1 Scene 4

    1    that thought apparently the friar thinks that the duke wishes to conceal himself in the monastery as part of some amorous plan

    2    dribbling dart random arrow (of Cupid)

    3    complete whole, accomplished, perfect

    4    harbour refuge

    5    wrinkled i.e., mature

    9    removed secluded

  10    in idle price at little worth    assemblies large social gatherings

  11    cost extravagance    witless bravery keeps foolish bravado is to be found

  13    stricture severity, self-restraint

  16    strewed spread

  18    demand ask

  21    bits and curbs parts of harnesses used to control horses    weeds people who are of no use in society (some editors emend to “steeds” so as to maintain the equine imagery)

  22    let slip unloosed/allowed to go unchecked

  23    o’ergrown old/fat and inactive

  24    fond foolish/doting

  25    twigs of birch used for beating disobedient children

  27    rod cane

  29    Dead…dead not being enforced, have become redundant

  30    liberty…nose freedom/license contemptuously mocks the law

  31    athwart in the wrong direction

  32    decorum propriety, social order

  35    dreadful awe-inspiring/terrible

  38    Sith since

  39    gall vex, harass

  41    permissive pass authorization

  43    office role/responsibility

  44    in th’ambush under the cover or authority of    home to the center of the target

  45    my…slander not incite hatred toward me

  46    sway power, influence

  47    brother…order i.e., disguised as a Franciscan friar

  48    prince i.e., Angelo, as the reigning authority

  49    habit clothing/friar’s outfit

  50    formally outwardly    bear me conduct myself

  53    precise punctilious, morally strict

  54    at…with on guard toward (fencing term)    envy malice    scarce…stone i.e., barely admits that he is human

  57    purpose intention, attitude

Act 1 Scene 5

    5    votarists those bound by religious vows    Saint Clare religious order set up by Saint Clare in 1212, sworn to observe poverty and silence

  10    unsworn have not yet taken a nun’s vows

  12    prioress head of the nunnery

  17    cheek-roses rosy/blushing cheeks

  18    stead assist

  20    novice one in the early stages of becoming a nun, yet to take her vows

  21    unhappy miserable/unlucky

  23    rather for more so because

  25    kindly with brotherly affection

  26    weary tedious

  29    thanks gratitude/approval

  30    friend lover

  31    your story the subject of your mockery

  33    familiar usual (plays on the sense of “overly intimate”)

  34    lapwing plover (bird associated with amorous intrigue and deceit)

  35    Tongue…heart i.e., my words contradicting my intentions    play jest (with sexual connotations)

  36    enskied in the skies, heavenly

  37    By your renouncement because of your rejection of the material world (you are)

  40    You…me in mocking/flattering me, you defame what is truly holy

  41    Fewness in few words

  42    embraced i.e., had sex

  44    seedness act of sowing seeds    bare fallow uncultivated land

  45    teeming foison plentiful harvest

  46    Expresseth reveals    tilth and husbandry plowing and cultivation (with sexual connotations)

  47    cousin relative/close friend

  50    vain…affection silly though natural fondness

  55    Bore…hand misleadingly kept many men, including me, waiting in

  58    giving-out utterances

  59    true-meant design real intentions    Upon in

  60    line scope

  62    snow-broth melted snow

  63    wanton uncontrolled/lascivious    motions urges    sense senses

  64    rebate blunt (as of a weapon)/suppress    edge blade/keen desire

  65    profits improvements    fast fasting

  66    use (disreputable) habit

  67    hideous frightening

  69    heavy sense severe meaning

  70    Falls into forfeit has to be given up

  73    grace good fortune/favor

  74    pith essence

  77    censured condemned

  82    Assay try

  87    sue plead

  88    give yield/offer

  89    petitions…them requests are granted as fully as the maidens themselves would wish

  94    mother mother superior, head of the nunnery

  96    Soon at night early in the evening

  97    my success the outcome of my attempts

Act 2 Scene 1

    2    fear frighten

    3    custom familiarity

    6    keen shrewd/sharp    cut a little i.e., proceed gradually (in the restriction of crime)

    7    fall let fall (wide-ranging or heavy punishments)    bruise crush

  10    strait rigorous

  11    affections emotions/desires

  13    that…purpose if the determined acting out of your passion could have obtained the desired outcome (i.e., sex)

  16    Erred…which made the mistake for which

  20    passing delivering a verdict

  21    sworn twelve the twelve members of a jury sworn in under a legal oath

  22    open made made visible

  23    What who

  24    pregnant obvious (that)

  28    extenuate lessen

  29    For because

  31    judgement pattern out sentence (on Claudio) act as a precedent for

  32    nothing…partial let nothing intervene in my favor

  35    like please

  38    prepared i.e., for death (by confessing his sins and receiving the last rites)

  39    utmost…pilgrimage limit of his life’s journey

  42    run…ice flee cracks in ice underfoot, or perhaps “get away with breaches of chastity,” but Folio spelling “brakes” has led to uncertainty and editorial speculation    answer none are not made responsible for their sins

  43    a fault alone a single fault    Froth connotations of empty-headedness and insubstantiality, perhaps also “head of ale” and conceivably suggestive of semen

  45    use…houses engage in their vices in brothels

  48    poor duke’s duke’s poor

  49    lean rely (perhaps with a play on his name)

  50    benefactors malapropism for “malefactors”

  52    precise malapropism for “precious” (i.e., “out-and-out”)

  53    void devoid    profanation either Elbow really means “reverence” or this is a malapropism for “profession”

  55    comes off well is well spoken

  56    Go to expression of dismissive impatience    quality rank, position

  58    out at elbow disconcerted/speechless/ragged

  60    parcel-bawd part-time pimp    serves works for/serves drinks to/serves sexually

  61    house i.e., brothel    professes makes a profession of/claims to run (perhaps playing on the sense of “makes vows to a religious order”)

  62    hot-house bathhouse (effectively another brothel)

  64    detest malapropism for “protest” (i.e., “declare”)

  69    pity…life a great pity/bad thing for her/pity she should live    naughty wicked

  71    cardinally malapropism for “carnally”

  72    uncleanliness moral impurity

  73    the woman’s means Mistress Overdone’s doing (Elbow responds to the sense of “by her agent, Pompey”)

  74    his i.e., Pompey’s

  77    varlets…honourable Elbow gets his terms the wrong way round    varlets knaves

  78    misplaces misuses language, gets his word order mixed up

  79    saving…reverence i.e., begging your pardon/if you will excuse my language

  80    stewed prunes often available in brothels, they were used to treat syphilis, and here function as a euphemism for “scrotum”; stewed puns on “stews” (i.e., a brothel)

  81    distant for “instant” or “present”    stood plays on the sense of “were erect”    fruit-dish euphemism for “vagina”

  85    not…pin it is not worth a trifle (pin plays on the sense of “penis”)    point with phallic connotations

  90    again back

  92    stones puns on the sense of “testicles”

  96    thing…of i.e., syphilis    wot know

  101    Come me come (me is emphatic)    done Pompey’s response plays on the sense of “had sex”

105    look into consider    fourscore pound £80 (a good income)

106    Hallowmas November 1, All Saints’ Day

107    All-hallond eve October 31, All Hallows’ Eve (Halloween)

108    lower chair unclear; probably a low-slung seat, or easy chair

109    Bunch of Grapes the name of a tavern or room in a tavern

111    open public (with a fire)

113    last…Russia i.e., take a very long time

115    cause case

116    cause reason

119    done plays on the sexual sense

124    mark note

130    supposed malapropism for “deposed”(i.e., sworn)    book i.e., the Bible

131    if…harm i.e., if his face is the worst thing about him, and is in fact harmless, how could any other part of him (i.e., his penis) be effective

134    an it like if it please    respected malapropism for “suspected”

138    respected Elbow understands “suspected” (of having had sex)

140    Justice or Iniquity personified characters in morality plays

141    caitiff wretch, villain    Hannibal probably a mistake for “cannibal”; Hannibal was a Carthaginian general who fought the Romans in the third century BC

144    action of battery lawsuit for assault, but a mistake for    slander as Escalus notices

145    took gave

149    discover reveal    courses way of life

152    continue Elbow seems to think this means “be punished” or “be restrained”

157    an’t if it

163    Overdone…last she got the name Overdone from her last husband/she became sexually worn out after her ninth husband

165    draw corrupt/draw in/drag to execution/drain of money (plays on the sense of drawing ale from a barrel)

166    hang them caused them to be hanged/curse them

168    tap-house tavern    but unless

175    Pompey the Great famous Roman general    beastliest crudest/most brutish

176    colour it in conceal it

178    would live wants to earn a living

183    geld and splay castrate (the men) and spay (the women)

185    to’t continue    take…knaves find employment for whores and their clients

186    fear worry about

187    pretty orders considerable laws    but…hanging exclusively beheading and hanging

190    glad…heads have to give an order for more people (heads may also play on “maidenheads”—i.e., young women)    hold remains valid/is observed

191    after at the rate of    bay room/space under a gable (i.e., extremely cheaply)

193    requital of repayment for

195    beat…you Julius    Caesar defeated Pompey the Great at the battle of Pharsalia, in 48 BC

196    shrewd artful/severe    dealing terms

199    flesh…determine my body and opportunity dictate

200    carman the driver of a cart    jade worn-out horse

203    place position

205    readiness eagerness/speed

208    pains trouble    put…upon’t make you perform the task for so long/work you so hard

209    ward district of a city    sufficient competent (enough)

210    wit intelligence

211    go…all carry out all the duties of my position

217    Eleven…dinner lunch was usually eaten before midday

223    needful necessary

224    Mercy…woe i.e., being merciful may in fact encourage further wrongdoing

Act 2 Scene 2

    1    He’s i.e., Angelo

    4    pleasure intention

    5    He i.e., Claudio    but as offended only done wrong as if

    6    sects types of people    smack have a flavor of, partake in

  12    Lest in case

  13    Under…correction correct me if I am wrong

  15    Repented…doom regretted the sentence he had imposed

  16    mine my role/my problem

  18    you…spared we will manage perfectly well without you/you will be spared the fear of error

  20    groaning i.e., in labor

  21    hour time to give birth

  22    Dispose of make arrangements for

  28    sisterhood order of nuns

  31    fornicatress i.e., Juliet

  33    order authorization

  37    suitor petitioner, supplicant

  44    will…not wanting and not wanting to

  45    matter subject/point

  47    his…brother let the evil deed be condemned rather than Claudio himself

  49    moving persuasive

  51    every…done i.e., all faults are wrong, by their very nature; therefore they must be condemned even before they can be committed

  52    the…function a meaningless role

  53    fine punish    fine…record punishments are set down by the law

  54    by unpunished

  57    Give’t…so do not give up so easily

  59    pin i.e., worthless trifle

  67    would wanted to

  68    what whatever compassion belongs, is fitting

  77    deputed sword sword of justice entrusted to rulers or their deputies as a symbol of office

  78    marshal senior military officer    truncheon military staff symbolizing command

  79    Become suits    grace virtue

  81    as you in your position

  85    potency power

  87    tell assert

  89    vein proper course to follow

  90    a forfeit of subject to

  93    were ever existed before Christ offered redemption

  94    he i.e., God    vantage opportunity (to condemn mankind for original sin)

  99    new made i.e., reborn through Christian salvation, or through Christ’s redemption of mankind

106    kill…season kill the birds when they are in the best condition to be eaten

107    minister attend to/supply

108    gross inferior/mortal    bethink you consider

113    Those…deed the many people who have engaged in extramarital sex would not have done so if the first person to break the law had been punished

117    glass mirror/crystal

118    now now in existence    remissness new-conceived moral laxity freshly contemplated (though not yet carried out)

119    hatched and born planned and executed

120    successive degrees further stages of development

121    ere before    end die

125    dismissed overlooked/unpunished    gall harm/vex

135    Jove in Roman mythology, king of the gods; his weapon was the thunderbolt    quiet at peace

136    pelting paltry

139    sharp…bolt i.e., lightning

140    unwedgeable incapable of being split    oak a tree that was sacred to Jove

141    myrtle evergreen shrub symbolic of love

142    brief temporal, earthly

143    assured confident about

144    glassy vain/fragile/translucent/reflected

145    fantastic illusory/grotesque/capricious/foolish

146    with our spleens if they had human spleens (thought to be the seat of laughter)

147    laugh mortal laugh themselves into being human/laugh themselves to death

149    coming coming round

151    weigh…ourself judge others by the same standards we employ for ourselves

152    jest with joke about/speak lightly of    wit mental sharpness

153    in…profanation in inferior men it is blasphemy

155    choleric hot-tempered

156    flat downright

157    avised aware

158    put force

161    skins covers up, like a film of skin over an ulcer

164    natural guiltiness inherent tendency to sin/guilt over normal affections

165    sound declare

167    sense reason

168    sense senses/sexual impulses    breeds grows (with connotations of pregnancy and, possibly, erection)

174    You…else i.e., a material bribe would have undone all your previous good work

175    fond foolish, trivial    sicles shekels, silver coins    tested genuine

176    stones jewels    rates value

177    fancy whim, arbitrariness    true faithful, constant

179    preservèd protected (in the nunnery)

180    fasting maids i.e., nuns    dedicate dedicated

181    temporal worldly

187    cross are in conflict, thwart one another

191    ’Save God save

196    violet flower associated with chastity

197    carrion dead, putrefying flesh

198    Corrupt…season rot under the wholesome sun (which causes violets to flourish)

199    modesty chastity

200    lightness promiscuity, lasciviousness    waste ground wasteland

201    raze the sanctuary obliterate the holy places

202    pitch build

204    foully i.e., immorally/sexually

210    enemy i.e., the devil

214    double vigour twofold power, enhanced energy    art and nature skills of seduction and inherent sexuality

215    stir my temper disturb my temperament/equilibrium, inflame my desire

217    fond infatuated/loving/foolish

Act 2 Scene 3

    1    so…are the duke remembers that he is in disguise and, as a friar, would not know the provost

    3    Bound obliged    blest order religious order

    5    common right right of a priest to visit condemned people/right of any citizen

  10    of mine in my charge

  11    flaws gusts of passion/faults/cracks

  12    blistered her report tarnished her reputation

  13    got conceived

  19    conducted escorted

  21    bear endure (plays on the sense of “bear a child”)

  22    arraign interrogate

  23    try test    if to see whether    sound genuine

  24    hollowly insincerely

  31    heavier more severe/more sorrowful/heavier with the weight of a baby

  33    meet so proper that you do so    lest in case

  34    As that because

  35    toward ourselves selfish

  37    we…fear i.e., we tend to repent out of fear of God rather than love for him

  38    as because

  40    There rest maintain that attitude

  42    instruction moral guidance

  43    Benedicite bless you

  44    injurious harmful

  45    respites grants

  46    still constantly

  47    ’Tis…him he is to be pitied

Act 2 Scene 4

    2    several various

    3    invention thoughts/imagination

    4    Anchors fixes    heaven probably substituted for “God” as a result of prohibition on naming the deity

    7    conception thought/plan (perhaps with connotations of pregnancy)    state affairs of government

    9    seared dried up    gravity authority/respectability

  11    boot advantage    change exchange    idle plume frivolous feather (worn in hats)

  12    for vain (in punishment) for vanity/to no purpose (plays on “weather vane”)    place rank    form ceremony, dignity

  13    case, thy habit clothing/outward appearance

  14    tie…seeming bind even the wiser people to a faith in the trappings of authority

  15    Blood sexual desire/human frailty

  16    Let’s even if we were to    angel plays on Angelo’s name

  17    ’Tis…crest i.e., it would still not change the devil’s evil nature    crest identifying feature on a coat of arms

  19    Teach show

  20    muster to rush to, collect in

  21    unable for itself incapable

  22    dispossessing depriving

  24    throngs crowds

  27    general people    well-wished well-liked

  28    part role    obsequious fondness fawning foolishness/dutiful affection

  29    untaught indecorous, ignorant

  32    That…’tis I would rather you gave me what I desire than ask what it is (plays on the sexual connotations of know and pleasure)

  34    Even so so be it

  39    reprieve time before his execution

  40    fitted prepared spiritually

  43    from…made i.e., murdered a man

  44    remit pardon

  45    saucy sweetness lecherous pleasures    coin…forbid i.e., forge illegitimate children in God’s image

  46    stamps instruments for impressing images on coins

  47    Falsely wrongly    true legitimately

  48    mettle substance/metal/semen    restrainèd means forbidden moulds

  50    ’Tis…earth the sins of murder and conceiving illegitimate children may be judged equally sinful in heaven, but they are not by humans

  51    pose you present you with a problem/question you

  58    Our…account sins we commit out of necessity are recorded, but we are not made to pay for them

  61    warrant guarantee

  67    Please if it please

  68    I’ll…soul I’ll risk the punishment of my soul (by saying)

  71    poise balance

  74    morn morning

  76    answer responsibility

  78    sense understanding/intention (plays on sense of “sensual inclination”)    ignorant unaware

  79    seem so crafty are cunningly pretending to be so (some editors emend to “craftily”)

  81    But graciously except with grace and humility

  83    tax rebuke    masks worn to shield the complexion from the sun (perhaps also with suggestion of nuns’ habits)

  84    enshield concealed

  85    mark pay attention to

  86    receivèd understood    gross bluntly

  89    appears is evident/is set down (in law)

  90    Accountant accountable    pain penalty (of death)

  92    Admit suppose

  93    subscribe not agree to neither

  94    in…question unclear; perhaps “for the sake of argument”

  96    credit influence/reputation    great place powerful position

  98    all-building on which everything is founded (some editors emend to “all-binding”)

100    treasures…body i.e., virginity

101    supposed hypothetical man

104    terms sentence

105    impression marks    keen biting/eager

106    strip whip/bare myself

113    die for ever i.e., suffer eternal damnation

116    Ignomy…houses shameful bargaining for pardon and unconditional release are entirely different matters

118    nothing kin unrelated

120    sliding sinfulness

121    merriment lighthearted matter

122    oft falls out often happens

123    would wish to

124    something somewhat

127    Else otherwise

128    not a fedary no accomplice

129    Owe…weakness owns and inherits the moral frailty that you speak of

132    as…forms can be destroyed as easily as they can reflect images

133    Help heaven! Heaven help them!    Men…them men debase their inherent superiority by abusing women/men ruin women, who created them, by abusing them

136    credulous…prints susceptible to forged imprints (i.e., ready believers of male falsehood)

137    think it well agree

139    suppose propose

140    Than…frames than the weaknesses that we are prey to

141    that what

142    none not a woman (as you define one)

143    well…warrants clearly reveal yourself to be by your outward appearance

145    livery uniform (of womanly frailty)

146    but one i.e., a truthful one (two tongues would be deceitful)

147    speak…language use the plainer language employed earlier/return to the matters discussed previously

148    conceive understand (perhaps with sexual connotations)

152    licence freedom of authority (perhaps with play on sense of “licentiousness”)

154    To pluck on as a means of testing

158    pernicious destructive    Seeming deceptive behavior

159    proclaim denounce

160    present immediate

161    outstretched wide open

162    What what kind of

164    austereness strictness

165    vouch testimony

167    stifle suffocate    report story/reputation

168    calumny slander

169    sensual…rein allow my desires to run freely

171    by aside    prolixious time-wasting

172    banish…for eliminate the very feelings they aim to arouse

175    unkindness cruelty/unnatural behavior/lack of sisterly feeling

176    sufferance torment

177    affection passion

180    Did I were I to

183    approof approval

184    make curtsy submit, bow

186    draws demands/leads

187    prompture urging    blood sexual desire

189    tender down lay down in payment

190    blocks execution blocks

194    More worth more

196    fit prepare

Act 3 Scene 1

    5    absolute resolved

    9    Servile subject/obedient    skyey influences planetary/meteorological influences

  10    habitation world/dwelling/body    keep’st reside

  11    Merely entirely    fool plaything/dupe

  12    For…still you strive to flee death and yet are always running toward it

  14    accommodations civilized comforts/clothing

  15    Are…baseness spring from lowly origins

  16    fork forked tongue

  17    worm snake    of rest way to rest

  18    provok’st summon    grossly excessively/foolishly

  19    no more i.e., than sleep

  21    issue…dust grow from the earth

  23    certain consistent

  24    complexion disposition    strange new/unusual

  25    After in accordance with/in imitation of

  26    ingots gold bars

  29    bowels i.e., children    sire father

  30    mere effusion very product    proper own

  31    serpigo spreading skin disease    rheum catarrh/head cold

  32    nor neither

  33    after-dinner’s i.e., early afternoon

  35    as agèd i.e., like an elderly beggar    alms Of money from

  36    palsied eld old age, afflicted by palsy (disease characterized by trembling)

  37    heat, affection, limb passion, love, agility

  39    bears…of is worthy of being called

  41    makes…even i.e., levels all differences

  43    To sue in pleading

  44    it i.e., death

  46    wish i.e., of    peace, grace, and good company

  57    affairs to business with

  59    leiger resident ambassador

  60    appointment preparation

  61    set on begin (your journey)

  64    cleave split    twain two

  69    fetter enchain

  70    Perpetual durance life imprisonment

  71    just exactly

  72    Though…had even if you had freedom to roam the entire world    vastidity vastness

  73    determined scope limited range

  74    in what nature of what sort

  76    bark strip    trunk body/tree trunk

  80    feverous feverish    entertain cherish, harbor

  81    more respect value more

  83    sense fearful awareness    apprehension anticipation

  85    corporal sufferance physical pain

  87    Why…shame? Why do you dishonor me in this way?

  88    resolution strength of purpose    fetch derive

  89    flow’ry tenderness elaborately worded offers of comfort

  90    encounter meet/engage with sexually

  95    In base appliances through dishonorable remedies    outward-sainted seemingly holy

  96    settled visage fixed countenance    deliberate carefully considered/calculating

  97    Nips youth i’th’head grasps youth by the neck, like a bird of prey    enew drive into the water, as a    falcon does its victim

  99    cast vomited up/cleansed by draining

101    prenzie unclear meaning; possibly an obscure heraldic term (the register of livery, invest, guards); perhaps a misprint for “precise” (puritanical), “priestly,” or “princely” (meant ironically)

103    invest dress

104    guards trimmings on the front of a rich garment    Dost thou think would you believe

108    he…still in exchange for this foul sin he would give you the freedom to continue breaking the law

114    deliverance release

115    frankly freely

118    affections lust

119    bite…th’nose i.e., mock, insult the law

120    force enforce (plays on the sense of “violate”)

124    trick trifle/whim/sexual act

125    perdurably fined eternally punished

130    obstruction state of death

131    sensible warm motion feeling, living, body

132    kneaded clod compacted lump of earth    delighted capable of delight

134    thrilling bitterly cold    region separate part of the universe    thick-ribbèd formed into ridges

135    viewless invisible

137    pendent hanging in space

138    lawless and incertain frenzied and uncertain

141    penury poverty

142    nature human nature, powers of endurance

143    To compared to

147    Nature human nature/nature itself    dispenses pardons

149    beast i.e., creature lacking judgment or compassion

150    dishonest shameful

151    made a man given life or prosperity

154    shield ensure/forbid    played…fair was faithful

155    warpèd…wilderness twisted seedling/offspring of licentiousness

156    defiance rejection/contempt

157    but merely    bending down praying (on bended knees)

163    accidental a one-off event    trade habitual practice

164    prove itself turn out to be

167    Vouchsafe permit

169    dispense…leisure give up your time    by and by soon

170    satisfaction recompense    likewise…benefit as much to your advantage as mine

172    attend wait for

174    purpose intention    only…assay he has merely tested

175    practise…natures test his ability to judge personality

176    gracious virtuous

178    to for    satisfy your resolution maintain your determination

182    Hold you there preserve that state of mind

186    habit friar’s clothing (that)    touch affect, harm

188    goodness…goodness if those who are beautiful do not value virtue, their beauty will not last

189    grace divine virtue

190    complexion disposition

191    frailty…falling there are other comparable examples of such wrongdoing

193    substitute deputy

194    resolve answer

197    discover his government reveal his conduct

198    avoid refute

200    advisings advice    I…believe I am convinced

201    uprighteously uprightly, righteously

202    merited worthy/deserved

203    peradventure perhaps

205    spirit courage

206    spirit soul

208    miscarried hadan accident/died/went missing

210    affianced betrothed

211    nuptial appointed wedding arranged    contract engagement    limit…solemnity appointed time of the ceremony

213    heavily grievously    befell to fell out for/affected

215    natural brotherly    sinew mainstay

216    combinate betrothed

219    dishonour sexual misconduct    few short    bestowed…lamentation married her to her own grief

220    yet still

224    avail benefit

228    continuance…affection i.e., still loves Angelo

230    impediment…current obstacle in the flow of a river

231    requiring request    plausible believable/ingratiating

232    to the point to the letter    refer…advantage ask for these advantageous conditions

234    answer to convenience be opportune/suit your convenience    course due course

235    stead up carry out

236    encounter meeting/sexual interaction    acknowledge reveals    her recompense redress

238    scaled weighed up

239    frame prepare    fit ready    carry manage

240    doubleness twofold nature    reproof blame

241    image idea

242    perfection completion

243    holding up ability to maintain it

245    moated grange farmhouse surrounded by a moat

246    dispatch make arrangements

249    brown…bastard sweet Spanish wine (plays on the sense of “illegitimate mixed-race children”)

251    stuff nonsense

252    ’Twas…since the world is not as enjoyable since    two usuries i.e., money lending and prostitution    merriest most enjoyable (prostitution)

254    fox fox fur (with connotations of cunning)    craft deceit

255    stands…facing trims the outside of the garment/puts itself on show to the world

257    brother father “friar” means “brother,” so the duke is making fun of Elbow’s terms of address

259    picklock device for picking locks (here, those of chastity belts)

261    sirrah sir (contemptuous)

264    maw gullet/stomach

267    array dress

269    So stinkingly depending supported by such foulness    mend reform your ways

270    sort way

271    proofs evidence

273    Correction punishment

274    rude barbarous

275    before go before

276    he…errand i.e., he would be better doing anything else than that

278    That if only

279    Free…free free from sin (as Angelo appears to be) and sin free from hypocrisy

280    come to resemble    cord rope (Elbow imagines the noose being like the cord that friars wore around the    waist)

281    cry call out for

282    led in triumph paraded in disgrace (in ancient Rome, following a triumph in war, prisoners were led behind the chariots of the victors)

283    Pygmalion a sculptor and King of Cyprus, he fell in love with an ivory statue he had made of his ideal woman

284    putting…clutched i.e., to be had for money    clutched with a fist grasping money

286    Is’t…rain i.e., lost (referring either to the old way of life or to Pompey’s reply)    Trot old hag, bawd    way response/fashion

287    sad…words i.e., dejected    trick manner

288    thus, and thus more and more/the same (nonsense)

289    morsel mouthful, tidbit

290    Troth in truth    eaten…beef exhausted her supply of prostitutes/eaten all the supplies of salt beef    tub sweating-tub used to treat venereal disease/pickling tub for curing beef

291    right of it the logical thing

292    powdered salted/heavily made up    unshunned unavoidable

295    amiss wrong

298    due penalty

299    of antiquity of old    bawd-born son of a bawd/born to be a bawd

300    husband housekeeper

303    wear fashion

304    bondage imprisonment    mettle spirit (plays on the idea of the metal chains used to fetter prisoners)

307    paint wear makeup

310    abroad in the world

312    kennel doghouse/gutter

315    Other some others

318    fantastical trick fanciful whim    steal steal away    usurp the beggary take on a baseness

319    puts transgression to’t i.e., punishes wrongdoers

322    lenity lenience

323    crabbed severe/harsh

324    general widespread

325    sooth truth    great kindred large family    allied connected

326    extirp eliminate    put down stopped

327    downright straightforward

330    sea-maid mermaid

331    stock-fishes dried cod (plays on sense of “impotent penis”)    makes water urinates

332    motion generative sexless puppet    infallible certain

333    pleasant humorous/facetious    apace rapidly/idly

334    codpiece cloth appendage worn by men at the front of the breeches (euphemism for “penis”)

336    getting conception

337    a of a    feeling understanding    sport i.e., sex

338    service i.e., sexual business

339    detected for women accused of lechery

343    beggar of fifty fifty-year-old beggarwoman    use habit/sexual practice    ducat gold coin

344    clack-dish beggar’s pot/vagina    crotchets fanciful notions

347    inward intimate friend

348    withdrawing sudden departure

351    greater…subject majority of his subjects

354    unweighing undiscriminating

355    envy malice

356    helmed steered    warranted need justified necessity

357    proclamation reputation    testimonied judged    bringings-forth achievements

359    unskilfully without justification/ignorantly

361    Love…love if you loved him you would know him better, and if you knew him better you would love him more

364    make your answer justify your comments

365    maintain defend

370    unhurtful an opposite weak an adversary

371    forswear deny

372    again on another occasion

376    filling…tundish i.e., having sex    tundish funnel with a long stem (i.e., penis)

377    ungenitured sexless/impotent    agent deputy, substitute    unpeople depopulate

378    continency sexual abstinence    Sparrows…lecherous sparrows were sacred to Venus and proverbially lascivious

379    dark deeds secret sexual acts    darkly answered privately dealt with

381    untrussing undressing (specifically, untying hose from doublet)

382    mutton on Fridays i.e., break the ecclesiastical laws that forbade the eating of meat on Fridays (mutton puns on the sense of “prostitute”)

383    mouth with kiss brown    bread coarse rye bread

386    censure ’scape escape condemnation

388    gall bile

393    Double…kind? (You have been) warned two or three times and still continue to do wrong?

394    swear…tyrant become so exasperated that it would become pitiless

396    information official legal complaint

397    Keepdown the name may imply sexual appetite and “lying down”    duke’s time under the rule of the duke

398    Philip and Jacob May 1, the day of Saint Philip and Saint James

400    licence immorality/lechery

402    brother colleague

403    divines clergyman

404    wrought…pity acted with the same amount of pity I feel

406    entertainment reception

409    whence are you where are you from

410    chance situation

411    my time the time being

412    See Holy See, Rome

414    abroad out

415    so…it (goodness) is so sick with worldly ills that it can cure itself only by dying

416    in request (exists only when it is) in demand/fashionable    aged consistent

417    course course of action/mode of behavior

418    societies associations between people    security overconfidence (plays on sense of “financial pledge guaranteeing a loan”)

419    fellowships partnerships (plays on sense of “trading corporations”)

422    strifes objectives/endeavors

423    pleasure enjoyments

426    events activities

427    lent him visitation paid him a visit

429    sinister measure unfair treatment

430    determination resolution, decision    framed to devised for

431    instruction prompting

432    good leisure own time    discredited shown to be false

433    You…calling you have fulfilled your divine duties to both God and the prisoner

434    extremest…modesty limits of my abilities

436    indeed Justice Justice itself

437    straitness severity

441    sword of heaven emblem of religious/legal authority

443    Pattern…know be himself a model of virtue

444    Grace to stand support himself with grace    virtue go conduct himself with virtue

445    More…weighing administering no more or less justice to himself than he would to others

450    weed weed out

453    likeness…crimes seemingly virtuous behavior founded on sin

454    Making practice practice deception

455    draw…things pretend to catch big things, but with merely insubstantial means

457    Craft cunning, skill

459    old betrothèd ex-fiancée (Mariana)    despised scorned

460    disguise deception    th’disguised the disguised Mariana

461    Pay…exacting repay with deception the wrongful demands (made on Isabella)

462    contracting marriage contract

Act 4 Scene 1

 4.1    Location: outside Vienna

    2    forsworn perjured, false

    3    the…day like the dawn

    9    stilled quieted    brawling clamorous

  10    cry you mercy beg your pardon

  13    My…woe my music does not mean I am merry but it soothed my grief

  14    charm magical ability

  16    much upon at about this

  19    constantly entirely

  20    forbearance patience/absence    anon immediately afterward/in a while

  23    well met perfect timing    well come welcome

  25    circummured walled around

  27    planchèd made of planks

  28    makes his opening opens

  29    command unlock

  32    Heavy dark/sleepy

  33    on your knowledge with the information you have

  34    due careful/adequate    wary cautious

  36    action…precept verbal directions

  38    tokens signals

  39    ’greed agreed    her observance particulars she must adhere to

  40    repair visit

  41    possessed informed    most longest

  44    stays upon attends    persuasion belief

  46    borne up sustained, managed

  51    like same

  53    have found it have experience of it

  56    attend your leisure wait for you until you are ready

  59    place status, position    false treacherous

  60    stuck fixed    report rumor

  61    quests…doings inquiries into your business

  62    escapes outbursts

  63    father…dream source of their delusion

  64    rack torment/distort    fancies imaginations

  68    It…too I not only agree to it, but beg you to do it

  70    Little…say say little

  75    pre-contract betrothal, a binding contract

  77    Sith since    title claim

  78    flourish adorn, render attractive

  79    Our…sow we have yet to reap the harvest for we have not sown the seed    tithe a tenth of the crop, due to the Church (some editors emend to “tilth,” plowed field)

Act 4 Scene 2

 4.2    Location: Vienna

    3    head master (the sense then shifts to pun on “maidenhead”—i.e., virginity)

    4    leave…snatches leave out your quibbles

    6    common public

    7    redeem release    gyves shackles, ankle fetters

    8    deliverance release    unpitied relentless, merciless

  10    time…mind for longer than I can remember

  13    Abhorson a conflation of “abhor” and “whoreson” (son of a whore), with connotations of “abortion” (i.e., monstrosity)

  16    meet fitting    compound…year agree on an annual sum    abide remain

  17    plead his estimation argue he is superior to the job

  19    mystery craft, profession

  20    weigh equally are worth the same

  21    favour permission (sense then shifts to “face”)

  22    hanging look downcast expression/the look of a hangman or of someone destined for hanging    mystery Pompey responds to the sense of “art, skill”

  24    Painting art/cosmetics

  30    true honest

  31    big large/valuable

  32    little small/worthless

  35    penitent repentant

  36    he…forgiveness the executioner would ask the condemned person for forgiveness

  40    turn purpose/hanging    yare quick, ready

  41    good turn favor/skillful execution (perhaps, given Pompey is a bawd, with play on the sexual sense)

  44    though even if

  48    guiltless labour innocent toil

  49    starkly stiffly    traveller’s laborer’s (“travailer’s”)

  51    do good on improve

  59    curfew in London, the curfew bell was rung at dusk in the winter and 9 p.m. in the summer to call all persons in until dawn the next day

  66    paralleled reflected/modeled on

  67    Even exactly    stroke and line linear course/written authority

  70    qualify moderate/control    mealed stained

  71    corrects punishes

  72    this i.e., his virtuous nature

  73    gentle honorable    seldom when it is seldom that

  74    steelèd hardened

  75    spirit’s i.e., the messenger

  76    unsisting unyielding    postern back or side gate

  78    He…up he (the officer) has arisen to attend the call

  79    countermand reprieve

  84    Happily perhaps

  86    example precedent

  87    siege seat

  96    purchased…in bought by the same sin as Angelo has committed

  98    Hence…authority sin grows rapidly when it is supported by (borne in) those in power

100    extended stretched/widened

101    fault’s love love of the sin    friended befriended, assisted

103    belike perhaps    remiss negligent, careless

104    unwonted unusual    putting-on prompting

108    satisfaction assurance

109    duly dutifully/fully    a thought the knowledge

110    deliver communicate

111    answer be accountable    your peril risk of punishment

112    What who

113    nine years old for the past nine years

117    wrought obtained    fact crime

118    undoubtful absolute

121    touched affected (by the thought of his impending execution)

122    apprehends conceives of/fears    dreadfully fearfully

123    insensible…mortal unmoved by death and yet irredeemably condemned to die

125    wants lacks/needs    advice guidance/spiritual counsel

126    evermore…prison always had the freedom to go anywhere within the prison

129    seeming supposed

131    beguiles deceives    boldness…cunning confidence of my skill

132    lay…hazard put myself at risk

134    manifested effect visible way

135    present immediate    courtesy service

138    limited specified

139    …Claudio’s i.e., be subject to the death penalty

140    cross thwart, obstruct

141    warrant guarantee (your safety)

144    discover the favour recognize the face

145    tie knot/tie together (to control any straggly hair)

146    bared shaved, trimmed

147    course practice    fall…this happens to you as a result of this

153    avouch confirms

156    resemblance possibility

157    coat friar’s habit    attempt persuade

158    hand signature/handwriting

159    character handwriting    signet seal of authority

160    strange unfamiliar

165    tenor substance

166    nothing…writ none of the above    unfolding star i.e., Morning Star, when the    shepherd releases his sheep from the fold

169    present shrift immediate confession    better place i.e., heaven

170    Yet still    this i.e., the letter    absolutely resolve you explain everything to you

Act 4 Scene 3

    1    acquainted known    house of profession i.e., the brothel

    3    Rash impetuous, capricious    commodity supply    brown paper coarse, poor-quality wrapping paper

    4    old stale    ninescore…money which he believed to be worth £197; making only £3.33 in actual cash, he is now in prison for debt

    5    old women proverbially fond of ginger

    6    Caper leaping or skipping while dancing    suit lawsuit (sense then shifts to “clothing”)

    7    Three-pile luxuriously thick material, usually velvet    mercer a dealer in fabrics

    8    peaches impeaches, denounces    Dizzy silly, vacuous    Deep-vow perhaps a lover who falls passionately, but frequently, in love

    9    Copperspur perhaps a man who has spurs made of copper in the hope they may pass for gold    Starve-lackey mean person who starves his servants    rapier fencing was done with a rapier (sword) and dagger

  10    Drop-heir perhaps someone who kills heirs, or marries them only to drop them; or “dropsied” (i.e., pretentious); or one with “hair” that is dropping out, a symptom of syphilis    lusty Pudding perhaps a rich, fat heir (a    pudding was a sausage)    Forthright moving forward, charging    tilter jouster

  11    brave splendidly dressed    Shoe-tie elaborate shoelace or bow    Half-can…Pots probably refers to a drunken brawl in which Half-can, someone “half-cut” (drunk), or someone who drank smaller measures of liquor, stabbed Pots (named after a drinking vessel)

  12    doers…trade frequenters of brothels (to “do” meant to have sex with)    ‘for…sake’ “meat for the Lord’s sake” was the frequent cry of prisoners asking for food

  15    rise awake/ascend the scaffold

  17    pox plague

  18    to as to

  25    straw floors of prisons were strewn with straw

  29    clap into get on with

  31    fitted in a suitable condition

  32    betimes early

  34    ghostly father holy confessor

  38    billets wooden sticks

  43    hear you listen

  44    ward cell

  45    thence from there

  46    gravel stony

  49    unmeet unfit

  50    transport him i.e., put him to death

  54    Ragozine possibly a native of Ragusa, a successful Adriatic port, now Dubrovnik

  55    years age    head hair

  56    omit disregard

  57    reprobate villain

  58    visage head/face

  60    accident event

  61    Dispatch it carry it out

  62    Prefixed determined

  64    rude vulgar, uncivilized

  67    continue keep alive

  71    holds cells

  72    journal greeting daily appearance

  73    yonder generation those outside of the prison

  74    manifested apparent

  75    free dependant willing servant/entirely under your protection

  80    injunctions commands    bound required

  82    consecrated fount holy spring

  83    league three miles    below outside

  84    cold gradation calm advancement    well-balanced form careful observance of the proper procedures

  88    commune discuss

  95    of out of

105    close controlled, silent

111    Forbear it restrain yourself

113    verity truth

115    confessor either Friar Thomas (mentioned in Act 1) or Friar Peter

116    instance information

119    pace control, maneuver

120    good path right direction

121    bosom on dearest wish inflicted on

122    Grace by virtue    heart heart’s content

129    perfect him withal tell him about

130    to…of face to face with

131    home and home thoroughly

132    combinèd bound

133    Wend you direct yourself, go

134    waters i.e., tears

136    pervert turn aside

140    fain obliged    bran coarse brown bread    for my head for fear of losing my head

141    fruitful fulfilling (with sexual connotations)    set me to’t set me to work sexually/provide the strength for sex

142    fantastical whimsical, capricious

143    dark corners i.e., secretive/given to lurking in dark corners (plays on the sense of “vaginas”)

144    beholding beholden, indebted

145    he…them he is nothing like you say/his reputation does not depend on you

146    woodman hunter (of women)

149    pretty fine/clever

154    fain to forswear eager to deny

155    medlar type of fruit/whore (slang term for the vagina)

156    fairer more (falsely) attractive, entertaining

158    burr prickly seed-head that sticks easily to clothing

Act 4 Scene 4

    1    disvouched contradicted

    2    uneven erratic

    3    wisdom…tainted wits are not infected

    4    redeliver hand back, restore (legal term)

    7    exhibit their petitions utter their complaints/requests

    8    dispatch swift settlement

    9    devices plots, contrivances

  11    betimes early

  12    sort and suit social rank and personal retinue

  15    unshapes confounds, deforms    unpregnant unreceptive, unprepared

  16    dull sluggish, unresponsive

  17    eminent body respected public figure

  18    it i.e., extramarital sex    But were it not    tender vulnerable, raw, pitiable

  19    proclaim publicly complain of    maiden loss loss of virginity

  20    tongue reproach, denounce    dares her no frightens her not to

  21    bears…bulk carries such weighty credibility

  23    confounds the breather discredits the person who utters the complaint

  24    riotous unrestrained    sense passion/awareness (of Angelo’s actions)

  26    By as a result of

Act 4 Scene 5

 4.5    Location: outside Vienna

    1    me for me

    3    keep your instruction stick to your task

    4    hold you ever stand firm    special drift particular aim

    5    blench swerve

    6    cause doth minister circumstances require

    9    trumpets trumpeters

  11    speeded done swiftly, accomplished

  14    gentle honorable

Act 4 Scene 6

 4.6    Location: Vienna

    1    indirectly dishonestly

    2    him Angelo so in that manner (truthfully)

    4    He i.e., the duke/friar

    6    peradventure by any chance

    8    physic medicine

    9    bitter…end unpleasant to taste but good for the health

  10    would wish

  12    stand place to stand

  13    vantage on advantageous position (from which to intercept)

  16    hent arrived, taken up positions at    near upon shortly

Act 5 Scene 1

    1    cousin a friendly form of address

    7    yield…thanks thank you publicly

    8    Forerunning more requital preceding further gratitude/reward

    9    bonds obligations

  11    wards…bosom secret confines of my heart

  12    characters letters

  13    forted fortified    tooth i.e., ravages

  14    razure obliteration

  15    subject duke’s citizens

  16    fain gladly

  17    Favours high regard    keep within live inside (my heart)

  21    Vail your regard cast your gaze downward

  22    fain much more willingly

  29    Reveal explain

  34    wring bring about

  36    suitor petitioner, supplicant

  37    Cut off (whose life was) cut short

  39    strange oddly (Isabella shifts the sense to “unprecedentedly”)

  41    forsworn perjured, false

  47    truer more certain

  50    To…reck’ning to the end of time/no matter how far we examine the matter

  52    in…sense from a diseased mind

  53    conjure entreat

  54    comfort godly realm/source of divine comfort

  55    with that opinion in the belief that

  56    touched tainted/affected    Make…unlike do not assume it is impossible because it seems unlikely

  58    caitiff wretch    ground face of the earth

  59    shy cautious, reserved    grave wise, dignified, revered    absolute perfect, complete

  61    dressings finery, official robes    caracts badges (of office)    forms formal procedures

  64    more name a greater vocabulary/more terms

  67    frame of sense lucidity, rational structure

  68    dependency…thing coherent relationship of ideas

  71    Harp dwell    banish…inequality assume I am mad because I am socially inferior or because my words contradict Angelo’s reputation

  74    hide…true (let the    truth) eclipse the falsehood that merely seems plausible/(let your    reason) ignore the falsehood that seems to be true

  78    act legal act prohibiting premarital sex/deed

  80    probation…sisterhood i.e., a novice

  82    As then at that time

  90    wished was I asked

  93    business for yourself matter concerning yourself

  94    perfect fully prepared/accurate

  95    warrant assure (the duke shifts the sense to “document authorizing arrest”)

  97    somewhat some part

102    pernicious destructive

105    to the matter relevant

106    Mended set right

107    to…by leaving out unnecessary details

108    persuaded entreated, urged

109    refelled refused

113    concupiscible hotly desirous

114    debatement argument, deliberation

115    remorse pity    confutes overcomes

116    the…betimes early the next morning

117    surfeiting being overindulged

119    likely probable (ironic)

120    …true i.e., as then the duke might believe her

121    fond foolish

122    suborned bribed to make false accusations

123    practice conspiracy

124    imports no reason makes no sense

125    pursue…himself seek to punish a crime he had also committed

127    weighed judged

128    cut him off had him executed    set you on put you up to this

132    ministers angels

134    Unfold reveal

135    countenance social standing/outward show

139    blasting destructive, withering

140    practice plot

142    Lodowick the duke’s assumed name as a friar

143    ghostly holy (plays on the sense of “insubstantial”)

145    lay not a clergyman

147    retirement absence    had swinged would have beaten

148    This’ this is

152    saucy insolent

153    scurvy contemptible

156    abused deceived

158    touch or soil moral blemish/sexual stain

159    ungot not yet conceived

163    temporary meddler one who interferes in secular matters

166    vouches testifies, asserts    misreport slander

167    most villainously he did, and most villainously too

170    strange unknown/severe    mere sole/personal

175    probation proof    make…clear make absolutely clear

176    convented summoned to appear

177    justify exonerate

178    vulgarly publicly

179    to her eyes to her face

183    vanity futile actions/foolishness

197    punk prostitute

199    cause…himself reason to speak/charge of his own to defend himself against

204    known had sex with

207    For…too if it kept you quiet I wish you were also drunk

213    charges accuses, indicts    with at

214    depose testify

215    th’effect the manifestations/fulfillment

216    Charges she more is she accusing other men

219    just exactly

222    abuse deception

227    fast belocked locked firmly

228    match assignation

229    supply satisfy    garden-house summer house

230    In…person disguised as Isabella

238    proportions dowry

239    composition the agreed amount    in chief principally

240    For that because    disvalued In levity discredited on grounds of (sexual) immorality

252    confixèd fixed firmly

254    smile i.e., regard such accusations as foolish/amusing

255    scope full extent

256    touched affected/hurt

257    informal demented

258    mightier member more powerful person

259    way opportunity, scope

264    Compact in collusion

265    swear down invoke    particular individual

267    sealed in approbation confirmed and approved

268    pains efforts

277    well-warranted eminently approved of

278    forth fully, to the end

280    chastisement form of punishment

281    stir not you do not move

282    determined made a judgment on

283    throughly thoroughly

286    Cucullus…monachum “a hood does not make a monk” (Latin)

288    enforce…him lay your charges against him

289    notable notorious

292    handle deal with (Lucio then plays on the sense of “fondle”)

294    Say you? What did you say?

295    privately alone/in her private parts

296    perchance…ashamed perhaps she will be too ashamed to admit her deceit/be made love to in public

297    go…her question her in a cryptic or cunning manner (perhaps with unwitting play on “have sex with her in the dark/sinfully”)

298    light bright/promiscuous

302    Mum (I shall be) silent

306    How? What?

307    Respect let respect be shown/I am respectful

308    honoured…throne respected, if not for anything else, for the fact that he is the king of hell

310    in us is represented by us

311    Look make sure

313    Good…redress! Farewell to any hope of justice!

316    retort reject    manifest evidently truthful

320    unreverend disrespectful/irreligious    unhallowed unholy

322    mouth language

323    proper ear own hearing

324    glance move rapidly/turn

325    tax charge, blame

326    th’rack torture instrument that stretched the limbs    touse pull violently

329    hot rash, hasty

330    stretch upon the rack

332    here provincial of this province (hence not subject to its laws)

335    stew cauldron/brothel

336    countenanced endorsed (by those in authority)

337    forfeits…shop Elizabethan barbers displayed lists of penalties for misbehavior in their shops

338    in…mark in jest as a serious warning

342    goodman form of address to one below the rank of gentleman    baldpate monks were required to shave parts of their heads

346    notedly particularly

347    fleshmonger fornicator/pimp

349    …report attribute those remarks to me

353    close compromise/conclude

355    bolts leg irons, fetters

356    giglots harlots    confederate companion accomplice (Friar Peter)

362    sheep-biting whoremongering/thieving (said of a dog that would attack sheep)    hanged the fate of dogs caught attacking sheep    an hour in an hour/for an hour or so

363    mad’st created

364    bail free    gentle three i.e., Isabella, Mariana, and Friar Peter

369    place i.e., the position where Angelo is presiding

371    or either

372    do thee office be of service to you

374    hold…out give in (to the truth)

375    dread revered

377    undiscernible undetected

379    passes actions/trespasses

380    session trial

382    sequent subsequent

387    Do…office undertake the task    consummate being completed

391    at…it at the fact that he behaved like this than at the extraordinary nature of the situation

394    Advertising attentive    holy devoted

395    changing…habit having changed my feelings with my appearance

396    Attorneyed serving as your agent

398    vassal servant, subject    pained put to effort

401    free generous

403    obscured disguised

405    rash remonstrance sudden revelation

406    so lost i.e., executed    kind fond, sisterly

407    celerity speed

409    brained destroyed, dashed the brains from

412    So thus

415    salt lecherous

417    adjudged condemned

419    promise-breach Thereon dependent i.e., the breaking of the promise to save Claudio, made in return for Isabella giving up her    chastity

422    proper own

424    still always

425    quit repay    measure retribution/judgment/due proportion

427    though…vantage even were you to deny it you would not benefit

428    very block same executioner’s block

432    mock deceive/tantalize/taunt

435    else…you otherwise accusations regarding your sexual relations with him

437    For as for

439    instate endow    widow you withal grant you a widow’s settlement with them

443    definitive determined

445    lose your labour waste your efforts

450    Against all sense totally unreasonably    importune entreat

451    of this fact for this crime

452    pavèd bed grave covered with a stone slab

458    most most part

467    but only

470    His…intent despite his bad intentions he did not fulfill them

472    subjects actual things/people subject to the ruling power

475    unprofitable pointless/unsuccessful

485    knew it not was not sure

486    advice consideration

489    reserved preserved

495    still always

496    blood sexual desire

497    tempered self-controlled

498    procure bring about

506    apprehends comprehends

507    squar’st measures/shapes

508    quit acquit, pardon

511    muffled concealed (with a hood or clothing)

520    quickening fresh animation

521    quits repays/leaves

522    Look make sure    her…yours her worth is equal to yours/let your worth be deserving of hers

523    apt remission ready forgiveness

524    in place present

526    luxury lust

528    extol praise

529    trick custom/whim/prank/foolishness

540    cuckold man with an unfaithful wife

542    therewithal in addition

543    Remit pardon    forfeits punishments

544    pleasure herein executed wishes fulfilled

545    pressing to death one who refused to plead guilty or innocent was pressed with heavy weights until he pleaded or died (plays on the sense of “death by sexual exention”)

547    restore makes amends to (by marriage)

549    confessed her been her confessor

551    behind to come    gratulate pleasing/expressive of thanks

557    motion…good proposal that greatly concerns your benefit

560    bring accompany

561    yet behind still to be revealed    meet fitting

THE COMEDY OF ERRORS

A merchant of Syracuse has identical twin sons. One is stolen at the age of seven. The other’s name is changed to that of the lost boy, in his memory. When grown up, he wanders the Mediterranean in search of his brother, finally chancing upon the seaport where the latter lives. The wanderer encounters the mistress, the wife, and other acquaintances of the brother and is inevitably mistaken for him. When he denies all knowledge of the people who greet him, they assume that he is mad and attempt to have him locked up—save that by a further confusion they apprehend the other twin, the one who does know them. The audience awaits the moment of resolution that will come when the twins appear on stage together.

Such is the plot of Plautus’ Menaechmi, a Roman comedy familiar to any Elizabethan with a classical education—which is to say any young man who had been to the university and many who had reached no further than the upper level of grammar school. When The Comedy of Errors was performed before an audience of London lawyers and their patrons in the Christmas festivities of 1594, it was instantly recognized as being “like to Plautus his Menaechmus.” Some years later, a lawyer named John Manningham made the same link, describing Twelfth Night, Shakespeare’s later comedy of twins and mistaken identity, as “much like The Comedy of Errors or Menaechmi in Plautus.” While we applaud difference, Shakespeare’s first audiences favored likeness: a work was good not because it was original, but because it resembled an admired classical exemplar, which in the case of comedy meant a play by Terence or Plautus.

Imitation was at the core of both education and artistic theory in Shakespeare’s world. But good imitation was never slavish: it necessitated a surpassing of the original, often achieved by the fusion of different sources or the complicating of an already complicated plot line. Thus Shakespeare proved his cleverness to his audience of clever young lawyers. It is as if he is saying: Plautus presented one pair of identical twins, so I will give you two. The possibilities for confusion are greatly multiplied by this device. As well as the stranger being mistaken for the local man, and the local mistaken for the stranger, we have the servants of each being mistaken by their own master and the other’s master and the locals. Not to mention the masters mistaken by their servants. The comedy whereby an unmarried man in an alien environment is told that his wife is expecting him at home for dinner is doubled by the comedy of his slave receiving the unlooked-for attentions of the spherical kitchen-maid with whom his twin has been sexually involved.

The Comedy of Errors turns on the essential device of farce: exits and entrances. The wrong person keeps coming out of the door. Classical comedy provided a model in which the action of a drama takes place in a single location during the course of a single day. Errors is one of the few Shakespearean plays to follow this convention. The entire action takes place in the marketplace of Ephesus, its temporal structure framed by the Egeon plot (condemned in the morning, released in the evening). Unusually for Shakespeare, the exit and entrance doors represent specific locations: the Phoenix (Antipholus’ and Adriana’s house), the Porcupine (the courtesan’s house), and the Priory. They may even have been labeled thus in performance. From the point of view of staging, this device was well fitted to indoor academic drama—as the play’s brevity was suited to its being but a small part of a longer evening’s entertainment at the Inns of Court. Errors is by some margin the shortest of Shakespeare’s plays. It has around 1800 lines; some of the tragedies and histories are more than twice as long. There is no surviving evidence of performance on the public stage, but this is no guarantee that the play was kept in reserve for private performance to elite audiences. The device of the doors could have been adapted for the public theaters, perhaps with the upstage-center “discovery space” serving for the Priory in which the lost mother is found.

Though the Ephesian market economy is brought to life by means of Angelo the goldsmith and various merchants, the largest parts in the play belong to the strangers and the wife. The central comic device of mistaken identity is a means to the discovery of identity. Meeting someone who thinks you are someone you are not is a disturbing but ultimately invaluable way of finding out who you really are. Antipholus of Syracuse has been traveling in search of his family. On arriving in Ephesus and being mistaken for his long-lost brother, he realizes that his own self is not secure. His lines comparing himself to a drop of water cut to the quick of that experience of wandering and wondering, which shapes so many of Shakespeare’s comedies. How can we reconcile the self’s conflicting need for autonomy (the single drop of water) and community (the ocean)? The sense of loss and confusion prepare us for the imagery of Ephesus as a mad world and the potential nightmare—the reductio ad absurdum of farce—whereby we are led to imagine what it would be like if everybody else were mad and we alone were sane and therefore taken to be mad.

Comedy’s fond conclusion is that by finding the right partner we find ourselves. Antipholus of Syracuse finds not only father, mother, and brother, but also future wife, in the form of Luciana, sister to his brother’s wife. As in other early comedies such as The Taming of the Shrew and The Two Gentlemen of Verona, there are two strong roles for the boy actors in Shakespeare’s company. Whereas the two pairs of brothers are identical twins, the sisters are of contrasting appearance and character. Their names are indicative: “Adriana” means of the earth and “Luciana” of the light; the former is brunette and the latter blonde; the wife is perceived as shrewish and the sister as divinely beautiful. But in the play’s most richly written speeches, Shakespeare goes beyond the clichés of femininity suggested by these dualities.

As Shakespeare’s comedies variously suggest, happy endings are all too often mere illusions or at best momentary suspensions of life’s messiness. If we may assume that the twins are reasonably alike in nature as well as identical in appearance, then there is a strong possibility that in the imaginary afterlife of the action Antipholus’ marriage to Luciana, despite its sparky beginning, will end up all too similar to his brother’s marriage to her sister. While unmarried, Luciana speaks in favor of wifely submission and accuses her sister of shrewishness. But her sister has had to put up with a husband who prefers to spend his time about town—not least in the company of a courtesan—rather than at home with his wife. Most of Shakespeare’s comedies are celebrations of courtship, but the married couples met along the way are shaky role models. Once Luciana discovers what husbands are really like, her theory will be sorely tested.

Adriana’s marriage is patched up at the end of the play, but there is no undoing the pain she has expressed in the lines that turn Antipholus of Syracuse’s self-centered image of the drop of water into an account of how every action has consequences for those who love us. As so often, Shakespeare has it both ways: Adriana delivers at one and the same time the moving testimony of a neglected wife responding to her husband’s sexual infidelity and the cue for the line that invariably wins the play’s biggest laugh: “Plead you to me, fair dame?” She is, of course, confronting the wrong brother.

KEY FACTS

PLOT: Ephesus and Syracuse are at odds. Any Syracusan found in Ephesus will be executed unless he can pay a ransom of a thousand marks. Egeon, an old Syracusan merchant, has been arrested. He explains how he has come to Ephesus: he and his wife Emilia had identical twin sons and identical twin slaves, purchased for the purpose of serving the sons. In a shipwreck many years ago, he was separated from his wife, one son, and one slave. The survivors are renamed in memory of the lost ones: Antipholus for the son and Dromio for the slave. Once grown to manhood, Antipholus of Syracuse, with his Dromio, had set off in search of his brother and mother. Egeon is now in search of them. The Duke gives him until evening to find the ransom money. By chance Antipholus and Dromio of Syracuse have also just arrived in Ephesus. The other Antipholus and Dromio have been living there since the wreck. And so the comedy of errors ensues. The locals constantly mistake the visiting twins for the natives—even Antipholus of Ephesus’ wife Adriana and her sister Luciana are fooled. The confusions result in Antipholus of Ephesus being arrested for debt and declared mad, while Antipholus of Syracuse takes refuge from his brother’s angry wife in a Priory—where the abbess turns out to be Egeon’s long-lost wife. All is resolved and Egeon is freed.

MAJOR ROLES: (with percentage of lines/number of speeches/scenes on stage) Antipholus of Syracuse (15%/103/6), Adriana (15%/79/6), Dromio of Syracuse (14%/99/9), Antipholus of Ephesus (12%/76/4), Dromio of Ephesus (9%/63/6), Egeon (8%/17/2), Luciana (5%/43/4), Duke Solinus (5%/22/2), Angelo (4%/31/4), Emilia (4%/16/1).

LINGUISTIC MEDIUM: 85% verse, 15% prose. Fairly high incidence of rhyme.

DATE: Performed at Gray’s Inn Christmas festivities for the legal profession, December 28, 1594. Possibly written for this occasion, though may have earlier date. Remained well known in legal circles and was performed at court December 28, 1604.

SOURCES: The main plot of Syracusan merchant, lost twins and mistaken identity is taken from Plautus’ Menaechmi (Roman, c.200 BC), known either in Latin original or a manuscript translation by William Warner (not published until 1595). The marital misunderstanding induced by the mistaken identity of a slave, resulting in the master being shut out from his own house, is taken from another Plautus play, Amphitruo. The combination of two sets of identical twins is uniquely Shakespearean. The shipwreck and lost/found parent motif may derive from the romance tradition that dates back to the story of Apollonius of Tyre, which was the main source for Shakespeare’s later (cowritten) play, Pericles.

TEXT: 1623 Folio is the only early text. It is generally thought to have been set from Shakespeare’s original manuscript, but there is no firm evidence for this—a transcript or (less likely) theatrical promptbook is also possible. Generally good quality of printing.

THE COMEDY OF ERRORS

Solinus, DUKE of Ephesus

EGEON, a merchant from Syracuse, father of the Antipholus twins

ADRIANA, wife of Antipholus of Ephesus

LUCIANA, her sister

LUCE, Adriana’s kitchen-maid

A COURTESAN

ANGELO, a goldsmith

BALTHASAR, a merchant

FIRST MERCHANT

SECOND MERCHANT, Angelo’s creditor

Doctor PINCH, a schoolmaster and exorcist

EMILIA, an abbess at Ephesus

Jailer, Officer, Messenger, Servants and other Attendants

Act 1 Scene 11.1

running scene 1

       Enter Duke of Ephesus with [Egeon] the merchant of Syracuse, Jailer and other Attendants

EGEON

EGEON     Proceed, Solinus, to procure my fall,

               And by the doom² of death end woes and all.

DUKE

DUKE     Merchant of Syracusa, plead no more.

               I am not partial⁴ to infringe our laws;

5

5             The enmity and discord which of late

               Sprung from the rancorous outrage⁶ of your duke

               To merchants, our well-dealing⁷ countrymen,

               Who, wanting⁸ guilders to redeem their lives,

               Have sealed⁹ his rigorous statutes with their bloods,

10

10           Excludes all pity from our threat’ning looks,

               For, since the mortal¹¹ and intestine jars

               ’Twixt thy seditious¹² countrymen and us,

               It hath in solemn synods¹³ been decreed,

               Both by the Syracusans and ourselves,

15

15           To admit no traffic¹⁵ to our adverse towns.

               Nay, more: if any born at Ephesus

               Be seen at any Syracusan marts¹⁷ and fairs,

               Again, if any Syracusan born

               Come to the bay of Ephesus, he dies:

20

20           His goods confiscate to²⁰ the duke’s dispose,

               Unless a thousand marks²¹ be levièd

               To quit²² the penalty and to ransom him.

               Thy substance,²³ valued at the highest rate,

               Cannot amount unto a hundred marks,

25

25           Therefore by law thou art condemned to die.

EGEON

EGEON     Yet this my comfort: when your words are done,

               My woes end likewise with the evening sun.

DUKE

DUKE     Well, Syracusan, say in brief the cause

               Why thou departed’st from thy native home,

30

30           And for what cause thou cam’st to Ephesus.

EGEON

EGEON     A heavier³¹ task could not have been imposed

               Than I³² to speak my griefs unspeakable.

               Yet, that³³ the world may witness that my end

               Was wrought by nature,³⁴ not by vile offence,

35

35           I’ll utter what my sorrow gives me leave.³⁵

               In Syracusa was I born, and wed

               Unto a woman, happy but³⁷ for me,

               And by³⁸ me, had not our hap been bad.

               With her I lived in joy, our wealth increased

40

40           By prosperous voyages I often made

               To Epidamium,⁴¹ till my factor’s death

               And the great care of goods at random⁴² left,

               Drew me from kind embracements⁴³ of my spouse;

               From whom my absence was not six months old

45

45           Before herself — almost at fainting under

               The pleasing punishment⁴⁶ that women bear —

               Had made provision for her following me,

               And soon and safe arrivèd where I was.

               There had she not been long, but she became

50

50           A joyful mother of two goodly sons,

               And, which was strange, the one so like the other,

               As could not be distinguished but by names.

               That very hour, and in the self-same inn,

               A poor mean⁵⁴ woman was deliverèd

55

55           Of such a burden, male twins, both alike.

               Those, for⁵⁶ their parents were exceeding poor,

               I bought, and brought up to attend⁵⁷ my sons.

               My wife, not meanly⁵⁸ proud of two such boys,

               Made daily motions⁵⁹ for our home return.

60

60           Unwilling I agreed. Alas, too soon we came aboard.

               A league⁶¹ from Epidamium had we sailed

               Before the always wind-obeying deep⁶²

               Gave any tragic instance⁶³ of our harm.

               But longer did we not retain much hope,

65

65           For what obscurèd light the heavens did grant

               Did but convey unto our fearful minds

               A doubtful warrant⁶⁷ of immediate death,

               Which though myself would gladly have embraced,

               Yet the incessant weepings of my wife,

70

70           Weeping before for⁷⁰ what she saw must come,

               And piteous plainings⁷¹ of the pretty babes,

               That mourned for fashion,⁷² ignorant what to fear,

               Forced me to seek delays⁷³ for them and me.

               And this it was⁷⁴ — for other means was none —

75

75           The sailors sought for safety by our boat,⁷⁵

               And left the ship, then sinking-ripe,⁷⁶ to us.

               My wife, more careful⁷⁷ for the latter-born,

               Had fastened him unto a small spare mast,

               Such as seafaring men provide for storms:

80

80             To him one of the other twins was bound,

               Whilst I had been like⁸¹ heedful of the other.

               The children thus disposed, my wife and I,

               Fixing our eyes on whom⁸³ our care was fixed,

               Fastened ourselves at either end the⁸⁴ mast,

85

85           And floating straight,⁸⁵ obedient to the stream,

               Was carried towards Corinth,⁸⁶ as we thought.

               At length the sun, gazing upon the earth,

               Dispersed those vapours⁸⁸ that offended us,

               And by the benefit⁸⁹ of his wishèd light,

90

90           The seas waxed calm, and we discoverèd

               Two ships from far, making amain⁹¹ to us,

               Of Corinth that, of Epidaurus⁹² this.

               But ere⁹³ they came — O, let me say no more.

               Gather the sequel by that⁹⁴ went before.

95

95   

DUKE

DUKE           Nay, forward,⁹⁵ old man, do not break off so,

               For we may pity, though not pardon thee.

EGEON

EGEON     O, had the gods done so, I had not now

               Worthily⁹⁸ termed them merciless to us:

               For ere the ships could meet by⁹⁹ twice five leagues,

100

100         We were encountered by a mighty rock,

               Which being violently borne up upon,

               Our helpful ship was splitted in the midst,

               So that in this unjust divorce of us,

               Fortune had left to both of us alike

105

105         What to delight in, what¹⁰⁵ to sorrow for.

               Her part, poor soul, seeming as burdened

               With lesser weight, but not with lesser woe,

               Was carried with more speed before the wind,

               And in our sight they three were taken up

110

110         By fishermen of Corinth, as we thought.

               At length, another ship had seized on us,¹¹¹

               And knowing whom it was their hap¹¹² to save,

               Gave healthful welcome to their shipwrecked guests,

               And would have reft¹¹⁴ the fishers of their prey,

115

115         Had not their bark¹¹⁵ been very slow of sail,

               And therefore homeward did they bend their course.

               Thus have you heard me severed from my bliss,

               That by misfortunes was my life prolonged,

               To tell sad stories of my own mishaps.

120

120 

DUKE

DUKE             And for the sake of them thou sorrowest for,

               Do me the favour to dilate¹²¹ at full

               What have befall’n¹²² of them and thee till now.

EGEON

EGEON     My youngest boy, and yet my eldest¹²³ care,

               At eighteen years became inquisitive

125

125         After¹²⁵ his brother, and importuned me

               That his attendant¹²⁶ — for his case was like,

               Reft¹²⁷ of his brother, but retained his name —

               Might bear him company in the quest of¹²⁸ him:

               Whom whilst I laboured¹²⁹ of a love to see,

130

130         I hazarded¹³⁰ the loss of whom I loved.

               Five summers have I spent in farthest Greece,

               Roaming clean¹³² through the bounds of Asia,

               And coasting¹³³ homeward, came to Ephesus,

               Hopeless to find, yet loath to leave unsought

135

135         Or¹³⁵ that or any place that harbours men.

               But here must end the story of my life,

               And happy were I in my timely death,

               Could all my travels¹³⁸ warrant me they live.

DUKE

DUKE     Hapless¹³⁹ Egeon, whom the fates have marked

140

140         To bear the extremity of dire mishap.

               Now trust me, were it not against our laws,

               Against my crown, my oath, my dignity,

               Which princes, would they,¹⁴³ may not disannul,

               My soul should sue¹⁴⁴ as advocate for thee.

145

145         But, though thou art adjudgèd¹⁴⁵ to the death,

               And passèd sentence may not be recalled

               But to¹⁴⁷ our honour’s great disparagement,

               Yet will I favour thee in what I can;

               Therefore, merchant, I’ll limit¹⁴⁹ thee this day

150

150         To seek thy health¹⁵⁰ by beneficial help.

               Try all the friends thou hast in Ephesus,

               Beg thou or borrow to make up the sum,

               And live. If no, then thou art doomed to die.

               Jailer, take him to thy custody.

155

155 

JAILER

JAILER             I will, my lord.

EGEON

EGEON     Hopeless and helpless doth Egeon wend,¹⁵⁶

               But to procrastinate¹⁵⁷ his lifeless end.

       Exeunt

[Act 1 Scene 2]1.2

running scene 1 continues

       Enter Antipholus [of Syracuse], a Merchant [of Ephesus] and Dromio [of Syracuse]

MERCHANT OF EPHESUS

MERCHANT OF EPHESUS     Therefore give out¹ you are of Epidamium,

               Lest that your goods too soon be confiscate.

               This very day a Syracusan merchant

               Is apprehended for arrival here,

5

5             And not being able to buy out⁵ his life,

               According to the statute of the town,

               Dies ere the weary sun set in the west.

               There is your money that I had to keep.⁸ Gives money

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE     Go bear it to the Centaur,⁹ where we host, To Dromio

10

10           And stay there, Dromio, till I come to thee.

               Within this hour it will be dinner-time.¹¹

               Till that, I’ll view the manners¹² of the town,

               Peruse¹³ the traders, gaze upon the buildings,

               And then return and sleep within mine inn,

15

15           For with long travel I am stiff and weary.

               Get thee away.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Many a man would take you at your word,

               And go indeed, having so good a mean.¹⁸

       Exit

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE A trusty villain,¹⁹ sir, that very oft,

20

20           When I am dull with care²⁰ and melancholy,

               Lightens my humour²¹ with his merry jests.

               What, will you walk with me about the town,

               And then go to my inn and dine with me?

MERCHANT OF EPHESUS

MERCHANT OF EPHESUS I am invited, sir, to certain merchants,

25

25           Of whom I hope to make much benefit.²⁵

               I crave your pardon. Soon at²⁶ five o’clock,

               Please you, I’ll meet with you upon the mart,

               And after ward consort²⁸ you till bed-time.

               My present business calls me from you now.

30

30   

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Farewell till then. I will go lose myself

               And wander up and down to view the city.

MERCHANT OF EPHESUS

MERCHANT OF EPHESUS Sir, I commend you to your own content.³²

       Exit

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE He that commends me to mine own content

               Commends me to the thing I cannot get.

35

35           I to the world am like a drop of water

               That in the ocean seeks another drop,

               Who, falling there to find³⁷ his fellow forth —

               Unseen,³⁸ inquisitive — confounds himself.

               So I, to find a mother and a brother,

40

40           In quest of them, unhappy,⁴⁰ lose myself.

       Enter Dromio of Ephesus

               Here comes the almanac⁴¹ of my true date.—

               What now? How chance thou art returned so soon?

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS Returned so soon? Rather approached too late:

               The capon⁴⁴ burns, the pig falls from the spit,

45

45           The clock hath strucken twelve upon the bell,

               My mistress made it one⁴⁶ upon my cheek.

               She is so hot⁴⁷ because the meat is cold,

               The meat is cold because you come not home,

               You come not home because you have no stomach,⁴⁹

50

50           You have no stomach having broke your fast:⁵⁰

               But we that know what ’tis to fast and pray⁵¹

               Are penitent⁵² for your default today.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Stop⁵³ in your wind, sir. Tell me this, I pray:

               Where have you left the money that I gave you?

55

55   

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS O, sixpence that I had o’⁵⁵ Wednesday last

               To pay the saddler for my mistress’ crupper?⁵⁶

               The saddler had it, sir, I kept it not.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE I am not in a sportive⁵⁸ humour now:

               Tell me, and dally not, where is the money?

60

60           We being strangers here, how dar’st thou trust

               So great a charge⁶¹ from thine own custody?

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS I pray you jest, sir, as you sit at dinner.

               I from my mistress come to you in post,⁶³

               If I return I shall be post⁶⁴ indeed,

65

65           For she will score⁶⁵ your fault upon my pate.

               Methinks your maw,⁶⁶ like mine, should be your clock,

               And strike you home without a messenger.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Come, Dromio, come, these jests are out of season,⁶⁸

               Reserve them till a merrier hour than this.

70

70           Where is the gold I gave in charge to thee?

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS To me, sir? Why, you gave no gold to me.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Come on, sir knave, have done⁷² your foolishness,

               And tell me how thou hast disposed thy charge.⁷³

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS My charge was but to fetch you from the mart

75

75           Home to your house, the Phoenix,⁷⁵ sir, to dinner;

               My mistress and her sister stays⁷⁶ for you.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Now as I am a Christian, answer me,

               In what safe place you have bestowed my money,

               Or I shall break that merry sconce⁷⁹ of yours

80

80           That stands⁸⁰ on tricks when I am undisposed.

               Where is the thousand marks thou hadst of me?

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS I have some marks of yours upon my pate,

               Some of my mistress’ marks upon my shoulders,

               But not a thousand marks between you both.

85

85           If I should pay your worship those⁸⁵ again,

               Perchance you will not bear them patiently.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Thy mistress’ marks? What mistress, slave, hast thou?

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS Your worship’s wife, my mistress at the Phoenix;

               She that doth fast till you come home to dinner,

90

90           And prays that you will hie⁹⁰ you home to dinner.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE What, wilt thou flout me thus unto my face

               Being forbid? There, take you that, sir knave. Beats Dromio

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS What mean you, sir? For God’s sake, hold your hands:

               Nay, an⁹⁴ you will not, sir, I’ll take my heels.

       Exit

95

95   

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Upon my life, by some device⁹⁵ or other

               The villain is o’er-raught⁹⁶ of all my money.

               They say this town is full of cozenage,⁹⁷

               As⁹⁸ nimble jugglers that deceive the eye,

               Dark-working⁹⁹ sorcerers that change the mind,

100

100         Soul-killing witches that deform¹⁰⁰ the body,

               Disguisèd cheaters, prating mountebanks,¹⁰¹

               And many suchlike liberties of sin.¹⁰²

               If it prove so, I will be gone the sooner.

               I’ll to the Centaur to go seek this slave.

105

105         I greatly fear my money is not safe.

       Exit

Act 2 Scene 12.1

running scene 2

       Enter Adriana, wife to Antipholus [of Ephesus], with Luciana, her sister

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     Neither my husband nor the slave returned,

               That in such haste I sent to seek his master?

               Sure,³ Luciana, it is two o’clock.

LUCIANA

LUCIANA     Perhaps some merchant hath invited him,

5

5             And from the mart he’s somewhere gone to dinner.

               Good sister, let us dine and never fret;

               A man is master of his liberty:

               Time is their master, and when they see time,⁸

               They’ll go or come; if so, be patient, sister.

10

10   

ADRIANA

ADRIANA           Why should their liberty than ours be more?

LUCIANA

LUCIANA     Because their business still¹¹ lies out o’door.

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     Look, when¹² I serve him so, he takes it ill.

LUCIANA

LUCIANA     O, know he is the bridle of your will.

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     There’s none but asses will be bridled so.

15

15   

LUCIANA

LUCIANA           Why, headstrong liberty is lashed¹⁵ with woe.

               There’s nothing situate¹⁶ under heaven’s eye

               But hath his bound,¹⁷ in earth, in sea, in sky.

               The beasts, the fishes and the wingèd fowls

               Are their males’ subjects and at their controls.¹⁹

20

20           Man, more divine,²⁰ the master of all these,

               Lord of the wide world and wild wat’ry seas,

               Indued with intellectual sense and souls,

               Of more pre-eminence than fish and fowls,

               Are masters to their females, and their lords:

25

25           Then let your will attend²⁵ on their accords.

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     This servitude makes you to keep unwed.

LUCIANA

LUCIANA     Not this, but troubles of the marriage bed.

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     But, were you wedded, you would bear some sway.²⁸

LUCIANA

LUCIANA     Ere I learn love, I’ll practise to obey.

30

30   

ADRIANA

ADRIANA           How if your husband start³⁰ some other where?

LUCIANA

LUCIANA     Till he come home again, I would forbear.³¹

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     Patience unmoved! No³² marvel though she pause,

               They can be meek that have no other cause.³³

               A wretched soul, bruised with adversity,

35

35           We bid be quiet when we hear it cry.

               But were we burdened with like³⁶ weight of pain,

               As much or more we should ourselves complain.

               So thou, that hast no unkind mate to grieve thee,

               With urging helpless³⁹ patience would relieve me,

40

40           But if thou live to see like right bereft,⁴⁰

               This fool-begged⁴¹ patience in thee will be left.

LUCIANA

LUCIANA     Well, I will marry one day, but to try.⁴²

               Here comes your man, now is your husband nigh.

       Enter Dromio of Ephesus

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     Say, is your tardy master now at hand?

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS Nay, he’s at two⁴⁵ hands with me, and that my two ears can witness.

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     Say, didst thou speak with him? Know’st thou his mind?

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS Ay, ay, he told⁴⁸ his mind upon mine ear. Beshrew his hand, I scarce could understand it.

LUCIANA

LUCIANA     Spake he so doubtfully⁵⁰ thou couldst not feel his meaning?

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS Nay, he struck so plainly, I could too well feel his blows, and withal so doubtfully that I could scarce understand⁵² them.

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     But say, I prithee, is he coming home? It seems he hath great care to please his wife.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS Why, mistress, sure my master is horn-mad.⁵⁵

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     Horn-mad, thou villain?

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS I mean not cuckold-mad,⁵⁷ but sure he is stark mad:

               When I desired him to come home to dinner,

               He asked me for a thousand marks in gold.

60

60             “Tis dinner-time,’ quoth I, ‘My gold!’ quoth he.

               ‘Your meat doth burn,’ quoth I, ‘My gold!’ quoth he.

               ‘Will you come home?’ quoth I, ‘My gold!’ quoth he.

               ‘Where is the thousand marks I gave thee, villain?’

               ‘The pig,’ quoth I, ‘is burned.’ ‘My gold!’ quoth he.

65

65           ‘My mistress, sir,’ quoth I. ‘Hang up⁶⁵ thy mistress!

               I know not thy mistress, out on⁶⁶ thy mistress!’

LUCIANA

LUCIANA     Quoth who?

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS Quoth my master:

               ‘I know,’ quoth he, ‘no house, no wife, no mistress.’

70

70           So that my⁷⁰ errand, due unto my tongue,

               I thank him, I bare home upon my shoulders,

               For, in conclusion, he did beat me there.

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     Go back again, thou slave, and fetch him home. Beats him

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS Go back again, and be new⁷⁴ beaten home?

75

75           For God’s sake, send some other messenger.

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     Back, slave, or I will break thy pate across.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS And he will bless⁷⁷ that cross with other beating:

               Between you I shall have a holy⁷⁸ head.

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     Hence, prating peasant,⁷⁹ fetch thy master home.

80

80   

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS Am I so round⁸⁰ with you as you with me,

               That like a football you do spurn⁸¹ me thus?

               You spurn me hence, and he will spurn me hither:

               If I last⁸³ in this service, you must case me in leather.

       [Exit]

LUCIANA

LUCIANA     Fie, how impatience loureth⁸⁴ in your face! To Adriana

85

85   

ADRIANA

ADRIANA           His⁸⁵ company must do his minions grace,

               Whilst I at home starve for a merry look.

               Hath homely⁸⁷ age th’alluring beauty took

               From my poor cheek? Then he hath wasted⁸⁸ it.

               Are my discourses⁸⁹ dull? Barren my wit?

90

90           If voluble⁹⁰ and sharp discourse be marred,

               Unkindness blunts it more than marble hard.⁹¹

               Do their⁹² gay vestments his affections bait?

               That’s not my fault, he’s master of my state.⁹³

               What ruins are in me that can be found,

95

95           By⁹⁵ him not ruined? Then is he the ground

               Of my defeatures.⁹⁶ My decayèd fair,

               A sunny look of his would soon repair.

               But, too unruly deer,⁹⁸ he breaks the pale

               And feeds from home;⁹⁹ poor I am but his stale.

100

100 

LUCIANA

LUCIANA             Self-harming jealousy! Fie, beat it hence.

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     Unfeeling fools¹⁰¹ can with such wrongs dispense.

               I know his eye doth homage otherwhere,¹⁰²

               Or else what lets¹⁰³ it but he would be here?

               Sister, you know he promised me a chain,

105

105         Would¹⁰⁵ that alone, a love he would detain,

               So¹⁰⁶ he would keep fair quarter with his bed:

               I see the jewel best enamellèd¹⁰⁷

               Will lose his beauty, yet the gold bides still¹⁰⁸

               That others touch,¹⁰⁹ and often touching will

110

110         Wear¹¹⁰ gold, and no man that hath a name,

               By falsehood and corruption doth it shame.

               Since that my beauty cannot please his eye,

               I’ll weep what’s left away, and weeping die.

LUCIANA

LUCIANA     How many fond¹¹⁴ fools serve mad jealousy?

       Exeunt

[Act 2 Scene 2]

running scene 3

       Enter Antipholus [of Syracuse]

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE The gold I gave to Dromio is laid up

               Safe at the Centaur, and the heedful² slave

               Is wand’red forth, in care³ to seek me out

               By⁴ computation and mine host’s report.

5

5             I could not⁵ speak with Dromio since at first

               I sent him from the mart. See, here he comes.

       Enter Dromio of Syracuse

               How now, sir, is your merry humour altered?

               As you love strokes,⁸ so jest with me again.

               You know no Centaur? You received no gold?

10

10           Your mistress sent to have me home to dinner?

               My house was at the Phoenix? Wast thou mad,

               That thus so madly thou didst answer me?

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE What answer, sir? When spake I¹³ such a word?

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Even now, even here, not half an hour since.

15

15   

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE I did not see you since you sent me hence

               Home to the Centaur with the gold you gave me.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Villain, thou didst deny the gold’s receipt,¹⁷

               And told’st me of a mistress and a dinner,

               For which I hope thou felt’st¹⁹ I was displeased.

20

20   

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE I am glad to see you in this merry vein:²⁰

               What means this jest? I pray you, master, tell me.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Yea, dost thou jeer and flout me in the teeth?²²

               Think’st thou I jest? Hold, take thou that, and that.

       Beats Dromio

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Hold, sir, for God’s sake! Now your jest is earnest,²⁴

25

25           Upon what bargain do you give it me?

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Because that I familiarly sometimes

               Do use you for²⁷ my fool and chat with you,

               Your sauciness²⁸ will jest upon my love,

               And make²⁹ a common of my serious hours.

30

30           When the sun shines, let foolish gnats make sport,³⁰

               But creep in crannies when he hides his beams.

               If you will jest with me, know my aspect,³²

               And fashion³³ your demeanour to my looks,

               Or I will beat this method in your sconce.³⁴

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Sconce call you it? So³⁵ you would leave battering, I had rather have it a head. An³⁶ you use these blows long, I must get a sconce for my head and ensconce³⁷ it too, or else I shall seek my wit in my shoulders. But I pray, sir, why am I beaten?

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Dost thou not know?

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Nothing, sir, but that I am beaten.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Shall I tell you why?

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Ay, sir, and wherefore;⁴² for they say every why hath a wherefore.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Why, first, for flouting me, and then, wherefore, for urging⁴⁴ it the second time to me.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Was there ever any man thus beaten out of season,⁴⁶ When in the why and the wherefore is neither rhyme nor reason? Well, sir, I thank you.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Thank me, sir, for what?

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Marry,⁵⁰ sir, for this something that you gave me for nothing.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE I’ll make you amends next, to give⁵¹ you nothing for something. But say, sir, is it dinner-time?

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE No, sir, I think the meat wants that⁵³ I have.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE In good time,⁵⁴ sir. What’s that?

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Basting.⁵⁵

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Well, sir, then ’twill be dry.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE If it be, sir, I pray you eat none of it.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Your reason?

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Lest it make you choleric⁵⁹ and purchase me another dry basting.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Well, sir, learn to jest in good time.⁶⁰ There’s a time for all things.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE I durst have denied⁶² that before you were so choleric.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE By what rule,⁶³ sir?

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Marry, sir, by a rule as plain as the plain bald pate of Father Time⁶⁴ himself.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Let’s hear it.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE There’s no time for a man to recover his hair that grows bald by nature.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE May he not do it by fine and recovery?⁶⁹

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Yes, to pay a fine⁷⁰ for a periwig and recover the lost hair of another man.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Why is Time such a niggard⁷² of hair, being, as it is, so plentiful an excrement?⁷³

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Because it is a blessing that he bestows on beasts, and what he hath scanted⁷⁵ men in hair, he hath given them in wit.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Why, but there’s many a man hath more hair than wit.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Not a man of those but he hath⁷⁷ the wit to lose his hair.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Why, thou didst conclude hairy men plain dealers⁷⁸ without wit.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE The plainer dealer,⁸⁰ the sooner lost; yet he loseth it in a kind of jollity.⁸¹

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE For what reason?

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE For two,⁸³ and sound ones too.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Nay, not sound, I pray you.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Sure⁸⁵ ones, then.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE  Nay, not sure in a thing falsing.⁸⁶

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Certain⁸⁷ ones then.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Name them.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE The one, to save the money that he spends in tiring:⁸⁹ the other, that at dinner they⁹⁰ should not drop in his porridge.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE You would all this time have proved there is no time for all things.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Marry, and did, sir: namely, in no time to recover hair lost by nature.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE But your reason was not substantial,⁹⁵ why there is no time to recover.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Thus I mend⁹⁷ it: Time himself is bald, and therefore to the world’s end will have bald followers.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE I knew ’twould be a bald⁹⁹ conclusion — but soft, who wafts us yonder?

       Enter Adriana [beckoning] and Luciana

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     Ay, ay, Antipholus, look strange¹⁰¹ and frown,

               Some other mistress hath thy sweet aspects.¹⁰²

               I am not Adriana nor thy wife.

               The time was once when thou unurged¹⁰⁴ wouldst vow

105

105         That never words were music to thine ear,

               That never object pleasing in thine eye,

               That never touch well welcome to thy hand,

               That never meat sweet-savoured in thy taste,

               Unless I spake or looked or touched or carved¹⁰⁹ to thee.

110

110         How comes it now, my husband, O, how comes it,

               That thou art then estrangèd from thyself?¹¹¹

               Thy self I call it, being strange to me,

               That, undividable, incorporate,¹¹³

               Am better than thy dear self’s better part.¹¹⁴

115

115         Ah, do not tear away thyself from me,

               For know, my love, as easy mayst thou fall¹¹⁶

               A drop of water in the breaking gulf,¹¹⁷

               And take unmingled thence that drop again

               Without addition or diminishing,

120

120         As¹²⁰ take from me thyself, and not me too.

               How dearly¹²¹ would it touch thee to the quick

               Shouldst thou but hear I were licentious,

               And that this body, consecrate¹²³ to thee,

               By ruffian lust should be contaminate?

125

125         Wouldst thou not spit at me, and spurn¹²⁵ at me,

               And hurl the name of ‘husband’ in my face,

               And tear the stained¹²⁷ skin of my harlot brow,

               And from my false¹²⁸ hand cut the wedding ring,

               And break it with a deep-divorcing vow?

130

130         I know thou canst, and therefore see¹³⁰ thou do it.

               I am possessed with¹³¹ an adulterate blot,

               My blood is mingled¹³² with the crime of lust.

               For if we two be one, and thou play false,

               I do digest the poison of thy flesh,

135

135           Being strumpeted¹³⁵ by thy contagion.

               Keep¹³⁶ then fair league and truce with thy true bed,

               I live distained,¹³⁷ thou undishonourèd.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Plead you to me, fair dame? I know you not:

               In Ephesus I am but two hours old,

140

140         As strange unto your town as to your talk,

               Who,¹⁴¹ every word by all my wit being scanned,

               Wants¹⁴² wit in all one word to understand.

LUCIANA

LUCIANA     Fie, brother,¹⁴³ how the world is changed with you.

               When were you wont¹⁴⁴ to use my sister thus?

145

145         She sent for you by Dromio home to dinner.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE By Dromio?

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE By me?

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     By thee, and this thou didst return¹⁴⁸ from him,

               That he did buffet¹⁴⁹ thee and in his blows

150

150         Denied my house for¹⁵⁰ his, me for his wife.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Did you converse, sir, with this gentlewoman?

               What is the course and drift¹⁵² of your compact?

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE I, sir? I never saw her till this time.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Villain, thou liest, for even her very words

155

155         Didst thou deliver to me on the mart.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE I never spake with her in all my life.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE How can she thus then call us by our names?

               Unless it be by inspiration.¹⁵⁸

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     How ill agrees it¹⁵⁹ with your gravity

160

160         To counterfeit¹⁶⁰ thus grossly with your slave,

               Abetting¹⁶¹ him to thwart me in my mood.

               Be¹⁶² it my wrong you are from me exempt,

               But wrong¹⁶³ not that wrong with a more contempt.

               Come, I will fasten on this sleeve of thine: Clings to his sleeve

165

165         Thou art an elm, my husband, I a vine,

               Whose weakness, married to thy stronger state,¹⁶⁶

               Makes me with thy strength to communicate.¹⁶⁷

               If aught possess¹⁶⁸ thee from me, it is dross,

               Usurping ivy, brier,¹⁶⁹ or idle moss,

170

170         Who all for want of pruning, with intrusion,¹⁷⁰

               Infect thy sap and live on thy confusion.¹⁷¹

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE To me she speaks, she moves¹⁷² me for her theme; Aside

               What, was I married to her in my dream?

               Or sleep I now, and think I hear all this?

175

175         What error¹⁷⁵ drives our eyes and ears amiss?

               Until I know this sure uncertainty,¹⁷⁶

               I’ll entertain¹⁷⁷ the offered fallacy.

LUCIANA

LUCIANA     Dromio, go bid the servants spread¹⁷⁸ for dinner.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE O, for my beads,¹⁷⁹ I cross me for a sinner. Crosses himself

180

180         This is the fairy land. O spite of spites,

               We talk with goblins, owls¹⁸¹ and sprites;

               If we obey them not, this will ensue:

               They’ll suck our breath or pinch us black and blue.

LUCIANA

LUCIANA     Why prat’st thou¹⁸⁴ to thyself and answer’st not?

185

185         Dromio, thou Dromio, thou snail, thou slug, thou sot.¹⁸⁵

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE I am transformèd,¹⁸⁶ master, am I not?

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE I think thou art in mind, and so am I.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Nay, master, both in mind and in my shape.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Thou hast thine own form.

190

190 

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE No, I am an ape.¹⁹⁰

LUCIANA

LUCIANA     If thou art changed to aught,¹⁹¹ ’tis to an ass.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE ’Tis true, she rides¹⁹² me and I long for grass.

               ’Tis so, I am an ass, else it could never be

               But I should know her as well as she knows me.

195

195 

ADRIANA

ADRIANA             Come, come, no longer will I be a fool,

               To put¹⁹⁶ the finger in the eye and weep,

               Whilst man and master laughs¹⁹⁷ my woes to scorn.

               Come, sir, to dinner.— Dromio, keep¹⁹⁸ the gate.—

               Husband, I’ll dine above¹⁹⁹ with you today,

200

200         And shrive²⁰⁰ you of a thousand idle pranks.—

               Sirrah, if any ask you for your master,

               Say he dines forth,²⁰² and let no creature enter.—

               Come, sister.— Dromio, play the porter well.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Am I in earth, in heaven, or in hell? Aside

205

205         Sleeping or waking, mad or well-advised?²⁰⁵

               Known unto these and to myself disguised?

               I’ll say as they say, and persever²⁰⁷ so,

               And in this mist at²⁰⁸ all adventures go.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Master, shall I be porter at the gate?

210

210 

ADRIANA

ADRIANA             Ay, and let none enter, lest I break your pate.

LUCIANA

LUCIANA     Come, come, Antipholus, we dine too late.

       Exeunt

       Dromio of Syracuse remains as porter

Act 3 Scene 1

running scene 3 continues

       Enter Antipholus of Ephesus, his man Dromio [of Ephesus], Angelo the goldsmith and Balthazar the merchant

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS Good Signior Angelo, you must excuse us all,

               My wife is shrewish² when I keep not hours;

               Say that I lingered with you at your shop

               To see the making of her carcanet,⁴

5

5             And that tomorrow you will bring it home.

               But here’s a villain that would face me down⁶

               He met me on the mart, and that I beat him,

               And charged⁸ him with a thousand marks in gold,

               And that I did deny my wife and house.

10

10           Thou drunkard, thou, what didst thou mean by this?

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS Say what you will, sir, but I know what I know:

               That you beat me at the mart, I have your hand¹² to show.

               If the skin were parchment and the blows you gave were ink,

               Your own handwriting would tell you what I think.

15

15   

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS I think thou art an ass.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS Marry, so it doth appear

               By the wrongs I suffer and the blows I bear.

               I should kick, being kicked, and being at that pass,¹⁸

               You would keep from my heels and beware of an ass.

20

20   

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS You’re sad,²⁰ Signior Balthazar. Pray God our cheer

               May answer²¹ my good will and your good welcome here.

BALTHAZAR

BALTHAZAR     I²² hold your dainties cheap, sir, and your welcome dear.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS O, Signior Balthazar, either²³ at flesh or fish,

               A table full of welcome makes scarce one dainty dish.

25

25   

BALTHAZAR

BALTHAZAR           Good meat, sir, is common, that every churl²⁵ affords.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS And welcome more common, for that’s nothing but words.

BALTHAZAR

BALTHAZAR     Small cheer²⁸ and great welcome makes a merry feast.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS Ay, to a niggardly host, and more sparing²⁹ guest.

30

30           But though my cates³⁰ be mean, take them in good part,

               Better cheer may you have, but not with better heart. Tries the door of his house

               But soft,³² my door is locked.— Go bid them let us in. To Dromio

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS Maud, Bridget, Marian, Cicely, Gillian, Ginn!³³ Calling

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Mome,³⁴ malt-horse, capon, coxcomb, idiot, patch, Speaks from the other side of the door

35

35           Either get thee from the door or sit down at the hatch:³⁵

               Dost thou conjure for wenches,³⁶ that thou call’st for such store,

               When one³⁷ is one too many? Go, get thee from the door.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS What patch is made our porter? My master stays³⁸ in the street.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Let him walk from³⁹ whence he came, lest he catch cold on’s feet.

40

40   

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS Who talks within there? Ho,⁴⁰ open the door.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Right, sir, I’ll tell you when, an⁴¹ you’ll tell me wherefore.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS Wherefore? For my dinner: I have not dined today.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Nor today here you must not, come again when you may.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS What art thou that keep’st me out from the house I owe?⁴⁴

45

45   

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE The porter for this time, sir, and my name is Dromio.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS O, villain, thou hast stol’n both mine office⁴⁶ and my name:

               The one ne’er got me credit, the other mickle⁴⁷ blame.

               If⁴⁸ thou hadst been Dromio today in my place,

               Thou wouldst have changed thy face for a name, or thy name for an ass.

       Enter Luce [within or above, concealed from the others]

LUCE

LUCE     What a coil⁵⁰ is there, Dromio? Who are those at the gate?

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS Let my master in, Luce.

LUCE

LUCE     Faith, no, he comes too late, and so tell your master.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS O lord, I must laugh. Have at⁵⁴ you with a proverb — Shall I set in my staff?

LUCE

LUCE     Have at you with another, that’s — When?⁵⁵ Can you tell?

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE If thy name be called Luce — Luce, thou hast answered him well.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS Do you hear, you minion,⁵⁸ you’ll let us in, I hope? To Luce

LUCE

LUCE     I thought to have asked you.

60

60   

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE And you said no.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS So come, help. They beat the door

               Well struck, there was blow⁶² for blow.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS Thou baggage,⁶³ let me in. To Luce

LUCE

LUCE     Can you tell for whose sake?

65

65   

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS Master, knock the door hard.

LUCE

LUCE     Let him knock⁶⁶ till it ache.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS You’ll cry for this, minion, if I beat the door down.

LUCE

LUCE     What⁶⁸ needs all that, and a pair of stocks in the town?

       Enter Adriana within or above, concealed, like Luce

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     Who is that at the door that keeps⁶⁹ all this noise?

70

70   

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE By my troth, your town is troubled with unruly boys.⁷⁰

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS Are you there, wife? You might have come before.

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     Your wife, sir knave? Go, get you from the door.

       [Exit with Luce]

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS If⁷³ you went in pain, master, this ‘knave’ would go sore.

ANGELO

ANGELO     Here is neither cheer, sir, nor welcome. We would fain⁷⁴ have either.

75

75   

BALTHAZAR

BALTHAZAR           In debating which was best, we shall part⁷⁵ with neither.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS They stand at the door, master, bid them welcome hither.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS There is something in the wind,⁷⁷ that we cannot get in.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS You would say so, master, if your garments were thin.⁷⁸

               Your cake⁷⁹ here is warm within: you stand here in the cold.

80

80           It would make a man mad as a buck⁸⁰ to be so bought and sold.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS Go fetch me something, I’ll break ope⁸¹ the gate.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Break any breaking⁸² here, and I’ll break your knave’s pate.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS A man may break a word⁸³ with you, sir, and words are but wind:

               Ay, and break⁸⁴ it in your face, so he break it not behind.

85

85   

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE It seems thou want’st breaking.⁸⁵ Out upon thee, hind!

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS Here’s too much ‘out upon thee!’ I pray thee let me in.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Ay, when fowls⁸⁷ have no feathers and fish have no fin.

       [Exit]

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS Well, I’ll break in. Go borrow me a crow.⁸⁸

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS A crow without feather? Master, mean you so?

90

90           For a fish without a fin, there’s a fowl without a feather,

               If a crow help us in, sirrah,⁹¹ we’ll pluck a crow together.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS Go get thee gone, fetch me an iron crow.

BALTHAZAR

BALTHAZAR     Have patience, sir, O, let it not be so!

               Herein⁹⁴ you war against your reputation,

95

95           And draw within the compass of suspect⁹⁵

               Th’unviolated honour of your wife.

               Once this,⁹⁷ your long experience of her wisdom,

               Her sober virtue, years and modesty,

               Plead⁹⁹ on her part some cause to you unknown.

100

100         And doubt not, sir, but she will well excuse¹⁰⁰

               Why at this time the doors are made¹⁰¹ against you.

               Be ruled by me, depart in patience,

               And let us to the Tiger¹⁰³ all to dinner,

               And about¹⁰⁴ evening, come yourself alone

105

105         To know the reason of this strange restraint.

               If by strong hand¹⁰⁶ you offer to break in

               Now in the stirring passage¹⁰⁷ of the day,

               A vulgar comment¹⁰⁸ will be made of it,

               And that supposed¹⁰⁹ by the common rout

110

110         Against your yet ungalled¹¹⁰ estimation,

               That may with foul intrusion enter in,

               And dwell upon your grave when you are dead,

               For slander lives upon succession,¹¹³

               Forever housed¹¹⁴ where it gets possession.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS You have prevailed. I will depart in quiet,

               And in despite of mirth¹¹⁶ mean to be merry.

               I know a wench of excellent discourse,

               Pretty and witty, wild,¹¹⁸ and yet, too, gentle.

               There will we dine. This woman that I mean,

120

120         My wife — but I protest,¹²⁰ without desert —

               Hath oftentimes upbraided me withal.¹²¹

               To her will we to dinner.— Get you home To Angelo

               And fetch the chain, by this¹²³ I know ’tis made.

               Bring it, I pray you, to the Porpentine,¹²⁴

125

125         For there’s the house.¹²⁵ That chain will I bestow —

               Be it for nothing but to spite my wife —

               Upon mine hostess there. Good sir, make haste.

               Since mine own doors¹²⁸ refuse to entertain me,

               I’ll knock¹²⁹ elsewhere, to see if they’ll disdain me.

130

130 

ANGELO

ANGELO             I’ll meet you at that place some hour hence.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS Do so, this jest shall cost me some expense.

       Exeunt

[Act 3 Scene 2]

running scene 3 continues

       Enter Luciana with Antipholus of Syracuse

LUCIANA

LUCIANA     And may it be that you have quite forgot

               A husband’s office? Shall, Antipholus,

               Even in the spring of love, thy love-springs³ rot?

               Shall love in building⁴ grow so ruinous?

5

5             If you did wed my sister for her wealth,

               Then for her wealth’s sake use her with more kindness.

               Or if you like elsewhere,⁷ do it by stealth:

               Muffle⁸ your false love with some show of blindness.

               Let not my sister read it in your eye,

10

10           Be not thy tongue thy own shame’s orator.¹⁰

               Look sweet, speak fair, become disloyalty,¹¹

               Apparel¹² vice like virtue’s harbinger,

               Bear a fair¹³ presence though your heart be tainted,

               Teach sin the carriage¹⁴ of a holy saint,

15

15           Be secret-false.¹⁵ What need she be acquainted?

               What¹⁶ simple thief brags of his own attaint?

               ’Tis double wrong to truant with your bed

               And let her read it in thy looks at board.¹⁸

               Shame hath a bastard fame,¹⁹ well managèd,

20

20           Ill deeds is doubled with an evil word.

               Alas, poor women, make us but believe —

               Being compact of credit²² — that you love us.

               Though others²³ have the arm, show us the sleeve.

               We in your motion²⁴ turn, and you may move us.

25

25           Then, gentle brother, get you in again,

               Comfort my sister, cheer her, call her wife:

               ’Tis holy sport to be a little vain,²⁷

               When the sweet breath of flattery conquers strife.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Sweet mistress, what²⁹ your name is else I know not,

30

30           Nor by what wonder³⁰ you do hit of mine,

               Less³¹ in your knowledge and your grace you show not

               Than our earth’s wonder, more than earth³² divine.

               Teach me, dear creature, how to think and speak.

               Lay open to my earthy-gross conceit,³⁴

35

35           Smothered in errors, feeble, shallow, weak,

               The folded³⁶ meaning of your words’ deceit.

               Against my soul’s pure truth, why labour you

               To make it wander in an unknown field?

               Are you a god? Would you create me new?³⁹

40

40           Transform me then, and to your power I’ll yield.

               But if that I am I, then well I know,

               Your weeping sister is no wife of mine,

               Nor to her bed no homage⁴³ do I owe.

               Far more, far more to you do I decline.⁴⁴

45

45           O, train⁴⁵ me not, sweet mermaid, with thy note,

               To drown me in thy sister’s flood of tears.

               Sing, siren, for thyself, and I will dote.⁴⁷

               Spread o’er the silver waves thy golden hairs,

               And as a bed I’ll take them, and there lie,

50

50           And in that glorious supposition⁵⁰ think

               He gains by death that⁵¹ hath such means to die.

               Let⁵² love, being light, be drownèd if she sink.

LUCIANA

LUCIANA     What, are you mad that you do reason so?

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Not mad, but mated,⁵⁴ how, I do not know.

55

55   

LUCIANA

LUCIANA           It is a fault that springeth from your eye.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE For gazing on your beams,⁵⁶ fair sun, being by.

LUCIANA

LUCIANA     Gaze where you should, and that will clear your sight.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE As good to wink,⁵⁸ sweet love, as look on night.

LUCIANA

LUCIANA     Why call you me love? Call my sister so.

60

60   

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Thy sister’s sister.

LUCIANA

LUCIANA     That’s my sister.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE No:

               It is thyself, mine own self’s better part,

               Mine eye’s clear eye, my dear heart’s dearer heart,

65

65           My food, my fortune and my sweet hope’s aim,

               My⁶⁶ sole earth’s heaven and my heaven’s claim.

LUCIANA

LUCIANA     All this my sister is, or else should be.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE     Call⁶⁸ thyself sister, sweet, for I am thee.

               Thee will I love, and with thee lead my life;

70

70           Thou hast no husband yet, nor I no wife:

               Give me thy hand.

LUCIANA

LUCIANA     O, soft, sir, hold you still:

               I’ll fetch my sister, to get her good will.⁷³

       Exit

       Enter Dromio of Syracuse Running

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Why, how now, Dromio, where runn’st thou so fast?

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Do you know me, sir? Am I Dromio? Am I your man? Am I myself?

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Thou art Dromio, thou art my man, thou art thyself.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE I am an ass, I am a woman’s man and besides myself.⁷⁸

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE What woman’s man? And how besides thyself?

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Marry, sir, besides myself, I am due to a woman: one that claims me, one that haunts me, one that will have⁸¹ me.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE What claim lays she to thee?

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Marry sir, such claim as you would lay to your horse, and she would have me as a beast⁸⁴ — not that, I being a beast, she would have me, but that she, being a very beastly creature, lays claim to me.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE What is she?

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE A very reverent⁸⁷ body: ay, such a one as a man may not speak of, without he say ‘sir-reverence’.⁸⁸ I have but lean luck in the match, and yet is she a wondrous fat marriage.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE How dost thou mean a fat marriage?

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Marry, sir, she’s the kitchen wench⁹¹ and all grease, and I know not what use to put her to but to make a lamp of her and run from her by her own light. I warrant her rags and the tallow⁹³ in them will burn a Poland winter. If she lives till doomsday, she’ll burn a week⁹⁴ longer than the whole world.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE What complexion⁹⁵ is she of?

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Swart,⁹⁶ like my shoe, but her face nothing like so clean kept: for why? She sweats⁹⁷ a man may go over shoes in the grime of it.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE That’s a fault that water will mend.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE No, sir, ’tis in grain.⁹⁹ Noah’s flood could not do it.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE What’s her name?

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Nell,¹⁰¹ sir. But her name and three quarters — that’s an ell and three quarters — will not measure her from hip to hip.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Then she bears some breadth?

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE No longer from head to foot than from hip to hip: she is spherical, like a globe. I could find¹⁰⁵ out countries in her.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE In what part of her body stands Ireland?

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Marry, sir, in her buttocks: I found it out by the bogs.¹⁰⁷

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Where Scotland?

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE I found it by the barrenness,¹⁰⁹ hard in the palm of the hand.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Where France?

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE In her forehead, armed and reverted,¹¹¹ making war against her hair.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Where England?

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE I looked for the chalky cliffs,¹¹⁴ but I could find no whiteness in them. But I guess it stood in her chin, by the salt rheum¹¹⁵ that ran between France and it.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Where Spain?

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Faith, I saw it not, but I felt it hot¹¹⁸ in her breath.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Where America, the Indies?

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE O sir, upon her nose, all o’er embellished with rubies,¹²⁰ carbuncles, sapphires, declining¹²¹ their rich aspect to the hot breath of Spain, who sent whole armadoes¹²² of carracks to be ballast at her nose.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Where stood Belgia,¹²³ the Netherlands?

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE O sir, I did not look so low. To conclude, this drudge¹²⁴ or diviner laid claim to me, called me Dromio, swore I was assured¹²⁵ to her, told me what privy¹²⁶ marks I had about me, as the mark of my shoulder, the mole in my neck, the great wart on my left arm, that I, amazed, ran from her as a witch. And, I think, if my breast had not been made of faith, and my heart of steel, she had transformed me to a curtal dog¹²⁹ and made me turn i’th’wheel.

130

130 

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Go, hie¹³⁰ thee presently, post to the road,

               An if¹³¹ the wind blow any way from shore,

               I will not harbour¹³² in this town tonight.

               If any bark put forth,¹³³ come to the mart,

               Where I will walk till thou return to me.

135

135         If everyone knows us and we know none,

               ’Tis time, I think, to trudge,¹³⁶ pack and be gone.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE As from a bear a man would run for life,

               So fly I from her that would be my wife.

       Exit

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE There’s none but witches¹³⁹ do inhabit here,

140

140         And therefore ’tis high time that I were hence.

               She that doth call me husband, even my¹⁴¹ soul

               Doth for a wife abhor. But her fair sister,

               Possessed with such a gentle sovereign¹⁴³ grace,

               Of such enchanting presence and discourse,

145

145         Hath almost made me traitor to myself.

               But, lest myself be guilty to¹⁴⁶ self-wrong,

               I’ll stop mine ears against the mermaid’s song.

       Enter Angelo with the chain

ANGELO

ANGELO     Master Antipholus.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Ay, that’s my name.

150

150 

ANGELO

ANGELO             I know it well, sir, lo,¹⁵⁰ here is the chain.

               I thought to have ta’en you¹⁵¹ at the Porpentine,

               The chain unfinished made me stay¹⁵² thus long. Gives the chain

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE What is your will that I shall do with this?

ANGELO

ANGELO     What please¹⁵⁴ yourself, sir: I have made it for you.

155

155 

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Made it for me, sir? I bespoke¹⁵⁵ it not.

ANGELO

ANGELO     Not once, nor twice, but twenty times you have.

               Go home with it and please your wife withal,

               And soon at supper-time I’ll visit you,

               And then receive my money for the chain.

160

160 

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE I pray you, sir, receive the money now,

               For fear you ne’er see chain nor money more.

ANGELO

ANGELO     You are a merry man, sir, fare you well.

       Exit

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE What I should think of this, I cannot tell,

               But this I think: there’s no man is so vain¹⁶⁴

165

165         That would refuse so fair an offered chain.

               I see a man here needs not live by shifts,¹⁶⁶

               When in the streets he meets such golden gifts.

               I’ll to the mart, and there for Dromio stay,¹⁶⁸

               If any ship put out, then straight away.

       Exit

Act 4 Scene 1

running scene 4

       Enter a [Second] Merchant, [Angelo the] goldsmith and an Officer

SECOND MERCHANT

SECOND MERCHANT You know since Pentecost¹ the sum is due, To Angelo

               And since I have not much importuned you,

               Nor now I had³ not, but that I am bound

               To Persia and want guilders for my voyage:

5

5             Therefore make present satisfaction,⁵

               Or I’ll attach⁶ you by this officer.

ANGELO

ANGELO     Even just⁷ the sum that I do owe to you

               Is growing⁸ to me by Antipholus,

               And in the instant that I met with you

10

10           He had of me a chain. At five o’clock

               I shall receive the money for the same.

               Pleaseth¹² you walk with me down to his house,

               I will discharge¹³ my bond and thank you too.

       Enter Antipholus [and] Dromio of Ephesus from the Courtesan’s

OFFICER

OFFICER     That labour may you save: see where he comes.

15

15   

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS While I go to the goldsmith’s house, go thou

               And buy a rope’s end.¹⁶ That will I bestow

               Among my wife and her confederates,

               For locking me out of my doors by day.

               But soft, I see the goldsmith; get thee gone,

20

20           Buy thou a rope and bring it home to me.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS I buy a thousand pound a year, I buy a rope.²¹

       Exit

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS A man is well holp up²² that trusts to you: To Angelo

               I promised your presence and the chain,

               But neither chain nor goldsmith came to me.

25

25           Belike²⁵ you thought our love would last too long

               If it were chained together, and therefore came not.

ANGELO

ANGELO     Saving²⁷ your merry humour, here’s the note Shows a paper

               How much your chain weighs to the utmost²⁸ carat,

               The fineness of the gold and chargeful fashion,²⁹

30

30           Which doth amount to three odd ducats³⁰ more

               Than I stand debted³¹ to this gentleman.

               I pray you see him presently discharged,

               For he is bound to sea and stays but³³ for it.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS I am not furnished with the present³⁴ money.

35

35           Besides, I have some business in the town.

               Good signior, take the stranger to my house

               And with you take the chain and bid my wife

               Disburse³⁸ the sum on the receipt thereof.

               Perchance³⁹ I will be there as soon as you.

40

40   

ANGELO

ANGELO           Then you will bring the chain to her yourself.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS No, bear it with you, lest I come not time enough.⁴¹

ANGELO

ANGELO     Well, sir, I will. Have you the chain about you?

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS An if I have not, sir, I hope you have,

               Or else you may return without your money.

45

45   

ANGELO

ANGELO           Nay, come, I pray you, sir, give me the chain.

               Both wind and tide stays for this gentleman,

               And I, to blame, have held him here too long.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS Good lord! You use this dalliance⁴⁸ to excuse

               Your breach of promise to⁴⁹ the Porpentine.

50

50           I should have chid⁵⁰ you for not bringing it,

               But like a shrew⁵¹ you first begin to brawl.

SECOND MERCHANT

SECOND MERCHANT The hour steals on, I pray you, sir, dispatch.⁵² To Angelo

ANGELO

ANGELO     You hear how he importunes me — the chain!

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS Why, give it to my wife and fetch your money.

55

55   

ANGELO

ANGELO           Come, come, you know I gave it you even now.

               Either send the chain or send me by some token.⁵⁶

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS Fie, now you run this humour⁵⁷ out of breath:

               Come, where’s the chain? I pray you let me see it.

SECOND MERCHANT

SECOND MERCHANT My business cannot brook⁵⁹ this dalliance.

60

60           Good sir, say whe’er you’ll answer⁶⁰ me or no:

               If not, I’ll leave him to the officer.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS I answer you? What should I answer you?

ANGELO

ANGELO     The money that you owe me for the chain.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS I owe you none till I receive the chain.

65

65   

ANGELO

ANGELO           You know I gave it you half an hour since.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS You gave me none, you wrong me much to say so.

ANGELO

ANGELO     You wrong me more, sir, in denying it.

               Consider how it stands upon⁶⁸ my credit.

SECOND MERCHANT

SECOND MERCHANT Well, officer, arrest him at my suit.⁶⁹

70

70   

OFFICER

OFFICER           I do, and charge you in the duke’s name to obey me. To Angelo

ANGELO

ANGELO     This touches⁷¹ me in reputation. To Antipholus

               Either consent to pay this sum for me,

               Or I attach you by this officer.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS Consent to pay thee that⁷⁴ I never had?

75

75           Arrest me, foolish fellow, if thou dar’st.

ANGELO

ANGELO     Here is thy fee,⁷⁶ arrest him, officer. Gives money

               I would not spare my brother in this case,

               If he should scorn me so apparently.⁷⁸

OFFICER

OFFICER     I do arrest you, sir, you hear the suit. To Antipholus

80

80   

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS I do obey thee, till I give thee bail.—

               But, sirrah, you⁸¹ shall buy this sport as dear

               As all the metal in your shop will answer.⁸²

ANGELO

ANGELO     Sir, sir, I shall have law⁸³ in Ephesus,

               To your notorious shame,⁸⁴ I doubt it not.

       Enter Dromio [of] Syracuse, from the bay

85

85   

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Master, there’s a bark of Epidamium

               That stays but till her owner comes aboard,

               And then, sir, she bears away. Our fraughtage,⁸⁷ sir,

               I have conveyed aboard, and I have bought

               The oil, the balsamum⁸⁹ and aqua-vitae.

90

90           The ship is in her trim,⁹⁰ the merry wind

               Blows fair from land. They stay for nought at all

               But for their owner, master, and yourself.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS How now? A madman? Why, thou peevish⁹³ sheep,

               What ship of Epidamium stays for me?

95

95   

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE A ship you sent me to, to hire⁹⁵ waftage.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS Thou drunken slave, I sent thee for a rope,

               And told thee to what purpose and what end.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE You sent me for a rope’s end⁹⁸ as soon,

               You sent me to the bay, sir, for a bark.

100

100 

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS I will debate this matter at more leisure

               And teach your ears to list¹⁰¹ me with more heed.

               To Adriana, villain, hie thee straight.¹⁰²

               Give her this key, and tell her in the desk Gives a key

               That’s covered o’er with Turkish tapestry,

105

105         There is a purse of ducats, let her send it.

               Tell her I am arrested in the street,

               And that shall bail me. Hie thee, slave, be gone.—

               On, officer, to prison till it come.

       Exeunt [all but Dromio of Syracuse]

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE To Adriana? That is where we dined,

110

110         Where Dowsabel¹¹⁰ did claim me for her husband.

               She is too big, I hope, for me to compass.¹¹¹

               Thither I must, although against my will,

               For servants must their masters’ minds¹¹³ fulfil.

       Exit

[Act 4 Scene 2]

running scene 5

       Enter Adriana and Luciana

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     Ah, Luciana, did he tempt thee so?

               Mightst thou perceive austerely² in his eye

               That he did plead in earnest, yea or no?

               Looked he or⁴ red or pale, or sad or merrily?

5

5             What observation⁵ mad’st thou in this case,

               Of his heart’s meteors⁶ tilting in his face?

LUCIANA

LUCIANA     First he denied you had in him no⁷ right.

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     He meant he did me none, the more my spite.⁸

LUCIANA

LUCIANA     Then swore he that he was a stranger here.

10

10   

ADRIANA

ADRIANA           And true¹⁰ he swore, though yet forsworn he were.

LUCIANA

LUCIANA     Then pleaded I for you.

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     And what said he?

LUCIANA

LUCIANA     That love I begged for you, he begged of me.

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     With what persuasion did he tempt thy love?

15

15   

LUCIANA

LUCIANA           With words that in an honest¹⁵ suit might move.

               First, he did praise my beauty, then my speech.

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     Didst speak him fair?¹⁷

LUCIANA

LUCIANA     Have patience, I beseech.

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     I cannot, nor I will not, hold me still.¹⁹

20

20           My tongue, though not my heart, shall have his²⁰ will.

               He is deformèd, crooked, old and sere,²¹

               Ill-faced, worse bodied, shapeless²² everywhere,

               Vicious, ungentle, foolish, blunt, unkind,

               Stigmatical in making,²⁴ worse in mind.

25

25   

LUCIANA

LUCIANA           Who would be jealous then of such a one?

               No evil lost is wailed²⁶ when it is gone.

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     Ah, but I think him better than I say,

               And yet would²⁸ herein others’ eyes were worse.

               Far²⁹ from her nest the lapwing cries away,

30

30           My heart prays for him, though my tongue do curse.

       Enter Dromio of Syracuse Running, with the key

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Here, go — the desk, the purse! Sweet, now, make haste.

LUCIANA

LUCIANA     How hast thou lost thy breath?

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE By running fast.

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     Where is thy master, Dromio? Is he well?

35

35   

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE No, he’s in Tartar limbo,³⁵ worse than hell.

               A devil in an everlasting³⁶ garment hath him,

               One whose hard heart is buttoned³⁷ up with steel:

               A fiend, a fairy,³⁸ pitiless and rough,

               A wolf, nay, worse, a fellow³⁹ all in buff,

40

40           A back-friend,⁴⁰ a shoulder-clapper, one that countermands

               The passages⁴¹ of alleys, creeks and narrow lands,

               A hound that runs counter,⁴² and yet draws dryfoot well,

               One that before the judgement⁴³ carries poor souls to hell.

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     Why, man, what is the matter?

45

45   

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE I do not know the matter,⁴⁵ he is ’rested on the case.

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     What, is he arrested? Tell me at whose suit?⁴⁶

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE I know not at whose suit he is arrested well,

               But is in a suit of buff which ’rested him, that can I tell.

               Will you send him, mistress, redemption,⁴⁹ the money in his desk?

50

50   

ADRIANA

ADRIANA           Go fetch it, sister. This I wonder at,

       Exit Luciana

               That he, unknown to me, should be in debt.

               Tell me, was he arrested on a band?⁵²

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Not on a band, but on a stronger thing:

               A chain, a chain, do you not hear it ring?

55

55   

ADRIANA

ADRIANA           What, the chain?

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE No, no, the bell, ’tis time that I were gone.

               It was two ere I left him, and now the clock strikes one.⁵⁷

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     The hours come back! That did I never hear.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE O, yes, if any hour⁵⁹ meet a sergeant, a turns back for very fear.

60

60   

ADRIANA

ADRIANA           As if time were in debt. How fondly⁶⁰ dost thou reason.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Time is a very bankrupt, and owes⁶¹ more than he’s worth to season.

               Nay, he’s a thief too: have you not heard men say

               That Time comes stealing⁶⁴ on by night and day?

65

65           If a be in debt and theft,⁶⁵ and a sergeant in the way,

               Hath he not reason to turn⁶⁶ back an hour in a day?

       Enter Luciana With a purse

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     Go, Dromio, there’s the money, bear it straight,

               And bring thy master home immediately.

       [Exit Dromio, with the purse]

               Come, sister, I am pressed down⁶⁹ with conceit:

70

70           Conceit, my comfort⁷⁰ and my injury.

       Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 3]

running scene 6

       Enter Antipholus of Syracuse

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE There’s not a man I meet but doth salute¹ me

               As if I were their well-acquainted friend,

               And everyone doth call me by my name:

               Some tender⁴ money to me, some invite me,

5

5             Some other give me thanks for kindnesses,

               Some offer me commodities to buy.

               Even now a tailor called me in his shop,

               And showed me silks that he had bought for me,

               And therewithal took measure of my body.

10

10           Sure these are but imaginary wiles,¹⁰

               And Lapland¹¹ sorcerers inhabit here.

       Enter Dromio of Syracuse With the purse

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Master, here’s the gold you sent me for. What, have you got the picture of old Adam new-apparelled?¹³

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE What gold is this? What Adam dost thou mean?

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Not that Adam¹⁵ that kept the Paradise, but that Adam that keeps the prison: he that goes in the calf’s¹⁶ skin that was killed for the Prodigal, he that came behind you, sir, like an evil angel, and bid you forsake your liberty.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE I understand thee not.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE No? Why, ’tis a plain case:¹⁹ he that went like a bass-viol in a case of leather; the man, sir, that when gentlemen are tired, gives them a sob²⁰ and ’rests them.²¹ He, sir, that takes pity on decayed men and gives them suits of durance. He that sets²² up his rest to do more exploits with his mace than a morris-pike.²³

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE What, thou mean’st an officer?

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Ay, sir, the sergeant of the band:²⁵ he that brings any man to answer it²⁶ that breaks his band, one that thinks a man always going to bed, and says, ‘God give you good rest²⁷’.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Well, sir, there rest²⁸ in your foolery. Is there any ship puts forth tonight? May we be gone?

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Why, sir, I brought you word an hour since, that the bark Expedition put forth tonight, and then were you hindered by the sergeant, to tarry³¹ for the hoy Delay. Gives him the purse Here are the angels³² that you sent for to deliver you.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE The fellow is distract,³³ and so am I,

               And here we wander in illusions.

35

35           Some blessèd power deliver us from hence!

       Enter a Courtesan

COURTESAN

COURTESAN     Well met, well met, Master Antipholus.

               I see, sir, you have found the goldsmith now.

               Is that the chain you promised me today?

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Satan avoid,³⁹ I charge thee tempt me not.

40

40   

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Master, is this Mistress Satan?

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE It is the devil.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Nay, she is worse, she is the devil’s dam:⁴² and here she comes in the habit⁴³ of a light wench, and thereof comes that the wenches say ‘God damn me’, that’s as much to say, ‘God make me a light wench’. It is written, they appear to men like angels of light, light is an effect of fire, and fire will burn. Ergo,⁴⁵ light wenches will burn.⁴⁶ Come not near her.

COURTESAN

COURTESAN     Your man and you are marvellous merry, sir. Will you go with me? we’ll mend⁴⁸ our dinner here.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Master, if you do, expect spoon-meat,⁴⁹ or bespeak a long spoon.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Why, Dromio?

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Marry, he⁵¹ must have a long spoon that must eat with the devil.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Avoid then, fiend, what⁵² tell’st thou me of supping? To the Courtesan Thou art, as you are all,⁵³ a sorceress. I conjure thee to leave me and be gone.

COURTESAN

COURTESAN     Give me the ring of mine you had at dinner, Or, for⁵⁶ my diamond, the chain you promised, And I’ll be gone, sir, and not trouble you.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Some devils ask⁵⁸ but the parings of one’s nail, a rush, a hair, a drop of blood, a pin, a nut, a cherry-stone. But she, more covetous, would have a chain. Master, be wise, an if⁶⁰ you give it her, the devil will shake her chain and fright us with it.

COURTESAN

COURTESAN     I pray you, sir, my ring, or else the chain.

               I hope you do not mean to cheat me so?

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Avaunt,⁶⁴ thou witch. Come, Dromio, let us go.

65

65   

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE ‘Fly pride’, says the peacock.⁶⁵ Mistress, that you know.

       Exeunt [Antipholus and Dromio of Syracuse]

COURTESAN

COURTESAN     Now, out of doubt Antipholus is mad,

               Else would he never so demean⁶⁷ himself.

               A ring he hath of mine worth forty ducats,

               And for the same he promised me a chain.

70

70           Both one and other he denies me now.

               The reason that I gather he is mad,

               Besides this present instance of his rage,⁷²

               Is a mad tale he told today at dinner,

               Of his own doors being shut against his entrance.

75

75           Belike⁷⁵ his wife, acquainted with his fits,

               On purpose shut the doors against his way.

               My way is now to hie home⁷⁷ to his house,

               And tell his wife that, being lunatic,

               He rushed into my house and took perforce⁷⁹

80

80           My ring away. This course I fittest choose,⁸⁰

               For forty ducats is too much to lose.

       [Exit]

[Act 4 Scene 4]

running scene 6 continues

       Enter Antipholus of Ephesus with a Jailer [or Officer]

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS Fear me not, man, I will not break away:

               I’ll give thee, ere I leave thee, so much money

               To warrant³ thee as I am ‘rested for.

               My wife is in a wayward⁴ mood today,

5

5             And will not lightly⁵ trust the messenger

               That I should be attached⁶ in Ephesus,

               I tell you ‘twill sound harshly in her ears.

       Enter Dromio of Ephesus with a rope’s-end

               Here comes my man, I think he brings the money.—

               How now, sir? Have you that I sent you for?

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS Here’s that, I warrant you, will pay¹⁰ them all. Gives the rope

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS But where’s the money?

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS Why, sir, I gave the money for the rope.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS Five hundred ducats, villain, for a rope?

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS I’ll serve¹⁴ you, sir, five hundred at the rate.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS To what end¹⁵ did I bid thee hie thee home?

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS To¹⁶ a rope’s-end, sir, and to that end am I returned.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS And to¹⁷ that end, sir, I will welcome you. Beats him

OFFICER

OFFICER     Good sir, be patient.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS Nay, ’tis for me to be patient, I am in adversity.

OFFICER

OFFICER     Good now, hold thy tongue.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS Nay, rather persuade him to hold his hands.²¹

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS Thou whoreson,²² senseless villain.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS I would I were senseless, sir, that I might not feel your blows.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS Thou art sensible in²⁴ nothing but blows, and so is an ass.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS I am an ass, indeed, you may prove it by my long ears.²⁵ I have served him from the hour of my nativity to this instant, and have nothing at his hands for my service but blows. When I am cold, he heats me with beating: when I am warm, he cools me with beating: I am waked with it when I sleep, raised with it when I sit, driven out of doors with it when I go from home, welcomed home with it when I return, nay, I bear it on my shoulders, as a beggar wont³⁰ her brat, and I think when he hath lamed me, I shall beg with it from door to door.

       Enter Adriana, Luciana, Courtesan, and a schoolmaster called Pinch

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS Come, go along, my wife is coming yonder.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS Mistress, To Adriana respice finem,³³ respect your end, or rather, the prophecy like the parrot, ‘beware the rope’s-end’.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS Wilt thou still³⁵ talk?

       Beats Dromio

COURTESAN

COURTESAN     How say you now? Is not your husband mad? To Adriana

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     His incivility confirms no less.

               Good Doctor³⁸ Pinch, you are a conjurer,

               Establish him in his true sense³⁹ again,

40

40           And I will please⁴⁰ you what you will demand.

LUCIANA

LUCIANA     Alas, how fiery and how sharp⁴¹ he looks.

COURTESAN

COURTESAN     Mark how he trembles in his ecstasy.⁴²

PINCH

PINCH     Give me your hand and let me feel your pulse. To Antipholus

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS There is my hand, and let it feel your ear. Strikes him

45

45   

PINCH

PINCH           I charge thee, Satan, housed within this man,

               To yield possession to my holy prayers

               And to thy state of darkness hie thee straight:

               I conjure thee by all the saints in heaven.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS Peace, doting⁴⁹ wizard, peace, I am not mad.

50

50   

ADRIANA

ADRIANA           O, that thou wert not, poor distressèd soul.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS You minion, you, are these your customers?⁵¹

               Did this companion⁵² with the saffron face

               Revel and feast it at my house today,

               Whilst upon me the guilty doors were shut,

55

55           And I denied to enter in my house?

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     O husband, God doth know you dined at home,

               Where would you had remained until this time,

               Free from these slanders and this open shame.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS Dined at home?— Thou villain, what sayest thou? To Dromio

60

60   

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS Sir, sooth⁶⁰ to say, you did not dine at home.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS Were not my doors locked up, and I shut out?

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS Perdie,⁶² your doors were locked, and you shut out.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS And did not she herself revile me there?

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS Sans fable,⁶⁴ she herself reviled you there.

65

65   

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS Did not her kitchen-maid rail, taunt and scorn me?

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS Certes⁶⁶ she did, the kitchen-vestal scorned you.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS And did not I in rage depart from thence?

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS In verity⁶⁸ you did, my bones bear witness,

               That since have felt the vigour of his rage.

70

70   

ADRIANA

ADRIANA           Is’t good to soothe⁷⁰ him in these contraries? To Pinch

PINCH

PINCH     It is no shame. The fellow⁷¹ finds his vein, Aside to Adriana

               And yielding to⁷² him, humours well his frenzy.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS Thou hast suborned⁷³ the goldsmith to arrest me.

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     Alas, I sent you money to redeem you,

75

75           By Dromio here, who came in haste for it.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS Money by me? Heart⁷⁶ and good will you might,

               But surely, master, not a rag⁷⁷ of money.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS Went’st not thou to her for a purse of ducats?

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     He came to me and I delivered it.

80

80   

LUCIANA

LUCIANA           And I am witness with her that she did.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS God and the rope-maker bear me witness

               That I was sent for nothing but a rope.

PINCH

PINCH     Mistress, both man and master is possessed,

               I know it by their pale and deadly⁸⁴ looks.

85

85           They must be bound and laid in some dark room.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS Say, wherefore didst thou lock me forth⁸⁶ today?— To Adriana

               And why dost thou deny the bag of gold? To Dromio

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     I did not, gentle husband, lock thee forth.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS And, gentle master, I received no gold:

90

90           But I confess, sir, that we were locked out.

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     Dissembling⁹¹ villain, thou speak’st false in both.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS Dissembling harlot, thou art false in all,

               And art confederate⁹³ with a damnèd pack

               To make a loathsome abject scorn⁹⁴ of me.

95

95           But with these nails I’ll pluck out these false eyes

               That would behold in me this shameful sport. He threatens Adriana

       Enter three or four, and offer to bind him. He strives

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     O, bind him, bind him, let him not come near me.

PINCH

PINCH     More company,⁹⁸ the fiend is strong within him.

LUCIANA

LUCIANA     Ay me, poor man, how pale and wan he looks.

100

100 

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS What, will you murder me?— Thou jailer, thou,

               I am thy prisoner. Wilt thou suffer them

               To make a rescue?¹⁰²

OFFICER

OFFICER     Masters, let him go.

               He is my prisoner, and you shall not have him.

105

105 

PINCH

PINCH             Go bind this man, for he is frantic¹⁰⁵ too. They bind Dromio of Ephesus

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     What wilt thou do, thou peevish¹⁰⁶ officer?

               Hast thou delight to see a wretched man

               Do outrage and displeasure¹⁰⁸ to himself?

OFFICER

OFFICER     He is my prisoner. If I let him go,

110

110         The debt he owes will be required of me.

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     I will discharge¹¹¹ thee ere I go from thee.

               Bear me forthwith unto his creditor,

               And knowing¹¹³ how the debt grows, I will pay it.

               Good master doctor, see him safe conveyed

115

115         Home to my house. O, most unhappy day!

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS O, most unhappy strumpet!

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS Master, I am here entered in bond¹¹⁷ for you.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS Out on thee, villain, wherefore dost thou mad¹¹⁸ me?

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS Will you be bound for nothing? Be mad, good master: cry¹¹⁹ ‘The devil!’

LUCIANA

LUCIANA     God help poor souls, how idly do they talk.

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     Go bear him hence.— Sister, go you with me.

       Exeunt [Pinch and his assistants, bearing Antipholus and Dromio of Ephesus] Adriana, Luciana, Officer and Courtesan remain

                  Say now, whose suit is he arrested at?

OFFICER

OFFICER     One Angelo, a goldsmith. Do you know him?

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     I know the man. What is the sum he owes?

OFFICER

OFFICER     Two hundred ducats.

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     Say, how grows it due?

OFFICER

OFFICER     Due for a chain your husband had of him.

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     He did bespeak¹²⁹ a chain for me, but had it not.

130

130 

COURTESAN

COURTESAN             When as your husband all in rage today

               Came to my house and took away my ring,

               The ring I saw upon his finger now,

               Straight after did I meet him with a chain.

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     It may be so, but I did never see it.—

135

135         Come, jailer, bring me where the goldsmith is.

               I long to know the truth hereof¹³⁶ at large.

       Enter Antipholus and Dromio [of] Syracuse with their rapiers drawn

LUCIANA

LUCIANA     God for thy mercy, they are loose again.

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     And come with naked¹³⁸ swords.

               Let’s call more help to have them bound again.

OFFICER

OFFICER     Away, they’ll kill us.

       Run all out. Exeunt all, as fast as may be, frighted.

       [Antipholus and Dromio of Syracuse remain]

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE I see these witches are afraid of swords.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE She that would be¹⁴² your wife now ran from you.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Come to the Centaur, fetch our stuff¹⁴³ from thence. I long that we were safe and sound aboard.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Faith, stay here this night, they will surely do us no harm. You saw they speak us fair,¹⁴⁶ give us gold. Methinks they are such a gentle nation that, but for the mountain of mad flesh that claims¹⁴⁷ marriage of me, I could find in my heart to stay here still¹⁴⁸ and turn witch.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE I will not stay tonight for all the town. Therefore away, to get our stuff aboard.

       Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 1

running scene 7

       Enter the [Second] Merchant and [Angelo] the goldsmith

ANGELO

ANGELO     I am sorry, sir, that I have hindered you,

               But I protest, he had the chain of² me,

               Though most dishonestly he doth deny it.

SECOND MERCHANT

SECOND MERCHANT How is the man esteemed here in the city?

5

5     

ANGELO

ANGELO           Of very reverend⁵ reputation, sir,

               Of credit infinite, highly beloved,

               Second to none that lives here in the city:

               His⁸ word might bear my wealth at any time.

SECOND MERCHANT

SECOND MERCHANT Speak softly, yonder, as I think, he walks.

       Enter Antipholus and Dromio [of Syracuse] again Antipholus wearing the chain

10

10   

ANGELO

ANGELO           ’Tis so, and that self¹⁰ chain about his neck

               Which he forswore¹¹ most monstrously to have.

               Good sir, draw near to me, I’ll speak to him.—

               Signior Antipholus, I wonder much

               That you would put me to this shame and trouble,

15

15           And not without some scandal to yourself,

               With circumstance¹⁶ and oaths so to deny

               This chain, which now you wear so openly.

               Beside¹⁸ the charge, the shame, imprisonment,

               You have done wrong to this my honest friend,

20

20           Who, but for staying on²⁰ our controversy,

               Had hoisted sail and put to sea today.

               This chain you had of me, can you deny it?

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE I think I had, I never did deny it.

SECOND MERCHANT

SECOND MERCHANT Yes, that you did, sir, and forswore it too.

25

25   

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Who heard me to deny it or forswear it?

SECOND MERCHANT

SECOND MERCHANT These ears of mine, thou know’st did hear thee.

               Fie²⁷ on thee, wretch, ’tis pity that thou liv’st

               To walk where any honest men resort.²⁸

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Thou art a villain to impeach²⁹ me thus:

30

30           I’ll prove mine honour and mine honesty

               Against thee presently,³¹ if thou dar’st stand.

SECOND MERCHANT

SECOND MERCHANT I dare, and do defy thee for a villain.

       They draw. Enter Adriana, Luciana, [the] Courtesan and others

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     Hold, hurt him not, for God’s sake, he is mad.

               Some get within him,³⁴ take his sword away.

35

35           Bind Dromio too, and bear them to my house.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Run, master, run, for God’s sake, take³⁶ a house.

               This is some priory. In, or we are spoiled.³⁷

       Exeunt [Antipholus and Dromio of Syracuse] to the priory

       Enter [Emilia, the] Lady Abbess

EMILIA

EMILIA     Be quiet, people. Wherefore throng you hither?

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     To fetch my poor distracted husband hence.

40

40           Let us come in, that we may bind him fast

               And bear him home for his recovery.

ANGELO

ANGELO     I knew he was not in his perfect wits.

SECOND MERCHANT

SECOND MERCHANT I am sorry now that I did draw⁴³ on him.

EMILIA

EMILIA     How long hath this possession held the man?

45

45   

ADRIANA

ADRIANA           This week he hath been heavy,⁴⁵ sour, sad,

               And much different from the man he was.

               But till this afternoon his passion

               Ne’er brake into extremity of rage.

EMILIA

EMILIA     Hath he not lost much wealth by wreck of sea?

50

50           Buried some dear friend? Hath not else his eye

               Strayed⁵¹ his affection in unlawful love,

               A sin prevailing much in youthful men,

               Who give their eyes the liberty of gazing?

               Which of these sorrows is he subject to?

55

55   

ADRIANA

ADRIANA           To none of these, except it be the last,

               Namely, some love that drew him oft from home.

EMILIA

EMILIA     You should for that have reprehended⁵⁷ him.

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     Why, so I did.

EMILIA

EMILIA     Ay, but not rough enough.

60

60   

ADRIANA

ADRIANA           As roughly as my modesty would let me.

EMILIA

EMILIA     Haply⁶¹ in private.

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     And in assemblies⁶² too.

EMILIA

EMILIA     Ay, but not enough.

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     It was the copy⁶⁴ of our conference.

65

65           In bed he slept not for my urging it,

               At board⁶⁶ he fed not for my urging it.

               Alone,⁶⁷ it was the subject of my theme,

               In company I often glancèd⁶⁸ it:

               Still⁶⁹ did I tell him it was vile and bad.

70

70   

EMILIA

EMILIA           And thereof⁷⁰ came it that the man was mad.

               The venom clamours⁷¹ of a jealous woman

               Poisons more deadly than a mad dog’s tooth.

               It seems his sleeps were hindered by thy railing,⁷³

               And thereof comes it that his head is light.⁷⁴

75

75           Thou say’st his meat was sauced with thy upbraidings:

               Unquiet meals make ill digestions.

               Thereof the raging fire of fever bred,

               And what’s a fever but a fit of madness?

               Thou say’st his sports⁷⁹ were hindered by thy brawls:

80

80           Sweet recreation barred, what doth ensue

               But moody and dull melancholy,

               Kinsman to grim and comfortless despair,

               And at her⁸³ heels a huge infectious troop

               Of pale distemperatures⁸⁴ and foes to life?

85

85           In food, in sport and life-preserving⁸⁵ rest

               To be disturbed, would mad⁸⁶ or man or beast.

               The consequence is then thy jealous fits

               Have scared thy husband from the use of⁸⁸ wits.

LUCIANA

LUCIANA     She never reprehended him but mildly,

90

90           When he demeaned⁹⁰ himself rough, rude and wildly.

               Why bear you these rebukes and answer not? To Adriana

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     She did betray⁹² me to my own reproof.

               Good people enter and lay hold on him.

EMILIA

EMILIA     No, not a creature enters in my house.

95

95   

ADRIANA

ADRIANA           Then let your servants bring my husband forth.

EMILIA

EMILIA     Neither. He took this place for sanctuary,⁹⁶

               And it shall privilege⁹⁷ him from your hands

               Till I have brought him to his wits again,

               Or lose my labour⁹⁹ in assaying it.

100

100 

ADRIANA

ADRIANA             I will attend my husband, be his nurse,

               Diet¹⁰¹ his sickness, for it is my office,

               And will have no attorney¹⁰² but myself,

               And therefore let me have him home with me.

EMILIA

EMILIA     Be patient, for I will not let him stir

105

105         Till I have used the approvèd¹⁰⁵ means I have,

               With wholesome syrups, drugs and holy prayers,

               To make of him a formal¹⁰⁷ man again.

               It is a branch¹⁰⁸ and parcel of mine oath,

               A charitable duty of my order.

110

110         Therefore depart, and leave him here with me.

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     I will not hence and leave my husband here:

               And ill it doth beseem your holiness

               To separate the husband and the wife.

EMILIA

EMILIA     Be quiet and depart, thou shalt not have him.

       [Exit]

115

115 

LUCIANA

LUCIANA             Complain unto the duke of this indignity. To Adriana

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     Come, go, I will fall prostrate at his feet,

               And never rise until my tears and prayers

               Have won his grace to come in person hither,

               And take perforce¹¹⁹ my husband from the abbess.

120

120 

SECOND MERCHANT

SECOND MERCHANT By this,¹²⁰ I think, the dial points at five:

               Anon,¹²¹ I’m sure the duke himself in person

               Comes this way to the melancholy vale,

               The place of death and sorry¹²³ execution,

               Behind the ditches of the abbey here.

125

125 

ANGELO

ANGELO             Upon what cause?

SECOND MERCHANT

SECOND MERCHANT To see a reverend Syracusan merchant,

               Who put¹²⁷ unluckily into this bay

               Against the laws and statutes of this town,

               Beheaded publicly for his offence.

130

130 

ANGELO

ANGELO             See where they come: we will behold his death.

LUCIANA

LUCIANA     Kneel to the duke before he pass the abbey.

       Enter the Duke of Ephesus and [Egeon] the merchant of Syracuse, bareheaded [and bound], with the Headsman and other Officers

DUKE

DUKE     Yet once again proclaim it publicly,

               If any friend will pay the sum for him,

               He shall not die, so much we tender¹³⁴ him.

135

135 

ADRIANA

ADRIANA             Justice, most sacred duke, against the abbess.

DUKE

DUKE     She is a virtuous and a reverend lady.

               It cannot be that she hath done thee wrong.

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     May it please your grace, Antipholus, my husband —

               Whom I made lord of me and all I had,

140

140         At your important¹⁴⁰ letters — this ill day

               A most outrageous¹⁴¹ fit of madness took him,

               That desp’rately¹⁴² he hurried through the street,

               With him his bondman,¹⁴³ all as mad as he,

               Doing displeasure¹⁴⁴ to the citizens

145

145         By rushing in their houses, bearing¹⁴⁵ thence

               Rings, jewels, anything his rage did like.

               Once did I get him bound, and sent him home,

               Whilst to take order¹⁴⁸ for the wrongs I went,

               That here and there his fury had committed.

150

150         Anon, I wot¹⁵⁰ not by what strong escape,

               He broke from those that had the guard of him,

               And with his mad attendant and himself,

               Each one with ireful passion, with drawn swords,

               Met us again and madly bent¹⁵⁴ on us,

155

155         Chased us away: till raising of more aid,

               We came again to bind them. Then they fled

               Into this abbey, whither we pursued them,

               And here the abbess shuts the gates on us,

               And will not suffer¹⁵⁹ us to fetch him out,

160

160         Nor send him forth that we may bear him hence.

               Therefore, most gracious duke, with thy command

               Let him be brought forth, and borne¹⁶² hence for help.

DUKE

DUKE     Long since thy husband served me in my wars,

               And I to thee engaged¹⁶⁴ a prince’s word,

165

165         When thou didst make him master of thy bed,

               To do him all the grace¹⁶⁶ and good I could.

               Go some of you, knock at the abbey-gate,

               And bid the lady abbess come to me.

               I will determine¹⁶⁹ this before I stir.

       Enter a Messenger

170

170 

MESSENGER

MESSENGER             O, mistress, mistress, shift¹⁷⁰ and save yourself, To Adriana

               My master and his man are both broke loose,

               Beaten the maids a-row,¹⁷² and bound the doctor,

               Whose beard they have singed off with brands¹⁷³ of fire,

               And ever as it blazed, they threw on him

175

175         Great pails of puddled mire¹⁷⁵ to quench the hair.

               My master preaches patience to him, and the while

               His man with scissors nicks¹⁷⁷ him like a fool,

               And sure,¹⁷⁸ unless you send some present help,

               Between them they will kill the conjurer.

180

180 

ADRIANA

ADRIANA             Peace, fool, thy master and his man are here,

               And that is false thou dost report to us.

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Mistress, upon my life, I tell you true,

               I have not breathed almost since I did see it.

               He cries for you, and vows if he can take¹⁸⁴ you,

185

185         To scorch your face and to disfigure you.

       Cry within

               Hark, hark! I hear him, mistress: fly, be gone.

DUKE

DUKE     Come, stand by me, fear nothing.— Guard with halberds.¹⁸⁷

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     Ay me, it is my husband: witness you,

               That he is borne about¹⁸⁹ invisible.

190

190         Even now we housed him in the abbey here,

               And now he’s there, past¹⁹¹ thought of human reason.

       Enter Antipholus and Dromio of Ephesus

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS Justice, most gracious duke, O, grant me justice,

               Even for the service that long since I did thee,

               When I bestrid thee¹⁹⁴ in the wars, and took

195

195           Deep scars to save thy life; even for the blood

               That then I lost for thee, now grant me justice.

EGEON

EGEON     Unless the fear of death doth make me dote,¹⁹⁷

               I see my son Antipholus and Dromio.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS Justice, sweet prince, against that woman there:

200

200         She whom thou gav’st to me to be my wife,

               That hath abusèd and dishonoured me,

               Even in the strength²⁰² and height of injury.

               Beyond imagination is the wrong

               That she this day hath shameless thrown on me.

205

205 

DUKE

DUKE             Discover²⁰⁵ how, and thou shalt find me just.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS This day, great duke, she shut the doors upon me,

               While she with harlots²⁰⁷ feasted in my house.

DUKE

DUKE     A grievous fault: say, woman, didst thou so?

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     No, my good lord. Myself, he and my sister

210

210         Today did dine together. So²¹⁰ befall my soul,

               As this is false he burdens me withal.

LUCIANA

LUCIANA     Ne’er may I look on²¹² day, nor sleep on night,

               But she tells to your highness simple truth.

ANGELO

ANGELO     O perjured woman! They are both forsworn,²¹⁴

215

215         In this the madman justly chargeth²¹⁵ them.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS My liege, I am advisèd²¹⁶ what I say,

               Neither disturbed with the effect of wine,

               Nor heady-rash,²¹⁸ provoked with raging ire,

               Albeit²¹⁹ my wrongs might make one wiser mad.

220

220         This woman locked me out this day from dinner;

               That goldsmith there, were he not packed²²¹ with her,

               Could witness²²² it, for he was with me then,

               Who parted with me to go fetch a chain,

               Promising to bring it to the Porpentine,

225

225         Where Balthazar and I did dine together.

               Our dinner done, and he not coming thither,

               I went to seek him. In the street I met him,

               And in his company that gentleman. Indicates Second Merchant

               There did this perjured goldsmith swear²²⁹ me down

230

230         That I this day of him received the chain,

               Which, God he knows, I saw not. For the which

               He did arrest me with an officer.

               I did obey, and sent my peasant²³³ home

               For certain²³⁴ ducats: he with none returned.

235

235         Then fairly I bespoke²³⁵ the officer

               To go in person with me to my house.

               By²³⁷ th’way we met my wife, her sister, and a rabble more

               Of vile confederates. Along with them

               They brought one Pinch, a hungry²³⁹ lean-faced villain,

240

240         A mere anatomy,²⁴⁰ a mountebank,

               A threadbare²⁴¹ juggler and a fortune-teller,

               A needy,²⁴² hollow-eyed, sharp-looking wretch,

               A living dead man. This pernicious²⁴³ slave,

               Forsooth,²⁴⁴ took on him as a conjurer,

245

245         And gazing in mine eyes, feeling my pulse,

               And with²⁴⁶ no face, as ’twere, outfacing me,

               Cries out, I was possessed. Then all together

               They fell upon me, bound me, bore me thence,

               And in a dark and dankish²⁴⁹ vault at home

250

250         There left me and my man, both bound together,

               Till gnawing with my teeth my bonds in sunder,²⁵¹

               I gained my freedom, and immediately

               Ran hither to your grace, whom I beseech

               To give me ample satisfaction

255

255         For these deep shames and great indignities.

ANGELO

ANGELO     My lord, in truth, thus far I witness with him,

               That he dined not at home, but was locked out.

DUKE

DUKE     But had he such a chain of thee, or no?

ANGELO

ANGELO     He had, my lord: and when he ran in here,

260

260         These people saw the chain about his neck.

SECOND MERCHANT

SECOND MERCHANT Besides, I will be sworn these ears of mine To Antipholus

               Heard you confess you had the chain of him,

               After you first forswore it on the mart,

               And thereupon I drew my sword on you:

265

265         And then you fled into this abbey here,

               From whence I think you are come by miracle.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS I never came within these abbey walls,

               Nor ever didst thou draw thy sword on me:

               I never saw the chain, so help me heaven,

270

270         And this is false you burden me withal.

DUKE

DUKE     Why, what an intricate impeach²⁷¹ is this?

               I think you all have drunk of Circe’s cup.²⁷²

               If here you housed him, here he would have been.

               If he were mad, he would not plead so coldly.²⁷⁴

275

275         You say he dined at home, the goldsmith here To Adriana

               Denies that saying.— Sirrah, what say you? To Dromio

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS Sir, he dined with her there, at the Porpentine.

COURTESAN

COURTESAN     He did, and from my finger snatched that ring.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS ’Tis true, my liege, this ring I had of her.

280

280 

DUKE

DUKE             Saw’st thou him enter at the abbey here?

COURTESAN

COURTESAN     As sure, my liege, as I do see your grace.

DUKE

DUKE     Why, this is strange. Go call the abbess hither.

               I think you are all mated,²⁸³ or stark mad.

       Exit one to the Abbess

EGEON

EGEON     Most mighty duke, vouchsafe²⁸⁴ me speak a word:

285

285         Haply²⁸⁵ I see a friend will save my life,

               And pay the sum that may deliver me.

DUKE

DUKE     Speak freely, Syracusan, what thou wilt.

EGEON

EGEON     Is not your name, sir, called Antipholus?

               And is not that your bondman, Dromio?

290

290 

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS Within this hour I was his bondman²⁹⁰ sir,

               But he, I thank him, gnawed in two my cords,

               Now am I Dromio, and his man unbound.

EGEON

EGEON     I am sure you both of you remember me.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS Ourselves²⁹⁴ we do remember, sir, by you,

295

295         For lately we were bound as you are now.

               You are not Pinch’s patient, are you, sir?

EGEON

EGEON     Why look you strange²⁹⁷ on me? You know me well.

ANTIPHOLUS

ANTIPHOLUS I never saw you in my life till now.

EGEON

EGEON     O, grief hath changed me since you saw me last,

300

300         And careful³⁰⁰ hours with time’s deformèd hand

               Have written strange defeatures³⁰¹ in my face.

               But tell me yet, dost thou not know my voice?

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS Neither.³⁰³

EGEON

EGEON     Dromio, nor thou?

305

305 

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS No, trust me, sir, nor I.

EGEON

EGEON     I am sure thou dost.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS Ay, sir, but I am sure I do not, and whatsoever a man denies, you

               are now bound³⁰⁸ to believe him.

EGEON

EGEON     Not know my voice? O time’s extremity,

310

310         Hast thou so cracked³¹⁰ and splitted my poor tongue

               In seven short years³¹¹ that here my only son

               Knows not my feeble³¹² key of untuned cares?

               Though now this grainèd³¹³ face of mine be hid

               In sap-consuming³¹⁴ winter’s drizzled snow,

315

315         And all the conduits³¹⁵ of my blood froze up,

               Yet hath my night³¹⁶ of life some memory,

               My wasting lamps³¹⁷ some fading glimmer left,

               My dull deaf ears a little use to hear:

               All these old witnesses — I cannot err —

320

320         Tell me thou art my son Antipholus.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS I never saw my father in my life.

EGEON

EGEON     But³²² seven years since, in Syracusa, boy,

               Thou know’st we parted, but perhaps, my son,

               Thou sham’st to acknowledge me in misery.

325

325 

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS The duke, and all that know me in the city,

               Can witness with me that it is not so.

               I ne’er saw Syracusa in my life.

DUKE

DUKE     I tell thee, Syracusan, twenty years

               Have I been patron to Antipholus,

330

330         During which time he ne’er saw Syracusa:

               I see thy age and dangers make thee dote.

       Enter the Abbess [Emilia], with Antipholus and Dromio of Syracuse

EMILIA

EMILIA     Most mighty duke, behold a man much wronged.

       All gather to see them

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     I see two husbands, or mine eyes deceive me.

DUKE

DUKE     One of these men is genius³³⁴ to the other:

335

335         And so of these, which is the natural man,

               And which the spirit? Who deciphers³³⁶ them?

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE I, sir, am Dromio, command him away.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS I, sir, am Dromio, pray let me stay.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Egeon art thou not? Or else his ghost.

340

340 

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE O, my old master, who hath bound him here?

EMILIA

EMILIA     Whoever bound him, I will loose his bonds,

               And gain a husband by his liberty.

               Speak, old Egeon, if thou be’st the man

               That hadst a wife once called Emilia,

345

345         That bore thee at a burden³⁴⁵ two fair sons?

               O, if thou be’st the same Egeon, speak,

               And speak unto the same Emilia.

DUKE

DUKE     Why, here begins his morning story³⁴⁸ right:

               These two Antipholuses, these two so like,

350

350         And these two Dromios, one in semblance³⁵⁰ —

               Besides her urging of³⁵¹ her wreck at sea —

               These are the parents to these children,

               Which accidentally are met together.

EGEON

EGEON     If I dream not, thou art Emilia.

355

355         If thou art she, tell me where is that son

               That floated with thee on the fatal raft?

EMILIA

EMILIA     By men of Epidamium, he and I

               And the twin Dromio, all were taken up;

               But by and by, rude³⁵⁹ fishermen of Corinth

360

360         By force took Dromio and my son from them,

               And me they left with those of Epidamium.

               What then became of them, I cannot tell,

               I to this fortune that you see me in.

DUKE

DUKE     Antipholus, thou cam’st from Corinth first.

365

365 

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE No, sir, not I, I came from Syracuse.

DUKE

DUKE     Stay,³⁶⁶ stand apart, I know not which is which.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS I came from Corinth, my most gracious lord.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS And I with him.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS Brought to this town by that most famous warrior,

370

370         Duke Menaphon,³⁷⁰ your most renownèd uncle.

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     Which of you two did dine with me today?

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE I, gentle mistress.

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     And are not you my husband?

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS No, I say nay to that.

375

375 

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE And so do I, yet did she call me so.

               And this fair gentlewoman, her sister here,

               Did call me brother.— What I told you then, To Luciana

               I hope I shall have leisure³⁷⁸ to make good,

               If this be not a dream I see and hear.

380

380 

ANGELO

ANGELO             That is the chain, sir, which you had of me. Points to chain

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE I think it be, sir, I deny it not.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS And you, sir, for this chain arrested me. To Angelo

ANGELO

ANGELO     I think I did, sir, I deny it not.

ADRIANA

ADRIANA     I sent you money, sir, to be your bail To Antipholus of Ephesus

385

385         By Dromio, but I think he brought it not.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS No, none by me.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE This purse of ducats I received from you, To Adriana

               And Dromio, my man, did bring them me. Shows purse

               I see we still³⁸⁹ did meet each other’s man,

390

390         And I was ta’en for him, and he for me,

               And thereupon these errors are arose.³⁹¹

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS These ducats pawn I for my father here. Offers money

DUKE

DUKE     It shall not need, thy father hath his life.

COURTESAN

COURTESAN     Sir, I must have that diamond from you. To Antipholus of Ephesus

395

395 

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS There, take it, and much thanks for my good cheer.³⁹⁵ Gives ring

EMILIA

EMILIA     Renowned duke, vouchsafe to take the pains

               To go with us into the abbey here,

               And hear at large discoursèd all our fortunes.

               And all that are assembled in this place,

400

400         That by this sympathizèd⁴⁰⁰ one day’s error

               Have suffered wrong, go, keep us company,

               And we shall make full satisfaction.⁴⁰²

               Thirty-three years have I but⁴⁰³ gone in travail

               Of you, my sons, and till this present hour

405

405         My heavy burden ne’er deliverèd.

               The duke, my husband, and my children both,

               And you the calendars⁴⁰⁷ of their nativity,

               Go to a gossips’⁴⁰⁸ feast, and joy with me,

               After so long grief, such festivity.

410

410 

DUKE

DUKE             With all my heart, I’ll gossip at⁴¹⁰ this feast.

       Exeunt all. The two Dromios and two brothers [Antipholus] remain

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Master, shall I fetch your stuff from shipboard? To Antipholus of Ephesus

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS Dromio, what stuff of mine hast thou embarked?⁴¹²

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Your goods that lay at host,⁴¹³ sir, in the Centaur.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE He speaks to me, I am your master, Dromio.

415

415         Come, go with us, we’ll look to that anon.

               Embrace thy brother there, rejoice with him.

                                    Exeunt [Antipholus of Syracuse and Antipholus of Ephesus]

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE There is a fat friend⁴¹⁸ at your master’s house,

               That kitchened me⁴¹⁹ for you today at dinner.

420

420         She now shall be my sister,⁴²⁰ not my wife.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS Methinks you are my glass,⁴²¹ and not my brother:

               I see by you, I am a sweet-faced youth.

               Will you walk in to see their gossiping?

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Not I, sir, you are my elder.

425

425 

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS That’s a question, how shall we try it?

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE We’ll draw cuts⁴²⁶ for the senior, till then, lead thou first.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF EPHESUS Nay then, thus:

               We came into the world like brother and brother,

               And now let’s go hand in hand, not one before another.

       Exeunt

Textual Notes

F = First Folio text of 1623, the only authority for the play

F2 = a correction introduced in the Second Folio text of 1632

Ed = a correction introduced by a later editor

SD = stage direction

SH = speech heading (i.e., speaker’s name)

List of parts = Ed

1.1.1 SH EGEON = Ed. F = Marchant, Mer. Or Father throughout speech headings 42 the = Ed. F = he 54 poor mean = F2. F = meane 101 up upon = F2. F = vp 115 bark = F2. F = backe 122 thee = F2. F = they 126 for = F2. F = so 150 health = Ed. F = helpe

1.2.4 arrival = F2. F = a riuall 15 travel spelled travaile in F (used for both travel and travail) 37 falling = F. Ed. = failing 66 clock = Ed. F = cooke 93 God’s = Ed. F = God 96 o’er-raught = Ed. F = ore-wrought

2.1.12 ill = F2. F = thus 59 thousand = F2. F = hundred 62 come home = Ed. F = come 110 Wear = Ed. F = Where

2.2.12 didst = F2. F = did didst 78 men = Ed. F = them 89 tiring = Ed. F = trying 166 stronger = Ed. F = stranger 177 offered = Ed. F = free’d

3.1.83 you = F2. F = your 97, 99 her = Ed. F = your

3.2.0 SD Luciana = Ed. F Iuliana 1 SH LUCIANA = Ed. F = Iulia 4 building = Ed. F = buildings ruinous = Ed. F = ruinate 16 attaint = Ed. F = attaine 21 but = Ed. F = not 26 wife = F2. F = wise 46 sister’s = F2. F = sister 49 bed = F2. F = bud 49 them = Ed. F = thee 57 where = Ed. F = when 101 and = Ed. F = is 112 hair = F2. F = heire

4.1.7 SH ANGELO = Ed. F = Gold. throughout 17 her = Ed. F = their 28 carat spelled charect in F

4.2.6 Of = F2. F = Oh 37 One spelled On in F 51 That = F2. F = Thus 66 a = Ed. F = I

4.3.28 ship = F2. F = ships 49 you do = F2. F = do

4.4.136 SD their rapiers = Ed.F = his Rapier

5.1.36 God’s = Ed. F = God 123 death = Ed. F = depth 405 ne’er = Ed. F = are 408 joy = Ed. F = go 409 festivity = Ed. F = Natiuity

Act 1 Scene 1

 1.1    Location: Ephesus. This is the location for the whole play. Most of the action takes place outdoors in public, in or near the market (“mart”) Ephesus Ionian city, now part of Turkey    Syracuse city in Sicily

    2    doom sentence

    4    partial inclined

    6    rancorous outrage bitter wrongdoing

    7    well-dealing civil, honest

    8    wanting lacking    guilders silver coins    redeem ransom

    9    sealed certified (as if their bloods were sealing wax)    rigorous statutes severe laws (literally, legal documents)

  11    mortal deadly    intestine internal    jars conflicts

  12    seditious turbulent

  13    synods assemblies

  15    traffic to trade between    adverse hostile

  17    marts markets

  20    to at    dispose disposal

  21    marks coins, each worth two-thirds of a pound    levièd raised

  22    quit pay

  23    substance possessions

  31    heavier more sorrowful

  32    I for me

  33    that so that

  34    wrought by nature brought about by natural affection

  35    gives me leave permits me to

  37    but only

  38    by…bad would have been happy with me had we not suffered misfortune

  41    Epidamium Epidamnus, port on the coast of Illyricum; now Durrës in Albania    factor’s agent’s

  42    at random unattended

  43    embracements embraces

  46    pleasing punishment i.e., pregnancy

  54    mean lowly, humble

  56    for because

  57    attend serve/accompany

  58    meanly a little

  59    motions urgings

  61    league about three miles

  62    deep sea

  63    instance suggestion

  67    doubtful warrant dreadful assurance

  70    before for in the face of

  71    plainings wailing

  72    for fashion as is customary

  73    delays i.e., from death

  74    it was is what happened

  75    boat the ship’s life-boat

  76    sinking-ripe ready to sink

  77    careful concerned    latter-born youngest

  81    like equally

  83    whom him/those on whom

  84    the of the

  85    straight immediately    stream current

  86    Corinth Greek city

  88    vapours clouds offended assailed

  89    benefit help

  91    amain swiftly

  92    Epidaurus probably a port on the Adriatic coast, just south of Dubrovnik (then Illyria, now Croatia), though there was another Epidaurus (famous for its amphitheater) in Greece

  93    ere before

  94    that that which

  95    forward proceed

  98    Worthily deservedly

  99    meet by come within    twice five leagues about thirty miles

105    What something

111    seized on us took hold of us/hauled us up

112    hap chance

114    reft…prey deprived the fishermen of their catch

115    bark small ship

121    dilate relate

122    befall’n of happened to

123    eldest longest

125    After about    importuned begged

126    attendant i.e., one of the twins of humbler birth    like the same

127    Reft…name deprived of his brother, but retaining his sibling’s name

128    of for

129    laboured…love longed

130    hazarded…loved i.e., risked losing my younger son

132    clean completely    bounds territories

133    coasting traveling along the coast

135    Or either

138    travels also “travails” (efforts, pains)    warrant guarantee

139    Hapless unlucky

143    would they even if they wanted to    disannul abolish

144    sue plead, petition

145    adjudgèd condemned

147    But to except at the cost of    disparagement disgrace

149    limit allow

150    health i.e., life, well-being

156    wend go, direct himself

157    procrastinate postpone

Act 1 Scene 2

 1.2    Antipholus from the Greek anti + philia (“opposing love”); Folio entry direction calls him “Antipholis Erotes” (suggesting Latin erratus, “wanderer”/Erotes, “lovegods, cupids”) Dromio Greek for “runner”

    1    give out say

    5    buy out ransom

    8    to keep in my keeping

    9    the Centaur an inn    host lodge

  11    dinner-time i.e., about noon

  12    manners habits, nature

  13    Peruse observe

  18    mean opportunity/means (i.e., the money)

  19    villain servant/rogue    oft often

  20    care cares, troubles

  21    humour mood (one of the four bodily “humors” that governed the disposition)

  25    benefit profit

  26    Soon at at about/promptly at

  28    consort accompany

  32    content pleasure, enjoyment

  37    find…forth discover his companion (some editors emend falling to “failing”)

  38    Unseen unknown/inexperienced    confounds becomes indistinguishable to/destroys/loses

  40    unhappy ill-fated

  41    almanac…date as they were born at the same time, Dromio is a living calendar for Antipholus to judge his age by

  44    capon castrated cockerel (a common dish)

  46    made it one i.e., struck him

  47    hot angry

  49    stomach appetite

  50    broke your fast had breakfast

  51    fast and pray acts of penitence

  52    penitent repentant/fasting    default offence

  53    Stop…wind hold your breath, shut up

  55    o’ on

  56    crupper leather strap on a horse’s saddle

  58    sportive merry

  61    charge responsibility    from…custody out of your own keeping

  63    post haste

  64    post beaten, like a tavern doorpost on which accounts were marked

  65    score engrave/count    pate head

  66    maw stomach

  68    out of season irrelevant/inappropriate

  72    have done end

  73    charge responsibility, task

  75    the Phoenix the name of Antipholus’ house or sign of his shop

  76    stays wait

  79    sconce head

  80    stands insists    undisposed not in the mood

  85    those i.e., the beatings

  90    hie hasten

  94    an if    take take to

  95    device scheme

  96    o’er-raught cheated

  97    cozenage trickery

  98    As such as    jugglers illusionists, tricksters

  99    Dark-working secretive/with the power to create darkness

100    deform transform/harm

101    prating mountebanks swift-talking quacks

102    liberties of sin unrestrained, dissolute sinners (some editors emend to “libertines”)

Act 2 Scene 1

 2.1    Adriana the name means “dark one,” suggesting she may be brunette    Antipholus [of Ephesus] Folio entry direction calls him [Antipholis Sereptus] (from Latin surreptus, “stolen away”)    Luciana the name means “light one,” suggesting she may be blonde

    3    Sure surely

    8    see time see fit

  11    still always

  12    when whenever    serve treat    ill badly

  15    lashed whipped/harnessed

  16    situate situated

  17    bound limit

  19    at their controls under their control

  20    more divine closer to God in the order of being

  25    attend…accords serve their wishes/wait on their consent

  28    bear some sway wield some power

  30    start…where wander elsewhere (i.e., have an affair)

  31    forbear be patient

  32    No…pause no wonder she hesitates to marry

  33    other cause reason to behave otherwise

  36    like the same

  39    helpless useless

  40    like right bereft yourself deprived of similar rights

  41    fool-begged foolish    left abandoned

  42    but to try just to see what it’s like

  45    two…ears refers to his earlier beating

  48    told communicated/tolled (i.e., struck)    Beshrew curse

  50    doubtfully ambiguously (Dromio shifts the sense to “dreadfully”)

  52    understand comprehend/endure (“stand under”)

  55    horn-mad furious (like a horned beast)

  57    cuckold-mad enraged like a husband with an unfaithful wife; such men were popularly imagined to grow horns

  65    Hang up hang

  66    out on expression of indignant contempt

  70    my…shoulders the message I should have delivered verbally he made me return with on my shoulders (as a beating)

  74    new freshly

  77    bless puns on the sense of “wound” (from French: “blesser”)

  78    holy blessed/full of holes

  79    peasant servant (contemptuous)

  80    round outspoken/spherical

  81    spurn kick/treat contemptuously

  83    last plays on sense of “wooden mold of a foot used for making shoes”    leather i.e., like a    football (or shoe)

  84    loureth scowls

  85    His i.e., Antipholus’    do…grace give pleasure to his sweethearts

  87    homely plain

  88    wasted withered/squandered

  89    discourses conversations    wit intelligence

  90    voluble articulate    marred ruined

  91    than marble hard than even hard marble would

  92    their i.e., the    minions’ gay vestments pretty, bright outfits    bait ensnare (plays on “bate”—i.e., “reduce” the force of his love for Adriana)

  93    state estate, appearance

  95    By…ruined that he is not responsible for    ground cause

  96    defeatures waning attractions    fair beauty

  98    deer puns on “dear”    pale boundaries

  99    feeds from home satisfies his appetites elsewhere    stale laughing-stock/prostitute

101    Unfeeling fools only insensitive fools

102    doth homage otherwhere admires another woman

103    lets prevents

105    Would…detain a heavily disputed line, variously emended to “alone o’ love,” “alone, alone” or “alone, alas”; the gist seems to be “I had rather he would withhold the gift (chain) and remain faithful”

106    So as long as    keep…bed i.e., remain faithful

107    jewel best enamellèd even the most beautifully enameled ornament (or woman)

108    bides still lasts for ever (like a true wife)

109    touch the quality of gold was tested by rubbing it against a touchstone (plays on sense of “fondle sexually”)

110    Wear wear away (may also play on the idea of using up one’s money on mistresses or whores)    name reputation

114    fond doting/foolish

Act 2 Scene 2

    2    heedful attentive/careful    slave servant/rascal

    3    in care conscientiously

    4    By…report by working out my whereabouts based on the inkeeper’s information

    5    could not speak have not spoken

    8    strokes blows

  13    spake I did I speak

  17    the gold’s receipt receiving the gold

  19    felt’st understood/physically experienced

  20    vein mood

  22    in the teeth to my face

  24    earnest genuine (plays on the financial sense of “deposit laid to secure a bargain”)

  27    for as    fool companion/jester

  28    sauciness insolence    jest upon trifle with

  29    make…hours intrude upon my important matters as though they were free to anyone

  30    sport play

  32    aspect disposition (plays on the sense of “planetary position”)

  33    fashion suit, adapt    demeanour attitude, behavior

  34    sconce head (Dromio plays on the sense of “fortress”)

  35    So if    battering beating/attacking with a battering ram

  36    An if    blows long puns on “long bow”    sconce protection/helmet

  37    ensconce shelter    seek…shoulders i.e., as my brains will have been beaten into my shoulders

  42    wherefore for what reason

  44    urging repeating

  46    out of season unjustly

  50    Marry by the Virgin Mary    something…nothing i.e., beating that I did nothing to deserve

  51    to give by giving

  53    wants that lacks that which

  54    In good time indeed

  55    Basting moistening/beating

  59    choleric angry (choler was the hot humor worsened by a dry diet)    dry severe

  60    in good time appropriately

  62    durst have denied would have dared deny

  63    By what rule on what grounds

  64    Father Time traditionally depicted as an elderly man, bald but for a forelock of hair

  69    fine and recovery legal terms for the process of transferring ownership or inheritance of property

  70    fine fee    periwig wig    hair puns on “heir”

  72    such a niggard so begrudging

  73    excrement outgrowth

  75    scanted limited

  77    hath…hair is clever enough to lose his hair (ironic, since baldness was a symptom of syphilis; wit may play on sense of “penis”)

  78    plain dealers straightforward, frank

  80    plainer dealer greater womanizer (playing on “to deal”—i.e., “to have sex”)

  81    jollity sexual pleasure

  83    two plays on the notion of testicles    sound valid (Antipholus plays on the sense of “healthy”)

  85    Sure certain (Antipholus plays on the sense of “trustworthy”)

  86    thing falsing deceptive situation/unfaithful vagina

  87    Certain reliable

  89    tiring dressing his hair

  90    they his hairs    porridge soup

  95    substantial substantiated

  97    mend amend

  99    bald inane    wafts beckons

101    strange without recognition, distant

102    aspects looks

104    unurged unprompted

109    carved sliced the meat (plays on slang sense of “had sex with”)

111    estrangèd from thyself so unlike yourself/so distant toward me, your other half

113    incorporate united in one body

114    better part soul/higher qualities

116    fall let fall

117    breaking gulf sea

120    As…too as take yourself from me without taking myself away from me

121    dearly grievously    quick most tender spot

123    consecrate sanctified, dedicated

125    spurn strike

127    stained overly made-up, like a whore/figuratively tarnished by impure deeds/branded as a punishment for harlotry

128    false unfaithful

130    see…it make sure that you do

131    possessed with seized by    adulterate blot the stain of adultery

132    blood is mingled blood was thought to mingle during sex

135    strumpeted made a whore

136    Keep…league if you remain faithful

137    distained unstained

141    Who and I    scanned analyzed

142    Wants…understand am unable to comprehend a single word

143    brother brother-in-law

144    wont accustomed

148    return report

149    buffet beat

150    for tobe

152    course and drift purpose and meaning    compact agreement

158    inspiration divine or magical revelation

159    ill agrees it badly it suits gravity dignity

160    counterfeit dissemble    grossly blatantly

161    Abetting encouraging/enabling    thwart…mood cross me in my anger

162    Be…exempt even if it is my fault that you have distanced yourself from me

163    wrong…contempt do not increase that injury by treating me with further disdain

166    stronger state superior condition

167    communicate share

168    possess takes, draws    dross rubbish

169    brier a wild and thorny rose that grows rapidly    idle worthless

170    with intrusion invasively

171    confusion destruction

172    moves…theme appeals to me as her subject matter

175    error misapprehension

176    sure uncertainty undoubted mystery

177    entertain accept, play along with    offered fallacy delusion I am presented with

178    spread lay the table

179    beads rosary    cross me make the sign of the Christian cross    for as

181    owls sometimes associated with witchcraft and evil    sprites spirits

184    pratest thou do you babble

185    sot fool

186    transformèd metamorphosed (by magic)

190    ape fool/merely an imitator of humanity

191    aught anything

192    rides controls    grass open pasture (i.e., freedom)

196    put…weep i.e., cry like a child

197    laugh…scorn mock my grief

198    keep guard

199    above i.e., in private/literally, upon the upper level of the stage, hence potentially unable to see those below

200    shrive absolve

202    forth away from home

205    well-advised in my right mind

207    persever carry on

208    at…go take on all new experiences

Act 3 Scene 1

    2    shrewish bad-tempered    keep not hours am late

    4    carcanet jewelled necklace

    6    face me down impudently contradict me that

    8    charged entrusted/accused him of possessing

  12    hand handiwork, mark of your hand (plays on sense of “handwriting”)

  18    at that pass in that predicament

  20    sad solemn    cheer fare, hospitality

  21    answer live up to

  22    I…dear I value your warm welcome more highly than the delicacies at your table

  23    either…dish even the warmest welcome is not tantamount to one good dish    flesh meat

  25    churl peasant

  28    small cheer little/humble food

  29    sparing moderate

  30    cates delicacies/provisions    mean frugal/humble    part spirit

  32    soft wait a moment

  33    Ginn probably a form of Jenny

  34    Mome idiot    malt-horse oaf (large horse used by breweries)    capon eunuch (literally, castrated cockerel)    coxcomb fool    patch clown, rogue

  35    hatch lower part of a door (puns on “set a hatch before the door”—i.e., “keep quiet”)

  36    conjure for wenches pimp for prostitutes/summon women by spells    store large quantity

  37    one…many even one woman is more than enough

  38    stays waits

  39    from back to

  40    Ho an expression to call attention

  41    an if

  44    owe own

  46    office position

  47    mickle great

  48    If…ass i.e., “If you had gone through what I have today you would have wished you weren’t me”

  50    coil disturbance

  54    Have at let me attack    set…staff make myself at home (with phallic connotations)

  55    When…tell? i.e., never

  58    minion servant/hussy

  62    blow verbal blow/knock at the door

  63    baggage good-for-nothing woman, harlot

  66    knock may play on sense of “have sex”

  68    What…town? What do I care for your threats when you can be punished for them?    stocks public instrument of punishment in which the arms or legs were confined

  69    keeps keeps up, continues

  70    boys fellows

  73    If…sore i.e., you and the    knave are the same person

  74    fain gladly

  75    part depart

  77    in the wind afoot, strange going on

  78    thin i.e., and you felt the cold wind

  79    cake plays on sense of “woman”    stand plays on sense of “have an erection”

  80    buck male deer/cuckold    bought and sold betrayed and exploited

  81    ope open

  82    Break any breaking if you break anything

  83    break a word speak

  84    break…behind does not fart

  85    want’st breaking need a beating    hind peasant/female deer

  87    fowls…fin i.e., never

  88    crow crowbar

  91    sirrah addressed to Dromio of Syracuse    pluck a crow “clear up the matter” (proverbial)

  94    Herein in this matter

  95    compass of suspect scope of suspicion

  97    Once this in short

  99    Plead…unknown suggest there is a valid reason for her odd behavior

100    excuse explain

101    made shut

103    the Tiger an inn

104    about roundabout

106    strong hand physical force    offer try

107    stirring passage busy activity

108    vulgar comment public conjecture    of on

109    supposed presumed to be true    rout rabble

110    ungalled unharmed    estimation reputation

113    upon succession for generations

114    housed dwelling    gets possession is believed/gets a foothold

116    despite of mirth in spite of the lack of joy    merry cheerful

118    wild wanton/frivolous/lively    gentle kind/yielding

120    protest declare    without desert undeservedly

121    withal with, about

123    this this time

124    Porpentine Porcupine, the name of a house

125    there’s the house that is her house/where she lives

128    doors plays on slang sense of “vagina”    entertain receive (sexually)

129    knock plays on sense of “have sex”

Act 3 Scene 2

    3    love-springs shoots of love

    4    building its construction

    7    like elsewhere love someone else

    8    Muffle conceal/blindfold    false unfaithful    blindness disguise, concealment

  10    orator spokesman

  11    become disloyalty give a pleasing appearance to your infidelity

  12    Apparel…harbinger clothe vice as though it heralds virtue

  13    fair honorable, attractive

  14    carriage demeanor

  15    secret-false secretly disloyal

  16    What…attaint? What foolish thief would brag of his own corruption?

  18    board table, mealtimes

  19    bastard fame illegitimate honor (if it is)

  22    compact of credit made of trust

  23    others…sleeve lovers are embraced and given love, the wife is left merely with the threads, or edges of affection

  24    motion orbit    move affect/influence

  27    vain deceptive

  29    what…else what other name you have

  30    wonder marvel    of on

  31    Less…wonder you seem no less wise and gracious than the wonder of the world (here, sometimes interpreted as Queen Elizabeth I)

  32    earth human, mortal flesh

  34    earthy-gross conceit flawed human understanding

  36    folded hidden

  39    new anew

  43    homage duty

  44    decline incline

  45    train seduce, entice    sweet…note in Greek mythology, the beautiful song of mermaids lured sailors to their death

  47    dote idolize, become infatuated with

  50    supposition i.e., belief that her hair is a bed

  51    that who    die plays on the sense of “orgasm”

  52    Let…sink if love is frivolous or fickle and cannot sustain itself then let it die

  54    mated bewildered by love (plays on sense of “matched”)

  56    beams sunrays/invisible beams thought to be emitted by the eyes

  58    wink close one’s eyes

  66    My…claim my heaven on earth and my only hope of heaven

  68    Call…thee i.e., call yourself sister for I am attached to you as you would have me be to her

  73    good will approval

  78    besides myself myself also/out of my senses

  81    have possess sexually

  84    a beast may pun on “abased” (i.e., in a sexually servile position)

  87    reverent worthy, commanding

  88    ‘sir-reverence’ “save your reverence,” an apology for having said or done something offensive; also a euphemism for “dung”    lean slender

  91    wench servant    grease puns on “grace”

  93    tallow animal fat used for candles and soap    Poland winter i.e., a long time

  94    week may pun on “wick”

  95    complexion physical appearance

  96    Swart swarthy, dark-complexioned

  97    sweats sweats so much that    go over polish/be up to his

  99    in grain ingrained

101    ell forty-five inches

105    find out discover/locate

107    bogs marshes/anus

109    barrenness…hand i.e., her palms are dry, calloused, and hard

111    armed and reverted probably alludes to syphilitic sores and hair loss

114    chalky cliffs white cliffs of Dover/teeth

115    salt rheum English Channel/watery discharge from the eyes or nose

118    hot…breath as if she had been eating spicy, pungent food

120    rubies, carbuncles, sapphires precious stones/sores and pimples

121    declining…aspect looking down (possibly implying a large or hooked nose)

122    armadoes…ballast fleets of large ships to be loaded

123    Belgia Belgium    Netherlands also known as the Low Countries, so alludes here to nether regions, genitalia

124    drudge servant    diviner witch

125    assured betrothed

126    privy private    of on

129    curtal dog dog with a docked tail    turn i’the’wheel tread a wheel to turn a spit

130    hie hasten    presently immediately    post hasten    road harbor

131    An if if    from shore out to sea

132    harbour remain

133    bark put forth ship set sail

136    trudge leave

139    witches a term applied to both sexes

141    my my very

143    sovereign excellent

146    to of

150    lo look

151    ta’en you caught up with you

152    stay delay

154    What please whatever pleases

155    bespoke ordered

164    vain foolish

166    shifts stratagems

168    stay wait

Act 4 Scene 1

    1    Pentecost Whitsuntide, seven days after Easter

    3    had would

    5    present satisfaction immediate payment

    6    attach arrest

    7    Even just exactly

    8    growing owed

  12    Pleaseth if it please

  13    discharge settle

  16    rope’s end i.e., for flogging

  21    I…rope slightly ambiguous; perhaps “pound” plays on “beatings,” or Dromio simply drawls that he would as gladly buy a rope as he would receive a thousand pounds

  22    holp up helped

  25    Belike perhaps    love friendship    too long longer

  27    Saving with respect to

  28    utmost final

  29    chargeful fashion excellent workmanship

  30    ducats gold coins

  31    debted indebted

  33    stays but waits only

  34    present ready

  38    Disburse pay out

  39    Perchance perhaps

  41    I…enough I do not come in time

  48    dalliance idle talk

  49    to to go to

  50    chid rebuked

  51    shrew scolding woman/mischievous man

  52    dispatch hurry up

  56    by some token with some evidence (that I come on your authority)

  57    humour…breath exhaust the joke

  59    brook tolerate

  60    answer pay

  68    stands upon affects    credit reputation/financial standing

  69    suit request

  71    touches injures

  74    that for that which

  76    fee public officers were entitled to a private fee for their actions

  78    apparently openly

  81    you…dear this jest will cost you as much

  82    answer amount to

  83    law my legal rights

  84    notorious shame public humiliation

  87    fraughtage cargo

  89    balsamum aromatic resin    aqua-vitae alcoholic spirit

  90    in her trim in fine condition

  93    peevish prattling, bleating    sheep fool (plays on ship in the following line)

  95    hire waftage buy our passage

  98    rope’s end flogging

101    list listen to    heed attention

102    straight immediately

110    Dowsabel generic term for a sweetheart, from French douce et belle (“gentle and beautiful”); here ironically applied to Nell

111    compass embrace/circumnavigate

113    minds wishes

Act 4 Scene 2

    2    austerely seriously, sincerely

    4    or either

    5    observation plays on sense of “astronomical measurement”

    6    meteors…face emotional conflict discernible in his appearance    tilting in contest

    7    no any

    8    spite sorrow/humiliation

  10    true…were he spoke the truth (for he is behaving like a stranger) and yet he lied (as he is my husband)

  15    honest genuine/noble

  17    speak him fair encourage him

  19    hold me still remain silent/patient

  20    his its

  21    sere withered

  22    shapeless unshapely, ugly

  24    Stigmatical in making physically deformed

  26    wailed grieved for

  28    would…worse wish others saw him as less desirable

  29    Far…away to divert attention from the young in her nest, the    lapwing calls from elsewhere

  35    Tartar limbo hellish prison/pagan hell

  36    everlasting fabric from which police uniform was made/eternal

  37    buttoned…steel probably alludes to steel buttons of a police uniform

  38    fairy supernatural spirit    rough cruel

  39    fellow…buff sergeant or other official in a uniform made of durable ox-hide leather

  40    back-friend false friend shoulder-clapper arresting officer countermands prohibits

  41    passages free movement along    creeks winding lanes, narrow passages    lands possibly a form of “launds” meaning “glades”

  42    counter in the opposite direction to the prey (puns on sense of “prison”)    draws dryfoot follows the prey by the scent of its footprints

  43    judgement verdict in a court of law; Christian Day of Judgement;    hell may allude to the colloquial name of a particular debtor’s prison under Westminster Hall

  45    matter dispute, cause    ’rested…case in relation to this particular case (possible play on sense of “clothing”)

  46    suit petition (Dromio shifts the sense to “clothing”)

  49    redemption bail

  52    band bond (document requiring payment of a debt); Dromio plays on the sense of “neck-band” (i.e., ruff)

  57    one “on” and “one” were pronounced similarly

  59    hour puns on either “whore” or “ower” (debtor)    a (s)he

  60    fondly foolishly

  61    owes…season is so excessively in debt that it is not worth redeeming him (season may pun on “seisin,” a legal term for “possession of freehold,” and on “seize”—i.e., arrest; Time may play on “thyme” with season punning on “flavor”)

  64    stealing creeping/robbing

  65    theft a thief    in stands in

  66    turn…hour turn back time so that he can run away

  69    pressed down burdened/depressed    conceit imaginings

  70    comfort…injury i.e., because she can try and imagine all is well yet fears it is not

Act 4 Scene 3

    1    salute greet

    4    tender offer

  10    wiles delusions

  11    Lapland was notorious for witches

  13    have…new-apparelled i.e., have you managed to rid yourself of the sergeant (the old, or biblical Adam dressed himself for the first time after the Fall)

  15    Adam…Paradise conceivably a topical joke referring to an Adam who ran an inn called Paradise

  16    calf’s…Prodigal in the Bible, the skin of the fatted calf that was killed for the return of the prodigal son; here, the leather of the sergeant’s uniform

  19    plain case law case/clothing    bass-viol…case cello-like instrument in a leather holder

  20    sob cry/rest (given to horses)

  21    ’rests them arrests them/lets them rest    decayed ruined    suits of durance long confinement/durable clothing

  22    sets…rest gambles all (puns on “arrest”)    mace staff, symbol of office

  23    morris-pike spear-like weapon

  25    band band of officers

  26    it for it band legal bond

  27    rest repose/arrest

  28    rest in cease

  31    tarry…hoy wait for a small coastal vessel (ironically named since a “hoy” was intended for fast sailing)

  32    angels gold coins (puns on sense of “celestial beings”)

  33    distract mad

  39    avoid away

  42    dam mother

  43    habit clothing, appearance    light loose

  45    Ergo “therefore” (Latin)

  46    burn infect with venereal disease/burn in hell

  48    mend complete    here perhaps at her lodgings

  49    spoon-meat soft food served on a spoon, baby food bespeak request

  51    he…devil proverbial

  52    what why

  53    you are all i.e., all Ephesians

  56    for in exchange for

  58    ask i.e., in return for leaving people alone    parings clippings    rush straw

  60    an if if

  64    Avaunt go

  65    peacock traditionally an emblem of pride so hardly in a position to tell others to avoid it; Dromio makes a sarcastic reference to the courtesan’s request for Antipholus to be faithful

  67    demean conduct

  72    rage anger/insanity

  75    Belike probably

  77    home directly

  79    perforce by force

  80    fittest choose consider the most appropriate

Act 4 Scene 4

    3    warrant…for i.e., as much as the sum for which I have been arrested

    4    wayward perverse, wilful

    5    lightly readily, easily

    6    attached arrested

  10    pay i.e., with a beating

  14    serve…rate provide you with five hundred ropes for that price

  15    end purpose

  16    To for

  17    to…you in that way shall I receive you (i.e., with a beating; end puns on sense of “backside”)

  21    hold his hands restrain his fists

  22    whoreson son of a whore

  24    sensible in responsive to    ass may pun on “arse”

  25    long ears plays on the similar pronunciation of “ears” and “years”

  30    wont her brat habitually carries her child

  33    respice finem “think on your end,” i.e., death (Latin)    prophecy…parrot parrots might be taught to say “respice funem”—i.e., “consider the hangman’s rope,” a sinister    prophecy

  35    still incessantly

  38    Doctor his academic title, not indicative of medical qualifications    conjurer i.e., versed in Latin and therefore capable of exorcising devils (traditionally addressed in Latin)

  39    true sense right mind

  40    please satisfy, reward

  41    sharp angry

  42    ecstasy frenzy

  49    doting foolish

  51    customers (whore’s) clients

  52    companion rogue    saffron yellow

  60    sooth truth

  62    Perdie by God (from French, par dieu)

  64    Sans fable without a lie

  66    Certes certainly    kitchen-vestal kitchen maid (ironic; the vestal virgins were in charge of the sacred fire in the Roman temple of Vesta)

  68    verity truth

  70    soothe humor    contraries fabrications

  71    fellow i.e., Dromio    finds his vein knows his master’s mood

  72    yielding to pretending to agree with

  73    suborned bribed

  76    Heart…might you might have sent good wishes

  77    rag farthing, scrap

  84    deadly deathly

  86    forth out

  91    Dissembling deceitful

  93    confederate conspiring pack group

  94    abject scorn contemptible mockery    strives struggles

  98    More company get more help

102    make a rescue i.e., take me forcibly out of legal custody

105    frantic deranged

106    peevish idiotic/spiteful

108    displeasure wrong

111    discharge settle with

113    knowing…grows when I know what the total of the debt amounts to

117    entered in bond tied up (plays on legal sense of “pledged as a guarantor”)

118    mad incite

119    cry…devil!’ cry out on/invoke the devil (that is supposed to have possessed you)

129    bespeak commission

136    hereof of this    at large in full

138    naked unsheathed

142    would be claimed/tried to be

143    stuff belongings

146    us fair to us courteously

147    claims demands

148    still always

Act 5 Scene 1

    2    of from

    5    reverend respected

    8    His…time I would let him borrow against my name any time/I would lend him my wealth with only his word as guarantee

  10    self same

  11    forswore denied

  16    circumstance detailed argument

  18    Beside besides    charge cost/public accusation

  20    staying on delaying because of our dispute

  27    Fie shame

  28    resort dwell/walk

  29    impeach accuse

  31    presently immediately    stand defend yourself

  34    within him close to him, within his guard

  36    take take refuge in

  37    spoiled ruined/beaten

  43    draw i.e., a sword

  45    heavy gloomy    sour sullen    sad serious

  51    Strayed led astray    unlawful illicit, unfaithful

  57    reprehended rebuked

  61    Haply perhaps

  62    assemblies public

  64    copy…conference theme of our conversation

  66    board table

  67    Alone…theme it was my only topic of conversation

  68    glancèd touched on

  69    Still continually

  70    thereof…mad and as a result the man became mad

  71    venom clamours venomous protests

  73    railing complaining

  74    light wild/lecherous

  79    sports entertainments

  83    her i.e., despair’s

  84    distemperatures disorders

  85    life-preserving rest sleep

  86    mad or make mad either

  88    of of his

  90    demeaned behaved    rude harshly

  92    betray…reproof expose me to my own disgrace

  96    sanctuary criminals were immune from legal prosecution while they were in churches

  97    privilege protect

  99    lose my labour exhaust myself/waste my efforts    assaying attempting

101    Diet attend to, feed    office duty

102    attorney representative

105    approvèd proven, tested

107    formal complete

108    branch part

119    perforce forcibly

120    this this time    dial sundial, timepiece

121    Anon soon

123    sorry pitiable/vile

127    put arrived, docked    bareheaded i.e., ready for execution    Headsman executioner

134    tender value, pity

140    important urgent    letters formal requests, instructions (perhaps Adriana is a former ward of the duke’s)

141    outrageous fierce

142    desp’rately recklessly/madly

143    bondman servant

144    displeasure wrong

145    bearing thence taking away

148    take order make reparations, deal with

150    wot know

154    bent intent/turned

159    suffer permit

162    borne…help taken away for treatment

164    engaged pledged

166    grace favor

169    determine settle    stir move on

170    shift flee

172    a-row one after the other

173    brands torches

175    puddle mire murky water

177    nicks…fool cuts his hair so that he resembles a fool

178    sure certainly

184    take take hold of

187    halberds long-handled weapon with an axe-like head

189    is borne about moves around/is transported

191    past…reason inconceivably

194    bestrid thee stood over you (when you were threatened)

197    dote deranged

202    strength…injury most harmful and offensive way possible

205    Discover reveal

207    harlots the term could be applied to men and women

210    So…withal may my soul be punished if what he accuses me of is not false

212    on at

214    forsworn perjured, lying

215    chargeth accuses

216    advisèd rational in

218    heady-rash irrational, reckless

219    Albeit…mad although the wrongs inflicted on me are enough to make someone wiser mad

221    packed complicit

222    witness bear witness to

229    swear me down reduce me to silence by swearing/refute me in swearing

233    peasant servant

234    certain a certain amount of

235    bespoke asked

237    By on    rabble more further mob

239    hungry emaciated

240    anatomy skeleton    mountebank quack doctor

241    threadbare impoverished    juggler sorcerer, illusionist

242    needy poor/inadequate    sharp-looking hungry-looking

243    pernicious ruinous

244    Forsooth in truth    took…as assumed the role of    conjurer exorcist

246    with…me despite being so emaciated he appeared to have no face, he confronted me with his stare

249    dankish dank, damp    vault cellar, storeroom

251    sunder two

271    impeach charge

272    Circe’s cup in Homer’s Odyssey Circe is the sorceress who changed men into beasts with a charmed drink

274    coldly rationally

283    mated bewildered

284    vouchsafe permit

285    Haply through chance

290    bondman plays on the fact that the men were bound together

294    Ourselves…you we recognize ourselves in your situation

297    strange as a stranger

300    careful full of anxiety    deformèd disfiguring

301    defeatures deformities/changes

303    Neither nor that either

308    bound plays on the fact that Egeon is tied up

310    cracked…tongue aged and distorted my voice

311    seven short years a slip; in Act 1, Egeon stated that he had been traveling for five years

312    feeble…cares weak tone of my cracked voice

313    grainèd wrinkled

314    sap-consuming…snow i.e., the white hairs of his beard

315    conduits veins

316    night of life old age

317    wasting lamps i.e., eyes

322    But only

334    genius attendant spirit thought to accompany and influence a man throughout his life

336    deciphers distinguishes

345    at a burden in one birth

348    morning story i.e., the narrative related by Egeon in Act 1    right precisely

350    semblance appearance

351    urging of focusing on

359    rude violent

366    Stay wait

370    Duke Menaphon not mentioned elsewhere; the name appears in Marlowe’s Tamburlaine (1587) and Greene’s Menaphon (1589)

378    leisure opportunity

389    still repeatedly

391    are arose did arise

395    cheer entertainment

400    sympathizèd shared

402    satisfaction explanation/reparation

403    but…travail still been in labor

407    calendars…nativity i.e., the Dromios, who were born on the same day

408    gossips’ godparents’ (i.e., christening)    joy enjoy

410    gossip at participate in/converse at

412    embarked loaded on the ship

413    at host at the inn

418    friend lover

419    kitchened me entertained me in the kitchen

420    sister sister-in-law

421    glass mirror

426    cuts lots

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

Comedy is tragedy averted. A young woman prepares herself for marriage. Then we witness the ceremony itself. Whenever we go to a wedding we cannot help relishing the dramatic pause when the priest asks the couple, “If either of you know any inward impediment why you should not be conjoined, I charge you on your souls to utter it.” On this occasion the drama turns into a crisis: in front of the whole congregation Claudio the groom accuses Hero the bride of infidelity on the very eve of her wedding day. She faints, he storms out, her father says that he hopes she is dead since she has brought such shame on his household. The play has begun with the end of a war, a move from the language of martial bonding to that of courtship and coupling. Its atmosphere has been all holiday. No more.

The change of mood extends even to the other pair of lovers. The relationship between Benedick and Beatrice has hitherto been characterized by sharp but always lighthearted banter; now Beatrice raises the stakes dramatically, forcing Benedick to choose between love and friendship. Suddenly we have moved into the Othello-world of sexual accusation and death-threat. Don John, the chief plotter of all the mischief, is no lago—he is a cardboard cutout villain, an archetypal melancholy man (“I cannot hide what I am: I must be sad when I have cause, and smile at no man’s jests”)—so in our rational minds we do not believe he will triumph, but we end the fourth act feeling that a substantial act of atonement will be required of Claudio.

Comedy makes room for little acts of grace; it allows the second chance that tragedy denies. In Much Ado, the grace comes from two agencies: the Friar who arranges the mock-death and resurrection of Hero (“let wonder seem familiar”), and the Watchmen who stumble upon the truth of Don John’s plot. We expect God to work his benign way through friars: this one teaches the important lesson that “what we have we prize not to the worth / Whiles we enjoy it.” It is only when we have lost someone that we realize how much we value them. It may seem strange that providence also works by means of the bumbling, malaprop-prone Dogberry. It is, however, one of the laws of the comic universe that appearance (“semblance”) is deceptive. Those who think they are clever, like Don John, end up looking foolish; those whom we at first think are foolish, like Dogberry, turn out to be peculiarly wise. Their wisdom is that of the heart, not the intellect. Jesus said that to understand the kingdom of heaven one has to make oneself as a child: Dogberry, like Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, is one of Shakespeare’s natural children. He is “condemned into everlasting redemption” for his simplicity and goodness.

In the final act, Claudio goes through his penance at the tomb of Hero. Then in the final scene he does as he is told and is rewarded via a theatrical flourish that substitutes the former bride for a supposed replacement one, a device in the tradition of Euripides’ ancient and beautiful play Alcestis. But in agreeing to marry the mysterious cousin has not Claudio been a little eager to forget his first love? He is not exactly gracious when she comes back to him—the only words he manages are a startled “Another Hero!” There is no word of apology or plea for forgiveness, only a hurrying forward to the resolution of the Beatrice and Benedick plot. In Christopher Marlowe’s famous poem, which Shakespeare knew well, Leander swims the Hellespont and gladly risks drowning in order to reach his beloved Hero. Claudio does not seem to be the kind of lover who would make such a gesture: the truly romantic, potentially tragic, action is Beatrice’s demand of Benedick that he should prove his love for her by killing Claudio.

As spectators, we have been much more attracted to the witty lovers than the (supposedly) romantic ones. Since we cannot wait for the union of Benedick and Beatrice, we join Claudio in the rush toward it. Only on a second reading or viewing do we stop to worry about the kind of husband he will make for Hero. The question that matters to us is how on earth Beatrice and Benedick will stop insulting each other long enough to agree to a marriage contract. The answer comes from Leonato when he says “Peace! I will stop your mouth”—and forces the lovers to kiss. We know that the wit-combat will resume, but for a moment at the end of the play we imagine the suspension of all quarrels in a kiss and then a dance. Technically, the Beatrice and Benedick story is a subplot that Shakespeare introduced into a romance story he inherited from Renaissance Italy; theatrically, they steal the show and the benign plot whereby they are tricked into acknowledging their love for each other is the most memorable thing in the play. The simultaneously ardent and reluctant conjunction of “Signior Mountanto” and “Lady Disdain” helps us to forget about Claudio’s deficiencies. Small wonder that King Charles I wrote “Bennedike and Betrice” beneath the title of the play in his copy of Shakespeare’s Second Folio and that in the nineteenth century Hector Berlioz dispensed with the other pair altogether in composing his opera Béatrice et Bénédict.

The play’s title is multiply suggestive. There is much ado about the nothing that Hero has done wrong. Shakespeare often makes “nothing” a euphemism for a vagina, because women lack a male “thing” between their legs, so there is an obscene second sense. “Nothing” seems to have been pronounced “noting,” which provides a further rich sense: the play is full of “noting” in the sense of watching and overhearing, whether in the famous scenes in which Benedick and Beatrice are deliberately allowed to overhear conversations of great interest to them or the plan to let Claudio “witness” the infidelity of his betrothed.

Disguise is a closely related motif: Don Pedro woos Hero on behalf of, and in the guise of, Claudio. This plan is eavesdropped upon by scheming Borachio. In each narrative of noting, an imagined detail—interlaced branches in a garden walk, a musty room hung with tapestry—creates a sense of location even as Shakespeare writes for a bare stage. As befits a work in which prose outweighs verse by a ratio of more than two to one, the texture of the play offers far more realism than romance: instead of the (sometimes parodically overblown) love poetry we find in many of the other comedies, the focus here is on less hyperbolic but more heartfelt matters such as a bride’s delight in the precise fashion and cut of her wedding dress.

Though Don Pedro facilitates Claudio’s desire for Hero, it is Beatrice who intrigues him. When he offers to repeat his matchmaking and get her a husband, for a moment he is half-serious in offering her himself. The exchange is one of the loveliest moments anywhere in Shakespearean comedy. Beatrice bookends their encounter with references to the pair who have found love; her merriment in the interim masks a profound loneliness that Don Pedro himself retains at the end of the play. “Prince, thou art sad,” says Benedick, “get thee a wife, get thee a wife.” Everyone needs to join the dance of matrimony, he suggests—otherwise one will end up a despised exile like Don John. But the note of realism that comes from the grounded prose voice of the sparring partners is sounded one last time, in a lighthearted reference to cuckoldry that simultaneously reactivates and defuses the matter of infidelity that has created all the ado: “There is no staff more reverend than one tipped with horn.”

KEY FACTS

PLOT: The war is over. Pedro Prince of Aragon, with his followers Benedick and Claudio, visits Leonato, Duke of Messina, father of Hero and uncle of Beatrice. Claudio falls in love with Hero and their marriage is agreed upon. Beatrice and Benedick despise love and engage in comic banter. The others plot to make them fall in love with each other, by a trick in which Benedick will overhear his friends talking of Beatrice’s supposed secret love for him, and vice versa. Meanwhile Don John, the prince’s misanthropic illegitimate brother, contrives a more malicious plot with the assistance of his follower Borachio: Claudio is led to believe that he has witnessed Hero in a compromising situation on the night before her wedding day—in fact it is her maid Margaret with Borachio. Claudio denounces Hero during the marriage ceremony. She faints and on the advice of the Friar, who is convinced of her innocence, Leonato announces that she is dead. Beatrice demands that Benedick should kill Claudio. The foolish constable Dogberry and his watchmen overhear Borachio boasting of his exploit and the plot is exposed. Claudio promises to make amends to Leonato: he is required to marry a cousin of Hero’s in her place. When unmasked, she is revealed as Hero. Beatrice agrees to marry Benedick.

MAJOR PARTS: (with percentage of lines/number of speeches/scenes on stage) Benedick (17%/ 134/8), Leonato (13%/120/9), Don Pedro (12%/135/8), Claudio (11%/125/8), Beatrice (10%/106/8), Dogberry (7%/52/4), Hero (5%/44/6), Borachio (5%/23/6), Don John (4%/40/6), Friar Francis (3%/16/2), Margaret (2%/26/3), Antonio (2%/23/4), Ursula (2%/19/3), Conrad (1%/23/1), Verges (1%/18/3), Balthasar (1%/11/2).

LINGUISTIC MEDIUM: 30% verse, 70% prose.

DATE: Late 1598. Not mentioned by Francis Meres in list of Shakespeare’s plays in Palladis Tamis (registered for publication September 1598), but included part for Will Kemp, who left Shakespeare’s acting company in early 1599.

SOURCES: The Hero/Claudio plot of a deception leading to a false supposition of infidelity has many precedents in the sixteenth-century Italian romance tradition; Shakespeare’s primary sources seem to have been (1) the tale of Sir Timbreo and Fenicia in Matteo Bandello’s Novelle, which included characters of Piero King of Aragon and Lionato of Messina (in Italian, 1554, no English translation, but Shakespeare might have known the French translation of Pierre de Belleferest, Histoires Tragiques, 1569), and (2) the tale of Renaldo and Ginevra in Ariosto’s Orlando Furioso, book 5 (English translation by Sir John Harington, 1591). The Beatrice and Benedick plot is Shakespeare’s innovation, though witty couples and characters who scorn love only to fall in love themselves have comic precedents, notably in the plays of John Lyly.

TEXT: Quarto published 1600, probably printed from Shakespeare’s manuscript or a transcript of it. Generally good quality of printing. On some occasions, actors’ names instead of characters’ appear in the speech headings (Kemp for Dogberry and Cowley for Verges). Folio printed from Quarto, though with some reference to a playhouse manuscript; extra stage directions inserted, also act divisions; some corrections and some errors introduced. Our text restores Quarto readings in cases judged to be compositor error, but retains Folio where changes appear to be intentional.

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

DON PEDRO, Prince of Aragon

BALTHASAR, a singer, attendant upon Don Pedro

A BOY, servant to Benedict

DON JOHN, illegitimate brother of Don Pedro

LEONATO, governor of Messina Innogen, his silent wife

HERO, his daughter

BEATRICE, his niece, an orphan

ANTONIO, an old man, brother of Leonato

FRIAR FRANCIS

DOGBERRY, Constable in charge of the Watch

VERGES, Headborough accompanying Dogberry

A SEXTON

WATCHMEN

Attendants and Messengers

Act 1 Scene 11.1

running scene 1

       Enter Leonato Governor of Messina, Innogen his wife, Hero his daughter and Beatrice his niece, with a Messenger

LEONATO

LEONATO     I learn in this letter that Don Peter¹ of Aragon comes this night to Messina. Shows a letter

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     He is very near by this: he was not three leagues² off when I left him.

LEONATO

LEONATO     How many gentlemen have you lost in this action?³

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     But few of any sort,⁴ and none of name.

LEONATO

LEONATO     A victory is twice itself when the achiever brings home full numbers. I find here that Don Peter hath bestowed much honour on a young Florentine⁶ called Claudio.

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Much deserved on his part and equally remembered⁸ by Don Pedro. He hath borne himself beyond the promise of his age, doing in the figure⁹ of a lamb the feats of a lion. He hath indeed better bettered expectation than you must expect of me to tell you how.

LEONATO

LEONATO     He hath an uncle here in Messina will be very much glad of it.

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     I have already delivered him letters, and there appears much joy in him, even so much that joy could not show itself modest enough without a badge of¹⁴ bitterness.

LEONATO

LEONATO     Did he break out into tears?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     In great measure.

LEONATO

LEONATO     A kind¹⁸ overflow of kindness. There are no faces truer than those that are so washed. How much better is it to weep at joy than to joy at weeping!

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     I pray you, is Signior Mountanto²⁰ returned from the wars or no?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     I know none of that name, lady: there was none such in the army of any sort.

LEONATO

LEONATO     What is he that you ask for, niece?

HERO

HERO     My cousin means Signior Benedick²⁴ of Padua.

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     O, he’s returned, and as pleasant²⁵ as ever he was.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     He set up his bills²⁶ here in Messina and challenged Cupid at the flight: and my uncle’s fool,²⁷ reading the challenge, subscribed for Cupid and challenged him at the bird-bolt.²⁸ I pray you, how many hath he killed and eaten in these wars? But how many hath he killed? For indeed I promised to eat all of his killing.

LEONATO

LEONATO     Faith,³⁰ niece, you tax Signior Benedick too much, but he’ll be meet with you, I doubt it not.

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     He hath done good service, lady, in these wars.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     You had musty victual³³ and he hath holp to eat it: he’s a very valiant trencher³⁴ man, he hath an excellent stomach.

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     And a good soldier too, lady.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     And a good soldier to³⁶ a lady. But what is he to a lord?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     A lord to a lord, a man to a man, stuffed³⁷ with all honourable virtues.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     It is so indeed, he is no less than a stuffed man.³⁸ But for the stuffing — well, we are all mortal.

LEONATO

LEONATO     You must not, sir, mistake my niece. There is a kind of merry war betwixt⁴⁰ Signior Benedick and her: they never meet but there’s a skirmish of wit between them.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     Alas, he gets nothing by that. In our last conflict four of his five wits⁴³ went halting⁴⁴ off, and now is the whole man governed with one: so that if he have wit enough to keep himself warm, let him bear it for a difference⁴⁵ between himself and his horse, for it is all the wealth that he hath left to be known⁴⁶ a reasonable creature. Who is his companion now? He hath every month a new sworn brother.⁴⁷

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Is’t possible?

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     Very easily possible: he wears his faith⁵⁰ but as the fashion of his hat — it ever changes with the next block.⁵¹

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     I see, lady, the gentleman is not in your books.⁵²

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     No. An⁵³ he were, I would burn my study. But I pray you, who is his companion? Is there no young squarer⁵⁴ now that will make a voyage with him to the devil?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     He is most in the company of the right noble Claudio.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     O lord, he will hang upon him like a disease: he is sooner caught than the pestilence,⁵⁸ and the taker runs presently mad. God help the noble Claudio. If he have caught the Benedick, it will cost him a thousand pound ere⁵⁹ he be cured.

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     I will hold⁶⁰ friends with you, lady.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     Do, good friend.

LEONATO

LEONATO     You’ll ne’er run mad,⁶² niece.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     No, not till a hot January.

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Don Pedro is approached.

       Enter Don Pedro, Claudio, Benedick, Balthasar and John the bastard

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Good Signior Leonato, are you come to meet your trouble?⁶⁵ The fashion of the world is to avoid cost, and you encounter it.

LEONATO

LEONATO     Never came trouble to my house in the likeness⁶⁷ of your grace, for trouble being gone, comfort should remain. But when you depart from me, sorrow abides and happiness takes his leave.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     You embrace your charge⁷⁰ too willingly. I think this is your daughter.

LEONATO

LEONATO     Her mother hath many times told me so.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Were you in doubt, sir, that you asked her?

LEONATO

LEONATO     Signior Benedick, no, for⁷³ then were you a child.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     You have it full,⁷⁴ Benedick. We may guess by this what you are, being a man. Truly the lady fathers herself.⁷⁵ Be happy lady, for you are like an honourable father.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     If Signior Leonato be her father, she would not have his head⁷⁷ on her shoulders for all Messina, as like him as she is. Don Pedro and Leonato talk aside

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     I wonder that you will still be talking, Signior Benedick: nobody marks⁷⁹ you.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     What, my dear Lady Disdain! Are you yet living?

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     Is it possible disdain should die while she hath such meet⁸² food to feed it as Signior Benedick? Courtesy itself must convert to disdain, if you come in her presence.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Then is courtesy a turncoat.⁸⁵ But it is certain I am loved of all ladies, only you excepted: and I would⁸⁶ I could find in my heart that I had not a hard heart, for truly I love none.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     A dear happiness⁸⁸ to women: they would else have been troubled with a pernicious⁸⁹ suitor. I thank God and my cold blood, I am of your humour for that. I had rather hear my dog bark at a crow than a man swear he loves me.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     God keep your ladyship still in that mind, so some gentleman or other shall scape⁹² a predestinate scratched face.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     Scratching could not make it worse an ’twere⁹³ such a face as yours were.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Well, you are a rare parrot-teacher.⁹⁴

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     A bird of my tongue is better than a beast of yours.⁹⁵

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     I would my horse had the speed of your tongue, and so⁹⁶ good a continuer. But keep your way, a God’s name, I have done.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     You always end with a jade’s⁹⁸ trick. I know you of old.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     That is the sum of all, Leonato.— To the others Signior Claudio and Signior Benedick, my dear friend Leonato hath invited you all. I tell him we shall stay here at the least a month, and he heartily prays some occasion may detain us longer. I dare swear he is no hypocrite, but prays from his heart.

LEONATO

LEONATO     If you swear, my lord, you shall not be forsworn.¹⁰³— To Don John Let me bid you welcome, my lord. Being¹⁰⁴ reconciled to the prince your brother, I owe you all duty.

DON JOHN

DON JOHN     I thank you. I am not of many words, but I thank you.

LEONATO

LEONATO     Please it your grace lead on?

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Your hand, Leonato. We will go together.

       Exeunt all but Benedick and Claudio

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Benedick, didst thou note the daughter of Signior Leonato?

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     I noted her not,¹⁰⁹ but I looked on her.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Is she not a modest young lady?

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Do you question me as an honest man should do, for my simple true judgement? Or would you have me speak after my custom,¹¹² as being a professed tyrant to their sex?

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     No, I pray thee speak in sober judgement.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Why, i’faith, methinks she’s too low¹¹⁵ for a high praise, too brown for a fair praise, and too little for a great praise. Only this commendation I can afford¹¹⁶ her, that were she other than she is, she were unhandsome, and being no other but as she is, I do not like her.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Thou think’st I am in sport.¹¹⁹ I pray thee tell me truly how thou lik’st her.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Would you buy her, that you inquire after her?

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Can the world buy such a jewel?

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Yea, and a case¹²² to put it into. But speak you this with a sad brow? Or do you play the flouting¹²³ jack, to tell us Cupid is a good hare-finder and Vulcan a rare carpenter? Come, in what key shall a man take you to go¹²⁴ in the song?

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     In mine eye, she is the sweetest lady that ever I looked on.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     I can see yet without spectacles and I see no such matter. There’s her cousin, an she were not possessed with a fury,¹²⁷ exceeds her as much in beauty as the first of May doth the last of December. But I hope you have no intent to turn husband, have you?

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     I would scarce trust myself, though I had sworn the contrary, if Hero would be my wife.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Is’t come to this? In faith, hath not the world one man but he will wear¹³² his cap with suspicion? Shall I never see a bachelor of threescore¹³³ again? Go to, i’faith, an thou wilt needs thrust thy neck into a yoke,¹³⁴ wear the print of it and sigh away Sundays. Look, Don Pedro is returned to seek you.

       Enter Don Pedro [and] John the bastard

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     What secret hath held you here, that you followed not to Leonato’s?

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     I would your grace would constrain¹³⁷ me to tell.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     I charge¹³⁸ thee on thy allegiance.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     You hear, Count Claudio. I can be secret as a dumb man, I would have you think so. But on my allegiance, mark you this, on my allegiance — he is in love. With who? Now that is your grace’s part.¹⁴¹ Mark how short his answer is: with Hero, Leonato’s short daughter.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     If¹⁴³ this were so, so were it uttered.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Like the old tale, my lord: ‘It¹⁴⁴ is not so, nor ’twas not so, but indeed, God forbid it should be so!’

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     If my passion change not shortly, God forbid it should be otherwise.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Amen, if you love her, for the lady is very well worthy.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     You speak this to fetch me in,¹⁴⁸ my lord.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     By my troth,¹⁴⁹ I speak my thought.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     And in faith, my lord, I spoke mine.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     And by my¹⁵¹ two faiths and troths, my lord, I spoke mine.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     That I love her, I feel.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     That she is worthy, I know.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     That I neither feel how she should be loved, nor know how she should be worthy, is the opinion that fire cannot melt out of me: I will die in it at the stake.¹⁵⁵

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Thou wast ever an obstinate heretic¹⁵⁶ in the despite of beauty.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     And never could maintain¹⁵⁷ his part but in the force of his will.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     That a woman conceived me, I thank her. That she brought me up, I likewise give her most humble thanks. But that I will have a recheat¹⁵⁹ winded in my forehead, or hang my bugle¹⁶⁰ in an invisible baldrick, all women shall pardon me. Because I will not do them the wrong to mistrust any, I will do myself the right to trust none. And the fine¹⁶² is — for the which I may go the finer — I will live a bachelor.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     I shall see thee, ere I die, look pale with love.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     With anger, with sickness, or with hunger, my lord, not with love: prove¹⁶⁵ that ever I lose more¹⁶⁶ blood with love than I will get again with drinking, pick out mine eyes with a ballad-maker’s¹⁶⁷ pen, and hang me up at the door of a brothel-house for¹⁶⁸ the sign of blind Cupid.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Well, if ever thou dost fall from this faith, thou wilt prove a notable argument.¹⁷⁰

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     If I do, hang¹⁷¹ me in a bottle like a cat and shoot at me, and he that hits me, let him be clapped on the shoulder and called Adam.¹⁷²

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Well, as try.¹⁷³ ‘In time the savage bull doth bear the yoke.’

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     The savage bull may, but if ever the sensible Benedick bear it, pluck¹⁷⁴ off the bull’s horns and set them in¹⁷⁵ my forehead, and let me be vilely painted, and in such great letters as they write ‘Here is good horse to hire’, let them signify under my sign¹⁷⁷ ‘Here you may see Benedick the married man.’

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     If this should ever happen, thou wouldst be horn-mad.¹⁷⁸

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Nay, if Cupid have not spent¹⁷⁹ all his quiver in Venice, thou wilt quake for this shortly.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     I look¹⁸¹ for an earthquake too, then.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Well, you will temporize¹⁸² with the hours. In the meantime, good Signior Benedick, repair to Leonato’s, commend me to him, and tell him I will not fail him¹⁸³ at supper, for indeed he hath made great preparation.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     I have almost matter¹⁸⁵ enough in me for such an embassage, and so I commit you—

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     To¹⁸⁷ the tuition of God. From my house, if I had it—

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     The sixth of July. Your loving friend, Benedick.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Nay, mock not, mock not; the body¹⁸⁹ of your discourse is sometime guarded with fragments, and the guards¹⁹⁰ are but slightly basted on neither. Ere you flout old ends any further, examine your conscience. And so I leave you.

       Exit

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     My liege, your Highness now may do me good.¹⁹²

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     My love is thine to teach: teach it but how,

               And thou shalt see how apt¹⁹⁴ it is to learn

195

195         Any hard lesson that may do thee good.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Hath Leonato any son, my lord?

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     No child but Hero, she’s his only heir.

               Dost thou affect¹⁹⁸ her, Claudio?

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     O, my lord,

200

200         When you went onward on this ended action,²⁰⁰

               I looked upon her with a soldier’s eye

               That liked, but had a rougher task in hand

               Than to drive liking to the name of love.

               But now I am returned, and that²⁰⁴ war-thoughts

205

205         Have left their places vacant, in their rooms

               Come thronging soft and delicate desires,

               All prompting²⁰⁷ me how fair young Hero is,

               Saying I liked her ere I went to wars.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Thou wilt be like a lover presently

210

210         And tire the hearer with a book of words.²¹⁰

               If thou dost love fair Hero, cherish it,

               And I will break²¹² with her and with her father,

               And thou shalt have her. Wast not to this end

               That thou began’st to twist²¹⁴ so fine a story?

215

215 

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO             How sweetly you do minister to²¹⁵ love,

               That know love’s grief by his complexion!

               But lest my liking might too sudden seem,

               I would have salved²¹⁸ it with a longer treatise.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     What need the bridge much broader than the flood?²¹⁹

220

220         The²²⁰ fairest grant is the necessity.

               Look, what²²¹ will serve is fit: ’tis once, thou lovest,

               And I will fit²²² thee with the remedy.

               I know we shall have revelling tonight.

               I will assume thy part in some disguise

225

225         And tell fair Hero I am Claudio,

               And in her bosom²²⁶ I’ll unclasp my heart,

               And take her hearing prisoner with the force

               And strong encounter²²⁸ of my amorous tale.

               Then after, to her father will I break,

230

230         And the conclusion is, she shall be thine.

               In practice let us put it presently.

       Exeunt

[Act 1 Scene 2]

running scene 2

       Enter Leonato and an old man [Antonio] brother to Leonato [meeting]

LEONATO

LEONATO     How now, brother, where is my cousin,¹ your son? Hath he provided this music?

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     He is very busy about it. But brother, I can tell you strange news that you yet dreamt not of.

LEONATO

LEONATO     Are they⁵ good?

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     As⁶ the event stamps them, but they have a good cover: they show well outward. The prince and Count Claudio, walking in a thick-pleached alley⁷ in my orchard, were thus overheard by a man of mine: the prince discovered⁸ to Claudio that he loved my niece your daughter and meant to acknowledge it this night in a dance, and if he found her accordant,¹⁰ he meant to take the present time by the top and instantly break with you of it.

LEONATO

LEONATO     Hath the fellow any wit¹² that told you this?

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     A good sharp fellow. I will send for him, and question him yourself.

LEONATO

LEONATO     No, no; we will hold¹⁴ it as a dream till it appear itself. But I will acquaint my daughter withal,¹⁵ that she may be the better prepared for an answer, if peradventure¹⁶ this be true. Go you and tell her of it.

       [Enter Attendants]

                  Cousins, you know what you have to do.— O, I cry you mercy,¹⁷ friend, go you with me and I will use your skill.— Good cousin, have a care this busy time.

       Exeunt

[Act 1 Scene 3]

running scene 3

       Enter Sir [Don] John the Bastard and Conrad his companion

CONRAD

CONRAD     What the goodyear,¹ my lord, why are you thus out of measure sad?

DON JOHN

DON JOHN     There is no measure² in the occasion that breeds, therefore the sadness is without limit.

CONRAD

CONRAD     You should hear reason.

DON JOHN

DON JOHN     And when I have heard it, what blessing bringeth it?

CONRAD

CONRAD     If not a present⁶ remedy, yet a patient sufferance.

DON JOHN

DON JOHN     I wonder that thou — being as thou sayest thou art, born under Saturn⁷ — goest about to apply a moral medicine to a mortifying mischief.⁸ I cannot hide what I am: I must be sad when I have cause, and smile at no man’s jests, eat when I have stomach, and wait for no man’s leisure, sleep when I am drowsy, and tend on¹¹ no man’s business, laugh when I am merry, and claw no man in his humour.

CONRAD

CONRAD     Yea, but you must not make the full show of this till you may do it without controlment.¹⁴ You have of late stood out against your brother, and he hath ta’en you newly into his grace,¹⁵ where it is impossible you should take true root but by the fair weather that you make yourself. It is needful that you frame¹⁶ the season for your own harvest.

DON JOHN

DON JOHN     I had rather be a canker¹⁸ in a hedge than a rose in his grace, and it better fits my blood¹⁹ to be disdained of all than to fashion a carriage to rob love from any. In this — though I cannot be said to be a flattering honest man — it must not be denied but I am a plain-dealing villain. I am trusted²¹ with a muzzle and enfranchised²² with a clog: therefore I have decreed not to sing in my cage. If I had my mouth, I would bite. If I had my liberty, I would do my liking. In the meantime, let me be that I am, and seek not to alter me.

CONRAD

CONRAD     Can you make no use of your discontent?

DON JOHN

DON JOHN     I will make all use of it, for I use it only.²⁶ Who comes here?

       Enter Borachio

                  What news, Borachio?

BORACHIO

BORACHIO     I came yonder from a great supper. The prince your brother is royally entertained by Leonato, and I can give you intelligence of an intended marriage.

DON JOHN

DON JOHN     Will it serve for any model³⁰ to build mischief on? What is he for a fool that betroths himself to unquietness?³¹

BORACHIO

BORACHIO     Marry it is your brother’s right hand.

DON JOHN

DON JOHN     Who, the most exquisite³³ Claudio?

BORACHIO

BORACHIO     Even he.

DON JOHN

DON JOHN     A proper squire!³⁵ And who, and who? Which way looks he?

BORACHIO

BORACHIO     Marry, on Hero, the daughter and heir of Leonato.

DON JOHN

DON JOHN     A very forward³⁷ March-chick. How came you to this?

BORACHIO

BORACHIO     Being entertained³⁸ for a perfumer, as I was smoking a musty room, comes me the prince and Claudio, hand in hand in sad³⁹ conference. I whipped me behind the arras⁴⁰ and there heard it agreed upon that the prince should woo Hero for himself, and having obtained her, give her to Count Claudio.

DON JOHN

DON JOHN     Come, come, let us thither: this may prove food to my displeasure. That young start-up⁴³ hath all the glory of my overthrow. If I can cross him any way, I bless myself every way. You are both sure,⁴⁴ and will assist me?

CONRAD

CONRAD     To the death, my lord.

DON JOHN

DON JOHN     Let us to the great supper. Their cheer⁴⁶ is the greater that I am subdued. Would the cook were of my mind. Shall we go prove⁴⁷ what’s to be done?

BORACHIO

BORACHIO     We’ll wait upon your lordship.

       Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 12.1

running scene 4

       Enter Leonato, [Antonio] his brother, [Innogen] his wife, Hero his daughter [attended by Margaret and Ursula], and Beatrice his niece and a Kinsman

LEONATO

LEONATO     Was not Count John here at supper?

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     I saw him not.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     How tartly³ that gentleman looks. I never can see him but I am heart-burned an hour after.

HERO

HERO     He is of a very melancholy disposition.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     He were an excellent man that were made just in the midway between him and Benedick: the one is too like an image⁷ and says nothing, and the other too like my⁸ lady’s eldest son, evermore tattling.

LEONATO

LEONATO     Then half Signior Benedick’s tongue in Count John’s mouth, and half Count John’s melancholy in Signior Benedick’s face —

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     With a good¹¹ leg and a good foot, uncle, and money enough in his purse, such a man would win any woman in the world, if he could get her good will.

LEONATO

LEONATO     By my troth, niece, thou wilt never get thee a husband if thou be so shrewd¹⁴ of thy tongue.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     In faith, she’s too curst.¹⁵

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     Too curst is more than curst. I shall lessen God’s sending that way, for it is said: ‘God sends a curst cow short horns’, but to a cow too curst he sends none.

LEONATO

LEONATO     So, by being too curst, God will send you no horns.¹⁸

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     Just,¹⁹ if he send me no husband, for the which blessing I am at him upon my knees every morning and evening. Lord, I could not endure a husband with a beard on his face! I had rather lie in the woollen.²¹

LEONATO

LEONATO     You may light upon a husband that hath no beard.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     What should I do with him? Dress him in my apparel²³ and make him my waiting-gentlewoman? He that hath a beard is more than a youth, and he that hath no beard is less than a man: and he that is more than a youth is not for me, and he that is less than a man, I am not for him. Therefore I will even take sixpence in earnest²⁷ of the bearward and lead his apes into hell.

LEONATO

LEONATO     Well then, go you into hell.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     No, but to the gate, and there will the devil meet me like an old cuckold with horns on his head, and say ‘Get you to heaven, Beatrice, get you to heaven, here’s no place for you maids.³¹’ So deliver I up my apes, and away to Saint Peter, for the heavens.³² He shows me where the bachelors sit, and there live we as merry as the day is long.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Well, niece, I trust you will be ruled by your father. To Hero

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     Yes, faith, it is my cousin’s duty to make curtsy and say ‘Father, as it please you’: but yet for all that, cousin, let him be a handsome fellow, or else make another curtsy and say ‘Father, as it please me.’

LEONATO

LEONATO     Well, niece, I hope to see you one day fitted³⁸ with a husband.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     Not till God make men of some other metal³⁹ than earth. Would it not grieve a woman to be overmastered with a piece of valiant dust? To make account of her life to a clod of wayward marl?⁴¹ No, uncle, I’ll none: Adam’s sons are my brethren, and truly I hold it a sin to match⁴² in my kindred.

LEONATO

LEONATO     Daughter, remember what I told you: To Hero if the prince do solicit⁴³ you in that kind,⁴⁴ you know your answer.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     The fault will be in the music, cousin, if you be not wooed in good time.⁴⁵ If the prince be too important,⁴⁶ tell him there is measure in everything, and so dance out the answer. For hear me, Hero: wooing, wedding and repenting is as a Scotch jig,⁴⁷ a measure⁴⁸ and a cinque-pace: the first suit is hot and hasty like a Scotch jig, and full as fantastical,⁴⁹ the wedding mannerly-modest as a measure, full of state and ancientry, and then comes repentance and, with his bad legs,⁵⁰ falls into the cinque-pace faster and faster, till he sinks into his grave.

LEONATO

LEONATO     Cousin, you apprehend passing shrewdly.⁵²

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     I have a good eye, uncle, I can see a church by daylight.

LEONATO

LEONATO     The revellers are entering, brother. Make good room. All put on their masks

       Enter Prince [Don] Pedro, Claudio, and Benedick, and Balthasar, [Don] John, [Borachio, Margaret, Ursula and other] Masquers with a drum Couples pair-up and begin dancing

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Lady, will you walk a bout with your friend?⁵⁵

HERO

HERO     So⁵⁶ you walk softly, and look sweetly, and say nothing, I am yours for the walk, and especially when I walk away.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     With me in your company?

HERO

HERO     I may say so when I please.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     And when please you to say so?

HERO

HERO     When I like your favour,⁶¹ for God defend the lute should be like the case.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     My visor⁶² is Philemon’s roof, within the house is Jove.

HERO

HERO     Why then your visor should be thatched.⁶³

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Speak low, if you speak love. They dance aside

BALTHASAR

BALTHASAR     Well, I would you did like me.

MARGARET

MARGARET     So would not I for your own sake, for I have many ill qualities.

BALTHASAR

BALTHASAR     Which is one?

MARGARET

MARGARET     I say my prayers aloud.

BALTHASAR

BALTHASAR     I love you the better. The hearers may cry ‘Amen’.

MARGARET

MARGARET     God match me with a good dancer.

BALTHASAR

BALTHASAR     Amen.

MARGARET

MARGARET     And God keep him out of my sight when the dance is done. Answer, clerk.⁷³

BALTHASAR

BALTHASAR     No more words: the clerk is answered. They dance aside

URSULA

URSULA     I know you well enough, you are Signior Antonio.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     At a word,⁷⁶ I am not.

URSULA

URSULA     I know you by the waggling⁷⁷ of your head.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     To tell you true, I counterfeit⁷⁸ him.

URSULA

URSULA     You could never do⁷⁹ him so ill-well, unless you were the very man. Here’s his dry hand⁸⁰ up and down: you are he, you are he.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     At a word, I am not.

URSULA

URSULA     Come, come, do you think I do not know you by your excellent wit? Can virtue hide itself? They dance aside Go to, mum,⁸³ you are he. Graces will appear, and there’s an end.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     Will you not tell me who told you so?

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     No, you shall pardon me.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     Nor will you not tell me who you are?

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Not now.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     That I was disdainful, and that I had my good wit out of the ‘Hundred⁸⁸ Merry Tales’ — well, this was Signior Benedick that said so.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     What’s he?

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     I am sure you know him well enough.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Not I, believe me.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     Did he never make you laugh?

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     I pray you, what is he?

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     Why, he is the prince’s jester, a very dull fool, only his⁹⁵ gift is in devising impossible⁹⁶ slanders. None but libertines delight in him, and the commendation is not in his wit, but in his villainy,⁹⁷ for he both pleaseth men and angers them, and then they laugh at him and beat him. Aside? I am sure he is in the fleet.⁹⁸ I would he had boarded⁹⁹ me.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     When I know the gentleman, I’ll tell him what you say.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     Do, do: he’ll but break¹⁰¹ a comparison or two on me, which peradventure —not marked or not laughed at — strikes him into melancholy, and then there’s a partridge wing¹⁰³ saved, for the fool will eat no supper that night. Music We must follow the leaders.¹⁰⁴

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     In every good thing.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     Nay, if they lead to any ill, I will leave them at the next turning.

       Music for the Dance. [Then] exeunt [dancing, all except Don John, Borachio and Claudio]

DON JOHN

DON JOHN     Sure my brother is amorous on¹⁰⁷ Hero Aside to Borachio and hath withdrawn her father to break with him about it. The ladies follow her and but one visor remains.

BORACHIO

BORACHIO     And that is Claudio: I know him by his bearing.

DON JOHN

DON JOHN     Are not you Signior Benedick? To Claudio

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     You know me well, I am he.

DON JOHN

DON JOHN     Signior, you are very near¹¹² my brother in his love. He is enamoured on Hero. I pray you dissuade him from her, she is no equal for his birth. You may do the part of an honest man in it.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     How know you he loves her?

DON JOHN

DON JOHN     I heard him swear his affection.

BORACHIO

BORACHIO     So did I too, and he swore he would marry her tonight.

DON JOHN

DON JOHN     Come, let us to the banquet.¹¹⁸

       Exeunt [Don John and Borachio]

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Thus answer I in the name of Benedick,

120

120         But hear these ill news with the ears of Claudio.

               ’Tis certain so, the prince woos for himself.

               Friendship is constant¹²² in all other things

               Save in the office¹²³ and affairs of love.

               Therefore all¹²⁴ hearts in love use their own tongues,

125

125         Let every eye negotiate for itself

               And trust no agent, for beauty is a witch

               Against whose charms faith¹²⁷ melteth into blood.

               This is an accident¹²⁸ of hourly proof,

               Which I mistrusted¹²⁹ not. Farewell, therefore, Hero!

       Enter Benedick

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Count Claudio?

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Yea, the same.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Come, will you go with me?

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Whither?

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Even to the next willow,¹³⁴ about your own business, count. What fashion will you wear the garland of? About your neck, like an usurer’s chain?¹³⁵ Or under your arm, like a lieutenant’s scarf?¹³⁶ You must wear it one way, for the prince hath got your Hero.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     I wish him joy of her.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Why, that’s spoken like an honest drover,¹³⁹ so they sell bullocks. But did you think the prince would have served you thus?

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     I pray you leave me.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Ho, now¹⁴² you strike like the blind man: ’twas the boy that stole your meat, and you’ll beat the post.¹⁴³

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     If¹⁴⁴ it will not be, I’ll leave you.

       Exit

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Alas, poor hurt fowl,¹⁴⁵ now will he creep into sedges. But that my Lady Beatrice should know me and not know me!¹⁴⁶ The prince’s fool! Ha? It may be I go under that title because I am merry. Yea, but so¹⁴⁷ I am apt to do myself wrong. I am not so reputed: it is the base, though bitter, disposition of Beatrice that puts¹⁴⁸ the world into her person and so gives me out. Well, I’ll be revenged as I may.

       Enter the Prince [Don Pedro]

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Now, signior, where’s the count? Did you see him?

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Troth, my lord, I have played the part of Lady Fame.¹⁵¹ I found him here as melancholy as a lodge¹⁵² in a warren. I told him, and I think I told him true, that your grace had got the good will of this young lady, and I offered him my company to a willow-tree, either to make him a garland, as being forsaken,¹⁵⁴ or to bind¹⁵⁵ him a rod, as being worthy to be whipped.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     To be whipped? What’s his fault?

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     The flat transgression¹⁵⁷ of a schoolboy, who, being overjoyed with finding a bird’s nest, shows it his companion, and he steals it.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Wilt thou make a trust¹⁵⁹ a transgression? The transgression is in the stealer.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Yet it had not been amiss the rod had been made, and the garland too: for the garland he might have worn himself and the rod he might have bestowed on you, who, as I take it, have stolen his bird’s nest.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     I will but teach them¹⁶⁴ to sing, and restore them to the owner.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     If¹⁶⁵ their singing answer your saying, by my faith you say honestly.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     The Lady Beatrice hath a quarrel to¹⁶⁶ you: the gentleman that danced with her told her she is much wronged by you.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     O, she misused¹⁶⁸ me past the endurance of a block! An oak but with one green leaf on it would have answered her. My very visor began to assume life and scold with her. She told me — not thinking I had been myself — that I was the prince’s jester, and that I was duller than a great¹⁷¹ thaw, huddling jest upon jest with such impossible conveyance¹⁷² upon me that I stood like a man at a mark, with a whole army shooting at me. She speaks poniards,¹⁷³ and every word stabs. If her breath were as terrible as her terminations,¹⁷⁴ there were no living near her, she would infect to the North Star. I would not marry her, though she were endowed with all¹⁷⁶ that Adam had left him before he transgressed. She would have made Hercules¹⁷⁷ have turned spit, yea, and have cleft his club to make the fire too. Come, talk not of her, you shall find her the infernal Ate¹⁷⁸ in good apparel. I would to God some scholar would conjure¹⁷⁹ her, for certainly, while she is here, a man may live as quiet in hell as in a sanctuary,¹⁸⁰ and people sin upon purpose, because they would go thither: so indeed all disquiet, horror and perturbation follows her.

       Enter Claudio and Beatrice, Leonato [and] Hero

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Look, here she comes.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Will your grace command me any service to the world’s end? I will go on the slightest errand now to the Antipodes¹⁸⁴ that you can devise to send me on: I will fetch you a tooth-picker¹⁸⁵ now from the furthest inch of Asia, bring you the length of Prester John’s¹⁸⁶ foot, fetch you a hair off the great Cham’s beard, do you any embassage to the Pygmies,¹⁸⁷ rather than hold three words’ conference with this harpy.¹⁸⁸ You have no employment for me?

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     None, but to desire your good company.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     O God, sir, here’s a dish I love not: I cannot endure this Lady Tongue.

       Exit

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Come, lady, come, you have lost the heart of Signior Benedick.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     Indeed, my lord, he lent it me awhile, and I gave him use¹⁹² for it, a double heart for his single one: marry, once before he won it of me with false dice,¹⁹³ therefore your Grace may well say I have lost it.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     You have put him down,¹⁹⁵ lady, you have put him down.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     So I would not he should do¹⁹⁶ me, my lord, lest I should prove the mother of fools. I have brought Count Claudio, whom you sent me to seek.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Why, how now, count? Wherefore¹⁹⁸ are you sad?

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Not sad, my lord.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     How then? Sick?

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Neither, my lord.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     The count is neither sad, nor sick, nor merry, nor well: but civil²⁰² count, civil as an orange, and something of a jealous complexion.²⁰³

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     I’faith, lady, I think your blazon²⁰⁴ to be true, though I’ll be sworn, if he be so, his conceit²⁰⁵ is false. Here, Claudio, I have wooed in thy name, and fair Hero is won: I have broke with her father, and his good will obtained. Name the day of marriage, and God give thee joy!

LEONATO

LEONATO     Count, take of me my daughter, and with her my fortunes. His grace hath made the match, and all grace²⁰⁹ say ‘Amen’ to it.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     Speak, count, ’tis your cue.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Silence is the perfectest herald²¹¹ of joy. I were but little happy, if I could say how much. Lady, as you are mine, I am yours. I give away myself for you and dote upon²¹³ the exchange.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     Speak, cousin, or, if you cannot, stop his mouth with a kiss, and let not him speak neither. Claudio and Hero kiss?

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     In faith, lady, you have a merry heart.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     Yea, my lord, I thank it, poor fool, it keeps on the windy²¹⁷ side of care. My cousin tells him in his ear that he is in her heart.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     And so she doth, cousin.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     Good²²⁰ lord, for alliance! Thus goes everyone to the world but I, and I am sunburnt.²²¹ I may sit in a corner and cry ‘Hey-ho for a husband!’

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Lady Beatrice, I will get you one.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     I would rather have one of your father’s getting.²²³ Hath your grace ne’er a brother like you? Your father got excellent husbands, if a maid could come by them.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Will you have me, lady?

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     No, my lord, unless I might have another for working days: your grace is too costly to wear every day. But I beseech your grace pardon me. I was born to speak all mirth and no matter.²²⁹

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Your²³⁰ silence most offends me, and to be merry best becomes you, for out of question, you were born in a merry hour.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     No, sure, my lord, my mother cried,²³² but then there was a star danced, and under that was I born. Cousins, God give you joy!

LEONATO

LEONATO     Niece, will you look to those things I told you of?

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     I cry you mercy,²³⁵ uncle.— To Don Pedro By your grace’s pardon.

       Exit

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     By my troth, a pleasant-spirited lady.

LEONATO

LEONATO     There’s little of the melancholy element²³⁷ in her, my lord: she is never sad but when she sleeps, and not ever²³⁸ sad then, for I have heard my daughter say, she hath often dreamt of unhappiness and waked herself with laughing.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     She cannot endure to hear tell of a husband.

LEONATO

LEONATO     O, by no means: she mocks all her wooers out of suit.²⁴¹

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     She were an excellent wife for Benedick.

LEONATO

LEONATO     O lord, my lord, if they were but a week married, they would talk themselves mad.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Count Claudio, when mean you to go to church?

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Tomorrow, my lord. Time goes on crutches till love have all his rites.

LEONATO

LEONATO     Not till Monday, my dear son, which is hence a just seven-night,²⁴⁷ and a time too brief, too, to have all things answer my mind.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Come, you shake the head at so long a breathing.²⁴⁹ But I warrant thee, Claudio, the time shall not go dully by us. I will in the interim undertake one of Hercules’ labours,²⁵¹ which is to bring Signior Benedick and the Lady Beatrice into a mountain of affection, th’one with th’other. I would fain²⁵² have it a match, and I doubt not but to fashion it, if you three will but minister²⁵³ such assistance as I shall give you direction.

LEONATO

LEONATO     My lord, I am for you, though it cost me ten nights’ watchings.²⁵⁵

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     And I, my lord.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     And you too, gentle Hero?

HERO

HERO     I will do any modest²⁵⁸ office, my lord, to help my cousin to a good husband.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     And Benedick is not the unhopefullest²⁵⁹ husband that I know. Thus far can I praise him: he is of a noble strain,²⁶⁰ of approved valour and confirmed honesty. I will teach you how to humour your cousin that she shall fall in love with Benedick, and I, with your two helps, To Leonato and Claudio will so practise on²⁶² Benedick that, in despite of his quick wit and his queasy stomach,²⁶³ he shall fall in love with Beatrice. If we can do this, Cupid is no longer an archer: his glory shall be ours, for we are the only love-gods. Go in with me, and I will tell you my drift.²⁶⁵

       Exeunt

[Act 2 Scene 2]

running scene 4 continues

       Enter [Don] John and Borachio

DON JOHN

DON JOHN     It is so: the Count Claudio shall marry the daughter of Leonato.

BORACHIO

BORACHIO     Yea, my lord, but I can cross it.

DON JOHN

DON JOHN     Any bar, any cross, any impediment will be medicinable³ to me: I am sick in displeasure to him, and whatsoever comes athwart⁴ his affection ranges evenly with mine. How canst thou cross this marriage?

BORACHIO

BORACHIO     Not honestly, my lord, but so covertly that no dishonesty shall appear in me.

DON JOHN

DON JOHN     Show me briefly how.

BORACHIO

BORACHIO     I think I told your lordship a year since, how much I am in the favour of Margaret, the waiting gentlewoman to Hero.

DON JOHN

DON JOHN     I remember.

BORACHIO

BORACHIO     I can at any unseasonable¹² instant of the night appoint her to look out at her lady’s chamber window.

DON JOHN

DON JOHN     What life is in that, to be the death of this marriage?

BORACHIO

BORACHIO     The poison of that lies in you to temper.¹⁵ Go you to the prince your brother, spare not to tell him that he hath wronged his honour in marrying the renowned¹⁷ Claudio — whose estimation do you mightily hold up — to a contaminated stale,¹⁸ such a one as Hero.

DON JOHN

DON JOHN     What proof shall I make of that?

BORACHIO

BORACHIO     Proof enough to misuse the prince, to vex²⁰ Claudio, to undo Hero, and kill Leonato. Look you for any other issue?²¹

DON JOHN

DON JOHN     Only to despite²² them, I will endeavour anything.

BORACHIO

BORACHIO     Go, then, find me a meet²³ hour to draw Don Pedro and the Count Claudio alone. Tell them that you know that Hero loves me, intend²⁴ a kind of zeal both to the prince and Claudio — as in²⁵ a love of your brother’s honour, who hath made this match, and his friend’s reputation, who is thus like²⁶ to be cozened with the semblance²⁷ of a maid — that you have discovered thus. They will scarcely believe this without trial:²⁸ offer them instances, which shall bear no less likelihood than to see me at her chamber window, hear me call Margaret Hero, hear Margaret term me Claudio, and bring them to see this the very night before the intended wedding — for in the meantime I will so fashion the matter³¹ that Hero shall be absent — and there shall appear such seeming truths of Hero’s disloyalty that jealousy³³ shall be called assurance and all the preparation overthrown.

DON JOHN

DON JOHN     Grow³⁴ this to what adverse issue it can, I will put it in practice. Be cunning in the working³⁵ this, and thy fee is a thousand ducats.

BORACHIO

BORACHIO     Be thou constant³⁶ in the accusation, and my cunning shall not shame me.

DON JOHN

DON JOHN     I will presently go learn their day of marriage.

       Exeunt

[Act 2 Scene 3]

running scene 5

       Enter Benedick, alone

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Boy!

       [Enter Boy]

BOY

BOY     Signior?

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     In my chamber-window lies a book: bring it hither to me in the orchard.

BOY

BOY     I⁴ am here already, sir.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     I know that, but I would have thee hence and here again.

       Exit [Boy]

                  I do much wonder that one man, seeing how much another man is a fool when he dedicates his behaviours to love, will, after he hath laughed at such shallow follies in others, become the argument⁸ of his own scorn by falling in love: and such a man is Claudio. I have known when there was no music with him but the drum⁹ and the fife,¹⁰ and now had he rather hear the tabor and the pipe. I have known when he would have walked ten mile afoot¹¹ to see a good armour, and now will he lie ten nights awake carving¹² the fashion of a new doublet. He was wont to speak plain and to the purpose — like an honest man and a soldier — and now is he turned orthography,¹⁴ his words are a very fantastical banquet, just so many strange dishes. May I be so converted and see with these eyes? I cannot tell: I think not. I will not be sworn, but love may transform¹⁶ me to an oyster, but I’ll take my oath on it, till he have made an oyster of me, he shall never make me such a fool. One woman is fair, yet I am well: another is wise, yet I am well: another virtuous, yet I am well: but till all graces¹⁹ be in one woman, one woman shall not come in my grace.²⁰ Rich she shall be, that’s certain: wise, or I’ll none: virtuous, or I’ll never cheapen²¹ her: fair, or I’ll never look on her: mild, or come not near me: noble,²² or not I for an angel: of good discourse, an excellent musician, and her hair shall be of what colour it please God. Ha! The prince and Monsieur Love! I will hide me in the arbour. He hides in the arbour

       Enter [Don Pedro], Leonato, Claudio and [Balthasar]

25

25   

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO           Come, shall we hear this music?

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Yea, my good lord. How still the evening is,

               As²⁷ hushed on purpose to grace harmony.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     See you where Benedick hath hid himself?

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     O, very well, my lord: the music ended,²⁹

30

30           We’ll fit³⁰ the kid-fox with a pennyworth.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Come, Balthasar, we’ll hear that song again.

BALTHASAR

BALTHASAR     O, good my lord, tax³² not so bad a voice

               To slander music any more than once.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     It³⁴ is the witness still of excellency

35

35           To put a strange face on his own perfection.

               I pray thee sing, and let me woo³⁶ no more.

BALTHASAR

BALTHASAR     Because you talk of wooing, I will sing,

               Since many a wooer doth commence his suit

               To her³⁹ he thinks not worthy, yet he woos,

40

40           Yet will he swear he loves.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Nay, pray thee come,

               Or if thou wilt hold longer argument,

               Do it in notes.

BALTHASAR

BALTHASAR     Note this before my notes:

45

45           There’s not a note of mine that’s worth the noting.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Why, these are very crotchets⁴⁶ that he speaks:

               Note⁴⁷ notes, forsooth, and nothing. Music

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Now, divine air!⁴⁸ Aside Now is his soul ravished. Is it not strange that sheep’s guts should hale⁴⁹ souls out of men’s bodies? Well, a horn for my money, when all’s done.

BALTHASAR

BALTHASAR     [Sings] the song

50

50                                Sigh no more, ladies, sigh no more,

                                    Men were deceivers ever:

                                    One foot in sea and one on shore,

                                    To one thing constant never.

                                    Then sigh not so, but let them go,

55

55                                And be you blithe and bonny,⁵⁵

                                    Converting all your sounds of woe

                                    Into hey nonny, nonny.

                                    Sing no more ditties,⁵⁸ sing no moe,

                                    Of dumps⁵⁹ so dull and heavy:

60

60                                The fraud of men was ever so,

                                    Since summer first was leafy.

                                    Then sigh not so, etc.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     By my troth, a good song.

BALTHASAR

BALTHASAR     And an ill singer, my lord.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Ha, no, no, faith: thou sing’st well enough for a shift.⁶⁵

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     An⁶⁶ he had been a dog that should have howled thus, Aside they would have hanged him, and I pray God his bad voice bode no mischief. I had as lief⁶⁷ have heard the night-raven,⁶⁸ come what plague could have come after it.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Yea, marry, dost thou hear, Balthasar? I pray thee get us some excellent music, for tomorrow night we would have it at the Lady Hero’s chamber window.

BALTHASAR

BALTHASAR     The best I can, my lord.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Do so: farewell.

       Exit Balthasar

                  Come hither, Leonato. What was it you told me of today, that your niece Beatrice was in love with Signior Benedick?

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     O, ay! Stalk on,⁷⁵ the fowl sits.— Aside to Don Pedro I did never think that lady would have loved any man. Aloud

LEONATO

LEONATO     No, nor I neither, but most wonderful⁷⁷ that she should so dote on Signior Benedick, whom she hath in all outward behaviours seemed ever to abhor.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Is’t possible? Sits⁷⁹ the wind in that corner? Aside

LEONATO

LEONATO     By my troth my lord, I cannot tell what to think of it, but that she loves him with an enraged affection:⁸¹ it is past the infinite of thought.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Maybe she doth but counterfeit.⁸²

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Faith, like enough.

LEONATO

LEONATO     O God! Counterfeit? There was never counterfeit of passion came so near the life of passion as she discovers⁸⁵ it.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Why, what effects of passion shows she?

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Bait the hook well, this fish will bite. Aside to them

LEONATO

LEONATO     What effects, my lord? She will sit you⁸⁸—you heard my daughter tell you how.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     She did indeed.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     How, how, I pray you? You amaze me: I would have thought her spirit had been invincible against all assaults of affection.

LEONATO

LEONATO     I would have sworn it had, my lord, especially against Benedick.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     I should think this a gull,⁹³ but that the white-bearded fellow speaks it: Aside knavery cannot sure hide himself in such reverence.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     He hath ta’en th’infection — Aside to them hold it up.⁹⁵

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Hath she made her affection known to Benedick?

LEONATO

LEONATO     No, and swears she never will. That’s her torment.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     ’Tis true indeed, so your daughter says: ‘Shall I,’ says she, ‘that have so oft encountered him with scorn, write to him that I love him?’

LEONATO

LEONATO     This says she now when she is beginning to write to him, for she’ll be up twenty times a night, and there will she sit in her smock¹⁰¹ till she have writ a sheet of paper: my daughter tells us all.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Now you talk of a sheet of paper, I remember a pretty jest your daughter told us of.

LEONATO

LEONATO     O, when she had writ it, and was reading it over, she found ‘Benedick’ and ‘Beatrice’ between the sheet?

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     That.¹⁰⁷

LEONATO

LEONATO     O, she tore the letter into a thousand halfpence,¹⁰⁸ railed at herself, that she should be so immodest to write to one that she knew would flout her. ‘I measure him’, says she, ‘by my own spirit, for I should flout him if he writ to me, yea, though I love him, I should.’

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Then down upon her knees she falls, weeps, sobs, beats her heart, tears her hair, prays, curses: ‘O sweet Benedick! God give me patience!’

LEONATO

LEONATO     She doth indeed, my daughter says so, and the ecstasy¹¹⁴ hath so much overborne¹¹⁵ her that my daughter is sometime afeard she will do a desperate outrage¹¹⁶ to herself: it is very true.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     It were good that Benedick knew of it by some other, if she will not discover it.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     To what end? He would but make a sport of it and torment the poor lady worse.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     An he should, it were an alms¹²¹ to hang him. She’s an excellent sweet lady and, out of all suspicion,¹²² she is virtuous.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     And she is exceeding wise.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     In everything, but in loving Benedick.

LEONATO

LEONATO     O, my lord, wisdom and blood¹²⁵ combating in so tender a body, we have ten proofs to one that blood hath the victory. I am sorry for her, as I have just cause, being her uncle and her guardian.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     I would she had bestowed this dotage¹²⁸ on me: I would have daffed all other respects¹²⁹ and made her half myself. I pray you tell Benedick of it and hear what he will say.

LEONATO

LEONATO     Were it good, think you?

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Hero thinks surely she will die, for she says she will die if he love her not, and she will die ere she make her love known, and she will die if he woo her, rather than she will bate¹³⁴ one breath of her accustomed crossness.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     She doth well: if she should make tender of¹³⁵ her love, ’tis very possible he’ll scorn it, for the man, as you know all, hath a contemptible¹³⁶ spirit.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     He is a very proper¹³⁷ man.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     He hath indeed a good outward happiness.¹³⁸

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     ’Fore God,¹³⁹ and in my mind, very wise.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     He doth indeed show some sparks that are like wit.

LEONATO

LEONATO     And I take him to be valiant.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     As Hector,¹⁴² I assure you: and in the managing of quarrels you may see he is wise, for either he avoids them with great discretion,¹⁴³ or undertakes them with a Christian-like fear.

LEONATO

LEONATO     If he do fear God, a must necessarily keep peace. If he break the peace, he ought to enter into a quarrel with fear and trembling.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     And so will he do, for the man doth fear God, howsoever it seems not in him by¹⁴⁸ some large jests he will make. Well, I am sorry for your niece. Shall we go seek Benedick, and tell him of her love?

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Never tell him, my lord: let her wear it out¹⁵⁰ with good counsel.

LEONATO

LEONATO     Nay, that’s impossible: she may wear her heart out first.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Well, we will hear further of it by your daughter. Let it cool the while.¹⁵² I love Benedick well, and I could wish he would modestly¹⁵³ examine himself, to see how much he is unworthy to have so good a lady.

LEONATO

LEONATO     My lord, will you walk? Dinner is ready.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     If he do not dote on her upon¹⁵⁶ this, I will never trust my expectation. Aside to them

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Let there be the same net spread for her, Aside to them and that must your daughter and her gentlewoman carry.¹⁵⁸ The sport will be when they hold one an opinion of another’s dotage, and no such matter:¹⁵⁹ that’s the scene that I would see, which will be merely a dumb-show.¹⁶⁰ Let us send her to call him in to dinner.

       Exeunt [Don Pedro, Claudio and Leonato]

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     This can be no trick: He comes forward the conference was sadly borne,¹⁶¹ they have the truth of this from Hero. They seem to pity the lady: it seems her affections have¹⁶² the full bent. Love me? Why, it must be requited. I hear how I am censured:¹⁶³ they say I will bear myself proudly, if I perceive the love come from her. They say too that she will rather die than give any sign of affection. I did never think to marry. I must not seem proud. Happy are they that hear their detractions¹⁶⁶ and can put them to mending. They say the lady is fair — ’tis a truth, I can bear them witness, and virtuous — ’tis so, I cannot reprove¹⁶⁸ it, and wise, but for loving me — by my troth, it is no addition to her wit, nor no great argument¹⁶⁹ of her folly, for I will be horribly in love with her. I may chance have some odd quirks¹⁷⁰ and remnants of wit broken¹⁷¹ on me because I have railed so long against marriage. But doth not the appetite alter? A man loves the meat in his youth that he cannot endure in his age. Shall quips and sentences¹⁷³ and these paper bullets of the brain awe a man from the career¹⁷⁴ of his humour? No, the world must be peopled. When I said I would die a bachelor, I did not think I should live till I were married. Here comes Beatrice. By this day, she’s a fair lady! I do spy some marks of love in her.

       Enter Beatrice

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     Against my will I am sent to bid you come in to dinner.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Fair Beatrice, I thank you for your pains.¹⁷⁸

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     I took no more pains for those thanks than you take pains to thank me: if it had been painful, I would not have come.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     You take pleasure then in the message?

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     Yea, just so much as you may take upon a knife’s point and choke¹⁸² a daw withal.¹⁸³ You have no stomach, signior, fare you well.

       Exit

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Ha! ‘Against my will I am sent to bid you come in to dinner’ — there’s a double meaning in that. ‘I took no more pains for those thanks than you took pains to thank me’ — that’s as much as to say, ‘Any pains that I take for you is as easy as thanks.’ If I do not take pity of her, I am a villain: if I do not love her, I am a Jew.¹⁸⁸ I will go get her picture.

       Exit

Act 3 Scene 1

running scene 6

       Enter Hero, and two gentlewomen, Margaret and Ursula

HERO

HERO     Good Margaret, run thee to the parlour,

               There shalt thou find my cousin Beatrice

               Proposing³ with the prince and Claudio.

               Whisper her ear, and tell her I and Ursula

5

5             Walk in the orchard, and our whole discourse

               Is all of her. Say that thou overheard’st us,

               And bid her steal into the pleachèd bower

               Where honeysuckles, ripened by the sun,

               Forbid the sun to enter, like favourites,

10

10           Made proud by princes, that advance¹⁰ their pride

               Against that power that bred it: there will she hide her

               To listen our purpose.¹² This is thy office:

               Bear thee well in it, and leave us alone.

MARGARET

MARGARET     I’ll make her come, I warrant you, presently.

       [Exit]

15

HERO

HERO     Now, Ursula, when Beatrice doth come,

               As we do trace¹⁶ this alley up and down,

               Our talk must only be of Benedick.

               When I do name him, let it be thy part

               To praise him more than ever man did merit:

20

20           My talk to thee must be how Benedick

               Is sick in love with Beatrice. Of this matter

               Is little Cupid’s crafty arrow made,

               That only wounds by hearsay.²³

       Enter Beatrice [into the bower]

                                                                 Now begin:

               For look where Beatrice like a lapwing²⁴ runs

25

25           Close by the ground to hear our conference.

URSULA

URSULA     The pleasant’st angling is to see the fish To Hero

               Cut with her golden oars²⁷ the silver stream,

               And greedily devour the treacherous bait:

               So angle we for Beatrice, who even now

30

30           Is couchèd³⁰ in the woodbine coverture.

               Fear you not my part of the dialogue.

HERO

HERO     Then go we near her, that her ear lose nothing To Ursula

               Of the false sweet bait that we lay for it. They approach the bower

               No, truly, Ursula, she is too disdainful: Aloud

35

35           I know her spirits are as coy³⁵ and wild

               As haggards³⁶ of the rock.

URSULA

URSULA     But are you sure

               That Benedick loves Beatrice so entirely?³⁸

HERO

HERO     So says the prince and my new-trothèd³⁹ lord.

40

40   

URSULA

URSULA           And did they bid you tell her of it, madam?

HERO

HERO     They did entreat me to acquaint her of it,

               But I persuaded them, if they loved Benedick,

               To wish him wrestle with affection,

               And never to let Beatrice know of it.

45

45   

URSULA

URSULA           Why did you so? Doth⁴⁵ not the gentleman

               Deserve as full as fortunate a bed⁴⁶

               As ever Beatrice shall couch⁴⁷ upon?

HERO

HERO     O god of love! I know he doth deserve

               As much as may be yielded⁴⁹ to a man.

50

50           But nature never framed a woman’s heart

               Of prouder stuff than that of Beatrice.

               Disdain and scorn ride sparkling in her eyes,

               Misprising⁵³ what they look on, and her wit

               Values itself so highly that to her

55

55           All matter else seems weak:⁵⁵ she cannot love,

               Nor take no shape nor project⁵⁶ of affection,

               She is so self-endeared⁵⁷.

URSULA

URSULA     Sure, I think so:

               And therefore certainly it were not good

60

60           She knew his love, lest she make sport at it.

HERO

HERO     Why, you speak truth. I never yet saw man,

               How⁶² wise, how noble, young, how rarely featured,

               But she would spell him backward:⁶³ if fair-faced,

               She would swear the gentleman should be her sister:

65

65           If black,⁶⁵ why, nature, drawing of an antic,

               Made a foul blot: if tall, a lance ill-headed:⁶⁶

               If low, an agate⁶⁷ very vilely cut:

               If speaking, why, a vane blown with all winds:

               If silent, why, a block movèd with none.

70

70           So turns she every man the wrong side out,

               And never gives to truth and virtue that

               Which simpleness⁷² and merit purchaseth.

URSULA

URSULA     Sure, sure, such carping⁷³ is not commendable.

HERO

HERO     No, not to be so odd⁷⁴ and from all fashions

75

75           As Beatrice is cannot be commendable.

               But who dare tell her so? If I should speak,

               She would mock me into air: O, she would laugh me

               Out of myself, press⁷⁸ me to death with wit.

               Therefore let Benedick, like covered⁷⁹ fire,

80

80           Consume away in sighs, waste inwardly.

               It were a better death than die with mocks,

               Which is as bad as die with tickling.

URSULA

URSULA     Yet tell her of it: hear what she will say.

HERO

HERO     No, rather I will go to Benedick

85

85           And counsel⁸⁵ him to fight against his passion.

               And truly I’ll devise some honest slanders⁸⁶

               To stain my cousin with. One doth not know

               How much an ill word may empoison liking.

URSULA

URSULA     O, do not do your cousin such a wrong.

90

90           She cannot be so much without true judgement —

               Having so swift and excellent a wit

               As she is prized⁹² to have — as to refuse

               So rare a gentleman as Signior Benedick.

HERO

HERO     He is the only⁹⁴ man of Italy,

95

95           Always excepted my dear Claudio.

URSULA

URSULA     I pray you be not angry with me, madam,

               Speaking my fancy:⁹⁷ Signior Benedick,

               For shape, for bearing, argument⁹⁸ and valour,

               Goes foremost in report through Italy.

100

100 

HERO

HERO             Indeed he hath an excellent good name.

URSULA

URSULA     His excellence did earn it ere he had it.

               When are you married, madam?

HERO

HERO     Why, every day, tomorrow.¹⁰³ Come, go in:

               I’ll show thee some attires,¹⁰⁴ and have thy counsel

105

105         Which is the best to furnish me¹⁰⁵ tomorrow. They step back from the bower

URSULA

URSULA     She’s ta’en, I warrant you: we have caught her, madam.

HERO

HERO     If it prove so, then loving goes by haps:¹⁰⁷

               Some Cupid kills with arrows, some with traps.

       Exeunt [Hero and Ursula]

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     What fire is in mine ears? Can this be true? She comes forward

110

110         Stand I condemned for pride and scorn so much?

               Contempt farewell, and maiden pride adieu!

               No glory lives behind the back of such.

               And, Benedick, love on, I will requite thee,

               Taming¹¹⁴ my wild heart to thy loving hand.

115

115         If thou dost love, my kindness shall incite thee

               To bind our loves up in a holy band.¹¹⁶

               For others say thou dost deserve, and I

               Believe it better than reportingly.¹¹⁸

       Exit

Act 3 Scene 2

running scene 7

       Enter Prince [Don Pedro], Claudio, Benedick and Leonato

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     I do but stay till your marriage be consummate,¹ and then go I toward Aragon.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     I’ll bring you thither, my lord, if you’ll vouchsafe³ me.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Nay, that would be as great a soil in the new gloss of your marriage as to show a child his new coat and forbid him to wear it. I will only⁵ be bold with Benedick for his company, for from the crown of his head to the sole of his foot he is all mirth. He hath twice or thrice cut Cupid’s bow-string and the little hangman⁷ dare not shoot at him. He hath a heart as sound as a bell and his tongue is the clapper, for what his heart thinks his tongue speaks.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Gallants, I am not as I have been.

LEONATO

LEONATO     So say I, methinks you are sadder.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     I hope he be in love.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Hang him, truant!¹³ There’s no true drop of blood in him to be truly touched with love. If he be sad, he wants¹⁴ money.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     I have the toothache.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Draw¹⁶ it.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Hang it.¹⁷

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     You must hang it¹⁸ first, and draw it afterwards.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     What? Sigh for the toothache?

LEONATO

LEONATO     Where²⁰ is but a humour or a worm.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Well, everyone cannot master a grief but²¹ he that has it.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Yet say I, he is in love.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     There is no appearance of fancy²³ in him, unless it be a fancy that he hath to strange disguises — as to be a Dutchman today, a Frenchman tomorrow.²⁴ Unless he have a fancy to this foolery, as it appears he hath, he is no fool for fancy, as you would have it to appear he is.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     If he be not in love with some woman, there is no believing old signs: a brushes his hat o’mornings, what should that bode?

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Hath any man seen him at the barber’s?

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     No, but the barber’s man hath been seen with him, and the old ornament³⁰ of his cheek hath already stuffed tennis-balls.

LEONATO

LEONATO     Indeed, he looks younger than he did, by the loss of a beard.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Nay, a rubs himself with civet.³³ Can you smell him out by that?

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     That’s as much as to say the sweet youth’s in love.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     The greatest note³⁵ of it is his melancholy.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     And when was he wont³⁶ to wash his face?

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Yea, or to paint³⁷ himself? For the which, I hear what they say of him.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Nay, but his jesting spirit, which is now crept into a lute-string³⁸ and now governed³⁹ by stops.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Indeed, that tells a heavy⁴⁰ tale for him. Conclude: he is in love.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Nay, but I know who loves him.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     That would I know too. I warrant, one that knows him not.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Yes, and his ill conditions,⁴³ and in despite of all, dies for him.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     She shall be buried with her face upwards.⁴⁴

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Yet is this no charm for the toothache. Old signior,⁴⁵ walk aside with me: I have studied eight or nine wise words to speak to you, which these hobby-horses⁴⁶ must not hear.

       [Exeunt Benedick and Leonato]

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     For⁴⁸ my life, to break with him about Beatrice.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     ’Tis even so. Hero and Margaret have by this⁴⁹ played their parts with Beatrice, and then the two bears will not bite one another when they meet.

       Enter [Don] John the Bastard

DON JOHN

DON JOHN     My lord and brother, God save you.⁵¹

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Good den,⁵² brother.

DON JOHN

DON JOHN     If⁵³ your leisure served, I would speak with you.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     In private?

DON JOHN

DON JOHN     If it please you. Yet Count Claudio may hear, for what I would speak of concerns him.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     What’s the matter?

DON JOHN

DON JOHN     Means your lordship to be married tomorrow? To Claudio

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     You know he does.

DON JOHN

DON JOHN     I know not that, when he knows what I know.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     If there be any impediment, I pray you discover it.

DON JOHN

DON JOHN     You may think I love you not: let⁶² that appear hereafter, and aim better at me by that I now will manifest. For my brother, I think he holds⁶³ you well, and in dearness of heart, hath holp to effect your ensuing marriage — surely suit ill spent and labour ill bestowed.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Why, what’s the matter?

DON JOHN

DON JOHN     I came hither to tell you, and, circumstances shortened⁶⁷ — for she has been too long a talking⁶⁸ of — the lady is disloyal.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Who, Hero?

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Even she: Leonato’s Hero, your Hero, every man’s Hero.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Disloyal?

DON JOHN

DON JOHN     The word is too good to paint out⁷² her wickedness. I could say she were worse: think you of a worse title, and I will fit⁷³ her to it. Wonder not till further warrant.⁷⁴ Go but with me tonight, you shall see her chamber window entered, even the night before her wedding-day. If you love her then, tomorrow wed her. But it would better fit⁷⁶ your honour to change your mind.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     May this be so?

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     I will not think it.

DON JOHN

DON JOHN     If⁷⁹ you dare not trust that you see, confess not that you know. If you will follow me, I will show you enough, and when you have seen more and heard more, proceed accordingly.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     If I see anything tonight why I should not marry her tomorrow in the congregation where I should wed, there will I shame her.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     And, as I wooed for thee to obtain her, I will join with thee to disgrace her.

DON JOHN

DON JOHN     I will disparage her no farther till you are my witnesses. Bear it coldly⁸⁶ but till night, and let the issue show itself.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     O day untowardly turned!⁸⁸

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     O mischief⁸⁹ strangely thwarting!

DON JOHN

DON JOHN     O plague right well prevented! So will you say when you have seen the sequel.

       Exeunt

[Act 3 Scene 3]3.3

running scene 8

       Enter Dogberry and his compartner [Verges] with the Watch

DOGBERRY

DOGBERRY     Are you good men and true?¹

VERGES

VERGES     Yea, or else it were pity but they should suffer salvation,² body and soul.

DOGBERRY

DOGBERRY     Nay, that were a punishment too good for them, if they should have any allegiance⁴ in them, being chosen for the prince’s watch.

VERGES

VERGES     Well, give them their charge,⁵ neighbour Dogberry.

DOGBERRY

DOGBERRY     First, who think you the most desertless⁶ man to be constable?

FIRST WATCHMAN

FIRST WATCHMAN Hugh Otecake,⁷ sir, or George Seacole, for they can write and read.

DOGBERRY

DOGBERRY     Come hither, neighbour Seacole. Second Watchman steps forward God hath blessèd you with a good name: to be a well-favoured⁹ man is the gift of fortune, but to write and read comes by nature.

SECOND WATCHMAN

SECOND WATCHMAN Both which, master constable—

DOGBERRY

DOGBERRY     You have: I knew it would be your answer. Well, for your favour,¹² sir, why, give God thanks, and make no boast of it. And for your writing and reading, let that appear when there is no need of such vanity. You are thought here to be the most senseless¹⁵ and fit man for the constable of the watch: therefore bear you the lantern. This is your charge: you shall comprehend¹⁶ all vagrom men, you are to bid any man stand,¹⁷ in the prince’s name.

SECOND WATCHMAN

SECOND WATCHMAN How if a will not stand?

DOGBERRY

DOGBERRY     Why, then, take¹⁹ no note of him, but let him go, and presently call the rest of the watch together, and thank God you are rid of a knave.

VERGES

VERGES     If he will not stand when he is bidden, he is none of the prince’s subjects.

DOGBERRY

DOGBERRY     True, and they are to meddle²² with none but the prince’s subjects. You shall also make no noise in the streets, for for the watch to babble and talk is most tolerable²⁴ and not to be endured.

WATCHMAN

WATCHMAN     We will rather sleep than talk: we know what belongs²⁵ to a watch.

DOGBERRY

DOGBERRY     Why, you speak like an ancient²⁶ and most quiet watchman, for I cannot see how sleeping should offend: only have a care that your bills²⁷ be not stolen. Well, you are to call at all the ale-houses, and bid them that are drunk get them to bed.

WATCHMAN

WATCHMAN     How if they will not?

DOGBERRY

DOGBERRY     Why then, let them alone till they are sober: if they make you not then the better answer, you may say they are not the men you took them for.

WATCHMAN

WATCHMAN     Well, sir.

DOGBERRY

DOGBERRY     If you meet a thief, you may suspect him, by virtue of your office, to be no true³⁵ man: and for such kind of men, the less you meddle or make with them, why the more is for your honesty.

WATCHMAN

WATCHMAN     If we know him to be a thief, shall we not lay hands on him?

DOGBERRY

DOGBERRY     Truly, by³⁸ your office, you may, but I think they that touch pitch will be defiled.³⁹ The most peaceable way for you, if you do take a thief, is to let him show himself what he is, and steal out of your company.

VERGES

VERGES     You have been always called a merciful man, partner.

DOGBERRY

DOGBERRY     Truly, I would not hang a dog by my will,⁴² much more a man who hath any honesty in him.

VERGES

VERGES     If you hear a child cry in the night, you must call to the nurse and bid her still⁴⁵ it.

WATCHMAN

WATCHMAN     How if the nurse be asleep and will not hear us?

DOGBERRY

DOGBERRY     Why then, depart in peace, and let the child wake her with crying, for the ewe that will not hear her lamb when it baas will never answer a calf when he bleats.

VERGES

VERGES     ’Tis very true.

DOGBERRY

DOGBERRY     This is the end of the charge: you, constable, are to present⁵¹ the prince’s own person. If you meet the prince in the night, you may stay⁵² him.

VERGES

VERGES     Nay, by’r lady,⁵³ that I think a cannot.

DOGBERRY

DOGBERRY     Five shillings to one on’t, with any man that knows the statues,⁵⁴ he may stay him: marry,⁵⁵ not without the prince be willing, for indeed the watch ought to offend no man, and it is an offence to stay a man against his will.

VERGES

VERGES     By’r lady, I think it be so.

DOGBERRY

DOGBERRY     Ha, ah, ha! Well, masters, good night, an there be any matter of weight chances,⁵⁹ call up me. Keep your fellows’ counsels and your own, and good night. Come, neighbour. Starts to go

WATCHMAN

WATCHMAN     Well, masters, we hear our charge. Let us go sit here upon the church-bench till two, and then all to bed.

DOGBERRY

DOGBERRY     One word more, honest neighbours. I pray you watch about Signior Leonato’s door, for the wedding being there tomorrow, there is a great coil⁶⁴ tonight. Adieu. Be vigitant,⁶⁵ I beseech you.

       Exeunt [Dogberry and Verges]

       Enter Borachio and Conrad

BORACHIO

BORACHIO     What, Conrad?

WATCHMAN

WATCHMAN     Peace! Stir not. Aside

BORACHIO

BORACHIO     Conrad, I say!

CONRAD

CONRAD     Here, man, I am at thy elbow.

BORACHIO

BORACHIO     Mass,⁷⁰ and my elbow itched, I thought there would a scab follow.

CONRAD

CONRAD     I will owe thee an answer for that: and now forward with thy tale.

BORACHIO

BORACHIO     Stand thee close⁷² then under this penthouse, for it drizzles rain, and I will, like a true drunkard, utter all to thee.

WATCHMAN

WATCHMAN     Some treason, masters. Aside Yet stand close.

BORACHIO

BORACHIO     Therefore know, I have earned of Don John a thousand ducats.

CONRAD

CONRAD     Is it possible that any villainy should be so dear?⁷⁶

BORACHIO

BORACHIO     Thou shouldst rather ask if it were possible any villainy should be so rich, for when rich villains have need of poor ones, poor ones may make what price they will.

CONRAD

CONRAD     I wonder at it.

BORACHIO

BORACHIO     That shows thou art unconfirmed.⁸¹ Thou knowest that the fashion of a doublet, or a hat, or a cloak, is⁸² nothing to a man.

CONRAD

CONRAD     Yes, it is apparel.

BORACHIO

BORACHIO     I mean the fashion.⁸⁴

CONRAD

CONRAD     Yes, the fashion is the fashion.

BORACHIO

BORACHIO     Tush, I may as well say the fool’s the fool. But seest thou not what a deformed⁸⁷ thief this fashion is?

WATCHMAN

WATCHMAN     I know that Deformed: Aside a has been a vile thief this seven years, a goes up and down⁸⁸ like a gentleman. I remember his name.

BORACHIO

BORACHIO     Didst thou not hear somebody?

CONRAD

CONRAD     No, ’twas the vane on the house.

BORACHIO

BORACHIO     Seest thou not, I say, what a deformed thief this fashion is, how giddily a turns about all the hot bloods⁹³ between fourteen and five-and-thirty, sometimes fashioning them like Pharaoh’s soldiers⁹⁴ in the reechy painting, sometime like god Bel’s priests in the old church-window, sometime like the shaven Hercules in the smirched⁹⁶ worm-eaten tapestry, where his codpiece seems as massy as his club?

CONRAD

CONRAD     All this I see, and I see that the fashion wears out more apparel than the man. But art not thou thyself giddy with the fashion too, that thou hast shifted⁹⁸ out of thy tale into telling me of the fashion?

BORACHIO

BORACHIO     Not so, neither. But know that I have tonight wooed Margaret, the Lady Hero’s gentlewoman,¹⁰¹ by the name of Hero. She leans me out at her mistress’ chamber-window, bids me a thousand times good night — I tell this tale vilely — I should first tell thee how the prince, Claudio and my master, planted and placed and possessed¹⁰⁴ by my master Don John, saw afar off in the orchard this amiable encounter.

CONRAD

CONRAD     And thought they Margaret was Hero?

BORACHIO

BORACHIO     Two of them did, the prince and Claudio, but the devil my master knew she was Margaret, and partly by his oaths,¹⁰⁸ which first possessed them, partly by the dark night, which did deceive them, but chiefly by my villainy, which did confirm any slander that Don John had made. Away went Claudio enraged, swore he would meet her as he was appointed next morning at the temple, and there, before the whole congregation, shame her with what he saw o’er-night, and send her home again without a husband.

FIRST WATCHMAN

FIRST WATCHMAN We charge you in the prince’s name, stand!

SECOND WATCHMAN

SECOND WATCHMAN Call up the right master constable. We have here recovered¹¹⁵ the most dangerous piece of lechery¹¹⁶ that ever was known in the commonwealth.

FIRST WATCHMAN

FIRST WATCHMAN And one Deformed is one of them. I know him, a wears a lock.¹¹⁷

CONRAD

CONRAD     Masters, masters—

SECOND WATCHMAN

SECOND WATCHMAN You’ll be made¹¹⁹ bring Deformed forth, I warrant you.

CONRAD

CONRAD     Masters—

FIRST WATCHMAN

FIRST WATCHMAN Never speak, we charge you. Let us obey¹²¹ you to go with us.

BORACHIO

BORACHIO     We are like to prove a goodly commodity,¹²² being taken up of these men’s bills.¹²³

CONRAD

CONRAD     A commodity in question,¹²⁴ I warrant you. Come, we’ll obey you.

       Exeunt

[Act 3 Scene 4]

running scene 9

       Enter Hero and Margaret and Ursula

HERO

HERO     Good Ursula, wake my cousin Beatrice, and desire her to rise.

URSULA

URSULA     I will, lady.

HERO

HERO     And bid her come hither.

URSULA

URSULA     Well.

       [Exit]

MARGARET

MARGARET     Troth, I think your other rabato⁵ were better.

HERO

HERO     No, pray thee good Meg, I’ll wear this.

MARGARET

MARGARET     By my troth ’s not so good, and I warrant your cousin will say so.

HERO

HERO     My cousin’s a fool, and thou art another. I’ll wear none but this.

MARGARET

MARGARET     I like the new tire⁹ within excellently, if the hair were a thought browner, and your gown’s a most rare¹⁰ fashion, i’faith. I saw the Duchess of Milan’s gown that they praise so.

HERO

HERO     O, that exceeds,¹² they say.

MARGARET

MARGARET     By my troth ’s but a night-gown in respect of¹³ yours — cloth a gold, and cuts,¹⁴ and laced with silver, set with pearls, down sleeves, side sleeves, and skirts, round underborne¹⁵ with a bluish tinsel: but for a fine, quaint, graceful and excellent fashion, yours is worth ten on’t.¹⁶

HERO

HERO     God give me joy to wear it, for my heart is exceeding heavy.¹⁷

MARGARET

MARGARET     ’Twill be heavier soon by the weight of a man.

HERO

HERO     Fie upon thee,¹⁹ art not ashamed?

MARGARET

MARGARET     Of what, lady? Of speaking honourably? Is not marriage honourable in²⁰ a beggar? Is not your lord honourable without marriage? I²¹ think you would have me say, saving your reverence, ‘a husband’. An²² bad thinking do not wrest true speaking, I’ll offend nobody. Is there any harm in ‘the heavier for a husband’? None, I think, an²⁴ it be the right husband and the right wife, otherwise ’tis light and not heavy. Ask my Lady Beatrice else,²⁵ here she comes.

       Enter Beatrice

HERO

HERO     Good morrow, coz.²⁶

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     Good morrow, sweet Hero.

HERO

HERO     Why, how now? Do you speak in the sick tune?

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     I am out of all other tune, methinks.

MARGARET

MARGARET     Clap’s into³⁰ ‘Light o’ love’ — that goes without a burden. Do you sing it, and I’ll dance³¹ it.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     Ye³² light o’ love with your heels! Then, if your husband have stables enough, you’ll look he shall lack no barns.³³

MARGARET

MARGARET     O illegitimate construction!³⁴ I scorn that with my heels.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     ’Tis almost five o’clock, cousin, ’tis time you were ready. By my troth, I am exceeding ill. Hey-ho!³⁶

MARGARET

MARGARET     For a hawk, a horse, or a husband?

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     For the letter that begins them all, H.³⁸

MARGARET

MARGARET     Well, an³⁹ you be not turned Turk, there’s no more sailing by the star.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     What means the fool, trow?⁴⁰

MARGARET

MARGARET     Nothing I, but God send every one their heart’s desire!

HERO

HERO     These gloves the Count sent me, they are an excellent perfume.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     I am stuffed,⁴³ cousin, I cannot smell.

MARGARET

MARGARET     A maid, and stuffed! There’s goodly catching of cold.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     O, God help me, God help me! How long have you professed apprehension?⁴⁵

MARGARET

MARGARET     Even since you left it. Doth not my wit become me rarely?⁴⁶

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     It is not seen enough, you should wear it in your cap.⁴⁷ By my troth, I am sick.

MARGARET

MARGARET     Get you some of this distilled carduus benedictus,⁴⁹ and lay it to your heart: it is the only thing for a qualm.⁵⁰

HERO

HERO     There thou prick’st her with a thistle.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     Benedictus? Why benedictus? You have some moral in this benedictus.

MARGARET

MARGARET     Moral? No, by my troth I have no moral meaning, I meant plain holy-thistle. You may think perchance that I think you are in love, nay, by’r lady, I am not such a fool to think what I list,⁵⁵ nor I list not to think what I can, nor indeed I cannot think, if I would think my heart out of thinking, that you are in love or that you will be in love or that you can be in love. Yet Benedick was such another,⁵⁷ and now is he become a man: he swore he would never marry, and yet now in despite of his heart, he eats⁵⁹ his meat without grudging. And how you may be converted I know not, but methinks you look with your eyes as other women do.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     What pace is this that thy tongue keeps?

MARGARET

MARGARET     Not a false gallop.⁶³

       Enter Ursula

URSULA

URSULA     Madam, withdraw. The prince, the count, Signior Benedick, Don John, and all the gallants of the town are come to fetch you to church.

HERO

HERO     Help to dress me, good coz, good Meg, good Ursula.

       [Exeunt]

[Act 3 Scene 5]

running scene 10

       Enter Leonato, and the Constable [Dogberry] and the Headborough [Verges]

LEONATO

LEONATO     What would you with me, honest neighbour?

DOGBERRY

DOGBERRY     Marry, sir, I would have some confidence² with you that decerns you nearly.

LEONATO

LEONATO     Brief, I pray you, for you see it is a busy time with me.

DOGBERRY

DOGBERRY     Marry, this it is, sir.

VERGES

VERGES     Yes, in truth it is, sir.

LEONATO

LEONATO     What is it, my good friends?

DOGBERRY

DOGBERRY     Goodman⁸ Verges, sir, speaks a little off the matter — an old man, sir, and his wits are not so blunt⁹ as, God help, I would desire they were, but, in faith, honest as the skin between his brows.

VERGES

VERGES     Yes, I thank God, I am as honest as any man living that is an old man, and no honester than I.

DOGBERRY

DOGBERRY     Comparisons are odorous:¹³ palabras, neighbour Verges.

LEONATO

LEONATO     Neighbours, you are tedious.

DOGBERRY

DOGBERRY     It pleases your worship to say so, but we are the poor duke’s officers.¹⁵ But truly, for mine own part, if I were as tedious¹⁶ as a king, I could find in my heart to bestow it all of your worship.

LEONATO

LEONATO     All thy tediousness on me, ah?

DOGBERRY

DOGBERRY     Yea, an ’twere a thousand times more than ’tis, for I hear as good exclamation²⁰ on your worship as of any man in the city, and though I be but a poor man, I am glad to hear it.

VERGES

VERGES     And so am I.

LEONATO

LEONATO     I would fain know what you have to say.

VERGES

VERGES     Marry, sir, our watch tonight, excepting²⁴ your worship’s presence, have ta’en a couple of as arrant²⁵ knaves as any in Messina.

DOGBERRY

DOGBERRY     A good old man, sir, he will be talking. As they say, ‘When the age is in, the wit is out’, God help us, it is a world²⁷ to see. Well said, i’faith, neighbour Verges. Well, God’s a good man,²⁸ an two men ride of a horse, one must ride behind. An honest soul, i’faith, sir, by my troth he is, as ever broke bread. But God is to be worshipped, all men are not alike, alas, good neighbour.

LEONATO

LEONATO     Indeed, neighbour, he comes too short of you.

DOGBERRY

DOGBERRY     Gifts that God gives.

LEONATO

LEONATO     I must leave you.

DOGBERRY

DOGBERRY     One word, sir: our watch, sir, have indeed comprehended³⁴ two auspicious persons, and we would have them this morning examined before your worship.

LEONATO

LEONATO     Take their examination yourself and bring it me. I am now in great haste, as may appear unto you.

DOGBERRY

DOGBERRY     It shall be suffigance.³⁸

LEONATO

LEONATO     Drink some wine ere you go. Fare you well.

       [Enter a Messenger]

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     My lord, they stay for you to give your daughter to her husband.

LEONATO

LEONATO     I’ll wait upon them. I am ready.

       Exeunt [Leonato and Messenger]

DOGBERRY

DOGBERRY     Go, good partner, go, get you to Francis Seacole, bid him bring his pen and inkhorn⁴³ to the jail. We are now to examination those men.

VERGES

VERGES     And we must do it wisely.

DOGBERRY

DOGBERRY     We will spare for no wit, I warrant you. Here’s that shall drive some of them to a non-come.⁴⁶ Only get the learned writer to set down our excommunication⁴⁷ and meet me at the jail.

       Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 1

running scene 11

       Enter Prince [Don Pedro, Don John the] Bastard, Leonato, Friar [Francis], Claudio, Benedick, Hero and Beatrice [and Attendants]

LEONATO

LEONATO     Come, Friar Francis, be brief: only to the plain form of marriage, and you shall recount their particular duties afterwards.

FRIAR FRANCIS

FRIAR FRANCIS You come hither, my lord, to marry this lady.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     No.

LEONATO

LEONATO     To be married to her. Friar, you come to marry her.

FRIAR FRANCIS

FRIAR FRANCIS Lady, you come hither to be married to this count.

HERO

HERO     I do.

FRIAR FRANCIS

FRIAR FRANCIS If either of you know any inward⁸ impediment why you should not be conjoined, I charge you on your souls to utter it.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Know you any, Hero?

HERO

HERO     None, my lord.

FRIAR FRANCIS

FRIAR FRANCIS Know you any, Count?

LEONATO

LEONATO     I dare make his answer, none.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     O, what men dare do! What men may do! What men daily do, not knowing what they do!

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     How now? Interjections? Why then, some be of laughing, as ha, ha, he!

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Stand thee by,¹⁷ friar. Father, by your leave:

               Will you with free and unconstrainèd soul

               Give me this maid, your daughter?

20

20   

LEONATO

LEONATO           As freely, son, as God did give her me.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     And what have I to give you back whose worth

               May counterpoise²² this rich and precious gift?

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Nothing, unless you render her again.²³

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Sweet prince, you learn²⁴ me noble thankfulness.

25

25           There, Leonato, take her back again. Hands Hero to Leonato

               Give not this rotten orange to your friend.

               She’s but the sign and semblance²⁷ of her honour.

               Behold how like a maid she blushes here.

               O, what authority and show of truth

30

30           Can cunning sin cover itself withal!³⁰

               Comes not that blood³¹ as modest evidence

               To witness³² simple virtue? Would you not swear,

               All you that see her, that she were a maid,

               By these exterior shows? But she is none.

35

35           She knows the heat of a luxurious³⁵ bed:

               Her blush is guiltiness, not modesty.

LEONATO

LEONATO     What do you mean, my lord?

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Not to be married,

               Not to knit my soul to an approvèd³⁹ wanton.

40

40   

LEONATO

LEONATO           Dear my lord, if you, in⁴⁰ your own proof,

               Have vanquished the resistance of her youth,

               And made defeat of her virginity—

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     I know what you would say: if I have known⁴³ her,

               You will say she did embrace me as a husband,

45

45           And so extenuate⁴⁵ the ’forehand sin.

               No, Leonato,

               I never tempted her with word too large,⁴⁷

               But, as a brother to his sister, showed

               Bashful⁴⁹ sincerity and comely love.

50

50   

HERO

HERO           And seemed I ever otherwise to you?

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Out on thee, seeming! I will write against it.⁵¹

               You seem to me as Dian⁵² in her orb,

               As chaste as is the bud ere it be blown.⁵³

               But you are more intemperate⁵⁴ in your blood

55

55           Than Venus⁵⁵ or those pampered animals

               That rage in savage sensuality.

HERO

HERO     Is my lord well that he doth speak so wide?⁵⁷

LEONATO

LEONATO     Sweet prince, why speak not you?

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     What should I speak?

60

60           I stand dishonoured, that have gone about

               To link my dear friend to a common stale.⁶¹

LEONATO

LEONATO     Are these things spoken, or do I but dream?

DON JOHN

DON JOHN     Sir, they are spoken, and these things are true.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     This looks not like a nuptial.

65

65   

HERO

HERO           ‘True’? O God!

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Leonato, stand I here?

               Is this the prince? Is this the prince’s brother?

               Is this face Hero’s? Are our eyes our own?

LEONATO

LEONATO     All this is so, but what of this, my lord?

70

70   

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO           Let me but move⁷⁰ one question to your daughter,

               And by that fatherly and kindly⁷¹ power

               That you have in her, bid her answer truly.

LEONATO

LEONATO     I charge thee do so, as thou art my child. To Hero

HERO

HERO     O, God defend me, how am I beset!⁷⁴

75

75           What kind of catechizing⁷⁵ call you this?

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     To make you answer⁷⁶ truly to your name.

HERO

HERO     Is it not Hero? Who can blot that name

               With any just reproach?

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Marry, that can Hero:

80

80           Hero itself can blot out Hero’s virtue.

               What man was he talked with you yesternight,

               Out at your window betwixt twelve and one?

               Now if you are a maid, answer to this.

HERO

HERO     I talked with no man at that hour, my lord.

85

85   

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO           Why, then you are no maiden. Leonato,

               I am sorry you must hear. Upon mine honour,

               Myself, my brother and this grievèd⁸⁷ count

               Did see her, hear her, at that hour last night,

               Talk with a ruffian at her chamber window,

90

90           Who hath indeed, most like a liberal⁹⁰ villain,

               Confessed the vile encounters they have had

               A thousand times in secret.

DON JOHN

DON JOHN     Fie, fie, they are not to be named, my lord,

               Not to be spoken of.

95

95           There is not chastity enough in language

               Without offence to utter them. Thus, pretty lady,

               I am sorry for thy much misgovernment.⁹⁷

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     O Hero! What a Hero hadst thou been,

               If half thy outward graces⁹⁹ had been placed

100

100         About thy thoughts and counsels of thy heart!

               But fare thee well, most foul, most fair! Farewell,

               Thou pure impiety and impious purity!

               For¹⁰³ thee I’ll lock up all the gates of love,

               And on my eyelids shall conjecture¹⁰⁴ hang,

105

105         To turn all beauty into thoughts of harm,

               And never shall it more be gracious.¹⁰⁶

LEONATO

LEONATO     Hath no man’s dagger here a point for me? Hero swoons

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     Why, how now, cousin! Wherefore sink you down?

DON JOHN

DON JOHN     Come, let us go. These things, come thus to light,

110

110         Smother her spirits¹¹⁰ up.

       [Exeunt Don Pedro, Don John and Claudio]

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     How doth the lady?

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     Dead, I think. Help, uncle!

               Hero! Why, Hero! Uncle! Signior Benedick! Friar!

LEONATO

LEONATO     O fate! Take not away thy heavy hand.

115

115         Death is the fairest cover for her shame

               That may be wished for.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     How now, cousin Hero!

FRIAR FRANCIS

FRIAR FRANCIS Have comfort, lady.

LEONATO

LEONATO     Dost thou look up?¹¹⁹

120

120 

FRIAR FRANCIS

FRIAR FRANCIS Yea, wherefore should she not?

LEONATO

LEONATO     Wherefore? Why, doth not every earthly thing

               Cry shame upon her? Could she here deny

               The story that is printed in her blood?

               Do not live, Hero, do not ope thine eyes,

125

125         For did I think thou wouldst not quickly die,

               Thought I thy spirits were stronger than thy shames,

               Myself would on¹²⁷ the rearward of reproaches

               Strike at thy life. Grieved¹²⁸ I, I had but one?

               Chid¹²⁹ I for that at frugal nature’s frame?

130

130         O, one too much by thee! Why had I one?

               Why ever wast thou lovely in my eyes?

               Why had I not with charitable hand

               Took up a beggar’s issue at my gates,

               Who smearèd thus, and mired¹³⁴ with infamy,

135

135         I might have said ‘No part of it is mine:

               This shame derives itself from unknown loins’?

               But mine, and mine I loved, and mine I praised,

               And mine¹³⁸ that I was proud on, mine so much

               That I myself was to myself not mine,

140

140         Valuing of her — why, she, O, she is fallen

               Into a pit of ink, that the wide sea

               Hath drops too few to wash her clean again,

               And salt too little which may season¹⁴³ give

               To her foul-tainted flesh!

145

145 

BENEDICK

BENEDICK             Sir, sir, be patient.

               For my part, I am so attired¹⁴⁶ in wonder,

               I know not what to say.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     O, on my soul my cousin is belied!¹⁴⁸

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Lady, were you her bedfellow last night?

150

150 

BEATRICE

BEATRICE             No, truly not: although until last night,

               I have this twelvemonth been her bedfellow.

LEONATO

LEONATO     Confirmed, confirmed! O, that is stronger made

               Which was before barred up with ribs of iron.

               Would the two princes lie, and Claudio lie,

155

155         Who loved her so that, speaking of her foulness,

               Washed it with tears? Hence from her, let her die.

FRIAR FRANCIS

FRIAR FRANCIS Hear me a little:

               For I have only been silent so long,

               And given¹⁵⁹ way unto this course of fortune,

160

160         By noting of the lady. I have marked

               A thousand blushing apparitions¹⁶¹

               To start into her face, a thousand innocent shames

               In angel whiteness beat away those blushes,

               And in her eye there hath appeared a fire

165

165         To burn the errors that these princes hold

               Against her maiden truth. Call me a fool,

               Trust not my reading nor my observations,

               Which¹⁶⁸ with experimental seal doth warrant

               The tenure of my book: trust not my age,

170

170         My reverence,¹⁷⁰ calling, nor divinity,

               If this sweet lady lie not guiltless here

               Under some biting¹⁷² error.

LEONATO

LEONATO     Friar, it cannot be.

               Thou seest that all the grace that she hath left

175

175         Is that she will not add to her damnation

               A sin of perjury:¹⁷⁶ she not denies it.

               Why seek’st thou then to cover with excuse

               That which appears in proper¹⁷⁸ nakedness?

FRIAR FRANCIS

FRIAR FRANCIS Lady, what man is he you are accused of?

180

180 

HERO

HERO             They know that do accuse me: I know none.

               If I know more of any man alive

               Than that which maiden modesty doth warrant,¹⁸²

               Let all my sins lack mercy! O my father,

               Prove you that any man with me conversed

185

185         At hours unmeet,¹⁸⁵ or that I yesternight

               Maintained the change¹⁸⁶ of words with any creature,

               Refuse¹⁸⁷ me, hate me, torture me to death!

FRIAR FRANCIS

FRIAR FRANCIS There is some strange misprision¹⁸⁸ in the princes.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Two of them have the very bent of¹⁸⁹ honour,

190

190         And if their wisdoms be misled in this,

               The practice¹⁹¹ of it lives in John the bastard,

               Whose spirits toil in frame¹⁹² of villainies.

LEONATO

LEONATO     I know not. If they speak but truth of her,

               These hands shall tear her. If they wrong her honour,

195

195         The proudest¹⁹⁵ of them shall well hear of it.

               Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine,

               Nor age so eat¹⁹⁷ up my invention,

               Nor fortune made such havoc of my means,¹⁹⁸

               Nor my bad life reft¹⁹⁹ me so much of friends,

200

200         But they shall find, awaked in such a kind,²⁰⁰

               Both strength of limb and policy²⁰¹ of mind,

               Ability in means and choice of friends,

               To quit²⁰³ me of them throughly.

FRIAR FRANCIS

FRIAR FRANCIS Pause awhile,

205

205         And let my counsel sway you in this case.

               Your daughter here the princes left for dead:

               Let her awhile be secretly kept in,

               And publish²⁰⁸ it that she is dead indeed.

               Maintain a mourning ostentation,²⁰⁹

210

210         And on your family’s old monument²¹⁰

               Hang mournful epitaphs, and do all rites

               That appertain unto a burial.

LEONATO

LEONATO     What shall become of this? What will this do?

FRIAR FRANCIS

FRIAR FRANCIS Marry, this well carried²¹⁴ shall on her behalf

215

215         Change slander to remorse, that is some good.

               But not for that²¹⁶ dream I on this strange course,

               But on this travail²¹⁷ look for greater birth.

               She dying, as it must so be maintained,

               Upon the instant that she was accused,

220

220         Shall be lamented, pitied and excused

               Of every hearer, for it so falls out

               That what we have we prize²²² not to the worth

               Whiles we enjoy it; but, being lacked and lost,

               Why, then we rack²²⁴ the value, then we find

225

225         The virtue that possession would not show us

               Whiles it was ours. So will it fare with Claudio:

               When he shall hear she died upon his words,

               Th’idea of her life shall sweetly creep

               Into his study of imagination,²²⁹

230

230         And every lovely organ²³⁰ of her life

               Shall come apparelled²³¹ in more precious habit,

               More moving-delicate and full of life,

               Into the eye and prospect²³³ of his soul

               Than when she lived indeed. Then shall he mourn —

235

235         If ever love had interest²³⁵ in his liver —

               And wish he had not so accusèd her,

               No, though he thought his accusation true.

               Let this be so, and doubt not but success²³⁸

               Will fashion the event²³⁹ in better shape

240

240         Than I can lay²⁴⁰ it down in likelihood.

               But if all aim²⁴¹ but this be levelled false,

               The supposition of the lady’s death

               Will quench the wonder of²⁴³ her infamy.

               And if it sort²⁴⁴ not well, you may conceal her,

245

245         As best befits her wounded reputation,

               In some reclusive and religious life,

               Out of all eyes, tongues, minds and injuries.²⁴⁷

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Signior Leonato, let the friar advise you.

               And though you know my inwardness²⁴⁹ and love

250

250         Is very much unto the prince and Claudio,

               Yet, by mine honour, I will deal in this

               As secretly and justly as your soul

               Should with your body.

LEONATO

LEONATO     Being that²⁵⁴ I flow in grief,

255

255         The smallest twine²⁵⁵ may lead me.

FRIAR FRANCIS

FRIAR FRANCIS ’Tis well consented. Presently away,

               For²⁵⁷ to strange sores strangely they strain the cure.

               Come, lady, die to live. This wedding day

               Perhaps is but prolonged. Have patience and endure.

       Exeunt [all but Benedick and Beatrice]

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Lady Beatrice, have you wept all this while?

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     Yea, and I will weep a while longer.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     I will not desire that.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     You have no reason, I do it freely.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Surely I do believe your fair cousin is wronged.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     Ah, how much might the man deserve of me that would right her.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Is there any way to show such friendship?

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     A very even²⁶⁷ way, but no such friend.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     May a man do it?

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     It is a man’s office, but not yours.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     I do love nothing in the world so well as you. Is not that strange?

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     As strange as the thing I know not. It were as possible for me to say I loved nothing so well as you, but believe me not: and yet I lie not. I confess nothing, nor I deny nothing. I am sorry for my cousin.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     By my sword, Beatrice, thou lovest me.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     Do not swear by it and eat it.²⁷⁵

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     I will swear by it that you love me, and I will make him eat it that says I love not you.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     Will you not eat your word?

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     With no sauce that can be devised to it. I protest²⁷⁹ I love thee.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     Why then, God forgive me.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     What offence, sweet Beatrice?

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     You have stayed²⁸² me in a happy hour: I was about to protest I loved you.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     And do it with all thy heart.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     I love you with so much of my heart that none is left to protest.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Come, bid me do anything for thee.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     Kill Claudio.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Ha, not for the wide world.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     You kill me to deny. Farewell.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Tarry,²⁸⁹ sweet Beatrice.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     I am gone, though I am here. There is no love in you. Nay I pray you let me go.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Beatrice—

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     In faith, I will go.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     We’ll be friends first.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     You dare easier be friends with me than fight with mine enemy.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Is Claudio thine enemy?

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     Is a not approved in the height a villain, that hath slandered, scorned, dishonoured my kinswoman? O that I were a man! What, bear²⁹⁸ her in hand until they come to take hands,²⁹⁹ and then, with public accusation, uncovered slander, unmitigated rancour — O God, that I were a man! I would eat his heart in the market-place.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Hear me, Beatrice—

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     Talk with a man out at a window! A proper saying!³⁰³

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Nay, but Beatrice—

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     Sweet Hero! She is wronged, she is slandered, she is undone.³⁰⁵

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Beat—

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     Princes and counties!³⁰⁷ Surely, a princely testimony, a goodly Count Comfit, a sweet gallant, surely! O that I were a man for his sake! Or that I had any friend would be a man for my sake! But manhood is melted into curtsies, valour into compliment,³¹⁰ and men are only turned into tongue, and trim ones too. He is now as valiant as Hercules that only tells a lie and swears it.³¹¹ I cannot be a man with wishing, therefore I will die a woman with grieving.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Tarry, good Beatrice. By this hand I love thee.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     Use it for my love some other way than swearing by it.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Think you in your soul the Count Claudio hath wronged Hero?

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     Yea, as sure as I have a thought or a soul.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Enough: I am engaged,³¹⁷ I will challenge him. I will kiss your hand, and so leave you. By this hand, Claudio shall render me a dear³¹⁸ account. As you hear of me, so think of me. Go comfort your cousin, I must say she is dead: and so farewell.

       [Exeunt separately]

[Act 4 Scene 2]4.2

running scene 12

       Enter the Constables [Dogberry and Verges], Borachio and [Sexton as] the Town Clerk in gowns [with Conrad, and the Watch]

DOGBERRY

DOGBERRY     Is our whole dissembly¹ appeared?

VERGES

VERGES     O, a stool and a cushion for the sexton.

SEXTON

SEXTON     Which be the malefactors?³

DOGBERRY

DOGBERRY     Marry, that am I and my partner.

VERGES

VERGES     Nay, that’s certain, we have the exhibition⁵ to examine.

SEXTON

SEXTON     But which are the offenders that are to be examined? Let them come before master constable.

DOGBERRY

DOGBERRY     Yea, marry, let them come before me. Borachio and Conrad are brought forward What is your name, friend?

BORACHIO

BORACHIO     Borachio.

DOGBERRY

DOGBERRY     Pray, write down ‘Borachio’.— Yours, sirrah?¹⁰

CONRAD

CONRAD     I am a gentleman, sir, and my name is Conrad.

DOGBERRY

DOGBERRY     Write down ‘master gentleman Conrad’. Masters, do¹² you serve God? Masters, it is proved already that you are little better than false knaves, and it will go near to be thought so shortly. How answer you for yourselves?

CONRAD

CONRAD     Marry, sir, we say we are none.

DOGBERRY

DOGBERRY     A marvellous witty¹⁶ fellow, I assure you. But I will go about with him. Come you hither, sirrah, a word in your ear, sir: To Borachio I say to you, it is thought you are false knaves.

BORACHIO

BORACHIO     Sir, I say to you we are none.

DOGBERRY

DOGBERRY     Well, stand aside. ’Fore God, they are both in a tale.²⁰ Have you writ down that they are none?

SEXTON

SEXTON     Master constable, you go not the way to examine. You must call forth the watch that are their accusers.

DOGBERRY

DOGBERRY     Yea, marry, that’s the eftest²⁴ way. Let the watch come forth. Masters, I charge you, in the prince’s name, accuse these men.

FIRST WATCHMAN

FIRST WATCHMAN This man said, sir, that Don John, the prince’s brother, was a villain.

DOGBERRY

DOGBERRY     Write down ‘Prince John a villain’. Why, this is flat perjury, to call a prince’s brother villain.

BORACHIO

BORACHIO     Master constable—

DOGBERRY

DOGBERRY     Pray thee fellow, peace: I do not like thy look, I promise thee.

SEXTON

SEXTON     What heard you him say else?

SECOND WATCHMAN

SECOND WATCHMAN Marry, that he had received a thousand ducats of Don John for accusing the Lady Hero wrongfully.

DOGBERRY

DOGBERRY     Flat burglary as ever was committed.

VERGES

VERGES     Yea, by th’mass, that it is.

SEXTON

SEXTON     What else, fellow?

FIRST WATCHMAN

FIRST WATCHMAN And that Count Claudio did mean, upon his words, to disgrace Hero before the whole assembly, and not marry her.

DOGBERRY

DOGBERRY     O villain! Thou wilt be condemned into everlasting redemption³⁹ for this.

SEXTON

SEXTON     What else?

WATCHMEN

WATCHMEN     This is all.

SEXTON

SEXTON     And this is more, masters, than you can deny. Prince John is this morning secretly stolen away. Hero was in this manner accused, in this very manner refused, and upon the grief of this suddenly died. Master Constable, let these men be bound, and brought to Leonato. I will go before and show him their examination.

       [Exit]

DOGBERRY

DOGBERRY     Come, let them be opinioned.⁴⁷

VERGES

VERGES     Let⁴⁸ them be in the hands—

CONRAD

CONRAD     Off, coxcomb!⁴⁹

DOGBERRY

DOGBERRY     God’s my life, where’s the sexton? Let him write down ‘the prince’s officer coxcomb’. Come, bind them.— Thou naughty⁵¹ varlet!

CONRAD

CONRAD     Away! You are an ass, you are an ass.

DOGBERRY

DOGBERRY     Dost thou not suspect⁵³ my place? Dost thou not suspect my years? O that he were here to write me down an ass! But masters, remember that I am an ass: though it be not written down, yet forget not that I am an ass. No, thou villain, thou art full of piety,⁵⁶ as shall be proved upon thee by good witness. I am a wise fellow, and which is more, an officer, and which is more, a householder, and which is more, as pretty a piece of flesh as any in Messina, and one that knows the law, go to, and a rich fellow enough, go to, and a fellow that hath had losses,⁵⁹ and one that hath two gowns⁶⁰ and everything handsome about him. Bring him away. O that I had been writ down an ass!

       Exeunt

Act 5 [Scene 1]

running scene 13

       Enter Leonato and his brother [Antonio]

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     If you go on thus, you will kill yourself,

               And ’tis not wisdom thus to second² grief

               Against yourself.

LEONATO

LEONATO     I pray thee, cease thy counsel,

5

5             Which falls into mine ears as profitless

               As water in a sieve: give not me counsel,

               Nor let no comforter delight mine ear

               But such a one whose wrongs do suit with⁸ mine.

               Bring me a father that so loved his child,

10

10           Whose joy of her is overwhelmed like mine,

               And bid him speak of patience,

               Measure his woe the length and breadth of mine,

               And let it answer¹³ every strain for strain,

               As thus for thus, and such a grief for such,

15

15           In every lineament,¹⁵ branch, shape and form.

               If such a one will smile and stroke his beard,

               Bid sorrow wag,¹⁷ cry ‘Hem!’ when he should groan,

               Patch grief with proverbs, make misfortune drunk

               With candle-wasters,¹⁹ bring him yet to me,

20

20           And I of him will gather patience.

               But there is no such man: for, brother, men

               Can counsel and speak comfort to that grief

               Which they themselves not feel, but tasting it,

               Their counsel turns to passion,²⁴ which before

25

25           Would give preceptial²⁵ medicine to rage,

               Fetter strong madness in a silken thread,

               Charm ache with air and agony with words.

               No, no, ’tis all men’s office to speak patience

               To those that wring²⁹ under the load of sorrow,

30

30           But no man’s virtue nor sufficiency³⁰

               To be so moral³¹ when he shall endure

               The like himself: therefore give me no counsel.

               My griefs cry louder than advertisement.³³

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Therein do men from children nothing differ.

35

35   

LEONATO

LEONATO           I pray thee peace.³⁵ I will be flesh and blood,

               For there was never yet philosopher

               That could endure the toothache patiently,

               However³⁸ they have writ the style of gods

               And made³⁹ a push at chance and sufferance.

40

40   

ANTONIO

ANTONIO           Yet bend not all the harm upon yourself,

               Make those that do offend you suffer too.

LEONATO

LEONATO     There thou speak’st reason. Nay, I will do so.

               My soul doth tell me Hero is belied,

               And that shall Claudio know, so shall the prince

45

45           And all of them that thus dishonour her.

       Enter Prince [Don Pedro] and Claudio

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Here comes the prince and Claudio hastily.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Good den, good den.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Good day to both of you.

LEONATO

LEONATO     Hear you, my lords—

50

50   

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO           We have⁵⁰ some haste, Leonato.

LEONATO

LEONATO     Some haste, my lord! Well, fare you well, my lord:

               Are you so hasty now? Well, all is one.⁵²

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Nay, do not quarrel with us, good old man.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     If he could right himself with quarrelling,

55

55           Some of us⁵⁵ would lie low.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Who wrongs him?

LEONATO

LEONATO     Marry, thou dost wrong me, thou dissembler,⁵⁷ thou:

        Claudio prepares to draw his sword

               Nay, never lay thy hand upon thy sword,

               I fear thee not.

60

60   

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO           Marry, beshrew⁶⁰ my hand

               If it should give your age such cause of fear:

               In faith, my hand meant⁶² nothing to my sword.

LEONATO

LEONATO     Tush, tush, man, never fleer⁶³ and jest at me:

               I speak not like a dotard⁶⁴ nor a fool,

65

65           As under privilege of age to brag

               What I have done being young or what would do

               Were I not old. Know, Claudio, to thy head,⁶⁷

               Thou hast so wronged my innocent child and me

               That I am forced to lay my reverence⁶⁹ by,

70

70           And with grey hairs and bruise of many days,

               Do challenge thee to trial⁷¹ of a man.

               I say thou hast belied mine innocent child:

               Thy slander hath gone through and through her heart,

               And she lies buried with her ancestors —

75

75           O, in a tomb where never scandal slept,

               Save this of hers, framed by thy villainy!

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     My villainy?

LEONATO

LEONATO     Thine, Claudio, thine, I say.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     You say not right, old man.

80

80   

LEONATO

LEONATO           My lord, my lord,

               I’ll prove it on his body if he dare,

               Despite his nice fence⁸² and his active practice,

               His May of youth and bloom of lustihood.⁸³

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Away! I will not have to do with you.

85

85   

LEONATO

LEONATO           Canst thou so daff⁸⁵ me? Thou hast killed my child:

               If thou kill’st me, boy, thou shalt kill a man.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     He shall kill two of us, and men indeed:

               But that’s no matter, let him kill one first.

               Win⁸⁹ me and wear me, let him answer me.

90

90           Come follow me, boy, come, sir boy, come follow me:

               Sir boy, I’ll whip you from your foining fence,⁹¹

               Nay, as I am a gentleman, I will.

LEONATO

LEONATO     Brother—

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Content yourself. God knows I loved my niece,

95

95           And she is dead, slandered to death by villains,

               That dare as well answer a man indeed

               As I dare take a serpent by the tongue.

               Boys, apes, braggarts,⁹⁸ Jacks, milksops!

LEONATO

LEONATO     Brother Antony—

100

100 

ANTONIO

ANTONIO             Hold you content. What, man! I know them, yea,

               And what they weigh,¹⁰¹ even to the utmost scruple,

               Scrambling,¹⁰² out-facing, fashion-monging boys,

               That lie and cog¹⁰³ and flout, deprave and slander,

               Go anticly,¹⁰⁴ and show outward hideousness,

105

105         And speak off¹⁰⁵ half a dozen dang’rous words,

               How they might hurt their enemies, if they durst,¹⁰⁶

               And this is all.

LEONATO

LEONATO     But, brother Antony—

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Come, ’tis no matter:

110

110         Do not you meddle, let me deal in this.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Gentlemen both, we will not wake your patience.¹¹¹

               My heart is sorry for your daughter’s death.

               But on my honour, she was charged with nothing

               But what was true, and very full of proof.

LEONATO

LEONATO     My lord, my lord—

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     I will not hear you.

       Enter Benedick

LEONATO

LEONATO     No? Come, brother, away! I will be heard.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     And shall, or some of us will smart for it.

       Exeunt both [Leonato and Antonio]

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     See, see, here comes the man we went to seek.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Now, signior, what news?

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Good day, my lord.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Welcome, signior: you are almost come to part almost a fray.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     We had¹²³ like to have had our two noses snapped off with two old men without teeth.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Leonato and his brother. What think’st thou? Had we fought, I doubt¹²⁵ we should have been too young for them.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     In a false quarrel there is no true valour. I came to seek you both.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     We have been up and down to seek thee, for we are high-proof¹²⁸ melancholy and would fain have it beaten away. Wilt thou use thy wit?

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     It is in my scabbard: shall I draw¹³⁰ it?

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Dost thou wear thy wit by thy side?

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Never any did so, though very many have been beside their wit.¹³² I will bid thee draw,¹³³ as we do the minstrels, draw to pleasure us.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     As I am an honest man, he looks pale. Art thou sick, or angry?

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     What, courage, man! What though care¹³⁵ killed a cat, thou hast mettle enough in thee to kill care.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Sir, I shall meet your wit in the career,¹³⁷ an you charge it against me. I pray you choose another subject.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Nay then, give him another staff:¹³⁹ this last was broke cross.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     By this light, he changes more and more: I think he be angry indeed.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     If he be, he knows how to turn his girdle.¹⁴¹

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Shall I speak a word in your ear?

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     God bless me from a challenge!

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     You are a villain. Aside to Claudio I jest not: I will make it good how you dare, with what you dare, and when you dare. Do me right,¹⁴⁵ or I will protest your cowardice. You have killed a sweet lady, and her death shall fall heavy on you. Let me hear from you.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Well, I will meet you, so¹⁴⁸ I may have good cheer.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     What? A feast, a feast?

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     I’faith, I thank him: he hath bid me to a calf’s¹⁵⁰ head and a capon, the which if I do not carve most curiously,¹⁵¹ say my knife’s naught. Shall I not find a woodcock¹⁵² too?

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Sir, your wit ambles¹⁵³ well, it goes easily.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     I’ll tell thee how Beatrice praised thy wit the other day: I said, thou hadst a fine¹⁵⁵ wit. ‘True,’ says she, ‘a fine little one.’ ‘No,’ said I, ‘a great wit.’ ‘Right,’ says she, ‘a great gross one.’ ‘Nay,’ said I, ‘a good wit.’ ‘Just,’ said she, ‘it hurts nobody.’ ‘Nay,’ said I, ‘the gentleman is wise.’ ‘Certain,’ said she, ‘a wise gentleman.’¹⁵⁷ ‘Nay,’ said I, ‘he hath the tongues.’¹⁵⁸ ‘That I believe,’ said she, ‘for he swore a thing to me on Monday night, which he forswore¹⁵⁹ on Tuesday morning: there’s a double¹⁶⁰ tongue, there’s two tongues.’ Thus did she, an hour together, transshape¹⁶¹ thy particular virtues: yet at last she concluded with a sigh, thou wast the properest¹⁶² man in Italy.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     For the which she wept heartily and said she cared not.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Yea, that she did: but yet for all that, an if she did not hate him deadly, she would love him dearly. The old man’s daughter¹⁶⁵ told us all.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     All, all, and moreover, God¹⁶⁶ saw him when he was hid in the garden.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     But¹⁶⁷ when shall we set the savage bull’s horns on the sensible Benedick’s head?

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Yea, and text underneath, ‘Here dwells Benedick the married man’?

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Fare you well, boy, you know my mind. I will leave you now to your gossip-like humour. You break jests as braggarts¹⁷¹ do their blades, which God be thanked, hurt not. My lord,¹⁷² for your many courtesies I thank you. I must discontinue your company. Your brother the bastard is fled from Messina: you have among you killed a sweet and innocent lady. For my Lord Lackbeard there, he and I shall meet: and till then, peace be with him.

       [Exit]

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     He is in earnest.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     In most profound earnest, and I’ll warrant you, for the love of Beatrice.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     And hath challenged thee.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Most sincerely.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     What a pretty thing man is when he goes in his doublet and hose¹⁸⁰ and leaves off his wit!

       Enter Constable [Dogberry, Verges and the Watch, with] Conrad and Borachio

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     He¹⁸² is then a giant to an ape, but then is an ape a doctor to such a man.

DON PEDRO     But, soft you,¹⁸³ let me be: pluck up, my heart, and be sad. Did he not say my brother was fled?

DOGBERRY

DOGBERRY     Come you, sir: if justice cannot tame you, she shall ne’er weigh more reasons¹⁸⁶ in her balance. Nay, an you be a cursing hypocrite once, you must be looked to.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     How now? Two of my brother’s men bound? Borachio one!

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Hearken¹⁸⁹ after their offence, my lord.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Officers, what offence have these men done?

DOGBERRY

DOGBERRY     Marry, sir, they have committed false report,¹⁹¹ moreover, they have spoken untruths, secondarily, they are slanders,¹⁹² sixth and lastly, they have belied a lady, thirdly, they have verified unjust things, and to conclude, they are lying knaves.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     First, I ask thee what they have done, thirdly, I ask thee what’s their offence, sixth and lastly, why they are committed, and to conclude, what you lay to their charge.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Rightly reasoned, and in his own division.¹⁹⁷ And by my troth, there’s one meaning well suited.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Who have you offended, masters, that you are thus bound¹⁹⁹ to your answer?²⁰⁰ This learned constable is too cunning to be understood. What’s your offence?

BORACHIO

BORACHIO     Sweet prince, let me go no farther to mine answer. Do you hear me, and let this count kill me. I have deceived even your very eyes. What your wisdoms could not discover, these shallow fools have brought to light, who in the night overheard me confessing to this man, how Don John your brother incensed²⁰⁵ me to slander the Lady Hero, how you were brought into the orchard and saw me court Margaret in Hero’s garments, how you disgraced her when you should marry her. My villainy they have upon record, which I had rather seal with my death than repeat over to my shame. The lady is dead upon mine and my master’s false accusation, and briefly, I desire nothing but the reward of a villain.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Runs not this speech like iron through your blood? To Claudio

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     I have drunk poison whiles he uttered it.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     But did my brother set thee on to this? To Borachio

BORACHIO

BORACHIO     Yea, and paid me richly for the practice of it.

215

215 

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO             He is composed and framed of treachery,

               And fled he is upon this villainy.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Sweet Hero! Now thy image doth appear

               In the rare semblance²¹⁸ that I loved it first.

DOGBERRY

DOGBERRY     Come, bring away the plaintiffs.²¹⁹ By this time our sexton hath reformed Signior Leonato of the matter. And masters, do not forget to specify, when time and place shall serve, that I am an ass.

VERGES

VERGES     Here, here comes master Signior Leonato, and the sexton too.

       Enter Leonato [and Antonio, with the Sexton]

LEONATO

LEONATO     Which is the villain? Let me see his eyes,

               That, when I note another man like him,

225

225         I may avoid him. Which of these is he?

BORACHIO

BORACHIO     If you would know your wronger, look on me.

LEONATO

LEONATO     Art thou the slave that with thy breath hast killed

               Mine innocent child?

BORACHIO

BORACHIO     Yea, even I alone.

230

230 

LEONATO

LEONATO             No, not so, villain, thou beliest thyself:

               Here stand a pair of honourable men,²³¹

               A third is fled, that had a hand in it.

               I thank you, princes, for my daughter’s death.

               Record it with your high and worthy deeds,

235

235         ’Twas bravely done, if you bethink you of it.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     I know not how to pray your patience,

               Yet I must speak. Choose your revenge yourself,

               Impose me to²³⁸ what penance your invention

               Can lay upon my sin. Yet sinned I not

240

240         But in mistaking.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     By my soul, nor I.

               And yet, to satisfy this good old man,

               I would bend under any heavy weight

               That he’ll enjoin me to.

245

245 

LEONATO

LEONATO             I cannot bid you bid my daughter live —

               That were impossible — but I pray you both,

               Possess²⁴⁷ the people in Messina here

               How innocent she died, and if your love

               Can labour aught²⁴⁹ in sad invention,

250

250         Hang her an epitaph upon her tomb,

               And sing it to her bones, sing it tonight:

               Tomorrow morning come you to my house,

               And since you could not be my son-in-law,

               Be yet my nephew. My brother hath a daughter,

255

255         Almost the copy of my child that’s dead,

               And she alone is heir to both of us:

               Give her the right²⁵⁷ you should have giv’n her cousin,

               And so dies my revenge.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     O noble sir,

260

260         Your over-kindness doth wring tears from me!

               I do embrace your offer and dispose²⁶¹

               For henceforth of poor Claudio.

LEONATO

LEONATO     Tomorrow then I will expect your coming,

               Tonight I take my leave. This naughty man

265

265         Shall face to face be brought to Margaret,

               Who I believe was packed²⁶⁶ in all this wrong,

               Hired to it by your brother.

BORACHIO

BORACHIO     No, by my soul, she was not,

               Nor knew not what she did when she spoke to me,

270

270         But always hath been just and virtuous

               In anything that I do know by her.

DOGBERRY

DOGBERRY     Moreover, sir, which indeed is not under²⁷² white and black, this plaintiff here, the offender, did call me ass. I beseech you let it be remembered in his punishment. And also the watch heard them talk of one Deformed: they²⁷⁴ say he wears a key in his ear and a lock hanging by it, and borrows money in God’s name,²⁷⁵ the which he hath used so long and never paid that now men grow hard-hearted and will lend nothing for God’s sake. Pray you examine him upon that point.

LEONATO

LEONATO     I thank thee for thy care and honest pains.

DOGBERRY

DOGBERRY     Your worship speaks like a most thankful and reverend youth, and I praise God for you.

LEONATO

LEONATO     There’s for thy pains. Gives money

DOGBERRY

DOGBERRY     God²⁸³ save the foundation!

LEONATO

LEONATO     Go, I discharge thee of thy prisoner, and I thank thee.

DOGBERRY

DOGBERRY     I leave an arrant knave with your worship, which I beseech your worship to correct yourself, for the example of others. God keep your worship! I wish your worship well. God restore you to health! I humbly give you²⁸⁷ leave to depart, and if a merry meeting may be wished, God prohibit²⁸⁸ it! Come, neighbour.

LEONATO

LEONATO     Until tomorrow morning, lords, farewell.

       Exeunt [Dogberry and Verges]

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Farewell, my lords: we look for²⁹⁰ you tomorrow.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     We will not fail.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Tonight I’ll mourn with Hero.

LEONATO

LEONATO     Bring you these fellows on.— We’ll talk with Margaret, To the Watch How her acquaintance grew with this lewd²⁹⁴ fellow.

       Exeunt [separately]

[Act 5 Scene 2]

running scene 14

       Enter Benedick and Margaret [meeting]

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Pray thee, sweet Mistress Margaret, deserve well at my hands by helping me to the speech of² Beatrice.

MARGARET

MARGARET     Will you then write me a sonnet in praise of my beauty?

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     In so high a style,⁴ Margaret, that no man living shall come over it, for in most comely⁵ truth thou deservest it.

MARGARET

MARGARET     To have no man come over me? Why, shall I always keep below stairs?⁶

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Thy wit is as quick as the greyhound’s mouth, it catches.⁷

MARGARET

MARGARET     And yours as blunt as the fencer’s foils,⁸ which hit but hurt not.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     A most manly wit, Margaret, it will not hurt a woman: and so, I pray thee call Beatrice, I give¹⁰ thee the bucklers.

MARGARET

MARGARET     Give us the swords,¹¹ we have bucklers of our own.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     If you use them, Margaret, you must put in the pikes¹² with a vice, and they are dangerous weapons for maids.

MARGARET

MARGARET     Well, I will call Beatrice to you, who I think hath legs.

       Exit Margaret

15

15   

BENEDICK

BENEDICK           And therefore will come.¹⁵

                                    The¹⁶ god of love, Sings

                                    That sits above,

                                    And knows me, and knows me,

                                    How¹⁹ pitiful I deserve—

                  I mean in singing: but in loving, Leander²⁰ the good swimmer, Troilus the first employer of panders, and a whole bookful of these quondam carpet-mongers,²¹ whose names yet run smoothly in the even road of a blank verse, why, they were never so truly turned over and over as my poor self in love. Marry, I cannot show it in rhyme, I have tried: I can find out no rhyme to ‘lady’ but ‘baby’ — an innocent²⁵ rhyme: for ‘scorn,’ ‘horn’ — a hard rhyme: for ‘school,’ ‘fool’ — a babbling rhyme: very ominous endings. No, I was not born under a rhyming planet, for I cannot woo in festival²⁷ terms.

       Enter Beatrice

                  Sweet Beatrice, wouldst thou come when I called thee?

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     Yea, signior, and depart when you bid me.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     O, stay but till then!

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     ‘Then’ is spoken: fare you well now. And yet ere I go, let me go with that I came,³¹ which is, with knowing what hath passed between you and Claudio.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Only foul words: and thereupon I will kiss thee.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     Foul words is but foul wind, and foul wind is but foul breath, and foul breath is noisome:³⁵ therefore I will depart unkissed.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Thou hast frighted the word out of his right sense, so forcible is thy wit. But I must tell thee plainly, Claudio undergoes my challenge, and either I must shortly hear from him, or I will subscribe³⁸ him a coward. And I pray thee now tell me, for which of my bad parts didst thou first fall in love with me?

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     For them all together, which maintained so politic⁴⁰ a state of evil that they will not admit any good part to intermingle with them. But for which of my good parts did you first suffer⁴² love for me?

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     ‘Suffer love’! A good epithet! I do suffer love indeed, for I love thee against my will.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     In spite of your heart, I think. Alas, poor heart! If you spite it for my sake, I will spite it for yours, for I will never love that which my friend⁴⁶ hates.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Thou and I are too wise to woo peaceably.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     It appears not in this confession.⁴⁸ There’s not one wise man among twenty that will praise himself.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     An old, an old instance,⁵⁰ Beatrice, that lived in the time of good neighbours. If a man do not erect in this age his own tomb⁵¹ ere he dies, he shall live no longer in monuments⁵² than the bells ring, and the widow weeps.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     And how long is that, think you?

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Question:⁵⁴ why, an hour in clamour and a quarter in rheum. Therefore is it most expedient for the wise, if Don⁵⁵ Worm, his conscience, find no impediment to the contrary, to be the trumpet of his own virtues, as I am to myself. So much for praising myself, who I myself will bear witness is praiseworthy. And now tell me, how doth your cousin?

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     Very ill.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     And how do you?

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     Very ill too.

       Enter Ursula

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Serve God, love me and mend. There will I leave you too, for here comes one in haste.

URSULA

URSULA     Madam, you must come to your uncle — yonder’s old coil⁶⁴ at home: it is proved my Lady Hero hath been falsely accused, the prince and Claudio mightily abused, and Don John is the author of all, who is fled and gone. Will you come presently?

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     Will you go hear this news, signior?

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     I will live in thy heart, die⁶⁹ in thy lap, and be buried in thy eyes. And moreover, I will go with thee to thy uncle’s.

       Exeunt

[Act 5 Scene 3]

running scene 15

       Enter Claudio, Prince [Don Pedro] and three or four with tapers [followed by Balthasar and Musicians]

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Is this the monument of Leonato?

LORD

LORD     It is, my lord.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     [Reads the] epitaph

               ‘Done to death by slanderous tongues

               Was the Hero that here lies:

5

               Death, in guerdon⁵ of her wrongs,

               Gives her fame⁶ which never dies.

               So the life that died with shame

               Lives in death with glorious fame.’

               Hang thou there upon the tomb,

10

               Praising her when I am dumb.

               Now, music, sound, and sing your solemn hymn.

BALTHASAR

BALTHASAR     [Sings the] song

                                    Pardon, goddess¹² of the night,

                                    Those that slew thy virgin knight,¹³

                                    For the which, with songs of woe,

15

                                    Round about her tomb they go.

                                    Midnight, assist our moan,

                                    Help us to sigh and groan,

                                    Heavily, heavily:

                                    Graves, yawn and yield your dead,

20

20                                Till death be utterèd,

                                    Heavily, heavily.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Now, unto thy bones good night!

               Yearly will I do this rite.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Good morrow, masters, put your torches out.

25

               The wolves have preyed, and look, the gentle day

               Before the wheels of Phoebus²⁶ round about

               Dapples the drowsy east with spots of grey.

               Thanks to you all, and leave us. Fare you well.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Good morrow, masters: each his several way.

30

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Come, let us hence, and put on other weeds,³⁰

               And then to Leonato’s we will go.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     And Hymen³² now with luckier issue speed’s

               Than this for whom we rendered up this woe.

       Exeunt

[Act 5 Scene 4]

running scene 16

       Enter Leonato, Benedick, [Beatrice,] Margaret, Ursula, old man [Antonio], Friar [Francis and] Hero

FRIAR FRANCIS

FRIAR FRANCIS Did I not tell you she was innocent?

LEONATO

LEONATO     So are the prince and Claudio, who accused her

               Upon³ the error that you heard debated.

               But Margaret was in some fault for this,

5

5             Although against her will,⁵ as it appears

               In the true course of all the question.⁶

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Well, I am glad that all things sort so well.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     And so am I, being else⁸ by faith enforced

               To call young Claudio to a reckoning⁹ for it.

10

10   

LEONATO

LEONATO           Well, daughter, and you gentlewomen all,

               Withdraw into a chamber by yourselves,

               And when I send for you, come hither masked.

               The prince and Claudio promised by this hour

               To visit me. You know your office, brother:

15

15           You must be father to your brother’s daughter,

               And give her to young Claudio.

       Exeunt Ladies

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Which I will do with confirmed countenance.¹⁷

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Friar, I must entreat your pains, I think.

FRIAR FRANCIS

FRIAR FRANCIS To do what, signior?

20

20   

BENEDICK

BENEDICK           To bind me, or undo²⁰ me — one of them.

               Signior Leonato, truth it is, good signior,

               Your niece regards me with an eye of favour.

LEONATO

LEONATO     That eye my daughter lent her: ’tis most true.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     And I do with an eye of love requite her.

25

25   

LEONATO

LEONATO           The sight whereof I think you had from me,

               From Claudio and the prince: but what’s your will?

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Your answer, sir, is enigmatical.

               But for²⁸ my will, my will is your good will

               May stand with ours, this day to be conjoined

30

30           In the state of honourable marriage,

               In which, good friar, I shall desire your help.

LEONATO

LEONATO     My heart is with your liking.

FRIAR FRANCIS

FRIAR FRANCIS And my help.

       Enter Prince [Don Pedro] and Claudio, with Attendants

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     Good morrow to this fair assembly.

35

35   

LEONATO

LEONATO           Good morrow, prince, good morrow, Claudio:

               We here attend you. Are you yet determined

               Today to marry with my brother’s daughter?

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     I’ll hold my mind, were she an Ethiope.³⁸

LEONATO

LEONATO     Call her forth, brother: here’s the friar ready.

       [Exit Antonio]

40

40   

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO           Good morrow, Benedick. Why, what’s the matter,

               That you have such a February face,

               So full of frost, of storm and cloudiness?

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     I think he thinks upon the savage bull.

               Tush, fear not, man: we’ll tip thy horns with gold,

45

45           And all Europa⁴⁵ shall rejoice at thee,

               As once Europa⁴⁶ did at lusty Jove,

               When he would play the noble beast in love.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Bull Jove, sir, had an amiable low,

               And some such strange bull leaped your father’s cow,

50

50           And got a calf in that same noble feat

               Much like to you, for you have just his bleat.

       Enter brother [Antonio], Hero, Beatrice, Margaret, [and] Ursula [the ladies all masked]

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     For this I owe you:⁵² here comes other reck’nings.

               Which is the lady I must seize upon?

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     This same is she, and I do give you her.

55

55   

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO           Why, then she’s mine. Sweet, let me see your face.

LEONATO

LEONATO     No, that you shall not, till you take her hand

               Before this friar and swear to marry her.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Give me your hand before this holy friar.

               I am your husband, if you like of me.

60

60   

HERO

HERO           And when I lived, I was your other wife:

               And when you loved, you were my other husband. Unmasks

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Another Hero?

HERO

HERO     Nothing certainer.

               One Hero died defiled, but I do live,

65

65           And surely as I live, I am a maid.

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     The former Hero! Hero that is dead!

LEONATO

LEONATO     She died, my lord, but whiles her slander lived.

FRIAR FRANCIS

FRIAR FRANCIS All this amazement can I qualify,⁶⁸

               When after that the holy rites are ended,

70

70           I’ll tell you largely⁷⁰ of fair Hero’s death.

               Meantime let wonder seem familiar,

               And to the chapel let us presently.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Soft and fair,⁷³ friar. Which is Beatrice?

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     I answer to that name. What is your will? Unmasks

75

75   

BENEDICK

BENEDICK           Do not you love me?

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     Why, no, no more than reason.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Why then, your uncle, and the prince, and Claudio

               Have been deceived: they swore you did.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     Do not you love me?

80

80   

BENEDICK

BENEDICK           Troth, no, no more than reason.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     Why then, my cousin,⁸¹ Margaret and Ursula

               Are much deceived, for they did swear you did.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     They swore you were almost sick for me.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     They swore you were well-nigh dead for me.

85

85   

BENEDICK

BENEDICK           ’Tis no matter. Then you do not love me?

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     No, truly, but in friendly recompense.

LEONATO

LEONATO     Come, cousin,⁸⁷ I am sure you love the gentleman.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     And I’ll be sworn upon’t that he loves her,

               For here’s a paper written in his hand, Shows a paper

90

90           A halting sonnet of his own pure brain,

               Fashioned to Beatrice.

HERO

HERO     And here’s another Shows another paper

               Writ in my cousin’s hand, stolen from her pocket,

               Containing her affection unto Benedick.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     A miracle! Here’s our own hands against our hearts. Come, I will have thee, but by this light I take thee for pity.

BEATRICE

BEATRICE     I would not deny you, but by this good day I yield upon great persuasion, and partly to save your life, for I was told you were in a consumption.⁹⁸

LEONATO

LEONATO     Peace! I will stop your mouth. He kisses her

DON PEDRO

DON PEDRO     How dost thou, ‘Benedick, the married man’?

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     I’ll tell thee what, prince: a college¹⁰¹ of wit-crackers cannot flout me out of my humour. Dost thou think I care for a satire or an epigram? No. If a man will be beaten with brains, a shall¹⁰³ wear nothing handsome about him. In brief, since I do purpose to marry, I will think nothing to any purpose that the world can say against it, and therefore never flout at me for what I have said against it, for man is a giddy¹⁰⁶ thing, and this is my conclusion. For thy part, Claudio, I did think to have beaten thee, but in that thou art like¹⁰⁷ to be my kinsman, live unbruised and love my cousin.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     I had well hoped thou wouldst have denied Beatrice, that I might have cudgelled¹¹⁰ thee out of thy single life to make thee a double-dealer, which out of question thou wilt be, if my cousin do not look exceeding narrowly to thee.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Come, come, we are friends. Let’s have a dance ere we are married, that we may lighten¹¹³ our own\ hearts and our wives’ heels.

LEONATO

LEONATO     We’ll have dancing afterward.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     First, of my word: therefore play, music. Prince, thou art sad:¹¹⁵ get thee a wife, get thee a wife. There is no¹¹⁶ staff more reverend than one tipped with horn.

       Enter a Messenger

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     My lord, your brother John is ta’en in flight,

               And brought with armèd men back to Messina.

BENEDICK

BENEDICK     Think not on him till tomorrow.

120

120         I’ll devise thee brave¹²⁰ punishments for him.

               Strike up, pipers!

       Dance [and exeunt]

Textual Notes

Q = First Quarto text of 1600

F = First Folio text of 1623

F2 = a correction introduced in the Second Folio text of 1632

Ed = a correction introduced by a later editor

SD = stage direction

SH = speech heading (i.e., speaker’s name)

List of parts = Ed

1.1.28 bird-bolt spelled Burbolt in F 33 eat = Q. F = ease 65 are you come = Q. F = you are come 72 sir = Q. F omits 95 yours = Q. F = your 99 That = Q. F = This 151 spoke = Q. F = speake 212 and…her = Q. F omits 215 you do = Q. F = doe you

1.2.3 SH ANTONIO = Ed. F = Old. throughout scene 3 strange = Q. F omits 6 event = F2. F = events 7 my = F. Q = mine 8 thus = F. Q = thus much

1.3.5 bringeth = F. Q = brings 6 yet = F. Q = at least 15 true root = Q. F = root 26 will make = F. Q = make 39 me behind = Q. F = behind

2.1.22 upon = F. Q = on 27 bearward spelled Berrord in F 35 Father = Q. F omits 40 account = F. Q = an account 51 sinks = F. Q = sincke 54 SD [Don] John = Ed. F = or dumbe Iohn 55 a bout = Ed. F = about 62 Jove = Q. F = Loue 65, 67, 69 SH BALTHASAR = Ed. F = Bene. 97 pleaseth = F. Q = pleases 134 count = F. Q = county 135 of = Q. F = off 152 think I told = Q. F = thinke, told 153 good will = Q. F = will 155 a rod = F. Q = vp a rod 171 and = F. Not in Q 174 her terminations = Q. F = terminations 190 this = F. Q = my 193 his single = Q. F = a single 203 a jealous = F. Q = that iealous 218 her heart = Q. F = my heart 248 my mind = Q. F = mind

2.2.23 Don = Q. F = on 32 truths = F. Q = truth 36 thou = F. Q = you

2.3.22 I for = Q. F = for 24 SD Balthasar = Ed. F = Iacke Wilson (apparently the actor who played Balthasar) 33 To…excellency mistakenly printed twice in F 36 Woo = Q. F = woe 49 SH BALTHASAR = Ed. Not in F 60 was = Q. F = were 104 told us of = F. Q = told of vs 119 but make = F. Q = make but 141 SH LEONATO = F. Q = Claudio 142 see = F. Q = say 144 Christian-like = F. Q = most christianlike 149 seek = Q. F = see 154 to…good = F. Q = so good 159 gentlewoman = F. Q = gentlewomen 163 the full = F. Q = their full

3.1.0 gentlewomen = Q. F = Gentlemen 60 she make = F. Q = sheele make 81 than = Q. F = to 106 ta’en = F. Q = limed

3.2.24 Frenchman tomorrow = F. Q continues or in the shape of two countries at once, as a Germaine from the waste downward, all slops, and a Spaniard from the hip upward, no dublet: unlesse…you would have it appeare he is 40 Conclude = F. Q = conclude, conclude

3.3.23 talk = F. Q = to talke 25 SH WATCHMAN F’s Watch. does not distinguish between the first and second watchmen 28 bid them = F. Q = bid those 54 statues = F. Q = statutes 88 years = F. Q = yeere 97 and I see = Q. F = and see 106 they = Q. F = thy 121 SH FIRST WATCHMAN = Ed. F gives the speech to Conrad

3.4.33 look = F. Q = see

3.5.6 SH VERGES = Ed. F = Headb. throughout scene 8 off spelled of in F 19 times = F. Q = pound 37 as may = F. Q = as it may 43 examination = Q. F = examine those men = F. Q = these men

4.1.14–15 not…do = Q. F omits 73 doso = Q. F = do 85 you are = F. Q = are you 94 spoken = F. Q = spoke 127 rearward = Q. F = reward 134 smearèd = F. Q = smirched 154 two princes = Q. F = princes 163 beat = Q. F = beare 206 princes = Ed.F = Princesse 275 swear by it = F. Q = sweare 288 deny = F. Q = deny it 318 leave = F. Q = I leave

4.2.1 SH DOGBERRY = Ed. F = Keeper. 2 SH VERGES = Ed. F = Cowley (apparently the actor who played Verges) 4 SH DOGBERRY = Ed. F = Andrew. 8 SH DOGBERRY = Ed. F = Kemp. throughout rest of scene (Will Kemp was apparently the actor who played Dogberry) 12–13 serve…Masters = F. Q = serue God? Both Yea sir we hope. Kem [i.e., Kemp] Write downe, that they hope they serue God: and write God first, for God defend but God shoulde go before such villaines: maisters 45 Leonato = F. Q = Leonatoes 48 SH VERGES = Ed. F = Sex[ton]. Q = Couley (actor playing Verges) 49 SH CONRAD Off = Ed. Q/F continue previous speech of Coxcombe 53 O that = Q. F = Of that 58 any in = F. Q = anie is in

5.1.7 comforter = Q. F = comfort 8 do = Q. F = doth 17 Bid = Ed. Q/F = And 68 my = F. Q = mine 105 off = Ed. F = of 155 says = F. Q = said 227 thou = Q. F = thou thou

5.2.22 names = Q. F = name 24 in = Q. not in F 25 hard rhyme = Q. F = hard time 27 for = F. Q = nor 52 monuments = F. Q = monument

5.3.3 SH CLAUDIO = Ed. Not in F 10 dumb = F. Q = dead 11 SH BALTHASAR = Ed. Not in F 21 Heavily, heavily = Q. F = Heavenly, heavenly 22 SH CLAUDIO = Ed. F = Lo.

5.4.7 sort = F. Q = sorts 33 my help. = F. Q = my helpe. Heere comes the Prince and Claudio, 50 And got = Q. F = A got 54 SH ANTONIO = Ed. F = Leo. 64 died defiled = Q. F = died 83 swore you = F. Q = swore that you 84 swore you = F. Q = swore that you 85 no matter = F. Q = no such matter 99 SH LEONATO = F. Most eds assign to BENEDICK 105 what I have = Q. F = I have

Act 1 Scene 1

Title: NOTHING puns on “noting” (i.e., musical notation/observation) and on “no thing” (i.e., vagina)    List of parts:    Headborough parish officer

 1.1   Location: Messina city in northeast Sicily    Innogen a character who never speaks: she may have been created in the writing and omitted in the performance    Hero named after the loyal lover of Leander who killed herself after he drowned swimming the Hellespont to see her    Beatrice from the Latin beatrix meaning “she who blesses”

    1    Don Peter i.e., Don Pedro    Aragon kingdom in northern Spain

    2    leagues a league is about three miles

    3    action battle

    4    sort high rank    name reputation/distinction/noble status

    6    Florentine person from the city of Florence, in northwest Italy

    8    remembered rewarded

    9    figure form/image

  14    badge of bitterness i.e., the uncle’s    tears that demonstrate that his joy is modest badge badge worn by a nobleman’s servant (a sign of inferiority and humility)

  18    kind natural    truer more genuine/virtuous/honest

  20    Mountanto from the fencing term “montanto,” an upward thrust, suggestive of the verbal dueling Benedick engages in with Beatrice (there may also be a sexual play on “mount on to”)

  24    Benedick from the Latin benedictus meaning “blessed”    Padua northern Italian city known for its university

  25    pleasant amusing/merry

  26    bills notices advertising a public entertainment    Cupid god of love who shot love-inducing arrows into people’s hearts    flight archery with flight-arrows (light, well-feathered arrows)

  27    fool probably a professional fool employed by Leonato for entertainment    subscribed for took up the challenge on behalf of

  28    bird-bolt blunt arrow safe enough to be used by children or fools

  30    Faith in faith (i.e., truly)    tax censure/disparage    meet even

  33    musty victual mouldy, stale food    holp helped    valiant trencherman hearty eater (valiant plays on the sense of “courageous” as Beatrice implies that the only thing Benedick tackles with boldness is food)

  34    trencher wooden plate    stomach appetite (puns on the sense of “courage”)

  36    to compared to/faced with

  37    stuffed full/replete

  38    stuffed man figure stuffed to resemble a man/man sated with food

  40    betwixt between

  43    five wits five mental faculties (imagination, memory, fantasy, estimation, common sense)

  44    halting limping

  45    difference in heraldry the sign that distinguished the junior branch of a family (in this case Benedick)

  46    known…creature identified as one in possession of the faculty of reason (i.e., human)

  47    sworn brother brother-in-arms (one who swore brotherly loyalty and support in combat to a friend)

  50    faith fidelity/oath of brotherhood

  51    block mould for shaping new fashions of hats

  52    books good books, favor

  53    An if

  54    squarer brawler/quarrelsome rogue

  58    pestilence plague/disease    presently immediately

  59    ere before

  60    hold remain

  62    run mad i.e., by catching (falling in love with)    the Benedick

  65    trouble i.e., Don Pedro and his companions who will put Leonato, as host, to the    cost and effort of entertaining them    fashion usual practice

  67    likeness appearance

  70    charge responsibility/expense

  73    for…child i.e., so I had nothing to fear from a seducer such as you

  74    have it full have been amply answered

  75    fathers herself i.e., shows who her father is through her resemblance to him

  77    head i.e., with its white hair

  79    marks pays attention to

  82    meet suitable (puns on “meat,” which meant food generally)

  85    turncoat one who changes their appearance or loyalties

  86    would wish

  88    dear happiness great good fortune

  89    pernicious ruinous/wicked    humour for that disposition on that issue

  92    scape escape    predestinate inevitable

  93    an ’twere if it were

  94    rare parrot-teacher marvellous chatterer (literally, one who repeats herself as if teaching a parrot)

  95    beast of yours i.e., because beasts do not have the power of speech

  96    so…continuer was able to go on for so long

  98    jade overused or worthless horse/whore    trick knack (of stopping abruptly)/ sexual act

103    forsworn proved wrong

104    Being as you are

109    noted her not did not pay her any special attention

112    after my custom in my usual way/as is my habit

115    low short    high elevated/elaborate (puns on the sense of “tall”)    brown brown-haired    fair fine/flattering (puns on the sense of “light-complexioned/pale-haired”)

116    afford offer/allow

119    in sport joking, being playful

122    case plays on the sense of “vagina” (jewel could also mean “virginity”)    sad serious

123    flouting jack mocking rascal    hare-finder one with eyesight sharp enough to spot a quick hare (the mockery of a flouting Jack as Cupid was blind)    Vulcan Roman god of fire, traditionally depicted as a blacksmith

124    go be in tune/harmonize

127    fury fierce passion/rage/avenging spirit

132    wear…suspicion get married and invite suspicion when wearing his cap that it covers horns (signs of being a cuckold—i.e., having an unfaithful wife)

133    threescore sixty    Go to away with you (an expression of impatience)

134    yoke wooden apparatus worn on the neck of a captive and used to subdue and prevent escape; a similar device is used to couple oxen together for ploughing    print imprint    sigh away Sundays which must now be spent dutifully with one’s wife

137    constrain compel

138    charge order

141    part i.e., to ask with who?

143    If…uttered if this were indeed the case it would be uttered in this way

144    ‘It…so!’ the quotation is supposedly from an old story in which it is uttered by a woman who has discovered that her lover is a robber

148    fetch me in trick me (into confessing)

149    troth good faith

151    my…troths Benedick owes loyalty to both Claudio, his    sworn brother, and to Don Pedro, prince and military leader

155    stake a wooden post to which    heretics were tied for burning

156    heretic one who holds blasphemous opinions or whose ideas are in opposition to accepted views despite contempt

157    maintain justify    in…will by wilful obstinacy

159    recheat notes sounded on a horn for calling hounds together at a hunt (here symbolic of the cuckolded husband’s horns)    winded blown

160    bugle horn (here suggestive of both the cuckold’s horn and the penis)    baldric shoulder belt used to hold a    bugle (also suggestive of the vagina, particularly as it is invisible—i.e., hidden)

162    fine conclusion    finer more finely dressed (without a wife to support)

165    prove i.e., should you prove

166    more…drinking the heavy sighs brought on by love were thought to drain the heart of blood, while drinking wine was believed to fortify the blood flow

167    ballad-maker writer of ballads (songs of love)    hang…Cupid brothels had signs painted on their walls

168    for in the place of

170    argument topic for discussion

171    hang…me cats were sometimes suspended in baskets (bottles) and used for archery practice

172    Adam a reference to Adam Bell, a famous archer

173    try tell ‘in…yoke’ a proverb that may have been popularized by its use in Thomas Kyd’s play The Spanish Tragedy

174    pluck…forehead another reference to cuckoldry

175    in…write in lettering that is as big as that usually used to write

177    sign sign used to advertise a sideshow or public spectacle, which consisted of a picture of the attraction with a description written under it

178    horn-mad completely mad/enraged (like a charging bull or a furious cuckold)

179    spent…Venice shot all of his arrows in Venice, famous for its sexual freedom and prostitution (spent puns on its sense of “to ejaculate” and arrows are phallic)    quiver case for arrows (puns on quake)

181    look for await/expect

182    temporize…hours become more temperate (milder) with time/waste time or procrastinate (hours may pun on “whores”)

183    fail him i.e., fail to attend

185    matter wit/sense    embassage message/mission

187    To…Benedick Claudio and Don Pedro imitate the conventional ending of a letter    tuition care/guidance

189    body basic material guarded with fragments adorned with scraps

190    guards…neither ornamental scraps are only loosely stitched on anyway    flout old ends mock (me) with old tags of letters/   fragments of cloth

192    do me good help me

194    apt quick/ready

198    affect love/favor

200    ended action recently ended military action

204    that now that

207    prompting reminding/urging

210    book of words lovers traditionally wrote lots of poetry

212    break broach the matter

214    twist weave

215    minister to tend to/administer a cure to

218    salved accounted for/applied soothing ointment to    treatise narrative

219    flood river

220    The…necessity the best gift is the gift that is needed

221    what…fit whatever is useful and will suffice is suitable    ’tis once once and for all

222    fit supply

226    in her bosom privately    unclasp open (as if undoing the clasps of a book)

228    encounter conversational address/military assault

Act 1 Scene 2

    1    cousin a general term for any relative or close friend

    5    they i.e., the    news

    6    As…them as the outcome (event) determines/proves    stamps prints (the book metaphor continues with cover)    show well outward look promising

    7    thick-pleached alley walk overarched by densely intertwining branches

    8    discovered revealed

  10    accordant of the same opinion/agreeable    take…top seize the opportunity

  12    wit good sense/acumen

  14    hold regard    appear manifests

  15    withal with it

  16    peradventure perhaps

  17    cry you mercy beg your pardon    friend i.e., one of the attendants, a musician

Act 1 Scene 3

    1    What the goodyear what the devil    out of measure immoderately

    2    measure proportion/moderation/limit    occasion that breeds circumstances that provoke (my sadness)

    6    present immediate    sufferance endurance

    7    Saturn those born under the influence of Saturn were thought to be naturally morose and melancholy

    8    mortifying mischief fatal disease

  11    tend on attend/see to    claw soothe/flatter

  14    controlment restraint    stood…brother i.e., opposed Don Pedro in the recent war

  15    grace favor

  16    frame create

  18    canker wild rose (puns on the sense of “cancer”)

  19    blood disposition/illegitimate status of by    fashion a carriage invent a demeanor/behavior

  21    trusted…muzzle like a fierce dog, only trusted when wearing a muzzle

  22    enfranchised…clog only given liberty with a heavy block of wood tied to my leg

  26    use it only am always discontented/discontent is my only resource    Borachio from the Spanish    borracho meaning “drunkard”

  30    model architectural plan

  31    unquietness i.e., a troubled life

  33    exquisite accomplished/perfect

  35    proper squire fine lover (the tone is contemptuous)

  37    forward precocious/eager/ardent/presumptuous    March-chick very young thing (could apply to Hero or Claudio, though Claudio seems likely)

  38    entertained…perfumer employed as burner of sweet-smelling herbs in the rooms of a house    smoking perfuming

  39    sad serious

  40    arras large tapestry hung on a wall for insulation (with sufficient space behind it for a man to conceal himself)

  43    start-up upstart    overthrow i.e., defeat in the war    cross thwart

  44    sure reliable, loyal

  46    cheer merriment, joy    subdued low in spirits/conquered

  47    prove put to the test/find out by experience

Act 2 Scene 1

 2.1    Kinsman like Innogen, a “ghost” character who does not speak

    3    tartly sourly, bitterly    am heart-burned suffer heartburn (indigestion)

    7    image statue

    8    my…son a widow’s eldest son (traditionally a favored and indulged child)

  11    good i.e., shapely

  14    shrewd mischievous/sharp

  15    curst perverse/shrewish

  18    horns in her response Beatrice plays on the senses of “cuckold’s horns” and “penis”

  19    Just exactly right

  21    the woollen rough wool blankets (rather than a husband with a scratchy beard)

  23    apparel clothing

  27    in earnest as an advance payment    the…hell proverbially, the fate of an old maid was to lead apes in hell    bearward keeper of bears (and possibly apes)

  31    maids virgins    Saint Peter heaven’s gatekeeper

  32    for the heavens a mild exclamation, but also with the sense of “in order to get to heaven” or “away to St Peter as one who is in charge of entry to heaven”    bachelors unmarried people of both sexes

  38    fitted supplied (with suggestion of a vagina filled with a penis)

  39    metal material (puns on “mettle” meaning “temperament”)    earth a reference to the Christian notion that God made man from dust (whereas women were formed from one of Adam’s ribs)

  41    wayward marl unreasonable/changeable clay brethren brothers

  42    match…kindred marry a relative

  43    solicit entreat/woo

  44    kind manner (i.e., with talk of marriage)

  45    in good time soon/in time to the music

  46    important pressing, urgent    measure moderation (puns on the dance known as a measure)

  47    Scotch jig a lively dance

  48    measure a slow, stately dance    cinque-pace a lively dance involving five (cinque) steps (pas) and pronounced “sink-a-pace” (thus leading to Beatrice’s pun on sink)    suit wooing    hot passionate/vigorous

  49    fantastical imaginative/full of wild movements    mannerly-modest decorously moderate    state and ancientry ceremonious dignity and old-fashioned formality

  50    bad legs tottering or perhaps gout-ridden legs resulting from old age

  52    apprehend passing shrewdly interpret things very severely/discern things very sharply

  55    friend friend/lover

  56    So so long as

  61    favour face    case a metaphorical reference to Don Pedro’s (apparently unattractive) mask

  62    visor mask    Philemon’s…Jove the peasant Philemon entertained a disguised Jove (king of the gods) in his humble cottage

  63    thatched i.e., like Philemon’s cottage—perhaps a suggestion that Don Pedro is bald or balding, or that his mask lacks hair

  73    clerk i.e., a parish clerk who led the responses during a church service

  76    At a word in brief

  77    waggling shaking, either the tremblings of old age or a gesture that accompanied his denial in the previous line

  78    counterfeit imitate

  79    do…ill-well imitate his inadequacies so well

  80    dry hand a result of age    up and down all over/in every respect

  83    mum silence    graces attractive personal qualities/virtues

  88    ‘Hundred Merry Tales’ a popular collection of crude comic anecdotes

  95    only his his only

  96    impossible unbelievable    libertine one who disregards moral laws and follows his own inclinations

  97    villainy wicked humor/discourtesy/low-minded jesting    pleaseth…them i.e., amuses some with his rudeness but angers those he slanders

  98    in the fleet amongst the dancers

  99    boarded tackled/accosted (puns on the sense of “had sex with”)

101    break as a lance might in jousting    comparison a sneering or unflattering analogy

103    partridge wing the part of the bird with virtually no meat on it (Beatrice’s comment is sarcastic)

104    leaders i.e., of the dance

107    amorous on courting

112    near…love i.e., close to/highly regarded by my brother

118    banquet wine, fruit, and sweetmeats served after the dance

122    constant unwavering/faithful

123    office service/business

124    all let all

127    faith loyalty/integrity    blood desire

128    accident…proof event that is shown to be the case very regularly

129    mistrusted suspected

134    willow a willow    garland was an emblem of unrequited love

135    usurer’s chain heavy gold chain worn by wealthy moneylenders

136    lieutenant’s scarf sash worn diagonally across the chest as a symbol of rank

139    drover cattle-dealer so in this way

142    now…post i.e., strike out in anger (an allusion to a tale in which a boy is punished for stealing meat from his blind master, and gets his revenge by causing the old man to injure himself on a pillar)

143    post pillar/messenger (i.e., Benedick)

144    If…be i.e., if you will not leave me

145    hurt fowl injured bird    sedges coarse rush-like plants (where a wounded fowl might hide)

146    not know me not know my true nature

147    so in this way (i.e., by being merry)

148    puts…out assumes that the world shares her opinions and represents me in that way

151    Lady Fame i.e., a gossip    fame rumor

152    lodge…warren dwelling (probably of a gamekeeper) in an enclosed area used for breeding game (i.e., an isolated place)

154    forsaken rejected (by a lover)

155    bind…rod bind together a bundle of twigs as rod for punishment

157    flat transgression plain sin

159    a trust an act of trust

164    them i.e., the birds

165    If…honestly if what they sing agrees with what you say you have taught them (i.e., to marry Claudio) then you speak honorably

166    to with

168    misused abused block block of wood

171    great thaw the dull period during which roads became muddy and impassable and people were unable to go out    huddling heaping up

172    impossible conveyance incredible skill    mark archer’s target (at which a man would have stood to note where the arrows landed)

173    poniards daggers

174    terminations terms of expression

176    all…transgressed i.e., the delights and dominion of the Garden of Eden before the Fall

177    Hercules…too in Greek legend the Queen of Lydia, Omphale, made Hercules dress as a woman and spin wool while she took over his    club and lion’s skin; turning a roasting    spit was one of the lowliest domestic tasks    cleft split

178    Ate goddess of discord and vengeance

179    conjure exorcise (the sending of evil spirits back to hell had to be carried out in Latin so a scholar would be required)    here i.e., on earth

180    sanctuary holy place of safety

184    Antipodes the other side of the world

185    tooth-picker toothpick

186    Prester John Christian ruler of a wealthy Eastern kingdom    Cham Kubla Khan, emperor of the Mongols

187    Pygmies race of very small people thought to live in Asia

188    harpy fierce mythical creature with the face of a woman and body of a bird

192    use financial interest on a loan (plays on the sense of “usage”)    double twice as loving/duplicitous

193    false dice i.e., false promises, deception

195    put him down defeated him with wit (Beatrice’s response plays on the sense of “sexually subdued”)

196    do puns on the sense of “have sex with”

198    wherefore why

202    civil grave/sober (puns on “Seville,” the Spanish city well-known as a producer of bitter-tasting oranges)

203    jealous complexion i.e., yellow, a color associated with melancholy and jealousy

204    blazon description

205    conceit understanding of things, notion

209    grace i.e., God

211    herald messenger/proclaimer

213    dote upon love dearly

217    windy…care windward (i.e., advantageous/safe) side of trouble

220    Good…alliance! Thank God for family unions/marriage!    goes…world everyone gets married

221    sunburnt Elizabethans considered a tanned complexion unattractive    ‘Hey-ho…husband’ a playful expression of regret that was also the title of a ballad

223    getting conception (a punning response to Don Pedro’s sense of “obtain”)

229    matter substance/serious content

230    Your…me i.e., I would much rather you talked on than were silent    becomes suits

232    cried i.e., at the pain of labor

235    cry you mercy beg your pardon    By…pardon with your grace’s (Don Pedro’s) pardon (for my departure)

237    melancholy element the body was thought to consist of four elements, or humors, one of which was black bile, an excess of which caused melancholy

238    ever always

241    suit courtship

247    a just seven-night precisely a week

249    breathing interval warrant assure

251    Hercules’ labours in Greek legend, Hercules carried out twelve seemingly impossible tasks (labours) imposed on him by King Eurystheus

252    fain gladly

253    minister provide

255    watchings staying awake

258    modest proper, seemly

259    unhopefullest least promising

260    strain descent, lineage    approved tested/proven    honesty honor

262    practise on work upon craftily

263    queasy stomach feelings of sickness/delicate stomach/poor appetite (for love and marriage)

265    drift plan, intention

Act 2 Scene 2

    3    medicinable healing

    4    comes athwart impedes, is an obstacle to    ranges evenly goes smoothly, directly

  12    unseasonable inappropriate/odd    appoint instruct

  15    temper mix

  17    renowned well-reputed/honorable    estimation worth

  18    stale prostitute

  20    vex torment, afflict    undo ruin

  21    issue outcome

  22    despite spite, wreak malice on

  23    meet suitable    draw bring together

  24    intend pretend    zeal ardent loyalty

  25    as in as follows/such as

  26    like likely    cozened cheated

  27    semblance outward appearance

  28    trial evidence    instances proofs

  31    fashion the matter arrange matters/contrive affairs

  33    jealousy suspicion    preparation i.e., for the wedding

  34    Grow…can no matter how harmful the outcome

  35    working carrying out of    ducats gold (sometimes silver) coins used in Europe

  36    constant unchanging/resolved

Act 2 Scene 3

    4    I…sir i.e., I will return so quickly that it will seem as if I had never left (in his reply Benedick jestingly takes the Boy literally)

    8    argument subject

    9    drum…fife i.e., war-like instruments

  10    fife a flute-like instrument    tabor…pipe i.e., instruments associated with festivity    tabor a small drum

  11    afoot on foot

  12    carving designing    doublet close-fitting jacket with flared base    wont to accustomed

  14    orthography stylistically polished and elaborate    fantastical fanciful, imaginative

  16    transform…oyster turn me into a lowly creature/silence me as an oyster snaps shut

  19    graces virtues

  20    grace favor none have    none of her

  21    cheapen bid for    or or she shall

  22    noble puns on the name of a gold coin    angel puns on the name of a gold coin

  27    As as if

  29    the music ended i.e., once the music has ended

  30    fit…pennyworth i.e., give him more than he bargained for    kid-fox cunning young fox

  32    tax order

  34    It…perfection it is always proof of excellence that it claims not to recognize its own skill

  36    woo entreat, coax

  39    her…worthy Balthasar also refers to himself as one who is an unworthy singer, but whose skills have yet been courted by Don Pedro

  46    crotchets whimsical fancies/musical notes

  47    Note…nothing pay attention to your musical notes, in truth, and nothing else (nothing puns on “noting,” which was pronounced in a similar manner)

  48    air melody    sheep’s guts from which an instrument’s strings were made

  49    hale haul    horn hunting horn, a more masculine instrument (possibly with an unconscious play on cuckold’s horns)

  55    blithe and bonny joyful and healthily beautiful

  58    ditties songs    moe more

  59    dumps low spirits (puns on the sense of “sad songs”)

  65    for a shift for the purpose/for lack of a better alternative

  66    An if

  67    as lief as soon/rather

  68    night-raven the call of which was supposed to foretell disaster

  75    Stalk on i.e., as a hunter would advance upon his prey (a sitting fowl)

  77    wonderful extraordinary/astonishing

  79    Sits…corner? Is that the way the wind is blowing? (i.e., Is that the way things are?)

  81    enraged affection furiously passionate love

  82    counterfeit pretend

  85    discovers reveals

  88    sit you sit

  93    gull trick/deception

  95    hold it up keep up the trick/keep going

101    smock slip

107    That (yes) that one

108    halfpence fragments (a halfpenny was a small coin)    railed ranted/chastised abusively

114    ecstasy frenzy

115    overborne overwhelmed

116    outrage violence

121    alms charitable deed

122    suspicion doubt

125    blood passion/desire    tender young/delicate

128    dotage great love/infatuation    daffed doffed (i.e., cast off)

129    respects considerations    made…myself i.e., married her

134    bate abate, modify

135    make tender of offer

136    contemptible contemptuous/scornful

137    proper handsome

138    good outward happiness pleasingly attractive appearance

139    ’Fore God an exclamation roughly equivalent to “indeed so, with God as my witness”

142    Hector the leader of the Trojans in the Trojan war, known for his bravery

143    discretion prudence, good judgement

148    by to judge by    large coarse/unrestrained

150    wear it out outlive it/use it up/grow tired of it    counsel reflection

152    the while in the meantime

153    modestly in a reasonable, moderate way

156    upon after

158    carry carry out    they…dotage each believes that the other is in love

159    no such matter in fact there is no truth in it

160    dumb-show play acted without words (as Benedick and Beatrice will be speechless)

161    sadly borne seriously carried out

162    have…bent are engaged to their fullest extent (like a bow pulled as far as possible)

163    censured judged/criticized

166    their detractions criticisms of themselves

168    reprove disprove/refute/reject

169    argument demonstration/evidence

170    quirks quips/witty conceits

171    broken cracked at my expense/snapped like a lance in jousting

173    sentences maxims, sayings    paper…brain i.e., words, which cannot hurt awe terrify/restrain

174    career…humour pursuit of his inclination    career gallop of a horse, as in a tournament

178    pains efforts (Beatrice plays on the sense of literal pain in painful)

182    choke kill/silence    daw jackdaw (proverbially a stupid bird, so also a rude reference to the talkative Benedick)

183    withal with    stomach appetite

188    Jew thought by many Elizabethans to be pitiless    picture a miniature, which a lover might wear or carry with him

Act 3 Scene 1

    3    Proposing conversing

  10    advance…it defy the very prince whose favor made them great

  12    purpose matter of our conversation    office duty/task

  16    trace range through, pass along

  23    hearsay report/rumor/something overheard

  24    lapwing bird of the plover family known for running through the grass in a crouching fashion

  27    oars i.e., fins

  30    couchèd…coverture lying hidden in the thick covering of honeysuckle

  35    coy disdainful    wild unrestrained/wayward/rude/fierce

  36    haggards untamed female hawks

  38    entirely completely/sincerely

  39    new-trothèd i.e., Claudio, newly betrothed

  45    Doth…upon? i.e., Doesn’t Benedick deserve a wife as good as Beatrice?

  46    bed marriage bed

  47    couch lie

  49    yielded given

  53    Misprising undervaluing/scorning

  55    weak of little worth/contemptible

  56    project conception, notion

  57    self-endeared in love with herself

  62    How however    rarely excellently

  63    spell him backward declare he is the opposite    fair-faced attractive/light-complexioned

  65    black dark-complexioned    antic grotesque figure/grinning buffoon

  66    ill-headed with a poorly made or misshapen head

  67    agate an agate stone would often have a tiny figure carved into it before being set in a ring

  72    simpleness plainness/integrity    purchaseth earns/deserves

  73    carping fault-finding

  74    odd at odds with    from contrary to

  78    press…death pressing a person to death with heavy weights was the penalty for one who refused to plead guilty or innocent to a crime

  79    covered covered with a tightly packed heap of fuel to ensure a long burning time

  85    counsel advise

  86    honest slanders i.e., slanders that will do no serious harm to her reputation

  92    prized esteemed, valued

  94    only i.e., best, unrivaled

  97    fancy thought/preference/liking

  98    argument skill in debate/powers of reasoning

103    tomorrow from tomorrow onward

104    attires ornamented headdresses with false hair attached to them

105    furnish me fit me out with, clothe me with

107    haps chance/accidents

114    Taming…hand i.e., as a hawk would learn to obey the falconer

116    band bond (plays on sense of “wedding ring”)

118    reportingly as it is reported/through hearsay

Act 3 Scene 2

    1    consummate consummated/accomplished

    3    vouchsafe permit

    5    only…with be bold only with (i.e., prevail upon)

    7    hangman i.e., executioner

  13    truant knave

  14    wants lacks

  16    Draw extract (Claudio puns on the sense of “disembowel,” sometimes the fate of a hanged man)

  17    Hang it an expression of angry impatience

  18    hang it teeth were hung up outside barbers’ shops as advertisements for the dental work that barbers also carried out (though Claudio also refers to the hanging, and drawing, of a criminal)

  20    Where where there    humour…worm toothache was thought to be caused either by the descent from the head into the tooth of one of the four humors (fluids), or by a worm in the tooth

  21    but except

  23    fancy love (Don Pedro goes on to pun on the sense of “whim”)

  24    Frenchman tomorrow German and Spanish references follow hereafter in the Quarto (see Textual Notes); Folio’s omission of them may have been to avoid offence at court

  30    ornament…tennis-balls filling tennis balls with beard-hair seems to have been an actual practice

  33    civet a musky perfume obtained from the glands of the civet cat    smell him out detect the truth/discern his presence by his smell

  35    note sign

  36    wont accustomed    wash clean/perfume

  37    paint apply cosmetics

  38    lute-string the lute was considered the instrument of a lover

  39    governed controlled/has the musical key determined stops frets/restraints/impediments

  40    heavy sad

  43    ill conditions bad characteristics    dies expires/orgasms

  44    face upwards as a faithful Christian/in a sexual position, under Benedick

  45    Old signior i.e., Leonato

  46    hobby-horses jokers

  48    For upon

  49    by this by this time

  51    God save you a common greeting

  52    Good den good evening

  53    If…served if you have time

  62    let…hereafter whether or not I love you will be apparent after I have imparted what I have to say    aim…manifest judge me more effectively according to what I will now reveal to you

  63    holds regards

  67    circumstances shortened in brief/regardless of details

  68    a talking of the subject of conversation (either Claudio and Don Pedro’s conversation or public gossip)

  72    paint out convey in full

  73    fit suit/adapt    Wonder marvel/be incredulous

  74    warrant proof

  76    fit befit

  79    If…know if you do not dare to admit that what you see with your own eyes is the case, then you had better say nothing about it/then you know nothing at all

  86    bear it coldly behave calmly

  88    untowardly turned unfavorably changed

  89    mischief misfortune/wickedness

Act 3 Scene 3

 3.3    Dogberry named after the berry of the wild cornel or dogwood, a type of shrub    Verges named after verjuice, the bitter juice that comes from unripe fruit    Watch a group of citizens who assisted with local policing

    1    true reliable, honest

    2    salvation a malapropism—Verges means “damnation”

    4    allegiance Dogberry means “treachery”

    5    charge duties/responsibilities

    6    desertless Dogberry’s error for “deserving”

    7    Otecake from “oatcake,” a cake made of oatmeal    Seacole from “sea coal,” a more expensive type of fuel

    9    well-favoured good-looking

  12    favour face/appearance

  15    senseless Dogberry means “sensible”    fit suitable

  16    comprehend malapropism for “apprehend”    vagrom vagrant

  17    stand stop

  19    take…him pay no attention to him

  22    meddle be concerned/involved with

  24    tolerable Dogberry means “intolerable”

  25    belongs to is the responsibility of

  26    ancient experienced

  27    bills long-handled weapons with axe-like heads

  35    true honest

  38    by according to    pitch black tar-like substance

  39    defiled polluted, soiled

  42    by my will out of choice    more Dogberry means “less”

  45    still quiet/calm

  51    present represent

  52    stay detain

  53    by’r lady by Our Lady (the Virgin Mary)

  54    statues malapropism for “statutes”

  55    marry by the Virgin Mary

  59    chances i.e., chances to occur    counsels confidences

  64    coil bustle

  65    vigitant malapropism for “vigilant”

  70    Mass by the Mass    scab scoundrel/skin disease characterized by a rash or scaliness and itching

  72    close concealed    penthouse overhanging part of a building

  76    dear costly

  81    unconfirmed inexperienced

  82    is…man does not represent a man’s true self (Conrad, however, understands “is of no importance to a man”)

  84    fashion i.e., the style as opposed to garments (apparel) themselves

  87    deformed i.e., as fashion is constantly changing

  88    up and down all over the place

  93    hot bloods spirited, eager young men

  94    Pharaoh’s soldiers the soldiers of the Egyptian king who pursued the fleeing Israelites and were drowned in the Red Sea    reechy smoky/grimy    god Bel’s priests in the apocryphal Book of Daniel, the priests of Bel were slain by the King of Persia when Daniel showed that their god was false

  96    smirched soiled/discolored    codpiece a conspicuous attachment, often ornamented, sewn onto the front of breeches over the crotch massy massive/heavy

  98    shifted moved (puns on the senses of “shift” as “underclothing” and as “a change of clothes”)

101    gentlewoman attendant    leans me out leans out

104    possessed informed (with connotations of demonic possession, especially given that Don John is subsequently referred to as the devil) amiable loving

108    oaths avowals

115    recovered malapropism for “discovered”

116    lechery malapropism for “treachery”

117    lock lovelock, a fashionable lock of curled hair

119    made made to

121    obey the First Watchman means “command”

122    commodity product/goods bought on credit    taken up arrested/received on credit

123    bills long-handled weapons/promissory notes

124    in question subject to legal procedures/sought after/in doubt

Act 3 Scene 4

    5    rabato stiff linen collar, sometimes used to support a ruff

    9    tire attire (i.e., headdress)    within i.e., in an inner room    hair i.e., false hair on the headdress

  10    rare splendid

  12    exceeds excels/is beyond comparison

  13    respect of comparison to

  14    cuts slashes in the fabric of a garment that reveal differently colored material beneath    laced trimmed    down sleeves fitted sleeves that went down to the wrists    side sleeves secondary open sleeves hanging from the shoulders

  15    round underborne trimmed all the way round (this could refer either to the skirt or to the visible hem of a petticoat)    tinsel silk shot with gold or silver thread    quaint attractive/elegant/skilfully made

  16    on’t of it

  17    heavy sorrowful (Ursula plays on the literal sense of “weighed down”)

  19    Fie upon thee an expression of disgust or indignation

  20    in even in

  21    I…husband i.e., at this rate, I must even apologize for mentioning the word “husband”

  22    An if    wrest distort/misinterpret

  24    an if    light puns on “sexually loose”

  25    else otherwise

  26    coz cousin

  30    Clap’s into let us start singing    ‘Light o’ love’ a popular tune    burden a man’s part, the bass accompaniment (Ursula continues to play on the idea of the weight of a man)

  31    dance playing on the sexual connotations of dancing

  32    Ye…heels! You’re a light-heeled (i.e., promiscuous) one!

  33    barns puns on “bairns” (i.e., children)

  34    illegitimate construction incorrect interpretation (puns on the notion of illegitimate children)    scorn…heels reject that by stamping on or kicking at it

  36    Hey-ho!…husband? Ursula plays on the title of the well-known ballad

  38    H puns on “ache,” which was pronounced in the same way as the letter

  39    an if    be…Turk have not rejected your faith (by rejecting your loathing of love) star the North    Star, a reliable indicator for navigators

  40    trow I wonder

  43    stuffed with a cold (Ursula puns on the senses of “penetrated sexually” and “pregnant”)

  45    professed apprehension claimed to be witty

  46    rarely excellently (Beatrice plays on the sense of “infrequently”)

  47    in your cap i.e., like a fool’s coxcomb (headgear resembling a cock’s comb)

  49    carduus benedictus the “holy thistle,” a plant often used in medicine (with an obvious pun on “Benedick”)

  50    qualm sudden sensation of faintness or nausea

  55    list please

  57    such another i.e., a similar enemy to love

  59    eats…grudging i.e., accepts his lot without complaining

  63    false gallop literally, a canter, but Ursula means “I speak the truth”

Act 3 Scene 5

    2    confidence private conference    decerns a malapropism for “concerns”

    8    Goodman title for a person beneath the rank of gentleman

    9    blunt Dogberry means “sharp”

  13    odorous malapropism for “odious”    palabras short for pocas palabras, Spanish for “few words”

  15    poor Duke’s officers Dogberry means “Duke’s poor officers”

  16    tedious Dogberry thinks that the word means something complimentary, such as “rich”

  20    exclamation public complaint, but Dogberry means “acclamation”

  24    excepting Dogberry means “respecting”

  25    arrant notorious/absolute

  27    a world i.e., wondrous

  28    a good man i.e., good

  34    comprehended malapropism for “apprehended”    auspicious malapropism for “suspicious”

  38    suffigance malapropism for “sufficient”

  43    inkhorn inkwell

  46    non-come Dogberry probably means “nonplus” (i.e., state of perplexity), but the phrase also suggests “non compos mentis” (i.e., mad)

  47    excommunication malapropism for “communication” (i.e., discussion) or possibly “examination”

Act 4 Scene 1

    8    inward secret

  17    Stand thee by stand aside    by your leave with your permission (i.e., to call you Father)

  22    counterpoise balance, equal

  23    render her again give her back

  24    learn teach

  27    sign and semblance outward appearance and mere image

  30    withal with

  31    blood i.e., blush

  32    witness bear witness to

  35    luxurious lecherous

  39    approvèd proved

  40    in…proof your own test of her

  43    known had sex with

  45    extenuate…sin lessen the sin of having sex before marriage

  47    large unrestrained/licentious

  49    Bashful modest/sensitive    comely becoming/proper

  51    write against it i.e., denounce it publicly

  52    Dian…orb Diana, goddess of chastity and the moon (her orb)

  53    blown in bloom

  54    intemperate immoderate, unbridled    blood sexual desire

  55    Venus goddess of love

  57    wide wide of the mark

  61    stale prostitute

  70    move put

  71    kindly natural

  74    beset assailed, besieged

  75    catechizing questioning, a form of instruction used by the Church in which a person answers a set of questions about the Christian faith

  76    answer…name the first question in the Anglican catechism asks the respondent his or her name

  87    grievèd wronged/afflicted with sorrow

  90    liberal licentious/unrestrained

  97    much misgovernment great misconduct

  99    graces virtues/attractions

103    For because of

104    conjecture suspicion

106    gracious attractive/joyful/virtuous

110    spirits vital energies

119    look up revive/look heavenward

127    on…reproaches following this disgrace

128    Grieved…one? Did I once grieve that I only had one child?

129    Chid contended with/chastised    frame plan/scheme of things

134    mired soiled    infamy bad reputation/disgrace

138    mine…her I was so devoted to and proud of her that I cared nothing for myself

143    season preservative

146    attired clothed

148    belied slandered

159    given way gone along with

161    apparitions appearances

168    Which…book which validates, through the confirmation of experience, all that I have read in books

170    reverence respected state    divinity status as a clergyman/knowledge of theology

172    biting severe/painful

176    perjury swearing something false to be true

178    proper true

182    warrant sanction

185    unmeet unsuitable

186    Maintained the change engaged in the exchange

187    Refuse reject/disown

188    misprision mistake, misunderstanding

189    very bent of a total inclination for

191    practice scheming/carrying out

192    frame plotting/creating

195    proudest finest/most arrogant/most eminent/most vigorous

197    eat eaten    invention inventiveness (to plan revenge)

198    means resources/wealth

199    reft deprived

200    kind manner

201    policy shrewdness

203    quit…throughly avenge myself on them thoroughly

208    publish proclaim/make public

209    mourning ostentation display of mourning

210    monument burial vault

214    carried carried out/managed

216    that i.e., the changing of slander to remorse

217    on this travail as a result of this effort (travail plays on the sense of “pains of childbirth”)

222    prize…worth value not at its full worth

224    rack stretch

229    study of imagination introspective musings

230    organ aspect, feature

231    apparelled dressed    habit clothing

233    prospect field of view

235    interest in a claim over    liver believed to be the seat of love and passion

238    success succeeding events

239    event outcome

240    lay…likelihood outline its probable outcome

241    aim…false intentions except this one are confounded

243    wonder of amazement at/curiosity about

244    sort turn out

247    injuries insults

249    inwardness intimacy

254    Being that since    flow in grief overflow with grief/am overcome with tears

255    twine thread

257    For…cure for extreme/unusual ills require extreme/unusual remedies

267    even direct    friend friend/lover

275    eat it eat your words

279    protest declare/avow/insist

282    stayed detained, halted

289    Tarry stay/linger

298    bear…hand delude her with false hopes

299    take hands i.e., in marriage    uncovered open, barefaced

303    A proper saying! A fine story!

305    undone ruined

307    counties counts    testimony evidence/condemnation of error    count plays on the sense of “charge in an indictment”    Comfit candy/sweet

310    compliment etiquette/display    turned into tongue are all talk    trim fine/elegant

311    swears it merely swears that the lie is true

317    engaged pledged/accepting of Beatrice’s wish

318    dear costly/significant

Act 4 Scene 2

 4.2    Sexton a church officer

    1    dissembly malapropism for “assembly”

    3    malefactors wrongdoers

    5    exhibition Dogberry means “commission” (i.e., authority to examine the offenders)

  10    sirrah sir (contemptuous)

  12    do…God the 1600 Quarto follows this with an exchange censored from the Folio: Conrad and Borachio reply “Yea, sir, we hope,” to which Dogberry says “Write down that they hope they serve God. And write ‘God’ first, for God defend but God should go before such villains.” He then continues “Masters…,” as in Folio

  16    witty clever/wily    go about with get the better of/handle

  20    in a tale in agreement

  24    eftest a nonsense word, which Dogberry intends to mean “easiest/nearest”

  39    redemption Dogberry means “damnation”

  47    opinioned malapropism for “pinioned” (i.e., bound)

  48    Let…hands let their hands be tied

  49    coxcomb fool

  51    naughty wicked

  53    suspect malapropism for “respect”

  56    piety Dogberry means “impiety”

  59    had losses i.e., he was formerly even wealthier

  60    two gowns cloaks were fairly costly, so Dogberry suggests he has reasonably good finances    handsome fitting/comfortable

Act 5 Scene 1

    2    second support

    8    suit with correspond to/fit

  13    answer requite    strain emotional pang/melody

  15    lineament physical feature/characteristic    branch division/part

  17    wag be off    ‘Hem!’ i.e., clear one’s throat in preparation for speech

  19    candle-wasters those who waste candles by staying up late for study or drinking

  24    passion powerful emotion/rage

  25    preceptial of precepts (i.e., instructions or rules)

  29    wring writhe/are oppressed/weep

  30    sufficiency ability

  31    moral full of moralizing advice and opinions

  33    advertisement advice/admonition/public proclamation

  35    peace silence

  38    However however much    writ…of written in the manner of/written as if with the authority of

  39    made…at scorned/attacked    sufferance suffering/endurance (of misery)

  50    have are in

  52    all is one it’s all one/it does not matter

  55    Some of us i.e., Don Pedro and Claudio

  57    dissembler deceiver/hypocrite

  60    beshrew curse

  62    meant…sword had no intentions toward my sword

  63    fleer mock, jeer

  64    dotard old fool

  67    head face

  69    reverence respect due to an old man

  71    trial…man i.e., a duel

  82    nice fence refined and skilful swordsmanship/defensive action (contemptuous)

  83    lustihood vigor

  85    daff cast aside

  89    Win…me overcome me and then brag about it, flaunt your prize

  91    foining fence thrusting swordsmanship

  98    braggarts boasters    Jacks rascals/louts milksops effeminate/cowardly men

101    weigh i.e., are worth    scruple very small measurement of weight

102    Scrambling contentious/uncouth    out-facing defiant/confrontational/bullying    fashion-monging preoccupied with fashion/dandies

103    cog cheat    flout insult/mock    deprave defame/deride

104    anticly grotesquely

105    speak off throw out

106    durst dared

111    wake your patience disturb your patience further

123    had…have nearly    with by

125    doubt fear (said with irony)

128    high-proof in the highest degree

130    draw as one draws a sword

132    beside their wit out of their minds (plays on by thy side)

133    draw…minstrels draw it as a musician (minstrel) would draw out his instrument from its case or draw a bow across strings

135    care…cat a common proverb    care anxiety/sorrow    mettle spirit, vigour

137    in the career at full gallop, as in a jousting tournament    an if    charge level/advance in attack

139    staff lance    cross crosswise, in the middle (an indication of clumsiness)

141    turn his girdle a common proverb referring to the turning of one’s belt (girdle) so that the buckle is at the back, and meaning “put up with it”

145    Do me right give me satisfaction    protest declare

148    so provided    cheer entertainment

150    calf’s…capon animals associated with foolishness (the calf) and cowardice (the capon, a castrated cockerel)

151    curiously skilfully

152    woodcock a bird associated with stupidity

153    ambles strolls (as opposed to moving rapidly)    easily in a state of ease/unhurriedly

155    fine excellent (Beatrice’s response plays on the senses of “marvelously” and “slender”)    wit plays on the sense of “penis”

157    wise gentleman either said with irony or meaning “old fool”

158    hath the tongues can speak foreign languages

159    forswore swore against/denied

160    double twofold/duplicitous

161    transshape transform

162    properest most handsome/finest

165    old man’s daughter i.e., Hero

166    God…garden an allusion both to Benedick hiding in the arbor and to Adam, after his transgression, hiding from God in the Garden of Eden

167    But…man Don Pedro and Claudio recall Benedick’s earlier statement that this is to be his fate if he marries

171    braggarts…blades i.e., as boasters damage or break their swords themselves to make it look as if they have been fighting

172    My lord i.e., Don Pedro

180    hose breeches

182    He…man he (i.e., one who has left off his wit) is then a hero (giant) in the eyes of a fool (ape), but in fact the fool is a learned person (doctor) in comparison to him

183    soft you wait a moment    pluck up rouse/collect yourself    sad serious

186    reasons plays on “raisins,” then pronounced in a similar manner    balance scales, which Justice is traditionally depicted as carrying    cursing swearing, or Dogberry may mean “accursed”

189    Hearken inquire

191    false report slander/untruths

192    slanders Dogberry means “slanderers”

197    division logical order

199    bound on the way/tied up

200    answer trial    cunning ingenious/knowledgeable

205    incensed incited

218    semblance image

219    plaintiffs Dogberry means “defendants” (a plaintiff is a complainant)    reformed malapropism for “informed”

231    honourable men i.e., Don Pedro and Claudio

238    Impose me to impose on me

247    Possess inform

249    aught at all, to any extent    invention inventiveness/imagination

257    right puns on “rite”

261    dispose you may dispose

266    packed implicated/acting as an accomplice

272    under…black in writing

274    they…it Dogberry’s misunderstanding of the First Watchman’s claim that Deformed wears a lock

275    in God’s name the usual plea of a beggar

283    God…foundation! the usual response of one receiving alms from a charitable foundation

287    give you Dogberry means “ask your”

288    prohibit Dogberry means “permit”

290    look for expect

294    lewd wicked/base

Act 5 Scene 2

    2    the speech of speak with

    4    style poetic style (puns on “stile”)    come over surpass/surmount (Margaret plays on the sense of “mount sexually”)

    5    comely proper/pleasing

    6    keep below stairs remain (unmarried) in the servants’ quarters

    7    catches seizes (its prey)

    8    foils swords with blunt edges

  10    give…bucklers surrender

  11    swords with phallic connotations    bucklers small shields with spikes in their centers/vaginas

  12    pikes the shield’s spikes/penises    vice screw (with sexual connotations)

  15    come a possible pun on “orgasm”

  16    The…deserve the lyrics to a well-known Elizabethan song

  19    How…singing how much pity I deserve for my poor singing

  20    Leander…swimmer Leander regularly swam across the Hellespont to see his lover Hero, until one night he drowned    Troilus…panders Troilus was helped in his love affair with Cressida by the go-between (pander) Pandarus, though Cressida eventually rejected him

  21    quondam carpet-mongers former ladies’ men

  25    innocent simple/foolish    hard poor/erect (playing on the phallic connotations of horn)

  27    festival merry/light-hearted/celebratory

  31    that I came that which I came for

  35    noisome noxious

  38    subscribe state/declare in writing

  40    politic prudent

  42    suffer experience/permit (Benedick puns on the senses of “feel pain” and “endure”)

  46    friend lover

  48    confession statement/declaration/admission

  50    instance saying/argument    time…neighbors good old days (when neighbors were friendly)

  51    tomb i.e., memorial

  52    monuments memory    bells…weeps i.e., the duration of the funeral and mourning period

  54    Question you have asked a question, here follows the answer    clamour noise of the bells    rheum tears

  55    Don…conscience conscience was often imaged as a gnawing worm

  64    old coil great turmoil

  69    die puns on the sense of “orgasm”    eyes puns on the sense of “vagina”

Act 5 Scene 3

    5    guerdon recompense

    6    fame renown/reputation

  12    goddess…night Diana, goddess of the moon and of chastity

  13    virgin knight i.e., her follower, Hero

  26    wheels of Phoebus wheels of the chariot of Phoebus, the sun god

  30    weeds clothes

  32    Hymen god of marriage    speed’s speed us (i.e., make us prosper)

Act 5 Scene 4

    3    Upon as a result of    debated discussed

    5    against her will unintentionally

    6    question questioning/investigation

    8    else otherwise    faith i.e., his promise to Beatrice

    9    reckoning settling of accounts (i.e., a duel)

  17    confirmed countenance resolute appearance/demeanor

  20    undo ruin/untie

  28    for as for    is is that

  38    Ethiope Ethiopian

  45    Europa Europe

  46    Europa…love in the form of a bull Jove carried off the princess Europa

  52    owe you i.e., owe you a response

  68    qualify moderate

  70    largely in full

  73    soft and fair hold on a moment

  81    cousin i.e., Hero

  87    cousin Beatrice is his niece but    cousin could refer to any relative

  98    in a consumption wasting away

101    college assembly/fellowship    flout mock

103    shall…him i.e., for fear of attracting attention or having his dress sense mocked

106    giddy unstable/flighty

107    like likely

110    cudgelled beaten    double-dealer married man/unfaithful husband

113    lighten…heels make our wives’ heels nimble through dancing/make our wives sexually eager

115    sad grave/mournful

116    no…horn another reference to cuckoldry

120    brave fine

LOVE’S LABOUR’S LOST

Love’s Labour’s Lost is a play for Shakespeare connoisseurs. It is a great feast of linguistic sophistication on the theme of the inadequacy of linguistic sophistication. It is full of poetry—and mockery of poetry. Its preposterous academic posturing is either hilarious or incomprehensible, according to the disposition of the listener. Some of its jokes and puns are now so obscure that a modern audience frequently finds itself in the position of Dull, listening in bemusement as the others plan their play: “Via, Goodman Dull!” says Holofernes, “Thou hast spoken no word all this while.” To which the simple constable replies, “Nor understood none neither, sir.”

The play was a favorite for the sophisticated audience at court—Queen Elizabeth herself would have greatly enjoyed not only the authority, wit, and hunting skills of the princess, but also the “sweet smoke of rhetoric” in the elaborate speechifying of the male courtiers and the wordy academic humor of Holofernes and Don Armado. The reaction of the general theater-going public—“the base vulgar,” as the play itself calls them—might have been more like that of Dull. It comes as no surprise that in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries this was Shakespeare’s least-performed play. Its minimal plot, intellectual rigor, and architectural symmetry make it seem to belong to some genre far from the popular theater—Enlightenment opera buffa, perhaps. There are, indeed, remarkable thematic and structural resemblances to Mozart and Da Ponte’s Così, fan tutte. A Paris production of 1863 actually merged the two works, combining Mozart’s music with a text based on Shakespeare. In the following century, W. H. Auden and his lover collaborated with Vladimir Nabokov’s cousin on an operatic version of the play, perhaps inspired by the fictional composer Leverkühn in Thomas Mann’s novel Doctor Faustus, whose only opera is a setting of Love’s Labour’s “in a spirit of the most artificial mockery and parody of the artificial: something highly playful and highly precious.”

Dr. Samuel Johnson thought that Love’s Labour’s was one of the most Shakespearean of Shakespeare’s plays. Like the characters of Berowne and Boyet, who dislike each other because they are so like each other, Shakespeare was famous for his verbal facility, for being “honey-tongued.” In no other play does he so fully indulge his gift for “Taffeta phrases, silken terms precise, / Three-piled hyperboles, spruce affectation, / Figures pedantical.” At the same time, in no other play does he so mercilessly expose that gift as a fly-blown form of “maggot ostentation,” ripe for renunciation in favor of those “honest plain words” that “best pierce the ear of grief.” What is so Shakespearean is this way of having it both ways. “Taffeta phrases” are ostentatiously rejected and yet the simple rustic language that supposedly replaces them is equally thick with allusion (or, as Dull has it, “collusion” and “pollution”). Berowne’s “russet yeas and honest kersey noes” puns on “eyes” and “nose,” so reintroducing the figure of Ovid, surnamed Naso (Latin for “nose”), who is not only Holofernes’ but also Shakespeare’s master in the art of verbal pyrotechnics. For “the elegancy, facility, and golden cadence of poesy,” “Ovidius Naso was the man: and why indeed ‘Naso,’ but for smelling out the odoriferous flowers of fancy, the jerks of invention?”

Ovid taught Shakespeare how to write love poetry but also how to parody love poetry. If ladies are conventionally praised for being blonde and pale-skinned, Ovid and Shakespeare know how to offer paradoxical praise of black. Where lesser poets catalog the body parts of the beloved in smoothly predictable blazons (blue eyes, creamy breasts), Ovid and Shakespeare turn the convention on its head: “two pitch-balls stuck in her face for eyes” and a piercing glare not at the bosom but at the dark place between the legs. Though Dr. Johnson was too polite to say so, one of the reasons why Love’s Labour’s is Shakespeare at his most Shakespearean is that it is simultaneously one of his most elegant plays (rivaled only by As You Like It) and his most filthy (rivaled only by Troilus and Cressida). The exchange in the fourth act concerning prickets, shooting, sores, ells, and sorrels is on the surface about deer-hunting, but beneath the veneer it alludes unmistakably to inflamed genitalia and sexually transmitted disease.

At the climax of the play, the mood changes with the entrance of Marcadé, ambassador of death. Immediately before his entrance, the play-within-the-play has dissolved into a brawl between a clown and a braggart knight on the subject of a pregnant dairymaid who is named after the Elizabethan term for a toilet. The knight is accused of wearing a “dishclout” of the maid’s as a favor next to his heart. A stinking dish cloth is enough to prick the bubble of chivalric romance, but the word also seems to have been a slang term for a rag strapped over the cleft so as to soak up menstrual blood. To hold that image in conjunction with the memento mori figure of Marcadé is to understand something of Shakespeare’s taste for extremity and paradox.

In contrast to those Shakespearean comedies that turn on a movement between a court and a green world, the play confines itself within the single location of a court that has turned itself into a green world. The action all takes place, in a very short time frame and with only a few (not very short) scenes, within the King of Navarre’s park. The setup could hardly be simpler. The king and his courtiers have forsworn love in the name of academic study, but the arrival of the Princess of France and her charming attendant ladies presents an obstacle to this plan. Green is the color associated with retreat to a garden for the purposes of intellectual contemplation (in his lyric “the Garden,” the poet Andrew Marvell imagined “Annihilating all that’s made / To a green thought in a green shade”). But, as Don Armado comes to realize when prompted by Moth his clever page, green is also “the colour of lovers.” The play is a demonstration of the triumph of love over intellectual labor. True wisdom belongs not to the intellectuals but to the clown Costard, who is of the view that it “is the simplicity of man to hearken after the flesh.” Neither academic aspiration nor poetic elaboration will save man from this elementary truth.

Being sophisticated, Navarre and his three fellows only learn the truth by being embarrassed. In the play’s most theatrically effective scene, plotted like the best of farces, each of the four men is caught with his metaphoric trousers down—not just falling in love, but writing abysmal love poetry. George Bernard Shaw summarized the dramatic effect neatly: “No.1 being inaudible to 2, 3 and 4; No.2 audible to No.1, but not to 3 and 4; No.3 audible to 1 and 2, but not to No.4; and No.4 audible to all the rest, but himself temporarily stone deaf.” There is further delight when the men, now working in unison, disguise themselves as Russians in order to woo the ladies, but the ladies run rings around them because the disguise is so easily seen through. At this point we anticipate an unmasking, universal forgiveness, the forgetting of foolishness, multiple marriages, and everyone living happily ever after. First, however, the lower-ranked characters must perform a celebratory entertainment for the court.

Just as “The most lamentable comedy and most cruel death of Pyramus and Thisbe” echoes the main plot of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, so the pageant of “The Nine Worthies” offers a commentary on that of Love’s Labour’s Lost. Navarre begins the main action with the premise that he and his courtiers will achieve immortal fame by means of their academic prowess, but, in a striking analogy to the opening sequence of Shakespeare’s sonnets, the unfolding of the plot suggests that falling in love and reproducing oneself sexually is the only real means of guaranteeing survival after death. It is “women’s eyes,” not books and academes, that “contain and nourish all the world.” Shakespeare turns the raw material for his play-within-the-play so that it fits with this theme. The Nine Worthies were traditionally three figures from each of the three traditions that constituted Shakespeare’s cultural inheritance: the Bible (Joshua, David, Judas Maccabaeus), classical antiquity (Hector of Troy, Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar), and the romances of the Middle Ages (Arthur, Charlemagne, Godfrey of Bouillon). All nine had achieved immortality by means of heroic military action. This in itself is a rebuke to the court for its presumption that “fame that all hunt after in their lives” could come from something so passive as academic study. At the same time, Shakespeare changes the traditional cast: Julius Caesar is replaced by Costard as Pompey the Great and, more significantly, Moth as Hercules stands in for one of the biblical or medieval figures. This is partly a joke about size: Hercules is the archetypal big man, whereas Moth is compared to an insect or a dust particle. In addition, the introduction of Hercules highlights the motif of heroic endeavor brought low by desire. He was famous not only for his labours such as stealing golden apples from the garden of the Hesperides (alluded to in Berowne’s long speech on love near the end of the fourth act), but also for the losses caused by his loves. Hercules was humiliated and unmanned by his love for Omphale, then driven mad and murderous by his desire for Deianira. “What great men have been in love?” Armado asks Moth. “Hercules, master” comes the reply. The biblical Samson and his catastrophic love for Delilah is invoked at the same point. One suspects that if the pageant of Worthies had run to its conclusion, he too would have muscled his way into the cast.

As in “Pyramus and Thisbe,” the noble audience are unnecessarily rude to the ignoble players. They subvert the illusion on which theater depends: “I Pompey am —” “You lie, you are not he.” And they make rude jokes at the expense of the actors: “For the ass to the Jude? Give it him: Jud-as, away!” Holofernes engages our hearts when he offers the dignified response: “This is not generous, not gentle, not humble.” The lords must undergo a further humbling before they prove their gentility and gain their reward: after all the linguistic labor, their loves are not won. Berowne is set the task of moving wild laughter in the throat of death and, in contrast to the traditional comic ending where Jack shall have Jill and nought shall go ill, here “Jack hath not Jill.” There is a kind of suspended animation, intended to last for a year, heralded by the closing song of spring and winter.

With its rhymes and dances, its four pairs of lovers and curious-knotted garden, the play has a symmetrical structure that seems to demand harmonious resolution, and yet it ends with interruption—the unfinished pageant, the unfinished courtship, and finally another unfinished performance. Armado announces that Holofernes and Nathaniel will stage an epilogue in the form of an academic dialogue, but we never get to hear it. The haunting simplicity of the song intended to introduce their debate brings Armado, the embodiment of verbosity, to one final rejection of language-feasting: he calls a halt to the show and dismisses the audiences onstage and off with the conclusion that more words would be harsh after such music.

KEY FACTS

PLOT: The King of Navarre and three of his lords form a little “academe” in which they vow to study for three years, renouncing the company of women. But the Princess of France and three of her ladies arrive on a diplomatic mission, throwing the plan into chaos as soon as the vows are made. The men from Navarre trump one another in a scene in which they are over heard reading aloud their bad love poems. The ladies then comprehensively outwit the men in a scene involving Russian disguise. A comic subplot concerns an extravagantly spoken Spaniard, his clever page, a country clown, and a pregnant dairymaid, with contributions from a curate and a pedantic schoolmaster, culminating in a pageant of classical and biblical heroes, “The Nine Worthies.” Halfway through this show, Marcadé arrives with news of the death of the princess’ father. The mood turns somber and the ladies give the men the task of performing a year’s ascetic penance or community service before they will marry them.

MAJOR PARTS: (with percentage of lines/number of speeches/scenes on stage) Berowne (22%/159/5), King (11%/117/4), Princess (10%/102/3), Don Armado (10%/102/4), Boyet (8%/80/3), Costard (7%/83/7), Rosaline (7%/75/3), Holofernes (6%/54/3), Moth (5%/78/3), Dumaine (3%/54/4), Longaville (2%/40/4), Maria (2%/25/3), Katherine (2%/22/3), Nathaniel (2%/19/3), Dull (1%/15/4), Jaquenetta (1%/13/3).

LINGUISTIC MEDIUM: 65% verse, 35% prose. High proportion of rhyme and interwoven poetry, including sonnets.

DATE: Before 1598. Edition of that year refers to the play being “presented before her Highness [Queen Elizabeth] this last Christmas.” A poem by Robert Tofte, also published in 1598, apparently refers to a performance seen in the public theater. Stylistic similarity to A Midsummer Night’s Dream and other lyrical plays, together with possible references to an Inns of Court Christmas entertainment of 1594–95, lead most scholars to date composition to 1595–96.

SOURCES: One of Shakespeare’s few genuinely sourceless plays, though draws on many aspects of the literary culture of the early 1590s (e.g., the vogue for love sonnets and the elaborate “euphuistic” writing style pioneered by John Lyly); the idea of four courtiers retreating from political engagement in order to engage in academic reflection and philosophical discussion may have been inspired by Pierre de la Primaudaye’s The French Academy (English translation 1586, reprinted 1589 and 1594). Though not a contemporary political allegory, some of the names in the play apparently allude to historical figures in contemporary France and Navarre (of great interest at the time, since in March 1594 King Henri of Navarre—a discrete kingdom between France and Spain—converted to Catholicism and became King of France).

TEXT: Quarto edition of 1598, “newly corrected and augmented by W. Shakespere”—this may imply that there was an earlier Quarto, now lost. The Folio was printed from the Quarto, making some corrections and introducing some errors. There are some severe textual tangles, particularly over characters’ names, where Shakespeare sometimes seems to have become muddled. Some passages, including Berowne’s crucial long speech about love at the end of the fourth act, contain repetition that strongly suggests that the printed text retains elements of Shakespeare’s first draft as well as the final version: we indicate such “first thoughts” with marginal marks (//).

LOVE’S LABOUR’S LOST

Ferdinand KING of Navarre

Don Adriano de ARMADO, a Spanish braggart

MOTH, a boy, his page

COSTARD, a clown

JAQUENETTA, a dairymaid

Anthony DULL, a constable

Sir NATHANIEL, a curate

HOLOFERNES, a pedantic schoolmaster

The PRINCESS of France

BOYET, a lord attending on the princess

Monsieur MARCADÉ, a messenger from the King of France

A FORESTER

Lords, Ladies, Attendants

Act 1 [Scene 1]1.1

running scene 1

       Enter Ferdinand King of Navarre, Berowne, Longaville and Dumaine

KING

KING     Let fame,¹ that all hunt after in their lives,

               Live registered² upon our brazen tombs,

               And then grace³ us in the disgrace of death

               When, spite⁴ of cormorant devouring time,

5

5             Th’endeavour of this present breath⁵ may buy

               That honour which shall bate⁶ his scythe’s keen edge

               And make us heirs of all eternity.

               Therefore, brave conquerors — for so you are,

               That war against your own affections⁹

10

10           And the huge army of the world’s desires —

               Our late¹¹ edict shall strongly stand in force.

               Navarre¹² shall be the wonder of the world,

               Our court shall be a little academe,¹³

               Still¹⁴ and contemplative in living art.

15

15           You three, Berowne, Dumaine and Longaville,

               Have sworn for three years’ term¹⁶ to live with me,

               My fellow-scholars, and to keep¹⁷ those statutes

               That are recorded in this schedule¹⁸ here. Shows a paper

               Your oaths are passed,¹⁹ and now subscribe your names,

20

20           That his own hand²⁰ may strike his honour down

               That violates the smallest branch²¹ herein.

               If you are armed²² to do as sworn to do,

               Subscribe to your deep²³ oaths, and keep it too.

LONGAVILLE

LONGAVILLE I am resolved: ’tis but a three years’ fast.

25

25           The mind shall banquet though the body pine.²⁵ Signs

               Fat paunches have lean pates,²⁶ and dainty bits

               Make rich the ribs, but bankrupt quite the wits.

DUMAINE

DUMAINE     My loving lord, Dumaine is mortified.²⁸

               The grosser²⁹ manner of these world’s delights

30

30           He throws upon the gross³⁰ world’s baser slaves. Signs

               To love, to wealth, to pomp, I pine and die,

               With all these living in³² philosophy.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     I can but say³³ their protestation over.

               So much, dear liege, I have already sworn,

35

35           That is, to live and study here three years.

               But there are other strict observances,³⁶

               As³⁷ not to see a woman in that term,

               Which I hope well is not enrollèd³⁸ there.

               And one day in a week to touch no food,

40

40           And but one meal on every day beside,

               The which I hope is not enrollèd there.

               And then to sleep but three hours in the night,

               And not be seen to wink⁴³ of all the day —

               When I was wont⁴⁴ to think no harm all night

45

45           And make a dark night too of half the day —

               Which I hope well is not enrollèd there.

               O, these are barren tasks, too hard to keep:

               Not to see ladies, study, fast, not sleep.

KING

KING     Your oath is passed to pass away from⁴⁹ these.

50

50   

BEROWNE

BEROWNE           Let me say no, my liege, an if⁵⁰ you please.

               I only swore to study with your grace

               And stay here in your court for three years’ space.⁵²

LONGAVILLE

LONGAVILLE You swore to that, Berowne, and to the rest.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     By⁵⁴ yea and nay, sir, then I swore in jest.

55

55           What is the end⁵⁵ of study, let me know?

KING

KING     Why, that to know which else we should not know.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Things hid and barred, you mean, from common sense?⁵⁷

KING

KING     Ay, that is study’s godlike recompense.⁵⁸

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Come on⁵⁹ then, I will swear to study so,

60

60           To know the thing I am forbid to know:

               As thus, to study where I well may dine,

               When I to feast expressly am forbid.

               Or study where to meet some mistress fine,

               When mistresses from common sense are hid.

65

65           Or, having sworn too hard-a-keeping oath,⁶⁵

               Study to break it and not break my troth.⁶⁶

               If study’s gain be thus and this be so,

               Study knows that which yet it doth not know.

               Swear me to this, and I will ne’er say no.

70

70   

KING

KING           These be the stops⁷⁰ that hinder study quite

               And train⁷¹ our intellects to vain delight.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Why, all delights are vain, and that most vain,

               Which with pain⁷³ purchased doth inherit pain:

               As⁷⁴ painfully to pore upon a book

75

75           To seek the light of truth, while truth the while⁷⁵

               Doth falsely⁷⁶ blind the eyesight of his look.

               Light⁷⁷ seeking light doth light of light beguile:

               So, ere⁷⁸ you find where light in darkness lies,

               Your light grows dark by losing of your eyes.

80

80           Study me⁸⁰ how to please the eye indeed

               By fixing it upon a fairer⁸¹ eye,

               Who dazzling⁸² so, that eye shall be his heed

               And give him light that it was blinded by.

               Study is like the heaven’s glorious sun

85

85           That will not be deep-searched with saucy⁸⁵ looks:

               Small⁸⁶ have continual plodders ever won

               Save⁸⁷ base authority from others’ books.

               These earthly godfathers⁸⁸ of heaven’s lights,

               That give a name to every fixèd star,

90

90           Have no more profit of⁹⁰ their shining nights

               Than those that walk and wot⁹¹ not what they are.

               Too⁹² much to know is to know nought but fame,

               And every godfather⁹³ can give a name.

KING

KING     How well he’s read, to reason against reading.

95

95   

DUMAINE

DUMAINE           Proceeded⁹⁵ well, to stop all good proceeding.

LONGAVILLE

LONGAVILLE He weeds⁹⁶ the corn, and still lets grow the weeding.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     The spring is near when green geese⁹⁷ are a-breeding.

DUMAINE

DUMAINE     How follows that?

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Fit in his⁹⁹ place and time.

100

100 

DUMAINE

DUMAINE             In reason nothing.¹⁰⁰

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Something then in rhyme.¹⁰¹

KING

KING     Berowne is like an envious¹⁰² sneaping frost

               That bites the first-born infants¹⁰³ of the spring.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Well, say I am. Why should proud¹⁰⁴ summer boast

105

105         Before the birds have any cause to sing?

               Why should I joy in any abortive¹⁰⁶ birth?

               At Christmas I no more desire a rose

               Than wish a snow in May’s new-fangled shows,¹⁰⁸

               But like of¹⁰⁹ each thing that in season grows.

110

110         So you, to study now it is too late,¹¹⁰

               That were to climb¹¹¹ o’er the house to unlock the gate.

KING

KING     Well, sit you out.¹¹² Go home, Berowne, adieu.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     No, my good lord, I have sworn to stay with you.

               And though I have for barbarism¹¹⁴ spoke more

115

115         Than for that angel knowledge you can say,

               Yet confident I’ll keep what I have sworn

               And bide¹¹⁷ the penance of each three years’ day.

               Give me the paper, let me read the same,

               And to the strict’st decrees I’ll write my name. Takes the paper

KING

KING     How well this yielding rescues thee from shame.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Reads ‘Item, That no woman shall come within a mile of my court.’ Hath this been proclaimed?

LONGAVILLE

LONGAVILLE Four days ago.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Let’s see the penalty: ‘On pain of losing her tongue.’ Who devised this penalty?

LONGAVILLE

LONGAVILLE Marry,¹²⁶ that did I.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Sweet lord, and why?

LONGAVILLE

LONGAVILLE To fright them hence¹²⁸ with that dread penalty.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     A dangerous law against gentility!¹²⁹ Reads ‘Item, If any man be seen to talk with a woman within the term of three years, he shall endure such public shame as the rest of the court shall possibly devise.’

               This article,¹³³ my liege, yourself must break,

               For well you know here comes in embassy¹³⁴

135

135         The French king’s daughter with yourself to speak —

               A maid of grace and complete¹³⁶ majesty —

               About surrender up of Aquitaine¹³⁷

               To her decrepit, sick and bedrid father:

               Therefore this article is made in vain,

140

140         Or vainly¹⁴⁰ comes th’admirèd princess hither.

KING

KING     What say you, lords? Why, this was quite forgot.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     So study evermore is overshot.¹⁴²

               While it doth study to have what it would,¹⁴³

               It doth forget to do the thing it should:

145

145         And when it hath the thing it hunteth most,

               ’Tis won as towns¹⁴⁶ with fire, so won, so lost.

KING

KING     We must of force¹⁴⁷ dispense with this decree.

               She must lie¹⁴⁸ here on mere necessity.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Necessity will make us all forsworn¹⁴⁹

150

150         Three thousand times within this three years’ space,

               For every man with his affects¹⁵¹ is born,

               Not by might¹⁵² mastered but by special grace.

               If I break faith, this word¹⁵³ shall speak for me:

               I am forsworn ‘on mere necessity’.

155

155         So to the laws at large¹⁵⁵ I write my name, Signs

               And he that breaks them in the least degree

               Stands in attainder¹⁵⁷ of eternal shame.

               Suggestions¹⁵⁸ are to others as to me:

               But I believe, although I seem so loath,

160

160         I am the¹⁶⁰ last that will last keep his oath.

               But is there no quick¹⁶¹ recreation granted?

KING

KING     Ay, that there is. Our court, you know, is haunted¹⁶²

               With a refinèd traveller of Spain,

               A man in¹⁶⁴ all the world’s new fashion planted,

165

165         That hath a mint¹⁶⁵ of phrases in his brain,

               One who the music of his own vain tongue

               Doth ravish like enchanting harmony,

               A man of compliments,¹⁶⁸ whom right and wrong

               Have chose as umpire of their mutiny.¹⁶⁹

170

170         This child of fancy,¹⁷⁰ that Armado hight,

               For interim¹⁷¹ to our studies shall relate

               In high-born¹⁷² words the worth of many a knight

               From tawny¹⁷³ Spain lost in the world’s debate.

               How you delight,¹⁷⁴ my lords, I know not, I,

175

175         But I protest I love to hear him lie,

               And I will use him for my minstrelsy.¹⁷⁶

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Armado is a most illustrious wight,¹⁷⁷

               A man of fire-new words, fashion’s own knight.

LONGAVILLE

LONGAVILLE Costard¹⁷⁹ the swain and he shall be our sport,

180

180         And so to study three years is but short.

       Enter a constable [Dull] with a letter, with Costard

DULL

DULL     Which is the duke’s¹⁸¹ own person?

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     This, fellow. What wouldst?

DULL

DULL     I myself reprehend¹⁸³ his own person, for I am his grace’s tharborough. But I would see his own person in flesh and blood.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     This is he.

DULL

DULL     Signior Arme…Arme…commends you.¹⁸⁶ There’s villainy abroad. This letter will tell you more. Shows a letter

COSTARD

COSTARD     Sir, the contempts¹⁸⁸ thereof are as touching me.

KING

KING     A letter from the magnificent¹⁸⁹ Armado.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     How¹⁹⁰ low soever the matter, I hope in God for high words.

LONGAVILLE

LONGAVILLE A high hope¹⁹¹ for a low heaven. God grant us patience.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     To hear, or forbear¹⁹² hearing?

LONGAVILLE

LONGAVILLE To hear meekly, sir, and to laugh moderately, or to forbear both.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Well, sir, be it¹⁹⁴ as the style shall give us cause to climb in the merriness.

COSTARD

COSTARD     The matter is to¹⁹⁵ me, sir, as concerning Jaquenetta. The manner of it is, I was taken¹⁹⁶ with the manner.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     In what manner?

COSTARD

COSTARD     In¹⁹⁸ manner and form following, sir, all those three. I was seen with her in the manor-house, sitting with her upon the form,¹⁹⁹ and taken following her into the park,²⁰⁰ which, put together, is ‘in manner and form following’. Now, sir, for the manner:²⁰¹ it is the manner of a man to speak to a woman. For the form: in some form.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     For the ‘following’, sir?

COSTARD

COSTARD     As it shall follow in my correction,²⁰⁴ and God defend the right!

KING

KING     Will you hear this letter with attention?

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     As we would hear an oracle.

COSTARD

COSTARD     Such is the simplicity²⁰⁷ of man to hearken after the flesh.

KING

KING     Reads ‘Great deputy, the welkin’s²⁰⁸ vicegerent and sole dominator of Navarre, my soul’s earth’s god, and body’s fostering²⁰⁹ patron’—

COSTARD

COSTARD     Not a word of Costard yet.

KING

KING     Reads ‘So it is’—

COSTARD

COSTARD     It may be so: but if he say it is so, he is, in telling true, but so.²¹²

KING

KING     Peace!

COSTARD

COSTARD     Be²¹⁴ to me and every man that dares not fight.

KING

KING     No words!

COSTARD

COSTARD     Of²¹⁶ other men’s secrets, I beseech you.

KING

KING     Reads ‘So it is, besieged with sable-coloured²¹⁷ melancholy, I did commend the black oppressing humour²¹⁸ to the most wholesome physic of thy health-giving air, and, as I am²¹⁹ a gentleman, betook myself to walk. The time, when? About the sixth hour, when beasts most graze, birds best peck, and men sit down to that nourishment which is called supper: so much for the time when. Now for the ground, which? Which, I mean, I walked upon. It is ycleped²²² thy park. Then for the place, where? Where, I mean, I did encounter that obscene²²³ and most preposterous²²⁴ event that draweth from my snow-white pen the ebon-coloured ink, which here thou viewest, beholdest, surveyest, or seest. But to the place, where? It standeth north-north-east and by east from the west corner of thy curious-knotted²²⁶ garden; there did I see that low-spirited²²⁷ swain, that base minnow of thy mirth’—

COSTARD

COSTARD     Me?

KING

KING     Reads ‘That unlettered²³⁰ small-knowing soul’—

COSTARD

COSTARD     Me?

KING

KING     Reads ‘That shallow vassal²³²’—

COSTARD

COSTARD     Still me?

KING

KING     Reads ‘Which, as I remember, hight Costard’—

COSTARD

COSTARD     O, me!

KING

KING     Reads ‘Sorted²³⁶ and consorted, contrary to thy established proclaimed edict and continent canon,²³⁷ which with — O, with — but with this I passion to say wherewith²³⁸’—

COSTARD

COSTARD     With a wench.

KING

KING     Reads ‘With a child of our grandmother Eve, a female, or, for thy more sweet understanding, a woman. Him I (as my ever-esteemed duty pricks²⁴¹ me on) have sent to thee, to receive the meed²⁴² of punishment, by thy sweet grace’s officer, Anthony Dull, a man of good repute, carriage,²⁴³ bearing, and estimation.’

DULL

DULL     Me, an’t²⁴⁴ shall please you. I am Anthony Dull.

KING

KING     Reads ‘For Jaquenetta — so is the weaker vessel²⁴⁵ called which I apprehended with the aforesaid swain — I keep²⁴⁶ her as a vessel of the law’s fury, and shall, at the least²⁴⁷ of thy sweet notice, bring her to trial. Thine, in all compliments of devoted and heart-burning heat of duty. Don Adriano de Armado.’

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     This is not so well as I looked for,²⁴⁹ but the best that ever I heard.

KING

KING     Ay, the best for²⁵⁰ the worst. But, sirrah, what say you to this?

COSTARD

COSTARD     Sir, I confess²⁵¹ the wench.

KING

KING     Did you hear the proclamation?

COSTARD

COSTARD     I do confess much of the hearing it but little of the marking of²⁵³ it.

KING

KING     It was proclaimed a year’s imprisonment to be taken with a wench.

COSTARD

COSTARD     I was taken with none, sir: I was taken with a damsel.

KING

KING     Well, it was proclaimed damsel.

COSTARD

COSTARD     This was no damsel, neither, sir: she was a virgin.

KING

KING     It is so varied²⁵⁸ too, for it was proclaimed virgin.

COSTARD

COSTARD     If it were, I deny her virginity: I was taken with a maid.

KING

KING     This maid²⁶⁰ will not serve your turn, sir.

COSTARD

COSTARD     This maid will serve my turn, sir.

KING

KING     Sir, I will pronounce your sentence: you shall fast a week with bran and water.

COSTARD

COSTARD     I had rather pray²⁶⁴ a month with mutton and porridge.

265

265 

KING

KING             And Don Armado shall be your keeper.

               My Lord Berowne, see him delivered o’er:²⁶⁶

               And go we, lords, to put in practice that

               Which each to other hath so strongly sworn.

       [Exeunt King, Longaville and Dumaine]

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     I’ll lay²⁶⁹ my head to any goodman’s hat,

270

270         These oaths and laws will prove an idle²⁷⁰ scorn.

               Sirrah, come on.

COSTARD

COSTARD     I suffer for the truth, sir, for true it is, I was taken with Jaquenetta, and Jaquenetta is a true²⁷³ girl. And therefore welcome the sour cup of prosperity! Affliction²⁷⁴ may one day smile again, and until then, sit down, sorrow!

       Exeunt

[Act 1 Scene 2]1.2

running scene 1 continues

       Enter Armado and Moth, his page

ARMADO

ARMADO     Boy, what sign is it¹ when a man of great spirit grows melancholy?

MOTH

MOTH     A great sign, sir, that he will look sad.

ARMADO

ARMADO     Why, sadness is one and the self-same thing, dear imp.³

MOTH

MOTH     No, no, O lord, sir, no.

ARMADO

ARMADO     How canst thou part⁵ sadness and melancholy, my tender juvenal?

MOTH

MOTH     By a familiar⁶ demonstration of the working, my tough señor.

ARMADO

ARMADO     Why tough señor? Why tough señor?

MOTH

MOTH     Why tender juvenal? Why tender juvenal?

ARMADO

ARMADO     I spoke it, tender juvenal, as a congruent epitheton⁹ appertaining to thy young days, which we may nominate¹⁰ tender.

MOTH

MOTH     And I, tough senior, as an appertinent¹¹ title to your old time, which we may name tough.

ARMADO

ARMADO     Pretty¹³ and apt.

MOTH

MOTH     How mean you, sir? I pretty, and my saying apt? Or I apt, and my saying pretty?

ARMADO

ARMADO     Thou pretty, because little.¹⁶

MOTH

MOTH     Little pretty, because little. Wherefore apt?

ARMADO

ARMADO     And therefore apt, because quick.¹⁸

MOTH

MOTH     Speak you this in my praise, master?

ARMADO

ARMADO     In thy condign²⁰ praise.

MOTH

MOTH     I will praise an eel with the same praise.

ARMADO

ARMADO     What, that an eel is ingenious?

MOTH

MOTH     That an eel is quick.²³

ARMADO

ARMADO     I do say thou art quick in answers. Thou heat’st my blood.²⁴

MOTH

MOTH     I am answered, sir.

ARMADO

ARMADO     I love not to be crossed.²⁶

MOTH

MOTH     He speaks the mere²⁷ contrary: crosses love not him. Aside

ARMADO

ARMADO     I have promised to study three years with the duke.²⁸

MOTH

MOTH     You may do it in an hour, sir.

ARMADO

ARMADO     Impossible.

MOTH

MOTH     How many is one thrice told?³¹

ARMADO

ARMADO     I am ill³² at reckoning. It fits the spirit of a tapster.

MOTH

MOTH     You are a gentleman and a gamester,³³ sir.

ARMADO

ARMADO     I confess both: they are both the varnish of a complete³⁴ man.

MOTH

MOTH     Then I am sure you know how much the gross sum of deuce-ace³⁵ amounts to.

ARMADO

ARMADO     It doth amount to one more than two.

MOTH

MOTH     Which the base vulgar³⁸ call three.

ARMADO

ARMADO     True.

MOTH

MOTH     Why, sir, is this such a piece⁴⁰ of study? Now here’s three studied ere you’ll thrice wink. And how easy it is to put ‘years’ to the word ‘three’, and study three years in two words, the dancing horse⁴² will tell you.

ARMADO

ARMADO     A most fine figure!⁴³

MOTH

MOTH     To prove you a cipher.⁴⁴ Aside

ARMADO

ARMADO     I will hereupon confess I am in love. And as it is base⁴⁵ for a soldier to love, so am I in love with a base wench. If drawing my sword against the humour of affection⁴⁶ would deliver me from the reprobate⁴⁷ thought of it, I would take desire prisoner, and ransom him to any French courtier for a new-devised curtsy.⁴⁸ I think scorn to sigh: methinks I should outswear⁴⁹ Cupid. Comfort me, boy. What great men have been in love?

MOTH

MOTH     Hercules,⁵¹ master.

ARMADO

ARMADO     Most sweet Hercules! More authority, dear boy, name more; and, sweet my child, let them be men of good repute and carriage.⁵³

MOTH

MOTH     Samson,⁵⁴ master. He was a man of good carriage, great carriage, for he carried the town-gates on his back like a porter, and he was in love.

ARMADO

ARMADO     O well-knit⁵⁶ Samson, strong-jointed Samson! I do excel thee in my rapier as much as thou didst me in carrying gates. I am in love too. Who was Samson’s love, my dear Moth?

MOTH

MOTH     A woman, master.

ARMADO

ARMADO     Of what complexion?⁶⁰

MOTH

MOTH     Of⁶¹ all the four, or the three, or the two, or one of the four.

ARMADO

ARMADO     Tell me precisely of what complexion.

MOTH

MOTH     Of the sea-water green,⁶³ sir.

ARMADO

ARMADO     Is that one of the four complexions?

MOTH

MOTH     As I have read, sir, and the best of them too.

ARMADO

ARMADO     Green⁶⁶ indeed is the colour of lovers, but to have a love of that colour, methinks Samson had small reason for it. He surely affected⁶⁷ her for her wit.

MOTH

MOTH     It was so, sir, for she had a green⁶⁸ wit.

ARMADO

ARMADO     My love is most immaculate white and red.

MOTH

MOTH     Most maculate⁷⁰ thoughts, master, are masked under such colours.

ARMADO

ARMADO     Define,⁷¹ define, well-educated infant.

MOTH

MOTH     My father’s wit and my mother’s tongue assist me!

ARMADO

ARMADO     Sweet invocation of a child, most pretty and pathetical!⁷³

MOTH

MOTH     If she⁷⁴ be made of white and red,

75

75                                Her faults will ne’er be known,

                                    For blushing cheeks by faults are bred

                                    And fears by pale white shown.

                                    Then if she fear, or be to blame,

                                    By this⁷⁹ you shall not know,

80

80                                For still⁸⁰ her cheeks possess the same

                                    Which native⁸¹ she doth owe.

                  A⁸² dangerous rhyme, master, against the reason of white and red.

ARMADO

ARMADO     Is there not a ballad,⁸³ boy, of the King and the Beggar?

MOTH

MOTH     The world was very guilty of such a ballad some three ages since,⁸⁴ but I think now ’tis not to be found, or, if it were, it would neither serve⁸⁵ for the writing nor the tune.

ARMADO

ARMADO     I will have that subject newly writ o’er, that I may example⁸⁷ my digression by some mighty precedent. Boy, I do love that country girl that I took in the park with the rational hind⁸⁹ Costard. She deserves well.

MOTH

MOTH     To be whipped:⁹⁰ and yet a better love than my master. Aside

ARMADO

ARMADO     Sing, boy. My spirit grows heavy⁹¹ in love.

MOTH

MOTH     And that’s great marvel, loving a light⁹² wench. Aside

ARMADO

ARMADO     I say sing.

MOTH

MOTH     Forbear till this company be past.

       Enter [Costard, the] Clown, [Dull, the] Constable and [Jaquenetta, a] wench

DULL

DULL     Sir, the duke’s pleasure is that you keep Costard safe: and you must let him take no delight nor no penance,⁹⁶ but he must fast three days a week. For this damsel, I must keep her at the park: she is allowed for the dey-woman.⁹⁷ Fare you well.

       Exit

ARMADO

ARMADO     I do betray myself with blushing.— Maid! Aside

JAQUENETTA

JAQUENETT Man?

ARMADO

ARMADO     I will visit thee at the lodge.¹⁰¹

JAQUENETTA

JAQUENETT That’s hereby.¹⁰²

ARMADO

ARMADO     I know where it is situate.

JAQUENETTA

JAQUENETT Lord, how wise you are!

ARMADO

ARMADO     I will tell thee wonders.

JAQUENETTA

JAQUENETT With that face?¹⁰⁶

ARMADO

ARMADO     I love thee.

JAQUENETTA

JAQUENETT So I heard you say.

ARMADO

ARMADO     And so farewell.

JAQUENETTA

JAQUENETT Fair weather after you.

COSTARD

COSTARD     Come, Jaquenetta, away.

       Exit [Jaquenetta]

ARMADO

ARMADO     Villain,¹¹² thou shalt fast for thy offences ere thou be pardoned.

COSTARD

COSTARD     Well, sir, I hope, when I do it, I shall do it on a full stomach.¹¹³

ARMADO

ARMADO     Thou shalt be heavily punished.

COSTARD

COSTARD     I am more bound¹¹⁵ to you than your fellows, for they are but lightly rewarded.

ARMADO

ARMADO     Take away this villain. Shut him up. To Moth

MOTH

MOTH     Come, you transgressing slave, away!

COSTARD

COSTARD     Let me not be pent up,¹¹⁹ sir, I will fast being loose.

MOTH

MOTH     No, sir, that were fast and¹²⁰ loose. Thou shalt to prison.

COSTARD

COSTARD     Well, if ever I do see the merry days of desolation¹²¹ that I have seen, some shall see—

MOTH

MOTH     What shall some see?

COSTARD

COSTARD     Nay, nothing, Master Moth, but what they look upon. It is not for prisoners to be too silent¹²⁵ in their words and therefore I will say nothing. I thank God I have as little¹²⁶ patience as another man and therefore I can be quiet.

       [Exeunt Moth and Costard]

ARMADO

ARMADO     I do affect¹²⁷ the very ground, which is base, where her shoe, which is baser, guided by her foot, which is basest, doth tread. I shall be forsworn,¹²⁸ which is a great argument¹²⁹ of falsehood, if I love. And how can that be true love which is falsely attempted? Love is a familiar,¹³⁰ love is a devil. There is no evil angel but love. Yet Samson was so tempted, and he had an excellent strength. Yet was Solomon¹³¹ so seduced, and he had a very good wit. Cupid’s butt-shaft¹³² is too hard for Hercules’ club, and therefore too much odds¹³³ for a Spaniard’s rapier. The first and second cause will not serve my turn.¹³⁴ The passado he respects not, the duello he regards not. His disgrace is to be called boy, but his glory is to subdue men. Adieu, valour: rust, rapier: be still, drum, for your manager¹³⁶ is in love; yea, he loveth. Assist me, some extemporal¹³⁷ god of rhyme, for I am sure I shall turn sonnet. Devise, wit: write, pen, for¹³⁸ I am for whole volumes in folio.

       Exit

Act 2 [Scene 1]2.1

running scene 2

       Enter the Princess of France with three attending Ladies [Rosaline, Maria and Katherine] and three Lords [Boyet and two others]

BOYET

BOYET     Now, madam, summon up your dearest¹ spirits.

               Consider who the king your father sends,

               To whom he sends, and what’s his embassy:³

               Yourself, held precious in the world’s esteem,

5

5             To parley⁵ with the sole inheritor

               Of all perfections that a man may owe,⁶

               Matchless⁷ Navarre, the plea of no less weight

               Than Aquitaine, a dowry for a queen.

               Be now as prodigal of⁹ all dear grace

10

10           As Nature was in making graces dear¹⁰

               When she did starve¹¹ the general world beside

               And prodigally gave them all to you.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     Good Lord Boyet, my beauty, though but mean,¹³

               Needs not the painted flourish of your praise.

15

15           Beauty is bought by judgement of the eye,

               Not uttered¹⁶ by base sale of chapmen’s tongues:

               I am less proud to hear you tell¹⁷ my worth

               Than you much¹⁸ willing to be counted wise

               In spending¹⁹ your wit in the praise of mine.

20

20           But now to task²⁰ the tasker. Good Boyet,

               You are not ignorant²¹ all-telling fame

               Doth noise abroad²² Navarre hath made a vow,

               Till painful²³ study shall outwear three years,

               No woman may approach his silent court:

25

25           Therefore to’s seemeth it²⁵ a needful course,

               Before we enter his forbidden gates,

               To know his pleasure,²⁷ and in that behalf,

               Bold²⁸ of your worthiness, we single you

               As our best-moving²⁹ fair solicitor.

30

30           Tell him the daughter of the King of France,

               On serious business craving quick dispatch,

               Importunes³² personal conference with his grace.

               Haste, signify so much, while we attend,³³

               Like humble-visaged suitors, his high will.

35

35   

BOYET

BOYET           Proud of³⁵ employment, willingly I go.

       Exit

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     All pride³⁶ is willing pride, and yours is so.

               Who are the votaries,³⁷ my loving lords,

               That are vow-fellows with this virtuous duke?

A LORD

A LORD     Longaville is one.

40

40   

PRINCESS

PRINCESS           Know you the man?

MARIA

MARIA     I know him, madam: at a marriage-feast

               Between Lord Perigort⁴² and the beauteous heir

               Of Jaques Falconbridge, solemnized

               In Normandy,⁴⁴ saw I this Longaville.

45

45           A man of sovereign parts⁴⁵ he is esteemed,

               Well fitted⁴⁶ in arts, glorious in arms.

               Nothing⁴⁷ becomes him ill that he would well.

               The only soil⁴⁸ of his fair virtue’s gloss,

               If virtue’s gloss will stain with any soil,

50

50           Is a sharp wit matched with too blunt a will,⁵⁰

               Whose edge hath power to cut, whose will still⁵¹ wills

               It should none spare that come within his⁵² power.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     Some merry mocking lord, belike:⁵³ is’t so?

MARIA

MARIA     They say so most that most his humours⁵⁴ know.

55

55   

PRINCESS

PRINCESS           Such short-lived wits do wither as they grow.

               Who are the rest?

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     The young Dumaine, a well-accomplished youth,

               Of⁵⁸ all that virtue love for virtue loved:

               Most power to do most harm, least knowing ill,⁵⁹

60

60           For he hath wit⁶⁰ to make an ill shape good,

               And shape⁶¹ to win grace though he had no wit.

               I saw him at the Duke Alençon’s⁶² once,

               And much⁶³ too little of that good I saw

               Is my report to his great worthiness.

65

65   

ROSALINE

ROSALINE           Another of these students at that time

               Was there with him, if I have heard a truth.

               Berowne they call him, but a merrier man,

               Within the limit of becoming⁶⁸ mirth,

               I never spent an hour’s talk withal.⁶⁹

70

70           His eye begets⁷⁰ occasion for his wit,

               For every object that the one doth catch,⁷¹

               The other turns to a mirth-moving⁷² jest,

               Which his fair tongue, conceit’s expositor,⁷³

               Delivers in such apt and gracious words

75

75           That agèd ears play truant at⁷⁵ his tales

               And younger hearings are quite ravishèd,

               So sweet and voluble⁷⁷ is his discourse.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     God bless my ladies! Are they all in love,

               That every one her own hath garnishèd

80

80           With such bedecking⁸⁰ ornaments of praise?

MARIA

MARIA     Here comes Boyet.

       Enter Boyet

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     Now, what admittance,⁸² lord?

BOYET

BOYET     Navarre had notice of your fair approach,

               And he and his competitors⁸⁴ in oath

85

85           Were all addressed⁸⁵ to meet you, gentle lady,

               Before I came. Marry, thus much I have learned:

               He rather means to lodge⁸⁷ you in the field,

               Like one that comes here to besiege his court,

               Than seek a dispensation for his oath

90

90           To let you enter his unpeopled⁹⁰ house.

               Here comes Navarre.

       Enter [the King of] Navarre, Longaville, Dumaine, Berowne [and Attendants]

KING

KING     Fair princess, welcome to the court of Navarre.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     ‘Fair’ I give you back again, and ‘welcome’ I have not yet: the roof⁹³ of this court is too high to be yours, and welcome to the wide fields too base to be mine.

95

95   

KING

KING     You shall be welcome, madam, to my court.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     I will be welcome, then. Conduct me thither.

KING

KING     Hear me, dear lady: I have sworn an oath.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     Our Lady help my lord! He’ll be forsworn.

KING

KING     Not for the world, fair madam, by my will.⁹⁹

100

100 

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     Why, will¹⁰⁰ shall break it: will, and nothing else.

KING

KING     Your ladyship is ignorant what it is.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     Were my lord so, his ignorance were wise,

               Where¹⁰³ now his knowledge must prove ignorance.

               I hear your grace hath sworn out house-keeping.¹⁰⁴

105

105         ’Tis deadly sin to keep that oath, my lord,

               And sin to break it.

               But pardon me. I am too sudden-bold:

               To teach a teacher ill beseemeth¹⁰⁸ me.

               Vouchsafe¹⁰⁹ to read the purpose of my coming, Gives a paper

110

110         And suddenly¹¹⁰ resolve me in my suit.

KING

KING     Madam, I will, if suddenly I may. Reads

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     You will the sooner that¹¹² I were away,

               For you’ll prove perjured if you make me stay.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Did not I dance with you in Brabant¹¹⁴ once? To Rosaline

115

115 

ROSALINE

ROSALINE             Did not I dance with you in Brabant once?

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     I know you did.

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     How needless was it then to ask the question!

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     You must not be so quick.¹¹⁸

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     ’Tis long¹¹⁹ of you that spur me with such questions.

120

120 

BEROWNE

BEROWNE             Your wit’s too hot,¹²⁰ it speeds too fast, ’twill tire.

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     Not till it leave the rider in the mire.¹²¹

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     What time o’day?¹²²

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     The hour that fools should ask.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Now fair befall your mask.¹²⁴

125

125 

ROSALINE

ROSALINE             Fair fall¹²⁵ the face it covers.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     And send you many lovers.

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     Amen, so¹²⁷ you be none.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Nay, then will I be gone. Walks away

KING

KING     Madam, your father here doth intimate¹²⁹ To the Princess

130

130         The payment of a hundred thousand crowns,

               Being but th’one half of an entire sum

               Disbursèd¹³² by my father in his wars.

               But say that he¹³³ or we, as neither have,

               Received that sum, yet there remains unpaid

135

135         A hundred thousand more, in surety¹³⁵ of the which,

               One part of Aquitaine is bound¹³⁶ to us,

               Although not valued to¹³⁷ the money’s worth.

               If then the king your father will restore¹³⁸

               But that one half which is unsatisfied,¹³⁹

140

140         We will give up our right in Aquitaine

               And hold fair friendship with his majesty.

               But that, it seems, he little purposeth,¹⁴²

               For here he doth demand¹⁴³ to have repaid

               An hundred thousand crowns, and not¹⁴⁴ demands,

145

145         On payment of a hundred thousand crowns,

               To have¹⁴⁶ his title live in Aquitaine,

               Which we much rather had depart withal,¹⁴⁷

               And have the money by our father lent,

               Than Aquitaine, so gelded¹⁴⁹ as it is.

150

150         Dear princess, were not his requests so far

               From reason’s yielding, your fair self should make

               A¹⁵² yielding gainst some reason in my breast

               And go well satisfied to France again.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     You do the king my father too much wrong

155

155         And wrong the reputation of your name,

               In so unseeming¹⁵⁶ to confess receipt

               Of that which hath so faithfully been paid.

KING

KING     I do protest I never heard of it.

               And if you prove it, I’ll repay it back

160

160         Or yield up Aquitaine.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     We arrest¹⁶¹ your word.

               Boyet, you can produce acquittances¹⁶²

               For such a sum from special officers

               Of Charles, his¹⁶⁴ father.

165

165 

KING

KING             Satisfy me so.¹⁶⁵

BOYET

BOYET     So please your grace, the packet is not come

               Where that and other specialties¹⁶⁷ are bound.

               Tomorrow you shall have a sight of them.

KING

KING     It shall suffice me; at which interview,

170

170         All liberal reason¹⁷⁰ would I yield unto.

               Meantime receive such welcome at my hand

               As honour without breach of honour¹⁷² may

               Make tender of¹⁷³ to thy true worthiness.

               You may not come, fair princess, in my gates,

175

175         But here without¹⁷⁵ you shall be so received

               As¹⁷⁶ you shall deem yourself lodged in my heart,

               Though so denied fair harbour in my house.

               Your¹⁷⁸ own good thoughts excuse me, and farewell:

               Tomorrow we shall visit you again.

180

180 

PRINCESS

PRINCESS             Sweet health and fair desires consort¹⁸⁰ your grace.

KING

KING     Thy¹⁸¹ own wish wish I thee in every place!

       Exit [the King, with Longaville and Dumaine]

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Lady, I will commend you to my own heart.

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     Pray you, do my commendations,¹⁸³ I would be glad to see it.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     I would you heard it groan.

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     Is the fool¹⁸⁵ sick?

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Sick at the heart.

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     Alack, let it blood.¹⁸⁷

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Would that do it good?

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     My physic¹⁸⁹ says ‘ay’.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Will you prick’t with your eye?¹⁹⁰

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     Non point,¹⁹¹ with my knife.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Now, God save thy life!

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     And yours from long living!

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     I cannot stay thanksgiving.¹⁹⁴

       Exit

       Enter Dumaine

195

195 

DUMAINE

DUMAINE             Sir, I pray you a word: what lady is that same? To Boyet

BOYET

BOYET     The heir of Alençon, Katherine¹⁹⁶ her name.

DUMAINE

DUMAINE     A gallant¹⁹⁷ lady. Monsieur, fare you well.

       [Exit]

       [Enter Longaville]

LONGAVILLE

LONGAVILLE I beseech you a word: what is she in the white? To Boyet

BOYET

BOYET     A woman sometimes, if you saw her in the light.

200

200 

LONGAVILLE

LONGAVILLE Perchance light²⁰⁰ in the light. I desire her name.

BOYET

BOYET     She hath but one for herself, to desire²⁰¹ that were a shame.

LONGAVILLE

LONGAVILLE Pray you, sir, whose daughter?

BOYET

BOYET     Her mother’s, I have heard.

LONGAVILLE

LONGAVILLE God’s blessing o’your beard!

205

205 

BOYET

BOYET             Good sir, be not offended.

               She is an heir of Falconbridge.

LONGAVILLE

LONGAVILLE Nay, my choler²⁰⁷ is ended.

               She is a most sweet lady.

       Exit Longaville

BOYET

BOYET     Not unlike,²⁰⁹ sir, that may be.

       Enter Berowne

210

210 

BEROWNE

BEROWNE             What’s her name in the cap?

BOYET

BOYET     Rosaline,²¹¹ by good hap.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Is she wedded or no?

BOYET

BOYET     To her will, sir, or so.²¹³

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     You are welcome, sir. Adieu.

215

215 

BOYET

BOYET             Farewell to me, sir, and welcome to you.²¹⁵

       Exit [Berowne]

MARIA

MARIA     That last is Berowne, the merry madcap lord.

               Not a word with him but a jest.

BOYET

BOYET     And every jest but a word.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     It was well done of you to take²¹⁹ him at his word.

220

220 

BOYET

BOYET             I was as willing to grapple²²⁰ as he was to board.

MARIA

MARIA     Two hot²²¹ sheeps, marry.

BOYET

BOYET     And wherefore not ‘ships’?

               No sheep, sweet lamb, unless we feed on your lips.

MARIA

MARIA     You sheep, and I pasture.²²⁴ Shall that finish the jest?

225

225 

BOYET

BOYET             So²²⁵ you grant pasture for me. Tries to kiss her

MARIA

MARIA     Not so, gentle beast.

               My lips are no common,²²⁷ though several they be.

BOYET

BOYET     Belonging to whom?

MARIA

MARIA     To my fortunes and me.

230

230 

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     Good wits will be jangling;²³⁰ but, gentles, agree.

               This civil²³¹ war of wits were much better used

               On Navarre and his bookmen,²³² for here ’tis abused.

BOYET

BOYET     If my observation — which very seldom lies

               By²³⁴ the heart’s still rhetoric disclosèd with eyes —

235

235         Deceive me not now, Navarre is infected.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     With what?

BOYET

BOYET     With that which we lovers entitle affected.²³⁷

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     Your reason?

BOYET

BOYET     Why, all his behaviours did²³⁹ make their retire

240

240         To the court²⁴⁰ of his eye, peeping thorough desire.

               His heart, like an agate,²⁴¹ with your print impressed,

               Proud²⁴² with his form, in his eye pride expressed.

               His tongue, all²⁴³ impatient to speak and not see,

               Did stumble with haste in his eyesight to be.

245

245         All senses to that sense²⁴⁵ did make their repair,

               To feel only looking on fairest of fair.

               Methought all his senses were locked in his eye,

               As jewels in crystal²⁴⁸ for some prince to buy,

               Who, tend’ring²⁴⁹ their own worth from whence they were glassed,

250

250         Did point²⁵⁰ out to buy them along as you passed.

               His face’s own margin²⁵¹ did quote such amazes

               That all eyes saw his eyes enchanted with gazes.

               I’ll give you Aquitaine, and all that is his,

               An²⁵⁴ you give him for my sake but one loving kiss.

255

255 

PRINCESS

PRINCESS             Come to our pavilion.²⁵⁵ Boyet is disposed.

BOYET

BOYET     But²⁵⁶ to speak that in words which his eye hath disclosed.

               I only have made a mouth of his eye,

               By adding a tongue which I know will not lie.

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     Thou art an old love-monger and speakest skilfully.

MARIA

MARIA     He is Cupid’s grandfather and learns news of him.

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     Then was Venus²⁶¹ like her mother, for her father is but grim.

BOYET

BOYET     Do you hear, my mad²⁶² wenches?

MARIA

MARIA     No.

BOYET

BOYET     What then, do you see?

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     Ay, our way to be gone.

BOYET

BOYET     You are too hard²⁶⁶ for me.

       Exeunt

Act 3 [Scene 1]

running scene 3

Enter Braggart [Armado] and [his] Boy [Moth, singing a] song

ARMADO

ARMADO     Warble, child, make passionate my sense of hearing.

MOTH

MOTH     Concolinel.² Sings

ARMADO

ARMADO     Sweet air!³ Go, tenderness of years, take this key, give enlargement to the swain, bring him festinately⁴ hither. I must employ him in a letter to my love.

MOTH

MOTH     Master, will you win your love with a French brawl?⁵

ARMADO

ARMADO     How meanest thou? Brawling⁶ in French?

MOTH

MOTH     No, my complete master: but to jig⁷ off a tune at the tongue’s end, canary to it with your feet, humour⁸ it with turning up your eyelids, sigh a note and sing a note, sometime through the throat, if you swallowed love with singing love, sometime through the nose as if you snuffed up love by smelling love, with your hat penthouse-like¹¹ o’er the shop of your eyes, with your arms crossed on your thin-belly¹² doublet like a rabbit on a spit, or your hands in your pocket like a man after¹³ the old painting, and keep not too long in one tune, but a snip and away. These are compliments,¹⁴ these are humours, these betray nice wenches that would be betrayed without these and make them men of note¹⁵ — do you note, men?¹⁶ — that most are affected to these.

ARMADO

ARMADO     How hast thou purchased¹⁷ this experience?

MOTH

MOTH     By my penny of observation.

ARMADO

ARMADO     But O, but O—

MOTH

MOTH     ‘The²⁰ hobby-horse is forgot.’

ARMADO

ARMADO     Callest thou my love ‘hobby-horse²¹’?

MOTH

MOTH     No, master. The hobby-horse is but a colt,²² and your love perhaps, a hackney.²³ But have you forgot your love?

ARMADO

ARMADO     Almost I had.

MOTH

MOTH     Negligent student! Learn her by heart.

ARMADO

ARMADO     By heart and in heart, boy.

MOTH

MOTH     And out of heart, master: all those three I will prove.²⁷

ARMADO

ARMADO     What wilt thou prove?

MOTH

MOTH     A man, if I live, and this, ‘by’, ‘in’, and ‘without’, upon the instant: ‘by’ heart you love her, because your heart cannot come by³⁰ her. ‘In’ heart you love her, because your heart is in love with her. And ‘out’ of heart you love her, being out of heart³² that you cannot enjoy her.

ARMADO

ARMADO     I am all these three.

MOTH

MOTH     And three times as much more, and yet nothing at all.

ARMADO

ARMADO     Fetch hither the swain. He must carry me³⁵ a letter.

MOTH

MOTH     A message well sympathized:³⁶ a horse to be ambassador for an ass.

ARMADO

ARMADO     Ha, ha, what sayest thou?

MOTH

MOTH     Marry, sir, you must send the ass upon the horse, for he is very slow-gaited.³⁸ But I go.

ARMADO

ARMADO     The way is but short. Away!

MOTH

MOTH     As swift as lead, sir.

ARMADO

ARMADO     Thy meaning, pretty ingenious?⁴² Is not lead a metal heavy, dull and slow?

MOTH

MOTH     Minime,⁴³ honest master, or rather, master, no.

ARMADO

ARMADO     I say lead is slow.

MOTH

MOTH     You are too swift, sir, to say so. Is that lead slow which is fired from a gun?

ARMADO

ARMADO     Sweet smoke of rhetoric! He reputes me a cannon; and the bullet, that’s he. I shoot thee at the swain.

MOTH

MOTH     Thump⁵⁰ then, and I flee.

[Exit]

ARMADO

ARMADO     A most acute⁵¹ juvenal, voluble and free of grace! By thy favour, sweet welkin,⁵² I must sigh in thy face. Most rude melancholy, valour gives thee place.⁵³ My herald is returned.

Enter Page [Moth] and Clown [Costard]

MOTH

MOTH     A wonder, master! Here’s a costard⁵⁵ broken in a shin.

ARMADO

ARMADO     Some enigma, some riddle: come, thy l’envoy,⁵⁶ begin.

COSTARD

COSTARD     No egma,⁵⁷ no riddle, no l’envoy, no salve in the mail, sir. O, sir, plantain, a plain plantain! No l’envoy, no l’envoy, no salve, sir, but a plantain!

ARMADO

ARMADO     By virtue,⁵⁹ thou enforcest laughter: thy silly thought, my spleen. The heaving of my lungs provokes me to ridiculous⁶⁰ smiling. O, pardon me, my stars! Doth the inconsiderate⁶¹ take salve for l’envoy, and the word ‘l’envoy’ for a salve?

MOTH

MOTH     Do the wise think them other? Is not l’envoy a salve?

ARMADO

ARMADO     No, page: it is an epilogue or discourse, to make plain Some obscure precedence⁶⁴ that hath tofore been sain. Now will I begin your moral, and do you follow with my l’envoy:

                                    The fox, the ape, and the humble-bee⁶⁶

                                    Were still⁶⁷ at odds, being but three.

                                    Until the goose came out of door,

                                    Staying the odds⁶⁹ by adding four.

MOTH

MOTH     A good l’envoy,⁷⁰ ending in the goose. Would you desire more?

COSTARD

COSTARD     The boy hath sold⁷¹ him a bargain, a goose, that’s flat. Sir, your pennyworth is good,⁷² an your goose be fat. To sell a bargain well is as cunning as fast and loose.⁷³ Let me see: a fat l’envoy — ay, that’s a fat goose.

ARMADO

ARMADO     Come hither, come hither. How did this argument⁷⁵ begin?

MOTH

MOTH     By saying that a costard was broken in a shin. Then called you for the l’envoy.

COSTARD

COSTARD     True, and I for a plantain: thus came your argument in. Then the boy’s fat l’envoy, the goose that you bought, And he ended the market.⁸⁰

ARMADO

ARMADO     But tell me, how was there a costard broken in a shin?

MOTH

MOTH     I will tell you sensibly.⁸²

COSTARD

COSTARD     Thou hast no feeling⁸³ of it, Moth. I will speak that l’envoy: I Costard, running out, that was safely within, Fell over the threshold⁸⁵ and broke my shin.

ARMADO

ARMADO     We will talk no more of this matter.

COSTARD

COSTARD     Till there be more matter⁸⁷ in the shin.

ARMADO

ARMADO     Sirrah Costard, I will enfranchise⁸⁸ thee.

COSTARD

COSTARD     O, marry me to one Frances:⁸⁹ I smell some l’envoy, some goose in this.

ARMADO

ARMADO     By my sweet soul, I mean setting thee at liberty, enfreedoming thy person. Thou wert immured,⁹¹ restrained, captivated, bound.

COSTARD

COSTARD     True, true, and now you will be my purgation⁹² and let me loose.

ARMADO

ARMADO     I give thee thy liberty, set thee from durance,⁹³ and in lieu thereof impose on thee nothing but this: Gives a letter bear this significant⁹⁴ to the country maid Jaquenetta. Gives money There is remuneration,⁹⁵ for the best ward of mine honours is rewarding my dependants.⁹⁶ Moth, follow.

[Exit]

MOTH

MOTH     Like the sequel,⁹⁷ I. Signior Costard, adieu.

Exit

COSTARD

COSTARD     My sweet ounce of man’s flesh, my incony⁹⁸ Jew! Now will I look to his remuneration. ‘Remuneration’ — O, that’s the Latin word for three farthings.⁹⁹ Three farthings — remuneration. ‘What’s the price of this inkle?’¹⁰⁰ ‘One penny.’ ‘No, I’ll give you a remuneration.’ Why, it carries it.¹⁰¹ ‘Remuneration.’ Why, it is a fairer name than French crown.¹⁰² I will never buy and sell out of this word.

Enter Berowne

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     O, my good knave Costard, exceedingly well met.

COSTARD

COSTARD     Pray you, sir, how much carnation¹⁰⁴ ribbon may a man buy for a remuneration?

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     What is a remuneration?

COSTARD

COSTARD     Marry, sir, halfpenny farthing.¹⁰⁷

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     O, why then three farthings worth of silk.

COSTARD

COSTARD     I thank your worship. God be wi’you! Starts to leave

110

110 

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     O, stay, slave,¹¹⁰ I must employ thee:

As thou wilt win my favour, good my knave,¹¹¹

Do one thing for me that I shall entreat.

COSTARD

COSTARD     When would you have it done, sir?

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     O, this afternoon.

115

115 

COSTARD

COSTARD     Well, I will do it, sir. Fare you well.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     O, thou knowest not what it is.

COSTARD

COSTARD     I shall know, sir, when I have done it.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Why, villain,¹¹⁸ thou must know first.

COSTARD

COSTARD     I will come to your worship tomorrow morning.

120

120 

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     It must be done this afternoon.

Hark, slave, it is but this:

The princess comes to hunt here in the park,

And in her train¹²³ there is a gentle lady,

When tongues speak sweetly, then they name her name,

125

And Rosaline they call her. Ask for her

And to her white hand see thou do commend¹²⁶ Gives a letter and money

This sealed-up counsel.¹²⁷ There’s thy guerdon: go.

COSTARD

COSTARD     Gardon,¹²⁸ O sweet gardon! Better than remuneration, a’leven-pence-farthing better.¹²⁹ Most sweet gardon! I will do it, sir, in print. Gardon! Remuneration!

Exit

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     O and I, forsooth, in love! I, that have been love’s whip,

A very beadle¹³² to a humorous sigh,

A critic, nay, a night-watch constable,

A domineering pedant¹³⁴ o’er the boy,

135

Than¹³⁵ whom no mortal so magnificent!

This wimpled,¹³⁶ whining, purblind, wayward boy,

This Signior Junior, giant-dwarf, Don Cupid,

Regent¹³⁸ of love-rhymes, lord of folded arms,

Th’anointed sovereign of sighs and groans,

140

Liege of all loiterers and malcontents,

Dread¹⁴¹ prince of plackets, king of codpieces,

Sole imperator¹⁴² and great general

Of trotting paritors¹⁴³ — O my little heart! —

And I to be a corporal¹⁴⁴ of his field

145

And wear his colours¹⁴⁵ like a tumbler’s hoop.

What? I love, I sue,¹⁴⁶ I seek a wife?

A woman that is like a German clock,¹⁴⁷

Still a-repairing,¹⁴⁸ ever out of frame,

And never going aright,¹⁴⁹ being a watch,

150

But being¹⁵⁰ watched that it may still go right!

Nay, to be perjured, which is worst of all,

And, among three, to love the worst of all;

A whitely¹⁵³ wanton with a velvet brow,

With two pitch-balls¹⁵⁴ stuck in her face for eyes.

155

Ay, and by heaven, one that will do the deed¹⁵⁵

Though¹⁵⁶ Argus were her eunuch and her guard.

And I to sigh for her, to watch¹⁵⁷ for her,

To pray for her! Go to,¹⁵⁸ it is a plague

That Cupid will impose for my neglect¹⁵⁹

160

Of his almighty dreadful little might.

Well, I will love, write, sigh, pray, sue and groan.

Some men must love my¹⁶² lady, and some Joan.

[Exit]

Act 4 [Scene 1]

running scene 4

Enter the Princess, a Forester [with a bow], her Ladies [Rosaline, Maria and Katherine] and her Lords [Boyet and others]

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     Was that the king that spurred his horse so hard

               Against the steep uprising of the hill?

BOYET

BOYET     I know not, but I think it was not he.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     Whoe’er a was, a⁴ showed a mounting mind.

5

5               Well, lords, today we shall have our dispatch:⁵

               On Saturday we will return to France.

               Then, forester, my friend, where is the bush

               That we must stand and play the murderer in?

FORESTER

FORESTER     Hereby, upon the edge of yonder coppice,⁹

10

10               A stand¹⁰ where you may make the fairest shoot.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     I thank my beauty, I am fair that shoot,

               And thereupon thou speak’st the fairest¹² shoot.

FORESTER

FORESTER     Pardon me, madam, for I meant not so.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     What, what? First praise me and again¹⁴ say no?

15

15               O short-lived pride! Not fair? Alack for woe!

FORESTER

FORESTER     Yes, madam, fair.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     Nay, never paint¹⁷ me now.

               Where fair¹⁸ is not, praise cannot mend the brow.

               Here, good my glass,¹⁹ take this for telling true: Gives money

20

20               Fair payment for foul words is more than due.

FORESTER

FORESTER     Nothing but fair is that which you inherit.²¹

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     See see, my beauty will be saved by merit.²²

               O heresy in fair,²³ fit for these days!

               A giving²⁴ hand, though foul, shall have fair praise.

25

25               But come, the bow. Now mercy²⁵ goes to kill, Takes a bow

               And shooting well is then²⁶ accounted ill.

               Thus will I save my credit²⁷ in the shoot:

               Not²⁸ wounding, pity would not let me do’t.

               If wounding, then it was to show my skill,

30

30               That more for praise than purpose meant to kill.

               And out of³¹ question so it is sometimes,

               Glory³² grows guilty of detested crimes,

               When for fame’s sake, for praise, an outward part,³³

               We bend to that the working of the heart.

35

35               As³⁵ I for praise alone now seek to spill

               The poor deer’s blood that my³⁶ heart means no ill.

BOYET

BOYET     Do not curst³⁷ wives hold that self-sovereignty

               Only for praise’ sake, when they strive to be

               Lords o’er their lords?

40

40       

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     Only for praise, and praise we may afford

               To any lady that subdues a lord.

       Enter Clown [Costard, with a letter]

BOYET

BOYET     Here comes a member⁴² of the commonwealth.

COSTARD

COSTARD     God dig-you-den⁴³ all! Pray you which is the head lady?

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     Thou shalt know her, fellow, by the rest that have no heads.⁴⁴

45

45       

COSTARD

COSTARD     Which is the greatest lady, the highest?

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     The thickest⁴⁶ and the tallest.

COSTARD

COSTARD     The thickest and the tallest. It is so, truth is truth.

               An your waist, mistress, were as slender as my wit,

               One o’these maids’ girdles for your waist should be fit.

50

50               Are not you the chief woman? You are the thickest here.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     What’s your will, sir? What’s your will?

COSTARD

COSTARD     I have a letter from Monsieur Berowne to one Lady Rosaline.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     O, thy letter, thy letter! He’s a good friend of mine.— To Rosaline

               Stand aside, good bearer.— Boyet, you can carve:⁵⁴ Takes the letter and gives it to Boyet

55

55               Break up⁵⁵ this capon.

BOYET

BOYET     I am bound to serve.

               This letter is mistook:⁵⁷ it importeth none here.

               It is writ to Jaquenetta.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     We will read it, I swear.

60

60               Break the neck⁶⁰ of the wax, and everyone give ear.

BOYET

BOYET     (Reads) ‘By heaven, that thou art fair, is most infallible:⁶¹ true that thou art beauteous, truth itself that thou art lovely. More fairer than fair, beautiful than beauteous, truer than truth itself, have commiseration⁶³ on thy heroical vassal. The magnanimous and most illustrate⁶⁴ King Cophetua set eye upon the pernicious and indubitate⁶⁵ beggar Zenelophon, and he it was that might rightly say, Veni, vidi, vici, which to annothanize⁶⁶ in the vulgar, — O base and obscure vulgar! — videlicet,⁶⁷ he came, see and overcame. He came, one; see, two; overcame, three. Who came? The king. Why did he come? To see. Why did he see? To overcome. To whom came he? To the beggar. What saw he? The beggar. Who overcame he? The beggar. The conclusion is victory. On whose side? The king. The captive is enriched. On whose side? The beggar’s. The catastrophe⁷¹ is a nuptial. On whose side? The king’s. No, on both in one, or one in both. I am the king, for so stands the comparison: thou the beggar, for so witnesseth thy lowliness.⁷³ Shall I command thy love? I may. Shall I enforce thy love? I could. Shall I entreat thy love? I will. What shalt thou exchange for rags? Robes. For tittles?⁷⁵ Titles. For thyself? Me. Thus expecting⁷⁶ thy reply, I profane my lips on thy foot, my eyes on thy picture,⁷⁷ and my heart on thy every part. Thine, in the dearest design of industry, Don Adriano de Armado.

                                        Thus dost thou hear the Nemean lion⁷⁹ roar

80

80                                Gainst thee, thou lamb, that standest as his prey.

                                        Submissive fall⁸¹ his princely feet before,

                                        And he from forage⁸² will incline to play.

                                        But if thou strive,⁸³ poor soul, what art thou then?

                                        Food for his rage, repasture⁸⁴ for his den.’

85

85       

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     What plume of feathers⁸⁵ is he that indited this letter?

               What vane?⁸⁶ What weathercock? Did you ever hear better?

BOYET

BOYET     I am much deceived but I⁸⁷ remember the style.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     Else⁸⁸ your memory is bad, going o’er it erewhile.

BOYET

BOYET     This Armado is a Spaniard that keeps⁸⁹ here in court,

90

90               A phantasime,⁹⁰ a Monarcho, and one that makes sport

               To⁹¹ the prince and his book-mates.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     Thou fellow, a word. To Costard

               Who gave thee this letter?

COSTARD

COSTARD     I told you: my lord.

95

95       

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     To whom shouldst thou give it?

COSTARD

COSTARD     From my lord to my lady.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     From which lord to which lady?

COSTARD

COSTARD     From my lord Berowne, a good master of mine,

               To a lady of France that he called Rosaline.

100

100       

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     Thou hast mistaken¹⁰⁰ his letter.— Come, lords, away.—

               Here, sweet, put up¹⁰¹ this: ’twill be thine another day. To Rosaline

       Exeunt [all but Boyet, Rosaline, Maria and Costard]

BOYET

BOYET     Who is the shooter?¹⁰² Who is the shooter?

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     Shall I teach you to know?

BOYET

BOYET     Ay, my continent¹⁰⁴ of beauty.

105

105       

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     Why, she that bears the bow.

               Finely put off!¹⁰⁶

BOYET

BOYET     My lady goes to kill horns,¹⁰⁷ but if thou marry,

               Hang me by the neck, if horns¹⁰⁸ that year miscarry.

               Finely put on!¹⁰⁹

110

110       

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     Well, then, I am the shooter.

BOYET

BOYET     And who is your deer?¹¹¹

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     If¹¹² we choose by the horns, yourself come not near.

               Finely put on indeed!

MARIA

MARIA     You still wrangle with her, Boyet, and she strikes¹¹⁴ at the brow.

115

115       

BOYET

BOYET     But she herself is hit lower:¹¹⁵ have I hit her now?

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     Shall I come¹¹⁶ upon thee with an old saying that was a man when King Pepin of France was a little boy, as touching the hit it?¹¹⁷

BOYET

BOYET     So I may answer thee with one as old, that was a woman when Queen Guinevere¹¹⁸ of Britain was a little wench, as touching the hit it.

120

120       

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     Thou canst not hit it, hit it, hit it,

               Thou canst not hit it, my good man.

BOYET

BOYET     I cannot, cannot, cannot,

               An¹²³ I cannot, another can.

       Exeunt [Rosaline and Katherine]

COSTARD

COSTARD     By my troth, most pleasant: how both did fit it!¹²⁴

125

125       

MARIA

MARIA     A mark¹²⁵ marvellous well shot, for they both did hit it.

BOYET

BOYET     A mark! O, mark but¹²⁶ that mark! A mark, says my lady.

               Let the mark¹²⁷ have a prick in’t, to mete at, if it may be.

MARIA

MARIA     Wide o’th’bow hand!¹²⁸ I’faith your hand is out.

COSTARD

COSTARD     Indeed, a must shoot¹²⁹ nearer, or he’ll ne’er hit the clout.

130

130       

BOYET

BOYET     An if my hand be out,¹³⁰ then belike your hand is in.

COSTARD

COSTARD     Then will she get the upshoot¹³¹ by cleaving the pin.

MARIA

MARIA     Come, come, you talk greasily, your lips grow foul.

COSTARD

COSTARD     She’s too hard¹³³ for you at pricks, sir. Challenge her to bowl.

BOYET

BOYET     I fear too much rubbing.¹³⁴ Good night, my good owl.

       [Exeunt Boyet and Maria]

135

135       

COSTARD

COSTARD     By my soul, a swain, a most simple clown!¹³⁵

               Lord, Lord, how the ladies and I have put him down!

               O my troth, most sweet jests, most incony¹³⁷ vulgar wit,

               When it comes so smoothly off, so obscenely,¹³⁸ as it were, so fit.

               Armado o’th’t’other side — O, a most dainty¹³⁹ man!

140

140               To see him walk before a lady and to bear her fan!

               To see him kiss his hand, and how most sweetly a will swear!

               And his page o’t’other side, that handful of wit!

               Ah, heavens, it is most pathetical nit!¹⁴³ Shout within

               Sola,¹⁴⁴ sola!

       Exit [Costard, running]

[Act 4 Scene 2]4.2

running scene 4 continues

Enter Dull, Holofernes the pedant, and Nathaniel

NATHANIEL

NATHANIEL     Very reverend¹ sport, truly, and done in the testimony of a good conscience.

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES The deer was, as you know, sanguis,³ in blood, ripe as a pomewater, who now⁴ hangeth like a jewel in the ear of caelo, the sky, the welkin, the heaven, and anon⁵ falleth like a crab on the face of terra, the soil, the land, the earth.

NATHANIEL

NATHANIEL     Truly, Master Holofernes, the epithets are sweetly varied, like a scholar at the least:⁶ but, sir, I assure ye, it was a buck⁷ of the first head.

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES Sir Nathaniel, haud credo.⁸

DULL

DULL     ’Twas not a ‘auld grey doe’, ’twas a pricket.⁹

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES Most barbarous intimation!¹⁰ Yet a kind of insinuation, as it were, in via, in way, of explication,¹¹ facere, as it were, replication, or rather, ostentare, to show, as it were, his inclination, after¹² his undressed, unpolished, uneducated, unpruned, untrained,¹³ or rather, unlettered, or ratherest unconfirmed fashion, to insert again my haud credo for a deer.

DULL

DULL     I said the deer was not a haud credo, ’twas a pricket.

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES Twice-sod¹⁶ simplicity, bis coctus! O thou monster Ignorance, how deformed dost thou look!

NATHANIEL

NATHANIEL     Sir, he hath never fed of¹⁸ the dainties that are bred in a book. He hath not eat¹⁹ paper, as it were. He hath not drunk ink. His intellect is not replenished, he is only an animal, only sensible²⁰ in the duller parts.

               And such barren plants are set before us that we thankful should be,

               Which²² we of taste and feeling are, for those parts that do

               fructify²³ in us more than he.

               For as it would ill become me to be vain, indiscreet, or a fool,

25

25               So²⁵ were there a patch set on learning, to see him in a school.

               But omne bene,²⁶ say I, being of an old father’s mind,

               Many²⁷ can brook the weather that love not the wind.

DULL

DULL     You two are bookmen: can you tell by your wit

               What was a month old at Cain’s birth²⁹ that’s not five weeks old as yet?

30

30       

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES Dictynna,³⁰ goodman Dull. Dictynna, goodman Dull.

DULL

DULL     What is dictima?

NATHANIEL

NATHANIEL     A title to Phoebe, to Luna,³² to the moon.

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES The moon was a month old when Adam was no more,³³

               And raught³⁴ not to five weeks when he came to fivescore.

35

35               Th’allusion³⁵ holds in the exchange.

DULL

DULL     ’Tis true indeed: the collusion³⁶ holds in the exchange.

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES God comfort³⁷ thy capacity! I say, th’allusion holds in the exchange.

DULL

DULL     And I say, the pollution³⁸ holds in the exchange, for the moon is never but a month old: and I say beside that, ’twas a pricket that the princess killed.

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES Sir Nathaniel, will you hear an extemporal⁴⁰ epitaph on the death of the deer? And, to humour the ignorant, called I the deer the princess killed a pricket.

NATHANIEL

NATHANIEL     Perge,⁴² good Master Holofernes, perge, so it shall please you to abrogate scurrility.

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES I will something⁴⁴ affect the letter, for it argues facility.

45

45               The preyful⁴⁵ princess pierced and pricked a pretty pleasing pricket,

               Some say⁴⁶ a sore, but not a sore, till now made sore with shooting.

               The dogs did yell, put ‘L’⁴⁷ to sore, then sorrel jumps from thicket.

               Or⁴⁸ pricket sore, or else sorrel, the people fall a-hooting.

               If sore be sore,⁴⁹ then L to sore makes fifty sores o’sorrel.

50

50               Of⁵⁰ one sore I an hundred make by adding but one more ‘L’.

NATHANIEL

NATHANIEL     A rare talent.

DULL

DULL     If a talent⁵² be a claw, look how he claws him with a talent. Aside

HOLOFERNES⁵³

HOLOFERNES     This is a gift that I have, simple, simple: a foolish extravagant spirit, full of forms,⁵⁴ figures, shapes, objects, ideas, apprehensions, motions, revolutions. These are begot⁵⁵ in the ventricle of memory, nourished in the womb of pia mater, and delivered upon⁵⁶ the mellowing of occasion. But the gift is good in those in whom it is acute, and I am thankful for it.

NATHANIEL

NATHANIEL     Sir, I praise the Lord for you; and so may my parishioners, for their sons are well tutored by you, and their daughters profit⁵⁹ very greatly under you. You are a good member of the commonwealth.

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES Mehercle,⁶¹ if their sons be ingenious, they shall want no instruction. If their daughters be capable,⁶² I will put it to them. But vir sapit qui pauca loquitur. A soul feminine⁶³ saluteth us.

       Enter Jaquenetta and the Clown [Costard]

JAQUENETTA

JAQUENETT God give you good morrow, Master Person.⁶⁴

NATHANIEL

NATHANIEL     Master Person, quasi⁶⁵ pierce-one? And if one should be pierced, which is the one?

COSTARD

COSTARD     Marry, Master Schoolmaster, he that is likest⁶⁷ to a hogshead.

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES     Of⁶⁸ piercing a hogshead! A good lustre of conceit in a turf of earth, fire enough for a flint, pearl enough for a swine: ’tis pretty, it is well.

JAQUENETTA

JAQUENETT Good Master Parson, be so good as read me this letter. Gives letter to Holofernes It was given me by Costard, and sent me from Don Armado. I beseech you read it.

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES Fauste,⁷² precor gelida quando pecus omne sub umbra ruminat, — and so forth. Ah, good old Mantuan, I may speak of thee as the traveller doth of Venice: Venetia,⁷⁴ Venetia, Chi non ti vede non ti pretia. Old Mantuan, old Mantuan! Who understandeth thee not, loves thee not? Ut,⁷⁷ re, sol, la, mi, fa. Sings Under pardon, sir, what are the contents? Or rather, as Horace says in his— What, my soul, verses?

NATHANIEL

NATHANIEL     Ay, sir, and very learned.

80       

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES Let me hear a staff,⁸⁰ a stanza, a verse. Lege, domine.

NATHANIEL

NATHANIEL     ‘If love make me forsworn, how shall I swear to love? Reads

                                        Ah, never faith could hold, if not to beauty vowed.

                                        Though to myself forsworn, to thee I’ll faithful prove.

                                        Those thoughts to me were oaks,⁸⁴ to thee like osiers bowed.

85

85                                        Study⁸⁵ his bias leaves and makes his book thine eyes,

                                        Where all those pleasures live that art⁸⁶ would comprehend.

                                        If knowledge be the mark,⁸⁷ to know thee shall suffice:

                                        Well learnèd is that tongue that well can thee commend,

                                        All ignorant that soul that sees thee without wonder,

90

90                                        Which is⁹⁰ to me some praise that I thy parts admire.

                                        Thy eye Jove’s⁹¹ lightning bears, thy voice his dreadful thunder,

                                        Which not to anger bent,⁹² is music and sweet fire.

                                        Celestial as thou art, O, pardon, love, this wrong,

                                        That sings heaven’s praise with such an earthly tongue.’

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES You find not the apostrophus,⁹⁵ and so miss the accent. Takes the letter Let me supervise the canzonet.⁹⁶ Here are only numbers ratified, but for the elegancy, facility, and golden cadence of poesy, caret⁹⁷. Ovidius Naso was the man: and why indeed ‘Naso’, but for smelling out the odoriferous⁹⁸ flowers of fancy, the jerks of invention? Imitari⁹⁹ is nothing: so doth the hound his master, the ape his keeper, the tired horse his rider. But, damosella¹⁰⁰ virgin, was this directed to you?

JAQUENETTA

JAQUENETT Ay, sir, from one Monsieur Berowne, one of the strange¹⁰¹ queen’s lords.

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES I will overglance¹⁰² the superscript: ‘To the snow-white hand of the most beauteous Lady Rosaline.’ I will look again on the intellect¹⁰³ of the letter, for the nomination¹⁰⁴ of the party writing to the person written unto: ‘Your ladyship’s in all desired employment,¹⁰⁵ Berowne.’

NATHANIEL

NATHANIEL     Sir Holofernes, this Berowne is one of the votaries with the king; and here he hath framed¹⁰⁷ a letter to a sequent of the stranger queen’s, which accidentally, or by the way¹⁰⁸ of progression, hath miscarried. Trip and go, my sweet, deliver this paper into the hand of the king: it may concern¹⁰⁹ much. Stay not thy compliment: I forgive¹¹⁰ thy duty, adieu.

JAQUENETTA

JAQUENETT Good Costard, go with me. Sir, God save your life.

COSTARD

COSTARD     Have¹¹² with thee, my girl.

       Exit [Costard with Jaquenetta]

NATHANIEL

NATHANIEL     Sir, you have done this in the fear of God, very religiously: and as a certain father¹¹⁴ saith—

115       

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES Sir tell me not of the father, I do fear colourable¹¹⁵ colours. But to return to the verses: did they please you, Sir Nathaniel?

NATHANIEL

NATHANIEL     Marvellous well for the pen.¹¹⁷

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES I do dine today at the father’s of a certain pupil of mine, where if, before repast, it shall please you to gratify the table with a grace, I will, on my privilege I have with the parents of the foresaid child or pupil, undertake¹²⁰ your ben venuto, where I will prove those verses to be very unlearnèd, neither savouring of poetry, wit, nor invention. I beseech your society.¹²²

NATHANIEL

NATHANIEL     And thank you too, for society, saith the text,¹²³ is the happiness of life.

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES And, certes,¹²⁴ the text most infallibly concludes it.— To Dull Sir, I do invite you too: you shall not say me nay. Pauca verba.¹²⁵— Away, the gentles are at their game, and we will to our recreation.

       Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 3]

running scene 4 continues

       Enter Berowne, with a paper in his hand, alone

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     The king, he is hunting the deer: I am coursing¹ myself. They have pitched a toil: I am toiling² in a pitch, pitch that defiles. Defile, a foul word. Well, set thee down, sorrow, for so they say the fool said, and so say I, and I³ the fool. Well proved, wit! By the lord, this love is as mad⁴ as Ajax: it kills sheep, it kills me — I a sheep. Well proved again o’my side. I will not love; if I do, hang me. I’faith, I will not. O, but her eye, — by this light, but for her eye, I would not love her — yes, for her two eyes. Well, I do nothing in the world but lie,⁷ and lie in my throat. By heaven, I do love, and it hath taught me to rhyme and to be melancholy. And here is part of my rhyme, and here my melancholy. Well, she hath one o’my sonnets already. The clown bore it, the fool sent it, and the lady hath it. Sweet clown, sweeter fool, sweetest lady! By the world, I would not care a pin, if the other three were in.¹² Here comes one with a paper. God give him grace to groan!

       He stands aside. The King entereth [with a paper]

KING

KING     Ay me!

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Shot, by heaven! Speaks aside through the rest of the scene Proceed, sweet Cupid, thou hast thumped him with thy bird-bolt¹⁵ under the left pap. In faith, secrets!

KING

KING     ‘So sweet a kiss the golden sun gives not Reads

                                    To those fresh morning drops upon the rose,

                                    As thy eye-beams,¹⁸ when their fresh rays have smote

                                    The night of dew¹⁹ that on my cheeks down flows.

20

20                                  Nor shines the silver moon one half so bright

                                    Through the transparent bosom of the deep,²¹

                                    As doth thy face through tears of mine give light.

                                    Thou shin’st in every tear that I do weep,

                                    No drop but as a coach doth carry thee:

25

25                                  So ridest thou triumphing in my woe.

                                    Do but behold the tears that swell in me,

                                    And they thy glory through my grief will show.

                                    But do not love thyself: then thou wilt keep

                                    My tears for glasses,²⁹ and still make me weep.

30

30                                  O queen of queens, how far dost thou excel,

                                    No thought can think, nor tongue of mortal tell.’

                                    How shall she know my griefs? I’ll drop the paper.

                                    Sweet leaves, shade folly. Who is he comes here?

       Enter Longaville [with a paper] The King steps aside

               What, Longaville, and reading? Listen, ear.

35

35   

BEROWNE

BEROWNE           Now, in thy³⁵ likeness, one more fool appear!

LONGAVILLE

LONGAVILLE Ay me, I am forsworn!

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Why, he comes in like a perjure,³⁷ wearing papers.

KING

KING     In love, I hope. Sweet fellowship in shame! Speaks aside through the rest of the scene

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     One drunkard loves another³⁹ of the name.

40

40   

LONGAVILLE

LONGAVILLE Am I the first that have been perjured so?

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     I could put thee in comfort: not by two that I know.

               Thou makest the triumviry,⁴² the corner-cap of society,

               The shape of Love’s Tyburn⁴³ that hangs up simplicity.

LONGAVILLE

LONGAVILLE I fear these stubborn⁴⁴ lines lack power to move.

45

45           O sweet Maria, empress of my love, Reads

               These numbers⁴⁶ will I tear and write in prose. Tears paper

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     O, rhymes are guards⁴⁷ on wanton Cupid’s hose:

               Disfigure not his shop.⁴⁸

LONGAVILLE

LONGAVILLE This same shall go.

50

50                                  ‘Did not the heavenly rhetoric of thine eye,

       He reads the sonnet

                                    Gainst whom the world cannot hold argument,

                                    Persuade my heart to this false perjury?

                                    Vows for thee broke deserve not punishment.

                                    A woman I forswore, but I will prove,

55

55                                  Thou being a goddess, I forswore not thee.

                                    My vow was earthly, thou a heavenly love:

                                    Thy grace⁵⁷ being gained cures all disgrace in me.

                                    Vows are but breath, and breath a vapour is:

                                    Then thou, fair sun, which on my earth dost shine,

60

60                                  Exhal’st⁶⁰ this vapour-vow, in thee it is.

                                    If broken then, it is no fault of mine:

                                    If by me broke, what fool is not so wise

                                    To⁶³ lose an oath to win a paradise?’

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     This is the liver⁶⁴ vein, which makes flesh a deity,

65

60           A green⁶⁵ goose a goddess. Pure, pure idolatry.

               God amend us, God amend! We are much out⁶⁶ o’th’way.

LONGAVILLE

LONGAVILLE By whom shall I send this? Company? Stay.

       Enter Dumaine [with a paper] Longaville steps aside

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     All hid, all hid: an old infant⁶⁸ play.

               Like a demigod here sit I in the sky,

70

70           And wretched fools’ secrets heedfully o’er-eye.⁷⁰

               More sacks⁷¹ to the mill. O heavens, I have my wish!

               Dumaine transformed! Four woodcocks⁷² in a dish!

DUMAINE

DUMAINE     O most divine Kate!

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     O most profane coxcomb!⁷⁴

75

75   

DUMAINE

DUMAINE           By heaven, the wonder of a mortal eye!

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     By earth, she is not, corporal:⁷⁶ there you lie.

DUMAINE

DUMAINE     Her amber hairs for⁷⁷ foul hath amber quoted.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     An⁷⁸ amber-coloured raven was well noted.

DUMAINE

DUMAINE     As upright as the cedar.

80

80   

BEROWNE

BEROWNE           Stoop,⁸⁰ I say.

               Her shoulder is with child.⁸¹

DUMAINE

DUMAINE     As fair as day.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Ay, as some days, but then no sun must shine.

DUMAINE

DUMAINE     O that I had my wish!

85

85   

LONGAVILLE

LONGAVILLE And I had mine! Aside

KING

KING     And I mine too, good lord! Aside

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Amen, so I had mine! Is not that a good word?⁸⁷

DUMAINE

DUMAINE     I would forget her, but a⁸⁸ fever she

               Reigns in my blood and will remembered be.

90

90   

BEROWNE

BEROWNE           A fever in your blood? Why then incision⁹⁰

               Would let her out in saucers.⁹¹ Sweet misprision!

DUMAINE

DUMAINE     Once more I’ll read the ode that I have writ.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Once more I’ll mark how love can vary wit.⁹³

DUMAINE

DUMAINE     ‘On a day — alack the day! —

       Reads his sonnet

95

95                                  Love, whose month is ever May,

                                    Spied a blossom passing⁹⁶ fair

                                    Playing in the wanton⁹⁷ air:

                                    Through the velvet leaves the wind,

                                    All unseen, can passage find.

100

100                                That¹⁰⁰ the lover, sick to death,

                                    Wish himself the heaven’s breath.

                                    “Air”, quoth he, “thy cheeks may blow,

                                    Air, would I might triumph so!

                                    But, alack, my hand is sworn

105

105                                Ne’er to pluck thee from thy thorn.

                                    Vow, alack, for youth unmeet,¹⁰⁶

                                    Youth so apt to pluck¹⁰⁷ a sweet.

                                    Do not call it sin in me,

                                    That I am forsworn for thee:

110

110                                Thou for whom Jove would swear

                                    Juno¹¹¹ but an Ethiope were,

                                    And deny himself for¹¹² Jove,

                                    Turning mortal for thy love.” ’

               This will I send, and something else more plain,

115

115         That shall express my true love’s fasting pain.

               O, would the king, Berowne, and Longaville

               Were lovers too! Ill, to example¹¹⁷ ill,

               Would from my forehead wipe a perjured¹¹⁸ note,

               For none offend where all alike do dote.¹¹⁹

120

120 

LONGAVILLE

LONGAVILLE Dumaine, thy love is far from charity,¹²⁰ Comes forward

               That¹²¹ in love’s grief desirest society.

               You may look pale, but I should blush, I know,

               To be o’erheard and taken napping¹²³ so.

KING

KING     Come, sir, you blush: as his your case is such,¹²⁴ Comes forward

125

125         You chide at him, offending twice as much.

               You do not love Maria? Longaville

               Did never sonnet for her sake compile,

               Nor never lay his wreathèd¹²⁸ arms athwart

               His loving bosom to keep down his heart?

130

130         I have been closely¹³⁰ shrouded in this bush

               And marked you both and for you both did blush.

               I heard your guilty rhymes, observed your fashion,¹³²

               Saw sighs reek¹³³ from you, noted well your passion.

               ‘Ay me’, says one, ‘O Jove!’ the other cries,

135

135         One, her hairs were gold, crystal the other’s eyes:

               You would for paradise break faith and troth,¹³⁶ To Longaville

               And Jove, for your love, would infringe an oath. To Dumaine

               What will Berowne say when that he shall hear

               Faith infringèd which such zeal did swear?

140

140         How will he scorn? How will he spend¹⁴⁰ his wit?

               How will he triumph, leap and laugh at it!

               For all the wealth that ever I did see,

               I would not have him know so much by¹⁴³ me.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Now step I forth to whip hypocrisy. Comes forward

145

145         Ah, good my liege, I pray thee pardon me.

               Good heart, what grace¹⁴⁶ hast thou, thus to reprove

               These worms¹⁴⁷ for loving, that art most in love?

               Your eyes do make no coaches.¹⁴⁸ In your tears

               There is no certain princess that appears.

150

150         You’ll not be perjured, ’tis a hateful thing,

               Tush, none but minstrels¹⁵¹ like of sonneting.

               But are you not ashamed? Nay, are you not,

               All three of you, to be thus much o’ershot?¹⁵³

               You found his mote,¹⁵⁴ the king your mote did see, To Longaville

155

155         But I a beam¹⁵⁵ do find in each of three.

               O, what a scene of fool’ry have I seen,

               Of sighs, of groans, of sorrow and of teen!¹⁵⁷

               O me, with what strict patience have I sat,

               To see a king transformèd to a gnat!¹⁵⁹

160

160         To see great Hercules whipping a gig,¹⁶⁰

               And profound¹⁶¹ Solomon tuning a jig,

               And Nestor¹⁶² play at push-pin with the boys,

               And critic Timon¹⁶³ laugh at idle toys.

               Where lies thy grief? O, tell me, good Dumaine;

165

165         And gentle Longaville, where lies thy pain?

               And where my liege’s? All about the breast?

               A caudle,¹⁶⁷ ho!

KING

KING     Too bitter is thy jest.

               Are we betrayed thus to thy over-view?¹⁶⁹

170

170 

BEROWNE

BEROWNE             Not you to me, but I betrayed by you:

               I, that am honest,¹⁷¹ I, that hold it sin

               To break the vow I am engagèd in,

               I am betrayed by keeping company

               With men like you, men of inconstancy.

175

175         When shall you see me write a thing in rhyme?

               Or groan for Joan? Or spend a minute’s time

               In pruning me?¹⁷⁷ When shall you hear that I

               Will praise a hand, a foot, a face, an eye,

               A gait, a state,¹⁷⁹ a brow, a breast, a waist,

180

180         A leg, a limb— Starts to leave

KING

KING     Soft!¹⁸¹ Whither away so fast?

               A true¹⁸² man or a thief that gallops so?

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     I post¹⁸³ from love. Good lover, let me go.

       Enter Jaquenetta [with a letter] and Clown [Costard]

JAQUENETTA

JAQUENETT God bless the king!

185

185 

KING

KING               What present¹⁸⁵ hast thou there?

COSTARD

COSTARD     Some certain treason.

KING

KING     What makes treason¹⁸⁷ here?

COSTARD

COSTARD     Nay, it makes nothing, sir.

KING

KING     If it mar¹⁸⁹ nothing neither,

190

190         The treason and you go in peace away together.

JAQUENETTA

JAQUENETTA I beseech your grace, let this letter be read. Gives letter to the King

               Our person¹⁹² misdoubts it: ’twas treason, he said.

KING

KING     Berowne, read it over— Gives the letter to Berowne

               Where hadst thou it? To Jaquenetta

195

195 

JAQUENETTA

JAQUENETT Of Costard.

       [Berowne] reads the letter

KING

KING     Where hadst thou it?

COSTARD

COSTARD     Of Dun Adramadio, Dun Adramadio. Berowne tears the letter

KING

KING     How now? What is in you? Why dost thou tear it?

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     A toy,¹⁹⁹ my liege, a toy. Your grace needs not fear it.

200

200 

LONGAVILLE

LONGAVILLE It did move him to passion,²⁰⁰ and therefore let’s hear it.

DUMAINE

DUMAINE     It is Berowne’s writing and here is his name. Gathers the pieces and reads them

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Ah, you whoreson²⁰² loggerhead! You were born to do me shame.—

               Guilty, my lord, guilty. I confess, I confess. To Costard

KING

KING     What?

205

205 

BEROWNE

BEROWNE              That you three fools lacked me fool to make up the mess:²⁰⁵

               He, he, and you — and you, my liege — and I,

               Are pick-purses²⁰⁷ in love, and we deserve to die.

               O, dismiss this audience and I shall tell you more.

DUMAINE

DUMAINE     Now the number is even.

210

210 

BEROWNE

BEROWNE              True, true: we are four.

               Will these turtles²¹¹ be gone?

KING

KING     Hence, sirs,²¹² away! To Costard and Jaquenetta

COSTARD

COSTARD     Walk²¹³ aside the true folk and let the traitors stay.

       [Exeunt Costard and Jaquenetta]

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Sweet lords, sweet lovers, O, let us embrace!

215

215         As true we are as flesh and blood can be,

               The sea will ebb and flow, heaven show his face:

               Young blood doth not obey an old decree.

               We cannot cross²¹⁸ the cause why we are born:

               Therefore of all hands²¹⁹ must we be forsworn.

220

220 

KING

KING              What, did these rent²²⁰ lines show some love of thine?

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     ‘Did they’, quoth you? Who sees the heavenly Rosaline,

               That, like a rude²²² and savage man of Ind,

               At the first opening²²³ of the gorgeous east,

               Bows not his vassal²²⁴ head, and strucken blind,

225

225         Kisses the base ground with obedient breast?

               What peremptory²²⁶ eagle-sighted eye

               Dares look upon the heaven of her brow

               That is not blinded by her majesty?

KING

KING     What zeal, what fury²²⁹ hath inspired thee now?

230

230         My love, her mistress, is a gracious moon,

               She,²³¹ an attending star, scarce seen a light.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     My eyes are then no eyes, nor I Berowne.

               O, but²³³ for my love, day would turn to night!

               Of all complexions the culled sovereignty²³⁴

235

235         Do meet as at a fair in her fair cheek,

               Where several worthies²³⁶ make one dignity,

               Where nothing wants²³⁷ that want itself doth seek.

               Lend me the flourish of all gentle²³⁸ tongues —

               Fie,²³⁹ painted rhetoric! O, she needs it not,

240

240         To things of²⁴⁰ sale a seller’s praise belongs:

               She passes²⁴¹ praise, then praise too short doth blot.

               A withered hermit, fivescore winters worn,²⁴²

               Might shake off fifty, looking in her eye.

               Beauty doth varnish²⁴⁴ age as if new-born,

245

245         And gives the crutch²⁴⁵ the cradle’s infancy.

               O, ’tis the sun that maketh all things shine.

KING

KING     By heaven, thy love is black as ebony.²⁴⁷

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Is ebony like her? O word divine!

               A wife of such wood were felicity.²⁴⁹

250

250         O, who can give an oath? Where is a book?²⁵⁰

               That I may swear beauty doth beauty lack

               If²⁵² that she learn not of her eye to look.

               No face is fair²⁵³ that is not full so black.

KING

KING     O paradox! Black is the badge of hell,

255

255         The hue²⁵⁵ of dungeons and the school of night,

               And beauty’s crest²⁵⁶ becomes the heavens well.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Devils soonest tempt, resembling²⁵⁷ spirits of light.

               O, if in black my lady’s brows be decked,

               It²⁵⁹ mourns that painting and usurping hair

260

260         Should ravish doters²⁶⁰ with a false aspect,

               And therefore is she born to make black fair.

               Her favour²⁶² turns the fashion of the days,

               For native blood²⁶³ is counted painting now,

               And therefore red²⁶⁴ that would avoid dispraise

265

265         Paints itself black, to imitate her brow.

DUMAINE

DUMAINE     To look like her are chimney-sweepers black.

LONGAVILLE

LONGAVILLE And since her time are colliers²⁶⁷ counted bright.

KING

KING     And Ethiops of their sweet complexion crack.²⁶⁸

DUMAINE

DUMAINE     Dark needs no candles now, for dark is light.

270

270 

BEROWNE

BEROWNE              Your mistresses dare never come in²⁷⁰ rain,

               For fear their colours²⁷¹ should be washed away.

KING

KING     ’Twere good, yours did, for, sir, to tell you plain,

               I’ll find a fairer face not washed today.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     I’ll prove her fair, or talk till doomsday here.

275

275 

KING

KING              No devil will fright thee then²⁷⁵ so much as she.

DUMAINE

DUMAINE     I never knew man hold vile²⁷⁶ stuff so dear.

LONGAVILLE

LONGAVILLE Look, here’s²⁷⁷ thy love: my foot and her face see. Shows his shoe

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     O, if the streets were pavèd with thine eyes,

               Her feet were much too dainty²⁷⁹ for such tread.

280

280 

DUMAINE

DUMAINE              O, vile! Then, as she goes,²⁸⁰ what upward lies

               The street should see as she walked overhead.

KING

KING     But what of this? Are we not all in love?

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     O, nothing so sure, and thereby all forsworn.

KING

KING     Then leave this chat, and good Berowne, now prove²⁸⁴

285

285         Our loving lawful, and our faith not torn.

DUMAINE

DUMAINE     Ay, marry, there,²⁸⁶ some flattery for this evil.

LONGAVILLE

LONGAVILLE O, some authority how to proceed.

               Some tricks, some quillets,²⁸⁸ how to cheat the devil.

DUMAINE

DUMAINE     Some salve²⁸⁹ for perjury.

290

290 

BEROWNE

BEROWNE              O, ’tis more than need.²⁹⁰

               Have at you²⁹¹ then, affection’s men at arms.

               Consider what you first did swear unto:

               To fast, to study, and to see no woman —

               Flat treason against the kingly state²⁹⁴ of youth.

295

295         Say, can you fast? Your stomachs are too young,

               And abstinence engenders maladies.

               // And where²⁹⁷ that you have vowed to study, lords, //

               // In that each of you have forsworn his book. //

               // Can you still dream and pore and thereon look? //

300

300         // For when would you, my lord, or you, or you, //

               // Have found the ground of study’s excellence //

               // Without the beauty of a woman’s face? //

               // From women’s eyes this doctrine I derive: //

               // They are the ground, the books, the academes //

305

305         // From whence doth spring the true Promethean fire.³⁰⁵ //

               // Why, universal plodding poisons up //

               // The nimble spirits in the arteries, //

               // As motion and long-during action tires //

               // The sinewy vigour of the traveller. //

310

310         // Now, for not looking on a woman’s face, //

               // You have in that forsworn the use of eyes //

               // And study too, the causer of your vow, //

               // For where is any author in the world //

               // Teaches such beauty as a woman’s eye? //

315

315         // Learning is but an adjunct to ourself //

               // And where we are our learning likewise is. //

               // Then when ourselves we see in ladies’ eyes, //

               // With ourselves, //

               // Do we not likewise see our learning there? //

320

320         O, we have made a vow to study, lords,

               And in that vow we have forsworn our books,

               For when would you, my liege, or you, or you,

               In leaden contemplation have found out

               Such fiery numbers³²⁴ as the prompting eyes

325

325         Of beauty’s tutors have enriched you with?

               Other slow arts³²⁶ entirely keep the brain,

               And therefore, finding barren³²⁷ practisers,

               Scarce show a harvest of their heavy toil.

               But love, first learnèd in a lady’s eyes,

330

330         Lives not alone immurèd³³⁰ in the brain

               But with the motion of all elements

               Courses³³² as swift as thought in every power

               And gives to every power a double power,

               Above³³⁴ their functions and their offices.

335

335         It adds a precious seeing to the eye:

               A lover’s eyes will gaze an eagle blind.

               A lover’s ear will hear the lowest sound,

               When the³³⁸ suspicious head of theft is stopped.

               Love’s feeling is more soft and sensible³³⁹

340

340         Than are the tender horns of cockled³⁴⁰ snails.

               Love’s tongue proves dainty Bacchus³⁴¹ gross in taste.

               For³⁴² valour, is not Love a Hercules,

               Still climbing³⁴³ trees in the Hesperides?

               Subtle³⁴⁴ as Sphinx, as sweet and musical

345

345         As bright Apollo’s³⁴⁵ lute, strung with his hair.

               And when Love speaks, the voice of all the gods

               Make heaven drowsy with the harmony.

               Never durst³⁴⁸ poet touch a pen to write

               Until his ink were tempered³⁴⁹ with love’s sighs.

350

350         O, then his lines would ravish savage ears

               And plant in tyrants mild humility.

               From women’s eyes this doctrine I derive:

               They sparkle still³⁵³ the right Promethean fire,

               They are the books, the arts, the academes,³⁵⁴

355

355         That show, contain and nourish all the world,

               Else³⁵⁶ none at all in aught proves excellent.

               Then fools you were these women to forswear,

               Or, keeping what is sworn, you will prove fools.

               For wisdom’s sake, a word that all men love,

360

360         Or, for love’s sake, a word that loves³⁶⁰ all men,

               Or, for men’s sake, the authors³⁶¹ of these women,

               Or, women’s sake, by whom³⁶² we men are men,

               Let’s once³⁶³ lose our oaths to find ourselves,

               Or else we lose ourselves to keep our oaths.

365

365         It is religion³⁶⁵ to be thus forsworn,

               For charity³⁶⁶ itself fulfils the law,

               And who can sever love from charity?

KING

KING     Saint Cupid, then! And, soldiers, to the field!

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Advance your standards,³⁶⁹ and upon them, lords.

370

370         Pell-mell,³⁷⁰ down with them! But be first advised

               In conflict that you get³⁷¹ the sun of them.

LONGAVILLE

LONGAVILLE Now to plain dealing:³⁷² lay these glozes by.

               Shall we resolve to woo these girls of France?

KING

KING     And win them too: therefore let us devise

375

375         Some entertainment for them in their tents.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     First, from the park let us conduct them thither.

               Then homeward every man attach³⁷⁷ the hand

               Of his fair mistress: in the afternoon

               We will with some strange³⁷⁹ pastime solace them,

380

380         Such as the shortness of the time can shape,

               For revels, dances, masks and merry hours

               Forerun³⁸² fair Love, strewing her way with flowers.

KING

KING     Away, away! No time shall be omitted

               That will betime,³⁸⁴ and may by us be fitted.

385

385 

BEROWNE

BEROWNE              Allons!³⁸⁵ Allons! Sowed cockle reaped no corn,

               And justice always whirls³⁸⁶ in equal measure:

               Light³⁸⁷ wenches may prove plagues to men forsworn,

               If so, our copper³⁸⁸ buys no better treasure.

       Exeunt

Act 5 [Scene 1]

running scene 5

       Enter [Holofernes] the Pedant, [Nathaniel the] Curate and Dull [the Constable]

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES Satis quod sufficit¹.

NATHANIEL

NATHANIEL     I praise God for you, sir. Your reasons² at dinner have been sharp and sententious,³ pleasant without scurrility, witty without affection, audacious without impudency, learnèd without opinion,⁴ and strange without heresy. I did converse this quondam⁵ day with a companion of the king’s, who is intituled, nominated,⁶ or called, Don Adriano de Armado.

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES Novi⁷ hominem tanquam te: his humour is lofty, his discourse peremptory, his tongue filed,⁸ his eye ambitious, his gait majestical, and his general behaviour vain, ridiculous, and thrasonical.⁹ He is too picked, too spruce, too affected, too odd, as it were, too peregrinate,¹⁰ as I may call it.

NATHANIEL

NATHANIEL     A most singular and choice epithet.

       Draws out his table-book¹¹

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES He draweth out the thread of his verbosity finer than the staple¹² of his argument.¹³ I abhor such fanatical phantasimes, such insociable and point-device companions, such rackers of orthography,¹⁴ as to speak ‘dout’, fine, when he should say ‘doubt’, ‘det’, when he should pronounce ‘debt’: d, e, b, t, not d, e, t. He clepeth¹⁶ a calf ‘cauf’, half ‘hauf’, neighbour vocatur ‘nebour’, neigh abbreviated ‘ne’. This is abhominable,¹⁷ which he would call ‘abominable’. It insinuateth me of insanie.¹⁸ Ne intelligis, domine? To make frantic, lunatic.

NATHANIEL

NATHANIEL     Laus¹⁹ Deo, bone intelligo.

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES Bone? ‘Bone’ for ‘bene’, Priscian²⁰ a little scratched, ’twill serve.

       Enter [Armado the] Braggart, [Moth, his] Boy [and Costard]

NATHANIEL

NATHANIEL     Videsne quis venit?²¹

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES Video et gaudeo²².

ARMADO

ARMADO     Chirrah!²³

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES Quare²⁴ ‘chirrah’, not ‘sirrah’?

ARMADO

ARMADO     Men of peace, well encountered.

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES Most military sir, salutation.

MOTH

MOTH     They have been at a great feast of languages, and stolen the scraps. Aside to Costard

COSTARD

COSTARD     O, they have lived long on the alms-basket²⁸ of words. To Moth I marvel thy master hath not eaten²⁹ thee for a word, for thou art not so long by the head as honorificabilitudinitatibus³⁰. Thou art easier swallowed than a flap-dragon.

MOTH

MOTH     Peace! The peal³¹ begins.

ARMADO

ARMADO     Monsieur, are you not lettered?³² To Holofernes

MOTH

MOTH     Yes, yes: he teaches boys the hornbook.³³ What is a b spelled backward with the horn on his head?

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES Ba, pueritia,³⁵ with a horn added.

MOTH

MOTH     Ba,³⁶ most silly sheep with a horn. You hear his learning.

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES Quis,³⁷ quis, thou consonant?

MOTH

MOTH     The last of the five vowels, if you repeat them, or the fifth, if I.

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES I³⁹ will repeat them: a, e, i—

MOTH

MOTH     The sheep. The other two concludes⁴⁰ it: o, u.

ARMADO

ARMADO     Now, by the salt wave of the Mediterraneum,⁴¹ a sweet touch, a quick venue of wit! Snip,⁴² snap, quick and home! It rejoiceth my intellect: true wit!

MOTH

MOTH     Offered by a child to an old man — which is wit-old.⁴³

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES What is the figure?⁴⁴ What is the figure?

MOTH

MOTH     Horns.⁴⁵

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES Thou disputes⁴⁶ like an infant. Go, whip thy gig.

MOTH

MOTH     Lend me your horn to make one and I will whip about your infamy manu cita⁴⁷. A gig of a cuckold’s horn.

COSTARD

COSTARD     An I had but one penny in the world, thou shouldst have it to buy gingerbread. Hold, there is the very remuneration I had of thy master, thou halfpenny⁵¹ purse of wit, thou pigeon-egg of discretion. O, an the heavens were so pleased that thou wert⁵² but my bastard, what a joyful father wouldst thou make me! Go to, thou hast it ad dunghill,⁵³ at the fingers’ ends, as they say.

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES O, I smell false Latin: ‘dunghill’ for unguem.

ARMADO

ARMADO     Arts-man,⁵⁵ preambulate. We will be singled from the barbarous. Do you not educate youth at the charge-house⁵⁶ on the top of the mountain?

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES Or mons,⁵⁷ the hill.

ARMADO

ARMADO     At your sweet pleasure, for the mountain.

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES I do, sans⁵⁹ question.

ARMADO

ARMADO     Sir, it is the king’s most sweet pleasure and affection⁶⁰ to congratulate the princess at her pavilion in the posteriors⁶¹ of this day, which the rude multitude call the afternoon.

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES The posterior of the day, most generous⁶³ sir, is liable, congruent and measurable⁶⁴ for the afternoon. The word is well culled, choice, sweet and apt, I do assure you, sir, I do assure.

ARMADO

ARMADO     Sir, the king is a noble gentleman, and my familiar,⁶⁶ I do assure ye, very good friend. For what is inward⁶⁷ between us, let it pass. I do beseech thee, remember thy courtesy:⁶⁸ I beseech thee, apparel thy head. And among other important and most serious designs,⁶⁹ and of great import indeed too — but let that pass, for I must tell thee it will please his grace, by the world,⁷⁰ sometime to lean upon my poor shoulder and with his royal finger thus dally with my excrement,⁷¹ with my mustachio. But, sweet heart,⁷² let that pass. By the world, I recount no fable: some certain special honours it pleaseth his greatness to impart to Armado, a soldier, a man of travel, that hath seen the world — but let that pass. The very all of all⁷⁵ is — but, sweet heart, I do implore secrecy — that the king would have me present the princess, sweet chuck,⁷⁶ with some delightful ostentation, or show, or pageant, or antic,⁷⁷ or firework. Now, understanding that the curate and your sweet self are good at such eruptions and sudden breaking out of mirth, as it were, I have acquainted you withal,⁷⁹ to the end to crave your assistance.

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES Sir, you shall present before her the Nine Worthies.⁸⁰ Sir Nathaniel, as concerning some entertainment⁸¹ of time, some show in the posterior of this day, to be rendered by our assistants, at the king’s command and this most gallant, illustrate⁸³ and learned gentleman, before the princess, I say none so fit as to present the Nine Worthies.

NATHANIEL

NATHANIEL     Where will you find men worthy enough to present them?

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES Joshua, yourself. Indicates Don Armado Myself, Judas Maccabaeus, and this gallant gentleman, Hector. This swain,⁸⁷ because of his great limb or joint, shall pass Pompey the Great. The page, Hercules.

ARMADO

ARMADO     Pardon, sir, error: he is not quantity enough for that Worthy’s thumb. He is not so big as the end of his club.⁹⁰

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES Shall I have audience?⁹¹ He shall present Hercules in minority: his enter and exit shall be strangling a snake,⁹² and I will have an apology for that purpose.

MOTH

MOTH     An excellent device!⁹³ So, if any of the audience hiss, you may cry ‘Well done, Hercules! Now thou crushest the snake!’ That is the way to make an offence gracious, though few have the grace to do it.

ARMADO

ARMADO     For the rest of the Worthies?

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES I will play three myself.

MOTH

MOTH     Thrice-worthy gentleman.

ARMADO

ARMADO     Shall I tell you a thing?

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES We attend.¹⁰⁰

ARMADO

ARMADO     We will have, if this fadge¹⁰¹ not, an antic. I beseech you, follow.

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES Via,¹⁰² goodman Dull! Thou hast spoken no word all this while.

DULL

DULL     Nor understood none neither, sir.

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES Allans! We will employ thee.

105

105 

DULL

DULL              I’ll make one¹⁰⁵ in a dance, or so, or I will play

               On the tabor¹⁰⁶ to the Worthies, and let them dance the hay.

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES Most Dull, honest Dull! To our sport, away!

       Exeunt

[Act 5 Scene 2]

running scene 6

       Enter Ladies [the Princess, Katherine, Rosaline and Maria]

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     Sweet hearts, we shall be rich ere we depart,

               If fairings² come thus plentifully in.

               A lady walled about with diamonds!³

               Look you what I have from the loving king. Shows a jewel

5

5     

ROSALINE

ROSALINE                   Madame, came nothing else along with that?

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     Nothing but this? Yes, as much love in rhyme

               As would be crammed up in a sheet of paper

               Writ on both sides the leaf, margent⁸ and all,

               That he was fain⁹ to seal on Cupid’s name.

10

10   

ROSALINE

ROSALINE           That was the way to make his godhead¹⁰ wax,

               For he hath been five¹¹ thousand years a boy.

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     Ay, and a shrewd¹² unhappy gallows too.

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     You’ll ne’er be friends with him: a¹³ killed your sister.

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     He made her melancholy, sad, and heavy,¹⁴

15

15           And so she died: had she been light,¹⁵ like you,

               Of such a merry, nimble, stirring spirit,

               She might ha’ been a grandam¹⁷ ere she died.

               And so may you, for a light heart lives long.

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     What’s your dark¹⁹ meaning, mouse, of this light word?

20

20   

KATHERINE

KATHERINE           A light condition²⁰ in a beauty dark.

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     We need more light to find your meaning out.

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     You’ll mar the light by taking²² it in snuff:

               Therefore I’ll darkly²³ end the argument.

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     Look²⁴ what you do, you do it still i’th’dark.

25

25   

KATHERINE

KATHERINE           So do not you, for you are a light wench.²⁵

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     Indeed I weigh not²⁶ you, and therefore light.

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     You weigh²⁷ me not? O, that’s you care not for me.

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     Great reason, for past²⁸ care is still past cure.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     Well bandied²⁹ both. A set of wit well played.

30

30           But Rosaline, you have a favour³⁰ too.

               Who sent it? And what is it?

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     I would³² you knew.

               An if my face were but as fair as yours,

               My favour were as great. Be witness this: Shows a love token and a letter

35

35           Nay, I have verses too, I thank Berowne.

               The numbers true,³⁶ and, were the numbering too,

               I were the fairest goddess on the ground.

               I am compared to twenty thousand fairs.³⁸

               O, he hath drawn my picture in his letter!

40

40   

PRINCESS

PRINCESS           Anything like?

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     Much in the letters,⁴¹ nothing in the praise.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     Beauteous as ink: a good conclusion.

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     Fair as a text B⁴³ in a copy-book.

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     ’Ware⁴⁴ pencils, how? Let me not die your debtor,

45

45           My red dominical,⁴⁵ my golden letter.

               O, that your face were not so full of O’s!⁴⁶

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     A pox⁴⁷ of that jest and I beshrew all shrews.

               But, Katherine, what was sent to you from fair Dumaine?

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     Madam, this glove. Shows a glove

50

50   

PRINCESS

PRINCESS           Did he not send you twain?⁵⁰

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     Yes, madam, and moreover

               Some thousand verses of a faithful lover,

               A huge translation⁵³ of hypocrisy,

               Vilely compiled, profound simplicity.⁵⁴

55

55   

MARIA

MARIA           This and these pearls to me sent Longaville. Shows a letter and a pearl necklace

               The letter is too long by half a mile.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     I think no less. Dost thou not wish in heart

               The chain were longer and the letter short?

MARIA

MARIA     Ay, or I would⁵⁹ these hands might never part.

60

60   

PRINCESS

PRINCESS           We are wise girls to mock our lovers so.

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     They are worse fools to purchase⁶¹ mocking so.

               That same Berowne I’ll torture ere I go.

               O that I knew he were but in by th’week!⁶³

               How I would make him fawn and beg and seek

65

65           And wait the season⁶⁵ and observe the times

               And spend his prodigal⁶⁶ wits in bootless rhymes

               And shape his service wholly to my device

               And make⁶⁸ him proud to make me proud that jests!

               So pert aunt like⁶⁹ would I o’ersway his state

70

70           That he should be my fool and I his fate.⁷⁰

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     None are so surely⁷¹ caught, when they are catched,

               As wit turned fool. Folly, in wisdom hatched,

               Hath wisdom’s warrant⁷³ and the help of school

               And wit’s own grace to grace a learnèd fool.

75

75 

ROSALINE

ROSALINE             The blood of youth burns not with such excess

               As gravity’s⁷⁶ revolt to wantonness.

MARIA

MARIA     Folly in fools bears not so strong a note⁷⁷

               As foolery in the wise, when wit doth dote,⁷⁸

               Since all⁷⁹ the power thereof it doth apply

80

80           To prove, by wit, worth in simplicity.

       Enter Boyet

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     Here comes Boyet, and mirth is in his face.

BOYET

BOYET     O, I am stabbed with laughter! Where’s her grace?

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     Thy news, Boyet?

BOYET

BOYET     Prepare, madam, prepare!

85

85           Arm,⁸⁵ wenches, arm! Encounters mounted are

               Against your peace. Love doth approach disguised,

               Armed in arguments: you’ll be surprised.⁸⁷

               Muster⁸⁸ your wits, stand in your own defence,

               Or hide your heads like cowards and fly hence.

90

90   

PRINCESS

PRINCESS           Saint Denis⁹⁰ to Saint Cupid! What are they

               That charge⁹¹ their breath against us? Say, scout, say.

BOYET

BOYET     Under the cool shade of a sycamore⁹²

               I thought to close mine eyes some half an hour,

               When, lo, to interrupt my purposed⁹⁴ rest,

95

95           Toward that shade I might behold addressed⁹⁵

               The king and his companions. Warily

               I stole into a neighbour thicket by,⁹⁷

               And overheard what you shall overhear:⁹⁸

               That, by and by,⁹⁹ disguised they will be here.

100

100         Their herald is a pretty knavish page,

               That well by heart hath conned¹⁰¹ his embassage.

               Action¹⁰² and accent did they teach him there:

               ‘Thus must thou speak’, and ‘thus thy body bear’.

               And ever and anon¹⁰⁴ they made a doubt

105

105         Presence majestical¹⁰⁵ would put him out,

               ‘For’, quoth the king, ‘an angel shalt thou see,

               Yet fear not thou, but speak audaciously.’

               The boy replied, ‘An angel is not evil:

               I should have feared her had she been a devil.’

110

110         With that, all laughed and clapped him on the shoulder,

               Making the bold wag¹¹¹ by their praises bolder.

               One rubbed his elbow¹¹² thus, and fleered and swore

               A better speech was never spoke before.

               Another, with¹¹⁴ his finger and his thumb

115

115         Cried, ‘Via!¹¹⁵ We will do’t, come what will come.’

               The third he capered,¹¹⁶ and cried, ‘All goes well.’

               The fourth turned¹¹⁷ on the toe, and down he fell.

               With that they all did tumble on the ground,

               With such a zealous laughter, so profound,

120

120         That in this spleen ridiculous¹²⁰ appears,

               To check¹²¹ their folly, passion’s solemn tears.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     But what, but what, come they to visit us?

BOYET

BOYET     They do, they do, and are apparelled thus:

               Like¹²⁴ Muscovites or Russians, as I guess.

125

125         Their purpose is to parley,¹²⁵ to court and dance,

               And every one his love-feat¹²⁶ will advance

               Unto his several¹²⁷ mistress, which they’ll know

               By favours several which they did bestow.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     And will they so? The gallants¹²⁹ shall be tasked,

130

130         For, ladies, we will every one be masked,

               And not a man of them shall have the grace,¹³¹

               Despite of suit,¹³² to see a lady’s face.

               Hold,¹³³ Rosaline, this favour thou shalt wear,

               And then the king will court thee for his dear.

135

135         Hold, take thou this, my sweet, and give me thine,

               So shall Berowne take me for Rosaline. The Princess and Rosaline exchange favors

               And change¹³⁷ your favours too, so shall your loves

               Woo contrary, deceived by these removes.¹³⁸ Katherine and Maria exchange favors

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     Come on, then, wear the favours most in sight.¹³⁹

140

140 

KATHERINE

KATHERINE              But in this changing what is your intent?

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     The effect of my intent is to cross¹⁴¹ theirs:

               They do it but in mocking merriment,

               And mock for mock is only my intent.

               Their several counsels¹⁴⁴ they unbosom shall

145

145         To loves mistook,¹⁴⁵ and so be mocked withal

               Upon the next occasion that we meet,

               With visages displayed¹⁴⁷ to talk and greet.

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     But shall we dance, if they desire us to’t?

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     No, to the death,¹⁴⁹ we will not move a foot,

150

150         Nor to their penned¹⁵⁰ speech render we no grace,

               But while ’tis spoke each turn away her face.

BOYET

BOYET     Why, that contempt will kill¹⁵² the speaker’s heart

               And quite divorce his memory from his part.¹⁵³

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     Therefore I do it, and I make no doubt

155

155         The rest will e’er come in, if he be out.¹⁵⁵

               There’s no such sport as sport by sport o’erthrown,

               To make theirs ours¹⁵⁷ and ours none but our own.

               So shall we stay, mocking intended¹⁵⁸ game,

               And they, well mocked, depart away with shame.

       [Trumpets] sound

160

160 

BOYET

BOYET              The trumpet sounds: be masked. The maskers come. The Ladies mask

       Enter Blackamoors¹⁶⁰ with music, the boy [Moth] with a speech, and the rest of the Lords

       [King, Berowne, Longaville and Dumaine] disguised [in Russian costumes and masks]

MOTH

MOTH     All hail, the richest beauties on the earth!

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Beauties no richer than rich taffeta.¹⁶² Aside?

MOTH

MOTH     A holy parcel¹⁶³ of the fairest dames.

               That ever turned their —

       The Ladies turn their backs to him

                                                                 backs — to mortal views.

165

165 

BEROWNE

BEROWNE              Their eyes, villain, their eyes! Aside to Moth

MOTH

MOTH     That ever turned their eyes to mortal views!Out¹⁶⁶…

BOYET

BOYET     True. Out indeed.

MOTH

MOTH     Out of your favours, heavenly spirits, vouchsafe¹⁶⁸

               Not to behold—

170

170 

BEROWNE

BEROWNE              Once to behold, rogue. Aside to Moth

MOTH

MOTH     Once to behold with your sun-beamèd eyes…

               With your sun-beamèd eyes…

BOYET

BOYET     They will not answer to that epithet.¹⁷³

               You were best call it ‘daughter-beamèd¹⁷⁴ eyes’.

175

175 

MOTH

MOTH              They do not mark me and that brings me out.¹⁷⁵

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Is this your perfectness?¹⁷⁶ Be gone, you rogue!

       [Exit Moth]

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     What¹⁷⁷ would these strangers? Know their minds, Boyet. Pretends to be the Princess

               If they do speak our language, ’tis our will

               That some plain¹⁷⁹ man recount their purposes

180

180         Know what they would.

BOYET

BOYET     What would you with the princess?

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Nothing but peace and gentle visitation.¹⁸²

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     What would they, say they?

BOYET

BOYET     Nothing but peace and gentle visitation.

185

185 

ROSALINE

ROSALINE              Why, that they have, and bid them so be gone.

BOYET

BOYET     She says, you have it, and you may be gone.

KING

KING     Say to her, we ‘have measured¹⁸⁷ many miles

               To tread a measure¹⁸⁸ with you on the grass’.

BOYET

BOYET     They say that they have measured many a mile

190

190         To tread a measure with you on this grass.

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     It is not so. Ask them how many inches

               Is in one mil. If they have measured many,

               The measure¹⁹³ then of one is easily told.

BOYET

BOYET     If to come hither you have measured miles,

195

195         And many miles, the princess bids you tell

               How many inches doth fill up one mile.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Tell her we measure them by weary steps.

BOYET

BOYET     She hears herself.

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     How many weary steps,

200

200         Of many weary miles you have o’ergone,

               Are numbered in the travel²⁰¹ of one mile?

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     We number²⁰² nothing that we spend for you.

               Our duty is so rich, so infinite,

               That we may do it still²⁰⁴ without account.

205

205         Vouchsafe to show the sunshine of your face,

               That we, like savages, may worship it.

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     My²⁰⁷ face is but a moon, and clouded too.

KING

KING     Blessèd are clouds, to do²⁰⁸ as such clouds do!

               Vouchsafe, bright moon, and these thy stars,²⁰⁹ to shine,

210

210         Those clouds removed, upon our wat’ry eyne.²¹⁰

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     O vain petitioner! Beg a greater matter:

               Thou now requests but moonshine²¹² in the water.

KING

KING     Then, in our measure vouchsafe but one change.²¹³

               Thou bid’st me beg: this begging is not strange.²¹⁴

215

215 

ROSALINE

ROSALINE              Play, music, then! Nay, you must do it soon. Music plays

               Not yet? No dance! Thus change I like the moon.

KING

KING     Will you not dance? How come you thus estranged?²¹⁷

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     You took the moon at full, but now she’s changed.

KING

KING     Yet still she²¹⁹ is the moon, and I the man.

220

220 

ROSALINE

ROSALINE              The²²⁰ music plays, vouchsafe some motion to it.

               Our ears vouchsafe it.

KING

KING     But your legs should do it.

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     Since you are strangers and come here by chance,

               We’ll not be nice:²²⁴ take hands. We will not dance. Offers her hand

225

225 

KING

KING              Why take you hands, then?

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     Only to part friends.

               Curtsy, sweet hearts, and so the measure ends. Music stops

KING

KING     More²²⁸ measure of this measure. Be not nice.

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     We can afford no more at such a price.

230

230 

KING

KING              Price²³⁰ yourselves: what buys your company?

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     Your absence only.

KING

KING     That can never be.

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     Then cannot we be bought. And so, adieu.

               Twice²³⁴ to your visor and half once to you.

235

235 

KING

KING              If you deny²³⁵ to dance, let’s hold more chat.

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     In private then.

KING

KING     I am best pleased with that. They talk apart

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     White-handed mistress, one sweet word with thee. To the Princess

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     Honey and milk and sugar: there is three.²³⁹ Pretends to be Rosaline

240

240 

BEROWNE

BEROWNE              Nay then, two treys,²⁴⁰ and if you grow so nice,

               Metheglin,²⁴¹ wort and malmsey. Well run, dice!

               There’s half-a-dozen sweets.²⁴²

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     Seventh sweet, adieu.

               Since you can cog,²⁴⁴ I’ll play no more with you.

245

245 

BEROWNE

BEROWNE              One word in secret.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     Let it not be sweet.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Thou griev’st²⁴⁷ my gall.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     Gall! Bitter.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Therefore meet.²⁴⁹ They talk apart

250

250 

DUMAINE

DUMAINE              Will you vouchsafe with me to change²⁵⁰ a word? To Maria

MARIA

MARIA     Name it. Pretends to be Katherine

DUMAINE

DUMAINE     Fair lady—

MARIA

MARIA     Say you so? Fair lord.

               Take you that for your ‘fair lady’.

255

255 

DUMAINE

DUMAINE              Please it you,²⁵⁵

               As much in private, and I’ll bid adieu. They talk apart

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     What, was your vizard²⁵⁷ made without a tongue? Pretends to be Maria

LONGAVILLE

LONGAVILLE I know the reason, lady, why you ask.

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     O for your reason! Quickly, sir, I long.

260

260 

LONGAVILLE

LONGAVILLE You have a double tongue²⁶⁰ within your mask

               And would afford²⁶¹ my speechless vizard half.

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     ‘Veal’,²⁶² quoth the Dutchman. Is not ‘veal’ a calf?

LONGAVILLE

LONGAVILLE A calf, fair lady?

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     No, a fair lord calf.

265

265 

LONGAVILLE

LONGAVILLE Let’s part²⁶⁵ the word.

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     No, I’ll not be your half.²⁶⁶

               Take all, and wean²⁶⁷ it, it may prove an ox.

LONGAVILLE

LONGAVILLE Look, how you butt²⁶⁸ yourself in these sharp mocks.

               Will you give horns,²⁶⁹ chaste lady? Do not so.

270

270 

KATHERINE

KATHERINE              Then die a calf before your horns do grow.

LONGAVILLE

LONGAVILLE One word in private with you ere I die.

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     Bleat softly then, the butcher hears you cry. They talk apart

BOYET

BOYET     The tongues of mocking wenches are as keen²⁷³

               As is the razor’s edge invisible,

275

275         Cutting a smaller hair than may be seen,

               Above the sense of sense,²⁷⁶ so sensible

               Seemeth their conference.²⁷⁷ Their conceits have wings

               Fleeter²⁷⁸ than arrows, bullets, wind, thought, swifter things.

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     Not one word more, my maids: break off, break off.

280

280 

BEROWNE

BEROWNE              By heaven, all dry-beaten²⁸⁰ with pure scoff!

KING

KING     Farewell, mad wenches; you have simple wits.

       Exeunt [King, Berowne, Longaville, Dumaine and Blackamoors]

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     Twenty adieus, my frozen Muscovites. The ladies unmask

               Are these the breed of wits so wondered at?

BOYET

BOYET     Tapers²⁸⁴ they are, with your sweet breaths puffed out.

285

285 

ROSALINE

ROSALINE              Well-liking²⁸⁵ wits they have: gross, gross, fat, fat.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     O, poverty in wit, kingly-poor flout!²⁸⁶

               Will they not, think you, hang themselves tonight?

               Or ever, but in vizards, show their faces?

               This pert²⁸⁹ Berowne was out of countenance quite.

290

290 

ROSALINE

ROSALINE              They were all in lamentable cases.²⁹⁰

               The king was weeping-ripe²⁹¹ for a good word.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     Berowne did swear himself out²⁹² of all suit.

MARIA

MARIA     Dumaine was at my service, and his sword.

               ‘No point’, quoth I: my servant²⁹⁴ straight was mute.

295

295 

KATHERINE

KATHERINE              Lord Longaville said I came o’er²⁹⁵ his heart:

               And trow you²⁹⁶ what he called me?

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     Qualm,²⁹⁷ perhaps.

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     Yes, in good faith.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     Go, sickness as thou art!

300

300 

ROSALINE

ROSALINE              Well, better wits have worn plain statute-caps.³⁰⁰

               But will you hear? The king is my love sworn.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     And quick³⁰² Berowne hath plighted faith to me.

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     And Longaville was for my service born.

MARIA

MARIA     Dumaine is mine as sure as bark on tree.

305

305 

BOYET

BOYET              Madam, and pretty mistresses, give ear:³⁰⁵

               Immediately they will again be here

               In³⁰⁷ their own shapes, for it can never be

               They will digest³⁰⁸ this harsh indignity.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     Will they return?

310

310 

BOYET

BOYET              They will, they will, God knows,

               And leap for joy, though they are lame with blows:

               Therefore change favours, and, when they repair,³¹²

               Blow³¹³ like sweet roses in this summer air.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     How blow? How blow? Speak to be understood.

315

315 

BOYET

BOYET              Fair ladies masked are roses in their bud:

               Dismasked, their damask³¹⁶ sweet commixture shown,

               Are angels vailing³¹⁷ clouds, or roses blown.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     Avaunt,³¹⁸ perplexity! What shall we do

               If they return in their own shapes to woo?

320

320 

ROSALINE

ROSALINE              Good madam, if by me you’ll be advised

               Let’s mock them still, as³²¹ well known as disguised.

               Let us complain to them what fools were here,

               Disguised like Muscovites, in shapeless gear:³²³

               And wonder what they were and to what end³²⁴

325

325         Their shallow shows and prologue vilely penned,

               And their rough carriage³²⁶ so ridiculous,

               Should be presented at our tent to us.

BOYET

BOYET     Ladies, withdraw. The gallants are at hand.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     Whip to our tents, as roes³²⁹ runs o’er land.

       Exeunt [the Princess, Rosaline, Katherine and Maria]

       Enter the King and the rest [Berowne, Longaville and Dumaine, as themselves]

330

330 

KING

KING              Fair sir, God save you! Where’s the princess?

BOYET

BOYET     Gone to her tent. Please it your majesty

               Command me any service to her?

KING

KING     That she vouchsafe me audience for one word.

BOYET

BOYET     I will, and so will she, I know, my lord.

       Exit

335

335 

BEROWNE

BEROWNE              This fellow pecks up wit as pigeons peas

               And utters³³⁶ it again when Jove doth please.

               He is wit’s pedlar and retails his wares

               At wakes³³⁸ and wassails, meetings, markets, fairs.

               And we that sell by gross,³³⁹ the Lord doth know,

340

340         Have not the grace to grace it with such show.

               This gallant³⁴¹ pins the wenches on his sleeve.

               Had³⁴² he been Adam, he had tempted Eve.

               He can carve³⁴³ too, and lisp. Why, this is he

               That kissed³⁴⁴ away his hand in courtesy.

345

345         This is the ape of form,³⁴⁵ Monsieur the Nice,

               That when he plays at tables³⁴⁶ chides the dice

               In honourable³⁴⁷ terms. Nay, he can sing

               A mean³⁴⁸ most meanly, and in ushering

               Mend³⁴⁹ him who can. The ladies call him sweet.

350

350         The stairs, as he treads on them, kiss his feet.

               This is the flower that smiles on everyone,

               To show his teeth as white as whale’s bone

               And consciences that will not die in debt

               Pay him the due of honey-tongued Boyet.

355

355 

KING

KING              A blister on his sweet tongue, with my heart,

               That put³⁵⁶ Armado’s page out of his part!

       Enter the Ladies [the Princess, Rosaline, Maria and Katherine, with Boyet]

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     See where it³⁵⁷ comes! Behaviour, what wert thou

               Till this madman³⁵⁸ showed thee? And what art thou now?

KING

KING     All hail, sweet madam, and fair time of day!

360

360 

PRINCESS

PRINCESS              ‘Fair’³⁶⁰ in ‘all hail’ is foul, as I conceive.

KING

KING     Construe³⁶¹ my speeches better, if you may.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     Then wish me³⁶² better, I will give you leave.

KING

KING     We came to visit you and purpose now

               To lead you to our court. Vouchsafe it then.

365

365 

PRINCESS

PRINCESS              This³⁶⁵ field shall hold me, and so hold your vow.

               Nor³⁶⁶ God nor I delights in perjured men.

KING

KING     Rebuke me not for that which you provoke.

               The virtue of your eye must break my oath.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     You nickname³⁶⁹ virtue: ‘vice’ you should have spoke,

370

370         For virtue’s office³⁷⁰ never breaks men’s troth.

               Now, by my maiden honour, yet³⁷¹ as pure

               As the unsullied lily, I protest,³⁷²

               A world of torments though I should endure,

               I would not yield to be your house’s guest,

375

375         So much I hate a³⁷⁵ breaking cause to be

               Of heavenly oaths, vowed with integrity.

KING

KING     O, you have lived in desolation³⁷⁷ here,

               Unseen, unvisited, much to our shame.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     Not so, my lord. It is not so, I swear.

380

380         We have had pastimes here and pleasant game:

               A mess of Russians left us but of late.³⁸¹

KING

KING     How, madam? Russians?

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     Ay, in truth, my lord.

               Trim³⁸⁴ gallants, full of courtship and of state.

385

385 

ROSALINE

ROSALINE              Madam, speak true. It is not so, my lord.

               My lady, to³⁸⁶ the manner of the days,

               In courtesy gives undeserving³⁸⁷ praise.

               We four indeed confronted were with four

               In Russian habit. Here they stayed an hour,

390

390         And talked apace;³⁹⁰ and in that hour, my lord,

               They did not bless us with one happy³⁹¹ word.

               I dare not call them fools; but this I think,

               When³⁹³ they are thirsty, fools would fain have drink.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     This jest is dry³⁹⁴ to me. Fair gentle sweet,

395

395         Your wits makes wise things foolish. When³⁹⁵ we greet,

               With eyes best seeing, heaven’s fiery eye,

               By light we lose light. Your capacity³⁹⁷

               Is of that nature that to³⁹⁸ your huge store

               Wise things seem foolish and rich things but poor.

400

400 

ROSALINE

ROSALINE              This proves you wise and rich, for in my eye⁴⁰⁰—

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     I am a fool, and full of poverty.

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     But that you take what doth to you belong,

               It were a fault to snatch words from my tongue.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     O, I am yours, and all that I possess!

405

405 

ROSALINE

ROSALINE              All the fool mine?

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     I cannot give you less.

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     Which of the vizards was it that you wore?

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Where? When? What vizard? Why demand you this?

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     There, then, that vizard; that superfluous case⁴⁰⁹

410

410         That hid the worse and showed the better face.

KING

KING     We are descried;⁴¹¹ they’ll mock us now downright. Aside

DUMAINE

DUMAINE     Let us confess and turn it to a jest. Aside

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     Amazed,⁴¹³ my lord? Why looks your highness sad?

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     Help, hold his brows!⁴¹⁴ He’ll swoon! Why look you pale?

415

415         Sea-sick, I think, coming from Muscovy.⁴¹⁵

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Thus pour the stars down plagues for perjury.

               Can any face of brass⁴¹⁷ hold longer out?

               Here stand I lady, dart thy skill⁴¹⁸ at me;

               Bruise me with scorn, confound⁴¹⁹ me with a flout,

420

420         Thrust thy sharp wit quite through my ignorance,

               Cut me to pieces with thy keen conceit,⁴²¹

               And I will wish⁴²² thee never more to dance,

               Nor never more in Russian habit⁴²³ wait.

               O, never will I trust to speeches penned,

425

425         Nor to the motion⁴²⁵ of a schoolboy’s tongue,

               Nor never come in vizard to my friend,⁴²⁶

               Nor woo in rhyme, like a blind harper’s⁴²⁷ song!

               Taffeta⁴²⁸ phrases, silken terms precise,

               Three-piled⁴²⁹ hyperboles, spruce affectation,

430

430         Figures⁴³⁰ pedantical; these summer-flies

               Have blown⁴³¹ me full of maggot ostentation.

               I do forswear them; and I here protest,

               By this white glove — how white the hand, God knows! —

               Henceforth my wooing mind shall be expressed

435

435         In russet⁴³⁵ yeas and honest kersey noes.

               And, to begin, wench — so God help me, law!⁴³⁶ —

               My love to thee is sound, sans⁴³⁷ crack or flaw.

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     Sans⁴³⁸ ‘sans’, I pray you.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Yet I have a trick⁴³⁹

440

440         Of the old rage.⁴⁴⁰ Bear with me, I am sick.

               I’ll leave it by degrees.⁴⁴¹ Soft, let us see:

               Write, ‘Lord⁴⁴² have mercy on us’ on those three.

               They are infected, in their hearts it lies:

               They have the plague, and caught it of⁴⁴⁴ your eyes.

445

445         These lords are visited,⁴⁴⁵ you are not free,

               For the Lord’s tokens⁴⁴⁶ on you do I see.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     No, they are free⁴⁴⁷ that gave these tokens to us.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Our states⁴⁴⁸ are forfeit. Seek not to undo us.

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     It is not so, for how can this be true,

450

450         That you stand forfeit, being those that sue?⁴⁵⁰

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Peace! For I will not have to do⁴⁵¹ with you.

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     Nor shall not, if I do as I intend.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Speak for yourselves. My wit is at an end. To the Lords

KING

KING     Teach us, sweet madam, for our rude transgression

455

455         Some fair excuse.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     The fairest is confession.

               Were you not here but even⁴⁵⁷ now disguised?

KING

KING     Madam, I was.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     And were you well advised?⁴⁵⁹

460

460 

KING

KING              I was, fair madam.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     When you then were here,

               What did you whisper in your lady’s ear?

KING

KING     That more than all the world I did respect⁴⁶³ her.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     When she shall challenge⁴⁶⁴ this, you will reject her.

465

465 

KING

KING              Upon mine honour, no.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     Peace, peace, forbear.⁴⁶⁶

               Your oath once broke, you force⁴⁶⁷ not to forswear.

KING

KING     Despise me when I break this oath of mine.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     I will: and therefore keep it.— Rosaline,

470

470         What did the Russian whisper in your ear?

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     Madam, he swore that he did hold me dear

               As precious eyesight, and did value me

               Above this world: adding thereto moreover

               That he would wed me or else die my lover.

475

475 

PRINCESS

PRINCESS              God give thee joy of him. The noble lord

               Most honourably doth uphold his word.

KING

KING     What mean you, madam? By my life, my troth,

               I never swore this lady such an oath.

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     By heaven, you did; and to confirm it plain,

480

480         You gave me this. But take it, sir, again. Shows the Princess’ favor

KING

KING     My faith and this the princess I did give.

               I knew her by this jewel on her sleeve.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     Pardon me, sir, this jewel did she wear,

               And Lord Berowne, I thank him, is my dear.—

485

485         What, will you have me or your pearl again? To Berowne as she shows Rosaline’s favor

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Neither of either,⁴⁸⁶ I remit both twain.

               I see the trick on’t.⁴⁸⁷ Here was a consent,

               Knowing aforehand of our merriment,

               To dash⁴⁸⁹ it like a Christmas comedy.

490

490         Some carry-tale,⁴⁹⁰ some please-man, some slight zany,

               Some mumble-news,⁴⁹¹ some trencher-knight, some Dick

               That smiles⁴⁹² his cheek in years and knows the trick

               To make my lady laugh when she’s disposed,⁴⁹³

               Told our intents before, which once disclosed,

495

495         The ladies did change favours and then we,

               Following the signs, wooed but the sign of she.⁴⁹⁶

               Now, to our perjury to add more terror,

               We are again forsworn in will and error.

               Much⁴⁹⁹ upon this ’tis.— And might not you To Boyet

500

500         Forestall our sport, to make us thus untrue?

               Do not you know my lady’s foot by th’squier,⁵⁰¹

               And laugh⁵⁰² upon the apple of her eye?

               And stand⁵⁰³ between her back, sir, and the fire,

               Holding a trencher,⁵⁰⁴ jesting merrily?

505

505         You put our page out: go, you are allowed.

               Die⁵⁰⁶ when you will, a smock shall be your shroud.

               You leer⁵⁰⁷ upon me, do you? There’s an eye

               Wounds⁵⁰⁸ like a leaden sword.

BOYET

BOYET     Full merrily hath this brave manage,⁵⁰⁹ this career, been run.

510

510 

BEROWNE

BEROWNE              Lo, he is tilting straight!⁵¹⁰ Peace! I have done.

       Enter Clown [Costard]

               Welcome, pure wit! Thou partest⁵¹¹ a fair fray.

COSTARD

COSTARD     O lord, sir, they would⁵¹² know

               Whether the three Worthies shall come in or no.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     What, are there but three?

515

515 

COSTARD

COSTARD              No, sir, but it is vara⁵¹⁵ fine,

               For every one pursents⁵¹⁶ three.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     And three times thrice is nine.

COSTARD

COSTARD     Not so, sir — under correction, sir — I hope it is not so.

               You cannot beg us,⁵¹⁹ sir, I can assure you, sir, we know what we know.

520

520         I hope, sir, three times thrice, sir—

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Is not nine?

COSTARD

COSTARD     Under correction, sir, we know whereuntil⁵²² it doth amount.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     By Jove, I always took three threes for nine.

COSTARD

COSTARD     O lord, sir, it were⁵²⁴ pity you should get your living by reckoning, sir.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     How much is it?

COSTARD

COSTARD     O lord, sir, the parties themselves, the actors, sir, will show whereuntil it doth amount. For mine own part, I am, as they say, but to perfect⁵²⁷ one man in one poor man: Pompion⁵²⁸ the Great, sir.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Art thou one of the Worthies?

COSTARD

COSTARD     It pleased them to think me worthy of Pompey the Great. For mine own part, I know not the degree⁵³¹ of the Worthy, but I am to stand for him.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Go, bid them prepare.

COSTARD

COSTARD     We will turn⁵³³ it finely off, sir, we will take some care.

       Exit

KING

KING     Berowne, they will shame us: let them not approach.

535

535 

BEROWNE

BEROWNE              We are shame-proof, my lord, and ’tis some policy⁵³⁵

               To have one show worse than the king’s and his company.

KING

KING     I say they shall not come.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     Nay, my good lord, let me o’errule you now.

               That sport best pleases that doth least know how:

540

540         Where zeal⁵⁴⁰ strives to content and the contents

               Dies in the zeal of that⁵⁴¹ which it presents,

               There⁵⁴² form confounded makes most form in mirth

               When great things labouring perish in their birth.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     A right description of our sport, my lord. To the King

       Enter Braggart [Armado]

ARMADO

ARMADO     Anointed,⁵⁴⁵ I implore so much expense of thy royal sweet breath as will utter a brace⁵⁴⁶ of words. Armado and the King talk apart

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     Doth this man serve God?

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Why ask you?

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     He speaks not like a man of God’s making.

ARMADO

ARMADO     That’s all one,⁵⁵⁰ my fair, sweet, honey monarch, for, I protest, the schoolmaster is exceeding fantastical, too too vain, too too vain. But we will put it, as they say, to fortuna⁵⁵² de la guerra. Gives him a paper, which the King looks over I wish you the peace of mind, most royal couplement!⁵⁵³

       [Exit]

KING

KING     Here is like⁵⁵⁴ to be a good presence of Worthies. He presents Hector of Troy, the swain Pompey the Great, the parish curate Alexander, Armado’s page Hercules, the pedant⁵⁵⁶ Judas Maccabaeus.

               ‘And if these four Worthies in their first show thrive, Reads

               These four will change habits⁵⁵⁸ and present the other five.’

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     There is five in the first show.

560

560 

KING

KING              You are deceived, ’tis not so.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     The pedant, the braggart, the hedge-priest,⁵⁶¹ the fool and the boy.

               Abate⁵⁶² throw at novum, and the whole world again

               Cannot prick out five such, take each one in’s vein.⁵⁶³

KING

KING     The ship is under sail and here she comes amain.⁵⁶⁴

       Enter [Costard as] Pompey

565

565 

COSTARD

COSTARD     I Pompey am—

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     You lie, you are not he.

COSTARD

COSTARD     I Pompey am—

BOYET

BOYET     With leopard’s head⁵⁶⁸ on knee.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Well said, old mocker, I must needs⁵⁶⁹ be friends with thee.

570

570 

COSTARD

COSTARD     I Pompey am, Pompey surnamed the Big—

DUMAINE

DUMAINE     The ‘Great’.

COSTARD

COSTARD     It is ‘Great’, sir—

               Pompey surnamed the Great,

               That oft in field,

575

575         With targe⁵⁷⁵ and shield,

               Did make my foe to sweat.

               And travelling along this coast,⁵⁷⁷ I here am come by chance,

               And lay my arms⁵⁷⁸ before the legs of this sweet lass of France.—

               If your ladyship would say, ‘Thanks Pompey’, I had done. To the Princess

580

580 

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     Great thanks, great Pompey.

COSTARD

COSTARD     ’Tis not so much worth, but I hope I was perfect.⁵⁸¹ I made a little fault in ‘ Great’.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     My⁵⁸³ hat to a halfpenny, Pompey proves the best Worthy.

       Enter Curate [Nathaniel] for Alexander

NATHANIEL

NATHANIEL     When in the world I lived, I was the world’s commander: By east, west, north and south, I spread my conquering might. My scutcheon⁵⁸⁶ plain declares that I am Alisander—

BOYET

BOYET     Your nose says no, you are not, for it stands too right.⁵⁸⁷

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Your⁵⁸⁸ nose smells ‘no’ in this, most tender-smelling knight.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     The conqueror is dismayed.— Proceed, good Alexander.

NATHANIEL

NATHANIEL     When in the world I lived, I was the world’s commander—

BOYET

BOYET     Most true, ’tis right: you were so, Alisander.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Pompey the Great—

COSTARD

COSTARD     Your servant, and Costard.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Take away the conqueror, take away Alisander.

COSTARD

COSTARD     O, sir, you have overthrown Alisander the conqueror. To Nathaniel You will be scraped out of the painted cloth⁵⁹⁶ for this. Your lion that holds his pole-axe sitting on a close-stool⁵⁹⁷ will be given to Ajax. He will be the ninth Worthy. A conqueror and afraid to speak? Nathaniel steps back Run away for shame, Alisander. There, an’t shall please you, a foolish mild man, an honest man, look you, and soon dashed.⁵⁹⁹ He is a marvellous good neighbour, in sooth, and a very good bowler. But for Alisander, alas, you see how ’tis — a little o’erparted.⁶⁰¹ But there are Worthies a-coming will speak their mind in some other sort.⁶⁰²

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     Stand aside, good Pompey.

       Exit [Costard]

       Enter Pedant [Holofernes] for Judas and the boy [Moth] for Hercules

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES Great Hercules is presented by this imp,⁶⁰⁴

605

605         Whose club killed Cerberus,⁶⁰⁵ that three-headed canus,

               And when he was a babe, a child, a shrimp,

               Thus did he strangle serpents in his manus⁶⁰⁷.

               Quoniam⁶⁰⁸ he seemeth in minority,

               Ergo⁶⁰⁹ I come with this apology.—

610

610         Keep some state⁶¹⁰ in thy exit, and vanish. To Moth

       Exit boy [Moth]

               Judas I am—

DUMAINE

DUMAINE     A Judas!⁶¹²

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES Not Iscariot,⁶¹³ sir.

               Judas I am, ycliped⁶¹⁴ Maccabaeus.

615

615 

DUMAINE

DUMAINE              Judas Maccabaeus clipped⁶¹⁵ is plain Judas.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     A kissing traitor.⁶¹⁶ How art thou proved Judas?

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES Judas I am—

DUMAINE

DUMAINE     The more shame for you, Judas.

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES What mean you,⁶¹⁹ sir?

620

620 

BOYET

BOYET              To make Judas hang himself.

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES Begin,⁶²¹ sir: you are my elder.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Well followed: Judas was hanged on an elder.

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES I will not be put⁶²³ out of countenance.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Because thou hast no face.

625

625 

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES What is this? Pointing to his face

BOYET

BOYET     A cittern-head.⁶²⁶

DUMAINE

DUMAINE     The head of a bodkin.⁶²⁷

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     A death’s⁶²⁸ face in a ring.

LONGAVILLE

LONGAVILLE The face of an old Roman coin, scarce seen.⁶²⁹

630

630 

BOYET

BOYET              The pommel⁶³⁰ of Caesar’s falchion.

DUMAINE

DUMAINE     The carved-bone face on a flask.⁶³¹

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Saint George’s half-cheek⁶³² in a brooch.

DUMAINE

DUMAINE     Ay, and in a brooch⁶³³ of lead.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Ay, and worn in the cap of a tooth-drawer.

635

635         And now forward, for we have put⁶³⁵ thee in countenance.

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES You have put me out of countenance.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     False, we have given thee faces.

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES But you have out-faced them all.⁶³⁸

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     An thou wert a lion,⁶³⁹ we would do so.

640

640 

BOYET

BOYET              Therefore, as he is an ass, let him go.

               And so adieu, sweet Jude. Nay, why dost thou stay?

DUMAINE

DUMAINE     For the latter end⁶⁴² of his name.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     For the ass to the Jude? Give it him: Jud-as, away!

HOLOFERNES

HOLOFERNES This is not generous,⁶⁴⁴ not gentle, not humble.

645

645 

BOYET

BOYET              A light⁶⁴⁵ for Monsieur Judas! It grows dark, he may stumble. Holofernes steps back

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     Alas, poor Maccabaeus, how hath he been baited!

       Enter Braggart [Armado as Hector]

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Hide thy head, Achilles.⁶⁴⁷ Here comes Hector in arms.

DUMAINE

DUMAINE     Though my mocks come home by me,⁶⁴⁸ I will now be merry.

KING

KING     Hector was but a Troyan⁶⁴⁹ in respect of this.

650

650 

BOYET

BOYET              But is this Hector?

KING

KING     I think Hector was not so clean-timbered.⁶⁵¹

LONGAVILLE

LONGAVILLE His leg is too big for Hector.

DUMAINE

DUMAINE     More calf,⁶⁵³ certain.

BOYET

BOYET     No, he is best endued⁶⁵⁴ in the small.

655

655 

BEROWNE

BEROWNE              This cannot be Hector.

DUMAINE

DUMAINE     He’s a god or a painter, for he makes⁶⁵⁶ faces.

ARMADO

ARMADO     The armipotent⁶⁵⁷ Mars, of lances the almighty,

               Gave Hector a gift—

DUMAINE

DUMAINE     A gilt⁶⁵⁹ nutmeg.

660

660 

BEROWNE

BEROWNE              A lemon.

LONGAVILLE

LONGAVILLE Stuck with cloves.

DUMAINE

DUMAINE     No, cloven.⁶⁶²

ARMADO

ARMADO     The armipotent Mars, of lances the almighty

               Gave Hector a gift, the heir of Ilion;⁶⁶⁴

665

665         A man so breathed⁶⁶⁵ that certain he would fight, yea

               From morn till night, out of his pavilion.⁶⁶⁶

               I am that flower—

DUMAINE

DUMAINE     That mint.

LONGAVILLE

LONGAVILLE That columbine.

670

670 

ARMADO

ARMADO              Sweet Lord Longaville, rein⁶⁷⁰ thy tongue.

LONGAVILLE

LONGAVILLE I must rather give it the rein, for it runs against Hector.

DUMAINE

DUMAINE     Ay, and Hector’s a greyhound.⁶⁷²

ARMADO

ARMADO     The sweet war-man⁶⁷³ is dead and rotten. Sweet chucks, beat not the bones of the buried. When we breathed he was a man. But I will forward⁶⁷⁴ with my device.⁶⁷⁵ To the Princess Sweet royalty, bestow on me the sense of hearing.

       [Costard] steps forth

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     Speak, brave Hector: we are much delighted.

ARMADO

ARMADO     I do adore thy sweet grace’s slipper.

BOYET

BOYET     Loves her by the foot.⁶⁷⁸ Aside to Dumaine

DUMAINE

DUMAINE     He may not by the yard.⁶⁷⁹ Aside to Boyet

ARMADO

ARMADO     This Hector far surmounted Hannibal. The party is gone⁶⁸¹—

COSTARD

COSTARD     Fellow Hector, she is gone.⁶⁸² She is two months on her way.

ARMADO

ARMADO     What meanest thou?

COSTARD

COSTARD     Faith, unless you play the honest Troyan, the poor wench is cast away:⁶⁸⁴ she’s quick,⁶⁸⁵ the child brags in her belly already. ’Tis yours.

ARMADO

ARMADO     Dost thou infamonize⁶⁸⁶ me among potentates? Thou shalt die.

COSTARD

COSTARD     Then shall Hector be whipped for Jaquenetta that is quick⁶⁸⁷ by him and hanged for Pompey⁶⁸⁸ that is dead by him.

DUMAINE

DUMAINE     Most rare Pompey!

BOYET

BOYET     Renowned Pompey!

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Greater than great, great, great, great Pompey! Pompey the Huge!

DUMAINE

DUMAINE     Hector trembles.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Pompey is moved. More Ates,⁶⁹³ more Ates! Stir them, or stir them on!

DUMAINE

DUMAINE     Hector will challenge him.⁶⁹⁴

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Ay, if a have⁶⁹⁵ no more man’s blood in’s belly than will sup a flea.

ARMADO

ARMADO     By the north pole, I do challenge thee.

COSTARD

COSTARD     I will not fight with a pole,⁶⁹⁷ like a northern man; I’ll slash, I’ll do it by the sword. I pray you let me borrow⁶⁹⁸ my arms again.

DUMAINE

DUMAINE     Room⁶⁹⁹ for the incensed Worthies.

COSTARD

COSTARD     I’ll do it in my shirt.

DUMAINE

DUMAINE     Most resolute Pompey!

MOTH

MOTH     Master, let me take⁷⁰² you a buttonhole lower. To Armado Do you not see, Pompey is uncasing⁷⁰³ for the combat. What mean you? You will lose your reputation.

ARMADO

ARMADO     Gentlemen and soldiers, pardon me. I will not combat in my shirt.

DUMAINE

DUMAINE     You may not deny it. Pompey hath made the challenge.

ARMADO

ARMADO     Sweet bloods,⁷⁰⁶ I both may and will.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     What reason have you for’t?

ARMADO

ARMADO     The naked truth of it is, I have no shirt: I go woolward⁷⁰⁸ for penance.

BOYET

BOYET     True, and it was enjoined⁷⁰⁹ him in Rome for want of linen. Since when, I’ll be sworn he wore none but a dishclout⁷¹⁰ of Jaquenetta’s, and that he wears next his heart for a favour.⁷¹¹

       Enter a Messenger, Monsieur Marcadé

MARCADÉ

MARCADÉ     God save you, madam!

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     Welcome, Marcadé,

But that thou interrupt’st our merriment.

MARCADÉ

MARCADÉ     I am sorry, madam, for the news I bring is heavy in my tongue. The king your father—

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     Dead, for my life!

MARCADÉ

MARCADÉ     Even so: my tale⁷¹⁸ is told.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Worthies, away! The scene begins to cloud.

ARMADO

ARMADO     For mine own part, I breathe free breath.⁷²⁰ I have seen the day of wrong through the little hole of discretion, and I will right⁷²¹ myself like a soldier.

       Exeunt Worthies

KING

KING     How fares your majesty?

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     Boyet, prepare. I will away tonight.

KING

KING     Madam, not so. I do beseech you, stay.

725

725 

PRINCESS

PRINCESS              Prepare, I say. I thank you, gracious lords,

               For all your fair endeavours, and entreat

               Out of a new-sad soul that you vouchsafe

               In your rich wisdom to excuse or hide⁷²⁸

               The liberal⁷²⁹ opposition of our spirits.

730

730         If over-boldly we have borne ourselves

               In the⁷³¹ converse of breath, your gentleness

               Was guilty of⁷³² it. Farewell worthy lord!

               A heavy heart bears not a nimble tongue.

               Excuse me so,⁷³⁴ coming too short of thanks

735

735         For my great suit so easily obtained.

KING

KING     The⁷³⁶ extreme parts of time extremely forms

               All causes to the purpose of his speed,

               And often at his very loose⁷³⁸ decides

               That which long process⁷³⁹ could not arbitrate.

740

740         And though the mourning⁷⁴⁰ brow of progeny

               Forbid⁷⁴¹ the smiling courtesy of love

               The holy suit⁷⁴² which fain it would convince,

               Yet, since love’s argument was first on foot,⁷⁴³

               Let not the cloud of sorrow justle⁷⁴⁴ it

745

745         From what it purposed: since to wail⁷⁴⁵ friends lost

               Is not by much so wholesome-profitable⁷⁴⁶

               As to rejoice at friends but newly found.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     I understand you not: my griefs are double.⁷⁴⁸

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Honest plain words best pierce the ear of grief,

750

750         And by these badges⁷⁵⁰ understand the king.

               For your fair sakes have we neglected time,

               Played foul play⁷⁵² with our oaths: your beauty, ladies,

               Hath much deformed⁷⁵³ us, fashioning our humours

               Even to the opposed end⁷⁵⁴ of our intents.

755

755         And what in us hath seemed ridiculous —

               As love is full of unbefitting⁷⁵⁶ strains,

               All wanton⁷⁵⁷ as a child, skipping and vain,

               Formed by the eye and therefore, like the eye,

               Full of straying⁷⁵⁹ shapes, of habits and of forms,

760

760         Varying in subjects as the eye doth roll

               To every varied object in his⁷⁶¹ glance:

               Which parti-coated⁷⁶² presence of loose love

               Put on⁷⁶³ by us, if in your heavenly eyes

               Have misbecomed⁷⁶⁴ our oaths and gravities,

765

765         Those heavenly eyes, that look into these faults,

               Suggested⁷⁶⁶ us to make. Therefore, ladies,

               Our love being yours, the error that love makes

               Is likewise yours. We to ourselves prove false⁷⁶⁸

               By being once false forever to be true⁷⁶⁹

770

770         To those that make us both⁷⁷⁰ — fair ladies, you.

               And even that falsehood, in itself a sin,

               Thus purifies itself and turns to grace.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     We have received your letters full of love,

               Your favours, the ambassadors of love,

775

775         And in our maiden council rated⁷⁷⁵ them

               At⁷⁷⁶ courtship, pleasant jest and courtesy,

               As bombast⁷⁷⁷ and as lining to the time.

               But more devout⁷⁷⁸ than this in our respects

               Have we not been, and therefore met⁷⁷⁹ your loves

780

780         In their own fashion, like a merriment.

DUMAINE

DUMAINE     Our letters, madam, showed much more than jest.

LONGAVILLE

LONGAVILLE So did our looks.

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     We did not quote⁷⁸³ them so.

KING

KING     Now, at the latest minute of the hour,

785

785         Grant us your loves.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     A time, methinks, too short

               To make a world-without-end⁷⁸⁷ bargain in.

               No, no, my lord, your grace is perjured much,

               Full of dear⁷⁸⁹ guiltiness, and therefore this:

790

790         If for my love, as⁷⁹⁰ there is no such cause,

               You will do aught,⁷⁹¹ this shall you do for me:

               Your oath I will not trust, but go with speed

               To some forlorn⁷⁹³ and naked hermitage,

               Remote from all the pleasures of the world,

795

795         There stay until⁷⁹⁵ the twelve celestial signs

               Have brought about their annual reckoning.

               If this austere insociable⁷⁹⁷ life

               Change not your offer made in heat of blood,

               If frosts and fasts, hard lodging⁷⁹⁹ and thin weeds

800

800         Nip⁸⁰⁰ not the gaudy blossoms of your love,

               But that it bear this trial and last⁸⁰¹ love,

               Then at the expiration⁸⁰² of the year

               Come challenge⁸⁰³ me, challenge me by these deserts,

               And, by this virgin palm now kissing thine, Gives him her hand

805

805         I will be thine. And till that instant shut

               My woeful self up in a mourning house,

               Raining the tears of lamentation

               For the remembrance of my father’s death.

               If this thou do deny, let our hands part,

810

810         Neither entitled⁸¹⁰ in the other’s heart.

KING

KING     If this, or more than this, I would deny,

               To flatter up⁸¹² these powers of mine with rest,

               The⁸¹³ sudden hand of death close up mine eye!

               Hence, hermit, then — my heart is in thy breast.

815

815 

BEROWNE

BEROWNE              // And⁸¹⁵ what to me, my love? And what to me? //

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     // You must be purgèd too, your sins are rack’d: //

               // You are attaint with faults and perjury. //

               // Therefore, if you my favour mean to get, //

               // A twelvemonth shall you spend and never rest, //

820

820         // But seek the weary beds of people sick. //

DUMAINE

DUMAINE     But what to me, my love? But what to me?

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     A wife? A beard, fair health and honesty:

               With three-fold love I wish you all these three.

DUMAINE

DUMAINE     O, shall I say ‘I thank you, gentle wife’?

825

825 

KATHERINE

KATHERINE              Not so, my lord. A twelvemonth and a day

               I’ll mark no⁸²⁶ words that smooth-faced wooers say.

               Come when the king doth to my lady come,

               Then if I have much love, I’ll give you some.

DUMAINE

DUMAINE     I’ll serve thee true and faithfully till then.

830

830 

KATHERINE

KATHERINE              Yet swear not, lest ye be forsworn again.

LONGAVILLE

LONGAVILLE What says Maria?

MARIA

MARIA     At the twelvemonth’s end

               I’ll change my black gown for a faithful friend.⁸³³

LONGAVILLE

LONGAVILLE I’ll stay⁸³⁴ with patience, but the time is long.

835

835 

MARIA

MARIA              The liker⁸³⁵ you, few taller are so young.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Studies⁸³⁶ my lady? Mistress, look on me.

               Behold the window of my heart, mine eye:

               What humble suit attends⁸³⁸ thy answer there

               Impose some service on me for thy love

840

840 

ROSALINE

ROSALINE              Oft have I heard of you, my Lord Berowne,

               Before I saw you, and the world’s⁸⁴¹ large tongue

               Proclaims you for a man replete with⁸⁴² mocks,

               Full of comparisons⁸⁴³ and wounding flouts,

               Which you on all estates⁸⁴⁴ will execute

845

845         That lie within the mercy of your wit.

               To weed⁸⁴⁶ this wormwood from your fruitful brain,

               And therewithal⁸⁴⁷ to win me, if you please,

               Without the which I am not to be won,

               You shall this twelvemonth term⁸⁴⁹ from day to day

850

850         Visit the speechless sick and still converse⁸⁵⁰

               With groaning wretches, and your task shall be

               With all the fierce⁸⁵² endeavour of your wit

               To enforce⁸⁵³ the painèd impotent to smile.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     To move⁸⁵⁴ wild laughter in the throat of death?

855

855         It cannot be, it is impossible:

               Mirth cannot move a soul in agony.

ROSALINE

ROSALINE     Why, that’s the way to choke a gibing⁸⁵⁷ spirit,

               Whose influence is begot of that loose grace⁸⁵⁸

               Which shallow laughing hearers give to fools.

860

860         A jest’s prosperity⁸⁶⁰ lies in the ear

               Of him that hears it, never in the tongue

               Of him that makes it. Then, if sickly ears,

               Deafed⁸⁶³ with the clamours of their own dear groans,

               Will hear your idle scorns, continue then,

865

865         And I will have you and that fault withal.⁸⁶⁵

               But if they will not, throw away that spirit,

               And I shall find you empty of that fault,

               Right joyful of your reformation.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     A twelvemonth? Well, befall⁸⁶⁹ what will befall,

870

870         I’ll jest a twelvemonth in an hospital.

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     Ay, sweet my lord, and so I take my leave. To the King

KING

KING     No, madam, we will bring⁸⁷² you on your way.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     Our wooing doth not end like an old play:

               Jack hath not Jill. These ladies’ courtesy⁸⁷⁴

875

875         Might well have made our sport a comedy.

KING

KING     Come, sir, it wants a twelvemonth and a day,

               And then ’twill end.

BEROWNE

BEROWNE     That’s too long for a play.

       Enter Braggart [Armado]

ARMADO

ARMADO     Sweet majesty, vouchsafe me— To the King

PRINCESS

PRINCESS     Was not that Hector?

DUMAINE

DUMAINE     The worthy knight of Troy.

ARMADO

ARMADO     I will kiss thy royal finger and take leave. To the Princess I am a votary: I have vowed to Jaquenetta to hold the plough⁸⁸³ for her sweet love three years.— To the King But, most esteemed greatness, will you hear the dialogue⁸⁸⁴ that the two learnèd men have compiled in praise of the owl and the cuckoo? It should have followed in the end of our show.

KING

KING     Call them forth quickly: we will do so.

ARMADO

ARMADO     Holla! Approach.

       Enter all [Holofernes, Nathaniel, Moth, Costard, Jaquenetta and others. They stand in two groups]

This side is Hiems, Winter. This Ver, the Spring. The one maintained⁸⁸⁹ by the owl, th’other by the cuckoo. Ver, begin.

        [THE SPRING GROUP sings] the song

                                    When daisies pied⁸⁹¹ and violets blue

                                    And cuckoo-buds of yellow hue

                                    And lady-smocks⁸⁹³ all silver-white

                                    Do paint⁸⁹⁴ the meadows with delight,

895

                                    The cuckoo then on every tree

                                    Mocks married men;⁸⁹⁶ for thus sings he:

                                    ‘Cuckoo,

                                    Cuckoo, cuckoo.’ O word of fear,

                                    Unpleasing to a married ear.

900

                                    When shepherds pipe on oaten straws⁹⁰⁰

                                    And merry larks⁹⁰¹ are ploughmen’s clocks,

                                    When turtles⁹⁰² tread, and rooks and daws,

                                    And maidens bleach their summer smocks,

                                    The cuckoo then, on every tree,

905

                                    Mocks married men, for thus sings he:

                                    ‘Cuckoo,

                                    Cuckoo, cuckoo.’ O word of fear,

                                    Unpleasing to a married ear.

        [THE WINTER GROUP sings]

                                    When icicles hang by the wall

910

                                    And Dick the shepherd blows his nail⁹¹⁰

                                    And Tom bears logs into the hall

                                    And milk comes frozen home in pail,

                                    When blood is nipped⁹¹³ and ways be foul,

                                    Then nightly sings the staring owl:

915

                                    ‘Tu-whit, tu-whoo.’

                                    A merry note,

                                    While greasy⁹¹⁷ Joan doth keel the pot.

                                    When all aloud the wind doth blow

                                    And coughing drowns the parson’s saw⁹¹⁹

920

                                    And birds sit brooding⁹²⁰ in the snow

                                    And Marian’s nose looks red and raw,

                                    When roasted crabs⁹²² hiss in the bowl,

                                    Then nightly sings the staring owl:

                                    ‘Tu-whit, tu-whoo.’

925

                                    A merry note,

                                    While greasy Joan doth keel the pot.

ARMADO

ARMADO     The words of Mercury⁹²⁷ are harsh after the songs of Apollo. You that way; we⁹²⁸ this way.

       Exeunt [separately]

Textual Notes

Q = First Quarto text of 1598

F = First Folio text of 1623

F2 = a correction introduced in the Second Folio text of 1632

Ed = a correction introduced by a later editor

SD = stage direction

SH = speech heading (i.e., speaker’s name)

// // probable authorial first thoughts that should have been cut from the early printed editions

List of parts = Ed

1.1.27 quite = Q. Not in F 62 feast = Ed. F = fast 72 and = F. Q = but 111 That were to = F. Not in Q gate = F. Q = little gate 112 sit = Q. F = fit 129 SH BEROWNE = Ed. F and Q continue speech to Longaville 131 court shall = F. Q = Court can 153 speak = Q. F = break 183 tharborough = F. Q = Farborough 237 continent = Q. F = Continent 246 keep = Q. F = keeper 258 SH KING = F (Fer.). Q = Ber. 274 until then, sit down = F. Q = till then sit thee downe sorrow

1.2.2 SH MOTH = Ed. F = Boy. (throughout) 3 SH ARMADO = Ed. F = Brag. or Bra. (throughout) 6 senor = Ed. F = signeur 9 epitheton = F2. F = apathaton 22 ingenious = Q. F = ingenuous 32 fits = F. Q = fitteth 38 call = F. Q = do call 70 maculate = Q. F = immaculate 76 blushing = F2. F = blush-in 95 let him take = F. Q = suffer him to take 100 SH JAQUENETTA = Ed. F = Maid. (throughout) 106 that = Q. F = what 111 SH COSTARD = F. Some eds reassign to DULL, ignoring his exit at line 98 113 SH COSTARD = Ed. F = Clo. (throughout) 117 SH ARMADO = Q. F = Clo. 125 to be too = Q. F = to be 131 Samson was = F. Q = was Sampson

2.1.13 SH PRINCESS = F2. F = Queen (F has a redundant “Prin.” at line 21) 45 parts = F. Q = peerelsse 54 SH MARIA = Ed. F = Lad.1 57 SH KATHERINE = Ed. F = 2. Lad. 61 he = Q. F = she 66 if = Q. F = as 81 SH MARIA = F. Q = Lord 90 unpeopled = F. Q = unpeeled 115 SH ROSALINE = F. This and next six speeches assigned to Kath. in Q 143 repaid = Q. F = repaie 145 On = Ed. F = One 170 would I = F. Q = I will 174 in = F. Q = within 177 fair = Q. F = farther 179 we shall = F. Q = shall we 182 SH BEROWNE = Q. This and next five speeches assigned to Boy[et] in F 185 fool = Q. F = soule 191 Non point = Ed. F = No poynt 196 Katherine = Ed. Q/F = Rosalin 211 Rosaline = Ed. Q/F = Katherine 214 You = F. Q = O you 221 SH MARIA = F. Q = Lady Ka. 222 SH BOYET = Q. Placed at next line in F 239 did = Q. F = doe 249 whence = F. Q = where 256 SH BOYET = Q. F = Bro.

3.1.1 SH ARMADO = Ed. F = Brag. or Bra. 7 master = Q. Not in F 8 your feet = F. F = the feete eyelids = Q. F = eie 10 through the nose = F2. F = through: nose 42 Thy = F. Q = The 57 O = Q. F = Or 64 sain = Q. F = faine 95 honours = F. Q = honor 100 One penny = Ed. F = i.d. 102 French = Q. F = a French 137 Signior Junior = Ed. F = signior Iunios 161 sue and = F2. F = shue

4.1.1 SH PRINCESS = F2. F = Qu. (throughout) 14 again = Q. F = then again 68 overcame = Ed. F = covercame 78 Armado = F2. F = Armatho 124 hit it = Ed. F = hit 131 pin = F2. F = is in 139 Armado o’th’t’other = Ed. F = Armathor ath to the side 143 SD Shout = F2. F = Shoote

4.2.3 SH HOLOFERNES = Ed. F = Ped. 9 auld grey doe = Ed. F = haud credo 22 of = Ed. Not in F 28 by = F. Q = me by 30 Dictynna = Ed. F = Dictisima 41 called I = Ed. F = call’d 53 SH HOLOFERNES = Ed. Q/F reverse speech headings of Holofernes and Nathaniel in this and their next seven speeches 55 pia mater = Ed. F = primater 61 ingenious = Ed. F = ingenuous 62 sapit = Ed (Q2). F = sapis 65 pierce-one = Ed. F = Person 72 Fauste = F2. F = Facile 76 loves thee not = Q. Not in F 81 SH NATHANIEL = Ed. Not in F 96 Here = Ed. (continuation of Holofernes’ speech). Q/F assign to Nath. 102 SH HOLOFERNES = Ed. Q/F = Nath. 104 writing = Ed. F = written 109 hand = F. Q = royal hand 113 SH NATHANIEL = Ed. F = Hol. 118 before = Q. F = being

4.3.75 of = F. Q = in 86 I = Ed. Not in F 95 ever = Q. F = every 135 One = Q. F = On 148 coaches = Ed. F = couches 161 tuning = F. Q = to tune 167 caudle = Q. F = candle 170 to…by = Ed. F = by…to 174 men like you, men = Ed. F = men, like men 216 show = Q. F = will shew 218 are = F. Q = were 249 wood = Ed. F = word 259 and = Ed. Not in F 361 authors = Ed. F = author 385 Allons! Allons! = Ed. F = Alone, alone

5.1.1 quod = Ed. F = quid 15 d, e, t = Ed. F = det 18 insanie = Ed. F = infamie 19 bone = Ed. F = bene 20 Bone? … ‘bene’ = Ed. F = Bome boon for boon 41 venue = Ed. F = vene we 47 manu = Ed. F = unum 64 choice = F2. F = chose 69 important = Ed. F = importunate 80 Nathaniel = Ed. F = Holofernes (Shakespeare confuses the names again) 86 Judas…Hector = Ed. F transposes order of phrases and omits Hector 104 Allons = Ed. F = Alone

5.2.46 not so = Q. Not in F 57 not wish = Q. F = wish 76 wantonness = F2. F = wantons be 81 is in = Q. F = in 142 mocking = F. Q = mockerie 151 her = Ed. F = his 152 speaker’s = Q. F = Keepers 181 princess spelled Princes in F 188 you on the = F. Q = her on this 213 vouchsafe but = F. Q = do but vouchsafe 254 Take you that = F. Q = Take that 257 SH KATHERINE = Ed. F = Mari. or Mar. (throughout this exchange) 335 pecks = Q. F = picks 336 Jove = F. Q = God 344 kissed…hand = F. Q = kist his hand, a way 354 due = Q. F = dutie 370 men’s = Q. F = men 372 unsullied = F2. F = unsallied 389 Russian = Q. F = Russia 394 Fair gentle = F2. F = Gentle 407 was = Q. F = what 411 are = F. Q = were 429 affectation = Ed. F = affection 457 you not = F. Q = not you 509 manage = Ed. F = manager 539 least = F. Q = best 542 There = Ed. F = Their 563 prick = F. Q = picke 580 SH PRINCESS = F2. F = La. 652 Hector = F. Q = Hectors 674 When…man = Q. Not in F 675 SD Costard = Ed. F = Berowne (probably error for Clowne, who is about to confront Armado over Jaquenetta’s pregnancy) 680–1 set as SD in F 698 pray = F. Q = bepray 713 SH PRINCESS = F2. F = Qu. (throughout rest of scene) 726 entreat = Q. F = entreats 733 nimble = Ed. F = humble 734 too = Q. F = so 749 ear = Q. F = ears 778 this in our = Ed. F = these are our. Q = this our 814 hermit = Ed. F = euer. Q = herrite 839 thy = Q. F = my 883 years = F. Q = yeere 927 SH ARMADO = F. Not in Q, where the Mercury/Apollo speech is set in large type with no speaker You that way = F. Not in Q

Design for a knot-garden: there is an elegant analogy between the symmetrical formality of Elizabethan garden design and the patterns of repetition and variation in rhetorically ornamented speech, so it is fitting that a “curious-knotted garden” (see Armado’s letter, as quoted by the King at 1.1.226) is a key location in this most verbally elaborate of Shakespeare’s comedies.

Act 1 Scene 1

List of parts: BEROWNE in Act 4 scene 3 rhymes with “moon”    MOTH probably pronounced “mott”; some editors modernize to “Mote”    JAQUENETTA perhaps pronounced “Jake-netta,” suggestive of “jakes” (privy, toilet)

 1.1    Location: Navarre, in the king’s park. This is the location for the entire play Ferdinand in fact, the King of Navarre at the time of the play’s composition was Henri    Berowne, Longaville the Duc de Berowne and the Duc de Longueville both fought for King Henri    Dumaine perhaps based on Charles de Lorraine, Duc de Mayenne, and initially King Henri’s opponent

    1    fame renown

    2    registered recorded    brazen brass-plated, enduring (plays on sense of “shameless”)

    3    grace honor    disgrace disfigurement/shame

    4    spite in spite    cormorant i.e., ravenous (literally, a greedy seabird)

    5    breath i.e., life/speech

    6    bate abate, blunt    his i.e., time’s    keen sharp/eager

    9    affections passions

  11    late recent    in force i.e., be binding

  12    Navarre the place/the king

  13    academe institution of learning (originally Plato’s academy near Athens)

  14    Still…in calmly, constantly studying    contemplative in meditating on    living art the art of living/vitality within scholarship

  16    term period of time

  17    keep observe

  18    schedule document/list

  19    passed pledged    subscribe sign

  20    hand sword/handwriting

  21    branch clause

  22    armed prepared (plays on sense of “carrying weapons”)

  23    deep solemn    it subscription (to the oath)

  25    pine starve, languish

  26    pates heads (i.e., wits)    dainty bits choice morsels of food

  28    mortified dead to worldly pleasures

  29    grosser coarser, earthier

  30    gross whole/coarse    baser slaves those subject to inferior pleasures

  32    in according to the tenets of/by the study of

  33    say…over repeat their vows

  36    observances requirements

  37    As such as

  38    enrollèd written

  43    wink close one’s eyes/sleep

  44    wont accustomed    think no harm i.e., sleep

  49    pass away from renounce

  50    an if if

  52    space duration

  54    By…nay a common oath

  55    end aim

  57    common sense ordinary understanding

  58    recompense reward

  59    Come on quibbles on    common

  65    too hard-a-keeping oath an oath too hard to keep

  66    troth faith

  70    stops impediments    quite completely

  71    train entice    vain foolish, trifling, self-gratifying

  73    pain effort, suffering, labor    purchased acquired    inherit bring about more

  74    As for example

  75    the while in the meantime

  76    falsely treacherously    his look its sight

  77    Light i.e., eyes, thought to produce the beams of light by which they saw    light intellectual enlightenment    light…beguile the eyes are cheated out of enlightenment (by excessive study)

  78    ere before    darkness intellectual obscurity

  80    Study me let me learn

  81    fairer more beautiful (plays on sense of “lighter”)

  82    dazzling blinding (my eyes)    that eye i.e., of the    fairer woman    heed focus of attention/guardian

  85    saucy insolent

  86    Small little

  87    Save except    base lowly, second-hand

  88    godfathers…lights astronomers who name the stars, as godparents name children at baptism

  90    profit of benefit from    shining i.e., starlit

  91    wot know    they the stars/the walkers

  92    Too…fame an excess of knowledge brings only a vainglorious reputation

  93    every godfather i.e., any ordinary person

  95    Proceeded argued (plays on sense of “taking a university degree”)    proceeding intellectual advancement

  96    weeds pulls up    lets…weeding allows the weeds to flourish

  97    green geese innocent simpletons/geese fed on grass

  99    Fit in his in a manner appropriate to its

100    In reason nothing i.e., it doesn’t follow logically

101    rhyme i.e., the opposite of    reason

102    envious malicious    sneaping biting/nipping (rhyme puns on “rime”—i.e., frost)

103    first-born infants youngest plants

104    proud glorious/arrogant

106    abortive premature, unnatural

108    new-fangled shows newly created, elaborate displays (of flowers)

109    like of I delight in    in season i.e., at its proper time

110    too late i.e., in life

111    climb…gate i.e., pointless

112    sit you out don’t take part

114    barbarism uncivilized ignorance

117    bide endure    three years’ day day of three years

126    Marry by the Virgin Mary

128    hence away from here    dread dreadful/frightening

129    gentility civilized behavior

133    article clause

134    in embassy as an ambassador

136    complete perfect

137    Aquitaine area of southwest France

140    vainly pointlessly

142    overshot wide of the mark (i.e., mistaken)

143    would wants

146    towns…lost i.e., a town that is burnt down as part of a military campaign is no gain at all

147    force necessity

148    lie lodge on    mere out of absolute

149    forsworn perjured, oath-breakers

151    affects passions, desires

152    might personal strength    grace divine favor

153    word phrase

155    at large as a whole

157    in attainder accused/convicted

158    Suggestions…me I am as susceptible to temptation as any man

160    the…oath the last one to swear, but the one who will keep his word the longest/the least likely to keep my oath the longest

161    quick lively

162    haunted With frequented by

164    in…planted involved in whatever is fashionable

165    mint creative source/wealth (literally, place where money is coined)

168    compliments accomplishments, courtesy

169    mutiny discord

170    child of fancy flamboyant, fanciful creature    hight is called

171    For interim as an interval

172    high-born noble/lofty

173    tawny browned (by sun)    debate strife

174    delight take pleasure

176    for my minstrelsy as my minstrel (i.e., musician, entertainer)

177    wight person

179    Costard literally “large apple”; slang for “head”    swain low-ranking man/rustic    he i.e., Armado    sport entertainment

181    duke’s i.e., king’s

183    reprehend malapropism for “represent”    tharborough thirdborough (i.e., parish constable)

186    commends you commends himself to you (i.e., greets you respectfully)    abroad at large

188    contempts malapropism for “contents”    touching concerning

189    magnificent ostentatious/splendid (joking allusion to the 1588 Spanish Armada, often referred to as “magnificent”)

190    How…matter however debased the content    high lofty

191    high hope great expectation    low heaven i.e., small blessing

192    forbear refrain from

194    be it let it be    style puns on “stile” to    climb

195    to about    manner nature, way it is expressed

196    taken…manner caught in the act/with the stolen goods

198    In…following a commonly used legal phrase    those three i.e., words (manner, form, following; punned on in the ensuing explanation)

199    form bench

200    park enclosed land used for hunting

201    manner custom, nature

204    correction punishment    God…right a formal prayer said before trial by combat

207    simplicity stupidity/simple nature

208    welkin’s heavens’    vicegerent deputy    dominator ruler

209    fostering supporting

212    but so merely so-so, not saying much

214    Be i.e.,    peace be extended to

216    Of…secrets Costard again extends the meaning of the king’s words

217    sable-coloured black commend commit

218    black oppressing humour i.e., melancholy    humour mood (one of the four bodily “humours” that governed the disposition)    physic medicine

219    as I am on my word as

222    ycleped called

223    obscene repulsive

224    preposterous improper, perverse    snow-white pen i.e., goose quill    ebon-coloured black

226    curious-knotted with intricately designed flower beds

227    low-spirited base    minnow…mirth laughable, insignificant object

230    unlettered illiterate

232    vassal wretch

236    Sorted associated    consorted accompanied

237    continent canon law enforcing (especially sexual) restraint    passion grieve    wherewith with what

238    wherewith with what

241    pricks spurs (may pun on sense of “penis”)

242    meed reward

243    carriage behavior    estimation reputation

244    an’t if it

245    weaker vessel i.e., woman

246    keep retain (may play on sense of “keep as a mistress”)

247    least…notice slightest notification    trial probably plays on sense of “sexual test”

249    looked for expected

250    for i.e., example of    sirrah sir (used to an inferior)

251    confess admit to having been involved with

253    marking of paying attention to

258    so varied expressed equivocally

260    maid i.e., use of the word    maid serve your turn get you out of trouble (Costard plays on the sense of “gratify me sexually”)

264    pray plays on sense of “have sex”    mutton and porridge mutton soup (mutton plays on the sense of “prostitute” and porridge on the sense of “sex/genitalia”)

266    delivered o’er handed over

269    lay wager    goodman title for someone below the rank of gentleman

270    idle worthless (matter for)

273    true honest, chaste, good    prosperity malapropism for “adversity”

274    Affliction Costard means “prosperity”    sit down i.e., be patient

Act 1 Scene 2

 1.2    Moth winged insect (puns on the similarly pronounced “mote”—i.e., dust speck; possible pun on mot, the French for “word”)

    1    sign is it is it a sign of

    3    imp sapling/child

    5    part distinguish between    tender youthful, inexperienced    juvenal youth (plays on the name of the Roman satirist Juvenal)

    6    familiar easily comprehended    working operation (of the emotions)

    9    congruent epitheton fitting epithet    appertaining relating

  10    nominate name

  11    appertinent appropriate

  13    Pretty neat, ingenious, fine-looking

  16    pretty, because little proverbial

  18    quick quick-witted

  20    condign well-deserved

  23    quick speedy

  24    heat’st my blood make me angry

  26    crossed contradicted

  27    mere absolute    crosses coins (sometimes stamped with a cross)

  28    duke i.e., the king

  31    told counted

  32    ill not good    reckoning calculation    tapster barman, tavern-keeper

  33    gamester gambler/merry person/lewd person

  34    complete accomplished

  35    deuce-ace a (poor) throw of two and one in dice

  38    vulgar common people

  40    piece masterpiece/example

  42    dancing horse probably refers to Morocco, a trained horse performing in 1590s London that could beat out numbers with its hoof

  43    figure figure of speech/numeral

  44    cipher zero

  45    base unbefitting (sense then shifts to “low-born”)

  46    humour of affection disposition to love

  47    reprobate corrupt

  48    new-devised curtsy newly invented (fashionable) bow    think scorn disdain

  49    outswear overcome by swearing/swear to do without    Cupid Roman god of love

  51    Hercules mythological Greek hero

  53    carriage demeanor/bearing

  54    Samson famously strong biblical character    carriage plays on the sense of “carrying ability”    he…porter Samson carried off the gates of Gaza (Judges 16:3)

  56    well-knit well-constructed    rapier long, thin sword

  60    complexion disposition/skin color

  61    Of…four refers to the four humors (blood, phlegm, choler, and melancholy) thought to determine temperament

  63    sea-water green refers to greensickness, an anemic condition affecting young women

  66    Green i.e., because associated with spring and youthfulness

  67    affected loved    wit intelligence

  68    green immature

  70    maculate spotted, polluted    colours plays on sense of “pretexts”

  71    Define explain

  73    pathetical moving

  74    she…of her complexion is (made puns on “maid” as well as possibly suggesting cosmetic artifice)

  79    this i.e., her complexion

  80    still always

  81    native naturally    owe own

  82    A…red i.e., a warning against real or cosmetic red and white complexions; plays on the familiar opposition between rhyme and reason

  83    ballad…Beggar probably that relating the tale of King Cophetua, who fell in love with a beggar maid

  84    ages since generations ago

  85    serve be acceptable

  87    example justify/provide an example of    digression transgression

  89    rational hind rustic capable of reason

  90    whipped a punishment for prostitutes    yet yet she deserves

  91    heavy sad

  92    light not heavy/promiscuous    Clown rustic

  96    penance malapropism for “pleasure”    For as for

  97    for the dey-woman to serve the dairy woman

101    lodge hunting lodge/gamekeeper’s cottage

102    hereby nearby

106    With that face? i.e., Really?/You don’t say? (tell may pun on the sense of “count,” so that the face would be that of a clock)

112    Villain rascal/peasant/servant

113    full stomach full of food/courageously

115    bound obliged    fellows servants    but lightly little (plays on opposite of heavily)

119    pent up imprisoned/constipated    loose free/loose in the bowels

120    fast and loose cheating    shalt to shall go to

121    desolation malapropism, perhaps for “consolation”

125    silent perhaps an error for “free”

126    little error for “much” (or patience is an error for its opposite)

127    affect love

128    be forsworn break my oath

129    argument proof

130    familiar attendant evil spirit

131    Solomon biblical king known for his wisdom and love of women

132    butt-shaft unbarbed arrow used for target practice

133    too much odds at too great an advantage    first…cause refers to the codes of dueling practice

134    turn purpose    passado forward thrust with one foot advanced    duello established dueling code

136    manager master/user

137    extemporal…rhyme god of improvised poetry    turn sonnet become a sonneteer

138    for for producing folio large-format book

Act 2 Scene 1

 2.1    Princess of France possible parallel in Marguerite de Valois, who married Henri of Navarre

    1    dearest most valuable/strongest    spirits energies/thoughts

    3    embassy message

    5    parley speak/negotiate    inheritor owner

    6    owe own

    7    Matchless unrivaled (may pun on the king’s unmarried status)    plea claim

    9    prodigal of lavish with    dear precious, beloved

  10    dear costly

  11    starve i.e., deprive of    graces beside i.e., apart from yourself

  13    mean meager/moderate

  16    uttered offered for sale/spoken    chapmen’s merchants’/pedlars’

  17    tell speak of/reckon up

  18    much greatly    counted accounted

  19    spending wasting/paying out

  20    task set a task for/take to task    tasker he who sets a task

  21    ignorant unaware that    fame rumor

  22    noise abroad broadcast

  23    painful laborious/diligent

  25    to’s seemeth it it seems to us needful necessary

  27    pleasure wishes that behalf regard to that

  28    Bold confident    single select

  29    best-moving most persuasive    fair just/plausible/flattering    solicitor advocate

  32    Importunes begs for conference conversation

  33    attend wait

  35    Proud of honored by    willingly puns on will in the previous line

  36    pride the princess shifts the sense to “arrogance, vanity”

  37    votaries those bound by a vow

  42    Perigort Perigord is a district in southwest France    heir heiress

  44    Normandy region of northern France

  45    sovereign parts excellent qualities

  46    fitted equipped    arts scholarship    arms warfare

  47    Nothing…well whatever he wants to do well he does well, and it suits him

  48    soil blemish    gloss luster

  50    blunt a will i.e., unfeeling readiness to use his wit

  51    still continually

  52    his its

  53    belike most likely

  54    humours moods

  58    Of by    for virtue for his virtue

  59    least knowing ill though he is ignorant of evil

  60    wit…good such intelligence that he could make something bad seem good

  61    shape the appearance    though even if

  62    Duke Alençon King Henri III of France’s younger brother, who unsuccessfully courted Queen Elizabeth around 1580

  63    much…worthiness my report of him is inadequate compared to the worth I saw in him

  68    becoming appropriate

  69    withal with

  70    begets creates    occasion opportunities

  71    catch i.e., see

  72    mirth-moving laughter-provoking

  73    conceit’s expositor the expounder of witty ideas

  75    play truant at abandon their duties in order to listen to

  77    voluble fluent

  80    bedecking adorning

  82    admittance reception

  84    competitors partners/rivals

  85    addressed prepared

  87    lodge entertain/encamp    field open land/battleground

  90    unpeopled inadequately staffed

  93    roof…court i.e., the sky

  99    by my will willingly

100    will desire

103    Where whereas

104    sworn out house-keeping renounced hospitality

108    beseemeth suits

109    Vouchsafe agree

110    suddenly immediately    resolve…suit answer my request

112    that…away in order to make me leave

114    Brabant in the Low Countries

118    quick impatient, sharp

119    long on account

120    hot eager, hasty

121    mire bog

122    day time is it

124    mask worn by ladies to protect the complexion from the sun

125    fall befall

127    so provided that

129    intimate refer to/imply

132    Disbursèd paid out    his i.e., the King of France’s

133    he Navarre’s father    as neither have which neither of us has

135    in surety as guarantee

136    bound contracted

137    valued to of the same value as

138    restore repay

139    unsatisfied unpaid

142    little purposeth scarcely intends

143    demand…repaid legally claims back/insists he has already paid

144    not…crowns does not even request, on payment of the rest of the money

146    have…in regain his entitlement to

147    depart withal part with

149    gelded weakened (literally, castrated)

152    A…reason me compromise even against reason

156    unseeming not seeming

161    arrest take you at    word utterance/promise

162    acquittances documents confirming payment of a debt

164    his i.e., the King of Navarre’s

165    Satisfy me so provide me with this

167    specialties sealed contracts

170    liberal reason reasonable terms

172    breach of honour i.e., breaking the oath

173    Make tender of offer

175    without outside

176    As that

178    Your may your

180    consort attend

181    Thy…place! I wish you the same wherever you may be!

183    do my commendations give it my greetings

185    fool poor thing

187    let it blood bleed it

189    physic medical knowledge

190    eye gaze (puns on ay)

191    Non point “not at all” (French), perhaps also suggesting “no penis” (picking up on prick)

194    stay thanksgiving remain to express thanks

196    Katherine Shakespeare confused the names and wrote “Rosaline” here: editors and directors must emend for clarity of coupling

197    gallant fine-looking

200    light…light wanton when her behavior is known

201    desire want to have

207    choler anger

209    unlike unlikely

211    Rosaline Shakespeare confused the names and wrote “Katherine” here: editors and directors must emend for clarity of coupling    hap chance, fortune

213    so something like that

215    welcome to you you are welcome to go

219    take…word accept what he says/take him on at his own word games

220    grapple contend with, seize (literally, attach one’s ship to another vessel)    board accost (literally, climb aboard another ship)

221    hot fiery, ardent    sheeps puns on ships

224    pasture puns on “pastor” (i.e., shepherd)

225    So as long as

227    common common ground (available to all sheep/men)    several private land/more than one/parted

230    jangling squabbling    gentles gentlefolk

231    civil domestic/polite

232    bookmen scholars    abused misapplied

234    By about    still silent

237    affected being in love

239    did…retire retreated

240    court royal dwelling (puns on sense of “courtship”)    thorough through

241    agate precious stone often carved with tiny figures    print image    impressed stamped/affected

242    Proud made proud/swollen    his form i.e., the princess’ image

243    all…see frustrated at only being able to speak rather than gaze

245    that sense i.e., eyesight    make their repair go

248    crystal under crystal glass

249    Who, tend’ring which, offering    glassed encased in glass

250    point direct, invite

251    margin i.e., like that of a page, which often carried additional notes    quote display

254    An if

255    pavilion ceremonial tent    disposed inclined (to be merry)

256    But only

261    Venus goddess of love, mother of Cupid    father i.e., Boyet, as    Cupid’s grandfather grim ugly

262    mad excitable

266    hard tough (to outwit)

Act 3 Scene 1

    2    Concolinel presumably the title of Moth’s song, perhaps of Irish or French origin

    3    air tune    enlargement freedom

    4    festinately speedily

    5    brawl French dance

    6    Brawling quarreling

    7    jig…tune sing the tune of a jig    canary i.e., dance (name of a lively dance)

    8    humour adapt (yourself) to/indulge

  11    penthouse-like like a roof projecting over a shop

  12    thin-belly doublet unpadded lower part of a close-fitting jacket

  13    after in the style of    snip and away snatch before moving on to the next

  14    compliments gentlemanly accomplishments    humours whims    betray seduce/mislead    nice coy/capricious/lecherous

  15    note reputation (plays on the sense of “musical note”)    note pay attention

  16    men possibly addressed to the men in the audience    affected inclined

  17    purchased acquired

  20    ‘The…forgot’ probably lines from a popular song, now lost

  21    hobby-horse false or toy horse/prostitute

  22    colt young horse/lascivious person

  23    hackney horse for hire/whore

  27    prove demonstrate (sense then shifts to “turn out to be”)

  30    come by possess

  32    out of heart discouraged

  35    me for me

  36    sympathized suited

  38    slow-gaited slow-moving

  42    ingenious clever one

  43    Minime by no means (Latin)

  50    Thump i.e., noise of a    cannon going off

  51    acute clever    free of grace liberal with charm

  52    welkin sky, heaven

  53    gives thee place yields its place to you

  55    costard apple/head

  56    l’envoy postscript (i.e., explanation)

  57    egma Costard’s mistake for “enigma” (which he seems to think, along with riddle and l’envoy, means some type of remedy)    salve healing ointment    mail (medicine) bag    plantain medicinal herb

  59    By virtue mild oath    silly foolish    spleen laughter

  60    ridiculous derisive

  61    inconsiderate thoughtless, idiotic    salve Latin for “hail, greetings” (the opposite of l’envoy)

  64    precedence something said before    tofore earlier    sain said

  66    humble-bee bumblebee

  67    still always    at odds quarreling/of an uneven number

  69    Staying the odds ending the quarrel/making the number even    adding four making up the fourth

  70    l’envoy…goose oie is French for “goose” and the final sound of envoy

  71    sold…bargain i.e., made a fool of him (proverbial)    flat obvious

  72    good i.e., well-spent    an if

  73    fast and loose cheating

  75    argument discussion

  80    ended the market refers to “Three women and a goose make a market” (proverbial)

  82    sensibly with common sense/feelingly

  83    feeling sense of the pain

  85    threshold doorway

  87    matter pus

  88    enfranchise liberate (Costard hears as “en-Frances”—i.e., “give you a Frances”)

  89    Frances typical name for a prostitute    goose prostitute (slang)

  91    immured confined

  92    purgation purger of guilt/laxative    let me loose free me/loosen my bowels

  93    from durance free from imprisonment    lieu exchange

  94    significant sign

  95    remuneration payment    ward protection

  96    dependants servants

  97    sequel that which follows (recalls the l’envoy joke)

  98    incony fine    Jew affectionate term; possible pun on    juvenal or diminutive of “jewel”

  99    farthings coins worth quarter of a penny

100    inkle kind of linen tape

101    carries it wins the day

102    French crown coin/bald head caused by syphilis, the “French disease”    out of without using

104    carnation flesh-colored

107    halfpenny farthing i.e., three farthings, three quarters of a penny

110    slave rascal/fellow

111    good my knave my good fellow

118    villain rascal/fellow

123    train entourage

126    commend entrust

127    counsel private communication    guerdon reward

128    Gardon anglicized version of guerdon

129    better i.e., the shilling (twelvepence) is eleven and a quarter pence better than his previous reward    in print to the letter

132    beadle parish officer responsible for whipping minor offenders    humorous moody

134    pedant schoolmaster

135    Than compared with    magnificent proud

136    wimpled blindfolded    purblind completely blind

138    Regent ruler

141    Dread revered

142    imperator emperor

143    paritors those who summoned offenders to ecclesiastical courts

144    corporal…field Cupid’s field officer

145    colours insignia    tumbler’s hoop acrobat’s ribboned hoop

146    sue pay court

147    German clock i.e., elaborate, likely to go wrong

148    Still a-repairing always in need of repair    frame order

149    going aright keeping time/behaving well

150    But being unless it is

153    whitely pale    wanton willful one    brow forehead

154    pitch-balls balls as black as pitch (tar-like substance)

155    deed i.e., sex

156    Though even if    Argus monster with a hundred eyes    eunuch castrated male (i.e., guard)

157    watch be unable to sleep

158    Go to expression of impatient dismissal

159    neglect disregard

162    my…Joan i.e., a worthy versus a lowly woman

Act 4 Scene 1

    4    a was, a he was, he    mounting climbing/aspiring

    5    dispatch dismissal

    9    coppice thicket

  10    stand hunter’s position

  12    fairest most favorable/beautiful

  14    again in response

  17    paint flatter

  18    fair beauty    brow appearance

  19    good my glass my good mirror

  21    inherit possess

  22    merit its intrinsic worth/reward/good deeds

  23    in fair regarding beauty

  24    giving…praise proverbial: “the giving hand is fair”

  25    mercy i.e., the princess

  26    then i. e., when the princess hunts, because she is merciful

  27    credit reputation

  28    Not…do’t i.e., if she fails to hit a deer, she can claim it was out of pity

  31    out of without

  32    Glory the desire to for glory/boastful spirit

  33    outward part superficial attribute

  35    As just as

  36    my…ill means me no harm/toward whom I do not essentially mean harm

  37    curst shrewish    self-sovereignty self-discipline

  42    member…commonwealth ordinary person

  43    God dig-you-den God give you good evening (i.e., any time after noon)

  44    heads may pun on “maidenheads”

  46    thickest fattest

  54    carve cut up/make courteous gestures

  55    Break up cut up    capon chicken (i.e., love letter)

  57    is mistook has been delivered to the wrong person    importeth concerns

  60    neck…wax i.e., wax seal (recalls wringing the neck of a capon)    give ear listen

  61    infallible certain

  63    commiseration pity    vassal servant/slave

  64    illustrate illustrious, renowned    pernicious wicked (possibly Armado’s error for “penurious”)

  65    indubitate undoubted    Veni, vidi, vici “I came, I saw, I conquered” (Latin), Julius Caesar’s famous phrase

  66    annothanize explain; perhaps a fusion of “anatomize” and “annotate”    vulgar vernacular

  67    videlicet “namely” (Latin)    see saw    overcame conquered; possibly goes on to assume sexual connotations

  71    catastrophe conclusion

  73    lowliness poverty, low status

  75    tittles insignificant particles

  76    expecting awaiting    profane desecrate

  77    thy picture (mental) image    dearest…industry most heartfelt intention of industrious gallantry

  79    Nemean lion slain by Hercules as the first of his twelve labors

  81    Submissive fall if you fall submissively

  82    forage hunting

  83    strive resist

  84    repasture food

  85    plume of feathers showy idiot    indited composed

  86    vane weathervane (i.e., changeable)

  87    but I if I do not

  88    Else otherwise    going o’er reading/climbing over (generating a pun on style/stile)    erewhile a short time ago

  89    keeps lodges

  90    phantasime one full of fantasies    Monarcho nickname of a pretentious Italian who frequented the Elizabethan court

  91    To for    book-mates fellow students

100    mistaken wrongly delivered

101    up away    thine i.e., your turn

102    shooter archer, i.e., who is to shoot next (puns on “suitor”)

104    continent container

106    put off evaded

107    horns i.e., deer

108    horns i.e., cuckold’s horns (which supposedly grew on the head of a man with an unfaithful wife)    miscarry are scarce

109    put on hit

111    deer puns on “dear”

112    If…near i.e., not you; Rosaline dismisses Boyet either because he has a cuckold’s horns or lacks the (suggestively phallic) horns of a mature deer

114    strikes…brow takes aim at the deer’s head/accuses you of cuckoldry

115    lower i.e., in the heart/genitals hit    her scored wittily/sexually

116    come upon answer (perhaps with sexual connotations)    a man i.e., old    King Pepin eighth-century king

117    hit it name of a popular song and dance (plays on sense of “sex”)

118    Queen Guinevere wife of King Arthur, who was unfaithful to her husband

123    An if

124    fit it unite lyrics and meter (plays on sense of “have sex”)

125    mark target

126    mark but only take note of

127    mark target/female genitals    prick bull’s-eye/penis    mete aim (puns on “mate”)

128    Wide o’th’bow hand wide of the mark on the left side (bow plays on sense of “vagina”)    out inaccurate/out of practice

129    shoot plays on sense of “ejaculate”    clout cloth patch at the center of the target (plays on sense of “vulva”)

130    out i.e., of practice    in archery/sexually in i.e., in practice

131    upshoot best shot/ejaculation    cleaving the pin splitting the peg at the center of the target/stimulating his penis

133    hard good/sexually impenetrable    pricks archery targets/penises    bowl play at bowls (possible play on “masturbate you”)

134    rubbing of the bowling ball against impediments/masturbatory friction owl “to take owl” was to take offense; pronounced to rhyme with bowl it puns on “hole” (vagina)

135    clown rustic

137    incony fine, pronounced “incunny,” perhaps punning on “coney”/French con (“cunt”)    vulgar common, probably Costard’s mistake for the opposite

138    obscenely malapropism, perhaps for “seemly,” appropriate for the preceding dialogue; there may also be innuendo in comes so smoothly off and so fit

139    dainty fastidious/elegant

143    pathetical nit touching little fellow

144    Sola a hunting cry

Act 4 Scene 2

 4.2    pedant schoolteacher

    1    reverend worth respect    in the testimony with the warrant

    3    sanguis, in blood in finest condition    pomewater large juicy apple

    4    now at one moment

    5    anon at the next moment    crab crab apple

    6    at the least to say the least

    7    buck…head five-year-old male deer (i.e., having just grown antlers)

    8    haud credo “I do not believe it” (Latin; Dull understands something like “old gray doe”)

    9    pricket two-year-old male deer

  10    intimation intrusion    insinuation introduction

  11    explication detailed description    facere to make (Holofernes sprinkles his speech with Latin terms)    replication reply

  12    after in keeping with    undressed unkempt

  13    untrained uninstructed/poorly managed horticulturally    unlettered illiterate ratherest most of all    unconfirmed inexperienced/ignorant    insert introduce/substitute intrusively

  16    Twice-sod doubly boiled    bis coctus “twice cooked”

  18    of on

  19    eat eaten

  20    sensible capable of perception

  22    Which as    feeling sensitivity

  23    fructify bear fruit

  25    So…learning it would be like trying to educate a fool/clumsily patching learning’s fabric

  26    omne bene “all is well”    of…mind in agreement with one of the Church Fathers (early Christian authorities)

  27    Many…wind i.e., one has to put up with what one can’t change    brook endure

  29    Cain’s birth i.e., at the beginning of creation (Cain was Adam and Eve’s son)

  30    Dictynna one of the names of the Roman moon goddess    goodman title for someone below the rank of gentleman

  32    Phoebe, to Luna other names for the moon goddess

  33    no more no older

  34    raught reached    fivescore one hundred (five times twenty)

  35    Th’allusion…exchange the riddle remains valid even if one substitutes Cain’s name for Adam’s

  36    collusion verbal trick (unwittingly correct as this is a malapropism for allusion)

  37    comfort help    capacity mental ability

  38    pollution corruption (of what he has said); another malapropism for allusion

  40    extemporal improvised

  42    Perge “proceed”    abrogate scurrility do away with coarse language

  44    something…letter make some use of alliteration    argues facility demonstrates linguistic fluency

  45    preyful killing much prey/intent on hunting/sexually hungry    pricket two-year-old male deer, with play on “penis”

  46    say say it was    sore four-year-old male deer, with play on “vulva”    sore wounded, with play on “sexually infected”    shooting being shot at/ejaculating

  47    ‘L’ sound of the dogs’ yelling/letter “L”    sorrel three-year-old male deer/L added to sore/sore penis (an “ell” was a measure of length and euphemism for “penis”)    thicket plays on sense of vagina/pubic hair

  48    Or…sorrel i.e., whatever kind of deer it was    fall a-hooting begin calling out

  49    sore be sore the deer is wounded    fifty sores L is the Roman numeral for fifty; the sores in this sequence also carry connotations of sexual disease    o’ out of

  50    Of…‘L’ adding another “L” (fifty) makes one hundred deer    more ‘L’ possible pun on “moral” (hidden meaning)

  52    talent alternative spelling for “talon”    claws scratches/flatters

  53    HOLOFERNES in the following sequence Shakespeare seems to have muddled the names of the schoolmaster and the curate, leading the early editions to assign the speeches incorrectly; all editions, including this one, correct for clarity    foolish simple/trifling

  54    forms images    figures rhetorical devices    apprehensions conceptions    motions inward promptings    revolutions reflections

  55    begot conceived    ventricle brain cavity    pia mater membrane covering the brain/brain

  56    upon…occasion when the time is right

  59    profit benefit/increase (due to pregnancy)    under you under your teaching/underneath you (sexually)

  61    Mehercle “by Hercules”    ingenious clever/intelligent    want lack

  62    capable able to learn/have sex    put…them with sexual connotations    vir…loquitur “he’s a wise man who says little” (proverbial)

  63    soul feminine i.e., woman

  64    Person parson (rustic pronounciation)

  65    quasi “as if”

  67    likest most like    hogshead large cask for drink

  68    Of…hogshead broaching a cask/getting drunk    lustre of conceit spark of wit    turf of earth i.e., person close to the soil

  72    Fauste…ruminat “Faustus, while all the cattle are chewing the cud in the cool shade, I pray    you…” (opening of the poet Mantuan’s first eclogue, a well-known work at the time)

  74    Venetia…pretia “Venice, he that does not see thee does not esteem thee” (Italian proverb)

  77    Ut…fa either notes of a scale or snatch of tune    Under pardon begging your pardon    Horace Latin poet of the first century BC

  80    staff stanza    Lege, domine “read, master”

  84    oaks i.e., firm    osiers pliant willows

  85    Study…book i.e., the student abandons his inclination and makes your eyes his subject for study

  86    art scholarship

  87    mark target/vagina

  90    Which is for which is owed    parts physical or mental attributes

  91    Jove Roman king of the gods

  92    bent inclined

  95    apostrophus apostrophe    accent correct emphasis    supervise look over

  96    canzonet short song/poem    numbers ratified metrically correct lines

  97    caret (it is) “lacking”    Ovidius Naso Roman poet Ovid (Naso means “large-nosed”)

  98    odoriferous sweet-smelling    fancy imagination    jerks sharp speeches

  99    Imitari “to imitate”

100    damosella damsel

101    strange foreign

102    overglance look over    superscript address

103    intellect meaning, contents

104    nomination name

105    all desired employment any service you wish to put me to

107    framed composed sequent attendant

108    way of progression process of delivery Trip and go move nimbly (phrase from a popular song)

109    concern much be of great importance    Stay…compliment don’t wait upon etiquette

110    forgive thy duty excuse the necessary courtesies

112    Have with thee I’ll go with you

114    father Church Father

115    colourable colours plausible explanations (offered by the Church Fathers)

117    pen calligraphy/style

120    undertake…venuto ensure your welcome

122    society company

123    text i.e., the Bible (possibly Ecclesiastes 4:8–12)

124    certes certainly concludes resolves

125    Pauca verba “few words” gentles gentlefolk game sport/hunting/love play

Act 4 Scene 3

    1    coursing hunting (may pun on “cursing”) pitched a toil set up a net

    2    toiling…pitch struggling among the sticky thoughts of love    defiles pollutes, fouls    set thee down settle in

    3    I I am

    4    mad…sheep when not given the armor of the dead Achilles, Ajax attacked a flock of sheep thinking they were the enemy

    7    lie…throat tell enormous lies

  12    in in love groan i.e., for love

  15    bird-bolt blunt arrow for shooting birds    under…pap i.e., where the heart is pap breast

  18    eye-beams the eyes were thought to emit beams of light

  19    night of dew nightly tears

  21    deep sea

  29    glasses mirrors still continually

  35    thy i.e., the king’s

  37    perjure perjurer, oath-breaker wearing papers perjurers were punished by having to wear papers stating their offense

  39    another…name i.e., another drunkard

  42    triumviry triumvirate (i.e., trio) corner-cap three- or four-cornered cap worn by clergymen and academics society fellowship

  43    Tyburn place of execution where triangular gallows stood simplicity folly

  44    stubborn stiff, rough move i.e., persuade Maria to love him

  46    numbers verses/lines of poetry

  47    guards decorations/defenses hose breeches

  48    shop codpiece

  57    grace favor

  60    exhal’st draws up (the sun was thought to draw vapors from the earth)

  63    To as to

  64    liver vein style of the lover (the liver was thought to be the seat of passion)

  65    green goose silly young girl/new prostitute

  66    out o’th’way gone astray

  68    infant play child’s game

  70    heedfully o’er-eye observe attentively

  71    sacks…mill cause for laughter (proverbial)

  72    woodcocks proverbially stupid birds

  74    coxcomb fool (literally, fool’s cap)

  76    corporal officer (in Cupid’s army) (plays on “corporeal”)

  77    for…quoted makes real amber seem ugly in comparison    quoted cited

  78    An…noted punning on foul as “fowl,” Berowne sarcastically applauds Dumaine’s identification of Katherine’s dark (raven) hair as amber-colored

  80    Stoop curved/come down to earth

  81    with child i.e., round

  87    good word i.e.,    Amen/kind of me

  88    a asa

  90    incision cutting for letting blood

  91    in saucers into receptacles/by the saucerful    misprision error

  93    vary wit inspire new forms of expression/decrease intelligence

  96    passing surpassingly

  97    wanton playful

100    That so that    sick to death made ill from longing (death possibly plays on sense of “orgasm”)

106    unmeet unfitting

107    pluck a sweet plays on sense of “take virginity, have sex”

111    Juno Roman queen of the gods, wife of Jove    Ethiope Ethiopian (i.e., dark-complexioned, thought to be unattractive)

112    for to be

117    example provide precedent for

118    perjured note paper pinned to perjurer describing his offense

119    dote love dearly

120    charity Christian love (as opposed to amorous love)

121    That you who    society company

123    taken napping caught unawares

124    such i.e., the same

128    wreathèd folded (sign of melancholy)    athwart across

130    closely secretly

132    fashion behavior

133    reek emanate

136    troth good faith, a pledge

140    spend expend/exhaust

143    by about

146    grace privilege

147    worms wretches

148    coaches alludes to the coach image in the king’s poem

151    minstrels musicians, entertainers sonneting sonnet-composition

153    o’ershot in error/off course (literally, to have overshot the target)

154    mote speck of dust/fault

155    beam large object/major fault

157    teen grief

159    gnat i.e., insignificant thing

160    gig spinning-top

161    profound wise    tuning a jig singing a lively song/dancing

162    Nestor Trojan leader, famed for his wisdom    push-pin children’s game

163    Timon Athenian notorious for his misanthropy    idle toys trivial games/concerns

167    caudle medicinal gruel

169    over-view inspection

171    honest honorable

177    pruning me preening myself

179    state posture/bearing

181    Soft! Wait a moment!

182    true honest

183    post ride quickly (away)

185    present gift/written document

187    makes treason is treason doing

189    mar spoil (proverbial: “to make or mar”)

192    person parson (i.e., Nathaniel)    misdoubts distrusts

199    toy trifle

200    passion powerful emotion

202    whoreson bastard (son of a whore)    loggerhead blockhead

205    mess four dining companions

207    pick-purses pickpockets

211    turtles turtledoves—i.e., lovers

212    sirs address acceptable for both men and women

213    Walk…folk i.e., the honest people will leave

218    cross thwart    cause…born i.e., fate

219    of all hands in any case

220    rent torn

222    rude ignorant, rough    savage uncivilized    Ind India

223    opening dawning

224    vassal submissive

226    peremptory determined    eagle-sighted eagles were supposed to be able to look directly into the sun

229    fury frenzy

231    She i.e., Rosaline attending attendant    scarce…light barely visible

233    but were it not    my love i.e., the woman I love

234    the culled sovereignty those chosen as the best

236    worthies beings of excellence    dignity (supreme) excellence

237    wants is lacking    want desire

238    gentle wellborn

239    Fie expression of disgust    painted artificial

240    of for

241    passes surpasses    then…blot thus any praise is inadequate and defames her

242    fivescore winters worn a hundred years old

244    varnish improve, give luster to

245    the crutch i.e., old age    cradle’s infancy i.e., youth

247    black as ebony dark/unattractive

249    were felicity would be bliss

250    book i.e., Bible

252    If…look unless beauty learns how to look from Rosaline’s eye

253    fair beautiful/pale    full so black so completely dark-complexioned

255    hue complexion/color    school academy (though some editors emend to “scowl” or “stole”)

256    beauty’s crest i.e., the sun    becomes graces, befits

257    resembling…light when they pose as angels

259    It i.e., she/her beauty    that the fact that    painting…hair cosmetics and wigs

260    doters infatuated fools    false aspect deceptive appearance

262    favour…days face inverts what is conventionally thought beautiful

263    native blood natural redness, a rosy complexion    counted painting considered artificial (i.e., to be rouge)

264    red natural rosiness    dispraise disparagement

267    colliers coal vendors

268    crack boast

270    come in expose themselves to

271    colours cosmetics/sparse natural color

275    then i.e., on doomsday

276    vile worthless/unattractive

277    here’s i.e., Longaville’s shoe

279    dainty light, delicate/refined

280    goes walks    what upward lies i.e., what is up her skirt

284    prove demonstrate using logic

286    there that’s the point    flattery…evil pleasing self-deception to justify our oath-breaking

288    quillets subtle distinctions/quibbles

289    salve healing ointment

290    need necessary

291    Have at you let me at it/here goes    affection’s…arms love’s soldiers

294    state majesty/status

297    And where…the following twenty-three lines are enclosed within solidi because, although they appear in the early printed texts, they seem to be Shakespeare’s first draft of the lines that follow; they should be cut in performance

305    Promethean fire i.e., illumination (Prometheus stole fire from the gods to give to mankind)

324    fiery numbers passionate poems

326    slow arts dull or more serious learning    keep occupy

327    barren unresponsive, unfruitful

330    immurèd walled up

332    Courses runs/chases    power faculty/function

334    Above…offices beyond their ordinary abilities

338    the…stopped even the alert thief hears nothing

339    sensible sensitive

340    cockled having a shell

341    Bacchus Roman god of wine    gross inferior, coarse

342    For as for

343    climbing…Hesperides Hercules’ eleventh labor was to pick the golden apples from the garden of the Hesperides

344    Subtle wily    Sphinx mythological creature who killed anyone who couldn’t answer her riddle

345    Apollo Greek sun god, also god of music

348    durst dares

349    tempered blended

353    still…fire continually with the heavenly fire stolen by Prometheus

354    academes academies

356    Else otherwise aught anything

360    loves is loved by/inspires love in/is a friend to

361    authors creators

362    whom may pun on “womb”

363    once for once/only once

365    religion within the boundaries of our beliefs

366    charity…law biblical allusion: “he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law” (Romans 13:8)

369    Advance your standards raise up your flags (with phallic connotations)    upon them to them (with sexual connotations)

370    Pell-mell with no regard for order/at close quarters (sexual connotations)    be first advised first take care

371    get…them make sure the sun is in their eyes (thus giving you the advantage; puns on “[be]get the son”)

372    dealing puns on sense of “having sex”    glozes elaborate speeches

377    attach seize (legal term)

379    strange novel, unusual, exceptional    solace entertain

382    Forerun run before

384    betime happen    fitted used appropriately

385    Allons! “Let’s go!” (French)    Sowed…corn wheat won’t be harvested if weeds are planted

386    whirls…measure is distributed evenly

387    Light merry/frivolous/promiscuous

388    copper small coins    treasure vaginal connotations (plagues in previous line suggests sexual disease)

Act 5 Scene 1

    1    Satis quod sufficit “what is provided is sufficient” (i.e., “enough is as good as a feast”)

    2    reasons observations    dinner main meal eaten in the middle of the day

    3    sententious full of wise remarks    affection affectation    audacious bold

    4    opinion arrogance    strange new

    5    quondam (the) “other” intituled entitled

    6    nominated named

    7    Novi…te “I know the man as well as I know you” peremptory determined

    8    filed smooth

    9    thrasonical boastful    picked fastidious

  10    peregrinate affectedly foreign (i.e., with the manner of one who has traveled)

  11    table-book notebook

  12    staple fiber/material

  13    argument subject matter    fanatical extravagant/flamboyant    phantasimes fantastical people    insociable unsociable    point-device overprecise

  14    rackers of orthography torturers of correct spelling    fine thinly/affectedly; alternatively, a misprint for “sine b” (“without the letter b“)

  16    clepeth calls    vocatur “is called”

  17    abhominable plays on the popular misconception that the word was derived from Latin ab homine – i.e., “away from man/unnatural” insinuateth suggests, i.e., drives me to

  18    insanie insanity    Ne intelligis, domine? “Do you understand, sir?”

  19    Laus…intelligo “Praise God, I understand well”

  20    Priscian…scratched i.e., your Latin is slightly wrong (Priscian was an ancient grammarian whose works were still used in the sixteenth century)

  21    Videsne quis venit? “Do you see who is coming?”

  22    Video et gaudeo “I see and I rejoice”

  23    Chirrah! either mispronunciation of “sirrah” or the Greek chaere (“hail”)

  24    Quare “why”

  28    alms-basket charity basket of food for the poor

  29    eaten…word puns on pronunciation of Moth’s name as mot (“word” in French)    long…head tall

  30    honorificabilitudinitatibus state of being honored, supposedly the longest word in Latin    flap-dragon edible object, such as a raisin (plucked from burning brandy and swallowed as part of the game of flap-dragon)

  31    peal loud uproar/bell ringing

  32    lettered educated (Moth understands “literate”)

  33    hornbook paper displaying the alphabet, numbers, prayers, etc., protected by a thin layer of horn

  35    pueritia “childishness,” i.e., child

  36    Ba sound made by a sheep silly foolish

  37    Quis “who”    consonant nonentity, since it cannot be sounded without vowels

  39    i interrupted by Moth, Holofernes inadvertently identifies himself (I) as the sheep

  40    concludes it finishes the list/proves my point o, u i.e., “oh you/ewe”

  41    Mediterraneum Mediterranean touch hit (scored against an opponent) venue thrust (in fencing)

  42    Snip, snap remarking on Moth’s quick wit; “snip snap” is also “smart repartee”    home on the target

  43    wit-old pun on “wittold” or “wittol”—i.e., a contented cuckold

  44    figure figure of speech

  45    Horns i.e., of cuckoldry

  46    disputes reason    gig spinning-top

  47    manu cita “with a ready hand”

  51    halfpenny i.e., little    pigeon-egg i.e., small egg    discretion good judgment

  52    wert were

  53    ad dunghill corruption of ad unguem, i.e., “to the fingernail,” exact in detail

  55    Arts-man scholar    preambulate (let us) walk    barbarous uncivilized

  56    charge-house school

  57    mons plays on mons veneris, pubic mound

  59    sans “without” (French)

  60    affection desire    congratulate pay respects to

  61    posteriors buttocks, i.e., later parts    rude ignorant

  63    generous noble    liable apt    congruent suitable

  64    measurable fitting    culled chosen

  66    familiar close friend

  67    inward private

  68    courtesy manners (in wearing your hat)    apparel cover

  69    designs plans

  70    by the world mild oath

  71    excrement that which grows out of the body, such as hair and nails; also, feces

  72    sweet heart i.e., dear friend    recount no fable am not telling untruths

  75    all of all essence

  76    chuck chick (term of endearment)    ostentation public display

  77    antic extravagant spectacle    firework i.e., firework display

  79    withal with this    end purpose

  80    Nine Worthies popular subject for entertainments, featuring three Jews (Joshua, David, and Judas Maccabaeus), three pagans (Hector of Troy, Alexander the Great, and Julius Caesar), and three Christians (Arthur, Charlemagne, and Godfrey of Bouillon)

  81    entertainment spending of

  83    illustrate illustrious

  87    swain i.e., Costard    great…joint i.e., he has a big build (possible phallic joke)    pass pass for/represent    Pompey the Great famous Roman general of the first century BC

  90    club play on penis size

  91    have audience be heard    in minority as a child    enter entrance

  92    strangling a snake as a baby, Hercules strangled two snakes sent by Juno to kill him    apology formal explanation

  93    device scheme

100    attend listen

101    fadge works out, succeeds

102    Via “come along”

105    make one take part

106    tabor small drum    hay winding country dance

Act 5 Scene 2

    2    fairings gifts

    3    A…diamonds! presumably an ornamental lady’s portrait surrounded by diamonds

    8    margent margin

    9    fain…name obliged to place his seal over Cupid’s name (as he had written everywhere)

  10    godhead i.e., Cupid’s    wax grow (puns on the wax of the seal; plays on idea of an enlarging penis)

  11    five…boy a child since the world was created

  12    shrewd cunning/mischievous    unhappy trouble-causing    gallows someone who deserves to be hanged

  13    a…sister i.e., she died for love

  14    heavy sorrowful

  15    light merry/lighthearted/promiscuous

  17    grandam grandmother

  19    dark hidden mouse term of affection    light word frivolous talk/word “light”

  20    condition disposition

  22    taking…snuff trimming the wick/taking offense (proverbial)

  23    darkly obscurely/enigmatically

  24    Look what whatever do it plays on sense of “have sex”

  25    light wench i.e., unchaste

  26    not i.e., not the same as

  27    weigh esteem    that’s that means

  28    past…cure there’s no point worrying about what can’t be helped (proverbial); some editors transpose “care” and “cure”

  29    bandied exchanged, tossed to and fro    set game (of tennis/wit)

  30    favour love token

  32    would wish

  36    numbers true poetic meter correct    numbering enumeration/calculation

  38    fairs beautiful women

  41    letters lettering    praise content

  43    text B elaborately written capital B, possibly for “black” or “Berowne”    copy-book writing practice book

  44    ’Ware beware pencils fine paintbrushes    Let…debtor i.e., I’ll not owe you an insult, I’ll get my own back (proverbial)

  45    red dominical red lettering used to mark Sundays of the church year in calendars    golden also used to mark Sundays or Easter, or a reference to Katherine’s hair

  46    O’s possibly small scars caused by smallpox

  47    pox curse (may pick up on the idea of smallpox scars)    beshrew curse    shrews vexatious, scolding women

  50    twain two

  53    translation expression

  54    simplicity foolishness/lack of skill

  59    would wish    these…part perhaps Maria has bound the chain around her hands

  61    purchase deserve, earn

  63    in by th’week fully ensnared

  65    the season for the right time    observe the times keep to the rules

  66    prodigal lavish, excessive    bootless useless

  68    make…jests make him feel grateful even for Rosaline’s proud mockery of him

  69    pert aunt like Folio’s “pertaunt” (Quarto “perttaunt”) is unexplained: perhaps “like a lively older woman” (or with French tante for “aunt”?), though many emendations have been proposed, including “planet-like,” “fortune-like” and “pair-taunt-like” (supposedly a strong hand at cards)    o’ersway overrule

  70    his fate controller of his destiny

  71    surely securely

  73    warrant authorization

  76    gravity seriousness/respectability    wantonness foolish, uncontrolled, desirous behavior

  77    note stigma/reproach

  78    dote behave foolishly

  79    all…simplicity the wise man will use his intelligence to demonstrate the wisdom of folly

  85    Arm prepare (for combat)    Encounters mounted are skirmishes are prepared

  87    surprised ambushed

  88    Muster assemble (like troops)

  90    Saint Denis patron saint of France    to against

  91    charge load/fire    breath i.e., words    scout spy

  92    sycamore tree associated with melancholy

  94    purposed intended

  95    might behold addressed saw approaching

  97    by nearby

  98    overhear hear told again

  99    by and by shortly

101    conned learned    embassage message

102    Action appropriate gestures    accent verbal delivery

104    ever and anon every now and then    made a doubt voiced their fear (that)

105    majestical regal    put him out disconcert him/make him forget his lines

111    wag mischievous young man

112    rubbed his elbow gesture of satisfaction    fleered grinned

114    with…thumb i.e., snapping his fingers

115    Via! “Come along!”

116    capered leaped/danced joyfully

117    turned…toe pirouetted

120    spleen ridiculous ludicrous fit of merriment

121    check restrain/reprimand

124    Like…guess no rhyme for this line, so a line may be missing

125    parley enter into conversation

126    love-feat perhaps a misprint for “love-suit”

127    several individual

129    gallants fine gentlemen/suitors tasked tested

131    grace privilege

132    Despite of suit in spite of entreaty

133    Hold…dear these two lines might be a first draft of the two that follow

137    change exchange

138    removes exchanges

139    most in sight conspicuously

141    cross thwart

144    counsels private intentions    unbosom disclose

145    loves mistook i.e., the wrong women    withal with this

147    visages displayed faces visible, i.e., unmasked

149    to the death i.e., we’d rather fight to the death than

150    penned composed    render yield    grace favor

152    kill…heart discourage his affection

153    part remembered lines/intentions

155    be out has forgotten his lines

157    theirs ours i.e., their fun our amusement

158    intended their intended

160    Blackamoors attendants costumed and/or made-up to look like black men

162    taffeta silk material, often used for making masks

163    parcel small group

166    Out…i.e., Moth has forgotten his lines; ellipsis used when speaker dries, dash when interrupted

168    vouchsafe permit, deign

173    epithet description

174    daughter-beamèd punning on sun-/son-beamèd

175    brings me out makes me forget my lines

176    perfectness being word perfect

177    What…strangers? What do these foreigners want?    minds intentions

179    plain plainspoken/honest

182    gentle visitation a courteous, friendly visit

187    measured traversed

188    tread a measure dance a stately dance

193    measure quantity/measurement told counted/said

201    travel journeying/labor (travail)

202    number account/count up

204    still always    account estimate, counting/debt

207    My…moon i.e., her face shines with light reflected from the princess/is changeable    clouded i.e., masked

208    do…do i.e., be as close to the ladies’ faces as the masks are

209    stars i.e., the other ladies

210    eyne eyes

212    moonshine…water i.e., something insubstantial

213    change round of dancing

214    strange unusual (plays on sense of “foreign”)

217    estranged apart/aloof; puns on strange

219    she…man i.e., they belong together, being moon and man in the moon (no rhyme word for “moon”: a line may be missing)

220    The…it some editors assign this line to the king    motion movement

224    nice shy/fussy/whimsical

228    More measure a greater quantity

230    Price “price” and “prize” sounded the same

234    Twice…you possibly refers to Rosaline’s curtsies—two to the king’s visor, but only half of one to his face

235    deny refuse

239    three i.e., sweet words for Berowne

240    treys threes (in gambling)    nice coy

241    Metheglin strong spiced Welsh mead    wort sweet unfermented beer    malmsey strong sweet red wine    run played/fallen

242    sweets i.e., sweet words

244    cog cheat (like a gambler)

247    griev’st vex    gall sore spot/bile

249    meet fitting

250    change exchange

255    Please it you if it pleases you

257    vizard visor    tongue leather strap held in the mouth to keep the visor secure/reference to Longaville’s silence

260    double tongue i.e., your tongue and the mask’s tongue/duplicitous tongue

261    afford…half i.e., end my silence/reveal your identity

262    ‘Veal’ Dutch pronunciation of “well” (i.e., assessment of Longaville’s reason); added to Katherine’s last spoken word, “long,” it provides the name of her wooer    calf stupid person, implying Longaville is one

265    part divide

266    half co-sharer/partner (in marriage)

267    wean raise prove an ox become a fool

268    butt strike

269    give horns attack/cuckold your husband

273    keen sharp/eager

276    sense of sense perception of the senses    sensible striking

277    conference conversation    conceits witty thoughts, quips

278    Fleeter swifter, nimbler

280    dry-beaten beaten, bruised    scoff mockery

284    Tapers candles    with by

285    Well-liking thriving, plump    gross dull/plump

286    kingly-poor flout feeble insult from a king/majestically poor mockery

289    pert lively    out…quite completely disconcerted

290    cases states/masks

291    weeping-ripe ready to weep

292    out…suit out of keeping with his love suit (suit puns on sense of “clothing”)

294    servant servant in love/wooer    straight at once

295    came o’er overcame

296    trow you would you believe

297    Qualm sudden feeling of nausea/heartburn

300    plain statute-caps woollen knitted caps worn by those of lower social status

302    quick hasty

305    give ear listen

307    In…shapes i.e., without disguises

308    digest swallow/put up with

312    repair return

313    Blow blossom (the princess plays on the sense of “give blows”)

316    damask red and white (variety of rose)    commixture complexion/mingling

317    vailing lowering/yielding

318    Avaunt begone    perplexity riddler

321    as…disguised as much as we did when they were in disguise

323    shapeless gear unshapely clothes

324    end purpose

326    rough carriage graceless behavior

329    roes female deer (puns on “rose”)

336    utters speaks/offers for sale

338    wakes church festivals    wassails revels

339    by gross wholesale

341    gallant i.e., ladies’ man    pins…sleeve makes the women dependent on him/collects them like favors

342    Had…Eve i.e., rather than Eve tempting Adam as in the Bible

343    carve behave charmingly but affectedly    lisp talk in a pretentious manner

344    kissed…courtesy wore his hand out with too many courteous kisses

345    ape of form imitator of etiquette    Nice fastidious

346    tables backgammon

347    honourable polite

348    mean middle part (tenor or alto)    meanly well enough    ushering taking the part of the gentleman usher, organizing ceremonies

349    Mend beat, improve on

356    put…part i.e., made Moth forget his lines

357    it i.e., Boyet    Behaviour fine manners

358    madman i.e., Boyet

360    ‘Fair’…foul it is false to call a hailstorm fair

361    Construe understand/interpret

362    wish me greet me with leave permission

365    This…me i.e., I will stay here    hold keep

366    Nor neither

369    nickname misname

370    office function

371    yet still

372    protest declare

375    a…Of to be the reason for you breaking your

377    desolation solitariness

381    but of late only recently

384    Trim smart    courtship courtliness/wooing    state stately appearance

386    to…days as is the current fashion

387    undeserving undeserved

390    apace quickly

391    happy well-chosen/apt/agreeable

393    When…drink i.e., they are fools

394    dry yields no result (plays on sense of thirsty)

395    When…light i.e., when we look directly at the sun, we are blinded by its light

397    capacity intelligence

398    to compared to

400    eye organ of sight/opinion

409    case covering, i.e., mask

411    descried discovered

413    Amazed perplexed/dumbstruck

414    brows temples

415    Muscovy i.e., Russia

417    face of brass brazen manner/firm expression

418    dart thy skill hurl your judgment/wit

419    confound destroy/overthrow flout taunt

421    keen conceit sharp wit

422    wish ask

423    habit outfit    wait do service

425    motion movement

426    friend sweetheart

427    harper’s harpist’s

428    Taffeta i.e., elaborate    precise fastidious

429    Three-piled luxuriously thick (like velvet)

430    Figures i.e., figures of speech    pedantical pedantic/excessively learned

431    blown swollen/deposited eggs/polluted

435    russet rustic/homely (homespun reddish cloth)    kersey plain (coarse cloth)

436    law la (i.e., “indeed”)

437    sans “without” (French)

438    Sans ‘sans’ i.e., don’t use affected French words

439    trick characteristic

440    rage madness/rash fever

441    by degrees little by little

442    ‘Lord…us’ written on the doors of plague victims as a warning

444    of from

445    visited afflicted    free uninfected

446    Lord’s tokens signs of plague/love tokens given by the lords

447    free generous/uninfected

448    states honorable status/status as bachelors/estates

450    sue entreat/woo

451    to do sex/anything to do

457    but even just

459    well advised i.e., thinking wisely

463    respect value

464    challenge claim

466    forbear stop

467    force…forswear will not hesitate to break it again

486    either the two    remit give up

487    on’t of it    consent agreement

489    dash spoil    Christmas comedy seasonal entertainment

490    carry-tale tell-tale    please-man yes-man    slight lowly    zany clown’s assistant

491    mumble-news gossip    trencher-knight dinner-table hero/great eater    Dick low fellow

492    smiles…years wrinkles his face with smiles    trick knack (with sexual innuendo)

493    disposed inclined to be merry

496    sign of she outward symbol thought to represent our particular mistress

499    Much…’tis it must have happened pretty much this way

501    by th’squier accurately

502    laugh…eye i.e., exchange laughter and knowing looks with her    apple pupil

503    stand…fire i.e., act as her fireguard (stand may play on sense of “get an erection” and fire on sense of “sexual passion,” perhaps also with vaginal connotations)

504    Holding a trencher i.e., ready to be of service trencher plate

506    Die plays on sense of “have an orgasm”    smock…shroud you’ll be buried like a woman smock woman’s undergarment

507    leer look sideways

508    Wounds…sword i.e., poses no threat of injury (sword may have phallic connotations)

509    brave manage fine gallop at full speed    career charge/gallop

510    tilting straight going straight back to his verbal jousting (plays on notion of a thrusting penis)

511    Thou partest you are breaking up    fray fight

512    would want to

515    vara very

516    pursents represents, acts

519    beg us i.e., take us for fools

522    whereuntil to what

524    were…get would be a shame if you had to make    reckoning calculation

527    perfect i.e., perform, present

528    Pompion pumpkin; malapropism for “Pompey”

531    degree rank    stand for represent

533    turn…off pull off the performance well

535    policy clever device

540    zeal fervent enthusiasm content please    contents subject matter

541    that…presents the presentation

542    There…mirth the ruining of the presentation creates its own mirth

545    Anointed i.e., the king, anointed as monarch    expense expenditure

546    brace pair

550    one the same (to me)

552    fortuna…guerra “the chance of war” (Spanish)

553    couplement couple

554    like likely    presence company

556    pedant schoolmaster

558    habits costumes

561    hedge-priest uneducated rural priest

562    Abate set aside    throw at novum lucky throws in a dice game, in which throwing a five and nine won; the actors will perform the Nine Worthies with only five actors

563    vein mood/character

564    amain at full speed

568    leopard’s head part of Pompey’s costume, possibly painted on a shield

569    must needs must

575    targe light shield

577    coast area

578    arms weapons (plays on sense of “limbs”)

581    perfect i.e., word perfect

583    My…halfpenny I’ll bet (anything)    for as

586    scutcheon shield painted with a coat of arms

587    right straight; Alexander’s head was supposed to lean to one side

588    Your…this Alexander was supposed to smell sweet; Berowne suggests Boyet’s nose can tell this isn’t really Alexander by Nathaniel’s odor tender-smelling having a sensitive sense of smell

596    painted cloth the Nine Worthies were often depicted on painted hangings    lion…close-stool Alexander’s coat of arms as depicted in the Renaissance pole-axe battle-axe

597    close-stool chamber pot within a seat (instead of throne)    Ajax pun on “a jakes” (i.e., toilet)

599    dashed disheartened

601    o’erparted having too difficult a part to play

602    sort manner

604    imp child

605    Cerberus three-headed dog guarding the entrance to Hades, captured by Hercules as his final labor    canus “dog” (Latin, actually canis)

607    manus “hands”

608    Quoniam “since” in minority a child

609    Ergo “therefore”

610    state dignity

612    A Judas! i.e., a traitor

613    Iscariot Judas Iscariot betrayed Christ; Judas Maccabaeus was a military leader

614    ycliped called

615    clipped cut short/embraced

616    A kissing traitor Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss

619    mean you is your meaning/is your intention

621    Begin you go first (in hanging yourself)    elder senior/superior (Berowne picks up on “type of tree on which Judas hanged himself”)

623    put…countenance made to lose composure (Berowne plays on sense of face)

626    cittern-head type of guitar with grotesquely carved head

627    bodkin hairpin with ornamental head

628    death’s…ring ring carved with death’s head (a skull)

629    scarce seen almost worn away

630    pommel ornamental knob on a sword or dagger    falchion sword

631    flask powder flask for gunpowder

632    half-cheek profile

633    brooch…tooth-drawer tradesmen wore lead brooches to signify their trades

635    put…countenance stopped you being disconcerted/given you a face

638    out-faced them all put them all to shame

639    lion…ass in one of Aesop’s fables the ass disguises himself as a lion by wearing its skin until he is betrayed by his braying

642    latter end second part (i.e., ass)

644    generous mannerly/noble    gentle courteous    humble polite

645    light…Judas possible reference to the Judas candlestick, used at Easter in parish churches

647    Achilles…Hector enemies in the Trojan war    in arms armed

648    home by me back to mock me

649    Troyan man of Troy/merry fellow

651    clean-timbered well-built

653    calf lower leg/fool

654    endued endowed    small i.e., thinnest part of the calf

656    makes creates/pulls

657    armipotent powerful in arms

659    gilt glazed

662    cloven split in two (sexually; punning on lemon as “leman” or “lover”)

664    Ilion Troy

665    breathed exercised/fit

666    pavilion ceremonial tent used during tournaments

670    rein curb

672    greyhound i.e., fast runner

673    war-man warrior    beat…buried i.e., don’t speak ill of the dead

674    forward advance

675    device performance

678    foot body part/measurement

679    yard three feet/penis

681    gone dead

682    gone pregnant (refers to Jaquenetta)

684    cast away ruined

685    quick pregnant    brags boasts (suggesting that Armado is the father)

686    infamonize slander    potentates monarchs

687    quick pregnant/living

688    Pompey i.e., the part of Pompey, played by Costard

693    Ates discordant comments; Ate was the Roman goddess of vengeance

694    challenge him i.e., to a fight

695    a have he has    sup feed

697    pole…man raiders of the northern borders were known to fight with poles

698    borrow…again use the weapons I had as Pompey

699    Room make room

702    take…lower help unbutton your doublet/humiliate you

703    uncasing undressing

706    bloods spirited men

708    woolward wearing wool next to the skin without a linen shirt

709    enjoined imposed on want lack (i.e., Armado’s shirtlessness is the result of poverty not religious penance)

710    dishclout dishcloth, with play on menstrual rag

711    favour love token    Marcadé his name can be associated with Mercury, messenger of the Roman gods and god of rhetoric; also with the French danse macabre or “dance of death”

718    tale news

720    breathe free breath am relieved    I…discretion I have enough (if little) discretion to know I have behaved badly

721    right avenge/behave (correctly)

728    hide overlook

729    liberal unrestrained opposition antagonism

731    the…breath i.e., conversation    gentleness nobility/courtesy

732    guilty of responsible for

734    so therefore

736    The…speed i.e., when there is little time available decisions have to be made quickly

738    his very loose the very last moment (archery metaphor)

739    process proceedings    arbitrate conclude

740    mourning…progeny child’s grief for a parent

741    Forbid denies

742    holy suit i.e., marriage    fain gladly    convince demonstrate

743    on foot on its feet, i.e., begun

744    justle push

745    wail lament lost dead

746    wholesome-profitable beneficial to well-being

748    double because her father is dead and she cannot understand him

750    badges outward signs/words

752    foul play unfairly

753    deformed disfigured

754    opposed end i.e., exact opposite

756    unbefitting inappropriate    strains features/impulses

757    wanton carefree/playful    vain foolish/silly

759    straying some editors emend to “strange”    shapes appearances    habits ways of behaving/clothes

761    his its

762    parti-coated motley, patchwork (worn by fools)    presence appearance    loose unrestrained

763    Put on presented/worn

764    misbecomed been unbecoming to

766    Suggested…make tempted us to commit them

768    prove false i.e., by breaking their vows to pursue only learning

769    true i.e., faithful to the ladies

770    both i.e., oath breakers and true to our word

775    rated assessed

776    At as no more than

777    bombast…time i.e., ways of filling time bombast wool padding/speechifying

778    devout committed/earnest respects deliberation/attention

779    met responded to

783    quote regard

787    world-without-end everlasting

789    dear dire/costly, valuable

790    as although    such cause reason (for you to)

791    aught anything

793    forlorn desolate naked austere

795    until…reckoning i.e., a year    signs i.e., of the zodiac

797    insociable unsociable

799    hard lodging uncomfortable living conditions    weeds clothes

800    Nip not inhibit not the growth of gaudy flourishing, colorful

801    last remain

802    expiration end

803    challenge claim    deserts deserving actions

810    entitled in having legal claim to

812    flatter up pamper

813    The may the

815    And…sick these six lines are enclosed within solidi because they seem to be the first draft of the subsequent longer exchange between Berowne and Rosaline; they should be cut in performance

826    mark no pay no attention to    smooth-faced plausible/youthful

833    friend i.e., lover/husband

834    stay wait

835    The liker that’s more like; plays on long in “Longaville”    taller braver; puns on sense of long

836    Studies reflects, muses

838    attends awaits

841    world’s large tongue i.e., widely distributed report

842    replete with full of

843    comparisons scoffing analogies    flouts insults

844    estates classes of people    execute inflict

846    weed root out    wormwood bitterness (medicinal herb)

847    therewithal along with that

849    term period of time

850    still converse continually associate

852    fierce vigorous/keen

853    enforce compel    painèd impotent helpless distressed

854    move arouse    the…death i.e., the dying

857    gibing scoffing

858    loose grace easy charm (with possible oxymoronic joke since loose can mean “sinful” while grace often signifies “virtue”)

860    prosperity success

863    Deafed deafened    dear dire/terrible

865    withal as well

869    befall…befall what will be will be

872    bring escort

874    courtesy courteous behavior

883    hold the plough become a farmer (with sexual connotations)

884    dialogue scholarly debate    two learnèd men i.e., Sir Nathaniel and Holofernes

889    maintained defended/represented

891    pied multicolored

893    lady-smocks cuckooflowers

894    paint adorn

896    Mocks married men i.e., because his call sounds like “cuckold” and because the cuckoo usurps the nests of other birds

900    oaten straws straws from oat plants

901    larks…clocks because ploughmen rise early and larks are dawn birds

902    turtles turtledoves tread mate    daws jackdaws

910    blows his nail i.e., warms his hands by blowing on them/has nothing much to do

913    nipped chilled    ways be foul paths are muddy

917    greasy covered with grease/fat/sweaty    keel stir/cool

919    parson’s saw clergyman’s maxims

920    brooding incubating eggs

922    crabs crab apples    bowl i.e., bowl of ale

927    Mercury messenger of the gods    harsh disagreeable, discordant    Apollo Greek god of music    You may refer either to the audience, ladies or actors

928    we may refer either to the actors, lords, or Armado and Jaquenetta

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

Shakespeare is the poet of double vision. The father of twins, he was a mingler of comedy and tragedy, low life and high, prose and verse. He was a countryman who worked in the city, a teller of English folktales who was equally versed in the mythology of ancient Greece and Rome. His mind and world were poised between Catholicism and Protestantism, old feudal ways and new bourgeois ambitions, rational thinking and visceral instinct. A Midsummer Night’s Dream is one of his truly essential works because nowhere else is his double vision more apparent than in this play’s movement between the city and the wood, day and night, reason and imagination, waking life and dream.

Wood, night, imagination, dream. These are the coordinates of the second form of sight, which is best described as magical thinking. It is the mode of being that belongs to visionaries, astrologers, “wise women” and poets. It conjures up a world animated with energies and spirit forces; it finds correspondences between earthly things and divine. The eye that sees in this way rolls in a fine frenzy, glancing from heaven to earth, from earth to heaven. It bodies forth the forms of things unknown, turns them to shapes and gives to airy nothings a local habitation and a name.

Magical thinking answers a deep human need. It is a way of making sense of things that would otherwise seem painfully arbitrary—things like love and beauty. An ugly birthmark on a baby would be explained away by the suggestion that the infant might be a “changeling child,” swapped in the cradle by some night-tripping fairy. The sheer chance involved in the process of what we now call sexual chemistry may be rationalized in the story of the magic properties of the juice of the flower called love-in-idleness. And in a world dependent on an agricultural economy, bad harvests were somehow more palatable if explained by the intervention of malicious sprites upon the operation of the weather.

In the age of candle and rushlight, nights were seriously dark. The night was accordingly imagined to be seriously different from the day. The very fact of long hours of light itself conferred a kind of magic upon midsummer night. This is the night of the year when magical thinking is given full rein.

Theseus and Hippolyta never meet Oberon and Titania. In the original performance, the respective roles were likely to have been doubled. The contentious king and queen of fairies thus become the dark psychological doubles of the betrothed courtly couple. The correspondence inevitably calls into question the joy of the match between Athenian and Amazon. Oberon actually accuses Titania of having led Theseus “through the glimmering night” when he deserted “Perigenia whom he ravishèd,” of having made the day duke break faith with a succession of paramours. Shakespeare loves to set up an antithesis, then knock it down. Here he implies that there is ultimately no sharp distinction between day and night: the sexual ethics of Theseus are perhaps as dubious as those of the adulterous child-possessor Titania.

Authority figures, representatives of the day world of political power, win little sympathy in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. For the lovers, the forest may be a place of confused identity, but at least it is an escape from the patriarchal matchmaking of Egeus. In the audience, the characters with whom we engage most warmly are neither monarchs nor lords, but the mischief-making Robin Goodfellow and the ineffable weaver, Bottom. Each in his way is an embodiment of the theatrical spirit that animates everything that is most gloriously Shakespearean. Always a man of the theater, Shakespeare lives in a world of illusion and make-believe that hits at deepest truths; he knows that his world is fundamentally sympathetic to those other counterworlds that we call dream and magic.

Robin the Puck compares the mortals to fools in a fond pageant: he has a right to think of himself as author of the play, since it is his dispensing of the love juice that fuels the plot. As for Bottom, at one level he is a bad actor. In both rehearsal and performance of “Pyramus and Thisbe,” it becomes clear that he does not really understand the rules of the theatrical game. But at a deeper level, he is a true dramatic genius: he is gifted with the child’s grace to suspend his disbelief. As Pyramus, he puts up a pretty poor performance; as Ass, it is another matter. The comical deficiency of “Pyramus and Thisbe” is that the actors keep telling us that they haven’t become their characters. The Assification of Bottom is, by contrast, akin to those brilliant assumptions of disguise—Rosalind becoming Ganymede in As You Like It, Viola Cesario in Twelfth Night—through which Shakespeare simultaneously reminds us that we are in the theater (an actor is always in disguise) and helps us to forget where we are (we willingly suspend our disbelief). In that forgetting, we participate in the mystery of magical thinking. With Bottom himself, we in the audience may say, “I have had a most rare vision.”

Many members of Shakespeare’s original audience, steeped as they were in the New Testament, would have recognized Bottom’s account of his dream as an allusion—with the attributes of the different senses comically garbled—to a famous passage in the first Epistle to the Corinthians, in which St. Paul says that the eye of man has not seen and the ear of man has not heard the glories that will await us when we enter the Kingdom of Heaven. In the Geneva translation of the Bible, which Shakespeare knew well, the passage speaks of how the human spirit searches “the bottom of God’s secrets.” Jesus said that in order to enter his kingdom, one had to make oneself as a child. The same may be said of the kingdom of theater. It is because Bottom has the uncynical, believing spirit of a child that he is vouchsafed his vision. At the same time, Shakespeare himself offers a dangerously grown up image of what heaven might be like: the weaver may be innocent but the fairy queen is an embodiment of sexual experience. The “virgin queen” Elizabeth was also known as England’s “fairy queen” and the wood in which the action takes place, with its “nine men’s morris” and English wild flowers, is more domestic than Athenian, so there must have been an inherent political risk in the representation of a sexually voracious Titania. Shakespeare perhaps introduced Oberon’s apparent allusion to a chaste Elizabeth—the “fair vestal thronèd by the west”—in order to dismiss any identification of Titania with the real-life fairy queen whom he knew would at some point be a spectator of the play.

The comedy and the charm of the Dream depend on a certain fragility. Good comedy is tragedy narrowly averted, while fairy charm is only safe from sentimentality if attached to some potential for the grotesque. Fairies only deserve to be believed in when they have the capacity to be seriously unpleasant. Of course we laugh when Bottom wears the head of an ass and makes love to a queen, but the image deliberately courts the suggestion of bestiality. In Ovid’s Metamorphoses, Shakespeare’s favorite book and the source for the tale of “Pyramus and Thisbe,” people are driven by bestial desires and are rewarded by being transformed into animals. In Shakespeare, the ass’s head is worn in play, but it remains the closest thing in the drama of his age to an actual animal metamorphosis onstage.

Ovid was rational Rome’s great countervisionary, its magical thinker. His theme is transformation, the inevitability of change. Book fifteen of the Metamorphoses offers a philosophical discourse on the subject, mediated via the philosophy of Pythagoras. From here Shakespeare got many of those images of transience that roll through his Sonnets, but in the Dream he celebrates the transfiguring and enduring power of night vision, of second sight.

Night is the time for fantasy and for love, the time in which your wildest hopes may be indulged but your worst nightmares may have to be confronted. The action in the forest fills the space between the betrothal and the wedding celebration of Theseus and Hippolyta. For the young lovers it is also a time-between, the time, that is to say, of maturation, of discovering who they really are and whom they really love. When Hermia and Lysander, Helena and Demetrius emerge after a midsummer night’s madness in the wood, they don’t quite know what’s happened: “Methinks I see these things with parted eye, / When everything seems double.” And they’re not all quite sure if they’ve finally gained the person they want: “And I have found Demetrius like a jewel, / Mine own and not mine own.” But on reflection in the cold light of morning, the strangeness of the night has effected a material transformation, leading the lovers to a truer place than the one where they were at court the day before. Perhaps because she is herself a “stranger,” an outsider in the “civilized” world of Athens, it is the Amazon queen Hippolyta who understands this best:

But all the story of the night told over,

And all their minds transfigured so together,

More witnesseth than fancy’s images,

And grows to something of great constancy;

But howsoever, strange and admirable.

KEY FACTS

PLOT: Egeus orders his daughter Hermia to marry Demetrius; she refuses because she and Lysander are in love. Her friend Helena is in love with Demetrius, who once loved her but now does not. Under the law of Athens, Duke Theseus gives Hermia four days to obey her father on pain of death or confinement to a nunnery. Hermia and Lysander escape this harsh law by running away to the woods. Demetrius pursues them there, with Helena pursing him. In the woods, Oberon and Titania, King and Queen of fairies, have quarreled because Titania refuses to hand over an Indian changeling boy to be Oberon’s page. Oberon instructs the mischievous Puck, Robin Goodfellow, to press the juice of a magic flower on Titania’s eyes as she sleeps; it will make her fall in love with the first being she sees on waking. In an attempt to reconcile Demetrius and Helena, Oberon orders that juice should be put on his eyes whilst he is sleeping and she is near, but Robin mistakenly puts it on Lysander, who thus falls in love with Helena. She thinks she is being mocked. Love juice is then placed on Demetrius’ eyes in order to rectify the mistake, but the result is that he too falls for Helena. The boys fight over her and the girls quarrel. While Titania has been sleeping, a company of Athenian artisans under the leadership of Peter Quince has come to the wood to rehearse a play for the ensuing wedding festivities of Duke Theseus and Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons. Robin puts an ass’s head on Bottom the weaver and because of the love juice Titania falls in love with him. Eventually all is restored to right and the artisans perform their comically tragic play of “Pyramus and Thisbe.”

MAJOR PARTS: (with percentage of lines/number of speeches/scenes on stage) Bottom (12%/59/5), Theseus (11%/48/3), Helena (11%/36/5), Robin Goodfellow (10%/33/6), Oberon (10%/29/5), Lysander (8%/50/5), Hermia (8%/48/5), Titania (7%/23/5), Demetrius (6%/48/5), Quince (5%/40/4), Flute (3%/18/4), Egeus (3%/13/3), Hippolyta (2%/14/3).

LINGUISTIC MEDIUM: 80% verse, 20% prose. Fairly high incidence of rhyme, including deliberately bad rhyme in “Pyramus and Thisbe.”

DATE: Mentioned in Francis Meres’ 1598 list of Shakespeare’s plays. Reference in Act 1 scene 2 to courtiers being afraid of a stage lion may allude to an incident in Scotland in August 1594. Strong stylistic resemblances to other “lyrical” plays of Shakespeare’s high Elizabethan period, such as Richard II and especially Romeo and Juliet: this group of plays is traditionally dated to 1595–96. It has often been speculated that the first performance was a private one at an aristocratic wedding celebration, but there is absolutely no evidence for this: in the Elizabethan period, masquelike entertainments rather than full-length plays were commissioned for festive occasions such as weddings.

SOURCES: The main plot is apparently without a direct source, which is unusual for Shakespeare. The tale of Pyramus and Thisbe is derived principally from Ovid’s Metamorphoses, book four. It also has strong structural resemblances to the Romeo and Juliet story, which Shakespeare dramatized around the same time. The play as a whole absorbs much of Shakespeare’s eclectic reading: numerous borrowings of Ovidian mythology, some use of Sir Thomas North’s translation of Plutarch, influence from John Lyly’s comedies (especially Endimion for dreaming and Gallathea for the interplay of aristocrats and artisans), an element of Chaucer (The Knight’s Tale for lovers at the court of Theseus, perhaps The Tale of Sir Thopas for the dream of sleeping with an “elf-queen”), perhaps The Golden Ass of Apuleius (trans. William Adlington, 1566) for Bottom’s transformation.

TEXT: Quarto 1600, “as it hath been sundry times publicly acted by the Right Honourable the Lord Chamberlain his Servants,” apparently typeset from Shakespeare’s manuscript or a close transcription of it. Reprinted 1619 (Second Quarto). Folio text was set from a copy of the Second Quarto (thus repeating many of its corrections and errors), but with some consultation of an independent theater-derived manuscript, which provided additional stage directions, some corrections, and signs of a few revisions, most notably an economizing on roles whereby the Philostrate of Quarto becomes a silent character who only appears in the first scene and the role of Master of the Revels introducing the entertainment in the final scene is taken over by Egeus (which makes for nice tension between him and Lysander, the new son-in-law he did not want). Our edition retains this innovation as well as many local Folio corrections and modernizations, but restores Quarto in many cases where words are misset, omitted or transposed as a result of what was almost certainly compositor’s error as opposed to editorial alterations on the basis of the theater manuscript.

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

THESEUS, Duke of Athens

HIPPOLYTA, Queen of the Amazons, betrothed to Theseus

EGEUS, an Athenian courtier, father to Hermia

LYSANDER, in love with Hermia

HERMIA, in love with Lysander, but ordered by her father to marry Demetrius

DEMETRIUS, in love with Hermia, though once a suitor to Helena

HELENA, in love with Demetrius

Peter QUINCE, a carpenter and leader of an amateur dramatic group, who speaks the PROLOGUE to their play

Nick BOTTOM, a weaver, who plays PYRAMUS in the amateur play

Francis FLUTE, a bellows-mender, who plays THISBE in the amateur play

SNUG, a joiner, who plays a LION in the amateur play

Tom SNOUT, a tinker, who plays a WALL in the amateur play

Robin STARVELING, a tailor, who plays MOONSHINE in the amateur play

OBERON, King of Fairies

TITANIA, Queen of Fairies

ROBIN Goodfellow, also known as Puck, a sprite in the service of Oberon

PHILOSTRATE, an official in Theseus’ court

Other Attendants at the court of Theseus; other

Fairies attendant upon Oberon

Act 1 [Scene 1]1.1

running scene 1

        Enter Theseus, Hippolyta, with others [Philostrate and attendants]

THESEUS

THESEUS     Now, fair Hippolyta, our nuptial hour

               Draws on apace.² Four happy days bring in

               Another moon: but O, methinks, how slow

               This old moon wanes; she lingers⁴ my desires,

5

               Like⁵ to a stepdame or a dowager

               Long withering out⁶ a young man’s revenue.

HIPPOLYTA

HIPPOLYTA     Four days will quickly steep⁷ themselves in nights,

               Four nights will quickly dream away the time.

               And then the moon,⁹ like to a silver bow

10

10           New-bent¹⁰ in heaven, shall behold the night

               Of our solemnities.¹¹

THESEUS

THESEUS     Go, Philostrate,

               Stir up the Athenian youth to merriments,

               Awake the pert¹⁴ and nimble spirit of mirth,

15

15           Turn melancholy forth to funerals:

               The pale¹⁶ companion is not for our pomp.

       [Exit Philostrate]

               Hippolyta, I wooed thee with my sword,¹⁷

               And won thy love doing thee injuries.¹⁸

               But I will wed thee in another key,

20

20           With pomp, with triumph²⁰ and with revelling.

        Enter Egeus and his daughter Hermia, Lysander and Demetrius

EGEUS

EGEUS     Happy be Theseus, our renownèd duke.

THESEUS

THESEUS     Thanks, good Egeus: what’s the news with thee?

EGEUS

EGEUS     Full of vexation come I, with complaint

               Against my child, my daughter Hermia.

25

25           Stand forth, Demetrius. My noble lord,

               This man hath my consent to marry her.

               Stand forth, Lysander. And my gracious duke,

               This man hath bewitched the bosom of my child.—

               Thou, thou, Lysander, thou hast given her rhymes,

30

30           And interchanged love-tokens with my child.

               Thou hast by moonlight at her window sung,

               With feigning voice verses of feigning love,

               And stol’n³³ the impression of her fantasy

               With bracelets of thy hair, rings, gauds,³⁴ conceits,

35

35           Knacks,³⁵ trifles, nosegays, sweetmeats — messengers

               Of strong prevailment³⁶ in unhardened youth —

               With cunning hast thou filched³⁷ my daughter’s heart,

               Turned her obedience, which is due to me,

               To stubborn harshness.— And, my gracious duke,

40

40           Be⁴⁰ it so she will not here before your grace

               Consent to marry with Demetrius,

               I beg the ancient privilege of Athens:

               As she is mine, I may dispose of her;

               Which shall be either to this gentleman

45

45           Or to her death, according to our law

               Immediately⁴⁶ provided in that case.

THESEUS

THESEUS     What say you, Hermia? Be advised, fair maid,

               To you your father should be as a god,

               One that composed your beauties, yea, and one

50

50           To whom you are but as a form in wax

               By him imprinted and within his power

               To leave the figure or disfigure⁵² it.

               Demetrius is a worthy gentleman.

HERMIA

HERMIA     So is Lysander.

55

55   

THESEUS

THESEUS           In himself he is.

               But in this kind,⁵⁶ wanting your father’s voice,

               The other must be held the worthier.

HERMIA

HERMIA     I would⁵⁸ my father looked but with my eyes.

THESEUS

THESEUS     Rather your eyes must with his judgement look.

60

60   

HERMIA

HERMIA           I do entreat your grace to pardon me.

               I know not by what power I am made bold,

               Nor how it may concern⁶² my modesty

               In such a presence⁶³ here to plead my thoughts:

               But I beseech your grace that I may know

65

65           The worst that may befall me in this case,

               If I refuse to wed Demetrius.

THESEUS

THESEUS     Either to die the death⁶⁷ or to abjure

               Forever the society⁶⁸ of men.

               Therefore, fair Hermia, question your desires,

70

70           Know⁷⁰ of your youth, examine well your blood,

               Whether, if you yield not to your father’s choice,

               You can endure the livery⁷² of a nun,

               For aye⁷³ to be in shady cloister mewed,

               To live a barren sister all your life,

75

75           Chanting faint hymns to the cold fruitless moon.

               Thrice blessèd they that master so their blood,

               To undergo such maiden pilgrimage.

               But earthlier happy⁷⁸ is the rose distilled

               Than that which withering on the virgin thorn

80

80           Grows, lives and dies in single blessedness.⁸⁰

HERMIA

HERMIA     So will I grow, so live, so die, my lord,

               Ere⁸² I will yield my virgin patent up

               Unto his lordship,⁸³ whose unwishèd yoke

               My soul consents not to give sovereignty.

85

85   

THESEUS

THESEUS           Take time to pause, and by the next new moon —

               The sealing day⁸⁶ betwixt my love and me,

               For everlasting bond of fellowship —

               Upon that day either prepare to die

               For disobedience to your father’s will,

90

90           Or else to wed Demetrius, as he would,⁹⁰

               Or on Diana’s⁹¹ altar to protest

               For aye⁹² austerity and single life.

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     Relent, sweet Hermia.— And, Lysander, yield

               Thy crazèd⁹⁴ title to my certain right.

95

95   

LYSANDER

LYSANDER           You have her father’s love, Demetrius:

               Let me have Hermia’s. Do⁹⁶ you marry him.

EGEUS

EGEUS     Scornful Lysander! True, he hath my love;

               And what is mine my love shall render⁹⁸ him.

               And she is mine, and all my right of her

100

100         I do estate¹⁰⁰ unto Demetrius.

LYSANDER

LYSANDER     I am, my lord, as well derived¹⁰¹ as he,

               As well possessed:¹⁰² my love is more than his,

               My fortunes every way as fairly¹⁰³ ranked,

               If not with¹⁰⁴ vantage, as Demetrius’,

105

105         And, which is more than all these boasts can be,

               I am beloved of beauteous Hermia.

               Why should not I then prosecute¹⁰⁷ my right?

               Demetrius, I’ll avouch¹⁰⁸ it to his head,

               Made¹⁰⁹ love to Nedar’s daughter, Helena,

110

110         And won her soul: and she, sweet lady, dotes,¹¹⁰

               Devoutly dotes, dotes in idolatry,

               Upon this spotted¹¹² and inconstant man.

THESEUS

THESEUS     I must confess that I have heard so much,

               And with Demetrius thought to have spoke thereof,

115

115         But, being over-full of self-affairs,¹¹⁵

               My mind did lose¹¹⁶ it. But, Demetrius, come,

               And come, Egeus, you shall go with me.

               I have some private schooling¹¹⁸ for you both.

               For you, fair Hermia, look¹¹⁹ you arm yourself

120

120         To fit your fancies¹²⁰ to your father’s will,

               Or else the law of Athens yields you up —

               Which by no means we may extenuate¹²² —

               To death or to a vow of single life.—

               Come, my Hippolyta. What cheer, my love?—

125

125         Demetrius and Egeus, go¹²⁵ along:

               I must employ you in some business

               Against¹²⁷ our nuptial and confer with you

               Of something nearly that¹²⁸ concerns yourselves.

EGEUS

EGEUS     With duty and desire we follow you.

        Exeunt all but Lysander and Hermia

130

130 

LYSANDER

LYSANDER              How now, my love! Why is your cheek so pale?

               How chance the roses there do fade so fast?

HERMIA

HERMIA     Belike¹³² for want of rain, which I could well

               Beteem¹³³ them from the tempest of mine eyes.

LYSANDER

LYSANDER     Ay me, for aught¹³⁴ that I could ever read,

135

135         Could ever hear by tale or history,

               The course of true love never did run smooth.

               But either it was different in blood¹³⁷—

HERMIA

HERMIA     O cross!¹³⁸ Too high to be enthralled to low.

LYSANDER

LYSANDER     Or else misgraffèd¹³⁹ in respect of years—

140

140 

HERMIA

HERMIA              O spite! Too old to be engaged to young.

LYSANDER

LYSANDER     Or else it stood¹⁴¹ upon the choice of merit—

HERMIA

HERMIA     O hell! To choose love by another’s eyes.

LYSANDER

LYSANDER     Or if there were a sympathy¹⁴³ in choice,

               War, death or sickness did lay siege to it,

145

145         Making it momentary¹⁴⁵ as a sound,

               Swift as a shadow, short as any dream:

               Brief as the lightning in the collied¹⁴⁷ night,

               That in a spleen¹⁴⁸ unfolds both heaven and earth,

               And ere¹⁴⁹ a man hath power to say ‘Behold!’

150

150         The jaws of darkness do devour it up:

               So quick¹⁵¹ bright things come to confusion.

HERMIA

HERMIA     If then true lovers have been ever crossed,¹⁵²

               It stands as an edict in destiny.

               Then let us teach our trial¹⁵⁴ patience,

155

155         Because it is a customary cross,

               As due to love as thoughts and dreams and sighs,

               Wishes and tears, poor fancy’s¹⁵⁷ followers.

LYSANDER

LYSANDER     A good persuasion.¹⁵⁸ Therefore hear me, Hermia.

               I have a widow aunt, a dowager

160

160         Of great revenue, and she hath no child.

               From Athens is her house removed seven leagues,¹⁶¹

               And she respects¹⁶² me as her only son.

               There, gentle Hermia, may I marry thee,

               And to that place the sharp Athenian law

165

165         Cannot pursue us. If thou lov’st me, then

               Steal forth thy father’s house tomorrow night,

               And in the wood, a league without¹⁶⁷ the town,

               Where I did meet thee once with Helena,

               To do¹⁶⁹ observance to a morn of May,

170

170         There will I stay¹⁷⁰ for thee.

HERMIA

HERMIA     My good Lysander!

               I swear to thee, by Cupid’s¹⁷² strongest bow,

               By his best¹⁷³ arrow with the golden head,

               By the simplicity¹⁷⁴ of Venus’ doves,

175

175         By that which knitteth¹⁷⁵ souls and prospers love,

               And by that fire which burned the Carthage¹⁷⁶ queen,

               When the false Troyan¹⁷⁷ under sail was seen,

               By all the vows that ever men have broke,

               In number more than ever women spoke,

180

180         In that same place thou hast appointed me,

               Tomorrow truly will I meet with thee.

LYSANDER

LYSANDER     Keep promise, love. Look, here comes Helena.

        Enter Helena

HERMIA

HERMIA     God speed fair¹⁸³ Helena, whither away?

HELENA

HELENA     Call you me fair? That fair again unsay.

185

185         Demetrius loves your fair: O happy¹⁸⁵ fair!

               Your eyes are lodestars,¹⁸⁶ and your tongue’s sweet air

               More tuneable¹⁸⁷ than lark to shepherd’s ear

               When wheat is green,¹⁸⁸ when hawthorn buds appear.

               Sickness is catching: O, were favour¹⁸⁹ so,

190

190         Your words I catch,¹⁹⁰ fair Hermia, ere I go,

               My ear should catch your voice, my eye your eye,

               My tongue should catch your tongue’s sweet melody.

               Were the world mine, Demetrius being bated,¹⁹³

               The rest I’ll give to be to you translated.¹⁹⁴

195

195         O, teach me how you look, and with what art

               You sway the motion of Demetrius’ heart.

HERMIA

HERMIA     I frown upon him, yet he loves me still.

HELENA

HELENA     O, that your frowns would teach my smiles such skill!

HERMIA

HERMIA     I give him curses, yet he gives me love.

200

200 

HELENA

HELENA              O, that my prayers could such affection move!²⁰⁰

HERMIA

HERMIA     The more I hate, the more he follows me.

HELENA

HELENA     The more I love, the more he hateth me.

HERMIA

HERMIA     His folly, Helena, is none²⁰³ of mine.

HELENA

HELENA     None, but your beauty: would that fault were mine!

205

205 

HERMIA

HERMIA              Take comfort: he no more shall see my face.

               Lysander and myself will fly²⁰⁶ this place.

               Before the time I did Lysander see,

               Seemed Athens like a paradise to me.

               O, then, what graces in my love do dwell,

210

210         That he hath turned a heaven into hell!

LYSANDER

LYSANDER     Helen, to you our minds we will unfold:

               Tomorrow night, when Phoebe²¹² doth behold

               Her silver visage in the wat’ry glass,²¹³

               Decking with liquid pearl the bladed grass,

215

215         A time that lovers’ flights doth still²¹⁵ conceal,

               Through Athens’ gates have we devised to steal.

HERMIA

HERMIA     And in the wood, where often you and I

               Upon faint²¹⁸ primrose beds were wont to lie,

               Emptying our bosoms of their counsel²¹⁹ sweet,

220

220         There my Lysander and myself shall meet,

               And thence from Athens turn away our eyes,

               To seek new friends and strange²²² companions.

               Farewell, sweet playfellow: pray thou for us,

               And good luck grant thee thy Demetrius! —

225

225         Keep word, Lysander: we must starve our sight

               From lovers’ food till morrow deep midnight.

        Exit

LYSANDER

LYSANDER     I will, my Hermia.— Helena, adieu.

               As you on him, Demetrius dote on you!

        Exit

HELENA

HELENA     How happy some o’er other some²²⁹ can be!

230

230         Through Athens I am thought as fair as she.

               But what of that? Demetrius thinks not so:

               He will not know what all²³² but he doth know.

               And as he errs, doting on Hermia’s eyes,

               So I, admiring of his qualities.

235

235         Things base and vile, holding no quantity,²³⁵

               Love can transpose to form²³⁶ and dignity.

               Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind,

               And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.²³⁸

               Nor hath love’s mind of²³⁹ any judgement taste,

240

240         Wings and no eyes figure²⁴⁰ unheedy haste.

               And therefore is love said to be a child,

               Because in choice he is often beguiled.²⁴²

               As waggish²⁴³ boys in game themselves forswear,

               So the boy love is perjured everywhere.

245

245         For ere Demetrius looked on Hermia’s eyne,²⁴⁵

               He hailed down oaths that he was only mine.

               And when this hail some heat from Hermia felt,

               So he dissolved, and showers of oaths did melt.

               I will go tell him of fair Hermia’s flight:

250

250         Then to the wood will he tomorrow night

               Pursue her; and for this intelligence,²⁵¹

               If I have thanks, it is a dear²⁵² expense.

               But herein mean I to enrich my pain,

               To have his sight thither and back again.

        Exit

[Act 1 Scene 2]1.2

running scene 2

        Enter Quince the carpenter, Snug the joiner, Bottom the weaver, Flute the bellows-mender, Snout the tinker and Starveling the tailor

QUINCE

QUINCE     Is all our company here?

BOTTOM

BOTTOM     You were best to call them generally,² man by man, according to the scrip.

QUINCE

QUINCE     Here is the scroll of every man’s name, which is thought fit through all Athens to play in our interlude⁴ before the duke and the duchess on his wedding day at night.

BOTTOM

BOTTOM     First, good Peter Quince, say what the play treats⁶ on, then read the names of the actors, and so grow⁷ on to a point.

QUINCE

QUINCE     Marry,⁸ our play is ‘The most lamentable comedy and most cruel death of Pyramus and Thisbe.’

BOTTOM

BOTTOM     A very good piece of work, I assure you, and a merry. Now, good Peter Quince, call forth your actors by the scroll. Masters, spread yourselves.¹¹

QUINCE

QUINCE     Answer as I call you. Nick Bottom, the weaver.

BOTTOM

BOTTOM     Ready. Name what part I am for, and proceed.

QUINCE

QUINCE     You, Nick Bottom, are set down for Pyramus.

BOTTOM

BOTTOM     What is Pyramus, a lover or a tyrant?

QUINCE

QUINCE     A lover that kills himself most gallantly for love.

BOTTOM

BOTTOM     That will ask¹⁷ some tears in the true performing of it. If I do it, let the audience look to their eyes: I will move storms; I will condole¹⁸ in some measure. To the rest — yet my chief humour¹⁹ is for a tyrant: I could play Ercles rarely, or a part to tear²⁰ a cat in, to make all split.

The raging rocks

                                     And shivering²² shocks

                                     Shall break the locks

                                     Of prison gates.

25

                                     And Phibbus’ car²⁵

                                     Shall shine from far

                                     And make and mar²⁷

                                     The foolish Fates.²⁸

This was lofty.²⁹ Now name the rest of the players. This is Ercles’ vein, a tyrant’s vein: a lover is more condoling.

QUINCE

QUINCE     Francis Flute, the bellows-mender.

FLUTE

FLUTE     Here, Peter Quince.

QUINCE

QUINCE     You must take Thisbe on you.

FLUTE

FLUTE     What is Thisbe? A wand’ring³⁴ knight?

QUINCE

QUINCE     It is the lady that Pyramus must love.

FLUTE

FLUTE     Nay, faith, let not me play a woman: I have a beard coming.

QUINCE

QUINCE     That’s all one.³⁷ You shall play it in a mask, and you may speak as small as you will.³⁸

BOTTOM

BOTTOM     An³⁹ I may hide my face, let me play Thisbe too. I’ll speak in a monstrous little voice. ‘Thisne, Thisne!’ ‘Ah, Pyramus, my lover dear! Thy Thisbe dear and lady dear!’

QUINCE

QUINCE     No, no, you must play Pyramus.— And, Flute, you Thisbe.

BOTTOM

BOTTOM     Well, proceed.

QUINCE

QUINCE     Robin Starveling, the tailor.

STARVELING

STARVELING     Here, Peter Quince.

QUINCE

QUINCE     Robin Starveling, you must play Thisbe’s⁴⁶ mother. Tom Snout, the tinker.

SNOUT

SNOUT     Here, Peter Quince.

QUINCE

QUINCE     You, Pyramus’ father; myself, Thisbe’s father; Snug the joiner, you, the lion’s part: and I hope there is a play fitted.⁴⁹

SNUG

SNUG     Have you the lion’s part written? Pray you, if it be, give it me, for I am slow of study.

QUINCE

QUINCE     You may do it extempore,⁵² for it is nothing but roaring.

BOTTOM

BOTTOM     Let me play the lion too: I will roar that I will do any man’s heart good to hear me. I will roar that I will make the duke say ‘Let him roar again, let him roar again.’

QUINCE

QUINCE     If you should do it too terribly, you would fright the duchess and the ladies that they would shriek, and that were enough to hang us all.

ALL

ALL     That would hang us, every mother’s son.

BOTTOM

BOTTOM     I grant you, friends, if that you should fright the ladies out of their wits, they would have no more discretion⁶⁰ but to hang us: but I will aggravate my voice so that I will roar⁶¹ you as gently as any sucking dove. I will roar an ’twere any nightingale.

QUINCE

QUINCE     You can play no part but Pyramus, for Pyramus is a sweet-faced man, a proper⁶⁴ man, as one shall see in a summer’s day; a most lovely gentlemanlike man: therefore you must needs play Pyramus.

BOTTOM

BOTTOM     Well, I will undertake it. What beard were I best to play it in?

QUINCE

QUINCE     Why, what you will.

BOTTOM

BOTTOM     I will discharge⁶⁸ it in either your straw-colour beard, your orange-tawny beard, your purple-in-grain⁶⁹ beard, or your French-crown-coloured beard, your perfect yellow.

QUINCE

QUINCE     Some of your French crowns⁷¹ have no hair at all, and then you will play bare-faced. Passes out the parts But, masters, here are your parts: and I am to entreat you, request you and desire you, to con⁷³ them by tomorrow night, and meet me in the palace wood a mile without the town by moonlight. There will we rehearse, for if we meet in the city we shall be dogged with company, and our devices⁷⁵ known. In the meantime I will draw⁷⁶ a bill of properties, such as our play wants. I pray you fail me not.

BOTTOM

BOTTOM     We will meet, and there we may rehearse more obscenely⁷⁸ and courageously.

Take pains, be perfect.⁷⁹ Adieu.

QUINCE

QUINCE     At the duke’s oak we meet.

BOTTOM

BOTTOM     Enough. Hold⁸¹ or cut bow-strings.

        Exeunt

Act 2 [Scene 1]2.1

running scene 3

        Enter a Fairy at one door and Robin Goodfellow [Puck] at another

ROBIN

ROBIN     How now, spirit, whither wander you?

FAIRY

FAIRY     Over hill, over dale,

               Through bush, through brier,

               Over park,⁴ over pale,

5

               Thorough⁵ flood, thorough fire,

               I do wander everywhere,

               Swifter than the moon’s sphere;⁷

               And I serve the fairy queen,

               To dew her orbs⁹ upon the green.

10

10           The cowslips tall her pensioners¹⁰ be,

               In their gold coats spots you see,

               Those be rubies, fairy favours,¹²

               In those freckles live their savours.¹³

               I must go seek some dewdrops here,

15

15           And hang a pearl in every cowslip’s ear.

               Farewell, thou lob¹⁶ of spirits, I’ll be gone:

               Our queen and all her elves come here anon.¹⁷

ROBIN

ROBIN     The king doth keep his revels here tonight:

               Take heed the queen come not within his sight,

20

20           For Oberon is passing fell²⁰ and wrath,

               Because that she as her attendant hath

               A lovely boy, stol’n from an Indian king.

               She never had so sweet a changeling,²³

               And jealous Oberon would have the child

25

25           Knight of his train, to trace²⁵ the forests wild.

               But she perforce²⁶ withholds the lovèd boy,

               Crowns him with flowers and makes him all her joy.

               And now they never meet in grove or green,

               By fountain²⁹ clear or spangled starlight sheen,

30

30           But they do square,³⁰ that all their elves for fear

               Creep into acorn cups and hide them there.

FAIRY

FAIRY     Either I mistake your shape and making³² quite,

               Or else you are that shrewd³³ and knavish sprite

               Called Robin Goodfellow. Are not you he

35

35           That frights the maidens of the villagery,³⁵

               Skim³⁶ milk, and sometimes labour in the quern,

               And bootless³⁷ make the breathless housewife churn,

               And sometime make the drink to bear no barm,³⁸

               Mislead³⁹ night-wanderers, laughing at their harm?

40

40           Those that Hobgoblin call you and sweet Puck,

               You do their work and they shall have good luck.

               Are not you he?

ROBIN

ROBIN     Thou speak’st aright;

               I am that merry wanderer of the night.

45

45           I jest to Oberon and make him smile

               When I a fat and bean-fed⁴⁶ horse beguile,

               Neighing in likeness of a filly⁴⁷ foal,

               And sometime lurk I in a gossip’s⁴⁸ bowl,

               In very likeness of a roasted crab,⁴⁹

50

50           And when she drinks, against her lips I bob

               And on her withered dewlap⁵¹ pour the ale.

               The wisest aunt,⁵² telling the saddest tale,

               Sometime for three-foot stool mistaketh me,

               Then slip I from her bum, down topples she,

55

55           And ‘tailor’ cries, and falls into a cough.

               And then the whole quire⁵⁶ hold their hips and laugh,

               And waxen⁵⁷ in their mirth and neeze and swear

               A merrier hour was never wasted⁵⁸ there.

               But, room,⁵⁹ fairy! Here comes Oberon.

60

60   

FAIRY

FAIRY           And here my mistress. Would that he were gone!

        Enter the King of Fairies [Oberon] at one door with his train, and the Queen [Titania] at another with hers

OBERON

OBERON     Ill met by moonlight, proud Titania.

TITANIA

TITANIA     What, jealous Oberon? Fairies, skip hence.

               I have forsworn his bed and company.

OBERON

OBERON     Tarry,⁶⁴ rash wanton, am not I thy lord?

65

65   

TITANIA

TITANIA           Then I must be thy lady:⁶⁵ but I know

               When thou hast stol’n away from fairy land,

               And in the shape of Corin⁶⁷ sat all day,

               Playing on pipes of corn⁶⁸ and versing love

               To amorous Phillida.⁶⁹ Why art thou here,

70

70           Come from the farthest step⁷⁰ of India?

               But that, forsooth,⁷¹ the bouncing Amazon,

               Your buskined⁷² mistress and your warrior love,

               To Theseus must be wedded; and you come

               To give their bed joy and prosperity?

75

75   

OBERON

OBERON           How canst thou thus for shame, Titania,

               Glance at⁷⁶ my credit with Hippolyta,

               Knowing I know thy love to Theseus?

               Didst not thou lead him through the glimmering⁷⁸ night

               From Perigenia⁷⁹ whom he ravishèd?

80

80           And make him with fair Aegles⁸⁰ break his faith,

               With Ariadne⁸¹ and Antiopa?

TITANIA

TITANIA     These are the forgeries of jealousy,

               And never since the middle summer’s spring⁸³

               Met we on hill, in dale, forest or mead,⁸⁴

85

85           By pavèd⁸⁵ fountain or by rushy brook,

               Or in⁸⁶ the beachèd margent of the sea,

               To dance our ringlets⁸⁷ to the whistling wind,

               But with thy brawls⁸⁸ thou hast disturbed our sport.

               Therefore the winds, piping⁸⁹ to us in vain,

90

90           As in revenge, have sucked up from the sea

               Contagious⁹¹ fogs, which falling in the land

               Hath every petty⁹² river made so proud

               That they have overborne⁹³ their continents.

               The ox hath therefore stretched⁹⁴ his yoke in vain,

95

95           The ploughman lost⁹⁵ his sweat, and the green corn

               Hath rotted ere⁹⁶ his youth attained a beard.

               The fold⁹⁷ stands empty in the drownèd field,

               And crows are fatted with the murrion⁹⁸ flock,

               The nine men’s morris⁹⁹ is filled up with mud,

100

100         And the quaint¹⁰⁰ mazes in the wanton green

               For lack of tread are undistinguishable.

               The human mortals want¹⁰² their winter here:

               No night is now with hymn or carol blessed.

               Therefore¹⁰⁴ the moon, the governess of floods,

105

105         Pale in her anger, washes¹⁰⁵ all the air,

               That rheumatic¹⁰⁶ diseases do abound.

               And through this distemperature¹⁰⁷ we see

               The seasons alter; hoary-headed¹⁰⁸ frosts

               Fall in the fresh lap of the crimson rose,

110

110         And on old Hiems’¹¹⁰ thin and icy crown

               An odorous chaplet¹¹¹ of sweet summer buds

               Is, as in mockery, set. The spring, the summer,

               The childing¹¹³ autumn, angry winter, change

               Their wonted¹¹⁴ liveries, and the mazèd world

115

115         By their increase¹¹⁵ now knows not which is which;

               And this same progeny of evils comes

               From our debate,¹¹⁷ from our dissension:

               We are their parents and original.¹¹⁸

OBERON

OBERON     Do you amend it then, it lies in you.

120

120         Why should Titania cross her Oberon?

               I do but beg a little changeling boy

               To be my henchman.¹²²

TITANIA

TITANIA     Set your heart at rest:

               The fairy land buys not the child of me.

125

125         His mother was a votress¹²⁵ of my order,

               And in the spicèd Indian air by night

               Full¹²⁷ often hath she gossiped by my side,

               And sat with me on Neptune’s¹²⁸ yellow sands,

               Marking¹²⁹ th’embarkèd traders on the flood,

130

130         When we have laughed to see the sails conceive

               And grow big-bellied with the wanton¹³¹ wind,

               Which she, with pretty and with swimming gait¹³²

               Following — her womb then rich with my young squire —

               Would imitate, and sail upon the land,

135

135         To fetch me trifles, and return again

               As from a voyage, rich with merchandise.

               But she, being mortal, of that boy¹³⁷ did die:

               And for her sake do I rear up her boy,

               And for her sake I will not part with him.

140

140 

OBERON

OBERON              How long within this wood intend you stay?

TITANIA

TITANIA     Perchance¹⁴¹ till after Theseus’ wedding day.

               If you will patiently¹⁴² dance in our round

               And see our moonlight revels, go with us;

               If not, shun me, and I will spare¹⁴⁴ your haunts.

145

145 

OBERON

OBERON              Give me that boy, and I will go with thee.

TITANIA

TITANIA     Not for thy fairy kingdom. Fairies, away.

               We shall chide¹⁴⁷ downright, if I longer stay.

        Exeunt [Titania and her train]

OBERON

OBERON     Well, go thy way: thou shalt not from¹⁴⁸ this grove

               Till I torment thee for this injury.

150

150         My gentle Puck, come hither. Thou rememb’rest

               Since¹⁵¹ once I sat upon a promontory,

               And heard a mermaid on a dolphin’s back

               Uttering such dulcet¹⁵³ and harmonious breath

               That the rude¹⁵⁴ sea grew civil at her song,

155

155         And certain¹⁵⁵ stars shot madly from their spheres

               To hear the sea-maid’s music.

ROBIN

ROBIN     I remember.

OBERON

OBERON     That very time I saw, but thou couldst not,

               Flying between the cold moon and the earth,

160

160         Cupid all¹⁶⁰ armed; a certain aim he took

               At a fair vestal¹⁶¹ thronèd by the west,

               And loosed his love-shaft smartly from his bow,

               As¹⁶³ it should pierce a hundred thousand hearts.

               But I might¹⁶⁴ see young Cupid’s fiery shaft

165

165         Quenched in the chaste beams of the wat’ry moon;

               And the imperial votress passèd on,

               In maiden meditation, fancy-free.¹⁶⁷

               Yet marked I where the bolt¹⁶⁸ of Cupid fell.

               It fell upon a little western flower,

170

170         Before milk-white, now purple¹⁷⁰ with love’s wound,

               And maidens call it love-in-idleness.¹⁷¹

               Fetch me that flower; the herb I showed thee once:

               The juice of it on sleeping eyelids laid

               Will make or¹⁷⁴ man or woman madly dote

175

175         Upon the next live creature that it sees.

               Fetch me this herb, and be thou here again

               Ere the leviathan¹⁷⁷ can swim a league.

ROBIN

ROBIN     I’ll put a girdle¹⁷⁸ round about the earth

               In forty minutes.

        [Exit]

180

180 

OBERON

OBERON              Having once this juice,

               I’ll watch Titania when she is asleep,

               And drop the liquor of it in her eyes.

               The next thing when she waking looks upon,

               Be it on lion, bear, or wolf or bull,

185

185         On meddling monkey or on busy ape,

               She shall pursue it with the soul of love.

               And ere I take this charm off from her sight,

               As I can take it with another herb,

               I’ll make her render up her page to me.

190

190         But who comes here? I am invisible,

               And I will overhear their conference. He stands aside

        Enter Demetrius, Helena following him

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     I love thee not, therefore pursue me not.

               Where is Lysander and fair Hermia?

               The¹⁹⁴ one I’ll stay, the other stayeth me.

195

195         Thou told’st me they were stolen into this wood;

               And here am I, and wood¹⁹⁶ within this wood,

               Because I cannot meet my Hermia.

               Hence, get thee gone, and follow me no more.

HELENA

HELENA     You draw¹⁹⁹ me, you hard-hearted adamant;

200

200         But yet you draw not iron, for my heart

               Is true as steel. Leave you²⁰¹ your power to draw,

               And I shall have no power to follow you.

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     Do I entice you?²⁰³ Do I speak you fair?

               Or rather do I not in plainest truth

205

205         Tell you I do not nor I cannot love you?

HELENA

HELENA     And even for that do I love thee the more.

               I am your spaniel, and, Demetrius,

               The more you beat me, I will fawn on you.

               Use me but²⁰⁹ as your spaniel: spurn me, strike me,

210

210         Neglect me, lose me; only give me leave,²¹⁰

               Unworthy as I am, to follow you.

               What worser place can I beg in your love —

               And yet a place of high respect with me —

               Than to be used as you do use your dog?

215

215 

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS              Tempt not too much the hatred of my spirit,

               For I am sick when I do look on thee.

HELENA

HELENA     And I am sick when I look not on you.

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     You do impeach²¹⁸ your modesty too much,

               To leave the city and commit yourself

220

220         Into the hands of one that loves you not,

               To trust the opportunity of night

               And the ill counsel of a desert²²² place

               With the rich worth of your virginity.

HELENA

HELENA     Your virtue is my privilege:²²⁴ for that

225

225         It is not night when I do see your face,

               Therefore I think I am not in the night.

               Nor doth this wood lack worlds of company,

               For you in my respect are all the world.

               Then how can it be said I am alone,

230

230         When all the world is here to look on me?

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     I’ll run from thee and hide me in the brakes,²³¹

               And leave thee to the mercy of wild beasts.

HELENA

HELENA     The wildest hath not such a heart as you.

               Run when you will, the story shall be changed:

235

235         Apollo²³⁵ flies, and Daphne holds the chase;

               The dove pursues the griffin,²³⁶ the mild hind

               Makes speed to catch the tiger. Bootless²³⁷ speed,

               When cowardice pursues and valour flies.

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     I will not stay²³⁹ thy questions, let me go;

240

240         Or if thou follow me, do not believe

               But I shall do thee mischief in the wood.

        [↓Exit Demetrius↓]

HELENA

HELENA     Ay, in the temple, in the town, the field,

               You do me mischief. Fie, Demetrius!

               Your wrongs do set²⁴⁴ a scandal on my sex:

245

245         We cannot fight for love, as men may do;

               We should be wooed and were not made to woo.

               I’ll follow thee and make a heaven of hell,

               To die upon²⁴⁸ the hand I love so well.

        Exit

OBERON

OBERON     Fare thee well, nymph: ere he do leave this grove,

250

250         Thou shalt fly him and he shall seek thy love.

        Enter [Robin] Puck

               Hast thou the flower there? Welcome, wanderer.

ROBIN

ROBIN     Ay, there it is. Shows the flower

OBERON

OBERON     I pray thee give it me.

               I know a bank where the wild thyme blows,²⁵⁴

255

255         Where oxlips²⁵⁵ and the nodding violet grows,

               Quite²⁵⁶ over-canopied with luscious woodbine,

               With sweet musk-roses²⁵⁷ and with eglantine:

               There sleeps Titania sometime²⁵⁸ of the night,

               Lulled in these flowers with dances and delight:

260

260         And there the snake throws²⁶⁰ her enamelled skin,

               Weed²⁶¹ wide enough to wrap a fairy in.

               And with the juice of this I’ll streak her eyes,

               And make her full of hateful fantasies.

               Take thou some of it, and seek through this grove; Gives him some juice

265

265         A sweet Athenian lady is in love

               With a disdainful youth: anoint his eyes,

               But do it when the next thing he espies

               May be the lady. Thou shalt know the man

               By the Athenian garments he hath on.

270

270         Effect it with some care, that he may prove

               More fond on²⁷¹ her than she upon her love;

               And look thou meet me ere the first cock crow.

ROBIN

ROBIN     Fear not, my lord, your servant shall do so.

        Exeunt

[Act 2 Scene 2]

running scene 4

       Enter Queen of Fairies [Titania] with her train

TITANIA

TITANIA     Come, now a roundel¹ and a fairy song;

               Then, for the third part of a minute, hence:

               Some to kill cankers³ in the musk-rose buds,

               Some war with reremice⁴ for their leathern wings,

5

5             To make my small elves coats, and some keep back

               The clamorous owl that nightly hoots and wonders

               At our quaint⁷ spirits. Sing me now asleep,

               Then to your offices⁸ and let me rest. She lies down on a bank

       Fairies sing

FIRST FAIRY

FIRST FAIRY     You spotted snakes with double⁹ tongue,

10

                                     Thorny hedgehogs, be not seen.

                                     Newts and blind-worms,¹¹ do no wrong,

                                     Come not near our fairy queen.

CHORUS

CHORUS     Philomel,¹³ with melody

                                     Sing in our sweet lullaby,

15

                                     Lulla, lulla, lullaby, lulla, lulla, lullaby.

                                     Never harm,

                                     Nor spell nor charm,

                                     Come our lovely lady nigh;¹⁸

                                     So, good night, with lullaby.

20

20   

SECOND FAIRY

SECOND FAIRY           Weaving spiders, come not here.

                                     Hence, you long-legged spinners, hence!

                                     Beetles black, approach not near;

                                     Worm nor snail, do no offence.

CHORUS

CHORUS     Philomel, with melody, etc.²⁴

25

25   

FIRST FAIRY

FIRST FAIRY           Hence, away! Now all is well;

                                     One aloof²⁶ stand sentinel.

       She [Titania] sleeps. [Exeunt Fairies]

       Enter Oberon

OBERON

OBERON     What thou see’st when thou dost wake, Squeezes juice on Titania’s eyes

               Do it for thy true-love take,

               Love and languish for his sake.

30

               Be it ounce³⁰ or cat or bear,

               Pard,³¹ or boar with bristled hair,

               In thy eye that shall appear

               When thou wak’st, it is thy dear.

               Wake when some vile thing is near.

       [Exit]

       Enter Lysander and Hermia

35

35   

LYSANDER

LYSANDER           Fair love, you faint with wand’ring in the wood,

               And to speak troth,³⁶ I have forgot our way:

               We’ll rest us, Hermia, if you think it good,

               And tarry³⁸ for the comfort of the day.

HERMIA

HERMIA     Be it so, Lysander; find you out a bed,

40

40           For I upon this bank will rest my head.

LYSANDER

LYSANDER     One turf shall serve as pillow for us both:

               One heart, one bed, two bosoms and one troth.⁴²

HERMIA

HERMIA     Nay, good Lysander, for my sake, my dear,

               Lie further off yet, do not lie so near.

45

45   

LYSANDER

LYSANDER           O, take the sense,⁴⁵ sweet, of my innocence!

               Love⁴⁶ takes the meaning in love’s conference.

               I mean that my heart unto yours is knit

               So that but one heart we can make of it.

               Two bosoms interchainèd with an oath,

50

50           So then two bosoms and a single troth.

               Then by your side no bed-room me deny,

               For lying so, Hermia, I do not lie.⁵²

HERMIA

HERMIA     Lysander riddles very prettily.⁵³

               Now much beshrew⁵⁴ my manners and my pride,

55

55           If Hermia meant to say Lysander lied.

               But, gentle friend,⁵⁶ for love and courtesy

               Lie further off, in human⁵⁷ modesty:

               Such separation as may well be said

               Becomes⁵⁹ a virtuous bachelor and a maid,

60

60           So far be distant, and good night, sweet friend;

               Thy love ne’er alter till thy sweet life end!

LYSANDER

LYSANDER     Amen, amen, to that fair prayer, say I,

               And then end life when I end loyalty!

               Here is my bed: sleep give thee all his rest!

65

65   

HERMIA

HERMIA           With half that wish the wisher’s eyes⁶⁵ be pressed!

       They sleep

       Enter [Robin] Puck

ROBIN

ROBIN     Through the forest have I gone,

               But Athenian found I none

               On whose eyes I might approve⁶⁸

               This flower’s force in stirring love.

70

70           Night and silence — who is here? Sees Lysander

               Weeds of Athens he doth wear:

               This is he, my master said,

               Despisèd the Athenian maid:

               And here the maiden, sleeping sound,

75

75           On the dank and dirty ground.

               Pretty soul, she durst not lie

               Near this lack-love, this kill-courtesy.

               Churl,⁷⁸ upon thy eyes I throw Puts juice on Lysander’s eyes

               All the power this charm doth owe.⁷⁹

80

80           When thou wak’st, let love forbid⁸⁰

               Sleep his seat on thy eyelid.

               So awake when I am gone,

               For I must now to Oberon.

       Exit

       Enter Demetrius and Helena, running

HELENA

HELENA     Stay, though thou kill me, sweet Demetrius.

85

85   

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS           I charge⁸⁵ thee, hence, and do not haunt me thus.

HELENA

HELENA     O, wilt thou darkling⁸⁶ leave me? Do not so.

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     Stay, on thy peril: I alone will go.

       Exit

HELENA

HELENA     O, I am out of breath in this fond⁸⁸ chase!

               The more my prayer, the lesser is my grace.⁸⁹

90

90           Happy is Hermia, wheresoe’er she lies;⁹⁰

               For she hath blessèd and attractive eyes.

               How came her eyes so bright? Not with salt tears:

               If so, my eyes are oftener washed than hers.

               No, no, I am as ugly as a bear;

95

95           For beasts that meet me run away for fear:

               Therefore no marvel⁹⁶ though Demetrius

               Do, as⁹⁷ a monster, fly my presence thus.

               What wicked and dissembling glass⁹⁸ of mine

               Made me compare with Hermia’s sphery eyne?⁹⁹

100

               But who is here? Lysander, on the ground; Sees Lysander

               Dead, or asleep? I see no blood, no wound.

               Lysander if you live, good sir, awake.

LYSANDER

LYSANDER     And run through fire I will for thy sweet sake. Wakes

               Transparent¹⁰⁴ Helena, nature shows her art

105

105         That through thy bosom makes me see thy heart.

               Where is Demetrius? O, how fit a word

               Is that vile name to perish on my sword!

HELENA

HELENA     Do not say so, Lysander, say not so.

               What though¹⁰⁹ he love your Hermia? Lord, what though?

110

110         Yet Hermia still loves you; then be content.

LYSANDER

LYSANDER     Content with Hermia? No, I do repent

               The tedious minutes I with her have spent.

               Not Hermia but Helena now I love;

               Who will not change a raven for a dove?

115

115         The will¹¹⁵ of man is by his reason swayed,

               And reason says you are the worthier maid.

               Things growing are not ripe until their season;

               So I, being young, till now ripe not¹¹⁸ to reason.

               And touching now the point¹¹⁹ of human skill,

120

120         Reason becomes the marshal¹²⁰ to my will

               And leads me to your eyes, where I o’erlook¹²¹

               Love’s stories¹²² written in love’s richest book.

HELENA

HELENA     Wherefore¹²³ was I to this keen mockery born?

               When at your hands did I deserve this scorn?

125

125         Is’t not enough, is’t not enough, young man,

               That I did never, no, nor never can,

               Deserve a sweet look from Demetrius’ eye,

               But you must flout my insufficiency?

               Good troth¹²⁹ you do me wrong, good sooth, you do,

130

130         In such disdainful manner me to woo.

               But fare you well; perforce I must confess

               I thought you lord¹³² of more true gentleness.

               O, that a lady of one man refused

               Should of¹³⁴ another therefore be abused!

       Exit

135

135 

LYSANDER

LYSANDER             She sees not Hermia. Hermia, sleep thou there,

               And never mayst thou come Lysander near;

               For as a surfeit¹³⁷ of the sweetest things

               The deepest loathing to the stomach brings,

               Or as the heresies that men do leave¹³⁹

140

140         Are hated most of those¹⁴⁰ they did deceive,

               So thou, my surfeit and my heresy,

               Of¹⁴² all be hated, but the most of me.

               And all my powers address¹⁴³ your love and might

               To honour Helen and to be her knight!

       Exit

145

145 

HERMIA

HERMIA             Help me, Lysander, help me; do thy best Wakes

               To pluck this crawling serpent from my breast!

               Ay me, for pity; what a dream was here?

               Lysander, look how I do quake with fear:

               Methought a serpent ate my heart away,

150

150         And you sat smiling at his cruel prey.¹⁵⁰

               Lysander! What, removed?¹⁵¹ Lysander! Lord!

               What, out of hearing? Gone? No sound, no word?

               Alack, where are you? Speak, an if¹⁵³ you hear:

               Speak, of all loves!¹⁵⁴ I swoon almost with fear.

155

155         No? Then I well perceive you are not nigh.

               Either death or you I’ll find immediately. Titania remains asleep

       Exit

Act 3 [Scene 1]3.1

running scene 4 continues

       Enter the Clowns [Bottom, Quince, Snug, Flute, Snout and Starveling]

BOTTOM

BOTTOM     Are we all met?

QUINCE

QUINCE     Pat,² pat, and here’s a marvellous convenient place for our rehearsal. This green plot shall be our stage, this hawthorn brake³ our tiring-house, and we will do it in action as we will do it before the duke.

BOTTOM

BOTTOM     Peter Quince?

QUINCE

QUINCE     What sayest thou, bully⁶ Bottom?

BOTTOM

BOTTOM     There are things in this comedy of Pyramus and Thisbe that will never please. First, Pyramus must draw a sword to kill himself; which the ladies cannot abide. How answer you that?

SNOUT

SNOUT     By’r lakin,¹⁰ a parlous fear.

STARVELING

STARVELING     I believe we must leave the killing out, when all is done.¹¹

BOTTOM

BOTTOM     Not a whit: I have a device to make all well. Write me¹² a prologue, and let the prologue seem to say we will do no harm with our swords, and that Pyramus is not killed indeed. And for the more better assurance, tell them that I, Pyramus, am not Pyramus, but Bottom the weaver; this will put them out of fear.

QUINCE

QUINCE     Well, we will have such a prologue, and it shall be written in eight and six.¹⁶

BOTTOM

BOTTOM     No, make it two more: let it be written in eight and eight.

SNOUT

SNOUT     Will not the ladies be afeard¹⁸ of the lion?

STARVELING

STARVELING     I fear it,¹⁹ I promise you.

BOTTOM

BOTTOM     Masters, you ought to consider with yourselves, to bring in — God shield us! — a lion among ladies is a most dreadful thing. For there is not a more fearful²¹ wild-fowl²² than your lion living. And we ought to look to it.

SNOUT

SNOUT     Therefore another prologue must tell he is not a lion.

BOTTOM

BOTTOM     Nay, you must name his name, and half his face must be seen through the lion’s neck, and he himself must speak through, saying thus, or to the same defect:²⁵ ‘Ladies’ or ‘Fair-ladies, I would wish you’ or ‘I would request you’ or ‘I would entreat you, not to fear, not to tremble. My²⁷ life for yours. If you think I come hither as a lion, it were pity²⁸ of my life. No, I am no such thing, I am a man as other men are.’ And there indeed let him name his name, and tell them plainly²⁹ he is Snug the joiner.

QUINCE

QUINCE     Well, it shall be so. But there is two hard things: that is, to bring the moonlight into a chamber, for you know Pyramus and Thisbe meet by moonlight.

SNOUT

SNOUT     Doth the moon shine that night we play our play?

BOTTOM

BOTTOM     A calendar, a calendar! Look in the almanac.³³ Find out moonshine, find out moonshine. They consult an almanac

       [Robin may] enter

QUINCE

QUINCE     Yes, it doth shine that night.

BOTTOM

BOTTOM     Why, then may you leave a casement³⁶ of the great chamber window, where we play, open, and the moon may shine in at the casement.

QUINCE

QUINCE     Ay, or else one must come in with a bush³⁸ of thorns and a lantern, and say he comes to disfigure,³⁹ or to present, the person of Moonshine. Then there is another thing: we must have a wall in the great chamber; for Pyramus and Thisbe, says the story, did talk through the chink of a wall.

SNOUT

SNOUT     You can never bring in a wall. What say you, Bottom?

BOTTOM

BOTTOM     Some man or other must present Wall: and let him have some plaster, or some loam, or some rough-cast⁴⁴ about him, to signify wall; or let him hold his fingers thus; and through that cranny shall Pyramus and Thisbe whisper. Hand gesture suggesting a hole in a wall

QUINCE

QUINCE     If that may be, then all is well. Come, sit down, every mother’s son, and rehearse⁴⁷ your parts. Pyramus, you begin: when you have spoken your speech, enter into that brake, and so every one according to his cue.

       Robin [may] enter

ROBIN

ROBIN     What hempen home-spuns⁴⁹ have we swagg’ring here, Aside

50

50           So near the cradle⁵⁰ of the fairy queen?

               What, a play toward?⁵¹ I’ll be an auditor,

               An actor too perhaps, if I see cause.

QUINCE

QUINCE     Speak, Pyramus.— Thisbe, stand forth.

PYRAMUS [BOTTOM]

PYRAMUS [BOTTOM]     Thisbe, the flowers of odious savours sweet—

55

55   

QUINCE

QUINCE           Odours, odours.

PYRAMUS [BOTTOM]

PYRAMUS [BOTTOM]     —odours savours sweet,

               So hath thy breath, my dearest Thisbe dear.

               But hark, a voice! Stay thou but here awhile,

               And by and by⁵⁹ I will to thee appear.

       Exit

60

60   

ROBIN

ROBIN     A stranger Pyramus than e’er played here.

       [Exit]

THISBE [FLUTE]

THISBE [FLUTE]     Must I speak now?

QUINCE

QUINCE     Ay, marry, must you, for you must understand he goes but to see a noise that he heard, and is to come again.

THISBE [FLUTE]

THISBE [FLUTE]     Most radiant Pyramus, most lily-white of hue,

65

65           Of colour like the red rose on triumphant brier,

               Most brisky juvenal⁶⁶ and eke most lovely Jew,

               As true as truest horse that yet would never tire,

               I’ll meet thee, Pyramus, at Ninny’s tomb.

QUINCE

QUINCE     ‘Ninus’⁶⁹ tomb’, man! Why, you must not speak that yet; that you answer to Pyramus. You speak all your part⁷⁰ at once, cues and all. Pyramus, enter: your cue is past; it is, ‘never tire’.

THISBE [FLUTE]

THISBE [FLUTE]     O — As true as truest horse that yet would never tire.

       Enter [Robin and] Pyramus [Bottom] with the ass head

PYRAMUS [BOTTOM]

PYRAMUS [BOTTOM]     If I were fair,⁷³ Thisbe, I were only thine.

QUINCE

QUINCE     O monstrous! O strange! We are haunted. Pray, masters! Fly, masters! Help!

       The Clowns all exit

75

75   

ROBIN

ROBIN           I’ll follow you, I’ll lead you about a round,⁷⁵

               Through bog, through bush, through brake, through brier.

               Sometime a horse I’ll be, sometime a hound,

               A hog, a headless bear, sometime a fire,⁷⁸

               And neigh and bark and grunt and roar and burn,

80

80           Like horse, hound, hog, bear, fire, at every turn. If Bottom exited with the other clowns, he reenters here

       Exit

BOTTOM

BOTTOM     Why do they run away? This is a knavery⁸¹ of them to make me afeard.

       Enter Snout

SNOUT

SNOUT     O Bottom, thou art changed! What do I see on thee?

85

85   

BOTTOM

BOTTOM     What do you see? You see an asshead of your own, do you?

       [Exit Snout]

       Enter Quince

QUINCE

QUINCE     Bless thee, Bottom! Bless thee! Thou art translated.⁸⁴

       Exit

BOTTOM

BOTTOM     I see their knavery: this is to make an ass of me, to fright me, if they could; but I will not stir from this place, do what they can. I will walk up and down here, and I will sing, that they shall hear I am not afraid.

                                     The ousel cock⁸⁸ so black of hue, Sings

                                     With orange-tawny bill,

90

90                                 The throstle⁹⁰ with his note so true,

                                     The wren with little quill⁹¹—

TITANIA

TITANIA     What angel wakes me from my flow’ry bed? Wakes

BOTTOM

BOTTOM     The finch, the sparrow and the lark, Sings

                                     The plain-song⁹⁴ cuckoo grey,

95

95                                 Whose note full many a man doth mark,

                                     And dares⁹⁶ not answer nay —

               For, indeed, who⁹⁷ would set his wit to so foolish a bird? Who would give a bird the lie, though he cry ‘cuckoo’⁹⁸ never so?

TITANIA

TITANIA     I pray thee, gentle mortal, sing again:

100

100         Mine ear is much enamoured of thy note;

               So is mine eye enthrallèd¹⁰¹ to thy shape:

               And thy fair virtue’s¹⁰² force perforce doth move me

               On the first view to say, to swear, I love thee.

BOTTOM

BOTTOM     Methinks, mistress, you should have little reason for that: and yet, to say the truth, reason and love keep little company together nowadays; the more the pity that some honest neighbours will not make them friends. Nay, I can gleek¹⁰⁶ upon occasion.

TITANIA

TITANIA     Thou art as wise as thou art beautiful.

BOTTOM

BOTTOM     Not so, neither: but if I had wit enough to get out of this wood, I have enough to serve mine own turn.¹¹⁰

TITANIA

TITANIA     Out of this wood do not desire to go:

               Thou shalt remain here, whether thou wilt¹¹² or no.

               I am a spirit of no common rate.¹¹³

               The summer still¹¹⁴ doth tend upon my state,

115

115         And I do love thee: therefore, go with me.

               I’ll give thee fairies to attend on thee,

               And they shall fetch thee jewels from the deep,¹¹⁷

               And sing while thou on pressèd flowers dost sleep.

               And I will purge thy mortal grossness¹¹⁹ so

120

120         That thou shalt like an airy spirit go.

               Peaseblossom,¹²¹ Cobweb, Moth, Mustardseed!

       Enter four Fairies

PEASEBLOSSOM

PEASEBLOSSOM     Ready.

COBWEB

COBWEB     And I.

MOTH

MOTH     And I.

125

125 

MUSTARDSEED

MUSTARDSEED             And I.

ALL

ALL     Where shall we go?

TITANIA

TITANIA     Be kind and courteous to this gentleman.

               Hop in his walks and gambol in his eyes,¹²⁸

               Feed him with apricocks¹²⁹ and dewberries,

130

130         With purple grapes, green figs, and mulberries.

               The honey-bags steal from the humbleb-ees,¹³¹

               And for night-tapers¹³² crop their waxen thighs

               And light them at the fiery glow-worm’s eyes,

               To have my love to bed and to arise.¹³⁴

135

135         And pluck the wings from painted butterflies

               To fan the moonbeams from his sleeping eyes.

               Nod to him, elves, and do him courtesies.

PEASEBLOSSOM

PEASEBLOSSOM     Hail, mortal!

COBWEB

COBWEB     Hail!

MOTH

MOTH     Hail!

MUSTARDSEED

MUSTARDSEED     Hail!

BOTTOM

BOTTOM     I cry¹⁴² your worship’s mercy, heartily; I beseech your worship’s name. To Cobweb

COBWEB

COBWEB     Cobweb.

BOTTOM

BOTTOM     I shall desire¹⁴⁴ you of more acquaintance, good Master Cobweb: if I cut my finger, I shall make bold with you.— Your name, honest gentleman?

PEASEBLOSSOM

PEASEBLOSSOM     Peaseblossom.

BOTTOM

BOTTOM     I pray you commend me to Mistress Squash,¹⁴⁷ your mother, and to Master Peascod,¹⁴⁸ your father. Good Master Peaseblossom, I shall desire you of more acquaintance too.— Your name, I beseech you, sir?

MUSTARDSEED

MUSTARDSEED     Mustardseed.

BOTTOM

BOTTOM     Good Master Mustardseed, I know your patience¹⁵¹ well: that same cowardly, giant-like ox-beef hath devoured many a gentleman of your house. I promise you, your kindred hath made¹⁵³ my eyes water ere now. I desire you of more acquaintance, good Master Mustardseed.

155

155 

TITANIA

TITANIA             Come, wait upon him, lead him to my bower.

               The moon methinks looks with a wat’ry eye,

               And when she weeps,¹⁵⁷ weeps every little flower,

               Lamenting some enforcèd¹⁵⁸ chastity.

               Tie¹⁵⁹ up my lover’s tongue, bring him silently.

       Exeunt

[Act 3 Scene 2]

running scene 5

       Enter King of Fairies [Oberon] alone

OBERON

OBERON     I wonder if Titania be awaked;

               Then what it was that next came in her eye,

               Which she must dote on in³ extremity.

       Enter [Robin] Puck

               Here comes my messenger.— How now, mad spirit?

5

5             What night-rule⁵ now about this haunted grove?

ROBIN

ROBIN     My mistress with a monster is in love.

               Near to her close⁷ and consecrated bower,

               While she was in her dull⁸ and sleeping hour,

               A crew of patches,⁹ rude mechanicals,

10

10           That work for bread upon Athenian stalls,

               Were met together to rehearse a play

               Intended for great Theseus’ nuptial-day.

               The shallowest thick-skin of that barren sort,¹³

               Who Pyramus presented in their sport,

15

15           Forsook¹⁵ his scene and entered in a brake,

               When I did him at this advantage take:

               An ass’s noll¹⁷ I fixèd on his head.

               Anon his Thisbe must be answerèd,

               And forth my mimic¹⁹ comes. When they him spy,

20

20           As wild geese that the creeping fowler²⁰ eye,

               Or russet-pated choughs,²¹ many in sort,

               Rising and cawing at the gun’s report,²²

               Sever²³ themselves and madly sweep the sky,

               So, at his sight, away his fellows fly.

25

25           And at our stamp here o’er and o’er one falls;

               He ‘murder’ cries and help from Athens calls.

               Their sense thus weak, lost with their fears thus strong,

               Made senseless things begin to do them wrong.

               For briars and thorns at their apparel snatch,

30

30           Some sleeves, some hats, from yielders³⁰ all things catch.

               I led them on in this distracted fear,

               And left sweet Pyramus translated there:

               When in that moment, so it came to pass,

               Titania waked and straightway loved an ass.

35

35   

OBERON

OBERON           This falls out better than I could devise.

               But hast thou yet latched³⁶ the Athenian’s eyes

               With the love juice, as I did bid thee do?

ROBIN

ROBIN     I took him sleeping — that is finished too —

               And the Athenian woman by his side,

40

40           That, when he waked, of force⁴⁰ she must be eyed.

       Enter Demetrius and Hermia

OBERON

OBERON     Stand close.⁴¹ This is the same Athenian. They stand aside

ROBIN

ROBIN     This is the woman, but not this the man.

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     O, why rebuke you him that loves you so?

               Lay breath so bitter on your bitter foe.

45

45   

HERMIA

HERMIA           Now I but chide,⁴⁵ but I should use thee worse,

               For thou, I fear, hast given me cause to curse,

               If thou hast slain Lysander in his sleep,

               Being o’er shoes⁴⁸ in blood, plunge in the deep,

               And kill me too.

50

50           The sun was not so true⁵⁰ unto the day

               As he to me. Would he have stol’n away

               From sleeping Hermia? I’ll believe as soon

               This whole⁵³ earth may be bored and that the moon

               May through the centre⁵⁴ creep, and so displease

55

55           Her brother’s⁵⁵ noontide with th’Antipodes.

               It cannot be but thou hast murdered him,

               So should a murderer look, so dead,⁵⁷ so grim.

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     So should the murdered look, and so should I,

               Pierced through the heart with your stern cruelty:

60

60           Yet you, the murderer, looks as bright, as clear,

               As yonder Venus⁶¹ in her glimm’ring sphere.

HERMIA

HERMIA     What’s this to⁶² my Lysander? Where is he?

               Ah, good Demetrius, wilt thou give him me?

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     I’d rather give his carcass to my hounds.

65

65   

HERMIA

HERMIA           Out, dog! Out, cur!⁶⁵ Thou driv’st me past the bounds

               Of maiden’s patience. Hast thou slain him, then?

               Henceforth be never numbered⁶⁷ among men.

               O, once⁶⁸ tell true, tell true even for my sake!

               Durst⁶⁹ thou a looked upon him being awake?

70

70           And hast thou killed him sleeping? O brave touch!⁷⁰

               Could not a worm,⁷¹ an adder, do so much?

               An adder did it, for with doubler⁷² tongue

               Than thine, thou serpent, never adder stung.

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     You spend⁷⁴ your passion on a misprised mood.

75

75           I am not guilty of Lysander’s blood,

               Nor is he dead, for aught that I can tell.

HERMIA

HERMIA     I pray thee tell me then that he is well.

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     An if I could, what should I get therefor?⁷⁸

HERMIA

HERMIA     A privilege never to see me more;

80

80           And from thy hated presence part I so:

               See me no more, whether he be dead or no.

       Exit

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     There is no following her in this fierce vein:⁸²

               Here therefore for a while I will remain.

               So⁸⁴ sorrow’s heaviness doth heavier grow

85

85           For⁸⁵ debt that bankrupt sleep doth sorrow owe,

               Which now in some slight measure it will pay,

               If for his tender⁸⁷ here I make some stay.

       [Demetrius] lies down [and sleeps]

OBERON

OBERON     What hast thou done? Thou hast mistaken quite⁸⁸

               And laid the love juice on some true love’s sight:

90

90           Of thy misprision⁹⁰ must perforce ensue

               Some true love turned, and not a false turned true.

ROBIN

ROBIN     Then fate o’errules, that, one⁹² man holding troth,

               A million fail, confounding⁹³ oath on oath.

OBERON

OBERON     About the wood go swifter than the wind,

95

95           And Helena of Athens look⁹⁵ thou find.

               All fancy-sick⁹⁶ she is and pale of cheer,

               With sighs⁹⁷ of love, that costs the fresh blood dear.

               By some illusion⁹⁸ see thou bring her here.

               I’ll charm his eyes against⁹⁹ she doth appear.

100

100 

ROBIN

ROBIN             I go, I go, look how I go,

               Swifter than arrow from the Tartar’s bow.¹⁰¹

       Exit

OBERON

OBERON     Flower of this purple dye, Squeezes juice on Demetrius’ eyes

               Hit with Cupid’s archery,

               Sink in apple¹⁰⁴ of his eye.

105

105         When his love he doth espy,

               Let her shine as glor’ously

               As the Venus of the sky.

               When thou wak’st, if she be by,

               Beg of her for remedy.¹⁰⁹

       Enter [Robin] Puck

110

110 

ROBIN

ROBIN             Captain of our fairy band,

               Helena is here at hand,

               And the youth, mistook by me,

               Pleading for a lover’s fee.¹¹³

               Shall we their fond pageant¹¹⁴ see?

115

115         Lord, what fools these mortals be!

OBERON

OBERON     Stand aside: the noise they make

               Will cause Demetrius to awake. They stand aside

ROBIN

ROBIN     Then will two at once woo one,

               That must needs be sport alone.¹¹⁹

120

120         And those things do best please me

               That befall preposterously.¹²¹

       Enter Lysander [following] Helena

LYSANDER

LYSANDER     Why should you think that I should woo in scorn?

               Scorn and derision never come in tears:

               Look when¹²⁴ I vow, I weep; and vows so born,

125

125         In their nativity¹²⁵ all truth appears.

               How can these things in me seem scorn to you,

               Bearing the badge¹²⁷ of faith to prove them true?

HELENA

HELENA     You do advance¹²⁸ your cunning more and more.

               When truth kills truth,¹²⁹ O devilish-holy fray!

130

130         These vows are Hermia’s. Will you give her o’er?¹³⁰

               Weigh oath with oath, and you will nothing weigh.

               Your vows to her and me, put in two scales,

               Will even weigh, and both as light as tales.¹³³

LYSANDER

LYSANDER     I had no judgement when to her I swore.

135

135 

HELENA

HELENA             Nor none, in my mind, now you give her o’er.

LYSANDER

LYSANDER     Demetrius¹³⁶ loves her, and he you.

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     O Helen, goddess, nymph, perfect, divine!

       Awakes

               To what, my love, shall I compare thine eyne?

               Crystal is muddy. O, how ripe¹³⁹ in show

140

140         Thy lips, those kissing cherries, tempting grow!

               That pure congealèd white,¹⁴¹ high Taurus’ snow,

               Fanned with the eastern wind, turns¹⁴² to a crow

               When thou hold’st up thy hand. O, let me kiss

               This princess of pure white, this seal¹⁴⁴ of bliss!

145

145 

HELENA

HELENA             O spite! O hell! I see you all are bent¹⁴⁵

               To set against¹⁴⁶ me for your merriment:

               If you were civil and knew courtesy,

               You would not do¹⁴⁸ me thus much injury.

               Can you not hate me, as I know you do,

150

150         But you must join¹⁵⁰ in souls to mock me too?

               If you were men, as men you are in show,

               You would not use a gentle¹⁵² lady so;

               To vow, and swear, and superpraise¹⁵³ my parts,

               When I am sure you hate me with your hearts.

155

155         You both are rivals and love Hermia;

               And now both rivals to mock Helena.

               A trim¹⁵⁷ exploit, a manly enterprise,

               To conjure tears up in a poor maid’s eyes

               With your derision; none of noble sort

160

160         Would so offend a virgin and extort¹⁶⁰

               A poor soul’s patience, all to make you sport.

LYSANDER

LYSANDER     You are unkind, Demetrius; be not so,

               For you love Hermia; this you know I know;

               And here, with all good will, with all my heart,

165

165         In Hermia’s love I yield you up my part;

               And yours of Helena to me bequeath,

               Whom I do love and will do till my death.

HELENA

HELENA     Never did mockers waste more idle breath.

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     Lysander, keep thy Hermia, I will none:¹⁶⁹

170

170         If e’er I loved her, all that love is gone.

               My heart to her but¹⁷¹ as guestwise sojourned,

               And now to Helen is it home returned,

               There to remain.

LYSANDER

LYSANDER     Helen, it is not so.

175

175 

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS             Disparage not the faith thou dost not know,

               Lest to thy peril thou abide¹⁷⁶ it dear.

               Look where thy love comes, yonder is thy dear.

       Enter Hermia

HERMIA

HERMIA     Dark night, that from the eye his¹⁷⁸ function takes,

               The ear more quick of apprehension¹⁷⁹ makes,

180

180         Wherein it doth impair the seeing sense,

               It pays the hearing double recompense.

               Thou art not by mine eye, Lysander, found,

               Mine ear, I thank it, brought me to thy sound.

               But why unkindly didst thou leave me so?

185

185 

LYSANDER

LYSANDER             Why should he stay whom love doth press to go?

HERMIA

HERMIA     What love could press¹⁸⁶ Lysander from my side?

LYSANDER

LYSANDER     Lysander’s love, that would not let him bide¹⁸⁷ —

               Fair Helena, who more engilds¹⁸⁸ the night

               Than all yon¹⁸⁹ fiery oes and eyes of light.—

190

190         Why seek’st thou me? Could not this make thee know, To Hermia

               The hate I bear thee made me leave thee so?

HERMIA

HERMIA     You speak not as you think; it cannot be.

HELENA

HELENA     Lo, she is one of this confed’racy!¹⁹³

               Now I perceive they have conjoined all three

195

195         To fashion¹⁹⁵ this false sport in spite of me.

               Injurious¹⁹⁶ Hermia, most ungrateful maid,

               Have you conspired, have you with these contrived

               To bait¹⁹⁸ me with this foul derision?

               Is all the counsel¹⁹⁹ that we two have shared,

200

200         The sisters’ vows, the hours that we have spent,

               When we have chid²⁰¹ the hasty-footed time

               For parting us — O, is all forgot?

               All schooldays’ friendship, childhood innocence?

               We, Hermia, like two artificial²⁰⁴ gods,

205

205         Have with our needles created both one flower,

               Both on one sampler, sitting on one cushion,

               Both warbling of one song, both in one key,²⁰⁷

               As if our hands, our sides, voices and minds,

               Had been incorporate.²⁰⁹ So we grew together

210

210         Like²¹⁰ to a double cherry, seeming parted,

               But yet a union in partition,

               Two lovely berries moulded on one stem,

               So with two seeming bodies but one heart,²¹³

               Two of the first,²¹⁴ like coats in heraldry,

215

215         Due²¹⁵ but to one and crownèd with one crest.

               And will you rent²¹⁶ our ancient love asunder,

               To join with men in scorning your poor friend?

               It is not friendly, ’tis not maidenly.

               Our sex, as well as I, may chide you for it,

220

220         Though I alone do feel the injury.

HERMIA

HERMIA     I am amazèd at your passionate words.

               I scorn you not; it seems that you scorn me.

HELENA

HELENA     Have you not set Lysander, as in scorn,

               To follow me and praise my eyes and face?

225

225         And made your other love, Demetrius,

               Who even but now did spurn me with his foot,

               To call me goddess, nymph, divine and rare,²²⁷

               Precious, celestial? Wherefore speaks he this

               To her he hates? And wherefore doth Lysander

230

230         Deny your love, so rich within his soul,

               And tender²³¹ me, forsooth, affection,

               But by your setting on, by your consent?

               What though I be not so in grace²³³ as you,

               So hung upon with love, so fortunate,

235

235         But miserable most, to love unloved?

               This you should pity rather than despise.

HERMIA

HERMIA     I understand not what you mean by this.

HELENA

HELENA     Ay, do. Persever,²³⁸ counterfeit sad looks,

               Make mouths²³⁹ upon me when I turn my back,

240

240         Wink each at other, hold²⁴⁰ the sweet jest up:

               This sport well carried²⁴¹ shall be chronicled.

               If you have any pity, grace, or manners,

               You would not make me such an argument.²⁴³

               But fare ye well. ’Tis partly my own fault,

245

245         Which death or absence soon shall remedy.

LYSANDER

LYSANDER     Stay, gentle Helena, hear my excuse:

               My love, my life, my soul, fair Helena!

HELENA

HELENA     O excellent!

               HERMIA Sweet, do not scorn her so. To Lysander

250

250 

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS             If she cannot entreat, I can compel. To Lysander

LYSANDER

LYSANDER     Thou canst compel no more than she entreat.

               Thy threats have no more strength than her weak prayers.

               Helen, I love thee, by my life, I do;

               I swear by that which I will lose for thee,

255

255         To prove him false that says I love thee not.

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     I say I love thee more than he can do. To Helena

LYSANDER

LYSANDER     If thou say so, withdraw,²⁵⁷ and prove it too.

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     Quick, come!

HERMIA

HERMIA     Lysander, whereto²⁵⁹ tends all this? She hangs on Lysander

260

260 

LYSANDER

LYSANDER             Away, you Ethiope!²⁶⁰

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     No, no, sir,

               Seem to break loose; take on as²⁶² you would follow,

               But yet come not: you are a tame man, go!

LYSANDER

LYSANDER     Hang off,²⁶⁴ thou cat, thou burr! Vile thing, let loose,

265

265         Or I will shake thee from me like a serpent!

HERMIA

HERMIA     Why are you grown so rude?²⁶⁶

               What change is this, sweet love?

LYSANDER

LYSANDER     Thy love? Out,²⁶⁸ tawny Tartar, out!

               Out, loathèd medicine!²⁶⁹ O hated potion, hence!

270

270 

HERMIA

HERMIA             Do you not jest?

HELENA

HELENA     Yes, sooth,²⁷¹ and so do you.

LYSANDER

LYSANDER     Demetrius, I will keep my word with thee.

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     I would I had your bond, for I perceive

               A weak bond²⁷⁴ holds you; I’ll not trust your word.

275

275 

LYSANDER

LYSANDER             What, should I hurt her, strike her, kill her dead?

               Although I hate her, I’ll not harm her so.

HERMIA

HERMIA     What, can you do me greater harm than hate?

               Hate me? Wherefore? O me! What news, my love?

               Am not I Hermia? Are not you Lysander?

280

280         I am as fair now as I was erewhile.²⁸⁰

               Since night you loved me; yet since night you left me.

               Why, then you left me — O, the gods forbid! —

               In earnest, shall I say?

LYSANDER

LYSANDER     Ay, by my life;

285

285         And never did desire to see thee more.

               Therefore be out of²⁸⁶ hope, of question, of doubt;

               Be certain, nothing truer: ’tis no jest

               That I do hate thee and love Helena.

HERMIA

HERMIA     O me! You juggler,²⁸⁹ you canker-blossom, To Helena

290

290         You thief of love! What, have you come by night

               And stolen my love’s heart from him?

HELENA

HELENA     Fine, i’faith!

               Have you no modesty, no maiden shame,

               No touch of bashfulness? What, will you tear

295

295         Impatient²⁹⁵ answers from my gentle tongue?

               Fie, fie! You counterfeit, you puppet,²⁹⁶ you!

HERMIA

HERMIA     Puppet? Why so? Ay, that way goes the game.

               Now I perceive that she hath made compare

               Between our statures, she hath urged²⁹⁹ her height,

300

300         And with her personage,³⁰⁰ her tall personage,

               Her height, forsooth, she hath prevailed with him.

               And are you grown so high in his esteem

               Because I am so dwarfish and so low?

               How low am I, thou painted³⁰⁴ maypole? Speak!

305

305         How low am I? I am not yet so low

               But that my nails can reach unto thine eyes. Attacks her

HELENA

HELENA     I pray you, though you mock me, gentlemen,

               Let her not hurt me; I was never curst,³⁰⁸

               I have no gift at all in shrewishness;³⁰⁹

310

310         I am a right³¹⁰ maid for my cowardice;

               Let her not strike me. You perhaps may think,

               Because she is something lower³¹² than myself,

               That I can match her.

HERMIA

HERMIA     Lower? Hark, again.

315

315 

HELENA

HELENA             Good Hermia, do not be so bitter with me.

               I evermore³¹⁶ did love you, Hermia,

               Did ever keep your counsels, never wronged you,

               Save that, in love unto Demetrius,

               I told him of your stealth³¹⁹ unto this wood.

320

320         He followed you. For love I followed him.

               But he hath chid me hence³²¹ and threatened me

               To strike me, spurn me, nay, to kill me too;

               And now, so³²³ you will let me quiet go,

               To Athens will I bear my folly back

325

325         And follow you no further. Let me go.

               You see how simple and how fond³²⁶ I am.

HERMIA

HERMIA     Why, get you gone: who is’t that hinders you?

HELENA

HELENA     A foolish heart, that I leave here behind.

HERMIA

HERMIA     What, with Lysander?

330

330 

HELENA

HELENA             With Demetrius.

LYSANDER

LYSANDER     Be not afraid: she shall not harm thee, Helena.

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     No, sir, she shall not, though you take her part.³³²

HELENA

HELENA     O, when she’s angry, she is keen³³³ and shrewd.

               She was a vixen when she went to school,

335

335         And though she be but little, she is fierce.

HERMIA

HERMIA     ‘Little’ again! Nothing but ‘low’ and ‘little’?

               Why will you suffer³³⁷ her to flout me thus?

               Let me come to her.

LYSANDER

LYSANDER     Get you gone, you dwarf,

340

340         You minimus,³⁴⁰ of hind’ring knot-grass made!

               You bead, you acorn.

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     You are too officious

               In her behalf that scorns your services.

               Let her alone. Speak not of Helena,

345

345         Take not her part. For if thou dost intend

               Never so little show of love to her,

               Thou shalt abide³⁴⁷ it.

LYSANDER

LYSANDER     Now she holds me not.

               Now follow, if thou dar’st, to try whose right,

350

350         Of thine or mine, is most in Helena.

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     Follow? Nay, I’ll go with thee, cheek by jowl.³⁵¹

       Exeunt Lysander and Demetrius

HERMIA

HERMIA     You, mistress, all this coil³⁵² is ’long of you.

               Nay, go not back.

HELENA

HELENA     I will not trust you, I,

355

355         Nor longer stay in your curst company.

               Your hands than mine are quicker for a fray,

               My legs are longer though, to run away.

       [Exit Helena, running, followed by Hermia]

       Enter Oberon and [Robin] Puck [coming forward]

OBERON

OBERON     This is thy negligence. Still thou mistak’st,

               Or else committ’st thy knaveries wilfully.

360

360 

ROBIN

ROBIN             Believe me, king of shadows, I mistook.

               Did not you tell me I should know the man

               By the Athenian garments he hath on?

               And so far blameless proves my enterprise,

               That I have ’nointed an Athenian’s eyes,

365

365         And so far am I glad it so did sort,³⁶⁵

               As³⁶⁶ this their jangling I esteem a sport.

OBERON

OBERON     Thou see’st these lovers seek a place to fight:

               Hie³⁶⁸ therefore, Robin, overcast the night,

               The starry welkin³⁶⁹ cover thou anon

370

370         With drooping³⁷⁰ fog as black as Acheron,

               And lead these testy³⁷¹ rivals so astray

               As³⁷² one come not within another’s way.

               Like³⁷³ to Lysander sometime frame thy tongue,

               Then stir Demetrius up with bitter wrong;³⁷⁴

375

375         And sometime rail³⁷⁵ thou like Demetrius;

               And from each other look thou lead them thus,

               Till o’er their brows death-counterfeiting sleep

               With leaden legs and batty³⁷⁸ wings doth creep;

               Then crush this herb³⁷⁹ into Lysander’s eye, Gives herb

380

380         Whose liquor³⁸⁰ hath this virtuous property,

               To take from thence all error with his³⁸¹ might,

               And make his eyeballs roll with wonted³⁸² sight.

               When they next wake, all this derision³⁸³

               Shall seem a dream and fruitless vision,

385

385         And back to Athens shall the lovers wend³⁸⁵

               With league³⁸⁶ whose date till death shall never end.

               Whiles I in this affair do thee employ,

               I’ll to my queen and beg her Indian boy;

               And then I will her charmèd eye release

390

390         From monster’s view, and all things shall be peace.

ROBIN

ROBIN     My fairy lord, this must be done with haste,

               For night-swift dragons³⁹² cut the clouds full fast,

               And yonder shines Aurora’s harbinger,³⁹³

               At whose approach, ghosts, wand’ring here and there,

395

395         Troop home to churchyards; damnèd spirits all,

               That in crossways³⁹⁶ and floods have burial,

               Already to their wormy beds are gone;

               For fear lest day should look their shames upon,

               They wilfully themselves exile from light

400

400         And must for aye⁴⁰⁰ consort with black-browed night.

OBERON

OBERON     But we are spirits of another sort:

               I with the morning’s love⁴⁰² have oft made sport,

               And, like a forester,⁴⁰³ the groves may tread,

               Even till the eastern gate, all fiery red,

405

405         Opening on Neptune⁴⁰⁵ with fair blessèd beams,

               Turns into yellow gold his salt green streams.

               But notwithstanding, haste, make no delay:

               We may effect this business yet ere day.

       Exit

ROBIN

ROBIN     Up and down, up and down,

410

410         I will lead them up and down.

               I am feared in field and town.

               Goblin,⁴¹² lead them up and down.

               Here comes one.

       Enter Lysander

LYSANDER

LYSANDER     Where art thou, proud Demetrius? Speak thou now.

415

415 

ROBIN

ROBIN             Here, villain, drawn⁴¹⁵ and ready. Where art thou? Imitating Demetrius

LYSANDER

LYSANDER     I will be with thee straight.⁴¹⁶

ROBIN

ROBIN     Follow me, then, to plainer⁴¹⁷ ground. Exit Lysander, following the voice

       Enter Demetrius

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     Lysander, speak again;

               Thou runaway, thou coward, art thou fled?

420

420         Speak! In some bush? Where dost thou hide thy head?

ROBIN

ROBIN     Thou coward, art thou bragging to the stars, Imitating Lysander

               Telling the bushes that thou look’st for wars,

               And wilt not come? Come, recreant,⁴²³ come, thou child.

               I’ll whip thee with a rod. He is defiled

425

425         That draws a sword on thee.

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     Yea, art thou there?

ROBIN

ROBIN     Follow my voice. We’ll try⁴²⁷ no manhood here.

       Exeunt

       Enter Lysander

LYSANDER

LYSANDER     He goes before me and still dares me on.

               When I come where he calls, then he’s gone.

430

430         The villain is much lighter-heeled than I:

               I followed fast, but faster he did fly;

               That fallen am I in dark uneven way,

               And here will rest me. Come, thou gentle day!

       Lie down

               For if but once thou show me thy grey light,

435

435         I’ll find Demetrius and revenge this spite.⁴³⁵ He sleeps

       Enter Robin and Demetrius, shifting places

ROBIN

ROBIN     Ho, ho, ho! Coward, why com’st thou not?

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     Abide⁴³⁷ me, if thou dar’st, for well I wot

               Thou runn’st before me, shifting every place,

               And dar’st not stand, nor look me in the face.

440

440         Where art thou now?

ROBIN

ROBIN     Come hither. I am here.

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     Nay then, thou mock’st me. Thou shalt buy⁴⁴² this dear

               If ever I thy face by daylight see.

               Now, go thy way: faintness constraineth⁴⁴⁴ me

445

445         To measure out my length on this cold bed.

               By day’s approach look to be visited. Lies down and sleeps

       Enter Helena

HELENA

HELENA     O weary night, O long and tedious night,

               Abate⁴⁴⁸ thy hours! Shine comforts from the east,

               That I may back to Athens by daylight,

450

450         From these that my poor company detest;

               And sleep, that sometime shuts up sorrow’s eye,

               Steal me awhile from mine own company.

       Sleep

ROBIN

ROBIN     Yet but three? Come one more,

               Two of both kinds make up four.

455

455         Here she comes, curst and sad.

               Cupid is a knavish lad,

       Enter Hermia

               Thus to make poor females mad.

HERMIA

HERMIA     Never so weary, never so in woe,

               Bedabbled with the dew and torn with briers,

460

460         I can no further crawl, no further go;

               My legs can keep no pace with my desires.

               Here will I rest me till the break of day.

               Heavens shield Lysander, if they mean a fray! Lies down and sleeps

ROBIN

ROBIN     On the ground

465

465         Sleep sound.

               I’ll apply

               To your eye,

               Gentle lover, remedy. Squeezes the juice on Lysander’s eyes

               When thou wak’st,

470

470         Thou tak’st

               True delight

               In the sight

               Of thy former lady’s eye,

               And the country proverb known,

475

475         That every man should take his own,

               In your waking shall be shown.

               Jack⁴⁷⁷ shall have Jill,

               Nought⁴⁷⁸ shall go ill,

               The man⁴⁷⁹ shall have his mare again, and all shall be well.

       Exit

       They [Lysander, Demetrius, Helena and Hermia] sleep all the act

Act 4 [Scene 1]

running scene 5 continues

       Enter Queen of Fairies [Titania] and Clown [Bottom, with ass head, wearing a coronet of flowers] and Fairies [Peaseblossom, Cobweb, Moth, Mustardseed] and the King [Oberon] behind them

TITANIA

TITANIA     Come, sit thee down upon this flow’ry bed,

               While I thy amiable² cheeks do coy,

               And stick musk-roses in thy sleek smooth head,

               And kiss thy fair large ears, my gentle joy. She fondles him

BOTTOM

BOTTOM     Where’s Peaseblossom?

PEASEBLOSSOM

PEASEBLOSSOM     Ready.

BOTTOM

BOTTOM     Scratch my head, Peaseblossom. Where’s Monsieur Cobweb?

COBWEB

COBWEB     Ready.

BOTTOM

BOTTOM     Monsieur Cobweb, good monsieur, get you your weapons in your hand, and kill me a red-hipped humble-bee on the top of a thistle; and, good monsieur, bring me the honey-bag. Do not fret yourself too much in the action, monsieur; and, good monsieur, have a care the honey-bag break not. I would be loath to have you overflown¹³ with a honey-bag, signior. Cobweb may exit Where’s Monsieur Mustardseed?

MUSTARDSEED

MUSTARDSEED     Ready.

BOTTOM

BOTTOM     Give me your neaf,¹⁵ Monsieur Mustardseed. Pray you leave your courtesy, good monsieur.

MUSTARDSEED

MUSTARDSEED     What’s your will?

BOTTOM

BOTTOM     Nothing, good monsieur, but to help Cavalery¹⁸ Cobweb to scratch. I must to the barber’s, monsieur, for methinks I am marvellous¹⁹ hairy about the face. And I am such a tender ass, if my hair do but tickle me, I must scratch.

TITANIA

TITANIA     What, wilt thou hear some music, my sweet love?

BOTTOM

BOTTOM     I have a reasonable good ear in music. Let us have the tongs²² and the bones.

       Music: tongs, rural music²³

TITANIA

TITANIA     Or say, sweet love, what thou desirest to eat.

BOTTOM

BOTTOM     Truly, a peck²⁴ of provender; I could munch your good dry oats. Methinks I have a great desire to a bottle²⁵ of hay: good hay, sweet hay, hath no fellow.

TITANIA

TITANIA     I have a vent’rous²⁶ fairy that shall seek The squirrel’s hoard, and fetch thee new nuts.

BOTTOM

BOTTOM     I had rather have a handful or two of dried peas. But, I pray you let none of your people stir²⁹ me. I have an exposition of sleep come upon me.

30

30   

TITANIA

TITANIA           Sleep thou, and I will wind thee in my arms.

               Fairies, begone, and be all ways away.³¹

       [Exeunt fairies]

               So doth the woodbine³² the sweet honeysuckle

               Gently entwist; the female ivy so

               Enrings³⁴ the barky fingers of the elm.

35

35           O, how I love thee! How I dote on thee! They sleep

       Enter Robin Goodfellow and Oberon [who comes forward]

OBERON

OBERON     Welcome, good Robin.

               See’st thou this sweet sight?

               Her dotage³⁸ now I do begin to pity.

               For, meeting her of late behind the wood,

40

40           Seeking sweet favours⁴⁰ for this hateful fool,

               I did upbraid her and fall out with her.

               For she his hairy temples then had rounded

               With coronet of fresh and fragrant flowers.

               And that same dew, which sometime⁴⁴ on the buds

45

45           Was wont to swell like round and orient⁴⁵ pearls,

               Stood now within the pretty flowerets’⁴⁶ eyes

               Like tears that did their own disgrace bewail.

               When I had at my pleasure taunted her,

               And she in mild terms begged my patience,

50

50           I then did ask of her her changeling child,

               Which straight she gave me, and her fairy sent

               To bear him to my bower in fairy land.

               And now I have the boy, I will undo

               This hateful imperfection of her eyes.

55

55           And, gentle Puck, take this transformèd scalp

               From off the head of this Athenian swain;⁵⁶

               That, he awaking when the other⁵⁷ do,

               May all to Athens back again repair,⁵⁸

               And think no more of this night’s accidents⁵⁹

60

60           But as the fierce vexation of a dream.

               But first I will release the fairy queen.

               Be thou as thou wast wont to be; Squeezes the herb on her eyes

               See as thou wast wont to see.

               Dian’s bud⁶⁴ o’er Cupid’s flower

65

65           Hath such force and blessèd power.

               Now, my Titania, wake you, my sweet queen.

TITANIA

TITANIA     My Oberon! What visions have I seen!

               Methought I was enamoured of an ass.

OBERON

OBERON     There lies your love.

70

70   

TITANIA

TITANIA           How came these things to pass?

               O, how mine eyes do loathe his visage now!

OBERON

OBERON     Silence awhile.— Robin, take off this head.—

               Titania, music call, and strike more dead

               Than common sleep of all these five⁷⁴ the sense.

75

75   

TITANIA

TITANIA           Music, ho! Music, such as charmeth⁷⁵ sleep!

       Music, still

ROBIN

ROBIN     Now, when thou wak’st, with thine own fool’s eyes peep.

OBERON

OBERON     Sound, music! Come, my queen, take hands with me,

               And rock the ground whereon these sleepers be.

               Now thou and I are new in amity,

80

80           And will tomorrow midnight solemnly⁸⁰

               Dance in Duke Theseus’ house triumphantly,⁸¹

               And bless it to all fair prosperity.

               There shall the pairs of faithful lovers be

               Wedded, with Theseus, all in jollity.

85

85   

ROBIN

ROBIN           Fairy king, attend,⁸⁵ and mark:

               I do hear the morning lark.

OBERON

OBERON     Then, my queen, in silence sad,⁸⁷

               Trip⁸⁸ we after the night’s shade;

               We the globe can compass soon,

90

90           Swifter than the wand’ring moon.

TITANIA

TITANIA     Come, my lord, and in our flight

               Tell me how it came this night

               That I sleeping here was found

               With these mortals on the ground.

       Exeunt. Sleepers lie still

       Wind horns. Enter Theseus, Egeus, Hippolyta, and all his train

95

95   

THESEUS

THESEUS           Go, one of you, find out the forester,

               For now our observation⁹⁶ is performed;

               And since we have the vaward⁹⁷ of the day,

               My love shall hear the music of my hounds.

               Uncouple⁹⁹ in the western valley, let them go;

100

100         Dispatch, I say, and find the forester.

       [Exit an Attendant]

               We will, fair queen, up to the mountain’s top

               And mark the musical confusion

               Of hounds and echo in conjunction.

HIPPOLYTA

HIPPOLYTA     I was with Hercules and Cadmus¹⁰⁴ once,

105

105         When in a wood of Crete they bayed¹⁰⁵ the bear

               With hounds of Sparta;¹⁰⁶ never did I hear

               Such gallant chiding,¹⁰⁷ for besides the groves,

               The skies, the fountains, every region near

               Seemed all one mutual cry. I never heard

110

110         So musical a discord, such sweet thunder.

THESEUS

THESEUS     My hounds are bred out of the Spartan kind,¹¹¹

               So flewed,¹¹² so sanded, and their heads are hung

               With ears that sweep away the morning dew,

               Crook-kneed and dewlapped¹¹⁴ like Thessalian bulls,

115

115         Slow in pursuit, but matched in mouth¹¹⁵ like bells,

               Each under each. A cry more tuneable¹¹⁶

               Was never hallowed¹¹⁷ to, nor cheered with horn,

               In Crete, in Sparta, nor in Thessaly;

               Judge when you hear. But, soft!¹¹⁹ What nymphs are these?

120

120 

EGEUS

EGEUS             My lord, this is my daughter here asleep,

               And this, Lysander, this Demetrius is,

               This Helena, old Nedar’s Helena.

               I wonder of¹²³ their being here together.

THESEUS

THESEUS     No doubt they rose up early to observe

125

125         The rite of May, and hearing our intent,

               Came here in grace¹²⁶ of our solemnity.

               But speak, Egeus; is not this the day

               That Hermia should give answer of her choice?

EGEUS

EGEUS     It is, my lord.

130

130 

THESEUS

THESEUS             Go, bid the huntsmen wake them with their horns.

       Horns and they wake. Shout within, they all start up.

               Good morrow, friends. Saint Valentine¹³¹ is past.

               Begin these woodbirds but to couple¹³² now?

LYSANDER

LYSANDER     Pardon, my lord. They kneel

THESEUS

THESEUS     I pray you all stand up. They stand

135

135         I know you two are rival enemies.

               How comes this gentle concord in the world,

               That hatred is so far from jealousy,¹³⁷

               To sleep by hate and fear no enmity?

LYSANDER

LYSANDER     My lord, I shall reply amazedly,

140

140         Half sleep, half waking. But as yet, I swear,

               I cannot truly say how I came here.

               But, as I think — for truly would I speak,

               And now I do bethink me, so it is —

               I came with Hermia hither. Our intent

145

145         Was to be gone from Athens, where we might be

               Without the peril of the Athenian law.

EGEUS

EGEUS     Enough, enough, my lord. You have enough;

               I beg the law, the law, upon his head.—

               They would have stolen away, they would, Demetrius,

150

150         Thereby to have defeated¹⁵⁰ you and me:

               You of your wife and me of my consent,

               Of my consent that she should be your wife.

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     My lord, fair Helen told me of their stealth,

               Of this their purpose hither to this wood,

155

155         And I in fury hither followed them;

               Fair Helena in fancy¹⁵⁶ followed me.

               But, my good lord, I wot not by what power —

               But by some power it is — my love to Hermia,

               Melted as the snow, seems to me now

160

160         As the remembrance of an idle gaud¹⁶⁰

               Which in my childhood I did dote upon.

               And all the faith, the virtue of my heart,

               The object and the pleasure of mine eye,

               Is only Helena. To her, my lord,

165

165         Was I betrothed ere I saw Hermia:

               But like a sickness did I loathe this food.

               But, as in health, come to my natural taste,

               Now I do wish it, love it, long for it,

               And will for evermore be true to it.

170

170 

THESEUS

THESEUS             Fair lovers, you are fortunately met:

               Of this discourse we shall hear more anon.

               Egeus, I will overbear¹⁷² your will;

               For in the temple, by and by¹⁷³ with us,

               These couples shall eternally be knit.

175

175         And, for¹⁷⁵ the morning now is something worn,

               Our purposed¹⁷⁶ hunting shall be set aside.

               Away with us to Athens; three and three,

               We’ll hold a feast in¹⁷⁸ great solemnity.—

               Come, Hippolyta.

       Exeunt Duke and lords [and Hippolyta]

180

180 

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS             These things seem small and undistinguishable,¹⁸⁰

               Like far-off mountains turnèd into clouds.

HERMIA

HERMIA     Methinks I see these things with parted¹⁸² eye,

               When everything seems double.

HELENA

HELENA     So methinks:

185

185         And I have found Demetrius like a jewel,

               Mine¹⁸⁶ own and not mine own.

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     It seems to me

               That yet we sleep, we dream. Do not you think

               The duke was here, and bid us follow him?

190

190 

HERMIA

HERMIA             Yea, and my father.

HELENA

HELENA     And Hippolyta.

LYSANDER

LYSANDER     And he bid us follow to the temple.

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     Why, then, we are awake; let’s follow him

               And by¹⁹⁴ the way let us recount our dreams.

       Exeunt lovers

       Bottom wakes

BOTTOM

BOTTOM     When my cue comes, call me, and I will answer. My next is, ‘Most fair Pyramus.’ Hey-ho! Peter Quince? Flute, the bellows-mender? Snout, the tinker? Starveling? God’s¹⁹⁷ my life, stolen hence and left me asleep! I have had a most rare vision. I had a dream, past the wit¹⁹⁸ of man to say what dream it was. Man is but an ass, if he go about¹⁹⁹ to expound this dream. Methought I was — there is no man can tell what. Methought I was — and methought I had — but man is but a patched²⁰¹ fool if he will offer to say what methought I had. The eye of man hath not heard, the ear of man hath not seen, man’s hand is not able to taste, his tongue to conceive, nor his heart to report, what my dream was. I will get Peter Quince to write a ballad of this dream: it shall be called ‘Bottom’s Dream’, because it hath no bottom;²⁰⁵ and I will sing it in the latter end of a play, before the duke. Peradventure, to make it the more gracious, I shall sing it at her²⁰⁶ death.

       Exit

[Act 4 Scene 2]4.2

running scene 6

       Enter Quince, Flute, Snout and Starveling

QUINCE

QUINCE     Have you sent to Bottom’s house? Is he come home yet?

STARVELING

STARVELING     He cannot be heard of. Out of doubt he is transported.²

FLUTE

FLUTE     If he come not, then the play is marred. It goes not forward,³ doth it?

QUINCE

QUINCE     It is not possible: you have not a man in all Athens able to discharge⁴ Pyramus but he.

FLUTE

FLUTE     No, he hath simply the best wit⁶ of any handicraft man in Athens.

QUINCE

QUINCE     Yea, and the best person⁷ too, and he is a very paramour for a sweet voice.

FLUTE

FLUTE     You must say ‘paragon’. A paramour is, God bless us, a thing of naught.⁸

       Enter Snug the joiner

SNUG

SNUG     Masters, the duke is coming from the temple, and there is two or three lords and ladies more married. If our sport had gone forward, we¹⁰ had all been made men.

FLUTE

FLUTE     O sweet bully Bottom! Thus hath he lost sixpence a day¹² during his life; he could not have scaped¹³ sixpence a day. An the duke had not given him sixpence a day for playing Pyramus, I’ll be hanged. He would have deserved it. Sixpence a day in Pyramus, or nothing.

       Enter Bottom

BOTTOM

BOTTOM     Where are these lads? Where are these hearts?¹⁶

QUINCE

QUINCE     Bottom! O most courageous day! O most happy hour!

BOTTOM

BOTTOM     Masters, I am to discourse wonders: but ask me not what, for if I tell you, I am no true Athenian. I will tell you everything as it fell out.¹⁹

QUINCE

QUINCE     Let us hear, sweet Bottom.

BOTTOM

BOTTOM     Not a word of²¹ me. All that I will tell you is that the duke hath dined. Get your apparel together, good strings²² to your beards, new ribbons to your pumps. Meet presently²³ at the palace, every man look o’er his part, for the short and the long is, our play is preferred.²⁴ In any case, let Thisbe have clean linen, and let not him that plays the lion pare²⁵ his nails, for they shall hang out for the lion’s claws. And, most dear actors, eat no onions nor garlic, for we are to utter sweet breath, and I do not doubt but to hear them say, it is a sweet comedy. No more words: away! Go, away!

       Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 15.1

running scene 7

       Enter Theseus, Hippolyta, Egeus, and his lords

HIPPOLYTA

HIPPOLYTA     ’Tis strange, my Theseus, that¹ these lovers speak of.

THESEUS

THESEUS     More strange than true. I never may believe

               These antic³ fables, nor these fairy toys.

               Lovers and madmen have such seething brains,

5

5             Such shaping⁵ fantasies that apprehend

               More than cool reason ever comprehends.

               The lunatic, the lover and the poet

               Are of imagination all compact.⁸

               One sees more devils than vast hell can hold;

10

10           That is the madman. The lover, all as frantic,¹⁰

               Sees Helen’s¹¹ beauty in a brow of Egypt.

               The poet’s eye, in a fine frenzy rolling,

               Doth glance from heaven to earth, from earth to heaven,

               And as imagination bodies¹⁴ forth

15

15           The forms of things unknown, the poet’s pen

               Turns them to shapes and gives to airy nothing

               A local habitation and a name.

               Such tricks hath strong imagination,

               That if it would but apprehend¹⁹ some joy,

20

20           It comprehends²⁰ some bringer of that joy.

               Or in the night, imagining some fear,

               How easy is a bush supposed a bear!

HIPPOLYTA

HIPPOLYTA     But all the story of the night told over,

               And all their minds transfigured²⁴ so together,

25

25           More²⁵ witnesseth than fancy’s images

               And grows to something of great constancy;²⁶

               But howsoever, strange and admirable.²⁷

       Enter lovers: Lysander, Demetrius, Hermia, Helena

THESEUS

THESEUS     Here come the lovers, full of joy and mirth.

               Joy, gentle friends! Joy and fresh days of love

30

30           Accompany your hearts!

LYSANDER

LYSANDER     More than to us

               Wait in your royal walks, your board,³² your bed!

THESEUS

THESEUS     Come now, what masques,³³ what dances shall we have,

               To wear away this long age of three hours

35

35           Between our after-supper³⁵ and bedtime?

               Where is our usual manager of mirth?

               What revels are in hand? Is there no play

               To ease the anguish of a torturing hour?

               Call Egeus.

40

40   

EGEUS

EGEUS           Here, mighty Theseus.

THESEUS

THESEUS     Say, what abridgement⁴¹ have you for this evening?

               What masque? What music? How shall we beguile

               The lazy time, if not with some delight?

EGEUS

EGEUS     There is a brief⁴⁴ how many sports are ripe:

45

45           Make choice of which your highness will see first. Egeus gives a paper to Lysander

LYSANDER

LYSANDER     ‘The battle⁴⁶ with the Centaurs, to be sung Reads

               By an Athenian eunuch to the harp.’

THESEUS

THESEUS     We’ll none of that. That have I told my love,

               In glory of my kinsman Hercules.

50

50   

LYSANDER

LYSANDER           ‘The riot⁵⁰ of the tipsy Bacchanals, Reads

               Tearing the Thracian singer in their rage.’

THESEUS

THESEUS     That is an old device,⁵² and it was played

               When I from Thebes came last a conqueror.

LYSANDER

LYSANDER     ‘The thrice⁵⁴ three Muses mourning for the death Reads

55

55           Of learning, late deceased in beggary.’

THESEUS

THESEUS     That is some satire, keen and critical,⁵⁶

               Not sorting⁵⁷ with a nuptial ceremony.

LYSANDER

LYSANDER     ‘A tedious brief scene of young Pyramus Reads

               And his love Thisbe; very tragical mirth.’

60

60   

THESEUS

THESEUS           Merry and tragical? Tedious and brief?

               That is, hot ice and wondrous strange⁶¹ snow.

               How shall we find the concord⁶² of this discord?

EGEUS

EGEUS     A play there is, my lord, some ten words long,

               Which is as brief as I have known a play;

65

65           But by ten words, my lord, it is too long,

               Which makes it tedious. For in all the play

               There is not one word apt, one player fitted.⁶⁷

               And tragical, my noble lord, it is,

               For Pyramus therein doth kill himself.

70

70           Which, when I saw rehearsed, I must confess,

               Made mine eyes water, but more merry tears

               The passion of loud laughter never shed.

THESEUS

THESEUS     What are they that do play it?

EGEUS

EGEUS     Hard-handed men that work in Athens here,

75

75           Which never laboured in their minds till now;

               And now have toiled⁷⁶ their unbreathed memories

               With this same play, against⁷⁷ your nuptial.

THESEUS

THESEUS     And we will hear it.

EGEUS

EGEUS     No, my noble lord,

80

80           It is not for you. I have heard it over,

               And it is nothing, nothing in the world;

               Unless you can find sport in their intents,

               Extremely stretched and conned⁸³ with cruel pain,

               To do you service.

85

85   

THESEUS

THESEUS           I will hear that play.

               For never anything can be amiss,

               When simpleness⁸⁷ and duty tender it.

               Go, bring them in.— And take your places, ladies.

       [Exit Egeus]

HIPPOLYTA

HIPPOLYTA     I love not to see wretchedness o’er-charged⁸⁹

90

90           And duty in his service⁹⁰ perishing.

THESEUS

THESEUS     Why, gentle sweet, you shall see no such thing.

HIPPOLYTA

HIPPOLYTA     He says they can do nothing in this kind.⁹²

THESEUS

THESEUS     The kinder we, to give them thanks for nothing.

               Our sport shall be to take⁹⁴ what they mistake;

95

95           And what poor duty cannot do, noble respect⁹⁵

               Takes it in⁹⁶ might, not merit.

               Where I have come, great clerks⁹⁷ have purposèd

               To greet me with premeditated welcomes;

               Where I have seen them shiver and look pale,

100

100         Make periods¹⁰⁰ in the midst of sentences,

               Throttle their practised accent¹⁰¹ in their fears,

               And in conclusion dumbly have broke off,

               Not paying me a welcome. Trust me, sweet,

               Out of this silence yet I picked¹⁰⁴ a welcome.

105

105         And in the modesty¹⁰⁵ of fearful duty

               I read as much as from the rattling tongue

               Of saucy and audacious eloquence.

               Love, therefore, and tongue-tied simplicity

               In least speak most, to my capacity.¹⁰⁹

       [Enter Egeus]

110

110 

EGEUS

EGEUS     So please your grace, the Prologue is addressed.¹¹⁰

THESEUS

THESEUS     Let him approach.

       Flourish [of] trumpets

       Enter the Prologue: Quince

PROLOGUE [QUINCE]

PROLOGUE [QUINCE]     If we offend, it is with our good will.¹¹²

               That you should think, we come not to offend,

               But with good will.¹¹⁴ To show our simple skill,

115

115         That is the true beginning of our end.¹¹⁵

               Consider then, we come but in despite.¹¹⁶

               We¹¹⁷ do not come as minding to content you,

               Our true intent is.¹¹⁸ All for your delight

               We are not here.¹¹⁹ That you should here repent you,

120

120         The actors are at hand; and by their show,¹²⁰

               You shall know all that you are like¹²¹ to know.

THESEUS

THESEUS     This fellow doth not stand upon points.¹²²

LYSANDER

LYSANDER     He hath rid¹²³ his prologue like a rough colt: he knows not the stop. A good moral, my lord. It is not enough to speak, but to speak true.

HIPPOLYTA

HIPPOLYTA     Indeed he hath played on his prologue like a child on a recorder: a sound, but not in government.¹²⁶

THESEUS

THESEUS     His speech was like a tangled chain: nothing¹²⁷ impaired, but all disordered. Who is next?

       Enter, with a trumpet[er] before them, Pyramus [Bottom] and Thisbe [Flute], Wall [Snout], Moonshine [Starveling] and Lion [Snug]

PROLOGUE [QUINCE]

PROLOGUE [QUINCE]     Gentles, perchance you wonder at this show,

130

130         But wonder on, till truth make all things plain.

               This man is Pyramus, if you would know;

               This beauteous lady Thisbe is certain.

               This man with lime and rough-cast doth present

               Wall, that vile Wall which did these lovers sunder.¹³⁴

135

135         And through Wall’s chink, poor souls, they are content

               To whisper. At the which let no man wonder.

               This man, with lantern, dog, and bush of thorn,

               Presenteth Moonshine. For, if you will know,

               By moonshine did these lovers think no scorn¹³⁹

140

140         To meet at Ninus’ tomb, there, there to woo.

               This grisly beast, which Lion hight¹⁴¹ by name,

               The trusty Thisbe, coming first by night,

               Did scare away, or rather did affright.

               And as she fled, her mantle¹⁴⁴ she did fall,

145

145         Which Lion vile with bloody mouth did stain.

               Anon comes Pyramus, sweet youth and tall,¹⁴⁶

               And finds his trusty Thisbe’s mantle slain;

               Whereat, with blade, with bloody blameful blade,

               He bravely broached¹⁴⁹ his boiling bloody breast.

150

150         And Thisbe, tarrying in mulberry shade,

               His dagger drew, and died. For all the rest,

               Let Lion, Moonshine, Wall, and lovers twain¹⁵²

               At large discourse, while here they do remain.

       Exeunt all but Wall

THESEUS

THESEUS     I wonder if the lion be to speak.

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     No wonder, my lord: one lion may, when many asses do.

WALL [SNOUT]

WALL [SNOUT]     In this same interlude¹⁵⁶ it doth befall

               That I, one Snout by name, present a wall.

               And such a wall, as I would have you think,

               That had in it a crannied hole or chink,

160

160         Through which the lovers, Pyramus and Thisbe,

               Did whisper often, very secretly.

               This loam, this rough-cast and this stone doth show

               That I am that same wall; the truth is so.

               And this the cranny is, right and sinister,¹⁶⁴ Gestures to gap between his legs

165

165         Through which the fearful¹⁶⁵ lovers are to whisper.

THESEUS

THESEUS     Would you desire lime and hair to speak better?

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     It is the wittiest partition¹⁶⁷ that ever I heard discourse, my lord.

THESEUS

THESEUS     Pyramus draws near the wall. Silence!

       Enter Pyramus

PYRAMUS [BOTTOM]

PYRAMUS [BOTTOM]     O grim-looked¹⁶⁹ night! O night with hue so black!

170

170         O night, which ever art when day is not!

               O night, O night! Alack, alack, alack,

               I fear my Thisbe’s promise is forgot.

               And thou, O wall, thou sweet and lovely wall

               That stands between her father’s ground and mine!

175

175         Thou wall, O wall, O sweet and lovely wall,

               Show me thy chink,¹⁷⁶ to blink through with mine eyne! Wall opens his legs

               Thanks, courteous wall. Jove¹⁷⁷ shield thee well for this. Pyramus peers between Wall’s legs

               But what see I? No Thisbe do I see.

               O wicked wall, through whom I see no bliss!

180

180         Cursed be thy stones¹⁸⁰ for thus deceiving me!

THESEUS

THESEUS     The wall, methinks, being sensible,¹⁸¹ should curse again.

PYRAMUS [BOTTOM]

PYRAMUS [BOTTOM]     No, in truth, sir, he should not. ‘Deceiving me’ is Thisbe’s cue; she is to enter and I am to spy her through the wall. You shall see, it will fall pat¹⁸³ as I told you. Yonder she comes.

       Enter Thisbe

185

185 

THISBE [FLUTE]

THISBE [FLUTE]                 O wall, full often hast thou heard my moans,

               For parting my fair Pyramus and me.

               My cherry lips have often kissed thy stones,

               Thy stones with lime¹⁸⁸ and hair knit up in thee.

PYRAMUS [BOTTOM]

PYRAMUS [BOTTOM]     I see a voice; now will I to the chink,

190

190         To spy an I¹⁹⁰ can hear my Thisbe’s face. Thisbe?

THISBE [FLUTE]

THISBE [FLUTE]     My love thou¹⁹¹ art, my love I think.

PYRAMUS [BOTTOM]

PYRAMUS [BOTTOM]     Think what thou wilt, I am thy lover’s grace¹⁹²

               And like Limander¹⁹³ am I trusty still.

THISBE [FLUTE]

THISBE [FLUTE]     And I like Helen,¹⁹⁴ till the Fates me kill.

195

195 

PYRAMUS [BOTTOM]

PYRAMUS [BOTTOM]             Not Shafalus to Procrus¹⁹⁵ was so true.

THISBE [FLUTE]

THISBE [FLUTE]     As Shafalus to Procrus, I to you.

PYRAMUS [BOTTOM]

PYRAMUS [BOTTOM]     O, kiss me through the hole of this vile wall!

THISBE [FLUTE]

THISBE [FLUTE]     I kiss the wall’s hole,¹⁹⁸ not your lips at all.

PYRAMUS [BOTTOM]

PYRAMUS [BOTTOM]     Wilt thou at Ninny’s tomb meet me straightway?

200

200 

THISBE [FLUTE]

THISBE [FLUTE]             ’Tide²⁰⁰ life, ’tide death, I come without delay.

       [Exeunt Pyramus and Thisbe]

WALL [SNOUT]

WALL [SNOUT]     Thus have I, Wall, my part dischargèd so;

               And, being done, thus Wall away doth go.

       Exit

THESEUS

THESEUS     Now is the mural²⁰³ down between the two neighbours.

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     No remedy, my lord, when walls²⁰⁴ are so wilful to hear without warning.

HIPPOLYTA

HIPPOLYTA     This is the silliest stuff that e’er I heard.

THESEUS

THESEUS     The best in this kind²⁰⁶ are but shadows, and the worst are no worse, if imagination amend them.

HIPPOLYTA

HIPPOLYTA     It must be your imagination then, and not theirs.

THESEUS

THESEUS     If we imagine no worse of them than they of themselves, they may pass for excellent men. Here come two noble beasts in, a man and a lion.

       Enter Lion and Moonshine [with a lantern, thorn-bush and dog]

LION [SNUG]

LION [SNUG]     You, ladies, you, whose gentle hearts do fear

               The smallest monstrous²¹² mouse that creeps on floor,

               May now perchance both quake and tremble here,

               When lion rough²¹⁴ in wildest rage doth roar.

215

215         Then know that I, one Snug the joiner, am

               A lion fell,²¹⁶ nor else no lion’s dam,

               For if I should as lion come in strife

               Into this place, ’twere pity on my life.

THESEUS

THESEUS     A very gentle beast, and of a good conscience.

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     The very best at²²⁰ a beast, my lord, that e’er I saw.

LYSANDER

LYSANDER     This lion is a very fox²²¹ for his valour.

THESEUS

THESEUS     True, and a goose²²² for his discretion.

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     Not so, my lord, for his valour cannot carry his discretion, and the fox carries²²⁴ the goose.

THESEUS

THESEUS     His discretion, I am sure, cannot carry his valour, for the goose carries not the fox. It is well. Leave it to his discretion, and let us hearken to the moon.

MOONSHINE [STARVELING]

MOONSHINE [STARVELING]     This lantern doth the hornèd²²⁷ moon present—

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     He should have worn the horns²²⁸ on his head.

THESEUS

THESEUS     He is no crescent,²²⁹ and his horns are invisible within the circumference.

230

230 

MOONSHINE [STARVELING]

MOONSHINE [STARVELING]             This lantern doth the hornèd moon present:

               Myself the man i’th’moon doth seem to be.

THESEUS

THESEUS     This is the greatest error of all the rest; the man should be put into the lantern. How is it else the man i’th’moon?

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     He dares not come there for the candle. For you see it is already in snuff.²³⁴

HIPPOLYTA

HIPPOLYTA     I am aweary of this moon; would he would change!

THESEUS

THESEUS     It appears, by his small light of discretion, that he is in the wane.²³⁶ But yet, in courtesy, in all reason,²³⁷ we must stay the time.

LYSANDER

LYSANDER     Proceed, Moon.

MOONSHINE [STARVELING]

MOONSHINE [STARVELING]     All that I have to say is to tell you that the lantern is the moon; I, the man in the moon; this thorn-bush, my thorn-bush; and this dog, my dog.

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     Why, all these should be in the lantern, for they are in the moon. But silence — here comes Thisbe.

       Enter Thisbe

THISBE [FLUTE]

THISBE [FLUTE]     This is old Ninny’s tomb. Where is my love?

LION [SNUG]

LION [SNUG]     O!

       The lion roars. Thisbe runs off [dropping her mantle]

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     Well roared, Lion.

THESEUS

THESEUS     Well run, Thisbe.

HIPPOLYTA

HIPPOLYTA     Well shone, Moon. Truly, the moon shines with a good grace.

       [Lion shakes Thisbe’s mantle, and exits]

THESEUS

THESEUS     Well moused,²⁴⁹ Lion.

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     And then came Pyramus.

LYSANDER

LYSANDER     And so the lion vanished.

       Enter Pyramus

PYRAMUS [BOTTOM]

PYRAMUS [BOTTOM]     Sweet Moon, I thank thee for thy sunny beams,

               I thank thee, Moon, for shining now so bright,

               For by thy gracious, golden, glittering gleams,

255

255         I trust to taste of truest Thisbe sight.

                                     But stay, O spite!

                                     But mark, poor knight,

                                     What dreadful dole²⁵⁸ is here?

                                     Eyes, do you see?

260

                                     How can it be?

                                     O dainty duck! O dear!

                                     Thy mantle good,

                                     What, stained with blood!

                                     Approach, you Furies²⁶⁴ fell!

265

                                     O Fates,²⁶⁵ come, come,

                                     Cut thread and thrum,²⁶⁶

                                     Quail,²⁶⁷ crush, conclude, and quell!

THESEUS

THESEUS     This passion,²⁶⁸ and the death of a dear friend, would go near to make a man look sad.

HIPPOLYTA

HIPPOLYTA     Beshrew²⁷⁰ my heart, but I pity the man.

PYRAMUS [BOTTOM]

PYRAMUS [BOTTOM]     O wherefore, Nature, didst thou lions frame?²⁷¹

               Since lion vile hath here deflowered²⁷² my dear:

               Which is — no, no — which was the fairest dame

                                     That lived, that loved, that liked, that looked with cheer.²⁷⁴

275

                                     Come, tears, confound:

                                     Out, sword, and wound

                                     The pap²⁷⁷ of Pyramus,

                                     Ay, that left pap,

                                     Where heart doth hop:

280

                                     Thus die I, thus, thus, thus. Stabs himself

                                     Now am I dead,

                                     Now am I fled,

                                     My soul is in the sky.

                                     Tongue,²⁸⁴ lose thy light,

285

                                    Moon take thy flight,

       [Exit Moonshine]

                                     Now die, die, die, die, die. Dies

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     No die,²⁸⁷ but an ace for him; for he is but one.

LYSANDER

LYSANDER     Less than an ace, man: for he is dead, he is nothing.

THESEUS

THESEUS     With the help of a surgeon he might yet recover, and prove an ass.²⁸⁹

HIPPOLYTA

HIPPOLYTA     How chance Moonshine is gone before Thisbe comes back and finds her lover?

       Enter Thisbe

THESEUS

THESEUS     She will find him by starlight. Here she comes, and her passion²⁹² ends the play.

HIPPOLYTA

HIPPOLYTA     Methinks she should not use a long one²⁹⁴ for such a Pyramus: I hope she will be brief.

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     A mote²⁹⁶ will turn the balance, which Pyramus, which Thisbe, is the better.

LYSANDER

LYSANDER     She hath spied him already with those sweet eyes.

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     And thus she means,²⁹⁸ videlicet—

THISBE [FLUTE]

THISBE [FLUTE]     Asleep, my love?

300

300                               What, dead, my dove?

                                     O Pyramus, arise!

                                     Speak, speak. Quite dumb?

                                     Dead, dead? A tomb

                                     Must cover thy sweet eyes.

305

305                               These lily lips,

                                     This cherry nose,

                                     These yellow cowslip cheeks,

                                     Are gone, are gone!

                                     Lovers, make moan:

310

310                               His eyes were green as leeks.

                                     O Sisters Three,³¹¹

                                     Come, come to me,

                                     With hands as pale as milk.

                                     Lay them in gore,

315

315                               Since you have shore³¹⁵

                                     With shears his thread of silk.³¹⁶

                                     Tongue, not a word.

                                     Come, trusty sword,

                                     Come, blade, my breast imbrue.³¹⁹ Stabs herself

320

320                               And farewell friends,

                                     Thus Thisbe ends:

                                     Adieu, adieu, adieu. Dies

THESEUS

THESEUS     Moonshine and Lion are left to bury the dead.

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     Ay, and Wall too.

BOTTOM

BOTTOM     No, I assure you, the wall is down that parted their fathers. Will it please Gets up you to see the epilogue, or to hear a Bergomask dance³²⁶ between two of our company?

THESEUS

THESEUS     No epilogue, I pray you, for your play needs no excuse. Never excuse; for when the players are all dead, there need none to be blamed. Marry, if he that writ it had played Pyramus and hung himself in Thisbe’s garter, it would have been a fine tragedy: and so it is, truly, and very notably discharged. But come,

               your Bergomask; let your epilogue alone. A dance

               The iron tongue³³³ of midnight hath told twelve.

               Lovers, to bed, ’tis almost fairy time.

335

335         I fear we shall out-sleep the coming morn

               As much as we this night have overwatched.³³⁶

               This palpable-gross³³⁷ play hath well beguiled

               The heavy gait³³⁸ of night. Sweet friends, to bed.

               A fortnight hold we this solemnity,³³⁹

340

340         In nightly revels and new jollity.

       Exeunt

       Enter [Robin] Puck With a broom

ROBIN

ROBIN     Now the hungry lion roars,

               And the wolf beholds the moon.

               Whilst the heavy³⁴³ ploughman snores,

               All with weary task fordone.³⁴⁴

345

345         Now the wasted brands³⁴⁵ do glow,

               Whilst the screech-owl,³⁴⁶ screeching loud,

               Puts the wretch that lies in woe

               In remembrance of a shroud.

               Now it is the time of night

350

350         That the graves all gaping wide,

               Every one lets forth his sprite,³⁵¹

               In the church-way paths to glide.

               And we fairies that do run

               By the triple Hecate’s³⁵⁴ team,

355

355         From the presence of the sun,

               Following darkness like a dream,

               Now are frolic;³⁵⁷ not a mouse

               Shall disturb this hallowed³⁵⁸ house.

               I am sent with broom before,

360

360         To sweep the dust behind³⁶⁰ the door.

       Enter King and Queen of Fairies [Oberon and Titania] with their train

OBERON

OBERON     Through the house give glimmering light,³⁶¹

               By the dead and drowsy fire,

               Every elf and fairy sprite

               Hop as light as bird from briar,

365

365         And this ditty, after me,

               Sing, and dance it trippingly.³⁶⁶

TITANIA

TITANIA     First, rehearse³⁶⁷ this song by rote,

               To each word a warbling note.

               Hand in hand, with fairy grace,

370

370         Will we sing and bless this place.

[FAIRIES sing]

[FAIRIES SING]     

       The Song Fairies dance

                                    Now until the break of day

                                    Through this house each fairy stray.

                                    To the best bride-bed³⁷⁴ will we,

                                    Which by us shall blessèd be.

375

                                    And the issue³⁷⁵ there create

                                    Ever shall be fortunate.

                                    So shall all the couples three

                                     Ever true in loving be.

                                     And the blots of Nature’s hand

380

                                     Shall not in their issue stand.

                                     Never mole, hare-lip, nor scar,

                                     Nor mark prodigious,³⁸² such as are

                                     Despisèd in nativity,

                                    Shall upon their children be.

385

                                    With this field-dew consecrate,³⁸⁵

                                    Every fairy take his gait,³⁸⁶

                                    And each several³⁸⁷ chamber bless,

                                    Through this palace, with sweet peace.

                                    Ever shall in safety rest,

390

                                    And the owner of it blest.

                                    Trip away, make no stay;³⁹¹

                                    Meet me all by break of day.

       [Exeunt all but Robin]

ROBIN

ROBIN     If we shadows have offended,

                                    Think but this, and all is mended,

395

                                    That you have but slumbered here

                                    While these visions did appear.

                                    And this weak³⁹⁷ and idle theme,

                                    No more yielding but³⁹⁸ a dream,

                                    Gentles,³⁹⁹ do not reprehend.

400

                                    If you pardon, we will mend.⁴⁰⁰

                                    And, as I am an honest Puck,

                                     If we have unearnèd luck

                                     Now to scape the serpent’s tongue,⁴⁰³

                                     We will make amends ere long:

405

                                     Else the Puck a liar call.

                                     So, goodnight unto you all.

                                     Give⁴⁰⁷ me your hands, if we be friends,

                                     And Robin shall restore amends.⁴⁰⁸

Textual Notes

Q = First Quarto text of 1600

F = First Folio text of 1623

F2 = a correction introduced in the Second Folio text of 1632

F4 = a correction introduced in the Fourth Folio text of 1685

Ed = a correction introduced by a later editor

SD = stage direction

SH = speech heading (i.e., speaker’s name)

List of parts = Ed

1.1.7 nights = F. Q = night 10 New-bent = Ed. F = Now bent 25 Stand forth, Demetrius = Ed. Set in italic as a stage direction in F 27 Stand forth, Lysander = Ed. Set in italic as a stage direction in F 134 Ay me, for = Q. F = For I could ever = Q. F = ever I could 138 low = Ed. F = loue 142 eyes = Q. F = eie 145 momentary = F’s modernization of Q’s momentany 161 removed = F. Q = remote 169 to = Q. F = for 175 love = F. Q = loves 185 your = Q. F = you 203 none = F. Q = no fault 208 like = F. Q = as 210 into = F. Q = unto a 219 sweet = Ed. F = sweld 228 dote = Q. F = dotes 242 often = F. Q = so oft 251 this = Q. F = his

1.2.7 grow on to = F. Q = grow to 33 You must = F. Q = Flute, you must 50 if it be = Q. F = if be 61 roar = F. Q = roare you 74 will we = Q. F = we will

2.1.1 SH ROBIN = Ed. F = Rob. Sometimes Pucke 5 thorough flood, thorough = Q. F = through flood, through 33 sprite = Q. F = spirit 34 not you he = Q. F = you not hee 47 filly = Q. F = silly 62 SH TITANIA = Ed. F = Qu. Fairies = Ed. F = Fairy 66 hast = Q. F = wast 70 step = Q. F = steepe 78 not thou = Q. F = thou not 80 Aegles = Ed. F = Eagles 81 Antiopa = Q. F = Atiopa 92 petty = F. Q = pelting 108 hoary-headed = Q1. F = hoared headed 110 thin = Ed. F = chin 138 do I = Q. F = I doe 158 saw = Q. F = say 178 round about = Q. F = about 214 do use = Q. F = doe 242 the field = Q. F = and Field 247 I’ll = Q. F = I

2.2.9 SH FIRST FAIRY = Ed. Not in F 13, 26 SH CHORUS = Ed. Not in F 14 our = Q. F = your 35 wood = Q. F = woods 48 we can = Q. F = can you 49 interchainèd = Q. F = interchanged 67 found = Q. F = finde 68 On = Q. F = One 104 shows her art = Ed. F = her shewes art. Q = shewes art. 113 Helena now I = F. Q = Helena I 140 they = Q. F = that 149 ate = Ed. Spelled eate in F 150 you = Q. F = yet

3.1.20 yourselves = F. Q = your selfe 29 them = Q. F = him 32 SH SNOUT = Ed. Q/F = Sn., which could be SNOUT or SNUG. F2 = SNUG 34 SD [Robin may] enter = Ed.F = Enter Pucke. Not in Q 48 SD Robin [may] enter = Ed. Q/F = Enter Robin 54 SH PYRAMUS [BOTTOM] = Ed.F = Pir. 61 SH THISBE [FLUTE] = Ed.F = This. 72 SD Enter … head placed ten lines later in F at a possible re-entry point for Bottom 91 with = Q. F = and 103 On…thee = Q. F prints before the two preceding lines 121 Peaseblossom…Mustardseed! set as SD in F 122 SH PEASEBLOSSOM = Ed.F = Fai. 123 SH COBWEB = Ed. Not in F 124 SH MOTH = Ed. Not in F 125 SH MUSTARDSEED = Ed. Not in F 126 SH ALL = Ed. Not in F 138 SH PEASEBLOSSOM = Ed. F = 1.Fai. 139 SH COBWEB = Ed. Not in F. 140 SH MOTH = Ed. F = 2.Fai. 141 SH MUSTARDSEED = Ed. F = 3.Fai. 148 you of = Q. F = of you 150 Mustardseed. F here accidentally repeats ‘Peas. Pease-blossome.’ 153 you of = Ed. F = you 157 weeps, weeps = Q. F = weepes, weepe

3.2.5 haunted = Q. F = gaunted 58 murdered = Q. F = murderer 68 tell true = Q. F omits repetition 80 I so = Ed.F = I 85 sleep = Ed.F = slip 121 SD [following] = Ed.F = and 123 come = Q. F = comes 145 all are = Q. F = are all 151 were men = Q. F = are men 167 till = Q. F = to 172 is it = Q. F = it is 174 Helen, it = Q. F = It 176 abide = F’s modernization of Q’s aby 183 thy sound = Q. F = that sound 214 like = Ed, F = life 221 passionate = F. Not in Q 244 my = Q. F = mine 251 prayers = Ed.F = praise 261 sir = F. Q = heele. Some eds emend to yield 269 potion = Q. F = poison 286 of doubt = F. Some eds omit of 347 abide = F’s modernization of Q’s aby 359 wilfully = Q. F = willingly 362 hath = F. Q = had 387 employ = Q. F = imply 392 night-swift = F. Q = nights swift 399 exile = Q. F = dxile 411 feared = Ed.F = sear’d 435 SD shifting places placed five lines earlier in F 440 now = Q. Not in F 451 sometime = F. Q = sometimes 467 To your = Ed. F = your

4.1.5 SH BOTTOM = Ed. F = Clow. 9 You your = Q. F = your 40 favours = Q. F = savors 64 o’er = Ed. F = or 71 do loathe his = Q. F = doth loath this 72 this head = Q. F = his head 74 five = Ed. F = fine 76 Now, when = Q. F = When 82 prosperity = Q. F = posterity 85 Fairy = Q. F = Faire 109 Seemed = F2. F = Seeme 123 their = Q. F = this 137 is = Q. F = is is 145 might be = F. Q = might 156 followed = F. Q = following 165 saw = Ed. F = see 168 I do = Q. F = doe I 171 shall hear more = F. Q = more will here 183 everything = Q. F = euery things 187 It seems = F. Q precedes with Are you sure / That we are awake? 192 bid = F. Q = did bid 204 ballad = Ed (F4). F = ballet

4.2.0 SD Flute = Ed. F = Flute, Thisbie 3 SH FLUTE = Ed. F = This. 8 naught = F2. F = nought 19 no true = F. Q = not true everything as = F. Q = every thing right as

5.1.16 airy = Ed. F = aire 39 Egeus = F. Q = Philostrate 40 SH EGEUS = F, replacing Q’s PHILOSTRATE throughout this scene 44 ripe = Q. F = rife 46 SH LYSANDER = F. Q assigns these comments to THESEUS 79 SH EGEUS = Ed. F = Phi., a vestige from the Q version of the scene, in which Philostrate serves as the ‘manager of mirth’ 111 SH THESEUS = Q. F = Duke or Du. throughout scene 125 his = F. Q = this 128 SD with … them = Ed. F = Tawyer with a Trumpet before them (William Tawyer was an actor in Shakespeare’s company) 147 trusty Thisbe’s = Q. F = Thisbies 153 SD Exeunt … Wall F provides a redundant SD three lines later: ‘Exit Lyon, Thisbie, and Moonshine’ 183 enter = F. Q = enter now 188 up in thee = F. Q = now againe 194 And I = Q. F = And 203 mural = Ed. F = morall. Q = Moon used 205 SH HIPPOLYTA = Q. F = Dut. (for Dutchess) throughout 218 on = Q. F = of 226 hearken = F. Q = listen 242 they are = F. Q = all these are 254 gleams = Ed.F = beames 255 taste = F. Q = take 289 prove = F. Q = yet proove 296 is the better. = F. Q continues better: hee for a man, God warnd us; she for a woman, God blesse us. 325 SHBOTTOM = F. Q = LYON 341 lion = Ed.F = Lyons 367 this = F. Q = your 370 SD The Song = F. Assigned to Oberon in Q.

Act 1 Scene 1

List of parts: PHILOSTRATE…court in the Quarto text, he is the Master of the Revels who introduces the entertainment in the final act; in Folio, this role is taken by Egeus, leaving Philostrate a nonspeaking role in the first scene.

 1.1    Location: Athens    Theseus mythical Duke of Athens who conquered the Amazons    Hippolyta mythical Queen of the Amazons, captured by Theseus

    2    apace quickly    Four happy days the action actually extends over two days and the intervening night

    4    lingers draws out/keeps waiting

    5    Like to like stepdame    stepmother dowager widow

    6    withering out i.e., using up    young man’s revenue i.e., her son’s inheritance

    7    steep soak, be suffused in

    9    moon…bow Diana was goddess of hunting and the moon

  10    New-bent ready to be strung or to let an arrow loose

  11    solemnities ceremonies, celebrations

  14    pert lively

  16    pale companion melancholy fellow    pomp splendid display, ceremony

  17    with my sword Hippolyta was captured during Theseus’ campaign against the Amazons

  18    injuries wrongs

  20    triumph public celebration    Hermia name of Aristotle’s disreputable mistress; may be derived from “Hermione” (daughter of Helen of Troy)    Lysander derived from “Alexander” (another name for Paris, who carried off Helen of Troy)    Demetrius a villainous Demetrius appears in North’s Plutarch and in Shakespeare’s    Titus Andronicus 32 feigning singing softly/deceitful/joyful/desirous/longing

  33    stol’n…fantasy cunningly imprinted yourself in her imagination

  34    gauds showy playthings conceits trinkets

  35    knacks knickknacks    trifles insignificant tokens    nosegays small bouquets of flowers    sweetmeats confectionery

  36    prevailment persuasion, influence unhardened inexperienced, yielding

  37    filched stolen

  40    Be it so if

  46    Immediately directly

  52    disfigure alter/erase

  56    kind respect wanting lacking voice approval

  58    would wish

  62    concern befit

  63    presence the duke/assembled people/ceremonial place

  67    die the death be executed

  68    society company

  70    Know of learn from    blood passions

  72    livery clothing (and lifestyle)

  73    aye always mewed confined

  78    earthlier happy i.e., more happy on earth    distilled whose essence is extracted for perfume

  80    single blessedness i.e., celibacy

  82    Ere before    virgin patent privilege of virginity

  83    his lordship i.e., Demetrius

  86    sealing day i.e., wedding day

  90    would wishes

  91    Diana Roman goddess of chastity and the moon    protest vow

  92    aye ever

  94    crazèd flawed/unsound/mad    title claim

  96    Do i.e., why don’t

  98    render give to

100    estate unto bestow upon

101    derived descended

102    possessed propertied, i.e., affluent

103    fairly nobly/equally

104    with…Demetrius’ superior to those of Demetrius

107    prosecute pursue

108    avouch declare head i.e., face

109    Made love to wooed Helena perhaps named after Helen of Troy

110    dotes is infatuated

112    spotted (morally) stained

115    self-affairs personal matters

116    lose forget

118    schooling admonition/advice

119    look be sure    arm prepare

120    fancies desires

122    extenuate moderate

125    go come

127    Against in preparation for

128    nearly that that closely

132    Belike probably

133    Beteem grant

134    aught anything, whatever

137    blood rank

138    cross hindrance/vexation

139    misgraffèd mismatched

141    stood depended    merit Folio’s emendation of Quarto’s “friends” (meaning “relatives”); some editors assume that both texts are wrong and that the line should read, “Or merit stood upon the choice of friends”

143    sympathy agreement

145    momentary fleeting

147    collied blackened

148    spleen fit of temper    unfolds reveals

149    ere before

151    quick living/brief    confusion ruin

152    ever crossed always thwarted

154    trial experience of this trial

157    fancy’s love’s

158    persuasion opinion

161    seven leagues about twenty-one miles

162    respects considers

167    without outside

169    do…May i.e., celebrate May Day

170    stay wait

172    Cupid Roman god of love

173    best…head i.e., one causing love (Cupid’s lead arrows were supposed to induce loathing)

174    simplicity innocence doves symbols of fidelity, these birds drew the goddess of love’s chariot

175    knitteth binds together

176    Carthage queen Dido, who committed suicide on a pyre when Aeneas deserted her

177    false Troyan the Trojan Aeneas

183    fair beautiful/fair-complexioned

185    happy favored, lucky

186    lodestars guiding stars air melody

187    tuneable harmonious

188    green fresh, new

189    favour good looks/a favorable attitude

190    catch seize

193    bated omitted (with play on “baited, hooked”)

194    translated transformed

200    move arouse

203    none i.e., no fault

206    fly flee

212    Phoebe another name for the Roman moon goddess

213    glass mirror (i.e., water)

215    still always

218    faint pale wont accustomed

219    counsel inmost thoughts/advice

222    strange foreign, new

229    o’er other some more than others

232    all everyone else

235    quantity value/substance/proportion (to what love makes them into)

236    form ordered, attractive appearance/substance

238    blind Cupid was traditionally depicted as a sightless    child

239    of…taste the least bit of reason

240    figure symbolize

242    beguiled deceived, misguided

243    waggish playful, mischievous    game jest/play    themselves forswear break their word

245    eyne eyes

251    intelligence information

252    dear expense effort worth making/high price to pay (as Demetrius will pursue Hermia)/begrudging gratitude (from Demetrius)

Act 1 Scene 2

 1.2    Quince probably from “quines” or “quoins,” a carpenter’s wooden wedges    Snug close-fitting; a good name for a joiner (craftsman who makes furniture)    Bottom the core onto which the weaver’s yarn was wound, or a ball of thread; did not have modern sense of “arse”    Flute suggests the fluted pipes of a church organ operated by bellows; perhaps Flute also has a reedy, high voice    Snout possibly Snout has a large nose (some editors suppose a reference to the spout of a kettle, which a tinker would have to mend, but sixteenth-century kettles did not have spouts)    Starveling tailors were proverbially thin

    2    generally malapropism for “severally” (i.e., individually) scrip scrap of paper/script (i.e., what is written down; the word did not have its modern theatrical sense)

    4    interlude short play

    6    treats on deals with, is about

    7    grow…point approach a conclusion

    8    Marry by the Virgin Mary

  11    spread yourselves spread out

  17    ask require

  18    condole express great sorrow

  19    humour inclination    Ercles i.e., the Greek hero Hercules    rarely magnificently, exceptionally

  20    tear…in rant and bluster    split go to pieces

  22    shivering shattering

  25    Phibbus’ car the chariot of Phoebus, the sun god

  27    mar ruin

  28    Fates three goddesses in control of human destiny

  29    lofty grandiose, exalted, impressive vein temperament

  34    wand’ring i.e., on a mission

  37    That’s all one it doesn’t matter    small high-pitched

  38    will can

  39    An if

  46    Thisbe’s…father these characters never actually appear

  49    fitted equipped, provided for (perhaps maintaining the language of joinery)

  52    do it extempore improvise

  60    discretion sound judgment    aggravate malapropism for “moderate”

  61    roar roar for    sucking dove conflation of “sitting dove” and “sucking lamb,” both proverbially quiet and gentle    an ’twere as if it were

  64    proper handsome

  68    discharge perform    your i.e., you know the sort    orange-tawny yellowish-brown

  69    purple-in-grain dyed red    French-crown-coloured i.e., the gold color of the French coin

  71    crowns heads; baldness was an effect of syphilis (“the French disease”)

  73    con learn

  75    devices plans

  76    draw draw up    bill list

  78    obscenely malapropism, perhaps for “seemly” or “obscurely”    courageously spiritedly

  79    perfect word perfect

  81    hold…bow-strings archers’ saying, possibly meaning “stand firm and fight, or cut your bowstrings in preparation for capture”

Act 2 Scene 1

 2.1    Location: a wood near Athens    Robin Goodfellow name traditionally given to a mischievous hobgoblin    Puck a kind of mischievous goblin

    4    park enclosed hunting ground pale fenced-in area

    5    Thorough through

    7    sphere stars and planets were thought to be contained within revolving hollow spheres

    9    orbs i.e., fairy rings (dark circles in the grass)

  10    pensioners bodyguards

  12    favours tokens of favor

  13    savours (sweet) scent

  16    lob country bumpkin

  17    anon soon

  20    passing fell excessively fierce    wrath angry

  23    changeling child taken by the fairies (usually exchanged for a fairy child)

  25    trace traverse

  26    perforce forcibly

  29    fountain spring    sheen brightness

  30    square quarrel

  32    making physical appearance quite entirely

  33    shrewd cunning

  35    villagery villages

  36    Skim take the cream off    quern churn; also a mill for grinding corn

  37    bootless in vain

  38    barm yeasty froth on top of fermenting ale

  39    mislead i.e., with false fire that moves from place to place

  46    bean-fed well-fed

  47    filly female

  48    gossip’s old friend’s bowl i.e., drinking cup

  49    crab crab apple

  51    dewlap loose fold of skin hanging at the neck

  52    aunt old woman 55 ‘tailor’ cry of surprise; possibly because she ends up sitting on the floor (customary posture for tailors), or because she sits on her “tail” (i.e., bum)

  56    quire company

  57    waxen increase neeze sneeze

  58    wasted spent

  59    room make way Oberon name often given to the King of Fairies    Titania used by Ovid to refer to Diana (moon goddess) and Circe (enchantress)

  64    Tarry stay    wanton willful one, perhaps also with sense of “promiscuous”    lord husband

  65    lady wife

  67    Corin conventional pastoral name

  68    corn straw versing composing/uttering verses of

  69    Phillida conventional pastoral name

  70    step limit

  71    forsooth in truth    bouncing big, strapping (perhaps with sexual connotations)

  72    buskined wearing high hunting boots (“buskins”)

  76    Glance at refer to/cast aspersions on credit favor

  78    glimmering twinkling, shimmering

  79    Perigenia (sometimes spelt “Perigouna”) Theseus slept with her after he killed her robber father    ravishèd carried off/seized/raped

  80    Aegles nymph loved by Theseus

  81    Ariadne she helped Theseus find his way out of the labyrinth; he then abandoned her    Antiopa Amazon seduced or abducted by Theseus before being abandoned by him

  83    middle summer’s spring i.e., beginning of midsummer

  84    mead meadow

  85    pavèd with a pebbly base    rushy edged with rushes

  86    in on    beachèd covered with shingle    margent margin, edge

  87    ringlets circular fairy dance

  88    brawls quarrels/noise; also lively French dance (contrasts with calmer ringlets)    sport recreation

  89    piping whistling

  91    Contagious pestilential/harmful

  92    petty small    proud swollen

  93    overborne their    continents exceeded their boundaries (i.e., flooded)

  94    stretched strained at/pulled

  95    lost wasted

  96    ere…beard before developing the awn (bristly growth)

  97    fold animal pen

  98    murrion infected

  99    nine men’s morris ground marked out for a game involving nine pegs (“men”)

100    quaint elaborate    mazes pattern of paths cut in the turf    wanton green lush grass

102    want…blessed i.e., though the weather is wintery, there are no winter festivities (some editors emend “here” to “cheer”)

104    Therefore i.e., because of our dispute    floods tides

105    washes saturates, renders moist

106    rheumatic diseases illnesses involving watery discharge, such as colds

107    distemperature poor weather/disorder

108    hoary-headed white-haired

110    Hiems personification of winter

111    chaplet garland

113    childing fertile

114    wonted customary    mazèd confused/dumbstruck/terrified

115    increase produce

117    debate discord    dissension discord

118    original point of origin

122    henchman squire, page

125    votress female follower, bound by a vow

127    Full very

128    Neptune Roman god of the sea

129    Marking observing, noting    th’embarkèd traders sailing merchants or their ships    flood sea

131    wanton playful/lustful

132    swimming gait smooth, graceful motion

137    of that boy i.e., in childbirth

141    Perchance perhaps

142    patiently calmly    round circular dance

144    spare avoid

147    chide quarrel    downright utterly

148    from go from

151    Since when    promontory headland

153    dulcet sweet    breath i.e., song

154    rude rough

155    certain surely/particular

160    all fully certain accurate/specific

161    vestal woman vowed to chastity, here assumed by most commentators to be an allusion to Queen Elizabeth I (the imperial votress)

163    As as if

164    might could

167    fancy-free unaffected by love

168    bolt arrow

170    purple blood-colored

171    love-in-idleness pansy or heartsease

174    or either

177    leviathan sea monster

178    girdle belt

194    The…stayeth i.e., I will confront Lysander; it is Hermia who is preoccupying me (some editors emend to “slay…slayeth”)

196    wood angry/mad (puns on “wooed”)

199    draw attract (magnetically)    adamant hard magnetic substance

201    Leave you give up

203    you fair favorably, kindly to you

209    but only

210    leave permission

218    impeach discredit

222    desert desolate, isolated

224    privilege safeguard    for that because

231    brakes bushes

235    Apollo…chase a reversal of the myth in which Daphne, being chased by Apollo, was spared rape by being turned into a laurel tree

236    griffin mythical beast, part lion part eagle    hind female deer

237    bootless pointless

239    stay wait for

244    set…sex make me behave in a way that disgraces womankind

248    upon by/at

254    blows blossoms

255    oxlips flowers resembling both cowslip and primrose

256    Quite completely    woodbine honeysuckle

257    musk-roses wild climbing roses eglantine sweetbriar, a sweetly scented rose

258    sometime at some time or other

260    throws sheds

261    Weed garment

271    fond on infatuated with

Act 2 Scene 2

    1    roundel circular dance

    3    cankers worms that destroy plants

    4    reremice bats    leathern leathery

    7    quaint strange/dainty

    8    offices duties

    9    double i.e., forked

  11    blind-worms adders

  13    Philomel nightingale; Philomela was transformed into a nightingale after being raped by her brother-in-law

  18    nigh near

  24    etc. indicates chorus is to be repeated

  26    aloof at a distance    sentinel guard

  30    ounce lynx

  31    Pard leopard/panther

  36    troth truth

  38    tarry…day wait till the cooler part of the day

  42    troth pledge (of love)/faith

  45    take the sense i.e., interpret correctly

  46    Love…conference i.e., love allows lovers to understand one another

  52    lie mislead (you) (puns on “lie down”)

  53    prettily charmingly/cleverly

  54    beshrew curse

  56    friend lover

  57    human polite/courteous

  59    Becomes befits

  65    wisher’s eyes i.e., Lysander’s    pressed i.e., closed in sleep

  68    approve test

  78    Churl villain/scoundrel

  79    owe own

  80    forbid…eyelid prevent you from sleeping

  85    charge command    haunt pursue/hang around

  86    darkling in the dark

  88    fond foolish/doting

  89    grace favor

  90    lies is/resides

  96    marvel wonder

  97    as as if (from)

  98    glass mirror

  99    sphery eyne heavenly eyes

104    Transparent radiant/see-through    art skill (allowing him to see through Helena’s body)

109    What though what of it (if)

115    will inclination (plays on sense of “sexual desire”/”penis”)

118    ripe not i.e., was not mature enough

119    point peak    skill discernment

120    marshal guide

121    o’erlook read

122    stories narrative/true history

123    Wherefore why

129    Good troth truly    good sooth indeed

132    lord possessor    gentleness nobility/courtesy/kindness

134    of by    abused mistreated

137    surfeit excess

139    leave renounce

140    those…deceive i.e., the former heretics themselves

142    Of by

143    address direct

150    prey act of preying

151    removed departed

153    an if if

154    of all loves for love’s sake

Act 3 Scene 1

 3.1    Clowns lower-class comic characters

    2    Pat punctually

    3    brake thicket    tiring-house dressing room

    6    bully old mate, good fellow

  10    By’r lakin by our ladykin (i.e., the Virgin Mary)    parlous perilous

  11    done i.e., said and done

  12    Write me write/write for me

  16    eight and six alternating lines of eight and six syllables (common meter for ballads)

  18    afeard afraid

  19    it either the lion, or that the ladies will be afraid

  21    fearful frightening

  22    wild-fowl i.e., wild beast (literally, bird)

  25    defect malapropism for “effect”

  27    My…yours by my life (literally, I would lay down my life for you)

  28    pity…life a bad thing, by my life/my life would be at risk

  29    plainly may pun on “plane” (carpenter’s tool)

  33    almanac calendar

  36    casement section of a window

  38    bush…lantern the traditional props of the man in the moon

  39    disfigure malapropism for “figure” (i.e., represent)    present represent

  44    rough-cast lime and gravel mixture used for plastering walls

  47    rehearse recite

  49    hempen home-spuns those wearing homemade/rustic clothes    swagg’ring blustering

  50    cradle place of rest

  51    toward in preparation

  59    by and by shortly

  66    brisky juvenal lively young man    eke also    Jew desperate rhyme, or perhaps short for “juvenal” or “jewel” as a term of affection

  69    Ninus founder of Nineveh

  70    part an actor’s written part consisted solely of his lines and cues

  73    fair handsome    were would be

  75    round circular dance/circuitous route

  78    fire will-o’-the-wisp, a flame over marshy ground (caused by gas but popularly supposed to be a hobgoblin’s trick)

  81    knavery trick

  84    translated transformed

  88    ousel cock male blackbird

  90    throstle song thrush

  91    quill reed/pipe (i.e., voice)

  94    plain-song melodically simple

  96    dares…nay is unable to deny the truth of the cuckoo’s cry of “cuckold” (man with an unfaithful wife)

  97    who…bird adaptation of “do not set your wit against a fool’s” (proverbial)    give…lie accuse the bird of lying

  98    cuckoo i.e., “cuckold”    never so ever so much

101    enthrallèd enslaved

102    virtue’s qualities’    perforce of necessity

106    gleek make a jest

110    turn purposes

112    wilt wish to

113    rate worth, rank

114    still always    tend upon serve, wait upon    state status as queen

117    deep bottom of the sea

119    grossness bodily form

121    Peaseblossom flower of plants of the pea family; Pease also meant “something of very small value or importance”    Moth pronounced “mote” (i.e., speck) so this sense may also be implied

128    eyes i.e., sight

129    apricocks apricots    dewberries type of blackberry

131    humblebees bumblebees

132    night-tapers candles

134    arise possible erectile connotations

142    cry…mercy beg your pardon

144    desire…acquaintance want to be better acquainted with you    if…you cobwebs were used to stop bleeding

147    Squash unripe pea pod

148    Peascod pea pod (a traditional remedy for lovesickness, with play on “codpiece”)

151    patience endurance (as mustard is eaten with beef)

153    made…water since mustard is hot in the mouth

157    weeps i.e., causes dew

158    enforcèd violated

159    Tie…tongue perhaps because Bottom is braying

Act 3 Scene 2

    3    in extremity to excess

    5    night-rule mischievous, disordered nighttime activity    haunted much frequented

    7    close private/secluded

    8    dull inactive

    9    patches clowns/fools    rude mechanicals uneducated manual workers

  13    barren sort stupid group

  15    Forsook left    scene performance space

  17    noll head

  19    mimic burlesque actor/performer

  20    fowler hunter

  21    russet-pated choughs reddish-brown jackdaws (with play on “chuff,” rustic boor) many in sort i.e., in a large flock

  22    report sound of firing

  23    Sever scatter    sweep move swiftly across

  30    yielders those who yield to fear

  36    latched ensnared/wetted

  40    of force by necessity

  41    close concealed

  45    chide rebuke (you)    use treat

  48    Being o’er shoes having waded

  50    true loyal

  53    whole solid, intact    bored pierced through

  54    centre i.e., of the earth

  55    Her brother’s i.e., the sun’s    th’Antipodes the people/places on the opposite side of the globe

  57    dead deadly/murderous

  61    Venus bright planet; also Roman goddess of love sphere orbit/hollow surrounding sphere

  62    to got to do with

  65    cur dog

  67    numbered counted

  68    once once and for all

  69    Durst would you/did you dare    a have

  70    brave touch fine/impudent deed

  71    worm snake

  72    doubler more divided/deceitful

  74    spend expend/waste    passion powerful feelings    misprised mood mistaken anger

  78    therefor for it

  82    vein mood

  84    So…owe i.e., lack of sleep and sorrow combined are making me very tired    heavier harder to bear/sleepier

  85    For because of the

  87    his tender sleep’s offer    make some stay stay here awhile

  88    quite utterly

  90    misprision error

  92    one…troth for each man who keeps his word/faith in love

  93    confounding breaking    on after

  95    look be sure

  96    fancy-sick lovesick cheer face

  97    sighs…dear each sigh was thought to drain a drop of blood from the heart

  98    illusion deception

  99    against in preparation for when

101    Tartar’s bow powerful bow from central Asia

104    apple pupil/center

109    remedy relief, resolution

113    fee payment

114    fond pageant foolish spectacle

119    alone unique/on its own

121    preposterously perversely, out of the normal course of events

124    Look when whenever

125    nativity i.e., through weeping

127    badge outward sign (as worn on servants’ livery), i.e., tears

128    advance show

129    truth kills truth i.e., his vows to Hermia and to Helena invalidate one another    devilish-holy fray quarrel involving false and true vows

130    o’er up

133    light as tales false as rumors/lies

136    Demetrius…you there maybe a missing rhyme line for Helena hereafter

139    ripe i.e., full and red    show appearance

141    pure congealèd white i.e., pale skin (considered to be especially beautiful)    Taurus mountain range in Turkey

142    turns…crow seems black in comparison (with Helena’s white skin)

144    seal promise

145    bent disposed

146    set against be hostile to

148    do…injury insult me so much

150    join in    souls unite

152    gentle noble/mild

153    superpraise praise excessively    parts qualities

157    trim fine

160    extort torture/wring

169    will none i.e., want nothing to do with her

171    but…sojourned stayed with her merely as a visitor

176    abide suffer for/pay for    dear at great cost

178    his its

179    apprehension perception

186    press urge

187    bide remain

188    engilds brightens with gold

189    yon i.e., those over there    oes spangles (i.e., stars)

193    confed’racy alliance

195    fashion contrive    in spite to vex

196    Injurious harmful, unjust

198    bait persecute/torment

199    counsel inmost thoughts/advice

201    chid scolded

204    artificial skilled in the arts of creation

207    one key total harmony

209    incorporate indivisible, one body

210    Like similar

213    heart may pun on “hart,” a common heraldic device

214    first i.e., bodies (plays on sense of “dominant color on a shield”)    coats coats of arms (which can appear twice on a shield though under one crest)

215    Due…one a coat of arms is allocated to a specific individual

216    rent rend, tear    ancient long-standing    asunder apart

227    rare splendid/exceptional

231    tender offer

233    grace favor

238    Persever persevere    sad solemn

239    mouths faces

240    hold…up maintain the joke

241    carried conducted

243    argument subject (for a joke)

257    withdraw i.e., remove yourself from present company (for a duel)

259    whereto to what end

260    Ethiope Ethiopian, i.e., dark-complexioned (in comparison with fair Helena)

262    take on as behave as if

264    Hang off leave hold    burr prickly seed head that sticks easily to clothing    let loose get off

266    rude harsh, unkind, offensive

268    Out exclamation of impatience (“get away!”)    tawny dark-skinned    Tartar person from central Asia

269    medicine i.e., poison

271    sooth truly

274    weak bond i.e., Hermia (plays on earlier sense of “oath”)

280    erewhile before

286    out of free from

289    juggler trickster    canker-blossom flower-destroying worm

295    Impatient angry

296    puppet false thing/small person

299    urged insisted on/brought forward

300    personage appearance

304    painted made-up (with cosmetics)    maypole i.e., tall, skinny person

308    curst ill-tempered

309    shrewishness scolding/bad temper

310    right true/typical

312    something lower somewhat shorter

316    evermore always

319    stealth stealing away

321    chid me hence tried to drive me away with scolding

323    so if

326    fond foolish

332    part side

333    keen sharp    shrewd vicious

337    suffer allow

340    minimus tiny, insignificant being    knot-grass type of creeping weed

347    abide pay for

351    cheek by jowl i.e., side by side

352    coil turmoil ’long on account    Exit…Hermia the Quarto text gives Hermia the exit line “I am amazed and know not what to say”; Folio’s omission of this was probably a printer’s error, but it might conceivably have been the purposeful cut of a weak line that converts a rhyming couplet to a triplet

365    sort fall out

366    As in that    jangling squabbling

368    Hie hasten

369    welkin sky

370    drooping falling    Acheron one of the four rivers of Hades (the classical underworld)

371    testy irritable

372    As so that

373    Like…tongue sometimes imitate Lysander’s voice

374    wrong insults

375    rail rant

378    batty batlike

379    herb i.e., the antidote

380    liquor liquid, juice    virtuous powerful

381    his its

382    wonted accustomed, former

383    derision ridiculousness

385    wend make their way

386    league alliance, friendship    date duration

392    dragons supposedly pulling the chariot of night or the moon    cut cut through

393    Aurora’s harbinger the morning star, which can be seen before dawn

396    crossways crossroads, the unconsecrated burial place for suicides    floods “burial” place of those who had drowned (and whose bodies were unrecoverable)

400    aye eternity    consort keep company

402    morning’s love either Aurora’s lover, or Aurora, Roman goddess of the dawn (i.e., Oberon does not have to disappear before dawn like the other spirits)    made sport amused myself/made love to

403    forester guardian of the forest

405    Neptune Roman god of the sea

412    Goblin Puck refers to himself

415    drawn with sword drawn

416    straight at once

417    plainer flatter/more open

423    recreant coward

427    try test

435    spite vexation, grievance

437    Abide confront/endure    wot know

442    buy pay for

444    constraineth compels

448    Abate shorten

477    Jack…Jill “all shall be well and Jack shall have Jill” (proverbial)

478    Nought nothing

479    man…mare proverbial

Act 4 Scene 1

    2    amiable lovable    coy caress

  13    overflown flowed over, drenched

  15    neaf fist    leave your courtesy stop bowing/put your hat back on

  18    Cavalery cavalier (i.e., courtly gentleman)    Cobweb apparently an error for Peaseblossom

  19    marvellous extremely

  22    tongs simple metal musical instrument, struck to produce sound    bones pieces of bone clapped together between the fingers

  23    rural music simple rustic music

  24    peck quantity (quarter of a bushel) provender fodder (for animals)

  25    bottle bundle    fellow equal

  26    vent’rous adventurous, daring

  29    stir wake    exposition of malapropism for “disposition to”

  31    all ways away gone in all directions

  32    woodbine bindweed, which entwines itself with    honeysuckle

  34    Enrings encircles

  38    dotage infatuation

  40    favours love tokens (perhaps flowers)

  44    sometime formerly

  45    orient from the east/lustrous

  46    flowerets small flowers

  56    swain rustic

  57    other others

  58    repair make their way

  59    accidents events

  64    Dian’s bud i.e., Oberon’s corrective herb, linked to Diana, Roman goddess of chastity

  74    these five i.e., Bottom and the lovers

  75    charmeth brings about by magic    Music, still the “rural music” may still have been playing or perhaps this is a cue for “still” (i.e., gentle) music; Oberon’s Silence awhile may cue the suspension of the former before Sound, music! cues the latter

  80    solemnly ceremoniously

  81    triumphantly with great celebration

  85    attend listen

  87    sad solemn

  88    Trip move swiftly    his i.e., Theseus’

  96    observation observance (of May morning rites)

  97    vaward vanguard (i.e., foremost part)

  99    Uncouple release (pairs of dogs for the hunt)

104    Cadmus founder of Thebes

105    bayed pursued with dogs

106    hounds of Sparta dogs famed for their skill

107    chiding i.e., barking

111    kind breed

112    so flewed with the same large cheek folds    sanded sandy-colored

114    dewlapped with loose folds of skin hanging at the neck    Thessalian from Thessaly, an ancient region of northeastern Greece

115    matched in mouth united in barking (i.e., harmonious)

116    tuneable melodious

117    hallowed to had “halloo” (a cry of encouragement) shouted to it    cheered urged on

119    soft wait a moment

123    of at

126    in grace of to honor    solemnity ceremony

131    Saint Valentine February 14, the day on which birds were thought to choose their mates

132    couple pair off

137    jealousy suspicion

150    defeated frustrated/deprived

156    fancy love/infatuation

160    idle gaud worthless trinket

172    overbear overrule

173    by and by soon

175    for since    something worn somewhat spent

176    purposed intended

178    in with    solemnity ceremony

180    undistinguishable unrecognizable

182    parted divided/unfocused

186    Mine…own i.e., because found, of uncertain ownership

194    by on

197    God’s God save    hence away from here    rare unique/marvelous

198    wit understanding

199    go about endeavor

201    patched i.e., wearing a fool’s multicolored costume    The…was garbled version of a famous passage about what the Geneva Bible calls “the bottom of God’s secrets” (1 Corinthians 2:9–10)

205    bottom foundation/(is) unfathomable    Peradventure perhaps

206    her presumably Thisbe’s

Act 4 Scene 2

 4.2    Location: Athens

    2    transported carried off/transformed

    3    forward ahead

    4    discharge perform

    6    wit intellect

    7    person appearance, bearing    paramour malapropism for “paragon”

    8    naught i.e., wickedness, shame (with possible vaginal connotations)

  10    we…men i.e., our fortunes would have been made

  12    sixpence a day i.e., as a reward from the duke (a considerable sum, half a day’s wage)

  13    scaped escaped, avoided An if

  16    hearts fine friends

  19    fell out happened

  21    of from

  22    strings i.e., with which to attach the beards    pumps light shoes

  23    presently at once

  24    preferred recommended

  25    pare trim

Act 5 Scene 1

 5.1    his i.e. Theseus’

    1    that that which

    3    antic bizarre/grotesque, with pun on “antique,” antiquated, which is the Quarto spelling    fairy toys foolish stories about fairies

    5    shaping creative    apprehend grasp (intellectually)

    8    compact composed

  10    frantic mad, frenzied

  11    Helen’s Helen of Troy’s    brow of Egypt dark-skinned complexion (thought unattractive)

  14    bodies forth gives shape to

  19    apprehend conceive

  20    comprehends incorporates

  24    transfigured changed, affected

  25    More witnesseth is more certain testimony

  26    constancy consistency, truth

  27    admirable wondrous, extraordinary

  32    board table

  33    masques courtly entertainments involving music, dancing, and elaborate costumes

  35    after-supper time after the evening meal

  41    abridgement pastime (to shorten the evening)

  44    brief summary    ripe fully prepared

  46    battle…Centaurs probably derived from Ovid’s Metamorphoses, which tells of the battle of the Centaurs and the Lapithae; some versions say that Hercules was present

  50    riot…rage another tale from Ovid’s Metamorphoses in which Orpheus was torn apart by female followers of Bacchus (Roman god of wine)

  52    device show

  54    thrice…beggary possible reference to Spenser’s poem “The Tears of the Muses”

  56    critical judgmental

  57    sorting with appropriate for

  61    strange snow a word may be missing here, e.g., “strange black snow”

  62    concord harmony

  67    fitted suitable, apt

  76    toiled exhausted, taxed    unbreathed unpracticed, inexperienced

  77    against in preparation for

  83    conned learned

  87    simpleness unassuming simplicity

  89    wretchedness o’er-charged humble people overburdened

  90    his service its attempt to serve

  92    kind respect

  94    take accept, comprehend, value

  95    noble respect dignity and consideration that comes with nobility

  96    in…merit in terms of effort rather than actual value

  97    clerks scholars

100    Make periods full stops/rhetorical pauses

101    accent speech, intonation

104    picked extracted, detected

105    modesty propriety/shyness    fearful frightened

109    capacity understanding

110    addressed ready

112    will. Quince inadvertently inserts a period here and changes the meaning of the line

114    will. another misplaced period

115    end aim

116    despite malice

117    we…you correctly punctuated, this would read “we come—but in despite we do not come—as minding to content you”

118    is. erroneous period    All exclusively    delight missing punctuation (e.g., period, semicolon)

119    here. erroneous period

120    show appearance/performance

121    like likely

122    stand upon points dwell on trivialities/insist on (correct) punctuation

123    rid dispensed with/ridden    rough untrained    stop pulling up (of a horse)/period

126    government control

127    nothing not

134    sunder separate

139    scorn shame, disdain

141    hight is called

144    mantle loose cloak    fall let fall

146    tall fine/brave

149    broached pierced

152    twain two/separated

156    interlude short play

164    sinister left

165    fearful frightened

167    partition wall/section of a scholarly book

169    grim-looked grim-looking, forbidding

176    chink plays on sense of “vagina/anus”

177    Jove Roman supreme god

180    stones plays on sense of “testicles”

181    sensible capable of feeling    again in response

183    pat exactly

188    lime probably pronounced “limb,” thus playing on sense of “penis”    hair plays on “pubic hair”

190    an if

191    thou…love Thisbe misplaces the pause that should be after “love”

192    lover’s grace i.e., gracious lover

193    Limander malapropism for “Leander,” lover of Hero

194    Helen mistake for “Hero”

195    Shafalus to Procrus mistakes for “Cephalus,” who was married to “Procris”

198    hole plays on “asshole”

200    ’Tide betide, i.e., come

203    mural wall

204    walls…hear derived from the proverb “walls have ears”    wilful willing

206    in this kind of this sort    shadows images/reflections/actors

212    monstrous frightening/enormous

214    rough wild/cruel

216    fell fierce    dam mother

220    at i.e., at playing    beast puns on    best

221    a very fox i.e., cunning    for i.e., for all

222    goose…discretion i.e., foolish    discretion judgment/prudence

224    carries i.e., literally, as prey

227    hornèd i.e. crescent-shaped

228    horns…head i.e., as a cuckold (men with unfaithful wives were said to grow horns)

229    no crescent no growing moon (presumably because he is so thin)

234    in snuff in need of blowing out/angry

236    in the wane decreasing/lacking

237    reason i.e., reasonable behavior    stay the time wait for the moment, sit it out

249    moused seized/shaken (refers to Thisbe’s mantle)

258    dole sorrow, grievous occurrence

264    Furies three classical goddesses of vengeance    fell fierce

265    Fates three classical goddesses in control of human destiny (a thread that would be cut when death was due)

266    thrum end of warp thread on a weaving loom, i.e., everything

267    Quail end, destroy    quell overcome, ruin

268    passion fit of grief    friend lover    go near to almost

270    Beshrew curse

271    frame create

272    deflowered presumably a mistake for “devoured”

274    cheer face/joy

277    pap breast (usually a woman’s)

284    Tongue error for “eye”

287    die one of a pair of dice    ace one (single spot on a die)

289    ass puns on    ace

292    passion sorrow/suffering (resulting in death)

294    long one i.e., fit of grief

296    mote tiny particle

298    means laments/intends    videlicet “that is to say” (Latin)

311    Sisters Three i.e., the Fates

315    shore shorn, cut

316    thread of silk i.e., life

319    imbrue pierce

326    Bergomask dance rustic dance, named after the people of Bergamo, Italy    between i.e., performed by

333    iron tongue clapper of a bell    told counted, i.e., rung (puns on “tolled”)

336    overwatched stayed up late

337    palpable-gross obviously clumsy    beguiled whiled away

338    heavy gait slow/sleepy passage

339    solemnity celebration

343    heavy exhausted

344    fordone worn out

345    wasted brands burnt logs

346    screech-owl the barn owl’s cry was thought to be a bad omen

351    sprite spirit

354    triple Hecate classical goddess of witchcraft and night, associated with the moon; often represented in triple form, she was known as Luna/Cynthia in heaven, Diana on earth, and Proserpina in the underworld    team i.e., the creatures, probably dragons, pulling her chariot

357    frolic frolicsome, merry

358    hallowed blessèd

360    behind out from behind/behind

361    give glimmering light probably a command to the fairies, who may have candles with them (perhaps carried on their heads to leave their hands free for dancing)

366    trippingly skillfully, lightly

367    rehearse recite    rote heart

374    best bride-bed i.e., that of Theseus and Hippolyta

375    issue children    create created

382    prodigious ominous

385    consecrate holy, blessed

386    gait (own) course

387    several individual

391    stay delay

397    weak deficient    idle foolish/trifling

398    yielding but meaningful than

399    Gentles ladies and gentlemen    reprehend reprove

400    mend improve, put it right

403    serpent’s tongue i.e., audience hisses

407    Give…hands i.e., applaud

408    restore amends make amends in return

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE

In the summer of 1598, the Lord Chamberlain’s Men registered their right to print “a book of the Merchant of Venice or otherwise called the Jew of Venice.” Two years later the play was published with a title page intended to whet the prospective reader’s appetite: The most excellent History of the Merchant of Venice. With the extreme cruelty of Shylock the Jew towards the said Merchant, in cutting a just pound of his flesh, and the obtaining of Portia by the choice of three chests. The character of Shylock and the courtship of Portia by Bassanio were clearly considered the play’s principal selling points. If The Jew of Venice was actually an alternative title for the stage, then there was a clear echo of one of the biggest box-office successes of the age, Christopher Marlowe’s The Jew of Malta. What, then, of Antonio the merchant?

In no other Shakespearean play does the titular character have such a small role: Portia’s is much the largest part, followed by Shylock and then Bassanio. Antonio is no more prominent in the dialogue than his friends Gratiano and Lorenzo. The part almost seems to be deliberately underwritten. “In sooth I know not why I am so sad,” he begins the play. His friends suggest some possible reasons: he is worried about his merchandise or perhaps he is in love. Antonio denies both, proposing instead that to play the melancholy man is simply his given role in the theater of the world. Intriguingly, Shakespeare gives the name Antonio to discontented characters in two other plays: one is Sebastian’s nautical companion in Twelfth Night, who risks his life for his close friend only to be ignored when Sebastian finds the love of a good woman, and the other is Prospero’s usurping brother in The Tempest, who has no wife or child of his own and who is again marginalized at the end of the play. Some productions have explored the sense of exclusion associated with the Antonio figures in Merchant and Twelfth Night by suggesting that they are made melancholy by unrequited homoerotic desire for, respectively, Bassanio and Sebastian.

Shakespeare often returned to a triangular structure of relationships in which close male friendship is placed at odds with desire for a woman. The pattern recurs not only in several of the plays but also as the implied narrative of the Sonnets. The Merchant of Venice begins with Bassanio seeking to borrow from his friend in order to finance the pursuit of a wealthy lover. He sets himself up as a figure from classical mythology: Jason in pursuit of the Golden Fleece. The analogy establishes Gratiano and Lorenzo as fellow Argonauts. Jason was renowned for being clever and brave, but also selfish and materialistic. His pattern of behavior was to gain the assistance of a woman—Ariadne, Medea—in realizing his ambitions, to become her lover and then to desert her and move on to a new adventure. With Jason as his role model, Bassanio has the potential to join the company of those other lovers in Shakespearean comedy—Claudio in Much Ado About Nothing, Bertram in All’s Well that Ends Well—who are not worthy of the women they obtain.

To make such comparisons is to see that The Merchant of Venice is one of Shakespeare’s darker comedies. The blurring of perspectives between the romantic and the sinister is especially apparent in the beautiful but ironic love duet of Lorenzo and Jessica at the beginning of the final act. They compare themselves to some oft-sung partners from the world of classical mythology. But what kind of exemplary figures are these? Cressida, who was unfaithful to Troilus; Medea the poisoner; Thisbe, whose tragical fate, though comically represented in the mechanicals’ play in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, was identical to Juliet’s; and Dido, whom Aeneas deserted in his quest for imperial glory. They are all figures in the pantheon of tragedy, not comedy.

The cleverness that Bassanio shares with the mythological figure of Jason is apparent from his choice of casket. Portia’s late father has devised a simple test to find her the right husband: those suitors who choose the golden or silver caskets are clearly motivated by desire for wealth and must therefore want to marry her for her money. The man who chooses lead obviously does not care about cash, so he is likely to love Portia for herself alone. Bassanio, however, recognizes that appearances are not to be trusted. Venice, sixteenth-century Europe’s preeminent city of commercial exchange and conspicuous consumption, has taught him that credit allows a man to display himself above his means. He does not want to look like a fortune hunter when wooing Portia, so he borrows from Antonio in order to dress like a wealthy man: “By something showing a more swelling port / Than my faint means would grant continuance.” He chooses the lead casket because he knows from his own example that “outward shows” may be least themselves and that the world is easily deceived “with ornament.” Gold, he reasons, is for greedy Midas, so he spurns it—this is what he imagines Portia wants to hear. He is of course assisted by the hint she drops for his benefit: whereas Morocco and Aragon had to make their choice in silence, Bassanio’s is heralded by a song that warns against trusting what appears to “the eyes.”

Portia has been attracted to Bassanio for some time (he has previously visited Belmont in the guise of “a scholar and a soldier” in the retinue of another suitor), but it is when he reasons against gold that love takes her over, banishing all other emotions. She responds with a beautifully articulated self-revelation. Ignore my riches, virtues, beauty, status, she says: “the full sum of me / Is sum of nothing, which to term in gross / Is an unlessoned girl, unschooled, unpractisèd.” On the surface, the rural estate of Belmont (literally “beautiful mountain”) is the play’s version of pastoral: an Arcadian realm of ease, integrity, and self-discovery that stands in contrast to the hard-nosed commerce of the duplicitous city. But the lesson of Belmont is actually a cynical one: choose wealth and you won’t get it, appear to reject it and it will be yours. The Prince of Morocco, who takes things at face value, is roundly rejected. It will not be the last time that Shakespeare pits an honest Moor against a world of Italian intrigue.

For all their fine words, both Bassanio and Portia are engaged in “practice,” a word that the Elizabethans associated with the figure of Machiavelli, archetypal Italianate schemer for self-advancement. Bassanio is the gold digger he pretends not to be, while Portia has no intention of letting any man become “her lord, her governor, her king” in the way that she says she will. At the end of her submission speech, she gives Bassanio the ring (symbol of both wealth and marital union) that will later be the device whereby she tricks him and thus establishes her position as the dominant partner in the relationship. She may speak about giving him all her property—which is what marriage meant according to the law of the time—but when she returns from Venice to Belmont at the end of the play she continues to speak of “my house” and the light “burning in my hall.”

As for Portia’s claim that she is “unlessoned” and “unschooled,” this is wholly belied by her bravura performance in the cross-dressed role of Balthasar, interpreting the laws of Venice with forensic skill that reduces the duke and his magnificoes to amazement. On leaving Belmont, she says that she and Nerissa will remain in a nunnery, the ultimate place of female confinement, until Bassanio’s financial difficulties are resolved. She actually goes to the public arena of the Venetian court, moving from passive (the woman wooed) to active (the problem solver). In the robes of a lawyer instead of those of a nun, she excels in the art of debate, deploying a rhetorical art calculated to delight Queen Elizabeth, who loved nothing more than to outmaneuver courtiers, diplomats, and suitors in the finer points of jurisprudence and theology.

“The quality of mercy is not strained”: the quality of Portia’s argument (and Shakespeare’s writing) unfolds from the several meanings of “strained.” Mercy is not constrained or forced, it must be freely given; nor is it partial or selective—it is a pure distillation like “the gentle rain from heaven,” not the kind of liquid from which impure particles can be strained out. As in Measure for Measure, Shakespeare explores the tension between justice and mercy, here interpreted in terms of the opposition between the Old Testament Jewish law of “an eye for an eye” and Christ’s New Testament covenant of forgiveness. When Shylock refuses to show mercy and stands by the old covenant, Portia’s art is to throw his legal literalism back in his face: the corollary of his demand for an exact pound of flesh is that he should not spill a drop of Venetian blood. But if the quality of mercy is not strained, then neither should be that of conversion: a bitter taste is left when Shylock is constrained to become a Christian.

Commerce, with which Venice was synonymous, depends on borrowing to raise capital. Christianity, however, disapproved of usury, the lending of money with interest. The Jewish moneylender was early modern Europe’s way out of this impasse. Venice was famous for its ghetto in which the Jews were constrained to live, even as they oiled the wheels of the city’s economy. Shakespeare does not mention the ghetto, but he reveals a clear understanding of how the system worked when Shylock refuses Antonio’s invitation to dinner: “I will buy with you, sell with you, talk with you, walk with you, and so following, but I will not eat with you, drink with you, nor pray with you.” There is sociability and commerce between different ethnic and religious groups, but spiritual practices and customs are kept distinct. Shylock will not go to dinner because his religion prevents him from eating pork, but ultimately he regards questions of business as more important than those of faith: he hates Antonio “for he is a Christian, / But more, for that in low simplicity / He lends out money gratis and brings down / The rate of usance here with us in Venice.”

It is the Christians who act according to raw prejudice. Shylock is spat upon simply because he is a Jew. Barabas, the Jew of Malta in the play written by Marlowe a few years before, answers to the stereotype of the Jew in love with his moneybags (though he does also love his daughter), whereas Shylock famously appeals to a common humanity that extends across the ethnic divide:

He hath disgraced me, and hindered me half a million, laughed at my losses, mocked at my gains, scorned my nation, thwarted my bargains, cooled my friends, heated mine enemies, and what’s the reason? I am a Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions? Fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer, as a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die?

In Elizabethan England the test for a witch was the pricking of her thumb: if it did not bleed, the woman was in league with the devil. Shylock’s “If you prick us, do we not bleed?” is a way of saying “do not demonize the Jews—we are not like witches.” “The villainy you teach me I will execute,” he continues: “if you do demonize me, then I will behave diabolically.” The alien, the oppressed minority, sees no alternative but to fight back: “And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?” This is the point of parting between the Jewish law of “an eye for an eye” and the Christian notion of turning the other cheek and showing the quality of mercy.

The representation of Shylock as monstrous villain has played a part in the appalling history of European anti-Semitism. But such a representation necessarily occludes the subtler moments of Shakespeare’s characterization. A ring is not only the device whereby Portia and Nerissa assert their moral and verbal superiority over their husbands, but also the means by which Shylock is humanized through the memory of his dead wife:

TUBAL One of them showed me a ring that he had of your daughter for a monkey.

SHYLOCK Out upon her! Thou torturest me, Tubal. It was my turquoise, I had it of Leah when I was a bachelor. I would not have given it for a wilderness of monkeys.

KEY FACTS

PLOT: Antonio, the merchant of Venice, lends three thousand ducats to his friend Bassanio in order to assist him in his wooing of the wealthy and beautiful Portia of Belmont, an estate some distance from Venice. But Antonio’s own money is tied up in business ventures that depend on the safe return of his ships from sea, so he borrows the money from Shylock, a Jewish moneylender whom he has previously insulted for his high rates of interest. Shylock lends the money against a bond whereby failure to repay the loan on the agreed date will entitle Shylock to a pound of Antonio’s flesh. Portia’s father has decreed that she will marry whichever suitor makes the correct choice when presented with three caskets, made of gold, silver, and lead. Where wealthy suitors from Morocco and Aragon fail, Bassanio succeeds by choosing lead. His friend Gratiano marries Portia’s lady-in-waiting Nerissa at the same time. News arrives that Antonio’s ships have been lost; he is unable to pay his debt. Shylock’s claim to his pound of flesh is heard in the law court before the duke. Unknown to their husbands, Portia disguises herself as a young male lawyer acting on behalf of Antonio, Nerissa as a clerk. Portia’s ingenious defense is that Shylock is entitled to his pound of flesh but not to spill any of Antonio’s blood; she argues that the Jew should forfeit his life for having conspired against the life of a Venetian. The duke pardons Shylock on condition that he gives half his wealth to Antonio and half to the state. Antonio surrenders his claim on condition that Shylock converts to Christianity and leaves his property to his daughter Jessica, whom he has disinherited for running away with her Christian lover Lorenzo. Portia and Nerissa then assert their power over Bassanio and Gratiano by means of a trick involving rings that the men have promised never to part with. Finally there is good news about Antonio’s ships.

MAJOR PARTS: (with percentage of lines/number of speeches/scenes on stage) Portia (22%/117/9), Shylock (13%/79/5), Bassanio (13%/73/6), Gratiano (7%/58/7), Lorenzo (7%/47/7), Antonio (7%/47/6), Lancelet Gobbo (6%/44/6), Salerio (5%/31/7), Morocco (4%/7/2), Nerissa (3%/36/7), Jessica (3%/26/7), Solanio (2%/20/5), Duke (2%/18/1), Aragon (2%/4/1), Old Gobbo (1%/19/1).

LINGUISTIC MEDIUM: 80% verse, 20% prose.

DATE: Registered for publication July 1598 and mentioned in Francis Meres’ 1598 list of Shakespeare’s comedies; reference to a ship called the Andrew suggests late 1596 or early 1597, when the Spanish vessel St. Andrew, which had been captured at Cadiz after running aground, was much in the news.

SOURCES: There are many ancient and medieval folk variations on the motif of a body part demanded as surety for a bond. The setting of the story in Venice, the pursuit of “the lady of Belmonte” as the reason the hero needs the money, the bond being made by a friend rather than the hero himself, the identification of the moneylender as a Jew, and the lady disguising herself as a male lawyer, coming to Venice, and arguing that the bond does not allow for the shedding of blood all come from a tale in Ser Giovanni Fiorentino’s collection Il Pecorone (“The Dunce,” in Italian, published 1558—no English translation). A lost English play of the 1570s called The Jew may have been an intervening source. The character of Shylock and the elopement of his daughter with a Christian are strongly shaped by Christopher Marlowe’s highly successful play The Jew of Malta (c.1590). The choice between three caskets as a device to identify a worthy marriage partner is another ancient motif; the closest surviving precedent is a story in the medieval Gesta Romanorum (translated by Richard Robinson, 1577, revised 1595 with use of the rare word “insculpt,” which is echoed in Morocco’s speech).

TEXT: Quarto 1600: a good quality text, apparently set from a fair copy of the dramatist’s manuscript; reprinted 1619, with some errors and some corrections. Folio text was set from a copy of the first Quarto, making some corrections, introducing some errors, and apparently drawing on a theatrical manuscript for stage directions, including music cues. We follow Folio where it corrects or modernizes Quarto, but restore Quarto where Folio changes appear to be printers’ errors. The only serious textual problem concerns the Venetian gentlemen known in the theatrical profession as the “Salads.” They are initially identified in entry directions and speech headings as “Salarino” and “Solanio” (variously abbreviated, most commonly to “Sal.” and “Sol.”), but never named in the dialogue, so are unidentified from the point of view of a theater audience. Folio reverses their speech headings at the beginning of the opening scene, probably erroneously. In Act 3 scene 2 “Salerio” arrives in Belmont as “a messenger from Venice”; he is named in the dialogue, so identifiable to the audience. Is this a third character, a composite of the first two, or—more probably—has Shakespeare forgotten that he began with “Salarino”? In the following scene, Quarto has “Salerio” back in Venice with Antonio and Shylock, which must be an error—he has only just exited from Belmont with Bassanio. Folio intelligently corrects the Act 3 scene 3 entry direction to “Solanio.” In Act 4 scene 1, “Salerio” has returned with Bassanio. Some editions and productions have retained Salarino, Solanio, and Salerio, but it seems more likely that Salarino and Salerio are intended to be the same character: we have followed this assumption.

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE

ANTONIO, a merchant of Venice

BASSANIO, his friend, suitor to Portia

LORENZO, friend of Antonio and Bassanio, in love with Jessica

GRATIANO, friend of Antonio and Bassanio

LEONARDO, servant to Bassanio

PORTIA, an heiress

NERISSA, her gentlewoman-in-waiting

BALTHASAR, servant to Portia

STEPHANO, servant to Portia

Prince of ARAGON, suitor to Portia

Prince of MOROCCO, suitor to Portia

SHYLOCK, a Jew of Venice

JESSICA, his daughter

TUBAL, a Jew, Shylock’s friend

LANCELET GOBBO, the clown, servant to Shylock and later Bassanio

OLD GOBBO, Lancelet’s father

DUKE of Venice

Magnificoes of Venice

A Jailer, Attendants and Servants

Act 1 [Scene 1]1.1

running scene 1

       Enter Antonio, Salerio and Solanio

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     In sooth¹ I know not why I am so sad.

               It wearies me, you say it wearies you;

               But how I caught it, found it, or came by it,

               What stuff⁴ ’tis made of, whereof it is born,

5

5             I am to learn:⁵

               And such a want-wit⁶ sadness makes of me

               That I have much ado⁷ to know myself.

SALERIO

SALERIO     Your mind is tossing on⁸ the ocean,

               There where your argosies⁹ with portly sail

10

10           Like signiors¹⁰ and rich burghers on the flood,

               Or as it were the pageants¹¹ of the sea,

               Do overpeer¹² the petty traffickers

               That curtsy¹³ to them, do them reverence,

               As they fly¹⁴ by them with their woven wings.

15

15   

SOLANIO

SOLANIO           Believe me, sir, had I such venture¹⁵ forth,

               The better part¹⁶ of my affections would

               Be with my hopes¹⁷ abroad. I should be still

               Plucking the grass to know where sits¹⁸ the wind,

               Peering in maps for ports and piers and roads,¹⁹

20

20           And every object that might make me fear

               Misfortune to my ventures out of doubt

               Would make me sad.

SALERIO

SALERIO     My wind cooling my broth

               Would blow me to an ague,²⁴ when I thought

25

25           What harm a wind too great might do at sea.

               I should²⁶ not see the sandy hour-glass run,

               But I should think of shallows and of flats,²⁷

               And see my wealthy Andrew²⁸ docked in sand,

               Vailing²⁹ her high top lower than her ribs

30

30           To kiss her burial;³⁰ should I go to church

               And see the holy edifice of stone,

               And not bethink me straight³² of dang’rous rocks,

               Which touching but³³ my gentle vessel’s side,

               Would scatter all her spices on the stream,³⁴

35

35           Enrobe the roaring waters³⁵ with my silks,

               And in a word, but even³⁶ now worth this,

               And now worth nothing? Shall I have the thought

               To think on this, and shall I lack the thought

               That such a thing bechanced³⁹ would make me sad?

40

40           But tell not me, I know, Antonio

               Is sad to think upon his merchandise.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Believe me, no. I thank my fortune for it,

               My ventures are not in one bottom⁴³ trusted,

               Nor to one place; nor is my whole estate⁴⁴

45

45           Upon⁴⁵ the fortune of this present year:

               Therefore my merchandise makes me not sad.

SALERIO

SALERIO     Why, then you are in love.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Fie,⁴⁸ fie!

SOLANIO

SOLANIO     Not in love neither: then let us say you are sad

50

50           Because you are not merry; and ’twere as easy

               For you to laugh and leap, and say you are merry

               Because you are not sad. Now, by two-headed Janus,⁵²

               Nature hath framed⁵³ strange fellows in her time:

               Some that will evermore peep⁵⁴ through their eyes

55

55           And laugh like parrots at a bagpiper,⁵⁵

               And other⁵⁶ of such vinegar aspect

               That they’ll not show their teeth in way of smile,

               Though⁵⁸ Nestor swear the jest be laughable.

       Enter Bassanio, Lorenzo and Grattano

SOLANIO

SOLANIO     Here comes Bassanio, your most noble kinsman,

60

60           Gratiano and Lorenzo. Fare ye well,

               We leave you now with better company.

SALERIO

SALERIO     I would have stayed till I had made you merry,

               If worthier friends had not prevented⁶³ me.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Your worth is very dear⁶⁴ in my regard.

65

65           I take it your own business calls on you,

               And you embrace⁶⁶ th’occasion to depart.

SALERIO

SALERIO     Good morrow, my good lords.

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     Good signiors both, when shall we laugh?⁶⁸ Say, when?

               You grow exceeding strange.⁶⁹ Must it be so?

70

70   

SALERIO

SALERIO           We’ll make our leisures⁷⁰ to attend on yours.

       Exeunt Salerio and Solanio

LORENZO

LORENZO     My lord Bassanio, since you have found Antonio,

               We two will leave you, but at dinnertime

               I pray you have⁷³ in mind where we must meet.

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     I will not fail you.

75

75   

GRATIANO

GRATIANO           You look not well, Signior Antonio.

               You have too much respect⁷⁶ upon the world:

               They lose it⁷⁷ that do buy it with much care.

               Believe me, you are marvellously⁷⁸ changed.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     I hold⁷⁹ the world but as the world, Gratiano,

80

80           A stage where every man must play a part,

               And mine a sad one.

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     Let me play the fool:

               With mirth and laughter let old⁸³ wrinkles come,

               And let my liver⁸⁴ rather heat with wine

85

85           Than my heart⁸⁵ cool with mortifying groans.

               Why should a man whose blood is warm within,

               Sit like his grandsire⁸⁷ cut in alabaster?

               Sleep when he wakes and creep⁸⁸ into the jaundices

               By being peevish?⁸⁹ I tell thee what, Antonio —

90

90           I love thee, and it is my love that speaks —

               There are a sort of men whose visages⁹¹

               Do cream⁹² and mantle like a standing pond,

               And do a wilful⁹³ stillness entertain,

               With purpose to be dressed⁹⁴ in an opinion

95

95           Of wisdom, gravity, profound conceit,⁹⁵

               As⁹⁶ who should say, ‘I am, sir, an oracle,

               And when I ope⁹⁷ my lips, let no dog bark!’

               O my Antonio, I do know of these

               That therefore only are reputed wise

100

100         For saying nothing; when I am very sure

               If they should speak, would almost damn¹⁰¹ those ears

               Which, hearing them, would call their brothers fools.

               I’ll tell thee more of this another time.

               But fish not with this melancholy bait¹⁰⁴

105

105         For this fool¹⁰⁵ gudgeon, this opinion.

               Come, good Lorenzo. Fare ye well awhile,

               I’ll end my exhortation¹⁰⁷ after dinner.

LORENZO

LORENZO     Well, we will leave you then till dinnertime. To Antonio and Bassanio

               I must be one of these same dumb¹⁰⁹ wise men,

110

110         For Gratiano never lets me speak.

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     Well, keep me company but two years more,

               Thou shalt not know the sound of thine own tongue.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Fare you well, I’ll grow¹¹³ a talker for this gear.

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     Thanks, i’faith, for silence is only commendable

115

115         In a neat’s tongue dried¹¹⁵ and a maid not vendible.

       Exit [Gratiano with Lorenzo]

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Is¹¹⁶ that anything now?

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     Gratiano speaks an infinite deal of nothing, more than any man in all Venice. His reasons¹¹⁸ are two grains of wheat hid in two bushels of chaff: you shall seek all day ere¹¹⁹ you find them, and when you have them, they are not worth the search.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Well, tell me now, what lady is the same¹²¹

               To whom you swore a secret pilgrimage

               That you today promised to tell me of?

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     ’Tis not unknown to you, Antonio,

125

125         How much I have disabled¹²⁵ mine estate

               By something¹²⁶ showing a more swelling port

               Than my faint¹²⁷ means would grant continuance.

               Nor do I now make moan¹²⁸ to be abridged

               From such a noble rate,¹²⁹ but my chief care

130

130         Is to come¹³⁰ fairly off from the great debts

               Wherein my time¹³¹ something too prodigal

               Hath left me gaged.¹³² To you, Antonio,

               I owe the most in money and in love,

               And from your love I have a warranty¹³⁴

135

135         To unburden¹³⁵ all my plots and purposes

               How to get clear of all the debts I owe.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     I pray you good Bassanio, let me know it,

               And if it stand as you yourself still do,

               Within¹³⁹ the eye of honour, be assured

140

140         My purse, my person, my extremest means,

               Lie all unlocked to your occasions.¹⁴¹

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     In my schooldays, when I had lost one shaft,¹⁴²

               I shot his¹⁴³ fellow of the selfsame flight

               The selfsame way with more advisèd¹⁴⁴ watch

145

145         To find the other forth,¹⁴⁵ and by adventuring both

               I oft found both. I urge¹⁴⁶ this childhood proof

               Because what follows is pure innocence.¹⁴⁷

               I owe you much and, like a wilful youth,

               That which I owe is lost. But if you please

150

150         To shoot another arrow that self¹⁵⁰ way

               Which you did shoot the first, I do not doubt,

               As I will watch the aim, or¹⁵² to find both,

               Or bring your latter hazard¹⁵³ back again,

               And thankfully rest¹⁵⁴ debtor for the first.

155

155 

ANTONIO

ANTONIO             You know me well, and herein spend but¹⁵⁵ time

               To wind¹⁵⁶ about my love with circumstance,

               And out of¹⁵⁷ doubt you do me now more wrong

               In making¹⁵⁸ question of my uttermost

               Than if you had made waste¹⁵⁹ of all I have.

160

160         Then do but¹⁶⁰ say to me what I should do

               That in your knowledge may by me be done,

               And I am pressed¹⁶² unto it: therefore speak.

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     In Belmont is a lady richly¹⁶³ left,

               And she is fair and, fairer than that word,

165

165         Of wondrous virtues. Sometimes¹⁶⁵ from her eyes

               I did receive fair speechless messages.

               Her name is Portia, nothing¹⁶⁷ undervalued

               To Cato’s¹⁶⁸ daughter, Brutus’ Portia.

               Nor is the wide world ignorant of her worth,

170

170         For the four winds blow in from every coast

               Renownèd suitors, and her sunny locks

               Hang on her temples like a golden fleece,¹⁷²

               Which makes her seat¹⁷³ of Belmont Colchos’ strand,

               And many Jasons come in quest of her.

175

175         O my Antonio, had I but the means

               To hold a rival place with one of them,

               I have a mind presages¹⁷⁷ me such thrift,

               That I should questionless¹⁷⁸ be fortunate.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Thou know’st that all my fortunes are at sea,

180

180         Neither have I money, nor commodity¹⁸⁰

               To raise a present¹⁸¹ sum: therefore go forth.

               Try¹⁸² what my credit can in Venice do,

               That shall be racked,¹⁸³ even to the uttermost,

               To furnish thee¹⁸⁴ to Belmont, to fair Portia.

185

185         Go presently¹⁸⁵ inquire, and so will I,

               Where money is, and I no question make

               To have it of my trust¹⁸⁷ or for my sake.

       Exeunt

[Act 1 Scene 2]1.2

running scene 2

       Enter Portia with her waiting woman, Nerissa

PORTIA

PORTIA     By my troth,¹ Nerissa, my little body is aweary of this great world.

NERISSA

NERISSA     You would be,² sweet madam, if your miseries were in the same abundance as your good fortunes are, and yet, for aught³ I see, they are as sick that surfeit with too much, as they that starve with nothing; it is no small happiness, therefore, to be seated in the mean.⁵ Superfluity comes sooner by white hairs, but competency⁶ lives longer.

PORTIA

PORTIA     Good sentences⁷ and well pronounced.

NERISSA

NERISSA     They would be better if well followed.

PORTIA

PORTIA     If to do were as easy as to know what were good to do, chapels had been churches and poor men’s cottages princes’ palaces. It is a good divine¹⁰ that follows his own instructions; I can easier teach twenty what were good to be done than be one of the twenty to follow mine own teaching. The brain may devise laws for the blood,¹³ but a hot temper leaps o’er a cold decree — such a hare is madness the youth, to skip o’er the meshes¹⁴ of good counsel the cripple; but this reason is not in fashion to choose me a husband. O me, the word ‘choose!’ I may neither choose whom I would,¹⁶ nor refuse whom I dislike, so is the will of a living daughter curbed by the will¹⁷ of a dead father. Is it not hard, Nerissa, that I cannot choose one nor refuse none?

NERISSA

NERISSA     Your father was ever virtuous, and holy men at their death have good inspirations: therefore the lottery²⁰ that he hath devised in these three chests of gold, silver and lead, whereof who²¹ chooses his meaning chooses you, will no doubt never be chosen by any rightly²² but one who you shall rightly love. But what warmth is there in your affection towards any of these princely suitors that are already come?

PORTIA

PORTIA     I pray thee overname²⁵ them, and as thou namest them, I will describe them, and according to my description level at²⁶ my affection.

NERISSA

NERISSA     First, there is the Neapolitan²⁷ prince.

PORTIA

PORTIA     Ay, that’s a colt²⁸ indeed, for he doth nothing but talk of his horse, and he makes it a great appropriation²⁹ to his own good parts that he can shoe him himself. I am much afraid my lady his mother played false³⁰ with a smith.

NERISSA

NERISSA     Then is there the County³¹ Palatine.

PORTIA

PORTIA     He doth nothing but frown, as who³² should say, ‘An you will not have me, choose.’³³ He hears merry tales and smiles not. I fear he will prove the weeping philosopher when he grows old, being so full of unmannerly³⁴ sadness in his youth. I had rather to be married to a death’s-head³⁵ with a bone in his mouth than to either of these. God defend me from these two!

NERISSA

NERISSA     How³⁷ say you by the French lord, Monsieur Le Bon?

PORTIA

PORTIA     God made him, and therefore let him pass for a man. In truth, I know it is a sin to be a mocker, but he! Why, he hath a horse better than the Neapolitan’s, a better bad⁴⁰ habit of frowning than the Count Palatine. He is every man in no man. If a throstle⁴¹ sing, he falls straight a capering, he will fence with his own shadow. If I should marry him, I should marry twenty husbands. If he would despise me, I would forgive him, for if⁴³ he love me to madness, I should never requite him.

NERISSA

NERISSA     What say you then to Falconbridge, the young baron of England?

PORTIA

PORTIA     You know I say⁴⁵ nothing to him, for he understands not me, nor I him: he hath neither Latin, French, nor Italian, and you will come⁴⁶ into the court and swear that I have a poor⁴⁷ pennyworth in the English. He is a proper man’s picture, but alas, who can converse with a dumb show?⁴⁸ How oddly he is suited. I think he bought his doublet⁴⁹ in Italy, his round hose in France, his bonnet in Germany, and his behaviour everywhere.

NERISSA

NERISSA     What think you of the other lord, his neighbour?

PORTIA

PORTIA     That he hath a neighbourly charity in him, for he borrowed⁵² a box of the ear of the Englishman and swore he would pay him again when he was able. I think the Frenchman became his surety⁵⁴ and sealed under for another.

NERISSA

NERISSA     How like you the young German, the Duke of Saxony’s⁵⁵nephew?

PORTIA

PORTIA     Very vilely in the morning when he is sober, and most vilely in the afternoon when he is drunk: when he is best, he is a little worse than a man, and when he is worst, he is little better than a beast.⁵⁸ An the worst fall that ever fell, I hope I shall make shift⁵⁹ to go without him.

NERISSA

NERISSA     If he should offer to choose, and choose the right casket, you should⁶⁰ refuse to perform your father’s will, if you should refuse to accept him.

PORTIA

PORTIA     Therefore, for fear of the worst, I pray thee set a deep glass of Rhenish wine⁶² on the contrary⁶³ casket, for if the devil be within, and that temptation without, Iknow he will choose it. I will do anything, Nerissa, ere I will be married to a sponge.⁶⁵

NERISSA

NERISSA     You need not fear, lady, the having any of these lords. They have acquainted me with their determinations,⁶⁷ which is indeed to return to their home, and to trouble you with no more suit,⁶⁸ unless you may be won by some other sort⁶⁹ than your father’s imposition, depending on the caskets.

PORTIA

PORTIA     If I live to be as old as Sibylla,⁷⁰ I will die as chaste as Diana, unless I be obtained by the manner of my father’s will. I am glad this parcel⁷¹ of wooers are so reasonable, for there is not one among them but I dote on his very absence, and I wish them a fair departure.

NERISSA

NERISSA     Do you not remember, lady, in your father’s time, a Venetian, a scholar and a soldier, that came hither in company of the Marquis of Montferrat?⁷⁵

PORTIA

PORTIA     Yes, yes, it was Bassanio, as I think, so was he called.

NERISSA

NERISSA     True, madam. He, of all the men that ever my foolish⁷⁷ eyes looked upon, was the best deserving a fair lady.

PORTIA

PORTIA     I remember him well, and I remember him worthy of thy praise.

       Enter a Servingman

SERVANT

SERVANT     The four strangers⁸⁰ seek you, madam, to take their leave. And there is a forerunner⁸¹ come from a fifth, the Prince of Morocco, who brings word the prince his master will be here tonight.

PORTIA

PORTIA     If I could bid the fifth welcome with so good heart as I can bid the other four farewell, I should be glad of his approach. If he have the condition⁸⁴ of a saint and the complexion⁸⁵ of a devil, I had rather he should shrive me than wive me. Come, Nerissa.— To the Servingman Sirrah,⁸⁶ go before; whiles we shut the gate upon one wooer, another knocks at the door.

       Exeunt

[Act 1 Scene 3]1.3

running scene 3

       Enter Bassanio with Shylock the Jew

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     Three thousand ducats,¹ well.

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     Ay, sir, for three months.

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     For three months, well.

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     For the which, as I told you, Antonio shall be bound.⁴

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     Antonio shall become bound, well.

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     May you stead⁶ me? Will you pleasure me? Shall I know your answer?

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     Three thousand ducats for three months and Antonio bound.

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     Your answer to that.

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     Antonio is a good man.

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     Have you heard any imputation¹⁰ to the contrary?

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     Ho, no, no, no, no! My meaning in saying he is a good man is to have you understand me that he is sufficient.¹² Yet his means are in supposition: he hath an argosy bound to Tripolis,¹³ another to the Indies, I understand moreover, upon the Rialto,¹⁴ he hath a third at Mexico, a fourth for England, and other ventures he hath squandered¹⁵ abroad. But ships are but boards, sailors but men. There be land-rats and water-rats, water-thieves and land-thieves — I mean pirates¹⁶ — and then there is the peril of waters, winds and rocks. The man is, notwithstanding,¹⁷ sufficient. Three thousand ducats. I think I may take his bond.

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     Be assured you may.

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     I will be assured²⁰ I may. And that I may be assured, I will bethink me. May I speak with Antonio?

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     If it please you to dine with us.

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     Yes, to smell pork, to eat of the habitation²³ which your prophet the Nazarite²⁴ conjured the devil into. I will buy with you, sell with you, talk with you, walk with you, and so following,²⁵ but I will not eat with you, drink with you, nor pray with you. What news on the Rialto? Who is he comes here?

       Enter Antonio

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     This is Signior Antonio.

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     How like a fawning publican²⁸ he looks! Aside

               I hate him for he is a Christian,

30

30           But more, for that in low simplicity³⁰

               He lends out money gratis³¹ and brings down

               The rate of usance³² here with us in Venice.

               If I can catch him once upon the hip,³³

               I will feed fat³⁴ the ancient grudge I bear him.

35

35           He hates our sacred nation,³⁵ and he rails —

               Even there³⁶ where merchants most do congregate —

               On me, my bargains and my well-won thrift,³⁷

               Which he calls interest. Cursèd be my tribe,³⁸

               If I forgive him!

40

40   

BASSANIO

BASSANIO           Shylock, do you hear?

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     I am debating⁴¹ of my present store,

               And by the near guess of my memory,

               I cannot instantly raise up the gross⁴³

               Of full three thousand ducats. What of that?

45

45           Tubal,⁴⁵ a wealthy Hebrew of my tribe,

               Will furnish⁴⁶ me; but soft! How many months

               Do you desire?— Rest you fair,⁴⁷ good signior. To Antonio

               Your⁴⁸ worship was the last man in our mouths.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Shylock, albeit I neither lend nor borrow

50

50           By taking nor by giving of excess,⁵⁰

               Yet to supply the ripe wants⁵¹ of my friend,

               I’ll break a custom.— Is he yet possessed⁵² To Bassanio

               How much ye would?⁵³

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     Ay, ay, three thousand ducats.

55

55   

ANTONIO

ANTONIO           And for three months.

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     I had forgot — three months — you told me so.

               Well then, your bond.⁵⁷ And let me see, but hear you,

               Methoughts you said you neither lend nor borrow

               Upon advantage.⁵⁹

60

60   

ANTONIO

ANTONIO           I do never use⁶⁰ it.

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     When Jacob⁶¹ grazed his uncle Laban’s sheep —

               This Jacob from⁶² our holy Abram was,

               As his wise mother wrought⁶³ in his behalf,

               The third possessor;⁶⁴ ay, he was the third—

65

65   

ANTONIO

ANTONIO           And what of him? Did he take interest?

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     No, not take interest, not, as you would say,

               Directly interest. Mark⁶⁷ what Jacob did:

               When Laban and himself were compromised⁶⁸

               That all the eanlings⁶⁹ which were streaked and pied

70

70           Should fall as⁷⁰ Jacob’s hire, the ewes, being rank,

               In end of autumn turnèd to the rams,

               And, when the work of generation⁷² was

               Between these woolly breeders in the act,

               The skilful shepherd peeled⁷⁴ me certain wands,

75

75           And in⁷⁵ the doing of the deed of kind,

               He stuck⁷⁶ them up before the fulsome ewes,

               Who then conceiving, did in eaning⁷⁷ time

               Fall⁷⁸ parti-coloured lambs, and those were Jacob’s.

               This was a way to thrive,⁷⁹ and he was blest:

80

80           And thrift is blessing, if men steal it not.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     This was a venture,⁸¹ sir, that Jacob served for,

               A thing not in his power to bring to pass,

               But swayed and fashioned⁸³ by the hand of heaven.

               Was this inserted⁸⁴ to make interest good?

85

85           Or is your gold and silver ewes and rams?

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     I cannot tell, I make it breed as fast.

               But note me, signior—

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Mark you this, Bassanio,

               The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.

90

90           An evil soul producing holy witness

               Is like a villain with a smiling cheek,

               A goodly⁹² apple rotten at the heart.

               O, what a goodly outside falsehood hath!

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     Three thousand ducats, ’tis a good round sum.

95

95           Three months from twelve, then let me see, the rate—

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Well, Shylock, shall we be beholding⁹⁶ to you?

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     Signior Antonio, many a time and oft

               In the Rialto you have rated⁹⁸ me

               About my moneys and my usances.

100

100         Still have I borne it with a patient shrug,

               For sufferance¹⁰¹ is the badge of all our tribe.

               You call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog,

               And spit upon my Jewish gaberdine,¹⁰³

               And all for use¹⁰⁴ of that which is mine own.

105

105         Well then, it now appears you need my help.

               Go to,¹⁰⁶ then. You come to me and you say ‘

               Shylock, we would have moneys’ — you say so,

               You that did void¹⁰⁸ your rheum upon my beard,

               And foot¹⁰⁹ me as you spurn a stranger cur

110

110         Over your threshold. Moneys is your suit.¹¹⁰

               What should I say to you? Should I not say,

               ‘Hath a dog money? Is it possible

               A cur should lend three thousand ducats?’ Or

               Shall I bend low and in a bondman’s key,¹¹⁴

115

115         With bated¹¹⁵ breath and whisp’ring humbleness,

               Say this: ‘Fair sir, you spat on me on Wednesday last;

               You spurned me such a day; another time

               You called me dog, and for these courtesies I’ll

               lend you thus much moneys’?

120

120 

ANTONIO

ANTONIO             I am as like¹²⁰ to call thee so again,

               To spit on thee again, to spurn thee too.

               If thou wilt lend this money, lend it not

               As to thy friends, for when did friendship take

               A¹²⁴ breed of barren metal of his friend?

125

125         But lend it rather to thine enemy,

               Who, if he break,¹²⁶ thou mayst with better face

               Exact the penalties.

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     Why, look you how you storm!

               I would be friends with you and have your love,

130

130         Forget the shames that you have stained me with,

               Supply your present wants and take no doit¹³¹

               Of usance for my moneys, and you’ll not hear me:

               This is kind¹³³ I offer.

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     This were¹³⁴ kindness.

135

135 

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK             This kindness will I show:

               Go with me to a notary,¹³⁶ seal me there

               Your single¹³⁷ bond, and in a merry sport

               If you repay me not on such a day,

               In such a place, such sum or sums as are

140

140         Expressed in the condition,¹⁴⁰ let the forfeit

               Be nominated for¹⁴¹ an equal pound

               Of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken

               In what part of your body it pleaseth me.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Content, in faith, I’ll seal to such a bond

145

145         And say there is much kindness in the Jew.

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     You shall not seal to such a bond for me.

               I’ll rather dwell¹⁴⁷ in my necessity.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Why, fear not, man, I will not forfeit it.

               Within these two months — that’s a month before

150

150         This bond expires — I do expect return

               Of thrice three times the value of this bond.

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     O father Abram, what these Christians are,

               Whose own hard dealings teaches them suspect¹⁵³

               The thoughts of others! Pray you tell me this:

155

155         If he should break his day,¹⁵⁵ what should I gain

               By the exaction¹⁵⁶ of the forfeiture?

               A pound of man’s flesh taken from a man

               Is not so estimable,¹⁵⁸ profitable neither,

               As flesh of muttons, beefs or goats. I say

160

160         To buy his favour, I extend this friendship:

               If he will take it, so,¹⁶¹ if not, adieu.

               And for my love, I pray you wrong me not.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Yes Shylock, I will seal unto this bond.

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     Then meet me forthwith¹⁶⁴ at the notary’s,

165

165         Give him direction¹⁶⁵ for this merry bond,

               And I will go and purse¹⁶⁶ the ducats straight,

               See¹⁶⁷ to my house, left in the fearful guard

               Of an unthrifty¹⁶⁸ knave, and presently

               I’ll be with you.

       Exit

170

170 

ANTONIO

ANTONIO             Hie¹⁷⁰ thee, gentle Jew.

       Exit

               This Hebrew will turn Christian, he grows kind.¹⁷¹

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     I like not fair terms and a villain’s mind.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Come on, in this there can be no dismay.

               My ships come home a month before the day.

       Exeunt

Act 2 [Scene 1]2.1

running scene 4

       Enter Morocco, a tawny Moor, all in white, and three or four followers accordingly, with

       Portia, Nerissa and their train. Flourish cornets

MOROCCO

MOROCCO     Mislike me not for my complexion,

               The shadowed livery² of the burnished sun,

               To whom I am a neighbour and near bred.³

               Bring me the fairest creature northward born,

5

5             Where Phoebus’⁵ fire scarce thaws the icicles,

               And let us make incision⁶ for your love,

               To prove whose blood is reddest,⁷ his or mine.

               I tell thee, lady, this aspect⁸ of mine

               Hath feared⁹ the valiant. By my love I swear,

10

10           The best-regarded virgins of our clime¹⁰

               Have loved it too: I would not change this hue,¹¹

               Except to steal your thoughts, my gentle queen.

PORTIA

PORTIA     In terms of choice I am not solely led

               By nice¹⁴ direction of a maiden’s eyes.

15

15           Besides, the lott’ry of my destiny

               Bars me the right of voluntary choosing.

               But if my father had not scanted¹⁷ me,

               And hedged¹⁸ me by his wit to yield myself

               His¹⁹ wife who wins me by that means I told you,

20

20           Yourself, renownèd prince, then²⁰ stood as fair

               As any comer I have looked on yet

               For²² my affection.

MOROCCO

MOROCCO     Even for that I thank you:

               Therefore, I pray you lead me to the caskets

25

25           To try my fortune. By this scimitar²⁵

               That slew the Sophy²⁶ and a Persian prince

               That won three fields²⁷ of Sultan Solyman,

               I would o’erstare²⁸ the sternest eyes that look,

               Outbrave the heart most daring on the earth,

30

30           Pluck the young sucking cubs from the she-bear,

               Yea, mock the lion when he roars for prey

               To win thee, lady. But alas the while!

               If Hercules³³ and Lichas play at dice

               Which is the better man, the greater throw

35

35           May turn by fortune from the weaker hand:

               So is Alcides³⁶ beaten by his page,

               And so may I, blind fortune leading me,

               Miss that which one unworthier may attain,

               And die with grieving.

40

40   

PORTIA

PORTIA           You must take your chance,

               And either not attempt to choose at all

               Or swear before you choose, if you choose wrong

               Never to speak to lady afterward

               In way of marriage: therefore be advised.⁴⁴

45

45   

MOROCCO

MOROCCO           Nor will not.⁴⁵ Come, bring me unto my chance.

PORTIA

PORTIA     First, forward to the temple. After dinner

               Your hazard⁴⁷ shall be made.

MOROCCO

MOROCCO     Good fortune then!

               To make me blest or cursed’st among men.

       Cornets [and] exeunt

[Act 2 Scene 2]2.2

running scene 5

       Enter the Clown [Lancelet] alone

LANCELET

LANCELET     Certainly my conscience will serve¹ me to run from this Jew my master. The fiend is at mine elbow and tempts me, saying to me, ‘Gobbo,² Lancelet Gobbo, good Lancelet’, or ‘Good Gobbo’, or ‘Good Lancelet Gobbo, use your legs, take the start,⁴ run away.’ My conscience says, ‘No; take heed, honest Lancelet, take heed, honest Gobbo’, or, as aforesaid, ‘Honest Lancelet Gobbo, do not run, scorn running with thy heels.’⁶ Well, the most courageous fiend bids me pack: ‘Fia!’ says the fiend, ‘Away!’ says the fiend, ‘For the heavens,⁷ rouse up a brave mind’, says the fiend, ‘and run.’ Well, my conscience, hanging about the neck of my heart, says very wisely to me, ‘My honest⁹ friend Lancelet, being an honest man’s son’, or rather an honest woman’s son — for indeed my father did something¹⁰ smack, something grow to,¹¹ he had a kind of taste — well, my conscience says ‘Lancelet, budge not.’ ‘Budge’, says the fiend. ‘Budge not’, says my conscience. ‘Conscience,’ say I, ‘you counsel well.’ ‘Fiend,’ say I, ‘you counsel well.’ To be ruled by my conscience, I should stay with the Jew my master, who, God¹⁴ bless the mark, is a kind of devil; and to run away from the Jew, I should be ruled by the fiend, who, saving your reverence,¹⁶ is the devil himself. Certainly the Jew is the very devil incarnation,¹⁷ and in my conscience, my conscience is a kind of hard conscience to offer to counsel me to stay with the Jew; the fiend gives the more friendly counsel. I will run, fiend. My heels are at your commandment. I will run.

       Enter Old Gobbo, with a basket

GOBBO

GOBBO     Master young man, you, I pray you which is the way to Master Jew’s?

LANCELET

LANCELET     Aside O heavens, this is my true-begotten²¹ father, who, being more than sand-blind, high-gravel-blind,²² knows me not. I will try confusions with him.

GOBBO

GOBBO     Master young gentleman, I pray you which is the way to Master Jew’s?

LANCELET

LANCELET     Turn upon your right hand at the next turning, but at the next turning of all, on your left; marry, at the very next turning, turn of no hand,²⁵ but turn down indirectly²⁶ to the Jew’s house.

GOBBO

GOBBO     By God’s sonties,²⁷ ’twill be a hard way to hit. Can you tell me whether one Lancelet, that dwells with him, dwell with him or no?

LANCELET

LANCELET     Talk you of young Master Lancelet?— Aside Mark me now, now will I raise²⁹ the waters.— Talk you of young Master Lancelet?

GOBBO

GOBBO     No master,³¹ sir, but a poor man’s son. His father, though I say’t, is an honest exceeding poor man and, God be thanked, well to live.³²

LANCELET

LANCELET     Well, let his father be what a³³ will, we talk of young Master Lancelet.

GOBBO

GOBBO      Your worship’s friend and Lancelet.³⁴

LANCELET

LANCELET     But I pray you ergo,³⁵ old man, ergo, I beseech you talk you of young Master Lancelet?

GOBBO

GOBBO     Of Lancelet, an’t³⁷ please your mastership.

LANCELET

LANCELET     Ergo, Master Lancelet. Talk not of Master Lancelet, father,³⁸ for the young gentleman — according to fates and destinies and such odd sayings, the Sisters³⁹ Three and such branches of learning — is indeed deceased, or as you would say in plain terms, gone to heaven.

GOBBO

GOBBO     Marry, God forbid! The boy was the very staff of my age, my very prop.

LANCELET

LANCELET     Do I look like a cudgel or a hovel-post,⁴³ a staff or a prop? Do you know me, father?

GOBBO

GOBBO     Alack the day, I know you not, young gentleman, but I pray you tell me, is my boy, God rest his soul, alive or dead?

LANCELET

LANCELET     Do you not know me, father?

GOBBO

GOBBO     Alack, sir, I am sand-blind. I know you not.

LANCELET

LANCELET     Nay, indeed if you had your eyes you might fail of the knowing⁴⁹ me: it is a wise father that knows his own child. Well, old man, I will tell you news of your son. Give me your blessing. Truth will come to light, murder cannot be hid long, a man’s son may, but in the end truth will out.

GOBBO

GOBBO     Pray you, sir, stand up. He kneels I am sure you are not Lancelet, my boy.

LANCELET

LANCELET     Pray you let’s have no more fooling about it, but give me your blessing. I am Lancelet, your⁵⁵ boy that was, your son that is, your child that shall be.

GOBBO

GOBBO     I cannot think you are my son.

LANCELET

LANCELET     I know not what I shall think of that. But I am Lancelet, the Jew’s man, and I am sure Margery your wife is my mother.

GOBBO

GOBBO     Her name is Margery,⁵⁹ indeed. I’ll be sworn, if thou be Lancelet, thou art mine own flesh and blood. Lord worshipped might he be! What a beard hast thou got! Thou hast got more hair on thy chin than Dobbin my fill-horse⁶¹ has on his tail.

LANCELET

LANCELET     It should seem, then, that Dobbin’s tail grows backward.⁶³ He rises I am sure he had more hair of⁶⁴ his tail than I have of my face when I last saw him.

GOBBO

GOBBO     Lord, how art thou changed! How dost thou and thy master agree?⁶⁵ I have brought him a present. How ’gree you now?

LANCELET

LANCELET     Well, well. But for mine own part, as I have set⁶⁷ up my rest to run away, so I will not rest⁶⁸ till I have run some ground; my master’s a very Jew. Give him a present? Give him a halter!⁶⁹ I am famished in his service. You may tell every finger I have with my ribs. Father, I am glad you are come. Give me⁷⁰ your present to one Master Bassanio, who, indeed, gives rare⁷¹ new liveries. If I serve not him, I will run as far as God has any ground. O rare fortune! Here comes the man. To him, father, for I am a Jew⁷³ if I serve the Jew any longer.

       Enter Bassanio, with a follower or two [including Leonardo]

BASSANIO

BASSANIO      To a Servant You may do so, but let it be so hasted⁷⁴ that supper be ready at the farthest by five of the clock. See these letters delivered, put the liveries to making, and desire Gratiano to come anon⁷⁶ to my lodging.

       [Exit a Servant]

LANCELET

LANCELET     To him, father.

GOBBO

GOBBO     God bless your worship! Comes forward

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     Gramercy!⁷⁹ Wouldst thou aught with me?

GOBBO

GOBBO     Here’s my son, sir, a poor boy—

LANCELET

LANCELET     Not a poor⁸¹ boy, sir, but the rich Jew’s man, that would, sir, as my father shall specify—

GOBBO

GOBBO     He hath a great infection,⁸³ sir, as one would say, to serve—

LANCELET

LANCELET     Indeed, the short and the long is, I serve the Jew and have a desire, as my father shall specify—

GOBBO

GOBBO     His master and he, saving your worship’s reverence, are scarce⁸⁶ cater-cousins—

LANCELET

LANCELET     To be brief, the very truth is that the Jew, having done me wrong, doth cause me, as my father, being, I hope, an old man, shall frutify⁸⁹ unto you—

GOBBO

GOBBO     I have here a dish of doves that I would bestow upon your worship, and my suit is—

LANCELET

LANCELET     In very brief, the suit is impertinent⁹² to myself, as your worship shall know by this honest old man, and though I say it, though old man, yet poor man, my father.

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     One speak for both. What would you?

LANCELET

LANCELET     Serve you, sir.

GOBBO

GOBBO     That is the very defect⁹⁷ of the matter, sir.

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     I know thee well, thou hast obtained thy suit.

               Shylock thy master spoke with me this day,

100

100         And hath preferred¹⁰⁰ thee, if it be preferment

               To leave a rich Jew’s service, to become

               The follower of so poor a gentleman.

LANCELET

LANCELET     The old proverb¹⁰³ is very well parted between my master Shylock and you, sir: you have the grace of God, sir, and he hath enough.

105

105 

BASSANIO

BASSANIO             Thou speak’st it well. Go, father, with thy son.

               Take leave of thy old master and inquire¹⁰⁶

               My lodging out.— Give him a livery To a Servant

               More guarded¹⁰⁸ than his fellows’. See it done.

LANCELET

LANCELET     Father, in. I cannot get a service, no. Points to his palm I have ne’er a tongue in my head. Well, if any man in Italy have a fairer table¹¹⁰ which doth offer to swear upon a book,¹¹¹ I shall have good fortune. Go to, here’s a simple line of life, here’s a small trifle¹¹² of wives. Alas, fifteen wives is nothing! Eleven widows and nine maids is a simple¹¹³ coming-in for one man, and then to scape drowning thrice, and to be in peril of my life with the edge¹¹⁴ of a feather-bed. Here are simple scapes. Well, if Fortune be a woman, she’s a good wench for this gear.¹¹⁵ Father, come; I’ll take my leave of the¹¹⁶ Jew in the twinkling.

       Exit Clown [Lancelet with Old Gobbo]

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     I pray thee good Leonardo, think on this. Gives a list

               These things being bought and orderly bestowed,¹¹⁸

               Return in haste, for I do feast¹¹⁹ tonight

120

120         My best-esteemed acquaintance. Hie thee, go.

LEONARDO

LEONARDO     My best endeavours shall be done herein.¹²¹

       Enter Grattano

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     Where’s your master?

LEONARDO

LEONARDO     Yonder, sir, he walks.

       Exit

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     Signior Bassanio!

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     Gratiano!

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     I have a suit to you.

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     You have obtained it.¹²⁷

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     You must not deny me. I must go with you to Belmont.

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     Why then you must. But hear thee, Gratiano,

130

130         Thou art too wild, too rude¹³⁰ and bold of voice,

               Parts¹³¹ that become thee happily enough

               And in such eyes as ours appear not faults;

               But where they are not known, why, there they show¹³³

               Something too liberal.¹³⁴ Pray thee take pain

135

135         To allay¹³⁵ with some cold drops of modesty

               Thy skipping¹³⁶ spirit, lest through thy wild behaviour

               I be misconstered¹³⁷ in the place I go to,

               And lose my hopes.

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     Signior Bassanio, hear me:

140

140         If I do not put on a sober habit,¹⁴⁰

               Talk with respect and swear but¹⁴¹ now and then,

               Wear prayer-books in my pocket, look demurely,

               Nay more, while grace is saying,¹⁴³ hood mine eyes

               Thus with my hat, and sigh and say ‘Amen’, Covers his face

145

145         Use all the observance of civility,

               Like one well studied¹⁴⁶ in a sad ostent

               To please his grandam,¹⁴⁷ never trust me more.

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     Well, we shall see your bearing.

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     Nay, but I bar¹⁴⁹ tonight. You shall not gauge me

150

150         By what we do tonight.

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     No, that were pity.

               I would entreat you rather to put on

               Your boldest suit of mirth, for we have friends

               That purpose¹⁵⁴ merriment. But fare you well.

155

155         I have some business.

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     And I must to Lorenzo and the rest,

               But we will visit you at suppertime.

       Exeunt

[Act 2 Scene 3]2.3

running scene 6

       Enter Jessica and the Clown [Lancelet]

JESSICA

JESSICA     I am sorry thou wilt leave my father so.

               Our house is hell, and thou, a merry devil,

               Didst rob it of some taste of tediousness;

               But fare thee well. There is a ducat for thee. Gives money

5

5             And, Lancelet, soon at supper shalt thou see

               Lorenzo, who is thy new master’s guest:

               Give him this letter. Do it secretly. Gives a letter

               And so farewell. I would not have my father

               See me talk with thee.

LANCELET

LANCELET     Adieu! Tears exhibit¹⁰ my tongue, most beautiful pagan, most sweet Jew! If a Christian did not play the knave and get¹¹ thee, I am much deceived; but adieu. These foolish drops do somewhat drown my manly spirit. Adieu.

       Exit

JESSICA

JESSICA     Farewell, good Lancelet.

               Alack, what heinous sin is it in me

15

15           To be ashamed to be my father’s child!

               But though I am a daughter to his blood,

               I am not to his manners.¹⁷ O Lorenzo,

               If thou keep promise, I shall end this strife,¹⁸

               Become a Christian and thy loving wife.

       Exit

[Act 2 Scene 4]

running scene 7

       Enter Gratiano, Lorenzo, Salerio and Solanio

LORENZO

LORENZO     Nay, we will slink away in¹ suppertime,

               Disguise us at my lodging and return

               All in an hour.

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     We have not made good preparation.

5

5     

SALERIO

SALERIO           We have not spoke⁵ us yet of torchbearers.

SOLANIO

SOLANIO     ’Tis vile,⁶ unless it may be quaintly ordered,

               And better in my mind not undertook.

LORENZO

LORENZO     ’Tis now but four of clock. We have two hours

               To furnish us.⁹— Friend Lancelet, what’s the news?

       Enter Lancelet, with a letter

LANCELET

LANCELET     An¹⁰ it shall please you to break up this, shall it seem to signify. Gives him the letter

LORENZO

LORENZO     I know the hand.¹¹ In faith, ’tis a fair hand,

               And whiter than the paper it writ on

               Is the fair hand that writ.

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     Love-news, in faith.

15

15   

LANCELET

LANCELET           By your leave,¹⁵ sir. Starts to leave

LORENZO

LORENZO     Whither goest thou?

LANCELET

LANCELET     Marry, sir, to bid my old master the Jew to sup¹⁷ tonight with my new master the Christian.

LORENZO

LORENZO     Hold here, take this. Tell gentle Jessica Gives money

20

               I will not fail her. Speak it privately.

               Go,²¹ gentlemen,

               Will you prepare you for this masque²² tonight?

               I am provided of²³ a torchbearer.

       Exit Clown [Lancelet]

SALERIO

SALERIO     Ay, marry, I’ll be gone about it straight.

25

25   

SOLANIO

SOLANIO           And so will I.

LORENZO

LORENZO     Meet me and Gratiano

               At Gratiano’s lodging some²⁷ hour hence.

SALERIO

SALERIO     ’Tis good we do so.

       Exit [Salerio with Solanio]

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     Was not that letter from fair Jessica?

30

30   

LORENZO

LORENZO           I must needs³⁰ tell thee all. She hath directed

               How I shall take her from her father’s house,

               What gold and jewels she is furnished with,

               What page’s suit she hath in readiness.

               If e’er the Jew her father come to heaven,

35

               It will be for his gentle³⁵ daughter’s sake;

               And never dare misfortune cross her foot,³⁶

               Unless she³⁷ do it under this excuse,

               That she³⁸ is issue to a faithless Jew.

               Come, go with me, peruse this as thou goest. Gives the letter

40

               Fair Jessica shall be my torchbearer.

       Exeunt

[Act 2 Scene 5]

running scene 8

       Enter [Shylock the] Jew and [Lancelet,] his man that was, the Clown

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     Well, thou shall see, thy eyes shall be thy judge,

               The difference of² old Shylock and Bassanio.—

               What, Jessica! — Thou shalt not gormandize³

               As thou hast done with me— What, Jessica!—

5

5             And sleep and snore, and rend apparel out⁵—

               Why, Jessica, I say!

LANCELET

LANCELET     Why, Jessica!

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     Who bids thee call? I do not bid thee call.

LANCELET

LANCELET     Your worship was wont⁹ to tell me

10

               I could do nothing without bidding.

       Enter Jessica

JESSICA

JESSICA     Call you? What is your will?

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     I am bid forth¹² to supper, Jessica.

               There are my keys. But wherefore¹³ should I go?

               I am not bid for love, they flatter me.

15

15           But yet I’ll go in hate, to feed upon¹⁵

               The prodigal¹⁶ Christian. Jessica, my girl,

               Look to¹⁷ my house. I am right loath to go.

               There is some ill¹⁸ a-brewing towards my rest,

               For I did dream of money-bags tonight.¹⁹

LANCELET

LANCELET     I beseech you, sir, go. My young master doth expect²⁰ your reproach.

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     So do I his.

LANCELET

LANCELET     An they have conspired together. I will not say you shall see a masque, but if you do, then it was not for nothing that my nose fell a-bleeding²³ on Black²⁴ Monday last at six o’clock i’th’morning, falling out that year on Ash Wednesday was four year, in th’afternoon.

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     What, are there masques? Hear you me, Jessica:

               Lock up my doors, and when you hear the drum

               And the vile squealing of the wry-necked²⁸ fife,

               Clamber not you up to the casements²⁹ then,

30

30           Nor thrust your head into the public street

               To gaze on Christian fools with varnished faces,³¹

               But stop³² my house’s ears, I mean my casements.

               Let not the sound of shallow fopp’ry³³ enter

               My sober house. By Jacob’s staff,³⁴ I swear,

35

35           I have no mind of³⁵ feasting forth tonight,

               But I will go. Go you before me, sirrah,

               Say I will come.

LANCELET

LANCELET     I will go before, sir.— Mistress, look out at window, for³⁸ all this, Aside to Jessica

               There will come a Christian by,

40

40           Will be worth a Jewès⁴⁰ eye.

       [Exit Lancelet]

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     What says that fool of Hagar’s offspring,⁴¹ ha?

JESSICA

JESSICA     His words were ‘Farewell mistress’, nothing else.

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     The patch⁴³ is kind enough, but a huge feeder,

               Snail-slow in profit,⁴⁴ but he sleeps by day

45

45           More than the wild-cat. Drones⁴⁵ hive not with me:

               Therefore I part with him, and part with him

               To one that I would have him help to waste

               His borrowed purse. Well, Jessica, go in.

               Perhaps I will return immediately.

50

50           Do as I bid you, shut doors after you.

               Fast⁵¹ bind, fast find —

               A proverb never stale in thrifty mind.

       Exit

JESSICA

JESSICA     Farewell, and if my fortune be not crossed,⁵³

               I have a father, you a daughter lost.

       Exit

[Act 2 Scene 6]

running scene 9

       Enter the masquers, Gratiano and Salerio

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     This is the penthouse¹ under which Lorenzo

               Desired us to make a stand.²

SALERIO

SALERIO     His³ hour is almost past.

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     And it is marvel⁴ he out-dwells his hour,

5

5             For lovers ever⁵ run before the clock.

SALERIO

SALERIO     O, ten times faster Venus’ pigeons⁶ fly

               To seal love’s bonds new-made, than they are wont

               To keep obligèd⁸ faith unforfeited!

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     That ever⁹ holds: who riseth from a feast

10

10           With that¹⁰ keen appetite that he sits down?

               Where is the horse that doth untread¹¹ again

               His tedious measures¹² with the unbated fire

               That he did pace them first? All things that are,

               Are with more spirit chasèd than enjoyed.

15

15           How like a younger¹⁵ or a prodigal

               The scarfèd¹⁶ bark puts from her native bay,

               Hugged and embracèd by the strumpet¹⁷ wind!

               How like a prodigal doth she return,

               With over-withered ribs¹⁹ and ragged sails,

20

20           Lean, rent²⁰ and beggared by the strumpet wind!

       Enter Lorenzo

SALERIO

SALERIO     Here comes Lorenzo. More of this hereafter.

LORENZO

LORENZO     Sweet friends, your²² patience for my long abode:

               Not I but my affairs have made you wait.

               When you shall please to play the thieves for wives,

25

25           I’ll watch²⁵ as long for you then. Approach.

               Here dwells my father²⁶ Jew. Ho! Who’s within?

       [Enter] Jessica above [in boy’s clothes]

JESSICA

JESSICA     Who are you? Tell me, for more certainty,

               Albeit I’ll swear that I do know your tongue.²⁸

LORENZO

LORENZO     Lorenzo, and thy love.

30

30   

JESSICA

JESSICA           Lorenzo, certain, and my love indeed,

               For who love I so much? And now who knows

               But you, Lorenzo, whether I am yours?

LORENZO

LORENZO     Heaven and thy thoughts are witness that thou art.

JESSICA

JESSICA     Here, catch this casket, it is worth the pains.

35

35           I am glad ’tis night, you do not look on me,

               For I am much ashamed of my exchange.³⁶

               But love is blind and lovers cannot see

               The pretty³⁸ follies that themselves commit,

               For if they could, Cupid³⁹ himself would blush

40

40           To see me thus transformèd to a boy.

LORENZO

LORENZO     Descend, for you must be my torchbearer.

JESSICA

JESSICA     What, must I hold⁴² a candle to my shames?

               They in themselves, good sooth,⁴³ are too too light.

               Why, ’tis an office of discovery,⁴⁴ love,

45

45           And I should be obscured.

LORENZO

LORENZO     So you are, sweet,

               Even in the lovely garnish⁴⁷ of a boy.

               But come at once,

               For the close⁴⁹ night doth play the runaway,

50

50           And we are stayed for⁵⁰ at Bassanio’s feast.

JESSICA

JESSICA     I will make fast⁵¹ the doors and gild myself

               With some more ducats, and be with you straight.

       [Exit above]

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     Now, by my hood, a gentle⁵³ and no Jew.

LORENZO

LORENZO     Beshrew⁵⁴ me but I love her heartily.

55

55           For she is wise, if I can judge of her,

               And fair she is, if that mine eyes be true,⁵⁶

               And true⁵⁷ she is, as she hath proved herself,

               And therefore, like herself, wise, fair and true,

               Shall she be placèd in my constant soul.

       Enter Jessica [below]

60

60           What, art thou come? On, gentlemen, away!

               Our masquing mates by this time for us stay.⁶¹

       Exit [with Jessica and Salerio]

       Enter Antonio

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Who’s there?

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     Signior Antonio?

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Fie, fie, Gratiano! Where are all the rest?

65

65           ’Tis nine o’clock: our friends all stay for you.

               No masque tonight, the wind is come about.⁶⁶

               Bassanio presently will go aboard.

               I have sent twenty out to seek for you.

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     I am glad on’t. I desire no more delight

70

70           Than to be under sail and gone tonight.

       Exeunt

[Act 2 Scene 7]2.7

running scene 10

       [Flourish of cornets.] Enter Portia with [the Prince of] Morocco and both their trains

PORTIA

PORTIA     Go, draw aside the curtains and discover¹

               The several² caskets to this noble prince.

               Now make your choice. The curtains are opened

MOROCCO

MOROCCO     The first, of gold, who⁴ this inscription bears:

5

5             ‘Who⁵ chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.’

               The second, silver, which this promise carries,

               ‘Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.’

               This third, dull⁸ lead, with warning all as blunt,

               ‘Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.’

10

10           How shall I know if I do choose the right?

PORTIA

PORTIA     The one of them contains my picture, prince.

               If you choose that, then I am yours withal.¹²

MOROCCO

MOROCCO     Some god direct my judgement! Let me see.

               I will survey the inscriptions back¹⁴ again.

15

15           What says this leaden casket?

               ‘Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.’

               Must give: for what? For lead? Hazard for lead?

               This casket threatens. Men that hazard all

               Do it in hope of fair advantages:

20

20           A golden mind stoops not to shows of dross,²⁰

               I’ll then nor²¹ give nor hazard aught for lead.

               What says the silver with her virgin hue?²²

               ‘Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.’

               As much as he deserves; pause there, Morocco,

25

25           And weigh²⁵ thy value with an even hand:

               If thou be’st rated²⁶ by thy estimation,

               Thou dost deserve enough, and yet enough

               May not extend so far as to the lady.

               And yet to be afeard of my deserving

30

30           Were but a weak disabling³⁰ of myself.

               As much as I deserve? Why, that’s the lady.

               I do in birth deserve her, and in fortunes,

               In graces and in qualities of breeding,

               But more than these, in love I do deserve.

35

35           What if I strayed no further, but chose here?

               Let’s see once more this saying graved³⁶ in gold:

               ‘Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.’

               Why, that’s the lady, all the world desires her.

               From the four corners of the earth they come,

40

40           To kiss this shrine, this mortal breathing⁴⁰ saint.

               The Hyrcanian deserts⁴¹ and the vasty wilds

               Of wide Arabia are as throughfares now

               For princes to come view fair Portia.

               The watery kingdom,⁴⁴ whose ambitious head

45

45           Spits in the face of heaven, is no bar

               To stop the foreign spirits,⁴⁶ but they come,

               As o’er a brook, to see fair Portia.

               One of these three contains her heavenly picture.

               Is’t like⁴⁹ that lead contains her? ’Twere damnation

50

50           To think so base⁵⁰ a thought, it were too gross

               To rib⁵¹ her cerecloth in the obscure grave.

               Or shall I think in silver she’s immured,⁵²

               Being ten times undervalued to⁵³ trièd gold?

               O sinful thought! Never so rich a gem

55

55           Was set⁵⁵ in worse than gold! They have in England

               A coin that bears the figure of an angel⁵⁶

               Stamped in gold, but that’s insculped⁵⁷ upon,

               But here an angel in a golden bed

               Lies all within. Deliver me the key:

60

60           Here do I choose, and thrive I as I may!

PORTIA

PORTIA     There, take it, prince, and if my form⁶¹ lie there,

               Then I am yours. He unlocks the gold casket

MOROCCO

MOROCCO     O hell! What have we here?

               A carrion⁶⁴ Death, within whose empty eye

65

65           There is a written scroll; I’ll read the writing.

               ‘All that glisters is not gold, Reads

               Often have you heard that told;

               Many a man his life hath sold

               But⁶⁹ my outside to behold.

70

70           Gilded tombs do worms enfold.

               Had you been as wise as bold,

               Young in limbs, in judgement old,⁷²

               Your answer had not been inscrolled:⁷³

               Fare you well, your suit is cold.’

75

75           Cold, indeed, and labour lost.

               Then farewell, heat, and welcome, frost!

               Portia, adieu. I have too grieved a heart

               To take a tedious⁷⁸ leave. Thus losers part.

       Exit [with his train. Flourish of cornets]

PORTIA

PORTIA     A gentle riddance. Draw the curtains, go.

80

80           Let all of his complexion⁸⁰ choose me so.

       [They close the curtains and] exeunt

[Act 2 Scene 8]2.8

running scene 11

       Enter Salerio and Solanio

SALERIO

SALERIO     Why, man, I saw Bassanio under sail.

               With him is Gratiano gone along;

               And in their ship I am sure Lorenzo is not.

SOLANIO

SOLANIO     The villain Jew with outcries raised⁴ the duke,

5

5             Who went with him to search Bassanio’s ship.

SALERIO

SALERIO     He comes too late, the ship was under sail;

               But there the duke was given to understand

               That in a gondola were seen together

               Lorenzo and his amorous Jessica.

10

10           Besides, Antonio certified the duke

               They were not with Bassanio in his ship.

SOLANIO

SOLANIO     I never heard a passion¹² so confused,

               So strange, outrageous,¹³ and so variable,

               As the dog Jew did utter in the streets:

15

15           ‘My daughter! O my ducats! O my daughter!

               Fled with a Christian! O my Christian ducats!

               Justice, the law, my ducats, and my daughter!

               A sealèd bag, two sealèd bags of ducats,

               Of double ducats,¹⁹ stol’n from me by my daughter!

20

20           And jewels, two stones,²⁰ two rich and precious stones,

               Stol’n by my daughter! Justice! Find the girl,

               She hath the stones upon her, and the ducats.’

SALERIO

SALERIO     Why, all the boys in Venice follow him,

               Crying, his stones,²⁴ his daughter, and his ducats.

25

25   

SOLANIO

SOLANIO           Let good Antonio look²⁵ he keep his day,

               Or he shall pay for this.

SALERIO

SALERIO     Marry, well remembered.

               I reasoned²⁸ with a Frenchman yesterday,

               Who told me, in the narrow²⁹ seas that part

30

30           The French and English there miscarried³⁰

               A vessel of our country richly fraught.³¹

               I thought upon³² Antonio when he told me,

               And wished in silence that it were not his.

SOLANIO

SOLANIO     You were best to tell Antonio what you hear;

35

35           Yet do not suddenly, for it may grieve him.

SALERIO

SALERIO     A kinder gentleman treads not the earth.

               I saw Bassanio and Antonio part:

               Bassanio told him he would make some speed

               Of his return. He answered, ‘Do not so,

40

40           Slubber⁴⁰ not business for my sake, Bassanio,

               But stay⁴¹ the very riping of the time.

               And for⁴² the Jew’s bond which he hath of me,

               Let it not enter in your mind of⁴³ love.

               Be merry, and employ your chiefest thoughts

45

45           To courtship and such fair ostents⁴⁵ of love

               As shall conveniently become you⁴⁶ there.’

               And even there,⁴⁷ his eye being big with tears,

               Turning his face, he put his hand behind him,

               And with affection wondrous sensible⁴⁹

50

50           He wrung Bassanio’s hand, and so they parted.

SOLANIO

SOLANIO     I think he⁵¹ only loves the world for him.

               I pray thee let us go and find him out,

               And quicken⁵³ his embracèd heaviness

               With some delight or other.

55

55   

SALERIO

SALERIO           Do we so.

       Exeunt

[Act 2 Scene 9]2.9

running scene 12

       Enter Nerissa and a Servitor

NERISSA

NERISSA     Quick, quick, I pray thee draw the curtain straight.¹ The Servitor opens the curtains

               The Prince of Aragon² hath ta’en his oath,

               And comes to his election³ presently.

       Enter [the Prince of] Aragon, his train and Portia. Flourish of cornets

PORTIA

PORTIA     Behold, there stand the caskets, noble prince.

5

5             If you choose that wherein I am contained,

               Straight shall our nuptial rites be solemnized.

               But if thou fail, without more speech, my lord,

               You must be gone from hence immediately.

ARAGON

ARAGON     I am enjoined⁹ by oath to observe three things:

10

10           First, never to unfold¹⁰ to anyone

               Which casket ’twas I chose; next, if I fail

               Of¹² the right casket, never in my life

               To woo a maid in way of marriage. Lastly,

               If I do fail in fortune of my choice,

15

15           Immediately to leave you and be gone.

PORTIA

PORTIA     To these injunctions everyone doth swear

               That comes to hazard for my worthless self.

ARAGON

ARAGON     And so have I addressed me.¹⁸ Fortune now

               To my heart’s hope! Gold, silver, and base lead.

20

20           ‘Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.’

               You shall look fairer, ere I give or hazard.

               What says the golden chest? Ha? Let me see:

               ‘Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.’

               What many men desire — that ‘many’ may be meant

25

25           By²⁵ the fool multitude that choose by show,

               Not learning more than the fond²⁶ eye doth teach,

               Which pries²⁷ not to th’interior, but like the martlet

               Builds in²⁸ the weather on the outward wall,

               Even in the force²⁹ and road of casualty.

30

30           I will not choose what many men desire,

               Because I will not jump³¹ with common spirits

               And rank me with the barb’rous multitudes.

               Why, then to thee, thou silver treasure-house.

               Tell me once more what title thou dost bear:

35

35           ‘Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.’

               And well said too, for who shall go about

               To cozen³⁷ fortune and be honourable

               Without the stamp of merit? Let none presume

               To wear an undeservèd dignity.

40

40           O, that estates, degrees⁴⁰ and offices

               Were not derived corruptly, and that clear⁴¹ honour

               Were purchased⁴² by the merit of the wearer!

               How many then should cover⁴³ that stand bare!

               How many be commanded that command!

45

45           How much low peasantry would then be gleaned⁴⁵

               From the true seed⁴⁶ of honour! And how much honour

               Picked from the chaff and ruin of the times

               To be new-varnished!⁴⁸ Well, but to my choice:

               ‘Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.’

50

50           I will assume⁵⁰ desert; give me a key for this,

               And instantly unlock my fortunes here. He opens the silver casket

PORTIA

PORTIA     Too long a pause for that which you find there. Aside?

ARAGON

ARAGON     What’s here? The portrait of a blinking idiot

               Presenting me a schedule!⁵⁴ I will read it.

55

55           How much unlike art thou to Portia.

               How much unlike my hopes and my deservings.

               ‘Who chooseth me shall have as much as he deserves.’

               Did I deserve no more than a fool’s head?

               Is that my prize? Are my deserts no better?

60

60   

PORTIA

PORTIA           To⁶⁰ offend and judge are distinct offices

               And of opposèd natures.

ARAGON

ARAGON     What is here?

               ‘The fire seven times tried this:⁶³ Reads

               Seven times tried that judgement⁶⁴ is

65

65           That did never choose amiss.⁶⁵

               Some there be that shadows⁶⁶ kiss,

               Such have but a shadow’s bliss.

               There be fools alive, iwis,⁶⁸

               Silvered⁶⁹ o’er, and so was this.

70

70           Take what wife you will to bed,

               I⁷¹ will ever be your head.

               So begone: you are sped.⁷²’

               Still more fool I shall appear

               By the time⁷⁴ I linger here.

75

75           With one fool’s head I came to woo,

               But I go away with two.

               Sweet, adieu. I’ll keep my oath,

               Patiently to bear my wroth.⁷⁸

       [Exeunt Aragon and train]

PORTIA

PORTIA     Thus hath the candle singed the moth.

80

80           O, these deliberate⁸⁰ fools! When they do choose,

               They have the wisdom by their wit to lose.

NERISSA

NERISSA     The ancient saying is no heresy:

               Hanging and wiving⁸³ goes by destiny.

PORTIA

PORTIA     Come, draw the curtain, Nerissa. Nerissa closes the curtains

       Enter Messenger

85

85   

MESSENGER

MESSENGER           Where is my lady?

PORTIA

PORTIA     Here, what would my lord?⁸⁶

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Madam, there is alighted at your gate

               A young Venetian, one that comes before

               To signify th’approaching of his lord,

90

90           From whom he bringeth sensible regreets:

               To wit,⁹¹ besides commends and courteous breath,

               Gifts of rich value; yet⁹² I have not seen

               So likely an ambassador of love.

               A day in April never came so sweet

95

95           To show how costly⁹⁵ summer was at hand,

               As this fore-spurrer⁹⁶ comes before his lord.

PORTIA

PORTIA     No more, I pray thee. I am half afeard

               Thou wilt say anon he is some kin to thee,

               Thou spend’st such high-day⁹⁹ wit in praising him.

100

100         Come, come, Nerissa, for I long to see

               Quick Cupid’s post¹⁰¹ that comes so mannerly.

NERISSA

NERISSA     Bassanio, Lord Love, if thy will it be!

       Exeunt

Act 3 [Scene 1]3.1

running scene 13

       Enter Solanio and Salerio

SOLANIO

SOLANIO     Now, what news on the Rialto?

SALERIO

SALERIO     Why, yet it² lives there unchecked that Antonio hath a ship of rich lading wrecked on the narrow seas;³ the Goodwins, I think they call the place, a very dangerous flat⁴ and fatal, where the carcasses of many a tall ship lie buried, as they say, if my gossip’s⁵ report be an honest woman of her word.

SOLANIO

SOLANIO     I would she were as lying a gossip in that as ever knapped⁶ ginger or made her neighbours believe she wept for the death of a third husband. But it is true, without any slips of prolixity⁸ or crossing the plain highway of talk, that the good Antonio, the honest Antonio — O that I had a title good enough to keep his name company!—

SALERIO

SALERIO     Come,¹¹ the full stop.

SOLANIO

SOLANIO     Ha, what sayest thou? Why, the end is, he hath lost a ship.

SALERIO

SALERIO     I would it might prove¹³ the end of his losses.

SOLANIO

SOLANIO     Let me say ‘amen’ betimes,¹⁴ lest the devil cross my prayer, for here he comes in the likeness of a Jew. How now, Shylock! What news among the merchants?

       Enter Shylock

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     You knew, none so well, none so well as you, of my daughter’s flight.

SALERIO

SALERIO     That’s certain. I, for my part, knew the tailor that made the wings¹⁸ she flew withal.

SOLANIO

SOLANIO     And Shylock, for his own part, knew the bird was fledged.²⁰ and then it is the complexion²¹ of them all to leave the dam.

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     She is damned for it.

SOLANIO

SOLANIO     That’s certain, if the devil²³ may be her judge.

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     My own flesh and blood²⁴ to rebel!

SOLANIO

SOLANIO     Out upon it,²⁵ old carrion! Rebels it at these years?

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     I say, my daughter is my flesh and blood.

SALERIO

SALERIO     There is more difference between thy flesh and hers than between jet and ivory,²⁷ more between your bloods than there is between red wine and Rhenish. But tell us, do you hear whether Antonio have had any loss at sea or no?

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     There I have another bad match:³⁰ a bankrupt, a prodigal, who dare scarce show his head on the Rialto, a beggar that was used to come so smug upon the mart.³² Let him look to his bond. He was wont to call me usurer. Let him look to his bond. He was wont to lend money for³³ a Christian courtesy. Let him look to his bond.

SALERIO

SALERIO     Why, I am sure if he forfeit, thou wilt not take his flesh. What’s that good for?

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     To bait fish withal. If it will feed nothing else, it will feed my revenge. He hath disgraced me, and hindered me³⁸ half a million, laughed at my losses, mocked at my gains, scorned my nation, thwarted my bargains, cooled³⁹ my friends, heated mine enemies, and what’s the reason? I am a Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions,⁴¹ senses, affections, passions? Fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer, as a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge? If we are like you in the rest, we will resemble you in that. If a Jew wrong a Christian, what⁴⁶ is his humility? Revenge. If a Christian wrong a Jew, what should his sufferance⁴⁷ be by Christian example? Why, revenge. The villainy you teach me I will execute, and it shall go hard but⁴⁹ I will better the instruction.

       Enter a man from Antonio

SERVANT

SERVANT     Gentlemen, my master Antonio is at his house and desires to speak with you both.

SALERIO

SALERIO     We have been up and down⁵² to seek him.

       Enter Tubal

SOLANIO

SOLANIO     Here comes another of the tribe.⁵³ A third cannot be matched, unless the devil himself turn Jew.

Exeunt Gentlemen [Solanio, Salerio and Servant]

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     How now, Tubal, what news from Genoa?⁵⁵ Hast thou found my daughter?

TUBAL

TUBAL     I often came where I did hear of her, but cannot find her.

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     Why, there, there, there, there! A diamond gone, cost me two thousand ducats in Frankfurt!⁵⁸ The curse never fell upon our nation till now, I never felt it till now. Two thousand ducats in that, and other precious, precious jewels. I would my daughter were dead at my foot, and the jewels in her ear! Would she were hearsed⁶¹ at my foot, and the ducats in her coffin! No news of them? Why, so —and I know not how much is spent in the search. Why, thou loss upon loss! The thief gone with so much, and so much to find the thief, and no satisfaction,⁶³ no revenge, nor no ill luck stirring but what lights⁶⁴ o’my shoulders, no sighs but o’my breathing, no tears but o’my shedding.

TUBAL

TUBAL     Yes, other men have ill luck too. Antonio, as I heard in Genoa—

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     What, what, what? Ill luck, ill luck?

TUBAL

TUBAL     —hath an argosy cast away,⁶⁸ coming from Tripolis.

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     I thank God, I thank God. Is it true, is it true?

TUBAL

TUBAL     I spoke with some of the sailors that escaped the wreck.

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     I thank thee, good Tubal, good news, good news! Ha, ha, heard in Genoa?

TUBAL

TUBAL     Your daughter spent in Genoa, as I heard, one night fourscore⁷² ducats.

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     Thou stick’st a dagger in me. I shall never see my gold again. Fourscore ducats at a sitting,⁷⁴ fourscore ducats!

TUBAL

TUBAL     There came divers⁷⁵ of Antonio’s creditors in my company to Venice, that swear he cannot choose but break.⁷⁶

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     I am very glad of it. I’ll plague him, I’ll torture him. I am glad of it.

TUBAL

TUBAL     One of⁷⁸ them showed me a ring that he had of your daughter for a monkey.

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     Out upon her!⁷⁹ Thou torturest me, Tubal. It was my turquoise, I had it of Leah⁸⁰ when I was a bachelor. I would not have given it for a wilderness of monkeys.

TUBAL

TUBAL     But Antonio is certainly undone.⁸²

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     Nay, that’s true, that’s very true. Go, Tubal, fee⁸³ me an officer, bespeak him a fortnight before.⁸⁴ I will have the heart of him, if he forfeit, for were he out of Venice I can make what⁸⁵ merchandise I will. Go, Tubal, and meet me at our synagogue. Go, good Tubal, at our synagogue, Tubal.

       Exeunt [separately]

[Act 3 Scene 2]3.2

running scene 14

       Enter Bassanio, Portia, Gratiano, [Nerissa] and all their trains

PORTIA

PORTIA     I pray you tarry.¹ Pause a day or two

               Before you hazard, for in choosing² wrong

               I lose your company: therefore forbear³ awhile.

               There’s something tells me, but it is not love,

5

5             I would not lose you, and you know yourself,

               Hate counsels not in such a quality;⁶

               But lest you should not understand me well —

               And⁸ yet a maiden hath no tongue but thought —

               I would detain you here some month or two

10

10           Before you venture¹⁰ for me. I could teach you

               How to choose right, but then I am forsworn.¹¹

               So¹² will I never be. So may you miss me.

               But if you do, you’ll make me wish a sin,

               That I had been forsworn. Beshrew your eyes,

15

15           They have o’erlooked¹⁵ me and divided me.

               One half of me is yours, the other half yours,

               Mine own, I would¹⁷ say. But if mine, then yours,

               And so all yours. O, these naughty¹⁸ times

               Puts bars¹⁹ between the owners and their rights!

20

20           And so, though²⁰ yours, not yours. Prove it so,

               Let fortune go to hell for it, not I.

               I speak too long, but ’tis to peise²² the time,

               To eke²³ it and to draw it out in length,

               To stay²⁴ you from election.

25

25   

BASSANIO

BASSANIO           Let me choose,

               For as I am, I live upon the rack.²⁶

PORTIA

PORTIA     Upon the rack, Bassanio? Then confess

               What treason there is mingled with your love.

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     None but that ugly treason of mistrust,²⁹

30

30           Which makes me fear³⁰ the enjoying of my love.

               There may as well be amity and life

               ’Tween snow and fire, as³² treason and my love.

PORTIA

PORTIA     Ay, but I fear you speak upon the rack,

               Where men enforcèd³⁴ do speak anything.

35

35   

BASSANIO

BASSANIO           Promise me life, and I’ll confess the truth.

PORTIA

PORTIA     Well then, confess and live.³⁶

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     ‘Confess and love’

               Had been the very sum of my confession.

               O happy torment, when my torturer

40

40           Doth teach me answers for deliverance!⁴⁰

               But let me to⁴¹ my fortune and the caskets.

PORTIA

PORTIA     Away, then! I am locked in one of them.

               If you do love me, you will find me out.

               Nerissa and the rest, stand all aloof.⁴⁴

45

45           Let music sound while he doth make his choice,

               Then if he lose, he makes a swan-like end,⁴⁶

               Fading in music. That the comparison

               May stand more proper, my eye shall be the stream

               And wat’ry death-bed for him. He may win,

50

50           And what is music then? Then music is

               Even as the flourish⁵¹ when true subjects bow

               To a new-crownèd monarch. Such it is,

               As are those dulcet⁵³ sounds in break of day,

               That creep into the dreaming bridegroom’s ear,

55

55           And summon him to marriage. Now he goes,

               With no less presence,⁵⁶ but with much more love,

               Than young Alcides,⁵⁷ when he did redeem

               The virgin tribute paid by howling⁵⁸ Troy

               To the sea-monster. I stand for⁵⁹ sacrifice,

60

60           The rest aloof are the Dardanian⁶⁰ wives,

               With blearèd visages,⁶¹ come forth to view

               The issue⁶² of th’exploit. Go, Hercules!

               Live thou,⁶³ I live. With much, much more dismay

               I view the fight than thou that mak’st the fray.⁶⁴

       Here music

       A song the whilst Bassanio comments on the caskets to himself

65

65   

[SINGER]

[SINGER]     Tell me where is fancy⁶⁵ bred,

                                    Or⁶⁶ in the heart, or in the head?

                                    How begot,⁶⁷ how nourishèd?

                                    Reply, reply.

                                    It is engendered in the eyes,

70

465             With gazing fed, and fancy dies

                                    In the cradle⁷¹ where it lies.

                                    Let us all ring fancy’s knell.⁷²

                                    I’ll begin it — Ding, dong, bell.

ALL

ALL     Ding, dong, bell.

75

75   

BASSANIO

BASSANIO           So may the outward shows be least themselves,⁷⁵

               The world is still⁷⁶ deceived with ornament.

               In law, what plea so tainted and corrupt,

               But, being seasoned with a gracious⁷⁸ voice,

               Obscures the show of evil? In religion,

80

80           What damnèd error, but some sober brow⁸⁰

               Will bless it and approve⁸¹ it with a text,

               Hiding the grossness⁸² with fair ornament?

               There is no vice so simple⁸³ but assumes

               Some mark of virtue on his⁸⁴ outward parts;

85

85           How many cowards, whose hearts are all as false

               As stairs of sand, wear yet upon their chins

               The beards of Hercules and frowning Mars,⁸⁷

               Who, inward searched,⁸⁸ have livers white as milk.

               And these assume but valour’s excrement⁸⁹

90

90           To render them redoubted.⁹⁰ Look on beauty,

               And you shall see ’tis purchased by the weight,

               Which therein works a miracle in nature,

               Making them lightest⁹³ that wear most of it:

               So are those crispèd⁹⁴ snaky golden locks

95

95           Which makes such wanton⁹⁵ gambols with the wind

               Upon supposèd fairness,⁹⁶ often known

               To be the dowry⁹⁷ of a second head,

               The skull that bred them in the sepulchre.

               Thus ornament is but the guilèd⁹⁹ shore

100

100         To a most dangerous sea, the beauteous scarf

               Veiling an Indian¹⁰¹ beauty; in a word,

               The seeming truth which cunning times put on

               To entrap the wisest. Therefore, then, thou gaudy¹⁰³ gold,

               Hard food for Midas,¹⁰⁴ I will none of thee;

105

105         Nor none of thee,¹⁰⁵ thou pale and common drudge

               ’Tween man and man. But thou, thou meagre lead,

               Which rather threaten’st than dost promise aught,

               Thy paleness moves me more than eloquence,

               And here choose I. Joy be the consequence!

110

110 

PORTIA

PORTIA     How all the other passions fleet¹¹⁰ to air, Aside

               As¹¹¹ doubtful thoughts and rash-embraced despair

               And shudd’ring fear and green-eyed jealousy!

               O love, be moderate, allay thy ecstasy,

               In measure¹¹⁴ rain thy joy, scant this excess.

115

115         I feel too much thy blessing. Make it less,

               For fear I surfeit.¹¹⁶

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     What find I here? He opens the lead casket

               Fair Portia’s counterfeit!¹¹⁸ What demigod

               Hath come so near creation? Move these eyes?¹¹⁹

120

120         Or whether,¹²⁰ riding on the balls of mine,

               Seem they in motion? Here are severed¹²¹ lips,

               Parted with sugar breath, so sweet a bar¹²²

               Should sunder¹²³ such sweet friends. Here in her hairs

               The painter plays the spider, and hath woven

125

125         A golden mesh t’entrap the hearts of men

               Faster¹²⁶ than gnats in cobwebs. But her eyes —

               How could he see to do them? Having made one,

               Methinks it¹²⁸ should have power to steal both his

               And leave itself unfurnished.¹²⁹ Yet look how far

130

130         The substance¹³⁰ of my praise doth wrong this shadow

               In underprizing it, so far this shadow

               Doth limp behind the substance. Here’s the scroll,

               The continent¹³³ and summary of my fortune.

               ‘You that choose not by the view Reads

135

135         Chance as fair¹³⁵ and choose as true.

               Since this fortune falls to you,

               Be content and seek no new.

               If you be well pleased with this

               And hold your fortune for your bliss,

140

140         Turn you where your lady is

               And claim her with a loving kiss.’

               A gentle scroll. Fair lady, by your leave,

               I come by note¹⁴³ to give and to receive.

               Like one of two contending in a prize¹⁴⁴

145

145         That thinks he hath done well in people’s eyes,

               Hearing applause and universal shout,

               Giddy in spirit, still gazing in a doubt

               Whether those peals of praise be his¹⁴⁸ or no,

               So, thrice-fair lady, stand I, even so,

150

150         As doubtful whether what I see be true,

               Until confirmed, signed, ratified¹⁵¹ by you.

PORTIA

PORTIA     You see me, Lord Bassanio, where I stand,

               Such as I am; though for myself alone

               I would not be ambitious in my wish,

155

155         To wish myself much better, yet for you

               I would be trebled twenty times myself,

               A thousand times more fair, ten thousand times more rich,

               That only to stand high in your account,¹⁵⁸

               I might in virtues, beauties, livings,¹⁵⁹ friends,

160

160         Exceed account.¹⁶⁰ But the full sum of me

               Is sum of nothing, which to term in gross¹⁶¹

               Is an unlessoned girl, unschooled, unpractisèd,¹⁶²

               Happy in this, she is not yet so old

               But she may learn. Happier than this,

165

165         She is not bred so dull but she can learn;

               Happiest of all is that her gentle spirit

               Commits itself to yours to be directed,

               As from her lord, her governor, her king.

               Myself, and what is mine, to you and yours

170

170         Is now converted.¹⁷⁰ But now I was the lord

               Of this fair mansion, master of my servants,

               Queen o’er myself, and even now, but now,

               This house, these servants and this same myself

               Are yours, my lord. I give them with this ring,

175

175         Which when you part from, lose or give away,

               Let it presage¹⁷⁶ the ruin of your love

               And be my vantage¹⁷⁷ to exclaim on you. Puts a ring on his finger

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     Madam, you have bereft me of all words,

               Only my blood¹⁷⁹ speaks to you in my veins,

180

180         And there is such confusion¹⁸⁰ in my powers,

               As after some oration fairly spoke

               By a belovèd prince, there doth appear

               Among the buzzing pleasèd multitude,

               Where every something¹⁸⁴ being blent together,

185

185         Turns to a wild¹⁸⁵ of nothing, save of joy

               Expressed¹⁸⁶ and not expressed. But when this ring

               Parts from this finger, then parts life from hence.

               O, then be bold¹⁸⁸ to say Bassanio’s dead!

NERISSA

NERISSA     My lord and lady, it is now our time,

190

190         That¹⁹⁰ have stood by and seen our wishes prosper,

               To cry, good joy: good joy, my lord and lady!

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     My lord Bassanio and my gentle lady,

               I wish you all the joy that you can wish,

               For I am sure you can wish none¹⁹⁴ from me.

195

195         And when your honours mean to solemnize

               The bargain of your faith,¹⁹⁶ I do beseech you,

               Even¹⁹⁷ at that time I may be married too.

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     With all my heart, so¹⁹⁸ thou canst get a wife.

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     I thank your lordship, you have got me one.

200

200         My eyes, my lord, can look as swift as yours:

               You saw the mistress, I beheld the maid.²⁰¹

               You loved, I loved, for intermission²⁰²

               No more pertains to me, my lord, than you;

               Your fortune stood²⁰⁴ upon the caskets there,

205

205         And so did mine too, as the matter falls,²⁰⁵

               For wooing here until I sweat again,

               And swearing till my very roof²⁰⁷ was dry

               With oaths of love, at last,²⁰⁸ if promise last,

               I got a promise of this fair one here

210

210         To have her love, provided that your fortune

               Achieved her mistress.

PORTIA

PORTIA     Is this true, Nerissa?

NERISSA

NERISSA     Madam, it is so,²¹³ so you stand pleased withal.

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     And do you, Gratiano, mean good faith?

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     Yes, faith,²¹⁵ my lord.

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     Our feast shall be much honoured in your marriage.

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     We’ll play²¹⁷ with them the first boy for a thousand ducats.

NERISSA

NERISSA     What, and stake down?²¹⁸

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     No, we shall ne’er win at that sport,²¹⁹ and stake down.

220

220         But who comes here? Lorenzo and his infidel?²²⁰

               What, and my old Venetian friend Salerio?

       Enter Lorenzo, Jessica and Salerio

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     Lorenzo and Salerio, welcome hither,

               If that the youth²²³ of my new interest here

               Have power to bid you welcome. By your leave,

225

225         I bid my very²²⁵ friends and countrymen,

               Sweet Portia, welcome.

PORTIA

PORTIA     So do I, my lord. They are entirely welcome.

LORENZO

LORENZO     I thank your honour. For my part, my lord,

               My purpose was not to have seen you here,

230

230         But meeting with Salerio by the way,

               He did entreat me, past all saying nay,

               To come with him along.

SALERIO

SALERIO     I did, my lord,

               And I have reason for it. Signior Antonio

235

235         Commends him²³⁵ to you. Gives Bassanio a letter

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     Ere I ope²³⁶ his letter,

               I pray you tell me how my good friend doth.

SALERIO

SALERIO     Not sick, my lord, unless it be in mind,

               Nor well, unless in mind: his letter there

240

240         Will show you his estate.²⁴⁰

[Bassanio] opens the letter

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     Nerissa, cheer²⁴¹ yond stranger, bid her welcome.

               Your hand, Salerio. What’s the news from Venice?

               How doth that royal²⁴³ merchant, good Antonio?

               I know he will be glad of our success,

245

245         We are the Jasons, we have won the fleece.

SALERIO

SALERIO     I would you had won the fleece that he hath lost.

PORTIA

PORTIA     There are some shrewd²⁴⁷ contents in yond same paper,

               That steals the colour from Bassanio’s cheek.

               Some dear friend dead, else nothing in the world

250

250         Could turn so much the constitution²⁵⁰

               Of any constant²⁵¹ man. What, worse and worse?

               With leave,²⁵² Bassanio: I am half yourself,

               And I must freely have the half of anything

               That this same paper brings you.

255

255 

BASSANIO

BASSANIO             O sweet Portia,

               Here are a few of the unpleasant’st words

               That ever blotted paper! Gentle lady,

               When I did first impart my love to you,

               I freely told you all the wealth I had

260

260         Ran in my veins. I was a gentleman,

               And then I told you true. And yet, dear lady,

               Rating²⁶² myself at nothing, you shall see

               How much I was a braggart. When I told you

               My state²⁶⁴ was nothing, I should then have told you

265

265         That I was worse than nothing, for indeed,

               I have engaged²⁶⁶ myself to a dear friend,

               Engaged my friend to his mere²⁶⁷ enemy,

               To feed my means. Here is a letter, lady,

               The paper as²⁶⁹ the body of my friend,

270

270         And every word in it a gaping wound,

               Issuing life-blood. But is it true, Salerio?

               Hath all his ventures failed? What, not one hit?²⁷²

               From Tripolis, from Mexico and England,

               From Lisbon, Barbary²⁷⁴ and India?

275

275         And not one vessel scape the dreadful²⁷⁵ touch

               Of merchant-marring²⁷⁶ rocks?

SALERIO

SALERIO     Not one, my lord.

               Besides, it should appear,²⁷⁸ that if he had

               The present²⁷⁹ money to discharge the Jew,

280

280         He²⁸⁰ would not take it. Never did I know

               A creature that did bear the shape of man

               So keen and greedy to confound²⁸² a man.

               He plies the duke at morning and at night,

               And doth impeach²⁸⁴ the freedom of the state,

285

285         If they deny him justice. Twenty merchants,

               The duke himself and the magnificoes²⁸⁶

               Of greatest port²⁸⁷ have all persuaded with him,

               But none can drive him from the envious²⁸⁸ plea

               Of forfeiture,²⁸⁹ of justice and his bond.

290

290 

JESSICA

JESSICA             When I was with him I have heard him swear

               To Tubal and to Chus,²⁹¹ his countrymen,

               That he would rather have Antonio’s flesh

               Than twenty times the value of the sum

               That he did owe him: and I know, my lord,

295

295         If law, authority and power deny not,

               It will go hard with²⁹⁶ poor Antonio.

PORTIA

PORTIA     Is it your dear friend that is thus in trouble?

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     The dearest friend to me, the kindest man,

               The best-conditioned²⁹⁹ and unwearied spirit

300

300         In doing courtesies,³⁰⁰ and one in whom

               The ancient Roman honour more appears

               Than any that draws breath in Italy.

PORTIA

PORTIA     What sum owes he the Jew?

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     For me three thousand ducats.

305

305 

PORTIA

PORTIA             What, no more?

               Pay him six thousand and deface³⁰⁶ the bond.

               Double six thousand and then treble that,

               Before a friend of this description

               Shall lose a hair through Bassanio’s fault.

310

310         First go with me to church and call me wife,

               And then away to Venice to your friend,

               For never shall you lie by Portia’s side

               With an unquiet soul. You shall have gold

               To pay the petty debt twenty times over.

315

315         When it is paid, bring your true friend along.

               My maid Nerissa and myself meantime

               Will live as maids and widows. Come, away!

               For you shall hence³¹⁸ upon your wedding day.

               Bid your friends welcome, show a merry cheer,³¹⁹

320

320         Since you are dear³²⁰ bought, I will love you dear.

               But let me hear the letter of your friend.

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     Reads ‘Sweet Bassanio, my ships have all miscarried, my creditors grow cruel, my estate³²³ is very low, my bond to the Jew is forfeit, and since in paying it, it is impossible I should live, all debts are cleared between you and I, if I might see you at my death. Notwithstanding,³²⁵ use your pleasure, if your love do not persuade you to come, let not my letter.’

PORTIA

PORTIA     O love! Dispatch³²⁷ all business, and be gone!

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     Since I have your good leave to go away,

               I will make haste; but till I come again,

330

330         No bed shall e’er be guilty of my stay,

               No rest be interposer ’twixt us twain.³³¹

       Exeunt

[Act 3 Scene 3]3.3

running scene 15

       Enter [Shylock] the Jew and Solanio and Antonio and the Jailer

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     Jailer, look¹ to him, tell not me of mercy.

               This is the fool that lends out money gratis.²

               Jailer, look to him.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Hear me yet, good Shylock.

5

5     

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK           I’ll have my bond. Speak not against my bond,

               I have sworn an oath that I will have my bond.

               Thou calledst me dog before thou hadst a cause,

               But since I am a dog, beware my fangs.

               The duke shall grant me justice. I do wonder,

10

10           Thou naughty¹⁰ jailer, that thou art so fond

               To come abroad¹¹ with him at his request.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     I pray thee hear me speak.

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     I’ll have my bond. I will not hear thee speak.

               I’ll have my bond and therefore speak no more.

15

15           I’ll not be made a soft and dull-eyed¹⁵ fool,

               To shake the head, relent, and sigh, and yield

               To Christian intercessors. Follow not,

               I’ll have no speaking. I will have my bond.

       Exit Jew

SOLANIO

SOLANIO     It is the most impenetrable cur

20

20           That ever kept²⁰ with men.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Let him alone.

               I’ll follow him no more with bootless²² prayers.

               He seeks my life, his reason well I know;

               I oft delivered from his forfeitures

25

25           Many that have at times made moan²⁵ to me:

               Therefore he hates me.

SOLANIO

SOLANIO     I am sure the duke

               Will never grant²⁸ this forfeiture to hold.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     The duke cannot deny the course of law,

30

30           For the commodity³⁰ that strangers have

               With us in Venice, if it be denied,

               Will much impeach the justice of the state,

               Since that³³ the trade and profit of the city

               Consisteth of all nations. Therefore go.

35

35           These griefs and losses have so bated me,³⁵

               That I shall hardly spare a pound of flesh

               Tomorrow to my bloody creditor.

               Well, jailer, on. Pray God, Bassanio come

               To see me pay his debt, and then I care not.

       Exeunt

[Act 3 Scene 4]3.4

running scene 16

       Enter Portia, Nerissa, Lorenzo, Jessica and [Balthasar,] a man of Portia’s

LORENZO

LORENZO     Madam, although I speak it in your presence,

               You have a noble and a true conceit²

               Of godlike amity,³ which appears most strongly

               In bearing thus the absence of your lord.

5

5             But if you knew to whom⁵ you show this honour,

               How true a gentleman you send relief,⁶

               How dear a lover⁷ of my lord your husband,

               I know you would be prouder of the work

               Than customary⁹ bounty can enforce you.

10

10   

PORTIA

PORTIA           I never did repent for doing good,

               Nor shall not now, for in companions

               That do converse and waste¹² the time together,

               Whose souls do bear an equal yoke of love,

               There must be needs¹⁴ a like proportion

15

15           Of lineaments,¹⁵ of manners and of spirit;

               Which makes me think that this Antonio,

               Being the bosom lover¹⁷ of my lord,

               Must needs be like my lord. If it be so,

               How little is the cost I have bestowed

20

20           In purchasing the semblance²⁰ of my soul

               From out the state of hellish cruelty!

               This comes too near the praising of myself:

               Therefore no more of it. Hear other things.

               Lorenzo, I commit into your hands

25

25           The husbandry²⁵ and manage of my house

               Until my lord’s return; for mine own part,

               I have toward heaven breathed a secret vow

               To live in prayer and contemplation,

               Only attended by Nerissa here,

30

30           Until her husband and my lord’s return.

               There is a monastery two miles off,

               And there we will abide. I do desire you

               Not to deny³³ this imposition,

               The which my love and some necessity

35

35           Now lays upon you.

LORENZO

LORENZO     Madam, with all my heart,

               I shall obey you in all fair commands.

PORTIA

PORTIA     My people³⁸ do already know my mind,

               And will acknowledge you and Jessica

40

40           In place of Lord Bassanio and myself.

               So fare you well till we shall meet again.

LORENZO

LORENZO     Fair thoughts and happy hours attend on you.

JESSICA

JESSICA     I wish your ladyship all heart’s content.

PORTIA

PORTIA     I thank you for your wish, and am well pleased

45

45           To wish it back on you: fare you well Jessica.

       Exeunt [Jessica and Lorenzo]

               Now, Balthasar,

               As I have ever found thee honest-true,⁴⁷

               So let me find thee still. Take this same letter, Gives a letter

               And use thou all the endeavour of a man

50

50           In speed to Padua. See thou render⁵⁰ this

               Into my cousin’s hand, Doctor Bellario,

               And look what⁵² notes and garments he doth give thee,

               Bring them, I pray thee with imagined⁵³ speed

               Unto the traject,⁵⁴ to the common ferry

55

55           Which trades⁵⁵ to Venice; waste no time in words,

               But get thee gone. I shall be there before thee.

BALTHASAR

BALTHASAR     Madam, I go with all convenient speed.

       [Exit]

PORTIA

PORTIA     Come on, Nerissa, I have work in hand

               That you yet know not of; we’ll see our husbands

60

60           Before they think of us.

NERISSA

NERISSA     Shall they see us?

PORTIA

PORTIA     They shall, Nerissa, but in such a habit,⁶²

               That they shall think we are accomplishèd⁶³

               With that we lack.⁶⁴ I’ll hold thee any wager,

65

65           When we are both accoutred⁶⁵ like young men,

               I’ll prove the prettier fellow of the two,

               And wear my dagger with the braver⁶⁷ grace,

               And speak between⁶⁸ the change of man and boy

               With a reed voice, and turn two mincing⁶⁹ steps

70

70           Into a manly stride, and speak of frays⁷⁰

               Like a fine bragging youth, and tell quaint⁷¹ lies,

               How honourable ladies sought my love,

               Which I denying, they fell sick and died.

               I could not do withal.⁷⁴ Then I’ll repent,

75

75           And wish for all that, that I had not killed them;

               And twenty of these puny⁷⁶ lies I’ll tell,

               That men shall swear I have discontinued school

               Above⁷⁸ a twelvemonth. I have within my mind

               A thousand raw⁷⁹ tricks of these bragging Jacks,

80

80           Which I will practise.

NERISSA

NERISSA     Why, shall we turn to⁸¹ men?

PORTIA

PORTIA     Fie, what a question’s that,

               If thou wert near a lewd interpreter!

               But come, I’ll tell thee all my whole device⁸⁴

85

85           When I am in my coach, which stays for us

               At the park gate; and therefore haste away,

               For we must measure⁸⁷ twenty miles today.

       Exeunt

[Act 3 Scene 5]

running scene 17

       Enter [Lancelet the] Clown and Jessica

LANCELET

LANCELET     Yes, truly, for look you, the sins of the father are to be laid upon the children: therefore, I promise² you, I fear you. I was always plain with you, and so now I speak my agitation³ of the matter: therefore be of good cheer, for truly I think you are damned. There is but one hope in it that can do you any good, and that is but a kind of bastard⁵ hope neither.

JESSICA

JESSICA     And what hope is that, I pray thee?

LANCELET

LANCELET     Marry, you may partly hope that your father got⁷ you not, that you are not the Jew’s daughter.

JESSICA

JESSICA     That were a kind of bastard hope indeed. So the sins of my mother should be visited upon me.

LANCELET

LANCELET     Truly then I fear you are damned both by father and mother: thus when I shun Scylla,¹² your father, I fall into Charybdis, your mother; well, you are gone both ways.

JESSICA

JESSICA     I¹⁴ shall be saved by my husband. He hath made me a Christian.

LANCELET

LANCELET     Truly, the more to blame he. We¹⁵ were Christians enow before, e’en as many as could well live one by¹⁶ another. This making of Christians will raise the price of hogs. If we grow all to be pork-eaters, we shall not shortly have a rasher on the coals for money.¹⁸

       Enter Lorenzo

JESSICA

JESSICA     I’ll tell my husband, Lancelet, what you say. Here he comes.

LORENZO

LORENZO     I shall grow jealous of you shortly, Lancelet, if you thus get²⁰ my wife into corners.

JESSICA

JESSICA     Nay, you need not fear us, Lorenzo. Lancelet and I are²² out. He tells me flatly there is no mercy for me in heaven because I am a Jew’s daughter. And he says, you are no good member of the commonwealth, for in converting Jews to Christians, you raise the price of pork.

LORENZO

LORENZO     I shall answer that better to the commonwealth than you can the getting²⁶ up of the negro’s belly. The Moor²⁷ is with child by you, Lancelet.

LANCELET

LANCELET     It is much²⁸ that the Moor should be more than reason, but if she be less than an honest²⁹ woman, she is indeed more than I took her for.

LORENZO

LORENZO     How every fool can play upon the word! I think the best grace³⁰ of wit will shortly turn into silence, and discourse grow commendable in none only but parrots. Go in, sirrah, bid them³² prepare for dinner.

LANCELET

LANCELET     That is done, sir, they have all stomachs.³³

LORENZO

LORENZO     Goodly lord, what a wit-snapper³⁴ are you? Then bid them prepare dinner.

LANCELET

LANCELET     That is done too, sir, only ‘cover’³⁵ is the word.

LORENZO

LORENZO     Will you cover then, sir?

LANCELET

LANCELET     Not so, sir, neither. I know my duty.³⁷

LORENZO

LORENZO     Yet more quarrelling with occasion!³⁸ Wilt thou show the whole wealth of thy wit in an instant? I pray thee, understand a plain man in his plain meaning: go to thy fellows;⁴⁰ bid them cover the table, serve in the meat, and we will come in to dinner.

LANCELET

LANCELET     For⁴² the table, sir, it shall be served in: for the meat, sir, it shall be covered: for your coming in to dinner, sir, why, let it be as humours and conceits⁴³ shall govern.

       Exit Clown [Lancelet]

LORENZO

LORENZO     O dear discretion,⁴⁵ how his words are suited!

               The fool hath planted in his memory

               An army of good words, and I do know

               A many⁴⁸ fools that stand in better place,

               Garnished⁴⁹ like him, that for a tricksy word

50

               Defy the matter.⁵⁰ How cheerest thou, Jessica?

               And now, good sweet, say thy opinion,

               How dost thou like the lord Bassanio’s wife?

JESSICA

JESSICA     Past all expressing.⁵³ It is very meet

               The lord Bassanio live an upright life,

55

               For, having such a blessing in his lady,

               He finds the joys of heaven here on earth.

               And if on earth he do not merit it,

               In reason⁵⁸ he should never come to heaven.

               Why, if two gods should play some heav’nly match

60

               And on the wager lay⁶⁰ two earthly women,

               And Portia one, there must be something else

               Pawned⁶² with the other, for the poor rude world

               Hath not her fellow.⁶³

LORENZO

LORENZO     Even⁶⁴ such a husband

65

               Hast thou of⁶⁵ me as she is for a wife.

JESSICA

JESSICA     Nay, but ask my opinion too of that.

LORENZO

LORENZO     I will anon. First, let us go to dinner.

JESSICA

JESSICA     Nay, let me praise you while I have a stomach.⁶⁸

LORENZO

LORENZO     No, pray thee let it serve for table-talk,

70

               Then, howsome’er thou speak’st, ’mong other things

               I shall digest⁷¹ it.

JESSICA

JESSICA     Well, I’ll set you forth.⁷²

       Exeunt

Act 4 [Scene 1]4.1

running scene 18

       Enter the Duke, the Magnificoes, Antonio, Bassanio and Grattano [with Salerio and others]

DUKE

DUKE     What, is Antonio here?

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Ready, so please your grace.

DUKE

DUKE     I am sorry for thee. Thou art come to answer³

               A stony adversary, an inhuman wretch

5

5             Uncapable of pity, void and empty

               From⁶ any dram of mercy.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     I have heard

               Your grace hath ta’en great pains to qualify⁸

               His rigorous course, but since he stands obdurate⁹

10

10           And that no lawful means can carry me

               Out of his envy’s¹¹ reach, I do oppose

               My patience to his fury, and am armed

               To suffer with a quietness of spirit

               The very tyranny¹⁴ and rage of his.

15

15   

DUKE

DUKE           Go one, and call the Jew into the court.

SALERIO

SALERIO     He is ready at the door. He comes, my lord.

       Enter Shylock

DUKE

DUKE     Make room, and let him stand before our¹⁷ face.

               Shylock, the world thinks, and I think so too,

               That thou but¹⁹ lead’st this fashion of thy malice

20

20           To the last²⁰ hour of act, and then ’tis thought

               Thou’lt show thy mercy and remorse²¹ more strange

               Than is thy strange²² apparent cruelty;

               And where thou now exact’st the penalty,

               Which is a pound of this poor merchant’s flesh,

25

25           Thou wilt not only loose²⁵ the forfeiture,

               But, touched with humane gentleness and love,

               Forgive a moiety²⁷ of the principal,

               Glancing an eye of pity on his losses,

               That have of late so huddled on his back,

30

30           Enow to press a royal merchant³⁰ down

               And pluck commiseration of his state

               From brassy bosoms³² and rough hearts of flints,

               From stubborn Turks and Tartars,³³ never trained

               To offices of tender courtesy.

35

35           We all expect a gentle³⁵ answer, Jew.

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     I have possessed³⁶ your grace of what I purpose,

               And by our holy Sabbath have I sworn

               To have the due³⁸ and forfeit of my bond.

               If you deny it, let the danger³⁹ light

40

40           Upon your charter⁴⁰ and your city’s freedom.

               You’ll ask me why I rather choose to have

               A weight of carrion⁴² flesh than to receive

               Three thousand ducats: I’ll not answer that,

               But say it is my humour;⁴⁴ is it answered?

45

45           What if my house be troubled with a rat

               And I be pleased to give ten thousand ducats

               To have it baned?⁴⁷ What, are you answered yet?

               Some men there are love⁴⁸ not a gaping pig,

               Some that are mad if they behold a cat,

50

50           And others when the bagpipe sings i’th’nose⁵⁰

               Cannot contain their urine, for affection,⁵¹

               Mistress of passion, sways it to the mood

               Of what it likes or loathes. Now, for your answer:

               As there is no firm reason to be rendered,

55

55           Why he⁵⁵ cannot abide a gaping pig,

               Why he,⁵⁶ a harmless necessary cat,

               Why he, a woollen bagpipe, but of force

               Must yield to such inevitable shame

               As to offend, himself being offended.

60

60           So can I give no reason, nor I will not,

               More than a lodged⁶¹ hate and a certain loathing

               I bear Antonio, that I follow⁶² thus

               A losing⁶³ suit against him. Are you answered?

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     This is no answer, thou unfeeling man,

65

65           To excuse the current⁶⁵ of thy cruelty.

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     I am not bound to please thee with my answer.

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     Do all men kill the things they do not love?

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     Hates any man the thing he would not kill?

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     Every offence is not a hate at first.

70

70   

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK           What, wouldst thou have a serpent sting thee twice?

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     I pray you think⁷¹ you question with the Jew:

               You may as well go stand upon the beach

               And bid the main flood⁷³ bate his usual height,

               Or even as well use question⁷⁴ with the wolf

75

75           Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb.

               You may as well forbid the mountain pines

               To wag⁷⁷ their high tops and to make no noise

               When they are fretted⁷⁸ with the gusts of heaven.

               You may as well do anything most hard⁷⁹

80

80           As seek to soften that — than⁸⁰ which what harder? —

               His Jewish heart: therefore, I do beseech you

               Make no more offers, use no further means,

               But with all brief and plain conveniency⁸³

               Let me have judgement and the Jew his will.

85

85   

BASSANIO

BASSANIO           For thy three thousand ducats here is six.

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     If every ducat in six thousand ducats

               Were in six parts and every part a ducat,

               I would not draw⁸⁸ them. I would have my bond!

DUKE

DUKE     How shalt thou hope for mercy, rend’ring⁸⁹ none?

90

90   

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK           What judgement shall I dread, doing no wrong?⁹⁰

               You have among you many a purchased slave,

               Which, like your asses and your dogs and mules,

               You use in abject and in slavish parts,⁹³

               Because you bought them. Shall I say to you,

95

95           Let them be free, marry them to your heirs?

               Why sweat they under burdens? Let their beds

               Be made as soft as yours and let their palates

               Be seasoned with such viands?⁹⁸ You will answer ‘

               The slaves are ours.’ So do I answer you:

100

100         The pound of flesh which I demand of him

               Is dearly bought, ’tis mine and I will have it.

               If you deny me, fie upon your law!

               There is no force in the decrees of Venice.

               I stand for¹⁰⁴ judgement. Answer: shall I have it?

105

105 

DUKE

DUKE             Upon my power I may dismiss this court,

               Unless Bellario, a learnèd doctor,

               Whom I have sent for to determine this,

               Come here today.

SALERIO

SALERIO     My lord, here stays without¹⁰⁹

110

110         A messenger with letters from the doctor,

               New come from Padua.

DUKE

DUKE     Bring us the letters. Call the messenger.

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     Good cheer, Antonio! What, man, courage yet!

               The Jew shall have my flesh, blood, bones and all,

115

115         Ere thou shalt lose for me one drop of blood.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     I am a tainted¹¹⁶ wether of the flock,

               Meetest¹¹⁷ for death. The weakest kind of fruit

               Drops earliest to the ground, and so let me;

               You cannot better be employed, Bassanio,

120

120         Than to live still and write mine epitaph.

       Enter Nerissa [dressed like a law clerk]

DUKE

DUKE     Came you from Padua, from Bellario?

NERISSA

NERISSA     From both. My lord Bellario greets your grace. She gives the Duke a letter while Shylock whets his knife on his shoe

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     Why dost thou whet thy knife so earnestly?

SHYLOCK

To cut the forfeiture from that bankrupt there.

125

125 

GRATIANO

GRATIANO             Not on thy sole, but on thy soul, harsh Jew,

               Thou mak’st thy knife keen.¹²⁶ But no metal can,

               No, not the hangman’s¹²⁷ axe, bear half the keenness

               Of thy sharp envy. Can no prayers pierce thee?

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     No, none that thou hast wit enough to make.

130

130 

GRATIANO

GRATIANO             O, be thou damned, inexecrable¹³⁰ dog!

               And for thy life¹³¹ let justice be accused.

               Thou almost mak’st me waver in my faith

               To hold opinion with Pythagoras,¹³³

               That souls of animals infuse themselves

135

135         Into the trunks of men. Thy currish¹³⁵ spirit

               Governed a wolf who, hanged for human slaughter,

               Even from the gallows did his fell¹³⁷ soul fleet,

               And, whilst thou lay’st in thy unhallowed¹³⁸ dam,

               Infused itself in thee, for thy desires

140

140         Are wolvish, bloody, starved and ravenous.

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     Till thou canst rail¹⁴¹ the seal from off my bond,

               Thou but offend’st¹⁴² thy lungs to speak so loud:

               Repair¹⁴³ thy wit, good youth, or it will fall

               To endless ruin. I stand here for law.

145

145 

DUKE

DUKE             This letter from Bellario doth commend

               A young and learnèd doctor in our court;

               Where is he?

NERISSA

NERISSA     He attendeth here hard¹⁴⁸ by,

               To know your answer, whether you’ll admit him.

150

150 

DUKE

DUKE             With all my heart. Some three or four of you

               Go give him courteous conduct to this place.

       [Exeunt some]

               Meantime the court shall hear Bellario’s letter.

                  Reads ‘Your grace shall understand that at the receipt of your letter I am very sick, but in the instant that your messenger came, in loving visitation¹⁵⁴ was with me a young doctor of Rome. His name is Balthasar. I acquainted him with the cause in controversy between the Jew and Antonio the merchant. We turned o’er many books together. He is furnished¹⁵⁷ with my opinion, which — bettered with his own learning, the greatness whereof I cannot enough commend — comes with him, at my importunity,¹⁵⁹ to fill up your grace’s request in my stead. I beseech you, let his lack of years be no impediment to let him lack a reverend¹⁶⁰ estimation, for I never knew so young a body with so old a head. I leave him to your gracious acceptance, whose trial¹⁶² shall better publish his commendation.’

       Enter Portia for Balthasar Dressed like a lawyer

               You hear the learnèd Bellario, what he writes,

               And here, I take it, is the doctor come.

165

165         Give me your hand. Came you from old Bellario?

PORTIA

PORTIA     I did, my lord.

DUKE

DUKE     You are welcome. Take your place.

               Are you acquainted with the difference¹⁶⁸

               That holds this present question¹⁶⁹ in the court?

170

170 

PORTIA

PORTIA             I am informèd throughly¹⁷⁰ of the cause.

               Which is the merchant here, and which the Jew?

DUKE

DUKE     Antonio and old Shylock, both stand forth.

PORTIA

PORTIA     Is your name Shylock?

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     Shylock is my name.

175

175 

PORTIA

PORTIA             Of a strange nature is the suit you follow,

               Yet in such rule¹⁷⁶ that the Venetian law

               Cannot impugn¹⁷⁷ you as you do proceed.—

               You stand within his danger,¹⁷⁸ do you not?

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Ay, so he says.

180

180 

PORTIA

PORTIA             Do you confess¹⁸⁰ the bond?

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     I do.

PORTIA

PORTIA     Then must the Jew be merciful.

SHYLOCK:

SHYLOCK     On what compulsion must I? Tell me that.

PORTIA

PORTIA     The quality of mercy is not strained,¹⁸⁴

185

185         It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven

               Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest:¹⁸⁶

               It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.

               ’Tis mightiest in the mightiest, it becomes

               The thronèd monarch better than his crown.

190

190         His sceptre shows¹⁹⁰ the force of temporal power,

               The attribute to awe and majesty,

               Wherein doth sit the dread¹⁹² and fear of kings.

               But mercy is above this sceptred sway,¹⁹³

               It is enthronèd in the hearts of kings,

195

195         It is an attribute to God himself;

               And earthly power doth then show likest¹⁹⁶ God’s

               When mercy seasons¹⁹⁷ justice: therefore, Jew,

               Though justice be thy plea, consider this,

               That in the course of justice,¹⁹⁹ none of us

200

200         Should see salvation. We do pray for mercy,

               And that same prayer doth teach us all to render²⁰¹

               The deeds of mercy. I have spoke thus much

               To mitigate the justice of thy plea,

               Which if thou follow, this strict court of Venice

205

205         Must needs give sentence ’gainst the merchant there.

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     My²⁰⁶ deeds upon my head! I crave the law,

               The penalty and forfeit of my bond.

PORTIA

PORTIA     Is he not able to discharge²⁰⁸ the money?

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     Yes, here I tender²⁰⁹ it for him in the court,

210

210         Yea, twice the sum. If that will not suffice,

               I will be bound to pay it ten times o’er

               On forfeit of my hands, my head, my heart.

               If this will not suffice, it must appear²¹³

               That malice bears down truth.²¹⁴ And I beseech you

215

215         Wrest once²¹⁵ the law to your authority.

               To do a great right, do a little wrong,

               And curb this cruel devil of his will.

PORTIA

PORTIA     It must not be; there is no power in Venice

               Can alter a decree establishèd.

220

220         ’Twill be recorded for²²⁰ a precedent,

               And many an error by the same example

               Will rush into the state. It cannot be.

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     A Daniel²²³ come to judgement! Yea, a Daniel!

               O wise young judge, how do I honour thee!

225

225 

PORTIA

PORTIA             I pray you let me look upon the bond.

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     Here ’tis, most reverend doctor, here it is. Gives Portia the bond

PORTIA

PORTIA     Shylock, there’s thrice thy money offered thee.

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     An oath, an oath, I have an oath in heaven.

               Shall I lay perjury upon my soul?

230

230         No, not for Venice.

PORTIA

PORTIA     Why, this bond is forfeit,

               And lawfully by this the Jew may claim

               A pound of flesh, to be by him cut off

               Nearest the merchant’s heart. Be merciful.

235

235         Take thrice thy money, bid me tear the bond.

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     When it is paid according to the tenure.²³⁶

               It doth appear you are a worthy judge,

               You know the law, your exposition

               Hath been most sound. I charge you by the law,

240

240         Whereof you are a well-deserving pillar,

               Proceed to judgement. By my soul I swear,

               There is no power in the tongue of man

               To alter me. I stay here on my bond.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Most heartily I do beseech the court

245

245         To give the judgement.

PORTIA

PORTIA     Why then, thus it is:

               You must prepare your bosom for his knife.

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     O noble judge! O excellent young man!

PORTIA

PORTIA     For the intent and purpose of the law

250

250         Hath²⁵⁰ full relation to the penalty,

               Which here appeareth due upon the bond.

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     ’Tis very true. O wise and upright judge!

               How much more elder art thou than thy looks!

PORTIA

PORTIA     Therefore lay bare your bosom.

255

255 

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK             Ay, his breast,

               So says the bond, doth it not, noble judge?

               ‘Nearest his heart’, those are the very words.

PORTIA

PORTIA     It is so. Are there balance²⁵⁸ here to weigh

               The flesh?

260

260 

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK             I have them ready.

PORTIA

PORTIA     Have by²⁶¹ some surgeon, Shylock, on your charge,

               To stop²⁶² his wounds, lest he should bleed to death.

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     Is it so nominated in the bond?

PORTIA

PORTIA     It is not so expressed, but what of that?

265

265         ’Twere good you do so much for charity.

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     I cannot find it, ’tis not in the bond. Looking at the bond

PORTIA

PORTIA     Come, merchant, have you anything to say?

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     But little. I am armed²⁶⁸ and well prepared.

               Give me your hand, Bassanio. Fare you well.

270

270         Grieve not that I am fall’n to this for you,

               For herein Fortune shows herself more kind

               Than is her custom. It is still²⁷² her use

               To let the wretched man outlive his wealth,

               To view with hollow eye and wrinkled brow

275

275         An age of poverty, from which ling’ring penance

               Of such misery doth she cut me off.

               Commend me to your honourable wife.

               Tell her the process²⁷⁸ of Antonio’s end.

               Say how I loved you; speak me²⁷⁹ fair in death.

280

280         And when the tale is told, bid her be judge

               Whether Bassanio had not once a love.²⁸¹

               Repent not you that you shall lose your friend,

               And he repents not that he pays your debt.

               For if the Jew do cut but deep enough,

285

285         I’ll pay it instantly with²⁸⁵ all my heart.

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     Antonio, I am married to a wife

               Which²⁸⁷ is as dear to me as life itself,

               But life itself, my wife, and all the world,

               Are not with me esteemed above thy life.

290

290         I would lose all, ay, sacrifice them all

               Here to this devil, to deliver²⁹¹ you.

PORTIA

PORTIA     Your wife would give you little thanks for that,

               If she were by to hear you make the offer.

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     I have a wife, whom, I protest, I love.

295

295         I would she were in heaven, so she could

               Entreat some power to change this currish Jew.

NERISSA

NERISSA     ’Tis well you offer it behind her back,

               The wish would make else²⁹⁸ an unquiet house.

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     These be the Christian husbands. I have a daughter.

300

300         Would³⁰⁰ any of the stock of Barabbas Aside?

               Had been her husband rather than a Christian!

               We trifle³⁰² time. I pray thee pursue sentence.

PORTIA

PORTIA     A pound of that same merchant’s flesh is thine.

               The court awards it, and the law doth give it.

305

305 

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK             Most rightful judge!

PORTIA

PORTIA     And you must cut this flesh from off his breast.

               The law allows it, and the court awards it.

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     Most learnèd judge! A sentence! Come, prepare!

PORTIA

PORTIA     Tarry a little, there is something else.

310

310         This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood,

               The words expressly are ‘a pound of flesh’.

               Then take thy bond, take thou thy pound of flesh,

               But in the cutting it, if thou dost shed

               One drop of Christian blood, thy lands and goods

315

315         Are by the laws of Venice confiscate³¹⁵

               Unto the state of Venice.

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     O upright judge! Mark,³¹⁷ Jew. O learnèd judge!

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     Is that the law?

PORTIA

PORTIA     Thyself shalt see the act,

320

320         For as thou urgest justice, be assured

               Thou shalt have justice, more than thou desirest.

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     O learned judge! Mark, Jew: a learned judge!

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     I take this offer, then. Pay the bond thrice

               And let the Christian go.

325

325 

BASSANIO

BASSANIO             Here is the money.

PORTIA

PORTIA     Soft!³²⁶

               The Jew shall³²⁷ have all justice. Soft, no haste.

               He shall have nothing but the penalty.

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     O Jew! An upright judge, a learnèd judge!

330

330 

PORTIA

PORTIA             Therefore prepare thee to cut off the flesh.

               Shed thou no blood, nor cut thou less nor more

               But just a pound of flesh. If thou tak’st more

               Or less than a just³³³ pound, be it so much

               As makes it light or heavy in the substance,³³⁴

335

335         Or the division of the twentieth part

               Of one poor scruple,³³⁶ nay, if the scale do turn

               But in the estimation³³⁷ of a hair,

               Thou diest and all thy goods are confiscate.

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     A second Daniel, a Daniel, Jew!

340

340         Now, infidel, I have thee on the hip.³⁴⁰

PORTIA

PORTIA     Why doth the Jew pause? Take thy forfeiture.

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     Give me my principal,³⁴² and let me go.

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     I have it ready for thee, here it is.

PORTIA

PORTIA     He hath refused it in the open court.

345

345         He shall have merely³⁴⁵ justice and his bond.

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     A Daniel, still say I, a second Daniel!

               I thank thee, Jew, for teaching me that word.

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     Shall I not have barely³⁴⁸ my principal?

PORTIA

PORTIA     Thou shalt have nothing but the forfeiture,

350

350         To be taken so at thy peril, Jew.

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     Why, then the devil give him good³⁵¹ of it!

               I’ll stay³⁵² no longer question. Starts to go

PORTIA

PORTIA     Tarry, Jew.

               The law hath yet another hold on you.

355

355         It is enacted in the laws of Venice,

               If it be proved against an alien³⁵⁶

               That by direct or indirect attempts

               He seek the life of any citizen,

               The party gainst the which he doth contrive³⁵⁹

360

360         Shall seize³⁶⁰ one half his goods, the other half

               Comes to the privy coffer³⁶¹ of the state,

               And the offender’s life lies in³⁶² the mercy

               Of the duke only, gainst³⁶³ all other voice.

               In which predicament, I say, thou stand’st,

365

365         For it appears, by manifest proceeding,³⁶⁵

               That indirectly, and directly too,

               Thou hast contrived against the very life

               Of the defendant, and thou hast incurred

               The danger³⁶⁹ formerly by me rehearsed.

370

370         Down³⁷⁰ therefore, and beg mercy of the duke.

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     Beg that thou mayst have leave to hang thyself,

               And yet, thy wealth being forfeit to the state,

               Thou hast not left the value of a cord:³⁷³

               Therefore thou must be hanged at the state’s charge.³⁷⁴

375

375 

DUKE

DUKE             That thou shalt see the difference of our spirit,

               I pardon thee thy life before thou ask it.

               For³⁷⁷ half thy wealth, it is Antonio’s,

               The other half comes to the general state,

               Which humbleness³⁷⁹ may drive unto a fine.

380

380 

PORTIA

PORTIA             Ay, for³⁸⁰ the state, not for Antonio.

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     Nay, take my life and all. Pardon not that.

               You take my house when you do take the prop

               That doth sustain my house. You take my life

               When you do take the means whereby I live.

385

385 

PORTIA

PORTIA             What mercy can you render him, Antonio?

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     A halter³⁸⁶ gratis. Nothing else, for God’s sake.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     So³⁸⁷ please my lord the duke and all the court

               To quit³⁸⁸ the fine for one half of his goods,

               I am content, so³⁸⁹ he will let me have

390

390         The other half in use,³⁹⁰ to render it,

               Upon his death, unto the gentleman

               That lately stole his daughter.

               Two things provided more: that for this favour

               He presently³⁹⁴ become a Christian.

395

395         The other, that he do record a gift

               Here in the court of all he dies possessed³⁹⁶

               Unto his son³⁹⁷ Lorenzo and his daughter.

DUKE

DUKE     He shall do this, or else I do recant

               The pardon that I late³⁹⁹ pronouncèd here.

400

400 

PORTIA

PORTIA             Art thou contented, Jew? What dost thou say?

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     I am content.

PORTIA

PORTIA     Clerk, draw a deed of gift.

SHYLOCK

SHYLOCK     I pray you give me leave to go from hence,

               I am not well. Send the deed after me,

405

405         And I will sign it.

DUKE

DUKE     Get thee gone, but do it.

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     In christening thou shalt have two godfathers.

               Had I been judge, thou shouldst have had ten more,⁴⁰⁸

               To bring thee to the gallows, not to the font.⁴⁰⁹

       Exit [Shylock]

410

410 

DUKE

DUKE             Sir, I entreat you home with me to dinner. To Portia

PORTIA

PORTIA     I humbly do desire your grace of⁴¹¹ pardon.

               I must away this night toward Padua,

               And it is meet⁴¹³ I presently set forth.

DUKE

DUKE     I am sorry that your⁴¹⁴ leisure serves you not.

415

415         Antonio, gratify⁴¹⁵ this gentleman,

               For in my mind you are much bound to him.

       Exit Duke and his train

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     Most worthy gentleman, I and my friend

               Have by your wisdom been this day acquitted

               Of grievous penalties, in lieu whereof,⁴¹⁹

420

420         Three thousand ducats due unto the Jew

               We freely cope⁴²¹ your courteous pains withal. Offers money

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     And stand indebted, over and above,

               In love and service to you evermore.

PORTIA

PORTIA     He is well paid that is well satisfied,

425

425         And I, delivering you, am satisfied

               And therein do account⁴²⁶ myself well paid.

               My mind was never yet more mercenary.

               I pray you know⁴²⁸ me when we meet again.

               I wish you well, and so I take my leave. Starts to leave

430

430 

BASSANIO

BASSANIO             Dear sir, of force I must attempt⁴³⁰ you further.

               Take some remembrance of us as a tribute,

               Not as fee. Grant me two things, I pray you:

               Not to deny me, and to pardon me.⁴³³

PORTIA

PORTIA     You press⁴³⁴ me far, and therefore I will yield.

435

435         Give me your gloves, I’ll wear them for your sake. To Antonio

               And, for your love,⁴³⁶ I’ll take this ring from you. To Bassanio

               Do not draw back your hand, I’ll take no more,

               And you in⁴³⁸ love shall not deny me this.

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     This ring, good sir, alas, it is a trifle!

440

440         I will not shame myself to give you this.

PORTIA

PORTIA     I will have nothing else but only this,

               And now methinks I have a mind to⁴⁴² it.

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     There’s more depends on this than on the value.

               The dearest⁴⁴⁴ ring in Venice will I give you,

445

445         And find it out by proclamation.

               Only for this, I pray you pardon me.

PORTIA

PORTIA     I see, sir, you are liberal⁴⁴⁷ in offers.

               You taught me first to beg, and now methinks

               You teach me how a beggar should be answered.

450

450 

BASSANIO

BASSANIO             Good sir, this ring was given me by my wife,

               And when she put it on, she made me vow

               That I should neither sell nor give nor lose it.

PORTIA

PORTIA     That ’scuse serves many men to save their gifts.

               An if your wife be not a madwoman,

455

455         And know how well I have deserved this ring,

               She would not hold out enemy forever

               For giving it to me. Well, peace be with you!

       Exeunt [Portia and Nerissa]

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     My lord Bassanio, let him have the ring.

               Let his deservings and my love withal

460

460         Be valued against your wife’s commandment.

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     Go, Gratiano, run and overtake him.

               Give him the ring, and bring him, if thou canst,

               Unto Antonio’s house. Away, make haste!

       Exit Gratiano

               Come, you and I will thither presently,

465

465         And in the morning early will we both

               Fly⁴⁶⁶ toward Belmont. Come, Antonio.

       Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 2]

running scene 19

       Enter Portia and Nerissa Still disguised

PORTIA

PORTIA     Inquire¹ the Jew’s house out, give him this deed,

               And let him sign it. We’ll away tonight Gives her a deed

               And be³ a day before our husbands home.

               This deed will be well welcome to Lorenzo.

       Enter Gratiano

5

5     

GRATIANO

GRATIANO           Fair sir, you⁵ are well o’erta’en.

               My lord Bassanio upon more advice⁶

               Hath sent you here this ring, and doth entreat

               Your company at dinner. Gives her the ring

PORTIA

PORTIA     That cannot be;

10

10           His ring I do accept most thankfully,

               And so, I pray you tell him. Furthermore,

               I pray you show my youth old Shylock’s house.

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     That will I do.

NERISSA

NERISSA     Sir, I would speak with you.

15

15           I’ll see if I can get my husband’s ring, Aside to Portia

               Which I did make him swear to keep for ever.

PORTIA

PORTIA     Thou mayst, I warrant. Aside to Nerissa

               We shall have old¹⁸ swearing

               That they did give the rings away to men;

20

20           But we’ll outface²⁰ them, and outswear them too.—

               Away, make haste! Thou know’st where I will tarry. Aloud

NERISSA

NERISSA     Come, good sir, will you show me to this house?

       Exeunt

Act 5 [Scene 1]5.1

running scene 20

       Enter Lorenzo and Jessica

LORENZO

LORENZO     The moon shines bright. In such a night as this,

               When the sweet wind did gently kiss the trees

               And they did make no noise, in such a night

               Troilus⁴ methinks mounted the Trojan walls

5

5             And sighed his soul toward the Grecian tents

               Where Cressid lay that night.

JESSICA

JESSICA     In such a night

               Did Thisbe⁸ fearfully o’ertrip the dew,

               And saw the lion’s shadow ere himself,⁹

10

10           And ran dismayed away.

LORENZO

LORENZO     In such a night

               Stood Dido¹² with a willow in her hand

               Upon the wild¹³ sea banks and waft her love

               To come again to Carthage.

15

15   

JESSICA

JESSICA           In such a night

               Medea¹⁶ gathered the enchanted herbs

               That did renew¹⁷ old Aeson.

LORENZO

LORENZO     In such a night

               Did Jessica steal¹⁹ from the wealthy Jew

20

20           And with an unthrift²⁰ love did run from Venice

               As far as Belmont.

JESSICA

JESSICA     In such a night

               Did young Lorenzo swear he loved her well,

               Stealing her soul with many vows of faith,

25

25           And ne’er a true one.

LORENZO

LORENZO     In such a night

               Did pretty Jessica, like a little shrew,²⁷

               Slander her love,²⁸ and he forgave it her.

JESSICA

JESSICA     I would out-night you,²⁹ did nobody come.

30

30           But hark, I hear the footing³⁰ of a man.

       Enter [Stephano, a] Messenger

LORENZO

LORENZO     Who comes so fast in silence of the night?

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     A friend.

LORENZO

LORENZO     A friend? What friend? Your name, I pray you, friend?

STEPHANO

STEPHANO     Stephano is my name, and I bring word

35

35           My mistress will before the break of day

               Be here at Belmont. She doth stray about³⁶

               By holy crosses,³⁷ where she kneels and prays

               For happy wedlock hours.

LORENZO

LORENZO     Who comes with her?

40

40   

STEPHANO

STEPHANO           None but a holy hermit and her maid.

               I pray you is my master yet returned?

LORENZO

LORENZO     He is not, nor we have not heard from him.

               But go we in, I pray thee, Jessica,

               And ceremoniously let us prepare

45

45           Some welcome for the mistress of the house.

       Enter Clown [Lancelet]

LANCELET

LANCELET     Sola,⁴⁶ sola! Wo ha, ho! Sola, sola!

LORENZO

LORENZO     Who calls?

LANCELET

LANCELET     Sola! Did you see Master Lorenzo?

               And Master Lorenzo, sola, sola!

50

50   

LORENZO

LORENZO           Leave hollowing,⁵⁰ man! Here.

LANCELET

LANCELET     Sola! Where, where?

LORENZO

LORENZO     Here.

LANCELET

LANCELET     Tell him there’s a post⁵³ come from my master, with his horn full of good news: my master will be here ere morning.

       [Exit]

55

55   

LORENZO

LORENZO           Sweet soul, let’s in,⁵⁵ and there expect their coming.

               And yet no matter. Why should we go in?

               My friend Stephano, signify,⁵⁷ pray you,

               Within the house, your mistress is at hand,

               And bring your music⁵⁹ forth into the air.

       [Exit Stephano]

60

60           How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank!

               Here will we sit and let the sounds of music

               Creep in our ears. Soft stillness and the night

               Become⁶³ the touches of sweet harmony.

               Sit, Jessica. Look how the floor of heaven⁶⁴ They sit

65

65           Is thick inlaid with patens⁶⁵ of bright gold.

               There’s not the smallest orb⁶⁶ which thou behold’st

               But in his motion⁶⁷ like an angel sings,

               Still choiring⁶⁸ to the young-eyed cherubins;

               Such harmony is in immortal souls,

70

70           But whilst this muddy⁷⁰ vesture of decay

               Doth grossly⁷¹ close it in, we cannot hear it.

       [Enter Musicians]

               Come, ho, and wake Diana⁷² with a hymn!

               With sweetest touches pierce your mistress’ ear,

               And draw her home with music.

75

75   

JESSICA

JESSICA           I am never merry when I hear sweet music.

       Play music

LORENZO

LORENZO     The reason is, your spirits⁷⁶ are attentive.

               For do but note a wild and wanton⁷⁷ herd

               Or race⁷⁸ of youthful and unhandled colts,

               Fetching⁷⁹ mad bounds, bellowing and neighing loud,

80

80           Which is the hot condition⁸⁰ of their blood.

               If they but⁸¹ hear perchance a trumpet sound,

               Or any air⁸² of music touch their ears,

               You shall perceive them make a mutual stand,⁸³

               Their savage eyes turned to a modest gaze

85

85           By the sweet power of music: therefore the poet⁸⁵

               Did feign⁸⁶ that Orpheus drew trees, stones and floods,

               Since nought so stockish,⁸⁷ hard and full of rage,

               But music for time doth change his nature.

               The man that hath no music in himself,

90

90           Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds,

               Is fit for treasons, stratagems⁹¹ and spoils.

               The motions⁹² of his spirit are dull as night

               And his affections⁹³ dark as Erebus.

               Let no such man be trusted. Mark the music.

       Enter Portia and Nerissa

95

95   

PORTIA

PORTIA           That light we see is burning in my hall.

               How far that little candle throws his beams!

               So shines a good deed in a naughty⁹⁷ world.

NERISSA

NERISSA     When the moon shone, we did not see the candle.

PORTIA

PORTIA     So doth the greater glory dim the less.

100

100         A substitute shines brightly as a king

               Until a king be by,¹⁰¹ and then his state

               Empties itself, as doth an inland brook

               Into the main of waters.¹⁰³ Music! Hark!

       Music

NERISSA

NERISSA     It is your music, madam, of the house.

105

105 

PORTIA

PORTIA             Nothing is good, I see, without respect.¹⁰⁵

               Methinks it sounds much sweeter than by day.

NERISSA

NERISSA     Silence bestows that virtue on it, madam.

PORTIA

PORTIA     The crow doth sing as sweetly as the lark

               When neither is attended,¹⁰⁹ and I think

110

110         The nightingale, if she should sing by day,

               When every goose is cackling, would be thought

               No better a musician than the wren.

               How many things by season¹¹³ seasoned are

               To their right praise and true perfection!

115

115         Peace, ho! The moon sleeps with Endymion¹¹⁵

               And would not be awaked.

       Music ceases

LORENZO

LORENZO     That is the voice,

               Or I am much deceived, of Portia.

PORTIA

PORTIA     He knows me as the blind man knows the cuckoo,

120

120         By the bad voice.

LORENZO

LORENZO     Dear lady, welcome home.

PORTIA

PORTIA     We have been praying for our husbands’ welfare,

               Which speed,¹²³ we hope, the better for our words.

               Are they returned?

125

125 

LORENZO

LORENZO             Madam, they are not yet,

               But there is come a messenger before,¹²⁶

               To signify their coming.

PORTIA

PORTIA     Go in, Nerissa.

               Give order to my servants that they take

130

130         No note at all of our being absent hence,

               Nor you, Lorenzo, Jessica, nor you.

       A tucket¹³¹ sounds

LORENZO

LORENZO     Your husband is at hand. I hear his trumpet.

               We are no telltales, madam; fear you not.

PORTIA

PORTIA     This night methinks is but the daylight sick.

135

135         It looks a little paler. ’Tis a day,

               Such as the day is when the sun is hid.

       Enter Bassanio, Antonio, Grattano and their followers

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     We should¹³⁷ hold day with the Antipodes,

               If you would walk in¹³⁸ absence of the sun.

PORTIA

PORTIA     Let me give light,¹³⁹ but let me not be light,

140

140         For a light wife doth make a heavy¹⁴⁰ husband,

               And never be Bassanio so for me,

               But God sort¹⁴² all! You are welcome home, my lord.

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     I thank you, madam. Give welcome to my friend.

               This is the man, this is Antonio,

145

145         To whom I am so infinitely bound.

PORTIA

PORTIA     You should in all sense be much bound to him,

               For, as I hear, he was much bound¹⁴⁷ for you.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     No more than I am well acquitted of.¹⁴⁸

PORTIA

PORTIA     Sir, you are very welcome to our house.

150

150         It must appear in other ways than words:

               Therefore I scant¹⁵¹ this breathing courtesy.

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     By yonder moon I swear you do me wrong. To Nerissa

               In faith, I gave it to the judge’s clerk.

               Would he were gelt¹⁵⁴ that had it, for my part,

155

155         Since you do take it, love, so much at¹⁵⁵ heart.

PORTIA

PORTIA     A quarrel, ho, already? What’s the matter?

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     About a hoop of gold, a paltry ring

               That she did give me, whose posy¹⁵⁸ was

               For all the world like cutler’s poetry

160

160         Upon a knife, ‘Love me, and leave me not.’

NERISSA

NERISSA     What talk you of the posy or the value?

               You swore to me when I did give it you,

               That you would wear it till the hour of death

               And that it should lie with you in your grave.

165

165         Though¹⁶⁵ not for me, yet for your vehement oaths,

               You should have been respective¹⁶⁶ and have kept it.

               Gave it a judge’s clerk! But well I know

               The clerk will ne’er wear hair on’s face that had it.

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     He will, an if he live to be a man.

170

170 

NERISSA

NERISSA             Ay, if a woman live to be a man.

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     Now, by this hand, I gave it to a youth,

               A kind of boy, a little scrubbèd¹⁷² boy,

               No higher than thyself, the judge’s clerk,

               A prating¹⁷⁴ boy, that begged it as a fee.

175

175         I could not for my heart deny it him.

PORTIA

PORTIA     You were to blame — I must be plain with you —

               To part so slightly¹⁷⁷ with your wife’s first gift.

               A thing stuck on with oaths upon your finger

               And so riveted¹⁷⁹ with faith unto your flesh.

180

180         I gave my love a ring and made him swear

               Never to part with it, and here he stands.

               I dare be sworn for him he would not leave it,

               Nor pluck it from his finger, for the wealth

               That the world masters.¹⁸⁴ Now, in faith, Gratiano,

185

185         You give your wife too unkind a cause of grief.

               An ’twere to me, I should be mad¹⁸⁶ at it.

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     Why, I were best to cut my left hand off Aside

               And swear I lost the ring defending it.

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     My lord Bassanio gave his ring away

190

190         Unto the judge that begged it and indeed

               Deserved it too. And then the boy, his clerk,

               That took some pains in writing, he begged mine,

               And neither man nor master would take aught

               But the two rings.

195

195 

PORTIA

PORTIA             What ring gave you my lord?

               Not that, I hope, which you received of me.

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     If I could add a lie unto a fault,

               I would deny it. But you see my finger

               Hath not the ring upon it. It is gone.

200

200 

PORTIA

PORTIA             Even so void is your false heart of truth.

               By heaven, I will ne’er come in your bed

               Until I see the ring.

NERISSA

NERISSA     Nor I in yours till I again see mine.

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     Sweet Portia,

205

205         If you did know to whom I gave the ring,

               If you did know for whom I gave the ring,

               And would conceive²⁰⁷ for what I gave the ring,

               And how unwillingly I left the ring,

               When nought would be accepted but the ring,

210

210         You would abate the strength of your displeasure.

PORTIA

PORTIA     If you had known the virtue²¹¹ of the ring,

               Or half her worthiness that gave the ring,

               Or your own honour to contain²¹³ the ring,

               You would not then have parted with the ring.

215

215         What man is there so much unreasonable,

               If²¹⁶ you had pleased to have defended it

               With any terms of zeal, wanted²¹⁷ the modesty

               To urge²¹⁸ the thing held as a ceremony?

               Nerissa teaches me what to believe:

220

220         I’ll die for’t but some woman had the ring.

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     No, by mine honour, madam, by my soul,

               No woman had it, but a civil doctor,²²²

               Which did refuse three thousand ducats of me

               And begged the ring; the which I did deny him

225

225         And suffered²²⁵ him to go displeased away —

               Even he that had held up²²⁶ the very life

               Of my dear friend. What should I say, sweet lady?

               I was enforced to send it after him.

               I was beset with shame and courtesy.

230

230         My honour would not let ingratitude

               So much besmear it.²³¹ Pardon me, good lady!

               And by these blessèd candles²³² of the night,

               Had you been there, I think you would have begged

               The ring of me to give the worthy doctor.

235

235 

PORTIA

PORTIA             Let not that doctor e’er come near my house.

               Since he hath got the jewel that I loved,

               And that which you did swear to keep for me,

               I will become as liberal²³⁸ as you.

               I’ll not deny him anything I have,

240

240         No, not my body nor my husband’s bed.

               Know²⁴¹ him I shall, I am well sure of it.

               Lie not a night from home. Watch me like Argus.²⁴²

               If you do not, if I be left alone,

               Now, by mine honour,²⁴⁴ which is yet mine own,

245

245         I’ll have the doctor for my bedfellow.

NERISSA

NERISSA     And I his clerk: therefore be well advised²⁴⁶

               How you do leave me to mine own protection.

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     Well, do you so. Let not me take²⁴⁸ him, then.

               For if I do, I’ll mar²⁴⁹ the young clerk’s pen.

250

250 

ANTONIO

ANTONIO             I am th’unhappy²⁵⁰ subject of these quarrels.

PORTIA

PORTIA     Sir, grieve not you. You are welcome notwithstanding.

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     Portia, forgive me this enforcèd wrong,

               And in the hearing of these many friends,

               I swear to thee, even by thine own fair eyes,

255

255         Wherein I see myself—

PORTIA

PORTIA     Mark you but that!

               In both my eyes he doubly sees himself.²⁵⁷

               In each eye, one. Swear by your double²⁵⁸ self,

               And there’s an oath of credit.²⁵⁹

260

260 

BASSANIO

BASSANIO             Nay, but hear me.

               Pardon this fault, and by my soul I swear

               I never more will break an oath with thee.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     I once did lend my body for thy wealth,— To Bassanio

               Which, but for him that had your husband’s ring, To Portia

265

265         Had quite miscarried.²⁶⁵ I dare be bound again,

               My soul upon the forfeit, that your lord

               Will never more break faith advisedly.²⁶⁷

PORTIA

PORTIA     Then you shall be his surety.²⁶⁸ Give him this

               And bid him keep it better than the other. She gives Antonio the ring

270

270 

ANTONIO

ANTONIO             Here, Lord Bassanio. Swear to keep this ring.

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     By heaven, it is the same I gave the doctor!

PORTIA

PORTIA     I had it of him. Pardon, Bassanio,

               For, by this ring, the doctor lay with²⁷³ me.

NERISSA

NERISSA     And pardon me, my gentle Gratiano,

275

275         For that same scrubbèd boy, the doctor’s clerk, Shows her ring

               In lieu of²⁷⁶ this last night did lie with me.

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     Why, this is like the mending of highways

               In summer, where the ways are fair²⁷⁸ enough.

               What, are we cuckolds²⁷⁹ ere we have deserved it?

280

280 

PORTIA

PORTIA             Speak not so grossly.²⁸⁰ You are all amazed.

               Here is a letter, read it at your leisure. She gives a letter

               It comes from Padua, from Bellario.

               There you shall find that Portia was the doctor,

               Nerissa there her clerk. Lorenzo here

285

285         Shall witness I set forth as soon as you,

               And but e’en²⁸⁶ now returned. I have not yet

               Entered my house. Antonio, you are welcome,

               And I have better news in store for you

               Than you expect. Unseal this letter soon. Gives him a letter

290

290         There you shall find three of your argosies

               Are richly²⁹¹ come to harbour suddenly:

               You shall not know by what strange accident

               I chancèd on this letter.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     I am dumb.²⁹⁴

295

295 

BASSANIO

BASSANIO             Were you the doctor and I knew you not?

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     Were you the clerk that is to make me cuckold?

NERISSA

NERISSA     Ay, but the clerk that never means to do it,

               Unless he live until he be a man.

BASSANIO

BASSANIO     Sweet doctor, you shall be my bedfellow.

300

300         When I am absent, then lie with my wife.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Sweet lady, you have given me life and living;³⁰¹

               For here I read for certain that my ships

               Are safely come to road.³⁰³

PORTIA

PORTIA     How now, Lorenzo?

305

305         My clerk hath some good comforts too for you.

NERISSA

NERISSA     Ay, and I’ll give them him without a fee.

               There do I give to you and Jessica,

               From the rich Jew, a special deed of gift,

               After his death, of all he dies possessed of.

310

310 

LORENZO

LORENZO             Fair ladies, you drop manna³¹⁰ in the way

               Of starvèd people.

PORTIA

PORTIA     It is almost morning,

               And yet I am sure you³¹³ are not satisfied

               Of these events at full. Let us go in,

315

315         And charge³¹⁵ us there upon inter’gatories,

               And we will answer all things faithfully.

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     Let it be so. The first inter’gatory³¹⁷

               That my Nerissa shall be sworn on³¹⁸ is,

               Whether till the next night she had rather stay,³¹⁹

320

320         Or go to bed now, being two hours to day.

               But were the day come, I should wish it dark,

               Till I were couching³²² with the doctor’s clerk.

               Well, while I live I’ll fear no other thing

               So sore³²⁴ as keeping safe Nerissa’s ring.

       Exeunt

Textual Notes

Q = First Quarto text of 1600

Q2 = Second Quarto text of 1619

F = First Folio text of 1623

F2 = a correction introduced in the Second Folio text of 1632

Ed = a correction introduced by a later editor

SD = stage direction

SH = speech heading (i.e., speaker’s name)

List of parts = Ed

1.1.0 SD Salerio and Solanio = Ed. F = Salarino, and Salanio

1.1.8 SH SALERIO = Ed. F = Sal. Q = Salarino. SHs for first three speeches of Antonio’s friends’ reversed in F, due to confusing SHs in Q: Salarino, Salanio, Salar. 15 SH SOLANIO = Q (Salanio). F = Salar. 28 docked = Ed. F = docks 62 SH SALERIO = Ed. F = Sala. (his next two speeches: Sal.) 70 SD Salerio = Ed. F = Salarino 116 Is = Ed. F = It is 118 are two = F. Q = are as two 157 do me now = Q. F = doe

1.2.4 small = F. Q = meane 12 be one = F. Q = to be one 14 reason is not in = F. Q = reasoning is not in the 17 Is it = Q. F = It is 31 Palatine = Q2. F = Palentine 35 rather to be = F. Q = rather be 37 Bon = Ed. F = Boune 41 throstle = Ed. F = Trassell 43 should = F. Q = shall 51 other = F. Q = Scottish. Altered in F so as not to offend Scottish King James 73 wish = F. Q = pray God grant 80 seek you = F. Q = seeke for you

1.3.26 Rialto = Ed. F = Ryalta 37 well-won = Q. F = well-worne 53 ye = Q. F = he 74 peeled spelled pil’d in F 103 spit spelled spet in F 113 should = F. Q = can 116 spat spelled spet in F 124 of barren = F. Q = for barren 127 penalties = F. Q = penaltie 143 it pleaseth = F. Q = pleaseth 172 terms = Q. F = teames

2.1.0 SD Morocco spelled Morochus in F 32 thee, lady = Q. F = the Ladie 36 page = Ed. F = rage

2.2.1 SH LANCELET = Ed. F = Clo. 2 Gobbo = Q2. F = Iobbe (throughout scene) 17 a kind = F. Q = but a kinde 34 Lancelet = F. Q = Lancelet sir 64 last = Q2. F = lost 123 SD Exit placed two lines earlier in F 133 where they = F. Q = where thou

2.3.9 talk = F. Q = in talk 11 did = Ed. F = doe 12 somewhat = F. Q = something

2.4.0 SD Salerio = Ed. F = Slarino (Sal. for his SHs throughout this scene) 10 shall it = F. Q = it shall 13 Is = Q. F = I

2.5.1 SH SHYLOCK = Q2. F = Iew 26 there = Q. F = their 40 Jewès = Ed. F = Iewes 44 but = F. Q = and

2.6.0 SD Salerio = Ed. F = Salino 2 a stand = F. Q = stand 7 seal = Q. F = steale 18 a prodigal = F. Q = the prodigal 46 you are = F. Q = are you 60 gentlemen = F. Q = gentleman

2.7.5 many men = Q. F = men 10 Line accidentally printed twice in F 70 tombs = Ed. F = timber

2.8.0 SD Salerio = Ed. F = Salarino 6 comes = F. Q = came 8 gondola spelled Gondilo in F 34 You = Q. F = Yo

2.9.7 thou = F. Q = you 45 peasantry = Q. F = pleasantry 102 Bassanio, Lord Love, = Ed. F = Bassanio Lord, loue

3.1.0 SD Salerio = Ed. F = Salarino 5 gossip’s = F. Q = gossip 26 blood = F. Q = my blood 40 what’s the = F. Q = what’s his 50 SH SERVANT = Ed. Not in F 56 of her = Q. F = of ster 62 how much = F. Q = whats 71 heard = Ed. F = here 79 turquoise = Ed. F = Turkies

3.2.0 SD trains = Q. F = traine 17 if = Q. F = of 34 do = Q. F = doth 44 aloof = Q. F = aloose 63 much, much = Q. F = much 69 eyes = F. Q = eye 83 vice = Ed. F = voice 152 me = Q. F = my 161 nothing = F. Q = something 174 lord = F. Q = Lords 199 have = Q. F = gaue 207 roof = Q2. F = rough 213 is so = F. Q = is 322 SH BASSANIO = Ed. Not in F 324 might see = F. Q = might but see 331 No = Q. F = Nor

3.3.2 lends = F. Q = lent

3.4.13 equal spelled egal in F 50 Padua = Ed. F = Mantua 51 hand = F. Q = hands 54 traject = Ed. F = Tranect

3.5.57–8 merit it, In = Ed. F = meane it, it Is. Q = meane it, it In 65 a wife = F. Q = wife

4.1.52 Mistress = Ed. F = Masters 66 answer = F. Q = answers 75 Why…made = Q. Not in F 78 fretted = F. Q = fretten 80 what = F. Q = what’s 112 messenger = Q. F = Messengers 144 endless = F. Q = cureless 165 Came = F. Q = Come 204 court = Q. F = course 224 do I = F. Q = I do 230 No, not = F. Q = Not not 262 should = F. Q = doe 263 Is it so = Q. F = It is not 267 Come = F. Q = You 282 not = F. Q = but 312 Then take = F. Q = Take then 333 it so = F. Q = it but so 340 thee = F. Q = you 350 taken so = F. Q = so taken 407 thou shalt = F. Q = shalt thou 410 home with me = Q. F = with me home

5.1.3 noise = Q. F = nnyse 32 SH STEPHANO = Ed. F = Mes. 41 is = Q. F = it 41 returned = Q. F = rnturn’d 44 us = Q. F = vs vs 55 Sweet soul = Ed. F prints as last words of Lancelet’s speech 57 Stephano = Q2. F = Stephen 57 pray = F. Q = I pray 71 it in = Q. F = in it 88 time = F. Q = the time 163 the hour = F. Q = your hour 167 But…know = F. Q = no God’s my Iudge 232 And by = F. Q = For by 263 thy = F. Q = his 272 Pardon = F. Q = Pardon me 286 but e’en now = F. Q = even but now

Act 1 Scene 1

 1.1    Location: Venice

    1    sooth truth

    4    stuff substance    whereof…born i.e., what is its cause

    5    to learn yet to discover

    6    want-wit senseless idiot

    7    ado trouble

    8    tossing on troubled/preoccupied with

    9    argosies large merchant ships    portly stately, majestic    sail sails/(act of) sailing

  10    signiors sirs/gentlemen    burghers citizens    flood sea

  11    pageants spectacles, shows

  12    overpeer look down upon    petty traffickers inferior merchant ships

  13    curtsy bow or curtsy, perhaps suggested by the bobbing of the smaller ships in the argosies’ wake    do them reverence pay them respect

  14    fly speed    woven wings material sails (also suggestive of the wings of a fly)

  15    venture risky business enterprise    forth away from home, i.e., on the seas

  16    better part greater half    affections emotions/thoughts

  17    hopes expectations, prospects    still constantly

  18    where sits i.e., which way blows

  19    roads harbors

  24    ague fever, shaking

  26    should i.e., could

  27    flats sandbanks

  28    Andrew name of a ship

  29    Vailing lowering (in submission)    high top top section of the mast    ribs i.e., body of the ship

  30    burial burial place    should I was I able to

  32    bethink me straight think immediately

  33    but merely    gentle noble/harmless

  34    stream current

  35    waters…silks may play on idea of “watered silk,” a relatively new fabric

  36    even just    this this much (i.e., the value of the cargo)

  39    bechanced having happened

  43    bottom ship’s bottom, hold

  44    estate fortunes/circumstances

  45    Upon dependent on/risked upon    fortune chance, fate

  48    Fie expression of impatience or disgust

  52    Janus Roman god with two faces

  53    framed formed

  54    peep peer through eyes half-closed in laughter

  55    bagpiper bagpipes were thought to sound melancholic

  56    other others    vinegar aspect sour expression

  58    Though even if    Nestor Trojan leader, noted for his wisdom and gravity    Gratiano according to a contemporary Italian dictionary, a name given to a foolish or clownish character in a play

  63    prevented forestalled

  64    dear valuable    regard consideration

  66    embrace welcome    th’occasion the opportunity

  68    laugh i.e., meet for some fun

  69    strange distant/unfamiliar

  70    leisures…yours spare time accommodate yours, i.e., ensure we are available when you are

  73    have in mind i.e., think about

  76    respect…world concern for worldly affairs/business

  77    it enjoyment (especially of material wealth)    buy…care i.e., worry so much about it

  78    marvellously extremely

  79    hold consider, view

  83    old your former/plentiful/familiar, “good old” (puns on the sense of “elderly”)

  84    liver thought to be the seat of the passions

  85    heart…groans groans were believed to drain blood from the heart    mortifying penitential/deadly

  87    grandsire grandfather    cut in alabaster i.e., a statue on a tomb

  88    creep…jaundices become yellow from an excess of yellow bile or choler

  89    peevish irritable, morose

  91    visages faces

  92    cream and mantle become covered in a layer of scum (i.e., are calm/expressionless)    standing still/stagnant

  93    wilful deliberate    stillness restraint/quietness    entertain maintain

  94    dressed…opinion invested with a reputation

  95    conceit understanding

  96    As…say as if to say

  97    ope open

101    damn…fools condemn the hearers for obliging them to call the speakers fools (according to the Bible a damnable offense)

104    melancholy bait i.e., silence used to fool people into assuming you are wise

105    fool foolish    gudgeon proverbially gullible fish

107    exhortation earnest speech/entreaty

109    dumb silent

113    grow become    for this gear as a result of this talk/on account of this matter

115    neat’s tongue dried cured ox tongue    vendible saleable/sought after (for marriage)

116    Is…now? Did that (talk) mean anything?

118    reasons reasonings, opinions

119    ere before

121    same i.e., one

125    disabled devalued

126    something somewhat    swelling port extravagant lifestyle

127    faint inadequate    grant continuance allow maintenance (of)

128    make moan complain    abridged deprived

129    noble rate high style of living    care concern

130    come…from i.e., repay

131    time (young) age/time spent    prodigal excessive, lavish

132    gaged pledged/entangled

134    warranty authorization

135    unburden reveal

139    Within…honour i.e., honorable

141    occasions needs

142    shaft arrow

143    his…flight the same type of arrow

144    advisèd careful

145    forth out adventuring risking

146    urge bring forward    proof test/example

147    innocence sincerity

150    self same

152    or either

153    hazard i.e., that which was risked subsequently

154    rest remain

155    spend but only waste

156    wind…circumstance ingratiate yourself by speaking in an elaborate, roundabout way

157    out of without

158    making…uttermost questioning my offer of all the help I can give

159    made waste spent/wasted

160    but only

162    pressed enlisted

163    richly left with a large inheritance (left by her father)

165    sometimes formerly, at one time

167    nothing undervalued To worth no less than

168    Cato Roman politician of the second century BC    Brutus Roman politician of the first century BC, married to Portia

172    golden fleece in Greek mythology the valued prize sought by    Jason

173    seat rural estate    strand the shore of    Colchos (Colchis), where the fleece was found

177    presages that predicts    thrift profit/advantage

178    questionless without question

180    commodity goods

181    present immediate, ready

182    Try find out

183    racked stretched

184    furnish thee equip you to go

185    presently at once (to)

187    of my trust on my credit as a merchant    sake i.e., friendship’s sake

Act 1 Scene 2

 1.2    Location: Belmont    waiting woman companion and confidante; she is a genteel character, not a servant

    1    troth faith

    2    would be would have real reason to be (weary)

    3    aught anything    surfeit feed to excess

    5    mean middle    Superfluity overindulgence    comes sooner by sooner gains

    6    competency sufficiency/modest means

    7    sentences maxims    pronounced delivered

  10    divine clergyman

  13    blood passions (i.e., not reason)    hot temper passionate, impulsive temperament    cold decree i.e., sensible advice

  14    meshes nets, traps    in fashion the (right) way

  16    would want    will desire

  17    will testament/inclination

  20    lottery game of chance

  21    who whoever    his meaning i.e., the chest he intended

  22    rightly correctly (sense then shifts to “truly”)

  25    overname list

  26    level at point to/guess at

  27    Neapolitan inhabitants of Naples were famed for their horsemanship

  28    colt foolish/lustful youth (puns on the sense of “young horse”)

  29    appropriation addition/special feature    parts abilities

  30    played false was unfaithful    smith blacksmith

  31    County Count    Palatine possessing royal privileges over his region

  32    who if one    An if

  33    choose i.e., do as you like    prove prove to be    weeping philosopher Heraclitus of Ephesus, a reclusive and melancholy philosopher of 500 BC

  34    unmannerly impolite/immoderate    sadness gravity/melancholy

  35    death’s-head skull

  37    How what    by about    Le Bon the good (French)

  40    better bad i.e., worse    He…man he copies characteristics of everyone else but lacks his own identity

  41    throstle thrush    straight straightaway    a capering to dancing

  43    if even if

  45    say i.e., speak (puns on Nerissa’s meaning, “think about”)

  46    come…swear i.e., testify

  47    poor…the i.e., very little    proper man’s picture the image of an attractive man

  48    dumb show mime    suited dressed

  49    doublet close-fitting jacket    round hose short breeches puffed out at the hips    bonnet hat

  52    borrowed received

  54    surety guarantor    sealed under pledged (literally, set his seal)    another i.e., a further    box of the ear

  55    Saxony former principality of Germany

  58    beast may pun on    best An if    fall befall, happen

  59    makeshift arrange, manage

  60    you should you would

  62    Rhenish wine German white wine

  63    contrary incorrect    if even if    without on the outside

  65    sponge i.e., excessive drinker

  67    determinations resolutions

  68    suit courtship

  69    sort way    imposition command

  70    Sibylla Cumaean prophetess whom Apollo granted as many years of life as there were grains in her handful of sand    Diana Roman goddess of chastity

  71    parcel company

  75    Monferrat Italian dukedom

  77    foolish inexperienced

  80    four strangers foreign suitors (in fact, six have been mentioned)

  81    forerunner messenger

  84    condition disposition

  85    complexion…devil traditionally black    shrive me hear my confession, absolve me    wive marry

  86    Sirrah sir (used to an inferior)

Act 1 Scene 3

 1.3    Location: Venice    Shylock perhaps from the Hebrew Shallach (“cormorant”), or from “Shiloh” (Genesis 49:10, although the word means “messiah”); possible connotations of wary secrecy and hoarding (shy lock)

    1    ducats gold coins

    4    bound bound in obligation to repay

    6    stead assist    pleasure oblige

  10    imputation accusation

  12    sufficient of adequate means    supposition uncertainty

  13    Tripolis Tripoli, North African port (now in Libya)    Indies East Indies

  14    Rialto merchants’ exchange in Venice; also bridge over the Grand Canal

  15    squandered scattered/sent recklessly

  16    pirates puns on rats

  17    notwithstanding nevertheless

  20    assured shifts sense to “guaranteed against risks”    bethink me consider it

  23    habitation i.e., the body of a pig

  24    Nazarite someone from Nazareth, i.e., Jesus

  25    following forth

  28    publican tax collector

  30    low simplicity humble naïveté/foolishness

  31    gratis for nothing (i.e., without charging interest)

  32    usance lending money at interest

  33    upon the hip at a disadvantage (wrestling term)

  34    fat until fat

  35    our sacred nation i.e., the Jewish people    rails rants/is abusive (about)

  36    there…congregate i.e., on the Rialto

  37    thrift profit

  38    tribe i.e., one of the twelve tribes of Israel, from which all Jews were descended

  41    debating…store considering my supply of ready money

  43    gross total

  45    Tubal name found in Genesis 10:2

  46    furnish supply    soft wait a moment

  47    Rest you fair form of greeting (“may you remain well”)

  48    Your…mouths i.e., we were just talking about you

  50    excess i.e., interest

  51    ripe wants pressing needs

  52    possessed notified of

  53    would want

  57    bond contract/pledge

  59    advantage interest

  60    use employ (puns on the sense of “interest”)

  61    Jacob…sheep with his mother’s help, Jacob tricked his father into making him heir; fleeing his brother Esau’s wrath, he went to work for his uncle Laban (Genesis 27 and 30)

  62    from descended from    Abram Abraham

  63    wrought brought about, arranged

  64    third possessor i.e., of the birthright (after Abraham and Isaac)

  67    Mark pay attention to

  68    were compromised had reached agreement

  69    eanlings newborn lambs    pied spotted with another color

  70    fall as become    hire wages    rank lustful/in heat

  72    generation procreation

  74    peeled…wands stripped the bark off particular sticks

  75    in…kind while the sheep were engaged in their natural act (i.e., breeding)

  76    stuck…ewes refers to the idea that what the mother sees during conception influences the appearance of the offspring    fulsome lustful

  77    eaning lambing

  78    Fall drop, give birth to

  79    thrive profit

  81    venture enterprise    served served God

  83    fashioned arranged, created

  84    inserted introduced, brought up    good i.e., justifiable

  92    goodly wholesome-looking

  96    beholding indebted

  98    rated berated, reproached (puns on rate)

101    sufferance endurance

103    gaberdine loose cloak or coat

104    use employment (puns on sense of “financial interest”)

106    Go to expression of impatient dismissal

108    void discharge, empty    rheum spittle

109    foot kick    spurn despise/reject/strike    stranger cur unknown dog

110    suit request

114    bondman’s key serf’s tone

115    bated subdued

120    like likely

124    A…metal an unnatural increase of money – i.e., interest    barren unable to reproduce naturally    of from

126    break i.e., fail to repay the sum    better more willing

131    doit small coin (i.e., tiny amount)

133    kind kindness/natural behavior

134    were would be (indeed)

136    notary person authorized to draw up contracts

137    single particular/   bond that specifies that a sum of money must be paid on an appointed day

140    condition contract

141    nominated for named as    equal exact

147    dwell remain/exist    necessity need

153    suspect i.e., to doubt

155    break his day miss the appointed date (for repayment)

156    exaction enforcement

158    estimable valuable

161    so so be it

164    forthwith at once

165    direction instruction

166    purse bag up

167    See attend    fearful fear-inducing

168    unthrifty profligate/careless    knave scoundrel/servant    presently soon

170    Hie hurry    gentle courteous (may pun on “gentile”)

171    kind agreeable/generous/natural

Act 2 Scene 1

 2.1    Location: Belmont    tawny dark-skinned/of yellowish-brown skin    Moor person of either African or Middle Eastern origin    Flourish fanfare

    2    livery uniform/badge    burnished shining like polished metal

    3    near bred closely related

    5    Phoebus Roman sun god

    6    make incision i.e., to let blood

    7    reddest suggestive of courage and vigor

    8    aspect face

    9    feared frightened

  10    clime land

  11    hue color/appearance

  14    nice scrupulous/whimsical    direction guidance

  17    scanted limited

  18    hedged protected/confined    wit wisdom

  19    His as his

  20    then would then have    fair i.e., fair a chance (puns on the sense of “fair-skinned/attractive”)

  22    For of gaining/hoping for

  25    scimitar short, curved sword

  26    Sophy ruler (shah) of Persia

  27    fields battles    of from/against    Solyman Suleiman, sultan who fought against Persia

  28    o’erstare outstare

  33    Hercules Greek hero    Lichas Hercules’ companion

  36    Alcides another name for Hercules

  44    advised warned

  45    Nor will not break my word, i.e., speak to a woman

  47    hazard risk/choice/fortune

Act 2 Scene 2

 2.2    Location: Venice    Clown a rustic and/or comic character    Lancelet i.e., “little lance” (type of spear/penis); Sir Lancelot was famous for adultery with King Arthur’s wife; a “lance” was also a surgeon’s instrument for piercing an abscess

    1    serve allow

    2    Gobbo hunchback (Italian)

    4    start advantage

    6    with thy heels firmly (plays on literal sense)    courageous purposeful/forceful/lusty    pack depart    Fia! Via! i.e., away (Italian)

    7    for the heavens i.e., in heaven’s name

    9    honest honorable (sense then shifts to “chaste”)

  10    something somewhat/some thing (i.e., vagina)    smack have a taste for/taste literally/have sex with

  11    grow to become one with/tend toward/become erect    taste preference/literal taste

  14    God…mark i.e., excuse my language

  16    saving your reverence i.e., begging your pardon

  17    incarnation slip for “incarnate” (ironic, given that the Incarnation refers to the making of Christ into flesh)

  21    true-begotten honestly conceived (Lancelet means “real, true”)    sand-blind half-blind (from “sam-blind,” but Lancelet thinks “as if with sand in the eyes”)

  22    high-gravel-blind completely blind    confusions (appropriate) malapropism for “conclusions” – i.e., “experiment”

  25    of no hand i.e., neither left or right

  26    indirectly along a winding route (perhaps plays on the sense of “moral crookedness”)

  27    sonties saints    hit get right, find

  29    raise the waters provoke tears

  31    master gentleman or professional tradesperson

  32    well to live well-to-do/managing satisfactorily/healthy

  33    a he

  34    friend and Lancelet Old Gobbo’s polite way of rejecting the title “master” for Lancelet

  35    ergo “therefore” (Latin)

  37    an’t if it

  38    father respectful form of address for an old man

  39    Sisters Three three Fates, goddesses who spin, measure, and cut the thread of a person’s life

  43    hovel-post doorpost of a hovel

  49    of the knowing to recognize    it…child reversal of the proverb “it is a wise child that knows its own father”

  55    your…be comic paraphrase of the Gloria from the Book of Common Prayer: “As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be”

  59    Margery sometimes used as slang term for a whore, or vagina

  61    fill-horse carthorse (“fills” were the shafts of a cart)

  63    backward inward (i.e., is shorter)

  64    of on

  65    agree get on

  67    set…rest staked all

  68    rest pause, stop    very thorough

  69    halter hangman’s noose    tell count    finger…ribs Lancelet reverses    ribs and    finger

  70    Give me give for me/give (me is emphatic)

  71    rare splendid    liveries uniforms (for servants)

  73    Jew i.e., villain

  74    hasted hastened    farthest latest

  76    anon shortly

  79    Gramercy many thanks    aught anything

  81    poor shifts sense from “unfortunate/humble” to “penniless”

  83    infection malapropism for “affection” (i.e., desire)

  86    scarce scarcely    cater-cousins good friends, close

  89    frutify malapropism for “certify”

  92    impertinent malapropism for “pertinent”

  97    defect malapropism for “effect” (i.e., meaning, purport)

100    preferred recommended/promoted

103    old proverb “the grace of God is gear enough” (i.e., sufficient)    parted divided

106    inquire…out find out where my house is

108    guarded ornamented by braid trimmings

110    table part of the palm

111    book i.e., Bible (on which oaths are sworn)    simple ordinary/unremarkable    line of life the lifeline on the palm supposedly records the length and nature of a person’s life

112    trifle insignificant amount

113    simple humble    coming-in income (puns on the sense of “having sex”)    scape escape

114    edge…feather-bed perhaps refers to the dangers of marriage (i.e., a wife’s infidelity)    scapes escapes/adventures/wrongdoings

115    gear matter

116    the i.e., a

118    bestowed stowed away (on the ship bound for Belmont)

119    feast lay on a feast for

121    herein in this matter

127    obtained it i.e., been granted your request

130    rude raucous/coarse

131    Parts qualities    become suit

133    show appear

134    liberal licentious    take pain make an effort

135    allay diminish    modesty restraint/propriety

136    skipping frivolous

137    misconstered misconstrued, misunderstood

140    habit demeanor/behavior/clothing

141    but only

143    saying being said

146    studied…ostent practiced in a solemn appearance

147    grandam grandmother

149    bar exclude    gauge assess

154    purpose intend

Act 2 Scene 3

 2.3    Jessica probably a form of “Iscah,” daughter of Abraham’s brother, Haran (Genesis 11:29)

  10    exhibit express (malapropism for “inhibit,” i.e., restrain)

  11    get beget, conceive

  17    manners behavior/character

  18    strife i.e., internal conflict, turmoil

Act 2 Scene 4

    1    in during

    5    spoke …of discussed/hired

    6    vile degrading/worthless    quaintly skillfully    ordered arranged

    9    furnish us prepare

  10    An if    this i.e., the letter’s seal    seem to signify i.e., tell you something

  11    hand handwriting    fair hand attractive handwriting (sense then shifts to “beautiful pale hand”)

  15    By your leave with your permission (to go)

  17    sup have supper

  21    Go i.e., come

  22    masque theatrical entertainment, usually involving music and dancing

  23    of with

  27    some about an

  30    must needs must    directed instructed/described

  35    gentle puns on “gentile”

  36    foot step/path

  37    she i.e., misfortune

  38    she i.e., Jessica    issue child    faithless pagan/dishonest

Act 2 Scene 5

    2    of between

    3    gormandize eat excessively

    5    rend apparel out wear out your clothes

    9    wont accustomed

  12    bid forth invited out

  13    wherefore why

  15    upon i.e., at the expense of

  16    prodigal wastefully extravagant

  17    to after    right loath very reluctant

  18    ill harm/trouble

  19    tonight last night

  20    expect await    reproach malapropism for “approach”; Shylock responds to what Lancelet has actually said

  23    nose fell a-bleeding considered to be a bad omen

  24    Black …th’afternoon a deliberately nonsensical series of details; Lancelet pokes fun at superstitious attitudes such as Shylock’s    Black Monday Easter Monday

  28    wry-necked played with the musician’s head twisted away from the instrument

  29    casements windows

  31    varnished faces i.e., wearing masks

  32    stop shut

  33    fopp’ry foolishness

  34    Jacob’s staff in the Bible, the only possession Jacob started out with

  35    mind of inclination for    forth away from home

  38    for despite

  40    a Jewès eye proverbial phrase for something very valuable; also plays on Jessica (a “Jewess”) eyeing Lorenzo

  41    Hagar’s offspring Abraham’s Egyptian concubine Hagar gave birth to Ishmael; both mother and son were outcast at Abraham’s wife Sarah’s request

  43    patch fool, clown

  44    profit progress

  45    Drones nonworkers (literally, bees whose only role is to impregnate the queen)    hive live (in a hive)

  51    Fast …find keep possessions securely and they’ll always be found quickly (proverbial)

  53    crossed thwarted

Act 2 Scene 6

    1    penthouse projecting roof of a building

    2    make a stand i.e., wait

    3    His …past i.e., he is almost late

    4    marvel surprising    out-dwells his hour i.e., is late

    5    ever always    run…clock i.e., are early

    6    Venus’ pigeons doves that draw Venus’ chariot

    8    obligèd contracted, pledged    unforfeited unbroken

    9    ever always    holds holds true

  10    that with which

  11    untread retrace

  12    measures paces    unbated fire undiminished keenness

  15    younger younger son, as the    prodigal was (sometimes emended to “younker,” fashionable youth)

  16    scarfèd bark ship decorated with flags    puts from leaves

  17    strumpet lascivious/wild/changeable

  19    over-withered ribs over-weathered ship’s timbers (i.e., damaged by waves)

  20    rent torn    beggared made destitute

  22    your I beg your    abode delay

  25    watch wait/keep watch

  26    father father-in-law

  28    tongue i.e., voice

  36    exchange change (into boy’s clothes)

  38    pretty clever, artful

  39    Cupid Roman god of love

  42    hold…to stand and observe/illuminate

  43    sooth truth    light immoral/evident/luminous

  44    office of discovery i.e., torchbearing, because it involves revealing things

  47    garnish outfit/trimming (some editors emend “lovely” to “lowly”)

  49    close secretive/concealing    play the runaway i.e., pass quickly

  50    stayed for awaited

  51    make fast i.e., shut securely, lock    gild equip, adorn (literally, cover with gold)

  53    gentle dear one/gentile

  54    Beshrew curse

  56    true reliable

  57    true constant

  61    stay wait

  66    is come about i.e., has changed (favorably for sailing)

Act 2 Scene 7

 2.7    Location: Belmont    trains retinues

    1    discover reveal

    2    several various, individual

    4    who which

    5    Who whoever

    8    dull not bright/blunt    blunt forthright/unrefined

  12    withal with it

  14    back over

  20    dross rubbish/residue from melted metal

  21    nor neither

  22    virgin hue possibly because    silver is the color of the moon, ruled over by Diana, goddess of chastity

  25    weigh weigh up, assess    even fair/impartial

  26    rated valued/estimated    estimation reputation/value

  30    disabling belittling

  36    graved engraved

  40    mortal breathing i.e., living

  41    Hyrcanian deserts Persian region south of the Caspian sea known for its wildness    desert deserted/isolated place    vasty vast

  44    watery kingdom i.e., the sea    ambitious head i.e., waves

  46    spirits courageous men

  49    like likely

  50    base unworthy (puns on lead as a base metal)    gross inferior/coarse/earthly

  51    rib enclose (as ribs do the internal organs)    cerecloth winding-sheet, shroud    obscure concealed/dark

  52    immured enclosed

  53    undervalued to less in value compared with    trièd tested

  55    set fixed, like a jewel

  56    angel Archangel Michael, who appeared on a coin known as an “angel”

  57    insculped engraved

  61    form image

  64    carrion loathsome/skeletal/putrefying    Death death’s head, skull

  69    But only

  72    in judgement old i.e., wise

  73    inscrolled inscribed on a scroll

  78    tedious lengthy    part depart

  80    complexion temperament/skin color

Act 2 Scene 8

 2.8    Location: Venice

    4    raised roused, woke up

  12    passion passionate outcry

  13    outrageous excessively fierce

  19    double ducats twice the value of single ducats

  20    stones jewels

  24    stones plays on the sense of “testicles”

  25    look be sure    day i.e., date on which the loan is to be repaid

  28    reasoned talked

  29    narrow…English i.e., the English Channel

  30    miscarried came to harm/was destroyed

  31    fraught laden

  32    upon of

  40    Slubber spoil/rush

  41    stay wait (for)    riping ripening

  42    for as for

  43    of i.e., concerned with

  45    ostents displays

  46    become you be appropriate to you/dignify you

  47    there i.e., then

  49    affection wondrous sensible emotion extraordinarily evident

  51    he…him i.e., Bassanio is all he lives for

  53    quicken revive/lighten    embracèd heaviness adopted sadness

Act 2 Scene 9

 2.9   Location: Belmont Servitor servant

    1    straight straightaway

    2    Aragon region of northeastern Spain

    3    election choice    presently at once

    9    enjoined bound

  10    unfold reveal

  12    Of i.e., to choose

  18    addressed me prepared myself    Fortune good luck

  25    By to signify    fool foolish    show appearance

  26    fond foolish

  27    pries peers closely    martlet swift/house martin

  28    in i.e., in a place exposed to

  29    force turbulence/violence    road pathway    casualty mischance

  31    jump agree

  37    cozen cheat

  40    estates, degrees status, rank    offices official roles

  41    clear innocent, pure

  42    purchased obtained

  43    cover…bare i.e., keep their hats on (social inferiors removed their hats in the presence of their superiors)

  45    gleaned stripped, culled

  46    seed plant germ/descendants

  48    new-varnished newly adorned, polished

  50    assume desert claim worth

  54    schedule scroll

  60    To…natures i.e., Aragon must not assess his own case now it has been judged; or, Portia says that she cannot comment, because she is the indirect cause of the offense

  63    this i.e., the silver casket

  64    judgement i.e., God’s judgment

  65    amiss incorrectly

  66    shadows images/illusions/reflections

  68    iwis indeed

  69    Silvered o’er white-haired/decorated with ornamentation indicating military or court status

  71    I i.e., the fool’s head

  72    sped (have) achieved your purpose/sent away with speed

  74    By the time i.e., the longer

  78    wroth grief/anger

  80    deliberate calculating

  83    wiving marrying    goes is determined

  86    my lord playful response to    my lady 90 sensible regreets tangible greetings (i.e., gifts)

  91    To wit that is to say    commends commendations    breath speech

  92    yet until now

  95    costly bountiful

  96    fore-spurrer one who has ridden ahead (i.e., messenger)

  99    high-day holiday (i.e., elaborate)

101    post messenger

Act 3 Scene 1

 3.1    Location: Venice

    2    it…unchecked an undisputed rumor is circulating    lading cargo

    3    narrow seas presumably the English Channel    Goodwins Goodwin Sands, off the Kent coast

    4    flat sandbank    tall lofty/gallant

    5    gossip old friend/chatty woman

    6    knapped nibbled at    ginger old women were proverbially fond of ginger

    8    slips of prolixity evasions into tedious explanation    crossing forestalling    plain…talk i.e., good, honest communication

  11    Come…stop i.e., get to the point and finish what you’re saying

  13    prove prove to be

  14    betimes at once    cross thwart

  18    wings (page’s) costume/flying apparatus

  20    fledged ready to fly/sexually ripe

  21    complexion temperament    dam mother

  23    devil probably alludes to Shylock

  24    flesh and blood i.e., daughter (Solanio plays on the sense of “sexual desires”)

  25    Out upon it expression of irritation    carrion putrefying flesh    these years i.e., your advanced age

  27    jet and ivory i.e., black and white

  30    match contract

  32    mart market, i.e., the    Rialto look to heed, remember

  33    for…courtesy out of Christian charity/for a good deed in return

  38    hindered me prevented me from earning

  39    cooled alienated    heated angered

  41    dimensions parts of the body    affections inclinations/emotions/love    passions powerful emotions

  46    what…humility i.e., in what benevolent manner does he respond

  47    his sufferance the Jew’s endurance

  49    go hard but be highly unfortunate if I do not    better the instruction improve on the (Christian) example

  52    up and down everywhere

  53    of the tribe i.e., Jew    matched i.e., found to match them

  55    Genoa northwestern coastal Italian city

  58    Frankfurt site of a famous jewellery fair    curse God’s curse on the Jews

  61    hearsed in a coffin

  63    satisfaction compensation

  64    lights settles

  68    cast away lost, shipwrecked

  72    fourscore eighty

  74    at a sitting in one go

  75    divers several

  76    break fail to keep the bond/go bankrupt

  78    of from

  79    Out upon her! expression of frustration and condemnation

  80    Leah Shylock’s wife    wilderness i.e., large number

  82    undone ruined

  83    fee purchase, hire, secure    officer constable/bailiff    bespeak engage

  84    before i.e., before the date of Antonio’s bond

  85    what whatever    merchandise business dealings    will want

Act 3 Scene 2

 3.2    Location: Belmont

    1    tarry wait, delay

    2    in choosing if you choose

    3    forbear desist, have patience

    6    quality way

    8    And…thought i.e., a modest young woman can think but not speak what she feels

  10    venture take a chance (i.e., with the caskets)

  11    forsworn will have broken my promise

  12    So that (i.e., forsworn)    So as a result    miss me i.e., choose incorrectly

  15    o’erlooked bewitched

  17    would i.e., should

  18    naughty wicked

  19    bars obstacles

  20    though…yours i.e., although I am truly yours (by desire), I am not so legitimately    Prove it if it turn out to be

  22    peise delay (literally by weighing down)

  23    eke eke out, extend

  24    stay prevent/dissuade election choice

  26    rack torture instrument that stretched the limbs, used to elicit confessions from those suspected of    treason

  29    mistrust worry, doubt

  30    fear fearful, doubtful about    enjoying with sexual connotations

  32    as as between

  34    enforcèd compelled

  36    confess and live plays on “confess and be hanged” (proverbial)

  40    deliverance i.e., from death

  41    let me to allow me (to deal with)

  44    aloof to one side

  46    swan-like end swans were thought to sing as they died

  51    flourish trumpet fanfare

  53    dulcet sweet

  56    presence dignity/noble demeanor

  57    Alcides i.e., Hercules, who rescued Hesione from a    sea-monster and was rewarded by her father, the King of Troy, with a pair of magnificent horses, rather than the maiden’s love

  58    howling grieving

  59    stand for represent

  60    Dardanian Trojan

  61    blearèd visages tear-stained faces

  62    issue outcome

  63    Live thou if you live

  64    fray assault/din

  65    fancy love

  66    Or either

  67    begot conceived

  71    the cradle its infancy/the    eyes

  72    knell funeral bell

  75    themselves i.e., like what they seem

  76    still always

  78    gracious charming

  80    sober brow i.e., solemn clergyman

  81    approve support    text passage from the Bible

  82    grossness flagrant/coarse nature

  83    simple small/basic    assumes acquires

  84    his its

  87    Mars god of war

  88    searched probed surgically    livers…milk the liver was thought to be the seat of courage; a coward’s would be pale from lack of blood

  89    excrement facial hair

  90    redoubted dreaded/revered    beauty…weight cosmetics and hair were bought by the ounce

  93    lightest most frivolous/least heavy

  94    crispèd tightly curled

  95    wanton playful/wild/lascivious

  96    fairness beauty/brightness

  97    dowry…sepulchre i.e., a wig made of a dead woman’s hair

  99    guilèd deceptive

101    Indian i.e., dark-skinned (the Elizabethans preferred fair complexions)

103    gaudy excessively showy/bright

104    Midas Phrygian king whose wish for everything he touched to turn to gold was granted only too literally

105    thee i.e., the silver casket    drudge lackey, because used in business transactions

110    fleet change/pass swiftly

111    As such as    rash-embraced recklessly adopted

114    measure moderation    rain pour (but could be “rein”)    scant limit

116    surfeit overindulge and become ill

118    counterfeit image    demigod i.e., the painter, or creator of this perfect image

119    eyes i.e., the eyes of the portrait

120    Or whether or    balls of mine i.e., my eyeballs

121    severed parted

122    bar barrier (i.e., breath)

123    sunder separate

126    Faster more tightly

128    it i.e., the first painted eye

129    unfurnished unfinished, unpartnered

130    substance subject (i.e., Portia)    shadow image, reflection

133    continent summation/container

135    Chance as fair guess as fortunately

143    by note i.e., as directed by the scroll    note invoice/account

144    prize contest

148    his for him

151    confirmed, signed, ratified language of commerce

158    account estimate/financial reckoning

159    livings possessions, livelihood

160    account calculation    sum essence/financial amount

161    term in gross express overall, wholesale

162    unpractisèd inexperienced/innocent

170    converted changed (also a legal term for wrongfully appropriating someone else’s property for one’s own use)    But just

176    presage indicate

177    vantage opportunity/superior position    exclaim on accuse/denounce

179    blood blood/passion

180    confusion agitation    powers faculties

184    something i.e., small utterance    blent blended

185    wild wilderness (i.e., confused sound, hubbub)    save except

186    expressed articulated, comprehensible

188    be bold presume, feel certainty

190    That who

194    wish none require no more/want to detract from any of my joy

196    faith (love) promise

197    Even exactly

198    so provided

201    maid waiting woman

202    intermission delay/respite (in loving)

204    stood depended

205    falls turns out

207    roof i.e., of the mouth

208    last endure (puns on at last)

213    so provided

215    faith in truth/fidelity

217    play …boy bet who has the first son

218    stake down put the money down in advance

219    sport game/sex    stake down i.e., with a nonerect penis

220    infidel i.e., Jessica

223    youth newness    new interest recently acquired authority

225    very true

235    Commends him sends his regards

236    ope open

240    estate circumstances

241    cheer welcome    yond yonder, that

243    royal kingly, magnificent

247    shrewd ominous/grievous

250    constitution mood

251    constant consistent, stable

252    leave your permission    half yourself i.e., as his wife; the witnessed betrothal was nearly as binding as marriage

262    Rating reckoning, estimating

264    state estate, wealth

266    engaged pledged

267    mere total

269    as like

272    hit success

274    Barbary Barbary Coast, North Africa

275    dreadful fear-inspiring

276    merchant-marring capable of damaging a merchant ship

278    should appear i.e., appears

279    present ready    discharge pay

280    He i.e., Shylock

282    confound destroy

284    impeach call into question    freedom civil liberty

286    magnificoes foremost noblemen in Venice

287    port dignity/social standing    persuaded entreated

288    envious malicious    plea legal claim

289    forfeiture penalty

291    Chus a name found in Genesis 10:6, spelled “Cush”

296    hard with badly for

299    best-conditioned best-natured

300    courtesies good services

306    deface obliterate

318    hence (go) from here

319    cheer appearance/welcome

320    dear expensively (sense then shifts to “deeply”)

323    estate condition/status

325    Notwithstanding nevertheless    use your pleasure enjoy yourself/do what you wish

327    Dispatch settle

331    ’twixt us twain between us two

Act 3 Scene 3

 3.3    Location: Venice

    1    look see

    2    gratis for no interest

  10    naughty wicked    fond foolish

  11    abroad out of the jail/outside

  15    dull-eyed easily deceived/stupid

  20    kept dwelt

  22    bootless pointless

  25    made moan complained, lamented (about debts to Shylock)

  28    grant allow    hold stand firm

  30    commodity (commercial) privileges    strangers outsiders (including Jews)

  33    Since that since

  35    bated me diminished me/made me lose weight

Act 3 Scene 4

 3.4    Location: Belmont

    2    conceit understanding

    3    godlike amity divine friendship

    5    to whom i.e., Antonio

    6    relief financial aid

    7    lover friend

    9    customary …you ordinary generosity would make you

  12    waste spend/while away

  14    needs of necessity    like similar, comparable

  15    lineaments characteristics/physical features

  17    bosom lover intimate friend

  20    semblance image    my soul i.e., Bassanio

  25    husbandry domestic administration    manage management

  33    deny refuse    imposition command

  38    people i.e., household servants

  47    honest-true truthful and reliable

  50    render give

  52    look what whatever

  53    imagined all imaginable

  54    traject crossing place/ferry    common public

  55    trades i.e., crosses

  62    habit clothing

  63    accomplishèd equipped

  64    that we lack i.e., penises (they will be disguised as men)    hold offer and maintain

  65    accoutred dressed

  67    braver bolder/more splendid    grace elegance/attitude

  68    between …voice i.e., with an adolescent boy’s reedy breaking voice

  69    mincing dainty

  70    frays fights

  71    quaint ingenious

  74    do withal help it

  76    puny petty/inexperienced

  78    Above more than

  79    raw unrefined    Jacks fellows

  81    turn to become (Portia puns on the sense of “become sexually available to”)

  84    device plan

  87    measure cover/count out

Act 3 Scene 5

    2    promise assure    fear you fear for you    plain honest

    3    agitation agitated thoughts (possible malapropism for “cogitation”)

    5    bastard mixed/illegitimate    neither nevertheless

    7    got begot, conceived

  12    Scylla …Charybdis Odysseus had to navigate between these two dangerous points (the monster    Scylla and whirlpool Charybdis)    fall into with sexual connotations    gone ruined

  14    I…husband “the unbelieving wife is made acceptable to God by being united to her Christian husband” (1 Corinthians 7:14)

  15    We …enow there were enough of us Christians

  16    by alongside/off    raise…hogs because Christians eat pork (unlike Jews)

  18    money any price

  20    get …corners i.e., for sex

  22    are have fallen

  26    getting …belly making the    negro pregnant

  27    Moor African (woman)

  28    much of concern    more than reason greater than is reasonable (i.e., pregnant);    more puns on    Moor less…for i.e., Lancelet does not think much of the woman’s morals (possibly he gets confused in his attempt to play on Moor/more/less)

  29    honest chaste

  30    grace virtue, quality

  32    them i.e., the servants (but Lancelet takes the sense of “diners”)

  33    stomachs appetites

  34    wit-snapper wisecracker

  35    ‘cover’ lay the table (Lancelet goes on to play on the sense of “cover one’s head with a hat”)

  37    my duty i.e., as a servant, who would remove his hat in the presence of superiors

  38    quarrelling with occasion i.e., taking the opportunity for quibbling

  40    fellows fellow servants

  42    For as for    table i.e., food    covered i.e., on a covered serving dish

  43    humours and conceits whims and fancies

  45    discretion judgment    suited adapted as appropriate

  48    A many many    stand…place have higher positions of employment

  49    Garnished provided with a good supply of words/dressed

  50    Defy the matter confuse the meaning    cheerest thou are you feeling

  53    Past all expressing beyond words    meet suitable

  58    In reason it stands to reason

  60    lay bet, stake

  62    Pawned pledged    rude unrefined

  63    fellow equal

  64    Even just

  65    of in

  68    stomach appetite/inclination

  71    digest consider/endure/swallow

  72    set you forth praise you/serve you up

Act 4 Scene 1

 4.1    Location: Venice

    3    answer face/defend yourself against

    6    From of    dram tiny amount

    8    qualify diminish, moderate

    9    stands obdurate remains inflexible

  11    envy’s malice’s

  14    tyranny cruelty

  17    our the royal plural

  19    but…fashion only persist in this form/contrivance

  20    last…act i.e., eleventh hour, final moment

  21    remorse pity    strange surprisingly

  22    strange unnatural/foreign

  25    loose revoke, abandon

  27    moiety portion/half

  30    royal merchant merchant prince

  32    brassy bosoms hard hearts

  33    Turks and Tartars both considered pitiless infidels

  35    gentle puns on “gentile”

  36    possessed notified

  38    due debt

  39    danger damage

  40    charter deed of privilege

  42    carrion loathsome/putrefying

  44    humour mood, inclination    answered explained satisfactorily

  47    baned poisoned

  48    love who love

  50    i’th’nose with a nasal twang

  51    affection inclination

  55    he one person    gaping i.e., roasted with its mouth open

  56    Why he another person    necessary useful (for catching rats and mice)

  61    lodged deep-rooted    certain definite, fixed

  62    follow pursue

  63    losing i.e., involving loss (for Antonio)

  65    current course, flow

  71    think realize

  73    main flood sea at high tide    bate lessen

  74    use question dispute

  77    wag sway

  78    fretted chafed

  79    hard difficult (puns on the sense of “tough, firm”)

  80    than more than

  83    conveniency convenience

  88    draw collect/receive

  89    rend’ring yielding/giving back

  90    no wrong i.e., nothing illegal

  93    parts actions/duties

  98    viands food (as you eat)

104    stand for represent/uphold

109    stays without waits outside

116    tainted diseased    wether sheep (specifically, castrated ram)

117    Meetest most fitting

126    keen sharp/eager

127    hangman’s i.e., executioner’s    keenness sharpness/eagerness/severity

130    inexecrable unmovable/accursed

131    thy life the fact that you are alive    accused chastised

133    Pythagoras ancient Greek philosopher whose doctrine supported the transmigration of souls

135    currish mean-spirited/snarling (like a dog)

137    fell savage    fleet leave, fly off

138    unhallowed unholy    dam mother

141    rail rant

142    but offend’st merely harm

143    Repair restore

148    hard close

154    in loving visitation on a friendly visit

157    furnished equipped

159    importunity urging

160    reverend respected, worthy

162    whose trial the testing of whom    publish make known    commendation recommendation/praise

168    difference dispute

169    present question current argument

170    throughly thoroughly

176    rule proper discipline

177    impugn call into question

178    danger (power to) harm

180    confess acknowledge

184    strained forced, artificial; also perhaps filtered/distilled (setting up rain imagery)

186    is twice blest bestows a double blessing

190    shows represents

192    dread reverence/awe

193    sceptred sway royal government

196    likest most like

197    seasons modifies

199    justice i.e., God’s justice (if He did not show mercy to humankind)

201    render perform in return

206    My…head! possible echo of the crowd’s acceptance of responsibility for Jesus’ death (Matthew 27:25)

208    discharge pay

209    tender offer

213    must appear will be evident

214    bears down truth overwhelms integrity

215    Wrest once for once, forcibly subject

220    for as    precedent i.e., on which future lawsuits can be based

223    Daniel in the Apocryphal story, Daniel judges Susannah correctly, despite his youth and the false witness of the Elders    judgement i.e., make judgment

236    tenure legal conditions, terms of the bond

250    Hath …to fully supports

258    balance scales

261    by nearby    on your charge at your responsibility/expense

262    stop staunch

268    armed i.e., prepared/fortified

272    still always (usually)    use practice

278    process course, manner

279    me…death favorably of me when I am dead

281    love i.e., loving friend

285    with…heart most willingly/literally, with my heart

287    Which who

291    deliver free

298    else otherwise

300    Would I wish    Barabbas a thief released by Pontius Pilate instead of Jesus at the people’s request

302    trifle waste    pursue proceed with

315    confiscate confiscated

317    Mark take note

326    Soft! Wait a moment!

327    all only/complete

333    just exact (plays on the sense of “fair, lawful”)

334    substance amount/weight

336    scruple tiny amount

337    estimation…hair by a hair’s breadth/weight

340    on the hip at a disadvantage (wrestling term)

342    principal original capital sum, i.e., three thousand ducats

345    merely only/absolute

348    barely i.e., at the very least

351    good good fortune

352    stay remain    question to argue the case

356    alien foreigner

359    contrive scheme

360    seize take legal possession of

361    privy coffer private treasury

362    in at

363    gainst…voice despite any other appeals

365    proceeding course of action

369    danger damage/penalty    rehearsed related

370    Down i.e., on your knees

373    cord rope

374    charge cost

377    For as for

379    humbleness remorse (on Shylock’s part)    drive convert

380    for…Antonio i.e., the state’s portion of the goods may be reduced to a fine, but not Antonio’s half

386    halter hangman’s noose

387    So if it please

388    quit cancel, release (Shylock) from

389    so provided that

390    use (legal) trust

394    presently immediately

396    possessed possessed of

397    son i.e., son-in-law

399    late lately

408    ten more i.e., twelve, the number in a jury

409    font place of Christian baptism

411    of for

413    meet fitting, necessary

414    your…not you don’t have time to stay

415    gratify show gratitude to/reward

419    in lieu whereof in exchange for which

421    cope give in recompense (for)

426    account consider (plays on the sense of “financial reckoning”)

428    know remember (a private joke on the sense of “have sex with”)

430    attempt tempt/persuade

433    pardon me i.e., excuse my insistence

434    press urge (plays on the sense of “enjoy sexually”)    yield plays on the sense of “submit sexually”

436    love friendship (plays on the sense of “marital love”)

438    in out of

442    mind to desire for

444    dearest most expensive

447    liberal free/overgenerous

466    Fly hasten

Act 4 Scene 2

    1    Inquire …out find out where the Jew’s house is    deed i.e., the document stating Shylock will leave his possessions to Jessica and Lorenzo

    3    be i.e., arrive

    5    you…o’erta’en i.e., I’m glad I caught you

    6    advice reflection

  18    old plenty of

  20    outface defy/contradict/shame    outswear outdo in swearing

Act 5 Scene 1

 5.1    Location: Belmont

    4    Troilus separated from his lover, Cressida (Cressid), by the Trojan war, he was subsequently abandoned by her

    8    Thisbe at their meeting place Pyramus discovered his lover Thisbe’s cloak, dropped in fright at the sight of a lion; his mistaken belief that she had been killed led to both their suicides    o’ertrip skip over

    9    ere himself before the lion itself

  12    Dido Queen of Carthage who fell in love with, and was abandoned by, Aeneas    willow willow leaves; symbol of grief for lost love

  13    wild unruly/cruel    waft wafted (i.e., beckoned)

  16    Medea lover of Jason; she helped him gain the golden fleece and restored the health of his father,    Aeson

  17    renew rejuvenate/revive

  19    steal run stealthily from/rob

  20    unthrift extravagant

  27    shrew troublemaker, ill-tempered woman

  28    love lover

  29    out-night you i.e., outdo you in our game of references to the night    did if

  30    footing footfall

  36    doth stray about is distracted by

  37    holy crosses shrines by the road

  46    Sola imitation of the sound of a messenger’s horn/a hunting cry    Wo ha, ho! falconer’s call to the hawk

  50    hollowing shouting/urging on of dogs in the hunt

  53    post messenger    horn messenger’s instrument/cornucopia, i.e., plentiful supply

  55    in go in    expect await

  57    signify make known

  59    music i.e., musicians    air plays on sense of “melody”

  63    Become suit    touches skillful playing (by plucking or fingering instruments)

  64    floor of heaven i.e., sky

  65    patens shallow, circular dishes (on which communion bread is placed)

  66    orb heavenly body (planet, star)

  67    motion movement (heavenly bodies were thought to be surrounded by hollow spheres; as they rotated they produced beautiful music)

  68    Still choiring continually singing in chorus    young-eyed with eternally clear sight    cherubins cherubim, angels

  70    muddy…decay i.e., claylike mortal clothing (flesh)

  71    grossly physically, coarsely    close it in i.e., enclose the soul

  72    Diana Roman goddess of the moon

  76    spirits mental faculties/feelings    attentive i.e., preoccupied

  77    wanton unrestrained, wild, boisterous

  78    race company/herd    unhandled untamed

  79    Fetching performing    bounds leaps

  80    hot condition passionate nature    blood spirit

  81    but only    perchance by chance/perhaps

  82    air melody

  83    mutual stand general pause

  85    the poet i.e., Ovid

  86    feign depict/invent    Orpheus legendary Greek poet and musician who could charm all of nature with his music    drew drew in, attracted    floods rivers

  87    stockish unfeeling/stupid

  91    stratagems schemes/bloody acts    spoils destruction, pillaging

  92    motions inner promptings    dull dark/lifeless

  93    affections feelings/disposition    Erebus place of darkness between earth and the classical underworld

  97    naughty wicked

101    by nearby    his i.e., the substitute’s    state dignity/sovereignty

103    main of waters sea

105    respect consideration of circumstance

109    attended paid attention to/heard

113    season occasion    seasoned improved/flavored

115    Endymion shepherd with whom the moon goddess fell in love; she granted him eternal sleep so she could visit him

123    speed succeed/hasten    words i.e., prayers

126    before ahead of them

131    tucket trumpet call

137    should…Antipodes would experience day at the same time as the other side of the world

138    in…sun i.e., at night (since Portia is like a second sun)

139    light promiscuous

140    heavy sad (plays on the sense of “weighty”)

142    sort arrange

147    bound imprisoned/indebted/legally bound

148    acquitted of repaid for/freed from

151    scant cut short    breathing i.e., verbal

154    gelt gelded, castrated    for my part as far as I’m concerned

155    at to

158    posy verse or motto inscribed on a ring

165    Though i.e., if

166    respective careful, considerate

172    scrubbèd undersized

174    prating chattering

177    slightly easily

179    riveted bolted

184    masters possesses

186    mad enraged

207    conceive understand

211    virtue power

213    contain retain

216    If that if    pleased wanted, attempted

217    wanted (so) lacking    modesty restraint

218    urge request persistently    ceremony sacred token

222    civil doctor doctor of civil law

225    suffered let

226    held up i.e., saved

231    it i.e., honor

232    candles…night i.e., stars

238    liberal generous

241    Know recognize/have sex with

242    Argus monster with a hundred eyes

244    honour good name/chaste reputation    yet still

246    be well advised take care

248    take catch

249    mar ruin    pen i.e., penis

250    th’unhappy the unlucky/miserable/trouble-causing

257    doubly sees himself sees himself reflected twice

258    double dual/deceitful

259    of credit worth believing

265    quite miscarried entirely come to harm

267    advisedly deliberately

268    surety guarantor

273    lay with slept with

276    lieu of exchange for

278    fair good, unmuddied (i.e., without needing repair)

279    cuckolds men with unfaithful wives

280    grossly coarsely/foolishly

286    e’en just

291    richly i.e., laden with expensive goods

294    dumb speechless

301    living livelihood

303    road harbor

310    manna during the Exodus, the food God provided for the Israelites in the desert

313    you…full your curiosity will not be content until further details are revealed

315    charge…inter’gatories examine us under formal questioning

317    inter’gatory question

318    sworn on under oath to answer truthfully

319    stay wait

322    couching in bed

324    sore greatly    ring gold band (plays on the sense of “vagina”)

AS YOU LIKE IT

As You Like It is Shakespeare’s most elegant play. At its climax Rosalind calls the cast into a circle, the figure of perfection, and resolves the plot with the assistance of Hymen, god of marriage. Whereas most of the other comedies are shadowed by death, this one offers four weddings and no funeral. The part of Rosalind is the longest and most joyous female role in the complete works. It would have been extraordinarily demanding for the boy-actor who first performed it, though made a little easier by the fact that Rosalind spends so much of the time dressed as a boy.

By rights, the play should have been named after its heroine. It is the Elizabethan equivalent of an “adapted” as opposed to an “original” screenplay: a dramatization of a popular novel of the day, Thomas Lodge’s Rosalynde. Shakespeare selects and compresses his material, but retains its essential spirit as a series of debates on the nature of love played out against a romantic woodland backdrop. The flavor of Lodge’s story, its language studded with allusions to classical mythology, may be tasted from the climactic moment when Rosalynde reverts to her female identity: “In went Ganimede and dressed herself in woman’s attire, having on a gown of green, with kirtle of rich sandal, so quaint that she seemed Diana triumphing in the forest; upon her head she wore a chaplet of roses, which gave her such a grace that she looked like Flora perked in the pride of all her flowers.”

Shakespeare moves quickly from the multiple marriages to the closing dance. He introduces the magical “conversion” of bad Frederick in place of the battle between the forces of good and evil that occurs at the end of Lodge’s story, and he focuses on the realization of erotic desire rather than the questions of social advancement that preoccupied Lodge. The play omits the apportioning of rewards with which Rosalynde ended. In the novel, the figure who corresponds to Sylvanus becomes “lord over all the forest of Arden,” Corin is made master of the Celia-figure’s flock, and loyal retainer Adam improbably becomes captain of the king’s guard.

Lodge’s setting was France, but he anglicized the name of the Ardennes forest to Arden. Perhaps this is what made the story so attractive to Shakespeare, who was born and raised close to the Forest of Arden in Warwickshire, from which his mother, Mary Arden, took her family name. The play accordingly removes the action further from France: though a few French names such as “Le Beau” are retained, the location of the court is not specified. The deceased gentleman with three sons—the oldest who treats the youngest like a mere servant, the middle away at university and invisible until the closing twist—is Sir John of Bordeaux in Lodge, but the more symbolically named Sir Rowland de Bois in Shakespeare. De Bois means “of the woods” and Sir Rowland is a name suggestive of a lost world of chivalry and romance, as in The Song of Roland. “Orlando,” the Italianized form of Rowland, is chosen by Shakespeare for his hero as a way of indicating that the youngest son has a special bond with his dead father, a duty to preserve his good name. To more educated members of the Elizabethan theater audience, it would also have conjured up the eponymous hero of Orlando Furioso, an epic poem by Ariosto that was the sixteenth century’s great exemplar of chivalric romance. It is typical of Shakespeare’s skeptical, ironic temperament that the Orlando who wanders round the forest defacing trees with second-rate love poems, and who needs to take lessons in courtship from a supposed teenage boy, does not quite live up to his heroic name—not, at least, until the play moves into the true mode of romance when he rescues his brother from a lion and a snake.

The first we hear of the exiled duke is that, “like the old Robin Hood of England,” he is in the forest with a group of “merry men.” Ostensibly the qualifier “of England” is an indication that the action is supposed to take place in France, but the deeper effect is to identify Arden with Sherwood. About a year before the play was written, rival acting company the Admiral’s Men had played a two-part drama on the subject of Robin Hood called Robert Earl of Huntingdon—the first work in the long history of the legend to turn Robin into a disguised aristocrat as opposed to a genuinely subversive outlaw. The Arden scenes of As You Like It begin with the exiled duke contrasting the natural order of the forest to the flattery and envy of the court. As in the Robin Hood story, the wished-for conclusion is the restoration of the right ruler.

Yet the play ironizes as well as idealizes. The most prominent figure in the duke’s forest circle is not a merry man but a melancholy man, the satirical Jaques. Often wrongly described as one of the duke’s courtiers, he is a gentleman who has sold his lands in order to become a “traveller,” a wry detached observer of manners and morals. The forest order is dependent on hunting, leading Jaques to sympathize with the wounded stag and suggest that the good duke usurps the place of the deer every bit as much as the bad duke has usurped power back at court. Jaques and Touchstone—the two key characters invented by Shakespeare without precedent in Lodge—spar with each other because the satire of the former and the witty foolery of the latter are rival modes of mocking courtly pretensions such as Orlando’s highly romanticized language of love-service.

Arden is also compared to the mythological “golden age” and the play duly has its complement of classically named shepherds, signalling the influence of the ancient tradition of pastoral verse. The golden age was the imagined infancy of humankind, another Eden, a playground in which Nature offered up her fruits and the winter wind never blew. But Shakespeare complicates the picture. The duke’s very first speech sees Arden as a place less to “fleet the time carelessly as they did in the golden world” than to draw moral lessons from the natural world. This is no Arcadia of perpetual summer: the seasons do change, it is just that “the penalty of Adam”—being forced to labor for subsistence—seems less harsh than the vicissitudes of the court. The myth of the golden age made Utopia into the state that society had fallen from rather than that which it aspired to: a place where everybody was happy and there was no such thing as property. The old shepherd Corin is a voice of happiness, but he has no illusions about the need for labor and his dependence on property that he does not own. He is shepherd to another man’s flock and only keeps his job because Celia buys the farm.

Many of Shakespeare’s plays keep up a constant shuttle between symbolically opposed locations—Venice and Belmont, Rome and Egypt, Sicilian court and Bohemian country—but As You Like It moves all the major players to Arden as swiftly as possible. Once there, the scenes run together fluently. There is no clock ticking in the forest, no sense of time being marked by the scene breaks. Initially, however, there are two discernible imaginary locations: the farm and the cave, Corin’s world of agricultural labor and the deep forest where the duke and his men play at being Robin Hood. Orlando and Jaques drift between the two, whereas Rosalind/Ganymede and Celia/Aliena are not allowed to penetrate too far into the deep forest. Their reunion with the duke must be withheld for the climax.

There is a curious stage direction when the women first arrive in Arden: “Enter Rosalind for Ganymede, Celia for Aliena, and Clown alias Touchstone.” Does alias mean that Touchstone has also taken on a disguised identity? It has been suggested that he would have begun the play in the long plain coat of the “natural” (simpleton), then exchanged this for the “motley” of the professional fool when he escapes from the court with the women. But there is no sense of his verbal style changing or of disguise being a means of self-discovery, as it is so profoundly for Rosalind when she plays the role of Ganymede; Touchstone appears always to have been a touchstone, a master of retort who reveals other people’s foolishness. The question of Touchstone being recognized as the court fool, and thus blowing the disguise of Rosalind and Celia, is avoided by the device of keeping all three of them apart from the duke and his courtiers until the final scene. That is why Jaques cannot be a courtier: he must encounter Touchstone as a stranger and delight in him as a fellow outsider, albeit with a different linguistic style and a different end to his irony. Jaques offers “invective” and formal discourses (most famously his anatomy of the “seven ages” of human life) to Touchstone’s one-line quips and riffs of extended word-mongering (most dazzlingly his explication of the seven stages of a quarrel).

Wherever the word “natural” is found in the play, whether associated with Touchstone, Corin, or the forest itself, it is possible to see happiness and a kind of innocence; the voice of Jaques is that of “experience” bringing world-weary melancholy. Rosalind has no doubt which she prefers, observing to Jaques that “your experience makes you sad: I had rather have a fool to make me merry than experience to make me sad.”

As in Lodge’s Rosalynde, the plot of the play sometimes seems little more than a pretext for the setting up of debates and meditations. The heart of the play is to be found in the set-piece dialogues. Before their departure from court, Rosalind and Celia debate the relative importance of “Nature” and “Fortune”; in Arden, there are dialogues between the melancholy man and the fool, the cynic and the lover, the court fool and the “natural” shepherd (who wins the debate by virtue of his recognition that social customs vary from place to place). With brilliant counterpoint, a prose wooing scene is played against a verse one. Reversing dramatic convention, it is the courtly characters who speak prose and the shepherds who court in verse.

Above all, there is the encounter between Orlando and Rosalind-as-Ganymede-as-Rosalind. With the added layer of the boy-actor for whom Shakespeare was writing—of which we are reminded by means of a joke in the epilogue—here a boy plays a girl playing a boy playing a girl. Whereas in the shepherd plot it is Phoebe who has romantic notions about love that make her natural partner Silvius a disappointment to her, in the main plot disguise enables the woman to offer the man down-to-earth “counsel” as preparation for marriage. Through the illusions of cross-dressing and role-play, Rosalind exposes the illusions of romantic desire: “the patterns of love” (Troilus, Leander) are not to be imitated, since the old stories about them are “all lies.” “Men have died from time to time and worms have eaten them, but not for love.” So much for men.

As for women, the key to keeping them is not to restrain them. Rosalind/Ganymede’s lesson is the opposite to that of The Taming of the Shrew: a desirable woman is not a tame one but a “wayward” one, whose energies (verbal, emotional, and sexual) are incorrigible. “Make the doors upon a woman’s wit and it will out at the casement. Shut that and ’twill out at the key-hole. Stop that, ’twill fly with the smoke out at the chimney.” In her poise and her playfulness, her knowledge of what makes people tick, and her capacity for strong feeling, whether joyful, fearful, or simply amazed (“O coz, coz, coz, my pretty little coz, that thou didst know how many fathom deep I am in love! But it cannot be sounded”), Rosalind is Shakespeare’s most complete woman.

KEY FACTS

PLOT: Orlando is the youngest of three brothers, badly treated by the oldest, Oliver; Duke Senior, meanwhile, has been banished and the court usurped by his younger brother, Frederick. Orlando fights with Charles, the court wrestler, and he and Rosalind, daughter of the exiled duke, fall in love. Rosalind and her cousin Celia, daughter of usurping Duke Frederick, leave the court for the Forest of Arden, taking the fool Touchstone with them; Rosalind disguises herself as a boy (“Ganymede”), while Celia calls herself “Aliena.” On being told by the old family servant Adam that Oliver is plotting to kill him, Orlando also flees to the forest. In Arden, Rosalind and Celia buy a farm in order to help the old shepherd Corin; Orlando meets up with the banished duke and his courtiers. “Ganymede” offers to assist Orlando in his wooing by pretending to be Rosalind, so that he can rehearse his love-lines. The shepherd Silvius is in love with shepherdess Phoebe, but she falls for “Ganymede.” Touchstone, after initially scorning rural life, decides to marry Audrey the goatherd, displacing country bumpkin William. Oliver comes to the forest and his life is saved by Orlando; he repents of his wicked ways and falls in love with Celia. Wicked Duke Frederick becomes a hermit and Rosalind, restored to her female self, arranges multiple marriages, presided over by the god Hymen. All ends happily, save that the melancholy traveler Jaques wants no part in the festivities.

MAJOR PARTS: (with percentage of lines/number of speeches/scenes on stage) Rosalind (25%/ 201/10), Orlando (11%/120/9), Celia (10%/108/7), Touchstone (10%/74/7), Jaques (8%/57/7), Oliver (6%/37/4), Duke Senior (4%/32/3), Silvius (3%/24/5), Phoebe (3%/23/3), Corin (3%/24/4), Frederick (3%/20/4), Le Beau (2%/14/1), Adam (2%10/4), Charles (2%/8/2), Amiens (1%/9/2), Hymen (1%/2/1), Audrey (1%/12/3).

LINGUISTIC MEDIUM: 55% prose, 45% verse. Several songs and interwoven (parodically bad) love-lyrics.

DATE: Not mentioned in Francis Meres’ 1598 list of Shakespeare’s plays, unless originally called Love’s Labour’s Won (mentioned by Meres, but now lost). Registered for publication in early summer 1600, but not printed at that time. Song “It was a lover and his lass” printed in Thomas Morley’s First Book of Airs (1600). Several literary allusions suggest composition in 1599 or early 1600.

SOURCES: Based closely on Thomas Lodge’s prose romance Rosalynde (1590). Some names altered (e.g., Oliver and Orlando for Lodge’s Saladyne and Rosader), others retained (e.g., Phoebe, “Aliena,” “Ganymede”). Only major additions are characters of Jaques and Touchstone.

TEXT: First printed in the 1623 Folio. Very high quality printing, perhaps from the theatrical “book.”

AS YOU LIKE IT

DUKE SENIOR, in exile

ROSALIND, his daughter

Duke FREDERICK, his usurping brother

CELIA, Frederick’s daughter

TOUCHSTONE, the court jester

AMIENS, a lord attending on Duke Senior

LE BEAU, a courtier attending on Frederick

CHARLES, wrestler to Frederick

ADAM, an old servant of Sir Rowland, now in service to Oliver

DENNIS, servant to Oliver

JAQUES, a melancholy traveler

CORIN, an old shepherd

SILVIUS, a young shepherd, in love with Phoebe

PHOEBE, a shepherdess

WILLIAM, a countryman, in love with Audrey

AUDREY, a goatherd

SIR OLIVER MARTEXT, a country clergyman

HYMEN, god of marriage, perhaps played by Amiens or another courtier

Lords, Pages, Attendants

Act 1 Scene 11.1

running scene 1

       Enter Orlando and Adam

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     As I remember, Adam,¹ it was upon this fashion bequeathed me by will but poor² a thousand crowns, and, as thou sayest, charged my brother on his blessing to breed³ me well: and there begins my sadness. My brother Jaques he keeps at school, and report speaks goldenly of his profit. For my part, he keeps me rustically at home, or, to speak more properly, stays⁵ me here at home unkept, for call you that keeping for a gentleman of my birth, that differs not from the stalling⁶ of an ox? His horses are bred better, for, besides that they are fair⁷ with their feeding, they are taught their manage,⁸ and to that end riders dearly hired: but I, his brother, gain nothing under him but growth, for the which his animals on his dunghills are as much bound¹⁰ to him as I. Besides this nothing that he so plentifully gives me, the something that nature gave me his countenance¹¹ seems to take from me: he lets me feed with his hinds,¹² bars me the place of a brother, and, as¹³ much as in him lies, mines my gentility with my education. This is it, Adam, that grieves¹⁴ me. And the spirit of my father, which I think is within me, begins to mutiny against this servitude. I will no longer endure it, though yet I know no wise remedy how to avoid¹⁶ it.

       Enter Oliver

ADAM

ADAM     Yonder comes my master, your brother.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     Go apart,¹⁸ Adam, and thou shalt hear how he will shake me up. Adam stands aside

OLIVER

OLIVER     Now, sir, what make¹⁹ you here?

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     Nothing: I am not taught to make anything.

OLIVER

OLIVER     What mar²¹ you then, sir?

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     Marry,²² sir, I am helping you to mar that which God made, a poor unworthy brother of yours, with idleness.

OLIVER

OLIVER     Marry, sir, be better employed, and be naught awhile.²⁴

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     Shall I keep your hogs and eat husks with them? What prodigal portion²⁵ have I spent that I should come to such penury?

OLIVER

OLIVER     Know you where you are, sir?

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     O, sir, very well: here in your orchard.²⁸

OLIVER

OLIVER     Know you before whom, sir?

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     Ay, better than him I am before knows³⁰ me. I know you are my eldest brother, and, in³¹ the gentle condition of blood, you should so know me. The courtesy of nations³² allows you my better, in that you are the first-born, but the same tradition³³ takes not away my blood, were there twenty brothers betwixt us: I have as much of my father in me as you, albeit I confess your coming before me is³⁴ nearer to his reverence.

OLIVER

OLIVER     What, boy! Raises his hand or hits him

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     Come, come, elder brother, you are too young³⁷ in this. Grabs him

OLIVER

OLIVER     Wilt thou lay hands on me, villain?³⁸

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     I am no villain: I am the youngest son of Sir Rowland de Bois,³⁹ he was my father, and he is thrice a villain that says such a father begot⁴⁰ villains. Wert thou not my brother, I would not take this hand from thy throat till this other had pulled out thy tongue for saying so. Thou hast railed on⁴² thyself.

ADAM

ADAM     Sweet masters, be patient: for your father’s remembrance,⁴³ be at accord.

OLIVER

OLIVER     Let me go, I say.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     I will not, till I please: you shall hear me. My father charged you in his will to give me good education: you have trained me like a peasant, obscuring and hiding from me all gentleman-like qualities.⁴⁷ The spirit of my father grows strong in me, and I will no longer endure it: therefore allow me such exercises⁴⁸ as may become⁴⁹ a gentleman, or give me the poor allottery my father left me by testament,⁵⁰ with that I will go buy my fortunes. Lets him go

OLIVER

OLIVER     And what wilt thou do? Beg when that is spent? Well, sir, get you in. I will not long be troubled with you. You shall have some part of your will.⁵² I pray you leave me.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     I will no further offend⁵⁴ you than becomes me for my good.

OLIVER

OLIVER     Get you with him, you old dog. To Adam

ADAM

ADAM     Is ‘old dog’ my reward? Most true, I have lost my teeth in your service. God be with my old master, he would not have spoke such a word.

       Exeunt Orlando [and] Adam

OLIVER

OLIVER     Is it even so? Begin you to grow upon⁵⁸ me? I will physic your rankness, and yet give no thousand crowns neither.⁵⁹ Holla, Dennis!

       Enter Dennis

DENNIS

DENNIS     Calls your worship?

OLIVER

OLIVER     Was not Charles, the duke’s wrestler, here to speak with me?

DENNIS

DENNIS     So⁶² please you, he is here at the door and importunes access to you.

OLIVER

OLIVER     Call him in.

       [Exit Dennis]

                  ’Twill be a good way, and tomorrow the wrestling is.

       Enter Charles

CHARLES

CHARLES     Good morrow⁶⁵ to your worship.

OLIVER

OLIVER     Good Monsieur Charles, what’s the new news at the new court?

CHARLES

CHARLES     There’s no news at the court, sir, but the old news: that is, the old duke is banished by his younger brother the new duke, and three or four loving⁶⁸ lords have put themselves into voluntary exile with him, whose lands and revenues enrich the new duke, therefore he gives them good leave⁷⁰ to wander.

OLIVER

OLIVER     Can you tell if Rosalind, the duke’s daughter, be banished with her father?

CHARLES

CHARLES     O, no; for the duke’s daughter, her cousin, so loves her, being ever⁷² from their cradles bred together, that she would have followed her exile, or have died to stay⁷³ behind her; she is at the court, and no less beloved of her uncle than his own daughter, and never two ladies loved⁷⁵ as they do.

OLIVER

OLIVER     Where will the old duke live?

CHARLES

CHARLES     They say he is already in the Forest of Arden,⁷⁷ and a many merry men with him; and there they live like the old Robin Hood⁷⁸ of England: they say many young gentlemen flock to him every day, and fleet⁷⁹ the time carelessly as they did in the golden world.⁸⁰

OLIVER

OLIVER     What, you wrestle tomorrow before the new duke?

CHARLES

CHARLES     Marry do I, sir, and I came to acquaint you with a matter. I am given, sir, secretly to understand that your younger brother Orlando hath a disposition to come in disguised against me to try a fall.⁸⁴ Tomorrow, sir, I wrestle for my credit, and he that escapes me without some broken limb shall acquit him well. Your brother is but young and tender,⁸⁶ and for your love I would be loath to foil him, as I must for my own honour if he come in: therefore, out of my love to you, I came hither to acquaint you withal,⁸⁸ that either you might stay him from his intendment, or brook⁸⁹ such disgrace well as he shall run into, in that it is a thing of his own search⁹⁰ and altogether against my will.

OLIVER

OLIVER     Charles, I thank thee for thy love to me, which thou shalt find I will most kindly requite.⁹² I had myself notice of my brother’s purpose herein and have by underhand⁹³ means laboured to dissuade him from it; but he is resolute. I’ll tell thee, Charles, it is the stubbornest young fellow of France, full of ambition, an envious emulator⁹⁵ of every man’s good parts, a secret and villainous contriver against me his natural brother: therefore use thy discretion. I had as lief⁹⁶ thou didst break his neck as his finger. And thou wert best look to’t;⁹⁷ for if thou dost him any slight disgrace, or if he do not mightily grace⁹⁸ himself on thee, he will practice against thee by poison, entrap thee by some treacherous device⁹⁹ and never leave thee till he hath ta’en thy life by some indirect means or other, for I assure thee, and almost with tears I speak it, there is not one so young and so villainous this day living. I speak but brotherly of him, but should I anatomize¹⁰² him to thee as he is, I must blush and weep and thou must look pale and wonder.

CHARLES

CHARLES     I am heartily glad I came hither to you. If he come tomorrow, I’ll give him his payment.¹⁰⁵ If ever he go alone again, I’ll never wrestle for prize more. And so God keep your worship!

       Exit

OLIVER

OLIVER     Farewell, good Charles. Now will I stir this gamester:¹⁰⁷ I hope I shall see an end of him; for my soul, yet I know not why, hates nothing more than he. Yet he’s gentle,¹⁰⁹ never schooled and yet learnèd, full of noble device, of all sorts enchantingly beloved, and indeed so much in the heart of the world, and especially of my own people, who best know him, that I am altogether misprised.¹¹¹ But it shall not be so long: this wrestler shall clear¹¹² all. Nothing remains but that I kindle¹¹³ the boy thither, which now I’ll go about.

       Exit

Act 1 Scene 21.2

running scene 2

       Enter Rosalind and Celia

CELIA

CELIA     I pray thee Rosalind, sweet my coz,¹ be merry.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Dear Celia, I show more mirth than I am mistress of, and would² you yet I were merrier? Unless you could teach me to forget a banished father, you must not learn⁴ me how to remember any extraordinary pleasure.

CELIA

CELIA     Herein I see thou lovest me not with the full weight that I love thee. If my uncle, thy banished father, had banished thy uncle, the duke my father, so⁶ thou hadst been still with me, I could have taught my love to take thy father for mine; so wouldst thou, if the truth of thy love to me were so righteously tempered⁸ as mine is to thee.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Well, I will forget the condition of my estate,¹⁰ to rejoice in yours.

CELIA

CELIA     You know my father hath no child but I, nor none is like¹¹ to have; and truly, when he dies, thou shalt be his heir; for what he hath taken away from thy father perforce,¹³ I will render thee again in affection. By mine honour, I will, and when I break that oath, let me turn monster: therefore, my sweet Rose, my dear Rose, be merry.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     From henceforth I will, coz, and devise sports.¹⁶ Let me see, what think you of falling in love?

CELIA

CELIA     Marry, I prithee do, to make sport¹⁸ withal: but love no man in good earnest, nor no further in sport neither¹⁹ than with safety of a pure blush thou mayst in honour come off again.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     What shall be our sport, then?

CELIA

CELIA     Let us sit and mock the good housewife²² Fortune from her wheel, that her gifts may henceforth be bestowed equally.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     I would we could do so, for her benefits are mightily misplaced, and the bountiful blind woman²⁵ doth most mistake in her gifts to women.

CELIA

CELIA     ’Tis true, for those that she makes fair²⁶ she scarce makes honest, and those that she makes honest she makes very ill-favouredly.²⁷

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Nay, now thou goest from Fortune’s office²⁸ to Nature’s: Fortune reigns in gifts of the world, not in the lineaments²⁹ of Nature.

       Enter Clown [Touchstone]

CELIA

CELIA     No? When Nature hath made a fair creature, may she not by Fortune fall³⁰ into the fire? Though Nature hath given us wit³¹ to flout at Fortune, hath not Fortune sent in this fool³² to cut off the argument?

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Indeed, there is Fortune too hard for Nature, when Fortune makes Nature’s natural³⁴ the cutter-off of Nature’s wit.

CELIA

CELIA     Peradventure³⁵ this is not Fortune’s work neither, but Nature’s, who perceiveth our natural wits too dull to reason of such goddesses, hath sent this natural for our whetstone,³⁷ for always the dullness of the fool is the whetstone of the wits.— How now, wit?³⁸ Whither wander you?

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     Mistress, you must come away to your father.

CELIA

CELIA     Were you made the messenger?⁴⁰

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     No, by mine honour, but I was bid to come for you.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Where learned you that oath, fool?

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     Of a certain knight that swore by his honour they were good pancakes,⁴³ and swore by his honour the mustard was naught:⁴⁴ now I’ll stand to it, the pancakes were naught, and the mustard was good, and yet was not the knight forsworn.⁴⁶

CELIA

CELIA     How prove you that in the great heap of your knowledge?

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Ay, marry, now unmuzzle your wisdom.

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     Stand you both forth now: stroke your chins, and swear by your beards that I am a knave.

CELIA

CELIA     By our beards, if we had them, thou art.

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     By my knavery, if I had it, then I were, but if you swear by that that is not, you are not forsworn. No more was this knight swearing by his honour, for he never had any; or if he had, he had sworn it away before ever he saw those pancakes or that mustard.

CELIA

CELIA     Prithee, who is’t that thou meanest?

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     One that old Frederick, your father, loves.

CELIA

CELIA     My father’s love is enough to honour him enough; speak no more of him, you’ll be whipped for taxation⁵⁹ one of these days.

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     The more pity that fools may not speak wisely what wise men do foolishly.

CELIA

CELIA     By my troth,⁶² thou sayest true, for since the little wit that fools have was silenced, the little foolery that wise men have makes a great show. Here comes Monsieur the Beau.

       Enter Le Beau

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     With his mouth full of news.

CELIA

CELIA     Which he will put⁶⁶ on us, as pigeons feed their young.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Then shall we be news-crammed.

CELIA

CELIA     All the better: we shall be the more marketable.⁶⁸—

               Bonjour, Monsieur Le Beau, what’s the news?

LE BEAU

LE BEAU     Fair princess, you have lost⁶⁹ much good sport.

CELIA

CELIA     Sport? Of what colour?⁷⁰

LE BEAU

LE BEAU     What colour, madam? How shall I answer you?

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     As wit and fortune will.

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     Or as the destinies decrees. Imitates Le Beau

CELIA

CELIA     Well said, that was laid⁷⁴ on with a trowel.

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     Nay, if I keep not my rank⁷⁵—

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Thou losest⁷⁶ thy old smell.

LE BEAU

LE BEAU     You amaze⁷⁷ me, ladies. I would have told you of good wrestling, which you have lost the sight of.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Yet tell us the manner of the wrestling.

LE BEAU

LE BEAU     I will tell you the beginning, and if it please your ladyships, you may see the end, for the best is yet to do:⁸¹ and here, where you are, they are coming to perform it.

CELIA

CELIA     Well, the beginning that is dead and buried.

LE BEAU

LE BEAU     There comes an old man and his three sons—

CELIA

CELIA     I could match this beginning with an old tale.⁸⁵

LE BEAU

LE BEAU     Three proper⁸⁶ young men, of excellent growth and presence.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     With bills⁸⁷ on their necks, ‘Be it known unto all men by these presents.’

LE BEAU

LE BEAU     The eldest of the three wrestled with Charles, the duke’s wrestler, which Charles in a moment threw him and broke three of his ribs, that⁸⁹ there is little hope of life in him. So⁹⁰ he served the second, and so the third. Yonder they lie, the poor old man, their father, making such pitiful dole⁹¹ over them that all the beholders take his part with weeping.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Alas!

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     But what is the sport, monsieur, that the ladies have lost?

LE BEAU

LE BEAU     Why, this that I speak of.

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     Thus men may grow wiser every day. It is the first time that ever I heard breaking of ribs was sport for ladies.

CELIA

CELIA     Or I, I promise thee.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     But is there any⁹⁹ else longs to see this broken music in his sides? Is there yet another dotes upon rib-breaking? Shall we see this wrestling, cousin?

LE BEAU

LE BEAU     You must if you stay here, for here is the place appointed for the wrestling, and they are ready to perform it.

CELIA

CELIA     Yonder, sure they are coming. Let us now stay and see it.

       Flourish. Enter Duke [Frederick], Lords, Orlando, Charles and Attendants

DUKE FREDERICK

DUKE FREDERICK     Come on. Since the youth will not be entreated, his¹⁰⁴ own peril on his forwardness.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Is yonder the man? To Le Beau

LE BEAU

LE BEAU     Even he, madam.

CELIA

CELIA     Alas, he is too young, yet he looks successfully.¹⁰⁸

DUKE FREDERICK

DUKE FREDERICK     How now, daughter and cousin!¹⁰⁹ Are you crept hither to see the wrestling?

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Ay, my liege, so please you give us leave.¹¹¹

DUKE FREDERICK

DUKE FREDERICK     You will take little delight in it, I can tell you, there is such odds¹¹² in the man.¹¹³ In pity of the challenger’s youth, I would fain dissuade him, but he will not be entreated. Speak to him, ladies, see if you can move him.

CELIA

CELIA     Call him hither, good Monsieur Le Beau.

DUKE FREDERICK

DUKE FREDERICK     Do so. I’ll not be by. He stands aside

LE BEAU

LE BEAU     Monsieur the challenger, the princess calls for you. To Orlando

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     I attend them with all respect and duty.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Young man, have you challenged Charles the wrestler?

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     No, fair princess, he is the general challenger: I come but in,¹²⁰ as others do, to try¹²¹ with him the strength of my youth.

CELIA

CELIA     Young gentleman, your spirits are too bold for your years. You have seen cruel proof of this man’s strength: if you saw yourself with your eyes or knew yourself with your judgement, the fear of your adventure¹²⁴ would counsel you to a more equal¹²⁵ enterprise. We pray you for your own sake to embrace your own safety and give over this attempt.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Do, young sir: your reputation shall not therefore be misprized.¹²⁷ We will make it our suit¹²⁸ to the duke that the wrestling might not go forward.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     I beseech you, punish me not with your hard thoughts, wherein I confess me much guilty, to deny so fair and excellent ladies anything. But let your fair eyes and gentle wishes go with me to my trial; wherein if I be foiled,¹³¹ there is but one shamed that was never gracious,¹³² if killed, but one dead that is willing to be so. I shall do my friends¹³³ no wrong, for I have none to lament me, the world no injury, for in it I have nothing. Only in the world I fill up a place, which may be better supplied when I have made it empty.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     The little strength that I have, I would it were with you.

CELIA

CELIA     And mine, to eke out¹³⁷ hers.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Fare you well: pray heaven I be deceived¹³⁸ in you!

CELIA

CELIA     Your heart’s desires be with you!

CHARLES

CHARLES     Come, where is this young gallant that is so desirous to lie¹⁴⁰ with his mother earth?

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     Ready, sir, but his will¹⁴² hath in it a more modest working.

DUKE FREDERICK

DUKE FREDERICK     You shall try but one fall.¹⁴³

CHARLES

CHARLES     No, I warrant¹⁴⁴ your grace you shall not entreat him to a second, that have so mightily persuaded him from a first.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     You mean to mock me after, you should not have mocked me before. But come your ways.¹⁴⁶

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Now Hercules¹⁴⁸ be thy speed, young man!

CELIA

CELIA     I would I were invisible, to catch the strong fellow by the leg.

       Wrestle

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     O excellent young man!

CELIA

CELIA     If I had a thunderbolt in mine eye, I can tell who should down.¹⁵¹Charles is thrown

       Shout

DUKE FREDERICK

DUKE FREDERICK     No more, no more.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     Yes, I beseech your grace:

               I am not yet well breathed.¹⁵⁴

DUKE FREDERICK

DUKE FREDERICK     How dost thou, Charles?

LE BEAU

LE BEAU     He cannot speak, my lord.

DUKE FREDERICK

DUKE FREDERICK     Bear him away.— Charles is carried out/To Orlando What is thy name, young man?

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     Orlando, my liege, the youngest son of Sir Rowland de Bois.

DUKE FREDERICK

DUKE FREDERICK     I would thou hadst been son to some man else:

160

160         The world esteemed thy father honourable,

               But I did find him still¹⁶¹ mine enemy.

               Thou shouldst have better pleased me with this deed

               Hadst thou descended from another house.

               But fare thee well, thou art a gallant youth.

165

165         I would thou hadst told me of another father.

       Exit Duke [with others; Celia, Orlando and Rosalind remain]

CELIA

CELIA     Were I my father, coz, would I do this? To Rosalind

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     I am more proud to be Sir Rowland’s son, Aside?

               His youngest son, and would not change that calling¹⁶⁸

               To be adopted heir to Frederick.

170

170 

ROSALIND

ROSALIND             My father loved Sir Rowland as his soul, To Celia

               And all the world was of my father’s mind:

               Had I before known this young man his son,

               I should have given him tears unto¹⁷³ entreaties,

               Ere¹⁷⁴ he should thus have ventured.

175

175 

CELIA

CELIA             Gentle cousin,

               Let us go thank him and encourage him. To Rosalind

               My father’s rough and envious¹⁷⁷ disposition

               Sticks¹⁷⁸ me at heart.— Sir, you have well deserved, To Orlando

               If you do keep your promises in love

180

180         But justly,¹⁸⁰ as you have exceeded all promise,

               Your mistress¹⁸¹ shall be happy.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Gentleman, Gives him a chain from her neck

               Wear this for me, one out of suits¹⁸³ with fortune,

               That could give more, but that her hand lacks means.

185

185         Shall we go, coz? To Celia

CELIA

CELIA     Ay.— Fare you well, fair gentleman.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     Can I not say, I thank you? My better parts¹⁸⁷

               Are all thrown down, and that which here stands up

               Is but a quintain,¹⁸⁹ a mere lifeless block.

190

190 

ROSALIND

ROSALIND             He calls us back. My pride fell with my fortunes.

               I’ll ask him what he would.¹⁹¹— Did you call, sir? To Orlando

               Sir, you have wrestled well and overthrown

               More than your enemies.

CELIA

CELIA     Will you go, coz?

195

195 

ROSALIND

ROSALIND             Have with you.¹⁹⁵ Fare you well.

       Exeunt [Rosalind and Celia]

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     What passion hangs these weights upon my tongue? I cannot speak to her,

               yet she urged conference.¹⁹⁷

       Enter Le Beau

               O poor Orlando, thou art overthrown!

               Or¹⁹⁹ Charles or something weaker masters thee.

200

200 

LE BEAU

LE BEAU             Good sir, I do in friendship counsel you

               To leave this place. Albeit you have deserved

               High commendation, true applause and love,

               Yet such is now the duke’s condition²⁰³

               That he misconstrues all that you have done.

205

205         The duke is humorous:²⁰⁵ what he is indeed

               More suits you to conceive²⁰⁶ than I to speak of.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     I thank you, sir; and pray you tell me this:

               Which of the two was daughter of the duke

               That here was at the wrestling?

210

210 

LE BEAU

LE BEAU             Neither his daughter, if we judge by manners,

               But yet indeed the taller²¹¹ is his daughter,

               The other is daughter to the banished duke,

               And here detained by her usurping uncle

               To keep his daughter company, whose loves

215

215         Are dearer than the natural bond of sisters.

               But I can tell you that of late this duke

               Hath ta’en displeasure ’gainst his gentle²¹⁷ niece,

               Grounded upon no other argument²¹⁸

               But that the people praise her for her virtues

220

220         And pity her for her good father’s sake;

               And, on my life, his malice ’gainst the lady

               Will suddenly²²² break forth. Sir, fare you well.

               Hereafter, in a better world than this,

               I shall desire more love and knowledge²²⁴ of you.

225

225 

ORLANDO

ORLANDO             I rest²²⁵ much bounden to you. Fare you well.

       [Exit Le Beau]

               Thus must I from²²⁶ the smoke into the smother,

               From tyrant duke unto a tyrant brother.

               But heavenly Rosalind!

       Exit

Act 1 Scene 3

running scene 2 continues

       Enter Celia and Rosalind

CELIA

CELIA     Why, cousin? Why, Rosalind? Cupid¹ have mercy, not a word?

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Not one to throw at a dog.

CELIA

CELIA     No, thy words are too precious to be cast away upon curs,³ throw some of them at me; come, lame me with reasons.⁴

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Then there were⁵ two cousins laid up, when the one should be lamed with reasons and the other mad without any.

CELIA

CELIA     But is all this for your father?

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     No, some of it is for my child’s father.⁸ O, how full of briars is this working-day⁹ world!

CELIA

CELIA     They are but burs,¹⁰ cousin, thrown upon thee in holiday foolery: if we walk not in the trodden paths our very petticoats¹¹ will catch them.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     I could shake them off my coat:¹² these burs are in my heart.

CELIA

CELIA     Hem¹³ them away.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     I would try, if I could cry ‘hem’¹⁴ and have him.

CELIA

CELIA     Come, come, wrestle¹⁵ with thy affections.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     O, they take¹⁶ the part of a better wrestler than myself!

CELIA

CELIA     O, a¹⁷ good wish upon you! You will try in time, in despite of a fall. But turning¹⁸ these jests out of service, let us talk in good earnest: is it possible, on such a sudden, you should fall into so strong a liking with old Sir Rowland’s youngest son?

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     The duke my father loved his father dearly.

CELIA

CELIA     Doth it therefore ensue that you should love his son dearly?²² By this kind of chase,²³ I should hate him, for my father hated his father dearly; yet I hate not Orlando.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     No, faith, hate him not, for my sake.

CELIA

CELIA     Why²⁶ should I not? Doth he not deserve well?

       Enter Duke with Lords

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Let me love him for that, and do you love him because I do. Look, here comes the duke.

CELIA

CELIA     With his eyes full of anger.

30

30   

DUKE FREDERICK

DUKE FREDERICK     Mistress, dispatch you with your safest haste³⁰ To Rosalind

               And get you from our court.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Me, uncle?

DUKE FREDERICK

DUKE FREDERICK     You, cousin

               Within these ten days if that thou be’st found

35

35           So near our public court as twenty miles,

               Thou diest for it.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     I do beseech your grace,

               Let me the knowledge of my fault bear with me:

               If with myself I hold intelligence³⁹

40

40           Or have acquaintance with mine own desires,

               If that I do not dream or be not frantic⁴¹ —

               As I do trust I am not — then, dear⁴² uncle,

               Never so much as in a thought unborn

               Did I offend your highness.

45

45   

DUKE FREDERICK

DUKE FREDERICK     Thus do all traitors.

               If their purgation⁴⁶ did consist in words,

               They are as innocent as grace⁴⁷ itself;

               Let it suffice thee that I trust thee not.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Yet your mistrust cannot make me a traitor;

50

50           Tell me whereon⁵⁰ the likelihood depends.

DUKE FREDERICK

DUKE FREDERICK     Thou art thy father’s daughter, there’s enough.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     So was I when your highness took his dukedom,

               So was I when your highness banished him;

               Treason is not inherited, my lord,

55

55           Or if we did derive it from our friends,⁵⁵

               What’s that to me? My father was no traitor.

               Then, good my liege, mistake me not so much

               To think my poverty is treacherous.

CELIA

CELIA     Dear sovereign, hear me speak.

60

60   

DUKE FREDERICK

DUKE FREDERICK     Ay, Celia, we stayed⁶⁰ her for your sake,

               Else⁶¹ had she with her father ranged along.

CELIA

CELIA     I did not then entreat to have her stay,

               It was your pleasure⁶³ and your own remorse.

               I was too young⁶⁴ that time to value her,

65

65           But now I know her: if she be a traitor,

               Why so am I. We still⁶⁶ have slept together,

               Rose at an instant,⁶⁷ learned, played, eat together,

               And wheresoe’er we went, like Juno’s swans,⁶⁸

               Still we went coupled and inseparable.

70

70   

DUKE FREDERICK

DUKE FREDERICK     She is too subtle⁷⁰ for thee, and her smoothness,

               Her very silence and her patience

               Speak to the people, and they pity her.

               Thou art a fool: she robs thee of thy name,⁷³

               And thou wilt show more bright and seem more virtuous

75

75           When she is gone. Then open not thy lips.

               Firm and irrevocable is my doom⁷⁶

               Which I have passed upon her: she is banished.

CELIA

CELIA     Pronounce that sentence then on me, my liege:

               I cannot live out of her company.

80

80   

DUKE FREDERICK

DUKE FREDERICK     You are a fool. You, niece, provide⁸⁰ yourself:

               If you outstay the time, upon mine honour,

               And in the greatness⁸² of my word, you die.

       Exeunt Duke and others

CELIA

CELIA     O my poor Rosalind, whither wilt thou go?

               Wilt thou change⁸⁴ fathers? I will give thee mine.

85

85           I charge thee be not thou more grieved than I am.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     I have more cause.

CELIA

CELIA     Thou hast not, cousin.

               Prithee be cheerful; know’st thou not the duke

               Hath banished me, his daughter?

90

90   

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     That he hath not.

CELIA

CELIA     No, hath not? Rosalind lacks then the love

               Which teacheth thee that thou and I am one.

               Shall we be sundered?⁹³ Shall we part, sweet girl?

               No, let my father seek another heir:

95

95           Therefore devise with me how we may fly,

               Whither to go and what to bear with us.

               And do not seek to take your change⁹⁷ upon you,

               To bear your griefs yourself and leave me out,

               For, by this heaven, now at⁹⁹ our sorrows pale,

100

100         Say what thou canst, I’ll go along with thee.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Why, whither shall we go?

CELIA

CELIA     To seek my uncle in the Forest of Arden.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Alas, what danger will it be to us,

               Maids as we are, to travel forth so far!

105

105         Beauty provoketh thieves sooner than gold.

CELIA

CELIA     I’ll put myself in poor and mean¹⁰⁶ attire

               And with a kind of umber¹⁰⁷ smirch my face.

               The like do you. So shall we pass along

               And never stir assailants.

110

110 

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Were it not better,

               Because that I am more than common tall,

               That I did suit¹¹² me all points like a man?

               A gallant curtle-axe¹¹³ upon my thigh,

               A boar-spear¹¹⁴ in my hand, and — in my heart

115

115         Lie there what hidden woman’s fear there will —

               We’ll have a swashing¹¹⁶ and a martial outside,

               As many other mannish cowards have

               That do outface¹¹⁸ it with their semblances.

CELIA

CELIA     What shall I call thee when thou art a man?

120

120 

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     I’ll have no worse a name than Jove’s¹²⁰ own page,

               And therefore look you call me Ganymede.¹²¹

               But what will you be called?

CELIA

CELIA     Something that hath a reference to my state:¹²³

               No longer Celia, but Aliena.¹²⁴

125

125 

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     But, cousin, what if we assayed¹²⁵ to steal

               The clownish fool out of your father’s court?

               Would he not be a comfort to our travel?¹²⁷

CELIA

CELIA     He’ll go along o’er the wide world with me.

               Leave me alone¹²⁹ to woo him. Let’s away,

130

130         And get our jewels and our wealth together,

               Devise the fittest time and safest way

               To hide us from pursuit that will be made

               After my flight. Now go in we content¹³³

               To liberty and not to banishment.

       Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 12.1

running scene 3

       Enter Duke Senior, Amiens and two or three Lords, like foresters

DUKE SENIOR

DUKE SENIOR     Now, my co-mates and brothers in exile,

               Hath not old custom² made this life more sweet

               Than that of painted pomp?³ Are not these woods

               More free from peril than the envious⁴ court?

5

5             Here feel we not the penalty of Adam,⁵

               The seasons’ difference,⁶ as the icy fang

               And churlish chiding⁷ of the winter’s wind,

               Which, when it bites and blows upon my body,

               Even till I shrink with cold, I smile and say

10

10           ‘This is no flattery: these are counsellors

               That feelingly¹¹ persuade me what I am.’

               Sweet are the uses¹² of adversity,

               Which, like the toad,¹³ ugly and venomous,

               Wears yet a precious jewel in his head.

15

15           And this our life exempt¹⁵ from public haunt

               Finds tongues¹⁶ in trees, books in the running brooks,

               Sermons in stones and good in everything.

AMIENS

AMIENS     I would not change¹⁸ it. Happy is your grace

               That can translate¹⁹ the stubbornness of fortune

20

20           Into so quiet and so sweet a style.²⁰

DUKE SENIOR

DUKE SENIOR     Come, shall we go and kill us venison?

               And yet it irks me the poor dappled fools,²²

               Being native burghers²³ of this desert city,

               Should in their own confines²⁴ with forkèd heads

25

25           Have their round haunches gored.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     Indeed, my lord,

               The melancholy Jaques grieves at that,

               And in that kind²⁸ swears you do more usurp

               Than doth your brother that hath banished you.

30

30           Today my Lord of Amiens and myself

               Did steal behind him as he lay along³¹

               Under an oak whose antique³² root peeps out

               Upon the brook that brawls³³ along this wood,

               To the which place a poor sequestered³⁴ stag

35

35           That from the hunter’s aim had ta’en a hurt,

               Did come to languish; and indeed, my lord,

               The wretched animal heaved forth such groans

               That their discharge did stretch his leathern coat

               Almost to bursting, and the big round tears

40

40           Coursed⁴⁰ one another down his innocent nose

               In piteous chase: and thus the hairy fool

               Much markèd of⁴² the melancholy Jaques,

               Stood on th’extremest verge⁴³ of the swift brook,

               Augmenting it with tears.

45

45   

DUKE SENIOR

DUKE SENIOR           But what said Jaques?

               Did he not moralize⁴⁶ this spectacle?

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     O, yes, into a thousand similes.

               First, for his weeping into the needless⁴⁸ stream;

               ‘Poor deer,’ quoth he, ‘thou mak’st a testament⁴⁹

50

50           As worldlings⁵⁰ do, giving thy sum of more

               To that which had too much.’ Then, being there alone,

               Left and abandoned of his velvet friend,⁵²

               “Tis right,’ quoth he, ‘thus misery doth part⁵³

               The flux⁵⁴ of company.’ Anon a careless herd,

55

55           Full of the pasture, jumps along by him

               And never stays⁵⁶ to greet him. ‘Ay,’ quoth Jaques,

               ‘Sweep on, you fat and greasy⁵⁷ citizens,

               ’Tis just the fashion; wherefore⁵⁸ do you look

               Upon that poor and broken bankrupt there?’

60

60           Thus most invectively⁶⁰ he pierceth through

               The body of country, city, court,

               Yea, and of this our life, swearing that we

               Are mere⁶³ usurpers, tyrants, and what’s worse,

               To fright the animals and to kill them up⁶⁴

65

65           In their assigned and native dwelling-place.

DUKE SENIOR

DUKE SENIOR     And did you leave him in this contemplation?

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     We did, my lord, weeping and commenting⁶⁷

               Upon the sobbing deer.

DUKE SENIOR

DUKE SENIOR     Show me the place.

70

70           I love to cope⁷⁰ him in these sullen fits,

               For then he’s full of matter.⁷¹

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     I’ll bring you to him straight.⁷²

       Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 22.2

running scene 4

       Enter Duke [Frederick], with Lords

DUKE FREDERICK

DUKE FREDERICK     Can it be possible that no man saw them?

               It cannot be: some villains² of my court

               Are of consent and sufferance³ in this.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     I cannot hear of any that did see her.

5

5             The ladies, her attendants of her chamber,

               Saw her abed, and in the morning early

               They found the bed untreasured⁷ of their mistress.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     My lord, the roynish⁸ clown, at whom so oft

               Your grace was wont⁹ to laugh, is also missing.

10

10           Hisperia, the princess’ gentlewoman,

               Confesses that she secretly o’erheard

               Your daughter and her cousin much commend

               The parts¹³ and graces of the wrestler

               That did but lately foil the sinewy Charles,

15

15           And she believes, wherever they are gone,

               That youth is surely in their company.

DUKE FREDERICK

DUKE FREDERICK     Send to his brother, fetch that gallant¹⁷ hither.

               If he be absent, bring his brother to me.

               I’ll make him find him. Do this suddenly,¹⁹

20

20           And let not search and inquisition quail²⁰

               To bring again²¹ these foolish runaways.

       Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 32.3

running scene 5

       Enter Orlando and Adam, [meeting]

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     Who’s there?

ADAM

ADAM     What, my young master? O, my gentle master!

               O my sweet master! O you memory³

               Of old Sir Rowland! Why, what make you⁴ here?

5

5             Why are you virtuous? Why do people love you?

               And wherefore are you gentle, strong and valiant?

               Why would you be so fond⁷ to overcome

               The bonny priser⁸ of the humorous duke?

               Your praise is come too swiftly home before you.

10

10           Know you not, master, to some kind of men

               Their graces serve them but as enemies?

               No more¹² do yours: your virtues, gentle master,

               Are sanctified¹³ and holy traitors to you.

               O, what a world is this, when what is comely¹⁴

15

15           Envenoms¹⁵ him that bears it!

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     Why, what’s the matter?

ADAM

ADAM     O, unhappy youth,

               Come not within these doors! Within this roof

               The enemy of all your graces lives:

20

20           Your brother — no, no brother, yet the son —

               Yet not the son, I will not call him son —

               Of him I was about to call his father —

               Hath heard your praises,²³ and this night he means

               To burn the lodging where you use²⁴ to lie

25

25           And you within it. If he fail of²⁵ that,

               He will have other means to cut you off;²⁶

               I overheard him and his practices.²⁷

               This is no place,²⁸ this house is but a butchery;

               Abhor it, fear it, do not enter it.

30

30   

ORLANDO

ORLANDO           Why, whither, Adam, wouldst thou have me go?

ADAM

ADAM     No matter whither, so³¹ you come not here.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     What, wouldst thou have me go and beg my food?

               Or with a base and boist’rous³³ sword enforce

               A thievish living on the common³⁴ road?

35

35           This I must do, or know not what to do:

               Yet this I will not do, do how I can.

               I rather will subject me to the malice

               Of a diverted blood³⁸ and bloody brother.

ADAM

ADAM     But do not so. I have five hundred crowns,

40

40           The thrifty hire⁴⁰ I saved under your father,

               Which I did store to be my foster-nurse⁴¹

               When service⁴² should in my old limbs lie lame

               And unregarded⁴³ age in corners thrown.

               Take that, and he that doth the ravens feed,

45

45           Yea, providently caters for the sparrow,

               Be comfort to my age. Here is the gold, Gives gold

               All this I give you. Let me be your servant.

               Though I look old, yet I am strong and lusty;⁴⁸

               For in my youth I never did apply

50

50           Hot and rebellious liquors in my blood,

               Nor did not with unbashful forehead⁵¹ woo

               The means of weakness and debility:

               Therefore my age is as a lusty winter,

               Frosty,⁵⁴ but kindly. Let me go with you.

55

55           I’ll do the service of a younger man

               In all your business and necessities.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     O good old man, how well in thee appears

               The constant⁵⁸ service of the antique world,

               When service sweat⁵⁹ for duty, not for meed!

60

60           Thou art not for the fashion of these times,

               Where none will sweat but for promotion,

               And having that, do choke⁶² their service up

               Even with the having: it is not so with thee.

               But, poor old man, thou prun’st a rotten tree,

65

65           That cannot so much as a blossom yield

               In lieu of⁶⁶ all thy pains and husbandry.

               But come thy ways,⁶⁷ we’ll go along together,

               And ere we have thy youthful wages spent,

               We’ll light upon some settled low content.⁶⁹

70

70   

ADAM

ADAM           Master, go on, and I will follow thee

               To the last gasp with truth and loyalty.

               From seventeen years till now almost fourscore⁷²

               Here livèd I, but now live here no more.

               At seventeen years many their fortunes seek,

75

75           But at fourscore it is too⁷⁵ late a week.

               Yet fortune cannot recompense me better

               Than to die well and not my master’s debtor.

       Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 42.4

running scene 6

       Enter Rosalind for Ganymede, Celia for Aliena, and Clown alias Touchstone

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     O Jupiter,¹ how merry are my spirits!

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     I care not for my spirits, if my legs were not weary.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Aside? I could find in my heart to disgrace my man’s apparel and to cry like a woman, but I must comfort the weaker vessel,⁴ as doublet and hose ought to show itself courageous to petticoat: therefore courage, good Aliena!

CELIA

CELIA     I pray you bear with me. I cannot go no further.

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     For my part, I had rather bear with you than bear you: yet I should bear no cross⁸ if I did bear you, for I think you have no money in your purse.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Well, this is the Forest of Arden.

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     Ay, now am I in Arden, the more fool I. When I was at home, I was in a better place, but travellers must be content.

       Enter Corin and Silvius

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Ay, be so, good Touchstone. Look you, who comes here: a young man and an old in solemn¹³ talk. They stand aside

CORIN

CORIN     That is the way to make her scorn you still.

15

15   

SILVIUS

SILVIUS           O Corin, that thou knew’st how I do love her!

CORIN

CORIN     I partly guess, for I have loved ere now.

SILVIUS

SILVIUS     No, Corin, being old, thou canst not guess,

               Though in thy youth thou wast as true a lover

               As ever sighed upon a midnight pillow:

20

20           But if thy love were ever like to mine —

               As sure I think did never man love so —

               How many actions most ridiculous

               Hast thou been drawn to by thy fantasy?²³

CORIN

CORIN     Into a thousand that I have forgotten.

25

25   

SILVIUS

SILVIUS           O, thou didst then never love so heartily!²⁵

               If thou rememb’rest not the slightest folly²⁶

               That ever love did make thee run into,

               Thou hast not loved.

               Or if thou hast not sat as I do now,

30

30           Wearing³⁰ thy hearer in thy mistress’ praise,

               Thou hast not loved.

               Or if thou hast not broke from³² company

               Abruptly, as my passion now makes me,

               Thou hast not loved.

35

35           O Phoebe,³⁵ Phoebe, Phoebe!

       Exit

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Alas, poor shepherd! Searching of³⁶ thy wound,

               I have by hard adventure³⁷ found mine own.

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     And I mine. I remember when I was in love, I broke my sword³⁸ upon a stone and bid him³⁹ take that for coming a-night to Jane Smile. And I remember the kissing of her batler⁴⁰ and the cow’s dugs that her pretty chopt hands had milked; and I remember the wooing of a peascod⁴¹ instead of her, from whom I took two cods⁴² and, giving her them again, said with weeping tears, ‘Wear these for my sake.’ We that are true lovers run into strange capers;⁴³ but as all is mortal in nature, so is all nature in love mortal in folly.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Thou speakest wiser than thou art ware⁴⁵ of.

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     Nay, I shall ne’er be ware of mine own wit⁴⁶ till I break my shins against it.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Jove, Jove! This shepherd’s passion

               Is much upon my fashion.⁴⁹

50

50   

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE           And mine, but it grows something⁵⁰ stale with me.

CELIA

CELIA     I pray you one of you question yond⁵¹ man

               If he for gold will give us any food.

               I faint almost to death.

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     Holla, you clown!⁵⁴ To Corin

55

55   

ROSALIND

ROSALIND           Peace, fool, he’s not thy kinsman.

CORIN

CORIN     Who calls?

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     Your betters, sir.

CORIN

CORIN     Else are they very wretched.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Peace, I say. Good even⁵⁹ to you, friend.

60

60   

CORIN

CORIN           And to you, gentle sir, and to you all.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     I prithee, shepherd, if that love or gold

               Can in this desert⁶² place buy entertainment,

               Bring us where we may rest ourselves and feed:

               Here’s a young maid with travel much oppressed

65

65           And faints for succour.⁶⁵

CORIN

CORIN     Fair sir, I pity her

               And wish, for her sake more than for mine own,

               My fortunes were more able to relieve her.

               But I am shepherd to another man

70

70           And do not shear⁷⁰ the fleeces that I graze:

               My master is of churlish disposition

               And little recks⁷² to find the way to heaven

               By doing deeds of hospitality.

               Besides, his cote,⁷⁴ his flocks and bounds of feed

75

75           Are now on sale, and at our sheepcote⁷⁵ now,

               By reason of his absence, there is nothing

               That you will feed on. But what is, come see,

               And in my voice⁷⁸ most welcome shall you be.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     What is he that shall buy his flock and pasture?

80

80   

CORIN

CORIN           That young swain⁸⁰ that you saw here but erewhile,

               That little cares for buying anything.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     I pray thee if it stand⁸² with honesty,

               Buy thou the cottage, pasture and the flock,

               And thou shalt have to pay⁸⁴ for it of us.

85

85   

CELIA

CELIA           And we will mend⁸⁵ thy wages. I like this place

               And willingly could waste⁸⁶ my time in it.

CORIN

CORIN     Assuredly the thing is to be sold.

               Go with me: if you like upon report

               The soil, the profit and this kind of life,

90

90           I will your very faithful feeder⁹⁰ be

               And buy it with your gold right suddenly.⁹¹

       Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 5

running scene 7

       Enter Amiens, Jaques and others

AMIENS

AMIENS     Song

                                    Under the greenwood¹ tree

                                    Who² loves to lie with me,

                                    And turn³ his merry note

                                    Unto the sweet bird’s throat,⁴

5

5                                       Come hither, come hither, come hither:

                                    Here shall he see no enemy

                                    But winter and rough weather.

JAQUES

JAQUES     More, more, I prithee more.

AMIENS

AMIENS     It will make you melancholy, Monsieur Jaques.

10

10   

JAQUES

JAQUES           I thank it. More, I prithee more.

               I can suck melancholy out of a song,

               As a weasel sucks eggs. More, I prithee more.

AMIENS

AMIENS     My voice is ragged.¹³ I know I cannot please you.

JAQUES

JAQUES     I do not desire you to please me,

15

15           I do desire you to sing.

               Come, more: another stanzo¹⁶ — call you ’em stanzos?

AMIENS

AMIENS     What you will, Monsieur Jaques.

JAQUES

JAQUES     Nay, I¹⁸ care not for their names. They owe me nothing. Will you sing?

AMIENS

AMIENS     More at your request than to please myself.

JAQUES

JAQUES     Well then, if ever I thank any man, I’ll thank you. But that²⁰ they call compliment²¹ is like th’encounter of two dog-apes, and when a man thanks me heartily, methinks I have given him a penny and he renders me the beggarly²² thanks. Come, sing; and you that will not, hold your tongues.

AMIENS

AMIENS     Well, I’ll end²⁴ the song. Sirs, cover the while. The duke will drink under this tree. He hath been all this day to look²⁵ you. A table with food and drink is set out

JAQUES

JAQUES     And I have been all this day to avoid him.

               He is too disputable²⁷ for my company:

               I think of as many matters²⁸ as he, but I give

               Heaven thanks and make no boast of them.

30

30           Come, warble, come.

                                    Song. All together here

                                    Who doth ambition shun

                                    And loves to live i’th’sun,³²

                                    Seeking the food he eats

                                    And pleased with what he gets,

35

                                    Come hither, come hither, come hither:

                                    Here shall he see etc.³⁶

JAQUES

JAQUES     I’ll give you a verse to this note

               That I made yesterday in³⁸ despite of my invention. Hands Amiens a paper

AMIENS

AMIENS     And I’ll sing it. Thus it goes:

40

               If it do come to pass Sings

                                    That any man turn ass,

                                    Leaving his wealth and ease,

                                    A stubborn will to please,

                                    Ducdame,⁴⁴ ducdame, ducdame:

45

HERE

HERE     shall he see gross⁴⁵ fools as he, Other lords gather around him

                                    An⁴⁶ if he will come to me. in a circle, examining the paper

                  What’s that ‘ducdame’?

JAQUES

JAQUES     ’Tis a Greek⁴⁸ invocation, to call fools into a circle. I’ll go sleep, if I can. If I cannot, I’ll rail⁴⁹ against all the first-born of Egypt.

AMIENS

AMIENS     And I’ll go seek the duke. His banquet⁵⁰ is prepared.

       Exeunt [separately]

Act 2 Scene 6

running scene 7 continues

       Enter Orlando and Adam

ADAM

ADAM     Dear master, I can go no further.

               O, I die for food! Here lie I down, Lies down

               And measure out my grave. Farewell, kind master.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     Why, how now, Adam? No greater heart in thee? Live a little, comfort⁴ a little, cheer thyself a little. If this uncouth⁵ forest yield anything savage, I will either be food for it or bring it for food to thee. Thy conceit⁶ is nearer death than thy powers. For my sake be comfortable,⁷ hold death awhile at the arm’s end. I will here be with thee presently,⁸ and if I bring thee not something to eat, I will give thee leave to die. But if thou diest before I come, thou art a mocker of my labour. Well said!¹⁰ Thou look’st cheerly, and I’ll be with thee quickly. Yet thou liest in the bleak air. Come, I will bear thee to some shelter, and thou shalt not die for lack of a dinner, if there live anything in this desert. Picks up Adam Cheerly, good Adam!

       Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 7

running scene 7 continues

       Enter Duke Senior and Lord[s], like outlaws

DUKE SENIOR

DUKE SENIOR     I think he be transformed into a beast,

               For I can nowhere find him like a man.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     My lord, he is but even now gone hence:

               Here was he merry, hearing of a song.

5

5     

DUKE SENIOR

DUKE SENIOR           If he, compact of jars,⁵ grow musical,

               We shall have shortly discord in the spheres.⁶

               Go, seek him: tell him I would speak with him.

       Enter Jaques

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     He saves my labour by his own approach.

DUKE SENIOR

DUKE SENIOR     Why, how now, monsieur! What a life is this,

10

10           That your poor friends must woo your company?

               What, you look merrily.

JAQUES

JAQUES     A fool, a fool! I met a fool i’th’forest,

               A motley¹³ fool — a miserable world.

               As I do live by food, I met a fool

15

15           Who laid him down and basked him in the sun,

               And railed on Lady Fortune in good terms,

               In good set terms,¹⁷ and yet a motley fool.

               ‘Good morrow, fool’, quoth I. ‘No, sir,’ quoth he,

               ‘Call¹⁹ me not fool till heaven hath sent me fortune.’

20

20           And then he drew a dial²⁰ from his poke,

               And looking on it with lack-lustre eye,

               Says very wisely, ‘It is ten o’clock,

               Thus we may see’, quoth he, ‘how the world wags.²³

               ’Tis but an hour²⁴ ago since it was nine,

25

25           And after one hour more ’twill be eleven,

               And so, from hour to hour, we ripe²⁶ and ripe,

               And then, from hour to hour, we rot²⁷ and rot,

               And thereby hangs a tale.²⁸’ When I did hear

               The motley fool thus moral²⁹ on the time,

30

30           My lungs began to crow like chanticleer,³⁰

               That fools should be so deep contemplative,³¹

               And I did laugh sans³² intermission

               An hour by his dial. O noble fool!

               A worthy fool! Motley’s the only wear.³⁴

35

35   

DUKE SENIOR

DUKE SENIOR           What fool is this?

JAQUES

JAQUES     O worthy fool! One that hath been a courtier,

               And says, if ladies be but young and fair,

               They have the gift to know it. And in his brain,

               Which is as dry³⁹ as the remainder biscuit

40

40           After a voyage, he hath strange places⁴⁰ crammed

               With observation, the which he vents⁴¹

               In mangled forms. O, that I were a fool!

               I am ambitious for a motley coat.

DUKE SENIOR

DUKE SENIOR     Thou shalt have one.

45

45   

JAQUES

JAQUES           It is my only suit,⁴⁵

               Provided that you weed⁴⁶ your better judgements

               Of all opinion that grows rank⁴⁷ in them

               That I am wise. I must have liberty

               Withal,⁴⁹ as large a charter as the wind,

50

50           To blow on whom I please, for so fools have.

               And they that are most gallèd⁵¹ with my folly,

               They most must laugh. And why, sir, must they so?

               The ‘why’ is plain as way⁵³ to parish church:

               He that⁵⁴ a fool doth very wisely hit

55

55           Doth very foolishly, although he smart,⁵⁵

               Seem senseless⁵⁶ of the bob. If not,

               The wise man’s folly is anatomized⁵⁷

               Even by the squandering glances⁵⁸ of the fool.

               Invest⁵⁹ me in my motley, give me leave

60

60           To speak my mind, and I will through and through

               Cleanse⁶¹ the foul body of th’infected world,

               If they will patiently receive my medicine.

DUKE SENIOR

DUKE SENIOR     Fie on thee! I can tell what thou wouldst do.

JAQUES

JAQUES     What, for a counter,⁶⁴ would I do but good?

65

65   

DUKE SENIOR

DUKE SENIOR           Most mischievous foul sin, in chiding sin.

               For thou thyself hast been a libertine,⁶⁶

               As sensual as the brutish sting⁶⁷ itself;

               And all th’embossèd⁶⁸ sores and headed evils

               That thou with licence of free foot hast caught

70

70           Wouldst thou disgorge⁷⁰ into the general world.

JAQUES

JAQUES     Why, who cries out on pride,⁷¹

               That can therein tax⁷² any private party?

               Doth it not flow as hugely as the sea,

               Till that the weary⁷⁴ very means do ebb?

75

75           What woman in the city do I name,

               When that I say the city woman bears

               The cost of princes⁷⁷ on unworthy shoulders?

               Who can come in⁷⁸ and say that I mean her,

               When such a one as she, such is her neighbour?

80

80           Or what is he of basest function⁸⁰

               That says his bravery⁸¹ is not on my cost,

               Thinking that I mean him, but therein suits⁸²

               His folly to the mettle⁸³ of my speech?

               There then, how then, what then? Let me see wherein

85

85           My tongue hath wronged him: if it do him right,⁸⁵

               Then he hath wronged himself. If he be free,⁸⁶

               Why then my taxing like a wild-goose flies,

               Unclaimed of any man. But who comes here?

       Enter Orlando

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     Forbear,⁸⁹ and eat no more. Draws his sword

90

90   

JAQUES

JAQUES           Why, I have eat none yet.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     Nor shalt not, till necessity be served.

JAQUES

JAQUES     Of⁹² what kind should this cock come of?

DUKE SENIOR

DUKE SENIOR     Art thou thus boldened, man, by thy distress,

               Or else a rude⁹⁴ despiser of good manners,

95

95           That in civility thou seem’st so empty?

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     You touched⁹⁶ my vein at first. The thorny point

               Of bare distress hath ta’en from me the show

               Of smooth civility: yet am I inland bred⁹⁸

               And know some nurture.⁹⁹ But forbear, I say:

100

100         He dies that touches any of this fruit

               Till I and my affairs are answerèd.¹⁰¹

JAQUES

JAQUES     An you will not be answered with reason,¹⁰² I must die.

DUKE SENIOR

DUKE SENIOR     What would you have? Your gentleness¹⁰³ shall force

               More than your force move us to gentleness.

105

105 

ORLANDO

ORLANDO             I almost die for food, and let me have it.

DUKE SENIOR

DUKE SENIOR     Sit down and feed, and welcome to our table.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     Speak you so gently? Pardon me, I pray you.

               I thought that all things had been savage here,

               And therefore put I on the countenance¹⁰⁹

110

110         Of stern commandment. But whate’er you are

               That in this desert inaccessible,

               Under the shade of melancholy¹¹² boughs,

               Lose and neglect the creeping hours of time,

               If ever you have looked on better days,

115

115         If ever been where bells have knolled¹¹⁵ to church,

               If ever sat at any good man’s feast,

               If ever from your eyelids wiped a tear

               And know what ’tis to pity and be pitied,

               Let gentleness my strong enforcement¹¹⁹ be:

120

120         In the which hope I blush, and hide my sword. Sheathes his sword

DUKE SENIOR

DUKE SENIOR     True is it that we have seen better days,

               And have with holy bell been knolled to church,

               And sat at good men’s feasts, and wiped our eyes

               Of drops that sacred pity hath engendered:

125

125         And therefore sit you down in gentleness,

               And take upon command¹²⁶ what help we have

               That to your wanting¹²⁷ may be ministered.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     Then but forbear your food a little while,

               Whiles, like a doe, I go to find my fawn

130

130         And give it food. There is an old poor man,

               Who after me hath many a weary step

               Limped in pure love: till he be first sufficed,

               Oppressed with two weak¹³³ evils, age and hunger,

               I will not touch a bit.

135

135 

DUKE SENIOR

DUKE SENIOR             Go find him out.

               And we will nothing waste¹³⁶ till you return.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     I thank ye, and be blest for your good comfort!

       [Exit]

DUKE SENIOR

DUKE SENIOR     Thou see’st we are not all alone unhappy:¹³⁸

               This wide and universal theatre

140

140         Presents more woeful pageants than the scene

               Wherein we play in.

JAQUES

JAQUES     All the world’s a stage,

               And all the men and women merely players;

               They have their exits and their entrances,

145

145         And one man in his time plays many parts,

               His acts¹⁴⁶ being seven ages. At first the infant,

               Mewling¹⁴⁷ and puking in the nurse’s arms.

               Then the whining schoolboy, with his satchel

               And shining morning face, creeping like snail

150

150         Unwillingly to school. And then the lover,

               Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad

               Made to his mistress’ eyebrow. Then a soldier,

               Full of strange¹⁵³ oaths and bearded like the pard,

               Jealous in¹⁵⁴ honour, sudden and quick in quarrel,

155

155         Seeking the bubble reputation

               Even in the cannon’s mouth. And then the justice,

               In fair round belly with good capon¹⁵⁷ lined,

               With eyes severe and beard of formal cut,

               Full of wise saws¹⁵⁹ and modern instances.

160

160         And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts

               Into the lean and slippered pantaloon,¹⁶¹

               With spectacles on nose and pouch on side,

               His youthful hose,¹⁶³ well saved, a world too wide

               For his shrunk shank,¹⁶⁴ and his big manly voice,

165

165         Turning again toward childish treble, pipes

               And whistles in his¹⁶⁶ sound. Last scene of all,

               That ends this strange eventful history,¹⁶⁷

               Is second childishness and mere¹⁶⁸ oblivion,

               Sans¹⁶⁹ teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.

       Enter Orlando, with Adam

170

170 

DUKE SENIOR

DUKE SENIOR             Welcome. Set down your venerable burden,

               And let him feed.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     I thank you most for him. Sets down Adam

ADAM

ADAM     So had you need.

               I scarce can speak to thank you for myself.

175

175 

DUKE SENIOR

DUKE SENIOR             Welcome, fall to.¹⁷⁵ I will not trouble you

               As yet, to question you about your fortunes.—

               Give us some music, and, good cousin, sing.

                                    Song

                                    Blow, blow, thou winter wind,

                                    Thou art not so unkind¹⁷⁹

180

                                    As man’s ingratitude.

                                    Thy tooth is not so keen,¹⁸¹

                                    Because thou art not seen,

                                    Although thy breath be rude.¹⁸³

                                    Heigh-ho, sing heigh-ho, unto the green holly.

185

                                    Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly:

                                    The hey-ho, the holly.

                                    This life is most jolly.

                                    Freeze, freeze, thou bitter sky

                                    That dost not bite so nigh¹⁸⁹

190

                                    As benefits forgot:

                                    Though thou the waters warp,¹⁹¹

                                    Thy sting is not so sharp

                                    As friend remembered not.

                                    Hey-ho, sing, etc.

195

195 

DUKE SENIOR

DUKE SENIOR             If that you were the good Sir Rowland’s son, To Orlando

               As you have whispered faithfully¹⁹⁶ you were,

               And as mine eye doth his effigies¹⁹⁷ witness

               Most truly limned¹⁹⁸ and living in your face,

               Be truly welcome hither: I am the duke

200

200         That loved your father. The residue of your fortune,

               Go to my cave and tell me. Good old man,

               Thou art right welcome as thy master is.

               Support him by the arm. Give me your hand,

               And let me all your fortunes²⁰⁴ understand.

       Exeunt

Act 3 Scene 13.1

running scene 8

       Enter Duke [Frederick], Lords and Oliver

DUKE FREDERICK

DUKE FREDERICK     Not see him¹ since? Sir, sir, that cannot be:

               But were I not the better² part made mercy,

               I should not seek an absent argument³

               Of my revenge, thou present.⁴ But look to it:

5

5             Find out thy brother, wheresoe’er he is.

               Seek him with candle. Bring him dead or living

               Within this twelvemonth, or turn⁷ thou no more

               To seek a living in our territory.

               Thy lands and all things that thou dost call thine

10

10           Worth seizure¹⁰ do we seize into our hands,

               Till thou canst quit¹¹ thee by thy brother’s mouth

               Of what we think against thee.

OLIVER

OLIVER     O, that your highness knew my heart in this!

               I never loved my brother in my life.

15

15   

DUKE FREDERICK

DUKE FREDERICK           More villain thou. Well, push him out of doors,

               And let my officers of¹⁶ such a nature

               Make¹⁷ an extent upon his house and lands.

               Do this expediently¹⁸ and turn him going.

       Exeunt

Act 3 Scene 23.2

running scene 9

       Enter Orlando With a paper

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     Hang there, my verse, in witness of my love:

                  And thou, thrice-crownèd² queen of night, survey

                  With thy chaste eye, from thy pale sphere above,

                  Thy huntress’⁴ name that my full life doth sway.

5

               O Rosalind! These trees shall be my books,

               And in their barks my thoughts I’ll character,⁶

               That every eye which in this forest looks

               Shall see thy virtue witnessed everywhere.

               Run, run, Orlando, carve on every tree

10

               The fair, the chaste and unexpressive¹⁰ she.

       Exit

       Enter Corin and Clown [Touchstone]

CORIN

CORIN     And how like you this shepherd’s life, Master Touchstone?

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     Truly, shepherd, in respect of itself, it is a good life; but in respect that it is a shepherd’s life, it is naught. In respect that it is solitary, I like it very well; but in respect that it is private,¹⁴ it is a very vile life. Now in respect it is in the fields, it pleaseth me well; but in respect it is not in the court, it is tedious. As it is a spare¹⁵ life, look you, it fits my humour¹⁶ well; but as there is no more plenty in it, it goes much against my stomach.¹⁷ Hast any philosophy in thee, shepherd?

CORIN

CORIN     No more but that I know the more one sickens the worse at ease he is: and that he that wants¹⁹ money, means and content is without three good friends: that the property of rain is to wet and fire to burn: that good pasture makes fat sheep: and that a great cause of the night is lack of the sun: that he that hath learned no wit by nature nor art²² may complain of good breeding or comes of a very dull kindred.

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     Such a one is a natural²⁴ philosopher. Wast ever in court, shepherd?

CORIN

CORIN     No, truly.

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     Then thou art damned.

CORIN

CORIN     Nay, I hope.²⁷

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     Truly thou art damned, like an ill-roasted²⁸ egg: all on one side.

CORIN

CORIN     For not being at court? Your reason.

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     Why, if thou never wast at court, thou never saw’st good manners.³⁰ If thou never saw’st good manners, then thy manners must be wicked, and wickedness is sin, and sin is damnation. Thou art in a parlous³² state, shepherd.

CORIN

CORIN     Not a whit, Touchstone. Those that are good manners at the court are as ridiculous in the country as the behaviour of the country is most mockable at the court. You told me you salute not at the court, but you kiss³⁵ your hands; that courtesy would be uncleanly, if courtiers were shepherds.

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     Instance,³⁷ briefly. Come, instance.

CORIN

CORIN     Why, we are still³⁸ handling our ewes, and their fells, you know are greasy.

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     Why, do not your courtier’s hands sweat? And is not the grease³⁹ of a mutton as wholesome as the sweat of a man? Shallow, shallow. A better instance, I say, come.

CORIN

CORIN     Besides, our hands are hard.

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     Your lips will feel them the sooner. Shallow again. A more sounder instance, come.

CORIN

CORIN     And they are often tarred⁴⁵ over with the surgery of our sheep, and would you have us kiss tar? The courtier’s hands are perfumed with civet.⁴⁶

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     Most shallow man! Thou worms-meat⁴⁷ in respect of a good piece of flesh indeed. Learn of the wise, and perpend:⁴⁸ civet is of a baser birth than tar, the very uncleanly flux⁴⁹ of a cat. Mend the instance, shepherd.

CORIN

CORIN     You have too courtly a wit for me. I’ll rest.⁵⁰

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     Wilt thou rest damned? God help thee, shallow man. God make incision⁵¹ in thee. Thou art raw.⁵²

CORIN

CORIN     Sir, I am a true labourer: I earn that⁵³ I eat, get that I wear, owe no man hate, envy no man’s happiness, glad of other men’s good, content⁵⁴ with my harm, and the greatest of my pride is to see my ewes graze and my lambs suck.

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     That is another simple⁵⁶ sin in you: to bring the ewes and the rams together and to offer⁵⁷ to get your living by the copulation of cattle, to be bawd to a bell-wether,⁵⁸ and to betray a she-lamb of a twelvemonth to a crooked-pated, old, cuckoldly⁵⁹ ram, out of all reasonable match. If thou be’st not damned for this, the devil himself will have no shepherds. I cannot see else how thou shouldst scape.

CORIN

CORIN     Here comes young Master Ganymede, my new mistress’ brother.

       Enter Rosalind With a paper

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     ‘From the east to western Ind,⁶² Reads

                                    No jewel is like Rosalind.

                                    Her worth, being mounted on the wind,

65

                                    Through all the world bears Rosalind.

                                    All the pictures fairest lined⁶⁶

                                    Are but black to⁶⁷ Rosalind.

                                    Let no face be kept in mind

                                    But the fair⁶⁹ of Rosalind.’

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     I’ll rhyme you so eight years together,⁷⁰ dinners and suppers and sleeping-hours excepted. It⁷¹ is the right butter-women’s rank to market.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Out, fool!

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     For a taste:

                                    If a hart⁷⁴ do lack a hind,

75

                                    Let him seek out Rosalind.

                                    If the cat will after kind,⁷⁶

                                    So be sure will Rosalind.

                                    Wintered⁷⁸ garments must be lined,

                                    So must slender Rosalind.

80

                                    They that reap⁸⁰ must sheaf and bind,

                                    Then to cart⁸¹ with Rosalind.

                                    Sweetest nut⁸² hath sourest rind,

                                    Such a nut is Rosalind.

                                    He that sweetest rose⁸⁴ will find

85

                                    Must find love’s prick⁸⁵ and Rosalind.

                  This is the very false gallop⁸⁶ of verses. Why do you infect yourself with them?

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Peace, you dull fool! I found them on a tree.

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     Truly the tree yields bad fruit.⁸⁸

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     I’ll graff⁸⁹ it with you, and then I shall graff it with a medlar. Then it will be the earliest fruit i’th’country, for you’ll be rotten⁹⁰ ere you be half ripe, and that’s the right virtue⁹¹ of the medlar.

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     You have said, but whether wisely or no, let the forest judge.

       Enter Celia, with a writing

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Peace! Here comes my sister, reading. Stand aside. They stand aside

CELIA

CELIA     ‘Why should this a desert be? Reads

95

                                    For⁹⁵ it is unpeopled? No.

                                    Tongues I’ll hang on every tree

                                    That shall civil sayings⁹⁷ show.

                                    Some, how brief the life of man

                                    Runs his erring⁹⁹ pilgrimage,

100

                                    That the stretching of a span¹⁰⁰

                                    Buckles in¹⁰¹ his sum of age.

                                    Some, of violated vows

                                    ’Twixt the souls of friend and friend:

                                    But upon the fairest boughs,

105

                                    Or at every sentence end,

                                    Will I Rosalinda write,

                                    Teaching all that read to know

                                    The quintessence¹⁰⁸ of every sprite

                                    Heaven would in little¹⁰⁹ show.

110

                                    Therefore heaven Nature charged¹¹⁰

                                    That one body should be filled

                                    With all graces wide-enlarged.¹¹²

                                    Nature presently¹¹³ distilled

                                    Helen’s¹¹⁴ cheek, but not her heart,

115

                                    Cleopatra’s¹¹⁵ majesty,

                                    Atalanta’s better part,¹¹⁶

                                    Sad Lucretia’s modesty.¹¹⁷

                                    Thus Rosalind of many parts

                                    By heavenly synod¹¹⁹ was devised,

120

                                    Of many faces, eyes and hearts,

                                    To have the touches¹²¹ dearest prized.

                                    Heaven would¹²² that she these gifts should have,

                                    And I to¹²³ live and die her slave.’

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     O most gentle Jupiter!¹²⁴ Steps forward What tedious homily of love have you wearied your parishioners withal, and never cried ‘Have patience, good people!’

CELIA

CELIA     How now? Back,¹²⁶ friends. Shepherd, go off a little.—To Touchstone Go with him, sirrah.

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     Come, shepherd, let us make an honourable retreat, though not with bag and baggage,¹²⁸ yet with scrip and scrippage. Exeunt [Corin and Touchstone]

CELIA

CELIA     Didst thou hear these verses?

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     O, yes, I heard them all, and more too, for some of them had in them more feet¹³¹ than the verses would bear.

CELIA

CELIA     That’s no matter: the feet might bear the verses.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Ay, but the feet were lame and could not bear themselves without the verse, and therefore stood lamely in the verse.

CELIA

CELIA     But didst thou hear without wondering how thy name should be hanged and carved upon these trees?

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     I was seven¹³⁷ of the nine days out of the wonder before you came, for look here what I found on a palm-tree. I was never so berhymed since Pythagoras’¹³⁸ time that¹³⁹ I was an Irish rat, which I can hardly remember.

CELIA

CELIA     Trow¹⁴⁰ you who hath done this?

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Is it a man?

CELIA

CELIA     And a chain,¹⁴² that you once wore, about his neck. Change you colour?

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     I prithee who?

CELIA

CELIA     O lord, lord! It is a hard matter for friends¹⁴⁴ to meet; but mountains may be removed with earthquakes and so encounter.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Nay, but who is it?

CELIA

CELIA     Is it possible?¹⁴⁷

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Nay, I¹⁴⁸ prithee now with most petitionary vehemence, tell me who it is.

CELIA

CELIA     O wonderful,¹⁴⁹ wonderful, and most wonderful wonderful! And yet again wonderful, and after that, out¹⁵⁰ of all whooping!

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Good my complexion!¹⁵¹ Dost thou think, though I am caparisoned like a man, I have a doublet and hose in my disposition? One inch of delay more is a South¹⁵³ Sea of discovery. I prithee tell me who is it quickly, and speak apace. I would thou couldst stammer, that thou mightst pour this concealed man out of thy mouth, as wine comes out of a narrow-mouthed bottle, either too much at once, or none at all. I prithee take the cork out of thy mouth that I may drink thy tidings.

CELIA

CELIA     So you may put a man in your belly.¹⁵⁸

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Is he of God’s making?¹⁵⁹ What manner of man? Is his head worth a hat? Or his chin worth a beard?

CELIA

CELIA     Nay, he hath but a little beard.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Why, God will send more, if the man will be thankful: let me stay¹⁶² the growth of his beard, if thou delay me not the knowledge of his chin.

CELIA

CELIA     It is young Orlando that tripped up the wrestler’s heels and your heart both in an instant.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Nay, but the devil take mocking: speak, sad¹⁶⁶ brow and true maid.

CELIA

CELIA     I’faith, coz, ’tis he.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Orlando?

CELIA

CELIA     Orlando.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Alas the day! What shall I do with my doublet and hose? What did he when thou saw’st him? What said he? How looked he? Wherein went he?¹⁷¹ What makes he¹⁷² here? Did he ask for me? Where remains he? How parted he with thee? And when shalt thou see him again? Answer me in one word.

CELIA

CELIA     You must borrow me Gargantua’s¹⁷⁴ mouth first: ’tis a word too great for any mouth of this age’s size. To say ay and no to these particulars¹⁷⁵ is more than to answer in a catechism.¹⁷⁶

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     But doth he know that I am in this forest and in man’s apparel? Looks he as freshly as he did the day he wrestled?

CELIA

CELIA     It is as easy to count atomies¹⁷⁹ as to resolve the propositions of a lover, but take a taste of my finding him, and relish¹⁸⁰ it with good observance. I found him under a tree, like a dropped acorn.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     It may well be called Jove’s tree,¹⁸² when it drops forth such fruit. Aside?

CELIA

CELIA     Give me audience,¹⁸³ good madam.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Proceed.

CELIA

CELIA     There lay he, stretched along,¹⁸⁵ like a wounded knight.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Though it be pity to see such a sight, it well becomes the ground.

CELIA

CELIA     Cry ‘holla’¹⁸⁷ to the tongue, I prithee. It curvets unseasonably. He was furnished¹⁸⁸ like a hunter.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     O, ominous! He comes to kill my heart.¹⁸⁹

CELIA

CELIA     I would sing my song without a burden.¹⁹⁰ Thou bringest me out of tune.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Do you not know I am a woman? When I think, I must speak. Sweet, say on.

       Enter Orlando and Jaques

CELIA

CELIA     You bring me out.¹⁹³ Soft! Comes he not here?

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     ’Tis he. Slink by, and note him. They stand aside

JAQUES

JAQUES     To Orlando I thank you for your company, but, good faith, I had as lief¹⁹⁵ have been myself alone.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     And so had I, but yet, for fashion sake, I thank you too for your society.¹⁹⁸

JAQUES

JAQUES     God buy you. Let’s meet as little as we can.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     I do desire we may be better strangers.

JAQUES

JAQUES     I pray you mar no more trees with writing love-songs in their barks.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     I pray you mar no more of my verses with reading them ill-favouredly.²⁰²

JAQUES

JAQUES     Rosalind is your love’s name?

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     Yes, just.²⁰⁴

JAQUES

JAQUES     I do not like her name.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     There was no thought of pleasing you when she was christened.

JAQUES

JAQUES     What stature is she of?

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     Just as high as my heart.

JAQUES

JAQUES     You are full of pretty²⁰⁹ answers. Have you not been acquainted with goldsmiths’ wives, and conned²¹⁰ them out of rings?

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     Not so, but I answer you right painted cloth,²¹¹ from whence you have studied your questions.²¹²

JAQUES

JAQUES     You have a nimble wit; I think ’twas made of Atalanta’s²¹³ heels. Will you sit down with me? And we two will rail against our mistress the world and all our misery.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     I will chide no breather²¹⁶ in the world but myself, against whom I know most faults.

JAQUES

JAQUES     The worst fault you have is to be in love.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     ’Tis a fault I will not change²¹⁹ for your best virtue. I am weary of you.

JAQUES

JAQUES     By my troth,²²⁰ I was seeking for a fool when I found you.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     He is drowned in the brook. Look but in, and you shall see him.

JAQUES

JAQUES     There I shall see mine own figure.²²²

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     Which I take to be either a fool or a cipher.²²³

JAQUES

JAQUES     I’ll tarry no longer with you. Farewell, good Signior Love.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     I am glad of your departure. Adieu, good Monsieur Melancholy.

       [Exit Jaques]

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Aside to Celia I will speak to him like a saucy lackey,²²⁶ and under that habit play the knave with him.— Do you hear, forester?

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     Very well. What would you?

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     I pray you, what is’t o’clock?

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     You should ask me what time o’day: there’s no clock in the forest.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Then there is no true lover in the forest, else sighing every minute and groaning every hour would detect²³² the lazy foot of time as well as a clock.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     And why not the swift foot of time? Had not that been as proper?

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     By no means, sir; time travels in divers²³⁴ paces with divers persons. I’ll tell you who time ambles withal, who time trots withal, who time gallops withal and who he stands still withal.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     I prithee, who doth he trot withal?

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Marry, he trots hard²³⁸ with a young maid between the contract of her marriage and the day it is solemnized. If the interim be but a se’nnight,²³⁹ time’s pace is so hard that it seems the length of seven year.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     Who ambles time withal?

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     With a priest that lacks Latin and a rich man that hath not the gout, for the one sleeps easily because he cannot study, and the other lives merrily because he feels no pain: the one lacking the burden of lean²⁴⁴ and wasteful learning, the other knowing no burden of heavy tedious²⁴⁵ penury. These time ambles withal.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     Who doth he gallop withal?

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     With a thief to the gallows, for though he go as softly²⁴⁷ as foot can fall, he thinks himself too soon there.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     Who stays it still withal?

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     With lawyers in the vacation,²⁵⁰ for they sleep between term and term, and then they perceive not how time moves.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     Where dwell you, pretty youth?

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     With this shepherdess, my sister, here in the skirts²⁵³ of the forest, like fringe upon a petticoat.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     Are you native of this place?

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     As the cony²⁵⁶ that you see dwell where she is kindled.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     Your accent is something finer than you could purchase²⁵⁷ in so removed a dwelling.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     I have been told so of many: but indeed an old religious²⁵⁹ uncle of mine taught me to speak, who was in his youth an inland²⁶⁰ man, one that knew courtship²⁶¹ too well, for there he fell in love. I have heard him read many lectures against it, and I thank God I am not a woman, to be touched²⁶² with so many giddy offences as he hath generally²⁶³ taxed their whole sex withal.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     Can you remember any of the principal evils that he laid to the charge of women?

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     There were none principal. They were all like one another as half-pence are, every one fault seeming monstrous till his²⁶⁷ fellow fault came to match it.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     I prithee recount some of them.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     No, I will not cast away my physic²⁶⁹ but on those that are sick. There is a man haunts²⁷⁰ the forest that abuses our young plants with carving ‘Rosalind’ on their barks; hangs odes upon hawthorns and elegies on brambles; all, forsooth, deifying the name of Rosalind. If I could meet that fancy-monger,²⁷² I would give him some good counsel, for he seems to have the quotidian²⁷³ of love upon him.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     I am he that is so love-shaked. I pray you tell me your remedy.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     There is none of my uncle’s marks²⁷⁵ upon you: he taught me how to know a man in love, in which cage of rushes²⁷⁶ I am sure you are not prisoner.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     What were his marks?

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     A lean cheek, which you have not: a blue²⁷⁸ eye and sunken, which you have not: an unquestionable²⁷⁹ spirit, which you have not: a beard neglected, which you have not — but I pardon you for that, for simply your²⁸⁰ having in beard is a younger brother’s revenue. Then your hose should be ungartered,²⁸¹ your bonnet unbanded,²⁸² your sleeve unbuttoned, your shoe untied and everything about you demonstrating a careless desolation: but you are no such man: you are rather point-device²⁸⁴ in your accoutrements, as loving yourself than seeming the lover of any other.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     Fair youth, I would I could make thee believe I love.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Me believe it? You may as soon make her that you love believe it, which I warrant she is apter²⁸⁸ to do than to confess she does: that is one of the points in the which women still²⁸⁹ give the lie to their consciences. But, in good sooth, are you he that hangs the verses on the trees, wherein Rosalind is so admired?

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     I swear to thee, youth, by the white hand of Rosalind, I am that he, that unfortunate he.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     But are you so much in love as your rhymes speak?

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     Neither rhyme nor reason can express how much.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Love is merely²⁹⁵ a madness, and, I tell you, deserves as well a dark house and a whip as madmen do: and the reason why they are not so punished and cured is that the lunacy is so ordinary that the whippers are in love too. Yet I profess²⁹⁸ curing it by counsel.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     Did you ever cure any so?

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Yes, one, and in this manner. He was to imagine me his love, his mistress, and I set him every day to woo me. At which time would I, being but a moonish³⁰¹ youth, grieve, be effeminate, changeable, longing and liking, proud, fantastical,³⁰² apish,³⁰³ shallow, inconstant, full of tears, full of smiles, for every passion something and for no passion truly anything, as boys and women are for the most part cattle³⁰⁴ of this colour: would now like him, now loathe him: then entertain³⁰⁵ him, then forswear³⁰⁶ him: now weep for him, then spit at him; that I drave my suitor from his mad humour of love to a living³⁰⁷ humour of madness, which was, to forswear the full stream of the world, and to live in a nook merely³⁰⁸ monastic. And thus I cured him, and this way will I take upon me to wash your liver³⁰⁹ as clean as a sound sheep’s heart, that there shall not be one spot of love in’t.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     I would not be cured, youth.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     I would cure you, if you would but call me Rosalind and come every day to my cote³¹³ and woo me.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     Now, by the faith of my love, I will. Tell me where it is.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Go with me to it and I’ll show it you, and by³¹⁵ the way you shall tell me where in the forest you live. Will you go?

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     With all my heart, good youth.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Nay, you must call me Rosalind.— Come, sister, will you go?

       Exeunt

Act 3 Scene 3

running scene 9 continues

       Enter Clown [Touchstone], Audrey and Jaques [behind]

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     Come apace,¹ good Audrey. I will fetch up your goats, Audrey. And how,² Audrey, am I the man yet? Doth my simple feature content you?

AUDREY

AUDREY     Your features? Lord warrant³ us! What features?

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     I am here with thee and thy goats, as the most capricious⁴ poet, honest Ovid,⁵ was among the Goths.

JAQUES

JAQUES     O, knowledge ill-inhabited,⁶ worse than Jove in a thatched house. Aside

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     When a man’s verses cannot be understood, nor a man’s good wit seconded⁸ with the forward child, understanding, it strikes a man more dead than a great⁹ reckoning in a little room. Truly, I would the gods had made thee poetical.

AUDREY

AUDREY     I do not know what ‘poetical’ is. Is it honest¹⁰ in deed and word? Is it a true thing?

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     No, truly, for the truest prose is the most feigning,¹² and lovers are given to prose, and what they swear in prose may be said as lovers, they do feign.

AUDREY

AUDREY     Do you wish then that the gods had made me poetical?

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     I do truly, for thou swear’st to me thou art honest.¹⁵ Now if thou wert a poet, I might have some hope thou didst feign.

AUDREY

AUDREY     Would you not have me honest?

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     No, truly, unless thou wert hard-favoured,¹⁸ for honesty coupled to beauty is to have honey a sauce to sugar.

JAQUES

JAQUES     A material²⁰ fool! Aside

AUDREY

AUDREY     Well, I am not fair, and therefore I pray the gods make me honest.

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     Truly, and to cast away honesty upon a foul²² slut were to put good meat into an unclean dish.²³

AUDREY

AUDREY     I am not a slut, though I thank the gods I am foul.

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     Well, praised be the gods for thy foulness; sluttishness may come hereafter. But be it as it may be, I will marry thee, and to that end I have been with Sir Oliver Martext,²⁷ the vicar of the next village, who hath promised to meet me in this place of the forest and to couple²⁸ us.

JAQUES

JAQUES     I would fain²⁹ see this meeting. Aside

AUDREY

AUDREY     Well, the gods give us joy!

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     Amen. A man may, if he were of a fearful heart, stagger³¹ in this attempt, for here we have no temple but the wood, no assembly³² but horn-beasts. But what though? Courage! As horns are odious, they are necessary.³³ It is said, ‘many a man knows³⁴ no end of his goods’. Right. Many a man has good horns, and knows no end of them. Well, that is the dowry of his wife: ’tis none of his own getting. Horns? Even so. Poor men alone? No, no: the noblest deer³⁶ hath them as huge as the rascal.³⁷ Is the single man therefore blessed? No: as a walled town is more worthier than a village, so is the forehead of a married man more honourable than the bare brow of a bachelor. And by how much defence³⁹ is better than no skill, by so much is a horn more precious than to want.⁴⁰

       Enter Sir Oliver Martext

                  Here comes Sir Oliver.— Sir Oliver Martext, you are well met. Will you dispatch⁴¹ us here under this tree, or shall we go with you to your chapel?

SIR OLIVER

SIR OLIVER     Is there none here to give the woman?

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     I will not take her on⁴⁴ gift of any man.

SIR OLIVER

SIR OLIVER     Truly, she must be given, or the marriage is not lawful.

JAQUES

JAQUES     Proceed, proceed I’ll give her. Steps forward

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     Good even, good Master What-ye-call’t.⁴⁷ How do you, sir? You are very well met. God ’ild⁴⁸ you for your last company, I am very glad to see you. Even a toy in hand here, sir. Nay, pray be covered.⁴⁹

JAQUES

JAQUES     Will you be married, motley?

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     As the ox hath his bow,⁵¹ sir, the horse his curb and the falcon her bells, so man hath his desires, and as pigeons bill,⁵² so wedlock would be nibbling.

JAQUES

JAQUES     And will you, being a man of your breeding, be married under a bush like a beggar? Get you to church, and have a good priest that can tell you what marriage is: this fellow will but join you together as they join wainscot,⁵⁵ then one of you will prove a shrunk panel and, like green⁵⁶ timber, warp, warp.

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     Aside I⁵⁷ am not in the mind but I were better to be married of him than of another, for he is not like⁵⁸ to marry me well, and not being well married, it will be a good excuse for me hereafter to leave my wife.

JAQUES

JAQUES     Go thou with me, and let me counsel thee.

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     Come, sweet Audrey:

               We must be married, or we must live in bawdry.⁶²

               Farewell, good Master Oliver. Not —

               ‘O⁶⁴ sweet Oliver, O brave Oliver,

65

65           Leave me not behind thee’

               but —

               ‘Wind⁶⁷ away,

               Begone, I say,

               I will not to wedding with thee.’

SIR OLIVER

SIR OLIVER     ’Tis no matter; ne’er a fantastical⁷⁰ knave of them all shall flout me out of my calling.

       Exeunt [separately]

Act 3 Scene 4

running scene 9 continues

       Enter Rosalind and Celia

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Never talk to me. I will weep.

CELIA

CELIA     Do, I prithee, but yet have the grace to consider that tears do not become a man.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     But have I not cause to weep?

CELIA

CELIA     As good cause as one would desire: therefore weep.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     His very hair is of the dissembling⁶ colour.

CELIA

CELIA     Something browner than Judas’. Marry, his⁷ kisses are Judas’ own children.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     I’faith, his hair is of a good colour.

CELIA

CELIA     An excellent colour, your⁹ chestnut was ever the only colour.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     And his kissing is as full of sanctity as the touch of holy bread.¹⁰

CELIA

CELIA     He hath bought a pair of cast¹¹ lips of Diana. A nun of winter’s sisterhood kisses not more religiously, the very ice of chastity is in them.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     But why did he swear he would come this morning, and comes not?

CELIA

CELIA     Nay, certainly, there is no truth in him.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Do you think so?

CELIA

CELIA     Yes, I think he is not a pick-purse nor a horse-stealer, but for his verity¹⁶ in love, I do think him as concave¹⁷ as a covered goblet or a worm-eaten nut.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Not true in love?

CELIA

CELIA     Yes, when he is in, but I think he is not in.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     You have heard him swear downright he was.

CELIA

CELIA     ‘Was’ is not ‘is’. Besides, the oath of a lover is no stronger than the word of a tapster:²² they are both the confirmer of false reckonings. He attends here in the forest on the duke your father.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     I met the duke yesterday and had much question²⁴ with him: he asked me of what parentage I was; I told him, of as good as he, so he laughed and let me go. But what talk we of fathers, when there is such a man as Orlando?

CELIA

CELIA     O, that’s a brave man! He writes brave verses, speaks brave words, swears brave oaths and breaks them bravely, quite traverse,²⁸ athwart the heart of his lover, as a puny tilter,²⁹ that spurs his horse but on one side, breaks his staff like a noble goose;³⁰ but all’s brave that youth mounts and folly guides. Who comes here?

       Enter Corin

CORIN

CORIN     Mistress and master, you have oft inquired

               After the shepherd that complained of³² love,

               Who you saw sitting by me on the turf,

               Praising the proud disdainful shepherdess

35

35           That was his mistress.

CELIA

CELIA     Well, and what of him?

CORIN

CORIN     If you will see a pageant³⁷ truly played,

               Between the pale complexion of true love

               And the red glow of scorn and proud disdain,

40

40           Go hence a little and I shall conduct you,

               If you will mark⁴¹ it.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     O, come, let us remove:⁴²

               The sight of lovers feedeth those in love.

               Bring us to this sight, and you shall say

45

45           I’ll prove a busy actor in their play.

       Exeunt

Act 3 Scene 5

running scene 9 continues

       Enter Silvius and Phoebe

SILVIUS

SILVIUS     Sweet Phoebe, do not scorn me, do not, Phoebe.

               Say that you love me not, but say not so

               In bitterness. The common executioner,

               Whose heart th’accustomed sight of death makes hard,

5

5             Falls⁵ not the axe upon the humbled neck

               But⁶ first begs pardon: will you sterner be

               Than he⁷ that dies and lives by bloody drops?

       Enter Rosalind, Celia and Corin They stand aside

PHOEBE

PHOEBE     I would not be thy executioner.

               I fly thee, for I would not injure thee.

10

10           Thou tell’st me there is murder in mine eye:

               ’Tis pretty,¹¹ sure, and very probable,

               That eyes, that are the frail’st and softest things,

               Who shut their coward gates¹³ on atomies,

               Should be called tyrants, butchers, murderers.

15

15           Now I do frown on thee with all my heart,

               And if mine eyes can wound, now let them kill thee.

               Now counterfeit¹⁷ to swoon, why now fall down,

               Or if thou canst not, O, for shame, for shame,

               Lie not, to say mine eyes are murderers.

20

20           Now show the wound mine eye hath made in thee:

               Scratch thee but with a pin, and there remains

               Some scar of it. Lean but upon a rush,²²

               The cicatrice²³ and capable impressure

               Thy palm some moment keeps. But now mine eyes,

25

25           Which I have darted at thee, hurt thee not,

               Nor, I am sure, there is no force in eyes

               That can do hurt.

SILVIUS

SILVIUS     O dear Phoebe, If ever — as that ever may be near —

               You meet in some fresh cheek the power of fancy,²⁹

30

30           Then shall you know the wounds invisible

               That love’s keen³¹ arrows make.

PHOEBE

PHOEBE     But till that time

               Come not thou near me: and when that time comes,

               Afflict me with thy mocks, pity me not,

35

35           As till that time I shall not pity thee.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     And why, I pray you? Who might be your mother, Steps forward

               That you insult, exult, and all at once,

               Over the wretched? What though³⁸ you have no beauty —

               As, by my faith, I see no more in you

40

40           Than⁴⁰ without candle may go dark to bed —

               Must you be therefore proud and pitiless?

               Why, what means this? Why do you look on me?

               I see no more in you than in the ordinary⁴³

               Of nature’s sale-work.⁴⁴ ’Od’s my little life,

45

45           I think she means to tangle⁴⁵ my eyes too!

               No, faith, proud mistress, hope not after it:

               ’Tis not your inky brows, your black silk hair,

               Your bugle⁴⁸ eyeballs, nor your cheek of cream

               That can entame my spirits to your worship.

50

50           You foolish shepherd, wherefore do you follow her, To Silvius

               Like foggy south,⁵¹ puffing with wind and rain?

               You are a thousand times a properer⁵² man

               Than she a woman. ’Tis such fools as you

               That makes the world full of ill-favoured children.

55

55           ’Tis not her glass⁵⁵ but you that flatters her,

               And out of you she sees herself more proper

               Than any of her lineaments⁵⁷ can show her.

               But mistress, know yourself: down on your knees,

               And thank heaven, fasting, for a good man’s love;

60

60           For I must tell you friendly in your ear,

               Sell when you can, you are not for all markets.

               Cry⁶² the man mercy, love him, take his offer:

               Foul⁶³ is most foul, being foul to be a scoffer.

               So take her to thee, shepherd. Fare you well.

65

65   

PHOEBE

PHOEBE           Sweet youth, I pray you chide a year together:⁶⁵

               I had rather hear you chide than this man woo.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     He’s fallen in love with your foulness—Aside or to Phoebe/To Silvius and she’ll fall in love with my anger. If it be so, as fast as she answers thee with frowning looks, I’ll sauce⁶⁸ her with bitter words.— Why look you so upon me? To Phoebe

PHOEBE

PHOEBE     For no ill will I bear you.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     I pray you do not fall in love with me,

               For I am falser than vows made in wine.⁷²

               Besides, I like you not. If you will know my house,

               ’Tis at the tuft of olives,⁷⁴ here hard by.

75

75           Will you go, sister? Shepherd, ply⁷⁵ her hard.

               Come, sister. Shepherdess, look on him better,

               And be not proud: though all the world could see,

               None could be so abused in sight⁷⁸ as he.

               Come, to our flock.

       Exeunt [Rosalind, Celia and Corin]

80

80   

PHOEBE

PHOEBE           Dead Shepherd,⁸⁰ now I find thy saw of might,

               ‘Who ever loved that loved not at first sight?’

SILVIUS

SILVIUS     Sweet Phoebe—

PHOEBE

PHOEBE     Ha, what say’st thou, Silvius?

SILVIUS

SILVIUS     Sweet Phoebe, pity me.

85

85   

PHOEBE

PHOEBE           Why, I am sorry for thee, gentle Silvius.

SILVIUS

SILVIUS     Wherever sorrow is, relief would be.

               If you do sorrow at my grief in love,

               By giving love your sorrow and my grief

               Were both extermined.⁸⁹

90

90   

PHOEBE

PHOEBE           Thou hast my love.⁹⁰ Is not that neighbourly?

SILVIUS

SILVIUS     I would have you.

PHOEBE

PHOEBE     Why, that were covetousness.⁹²

               Silvius, the time was that I hated thee;

               And yet it is not that I bear thee love,

95

95           But since that thou canst talk of love so well,

               Thy company, which erst⁹⁶ was irksome to me,

               I will endure; and I’ll employ thee too.

               But do not look for further recompense

               Than thine own gladness that thou art employed.

100

100 

SILVIUS

SILVIUS             So holy and so perfect is my love,

               And I in such a poverty¹⁰¹ of grace,

               That I shall think it a most plenteous crop

               To glean the broken ears¹⁰³ after the man

               That the main harvest reaps. Loose now and then

105

105         A scattered smile, and that I’ll live upon.

PHOEBE

PHOEBE     Know’st thou the youth that spoke to me erewhile?¹⁰⁶

SILVIUS

SILVIUS     Not very well, but I have met him oft,

               And he hath bought the cottage and the bounds¹⁰⁸

               That the old carlot¹⁰⁹ once was master of.

110

110 

PHOEBE

PHOEBE             Think not I love him, though I ask for him:

               ’Tis but a peevish¹¹¹ boy, yet he talks well.

               But what care I for words? Yet words do well

               When he that speaks them pleases those that hear.

               It is a pretty youth, not very pretty.

115

115         But sure he’s proud, and yet his pride becomes him;

               He’ll make a proper man. The best thing in him

               Is his complexion.¹¹⁷ And faster than his tongue

               Did make offence his eye did heal it up.

               He is not very tall, yet for his years he’s tall.

120

120         His leg is but so-so, and yet ’tis well.

               There was a pretty redness in his lip,

               A little riper and more lusty¹²² red

               Than that mixed in his cheek. ’Twas just the difference

               Betwixt the constant¹²⁴ red and mingled damask.

125

125         There be some women, Silvius, had they marked him

               In parcels¹²⁶ as I did, would have gone near

               To fall in love with him. But, for my part,

               I love him not nor hate him not. And yet

               Have more cause to hate him than to love him:

130

130         For what had he to do to chide at me?

               He said mine eyes were black and my hair black,

               And, now I am remembered,¹³² scorned at me.

               I marvel why I answered not again.¹³³

               But that’s all one: omittance¹³⁴ is no quittance.

135

135         I’ll write to him a very taunting letter,

               And thou shalt bear it. Wilt thou, Silvius?

SILVIUS

SILVIUS     Phoebe, with all my heart.

PHOEBE

PHOEBE     I’ll write it straight:¹³⁸

               The matter’s in my head and in my heart.

140

140         I will be bitter with him and passing¹⁴⁰ short.

               Go with me, Silvius.

       Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 1

running scene 9 continues

       Enter Rosalind, and Celia and Jaques

JAQUES

JAQUES     I prithee, pretty youth, let me be better acquainted with thee.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     They say you are a melancholy fellow.

JAQUES

JAQUES     I am so. I do love it better than laughing.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Those that are in extremity of either are abominable fellows, and betray⁴ themselves to every modern censure⁵ worse than drunkards.

JAQUES

JAQUES     Why, ’tis good to be sad⁶ and say nothing.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Why then, ’tis good to be a post.⁷

JAQUES

JAQUES     I have neither the scholar’s melancholy, which is emulation,⁸ nor the musician’s, which is fantastical,⁹ nor the courtier’s, which is proud, nor the soldier’s, which is ambitious, nor the lawyer’s, which is politic,¹⁰ nor the lady’s, which is nice,¹¹ nor the lover’s, which is all these: but it is a melancholy of mine own, compounded of many simples,¹² extracted from many objects, and indeed the sundry¹³ contemplation of my travels, in which my often rumination wraps me in a most humorous¹⁴ sadness.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     A traveller! By my faith, you have great reason to be sad: I fear you have sold your own lands to see other men’s; then to have seen much and to have nothing is to have rich eyes and poor hands.

JAQUES

JAQUES     Yes, I have gained my experience.

       Enter Orlando

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     And your experience makes you sad: I had rather have a fool to make me merry than experience to make me sad, and to travel²⁰ for it too.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     Good day and happiness, dear Rosalind!

JAQUES

JAQUES     Nay, then, God buy you, an²² you talk in blank verse.

       [Exit]

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Farewell, Monsieur Traveller: look you lisp²³ and wear strange suits, disable all the benefits of your own country, be out of love with your nativity,²⁴ and almost chide God for making you that countenance you are; or I will scarce think you have swam²⁶ in a gondola. Why, how now, Orlando, where have you been all this while? You a lover? An you serve me such another trick, never come in my sight more.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     My fair Rosalind, I come within an hour of my promise.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Break an hour’s promise in love? He that will divide a minute into a thousand parts and break but a part of the thousand part of a minute in the affairs of love, it may be said of him that Cupid hath clapped him o’th’shoulder,³² but I’ll warrant him heart-whole.³³

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     Pardon me, dear Rosalind.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Nay, an you be so tardy, come no more in my sight. I had as lief be wooed of a snail.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     Of a snail?

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Ay, of a snail, for though he comes slowly, he carries his house on his head; a better jointure,³⁹ I think, than you make a woman. Besides, he brings his destiny with him.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     What’s that?

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Why, horns,⁴² which such as you are fain to be beholding to your wives for: but he comes armed⁴³ in his fortune and prevents the slander of his wife.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     Virtue is no horn-maker, and my Rosalind is virtuous.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     And I am your Rosalind.

CELIA

CELIA     It pleases him to call you so, but he hath a Rosalind of a better leer⁴⁶ than you.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Come, woo me, woo me, for now I am in a holiday humour⁴⁷ and like enough to consent. What would you say to me now, an I were your very⁴⁸ very Rosalind?

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     I would kiss before I spoke.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Nay, you were better speak first, and when you were gravelled⁵¹ for lack of matter, you might take occasion to kiss. Very good orators, when they are out,⁵² they will spit. And for lovers lacking — God warn⁵³ us! — matter, the cleanliest shift is to kiss.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     How if the kiss be denied?

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Then she puts you to entreaty, and there begins new matter.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     Who⁵⁷ could be out, being before his beloved mistress?

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Marry, that should you, if I were your mistress, or I should think my honesty⁵⁹ ranker than my wit.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     What, of my suit?⁶⁰

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Not out of your apparel, and yet out of your suit. Am not I your Rosalind?

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     I take some joy to say you are, because I would be talking of her.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Well, in her person, I say I will not have you.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     Then, in mine own person, I die.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     No, faith, die by attorney.⁶⁵ The poor world is almost six thousand years old, and in all this time there was not any man died in his own person, videlicet,⁶⁶ in a love-cause. Troilus⁶⁷ had his brains dashed out with a Grecian club, yet he did what he could to die⁶⁸ before, and he is one of the patterns of love. Leander, he would have lived many a fair year though⁶⁹ Hero had turned nun, if it had not been for a hot midsummer night, for, good youth, he went but forth to wash him in the Hellespont and being taken with the cramp was drowned. And the foolish chroniclers of that age found it⁷² was ‘Hero of Sestos’. But these are all lies: men have died from time to time and worms have eaten them, but not for love.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     I would not have my right⁷⁴ Rosalind of this mind, for I protest her frown might kill me.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     By this hand, it will not kill a fly. But come, now I will be your Rosalind in a more coming-on⁷⁷ disposition. And ask me what you will, I will grant it.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     Then love me, Rosalind.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Yes, faith, will I, Fridays and Saturdays⁷⁹ and all.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     And wilt thou have me?

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Ay, and twenty⁸¹ such.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     What sayest thou?

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Are you not good?

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     I hope so.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Why then, can one desire too much of a good thing? Come, sister, you shall be the priest and marry us. Give me your hand, Orlando. What do you say, sister?

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     Pray thee marry us.

CELIA

CELIA     I cannot say the words.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     You must begin, ‘Will you, Orlando —’

CELIA

CELIA     Go to.⁹¹ Will you, Orlando, have to wife this Rosalind?

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     I will.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Ay, but when?

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     Why now, as fast⁹⁴ as she can marry us.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Then you must say ‘I take thee, Rosalind, for wife.’

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     I take thee, Rosalind, for wife.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     I might ask you for your commission,⁹⁷ but I do take thee, Orlando, for my husband. There’s a girl goes⁹⁸ before the priest, and certainly a woman’s thought runs before her actions.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     So do all thoughts: they are winged.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Now tell me how long you would have her after you have possessed¹⁰¹ her.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     Forever and a day.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Say ‘a day’, without the ‘ever’. No, no, Orlando. Men are April when they woo, December when they wed. Maids are May when they are maids, but the sky changes when they are wives. I will be more jealous of thee than a Barbary cock-pigeon¹⁰⁵ over his hen, more clamorous than a parrot against¹⁰⁶ rain, more new-fangled¹⁰⁷ than an ape, more giddy in my desires than a monkey. I will weep for nothing, like Diana¹⁰⁸ in the fountain, and I will do that when you are disposed to be merry. I will laugh like a hyena, and that when thou art inclined to sleep.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     But will my Rosalind do so?

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     By my life, she will do as I do.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     O, but she is wise.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Or else she could not have the wit to do this: the wiser, the waywarder.¹¹⁴ Make¹¹⁵ the doors upon a woman’s wit and it will out at the casement. Shut that and ’twill out at the key-hole. Stop that, ’twill fly with the smoke out at the chimney.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     A man that had a wife with such a wit, he might say ‘Wit, whither wilt?’¹¹⁸

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Nay, you might keep that check¹¹⁹ for it till you met your wife’s wit going to your neighbour’s bed.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     And what wit could wit have to excuse that?

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Marry, to say she came to seek you there. You shall never take¹²² her without her answer, unless you take her without her tongue. O, that woman that cannot make her fault¹²⁴ her husband’s occasion, let her never nurse her child herself, for she will breed it like a fool.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     For these two hours, Rosalind, I will leave thee.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Alas, dear love, I cannot lack thee two hours.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     I must attend the duke at dinner. By two o’clock I will be with thee again.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Ay, go your ways, go your ways. I knew what you would prove: my friends told me as much, and I thought no less. That flattering tongue of yours won me. ’Tis but¹³¹ one cast away, and so, come, death! Two o’clock is your hour?

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     Ay, sweet Rosalind.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     By my troth, and in good earnest, and so God mend me, and by all pretty oaths that are not dangerous, if you break one jot of your promise or come one minute behind your hour,¹³⁵ I will think you the most pathetical break-promise and the most hollow lover and the most unworthy of her you call Rosalind that may be chosen out of the gross¹³⁷ band of the unfaithful: therefore beware my censure and keep your promise.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     With no less religion¹³⁹ than if thou wert indeed my Rosalind: so adieu.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Well, time is the old justice that examines all such offenders, and let time try.¹⁴¹ Adieu.

       Exit [Orlando]

CELIA

CELIA     You have simply misused¹⁴² our sex in your love-prate: we must have your doublet and hose plucked over your head, and show the world what¹⁴³ the bird hath done to her own nest.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     O coz, coz, coz, my pretty little coz, that thou didst know how many fathom¹⁴⁶ deep I am in love! But it cannot be sounded: my affection hath an unknown bottom, like the Bay of Portugal.

CELIA

CELIA     Or rather, bottomless, that as fast as you pour affection in, it runs out.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     No, that same wicked bastard of Venus¹⁴⁹ that was begot of thought, conceived of spleen¹⁵⁰ and born of madness, that blind rascally boy that abuses everyone’s eyes because his own are out, let him be judge how deep I am in love. I’ll tell thee, Aliena, I cannot be out of the sight of Orlando: I’ll go find a shadow¹⁵² and sigh till he come.

CELIA

CELIA     And I’ll sleep.

       Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 2

running scene 10

       Enter Jaques and Lords [as] foresters

JAQUES

JAQUES     Which is he that killed the deer?

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     Sir, it was I.

JAQUES

JAQUES     Let’s present him to the duke like a Roman conqueror. And it would do well to set the deer’s horns upon his head for a branch⁴ of victory. Have you no song, forester, for this purpose?

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     Yes, sir.

JAQUES

JAQUES     Sing it: ’tis no matter how it be in tune, so it make noise enough.

       Music, song

LORDS

LORDS     What shall he have that killed the deer?

                                    His leather skin and horns to wear.

10

                                    Then sing him home,

                                    The rest shall bear this burden:¹¹

                                    Take thou no scorn to wear the horn,

                                    It was a crest ere thou wast born,

                                    Thy father’s father wore it,

15

                                    And thy father bore it.

                                    The horn, the horn, the lusty¹⁶ horn,

                                    Is not a thing to laugh to scorn.

       Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 3

running scene 11

       Enter Rosalind and Celia

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     How say you now? Is it not past two o’clock? And here much Orlando!¹

CELIA

CELIA     I warrant you, with pure love and troubled brain, he hath ta’en his bow and arrows and is gone forth to sleep.

       Enter Silvius With a letter

                  Look, who comes here.

5

5     

SILVIUS

SILVIUS           My errand is to you, fair youth. To Rosalind

               My gentle Phoebe bid me give you this:

               I know not the contents, but — as I guess

               By the stern brow and waspish⁸ action

               Which she did use⁹ as she was writing of it —

10

10           It bears an angry tenor; pardon me,

               I am but as a guiltless messenger.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Patience herself would startle at this letter Reads letter

               And play the swaggerer.¹³ Bear this, bear all:

               She says I am not fair, that I lack manners.

15

15           She calls me proud, and that she could not love me,

               Were man as rare as phoenix.¹⁶ ’Od’s my will!

               Her love is not the hare that I do hunt.

               Why writes she so to me? Well, shepherd, well,

               This is a letter of your own device.¹⁹

20

20   

SILVIUS

SILVIUS           No, I protest,²⁰ I know not the contents.

               Phoebe did write it.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Come, come, you are a fool

               And turned into the extremity of love.

               I saw her hand. She has a leathern²⁴ hand,

25

25           A freestone-coloured²⁵ hand. I verily did think

               That her old gloves were on, but ’twas her hands.

               She has a huswife’s²⁷ hand, but that’s no matter:

               I say she never did invent this letter,

               This is a man’s invention²⁹ and his hand.

30

30   

SILVIUS

SILVIUS           Sure, it is hers.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Why, ’tis a boisterous³¹ and a cruel style.

               A style for challengers. Why, she defies me,

               Like Turk to Christian. Women’s gentle brain

               Could not drop forth such giant-rude³⁴ invention,

35

35           Such Ethiope³⁵ words, blacker in their effect

               Than in their countenance. Will you hear the letter?

SILVIUS

SILVIUS     So please you, for I never heard it yet,

               Yet heard too much of Phoebe’s cruelty.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     She Phoebes³⁹ me. Mark how the tyrant writes:

40

               ‘Art thou god to shepherd turned,

       Read

                                    That a maiden’s heart hath burned?’

               Can a woman rail thus?

SILVIUS

SILVIUS     Call you this railing?

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     ‘Why, thy godhead laid apart,⁴⁴

       Reads

45

               Warr’st thou with a woman’s heart?’

                                    Did you ever hear such railing?

                                    ‘Whiles the eye of man did woo me,

                                    That could do no vengeance⁴⁸ to me.’

                                    Meaning me a beast.

50

               ‘If the scorn of your bright eyne⁵⁰

                                    Have power to raise such love in mine,

                                    Alack, in me what strange effect

                                    Would they work in mild aspect!⁵³

                                    Whiles you chid me, I did love.

55

               How then might your prayers⁵⁵ move!

                                    He that brings this love to thee

                                    Little knows this love in me;

                                    And by⁵⁸ him seal up thy mind,

                                    Whether that thy youth and kind⁵⁹

60

                                    Will the faithful offer take

                                    Of me and all that I can make,⁶¹

                                    Or else by him my love deny,

                                    And then I’ll study how to die.’

SILVIUS

SILVIUS     Call you this chiding?

65

65   

CELIA

CELIA           Alas, poor shepherd!

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Do you pity him? No, he deserves no pity. Wilt thou love such a woman? What, to make thee an instrument⁶⁷ and play false strains upon thee? Not to be endured! Well, go your way to her, for I see love hath made thee a tame snake,⁶⁸ and say this to her: that if she love me, I charge her to love thee. If she will not, I will never have her unless thou entreat for her. If you be a true lover, hence, and not a word, for here comes more company.

       Exit Silvius

       Enter Oliver

OLIVER

OLIVER     Good morrow, fair ones: pray you, if you know,

               Where in the purlieus⁷³ of this forest stands

               A sheep-cote fenced about with olive trees?

75

75   

CELIA

CELIA           West of this place, down in the neighbour bottom.⁷⁵

               The rank of osiers⁷⁶ by the murmuring stream

               Left⁷⁷ on your right hand brings you to the place.

               But at this hour the house doth keep itself,

               There’s none within.

80

80   

OLIVER

OLIVER           If that an eye may profit by a tongue,

               Then should I know you by description,

               Such garments and such years: ‘The boy is fair,

               Of female favour,⁸³ and bestows himself

               Like a ripe⁸⁴ sister. The woman low

85

85           And browner than her brother.’ Are not you

               The owner of the house I did inquire for?

CELIA

CELIA     It is no boast, being asked, to say we are.

OLIVER

OLIVER     Orlando doth commend him⁸⁸ to you both,

               And to that youth he calls his Rosalind

90

90           He sends this bloody napkin.⁹⁰ Are you he? Shows bloody handkerchief

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     I am. What must we understand by this?

OLIVER

OLIVER     Some of my shame, if you will know of me

               What man I am, and how, and why, and where

               This handkercher⁹⁴ was stained.

95

95   

CELIA

CELIA           I pray you tell it.

OLIVER

OLIVER     When last the young Orlando parted from you,

               He left a promise to return again

               Within an hour, and pacing through the forest,

               Chewing the food of sweet and bitter fancy,⁹⁹

100

100         Lo, what befell! He threw his eye aside,

               And mark what object did present itself:

               Und’r an old oak, whose boughs were mossed with age

               And high top bald¹⁰³ with dry antiquity,

               A wretched ragged man, o’ergrown with hair,

105

105         Lay sleeping on his back; about his neck

               A green and gilded¹⁰⁶ snake had wreathed itself,

               Who with her head nimble in threats approached

               The opening of his mouth. But suddenly,

               Seeing Orlando, it unlinked¹⁰⁹ itself,

110

110         And with indented¹¹⁰ glides did slip away

               Into a bush, under which bush’s shade

               A lioness, with udders all drawn dry,

               Lay couching,¹¹³ head on ground, with catlike watch

               When that¹¹⁴ the sleeping man should stir; for ’tis

115

115         The royal disposition of that beast

               To prey on nothing that doth seem as dead.

               This seen, Orlando did approach the man

               And found it was his brother, his elder brother.

CELIA

CELIA     O, I have heard him speak of that same brother,

120

120         And he did render him¹²⁰ the most unnatural

               That lived amongst men.

OLIVER

OLIVER     And well he might so do,

               For well I know he was unnatural.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     But to¹²⁴ Orlando: did he leave him there,

125

125         Food to the sucked and hungry lioness?

OLIVER

OLIVER     Twice did he turn his back and purposed so,

               But kindness,¹²⁷ nobler ever than revenge,

               And nature, stronger than his just occasion,¹²⁸

               Made him give battle to the lioness,

130

130         Who quickly fell before him, in which hurtling¹³⁰

               From miserable slumber I awaked.

CELIA

CELIA     Are you his brother?

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Was’t you he rescued?

CELIA

CELIA     Was’t you that did so oft contrive to kill him?

135

135 

OLIVER

OLIVER             ’Twas I, but ’tis not I. I do not shame

               To tell you what I was, since my conversion

               So sweetly tastes, being the thing I am.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     But, for¹³⁸ the bloody napkin?

OLIVER

OLIVER     By and by.

140

140         When from the first to last betwixt us two,

               Tears our recountments¹⁴¹ had most kindly bathed,

               As how I came into that desert place:

               In brief, he led me to the gentle duke,

               Who gave me fresh array¹⁴⁴ and entertainment,

145

145         Committing me unto my brother’s love,

               Who led me instantly unto his cave,

               There stripped himself, and here upon his arm

               The lioness had torn some flesh away,

               Which all this while had bled; and now he fainted

150

150         And cried, in fainting, upon Rosalind.

               Brief,¹⁵¹ I recovered him, bound up his wound,

               And after some small space,¹⁵² being strong at heart,

               He sent me hither, stranger as I am,

               To tell this story, that you might excuse

155

155         His broken promise, and to give this napkin,

               Dyed in this blood, unto the shepherd youth

               That he in sport doth call his Rosalind. Rosalind faints

CELIA

CELIA     Why, how now, Ganymede? Sweet Ganymede!

OLIVER

OLIVER     Many will swoon when they do look on blood.

160

160 

CELIA

CELIA             There is more in it. Cousin Ganymede!

OLIVER

OLIVER     Look, he recovers.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     I would I were at home.

CELIA

CELIA     We’ll lead you thither.— I pray you, will you take him by the arm? They get Rosalind to her feet

OLIVER

OLIVER     Be of good cheer, youth. You a man! You lack a man’s heart.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     I do so, I confess it. Ah, sirrah, a body¹⁶⁵ would think this was well counterfeited! I pray you tell your brother how well I counterfeited. Heigh-ho!

OLIVER

OLIVER     This was not counterfeit: there is too great testimony in your complexion that it was a passion of earnest.¹⁶⁸

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Counterfeit, I assure you.

OLIVER

OLIVER     Well then, take a good heart and counterfeit to be a man.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     So I do. But, i’faith, I should have been a woman by right.

CELIA

CELIA     Come, you look paler and paler. Pray you draw homewards. Good sir, go with us.

OLIVER

OLIVER     That will I, for I must bear answer back How you excuse my brother, Rosalind.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     I shall devise something: but I pray you commend my counterfeiting to him. Will you go?

       Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 1

running scene 11 continues

       Enter Clown [Touchstone] and Audrey

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     We shall find a time, Audrey. Patience, gentle Audrey.

AUDREY

AUDREY     Faith, the priest was good enough, for all the old gentleman’s² saying.

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     A most wicked Sir Oliver, Audrey, a most vile Martext. But, Audrey, there is a youth here in the forest lays claim to you.

AUDREY

AUDREY     Ay, I know who ’tis: he hath no interest in⁵ me in the world. Here comes the man you mean.

       Enter William

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     It is meat and drink to me to see a clown.⁷ By my troth, we that have good wits have much to answer for. We shall be flouting:⁸ we cannot hold.

WILLIAM

WILLIAM     Good ev’n, Audrey.

AUDREY

AUDREY     God ye¹⁰ good ev’n, William.

WILLIAM

WILLIAM     And good ev’n to you, sir.

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     Good ev’n, gentle friend. Cover thy head,¹² cover thy head. Nay, prithee be covered. How old are you, friend?

WILLIAM

WILLIAM     Five and twenty, sir.

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     A ripe age. Is thy name William?

WILLIAM

WILLIAM     William, sir.

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     A fair name. Wast born i’th’forest here?

WILLIAM

WILLIAM     Ay, sir, I thank God.

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     ‘Thank God’. A good¹⁹ answer. Art rich?

WILLIAM

WILLIAM     Faith, sir, so-so.

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     ‘So-so’ is good, very good, very excellent good. And yet it is not, it is but so-so. Art thou wise?

WILLIAM

WILLIAM     Ay, sir, I have a pretty wit.

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     Why, thou sayest well. I do now remember a saying: ‘The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.’ The heathen philosopher, when he had a desire to eat a grape, would open his lips when he put it into his mouth, meaning thereby that grapes were made to eat and lips to open. You do love this maid?

WILLIAM

WILLIAM     I do, sir.

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     Give me your hand. Art thou learnèd?³⁰

WILLIAM

WILLIAM     No, sir.

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     Then learn this of me: to have is to have, for it is a figure³² in rhetoric that drink, being poured out of a cup into a glass, by filling the one doth empty the other. For all your writers do consent that ipse³⁴ is he. Now, you are not ipse, for I am he.

WILLIAM

WILLIAM     Which he, sir?

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     He, sir, that must marry this woman: therefore, you clown, abandon —which is in the vulgar³⁸ ‘leave’ — the society — which in the boorish is ‘company’ — of this female — which in the common³⁹ is ‘woman’, which together is: abandon the society of this female, or, clown, thou perishest. Or, to thy better understanding, diest; or, to wit,⁴¹ I kill thee, make thee away, translate thy life into death, thy liberty into bondage. I will deal in poison with thee, or in bastinado,⁴² or in steel; I will bandy⁴³ with thee in faction; I will o’errun thee with policy. I will kill thee a hundred and fifty ways: therefore tremble and depart.

AUDREY

AUDREY     Do, good William.

WILLIAM

WILLIAM     God rest⁴⁶ you merry, sir.

       Exit

       Enter Corin

CORIN

CORIN     Our master and mistress seeks you. Come, away, away!

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     Trip,⁴⁸ Audrey, trip, Audrey.— I attend, I attend.

       Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 2

running scene 11 continues

       Enter Orlando and Oliver Orlando with his arm in a sling

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     Is’t possible that on so little acquaintance you should like her? That but seeing, you should love her? And loving, woo? And wooing, she should grant? And will you persever³ to enjoy her?

OLIVER

OLIVER     Neither call the giddiness of it in question, the poverty of her, the small acquaintance, my sudden wooing, nor her sudden consenting. But say with me, I love Aliena. Say with her that she loves me; consent with both that we may enjoy each other. It shall be to your good, for my father’s house and all the revenue that was old Sir Rowland’s will I estate⁸ upon you, and here live and die a shepherd.

       Enter Rosalind

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     You have my consent. Let your wedding be tomorrow: thither will I invite the duke and all’s¹⁰ contented followers. Go you and prepare Aliena; for look you, here comes my Rosalind.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     God save you, brother.¹²

OLIVER

OLIVER     And you, fair ‘sister’.¹³

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     O my dear Orlando, how it grieves me to see thee wear thy heart in a scarf!¹⁴

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     It is my arm.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     I thought thy heart had been wounded with the claws of a lion.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     Wounded it is, but with the eyes of a lady.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Did your brother tell you how I counterfeited to swoon when he showed me your handkerchief?

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     Ay, and greater wonders than that.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     O, I know where you are:²¹ nay, ’tis true. There was never anything so sudden but the fight of two rams and Caesar’s thrasonical²² brag of ‘I came, saw, and overcame.’ For your brother and my sister no sooner met but they looked, no sooner looked but they loved, no sooner loved but they sighed, no sooner sighed but they asked one another the reason, no sooner knew the reason but they sought the remedy: and in these degrees²⁶ have they made a pair of stairs to marriage, which they will climb incontinent,²⁷ or else be incontinent before marriage; they are in the very wrath²⁸ of love and they will together: clubs cannot part them.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     They shall be married tomorrow, and I will bid³⁰ the duke to the nuptial. But O, how bitter a thing it is to look into happiness through another man’s eyes! By so much the more shall I tomorrow be at the height of heart-heaviness, by how much I shall think my brother happy in having what he wishes for.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Why then, tomorrow I cannot serve your turn³⁴ for Rosalind?

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     I can live no longer by thinking.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     I will weary you then no longer with idle talking. Know of me then, for now I speak to some purpose, that I know you are a gentleman of good conceit:³⁷ I speak not this that you should bear a good opinion of my knowledge, insomuch³⁸ I say I know you are. Neither³⁹ do I labour for a greater esteem than may in some little measure draw a belief from you, to do yourself good and not to grace me. Believe then, if you please, that I can do strange things: I have, since I was three year old, conversed with a magician, most profound in his art and yet not damnable.⁴² If you do love Rosalind so near the heart as your gesture⁴³ cries it out, when your brother marries Aliena, shall you marry her. I know into what straits⁴⁴ of fortune she is driven, and it is not impossible to me, if it appear not inconvenient⁴⁶ to you, to set her before your eyes tomorrow, human as she is, and without any danger.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     Speak’st thou in sober⁴⁸ meanings?

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     By my life, I do, which I tender⁴⁹ dearly, though I say I am a magician: therefore, put you in your best array,⁵⁰ bid your friends, for if you will be married tomorrow, you shall, and to Rosalind, if you will.

       Enter Silvius and Phoebe

                  Look, here comes a lover of mine and a lover of hers.

PHOEBE

PHOEBE     Youth, you have done me much ungentleness,⁵³

               To show the letter that I writ to you.

55

55   

ROSALIND

ROSALIND           I care not if I have. It is my study⁵⁵

               To seem despiteful⁵⁶ and ungentle to you.

               You are there followed by a faithful shepherd.

               Look upon him, love him: he worships you.

PHOEBE

PHOEBE     Good shepherd, tell this youth what ’tis to love.

60

60   

SILVIUS

SILVIUS           It is to be all made of sighs and tears,

               And so am I for Phoebe.

PHOEBE

PHOEBE     And I for Ganymede.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     And I for Rosalind.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     And I for no woman.

65

65   

SILVIUS

SILVIUS           It is to be all made of faith and service,⁶⁵

               And so am I for Phoebe.

PHOEBE

PHOEBE     And I for Ganymede.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     And I for Rosalind.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     And I for no woman.

70

70   

SILVIUS

SILVIUS           It is to be all made of fantasy,

               All made of passion and all made of wishes,

               All adoration, duty, and observance,⁷²

               All humbleness, all patience and impatience,

               All purity, all trial, all observance,

75

75           And so am I for Phoebe.

PHOEBE

PHOEBE     And so am I for Ganymede.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     And so am I for Rosalind.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     And so am I for no woman.

PHOEBE

PHOEBE     If this be so, why blame you me to love you? To Rosalind

80

80   

SILVIUS

SILVIUS           If this be so, why blame you me to love you? To Phoebe

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     If this be so, why blame you me to love you?

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Who do you speak to? ‘Why blame you me to love you?’

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     To her that is not here, nor doth not hear.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     Pray you no more of this. ’Tis like the howling of Irish wolves against the moon.—

85

85           

               I will help you if I can.— To Silvius

               I would love you, if I could.— To Phoebe

               Tomorrow meet me all together.— To all

               I will marry you, if ever I marry woman, and I’ll be married tomorrow.— To Phoebe

90

90           I will satisfy⁹⁰ you, if ever I satisfied man, and you shall be married tomorrow.— To Orlando

               I will content you, if what pleases you contents you, and you shall be married To Silvius tomorrow.—

               As you love Rosalind, meet.— To Orlando

               As you love Phoebe, meet.— And as I love no woman, I’ll meet. So fare you well: To Silvius

95

95           I have left you commands.

SILVIUS

SILVIUS     I’ll not fail,⁹⁶ if I live.

PHOEBE

PHOEBE     Nor I.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     Nor I.

       Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 3

running scene 11 continues

       Enter Clown [Touchstone] and Audrey

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     Tomorrow is the joyful day, Audrey: tomorrow will we be married.

AUDREY

AUDREY     I do desire it with all my heart, and I hope it is no dishonest² desire to desire to be a woman³ of the world. Here come two of the banished duke’s pages.

       Enter two Pages

FIRST PAGE

FIRST PAGE     Well met, honest⁴ gentleman.

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     By my troth, well met. Come, sit, sit, and a song.

SECOND PAGE

SECOND PAGE     We are for you. Sit i’th’middle. They sit

FIRST PAGE

FIRST PAGE     Shall we clap into’t roundly,⁷ without hawking or spitting or saying we are hoarse, which are the only⁸ prologues to a bad voice?

SECOND PAGE

SECOND PAGE     I’faith, i’faith, and both in a tune,⁹ like two gypsies on a horse.

                                    Song

10

                                    It was a lover and his lass,

                                    With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonino,

                                    That o’er the green cornfield did pass

                                    In the spring-time,¹³ the only pretty ring-time,

                                    When birds do sing, hey ding a ding, ding.

15

                                    Sweet lovers love the spring.

                                    And therefore take¹⁶ the present time,

                                    With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonino,

                                    For love is crownèd with the prime¹⁸

                                    In spring-time, etc.¹⁹

20

                                    Between the acres of the rye,

                                    With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonino,

                                    These pretty country folks would lie

                                    In spring-time, etc.

                                    This carol²⁴ they began that hour,

25

                                    With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonino,

                                    How that a life was but a flower

                                    In spring-time, etc.

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     Truly, young gentlemen, though there was no great matter in the ditty,²⁸ yet the note²⁹ was very untunable.

FIRST PAGE

FIRST PAGE     You are deceived, sir: we kept time, we lost not our time.

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     By my troth, yes: I count it but time lost to hear such a foolish song. God buy you, and God mend your voices! Come, Audrey.

       Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 4

running scene 12

       Enter Duke Senior, Amiens, Jaques, Orlando, Oliver, Celia

DUKE SENIOR

DUKE SENIOR     Dost thou believe, Orlando, that the boy

               Can do all this that he hath promisèd?

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     I sometimes do believe and sometimes do not,

               As those that fear they hope and know they fear.

       Enter Rosalind, Silvius and Phoebe

5

5     

ROSALIND

ROSALIND           Patience once more, whiles our compact⁵ is urged:

               You say, if I bring in your Rosalind, you will bestow her on Orlando here? To Duke Senior

DUKE SENIOR

DUKE SENIOR     That would I, had I kingdoms to give with her.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     And you say, you will have her, when I bring her? To Orlando

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     That would I, were I of all kingdoms king.

10

10   

ROSALIND

ROSALIND           You say, you’ll marry me, if I be willing? To Phoebe

PHOEBE

PHOEBE     That will I, should I die the hour after.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     But if you do refuse to marry me,

               You’ll give yourself to this most faithful shepherd?

PHOEBE

PHOEBE     So is the bargain.

15

15   

ROSALIND

ROSALIND           You say, that you’ll have Phoebe, if she will? To Silvius

SILVIUS

SILVIUS     Though to have her and death were both one thing.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     I have promised to make¹⁷ all this matter even.

               Keep you your word, O duke, to give your daughter,

               You yours, Orlando, to receive his daughter.

20

20           Keep you your word, Phoebe, that you’ll marry me,

               Or else refusing me, to wed this shepherd.

               Keep your word, Silvius, that you’ll marry her

               If she refuse me. And from hence I go,

               To make these doubts all even.

       Exeunt Rosalind and Celia

25

25   

DUKE SENIOR

DUKE SENIOR           I do remember in this shepherd boy

               Some lively²⁶ touches of my daughter’s favour.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     My lord, the first time that I ever saw him

               Methought he was a brother to your daughter:

               But, my good lord, this boy is forest-born,

30

30           And hath been tutored in the rudiments³⁰

               Of many desperate³¹ studies by his uncle,

               Whom he reports to be a great magician,

       Enter Clown [Touchstone] and Audrey

               Obscurèd³³ in the circle of this forest.

JAQUES

JAQUES     There is, sure, another flood toward,³⁴ and these couples are coming to the ark. Here comes a pair of very strange beasts, which in all tongues³⁵ are called fools.

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     Salutation and greeting to you all!

JAQUES

JAQUES     Good my lord, bid him welcome: this is the motley-minded³⁷ gentleman that I have so often met in the forest. He hath been a courtier, he swears.

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     If any man doubt that, let him put me to my purgation.³⁹ I have trod a measure,⁴⁰ I have flattered a lady, I have been politic with my friend, smooth with mine enemy, I have undone⁴¹ three tailors, I have had four quarrels, and like to have fought one.

JAQUES

JAQUES     And how was that ta’en up?⁴³

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     Faith, we met, and found the quarrel was upon the seventh cause.

JAQUES

JAQUES     How seventh cause? Good my lord, like this fellow.

DUKE SENIOR

DUKE SENIOR     I like him very well.

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     God ’ild⁴⁷ you, sir, I desire you of the like. I press in here, sir, amongst the rest of the country copulatives,⁴⁸ to swear and to forswear, according as marriage binds and blood breaks.⁴⁹ A poor virgin, sir, an ill-favoured thing, sir, but mine own, a poor humour⁵⁰ of mine, sir, to take that that no man else will. Rich honesty dwells like a miser, sir, in a poor house, as your pearl in your foul⁵¹ oyster.

DUKE SENIOR

DUKE SENIOR     By my faith, he is very swift⁵² and sententious.

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     According to the fool’s bolt,⁵³ sir, and such dulcet diseases.

JAQUES

JAQUES     But, for the seventh cause. How did you find the quarrel on the seventh cause?

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     Upon a lie seven times removed — bear your body more seeming,⁵⁶ Audrey — as⁵⁷ thus, sir: I did dislike the cut of a certain courtier’s beard. He sent me word, if I said his beard was not cut well, he was in the mind⁵⁸ it was: this is called the Retort Courteous. If I sent him word again it was not well cut, he would send me word, he cut it to please himself: this is called the Quip Modest. If again it was not well cut, he disabled⁶¹ my judgement: this is called the Reply Churlish. If again it was not well cut, he would answer, I spake not true: this is called the Reproof Valiant. If again it was not well cut, he would say I lied: this is called the Countercheck⁶⁴ Quarrelsome: and so to the Lie Circumstantial and the Lie Direct.

JAQUES

JAQUES     And how oft did you say his beard was not well cut?

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     I durst go no further than the Lie Circumstantial, nor he durst not give me the Lie Direct, and so we measured swords⁶⁷ and parted.

JAQUES

JAQUES     Can you nominate⁶⁸ in order now the degrees of the lie?

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE     O sir, we quarrel in print,⁶⁹ by the book, as you have books for good manners. I will name you the degrees: The first, the Retort Courteous: the second, the Quip Modest: the third, the Reply Churlish: the fourth, the Reproof Valiant: the fifth, the Countercheck Quarrelsome: the sixth, the Lie with Circumstance: the seventh, the Lie Direct. All these you may avoid but the Lie Direct, and you may avoid that too, with an ‘if’. I knew when seven justices could not take up⁷⁵ a quarrel, but when the parties were met themselves, one of them thought but of an ‘if’, as, ‘If you said so, then I said so’, and they shook hands and swore brothers.⁷⁷ Your ‘if’ is the only peacemaker. Much virtue in ‘if’.

JAQUES

JAQUES     Is not this a rare⁷⁸ fellow, my lord? He’s as good at anything and yet a fool.

DUKE SENIOR

DUKE SENIOR     He uses his folly like a stalking-horse⁷⁹ and under the presentation of that he shoots his wit.

       Enter Hymen, Rosalind and Celia. Still music

HYMEN

HYMEN     Then is there mirth⁸¹ in heaven,

               When earthly things made even⁸²

               Atone⁸³ together.

               Good duke, receive thy daughter,

85

85           Hymen from heaven brought her,

               Yea, brought her hither,

               That thou mightst join her hand with his

               Whose heart within his bosom is.

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     To you I give myself, for I am yours.— To Duke Senior

90

90           To you I give myself, for I am yours. To Orlando

DUKE SENIOR

DUKE SENIOR     If there be truth in sight, you are my daughter.

ORLANDO

ORLANDO     If there be truth in sight, you are my Rosalind.

PHOEBE

PHOEBE     If sight and shape⁹³ be true,

               Why then, my love adieu!

95

95   

ROSALIND

ROSALIND           I’ll have no father, if you be not he.— To Duke Senior

               I’ll have no husband, if you be not he.— To Orlando

               Nor ne’er wed woman, if you be not she. To Phoebe

HYMEN

HYMEN     Peace, ho! I bar⁹⁸ confusion:

               ’Tis I must make conclusion

100

100         Of these most strange events.

               Here’s eight that must take hands

               To join in Hymen’s bands,¹⁰²

               If truth holds true contents.—

               You and you no cross¹⁰⁴ shall part;— To Orlando and Rosalind

105

105         You and you are heart in heart.— To Oliver and Celia

               You to his love must accord,¹⁰⁶ To Phoebe

               Or have a woman to your lord.¹⁰⁷—

               You and you are sure¹⁰⁸ together, To Touchstone and Audrey

               As the winter to foul weather.—

110

110         Whiles a wedlock-hymn we sing,

               Feed yourselves with questioning,¹¹¹

               That reason wonder may diminish

               How thus we met, and these things finish.

       Song

                                    Wedding is great Juno’s¹¹⁴ crown,

115

115             O, blessèd bond of board and bed!¹¹⁵

                                    ’Tis Hymen peoples¹¹⁶ every town,

                                    High wedlock then be honourèd:

                                    Honour, high honour and renown,

                                    To Hymen, god of every town!

120

120 

DUKE SENIOR

DUKE SENIOR             O my dear niece, welcome thou art to me! To Celia

               Even daughter, welcome, in no less degree.

PHOEBE

PHOEBE     I will not eat my word, now thou¹²² art mine, To Silvius

               Thy faith my fancy¹²³ to thee doth combine.

       Enter Second Brother [Jaques de Bois]

JAQUES DE BOIS

JAQUES DE BOIS     Let me have audience for a word or two:

125

125         I am the second son of old Sir Rowland,

               That bring these tidings to this fair assembly.

               Duke Frederick, hearing how that every day

               Men of great worth resorted to this forest,

               Addressed¹²⁹ a mighty power, which were on foot,

130

130         In¹³⁰ his own conduct, purposely to take

               His brother here and put him to the sword:

               And to the skirts of this wild wood he came;

               Where, meeting with an old religious man,

               After some question with him, was converted

135

135         Both from his enterprise and from the world,¹³⁵

               His crown bequeathing to his banished brother,

               And all their lands restored to them again

               That were with him exiled. This to be true,

               I do engage¹³⁹ my life.

140

140 

DUKE SENIOR

DUKE SENIOR             Welcome, young man.

               Thou offer’st fairly¹⁴¹ to thy brothers’ wedding:

               To one his lands withheld, and to the other

               A land itself at large,¹⁴³ a potent dukedom.

               First, in this forest, let us do those ends¹⁴⁴

145

145         That here were well begun and well begot:

               And after, every¹⁴⁶ of this happy number

               That have endured shrewd¹⁴⁷ days and nights with us

               Shall share the good of our returnèd fortune,

               According to the measure of their states.¹⁴⁹

150

150         Meantime, forget this new-fall’n¹⁵⁰ dignity

               And fall into our rustic revelry.

               Play, music! And you, brides and bridegrooms all,

               With¹⁵³ measure heaped in joy, to th’measures fall.

JAQUES

JAQUES     Sir, by your patience.¹⁵⁴ If I heard you rightly,

155

155         The duke hath put on a religious life

               And thrown into neglect the pompous¹⁵⁶ court?

JAQUES DE BOIS

JAQUES DE BOIS     He hath.

JAQUES

JAQUES     To him will I: out of these convertites¹⁵⁸

               There is much matter to be heard and learned.—

160

160         You to your former honour I bequeath, To Duke Senior

               Your patience and your virtue well deserves it.—

               You to a love that your true faith doth merit.— To Orlando

               You to your land and love and great allies.¹⁶³— To Oliver

               You to a long and well-deservèd bed.— To Silvius

165

165         And you to wrangling, for thy loving voyage To Touchstone

               Is but¹⁶⁶ for two months victualled. So, to your pleasures.

               I am for other than for dancing measures.

DUKE SENIOR

DUKE SENIOR     Stay, Jaques, stay.

JAQUES

JAQUES     To see no pastime, I. What you would have

170

170         I’ll stay to know at your abandoned cave.

       Exit

DUKE SENIOR

DUKE SENIOR     Proceed, proceed.— We’ll begin these rites,

               As we do trust they’ll end, in true delights. They dance

       [Exeunt all but Rosalind]

ROSALIND

ROSALIND     It is not the fashion to see the lady the epilogue, but it is no more unhandsome¹⁷⁴ than to see the lord the prologue. If it be true that good wine needs no bush,¹⁷⁵ ’tis true that a good play needs no epilogue. Yet to good wine they do use good bushes, and good plays prove the better by the help of good epilogues. What a case¹⁷⁷ am I in then, that am neither a good epilogue nor cannot insinuate with you in the behalf of a good play! I am not furnished¹⁷⁸ like a beggar, therefore to beg will not become me. My way is to conjure¹⁷⁹ you, and I’ll begin with the women. I charge you, O women, for the love you bear to men, to like as much of this play as please you. And I charge you, O men, for the love you bear to women — as I perceive by your simpering, none of you hates them — that between you and the women the play¹⁸³ may please. If I were a woman, I would kiss as many of you as had beards that pleased me, complexions that liked¹⁸⁴ me and breaths that I defied not. And I am sure, as many as have good beards or good faces or sweet breaths will, for my kind offer, when I make curtsy, bid me farewell.¹⁸⁶

       Exit

Textual Notes

F = First Folio text of 1623, the only authority for the play

F2 = a correction introduced in the Second Folio text of 1632

F3 = a correction introduced in the Third Folio text of 1664

Ed = a correction introduced by a later editor

SH = speech heading (i.e., speaker’s name)

List of parts = Ed

1.1.73 she = F3. F = hee 107 SH OLIVER = F2. Not in F

1.2.2–3 yet I were = Ed. F = yet were 39 SH TOUCHSTONE = Ed. F = Clow. (then Clo. throughout) 58 SH CELIA = Ed. F = Ros.

1.3.71 her = F2. F = per

2.1.51 much = F2. F = must 122 be = F2. F = by

2.3.10 some = F2. F = seeme 16 SH ORLANDO = F2. Not in F 30 SH ORLANDO = F2. F = Ad. 72 seventeen = Ed. F = seauentie

2.4.36 thy = Ed. F = they wound = F2. F = would 59 you, friend = F2. F = your friend 64 travel = F3. F = trauaile

2.5.1 SH AMIENS = Ed. Not in F

2.7.38 brain = Ed. F = braive 88 comes = F2. F = come 186 The = F. Ed = Then 202 master = F2. F = masters

3.2.20 good = Ed. F = pood 94 this a = Ed. F = this 114 her = Ed. F = his 182 forth such = F2. F = forth 202 more = modernization of F’s moe 272 deifying = F2. F = defying 276 are = F2. F = art 284 accoutrements spelled accoustrements in F

3.3.61 SH TOUCHSTONE = F2. F = Ol.

3.4.21 of a = F2. F = of

3.5.22 Lean but = F2. F = Leane 106 erewhile = Ed. F = yere-while

4.1.1 me be = F2. F = me 13 my = F2. F = by 20 travel = F3. F = trauaile 72 Sestos = F2. F = Cestos 109 hyena = Ed. F = Hyen 118 wilt = F3. F = wil’t 148 in, it = F2. F = in, in

4.2.2 SH FIRST LORD = Ed. F = Lord 6 SH SECOND LORD = Ed. F = Lord. 8 SH LORDS = Ed. Not in F 4.3.6 bid = F2. F = did bid 143 In = F2. F = I

5.1.29 sir = F2. F = sit 43 policy = F2. F = police

5.2.5 nor her = Ed. F = nor 18 swoon = Ed. F = sound 23 overcame = F2. F = overcome 82 Who = Ed. F = Why

5.3.13 ring = Ed. F = rang

5.4.63 lied = Ed. F = lie 64 to the = F2. F = ro 87 her = F3. F = his 124 SH JAQUES DE BOIS = Ed. F = 2. Bro. 137 them = Ed. F = him 145 were = F2. F = vvete

Act 1 Scene 1

 1.1    Location: the whereabouts of Oliver’s household is unspecified

    1    Adam name evocative of the biblical first man

    2    poor only    crowns gold coins    charged order was given to

    3    breed bring up    keeps at school maintains at university

    5    stays detains    unkept poorly maintained

    6    stalling stall accommodation

    7    fair in fine condition

    8    manage trained movements    riders horse trainers    dearly at great cost

  10    bound indebted

  11    countenance behavior/attitude to me/support

  12    hinds servants/farm-workers

  13    as…lies to the best of his ability    mines my gentility undermines my status as a gentleman

  14    grieves vexes

  16    avoid put an end to

  18    Go apart stand aside    shake me up abuse/scold me

  19    make do (Orlando picks up on the sense of “create”)

  21    mar ruin

  22    Marry by the Virgin Mary (perhaps plays on mar)

  24    be naught awhile i.e., be gone

  25    prodigal portion biblical allusion to the prodigal (wastefully lavish) son, who, having spent all his money, had to look after pigs and eat their scraps

  28    orchard garden

  30    knows is aware of/acknowledges the claims of

  31    in…blood because of our noble breeding

  32    courtesy of nations established custom of civilized society (i.e., rights of inheritance)

  33    tradition custom/surrender (of privilege)    blood nobility/kinship/anger

  34    is…reverence accords you more of the respect that was due to him

  37    young immature/inexperienced

  38    villain scoundrel (Orlando plays up the sense of “low-born person”)

  39    de Bois “of the woods” (French, though probably anglicized to pronunciation “boys”)

  40    begot conceived

  42    railed on insulted

  43    father’s remembrance the sake of your father’s memory

  47    qualities accomplishments

  48    exercises activities/skills

  49    become suit    allottery share, allocation

  50    testament will

  52    will (father’s) bequest/(your) wish

  54    offend vex/assail

  58    grow upon trouble/take liberties with    physic cure    rankness insolence/overgrowth/disease

  59    neither either    Holla a shout to catch attention

  62    So if it    importunes asks insistently for

  65    morrow morning

  68    loving i.e., loyal

  70    good leave full permission

  72    ever constantly

  73    to stay by staying

  75    loved i.e., one other

  77    Forest of Arden the Forêt des Ardennes in France; Shakespeare would have also known the Forest of Arden near Stratford-upon-Avon

  78    Robin Hood popular English outlaw who lived in a forest and robbed the rich to feed the poor

  79    fleet pass    carelessly in a carefree way

  80    golden world in classical mythology, the earliest of ages, when life was idyllic

  84    fall (wrestling) bout    credit reputation

  86    tender inexperienced    foil defeat

  88    withal with this    stay…intendment keep him from carrying out his intention

  89    brook endure

  90    search seeking

  92    kindly requite fittingly/graciously reward

  93    underhand secret

  95    envious emulator malicious disparager    parts qualities

  96    lief willingly

  97    look to’t beware

  98    grace…thee gain honor at your expense    practise scheme

  99    device stratagem

102    anatomize dissect, reveal

105    payment punishment    go alone walk unaided

107    gamester sportsman

109    gentle well-born/honorable/kind    device ingenuity/intention/witty expression/conversation    sorts social classes/types of people

111    misprised despised/undervalued

112    clear settle

113    kindle…thither encourage Orlando to go to the wrestling match

Act 1 Scene 2

 1.2    Location: the whereabouts of the court is unspecified

    1    coz short for “cousin”

    2    would wish

    4    learn teach

    6    so provided that

    8    righteously tempered correctly constituted/properly tuned

  10    estate fortune

  11    like likely

  13    perforce of necessity

  16    sports pastimes

  18    make sport have fun (plays on the sense of “have sex”)    withal with (perhaps with play on “with all”)

  19    neither…again without being able to escape virtuously with no more than an innocent blush (come off plays on the sense of “have an orgasm”)

  22    housewife mistress of the household/hussy

  25    bountiful blind woman i.e., Fortune, traditionally depicted as a    blind woman turning a wheel

  26    fair beautiful    honest chaste/virtuous

  27    ill-favouredly ugly

  28    office role

  29    lineaments features    Touchstone stone used to test the quality or genuineness of gold and silver alloys

  30    fall…fire i.e., come to disaster (by being burned and disfigured, by losing her virginity, or by contracting venereal disease)

  31    wit intelligence    flout at mock

  32    fool i.e., Touchstone

  34    natural idiot

  35    Peradventure perhaps

  37    whetstone stone used for sharpening tools

  38    wit…you “Wit, whither wilt thou?” (i.e., proverbial; refers to one with “wandering” wits)

  40    messenger bearer of news/official employed to apprehend state prisoners

  43    pancakes these could also have savory fillings

  44    naught worthless    stand to maintain, insist upon

  46    forsworn perjured

  59    taxation slander

  62    troth faith    Le Beau “the handsome” (French)

  66    put force

  68    marketable i.e., like pigeons fattened for sale

  69    lost missed

  70    colour kind

  74    laid…trowel expressed excessively/bluntly

  75    rank standing as a wit (Rosalind plays on the sense of “foul-smelling” for a joke about farting)

  76    losest lose/let loose, release    old ripe/stale/customary

  77    amaze bewilder

  81    do come

  85    tale puns on “tail” (as opposed to beginning)

  86    proper handsome/fine

  87    bills advertisements/legal documents    presents legal documents; plays on    presence

  89    that so that

  90    So in the same way

  91    dole lamentation

  99    any anyone    broken discordant/with parts arranged for different instruments (plays on the idea of broken ribs)    Flourish trumpet fanfare, usually accompanying a person in authority

104    his…forwardness whatever danger results is due to his reckless confidence

108    looks successfully seems likely to succeed

109    cousin term used for any relative beyond the immediate family

111    leave permission

112    odds advantage

113    man i.e., Charles    fain gladly

120    come but in merely enter the field

121    try test

124    adventure venture

125    equal evenly matched

127    misprized undervalued/scorned

128    suit request, petition

131    foiled thrown/defeated

132    gracious favored

133    friends relatives/supporters

137    eke out supplement

138    deceived mistaken

140    lie…earth be thrown on the ground/have sex with    his mother earth/die and be buried (may anticipate the implied reference to Antaeus, son of Earth who renewed his strength by lying on the ground and whom    Hercules defeated in wrestling)

142    will wish/lust/penis    working aim/sexual activity

143    fall conclusive throw

144    warrant assure

146    come your ways come on

148    Hercules demigod who wrestled with and defeated the mighty giant Antaeus    speed protector

151    down fall

154    breathed exercised/out of breath

161    still always

168    calling name/position in life

173    unto in addition to

174    Ere before

177    envious malicious

178    Sticks pierces

180    justly exactly    promise expectation

181    mistress sweetheart

183    suits favor

187    parts qualities/spirits

189    quintain post used as a target when practicing jousting or darts

191    would wants

195    Have with you I’m coming

197    conference conversation

199    Or either

203    condition disposition

205    humorous temperamental    indeed in reality

206    conceive understand/imagine

211    taller more elegant/more attractive (some editors assume a reference to height and emend to “smaller” or “shorter,” since Celia is less tall than Rosalind)

217    gentle well-born/kind

218    argument reason

222    suddenly at any time

224    knowledge acquaintance

225    rest remain    bounden indebted

226    from…smother i.e., from bad to worse    smother dense, suffocating smoke/smoldering fire

Act 1 Scene 3

    1    Cupid god of love

    3    curs dogs/worthless fellows

    4    reasons remarks/explanations

    5    Then there were if I did, then there would be

    8    child’s father i.e., one who might become the father of my children (Orlando)    briars i.e., obstacles

    9    working-day ordinary, everyday

  10    burs prickly seed-heads that stick easily to clothing

  11    petticoats skirts

  12    coat petticoat/skirt

  13    Hem cough (as if to dislodge something stuck in the throat or to clear the chest; pun on “sew a hem”)

  14    ‘hem’ puns on “him”    have win, possess (plays on the sense of “have sex with”)

  15    wrestle plays on the sense of “grapple sexually”

  16    take…of support (part plays on the sense of “penis”)

  17    a…you bless you/good luck to you (upon may play on the sense of “mount sexually”)    try fight/have sex    fall throw in wrestling/bout of sex/moral lapse

  18    turning…service to finish with this joking (turning, jests, and service all play on the sense of “copulation”)

  22    dearly deeply (possible pun on “deer” is generated by chase)

  23    chase pursuit/hunt

  26    Why …not? i.e., Why should I hate him?

  30    your safest haste sufficient haste to ensure your safety

  39    intelligence communication

  41    frantic mad

  42    dear noble

  46    purgation acquittal

  47    grace salvation, divine grace

  50    whereon on what

  55    friends relatives

  60    stayed kept

  61    Else otherwise    ranged wandered

  63    pleasure will    remorse compassion

  64    young immature

  66    still always

  67    an instant the same time    eat eaten

  68    like Juno’s swans i.e., yoked together to pull the chariot of the Roman queen of the gods

  70    subtle crafty    smoothness plausibility/friendliness

  73    name reputation

  76    doom judgment

  80    provide prepare

  82    greatness authority

  84    change exchange

  93    sundered separated

  97    change i.e., of circumstances

  99    at…pale depending on whether    pale is an adjective or a noun, either “the sky is pale in shock and grief,” or “our sorrows have reached their utmost limit”

106    mean lowly

107    umber brown pigment (to conceal aristocratically pale complexions)

112    suit …points dress myself in every respect

113    gallant curtle-axe fine cutlass

114    boar-spear weapon used for boar hunting

116    swashing swaggering/dashing

118    outface …semblances brazen it out with appearances

120    Jove in Roman mythology, king of the gods

121    Ganymede a beautiful youth, carried off by    Jove to be his cupbearer; the name was also used by Elizabethans to refer to a youth who was the subject of an older man’s homosexual desire

123    state status

124    Aliena from the Latin for “stranger”

125    assayed attempted

127    travel journey/hardship

129    Leave me alone leave it to me woo persuade

133    content contentment

Act 2 Scene 1

 2.1    Location: the Forest of Arden    Amiens name of a northern French town; may suggest “friendliness” (from the Latin) foresters forest dwellers

    2    old custom established practice/experience

    3    painted pomp artificial show

    4    envious malicious

    5    penalty of Adam i.e., the harsher seasons and greater toil that followed loss of Eden

    6    difference change    as such as

    7    churlish chiding harsh brawling/rebuking

  11    feelingly tangibly/intensely

  12    uses benefits

  13    toad …head supposedly, venomous toads had precious stones in their heads that were antidotes to poisons

  15    exempt…haunt not visited by people

  16    tongues speech

  18    change alter/exchange

  19    translate transform/re-express (one thing in terms of another)

  20    style mode of expression/way of life

  22    fools poor creatures

  23    burghers citizens    desert lonely, uninhabited

  24    confines territories    forkèd heads i.e., barbed arrow-heads

  28    kind manner

  31    along stretched out

  32    antique ancient/antic (i.e., grotesquely gnarled)

  33    brawls rushes noisily

  34    sequestered separated (from his herd)

  40    Coursed flowed/chased (plays on the sense of “hunted”)

  42    markèd of noticed by

  43    extremest verge very edge

  46    moralize draw a moral from, interpret

  48    needless having no need (for more water)

  49    testament will

  50    worldlings materially minded mortals    sum of more store/additional amount

  52    velvet friend deer with smooth coat/richly clothed person/syphilitic lover

  53    part depart from/separate

  54    flux continuous stream    Anon instantly/soon    careless carefree

  56    stays stops

  57    greasy plump and fit for killing/wealthy

  58    wherefore why

  60    invectively in violent terms

  63    mere absolute

  64    up off

  67    commenting pondering

  70    cope encounter

  71    matter ideas/material for discussion

  72    straight straight away

Act 2 Scene 2

 2.2    Location: the court

    2    villains servants/wrongdoers

    3    sufferance acquiescence

    7    untreasured robbed/emptied of a treasure

    8    roynish coarse

    9    wont accustomed

  13    parts qualities

  17    gallant fine fellow/daring young man/ladies’ man (i.e., Orlando)

  19    suddenly immediately

  20    quail fail

  21    again back

Act 2 Scene 3

 2.3    Location: Oliver’s household

    3    memory reminder

    4    make you are you doing

    7    fond foolish

    8    bonny priser robust prize-fighter    humorous temperamental

  12    more better

  13    sanctified sanctimonious, hypocritical

  14    comely fair

  15    Envenoms poisons

  23    your praises people’s praises of you

  24    use are accustomed

  25    of to do

  26    cut you off kill you

  27    practices schemes

  28    place i.e., safe place    butchery slaughterhouse

  31    so so long as

  33    boist’rous massive/savage    enforce gain by force

  34    common public

  38    diverted blood kinship drawn away from its natural course

  40    thrifty hire wages thriftily saved

  41    foster-nurse nurse who brings up another’s child as her own

  42    service…lame i.e., when I am too weak to work

  43    unregarded uncared for, ignored

  48    lusty vigorous

  51    unbashful forehead shameless audacity

  54    Frosty i.e., white-haired    kindly pleasant/thriving

  58    constant faithful

  59    sweat i.e., worked    meed reward

  62    choke…having i.e., stop working once they have gained their reward/promotion

  66    In lieu of in return for    husbandry cultivation/domestic management

  67    come thy ways come on

  69    low content humble contentment

  72    fourscore eighty (four times twenty)

  75    too …week i.e., far too late

Act 2 Scene 4

 2.4    Location: the Forest of Arden; except for one brief scene (Act 3 scene 1) the remainder of the action takes place in various parts of the forest for i.e., disguised as alias may indicate a change of costume (see Introduction)

    1    Jupiter Roman king of the gods (Jove)

    4    weaker vessel i.e., woman    doublet and hose man’s close-fitting jacket and breeches

    8    cross burden/coin (with cross stamped on it) Silvius from Latin for “woods”

  13    solemn serious

  23    fantasy amorous imaginings/desire

  25    heartily sincerely, from the heart

  26    folly foolishness/lewdness

  30    Wearing wearing out, wearying

  32    broke from escaped

  35    Phoebe a name for Diana/Artemis, goddess of the moon, chastity, and hunting

  36    Searching of probing    wound Touchstone will shift the sense to “vagina”

  37    adventure fortune

  38    sword weapon/penis

  39    him the stone/his sword    coming visiting/ejaculating    a-night at night

  40    batler wooden club (for beating wet laundry)    dugs teats    chopt chapped    milked plays on the sense of “caused to ejaculate”

  41    peascod pea-pod (with genital connotations; a reversal of “codpiece”)

  42    cods pods/testicles    Wear plays on the sense of “have sex with, exhaust”

  43    capers frolicsome leaps/fornications    mortal subject to decay (sense then shifts to “only human”)

  45    ware aware (puns on wear; Touchstone shifts the sense to “wary”)

  46    wit possible play on “penis”

  49    upon my fashion like mine

  50    something somewhat    stale may play on the sense of “prostitute”

  51    yond yonder, that

  54    clown rustic (Rosalind picks up on the sense of “jester”)

  59    even evening (i.e., afternoon)

  62    desert deserted    entertainment hospitality, provisions

  65    succour help

  70    shear…graze i.e., make any profit from the sheep I tend

  72    recks cares

  74    cote cottage    bounds of feed range of pasture land

  75    sheepcote building sheltering sheep (perhaps here a shepherd’s cottage)

  78    in my voice as far as I am concerned

  80    swain low-ranking man/rustic    but erewhile only a while ago

  82    stand is consistent

  84    to pay i.e., money

  85    mend improve

  86    waste spend

  90    feeder servant

  91    suddenly at once

Act 2 Scene 5

    1    greenwood leafy

    2    Who anyone who

    3    turn adapt, tune note melody

    4    throat voice

  13    ragged hoarse/harsh

  16    stanzo stanza, verse

  18    I …nothing Jaques refers to the    names on a loan document of those who    owe money

  20    that that which

  21    compliment etiquette    th’encounter the meeting/sexual encounter    dog-apes dog-faced baboons

  22    beggarly i.e., effusive

  24    end complete    cover the while in the meantime lay the cloth for a meal

  25    look look for

  27    disputable argumentative

  28    matters topics

  32    i’th’sun i.e., free from care

  36    etc. indicates repeat of “no enemy / But winter and rough weather”

  38    in…invention in spite of my poor imagination

  44    Ducdame meaning unclear; probably a nonsense word

  45    gross great/dull/coarse

  46    An if if

  48    Greek i.e., gibberish circle magic circle/circle of gaping idiots (i.e., the others, gathered round Amiens)

  49    rail rant all…Egypt in punishment for Pharaoh’s ill-treatment of the Jews, God slaughtered all first-born children and animals in Egypt, which resulted in a great lament being raised in the night

  50    banquet light meal/course of fruit, sweetmeats and wine

Act 2 Scene 6

    4    comfort take comfort

    5    uncouth unknown

    6    conceit imagination

    7    comfortable cheerful

    8    presently immediately/soon

  10    said done cheerly cheerful

Act 2 Scene 7

    5    compact of jars made up of discords

    6    spheres stars and planets were thought to be contained by crystalline spheres, which produced beautiful music as they rotated

  13    motley in a professional fool’s multicolored clothing

  17    set terms roundly/in an articulate manner

  19    Call …fortune “Fortune favors fools” (proverbial)

  20    dial watch poke pocket

  23    wags goes (may pun on the sense of “moves sexually”)

  24    hour may pun on “whore” nine…eleven possibly suggestive of growing erection

  26    ripe mature/grow erect/search

  27    rot decay/detumesce/become infected with venereal disease (possibly puns on “rut”)

  28    tale puns on “tail” (i.e., “penis”)

  29    moral moralize

  30    chanticleer a cockerel

  31    deep contemplative thoughtful/familiar with sexual matters

  32    sans without

  34    wear thing worth wearing

  39    dry according to Elizabethan physiology, one with a dry brain was slow to grasp matters but sure to remember them    remainder remaining

  40    places nooks and corners/topics

  41    vents expresses

  45    suit request/outfit

  46    weed puns on the sense of “clothing”

  47    rank luxuriantly, wild

  49    Withal as well    charter privilege

  51    gallèd vexed, irritated

  53    way puns on    why church attendance was required by law

  54    that …hit who is the target of a fool’s taunts

  55    smart feels pain

  56    senseless …bob insensible to the jest; the line is a foot short, suggesting that words may have been omitted, so some editors emend (e.g., “Not to seem senseless” or “If he seem senseless”)

  57    anatomized dissected

  58    squandering glances random jibes

  59    Invest clothe

  61    Cleanse purge medically

  64    counter worthless token used to represent a coin

  66    libertine wild, lecherous, dissolute person

  67    brutish sting animal urging of lust

  68    th’embossèd …evils swellings and sores caused by venereal disease

  70    disgorge vomit

  71    pride sexual desire/arrogance

  72    tax …party censure any particular individual

  74    weary …ebb the very stuff it feeds on is exhausted and used up

  77    cost of princes i.e., excessively costly garments

  78    come in come forward in the law court/intervene

  80    function occupation

  81    bravery fine clothes not…cost none of my business as I did not pay for it

  82    suits fits/dresses

  83    mettle spirit/substance

  85    do him right speak truly of him

  86    free innocent

  89    Forbear stop

  92    Of…of? Where has this young cockerel sprung from?

  94    rude uncivilized

  96    touched …first hit it with your first suggestion

  98    inland bred civilized

  99    nurture education, good upbringing

101    answerèd satisfied

102    reason may pun on “raisin” (grape), possibly part of the fruit at the meal

103    gentleness nobility/civilized conduct

109    countenance appearance/expression

112    melancholy dark, gloomy

115    knolled rung (to summon people)

119    enforcement constraint

126    upon command at will

127    wanting needs

133    weak causing weakness

136    waste consume

138    unhappy ill-fated

146    acts actions/divisions of a play

147    Mewling whimpering, mewing

153    strange foreign    bearded…pard with a bristling beard like a leopard’s whiskers

154    Jealous in quick to defend his

157    capon chicken (technically a castrated cockerel)

159    saws sayings    modern instances everyday examples

161    pantaloon in Italian comedy, the foolish elderly man who wore spectacles, pantaloons (type of trousers), and slippers

163    hose breeches

164    shank leg

166    his its

167    history history play/narrative

168    mere complete

169    Sans without    eyes eyesight

175    fall to eat    Song often sung by Amiens, assuming he is among the lords on stage for this scene

179    unkind cruel/unnatural

181    keen sharp

183    rude rough

189    nigh close

191    warp wrinkle/become corrugated by turning to ice

196    faithfully convincingly/truly

197    effigies likeness

198    limned portrayed

204    fortunes adventures

Act 3 Scene 1

 3.1    Location: the court

    1    him i.e., Orlando

    2    better greater made made of

    3    argument subject

    4    present being present (i.e., I would vent my wrath on you instead)

    7    turn return

  10    seizure taking legal possession of

  11    quit …mouth acquit yourself by means of your brother’s own testimony

  16    of …nature whose responsibility it is

  17    Make …upon seize

  18    expediently promptly    turn him going send him packing

Act 3 Scene 2

 3.2    Location: the forest (where all remaining scenes are set)

    2    thrice-crownèd …night the goddess of the moon, hunting, and chastity, known as Luna/Cynthia/Phoebe in the heavens, Diana/Artemis on earth, and Proserpina/Hecate/Lucina in the underworld

    4    thy huntress i.e., Rosalind    sway rule

    6    character write

  10    unexpressive inexpressible

  14    private lonely

  15    spare frugal

  16    humour temperament    plenty abundance/comforts of life/food

  17    stomach inclination/appetite

  19    wants lacks

  22    art education    complain of lament the lack of/complain about

  24    natural instinctive/foolish/rustic

  27    hope i.e., hope not

  28    ill-roasted …side eggs were roasted in the hot ashes of the fire and required turning for even cooking

  30    manners proper behavior/morals

  32    parlous perilous

  35    but you kiss without kissing

  37    Instance evidence/give an example

  38    still always    fells fleeces

  39    grease sweat

  45    tarred …sheep tar, having antiseptic properties, was applied to injured sheep

  46    civet musky substance used in perfume and obtained from the anal glands of the civet cat

  47    worms-meat i.e., rotten flesh    respect of comparison with

  48    perpend consider

  49    flux flow    Mend improve

  50    rest cease (Touchstone shifts sense to “remain”)

  51    make incision cut, as raw meat is scored and salted for cooking/cut, for the medical purpose of letting blood (and curing folly)/graft on (wisdom), as a plant is cultivated

  52    raw inexperienced/ignorant/uncooked

  53    that what    get earn

  54    content …harm patient in my own afflictions

  56    simple foolish

  57    offer presume/venture    cattle animals/whores    bawd pimp

  58    bell-wether leading male sheep of a flock (with a bell around its neck)    crooked-pated with crooked/curled horns

  59    cuckoldly a cuckold (man with an unfaithful wife) was traditionally said to grow horns    out of beyond the limits of

  62    Ind Indies

  66    lined drawn

  67    black to dark-complexioned, foul compared to

  69    fair beauty/light complexion

  70    together continuously

  71    It …market i.e., the predictable verse resembles either the jogging to market of country women in a cart or the eager lust of a whore to put herself to sale    butter-women butter-sellers/lecherous women/whores    rank movement in line/lustful

  74    hart male deer    hind female deer

  76    after kind act according to its nature (proverbial; plays on the sense of “have sex”)

  78    Wintered worn in winter/old    lined plays on notion of sex between dogs, giving bawdy connotations to the next line (i.e., Rosalind will lose her slenderness to pregnancy)

  80    reap perhaps with slang sense of “have sex”    sheaf and bind tie the crop into bundles (perhaps with suggestion of pregnancy)

  81    cart transport the crop in a cart/punish a prostitute by publicly carrying her in or whipping her behind a cart

  82    nut plays on the sense of “vagina”

  84    rose plays on the sense of “vagina”

  85    prick thorn/penis

  86    false gallop canter

  88    fruit plays on sense of “genitals”

  89    graff graft—i.e., make one plant grow onto another (plays on the sense of “have sex”)    medlar tree bearing apple-like fruits/medlar fruit (resembles the vagina)/pun on “meddler” (prostitute)

  90    rotten infected with venereal disease

  91    right virtue true character

  95    For because

  97    civil sayings civilized reflections

  99    his erring its wandering

100    span distance from thumb to little finger

101    Buckles in encompasses

108    quintessence purest essence/extract    sprite spirit

109    in little in miniature (i.e., in the form of Rosaline)

110    Nature charged ordered Nature

112    wide-enlarged (that had been) widely dispersed

113    presently immediately

114    Helen’s …heart i.e., Helen of Troy’s beauty but not her deceitful heart; when Paris carried Helen off to Troy war broke out between the Grecians and the Trojans

115    Cleopatra famous Egyptian queen

116    Atalanta’s better part presumably her beauty or perhaps athletic skill; Atalanta declared that she would only marry the man who could defeat her in a race, while losing suitors would be killed

117    Lucretia’s modesty raped by Tarquin, Lucretia was so ashamed she committed suicide

119    synod assembly/conjunction of planets

121    touches features

122    would willed

123    I to that I should

124    Jupiter king of the gods who carried off the beautiful youth Ganymede

126    Back (to Corin and Touchstone) move back    sirrah sir (used to an inferior)

128    bag and baggage collective property of an army    scrip and scrippage nonce phrase referring to a shepherd’s pouch (scrip) and its contents

131    feet i.e., metrical feet

137    seven…wonder from the phrase “a nine days’ wonder” (so Rosalind has been wondering about the verses for quite a while)

138    Pythagoras Greek philosopher who believed in the transmigration of souls from humans to animals

139    that when    Irish rat supposedly the Irish could kill rats with rhyming incantations

140    Trow know

142    And a chain i.e., yes, it is, and one with a chain    Change you colour? Are you blushing?

144    friends …encounter inversion of the proverb “friends may meet, but mountains never greet”; friends plays on the sense of “lovers”    encounter plays on the sense of “sexual union”

147    possible i.e., that you do not know

148    I …vehemence I earnestly beg you

149    wonderful incredible

150    out …whooping beyond what all shouts of astonishment can express

151    Good my complexion! Oh (have mercy on) my temperament/curiosity!    caparisoned dressed

153    South …discovery i.e., as lengthy as an exploratory voyage over the South Seas    apace swiftly

158    belly stomach/womb (playing on drink in its slang sense of “have sex”)

159    of God’s making i.e., a real man

162    stay wait for

166    sad…maid i.e., seriously and truly

171    Wherein went he? What was he wearing?

172    makes he is he doing

174    Gargantua the giant in François Rabelais’ book Gargantua (1534)

175    particulars details

176    catechism series of set questions and answers used as a form of instruction by the Church

179    atomies motes, atoms    resolve the propositions answer the questions

180    relish flavor    good observance close attention

182    Jove’s tree oak trees were associated with Jove

183    Give me audience listen to me

185    along out

187    ‘holla’ stop (used to a horse)    curvets leaps about

188    furnished dressed

189    heart puns on “hart” (male deer)

190    burden chorus

193    bring me out make me forget what I was saying    Soft! Wait a moment!

195    lief willingly

198    society company

202    ill-favouredly poorly

204    just exactly

209    pretty clever    acquainted plays on the sense of “sexually familiar”

210    conned learned by heart    rings which had verses engraved on them (also slang for “vaginas”)

211    right painted cloth in the manner of a cheap hanging depicting commonplace mythological scenes

212    questions topics

213    Atalanta famed for her swiftness

216    breather i.e., living being

219    change exchange

220    troth faith

222    figure image (Orlando plays on the sense of “number”)

223    cipher zero

226    saucy lackey insolent minion    habit appearance    play the knave play a boy/trick him

232    detect reveal

234    divers various

238    hard with an uneasy pace, with difficulty contract…marriage formal betrothal

239    se’nnight week (seven nights)

244    lean unrewarding/thin    wasteful time-wasting/causing one to waste away

245    tedious troublesome/painful

247    softly slowly

250    vacation period during which the law courts are suspended    term period appointed for the sitting of courts of law

253    skirts outskirts

256    cony rabbit    kindled born

257    purchase acquire    removed remote

259    religious pious/monastic/scrupulous

260    inland of civilized society

261    courtship court life/wooing

262    touched tainted

263    generally without exception

267    his its

269    physic medicine

270    haunts who hangs around

272    fancy-monger dealer in love

273    quotidian daily recurring fever

275    marks signs, symptoms

276    cage of rushes i.e., flimsy prison

278    blue i.e., with dark circles

279    unquestionable unwilling to be questioned

280    your…revenue your beard is like a younger brother’s income (i.e., small)

281    ungartered not tied up

282    unbanded without a colored hat-band

284    point-device immaculate    accoutrements clothes    as as if

288    apter more likely

289    still always    sooth truth

295    merely entirely dark…do imprisonment in the dark and whipping were “treatments” for the insane

298    profess practice, have knowledge in

301    moonish changeable

302    fantastical fanciful, impulsive

303    apish foolish

304    cattle…colour beasts of this kind

305    entertain welcome, treat well

306    forswear deny, reject    that so that    drave drove

307    living genuine

308    merely utterly

309    liver thought to be the seat of the passions    sound healthy

313    cote cottage

315    by on

Act 3 Scene 3

    1    apace quickly

    2    how what    simple feature plain appearance (Audrey may understand “specific part/penis”)

    3    warrant protect

    4    capricious lascivious, fickle (from the Latin caper meaning “goat”; the word play is reinforced by    goats/Goths having similar pronunciations)

    5    Ovid …Goths Roman poet    Ovid, author of The Art of Love, was banished to live among the    Goths; he complained that they did not understand his    verses

    6    ill-inhabited poorly lodged    Jove…house having been turned away by others, the disguised Jove and his son Mercury were welcomed into the humble dwelling of Philemon and Baucis

    8    seconded backed, supported    forward precocious

    9    great …room large bill for insubstantial accommodation; some critics see a reference to the 1593 tavern murder of playwright Christopher Marlowe, supposedly the result of a dispute about the bill

  10    honest respectable/genuine

  12    feigning imaginative/deceitful

  15    honest truthful/chaste

  18    hard-favoured ugly

  20    material meaningful, full of matter/concerned with earthly things

  22    foul loathsome/filthy/ugly    slut woman of slovenly habits/kitchen maid/whore    meat food (plays on the sense of “penis”)

  23    dish plays on the sense of “vagina”

  27    Sir Oliver Martext “Sir” was sometimes used for priests who were not university graduates;    Martext (mar-text) suggests an uneducated priest who could not expound upon the Scriptures    next nearest

  28    couple marry (plays on the sense of “get us to have sex”)

  29    fain willingly    meeting encounter/sexual union

  31    stagger falter

  32    assembly congregation    horn-beasts suggestive of cuckolds    what though what of it

  33    necessary inevitable

  34    knows …goods i.e., is very well off

  36    deer plays on the sense of “dear”

  37    rascal young or inferior deer in a herd/ordinary husband    walled i.e., fortified

  39    defence possibly plays on type of fortification known as “hornwork”

  40    to want be lacking

  41    dispatch us settle (i.e., marry)

  44    on as the

  47    What-ye-call’t probably a joking reluctance to say “Jaques” (i.e., “jakes” meaning “lavatory”)

  48    ’ild yield (i.e., reward)    last most recent (i.e., present)    toy in hand trifle to attend to

  49    covered i.e., put on your (respectfully removed) hat

  51    bow yoke    curb restraining strap attached to the bit    bells attached to the falcon’s leg

  52    bill stroke beak with beak    nibbling having sex/seizing

  55    wainscot wooden paneling

  56    green not dried thoroughly/unseasoned    warp shrink/go wrong

  57    I…but I am inclined to think that    of by

  58    like likely    well properly

  62    bawdry lewdness

  64    ‘O…thee’ lines from a lost Elizabethan ballad, originally paired with a reply; Touchstone rejects the lines of the abandoned woman, in favor of the dismissive answer    brave fine worthy

  67    Wind wend, go

  70    fantastical capricious, mad    flout mock/jeer

Act 3 Scene 4

    6    dissembling…Judas i.e., reddish, traditionally the hair color of Judas, the disciple who betrayed Christ with a kiss    dissembling deceitful

    7    his…children refers to the kiss with which Judas betrayed Christ

    9    your this    only i.e., most desirable

  10    holy bread bread blessed and distributed to those who had not taken Communion; after the Reformation, bread provided for the Eucharist

  11    cast sculpted/cast-off/chaste    Diana goddess of chastity    of winter’s sisterhood i.e., sworn to coldness

  16    verity sincerity

  17    concave hollow    covered goblet empty drinking vessel (covered when not in use)

  22    tapster barman, tavern keeper    reckonings personal esteem/bills

  24    question conversation

  28    traverse crosswise/poorly aimed and broken across (jousting term)

  29    puny tilter insignificant, petty jouster

  30    goose fool

  32    complained of lamented over

  37    pageant spectacle, scene

  41    mark observe

  42    remove move

Act 3 Scene 5

    5    Falls lets fall

    6    But…pardon without begging pardon first (a traditional practice)

    7    he…lives the executioner who earns his living until he dies

  11    pretty ingenious

  13    coward gates i.e., eyelids    atomies atoms, specks

  17    counterfeit pretend

  22    rush waterside plant

  23    cicatrice scar    capable impressure palpable impression

  29    fancy love

  31    keen sharp

  38    What though what does it matter

  40    Than…bed i.e., than ought to go to bed in darkness so that your lover will not see you

  43    ordinary common condition

  44    sale-work ready-made goods of inferior quality    ’Od’s (may) God save

  45    tangle ensnare

  48    bugle glass beads, usually black

  51    south south wind    wind and rain i.e., sighs and tears

  52    properer more handsome, finer

  55    glass mirror

  57    lineaments facial features

  62    Cry beg

  63    Foul…scoffer ugliness is most hideous when it is rough and abusive

  65    together uninterruptedly

  68    sauce rebuke

  72    in wine when drunk

  74    tuft of olives clump of olive trees    hard close

  75    ply urge

  78    abused in sight deceived in his perception

  80    Dead Shepherd i.e., Christopher Marlowe (murdered in 1593), from whose poem Hero and Leander the ensuing quotation is taken    saw maxim, saying    of might powerful, convincing

  89    extermined exterminated

  90    love…neighbourly refers to the biblical instruction to “love thy neighbor as thyself”

  92    covetousness refers to the Tenth Commandment which prohibits coveting one’s neighbor’s goods

  96    erst formerly

101    poverty deficiency

103    ears i.e., of corn

106    erewhile a short time ago

108    bounds land

109    carlot churl, peasant

111    peevish silly, foolish/spiteful

117    complexion face/appearance

122    lusty lively

124    constant unchanging damask pink or light red

126    parcels bits, parts

132    am remembered remember

133    again back

134    omittance…quittance not having done so does not mean I never shall

138    straight straight away

140    passing excessively

Act 4 Scene 1

    4    betray expose

    5    modern censure commonplace judgment

    6    sad Rosalind quibbles on the sense of “massive, solid”

    7    post stout pole

    8    emulation envy of those who are superior

    9    fantastical fanciful, extravagant

  10    politic crafty

  11    nice fastidious

  12    simples ingredients (literally, medicinal herbs)

  13    sundry varied    often frequent

  14    humorous moody

  20    travel voyage/take pains

  22    an if

  23    lisp put on a foreign accent    strange suits foreign clothes    disable disparage

  24    nativity birth (i.e., nationality)

  26    swam floated, traveled

  32    clapped him o’th’shoulder merely tapped him/arrested him

  33    heart-whole essentially unaffected, with the heart unengaged

  39    jointure marriage settlement that provided for the wife in the event of her husband’s death

  42    horns of a snail/of a cuckold    fain obliged    beholding indebted

  43    armed…fortune i.e., as a snail, naturally possessed of horns    prevents the slander forestalls the disrepute

  46    leer complexion, appearance

  47    holiday humour festive mood

  48    very true

  51    gravelled stumped

  52    out at a loss for words

  53    warn protect, warrant    cleanliest shift most skillful measure

  57    Who…out Rosalind goes on to play with the sense of “denied vaginal entry”

  59    honesty chastity    ranker more corrupt

  60    of my suit out of my courtship/clothing

  65    by attorney by proxy (as opposed to “in person”)

  66    videlicet “namely” (Latin)

  67    Troilus lover of Cressida, who proved faithless to him; he was killed by Achilles during the Trojan war

  68    die may play on the sense of “experience orgasm” patterns models    Leander in classical mythology, Leander regularly swam across the river Hellespont to see his lover Hero of Sestos, until one night he drowned

  69    though even if

  72    found it concluded the cause

  74    right real

  77    coming-on agreeable, encouraging

  79    Fridays and Saturdays days on which Christians abstained from eating meat

  81    twenty twenty more

  91    Go to expression of impatient dismissal

  94    fast firmly/quickly

  97    commission authority

  98    goes…priest proceeds with the service more quickly than the priest

101    possessed married/had sex with

105    Barbary cock-pigeon male pigeon thought to be from Barbary (north Africa)

106    against before, in anticipation of

107    new-fangled fond of novelty, easily distracted by new things

108    Diana…fountain the goddess was a fairly popular figure to adorn fountains

114    waywarder more obstinate, wilful

115    Make shut    wit possible play on the sense of “genitals”    casement window

118    ‘Wit, whither wilt?’ Wit, where are you going? (proverbial; refers to one with “wandering” wits)

119    check rebuke

122    take catch/possess sexually

124    fault error (plays on the sense of “vagina”)    husband’s occasion excuse to attack her husband (plays on the sense of “sexual business, opportunity for use”)    nurse breast-feed

131    but…away only one abandoned woman

135    behind your hour late    pathetical miserable, deplorable

137    gross whole/inferior    censure condemnation/judgment

139    religion faithfulness

141    try test/judge

142    simply misused absolutely abused    love-prate love-talk

143    what…nest proverbially, the bird fouls its own nest (nest also plays on the sense of “vagina”)

146    fathom six feet    sounded measured, penetrated

149    bastard of Venus Cupid, son of Venus by Mars (or, variously, Mercury or Jupiter), not by her husband Vulcan    begot conceived    thought fancy

150    spleen impulse    blind Cupid was traditionally depicted as sightless    abuses deceives

152    shadow shade

Act 4 Scene 2

    4    branch wreath (plays on the sense of “subdivision of a deer’s horn”)

  11    bear this burden sing this refrain/bear the cuckold’s horns

  16    lusty lively/lustful

Act 4 Scene 3

    1    here much Orlando “much Orlando there is to be seen here” (said in irony)

    8    waspish spiteful

    9    use employ, adopt

  13    swaggerer quarreler, blusterer

  16    phoenix mythical Arabian bird that was consumed by fire every 500 years, then resurrected from the ashes; only one existed at a time    ’Od’s God is

  19    device devising

  20    protest declare, vow

  24    leathern leathery, rough

  25    freestone-coloured brownish-yellow    freestone sandstone or limestone    verily truly

  27    huswife’s housewife’s (i.e., hard and coarse)

  29    invention style    hand handwriting

  31    boisterous violent, rough

  34    giant-rude extremely rough

  35    Ethiope Ethiopian (i.e., black)

  39    Phoebes i.e., is cruel to

  44    apart aside

  48    vengeance harm

  50    eyne eyes

  53    aspect gaze (with astrological connotations)

  55    prayers entreaties

  58    by…mind i.e., employ Silvius to bring me your decision in a sealed letter

  59    kind nature

  61    make offer

  67    instrument tool/musical instrument strains melodies

  68    snake i.e., drudge

  73    purlieus borders

  75    neighbour bottom nearby valley

  76    rank of osiers row of willows

  77    Left passed by

  83    favour appearance/face    bestows acquits

  84    ripe mature/elder    low short

  88    commend him i.e., offers his respectful greetings

  90    napkin handkerchief

  94    handkercher handkerchief

  99    fancy love

103    bald i.e., leafless

106    gilded gold

109    unlinked uncoiled

110    indented undulating

113    couching stretched out/hidden

114    When that for the time when

120    render him describe him as

124    to with regard to

127    kindness feelings of kinship

128    just occasion justifiable reason

130    hurtling tumult

138    for what about

141    recountments accounts of events    kindly naturally/affectionately

144    array clothing    entertainment welcome, provision

151    Brief in short    recovered revived

152    space time

165    a body anyone

168    passion of earnest genuine emotion

Act 5 Scene 1

    2    old gentleman’s i.e., Jaques’

    5    interest in right to/share in

    7    clown rustic

    8    flouting mocking    hold resist, stop

  10    God ye God give you

  12    Cover thy head i.e., put on your hat (which William has respectfully removed)

  19    God’. A good Touchstone may mock William’s rustic accent

  30    learnèd educated

  32    figure figure of speech, device

  34    ipse “he himself” (Latin)

  38    vulgar vernacular    boorish coarse speech

  39    common vulgar tongue

  41    to wit that is to say

  42    bastinado beating with a stick

  43    bandy fight    in faction in insults    o’errun…policy overwhelm you with cunning

  46    rest keep

  48    Trip skip (plays on the sense of “succumb sexually”)    attend follow/accompany

Act 5 Scene 2

    3    persever persevere

    8    estate settle

  10    all’s all his    contented willing

  12    brother i.e., brother-in-law

  13    ‘sister’ i.e., responding to Orlando calling Ganymede “Rosalind” (unless Oliver sees through the disguise and realizes that it really is Rosalind)

  14    scarf i.e., sling

  21    where you are what you mean

  22    thrasonical boastful, vainglorious

  26    degrees puns on the sense of “steps”; also refers to the rhetorical device of climax Rosalind uses as her verbs link together and move the sentence forward    pair flight

  27    incontinent at once (sense then shifts to “unchaste”)

  28    wrath full passion

  30    bid invite

  34    serve your turn act as a substitute (puns on the sense of “satisfy you sexually”)

  37    conceit understanding, intelligence

  38    insomuch inasmuch as

  39    Neither…me nor am I trying to gain greater approval from you other than that which is necessary to enable you to trust me enough to help you; I am not seeking my own promotion

  42    not damnable i.e., not practicing black magic

  43    gesture…out manner proclaims

  44    straits confined places

  46    inconvenient unsuitable human…is i.e., the real Rosalind, not a spirit conjured up by black magic

  48    sober serious

  49    tender value

  50    array clothing

  53    ungentleness discourtesy

  55    study purpose

  56    despiteful cruel, scornful

  65    service devotion

  72    observance due respect/service

  90    satisfy content (plays on the sense of “sexually satisfy”)

  96    fail be absent

Act 5 Scene 3

    2    dishonest unchaste

    3    woman…world i.e., married (plays on the sense of “sexually experienced”)

    4    honest honorable

    7    clap into’t roundly begin immediately    hawking throat clearing

    8    only usual

    9    in a tune keeping time/in unison

  13    ring-time time for giving or exchanging rings (i.e., wedding season)

  16    take seize/enjoy

  18    prime spring/height of perfection

  19    etc. i.e., repeat chorus

  24    carol song

  28    ditty lyrics

  29    note music, tune    untunable unmelodious

Act 5 Scene 4

    5    compact agreement    urged presented formally

  17    make…even smooth out all these matters

  26    lively lifelike/striking    touches qualities/features    favour appearance/face

  30    rudiments basics

  31    desperate dangerous

  33    Obscurèd concealed    circle surroundings/magic circle

  34    toward approaching

  35    tongues languages

  37    motley-minded foolish-minded

  39    purgation test

  40    measure stately dance    politic crafty    smooth seemingly amiable

  41    undone ruined, bankrupted    like to have almost

  43    ta’en up settled

  47    ’ild yield (i.e., reward) desire…like wish you the same

  48    copulatives people being joined in marriage (with play on “those engaged in copulation”)

  49    blood breaks passion declines

  50    humour inclination, whim    honesty chastity/virtue

  51    foul dirty

  52    swift quick-witted    sententious given to utter pointed sayings

  53    fool’s bolt “a fool’s    bolt is soon shot” (proverbial; phallic and ejaculatory connotations) bolt short, thick arrow    dulcet diseases sweet afflictions

  56    seeming seemingly

  57    as for instance

  58    in the mind of the opinion

  61    disabled disparaged

  64    Countercheck rebuke    Circumstantial told indirectly through circumstances or details

  67    measured swords checked that the length of the swords was the same (a necessary preparation for dueling)

  68    nominate name

  69    in print in a precise manner

  75    take up settle

  77    swore brothers vowed devoted friendship

  78    rare extraordinary/splendid

  79    stalking-horse horse behind which a hunter concealed himself in order to get within easy range of the game    presentation show Hymen god of marriage (commonly depicted as a young man carrying a torch); sometimes played as a god, sometimes as a part enacted by Amiens or another courtier Still subdued/soft

  81    mirth joy

  82    made even are reconciled

  83    Atone unite

  93    shape appearance, physical form

  98    bar prohibit

102    bands bonds, i.e., marriage

104    cross adversity

106    accord agree

107    lord husband

108    sure securely bound

111    questioning conversation/inquiry

114    Juno queen of the gods and goddess of marriage

115    board and bed food and lodging

116    peoples populates

122    thou i.e., Silvius

123    fancy love    combine unite

129    Addressed prepared    power army

130    In…conduct under his own leadership

135    world secular life/material interests

139    engage pledge

141    offer’st fairly contribute finely

143    at large of full size

144    do those ends accomplish those aims

146    every every one

147    shrewd hard

149    states ranks, status

150    new-fall’n newly received

153    With…joy in abundant joy    th’measures stately dances

154    patience permission

156    pompous vainglorious/ceremonious

158    convertites converts

163    allies relatives

166    but…victualled only has sufficient supplies for two months

174    unhandsome faulty in appearance/inappropriate good…bush proverbial; something of good quality needs no advertising as its merits speak for themselves

175    bush tavern sign (originally a small bush)

177    case state/predicament    insinuate with work on/stealthily win the favor of

178    furnished dressed

179    conjure entreat/put a spell on

183    the play As You Like It/sexual dalliance If…woman in Shakespeare’s England all parts were played by male actors

184    liked pleased    defied despised

186    bid me farewell i.e., applaud/shout approvingly

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW

The novelist Vladimir Nabokov once wrote that “reality” is a word that only has meaning when it is placed in quotation marks. The physicist’s “reality” is not the same as the biochemist’s, the secular humanist’s as the religious fundamentalist’s. Dare one say the woman’s is not the same as the man’s? In a culture where the conception of inherent sexual difference is regarded as a mere prejudice, as a forbidden thought (regardless of the “reality” revealed by molecular biology and neuroanatomy), The Taming of the Shrew is not likely to be one of Shakespeare’s most admired plays. Its presentation of female subordination presents the same kind of awkwardness for liberal sensibilities that the representation of Shylock does in the post-Holocaust world. At face value, the play proposes that desirable women are quiet and submissive, whereas women with spirit must be “tamed” through a combination of physical and mental abuse. Necessary tools may include starvation, sense deprivation, and the kind of distortion of “reality” that is practiced in totalitarian regimes.

Thus O’Brien to Winston Smith in George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four: “How many fingers am I holding up?” In this “reality” the correct answer is not the actual number but the number that the torturer says he is holding up. There is a precise analogy on the road back to Padua, after Kate has undergone her taming in the secluded country house where no neighbor will hear her cries:

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     I say it is the moon.

KATE

KATE     I know it is the moon.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Nay, then you lie. It is the blessèd sun.

KATE

KATE     Then, God be blessed, it is the blessèd sun.

               But sun it is not, when you say it is not,

               And the moon changes even as your mind.

               What you will have it named, even that it is,

               And so it shall be so for Katherine.

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     Petruchio, go thy ways, the field is won.

She has been bent to her husband’s will. She is now ready to demonstrate that she is prepared to love, serve, and obey him. She knows her place: “Such duty as the subject owes the prince / Even such a woman oweth to her husband.” She offers to place her hand beneath her husband’s foot. The shrew is tamed.

The younger dramatist John Fletcher, who was Shakespeare’s collaborator in his final years, clearly thought that this harsh ending needed a riposte. He wrote a sequel, The Woman’s Prize; or, The Tamer Tamed, in which Kate has died and Petruchio remarried, only to find his new wife giving him a taste of his own medicine by means of the time-honored device of refusing to sleep with him until he submits to her will. Kate’s sister Bianca plays the role of colonel in a war between the sexes, which the women win, thus proving that it was an act of folly for Petruchio to tyrannize over his first wife in Shakespeare’s play.

In Shakespeare’s time, it was absolutely orthodox to believe that a man was head of the household, as the monarch was head of state and God was head of the cosmos. “My foot my tutor?” says Prospero in The Tempest when his daughter Miranda presumes to speak out of turn: if the man was the head, the girl-child was the foot, just as in Coriolanus a plebeian is nothing more than the “big toe” of the commonwealth. Kate’s readying of her hand to be trodden upon turns the analogy between social and bodily hierarchy into a stage image. But she is going much further than she should: the wife was not supposed to be beneath the foot, she was supposed to be the heart of the household. Instead of crowing in his triumph, Petruchio says “kiss me, Kate” for the third time, giving Cole Porter a title for his reimagining of the story in the cheerful mode of a musical.

Nabokov placed the word “reality” in quotation marks not because he was a cultural relativist, but because he was an aesthete. That is to say, he did not believe that art was merely a reflection, a mirror, of a pre-existent “reality.” Art shapes the way in which we perceive ourselves and the world. “Falling in love” is not only the work of molecular change in the brain, but also a set of behaviors learned from the romantic fictions of page, stage—now screen—and cultural memory. One of the tricks of great art is to draw attention to its own artificiality and in so doing paradoxically assert that its “reality” is as real as anything in the quotidian world of its audience. Shakespeare’s taste for plays-within-the-play and allusions to the theatricality of the world, Mozart’s witty quotations of the clichés of operatic convention, and Nabokov’s magical wordplay all fulfill this function.

Sometimes, though, the opposite device is used: an artist puts quotation marks around a work in order to say “Don’t take this too seriously, don’t mistake its feigning for ‘reality.’ ” The Taming of the Shrew is such a work: the opening scenes with Christopher Sly place the entire play within quotation marks. The “induction” presents a series of wish-fulfillment fantasies to a drunken tinker: the fantasy that he is a lord, that he has a beautiful young wife, that scenes of erotic delight can be presented for his delectation, and that a company of professional players will stage “a kind of history” for his sole benefit, in order to frame his mind to “mirth and merriment” while teaching him how to tame a shrewish wife. But Sly is not a lord and the “wife” who watches with him is not a woman but a cross-dressed boy (which reminds us that in Shakespeare’s working world the Kate who is humiliated by Petruchio was also not a woman but a cross-dressed boy-actor). The effect of the frame is to “distance” the action and so suggest that it does not present the “reality” of proper marital relations. If Sly is not a lord and the pageboy not a wife, then this is not how to tame a shrew.

In the surviving script of the play, Sly and the pageboy disappear after the first act, presumably because Shakespeare’s acting company was not large enough to waste several members of the cast sitting in the gallery as spectators all the way through. But in an anonymously published play of 1594 called The Taming of a Shrew, which seems to be some sort of adaptation, reconstruction, or variant version, the Christopher Sly “frame” is maintained throughout the action by means of a series of brief interludes and an epilogue. This version ends with the tinker going home claiming that the play has taught him how to tame a shrew and thus to handle his own wife. But the tapster knows better: “your wife will course [thrash] you for dreaming here tonight.” The hungover Sly is in no position to tame anybody; he will return home and be soundly beaten by his wife. Kate’s speech propounds the patriarchal ideal of marriage, but in A Shrew the Slys’ is a union that reveals this ideology’s distance from “reality”; its implied resolution, with the woman on top, intimates that “real” housewives are not silent and obedient, and plays cannot teach husbands to tame them into submission.

We do not need the epilogue of the anonymously published play to see that Shakespeare’s ending is more complicated and ironic than first appears. Having been outwitted in his courtship of Bianca, Hortensio marries the widow for her money. The latter shows signs of frowardness and has to be lectured by Kate. The first half of Kate’s famous submission speech is spoken in the singular, addressed specifically to the widow and not to womankind in general: “Thy husband is thy lord, thy life, thy keeper, / Thy head, thy sovereign: one that cares for thee.” The contextual irony of this is not always appreciated: in contradistinction to Kate’s prescriptions, in this marriage it will be the wife, the wealthy widow, who provides the “maintenance”; Hortensio will be spared the labors of a breadwinner. According to Kate, all a husband asks from a wife is love, good looks, and obedience; these are said to be “Too little payment for so great a debt.” But the audience knows that in this case the debt is all Hortensio’s. Besides, he has said earlier that he is no longer interested in woman’s traditional attribute of “beauteous looks”—all he wants is the money. Kate’s vision of obedience is made to look oddly irrelevant to the very marriage upon which she is offering advice.

Then there is Kate’s sister. Petruchio’s “taming school” is played off against the attempts by Lucentio and Hortensio to gain access to Bianca by disguising themselves as schoolmasters. In the scene in which Lucentio courts her in the guise of a Latin tutor, the woman gives as good as she gets. She is happy to flirt with her supposed teacher over Ovid’s erotic manual The Art of Love. This relationship offers a model of courtship and marriage built on mutual desire and consent; Bianca escapes her class of sixteenth-century woman’s usual fate of being married to a partner of the father’s choice, such as rich old Gremio. If anything, Bianca is the dominant partner at the end. She is not read a lecture by Kate, as the widow is, and she gets the better of her husband in their final on-stage exchange. Like Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing, she more than matches her man in the art of wordplay. One almost wonders if she would not be better matched with the pretended rather than the “real” Lucentio, that is to say the clever servant Tranio who oils the wheels of the plot and sometimes threatens to steal the show.

The double plot is a guarantee that, despite the subduing of Kate, the play is no uncomplicated apology for shrew-taming. But is Kate really subdued? Or is her submission all part of the game that she and Petruchio have been playing out? It is their marriage, not the other ones, that compels the theater audience. A woman with Kate’s energies would be bored by a conventional lover such as Lucentio. She and Petruchio are well matched because they are both of “choleric” temperament; their fierce tempers are what make them attractive to each other and charismatic to us. They seem to know they are born for each other from the moment in their first private encounter when they share a joke about oral sex (“with my tongue in your tail”). “Where two raging fires meet together” there may not be an easy marriage, but there will certainly not be a dull match and a passive wife. In the twentieth century the roles seemed ready made for Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor.

KEY FACTS

PLOT: Christopher Sly, a beggarly tinker, falls asleep drunk, having been thrown out of an ale-house. A lord takes him into his house and plays a trick involving the pretence that Sly is a lord himself, for whose benefit a company of players will act The Taming of the Shrew. The main action then commences. Fortune-hunting Hortensio, rich old Gremio, and newly-arrived-in-town Lucentio all wish to court beautiful Bianca, but she cannot marry before her older sister, shrewish Kate. Petruchio vows to woo Kate both for her dowry and for the challenge of overcoming her fearsome reputation. Hortensio and Lucentio gain access to Bianca by disguising themselves as tutors, while Lucentio’s servant Tranio plays the role of his master. Petruchio marries Kate—turning up late wearing the most unsuitable clothes imaginable—and takes her off to his country house, where he “tames” her through various forms of deprivation. Tranio persuades a traveling schoolteacher to pretend to be Lucentio’s father Vincentio in order to give assurance of Lucentio’s financial means; there is confusion when the real Vincentio turns up, but the love-match between Lucentio and Bianca is happily settled. Hortensio marries a wealthy widow and Petruchio and Kate return to reveal that she is a changed woman.

MAJOR PARTS: (with percentages of lines/number of speeches/scenes on stage) Petruchio (22%/158/8), Tranio (11%/90/8), Kate (8%/82/8), Hortensio (8%/70/8), Baptista (7%/68/6), Lucentio (7%/61/8), Grumio (6%/63/4), Gremio (6%/58/6), Lord (5%/17/2), Biondello (4%/39/7), Bianca (3%/29/7), Sly (2%/24/3), Vincentio (2%/23/3), Pedant (2%/20/3).

LINGUISTIC MEDIUM: 80% verse, 20% prose.

DATE: Usually considered to be one of Shakespeare’s earliest works. Assuming that Quarto The Taming of a Shrew, registered for publication May 1594, is a version of the text rather than a source for it (see below), the play is likely to pre-date the long periods of plague closure that inhibited theatrical activity from summer 1592 onward, but there is no firm evidence for a more precise date.

SOURCES: The Induction’s scenario of a beggar transported into luxury is a traditional motif in ballads and the folk tradition; the shrewish wife is also common in fabliaux and other forms of popular tale, as well as classical comedy; Socrates, wisest of the ancients, was supposed to be married to the shrewish Xanthippe; the courtship of Bianca is developed from George Gascoigne’s Supposes (1566), itself a prose translation of Ludovico Ariosto’s I Suppositi (1509), an archetypal Italian Renaissance comedy suffused with conventions derived from the ancient Roman comedies of Plautus and Terence. Some scholars suppose that The Taming of a Shrew (1594) is a badly printed text of an older play that was Shakespeare’s primary source, but others regard it as an adaptation of Shakespeare’s work; it includes the Christopher Sly frame, the taming of Kate (with a differently named tamer), and a highly variant version of the Bianca sub-plot.

TEXT: The 1623 Folio is the only authoritative text; it seems to have been set from manuscript copy, possibly a scribal transcript that retains some of the marks of Shakespeare’s working manuscript. The 1594 Quarto Taming of a Shrew must be regarded as an autonomous work, but it provides a source for emendations on a few occasions where it corresponds closely to The Shrew.

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW

BAPTISTA Minola, a gentleman of Padua

KATE (Katherina), his elder daughter, the “shrew”

BIANCA, his younger daughter

PETRUCHIO, a gentleman from Verona, suitor to Kate

LUCENTIO, in love with Bianca (disguises himself as “Cambio,” a Latin tutor)

VINCENTIO, Lucentio’s father, a merchant from Pisa

GREMIO, an aged suitor to Bianca

HORTENSIO, friend of Petruchio and suitor to Bianca (disguises himself as “Litio,” a music tutor)

TRANIO, Lucentio’s servant

BIONDELLO, a boy in the service of Lucentio

A PEDANT

A WIDOW

A TAILOR

A HABERDASHER

Servants and Messengers (Petruchio has servants named NATHANIEL, JOSEPH, NICHOLAS, PHILIP and PETER)

[Induction] Scene 1*

running scene 1

       Enter Beggar and Hostess, [the beggar is called] Christopher Sly

SLY

SLY     I’ll pheeze¹ you, in faith.

HOSTESS

HOSTESS     A² pair of stocks, you rogue!

SLY

SLY     You’re a baggage,³ the Slys are no rogues. Look in the chronicles, we came in with Richard Conqueror:⁴ therefore paucas pallabris, let the world slide. Sessa!

HOSTESS

HOSTESS     You will not pay for the glasses you have burst?⁵

SLY

SLY     No, not a denier.⁶ Go by, Saint Jeronimy, go to thy cold bed and warm thee.

HOSTESS

HOSTESS     I know my remedy: I must go fetch the thirdborough.⁷

       [Exit]

SLY

SLY     Third, or fourth, or fifth borough, I’ll answer him by law.⁸ I’ll not budge an inch, boy. Let him come, and kindly.⁹

       [He] falls asleep

       Wind horns. Enter a Lord from hunting, with his train

10

10   

LORD

LORD           Huntsman, I charge¹⁰ thee tender well my hounds.

               Brach¹¹ Merriman, the poor cur is embossed,

               And couple¹² Clowder with the deep-mouthed brach.

               Saw’st thou not, boy, how Silver made it good¹³

               At the hedge-corner, in the coldest fault?¹⁴

15

15           I would not lose the dog for twenty pound.

FIRST HUNTSMAN

FIRST HUNTSMAN     Why, Belman is as good as he, my lord.

               He cried¹⁷ upon it at the merest loss,

               And twice today picked out the dullest scent.

               Trust me, I take him for the better dog.

20

20   

LORD

LORD           Thou art a fool. If Echo were as fleet,²⁰

               I would esteem him worth a dozen such.

               But sup²² them well and look unto them all:

               Tomorrow I intend to hunt again.

FIRST HUNTSMAN

FIRST HUNTSMAN     I will, my lord.

25

25   

LORD

LORD           What’s here? One dead, or drunk? See, doth he breathe? Sees Sly

SECOND HUNTSMAN

SECOND HUNTSMAN     He breathes, my lord. Were he not warmed with ale,

               This were a bed but cold²⁷ to sleep so soundly.

LORD

LORD     O monstrous beast, how like a swine he lies!

               Grim²⁹ death, how foul and loathsome is thine image.

30

30           Sirs, I will practise on³⁰ this drunken man.

               What think you, if he were conveyed to bed,

               Wrapped in sweet³² clothes, rings put upon his fingers,

               A most delicious banquet³³ by his bed,

               And brave³⁴ attendants near him when he wakes,

35

35           Would not the beggar then forget himself?³⁵

FIRST HUNTSMAN

FIRST HUNTSMAN     Believe me, lord, I think he cannot choose.³⁶

SECOND HUNTSMAN

SECOND HUNTSMAN     It would seem strange³⁷ unto him when he waked.

LORD

LORD     Even as a flatt’ring dream or worthless fancy.³⁸

               Then take him up and manage well the jest:

40

40           Carry him gently to my fairest chamber

               And hang it round⁴¹ with all my wanton pictures:

               Balm⁴² his foul head in warm distillèd waters

               And burn sweet⁴³ wood to make the lodging sweet:

               Procure me music ready when he wakes,

45

45           To make a dulcet⁴⁵ and a heavenly sound.

               And if he chance to speak, be ready straight⁴⁶

               And with a low⁴⁷ submissive reverence

               Say ‘What is it your honour will command?’

               Let one attend him with a silver basin

50

50           Full of rose-water and bestrewed with flowers,

               Another bear the ewer,⁵¹ the third a diaper,

               And say ‘Will’t please your lordship cool your hands?’

               Someone be ready with a costly suit

               And ask him what apparel he will wear.

55

55           Another tell him of his hounds and horse,

               And that his lady mourns at his disease.⁵⁶

               Persuade him that he hath been lunatic,

               And when he says he is,⁵⁸ say that he dreams,

               For he is nothing but a mighty lord.

60

60           This do, and do it kindly,⁶⁰ gentle sirs.

               It will be pastime passing⁶¹ excellent,

               If it be husbanded⁶² with modesty.

FIRST HUNTSMAN

FIRST HUNTSMAN     My lord, I warrant⁶³ you we will play our part,

               As⁶⁴ he shall think by our true diligence

65

65           He is no less than what we say he is.

LORD

LORD     Take him up gently and to bed with him, Some carry out Sly

               And each one to his office⁶⁷ when he wakes

       Sound trumpets

               Sirrah,⁶⁸ go see what trumpet ’tis that sounds.

       [Exit a Servingman]

               Belike,⁶⁹ some noble gentleman that means,

70

70           Travelling some journey, to repose him here.

       Enter Servingman

               How now? Who is it?

SERVINGMAN

SERVINGMAN     An’t⁷² please your honour, players

               That offer service to your lordship.

       Enter Players

LORD

LORD     Bid them come near.— Now, fellows, you are welcome.

75

75   

PLAYERS

PLAYERS           We thank your honour.

LORD

LORD     Do you intend to stay with me tonight?

SECOND PLAYER

SECOND PLAYER     So please⁷⁷ your lordship to accept our duty.

LORD

LORD     With all my heart. This fellow I remember,

               Since once he played a farmer’s eldest son.

80

80           ’Twas where you wooed the gentlewoman so well:

               I have forgot your name, but, sure, that part

               Was aptly fitted⁸² and naturally performed.

FIRST PLAYER

FIRST PLAYER     I think ’twas Soto that your honour means.

LORD

LORD     ’Tis very true, thou didst it excellent.

85

85           Well, you are come to me in happy⁸⁵ time,

               The rather for⁸⁶ I have some sport in hand

               Wherein your cunning⁸⁷ can assist me much.

               There is a lord will hear you play tonight;

               But I am doubtful⁸⁹ of your modesties,

90

90           Lest over-eyeing of⁹⁰ his odd behaviour —

               For yet his honour never heard a play —

               You break into some merry passion⁹²

               And so offend him, for I tell you, sirs,

               If you should smile he grows impatient.⁹⁴

95

95   

FIRST PLAYER

FIRST PLAYER           Fear not, my lord, we can contain ourselves

               Were he the veriest antic⁹⁶ in the world.

LORD

LORD     Go, sirrah, take them to the buttery,⁹⁷ To a Servingman

               And give them friendly welcome every one.

               Let them want⁹⁹ nothing that my house affords.

       Exit one with the Players

100

100         Sirrah, go you to Barthol’mew my page,

               And see him dressed in all suits¹⁰¹ like a lady.

               That done, conduct him to the drunkard’s chamber,

               And call him ‘madam’, do him obeisance.¹⁰³

               Tell him from me, as he will¹⁰⁴ win my love,

105

105         He bear¹⁰⁵ himself with honourable action,

               Such as he hath observed in noble ladies

               Unto their lords, by them accomplishèd:¹⁰⁷

               Such duty¹⁰⁸ to the drunkard let him do

               With soft low tongue¹⁰⁹ and lowly courtesy,

110

110         And say, ‘What is’t your honour will command,

               Wherein your lady and your humble wife

               May show her duty and make known her love?’

               And then with kind embracements, tempting kisses,

               And with¹¹⁴ declining head into his bosom,

115

115         Bid him shed tears, as being overjoyed

               To see her noble lord restored to health,

               Who for this seven years hath esteemèd him¹¹⁷

               No better than a poor and loathsome beggar:

               And if the boy have not a woman’s gift

120

120         To rain a shower of commanded tears,¹²⁰

               An onion will do well for such a shift,¹²¹

               Which in a napkin¹²² being close conveyed

               Shall in despite¹²³ enforce a watery eye.

               See this dispatched¹²⁴ with all the haste thou canst.

125

125         Anon¹²⁵ I’ll give thee more instructions.

       Exit a Servingman

               I know the boy will well usurp the grace,¹²⁶

               Voice, gait and action of a gentlewoman:

               I long to hear him call the drunkard husband,

               And how¹²⁹ my men will stay themselves from laughter

130

130         When they do homage to this simple peasant.

               I’ll in¹³¹ to counsel them. Haply my presence

               May well abate the over-merry spleen¹³²

               Which otherwise would grow into extremes.

       [Exeunt]

[Induction Scene 2]*

running scene 1 continues

       Enter aloft the drunkard [Sly] with Attendants, some with apparel, basin and ewer, and other appurtenances, and Lord

SLY

SLY     For God’s sake, a pot of small¹ ale.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

FIRST SERVINGMAN     Will’t please your lordship drink a cup of sack?

SECOND SERVINGMAN

SECOND SERVINGMAN     Will’t please your honour taste of these conserves?³

THIRD SERVINGMAN

THIRD SERVINGMAN     What raiment⁴ will your honour wear today?

SLY

SLY     I am Christophero Sly, call not me ‘honour’ nor ‘lordship’. I ne’er drank sack in my life: and if you give me any conserves, give me conserves of beef:⁶ ne’er ask me what raiment I’ll wear, for I have no more doublets⁷ than backs, no more stockings than legs, nor no more shoes than feet — nay, sometime more feet than shoes, or such shoes as my toes look⁹ through the over-leather.

10

10   

LORD

LORD           Heaven cease this idle humour¹⁰ in your honour!

               O, that a mighty man of such descent,

               Of such possessions and so high esteem,

               Should be infusèd with so foul a spirit!¹³

SLY

SLY     What, would you make me mad? Am not I Christopher Sly, old Sly’s son of Burtonheath,¹⁵ by birth a pedlar, by education a cardmaker, by transmutation a bear-herd,¹⁶ and now by present profession a tinker? Ask Marian Hacket, the fat ale-wife¹⁷ of Wincot, if she know me not: if she say I am not fourteen pence on the score¹⁸ for sheer ale, score me up for the lying’st knave in Christendom. What, I am not bestraught!¹⁹ Here’s—

20

20   

THIRD SERVINGMAN

THIRD SERVINGMAN           O, this it is that makes your lady mourn!

SECOND SERVINGMAN

SECOND SERVINGMAN     O, this is it that makes your servants droop!²¹

LORD

LORD     Hence comes it that your kindred shuns your house,

               As²³ beaten hence by your strange lunacy.

               O noble lord, bethink thee of thy birth,

25

25           Call home thy ancient²⁵ thoughts from banishment

               And banish hence these abject lowly dreams.²⁶

               Look how thy servants do attend on thee,

               Each in his office ready at thy beck.

               Wilt thou have music? Hark! Apollo²⁹ plays,

       Music

30

30           And twenty cagèd nightingales do sing.

               Or wilt thou sleep? We’ll have thee to a couch

               Softer and sweeter than the lustful³² bed

               On purpose trimmed up³³ for Semiramis.

               Say thou wilt walk, we will bestrow³⁴ the ground.

35

35           Or wilt thou ride? Thy horses shall be trapped,³⁵

               Their harness studded all with gold and pearl.

               Dost thou love hawking?³⁷ Thou hast hawks will soar

               Above the morning lark. Or wilt thou hunt?

               Thy hounds shall make the welkin³⁹ answer them

40

40           And fetch shrill echoes from the hollow earth.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

FIRST SERVINGMAN     Say thou wilt course,⁴¹ thy greyhounds are as swift

               As breathèd⁴² stags, ay, fleeter than the roe.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

SECOND SERVINGMAN     Dost thou love pictures? We will fetch thee straight

               Adonis⁴⁴ painted by a running brook,

45

45           And Cytherea⁴⁵ all in sedges hid,

               Which seem to move and wanton⁴⁶ with her breath,

               Even as the waving sedges play with wind.

LORD

LORD     we’ll show thee Io⁴⁸ as she was a maid,

               And how she was beguilèd⁴⁹ and surprised,

50

50           As lively⁵⁰ painted as the deed was done.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

THIRD SERVINGMAN     Or Daphne⁵¹ roaming through a thorny wood,

               Scratching her legs that one shall swear she bleeds,

               And at that sight shall sad Apollo weep,

               So workmanly⁵⁴ the blood and tears are drawn.

55

55   

LORD

LORD           Thou art a lord, and nothing but a lord.

               Thou hast a lady far more beautiful

               Than any woman in this waning⁵⁷ age.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

FIRST SERVINGMAN     And till the tears that she hath shed for thee

               Like envious⁵⁹ floods o’errun her lovely face,

60

60           She was the fairest creature in the world,

               And yet⁶¹ she is inferior to none.

SLY

SLY     Am I a lord? And have I such a lady?

               Or do I dream? Or have I dreamed till now?

               I do not sleep: I see, I hear, I speak,

65

65           I smell sweet savours and I feel soft things.

               Upon my life, I am a lord indeed

               And not a tinker nor Christopher SIy.

               Well, bring our lady hither to our sight,

               And once again, a pot o’th’smallest ale.

70

70   

SECOND SERVINGMAN

SECOND SERVINGMAN           Will’t please your mightiness to wash your hands?

               O, how we joy to see your wit⁷¹ restored!

               O, that once more you knew but⁷² what you are!

               These fifteen years you have been in a dream,

               Or when you waked, so waked as if you slept.

75

75   

SLY

SLY           These fifteen years! By my fay,⁷⁵ a goodly nap.

               But did I never speak of⁷⁶ all that time?

FIRST SERVINGMAN

FIRST SERVINGMAN     O, yes, my lord, but very idle words,

               For though you lay here in this goodly chamber,

               Yet would you say ye were beaten out of door,

80

80           And rail upon⁸⁰ the hostess of the house,

               And say you would present⁸¹ her at the leet,

               Because she brought stone⁸² jugs and no sealed quarts:

               Sometimes you would call out for Cicely Hacket.

SLY

SLY     Ay, the woman’s⁸⁴ maid of the house.

85

85   

THIRD SERVINGMAN

THIRD SERVINGMAN           Why, sir, you know no house nor no such maid,

               Nor no such men as you have reckoned up,⁸⁶

               As Stephen Sly and old John Naps of Greece⁸⁷

               And Peter Turph and Henry Pimpernell

               And twenty more such names and men as these

90

90           Which never were nor no man ever saw.

SLY

SLY     Now lord be thankèd for my good amends!⁹¹

ALL

ALL     Amen.

       Enter [the Page dressed as a] lady, with Attendants

SLY

SLY     I thank thee. Thou shalt not lose by it.

PAGE

PAGE     How fares my noble lord?

95

95   

SLY

SLY           Marry,⁹⁵ I fare well, for here is cheer enough. Where is my wife?

PAGE

PAGE     Here, noble lord. What is thy will with her?

SLY

SLY     Are you my wife and will not call me husband?

               My men should call me ‘lord’. I am your Goodman.⁹⁸

PAGE

PAGE     My husband and my lord, my lord and husband,

100

100         I am your wife in all obedience.

SLY

SLY     I know it well.— What must I call her?

LORD

LORD     Madam.

SLY

SLY     Al’ce¹⁰³ madam, or Joan madam?

LORD

LORD     ‘Madam’, and nothing else. So lords call ladies.

105

105 

SLY

SLY             Madam wife, they say that I have dreamed

               And slept above some fifteen year or more.

PAGE

PAGE     Ay, and the time seems thirty unto me,

               Being all this time abandoned¹⁰⁸ from your bed.

SLY

SLY     ’Tis much. Servants, leave me and her alone.

       [Exeunt Attendants]

110

110         Madam, undress you and come now to bed.

PAGE

PAGE     Thrice-noble lord, let me entreat of you

               To pardon me yet for a night or two,

               Or, if not so, until the sun be set.

               For your physicians have expressly charged,

115

115         In¹¹⁵ peril to incur your former malady,

               That I should yet absent me from your bed:

               I hope this reason stands for¹¹⁷ my excuse.

SLY

SLY     Ay, it stands¹¹⁸ so that I may hardly tarry so long. But I would be loath to fall into my dreams again. I will therefore tarry in despite¹¹⁹ of the flesh and the blood.

       Enter a Messenger

120

120 

MESSENGER

MESSENGER             Your honour’s players, hearing your amendment,

               Are come to play a pleasant¹²¹ comedy,

               For so your doctors hold it very meet,¹²²

               Seeing too much sadness hath congealed your blood,

               And melancholy is the nurse of frenzy:

125

125         Therefore they thought it good you hear a play

               And frame¹²⁶ your mind to mirth and merriment,

               Which bars¹²⁷ a thousand harms and lengthens life.

SLY

SLY     Marry, I will, let them play it. Is not a comonty¹²⁸ a Christmas gambold or a tumbling trick?

PAGE

PAGE     No, my good lord, it is more pleasing stuff.¹³⁰

SLY

SLY     What, household stuff?

PAGE

PAGE     It is a kind of history.¹³²

SLY

SLY     Well, we’ll see’t. Come, madam wife, sit by my side and let the world slip,¹³³ They sit we shall ne’er be younger.

       Flourish

[Act 1 Scene 1]1.1

running scene 2

       Enter Lucentio and his man Tranio

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO     Tranio, since for the great desire I had

               To see fair Padua,² nursery of arts,

               I am arrived for³ fruitful Lombardy,

               The pleasant garden of great Italy,

5

5             And by my father’s love and leave⁵ am armed

               With his good will and thy good company,

               My trusty servant, well approved⁷ in all,

               Here let us breathe⁸ and haply institute

               A course of learning and ingenious⁹ studies.

10

10           Pisa, renownèd for grave¹⁰ citizens,

               Gave¹¹ me my being and my father first,

               A merchant of great traffic¹² through the world,

               Vincentio come of¹³ the Bentivolii.

               Vincentio’s¹⁴ son, brought up in Florence,

15

15           It shall become to serve all hopes conceived,

               To deck his fortune with his virtuous deeds:

               And therefore, Tranio, for the time I study,

               Virtue and that part of philosophy

               Will I apply that treats of¹⁹ happiness

20

20           By virtue specially to be achieved.

               Tell me thy mind, for I have Pisa left

               And am to Padua come, as he that leaves

               A shallow plash²³ to plunge him in the deep

               And with satiety²⁴ seeks to quench his thirst.

25

25   

TRANIO

TRANIO           Mi perdonato,²⁵ gentle master mine.

               I am in all affected²⁶ as yourself,

               Glad that you thus continue your resolve

               To suck the sweets of sweet philosophy.

               Only, good master, while we do admire

30

30           This virtue and this moral discipline,

               Let’s be no stoics³¹ nor no stocks, I pray,

               Or so devote to Aristotle’s³² checks

               As³³ Ovid be an outcast quite abjured.

               Balk³⁴ logic with acquaintance that you have

35

35           And practise rhetoric in your common³⁵ talk,

               Music and poesy use to quicken³⁶ you;

               The mathematics and the metaphysics,

               Fall to³⁸ them as you find your stomach serves you.

               No³⁹ profit grows where is no pleasure ta’en:

40

40           In brief, sir, study what you most affect.⁴⁰

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO     Gramercies,⁴¹ Tranio, well dost thou advise.

               If, Biondello, thou wert⁴² come ashore,

               We could at once put us in readiness,

               And take a lodging fit to entertain

45

45           Such friends as time in Padua shall beget.⁴⁵

               But stay a while, what company is this?

TRANIO

TRANIO     Master, some show to welcome us to town.

       Enter Baptista with his two daughters, Katherina and Bianca, Gremio a pantaloon, Hortensio suitor to Bianca. Lucentio [and] Tranio stand by

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     Gentlemen, importune⁴⁸ me no farther,

               For how I firmly am resolved you know:

50

50           That is, not to bestow⁵⁰ my youngest daughter

               Before I have a husband for the elder.

               If either of you both love Katherina,

               Because I know you well and love you well,

               Leave shall you have to court her at your pleasure.

55

55   

GREMIO

GREMIO           To cart her⁵⁵ rather. She’s too rough for me. Aside?

               There, there, Hortensio, will you⁵⁶ any wife?

KATE

KATE     I pray you, sir, is it your will To Baptista

               To make a stale⁵⁸ of me amongst these mates?

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     Mates’, maid? How mean you that? No mates for you,

60

60           Unless you were of gentler, milder mould.

KATE

KATE     I’faith, sir, you shall never need to fear:

               Iwis⁶² it is not halfway to her heart.

               But if it were, doubt not her care⁶³ should be

               To comb your noddle⁶⁴ with a three-legged stool

65

65           And paint⁶⁵ your face and use you like a fool.

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     From all such devils, good lord deliver us!

GREMIO

GREMIO     And me too, good lord!

TRANIO

TRANIO     Husht, master! Here’s some good pastime toward;⁶⁸ Aside to Lucentio

               That wench is stark mad or wonderful froward.⁶⁹

70

70   

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO           But in the other’s silence do I see Aside to Tranio

               Maid’s mild behaviour and sobriety.

               Peace, Tranio!

TRANIO

TRANIO     Well said, master. Mum,⁷³ and gaze your fill. Aside to Lucentio

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     Gentlemen, that I may soon make good

75

75           What I have said, Bianca, get you in,

               And let it not displease thee, good Bianca,

               For I will love thee ne’er the less, my girl.

KATE

KATE     A pretty peat!⁷⁸ It is best

               Put⁷⁹ finger in the eye, an she knew why.

80

80   

BIANCA

BIANCA           Sister, content you⁸⁰ in my discontent.

               Sir, to your pleasure⁸¹ humbly I subscribe:

               My books and instruments shall be my company,

               On them to look and practise by myself.

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO     Hark, Tranio, thou may’st hear Minerva⁸⁴ speak.

85

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     Signior Baptista, will you be so strange?⁸⁵

               Sorry am I that our good will effects⁸⁶

               Bianca’s grief.

GREMIO

GREMIO     Why will you mew her up,⁸⁸

               Signior Baptista, for⁸⁹ this fiend of hell,

90

90           And make her⁹⁰ bear the penance of her tongue?

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     Gentlemen, content ye, I am resolved.—

               Go in, Bianca.—

       [Exit Bianca]

               And for⁹³ I know she taketh most delight

               In music, instruments and poetry,

95

95           Schoolmasters will I keep within my house

               Fit to instruct her youth. If you, Hortensio,

               Or Signior Gremio, you, know any such,

               Prefer⁹⁸ them hither, for to cunning men

               I will be very kind, and liberal

100

100         To mine own children in good bringing up.

               And so farewell.— Katherina, you may stay,

               For I have more to commune¹⁰² with Bianca.

       Exit

KATE

KATE     Why, and I trust I may go too, may I not? What, shall I be appointed hours,¹⁰³ as though, belike,¹⁰⁴ I knew not what to take and what to leave? Ha?

       Exit

GREMIO

GREMIO     You may go to the devil’s dam.¹⁰⁵ Your gifts are so good, here’s none will hold you.— Their love¹⁰⁶ is not so great, Hortensio, but we may blow our nails together, and fast¹⁰⁷ it fairly out. Our cake’s dough on both sides. Farewell. Yet for the love I bear my sweet Bianca, if I can by any means light on¹⁰⁸ a fit man to teach her that wherein she delights, I will wish¹⁰⁹ him to her father.

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     So will I, Signior Gremio. But a word, I pray. Though the nature of our quarrel yet never brooked parle,¹¹¹ know now, upon advice, it toucheth us both — that we may yet again have access to our fair mistress and be happy rivals in Bianca’s love — to labour and effect¹¹³ one thing specially.

GREMIO

GREMIO     What’s that, I pray?

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     Marry, sir, to get a husband for her sister.

GREMIO

GREMIO     A husband? A devil.

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     I say a husband.

GREMIO

GREMIO     I say a devil. Think’st thou, Hortensio, though her father be very rich, any man is so very a fool to be married to hell?

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     Tush, Gremio, though it pass¹²⁰ your patience and mine to endure her loud alarums,¹²¹ why, man, there be good fellows in the world, an a man could light on them, would take her with all faults, and money enough.

GREMIO

GREMIO     I cannot tell, but I had as lief¹²³ take her dowry with this condition: to be whipped at the high cross¹²⁴ every morning.

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     Faith, as you say, there’s small choice in rotten apples. But come, since this bar in law¹²⁶ makes us friends, it shall be so far forth friendly maintained till by helping Baptista’s eldest daughter to a husband we set his youngest free for a husband, and then have¹²⁸ to’t afresh. Sweet Bianca! Happy man be his dole! He that runs fastest gets the ring.¹²⁹ How say you, Signior Gremio?

GREMIO

GREMIO     I am agreed, and would I had given him the best horse in Padua to begin his wooing that would thoroughly woo her, wed her and bed her and rid the house of her! Come on. Exeunt both [Gremio and Hortensio]. Tranio and Lucentio remain

TRANIO

TRANIO     I pray, sir, tell me, is it possible

               That love should of a sudden take such hold?

135

135 

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO             O Tranio, till I found it to be true,

               I never thought it possible or likely.

               But see, while idly I stood looking on,

               I found the effect of love in idleness,¹³⁸

               And now in plainness do confess to thee,

140

140         That art to me as secret¹⁴⁰ and as dear

               As Anna¹⁴¹ to the Queen of Carthage was,

               Tranio, I burn, I pine, I perish, Tranio,

               If I achieve not this young modest girl.

               Counsel me, Tranio, for I know thou canst.

145

145         Assist me, Tranio, for I know thou wilt.

TRANIO

TRANIO     Master, it is no time to chide you now.

               Affection is not rated¹⁴⁷ from the heart:

               If love have touched you, naught remains but so,

               Redime¹⁴⁹ te captum quam queas minimo.

150

150 

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO             Gramercies, lad. Go forward.¹⁵⁰ This contents:

               The rest will comfort, for thy counsel’s sound.

TRANIO

TRANIO     Master, you looked so longly¹⁵² on the maid,

               Perhaps you marked not¹⁵³ what’s the pith of all.

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO     O, yes, I saw sweet beauty in her face,

155

155         Such as the daughter of Agenor¹⁵⁵ had,

               That made great Jove to humble him¹⁵⁶ to her hand.

               When with his knees he kissed¹⁵⁷ the Cretan strand.

TRANIO

TRANIO     Saw you no more? Marked you not how her sister

               Began to scold and raise up such a storm

160

160         That mortal ears might hardly endure the din?

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO     Tranio, I saw her coral lips to move

               And with her breath she did perfume the air.

               Sacred and sweet was all I saw in her.

TRANIO

TRANIO     Nay, then, ’tis time to stir him from his trance.— Aside

165

165         I pray, awake, sir. If you love the maid,

               Bend¹⁶⁶ thoughts and wits to achieve her. Thus it stands:

               Her elder sister is so curst¹⁶⁷ and shrewd

               That till the father rid his hands of her,

               Master, your love must live a maid¹⁶⁹ at home,

170

170         And therefore has he closely¹⁷⁰ mewed her up,

               Because she will not be annoyed¹⁷¹ with suitors.

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO     Ah, Tranio, what a cruel father’s he!

               But art thou not advised¹⁷³ he took some care

               To get her cunning schoolmasters to instruct her?

175

175 

TRANIO

TRANIO             Ay, marry, am I, sir, and now ’tis plotted.

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO     I have it, Tranio.

TRANIO

TRANIO     Master, for my hand,¹⁷⁷

               Both our inventions meet¹⁷⁸ and jump in one.

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO     Tell me thine first.

180

TRANIO

TRANIO     You will be schoolmaster

               And undertake the teaching of the maid:

               That’s your device.¹⁸²

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO     It is: may it be done?

TRANIO

TRANIO     Not possible, for who shall bear¹⁸⁴ your part,

185

185         And be in Padua here Vincentio’s son,

               Keep house¹⁸⁶ and ply his book, welcome his friends,

               Visit his countrymen and banquet them?

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO     Basta,¹⁸⁸ content thee, for I have it full.

               We have not yet been seen in any house,

190

190         Nor can we be distinguished by our faces

               For man or master. Then it follows thus:

               Thou shalt be master, Tranio, in my stead,

               Keep house and port¹⁹³ and servants as I should.

               I will some other be, some Florentine,

195

195         Some Neapolitan, or meaner¹⁹⁵ man of Pisa.

               ’Tis hatched and shall be so. Tranio, at once

               Uncase¹⁹⁷ thee: take my coloured hat and cloak. They exchange clothes

               When Biondello comes, he waits on thee,

               But I will charm¹⁹⁹ him first to keep his tongue.

200

200 

TRANIO

TRANIO             So had you need.

               In brief, sir, sith²⁰¹ it your pleasure is,

               And I am tied²⁰² to be obedient —

               For so your father charged²⁰³ me at our parting,

               ‘Be serviceable to my son’, quoth he,

205

205         Although I think ’twas in another sense —

               I am content to be Lucentio,

               Because so well I love Lucentio.

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO     Tranio, be so, because Lucentio loves.

               And let me be a slave, t’achieve that maid

210

210         Whose sudden sight²¹⁰ hath thralled my wounded eye.

       Enter Biondello

               Here comes the rogue. Sirrah, where have you been?

BIONDELLO

BIONDELLO     Where have I been? Nay, how now? Where are you? Master, has my fellow Tranio stolen your clothes? Or you stolen his? Or both? Pray, what’s the news?

215

215 

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO             Sirrah, come hither. ’Tis no time to jest,

               And therefore frame²¹⁶ your manners to the time.

               Your fellow Tranio here, to save my life,

               Puts my apparel and my count’nance²¹⁸ on,

               And I for my escape have put on his,

220

220         For in a quarrel since I came ashore

               I killed a man, and fear I was descried.²²¹

               Wait you on him, I charge you, as becomes,²²²

               While I make way from hence to save my life.

               You understand me?

225

225 

BIONDELLO

BIONDELLO             I, sir? Ne’er a whit.

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO     And not a jot of Tranio in your mouth.

               Tranio is changed into Lucentio.

BIONDELLO

BIONDELLO     The better for him. Would I were so too!

TRANIO

TRANIO     So could I, faith, boy, to have the next wish after,

230

230         That Lucentio indeed had Baptista’s youngest daughter.

               But, sirrah, not for my sake, but your master’s, I advise

               You use your manners discreetly²³² in all kind of companies:

               When I am alone, why, then I am Tranio,

               But in all places else your master Lucentio.

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO     Tranio, let’s go. One thing more rests²³⁵ that thyself execute: to make one among these wooers. If thou ask me why, sufficeth²³⁶ my reasons are both good and weighty.

       Exeunt

       The Presenters above speaks

FIRST SERVINGMAN

FIRST SERVINGMAN     My lord, you nod. You do not mind²³⁸ the play.

SLY

SLY     Yes, by Saint Anne, do I. A good matter,²³⁹ surely.

240

240         Comes there any more of it?

PAGE

PAGE     My lord, ’tis but begun.

SLY

SLY     ’Tis a very excellent piece of work, madam lady.

               Would²⁴³ ’twere done!

       They sit and mark

[Act 1 Scene 2]1.2

running scene 2 continues

       Enter Petruchio and his man Grumio

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Verona,¹ for a while I take my leave,

               To see my friends in Padua; but of all²

               My best belovèd and approvèd friend,

               Hortensio, and I trow⁴ this is his house.

5

5             Here, sirrah Grumio, knock, I say.

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     Knock,⁶ sir? Whom should I knock? Is there any man has rebused your worship?

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Villain, I say, knock me here soundly.

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     Knock you here, sir? Why, sir, what am I, sir, that I should knock you here, sir?

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Villain,¹¹ I say, knock me at this gate

               And rap me well, or I’ll knock your knave’s pate.¹²

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     My master is grown quarrelsome. I¹³ should knock you first,

               And then I know after who comes by the worst.

15

15   

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO           Will it not be?

               Faith, sirrah, an you’ll not knock, I’ll ring¹⁶ it.

               I’ll¹⁷ try how you can sol-fa and sing it.

       He wrings him by the ears

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     Help, mistress,¹⁸ help! My master is mad.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Now, knock when I bid you, sirrah villain.

       Enter Hortensio

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     How now? What’s the matter? My old friend Grumio and my good friend Petruchio? How²¹ do you all at Verona?

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Signior Hortensio, come you to part the fray?

       Con²³ tutto il cuore, ben trovato, may I say.

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     Alla²⁴ nostra casa ben venuto, molto honorata signor mio Petruchio. Rise, Grumio, rise. We will compound²⁵ this quarrel.

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     Nay, ’tis no matter, sir, what he ’leges²⁶ in Latin. If this be not a lawful cause for me to leave his service, look you, sir: he bid me knock him and rap him soundly, sir. Well, was it fit for a servant to use²⁸ his master so, being perhaps, for aught²⁹ I see, two and thirty, a pip out?

30

30           Whom would to God I had well knocked at first,

               Then had not Grumio come by the worst.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     A senseless villain! Good Hortensio,

               I bade the rascal knock upon your gate

               And could not get him for my heart³⁴ to do it.

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     Knock at the gate? O heavens! Spake you not these words plain, ‘Sirrah, knock me here, rap me here, knock me well, and knock me soundly’? And come you now with, ‘knocking at the gate’?

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Sirrah, be gone, or talk not, I advise you.

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     Petruchio, patience. I am Grumio’s pledge.³⁹

40

40           Why, this’⁴⁰ a heavy chance ’twixt him and you,

               Your ancient,⁴¹ trusty, pleasant servant Grumio.

               And tell me now, sweet friend, what happy⁴² gale

               Blows you to Padua here from old Verona?

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Such wind as scatters young men through the world,

45

45           To seek their fortunes further than at home

               Where small experience grows. But in a few,⁴⁶

               Signior Hortensio, thus it stands with me:

               Antonio, my father, is deceased,

               And I have thrust myself into this maze,

50

50           Happily to wive⁵⁰ and thrive as best I may.

               Crowns⁵¹ in my purse I have and goods at home,

               And so am come abroad to see the world.

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     Petruchio, shall I then come roundly⁵³ to thee

               And wish⁵⁴ thee to a shrewd ill-favoured wife?

55

55           Thou’ldst⁵⁵ thank me but a little for my counsel.

               And yet I’ll promise thee she shall be rich,

               And very rich. But thou’rt too much my friend,

               And I’ll not wish thee to her.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Signior Hortensio, ’twixt such friends as we

60

60           Few words suffice: and therefore, if thou know

               One rich enough to be Petruchio’s wife —

               As wealth is burden⁶² of my wooing dance —

               Be she as foul as was Florentius’ love,⁶³

               As old as Sibyl⁶⁴ and as curst and shrewd

65

65           As Socrates’ Xanthippe,⁶⁵ or a worse,

               She moves me not,⁶⁶ or not removes, at least,

               Affection’s edge in me, were she as rough

               As are the swelling Adriatic seas.

               I come to wive it wealthily in Padua,

70

70           If wealthily, then happily in Padua.

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     Nay, look you, sir, he tells you flatly what his mind⁷¹ is. Why, give him gold enough and marry him to a puppet or an aglet-baby;⁷² or an old trot with ne’er a tooth in her head, though she have as many diseases as two and fifty horses. Why, nothing comes amiss, so⁷⁴ money comes withal.

75

75   

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO           Petruchio, since we are⁷⁵ stepped thus far in,

               I will continue that I broached⁷⁶ in jest.

               I can, Petruchio, help thee to a wife

               With wealth enough and young and beauteous,

               Brought up as best becomes a gentlewoman.

80

80           Her only fault, and that is faults enough,

               Is that she is intolerable⁸¹ curst

               And shrewd and froward, so beyond all measure

               That, were my state⁸³ far worser than it is,

               I would not wed her for a mine of gold.

85

85   

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO           Hortensio, peace! Thou know’st not gold’s effect.

               Tell me her father’s name and ’tis enough,

               For I will board⁸⁷ her, though she chide as loud

               As thunder when the clouds in autumn crack.⁸⁸

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     Her father is Baptista Minola,

90

90           An affable and courteous gentleman.

               Her name is Katherina Minola,

               Renowned in Padua for her scolding tongue.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     I know her father, though I know not her,

               And he knew my deceasèd father well.

95

95           I will not sleep, Hortensio, till I see her,

               And therefore let me be thus bold with you

               To give you over⁹⁷ at this first encounter,

               Unless you will accompany me thither.

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     I pray you, sir, let him go while the humour⁹⁹ lasts. O’ my word, an she knew him as well as I do, she would think scolding would do little good upon him. She may perhaps call him half a score¹⁰¹ knaves or so. Why, that’s nothing; an he begin once, he’ll rail¹⁰² in his rope-tricks. I’ll tell you what, sir, an she stand him but a little, he will throw a figure¹⁰³ in her face and so disfigure her with it that she shall have no more eyes to see withal¹⁰⁴ than a cat. You know him not, sir.

105

105 

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO             Tarry, Petruchio, I must go with thee,

               For in Baptista’s keep¹⁰⁶ my treasure is:

               He hath the jewel of my life in hold,¹⁰⁷

               His youngest daughter, beautiful Bianca,

               And her withholds from me and other more,¹⁰⁹

110

110         Suitors to her and rivals in my love,

               Supposing it a thing impossible,

               For those defects¹¹² I have before rehearsed,

               That ever Katherina will be wooed:

               Therefore this order¹¹⁴ hath Baptista ta’en,

115

115         That none shall have access unto Bianca

               Till Katherine the curst have got a husband.

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     Katherine the curst!

               A title for a maid of all titles the worst.

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     Now shall my friend Petruchio do me grace,¹¹⁹

120

120         And offer me disguised in sober robes

               To old Baptista as a schoolmaster

               Well seen¹²² in music, to instruct Bianca,

               That so I may by this device at least

               Have leave and leisure to make love to¹²⁴ her

125

125         And unsuspected court her by herself.

       Enter Gremio and Lucentio disguised

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     Here’s no knavery!¹²⁶ See, to beguile the old folks, how the young folks lay their heads together! Master, master, look about you. Who goes there, ha?

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     Peace, Grumio, it is the rival of my love.

               Petruchio, stand by a while. They stand aside

130

130 

GRUMIO

GRUMIO             A proper stripling¹³⁰ and an amorous! Aside

GREMIO

GREMIO     O, very well, I have perused the note.¹³¹ To Lucentio

               Hark you, sir, I’ll have them very fairly¹³² bound —

               All books of love, see that at any hand¹³³ —

               And see you read¹³⁴ no other lectures to her.

135

135         You understand me. Over and beside

               Signior Baptista’s liberality,¹³⁶

               I’ll mend¹³⁷ it with a largesse. Take your paper too, Gives Lucentio the note

               And let me have them¹³⁸ very well perfumed,

               For she is sweeter than perfume itself

140

140         To whom they go to. What will you read to her?

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO     Whate’er I read to her, I’ll plead for you

               As for my patron, stand you so assured,

               As firmly as yourself¹⁴³ were still in place —

               Yea, and perhaps with more successful words

145

145         Than you, unless you were a scholar, sir.

GREMIO

GREMIO     O, this learning, what a thing it is!

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     O, this woodcock,¹⁴⁷ what an ass it is! Aside

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Peace, sirrah!

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     Grumio, mum.— God save you, Signior Gremio.

150

150 

GREMIO

GREMIO             And you¹⁵⁰ are well met, Signior Hortensio.

               Trow you¹⁵¹ whither I am going? To Baptista Minola.

               I promised to inquire carefully

               About a schoolmaster for the fair Bianca,

               And by good fortune I have lighted well

155

155         On this young man, for learning and behaviour

               Fit¹⁵⁶ for her turn, well read in poetry

               And other books, good ones, I warrant ye.

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     ’Tis well. And I have met a gentleman

               Hath promised me to help me to¹⁵⁹ another,

160

160         A fine musician to instruct our mistress.

               So shall I no whit be behind in duty

               To fair Bianca, so beloved of me.

GREMIO

GREMIO     Beloved of me, and that my deeds shall prove.

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     And that his bags¹⁶⁴ shall prove. Aside

165

165 

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO             Gremio, ’tis now no time to vent¹⁶⁵ our love.

               Listen to me, and if you speak me fair,¹⁶⁶

               I’ll tell you news indifferent¹⁶⁷ good for either.

               Here is a gentleman whom by chance I met,

               Upon agreement¹⁶⁹ from us to his liking,

170

170         Will undertake to woo curst Katherine,

               Yea, and to marry her, if her dowry please.

GREMIO

GREMIO     So¹⁷² said, so done, is well.

               Hortensio, have you told him all her faults?

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     I know she is an irksome brawling scold:

175

175         If that be all, masters, I hear no harm.

GREMIO

GREMIO     No, say’st me so, friend? What countryman?¹⁷⁶

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Born in Verona, old Antonio’s son.

               My father dead, my fortune lives for me,

               And I do hope good days and long to see.

180

180 

GREMIO

GREMIO             O sir, such a life with such a wife were strange.

               But if you have a stomach,¹⁸¹ to’t a’ God’s name.

               You shall have me assisting you in all.

               But will you woo this wild-cat?

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Will I live?¹⁸⁴

185

185 

GRUMIO

GRUMIO             Will he woo her? Ay, or I’ll hang her. Aside?

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Why came I hither but to that intent?

               Think you a little din can daunt mine ears?

               Have I not in my time heard lions roar?

               Have I not heard the sea, puffed up with winds,

190

190         Rage like an angry boar chafèd¹⁹⁰ with sweat?

               Have I not heard great ordnance¹⁹¹ in the field,

               And heaven’s artillery thunder in the skies?

               Have I not in a pitchèd¹⁹³ battle heard

               Loud ’larums,¹⁹⁴ neighing steeds, and trumpets’ clang?

195

195         And do you tell me of a woman’s tongue,

               That gives not half so great a blow to hear

               As will a chestnut¹⁹⁷ in a farmer’s fire?

               Tush, tush! Fear¹⁹⁸ boys with bugs.

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     For he fears none.

200

200 

GREMIO

GREMIO             Hortensio, hark:

               This gentleman is happily arrived,

               My mind presumes, for his own good and yours.

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     I promised we would be contributors

               And bear his charge²⁰⁴ of wooing whatsoe’er.

205

205 

GREMIO

GREMIO             And so we will, provided that he win her.

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     I would I were as sure of a good dinner.

       Enter Tranio brave [disguised as Lucentio] and Biondello

TRANIO

TRANIO     Gentlemen, God save you. If I may be bold,

               Tell me, I beseech you, which is the readiest²⁰⁸ way

               To the house of Signior Baptista Minola?

210

210 

BIONDELLO

BIONDELLO             He that has the two fair daughters, is’t he you mean?

TRANIO

TRANIO     Even he, Biondello.

GREMIO

GREMIO     Hark you, sir, you mean not her to²¹²—

TRANIO

TRANIO     Perhaps, him and her, sir. What²¹³ have you to do?

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Not her that chides, sir, at any hand, I pray.

215

215 

TRANIO

TRANIO             I love no chiders,²¹⁵ sir. Biondello, let’s away.

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO     Well begun,²¹⁶ Tranio. Aside

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     Sir, a word ere²¹⁷ you go:

               Are you a suitor to the maid you talk of, yea or no?

TRANIO

TRANIO     And if I be, sir, is it any offence?

220

220 

GREMIO

GREMIO             No, if without more words you will get you hence.

TRANIO

TRANIO     Why, sir, I pray, are not the streets as free

               For me as for you?

GREMIO

GREMIO     But so is not she.

TRANIO

TRANIO     For what reason, I beseech you?

225

225 

GREMIO

GREMIO             For this reason, if you’ll know,

               That she’s the choice²²⁶ love of Signior Gremio.

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     That she’s the chosen of Signior Hortensio.

TRANIO

TRANIO     Softly, my masters. If you be gentlemen,

               Do me this right: hear me with patience.

230

230         Baptista is a noble gentleman,

               To whom my father is not all²³¹ unknown,

               And were his daughter fairer than she is,

               She may more suitors have, and me for one.

               Fair Leda’s daughter²³⁴ had a thousand wooers,

235

235         Then well one more may fair Bianca have,

               And so she shall. Lucentio shall make one,

               Though²³⁷ Paris came in hope to speed alone.

GREMIO

GREMIO     What, this gentleman will out-talk us all.

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO     Sir, give him head.²³⁹ I know he’ll prove a jade.

240

240 

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO             Hortensio, to what end are all these words?

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     Sir, let me be so bold as ask you,

               Did you yet ever see Baptista’s daughter?

TRANIO

TRANIO     No, sir, but hear I do that he hath two:

               The one as famous for a scolding tongue

245

245         As is the other for beauteous modesty.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Sir, sir, the first’s for me, let²⁴⁶ her go by.

GREMIO

GREMIO     Yea, leave that labour to great Hercules,²⁴⁷

               And let it be²⁴⁸ more than Alcides’ twelve.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Sir, understand you this of me, in sooth:²⁴⁹

250

250         The youngest daughter whom you hearken for,²⁵⁰

               Her father keeps from all access of suitors,

               And will not promise her to any man

               Until the elder sister first be wed.

               The younger then is free, and not before.

255

255 

TRANIO

TRANIO             If it be so, sir, that you are the man

               Must stead²⁵⁶ us all and me amongst the rest,

               And if you break the ice and do this feat,

               Achieve the elder, set the younger free

               For our access, whose hap²⁵⁹ shall be to have her

260

260         Will²⁶⁰ not so graceless be to be ingrate.

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     Sir, you say well, and well you do conceive.²⁶¹

               And since you do profess to be a suitor,

               You must, as we do, gratify²⁶³ this gentleman,

               To whom we all rest²⁶⁴ generally beholding.

265

265 

TRANIO

TRANIO             Sir, I shall not be slack, in sign whereof,

               Please ye we may contrive²⁶⁶ this afternoon

               And quaff carouses²⁶⁷ to our mistress’ health,

               And do as adversaries²⁶⁸ do in law,

               Strive²⁶⁹ mightily, but eat and drink as friends.

270

270 

GRUMIO and BIONDELLO

GRUMIO and BIONDELLO     O excellent motion!²⁷⁰ Fellows, let’s be gone.

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     The motion’s good indeed and be it so,

               Petruchio, I shall be your ben venuto.²⁷²

       Exeunt

[Act 2 Scene 1]

running scene 3

       Enter Katherina and Bianca Bianca’s hands tied

BIANCA

BIANCA     Good sister, wrong me not, nor wrong yourself,

               To make a bondmaid² and a slave of me.

               That I disdain. But for these other goods,³

               Unbind⁴ my hands, I’ll pull them off myself,

5

5             Yea, all my raiment,⁵ to my petticoat,

               Or what you will command me will I do,

               So well I know my duty to my elders.

KATE

KATE     Of all thy suitors here I charge thee tell

               Whom thou lov’st best: see thou dissemble⁹ not.

10

10   

BIANCA

BIANCA           Believe me, sister, of all the men alive

               I never yet beheld that special¹¹ face

               Which I could fancy more than any other.

KATE

KATE     Minion,¹³ thou liest. Is’t not Hortensio?

BIANCA

BIANCA     If you affect¹⁴ him, sister, here I swear

15

15           I’ll plead for you myself, but you shall have him.

KATE

KATE     O, then belike you fancy riches more:

               You will have Gremio to keep you fair.¹⁷

BIANCA

BIANCA     Is it for him you do envy¹⁸ me so?

               Nay then you jest, and now I well perceive

20

20           You have but jested with me all this while.

               I prithee sister Kate, untie my hands.

KATE

KATE     If that be jest, then all the rest was so.

       Strikes her

       Enter Baptista

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     Why, how now, dame?²³ Whence grows this insolence?—

               Bianca, stand aside. Poor girl, she weeps.

25

25           Go ply thy needle,²⁵ meddle not with her.—

               For shame, thou hilding²⁶ of a devilish spirit,

               Why dost thou wrong her that did ne’er wrong thee?

               When did she cross²⁸ thee with a bitter word?

KATE

KATE     Her silence flouts²⁹ me, and I’ll be revenged.

       Flies after Bianca

30

30   

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA           What, in my sight? Bianca, get thee in.

       Exit [Bianca]

KATE

KATE     What, will you not suffer³¹ me? Nay, now I see

               She is your treasure, she must have a husband,

               I must dance³³ barefoot on her wedding day,

               And for your love to her lead³⁴ apes in hell.

35

35           Talk not to me. I will go sit and weep

               Till I can find occasion of³⁶ revenge.

       [Exit]

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     Was ever gentleman thus grieved as I?

               But who comes here?

       Enter Gremio, Lucentio in the habit of a mean man, Petruchio with [Hortensio as a musician, and] Tranio, with his boy [Biondello] bearing a lute and books

GREMIO

GREMIO     Good morrow, neighbour Baptista.

40

40   

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA           Good morrow, neighbour Gremio.

               God save you, gentlemen!

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     And you, good sir. Pray, have you not a daughter

               Called Katherina, fair and virtuous?

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     I have a daughter, sir, called Katherina.

45

45   

GREMIO

GREMIO           You are too blunt. Go⁴⁵ to it orderly.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     You wrong me, Signior Gremio, give me leave.⁴⁶—

               I am a gentleman of Verona, sir, To Baptista

               That, hearing of her beauty and her wit,⁴⁸

               Her affability and bashful modesty,

50

50           Her wondrous qualities and mild behaviour,

               Am bold to show myself a forward⁵¹ guest

               Within your house, to make mine eye the witness

               Of that report which I so oft have heard.

               And for⁵⁴ an entrance to my entertainment,

55

55           I do present you with a man of mine, Presents Hortensio

               Cunning in music and the mathematics,

               To instruct her fully in those sciences,⁵⁷

               Whereof I know she is not ignorant.

               Accept of⁵⁹ him, or else you do me wrong.

60

60           His name is Litio,⁶⁰ born in Mantua.

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     You’re welcome, sir, and he, for your good sake.

               But for my daughter Katherine, this I know,

               She is not for your turn,⁶³ the more my grief.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     I see you do not mean to part with her,

65

65           Or else you like not of my company.

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     Mistake me not, I speak but as I find.

               Whence are you, sir? What may I call your name?

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Petruchio is my name, Antonio’s son,

               A man well known throughout all Italy.

70

70   

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA           I know him well. You are welcome for his sake.

GREMIO

GREMIO     Saving⁷¹ your tale, Petruchio, I pray,

               Let us that are poor petitioners⁷² speak too:

               Baccare!⁷³ You are marvellous forward.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     O, pardon me, Signior Gremio, I⁷⁴ would fain be doing.

GREMIO

GREMIO     I doubt it not, sir. But you will curse your wooing.—To Baptists Neighbour, this is a gift very grateful,⁷⁶ I am sure of it. To express the like kindness, myself, that have been more kindly⁷⁷ beholding to you than any, Presents Lucentio freely give unto you this young scholar, that hath been long studying at Rheims,⁷⁸ as cunning in Greek, Latin, and other languages, as the other in music and mathematics. His name is Cambio.⁷⁹ Pray, accept his service.

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     A thousand thanks, Signior Gremio.

               Welcome, good Cambio.—

               But, gentle sir, methinks you walk⁸³ like a stranger. To Tranio

               May I be so bold to know the cause of your coming?

85

85   

TRANIO

TRANIO           Pardon me, sir, the boldness is mine own,

               That, being a stranger in this city here,

               Do make myself a suitor to your daughter,

               Unto Bianca, fair and virtuous.

               Nor is your firm resolve unknown to me,

90

90           In the preferment⁹⁰ of the eldest sister.

               This liberty is all that I request,

               That, upon knowledge⁹² of my parentage,

               I may have welcome ’mongst the rest that woo,

               And free access and favour as the rest.

95

95           And toward the education of your daughters

               I here bestow a simple instrument, Presents lute and books

               And this small packet of Greek and Latin books:

               If you accept them, then their worth is great.

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     Lucentio⁹⁹ is your name? Of whence, I pray?

100

100 

TRANIO

TRANIO             Of Pisa, sir, son to Vincentio.

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     A mighty¹⁰¹ man of Pisa. By report

               I know him well. You are very welcome, sir.— To Hortensio and Lucentio

               Take you the lute, and you the set of books,

               You shall go see your pupils presently.¹⁰⁴—

105

105         Holla,¹⁰⁵ within!

       Enter a Servant

               Sirrah, lead these gentlemen

               To my daughters, and tell them both

               These are their tutors: bid them use them well.

       [Exit Servant, with Lucentio and Hortensio, Biondello following]

               We will go walk a little in the orchard,¹⁰⁹

110

110         And then to dinner.¹¹⁰ You are passing welcome,

               And so I pray you all to think yourselves.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Signior Baptista, my business asketh haste,¹¹²

               And every day I cannot come to woo.

               You knew my father well, and in him me,

115

115         Left solely heir to all his lands and goods,

               Which I have bettered rather than decreased.

               Then tell me, if I get your daughter’s love,

               What dowry shall I have with her to wife?

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     After my death the one half of my lands,

120

120         And in possession¹²⁰ twenty thousand crowns.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     And for that dowry I’ll assure¹²¹ her of

               Her widowhood, be it that she survive me,

               In all my lands and leases¹²³ whatsoever.

               Let specialties¹²⁴ be therefore drawn between us,

125

125         That covenants¹²⁵ may be kept on either hand.

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     Ay, when the special¹²⁶ thing is well obtained,

               That is, her love, for that is all in all.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Why, that is nothing, for I tell you, father,¹²⁸

               I am as peremptory as she proud-minded.

130

130         And where two raging fires meet together

               They do consume the thing that feeds their fury.

               Though little fire grows great with little wind,

               Yet extreme gusts will blow out fire and all:

               So I¹³⁴ to her and so she yields to me,

135

135         For I am rough and woo not like a babe.

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     Well mayst thou woo, and happy¹³⁶ be thy speed!

               But be thou armed for some unhappy words.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Ay, to the proof,¹³⁸ as mountains are for winds,

               That shakes not, though they blow perpetually.

       Enter Hortensio [disguised as Litio], with his head broke

140

140 

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA             How now, my friend? Why dost thou look so pale?

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     For fear, I promise you, if I look pale.

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     What, will my daughter prove a good musician?

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     I think she’ll sooner prove¹⁴³ a soldier.

               Iron may hold with¹⁴⁴ her, but never lutes.

145

145 

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA             Why, then thou canst not break her to¹⁴⁵ the lute?

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     Why, no, for she hath broke¹⁴⁶ the lute to me.

               I did but tell her she mistook her frets,¹⁴⁷

               And bowed her hand to teach her fingering,

               When, with a most impatient devilish spirit,

150

150         ‘Frets, call you these?’ quoth she, ‘I’ll fume¹⁵⁰ with them.’

               And with that word, she struck me on the head,

               And through the instrument my pate¹⁵² made way,

               And there I stood amazèd¹⁵³ for a while,

               As¹⁵⁴ on a pillory, looking through the lute,

155

155         While she did call me rascal fiddler¹⁵⁵

               And twangling Jack,¹⁵⁶ with twenty such vile terms,

               As had she studied¹⁵⁷ to misuse me so.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Now, by the world, it is a lusty¹⁵⁸ wench.

               I love her ten times more than e’er I did.

160

160         O, how I long to have some chat with her!

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     Well, go with me and be not so discomfited.¹⁶¹ To Hortensio

               Proceed in practice¹⁶² with my younger daughter,

               She’s apt to learn and thankful for good turns.

               Signior Petruchio, will you go with us,

165

165         Or shall I send my daughter Kate to you?

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     I pray you do.

       Exeunt all but Petruchio

                          I’ll attend¹⁶⁶ her here,

               And woo her with some spirit when she comes.

               Say that she rail, why then I’ll tell her plain

               She sings as sweetly as a nightingale:

170

170         Say that she frown, I’ll say she looks as clear¹⁷⁰

               As morning roses newly washed with dew:

               Say she be mute and will not speak a word,

               Then I’ll commend her volubility,

               And say she uttereth piercing¹⁷⁴ eloquence:

175

175         If she do bid me pack,¹⁷⁵ I’ll give her thanks,

               As though she bid me stay by her a week:

               If she deny to wed, I’ll crave¹⁷⁷ the day

               When I shall ask the banns¹⁷⁸ and when be married.

               But here she comes, and now, Petruchio, speak.

       Enter Katherina

180

180         Good morrow, Kate, for that’s your name, I hear.

KATE

KATE     Well have you heard, but something hard¹⁸¹ of hearing:

               They call me Katherine that do talk of me.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     You lie, in faith, for you are called plain Kate,

               And bonny Kate and sometimes Kate the curst,

185

185         But Kate, the prettiest Kate in Christendom,

               Kate of Kate Hall, my super-dainty Kate,

               For dainties¹⁸⁷ are all Kates, and therefore, Kate,

               Take this of¹⁸⁸ me, Kate of my consolation,

               Hearing thy mildness praised in every town,

190

190         Thy virtues spoke of, and thy beauty sounded,¹⁹⁰

               Yet not so deeply¹⁹¹ as to thee belongs,

               Myself am moved¹⁹² to woo thee for my wife.

KATE

KATE     Moved? In good time!¹⁹³ Let him that moved you hither

               Remove you¹⁹⁴ hence. I knew you at the first

195

195         You were a movable.¹⁹⁵

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Why, what’s a movable?

KATE

KATE     A joint stool.¹⁹⁷

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Thou hast hit it: come, sit on me.¹⁹⁸

KATE

KATE     Asses¹⁹⁹ are made to bear, and so are you.

200

200 

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO             Women are made to bear, and so are you.

KATE

KATE     No such jade as you, if me you mean.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Alas, good Kate, I will not burden²⁰² thee,

               For knowing thee to be but young and light²⁰³—

KATE

KATE     Too light²⁰⁴ for such a swain as you to catch,

205

205         And yet as²⁰⁵ heavy as my weight should be.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Should be?²⁰⁶ Should — buzz!

KATE

KATE     Well ta’en,²⁰⁷ and like a buzzard.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     O slow-winged turtle,²⁰⁸ shall a buzzard take thee?

KATE

KATE     Ay, for a turtle,²⁰⁹ as he takes a buzzard.

210

210 

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO             Come, come, you wasp, i’faith, you are too angry.

KATE

KATE     If I be waspish,²¹¹ best beware my sting.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     My remedy is then to pluck it out.

KATE

KATE     Ay, if the fool could find it where it lies.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Who knows not where a wasp does wear his sting?²¹⁴ In his tail.

215

215 

KATE

KATE             In his tongue.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Whose tongue?

KATE

KATE     Yours, if you talk of tails,²¹⁷ and so farewell.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     What, with²¹⁸ my tongue in your tail? Nay, come again.

               Good Kate, I am a gentleman.

220

220 

KATE

KATE             That I’ll try.²²⁰

       She strikes him

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     I swear I’ll cuff²²¹ you, if you strike again.

KATE

KATE     So may you lose your arms:²²²

               If you strike²²³ me, you are no gentleman,

               And if no gentleman, why then no arms.

225

225 

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO             A herald, Kate? O, put me in thy books!²²⁵

KATE

KATE     What is your crest,²²⁶ a coxcomb?

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     A combless²²⁷ cock, so Kate will be my hen.

KATE

KATE     No cock of mine, you crow too like a craven.²²⁸

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Nay, come, Kate, come, you must not look so sour.

230

230 

KATE

KATE             It is my fashion,²³⁰ when I see a crab.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Why, here’s no crab, and therefore look not sour.

KATE

KATE     There is, there is.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Then show it me.

KATE

KATE     Had I a glass,²³⁴ I would.

235

235 

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO             What, you mean my face?

KATE

KATE     Well²³⁶ aimed of such a young one.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Now, by Saint George, I am too young²³⁷ for you.

KATE

KATE     Yet you are withered.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     ’Tis with cares.²³⁹

240

240 

KATE

KATE             I care not.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Nay, hear you, Kate. In sooth you scape²⁴¹ not so.

KATE

KATE     I chafe²⁴² you, if I tarry. Let me go.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     No, not a whit. I find you passing gentle.

               ’Twas told me you were rough²⁴⁴ and coy and sullen,

245

245         And now I find report a very liar,

               For thou are pleasant,²⁴⁶ gamesome, passing courteous,

               But slow²⁴⁷ in speech, yet sweet as spring-time flowers.

               Thou canst not frown, thou canst not look askance,²⁴⁸

               Nor bite the lip, as angry wenches will,

250

250         Nor hast thou pleasure to be cross²⁵⁰ in talk.

               But thou with mildness entertain’st²⁵¹ thy wooers,

               With gentle conference,²⁵² soft and affable.

               Why does the world report that Kate doth limp? Kicks her?

               O sland’rous world! Kate like the hazel twig

255

255         Is straight and slender and as brown in hue

               As hazelnuts and sweeter than the kernels.

               O, let me see thee walk: thou dost not halt.²⁵⁷

KATE

KATE     Go, fool, and whom²⁵⁸ thou keep’st command.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Did ever Dian²⁵⁹ so become a grove

260

260         As Kate this chamber with her princely gait?²⁶⁰

               O, be thou Dian, and let her be Kate,

               And then let Kate be chaste and Dian sportful!²⁶²

KATE

KATE     Where did you study²⁶³ all this goodly speech?

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     It is extempore,²⁶⁴ from my mother-wit.

265

265 

KATE

KATE             A²⁶⁵ witty mother, witless else her son.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Am I not wise?²⁶⁶

KATE

KATE     Yes, keep you warm.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Marry, so I mean,²⁶⁸ sweet Katherine, in thy bed.

               And therefore, setting all this chat aside,

270

270         Thus in plain terms: your father hath consented

               That you shall be my wife; your dowry ’greed on,

               And, will²⁷² you, nill you, I will marry you.

               Now, Kate, I am a husband for your turn,²⁷³

               For by this light, whereby I see thy beauty,

275

275         Thy beauty that doth make me like thee well,

               Thou must be married to no man but me,

       Enter Baptista, Gremio, Tranio [disguised as Lucentio]

               For I am he am born to tame you, Kate,

               And bring you from a wild Kate²⁷⁸ to a Kate

               Conformable²⁷⁹ as other household Kates.

280

280         Here comes your father. Never make denial,²⁸⁰

               I must and will have Katherine to my wife.

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     Now, Signior Petruchio, how speed you²⁸² with my daughter?

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     How but well, sir? How but well?

               It were impossible I should speed amiss.²⁸⁴

285

285 

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA             Why, how now, daughter Katherine? In your dumps?²⁸⁵

KATE

KATE     Call you me ‘daughter’? Now, I promise you

               You have showed a tender fatherly regard,

               To wish me wed to one half-lunatic,

               A mad-cap ruffian and a swearing Jack

290

290         That thinks with oaths to face²⁹⁰ the matter out.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Father, ’tis thus: yourself and all the world

               That talked of her, have talked amiss of her:

               If she be curst, it is for policy,²⁹³

               For she’s not froward, but modest as the dove,

295

295         She is not hot, but temperate²⁹⁵ as the morn,

               For patience she will prove a second Grissel,²⁹⁶

               And Roman Lucrece²⁹⁷ for her chastity.

               And to conclude, we have ’greed²⁹⁸ so well together

               That upon Sunday is the wedding day.

300

300 

KATE

KATE             I’ll see thee hanged on Sunday first.

GREMIO

GREMIO     Hark, Petruchio, she says she’ll see thee hanged first.

TRANIO

TRANIO     Is this your speeding?³⁰² Nay then, goodnight our part!

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Be patient, gentlemen, I choose her for myself.

               If she and I be pleased, what’s that to you?

305

305         ’Tis bargained ’twixt us twain,³⁰⁵ being alone,

               That she shall still be curst in company.

               I tell you, ’tis incredible to believe

               How much she loves me: O, the kindest Kate!

               She hung about my neck, and kiss on kiss

310

310         She vied³¹⁰ so fast, protesting oath on oath,

               That in a twink³¹¹ she won me to her love.

               O, you are novices! ’Tis a³¹² world to see

               How tame, when men and women are alone,

               A meacock³¹⁴ wretch can make the curstest shrew.

315

315         Give me thy hand, Kate. I will unto Venice

               To buy apparel ’gainst³¹⁶ the wedding day;

               Provide the feast, father, and bid³¹⁷ the guests.

               I will be sure my Katherine shall be fine.³¹⁸

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     I know not what to say, but give me your hands.³¹⁹

320

320         God send you joy, Petruchio! ’Tis a match.

GREMIO AND TRANIO

GREMIO and TRANIO     Amen, say we. We will be witnesses.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Father, and wife, and gentlemen, adieu.

               I will to Venice. Sunday comes apace.³²³

               We will have rings and things and fine array,

325

325         And kiss me, Kate, we will be married o’Sunday.

       Exeunt Petruchio and Katherine [separately]

GREMIO

GREMIO     Was ever match clapped up³²⁶ so suddenly?

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     Faith, gentlemen, now I play a merchant’s part,

               And venture madly on a desperate mart.³²⁸

TRANIO

TRANIO     ’Twas³²⁹ a commodity lay fretting by you:

330

330         ’Twill bring you gain, or perish on the seas.

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     The gain I seek is quiet³³¹ in the match.

GREMIO

GREMIO     No doubt but he hath got a quiet catch.³³²

               But now, Baptista, to your younger daughter.

               Now is the day we long have looked for.

335

335         I am your neighbour, and was suitor first.

TRANIO

TRANIO     And I am one that love Bianca more

               Than words can witness, or your thoughts can guess.

GREMIO

GREMIO     Youngling, thou canst not love so dear as I.

TRANIO

TRANIO     Greybeard, thy love doth freeze.³³⁹

340

340 

GREMIO

GREMIO             But thine doth fry.³⁴⁰

               Skipper,³⁴¹ stand back, ’tis age that nourisheth.

TRANIO

TRANIO     But youth in ladies’ eyes that flourisheth.

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     Content you, gentlemen, I will compound³⁴³ this strife.

               ’Tis deeds³⁴⁴ must win the prize, and he of both

345

345         That can assure my daughter greatest dower³⁴⁵

               Shall have my Bianca’s love.

               Say, Signior Gremio, what can you assure her?

GREMIO

GREMIO     First, as you know, my house within the city

               Is richly furnished with plate³⁴⁹ and gold,

350

350         Basins and ewers to lave³⁵⁰ her dainty hands:

               My hangings³⁵¹ all of Tyrian tapestry:

               In ivory coffers³⁵² I have stuffed my crowns:

               In cypress³⁵³ chests my arras counterpoints,

               Costly apparel, tents,³⁵⁴ and canopies,

355

355         Fine linen, Turkey³⁵⁵ cushions bossed with pearl,

               Valance³⁵⁶ of Venice gold in needlework:

               Pewter and brass and all things that belongs

               To house or housekeeping. Then, at my farm

               I have a hundred milch-kine³⁵⁹ to the pail,

360

360         Sixscore fat oxen standing in my stalls,

               And all things answerable³⁶¹ to this portion.

               Myself am struck³⁶² in years, I must confess,

               And if I die tomorrow, this is hers,

               If whilst I live she will be only mine.

365

365 

TRANIO

TRANIO             That ‘only’ came well in.³⁶⁵ Sir, list to me:

               I am my father’s heir and only son.

               If I may have your daughter to my wife,

               I’ll leave her houses three or four as good,

               Within rich Pisa walls,³⁶⁹ as any one

370

370         Old Signior Gremio has in Padua,

               Besides two³⁷¹ thousand ducats by the year

               Of fruitful land, all which shall be her jointure.³⁷²

               What, have I pinched³⁷³ you, Signior Gremio?

GREMIO

GREMIO     Two thousand ducats by the year of land?

375

375         My land amounts not to so much in all.— Aside

               That she shall have, besides an argosy³⁷⁶

               That now is lying in Marseillis’ road.³⁷⁷

               What, have I choked you with an argosy? To Tranio

TRANIO

TRANIO     Gremio, ’tis known my father hath no less

380

380         Than three great argosies, besides two galliases,³⁸⁰

               And twelve tight³⁸¹ galleys. These I will assure her,

               And twice as much, whate’er thou offer’st next.

GREMIO

GREMIO     Nay, I have offered all, I have no more,

               And she can have no more than all I have.

385

385         If you like me, she shall have me and mine. To Baptista

TRANIO

TRANIO     Why then the maid is mine from all the world,

               By your firm promise. Gremio is out-vied.³⁸⁷

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     I must confess your offer is the best,

               And let³⁸⁹ your father make her the assurance,

390

390         She is your own, else,³⁹⁰ you must pardon me.

               If you should die before him, where’s her dower?

TRANIO

TRANIO     That’s but a cavil.³⁹² He is old, I young.

GREMIO

GREMIO     And may not young men die, as well as old?

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     Well, gentlemen,

395

395         I am thus resolved: on Sunday next, you know

               My daughter Katherine is to be married.

               Now on the Sunday following, shall Bianca

               Be bride to you, if you make this assurance.

               If not, to Signior Gremio.

400

400         And so, I take my leave, and thank you both.

       Exit

GREMIO

GREMIO     Adieu, good neighbour.— Now I fear thee not.

               Sirrah young gamester,⁴⁰² your father were a fool

               To give thee all, and in his waning age

               Set⁴⁰⁴ foot under thy table. Tut, a toy!

405

405         An old Italian fox is not so kind, my boy.

       Exit

TRANIO

TRANIO     A vengeance on your crafty withered hide!

               Yet I have faced⁴⁰⁷ it with a card of ten.

               ’Tis⁴⁰⁸ in my head to do my master good:

               I see no reason but supposed Lucentio

410

410         Must get⁴¹⁰ a father, called ‘supposed Vincentio’,

               And that’s a wonder. Fathers commonly

               Do get their children, but in this case of wooing,

               A child shall get a sire,⁴¹³ if I fail not of my cunning.

       Exit

Act 3 [Scene 1]

running scene 3 continues

       Enter Lucentio [disguised as Cambio], Hortensio [disguised as Litio] and Bianca

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO     Fiddler,¹ forbear. You grow too forward, sir.

               Have you so soon forgot the entertainment²

               Her sister Katherine welcomed you withal?³

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     But, wrangling pedant, this is

5

5             The patroness of heavenly harmony:

               Then give me leave to have prerogative,⁶

               And when in music we have spent an hour,

               Your lecture⁸ shall have leisure for as much.

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO     Preposterous⁹ ass, that never read so far

10

10           To know the cause why music was ordained!¹⁰

               Was it not to refresh the mind of man

               After his studies or his usual pain?¹²

               Then give me leave to read philosophy,

               And while I pause, serve in¹⁴ your harmony.

15

15   

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO           Sirrah, I will not bear these braves¹⁵ of thine.

BIANCA

BIANCA     Why, gentlemen, you do me double wrong

               To strive for that which resteth¹⁷ in my choice.

               I am no breeching¹⁸ scholar in the schools,

               I’ll not be tied to hours nor ’pointed¹⁹ times,

20

20           But learn my lessons as I please myself.

               And, to cut off all strife, here sit we down.

               Take you your instrument, play you the whiles.²² To Hortensio

               His lecture will be done ere you have tuned.

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     You’ll leave his lecture when I am in tune?

25

25   

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO           That will be never. Tune your instrument.

BIANCA

BIANCA     Where left we last?

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO     Here, madam:

               ‘Hic²⁸ ibat Simois. Hic est Sigeia tellus. Reads

               Hic steterat Priami regia celsa senis.’

30

30   

BIANCA

BIANCA           Conster³⁰ them.

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO     ‘Hic ibat’, as I told you before, ‘Simois’, I am Lucentio, ‘hic est’, son unto Vincentio of Pisa, ‘Sigeia tellus’, disguised thus to get your love, ‘Hic steterat’, and that Lucentio that comes a-wooing, ‘Priami’, is my man Tranio, ‘regia’, bearing my port,³⁴ ‘celsa senis’, that we might beguile the old pantaloon.

35

35   

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO           Madam, my instrument’s in tune.

BIANCA

BIANCA     Let’s hear. O fie!³⁶ The treble jars. He plays

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO     Spit³⁷ in the hole, man, and tune again.

BIANCA

BIANCA     Now let me see if I can conster it: ‘Hic ibat Simois’, I know you not, ‘hic est Sigeia tellus’, I trust you not, ‘Hic steterat Priami’, take heed he hear us not, ‘regia’, presume not, ‘celsa senis’, despair not.

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     Madam, ’tis now in tune. He plays again

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO     All but the bass.

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     The bass is right: ’tis the base knave that jars.⁴³

               How fiery and forward our pedant⁴⁴ is. Aside

45

45           Now, for my life, the knave doth court my love.

               Pedascule,⁴⁶ I’ll watch you better yet.

BIANCA

BIANCA     In time I may believe, yet I mistrust. To Lucentio

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO     Mistrust it not, for, sure, Aeacides⁴⁸

               Was Ajax, called so from his grandfather.

50

50   

BIANCA

BIANCA           I must believe my master,⁵⁰ else, I promise you,

               I should be arguing still upon that doubt.⁵¹

               But let it rest.— Now, Litio, to you:

               Good master, take it not unkindly, pray,

               That I have been thus pleasant⁵⁴ with you both.

55

55   

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO           You may go walk, and give me leave⁵⁵ a while. To Lucentio

               My lessons make no music in three parts.⁵⁶

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO     Are you so formal,⁵⁷ sir? Well, I must wait —

               And watch withal,⁵⁸ for, but I be deceived, Aside

               Our fine musician groweth amorous. He stands aside

60

60   

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO           Madam, before you touch the instrument,

               To learn the order⁶¹ of my fingering,

               I must begin with rudiments of art,

               To teach you gamut⁶³ in a briefer sort,

               More pleasant, pithy and effectual,

65

65           Than hath been taught by any of my trade.

               And there it is in writing, fairly drawn.⁶⁶ Gives Bianca a paper

BIANCA

BIANCA     Why, I am past my gamut long ago.

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     Yet read the gamut of Hortensio.

BIANCA

BIANCA     ‘Gamut I am, the ground⁶⁹ of all accord, Reads

70

70           A re, to plead Hortensio’s passion.

               B mi, Bianca, take him for thy lord,

               C fa ut, that loves with all affection.

               D sol re, one⁷³ clef, two notes have I,

               E la mi, show pity, or I die.’

75

75           Call you this gamut? Tut, I like it not.

               Old⁷⁶ fashions please me best. I am not so nice

               To change true⁷⁷ rules for old inventions.

       Enter a Messenger

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Mistress, your father prays you leave your books

               And help to dress your sister’s chamber up.

80

80           You know tomorrow is the wedding day.

BIANCA

BIANCA     Farewell, sweet masters both, I must be gone. [Exeunt Bianca and Messenger]

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO     Faith, mistress, then I have no cause to stay.

       [Exit]

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     But I have cause to pry into⁸³ this pedant.

               Methinks he looks as though he were in love.

85

85           Yet if thy thoughts, Bianca, be so humble

               To cast thy wand’ring eyes on every stale,⁸⁶

               Seize⁸⁷ thee that list. If once I find thee ranging,

               Hortensio will be quit with⁸⁸ thee by changing.

       Exit

[Act 3 Scene 2]

running scene 4

       Enter Baptista, Gremio, Tranio, Katherina, Bianca, [Lucentio] and others, Attendants

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     Signior Lucentio, this is the ’pointed day. To Tranio

               That Katherine and Petruchio should be married,

               And yet we hear not of our son-in-law.

               What will be said? What mockery will it be,

5

5             To want⁵ the bridegroom when the priest attends

               To speak the ceremonial rites of marriage?

               What says Lucentio to this shame of ours?

KATE

KATE     No shame but mine: I must forsooth⁸ be forced

               To give my hand opposed against my heart

10

10           Unto a mad-brain rudesby¹⁰ full of spleen,

               Who wooed¹¹ in haste and means to wed at leisure.

               I told you, I, he was a frantic¹² fool,

               Hiding his bitter jests in blunt behaviour.

               And to be noted for¹⁴ a merry man,

15

15           He’ll woo a thousand, ’point the day of marriage,

               Make feasts, invite friends, and proclaim the banns,

               Yet never means to wed where he hath wooed.

               Now must the world point at poor Katherine,

               And say, ‘Lo,¹⁹ there is mad Petruchio’s wife,

20

20           If it would please him come and marry her.’

TRANIO

TRANIO     Patience, good Katherine, and Baptista too.

               Upon my life, Petruchio means but well,

               Whatever fortune²³ stays him from his word.

               Though he be blunt, I know him passing wise,

25

25           Though he be merry, yet withal he’s honest.

KATE

KATE     Would Katherine had never seen him though!

       Exit weeping [followed by Bianca and others]

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     Go, girl. I cannot blame thee now to weep,

               For such an injury would vex a very saint,

               Much more a shrew of thy impatient humour.²⁹

       Enter Biondello

BIONDELLO

BIONDELLO     Master, master, news! Old³⁰ news, and such news as you never heard of!

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     Is it new and old too? How may that be?

BIONDELLO

BIONDELLO     Why, is it not news to hear of Petruchio’s coming?

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     Is he come?

BIONDELLO

BIONDELLO     Why, no, sir.

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     What then?

BIONDELLO

BIONDELLO     He is coming.

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     When will he be here?

BIONDELLO

BIONDELLO     When he stands where I am and sees you there.

TRANIO

TRANIO     But say, what to³⁹ thine old news?

BIONDELLO

BIONDELLO     Why, Petruchio is coming in a new hat and an old jerkin:⁴⁰ a pair of old breeches thrice turned:⁴¹ a pair of boots that have been candle-cases, one buckled, another laced, an old rusty sword ta’en out of the town armoury, with a broken hilt, and chapeless:⁴³ with two broken points: his horse hipped, with an old mothy saddle and stirrups of no kindred:⁴⁴ besides, possessed with the glanders and like to mose in the chine, troubled with the lampass,⁴⁵ infected with the fashions, full of windgalls,⁴⁶ sped with spavins, rayed with yellows, past cure of the fives, stark spoiled with the staggers,⁴⁷ begnawn with the bots, swayed in the back and shoulder-shotten,⁴⁸ near-legged before and with a half-checked bit and a head-stall of sheep’s leather⁴⁹ which, being restrained to keep him from stumbling, hath been often burst and now repaired with knots, one girth⁵⁰ six times pieced, and a woman’s crupper⁵¹ of velure, which hath two letters for her name fairly set down in studs, and here and there pieced with packthread.⁵²

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     Who comes with him?

BIONDELLO

BIONDELLO     O, sir, his lackey,⁵⁴ for all the world caparisoned like the horse: with a linen stock⁵⁵ on one leg and a kersey boot-hose on the other, gartered with a red and blue list;⁵⁶ an old hat and the humour of forty fancies pricked in’t for a feather — a monster, a very monster in apparel, and not like a Christian footboy⁵⁷ or a gentleman’s lackey.

TRANIO

TRANIO     ’Tis some odd humour pricks⁵⁹ him to this fashion.

60

60           Yet oftentimes he goes but mean-apparelled.⁶⁰

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     I am glad he’s come, howsoe’er he comes.

BIONDELLO

BIONDELLO     Why, sir, he comes not.

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     Didst thou not say he comes?

BIONDELLO

BIONDELLO     Who? That Petruchio came?

65

65   

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA           Ay, that Petruchio came.

BIONDELLO

BIONDELLO     No, sir, I say his horse comes, with him on his back.

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     Why, that’s all one.

BIONDELLO

BIONDELLO     Nay, by Saint Jamy,⁶⁸

               I hold⁶⁹ you a penny,

70

70           A horse and a man

               Is more than one,

               And yet not many.

       Enter Petruchio and Grumio

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Come, where be these gallants?⁷³ Who’s at home?

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     You are welcome, sir.

75

75   

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO           And yet I come not well.⁷⁵

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     And yet you halt⁷⁶ not.

TRANIO

TRANIO     Not so well apparelled as I wish you were.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Were it better, I should rush in thus.

               But where is Kate? Where is my lovely bride?

80

80           How does my father? Gentles,⁸⁰ methinks you frown.

               And wherefore⁸¹ gaze this goodly company,

               As if they saw some wondrous monument,⁸²

               Some comet⁸³ or unusual prodigy?

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     Why, sir, you know this is your wedding day.

85

85           First were we sad, fearing you would not come,

               Now sadder that you come so unprovided.⁸⁶

               Fie, doff⁸⁷ this habit, shame to your estate,

               An eyesore to our solemn⁸⁸ festival!

TRANIO

TRANIO     And tell us what occasion of import⁸⁹

90

90           Hath all so long detained you from your wife,

               And sent you hither so unlike yourself?

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Tedious it were to tell, and harsh to hear:

               Sufficeth I am come to keep my word,

               Though in some part enforcèd to digress,

95

95           Which at more leisure I will so excuse

               As you shall well be satisfied withal.

               But where is Kate? I stay too long from her.

               The morning wears,⁹⁸ ’tis time we were at church.

TRANIO

TRANIO     See not your bride in these unreverent⁹⁹ robes.

100

100         Go to my chamber, put on clothes of mine.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Not I, believe me. Thus I’ll visit her.

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     But thus, I trust, you will not marry her.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Good sooth,¹⁰³ even thus: therefore ha’ done with words.

               To me she’s married, not unto my clothes.

105

105         Could I repair what she will wear¹⁰⁵ in me,

               As I can change these poor accoutrements,¹⁰⁶

               ’Twere well for Kate and better for myself.

               But what a fool am I to chat with you,

               When I should bid good morrow to my bride,

110

110         And seal the title with a lovely¹¹⁰ kiss!

       Exeunt [Petruchio and Grumio]

TRANIO

TRANIO     He hath some meaning in his mad attire.

               We will persuade him, be it possible,

               To put on better ere he go to church.

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     I’ll after him, and see the event¹¹⁴ of this.

       Exeunt [Baptista, Gremio and Attendants]

115

115 

TRANIO

TRANIO             But, sir, love concerneth us to add To Lucentio

               Her father’s liking,¹¹⁶ which to bring to pass,

               As before I imparted to your worship,

               I am to get a man — whate’er he be,

               It skills¹¹⁹ not much, we’ll fit him to our turn —

120

120         And he shall be Vincentio of Pisa,

               And make assurance here in Padua

               Of greater sums than I have promised.

               So shall you quietly enjoy your hope,

               And marry sweet Bianca with consent.

125

125 

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO             Were it not that my fellow schoolmaster

               Doth watch Bianca’s steps¹²⁶ so narrowly,

               ’Twere good, methinks, to steal our marriage,¹²⁷

               Which once performed, let all the world say no,

               I’ll keep mine own, despite of all the world.

130

130 

TRANIO

TRANIO             That by degrees we mean to look into,

               And watch our vantage¹³¹ in this business.

               We’ll overreach¹³² the greybeard, Gremio,

               The narrow-prying¹³³ father, Minola,

               The quaint¹³⁴ musician, amorous Litio,

135

135         All for my master’s sake, Lucentio.

       Enter Gremio

               Signior Gremio, came you from the church?

GREMIO

GREMIO     As willingly as e’er I came from school.

TRANIO

TRANIO     And is the bride and bridegroom coming home?

GREMIO

GREMIO     A bridegroom,¹³⁹ say you? ’Tis a groom indeed,

140

140         A grumbling groom, and that the girl shall find.

TRANIO

TRANIO     Curster¹⁴¹ than she? Why, ’tis impossible.

GREMIO

GREMIO     Why he’s a devil, a devil, a very fiend.

TRANIO

TRANIO     Why, she’s a devil, a devil, the devil’s dam.

GREMIO

GREMIO     Tut, she’s a lamb, a dove, a fool to¹⁴⁴ him.

145

145         I’ll tell you, Sir¹⁴⁵ Lucentio, when the priest

               Should ask if Katherine should be his wife,

               ‘Ay, by gogs-wouns¹⁴⁷’, quoth he, and swore so loud

               That all amazed the priest let fall the book,¹⁴⁸

               And as he stooped again to take it up,

150

150         This mad-brained bridegroom took¹⁵⁰ him such a cuff

               That down fell priest and book and book and priest.

               ‘Now take them¹⁵² up,’ quoth he, ‘if any list.’

TRANIO

TRANIO     What said the wench when he rose again?

GREMIO

GREMIO     Trembled and shook, for why,¹⁵⁴ he stamped and swore,

155

155         As if the vicar meant to cozen¹⁵⁵ him.

               But after many¹⁵⁶ ceremonies done,

               He calls for wine: ‘A health!’ quoth he, as if

               He had been aboard, carousing to his mates

               After a storm, quaffed off¹⁵⁹ the muscadel

160

160         And threw the sops¹⁶⁰ all in the sexton’s face,

               Having no other reason

               But that his beard grew thin and hungerly¹⁶²

               And seemed to ask him¹⁶³ sops as he was drinking.

               This done, he took the bride about the neck

165

165         And kissed her lips with such a clamorous smack

               That at the parting all the church did echo.

               And I seeing this came thence for very shame,

               And after me, I know, the rout¹⁶⁸ is coming.

               Such a mad marriage never was before.

170

170         Hark, hark! I hear the minstrels¹⁷⁰ play.

       Music plays

       Enter Petruchio, Kate, Bianca, Hortensio [disguised as Litio], Baptista, [Grumio and others]

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Gentlemen and friends, I thank you for your pains.

               I know you think¹⁷² to dine with me today,

               And have prepared great store of wedding cheer,¹⁷³

               But so it is, my haste doth call me hence,

175

175         And therefore here I mean to take my leave.

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     Is’t possible you will away tonight?

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     I must away today, before night come.

               Make¹⁷⁸ it no wonder. If you knew my business,

               You would entreat me rather go than stay.

180

180         And honest¹⁸⁰ company, I thank you all,

               That have beheld me give away myself

               To this most patient, sweet and virtuous wife.

               Dine with my father, drink a health to me,

               For I must hence, and farewell to you all.

185

185 

TRANIO

TRANIO             Let us entreat you stay till after dinner.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     It may not be.

GREMIO

GREMIO     Let me entreat you.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     It cannot be.

KATE

KATE     Let me entreat you.

190

190 

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO             I am content.

KATE

KATE     Are you content to stay?

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     I am content you shall entreat me stay,

               But yet not stay,¹⁹³ entreat me how you can.

KATE

KATE     Now, if you love me, stay.

195

195 

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO             Grumio, my horse.

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     Ay, sir, they be ready, the oats¹⁹⁶ have eaten the horses.

KATE

KATE     Nay, then,

               Do what thou canst, I will not go today,

               No, nor tomorrow, not till I please myself.

200

200         The door is open, sir, there lies your way,

               You may be²⁰¹ jogging whiles your boots are green.

               For me, I’ll not be gone till I please myself.

               ’Tis like you’ll prove a jolly²⁰³ surly groom,

               That take²⁰⁴ it on you at the first so roundly.

205

205 

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO             O Kate, content thee. Prithee be not angry.

KATE

KATE     I will be angry. What hast²⁰⁶ thou to do?—

               Father, be quiet. He shall stay my leisure.²⁰⁷

GREMIO

GREMIO     Ay, marry, sir, now it²⁰⁸ begins to work.

KATE

KATE     Gentlemen, forward to the bridal dinner.

210

210         I see a woman may be made a fool,

               If she had not a spirit to resist.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     They shall go forward, Kate, at thy command.—

               Obey the bride, you that attend on her.

               Go to the feast, revel and domineer,²¹⁴

215

215         Carouse full measure²¹⁵ to her maidenhead,

               Be mad²¹⁶ and merry, or go hang yourselves.

               But for my bonny Kate, she must with me.—

               Nay, look not big,²¹⁸ nor stamp, nor stare, nor fret.

               I will be master of what is mine own:

220

220         She is my²²⁰ goods, my chattels, she is my house,

               My household stuff,²²¹ my field, my barn,

               My horse, my ox, my ass, my anything,

               And here she stands, touch her whoever dare.

               I’ll bring mine action²²⁴ on the proudest he

225

225         That stops my way in Padua.— Grumio,

               Draw forth thy weapon, we are beset with thieves.

               Rescue thy mistress, if thou be a man.

               Fear not, sweet wench, they shall not touch thee, Kate.

               I’ll buckler²²⁹ thee against a million.

       Exeunt Petruchio, Katherina [and Grumio]

230

230 

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA             Nay, let them go, a couple of quiet ones.

GREMIO

GREMIO     Went they not²³¹ quickly, I should die with laughing.

TRANIO

TRANIO     Of all mad matches never was the like.

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO     Mistress, what’s your opinion of your sister?

BIANCA

BIANCA     That, being mad herself, she’s madly mated.

235

235 

GREMIO

GREMIO             I warrant him, Petruchio is Kated.²³⁵

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     Neighbours and friends, though bride and bridegroom wants²³⁶

               For to supply the places at the table,

               You know there wants no junkets²³⁸ at the feast.

               Lucentio, you shall supply the bridegroom’s place,

240

240         And let Bianca take her sister’s room.²⁴⁰

TRANIO

TRANIO     Shall sweet Bianca practise how to bride it?²⁴¹

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     She shall, Lucentio. Come, gentlemen, let’s go.

       Exeunt

[Act 3 Scene 3]3.3

running scene 5

       Enter Grumio

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     Fie, fie on all tired jades, on all mad masters, and all foul ways!¹ Was ever man so beaten? Was ever man so rayed?² Was ever man so weary? I am sent before to make a fire, and they are coming after to warm them. Now, were not I a little⁴ pot and soon hot, my very lips might freeze to my teeth, my tongue to the roof of my mouth, my heart in my belly, ere I should come by a fire to thaw me. But I with blowing the fire shall warm myself, for, considering the weather, a taller⁷ man than I will take cold. Holla, ho, Curtis!

       Enter Curtis

CURTIS

CURTIS     Who is that calls so coldly?⁸

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     A piece of ice: if thou doubt it, thou mayst slide from my shoulder to my heel with no greater a run¹⁰ but my head and my neck. A fire good Curtis.

CURTIS

CURTIS     Is my master and his wife coming, Grumio?

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     O, ay, Curtis, ay, and therefore fire,¹² fire, cast on no water.

CURTIS

CURTIS     Is she so hot¹³ a shrew as she’s reported?

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     She was, good Curtis, before this frost. But, thou know’st, winter¹⁴ tames man, woman and beast, for it hath tamed my old master and my new mistress and myself, fellow Curtis.

CURTIS

CURTIS     Away, you three-inch fool! I am no beast.¹⁷

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     Am I but three inches? Why, thy horn¹⁸ is a foot, and so long am I at the least. But wilt thou make a fire, or shall I complain on thee to our mistress, whose hand, she being now at hand, thou shalt soon feel, to thy cold comfort, for being slow in thy hot office?²¹

CURTíS

CURTíS     I prithee, good Grumio, tell me how goes the world?

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     A cold world, Curtis, in every office but thine, and therefore fire: do²³ thy duty, and have thy duty, for my master and mistress are almost frozen to death.

CURTIS

CURTIS     There’s fire ready, and therefore, good Grumio, the news.

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     Why, ‘Jack,²⁶ boy! Ho, boy!’ and as much news as wilt thou.

CURTIS

CURTIS     Come, you are so full of cony-catching!²⁷

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     Why, therefore fire, for I have caught extreme cold. Where’s the cook? Is supper ready, the house trimmed,²⁹ rushes strewed, cobwebs swept, the servingmen in their new fustian,³⁰ the white stockings, and every officer his wedding-garment on? Be the jacks³¹ fair within, the jills fair without, the carpets laid, and everything in order?

CURTIS

CURTIS     All ready, and therefore, I pray thee, news.

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     First know my horse is tired, my master and mistress fallen out.

CURTIS

CURTIS     How?

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     Out of their saddles into the dirt, and thereby hangs a tale.

CURTIS

CURTIS     Let’s ha’t,³⁷ good Grumio.

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     Lend thine ear.

CURTIS

CURTIS     Here.

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     There. Strikes him

CURTIS

CURTIS     This ’tis to feel a tale, not to hear a tale.

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     And therefore ’tis called a sensible⁴² tale, and this cuff was but to knock at your ear, and beseech listening. Now I begin: Imprimis,⁴³ we came down a foul hill, my master riding behind my mistress—

CURTIS

CURTIS     Both of⁴⁵ one horse?

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     What’s that to thee?

CURTIS

CURTIS     Why, a horse.

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     Tell thou the tale. But hadst thou not crossed⁴⁸ me, thou shouldst have heard how her horse fell and she under her horse: thou shouldst have heard in how miry⁵⁰ a place, how she was bemoiled, how he left her with the horse upon her, how he beat me because her horse stumbled, how she waded through the dirt to pluck him off me, how he swore, how she prayed that never prayed before, how I cried, how the horses ran away, how her bridle was burst,⁵³ how I lost my crupper, with many things of worthy memory,⁵⁴ which now shall die in oblivion and thou return unexperienced⁵⁵ to thy grave.

CURTIS

CURTIS     By this reckoning he is more shrew than she.

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     Ay, and that thou and the proudest⁵⁷ of you all shall find when he comes home. But what⁵⁸ talk I of this? Call forth Nathaniel, Joseph, Nicholas, Philip, Walter, Sugarsop and the rest. Let their heads be slickly combed, their blue⁵⁹ coats brushed and their garters of an indifferent knit.⁶⁰ Let them curtsy with their left legs and not presume to touch a hair of my master’s horsetail till they kiss their hands.⁶¹ Are they all ready?

CURTIS

CURTIS     They are.

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     Call them forth.

CURTIS

CURTIS     Do you hear, ho? You must meet my master to countenance⁶⁵ my mistress.

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     Why, she hath a face of her own.

CURTIS

CURTIS     Who knows not that?

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     Thou, it seems, that calls for company to countenance her.

CURTIS

CURTIS     I call them forth to credit⁶⁹ her.

       Enter four or five Servingmen

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     Why, she comes to borrow nothing of them.

NATHANIEL

NATHANIEL     Welcome home, Grumio!

PHILIP

PHILIP     How now, Grumio!

JOSEPH

JOSEPH     What, Grumio!

NICHOLAS

NICHOLAS     Fellow Grumio!

NATHANIEL

NATHANIEL     How now, old lad?

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     Welcome, you.—Greets each Servingman How now, you?— What, you?— Fellow, you.— And thus much for greeting. Now, my spruce⁷⁷ companions, is all ready, and all things neat?

NATHANIEL

NATHANIEL     All things is ready. How near is our master?

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     E’en at hand, alighted by this,⁷⁹ and therefore be not— Cock’s passion, silence!

               I hear my master.

       Enter Petruchio and Kate

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Where be these knaves? What, no man at door

               To hold my stirrup nor to take my horse?

               Where is Nathaniel, Gregory, Philip?

ALL SERVINGMEN

ALL SERVINGMEN     Here, here, sir, here, sir.

85

85   

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO           Here, sir, here, sir, here, sir, here, sir!

               You logger-headed⁸⁶ and unpolished grooms!

               What, no attendance? No regard? No duty?

               Where is the foolish knave I sent before?

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     Here, sir, as foolish as I was before.

90

90   

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO           You peasant swain.⁹⁰ You whoreson malt-horse drudge.

               Did I not bid thee meet me in the park,⁹¹

               And bring along these rascal knaves with thee?

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     Nathaniel’s coat, sir, was not fully made,⁹³

               And Gabriel’s pumps were all unpinked⁹⁴ i’th’heel.

95

95           There was no link⁹⁵ to colour Peter’s hat,

               And Walter’s dagger was not come from sheathing.⁹⁶

               There were none fine⁹⁷ but Adam, Rafe and Gregory,

               The rest were ragged, old, and beggarly.

               Yet, as they are, here are they come to meet you.

100

100 

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO             Go, rascals, go, and fetch my supper in.

       Exeunt Servingmen

               ‘Where¹⁰¹ is the life that late I led? Sings

               Where are those—’

               Sit down, Kate, and welcome.— Soud,¹⁰³ soud, soud, soud! They sit

       Enter Servants with supper

               Why, when, I say? Nay, good sweet Kate, be merry.—

105

105         Off with my boots, you rogues! You villains, when?¹⁰⁵ A Servant takes off his boot

               ‘It¹⁰⁶ was the friar of orders grey, Sings

               As he forth walkèd on his way—’

               Out,¹⁰⁸ you rogue! You pluck my foot awry.

               Take that, and mend¹⁰⁹ the plucking of the other. Kicks him

110

110         Be merry, Kate.— Some water,¹¹⁰ here. What, ho!

       Enter one with water

               Where’s my spaniel Troilus?¹¹¹ Sirrah, get you hence,

               And bid my cousin Ferdinand¹¹² come hither.—

               One, Kate, that you must kiss, and be acquainted with.—

               Where are my slippers? Shall I have some water?

115

115         Come, Kate, and wash, and welcome heartily.— Servant spills water

               You whoreson villain, will you let it fall? Strikes the Servant

KATE

KATE     Patience, I pray you. ’Twas a fault unwilling.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     A whoreson beetle-headed,¹¹⁸ flap-eared knave!—

               Come, Kate, sit down, I know you have a stomach.¹¹⁹

120

120         Will you give thanks,¹²⁰ sweet Kate, or else shall I?

               What’s this? Mutton?

FIRST SERVANT

FIRST SERVANT     Ay.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Who brought it?

PETER

PETER     I.

125

125 

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO             ’Tis burnt, and so is all the meat.

               What dogs are these? Where is the rascal cook?

               How durst you, villains, bring it from the dresser¹²⁷

               And serve it thus to me that love it not?

               There, take it to you, trenchers,¹²⁹ cups, and all. Throws the meat and dishes at them

130

130         You heedless joltheads¹³⁰ and unmannered slaves!

               What, do you grumble? I’ll be¹³¹ with you straight.

KATE

KATE     I pray you, husband, be not so disquiet.

               The meat was well,¹³³ if you were so contented.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     I tell thee, Kate, ’twas burnt and dried away,

135

135         And I expressly am forbid to touch it,

               For it engenders choler,¹³⁶ planteth anger,

               And better ’twere that both of us did fast,

               Since, of ourselves,¹³⁸ ourselves are choleric,

               Than feed it with such over-roasted flesh.

140

140         Be patient, tomorrow’t shall be mended,

               And for this night we’ll fast for company.¹⁴¹

               Come, I will bring thee to thy bridal chamber.

       Exeunt

       Enter Servants severally

NATHANIEL

NATHANIEL     Peter, didst ever see the like?

PETER

PETER     He kills¹⁴⁴ her in her own humour.

145

145 

GRUMIO

GRUMIO             Where is he?

       Enter Curtis, a servant

CURTIS

CURTIS     In her chamber, making a sermon of continency¹⁴⁶ to her,

               And rails and swears and rates¹⁴⁷ that she, poor soul,

               Knows not which way to stand, to look, to speak,

               And sits as one new-risen¹⁴⁹ from a dream.

150

150         Away, away, for he is coming hither.

       [Exeunt]

       Enter Petruchio

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Thus have I politicly¹⁵¹ begun my reign,

               And ’tis my hope to end successfully.

               My falcon¹⁵³ now is sharp and passing empty,

               And till she stoop¹⁵⁴ she must not be full-gorged,

155

155         For then she never looks upon¹⁵⁵ her lure.

               Another way I have to man¹⁵⁶ my haggard,

               To make her come and know her keeper’s call,

               That is, to watch her,¹⁵⁸ as we watch these kites

               That bate and beat¹⁵⁹ and will not be obedient.

160

160         She eat¹⁶⁰ no meat today, nor none shall eat.

               Last night she slept not, nor tonight she shall not.

               As with the meat, some undeservèd fault

               I’ll find about the making of the bed,

               And here I’ll fling the pillow, there the bolster,

165

165         This way the coverlet, another way the sheets.

               Ay, and amid this hurly¹⁶⁶ I intend

               That all is done in reverend care of her.

               And in conclusion she shall watch¹⁶⁸ all night,

               And if she chance to nod I’ll rail and brawl

170

170         And with the clamour keep her still awake.

               This is a way to kill a wife with kindness,

               And thus I’ll curb her mad and headstrong humour.

               He that knows better how to tame a shrew,

               Now let him speak. ’Tis charity to show.¹⁷⁴

       Exit

[Act 3 Scene 4]3.4

running scene 6

       Enter Tranio and Hortensio

TRANIO

TRANIO     Is’t possible, friend Litio, that Mistress Bianca

               Doth fancy any other but Lucentio?

               I tell you, sir, she bears³ me fair in hand.

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     Sir, to satisfy⁴ you in what I have said,

5

5             Stand by and mark the manner of his teaching.

       Enter Bianca [and Lucentio]

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO     Now, mistress, profit you in what you read?

BIANCA

BIANCA     What, master, read you? First resolve⁷ me that.

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO     I read that I profess,⁸ the Art to Love.

BIANCA

BIANCA     And may you prove, sir, master of your art.

10

10   

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO           While you, sweet dear, prove mistress of my heart. Lucentio and Bianca talk aside

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     Quick proceeders,¹¹ marry! Now tell me, I pray,

               You that durst swear that your mistress Bianca

               Loved none in the world so well as Lucentio.

TRANIO

TRANIO     O despiteful love, unconstant womankind!

15

15           I tell thee, Litio, this is wonderful.¹⁵

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     Mistake no more, I am not Litio,

               Nor a musician, as I seem to be,

               But one that scorn to live in this disguise,

               For such a one¹⁹ as leaves a gentleman,

20

20           And makes a god of such a cullion;²⁰

               Know, sir, that I am called Hortensio.

TRANIO

TRANIO     Signior Hortensio, I have often heard

               Of your entire²³ affection to Bianca,

               And since mine eyes are witness of her lightness,²⁴

25

25           I will with you, if you be so contented,

               Forswear²⁶ Bianca and her love forever.

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     See how they kiss and court! Signior Lucentio,

               Here is my hand, and here I firmly vow

               Never to woo her more, but do forswear her,

30

30           As one unworthy all the former favours

               That I have fondly³¹ flattered her withal.

TRANIO

TRANIO     And here I take the like unfeignèd³² oath,

               Never to marry with her though she would entreat.

               Fie on her! See how beastly³⁴ she doth court him!

35

35   

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO           Would³⁵ all the world but he had quite forsworn!

               For me, that³⁶ I may surely keep mine oath,

               I will be married to a wealthy widow,

               Ere three days pass, which hath as long loved me

               As I have loved this proud disdainful haggard.

40

40           And so farewell, Signior Lucentio.

               Kindness in women, not their beauteous looks,

               Shall win my love. And so I take my leave,

               In resolution⁴³ as I swore before.

       [Exit]

TRANIO

TRANIO     Mistress Bianca, bless you with such grace

45

45           As ’longeth⁴⁵ to a lover’s blessèd case!

               Nay, I have ta’en you napping,⁴⁶ gentle love,

               And have forsworn you with Hortensio.

BIANCA

BIANCA     Tranio, you jest. But have you both forsworn me?

TRANIO

TRANIO     Mistress, we have.

50

50   

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO           Then we are rid of Litio.

TRANIO

TRANIO     I’faith, he’ll have a lusty⁵¹ widow now,

               That shall be wooed and wedded in a day.

BIANCA

BIANCA     God give him joy!

TRANIO

TRANIO     Ay, and he’ll tame her.

55

55   

BIANCA

BIANCA           He says so, Tranio.

TRANIO

TRANIO     Faith, he is gone unto the taming school.

BIANCA

BIANCA     The taming school? What, is there such a place?

TRANIO

TRANIO     Ay, mistress, and Petruchio is the master,

               That teacheth tricks eleven⁵⁹ and twenty long,

60

60           To tame a shrew and charm⁶⁰ her chatt’ring tongue.

       Enter Biondello

BIONDELLO

BIONDELLO     O master, master, I have watched so long

               That I am dog-weary,⁶² but at last I spied

               An ancient angel⁶³ coming down the hill

               Will serve the turn.

65

65   

TRANIO

TRANIO           What is he, Biondello?

BIONDELLO

BIONDELLO     Master, a mercatante,⁶⁶ or a pedant,

               I know not what, but formal in apparel,

               In gait and countenance surely like a father.

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO     And what of him, Tranio?

70

70   

TRANIO

TRANIO           If he be credulous and trust my tale,

               I’ll make him glad to seem⁷¹ Vincentio,

               And give assurance to Baptista Minola

               As if he were the right Vincentio.

               Take in your love, and then let me alone.⁷⁴

       [Exeunt Lucentio and Bianca]

       Enter a Pedant

75

75   

PEDANT

PEDANT           God save you, sir!

TRANIO

TRANIO     And you, sir! You are welcome.

               Travel you far on, or are you at the furthest?

PEDANT

PEDANT     Sir, at the furthest for a week or two,

               But then up further, and as far as Rome,

80

80           And so to Tripoli, if God lend me life.

TRANIO

TRANIO     What countryman,⁸¹ I pray?

PEDANT

PEDANT     Of Mantua.

TRANIO

TRANIO     Of Mantua, sir? Marry, God forbid!

               And come to Padua, careless of your life?

85

85   

PEDANT

PEDANT           My life, sir? How, I pray? For that goes hard.⁸⁵

TRANIO

TRANIO     ’Tis death for anyone in Mantua

               To come to Padua. Know you not the cause?

               Your ships are stayed⁸⁸ at Venice, and the duke,

               For⁸⁹ private quarrel ’twixt your duke and him,

90

90           Hath published⁹⁰ and proclaimed it openly.

               ’Tis marvel,⁹¹ but that you are but newly come,

               You might have heard it else proclaimed about.

PEDANT

PEDANT     Alas, sir, it is worse for me than so,⁹³

               For I have bills⁹⁴ for money by exchange

95

95           From Florence and must here deliver them.

TRANIO

TRANIO     Well, sir, to do you courtesy,

               This will I do, and this I will advise you:

               First tell me, have you ever been at Pisa?

PEDANT

PEDANT     Ay, sir, in Pisa have I often been,

100

100         Pisa renownèd for grave citizens.

TRANIO

TRANIO     Among them know you one Vincentio?

PEDANT

PEDANT     I know him not, but I have heard of him,

               A merchant of incomparable wealth.

TRANIO

TRANIO     He is my father, sir, and sooth to say,

105

105         In count’nance somewhat doth resemble you.

BIONDELLO

BIONDELLO     As much as an apple doth an oyster, and all one.¹⁰⁶ Aside

TRANIO

TRANIO     To save your life in this extremity,

               This favour will I do you for his sake,

               And think it not the worst of all your fortunes

110

110         That you are like to Sir Vincentio.

               His name and credit¹¹¹ shall you undertake,

               And in my house you shall be friendly lodged.

               Look¹¹³ that you take upon you as you should.

               You understand me, sir. So shall you stay

115

115         Till you have done your business in the city.

               If this be court’sy, sir, accept of it.

PEDANT

PEDANT     O, sir, I do, and will repute¹¹⁷ you ever

               The patron of my life and liberty.

TRANIO

TRANIO     Then go with me to make¹¹⁹ the matter good.

120

120         This, by the way, I let you understand.

               My father is here looked for¹²¹ every day,

               To pass assurance of a dower in marriage

               ’Twixt me and one Baptista’s daughter here.

               In all these circumstances I’ll instruct you.

125

125         Go with me to clothe you as becomes¹²⁵ you.

       Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 14.1

running scene 7

       Enter Katherina and Grumio

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     No, no, forsooth, I dare not for my life.

KATE

KATE     The more my wrong,² the more his spite appears.

               What, did he marry me to famish me?

               Beggars that come unto my father’s door

5

5             Upon entreaty have a present⁵ alms,

               If not, elsewhere they meet with charity.

               But I, who never knew how to entreat,

               Nor never needed that I should entreat,

               Am starved for meat,⁹ giddy for lack of sleep,

10

10           With oaths kept waking and with brawling fed.

               And that which spites¹¹ me more than all these wants,

               He does it under name of perfect love,

               As who¹³ should say, if I should sleep or eat,

               ’Twere deadly sickness or else present death.

15

15           I prithee go and get me some repast,

               I care not what, so¹⁶ it be wholesome food.

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     What say you to a neat’s¹⁷ foot?

KATE

KATE     ’Tis passing good, I prithee let me have it.

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     I fear it is too choleric¹⁹ a meat.

20

20           How say you to a fat tripe finely broiled?²⁰

KATE

KATE     I like it well, good Grumio, fetch it me.

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     I cannot tell,²² I fear ’tis choleric.

               What say you to a piece of beef and mustard?

KATE

KATE     A dish that I do love to feed upon.

25

25   

GRUMIO

GRUMIO           Ay, but the mustard is too hot a little.

KATE

KATE     Why then, the beef, and let the mustard rest.

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     Nay then, I will not. You shall have the mustard,

               Or else you get no beef of Grumio.

KATE

KATE     Then both, or one, or anything thou wilt.

30

30   

GRUMIO

GRUMIO           Why then, the mustard without the beef.

KATE

KATE     Go, get thee gone, thou false deluding slave

       Beats him

               That feed’st me with the very³² name of meat.

               Sorrow on thee and all the pack of you

               That triumph thus upon my misery.

35

35           Go, get thee gone, I say.

       Enter Petruchio and Hortensio with meat

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     How fares my Kate? What, sweeting,³⁶ all amort?

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     Mistress, what cheer?³⁷

KATE

KATE     Faith, as cold³⁸ as can be.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Pluck up thy spirits, look cheerfully upon me.

40

40           Here love, thou see’st how diligent I am

               To dress thy meat myself and bring it thee.

               I am sure, sweet Kate, this kindness merits thanks.

               What, not a word? Nay then thou lov’st it not,

               And all my pains⁴⁴ is sorted to no proof.

45

45           Here, take away this dish.

KATE

KATE     I pray you let it stand.⁴⁶

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     The poorest service is repaid with thanks,

               And so shall mine, before you touch the meat.

KATE

KATE     I thank you, sir.

50

50   

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO           Signior Petruchio, fie, you are to blame.⁵⁰

               Come, mistress Kate, I’ll bear you company.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Eat it up all, Hortensio, if thou lovest me. Aside

               Much good do it unto thy gentle heart!— Hortensio takes plate and does not let Kate eat

               Kate, eat apace.⁵⁴ And now, my honey love,

55

55           Will we return unto thy father’s house

               And revel it as bravely⁵⁶ as the best,

               With silken coats and caps and golden rings,

               With ruffs⁵⁸ and cuffs and farthingales and things,

               With scarfs and fans and double change of bravery,

60

60           With amber bracelets, beads and all this knavery.⁶⁰

               What, hast thou dined? The tailor stays thy leisure,

               To deck thy body with his ruffling treasure.⁶²

       Enter Tailor [with a gown]

               Come, tailor, let us see these ornaments.

       Enter Haberdasher [with a hat]

               Lay forth the gown.— What news with you, sir?

65

65   

HABERDASHER

HABERDASHER      Here is the cap your worship did bespeak.⁶⁵

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Why, this was moulded on a porringer,⁶⁶

               A velvet dish. Fie, fie, ’tis lewd⁶⁷ and filthy.

               Why, ’tis a cockle⁶⁸ or a walnut-shell,

               A⁶⁹ knack, a toy, a trick, a baby’s cap.

70

70           Away with it! Come, let me have a bigger.

KATE

KATE     I’ll have no bigger. This doth fit the time,⁷¹

               And gentlewomen wear such caps as these.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     When you are gentle,⁷³ you shall have one too,

               And not till then.

75

75   

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO           That will not be in haste. Aside

KATE

KATE     Why, sir, I trust I may have leave to speak,

               And speak I will. I am no child, no babe.

               Your betters have endured me⁷⁸ say my mind,

               And if you cannot, best you stop your ears.

80

80           My tongue will tell the anger of my heart,

               Or else my heart concealing it will break,

               And rather than it shall, I will be free

               Even to the uttermost, as I please, in words.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Why, thou say’st true. It is a paltry cap,

85

85           A custard-coffin,⁸⁵ a bauble, a silken pie.

               I love thee well in that thou lik’st it not.

KATE

KATE     Love me or love me not, I like the cap,

               And it I will have, or I will have none.

       [Exit Haberdasher]

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Thy gown? Why, ay. Come, tailor, let us see’t.

90

90           O mercy, God! What masquing stuff⁹⁰ is here?

               What’s this? A sleeve? ’Tis like a demi-cannon.⁹¹

               What, up and down,⁹² carved like an apple tart?

               Here’s snip and nip and cut and slish and slash,

               Like to a censer⁹⁴ in a barber’s shop.

95

95           Why, what o’devil’s name, tailor, call’st thou this?

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     I see she’s like to have neither cap nor gown. Aside

TAILOR

TAILOR     You bid me make it orderly and well,

               According to the fashion and the time.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Marry, and did.⁹⁹ But if you be remembered,

100

100         I did not bid you mar¹⁰⁰ it to the time.

               Go, hop¹⁰¹ me over every kennel home,

               For you shall hop without my custom, sir:

               I’ll none of it. Hence, make¹⁰³ your best of it.

KATE

KATE     I never saw a better-fashioned gown,

105

105         More quaint,¹⁰⁵ more pleasing, nor more commendable.

               Belike¹⁰⁶ you mean to make a puppet of me.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Why, true, he means to make a puppet of thee.

TAILOR

TAILOR     She says your worship means to make a puppet of her.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     O monstrous arrogance! Thou liest, thou thread, thou thimble,

110

110         Thou yard,¹¹⁰ three-quarters, half-yard, quarter, nail!

               Thou flea, thou nit, thou winter-cricket thou!

               Braved¹¹² in mine own house with a skein of thread?

               Away, thou rag, thou quantity,¹¹³ thou remnant,

               Or I shall so be-mete¹¹⁴ thee with thy yard

115

115         As thou shalt think on prating¹¹⁵ whilst thou liv’st!

               I tell thee, I, that thou hast marred her gown.

TAILOR

TAILOR     Your worship is deceived. The gown is made

               Just as my master had direction.

               Grumio gave order how it should be done.

120

120 

GRUMIO

GRUMIO             I gave him no order, I gave him the stuff.¹²⁰

TAILOR

TAILOR     But how did you desire it should be made?

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     Marry, sir, with needle and thread.

TAILOR

TAILOR     But did you not request to have it cut?

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     Thou hast faced¹²⁴ many things.

125

125 

TAILOR

TAILOR             I have.

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     Face not me. Thou hast braved¹²⁶ many men, brave not me; I will neither be faced nor braved. I say unto thee, I bid thy master cut out the gown, but I did not bid him cut it to pieces. Ergo,¹²⁸ thou liest.

TAILOR

TAILOR     Why, here is the note of the fashion to testify. Shows bill

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Read it.

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     The¹³¹ note lies in’s throat, if he say I said so.

TAILOR

TAILOR     ‘Imprimis, a loose-bodied gown.¹³²’ Reads

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     Master, if ever I said loose-bodied gown, sew me in the skirts of it, and beat me to death with a bottom¹³⁴ of brown thread: I said a gown.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Proceed.

TAILOR

TAILOR     ‘With a small compassed¹³⁶ cape.’ Reads

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     I confess the cape.

TAILOR

TAILOR     ‘With a trunk¹³⁸ sleeve.’ Reads

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     I confess two sleeves.

TAILOR

TAILOR     ‘The sleeves curiously¹⁴⁰ cut.’ Reads

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Ay, there’s the villainy.

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     Error i’th’bill,¹⁴² sir, error i’th’bill. I commanded the sleeves should be cut out and sewed up again, and that I’ll prove upon thee,¹⁴³ though thy little finger be armed in a thimble.

TAILOR

TAILOR     This is true that I say, an¹⁴⁵ I had thee in place where, thou shouldst know it.

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     I am for thee straight.¹⁴⁶ Take thou the bill, give me thy mete-yard, and spare not me.

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     God-a-mercy, Grumio, then he shall have no odds.¹⁴⁸

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Well, sir, in brief, the gown is not for me.

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     You are i’th’right, sir, ’tis for my mistress.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Go, take¹⁵¹ it up unto thy master’s use.

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     Villain, not for thy life. Take up my mistress’ gown for thy master’s use!

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Why, sir, what’s your conceit¹⁵³ in that?

GRUMIO

GRUMIO     O, sir, the conceit is deeper than you think for:¹⁵⁴

155

155         Take up my mistress’ gown to his master’s use!

               O, fie, fie, fie!

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Hortensio, say thou wilt see the tailor paid.— Aside to Hortensio

               Go take it hence. Be gone, and say no more. To the Tailor

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     Tailor, I’ll pay thee for thy gown tomorrow. Aside to the Tailor

160

160         Take no unkindness of¹⁶⁰ his hasty words.

               Away, I say, commend me to thy master.

       Exit Tailor

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Well, come, my Kate. We will unto your father’s

               Even in these honest mean habiliments:¹⁶³

               Our purses shall be proud,¹⁶⁴ our garments poor,

165

165         For ’tis the mind that makes the body rich,

               And as the sun breaks through the darkest clouds,

               So honour peereth¹⁶⁷ in the meanest habit.

               What, is the jay more precious than the lark,

               Because his feathers are more beautiful?

170

170         Or is the adder better than the eel

               Because his painted¹⁷¹ skin contents the eye?

               O no, good Kate, neither art thou the worse

               For this poor furniture¹⁷³ and mean array.

               If thou account’st it shame, lay¹⁷⁴ it on me.

175

175         And therefore frolic.¹⁷⁵ We will hence forthwith,

               To feast and sport us¹⁷⁶ at thy father’s house.—

               Go, call my men, and let us straight to him, To Grumio

               And bring our horses unto Long-lane end.—

               There will we mount, and thither walk on foot.

180

180         Let’s see, I think ’tis now some seven o’clock,

               And well we may come there by dinnertime.¹⁸¹

KATE

KATE     I dare assure you, sir, ’tis almost two,

               And ’twill be suppertime¹⁸³ ere you come there.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     It shall be seven ere I go to horse.

185

185         Look, what¹⁸⁵ I speak, or do, or think to do,

               You are still crossing¹⁸⁶ it. Sirs, let’t alone.

               I will not go today, and ere I do,

               It shall be what o’clock I say it is.

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     Why, so this gallant will command the sun.

       [Exeunt] Aside

[Act 4 Scene 2]4.2

running scene 8

       Enter Tranio [disguised as Lucentio], and the Pedant dressed like Vincentio Pedant booted and bareheaded

TRANIO

TRANIO     Sir, this is the house. Please it you that I call?

PEDANT

PEDANT     Ay, what else? And but² I be deceived,

               Signior Baptista may remember me,

               Near twenty years ago, in Genoa,

5

5             Where we were lodgers at the Pegasus.⁵

TRANIO

TRANIO     ’Tis well, and hold your own,⁶ in any case,

               With such austerity as ’longeth⁷ to a father.

       Enter Biondello

PEDANT

PEDANT     I warrant you. But, sir, here comes your boy.

               ’Twere good he were schooled.⁹

10

10   

TRANIO

TRANIO           Fear you not him.— Sirrah Biondello,

               Now do your duty throughly,¹¹ I advise you:

               Imagine ’twere the right¹² Vincentio.

BIONDELLO

BIONDELLO     Tut, fear not me.

TRANIO

TRANIO     But hast thou done thy errand to Baptista?

15

15   

BIONDELLO

BIONDELLO           I told him that your father was at Venice,

               And that you looked for¹⁶ him this day in Padua.

TRANIO

TRANIO     Thou’rt a tall¹⁷ fellow. Hold thee that to drink. Gives money

               Here comes Baptista: set your countenance,¹⁸ sir.

       Enter Baptista and Lucentio

               Signior Baptista, you are happily met.

20

20           Sir, this is the gentleman I told you of. To the Pedant

               I pray you stand²¹ good father to me now,

               Give me Bianca for my patrimony.²²

PEDANT

PEDANT     Soft²³ son!

               Sir, by your leave, having come to Padua

25

25           To gather in some debts, my son Lucentio

               Made me acquainted with a weighty cause

               Of love between your daughter and himself:

               And, for²⁸ the good report I hear of you,

               And for the love he beareth to your daughter,

30

30           And she to him, to stay³⁰ him not too long,

               I am content, in a good father’s care,

               To have him matched. And if you please³² to like

               No worse than I, upon some agreement

               Me shall you find ready and willing

35

35           With one consent³⁵ to have her so bestowed,

               For curious³⁶ I cannot be with you,

               Signior Baptista, of whom I hear so well.

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     Sir, pardon me in what I have to say.

               Your plainness and your shortness please me well.

40

40           Right true it is, your son Lucentio here

               Doth love my daughter and she loveth him,

               Or both dissemble deeply their affections.

               And therefore if you say no more than this,

               That like a father you will deal with him

45

45           And pass⁴⁵ my daughter a sufficient dower,

               The match is made and all is done.

               Your son shall have my daughter with consent.

TRANIO

TRANIO     I thank you, sir. Where then do you know⁴⁸ best

               We be affied⁴⁹ and such assurance ta’en

50

50           As shall with either part’s agreement stand?

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     Not in my house, Lucentio, for you know

               Pitchers have ears,⁵² and I have many servants.

               Besides, old Gremio is heark’ning still,⁵³

               And haply⁵⁴ we might be interrupted.

55

55   

TRANIO

TRANIO           Then at my lodging, an it like you.

               There doth my father lie,⁵⁶ and there, this night,

               We’ll pass⁵⁷ the business privately and well.

               Send for your daughter by your servant here. Indicates Lucentio, and winks at him

               My boy shall fetch the scriv’ner⁵⁹ presently.

60

60           The worst is this, that at so slender warning

               You are like to have a thin and slender pittance.⁶¹

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     It likes me well. Cambio, hie⁶² you home,

               And bid Bianca make her ready straight.

               And, if you will, tell what hath happened:

65

65           Lucentio’s father is arrived in Padua,

               And how she’s like⁶⁶ to be Lucentio’s wife.

       [Exit Lucentio]

BIONDELLO

BIONDELLO     I pray the gods she may with all my heart!

       Exit

TRANIO

TRANIO     Dally not with the gods, but get thee gone.

       Enter Peter

               Signior Baptista, shall I lead the way?

70

70           Welcome! One mess⁷⁰ is like to be your cheer.

               Come, sir, we will better it in Pisa.

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     I follow you.

       Exeunt [Tranio, Pedant and Baptista]

       Enter Lucentio [disguised as Cambio] and Biondello

BIONDELLO

BIONDELLO     Cambio!

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO     What say’st thou, Biondello?

BIONDELLO

BIONDELLO     You saw my master wink and laugh upon you?

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO     Biondello, what of that?

BIONDELLO

BIONDELLO     Faith, nothing. But has⁷⁷ left me here behind to expound the meaning or moral of his signs and tokens.⁷⁸

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO     I pray thee moralize⁷⁹ them.

BIONDELLO

BIONDELLO     Then thus: Baptista is safe, talking with the deceiving father of a deceitful son.

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO     And what of him?

BIONDELLO

BIONDELLO     His daughter is to be brought by you to the supper.

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO     And then?

BIONDELLO

BIONDELLO     The old priest at Saint Luke’s church is at your command⁸⁵ at all hours.

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO     And what of all this?

BIONDELLO

BIONDELLO     I cannot tell, except they are busied about a counterfeit assurance.⁸⁷ Take you assurance⁸⁸ of her, cum privilegio ad imprimendum solum. To th’church, take the priest, clerk and some sufficient⁸⁹ honest witnesses. If this be not that you look for, I have no more to say, but bid Bianca farewell forever and a day.

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO     Hear’st thou, Biondello?

BIONDELLO

BIONDELLO     I cannot tarry: I knew a wench married in an afternoon as she went to the garden for parsley to stuff a rabbit, and so may you, sir. And so, adieu, sir. My master hath appointed me to go to Saint Luke’s to bid the priest be ready to come against you come⁹⁵ with your appendix.

       Exit

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO     I may, and will, if she be so contented.

               She will be pleased, then wherefore should I doubt?

               Hap⁹⁸ what hap may, I’ll roundly go about her.

               It shall go hard⁹⁹ if Cambio go without her.

       Exit

[Act 4 Scene 3]4.3

running scene 9

       Enter Petruchio, Kate, Hortensio [and Servants]

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Come on, a God’s name, once more toward our father’s.

               Good Lord, how bright and goodly² shines the moon!

KATE

KATE     The moon? The sun: it is not moonlight now.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     I say it is the moon that shines so bright.

5

5     

KATE

KATE           I know it is the sun that shines so bright.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Now, by my mother’s son, and that’s myself,

               It shall be moon, or star, or what I list,⁷

               Or ere⁸ I journey to your father’s house.—

               Go on, and fetch our horses back again.— To the Servants

10

10           Evermore crossed and crossed, nothing but crossed!

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     Say as he says, or we shall never go. To Kate

KATE

KATE     Forward, I pray, since we have come so far,

               And be it moon, or sun, or what you please.

               An if you please to call it a rush-candle,¹⁴

15

15           Henceforth I vow it shall be so for me.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     I say it is the moon.

KATE

KATE     I know it is the moon.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Nay, then you lie. It is the blessèd sun.

KATE

KATE     Then, God be blessed, it is the blessèd sun.

20

20           But sun it is not, when you say it is not,

               And the moon changes even as your mind.

               What you will have it named, even that it is,

               And so it shall be so for Katherine.

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     Petruchio, go thy ways,²⁴ the field is won. Aside

25

25   

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO           Well, forward, forward! Thus the bowl should run,²⁵

               And not unluckily against the²⁶ bias.

               But, soft, company is coming here.

       Enter Vincentio

               Good morrow, gentle mistress. Where away?²⁸ To Vincentio

               Tell me, sweet Kate, and tell me truly too, To Kate

30

30           Hast thou beheld a fresher³⁰ gentlewoman?

               Such war of white and red within her cheeks!

               What stars do spangle³² heaven with such beauty,

               As those two eyes become that heav’nly face?—

               Fair lovely maid, once more good day to thee.— To Vincentio

35

35           Sweet Kate, embrace her for her beauty’s sake. To Kate

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     A³⁶ will make the man mad, to make the woman of him. Aside

KATE

KATE     Young budding virgin, fair and fresh and sweet,

               Whither away, or where is thy abode?

               Happy the parents of so fair a child;

40

40           Happier the man, whom⁴⁰ favourable stars

               Allots thee for his lovely bedfellow!

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Why, how now, Kate? I hope thou art not mad.

               This is a man, old, wrinkled, faded, withered,

               And not a maiden, as thou say’st he is.

45

45   

KATE

KATE           Pardon, old father, my mistaking eyes,

               That have been so bedazzled with the sun

               That everything I look on seemeth green.⁴⁷

               Now I perceive thou art a reverend father.

               Pardon, I pray thee, for my mad mistaking.

50

50   

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO           Do, good old grandsire, and withal make known

               Which way thou travellest: if along with us,

               We shall be joyful of thy company.

VINCENTIO

VINCENTIO     Fair sir, and you my merry mistress,

               That with your strange encounter⁵⁴ much amazed me,

55

55           My name is called Vincentio, my dwelling Pisa,

               And bound I am to Padua, there to visit

               A son of mine, which long I have not seen.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     What is his name?

VINCENTIO

VINCENTIO     Lucentio, gentle sir.

60

60   

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO           Happily met, the happier for thy son.

               And now by law, as well as reverend age,

               I may entitle thee my loving father.⁶²

               The sister to my wife, this gentlewoman,

               Thy son by this⁶⁴ hath married. Wonder not,

65

65           Nor be not grieved: she is of good esteem,⁶⁵

               Her dowry wealthy, and of worthy birth;

               Beside, so qualified as may beseem⁶⁷

               The spouse of any noble gentleman.

               Let me embrace with old Vincentio,

70

70           And wander we to see thy honest⁷⁰ son,

               Who will of thy arrival be full joyous.

VINCENTIO

VINCENTIO     But is this true? Or is it else your pleasure,

               Like pleasant⁷³ travellers, to break a jest

               Upon the company you overtake?

75

75   

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO           I do assure thee, father, so it is.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Come, go along, and see the truth hereof,

               For our first merriment hath made thee jealous.⁷⁷

       Exeunt [all but Hortensio]

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     Well, Petruchio, this has put⁷⁸ me in heart.

               Have to⁷⁹ my widow! And if she be froward,

80

80           Then hast thou taught Hortensio to be untoward.⁸⁰

       Exit

[Act 4 Scene 4]4.4

running scene 10

       Enter Biondello, Lucentio and Bianca. Gremio is out before

BIONDELLO

BIONDELLO     Softly and swiftly, sir, for the priest is ready.

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO     I fly, Biondello; but they may chance to need thee at home, therefore leave us.

       Exit [Lucentio with Bianca]

BIONDELLO

BIONDELLO     Nay, faith, I’ll see the church o’your back,⁴ and then come back to my master’s as soon as I can.

       [Exit]

GREMIO

GREMIO     I marvel Cambio comes not all this while.

       Enter Petruchio, Kate, Vincentio, Grumio, with Attendants

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Sir, here’s the door, this is Lucentio’s house.

               My father’s⁸ bears more toward the marketplace.

               Thither must I, and here I leave you, sir.

10

10   

VINCENTIO

VINCENTIO           You¹⁰ shall not choose but drink before you go.

               I think I shall command¹¹ your welcome here;

               And by all likelihood, some cheer is toward.¹²

       Knock

GREMIO

GREMIO     They’re busy within: you were best knock louder.

       Pedant looks out of the window

PEDANT

PEDANT     What’s he that knocks as he would beat down the gate?

VINCENTIO

VINCENTIO     Is Signior Lucentio within, sir?

PEDANT

PEDANT     He’s within, sir, but not to be spoken withal.

VINCENTIO

VINCENTIO     What if a man bring him a hundred pound or two to make merry withal?

PEDANT

PEDANT     Keep your hundred pounds to yourself. He shall need none, so long as I live.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Nay, I told you your son was well beloved in Padua. Do you hear, sir? To leave frivolous circumstances,²⁰ I pray you tell Signior Lucentio that his father is come from Pisa, and is here at the door to speak with him.

PEDANT

PEDANT     Thou liest. His father is come from Padua²² and here looking out at the window.

VINCENTIO

VINCENTIO     Art thou his father?

PEDANT

PEDANT     Ay, sir, so his mother says, if I may believe her.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Why, how now, gentleman! To Vincentio Why, this is flat knavery to take upon you another man’s name.

PEDANT

PEDANT     Lay hands on the villain. I believe a means to cozen²⁸ somebody in this city under my countenance.²⁹

       Enter Biondello

BIONDELLO

BIONDELLO     I have seen them in the church together. Aside God send ’em good shipping!³⁰ But who is here? Mine old master Vincentio! Now we are undone³¹ and brought to nothing.

VINCENTIO

VINCENTIO     Come hither, crack-hemp.³³ Seeing Biondello

BIONDELLO

BIONDELLO     I hope I may choose,³⁴ sir.

VINCENTIO

VINCENTIO     Come hither, you rogue. What, have you forgot me?

BIONDELLO

BIONDELLO     Forgot you? No, sir: I could not forget you, for I never saw you before in all my life.

VINCENTIO

VINCENTIO     What, you notorious villain, didst thou never see thy master’s father, Vincentio?

BIONDELLO

BIONDELLO     What, my old worshipful old master? Yes, marry, sir, see where he looks out of the window.

VINCENTIO

VINCENTIO     Is’t so, indeed?

       He beats Biondella

BIONDELLO

BIONDELLO     Help, help, help! Here’s a madman will murder me.

       [Exit]

PEDANT

PEDANT     Help, son! Help, Signior Baptista!

       [Exit from above]

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Prithee, Kate, let’s stand aside and see the end of this controversy. They stand aside

       Enter Pedant [below] with servants, Baptista, Tranio

TRANIO

TRANIO     Sir, what are you that offer⁴⁶ to beat my servant?

VINCENTIO

VINCENTIO     What am I, sir? Nay, what are you, sir? O immortal gods! O fine⁴⁷ villain! A silken doublet, a velvet hose, a scarlet cloak and a copatain⁴⁸ hat! O, I am undone, I am undone! While I play the good husband at home, my son and my servant spend all at the university.

TRANIO

TRANIO     How now? What’s the matter?

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     What, is the man lunatic?

TRANIO

TRANIO     Sir, you seem a sober ancient gentleman by your habit, but your words show you a madman. Why, sir, what ’cerns it you⁵⁴ if I wear pearl and gold? I thank my good father, I am able to maintain⁵⁵ it.

VINCENTIO

VINCENTIO     Thy father! O villain! He is a sailmaker in Bergamo.⁵⁶

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     You mistake, sir, you mistake, sir. Pray, what do you think is his name?

VINCENTIO

VINCENTIO     His name? As if I knew not his name: I have brought him up ever since he was three years old, and his name is Tranio.

PEDANT

PEDANT     Away, away, mad ass! His name is Lucentio and he is mine only son, and heir to the lands of me, Signior Vincentio.

VINCENTIO

VINCENTIO     Lucentio! O, he hath murdered his master! Lay hold on him, I charge you in the duke’s name. O, my son, my son! Tell me, thou villain, where is my son Lucentio?

65

65   

TRANIO

TRANIO           Call forth an officer.

       [Enter an Officer]

               Carry this mad knave to the jail. Father Baptista,

               I charge you see that he be forthcoming.⁶⁷

VINCENTIO

VINCENTIO     Carry me to the jail?

GREMIO

GREMIO     Stay, officer, he shall not go to prison.

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     Talk not, Signior Gremio, I say he shall go to prison.

GREMIO

GREMIO     Take heed, Signior Baptista, lest you be cony-catched⁷¹ in this business. I dare swear this is the right Vincentio.

PEDANT

PEDANT     Swear, if thou dar’st.

GREMIO

GREMIO     Nay, I dare not swear it.

TRANIO

TRANIO     Then thou wert best say that I am not Lucentio.

GREMIO

GREMIO     Yes, I know thee to be Signior Lucentio.

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     Away with the dotard!⁷⁷ To the jail with him!

       Enter Biondello, Lucentio and Bianca

VINCENTIO

VINCENTIO     Thus strangers may be hailed⁷⁸ and abused. O monstrous villain!

BIONDELLO

BIONDELLO     O, we are spoiled⁷⁹ and— yonder he is. Deny him, forswear him, or else we are all undone.

       Exeunt Biondello, Tranio and Pedant, as fast as may be

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO     Pardon, sweet father.

       Kneels

VINCENTIO

VINCENTIO     Lives my sweet son?

BIANCA

BIANCA     Pardon, dear father.

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     How hast thou offended? Where is Lucentio?

85

85   

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO           Here’s Lucentio,

               Right son to the right Vincentio,

               That have by marriage made thy daughter mine,

               While counterfeit supposes⁸⁸ bleared thine eyne.

GREMIO

GREMIO     Here’s packing,⁸⁹ with a witness to deceive us all!

90

90   

VINCENTIO

VINCENTIO           Where is that damnèd villain Tranio,

               That faced and braved me in this matter so?

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     Why, tell me, is not this my Cambio?

BIANCA

BIANCA     Cambio is changed⁹³ into Lucentio.

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO     Love wrought these miracles. Bianca’s love

95

95           Made me exchange my state⁹⁵ with Tranio,

               While he did bear my countenance in the town,

               And happily I have arrived at the last

               Unto the wishèd haven of my bliss.

               What Tranio did, myself enforced him to;

100

100         Then pardon him, sweet father, for my sake.

VINCENTIO

VINCENTIO     I’ll slit the villain’s nose, that would have sent me to the jail.

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     But do you hear, sir? Have you married my daughter without asking my good will?

VINCENTIO

VINCENTIO     Fear not, Baptista, we will content you, go to.¹⁰⁴ But I will in, to be revenged for this villainy. Exit

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     And I, to sound¹⁰⁶ the depth of this knavery.

       Exit

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO     Look not pale, Bianca, thy father will not frown.

       Exeunt [Lucentio and Bianca]

GREMIO

GREMIO     My cake is dough,¹⁰⁸ but I’ll in among the rest,

               Out¹⁰⁹ of hope of all but my share of the feast.

       [Exit]

110

110 

KATE

KATE             Husband, let’s follow, to see the end of this ado.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     First kiss me, Kate, and we will.

KATE

KATE     What, in the midst of the street?

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     What, art thou ashamed of me?

KATE

KATE     No, sir, God forbid, but ashamed to kiss.

115

115 

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO             Why, then let’s home again.— Come, sirrah, let’s away.

KATE

KATE     Nay, I will give thee a kiss. Now pray thee, love, stay. They kiss

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Is not this well? Come, my sweet Kate.

               Better once¹¹⁸ than never, for never too late.

       Exeunt

Act 5 [Scene 1]5.1

running scene 11

       Enter Baptista, Vincentio, Gremio, the Pedant, Lucentio and Bianca, [Petruchio, Katherina, Hortensio,] Tranio, Biondello, Grumio and Widow. The Servingmen with Tranio bringing in a banquet

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO     At last, though long,¹ our jarring notes agree,

               And time it is, when raging war is done,

               To smile at scapes³ and perils overblown.

               My fair Bianca, bid my father welcome,

5

5             While I with selfsame kindness⁵ welcome thine.

               Brother Petruchio, sister Katherina,

               And thou, Hortensio, with thy loving widow,

               Feast with⁸ the best, and welcome to my house.

               My banquet is to close⁹ our stomachs up

10

10           After our great good cheer.¹⁰ Pray you sit down,

               For now we sit to chat as well as eat.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Nothing but sit and sit, and eat and eat!

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     Padua affords this kindness, son Petruchio.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Padua affords nothing but what is kind.

15

15   

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO           For both our sakes, I would that word were true.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Now, for my life, Hortensio fears¹⁶ his widow.

WIDOW

WIDOW     Then¹⁷ never trust me if I be afeard.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     You are very sensible,¹⁸ and yet you miss my sense:

               I mean, Hortensio is afeard of you.

20

20   

WIDOW

WIDOW           He²⁰ that is giddy thinks the world turns round.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Roundly²¹ replied.

KATE

KATE     Mistress, how mean you that?

WIDOW

WIDOW     Thus²³ I conceive by him.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Conceives by me! How likes Hortensio that?

25

25   

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO           My widow says, thus she conceives her tale.²⁵

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Very well mended.²⁶ Kiss him for that, good widow.

KATE

KATE     ‘He that is giddy thinks the world turns round.’

               I pray you tell me what you meant by that.

WIDOW

WIDOW     Your husband, being troubled with a shrew,

30

30           Measures my husband’s sorrow by his woe:

               And now you know my meaning.

KATE

KATE     A very mean³² meaning.

WIDOW

WIDOW     Right, I mean you.

KATE

KATE     And I am mean³⁴ indeed, respecting you.

35

35   

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO           To her,³⁵ Kate!

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     To her, widow!

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     A hundred marks,³⁷ my Kate does put her down.

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     That’s my office.³⁸

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Spoke like an officer. Ha’ to thee, lad!

       Drinks to Hortensio

40

40   

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA           How likes Gremio these quick-witted folks?

GREMIO

GREMIO     Believe me, sir, they butt⁴¹ together well.

BIANCA

BIANCA     Head, and butt!⁴² An hasty-witted body

               Would say your head and butt were head and horn.⁴³

VINCENTIO

VINCENTIO     Ay, mistress bride, hath that awakened you?

45

45   

BIANCA

BIANCA           Ay, but not frighted me: therefore I’ll sleep again.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Nay, that you shall not. Since you have begun,

               Have at you⁴⁷ for a bitter jest or two.

BIANCA

BIANCA     Am I your bird?⁴⁸ I mean to shift my bush,

               And then pursue me as you draw your bow.⁴⁹

50

50           You are welcome all.

       Exeunt Bianca, [Katherina and Widow]

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     She hath prevented⁵¹ me. Here, Signior Tranio,

               This bird you aimed at, though you hit⁵² her not:

               Therefore a health⁵³ to all that shot and missed. Makes a toast

TRANIO

TRANIO     O, sir, Lucentio slipped⁵⁴ me like his greyhound,

55

55           Which runs himself and catches for his master.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     A good swift simile, but something currish.⁵⁶

TRANIO

TRANIO     ’Tis well, sir, that you hunted for yourself:

               ’Tis thought your deer⁵⁸ does hold you at a bay.

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     O, O, Petruchio! Tranio hits you now.

60

60   

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO           I thank thee for that gird,⁶⁰ good Tranio.

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     Confess, confess, hath he not hit you here?

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     A has a little galled⁶² me, I confess.

               And as the jest did glance away from⁶³ me,

               ’Tis ten to one it maimed you two outright.

65

65   

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA           Now, in good sadness,⁶⁵ son Petruchio,

               I think thou hast the veriest⁶⁶ shrew of all.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Well, I say no: and therefore for assurance⁶⁷

               Let’s each one send unto his wife,

               And he whose wife is most obedient

70

70           To come at first when he doth send for her,

               Shall win the wager which we will propose.

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     Content. What’s the wager?

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO     Twenty crowns.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Twenty crowns?

75

75           I’ll venture so much of⁷⁵ my hawk or hound,

               But twenty times so much upon my wife.

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO     A hundred then.

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     Content.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     A match! ’Tis done.

80

80   

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO           Who shall begin?

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO     That will I.

               Go, Biondello, bid your mistress come to me.

BIONDELLO

BIONDELLO     I go.

       Exit

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     Son, I’ll be your half,⁸⁴ Bianca comes.

85

85   

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO           I’ll have no halves. I’ll bear it all myself.

       Enter Biondello

               How now? What news?

BIONDELLO

BIONDELLO     Sir, my mistress sends you word

               That she is busy and she cannot come.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     How?⁸⁹ She’s busy and she cannot come?

90

90           Is that an answer?

GREMIO

GREMIO     Ay, and a kind one too.

               Pray God, sir, your wife send you not a worse.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     I hope better.

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     Sirrah Biondello, go and entreat my wife

95

95           To come to me forthwith.

       Exit Biondello

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     O, ho, entreat her?

               Nay, then she must needs⁹⁷ come.

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     I am afraid, sir,

               Do what you can,

       Enter Biondello yours will not be entreated.

100

100         Now, where’s my wife?

BIONDELLO

BIONDELLO     She says you have some goodly jest in hand.

               She will not come. She bids you come to her.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Worse and worse, she will not come! O, vile,

               Intolerable, not to be endured!

105

105         Sirrah Grumio, go to your mistress,

               Say, I command her come to me.

       Exit [Grumio]

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     I know her answer.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     What?

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     She will not.

110

110 

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO             The¹¹⁰ fouler fortune mine, and there an end.

       Enter Katherina

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     Now, by my holidame,¹¹¹ here comes Katherina!

KATE

KATE     What is your will, sir, that you send for me?

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Where is your sister, and Hortensio’s wife?

KATE

KATE     They sit conferring¹¹⁴ by the parlour fire.

115

115 

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO             Go fetch them hither. If they deny to come,

               Swinge¹¹⁶ me them soundly forth unto their husbands.

               Away, I say, and bring them hither straight.

       [Exit Katherina]

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO     Here is a wonder, if you talk of a wonder.

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO     And so it is: I wonder what it bodes.

120

120 

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO             Marry, peace it bodes, and love and quiet life,

               And awful¹²¹ rule and right supremacy,

               And, to be short, what not¹²² that’s sweet and happy.

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     Now, fair befall thee,¹²³ good Petruchio;

               The wager thou hast won, and I will add

125

125         Unto their losses twenty thousand crowns,

               Another dowry to another daughter,

               For she is changed, as¹²⁷ she had never been.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Nay, I will win my wager better yet

               And show more sign of her obedience,

130

130         Her new-built virtue and obedience.

       Enter Kate, Bianca and Widow

               See where she comes and brings your froward wives

               As prisoners to her womanly persuasion.—

               Katherine, that cap of yours becomes you not.

               Off with that bauble, throw it underfoot. Kate throws the cap on the ground

135

135 

WIDOW

WIDOW             Lord, let me never have a cause to sigh,

               Till I be brought to such a silly pass!¹³⁶

BIANCA

BIANCA     Fie! What a foolish¹³⁷ duty call you this?

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO     I would your duty were as foolish too:

               The wisdom of your duty, fair Bianca,

140

140         Hath cost me five hundred crowns since suppertime.

BIANCA

BIANCA     The more fool you for laying¹⁴¹ on my duty.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Katherine, I charge thee tell these headstrong women

               What duty they do owe their lords and husbands.

WIDOW

WIDOW     Come, come, you’re mocking. We will have no telling.

145

145 

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO             Come on, I say, and first begin with her.

WIDOW

WIDOW     She shall not.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     I say she shall, and first begin with her.

KATE

KATE     Fie, fie! Unknit¹⁴⁸ that threat’ning unkind brow, To the Widow

               And dart not scornful glances from those eyes,

150

150         To wound thy lord, thy king, thy governor.

               It blots thy beauty as frosts do bite the meads,¹⁵¹

               Confounds thy fame¹⁵² as whirlwinds shake fair buds,

               And in no sense is meet¹⁵³ or amiable.

               A woman moved¹⁵⁴ is like a fountain troubled,

155

155         Muddy, ill-seeming,¹⁵⁵ thick, bereft of beauty,

               And while it is so, none so dry or thirsty

               Will deign to sip or touch one drop of it.

               Thy husband is thy lord, thy life, thy keeper,

               Thy head, thy sovereign: one that cares for thee,

160

160         And for thy maintenance commits his body

               To painful¹⁶¹ labour both by sea and land,

               To watch¹⁶² the night in storms, the day in cold,

               Whilst thou liest warm at home, secure and safe,

               And craves no other tribute at thy hands

165

165         But love, fair looks and true obedience;

               Too little payment for so great a debt.—

               Such duty as the subject owes the prince To all?

               Even such a woman oweth to her husband.

               And when she is froward, peevish,¹⁶⁹ sullen, sour,

170

170         And not obedient to his honest¹⁷⁰ will,

               What is she but a foul contending rebel

               And graceless¹⁷² traitor to her loving lord?

               I am ashamed that women are so simple¹⁷³

               To offer war where they should kneel for peace,

175

175         Or seek for rule, supremacy and sway,¹⁷⁵

               When they are bound¹⁷⁶ to serve, love and obey.

               Why are our bodies soft and weak and smooth,

               Unapt¹⁷⁸ to toil and trouble in the world,

               But that our soft¹⁷⁹ conditions and our hearts

180

180         Should well agree with our external parts?—

               Come, come, you froward and unable¹⁸¹ worms, To all the Women

               My mind hath been as big¹⁸² as one of yours,

               My heart as great, my reason haply¹⁸³ more,

               To bandy¹⁸⁴ word for word and frown for frown;

185

185         But now I see our lances are but straws,

               Our strength as weak, our weakness past compare,

               That¹⁸⁷ seeming to be most which we indeed least are.

               Then vail your stomachs,¹⁸⁸ for it is no boot,

               And place your hands below your husband’s foot:

190

190         In token of which duty, if he please,

               My hand is ready, may it do him ease.¹⁹¹

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Why, there’s a wench! Come on, and kiss me, Kate. They kiss

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO     Well, go thy ways,¹⁹³ old lad, for thou shalt ha’t.

VINCENTIO

VINCENTIO     ’Tis¹⁹⁴ a good hearing when children are toward.

195

195 

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO             But a harsh hearing when women are froward.

PETRUCHIO

PETRUCHIO     Come, Kate, we’ll to bed.

               We three¹⁹⁷ are married, but you two are sped.

               ’Twas I won the wager, though you hit the white.¹⁹⁸ To Lucentio

               And being a winner, God give you goodnight!

Exeunt Petruchio [and Katherina]

200

200 

HORTENSIO

HORTENSIO             Now, go thy ways. Thou hast tamed a curst shrew.²⁰⁰

LUCENTIO

LUCENTIO     ’Tis a wonder, by your leave, she will be tamed so.

Textual Notes

Q = First Quarto text of The Taming of a Shrew (1594)

F = First Folio text of 1623

F2 = a correction introduced in the Second Folio text of 1632

F3 = a correction introduced in the Third Folio text of 1664

Ed = a correction introduced by a later editor

SD = stage direction

SH = speech heading (i.e., speaker’s name)

List of parts = Ed

Ind.1.0 SD Christopher = Ed. F = Christophero 1 SH SLY = Ed. F = Begger 7 thirdborough = Ed. F = Headborough 16 SH FIRST HUNTSMAN = Ed. F = Hunts. 83 SH FIRST PLAYER = Ed. F = Sincklo 95 SH FIRST PLAYER = Ed. F = Plai.

Ind.2.2 lordship = Q. F = Lord 17 fourteen pence = Ed. F = xiiii d. 94 SH PAGE = Ed. F = Lady. or La. (throughout) 128 play it. Is = Ed. F = play, it is 132 a = F2. F = a a

1.1.0 SD Tranio = F2. F = Triano 13 Vincentio = Ed. F = Vincentio’s 14 brought = Q. F = brough 25 Mi = Ed. F = Me 47 SD Katherina = F2. F = Katerina SD suitor = F2 (spelled shuiter). F = sister 149 captum = F2. F = captam 197 coloured = F2. F = Conlord 234 your = F2. F = you

1.2.23 Con tutto il cuore, ben trovato = Ed. F = contutti le core bene trobatto 24 molto honorato = Ed. F = multo honorato 29 pip = Ed. F = peepe 67 she as = F2. F = she is as 109 me and other = Ed. F = me. Other 159 me to = Ed. F = one to 177 Antonio’s = Ed. F = Butonios 257 feat = Ed. F = seeke

2.1.8 thee tell = F2. F = tel 75 Neighbour = Ed. F = neighbors 77 unto you = Ed. F = vnto 197 joint = Ed. F = ioyn’d 248 askance = Ed. F = a sconce 331 in = Ed. F = me 377 Marseillis = Ed. F = Marcellus

3.1.28 Sigeia = F2. F = sigeria 44–7 assigned to Lucentio in F 47 SH BIANCA = Ed. Not in F 48 SH LUCENTIO = Ed. F = Bian. 50 SH BIANCA = Ed. F = Hort. 63 gamut = Ed. F = gamoth or gamouth (throughout scene) 77 change = F2. F = charge 78 SH MESSENGER = Ed. F = Nicke.

3.2.16 Make feasts, invite friends = Ed. F = Make friends, inuite 29 of thy = F2. F = of 30 Old news = Ed. F = newes 32 hear = Q. F = heard 47 swayed = Ed.F = Waid 117 before l = F2. F = before 140 grumbling = F2. F = grumlling 187 SH GREMIO = F2 (Gre.). F = Gra.

3.3.17 SH CURTIS = Q. F = Gru.

3.4.4 SH HORTENSIO = F2. F = Luc. 6 SH LUCENTIO = F2. F = Hor. 7 you? First = Ed. F = you first, 8 SH LUCENTIO = F2. F = Hor. 13 none = Ed. F = me 31 her = F3. F = them 74 Take = F2. F = Par. Take in = Ed. Not in F

4.1.65 SH HABERDASHER = Ed. F = Fel. 84 is a = Q. F = is 91 like a = Q. F = like 174 account’st = Ed. F = accountedst

4.2.1 Sir = Ed. F = Sirs 5 Where = Ed. F = Tra. Where 18 SD Enter…Lucentio F mistakenly repeats an entrance direction for the Pedant 54 haply = Ed. F = happilie 87 except = F2. F = expect

4.3.19 is = Q. F = in 38 where = F2. F = whether 79 she be = F2. F = she

4.4.5 master’s = Ed. F = mistris 38 master’s = F2. F = Mistris 59 Tranio = F2. F = Tronio 114 No = Q. F = Mo

5.1.2 done = Ed. F = come 39 thee = Q. F = the 64 two = Ed. F = too 67 for = F2. F = sir

Induction Scene 1

Induction Scene 1    Location: rural England

    1    pheeze fix, get even with

    2    A…stocks i.e., I’ll put you in the stocks (instrument of punishment in which the arms or legs were confined)

    3    baggage good-for-nothing woman, harlot    chronicles historical account

    4    Richard Conqueror Sly may confuse Richard Coeur-de-lion (Lionheart) with William the Conquerer    paucas pallabris “few words” (corruption of the Spanish)    Sessa! Be off! (cry used in hunting)/be quiet

    5    burst broken

    6    denier tenth of a penny    Go…Jeronimy Sly confuses Saint Jerome with Hieronimo, a character in Thomas Kyd’s The Spanish Tragedy who cautioned himself with “Hieronimo, beware! Go by, go by!”    cold bed perhaps a beggar’s bed, the damp ground

    7    thirdborough parish constable

    8    by law in court

    9    kindly by all means

  10    charge order    tender well take good care of

  11    Brach bitch-hound (given that Merriman would seem a more suitable name for a male dog, some editors emend to “breathe”—i.e., “give breathing space to”—thus also improving the grammar)    cur dog    embossed exhausted, foaming at the mouth

  12    couple leash together    deep-mouthed brach bitch with a loud bark

  13    made it good i.e., picked up the scent

  14    coldest fault when the scent was lost

  17    cried…loss howled upon discovering the scent when it had been completely lost    merest total

  20    fleet swift

  22    sup feed    unto after

  27    bed but cold cold bed in which

  29    Grim…image in his drunken stupor Sly resembles a corpse

  30    practise on trick

  32    sweet delightful/perfumed

  33    banquet light meal

  34    brave fine

  35    forget himself behave inappropriately/forget who he was

  36    cannot choose is bound to

  37    strange odd/wonderful

  38    fancy fanciful thought/imagining

  41    hang it round adorn it    wanton lively

  42    Balm anoint, bathe    foul dirty/unattractive    distillèd fragrant

  43    sweet scented

  45    dulcet sweet

  46    straight straight away

  47    low humble    reverence bow/servitude

  51    ewer jug containing water for handwashing    diaper cloth

  56    disease illness/derangement

  58    is must be (mad)

  60    kindly naturally

  61    passing exceedingly

  62    husbanded managed    modesty care/moderation

  63    warrant assure

  64    As so that

  67    office duty, role

  68    Sirrah sir (used to an inferior)

  69    Belike perhaps

  72    An’t if it

  77    So please if it please    duty services

  82    fitted suited (to you)

  85    happy fortunate

  86    rather for more so because

  87    cunning professional skill

  89    doubtful apprehensive about    modesties propriety, self-control

  90    over-eyeing of observing/staring at

  92    merry passion fit of laughter

  94    impatient angry

  96    veriest antic most complete buffoon

  97    buttery storeroom for provisions

  99    want lack    affords has to offer

101    all suits every aspect (puns on sense of “outfits”)

103    do him obeisance bow/be submissive

104    as he will if he wishes to

105    bear must conduct    honourable action dignified behavior

107    by them accomplishèd performed by them (the ladies)

108    duty reverence

109    tongue voice    lowly humble

114    with…bosom bowing his head to his chest

117    esteemèd him believed himself to be

120    commanded tears tears on command

121    shift purpose/trick

122    napkin handkerchief    close conveyed secretly carried

123    in despite notwithstanding anything

124    dispatched carried out

125    Anon shortly

126    usurp the grace take on the elegance

129    how to see how    stay prevent

131    in go in    Haply perhaps/hopefully

132    spleen i.e., mood, impulse (the spleen was thought to be the seat of laughter)

Induction Scene 2

Induction Scene 2    most editions assume a shift of location from “outside an ale-house” to “a bedroom in the lord’s house,” but the text suggests that the location of the whole induction is the lord’s house, the only move being from outside (the main stage) to the bedroom (above space)

    1    small weak (hence cheap)    sack Spanish white wine

    3    conserves confections, sweetmeats

    4    raiment clothing

    6    conserves of beef salted beef

    7    doublets close-fitting jackets

    9    look …over-leather i.e., peep through holes

  10    idle humour mad whim

  13    spirit temperament/mood/fiend

  15    Burtonheath possibly Barton-on-the-heath, a village near Stratford-upon-Avon    cardmaker maker of cards, instruments for combing wool    transmutation change of condition

  16    bear-herd keeper of a performing bear    tinker pot-mender

  17    ale-wife woman who keeps an ale-house    Wincot village four miles south of Stratford-upon-Avon    on the score in debt

  18    score tally kept by marking notches on a piece of wood    sheer weak/drunk without food    score…for reckon me to be

  19    bestraught out of my mind

  21    droop become despondent

  23    As as if

  25    ancient former

  26    dreams delusions

  29    Apollo Greek god of music

  32    lustful arousing desire

  33    trimmed up decked out    Semiramis legendary queen of Assyria, famous for her voluptuousness

  34    bestrow scatter (probably with rushes)

  35    trapped adorned/fitted out

  37    hawking hunting with hawks

  39    welkin sky

  41    course hunt the hare

  42    breathèd exercised, strong-winded    roe small deer

  44    Adonis in classical mythology, a beautiful huntsman, pursued by    Cytherea (Venus); when he was killed by a boar while hunting, she changed him into an anemone

  45    Cytherea more commonly known as Venus, the goddess of love    sedges coarse grass growing by rivers

  46    wanton grow playful/flourishing/lustful

  48    Io in classical myth, a girl raped by Jove/Jupiter, then turned into a heifer    maid virgin

  49    beguilèd bewitched/deceived    surprised attacked

  50    lively lifelike

  51    Daphne in classical mythology, a girl pursued by the god Apollo; she prayed for help and was turned into a laurel tree

  54    workmanly skillfully

  57    waning degenerate/declining from the perfection of Eden

  59    envious cruel

  61    yet even now

  71    wit senses

  72    knew but only knew

  75    fay faith

  76    of in

  80    rail upon rant, complain about    hostess…house landlady of the inn

  81    present…leet bring accusations against her at the manorial court (leet)

  82    stone…quarts unlike sealed quarts, stone jugs had no official mark upon them guaranteeing they contained the specified amount of ale

  84    woman’s…house landlady’s maid

  86    reckoned up listed

  87    Greece possibly a corruption of “Greet,” a small village not far from Stratford

  91    amends recovery

  95    Marry by the Virgin Mary    fare am getting along (plays on the sense of “food and drink”)    cheer hospitality (plays on the sense of “food and drink”)

  98    goodman husband

103    Al’ce Alice

108    abandoned banished

115    In…malady due to the risk of bringing on your old illness

117    stands for is valid as

118    it stands my penis is erect    hardly plays on the idea of erectile hardness

119    despite spite

121    pleasant merry

122    meet fitting

126    frame adjust

127    bars prevents

128    comonty…gambold Sly’s mispronunciation of “comedy” and “gambol” (entertainment)    tumbling trick acrobatic trick

130    stuff matter (Sly responds to the literal sense of “furnishings”)

132    history story

133    slip slide by

Act 1 Scene 1

 1.1    Location: Padua    Lucentio name suggests “light,” making him a fitting partner for “Bianca” (the white/fair)

    2    Padua city in northern Italy    nursery training ground (the university of Padua was one of the oldest in Europe)

    3    for in    Lombardy Padua is not in Lombardy, which is probably, however, intended here to denote all of northern Italy

    5    leave permission

    7    approved tested, proved

    8    breathe rest    haply perhaps/fortunately    institute begin

    9    ingenious intellectual

  10    grave learned

  11    Gave…first i.e., both I and my father were born there

  12    great traffic extensive trade

  13    come of descended from    Bentivolii a powerful Italian family who were, in fact, from Bologna rather than Pisa

  14    Vincentio’s…deeds it is appropriate that Vincentio’s son, who was brought up in Florence, should fulfil the expectations of him by adding to his fortune with acts of virtue

  19    treats of concerns

  23    plash pool

  24    satiety excess

  25    Mi perdonato “pardon me”(Italian)

  26    affected disposed

  31    stoics rigorous individuals practicing abstinence and endurance    stocks stupid, senseless people

  32    Aristotle Greek philosopher    checks recommendations of moral restraint

  33    As that    Ovid Roman poet, author of The Art of Love    abjured rejected

  34    Balk argue, quibble over

  35    common everyday

  36    quicken enliven

  38    Fall to apply yourself/begin eating    stomach serves you inclination/appetite requires

  39    No…ta’en a version of Horace’s famous statement that “he who has mixed usefulness with pleasure has gained every point”

  40    affect like

  41    Gramercies many thanks

  42    wert were to

  45    beget create    Bianca Italian for “white”    pantaloon in Italian comedy, the foolish old man

  48    importune urge

  50    bestow give in marriage

  55    cart her drive her around in a cart (usual punishment for a prostitute)    rough violent/uncontrollable

  56    will you do you want

  58    stale bait/laughing-stock/prostitute (puns on the chess term “stalemate”)    mates fellows (plays on the sense of “husbands”)

  62    Iwis indeed    not…heart i.e., marriage is not something I even consider

  63    her care my chief desire

  64    noddle head

  65    paint i.e., redden with scratching    use treat

  68    toward about to begin

  69    wonderful froward remarkably obstinate

  73    Mum hush

  78    peat pet

  79    Put…why make herself cry if she could think of an excuse

  80    content you be satisfied

  81    pleasure will    subscribe submit

  84    Minerva goddess of wisdom

  85    strange distant, unfriendly

  86    effects causes

  88    mew her up confine her

  89    for on account of

  90    her i.e., Bianca    her i.e., Kate’s (sharp)

  93    for because

  98    Prefer recommend    cunning skillful

102    commune discuss

103    appointed hours given a timetable

104    belike perhaps

105    dam mother    gifts qualities (ironic) here’s…you no one here will detain you

106    Their love i.e., women’s love    blow our nails wait patiently/waste time

107    fast…out manage to survive/endure it as cordially as we can Our…sides i.e., we have both failed

108    light on come across

109    wish recommend

111    brooked parle tolerated conversation/negotiation    advice consideration    toucheth concerns

113    labour and effect work for and bring about

120    pass surpass

121    alarums noise (literally, a military call to arms)    an if

123    had as lief would as willingly

124    high cross cross set on a pedestal in the town center

126    bar in law legal impediment (i.e., Baptista’s refusal to let Bianca marry until Kate is married)    it…maintained it shall progress in a friendly manner

128    have…afresh renew our combat once again    Happy…dole! Happiness to the winner! (proverbial)

129    ring alludes to the jousting game in which competitors tried to lift a ring with their lances (puns on senses of “wedding ring” and “vagina”)

138    love in idleness puns on “love-in-idleness,” a pansy thought to have power to stimulate love

140    secret trusted

141    Anna…Carthage Dido, Queen of Carthage, confided in her sister Anna that she was in love with Aeneas

147    rated driven out through rebuke

149    Redime…minimo “free yourself from bondage for as little ransom as you can” (Latin, inaccurately quoted, as in the standard Elizabethan grammar textbook, from Terence’s play Eunuchus)

150    Go forward carry on    This i.e., what you have said so far

152    so longly for such a long time/so longingly

153    marked not did not notice    pith essence

155    daughter of Agenor Europa, daughter of the King of Tyre; she was loved by    Jove, who turned himself into a bull in order to abduct her

156    him himself

157    kissed i.e., knelt on    Cretan strand shore of Crete (in fact, Europa was taken to, rather than from, Crete)

166    Bend apply, direct

167    curst bad-tempered    shrewd shrewish, disagreeable

169    maid unmarried virgin

170    closely securely

171    annoyed vexed/distracted

173    advised aware

177    for my hand by my hand/for my part

178    inventions meet plans agree    jump coincide

182    device plot

184    bear play

186    Keep house entertain    ply his book study

188    Basta “enough”(Italian)    full in full

193    port position, dignity

195    meaner lower-ranking

197    Uncase undress    coloured as opposed to the plainer, often blue, livery worn by Elizabethan servants

199    charm persuade

201    sith since

202    tied obliged

203    charged instructed

210    Whose sudden sight the sudden sight of whom    thralled enslaved    wounded i.e., pierced by Cupid’s arrow

216    frame fit

218    count’nance manner/appearance

221    descried witnessed/denounced

222    becomes is suitable

232    discreetly prudently

235    rests remains    that thyself execute which is for you to carry out    make become

236    sufficeth let it suffice    Presenters above i.e., the remaining characters from the Induction

238    mind attend to

239    matter subject

243    Would I wish    mark attend, observe

Act 1 Scene 2

 1.2    Grumio connotations of “groom”—i.e., servingman

    1    Verona city in northern Italy

    2    of all especially

    4    trow know/believe

    6    knock Grumio plays on the sense of “strike (a person)”    rebused malapropism for “abused”

  11    Villain wicked one/servant    me for me    gate door

  12    pate head

  13    I…worst if I hit you first I know that I shall come off the worst for it

  16    ring i.e., with a circular knocker or bell; puns on “wring”

  17    I’ll…it i.e., I’ll see how you can shriek    sol-fa sing a scale

  18    mistress some editors emend to “masters”

  21    How…all what are you both doing

  23    Con…trovato “with all my heart well met” (Italian)

  24    Alla…Petruchio “Welcome to our house, most worshipful Petruchio” (Italian)

  25    compound settle

  26    ’leges alleges    in Latin despite his Italian name, Grumio does not know the difference between Latin and Italian

  28    use treat

  29    aught anything    two…out i.e., overshooting the mark/not in his right mind/drunk (thirty-one was a card game, the object of which was to collect cards with a total value of thirty-one; it was also a term for being drunk)    pip one of the spots on a card

  34    heart i.e., life

  39    pledge guarantor

  40    this’ this is    heavy chance sad situation

  41    ancient long-standing

  42    happy fortunate

  46    in a few briefly

  50    wive marry

  51    Crowns gold coins

  53    come roundly speak plainly

  54    wish commend    ill-favoured foul-tempered

  55    Thou’ldst you would

  62    burden refrain/bass accompaniment (in a song)

  63    Florentius’ love in Gower’s Confessio Amantis Florentius is a knight who agrees to marry an ugly hag if she helps him solve the riddle on which his life depends

  64    Sibyl ancient prophetess; in classical mythology, Apollo gave the Sibyl of Cumae as many years of life as she held grains of sand in her hand, but he did not grant her accompanying youth

  65    Xanthippe wife of Socrates, notorious for her bad temper

  66    moves me not does not affect me    not…me cannot blunt the edge of my desire

  71    mind opinion/intention

  72    aglet-baby small figure ornamenting the tag of a lace or cord    trot hag

  74    so…withal so long as money comes with it

  75    are…in have gone this far

  76    that I broached what I began

  81    intolerable intolerably

  83    state financial situation

  87    board accost (naval metaphor referring to attacking a ship; plays on the sense of “have sex with”)

  88    crack roar, explode

  97    give you over leave you

  99    humour whim    O’ on    an if

101    half a score ten

102    rail rant    rope-tricks possibly Grumio’s version of “rhetoric” or “rope rhetoric,” or implying tricks deserving of punishment by hanging    stand resist, withstand

103    figure figure of speech/rhetorical trick

104    withal with

106    keep safe-keeping (literally, fortified tower)    treasure plays on the sense of “(Bianca’s) vagina”

107    hold custody

109    other more others besides

112    defects faults    rehearsed related

114    order measure

119    grace favor

122    seen skilled

124    make love to woo/seduce

126    Here’s no knavery! i.e., this does not look like a trick (sarcastic)    beguile deceive

130    proper stripling fine, handsome youth

131    note presumably, a list of required books

132    fairly handsomely

133    at any hand in any case

134    read…lectures give no other lessons

136    liberality generosity

137    mend…largesse add to it with a donation

138    them i.e., the books

143    yourself…place if you yourself were present

147    woodcock proverbially stupid bird

150    you…met I am glad to meet you

151    Trow you do you know

156    Fit…turn suited to her needs (plays on the sense of “suitable for sex”)

159    help me to assist me in obtaining

164    bags money-bags

165    vent proclaim

166    me fair courteously to me

167    indifferent…either that is equally good for both of us

169    agreement…liking our agreeing to his conditions (Hortensio later explains that he and Gremio are to pay for the cost of wooing Kate)

172    So…well if what you say were to be achieved, it would be all very well

176    What countryman? Where are you from?

181    stomach appetite    to’t begin eating, go ahead

184    Will I live? i.e., of course

190    chafèd irritated

191    ordnance artillery

193    pitchèd planned

194    ’larums calls to arms

197    chestnut…fire chestnuts crackle when they burn

198    Fear frighten    bugs imaginary terrors

204    charge expense    brave finely dressed

208    readiest quickest

212    to— the implied missing word is “woo,” though some editors emend to “too?”

213    What…do? What is it to do with you?

215    chiders quarrellers, rebukers

216    begun said

217    ere before

226    choice chosen/special

231    all altogether

234    Leda’s daughter Helen of Troy, supposedly the most beautiful woman in the world

237    Though even if    Paris the Trojan prince who snatched Helen from her husband    speed alone be the only one to succeed

239    head free reign    jade worn-out horse

246    let…by leave her alone

247    Hercules…twelve in Greek mythology, Hercules (also called Alcides) carried out twelve seemingly impossible tasks

248    let it be grant that it is

249    sooth truth

250    hearken for seek to win/inquire after

256    stead help

259    whose hap he whose good fortune it

260    Will…ingrate will not be so ill-mannered as to be ungrateful

261    conceive understand

263    gratify show gratitude to/reward

264    rest remain    beholding indebted

266    contrive spend, use

267    quaff carouses drink toasts

268    adversaries opposing lawyers

269    Strive compete

270    motion proposal

272    ben venuto “welcome” (Italian); sense here is “host”

Act 2 Scene 1

    2    bondmaid slave-girl

    3    goods ornaments, jewels, love tokens

    4    Unbind if you will unbind

    5    raiment clothing

    9    dissemble lie

  11    special particular

  13    Minion hussy

  14    affect love

  17    fair well dressed

  18    envy despise

  23    dame madam (accusatory)

  25    ply thy needle sew/embroider    meddle not have nothing to do

  26    hilding good-for-nothing

  28    cross provoke, thwart

  29    flouts mocks

  31    suffer listen to/permit/endure

  33    dance…day traditionally the fate of an unmarried elder sister

  34    lead…hell proverbially old maids did so because they had no children to lead in heaven

  36    occasion of opportunity for    habit clothing    mean humble

  45    Go…orderly apply yourself to the business with decorum

  46    give me leave excuse me/let me explain myself

  48    wit intelligence

  51    forward eager/presumptuous

  54    for…entertainment as an entrance-fee for my reception

  57    sciences fields of learning

  59    Accept of accept

  60    Litio Second Folio and many later editions emend to “Licio” throughout    Mantua city in northern Italy

  63    turn purpose/needs

  71    Saving with respect for

  72    poor petitioners humble suitors

  73    Baccare! “Stand back!” (mock-Latin)

  74    I…doing I am eager for action (perhaps plays on the sense of “having sex”)

  76    grateful agreeable    like same

  77    kindly fittingly/affectionately

  78    Rheims northern French town with a well-known university

  79    Cambio Italian for “exchange”

  83    walk…stranger seem like a newcomer/seem as if you are not one of the group/stand aside

  90    preferment precedence (i.e., offering Kate before Bianca)

  92    upon knowledge when you know

  99    Lucentio…name? perhaps Baptista learns this by opening one of the books in which Lucentio’s name is written

101    mighty renowned, noble

104    presently at once

105    Holla a shout to attract attention

109    orchard garden

110    dinner the main meal of the day, served between eleven and noon    passing extremely

112    asketh haste is urgent

120    in possession i.e., on marriage

121    assure…widowhood provide for her after my death/guarantee her rights as a widow

123    leases property that is let

124    specialities a special contract

125    covenants formal agreements

126    special unique/particular

128    father i.e., father-in-law

134    So I so I shall behave (like an extreme gust)

136    happy…speed may the outcome be happy/fortunate

138    to the proof so as to be invulnerable    broke grazed, bleeding

143    prove become/test the skill of

144    hold with resist, withstand

145    break her to teach her to play

146    broke…me i.e., broken the    lute over my head

147    frets ridges for guiding the fingers (Kate shifts the sense to “vexations”)

150    fume show anger

152    pate head

153    amazèd perplexed, dumbstruck

154    As…pillory as if in the stocks (in which the head was confined by wooden boards)

155    fiddler lute-player/meddler

156    Jack base fellow

157    studied practiced, planned

158    lusty lively

161    discomfited disheartened

162    in practice with your lessons

166    attend wait for

170    clear serene, faultless

174    piercing moving

175    pack leave

177    crave demand

178    banns public proclamations of intended marriages

181    hard puns on heard (which was pronounced similarly)

187    dainties…Kates puns on “cates” (i.e., dainties, delicacies)

188    of from

190    sounded proclaimed/fathomed

191    deeply…belongs loudly/in such depth as you deserve

192    moved compelled (Kate shifts to the literal sense)

193    In good time! Indeed!

194    you…first from the start

195    movable piece of furniture/changeable person

197    joint stool low stool made by a joiner (“I took you for a joint stool” was a way of mockingly apologizing for ignoring someone)

198    sit on me i.e., as I am a stool (with sexual innuendo)

199    Asses puns on “arses”    bear carry loads (Petruchio plays on the sense of “bear the weight of a man’s body/of a baby”)

202    burden lie on top of/accuse

203    light not heavy/promiscuous

204    light quick    swain rustic (contemptuous)

205    as…be the right weight/of sound social standing

206    be puns on “bee”    buzz rumor—i.e., you should hear what actually is said about you; also a noise of impatience;    wasp then shifts sense to insect noise

207    ta’en seized upon, used    buzzard fool (literally useless bird of prey)/rumor-monger

208    turtle turtle-dove (symbol of faithful love)

209    turtle…buzzard i.e., only a fool will take me for a faithful wife, just as the turtle-dove mistakenly swallows an insect

211    waspish spiteful/wasp-like

214    sting plays on the sense of genitals/sexual urge

217    tails puns on “tales”

218    with…tail i.e., leaving me with the last word (tail puns on the sense of “vagina”)    come plays on the sense of “have an orgasm”    again back/once more

220    try test

221    cuff hit

222    lose your arms waste your strength/loosen your grip/forfeit your coat of arms (the sign of being a gentleman)

223    strike plays on the sense of “have sex with”

225    books book of heraldry, where gentlemen’s coats of arms were recorded (plays on the notion of “good books” and on “vagina”)

226    crest identifying feature on a coat of arms/tuft on the head of an animal (with phallic connotations)    coxcomb fool’s cap (similar in appearance to a cock’s crest; plays on “cock”—i.e., penis)

227    combless i.e., unthreatening    cock cockerel/penis    so provided that    hen i.e., wife/harlot

228    craven cock with no fighting spirit

230    fashion manner    crab sour crab-apple

234    glass mirror

236    Well…one well guessed for one so inexperienced

237    young youthful/strong

239    cares troubles

241    scape escape

242    chafe annoy, inflame

244    rough harsh/unmanageable    coy disdainful, unresponsive

246    pleasant merry    gamesome sportive, playful

247    slow easygoing, without a quick tongue

248    askance scornfully

250    cross combative/ill-tempered

251    entertain’st receive

252    conference conversation

257    halt limp

258    whom…command order you servants about (rather than me)

259    Dian Diana, goddess of chastity, the moon, and hunting    become suit, enhance

260    gait manner, bearing, way of walking

262    sportful lively/playful/amorous

263    study learn/practice    goodly splendid (sarcastic)

264    extempore spontaneous, improvised    mother-wit natural intelligence

265    A…son your mother must have had some wit, as left to yourself you would have none at all

266    wise…warm “he is wise enough that can keep himself warm” (proverbial)

268    mean intend to

272    will…you whether you will or not

273    for your turn right for you (plays on the sense of “for sex with you”)

278    wild Kate puns on “wild-cat”

279    Conformable pliant, obedient

280    Never make denial do not refuse me

282    speed you do you succeed, fare

284    amiss adversely, without progress

285    In your dumps? Down-hearted?

290    face …out brazenly get his own way

293    policy strategic purposes

295    temperate moderate, gentle

296    Grissel Patient Griselda was, in Boccaccio and Chaucer, a model of wifely obedience

297    Lucrece raped by the Roman king Tarquin, Lucrece was so ashamed she committed suicide

298    ’greed got along

302    speeding progress/success    goodnight our part our part in this business is over

305    ’twixt us twain between we two

310    vied redoubled (gambling term for raising the stakes)    protesting declaring

311    twink twinkling

312    a …see wonderful to see

314    meacock feeble

316    gainst in preparation for

317    bid invite

318    fine finely dressed

319    hands …witnesses joining of hands in front of witnesses (the “pre-contract”) prevented either party from becoming engaged to another

323    apace swiftly

326    clapped up settled

328    desperate mart risky business endeavor

329    ’Twas…you it (Kate) was a piece of merchandise that was losing its value (fretting plays on the sense of “aggravating”)

331    quiet peace of mind

332    quiet catch (ironic)

339    freeze possibly implies impotence

340    fry burn lecherously

341    Skipper frivolous wastrel    nourisheth sustains life

343    compound settle

344    deeds actions/legal deeds    he of both whichever of the two of you

345    dower settlement made to the wife on the death of the husband

349    plate gold or silver tableware

350    lave wash

351    hangings wallcoverings    Tyrian from Tyre, an ancient trading city on the Mediterranean

352    coffers chests

353    cypress made from cypress wood    arras counterpoints tapestried bed coverings from Arras

354    tents hangings for a bed

355    Turkey Turkish    bossed embossed, adorned

356    Valance…needlework valences (borders on the sides or canopy of a bed) embroidered with Venetian gold thread

359    milch-kine dairy cows    to the pail (specifically) for milking

361    answerable…portion appropriate to an estate of this size

362    struck old

365    came well in is to the point    list listen

369    walls i.e., the walls forming the city limits

371    two…land i.e., the land brings in an annual income of two thousand ducats (gold coins)

372    jointure widow’s settlement

373    pinched distressed/belittled

376    argosy large merchant ship

377    Marseillis’ road the harbor at Marseilles

380    galliases heavy low-built vessels

381    tight efficient, seaworthy

387    out-vied outbid (card-playing term)

389    let providing    assurance (financial) guarantee

390    else otherwise

392    cavil quibble

402    gamester gambler, foolish adventurer    were would be

404    Set…table i.e., become dependent upon you    toy piece of nonsense

407    faced …ten bluffed, brazened it out with a card only worth ten

408    ’Tis…head I have a plan

410    get beget, conceive

413    sire father

Act 3 Scene 1

    1    Fiddler …sir implies that Hortensio is holding Bianca’s fingers as he teaches her the lute

    2    entertainment reception

    3    withal with

    6    prerogative priority

    8    lecture lesson

    9    Preposterous unreasonable/placing last what should be first

  10    ordained created

  12    usual pain habitual labor

  14    serve in serve up (contemptuous)

  15    braves blustering threats

  17    resteth …choice is up to me

  18    breeching …schools schoolboy liable to be whipped (breeched)

  19    ’pointed appointed

  22    the whiles in the meantime

  28    ‘Hic…senis’ “here ran the [river] Simois; here is the Sigeian land [Troy]; here stood the lofty palace of old Priam [King of Troy]” (from Ovid’s Heroides)

  30    Conster translate/analyze grammatically/expound

  34    port station, dignity    pantaloon foolish old man (i.e., Gremio)

  36    fie expression of impatience or disgust    jars sounds discordant

  37    Spit…again possibly a perversion of the proverb “spit in your hands and take a better hold” (sequence instrument’s…spit in the hole … tune…fingering may have sexual connotations)

  43    jars quarrels

  44    pedant schoolmaster/quibbler

  46    Pedascule little pedant

  48    Aeacides …grandfather the Greek hero Ajax was also known as Aeacides, after his grandfather Aeacus (Lucentio has moved to the next line of Ovid’s Heroides)

  50    master tutor

  51    doubt point

  54    pleasant merry, playful

  55    give me leave leave me

  56    three parts i.e., the company of three people

  57    formal punctilious

  58    withal at the same time    but unless

  61    order method

  63    gamut the musical scale    briefer sort quicker way

  66    fairly drawn neatly set out

  69    ground …accord basis of all harmony

  73    one …I perhaps Hortensio’s love (one clef) and his real and assumed personalities (two notes); may also have sexual connotations (“one vagina,” “two testicles”—notes playing on “nuts”) leading to play on die in next line

  76    Old established    nice capricious

  77    true legitimate, constant

  83    pry into spy on, investigate

  86    stale decoy (specifically, one that distracts a poorly trained hawk)

  87    Seize …list let those who want you have you    ranging straying (like a hawk)/unfaithful

  88    quit with rid of/even with

Act 3 Scene 2

    5    want lack

    8    forsooth in truth

  10    rudesby insolent ruffian    spleen temper, passion

  11    wooed …leisure varies the proverbial “he who marries in haste repents at leisure”

  12    frantic insane, frenzied

  14    noted for known as

  19    Lo look

  23    fortune …word event prevents him from keeping his word

  29    humour temperament

  30    Old plentiful (Baptista plays on the more familiar sense)

  39    to of

  40    jerkin close-fitting jacket

  41    turned i.e., inside out (to make them last longer)    candle-cases containers for candle ends (i.e., too worn out to wear)

  43    chapeless without a sheath    points laces for fastening the doublet to the hose    hipped lame, with an injured hip

  44    of no kindred that do not match    glanders horse disease affecting the nostrils and jaws    like…chine of unclear meaning; perhaps a corruption of “like to mourn in the    chine“—i.e., likely to be in the final stages of the    glanders—or possibly “likely to have a weak spine (chine)”

  45    lampass horse disease affecting the mouth    fashions farcins (horse disease causing tumors)

  46    windgalls tumors on a horse’s leg    sped with spavins rendered useless by swelling of the leg joints    rayed disfigured    yellows jaundice    fives horse disease affecting the parotid glands    stark utterly

  47    staggers horse disease marked by a staggering movement    begnawn gnawed at    bots intestinal worms    swayed…back with a bowed spine

  48    shoulder-shotten with a dislocated shoulder    near-legged before knock-kneed in the front legs    half-checked bit restraining bit with a broken side-ring (so, ineffective)    head-stall part of the horse’s bridle that goes over the head

  49    sheep’s leather i.e., weak leather    restrained pulled tight

  50    girth leather band that goes under the horse’s stomach to hold the saddle in place    pieced mended

  51    crupper leather strap that prevents the saddle from slipping    velure velvet    hath…studs is adorned with her initials in (brass or silver) studs

  52    packthread string

  54    lackey servant    caparisoned dressed

  55    stock stocking    kersey coarse cloth    boot-hose over-stocking covering the whole of the lower leg

  56    list strip of cloth    humour…fancies unclear; possibly refers to an old ballad, or to a fanciful ornament—the general sense is that the hat is adorned in an elaborate and whimsical manner    pricked…feather pinned in it in place of

  57    footboy page, servant on foot

  59    pricks spurs

  60    mean-apparelled dressed humbly/moderately

  68    Saint Jamy probably Saint James of Compostella, whose shrine was a popular object of pilgrimage

  69    hold bet

  73    gallants fashionable, fine young gentlemen

  75    come not well am not welcome (Baptista responds to the sense of “walk with difficulty”)

  76    halt limp

  80    Gentles gentlemen

  81    wherefore why    goodly fine

  82    monument portent

  83    comet thought be a bad omen    prodigy omen

  86    unprovided ill-dressed, unprepared

  87    doff take off    habit clothing    estate rank

  88    solemn ceremonious

  89    occasion of import important event

  98    wears is passing, being wasted

  99    unreverent disrespectful

103    Good sooth truly    ha’ have

105    wear wear out (with sexual connotations)

106    accoutrements clothes

110    lovely loving

114    event outcome

116    liking approval    to pass about

119    skills matters    fit adapt

126    steps movements    narrowly closely

127    steal our marriage marry secretly

131    watch our vantage look for a favorable opportunity

132    overreach outwit

133    narrow-prying inquisitive

134    quaint crafty

139    groom lowly character/servingman

141    Curster more quarrelsome

144    a fool to innocent compared to

145    Sir respectful term of address

147    gogs-wouns God’s wounds (a common oath)

148    book i.e., Bible

150    took gave

152    them probably refers to the priest and, his book; possibly refers to the hem of Kate’s skirt with Petruchio claiming to suspect the priest of peeping at her undergarments    any list anyone is listening/wants to

154    for why because

155    cozen cheat

156    many various

159    quaffed off drank up, drained    muscadel a sweet wine

160    sops pieces of bread or cake placed in wine

162    hungerly sparsely

163    him him for

168    rout company

170    minstrels musicians

172    think expect

173    cheer food and drink

178    Make …wonder don’t be surprised

180    honest worthy, kind

193    not stay not content to stay

196    oats…horses i.e., the horses are more than ready to gallop (as they have been so well fed)

201    be…green go while your boots are still fresh

203    jolly self-confident, arrogant

204    take…roundly behaves so presumptuously from the start

206    hast …do is it to do with you

207    stay my leisure wait until I’m ready

208    it …work things are beginning to happen

214    domineer feast riotously

215    Carouse full measure drink heartily    maidenhead virginity

216    mad high-spirited

218    big threatening, irate

220    my …anything an echo of the Tenth Commandment, which lists the possessions one should not covet    chattels movable possessions

221    stuff furnishings

224    bring mine action take legal action against/respond with physical force    proudest he bravest/most self-assured man

229    buckler defend (a buckler was a small round shield)

231    Went they not if they had not gone

235    Kated mated with Kate/infected with “the Kate”

236    wants For to are lacking to

238    junkets sweetmeats

240    room place

241    bride it play the bride

Act 3 Scene 3

 3.3    Location: a country estate

    1    foul ways muddy roads

    2    rayed dirtied

    4    little …hot small pot that boils rapidly—i.e., small man who is quick to become angry (proverbial)

    7    taller braver/nobler/less short

    8    coldly unenthusiastically/like one who is physically chilly

  10    run running start

  12    fire…water refers to the musical round “Scotland’s burning, Scotland’s burning / See yonder! See yonder! / Fire, fire! Fire, fire! / Cast on water! Cast on water!”

  13    hot fiery tempered

  14    winter…beast “winter and wedlock tame both man and beast” (proverbial)

  17    beast Curtis objects to the implication that he is Grumio’s fellow after Grumio compares himself to a beast

  18    horn cuckold’s horn (the sign of a man with an unfaithful wife)    so…least i.e., I/my penis must be at least as long to have made you a cuckold (picking up on the three-inch insult)

  21    hot office fire-making duty

  23    do…duty do your duty and take your dues (wages)

  26    Jack…news alludes to the musical round “Jack boy, ho boy, News: / The cat is in the well”

  27    cony-catching trickery (puns on “catch”—i.e., a musical round, such as that quoted by Grumio)

  29    trimmed decked out, prepared    strewed i.e., on the floor, the usual Elizabethan practice

  30    fustian type of coarse cloth

  31    jacks male servants/leather drinking vessels    jills female servants/metal drinking vessels (which would need polishing without)    laid usually on tables or hung on walls

  37    ha’t have it, hear it

  42    sensible felt by the senses/easily understood

  43    Imprimis first (Latin)

  45    of on

  48    crossed interrupted/irritated

  50    miry boggy    bemoiled covered with mud

  53    burst broken

  54    worthy memory worth remembering

  55    unexperienced in ignorance

  57    proudest bravest

  58    what why

  59    blue traditional color of a servant’s livery

  60    indifferent knit modest/matching pattern    curtsy bow    left legs as a show of subservience (to put your right foot forward was considered arrogant)

  61    kiss their hands to kiss your own hand was a mark of respect to a superior

  65    countenance honor (in the next line Grumio puns on the sense of “face”)

  69    credit respect (in the next line Grumio puns on the sense of “provide financial credit for”)

  77    spruce lively/smart    neat spotless/elegant

  79    this this time    Cock’s passion by God’s passion

  86    logger-headed stupid

  90    swain yokel    whoreson rogue, son-of-a-whore    malt-horse drudge plodding idiot (literally, heavy brewer’s horse used to grind malt by working a treadmill)

  91    park enclosed hunting ground

  93    made finished

  94    unpinked lacking ornamentation

  95    link blacking (from a burnt torch)

  96    come from sheathing returned from being fitted with a scabbard

  97    fine properly dressed

101    ‘Where…those—’ lines from an old (lost) ballad

103    Soud unclear; possibly an exclamation of impatience or despair (many editors emend to “Food”)

105    when exclamation of impatience

106    It …way fragment of a ballad (possibly bawdy, now lost)    friar…grey Gray friar or Franciscan

108    Out exclamation of anger    pluck…awry pull my foot the wrong way (as you remove my boot)

109    mend make a better job of

110    water for handwashing

111    Troilus a name associated with fidelity

112    Ferdinand no such character ever appears

118    beetle-headed thick-headed (a “beetle” is a heavy wooden mallet)    flap-eared with long hanging ears

119    stomach appetite

120    give thanks say grace

127    dresser kitchen table on which food was prepared/sideboard from which food was served

129    trenchers plates

130    joltheads blockheads    unmannered insolent

131    be …straight deal with you immediately

133    well satisfactory

136    choler anger (associated with heat and dryness)

138    of ourselves by our natures

141    for company together

144    kills …humour defeats her with her own temperament

146    continency moderation, self-restraint

147    rates scolds

149    new-risen newly woken

151    politicly shrewdly, strategically

153    falcon i.e., Kate; methods used in training a wild hawk involved continual observation, sleep deprivation, and hunger    sharp keenly hungry

154    stoop swoops directly to the prey/submits    full-gorged fully fed

155    looks upon takes notice of    lure bait used in training a hawk

156    man control    haggard female hawk/wild woman

158    watch her keep her awake    kites birds of prey

159    bate and beat flutter and flap

160    eat ate

166    hurly commotion    intend pretend

168    watch remain awake

174    charity to show public duty to reveal it

Act 3 Scene 4

 3.4    Location: Padua

    3    bears …hand encourages me

    4    satisfy convince

    7    resolve answer

    8    I profess which I practice/claim knowledge of    Art to Love Ovid’s erotic poem Ars Amatoria

  11    Quick proceeders apt/rapid students (plays on the scholarly sense of to “proceed” from a bachelor’s to a master’s degree)

  15    wonderful extraordinary

  19    such a one i.e., Bianca

  20    cullion wretch

  23    entire wholehearted

  24    lightness inconstancy/promiscuity

  26    Forswear reject

  31    fondly foolishly/dotingly

  32    unfeignèd genuine

  34    beastly abominably/lecherously

  35    Would …foresworn! If only the whole world, other than he, would forsake her!

  36    that so that

  43    In resolution determinedly

  45    ’longeth belongs

  46    ta’en you napping caught you off guard

  51    lusty lively/eager/merry/lustful

  59    eleven…long i.e., exactly right (alludes to the card game “thirty-one”)

  60    charm silence with a spell

  62    dog-weary exhausted

  63    ancient angel old guardian angel

  66    mercatante merchant (Italian)    pedant schoolmaster

  71    seem pretend to be

  74    let me alone i.e., rely on me

  81    What countryman where are you from

  85    goes hard is significant

  88    stayed detained

  89    For on account of a

  90    published publicly announced

  91    marvel remarkable    newly come have only just arrived

  93    than so even than this

  94    bills …exchange money orders, promissory notes

106    and all one but never mind

111    credit reputation    undertake assume

113    Look …should make sure that you play your part properly

117    repute consider, esteem

119    make …good put the plan into action

121    looked for expected

125    becomes befits

Act 4 Scene 1

 4.1    Location: a country estate

    2    my wrong injustice I undergo

    5    present immediate

    9    meat food

  11    spites mortifies, vexes

  13    who one who

  16    so so long as

  17    neat’s ox’s

  19    choleric likely to induce choler (anger)

  20    broiled grilled

  22    cannot tell am not sure

  32    very mere

  36    sweeting sweetheart    amort dispirited

  37    what cheer how are you (in the next line Kate plays on the sense of “food/hospitality” and Petruchio continues the wordplay with cheerfully)

  38    cold poor, inadequate

  44    pains …proof efforts are wasted

  46    stand remain

  50    to blame at fault

  54    apace quickly

  56    bravely splendidly

  58    ruffs elaborate starched neck-wear    cuffs decorative bands sewn onto the sleeves    farthingales boned petticoats worn underneath the back of the dress

  60    knavery showy adornment

  62    ruffling treasure frilled, lacy clothing

  65    bespeak order

  66    porringer porridge bowl

  67    lewd vile, cheap    filthy contemptible

  68    cockle cockleshell

  69    A…trick i.e., trinkets, trifles

  71    fit the time is fashionable

  73    gentle mild

  78    endured me permitted me to

  85    custard-coffin pastry crust for custard

  90    masquing stuff clothes fit for a masque (i.e., elaborate, theatrical)

  91    demi-cannon large cannon

  92    up and down in every respect    carved…tart i.e., slashed to reveal a different fabric beneath (like the slits on tart crusts)

  94    censer perfuming vessel with a perforated lid

  99    did I did

100    mar ruin

101    hop…home hop home over every street gutter (kennel)

103    make …it do what you can with it

105    quaint elegant, skillfully made

106    Belike perhaps    puppet i.e., fool

110    yard yardstick, measuring rod    nail measure of length for cloth (two and a quarter inches)

112    Braved defied

113    quantity scrap

114    be-mete measure (quibbles on “mete out punishment”)

115    on prating of prattling like this again

120    stuff material

124    faced adorned (Grumio’s next usage puns on the sense of “confront”)

126    braved provided clothes for/defied

128    Ergo “therefore” (Latin)

131    The…throat the note lies outrageously (punning on the sense of a musical note that emanates from the throat)

132    loose-bodied gown loose-fitting/designed for sexually “loose” women

134    bottom ball

136    compassed cut with a curved edge

138    trunk full, puffed

140    curiously elaborately/skilfully

142    bill the note detailing the nature of the dress

143    prove upon thee i.e., by fighting you

145    an if    place where suitable place

146    for thee straight ready for you now    mete-yard yardstick

148    odds advantage

151    take…use take it away and let your master use it how he will (in his response, Grumio interprets take up as “pull up” and use as “sexual usage”)

153    conceit idea (puns on “con”—i.e., “vagina”)

154    think for think

160    of from

163    mean habiliments poor, humble clothes

164    proud bulging

167    peereth appears/peeps through

171    painted colored, patterned

173    furniture clothing

174    lay blame

175    frolic be joyous

176    sport us make merry

181    dinnertime noon

183    suppertime i.e., about six

185    what whatever

186    crossing contradicting    let’t alone leave it

Act 4 Scene 2

 4.2    Location: Padua

    2    but unless

    5    Pegasus i.e., at an inn with the sign of Pegasus, the winged horse of classical mythology

    6    hold your own play your part

    7    ’longeth belongs

    9    schooled instructed/practiced (in his part)

  11    throughly thoroughly

  12    right real

  16    looked for expected

  17    tall fine    hold…drink take this to buy a drink

  18    set your countenance assume the appearance (of a father)

  21    stand show yourself a

  22    patrimony inheritance

  23    Soft wait a moment

  28    for because of

  30    stay delay

  32    please…I are as satisfied as I am

  35    one consent absolute agreement    bestowed given in marriage

  36    curious particular, awkward

  45    pass confirm

  48    know deem, think

  49    affied betrothed formally    assurance…stand pledges made as will be agreeable to both parties

  52    Pitchers have ears i.e., there may be eavesdroppers (proverbial)    Pitchers jugs with large handles (“ears”) on either side

  53    heark’ning still continues to wait for his opportunity

  54    haply perhaps

  56    lie lodge

  57    pass settle

  59    scriv’ner scribe authorized to draw up legal contracts

  61    pittance sustenance, food

  62    hie hurry

  66    like soon, likely

  70    mess dish, basic meal

  77    has he has

  78    tokens signals

  79    moralize explain

  85    command service

  87    counterfeit assurance invalid legal settlement

  88    assurance pledge    cum…solum “with the sole right to print” (Latin), a copyright phrase found in the title pages of books but here applied to the idea of marriage and reproduction

  89    sufficient right amount/competent    that…for what you want

  95    against you come in anticipation of your arrival    appendix appendage (i.e., Bianca; also continues the printing metaphor)

  98    Hap happen    roundly…her approach her plainly, without further ado (may also have sexual connotations)

  99    go hard be unfortunate (plays on the sense of “get erect”)

Act 4 Scene 3

 4.3    Location: on the road

    2    goodly splendidly

    7    list please

    8    Or ere before

  14    rush-candle candle dipped in tallow wax, which gave a dim light

  24    go thy ways well done/carry on    field battle

  25    bowl should run refers to the game of bowls in which balls are rolled toward a central ball

  26    against the bias against its natural course (the bias is the weight in the ball that enables it to be bowled in a curve)

  28    Where away? Where are you going?

  30    fresher more blooming

  32    spangle shine, adorn

  36    A he

  40    whom to whom

  47    green young, fresh (also alludes to the optical effect of looking at and then away from the sun)

  54    encounter greeting

  62    father father-in-law

  64    this this time

  65    esteem reputation

  67    beseem befit

  70    honest virtuous, noble (ironically plays on the sense of “truthful”)

  73    pleasant jovial    break a jest play a joke

  77    jealous suspicious

  78    put…heart encouraged me

  79    Have to now for/here’s to

  80    untoward stubborn, perverse

Act 4 Scene 4

 4.4    Location: Padua

    4    o’your back behind you (i.e., I’ll see you safely into the church)

    8    father’s i.e., Baptista’s house    bears lies

  10    You …but i.e., I insist that

  11    command authorize, ascertain

  12    cheer is toward entertainment is in place

  20    frivolous circumstances trivial matters

  22    from Padua i.e., where we are right now (some editors emend to “from Mantua,” or “to Padua”)

  28    cozen cheat

  29    under my countenance by pretending to be me

  30    good shipping happy fortune, a good journey (perhaps also “good sex”)

  31    undone ruined

  33    crack-hemp rogue who deserves to be hanged (literally, who causes the hempen rope to strain)

  34    choose do as I choose/have a choice when it comes to being hanged

  46    offer attempt

  47    fine richly dressed

  48    copatain high-crowned

  54    ’cerns it you does it concern you

  55    maintain afford

  56    Bergamo town near Milan

  67    forthcoming available to stand trial

  71    cony-catched tricked

  77    dotard old fool

  78    hailed dragged about/greeted

  79    spoiled ruined

  88    counterfeit supposes false appearances    eyne eyes

  89    packing plotting, conspiracy    with a witness that’s for certain

  93    changed plays on the meaning of cambio (“change”)

  95    state situation/status

104    go to exclamation of mild impatience and dismissal

106    sound probe

108    cake is dough i.e., I’ve failed

109    Out …all with no hope of anything

118    once at some time

Act 5 Scene 1

 5.1    banquet fruit, sweetmeats, and wine, served after the main meal

    1    long after a long time

    3    scapes escapes    overblown now past

    5    kindness kinship/good will

    8    with on

    9    close fill

  10    great good cheer presumably the main wedding feast at Baptista’s

  16    fears is frightened of/frightens

  17    Then …afeard i.e., I can assure you I am not frightened

  18    sensible perceptive

  20    He …round i.e., you attribute your own feelings to others—you, Petruchio, are afraid of your wife

  21    Roundly boldly, soundly

  23    Thus…him that’s how I understand him (Petruchio picks up on roundly and conceive to make a joke about pregnancy)

  25    conceives her tale interprets her remark/is impregnated (tale puns on “tail”—i.e., vagina)

  26    mended retorted/rectified

  32    mean average/poor

  34    mean …you moderate compared to you

  35    To her attack her (a cry used to urge on animals in hunting or fighting)

  37    marks coins, each worth two thirds of a pound    put her down outdo her (Gremio plays on the sense of “have sex with her”)

  38    office role/sexual duty

  41    butt lock horns/thrust sexually

  42    butt bottom    hasty-witted body quick-witted person

  43    head and horn a horned head (i.e., that of a cuckold; horn plays on the sense of “penis/hunting horn”)

  47    Have at you be prepared for    bitter shrewd, keen

  48    bird prey    shift my bush fly to another bush to hide in (plays on the idea of pubic hair)

  49    bow refers to fowling— hunting sitting birds with bow and arrow (with phallic connotations)

  51    prevented thwarted

  52    hit shot with an arrow/penetrated sexually

  53    health toast

  54    slipped unleashed

  56    currish ignoble/dog-like

  58    deer puns on “dear”    does…bay turns on you and holds you off with its horns/denies you sex

  60    gird taunt

  62    galled scratched, irritated

  63    glance away from bounce off

  65    good sadness all seriousness

  66    veriest truest

  67    assurance proof

  75    of on

  84    be your half put up half your bet

  89    How? What?

  97    needs necessarily

110    The …mine then I have the worst luck

111    by my holidame by Our Lady/by all that I hold holy

114    conferring chatting

116    Swinge thrash

121    awful worthy of respect    right rightful

122    what not everything

123    fair befall thee good luck to you

127    as …been as if the former Kate had never existed

136    pass state of affairs

137    foolish stupid (Lucentio shifts the sense to “fond, doting”)

141    laying betting

148    Unknit relax    unkind harsh/unnatural

151    meads meadows

152    Confounds thy fame destroys your reputation

153    meet appropriate

154    moved angered

155    ill-seeming ugly

161    painful grueling

162    watch be awake during

169    peevish stubborn, perverse

170    honest virtuous, upright

172    graceless sinful

173    simple foolish

175    sway authority, influence

176    bound i.e., by duty/in marriage

178    Unapt not designed

179    soft gentle, fragile    conditions constitutions/qualities

181    unable incapable

182    big strong/contentious/determined/proud

183    haply perhaps

184    bandy exchange

187    That …be seeming to be that

188    vail your stomachs lower your pride/surrender your inclinations    boot use

191    do him ease give him pleasure/ease his burden

193    go thy ways well done    ha’t have it (win the wager)

194    ’Tis…toward it is a good thing to hear when children are compliant

197    three three men    you…sped you two (Lucentio and Hortensio) are done for

198    white center of the target (puns on Bianca’s name, “white” in Italian)

200    shrew pronounced “shrow,” the word provides the rhyme for this final couplet

ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL

All’s Well That Ends Well is one of Shakespeare’s least performed and least loved comedies. It is also one of his most fascinating and intriguingly modern works. The play presents a battlefield of opposing value systems: abstract codes jostle against material commodities, words are undermined by actions, generation argues with generation, and a sex war rages.

The language of sexual relations is persistently intermingled with that of warfare. The key word, deployed with equal force in conversations about the bedroom, the court, and the battlefield, is “honour.” The atmosphere feels very different from that of Shakespeare’s comic green world. All’s Well shares the darker view of human nature and the more troubling preoccupations of three other plays written at the end of Queen Elizabeth I’s reign and the beginning of James I’s: Troilus and Cressida, Othello, and Measure for Measure.

In the very first scene, virginity is described by Parolles as woman’s weapon of resistance. But man will besiege it, “undermine” it, and “blow up” his foe—make her pregnant. Like honor, virginity may variously be seen as a mystical treasure, a mark of integrity, a marketable commodity, and a kind of nothing. Traditional wisdom suggests that it is something a girl must preserve with care. But the play is full of proverbs and moral maxims that are found wanting, “undermined” by the demands of the body. Lavatch, Shakespeare’s most cynical and lascivious fool, is on hand to remind us of this. “I am driven on by the flesh,” he remarks, suggesting that the story of the sexes boils down to “Tib’s rush for Tom’s forefinger.” “Tib” was a generic name for a whore; the “rush” is a rudimentary wedding ring fashioned from reeds, but a woman’s “ring” is also the place where she is penetrated by a man’s nether finger.

“War” says Bertram, “is no strife / To the dark house and the detested wife.” For a young man in search of action, a wife is but a “clog,” a block of wood tied to an animal to prevent it from escaping. Parolles voices the same sentiment in the tumble of language that is his hallmark:

To th’wars, my boy, to th’wars!

He wears his honour in a box unseen

That hugs his kicky-wicky here at home,

Spending his manly marrow in her arms,

Which should sustain the bound and high curvet

Of Mars’ fiery steed. To other regions,

France is a stable, we that dwell in’t jades:

Therefore, to th’war!

“Kicky-wicky” is an abusive term for a wife, the “box unseen” is the vagina and “marrow” is the essence of manliness (according to ancient physiology, semen was distilled from the marrow in the backbone). A proper man, Parolles suggests, should be off riding a “fiery steed” into battle, in the spirit of Mars, god of war; those who stay at home are no better than female horses good only for breeding and sexual indulgence (“jade” was another slang term for “whore”).

All’s Well is in the mainstream of comedy insofar as it is about young people and the process of growing up. Bertram is like most young men of every era: he wants to be one of the boys, to prove his manhood. Enlistment in the army provides the ideal opportunity. He wants to sow some wild oats along the way, but is not ready for marriage. Critics hate him for not loving the lovely humble Helen from the start. “I cannot reconcile my heart to Bertram,” wrote Dr. Johnson with characteristic candor and forthrightness, “a man noble without generosity, and young without truth; who marries Helen as a coward, and leaves her as a profligate: when she is dead by his unkindness, sneaks home to a second marriage, is accused by a woman whom he has wronged, defends himself by falsehood, and is dismissed to happiness.” Of course, there is something obnoxious in the snobbery with which Bertram first dismisses Helen on the grounds of her low status, but when he goes on to say that he is simply not in love with her, he reveals a kind of integrity. He bows to the king’s will and marries her, but since his heart does not belong to her he refuses to give her his body. If a woman were forced to marry in this way, we would rather admire her for withholding sexual favors from her husband.

Bertram represents modernity in that he acts according to an existential principle: he follows his own self, not some preexistent code of duty, service to his monarch, or obligation to the older generation. One word for this code is indeed integrity. Another is selfishness. It is the prerogative of the old, especially mothers, to know, to suffer, and still to forgive the selfishness of their young. Bertram’s mother, the widowed Countess of Rossillion, who treats the orphaned Helen like a daughter and is only too happy to accept her as a daughter-in-law, regardless of her lowly background, was described by George Bernard Shaw as “the most beautiful old woman’s part ever written” (though she could perfectly well be in her forties). Since female parts were written for young male actors, strong maternal roles such as this are exceptional in Shakespeare. The only analogous parts are the more overbearing figures of Queen Margaret in the Henry VI plays, Tamora in Titus Andronicus, and Volumnia in Coriolanus. The serenity of the countess has meant that the principal reason for modern revivals of All’s Well has been the opportunity to showcase actresses such as Edith Evans, Peggy Ashcroft, and Judi Dench in their later years.

One of the key debates in the play is that between nature and nurture. The Countess of Rossillion believes that her son is a fundamentally good boy who has fallen into bad company, as embodied by the worthless Parolles. Helen, meanwhile, has strong natural qualities (the “dispositions she inherits”) reinforced by a loving and responsible upbringing (the “education” she has received first from her doctor father, then in the household of the countess).

Parallel to the question of nature and nurture is that of divine providence and individual responsibility. Helen believes that “Our remedies oft in ourselves do lie, / Which we ascribe to heaven”: like Bertram, she is a voice of modernity in her belief that individuals can carve their own destiny. She does so by means of disguise and bold solo travel: from Roussillon in south-west France to Paris, where she gains access to the king, then to Florence in the dress of a pilgrim en route to Compostella. Like Julia in The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Rosalind in As You Like It, and Viola in Twelfth Night, she uses her disguised self as an opportunity to talk about her true feelings. The part is the longest in the play and it gives an actor great opportunities for the portrayal of an isolated young woman’s self-exploration through both soliloquy and dialogue in lucid and serpentine verse, not to mention passages of prose banter and some piercing asides.

As Dr. Johnson dryly noted, the geography seems somewhay awry when Helen undertakes her pilgrimage: in going from France to Spain via Italy, she is “somewhat out of the road.” Such details did not matter to Shakespeare. For him, the pilgrim motif—taken over from the story in Boccaccio that was his source for the main plot of the play—had symbolic importance in that it associated Helen with an older value structure of reverence and self-sacrifice even as she asserts her own will. Pilgrims are people who believe in miracles, so Helen’s adoption of the role allies her with the worldview voiced by the old courtier Lafew after she has cured the king: “They say miracles are past, and we have our philosophical persons to make modern and familiar, things supernatural and causeless. Hence is it that we make trifles of terrors, ensconcing ourselves into seeming knowledge when we should submit ourselves to an unknown fear.”

Yet Helen is only a pretended pilgrim and the king has been cured not by a miracle but by the medical knowledge she has inherited from her father. Again and again the play takes a fairy-tale motif and turns it into something tougher, more earthly, and open to philosophical debate. Lafew’s generalization sets up the key scene in which Bertram rejects Helen. The idea of unquestioning obedience to the king’s will is itself a thing “supernatural and causeless.” It depends upon an “unknown fear,” the mystique of monarchy, the idea that the king is God’s representative on earth, and that to challenge him will cause the entire fabric of the natural order to collapse. In a crucial rhyming couplet near the end of the play—often editorially reassigned to the Countess of Rossillion for no good textual reason—the king says that, since he has failed in his management of Bertram’s first marriage, the second had better be a success otherwise “nature” may as well “cesse” (cease).

Shakespeare’s instinctive conservatism tips the balance in favor of the old order. The king, the countess, and the old courtier are generous and ethically admirable, much more obviously sympathetic than Bertram, Parolles, and Lavatch. Bertram has to be tricked out of his sexual selfishness and Parolles out of his vainglory, but still Shakespeare the role-player and wordsmith invests huge dramatic energy in the darker characters. He uses them to open cracks in the established order. The king tells Bertram that Helen should be viewed for what she is within, not by way of the superficial trappings of wealth and rank: “The property by what it is should go, / Not by the title.” Yet his own authority depends on his title, and the “go by what it is” argument might be turned to say that if Bertram does not love Helen he should not marry her. The king moves swiftly from reasoning to the assertion of raw authority: “My honour’s at the stake, which to defeat, / I must produce my power.” Shakespeare’s intensely compacted writing style makes the point. By “which to defeat,” the king means “in order to defeat the threat to my honor,” but ironically the very need to produce his “power” itself defeats the code of honor. As so often in Shakespeare’s darker plays, the figure of Niccolò Machiavelli lurks in the shadows, whispering that fine old codes such as honor and duty can only be underwritten by raw power.

He who asserts the new code of the self must live by that code. Both Bertram and Parolles are found out. The two lords Dumaine are not only mechanics in the double plot of ambush and bed trick, but also commentators upon how their victims are brought to self-knowledge: “As we are ourselves, what things we are! / Merely our own traitors.” The Dumaines too are young and modern in their recognition that we cannot simply sort our kind into sheep and goats in the manner of authoritarian religious dispensations. They propose instead that human life is shaded gray: “The web of our life is of a mingled yarn, good and ill together: our virtues would be proud if our faults whipped them not; and our crimes would despair if they were not cherished by our virtues.” This could be the epigraph for Shakespeare’s dramatically mingled yarn of tragi-comedy.

Parolles comes to acknowledge his boastful tongue. “Simply the thing I am / Shall make me live,” he vows. What, though, can this mean, given that—as his name indicates—he is made of nothing but words? Bertram, meanwhile, only comes to realize how much Helen is to be valued when she has been lost. The fiction of comedy gives him a second chance to love her. But in the modern world where there are no miracles, “all’s well that ends well” is a fiction. Along the way, we have been promised on more than one occasion that all will end well, but when it comes to the climax the king says that “all yet seems well” and that “if it end so meet” then all bitterness will be past. Those little conditional qualifiers leave open the door to the tragic world.

KEY FACTS

PLOT: Helen, orphaned daughter of a doctor, is under the protection of the widowed Countess of Rossillion. In love with Bertram, the countess’ son, Helen follows him to court, where she cures the sick French king of an apparently fatal illness. The king rewards her by offering her the husband of her choice. She names Bertram; he resists. When forced by the king to marry her, he refuses to sleep with her and, accompanied by the braggart Parolles, leaves for the Italian wars. He says that he will only accept Helen if she obtains a ring from his finger and becomes pregnant with his child. She goes to Italy disguised as a pilgrim and suggests a “bed trick” whereby she will take the place of Diana, a widow’s daughter whom Bertram is trying to seduce. A “kidnapping trick” humiliates the boastful Parolles, while the bed trick enables Helen to fulfill Bertram’s conditions, leaving him no option but to be a husband to her, to his mother’s delight.

MAJOR PARTS: (with percentages of lines/number of speeches/scenes on stage) Helen (16%/109/ 12), Parolles (13%/141/11), King of France (13%/87/4), Countess (10%/86/7), Bertram (9%102/10), Lafew (9%/97/7), Lavatch (7%/58/6), First Lord Dumaine (5%/70/7), Second Lord Dumaine (4%/47/6), Diana (4%/44/4), First Soldier/Interpreter (3%/37/2), Widow (2%/21/5).

LINGUISTIC MEDIUM: 55% verse, 45% prose.

DATE: No external evidence to indicate when written or first performed; usually dated to early Jacobean years (1603–06) on stylistic grounds and because of similarity to Measure for Measure. Moments of antipuritan satire do not help in determining a specific date.

SOURCES: Main plot derived from Giovanni Boccaccio’s Decameron (Italian, fourteenth century) by way of William Painter’s English translation, The Palace of Pleasure (1566); Countess and Lafew are Shakespeare’s invention, as is Parolles, who is in the tradition of the braggart soldier of classical comedy—a character type of which the greatest Elizabethan examples were Falstaff in Henry IV and Captain Bobadil in Ben Jonson’s Every Man in his Humour.

TEXT: First Folio of 1623 is only early printed text. Many features such as misassigned speeches, repeated speech headings, inconsistent naming, and probably misplaced lines suggest that the manuscript was not neatly prepared and that it caused confusion to the printers. Apparent authorial first thoughts suggest influence of Shakespeare’s working manuscript, while music cues suggest that of the theatrical promptbook. Of the many textual problems, the most frustrating concerns the two lords/brothers Dumaine: they have several different designations, variants on “1 Lord G.” and “2 Lord E.,” “French E.” and “French G.,” “Captain G.” and “Captain E.” The initials are sometimes supposed to refer to actors’ names. Shakespeare sometimes seems to forget whether “G.” is “1” and “E.” is “2” or vice versa. This means, for instance, that there is confusion over which brother leads the ambush of Parolles and which accompanies Bertram as he sets off to seduce Diana. We have adopted a solution that is dramatically consistent while requiring only minimal alteration of Folio’s speech ascriptions.

ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL

BERTRAM, Count of Rossillion

COUNTESS of Rossillion, his mother

HELEN* (occasionally known as Helena), an orphan in the protection of the countess

REYNALDO, steward to the countess

LAVATCH, clown in the countess’ household

PAROLLES, a boastful follower of Bertram

KING of France

LAFEW, an old French lord

GENTLEMEN of the French court, including an Astringer

FIRST SOLDIER, who plays role of interpreter

DUKE of Florence

WIDOW, Capilet of Florence

DIANA, her daughter

MARIANA, her friend

LORDS, Attendants including a Page, Soldiers, people of Florence

Act 1 Scene 11.1

running scene 1

       Enter young Bertram, [the] Count of Rossillion, his mother [the Countess], and Helena, Lord Lafew, all in black

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     In delivering¹ my son from me, I bury a second husband.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     And I in going, madam, weep o’er my father’s death anew; but I must attend³ his majesty’s command, to whom I am now in ward, evermore in subjection.⁴

LAFEW

LAFEW     You shall find of⁵ the king a husband, madam, you, sir, a father. He that so generally⁶ is at all times good must of necessity hold his virtue to you, whose worthiness would stir⁷ it up where it wanted rather than lack it where there is such abundance.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     What hope is there of his majesty’s amendment?⁹

LAFEW

LAFEW     He hath abandoned his physicians, madam, under whose practices¹⁰ he hath persecuted time¹¹ with hope, and finds no other advantage in the process but only the losing of hope by time.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     This young gentlewoman had a father — O, that ‘had’! How sad a passage¹⁴ ’tis! — whose skill was almost as great as his honesty, had it stretched so far, would have made nature immortal, and death should have play for lack of work. Would¹⁶ for the king’s sake he were living! I think it would be the death of the king’s disease.

LAFEW

LAFEW     How called you the man you speak of, madam?

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     He was famous, sir, in his profession, and it was his great right to be so: Gerard de Narbon.²⁰

LAFEW

LAFEW     He was excellent indeed, madam. The king very lately spoke of him admiringly and mourningly: he was skilful enough to have lived still,²² if knowledge could be set up against mortality.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     What is it, my good lord, the king languishes of?

LAFEW

LAFEW     A fistula,²⁵ my lord.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     I heard not of it before.

LAFEW

LAFEW     I would it were not notorious.²⁷ Was this gentlewoman the daughter of Gerard de Narbon?

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     His sole child, my lord, and bequeathed to my overlooking.²⁹ I have those hopes³⁰ of her good that her education promises her dispositions she inherits, which makes fair gifts fairer. For where an unclean³¹ mind carries virtuous qualities, there commendations go with pity,³² they are virtues and traitors too. In her they are the better for their simpleness;³³ she derives her honesty and achieves her goodness.

LAFEW

LAFEW     Your commendations, madam, get from her tears.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     ’Tis the best brine a maiden can season³⁵ her praise in. The remembrance of her father never approaches her heart but the tyranny of her sorrows takes all livelihood³⁷ from her cheek. No more of this, Helena. Go to, no more, lest it be rather thought you affect³⁸ a sorrow than to have.

HELEN

HELEN     I do affect a sorrow indeed, but I have it too.

LAFEW

LAFEW     Moderate lamentation is the right of⁴⁰ the dead, excessive grief the enemy to the living.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     If⁴² the living be enemy to the grief, the excess makes it soon mortal.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     Madam, I desire your holy⁴³ wishes.

LAFEW

LAFEW     How⁴⁴ understand we that?

45

45   

COUNTESS

COUNTESS           Be thou blest, Bertram, and succeed thy father

               In manners⁴⁶ as in shape. Thy blood and virtue

               Contend for empire⁴⁷ in thee, and thy goodness

               Share with thy birthright.⁴⁸ Love all, trust a few,

               Do wrong to none. Be able⁴⁹ for thine enemy

50

50           Rather in power⁵⁰ than use, and keep thy friend

               Under thy own life’s key. Be checked⁵¹ for silence,

               But never taxed⁵² for speech. What heaven more will,

               That thee may furnish and my prayers pluck⁵³ down,

               Fall on thy head! Farewell.— My lord, To Lafew

55

55           ’Tis an unseasoned⁵⁵ courtier. Good my lord,

               Advise him.

LAFEW

LAFEW     He cannot want⁵⁷ the best

               That shall attend his love.⁵⁸

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     Heaven bless him.— Farewell, Bertram.

       [Exit]

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     The best wishes that can be forged⁶⁰ in your thoughts be servants to you! To Helen Be comfortable⁶¹ to my mother, your mistress, and make much of her.

LAFEW

LAFEW     Farewell, pretty lady. You must hold⁶² the credit of your father.

       [Exeunt Bertram and Lafew]

HELEN

HELEN     O, were that all! I think not on my father,

               And these⁶⁴ great tears grace his remembrance more

65

65           Than those I shed for him. What was he like?

               I have forgot him. My imagination

               Carries no favour⁶⁷ in’t but Bertram’s.

               I am undone.⁶⁸ There is no living, none,

               If Bertram be away. ’Twere⁶⁹ all one

70

70           That I should love a bright particular star

               And think to wed it, he is so above me.

               In his bright radiance and collateral⁷² light

               Must I be comforted, not in his sphere;⁷³

               Th’ambition in my love thus plagues itself:

75

75           The hind⁷⁵ that would be mated by the lion

               Must die for love. ’Twas pretty,⁷⁶ though a plague,

               To see him every hour, to sit and draw

               His archèd brows, his hawking⁷⁸ eye, his curls

               In our heart’s table⁷⁹ — heart too capable

80

80           Of every line and trick⁸⁰ of his sweet favour:

               But now he’s gone, and my idolatrous fancy⁸¹

               Must sanctify his relics.⁸² Who comes here?

       Enter Parolles

               One that goes with him: I love him for his⁸³ sake, Aside

               And yet I know him a notorious liar,

85

85           Think him a great way⁸⁵ fool, solely a coward.

               Yet these fixed⁸⁶ evils sit so fit in him

               That they take place⁸⁷ when virtue’s steely bones

               Looks⁸⁸ bleak i’th’cold wind. Withal, full oft we see

               Cold wisdom waiting on⁸⁹ superfluous folly.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Save⁹⁰ you, fair queen!

HELEN

HELEN     And you, monarch!

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     No.

HELEN

HELEN     And no.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Are you meditating on virginity?

HELEN

HELEN     Ay. You have some stain⁹⁵ of soldier in you. Let me ask you a question. Man is enemy to virginity: how may we barricado⁹⁶ it against him?

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Keep⁹⁷ him out.

HELEN

HELEN     But he assails, and our virginity, though valiant, in the defence yet is weak. Unfold⁹⁹ to us some warlike resistance.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     There is none. Man setting¹⁰⁰ down before you will undermine you and blow you up.

HELEN

HELEN     Bless¹⁰² our poor virginity from underminers and blowers up! Is there no military policy¹⁰³ how virgins might blow up men?

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Virginity being blown down, man will quicklier be blown up.¹⁰⁴ Marry, in blowing him down¹⁰⁵ again, with the breach yourselves made, you lose your city. It is not politic¹⁰⁶ in the commonwealth of nature to preserve virginity. Loss of virginity is rational increase,¹⁰⁷ and there was never virgin got till virginity was first lost. That¹⁰⁸ you were made of is mettle to make virgins. Virginity by being once lost may be ten times found.¹⁰⁹ By being ever kept, it is ever lost. ’Tis too cold a companion. Away with’t!

HELEN

HELEN     I will stand for’t¹¹¹ a little, though therefore I die a virgin.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     There’s little can be said in’t,¹¹² ’tis against the rule of nature. To speak on the part¹¹³ of virginity is to accuse your mothers, which is most infallible disobedience. He¹¹⁴ that hangs himself is a virgin: virginity murders itself and should be buried in highways¹¹⁵ out of all sanctified limit, as a desperate offendress against nature. Virginity breeds mites, much like a cheese, consumes itself to the very paring,¹¹⁷ and so dies with feeding his own stomach. Besides, virginity is peevish, proud, idle, made of self-love, which is the most inhibited¹¹⁸ sin in the canon. Keep it not, you cannot choose but lose¹¹⁹ by’t. Out with’t! Within ten year it will make itself two, which is a goodly increase, and the principal¹²⁰ itself not much the worse. Away with’t!

HELEN

HELEN     How¹²² might one do, sir, to lose it to her own liking?

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Let me see. Marry, ill, to like him that ne’er it¹²³ likes. ’Tis a commodity will lose the gloss¹²⁴ with lying: the longer kept, the less worth. Off with’t while ’tis vendible.¹²⁵ Answer the time of request. Virginity, like an old courtier, wears her cap out of fashion: richly suited¹²⁶ but unsuitable, just like the brooch and the toothpick, which wear not¹²⁷ now. Your date is better in your pie and your porridge than in your cheek. And your virginity, your old virginity, is like one of our French withered pears:¹²⁹ it looks ill, it eats dryly. Marry, ’tis a withered pear: it was formerly better: marry, yet ’tis a withered pear. Will you anything with it?

HELEN

HELEN     Not my virginity yet —

               There¹³² shall your master have a thousand loves,

               A mother¹³³ and a mistress and a friend,

               A phoenix,¹³⁴ captain and an enemy,

135

135         A guide, a goddess, and a sovereign,

               A counsellor, a traitress, and a dear.

               His humble ambition, proud humility,

               His jarring concord,¹³⁸ and his discord dulcet,

               His faith, his sweet disaster.¹³⁹ With a world

140

140         Of pretty, fond,¹⁴⁰ adoptious christendoms

               That blinking¹⁴¹ Cupid gossips. Now shall he —

               I know not what he shall. God send him well!¹⁴²

               The court’s a learning place, and he is one—

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     What one, i’faith?

145

145 

HELEN

HELEN             That I wish well. ’Tis pity—

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     What’s pity?

HELEN

HELEN     That wishing well had not a body¹⁴⁷ in’t,

               Which might be felt, that we, the poorer born,

               Whose baser stars¹⁴⁹ do shut us up in wishes,

150

150         Might with effects of them¹⁵⁰ follow our friends,

               And show what we alone must think,¹⁵¹ which never

               Returns us thanks.¹⁵²

       Enter Page

PAGE

PAGE     Monsieur Parolles, my lord calls for you.

       [Exit]

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Little Helen, farewell. If I can remember thee, I will think of thee at court.

HELEN

HELEN     Monsieur Parolles, you were born under a charitable star.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Under Mars,¹⁵⁶ ay.

HELEN

HELEN     I especially think, under Mars.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Why under Mars?

HELEN

HELEN     The wars hath so kept you under¹⁵⁹ that you must needs be born under Mars.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     When he was predominant.¹⁶⁰

HELEN

HELEN     When he was retrograde,¹⁶¹ I think rather.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Why think you so?

HELEN

HELEN     You go so much backward¹⁶³ when you fight.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     That’s for advantage.¹⁶⁴

HELEN

HELEN     So is running away, when fear proposes the safety. But the composition¹⁶⁵ that your valour and fear makes in you is a virtue of a good wing,¹⁶⁶ and I like the wear¹⁶⁷ well.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     I am so full of businesses, I cannot answer thee acutely. I will return perfect¹⁶⁹ courtier in the which, my instruction shall serve to naturalize thee, so thou wilt be capable of¹⁷⁰ a courtier’s counsel and understand what advice shall thrust¹⁷¹ upon thee. Else thou diest in thine unthankfulness, and thine ignorance makes thee away.¹⁷² Farewell. When thou hast leisure, say thy prayers. When thou hast none, remember thy friends. Get thee a good husband, and use¹⁷³ him as he uses thee. So, farewell.

       [Exit]

175

175 

HELEN

HELEN             Our remedies oft in ourselves do lie,

               Which we ascribe to heaven. The fated¹⁷⁶ sky

               Gives us free scope, only doth backward pull

               Our slow designs¹⁷⁸ when we ourselves are dull.

               What power is it which mounts my love so high,

180

180         That makes me see, and cannot feed¹⁸⁰ mine eye?

               The¹⁸¹ mightiest space in fortune nature brings

               To join like likes¹⁸² and kiss like native things.

               Impossible be strange attempts¹⁸³ to those

               That weigh¹⁸⁴ their pains in sense and do suppose

185

185         What hath been cannot be. Who ever strove

               To show her merit that did miss¹⁸⁶ her love?

               The king’s disease — my project may deceive me,

               But my intents are fixed and will not leave me.

       Exit

[Act 1 Scene 2]1.2

running scene 2

       Flourish cornets. Enter the King of France, with letters, and divers Attendants

KING

KING     The Florentines¹ and Senoys are by th’ears,

               Have fought with equal fortune and continue

               A braving³ war.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     So ’tis reported, sir.

5

5     

KING

KING           Nay, ’tis most credible. We here receive it

               A certainty, vouched from our cousin⁶ Austria,

               With caution that the Florentine will move⁷ us

               For speedy aid, wherein our dearest friend⁸

               Prejudicates⁹ the business and would seem

10

10           To have us make denial.¹⁰

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     His love and wisdom,

               Approved¹² so to your majesty, may plead

               For amplest credence.¹³

KING

KING     He hath armed¹⁴ our answer,

15

15           And Florence¹⁵ is denied before he comes:

               Yet, for¹⁶ our gentlemen that mean to see

               The Tuscan service,¹⁷ freely have they leave

               To stand¹⁸ on either part.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     It well may serve

20

20           A nursery²⁰ to our gentry, who are sick

               For breathing and exploit.²¹

KING

KING     What’s he comes here?

       Enter Bertram, Lafew and Parolles

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     It is the Count Rossillion, my good lord,

               Young Bertram.

25

25   

KING

KING           Youth, thou bear’st thy father’s face. To Bertram

               Frank²⁶ nature, rather curious than in haste,

               Hath well composed thee. Thy father’s moral parts²⁷

               Mayst thou inherit too! Welcome to Paris.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     My thanks and duty are your majesty’s.

30

30   

KING

KING           I would I had that corporal soundness³⁰ now,

               As when thy father and myself in friendship

               First tried³² our soldiership. He did look far

               Into the service of the time and was³³

               Discipled of the bravest.³⁴ He lasted long,

35

35           But on us both did haggish³⁵ age steal on

               And wore us out of act.³⁶ It much repairs me

               To talk of your good father; in his youth

               He had the wit which I can well observe

               Today in our young lords. But they may jest

40

40           Till their own scorn⁴⁰ return to them unnoted

               Ere⁴¹ they can hide their levity in honour.

               So like a courtier, contempt⁴² nor bitterness

               Were in his pride or sharpness; if they were,

               His equal⁴⁴ had awaked them, and his honour,

45

45           Clock to itself,⁴⁵ knew the true minute when

               Exception⁴⁶ bid him speak, and at this time

               His tongue obeyed his hand.⁴⁷ Who were below him

               He used⁴⁸ as creatures of another place

               And bowed his eminent top⁴⁹ to their low ranks,

50

50           Making them proud of his humility,

               In their poor praise he humbled.⁵¹ Such a man

               Might be a copy⁵² to these younger times;

               Which, followed well, would demonstrate them⁵³ now

               But goers backward.

55

55   

BERTRAM

BERTRAM           His good remembrance, sir,

               Lies richer in your thoughts than on his tomb,

               So⁵⁷ in approof lives not his epitaph

               As in your royal speech.

KING

KING     Would I were with him! He would always say —

60

60           Methinks I hear him now. His plausive⁶⁰ words

               He scattered not⁶¹ in ears, but grafted them,

               To grow there and to bear⁶² — ‘Let me not live’ —

               This his good melancholy oft began

               On⁶⁴ the catastrophe and heel of pastime,

65

65           When it was out⁶⁵ — ‘Let me not live,’ quoth he,

               ‘After my flame lacks oil, to be the snuff⁶⁶

               Of younger spirits, whose apprehensive⁶⁷ senses

               All but new things disdain; whose judgements are

               Mere⁶⁹ fathers of their garments, whose constancies

70

70           Expire before their fashions.’ This he wished.

               I,⁷¹ after him, do after him wish too,

               Since I nor⁷² wax nor honey can bring home,

               I quickly were⁷³ dissolvèd from my hive

               To give some labourers⁷⁴ room.

75

75   

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD           You’re loved, sir.

               They that least lend⁷⁶ it you shall lack you first.

KING

KING     I fill a place, I know’t. How long is’t, count,

               Since the physician at your father’s died?

               He was much famed.

80

80   

BERTRAM

BERTRAM           Some six months since, my lord.

KING

KING     If he were living, I would try him yet.

               Lend me an arm: the rest⁸² have worn me out

               With several⁸³ applications. Nature and sickness

               Debate⁸⁴ it at their leisure. Welcome, count.

85

85           My son’s no dearer.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     Thank your majesty.

       Exeunt. Flourish

[Act 1 Scene 3]1.3

running scene 3

       Enter Countess, Steward [Reynaldo] and Clown [Lavatch]

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     I will now hear; what say you of this gentlewoman?¹

REYNALDO

REYNALDO     Madam, the care I have had to even your content,² I wish might be found in the calendar³ of my past endeavours, for then we wound our modesty, and make foul the clearness⁴ of our deservings, when of ourselves we publish them.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     What does this knave here? Get you gone, sirrah.⁵ The complaints I have heard of you I do not all believe. ’Tis my slowness that I do not, for I know you lack not folly to commit them, and have ability enough to make such knaveries yours.

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     ’Tis not unknown to you, madam, I am a poor⁹ fellow.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     Well,¹⁰ sir.

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     No, madam, ’tis not so well that I am poor, though many of the rich are damned. But if I may have your ladyship’s good will to go¹² to the world, Isbel the woman¹³ and I will do as we may.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     Wilt thou needs¹⁴ be a beggar?

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     I do beg your good will in this case.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     In what case?

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     In Isbel’s case¹⁷ and mine own. Service is no heritage: and I think I shall never have the blessing of God till I have issue¹⁸ o’ my body, for they say bairns are blessings.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     Tell me thy reason why thou wilt marry.

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     My poor body, madam, requires it. I am driven on by the flesh, and he must needs go²² that the devil drives.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     Is this all your worship’s²³ reason?

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     Faith, madam, I have other holy²⁴ reasons, such as they are.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     May the world²⁵ know them?

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     I have been, madam, a wicked creature, as you and all flesh and blood are, and indeed I do marry that I may repent.²⁷

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     Thy marriage, sooner than thy wickedness.

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     I am out o’ friends, madam, and I hope to have friends for²⁹ my wife’s sake.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     Such friends are thine enemies, knave.

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     You’re shallow,³¹ madam, in great friends, for the knaves come to do that for me which I am aweary of. He that ears³² my land spares my team and gives me leave to in³³ the crop. If I be his cuckold, he’s my drudge; he that comforts my wife is the cherisher³⁴ of my flesh and blood; he that cherishes my flesh and blood loves my flesh and blood; he that loves my flesh and blood is my friend: ergo,³⁵ he that kisses my wife is my friend. If men could be contented to be what they are,³⁶ there were no fear in marriage, for young Charbon the Puritan³⁷ and old Poysam the Papist, howsome’er³⁸ their hearts are severed in religion, their heads are both one. They may jowl³⁹ horns together, like any deer i’th’herd.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     Wilt thou ever⁴⁰ be a foul-mouthed and calumnious knave?

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     A prophet I, madam, and I speak the truth the next⁴¹ way.

                                    For I the ballad will repeat, Sings

                                    Which men full true shall find:

                                    Your marriage comes by destiny,

45

                                    Your cuckoo sings by kind.⁴⁵

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     Get you gone, sir. I’ll talk with you more anon.⁴⁶

REYNALDO

REYNALDO     May it please you, madam, that he bid Helen come to you: of her I am to speak.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     Sirrah, tell my gentlewoman I would speak with her — To Lavatch Helen, I mean.

50

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     Was this fair face⁵⁰ the cause,’ quoth she, Sings

                                    ‘Why the Grecians sackèd⁵¹ Troy?

                                    Fond⁵² done, done fond,

                                    Was this King Priam’s⁵³ joy?’

                                    With that she sighèd as she stood,

55

                                    With that she sighèd as she stood,

                                    And gave this sentence⁵⁶ then:

                                    ‘Among⁵⁷ nine bad if one be good,

                                    Among nine bad if one be good,

                                    There’s yet one good in ten.’

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     What, one good in ten? You corrupt the song,⁶⁰ sirrah.

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     One good woman in ten, madam; which is a purifying⁶¹ o’th’song. Would God would serve the world⁶² so all the year! We’d find no fault with the tithe-woman,⁶³ if I were the parson. One in ten, quoth a? An we might have a good woman born but⁶⁴ ere every blazing star, or at an earthquake, ’twould mend the lottery well. A man may draw⁶⁵ his heart out ere a pluck one.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     You’ll be gone, sir knave, and do as I command you?

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     That⁶⁷ man should be at woman’s command, and yet no hurt done! Though honesty⁶⁸ be no puritan, yet it will do no hurt. It will wear the surplice of humility over the black gown of a big heart. I am going, forsooth.⁶⁹ The business is for Helen to come hither.

       Exit

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     Well, now.

REYNALDO

REYNALDO     I know, madam, you love your gentlewoman entirely.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     Faith, I do. Her father bequeathed⁷³ her to me, and she herself, without other advantage,⁷⁴ may lawfully make title to as much love as she finds. There is more owing her than is paid and more shall be paid her than she’ll demand.

REYNALDO

REYNALDO     Madam, I was very late⁷⁶ more near her than I think she wished me. Alone she was, and did communicate to herself her own words to her own ears. She thought, I dare vow for her, they touched not any stranger sense.⁷⁸ Her matter was, she loved your son. Fortune, she said, was no goddess, that had put such difference betwixt their two estates.⁸⁰ Love no god, that would not extend his might only where qualities⁸¹ were level. Dian no queen of virgins, that would suffer her poor knight surprised⁸² without rescue in the first assault or ransom afterward. This she delivered in the most bitter touch⁸³ of sorrow that e’er I heard virgin exclaim in, which I held my duty speedily to acquaint you withal,⁸⁴ sithence, in the loss⁸⁵ that may happen, it concerns you something to know it.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     You have discharged⁸⁶ this honestly. Keep it to yourself. Many likelihoods informed me of this before, which hung so tott’ring in the balance that I could neither believe nor misdoubt.⁸⁸ Pray you leave me. Stall this in your bosom, and I thank you for your honest care. I will speak with you further anon.

       Exit Steward [Reynaldo]

       Enter Helen

               Even so it was with me when I was young. Aside

               If ever we are nature’s, these⁹² are ours. This thorn

               Doth to our rose of youth rightly belong.

               Our blood⁹⁴ to us, this to our blood is born:

95

95           It is the show⁹⁵ and seal of nature’s truth,

               Where love’s strong passion is impressed⁹⁶ in youth.

               By our remembrances of days foregone,

               Such were our faults, or⁹⁸ then we thought them none.

               Her eye is sick on’t. I observe⁹⁹ her now.

100

100 

HELEN

HELEN             What is your pleasure, madam?

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     You know, Helen, I am a mother to you.

HELEN

HELEN     Mine honourable mistress.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     Nay, a mother. Why not a mother? When I said ‘a mother,’

               Methought¹⁰⁴ you saw a serpent. What’s in ‘mother’

105

105         That you start¹⁰⁵ at it? I say I am your mother,

               And put you in the catalogue of those

               That were enwombèd mine.¹⁰⁷ ’Tis often seen

               Adoption¹⁰⁸ strives with nature, and choice breeds

               A native slip to us from foreign seeds.

110

110         You ne’er oppressed me with a mother’s groan,¹¹⁰

               Yet I express to you a mother’s care.

               God’s mercy, maiden! Does it curd¹¹² thy blood

               To say I am thy mother? What’s the matter,

               That this distempered¹¹⁴ messenger of wet,

115

115         The many-coloured Iris,¹¹⁵ rounds thine eye?

               — Why? That you are my daughter?

HELEN

HELEN     That I am not.¹¹⁷

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     I say I am your mother.

HELEN

HELEN     Pardon, madam.

120

120         The Count Rossillion cannot be my brother:

               I am from humble, he from honoured name,

               No note¹²² upon my parents, his all noble.

               My master, my dear lord he is, and I

               His servant live, and will his vassal¹²⁴ die.

125

125         He must not be my brother.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     Nor I your mother.

HELEN

HELEN     You are my mother, madam, would you were —

               So¹²⁸ that my lord your son were not my brother —

               Indeed my mother! Or were you both our mothers,¹²⁹

130

130         I care no¹³⁰ more for than I do for heaven,

               So I were not his sister. Can’t no other¹³¹

               But, I your daughter, he must be my brother?

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     Yes, Helen, you might be my daughter-in-law.

               God shield¹³⁴ you mean it not! Daughter and mother

135

135         So strive upon your pulse. What, pale again?

               My fear hath catched¹³⁶ your fondness. Now I see

               The mystery of your loveliness,¹³⁷ and find

               Your salt tears’ head.¹³⁸ Now to all sense ’tis gross:

               You love my son. Invention¹³⁹ is ashamed

140

140         Against¹⁴⁰ the proclamation of thy passion

               To say thou dost not: therefore tell me true.

               But tell me then ’tis so, for look, thy cheeks

               Confess it, t’one to th’other, and thine eyes

               See it so grossly shown in thy behaviours

145

145         That in their kind¹⁴⁵ they speak it. Only sin

               And hellish obstinacy tie thy tongue,

               That¹⁴⁷ truth should be suspected. Speak, is’t so?

               If it be so, you have wound a goodly clew.¹⁴⁸

               If it be not, forswear’t:¹⁴⁹ howe’er, I charge thee,

150

150         As heaven shall work in me for thine avail,¹⁵⁰

               To tell me truly.

HELEN

HELEN     Good madam, pardon me.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     Do you love my son?

HELEN

HELEN     Your pardon, noble mistress.

155

155 

COUNTESS

COUNTESS             Love you my son?

HELEN

HELEN     Do not you love him, madam?

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     Go not about;¹⁵⁷ my love hath in’t a bond

               Whereof the world takes note.¹⁵⁸ Come, come, disclose

               The state of your affection, for your passions

160

160         Have to the full appeached.¹⁶⁰

HELEN

HELEN     Then I confess, Kneels

               Here on my knee, before high heaven and you,

               That before¹⁶³ you, and next unto high heaven,

               I love your son.

165

165         My friends¹⁶⁵ were poor but honest, so’s my love.

               Be not offended, for it hurts not him

               That he is loved of me; I follow him not

               By any token¹⁶⁸ of presumptuous suit,

               Nor would I have him till I do deserve him,

170

170         Yet never know how that desert should be.

               I know I love in vain, strive against hope.

               Yet in this captious¹⁷² and intenible sieve

               I still¹⁷³ pour in the waters of my love

               And lack¹⁷⁴ not to lose still; thus, Indian-like,

175

175         Religious¹⁷⁵ in mine error, I adore

               The sun that looks upon his worshipper

               But knows of him no more.¹⁷⁷ My dearest madam,

               Let not your hate encounter with¹⁷⁸ my love,

               For loving where you do; but if yourself,

180

180         Whose agèd honour cites¹⁸⁰ a virtuous youth,

               Did ever in so true a flame of liking

               Wish chastely and love dearly, that your Dian

               Was both herself¹⁸³ and love — O, then, give pity

               To her whose state is such that cannot choose

185

185         But lend¹⁸⁵ and give where she is sure to lose;

               That¹⁸⁶ seeks not to find that her search implies,

               But riddle-like lives¹⁸⁷ sweetly where she dies.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     Had you not lately an intent — speak truly —

               To go to Paris?

190

190 

HELEN

HELEN             Madam, I had.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     Wherefore?¹⁹¹ Tell true.

HELEN

HELEN     I will tell truth, by grace¹⁹² itself I swear.

               You know my father left me some prescriptions¹⁹³

               Of rare and proved effects, such as his reading

195

195         And manifest¹⁹⁵ experience had collected

               For general sovereignty,¹⁹⁶ and that he willed me

               In¹⁹⁷ heedfull’st reservation to bestow them,

               As notes¹⁹⁸ whose faculties inclusive were

               More than they were in note.¹⁹⁹ Amongst the rest,

200

200         There is a remedy, approved,²⁰⁰ set down,

               To cure the desp’rate²⁰¹ languishings whereof

               The king is rendered lost.²⁰²

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     This was your motive for Paris, was it? Speak.

HELEN

HELEN     My lord your son made me to think of this;

205

205         Else Paris and the medicine and the king

               Had from the conversation²⁰⁶ of my thoughts

               Haply²⁰⁷ been absent then.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     But think you, Helen,

               If you should tender²⁰⁹ your supposèd aid,

210

               He would receive it? He and his physicians

               Are of a mind.²¹¹ He, that they cannot help him,

               They, that they cannot help. How shall they credit²¹²

               A poor unlearnèd virgin, when the schools,²¹³

               Embowelled²¹⁴ of their doctrine, have left off

215

215         The danger to itself?

HELEN

HELEN     There’s something in’t

               More than my father’s skill, which was the great’st

               Of his profession, that his good receipt²¹⁸

               Shall for my legacy be sanctified²¹⁹

220

220         By th’luckiest stars in heaven, and would your honour

               But give me leave to try success,²²¹ I’d venture

               The well-lost²²² life of mine on his grace’s cure

               By such a²²³ day and hour.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     Dost thou believe’t?

225

225 

HELEN

HELEN             Ay, madam, knowingly.²²⁵

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     Why, Helen, thou shalt have my leave²²⁶ and love,

               Means and attendants and my loving greetings

               To those of mine in court. I’ll stay at home

               And pray God’s blessing into²²⁹ thy attempt.

230

230         Be gone tomorrow. And be sure of this:

               What I can help thee to thou shalt not miss.²³¹

       Exeunt

Act 2 [Scene 1]2.1

running scene 4

       Enter the King [carried in a chair] with divers young Lords taking leave for the Florentine war, Count Rossillion [Bertram] and Parolles. Flourish cornets

KING

KING     Farewell, young lords. These warlike principles¹

               Do not throw from you.² And you, my lords, farewell.

               Share the advice betwixt you. If both gain, all

               The gift⁴ doth stretch itself as ’tis received,

5

5             And is enough for both.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     ’Tis our hope, sir,

               After well-entered⁷ soldiers, to return

               And find your grace in health.

KING

KING     No, no, it cannot be; and yet my heart

10

10           Will not confess he owes¹⁰ the malady

               That doth my life besiege. Farewell, young lords.

               Whether I live or die, be you the sons

               Of worthy Frenchmen. Let higher Italy¹³ —

               Those¹⁴ bated that inherit but the fall

15

15           Of the last monarchy — see that you come

               Not to woo¹⁶ honour, but to wed it, when

               The bravest questant¹⁷ shrinks. Find what you seek,

               That fame may cry¹⁸ you loud. I say, farewell.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     Health at your bidding serve your majesty!

20

20   

KING

KING           Those girls of Italy, take heed of them:

               They say our French lack²¹ language to deny

               If they demand. Beware of being captives²²

               Before you serve.²³

BOTH

BOTH     Our hearts receive your warnings.

25

25   

KING

KING           Farewell.— Come hither to me. King steps aside with some lords

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     O, my sweet lord, that you will stay behind us! To Bertram

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     ’Tis not his fault, the spark.²⁷

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     O, ’tis brave²⁸ wars!

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Most admirable. I have seen those wars.

30

30   

BERTRAM

BERTRAM           I am commanded here,³⁰ and kept a coil with

               ‘Too young’ and ‘the next year’ and “tis too early’.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     An thy mind stand to’t, boy, steal away bravely.³²

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     I shall stay here the forehorse³³ to a smock,

               Creaking my shoes on the plain masonry,³⁴

35

35           Till honour be bought up³⁵ and no sword worn

               But one³⁶ to dance with. By heaven, I’ll steal away.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     There’s honour in the theft.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Commit it, count.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     I am your accessary, and so farewell.

40

40   

BERTRAM

BERTRAM           I grow to⁴⁰ you, and our parting is a tortured body.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     Farewell, captain.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     Sweet Monsieur Parolles!

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Noble heroes, my sword and yours are kin. Good sparks and lustrous, a word,⁴³ good metals.⁴⁴ You shall find in the regiment of the Spinii one Captain Spurio,⁴⁵ with his cicatrice, an emblem of war, here on his sinister cheek; it was this very sword entrenched⁴⁶ it. Say to him I live, and observe his reports for me.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     We shall, noble captain.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Mars⁴⁸ dote on you for his novices!—

       [Exeunt Lords]

               What will ye do? To Bertram

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     Stay⁵⁰ the king. Bertram and Parolles stand aside

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Use a more spacious ceremony⁵¹ to the noble lords. To Bertram You have restrained yourself within the list⁵² of too cold an adieu. Be more expressive to them, for they wear⁵³ themselves in the cap of the time, there do muster true gait, eat, speak, and move under the influence of the most received⁵⁴ star. And though the devil lead the measure,⁵⁵ such are to be followed. After them, and take a more dilated farewell.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     And I will do so.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Worthy fellows, and like⁵⁷ to prove most sinewy sword-men. The King comes forward

       Exeunt [Bertram and Parolles]

       Enter Lafew

LAFEW

LAFEW     Pardon, my lord, for me and for my tidings.⁵⁸ Kneels

KING

KING     I’ll fee⁵⁹ thee to stand up.

60

60   

LAFEW

LAFEW           Then here’s a man stands that has brought his pardon.⁶⁰ Rises

               I would you had kneeled, my lord, to ask me mercy,

               And that at my bidding you could so stand up.

KING

KING     I would I had, so I had broke thy pate,⁶³

               And asked thee mercy for’t.

65

65   

LAFEW

LAFEW           Good faith, across.⁶⁵ But, my good lord, ’tis thus:

               Will you be cured of your infirmity?

KING

KING     No.

LAFEW

LAFEW     O, will⁶⁸ you eat no grapes, my royal fox?

               Yes, but you will⁶⁹ my noble grapes, an if

70

70           My royal fox could reach them. I have seen a medicine⁷⁰

               That’s able to breathe life into a stone,

               Quicken⁷² a rock, and make you dance canary

               With sprightly fire and motion, whose simple⁷³ touch,

               Is powerful to araise⁷⁴ King Pippin, nay,

75

75           To give great Charlemain a pen⁷⁵ in’s hand

               And write to her a love-line.

KING

KING     What ‘her’ is this?

LAFEW

LAFEW     Why, Doctor She: my lord, there’s one arrived,

               If you will see her. Now, by my faith and honour,

80

80           If seriously I may convey my thoughts

               In this my light⁸¹ deliverance, I have spoke

               With one that, in her sex, her years, profession,⁸²

               Wisdom and constancy, hath amazed me more

               Than I dare blame⁸⁴ my weakness. Will you see her,

85

85           For that is her demand, and know her business?

               That done, laugh well at me.

KING

KING     Now, good Lafew,

               Bring in the admiration⁸⁸ that we with thee

               May spend⁸⁹ our wonder too, or take off thine

90

90           By wondering how thou took’st⁹⁰ it.

LAFEW

LAFEW     Nay, I’ll fit⁹¹ you,

               And not be all day neither.

KING

KING     Thus he his special nothing⁹³ ever prologues. Lafew goes to the door or exits and re-enters

       Enter Helen

LAFEW

LAFEW     Nay, come your ways.⁹⁴ To Helen

95

95   

KING

KING           This haste hath wings indeed.

LAFEW

LAFEW     Nay, come your ways.

               This is his majesty, say your mind to him.

               A traitor you do look like, but such traitors

               His majesty seldom fears. I am Cressid’s uncle,⁹⁹

100

100         That dare leave two together. Fare you well.

       Exit

KING

KING     Now, fair one, does your business follow¹⁰¹ us?

HELEN

HELEN     Ay, my good lord.

               Gerard de Narbon was my father,

               In what he did profess,¹⁰⁴ well found.

105

105 

KING

KING             I knew him.

HELEN

HELEN     The rather will I spare my praises towards him.

               Knowing him is enough. On’s bed of death

               Many receipts¹⁰⁸ he gave me, chiefly one

               Which, as the dearest issue¹⁰⁹ of his practice,

110

110         And of his old experience th’only¹¹⁰ darling,

               He bade me store up, as a triple¹¹¹ eye,

               Safer¹¹² than mine own two. More dear I have so,

               And hearing your high majesty is touched

               With that malignant cause¹¹⁴ wherein the honour

115

               Of my dear father’s gift stands chief in power,

               I come to tender¹¹⁶ it and my appliance

               With all bound¹¹⁷ humbleness.

KING

KING     We thank you, maiden,

               But may not be so credulous¹¹⁹ of cure,

120

120         When our most learnèd doctors leave us, and

               The congregated college¹²¹ have concluded

               That labouring art¹²² can never ransom nature

               From her inaidible¹²³ estate. I say we must not

               So stain our judgement, or corrupt our hope,

125

125         To prostitute¹²⁵ our past-cure malady

               To empirics,¹²⁶ or to dissever so

               Our great self¹²⁷ and our credit, to esteem

               A senseless¹²⁸ help when help past sense we deem.

HELEN

HELEN     My duty¹²⁹ then shall pay me for my pains:

130

130         I will no more enforce mine office¹³⁰ on you,

               Humbly entreating from your royal thoughts

               A modest one¹³² to bear me back again.

KING

KING     I cannot give thee less, to¹³³ be called grateful.

               Thou thought’st to help me, and such thanks I give

135

135         As one near death to those that wish him live.

               But what at full¹³⁶ I know, thou know’st no part,

               I knowing all my peril, thou no art.¹³⁷

HELEN

HELEN     What I can do can do no hurt to try,

               Since you set¹³⁹ up your rest gainst remedy.

140

140         He¹⁴⁰ that of greatest works is finisher

               Oft does them by the weakest minister:

               So holy writ¹⁴² in babes hath judgement shown,

               When judges have been babes; great¹⁴³ floods have flown

               From simple¹⁴⁴ sources, and great seas have dried

145

145         When miracles have by the great’st¹⁴⁵ been denied.

               Oft expectation fails, and most oft there

               Where most it promises, and oft it hits¹⁴⁷

               Where hope is coldest and despair most shifts.¹⁴⁸

KING

KING     I must not hear thee. Fare thee well, kind maid.

150

150         Thy pains not used must by¹⁵⁰ thyself be paid:

               Proffers¹⁵¹ not took reap thanks for their reward.

HELEN

HELEN     Inspirèd¹⁵² merit so by breath is barred.

               It is not so with him that all things knows

               As ’tis with us that square¹⁵⁴ our guess by shows.

155

155         But most it is presumption in us when

               The help of heaven we count¹⁵⁶ the act of men.

               Dear sir, to my endeavours give consent.

               Of heaven, not me, make an experiment.¹⁵⁸

               I am not an impostor¹⁵⁹ that proclaim

160

160         Myself against the level of mine aim,

               But know I think, and think I know most sure,

               My art is not past power, nor you past cure.

KING

KING     Art thou so confident? Within what space¹⁶³

               Hop’st thou my cure?

165

165 

HELEN

HELEN             The greatest¹⁶⁵ grace lending grace

               Ere twice the horses of the sun shall bring

               Their fiery torcher¹⁶⁷ his diurnal ring,

               Ere twice in murk and occidental¹⁶⁸ damp

               Moist Hesperus¹⁶⁹ hath quenched her sleepy lamp,

170

170         Or four and twenty times the pilot’s glass¹⁷⁰

               Hath told the thievish minutes how they pass,

               What is infirm from your sound parts shall fly,

               Health shall live free and sickness freely die.

KING

KING     Upon thy certainty and confidence

175

175         What dar’st thou venture?¹⁷⁵

HELEN

HELEN     Tax¹⁷⁶ of impudence,

               A strumpet’s¹⁷⁷ boldness, a divulgèd shame

               Traduced¹⁷⁸ by odious ballads: my maiden’s name

               Seared¹⁷⁹ otherwise, nay, worse of worst, extended

180

180         With vilest torture, let my life be ended.

KING

KING     Methinks in thee some blessèd spirit doth speak

               His powerful sound within an organ weak:

               And what impossibility would slay¹⁸³

               In common sense,¹⁸⁴ sense saves another way.

185

185         Thy life is dear, for all that life can rate¹⁸⁵

               Worth name of life in thee hath estimate:¹⁸⁶

               Youth, beauty, wisdom, courage, all

               That happiness and prime¹⁸⁸ can happy call.

               Thou¹⁸⁹ this to hazard needs must intimate

190

190         Skill infinite or monstrous desperate.¹⁹⁰

               Sweet practicer,¹⁹¹ thy physic I will try,

               That ministers¹⁹² thine own death if I die.

HELEN

HELEN     If I break time,¹⁹³ or flinch in property

               Of what I spoke, unpitied let me die,

195

195         And well deserved. Not¹⁹⁵ helping, death’s my fee.

               But if I help, what do you promise me?

KING

KING     Make thy demand.

HELEN

HELEN     But will you make it even?¹⁹⁸

KING

KING     Ay, by my sceptre and my hopes of heaven.

200

200 

HELEN

HELEN             Then shalt thou give me with thy kingly hand

               What²⁰¹ husband in thy power I will command:

               Exempted²⁰² be from me the arrogance

               To choose from forth the royal blood of France,

               My low and humble name to propagate

205

205         With any branch or image of thy state.

               But such a one, thy vassal, whom I know

               Is free for me to ask, thee to bestow.

KING

KING     Here is my hand. The premises observed,²⁰⁸

               Thy will by my performance²⁰⁹ shall be served.

210

210         So make the choice of²¹⁰ thy own time, for I,

               Thy resolved²¹¹ patient, on thee still rely.

               More should I question thee, and more I must —

               Though more to know could not be more to trust —

               From whence thou cam’st, how tended on.²¹⁴ But rest

215

215         Unquestioned²¹⁵ welcome and undoubted blest.—

               Give me some help here, ho!— If thou proceed

               As high as word,²¹⁷ my deed shall match thy deed.

       Flourish. Exeunt [the King is carried out]

[Act 2 Scene 2]2.2

running scene 5

       Enter Countess and Clown [Lavatch]

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     Come on, sir, I shall now put¹ you to the height of your breeding.

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     I will show myself highly fed² and lowly taught. I know my business is but to the court.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     To the court! Why, what place make you⁴ special, when you put off that with such contempt? But to the court!

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     Truly, madam, if God have lent a man any manners, he may easily put⁶ it off at court: he that cannot make a leg,⁷ put off’s cap, kiss his hand and say nothing, has neither leg, hands, lip, nor cap; and indeed such a fellow, to say precisely, were not for the court. But for me, I have an answer⁹ will serve all men.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     Marry, that’s a bountiful answer that fits all questions.

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     It is like a barber’s chair that fits all buttocks: the pin-buttock,¹¹ the quatch-buttock, the brawn-buttock,¹² or any buttock.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     Will your answer serve fit¹³ to all questions?

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     As fit as ten groats¹⁴ is for the hand of an attorney, as your French crown for your taffety punk,¹⁵ as Tib’s rush for Tom’s forefinger, as a pancake for Shrove Tuesday, a morris¹⁶ for May Day, as the nail to his hole, the cuckold to his horn, as a scolding quean¹⁷ to a wrangling knave, as the nun’s lip to the friar’s mouth, nay, as the pudding¹⁸ to his skin.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     Have you, I say, an answer of such fitness for all questions?

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     From below your duke to beneath your constable, it will fit any question.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     It must be an answer of most monstrous size that must fit all demands.

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     But a trifle neither,²² in good faith, if the learned should speak truth of it. Here it is, and all that belongs to’t. Ask me if I am a courtier, it shall do you no harm to learn.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     To be young again, if we could. I will be a fool in question,²⁵ hoping to be the wiser by your answer. I pray you, sir, are you a courtier?

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     O lord, sir! There’s a simple putting off.²⁷ More, more, a hundred of them.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     Sir, I am a poor friend of yours that loves you.

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     O lord, sir!²⁹ Thick, thick, spare not me.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     I think, sir, you can eat none of this homely meat.³⁰

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     O lord, sir! Nay, put me to’t, I warrant you.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     You were lately whipped, sir, as I think.

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     O lord, sir! Spare not me.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     Do you cry, ‘O lord, sir!’ at your whipping, and ‘Spare not me’? Indeed your ‘O lord, sir!’ is very sequent³⁵ to your whipping: you would answer very well to a whipping, if you were but bound to’t.³⁶

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     I ne’er had worse luck in my life in my ‘O lord, sir!’ I see things may serve long, but not serve ever.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     I play the noble³⁹ housewife with the time

       To entertain it so merrily with a fool.

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     O lord, sir! Why, there’t serves well again.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     An end, sir. To your business. Give Helen this, Gives a letter

       And urge her to a present⁴³ answer back. Commend me to my kinsmen and my son. This is not much.

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     Not much commendation to them.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     Not much employment for you. You understand me?

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     Most fruitfully.⁴⁷ I am there before my legs.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     Haste you again.⁴⁸

       Exeunt [separately]

[Act 2 Scene 3]2.3

running scene 6

       Enter Count [Bertram], Lafew and Parolles

LAFEW

LAFEW     They say miracles are past, and we have our philosophical persons¹ to make modern² and familiar, things supernatural and causeless. Hence is it that we make trifles of terrors, ensconcing ourselves into³ seeming knowledge when we should submit ourselves to an unknown fear.⁴

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Why, ’tis the rarest⁵ argument of wonder that hath shot out in our latter times.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     And so ’tis.

LAFEW

LAFEW     To be relinquished of⁸ the artists—

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     So I say, both of Galen⁹ and Paracelsus.

LAFEW

LAFEW     Of all the learnèd and authentic fellows¹⁰—

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Right, so I say.

LAFEW

LAFEW     That gave him out¹² incurable—

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Why, there ’tis. So say I too.

LAFEW

LAFEW     Not to be helped —

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Right. As ’twere a man assured of a—

LAFEW

LAFEW     Uncertain life and sure death.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Just,¹⁷ you say well. So would I have said.

LAFEW

LAFEW     I may truly say, it is a novelty to the world.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     It is, indeed: if you will have it in showing,¹⁹ you shall read it in— what-do-ye-call there? Points to the ballad Lafew holds

LAFEW

LAFEW     ‘A showing of a heavenly effect in an earthly actor.’ Reads

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     That’s it. I would have said the very same.

LAFEW

LAFEW     Why, your dolphin²³ is not lustier. ’Fore me, I speak in respect—

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Nay, ’tis strange, ’tis very strange. That is the brief²⁴ and the tedious of it, and he’s of a most facinerious²⁵ spirit that will not acknowledge it to be the—

LAFEW

LAFEW     Very hand of heaven.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Ay, so I say.

LAFEW

LAFEW     In a most weak—

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     And debile minister,²⁹ great power, great transcendence, which should indeed give us a further use to be made than alone the recovery of the king, as to be—

LAFEW

LAFEW     Generally³² thankful.

       Enter King, Helen and Attendants

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     I would have said it; you say well. Here comes the king. Lafew and Parolles stand aside

LAFEW

LAFEW     Lustigue,³⁴ as the Dutchman says. I’ll like a maid the better whilst I have a tooth³⁵ in my head. Why, he’s able to lead her a coranto.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Mor du vinager!³⁶ Is not this Helen?

LAFEW

LAFEW     ’Fore God, I think so.

KING

KING     Go, call before me all the lords in court.

       [Exit Attendant]

               Sit, my preserver, by thy patient’s side, Helen sits

40

40           And with this healthful hand, whose banished sense⁴⁰

               Thou hast repealed,⁴¹ a second time receive

               The confirmation of my promised gift,

               Which but attends⁴³ thy naming.

       Enter three or four Lords

               Fair maid, send forth thine eye: this youthful parcel⁴⁴

45

45           Of noble bachelors stand at my bestowing,⁴⁵

               O’er whom both sovereign power and father’s voice

               I have to use. Thy frank election⁴⁷ make.

               Thou hast power to choose, and they none to forsake.⁴⁸

HELEN

HELEN     To each of you one fair and virtuous mistress

50

50           Fall, when love please! Marry, to each, but one!

LAFEW

LAFEW     I’d give bay⁵¹ curtal and his furniture

               My⁵² mouth no more were broken than these boys’,

               And writ⁵³ as little beard.

KING

KING     Peruse them well:

55

55           Not one of those but had a noble father.

HELEN

HELEN     Gentlemen, heaven hath through me restored the king to health.

       She addresses her to a Lord

ALL

ALL     We understand it, and thank heaven for you.

HELEN

HELEN     I am a simple maid, and therein wealthiest

               That I protest⁵⁹ I simply am a maid.

60

60           Please it your majesty, I have done already.

               The blushes in my cheeks thus whisper⁶¹ me,

               ‘We blush that thou shouldst choose. But be refused,

               Let the white death⁶³ sit on thy cheek for ever,

               We’ll ne’er come there again.’

65

65   

KING

KING           Make choice and see,

               Who⁶⁶ shuns thy love shuns all his love in me.

HELEN

HELEN     Now, Dian,⁶⁷ from thy altar do I fly,

               And to imperial Love,⁶⁸ that god most high,

               Do my sighs stream.— Sir, will you hear my suit? To First Lord

70

70   

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD           And grant it.

HELEN

HELEN     Thanks, sir. All⁷¹ the rest is mute.

LAFEW

LAFEW     I had rather be in this choice than throw ames-ace⁷² for my life. Aside

HELEN

HELEN     The honour,⁷³ sir, that flames in your fair eyes To Second Lord

               Before I speak, too threat’ningly replies.

75

               Love⁷⁵ make your fortunes twenty times above

               Her⁷⁶ that so wishes, and her humble love.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     No better,⁷⁷ if you please.

HELEN

HELEN     My wish receive,

               Which great love grant! And so I take my leave.

LAFEW

LAFEW     Do all they deny her? Aside An they were sons of mine, I’d have them whipped, or I would send them to th’Turk⁸¹ to make eunuchs of.

HELEN

HELEN     Be not afraid that I your hand should take. To Third Lord

               I’ll never do you wrong for your own sake.

               Blessing upon your vows, and in your bed

85

85           Find fairer fortune, if you ever wed!

LAFEW

LAFEW     These boys are boys of ice, they’ll none have her. Aside Sure⁸⁶ they are bastards to the English, the French ne’er got⁸⁷ ’em.

HELEN

HELEN     You are too young, too happy,⁸⁸ and too good, To Fourth Lord

               To make yourself a son out of my blood.

90

90   

FOURTH LORD

FOURTH LORD           Fair one, I think not so.

LAFEW

LAFEW     There’s one grape⁹¹ yet. Aside I am sure thy father drunk wine. But if thou be’st not an ass, I am a youth of fourteen. I have known⁹² thee already.

HELEN

HELEN     I dare not say I take you, but I give To Bertram

               Me and my service, ever whilst I live,

95

95           Into your guiding power. This is the man.

KING

KING     Why, then, young Bertram, take her: she’s thy wife.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     My wife, my liege? I shall beseech your highness,

               In such a business give me leave to use

               The help of mine own eyes.

100

100 

KING

KING             Know’st thou not, Bertram, what she has done for me?

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     Yes, my good lord,

               But never hope to know why I should marry her.

KING

KING     Thou know’st she has raised me from my sickly bed.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     But follows it, my lord, to bring me down¹⁰⁴

105

105         Must answer for your raising? I know her well:

               She had her breeding¹⁰⁶ at my father’s charge.

               A poor physician’s daughter my wife? Disdain

               Rather corrupt¹⁰⁸ me ever!

KING

KING     ’Tis only title¹⁰⁹ thou disdain’st in her, the which

110

110         I can build up. Strange is it that our bloods,

               Of colour, weight and heat, poured all together,

               Would quite confound distinction,¹¹² yet stands off

               In differences so mighty. If she be

               All that is virtuous, save what thou dislik’st,

115

115         A poor physician’s daughter, thou dislik’st

               Of virtue for the name. But do not so.

               From lowest place whence virtuous things proceed,¹¹⁷

               The place is dignified by th’doer’s deed.

               Where great¹¹⁹ additions swell’s, and virtue none,

120

120         It is a dropsied¹²⁰ honour. Good alone

               Is good without a name. Vileness is so:

               The property¹²² by what it is should go,

               Not by the title. She is young, wise, fair.

               In these to nature she’s immediate heir,¹²⁴

125

               And these breed honour. That¹²⁵ is honour’s scorn,

               Which challenges itself as honour’s born

               And is not like the sire. Honours thrive,

               When rather from our acts we them derive

               Than our foregoers.¹²⁹ The mere word’s a slave,

130

130         Deboshed¹³⁰ on every tomb, on every grave

               A lying trophy,¹³¹ and as oft is dumb,

               Where dust and damned oblivion is the tomb

               Of honoured bones indeed.¹³³ What should be said?

               If thou canst like this creature as a maid,

135

135         I can create the rest: virtue and she

               Is her own dower,¹³⁶ honour and wealth from me.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     I cannot love her, nor will strive¹³⁷ to do’t

KING

KING     Thou wrong’st thyself if thou shouldst strive to choose.¹³⁸

HELEN

HELEN     That you are well restored,¹³⁹ my lord, I’m glad.

140

140         Let the rest go.

KING

KING     My honour’s at the stake,¹⁴¹ which to defeat,

               I must produce my power. Here, take her hand,

               Proud scornful boy, unworthy this¹⁴³ good gift,

               That dost in vile misprision¹⁴⁴ shackle up

145

145         My love and her desert.¹⁴⁵ That canst not dream,

               We,¹⁴⁶ poising us in her defective scale,

               Shall weigh¹⁴⁷ thee to the beam. That wilt not know,

               It is in us¹⁴⁸ to plant thine honour where

               We please to have it grow. Check¹⁴⁹ thy contempt:

150

150         Obey our will, which travails in¹⁵⁰ thy good.

               Believe not¹⁵¹ thy disdain, but presently

               Do thine own fortunes that obedient right

               Which both thy duty owes and our power claims,

               Or I will throw thee from my care forever

155

155         Into the staggers¹⁵⁵ and the careless lapse

               Of youth and ignorance, both my revenge and hate

               Loosing¹⁵⁷ upon thee, in the name of justice,

               Without all terms¹⁵⁸ of pity. Speak. Thine answer.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     Pardon, my gracious lord, for I submit

160

160         My fancy¹⁶⁰ to your eyes. When I consider

               What great creation¹⁶¹ and what dole of honour

               Flies where you bid it, I find that she, which late¹⁶²

               Was in my nobler thoughts most base, is now

               The praisèd of the king, who,¹⁶⁴ so ennobled,

165

165         Is as ’twere born so.

KING

KING     Take her by the hand,

               And tell her she is thine, to whom I promise

               A counterpoise,¹⁶⁸ if not to thy estate,

               A balance more replete.¹⁶⁹

170

170 

BERTRAM

BERTRAM             I take her hand.

KING

KING     Good fortune and the favour of the king

               Smile upon this contract, whose¹⁷² ceremony

               Shall seem expedient on the now-born brief,

               And be performed tonight. The solemn feast

175

175         Shall more¹⁷⁵ attend upon the coming space,

               Expecting¹⁷⁶ absent friends. As thou lov’st her,

               Thy love’s to me religious,¹⁷⁷ else, does err.

       Exeunt. Parolles and Lafew stay behind commenting of this wedding

LAFEW

LAFEW     Do you hear, monsieur? A word with you.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Your pleasure, sir.

LAFEW

LAFEW     Your lord and master did well to make his recantation.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Recantation? My lord? My master?

LAFEW

LAFEW     Ay. Is it not a language I speak?

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     A most harsh one, and not to be understood without bloody succeeding.¹⁸³ My master?

LAFEW

LAFEW     Are you companion¹⁸⁵ to the Count Rossillion?

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     To any count, to all counts, to what is man.¹⁸⁶

LAFEW

LAFEW     To what is count’s man. Count’s master is of another style.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     You are too old,¹⁸⁸ sir. Let it satisfy you, you are too old.

LAFEW

LAFEW     I must tell thee, sirrah, I write¹⁸⁹ man, to which title age cannot bring thee.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     What I dare¹⁹⁰ too well do, I dare not do.

LAFEW

LAFEW     I did think thee, for two ordinaries,¹⁹¹ to be a pretty wise fellow. Thou didst make tolerable vent¹⁹² of thy travel, it might pass. Yet the scarfs and the bannerets about thee did manifoldly dissuade me from believing thee a vessel¹⁹³ of too great a burden.¹⁹⁴ I have now found thee. When I lose thee again, I care not. Yet art thou good for nothing but taking up,¹⁹⁵ and that thou’rt scarce worth.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Hadst thou not the privilege of antiquity¹⁹⁶ upon thee—

LAFEW

LAFEW     Do not plunge thyself too far in anger, lest thou hasten thy trial,¹⁹⁷ which if—lord have mercy on thee for a hen!¹⁹⁸ So, my good window of lattice, fare thee well. Thy casement¹⁹⁹ I need not open, for I look through thee. Give me thy hand.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     My lord, you give me most egregious²⁰⁰ indignity.

LAFEW

LAFEW     Ay, with all my heart, and thou art worthy of it.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     I have not, my lord, deserved it.

LAFEW

LAFEW     Yes, good faith, every dram²⁰³ of it, and I will not bate thee a scruple.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Well, I shall be wiser.²⁰⁴

LAFEW

LAFEW     Even as soon as thou canst, for thou hast to pull²⁰⁵ at a smack o’th’contrary. If ever thou be’st bound in thy scarf and beaten, thou shall find what it is to be proud of thy bondage.²⁰⁷ I have a desire to hold my acquaintance with thee, or rather my knowledge, that I may say in the default,²⁰⁸ he is a man I know.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     My lord, you do me most insupportable vexation.

LAFEW

LAFEW     I would it were hell-pains for thy sake, and my poor doing²¹⁰ eternal. For doing I am past, as I will²¹¹ by thee, in what motion age will give me leave.

       Exit

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Well, thou hast a son shall²¹² take this disgrace off me; scurvy, old, filthy, scurvy lord! Well, I must be patient. There is no fettering²¹³ of authority. I’ll beat him, by my life, if I can meet him with any convenience,²¹⁴ an he were double and double a lord. I’ll have no more pity of his age than I would have of— I’ll beat him, an if I could but meet him again.

       Enter Lafew

LAFEW

LAFEW     Sirrah, your lord and master’s married. There’s news for you: you have a new mistress.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     I most unfeignedly beseech your lordship to make some reservation²¹⁹ of your wrongs.²²⁰ He is my good lord. Whom I serve above is my master.

LAFEW

LAFEW     Who? God?

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Ay, sir.

LAFEW

LAFEW     The devil it is that’s thy master. Why dost thou garter²²³ up thy arms o’ this fashion? Dost make hose²²⁴ of thy sleeves? Do other servants so? Thou wert best set thy lower part where thy nose stands. By mine honour, if I were but two hours younger, I’d beat thee. Methink’st thou art a general offence, and every man should beat thee. I think thou wast created for men to breathe²²⁷ themselves upon thee.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     This is hard and undeserved measure,²²⁹ my lord.

LAFEW

LAFEW     Go to,²³⁰ sir. You were beaten in Italy for picking a kernel out of a pomegranate. You are a vagabond²³¹ and no true traveller. You are more saucy with lords and honourable personages than the commission²³² of your birth and virtue gives you heraldry.²³³ You are not worth another word, else I’d call you knave. I leave you.

       Exit

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Good, very good, it is so then. Good, very good, let it be concealed awhile.

       Enter Count Rossillion [Bertram]

235

235 

BERTRAM

BERTRAM             Undone,²³⁵ and forfeited to cares forever!

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     What’s the matter, sweet heart?

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     Although before the solemn priest I have sworn,

               I will not bed her.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     What, what, sweetheart?

240

240 

BERTRAM

BERTRAM             O my Parolles, they have married me!

               I’ll to the Tuscan wars and never bed her.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     France is a dog-hole, and it no more merits

               The tread of a man’s foot: to th’wars!

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     There’s letters from my mother. What th’import²⁴⁴ is,

245

245         I know not yet.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Ay, that would be known. To th’wars, my boy, to th’wars!

               He wears his honour in a box²⁴⁷ unseen

               That hugs his kicky-wicky²⁴⁸ here at home,

               Spending²⁴⁹ his manly marrow in her arms,

250

250         Which should sustain the bound and high curvet²⁵⁰

               Of Mars’ fiery steed. To other regions,

               France is a stable, we that dwell in’t jades:²⁵²

               Therefore, to th’war!

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     It shall be so. I’ll send her to my house,

255

255         Acquaint my mother with my hate to her,

               And wherefore I am fled, write to the king

               That which I durst not speak. His present gift

               Shall furnish me to²⁵⁸ those Italian fields

               Where noble fellows strike. War is no strife

260

260         To²⁶⁰ the dark house and the detested wife.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Will this capriccio²⁶¹ hold in thee? Art sure?

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     Go with me to my chamber, and advise me.

               I’ll send her straight²⁶³ away. Tomorrow

               I’ll to the wars, she to her single sorrow.

265

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Why, these balls bound,²⁶⁵ there’s noise in it. ’Tis hard.

               A young man married is a man that’s marred:²⁶⁶

               Therefore away, and leave her bravely, go.

               The king has done you wrong, but hush, ’tis so.

       Exeunt

[Act 2 Scene 4]

running scene 6 continues

       Enter Helena and Clown [Lavatch] Helen reading a letter

HELEN

HELEN     My mother greets me kindly.¹ Is she well?

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     She is not well,² but yet she has her health: she’s very merry, but yet she is not well: but thanks be given, she’s very well and wants³ nothing i’th’world; but yet she is not well.

HELEN

HELEN     If she be very well, what does she ail, that she’s not very well?

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     Truly, she’s very well indeed, but for two things.

HELEN

HELEN     What two things?

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     One, that she’s not in heaven, whither God send her quickly. The other, that she’s in earth, from whence God send her quickly.

       Enter Parolles

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Bless you, my fortunate lady.

HELEN

HELEN     I hope, sir, I have your good will to have mine own good fortune.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     You had my prayers to lead them¹² on, and to keep them on, have them still. O, my knave, how does my old lady?

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     So¹⁴ that you had her wrinkles and I her money, I would she did as you say.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Why, I say nothing.

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     Marry, you are the wiser man, for many a man’s¹⁶ tongue shakes out his master’s undoing: to say nothing, to do nothing, to know nothing, and to have nothing, is to be a great part of your title,¹⁸ which is within a very little of nothing.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Away! Thou’rt a knave.

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     You should have said, sir, ‘Before²⁰ a knave thou’rt a knave.’ That’s, ‘Before me thou’rt a knave.’ This had been truth, sir.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Go to,²² thou art a witty fool. I have found thee.

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     Did you find me²³ in yourself, sir? Or were you taught to find me? The search, sir, was profitable. And much fool may you find in you, even to²⁴ the world’s pleasure and the increase of laughter.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     A good knave, i’faith, and well fed.²⁶

               Madam, my lord will go away tonight.

               A very serious business calls on him.

               The great prerogative and rite of love,²⁹

30

30           Which, as your due, time claims, he does acknowledge,

               But puts it off to³¹ a compelled restraint,

               Whose³² want, and whose delay, is strewed with sweets,

               Which they³³ distil now in the curbèd time,

               To make the coming hour o’erflow with joy

35

35           And pleasure drown³⁵ the brim.

HELEN

HELEN     What’s his will else?³⁶

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     That you will take your instant leave o’th’king

               And make³⁸ this haste as your own good proceeding,

               Strength’ned with what apology³⁹ you think

40

40           May make it probable need.⁴⁰

HELEN

HELEN     What more commands he?

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     That, having this obtained, you presently

               Attend⁴³ his further pleasure.

HELEN

HELEN     In everything I wait upon his will.

45

45   

PAROLLES

PAROLLES           I shall report it so.

       Exit

HELEN

HELEN     I pray you.— Come, sirrah. To Parolles/To Lavatch

       Exeunt

[Act 2 Scene 5]

running scene 6 continues

       Enter Lafew and Bertram

LAFEW

LAFEW     But I hope your lordship thinks not him a soldier.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     Yes, my lord, and of very valiant approof.²

LAFEW

LAFEW     You have it from his own deliverance.³

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     And by other warranted testimony.

LAFEW

LAFEW     Then my dial⁵ goes not true. I took this lark for a bunting.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     I do assure you, my lord, he is very great in knowledge and accordingly⁶ valiant.

LAFEW

LAFEW     I have then sinned against his experience and transgressed against his valour, and my state⁹ that way is dangerous, since I cannot yet find in my heart to repent. Here he comes. I pray you make us friends. I will pursue the amity.

       Enter Parolles

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     These things shall be done, sir. To Bertram

LAFEW

LAFEW     Pray you, sir, who’s his tailor?¹² To Bertram

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Sir?

LAFEW

LAFEW     O, I know him well. Ay, ‘sir’, he. ‘Sir’ ’s a good workman, a very good tailor.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     Is she gone to the king? Aside to Parolles

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     She is.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     Will she away tonight?

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     As you’ll have¹⁸ her.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     I have writ my letters, casketed my treasure,

20

20           Given order for our horses, and tonight,

               When I should take possession of the bride,

               End ere I do begin.

LAFEW

LAFEW     Aside A good traveller is something²³ at the latter end of a dinner, but one that lies three thirds²⁴ and uses a known truth to pass a thousand nothings with, should be once heard and thrice beaten.— God save you, captain.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     Is there any unkindness²⁶ between my lord and you, monsieur? To Parolles

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     I know not how I have deserved to run into my lord’s displeasure.

LAFEW

LAFEW     You have made shift²⁸ to run into’t, boots and spurs and all, like him that leapt into the custard. And out of it you’ll run again, rather than suffer question²⁹ for your residence.³⁰

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     It may be you have mistaken³¹ him, my lord.

LAFEW

LAFEW     And shall do so ever, though I took him at’s prayers. Fare you well, my lord, and believe this of me: there can be no kernel in this light nut. The soul of this man is his clothes. Trust him not in matter of heavy³⁴ consequence. I have kept of them tame,³⁵ and know their natures. Farewell, monsieur. I have spoken better of you than you have or will to deserve³⁶ at my hand, but we must do good against evil.

       [Exit]

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     An idle³⁸ lord, I swear.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     I think so.

40

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Why, do you not know⁴⁰ him?

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     Yes, I do know him well, and common speech

               Gives him a worthy pass.⁴² Here comes my clog.

       Enter Helena [with an attendant]

HELEN

HELEN     I have, sir, as I was commanded from you,

               Spoke with the king and have procured his leave

45

45           For present parting,⁴⁵ only he desires

               Some private speech with you.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     I shall obey his will.

               You must not marvel, Helen, at my course,

               Which holds not colour⁴⁹ with the time, nor does

50

50           The ministration⁵⁰ and requirèd office

               On my particular. Prepared I was not

               For such a business: therefore am I found

               So much unsettled. This drives me to entreat you

               That presently you take your way for home,

55

55           And rather muse⁵⁵ than ask why I entreat you,

               For my respects⁵⁶ are better than they seem

               And my appointments⁵⁷ have in them a need

               Greater than shows itself at the first view

               To you that know them not. This to my mother. Gives a letter

60

60           ’Twill be two days ere I shall see you, so

               I leave you to your wisdom.

HELEN

HELEN     Sir, I can nothing say,

               But that I am your most obedient servant.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     Come, come, no more of that.

65

65   

HELEN

HELEN           And ever shall

               With true observance⁶⁶ seek to eke out that

               Wherein toward me my homely stars⁶⁷ have failed

               To equal my great fortune.⁶⁸

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     Let that go. My haste is very great. Farewell. Hie⁶⁹ home.

70

70   

HELEN

HELEN           Pray, sir, your pardon.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     Well, what would you say?

HELEN

HELEN     I am not worthy of the wealth I owe,⁷²

               Nor dare I say ’tis mine, and yet it is.

               But, like a timorous thief, most fain⁷⁴ would steal

75

75           What law does vouch⁷⁵ mine own.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     What would you have?

HELEN

HELEN     Something, and scarce so much: nothing, indeed.

               I would⁷⁸ not tell you what I would, my lord.

               Faith yes:

80

80           Strangers and foes do sunder,⁸⁰ and not kiss.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     I pray you stay⁸¹ not, but in haste to horse.

HELEN

HELEN     I shall not break your bidding, good my lord.—

               Where are my other men?— Monsieur, farewell. To Attendant

       Exit

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     Go thou toward home, where I will never come

85

85           Whilst I can shake my sword or hear the drum.

               Away, and for our flight.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Bravely, corragio!⁸⁷

       [Exeunt]

Act 3 [Scene 1]3.1

running scene 7

       Flourish. Enter the Duke of Florence, the two Frenchmen [First and Second Lords Dumaine] with a troop of Soldiers

DUKE

DUKE     So that from¹ point to point now have you heard

               The fundamental reasons of this war,

               Whose great decision³ hath much blood let forth

               And more thirsts after.

5

5     

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD           Holy seems the quarrel

               Upon your grace’s part, black⁶ and fearful

               On the opposer.⁷

DUKE

DUKE     Therefore we marvel much our cousin⁸ France

               Would in so just a business shut his bosom⁹

10

10           Against our borrowing prayers.¹⁰

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     Good my lord,

               The reasons of our state I cannot yield,¹²

               But¹³ like a common and an outward man

               That the great figure¹⁴ of a council frames

15

15           By self-unable motion:¹⁵ therefore dare not

               Say what I think of it, since I have found

               Myself in my incertain grounds to fail

               As often as I guessed.

DUKE

DUKE     Be it his pleasure.¹⁹

20

20   

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD           But I am sure the younger²⁰ of our nature,

               That surfeit²¹ on their ease, will day by day

               Come here for physic.²²

DUKE

DUKE     Welcome shall they be,

               And all the honours that can fly from²⁴ us

25

25           Shall on them settle. You know your places well.

               When better fall,²⁶ for your avails they fell.

               Tomorrow to th’field.

       Flourish [Exeunt]

[Act 3 Scene 2]3.2

running scene 8

       Enter Countess and Clown [Lavatch]

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     It hath happened all as I would have had it, save that he comes not along with her.

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     By my troth,³ I take my young lord to be a very melancholy man.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     By what observance,⁴ I pray you?

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     Why, he will look upon his boot and sing: mend⁵ the ruff and sing: ask questions and sing: pick his teeth and sing. I know a man that had this trick of melancholy sold⁷ a goodly manor for a song.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     Let me see what he writes, and when he means to come. Opens a letter

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     I have no mind to⁹ Isbel since I was at court. Our old lings and our Isbels o’th’country are nothing like your old ling and your Isbels o’th’court. The brains¹⁰ of my Cupid’s knocked out, and I begin to love, as an old man loves money, with no stomach.¹²

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     What have we here?

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     E’en¹⁴ that you have there.

       Exit

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     ‘I have sent you a daughter-in-law. She hath recovered¹⁵ the king, and undone me. I have wedded her, not¹⁶ bedded her, and sworn to make the “not” eternal. You shall hear I am run away: know it before the report come. If there be breadth enough in the world, I will hold¹⁸ a long distance. My duty to you. Your unfortunate son, Bertram.’

       [Reads] a letter

20

                                    This is not well, rash and unbridled boy.

                                    To fly²¹ the favours of so good a king,

                                    To pluck his indignation on thy head

                                    By the misprizing²³ of a maid too virtuous

                                    For the contempt of empire.²⁴

       Enter Clown [Lavatch]

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     O, madam, yonder is heavy²⁵ news within, between two soldiers and my young lady!

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     What is the matter?

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     Nay, there is some comfort in the news, some comfort. Your son will not be killed so soon as I thought he would.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     Why should he be killed?

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     So say I, madam, if he run away, as I hear he does. The danger is in standing to’t.³² That’s the loss of men, though it be the getting of children. Here they come will tell you more. For my part, I only hear your son was run away.

       [He may exit]

       Enter Helen and two Gentlemen [First and Second Lords Dumaine]

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     Save³⁴ you, good madam.

35

35   

HELEN

HELEN           Madam, my lord is gone, forever gone.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     Do not say so.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     Think upon patience. Pray you, gentlemen,

               I have felt so many quirks³⁸ of joy and grief

               That the first face³⁹ of neither, on the start

40

40           Can woman⁴⁰ me unto’t. Where is my son, I pray you?

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     Madam, he’s gone to serve the Duke of Florence:

               We met him thitherward,⁴² for thence we came,

               And after some dispatch in hand⁴³ at court,

               Thither we bend⁴⁴ again.

45

45   

HELEN

HELEN           Look on his letter, madam, here’s my passport.⁴⁵ Shows a letter

       Reads ‘When thou canst get the ring upon my finger, which never shall come off, and show me a child begotten of thy body that I am father to, then call me husband. But in such a “then” I write a “never”.’ This is a dreadful sentence.⁴⁸

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     Brought you this letter, gentlemen?

50

50   

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD           Ay, madam, and for the contents’ sake are sorry for our pains.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     I prithee, lady, have⁵¹ a better cheer.

               If thou engrossest⁵² all the griefs are thine,

               Thou robb’st me of a moiety:⁵³ he was my son,

               But I do wash his name out of my blood,

55

55           And thou art all my⁵⁵ child. Towards Florence is he?

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     Ay, madam.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     And to be a soldier?

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     Such is his noble purpose, and believe’t,

               The duke will lay upon him all the honour

60

60           That good convenience⁶⁰ claims.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     Return you thither?

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     Ay, madam, with the swiftest wing of speed.

HELEN

HELEN     ‘Till I have no wife I have nothing in France.’ Reads

               ’Tis bitter.

65

65   

COUNTESS

COUNTESS           Find you that there?

HELEN

HELEN     Ay, madam.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     ’Tis but the boldness of his hand, haply,⁶⁷ which his heart was not

               consenting to.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     Nothing in France, until he have no wife!

70

70           There’s nothing here that is too good for him

               But only she, and she deserves a lord

               That twenty such rude⁷² boys might tend upon

               And call her hourly mistress. Who was with him?

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     A servant only, and a gentleman

75

75           Which I have sometime known.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     Parolles, was it not?

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     Ay, my good lady, he.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     A very tainted fellow, and full of wickedness.

               My son corrupts a well-derivèd⁷⁹ nature

80

80           With his inducement.⁸⁰

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     Indeed, good lady,

               The fellow has a deal⁸² of that too much,

               Which holds⁸³ him much to have.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     You’re welcome, gentlemen.

85

85           I will entreat you, when you see my son,

               To tell him that his sword can never win

               The honour that he loses: more I’ll entreat you

               Written⁸⁸ to bear along.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     We serve you, madam,

90

90           In that and all your worthiest affairs.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     Not so, but⁹¹ as we change our courtesies.

               Will you draw near?⁹²

       Exeunt [all but Helen]

HELEN

HELEN     ‘Till I have no wife, I have nothing in France.’

               Nothing in France, until he has no wife!

95

95           Thou shalt have none, Rossillion,⁹⁵ none in France.

               Then hast thou all again. Poor lord, is’t I

               That chase thee from thy country and expose

               Those tender limbs of thine to the event⁹⁸

               Of the none-sparing war? And is it I

100

100         That drive thee from the sportive¹⁰⁰ court, where thou

               Wast shot at with fair eyes, to be the mark¹⁰¹

               Of smoky muskets? O you leaden messengers¹⁰²

               That ride upon the violent speed of fire,

               Fly with false aim, move¹⁰⁴ the still-peering air

105

105         That sings¹⁰⁵ with piercing. Do not touch my lord.

               Whoever shoots at him, I set him there.¹⁰⁶

               Whoever charges on his forward¹⁰⁷ breast,

               I am the caitiff¹⁰⁸ that do hold him to’t,

               And though I kill him not, I am the cause

110

110         His death was so effected. Better ’twere

               I met the ravin¹¹¹ lion when he roared

               With sharp constraint¹¹² of hunger: better ‘twere

               That all the miseries which nature owes¹¹³

               Were mine at once. No, come thou home, Rossillion,

115

               Whence¹¹⁵ honour but of danger wins a scar,

               As oft¹¹⁶ it loses all. I will be gone:

               My being here it is that holds thee hence.

               Shall I stay here to do’t?¹¹⁸ No, no, although

               The air of paradise did fan the house

120

120         And angels officed all.¹²⁰ I will be gone,

               That pitiful¹²¹ rumour may report my flight,

               To consolate¹²² thine ear. Come night, end day!

               For with the dark, poor thief, I’ll steal¹²³ away.

       Exit

[Act 3 Scene 3]3.3

running scene 9

       Flourish. Enter the Duke of Florence, Rossillion [Bertram], Drum and Trumpets, soldiers, Parolles

DUKE

DUKE     The general of our horse thou art, and we,

               Great² in our hope, lay our best love and credence

               Upon thy promising fortune.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     Sir, it is

5

5             A charge too heavy for my strength, but yet

               We’ll strive to bear it for your worthy sake

               To th’extreme edge⁷ of hazard.

DUKE

DUKE     Then go thou forth,

               And fortune play upon thy prosperous helm⁹

10

10           As thy auspicious mistress!

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     This very day,

               Great Mars, I put myself into thy file.¹²

               Make me but like my thoughts,¹³ and I shall prove

               A lover of thy drum, hater of love.

       Exeunt

[Act 3 Scene 4]3.4

running scene 10

       Enter Countess and Steward [Reynaldo]

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     Alas! And would you take the letter of¹ her?

               Might you not know she would do as she has done,

               By sending me a letter? Read it again.

REYNALDO

REYNALDO     ‘I⁴ am Saint Jaques’ pilgrim, thither gone.

       [Reads the] letter

5

5             Ambitious love hath so in me offended,

               That barefoot plod I the cold ground upon,

               With sainted⁷ vow my faults to have amended.

               Write, write, that from the bloody course of war

               My dearest master, your dear son, may hie.⁹

10

10           Bless him at home in peace, whilst I from far

               His name with zealous fervour sanctify.

               His taken¹² labours bid him me forgive.

               I, his despiteful¹³ Juno, sent him forth

               From courtly friends, with camping¹⁴ foes to live

15

15           Where death and danger dogs the heels of worth.

               He is too good and fair for death and me,

               Whom¹⁷ I myself embrace, to set him free.’

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     Ah, what sharp stings are in her mildest words!

               Reynaldo, you did never lack advice¹⁹ so much,

20

20           As letting her pass so: had I spoke with her,

               I could have well diverted her intents,

               Which thus she hath prevented.²²

REYNALDO

REYNALDO     Pardon me, madam.

               If I had given you this at overnight,²⁴

25

25           She might have been o’erta’en, and yet she writes

               Pursuit would be but vain.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     What angel shall

               Bless this unworthy husband? He cannot thrive,

               Unless her prayers, whom²⁹ heaven delights to hear

30

30           And loves to grant, reprieve him from the wrath

               Of greatest justice. Write, write, Reynaldo,

               To this unworthy husband³² of his wife.

               Let every word weigh heavy of³³ her worth

               That he does weigh too light. My greatest grief,

35

35           Though little he do feel it, set down sharply.

               Dispatch the most convenient messenger.

               When haply³⁷ he shall hear that she is gone,

               He will return, and hope I may that she,

               Hearing so much, will speed her foot again,

40

40           Led hither by pure love. Which of them both

               Is dearest to me, I have no skill in sense⁴¹

               To make distinction. Provide⁴² this messenger.

               My heart is heavy and mine age is weak.

               Grief would have tears, and sorrow bids me speak.

       Exeunt

[Act 3 Scene 5]3.5

running scene 11

       A tucket afar off. Enter old Widow of Florence, her daughter [Diana], and Mariana with other Citizens

WIDOW

WIDOW     Nay, come, for if they do approach the city, we shall lose all¹ the sight.

DIANA

DIANA     They say the French count has done most honourable service.

WIDOW

WIDOW     It is reported that he has taken their³ greatest commander, and that with his own hand he slew the duke’s brother.

       We have lost our labour. Tucket They are gone a contrary way. Hark! You may know by their trumpets.

MARIANA

MARIANA     Come, let’s return again, and suffice⁷ ourselves with the report of it. Well, Diana, take heed of this French earl.⁸ The honour of a maid is her name, and no legacy is so rich as honesty.⁹

WIDOW

WIDOW     I have told my neighbour how you have been solicited¹⁰ by a gentleman his companion.

MARIANA

MARIANA     I know that knave, hang him! One Parolles: a filthy officer¹² he is in those suggestions¹³ for the young earl. Beware of them, Diana; their promises, enticements, oaths, tokens and all these engines¹⁴ of lust, are not the things they go under. Many a maid hath been seduced by them, and the misery is example that so terrible shows in the wreck of maidenhood,¹⁶ cannot for all that dissuade succession,¹⁷ but that they are limed with the twigs that threatens them. I hope I need not to advise you further, but I hope your own grace¹⁸ will keep you where you are, though¹⁹ there were no further danger known but the modesty which is so lost.

DIANA

DIANA     You shall not need to fear²⁰ me.

       Enter Helen [disguised as a pilgrim]

WIDOW

WIDOW     I hope so. Look, here comes a pilgrim. I know she will lie²¹ at my house: thither they send one another. I’ll question her.— God save you, pilgrim! Whither are you bound?

HELEN

HELEN     To Saint Jaques le Grand.

25

25           Where do the palmers²⁵ lodge, I do beseech you?

WIDOW

WIDOW     At the Saint Francis²⁶ here beside the port.

HELEN

HELEN     Is this the way? A march afar

WIDOW

WIDOW     Ay, marry, is’t.

               Hark you! They come this way.

30

30           If you will tarry,³⁰ holy pilgrim,

               But till the troops come by,

               I will conduct you where you shall be lodged,

               The rather for³³ I think I know your hostess

               As ample³⁴ as myself.

35

35   

HELEN

HELEN           Is it yourself?

WIDOW

WIDOW     If you shall please so, pilgrim.

HELEN

HELEN     I thank you, and will stay upon³⁷ your leisure.

WIDOW

WIDOW     You came, I think, from France?

HELEN

HELEN     I did so.

40

40   

WIDOW

WIDOW           Here you shall see a countryman of yours

               That has done worthy service.

HELEN

HELEN     His name, I pray you.

DIANA

DIANA     The Count Rossillion. Know you such a one?

HELEN

HELEN     But by the ear, that hears most nobly of him:

45

45           His face I know not.

DIANA

DIANA     Whatsome’er⁴⁶ he is,

               He’s bravely taken⁴⁷ here. He stole from France,

               As ’tis reported, for⁴⁸ the king had married him

               Against his liking. Think you it is so?

50

50   

HELEN

HELEN           Ay, surely, mere⁵⁰ the truth. I know his lady.

DIANA

DIANA     There is a gentleman that serves the count

               Reports but coarsely of her.

HELEN

HELEN     What’s his name?

DIANA

DIANA     Monsieur Parolles.

55

55   

HELEN

HELEN           O, I believe⁵⁵ with him,

               In argument⁵⁶ of praise, or to the worth

               Of the great count himself, she is too mean⁵⁷

               To have her name repeated. All her deserving⁵⁸

               Is a reservèd honesty,⁵⁹ and that

60

60           I have not heard examined.⁶⁰

DIANA

DIANA     Alas, poor lady!

               ’Tis a hard bondage to become the wife

               Of a detesting lord.

WIDOW

WIDOW     I write⁶⁴ good creature: wheresoe’er she is,

65

65           Her heart weighs sadly. This young maid might do her

               A shrewd⁶⁶ turn if she pleased.

HELEN

HELEN     How do you mean?

               Maybe the amorous count solicits her

               In the unlawful purpose?

70

70   

WIDOW

WIDOW           He does indeed,

               And brokes⁷¹ with all that can in such a suit

               Corrupt the tender honour of a maid.

               But she is armed for him and keeps her guard

               In honestest⁷⁴ defence.

       Drum and colours. Enter Count Rossillion [Bertram], Parolles and the whole army

75

75   

MARIANA

MARIANA           The gods forbid else!⁷⁵

WIDOW

WIDOW     So, now they come:

               That is Antonio, the duke’s eldest son.

               That, Escalus.

HELEN

HELEN     Which is the Frenchman?

80

80   

DIANA

DIANA           He,

               That with the plume. ’Tis a most gallant fellow.

               I would he loved his wife: if he were honester⁸²

               He were much goodlier. Is’t not a handsome gentleman?

HELEN

HELEN     I like him well.

85

85   

DIANA

DIANA           ’Tis pity he is not honest. Yond’s that same knave

               That leads him to these places. Were I his lady,

               I would poison that vile rascal.

HELEN

HELEN     Which is he?

DIANA

DIANA     That jackanapes⁸⁹ with scarves. Why is he melancholy?

90

90   

HELEN

HELEN           Perchance he’s hurt i’th’battle.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Lose our drum! Well.

MARIANA

MARIANA     He’s shrewdly⁹² vexed at something. Look, he has spied us.

WIDOW

WIDOW     Marry, hang you!

MARIANA

MARIANA     And your courtesy,⁹⁴ for a ring-carrier!

       Exeunt [Bertram, Parolles and army]

95

95   

WIDOW

WIDOW           The troop is past. Come, pilgrim, I will bring you

               Where you shall host.⁹⁶ Of enjoined penitents

               There’s four or five, to great Saint Jaques bound,

               Already at my house.

HELEN

HELEN     I humbly thank you:

100

100         Please it¹⁰⁰ this matron and this gentle maid

               To eat with us tonight, the charge¹⁰¹ and thanking

               Shall be for me.¹⁰² And, to requite you further,

               I will bestow some precepts of¹⁰³ this virgin Worthy the note.

105

105 

BOTH

BOTH             we’ll take your offer kindly.¹⁰⁵

       Exeunt

[Act 3 Scene 6]3.6

running scene 12

       Enter Count Rossillion [Bertram] and the [two] Frenchmen, as at first

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     Nay, good my lord, put him to’t,¹ let him have his way.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     If your lordship find him not a hilding,² hold me no more in your respect.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     On my life, my lord, a bubble.³

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     Do you think I am so far deceived in him?

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     Believe it, my lord, in mine own direct knowledge, without any malice, but to speak of him as⁶ my kinsman, he’s a most notable coward, an infinite and endless liar, an hourly promise-breaker, the owner of no one good quality worthy your lordship’s entertainment.⁸

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     It were fit you knew him, lest reposing⁹ too far in his virtue, which he hath not, he might at some great and trusty¹⁰ business in a main danger fail you.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     I would I knew in what particular action to try¹¹ him.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     None better than to let him fetch off¹² his drum, which you hear him so confidently undertake to do.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     I, with a troop of Florentines, will suddenly surprise¹⁴ him; such I will have whom I am sure he knows not¹⁵ from the enemy: we will bind and hoodwink him so, that he shall suppose no other but that he is carried into the leaguer¹⁶ of the adversaries, when we bring him to our own tents. Be but your lordship present at his examination. If he do not, for the promise of his life and in the highest compulsion of base fear, offer to betray you and deliver all the intelligence¹⁹ in his power against you, and that with the divine forfeit of his soul upon oath,²⁰ never trust my judgement in anything.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     O, for the love of laughter, let him fetch his drum. He says he has a stratagem for’t. When your lordship sees the bottom²³ of his success in’t, and to what metal this counterfeit lump of ore²⁴ will be melted, if you give him not John Drum’s entertainment, your inclining²⁵ cannot be removed. Here he comes.

       Enter Parolles

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     O, for the love of laughter, hinder not the honour of his design. Aside to Bertram Let him fetch off his drum in any hand.²⁷

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     How now, monsieur? This drum sticks²⁸ sorely in your disposition.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     A pox²⁹ on’t! Let it go, ’tis but a drum.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     ‘But a drum’? Is’t ‘but a drum’? A drum so lost? There was excellent command: to charge in with our horse upon our own wings,³¹ and to rend our own soldiers!

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     That was not to be blamed in³³ the command of the service: it was a disaster of war that Caesar himself could not have prevented if he had been there to command.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     Well, we cannot greatly condemn our success. Some dishonour we had in the loss of that drum, but it is not to be recovered.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     It might have been recovered.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     It might, but it is not now.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     It is to be recovered. But⁴⁰ that the merit of service is seldom attributed to the true and exact performer, I would have that drum or another, or hic jacet.⁴¹

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     Why, if you have a stomach,⁴² to’t, monsieur: if you think your mystery in stratagem can bring this⁴³ instrument of honour again into his native quarter, be magnanimous in the enterprise and go on. I will grace⁴⁴ the attempt for a worthy exploit. If you speed⁴⁵ well in it, the duke shall both speak of it and extend to you what further becomes⁴⁶ his greatness, even to the utmost syllable of your worthiness.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     By the hand of a soldier, I will undertake it.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     But you must not now slumber in it.⁴⁹

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     I’ll about it this evening, and I will presently⁵⁰ pen down my dilemmas, encourage myself in my certainty, put myself into my mortal preparation,⁵¹ and by midnight look to hear further from me.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     May I be bold to acquaint his grace you are gone about it?

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     I know not what the success will be, my lord, but the attempt I vow.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     I know thou’rt valiant, and to the possibility⁵⁵ of thy soldiership will subscribe⁵⁶ for thee. Farewell.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     I love not many words.

       Exit

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     No more than a fish loves water. Is not this a strange fellow, my lord, that so confidently seems to undertake this business, which he knows is not to be done, damns himself⁶⁰ to do and dares better be damned than to do’t?

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     You do not know him, my lord, as we do. Certain it is that he will steal himself into a man’s favour and for a week escape a great deal of discoveries, but when you find him out, you have⁶³ him ever after.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     Why, do you think he will make no deed⁶⁴ at all of this that so seriously he does address himself unto?

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     None in the world. But return with an invention and clap upon you two or three probable⁶⁷ lies. But we have almost embossed him. You shall see his fall tonight; for⁶⁸ indeed he is not for your lordship’s respect.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     We’ll make you some sport with the fox ere we case⁶⁹ him. He was first smoked⁷⁰ by the old lord Lafew. When his disguise and he is parted, tell me what a sprat⁷¹ you shall find him, which you shall see this very night.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     I must go look my twigs.⁷² He shall be caught.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     Your⁷³ brother he shall go along with me. To First Lord

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     As’t please your lordship. I’ll leave you.

       [Exit]

75

75   

BERTRAM

BERTRAM           Now will I lead you to the house, and show you

               The lass I spoke of.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     But you say she’s honest.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     That’s all the fault. I spoke with her but once

               And found her wondrous cold, but I sent to her

80

80           By this same coxcomb⁸⁰ that we have i’th’wind

               Tokens and letters which she did re-send.

               And this is all I have done. She’s a fair creature.

               Will you go see her?

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     With all my heart, my lord.

       Exeunt

[Act 3 Scene 7]3.7

running scene 13

       Enter Helen and Widow

HELEN

HELEN     If you misdoubt¹ me that I am not she,

               I know not how I shall assure you further,

               But³ I shall lose the grounds I work upon.

WIDOW

WIDOW     Though my estate⁴ be fall’n, I was well born,

5

5             Nothing acquainted with these businesses,

               And would not put my reputation now

               In any staining act.

HELEN

HELEN     Nor would I wish you.

               First, give me trust, the count he is my husband,

10

10           And what to your sworn counsel¹⁰ I have spoken

               Is so¹¹ from word to word. And then you cannot,

               By¹² the good aid that I of you shall borrow,

               Err in bestowing it.

WIDOW

WIDOW     I should believe you,

15

15           For you have showed me that which well approves¹⁵

               You’re great in fortune.

HELEN

HELEN     Take this purse of gold, Gives a purse

               And let me buy your friendly help thus far,

               Which I will over-pay and pay again

20

20           When I have found it.²⁰ The count he woos your daughter,

               Lays down his wanton²¹ siege before her beauty,

               Resolves to carry²² her: let her in fine consent,

               As we’ll direct her how ’tis best to bear²³ it.

               Now his important blood²⁴ will naught deny

25

25           That she’ll demand: a ring the county²⁵ wears,

               That downward hath succeeded in his house

               From son to son, some four or five descents

               Since the first father wore it. This ring he holds

               In most rich choice,²⁹ yet in his idle fire,

30

30           To buy his will,³⁰ it would not seem too dear,

               Howe’er repented after.

WIDOW

WIDOW     Now I see

               The bottom³³ of your purpose.

HELEN

HELEN     You see it lawful,³⁴ then: it is no more,

35

35           But that your daughter, ere she seems as won,

               Desires this ring; appoints³⁶ him an encounter;

               In fine, delivers me to fill the time,

               Herself most chastely absent. After,

               To marry her,³⁹ I’ll add three thousand crowns

40

40           To what is passed⁴⁰ already.

WIDOW

WIDOW     I have yielded:

               Instruct my daughter how she shall persever,⁴²

               That time and place with this deceit so lawful

               May prove coherent.⁴⁴ Every night he comes

45

45           With musics⁴⁵ of all sorts and songs composed

               To her unworthiness.⁴⁶ It nothing steads us

               To chide⁴⁷ him from our eaves, for he persists

               As if his life lay⁴⁸ on’t.

HELEN

HELEN     Why then tonight

50

50           Let us assay⁵⁰ our plot, which, if it speed,

               Is wicked meaning⁵¹ in a lawful deed,

               And lawful meaning in a lawful act,

               Where both not sin, and yet a sinful fact.⁵³

               But let’s about it.

       [Exeunt]

Act 4 [Scene 1]4.1

running scene 14

       Enter one of the Frenchmen [the First Lord Dumaine], with five or six other Soldiers in ambush

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     He can come no other way but by this hedge-corner. When you sally¹ upon him, speak what terrible² language you will: though you understand it not yourselves, no matter, for we must not seem to understand him, unless³ some one among us, whom we must produce for an interpreter.

FIRST SOLDIER

FIRST SOLDIER     Good captain, let me be th’interpreter.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     Art not acquainted with him? Knows he not thy voice?

FIRST SOLDIER

FIRST SOLDIER     No, sir, I warrant you.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     But what linsey-woolsey⁸ hast thou to speak to us again?

FIRST SOLDIER

FIRST SOLDIER     E’en such as you speak to me.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     He must think us some band of strangers¹⁰ i’th’adversary’s entertainment. Now he hath a smack¹¹ of all neighbouring languages: therefore we must every one be a man of his own fancy,¹² not to know what we speak one to another, so we seem to know, is to know straight¹³ our purpose: choughs’ language, gabble enough and good enough. As for you, interpreter, you must seem very politic.¹⁴ But couch,¹⁵ ho! Here he comes, to beguile two hours in a sleep, and then to return and swear the lies he forges. They hide

       Enter Parolles

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Ten o’clock. Within these three hours ’twill be time enough to go home. What shall I say I have done? It must be a very plausive¹⁸ invention that carries it. They begin to smoke¹⁹ me, and disgraces have of late knocked too often at my door. I find my tongue is too foolhardy, but my heart hath the fear of Mars before it and of his creatures,²¹ not daring the reports of my tongue.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     This is the first truth that e’er thine own tongue was guilty of. Speaks aside to the others throughout

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     What the devil should move me to undertake the recovery of this drum, being not ignorant of the impossibility, and knowing I had no such purpose? I must give myself some hurts,²⁵ and say I got them in exploit: yet slight ones will not carry it. They will say, ‘Came you off with so little?’ And great ones I dare not give. Wherefore, what’s the instance?²⁷ Tongue, I must put you into a butter-woman’s mouth and buy myself another of²⁸ Bajazet’s mule, if you prattle me into these perils.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     Is it possible he should know what he is, and be that he is?

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     I would the cutting of my garments would serve the turn,³¹ or the breaking of my Spanish sword.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     We cannot afford³³ you so.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Or the baring³⁴ of my beard, and to say it was in stratagem.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     ’Twould not do.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Or to drown my clothes, and say I was stripped.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     Hardly serve.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Though I swore I leaped from the window of the citadel.³⁸

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     How deep?

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Thirty fathom.⁴⁰

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     Three great oaths would scarce make that be believed.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     I would I had any drum of the enemy’s. I would swear I recovered it.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     You shall hear one anon.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     A drum now of the enemy’s—

       Alarum within The Lord and Soldiers come out of hiding

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     Throca movousus, cargo, cargo, cargo. First Soldier will act as Interpreter

ALL

ALL     Cargo, cargo, cargo, villianda par corbo, cargo. They seize and blindfold Parolles

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     O, ransom, ransom! Do not hide mine eyes.

INTERPRETER

INTERPRETER     Boskos thromuldo boskos.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     I know you are the Muskos’⁴⁹ regiment,

50

50           And I shall lose my life for want of language.

               If there be here German, or Dane, low Dutch,⁵¹

               Italian, or French, let him speak to me,

               I’ll discover⁵³ that which shall undo the Florentine.

INTERPRETER

INTERPRETER     Boskos vauvado. I understand thee, and can speak thy tongue. Kerelybonto. Sir, betake thee⁵⁵ to thy faith, for seventeen poniards are at thy bosom.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     O!

INTERPRETER

INTERPRETER     O, pray, pray, pray! Manka revania dulche.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     Oscorbidulchos volivorco.

INTERPRETER

INTERPRETER     The general is content to spare thee yet,

60

60           And, hoodwinked⁶⁰ as thou art, will lead thee on

               To gather⁶¹ from thee. Haply thou mayst inform

               Something to save thy life.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     O, let me live,

               And all the secrets of our camp I’ll show,

65

65           Their force, their purposes. Nay, I’ll speak that

               Which you will wonder at.

INTERPRETER

INTERPRETER     But wilt thou faithfully?

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     If I do not, damn me.

INTERPRETER

INTERPRETER     Acordo linta.

70

70           Come on, thou art granted space.⁷⁰

       Exeunt [with Parolles guarded]

       A short alarum within

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     Go tell the Count Rossillion and my brother

               We have caught the woodcock,⁷² and will keep him muffled

               Till we do hear from them.

SECOND SOLDIER

SECOND SOLDIER     Captain, I will.

75

75   

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD           A⁷⁵ will betray us all unto ourselves:

               Inform on⁷⁶ that.

SECOND SOLDIER

SECOND SOLDIER     So I will, sir.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     Till then I’ll keep him dark and safely locked.

       Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 2]4.2

running scene 15

       Enter Bertram and the maid called Diana

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     They told me that your name was Fontybell.¹

DIANA

DIANA     No, my good lord, Diana.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     Titled goddess,³

               And worth⁴ it, with addition! But, fair soul,

5

5             In your fine frame⁵ hath love no quality?

               If the quick⁶ fire of youth light not your mind,

               You are no maiden, but a monument.⁷

               When you are dead, you should be such a one

               As you are now, for you are cold and stern,

10

10           And now you should be as your mother was

               When your sweet self was got.¹¹

DIANA

DIANA     She then was honest.¹²

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     So should you be.

DIANA

DIANA     No:

15

15           My mother did but duty, such, my lord,

               As you owe to your wife.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     No more o’that.

               I prithee do not strive against my vows:¹⁸

               I was compelled to her, but I love thee

20

20           By love’s own sweet constraint,²⁰ and will forever

               Do thee all rights²¹ of service.

DIANA

DIANA     Ay, so you serve us

               Till we serve²³ you, but when you have our roses,

               You barely²⁴ leave our thorns to prick ourselves

25

25           And mock us with our bareness.²⁵

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     How have I sworn!

DIANA

DIANA     ’Tis not the many oaths that makes the truth,

               But the plain single vow that is vowed true.

               What is not holy, that we swear not by,

30

30           But take the high’st³⁰ to witness. Then, pray you tell me:

               If I should swear by Jove’s³¹ great attributes,

               I loved you dearly, would you believe my oaths

               When I did love you ill?³³ This has no holding,

               To swear by him whom I protest³⁴ to love

35

35           That I will work against him: therefore your oaths

               Are words³⁶ and poor conditions but unsealed,

               At least in my opinion.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     Change it,³⁸ change it.

               Be not so holy-cruel:³⁹ love is holy,

40

40           And my integrity ne’er knew the crafts⁴⁰

               That you do charge men with. Stand no more off,

               But give thyself unto my sick⁴² desires,

               Who⁴³ then recovers. Say thou art mine, and ever

               My love as it begins shall so persèver.

45

45   

DIANA

DIANA           I see that men make ropes in such a scarre⁴⁵

               That we’ll forsake ourselves. Give me that ring.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM      I’ll lend it thee, my dear, but have no power

               To give it from me.

DIANA

DIANA     Will you not, my lord?

50

50   

BERTRAM

BERTRAM           It is an honour⁵⁰ ’longing to our house,

               Bequeathèd down from many ancestors,

               Which were the greatest obloquy⁵² i’th’world

               In me to lose.

DIANA

DIANA     Mine honour’s⁵⁴ such a ring:

55

55           My chastity’s the jewel of our house,

               Bequeathèd down from many ancestors,

               Which were the greatest obloquy i’th’world

               In me to lose. Thus your own proper⁵⁸ wisdom

               Brings in the champion honour on my part

60

60           Against your vain assault.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     Here, take my ring. Gives her a ring

               My house, mine honour, yea, my life, be thine,

               And I’ll be bid⁶³ by thee.

DIANA

DIANA     When midnight comes, knock at my chamber-window:

65

65           I’ll order take⁶⁵ my mother shall not hear.

               Now will I charge you in the band⁶⁶ of truth,

               When you have conquered my yet maiden⁶⁷ bed,

               Remain there but an hour, nor speak to me.

               My reasons are most strong and you shall know them

70

70           When back again this ring shall be delivered:

               And on your finger in the night I’ll put

               Another ring, that what in time proceeds⁷²

               May token⁷³ to the future our past deeds.

               Adieu, till then. Then, fail not. You have won

75

75           A wife⁷⁵ of me, though there my hope be done.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     A heaven on earth I have won by wooing thee.

       [Exit]

DIANA

DIANA     For which live long to thank both heaven and me.

               You may so in the end.

               My mother told me just how he would woo,

80

80           As if she sat in’s heart. She says all men

               Have the like⁸¹ oaths. He had sworn to marry me

               When his wife’s dead: therefore I’ll lie with him

               When I am buried. Since Frenchmen are so braid,⁸³

               Marry⁸⁴ that will, I live and die a maid.

85

85           Only in this disguise⁸⁵ I think’t no sin

               To cozen⁸⁶ him that would unjustly win.

       Exit

[Act 4 Scene 3]4.3

running scene 16

       Enter the two French Captains [the Lords Dumaine] and some two or three Soldiers

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     You have not given him his mother’s letter?

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     I have delivered it an hour since:² there is something in’t that stings his nature, for on the reading it he changed almost into another man.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     He has much worthy⁴ blame laid upon him for shaking off so good a wife and so sweet a lady.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     Especially he hath incurred the everlasting displeasure of the king, who had even tuned his bounty⁷ to sing happiness to him. I will tell you a thing, but you shall let it dwell darkly⁸ with you.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     When you have spoken it, ’tis dead, and I am the grave of it.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     He hath perverted¹⁰ a young gentlewoman here in Florence, of a most chaste renown, and this night he fleshes¹¹ his will in the spoil of her honour. He hath given her his monumental¹² ring, and thinks himself made in the unchaste composition.¹³

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     Now, God delay¹⁴ our rebellion! As we are ourselves, what things are we!

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     Merely¹⁵ our own traitors. And as in the common course of all treasons, we still¹⁶ see them reveal themselves, till they attain to their abhorred ends, so he that in this action contrives¹⁷ against his own nobility, in his proper stream o’erflows himself.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     Is¹⁹ it not meant damnable in us, to be trumpeters of our unlawful intents? We shall not then have his company tonight?

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     Not till after midnight, for he is dieted²¹ to his hour.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     That approaches apace.²² I would gladly have him see his company anatomized,²³ that he might take a measure of his own judgements, wherein so curiously²⁴ he had set this counterfeit.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     We will not meddle with him²⁵ till he come, for his presence must be the whip of the other.²⁶

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     In the meantime, what hear you of these wars?

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     I hear there is an overture²⁸ of peace.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     Nay, I assure you, a peace concluded.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     What will Count Rossillion do then? Will he travel higher,³⁰ or return again into France?

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     I perceive by this demand,³² you are not altogether of his council.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     Let it be forbid, sir! So should I be a great deal³³ of his act.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     Sir, his wife some two months since fled from his house. Her pretence³⁴ is a pilgrimage to Saint Jaques le Grand; which holy undertaking with most austere sanctimony³⁶ she accomplished. And there residing, the tenderness of her nature became as a prey to her grief; in fine, made a groan of her last breath, and now she sings in heaven.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     How is this justified?³⁹

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     The stronger part of it by her own letters, which makes her story true, even to the point of her death. Her death itself, which could not be her office⁴¹ to say is come, was faithfully confirmed by the rector⁴² of the place.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     Hath the count all this intelligence?

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     Ay, and the particular confirmations, point from point, to the full arming⁴⁴ of the verity.⁴⁵

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     I am heartily sorry that he’ll be glad of this.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     How mightily sometimes we make⁴⁷ us comforts of our losses!

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     And how mightily some other times we drown our gain in tears! The great dignity that his valour hath here acquired for him shall at home be encountered⁵⁰ with a shame as ample.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     The web of our life is of a mingled yarn, good and ill together: our virtues would be proud if our faults whipped them not; and our crimes would despair if they were not cherished⁵³ by our virtues.

       Enter a [Servant as a] Messenger

       How now! Where’s your master?

SERVANT

SERVANT     He met the duke in the street, sir, of whom he hath taken a solemn⁵⁵ leave: his lordship will next morning for⁵⁶ France. The duke hath offered him letters of commendations to the king.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     They shall be no more than needful⁵⁸ there, if they were more than they can commend.

       Enter Count Rossillion [Bertram]

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     They cannot be too sweet for the king’s tartness. Here’s his lordship now.— How now, my lord! Is’t not after midnight?

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     I have tonight dispatched⁶² sixteen businesses, a month’s length apiece, by an abstract of success: I have congied with⁶³ the duke, done my adieu with his nearest,⁶⁴ buried a wife, mourned for her, writ to my lady mother I am returning, entertained my convoy⁶⁵ and between these main parcels of dispatch effected many nicer⁶⁶ needs. The last was the greatest, but that I have not ended yet.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     If the business be of any difficulty, and this morning your departure hence, it requires haste of your lordship.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     I mean, the business is not ended, as fearing to hear of it⁶⁹ hereafter. But shall we have this dialogue between the fool and the soldier? Come, bring forth this counterfeit module,⁷¹ h’as deceived me like a double-meaning prophesier.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     Bring him forth. To Soldiers

               H’as sat i’th’stocks⁷³ all night, poor gallant knave.

       [Exit some Soldiers]

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     No matter. His heels have deserved it in usurping⁷⁴ his spurs so long. How does he carry⁷⁵ himself?

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     I have told your lordship already, the stocks carry him. But to answer you as you would be understood: he weeps like a wench that had shed⁷⁷ her milk, he hath confessed himself to Morgan, whom he supposes to be a friar, from the time⁷⁹ of his remembrance to this very instant disaster of his setting i’th’stocks. And what think you he hath confessed?

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     Nothing of me, has a?⁸¹

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     His confession is taken, and it shall be read to his face: if your lordship be in’t, as I believe you are, you must have the patience to hear it.

       Enter Parolles [blindfolded] with his Interpreter

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     A plague upon him! Muffled? He can say nothing of me. Hush, hush.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     Hoodman⁸⁵ comes! Portotartarossa.

INTERPRETER

INTERPRETER     He calls for the tortures. What will you say without ’em?

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     I will confess what I know without constraint.⁸⁷ If ye pinch me like a pasty, I can say no more.

INTERPRETER

INTERPRETER     Bosko chimurcho.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     Boblibindo chicurmurco.

INTERPRETER

INTERPRETER     You are a merciful general. Our general bids you answer to what I shall ask you out of a note.⁹²

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     And truly, as I hope to live.

INTERPRETER

INTERPRETER     ‘First demand of him how many horse⁹⁴ the duke is strong.’ Pretends to read What say you to that?

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Five or six thousand, but very weak and unserviceable. The troops are all scattered, and the commanders very poor rogues, upon my reputation and credit and as I hope to live.

INTERPRETER

INTERPRETER     Shall I set down your answer so?

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Do. I’ll take the sacrament¹⁰⁰ on’t, how and which way you will. Bertram and the Lords speak aside throughout

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     All’s one¹⁰¹ to him. What a past-saving slave is this?

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     You’re deceived, my lord: this is Monsieur Parolles, the gallant militarist — that was his own phrase — that had the whole theoric¹⁰³ of war in the knot of his scarf, and the practice in the chape¹⁰⁴ of his dagger.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     I will never trust a man again for keeping his sword clean,¹⁰⁵ nor believe he can have everything in him by wearing his apparel neatly.

INTERPRETER

INTERPRETER     Well, that’s set down. To Parolles

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     ‘Five or six thousand horse,’ I said — I will say true — ‘or thereabouts’, set down, for I’ll speak truth.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     He’s very near the truth in this.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     But I con¹¹¹ him no thanks for’t, in the nature he delivers it.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     ‘Poor rogues’, I pray you say.

INTERPRETER

INTERPRETER     Well, that’s set down.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     I humbly thank you, sir. A truth’s a truth, the rogues are marvellous¹¹⁴ poor.

INTERPRETER

INTERPRETER     ‘Demand of him, of what strength they are a-foot.¹¹⁵’ Pretends to read What say you to that?

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     By my troth, sir, if I were to live¹¹⁷ this present hour, I will tell true. Let me see: Spurio, a hundred and fifty: Sebastian, so¹¹⁸ many: Corambus, so many: Jaques, so many: Guiltian, Cosmo, Lodowick and Gratii, two hundred fifty each: mine own company, Chitopher, Vaumond, Bentii, two hundred fifty each. So that the muster-file,¹²¹ rotten and sound, upon my life, amounts not to fifteen thousand poll, half of the which dare not shake the snow from off their cassocks,¹²² lest they shake themselves to pieces.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     What shall be done to him?

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     Nothing, but let him have thanks. Demand of him my condition,¹²⁵ and what credit I have with the duke.

INTERPRETER

INTERPRETER     Well, that’s set down. Pretends to read ‘You shall demand of him, whether one Captain Dumaine be i’th’camp, a Frenchman, what his reputation is with the duke, what his valour, honesty, and expertness in wars, or whether he thinks it were not possible, with well-weighing¹³⁰ sums of gold, to corrupt him to a revolt.’ What say you to this? What do you know of it?

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     I beseech you let me answer to the particular¹³² of the inter’gatories: demand them singly.

INTERPRETER

INTERPRETER     Do you know this Captain Dumaine?

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     I know him: a was a botcher’s¹³⁵ ’prentice in Paris, from whence he was whipped for getting the shrieve’s fool¹³⁶ with child — a dumb innocent that could not say him nay.¹³⁷ First Lord attempts to hit Parolles

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     Nay, by your leave, hold your hands, though I know his¹³⁸ brains are forfeit to the next tile that falls.

INTERPRETER

INTERPRETER     Well, is this captain in the Duke of Florence’s camp?

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Upon my knowledge he is, and lousy.¹⁴¹

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     Nay look not so upon me. We shall hear of your lord anon.

INTERPRETER

INTERPRETER     What is his reputation with the duke?

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     The duke knows him for no other but a poor officer of mine, and writ to me this other day to turn him out o’th’band.¹⁴⁵ I think I have his letter in my pocket.

INTERPRETER

INTERPRETER     Marry, we’ll search. They search his pockets

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     In good sadness,¹⁴⁷ I do not know. Either it is there, or it is upon a file with the duke’s other letters in my tent.

INTERPRETER

INTERPRETER     Here ’tis. Here’s a paper. Shall I read it to you?

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     I do not know if it be it or no.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     Our interpreter does it well.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     Excellently.

INTERPRETER

INTERPRETER     ‘Dian, the count’s a fool, and full of gold’— Reads

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     That is not the duke’s letter, sir. That is an advertisement¹⁵⁴ to a proper maid in Florence, one Diana, to take heed of the allurement of one Count Rossillion, a foolish idle boy, but for all that very ruttish.¹⁵⁶ I pray you, sir, put it up again.

INTERPRETER

INTERPRETER     Nay, I’ll read it first, by your favour.¹⁵⁷

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     My meaning in’t, I protest, was very honest in the behalf of the maid, for I knew the young count to be a dangerous and lascivious boy, who is a whale to virginity and devours up all the fry¹⁶⁰ it finds.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     Damnable both-sides¹⁶¹ rogue!

INTERPRETER

INTERPRETER     ‘When he swears oaths, bid him drop¹⁶² gold, and take it.

       [Reads the] letter

               After he scores,¹⁶³ he never pays the score.

               Half¹⁶⁴ won is match well made, match and well make it;

165

165         He ne’er pays after-debts,¹⁶⁵ take it before.

               And say a soldier, Dian, told thee this:

               Men are to mell¹⁶⁷ with, boys are not to kiss.

               For count¹⁶⁸ of this, the count’s a fool, I know it,

               Who pays before,¹⁶⁹ but not when he does owe it.

170

170         Thine, as he vowed to thee in thine ear, Parolles.’

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     He shall be whipped through the army with this rhyme in’s¹⁷¹ forehead.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     This is your devoted friend, sir, the manifold linguist¹⁷² and the armipotent¹⁷³ soldier.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     I could endure anything before but a cat, and now he’s a cat to me.

INTERPRETER

INTERPRETER     I perceive, sir, by the general’s looks, we shall be fain¹⁷⁵ to hang you.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     My life, sir, in any case. Not that I am afraid to die, but that, my offences being many, I would repent out the remainder of nature.¹⁷⁷ Let me live, sir, in a dungeon, i’th’stocks, or anywhere, so I may live.

INTERPRETER

INTERPRETER     We’ll see what may be done, so you confess freely: therefore, once more to this Captain Dumaine. You have answered to his reputation with the duke and to his valour. What is his honesty?

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     He will steal, sir, an egg¹⁸² out of a cloister, for rapes and ravishments he parallels Nessus.¹⁸³ He professes not keeping of oaths, in breaking ’em he is stronger than Hercules.¹⁸⁴ He will lie, sir, with such volubility that you would think truth were a fool. Drunkenness is his best virtue, for he will be swine-drunk,¹⁸⁵ and in his sleep he does little harm, save to his bed-clothes about him. But they¹⁸⁶ know his conditions¹⁸⁷ and lay him in straw. I have but little more to say, sir, of his honesty: he has everything that an honest man should not have; what an honest man should have, he has nothing.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     I begin to love him for this.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     For this description of thine honesty? A pox upon him for me. He’s more and more a cat.

INTERPRETER

INTERPRETER     What say you to his expertness in war?

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Faith, sir, h’as led¹⁹⁴ the drum before the English tragedians — to belie him, I will not — and more of his soldiership I know not, except, in that country he had the honour to be the officer at a place there called Mile-end,¹⁹⁶ to instruct for the doubling of files.¹⁹⁷ I would do the man what honour I can, but of this I am not certain.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     He hath out-villained villainy so far that the rarity redeems him.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     A pox on him, he’s a cat still.

INTERPRETER

INTERPRETER     His qualities being at this poor price, I need not to ask you if gold will corrupt him to revolt.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Sir, for a cardecue²⁰³ he will sell the fee-simple of his salvation, the inheritance of it, and cut²⁰⁴ th’entail from all remainders, and a perpetual succession for it perpetually.

INTERPRETER

INTERPRETER     What’s his brother, the other Captain Dumaine?

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     Why does he ask him of me?

INTERPRETER

INTERPRETER     What’s he?

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     E’en a crow o’th’same nest: not altogether so great as the first in goodness, but greater a great deal in evil. He excels his brother for²¹⁰ a coward, yet his brother is reputed one of the best that is. In a retreat he outruns any lackey;²¹¹ marry, in coming on²¹² he has the cramp.

INTERPRETER

INTERPRETER     If your life be saved, will you undertake to betray the Florentine?

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Ay, and the captain²¹⁴ of his horse, Count Rossillion.

INTERPRETER

INTERPRETER     I’ll whisper with the general, and know his pleasure.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     I’ll no more²¹⁶ drumming. Aside A plague of all drums! Only to seem to deserve well, and to beguile the supposition²¹⁷ of that lascivious young boy, the count, have I run into this danger. Yet who would have suspected an ambush where I was taken?

INTERPRETER

INTERPRETER     There is no remedy, sir, but you must die. The general says, you that have so traitorously discovered²²¹ the secrets of your army and made such pestiferous²²² reports of men very nobly held, can serve the world for no honest use: therefore you must die. Come, headsman, off with his head.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     O lord, sir, let me live, or let me see my death!

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     That shall you, and take your leave of all your friends. Unblindfolds him So, look about you: know you any here?

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     Good morrow, noble captain.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     God bless you, Captain Parolles.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     God save you, noble captain.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     Captain, what greeting will you²³⁰ to my Lord Lafew? I am for France.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     Good captain,²³¹ will you give me a copy of the sonnet you writ to Diana in behalf of the Count Rossillion? An I were not a very²³² coward, I’d compel it of you. But fare you well.

       Exeunt [Bertram and Lords]

INTERPRETER

INTERPRETER     You are undone,²³⁴ captain — all but your scarf that has a knot on’t yet.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Who cannot be crushed with a plot?

INTERPRETER

INTERPRETER     If you could find out a country where but²³⁶ women were that had received so much shame, you might begin an impudent²³⁷ nation. Fare ye well, sir. I am for France too. We shall speak of you there.

       Exeunt [Interpreter and Soldiers]

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Yet am I thankful. If my heart were great²³⁹

240

240         ’Twould burst at this. Captain I’ll be no more,

               But I will eat and drink, and sleep as soft

               As captain shall. Simply the thing I am

               Shall make me live. Who²⁴³ knows himself a braggart,

               Let him fear this; for it will come to pass

245

245         That every braggart shall be found an ass.

               Rust, sword. Cool, blushes. And, Parolles, live

               Safest in shame. Being fooled,²⁴⁷ by fool’ry thrive;

               There’s place and means for every man alive.

               I’ll after them.

       Exit

[Act 4 Scene 4]4.4

running scene 17

       Enter Helen, Widow and Diana

HELEN

HELEN     That you may well perceive I have not wronged you,

               One² of the greatest in the Christian world

               Shall be my surety,³ ’fore whose throne ’tis needful,

               Ere I can perfect mine intents, to kneel.

5

5             Time was, I did him a desirèd office,

               Dear almost as his life, which gratitude⁶

               Through⁷ flinty Tartar’s bosom would peep forth,

               And answer thanks. I duly am informed

               His grace is at Marseilles, to which place

10

10           We have convenient convoy.¹⁰ You must know

               I am supposèd dead. The army breaking,¹¹

               My husband hies him¹² home, where, heaven aiding,

               And by the leave of my good lord the king,

               We’ll be before our welcome.¹⁴

15

15   

WIDOW

WIDOW           Gentle madam,

               You never had a servant to whose trust

               Your business was more welcome.

HELEN

HELEN     Nor you, mistress,

               Ever a friend whose thoughts more truly labour

20

20           To recompense your love. Doubt not but heaven

               Hath brought me up to be²¹ your daughter’s dower,

               As it hath fated her to be my motive²²

               And helper to a husband. But, O strange men,

               That can such sweet use make of what they hate,

25

25           When saucy trusting²⁵ of the cozened thoughts

               Defiles²⁶ the pitchy night, so lust doth play

               With what it loathes²⁷ for that which is away.

               But more of this hereafter. You, Diana,

               Under my poor instructions yet²⁹ must suffer

30

30           Something in my behalf.

DIANA

DIANA     Let death and honesty³¹

               Go with³² your impositions, I am yours,

               Upon³³ your will to suffer.

HELEN

HELEN     Yet,³⁴ I pray you:

35

35           But with the word³⁵ the time will bring on summer,

               When briars shall have leaves as well as thorns,

               And be as sweet as sharp. We must away.

               Our wagon is prepared, and time revives³⁸ us:

               All’s well that ends well, still the fine’s³⁹ the crown;

40

40           Whate’er the course, the end is the renown.⁴⁰

       Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 5]4.5

running scene 18

       Enter Clown [Lavatch], Old Lady [Countess] and Lafew

LAFEW

LAFEW     No, no, no, your son was misled with¹ a snipt-taffeta fellow there, whose villainous saffron² would have made all the unbaked and doughy youth of a nation in his colour. Your³ daughter-in-law had been alive at this hour, and your son here at home, more advanced by the king than by that red-tailed humble-bee⁴ I speak of.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     I would I had not known him. It was the death of the most virtuous gentlewoman that ever nature had praise for creating. If she had partaken of my flesh, and cost me the dearest⁸ groans of a mother, I could not have owed her a more rooted⁹ love.

LAFEW

LAFEW     ’Twas a good lady, ’twas a good lady. We may pick a thousand salads ere we light on¹¹ such another herb.

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     Indeed, sir, she was the sweet marjoram¹² of the salad, or rather, the herb of grace.

LAFEW

LAFEW     They are not herbs,¹⁴ you knave, they are nose-herbs.

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     I am no great Nebuchadnezzar,¹⁵ sir. I have not much skill in grace.

LAFEW

LAFEW     Whether¹⁶ dost thou profess thyself, a knave or a fool?

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     A fool,¹⁷ sir, at a woman’s service, and a knave at a man’s.

LAFEW

LAFEW     Your distinction?

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     I would cozen¹⁹ the man of his wife and do his service.

LAFEW

LAFEW     So you were a knave at his service, indeed.

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     And I would give his wife my bauble,²¹ sir, to do her service.

LAFEW

LAFEW     I will subscribe²² for thee, thou art both knave and fool.

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     At your service.

LAFEW

LAFEW     No, no, no.

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     Why, sir, if I cannot serve you, I can serve as great a prince as you are.

LAFEW

LAFEW     Who’s that? A Frenchman?

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     Faith, sir, a has an English maine,²⁷ but his fisnomy is more hotter in France than there.

LAFEW

LAFEW     What prince is that?

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     The black prince,³⁰ sir, alias the prince of darkness, alias the devil.

LAFEW

LAFEW     Hold thee,³¹ there’s my purse: Gives a purse I give thee not this to suggest thee from thy master thou talkest of. Serve him still.

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     I am a woodland³³ fellow, sir, that always loved a great fire, and the master I speak of ever keeps a good fire. But sure he is the prince³⁴ of the world. Let his nobility remain in’s court. I am for the house with the narrow gate,³⁵ which I take to be too little for pomp³⁶ to enter. Some that humble themselves may, but the many³⁷ will be too chill and tender, and they’ll be for the flowery way that leads to the broad gate and the great fire.

LAFEW

LAFEW     Go thy ways,³⁹ I begin to be aweary of thee, and I tell thee so before, because I would not fall out with thee. Go thy ways. Let my horses be well looked to, without any tricks.⁴¹

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     If I put any tricks upon ’em, sir, they shall be jades’ tricks,⁴² which are their own right by the law of nature.

       Exit

LAFEW

LAFEW     A shrewd⁴⁴ knave and an unhappy.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     So a is. My lord that’s gone⁴⁵ made himself much sport out of him. By his authority he remains here, which he thinks is a patent for his sauciness, and indeed he has no pace,⁴⁷ but runs where he will.

LAFEW

LAFEW     I like him well, ’tis not amiss. And I was about to tell you, since I heard of the good lady’s⁴⁹ death and that my lord your son was upon his return home, I moved the king my master to speak in the behalf of my daughter, which, in the minority⁵⁰ of them both, his majesty, out of a self-gracious remembrance⁵¹ did first propose. His highness hath promised me to do it, and to stop up the displeasure he hath conceived against your son, there is no fitter matter. How does your ladyship like it?

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     With very much content, my lord, and I wish it happily effected.

LAFEW

LAFEW     His highness comes post⁵⁶ from Marseilles, of as able body as when he numbered⁵⁷ thirty. A will be here tomorrow, or I am deceived by him that in such intelligence⁵⁸ hath seldom failed.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     It rejoices me that I hope I shall see him ere I die. I have letters that my son will be here tonight. I shall beseech your lordship to remain with me till they meet together.

LAFEW

LAFEW     Madam, I was thinking with⁶² what manners I might safely be admitted.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     You need but⁶³ plead your honourable privilege.

LAFEW

LAFEW     Lady, of that I have made a bold charter,⁶⁴ but I thank my God it holds yet.

       Enter Clown [Lavatch]

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     O madam, yonder’s my lord your son with a patch of velvet⁶⁵ on’s face. Whether there be a scar under’t or no, the velvet knows,⁶⁶ but ’tis a goodly patch of velvet: his left cheek is a cheek of two⁶⁷ pile and a half, but his right cheek is worn bare.⁶⁸

LAFEW

LAFEW     A scar nobly got, or a noble scar, is a good liv’ry⁶⁹ of honour, so belike is that.

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     But it is your carbonadoed⁷⁰ face.

LAFEW

LAFEW     Let us go see your son, I pray you. I long to talk with the young noble soldier.

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     Faith, there’s a dozen of ’em, with delicate fine hats and most courteous feathers, which bow the head and nod at every man.

       Exeunt

Act 5 [Scene 1]5.1

running scene 19

       Enter Helen, Widow and Diana, with two Attendants

HELEN

HELEN     But this exceeding posting¹ day and night

               Must wear² your spirits low. We cannot help it:

               But since you have made the days and nights as one,

               To wear your gentle limbs in my affairs,

5

5             Be bold⁵ you do so grow in my requital

               As nothing can unroot you. In happy time.⁶

       Enter a Gentle Astringer Perhaps with a hawk

               This man may help me to his majesty’s ear,

               If he would spend⁸ his power. God save you, sir.

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN     And you.

10

10   

HELEN

HELEN           Sir, I have seen you in the court of France.

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN     I have been sometimes there.

HELEN

HELEN     I do presume, sir, that you are not fall’n¹²

               From the report that goes upon your goodness,

               And therefore, goaded with most sharp¹⁴ occasions

15

15           Which lay nice¹⁵ manners by, I put you to

               The use of your own virtues, for the which

               I shall continue thankful.

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN     What’s your will?

HELEN

HELEN     That it will please you

20

20           To give this poor petition²⁰ to the king, Shows a petition

               And aid me with that store of power you have

               To come into his presence.

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN     The king’s not here.

HELEN

HELEN     Not here, sir?

25

25   

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN           Not, indeed.

               He hence removed²⁶ last night, and with more haste

               Than is his use.²⁷

WIDOW

WIDOW     Lord, how we lose our pains!²⁸

HELEN

HELEN     All’s well that ends well yet,

30

30           Though time seem so adverse and means unfit.

               I do beseech you, whither is he gone?

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN     Marry, as I take it, to Rossillion,

               Whither I am going.

HELEN

HELEN     I do beseech you, sir,

35

35           Since you are like³⁵ to see the king before me,

               Commend³⁶ the paper to his gracious hand, Gives petition

               Which I presume³⁷ shall render you no blame,

               But rather make you thank your pains for it.

               I will come after you with what good speed

40

40           Our means⁴⁰ will make us means.

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN     This I’ll do for you.

HELEN

HELEN     And you shall find yourself to be well thanked,

               Whate’er falls more.⁴³ We must to horse again.

               Go, go, provide.⁴⁴

       [Exeunt, separately]

[Act 5 Scene 2]5.2

running scene 20

       Enter Clown [Lavatch] and Parolles

PAROLLES

PAROLLES      Good Monsieur Lavache,¹ give my lord Lafew this letter. Gives Lavatch a letter I have ere now, sir, been better known to you, when I have held familiarity with fresher clothes. But I am now, sir, muddied in Fortune’s mood,³ and smell somewhat strong of her strong displeasure.

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     Truly, Fortune’s displeasure is but sluttish⁵ if it smell so strongly as thou speakest of. I will henceforth eat no fish of Fortune’s butt’ring.⁶ Prithee allow the wind.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Nay, you need not to stop⁸ your nose, sir. I spake but by a metaphor.

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     Indeed, sir, if your metaphor stink, I will stop my nose, or against any man’s metaphor. Prithee get thee further.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Pray you, sir, deliver me¹¹ this paper.

LAVATCH

LAVATCH     Foh! Prithee stand away. A paper¹² from Fortune’s close-stool to give to a nobleman! Look, here he comes himself.

       Enter Lafew

               Here is a purr¹⁴ of Fortune’s, sir, or of Fortune’s cat — but not a musk-cat — that has fallen into the unclean fishpond of her displeasure, and as he says, is muddied withal.¹⁶ Pray you, sir, use the carp as you may, for he looks like a poor, decayed, ingenious,¹⁷ foolish, rascally knave. I do pity his distress in my smiles of comfort and leave him to your lordship.

       Exit

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     My lord, I am a man whom Fortune hath cruelly scratched.

LAFEW

LAFEW     And what would you have me to do? ’Tis too late to pare²⁰ her nails now. Wherein have you played the knave with Fortune that she should scratch you, who of herself is a good lady and would not have knaves thrive long under her? There’s a cardecue²³ for you. Gives coin Let the justices make you and Fortune friends; I am for other business. Starts to leave

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     I beseech your honour to hear me one single word.

LAFEW

LAFEW     You beg a single penny more. Gives another coin Come, you shall ha’t, save your word.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     My name, my good lord, is Parolles.

LAFEW

LAFEW     You beg more than ‘word’²⁸ then. Cox my passion! Give me your hand. How does your drum?

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     O my good lord, you were the first that found me.³⁰

LAFEW

LAFEW     Was I, in sooth?³¹ And I was the first that lost thee.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     It lies in³² you, my lord, to bring me in some grace, for you did bring me out.

LAFEW

LAFEW     Out upon thee,³³ knave! Dost thou put upon me at once both the office of God and the devil? One brings thee in grace and the other brings thee out. Trumpets sound The king’s coming. I know by his trumpets. Sirrah, inquire³⁵ further after me. I had talk of you last night. Though you are a fool and a knave, you shall eat. Go to, follow.

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     I praise God for you.

       [Exeunt]

[Act 5 Scene 3]

running scene 20 continues

       Flourish. Enter King, Old Lady [Countess], Lafew, the two French Lords, with Attendants

KING

KING     We lost a jewel of¹ her, and our esteem

               Was made much poorer by it: but your son,

               As mad in folly, lacked the sense to know

               Her estimation home.⁴

5

5     

COUNTESS

COUNTESS           ’Tis past, my liege,

               And I beseech your majesty to make⁶ it

               Natural⁷ rebellion, done i’th’blade of youth,

               When oil and fire, too strong for reason’s force,

               O’erbears it and burns on.

10

10   

KING

KING           My honoured lady,

               I have forgiven and forgotten all,

               Though my revenges were high bent¹² upon him,

               And watched¹³ the time to shoot.

LAFEW

LAFEW     This I must say,

15

15           But first I beg my pardon,¹⁵ the young lord

               Did to his majesty, his mother and his lady

               Offence of mighty note; but to himself

               The greatest wrong of all. He lost a wife

               Whose beauty did astonish¹⁹ the survey

20

20           Of richest²⁰ eyes, whose words all ears took captive,

               Whose dear perfection hearts that scorned to serve

               Humbly called mistress.

KING

KING     Praising what is lost

               Makes the remembrance dear. Well, call him hither.

25

25           We are reconciled, and the first view²⁵ shall kill

               All repetition. Let him not ask our pardon.

               The nature of his great offence is dead,²⁷

               And deeper than oblivion we do bury

               Th’incensing relics²⁹ of it. Let him approach

30

30           A stranger,³⁰ no offender; and inform him

               So ’tis our will he should.

GENTLEMAN³²

GENTLEMAN     I shall, my liege.

       [Exit]

KING

KING     What says he to your daughter? Have you spoke? To Lafew

LAFEW

LAFEW     All that he is hath reference to³⁴ your highness.

35

35   

KING

KING           Then shall we have a match. I have letters sent me

               That sets him high in fame.

       Enter Count Bertram With a patch of velvet on his left cheek

LAFEW

LAFEW     He looks well on’t.

KING

KING     I am not a day of season,³⁸

               For thou mayst see a sunshine and a hail

40

40           In me at once. But to the brightest beams

               Distracted⁴¹ clouds give way, so stand thou forth.

               The time is fair again.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     My high-repented blames,⁴³

               Dear sovereign, pardon to⁴⁴ me.

45

45   

KING

KING           All is whole.⁴⁵

               Not one word more of the consumèd⁴⁶ time.

               Let’s take⁴⁷ the instant by the forward top,

               For we are old, and on our quick’st⁴⁸ decrees

               Th’inaudible and noiseless foot of time

50

50           Steals ere we can effect them. You remember

               The daughter of this lord?

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     Admiringly, my liege. At first

               I stuck⁵³ my choice upon her, ere my heart

               Durst⁵⁴ make too bold a herald of my tongue,

55

55           Where⁵⁵ the impression of mine eye infixing,

               Contempt his scornful perspective⁵⁶ did lend me,

               Which warped the line of every other favour,⁵⁷

               Scorned a fair colour,⁵⁸ or expressed it stol’n,

               Extended or contracted⁵⁹ all proportions

60

60           To a most hideous object.⁶⁰ Thence it came

               That she⁶¹ whom all men praised and whom myself,

               Since I have lost, have loved, was in mine eye

               The dust that did offend it.

KING

KING     Well excused.

65

65           That thou didst love her, strikes some scores⁶⁵ away

               From the great count.⁶⁶ But love that comes too late,

               Like a remorseful⁶⁷ pardon slowly carried,

               To the great sender turns⁶⁸ a sour offence,

               Crying, ‘That’s good that’s gone.’ Our rash faults

70

70           Make trivial price⁷⁰ of serious things we have,

               Not knowing⁷¹ them until we know their grave.

               Oft our displeasures,⁷² to ourselves unjust,

               Destroy our friends and after weep⁷³ their dust.

               Our own love waking cries to see what’s done,

75

75           While shameful hate sleeps out⁷⁵ the afternoon.

               Be this sweet Helen’s knell,⁷⁶ and now forget her.

               Send forth your amorous token for fair Maudlin.⁷⁷

               The main consents⁷⁸ are had, and here we’ll stay

               To see our widower’s second marriage day,

80

80           Which better than the first, O dear heaven, bless!

               Or, ere they meet,⁸¹ in me, O nature, cesse!

LAFEW

LAFEW     Come on, my son, in whom my house’s name

               Must be digested,⁸³ give a favour from you

               To sparkle in the spirits of my daughter,

85

85           That she may quickly come.⁸⁵ Bertram gives Lafew a ring

               By my old beard,

               And every hair that’s on’t, Helen, that’s dead,

               Was a sweet creature: such a ring as this,

               The last⁸⁹ that e’er I took her leave at court,

90

90           I saw upon her finger.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     Hers it was not.

KING

KING     Now, pray you let me see it. For mine eye, Lafew gives it to him

               While I was speaking, oft was fastened to’t.

               This ring was mine, and when I gave it Helen,

95

95           I bade⁹⁵ her, if her fortunes ever stood

               Necessitied to⁹⁶ help, that by this token

               I would relieve her. Had you that craft, to reave⁹⁷ her

               Of what should stead⁹⁸ her most?

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     My gracious sovereign,

100

100         Howe’er it pleases you to take it so,

               The ring was never hers.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     Son, on my life,

               I have seen her wear it, and she reckoned¹⁰³ it

               At¹⁰⁴ her life’s rate.

105

105 

LAFEW

LAFEW             I am sure I saw her wear it.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     You are deceived, my lord. She never saw it.

               In Florence was it from a casement¹⁰⁷ thrown me,

               Wrapped in a paper, which contained the name

               Of her that threw it. Noble she was, and thought

110

110         I stood engaged,¹¹⁰ but when I had subscribed

               To mine own fortune and informed her fully

               I could not answer¹¹² in that course of honour

               As she had made the overture, she ceased

               In heavy satisfaction¹¹⁴ and would never

115

115         Receive the ring again.

KING

KING     Plutus¹¹⁶ himself,

               That knows the tinct¹¹⁷ and multiplying med’cine,

               Hath not in nature’s mystery more science¹¹⁸

               Than I have in this ring. ’Twas mine, ’twas Helen’s,

120

120         Whoever gave it you. Then, if you know

               That you are well acquainted with yourself,

               Confess ’twas hers, and by what rough enforcement

               You got it from her. She called the saints to surety¹²³

               That she would never put it from her finger,

125

125         Unless she gave it to yourself in bed,

               Where you have never come, or sent it us

               Upon¹²⁷ her great disaster.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     She never saw it.

KING

KING     Thou speak’st it falsely, as I love mine honour,

130

130         And mak’st conjectural¹³⁰ fears to come into me

               Which I would fain¹³¹ shut out. If it should prove

               That thou art so inhuman — ’twill not prove so —

               And yet I know not. Thou didst hate her deadly,

               And she is dead, which nothing but to close

135

135         Her eyes myself could win me to believe,

               More than to see this ring. Take him away. ↓↑Puts ring on his own finger↓↑

               My fore-past¹³⁷ proofs, howe’er the matter fall,

               Shall¹³⁸ tax my fears of little vanity,

               Having vainly¹³⁹ feared too little. Away with him.

140

140         We’ll sift¹⁴⁰ this matter further.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     If you shall prove

               This ring was ever hers, you shall as easy

               Prove that I husbanded her bed in Florence,

               Where yet she never was.

       [Exit, guarded]

       Enter a Gentleman [the Astringer]

145

145 

KING

KING             I am wrapped in dismal thinkings.

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN     Gracious sovereign,

               Whether I have been to blame or no, I know not:

               Here’s a petition from a Florentine,

               Who hath for¹⁴⁹ four or five removes come short

150

150         To tender¹⁵⁰ it herself. I undertook it,

               Vanquished¹⁵¹ thereto by the fair grace and speech

               Of the poor suppliant, who by this¹⁵² I know

               Is here attending. Her business looks¹⁵³ in her

               With an importing visage,¹⁵⁴ and she told me,

155

155         In a sweet verbal brief,¹⁵⁵ it did concern

               Your highness with herself.

KING

KING     

       [Reads a] letter

               ‘Upon his many protestations to marry me when his wife was dead, I blush to say it, he won me. Now is the Count Rossillion a widower. His vows are forfeited to me, and my honour’s paid¹⁵⁹ to him. He stole from Florence, taking no leave, and I follow him to his country for justice. Grant it me, O king! In you it best lies, otherwise a seducer flourishes and a poor maid is undone. Diana Capilet.’

LAFEW

LAFEW     I will buy me a son-in-law in¹⁶³ a fair, and toll for this. I’ll none of him.

KING

KING     The heavens have thought well on thee, Lafew,

165

165         To bring forth this discov’ry. Seek these suitors.¹⁶⁵

               Go speedily and bring again the count.

       Enter Bertram [guarded]

               I am afeard¹⁶⁷ the life of Helen, lady,

               Was foully snatched.¹⁶⁸

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     Now, justice on the doers!

170

170 

KING

KING             I wonder, sir, sith¹⁷⁰ wives are monsters to you,

               And that¹⁷¹ you fly them as you swear them lordship,

               Yet you desire to marry.— What woman’s that?

       Enter Widow [and] Diana

DIANA

DIANA     I am, my lord, a wretched Florentine,

               Derivèd¹⁷⁴ from the ancient Capilet.

175

175         My suit, as I do understand, you know,

               And therefore know how far I may be pitied.

WIDOW

WIDOW     I am her mother, sir, whose age and honour

               Both suffer under this complaint we bring,

               And both shall cease,¹⁷⁹ without your remedy.

180

180 

KING

KING             Come hither, count. Do you know these women?

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     My lord, I neither can nor will deny

               But that I know them. Do they charge me further?

DIANA

DIANA     Why do you look so strange¹⁸³ upon your wife?

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     She’s none of mine, my lord.

185

185 

DIANA

DIANA             If you shall marry,

               You give away this hand,¹⁸⁶ and that is mine,

               You give away heaven’s vows, and those are mine,

               You give away myself, which is known mine,

               For I by vow am so embodied yours,¹⁸⁹

190

190         That she which marries you must marry me,

               Either both or none.

LAFEW

LAFEW     Your reputation comes too short for my daughter. To Bertram You are no husband for her.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     My lord, this is a fond¹⁹⁴ and desp’rate creature,

195

195         Whom sometime I have laughed with. Let your highness

               Lay a more noble thought upon mine honour

               Than for to think that I would sink it here.

KING

KING     Sir, for my thoughts, you¹⁹⁸ have them ill to friend

               Till your deeds gain them:¹⁹⁹ fairer prove your honour

200

200         Than in my thought it lies.

DIANA

DIANA     Good my lord,

               Ask him upon his oath, if he does think

               He had not my virginity.

KING

KING     What say’st thou to her?

205

205 

BERTRAM

BERTRAM             She’s impudent,²⁰⁵ my lord,

               And was a common gamester²⁰⁶ to the camp.

DIANA

DIANA     He does me wrong, my lord. If I were so,

               He might have bought me at a common price.

               Do not believe him. O, behold this ring, Shows a ring

210

210         Whose high respect and rich validity²¹⁰

               Did lack a parallel.²¹¹ Yet for all that

               He gave it to a commoner²¹² o’th’camp,

               If I be one.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     He blushes, and ’tis hit.²¹⁴

215

215         Of²¹⁵ six preceding ancestors, that gem,

               Conferred by testament²¹⁶ to th’sequent issue,

               Hath it been owed²¹⁷ and worn. This is his wife,

               That ring’s a thousand proofs.

KING

KING     Methought you said

220

220         You saw one here in court could witness it.

DIANA

DIANA     I did, my lord, but loath am to produce

               So bad an instrument:²²² his name’s Parolles.

LAFEW

LAFEW     I saw the man today, if man he be.

KING

KING     Find him, and bring him hither.

       [Exit an Attendant]

225

225 

BERTRAM

BERTRAM             What of him?

               He’s quoted for²²⁶ a most perfidious slave

               With²²⁷ all the spots o’th’world taxed and deboshed,

               Whose nature sickens but²²⁸ to speak a truth.

               Am I or²²⁹ that or this for what he’ll utter,

230

230         That will speak anything?

KING

KING     She hath that ring of yours.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     I think she has; certain it is I liked her,

               And boarded²³³ her i’th’wanton way of youth.

               She knew her distance²³⁴ and did angle for me,

235

235         Madding²³⁵ my eagerness with her restraint,

               As all impediments in fancy’s²³⁶ course

               Are motives of more fancy. And in fine,

               Her insuite²³⁸ cunning, with her modern grace,

               Subdued me²³⁹ to her rate: she got the ring,

240

240         And I had that which any inferior might

               At market-price have bought.

DIANA

DIANA     I must be patient.

               You, that have turned²⁴³ off a first so noble wife,

               May justly diet²⁴⁴ me. I pray you yet —

245

245         Since you lack virtue, I will lose a husband —

               Send for your ring, I will return it home,

               And give me mine again.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     I have it not.

KING

KING     What ring was yours, I pray you?

250

250 

DIANA

DIANA             Sir, much like the same upon your finger.

KING

KING     Know you this ring? This ring was his of late.

DIANA

DIANA     And this was it I gave him, being abed.

KING

KING     The story then goes²⁵³ false, you threw it him

               Out of a casement.

255

255 

DIANA

DIANA             I have spoke the truth.

       Enter Parolles

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     My lord, I do confess the ring was hers.

KING

KING     You boggle²⁵⁷ shrewdly, every feather starts you.

               Is this the man you speak of?

DIANA

DIANA     Ay, my lord.

260

260 

KING

KING             Tell me, sirrah — but tell me true, I charge you, To Parolles

               Not fearing the displeasure of your master,

               Which on your just proceeding²⁶² I’ll keep off —

               By²⁶³ him and by this woman here what know you?

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     So please your majesty, my master hath been an honourable gentleman. Tricks²⁶⁵ he hath had in him, which gentlemen have.

KING

KING     Come, come, to th’purpose: did he love this woman?

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Faith, sir, he did love her, but how?

KING

KING     How, I pray you?

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     He did love her, sir, as a gentleman loves a woman.

KING

KING     How is that?

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     He²⁷¹ loved her, sir, and loved her not.

KING

KING     As thou art a knave, and no knave. What an equivocal companion²⁷² is this!

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     I am a poor man, and at your majesty’s command.

LAFEW

LAFEW     He’s a good drum,²⁷⁴ my lord, but a naughty orator.

DIANA

DIANA     Do you know he promised me marriage?

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Faith, I know more than I’ll speak.

KING

KING     But wilt thou not speak all thou knowest?

PAROLLES

PAROLLES     Yes, so please your majesty. I did go between them, as I said. But more than that, he loved her, for indeed he was mad for her and talked of Satan and of Limbo²⁸⁰ and of Furies and I know not what. Yet I was in that credit with them at that time that I knew of their going to bed, and of other motions,²⁸¹ as promising her marriage, and things which would derive²⁸² me ill will to speak of: therefore I will not speak what I know.

KING

KING     Thou hast spoken all already, unless thou canst say they are married. But thou art too fine²⁸⁵ in thy evidence: therefore stand aside. This ring, you say, was yours?

DIANA

DIANA     Ay, my good lord.

KING

KING     Where did you buy it? Or who gave it you?

DIANA

DIANA     It was not given me, nor I did not buy it.

KING

KING     Who lent it you?

DIANA

DIANA     It was not lent me neither.

KING

KING     Where did you find it, then?

DIANA

DIANA     I found it not.

KING

KING     If it were yours by none of all these ways,

                  How could you give it him?

DIANA

DIANA     I never gave it him.

LAFEW

LAFEW     This woman’s an easy²⁹⁷ glove, my lord: she goes off and on at pleasure.

KING

KING     This ring was mine, I gave it his first wife.

DIANA

DIANA     It might be yours or hers, for aught²⁹⁹ I know.

300

300 

KING

KING             Take her away. I do not like her now.

               To prison with her, and away with him.

               Unless thou tell’st me where thou hadst this ring,

               Thou diest within this hour.

DIANA

DIANA     I’ll never tell you.

305

305 

KING

KING             Take her away.

DIANA

DIANA     I’ll put in³⁰⁶ bail, my liege.

KING

KING     I think thee now some common customer.³⁰⁷

DIANA

DIANA     By Jove, if³⁰⁸ ever I knew man, ’twas you.

KING

KING     Wherefore hast thou accused him all this while?

310

310 

DIANA

DIANA             Because he’s guilty, and he is not guilty.

               He knows I am no maid, and he’ll swear to’t.

               I’ll swear I am a maid, and he knows not.

               Great king, I am no strumpet, by my life.

               I am either maid, or else this old man’s wife. Points to Lafew

315

315 

KING

KING             She does abuse our ears. To prison with her.

DIANA

DIANA     Good mother, fetch my bail.— Stay, royal sir.

       [Exit Widow]

               The jeweller that owes³¹⁷ the ring is sent for,

               And he shall surety³¹⁸ me. But for this lord

               Who hath abused me, as he knows himself,

320

320         Though yet he never harmed me, here I quit³²⁰ him.

               He knows himself my bed he hath defiled,

               And at that time he got his wife with child.

               Dead though she be, she feels her young one kick.

               So there’s my riddle: one that’s dead is quick,³²⁴

325

325         And now behold the meaning.

       Enter Helen and Widow

KING

KING     Is there no exorcist

               Beguiles³²⁷ the truer office of mine eyes?

               Is’t real that I see?

HELEN

HELEN     No, my good lord,

330

330         ’Tis but the shadow³³⁰ of a wife you see,

               The name and not the thing.

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     Both, both. O, pardon!

HELEN

HELEN     O my good lord, when I was like³³³ this maid,

               I found you wondrous kind. There is your ring,

335

335         And, look you, here’s your letter. This it says: Shows letter

               ‘When from my finger you can get this ring

               And are by me with child’, etc. This is done:

               Will you be mine, now you are doubly won?

BERTRAM

BERTRAM     If she, my liege, can make me know³³⁹ this clearly,

340

340         I’ll love her dearly, ever, ever dearly.

HELEN

HELEN     If it appear not plain and prove untrue,

               Deadly divorce³⁴² step between me and you!

               O my dear mother, do I see you living?

LAFEW

LAFEW     Mine eyes smell onions. I shall weep anon:

345

345         Good Tom Drum, lend me a handkercher.³⁴⁵ To Parolles

               So. I thank thee. Wait on³⁴⁶ me home, I’ll make sport with thee.

               Let thy court’sies³⁴⁷ alone, they are scurvy ones.

KING

KING     Let us from point to point this story know,

               To make the even³⁴⁹ truth in pleasure flow.—

350

350         If thou be’st yet a fresh uncroppèd flower, To Diana

               Choose thou thy husband, and I’ll pay thy dower,

               For I can guess that by thy honest aid

               Thou kept’st a wife herself, thyself a maid.—

               Of that and all the progress³⁵⁴ more and less

355

355         Resolvedly³⁵⁵ more leisure shall express.

               All yet seems well, and if it end so meet,³⁵⁶

               The bitter past,³⁵⁷ more welcome is the sweet.

       Flourish

       [Epilogue]

               The king’s a beggar now the play is done.

               All is well ended if this suit be won,

360

360         That you express content,³⁶⁰ which we will pay

               With strife³⁶¹ to please you, day exceeding day.

               Ours³⁶² be your patience then, and yours our parts,

               Your³⁶³ gentle hands lend us, and take our hearts.

       Exeunt

Textual Notes

F = First Folio text of 1623, the only authority for the play

F2 = a correction introduced in the Second Folio text of 1632

F3 = a correction introduced in the Third Folio text of 1663–4

F4 = a correction introduced in the Fourth Folio text of 1685

Ed = a correction introduced by a later editor

SD = stage direction

SH = speech heading (i.e., speaker’s name)

List of parts = Ed

1.1.1 SHCOUNTESS = Ed. F = Mother 2 SH BERTRAM = Ed. F = Ros. 107 got = F2. F = goe 127 wear = Ed. F = were 136 traitress = F2. F = Traitoresse

1.2.4 SH FIRST LORD = Ed. F = 1.Lo.G. 19 SH SECOND LORD = Ed. F = 2.Lo.E 23 Rossillion = F2. F = Rosignoll

1.3.2 SH REYNALDO = Ed. F = Ste. 9 SH LAVATCH = Ed. F = Clo. 13 I = F2. F = w 18 bairns spelled barnes in F 55 F omits this line, but prints “bis” (Latin for “twice”) at the end of the preceding line 64 ere = Ed. F = ore 81 Dian no queen = Ed. F = Queene 93 rightly = Ed. F = righlie 143 t’one = F2. F = ’ton tooth 172 intenible = F2. F = intemible 207 Haply spelled Happily in F 223 and = F2. F = an

2.1.6 SH FIRST LORD = Ed. F = Lord. G. 19 SH SECOND LORD = Ed. F = L.G. 28 SH SECOND LORD = Ed. F = 2.Lo.E. 45 with his cicatrice = Ed. F = his sicatrice, with 59 fee = Ed. F = see 93 SD Enter Helen = Ed. One line later in F 159 impostor = F3. F = Impostrue 179 nay = Ed. F = ne 199 heaven = Ed. F = helpe

2.2.1 SH COUNTESS = Ed. F = Lady. (F also uses Count., Lad., Old La. and La.) 42 An = Ed. F = And 47 legs = F2. F = legegs

2.3.1 SH LAFEW = Ed. F = Ol. Laf. 86 her = F2. F = heere 122 it is = F2. F = is is 195 thou’rt = F3.F = th’ourt 234 SD Enter Count Rossillion = Ed. One line earlier in F 260 detested = Ed. F = detected

2.5.14 Ay, “sir,” he “Sir” ‘s = Ed. F = I sir, hee sirs 22 End = Ed. F = And 23 one = Ed. F = on 25 heard = F2. F = hard

3.1.11 SH SECOND LORD = Ed. F = French E. 20 SH FIRST LORD = Ed. F = Fren.G. 27 th’field = F2. F = th the field

3.2.7 sold = F3.F = hold 14 E’en = Ed. F = In

3.4.1 SH COUNTESS = Ed. Not in F 4 SH REYNALDO = Ed. Not in F 7 have = F2. F = hane 18 SH COUNTESS = Ed. Not in F 23 SH REYNALDO = Ed. F = Ste.

3.5.0 SD Diana = Ed. F = Violenta 22–3 are you = F2. F = are 24 le = Ed. F = la

3.6.1 SH SECOND LORD = Ed. F = Cap. E. 2 SH FIRST LORD = Ed. F = Cap. G. 23 his = Ed. F = this 24 ore = Ed. F = ours

3.7.22 Resolves = F2. F = Resolve 38 After = F. F2 = After this 46 steads = F4. F = steeds

4.1.1 SH FIRST LORD = F (1 Lord E.). Lo.E for remainder of scene, perhaps because Shakespeare has forgotten that elsewhere first lord is G and second is E 5 captain = F3. F = Captaiue 70 art = F3. F = are

4.3.101 All’s…him assigned to Parolles in F 175 the = F2. F = your 203 cardecue = F2. F = Cardceue

4.4.18 you = F4. F = your

5.2.1 Monsieur = Ed. F = Mr 22 under her = F2. F = vnder

5.3.66 count spelled compt in F 116 Plutus = Ed. F = Platus 138 tax = F2. F = taze 157 SH KING = Ed. Not in F 170 sith = Ed. F = sir 172 SD Diana = Ed. F = Diana, and Parrolles 238 cunning = Ed. F = comming 337 are = Ed. F = is 361 strife = F2. F = strift

Act 1 Scene 1

List of parts:    HELEN perhaps named after Helen of Troy, reputedly the most beautiful woman in the world and the cause of a great war    LAFEW some editions modernize to “lafeu” (feu, French for “fire”)

 1.1    Location: Rossillion (now Roussillon), old province in southern France, near the Pyrenees mountains

    1    delivering sending forth (plays on the sense of “giving birth”)

    3    attend obey, heed    in ward under guardianship (as a minor who has inherited property)

    4    subjection obedience, servitude as a subject/legal obligation

    5    of in    husband i.e., protector

    6    generally universally/to everyone    hold maintain    virtue benevolence    whose i.e., the Countess and Bertram

    7    stir…wanted provoke it even in those who lacked generosity    where…abundance i.e., in the king

    9    amendment recovery

  10    practices medical treatments

  11    persecuted time tormented his days/drawn out his suffering

  14    passage turn of phrase/transition/event/death    honesty honor, integrity

  16    Would I wish

  20    Narbon Narbonne, southern French city near province of Roussillon

  22    still yet/for ever

  25    fistula ulcer

  27    notorious widely known/evident

  29    overlooking guardianship

  30    hopes …good i.e., high hopes for her    education upbringing    dispositions natural talents

  31    unclean naturally corrupted    virtuous qualities fine learned accomplishments

  32    go with pity are mingled with regret

  33    simpleness unaffected simplicity (i.e., not mixed with vice)    derives inherits

  35    season preserve/flavor

  37    livelihood animation    Go to expression of dismissal (i.e., “come, come”)

  38    affect assume/pretend to have    than to have rather than genuinely feel one

  40    of due to

  42    If …mortal i.e., if resisted, overabundant grief quickly dies

  43    holy sacred/respected

  44    How …that? What does that mean? (some editors suppose the line is displaced and that it may be a response to Helen or the Countess, not Bertram)

  46    manners good conduct    shape physical appearance    Thy may thy    blood nobility/parentage

  47    empire rule

  48    birthright inherited qualities

  49    able ready/powerful enough

  50    power ability, potential    keep…key value your friend’s life as dearly as your own

  51    checked rebuked

  52    taxed censured    What whatever    more will wishes to give you in addition

  53    pluck draw

  55    unseasoned inexperienced

  57    want lack    best i.e., best advice

  58    his love my love for him

  60    forged created, imagined

  61    comfortable comforting, supportive    make much of be attentive to

  62    hold maintain    credit reputation/honor

  64    these …him i.e., the floods of tears she is shedding because of her unrequited love for Bertram do more honor to her father’s memory than did the (fewer) tears wept at his death

  67    favour image, face (puns on the sense of “love token”)

  68    undone ruined

  69    ’Twere…That it is the same as if

  72    collateral parallel but distant

  73    sphere orbit (heavenly bodies were thought to be surrounded by hollow spheres that produced beautiful music as they rotated)

  75    hind female deer (puns on sense of “servant”)

  76    pretty pleasing

  78    hawking sharp, keen

  79    table notebook, drawing tablet    capable appreciative, sensitive

  80    trick distinguishing feature    favour face

  81    fancy love/infatuation

  82    relics i.e., memory    Parolles i.e., “words,” from French paroles

  83    his i.e., Bertram’s

  85    great way complete    solely wholly

  86    fixed certain, established    fit suitably

  87    take place take precedence/are accepted    steely i.e., hard, uncompromising

  88    Looks …wind are left out in the cold/look pale, unappealing    Withal therefore    full oft very often

  89    waiting on attending, deferring to    superfluous extravagant, overabundant

  90    Save God save    queen may play on “quean” (i.e., prostitute)

  95    stain hint/taint

  96    barricado barricade

  97    Keep ensure he stays (plays on the sense of “build a fortified tower”)

  99    Unfold reveal

100    setting…you besieging you (with sexual connotations)    undermine overthrow/dig underneath to lay mines/burrow into sexually    blow you up cause an explosion/make you pregnant

102    Bless (may God) protect

103    policy stratagem

104    be blown up gain an erection/have an orgasm    Marry by the Virgin Mary

105    blowing him down inducing his orgasm, and subsequent loss of erection    breach vagina/hole in defences    city i.e., virginity

106    politic prudent/strategic

107    rational increase logical profit-making/an increase in rational beings through reproduction    got begotten, conceived

108    That that which    mettle substance/coinage (indistinguishable from “metal” in Shakespearean usage)

109    found i.e., duplicated in reproduction (by producing ten virgins)    cold chaste

111    stand for’t defend it

112    in’t in its defense

113    part behalf (puns on the sense of “genitals”)    infallible certain

114    He…virgin i.e., like a virgin who refuses to reproduce, a crime likened to suicide

115    highways …limit traditionally suicides were buried in at crossroads, in unconsecrated ground    desperate reckless/dangerous    offendress female offender

117    paring rind    his its    stomach appetite/pride    peevish stubborn, perverse

118    inhibited prohibited    canon list of sins in the Bible

119    lose fail to profit (puns on the idea of “losing” one’s virginity)    Out with’t! Away with it!/put it out to interest    make itself two double in value (by increasing at a rate of ten percent per year)

120    principal initial investment

122    How what

123    it i.e., virginity

124    gloss freshness/shine    lying remaining unused (may play on the sense of “lying down”)

125    vendible saleable, marketable    Answer…request respond to current consumer demand

126    suited dressed    unsuitable unfashionable    toothpick ornate toothpicks were fashionable for a period

127    wear not are not in fashion    date fruit/age/penis    pie with vaginal connotations    porridge stew (with vaginal connotations)    in your cheek i.e., as sign of increasing age

129    pears with vaginal connotations    eats dryly tastes dry

132    There i.e., at court

133    mother here begins a list of names and relationships found in love poetry

134    phoenix i.e., paragon, wonder (literally, mythical Arabian bird that was consumed by fire every five hundred years, then resurrected from the ashes; only one existed at a time)

138    concord harmony    dulcet sweet

139    disaster unlucky star

140    fond affectionate/foolish    adoptious adopted    christendoms baptismal (Christian) names

141    blinking blind    gossips is godparent to

142    well fortune

147    body i.e., something tangible

149    baser stars lesser fortunes    shut…in confine us to

150    effects of them i.e., fulfilled wishes

151    alone must think must only think (not do)

152    Returns us thanks give us gratitude, reward

156    Mars Roman god of war    ay “I” in Folio, but likely to be heard by the audience as an ironic “yes” (Mars not being known for charity)

159    under down/in a lowly position

160    predominant in the ascendant, dominant

161    retrograde moving in a contrary direction, backward

163    backward i.e., in retreat, fleeing the enemy

164    advantage tactical gain (Helen shifts the sense to “personal interest”)

165    composition mixture/constitution (plays on the sense of “trace”)

166    wing ability to fly swiftly/jacket’s shoulder flap (may pun on the sense of “flank of troops”)

167    wear fashion

169    perfect (the) complete    in the which i.e., in which manner    naturalize accustom

170    capable of receptive to/have (sexual) capacity for

171    thrust with sexual connotations

172    makes thee away sees you off    leisure opportunity

173    use treat/employ sexually

176    fated fateful/with power over destiny

178    designs undertakings/plans    dull sluggish

180    feed satisfy (my longing)

181    The across the    space in fortune gap in social status/difference in fortunes

182    like likes kindred affections    native closely related/of similar rank/natural

183    strange attempts extraordinary endeavors (to be united)

184    weigh…sense evaluate their efforts according to common-sense

186    miss fail to achieve

Act 1 Scene 2

 1.2    Location: Paris    Flourish fanfare, usually accompanying a person in authority    divers various

    1    Florentines people from Florence (northern Italian city, capital of Tuscany)    Senoys people from Siena    by th’ears at odds, fighting

    3    braving defiant

    6    cousin fellow monarch of

    7    move urge, appeal to

    8    dearest friend i.e., Austria

    9    Prejudicates prejudges

  10    make denial i.e., deny aid to the Florentines

  12    Approved established, proved

  13    credence trust

  14    armed fortified (against entreaties)

  15    Florence ruler of Florence

  16    for as for    see i.e., take    part in

  17    service military service

  18    stand serve, fight    part side

  20    nursery training-ground    sick longing

  21    breathing and exploit active military employment

  26    Frank generous    rather…haste more fastidious than hasty

  27    parts qualities

  30    corporal soundess good physical health

  32    tried tested    did…service had deep knowledge of military matters

  33    was Discipled of taught/was taught by

  34    bravest boldest/finest/noblest

  35    haggish hag-like, repulsive/frosty

  36    out of act down beyond action    repairs restores, revives

  40    scorn mockery    return…unnoted goes unheeded/is visited back upon them

  41    Ere before    levity in honour light-heartedness in honorable action

  42    contempt neither contempt

  44    equal i.e., social equal    awaked provoked

  45    Clock to itself true to itself, reliable, self-governing    true exact

  46    Exception grievance/disapproval

  47    hand hand of action/hand of his honor’s clock, showing the appropriate time    Who those who

  48    used treated    another place different (higher) rank

  49    top head

  51    humbled humbled himself

  52    copy example/model

  53    them …backward men of today to be merely inferior

  57    So …epitaph his epitaph is nowhere so profoundly confirmed    approof proof, experience/approbation

  60    plausive praising

  61    scattered not did not disperse randomly    grafted cultivated deliberately

  62    bear i.e., bear fruit

  64    On …heel at the conclusion and end    pastime entertainment, leisure activity

  65    out over

  66    snuff burnt-out wick/hindrance

  67    apprehensive perceptive/quick-witted

  69    Mere …garments only capable of inventing new fashions    constancies loyalties

  71    I…too I, surviving him, also wish (plays on idea of following into death)

  72    nor neither

  73    were would be    dissolvèd released

  74    labourers productive bees

  76    lend show, give    it i.e., love    lack miss

  82    the rest i.e., other physicians

  83    several various    applications treatments

  84    Debate contend over    it i.e., his health

Act 1 Scene 3

 1.3    Location: Rossillion    Lavatch probably from the French la vache (“the cow”)

    1    gentlewoman i.e., Helen

    2    even your content please you

    3    calendar record

    4    clearness purity    deservings merits, deserts    of…them we speak openly of our own merits

    5    sirrah sir (used to a social inferior)

    9    poor wretched, humble (sense then shifts to “impoverished”)

  10    Well i.e., go on (Lavatch shifts the sense to “satisfactory”)

  12    go …world i.e., get married    Isbel typical name for a whore

  13    woman female servant/whore    do act/have sex

  14    needs of necessity

  17    case puns on the sense of “vagina”    Service employment as a servant (plays on the sense of “sex”)    heritage inheritance (for children)

  18    issue …body i.e., children    bairns children

  22    go puns on the sense of “have sex”

  23    your worship title of mock respect

  24    holy i.e., sanctioned by marriage (puns on “holey,” i.e., vaginal)

  25    world mankind, i.e., secular people

  27    repent regret marrying/atone for sex out of wedlock

  29    for …sake to keep my wife company (with suggestion of sexual activity)

  31    shallow lacking in judgment    in of    do with sexual connotations

  32    ears ploughs/has sex with/impregnates    land i.e., wife    spares my team takes the load off my sexual organs    gives me leave allows/enables

  33    in harvest/bring in    crop i.e., of children    cuckold man with an unfaithful wife    drudge slave/menial worker    comforts pleasures (sexually)

  34    cherisher nourisher/sustainer (in procreative sense)

  35    ergo “therefore” (Latin)

  36    what they are i.e., cuckolds

  37    Charbon the Puritan meat-eating puritan (from French chair bonne: “good flesh,” eaten on fast-days)    Poysam the Papist fish-eating Catholic (from French poisson: “fish,” eaten on fast-days)

  38    howsome’er howsoever/although    both one alike (in being cuckolds)

  39    jowl dash, knock

  40    ever always    calumnious slanderous

  41    next nearest/most direct

  45    kind nature, i.e., to be a cuckold (which sounds like “cuckoo”) is natural

  46    anon at another time

  50    fair face i.e., of Helen of Troy, the most beautiful woman in the world, whose abduction by Paris caused the Trojan war    she perhaps Hecuba, wife of    Priam

  51    sackèd plundered    Troy ancient city of West Turkey, besieged for ten years during the Trojan war

  52    Fond foolishly

  53    King Priam King of Troy, killed during the conflict

  56    sentence maxim, wise saying

  57    Among along with

  60    corrupt the song presumably Lavatch has inverted the words of a well-known song; it may have originally read “Among nine good if one be bad, / There’s yet nine good in ten”

  61    purifying cleansing, improving

  62    serve the world i.e., by consistently providing one good woman in ten

  63    tithe-woman tenth woman (i.e., one in ten); the tithe was the tenth of one’s farm produce able to be claimed by the parson    An if

  64    but …earthquake i.e., rarely    blazing star comet    mend…well improve the odds

  65    draw pull    one i.e., a good woman

  67    That to think that

  68    honesty truth/virtue    wear…heart i.e., conform by hiding pride beneath an outward appearance of obedience, just as Puritans wore the prescribed Anglican surplice over the more extreme Calvinist black gown

  69    forsooth in truth

  73    bequeathed left (by will)/entrusted

  74    advantage financial interest/additional personal benefits    make title lay claim

  76    late recently

  78    stranger sense other person’s or stranger’s hearing    matter subject, theme

  80    estates stations in life    no i.e., unworthy of being a

  81    only where qualities except where ranks    Dian Diana, Roman goddess of chastity, the moon, and hunting    suffer allow

  82    surprised to be captured/attacked

  83    touch feeling/expression/note

  84    withal with    sithence since

  85    loss harm    something somewhat

  86    discharged performed    likelihoods indications

  88    misdoubt disbelieve    Stall confine, lodge, hide

  92    these difficulties/pangs of love

  94    blood passion

  95    show appearance/display    seal sign/confirmation

  96    impressed imprinted, stamped

  98    or or rather/but

  99    observe see through/note

104    Methought it seemed to me

105    start flinch

107    enwombèd mine carried in my womb

108    Adoption i.e., (love for) adopted children    strives competes    nature i.e., (love for) one’s own children    choice…seeds we choose to graft a cutting from another plant onto our stock, and thus make it into our own

110    mother’s groan i.e., in labor

112    curd curdle

114    distempered distressed/unseasonal, inclement

115    Iris Greek goddess of the rainbow    rounds encircles

117    not i.e., not your daughter-in-law

122    note mark of distinction    parents ancestors

124    vassal subject/servant

128    So provided that

129    both our mothers mother of us both

130    no …than as much as

131    Can’t no other can it be no other way

134    shield ensure/forbid

136    catched caught    fondness foolishness/affection

137    loveliness many editors emend to “loneliness” (solitary melancholy)

138    head source    sense perception    gross obvious

139    Invention (your) devising of excuse

140    Against in the face of

145    kind natural way (i.e., by weeping)

147    That …suspected for fear that truth will be regarded with suspicion/to ensure that truth will not be guessed at

148    clew ball (of thread)

149    forswear’t deny it (under oath)    howe’er in any case    charge command

150    avail benefit

157    Go not about don’t be roundabout (in answering)    bond i.e., maternal bond

158    takes note recognizes

160    appeached informed against (you)

163    before more than

165    friends relatives

168    token sign, evidence, indication (plays on the sense of “love token”)    presumptuous suit unwarranted aim/expectant courtship

172    captious capacious/eager to take in/deceptive    intenible incapable of holding

173    still continually

174    lack …still yet do not run out of more to pour in and waste/do not run out of more to keep continuously pouring in and losing

175    Religious ardent/worshipful

177    no more nothing other (than to look on him)

178    encounter with contest, fight

180    cites confirms, acknowledges

183    herself i.e., chastity

185    lend …lose i.e., bestow affection where it is sure of no success

186    that what    implies involves, seeks

187    lives …dies i.e., in loving Bertram, Helen is doomed to eternal disappointment

191    Wherefore? Why?

192    grace God’s grace

193    prescriptions ancient customs/instructions/doctor’s prescriptions

195    manifest evident

196    sovereignty efficacy/healing

197    In…them to reserve them for use with the greatest care

198    notes instructions/doctor’s prescriptions    faculties inclusive comprehensive capabilities

199    in note recognized to be

200    approved tested, proven

201    desp’rate despairing, hopeless

202    rendered lost deemed incurable

206    conversation processes, reflections

207    Haply perhaps

209    tender offer

211    a mind the same opinion

212    credit believe/trust

213    schools universities, medical faculties

214    Embowelled disemboweled, emptied    doctrine learning, science    left off abandoned

218    receipt prescription/remedy

219    sanctified blessed

221    try success find out what happens    venture risk

222    well-lost i.e., lost for a good cause

223    such a a specific

225    knowingly i.e., securely, with confidence

226    leave permission

229    into unto/upon

231    miss lack

Act 2 Scene 1

 2.1    Location: Paris

    1    principles i.e., advice

    2    throw from you forget

    4    gift i.e., of advice

    7    well-entered (becoming) experienced

  10    owes owns

  13    higher Italy high-ranking Italians/northern Italy (Tuscany)

  14    Those …monarchy except those who merely inherit their places from what is left of the Holy Roman Empire/they that are cast down by having merely the remains of the Holy Roman Empire

  16    woo court, flirt with    wed i.e., own, be bound to

  17    questant seeker, one on a quest    shrinks recoils (plays on the sense of “loses his erection”)

  18    cry proclaim

  21    lack …deny i.e., cannot say no

  22    captives i.e., to the girls’ charms

  23    serve fight (plays on the sense of “have sex”)

  27    spark young man about town

  28    brave splendid

  30    here to stay here    kept a coil fussed over

  32    bravely boldly/worthily

  33    forehorse …smock lead horse in a team led by a woman

  34    masonry stonework floor (i.e., not a battlefield)

  35    bought up won by others

  36    one …with i.e., an ornamental weapon    steal sneak (the First Lord plays on the sense of “rob”)

  40    grow to become attached to    a tortured body like a body being torn apart

  43    a word in a word

  44    metals blades/spirits (“mettles”)

  45    Spurio “counterfeit” (Italian)    cicatrice scar    sinister left

  46    entrenched gashed, grooved    reports response

  48    Mars may Mars    novices recruits

  50    Stay wait on/obey (Second Folio repunctuates “Stay:” which changes the sense to “Wait: the king is coming”)

  51    spacious ceremony ample courtesy

  52    list boundary

  53    wear …time i.e., are fashionable/notable    muster true gait display correct bearing/behavior

  54    received fashionable

  55    measure stately dance    dilated extended

  57    like likely    sinewy muscular, energetic

  58    tidings news

  59    fee pay

  60    brought his pardon i.e., something to earn it

  63    broke thy pate given you a blow to the skull

  65    across i.e., a clumsy hit (in jousting, to break a lance across rather than striking directly with the point showed poor skill)

  68    will …fox in Aesop’s fable the fox declared the grapes were sour because he couldn’t reach them; the king dismisses the idea of recovery because he thinks it impossible

  69    will will eat/want    an if if

  70    medicine doctor

  72    Quicken give life to    canary a lively Spanish dance

  73    simple minimal/herbal/medicinal

  74    araise raise from the dead/sexually arouse    King Pippin eighth-century French king, father of Charlemain (Charlemagne)

  75    pen plays on the sense of “penis”

  81    light light-hearted/sexually suggestive    deliverance delivery, reporting

  82    profession claims of skill

  84    blame attribute to    weakness partiality, susceptibility

  88    admiration object of wonder

  89    spend expend    take off reduce, remove

  90    took’st conceived of, caught

  91    fit satisfy

  93    special nothing particular trifles    ever prologues always introduces    Enter Helen some editors suppose that she is disguised, since in Act 2 Scene 3 Lafew appears surprised at her identity, despite having met her in Act 1 Scene 1; this is possible, but it seems more likely that he is complicit with her plan (hence Cressid’s uncle) and that the later surprise is feigned

  94    come your ways come along

  99    Cressid’s uncle Pandarus, go-between for the lovers Troilus and Cressida

101    follow relate to

104    profess practice, make a profession of    well found of established skill

108    receipts recipes for medical cures

109    issue product

110    th’only the foremost/peerless

111    triple third

112    Safer more safely

114    cause …power disease (cause) for which the worth of my father’s gift is most effective

116    tender offer    appliance remedy/treatment

117    bound prepared/dutiful

119    credulous readily believing

121    congregated college i.e., of doctors

122    art skill/scholarship/science

123    inaidible unable to be assisted

125    prostitute submit (basely)

126    empirics quack doctors    dissever divide

127    great self kingly person    credit reputation    esteem give merit to, believe in

128    senseless foolish    sense rational hope    deem judge (it to be)

129    duty i.e., as a subject (having tried to help you)    pains efforts

130    office services, duty

132    modest one slight thought/thought that confirms my modest, seemly behavior    to…again for me to return with/to conduct me home

133    to than to

136    at full in detail    no part not at all

137    art (sufficient) medical skill

139    set …rest stake everything (derived from the card game primero)

140    He i.e., God

142    holy writ the Bible, which contains several examples of the young being wiser than their elders    babes foolish/inexperienced

143    great …sources Moses struck rock from which water flowed for the thirsty Israelites (Exodus 17)

144    simple small    great…dried Moses led the Israelites through the Red Sea, which parted, allowing them to pass on dry ground (Exodus 14)

145    great’st great persons, such as Pharaoh, who complained about God’s power

147    hits succeeds

148    shifts operates

150    by …paid be their own reward

151    Proffers offers    for as

152    Inspirèd divinely inspired (plays on the sense of “inhaled”)    breath words

154    square shape    shows appearances

156    count consider

158    experiment trial

159    impostor swindler    proclaim…aim declare my success before attempting to hit the target/claim skill that is greater than my ability

163    space period of time

165    greatest i.e., God’s

167    torcher torchbearer, the sun god, who was carried across the sky in a horse-drawn chariot    diurnal ring daily circuit

168    occidental western (i.e., sunset)

169    Hesperus the evening star (Venus)

170    pilot’s glass nautical hourglass

175    venture risk/wager

176    Tax accusation

177    strumpet’s harlot’s/whore’s

178    Traduced slandered

179    Seared branded    extended stretched on a rack

183    slay deny, extinguish

184    sense higher wisdom/natural feeling, instinct

185    rate value

186    estimate value

188    prime youth

189    Thou …hazard your willingness to risk this    needs necessarily

190    monstrous desperate unnaturally reckless

191    practicer practitioner    physic medical advice/medicine

192    ministers delivers (plays on the sense of “dispenses healing”)

193    break time miss my deadline    property any particular respect

195    Not in not

198    make it even fulfill it

201    What whatever

202    Exempted far removed

208    premises observed conditions noted/fulfilled

209    performance carrying out (of the request)

210    of in

211    resolved determined    still always

214    tended on attended

215    Unquestioned unquestionably

217    high as word amply as promised

Act 2 Scene 2

 2.2    Location: Rossillion

    1    put…height thoroughly test    breeding education/upbringing

    2    highly fed overfed    lowly inadequately

    4    make you do you think    put off dismiss

    6    put pass

    7    make a leg bow

    9    answer throughout the exchange this word seems to have phallic connotations (question thus suggests “vagina”)

  11    pin narrow/sharp    quatch probably squat/fat

  12    brawn meaty/well-rounded

  13    fit suitably

  14    groats fourpenny coins    French crown gold coin/bald head (symptom of syphilis)

  15    taffety punk finely dressed whore    Tib typical name for lower-class girl/whore (diminutive of “Isabel”)    rush ring made of reeds/vagina    Tom typical name for a rogue    forefinger with phallic connotations    pancake traditionally eaten on Shrove Tuesday, the feasting day before Lent

  16    morris morris dance    nail with phallic connotations    his its    hole with vaginal connotations    cuckold man with an unfaithful wife    horn traditionally cuckolds were supposed to sprout horns

  17    quean prostitute (puns on “queen”)    wrangling knave quarrelsome servant/rogue

  18    pudding sausage (perhaps with phallic connotations)    his its

  22    neither on the contrary

  25    fool in question ignorant/inexperienced in questioning (you)

  27    putting off evasion

  29    O lord, sir! a fashionable phrase among affected courtiers    Thick quickly

  30    homely meat plain food

  35    is very sequent follows logically    answer reply cleverly/respond well

  36    bound to’t obliged to reply/tied up for it

  39    noble used ironically, as she is wasting time

  43    present immediate    Commend me convey my regards

  47    fruitfully abundantly    before my legs i.e., very quickly

  48    again back again

Act 2 Scene 3

 2.3    Location: Paris

    1    philosophical persons scholars of “natural philosophy”

    2    modern everyday    things things that seem    causeless inexplicable by natural causes

    3    ensconcing ourselves into fortifying ourselves with

    4    unknown fear fear of the unknown

    5    rarest most extraordinary    argument topic, issue    shot out suddenly appeared    latter most recent

    8    relinquished of abandoned by    artists scholars, medical practitioners

    9    Galen famous second-century Greek physician    Paracelsus famous sixteenth-century Swiss physician

  10    authentic fellows accredited members of the medical profession

  12    gave him out proclaimed him to be

  17    Just exactly

  19    showing visible/printed form

  23    dolphin puns on “dauphin” (i.e., heir to the French throne)    ’Fore me before me; mild oath, like “upon my soul”

  24    brief …tedious short and the long

  25    facinerious extremely wicked

  29    debile minister feeble agent

  32    Generally universally

  34    Lustigue lusty, vigorous (from the German lustig)    Dutchman German

  35    tooth sweet tooth, i.e., appetite for pleasure    coranto lively dance

  36    Mor du vinager! pseudo-French oath, literally, “death of/by vinegar”

  40    banished sense loss of feeling

  41    repealed recalled, given a second chance

  43    attends awaits

  44    parcel group

  45    my bestowing my power to give in marriage

  47    frank election free choice

  48    forsake refuse

  51    bay …furniture my bay horse with a docked tail (curtal), and all his trappings

  52    My …boys’ to have as many teeth/to be as little broken to the bit (i.e., youthful) as these boys

  53    writ to be able to claim/exhibit    She…Lord some editors suppose that this direction is misplaced and belongs with the later line spoken to First Lord

  59    protest declare

  61    whisper whisper to

  63    white death pallor of death

  66    Who he who    his…me my love for him

  67    Dian Diana, Roman goddess of chastity

  68    Love i.e., Cupid, god of love

  71    All …mute there is no more to be said

  72    ames-ace double ace, lowest throw in dice    for my life were my life at stake

  73    honour high status/willingness to marry/admiration

  75    Love may Love

  76    Her …wishes i.e., myself, Helen

  77    No better i.e., I wish for nothing better than your humble love

  81    th’Turk i.e., non-Christian barbarian

  86    Sure surely

  87    got conceived

  88    happy fortunate

  91    grape i.e., fruit of good lineage    drunk wine i.e., to give you good blood

  92    known seen through

104    bring me down i.e., by making me marry a social inferior (with associations of bringing into the marriage bed, and, possibly, of losing one’s erection)

106    breeding upbringing    charge order/expense

108    corrupt debase/contaminate    ever forever

109    title lack of title

112    confound distinction be indistinguishable    stands off separate

117    proceed come forth

119    great …none titles puff us up rather than virtue (swell’s: “swell is,” elided for meter)

120    dropsied swollen/proud/diseased

122    property inherent quality    go i.e., be known

124    heir because the qualities are inherited from nature

125    That…sire true honor is scornful of inherited title when accompanying behavior not worthy of it

129    foregoers ancestors

130    Deboshed debauched, corrupted

131    trophy memorial

133    honoured bones indeed i.e., the remains of those who were truly honorable

136    dower dowry

137    strive attempt

138    choose assert your own choice

139    restored cured

141    at the stake tied up like a bear to be baited, under attack    which which threat

143    this of this

144    misprision scorn

145    desert right/recompense    That you who

146    We the royal plural    poising weighing    defective i.e., lighter (as she is humble)

147    weigh…beam outweigh you and tip your scale up to the crossbar

148    in us within my royal power

149    Check restrain

150    travails in labors for

151    Believe not deny    presently immediately

155    the staggers giddiness, unsteadiness (also, a horse disease affecting balance)    careless untended/reckless/irresponsible    lapse decline

157    Loosing being loosed, inflicted

158    all terms any form

160    fancy desire

161    great creation creation of greatness    dole portion

162    which late who recently

164    who i.e., Helen

168    counterpoise equal weight (i.e., in dowry)    not not equal

169    replete complete/perfect/abundant

172    whose…brief the formal accomplishment of which (i.e., marriage) shall quite properly follow the present agreement

175    more…space have to wait for a time

176    Expecting waiting for (the arrival of)    As as long as

177    religious sacred/true/dutiful    err go astray

183    succeeding consequences (i.e., a fight)

185    companion comrade/rascal

186    man manly/mankind (Lafew shifts the sense to “servant”)

188    too old i.e., for a duel    satisfy appease (in place of a duel)

189    write claim to be

190    dare…do have the courage to accomplish only too well, I dare not because of your old age

191    ordinaries standard meals

192    vent utterance    scarfs military sashes    bannerets small banners

193    vessel ship, adorned with flags

194    burden cargo    found seen through    thee i.e., your company

195    taking up arresting/calling to account

196    antiquity old age

197    trial testing of supposed courage

198    hen i.e., not a bold cock; perhaps also refers to Parolles’ “plumage”    window of lattice ale-house (whose red lattice windows signified its function)

199    casement window

200    egregious outrageous

203    dram small amount    bate lessen    scruple tiny amount

204    wiser i.e., in future

205    pull…contrary swallow a good quantity of your foolishness

207    bondage what binds you (i.e., the scarves of which he is proud)    hold maintain

208    in the default when you fail    know understand/see through

210    poor doing inadequate ability to inflict    vexation doing action (plays on the sense of “having sex”)

211    will will pass (puns on past as “passed”)    in…leave with what movement age will allow me

212    shall…me upon whom I will vent my anger for these insults    scurvy contemptible

213    fettering imprisoning

214    with any convenience on a suitable occasion    an even if

219    reservation concealment

220    wrongs insults    good lord i.e., patron (rather than employer)    Whom he whom

223    garter tie (withs carves)

224    hose stockings, usually tied up with garters    set…stands put your penis where your nose should be/smell your bottom

227    breathe exercise (through fighting)

229    measure treatment/judgment

230    Go to expression of dismissive impatience    picking…pomegranate i.e., a small offense, as an excuse

231    vagabond itinerant vagrant, traveling without license    true honest/licensed    saucy insolent

232    commission warrant, allowance

233    heraldry i.e., authority, entitlement

235    Undone ruined    cares troubles, sorrows

244    import content, sense

247    box container/vagina

248    kicky-wicky woman

249    Spending expending/wasting/ejaculating    marrow vitality/sexual energy/semen

250    curvet horse’s leap

252    jades worn-out horses

258    furnish me to equip me for    fields battlefields

260    To compared to    dark house gloomy house/lunatic asylum

261    capriccio “whim” (Italian)    Art are you

263    straight immediately

265    balls bound tennis balls bounce (i.e., are spirited, to be reckoned with; plays on the sense of “testicles”)

266    marred ruined (plays on married)

Act 2 Scene 4

    1    kindly affectionately/as a mother

    2    well i.e., at rest, dead

    3    wants lacks

  12    them i.e., your good fortune them i.e., my prayers

  14    So provided that    did may pun on “died”

  16    man’s servant’s    shakes out brings about

  18    title status as man or servant/name (“Parolles,” or “words”; also puns on “tittle”—i.e., “tiny amount”)

  20    Before in the presence of    Before me i.e., upon my soul

  22    Go to i.e., enough of that    found thee found you out, found you to be a fool

  23    me i.e., folly

  24    even to i.e., enough for

  26    well fed probably refers to “better fed than taught” (proverbial); possibly “energetic, spirited”

  29    rite of love i.e., sexual consummation of marriage

  31    to owing to

  32    Whose…delay the delay and absence of which    sweets sweet-scented flowers

  33    they i.e., want and delay curbèd restrained

  35    drown overflow

  36    else besides

  38    make represent    as as if it were    proceeding course of action/idea

  39    apology excuse

  40    probable need plausible necessity

  43    Attend await    pleasure command, will

Act 2 Scene 5

    2    approof proven quality/testimony

    3    deliverance utterance

    5    dial timepiece/compass    I…bunting i.e., I underestimated him; reversal of “to take a bunting for a lark” (proverbial; the lark was the superior bird)

    6    accordingly suitably

    9    state i.e., condition of my soul    find find it

  12    tailor refers to Parolles’ garments; “the tailor makes the man” is proverbial

  18    you’ll have you wanted

  23    something i.e., an asset, with plenty of stories to tell the guests

  24    three thirds i.e., all the time

  26    unkindness ill-will

  28    made shift contrived    him…custard the jester who traditionally jumped into custard at the Lord Mayor’s annual feast in London

  29    suffer question endure questioning

  30    residence i.e., why you are there

  31    mistaken misjudged/misidentified (Lafew shifts the sense to “been offended by him”)

  34    heavy serious/not light

  35    them tame such creatures as pets

  36    to deserve deserve

  38    idle foolish

  40    know i.e., rather than merely    think

  42    pass reputation    clog hindrance (block of wood tied to man or animal to prevent escape)

  45    present parting immediate departure

  49    colour appropriate character    time i.e., the immediate aftermath of marriage

  50    ministration…particular duty and obligation of me as husband

  55    muse wonder

  56    respects reasons

  57    appointments purposes, affairs

  66    observance dutiful service    eke out supplement, increase

  67    homely stars humble origins

  68    great fortune i.e., as your wife

  69    Hie hurry

  72    owe own

  74    fain willingly

  75    vouch affirm to be

  78    would want

  80    sunder part

  81    stay delay

  87    corragio “courage” (Italian)

Act 3 Scene 1

 3.1    Location: Florence

    1    from…point in every detail

    3    Whose great decision the deciding of which

    6    black wicked

    7    opposer enemy’s part

    8    cousin i.e., fellow sovereign

    9    bosom heart

  10    borrowing prayers entreaties for assistance

  12    yield give up, share

  13    But except as    common…man ordinary external observer

  14    figure scheme, devisings    frames constructs, guesses at

  15    self-unable motion inadequate conjectures

  19    his pleasure as he (the King of France) wishes

  20    younger …nature young men of our temperament, outlook (some editors emend “nature” to “nation”)

  21    surfeit…ease grow sick of overindulgence in leisure

  22    physic cure, perhaps by letting blood through war

  24    fly from be bestowed by

  26    better fall better places fall vacant    avails advantages (as you may fill them)

Act 3 Scene 2

 3.2    Location: Rossillion

    3    troth faith

    4    observance observation, signs

    5    mend adjust

    7    sold who sold

    9    mind to inclination for    lings salt cod, slang for “vaginas/whores” (similar play possible in country)

  10    brains plays on the sense of “semen” (thus making Cupid a personified penis and giving knocked out sexual connotations)

  12    stomach appetite

  14    E’en just, the same as

  15    recovered cured

  16    not with a pun on the marital knot

  18    hold remain at

  21    fly flee

  23    misprizing despising/undervaluing

  24    of empire even of an emperor

  25    heavy sad/serious    within inside

  32    standing to’t standing one’s ground/having an erection (both courses of action may lead to death—literally and in the sense of “orgasm”)    getting begetting, conception

  34    Save God save

  38    quirks turns

  39    face appearance    on the start at its sudden arrival

  40    woman make behave like a woman, i.e., weep

  42    thitherward on his way there    thence from there

  43    dispatch in hand settlement of business

  44    bend direct our steps

  45    passport license to travel

  48    sentence statement/judgment

  51    have…cheer bear a happier countenance/be encouraged

  52    engrossest monopolize    are that are

  53    moiety share/half

  55    all my my only

  60    convenience propriety

  67    haply perhaps

  72    rude ignorant/unkind/rough

  79    a well-derivèd his own well-descended

  80    his inducement Parolles’ bad influence

  82    deal quantity    that influence

  83    holds…have maintains and benefits him considerably

  88    Written in writing

  91    but…courtesies only insofar as I am able to repay your courtesy    change exchange

  92    draw near come along (with me)

  95    Rossillion i.e., Bertram

  98    event outcome

100    sportive playful/lighthearted/amorous

101    mark target

102    leaden messengers i.e., bullets

104    move part/stir (to pity) (sometimes emended to “cleave” or “wound”)    still-peering ever watchful (some editors emend to “still-piecing”)

105    sings i.e., whistles as a bullet pierces it/cries in pain/sings in indifference

106    set him there put him in the position

107    forward in the front line/facing the enemy

108    caitiff wretch

111    ravin ravenous

112    constraint compulsion

113    owes owns

115    Whence…scar from where honor merely earns a scar by undergoing danger

116    oft often as    all i.e., life

118    do’t i.e., keep you away    although even if

120    officed all carried out all household duties

121    pitiful compassionate

122    consolate console

123    steal creep (plays on the sense of “rob”)

Act 3 Scene 3

 3.3    Location: Florence    Drum and Trumpets i.e., a drummer and a trumpeter

    2    Great pregnant/swelling    lay wager    credence trust, faith

    7    th’extreme edge the utmost limit

    9    helm helmet

  12    file rank of soldiers

  13    like my thoughts i.e., valiant

Act 3 Scene 4

 3.4    Location: Rossillion

    1    of from

    4    ‘I…free’ this letter is cast in the form of a sonnet    Saint Jaques Saint James, whose shrine was at Compostella, in northwest Spain

    7    sainted holy/dedicated to a saint

    9    hie hasten

  12    taken undertaken

  13    despiteful cruel, malicious    Juno supreme goddess, who imposed twelve labors on Hercules

  14    camping tent-dwelling (i.e., army)

  17    Whom i.e., death

  19    advice judgment

  22    prevented forestalled

  24    at overnight last night

  29    whom i.e., both Helen and her prayers

  32    unworthy husband husband unworthy

  33    weigh heavy of emphasize

  37    When haply perhaps when

  41    sense perception

  42    Provide equip

Act 3 Scene 5

 3.5    Location: Florence    tucket trumpet fanfare    Diana significantly, given her role, the name of the goddess of chastity and hunting; the Folio entry direction calls her “Violenta,” which was perhaps Shakespeare’s first thought for the name

    1    lose all entirely miss

    3    their i.e., Siena’s

    7    suffice satisfy

    8    earl i.e., Bertram    name reputation

    9    honesty chastity

  10    solicited entreated, courted

  12    officer agent

  13    suggestions promptings toward evil/entreaties    for on behalf of

  14    engines devices/plots    go under appear to be

  16    wreck of maidenhood loss of virginity

  17    succession (others from) doing the same    that for all that    limed trapped (like birds caught in lime, a sticky substance smeared on twigs)

  18    grace virtue

  19    though even if    further…lost worse risk than the loss of virginity (i.e., pregnancy)

  20    fear fear for

  21    lie lodge

  25    palmers pilgrims

  26    Saint Francis inn with the sign of Saint Francis    port city gate

  30    tarry wait

  33    for because

  34    ample well, fully

  37    stay upon await    leisure convenience

  46    Whatsome’er whoever

  47    bravely taken highly regarded

  48    for because

  50    mere absolutely

  55    believe agree

  56    argument any issue    to in comparison with

  57    mean lowly/unworthy

  58    All her deserving her only merit

  59    reservèd honesty well-guarded chastity

  60    examined called into question

  64    write style her (some editors emend to “warrant”)

  66    shrewd malicious

  71    brokes bargains, negotiates    suit endeavor, request

  74    honestest most chaste    colours battle-flags

  75    else (that it should be) otherwise

  82    honester more honorable

  89    jackanapes monkey

  92    shrewdly sorely

  94    courtesy curtsy (i.e., bow)    ring-carrier pimp

  96    host lodge    enjoined penitents those bound by oath to undertake pilgrimage as penance for sin

100    Please it if it please

101    charge expense

102    for me mine

103    precepts of advice on

105    kindly gratefully

Act 3 Scene 6

 3.6    Location: battlefield

    1    to’t to the test

    2    hilding good-for-nothing

    3    bubble i.e., nothing/showy/easily destroyed

    6    as as if he were

    8    entertainment patronage

    9    reposing trusting, relying

  10    trusty requiring trustworthiness

  11    try test

  12    fetch off rescue/retrieve

  14    surprise ambush, attack

  15    knows not cannot distinguish    hoodwink blindfold/deceive

  16    leaguer military camp

  19    intelligence secret information

  20    oath i.e., the vow he took never to divulge the intelligence

  23    bottom extent

  24    ore precious metal    give…entertainment i.e., beat him/cast him out (proverbial)

  25    inclining partiality, liking (for Parolles)

  27    in any hand in any case

  28    sticks…disposition is really upsetting you    sticks stabs

  29    pox plague

  31    wings flanks, on either side of the main body of troops    rend tear apart, devastate

  33    in upon    command…service military orders

  40    But were it not

  41    hic jacet i.e., I shall die—literally “here lies” (Latin), phrase found on tombstones

  42    stomach appetite/courage    mystery skill

  43    his its

  44    grace honor

  45    speed fare/succeed

  46    becomes befits

  49    slumber in it i.e., delay

  50    presently immediately    pen write    dilemmas choices of action

  51    mortal preparation spiritual readiness either for my death or those of the men I kill

  55    possibility competence, capacity

  56    subscribe vouch

  60    damns himself i.e., by swearing falsely

  63    have have a true understanding of

  64    make no deed perform no part/make no attempt

  67    probable plausible    embossed hunted down/driven to exhaustion

  68    for worthy of

  69    case skin, unmask

  70    smoked smoked out, exposed

  71    sprat small fish (i.e., contemptible person)

  72    look my twigs see to my bird-trap

  73    Your…me i.e., Bertram pulls rank and orders the Second Lord to accompany him in his pursuit of Diana, leaving the First Lord to undertake the ambush on Parolles

  80    coxcomb fool (literally, fool’s cap)    have i’th’wind have scented, are tracking

Act 3 Scene 7

 3.7    Location: Florence

    1    misdoubt disbelieve, suspect

    3    But…upon without losing the foundations my plans rely on

    4    estate worldly fortune

  10    sworn counsel private hearing that you have vowed to keep secret

  11    so…word true in every word

  12    By with respect to

  15    approves proves, demonstrates

  20    found it received your    help

  21    wanton lascivious

  22    carry win    in fine in the end/to sum up

  23    bear manage

  24    important blood urgent sexual passion

  25    county count

  29    rich choice high esteem    idle fire foolish ardor

  30    will sexual desire

  33    bottom essence

  34    lawful to be lawful

  36    appoints…encounter arranges a meeting with him

  39    marry her enable her to marry

  40    is passed has been given

  42    persever proceed

  44    coherent fitting

  45    musics musicians/instruments/music

  46    unworthiness humble status/because convincing her to do an unworthy deed    steads profits

  47    chide scold, drive away

  48    lay depended

  50    assay try    speed succeed

  51    meaning intention (on Bertram’s part)    lawful deed i.e., marital sex

  53    fact i.e., Bertram’s belief that he is having sex with another woman

Act 4 Scene 1

 4.1    Location: battlefield

    1    sally burst out

    2    terrible terrifying

    3    unless except for

    8    linsey-woolsey cloth made of flax and wool (i.e., verbal mixture, nonsense)    again in response

  10    strangers foreigners    entertainment employment

  11    smack taste, smattering

  12    fancy creativity    to know knowing    so so long as

  13    know straight directly achieve    choughs jackdaws, plays on “chuff,” meaning “rustic, clown”

  14    politic cunning

  15    couch lie down, hide    beguile while away

  18    plausive plausible    it it off

  19    smoke smoke out, suspect

  21    creatures i.e., soldiers    not…tongue and I am afraid to carry out my boasts

  25    hurts wounds

  27    instance motive (for doing this)/proof (of my supposed exploits)    Tongue…mouth with sexual connotations butter-woman dairywoman/whore (i.e., chatty/lecherous)

  28    of from    Bajazet’s mule mules were proverbially silent and sometimes associated with Turks, but emperors such as Bajazet had “mute” slaves, so some editors emend accordingly; or there may be a garbled allusion to Balaam’s ass in the Bible, which only spoke at God’s command

  31    serve the turn suffice

  33    afford allow/let (you) off

  34    baring shaving    in stratagem an act of cunning, for disguise

  38    citadel presumably the enemy fortress

  40    Thirty fathom 180 feet    Alarum call to arms

  49    Muskos probably Muscovites

  51    low Dutch “low Dutch” and “high Dutch” were distinct languages

  53    discover reveal

  55    betake thee entrust thyself    poniards daggers

  60    hoodwinked blindfolded    lead thee on take you elsewhere/direct the conversation

  61    gather gain information

  70    space time/a temporary reprieve

  72    woodcock proverbially stupid bird    muffled blindfolded

  75    A he

  76    Inform on report

Act 4 Scene 2

 4.2    Location: Florence

    1    Fontybell i.e., “beautiful fountain”

    3    goddess Diana was the goddess of chastity and hunting

    4    worth worthy of    addition additional distinction

    5    frame being, shape    quality part

    6    quick lively

    7    monument statue

  11    got conceived

  12    honest chaste (i.e., married; Bertram shifts the sense to “frank, open”)

  18    vows i.e., of love for Diana/to have nothing to do with Helen

  20    constraint compulsion

  21    rights duties

  23    serve gratify sexually    roses virginities/vaginas

  24    barely in a naked state/only just    thorns…ourselves i.e., with shame (quibbles on the idea that this is in place of a man’s prick)

  25    bareness loss of the rose of virginity/defenselessness

  30    high’st i.e., God    to as our

  31    Jove supreme Roman god

  33    ill imperfectly/immorally    holding consistency (i.e., is untenable)

  34    protest profess

  36    words mere words    conditions contracts    unsealed i.e., not valid legally

  38    it i.e., your opinion

  39    holy-cruel cruel by being holy

  40    crafts skills/deceits

  42    sick i.e., needing cure

  43    Who which will    recovers recover

  45    scarre sense unclear; some editors emend to “snare”

  50    honour object of distinction

  52    obloquy disgrace

  54    honour’s virginity’s    ring with vaginal connotations

  58    proper personal

  63    bid commanded

  65    order take make arrangements

  66    band bond

  67    yet maiden still virgin

  72    proceeds comes to pass

  73    token betoken, signify

  75    wife i.e., by having sex    hope i.e., of marrying Bertram    be done ends

  81    like same

  83    braid i.e., twisted, deceitful

  84    Marry let those marry

  85    disguise deceptive role

  86    cozen trick

Act 4 Scene 3

 4.3    Location: battlefield

    2    since ago

    4    worthy deserved

    7    his bounty (the instrument of) his generosity

    8    darkly secretly

  10    perverted seduced/corrupted

  11    fleshes rewards with meat (as hounds were given a piece of the kill; sexual connotations)    will sexual desire/penis    spoil plundered loot/despoiling/meat given to hounds

  12    monumental i.e., serving as a reminder of his ancestry    made successful

  13    composition bargain (plays on the sense of “something made”)

  14    delay subdue    rebellion rebellious, lustful appetites    ourselves i.e., human

  15    Merely entirely

  16    still always    themselves i.e., their true, traitorous natures    attain to reach    ends objectives/deaths    he i.e., Bertram

  17    contrives conspires    proper stream own current of desire

  19    Is…meant does it not show (as)

  21    dieted…hour restricted to his appointed time

  22    apace quickly    company companion

  23    anatomized dissected, revealed

  24    curiously…counterfeit elaborately he has displayed this false jewel (Parolles)

  25    him i.e., Parolles    he…his i.e., Bertram

  26    the other i.e., Parolles

  28    overture opening, move toward

  30    higher further

  32    demand question    of his council in his confidence

  33    deal…act partaker in his affairs

  34    pretence purpose

  36    sanctimony holiness

  39    justified proved

  41    office role

  42    rector priest/ruler

  44    arming establishment, strengthening

  45    verity truth

  47    make…of take comfort in

  50    encountered met

  53    cherished comforted, pitied

  55    solemn formal

  56    for leave for    offered given

  58    needful necessary    if even if    more…commend stronger commendations than Bertram deserves

  62    dispatched settled    by…success quickly and successfully/here follows a summary of my success

  63    congied with taken ceremonious leave of

  64    nearest closest company

  65    entertained my convoy hired my means of transport    parcels of dispatch major items of business

  66    nicer more delicate/lascivious

  69    hear of it i.e., because Diana may be pregnant and/or may claim him as her husband

  71    module model (of a soldier)    double-meaning prophesier ambiguous, equivocal oracle

  73    stocks instrument of public punishment in which the arms, head, or legs were confined    gallant showy, ostentatious

  74    usurping laying false claim to    spurs symbols of knightly valor

  75    carry bear, conduct (the Second Lord puns on the sense of “transport”)

  77    shed spilled

  79    time…remembrance beginning of his memory    instant disaster current misfortune

  81    a he

  85    Hoodman term for the blindfolded player in the game Blind Man’s Bluff

  87    constraint force    pasty meat pie with pinched crusts

  92    note memorandum/list

  94    horse cavalry    is strong i.e., has

100    take the sacrament i.e., swear most religiously    how and which however and whichever

101    All’s one it’s all the same    past-saving beyond redemption

103    theoric theory

104    chape metal plate covering the point of the sheath

105    clean free from blood/polished

111    con i.e., give    in the nature considering the way in which

114    marvellous extremely

115    a-foot in terms of foot soldiers

117    live i.e., live only for

118    so as

121    muster-file official list of soldiers    rotten and sound (of those both) sick and healthy    poll heads, i.e., soldiers

122    cassocks soldier’s cloaks/coats

125    condition (military) character

130    well-weighing heavy/persuasive

132    particular individual points    inter’gatories questions

135    botcher mender (of clothes and shoes)    ’prentice apprentice

136    shrieve’s fool idiot girl in the sheriff’s care    innocent fool

137    him nay no to him

138    his…falls i.e., he is in danger of a sudden death

141    lousy lice-infested/contemptible

145    o’th’band of the military company

147    good sadness all seriousness

154    advertisement advice, warning    proper respectable

156    ruttish lustful    up back

157    favour permission

160    fry young fish

161    both-sides two-faced

162    drop offer, pay with

163    scores incurs a bill

164    Half…it one is halfway there if the bargain is well-made, so set out your terms clearly (or “be even”) and succeed

165    after-debts outstanding bills    it i.e., payment

167    mell mingle/have sex

168    For count on account/so be sure

169    before in advance

171    in’s on his

172    manifold linguist speaker of many languages

173    armipotent powerful in arms

175    fain obliged

177    nature my natural life

182    egg…cloister i.e., trifling thing, even from a holy place

183    Nessus centaur who tried to rape Hercules’ wife    professes not does not make a practice of

184    Hercules Greek hero famed for feats of strength

185    swine-drunk drunk as a pig (i.e., excessively drunk— and thus likely to wet his bed-clothes)

186    they i.e., the servants who put him to bed

187    conditions habits

194    led…tragedians drums announced a performance by actors    belie tell lies about

196    Mile-end field outside the city of London where citizen militia were trained

197    doubling of files simple military maneuver

203    cardecue quart d’écu, small French silver coin    fee-simple absolute possession (legal term used of land or property)

204    cut…perpetually prevent inheritance to all subsequent heirs forever

210    for as

211    lackey errand-running servant

212    coming on advancing

214    captain…horse cavalry commander

216    no more have nothing more to do with

217    beguile the supposition deceive the opinion

221    discovered revealed

222    pestiferous malicious, pestilent    held regarded

230    you you send    for bound for

231    in on

232    a very an absolute

234    undone ruined/undressed

236    but only

237    impudent shameless, immodest

239    great big/noble

243    Who he who

247    fooled made a fool of/tricked

Act 4 Scene 4

 4.4    Location: Florence

    2    One…world i.e., the French king

    3    surety guarantor

    6    which gratitude gratitude for which

    7    Through even through    Tartar inhabitant of Central Asia, considered pitiless and savage

  10    convenient convoy suitable means of transport

  11    breaking disbanding

  12    hies him hastens

  14    our welcome i.e., we are expected

  21    be i.e., provide    dower dowry

  22    motive agent/means

  25    saucy trusting lecherous acceptance    cozened deluded

  26    Defiles blackens/pollutes    pitchy dark (pitch is a tar-like substance)

  27    loathes i.e., Helen    for…away i.e., in place of Diana

  29    yet further

  31    death and honesty i.e., a chaste death

  32    Go with i.e., result from    impositions commands

  33    Upon at

  34    Yet for a while

  35    the word sense unclear; perhaps refers to the fulfilment of the plan

  38    revives will reinvigorate

  39    fine’s end’s

  40    renown i.e., important thing

Act 4 Scene 5

 4.5    Location: Rossillion

    1    with by    snipt-taffeta in slashed silk, indicative of showiness

    2    saffron orange-red dye used to color ruffs and food    unbaked uncooked/immature/impressionable    doughy dough-like/malleable

    3    Your i.e., had it not been for Parolles, your

    4    humble-bee bumble-bee

    8    dearest direst/most precious    groans…mother i.e., in labor

    9    rooted established/planted (Lafew develops this sense)

  11    light on come across

  12    sweet marjoram type of herb    herb of grace rue, herb associated with repentance (suggests Helen’s spiritual grace)

  14    herbs edible salad plants    nose-herbs scented plants for smelling

  15    Nebuchadnezzar Babylonian king, forced from his kingdom and made to eat grass    grace puns on “grass”

  16    Whether which of the two

  17    fool supposedly fools had big penises    service employment/sexual service

  19    cozen cheat    service duty, i.e., sex

  21    bauble fool’s baton with a carved head on one end/penis    do with sexual connotations

  22    subscribe vouch/answer

  27    maine mane, like that of a royal English lion/meinie, family, retinue    fisnomy physiognomy, facial features    hotter in France choleric, angry, warlike (to the French)/susceptible to the “French disease” (syphilis)

  30    black prince Edward the Black Prince of England, son of Edward III

  31    Hold thee be quiet    suggest tempt

  33    woodland rustic, i.e., simple    fire also “hellfire”

  34    prince…world another title for the devil

  35    narrow gate according to the Bible, the route to salvation (Matthew 7:13)

  36    pomp proud, showy people

  37    many majority    chill faint-hearted/sensitive to cold (thus preferring the warmth of hellfire)    tender fond of comfort

  39    Go thy ways be off    before now, before I grow truly fed up with you

  41    tricks i.e., tampering with the horse’s feed to save hay

  42    jades’ tricks mischief caused by badly behaved horses

  44    shrewd cunning, mischievous    unhappy unlucky/discontented/mischievous

  45    gone dead (i.e., her husband the count)

  47    pace restraint, obedient movement (horse-training term)

  49    lady’s i.e., Helen’s    moved urged, persuaded

  50    minority youth, when they were minors

  51    self-gracious remembrance his own thoughtfulness, without prompting    propose i.e., for marriage to Bertram

  56    post rapidly

  57    numbered was aged    him i.e., a messenger

  58    intelligence information

  62    with…admitted how I might with propriety be allowed to be present (at the meeting of Bertram and the king)

  63    but only    your honourable privilege the privilege due your honored self

  64    charter claim

  65    patch of velvet used to cover either battle scars or those resulting from syphilis treatment

  66    knows plays on    no

  67    two…half i.e., covered with thick velvet

  68    worn bare without a velvet patch/hairless (from syphilis)

  69    liv’ry badge    belike probably

  70    carbonadoed slashed (like meat for cooking)/cut in the manner of incisions made for syphilis treatment

Act 5 Scene 1

 4.4    Location: Marseilles

    1    exceeding posting exceptional haste

    2    wear wear out

    5    bold confident    my requital the reward I shall give you

    6    In happy time fortunately met    Gentle Astringer gentleman keeper of hawks

    8    spend exert

  12    fall’n less than/altered

  14    sharp urgent    occasions needs

  15    nice overscrupulous    put urge/compel

  20    petition request

  26    hence removed departed from here

  27    use custom

  28    pains efforts

  35    like likely

  36    Commend commit

  37    presume assure (you)

  40    means…means resources will enable us

  43    falls more else happens

  44    provide prepare

Act 5 Scene 2

 5.2    Location: Rossillion

    1    Lavache Parolles clarifies the name’s probable derivation (vache is French for “cow”)

    3    mood anger/temper (puns on “mud”)

    5    sluttish a whore/dirty

    6    butt’ring preparation/cooking    allow the wind i.e., stand downwind of me, so I don’t have to smell you

    8    stop block

  11    me for me

  12    paper i.e., soiled with excrement    close-stool toilet/chamber-pot enclosed in a stool

  14    purr knave, jack in a card game/cat noise/animal dung    musk-cat i.e., perfume, the musky substance obtained from the anal glands of the civet cat

  16    withal with it    carp fish bred in ponds/chatterer

  17    ingenious wily/ungenious, i.e., stupid    smiles of comfort gloating (ironic usage)

  20    pare trim

  23    cardecue small silver coin    justices magistrates, responsible for dealing with beggars under Elizabethan law

  28    ‘word’ a single word, as Parolles’ name means “words”    Cox my passion! By God’s passion! (i.e., Christ’s suffering)    Cox cock’s (i.e., God’s)

  30    me me out

  31    sooth truth    lost parted with/abandoned

  32    in into    grace favor    out of favor

  33    Out upon thee expression of frustration and condemnation

  35    inquire…me ask for me later

Act 5 Scene 3

    1    of in    our esteem my worth

    4    home fully, truly

    6    make consider

    7    Natural i.e., of the passions    i’th’blade in the greenness, immaturity (sometimes emended to “blaze” for consistency with subsequent fire imagery)

  12    high bent pulled fully taut for action (like a bow)

  13    watched awaited

  15    my pardon i.e., you to pardon me

  19    astonish stun/dazzle    survey sight, gaze

  20    richest most noble/most experienced

  25    view sight (of him)    kill All repetition put an end to going over past wrongs

  27    dead forgotten (also a reminder that Helen is supposedly dead)

  29    incensing relics anger-rousing memories

  30    stranger i.e., person whose story is unknown

  32    GENTLEMAN i.e., an attendant

  34    hath reference to is at the disposal of

  38    day of season i.e., inclined to one unchanging disposition    season time of year/weather

  41    Distracted breaking/agitated

  43    high-repented blames bitterly regretted faults

  44    to in

  45    whole mended/well

  46    consumèd used up/passed

  47    take…top tug occasion by the forelock (hair at the front of the head)

  48    quick’st most lively/urgent

  53    stuck fixed

  54    Durst dared    herald messenger

  55    Where i.e., in    my heart impression image (of Lafew’s daughter)    infixing was implanted/fastened onto

  56    perspective optical glass that produced a distorted image

  57    favour (woman’s) face

  58    fair colour beautiful appearance/pale complexion (considered attractive)    expressed deemed (it to be)    stolen i.e., falsely created with cosmetics

  59    Extended or contracted (the perspective) distorted by elongating or shortening

  60    object spectacle/sight

  61    she i.e., Helen

  65    scores debts

  66    great count large account/judgment day

  67    remorseful compassionate    pardon reprieve from death    slowly carried i.e., delivered too late

  68    turns becomes

  70    Make trivial price undervalue

  71    knowing acknowledging    know their grave i.e., lose them

  72    displeasures wrongs

  73    weep weep over, mourn    dust remains

  75    out through

  76    knell funeral bell

  77    Maudlin Magdalen, Lafew’s daughter; means “sorrowful” (may recall Mary Magdalene)

  78    main consents i.e., agreements of the most important parties

  81    they meet Bertram and Maudlin marry/the first and second marriages become similar    cesse variant form of “cease” (some editors assign the closing couplet to the countess, though with no warrant from the Folio)

  83    digested incorporated    favour love token

  85    come yield/come forth

  89    last last time    took her leave said farewell to her

  95    bade told

  96    Necessitied to in dire need of

  97    reave deprive/rob

  98    stead help, support

103    reckoned valued

104    At as highly as    rate worth

107    casement window

110    engaged pledged (to her)    subscribed To acknowledged

112    answer…overture respond honorably to her advances

114    heavy satisfaction sad resignation

116    Plutus Greek god of wealth

117    tinct tincture, elixir    multiplying med’cine alchemical formula for turning base metals into gold

118    science knowledge

123    to surety as witness

127    Upon…disaster in the event of some terrible misfortune befalling her

130    conjectural speculative

131    fain willingly

137    fore-past former    fall turn out

138    Shall…vanity will not reprove my fears for being foolish; rather my fears have foolishly not been apprehensive enough

139    vainly stupidly/wrongly

140    sift examine carefully    Gentleman [the Astringer] though no mention is made here of his status as a hawk-keeper

149    for on account of    removes stages in a royal progress (Helen kept missing the king)    short i.e., too late

150    tender offer

151    Vanquished won

152    this this time

153    looks manifests itself

154    importing visage countenance full of urgency

155    brief summary

159    honour’s paid i.e., virginity’s surrendered    taking no leave without saying good-bye

163    in at    fair i.e., where stolen or poor-quality goods were for sale; Lafew reasons that even there he would receive a better deal than in accepting Bertram for his daughter    toll for this sell Bertram at a market (where vendors paid a fee and entered their goods in the toll-book)

165    suitors petitioners

167    afeard afraid

168    foully snatched i.e., that she was murdered (on Bertram’s orders)

170    sith since

171    that since    fly…lordship flee them as soon as you promise to marry them

174    Derivèd descended

179    both shall cease i.e., she will die in dishonor

183    strange like a stranger

186    this hand i.e., Bertram’s

189    embodied yours made part of your body/united as one

194    fond foolish

198    you…friend they are not friendly toward you

199    gain them win them over again

205    impudent shamless, immodest

206    gamester sexual player, prostitute

210    validity value

211    parallel equal

212    commoner prostitute

214    ’tis hit the mark is hit, this is true

215    Of by

216    testament will    th’sequent issue the successive heir

217    owed owned

222    instrument agent, means

226    quoted for regarded as    perfidious treacherous

227    With by    spots stains, vices    taxed censured    deboshed debauched, corrupted

228    but merely

229    or…for (to be judged) one or the other according to

233    boarded accosted sexually    wanton playful/lascivious

234    knew her distance knew her inferiority of rank/knew how to tease from a distance

235    Madding maddening, provoking

236    fancy’s love’s/desire’s

238    insuite possibly “unusual” (some editors emend to “infinite”)    modern commonplace

239    Subdued me made me submit    rate price

243    turned cast

244    diet restrain (from what I deserve)

253    goes is

257    boggle shy away (like a horse)    shrewdly sharply, greatly    starts startles

262    just proceeding honest speaking

263    By about

265    Tricks lustful tendencies

271    He…not i.e., wanted to have sex with her, but didn’t want to marry her

272    companion fellow/rascal

274    drum drummer    naughty wicked/unskilled

280    Limbo region on the border of hell for unbaptized infants and those born before the time of Christ    Furies three classical goddesses of vengeance    in…them so trusted by

281    motions proposals/sexual movements

282    derive bring

285    fine subtle

297    easy loose-fitting/sexually compliant    glove plays on the sense of “vagina”    goes…on plays on the sense of “orgasms and has sex”    at pleasure at will/for sexual pleasure

299    aught anything

306    put in provide

307    customer prostitute

308    if…you i.e., my virginity is intact    knew had sex with

317    owes owns

318    surety act as guarantor    for for as for

320    quit acquit/repay

324    quick alive

327    Beguiles tricks    truer office accurate function

330    shadow ghost/image/poor reflection/illusion

333    like disguised as

339    know understand

342    Deadly divorce divorcing death

345    handkercher handkerchief

346    Wait on accompany    make sport joke

347    court’sies polite gestures/bows

349    even plain, exact

354    progress…less greater and lesser details of events

355    Resolvedly in a way that resolves all questions

356    meet fittingly

357    past being past

360    express content i.e., with applause and calls of approval

361    strife striving, endeavor    exceeding after

362    Ours…parts i.e., let us reverse roles: the actors will listen patiently while the audience applauds actively

363    Your…us i.e., applaud    hearts gratitude

TWELFTH NIGHT, OR WHAT YOU WILL

“What is love?” asks Feste the clown in one of his songs. It is a very old question. One of the most influential answers to it comes from ancient Greece in the imaginary voice of the comic dramatist Aristophanes in Plato’s dialogue the Symposium. Love, says Aristophanes, is a quest, a journey in search of our lost other half.

The idea is explained by way of a story about human origins. Originally there were not two sexes but three—male, female, and a mixture of the two called androgynous. Furthermore, the original humans were round, with four hands, four feet, and two faces. Humankind then began to have presumptuous ambitions. We rose up against the Olympian gods. Zeus therefore decided to weaken us by cutting us in two, “like an apple halved for pickling.” So now we have two legs, two arms, one face, and the sensation that we are only half ourselves. We yearn and wander, hoping that one day we will find the other half that is literally our soul mate. If the original whole of which you are a half was male, your desire will be for another male (as seems to be the case with Antonio in this play—and Orsino when he falls for “Cesario”?); if female, another female (Olivia desiring the disguised Viola?). These two orientations are what we now call homosexual.

Only if your original was androgynous will you be drawn to the opposite sex, as Viola is to Orsino—and Sir Toby, who has the play’s largest role, to Maria. When one of us meets his or her other half, “the actual half of himself,” then, the Symposium explains, “the pair are lost in an amazement of love and friendship and intimacy, and one will not wish to be out of the other’s sight even for a moment: these are the people who pass their whole lives together, and yet they could not explain what they desire of one another.”

A myth of this kind is a piece of storytelling that answers to a profound and enduring human belief: that we are somehow incomplete without love, without a partner. And that in an ideal world we would all have exactly the right partner. We know viscerally that desire and reproduction are forever bound to conjunction and splitting: two people join as one in the act of love; we are made out of a mixture of X and Y chromosomes, of male seed and female egg, of two distinct genetic lines.

If love is a quest for an idealized version of our own selves, it is easy to understand our fascination with twins. They seem to be the living embodiment of the single self split in two; the extreme case of conjoined twins vividly conjures up the Symposium’s tale of the original human as an unhalved apple. At the same time, a certain anxiety has always been attached to the phenomenon of twins. In ancient Greece it was assumed that a woman who bore twins must have been impregnated by two different men. Some mythical twins represent idealized unity—as with Castor and Pollux, the “gemini” or heavenly twins who symbolize perfect friendship—but others represent opposition or splitting. A nymph in Ovid’s Metamorphoses has twins fathered by Apollo, god of music and light, and Mercury, god of theft and shady dealings; a pair of girl twins in Spenser’s Faerie Queene respectively embody chastity and eroticism; in another of Ovid’s poems, the Fasti, a girl called Lara is raped by Mercury and bears the Lares Compitales, who become guardians of the crossroads. These twins become symbolic of how the story of our lives is made of a perpetual sequence of choices, as alternative ways open before us.

Perhaps the most potent of all narratives about twins are those in which a brother and sister are separated soon after birth, meet when they are grown up, and fall passionately and unashamedly in love with each other: Siegmund and Sieglinde, as portrayed in Richard Wagner’s Die Walküre, might be considered western culture’s highest exemplar of the motif. Brother–sister incest was sometimes explored in the Renaissance theater—most notably in John Ford’s darkly brilliant ’Tis Pity She’s a Whore—but Shakespeare steered away from this dangerous matter. His way of recreating the Symposium’s originary androgyne was by cross-dressing Viola as “Cesario,” the lovely boy-actor with whom both man and woman, both Orsino and Olivia, fall in love. Puns on “woman’s part” and “small pipe” (meaning both voice and male sexual organ) leave no doubt that alluring androgyny is implied here:

For they shall yet belie thy happy years,

That say thou art a man: Diana’s lip

Is not more smooth and rubious, thy small pipe

Is as the maiden’s organ, shrill and sound,

And all is semblative a woman’s part.

William and Anne Shakespeare’s twins, Judith and Hamnet (alternatively spelled Hamlet), were born in February 1585. Their father’s fascination with the dramatic possibilities of double selves is apparent from his early Comedy of Errors, where he adapted a classical story about separated male twins and mistaken identity, but complicated it by giving the brothers servants who are also identical twins. Then in the summer of 1596, the eleven-year-old Hamnet died. Shakespeare had lost his only son and Judith would be forever bereft of her second self. Though we should always be wary of inferring authorial autobiography from the words of fictional characters in a play, there is an inescapable poignancy to the images of loss in Twelfth Night: when Feste sings of sad cypress (“Come away, death”) or Viola alludes to a funeral monument, it is tempting to think of Shakespeare’s own lost boy. Olivia mourns a brother, whilst Viola assumes that hers has been drowned. When she takes a male disguise and “becomes” Cesario, it is as if she impersonates her own opposite-sex twin: “I am all the daughters of my father’s house / And all the brothers too.” She herself explains that the lost Sebastian is the model for her performance of male behavior (“For him I imitate”).

The principal source of Twelfth Night’s tale of siblings lost and found, and of a cross-dressed servant sent to woo on behalf of a master whom she loves herself, was a novella by Barnaby Riche called “Apolonius and Silla.” There the brother and sister who are the originals for Viola and Sebastian are not twins but “the one of them was so like the other in countenance and favour that there was no man able to discern the one from the other by their faces, saving by their apparel, the one being a man, the other a woman.” Critics sometimes express puzzlement that Shakespeare makes so much of the resemblance between Viola and Sebastian, given his presumed personal knowledge that boy–girl twins are not identical. In modern terminology, it is generally accepted that monozygotic fertilization is always same sex (in fact, recent research has shown that in certain rare cases of genetic abnormality it is possible to have boy–girl monozygotic twins). But Riche’s original premise reveals the absurdity of this criticism of the plot: siblings don’t even have to be twins to look remarkably alike.

One of the greatest challenges for a writer is to imagine what it would be like to be a member of the opposite sex. The particular demand faced by Shakespeare and the boy-actors who played his women’s parts was to get beyond the age’s conventions of proper female behavior, which commended silence and submissiveness. “Cesario” is partly a device to give Viola an active voice, to enable her to break the shackles of passivity. But the lovely combination of quick-witted facility, wonder, and vulnerability with which she slots into her impersonation is something more than a reaction to social convention or codes of propriety. In terms of the play’s imaginary world, Viola plays Cesario so effectively because of her prior knowledge and love of Sebastian—this is what allows the otherwise implausible conceit of Olivia’s marrying Sebastian in the belief that he is Cesario. In terms of the play’s creative origin, it is tempting to speculate that the germ was sown by Shakespeare’s observation of the intuitive understanding between his twins as they learned to speak and to play together.

Shakespearean comedy often imagines a journey from the secure womb of the family to a world of shipwreck and isolation, and thence to the bond of marriage. The characters lose themselves to find themselves. Broken families are restored in the same instant that new families are anticipated through the pronouncement of love vows. The climax of Twelfth Night is one of the great reunion scenes, as the parted twins are joined:

ORSINO

ORSINO     One face, one voice, one habit, and two persons,

               A natural perspective, that is and is not!

               …

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     How have you made division of yourself?

               An apple cleft in two is not more twin

               Than these two creatures.

The language is richly suggestive of one made two and two made one, of the cleft apple from the Symposium’s myth of origins, and of the workings of nature combined with the trick of art (a “perspective” was a distorting glass that created the optical illusion of one picture appearing as two). In a single action, brother and sister find both each other and their object of desire.

And yet. The peculiar poignancy of Twelfth Night comes from the sense that there are many losses even in this moment of wonder. Antonio, who has been like a brother and even a lover to Sebastian, is left alone. Malvolio has been humiliated just a little too far. The union of Sir Toby and Maria leaves Sir Andrew isolated—he was adored once, too, but we cannot imagine that he will be again. And Feste is there to sing another sad song of time and change. Above all, Cesario is no more: Orsino closes the dialogue by addressing Viola by her boy-name one final time before she assumes her female garb and becomes his “fancy’s queen.” But “fancy’s queen” is the very language of that shallow courtly love with which Orsino had tried to woo Olivia: the language that Cesario cast off when (s)he began speaking in his/her own voice. In the closing moments of the play, Viola does seem to revert to the silence and passivity of orthodox female behavior.

What is going through her imaginary heart at this moment? Even as Sebastian and Orsino are found, Cesario is lost. Could Viola be saying good-bye to the feigned twin into which she has made herself?

The name Cesario suggests untimely birth—as in “Caesarean section,” a baby “from his mother’s womb untimely ripped”—but the character undergoes an untimely death. A few months before starting the comedy of Twelfth Night, Shakespeare completed his deeply meditated tragedy of Hamlet. There are unfathomable crosscurrents at work here: in creating and destroying Cesario, perhaps Shakespeare too is saying a good-bye. To his own Hamnet. Viola is diminished when bereaved of her invented second self. Was this Shakespeare’s delayed response to poor Judith’s desolation on the loss of her twin?

A more immediate occasion for the play’s meditations on love and identity seems to have been Shakespeare’s friendly rivalry with Ben Jonson. Shakespeare had been writing courtship comedies for many years when Jonson came onto the theatrical scene at the end of the 1590s with a more hard-edged satirical vein of drama that tapped into the psychology of “humors”—the idea that aberrant behavior (which is readily comic and worthy of satire) could be attributed to an excess of a particular passion or obsession or to temperamental imbalance (too much choler or melancholy). Jonson seems to have fallen out with Shakespeare’s acting company early in the new century. At this time he wrote a play called The Fountain of Self-Love, or Cynthia’s Revels for the Children of Her Majesty’s Chapel, the “boy-actors” company that, to judge from a famous piece of dialogue in Hamlet, was perceived by Shakespeare and his fellows as something of a threat to their own prestige. Jonson’s double title was innovative and not a little pretentious: Shakespeare may well have been mocking it with Twelfth Night, or What You Will (his only double title). In pricking the bubble of inflated language, as he habitually does, Feste may be glancing at Jonson’s verbosity. “I might say ‘element,’ but the word is over-worn”: “element” is a key word in Jonson’s humoral lexicon. And again, in response to Antonio’s “I prithee vent thy folly somewhere else,” Feste says “Vent my folly! He has heard that word of some great man and now applies it to a fool. Vent my folly!” Since The Fountain of Self-Love contains such phrases as “vent thy passion” and “vent the Etna of his fires,” “some great man” might almost be Jonson.

The fountain in Jonson’s play is that of Narcissus, who drowned while trying to kiss his own reflection. Shakespeare’s Illyria is also a place of self-love. Malvolio in particular is a Narcissus figure, but there is also a certain vanity about Orsino as he plays the role of the courtly lover. Viola, by contrast, is the opposite of a self-lover. She comes back from drowning and speaks in the voice of the desiring woman whom Narcissus neglected:

Make me a willow cabin at your gate,

And call upon my soul within the house,

Write loyal cantons of contemnèd love

And sing them loud even in the dead of night,

Hallow your name to the reverberate hills

And make the babbling gossip of the air

Cry out “Olivia!” O, you should not rest

Between the elements of air and earth,

But you should pity me!

As intimated by the “reverberate hills” and the echo effect “ ‘Olivia!’—O,” the “babbling gossip of the air” alludes to the mythological figure of Echo, who pined away as a result of her unrequited love for Narcissus.

Jonsonian comedy is peopled by narcissists. Twelfth Night responds with an astonishing exploration of the relationship between knowledge of self and sympathy for others—which we might call “echoing”—in the composition of human identity. “I am not what I am”; “Be that thou know’st thou art”; “I swear I am not that I play”; “Ourselves we do not owe”; “nothing that is so is so”; “You shall from this time be / Your master’s mistress.” These paradoxes and promises are the word music of Illyria that “Gives a very echo to the seat / Where love is throned.”

KEY FACTS

PLOT: Viola and her twin brother, Sebastian, have been shipwrecked off the coast of Illyria. Each believes that the other has been drowned. Viola disguises herself as a boy and, under the name of Cesario, enters the service of the duke Orsino. The duke sends Cesario to woo the lady Olivia on his behalf, but Olivia falls in love with the lovely “boy.” Viola/Cesario, meanwhile, has fallen in love with Orsino. Sebastian is saved by the sea captain Antonio and he too arrives in Illyria. Malvolio, Olivia’s steward, disapproves of the other members of her household—her kinsman Sir Toby Belch, his friend Sir Andrew Aguecheek and the jester Feste. Led by the ingenuity of Maria, Olivia’s waiting woman, these three plot Malvolio’s downfall. Olivia meets Sebastian and, mistaking him for Cesario, arranges for them to be secretly married. Further confusion follows upon mistakes as to the identity of the twins. Orsino is furious at the apparent falseness of his page, but, with the eventual meeting of the twins, true identities are revealed and Orsino recognizes his love for Viola.

MAJOR PARTS: (with percentages of lines/number of speeches/scenes on stage) Sir Toby Belch (13%/152/10), Viola (13%/121/8), Olivia (12%/118/6), Feste (12%/104/7), Malvolio (11%/ 87/7), Orsino (9%/59/4), Sir Andrew (6%/88/8), Maria (6%/59/6), Sebastian (5%/31/5), Fabian (4%/51/4), Antonio (4%/26/4).

LINGUISTIC MEDIUM: 40% verse, 60% prose.

DATE: 1601: Performed at Middle Temple February 1602; not mentioned by Meres 1598; alludes to Anthony Sherley’s visit to the Persian Sophy (1598–1601) and to a map first published in 1599; parodies the motif of self-love, double title, and use of word “element” in Ben Jonson’s The Fountain of Self-Love, or Cynthia’s Revels (late 1600/early 1601), while a character in Jonson’s Poetaster (performed later in 1601) seems to say that he has been to a performance of Twelfth Night.

SOURCES: Main plot adapted from the story of “Apolonius and Silla” in Barnaby Riche’s Riche His Farewell to Military Profession (1581), though the motif of the cross-dressed disguised “page” wooing a lady on behalf of a master whom she loves herself is derived from a series of Italian comedies going back to Gl’Ingannati (“The Deceived”), an extremely bawdy play performed by “The Academy of the Thunderstruck” in Siena (1537). The mistaking of twins is bred from Plautus’ Menaechmi by way of Shakespeare’s own Comedy of Errors. There is no clear source for the Sir Toby/Malvolio plot.

TEXT: First Folio of 1623 is only early printed text. Probably set from scribal copy, it is exceptionally free from errors and textual problems.

TWELFTH NIGHT, OR WHAT YOU WILL

ORSINO, Duke of Illyria

VIOLA, later disguised as Cesario

A Sea-CAPTAIN

SEBASTIAN, Viola’s twin brother

ANTONIO, another sea-captain

OLIVIA, a Countess in Illyria

MARIA, her waiting-woman

SIR TOBY BELCH, Olivia’s kinsman

SIR ANDREW AGUECHEEK, companion of Sir Toby

MALVOLIO, Olivia’s steward

FABIAN, a member of Olivia’s household

FESTE the clown, Olivia’s jester

Musicians, Sailors, Lords, Officers, Servants, Attendants and a Priest

Act 1 Scene 11.1

running scene 1

       Enter Orsino Duke of Illyria, Curio and other Lords Music plays

ORSINO

ORSINO     If music be the food of love, play on,

               Give me excess of it, that surfeiting,²

               The appetite³ may sicken and so die.

               That strain again, it had a dying fall:⁴

5

5             O, it came o’er my ear like the sweet sound⁵

               That breathes upon a bank of violets,

               Stealing and giving odour. Enough, no more,

               ’Tis not so sweet now as it was before. Music stops

               O spirit of love, how quick and fresh⁹ art thou

10

10           That, notwithstanding thy capacity,¹⁰

               Receiveth as the sea.¹¹ Nought enters there,

               Of what validity and pitch¹² soe’er,

               But falls into abatement¹³ and low price

               Even in a minute. So full of shapes¹⁴ is fancy

15

15           That it alone¹⁵ is high fantastical.

CURIO

CURIO     Will you go hunt, my lord?

ORSINO

ORSINO     What, Curio?

CURIO

CURIO     The hart.¹⁸

ORSINO

ORSINO     Why so I do, the noblest that I have.

20

20           O, when mine eyes did see Olivia first,

               Methought she purged the air of pestilence.²¹

               That instant was I turned into a hart,

               And my desires, like fell²³ and cruel hounds,

               E’er since pursue me.

       Enter Valentine

               How now, what news from her?

25

25   

VALENTINE

VALENTINE           So please my lord, I might not be admitted,

               But from her handmaid do return this answer:

               The element²⁷ itself, till seven years’ heat,

               Shall not behold her face at ample²⁸ view,

               But like a cloistress²⁹ she will veilèd walk,

30

30           And water once a day her chamber round

               With eye-offending brine³¹ — all this to season

               A brother’s dead love, which she would keep fresh

               And lasting in her sad remembrance.

ORSINO

ORSINO     O, she that hath a heart of that fine frame

35

35           To pay this debt of love but to a brother,

               How will she love when the rich golden shaft³⁶

               Hath killed the flock of all affections else³⁷

               That live in her — when liver,³⁸ brain and heart,

               These sovereign thrones, are all supplied,³⁹ and filled

40

40           Her sweet perfections with one self⁴⁰ king!

               Away before me, to sweet beds of flowers.

               Love thoughts lie rich when canopied with bowers.

       Exeunt

Act 1 Scene 21.2

running scene 2

       Enter Viola, a Captain and Sailors

VIOLA

VIOLA     What country, friends, is this?

CAPTAIN

CAPTAIN     This is Illyria, lady.

VIOLA

VIOLA     And what should I do in Illyria?

               My brother he is in Elysium.⁴

5

5             Perchance⁵ he is not drowned: what think you, sailors?

CAPTAIN

CAPTAIN     It is perchance that you yourself were saved.

VIOLA

VIOLA     O, my poor brother! And so perchance may he be.

CAPTAIN

CAPTAIN     True, madam, and to comfort you with chance,⁸

               Assure yourself, after our ship did split,

10

10           When you and those poor number saved with you

               Hung on our driving¹¹ boat, I saw your brother,

               Most provident¹² in peril, bind himself —

               Courage and hope both teaching him the practice¹³ —

               To a strong mast that lived¹⁴ upon the sea,

15

15           Where, like Arion¹⁵ on the dolphin’s back,

               I saw him hold acquaintance with¹⁶ the waves

               So long as I could see.

VIOLA

VIOLA     For saying so, there’s gold. Gives money

               Mine own escape unfoldeth¹⁹ to my hope,

20

20           Whereto thy speech serves for authority,

               The like of him.²¹ Know’st thou this country?

CAPTAIN

CAPTAIN     Ay, madam, well, for I was bred and born

               Not three hours’ travel from this very place.

VIOLA

VIOLA     Who governs here?

25

25   

CAPTAIN

CAPTAIN           A noble duke, in nature as in name.

VIOLA

VIOLA     What is his name?

CAPTAIN

CAPTAIN     Orsino.

VIOLA

VIOLA     Orsino. I have heard my father name him.

               He was a bachelor then.

30

30   

CAPTAIN

CAPTAIN           And so is now, or was so very late,³⁰

               For but a month ago I went from hence,

               And then ’twas fresh in murmur³² — as you know,

               What³³ great ones do, the less will prattle of —

               That he did seek the love of fair Olivia.

35

35   

VIOLA

VIOLA           What’s she?

CAPTAIN

CAPTAIN     A virtuous maid, the daughter of a count

               That died some twelvemonth since, then leaving her

               In the protection of his son, her brother,

               Who shortly also died, for whose dear love,

40

40           They say, she hath abjured the sight

               And company of men.

VIOLA

VIOLA     O that I served that lady,

               And might not be⁴³ delivered to the world

               Till I had made mine own occasion mellow,

45

45           What my estate is.

CAPTAIN

CAPTAIN     That were hard to compass,⁴⁶

               Because she will admit no kind of suit,⁴⁷

               No, not⁴⁸ the duke’s.

VIOLA

VIOLA     There is a fair behaviour⁴⁹ in thee, captain,

50

50           And though that⁵⁰ nature with a beauteous wall

               Doth oft close in⁵¹ pollution, yet of thee

               I will believe thou hast a mind that suits⁵²

               With this thy fair and outward character.⁵³

               I prithee — and I’ll pay thee bounteously —

55

55           Conceal me what I am, and be my aid

               For such disguise as haply⁵⁶ shall become

               The form of my intent. I’ll serve this duke.

               Thou shalt present me as an eunuch⁵⁸ to him.

               It may be worth thy pains, for I can sing

60

60           And speak to him in many sorts of music

               That will allow⁶¹ me very worth his service.

               What else may hap,⁶² to time I will commit,

               Only shape thou thy silence to my wit.⁶³

CAPTAIN

CAPTAIN     Be you his eunuch, and your mute I’ll be:

65

65           When my tongue blabs, then let mine eyes not see.

VIOLA

VIOLA     I thank thee. Lead me on.

       Exeunt

Act 1 Scene 3

running scene 3

       Enter Sir Toby [Belch] and Maria

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     What a plague¹ means my niece to take the death of her brother thus? I am sure care’s² an enemy to life.

MARIA

MARIA     By my troth,³ Sir Toby, you must come in earlier a-nights: your cousin, my lady, takes great exceptions to your ill⁴ hours.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Why, let her except, before excepted.⁵

MARIA

MARIA     Ay, but you must confine yourself within the modest⁶ limits of order.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Confine? I’ll confine⁷ myself no finer than I am: these clothes are good enough to drink in, and so be these boots too. An⁸ they be not, let them hang themselves in their own straps.

MARIA

MARIA     That quaffing¹⁰ and drinking will undo you. I heard my lady talk of it yesterday, and of a foolish knight that you brought in one night here to be her wooer.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Who, Sir Andrew Aguecheek?¹³

MARIA

MARIA     Ay, he.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     He’s as tall¹⁵ a man as any’s in Illyria.

MARIA

MARIA     What’s that to th’purpose?

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Why, he has three thousand ducats¹⁷ a year.

MARIA

MARIA     Ay, but he’ll¹⁸ have but a year in all these ducats: he’s a very fool and a prodigal.¹⁹

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Fie, that you’ll say so! He plays o’th’viol-de-gamboys,²⁰ and speaks three or four languages word for word without book,²¹ and hath all the good gifts of nature.

MARIA

MARIA     He hath indeed, almost natural,²² for, besides that he’s a fool, he’s a great quarreller: and but that he hath the gift of a coward to allay²³ the gust he hath in quarrelling, ’tis thought among the prudent he would quickly have the gift of a grave.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     By this hand, they are scoundrels and subtractors²⁶ that say so of him. Who are they?

MARIA

MARIA     They that add, moreover, he’s drunk nightly in your company.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     With drinking healths to my niece. I’ll drink to her as long as there is a passage in my throat and drink in Illyria. He’s a coward and a coystrill³⁰ that will not drink to my niece till his brains turn o’th’toe³¹ like a parish top. What, wench? Castiliano vulgo!³² For here comes Sir Andrew Agueface.

       Enter Sir Andrew [Aguecheek]

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     Sir Toby Belch. How now, Sir Toby Belch?

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Sweet Sir Andrew.

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     Bless you, fair shrew.³⁵ To Maria

MARIA

MARIA     And you too, sir.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Accost,³⁷ Sir Andrew, accost.

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     What’s that?

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     My niece’s chambermaid.³⁹

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     Good Mistress Accost, I desire better acquaintance.

MARIA

MARIA     My name is Mary, sir.

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     Good Mistress Mary Accost—

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     You mistake, knight. ‘Accost’ is front⁴³ her, board her, woo her, assail her.

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     By my troth, I would not undertake⁴⁴ her in this company. Is that the meaning of ‘accost’?

MARIA

MARIA     Fare you well, gentlemen. Starts to leave

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     An⁴⁷ thou let part so, Sir Andrew, would thou mightst never draw sword again.

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     An you part so, mistress, I would I might never draw sword again. Fair lady, do you think you have fools in hand?⁵⁰

MARIA

MARIA     Sir, I have not you by th’hand.

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     Marry,⁵² but you shall have, and here’s my hand. Gives her his hand

MARIA

MARIA     Now, sir, thought is free.⁵³ I pray you bring your hand to th’buttery-bar and let it drink.

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     Wherefore,⁵⁵ sweetheart? What’s your metaphor?

MARIA

MARIA     It’s dry,⁵⁶ sir.

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     Why, I⁵⁷ think so: I am not such an ass but I can keep my hand dry. But what’s your jest?

MARIA

MARIA     A dry jest,⁵⁹ sir.

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     Are you full of them?

MARIA

MARIA     Ay, sir, I have them at⁶¹ my fingers’ ends. Lets go of his hand

                  Marry, now I let go your hand, I am barren.⁶²

       Exit Maria

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     O knight, thou lack’st a cup of canary.⁶³ When did I see thee so put down?

SIRANDREW

SIRANDREW     Never in your life, I think, unless you see canary put me down. Methinks sometimes I have no more wit than a Christian⁶⁵ or an ordinary man has. But I am a great eater⁶⁶ of beef and I believe that does harm to my wit.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     No question.

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     An I thought that, I’d forswear it.⁶⁸ I’ll ride home tomorrow, Sir Toby.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Pourquoi,⁶⁹ my dear knight?

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     What is ‘Pourquoi’? Do or not do? I would I had bestowed that time in the tongues⁷¹ that I have in fencing, dancing and bear-baiting. O, had I but followed the arts!⁷²

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Then hadst thou had an excellent head of hair.⁷³

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     Why, would that have mended⁷⁴ my hair?

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Past question, for thou see’st it will not curl by nature.

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     But it becomes⁷⁶ me well enough, does’t not?

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Excellent. It hangs like flax⁷⁷ on a distaff, and I hope to see a housewife take thee between her legs and spin it off.

SIRANDREW

SIRANDREW     Faith, I’ll home tomorrow, Sir Toby. Your niece will not be seen, or if she be, it’s four to one she’ll none of me.⁸⁰ The count himself here hard by woos her.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     She’ll none o’th’count. She’ll not match above her degree,⁸¹ neither in estate, years, nor wit;⁸² I have heard her swear’t. Tut, there’s life in’t, man.

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     I’ll stay a month longer. I am a fellow o’th’strangest⁸³ mind i’th’world: I delight in masques and revels⁸⁴ sometimes altogether.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Art thou good at these kickshawses,⁸⁵ knight?

SIRANDREW

SIRANDREW     As any man in Illyria, whatsoever he be, under⁸⁶ the degree of my betters, and yet I will not compare with an old man.⁸⁷

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     What is thy excellence in a galliard,⁸⁸ knight?

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     Faith, I can cut a caper.⁸⁹

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     And I can cut⁹⁰ the mutton to’t.

SIRANDREW

SIRANDREW     And I think I have the back-trick⁹¹ simply as strong as any man in Illyria.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Wherefore are these things hid? Wherefore have these gifts a curtain before ’em? Are they like to take⁹³ dust, like Mistress Mall’s picture? Why dost thou not go to church in⁹⁴ a galliard and come home in a coranto? My very walk should be a jig,⁹⁵ I would not so much as make water but in a sink-a-pace. What dost thou mean? Is it a world to hide virtues⁹⁶ in? I did think, by the excellent constitution of thy leg, it was formed under the star⁹⁷ of a galliard.

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     Ay, ’tis strong, and it does indifferent⁹⁸ well in a damned coloured stock. Shall we set about some revels?

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     What shall we do else? Were we not born under Taurus?

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     Taurus?¹⁰¹ That’s sides and heart.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     No, sir, it is legs and thighs.¹⁰² Sir Andrew dances Let me see thee caper. Ha? Higher, ha, ha! Excellent!

       Exeunt

Act 1 Scene 4

running scene 4

       Enter Valentine and Viola [as Cesario] in man’s attire

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     If the duke continue these favours towards you, Cesario,¹ you are like to be much advanced.² He hath known you but three days, and already you are no stranger.

VIOLA

VIOLA     You either fear his humour⁴ or my negligence, that you call in question the continuance of his love. Is he inconstant, sir, in his favours?

VALENTINE

VALENTINE     No, believe me.

       Enter Duke [Orsino], Curio and Attendants

VIOLA

VIOLA     I thank you. Here comes the count.

ORSINO

ORSINO     Who saw Cesario, ho?

VIOLA

VIOLA     On your attendance,⁹ my lord, here.

10

10   

ORSINO

ORSINO     Stand you awhile aloof.¹⁰— Cesario, To Attendants, who stand aside

               Thou know’st no¹¹ less but all. I have unclasped

               To thee the book even of my secret soul:

               Therefore, good youth, address thy gait¹³ unto her,

               Be not denied access, stand at her doors,

15

15           And tell them¹⁵ there thy fixèd foot shall grow

               Till thou have audience.¹⁶

VIOLA

VIOLA     Sure, my noble lord,

               If she be so abandoned to her sorrow

               As it is spoke,¹⁹ she never will admit me.

20

20   

ORSINO

ORSINO     Be clamorous and leap all civil bounds²⁰

               Rather than make unprofited return.

VIOLA

VIOLA     Say I do speak with her, my lord, what then?

ORSINO

ORSINO     O, then unfold the passion of my love,

               Surprise²⁴ her with discourse of my dear faith;

25

25           It shall become²⁵ thee well to act my woes.

               She will attend²⁶ it better in thy youth

               Than in a nuncio’s²⁷ of more grave aspect.

VIOLA

VIOLA     I think not so, my lord.

ORSINO

ORSINO     Dear lad,²⁹ believe it;

30

30           For they shall yet belie³⁰ thy happy years,

               That say thou art a man: Diana’s lip³¹

               Is not more smooth and rubious,³² thy small pipe

               Is as the maiden’s organ, shrill and sound,³³

               And all is semblative³⁴ a woman’s part.

35

35           I know thy constellation³⁵ is right apt

               For this affair.— Some four or five attend him. To Attendants

               All, if you will, for I myself am best

               When least in company. Prosper well in this,

               And thou shalt live as freely³⁹ as thy lord,

40

40           To call his fortunes thine.

VIOLA

VIOLA     I’ll do my best

               To woo your lady.— Yet, a barful strife!⁴² Aside

               Whoe’er I woo, myself would be his wife.

       Exeunt

Act 1 Scene 51.5

running scene 5

       Enter Maria and Clown [Feste]

MARIA

MARIA     Nay, either tell me where thou hast been, or I will not open my lips so wide as a bristle may enter in² way of thy excuse. My lady will hang thee for thy absence.

FESTE

FESTE     Let her hang me: he that is well hanged⁴ in this world needs to fear no colours.

MARIA

MARIA     Make that good.⁶

FESTE

FESTE     He⁷ shall see none to fear.

MARIA

MARIA     A good lenten⁸ answer. I can tell thee where that saying was born, of ‘I fear no colours.’

FESTE

FESTE     Where, good Mistress Mary?

MARIA

MARIA     In the wars, and that may you be bold¹¹ to say in your foolery.

FESTE

FESTE     Well, God give them wisdom that have it, and those that are fools, let them use their talents.

MARIA

MARIA     Yet you will be hanged for being so long absent, or, to be turned away,¹⁴ is not that as good as a hanging to you?

FESTE

FESTE     Many¹⁶ a good hanging prevents a bad marriage, and, for turning away, let summer bear it out.

MARIA

MARIA     You are resolute, then?

FESTE

FESTE     Not so, neither. But I am resolved on two points.¹⁹

MARIA

MARIA     That if one break, the other will hold, or if both break, your gaskins²⁰ fall.

FESTE

FESTE     Apt,²¹ in good faith, very apt. Well, go thy way. If Sir Toby would leave drinking, thou wert as witty a piece of Eve’s flesh²² as any in Illyria.

MARIA

MARIA     Peace, you rogue, no more o’that. Here comes my lady: make your excuse wisely, you were best.²⁴

       [Exit]

       Enter Lady Olivia with Malvolio [and Attendants]

FESTE

FESTE     Wit, an’t²⁵ be thy will, put me into good fooling! Aside Those wits, that think they have thee, do very oft prove fools, and I that am sure I lack thee, may pass for a wise man. For what says Quinapalus?²⁷ ‘Better a witty fool than a foolish wit.’—

                  God bless thee, lady. To Olivia

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Take the fool away. To Attendants

FESTE

FESTE     Do you not hear, fellows? Take away the lady.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Go to,³¹ you’re a dry fool. I’ll no more of you. Besides, you grow dishonest.

FESTE

FESTE     Two faults, Madonna,³² that drink and good counsel will amend. For give the dry³³ fool drink, then is the fool not dry: bid the dishonest man mend himself. If he mend, he is no longer dishonest; if he cannot, let the botcher³⁴ mend him. Anything that’s mended is but patched:³⁵ virtue that transgresses is but patched with sin, and sin that amends is but patched with virtue. If that this simple³⁶ syllogism³⁷ will serve, so. If it will not, what remedy? As there is no true cuckold but calamity, so beauty’s a flower.³⁸ The lady bade take away the fool: therefore, I say again, take her away.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Sir, I bade them take away you.

FESTE

FESTE     Misprision⁴¹ in the highest degree! Lady, cucullus non facit monachum: that’s as much to say as I wear not motley⁴² in my brain. Good madonna, give me leave to prove you a fool.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Can you do it?

FESTE

FESTE     Dexteriously,⁴⁵ good madonna.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Make your proof.

FESTE

FESTE     I must catechize⁴⁷ you for it, madonna. Good my mouse of virtue, answer me.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Well, sir, for want of other idleness,⁴⁸ I’ll bide your proof.

FESTE

FESTE     Good madonna, why mourn’st thou?

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Good fool, for my brother’s death.

FESTE

FESTE     I think his soul is in hell, madonna.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     I know his soul is in heaven, fool.

FESTE

FESTE     The more fool, madonna, to mourn for your brother’s soul being in heaven. Take away the fool, gentlemen.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     What think you of this fool, Malvolio? Doth he not mend?⁵⁵

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     Yes, and shall do till the pangs of death shake him. Infirmity, that decays the wise, doth ever make the better fool.

FESTE

FESTE     God send you, sir, a speedy infirmity, for the better increasing your folly! Sir Toby will be sworn that I am no fox,⁵⁹ but he will not pass his word for twopence that you are no fool.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     How say you to that, Malvolio?

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     I marvel your ladyship takes delight in such a barren⁶² rascal. I saw him put down the other day with⁶³ an ordinary fool that has no more brain than a stone. Look you now, he’s out⁶⁴ of his guard already. Unless you laugh and minister occasion to him, he is gagged. I protest,⁶⁵ I take these wise men, that crow so at these set⁶⁶ kind of fools, no better than the fools’ zanies.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     O, you are sick of⁶⁷ self-love, Malvolio, and taste with a distempered appetite. To be generous, guiltless and of free⁶⁸ disposition is to take those things for bird-bolts that you deem cannon-bullets. There is no slander in an allowed⁶⁹ fool, though he do nothing but rail;⁷⁰ nor no railing in a known discreet man, though he do nothing but reprove.⁷¹

FESTE

FESTE     Now Mercury⁷² endue thee with leasing, for thou speak’st well of fools.

       Enter Maria

MARIA

MARIA     Madam, there is at the gate a young gentleman much desires to speak with you.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     From the Count Orsino, is it?

MARIA

MARIA     I know not, madam. ’Tis a fair young man, and well attended.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Who of my people hold him in delay?

MARIA

MARIA     Sir Toby, madam, your kinsman.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Fetch him off, I pray you. He speaks nothing but madman.⁷⁹ Fie on him!—

       [Exit Maria]

                  Go you, Malvolio; if it be a suit from the count, I am sick, or not at home. What⁸⁰ you will, to dismiss it.—

       Exit Malvolio

                  Now you see, sir, how your fooling grows old,⁸² and people dislike it.

FESTE

FESTE     Thou hast spoke for us, madonna, as if thy eldest son should be⁸³ a fool, whose skull Jove⁸⁴ cram with brains, for — here he comes —

       Enter Sir Toby

                  one of thy kin has a most weak pia mater.⁸⁵

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     By mine honour, half drunk.— To Sir Toby What is he at the gate, cousin?

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     A gentleman.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     A gentleman? What gentleman?

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     ’Tis a gentleman here— Beiches/To Feste a plague o’these pickle herring!— How now, sot?⁸⁹

FESTE

FESTE     Good Sir Toby!

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Cousin, cousin, how have you come so early by this lethargy?⁹¹

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Lechery? I defy lechery. There’s one⁹² at the gate.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Ay, marry, what is he?

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Let him be the devil, an he will, I care not. Give me faith,⁹⁴ say I. Well, it’s all one.

       Exit

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     What’s a drunken man like, fool?

FESTE

FESTE     Like a drowned man, a fool and a madman: one⁹⁷ draught above heat makes him a fool, the second mads him, and a third drowns⁹⁸ him.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Go thou and seek the crowner,⁹⁹ and let him sit o’my coz, for he’s in the third degree of drink: he’s drowned. Go look after him.

FESTE

FESTE     He is but mad yet, madonna, and the fool shall look to the madman.

       [Exit]

       Enter Malvolio

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     Madam, yond¹⁰² young fellow swears he will speak with you. I told him you were sick, he takes¹⁰³ on him to understand so much, and therefore comes to speak with you. I told him you were asleep — he seems to have a foreknowledge of that too — and therefore comes to speak with you. What is to be said to him, lady? He’s fortified against any denial.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Tell him he shall not speak with me.

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     He’s been told so, and he says he’ll stand at your door like a sheriff’s post,¹⁰⁸ and be the supporter¹⁰⁹ to a bench, but he’ll speak with you.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     What kind o’man is he?

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     Why, of mankind.¹¹¹

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     What manner of man?

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     Of very ill manner.¹¹³ He’ll speak with you, will you or no.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Of what personage¹¹⁴ and years is he?

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     Not yet old enough for a man, nor young enough for a boy. As a squash¹¹⁵ is before ’tis a peascod, or a codling¹¹⁶ when ’tis almost an apple: ’tis with him in standing water,¹¹⁷ between boy and man. He is very well-favoured and he speaks very shrewishly.¹¹⁸ One would think his mother’s milk were scarce out of him.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Let him approach. Call in my gentlewoman.

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     Gentlewoman, my lady calls.

       Exit

       Enter Maria

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Give me my veil. Come, throw it o’er my face. We’ll once more hear Orsino’s embassy.¹²² She is veiled

       Enter Viola [and Attendants]

VIOLA

VIOLA     The honourable lady of the house, which is she?

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Speak to me, I shall answer for her. Your will?

VIOLA

VIOLA     Most radiant, exquisite and unmatchable beauty — I pray you tell me if this be the lady of the house, for I never saw her. I would be loath to cast away¹²⁶ my speech, for besides that it is excellently well penned,¹²⁷ I have taken great pains to con¹²⁸ it. Good beauties, let me sustain no scorn; I am very comptible, even to the least sinister¹²⁹ usage.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Whence came you, sir?

VIOLA

VIOLA     I can say little more than I have studied,¹³¹ and that question’s out of my part. Good gentle one, give me modest¹³² assurance, if you be the lady of the house, that I may proceed in my speech.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Are you a comedian?¹³⁴

VIOLA

VIOLA     No, my profound heart.¹³⁵ And yet, by the very fangs of malice, I swear I am not that I play.¹³⁶ Are you the lady of the house?

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     If I do not usurp¹³⁷ myself, I am.

VIOLA

VIOLA     Most certain, if you are she, you do usurp yourself, for what¹³⁸ is yours to bestow is not yours to reserve. But this is from¹³⁹ my commission. I will on with my speech in your praise, and then show you the heart of my message.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Come to what is important in’t. I forgive¹⁴¹ you the praise.

VIOLA

VIOLA     Alas, I took great pains to study it, and ’tis poetical.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     It is the more like to be feigned.¹⁴³ I pray you keep it in. I heard you were saucy at my gates, and allowed your approach rather to wonder¹⁴⁴ at you than to hear you. If¹⁴⁵ you be not mad, be gone. If you have reason, be brief. ’Tis not that time of moon with me to make one¹⁴⁶ in so skipping a dialogue.

MARIA

MARIA     Will you hoist sail,¹⁴⁷ sir? Here lies your way.

VIOLA

VIOLA     No, good swabber,¹⁴⁸ I am to hull here a little longer. Some mollification for your giant,¹⁴⁹ sweet lady; tell me your mind, I am a messenger.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Sure, you have some hideous matter to deliver, when the courtesy¹⁵⁰ of it is so fearful.¹⁵¹ Speak your office.

VIOLA

VIOLA     It alone concerns your ear. I bring no overture¹⁵² of war, no taxation of homage; I hold the olive¹⁵³ in my hand. My words are as full of peace as matter.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Yet you began rudely.¹⁵⁴ What are you? What would you?

VIOLA

VIOLA     The rudeness that hath appeared in me have I learned from my entertainment.¹⁵⁶ What I am, and what I would, are as secret as maidenhead: to your ears, divinity:¹⁵⁷ to any other’s, profanation.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Give us the place alone. We will hear this divinity.

       [Exeunt Maria and Attendants]

                  Now, sir, what is your text?¹⁵⁹

VIOLA

VIOLA     Most sweet lady—

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     A comfortable¹⁶¹ doctrine, and much may be said of it. Where lies your text?

VIOLA

VIOLA     In Orsino’s bosom.¹⁶²

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     In his bosom? In what chapter¹⁶³ of his bosom?

VIOLA

VIOLA     To answer¹⁶⁴ by the method, in the first of his heart.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     O, I have read it: it is heresy. Have you no more to say?

VIOLA

VIOLA     Good madam, let me see your face.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Have you any commission from your lord to negotiate with my face? You are now out of¹⁶⁸ your text. Unveils But we will draw the curtain and show you the picture. Look you, sir, such¹⁶⁹ a one I was this present. Is’t not well done?

VIOLA

VIOLA     Excellently done, if¹⁷⁰ God did all.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     ’Tis in grain,¹⁷¹ sir, ’twill endure wind and weather.

VIOLA

VIOLA     ’Tis beauty truly blent,¹⁷² whose red and white

               Nature’s own sweet and cunning¹⁷³ hand laid on.

               Lady, you are the cruell’st she¹⁷⁴ alive,

               If you will lead these graces¹⁷⁵ to the grave

               And leave the world no copy.¹⁷⁶

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     O, sir, I will not be so hard-hearted. I will give out divers schedules¹⁷⁷ of my beauty. It shall be inventoried,¹⁷⁸ and every particle and utensil labelled to my will: as, item, two lips, indifferent¹⁷⁹ red: item, two grey eyes, with lids to them: item, one neck, one chin and so forth. Were you sent hither to praise¹⁸⁰ me?

VIOLA

VIOLA     I see you what you are, you are too proud.

               But if¹⁸² you were the devil, you are fair.

               My lord and master loves you. O, such love

               Could be but recompensed, though¹⁸⁴ you were crowned

               The nonpareil¹⁸⁵ of beauty!

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     How does he love me?

VIOLA

VIOLA     With adorations, fertile¹⁸⁷ tears,

               With groans that thunder love, with sighs of fire.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Your lord does know my mind: I cannot love him.

190

190         Yet I suppose¹⁹⁰ him virtuous, know him noble,

               Of great estate, of fresh and stainless youth;

               In¹⁹² voices well divulged, free, learned and valiant,

               And in dimension¹⁹³ and the shape of nature

               A gracious¹⁹⁴ person; but yet I cannot love him.

195

195         He might have took his answer long ago.

VIOLA

VIOLA     If I did love you in my master’s flame,¹⁹⁶

               With such a suff’ring, such a deadly¹⁹⁷ life,

               In your denial I would find no sense,

               I would not understand it.

200

200 

OLIVIA

OLIVIA             Why, what would you?

VIOLA

VIOLA     Make me a willow cabin²⁰¹ at your gate,

               And call upon my soul²⁰² within the house,

               Write loyal cantons²⁰³ of contemnèd love

               And sing them loud even in the dead of night,

205

205         Hallow²⁰⁵ your name to the reverberate hills

               And make the babbling²⁰⁶ gossip of the air

               Cry out ‘Olivia!’ O, you should not rest

               Between the elements of air and earth,

               But you should pity me!

210

210 

OLIVIA

OLIVIA             You might do much. What is your parentage?

VIOLA

VIOLA     Above my fortunes,²¹¹ yet my state is well:

               I am a gentleman.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Get you to your lord.

               I cannot love him. Let him send no more,

215

215         Unless, perchance, you come to me again,

               To tell me how he takes it. Fare you well:

               I thank you for your pains. Spend this for me. Offers a purse

VIOLA

VIOLA     I am no fee’d post,²¹⁸ lady; keep your purse.

               My master, not myself, lacks recompense.

220

220         Love²²⁰ make his heart of flint that you shall love,

               And let your fervour, like my master’s, be

               Placed in contempt! Farewell, fair cruelty.

       Exit

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     ‘What is your parentage?’

               ‘Above my fortunes, yet my state is well;

225

225         I am a gentleman.’ I’ll be sworn thou art.

               Thy tongue, thy face, thy limbs, actions and spirit,

               Do give thee five-fold blazon.²²⁷ Not too fast. Soft, soft!

               Unless the²²⁸ master were the man. How now?

               Even so quickly may one catch the plague?²²⁹

230

230         Methinks I feel this youth’s perfections

               With an invisible and subtle stealth

               To creep in at mine eyes. Well, let it be.

               What ho, Malvolio!

       Enter Malvolio

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     Here, madam, at your service.

235

235 

OLIVIA

OLIVIA             Run after that same peevish²³⁵ messenger,

               The county’s²³⁶ man. He left this ring behind him, Gives a ring

               Would I²³⁷ or not. Tell him I’ll none of it.

               Desire²³⁸ him not to flatter with his lord,

               Nor hold²³⁹ him up with hopes. I am not for him.

240

240         If that the youth will come this way tomorrow,

               I’ll give him reasons for’t. Hie²⁴¹ thee, Malvolio.

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     Madam, I will.

       Exit

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     I do I know not what, and fear to find

               Mine²⁴⁴ eye too great a flatterer for my mind.

245

245         Fate, show thy force. Ourselves we do not owe.²⁴⁵

               What is decreed must be, and be this so.

       [Exit]

Act 2 Scene 1

running scene 6

       Enter Antonio and Sebastian

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Will you stay no longer? Nor¹ will you not that I go with you?

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     By your patience,² no. My stars shine darkly over me; the malignancy of my fate might perhaps distemper³ yours; therefore I shall crave of you your leave that I may bear my evils⁴ alone. It were a bad recompense for your love to lay any of them on you.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Let me yet know of you whither you are bound.

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     No, sooth,⁷ sir: my determinate voyage is mere extravagancy. But I perceive in you so excellent a touch of modesty⁸ that you will not extort from me what I am⁹ willing to keep in. Therefore it charges me in manners the rather to express¹⁰ myself. You must know of me then, Antonio, my name is Sebastian, which I called¹¹ Roderigo. My father was that Sebastian of Messaline whom I know you have heard of. He left behind him myself and a sister, both born in an hour.¹² If the heavens had been pleased, would we had so ended. But you, sir, altered that, for some¹⁴ hour before you took me from the breach of the sea was my sister drowned.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Alas the day!

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     A lady, sir, though it was said she much resembled me, was yet of many accounted beautiful. But though I could not with such estimable wonder¹⁸ overfar believe that, yet thus far I will boldly publish¹⁹ her: she bore a mind that envy could not but call fair. She is drowned already, sir, with salt water, though I seem to drown her remembrance again with more.²¹

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Pardon me, sir, your bad entertainment.²²

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     O, good Antonio, forgive me your trouble.²³

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     If you will not murder²⁴ me for my love, let me be your servant.

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     If you will not undo what you have done, that is, kill him whom you have recovered,²⁶ desire it not. Fare ye well at once. My bosom is full of kindness, and I am yet²⁷ so near the manners of my mother that upon the least occasion more mine eyes will tell²⁸ tales of me. I am bound to the Count Orsino’s court. Farewell.

       Exit

40

40   

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     The gentleness³⁰ of all the gods go with thee!

               I have many enemies in Orsino’s court,

               Else³² would I very shortly see thee there.

               But come what may, I do adore thee so,

               That danger shall seem sport,³⁴ and I will go.

       Exit

Act 2 Scene 2

running scene 7

       Enter Viola and Malvolio at several doors

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     Were not you ev’n¹ now with the Countess Olivia?

VIOLA

VIOLA     Even now, sir, on² a moderate pace I have since arrived but hither.

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     She returns this ring to you, sir. Shows a ring You might have saved me my pains, to have taken it away yourself. She adds, moreover, that you should put your lord into a desperate assurance⁵ she will none of him. And one thing more, that you be never so hardy⁶ to come again in his affairs, unless it be to report your lord’s taking of this.⁷ Receive it so.

VIOLA

VIOLA     She took the ring of me. I’ll none of it.

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     Come, sir, you peevishly⁹ threw it to her, and her will is, it should be so returned. If it be worth stooping for, there it lies in your eye.¹⁰ Throws it on the ground If not, be it his that finds it.

       Exit

VIOLA

VIOLA     I left no ring with her. What means this lady?

               Fortune forbid my outside¹³ have not charmed her!

               She made¹⁴ good view of me, indeed so much

15

15           That methought her eyes had lost¹⁵ her tongue,

               For she did speak in starts¹⁶ distractedly.

               She loves me, sure. The cunning of her passion

               Invites me in¹⁸ this churlish messenger.

               None of my lord’s ring? Why, he sent her none;

20

20           I am the man. If it be so, as ’tis,

               Poor lady, she were better²¹ love a dream.

               Disguise, I see, thou art a wickedness,

               Wherein the pregnant²³ enemy does much.

               How easy is it for the proper-false²⁴

25

25           In women’s waxen hearts to set their forms!²⁵

               Alas, our²⁶ frailty is the cause, not we,

               For such as we are made of, such we be.

               How will this fadge?²⁸ My master loves her dearly,

               And I, poor monster,²⁹ fond as much on him,

30

30           And she, mistaken, seems to dote on me.

               What will become of this? As I am man,

               My state³² is desperate for my master’s love.

               As I am woman — now alas the day! —

                  What thriftless³⁴ sighs shall poor Olivia breathe?

35

35           O time, thou must untangle this, not I.

               It is too hard a knot for me t’untie.

       [Exit]

Act 2 Scene 3

running scene 8

       Enter Sir Toby and Sir Andrew

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Approach,¹ Sir Andrew. Not to be abed after midnight is to be up betimes, and diluculo surgere,² thou know’st—

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     Nay, by my troth I know not, but I know to be up late is to be up late.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     A false conclusion. I hate it as an unfilled can.⁴ To be up after midnight and to go to bed then is early: so that to go to bed after midnight is to go to bed betimes. Does not our lives⁶ consist of the four elements?

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     Faith, so they say, but I think it rather consists of eating and drinking.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Thou’rt a scholar; let us therefore eat and drink. Marian,⁸ I say, a stoup of wine!

       Enter Clown [Feste]

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     Here comes the fool, i’faith.

FESTE

FESTE     How now, my hearts!¹¹ Did you never see the picture of ‘we three’?

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Welcome, ass. Now let’s have a catch.¹²

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     By my troth the fool has an excellent breast.¹³ I had rather than forty shillings I had such a leg,¹⁴ and so sweet a breath to sing, as the fool has. In sooth thou wast¹⁵ in very gracious fooling last night, when thou spokest of Pigrogromitus,¹⁶ of the Vapians passing the equinoctial of Queubus. ’Twas very good, i’faith. I sent thee sixpence for thy leman.¹⁷ Hadst it?

FESTE

FESTE     I did impeticos¹⁸ thy gratillity, for Malvolio’s nose is no whipstock. My lady has a white hand, and the Myrmidons¹⁹ are no bottle-ale houses.

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     Excellent. Why, this is the best fooling, when all is done. Now, a song.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Come on, there is sixpence for you. Gives a coin to Feste Let’s have a song.

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     There’s a testril of²² me too. If one knight give a— Gives another coin

FESTE

FESTE     Would you have a love song,²³ or a song of good life?

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     A love song, a love song.

25

25   

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     Ay, ay. I care not for good life.

FESTE

FESTE     O mistress mine, where are you roaming?

       Sings

                                    O stay and hear, your true love’s coming,

                                    That can sing both high and low.²⁸

                                    Trip²⁹ no further, pretty sweeting,

30

30                                Journeys end in lovers meeting,

                                    Every wise man’s son doth know.

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     Excellent good, i’faith.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Good, good.

FESTE

FESTE     What is love? ’Tis not hereafter,³⁴ Sings

35

35                                Present mirth hath present laughter.

                                    What’s to come is still³⁶ unsure.

                                    In delay there lies no plenty,³⁷

                                    Then come kiss me, sweet and twenty,³⁸

                                    Youth’s a stuff³⁹ will not endure.

40

40   

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     A mellifluous voice, as I am true⁴⁰ knight.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     A contagious breath.⁴¹

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     Very sweet and contagious, i’faith.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     To hear⁴³ by the nose, it is dulcet in contagion. But shall we make the welkin dance indeed? Shall we rouse⁴⁴ the night owl in a catch that will draw three souls out of one weaver?⁴⁵ Shall we do that?

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     An you love me, let’s do’t. I am dog⁴⁶ at a catch.

FESTE

FESTE     By’r lady,⁴⁷ sir, and some dogs will catch well.

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     Most certain. Let our catch be, ‘Thou knave’.⁴⁸

FESTE

FESTE     ‘Hold thy peace,⁴⁹ thou knave’, knight? I shall be constrained in’t to call thee knave, knight.

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     ’Tis not the first time I have constrained one to call me knave. Begin, fool: it begins ‘Hold thy peace’.

FESTE

FESTE     I shall never begin if I hold my peace.

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     Good, i’faith. Come, begin.

       Catch sung

       Enter Maria

MARIA

MARIA     What a caterwauling do you keep⁵⁵ here? If my lady have not called up her steward⁵⁶ Malvolio and bid him turn you out of doors, never trust me.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     My lady’s a Catayan,⁵⁷ we are politicians, Malvolio’s a Peg-a-Ramsey, and ‘Three⁵⁸ merry men be we’. Am not I consanguineous? Am I not of her blood? Tillyvally.⁵⁹ Lady! Sings

60

60                                ‘There⁶⁰ dwelt a man in Babylon, lady, lady!’

FESTE

FESTE     Beshrew⁶¹ me, the knight’s in admirable fooling.

SIRANDREW

SIRANDREW     Ay, he does well enough if he be disposed, and so do I too: he does it with a better grace,⁶³ but I do it more natural.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     ‘O,⁶⁴ the twelfth day of December’— Sings

65

65   

MARIA

MARIA     For the love o’God, peace!

       Enter Malvolio

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     My masters, are you mad? Or what are you? Have you no wit,⁶⁶ manners, nor honesty,⁶⁷ but to gabble like tinkers at this time of night? Do ye make an alehouse of my lady’s house, that ye squeak out⁶⁸ your coziers’ catches without any mitigation or remorse⁶⁹ of voice? Is there no respect of place, persons, nor time in you?

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     We did keep time, sir, in our catches. Sneck up!⁷¹

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     Sir Toby, I must be round⁷² with you. My lady bade me tell you that though she harbours⁷³ you as her kinsman, she’s nothing allied to your disorders. If you can separate yourself and your misdemeanours, you are welcome to the house. If not, an it would please you to take leave of her, she is very willing to bid you farewell.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     ‘Farewell,⁷⁷ dear heart, since I must needs be gone.’ Sings

MARIA

MARIA     Nay, good Sir Toby. Sings

FESTE

FESTE     ‘His eyes do show his days are almost done.’ Sings

80

80   

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     Is’t even so?⁸⁰

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     ‘But I will never die.’ Sings

FESTE

FESTE     Sir Toby, there you lie.

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     This is much credit to you.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     ‘Shall I bid him go?’ Sings

85

85   

FESTE

FESTE     ‘What an if⁸⁵ you do?’ Sings

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     ‘Shall I bid him go, and spare not?⁸⁶’ Sings

FESTE

FESTE     ‘O no, no, no, no, you dare not.’ Sings

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Out o’tune,⁸⁸ sir, ye lie. Art any more than a steward? Dost thou think, because thou art virtuous, there shall be no more cakes and ale?⁸⁹

FESTE

FESTE     Yes, by Saint Anne,⁹⁰ and ginger shall be hot i’th’mouth too.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Thou’rt i’th’right. Go, sir, rub⁹¹ your chain with crumbs. A stoup of wine, Maria!

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     Mistress Mary, if you prized⁹³ my lady’s favour at anything more than contempt,⁹⁴ you would not give means for this uncivil rule; she shall know of it, by this hand.

       Exit

MARIA

MARIA     Go⁹⁶ shake your ears.

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     ’Twere as good a deed as to drink when a man’s a-hungry,⁹⁷ to challenge him the field,⁹⁸ and then to break promise with him and make a fool of him.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Do’t, knight. I’ll write thee a challenge, or I’ll deliver thy indignation to him by word of mouth.

MARIA

MARIA     Sweet Sir Toby, be patient for tonight. Since the youth of the count’s was today with my lady, she is much out of quiet.¹⁰² For Monsieur Malvolio, let me alone with him: if I do not gull¹⁰³ him into a nayword and make him a common recreation,¹⁰⁴ do not think I have wit enough to lie straight in my bed. I know I can do it.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Possess¹⁰⁶ us, possess us, tell us something of him.

MARIA

MARIA     Marry, sir, sometimes he is a kind of puritan.¹⁰⁷

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     O, if I thought that, I’d beat him like a dog!

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     What, for being a puritan? Thy exquisite¹⁰⁹ reason, dear knight?

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     I have no exquisite reason for’t, but I have reason good enough.

MARIA

MARIA     The devil a puritan that he is, or anything constantly,¹¹¹ but a time-pleaser, an affectioned¹¹² ass, that cons state without book and utters it by great swarths. The best persuaded of himself, so crammed, as he thinks, with excellencies,¹¹³ that it is his grounds of faith¹¹⁴ that all that look on him love him. And on that vice in him will my revenge find notable cause to work.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     What wilt thou do?

MARIA

MARIA     I will drop in his way some obscure epistles¹¹⁷ of love, wherein, by the colour of his beard, the shape of his leg, the manner of his gait, the expressure¹¹⁸ of his eye, forehead, and complexion,¹¹⁹ he shall find himself most feelingly personated. I can write very like my lady your niece: on¹²⁰ a forgotten matter we can hardly make distinction of our hands.¹²¹

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Excellent! I smell a device.¹²²

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     I have’t in my nose too.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     He shall think, by the letters that thou wilt drop, that they come from my niece and that she’s in love with him.

MARIA

MARIA     My purpose is, indeed, a horse of that colour.

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     And your horse now would make him an ass.

MARIA

MARIA     Ass,¹²⁸ I doubt not.

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     O, ’twill be admirable!

MARIA

MARIA     Sport royal, I warrant you. I know my physic¹³⁰ will work with him. I will plant you two, and let the fool make a third, where he shall find the letter. Observe his construction¹³² of it. For this night, to bed, and dream on the event. Farewell.

       Exit

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Good night, Penthesilea.¹³³

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     Before me,¹³⁴ she’s a good wench.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     She’s a beagle,¹³⁵ true-bred, and one that adores me. What o’that?

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     I was adored once too.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Let’s to bed, knight. Thou hadst need send for more money.

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     If I cannot recover¹³⁸ your niece, I am a foul way out.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Send for money, knight. If thou hast her not i’th’end, call me cut.¹³⁹

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     If I do not, never trust me, take it how you will.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Come, come, I’ll go burn¹⁴¹ some sack. ’Tis too late to go to bed now. Come, knight, come, knight.

       Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 4

running scene 9

       Enter Duke [Orsino], Viola, Curio and others

ORSINO

ORSINO     Give me some music.— Now, good morrow, friends.

               Now, good Cesario, but² that piece of song,

               That old and antique³ song we heard last night;

               Methought it did relieve my passion⁴ much,

5

5             More than light airs⁵ and recollected terms

               Of these most brisk and giddy-pacèd times.

               Come, but one verse.

CURIO

CURIO     He is not here, so please your lordship, that should sing it.

ORSINO

ORSINO     Who was it?

CURIO

CURIO     Feste, the jester, my lord; a fool that the lady Olivia’s father took much delight in. He is about the house.

ORSINO

ORSINO     Seek him out, and play the tune the while.¹²

       [Exit Curio]

               Come hither, boy. If ever thou shalt love,

       Music plays

               In the sweet pangs of it remember me,

15

15           For such as I am, all true lovers are:

               Unstaid and skittish¹⁶ in all motions else,

               Save in the constant¹⁷ image of the creature

               That is beloved. How dost thou like this tune?

VIOLA

VIOLA     It gives¹⁹ a very echo to the seat

20

20           Where love is throned.

ORSINO

ORSINO     Thou dost speak masterly.²¹

               My life upon’t, young though thou art, thine eye

               Hath stayed²³ upon some favour that it loves:

               Hath it not, boy?

25

25   

VIOLA

VIOLA           A little, by your favour.²⁵

ORSINO

ORSINO     What kind of woman is’t?

VIOLA

VIOLA     Of your complexion.

ORSINO

ORSINO     She is not worth thee, then. What years, i’faith?

VIOLA

VIOLA     About your years, my lord.

30

30   

ORSINO

ORSINO           Too old by heaven. Let still³⁰ the woman take

               An elder than herself, so wears she³¹ to him,

               So sways she level³² in her husband’s heart.

               For, boy, however we do praise ourselves,

               Our fancies³⁴ are more giddy and unfirm,

35

35           More longing, wavering, sooner lost and worn,³⁵

               Than women’s are.

VIOLA

VIOLA     I³⁷ think it well, my lord.

ORSINO

ORSINO     Then let thy love be younger than thyself,

               Or thy affection cannot hold the bent,³⁹

40

40           For women are as roses, whose fair flower

               Being once displayed,⁴¹ doth fall that very hour.

VIOLA

VIOLA     And so they are. Alas, that they are so.

               To die, even when they to perfection grow!

       Enter Curio and Clown [Feste]

ORSINO

ORSINO     O, fellow, come, the song we had last night.— To Feste

45

45           Mark⁴⁵ it, Cesario, it is old and plain;

               The spinsters⁴⁶ and the knitters in the sun

               And the free⁴⁷ maids that weave their thread with bones

               Do use⁴⁸ to chant it. It is silly sooth,

               And dallies⁴⁹ with the innocence of love,

50

50           Like the old age.⁵⁰

FESTE

FESTE     Are you ready, sir?

ORSINO

ORSINO     I prithee sing.

FESTE

FESTE     Come away,⁵³ come away, death,

       The song

       Music Sings

                                    And in sad cypress⁵⁴ let me be laid.

55

                                    Fly away, fly away, breath,

                                    I am slain by a fair cruel maid.

                                    My shroud of white, stuck⁵⁷ all with yew,

                                    O, prepare it!

                                    My⁵⁹ part of death, no one so true

60

                                    Did share it.

                                    Not a flower, not a flower, sweet

                                    On my black coffin let there be strewn.⁶²

                                    Not a friend, not a friend greet

                                    My poor corpse, where my bones shall be thrown.

65

                                    A thousand thousand sighs to save,

                                    Lay me, O, where

                                    Sad true lover never find my grave,

                                    To weep there!

ORSINO

ORSINO     There’s for thy pains.

70

70   

FESTE

FESTE           No pains, sir. I take pleasure in singing, sir.

ORSINO

ORSINO     I’ll pay thy pleasure then.

FESTE

FESTE     Truly, sir, and pleasure⁷² will be paid, one time or another.

ORSINO

ORSINO     Give me now leave to leave⁷³ thee.

FESTE

FESTE     Now, the melancholy god⁷⁴ protect thee, and the tailor make thy doublet of changeable taffeta,⁷⁵ for thy mind is a very opal. I would have men of such constancy put to sea, that their⁷⁶ business might be everything and their intent everywhere, for that’s⁷⁷ it that always makes a good voyage of nothing. Farewell.

       Exit

ORSINO

ORSINO     Let all the rest give place.⁷⁸ Curio and Attendants stand aside

               Once more, Cesario,

80

80           Get thee to yond same sovereign cruelty:

               Tell her my love, more noble than the world,

               Prizes not quantity of dirty⁸² lands.

               The parts⁸³ that fortune hath bestowed upon her

               Tell her, I hold as giddily⁸⁴ as fortune.

85

85           But ’tis that miracle⁸⁵ and queen of gems

               That nature pranks⁸⁶ her in attracts my soul.

VIOLA

VIOLA     But if she cannot love you, sir?

ORSINO

ORSINO     I cannot be so answered.

VIOLA

VIOLA     Sooth, but you must.

90

90           Say that some lady, as perhaps there is,

               Hath for your love as great a pang of heart

               As you have for Olivia: you cannot love her.

               You tell her so. Must she not then be answered?⁹³

ORSINO

ORSINO     There is no woman’s sides

95

95           Can bide⁹⁵ the beating of so strong a passion

               As love doth give my heart, no woman’s heart

               So big, to hold so much. They lack retention.⁹⁷

               Alas, their love may be called appetite,⁹⁸

               No motion⁹⁹ of the liver, but the palate,

100

100         That suffer¹⁰⁰ surfeit, cloyment and revolt.

               But mine¹⁰¹ is all as hungry as the sea,

               And can digest as much. Make no compare¹⁰²

               Between that love a woman can bear me

               And that I owe¹⁰⁴ Olivia.

105

105 

VIOLA

VIOLA             Ay, but I know—

ORSINO

ORSINO     What dost thou know?

VIOLA

VIOLA     Too well what love women to men may owe:

               In faith, they are as true of heart as we.

               My father had a daughter loved a man,

110

110         As it might be, perhaps, were I a woman,

               I should your lordship.

ORSINO

ORSINO     And what’s her history?¹¹²

VIOLA

VIOLA     A blank, my lord. She never told her love,

               But let concealment, like a worm i’th’bud,

115

115         Feed on her damask¹¹⁵ cheek: she pined in thought,

               And with a green and yellow¹¹⁶ melancholy

               She sat like patience¹¹⁷ on a monument,

               Smiling at grief. Was not this love indeed?

               We men may say more, swear more, but indeed

120

120         Our shows¹²⁰ are more than will, for still we prove

               Much in our vows, but little in our love.

ORSINO

ORSINO     But died thy sister of her love, my boy?

VIOLA

VIOLA     I am all the daughters of my father’s house,

               And all the brothers too, and yet I know not.

125

125         Sir, shall I to¹²⁵ this lady?

ORSINO

ORSINO     Ay, that’s the theme.

               To her in haste: give her this jewel: say Gives a jewel

               My love can give no place,¹²⁸ bide no denay.

       Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 5

running scene 10

       Enter Sir Toby, Sir Andrew and Fabian

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Come thy ways,¹ Signior Fabian.

FABIAN

FABIAN     Nay, I’ll come. If I lose a scruple² of this sport, let me be boiled to death with melancholy.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Wouldst thou not be glad to have the niggardly⁴ rascally sheep-biter come by some notable shame?

FABIAN

FABIAN     I would exult, man. You know he brought me out o’favour with my lady about a bear-baiting⁷ here.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     To anger him we’ll have the bear again, and we will fool⁸ him black and blue. Shall we not, Sir Andrew?

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     An we do not, it is pity¹⁰ of our lives.

       Enter Maria

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Here comes the little villain.— To Maria How now, my metal of India?¹¹

MARIA

MARIA     Get ye all three into the box-tree:¹² Malvolio’s coming down this walk. He has been yonder i’the sun practising behaviour¹³ to his own shadow this half hour. Observe him, for the love of mockery, for I know this letter will make a contemplative¹⁵ idiot of him. Close, in the name of jesting! They hide Lie thou there, for here comes the trout that must be caught with tickling.¹⁶ Puts a letter on the ground

       Exit

       Enter Malvolio Sir Toby and the others are not heard by Malvolio

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     ’Tis but fortune, all is fortune. Maria once told me she¹⁷ did affect me, and I have heard herself come thus near,¹⁸ that should she fancy, it should be one of my complexion. Besides, she uses¹⁹ me with a more exalted respect than anyone else that follows²⁰ her. What should I think on’t?

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Here’s an overweening²¹ rogue!

FABIAN

FABIAN     O, peace! Contemplation makes a rare²² turkey-cock of him. How he jets under his advanced plumes!²³

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     ’Slight,²⁴ I could so beat the rogue!

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Peace, I say.

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     To be Count Malvolio!

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Ah, rogue!

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     Pistol²⁸ him, pistol him.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Peace, peace!

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     There is example³⁰ for’t: the lady of the Strachy married the yeoman of the wardrobe.

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     Fie on him, Jezebel!³²

FABIAN

FABIAN     O, peace! Now he’s deeply in:³³ look how imagination blows him.

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     Having been three months married to her, sitting in my state³⁴—

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     O, for a stone-bow³⁵ to hit him in the eye!

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     Calling my officers³⁶ about me, in my branched velvet gown, having come from a day-bed,³⁷ where I have left Olivia sleeping—

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Fire and brimstone!

FABIAN

FABIAN     O, peace, peace!

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     And then to have the humour of state,⁴⁰ and after a demure travel of regard, telling them I know my place as I would⁴¹ they should do theirs, to ask for my kinsman Toby⁴²—

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Bolts and shackles!⁴³

FABIAN

FABIAN     O peace, peace, peace! Now, now.

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     Seven of my people,⁴⁵ with an obedient start, make out for him. I frown the while, and perchance⁴⁶ wind up my watch, or play with my— some rich jewel. Toby approaches; curtsies⁴⁷ there to me—

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Shall this fellow live?

FABIAN

FABIAN     Though our silence be drawn from us with cars,⁴⁹ yet peace.

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     I extend my hand to him thus, quenching my familiar⁵⁰ smile with an austere regard of control⁵¹—

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     And does not Toby take⁵² you a blow o’the lips then?

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     Saying, ‘Cousin⁵³ Toby, my fortunes having cast me on your niece give me this prerogative⁵⁴ of speech’—

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     What, what?

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     ‘You must amend your drunkenness.’

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Out, scab!⁵⁷

FABIAN

FABIAN     Nay, patience, or we break the sinews⁵⁸ of our plot.

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     ‘Besides, you waste the treasure of your time with a foolish knight’—

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     That’s me, I warrant you.

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     ‘One Sir Andrew’—

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     I knew ’twas I, for many do call me fool.

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     What employment⁶³ have we here? Picks up the letter

FABIAN

FABIAN     Now is the woodcock⁶⁴ near the gin.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     O, peace! And the spirit of humours⁶⁵ intimate reading aloud to him.

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     By my life, this is my lady’s hand⁶⁶ these be her very C’s, her U’s and her T’s, and thus makes she her great P’s.⁶⁷ It is in contempt of question her hand.

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     Her C’s, her U’s and her T’s. Why that?

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     Reads ‘To the unknown beloved, this, and my good wishes.’ Her very phrases!

               By your leave, wax. Soft! And the impressure⁷⁰ her Lucrece, with which she uses to seal.⁷¹ ’Tis my lady. To whom should this be?

FABIAN

FABIAN     This wins him, liver⁷² and all.

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     ‘Jove knows I love, Reads

                                    But who?

75

75                                Lips, do not move.

                                    No man must know.’

               ‘No man must know.’ What follows? The numbers altered!⁷⁷ ‘No man must know.’ If this should be thee, Malvolio?

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Marry, hang thee, brock!⁷⁹

80

80   

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     ‘I may command where I adore, Reads

                                    But silence, like a Lucrece knife,⁸¹

                                    With bloodless stroke my heart doth gore:

                                    M.O.A.I. doth sway⁸³ my life.’

FABIAN

FABIAN     A fustian⁸⁴ riddle!

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Excellent wench, say I.

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     ‘M.O.A.I. doth sway my life.’ Nay, but first let me see, let me see, let me see.

FABIAN

FABIAN     What⁸⁷ dish o’poison has she dressed him.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     And with what wing⁸⁸ the staniel checks at it!

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     ‘I may command where I adore.’ Why, she may command me! I serve her,

               she is my lady. Why, this is evident to any formal capacity.⁹⁰ There is no obstruction⁹¹ in this. And the end — what should that alphabetical position portend?⁹² If I could make that resemble something in me. Softly: M.O.A.I.—

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     O, ay,⁹³ make up that. He is now at a cold scent.

FABIAN

FABIAN     Sowter⁹⁴ will cry upon’t for all this, though it be as rank as a fox.

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     M. — Malvolio. M. — Why, that begins my name!

FABIAN

FABIAN     Did not I say he would work it out? The cur⁹⁶ is excellent at faults.

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     M. — But then there is no consonancy⁹⁷ in the sequel that suffers under probation:⁹⁸ ‘A’ should follow but ‘O’ does.

FABIAN

FABIAN     And O shall end,⁹⁹ I hope.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Ay, or I’ll cudgel him, and make him cry O!

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     And then I comes behind.

FABIAN

FABIAN     Ay, an you had any eye¹⁰² behind you, you might see more detraction at your heels than fortunes before you.

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     M.O.A.I. This simulation¹⁰⁴ is not as the former. And yet, to crush this a little, it would bow¹⁰⁵ to me, for every one of these letters are in my name. Soft, here follows prose: Reads ‘If this fall into thy hand, revolve.¹⁰⁶ In my stars I am above thee, but be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon ’em. Thy Fates open their hands.¹⁰⁸ Let thy blood and spirit embrace¹⁰⁹ them. And to inure thyself to what thou art like to be, cast thy humble slough¹¹⁰ and appear fresh. Be opposite with a kinsman, surly with servants. Let thy tongue tang¹¹¹ arguments of state; put thyself into the trick of singularity. She thus advises thee that sighs for thee. Remember who commended thy yellow stockings, and wished to see thee ever¹¹³ cross-gartered. I say, remember. Go to, thou art made, if thou desirest to be so. If not, let me see thee a steward still, the fellow of servants, and not worthy to touch Fortune’s fingers. Farewell. She that would alter services¹¹⁶ with thee,

               The Fortunate-Unhappy.¹¹⁷’

               Daylight and champaign¹¹⁸ discovers not more. This is open. I will be proud, I will read politic¹¹⁹ authors, I will baffle Sir Toby, I will wash off gross acquaintance, I will be point-device¹²⁰ the very man. I do not now fool myself, to let imagination jade me; for every reason excites¹²¹ to this, that my lady loves me. She did commend my yellow stockings of late, she did praise my leg being cross-gartered. And in this she manifests herself to¹²³ my love, and with a kind of injunction drives me to these habits¹²⁴ of her liking. I thank my stars, I am happy. I will be strange, stout, in yellow stockings, and cross-gartered, even with the swiftness of putting on. Jove and my stars be praised! Here is yet a postscript: Reads ‘Thou canst not choose but know who I am. If thou entertainest¹²⁷ my love, let it appear in thy smiling. Thy smiles become thee well: therefore in my presence still¹²⁸ smile, dear my sweet, I prithee.’ Jove, I thank thee. I will smile. I will do everything that thou wilt have me.

       Exit Sir Toby, Sir Andrew and Fabian come out of hiding

FABIAN

FABIAN     I will not give my part of this sport for a pension of thousands to be paid from the Sophy.¹³²

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     I could marry this wench for this device.¹³³

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     So could I too.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     And ask no other dowry with her but such another jest.

       Enter Maria

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     Nor I neither.

FABIAN

FABIAN     Here comes my noble gull-catcher.¹³⁷

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Wilt¹³⁸ thou set thy foot o’my neck?

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     Or o’mine either?

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Shall I play¹⁴⁰ my freedom at tray-trip, and become thy bondslave?

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     I’faith, or I either?

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Why, thou hast put him in such a dream that when the image of it leaves him, he must run mad.

MARIA

MARIA     Nay, but say true, does it work upon him?

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Like aqua-vitae¹⁴⁵ with a midwife.

MARIA

MARIA     If you will then see the fruits¹⁴⁶ of the sport, mark his first approach before my lady: he will come to her in yellow stockings, and ’tis a colour she abhors, and cross-gartered, a fashion she detests. And he will smile upon her, which will now be so unsuitable to her disposition, being addicted to a melancholy as she is, that it cannot but turn him into a notable contempt.¹⁵⁰ If you will see it, follow me.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     To the gates of Tartar,¹⁵¹ thou most excellent devil of wit!

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     I’ll make one¹⁵² too.

       Exeunt

Act 3 Scene 13.1

running scene 10 continues

       Enter Viola and Clown [Feste, with a tabor]

VIOLA

VIOLA     Save¹ thee, friend, and thy music. Dost thou live by thy tabor?

FESTE

FESTE     No, sir, I live by the church.

VIOLA

VIOLA     Art thou a churchman?

FESTE

FESTE     No such matter, sir. I do live by the church, for I do live at my house, and my house doth stand by the church.

VIOLA

VIOLA     So thou mayst say, the king lies by⁶ a beggar, if a beggar dwell near him, or the church stands⁷ by thy tabor, if thy tabor stand by the church.

FESTE

FESTE     You have said,⁸ sir. To see this age! A sentence is but a cheveril glove to a good wit. How quickly the wrong side may be turned outward!

VIOLA

VIOLA     Nay, that’s certain. They that dally nicely¹⁰ with words may quickly make them wanton.¹¹

FESTE

FESTE     I would, therefore, my sister had had no name, sir.

VIOLA

VIOLA     Why, man?

FESTE

FESTE     Why, sir, her name’s a word, and to dally with that word might make my sister wanton. But indeed, words are very rascals since bonds¹⁵ disgraced them.

VIOLA

VIOLA     Thy reason, man?

FESTE

FESTE     Troth, sir, I can yield¹⁷ you none without words, and words are grown so false, I am loath to prove reason with them.

VIOLA

VIOLA     I warrant thou art a merry fellow and car’st for nothing.

FESTE

FESTE     Not so, sir, I do care for something. But in my conscience, sir, I do not care for you: if that be to care for nothing, sir, I would it would make you invisible.

VIOLA

VIOLA     Art not thou the lady Olivia’s fool?

FESTE

FESTE     No, indeed, sir, the lady Olivia has no folly. She will keep no fool, sir, till she be married, and fools are as like husbands as pilchards²⁴ are to herrings: the husband’s the bigger. I am indeed not her fool, but her corrupter of words.

VIOLA

VIOLA     I saw thee late²⁶ at the count Orsino’s.

FESTE

FESTE     Foolery, sir, does walk about the orb²⁷ like the sun, it shines everywhere. I would be sorry, sir, but²⁸ the fool should be as oft with your master as with my mistress. I think I saw your wisdom²⁹ there.

VIOLA

VIOLA     Nay, an thou pass upon³⁰ me, I’ll no more with thee. Hold, there’s expenses for thee. Gives money

FESTE

FESTE     Now Jove, in his next commodity³² of hair, send thee a beard!

VIOLA

VIOLA     By my troth I’ll tell thee, I am almost sick for one³³— Aside though I would not have it grow on my chin.— Is thy lady within?

FESTE

FESTE     Would not a pair of these³⁵ have bred, sir?

VIOLA

VIOLA     Yes, being kept together and put to use.³⁶

FESTE

FESTE     I would play Lord Pandarus³⁷ of Phrygia, sir, to bring a Cressida to this Troilus.

VIOLA

VIOLA     I understand you, sir. ’Tis well begged. Gives more money

FESTE

FESTE     The matter, I hope, is not great, sir; begging but a beggar. Cressida³⁹ was a beggar. My lady is within, sir. I will conster⁴⁰ to them whence you come. Who you are and what you would are out⁴¹ of my welkin. I might say ‘element’, but the word is over-worn.

       Exit

VIOLA

VIOLA     This fellow is wise enough to play the fool,

               And to do that well craves⁴⁴ a kind of wit:

45

45           He must observe their mood on whom he jests,

               The quality⁴⁶ of persons, and the time,

               And, like the haggard,⁴⁷ check at every feather

               That comes before his eye. This is a practice⁴⁸

               As full of labour as a wise man’s art,

50

50           For folly that he wisely shows is fit;⁵⁰

               But wise men, folly-fall’n,⁵¹ quite taint their wit.

       Enter Sir Toby and Andrew

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Save you, gentleman.

VIOLA

VIOLA     And you, sir.

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     Dieu⁵⁴ vous garde, monsieur.

VIOLA

VIOLA     Et⁵⁵ vous aussi. Votre serviteur.

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     I hope, sir, you are, and I am yours.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Will you encounter⁵⁷ the house? My niece is desirous you should enter, if your trade⁵⁸ be to her.

VIOLA

VIOLA     I am bound to⁵⁹ your niece, sir. I mean she is the list of my voyage.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Taste⁶⁰ your legs, sir, put them to motion.

VIOLA

VIOLA     My legs do better understand⁶¹ me, sir, than I understand what you mean by bidding me taste my legs.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     I mean, to go, sir, to enter.

VIOLA

VIOLA     I will answer you with gait and entrance.⁶⁴ But we are prevented.

       Enter Olivia and Gentlewoman [Maria]

               Most excellent accomplished lady, the⁶⁵ heavens rain odours on you!

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     That youth’s a rare courtier. To Toby ‘Rain odours’, well.

VIOLA

VIOLA     My matter hath no voice,⁶⁷ lady, but to your own most pregnant and vouchsafed⁶⁸ ear.

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     ‘Odours,’ ‘pregnant’ and ‘vouchsafed’. To Toby I’ll get ’em all three all ready.⁶⁹

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Let the garden door be shut, and leave me to my hearing.⁷⁰—

       [Exeunt Sir Toby, Sir Andrew and Maria]

               Give me your hand, sir.

VIOLA

VIOLA     My duty, madam, and most humble service.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     What is your name?

VIOLA

VIOLA     Cesario is your servant’s name, fair princess.

75

75   

OLIVIA

OLIVIA           My servant, sir? ’Twas⁷⁵ never merry world

               Since lowly feigning⁷⁶ was called compliment.

               You’re servant to the count Orsino, youth.

VIOLA

VIOLA     And he is yours,⁷⁸ and his must needs be yours:

               Your servant’s servant is your servant, madam.

80

80   

OLIVIA

OLIVIA           For⁸⁰ him, I think not on him: for his thoughts,

               Would they were blanks,⁸¹ rather than filled with me!

VIOLA

VIOLA     Madam, I come to whet your gentle thoughts

               On his behalf.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     O, by your leave, I pray you.

85

85           I bade you never speak again of him;

               But, would you undertake another suit,⁸⁶

               I had rather hear you to solicit⁸⁷ that

               Than music⁸⁸ from the spheres.

VIOLA

VIOLA     Dear lady—

90

90   

OLIVIA

OLIVIA           Give me leave,⁹⁰ beseech you. I did send,

               After the last enchantment you did here,

               A ring in chase of you: so did I abuse⁹²

               Myself, my servant and, I fear me, you.

               Under your hard construction⁹⁴ must I sit,

95

95           To force⁹⁵ that on you, in a shameful cunning,

               Which you knew none of yours. What might you think?

               Have you not set mine honour at the stake⁹⁷

               And baited it with all th’unmuzzled thoughts

               That tyrannous heart can think? To one of your receiving⁹⁹

100

100         Enough is shown: a cypress,¹⁰⁰ not a bosom,

               Hides my heart. So, let me hear you speak.

VIOLA

VIOLA     I pity you.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     That’s a degree¹⁰³ to love.

VIOLA

VIOLA     No, not a grize,¹⁰⁴ for ’tis a vulgar proof,

105

105         That very oft we pity enemies.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Why, then, methinks ’tis time to smile again.¹⁰⁶

               O, world, how apt the poor are to be proud!

               If one should be a prey, how much the better

               To fall before the lion¹⁰⁹ than the wolf!

       Clock strikes

110

110         The clock upbraids me with the waste of time.

               Be not afraid, good youth, I will not have you:

               And yet, when wit and youth is come to harvest,

               Your wife is like to reap a proper¹¹³ man.

               There lies your way, due west.

115

115 

VIOLA

VIOLA             Then westward-ho! Grace and good disposition¹¹⁵

               Attend your ladyship!

               You’ll¹¹⁷ nothing, madam, to my lord by me?

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Stay.

               I prithee tell me what thou think’st of me.

120

120 

VIOLA

VIOLA             That you do think you are not what you are.¹²⁰

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     If I think so, I think the same of you.

VIOLA

VIOLA     Then think you right: I am not what I am.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     I would you were as I would have you be.

VIOLA

VIOLA     Would it be better, madam, than I am?

125

125         I¹²⁵ wish it might, for now I am your fool.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     O, what a deal¹²⁶ of scorn looks beautiful

               In the contempt and anger of his lip!

               A murd’rous guilt shows not itself more soon

               Than love that would seem hid: love’s¹²⁹ night is noon.

130

130         Cesario, by the roses of the spring,

               By maidhood,¹³¹ honour, truth and everything,

               I love thee so that, maugre¹³² all thy pride,

               Nor¹³³ wit nor reason can my passion hide.

               Do not extort¹³⁴ thy reasons from this clause,

135

135         For that¹³⁵ I woo, thou therefore hast no cause,

               But rather reason¹³⁶ thus with reason fetter:

               Love sought is good, but given unsought is better.

VIOLA

VIOLA     By innocence I swear, and by my youth,

               I have one heart, one bosom and one truth,

140

140         And that no woman has, nor never none

               Shall mistress be of it, save I alone.

               And so adieu, good madam. Never more

               Will I my master’s tears to you deplore.¹⁴³

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Yet come again, for thou perhaps mayst move

145

145         That heart which now abhors, to like his love.

       Exeunt

Act 3 Scene 2

running scene 11

       Enter Sir Toby, Sir Andrew and Fabian

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     No, faith, I’ll not stay a jot longer.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Thy reason, dear venom,² give thy reason.

FABIAN

FABIAN     You must needs yield your reason, Sir Andrew.

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     Marry, I saw your niece do more favours to the count’s servingman than ever she bestowed upon me. I saw’t i’th’orchard.⁵

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Did she see thee the while,⁶ old boy? Tell me that.

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     As plain as I see you now.

FABIAN

FABIAN     This was a great argument⁸ of love in her toward you.

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     ’Slight, will you make an ass o’me?

FABIAN

FABIAN     I will prove it¹⁰ legitimate, sir, upon the oaths of judgement and reason.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     And they have been grand-jurymen since before Noah¹¹ was a sailor.

FABIAN

FABIAN     She did show favour to the youth in your sight only to exasperate you, to awake your dormouse¹³ valour, to put fire in your heart and brimstone in your liver. You should then have accosted her, and with some excellent jests, fire-new¹⁴ from the mint, you should have banged¹⁵ the youth into dumbness. This was looked for at your hand, and this was balked.¹⁶ The double gilt of this opportunity you let time wash off, and you are now sailed into the north¹⁷ of my lady’s opinion, where you will hang like an icicle on a Dutchman’s beard, unless you do redeem it by some laudable attempt either of valour or policy.¹⁹

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     An’t be any way, it must be with valour, for policy I hate: I had as lief²⁰ be a Brownist²¹ as a politician.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Why, then, build me²² thy fortunes upon the basis of valour. Challenge me the count’s youth to fight with him. Hurt him in eleven places: my niece shall take note of it. And assure thyself, there is no love-broker²⁴ in the world can more prevail in man’s commendation with woman than report of valour.

FABIAN

FABIAN     There is no way but this, Sir Andrew.

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     Will either of you bear me a challenge to him?

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Go, write it in a martial hand.²⁸ Be curst and brief: it is no matter how witty, so²⁹ it be eloquent and full of invention. Taunt him with the licence of ink. If thou thou’st³⁰ him some thrice, it shall not be amiss. And as many lies as will lie in thy sheet of paper, although the sheet were big enough for the bed of Ware³¹ in England, set ’em down. Go, about it. Let there be gall³² enough in thy ink, though thou write with a goose-pen,³³ no matter. About it.

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     Where shall I find you?

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     We’ll call thee at the cubiculo.³⁵ Go.

       Exit Sir Andrew

FABIAN

FABIAN     This is a dear manikin³⁶ to you, Sir Toby.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     I have been dear³⁷ to him, lad, some two thousand strong, or so.

FABIAN

FABIAN     We shall have a rare³⁸ letter from him; but you’ll not deliver’t?

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Never trust me, then. And by all means stir on the youth to an answer.

               I think oxen and wainropes⁴⁰ cannot hale them together. For Andrew, if he were opened and you find so much blood in his liver as will clog the foot of a flea, I’ll eat the rest of th’anatomy.⁴²

FABIAN

FABIAN     And his opposite,⁴³ the youth, bears in his visage no great presage of cruelty.

       Enter Maria

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Look where the youngest wren⁴⁴ of mine comes.

MARIA

MARIA     If you desire the spleen,⁴⁵ and will laugh yourselves into stitches, follow me. Yond gull⁴⁶ Malvolio is turned heathen, a very renegado; for there is no Christian that means to be saved by believing rightly can ever believe such impossible passages of grossness.⁴⁸ He’s in yellow stockings.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     And cross-gartered?

MARIA

MARIA     Most villainously:⁵⁰ like a pedant that keeps a school i’th’church. I have dogged⁵¹ him like his murderer. He does obey every point of the letter that I dropped to betray him: he does smile his face into more lines than is in the new⁵² map with the augmentation of the Indies. You have not seen such a thing as ’tis. I can hardly forbear⁵⁴ hurling things at him. I know my lady will strike him. If she do, he’ll smile and take’t for a great favour.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Come, bring us, bring us where he is.

       Exeunt

Act 3 Scene 3

running scene 12

       Enter Sebastian and Antonio

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     I would not by my will have troubled you,

               But since you make your pleasure of your pains,

               I will no further chide³ you.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     I could not stay behind you: my desire,

5

5             More sharp than filèd⁵ steel, did spur me forth,

               And not all⁶ love to see you, though so much

               As might have drawn one to a longer voyage,

               But jealousy⁸ what might befall your travel,

               Being skill-less in⁹ these parts, which to a stranger,

10

10           Unguided and unfriended, often prove

               Rough and unhospitable. My willing love,

               The rather¹² by these arguments of fear,

               Set forth in your pursuit.

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     My kind Antonio,

15

15           I can no other answer make but thanks,

               And thanks, and ever oft¹⁶ good turns

               Are shuffled off¹⁷ with such uncurrent pay.

               But were my worth,¹⁸ as is my conscience, firm,

               You should find better dealing.¹⁹ What’s to do?

20

20           Shall we go see the relics²⁰ of this town?

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Tomorrow, sir. Best first go see your lodging.

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     I am not weary, and ’tis long to night.

               I pray you let us satisfy our eyes

               With the memorials and the things of fame

25

25           That do renown²⁵ this city.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Would you’d pardon me.

               I do not without danger walk these streets.

               Once in a sea-fight gainst the count his²⁸ galleys

               I did some service, of such note indeed,

30

30           That were I ta’en here it³⁰ would scarce be answered.

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     Belike³¹ you slew great number of his people.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Th’offence is not of such a bloody nature,

               Albeit³³ the quality of the time and quarrel

               Might well have given us bloody argument.³⁴

35

35           It might have since been answered³⁵ in repaying

               What we took from them, which for traffic’s³⁶ sake,

               Most of our city did. Only myself stood out,

               For which, if I be lapsèd³⁸ in this place,

               I shall pay dear.

40

40   

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN           Do not then walk too open.⁴⁰

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     It doth not fit⁴¹ me. Hold, sir, here’s my purse. Gives his purse

               In the south suburbs, at the Elephant,⁴²

               Is best to lodge. I will bespeak our diet,⁴³

               Whiles you beguile⁴⁴ the time and feed your knowledge

45

45           With viewing of the town. There shall you have⁴⁵ me.

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     Why I your purse?

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Haply⁴⁷ your eye shall light upon some toy

               You have desire to purchase, and your store,⁴⁸

               I think, is not for idle markets,⁴⁹ sir.

50

50   

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN           I’ll be your purse-bearer and leave you

               For an hour.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     To th’Elephant.

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     I do remember.

       Exeunt

Act 3 Scene 4

running scene 13

       Enter Olivia and Maria

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     I have sent after him:¹ he says he’ll come. Aside

               How shall I feast him? What bestow of² him?

               For youth is bought more oft than begged or borrowed.

               I speak too loud.—

5

5             Where’s Malvolio? He is sad⁵ and civil,

               And suits well for a servant with my fortunes.

               Where is Malvolio?

MARIA

MARIA     He’s coming, madam, but in very strange manner. He is sure possessed,⁸ madam.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Why, what’s the matter? Does he rave?

MARIA

MARIA     No, madam, he does nothing but smile: your ladyship were best to have some guard about you, if he come, for sure the man is tainted in’s wits.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Go call him hither.— I am as mad as he, Maria goes to call Malvolio If sad and merry madness equal be.

       Enter Malvolio [cross-gartered and in yellow stockings]

               How now, Malvolio?

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     Sweet lady, ho, ho.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Smilest thou? I sent for thee upon a sad occasion.

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     Sad,¹⁸ lady? I could be sad: this does make some obstruction in the blood, this cross-gartering, but what of that? If it please the eye of one, it is with me as the very true sonnet²⁰ is, ‘Please one, and please all’.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Why, how dost thou, man? What is the matter with thee?

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     Not black²² in my mind, though yellow in my legs. It did come to his hands, and commands shall be executed. I think we do know the sweet Roman hand.²³

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Wilt thou go to bed,²⁴ Malvolio?

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     To bed? Ay, sweetheart, and I’ll come to thee.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     God comfort thee! Why dost thou smile so and kiss thy hand²⁶ so oft?

MARIA

MARIA     How do you, Malvolio?

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     At your request! Yes, nightingales answer daws.²⁸

MARIA

MARIA     Why appear you with this ridiculous boldness before my lady?

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     ‘Be not afraid of greatness.’ ’Twas well writ.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     What meanest thou by that, Malvolio?

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     ‘Some are born great’—

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Ha?

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     ‘Some achieve greatness’—

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     What say’st thou?

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     ‘And some have greatness thrust upon them.’

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Heaven restore thee!

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     ‘Remember who commended thy yellow stockings’—

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Thy yellow stockings?

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     ‘And wished to see thee cross-gartered.’

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Cross-gartered?

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     ‘Go to, thou art made, if thou desirest to be so’—

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Am I made?

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     ‘If not, let me see thee a servant still.’

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Why, this is very midsummer⁴⁵ madness.

       Enter Servant

SERVANT

SERVANT     Madam, the young gentleman of the count Orsino’s is returned. I could hardly⁴⁷ entreat him back. He attends your ladyship’s pleasure.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     I’ll come to him.

       [Exit Servant]

               Good Maria, let this fellow be looked to. Where’s my cousin Toby? Let some of my people have a special care of him. I would not have him miscarry⁵⁰ for the half of my dowry.

       Exeunt [Olivia and Maria]

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     O, ho! Do you come near⁵² me now? No worse man than Sir Toby to look to me! This concurs directly with the letter: she sends him on purpose that I may appear stubborn to him, for she incites me to that in the letter. ‘Cast thy humble slough,’ says she, ‘be opposite with a kinsman, surly with servants, let thy tongue tang with arguments of state, put thyself into the trick of singularity.’ And consequently⁵⁷ sets down the manner how: as, a sad face, a reverend carriage, a slow tongue, in the habit⁵⁸ of some sir of note, and so forth. I have limed her, but it is Jove’s doing, and Jove make me thankful. And when she went away now, ‘Let this fellow⁶⁰ be looked to.’ Fellow? Not Malvolio, nor after my degree, but fellow. Why, everything adheres together, that no dram⁶¹ of a scruple, no scruple of a scruple, no obstacle, no incredulous⁶² or unsafe circumstance — What can be said? Nothing that can be can come between me and the full prospect of my hopes. Well, Jove, not I, is the doer of this, and he is to be thanked.

       Enter Toby, Fabian and Maria

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Which way is he, in the name of sanctity? If all the devils of hell be drawn⁶⁵ in little, and Legion⁶⁶ himself possessed him, yet I’ll speak to him.

FABIAN

FABIAN     Here he is, here he is. How is’t with you, sir? How is’t with you, man?

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     Go off. I discard you. Let me enjoy my private.⁶⁸ Go off.

MARIA

MARIA     Lo,⁶⁹ how hollow the fiend speaks within him! Did not I tell you? Sir Toby, my

               lady prays you to have a⁷⁰ care of him.

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     Ah, ha, does she so?

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Go to, go to. Peace, peace. We must deal gently with him. Let me alone.⁷²—How do you, Malvolio? How is’t with you? What, man, defy the devil! Consider, he’s an enemy to mankind.

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     Do you know what you say?

MARIA

MARIA     La⁷⁶ you, an you speak ill of the devil, how he takes it at heart! Pray God, he be not bewitched!

FABIAN

FABIAN     Carry his water⁷⁸ to th’wise woman.

MARIA

MARIA     Marry, and it shall be done tomorrow morning, if I live. My lady would not

               lose him for more than I’ll say.

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     How now, mistress?

MARIA

MARIA     O Lord!

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Prithee hold thy peace, this is not the way. Do you not see you move⁸³ him? Let me alone with him.

FABIAN

FABIAN     No way but gentleness, gently, gently. The fiend is rough, and will not be roughly used.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Why, how now, my bawcock?⁸⁷ How dost thou, chuck?

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     Sir!

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Ay, Biddy,⁸⁹ come with me. What, man, ’tis not for gravity to play at cherry-pit⁹⁰ with Satan. Hang him, foul collier!

MARIA

MARIA     Get him to say his prayers, good Sir Toby, get him to pray.

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     My prayers, minx?

MARIA

MARIA     No, I warrant you he will not hear of godliness.

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     Go, hang yourselves all! You are idle⁹⁴ shallow things. I am not of your element.⁹⁵ You shall know more hereafter.

       Exit

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Is’t possible?

FABIAN

FABIAN     If this were played upon a stage now, I could condemn it as an improbable fiction.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     His very genius⁹⁹ hath taken the infection of the device, man.

MARIA

MARIA     Nay, pursue him now, lest the device take¹⁰⁰ air and taint.

FABIAN

FABIAN     Why, we shall make him mad indeed.

MARIA

MARIA     The house will be the quieter.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Come, we’ll have him in¹⁰³ a dark room and bound. My niece is already in the belief that he’s mad. We may carry¹⁰⁴ it thus, for our pleasure and his penance, till our very pastime, tired out of breath, prompt us to have mercy on him, at which time we will bring the device to the bar¹⁰⁶ and crown thee for a finder of madmen. But see, but see.

       Enter Sir Andrew

FABIAN

FABIAN     More matter¹⁰⁸ for a May morning.

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     Here’s the challenge, read it. Shows a paper I warrant¹⁰⁹ there’s vinegar and pepper in’t.

FABIAN

FABIAN     Is’t so saucy?¹¹⁰

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     Ay, is’t, I warrant¹¹¹ him. Do but read.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Give me. Reads ‘Youth, whatsoever thou art, thou art but a scurvy¹¹² fellow.’

FABIAN

FABIAN     Good, and valiant.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY      Reads ‘Wonder not, nor admire¹¹⁴ not in thy mind, why I do call thee so, for I will show thee no reason for’t.’

FABIAN

FABIAN     A good note,¹¹⁶ that keeps you from the blow of the law.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY      Reads ‘Thou comest to the lady Olivia, and in my sight she uses thee kindly. But thou liest¹¹⁸ in thy throat, that is not the matter I challenge thee for.’

FABIAN

FABIAN     Very brief, and to exceeding good sense— Aside less.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     ‘I will waylay thee going home, where if it be thy chance to kill me’—Reads

FABIAN

FABIAN     Good.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY      Reads ‘Thou killest me like a rogue and a villain.’

FABIAN

FABIAN     Still you keep o’th’windy¹²³ side of the law. Good.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY      Reads ‘Fare thee well, and God have mercy upon one of our souls! He may have mercy upon mine, but my hope¹²⁵ is better, and so look to thyself. Thy friend, as thou usest him, and thy sworn enemy,

Andrew Aguecheek.’

               If this letter move¹²⁸ him not, his legs cannot. I’ll give’t him.

MARIA

MARIA     You may have very fit occasion for’t: he is now in some commerce¹²⁹ with my lady, and will by and by depart.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Go, Sir Andrew. Scout me¹³¹ for him at the corner of the orchard like a bumbaily:¹³² so soon as ever thou see’st him, draw, and as thou draw’st swear horrible,¹³³ for it comes to pass oft that a terrible oath, with a swaggering accent sharply twanged off,¹³⁴ gives manhood more approbation than ever proof itself would have earned him. Away!

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     Nay, let me alone¹³⁶ for swearing.

       Exit

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Now will not I deliver his letter, for the behaviour of the young gentleman gives him out to be of good capacity¹³⁸ and breeding. His employment between his lord and my niece confirms no less: therefore this letter, being so excellently ignorant, will breed no terror in the youth. He will find it comes from a clodpole.¹⁴⁰ But, sir, I will deliver his challenge by word of mouth; set upon Aguecheek a notable report of valour, and drive the gentleman, as I know his youth¹⁴² will aptly receive it, into a most hideous¹⁴³ opinion of his rage, skill, fury and impetuosity. This will so fright them both that they will kill one another by the look, like cockatrices.¹⁴⁵

       Enter Olivia and Viola

FABIAN

FABIAN     Here he comes with your niece. Give them way¹⁴⁶ till he take leave, and presently after him.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     I will meditate the while upon some horrid¹⁴⁸ message for a challenge.

       [Exeunt Sir Toby, Fabian and Maria]

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     I have said too much unto a heart of stone

150

150         And laid¹⁵⁰ mine honour too unchary on’t.

               There’s something in me that reproves my fault,

               But such a headstrong potent fault it is,

               That it but mocks reproof.

VIOLA

VIOLA     With the same ’haviour¹⁵⁴ that your passion bears

155

155         Goes on my master’s griefs.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Here, wear this jewel¹⁵⁶ for me, ’tis my picture.

               Refuse it not. It hath no tongue to vex you.

               And I beseech you come again tomorrow.

               What shall you ask of me that I’ll deny,

160

160         That honour saved¹⁶⁰ may upon asking give?

VIOLA

VIOLA     Nothing but this: your true love for my master.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     How with mine honour may I give him that

               Which I have given to you?

VIOLA

VIOLA     I will acquit¹⁶⁴ you.

165

165 

OLIVIA

OLIVIA             Well, come again tomorrow. Fare thee well.

               A fiend like thee might bear my soul to hell.

       [Exit]

       Enter Toby and Fabian

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Gentleman, God save thee.

VIOLA

VIOLA     And you, sir.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     That¹⁶⁹ defence thou hast, betake thee to’t. Of what nature the wrongs are

               thou hast done him, I know not, but thy intercepter,¹⁷⁰ full of despite, bloody as the hunter, attends thee at the orchard-end. Dismount¹⁷¹ thy tuck, be yare in thy preparation, for thy assailant is quick, skilful and deadly.

VIOLA

VIOLA     You mistake, sir, I am sure. No man hath any quarrel to¹⁷³ me: my remembrance is very free and clear from any image of offence done to any man.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     You’ll find it otherwise, I assure you: therefore, if you hold your life at any price,¹⁷⁶ betake you to your guard, for your opposite hath in him what youth, strength, skill and wrath can furnish man withal.¹⁷⁷

VIOLA

VIOLA     I pray you, sir, what is he?

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     He is knight, dubbed¹⁷⁹ with unhatched rapier and on carpet consideration, but he is a devil in private brawl. Souls and bodies hath he divorced three, and his incensement¹⁸¹ at this moment is so implacable that satisfaction can be none but by pangs of death and sepulchre.¹⁸² Hob, nob, is his word: give’t or take’t.

VIOLA

VIOLA     I will return again into the house and desire some conduct¹⁸³ of the lady. I am no fighter. I have heard of some kind of men that put quarrels purposely on others, to taste¹⁸⁵ their valour. Belike this is a man of that quirk.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Sir, no. His indignation derives itself out of a very competent¹⁸⁶ injury: therefore, get you on and give him his desire. Back you shall not to the house, unless you undertake that¹⁸⁸ with me which with as much safety you might answer him: therefore, on, or strip your sword stark naked, for meddle¹⁸⁹ you must, that’s certain, or forswear¹⁹⁰ to wear iron about you.

VIOLA

VIOLA     This is as uncivil as strange. I beseech you do me this courteous office,¹⁹¹ as to know of the knight what my offence to him is. It is something of my negligence, nothing of my purpose.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     I will do so. Signior Fabian, stay you by this gentleman till my return.

       Exit Toby

VIOLA

VIOLA     Pray you, sir, do you know of this matter?

FABIAN

FABIAN     I know the knight is incensed against you, even to a mortal arbitrement,¹⁹⁶ but nothing of the circumstance more.

VIOLA

VIOLA     I beseech you what manner of man is he?

FABIAN

FABIAN     Nothing¹⁹⁹ of that wonderful promise, to read him by his form, as you are like to find him in the proof of his valour. He is, indeed, sir, the most skilful, bloody and fatal opposite that you could possibly have found in any part of Illyria. Will you walk towards him? I will make your peace with him if I can.

VIOLA

VIOLA     I shall be much bound to you for’t: I am one that had rather go with sir priest than sir knight. I care not who knows so much of my mettle.²⁰⁴

       Exeunt

       Enter Toby and Andrew

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Why, man, he’s a very devil. I have not seen such a firago.²⁰⁵ I had a pass with him, rapier, scabbard and all, and he gives me the stuck in²⁰⁶ with such a mortal²⁰⁷ motion that it is inevitable. And on the answer, he pays you as surely as your feet hits the ground they step on. They say he has been fencer to²⁰⁸ the Sophy.

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     Pox²⁰⁹ on’t, I’ll not meddle with him.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Ay, but he will not now be pacified. Fabian can scarce hold²¹⁰ him yonder.

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     Plague on’t, an I thought he had been valiant and so cunning²¹¹ in fence, I’d have seen him damned ere²¹² I’d have challenged him. Let him let the matter slip, and I’ll give him my horse, grey Capilet.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     I’ll make the motion.²¹⁴ Aside Stand here, make a good show on’t.— This shall end without the perdition of souls.²¹⁵ Marry, I’ll ride your horse as well as I ride you.

       Enter Fabian and Viola

               I have his horse to take up²¹⁶ the quarrel. Aside to Fabian I have persuaded him the youth’s a devil.

FABIAN

FABIAN     He is as horribly conceited²¹⁷ of him, and pants and looks pale, as if a bear were at his heels.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     There’s no remedy, sir, he will fight with you for’s oath²¹⁹ sake. To Viola Marry, he hath better bethought him of his quarrel,²²⁰ and he finds that now scarce to be worth talking of: therefore draw for the supportance²²¹ of his vow. He protests he will not hurt you.

VIOLA

VIOLA     Pray God defend me! Aside A²²³ little thing would make me tell them how much I lack of a man.

FABIAN

FABIAN     Give ground if you see him furious. To Viola

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Come, Sir Andrew, there’s no remedy. The gentleman will, for his honour’s sake, have one bout with you. He cannot by the duello²²⁷ avoid it. But he has promised me, as he is a gentleman and a soldier, he will not hurt you. Come on, to’t.

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     Pray God he keep his oath!

       Enter Antonio

VIOLA

VIOLA     I do assure you, ’tis against my will. To Fabian/They draw their swords

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Put up²³² your sword. If this young gentleman

               Have done offence, I take the fault on me.

               If you offend him, I for him defy you.

235

235 

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY             You, sir? Why, what are you?

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     One, sir, that for his love dares yet do more

               Than you have heard him brag to you he will.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Nay, if you be an undertaker,²³⁸ I am for you. They draw

       Enter Officers

FABIAN

FABIAN     O, good Sir Toby, hold! Here come the officers.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     I’ll be with you anon.²⁴⁰ To Antonio

VIOLA

VIOLA     Pray, sir, put your sword up, if you please. To Sir Andrew

SIRANDREW

SIRANDREW     Marry, will I, sir. And for that²⁴² I promised you, I’ll be as good as my word. He²⁴³ will bear you easily and reins well.

FIRST OFFICER

FIRST OFFICER     This is the man; do thy office. Indicates Antonio

SECOND OFFICER

SECOND OFFICER     Antonio, I arrest thee at the suit²⁴⁵ of Count Orsino.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     You do mistake me, sir.

FIRST OFFICER

FIRST OFFICER     No, sir, no jot. I know your favour²⁴⁷ well,

               Though now you have no sea-cap on your head.

               Take him away: he knows I know him well.

250

250 

ANTONIO

ANTONIO             I must obey.— This comes with seeking you. To Viola

               But there’s no remedy, I shall answer²⁵¹ it.

               What will you do, now my necessity

               Makes me to ask you for my purse? It grieves me

               Much more for what I cannot do for you

255

255         Than what befalls myself. You stand amazed;²⁵⁵

               But be of comfort.

SECOND OFFICER

SECOND OFFICER     Come, sir, away.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     I must entreat of you some of that money. To Viola

VIOLA

VIOLA     What money, sir?

260

260         For the fair kindness you have showed me here,

               And part²⁶¹ being prompted by your present trouble,

               Out of my lean and low ability

               I’ll lend you something. My having²⁶³ is not much.

               I’ll make division of my present²⁶⁴ with you.

265

265         Hold, there’s half my coffer.²⁶⁵ Offers money

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Will you deny²⁶⁶ me now?

               Is’t possible that my deserts²⁶⁷ to you

               Can lack persuasion?²⁶⁸ Do not tempt my misery,

               Lest that it make me so unsound²⁶⁹ a man

270

270         As to upbraid you with those kindnesses

               That I have done for you.

VIOLA

VIOLA     I know of none,

               Nor know I you by voice or any feature.

               I hate ingratitude more in a man

275

275         Than lying, vainness,²⁷⁵ babbling, drunkenness,

               Or any taint of vice whose strong corruption

               Inhabits our frail blood.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     O heavens themselves!

SECOND OFFICER

SECOND OFFICER     Come, sir, I pray you go.

280

280 

ANTONIO

ANTONIO             Let me speak a little. This youth that you see here

               I snatched one half out of the jaws of death,

               Relieved him with such sanctity²⁸² of love,

               And to his image,²⁸³ which methought did promise

               Most venerable worth,²⁸⁴ did I devotion.

285

285 

FIRST OFFICER

FIRST OFFICER             What’s that to us? The time goes by. Away!

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     But O, how vile an idol proves this god.

               Thou hast, Sebastian, done good feature²⁸⁷ shame.

               In nature there’s no blemish but the mind.

               None can be called deformed but the unkind.²⁸⁹

290

290         Virtue is beauty, but the beauteous evil

               Are empty trunks²⁹¹ o’erflourished by the devil.

FIRST OFFICER

FIRST OFFICER     The man grows mad. Away with him! Come, come, sir.

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Lead me on.

       Exit [with Officers]

VIOLA

VIOLA     Methinks his words do from such passion fly, Aside

295

295         That he believes himself, so do not I.

               Prove true, imagination, O, prove true,

               That I, dear brother, be now ta’en for you!

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Come hither, knight. Come hither, Fabian. We’ll whisper o’er a couplet or

               two of most sage²⁹⁹ saws. They stand aside

300

300 

VIOLA

VIOLA             He named Sebastian. I my brother know

               Yet living in my glass,³⁰¹ even such and so

               In favour³⁰² was my brother, and he went

               Still³⁰³ in this fashion, colour, ornament,

               For him I imitate. O, if it prove,³⁰⁴

305

305         Tempests are kind and salt waves fresh in love.

       [Exit]

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     A very dishonest³⁰⁶ paltry boy, and more a coward than a hare. His dishonesty appears in leaving his friend here in necessity and denying him. And for his cowardship, ask Fabian.

FABIAN

FABIAN     A coward, a most devout coward, religious³⁰⁹ in it.

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     ’Slid,³¹⁰ I’ll after him again and beat him.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Do, cuff him soundly, but never draw thy sword.

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     An I do not—

FABIAN

FABIAN     Come, let’s see the event.³¹³

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     I dare lay any money ’twill be nothing yet.³¹⁴

       Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 1

running scene 14

       Enter Sebastian and Clown [Feste]

FESTE

FESTE     Will you make me believe that I am not sent for you?

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     Go to, go to, thou art a foolish fellow.

               Let me be clear of thee.

FESTE

FESTE     Well held out,⁴ i’faith! No, I do not know you, nor I am not sent to you by my lady, to bid you come speak with her, nor your name is not Master Cesario, nor this is not my nose neither. Nothing that is so is so.

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     I prithee vent⁷ thy folly somewhere else. Thou know’st not me.

FESTE

FESTE     Vent my folly! He has heard that word of⁸ some great man and now applies it to a fool. Vent my folly! I am afraid this great lubber⁹ the world will prove a cockney.¹⁰ I prithee now ungird thy strangeness and tell me what I shall vent to my lady. Shall I vent to her that thou art coming?

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     I prithee, foolish Greek,¹² depart from me. Gives money There’s money for thee. If you tarry¹³ longer, I shall give worse payment.

FESTE

FESTE     By my troth, thou hast an open¹⁴ hand. These wise men that give fools money get themselves a good report¹⁵ — after fourteen years’ purchase.

       Enter Andrew, Toby and Fabian

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     Now, sir, have I met you again? Strikes Sebastian There’s for you.

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     Why, there’s for thee, and there, and there. Beats Sir Andrew Are all the people mad?

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Hold, sir, or I’ll throw your dagger o’er the house.

FESTE

FESTE     This will I tell my lady straight.¹⁹ I would not be in some of your coats for twopence.

       [Exit]

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Come on, sir, hold.²¹

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     Nay, let him alone. I’ll go another way to work with him. I’ll have an action of battery²² against him, if there be any law in Illyria. Though I struck him first, yet it’s no matter for that.

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     Let go thy hand.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Come, sir, I will not let you go. Come, my young soldier, put up your iron.²⁶ You are well fleshed.²⁷ Come on.

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     I will be free from thee. What wouldst thou now? If thou darest tempt me further, draw thy sword.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     What, what? Nay, then I must have an ounce or two of this malapert³⁰ blood from you.

       Enter Olivia

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Hold, Toby. On thy life I charge thee, hold!

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Madam!

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Will it be ever thus? Ungracious wretch,

35

35           Fit for the mountains and the barbarous caves,

               Where manners ne’er were preached! Out of my sight!—

               Be not offended, dear Cesario.—

               Rudesby,³⁸ be gone!

       [Exeunt Sir Toby, Sir Andrew and Fabian]

               I prithee, gentle friend,

               Let thy fair wisdom, not thy passion, sway

40

40           In this uncivil⁴⁰ and unjust extent

               Against thy peace. Go with me to my house,

               And hear thou there how many fruitless pranks

               This ruffian hath botched up,⁴³ that thou thereby

               Mayst smile at this. Thou shalt not choose but go.

45

45           Do not deny. Beshrew⁴⁵ his soul for me,

               He started⁴⁶ one poor heart of mine in thee.

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     What relish⁴⁷ is in this? How runs the stream? Aside

               Or⁴⁸ I am mad, or else this is a dream.

               Let fancy⁴⁹ still my sense in Lethe steep.

50

50           If it be thus to dream, still⁵⁰ let me sleep!

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Nay, come, I prithee. Would thou’dst⁵¹ be ruled by me!

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     Madam, I will.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     O, say so, and so be!

       Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 2

running scene 15

       Enter Maria and Clown [Feste]

MARIA

MARIA     Nay, I prithee put on this gown and this beard. Hands him a gown and beard Make him believe thou art Sir¹ Topas the curate.² Do it quickly. I’ll call Sir Toby the whilst.

       [Exit]

FESTE

FESTE     Well, I’ll put it on, and I will dissemble³ myself in’t, and I would I were the first that ever dissembled⁴ in such a gown. Puts on gown and beard I am not tall enough to become the function⁵ well, nor lean enough to be thought a good student. But to be said an honest man and a good housekeeper⁶ goes as fairly as to say a careful man and a great scholar. The competitors⁷ enter.

       Enter Toby [and Maria]

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Jove bless thee, Master Parson.

FESTE

FESTE     Bonos dies,⁹ Sir Toby. For, as the old hermit of Prague that never saw pen and ink very wittily said to a niece of King Gorboduc,¹⁰ ‘That that is, is.’ So I, being Master Parson, am Master Parson; for what is ‘that’ but ‘that’, and ‘is’ but ‘is’?

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     To him, Sir Topas.

FESTE

FESTE     What, ho, I say? Peace in this prison.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     The knave counterfeits well, a good knave.

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     Who calls there?

       Within

FESTE

FESTE     Sir Topas the curate, who comes to visit Malvolio the lunatic.

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     Sir Topas, Sir Topas, good Sir Topas, go to my lady.

FESTE

FESTE     Out, hyperbolical¹⁸ fiend! How vexest thou this man! Talkest thou nothing but of ladies?

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Well said, Master Parson.

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     Sir Topas, never was man thus wronged. Good Sir Topas, do not think I am mad. They have laid me here in hideous darkness.

FESTE

FESTE     Fie, thou dishonest Satan! I call thee by the most modest terms,²³ for I am one of those gentle ones that will use the devil himself with courtesy. Sayest thou that house²⁵ is dark?

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     As hell, Sir Topas.

FESTE

FESTE     Why it hath bay windows transparent as barricadoes,²⁷ and the clerestories toward the south north are as lustrous as ebony, and yet complainest thou of obstruction?

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     I am not mad, Sir Topas. I say to you, this house is dark.

FESTE

FESTE     Madman, thou errest. I say there is no darkness but ignorance, in which thou art more puzzled³² than the Egyptians in their fog.

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     I say, this house is as dark as ignorance, though ignorance were as dark as hell; and I say there was never man thus abused.³⁴ I am no more mad than you are. Make the trial of it in any constant³⁵ question.

FESTE

FESTE     What is the opinion of Pythagoras³⁶ concerning wild fowl?

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     That the soul of our grandam³⁷ might happily inhabit a bird.

FESTE

FESTE     What think’st thou of his opinion?

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     I think nobly of the soul, and no way approve his opinion.

FESTE

FESTE     Fare thee well. Remain thou still in darkness. Thou shalt hold th’opinion of Pythagoras ere I will allow⁴¹ of thy wits, and fear to kill a woodcock, lest thou dispossess the soul of thy grandam. Fare thee well.

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     Sir Topas, Sir Topas!

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     My most exquisite⁴⁴ Sir Topas!

FESTE

FESTE     Nay, I am⁴⁵ for all waters.

MARIA

MARIA     Thou mightst have done this without thy beard and gown. He sees thee not.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     To⁴⁷ him in thine own voice, and bring me word how thou findest him. I would we were well rid of this knavery. If he may be conveniently delivered,⁴⁸ I would he were, for I am now so far in offence with my niece that I cannot pursue with any safety this sport to the upshot.⁵⁰ Come by and by to my chamber.

       Exeunt [Sir Toby and Maria] Sings

FESTE

FESTE     ‘Hey, Robin, jolly Robin,

                                    Tell me how thy lady does.’

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     Fool!

FESTE

FESTE     ‘My lady is unkind, perdy.⁵⁴’ Sings

55

55   

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     Fool!

FESTE

FESTE     ‘Alas, why is she so?’ Sings

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     Fool, I say!

FESTE

FESTE     ‘She loves another’— Who calls, ha? Sings

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     Good fool, as ever thou wilt deserve well at my hand, help me to a candle, and pen, ink and paper. As I am a gentleman, I will live to be thankful to thee for’t.

FESTE

FESTE     Master Malvolio?

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     Ay, good fool.

FESTE

FESTE     Alas, sir, how fell you besides⁶⁴ your five wits?

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     Fool, there was never man so notoriously⁶⁵ abused. I am as well in my wits, fool, as thou art.

FESTE

FESTE     But⁶⁷ as well? Then you are mad indeed, if you be no better in your wits than a fool.

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     They have here propertied⁶⁹ me, keep me in darkness, send ministers to me, asses, and do all they can to face⁷⁰ me out of my wits.

FESTE

FESTE     Advise you⁷¹ what you say. The minister is here.—

               Malvolio, Malvolio, thy wits the heavens restore! As Sir Topas

               Endeavour thyself to sleep, and leave thy vain bibble babble.⁷³

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     Sir Topas!

75

75   

FESTE

FESTE           Maintain no words with him, good fellow.— As Sir Topas

               Who, I, sir? Not I, sir. God buy you,⁷⁶ good Sir Topas.—As himself

               Marry, amen.—As Sir Topas

               I will, sir, I will. As himself

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     Fool, fool, fool, I say!

FESTE

FESTE     Alas, sir, be patient. What say you, sir? I am shent⁸⁰ for speaking to you.

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     Good fool, help me to some light and some paper. I tell thee I am as well in my wits as any man in Illyria.

FESTE

FESTE     Well-a-day⁸³ that you were, sir.

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     By this hand, I am. Good fool, some ink, paper and light, and convey what I will set down to my lady. It shall advantage thee more than ever the bearing of letter did.

FESTE

FESTE     I will help you to’t. But tell me true, are you not mad indeed? Or do you but counterfeit?

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     Believe me, I am not. I tell thee true.

FESTE

FESTE     Nay, I’ll ne’er believe a madman till I see his brains. I will fetch you light and paper and ink.

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     Fool, I’ll requite⁹² it in the highest degree. I prithee be gone.

FESTE

FESTE     I am gone, sir,

                                    And anon, sir, Sings

95

95                                I’ll be with you again,

                                    In a trice,⁹⁶

                                    Like to the old Vice,⁹⁷

                                    Your need to sustain,

                                    Who, with dagger of lath,⁹⁹

100

100                              In his rage and his wrath,

                                    Cries ‘Aha!’ to the devil,

                                    Like a mad lad,

                                    Pare thy nails,¹⁰³ dad.

                                    Adieu, goodman¹⁰⁴ devil.

       Exit

Act 4 Scene 3

running scene 16

       Enter Sebastian

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     This is the air, that is the glorious sun,

               This pearl she gave me, I do feel’t and see’t. Holds up a pearl

               And though ’tis wonder that enwraps me thus,

               Yet ’tis not madness. Where’s Antonio, then?

5

5             I could not find him at the Elephant.

               Yet there he was,⁶ and there I found this credit,

               That he did range⁷ the town to seek me out.

               His counsel now might do me golden service,

               For though my soul disputes well⁹ with my sense

10

10           That this may be some error but no madness,

               Yet doth this accident¹¹ and flood of fortune

               So far exceed all instance,¹² all discourse,

               That I am ready to distrust mine eyes

               And wrangle¹⁴ with my reason that persuades me

15

15           To any other trust¹⁵ but that I am mad,

               Or else the lady’s mad; yet, if ’twere so,

               She could not sway her house,¹⁷ command her followers,

               Take¹⁸ and give back affairs and their dispatch

               With such a smooth, discreet and stable bearing

20

20           As I perceive she does. There’s something in’t

               That is deceivable.²¹ But here the lady comes.

       Enter Olivia and Priest

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Blame not this haste of mine. If you mean well,

               Now go with me and with this holy man

               Into the chantry²⁴ by: there, before him,

25

25           And underneath that consecrated roof,

               Plight²⁶ me the full assurance of your faith,

               That my most jealous²⁷ and too doubtful soul

               May live at peace. He shall conceal it

               Whiles²⁹ you are willing it shall come to note,

30

30           What³⁰ time we will our celebration keep

               According to my birth.³¹ What do you say?

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     I’ll follow this good man, and go with you,

               And having sworn truth, ever will be true.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Then lead the way, good father, and heavens so shine,

35

35           That they may fairly note³⁵ this act of mine!

       Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 1

running scene 17

       Enter Clown [Feste] and Fabian

FABIAN

FABIAN     Now, as thou lovest me, let me see his letter.

FESTE

FESTE     Good Master Fabian, grant me another request.

FABIAN

FABIAN     Anything.

FESTE

FESTE     Do not desire to see this letter.

FABIAN

FABIAN     This⁵ is to give a dog and in recompense desire my dog again.

       Enter Duke [Orsino], Viola, Curio and Lords

ORSINO

ORSINO     Belong you to the lady Olivia, friends?

FESTE

FESTE     Ay, sir, we are some of her trappings.⁷

ORSINO

ORSINO     I know thee well. How dost thou, my good fellow?

FESTE

FESTE     Truly, sir, the better for⁹ my foes and the worse for my friends.

ORSINO

ORSINO     Just the contrary, the better for thy friends.

FESTE

FESTE     No, sir, the worse.

ORSINO

ORSINO     How can that be?

FESTE

FESTE     Marry, sir, they praise me and make an ass of me. Now my foes tell me plainly I am an ass: so that by my foes, sir, I profit in the knowledge of myself, and by my friends I am abused:¹⁵ so that, conclusions to be as kisses, if your four negatives make your two affirmatives, why then, the worse for my friends and the better for my foes.

ORSINO

ORSINO     Why, this is excellent.

FESTE

FESTE     By my troth, sir, no, though¹⁹ it please you to be one of my friends.

ORSINO

ORSINO     Thou shalt not be the worse for me. Gives a coin There’s gold.

FESTE

FESTE     But²¹ that it would be double-dealing, sir, I would you could make it another.

ORSINO

ORSINO     O, you give me ill counsel.

FESTE

FESTE     Put your grace²³ in your pocket, sir, for this once, and let your flesh and blood obey it.²⁴

ORSINO

ORSINO     Well, I will be so much a sinner to²⁵ be a double-dealer. Gives another coin There’s another.

FESTE

FESTE     Primo, secundo, tertio,²⁶ is a good play, and the old saying is, the third pays for all. The triplex,²⁷ sir, is a good tripping measure, or the bells of Saint Bennet, sir, may put you in mind: one, two, three.

ORSINO

ORSINO     You can fool no more money out of me at this throw.²⁹ If you will let your lady know I am here to speak with her, and bring her along with you, it may awake my bounty further.

FESTE

FESTE     Marry, sir, lullaby³² to your bounty till I come again. I go, sir. But I would not have you to think that my desire of having is the sin of covetousness. But as you say, sir, let your bounty take a nap, I will awake it anon.

       Exit

       Enter Antonio and Officers

35

35   

VIOLA

VIOLA           Here comes the man, sir, that did rescue me.

ORSINO

ORSINO     That face of his I do remember well,

               Yet, when I saw it last, it was besmeared

               As black as Vulcan³⁸ in the smoke of war.

               A bawbling³⁹ vessel was he captain of,

40

40           For⁴⁰ shallow draught and bulk unprizeable,

               With which such scathful⁴¹ grapple did he make

               With the most noble bottom⁴² of our fleet,

               That very⁴³ envy and the tongue of loss

               Cried fame and honour on him. What’s the matter?

45

45   

FIRST OFFICER

FIRST OFFICER           Orsino, this is that Antonio

               That took the Phoenix⁴⁶ and her fraught from Candy,

               And this is he that did the Tiger⁴⁷ board

               When your young nephew Titus lost his leg;

               Here in the streets, desperate⁴⁹ of shame and state,

50

50           In private brabble⁵⁰ did we apprehend him.

VIOLA

VIOLA     He did me kindness, sir, drew on my side,⁵¹

               But in conclusion put⁵² strange speech upon me.

               I know not what ’twas but distraction.⁵³

ORSINO

ORSINO     Notable⁵⁴ pirate! Thou salt-water thief!

55

55           What foolish boldness brought thee to their mercies,

               Whom thou, in terms so bloody⁵⁶ and so dear,

               Hast made thine enemies?

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Orsino, noble sir,

               Be⁵⁹ pleased that I shake off these names you give me.

60

60           Antonio never yet was thief or pirate,

               Though I confess, on base⁶¹ and ground enough,

               Orsino’s enemy. A witchcraft drew me hither.

               That most ingrateful boy there by your side

               From the rude⁶⁴ sea’s enraged and foamy mouth

65

65           Did I redeem. A wreck past hope he was.

               His life I gave him and did thereto add

               My love, without retention⁶⁷ or restraint,

               All⁶⁸ his in dedication. For his sake

               Did I expose myself — pure⁶⁹ for his love —

70

70           Into the danger of this adverse⁷⁰ town,

               Drew to defend him when he was beset,

               Where being apprehended, his false cunning —

               Not meaning to partake with me in danger —

               Taught him to face⁷⁴ me out of his acquaintance,

75

75           And grew⁷⁵ a twenty years removèd thing

               While one would wink, denied me mine own purse,

               Which I had recommended⁷⁷ to his use

               Not half an hour before.

VIOLA

VIOLA     How can this be?

80

80   

ORSINO

ORSINO           When came he to this town?

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     Today, my lord. And for three months before,

               No interim, not a minute’s vacancy,

               Both day and night did we keep company.

       Enter Olivia and Attendants

ORSINO

ORSINO     Here comes the countess. Now heaven walks on earth.

85

85           But for⁸⁵ thee, fellow — fellow, thy words are madness.

               Three months this youth hath tended upon me.

               But more of that anon. Take him aside.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     What would my lord, but⁸⁸ that he may not have,

               Wherein Olivia may seem serviceable?

90

90           Cesario, you do not keep promise with me.

VIOLA

VIOLA     Madam?

ORSINO

ORSINO     Gracious Olivia—

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     What do you say, Cesario? Good my lord⁹³—

VIOLA

VIOLA     My lord would speak, my duty hushes me.

95

95   

OLIVIA

OLIVIA           If it be aught⁹⁵ to the old tune, my lord,

               It is as fat⁹⁶ and fulsome to mine ear

               As howling after music.

ORSINO

ORSINO     Still so cruel?

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Still so constant, lord.

100

100 

ORSINO

ORSINO             What, to perverseness? You uncivil¹⁰⁰ lady,

               To whose ingrate¹⁰¹ and unauspicious altars

               My soul the faithfull’st offerings hath breathed out

               That e’er devotion tendered!¹⁰³ What shall I do?

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Even what¹⁰⁴ it please my lord that shall become him.

105

ORSINO

ORSINO     Why should I not, had I the heart to do it,

               Like to th’Egyptian thief¹⁰⁶ at point of death,

               Kill what I love? — a savage jealousy

               That sometimes savours nobly.¹⁰⁸ But hear me this:

               Since you to non-regardance¹⁰⁹ cast my faith,

110

110         And that¹¹⁰ I partly know the instrument

               That screws¹¹¹ me from my true place in your favour,

               Live you the marble-breasted tyrant still.

               But this your minion,¹¹³ whom I know you love,

               And whom, by heaven I swear, I tender¹¹⁴ dearly,

115

115         Him will I tear out of that cruel eye,

               Where he sits crownèd in¹¹⁶ his master’s spite.

               Come, boy, with me. My thoughts are ripe in mischief:¹¹⁷

               I’ll sacrifice the lamb that I do love,

               To spite a raven’s heart within a dove. Starts to leave

120

120 

VIOLA

VIOLA             And I, most jocund,¹²⁰ apt and willingly,

               To¹²¹ do you rest, a thousand deaths would die. Starts to leave

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Where goes Cesario?

VIOLA

VIOLA     After him I love

               More than I love these eyes, more than my life,

125

125         More, by all mores,¹²⁵ than e’er I shall love wife.

               If I do feign, you witnesses above

               Punish my life for tainting of¹²⁷ my love!

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Ay me, detested! How am I beguiled!¹²⁸

VIOLA

VIOLA     Who does beguile you? Who does do you wrong?

130

130 

OLIVIA

OLIVIA             Hast thou forgot thyself? Is it so long?

               Call forth the holy father.

       [Exit an Attendant]

ORSINO

ORSINO     Come, away! To Viola

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Whither, my lord? Cesario, husband, stay.

ORSINO

ORSINO     Husband?

135

135 

OLIVIA

OLIVIA             Ay, husband. Can he that deny?

ORSINO

ORSINO     Her husband, sirrah?¹³⁶

VIOLA

VIOLA     No, my lord, not I.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Alas, it is the baseness¹³⁸ of thy fear

               That makes thee strangle¹³⁹ thy propriety

140

140         Fear not, Cesario, take thy fortunes up.

               Be that¹⁴¹ thou know’st thou art, and then thou art

               As great as that thou fear’st.¹⁴²

       Enter Priest

               O, welcome, father!

               Father, I charge thee by thy reverence

145

145         Here to unfold,¹⁴⁵ though lately we intended

               To keep in darkness what occasion now

               Reveals before ’tis ripe, what thou dost know

               Hath newly passed between this youth and me.

PRIEST

PRIEST     A contract of eternal bond of love,

150

150         Confirmed by mutual joinder¹⁵⁰ of your hands,

               Attested by the holy close¹⁵¹ of lips,

               Strengthened by interchangement of your rings,

               And all the ceremony of this compact¹⁵³

               Sealed¹⁵⁴ in my function, by my testimony.

155

155         Since when, my watch¹⁵⁵ hath told me, toward my grave

               I have travelled but two hours.

ORSINO

ORSINO     O thou dissembling cub! What wilt thou be To Viola

               When time hath sowed a grizzle¹⁵⁸ on thy case?

               Or will not else thy craft¹⁵⁹ so quickly grow

160

160         That thine own trip¹⁶⁰ shall be thine overthrow?

               Farewell, and take her; but direct thy feet

               Where thou and I henceforth may never meet.

VIOLA

VIOLA     My lord, I do protest¹⁶³—

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     O, do not swear!

165

165         Hold little faith,¹⁶⁵ though thou hast too much fear.

       Enter Sir Andrew His head bleeding

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     For the love of God, a surgeon! Send one presently¹⁶⁶ to Sir Toby.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     What’s the matter?

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     H’as broke¹⁶⁸ my head across and has given Sir Toby a bloody coxcomb too. For the love of God, your help! I had rather than forty pound I were at home.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Who has done this, Sir Andrew?

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     The count’s gentleman, one Cesario. We took him for a coward, but he’s the very devil incardinate.¹⁷²

ORSINO

ORSINO     My gentleman, Cesario?

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     ’Od’s lifelings,¹⁷⁴ here he is! You broke my head for nothing, and that that

               I did, I was set on to do’t by Sir Toby.

VIOLA

VIOLA     Why do you speak to me? I never hurt you.

               You drew your sword upon me without cause,

               But I bespake you fair, and hurt you not.

       Enter Toby and Clown [Feste] Sir Toby wounded

SIRANDREW

SIRANDREW     If a bloody coxcomb be a hurt, you have hurt me. I think you set nothing¹⁷⁹ by a bloody coxcomb. Here comes Sir Toby halting.¹⁸⁰ You shall hear more. But if he had not been in drink,¹⁸¹ he would have tickled you othergates than he did.

ORSINO

ORSINO     How now, gentleman? How is’t with you?

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     That’s all one:¹⁸³ h’as hurt me, and there’s th’end on’t. Sot, didst see Dick surgeon, sot?

FESTE

FESTE     O, he’s drunk, Sir Toby, an hour agone.¹⁸⁵ His eyes were set at eight i’th’morning.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Then he’s a rogue, and a passy measures pavin.¹⁸⁷ I hate a drunken rogue.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Away with him! Who hath made this havoc with them?

SIR ANDREW

SIR ANDREW     I’ll help you, Sir Toby, because we’ll be dressed¹⁸⁹ together.

SIR TOBY

SIR TOBY     Will you help? An ass-head and a coxcomb¹⁹⁰ and a knave, a thin-faced knave, a gull!¹⁹¹

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Get him to bed, and let his hurt be looked to.

       [Exeunt Feste, Fabian, Sir Toby and Sir Andrew]

       Enter Sebastian

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     I am sorry, madam, I have hurt your kinsman.

               But, had it been the brother¹⁹⁴ of my blood,

195

195         I must have done no less with¹⁹⁵ wit and safety.

               You throw a strange regard¹⁹⁶ upon me, and by that

               I do perceive it hath offended you.

               Pardon me, sweet one, even for the vows

               We made each other but so late ago.

200

200 

ORSINO

ORSINO             One face, one voice, one habit,²⁰⁰ and two persons,

               A natural perspective,²⁰¹ that is and is not!

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     Antonio, O my dear Antonio!

               How have the hours racked²⁰³ and tortured me,

               Since I have lost thee!

205

205 

ANTONIO

ANTONIO             Sebastian are you?

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     Fear’st²⁰⁶ thou that, Antonio?

ANTONIO

ANTONIO     How have you made division of yourself?

               An apple cleft in two is not more twin

               Than these two creatures. Which is Sebastian?

210

210 

OLIVIA

OLIVIA             Most wonderful!

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     Do I stand there? I never had a brother, Sees Viola

               Nor can there be that deity²¹² in my nature

               Of here and everywhere.²¹³ I had a sister,

               Whom the blind²¹⁴ waves and surges have devoured.

215

215         Of charity,²¹⁵ what kin are you to me?

               What countryman? What name? What parentage?

VIOLA

VIOLA     Of Messaline. Sebastian was my father,

               Such a Sebastian was my brother too,

               So went he suited²¹⁹ to his watery tomb.

220

220         If spirits can assume both form and suit²²⁰

               You come to fright us.

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     A spirit I am indeed,

               But am²²³ in that dimension grossly clad

               Which from the womb I did participate.²²⁴

225

225         Were you a woman, as the²²⁵ rest goes even,

               I should my tears let fall upon your cheek,

               And say ‘Thrice-welcome, drownèd Viola!’

VIOLA

VIOLA     My father had a mole upon his brow.

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     And so had mine.

230

230 

VIOLA

VIOLA             And died that day when Viola from her birth

               Had numbered thirteen years.

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN     O, that record²³² is lively in my soul!

               He finished indeed his mortal act

               That day that made my sister thirteen years.

235

235 

VIOLA

VIOLA             If nothing lets²³⁵ to make us happy both

               But this my masculine usurped attire,

               Do not embrace me till each circumstance

               Of place, time, fortune, do cohere and jump²³⁸

               That I am Viola — which to confirm,

240

240         I’ll bring you to a captain in this town,

               Where lie my maiden weeds,²⁴¹ by whose gentle help

               I was preserved to serve this noble count.

               All the occurrence of my fortune since

               Hath been between this lady and this lord.

245

245 

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN             So comes it, lady, you have been mistook.²⁴⁵ To Olivia

               But nature to²⁴⁶ her bias drew in that.

               You would have been contracted²⁴⁷ to a maid,

               Nor are you therein, by my life, deceived,

               You are betrothed both to a maid and man.

250

250 

ORSINO

ORSINO             Be not amazed; right noble is his blood.—To Olivia

               If this be so, as yet the glass²⁵¹ seems true, Aside?

               I shall have share in this most happy²⁵² wreck.—

               Boy, thou hast said to me a thousand times To Viola

               Thou never shouldst love woman like to²⁵⁴ me.

255

255 

VIOLA

VIOLA             And all those sayings will I overswear;²⁵⁵

               And all those swearings keep as true in soul

               As doth that orbèd continent²⁵⁷ the fire

               That severs day from night.

ORSINO

ORSINO     Give me thy hand,

260

260         And let me see thee in thy woman’s weeds.

VIOLA

VIOLA     The captain that did bring me first on shore

               Hath my maid’s garments. He upon some action²⁶²

               Is now in durance,²⁶³ at Malvolio’s suit,

               A gentleman, and follower of my lady’s.

265

265 

OLIVIA

OLIVIA             He shall enlarge²⁶⁵ him. Fetch Malvolio hither.

               And yet, alas, now I remember me,²⁶⁶

               They say, poor gentleman, he’s much distract.²⁶⁷

       Enter Clown [Feste] with a letter,

       and Fabian

               A most extracting²⁶⁸ frenzy of mine own

               From²⁶⁹ my remembrance clearly banished his.

270

270         How does he, sirrah?

FESTE

FESTE     Truly, madam, he holds Beelzebub²⁷¹ at the stave’s end as well as a man in his case may do. H’as here writ a letter to you; I should have given’t you today²⁷² morning, but as a madman’s epistles²⁷³ are no gospels, so it skills not much when they are delivered.²⁷⁴

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Open’t, and read it.

FESTE

FESTE     Look then to be well edified when the fool delivers²⁷⁶ the madman. Reads ‘By the lord, madam’—

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     How now, art thou mad?

FESTE

FESTE     No, madam, I do but read madness. An your ladyship will have it as it ought to be, you must allow vox.²⁸⁰

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Prithee read i’thy right wits.

FESTE

FESTE     So I do, madonna. But to read²⁸² his right wits is to read thus: therefore perpend, my princess, and give ear.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Read it you, sirrah. To Fabian, who takes the letter

FABIAN

FABIAN     Reads

‘By the lord, madam, you wrong me, and the world shall know it. Though you have put me into darkness and given your drunken cousin rule over me, yet have I the benefit of my senses as well as your ladyship. I have your own letter that induced me to the semblance²⁸⁸ I put on; with the which I doubt not but to do myself much right, or you much shame. Think of me as you please. I leave my duty²⁹⁰ a little unthought of and speak out of my injury.

               The madly-used Malvolio.’

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Did he write this?

FESTE

FESTE     Ay, madam.

ORSINO

ORSINO     This savours not much of distraction.

295

295 

OLIVIA

OLIVIA             See him delivered,²⁹⁵ Fabian, bring him hither.

       [Exit Fabian]

               My lord, so²⁹⁶ please you, these things further thought on,

               To think me as²⁹⁷ well a sister as a wife,

               One day shall crown th’alliance²⁹⁸ on’t, so please you,

               Here at my house and at my proper²⁹⁹ cost.

300

300 

ORSINO

ORSINO             Madam, I am most apt³⁰⁰ t’embrace your offer.—

               Your master quits³⁰¹ you. And for your service done him, To Viola

               So much against the mettle³⁰² of your sex,

               So far beneath your soft and tender breeding,

               And since you called me master for so long,

305

305         Here is my hand. You shall from this time be

               Your master’s mistress.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     A sister! You are she.

       Enter Malvolio [and Fabian]

ORSINO

ORSINO     Is this the madman?

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Ay, my lord, this same.—

310

310         How now, Malvolio?

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     Madam, you have done me wrong,

               Notorious wrong.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Have I, Malvolio? No.

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO     Lady, you have. Pray you peruse that letter. Hands her the letter

315

315         You must not now deny it is your hand.³¹⁵

               Write from it,³¹⁶ if you can, in hand or phrase,

               Or say ’tis not your seal, not your invention.³¹⁷

               You can say none of this. Well, grant it then,

               And tell me, in the modesty of honour,³¹⁹

320

320         Why you have given me such clear lights³²⁰ of favour,

               Bade me come smiling and cross-gartered to you,

               To put on yellow stockings and to frown

               Upon Sir Toby and the lighter³²³ people?

               And, acting³²⁴ this in an obedient hope,

325

325         Why have you suffered³²⁵ me to be imprisoned,

               Kept in a dark house, visited by the priest,

               And made the most notorious geck³²⁷ and gull

               That e’er invention played on?³²⁸ Tell me why.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Alas, Malvolio, this is not my writing,

330

330         Though, I confess, much like the character,³³⁰

               But out of³³¹ question ’tis Maria’s hand.

               And now I do bethink me, it was she

               First told me thou wast mad; then cam’st³³³ in smiling,

               And in such forms which here were presupposed³³⁴

335

335         Upon thee in the letter. Prithee be content.

               This practice³³⁶ hath most shrewdly passed upon thee,

               But when we know the grounds and authors of it,

               Thou shalt be both the plaintiff and the judge

               Of thine own cause.

340

340 

FABIAN

FABIAN             Good madam, hear me speak,

               And let no quarrel nor no brawl to come

               Taint the condition³⁴² of this present hour,

               Which I have wondered³⁴³ at. In hope it shall not,

               Most freely I confess, myself and Toby

345

345         Set this device against Malvolio here,

               Upon³⁴⁶ some stubborn and uncourteous parts

               We had conceived against³⁴⁷ him. Maria writ

               The letter at Sir Toby’s great importance,³⁴⁸

               In recompense whereof he hath married her.

350

350         How with a sportful³⁵⁰ malice it was followed,

               May rather pluck on³⁵¹ laughter than revenge,

               If that³⁵² the injuries be justly weighed

               That have on both sides passed.

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     Alas, poor fool, how have they baffled³⁵⁴ thee!

FESTE

FESTE     Why, ‘Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrown upon them.’ I was one, sir, in this interlude;³⁵⁶ one Sir Topas, sir, but that’s all one. ‘By the Lord, fool, I am not mad.’ But do you remember? Madam, why laugh you at such a barren rascal? An you smile not, he’s gagged.’ And thus the whirligig³⁵⁹ of time brings in his revenges.

360

360 

MALVOLIO

MALVOLIO             I’ll be revenged on the whole pack of you.

       [Exit]

OLIVIA

OLIVIA     He hath been most notoriously abused.

ORSINO

ORSINO     Pursue him and entreat him to a peace.

               He hath not told us of the captain yet.

               When that is known and golden³⁶⁴ time convents,

365

365         A solemn combination³⁶⁵ shall be made

               Of our dear souls.— Meantime, sweet sister,

               We will not part from hence.³⁶⁷— Cesario, come —

               For so you shall be, while you are a man.

               But when in other habits³⁶⁹ you are seen,

370

370         Orsino’s mistress and his fancy’s³⁷⁰ queen.

       Exeunt [all, except Feste]

FESTE

FESTE     When that I was and a³⁷¹ little tiny boy,

       Sings

                                    With hey, ho, the wind and the rain,

                                    A foolish³⁷³ thing was but a toy,

                                    For the rain it raineth every day.

375

                                    But when I came to man’s estate,³⁷⁵

                                    With hey, ho, etc.³⁷⁶

                                    Gainst knaves and thieves men shut their gate,

                                    For the rain, etc.

                                    But when I came, alas! to wive,³⁷⁹

380

                                    With hey, ho, etc.

                                    By swaggering³⁸¹ could I never thrive,

                                    For the rain, etc.

                                    But when I came unto my beds,³⁸³

                                    With hey, ho, etc.

385

                                    With toss-pots³⁸⁵ still had drunken heads,

                                    For the rain, etc.

                                    A great while ago the world begun,

                                    With hey, ho, etc.

                                    But that’s all one, our play is done,

390

                                    And we’ll strive to please you every day.

       [Exit]

Textual Notes

F = First Folio text of 1623, the only authority for the play

F2 = a correction introduced in the Second Folio text of 1632

F3 = a correction introduced in the Third Folio text of 1663

Ed = a correction introduced by a later editor

SD = stage direction

SH = speech heading (i.e., speaker’s name)

List of parts = Ed

1.1.1 SH ORSINO = Ed. F = Duke

1.2.15 Arion = Ed. F = Orion

1.3.75 curl by = Ed. F = coole my 76 me = F2. F = we 4 does’t = Ed. F = dost 99 set = Ed. F = sit 101 That’s = F3. F = That

1.5.4 SH FESTE = Ed. F = Clo. 122 SD Viola = F2. F = Violenta

2.2.26 our = F2. F = O 27 made of = Ed. F = made, if

2.3.2 diluculo spelled Deliculo in F 17 leman = Ed. F = Lemon 103 a nayword = Ed. F = an ayword

2.4.55 Fly away, fly = Ed. F = Fye away, fie 88 I = Ed. F = It staniel = Ed. F = stallion

2.5.107 born = Ed. F = become achieve = F2. F = atcheeues 128 dear = F2. F = deero

3.1.6 king = F2. F = Kings 51 wise men = Ed. F = wisemens

3.2.6 thee the = F3. F = the

3.4.21 SH OLIVIA = F2. F = Mal 56 tang = F2. F = langer

4.2.50 sport to = Ed. F = sport

5.1.187 pavin = F2. F = panyn 388 With hey = F2. F = hey

Act 1 Scene 1

 1.1    Location: Illyria (country on the east of the Adriatic Sea; now Croatia). The entire action takes place here, moving between the households of Duke Orsino and Olivia, with occasional scenes in undetermined public places    Orsino Italian for “bear-cub”; perhaps suggestive of immaturity    Curio either “curious” or “courtly” (from the Italian for “court”); may suggest fastidious affectation in dress and manners

    2    surfeiting overindulging (in food or sex)

    3    appetite hunger/sexual craving

    4    dying fall dropping cadence (plays on the sense of “orgasm and detumescence”)

    5    sound i.e., of a breeze

    9    quick and fresh sharp and eager, hungry

  10    capacity (small) size/ability to contain

  11    as the sea i.e., without limit

  12    validity and pitch worth and utmost elevation

  13    abatement diminution

  14    shapes imaginary forms    fancy love/desire (plays on the sense of “imagination”)

  15    alone…fantastical is uniquely imaginative/delusory

  18    hart male deer (Orsino puns on “heart”)

  21    pestilence plague (often attributed to bad air)

  23    fell fierce    hounds…me as in the classical myth of Actaeon, hunted down by his own hounds as punishment for gazing on the naked goddess Diana    Valentine the name of the patron saint of lovers

  27    element sky    years’ heat i.e., summers

  28    ample full, i.e., unveiled

  29    cloistress nun

  31    eye-offending brine stinging, salty tears    season preserve (with salt)

  36    golden shaft i.e., arrow of Cupid (god of love)

  37    affections else other feelings

  38    liver…heart seats (thrones) of sexual passion, intellect, and emotion

  39    supplied filled/satisfied    filled…perfections her perfect qualities are filled

  40    one self one and the same

Act 1 Scene 2

 1.2    Viola Italian for “violet,” a flower that symbolized faithfulness and was thought to purge melancholy; also suggestive of musical instrument

    4    Elysium the heaven of classical mythology

    5    Perchance perhaps (the Captain shifts the sense to “by chance”)

    8    chance the possibility of good fortune

  11    driving storm-driven

  12    provident foresighted/resourceful/fortunate

  13    practice method

  14    lived floated

  15    Arion Greek musician who jumped overboard to escape being murdered and was carried to safety by a dolphin charmed by his music

  16    hold acquaintance with remain afloat upon

  19    unfoldeth…hope encourages me to hope

  21    like of him i.e., that he has also survived

  30    late recently

  32    murmur rumor

  33    What…of whatever the aristocracy do, the lower classes gossip about it

  43    be…is have my identity/rank revealed until I decide the time is ripe

  46    compass bring about

  47    suit petition/courtship

  48    not not even

  49    fair behaviour good conduct/promising appearance

  50    though that though

  51    close in enclose

  52    suits With matches

  53    character appearance

  56    haply…intent may suit the shape of the purpose

  58    eunuch male castrated to maintain a high singing voice

  61    allow prove    worth worthy of

  62    hap happen, chance to occur

  63    wit cunning plan

Act 1 Scene 3

    1    What a plague an oath, like “what the hell”    niece Toby may be Olivia’s uncle, but “niece” could be used more generally for any female relative

    2    care worry/grief

    3    troth faith    a-nights at night    cousin relative

    4    ill antisocial

    5    except, before excepted plays on the legal phrase exceptis excipiendis (“with the aforementioned exceptions”); essentially Sir Toby says he does not care, Olivia may object all she likes

    6    modest moderate

    7    confine…finer I won’t restrain myself further/I won’t dress more finely

    8    An if

  10    quaffing copious drinking

  13    Aguecheek suggesting thin face of one suffering from a fever (ague)

  15    tall brave/noble/of great height (Maria understands the latter meaning)    any’s any (man) is

  17    ducats gold coins (three thousand was a considerable annual income)

  18    he’ll…ducats he’ll have spent all his money in a year    very complete/veritable

  19    prodigal excessively extravagant person

  20    o’th’viol-de-gamboys the viol da gamba, a bass viol played held between the legs (often has sexual connotations)

  21    without book i.e., spontaneously, from memory

  22    natural like an idiot

  23    allay…in reduce his taste for

  26    subtractors detractors, slanderers

  30    coystrill knave

  31    o’th’toe head-over-heels    parish top large spinning top (kept rotating by being whipped), provided for parishioners’ entertainment

  32    Castiliano vulgo! unclear Latin-Italian phrase; possibly “Speak of the devil!”    Agueface playful variation of Aguecheek

  35    shrew small mouse/troublesome one

  37    Accost approach/woo/grapple with

  39    chambermaid female attendant

  43    front confront    board accost (sexual-naval metaphor referring to sex as attacking a ship)    assail attack, seduce

  44    undertake approach/have sex with (literally, “have her underneath me”)    in this company in front of spectators

  47    An…so if you let her leave in this way    sword symbol of gentlemanly status (with phallic connotations)

  50    in hand to deal with (Maria takes the phrase literally; also plays on the idea of masturbation)

  52    Marry by the virgin Mary

  53    thought is free think what you like (proverbial)    th’buttery-bar the ledge created by opening the half-door of the buttery, with play on genitals

  55    Wherefore why

  56    dry thirsty/shriveled/impotent (supposedly signified by a dry palm)

  57    I…dry alludes to the proverb “fools have wit enough to come in out of the rain”

  59    dry jest stupid/ironic

  61    at…ends always ready/literally by the hand

  62    barren empty of jests and of Sir Andrew’s hand

  63    canary sweet wine from the Canary Islands; also continues play on impotence    put down snubbed (Sir Andrew plays on the senses of “drunk/impotent”)

  65    Christian i.e., average man

  66    Eater …wit beef was thought to dull the intellect;    wit may also signify “penis” and    beef “whore,” implying impotence as a result of venereal disease

  68    forswear it give it up

  69    Pourquoi “why” (French)

  71    tongues foreign languages    bear-baiting spectator sport in which a bear chained to a stake was attacked by dogs

  72    the arts liberal arts/academic learning

  73    head of hair puns on    tongues pronounced “tongs,” thus suggesting a barber’s curling tongs

  74    mended improved

  76    becomes suits

  77    flax yellow fiber    distaff staff used to spin flax    housewife woman who keeps house/prostitute    take…off treat Sir Andrew as a distaff and his hair as flax to be spun/have sex with Sir Andrew, resulting in syphilitic hair loss

  80    none of me have nothing to do with me    count i.e., Duke Orsino    hard near

  81    degree (social) position    estate status/fortune

  82    wit intelligence    life in’t still hope (proverbial)

  83    strangest oddest/most extraordinary

  84    masques and revels courtly entertainments involving dancing

  85    kickshawses trivial distractions/sexual sweetmeats

  86    under…betters except for my social superiors

  87    old man expert

  88    galliard lively dance

  89    cut a caper perform a leap/have sex

  90    cut…to’t plays on the sense of caper as a berry used in sauce for    mutton; also a prostitute

  91    back-trick backward dance step/sex

  93    like to take likely to gather    Mistress Mall’s picture i.e., a portrait protected from dust and light by a    curtain (Mall is a diminutive of “Mary”)

  94    in doing    coranto running dance

  95    jig rapid, springing dance    make water urinate    sink-a-pace cinquepace, a lively dance with five steps; may play on the sense of    sink as “sewer”

  96    virtues talents

  97    star…galliard astrological influence favorable to dancing

  98    indifferent moderately    damned damnably (the Folio reading “dam’d” is defensible as an intensifier, but it could be emended to, e.g., “damson-coloured” or “flame-coloured”)    stock stocking

101    Taurus …heart zodiacal signs were thought to govern parts of the body

102    legs and thighs more usually Taurus was said to govern the neck and throat

Act 1 Scene 4

    1    Cesario suggests “little Caesar” and perhaps the idea of splitting/separating (as in “Caesarean” and “caesura”)

    2    advanced promoted

    4    humour disposition/capriciousness

    9    On your attendance ready to serve you

  10    aloof to one side

  11    no…all i.e., everything

  13    address thy gait direct your steps

  15    them i.e., Olivia’s servants    grow i.e., take root

  16    audience reception by Olivia

  19    spoke said, rumored

  20    civil bounds bounds of civilized behavior

  24    Surprise ambush, take unawares    faith faithful love

  25    become suit

  26    attend listen, pay attention to

  27    nuncio’s messenger’s    aspect appearance

  29    lad servant/young man

  30    belie deceive

  31    Diana’s lip Diana was the Roman goddess of the moon, hunting, and chastity; in view of “pipe” and “organ,”    lip may play on “nether lip” (labia)

  32    rubious ruby-red    pipe voice/penis

  33    shrill and sound high-pitched and unbroken

  34    is semblative resembles    part attributes/role/sexual organ

  35    constellation disposition determined by the stars

  39    freely independently

  42    barful strife effort full of hindrances

Act 1 Scene 5

 1.5    Feste From Latin or Italian, festa (“feast” or “festival”), an appropriate name for a fool/clown

    2    in by

    4    well hanged plays on the sense of “with a large penis”    no colours i.e., nothing (literally, military flags); puns on “collars” (nooses)

    6    Make that good justify yourself

    7    He…fear i.e., a dead man cannot see (enemy colours)

    8    lenten meager (Lent, the time of fasting, was especially associated with puritanism)

  11    bold confident/certain

  14    turned away dismissed from service

  16    Many…marriage proverbial;    good hanging may continue play on the sense of “large penis”    for as for    let…out i.e., good weather will make dismissal more bearable

  19    points matters (Maria plays on the sense of “laces used to hold up breeches”)

  20    gaskins breeches

  21    Apt quick, witty    If…drinking either never, or suggesting that Maria and Sir Toby would be a good match

  22    Eve’s flesh woman

  24    were best are best advised    Malvolio “ill-will” (Latin)

  25    an’t if it

  27    Quinapalus an invented authority, perhaps playing on French qui n’a pas lu (“unread”) or mock Italian “him on the stick” (the face on the fool’s bauble)

  31    Go to expression of impatient dismissal    dry dull    dishonest undutiful

  32    Madonna “my lady” (Italian)

  33    dry dull/thirsty    mend improve; later plays on the sense of “repair”

  34    botcher mender of clothes and shoes

  35    patched simply mended, covered up; also alludes to the fool’s multicolored costume

  36    simple uncomplicated/foolish

  37    syllogism reasoning based on two premises (here those concerning virtue and sin)    so well and good    no…calamity i.e., one married to calamity will always be faithless    cuckold man with an unfaithful wife

  38    beauty’s a flower i.e., it will fade; Feste advises Olivia to make the most of her youth and beauty, rather than shutting herself away and refusing to marry

  41    Misprision error/wrongful arrest    cucullus…monachum “a hood does not make a monk” (Latin)

  42    motley multicolored clothing worn by professional fools    leave permission

  45    Dexteriously skillfully

  47    catechize cross-examine (literally, form of Church instruction in which a person answers a set of questions about the Christian faith)    good…virtue my good virtuous mouse; playful term of endearment

  48    idleness pastime    bide await/endure

  55    mend improve (Malvolio shifts the sense to “grow (more foolish)”

  59    no fox not cunning    pass give

  62    barren dull-witted    put down defeated

  63    with by    ordinary fool unexceptional fool/fool performing at an inn (ordinary)/natural idiot    stone may also refer to Stone, an Elizabethan tavern fool

  64    out …guard defenseless (fencing term), i.e., lacking a witty reply    minister occasion provide opportunity (for fooling)

  65    protest declare    crow laugh raucously

  66    set unspontaneous    zanies assistants

  67    of with    distempered unbalanced

  68    free generous    bird-bolts blunt arrows for shooting birds

  69    allowed licensed

  70    rail rant    discreet prudent

  71    reprove express disapproval

  72    Mercury…leasing may    Mercury, god of deception, make you good at lying

  79    madman i.e., rubbish, gibberish    Fie expression of impatience or disgust

  80    What you will whatever you want to say

  82    old stale

  83    should be were

  84    Jove Roman king of the gods

  85    pia mater brain (literally, soft membrane enclosing it)

  89    sot fool/drunkard

  91    lethargy (drunken) state

  92    one someone

  94    faith i.e., to defy the devil    it’s all one it doesn’t matter

  97    one…heat one drink beyond that which would warm him

  98    drowns makes him excessively drunk/unintelligible/unconscious

  99    crowner coroner    sit o’my coz hold an inquest on my kinsman

102    yond yonder, that

103    takes…understand understands

108    sheriff’s post decorated post denoting authority, fixed in front of the sheriff’s door

109    supporter…bench furniture support (bench plays on the sense of “court of justice”)

111    of mankind i.e., ordinary

113    ill manner i.e., impolite    will…no whether you want to or not

114    personage appearance

115    squash unripe pea pod (peascod, allusive of genitals—a humorous reversal of “codpiece,” a bag worn over the opening at the front of a man’s breeches)

116    codling unripe apple, plays on “cod” meaning “scrotum”

117    standing water at the turn of the tide    well-favoured good-looking

118    shrewishly sharply/shrilly

122    embassy message/ambassador

126    cast away waste

127    penned written

128    con learn by heart    sustain endure    comptible sensitive

129    sinister impolite

131    studied learned, memorized    out…part not within my brief

132    modest reasonable

134    comedian actor

135    my profound heart upon my soul/(to Olivia) my wise lady

136    that I play the character I perform

137    usurp counterfeit (Viola shifts the sense to “assume unjust authority over”)

138    what…reserve i.e., Olivia should not withhold herself from love and marriage

139    from outside, not part of    on go on

141    forgive excuse from repeating

143    feigned fictional/insincere    it in it to yourself    saucy impudent

144    wonder marvel

145    If…brief i.e., if Viola has any sense at all she should go; any sensible message must be conveyed quickly    ’Tis…me I am not a lunatic, i.e., not affected by the moon’s changes

146    make one take part    skipping frivolous, mad

147    hoist sail i.e., prepare to leave

148    swabber sailor who washes the deck    hull float, with sails furled    Some mollification please pacify/I have pacified

149    giant i.e., Maria; a joke about Maria’s small size and/or Maria resembles a giant in a romance tale who guarded a lady

150    courtesy introduction, preamble/etiquette

151    fearful frightening, alarming    Speak your office perform your task, deliver your speech

152    overture disclosure    taxation of homage demand for money on behalf of a superior lord

153    olive olive branch, symbol of peace    matter real substance

154    rudely i.e., by being saucy at the gates

156    entertainment reception    maidenhead virginity

157    divinity sacred    profanation blasphemy

159    text theme/topic drawn from the Bible for discussion in a sermon

161    comfortable comforting

162    bosom heart

163    chapter as of the Bible

164    answer…method continue the metaphor

168    out of straying from    curtain i.e., veil covering Olivia’s face (picture)

169    such…present i.e., here I am (Olivia speaks of her face as if it were a recent portrait)

170    if…all i.e., if all Olivia’s beauty is natural, rather than cosmetic or touched up by the metaphorical painter

171    in grain indelible, i.e., all natural

172    truly blent genuinely blended/realistically painted    red and white i.e., lips (or rosy cheeks) and skin

173    cunning skillful

174    she lady

175    graces beauties

176    copy replica in the form of a child (Olivia plays on the sense of “list”)

177    divers schedules several inventories

178    inventoried itemized    utensil article, feature

179    indifferent adequately

180    praise puns on “appraise,” i.e., evaluate

182    if even if

184    but recompensed, though no more than repaid, even if

185    nonpareil paragon

187    fertile abundant

190    suppose consider

192    In…divulged well-regarded in popular opinion    free honorable/generous

193    dimension…nature physical form

194    gracious graceful, attractive

196    flame passion

197    deadly deathlike

201    willow cabin shelter made from willow branches, a symbol of unrequited love

202    my soul i.e., Olivia

203    cantons songs    contemnèd despised, rejected

205    Hallow shout/bless    reverberate echoing

206    babbling…air like that of Echo, whose unrequited love for Narcissus meant she wasted away to a mere voice    gossip chatter

211    fortunes position as a servant    state social status    well satisfactory

218    fee’d post hired messenger

220    Love…love may Love harden the heart of whomever you fall in love with

227    blazon heraldic coat of arms, which could only be displayed by a gentleman    Soft wait a moment

228    the…man i.e., Orsino and Cesario could change places    man servant

229    catch the plague i.e., fall in love

235    peevish headstrong

236    county’s count’s, i.e., Duke Orsino’s

237    Would I whether I wanted it

238    Desire ask    flatter with i.e., encourage

239    hold…hopes sustain him with false expectations

241    Hie hasten

244    Mine…mind my eyes (through which love enters) may have betrayed my reason

245    owe own

Act 2 Scene 1

    1    Nor …not do you not wish

    2    patience permission    darkly ominously    malignancy evil influence

    3    distemper spoil, unbalance    crave entreat    leave permission

    4    evils misfortunes

    7    sooth (in) truth    determinate intended    extravagancy wandering

    8    modesty propriety

    9    am…in wish to keep secret    it…manners politeness compels me

  10    express reveal

  11    called said was    Messaline unclear, possibly Marseilles or Messina, or invented by Shakespeare

  12    an hour the same hour (they are twins)

  14    some about an    breach breaking waves

  18    estimable wonder admiring judgment    overfar too greatly

  19    publish speak openly of/celebrate    envy malice

  21    more i.e., tears

  22    entertainment reception (for one so worthy)

  23    your trouble the trouble I put you to

  24    murder…love i.e., by making me leave you

  26    recovered rescued, brought back to life    kindness tenderness/natural affection (for my sister)

  27    yet still    manners…mother i.e., a womanish inclination to weep

  28    tell…me i.e., betray my feelings by crying

  30    gentleness good favor

  32    Else otherwise

  34    sport recreation

Act 2 Scene 2

    1    ev’n just

    2    on at    but hither only this far

    5    desperate assurance hopeless certainty

    6    hardy bold    in his affairs on his business

    7    taking of this understanding of this message/reception of the ring    it the ring

    9    peevishly willfully, foolishly    so in the same manner, i.e., thrown

  10    eye plain sight

  13    outside appearance

  14    made…of had a good look at

  15    lost made her lose

  16    starts bursts    distractedly with agitation/madly

  18    in by way of    churlish blunt, ungracious

  21    were better would be better off

  23    pregnant resourceful    enemy probably Satan

  24    proper-false attractive but deceitful (men)

  25    set their forms make their impressions (like seals in wax)

  26    our…be i.e., because women are made of frail material, we are weak

  28    fadge turn out

  29    monster unnatural creature (being both man and woman)    fond dote

  32    state…for situation is hopeless with regard to

  34    thriftless unprofitable

Act 2 Scene 3

    1    Approach come    betimes early

    2    diluculo surgere (… saluberrimum est) “to get up early is most healthy” (Latin proverb)

    4    can drinking vessel

    6    lives i.e., living beings (Sir Andrew interprets as “way of life”)    four elements earth, air, fire, and water, from which everything was thought to be made

    8    Marian variant of Mary/Maria    stoup drinking vessel/measure of alcohol

  11    hearts fine friends    picture…three captioned picture showing two fools or asses, so that the spectator is the third

  12    catch musical round

  13    breast set of lungs, singing voice

  14    leg for dancing, or bowing before singing

  15    thou wast you were

  16    Pigrogromitus…Queubus words invented by Feste as examples of his feigned wisdom    equinoctial equator

  17    leman sweetheart    Hadst it? Did you receive it?

  18    impeticos i.e., pocket up    gratillity gratuity (another invented word)    whipstock whip handle

  19    Myrmidons Achilles’ followers; possible play on “Mermaid Inn,” a tavern in Shakespeare’s London    bottle-ale houses low-class taverns

  22    testril of sixpenny coin from

  23    song…life drinking song (Sir Andrew interprets good as “virtuous, moral”)

  28    high and low i.e., in terms of pitch or volume

  29    Trip go, skip    sweeting darling

  34    hereafter in the future

  36    still always

  37    plenty profit

  38    and twenty an intensifier (the singer’s lover is “twenty times sweet”)

  39    stuff quality/material

  40    true honest/legitimate

  41    contagious breath infectious breath/catchy song

  43    hear…nose i.e., if we inhaled sound    dulcet in contagion sweetly contagious    welkin sky

  44    rouse startle/wake    three souls three singers would have thrice the effect; powerful music was supposed to draw forth the soul

  45    weaver often associated with psalm singing, so to excite one with a drinking song would be a real achievement

  46    dog i.e., good (Feste plays on the literal sense)

  47    By’r lady by Our Lady, the Virgin Mary

  48    ‘Thou knave’ the words of the round

  49    Hold thy peace be quiet (subsequent dialogue plays on “piece,” penis)    constrained compelled

  55    keep make

  56    steward manager of household affairs

  57    Catayan Catharan (puritan)    politicians schemers    Peg-a-Ramsey spying wife in a popular ballad

  58    ‘Three…we’ popular refrain from a song    consanguineous blood-related

  59    Tillyvally nonsense

  60    ‘There…lady!’ the opening and refrain of a song about the biblical tale of Susanna and the Elders

  61    Beshrew curse

  63    grace charm    natural convincingly/idiotically

  64    ‘O…December’ from an unidentified song, possibly an erroneous reference to the twelfth day of Christmas (i.e., Twelfth Night)

  66    wit good sense

  67    honesty decorum    tinkers popularly viewed as drunkards

  68    squeak out i.e., sing shrilly    coziers’ cobblers’

  69    mitigation or remorse considerate lowering

  71    Sneck up! Shut up!/ Buzz off!

  72    round blunt

  73    harbours lodges    nothing allied not related to

  77    ‘Farewell…gone’ over the next few lines Sir Toby and Feste adapt lines from a contemporary ballad

  80    Is’t even so? Is that the way things are?

  85    an if if

  86    spare not spare him not/be merciless

  88    Out o’ tune false    Art are (you)

  89    cakes and ale i.e., festivity, particularly abhorrent to one with puritan tendencies

  90    Saint Anne mother of the Virgin Mary; another antipuritan dig    ginger spice in ale/aphrodisiac

  91    rub…crumbs polish your chain of office (reminding Malvolio of his servant status)

  93    prized valued

  94    contempt disrespect/disobedience    give means i.e., provide drink    rule behavior

  96    Go …ears i.e., like an ass; a dismissive insult

  97    a-hungry (very) hungry

  98    the field to a duel

102    out of quiet agitated    For as for    let…him leave him to me

103    gull trick    nayword byword (for stupidity)

104    recreation source of amusement

106    Possess inform

107    puritan overly strict moralist; not necessarily a member of the extreme Protestant religious movement

109    exquisite ingenious/excellent

111    constantly consistently    time-pleaser timeserver, flatterer

112    affectioned pretentious    cons…book learns high-flown expressions by heart    by great swarths in broad sweeps (like quantities of scythed hay)    The best persuaded having the highest opinion

113    excellencies excellent features/accomplishments

114    grounds of faith foundations of belief

117    obscure epistles ambiguous letters

118    expressure expression

119    complexion appearance/coloring/temperament    feelingly personated accurately represented

120    on…matter when we have forgotten the circumstances in which something was written or what it was about    make distinction of distinguish between

121    hands handwriting

122    device plot

128    Ass puns on “as”

130    physic medicine/treatment

132    construction interpretation    event outcome

133    Penthesilea Queen of the Amazons; probably refers to Maria’s shortness

134    Before me mild oath like “upon my soul”

135    beagle skillful hunting dog

138    recover obtain/win    foul way out miserably far from success/badly out of pocket

139    cut cart horse (castrated or with docked tail)/vagina

141    burn warm/sweeten with burnt sugar    sack Spanish white wine

Act 2 Scene 4

    2    but (I want to hear) only

    3    antique quaint/old

    4    passion suffering

    5    airs melodies    recollected terms studied, artificial expressions

  12    the while in the meantime

  16    Unstaid and skittish unsettled and fickle    motions else other emotions

  17    constant faithful (contemplation of the)

  19    gives…throned reflects the heart exactly

  21    masterly from experience/knowingly

  23    stayed lingered    favour face

  25    by your favour if you please (plays on the sense of “on your face”)

  30    still always

  31    wears she she adapts herself

  32    sways she level swings in perfect balance/exerts constant influence

  34    fancies infatuations

  35    worn exhausted

  37    I…well I believe it

  39    hold the bent hold steady (from archery: holding the bow taught)

  41    displayed unfurled, in full bloom

  45    Mark take note of

  46    spinsters spinners

  47    free carefree/innocent    weave…bones make lace with bone bobbins

  48    Do use are accustomed    silly sooth simple truth

  49    dallies deals lightly/toys

  50    old age bygone times, good old days

  53    away here

  54    cypress cypress-wood coffin/among sprigs of cypress (associated with mourning)

  57    stuck adorned, strewn    yew yew twigs, also emblematic of mourning

  59    My…it I am the truest lover who ever died for love

  62    strewn pronounced “strown”

  72    pleasure…paid with pain (proverbial)

  73    leave to leave permission to dismiss

  74    melancholy god Saturn, thought to govern melancholy dispositions    doublet close-fitting jacket

  75    changeable taffeta shot silk, the color of which changes depending on the light    opal iridescent gem of changeable color    men…constancy i.e., inconstant men

  76    their…everywhere “he that is everywhere is nowhere” (proverbial)

  77    that’s…nothing that’s the attitude that considers a useless voyage to be profitable

  78    give place leave

  82    dirty dishonorably acquired/despicable/muddy

  83    parts attributes, i.e., wealth

  84    giddily lightly    fortune traditionally held to be fickle

  85    miracle…gems i.e., Olivia’s beauty

  86    pranks adorns

  93    be answered satisfied

  95    bide withstand

  97    retention the power to retain (emotion)

  98    appetite desire/fancy

  99    motion impulse/emotion    liver thought to be the seat of strong passion    palate organ of taste, i.e., easily satisfied

100    suffer undergo    surfeit sickening over indulgence    cloyment excessive gratification    revolt revulsion (of appetite)

101    mine i.e., my love

102    compare comparison

104    owe have for

112    history story

115    damask pink, like the damask rose

116    green and yellow sickly, pale, and sallow

117    patience…monument carved figure on a memorial

120    shows outwards displays    are more have more substance    will our desires    still always

125    to go to

128    give no place not give way    denay denial

Act 2 Scene 5

    1    Come thy ways come along

    2    scruple tiny amount    boiled puns on (black) “bile,” the cause of melancholy; also a joke, since    melancholy was a cold, dry humor

    4    niggardly mean-minded    sheep-biter nasty, shifty fellow (literally, a dog that attacks sheep)

    7    bear-baiting a pastime that was particularly disapproved of by puritans

    8    fool…blue bruise him (metaphorically) with fooling

  10    pity…lives a pity we should live

  11    metal of India i.e., pure gold, treasure

  12    box-tree thick evergreen shrub used in ornamental gardens    walk path

  13    behaviour courtly gestures

  15    contemplative preoccupied/mindlessly gazing    Close stay hidden

  16    tickling i.e., flattery; one method of catching trout is to stroke them under their gills

  17    she Olivia    affect love/feel fondness for

  18    thus near i.e., close to saying    fancy love

  19    uses treats

  20    follows serves

  21    overweening arrogant/overambitious

  22    rare splendid    turkey-cock a proverbially proud, vain bird    jets struts

  23    advances plumes raised feathers

  24    ’Slight (by) God’s light

  28    Pistol shoot

  30    example precedent    lady…wardrobe unknown allusion to the marriage of a woman to her social inferior    yeoman…wardrobe servant in charge of household clothes and linen

  32    Jezebel in the Bible, proud wife of Ahab, King of Israel; term for a wicked, deceptive, or lascivious woman

  33    in absorbed in his own fantasies    blows him puffs him up

  34    state canopied chair of state

  35    stone-bow crossbow that shoots stones

  36    officers household servants    branched embroidered with a branched pattern or with images of foliage

  37    daybed sofa/bed for daytime reclining (with sexual associations)

  40    humour of state temperament/power of one in authority    demure…regard solemn survey of the room and company

  41    would wish

  42    Toby Malvolio omits “Sir”

  43    Bolts and shackles! restraints for a prisoner

  45    people servants    start sudden movement    make out go

  46    perchance perhaps    my— perhaps chain of office, which Malvolio momentarily forgets he would not be wearing, but he could be referring to anything; a genital quibble is probably present

  47    curtsies bows

  49    cars chariots/carts, i.e., by torture

  50    familiar friendly

  51    regard of control authoritative look

  52    take strike, give

  53    Cousin kinsman

  54    prerogative due privilege, right

  57    scab scoundrel

  58    sinews muscles, strength

  63    employment business

  64    woodcock proverbially stupid bird    gin trap

  65    humours whims, moods    intimate suggest

  66    hand handwriting    C’s…T’s “cut” was slang for “vagina,” but the joke may well be on “cunt” (with and as “n”)

  67    great P’s uppercase P’s/noble vagina (“piece”)/copious urination    in contempt of beyond

  70    impressure imprint, seal    Lucrece Olivia’s seal ring bears the image of Lucrece, Roman heroine who committed suicide after being raped

  71    uses to seal customarily seals

  72    liver seat of passion

  77    numbers altered meter changed

  79    brock badger, used contemptuously

  81    Lucrece knife knife Lucrece used to kill herself

  83    sway rule

  84    fustian nonsensical/pompous (literally, inferior cloth)

  87    What what a    dressed prepared for

  88    wing flight/speed    staniel kestrel, or small falcon    checks swoops

  90    formal capacity normal intelligence

  91    obstruction obstacle    position arrangement

  92    portend mean

  93    O, ay puns on the O…I of M.O.A.I.    makeup workout    at…scent has lost the trail

  94    Sowter name of a hound (a “souter” was a cobbler)    cry bark    rank foul-smelling

  96    cur dog    faults finding the scent again after the trail has gone cold

  97    consonancy…sequel consistency of pattern    suffers holds up

  98    probation investigation

  99    O shall end O ends Malvolio’s name/a cry of misery will end this business/the hangman’s noose ends life

102    eye puns on Ay and I detraction defamation, slander

104    simulation disguised meaning    former earlier, clearer parts of the letter    crush force a meaning from

105    bow yield

106    revolve consider (with play on “turn round,” which may cue Malvolio to do so)    stars fortunes

108    open their hands offer bounty    blood and spirit i.e., all of you, body, and soul

109    embrace willingly accept    inure accustom    like likely    cast cast off

110    slough outer skin    opposite antagonistic/contradictory

111    tang…state ring out on political topics    trick of singularity peculiar, distinctive behavior

113    ever at all times    cross-gartered wearing garters crossed near the knee    Go to i.e., come on

116    alter services exchange places of mistress and servant; with sexual innuendo

117    Fortunate-Unhappy i.e., wealthy, but lacking requited love

118    champaign open countryside    discovers reveals    open clear

119    politic political/prudent    baffle publicly disgrace    gross dull/base

120    point-device to the last detail    jade deceive

121    excites urges

123    manifests herself to reveals herself as    injunction order

124    habits ways of dressing/behavior    happy fortunate    strange aloof    stout proud, haughty

127    entertainest welcome, accept

128    still always

132    Sophy Shah of Persia

133    device plot

137    gull-catcher fool trapper/trickster

138    Wilt …neck? i.e., I submit totally to you

140    play gamble    tray-trip type of dicing game    bondslave slave

145    aqua-vitae strong spirits, such as brandy

146    fruits outcome

150    contempt object of contempt

151    Tartar Tartarus, hell of classical mythology

152    make one join in, tag along

Act 3 Scene 1

 3.1    tabor small drum

    1    Save God save    live by earn your living with (Feste plays on the sense of by as “next to”)

    6    lies by dwells near/sleeps with

    7    stands is maintained    stand is placed

    8    You have said you have had your say/fair enough    sentence saying    cheveril kidskin (pliable leather)

  10    dally nicely play subtly/triflingly

  11    wanton uncontrolled, ambiguous/lecherous

  15    bonds legal contracts    disgraced them i.e., by suggesting that a man’s word alone was not enough

  17    yield give

  24    pilchards small fish that resemble herring

  26    late recently

  27    orb planet, world

  28    but were it not for the fact that

  29    your wisdom i.e., you, a hired servant/fool

  30    pass upon jest at/judge

  32    commodity supply

  33    for one wanting a beard/from love for a bearded man

  35    these i.e., coins    bred multiplied; Feste asks for more money

  36    put to use invested for profit (plays on the sense of “having had sex”)

  37    Pandarus uncle to    Cressida and go-between for his niece and her lover    Troilus Phrygia country in Asia Minor where Troy was situated

  39    Cressida…beggar in some versions of the story, Cressida became a beggar with leprosy

  40    conster explain

  41    out…welkin beyond me welkin sky, heavens    element sphere of knowledge/sky

  44    craves requires

  46    quality character/rank

  47    haggard untrained hawk    check swoop

  48    practice occupation

  50    is fit suits the purpose

  51    folly-fall’n stooping to foolishness

  54    Dieu…monsieur “God save you, sir” (French)

  55    Et…serviteur “And you, too. [I am] your servant” (French)

  57    encounter approach/enter

  58    trade business, with sexual innuendo    to with, concerning

  59    bound to heading for    list limit, objective

  60    Taste tryout

  61    understand support/comprehend

  64    gait and entrance corresponding nouns to Sir Toby’s verbs;    gait puns on “gate”    prevented anticipated/forestalled

  65    the may the    odours sweet smells

  67    hath no voice cannot be uttered    pregnant receptive

  68    vouchsafed (kindly) bestowed, i.e., attentive

  69    all ready committed to memory, ready for use

  70    hearing audience (with Cesario)

  75    ’Twas …world proverbial: things haven’t been the same

  76    lowly feigning pretended modesty    compliment courtesy

  78    yours your servant    his i.e., his servants

  80    For as for

  81    blanks blank paper/unstamped coins

  86    suit petition, courtship

  87    solicit urge

  88    music…spheres planets and stars were thought to be surrounded by hollow spheres that produced beautiful music as they rotated

  90    leave permission (to speak)

  92    abuse wrong/disgrace

  94    construction judgment/interpretation (of my conduct)

  95    To force for forcing

  97    stake post to which a bear is chained for baiting by dogs

  99    receiving understanding

100    cypress light transparent material

103    degree step

104    grize step    vulgar proof common experience

106    smile again i.e., throw off melancholy

109    lion a more noble adversary

113    proper handsome/worthy

115    disposition state of mind

117    You’ll you’ll send

120    what you are i.e., in love with me (a woman/a servant)

125    I…fool you make me look foolish

126    deal quantity

129    love’s…noon i.e., despite trying to conceal itself, love is obvious

131    maidhood virginity

132    maugre in spite of

133    Nor neither

134    extort…clause extract reason from this premise

135    For that because    no cause need to woo in return

136    Reason …fetter restrain your reason with the following reasoning

143    deplore lament, recount sorrowfully

Act 3 Scene 2

    2    venom venomous person

    5    i’th’orchard in the garden

    6    the while at the time

    8    argument proof

  10    it my case    oaths sworn testament

  11    Noah biblical character who survived a mighty flood sent by God

  13    dormouse sleepy

  14    fire-new …mint i.e., like a freshly minted coin

  15    banged struck

  16    balked avoided/neglected    double gilt i.e., golden (opportunity)

  17    north cold region

  19    policy strategy

  20    lief willingly

  21    Brownist follower of Robert Browne, founder of an extreme puritan sect    politician schemer

  22    build me build    Challenge me challenge

  24    love-broker go-between

  28    martial hand military style/handwriting    curst quarrelsome

  29    so provided that    invention innovation    licence of ink freedom encouraged by writing rather than speaking

  30    thou’st call him “thou,” an insult to a stranger (“you” is the polite form)    lies accusations of lying

  31    bed of Ware famous bed, able to hold twelve people

  32    gall bile, anger/an ingredient in ink (oak gall)

  33    goose-pen quill pen made from a goose’s feather (may play on sense of goose as “fool”)

  35    cubiculo “bedroom” (Latin)

  36    manikin little man, puppet

  37    dear costly    two thousand probably ducats (gold coins)

  38    rare marvelous, i.e., entertaining

  40    wainropes wagon ropes, pulled by oxen hale haul, drag

  42    th’anatomy i.e., his skeleton/body

  43    opposite adversary    visage appearance/face    presage indication

  44    youngest wren the wren is a small bird (a play on Maria’s size); some editors emend “mine” to “nine”

  45    spleen fit of laughter (the spleen was thought to be the seat of laughter)

  46    gull fool, dupe    renegado deserter of his religion

  48    passages of grossness i.e., the ludicrous statements in Maria’s letter

  50    villainously offensively, horribly    pedant schoolmaster

  51    dogged followed closely

  52    new…Indies probably refers to a map published in 1599 that showed the East Indies in much greater detail than previously

  54    forbear desist from

Act 3 Scene 3

    3    chide scold

    5    filèd sharpened

    6    all only (out of)    so much enough (love)

    8    jealousy concern, apprehension (about)

    9    skill-less in unacquainted with    stranger foreigner

  12    rather more readily

  16    ever oft very often

  17    shuffled off shrugged aside    uncurrent worthless

  18    worth financial means    conscience feeling of obligation    firm substantial/reliable

  19    dealing treatment/reward

  20    relics antiquities, old sights

  25    renown make famous

  28    count his count’s, i.e., duke’s    galleys ships usually propelled by oars as well as sails

  30    it…answered it would be virtually impossible to account for it/make reparation (i.e., Antonio’s life would be in danger)

  31    Belike presumably

  33    Albeit even though

  34    bloody argument cause for shedding blood

  35    answered requited

  36    traffic’s trade’s

  38    lapsèd apprehended/caught out

  40    open publicly

  41    doth not fit does not suit/is not appropriate for

  42    Elephant name of an inn

  43    bespeak our diet order our food

  44    beguile while away

  45    have meet

  47    Haply perhaps    toy trifle

  48    store available money

  49    idle markets trivial purchases

Act 3 Scene 4

    1    him i.e., Cesario

    2    of on

    5    sad serious    civil decorous

    8    possessed by evil spirits, i.e., mad

  18    sad serious/melancholy

  20    sonnet song/poem    ‘Please…all’ a ballad about women having their own way sexually

  22    black melancholic (from an excess of black bile)    It i.e., the letter    his i.e., Malvolio’s

  23    Roman hand fashionable Italian style of handwriting

  24    go to bed i.e., to rest (but Malvolio takes this as sexually suggestive)

  26    kiss thy hand a fashionable greeting amongst courtiers

  28    daws jackdaws, birds of the crow family/fools

  45    midsummer proverbially the season for madness

  47    hardly with difficulty    attends awaits

  50    miscarry come to harm

  52    come near begin to understand/appreciate

  57    consequently subsequently    reverend carriage dignified bearing

  58    habit manner/clothing    sir of note distinguished man    limed caught; birdlime was a sticky substance smeared on branches to trap birds

  60    Fellow equal    after my degree according to my position

  61    dram tiny amount    scruple small quantity/doubt

  62    incredulous incredible    unsafe unreliable

  65    drawn in little gathered in a small space/painted in miniature

  66    Legion biblical reference to a multitude of devils; Sir Toby may mistakenly think it is the name of a specific devil

  68    private privacy, with possible play on “private parts”

  69    Lo look    hollow echoingly

  70    have a take

  72    Let me alone leave him to me

  76    La look

  78    water urine, examined for diagnosis    wise woman local healer, thought able to cure those bewitched

  83    move excite/provoke

  87    bawcock good fellow (from the French beau coq, i.e., “fine bird”)    chuck chick

  89    Biddy hen    gravity respectability

  90    cherry-pit children’s game in which cherrystones are thrown into a hole    foul collier dirty coalman, i.e., the devil

  94    idle worthless/trivial

  95    element sphere/type

  99    genius soul/guardian spirit

100    take…taint be spoiled (by exposure to air)

103    in…bound conventional treatment for the insane

104    carry manage/maintain

106    bar open court, i.e., judgment    finder of madmen juror who formally declared whether a man was mad

108    matter substance/sport    May morning i.e., festive time

109    warrant assure you/confirm

110    saucy spicy/insolent

111    warrant assure

112    scurvy worthless/contemptible

114    admire marvel

116    note remark    keeps protects    blow…law legal punishment (for breaching the peace)

118    liest…throat lie outrageously

123    o’th’windy on the windward, i.e., safe

125    hope i.e., of success    as…him insofar as you treat him as such

128    move provoke/set in motion

129    commerce transaction/conversational exchange

131    Scout me keep watch (for me)

132    bumbaily bailiff who crept up on the debtor from behind

133    horrible terribly/exceedingly

134    twanged off uttered ringingly/said with a snide nasal intonation    approbation credit    proof testing out

136    let me alone i.e., you can rely on me

138    capacity intelligence

140    clodpole idiot

142    youth inexperience    aptly receive readily believe

143    hideous terrifying

145    cockatrices basilisks, mythical reptiles whose gaze had the power to kill

146    Give them way keep out of their way    presently immediately

148    horrid terrifying

150    laid laid down/exposed    unchary carelessly

154    ’haviour…bears behavior that characterizes your passion

156    jewel piece of jewellery, here a miniature portrait of Olivia

160    honour saved i.e., apart from my virginity

164    acquit excuse, release (from obligation to love)

169    That whatever    betake resort

170    intercepter one lying in wait    despite contempt    bloody bloodthirsty

171    Dismount draw    tuck sword    yare quick

173    to with    remembrance memory

176    price value    opposite opponent

177    withal with

179    dubbed invested with knightly status    unhatched unhacked, unmarked (in battle)    on carpet consideration for courtly, rather than military, reasons

181    incensement fury    satisfaction recompense for offense to one’s honor

182    sepulchre tomb    Hob, nob have or have not, i.e., come what may    word motto

183    conduct protection

185    taste test    quirk peculiarity

186    competent sufficient

188    that i.e., the duel

189    meddle get involved

190    forswear…you cease to wear a sword

191    office task    know of inquire from

196    mortal arbitrement fight to the death

199    Nothing…promise not at all as extraordinary    read judge    form appearance    like likely

204    mettle spirit/courage

205    firago virago, female fighter    pass bout (of fencing)

206    stuck in fencing thrust

207    mortal fatal    motion fencing maneuver    inevitable unavoidable    answer return hit    pays you strikes you in return

208    to in the service of    Sophy Shah of Persia

209    Pox plague

210    hold restrain

211    cunning skillful    fence fencing

212    ere before

214    motion offer

215    perdition of souls i.e., loss of life perdition destruction, damnation    ride i.e., make a fool of

216    take up settle

217    horribly conceited has just as terrifying an idea

219    for’s oath for his oath’s

220    quarrel cause of complaint

221    supportance upholding    protests declares/vows

223    A…would it wouldn’t take much to (thing plays on the sense of “penis”)

227    duello established duelling code

232    up away

238    undertaker one who takes on a task/challenger    for ready for

240    anon shortly

242    for that as for what

243    He i.e., Capilet, the horse    reins is obedient, responds to the reins

245    suit order/request

247    favour face

251    answer be accountable for

255    amazed shocked/bewildered

261    part in part

263    having fortune

264    present available resources

265    coffer money

266    deny reject/disown

267    deserts worthy deeds

268    lack persuasion fail to persuade you to help me    tempt try

269    unsound morally weak/inadequate

275    vainness ostentation

282    sanctity holiness

283    image appearance (plays on the sense of “religious icon”)

284    venerable worth worthy to be venerated

287    feature physical appearance

289    unkind cruel/unnatural

291    trunks chests/bodies    o’erflourished richly decorated/made outwardly beautiful

299    sage solemn/dignified    saws sayings

301    glass mirrored reflection/image

302    favour appearance    went went about

303    Still always    ornament clothing, adornments

304    prove i.e., to be true

306    dishonest dishonorable    a coward cowardly

309    religious devout

310    ’Slid by God’s eyelid (common oath)

313    event outcome

314    yet after all

Act 4 Scene 1

    4    held out kept up

    7    vent utter, let out

    8    of from

    9    lubber clumsy idiot

  10    cockney pampered child/affected, effeminate fellow    ungird takeoff    strangeness aloofness

  12    Greek buffoon/speaker of gibberish

  13    tarry linger    worse payment i.e., blows

  14    open generous (with money or blows)

  15    report reputation    fourteen years’ purchase i.e., a large investment of time and money

  19    straight at once    in…coats in your position

  21    hold restrain yourself

  22    action of battery lawsuit for assault

  26    iron dagger/sword

  27    fleshed initiated into fighting

  30    malapert impudent

  38    Rudesby ruffian    friend friend/lover

  40    uncivil barbarous    extent assault

  43    botched up patched together

  45    Beshrew curse

  46    started startled/drove from cover    heart puns on “hart”

  47    relish meaning (literally, “taste”)

  48    Or either

  49    fancy imagination    Lethe river of forgetfulness in the classical underworld

  50    still always

  51    Would thou’dst if only you would

Act 4 Scene 2

    1    Sir respectful title for priest    Topas topaz, a precious stone, was supposed to cure madness; also proverbial for a puritan priest

    2    curate parish priest    the whilst in the meantime

    3    dissemble disguise

    4    dissembled feigned, deceived become suit

    5    function task/role (of priest)    said reputed

    6    housekeeper host    goes as fairly sounds as good    careful painstaking/conscientious

    7    competitors conspirators, partners in crime

    9    Bonos dies “good day” (mock Latin/Spanish)    old…Prague an invented authority    never…ink was illiterate

  10    King Gorboduc legendary British king

  18    hyperbolical immoderate/vehement/raging    fiend evil spirit (supposedly possessing Malvolio)    vexest torment

  23    modest terms mild expressions

  25    house i.e., room

  27    barricadoes barricades    clerestories upper windows

  32    puzzled bewildered    Egyptians…fog in the Bible, God punished the Egyptians with three days of darkness

  34    abused wronged/maltreated

  35    constant decided/consistent/logical    question discussion, debate

  36    Pythagoras ancient Greek philosopher who believed in the transmigration of souls from humans to animals

  37    grandam grandmother    happily perhaps (though may play on adverbial sense)

  41    allow…wits acknowledge you are sane    woodcock proverbially stupid and easily caught bird

  44    exquisite ingenious/exact (in imitation)

  45    am…waters can turn my hand to anything

  47    To goto

  48    delivered liberated

  50    upshot final stroke, conclusion    by and by straightaway

  54    perdy by God (from French par dieu)

  64    besides out of    five wits mental faculties: common sense, fantasy, judgment, memory, and imagination

  65    notoriously evidently/outrageously

  67    But only

  69    propertied packed away like a piece of furniture/a stage prop

  70    face bully

  71    Advise you be careful/consider

  73    bibble babble idle chatter

  76    God buy you good-bye, literally “God be with you”

  80    shent rebuked

  83    Well-a-day alas/would

  92    requite repay

  96    a trice an instant

  97    Vice buffoon/comic character in old morality plays

  99    dagger of lath the weapon of the Vice character    lath thin wood

103    Pare thy nails probably a comic routine in morality plays    Pare trim    dad the Vice was sometimes portrayed as the devil’s son

104    goodman title for someone below the rank of gentleman

Act 4 Scene 3

    6    was had been    credit report

    7    range roam

    9    disputes well i.e., agrees

  11    accident unforeseen event

  12    instance precedent    discourse rationality

  14    wrangle argue

  15    trust belief

  17    sway her house govern her household

  18    Take…dispatch deal with matters of household business

  21    deceivable deceptive

  24    chantry private chapel    by nearby

  26    Plight…faith pledge your love (in a binding betrothal)

  27    jealous anxious, uncertain, wary

  29    Whiles until    note public knowledge

  30    What at which    celebration i.e., marriage

  31    birth social status

  35    fairly note observe with favor

Act 5 Scene 1

    5    This…again seemingly refers to the anecdote about Elizabeth I and her kinsman Dr. Boleyn; she asked for his dog and promised him anything in return, upon which he asked for the animal back

    7    trappings ornaments/bits and pieces

    9    for because of

  15    abused deceived    so…affirmatives if the outcome is like the response to a request for a kiss, where “no, no, no, no” means “yes, yes”

  19    though even though    friends i.e., one who gives him praise

  21    But except for the fact    double-dealing duplicity/giving twice

  23    your grace favor/virtue (plays on the customary way of addressing a duke)    in your pocket i.e., to hide it/to give money    flesh and blood human instincts/frailty

  24    it i.e., the ill counsel

  25    to as to

  26    Primo, secundo, tertio “first, second, third” (Latin)    play game    third…all i.e., third time lucky (proverbial)

  27    triplex triple time in music    tripping nimble, skipping    measure stately dance/music    Saint Bennet church of Saint Benedict

  29    throw roll of the dice/occasion

  32    lullaby i.e., farewell

  38    Vulcan Roman god of fire, and the gods’ blacksmith

  39    bawbling trifling

  40    For (trifling) because of    draught depth of water required to float the ship    unprizeable of little value

  41    scathful damaging    grapple close fighting, attempts to board another ship

  42    bottom ship (literally, ship’s hull)

  43    very even    envy malice, i.e., his enemies    loss defeat

  46    Phoenix name of Illyrian ship    fraught cargo    Candy Candia, modern Heraklion, a port in Crete

  47    Tiger name of Illyrian ship

  49    desperate disregarding

  50    brabble brawl

  51    on my side (his sword) in my defense

  52    put…me spoke to me strangely

  53    but distraction if not madness

  54    Notable notorious

  56    bloody bloodthirsty    dear grievous, severe

  59    Be…I allow me to

  61    base basis

  64    rude rough

  67    retention reservation

  68    All…dedication dedicated wholly to him

  69    pure purely

  70    adverse hostile

  74    face…acquaintance deny he knew me

  75    grew…wink in the space of a moment he behaved as if we had not seen each other for twenty years

  77    recommended committed

  85    But for as for

  88    but…have except that which I refuse him, i.e., love

  93    lord if addressed to Viola, “husband” (Viola uses the sense of “master”)

  95    aught anything

  96    fat gross    fulsome distasteful, nauseating

100    uncivil uncivilized

101    ingrate ungrateful    unauspicious ill-omened, unpromising

103    tendered offered (may play on “tender,” i.e., loving, gentle)

104    Even what whatever/exactly what    become suit

106    Egyptian thief character from a Greek romance who tried to kill a captive he loved when his own life was threatened

108    savours nobly has a taste of nobility

109    non-regardance disrespect/lack of attention

110    that since

111    screws forces

113    minion favorite/darling

114    tender care for/value

116    in …spite to the vexation of his master

117    ripe in mischief ready to do harm

120    jocund cheerful    apt readily

121    To…rest in order to give you ease

125    mores such comparisons

127    tainting of discrediting

128    beguiled deceived

136    sirrah sir (contemptuous; used to an inferior)

138    baseness cowardice/lowly nature

139    strangle stifle    propriety real identity

141    that that which

142    that thou fear’st him you fear, i.e., Orsino

145    unfold reveal

150    joinder joining

151    close meeting

153    compact agreement

154    Sealed…function certified by my priestly authority

155    watch clock

158    grizzle sprinkling of gray hair    case (animal) skin

159    craft cunning

160    trip wrestling move to throw opponent

163    protest declare/swear

165    Hold little faith keep some part of your promise

166    presently immediately

168    H’as broke he has cut    coxcomb head (with suggestion of fool’s cap resembling a cock’s crest)

172    incardinate incarnate

174    ’Od’s lifelings by God’s little lives (mild oath)

179    set nothing by think nothing of

180    halting limping

181    in drink drunk    tickled i.e., beaten    othergates in another way, i.e., differently

183    all one doesn’t matter    there’s th’end on’t that’s all there is to it    sot idiot/drunkard

185    agone ago, past    set glazed/fixed/closed (eight i’th’morning may suggest the manner in which the surgeon’s eyes were fixed, rolling back, like the sun high in the morning sky)

187    passy measures pavin stately dance, i.e., slow

189    be dressed bandaged

190    coxcomb fool

191    gull dupe/fool

194    brother…blood my own brother

195    with…safety in reasonable self-protection

196    strange regard odd/distant look

200    habit clothing

201    natural perspective optical illusion produced by nature

203    racked tormented

206    Fear’st doubt

212    deity godlike quality

213    here and everywhere omnipresence

214    blind heedless

215    Of charity (tell me) out of kindness

219    suited dressed

220    form and suit physical appearance and dress

223    am…clad my body is clothed with the flesh

224    participate have in common with all humanity

225    the…even everything else is in agreement

232    record memory    lively vivid, alive

235    lets hinders

238    jump coincide

241    weeds clothes

245    mistook mistaken

246    to…drew inclined in the right direction (bowling metaphor)

247    contracted betrothed

251    glass mirror/lens of optical instrument (perspective)

252    happy fortunate

254    like to as much as

255    overswear swear again and again

257    orbèd continent spherical container, i.e., as the sun keeps

262    action legal charge

263    in durance imprisoned

265    enlarge release

266    remember me remember

267    distract mad

268    extracting distracting    frenzy agitation/madness

269    From…his drove him from my memory

271    Beelzebub the devil    the stave’s end at a distance

272    today i.e., this

273    epistles letters/New Testament letters from the apostles    gospels truths/New Testament records of Christ’s life and teaching    skills matters

274    delivered handed over

276    delivers speaks the words of

280    vox “voice” (Latin), i.e., the correct manner of delivery (Feste has obviously read the words in a “mad” style)

282    read discern    right wits true state of mind    perpend consider

288    semblance outward show    the which i.e., the letter

290    duty i.e., respectful behavior of a steward    out…injury as a wronged party

295    delivered released

296    so may it    thought on considered

297    as…wife as good a sister-in-law as you’d hoped to regard me as a wife

298    th’alliance the union (in a double wedding)

299    proper personal

300    apt ready

301    quits releases (from service)

302    mettle natural disposition

315    hand handwriting

316    from it differently

317    invention composition

319    modesty of honour name of all that is decent and honorable/restraint befitting your status

320    lights signals

323    lighter more frivolous/lesser

324    acting undertaking

325    suffered allowed

327    geck dupe/fool

328    invention played on trickery sported with

330    character style of writing

331    out of beyond

333    cam’st you came

334    presupposed Upon previously suggested to

336    practice plot/trick    shrewdly mischievously passed been perpetrated

342    condition (happy) circumstances

343    wondered marvelled

346    Upon because of    uncourteous unfriendly/uncivil    parts qualities/actions

347    conceived against imagined/discerned in

348    importance urging

350    sportful playful    followed followed up/carried out

351    pluck on induce

352    If that If

354    baffled tricked/disgraced

356    interlude short play

359    whirligig spinning top/roundabout

364    golden auspicious    convents comes together/calls us

365    combination union

367    hence here, i.e., Olivia’s house

369    habits clothing

370    fancy’s love’s

371    and a a very

373    foolish trivial/silly (may play on the sense of “lewd”)    thing may play on the sense of “penis”    toy trifle/useless/fun (may play on a sense of “penis”)

375    man’s estate manhood

376    etc. indicates repeat of chorus

379    wive marry

381    swaggering bullying/quarreling

383    beds drunk to bed/old age

385    With toss-pots like other drunkards

THE WINTER’S TALE

In about 1590 the dramatist George Peele wrote a play called The Old Wives’ Tale in which an old woman is asked to tell “a merry winter’s tale” in order to “drive away the time trimly.” “Once upon a time,” she begins, as all traditional storytellers do, “there was a king or a lord or a duke that had a fair daughter, the fairest that ever was, as white as snow and as red as blood: and once upon a time his daughter was stolen away.” An old wives’ or a winter’s tale is like a fairy story: it is not supposed to be realistic and it is bound to have a happy ending. Along the way, there will be magic, dreams, coincidences, children lost and found. This is the style of play to which Shakespeare turned some twenty years after Peele, in the final phase of his career.

Shakespeare’s late plays have come to be known as “romances.” Although neither the dramatist himself nor the compilers of the First Folio used this generic classification, the term is helpful because it gestures toward the origin of such stories in ancient Greek prose romance, which was peopled by wanderers, separated lovers, oracles, shepherds, and heroes who undergo narrow escapes from disaster. The story of Apollonius of Tyre, the ultimate source for Shakespeare’s cowritten play Pericles, is a classic example of the genre. Robert Greene, another dramatist who was prominent in the early 1590s, wrote several prose romances in this tradition, among them Pandosto: The Triumph of Time, the story that is dramatized in The Winter’s Tale. We do not know exactly what led Shakespeare, some time after writing the tragedies of Lear and Macbeth, to turn back to the style of Peele and Greene. Always attuned to changes in the wind, perhaps he sensed that a gentler mode of tragicomedy and pastoral romance, with a distinctly royalist agenda, suited the times: the King’s Men seem to have had notable successes in these years with several dramas of this kind, including a revival of the old anonymous play of Mucedorus, which even featured an encounter with a bear.

The Winter’s Tale does not, however, begin in the world of romance. The Sicilian opening of the story is full of court intrigue in the manner of King Lear and sexual jealousy reminiscent of Othello. There are accusations of conspiracy, a queen is tried for treason, and a king behaves like a tyrant. Only in the second half is there a redemptive movement from court to country: the structure is similar to that of Cymbeline, another Shakespearean tragicomedy written around the same time. In contrast to Sicilia, Bohemia is a place of benign chance, where the flight of a falcon leads a prince to his future bride and a thieving trickster inadvertently helps the plot toward its happy resolution. The arts of the court give way to the harmonies of nature. Though this is to oversimplify: Polixenes relies on “intelligence” and disguise, then threatens physical violence against Perdita. She is a princess assumed to be a shepherdess, who dresses up as a queen and speaks of the need to intermingle art and nature in the grafting of flowers: complex layers of illusion are at work.

Critics have been much exercised by Leontes’ explosion of anger when Hermione succeeds in persuading Polixenes to prolong his visit to Sicilia after Leontes has failed to do so. Why does her courtesy lead instantly to a false accusation of adultery? Has Leontes’ jealousy been festering for a long time? Is he angry because a woman has come between two close male friends (a Shakespearean obsession that runs from the early Two Gentlemen of Verona through the sonnets to his last play, The Two Noble Kinsmen)? Such questions are the prerogative of the reader more than the spectator in the playhouse. An audience watching a play can only work out a limited amount about the events that are imagined to have occurred before the action begins, and in the theatrical experience such events do not exist.

Theatrical attention is concentrated more on Leontes as he is than on how he got there. In a puzzling, tortuous self-analysis concerning the “infection” of his brains, he says that as mental states may be affected by things unreal, such as dreams, so they may also be affected by things that are real:

…Can thy dam, may’t be

Affection?— Thy intention stabs the centre.

Thou dost make possible things not so held,

Communicat’st with dreams — how can this be? —

With what’s unreal thou coactive art,

And fellow’st nothing. Then ’tis very credent

Thou mayst co-join with something, and thou dost,

And that beyond commission, and I find it,

And that to the infection of my brains

And hard’ning of my brows.

Both syntax and semantics are crabbed. Leontes’ fragmented sentences are symptoms of his mental disintegration. The referent of the key word “affection” is unstable: does it refer to the relationship between Hermione and Polixenes or to Leontes’ own mental state? “Affection” could denote their sexual desire or his strong feeling in response to it, but the word could also signify delusion, sickness. The ambiguity is revelatory precisely because Leontes can no longer distinguish between what is going on in his own mind and the reality observed by everyone else on stage. Hermione speaks truer than she knows when in the trial scene she says, “My life stands in the level of your dreams.”

The logical conclusion of Leontes’ analysis ought to be that the thing that is exercising him, namely the supposed affair between his wife and his best friend, is nothing but a bad dream. But he obstinately draws the opposite conclusion. The irrationality of this move is itself a sign of the “infection” that is afflicting him. Honest Camillo sees this, but, for the very reason that he is “infected,” Leontes himself cannot. His “distraction” makes him misinterpret every action, even as his very language becomes infected with dark sexual double entendre: “stabs,” “nothing” and “co-join” anticipate the subsequent grossness of “no barricado for a belly” and “she has been sluiced in’s absence / And his pond fished by his next neighbour.”

Whatever the origin of Leontes’ suspicion, the dramatic interest is in the effect, the tendency of human beings who have fallen into holes to dig themselves ever deeper. No argument, not even the supposedly divine “truth” of the oracle, will convince Leontes of his error. Accordingly, what does persuade him to change his mind is an effect of emotion rather than reason: the shock, the raw grief, of his son’s and wife’s sudden deaths. The boy Mamillius is the one who has said that “A sad tale’s best for winter” when his mother offers to tell him a story, and he it is who becomes victim of the winter-bound first half of the play. Leontes metaphorically freezes his wife out of his affections, with the unintended result that his son catches a literal chill and dies. Only after this can the action move to the regenerative world of romance. “Thou met’st with things dying, I with things newborn,” remarks the Old Shepherd at the play’s pivotal point when he scoops up the baby Perdita as Antigonus is torn to pieces by the bear.

One of the best ways of discovering Shakespeare’s core concerns in a play is to consider his major additions to his sources: it is a fair assumption that he is most himself when he departs from his originals. As one would expect from Pandosto, Leontes is easily the largest role in the play, twice as long as any other. But the next two most sizeable parts—added together, they equal that of Leontes in length—are Camillo and Paulina. The figure of Leontes’ honest counselor greatly expands the role of the king’s cupbearer in Pandosto, whilst Paulina, Hermione’s preserver and Leontes’ conscience, has no equivalent in the source. The prominence of these roles suggests that in this play Shakespeare is especially interested in the relationship between absolute power, with its potential to turn to tyranny, and the role of the wise counselor. How far can an adviser, or for that matter a playwright whose works are performed at court, go in speaking truths that their rulers might not want to hear? This was a perennial concern in the Elizabethan and Jacobean era.

The court of King James was different from that of Queen Elizabeth not least because there was a royal family. Negotiations to find the right husband for the king’s daughter were ongoing at the time of the play’s composition and first court performance. This should not, however, lead us to read the drama as an allegory of contemporary diplomacy. Leontes is in no sense a representation of King James; besides, one of the things that makes the play a romance is its delightful representation of paternal informality and intimacy in the exchanges with Mamillius in the opening court scene. Real kings did not publicly mix the roles of patriarch and playmate in this way.

In Greene’s Pandosto, when the Perdita figure arrives incognito at court near the climax of the story, the desiring eye of her father falls upon her, raising the spectre of royal incest. One of Paulina’s roles in The Winter’s Tale is to divert Leontes from any thought of this kind: “Your eye hath too much youth in’t,” she remarks, reminding him that even in middle age his dead queen was more beautiful “Than what you look on now.” Earlier in the same scene, Paulina has counseled the king against remarriage, eliciting the response

Thou speak’st truth.

No more such wives: therefore, no wife. One worse,

And better used, would make her sainted spirit

Again possess her corpse, and on this stage —

Where we offenders now — appear soul-vexed,

And begin, ‘Why to me?’

These lines brilliantly anticipate the moment when, thanks to the dramaturgical art of Paulina, the “sainted spirit” of Hermione really does appear to have a soul breathed back into it as she walks again on that same “stage.”

In Pandosto the wronged queen does not return to life. The reanimation of what Leontes takes to be Hermione’s statue is Shakespeare’s invention. The wonder-filled final scene puts a seemingly life-giving art into the hands of Paulina. That art dramatizes the magical power of theater itself so that we in the audience, like the characters on stage, awaken our faith. The many-layered quality of the illusion—a boy-actor pretending to be a female character, Hermione, who is herself pretending to be a statue—takes Shakespeare’s art to an extreme level of self-consciousness. Fittingly, the scene is also an allusion to Ovid, the most self-conscious artist among Shakespeare’s literary models.

In book ten of the Metamorphoses, the artist Pygmalion carves an ivory statue so realistic that it seems to be a real girl, so beautiful that he falls in love with it. He desperately wants to believe it is real and there are moments when the perfection of the art is such that the statue does seem to be struggling into life. With a little assistance from the goddess Venus, a kiss then animates the statue in a striking reversal of the usual Ovidian metamorphic pattern in which people are turned into things or animals. At a profound level, Pygmalion is a figure of Ovid himself: the artist who transforms mere words into living forms.

Shakespeare learned from Ovid’s Pygmalion both an idea and a style. If you want something badly enough and you believe in it hard enough, you will eventually get it: though tragedy denies this possibility, comedy affirms it. This is the illusion that theater can foster. Ovid showed Shakespeare that the way to evoke this leap of faith is through pinpricks of sensation. The progression in the animation of Pygmalion’s statue is both precise and sensuous: blood pulses through the veins, the lips respond, the ivory face flushes. Correspondingly, Leontes contrasts the warm life his queen once had with the coldness of the statue, but then he seems to see blood in the veins and warmth upon the lips. And when she descends and embraces him, she is warm.

At the beginning of the play Leontes complains that Hermione’s body-contact with Polixenes is “Too hot, too hot”—he wants her to be frigidly chaste, even though she is pregnant. His jealous look is like that of the basilisk or the gorgon Medusa: he turns his wife to stone. In the final act, this metaphor becomes a metamorphosis as Paulina conjures up the illusion of Hermione’s depetrification. The transformation is triumphantly realized on stage both linguistically and visually. “Does not the stone rebuke me / For being more stone than it?” asks Leontes, when confronted with the statue. The hardened image of his wife forces him to turn his gaze inward upon his own hard heart. The play ends with the melting of that heart and the rekindling of love, with its concordant release of Hermione back into softness, warmth, and life.

We know in our heads that we are not really watching a statue coming to life. Yet in a good production, at the moment of awakening we feel in our hearts that we are. The magic of the drama occurs in a strange but deeply satisfying space between the two poles of reality and illusion. Metamorphosis is a kind of translation that occurs in the passage from one state to another. Ovid’s world, which is also evoked by Perdita’s comparison of herself to Proserpina, goddess of spring, shuttles between human passions and natural phenomena. Shakespeare carried the magic of that world across into the medium of theater, where everything is illusion, but somehow—as he put it in the alternative title of another of his last plays, Henry VIII—”All is True.”

When Perdita, whose name means “lost one,” is restored to her father, the oracle is fulfilled and there is some atonement for the death of Mamillius. Not, however, full restoration, for Mamillius himself will not return. The boy-actor who played the part would almost certainly have doubled as Perdita in the second half of the play, visually transforming the dead son into a living daughter. Polixenes’ son Florizel also stands in for Mamillius: he grows into what Leontes’ son might have become. When he and Perdita are joined in marriage, the two kings and their kingdoms are united. Leontes has to accept that he will only live on through the female line. This is an appropriate punishment, given his earlier rejection of the female for having come between him and his “brother.”

It will perhaps seem harsh to speak of punishment after the delights of the pastoral scene, the benign mischief of Autolycus, and the wonder of the moment when the supposed statue of Hermione is brought back to life. To do so is to resemble the Paulina who browbeats Leontes into maintaining his penance for sixteen years. When she finally softens and lets him into her art gallery, surely we too need to let go of our reason and our moral judgement. “It is required,” as Paulina puts it, that we awake our faith. But can so much suffering evaporate in an instant of theatrical magic? Hermione’s face is scarred with the marks of time, the wrinkles accumulated in her sixteen years’ seclusion. And not even the joys of the impending union of the two houses can bring back the child whose “smutched” nose his father has so tenderly wiped in the first act.

KEY FACTS

PLOT: Polixenes, King of Bohemia, has been on a nine-month visit to the court of his childhood friend Leontes, King of Sicilia, and his wife, Queen Hermione. Groundlessly, Leontes becomes convinced that his heavily pregnant wife has been having an affair with Polixenes. He tries to persuade his most trusted courtier, Camillo, to poison Polixenes. Convinced of the queen’s innocence, Camillo warns Polixenes and they depart for Bohemia together. Another courtier, Antigonus, is ordered to leave Hermione’s newly born daughter on a desert shore. Leontes tries Hermione for treason; when he denies the truth of the god Apollo’s oracular declaration of her innocence, his son Mamillius dies. He is then told that the queen has also died. Antigonus leaves the baby girl on the coast of Bohemia, where he is torn to pieces by a bear. An old shepherd and his clownish son find the baby, bring her up as a member of their family, and name her Perdita. Sixteen years later, she is being courted by Polixenes’ son, Prince Florizel, who has disguised himself as a shepherd, Doricles. The roguish pedlar Autolycus tricks the shepherds out of money. Polixenes and Camillo come in disguise to the countryside; when the king denounces his son for courting a low-born shepherdess, Florizel and Perdita flee to Sicilia, with the assistance of Camillo. The shepherd and clown follow, bringing tokens that reveal Perdita’s true identity. That which was lost having been found, Paulina, the lady most loyal to Hermione, reveals a statue of the dead queen and tells the assembled company to prepare themselves for a great wonder.

MAJOR PARTS: (with percentages of lines/number of speeches/scenes on stage) Leontes (20%/ 125/6), Paulina (10%/59/5), Camillo (9%/72/5), Autolycus (9%/67/3), Polixenes (8%/57/4), Florizel (6%/45/2), Hermione (6%/35/4), Clown (5%/64/4), Shepherd (4%/42/3), Perdita (4%/25/3), Antigonus (3%/19/3). An unusually large number of named parts have 20–30 lines, less than 1% of the text: Archidamus, Cleomenes, Dion, the boy Mamillius, Emilia, Dorcas, and Mopsa.

LINGUISTIC MEDIUM: 75% verse, 25% prose.

DATE: 1611. Performed at the Globe May 1611; dance of satyrs apparently borrows from a court entertainment of January 1611; performed at court November 1611 and again for royal wedding celebrations in early 1613. Some scholars argue for 1609–10 on assumption that satyrs’ dance is a later interpolation, but theaters were closed because of plague for many months of these earlier years.

SOURCES: A dramatization of Robert Greene’s prose romance Pandosto: The Triumph of Time (1588, also known as The History of Dorastus and Fawnia). The survival and revival of the queen is a Shakespearean innovation, influenced by the story in Ovid’s Metamorphoses (book ten) in which Pygmalion’s statue comes to life.

TEXT: First Folio of 1623 is only early printed text. Typeset from a transcription by Ralph Crane, professional scribe to the King’s Men, it is very well printed, with remarkably few textual problems.

THE WINTER’S TALE

LEONTES, King of Sicilia

HERMIONE, his queen

MAMILLIUS, their son, a child

PERDITA, their daughter

PAULINA, a lady, wife to Antigonus

EMILIA, a lady attending upon Hermione

POLIXENES, King of Bohemia

FLORIZEL, his son

ARCHIDAMUS, a lord of Bohemia

OLD SHEPHERD, reputed father of Perdita

CLOWN, his son

AUTOLYCUS, a rogue, formerly in the service of Prince Florizel

Shepherds and Shepherdesses, including MOPSA and DORCAS

Twelve countrymen disguised as satyrs

A MARINER, a jailer, other Lords, Gentlemen, Servants

TIME, as Chorus

Act 1 Scene 11.1

running scene 1

       Enter Camillo and Archidamus

ARCHIDAMUS

ARCHIDAMUS     If you shall chance, Camillo, to visit Bohemia,¹ on the like occasion whereon my services are now on foot,² you shall see, as I have said, great difference betwixt our Bohemia and your Sicilia.

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     I think this coming summer the King of Sicilia means to pay Bohemia⁴ the visitation which he justly owes him.

ARCHIDAMUS

ARCHIDAMUS     Wherein⁶ our entertainment shall shame us, we will be justified in our loves, for indeed—

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     Beseech you—

ARCHIDAMUS

ARCHIDAMUS     Verily,⁹ I speak it in the freedom of my knowledge: we cannot with such magnificence — in so rare¹⁰ — I know not what to say. We will give you sleepy drinks, that your senses, unintelligent of our insufficience,¹¹ may, though they cannot praise us, as little accuse us.

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     You pay a great deal too dear for what’s given freely.

ARCHIDAMUS

ARCHIDAMUS     Believe me, I speak as my understanding instructs me and as mine honesty puts it to utterance.

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     Sicilia¹⁶ cannot show himself over-kind to Bohemia. They were trained together in their childhoods and there rooted betwixt them then such an affection which cannot choose but branch¹⁸ now. Since their more mature dignities and royal necessities¹⁹ made separation of their society, their encounters, though not personal, have been royally attorneyed²⁰ with interchange of gifts, letters, loving embassies,²¹ that they have seemed to be together, though absent, shook hands, as over a vast,²² and embraced, as it were, from the ends of opposed winds. The heavens continue their loves.

ARCHIDAMUS

ARCHIDAMUS     I think there is not in the world either malice or matter to alter it. You have an unspeakable²⁵ comfort of your young prince Mamillius: it is a gentleman of the greatest promise that ever came into my note.²⁶

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     I very well agree with you in the hopes of him: it is a gallant child; one that indeed physics the subject,²⁸ makes old hearts fresh. They that went on crutches ere²⁹ he was born desire yet their life to see him a man.

ARCHIDAMUS

ARCHIDAMUS     Would they else³⁰ be content to die?

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     Yes; if there were no other excuse why they should desire to live.

ARCHIDAMUS

ARCHIDAMUS     If the king had no son, they would desire to live on crutches till he had one.

       Exeunt

Act 1 Scene 2

running scene 1 continues

       Enter Leontes, Hermione, Mamillius, Polixenes, Camillo [and Attendants]

POLIXENES

POLIXENES     Nine changes of the wat’ry star¹ hath been

               The shepherd’s note² since we have left our throne

               Without a burden.³ Time as long again

               Would be filled up, my brother, with our thanks.

5

5             And yet we should, for perpetuity,⁵

               Go hence in debt: and therefore, like a cipher,⁶

               Yet standing in rich place, I multiply

               With one ‘We thank you’ many thousands moe

               That go before it.

10

10   

LEONTES

LEONTES           Stay¹⁰ your thanks a while,

               And pay them when you part.

POLIXENES

POLIXENES     Sir, that’s tomorrow.

               I am questioned¹³ by my fears of what may chance

               Or breed upon our absence, that may blow

15

15           No sneaping winds at home, to make us say

               ‘This is put forth too truly’. Besides, I have stayed

               To tire your royalty.

LEONTES

LEONTES     We are tougher, brother,

               Than you can put us to’t.¹⁹

20

20   

POLIXENES

POLIXENES           No longer stay.

LEONTES

LEONTES     One sev’nnight²¹ longer.

POLIXENES

POLIXENES     Very sooth,²² tomorrow.

LEONTES

LEONTES     We’ll part the time between’s²³ then, and in that

               I’ll no gainsaying.²⁴

25

25   

POLIXENES

POLIXENES           Press me not, beseech you, so.

               There is no tongue that moves, none, none i’th’world

               So soon as yours could win me. So it should now,

               Were there necessity in your request, although

               ’Twere needful²⁹ I denied it. My affairs

30

30           Do even drag me homeward, which to hinder

               Were³¹ in your love a whip to me, my stay

               To you a charge³² and trouble. To save both,

               Farewell, our brother.

LEONTES

LEONTES     Tongue-tied, our queen? Speak you.

35

35   

HERMIONE

HERMIONE           I had thought, sir, to have held my peace until

               You had drawn oaths from him not to stay. You, sir,

               Charge³⁷ him too coldly. Tell him you are sure

               All in Bohemia’s well: this³⁸ satisfaction

               The bygone day proclaimed. Say³⁹ this to him,

40

40           He’s beat from his best ward.⁴⁰

LEONTES

LEONTES     Well said, Hermione.

HERMIONE

HERMIONE     To tell,⁴² he longs to see his son, were strong.

               But⁴³ let him say so then, and let him go.

               But let him swear so, and he shall not stay,

45

45           We’ll thwack him hence with distaffs.⁴⁵—

               Yet of your royal presence I’ll adventure⁴⁶ To Polixenes

               The borrow of a week. When at Bohemia

               You take⁴⁸ my lord, I’ll give him my commission

               To let him there a month behind⁴⁹ the gest

50

50           Prefixed for’s parting.— Yet, good deed,⁵⁰ Leontes,

               I love thee not a jar⁵¹ o’th’clock behind

               What lady she her lord.— You’ll stay?

POLIXENES

POLIXENES     No, madam.

HERMIONE

HERMIONE     Nay, but you will?

55

55   

POLIXENES

POLIXENES           I may not, verily.

HERMIONE

HERMIONE     Verily?

               You put me off with limber vows.⁵⁷ But I,

               Though you would seek t’unsphere the stars⁵⁸ with oaths,

               Should yet say ‘Sir, no going.’ Verily,

60

60           You shall not go; a lady’s ‘Verily’ is

               As potent as a lord’s. Will you go yet?

               Force me to keep you as a prisoner,

               Not like a guest: so you shall pay⁶³ your fees

               When you depart, and save your thanks. How say you?

65

65           My prisoner? Or my guest? By your dread⁶⁵ ‘Verily’,

               One of them you shall be.

POLIXENES

POLIXENES     Your guest, then, madam.

               To be your prisoner should import offending,⁶⁸

               Which is for me less easy to commit

70

70           Than you to punish.

HERMIONE

HERMIONE     Not your jailer, then,

               But your kind hostess. Come, I’ll question you

               Of⁷³ my lord’s tricks and yours when you were boys.

               You were pretty lordings⁷⁴ then?

75

75   

POLIXENES

POLIXENES           We were, fair queen,

               Two lads that thought there was no more behind⁷⁶

               But such a day tomorrow as today,

               And to be boy eternal.

HERMIONE

HERMIONE     Was not my lord

80

80           The verier wag⁸⁰ o’th’two?

POLIXENES

POLIXENES     We were as twinned Iambs that did frisk i’th’sun,

               And bleat the one at th’other. What we changed⁸²

               Was innocence for innocence. We knew not

               The doctrine of ill-doing, nor dreamed

85

85           That any did. Had we pursued that life,

               And our weak⁸⁶ spirits ne’er been higher reared

               With stronger blood, we should have answered heaven

               Boldly ‘Not guilty’, the⁸⁸ imposition cleared

               Hereditary ours.

90

90   

HERMIONE

HERMIONE           By this we gather

               You have tripped⁹¹ since.

POLIXENES

POLIXENES     O, my most sacred lady,

               Temptations have since then been born to’s.⁹³ For

               In those unfledged⁹⁴ days was my wife a girl;

95

95           Your precious self had then not crossed the eyes

               Of my young play-fellow.⁹⁶

HERMIONE

HERMIONE     Grace to boot!⁹⁷

               Of⁹⁸ this make no conclusion, lest you say

               Your queen and I are devils. Yet go on.

100

100         Th’offences we have made you do we’ll answer,¹⁰⁰

               If you first sinned¹⁰¹ with us, and that with us

               You did continue fault, and that you slipped not

               With any but with us.

LEONTES

LEONTES     Is he won yet?

105

105 

HERMIONE

HERMIONE             He’ll stay, my lord.

LEONTES

LEONTES     At my request he would not.— Aside?

               Hermione, my dearest, thou never spok’st

               To better purpose.

HERMIONE

HERMIONE     Never?

110

110 

LEONTES

LEONTES             Never, but once.

HERMIONE

HERMIONE     What? Have I twice said well? When was’t before?

               I prithee tell me. Cram’s¹¹² with praise, and make’s

               As fat as tame things.¹¹³ One good deed dying tongueless

               Slaughters¹¹⁴ a thousand waiting upon that.

115

115         Our praises are our wages. You may ride’s¹¹⁵

               With one soft kiss a thousand furlongs¹¹⁶ ere

               With spur we heat an acre. But to th’goal:

               My last good deed was to entreat his stay:

               What was my first? It has an elder sister,¹¹⁹

120

120         Or I mistake you — O, would¹²⁰ her name were Grace! —

               But once before I spoke to th’purpose: when?

               Nay, let me have’t: I long.

LEONTES

LEONTES     Why, that was when

               Three crabbèd¹²⁴ months had soured themselves to death,

125

125         Ere I could make thee open thy white hand

               And clap¹²⁶ thyself my love; then didst thou utter ‘

               I am yours for ever.’

HERMIONE

HERMIONE     ’Tis grace indeed.—

               Why, lo¹²⁹ you now, I have spoke to th’purpose twice: To Polixenes?

130

130         The one forever earned a royal husband;

               Th’other for some while a friend.¹³¹ Takes Polixenes’ hand

LEONTES

LEONTES     Too hot, too hot! Aside

               To mingle friendship far is mingling bloods.¹³³

               I have tremor cordis¹³⁴ on me: my heart dances,

135

135         But not for joy, not joy. This entertainment¹³⁵

               May a free¹³⁶ face put on, derive a liberty

               From heartiness,¹³⁷ from bounty, fertile bosom,

               And well¹³⁸ become the agent. ’T may, I grant.

               But to be paddling¹³⁹ palms and pinching fingers,

140

140         As now they are, and making practised¹⁴⁰ smiles,

               As in a looking-glass, and then to sigh, as ’twere

               The mort¹⁴² o’th’deer — O, that is entertainment

               My bosom likes not, nor my brows.¹⁴³— Mamillius,

               Art thou my boy?

145

145 

MAMILLIUS

MAMILLIUS             Ay, my good lord.

LEONTES

LEONTES     I’ fecks!¹⁴⁶

               Why, that’s my bawcock.¹⁴⁷ What? Hast smutched thy nose?—

               They say it is a copy out of mine.— Come, captain, Aside?

               We must be neat;¹⁴⁹ not neat, but cleanly, captain.

150

150         And yet the steer,¹⁵⁰ the heifer and the calf

               Are all called neat.— Still virginalling¹⁵¹ Aside

               Upon his palm?— How now, you wanton¹⁵² calf!

               Art thou my calf?

MAMILLIUS

MAMILLIUS     Yes, if you will, my lord.

155

155 

LEONTES

LEONTES             Thou want’st¹⁵⁵ a rough pash and the shoots that I have

               To be full¹⁵⁶ like me.— Yet they say we are Aside?

               Almost as like as eggs; women say so,

               That will say anything. But were they false

               As o’er-dyed blacks,¹⁵⁹ as wind, as waters, false

160

160         As dice are to be wished by one that fixes

               No bourn¹⁶¹ ’twixt his and mine, yet were it true

               To say this boy were like me.— Come, sir page, To Mamillius

               Look on me with your welkin¹⁶³ eye. Sweet villain!

               Most dear’st, my collop!¹⁶⁴ Can thy dam, may’t be

165

165         Affection?¹⁶⁵— Thy intention stabs the centre. Aside?

               Thou dost make possible things not so held,¹⁶⁶

               Communicat’st with dreams — how can this be? —

               With what’s unreal thou coactive art,¹⁶⁸

               And fellow’st¹⁶⁹ nothing. Then ’tis very credent

170

170         Thou mayst co-join¹⁷⁰ with something, and thou dost,

               And that beyond commission,¹⁷¹ and I find it,

               And that to the infection of my brains

               And hard’ning¹⁷³ of my brows.

POLIXENES

POLIXENES     What means Sicilia?¹⁷⁴

175

175 

HERMIONE

HERMIONE             He something seems¹⁷⁵ unsettled.

POLIXENES

POLIXENES     How, my lord?

LEONTES

LEONTES     What cheer? How is’t with you, best brother?

HERMIONE

HERMIONE     You look as if you held a brow of much distraction.

               Are you moved,¹⁷⁹ my lord?

180

180 

LEONTES

LEONTES             No, in good earnest.—

               How sometimes nature will betray its folly, Aside?

               Its tenderness, and make¹⁸² itself a pastime

               To harder bosoms!— Looking on the lines

               Of my boy’s face, methoughts I did recoil

185

185         Twenty-three years, and saw myself unbreeched,¹⁸⁵

               In my green velvet coat; my dagger muzzled,¹⁸⁶

               Lest it should bite its master, and so prove,

               As ornaments oft do, too dangerous.

               How like, methought, I then was to this kernel,

190

190         This squash,¹⁹⁰ this gentleman.— Mine honest friend, To Mamillius

               Will you take¹⁹¹ eggs for money?

MAMILLIUS

MAMILLIUS     No, my lord, I’ll fight.

LEONTES

LEONTES     You will? Why, happy¹⁹³ man be’s dole! My brother,

               Are you so fond of your young prince as we

195

195         Do seem to be of ours?

POLIXENES

POLIXENES     If at home, sir,

               He’s all my exercise,¹⁹⁷ my mirth, my matter;

               Now my sworn friend and then mine enemy;

               My parasite,¹⁹⁹ my soldier, statesman, all.

200

200         He makes a July’s day short as December,

               And with his varying childness²⁰¹ cures in me

               Thoughts²⁰² that would thick my blood.

LEONTES

LEONTES     So stands this squire

               Officed²⁰⁴ with me. We two will walk, my lord,

205

205         And leave you to your graver²⁰⁵ steps.— Hermione,

               How thou lovest us, show in our brother’s welcome.

               Let what is dear²⁰⁷ in Sicily be cheap.

               Next to thyself and my young rover,²⁰⁸ he’s

               Apparent²⁰⁹ to my heart.

210

210 

HERMIONE

HERMIONE             If you would seek us,

               We are yours i’th’garden: shall’s attend²¹¹ you there?

LEONTES

LEONTES     To your own bents²¹² dispose you: you’ll be found,

               Be you beneath the sky.— I am angling now, Aside

               Though you perceive me not how I give line.

215

215         Go to,²¹⁵ go to!

               How she holds up the neb, the bill²¹⁶ to him!

               And arms²¹⁷ her with the boldness of a wife

               To her allowing husband!

       [Exeunt Polixenes, Hermione and Attendants]

               Gone already?

               Inch-thick, knee-deep, o’er head and ears a forked²¹⁹ one!—

220

220         Go, play, boy, play. Thy mother plays,²²⁰ and I

               Play too, but so²²¹ disgraced a part, whose issue

               Will hiss²²² me to my grave. Contempt and clamour

               Will be my knell.²²³ Go play, boy, play.— There have been,

               Or I am much deceived, cuckolds²²⁴ ere now.

225

225         And many a man there is, even at this present,

               Now while I speak this, holds his wife by th’arm,

               That little thinks she has been sluiced²²⁷ in’s absence

               And his pond²²⁸ fished by his next neighbour, by

               Sir Smile, his neighbour. Nay, there’s comfort in’t

230

230         Whiles other men have gates²³⁰ and those gates opened,

               As mine, against their will. Should all despair

               That have revolted²³² wives, the tenth of mankind

               Would hang themselves. Physic²³³ for’t there’s none:

               It is a bawdy²³⁴ planet, that will strike

235

235         Where ’tis predominant;²³⁵ and ’tis powerful, think it,

               From east, west, north and south. Be it concluded,

               No barricado²³⁷ for a belly. Know’t,

               It will let in and out the enemy

               With bag and baggage.²³⁹ Many thousand on’s

240

240         Have the disease, and feel’t not.— How now, boy?

MAMILLIUS

MAMILLIUS     I am like you, they say.

LEONTES

LEONTES     Why that’s some comfort. What, Camillo there?

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     Ay, my good lord. Comes forward

LEONTES

LEONTES     Go play, Mamillius, thou’rt an honest man.—

       [Exit Mamillius]

245

245         Camillo, this great sir will yet stay longer.

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     You had much ado²⁴⁶ to make his anchor hold:

               When you cast out, it still came home.²⁴⁷

LEONTES

LEONTES     Didst note it?

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     He would not stay at your petitions,²⁴⁹ made

250

250         His business more material.²⁵⁰

LEONTES

LEONTES     Didst perceive it?—

               They’re²⁵² here with me already, whisp’ring, rounding Aside

               ‘Sicilia is a so-forth.²⁵³’ ’Tis far gone

               When I shall gust it last.— How came’t, Camillo, To Camillo

255

255         That he did stay?

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     At the good queen’s entreaty.

LEONTES

LEONTES     At the queen’s be’t. ‘Good’ should be pertinent,²⁵⁷

               But so it is,²⁵⁸ it is not. Was this taken

               By any understanding pate²⁵⁹ but thine?

260

260         For thy conceit is soaking,²⁶⁰ will draw in

               More than the common blocks.²⁶¹ Not noted, is’t,

               But of²⁶² the finer natures? By some severals

               Of head-piece²⁶³ extraordinary? Lower messes

               Perchance are to this business²⁶⁴ purblind? Say.

265

265 

CAMILLO

CAMILLO             Business, my lord? I think most understand

               Bohemia stays here longer.

LEONTES

LEONTES     Ha?

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     Stays here longer.

LEONTES

LEONTES     Ay, but why?

270

270 

CAMILLO

CAMILLO             To satisfy your highness and the entreaties

               Of our most gracious mistress.

LEONTES

LEONTES     Satisfy?²⁷²

               Th’entreaties of your mistress? Satisfy?

               Let that suffice. I have trusted thee, Camillo,

275

275         With all the nearest things to my heart, as well²⁷⁵

               My chamber-councils,²⁷⁶ wherein, priest-like, thou

               Hast cleansed my bosom,²⁷⁷ I from thee departed

               Thy penitent reformed. But we²⁷⁸ have been

               Deceived in thy integrity, deceived

280

280         In that which seems so.

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     Be it forbid, my lord!

LEONTES

LEONTES     To bide²⁸² upon’t, thou art not honest: or,

               If thou inclin’st that way, thou art a coward,

               Which hoxes²⁸⁴ honesty behind, restraining

285

285         From course required: or else thou must be counted²⁸⁵

               A servant grafted²⁸⁶ in my serious trust

               And therein negligent: or else a fool

               That see’st a game²⁸⁸ played home, the rich stake drawn,

               And tak’st it all for jest.

290

290 

CAMILLO

CAMILLO             My gracious lord,

               I may be negligent, foolish and fearful.

               In every one of these no man is free,

               But that his negligence, his folly, fear,

               Among the infinite doings of the world,

295

295         Sometime puts forth. In your affairs, my lord,

               If ever I were wilful-negligent,²⁹⁶

               It was my folly: if industriously

               I played the fool, it was my negligence,

               Not weighing²⁹⁹ well the end: if ever fearful

300

300         To do a thing, where I the issue³⁰⁰ doubted,

               Whereof³⁰¹ the execution did cry out

               Against the non-performance, ’twas a fear

               Which oft infects the wisest. These, my lord,

               Are such allowed infirmities that honesty

305

305         Is never free of. But, beseech your grace,

               Be plainer with me. Let me know my trespass³⁰⁶

               By its own visage;³⁰⁷ if I then deny it,

               ’Tis none of mine.

LEONTES

LEONTES     Ha’ not you seen, Camillo —

310

310         But that’s past doubt, you have, or your eye-glass³¹⁰

               Is thicker than a cuckold’s horn — or heard —

               For to a vision so apparent³¹² rumour

               Cannot be mute — or thought — for cogitation³¹³

               Resides not in that man that does not think —

315

315         My wife is slippery?³¹⁵ If thou wilt confess,

               Or else be³¹⁶ impudently negative,

               To have nor eyes nor ears nor thought, then say

               My wife’s a hobby-horse,³¹⁸ deserves a name

               As rank³¹⁹ as any flax-wench that puts to

320

320         Before her troth-plight: say’t and justify’t.

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     I would not be a stander-by to hear

               My sovereign mistress clouded³²² so, without

               My present³²³ vengeance taken. ’Shrew my heart,

               You never spoke what did become³²⁴ you less

325

325         Than this; which to reiterate were³²⁵ sin

               As deep as that, though true.

LEONTES

LEONTES     Is whispering nothing?

               Is leaning cheek to cheek? Is meeting noses?

               Kissing with inside lip? Stopping the career³²⁹

330

330         Of laughter with a sigh — a note infallible³³⁰

               Of breaking honesty?³³¹ Horsing foot on foot?

               Skulking in corners? Wishing clocks more swift?

               Hours,³³³ minutes? Noon, midnight? And all eyes

               Blind with the pin and web³³⁴ but theirs, theirs only,

335

335         That would unseen be wicked? Is this nothing?

               Why then the world and all that’s in’t is nothing:

               The covering sky is nothing, Bohemia nothing,

               My wife is nothing,³³⁸ nor nothing have these nothings,

               If this be nothing.

340

340 

CAMILLO

CAMILLO             Good my lord, be cured

               Of this diseased opinion, and betimes.³⁴¹

               For ’tis most dangerous.

LEONTES

LEONTES     Say it be, ’tis true.

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     No, no, my lord.

345

345 

LEONTES

LEONTES             It is. You lie, you lie.

               I say thou liest, Camillo, and I hate thee,

               Pronounce thee a gross lout, a mindless slave,

               Or else a hovering temporizer,³⁴⁸ that

               Canst with thine eyes at once see good and evil,

350

350         Inclining to them both. Were my wife’s liver³⁵⁰

               Infected as her life, she would not live

               The running of one glass.³⁵²

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     Who does infect her?

LEONTES

LEONTES     Why, he that wears her like her medal,³⁵⁴ hanging

355

355         About his neck, Bohemia: who, if I

               Had servants true about me that bare³⁵⁶ eyes

               To see alike mine honour as their profits,

               Their own particular thrifts,³⁵⁸ they would do that

               Which should undo³⁵⁹ more doing. Ay, and thou,

360

360         His cupbearer³⁶⁰ — whom I from meaner form

               Have benched³⁶¹ and reared to worship, who mayst see

               Plainly as heaven sees earth and earth sees heaven,

               How I am galled³⁶³ — mightst bespice a cup

               To give mine enemy a lasting wink,³⁶⁴

365

365         Which draught to me were cordial.³⁶⁵

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     Sir, my lord,

               I could do this, and that with no rash³⁶⁷ potion,

               But with a ling’ring dram³⁶⁸ that should not work

               Maliciously³⁶⁹ like poison. But I cannot

370

370         Believe this crack³⁷⁰ to be in my dread mistress,

               So sovereignly being honourable.

               I have loved thee—

LEONTES

LEONTES     Make³⁷³ that thy question, and go rot!

               Dost think I am so muddy,³⁷⁴ so unsettled,

375

375         To appoint³⁷⁵ myself in this vexation, sully

               The purity and whiteness of my sheets —

               Which to preserve is sleep,³⁷⁷ which being spotted

               Is goads, thorns, nettles, tails of wasps —

               Give³⁷⁹ scandal to the blood o’th’prince my son —

380

380         Who I do think is mine and love as mine —

               Without ripe moving to’t?³⁸¹ Would I do this?

               Could man so blench?³⁸²

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     I must believe you, sir.

               I do, and will fetch off³⁸⁴ Bohemia for’t,

385

385         Provided that when he’s removed, your highness

               Will take again your queen as yours at first,

               Even for³⁸⁷ your son’s sake, and thereby for sealing

               The injury of tongues in courts and kingdoms

               Known and allied to yours.

390

390 

LEONTES

LEONTES             Thou³⁹⁰ dost advise me

               Even so as I mine own course have set down.

               I’ll give no blemish to her honour, none.

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     My lord,

               Go then; and with a countenance³⁹⁴ as clear

395

395         As friendship wears at feasts, keep³⁹⁵ with Bohemia

               And with your queen. I am his cupbearer:

               If from me he have wholesome beverage,

               Account me not your servant.

LEONTES

LEONTES     This is all.

400

400         Do’t and thou hast the one half of my heart;

               Do’t not, thou splitt’st thine own.

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     I’ll do’t, my lord.

LEONTES

LEONTES     I will seem friendly, as thou hast advised me.

       Exit

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     O miserable⁴⁰⁴ lady! But, for me,

405

405         What case⁴⁰⁵ stand I in? I must be the poisoner

               Of good Polixenes, and my ground⁴⁰⁶ to do’t

               Is the obedience to a master; one

               Who, in⁴⁰⁸ rebellion with himself, will have

               All⁴⁰⁹ that are his so too. To do this deed,

410

410         Promotion follows. If⁴¹⁰ I could find example

               Of thousands that had struck anointed kings

               And flourished after, I’d not do’t. But since

               Nor brass⁴¹³ nor stone nor parchment bears not one,

               Let villainy itself forswear’t. I must

415

415         Forsake the court. To do’t, or no, is certain

               To me a break-neck.⁴¹⁶ Happy star, reign now!

               Here comes Bohemia.

       Enter Polixenes

POLIXENES

POLIXENES     This is strange. Methinks Aside

               My favour here begins to warp.⁴¹⁹ Not speak?—

420

420         Good day, Camillo.

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     Hail, most royal sir!

POLIXENES

POLIXENES     What is the news i’th’court?

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     None rare,⁴²³ my lord.

POLIXENES

POLIXENES     The king hath on him such a countenance

425

425         As⁴²⁵ he had lost some province and a region

               Loved as he loves himself. Even now I met him

               With customary compliment,⁴²⁷ when he,

               Wafting⁴²⁸ his eyes to th’contrary and falling

               A lip of much contempt, speeds from me and

430

430         So leaves me to consider what is breeding

               That changes thus his manners.

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     I dare not know, my lord.

POLIXENES

POLIXENES     How, dare not? Do not? Do you know, and dare not?

               Be intelligent⁴³⁴ to me. ’Tis thereabouts.

435

435         For, to⁴³⁵ yourself, what you do know, you must,

               And cannot say you dare not. Good Camillo,

               Your changed complexions⁴³⁷ are to me a mirror

               Which shows me mine changed too, for I must be

               A party in this alteration, finding

440

440         Myself thus altered with’t.

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     There is a sickness

               Which puts some of us in distemper,⁴⁴² but

               I cannot name the disease, and it is caught

               Of⁴⁴⁴ you that yet are well.

445

445 

POLIXENES

POLIXENES             How, caught of me?

               Make me not sighted like the basilisk.⁴⁴⁶

               I have looked on thousands who have sped⁴⁴⁷ the better

               By my regard,⁴⁴⁸ but killed none so. Camillo —

               As you are certainly a gentleman, thereto

450

450         Clerk-like⁴⁵⁰ experienced, which no less adorns

               Our gentry⁴⁵¹ than our parents’ noble names,

               In whose success⁴⁵² we are gentle — I beseech you,

               If you know aught⁴⁵³ which does behove my knowledge

               Thereof to be informed, imprison’t not

455

455         In ignorant concealment.

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     I may not answer.

POLIXENES

POLIXENES     A sickness caught of me, and yet I well?

               I must be answered. Dost thou hear, Camillo,

               I conjure⁴⁵⁹ thee, by all the parts of man

460

460         Which honour does acknowledge, whereof⁴⁶⁰ the least

               Is not this suit of mine, that thou declare

               What incidency⁴⁶² thou dost guess of harm

               Is creeping toward me; how far off, how near,

               Which way to be prevented, if to be.

465

465         If not, how best to bear it.

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     Sir, I will tell you,

               Since I am charged⁴⁶⁷ in honour and by him

               That I think honourable: therefore mark⁴⁶⁸ my counsel,

               Which must be ev’n⁴⁶⁹ as swiftly followed as

470

470         I mean to utter it; or both yourself and me

               Cry lost, and so goodnight!⁴⁷¹

POLIXENES

POLIXENES     On, good Camillo.

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     I am appointed him⁴⁷³ to murder you.

POLIXENES

POLIXENES     By whom, Camillo?

475

475 

CAMILLO

CAMILLO             By the king.

POLIXENES

POLIXENES     For what?

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     He thinks, nay, with all confidence he swears,

               As he had seen’t or been an instrument

               To vice⁴⁷⁹ you to’t, that you have touched his queen

480

480         Forbiddenly.

POLIXENES

POLIXENES     O, then my best blood turn

               To an infected jelly and my name

               Be yoked with his⁴⁸³ that did betray the best!

               Turn then my freshest reputation to

485

485         A savour⁴⁸⁵ that may strike the dullest nostril

               Where I arrive, and my approach be shunned,

               Nay, hated too, worse than the great’st infection

               That e’er was heard or read!

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     Swear⁴⁸⁹ his thought over

490

490         By each particular star in heaven and

               By all their influences;⁴⁹¹ you may as well

               Forbid the sea for to⁴⁹² obey the moon

               As or⁴⁹³ by oath remove or counsel shake

               The fabric⁴⁹⁴ of his folly, whose foundation

495

495         Is piled upon his faith and will continue

               The⁴⁹⁶ standing of his body.

POLIXENES

POLIXENES     How should this grow?⁴⁹⁷

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     I know not. But I am sure ’tis safer to

               Avoid what’s grown than question how ’tis born.

500

500         If therefore you dare trust my honesty,

               That lies enclosèd in this trunk⁵⁰¹ which you

               Shall bear along impawned,⁵⁰² away tonight!

               Your followers I will whisper to⁵⁰³ the business,

               And will by twos and threes at several posterns⁵⁰⁴

505

505         Clear them⁵⁰⁵ o’th’city. For myself, I’ll put

               My fortunes to your service, which⁵⁰⁶ are here

               By this discovery lost. Be not uncertain,

               For by the honour of my parents, I

               Have uttered truth, which if you seek to prove,⁵⁰⁹

510

510         I dare not stand by;⁵¹⁰ nor shall you be safer

               Than one condemnèd by the king’s own mouth,

               Thereon his execution sworn.

POLIXENES

POLIXENES     I do believe thee:

               I saw his heart in’s face. Give me thy hand.

515

515         Be pilot⁵¹⁵ to me and thy places shall

               Still neighbour mine. My ships are ready and

               My people did expect my hence departure⁵¹⁷

               Two days ago. This jealousy

               Is for a precious creature: as she’s rare,

520

520         Must it be great, and as his person’s mighty,

               Must it be violent, and as he does conceive

               He is dishonoured by a man which ever

               Professed⁵²³ to him, why, his revenges must

               In that be made more bitter. Fear o’ershades me.

525

525         Good expedition⁵²⁵ be my friend, and comfort

               The gracious queen, part of his theme,⁵²⁶ but nothing

               Of his ill-ta’en⁵²⁷ suspicion. Come, Camillo.

               I will respect thee as a father if

               Thou bear’st my life off hence. Let us avoid.⁵²⁹

530

530 

CAMILLO

CAMILLO             It is in mine authority to command

               The keys of all the posterns. Please your highness

               To take the urgent hour. Come, sir, away.

       Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 1

running scene 2

       Enter Hermione, Mamillius, Ladies

HERMIONE

HERMIONE     Take the boy to you. He so troubles me,

               ’Tis past enduring.

FIRST LADY

FIRST LADY     Come, my gracious lord, Takes Mamillius

               Shall I be your playfellow?

5

5     

MAMILLIUS

MAMILLIUS           No, I’ll none of⁵ you.

FIRST LADY

FIRST LADY     Why, my sweet lord?

MAMILLIUS

MAMILLIUS     You’ll kiss me hard and speak to me as if

               I were a baby still.— I love you better. To Second Lady

SECOND LADY

SECOND LADY     And why so, my lord?

10

10   

MAMILLIUS

MAMILLIUS           Not for because¹⁰

               Your brows are blacker — yet black brows, they say,

               Become so¹²me women best, so that there be not

               Too much hair there, but in a semicircle

               Or a half-moon made with a pen.

15

15   

SECOND LADY

SECOND LADY           Who taught ’this?¹⁵

MAMILLIUS

MAMILLIUS     I learned it out of women’s faces. Pray now

               What colour are your eyebrows?

FIRST LADY

FIRST LADY     Blue, my lord.

MAMILLIUS

MAMILLIUS     Nay, that’s a mock. I have seen a lady’s nose

20

20           That has been blue, but not her eyebrows.

FIRST LADY

FIRST LADY     Hark ye.

               The queen your mother rounds apace.²² We shall

               Present our services to a fine new prince

               One of these days, and then you’d wanton with us,²⁴

25

25           If we would have you.

SECOND LADY

SECOND LADY     She is spread of late

               Into a goodly bulk. Good²⁷ time encounter her!

HERMIONE

HERMIONE     What wisdom stirs amongst you? Come, sir, now

               I am for²⁹ you again. Pray you sit by us,

30

30           And tell’s a tale.

MAMILLIUS

MAMILLIUS     Merry or sad³¹ shall’t be?

HERMIONE

HERMIONE     As merry as you will.

MAMILLIUS

MAMILLIUS     A sad tale’s best for winter. I have one

               Of sprites³⁴ and goblins.

35

35   

HERMIONE

HERMIONE           Let’s have that, good sir.

               Come on, sit down. Come on, and do your best

               To fright me with your sprites. You’re powerful at it.

MAMILLIUS

MAMILLIUS     There was a man—

HERMIONE

HERMIONE     Nay, come, sit down, then on.

40

40   

MAMILLIUS

MAMILLIUS           Dwelt by a churchyard — I will tell it softly. Sits

               Yond crickets⁴¹ shall not hear it.

HERMIONE

HERMIONE     Come on, then, and give’t me in mine ear. They talk apart

       [Enter Leontes, Antigonus, Lords and others]

LEONTES

LEONTES     Was he met there? His train? Camillo with him?

A LORD

A LORD     Behind the tuft⁴⁴ of pines I met them. Never

45

45           Saw I men scour⁴⁵ so on their way: I eyed them

               Even⁴⁶ to their ships.

LEONTES

LEONTES     How blest am I

               In my just censure,⁴⁸ in my true opinion!

               Alack, for lesser knowledge! How accursed

50

50           In being so blest! There may be in⁵⁰ the cup

               A spider steeped, and one may drink, depart,

               And yet partake no venom, for his knowledge

               Is not infected: but if one present

               Th’abhorred ingredient to his eye, make known

55

55           How he hath drunk, he cracks his gorge,⁵⁵ his sides,

               With violent hefts.⁵⁶ I have drunk, and seen the spider.

               Camillo was his help in this, his pander.⁵⁷

               There is a plot against my life, my crown.

               All’s true that is mistrusted.⁵⁹ That false villain

60

60           Whom I employed was pre-employed by him.

               He has discovered my design, and I

               Remain a pinched⁶² thing; yea, a very trick

               For them to play at will. How came the posterns

               So easily open?

65

65   

A LORD

A LORD           By his great authority,

               Which often hath no less prevailed than so

               On your command.

LEONTES

LEONTES     I know’t too well.—

               Give me the boy. I am glad you did not nurse⁶⁹ him. To Hermione

70

70           Though he does bear some signs of me, yet you

               Have too much blood in him.

HERMIONE

HERMIONE     What is this? Sport?⁷²

LEONTES

LEONTES     Bear the boy hence. He shall not come about her. To a Lord or Lady

               Away with him, and let her sport⁷⁴ herself

75

75           With that she’s big with,— for ’tis Polixenes To Hermione

               Has made thee swell thus.

       [The Lord or Lady exits with Mamillius]

HERMIONE

HERMIONE     But I’d say he had not;

               And I’ll be sworn you would believe my saying,

               Howe’er⁷⁹ you lean to th’nayward.

80

80   

LEONTES

LEONTES           You, my lords,

               Look on her, mark her well. Be but about

               To say ‘She is a goodly lady’, and

               The justice⁸³ of your hearts will thereto add

               ‘ ’Tis pity she’s not honest,⁸⁴ honourable.’

85

85           Praise her but for this her without-door⁸⁵ form,

               Which on my faith deserves high speech, and straight⁸⁶

               The shrug, the hum or ha, these petty brands⁸⁷

               That calumny⁸⁸ doth use — O, I am out —

               That⁸⁹ mercy does, for calumny will sear

90

90           Virtue itself: these shrugs, these hums and ha’s,

               When you have said ‘She’s goodly’, come between⁹¹

               Ere you can say ‘She’s honest.’ But be’t known,

               From him that has most cause to grieve it should be,

               She’s an adultress.

HERMIONE

HERMIONE     Should a villain say so —

               The most replenished⁹⁶ villain in the world —

               He⁹⁷ were as much more villain. You, my lord,

               Do but mistake.

LEONTES

LEONTES     You have mistook,⁹⁹ my lady,

100

100         Polixenes for Leontes. O thou thing,

               Which I’ll¹⁰¹ not call a creature of thy place,

               Lest barbarism, making me the precedent,

               Should a like¹⁰³ language use to all degrees

               And mannerly distinguishment¹⁰⁴ leave out

105

105         Betwixt the prince and beggar. I have said

               She’s an adult’ress. I have said with whom.

               More, she’s a traitor and Camillo is

               A federary¹⁰⁸ with her, and one that knows

               What she should shame to know¹⁰⁹ herself

110

110         But with her most vile principal, that she’s

               A bed-swerver,¹¹¹ even as bad as those

               That vulgars¹¹² give bold’st titles; ay, and privy

               To this their late escape.

HERMIONE

HERMIONE     No, by my life,

115

115         Privy to none of this. How will this grieve you,

               When you shall come to clearer knowledge, that

               You thus have published¹¹⁷ me. Gentle my lord,

               You scarce can right me throughly¹¹⁸ then to say

               You did mistake.

120

120 

LEONTES

LEONTES             No. If I mistake

               In those foundations which I build upon,

               The centre¹²² is not big enough to bear

               A school-boy’s top.¹²³ Away with her, to prison!

               He who shall speak for her is afar off¹²⁴ guilty

125

125         But¹²⁵ that he speaks.

HERMIONE

HERMIONE     There’s some ill¹²⁶ planet reigns:

               I must be patient till the heavens look

               With an aspect¹²⁸ more favourable. Good my lords,

               I am not prone to weeping — as our sex

130

130         Commonly are — the want¹³⁰ of which vain dew

               Perchance¹³¹ shall dry your pities: but I have

               That honourable grief lodged here¹³² which burns

               Worse than tears drown. Beseech you all, my lords,

               With thoughts so qualified¹³⁴ as your charities

135

135         Shall best instruct you, measure¹³⁵ me; and so

               The king’s will be performed.

LEONTES

LEONTES     Shall I be heard?¹³⁷

HERMIONE

HERMIONE     Who is’t that goes with me? Beseech your highness

               My women may be with me, for you see

140

140         My plight¹⁴⁰ requires it. Do not weep, good fools.

               There is no cause. When you shall know your mistress

               Has deserved prison, then abound in tears

               As I come out; this action I now go on

               Is for my better grace.¹⁴⁴— Adieu, my lord. To Leontes

145

145         I never wished to see you sorry, now

               I trust I shall.— My women, come, you have leave.¹⁴⁶

LEONTES

LEONTES     Go, do our bidding. Hence!

       [Exit Hermione, guarded, with Ladies]

A LORD

A LORD     Beseech your highness, call the queen again.

ANTIGONUS

ANTIGONUS     Be certain what you do, sir, lest your justice

150

150         Prove violence, in the which three great ones suffer:

               Yourself, your queen, your son.

A LORD

A LORD     For her, my lord,

               I dare my life lay down and will do’t, sir,

               Please you t’accept it, that the queen is spotless

155

155         I’th’eyes of heaven and to you — I mean,

               In this which you accuse her.

ANTIGONUS

ANTIGONUS     If it prove

               She’s otherwise, I’ll keep¹⁵⁸ my stables where

               I lodge my wife, I’ll go in couples¹⁵⁹ with her,

160

160         Than¹⁶⁰ when I feel and see her no further trust her,

               For every inch of woman in the world,

               Ay, every dram¹⁶² of woman’s flesh is false,

               If she be.

LEONTES

LEONTES     Hold your peaces.

165

165 

A LORD

A LORD             Good my lord—

ANTIGONUS

ANTIGONUS     It is for you we speak, not for ourselves.

               You are abused and by some putter-on¹⁶⁷

               That will be damned for’t. Would I knew the villain,

               I would land-damn¹⁶⁹ him. Be she honour-flawed,

170

170         I have three daughters — the eldest is eleven

               The second and the third, nine, and some¹⁷¹ five —

               If this prove true, they’ll pay for’t. By mine honour,

               I’ll geld¹⁷³ ’em all: fourteen they shall not see,

               To bring false generations.¹⁷⁴ They are co-heirs,

175

175         And I had rather glib¹⁷⁵ myself than they

               Should not produce fair issue.¹⁷⁶

LEONTES

LEONTES     Cease. No more.

               You smell this business with a sense as cold

               As is a dead man’s nose. But I do see’t and feel’t

180

180         As you feel doing thus,¹⁸⁰ and see withal

               The instruments that feel.¹⁸¹

ANTIGONUS

ANTIGONUS     If it be so,

               We need no grave to bury honesty:¹⁸³

               The¹⁸⁴re’s not a grain of it the face to sweeten

185

185         Of the whole dungy earth.

LEONTES

LEONTES     What? Lack I credit?¹⁸⁶

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     I had rather you did lack than I, my lord,

               Upon this ground.¹⁸⁸ And more it would content me

               To have her honour true than your suspicion,¹⁸⁹

190

190         Be blamed for’t how you might.

LEONTES

LEONTES     Why, what need we

               Commune with you of this, but rather follow

               Our forceful instigation?¹⁹³ Our prerogative

               Calls not your counsels, but our natural goodness

195

195         Imparts this, which if you, or stupefied¹⁹⁵

               Or seeming so in skill,¹⁹⁶ cannot or will not

               Relish¹⁹⁷ a truth like us, inform yourselves

               We need no more of your advice. The matter,

               The loss, the gain, the ord’ring on’t,¹⁹⁹ is all

200

200         Properly²⁰⁰ ours.

ANTIGONUS

ANTIGONUS     And I wish, my liege,²⁰¹

               You had only in your silent judgement tried it,

               Without more overture.²⁰³

LEONTES

LEONTES     How could that be?

205

205         Either thou art most ignorant by age,²⁰⁵

               Or thou wert born a fool. Camillo’s flight,

               Added to their familiarity —

               Which was as gross²⁰⁸ as ever touched conjecture,

               That lacked sight only, nought for approbation²⁰⁹

210

210         But only seeing, all other circumstances

               Made²¹¹ up to th’deed — doth push on this proceeding.

               Yet, for a greater confirmation —

               For in an act of this importance ’twere

               Most piteous to be wild²¹⁴ — I have dispatched in post

215

215         To sacred Delphos,²¹⁵ to Apollo’s temple,

               Cleomenes and Dion, whom you know

               Of stuffed sufficiency.²¹⁷ Now from the oracle

               They will bring all, whose spiritual counsel had,²¹⁸

               Shall stop or spur me. Have I done well?

220

220 

A LORD

A LORD             Well done, my lord.

LEONTES

LEONTES     Though I am satisfied and need no more

               Than what I know, yet shall the oracle

               Give rest to th’minds of others, such as he²²³

               Whose ignorant credulity will not

225

225         Come up to²²⁵ th’truth. So have we thought it good

               From²²⁶ our free person she should be confined,

               Lest that the treachery²²⁷ of the two fled hence

               Be left her to perform. Come, follow us.

               We are to speak in public, for this business

230

230         Will raise²³⁰ us all.

ANTIGONUS

ANTIGONUS     To laughter, as I take it, Aside

               If the good truth were known.

       Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 2

running scene 3

       Enter Paulina, a Gentleman [and Attendants]

PAULINA

PAULINA     The keeper of the prison, call to him.

               Let him have knowledge who I am. Gentleman goes to the door

               Good lady,

               No court in Europe is too good for thee.

               What dost thou then in prison?

       [Enter the Jailer]

               Now, good sir,

5

5             You know me, do you not?

JAILER

JAILER     For a worthy lady,

               And one who much I honour.

PAULINA

PAULINA     Pray you then,

               Conduct me to the queen.

10

10   

JAILER

JAILER           I may not, madam.

               To the contrary I have express commandment.

PAULINA

PAULINA     Here’s ado,¹² to lock up honesty and honour from

               Th’access of gentle¹³ visitors! Is’t lawful, pray you,

               To see her women? Any of them? Emilia?

15

15   

JAILER

JAILER           So please you, madam,

               To put apart¹⁶ these your attendants, I

               Shall bring Emilia forth.

PAULINA

PAULINA     I pray now call her.—

               Withdraw yourselves.

       [Exeunt Gentleman and Attendants]

20

20   

JAILER

JAILER           And, madam,

               I must be present at your conference.

PAULINA

PAULINA     Well, be’t so, prithee.

       [Exit Jailer]

               Here’s such ado to make no stain a stain

               As passes colouring.²⁴

       Enter Jailer with Emilia]

25

25           Dear gentlewoman,

               How fares our gracious lady?

EMILIA

EMILIA     As well as one so great and so forlorn²⁷

               May hold together. On²⁸ her frights and griefs —

               Which never tender lady hath borne greater —

30

30           She is³⁰ something before her time delivered.

PAULINA

PAULINA     A boy?

EMILIA

EMILIA     A daughter, and a goodly babe,

               Lusty³³ and like to live. The queen receives

               Much comfort in’t, says ‘My poor prisoner,

35

35           I am innocent as you.’

PAULINA

PAULINA     I dare be sworn.

               These dangerous unsafe lunes³⁷ i’th’king, beshrew them!

               He must be told on’t,³⁸ and he shall. The office

               Becomes³⁹ a woman best. I’ll take’t upon me.

40

40           If I prove honey-mouthed,⁴⁰ let my tongue blister

               And never⁴¹ to my red-looked anger be

               The trumpet any more. Pray you, Emilia,

               Commend⁴³ my best obedience to the queen.

               If she dares trust me with her little babe,

45

45           I’ll show’t the king and undertake to be

               Her⁴⁶ advocate to th’loud’st. We do not know

               How he may soften at the sight o’th’child:

               The silence often of pure innocence

               Persuades when speaking fails.

50

50   

EMILIA

EMILIA           Most worthy madam,

               Your honour and your goodness is so evident

               That your free⁵² undertaking cannot miss

               A thriving issue. There is no lady living

               So meet⁵⁴ for this great errand. Please your ladyship

55

55           To visit the next room, I’ll presently⁵⁵

               Acquaint the queen of your most noble offer,

               Who but today hammered⁵⁷ of this design,

               But durst⁵⁸ not tempt a minister of honour,

               Lest she should be denied.

60

60   

PAULINA

PAULINA           Tell her, Emilia.

               I’ll use that tongue I have: if wit⁶¹ flow from’t

               As boldness from my bosom, let’t not be doubted

               I shall do good.

EMILIA

EMILIA     Now be you blest for it!

65

65           I’ll to the queen.— Please you come something nearer. To Jailer

JAILER

JAILER     Madam, if’t please the queen to send the babe,

               I⁶⁷ know not what I shall incur to pass it,

               Having no warrant.

PAULINA

PAULINA     You need not fear it, sir:

70

70           This child was prisoner to the womb and is

               By law and process of great nature thence

               Freed and enfranchised, not a party to

               The anger of the king nor guilty of,

               If any be, the trespass of the queen.

75

75   

JAILER

JAILER           I do believe it.

PAULINA

PAULINA     Do not you fear. Upon mine honour, I

               Will stand betwixt you and danger.

       Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 3

running scene 4

       Enter Leontes

LEONTES

LEONTES     Nor¹ night nor day no rest. It is but weakness

               To bear the matter thus, mere weakness. If

               The cause were not in being³ — part o’th’cause,

               She, th’adulteress, for the harlot⁴ king

5

5             Is quite beyond mine arm, out of the blank⁵

               And level⁶ of my brain, plot-proof. But she

               I can hook⁷ to me — say that she were gone,

               Given⁸ to the fire, a moiety of my rest

               Might come to me again. Who’s there?

       [Enter a Servant]

10

10   

SERVANT

SERVANT           My lord?

LEONTES

LEONTES     How does the boy?

SERVANT

SERVANT     He took good rest tonight.

               ’Tis hoped his sickness is discharged.

LEONTES

LEONTES     To see his nobleness!

15

15           Conceiving¹⁵ the dishonour of his mother,

               He straight declined, drooped, took it deeply,

               Fastened and fixed the shame on’t in himself,

               Threw off his spirit, his appetite, his sleep,

               And downright languished. Leave me solely.¹⁹ Go,

20

20           See how he fares.—

       [Exit Servant]

               Fie, fie! No thought of him.²⁰

               The very thought of my revenges that way

               Recoil upon me — in himself too mighty,

               And in his parties, his alliance.²³ Let him be

               Until a time may serve. For present vengeance,

25

25           Take it on her. Camillo and Polixenes

               Laugh at me, make their pastime at my sorrow.

               They should not laugh if I could reach them, nor

               Shall she²⁸ within my power.

       Enter Paulina, carrying the baby; Antigonus and Lords enter and try to hold her back]

A LORD

A LORD     You must not enter.

30

30   

PAULINA

PAULINA           Nay, rather, good my lords, be second to³⁰ me.

               Fear you his tyrannous passion more, alas,

               Than the queen’s life? A gracious innocent soul,

               More free³³ than he is jealous.

ANTIGONUS

ANTIGONUS     That’s enough.

35

35   

SERVANT

SERVANT           Madam, he hath not slept tonight, commanded

               None should come at him.

PAULINA

PAULINA     Not so hot,³⁷ good sir,

               I come to bring him sleep.³⁸ ’Tis such as you,

               That creep like shadows by him and do sigh

40

40           At each his needless heavings,⁴⁰ such as you

               Nourish the cause of his awaking.⁴¹ I

               Do come with words as medicinal as true,

               Honest as either,⁴³ to purge him of that humour

               That presses him from sleep.

45

45   

LEONTES

LEONTES           What noise there, ho?

PAULINA

PAULINA     No noise, my lord, but needful conference⁴⁶

               About some gossips⁴⁷ for your highness.

LEONTES

LEONTES     How?⁴⁸

               Away with that audacious lady! Antigonus,

50

50           I charged thee that she should not come about me.

               I knew she would.

ANTIGONUS

ANTIGONUS     I told her so, my lord,

               On⁵³ your displeasure’s peril and on mine,

               She should not visit you.

55

55   

LEONTES

LEONTES           What? Canst not rule⁵⁵ her?

PAULINA

PAULINA     From⁵⁶ all dishonesty he can. In this,

               Unless he take the course that you have done —

               Commit⁵⁸ me for committing honour — trust it,

               He shall not rule me.

60

60   

ANTIGONUS

ANTIGONUS           La you now,⁶⁰ you hear.

               When she will take the rein, I let her run.

               But she’ll not stumble.

PAULINA

PAULINA     Good my liege, I come.

               And, I beseech you hear me, who professes

65

65           Myself your loyal servant, your physician,

               Your most obedient counsellor, yet that dares

               Less appear so in⁶⁷ comforting your evils,

               Than such as most seem yours. I say, I come

               From your good queen.

70

70   

LEONTES

LEONTES           Good queen?⁷⁰

PAULINA

PAULINA     Good queen, my lord, good queen. I say good queen,

               And would by⁷² combat make her good, so were I

               A man, the worst⁷³ about you.

LEONTES

LEONTES     Force her hence. To Lords

75

75   

PAULINA

PAULINA           Let him that makes but trifles⁷⁵ of his eyes

               First hand⁷⁶ me. On mine own accord I’ll off.

               But first I’ll do my errand. The good queen,

               For she is good, hath brought you forth a daughter —

               Here ’tis — commends it to your blessing. Lays down the baby

80

80   

LEONTES

LEONTES           Out!⁸⁰

               A mankind⁸¹ witch! Hence with her, out o’door.

               A most intelligencing bawd!⁸²

PAULINA

PAULINA     Not so.

               I am as ignorant⁸⁴ in that as you

85

85           In so entitling⁸⁵ me, and no less honest

               Than you are mad, which is enough, I’ll warrant,⁸⁶

               As this world goes, to pass for honest.

LEONTES

LEONTES     Traitors! To Lords

               Will you not push her out?— Give her the bastard. To Antigonus

90

90           Thou dotard,⁹⁰ thou art woman-tired, unroosted

               By thy dame Partlet⁹¹ here. Take up the bastard,

               Take’t up, I say: give’t to thy crone.⁹²

PAULINA

PAULINA     Forever To Antigonus

               Unvenerable⁹⁴ be thy hands, if thou

95

95           Tak’st up the princess by⁹⁵ that forcèd baseness

               Which he has put upon’t!

LEONTES

LEONTES     He dreads⁹⁷ his wife.

PAULINA

PAULINA     So I would you did. Then ’twere past all doubt

               You’d call your children yours.

100

100 

LEONTES

LEONTES             A nest of traitors!

ANTIGONUS

ANTIGONUS     I am none, by this good light.

PAULINA

PAULINA     Nor I, nor any

               But one that’s here, and that’s himself, for he

               The sacred honour of himself, his queen’s,

105

105         His hopeful son’s, his babe’s, betrays to slander,

               Whose sting is sharper than the sword’s; and will not —

               For, as¹⁰⁷ the case now stands, it is a curse

               He cannot be compelled to’t — once remove

               The root of his opinion, which is rotten

110

110         As ever oak or stone was sound.

LEONTES

LEONTES     A callat¹¹¹

               Of boundless tongue, who late hath beat her husband

               And now baits¹¹³ me! This brat is none of mine.

               It is the issue of Polixenes.

115

115         Hence with it, and together with the dam¹¹⁵

               Commit them to the fire!

PAULINA

PAULINA     It is yours.

               And, might we lay¹¹⁸ th’old proverb to your charge,

               So like you, ’tis the worse.¹¹⁹ Behold, my lords,

120

120         Although the print¹²⁰ be little, the whole matter

               And copy of the father: eye, nose, lip,

               The trick¹²² of’s frown, his forehead, nay, the valley,

               The pretty dimples of his chin and cheek, his smiles,

               The very mould and frame of hand, nail, finger.

125

125         And thou, good goddess Nature, which hast made it

               So like to him that got¹²⁶ it, if thou hast

               The ordering¹²⁷ of the mind too, ’mongst all colours

               No yellow¹²⁸ in’t, lest she suspect, as he does,

               Her children not her husband’s!

130

130 

LEONTES

LEONTES             A gross hag.¹³⁰

               And, lozel,¹³¹ thou art worthy to be hanged, To Antigonus

               That wilt not stay her tongue.¹³²

ANTIGONUS

ANTIGONUS     Hang all the husbands

               That cannot do that feat, you’ll leave yourself

135

135         Hardly one subject.

LEONTES

LEONTES     Once more, take her hence.

PAULINA

PAULINA     A most unworthy and unnatural lord

               Can do no more.

LEONTES

LEONTES     I’ll ha’ thee burnt.

140

140 

PAULINA

PAULINA             I care not:

               It¹⁴¹ is an heretic that makes the fire,

               Not she which burns in’t. I’ll not call you tyrant.

               But this most cruel usage of your queen —

               Not able to produce more accusation

145

145         Than your own weak-hinged fancy¹⁴⁵ — something savours

               Of tyranny and will ignoble make you,

               Yea, scandalous to the world.

LEONTES

LEONTES     On your allegiance, To Antigonus

               Out of the chamber with her! Were I a tyrant,

150

150         Where¹⁵⁰ were her life? She durst not call me so,

               If she did know me one. Away with her!

PAULINA

PAULINA     I pray you do not push me. I’ll be gone.

               Look to your babe, my lord, ’tis yours. Jove¹⁵³ send her

               A better guiding spirit! What¹⁵⁴ needs these hands?

155

155         You¹⁵⁵ that are thus so tender o’er his follies

               Will never do him good, not one of you.

               So, so. Farewell, we are gone.

       Exit

LEONTES

LEONTES     Thou, traitor, hast set on¹⁵⁸ thy wife to this. To Antigonus

               My child? Away with’t! Even thou, that hast

160

160         A heart so tender o’er it, take it hence

               And see it instantly consumed with fire.

               Even thou and none but thou. Take it up straight.¹⁶²

               Within this hour bring me word ’tis done,

               And by good testimony,¹⁶⁴ or I’ll seize thy life,

165

165         With what thou else call’st thine. If thou refuse

               And wilt encounter with my wrath, say so;

               The bastard brains with these my proper¹⁶⁷ hands

               Shall I dash out. Go, take it to the fire,

               For thou set’st on thy wife.

170

170 

ANTIGONUS

ANTIGONUS             I did not, sir.

               These lords, my noble fellows, if they please,

               Can clear me in’t.

LORDS

LORDS     We can. My royal liege,

               He is not guilty of her coming hither.

175

175 

LEONTES

LEONTES             You’re liars all.

A LORD

A LORD     Beseech your highness, give us better credit.¹⁷⁶

               We have always truly served you, and beseech’¹⁷⁷

               So to esteem of us, and on our knees we beg,

               As recompense of our dear¹⁷⁹ services

180

180         Past and to come, that you do change this purpose,

               Which being so horrible, so bloody, must

               Lead on to some foul issue.¹⁸² We all kneel.

LEONTES

LEONTES     I¹⁸³ am a feather for each wind that blows.

               Shall I live on to see this bastard kneel

185

185         And call me father? Better burn it now

               Than curse it then. But be it. Let it live.

               It shall not neither.— You, sir, come you hither. To Antigonus

               You that have been so tenderly officious

               With Lady Margery,¹⁸⁹ your midwife there,

190

190         To save this bastard’s life — for ’tis a bastard,

               So sure as this beard’s grey¹⁹¹ — what will you adventure

               To save this brat’s life?

ANTIGONUS

ANTIGONUS     Anything, my lord,

               That my ability may undergo

195

195         And nobleness impose. At least thus much:

               I’ll pawn the little blood which I have left

               To save the innocent. Anything possible.

LEONTES

LEONTES     It shall be possible. Swear by this sword Holds out sword

               Thou wilt perform my bidding.

200

200 

ANTIGONUS

ANTIGONUS             I will, my lord.

LEONTES

LEONTES     Mark and perform it, see’st thou! For the fail

               Of any point in’t shall not only be

               Death to thyself but to thy lewd-tongued²⁰³ wife,

               Whom for this time we pardon. We enjoin²⁰⁴ thee,

205

205         As thou art liege-man²⁰⁵ to us, that thou carry

               This female bastard hence and that thou bear it

               To some remote and desert²⁰⁷ place quite out

               Of our dominions; and that there thou leave it,

               Without more mercy, to it²⁰⁹ own protection

210

210         And favour of the climate. As by strange fortune²¹⁰

               It came to us, I do in justice charge thee,

               On thy soul’s peril and thy body’s torture,

               That thou commend²¹³ it strangely to some place

               Where chance may nurse²¹⁴ or end it. Take it up.

215

215 

ANTIGONUS

ANTIGONUS             I swear to do this, though a present²¹⁵ death

               Had been more merciful. Come on, poor babe. Takes up baby

               Some powerful spirit instruct the kites²¹⁷ and ravens

               To be thy nurses! Wolves and bears, they say,

               Casting their savageness aside, have done

220

220         Like²²⁰ offices of pity. Sir, be prosperous

               In more²²¹ than this deed does require; — and blessing

               Against this cruelty fight on thy²²² side,

               Poor thing, condemned to loss!

       Exit [with the baby]

LEONTES

LEONTES     No, I’ll not rear

225

225         Another’s issue.

       Enter a Servant

SERVANT

SERVANT     Please your highness, posts²²⁶

               From those you sent to th’oracle are come

               An hour since: Cleomenes and Dion,

               Being well arrived from Delphos, are both landed,

230

230         Hasting to th’court.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     So please you, sir, their speed

               Hath been beyond account.²³²

LEONTES

LEONTES     Twenty-three days

               They have been absent: ’tis good speed, foretells

235

235         The great Apollo suddenly²³⁵ will have

               The truth of this appear. Prepare you, lords.

               Summon a session,²³⁷ that we may arraign

               Our most disloyal lady, for, as she hath

               Been publicly accused, so shall she have

240

240         A just and open trial. While she lives

               My heart will be a burden to me. Leave me,

               And think upon my bidding.

       Exeunt

Act 3 Scene 13.1

running scene 5

       Enter Cleomenes and Dion

CLEOMENES

CLEOMENES     The climate’s delicate,¹ the air most sweet,

               Fertile the isle, the temple much surpassing

               The common praise it bears.

DION

DION     I shall report,

5

5             For most it caught⁵ me, the celestial habits,

               Methinks I so should term them, and the reverence

               Of the grave⁷ wearers. O, the sacrifice!

               How ceremonious, solemn and unearthly

               It was i’th’off’ring!

10

10   

CLEOMENES

CLEOMENES           But of all, the burst

               And the ear-deaf’ning voice o’th’oracle,

               Kin¹² to Jove’s thunder, so surprised my sense

               That I was nothing.

DION

DION     If th’event¹⁴ o’th’journey

15

15           Prove as successful to the queen — O, be’t so! —

               As it hath been to us rare,¹⁶ pleasant, speedy,

               The time is worth¹⁷ the use on’t.

CLEOMENES

CLEOMENES     Great Apollo

               Turn all to th’best! These proclamations,

20

20           So forcing faults upon Hermione,

               I little like.

DION

DION     The violent²² carriage of it

               Will clear or end the business: when the oracle,

               Thus by Apollo’s great divine²⁴ sealed up,

25

25           Shall the contents discover,²⁵ something rare

               Even then will rush to knowledge. Go, fresh horses!

               And gracious be the issue!

       Exeunt

Act 3 Scene 23.2

running scene 6

       Enter Leontes, Lords, Officers

LEONTES

LEONTES     This sessions, to our great grief we pronounce,

               Even pushes gainst our heart: the party tried

               The daughter of a king, our wife, and one

               Of⁴ us too much beloved. Let us be cleared

5

5             Of being tyrannous, since we so openly

               Proceed in justice, which shall have due course,

               Even⁷ to the guilt or the purgation.

               Produce the prisoner.

OFFICER

OFFICER     It is his highness’ pleasure that the queen

10

10           Appear in person here in court. Silence!

       Enter Hermione as to her trial, Paulina and Ladies attending]

LEONTES

LEONTES     Read the indictment.

OFFICER

OFFICER      Reads Hermione, queen to the worthy Leontes, King of Sicilia, thou art here accused and arraigned of high treason, in committing adultery with Polixenes, King of Bohemia, and conspiring with Camillo to take away the life of our sovereign lord the king, thy royal husband: the pretence¹⁵ whereof being by circumstances partly laid open, thou, Hermione, contrary to the faith and allegiance of a true subject, didst counsel¹⁷ and aid them, for their better safety, to fly away by night.

HERMIONE

HERMIONE     Since what I am to say must be but that

20

20           Which contradicts my accusation and

               The testimony on my part no other

               But what comes from myself, it shall scarce boot²² me

               To say ‘Not guilty’: mine²³ integrity

               Being counted falsehood, shall, as I express it,

25

25           Be so received. But thus: if powers divine

               Behold our human actions, as they do,

               I doubt not then but innocence shall make

               False accusation blush and tyranny

               Tremble at patience.²⁹ You, my lord, best know,

30

30           Whom least will seem to do so, my past life

               Hath been as continent,³¹ as chaste, as true,

               As I am now unhappy, which is more

               Than history³³ can pattern, though devised

               And played to take spectators.³⁴ For behold me

35

35           A fellow of the royal bed, which owe³⁵

               A moiety³⁶ of the throne, a great king’s daughter,

               The mother to a hopeful prince, here standing

               To prate³⁸ and talk for life and honour ’fore

               Who please to come and hear. For³⁹ life, I prize it

40

40           As I weigh grief, which I would spare: for⁴⁰ honour,

               ’Tis a derivative from me to mine,

               And only that I stand for. I appeal

               To your own conscience,⁴³ sir, before Polixenes

               Came to your court, how I was in your grace,⁴⁴

45

45           How merited⁴⁵ to be so. Since he came,

               With⁴⁶ what encounter so uncurrent I

               Have strained t’appear thus: if one jot beyond

               The bound of honour, or in act or will

               That way inclining, hardened be the hearts

50

50           Of all that hear me, and my near’st of kin

               Cry fie⁵¹ upon my grave!

LEONTES

LEONTES     I⁵² ne’er heard yet

               That any of these bolder vices wanted

               Less impudence to gainsay what they did

55

55           Than to perform it first.

HERMIONE

HERMIONE     That’s true enough.

               Though ’tis a saying, sir, not due to me.

LEONTES

LEONTES     You will not own it.

HERMIONE

HERMIONE     More⁵⁹ than mistress of

60

60           Which comes to me in name of fault, I must not

               At all acknowledge. For Polixenes,

               With whom I am accused, I do confess

               I loved him, as in honour he required,

               With such a kind of love as might become

65

65           A lady like me, with a love even such,

               So and no other, as yourself commanded:

               Which, not to have done, I think had been in me

               Both disobedience and ingratitude

               To you and toward your friend,⁶⁹ whose love had spoke,

70

70           Even since it could speak, from an infant, freely

               That it was yours. Now, for⁷¹ conspiracy,

               I know not how it tastes, though it be dished⁷²

               For me to try how: all I know of it

               Is that Camillo was an honest man.

75

75           And why he left your court, the gods themselves —

               Wotting⁷⁶ no more than I — are ignorant.

LEONTES

LEONTES     You knew of his departure, as you know

               What you have underta’en to do in’s absence.

HERMIONE

HERMIONE     Sir,

80

80           You speak a language that I understand not:

               My life stands in the level⁸¹ of your dreams,

               Which⁸² I’ll lay down.

LEONTES

LEONTES     Your actions are my dreams.

               You had a bastard by Polixenes,

85

85           And I but dreamed it. As you were past all shame —

               Those of your fact⁸⁶ are so — so past all truth,

               Which to deny concerns⁸⁷ more than avails, for as

               Thy brat hath been cast out, like to itself,⁸⁸

               No father owning it — which is indeed

90

90           More criminal in thee than it — so thou

               Shalt feel our justice, in⁹¹ whose easiest passage

               Look for no less than death.

HERMIONE

HERMIONE     Sir, spare your threats.

               The bug⁹⁴ which you would fright me with, I seek.

95

95           To me can life be no commodity;⁹⁵

               The crown and comfort of my life, your favour,

               I do give⁹⁷ lost, for I do feel it gone,

               But know not how it went. My second joy,

               And first-fruits of my body, from his presence

100

100         I am barred, like one infectious. My third comfort

               Starred most unluckily,¹⁰¹ is from my breast —

               The innocent milk in it¹⁰² most innocent mouth —

               Haled¹⁰³ out to murder. Myself on every post

               Proclaimed a strumpet,¹⁰⁴ with immodest hatred

105

105         The child-bed privilege¹⁰⁵ denied, which ’longs

               To women of all fashion.¹⁰⁶ Lastly, hurried

               Here to this place, i’th’open air, before

               I have got strength of limit.¹⁰⁸ Now, my liege,

               Tell me what blessings I have here alive,

110

110         That I should fear to die? Therefore proceed:

               But yet hear this — mistake me not. No life,

               I prize it not a straw, but for mine honour,

               Which I would free¹¹³ — if I shall be condemned

               Upon surmises, all proofs sleeping else¹¹⁴

115

115         But what your jealousies awake,¹¹⁵ I tell you

               ’Tis rigour¹¹⁶ and not law. Your honours all,

               I do refer me to the oracle:

               Apollo be my judge!

A LORD

A LORD     This your request

120

120         Is altogether just: therefore bring forth,

               And in Apollo’s name, his oracle.

       [Exeunt some Officers]

HERMIONE

HERMIONE     The Emperor of Russia was my father.

               O that he were alive, and here beholding

               His daughter’s trial! That he did but see

125

125         The flatness¹²⁵ of my misery; yet with eyes

               Of pity, not revenge!

       Enter Officers, with Cleomenes and Dion]

OFFICER

OFFICER     You here shall swear upon this sword of justice, Holds sword

               That you, Cleomenes and Dion, have

               Been both at Delphos, and from thence have brought

130

130         This sealed-up oracle, by the hand delivered

               Of great Apollo’s priest; and that since then,

               You have not dared to break the holy seal

               Nor read the secrets in’t.

CLEOMENES and DION

CLEOMENES and DION     All this we swear.

135

135 

LEONTES

LEONTES             Break up the seals and read.

OFFICER

OFFICER      Reads Hermione is chaste, Polixenes blameless, Camillo a true subject, Leontes a jealous tyrant, his innocent babe truly begotten,¹³⁷ and the king shall live without an heir, if that which is lost be not found.

LORDS

LORDS     Now blessèd be the great Apollo!

140

140 

HERMIONE

HERMIONE             Praised!

LEONTES

LEONTES     Hast thou read truth?

OFFICER

OFFICER     Ay, my lord, even so as it is here set down.

LEONTES

LEONTES     There is no truth at all i’th’oracle:

               The sessions¹⁴⁴ shall proceed: this is mere falsehood.

       Enter a Servant]

145

145 

SERVANT

SERVANT             My lord the king, the king!

LEONTES

LEONTES     What is the business?

SERVANT

SERVANT     O sir, I shall be hated to report it!

               The prince your son, with mere conceit¹⁴⁸ and fear

               Of the queen’s speed,¹⁴⁹ is gone.

150

150 

LEONTES

LEONTES             How? Gone?

SERVANT

SERVANT     Is dead.

LEONTES

LEONTES     Apollo’s angry, and the heavens themselves

               Do strike at my injustice. Hermione faints

               How now there!

PAULINA

PAULINA     This news is mortal¹⁵⁴ to the queen. Look down

155

155         And see what death is doing.

LEONTES

LEONTES     Take her hence.

               Her heart is but o’ercharged. She will recover.

               I have too much believed mine own suspicion:

               Beseech you, tenderly apply to her

160

160         Some remedies for life.

       [Exeunt Ladies, carrying Hermione]

               Apollo, pardon

               My great profaneness gainst thine oracle!

               I’ll reconcile me to Polixenes,

               New woo my queen, recall the good Camillo,

               Whom I proclaim a man of truth, of mercy.

165

165         For, being transported¹⁶⁵ by my jealousies

               To bloody thoughts and to revenge, I chose

               Camillo for the minister to poison

               My friend Polixenes, which had been done,

               But that the good mind of Camillo tardied¹⁶⁹

170

170         My swift command, though I with death and with

               Reward did threaten and encourage him,

               Not¹⁷² doing it and being done. He, most humane

               And filled with honour, to my kingly guest

               Unclasped my practice,¹⁷⁴ quit his fortunes here —

175

175         Which you knew great — and to the hazard

               Of all incertainties himself commended,¹⁷⁶

               No richer than¹⁷⁷ his honour. How he glisters

               Through my rust! And how his piety

               Does my deeds make the blacker!

180

180 

PAULINA

PAULINA             Woe the while!

               O, cut my lace,¹⁸¹ lest my heart, cracking it,

               Break too.

A LORD

A LORD     What fit is this, good lady?

PAULINA

PAULINA     What studied¹⁸⁴ torments, tyrant, hast for me?

185

185         What wheels?¹⁸⁵ Racks? Fires? What flaying? Boiling?

               In leads or oils? What old or newer torture

               Must I receive, whose every word deserves

               To taste of thy most worst? Thy tyranny,

               Together working with thy jealousies —

190

190         Fancies¹⁹⁰ too weak for boys, too green and idle

               For girls of nine — O, think what they have done

               And then run mad indeed, stark mad! For all

               Thy bygone fooleries¹⁹³ were but spices of it.

               That thou betrayed’st Polixenes, ’twas nothing:

195

195         That did but show thee, of¹⁹⁵ a fool, inconstant

               And damnable ingrateful. Nor was’t much,

               Thou wouldst have poisoned good Camillo’s honour,

               To have him kill a king. Poor trespasses.¹⁹⁸

               More monstrous standing by: whereof I reckon

200

200         The casting forth to crows thy baby-daughter

               To be or²⁰¹ none or little; though a devil

               Would have shed²⁰² water out of fire ere done’t.

               Nor is’t directly laid to thee, the death

               Of the young prince, whose honourable thoughts —

205

205         Thoughts high for one so tender²⁰⁵ — cleft the heart

               That could conceive²⁰⁶ a gross and foolish sire

               Blemished his gracious dam: this is not, no,

               Laid²⁰⁸ to thy answer. But the last — O, lords,

               When I have said,²⁰⁹ cry woe! The queen, the queen,

210

210         The sweet’st, dear’st creature’s dead, and vengeance for’t

               Not dropped down²¹¹ yet.

A LORD

A LORD     The higher powers forbid!

PAULINA

PAULINA     I say she’s dead. I’ll swear’t. If word nor oath

               Prevail not, go and see. If you can bring

215

215         Tincture or lustre²¹⁵ in her lip, her eye,

               Heat outwardly or breath within, I’ll serve you

               As I would do the gods. But, O thou tyrant,

               Do not repent these things, for they are heavier²¹⁸

               Than all thy woes can stir: therefore betake thee²¹⁹

220

220         To nothing but despair. A thousand knees

               Ten thousand years together, naked, fasting,

               Upon a barren mountain and still²²² winter

               In storm perpetual, could not move the gods

               To look²²⁴ that way thou wert.

225

225 

LEONTES

LEONTES             Go on, go on.

               Thou canst not speak too much. I have deserved

               All tongues to talk their bitt’rest.

A LORD

A LORD     Say no more.

               Howe’er²²⁹ the business goes, you have made fault To Paulina

230

230         I’th’boldness of your speech.

PAULINA

PAULINA     I am sorry for’t;

               All faults I make, when I shall come to know them,

               I do repent. Alas, I have showed too much

               The rashness of a woman. He is touched

235

235         To th’noble heart. What’s gone and what’s past help

               Should be past grief. Do not receive affliction

               At my petition;²³⁷ I beseech you, rather

               Let me be punished, that have minded²³⁸ you

               Of what you should forget. Now, good my liege,

240

240         Sir, royal sir, forgive a foolish woman.

               The love I bore your queen — lo, fool again! —

               I’ll speak of her no more, nor of your children.

               I’ll not remember²⁴³ you of my own lord,

               Who is lost too. Take your patience²⁴⁴ to you,

245

245         And I’ll say nothing.

LEONTES

LEONTES     Thou²⁴⁶ didst speak but well

               When most the truth, which I receive much better

               Than to be pitied of²⁴⁸ thee. Prithee bring me

               To the dead bodies of my queen and son.

250

250         One grave shall be for both: upon them²⁵⁰ shall

               The causes of their death appear, unto

               Our shame perpetual. Once a day I’ll visit

               The chapel where they lie, and tears shed there

               Shall be my recreation. So long as nature²⁵⁴

255

255         Will bear up with this exercise, so long

               I daily vow to use²⁵⁶ it. Come and lead me

               To these sorrows.

       Exeunt

Act 3 Scene 33.3

running scene 7

       Enter Antigonus [carrying the] babe, [and] a Mariner

ANTIGONUS

ANTIGONUS     Thou¹ art perfect then, our ship hath touched upon

               The deserts² of Bohemia?

MARINER

MARINER     Ay, my lord, and fear

               We have landed in ill time. The skies look grimly

5

5             And threaten present blusters.⁵ In my conscience,

               The heavens with that⁶ we have in hand are angry

               And frown upon’s.

ANTIGONUS

ANTIGONUS     Their sacred wills be done! Go, get aboard.

               Look to thy bark.⁹ I’ll not be long before

10

10           I call upon thee.

MARINER

MARINER     Make your best haste, and go not

               Too far i’th’land: ’tis like to be loud¹² weather.

               Besides, this place is famous for the creatures

               Of prey that keep upon’t.

15

15   

ANTIGONUS

ANTIGONUS           Go thou away. I’ll follow instantly.

MARINER

MARINER     I am glad at heart

               To be so rid o’th’business.

       Exit

ANTIGONUS

ANTIGONUS     Come, poor babe.

               I have heard, but not believed, the spirits o’th’dead

20

20           May walk again. If such thing be, thy mother

               Appeared to me last night, for ne’er was dream

               So like a waking. To me comes a creature,²²

               Sometimes her head on one side, some another.²³

               I never saw a vessel²⁴ of like sorrow,

25

25           So filled²⁵ and so becoming. In pure white robes,

               Like very sanctity,²⁶ she did approach

               My cabin where I lay, thrice bowed before me,

               And, gasping to begin some speech, her eyes

               Became two spouts; the fury²⁹ spent, anon

30

30           Did this break from her: ‘Good Antigonus,

               Since fate, against thy better disposition,

               Hath made thy person for the thrower-out

               Of my poor babe, according to thine oath,

               Places remote enough are in Bohemia.

35

35           There weep and leave it crying. And, for³⁵ the babe

               Is counted lost forever, Perdita,³⁶

               I prithee call’t. For this ungentle³⁷ business

               Put on thee by my lord, thou ne’er shalt see

               Thy wife Paulina more.’ And so, with shrieks³⁹

40

40           She melted into air. Affrighted much,

               I did in time collect myself and thought

               This was so and no slumber. Dreams are toys,⁴²

               Yet for this once, yea superstitiously,

               I will be squared⁴⁴ by this. I do believe

45

45           Hermione hath suffered death, and that

               Apollo would, this being indeed the issue

               Of King Polixenes, it should here be laid,

               Either for life or death, upon the earth

               Of its right father. Blossom, speed⁴⁹ thee well. Lays down the baby with a box and bundle

50

50           There lie, and there thy character:⁵⁰ there these,

               Which may, if fortune please, both breed⁵¹ thee, pretty,

               And still rest thine. The storm begins. Poor wretch, Thunder

               That for thy mother’s fault⁵³ art thus exposed

               To loss and what may follow! Weep I cannot,

55

55           But my heart bleeds. And most accursed am I

               To be by oath enjoined⁵⁶ to this. Farewell!

               The day frowns more and more: thou’rt like to have

               A lullaby too rough. I never saw

               The heavens so dim by day. A savage clamour!⁵⁹

60

60           Well may I get aboard. This is the chase!⁶⁰

               I am gone forever.

       Exit, pursued by a bear

       Enter a Shepherd]

SHEPHERD

SHEPHERD     I would there were no age between ten and three-and-twenty, or that youth would sleep out the rest, for there is nothing in the between but getting wenches with child, wronging the ancientry,⁶⁴ stealing, fighting — Hark you now! Would any but these boiled-brains⁶⁵ of nineteen and two-and-twenty hunt this weather? They have scared away two of my best sheep, which I fear the wolf will sooner find than the master. If anywhere I have them, ’tis by the seaside, browsing of⁶⁸ ivy. Good luck, an’t be thy will. Sees the baby What have we here? Mercy on’s, a bairn?⁶⁹ A very pretty bairn! A boy or a child, I wonder? A pretty one, a very pretty one. Sure, some scape.⁷⁰ Though I am not bookish, yet I can read waiting-gentlewoman in the scape. This has been some stair-work,⁷¹ some trunk-work, some behind-door-work: they were warmer⁷² that got this than the poor thing is here. I’ll take it up for pity — yet I’ll tarry⁷³ till my son come. He hallooed but even now. Whoa, ho, hoa!

       Enter Clown

CLOWN

CLOWN     Hilloa, loa!

SHEPHERD

SHEPHERD     What? Art so near? If thou’lt see a thing to talk on⁷⁶ when thou art dead and rotten, come hither. What ailest⁷⁷ thou, man?

CLOWN

CLOWN     I have seen two such sights, by sea and by land! But I am not to say it is a sea, for it is now the sky: betwixt the firmament⁷⁹ and it you cannot thrust a bodkin’s⁸⁰ point.

SHEPHERD

SHEPHERD     Why, boy, how is it?

CLOWN

CLOWN     I would you did but see how it chafes,⁸² how it rages, how it takes up the shore! But that’s not to the point. O, the most piteous cry of the poor souls! Sometimes to see ’em, and not to see ’em. Now the ship boring⁸⁴ the moon with her main-mast, and anon⁸⁵ swallowed with yeast and froth, as you’d thrust a cork into a hogshead.⁸⁶ And then for the land-service, to see how the bear tore out his shoulder-bone. How he cried to me for help and said his name was Antigonus, a nobleman. But to make⁸⁸ an end of the ship, to see how the sea flap-dragoned it. But first, how the poor souls roared, and the sea mocked them. And how the poor gentleman roared and the bear mocked him, both roaring louder than the sea or weather.

SHEPHERD

SHEPHERD     Name of mercy, when was this, boy?

CLOWN

CLOWN     Now, now. I have not winked⁹³ since I saw these sights. The men are not yet cold under water, nor the bear half dined on the gentleman. He’s at it now.

SHEPHERD

SHEPHERD     Would I had been by,⁹⁵ to have helped the old man!

CLOWN

CLOWN     I would you had been by the ship side, to have helped her; there your⁹⁶ charity would have lacked footing.

SHEPHERD

SHEPHERD     Heavy⁹⁸ matters, heavy matters! But look thee here, boy. Now bless thyself. Thou met’st⁹⁹ with things dying, I with things newborn. Here’s a sight for thee: look thee, a bearing-cloth¹⁰⁰ for a squire’s child. Look thee here. Take up, take up, boy. Open’t. So, let’s see — it was told me I should be rich by the fairies — this is some changeling.¹⁰² Open’t. What’s within, boy?

CLOWN

CLOWN     You’re¹⁰³ a made old man. Opens the box If the sins of your youth are forgiven you, you’re well to live. Gold, all gold!

SHEPHERD

SHEPHERD     This is fairy gold,¹⁰⁵ boy, and ’twill prove so. Up with’t, keep it close. Home, home, the next¹⁰⁶ way. We are lucky, boy, and to be so still requires nothing but secrecy. Let my sheep go. Come, good boy, the next way home.

CLOWN

CLOWN     Go you the next way with your findings. I’ll go see if the bear be gone from the gentleman and how much he hath eaten. They are never curst¹⁰⁹ but when they are hungry. If there be any of him left, I’ll bury it.

SHEPHERD

SHEPHERD     That’s a good deed. If thou mayst discern by that which is left of him what¹¹¹ he is, fetch me to th’sight of him.

CLOWN

CLOWN     Marry,¹¹³ will I. And you shall help to put him i’th’ground.

SHEPHERD

SHEPHERD     ’Tis a lucky day, boy, and we’ll do good deeds on’t.

       Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 14.1

running scene 8

       Enter Time, the Chorus

TIME

TIME     I, that please some, try¹ all, both joy and terror

               Of good and bad, that makes and unfolds² error,

               Now take upon me, in the name of Time,

               To use my wings.⁴ Impute it not a crime

5

5             To me or my swift passage, that I slide

               O’er sixteen years and leave the growth untried⁶

               Of that wide gap, since it is in my power

               To o’erthrow law and in one self-born⁸ hour

               To plant and o’erwhelm⁹ custom. Let me pass

10

10           The same I am, ere¹⁰ ancient’st order was

               Or what is now received. I witness¹¹ to

               The times that brought them¹² in, so shall I do

               To th’freshest things now reigning and make stale¹³

               The glistering of this present, as my tale

15

15           Now seems to it.¹⁵ Your patience this allowing,

               I turn my glass¹⁶ and give my scene such growing

               As¹⁷ you had slept between. Leontes leaving —

               Th’effects of his fond jealousies so grieving

               That he shuts up himself — imagine me,

20

20           Gentle²⁰ spectators, that I now may be

               In fair Bohemia, and remember well,

               I mentioned a son o’th’king’s,²² which Florizel

               I now name to you, and with speed so pace²³

               To speak of Perdita, now grown in grace

25

25           Equal with wond’ring.²⁵ What of her ensues

               I list not prophesy,²⁶ but let Time’s news

               Be known when ’tis brought forth. A shepherd’s daughter

               And what to her adheres,²⁸ which follows after,

               Is th’argument²⁹ of Time. Of this allow,

30

30           If ever you have spent time worse ere now.

               If never, yet³¹ that Time himself doth say

               He wishes earnestly you never may.

       Exit

Act 4 Scene 24.2

running scene 9

       Enter Polixenes and Camillo

POLIXENES

POLIXENES     I pray thee, good Camillo, be no more importunate:¹ ’tis a sickness denying thee anything, a death to grant this.

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     It is fifteen³ years since I saw my country. Though I have for the most part been aired⁴ abroad, I desire to lay my bones there. Besides, the penitent king, my master, hath sent for me, to whose feeling⁵ sorrows I might be some allay, or I o’erween⁶ to think so, which is another spur to my departure.

POLIXENES

POLIXENES     As thou lovest me, Camillo, wipe not out the rest of thy services by leaving me now: the need I have of thee thine own goodness hath made: better not to have had thee than thus to want⁹ thee. Thou, having made me businesses which none without thee can sufficiently manage, must either stay to execute them thyself or take away with thee the very services thou hast done, which if I have not enough considered,¹² as too much I cannot, to be more thankful to thee shall be my study, and my profit therein the heaping friendships.¹³ Of that fatal country, Sicilia, prithee speak no more, whose very naming punishes me with the remembrance of that penitent, as thou call’st him, and reconciled¹⁵ king, my brother, whose loss of his most precious queen and children are even now to be afresh lamented. Say to me, when sawest thou the Prince Florizel, my son? Kings are no less unhappy,¹⁸ their issue not being gracious, than they are in losing them when they have approved¹⁹ their virtues.

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     Sir, it is three days since I saw the prince. What his happier affairs may be, are to me unknown. But I have missingly noted,²¹ he is of late much retired from court and is less frequent to his princely exercises²² than formerly he hath appeared.

POLIXENES

POLIXENES     I have considered so much, Camillo, and with some care — so far that I have eyes²⁵ under my service which look upon his removedness, from whom I have this intelligence, that he is seldom from the house of a most homely shepherd: a man, they say, that from very nothing, and beyond the imagination of his neighbours, is grown into an unspeakable estate.²⁸

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     I have heard, sir, of such a man, who hath a daughter of most rare note.²⁹ The report of her is extended more than can be thought to begin³⁰ from such a cottage.

POLIXENES

POLIXENES     That’s likewise part of my intelligence: but, I fear, the angle³¹ that plucks our son thither. Thou shalt accompany us to the place where we will, not appearing what we are, have some question³³ with the shepherd, from whose simplicity I think it not uneasy³⁴ to get the cause of my son’s resort thither. Prithee be my present³⁵ partner in this business, and lay aside the thoughts of Sicilia.

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     I willingly obey your command.

POLIXENES

POLIXENES     My best Camillo, we must disguise ourselves.

       Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 34.3

running scene 10

       Enter Autolycus singing

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     When daffodils begin to peer,¹

                                    With hey, the doxy² over the dale,

                                    Why then comes in the sweet o’³ the year,

                                    For the red blood reigns in the winter’s pale.⁴

5

5                                  The white sheet⁵ bleaching on the hedge,

                                    With hey, the sweet birds, O, how they sing!

                                    Doth set⁷ my pugging tooth an edge.

                                    For a quart of ale is a dish for a king.

                                    The lark, that tirra-lirra chants,

10

10                                With hey, the thrush and the jay,

                                    Are summer songs for me and my aunts,¹¹

                                    While we lie tumbling¹² in the hay.

               I have served Prince Florizel and in my time wore three-pile,¹³ but now I am out of service.

15

15                                But shall I go mourn for that, my dear?

                                    The pale moon shines by night,

                                    And when I wander here and there,

                                    I then do most go right.

                                    If tinkers¹⁹ may have leave to live,

20

20                                And bear the sow-skin budget,²⁰

                                    Then my account I well may give,

                                    And in²² the stocks avouch it.

               My traffic²³ is sheets. When the kite builds, look to lesser linen. My father named me Autolycus, who being, as I am, littered under²⁴ Mercury, was likewise a snapper-up of unconsidered²⁵ trifles. With die and drab I purchased this caparison, and my revenue is the silly cheat.²⁶ Gallows and knock are too powerful on the highway. Beating and hanging are terrors to me. For²⁷ the life to come, I sleep out the thought of it. He sees the Clown approaching A prize, a prize!

       Enter Clown

CLOWN

CLOWN     Let me see, every ’leven wether tods,²⁹ every tod yields pound and odd shilling. Fifteen hundred shorn, what comes the wool to?

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     If the springe³¹ hold, the cock’s mine. Aside

CLOWN

CLOWN     I cannot do’t without counters.³² Let me see, what am I to buy for our sheep-shearing feast? Three pound of sugar, five pound of currants, rice — what will this sister of mine do with rice? But my father hath made her mistress of the feast, and she lays it on.³⁵ She hath made me four-and-twenty nosegays for the shearers — three-man-song-men³⁶ all, and very good ones — but they are most of them means³⁷ and basses; but one puritan amongst them, and he sings psalms to hornpipes.³⁸ I must have saffron to colour the warden pies. Mace, dates? — none, that’s out of my note.³⁹ Nutmegs, seven; a race or two of ginger, but that I may beg. Four pound of prunes, and as many of raisins o’th’sun.⁴⁰

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     O, that ever I was born! Grovels on the ground

CLOWN

CLOWN     I’th’name of me.⁴²

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     O, help me, help me! Pluck but off these rags, and then, death, death!

CLOWN

CLOWN     Alack, poor soul, thou hast need of more rags to lay on thee, rather than have these off.

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     O, sir, the loathsomeness of them offends me more than the stripes⁴⁶ I have received, which are mighty ones and millions.

CLOWN

CLOWN     Alas, poor man, a million of beating may come to a great matter.⁴⁸

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     I am robbed, sir, and beaten. My money and apparel ta’en from me, and these detestable things put upon me.

CLOWN

CLOWN     What, by a horseman,⁵¹ or a footman?

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     A footman, sweet sir, a footman.

CLOWN

CLOWN     Indeed, he should be a footman by the garments he has left with thee. If this be a horseman’s coat, it hath seen very hot service.⁵⁴ Lend me thy hand, I’ll help thee. Come, lend me thy hand. Helps him to his feet

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     O, good sir, tenderly, O!

CLOWN

CLOWN     Alas, poor soul!

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     O, good sir, softly, good sir! I fear, sir, my shoulder-blade is out.⁵⁸

CLOWN

CLOWN     How now? Canst stand?

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     Softly, dear sir. Good sir, softly. You ha’ done me a charitable office. Picks his pocket

CLOWN

CLOWN     Dost lack any money? I have a little money for thee.

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     No, good sweet sir. No, I beseech you, sir. I have a kinsman not past three quarters of a mile hence, unto whom I was going. I shall there have money, or anything I want. Offer me no money, I pray you. That kills my heart.

CLOWN

CLOWN     What manner of fellow was he that robbed you?

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     A fellow, sir, that I have known to go about with troll-my-dames.⁶⁶ I knew him once a servant of the prince. I cannot tell, good sir, for which of his virtues it was, but he was certainly whipped out of the court.

CLOWN

CLOWN     His vices, you would say. There’s no virtue whipped out of the court. They cherish it to make it stay there; and yet it will no more but abide.⁷⁰

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     Vices, I would say, sir. I know this man well. He hath been since an ape-bearer,⁷¹ then a process-server,⁷² a bailiff, then he compassed a motion of the prodigal son, and married a tinker’s wife within a mile where my land and living⁷³ lies, and, having flown over⁷⁴ many knavish professions, he settled only in rogue. Some call him Autolycus.

CLOWN

CLOWN     Out upon him! Prig,⁷⁶ for my life, prig. He haunts wakes, fairs and bearbaitings.

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     Very true, sir. He, sir, he. That’s the rogue that put me into this apparel.

CLOWN

CLOWN     Not a more cowardly rogue in all Bohemia; if you had but looked big and spit at him, he’d have run.

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     I must confess to you, sir, I am no fighter. I am false of heart⁸¹ that way, and that he knew, I warrant him.

CLOWN

CLOWN     How do you now?

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     Sweet sir, much better than I was. I can stand and walk. I will even take my leave of you, and pace softly⁸⁵ towards my kinsman’s.

CLOWN

CLOWN     Shall I bring thee on the way?

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     No, good-faced⁸⁷ sir. No, sweet sir.

CLOWN

CLOWN     Then fare thee well. I must go buy spices for our sheep-shearing. Exit

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     Prosper you, sweet sir! Your purse is not hot⁸⁹ enough to purchase your spice. I’ll be with you at your sheep-shearing too. If I make not this cheat⁹⁰ bring out another and the shearers prove sheep,⁹¹ let me be unrolled and my name put in the book of virtue!

                                    [Sings] song Jog on, jog on, the footpath way,

                                    And merrily hent⁹⁴ the stile-a:

95

95                                A merry heart goes all the day,

                                    Your sad tires in a mile-a.

       Exit

Act 4 Scene 4

running scene 11

       Enter Florizel [wearing shepherd’s clothing, and] Perdita

FLORIZEL

FLORIZEL     These your unusual weeds¹ to each part of you

               Does give a life: no shepherdess, but Flora²

               Peering³ in April’s front. This your sheep-shearing

               Is as a meeting of the petty⁴ gods,

5

5             And you the queen on’t.

PERDITA

PERDITA     Sir, my gracious lord,

               To chide⁷ at your extremes it not becomes me —

               O, pardon, that I name them! Your high self,

               The gracious mark o’th’land,⁹ you have obscured

10

10           With a swain’s wearing,¹⁰ and me, poor lowly maid,

               Most goddess-like pranked up.¹¹ But that our feasts

               In every mess¹² have folly and the feeders

               Digest¹³ it with a custom, I should blush

               To see you so attired, swoon, I think,

15

15           To show¹⁵ myself a glass.

FLORIZEL

FLORIZEL     I bless the time

               When my good falcon made her flight across

               Thy father’s ground.

PERDITA

PERDITA     Now Jove afford you cause!

20

20           To me the difference²⁰ forges dread. Your greatness

               Hath not been used to fear. Even now I tremble

               To think your father, by some accident,²²

               Should pass this way as you did. O, the Fates!

               How would he look, to see his work so noble

25

25           Vilely bound up?²⁵ What would he say? Or how

               Should I, in these my borrowed flaunts,²⁶ behold

               The sternness²⁷ of his presence?

FLORIZEL

FLORIZEL     Apprehend²⁸

               Nothing but jollity. The gods themselves,

30

30           Humbling their deities to love, have taken

               The shapes of beasts upon them: Jupiter³¹

               Became a bull, and bellowed: the green Neptune³²

               A ram, and bleated: and the fire-robed god,

               Golden Apollo,³⁴ a poor humble swain,

35

35           As I seem now. Their transformations

               Were never for a piece of beauty rarer,

               Nor in a way³⁷ so chaste, since my desires

               Run not before³⁸ mine honour, nor my lusts

               Burn hotter than my faith.

40

40   

PERDITA

PERDITA           O, but, sir,

               Your resolution cannot hold, when ’tis

               Opposed, as it must be, by th’power of the king.

               One of these two must be necessities,

               Which then will speak, that you must change this purpose,

45

45           Or I my life.⁴⁵

FLORIZEL

FLORIZEL     Thou dearest Perdita,

               With these forced⁴⁷ thoughts, I prithee darken not

               The mirth o’th’feast. Or⁴⁸ I’ll be thine, my fair,

               Or not my father’s. For I cannot be

50

50           Mine own, nor anything to any, if

               I be not thine. To this I am most constant,

               Though⁵² destiny say no. Be merry, gentle.

               Strangle such thoughts as these with⁵³ anything

               That you behold the while. Your guests are coming:

55

55           Lift up your countenance, as⁵⁵ it were the day

               Of celebration of that nuptial which

               We two have sworn shall come.

PERDITA

PERDITA     O lady Fortune,

               Stand you⁵⁹ auspicious!

60

60   

FLORIZEL

FLORIZEL           See, your guests approach.

               Address⁶¹ yourself to entertain them sprightly,

               And let’s be red with mirth.

       [Enter Shepherd, Clown, Mopsa, Dorcas and others, with Polixenes and Camillo disguised]

SHEPHERD

SHEPHERD     Fie, daughter! When my old wife lived, upon

               This day she was both pantler,⁶⁴ butler, cook,

65

65           Both dame⁶⁵ and servant, welcomed all, served all,

               Would sing her song and dance her turn: now here,

               At upper end o’th’table, now i’th’middle,

               On his⁶⁸ shoulder, and his, her face o’fire

               With labour and the thing she took to quench it,

70

70           She would to⁷⁰ each one sip. You are retired,

               As if you were a feasted one and not

               The hostess of the meeting. Pray you bid

               These unknown friends to’s welcome, for it is

               A way to make us better friends, more known.

75

75           Come, quench your blushes and present yourself

               That which you are, mistress o’th’feast. Come on,

               And bid us welcome to your sheep-shearing,

               As your good flock shall prosper.

PERDITA

PERDITA     Sir, welcome. To Polixenes

80

80           It is my father’s will I should take on me

               The hostess-ship o’th’day.— You’re welcome, sir.— To Camillo

               Give me those flowers there, Dorcas.— Reverend sirs,

               For you there’s rosemary⁸³ and rue. These keep Gives flowers

               Seeming and savour⁸⁴ all the winter long.

85

85           Grace and remembrance be to you both,

               And welcome to our shearing!

POLIXENES

POLIXENES     Shepherdess,

               A fair one are you — well you fit⁸⁸ our ages

               With flowers of winter.

90

90   

PERDITA

PERDITA           Sir, the year⁹⁰ growing ancient,

               Not yet on summer’s death, nor on the birth

               Of trembling winter, the fairest flowers o’th’season

               Are our carnations and streaked gillyvors,⁹³

               Which some call nature’s bastards.⁹⁴ Of that kind

95

95           Our rustic garden’s barren, and I care not

               To get slips⁹⁶ of them.

POLIXENES

POLIXENES     Wherefore,⁹⁷ gentle maiden,

               Do you neglect⁹⁸ them?

PERDITA

PERDITA     For⁹⁹ I have heard it said

100

100         There is an¹⁰⁰ art which in their piedness shares

               With great creating nature.

POLIXENES

POLIXENES     Say there be.

               Yet nature is made better by no mean¹⁰³

               But nature makes that mean, so over¹⁰⁴ that art,

105

105         Which you say adds to nature, is an art

               That nature makes. You see, sweet maid, we marry

               A gentler scion¹⁰⁷ to the wildest stock,

               And make conceive a bark of baser kind

               By bud of nobler race.¹⁰⁹ This is an art

110

110         Which does mend¹¹⁰ nature, change it rather, but

               The art itself is nature.

PERDITA

PERDITA     So it is.

POLIXENES

POLIXENES     Then make your garden rich in gillyvors,

               And do not call them bastards.

115

115 

PERDITA

PERDITA             I’ll not put

               The dibble¹¹⁶ in earth to set one slip of them.

               No more than were I painted¹¹⁷ I would wish

               This youth should say ’twere well and only therefore

               Desire to breed by me. Here’s flowers for you: Gives flowers

120

120         Hot¹²⁰ lavender, mints, savory, marjoram,

               The marigold, that goes¹²¹ to bed wi’th’sun

               And with him rises weeping. These are flowers

               Of middle summer, and I think they are given

               To men of middle age. You’re very welcome.

125

125 

CAMILLO

CAMILLO             I should leave grazing, were I of your flock,

               And only live by gazing.

PERDITA

PERDITA     Out, alas!¹²⁷

               You’d be so lean that blasts of January

               Would blow you through and through.—

130

130         Now, my fair’st friend, To Fiorizel

               I would I had some flowers o’th’spring that might

               Become your time of day,— and yours, and yours, To Shepherdesses

               That wear upon your virgin branches yet

               Your maidenheads¹³⁴ growing.— O Proserpina,

135

135         For the flowers now that, frighted, thou let’st fall

               From Dis’s wagon! Daffodils,

               That come before the swallow dares,¹³⁷ and take

               The winds of March with beauty: violets, dim,¹³⁸

               But sweeter than the lids of Juno’s¹³⁹ eyes

140

140         Or Cytherea’s¹⁴⁰ breath: pale primroses

               That die unmarried, ere they can behold

               Bright Phoebus¹⁴² in his strength — a malady

               Most incident to maids: bold oxlips and

               The crown imperial:¹⁴⁴ lilies of all kinds,

145

145         The flower-de-luce¹⁴⁵ being one. O, these I lack,

               To make you garlands of, and my sweet friend,

               To strew him o’er and o’er!

FLORIZEL

FLORIZEL     What, like a corpse?

PERDITA

PERDITA     No, like a bank for love to lie and play on.

150

150         Not like a corpse. Or if,¹⁵⁰ not to be buried,

               But quick¹⁵¹ and in mine arms. Come, take your flowers.

               Methinks I play as I have seen them do

               In Whitsun pastorals.¹⁵³ Sure this robe of mine

               Does change my disposition.

155

155 

FLORIZEL

FLORIZEL             What you do

               Still¹⁵⁶ betters what is done. When you speak, sweet,

               I’d have you do it ever: when you sing,

               I’d have you buy and sell so, so give alms,¹⁵⁸

               Pray so, and, for the ord’ring¹⁵⁹ your affairs,

160

160         To sing them too. When you do dance, I wish you

               A wave o’th’sea, that you might ever do

               Nothing but that. Move still,¹⁶² still so,

               And own¹⁶³ no other function. Each your doing,

               So singular¹⁶⁴ in each particular,

165

165         Crowns what¹⁶⁵ you are doing in the present deeds,

               That all your acts are queens.

PERDITA

PERDITA     O Doricles,¹⁶⁷

               Your praises are too large. But that your youth,

               And the true¹⁶⁹ blood which peeps fairly through’t,

170

170         Do plainly give you out¹⁷⁰ an unstained shepherd,

               With wisdom I might fear, my Doricles,

               You wooed me the false way.¹⁷²

FLORIZEL

FLORIZEL     I think you have

               As little skill¹⁷⁴ to fear as I have purpose

175

175         To put you to’t. But come, our dance, I pray.

               Your hand, my Perdita. So turtles¹⁷⁶ pair,

               That never mean to part.

PERDITA

PERDITA     I’ll swear for ’em. They stand aside

POLIXENES

POLIXENES     This is the prettiest low-born lass that ever To Camillo

180

180         Ran on the greensward.¹⁸⁰ Nothing she does or seems

               But smacks of something greater than herself,

               Too noble for this place.

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     He tells her something

               That makes her blood look out.¹⁸⁴ Good sooth, she is

185

185         The queen of curds and cream.¹⁸⁵

CLOWN

CLOWN     Come on, strike up!

DORCAS

DORCAS     Mopsa must be your mistress.¹⁸⁷ Marry, garlic,

               To mend¹⁸⁸ her kissing with!

MOPSA

MOPSA     Now, in good time!¹⁸⁹

190

190 

CLOWN

CLOWN             Not a word, a word. We stand upon¹⁹⁰ our manners.

               Come, strike up! Music

       Here a dance of Shepherds and Shepherdesses

POLIXENES

POLIXENES     Pray, good shepherd, what fair swain is this

               Which dances with your daughter?

SHEPHERD

SHEPHERD     They call him Doricles, and boasts¹⁹⁴ himself

195

195         To have a worthy feeding;¹⁹⁵ but I have it

               Upon his own report and I believe it.

               He looks like sooth.¹⁹⁷ He says he loves my daughter.

               I think so too, for never gazed the moon

               Upon the water as he’ll stand and read,

200

200         As ’twere, my daughter’s eyes. And to be plain,

               I think there is not half a kiss to choose

               Who loves another best.

POLIXENES

POLIXENES     She dances featly.²⁰³

SHEPHERD

SHEPHERD     So she does anything, though I report it,

205

205         That should be silent. If young Doricles

               Do light upon²⁰⁶ her, she shall bring him that

               Which he not dreams of.

       Enter Servant

SERVANT

SERVANT     O, master, if you did but hear the pedlar at the door, you would never dance again after a tabor²⁰⁹ and pipe. No, the bagpipe could not move you. He sings several tunes faster than you’ll tell²¹⁰ money. He utters them as he had eaten ballads and all men’s ears grew²¹¹ to his tunes.

CLOWN

CLOWN     He could never come better.²¹² He shall come in. I love a ballad but even too well, if it be doleful matter merrily set down, or a very pleasant thing indeed and sung lamentably.

SERVANT

SERVANT     He hath songs for man or woman, of all sizes. No milliner²¹⁵ can so fit his customers with gloves. He has the prettiest love-songs for maids, so without bawdry,²¹⁷ which is strange, with such delicate burdens of dildos and fadings, ‘jump her and thump her’. And where some stretch-mouthed²¹⁸ rascal would, as it were, mean mischief and break²¹⁹ a foul gap into the matter, he makes the maid to answer ‘Whoop,²²⁰ do me no harm, good man’, puts him off, slights him, with ‘Whoop, do me no harm, good man’.

POLIXENES

POLIXENES     This is a brave²²² fellow.

CLOWN

CLOWN     Believe me, thou talkest of an admirable conceited²²³ fellow. Has he any unbraided²²⁴ wares?

SERVANT

SERVANT     He hath ribbons of all the colours i’th’rainbow; points²²⁵ more than all the lawyers in Bohemia can learnedly handle, though they come to him by th’gross:²²⁶ inkles,²²⁷ caddisses, cambrics, lawns. Why, he sings ’em over as they were gods or goddesses. You would think a smock²²⁸ were a she-angel, he so chants to the sleeve-hand²²⁹ and the work about the square on’t.

CLOWN

CLOWN     Prithee bring him in, and let him approach singing.

PERDITA

PERDITA     Forewarn him that he use no scurrilous words in’s tunes. Servant goes to door

CLOWN

CLOWN     You have²³² of these pedlars, that have more in them than you’d think, sister.

PERDITA

PERDITA     Ay, good brother, or go about²³³ to think.

       Enter Autolycus, singing He wears a false beard and carries a pack

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     Lawn as white as driven snow,

       Song

                                    Cypress²³⁵ black as e’er was crow,

                                    Gloves as sweet²³⁶ as damask roses,

                                    Masks²³⁷ for faces and for noses,

                                    Bugle²³⁸ bracelet, necklace amber,

                                    Perfume for a lady’s chamber,

240

                                    Golden quoifs²⁴⁰ and stomachers,

                                    For my lads to give their dears,

                                    Pins and poking-sticks²⁴² of steel,

                                    What maids lack from head to heel.

                                    Come buy of me, come. Come buy, come buy.

245

                                    Buy lads, or else your lasses cry. Come buy!

CLOWN

CLOWN     If I were not in love with Mopsa, thou shouldst take no money of me, but being enthralled²⁴⁷ as I am, it will also be the bondage of certain ribbons and gloves.

MOPSA

MOPSA     I was promised them against²⁴⁸ the feast, but they come not too late now.

DORCAS

DORCAS     He hath promised you more than that,²⁴⁹ or there be liars.

MOPSA

MOPSA     He hath paid you²⁵⁰ all he promised you. Maybe he has paid you more, which will shame you to give him again.

CLOWN

CLOWN     Is there no manners left among maids? Will they wear their plackets²⁵² where they should bear their faces? Is there not milking-time, when you are going to bed, or kiln-hole,²⁵⁴ to whistle of these secrets, but you must be tittle-tattling before all our guests? ’Tis well they are whisp’ring. Clamour²⁵⁵ your tongues, and not a word more.

MOPSA

MOPSA     I have done. Come, you promised me a tawdry-lace²⁵⁷ and a pair of sweet gloves.

CLOWN

CLOWN     Have I not told thee how I was cozened²⁵⁹ by the way and lost all my money?

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     And indeed, sir, there are cozeners abroad:²⁶⁰ therefore it behoves men to be wary.

CLOWN

CLOWN     Fear not thou, man, thou shalt lose nothing here.

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     I hope so, sir, for I have about me many parcels of charge.²⁶³

CLOWN

CLOWN     What hast here? Ballads?

MOPSA

MOPSA     Pray now, buy some. I love a ballad in print alife,²⁶⁵ for then we are sure they are true.

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     Here’s one to a very doleful tune, how a usurer’s²⁶⁷ wife was brought to bed of twenty money-bags at a burden²⁶⁸ and how she longed to eat adders’ heads and toads carbonadoed.²⁶⁹

MOPSA

MOPSA     Is it true, think you?

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     Very true, and but a month old.

DORCAS

DORCAS     Bless me from marrying a usurer!

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     Here’s the midwife’s name to’t, one Mistress Tale-porter,²⁷³ and five or six honest wives that were present. Why should I carry lies abroad?

MOPSA

MOPSA     Pray you now, buy it.

CLOWN

CLOWN     Come on, lay it by,²⁷⁶ and let’s first see more ballads. We’ll buy the other things anon.

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     Here’s another ballad of a fish that appeared upon the coast on Wednesday the fourscore²⁷⁹ of April, forty thousand fathom above water, and sung this ballad against the hard hearts of maids. It was thought she was a woman and was turned into a cold fish for she would not exchange flesh²⁸¹ with one that loved her. The ballad is very pitiful and as true.

DORCAS

DORCAS     Is it true too, think you?

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     Five justices’²⁸⁴ hands at it, and witnesses more than my pack will hold.

CLOWN

CLOWN     Lay it by too; another.

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     This is a merry ballad, but a very pretty one.

MOPSA

MOPSA     Let’s have some merry ones.

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     Why, this is a passing²⁸⁸ merry one and goes to the tune of ‘Two maids wooing a man’. There’s scarce a maid westward but she sings it. ’Tis in request,²⁸⁹ I can tell you.

MOPSA

MOPSA     We can both sing it. If thou’lt bear a part,²⁹¹ thou shalt hear. ’Tis in three parts.

DORCAS

DORCAS     We had the tune on’t²⁹³ a month ago.

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     I can bear my part. You must know ’tis my occupation. Have²⁹⁴ at it with you.

       [They sing the] song

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     Get you hence, for I must go

                                    Where it fits not you to know.

DORCAS

DORCAS     Whither?

MOPSA

MOPSA     O, whither?

DORCAS

DORCAS     Whither?

MOPSA

MOPSA     It becomes thy oath full well,

                                    Thou to me thy secrets tell.

DORCAS

DORCAS     Me too, let me go thither.

MOPSA

MOPSA     Or³⁰⁴ thou goest to th’grange or mill.

DORCAS

DORCAS     If to either, thou dost ill.³⁰⁵

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     Neither.

DORCAS

DORCAS     What, neither?

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     Neither.

DORCAS

DORCAS     Thou hast sworn my love to be.

MOPSA

MOPSA     Thou hast sworn it more to me.

                                    Then whither goest? Say, whither?

CLOWN

CLOWN     We’ll have³¹² this song out anon by ourselves. My father and the gentlemen are in sad³¹³ talk, and we’ll not trouble them. Come, bring away thy pack after me. Wenches, I’ll buy for you both. Pedlar, let’s have the first choice. Follow me, girls.

       [Exit with Dorcas and Mopsa]

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     And you shall pay well for ’em.

       Song

                                    Will you buy any tape, Follows them, singing

                                    Or lace for your cape,

                                    My dainty duck, my dear-a?

320

320 

                                    Any silk, any thread,

                                    Any toys³²¹ for your head,

                                    Of the new’st and finest, finest wear-a?

                                    Come to the pedlar.

                                    Money’s a meddler.

325

325 

                                    That doth utter³²⁵ all men’s ware-a.

       Exit

       [Enter Servant]

SERVANT

SERVANT     Master, there is three carters,³²⁶ three shepherds, three neat-herds, three swine-herds, that have made³²⁷ themselves all men of hair. They call themselves Saltiers,³²⁸ and they have a dance which the wenches say is a gallimaufry of gambols, because they are not in’t. But they themselves are o’th’mind, if it be not too rough for some that know little but bowling,³³⁰ it will please plentifully.

SHEPHERD

SHEPHERD     Away! We’ll none on’t; here has been too much homely³³¹ foolery already. I know, sir, we weary you.

POLIXENES

POLIXENES     You weary those that refresh us. Pray let’s see these four threes³³³ of herdsmen.

SERVANT

SERVANT     One three of them, by their own report, sir, hath danced before the king, and not the worst of the three but jumps twelve foot and a half by th’square.³³⁶

SHEPHERD

SHEPHERD     Leave your prating.³³⁷ Since these good men are pleased, let them come in. But quickly now.

SERVANT

SERVANT     Why, they stay³³⁹ at door, sir. Goes to the door

       Here a dance of twelve Satyrs

340

340 

POLIXENES

POLIXENES             O, father,³⁴⁰ you’ll know more of that hereafter.— To Shepherd

               Is it not too far gone? ’Tis time to part them. To Camillo

               He’s simple³⁴² and tells much.—

                                    How now, fair shepherd! To Fiorizel

               Your heart is full of something that does take

               Your mind from feasting. Sooth, when I was young

345

345         And handed³⁴⁵ love as you do, I was wont

               To load my she with knacks.³⁴⁶ I would have ransacked

               The pedlar’s silken treasury and have poured it

               To her acceptance. You have let him go

               And nothing marted³⁴⁹ with him. If your lass

350

350         Interpretation should abuse³⁵⁰ and call this

               Your lack of love or bounty,³⁵¹ you were straited

               For a reply, at least if you make³⁵² a care

               Of happy holding her.

FLORIZEL

FLORIZEL     Old sir, I know

355

355         She prizes not such trifles as these are.

               The gifts she looks³⁵⁶ from me are packed and locked

               Up in my heart, which I have given already,

               But not delivered.³⁵⁸ O, hear me breathe my life

               Before this ancient sir, whom, it should seem,

360

360         Hath sometime³⁶⁰ loved.— I take thy hand, this hand, To Perdita

               As soft as dove’s down and as white as it,

               Or Ethiopian’s tooth, or the fanned snow that’s bolted³⁶²

               By th’northern blasts³⁶³ twice o’er. Takes her hand

POLIXENES

POLIXENES     What follows this?

365

365         How prettily th’young swain seems to wash³⁶⁵

               The hand was³⁶⁶ fair before! I have put you out.

               But to³⁶⁷ your protestation: let me hear

               What you profess.

FLORIZEL

FLORIZEL     Do, and be witness to’t.

370

370 

POLIXENES

POLIXENES             And this my neighbour too?

FLORIZEL

FLORIZEL     And he, and more

               Than he, and men, the earth, the heavens, and all;

               That were I crowned the most imperial monarch,

               Thereof³⁷⁴ most worthy, were I the fairest youth

375

375         That ever made eye swerve, had force and knowledge

               More than was ever man’s, I would not prize them

               Without her love; for her employ them all,

               Commend³⁷⁸ them and condemn them to her service

               Or to their own perdition.

380

380 

POLIXENES

POLIXENES             Fairly offered.

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     This shows a sound affection.

SHEPHERD

SHEPHERD     But, my daughter,

               Say you the like to him?

PERDITA

PERDITA     I cannot speak

385

385         So well, nothing so well. No, nor mean better.

               By³⁸⁶ th’pattern of mine own thoughts I cut out

               The purity of his.

SHEPHERD

SHEPHERD     Take hands, a bargain!

               And, friends unknown, you shall bear witness to’t.

390

390         I give my daughter to him, and will make

               Her portion³⁹¹ equal his.

FLORIZEL

FLORIZEL     O, that must be

               I’th’virtue of your daughter: one being dead,³⁹³

               I shall have more than you can dream of yet,

395

395         Enough then for your wonder. But come on,

               Contract³⁹⁶ us ’fore these witnesses.

SHEPHERD

SHEPHERD     Come, your hand.

               And, daughter, yours.

POLIXENES

POLIXENES     Soft,³⁹⁹ swain, awhile, beseech you.

400

400         Have you a father?

FLORIZEL

FLORIZEL     I have, but what of him?

POLIXENES

POLIXENES     Knows he of this?

FLORIZEL

FLORIZEL     He neither does nor shall.

POLIXENES

POLIXENES     Methinks a father

405

405         Is at the nuptial of his son a guest

               That best becomes⁴⁰⁶ the table. Pray you once more,

               Is not your father grown incapable⁴⁰⁷

               Of reasonable affairs? Is he not stupid

               With age and alt’ring rheums?⁴⁰⁹ Can he speak? Hear?

410

410         Know man from man? Dispute⁴¹⁰ his own estate?

               Lies he not bed-rid? And again does⁴¹¹ nothing

               But what he did being childish?

FLORIZEL

FLORIZEL     No, good sir.

               He has his health and ampler strength indeed

415

415         Than most have of his age.

POLIXENES

POLIXENES     By my white beard,

               You offer him, if this be so, a wrong

               Something unfilial.⁴¹⁸ Reason my son

               Should choose himself a wife, but as good reason

420

420         The father, all whose joy is nothing else

               But fair posterity,⁴²¹ should hold some counsel

               In such a business.

FLORIZEL

FLORIZEL     I yield⁴²³ all this.

               But for some other reasons, my grave sir,

425

425         Which ’tis not fit you know, I not acquaint

               My father of this business.

POLIXENES

POLIXENES     Let him know’t.

FLORIZEL

FLORIZEL     He shall not.

POLIXENES

POLIXENES     Prithee let him.

430

430 

FLORIZEL

FLORIZEL             No, he must not.

SHEPHERD

SHEPHERD     Let him, my son. He shall not need to grieve

               At knowing of thy choice.

FLORIZEL

FLORIZEL     Come, come, he must not.

               Mark⁴³⁴ our contract.

435

435 

POLIXENES

POLIXENES             Mark your divorce, young sir, Takes off disguise

               Whom son I dare not call. Thou art too base

               To be acknowledged. Thou a sceptre’s heir,

               That thus affects⁴³⁸ a sheep-hook!— Thou, old traitor, To Shepherd

               I am sorry that by hanging thee I can

440

440         But shorten thy life one week.— And thou, fresh piece To Perdita

               Of excellent⁴⁴¹ witchcraft, who of force must know

               The royal fool thou cop’st with⁴⁴²—

SHEPHERD

SHEPHERD     O, my heart!

POLIXENES

POLIXENES     I’ll have thy beauty scratched with briers and made

445

445         More homely⁴⁴⁵ than thy state.— For thee, fond boy, To Fiorizel

               If I may ever know thou dost but sigh

               That thou no more shalt see this knack,⁴⁴⁷ as never

               I mean thou shalt, we’ll bar thee from succession,⁴⁴⁸

               Not⁴⁴⁹ hold thee of our blood, no, not our kin,

450

450         Far⁴⁵⁰ than Deucalion off. Mark thou my words.

               Follow us to the court.— Thou churl,⁴⁵¹ for this time, To Shepherd

               Though full of our displeasure, yet we free thee

               From the dead⁴⁵³ blow of it.— And you, enchantment,— To Perdita

               Worthy enough a herdsman — yea, him⁴⁵⁴ too,

455

455         That⁴⁵⁵ makes himself, but for our honour therein,

               Unworthy thee — if ever henceforth thou

               These rural latches⁴⁵⁷ to his entrance open,

               Or hoop his body more with thy embraces,

               I will devise a death as cruel for thee

460

460         As thou art tender⁴⁶⁰ to’t.

       Exit

PERDITA

PERDITA     Even here undone!⁴⁶¹

               I was not much afeard, for once or twice

               I was about to speak and tell him plainly,

               The selfsame sun that shines upon his court

465

465         Hides not his visage⁴⁶⁵ from our cottage but

               Looks on alike.⁴⁶⁶— Will’t please you, sir, be gone? To Fiorizel

               I told you what would come of this. Beseech you

               Of your own state take care. This dream of mine —

               Being now awake, I’ll queen it no inch further,

470

470         But milk my ewes and weep.

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     Why, how now, father!

               Speak ere thou diest.

SHEPHERD

SHEPHERD     I cannot speak, nor think

               Nor dare to know that which I know.— O, sir, To Fiorizel

475

475         You have undone a man of fourscore three,⁴⁷⁵

               That thought to fill⁴⁷⁶ his grave in quiet, yea,

               To die upon the bed my father died,

               To lie close by his honest bones; but now

               Some hangman must put on my shroud and lay me

480

480         Where no⁴⁸⁰ priest shovels in dust.— O cursèd wretch, To Perdita

               That knew’st this was the prince, and wouldst adventure⁴⁸¹

               To mingle faith⁴⁸² with him! Undone, undone!

               If I might die within this hour, I have lived

               To die when I desire.

       Exit

485

485 

FLORIZEL

FLORIZEL             Why look you so upon me?

               I am but sorry, not afeard. Delayed,

               But nothing altered. What I was, I am.

               More straining⁴⁸⁸ on for plucking back, not following

               My leash unwillingly.

490

490 

CAMILLO

CAMILLO             Gracious my lord,

               You know your father’s temper. At this time

               He will allow no speech — which I do guess

               You do not purpose⁴⁹³ to him — and as hardly

               Will he endure your sight as yet, I fear.

495

495         Then, till the fury of his highness settle,

               Come not before him.

FLORIZEL

FLORIZEL     I not purpose it.

               I think, Camillo?⁴⁹⁸

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     Even he, my lord. May remove his disguise

500

500 

PERDITA

PERDITA             How often have I told you ’twould be thus!

               How often said, my dignity⁵⁰¹ would last

               But⁵⁰² till ’twere known!

FLORIZEL

FLORIZEL     It cannot fail but by

               The violation⁵⁰⁴ of my faith, and then

505

505         Let nature crush the sides o’th’earth together

               And mar the seeds⁵⁰⁶ within! Lift up thy looks.

               From my succession wipe⁵⁰⁷ me, father. I

               Am heir to my affection.

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     Be advised.⁵⁰⁹

510

510 

FLORIZEL

FLORIZEL             I am, and by my fancy.⁵¹⁰ If my reason

               Will thereto be obedient, I have reason.

               If not, my senses, better pleased with madness,

               Do bid it welcome.

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     This is desperate,⁵¹⁴ sir.

515

515 

FLORIZEL

FLORIZEL             So call it, but it does fulfil my vow.

               I needs must think it honesty.⁵¹⁶ Camillo,

               Not for Bohemia, nor the pomp⁵¹⁷ that may

               Be thereat gleaned, for all the sun sees or

               The close⁵¹⁹ earth wombs or the profound seas hides

520

520         In unknown fathoms, will I break my oath

               To this my fair beloved: therefore, I pray you

               As you have ever been my father’s honoured friend,

               When he shall miss me — as, in faith, I mean not

               To see him any more — cast your good counsels

525

525         Upon his passion.⁵²⁵ Let myself and fortune

               Tug⁵²⁶ for the time to come. This you may know,

               And so deliver,⁵²⁷ I am put to sea

               With her whom here I cannot hold on shore.

               And most opportune to her need, I have

530

530         A vessel rides fast by,⁵³⁰ but not prepared

               For this design. What⁵³¹ course I mean to hold

               Shall⁵³² nothing benefit your knowledge, nor

               Concern me the reporting.

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     O, my lord,

535

535         I would your spirit were easier for advice,⁵³⁵

               Or stronger for your need.

FLORIZEL

FLORIZEL     Hark, Perdita.— Takes her aside

               I’ll hear you by and by. To Camillo

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     He’s irremovable,⁵³⁹ Aside

540

540         Resolved for flight. Now were I happy, if

               His going I could frame⁵⁴¹ to serve my turn,

               Save him from danger, do him love and honour,

               Purchase⁵⁴³ the sight again of dear Sicilia

               And that unhappy king, my master, whom

545

545         I so much thirst to see.

FLORIZEL

FLORIZEL     Now, good Camillo,

               I am so fraught⁵⁴⁷ with curious business that

               I leave out ceremony.⁵⁴⁸

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     Sir, I think

550

550         You have heard of my poor⁵⁵⁰ services, i’th’love

               That I have borne your father?

FLORIZEL

FLORIZEL     Very nobly

               Have you deserved. It is my father’s music

               To speak your deeds, not⁵⁵⁴ little of his care

555

555         To have them recompensed as thought on.

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     Well, my lord,

               If you may please to think I love the king

               And through him what’s nearest to him, which is

               Your gracious self, embrace⁵⁵⁹ but my direction,

560

560         If your more ponderous⁵⁶⁰ and settled project

               May suffer alteration.⁵⁶¹ On mine honour,

               I’ll point you where you shall have such receiving⁵⁶²

               As shall become your highness, where you may

               Enjoy⁵⁶⁴ your mistress, from the whom I see,

565

565         There’s no disjunction⁵⁶⁵ to be made, but by —

               As heavens forfend!⁵⁶⁶ — your ruin. Marry her,

               And, with my best endeavours in your absence,

               Your discontenting⁵⁶⁸ father strive to qualify

               And bring him up to liking.⁵⁶⁹

570

570 

FLORIZEL

FLORIZEL             How, Camillo,

               May this, almost a miracle, be done?

               That I may call thee something more than man

               And after⁵⁷³ that trust to thee.

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     Have you thought on⁵⁷⁴

575

575         A place whereto you’ll go?

FLORIZEL

FLORIZEL     Not any yet,

               But as th’unthought-on⁵⁷⁷ accident is guilty

               To what we wildly do, so we profess

               Ourselves to be the slaves of chance and flies⁵⁷⁹

580

580         Of every wind that blows.

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     Then list⁵⁸¹ to me.

               This follows, if you will not change your purpose

               But undergo this flight: make for Sicilia,

               And there present yourself and your fair princess,

585

585         For so I see she must be, ’fore Leontes;

               She shall be habited⁵⁸⁶ as it becomes

               The partner of your bed. Methinks I see

               Leontes opening his free arms and weeping

               His welcomes forth, asks thee there ‘Son, forgiveness’,

590

590         As⁵⁹⁰ ’twere i’th’father’s person, kisses the hands

               Of your fresh princess; o’er and o’er divides⁵⁹¹ him

               ’Twixt his unkindness and his kindness. Th’one

               He chides to hell and bids the other grow

               Faster than thought or time.

595

595 

FLORIZEL

FLORIZEL             Worthy Camillo,

               What colour⁵⁹⁶ for my visitation shall I

               Hold up before him?

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     Sent by the king your father

               To greet him and to give him comforts. Sir,

600

600         The manner of your bearing⁶⁰⁰ towards him, with

               What you as⁶⁰¹ from your father shall deliver —

               Things known betwixt us three — I’ll write you down,

               The which shall point⁶⁰³ you forth at every sitting

               What you must say, that he shall not perceive

605

605         But that you have your father’s bosom⁶⁰⁵ there

               And speak his very heart.

FLORIZEL

FLORIZEL     I am bound to you.

               There is some sap⁶⁰⁸ in this.

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     A course more promising

610

610         Than a wild dedication of yourselves

               To unpathed⁶¹¹ waters, undreamed shores, most certain

               To miseries enough, no hope to help you,

               But as you shake off one⁶¹³ to take another.

               Nothing⁶¹⁴ so certain as your anchors, who

615

615         Do their best office if they can but stay⁶¹⁵ you

               Where you’ll be loath to be. Besides, you know

               Prosperity’s⁶¹⁷ the very bond of love,

               Whose fresh complexion and whose heart together

               Affliction alters.⁶¹⁹

620

620 

PERDITA

PERDITA             One of these is true:

               I think affliction may subdue the cheek,⁶²¹

               But not take in⁶²² the mind.

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     Yea? Say you so?

               There shall not at your father’s house these seven years⁶²⁴

625

625         Be born another such.⁶²⁵

FLORIZEL

FLORIZEL     My good Camillo,

               She’s as⁶²⁷ forward of her breeding as

               She is i’th’rear our birth.

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     I cannot say ’tis pity

630

630         She lacks instructions,⁶³⁰ for she seems a mistress

               To most that teach.

PERDITA

PERDITA     Your pardon, sir. For this

               I’ll blush you thanks.

FLORIZEL

FLORIZEL     My prettiest Perdita!

635

635         But, O, the thorns we stand upon!— Camillo,

               Preserver of my father, now of me,

               The medicine of our house, how shall we do?

               We are not furnished⁶³⁸ like Bohemia’s son,

               Nor shall appear⁶³⁹ in Sicilia.

640

640 

CAMILLO

CAMILLO             My lord,

               Fear none of this. I think you know my fortunes⁶⁴¹

               Do all lie there. It shall be so my care

               To have you royally appointed⁶⁴³ as if

               The scene you play were mine.⁶⁴⁴ For instance, sir,

645

645         That you may know you shall not want,⁶⁴⁵ one word. They talk apart

       Enter Autolycus

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     Ha, ha! What a fool honesty is! And trust, his sworn brother, a very simple gentleman. I have sold all my trumpery:⁶⁴⁷ not a counterfeit stone, not a ribbon, glass,⁶⁴⁸ pomander, brooch, table-book, ballad, knife, tape, glove, shoe-tie, bracelet, horn-ring,⁶⁴⁹ to keep my pack from fasting. They throng who should buy                first, as if my trinkets had been hallowed⁶⁵⁰ and brought a benediction to the buyer, by which means I saw whose purse was best in picture,⁶⁵¹ and what I saw, to my good use⁶⁵² I remembered. My clown, who wants but something to be a reasonable man, grew⁶⁵³ so in love with the wenches’ song, that he would not stir his pettitoes till he had both tune and words, which so drew the rest of the herd to me that all their other senses stuck in ears.⁶⁵⁵ You might have pinched a placket, it was senseless; ’twas nothing to geld⁶⁵⁶ a codpiece of a purse. I would have filed keys off that hung in chains. No hearing, no feeling, but my sir’s⁶⁵⁷ song, and admiring the nothing⁶⁵⁸ of it. So that in this time of lethargy I picked and cut most of their festival purses, and had not the old man come in with a whoo-bub⁶⁵⁹ against his daughter and the king’s son and scared my choughs⁶⁶⁰ from the chaff, I had not left a purse alive in the whole army. Camillo, Florizel and Perdita come forward

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     Nay, but my letters, by this means being there

               So soon as you arrive, shall clear that doubt.

FLORIZEL

FLORIZEL     And those that you’ll procure from King Leontes—

665

665 

CAMILLO

CAMILLO             Shall satisfy⁶⁶⁵ your father.

PERDITA

PERDITA     Happy be you!

               All that you speak shows fair.

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     Who have we here? Sees Autolycus

               We’ll make an instrument of this, omit

670

670         Nothing⁶⁷⁰ may give us aid.

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     If they have overheard me now, why, hanging. Aside

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     How now, good fellow? Why shakest thou so? Fear not, man. Here’s no harm intended to thee.

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     I am a poor fellow, sir.

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     Why, be so still. Here’s nobody will steal that from thee. Yet for the outside⁶⁷⁵ of thy poverty we must make an exchange: therefore discase⁶⁷⁶ thee instantly — thou must think⁶⁷⁷ there’s a necessity in’t — and change garments with this gentleman. Though the pennyworth⁶⁷⁸ on his side be the worst, yet hold thee, there’s some boot.⁶⁷⁹ Gives money

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     I am a poor fellow, sir.— I know ye well enough. Aside

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     Nay, prithee, dispatch:⁶⁸¹ the gentleman is half flayed already.

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     Are you in earnest,⁶⁸² sir? I smell the trick on’t. Aside

FLORIZEL

FLORIZEL     Dispatch, I prithee.

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     Indeed, I have had earnest, but I cannot with conscience take it.

685

685 

CAMILLO

CAMILLO             Unbuckle, unbuckle. Florizel and Autolycus exchange clothes

               Fortunate mistress — let my prophecy

               Come⁶⁸⁷ home to ye! — you must retire yourself

               Into some covert;⁶⁸⁸ take your sweetheart’s hat

               And pluck⁶⁸⁹ it o’er your brows, muffle your face,

690

690         Dismantle you,⁶⁹⁰ and, as you can, disliken

               The truth of your own seeming,⁶⁹¹ that you may —

               For I do fear eyes over⁶⁹² — to shipboard

               Get undescried.⁶⁹³

PERDITA

PERDITA     I see the play so lies⁶⁹⁴

695

695         That I must bear a part.

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     No remedy.⁶⁹⁶

               Have you done there?

FLORIZEL

FLORIZEL     Should I now meet my father,

               He would not call me son.

700

700 

CAMILLO

CAMILLO             Nay, you shall have no hat. Gives hat to Perdita

               Come, lady, come. Farewell, my friend.

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     Adieu, sir.

FLORIZEL

FLORIZEL     O Perdita, what have we twain⁷⁰³ forgot!

               Pray you a word.

705

705 

CAMILLO

CAMILLO             What I do next, shall be to tell the king Aside

               Of this escape and whither they are bound.

               Wherein my hope is I shall so prevail

               To force him after,⁷⁰⁸ in whose company

               I shall review⁷⁰⁹ Sicilia, for whose sight

710

710         I have a woman’s⁷¹⁰ longing.

FLORIZEL

FLORIZEL     Fortune speed⁷¹¹ us!

               Thus we set on, Camillo, to th’seaside.

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     The swifter speed the better.

       Exeunt [Florizel, Perdita and Camillo]

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     I understand the business, I hear it. To have an open ear, a quick eye, and a nimble hand, is necessary for a cutpurse;⁷¹⁵ a good nose is requisite also, to smell out work for th’other senses. I see this is the time that the unjust man doth thrive. What an exchange⁷¹⁷ had this been without boot? What a boot is here with this exchange? Sure, the gods do this year connive at⁷¹⁸ us, and we may do anything extempore.⁷¹⁹ The prince himself is about a piece of iniquity, stealing away from his father with his clog⁷²⁰ at his heels. If I thought it were a piece of honesty to acquaint the king withal,⁷²¹ I would not do’t. I hold it the more knavery to conceal it; and therein am I constant⁷²² to my profession.

       Enter Clown and Shepherd Carrying fardel and box

               Aside, aside. He stands aside Here is more matter for a hot⁷²³ brain. Every lane’s end, every shop, church, session,⁷²⁴ hanging, yields a careful man work.

CLOWN

CLOWN     See, see. What a man you are now! There is no other way but to tell the king she’s a changeling⁷²⁶ and none of your flesh and blood.

SHEPHERD

SHEPHERD     Nay, but hear me.

CLOWN

CLOWN     Nay, but hear me.

SHEPHERD

SHEPHERD     Go to,⁷²⁹ then.

CLOWN

CLOWN     She being none of your flesh and blood, your flesh and blood has not offended the king, and so your flesh and blood is not to be punished by him. Show those things you found about her, those secret things, all but what she has with her. This being done, let the law go whistle, I warrant you.

SHEPHERD

SHEPHERD     I will tell the king all, every word, yea, and his son’s pranks too; who, I

               may say, is no honest man, neither to his father nor to me, to go about to make me the king’s brother-in-law.

CLOWN

CLOWN     Indeed, brother-in-law was the farthest off you could have been to him and then your blood had been the dearer by I⁷³⁸ know how much an ounce.

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS      Aside Very wisely, puppies!⁷³⁹

SHEPHERD

SHEPHERD     Well, let us to the king. There is that in this fardel will make him scratch his beard.

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS      Aside I know not what impediment this complaint⁷⁴² may be to the flight of my master.⁷⁴³

CLOWN

CLOWN     Pray heartily he be at palace.

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     Though I am not naturally honest, I am so sometimes by chance: Aside let me pocket up⁷⁴⁶ my pedlar’s excrement.— Takes off his false beard How now, rustics! Whither are you bound?

SHEPHERD

SHEPHERD     To th’palace, an it like⁷⁴⁷ your worship.

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     Your affairs there? What? With whom? The condition⁷⁴⁸ of that fardel, the place of your dwelling, your names, your ages, of what having,⁷⁴⁹ breeding, and any

               thing that is fitting to be known, discover.⁷⁵⁰

CLOWN

CLOWN     We are but plain⁷⁵¹ fellows, sir.

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     A lie; you are rough and hairy. Let me have no lying; it becomes none but tradesmen, and they often give⁷⁵³ us soldiers the lie, but we pay them for it with stamped coin, not stabbing steel: therefore they do not give us the lie.

CLOWN

CLOWN     Your worship had like to have given us one,⁷⁵⁵ if you had not taken yourself with the manner.

SHEPHERD

SHEPHERD     Are you a courtier, an’t like you, sir?

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     Whether it like me or no, I am a courtier. See’st thou not the air of the court in these enfoldings?⁷⁵⁹ Hath not my gait in it the measure of the court?

               Receives not thy nose court-odour from me? Reflect I not on thy baseness⁷⁶⁰ court-contempt? Think’st thou, for that⁷⁶¹ I insinuate or toaze from thee thy business, I am therefore no courtier? I am courtier cap-a-pe;⁷⁶² and one that will either push on or pluck back thy business there: whereupon I command thee to open thy affair.⁷⁶³

SHEPHERD

SHEPHERD     My business, sir, is to the king.

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     What advocate⁷⁶⁵ hast thou to him?

SHEPHERD

SHEPHERD     I know not, an’t like you.

CLOWN

CLOWN     Advocate’s the court-word for a pheasant.⁷⁶⁷ Aside to the Shepherd Say you have none.

SHEPHERD

SHEPHERD     None, sir. I have no pheasant, cock nor hen.

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     How blessed are we that are not simple men! Aside Yet nature might have

               made me as these are, therefore I will not disdain.

CLOWN

CLOWN     This cannot be but⁷⁷¹ a great courtier. To Shepherd

SHEPHERD

SHEPHERD     His garments are rich, but he wears them not handsomely.

CLOWN

CLOWN     He seems to be the more noble in being fantastical.⁷⁷³ A great man, I’ll warrant; I know by the picking on’s teeth.⁷⁷⁴

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     The fardel there? What’s i’th’fardel? Wherefore that box?

SHEPHERD

SHEPHERD     Sir, there lies such secrets in this fardel and box, which none must know but the king, and which he shall know within this hour, if I may come to th’speech of him.

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     Age,⁷⁷⁹ thou hast lost thy labour.

SHEPHERD

SHEPHERD     Why, sir?

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     The king is not at the palace. He is gone aboard a new ship to purge melancholy and air himself, for, if thou be’st⁷⁸² capable of things serious, thou must know the king is full of grief.

SHEPHERD

SHEPHERD     So ’tis said, sir, about his son, that should have married a shepherd’s daughter.

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     If that shepherd be not in hand-fast,⁷⁸⁶ let him fly; the curses he shall have, the tortures he shall feel, will break the back of man, the heart of monster.

CLOWN

CLOWN     Think you so, sir?

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     Not he alone shall suffer what wit⁷⁸⁹ can make heavy and vengeance bitter, but those that are germane⁷⁹⁰ to him, though removed fifty times, shall all come under the hangman, which though it be great pity, yet it is necessary. An old sheep-whistling rogue⁷⁹² a ram-tender, to offer to have his daughter come into grace!⁷⁹³ Some say he shall be stoned, but that death is too soft for him, say I. Draw our throne into a sheep-cote?⁷⁹⁴ All deaths are too few, the sharpest too easy.

CLOWN

CLOWN     Has the old man e’er a son, sir, do you hear, an’t like you, sir?

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     He has a son, who shall be flayed alive, then ’nointed⁷⁹⁶ over with honey, set on the head of a wasp’s nest, then stand till he be three quarters and a dram⁷⁹⁷ dead, then recovered again with aqua-vitae⁷⁹⁸ or some other hot infusion, then, raw as he is, and in the hottest day prognostication proclaims,⁷⁹⁹ shall he be set against a brick wall, the sun looking with a southward eye upon him, where he is to behold him with flies blown⁸⁰¹ to death. But what talk we of these traitorly rascals, whose miseries are to be smiled at, their offences being so capital?⁸⁰² Tell me, for you seem to⁸⁰³ be honest plain men, what you have to the king. Being something gently considered, I’ll bring you where he is aboard, tender⁸⁰⁴ your persons to his presence, whisper him⁸⁰⁵ in your behalfs; and if it be in man besides the king to effect your suits, here is man shall do it.

CLOWN

CLOWN     He seems to be of great authority.To Shepherd Close⁸⁰⁷ with him, give him gold; and though authority be a stubborn bear, yet he is oft led by the nose with gold. Show the inside of your purse to the outside of his hand, and no more ado. Remember ‘stoned’ and ‘flayed alive’.

SHEPHERD

SHEPHERD     An’t please you, sir, to undertake the business for us, here is that⁸¹¹ gold I have. Offers gold I’ll make it as much more and leave this young man in pawn⁸¹² till I bring it you.

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     After I have done what I promised?

SHEPHERD

SHEPHERD     Ay, sir.

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     Well, give me the moiety.⁸¹⁶—Takes gold/To Clown Are you a party in this business?

CLOWN

CLOWN     In some sort, sir. But though my case⁸¹⁷ be a pitiful one, I hope I shall not be flayed out of it.

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     O, that’s the case of the shepherd’s son. Hang him, he’ll be made an example.

CLOWN

CLOWN     Comfort, good comfort!To Shepherd We must to the king and show our strange sights. He must know ’tis none of your daughter nor my sister. We are gone else.⁸²² Sir, I will give you as much as this old man does when the business is performed, and remain, as he says, your pawn till it be brought you.

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     I will trust you. Walk before⁸²⁵ toward the seaside. Go on the right hand, I will but look⁸²⁶ upon the hedge and follow you.

CLOWN

CLOWN     We are blest in this man, as I may say, even blest.

SHEPHERD

SHEPHERD     Let’s before as he bids us. He was provided to do us good.

       [Exeunt Shepherd and Clown]

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     If I had a mind to be honest, I see fortune would not suffer⁸²⁹ me. She drops booties⁸³⁰ in my mouth. I am courted now with a double occasion: gold and a means to do the prince my master good; which who knows how that may turn back to my advancement? I will bring these two moles, these blind ones, aboard him.⁸³² If he think it fit to shore them⁸³³ again and that the complaint they have to the king concerns him nothing, let him call me rogue for being so far officious,⁸³⁴ for I am proof against⁸³⁵ that title and what shame else belongs to’t. To him will I present them. There may be matter⁸³⁶ in it.

       Exit

Act 5 Scene 15.1

running scene 12

       Enter Leontes, Cleomenes, Dion, Paulina [and] Servants

CLEOMENES

CLEOMENES     Sir, you have done enough, and have performed

               A saint-like sorrow.² No fault could you make,

               Which you have not redeemed; indeed, paid³ down

               More penitence than done trespass. At the last,

5

5             Do as the heavens have done, forget your evil.

               With them forgive yourself.

LEONTES

LEONTES     Whilst I remember

               Her and her virtues, I cannot forget

               My blemishes in them,⁹ and so still think of

10

10           The wrong I did myself, which was so much

               That heirless it hath made my kingdom and

               Destroyed the sweet’st companion that e’er man

               Bred his hopes out of. True?

PAULINA

PAULINA     Too true, my lord.

15

15           If, one by one, you wedded all the world,

               Or from the¹⁶ all that are took something good

               To make a perfect woman, she you killed

               Would be unparalleled.

LEONTES

LEONTES     I think so. Killed?

20

20           She I killed? I did so: but thou strik’st me

               Sorely, to say I did. It is as bitter

               Upon thy tongue as in my thought. Now, good now,²²

               Say so but seldom.

CLEOMENES

CLEOMENES     Not at all, good lady.

25

25           You might have spoken a thousand things that would

               Have done²⁶ the time more benefit and graced

               Your kindness better.

PAULINA

PAULINA     You are one of those

               Would have him wed again.

30

DION

DION     If you would not so,

               You pity not the state, nor the remembrance

               Of his most sovereign name,³² consider little

               What dangers by his highness’ fail of issue³³

               May drop upon his kingdom and devour

35

35           Incertain lookers on.³⁵ What were more holy

               Than to rejoice the former queen is well?³⁶

               What holier than, for royalty’s repair,

               For present comfort and for future good,

               To bless the bed of majesty again

40

40           With a sweet fellow to’t?

PAULINA

PAULINA     There is none worthy,

               Respecting⁴² her that’s gone. Besides, the gods

               Will have fulfilled their secret purposes.

               For has not the divine Apollo said?

45

45           Is’t not the tenor⁴⁵ of his oracle,

               That King Leontes shall not have an heir

               Till his lost child be found? Which that it shall

               Is all as monstrous⁴⁸ to our human reason

               As my Antigonus to break his grave

50

50           And come again to me, who, on my life,⁵⁰

               Did perish with the infant. ’Tis your counsel⁵¹

               My lord should to the heavens be contrary,

               Oppose against their wills.— Care not for issue. To Leontes

               The crown will find an heir. Great⁵⁴ Alexander

55

55           Left his to th’worthiest, so his successor

               Was like to be the best.

LEONTES

LEONTES     Good Paulina,

               Who hast the memory of Hermione,

               I know, in honour — O, that ever I

60

60           Had squared me⁶⁰ to thy counsel! Then, even now,

               I might have looked upon my queen’s full⁶¹ eyes,

               Have taken treasure from her lips—

PAULINA

PAULINA     And left them

               More rich for what they yielded.

65

65   

LEONTES

LEONTES           Thou speak’st truth.

               No more such wives: therefore, no wife. One⁶⁶ worse,

               And better used, would make her⁶⁷ sainted spirit

               Again possess her corpse, and⁶⁸ on this stage —

               Where we offenders now⁶⁹ — appear soul-vexed,

70

70           And begin, ‘Why⁷⁰ to me?’

PAULINA

PAULINA     Had she such power,

               She had⁷² just such cause.

LEONTES

LEONTES     She had, and would incense me

               To murder her I married.

75

75   

PAULINA

PAULINA           I should so.⁷⁵

               Were I the ghost that walked, I’d bid you mark⁷⁶

               Her eye, and tell me for what dull part in’t

               You chose her. Then I’d shriek, that even your ears

               Should rift⁷⁹ to hear me and the words that followed

80

80           Should be ‘Remember mine.⁸⁰’

LEONTES

LEONTES     Stars, stars,

               And all eyes else⁸² dead coals! Fear thou no wife;

               I’ll have no wife, Paulina.

PAULINA

PAULINA     Will you swear

85

85           Never to marry but by my free leave?⁸⁵

LEONTES

LEONTES     Never, Paulina, so be blest my spirit!

PAULINA

PAULINA     Then, good my lords, bear witness to his oath.

CLEOMENES

CLEOMENES     You tempt⁸⁸ him over-much.

PAULINA

PAULINA     Unless another,

90

90           As like Hermione as is her picture,

               Affront⁹¹ his eye.

CLEOMENES

CLEOMENES     Good madam—

PAULINA

PAULINA     I have done.

               Yet, if my lord will marry — if you will, sir,

95

95           No remedy, but you will — give me the office⁹⁵

               To choose you a queen. She shall not be so young

               As was your former, but she shall be such

               As, walked⁹⁸ your first queen’s ghost, it should take joy

               To see her in your arms.

100

100 

LEONTES

LEONTES             My true Paulina,

               We shall not marry till thou bid’st us.

PAULINA

PAULINA     That

               Shall be when your first queen’s again in breath.

               Never till then.

       Enter a Servant

105

105 

SERVANT

SERVANT             One that gives out himself¹⁰⁵ Prince Florizel,

               Son of Polixenes, with his princess, she

               The fairest I have yet beheld, desires access

               To your high presence.

LEONTES

LEONTES     What¹⁰⁹ with him? He comes not

110

110         Like to his father’s greatness. His approach,

               So out of circumstance¹¹¹ and sudden, tells us

               ’Tis not a visitation framed,¹¹² but forced

               By need and accident.¹¹³ What train?

SERVANT

SERVANT     But few,

115

115         And those but mean.¹¹⁵

LEONTES

LEONTES     His princess, say you, with him?

SERVANT

SERVANT     Ay, the most peerless¹¹⁷ piece of earth, I think,

               That e’er the sun shone bright on.

PAULINA

PAULINA     O, Hermione,

120

120         As¹²⁰ every present time doth boast itself

               Above a better gone, so must thy grave

               Give way to what’s seen now! Sir, you yourself To Servant

               Have said and writ so, but your writing now

               Is colder than that theme:¹²⁴ ‘She had not been,

125

125         Nor was not to be equalled.’ Thus your verse

               Flowed with her beauty once; ’tis shrewdly ebbed,¹²⁶

               To say you have seen a better.

SERVANT

SERVANT     Pardon, madam.

               The one¹²⁹ I have almost forgot — your pardon —

130

130         The other, when she has obtained your eye,

               Will have your tongue¹³¹ too. This is a creature,

               Would she begin a sect, might quench the zeal

               Of all professors else,¹³³ make proselytes

               Of who¹³⁴ she but bid follow.

135

135 

PAULINA

PAULINA             How? Not women?

SERVANT

SERVANT     Women will love her that she is a woman

               More worth than any man: men that she is

               The rarest of all women.

LEONTES

LEONTES     Go, Cleomenes.

140

140         Yourself, assisted with your honoured friends,

               Bring them to our embracement.— Still, ’tis strange To Paulina

               He thus should steal upon us.

       [Exeunt Cleomenes and others]

PAULINA

PAULINA     Had our prince,¹⁴³

               Jewel of children, seen this hour, he had paired

145

145         Well with this lord, there was not full a¹⁴⁵ month

               Between their births.

LEONTES

LEONTES     Prithee no more; cease. Thou know’st

               He dies to me again when talked of. Sure,

               When I shall see this gentleman, thy speeches

150

150         Will bring me to consider that which may

               Unfurnish¹⁵¹ me of reason. They are come.

       Enter Cleomenes and others, [with] Florizel and Perdita

               Your mother was most true to wedlock, prince, To Florizel

               For she did print¹⁵³ your royal father off,

               Conceiving you. Were I but twenty-one,

155

155         Your father’s image is so hit¹⁵⁵ in you,

               His very air, that I should call you brother,

               As I did him, and speak of something wildly

               By us performed before. Most dearly welcome!

               And your fair princess — goddess! — O, alas!

160

160         I lost a couple, that ’twixt heaven and earth

               Might thus have stood begetting¹⁶¹ wonder as

               You, gracious couple, do. And then I lost —

               All mine own folly — the society,¹⁶³

               Amity¹⁶⁴ too, of your brave father, whom,

165

165         Though¹⁶⁵ bearing misery, I desire my life

               Once more to look on him.

FLORIZEL

FLORIZEL     By his command

               Have I here touched¹⁶⁸ Sicilia and from him

               Give you all greetings that a king, at friend,¹⁶⁹

170

170         Can send his brother, and but¹⁷⁰ infirmity,

               Which waits¹⁷¹ upon worn times hath something seized

               His wished ability, he had himself

               The lands and waters ’twixt your throne and his

               Measured¹⁷⁴ to look upon you, whom he loves —

175

175         He bade me say so — more than all the sceptres¹⁷⁵

               And those that bear them living.

LEONTES

LEONTES     O, my brother —

               Good gentleman! — the wrongs I have done thee stir

               Afresh within me, and these thy offices,¹⁷⁹

180

180         So rarely¹⁸⁰ kind, are as interpreters

               Of my behind-hand slackness. Welcome hither,

               As is the spring to th’earth. And hath he too

               Exposed this paragon¹⁸³ to th’fearful usage,

               At least ungentle,¹⁸⁴ of the dreadful Neptune,

185

185         To greet a man not worth her pains,¹⁸⁵ much less

               Th’adventure¹⁸⁶ of her person?

FLORIZEL

FLORIZEL     Good my lord,

               She came from Libya.

LEONTES

LEONTES     Where the warlike Smalus,¹⁸⁹

190

190         That noble honoured lord, is feared and loved?

FLORIZEL

FLORIZEL     Most royal sir, from thence, from him whose daughter

               His tears proclaimed¹⁹² his, parting with her: thence,

               A prosperous south-wind friendly, we have crossed,

               To execute¹⁹⁴ the charge my father gave me

195

195         For visiting your highness. My best train

               I have from your Sicilian shores dismissed,

               Who for Bohemia bend,¹⁹⁷ to signify

               Not only my success in Libya, sir,

               But my arrival and my wife’s in safety

200

200         Here where we are.

LEONTES

LEONTES     The blessèd gods

               Purge all infection from our air whilst you

               Do climate²⁰³ here! You have a holy father,

               A graceful²⁰⁴ gentleman, against whose person,

205

205         So sacred as it is, I have done sin,

               For which the heavens, taking angry note,

               Have left me issueless.²⁰⁷ And your father’s blest,

               As he from heaven merits it, with you,

               Worthy his²⁰⁹ goodness. What might I have been,

210

210         Might I a son and daughter now have looked on,

               Such goodly things as you.

       Enter a Lord

LORD

LORD     Most noble sir,

               That which I shall report will bear no credit,²¹³

               Were not the proof so nigh.²¹⁴ Please you, great sir,

215

215         Bohemia greets you from himself by me.

               Desires you to attach²¹⁶ his son, who has —

               His dignity and duty²¹⁷ both cast off —

               Fled from his father, from his hopes, and with

               A shepherd’s daughter.

220

220 

LEONTES

LEONTES             Where’s Bohemia? Speak.

LORD

LORD     Here in your city. I now came from him.

               I speak amazedly,²²² and it becomes

               My marvel and my message. To your court

               Whiles he was hast’ning, in the chase, it seems,

225

225         Of this fair couple, meets he on the way

               The father of this seeming²²⁶ lady and

               Her brother, having both their country quitted

               With this young prince.

FLORIZEL

FLORIZEL     Camillo has betrayed me,

230

230         Whose honour and whose honesty till now

               Endured all weathers.

LORD

LORD     Lay’t²³² so to his charge:

               He’s with the king your father.

LEONTES

LEONTES     Who? Camillo?

235

235 

LORD

LORD             Camillo, sir. I spake with him, who now

               Has²³⁶ these poor men in question. Never saw I

               Wretches so quake. They kneel, they kiss the earth,

               Forswear themselves²³⁸ as often as they speak.

               Bohemia stops²³⁹ his ears, and threatens them

240

240         With divers²⁴⁰ deaths in death.

PERDITA

PERDITA     O, my poor father!

               The heaven sets spies upon us, will not have

               Our contract²⁴³ celebrated.

LEONTES

LEONTES     You are married?

245

245 

FLORIZEL

FLORIZEL             We are not, sir, nor are we like to be.

               The stars, I see, will kiss²⁴⁶ the valleys first:

               The²⁴⁷ odds for high and low’s alike.

LEONTES

LEONTES     My lord,

               Is this the daughter of a king?

250

250 

FLORIZEL

FLORIZEL             She is,

               When once she is my wife.

LEONTES

LEONTES     That ‘once’ I see by your good father’s speed

               Will come on very slowly. I am sorry,

               Most sorry, you have broken from his liking

255

255         Where you were tied in duty, and as sorry

               Your choice is not so rich in worth²⁵⁶ as beauty,

               That you might well enjoy her.

FLORIZEL

FLORIZEL     Dear, look up.²⁵⁸ To Perdita

               Though Fortune, visible an enemy,

260

260         Should chase us with my father, power no jot

               Hath she to change our loves. Beseech you, sir,

               Remember since²⁶² you owed no more to time

               Than I do now. With thought of such affections,

               Step²⁶⁴ forth mine advocate. At your request

265

265         My father will grant precious things as trifles.

LEONTES

LEONTES     Would he do so, I’d beg your precious mistress,

               Which he counts but a trifle.²⁶⁷

PAULINA

PAULINA     Sir, my liege,

               Your eye hath too much youth in’t. Not a month

270

270         ’Fore your queen died, she was more worth such gazes

               Than what you look on now.

LEONTES

LEONTES     I thought of her,

               Even in these looks I made.— But your petition²⁷³ To Fiorizel

               Is yet unanswered. I will to your father.

275

275         Your²⁷⁵ honour not o’erthrown by your desires,

               I am friend to them and you, upon which errand

               I now go toward him: therefore follow me

               And mark what²⁷⁸ way I make. Come, good my lord.

       Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 2

running scene 13

       Enter Autolycus and a Gentleman

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     Beseech you, sir, were you present at this relation?¹

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     I was by² at the opening of the fardel, heard the old shepherd deliver the manner how he found it: whereupon, after a little amazedness, we were all commanded out of the chamber.⁴ Only this, methought I heard the shepherd say, he found the child.

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     I would most gladly know the issue⁶ of it.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     I make a broken delivery⁷ of the business; but the changes I perceived in the king and Camillo were very notes of admiration.⁸ They seemed almost, with staring on one another, to tear the cases⁹ of their eyes. There was speech in their dumbness, language in their very gesture. They looked as¹⁰ they had heard of a world ransomed, or one destroyed. A notable passion of wonder appeared in them, but the wisest beholder that knew no more but seeing, could not say if th’importance¹³ were joy or sorrow, but in the extremity of the one, it must needs be.

       Enter another Gentleman

               Here comes a gentleman that happily¹⁵ knows more. The news, Rogero?

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN     Nothing but bonfires.¹⁶ The oracle is fulfilled. The king’s daughter is found. Such a deal of wonder is broken out within this hour that ballad-makers¹⁷ cannot be able to express it.

       Enter another Gentleman

               Here comes the lady Paulina’s steward. He can deliver you more. How goes it now, sir? This news, which is called true, is so like an old tale that the verity²⁰ of it is in strong suspicion. Has the king found his heir?

THIRD GENTLEMAN

THIRD GENTLEMAN     Most true, if ever truth were pregnant by circumstance.²² That which you hear you’ll swear you see, there is such unity in the proofs. The mantle²⁴ of Queen Hermione’s, her jewel about the neck of it, the letters of Antigonus found with it which they know to be his character,²⁵ the majesty of the creature in resemblance of the mother, the affection of²⁶ nobleness which nature shows above her breeding, and many other evidences proclaim her with all certainty to be the king’s daughter. Did you see the meeting of the two kings?

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN     No.

THIRD GENTLEMAN

THIRD GENTLEMAN     Then have you lost a sight which was to be seen, cannot be spoken of. There might you have beheld one joy crown another, so and in such manner that it seemed sorrow wept to take leave of them, for their joy waded in tears. There was casting up of eyes, holding up of hands, with countenance³³ of such distraction³⁴ that they were to be known by garment, not by favour. Our king, being ready to leap out of himself for joy of his found daughter, as if that joy were now become a loss, cries ‘O, thy mother, thy mother!’ Then asks Bohemia forgiveness, then embraces his son-in-law, then again worries he³⁷ his daughter with clipping³⁸ her. Now he thanks the old shepherd, which stands by like a weather-bitten conduit of many kings’ reigns. I never heard of such another encounter, which lames⁴⁰ report to follow it and undoes description to do it.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN     What, pray you, became of Antigonus, that carried hence the child?

THIRD GENTLEMAN

THIRD GENTLEMAN     Like an old tale still, which will have matter to rehearse,⁴³ though credit⁴⁴ be asleep and not an ear open: he was torn to pieces with a bear. This avouches⁴⁵ the shepherd’s son, who has not only his innocence, which seems much, to justify him, but a handkerchief and rings of his that Paulina knows.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     What became of his bark⁴⁷ and his followers?

THIRD GENTLEMAN

THIRD GENTLEMAN     Wrecked the same instant of their master’s death and in the view of the shepherd, so that all the instruments which aided to expose the child were even then lost when it was found. But, O, the noble combat that ’twixt joy and sorrow was fought in Paulina! She had one⁵¹ eye declined for the loss of her husband, another elevated that the oracle was fulfilled. She lifted the princess from the earth, and so locks her in embracing, as if she would pin her to her heart that she might no more be in danger of losing.⁵⁴

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     The dignity of this act was worth the audience of kings and princes, for by such was it acted.

THIRD GENTLEMAN

THIRD GENTLEMAN     One of the prettiest touches⁵⁷ of all and that which angled for mine eyes, caught the water⁵⁸ though not the fish, was when, at the relation of the queen’s death, with the manner how she came to’t bravely confessed and lamented by the king, how attentiveness⁶⁰ wounded his daughter, till, from one sign of dolour⁶¹ to another, she did, with an ‘Alas’, I would fain say, bleed tears, for I am sure my heart wept blood. Who was most marble⁶² there changed colour, some swooned, all sorrowed. If all the world could have seen’t, the woe had been universal.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     Are they returned to the court?

THIRD GENTLEMAN

THIRD GENTLEMAN     No. The princess hearing of her mother’s statue, which is in the keeping of Paulina — a piece many years in doing and now newly performed⁶⁷ by that rare Italian master, Julio Romano,⁶⁸ who, had he himself eternity and could put breath into his work, would beguile⁶⁹ nature of her custom, so perfectly he is her ape.⁷⁰ He so near to Hermione hath done Hermione that they say one would speak to her and stand in hope of answer. Thither with all greediness of affection are they gone, and there they intend to sup.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN     I thought she had some great matter there in hand, for she hath privately twice or thrice a day, ever since the death of Hermione visited that removèd⁷⁵ house. Shall we thither and with our company piece the rejoicing?

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     Who would be thence⁷⁶ that has the benefit of access? Every wink of an eye some new grace⁷⁷ will be born. Our absence makes us unthrifty to our knowledge. Let’s along.

       Exeunt [Gentlemen]

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     Now, had I not the dash⁷⁹ of my former life in me, would preferment drop on my head. I brought the⁸⁰ old man and his son aboard the prince; told him I heard them talk of a fardel and I know not what. But he at that time, overfond of the shepherd’s daughter, so he then took her to be, who began to be much sea-sick, and himself little better, extremity of weather continuing, this mystery remained undiscovered. But ’tis all one to me, for had I been the finder out of this secret, it would not have relished⁸⁵ among my other discredits.

       Enter Shepherd and Clown

               Here come those I have done good to against my will, and already appearing in the blossoms⁸⁷ of their fortune.

SHEPHERD

SHEPHERD     Come, boy. I am past more children, but thy sons and daughters will be all gentlemen born.

CLOWN

CLOWN     You are well met, sir. You denied to fight with me this⁹⁰ other day, because I was no gentleman born. See you these clothes? Say you see them not and think me still no gentleman born. You were best say these robes are not gentlemen born. Give⁹³ me the lie, do, and try whether I am not now a gentleman born.

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     I know you are now, sir, a gentleman born.

CLOWN

CLOWN     Ay, and have been so any time these four hours.

SHEPHERD

SHEPHERD     And so have I, boy.

CLOWN

CLOWN     So you have, but I was a gentleman born before my father, for the king’s son took me by the hand, and called me brother, and then the two kings called my father brother, and then the prince my brother and the princess my sister called my father father; and so we wept, and there was the first gentleman-like tears that ever we shed.

SHEPHERD

SHEPHERD     We may live, son, to shed many more.

CLOWN

CLOWN     Ay, or else ’twere hard luck, being in so preposterous¹⁰³ estate as we are.

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     I humbly beseech you, sir, to pardon me all the faults I have committed to your worship and to give¹⁰⁵ me your good report to the prince my master.

SHEPHERD

SHEPHERD     Prithee, son, do, for we must be gentle,¹⁰⁶ now we are gentlemen.

CLOWN

CLOWN     Thou wilt amend thy life?

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     Ay, an it like your good worship.

CLOWN

CLOWN     Give me thy hand. I will swear to the prince thou art as honest a true fellow as any is in Bohemia.

SHEPHERD

SHEPHERD     You may say it, but not swear it.

CLOWN

CLOWN     Not swear it, now I am a gentleman? Let boors¹¹² and franklins say it, I’ll swear it.

SHEPHERD

SHEPHERD     How if it be false, son?

CLOWN

CLOWN     If it be ne’er so false,¹¹⁵ a true gentleman may swear it in the behalf of his friend, and I’ll swear to the prince thou art a tall¹¹⁶ fellow of thy hands and that thou wilt not be drunk. But I know thou art no tall fellow of thy hands and that thou wilt be drunk. But I’ll swear it, and I would¹¹⁸ thou wouldst be a tall fellow of thy hands.

AUTOLYCUS

AUTOLYCUS     I will prove so, sir, to my power.¹²⁰

CLOWN

CLOWN     Ay, by any means prove a tall fellow. If I do not wonder how thou dar’st venture to be drunk, not being a tall fellow, trust me not. Hark, the kings and the princes, our kindred, are going to see the queen’s picture.¹²³ Come, follow us. We’ll be thy good masters.

       Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 3

running scene 14

       Enter Leontes, Polixenes. Florizel, Perdita, Camillo, Paulina, Lords and Attendants

LEONTES

LEONTES     O grave¹ and good Paulina, the great comfort

               That I have had of thee!

PAULINA

PAULINA     What,³ sovereign sir,

               I did not well I meant well. All my services

5

5             You have paid home.⁵ But that you have vouchsafed,

               With your crowned brother and these your contracted⁶

               Heirs of your kingdoms, my poor house to visit,

               It is a surplus of your grace, which⁸ never

               My life may last to answer.

10

10   

LEONTES

LEONTES           O Paulina,

               We honour you with trouble.¹¹ But we came

               To see the statue of our queen. Your gallery¹²

               Have we passed through, not without much content¹³

               In many singularities,¹⁴ but we saw not

15

15           That which my daughter came to look upon,

               The statue of her mother.

PAULINA

PAULINA     As she lived peerless,

               So her dead likeness, I do well believe,

               Excels whatever yet you looked upon

20

20           Or hand of man hath done: therefore I keep it

               Lonely,²¹ apart. But here it is. Prepare

               To see the life as lively mocked²² as ever

               Still²³ sleep mocked death. Behold, and say ’tis well. Paulina draws a curtain and reveals Hermione standing like a statue

               I like your silence, it the more shows off

25

25           Your wonder. But yet speak. First, you, my liege,

               Comes it not something near?²⁶

LEONTES

LEONTES     Her natural posture!

               Chide me, dear stone, that I may say indeed

               Thou art Hermione; or rather, thou art she

30

30           In thy not chiding, for she was as tender

               As infancy and grace. But yet, Paulina,

               Hermione was not so much wrinkled, nothing

               So agèd as this seems.

POLIXENES

POLIXENES     O, not by much.

35

35   

PAULINA

PAULINA           So much the more our carver’s excellence.

               Which lets go by some sixteen years and makes her

               As³⁷ she lived now.

LEONTES

LEONTES     As now she might have done,

               So much to my good comfort, as it is

40

40           Now piercing to my soul. O, thus she stood,

               Even with such life of majesty, warm life,

               As now it coldly stands, when first I wooed her!

               I am ashamed. Does not the stone rebuke me

               For being more stone⁴⁴ than it? O royal piece,

45

45           There’s magic in thy majesty, which has

               My evils conjured to remembrance and

               From thy admiring⁴⁷ daughter took the spirits,

               Standing like stone with thee.

PERDITA

PERDITA     And give me leave,

50

50           And do not say ’tis superstition,⁵⁰ that

               I kneel and then implore her blessing.— Lady, Kneels before the statue

               Dear queen, that ended when I but began,

               Give me that hand of yours to kiss.

PAULINA

PAULINA     O, patience! Prevents Perdita from touching

55

55           The statue is but newly fixed;⁵⁵ the colour’s not dry. Perdita stands?

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     My lord, your sorrow was too sore⁵⁶ laid on,

               Which sixteen winters cannot blow away,

               So⁵⁸ many summers dry. Scarce any joy

               Did ever so long live; no sorrow

60

60           But killed itself much sooner.

POLIXENES

POLIXENES     Dear my brother,

               Let him that was the cause⁶² of this have power

               To take off so much grief from you as he

               Will piece up in⁶⁴ himself.

65

65   

PAULINA

PAULINA           Indeed, my lord,

               If I had thought the sight of my poor image

               Would thus have wrought⁶⁷ you — for the stone is mine —

               I’d not have showed it.

LEONTES

LEONTES     Do not draw the curtain.

70

70   

PAULINA

PAULINA           No longer shall you gaze on’t, lest your fancy⁷⁰

               May think anon it moves.

LEONTES

LEONTES     Let be, let be.

               Would I were dead, but that methinks already —

               What was he that did make it?— See, my lord,

75

75           Would you not deem it breathed? And that those veins

               Did verily⁷⁶ bear blood?

POLIXENES

POLIXENES     Masterly done.

               The very life seems warm upon her lip.

LEONTES

LEONTES     The fixture⁷⁹ of her eye has motion in’t,

80

80           As we are mocked with art.

PAULINA

PAULINA     I’ll draw the curtain.

               My lord’s almost so far transported⁸² that

               He’ll think anon it lives.

LEONTES

LEONTES     O, sweet Paulina,

85

85           Make me to think so twenty years together!

               No settled senses⁸⁶ of the world can match

               The pleasure of that madness. Let’t⁸⁷ alone.

PAULINA

PAULINA     I am sorry, sir, I have thus far stirred you, but

               I could afflict you farther.

90

90   

LEONTES

LEONTES           Do, Paulina,

               For this affliction has a taste as sweet

               As any cordial⁹² comfort. Still, methinks

               There is an air⁹³ comes from her. What fine chisel

               Could ever yet cut breath? Let no man mock me,

95

95           For I will kiss her.

PAULINA

PAULINA     Good my lord, forbear:

               The ruddiness⁹⁷ upon her lip is wet.

               You’ll mar⁹⁸ it if you kiss it, stain your own

               With oily painting. Shall I draw the curtain?

100

100 

LEONTES

LEONTES             No, not these twenty years

PERDITA

PERDITA     So long could I

               Stand by, a looker-on.

PAULINA

PAULINA     Either forbear,¹⁰³

               Quit presently¹⁰⁴ the chapel, or resolve you

105

105         For more amazement. If you can behold it,

               I’ll make the statue move indeed, descend

               And take you by the hand. But then you’ll think —

               Which I protest against — I am assisted

               By wicked powers.¹⁰⁹

110

110 

LEONTES

LEONTES             What you can make her do,

               I am content to look on. What to speak,

               I am content to hear, for ’tis as easy

               To make her speak as move.

PAULINA

PAULINA     It is required

115

115         You do awake your faith. Then all stand still.

               On:¹¹⁶ those that think it is unlawful business

               I am about, let them depart.

LEONTES

LEONTES     Proceed:

               No foot shall stir.

120

120 

PAULINA

PAULINA             Music; awake her: strike!¹²⁰ Music

               ’Tis time: descend: be stone no more: approach: To Hermione

               Strike all that look upon with marvel. Come,

               I’ll fill¹²³ your grave up. Stir. Nay, come away.

               Bequeath to death your numbness, for from him¹²⁴

125

125         Dear life redeems you.— You perceive she stirs.

               Start not. Her actions shall be holy as Hermione comes down

               You hear my spell is lawful. Do not shun her

               Until you see her die again, for¹²⁸ then

               You kill her double. Nay, present your hand:

130

130         When she was young you wooed her, now in age

               Is¹³¹ she become the suitor?

LEONTES

LEONTES     O, she’s warm! Touches her

               If this be magic, let it be an art

               Lawful as eating.

135

135 

POLIXENES

POLIXENES             She embraces him.

CAMILLO

CAMILLO     She hangs about his neck.

               If she pertain to life¹³⁷ let her speak too.

POLIXENES

POLIXENES     Ay, and make it manifest¹³⁸ where she has lived,

               Or how stol’n from the dead.

140

140 

PAULINA

PAULINA             That she is living,

               Were it but told you, should be hooted¹⁴¹ at

               Like an old tale. But it appears she lives,

               Though yet she speak not. Mark a little while.—

               Please you to interpose, fair madam. Kneel To Perdita

145

145         And pray your mother’s blessing.— Turn, good lady, To Hermione

               Our Perdita is found.

HERMIONE

HERMIONE     You gods, look down

               And from your sacred vials pour your graces

               Upon my daughter’s head!— Tell me, mine own.

150

150         Where hast thou been preserved?¹⁵⁰ Where lived? How found

               Thy father’s court? For thou shalt hear that I,

               Knowing by Paulina that the oracle

               Gave hope thou wast in being,¹⁵³ have preserved

               Myself to see the issue.¹⁵⁴

155

155 

PAULINA

PAULINA             There’s time enough for that,

               Lest they¹⁵⁶ desire upon this push to trouble

               Your joys with like relation. Go together,

               You precious winners all. Your exultation

               Partake¹⁵⁹ to every one. I, an old turtle,

160

160         Will wing me to some withered bough and there

               My mate,¹⁶¹ that’s never to be found again,

               Lament till I am lost.¹⁶²

LEONTES

LEONTES     O, peace, Paulina!

               Thou shouldst a husband take by my consent,

165

165         As I by thine a wife. This is a match,¹⁶⁵

               And made between’s¹⁶⁶ by vows. Thou hast found mine —

               But how, is to be questioned, for I saw her,

               As I thought, dead, and have in vain said many

               A prayer upon her grave. I’ll not seek far —

170

170         For¹⁷⁰ him, I partly know his mind — to find thee

               An honourable husband.— Come, Camillo,

               And take her by the hand, whose worth and honesty

               Is richly noted and here justified¹⁷³

               By us, a pair of kings.— Let’s from this place.—

175

175         What? Look upon my brother.— Both your pardons, To Hermione, then also Polixenes

               That e’er I put between your holy looks

               My ill suspicion. This your son-in-law,

               And son unto the king, whom, heavens directing,

               Is troth-plight¹⁷⁹ to your daughter.— Good Paulina,

180

180         Lead us from hence, where we may leisurely

               Each one demand,¹⁸¹ and answer to his part

               Performed in this wide gap of time since first

               We were dissevered.¹⁸³ Hastily, lead away.

       Exeunt

Textual Notes

F = First Folio text of 1623, the only authority for the play

F2 = a correction introduced in the Second Folio text of 1632

Ed = a correction introduced by a later editor

SH = speech heading (i.e., speaker’s name)

F includes list of parts (“The Names of the Actors”) at end of text

1.2.3 burden spelled Burthen in F 126 And = F2. F = A 188 do = Ed. F = do’s 241 they say = F2. F = say 318 hobby-horse = Ed. F = Holy-Horse

2.1.6 SH FIRST LADY = Ed. F = Lady

2.3.45 What = F2. F = Who

3.2.10 Silence = Ed. F prints as a stage direction

3.3.69 bairn spelled barne in F 103 made = Ed. F = mad

4.3.1 SH AUTOLYCUS = Ed. Not in F 32 counters spelled Compters in F 46 offends = F2. F = offend

4.4.13 Digest it = F2. F = Digest 14 swoon = Ed. F = sworne 113 your = F2. F = you 184 out = Ed. F = on’t

4.4.234 SH AUTOLYCUS = Ed. Not in F 254 kiln spelled kill in F 336 square spelled squire in F 437 acknowledged = F2. F = acknowledge 441 who = F2. F = whom 447 shalt see = Ed. F = shalt neuer see 458 hoop = Ed. F = hope 528 whom = F2. F = who 681 flayed spelled fled in F 761 or = F2. F = at

5.1.93 SH PAULINA = Ed. Assigned to Cleomenes in F

5.3.21 lonely = Ed. F = Louely

This engraving, the frontispiece to Francis Kirkman’s The Wits (1672–73), depicts a number of famous dramatic characters, with Sir John Falstaff and the Hostess in the foreground, but it is most interesting for showing what a curtained “discovery space” at the back of the stage may have looked like: Hermione posed as the statue would have been revealed when Paulina drew the curtain. The space would also have been used when Prospero “discovers” Miranda and Ferdinand playing chess at the climax of The Tempest.

Act 1 Scene 1

 1.1    Location: Sicilia (now Sicily)

    1    Bohemia Bohemia, a central European kingdom, formerly part of the Austrian Empire; its capital was Prague    on…occasion in the same circumstances

    2    on foot in employment

    4    Bohemia the King of Bohemia

    6    Wherein…loves in whatever manner our hospitality may shame us, we shall make up for it in our love for you

    9    Verily truly    in…knowledge as my knowledge enables me to do

  10    rare exceptional/excellent    sleepy sleep-inducing

  11    insufficience inadequacy

  16    Sicilia the King of Sicily    trained educated (plays on the sense of “directed or joined horticulturally”)

  18    branch flourish

  19    necessities responsibilities

  20    attorneyed represented

  21    embassies messages

  22    vast boundless space    ends…winds opposite corners of the globe    The may the

  25    unspeakable indescribable    of in the form of

  26    note attention

  28    physics the subject gives health to the people

  29    ere before    desire…life are determined to survive

  30    else otherwise

Act 1 Scene 2

    1    wat’ry star the moon, which changes each month

    2    note observation

    3    burden i.e., occupant

    5    perpetuity ever

    6    cipher zero that, worthless in itself, may increase the value of a number it is added to

  10    Stay restrain

  13    questioned…truly’ plagued by anxieties as to what might happen in my absence and concerned that no biting (sneaping) winds of hostility should make me conclude I was right to be afraid

  19    put us to’t prove by testing me

  21    sev’nnight week

  22    very sooth truly

  23    between’s between us

  24    no gainsaying not be refused

  29    needful necessary

  31    Were…me would be a punishment to me (although well-intentioned)

  32    charge burdensome responsibility

  37    Charge entreat

  38    this…day such reassuring news was announced yesterday

  39    Say if you say

  40    ward defensive position (fencing term)

  42    tell say (to us)    strong i.e., as an argument

  43    But only

  45    distaffs cleft staffs around which wool or flax was wound for use in spinning

  46    adventure risk

  48    take receive

  49    behind…parting after the time (gest) appointed for his departure

  50    good deed indeed

  51    jar tick    behind…she less than any noble woman (loves)

  57    limber vows limp protestations

  58    t’unsphere the stars to unhinge the cosmos (each star was thought to be contained within its own hollow sphere)

  63    pay…depart Elizabethan prisoners were required to pay a fee on being released

  65    dread greatly to be feared

  68    import offending imply that I had offended

  73    Of about

  74    pretty lordings fine young gentlemen

  76    behind to come

  80    verier wag more mischievous fellow

  82    changed exchanged

  86    weak…blood childish dispositions/innocence never developed into adult passions

  88    the…ours excepting the inherited (original) sin of all mankind/and have been spared inherited (original) sin

  91    tripped sinned

  93    to’s to us

  94    unfledged undeveloped, youthful

  96    play-fellow i.e., Leontes

  97    Grace to boot! Charming too!

  98    Of …conclusion do not follow that statement (about temptation) to its logical conclusion

100    answer explain/respond to/repay

101    sinned …us had sexual relations with us and continued to do so only with us and no others

112    Cram’s cram us (i.e., me)

113    tame things domestic pets (fat plays on her pregnancy)    tongueless unremarked upon

114    Slaughters…that means that all corresponding deeds go unrecognized as well

115    ride’s ride us (with sexual connotations)

116    furlong a furlong is 220 yards (200 metres)    ere…acre before we will cover an acre as a result of (instead) being kicked with a spur

119    sister i.e., the first good deed Leontes mentioned

120    would I wish/if only    Grace i.e., virtue/honor/divine favor

124    crabbèd bitter, frustrating (crab apples were a notoriously sour fruit)

126    clap seal a bargain by striking hands reciprocally

129    lo look    to th’purpose effectively

131    friend companion (Leontes may pick up on the sense of “lover”)

133    mingling bloods process believed to occur during sex, since semen was assumed to be chiefly composed of blood

134    tremor cordis heart palpitations

135    entertainment hospitality (can have sexual connotations)

136    free innocent/open/generous

137    heartiness welcoming warmth    bounty generosity    fertile bosom profuse affection

138    well…agent still reflect well on the person behaving in such a way (Hermione)    ’T it

139    paddling…fingers i.e., flirtatious gestures    paddling fingering

140    practised studied/flirtatious

142    mort horn sounded at the kill of a deer/death    deer puns on “dear”

143    brows forehead, from which cuckolds (men with unfaithful wives) were supposed to grow horns

146    I’ fecks! In faith!

147    bawcock fine fellow (from French beau coq, meaning “fine cock, rooster”)    smutched dirtied, smudged

149    neat clean, smart (puns on the sense of “horned cattle”)

150    steer young male ox

151    virginalling…palm moving the fingers up and down, as if playing the virginals (a keyed instrument); with sexual innuendo

152    wanton wild/untrained/playful/lustful

155    Thou want’st you lack    rough pash shaggy head    shoots horns (signifying cuckoldry)

156    full complete, fully grown

159    o’er-dyed blacks fabric weakened by excessive dyeing/fabric that has had black dye applied over a preexisting color    wind, as waters i.e., changeable, capricious

161    bourn…mine boundary between his and my possessions (of which he intends to cheat me at dice)

163    welkin sky-blue

164    collop piece of flesh, offspring    Can thy dam is your mother capable (of infidelity)

165    Affection strong feeling/passion/animosity/delusion (sense apparently shifts between Hermione’s supposed erotic desire for Polixenes and Leontes’ intense reaction)    intention intensity, forceful purpose (which strikes to his heart, the    center of his being)

166    not so held deemed impossible

168    thou coactive art you collaborate

169    fellow’st are companion to    credent likely, believable

170    co-join conjoin (sexual suggestion)

171    commission what is permitted    find discover, discern

173    hard’ning…brows i.e., as a cuckold, beginning to grow horns

174    Sicilia i.e., Leontes

175    something seems appears somewhat

179    moved distressed

182    make…bosoms provide entertainment to those with harder hearts

185    unbreeched i.e., a child, not yet in breeches (short trousers)

186    muzzled sheathed or with its tip protected

190    squash unripe pea pod (familiar/contemptuous)

191    take…money i.e., be deceived into accepting something of inferior value (proverbial)

193    happy…dole may his destiny be good fortune/happiness

197    exercise usual occupation

199    parasite sponger, flattering courtier

201    childness childlike ways

202    Thoughts…blood i.e., melancholy, thought to thicken the blood

204    Officed in such a role

205    graver slower, more sedate

207    dear expensive/beloved    cheap inexpensive/common

208    rover wanderer

209    Apparent in line to

211    shall’s attend shall we wait for

212    bents inclinations    found discovered literally/exposed morally

215    Go to expression of impatient dismissal

216    neb, the bill nose and the mouth, i.e., she inclines her face as if to be kissed

217    arms…husband behaves as though she were with her own husband

219    forked horned

220    plays ambiguous: amuses herself/is busily engaged/practices deceit/has sexual intercourse; sense then shifts to “perform a role”

221    so…part i.e., the cuckold, butt of jokes    issue outcome/end/action/offspring (plays on the sense of “children”)

222    hiss derisive response to Leontes’ performance in role of cuckold

223    knell funeral bells    There have perhaps elided “There’ve” for sake of meter

224    cuckolds men with unfaithful wives

227    sluiced flushed out with water, i.e., semen

228    pond plays on sense of “vagina”    fished plays on sense of “copulated with”

230    gates i.e., vaginas

232    revolted unfaithful

233    Physic remedy

234    bawdy lewd    strike blast with a malevolent influence

235    predominant in the ascendant

237    barricado…belly i.e., defence against sexual entry

239    bag and baggage plays on the sense of “penis and testicles”    on’s of us

246    ado trouble, fuss    his anchor hold him (Polixenes) stay

247    still came home always returned, i.e., failed to take hold

249    petitions requests, entreaties

250    material urgent

252    They’re…already i.e., people are already talking about me    rounding talking secretly

253    so-forth so-and-so, i.e., cuckold    ’Tis…last it must be far advanced, if I am the last to realize it    gust taste

257    pertinent appropriate (as a description of her)

258    so it is as matters stand    taken understood, perceived

259    pate head

260    conceit is soaking understanding is receptive

261    blocks idiots

262    But of except by    severals individuals

263    head-piece intellect    Lower messes inferior classes

264    business plays on “sexual business”    purblind blind

272    Satisfy Leontes picks up on the sense of “gratify sexually”

275    well well as with

276    chamber-councils personal business

277    cleansed my bosom heard my confession and given me absolution

278    we Leontes falls back on royal “we” to assert authority

282    bide dwell

284    hoxes cripples

285    counted accounted, deemed

286    grafted planted

288    game play son the sense of “sexual play/contest”    home to its conclusion    stake drawn prize collected (plays on the sense of “penis ready for action”)

296    wilful-negligent deliberately neglectful

299    weighing considering, anticipating

300    issue outcome

301    whereof …non-performance where, the deed being accomplished, it became clear that it should indeed have been undertaken

306    trespass crime

307    visage face, appearance

310    eye-glass lens of the eye

312    vision so apparent something so obvious

313    cogitation thought

315    slippery licentious/deceitful/unchaste

316    be…To shamelessly deny that you

318    hobby-horse whore

319    rank lustful    flax-wench lowly woman (flax was spun on a—phallic—distaff, so this also signifies “whore/lecherous woman”)    puts…troth-plight has sex before her betrothal

322    clouded i.e., defamed

323    present immediate    ’Shrew curse (beshrew)

324    become befit, suit

325    were…true would be as sinful as the (adulterous) wrongs you describe, even if they were true

329    career full gallop

330    note infallible certain sign

331    honesty virtue, decency/chastity    Horsing…foot foot-treading, a favorite erotic signal of the period; plays on sexual sense of “mount,” adopting sexual position

333    Hours wishing hours were

334    pin and web cataract

338    nothing of no significance; plays on “no thing” (i.e., vagina/no penis)

341    betimes quickly

348    temporizer procrastinator

350    liver thought to be the seat of sexual passion

352    glass hourglass

354    medal miniature portrait of the beloved

356    bare bore, had

358    particular thrifts personal profit

359    undo prevent, ruin    doing action/sex

360    cupbearer servant who carried his master’s cup and was responsible for serving wine    meaner form lower rank

361    benched given a position of authority    worship honor, respectability

363    galled distressed, vexed    bespice season (with poison)

364    lasting wink eternal sleep (death)

365    cordial health giving, heart restoring

367    rash immediately effective

368    dram draught, tiny amount

369    Maliciously violently

370    crack moral breach (with vaginal connotations)    dread noble, respected

373    Make…rot! If you are going to dispute my accusations, then go and rot!

374    muddy dull-witted

375    appoint…vexation put myself in this distress

377    sleep peace of mind    spotted stained

379    Give…blood raise questions about the legitimacy

381    ripe moving to’t full, compelling reason for it

382    blench turn aside

384    fetch off kill (plays on the sense of “rescue”)

387    for…tongues preventing damaging talk

390    Thou…down i.e., what you suggest is exactly what I had intended to do

394    countenance expression/appearance

395    keep keep company with

404    miserable doomed, unfortunate

405    case situation

406    ground reason, imperative

408    in…himself behaving uncharacteristically, defying his true nature

409    All…too all of his servants behave in such a way as well

410    If even if

413    brass…parchment monuments or materials on which history is recorded

416    break-neck i.e., death Happy favorable

419    warp contract/go astray

423    none rare nothing exceptional

425    As as if

427    customary compliment usual courtesy

428    Wafting…th’contrary looking away    falling letting fall, pouting

434    intelligent informative, communicative    ’Tis thereabouts it must be something of this sort, i.e., something you    dare not say

435    to…must within your heart, if you know something, you cannot deny that you do

437    complexions appearance, expressions

442    distemper disordered constitution

444    Of from

446    basilisk mythical reptile that could kill with its sight and breath

447    sped fared/succeeded

448    regard look/favor, esteem

450    Clerk-like educated (and)

451    gentry gentlemanly role

452    whose success being descended from whom    gentle honorable

453    aught anything    behove benefit

459    conjure charge, solemnly appeal    parts qualities

460    whereof…suit not the least of which is (to answer) my request

462    incidency event

467    charged commanded

468    mark pay attention to

469    ev’n even, just

471    goodnight i.e., the end

473    him by him/to be the one

479    vice force

483    his…best i.e., Judas, betrayer of Christ

485    savour smell    strike blast, have an evil influence over    dullest least receptive

489    Swear…over even if you swear what he says is untrue

491    influences an invisible substance was supposed to stream from stars and influence destiny

492    for to to

493    or either

494    fabric building, structure

496    The…body for the rest of his life

497    grow have developed

501    trunk body

502    impawned as a pledge

503    whisper to inform secretly of

504    posterns back gates of the city

505    Clear them make their way out

506    which …lost i.e., in revealing this information I have ruined my fortunes

509    prove test

510    stand by reaffirm publicly

515    pilot guide    thy…mine your position/privileges shall always be related to mine    places dignities, rank, honors

517    hence departure departure from here

523    Professed professed friendship

525    Good expedition prompt departure

526    theme concern, motive

527    ill-ta’en misinformed, unjustified

529    avoid leave

Act 2 Scene 1

    5    none of have nothing to do with

  10    for because because

  12    so provided

  15    ’this you this

  22    rounds apace grows larger rapidly (in pregnancy)

  24    wanton with us (want to) play with us

  27    Good …her! May she have a happy labor!

  29    for ready for

  31    sad serious/mournful

  34    sprites spirits

  41    Yond crickets i.e., the other women over there

  44    tuft thicket

  45    scour move swiftly

  46    Even all the way

  48    just censure accurate/justifiable judgment

  50    in…infected i.e., a spider (thought to be venomous) would not poison the drink they were in unless the drinker knew of its presence    steeped soaked

  55    gorge stomach/throat

  56    hefts heaves    I have drunk perhaps elided “I’ve drunk” for sake of meter

  57    pander pimp, go-between

  59    mistrusted suspected    false deceitful

  62    pinched tormented    trick trifle, toy

  69    nurse breastfeed (babies of noble households were breastfed by wet nurses)

  72    Sport? A joke?

  74    sport entertain (plays on the sense of “have sex”)

  79    Howe’er…th’nayward whatever you think to the contrary

  83    justice rightful judgment

  84    honest truthful/chaste

  85    without-door public, outward

  86    straight immediately

  87    brands stigmas/slanders

  88    calumny slander    out wrong/angry/speechless

  89    That…itself i.e.,    mercy, not slander, uses shrugs to suggest that Hermione is unchaste; slander attacks actual    virtue (which she does not possess)

  91    come between interrupt

  96    replenished complete

  97    He…villain saying so would make him an even greater villain

  99    mistook plays on the sense of “wrongfully had sex with”

101    I’ll …place i.e., I will not desecrate your high rank by calling you what you really are (in fact Leontes does so:    creature plays on the sense of “whore”)

103    a like the same    degrees social classes

104    mannerly distinguishment the proper distinction

108    federary confederate, accomplice

109    know plays on the sense of “have sex”

111    bed-swerver unfaithful to the marital bed (“swerver” means offender, trespasser; possible play on “swiver”)

112    vulgars common people    bold’st titles coarsest names    Privy to secretly aware of

117    published publicly denounced    Gentle my my noble

118    throughly thoroughly    to say by saying

122    centre mainstay, support (i.e., if my supposition is incorrect, then the whole structure of my mind/the world will collapse)

123    top spinning-top, toy

124    afar off indirectly/by implication

125    But…speaks merely by speaking up

126    ill malevolent

128    aspect astrological influence

130    want lack

131    Perchance…pities may perhaps prevent you from feeling pity for me

132    here i.e., in my heart

134    qualified tempered, moderated    charities senses of charity

135    measure judge

137    heard i.e., obeyed

140    plight situation, i.e., her pregnancy

144    better grace higher virtue (in the eyes of God)

146    leave permission (to go)

158    keep…wife i.e., treat my wife as I would an animal/segregate my wife from all men (as mares were from stallions in stables)

159    in couples leashed together (as hounds were for the hunt)

160    Than…her not trust her except when I can see or feel her

162    dram tiny portion

167    putter-on plotter, instigator

169    land-damn of unclear meaning; probably “thrash pitilessly”

171    some about

173    geld spay, make infertile

174    bring false generations have illegitimate children

175    glib castrate

176    fair issue legitimate offspring

180    doing thus perhaps Leontes touches Antigonus or places Antigonus’ hand on something    withal in addition

181    instruments that feel i.e., fingers

183    honesty chastity/fidelity/truth

184    the…sweeten to perfume the face

186    credit credibility, (others’) belief

188    Upon this ground in this matter (plays on sense of “earth”)

189    suspicion doubt

193    instigation incentive, direction    Our…this my royal privilege does not require your advice; I am informing you of this out of    natural goodness

195    or stupefied either insensible

196    in skill falsely

197    Relish appreciate, understand

199    ord’ring on’t management of it

200    Properly personally

201    liege lord, superior entitled to feudal allegiance and service

203    overture public disclosure

205    ignorant by age grown stupid with age

208    gross…only obvious as any suspicion that lacked only visible proof (gross plays on the senses of “coarse/vile”)

209    nought for approbation nothing remained for proof

211    Made added    deed event/sexual act    proceeding course of action

214    wild rash    post haste

215    Delphos Delos, the island where Apollo the sun god was born and home to an oracle; possibly conflated with Delphi, the Greek town more famous for its oracle

217    stuffed sufficiency complete competency

218    had having been heard

223    he any man/Antigonus

225    Come up to face

226    From away from    free accessible/innocent/not imprisoned

227    treachery i.e., suspected plot to kill Leontes

230    raise rouse, incite

Act 2 Scene 2

  12    ado a fuss

  13    gentle noble/kind

  16    put apart dismiss, leave

  24    passes colouring surpasses dyeing/is beyond all attempts at justification

  27    forlorn outcast

  28    On on account of

  30    is…delivered has given birth prematurely

  33    Lusty robust

  37    lunes fits of madness, attributed to changes of the moon    beshrew curse

  38    on’t of it    office task

  39    Becomes is suited to

  40    honey-mouthed deceitful

  41    never…more may my tongue never be allowed to declare my anger again    red-looked dressed in red, like the military herald who preceded the trumpeter

  43    Commend…obedience send my devoted support

  46    Her…th’loud’st her most vociferous representative

  52    free generous    miss…issue fail to achieve a positive outcome (thriving issue plays on the sense of “healthy offspring”)

  54    meet suitable

  55    presently immediately

  57    hammered…design thought of this enterprise

  58    durst…honour dared not ask a noble person

  61    wit good sense, wisdom

  67    I…it punishment I risk to let it out of the prison

Act 2 Scene 3

    1    Nor neither

    3    in being alive

    4    harlot lascivious (Polixenes)

    5    blank target

    6    level aim, range

    7    hook attach

    8    Given…fire burned at the stake (punishment for treason)    moiety part

  15    Conceiving learning of

  19    solely alone

  20    him i.e., Polixenes

  23    parties, his alliance supporters, his allies

  28    she she who is

  30    be second to support

  33    free innocent

  37    hot rash, hasty

  38    sleep i.e., peace

  40    needless heavings pointless sighs or groans

  41    awaklng sleeplessness

  43    either both    humour mood/sickness

  46    needful conference necessary conversation

  47    gossips godparents

  48    How? What?

  53    On…peril at the risk of your fury

  55    rule control

  56    From away from

  58    Commit imprison

  60    La you now there you are, then

  67    in…yours when it comes to condoning your wrongs than those who seem superficially to be most loyal

  70    queen may pun on “quean” (whore)

  72    by…good prove her innocence by a duel

  73    the worst even the most lowly

  75    makes but trifles thinks little of, i.e., she’ll scratch them

  76    hand touch    On…off I’ll go when I decide

  80    Out! Away!

  81    mankind masculine/furious

  82    intelligencing bawd spying pimp

  84    ignorant inexperienced, unknowing

  85    entitling calling

  86    warrant assure (you)

  90    dotard old fool    woman-tired henpecked    unroosted dislodged, usurped in domestic authority

  91    Partlet traditional name for a hen

  92    crone old woman/old ewe

  94    Unvenerable unworthy of respect

  95    by…upon’t under that base name (of bastard) he has forced on it

  97    dreads fears (Paulina’s response seems to shift sense to “respects, reveres”)

107    as…opinion i.e., as he is king, it is a shame he cannot be forced to uproot the basis of his belief

111    callat nag/whore

113    baits provokes (plays on beats)

115    dam mother (contemptuous, usually applied to animals)

118    lay…charge apply the old proverb to you

119    ’tis the worse the child is the worse off for it

120    print copy    matter substance/image

122    trick manner, habit    nay even    valley perhaps the groove between the nose and the lip or a cleft in the chin

126    got begot, conceived

127    ordering…mind temperament

128    No yellow let there be no yellow (traditionally the color of jealousy)

130    hag witch

131    lozel scoundrel

132    stay her tongue shut her up

141    It…in’t i.e., it is you, the one who orders the fire, who is a heretic as you are burning me unjustly

145    weak-hinged fancy fragile, unsupported imaginings    savours smells

150    Where …life? i.e., I would have had her killed by now

153    Jove Roman king of the gods

154    What…hands? i.e., There is no need to manhandle me

155    You i.e., Leontes’ attendants

158    set on put up

162    straight immediately

164    testimony authority/evidence

167    proper own

176    credit credibility/honor

177    beseech’ beseech you

179    dear heartfelt/valuable

182    foul issue terrible outcome

183    I…blows I am exposed to every opinion

189    Lady Margery derogatory name for a woman; “Margery-prater” is a slang term for “hen”

191    this beard’s grey probably refers to Antigonus’ beard    adventure risk

203    lewd-tongued outspoken/lascivious

204    enjoin command

205    liege-man loyal servant

207    desert deserted

209    it its

210    strange fortune unnatural circumstances/foreign events, i.e., Polixenes

213    commend…place commit it to some foreign land

214    nurse…it nurture or kill it

215    present instant, immediate

217    kites birds of prey    ravens thought tobe a bird of ill omen

220    Like similar

221    more more ways    require deserves

222    thy addressed to the baby

226    posts messengers

232    beyond account without precedent/beyond description

235    suddenly immediately

237    session legal hearing    arraign put on trial

Act 3 Scene 1

 3.1    Location: on the road

    1    delicate exquisite/fragrant

    5    caught struck/charmed    habits clothing

    7    grave reverend, wise

  12    Kin similar    surprised assailed, overwhelmed

  14    th’event the outcome

  16    rare wonderful, exceptional

  17    worth…on’t well spent

  22    violent…it rash way it has been executed

  24    great divine chief priest

  25    discover reveal

Act 3 Scene 2

 3.2    Location: Sicilia

    4    Of by

    7    Even…purgation until we have established guilt or acquittal

  15    pretence purpose

  17    counsel advise/communicate with

  22    boot profit

  23    mine…received as I am thought to be a liar my claims shall be received accordingly

  29    patience endurance, suffering

  31    continent restrained/faithful

  33    history any historical narrative or fictional tale    pattern show, provide a model for

  34    take spectators enthrall an audience

  35    which owe who owns

  36    moiety portion

  38    prate prattle

  39    For…spare I value life as I do grief, both of which I could do without

  40    for…for honor is handed down from me to my children and it is only for that reason that I make a stand

  43    conscience also “inward consciousness”

  44    grace favor

  45    merited deserved

  46    With…thus by what unacceptable behavior have I transgressed that I appear on trial like this    encounter behavior (plays on the sense of “sexual act”)

  51    fie shame

  52    I…first I’ve never heard that adulterers lacked the same audacity to deny (gainsay) their actions that was required to perform them

  59    More…acknowledge I must not answer for more than those faults that I actually possess

  69    friend…yours relative (Polixenes), who has professed his love freely for you since childhood

  71    for as for

  72    dished served up

  76    Wotting knowing

  81    level…dreams target, aim of your delusions

  82    Which i.e., my life

  86    of your fact who have committed your crime

  87    concerns…avails is of more importance than practical advantage to you

  88    like to itself which, as a bastard, it should be

  91    in…death i.e., the very mildest form of your punishment will be death, perhaps preceded by torture

  94    bug imagined terror, fearful threat

  95    commodity thing of value

  97    give acknowledge, give up for

101    Starred most unluckily born under an unlucky star

102    it its

103    Haled dragged    post proclamations were nailed up publicly

104    strumpet harlot/whore    immodest outrageous

105    child-bed privilege rights extended to women after they had given birth, including bed rest    ’longs belongs

106    fashion ranks

108    strength of limit strength gained during the postnatal period of recuperation

113    free clear

114    sleeping else otherwise unforthcoming

115    awake create/muster

116    rigour…law severity rather than justice (plays on the phrase “the rigor of the law”)

125    flatness absoluteness

137    truly begotten conceived legitimately

144    sessions trial

148    conceit imagining

149    speed fate

154    mortal fatal

165    transported carried away, overcome

169    tardied held back from

172    Not…done depending on whether he did or did not do the deed

174    Unclasped my practice revealed my plot

176    commended entrusted

177    No richer than with nothing but    glisters shines

181    lace laces that fasten the corset,    cut to relieve faintness

184    studied planned

185    wheels to which victims were tied and beaten    Rack torture instrument that stretched the limbs

190    Fancies imaginings    green immature    idle foolish

193    bygone fooleries previous mistakes    spices slight tastes

195    of as    inconstant disloyal

198    Poor trespasses small crimes

201    or either

202    shed…done’t wept from his fiery eyes, or while burning in hellfire before he would commit such a sin

205    tender young    cleft broke

206    conceive understand    sire father

208    Laid…answer something you are required to answer to

209    said finished speaking

211    dropped down emerged

215    Tincture or lustre color or brightness

218    heavier…stir more sorrowful/weightier than all your remorse/misery can shift

219    betake thee To prepare for/go to

222    still permanent

224    look…wert look in your direction, take pity on you

229    Howe’er…speech whatever the nature of events you have erred in being so outspoken

237    petition urging, request

238    minded reminded

243    remember remind

244    patience endurance, suffering

246    Thou…truth you spoke best when most truthfully

248    of by

250    them i.e., the gravestones/burial monuments

254    nature…exercise I am physically able

256    use undertake

Act 3 Scene 3

 3.3    Location: Bohemia (coast)

    1    Thou…o’th’business dialogue between Antigonus and Mariner is set as verse, but may have been intended as prose    perfect certain

    2    deserts deserted coastal areas

    5    present blusters impending storms    conscience opinion

    6    that…hand what we are undertaking

    9    bark small ship

  12    loud stormy

  22    creature being, figure

  23    some another sometimes on the other side

  24    vessel container, figure

  25    filled…becoming full of sorrow and so beautiful

  26    sanctity holiness

  29    fury strong passion    anon presently

  35    for because

  36    Perdita literally “the lost one”

  37    ungentle ignoble/cruel

  39    shrieks ghosts were traditionally supposed to shriek in high-pitched voices

  42    toys trifles

  44    squared ruled

  49    speed fare, survive

  50    character written account of her history and parentage    these gold and jewels later found with the baby

  51    breed…thine pay for your upbringing with sufficient left over

  53    fault crime

  56    enjoined committed, obliged

  59    clamour the noise of hunters and dogs or the roar of the bear

  60    chase hunt (of Antigonus)/hunted bear    bear a real polar bear cub was available at the time of the play’s first performance, but some scholars assume an actor in bear costume

  64    ancientry elderly/ancestors

  65    boiled-brains idiots    this in this

  68    browsing of feeding on    an’t be thy if it be God’s

  69    bairn child    child baby girl

  70    scape sexual transgression    bookish well-read

  71    stair-work …behind-door-work i.e., secret sexual liaisons (work plays on the sense of “sexual activity” and    trunk plays on the sense of “body”)

  72    warmer i.e., from sexual activity    got begot, conceived

  73    tarry wait    hallooed called out    Clown a rustic, comic character; the Shepherd’s son

  76    on about

  77    ailest troubles/prevents

  79    firmament sky

  80    bodkin pin/needle

  82    chafes seethes    takes up consumes/rebukes

  84    boring piercing

  85    anon then/shortly    yeast foam

  86    hogshead cask of alcohol    land-service combat on land/food served on land (i.e., events on land)

  88    make…ship finish the story of the ship/tell you how the ship met its end    flap-dragoned consumed (as in a game of flapdragon, where raisins are plucked from burning brandy and swallowed)

  93    winked shut my eyes

  95    by nearby

  96    your…footing you would have been unable to stand (footing puns on the sense of “establishment of a    charity“)

  98    Heavy grave, sorrowful

  99    met’st met

100    bearing-cloth christening robe    squire i.e., one of a relatively high social position

102    changeling child taken by the fairies, or the one substituted for it

103    you’re…live you will live prosperously

105    fairy gold if not kept secret, riches brought by fairies were thought to bring bad luck    close secret

106    next nearest    still yet/always

109    curst vicious

111    what who

113    Marry by the Virgin Mary

Act 4 Scene 1

 4.1    Location: the theater

    1    try test (proverbial: “time tries all things”)    both…Of bringer of both joy and terror to the

    2    unfolds reveals

    4    wings Time was traditionally depicted as winged

    6    growth untried development unexamined

    8    self-born selfsame/self-created (by Time)

    9    plant and o’erwhelm create and overrule

  10    ere…received since the beginning of time, before the oldest laws and customs were set down and before those of the present day

  11    witness bear willing testimony

  12    them i.e., law and custom    do be

  13    stale…present redundant and past what is now fresh and gleaming

  15    seems to it seems old in comparison to the present

  16    glass hourglass

  17    As as if    Leontes…himself leaving Leontes to the consequences of his foolish jealousies, so distraught he shuts himself away

  20    Gentle noble, wellborn/excellent/polite, courteous

  22    king’s i.e., Polixenes’

  23    pace proceed

  25    Equal with wond’ring as great as the admiration her    grace inspires

  26    list not prophesy wish not to foretell

  28    adheres pertains

  29    argument subject matter

  31    yet yet allow

Act 4 Scene 2

 4.2    Location: Bohemia (court)

    1    importunate persistent, urging    ’tis…denying it makes me ill to deny

    3    fifteen the discrepancy between Camillo’s fifteen and Time’s sixteen years may be a scribal error or a slip on Shakespeare’s part

    4    been aired lived

    5    feeling heartfelt    allay comfort

    6    o’erween presume

    9    want be without    made me businesses handled affairs for me

  12    considered rewarded

  13    heaping friendships growth of Camillo’s kindnesses/increase of mutual friendship    fatal deadly

  15    reconciled remorseful, confessed

  18    unhappy miserable/unfortunate    gracious virtuous

  19    approved proved

  21    missingly noted noticed in his absence    retired absent

  22    exercises activities, pastimes

  25    eyes…service employees to watch him    removedness absence/where he goes

  28    unspeakable estate indescribable wealth

  29    rare note exceptional report

  30    begin originate

  31    angle fishhook

  33    question conversation

  34    uneasy difficult

  35    present immediate

Act 4 Scene 3

 4.3    Location: Bohemia (rural)    Autolycus literally, “the wolf himself” or “the lone wolf”; in classical mythology, he was a crafty thief

    1    peer peep out/appear

    2    doxy whore/low woman

    3    sweet o’ sweetest part of

    4    pale paleness/domain

    5    sheet…hedge spring-cleaning involved washing linen, which was hung out to dry on hedges

    7    set…edge unclear; the general sense seems to be “whet my appetite for thieving” (“to pug” means “to tug or pull” hence possibly “to steal”); alternative possibility is sexual (“pug” meant mistress/whore and “tooth” was associated with desire, as in “toothsome”)

  11    aunts whores, wenches

  12    tumbling having sex

  13    three-pile costly thick velvet    out of service unemployed

  19    tinkers menders of metal pots and kettles (also applied to beggars and thieves)    leave to live permission to live freely

  20    sow-skin budget pigskin toolbag

  22    in …avouch it affirm that I am a tinker (rather than a vagabond) and thus escape punishment    stocks instrument of punishment in which the arms or legs were confined

  23    traffic trade, goods    kite…linen the kite (a bird of prey) supposedly stole pieces of cloth to build its nest; Autolycus steals    sheets that have been left out to dry

  24    littered under fathered by/born under the influence of (the connotations of animal birth recall Autolycus’ wolfishness)    Mercury Roman god of thieves/the planet

  25    unconsidered disregarded, unattended    die i.e., gambling    drab whoring/pimping    caparison clothing, outfit

  26    silly cheat petty deception/foolish victim of my trickery    Gallows and knock hanging and beating (punishments of a highwayman)

  27    For…come as for the future/the afterlife

  29    ’leven wether tods eleven sheep will produce 12 kg (a tod) of wool    odd one

  31    springe trap    cock woodcock, a proverbially stupid bird

  32    counters round metal discs used for calculating    sheep-shearing feast festival held between May and July; the shearing of the sheep was accompanied by general celebrations

  35    lays it on sets about it thoroughly    made me made    nosegays posies of flowers

  36    three-man-song-men men who sing three-part songs

  37    means boy altos or adult countertenors puritan pious Protestant, opposed to excessive festivity

  38    hornpipes wind instruments/lively vigorous dance/piece of music for such a dance; the puritan is so religious he will only sing psalms to them    warden pies made from a variety of pear    Mace spice made from nutmeg

  39    out of my note not on my list    race root

  40    o’th’sun sun-dried

  42    I’th’name of me a mild, and unusual, oath

  46    stripes lashes of a whip

  48    great matter serious consequences/infected wounds

  51    horseman…footman highwayman or robber on foot (who would wear inferior garments)

  54    hot service active use, i.e., excessive wear

  58    out dislocated

  66    troll-my-dames loose women/whores

  70    abide stay briefly

  71    ape-bearer showman with a performing monkey

  72    process-server officer who serves a summons    compassed a motion traveled around with a puppet show    prodigal son in the New Testament parable, the younger son who squanders his inheritance but is forgiven by his father (Luke 15)

  73    living property

  74    flown over dabbled with

  76    Prig thief/tinker    wakes country festivals

  81    false of heart fearful

  85    softly gently

  87    good-faced honest, kind

  89    hot full (plays on the sense of “spicy”)

  90    cheat deception    bring out lead to

  91    sheep i.e., to be stupid    unrolled removed from the list of thieves and vagabonds

  94    hent grasp

Act 4 Scene 4

    1    unusual weeds special (festival) clothes

    2    Flora Roman goddess of flowers

    3    Peering…front appearing at the beginning of April

    4    petty minor

    7    chide…extremes rebuke your exaggerations

    9    mark o’th’land object of public attention    obscured concealed, disguised

  10    swain’s wearing rustic clothing

  11    pranked up dressed up, adorned

  12    mess group of diners/collection of dishes    folly lewd or foolish behavior

  13    Digest…custom tolerate it because it is a tradition

  15    show…glass look at myself in a mirror

  20    difference i.e., in rank

  22    accident chance event

  25    Vilely bound up humbly/degradingly dressed (literally, bound like a book)

  26    flaunts fancy clothes

  27    sternness majesty

  28    Apprehend be apprehensive about, imagine

  31    Jupiter…bull in classical mythology the Roman supreme god Jupiter transformed himself into a bull and abducted Europa

  32    Neptune…ram the Roman sea god Neptune took on the shape of a ram to carry off Theopane

  34    Apollo…swain the classical sun god Apollo disguised himself as a shepherd to seduce Alcestis

  37    in a way for an undertaking/in a manner

  38    Run not before do not overtake

  45    I my life possibly Perdita anticipates being threatened with death

  47    forced unnatural/uneasy

  48    Or either

  52    Though even if

  53    with…while i.e., by occupying yourself with anything else in the meantime

  55    as as if

  59    Stand you be/remain (Fortune was traditionally fickle)

  61    Address prepare    sprightly in a lively, cheerful manner

  64    pantler pantry maid

  65    dame hostess

  68    On his at one person’s

  70    to…sip toast each person    retired withdrawn

  83    rosemary herb symbolizing    remembrance rue herb symbolizing repentance and grace

  84    Seeming and savour appearance and smell

  88    fit suit, match

  90    the year …winter i.e., in autumn

  93    gillyvors gillyflowers, a type of dual-colored carnation

  94    nature’s bastards gillyflowers are a result of cross-pollination

  96    slips cuttings (plays on sense of “sexual lapse”)

  97    Wherefore why

  98    neglect reject

  99    For because

100    an…nature i.e., artificial cross-breeding, in its effect of creating streaked color, only imitates nature’s skill    piedness being multicolored

103    mean method

104    over…makes i.e., man and his materials are created by nature, therefore anything he does is essentially natural too

107    gentler scion nobler shoot    stock stem/ancestry

109    race root/ancestry, i.e., through cross-breeding, a superior plant is generated from a baser one

110    mend improve

116    dibble tool for making holes in which to plant seedlings    set plant

117    painted wearing makeup

120    Hot herbs were divided into “hot” or “cold” varieties based on their supposed qualities    savory a type of herb

121    goes…weeping the marigold closes at sunset and opens, filled with dew, at sunrise

127    Out, alas! exclamation of dismay

134    maidenheads virginities    Proserpina in Ovid’s Metamorphoses, Proserpina, the daughter of Ceres, is abducted by    Dis (Pluto) as she gathers flowers, and is taken in his chariot (wagon) to the underworld where he rules

137    dares i.e., return from its migration    take bewitch

138    dim modest/drooping

139    Juno queen of the Roman gods

140    Cytherea Venus

142    Phoebus the sun god    malady…maids i.e., greensickness, a type of anaemia that caused pallor and weakness; it affected adolescent girls

144    crown imperial a lily first imported into England from Constantinople in the late sixteenth century

145    flower-de-luce fleur-de-lis, heraldic lily (actually a type of iris)

150    if if so

151    quick alive

153    Whitsun pastorals morris dances and plays celebrating Whitsun, seven Sundays after Easter

156    Still always

158    alms charity to the poor or sick

159    ord’ring arranging of

162    still plays on the sense of “motionless”

163    own…function perform no other activity    your doing thing you do

164    singular exceptional (plays on the sense of “individual, particular“)    particular individual aspect

165    what…deeds your present actions

167    Doricles the name Florizel has assumed

169    true honorable/faithful

170    give you out proclaim you to be

172    the false way with dishonorable intentions

174    skill cause

176    turtles turtledoves, thought to mate for life

180    greensward grass

184    blood look out blush    sooth truth

185    curds and cream derived from milk and thus associated with shepherds

187    mistress dance partner

188    mend…with i.e., improve her breath (so bad that even garlic would help)

189    in good time expression of indignation

190    stand upon insist on

194    boasts say he boasts

195    worthy feeding rich pasture, grazing land

197    like sooth truthful

203    featly skillfully

206    light upon choose her (for marriage)    Servant i.e., the Old Shepherd’s servant (whose presence indicates that though humble, the household is not impoverished)

209    tabor small drum used for morris dancing

210    tell count out    ballads narrative songs sung and sold by itinerant pedlars

211    grew listened attentively/were drawn to

212    better at a better time

215    milliner vendor of fashionable hats and gloves

217    bawdry lewdness    burdens refrains    dildos and fadings nonsense words used in refrains (plays on the senses of “false penis” and “moment after orgasm”)    ‘jump…her’ also with sexual connotations

218    stretched-mouthed wide-mouthed/obscene

219    break…matter interrupt the song with an obscenity (gap plays on the sense of “vagina”)

220    Whoop exclamation of outcry or excitement

222    brave excellent/impudent

223    admirable conceited extraordinarily witty, ingenious

224    unbraided untarnished, not shop-soiled (“braid” plays on the sense of “ribbon”)

225    points laces used to attach doublet and hose (plays on the sense of “arguments”)

226    by th’gross wholesale

227    inkles linen tape    caddisses yarn tape used for garters    cambrics fine linen from Cambray in Flanders    lawns fine linen    ’em over about them

228    smock woman’s undergarment

229    sleeve-hand cuff    work about embroidery on    square square piece of material on the chest area

232    You have there are some

233    go about wish

235    Cypress lightweight crepe fabric

236    sweet scented

237    Masks worn by women to protect the complexion from the sun

238    Bugle glittering

240    quoifs close-fitting caps    stomachers decorated fronts for women’s dresses

242    poking-sticks rod for stiffening the folds of a ruff (with possible phallic play)

247    enthralled enslaved (by love)    bondage (buying and) binding up

248    against in preparation for

249    more than that presumably marriage

250    paid you had sex with you/given you    paid…again refers to pregnancy and the shame of an illegitimate child

252    plackets…faces i.e., reveal their most private affairs in public    placket slit in a skirt or petticoat (hence “vagina”)

254    kiln-hole fire hole at an oven (somewhere to gossip)

255    Clamour silence

257    tawdry-lace Saint Audrey’s lace, a decorative neckerchief

259    cozened tricked

260    abroad roaming about    behoves befits

263    charge value

265    alife on my life

267    usurer moneylender    brought…of delivered

268    at a burden in one birth

269    carbonadoed scored and grilled

273    Tale-porter i.e., “tale-bearer” or bringer of “tail” (vagina), hence pimp

276    lay it by set it aside

279    fourscore eightieth (four times twenty)    forty thousand fathom 240,000 feet (about 74,000 meters)

281    exchange flesh have sex

284    justices’ magistrates’    hands signatures    pack bag, pack of goods

288    passing extremely

289    request demand

291    bear a part sing a part/play a role/handle genitals

293    on’t of it

294    Have…you let’s begin

304    Or either    grange farmhouse

305    ill wrong

312    have…anon finish this song later

313    sad serious

321    toys ornaments, trinkets

325    utter offer for sale    ware-a wares, goods

326    carters cart drivers    neat-herds cowherds

327    made…hair dressed in hairy disguises, presumably animal skins, to resemble satyrs

328    Saltiers malapropism for “satyrs” (mythical creatures, part man, part goat)    gallimaufry of gambols chaotic mixture of leaps

330    bowling i.e., a gentle, sedate activity

331    homely simple

333    threes trios

336    by th’square with great precision

337    prating chattering

339    stay are waiting

340    father respectful term of address for an old man    you’ll…hereafter presumably refers to a conversation the men were having during the dance

342    He’s simple the Shepherd is ignorant/humble

345    handed handled    wont accustomed

346    she with knacks lady with trifles, presents

349    marted bargained/bought

350    Interpretation should abuse should misinterpret

351    bounty generosity    straited at a loss

352    make…her care about keeping her happy

356    looks looks for

358    delivered i.e., legally, through formal betrothal    breathe my life i.e., pledge my love

360    sometime formerly, at some time

362    bolted sifted, refined

363    blasts winds

365    wash clean/whitewash

366    was that was    put you out disconcerted you (by interrupting); also used for actor forgetting his lines

367    to return to    protestation declaration

374    Thereof of all monarchs

378    Commend…perdition either commit them to her service, or consign them to ruin

386    By…his through understanding the purity of my own thoughts I recognize that of his (a dress-making metaphor)

391    portion dowry

393    one being dead i.e., when Polixenes dies and Florizel inherits the throne

396    Contract…witnesses the formal betrothal; a pledge of marriage uttered before witnesses was legally binding

399    Soft wait a moment    swain country gallant or lover/young man/rustic

406    becomes befits

407    incapable Of unable to understand (through senility)

409    alt’ring rheums weakening catarrh or similar ailments of old age

410    Dispute deal with

411    does…childish i.e., suffers dementia and returns to a state of childish dependency

418    unfilial not like a son, unnatural    Reason it is reasonable that

421    posterity family, descendants    hold some counsel be involved, consulted

423    yield grant

434    Mark witness

438    affects aspires to/seeks to obtain/loves/assumes the character of/puts on a pretence of    sheep-hook shepherd’s crook, and by implication a shepherd girl (derogatory)

441    excellent skilled    of force by necessity

442    cop’st with deal with/embrace

445    homely ugly/humble    fond foolish/doting

447    knack toy/piece of trickery

448    succession i.e., to the throne

449    Not…blood disown you

450    Far…off less linked in kinship than to    Deucalion, in classical mythology the common ancestor of humankind and thus the most distant relation possible

451    churl rustic/villain, i.e., the Shepherd

453    dead…it i.e., execution    enchantment enchantress, witch, i.e., Perdita

454    him i.e., Florizel

455    That…thee i.e., were it not for his royal blood, his behavior has made him even unworthy of a lowly person like you

457    rural latches metaphorical gates that lead from Perdita’s rustic world into Florizel’s

460    tender acutely receptive

461    undone ruined

465    visage face

466    alike both alike

475    fourscore three eighty-three

476    fill…quiet die peacefully

480    no…dust criminals were denied a Christian burial

481    adventure dare

482    mingle faith exchange vows (perhaps with play on the belief in the mingling of blood during sex)

488    straining…back determined for being deterred    following…unwillingly being dragged against my will

493    purpose intend    hardly with great dificulty/unwillingly

498    I think, Camillo? Camillo either takes off his disguise or is recognized by Florizel, even with it on

501    dignity worth

502    But only

504    violation…faith breaking of my oaths

506    seeds i.e., of life    Lift…looks look at me/be cheerful

507    wipe erase

509    Be advised be cautious, think carefully

510    fancy feelings, love

514    desperate extreme/rash/dangerous

516    honesty right, honorable

517    pomp splendor, ostentation

519    close secret/enclosed    wombs holds within    profound deep

525    passion rage

526    Tug contend with one another

527    deliver report

530    rides fast by anchored nearby

531    What…hold where I intend to go

532    Shall…reporting will not benefit you to hear or me to tell you

535    for advice to advise

539    irremovable determined

541    frame…turn use for my purposes

543    Purchase obtain

547    fraught burdened    curious difficult

548    ceremony courtesy (toward you)

550    poor meager

554    not…on and important to him to reward your service as fully as he values it

559    embrace…direction accept my advice, adopt my plan

560    ponderous weighty    settled fixed, determined

561    suffer alteration permit some adjustments

562    receiving a reception

564    Enjoy make love to/love freely

565    disjunction separation

566    forfend forbid

568    discontenting discontented    qualify pacify

569    liking giving his approval

573    after…to ever after trust

574    on of

577    th’unthought…do this unexpected event is responsible for our rash behavior now

579    flies…blows blown about like flies in the wind

581    list listen

586    habited dressed

590    As…person as though he were your father

591    divides…kindness veers between chastising himself for his past unkindness/unnatural behavior and endeavoring to be kind/fatherly now

596    colour pretext

600    bearing behavior

601    as as if

603    point…sitting direct you at every discussion (with regard to)

605    bosom most personal thoughts

608    sap life

611    unpathed uncharted

613    one one misery

614    nothing…as your only certainty

615    stay hold, keep

617    Prosperity’s…love good fortune secures love

619    Affliction alters (love) is changed by adversity

621    subdue the cheek make the complexion pale

622    take in affect/conquer

624    seven years i.e., for a long time

625    such such as Perdita

627    as…birth as superior to her lowly upbringing as she is inferior to us in rank

630    instructions education

638    furnished dressed/equipped

639    appear appear so

641    fortunes wealth

643    appointed provided for

644    mine written/performed by me    instance proof

645    want go without

647    trumpery worthless finery    stone gem

648    glass mirror    pomander ball of sweet-smelling substances carried about for ornament or to prevent infection    table-book notebook

649    horn-ring ring made from horn, thought to possess magical qualities    fasting i.e., being empty

650    hallowed sacred    benediction blessing

651    best in picture looked best (to steal)

652    use purpose/opportunity/profit    wants lacks    something some thing

653    grew plays on the phallic sense of “became erect”    pettitoes feet (literally, pig’s trotters)

655    stuck in ears were devoted to hearing    placket literally, slit in a petticoat, hence “vagina”

656    geld…purse cut a purse free from the codpiece it is attached to/castrate (geld) a scrotum

657    my sir’s i.e., the Clown’s

658    nothing meaninglessness/silliness (puns on musical “noting,” which was pronounced similarly)

659    whoo-bub hullabaloo

660    choughs small chattering birds of crow family, especially jackdaws (plays on “chuffs” meaning “rustics”)    chaff wares, pickings/husks of grain after threshing/refuse

665    satisfy appease

670    Nothing nothing that

675    outside…poverty i.e., poor clothing

676    discase undress

677    think believe, understand

678    pennyworth bargain

679    some boot something more

681    dispatch hurry    flayed stripped

682    in earnest sincere (sense then shifts to “advance payment”)    trick knack/habit/trickery    on’t of it, i.e., duping people

687    Come…ye be fulfilled

688    covert hiding place

689    pluck pull

690    Dismantle you take off your outer clothes    disliken disguise

691    seeming appearance

692    eyes over spies

693    undescried undetected

694    lies plays on the sense of “dissimulates”

696    remedy alternative

703    twain two

708    after in pursuit

709    review see again

710    woman’s i.e., overwhelming

711    speed favor/hasten

715    cutpurse one who steals by cutting purses which were worn hanging from the waist

717    exchange conversation/exchange of garments/financial transaction    without boot even without payment    boot benefit/profit/shoe

718    connive at conspire with

719    extempore on a whim, spontaneously    piece of iniquity wrongful act

720    clog burden (block of wood tied to man or animal to prevent escape)/mistress

721    withal with this

722    constant faithful    fardel bundle

723    hot enthusiastic, active

724    session court session    careful attentive, cunning

726    changeling fairy child (usually substituted for a stolen mortal baby)

729    Go to go ahead

738    I…ounce i.e., nothing at all

739    puppies i.e., silly ones

742    complaint lament, grounds for grievance

743    master i.e., Florizel

746    pocket up put away    excrement i.e., moustache/beard

747    an it like if it please

748    condition nature

749    having means, wealth

750    discover reveal

751    plain simple (Autolycus plays on sense of “smooth”)

753    give…lie deceive us/accuse us of lying (a valid cause for a duel)    pay…lie i.e., even if cheated or insulted, since soldiers pay with legitimate currency rather than by stabbing, tradesmen cannot claim to have given anything (free goods/the lie), and a duel is thus avoided

755    one the lie/a duel    taken…manner behaved properly/caught yourself in time

759    enfoldings clothing    gait posture, bearing    measure graceful movement

760    baseness lowly status, which the court would find contemptuous

761    for that because    insinuate draw out subtly    toaze tease out

762    cap-a-pe from head to toe

763    open thy affair disclose your business

765    advocate representative

767    pheasant the only courts known to the Clown are those of local justices; he assumes Autolycus refers to bribing the judge with a gift

771    but anyone but

773    fantastical imaginative/eccentric

774    picking on’s teeth the way he picks his teeth (ornate toothpicks were a mark of fashion)

779    Age old man

782    be’st…serious are able to understand important things

786    hand-fast arrested    fly flee, escape

789    wit…heavy ingenuity can make brutal

790    germane related

792    sheep-whistling rogue rascal who whistles to his sheep    ram-tender one who looks after rams    offer attempt

793    grace favor at court

794    sheep-cote building sheltering sheep

796    ’nointed anointed, covered

797    dram tiny bit

798    aqua-vitae liquor

799    prognostication proclaims the calendar forecasts

801    blown swollen with flies’ eggs (laid in wounds)

802    capital worthy of the death penalty

803    to to say to    Being…considered as I am deemed noble/esteemed at court

804    tender offer, present

805    him in to him on    man any man

807    Close make a deal

811    that what

812    in pawn as security

816    moiety half

817    case circumstances/skin

822    gone else dead otherwise

825    before ahead of me

826    look…hedge i.e., urinate

829    suffer allow

830    booties booty, benefits    courted wooed    occasion opportunity

832    him i.e., Florizel’s ship

833    shore them put them ashore

834    officious interfering

835    proof against impervious to

836    matter serious business/reward

Act 5 Scene 1

 5.1    Location: Sicilia

    2    sorrow i.e., penitence

    3    paid…trespass endured and repented more than the sin warranted

    9    in them with regard to them

  16    the…are all existing women

  22    good now expression of entreaty

  26    done…benefit been more helpful

  32    sovereign name royal lineage, i.e., through an heir

  33    fail of issue childlessness

  35    Incertain lookers on subjects or spectators who are unsure and anxious about the future

  36    well i.e., in heaven

  42    Respecting compared to

  45    tenor substance

  48    monstrous incredible, unnatural

  50    on my life I am certain

  51    counsel advice

  54    Great…th’worthiest Alexander the Great reportedly urged his followers simply to choose the worthiest man as his successor

  60    squared me conformed

  61    full perfect

  66    One…used i.e., if I married an inferior woman and treated her better (than Hermione)

  67    her i.e., Hermione’s

  68    and i.e., and do so/and appear

  69    now i.e., now stand (or perhaps a printer’s error for “mourn”)    soul-vexed tormented (dying with a troubled soul was thought to make the dead rise as ghosts)

  70    Why i.e., why offer this insult

  72    had would have

  75    should so would also incite you to do so

  76    mark note, observe

  79    rift split

  80    mine i.e., my eyes

  82    eyes else other eyes

  85    leave permission

  88    tempt test

  91    Affront come before

  95    office task, responsibility

  98    walked…ghost were the ghost of Hermione to walk Servant so called in Folio, but clearly a gentleman courtier (he has once written poetry in praise of Hermione)

105    gives out himself claims to be

109    What i.e., what attendants, company

111    out of circumstance without ceremony

112    framed planned

113    accident chance event    train retinue (has he with him)

115    mean humble

117    peerless…earth perfect mortal

120    As…now as every present moment claims to be superior to what’s past, so must you (Hermione) yield for the living

124    theme subject of your verses, i.e., the dead Hermione

126    shrewdly ebbed severely lapsed/wisely receded

129    one i.e., Hermione

131    tongue praise

133    professors else those dedicated to other religions    proselytes converts

134    who whoever

143    prince i.e., the dead Mamillius

145    full a a full

151    Unfurnish deprive

153    print…off made an exact copy of Polixenes

155    hit exact

161    begetting producing

163    society company

164    Amity friendship

165    Though…him I desire to go on living, however miserably, in order to see him once more

168    touched arrived in Sicilia/moved Leontes

169    at friend in friendship

170    but were it not that

171    waits…times accompanies old age    something…ability affected the strength he wishes he had

174    Measured traveled

175    sceptres…living i.e., living kings

179    offices kindnesses

180    rarely exceptionally    as…slackness reveal to me how remiss I have been

183    paragon i.e., Perdita    fearful usage frightening treatment

184    ungentle rough    Neptune Roman god of the sea

185    pains trouble

186    Th’adventure …person risking of her personal safety

189    Smalus no definitive source has been found for Smalus

192    tears proclaimed grief at her departure demonstrated her to be

194    execute carryout    charge duty/command

197    bend direct their course

203    climate spend time

204    graceful full of divine grace

207    issueless childless

209    his of his

213    bear no credit seem unbelievable

214    nigh nearby

216    attach arrest

217    dignity and duty royal status and his duty to his father

222    amazedly in a state of amazement/confusedly, distractedly    becomes My marvel befits my astonishment

226    seeming apparent

232    Lay’t…charge accuse him directly

236    Has …question is questioning these miserable/humble men (the Shepherd and the Clown)

238    Forswear themselves renounce what they have said

239    stops blocks

240    divers several

243    contract betrothal

246    kiss…first i.e., fall to earth

247    The…alike random events of fortune affect those of high and low birth regardless/it is as likely that the high and the low should be united in marriage as it is that the stars will descend to earth

256    worth rank

258    look up i.e., keep your spirits up

262    since…now when you were no older than I am now

264    Step…advocate come forward as my supporter

267    trifle toy/sexual whim of yours

273    petition request

275    Your…desires provided you have not let lust corrupt your honor (i.e., had sex)/provided your wishes are not incompatible with your status

278    what…make how far I succeed

Act 5 Scene 2

    1    relation account, narrative

    2    by nearby

    4    chamber room/royal presence

    6    issue outcome (plays on the sense of “child”)

    7    broken delivery incomplete/confused report

    8    notes of admiration marks of wonder

    9    cases…eyes their eyelids (i.e., by staring in amazement)

  10    as as if

  13    importance meaning, import    one one or the other

  15    happily perhaps

  16    bonfires i.e., celebrations

  17    ballad-makers ballads often provided accounts of contemporary scandals and events

  20    verity truth

  22    pregnant by circumstance proven by evidence

  24    mantle loose sleeveless cloak

  25    character handwriting

  26    affection of instinct toward, disposition of

  33    countenance facial expressions/behavior

  34    distraction frenzy    favour face/appearance

  37    worries he he harasses

  38    clipping embracing    like…reigns (weeping) like a fountain that has endured the reigns of many kings

  40    lames…it makes any account of it seem deficient    undoes defies    do express

  43    rehearse recount

  44    credit belief    with by

  45    avouches vows    innocence simple-mindedness, freedom from cunning

  47    bark small ship

  51    one …elevated i.e., experienced a mixture of happiness and grief

  54    losing being lost

  57    prettiest touches most ingenious/charming aspects

  58    caught the water i.e., provoked tears

  60    attentiveness intent listening

  61    dolour grief    fain be compelled to

  62    marble hard-hearted

  67    newly performed recently completed

  68    Julio Romano Italian painter who died in 1546, infamous for erotic works

  69    beguile cheat    custom business

  70    ape mimic    done created

  75    removèd isolated, remote    piece add to

  76    thence away from there

  77    grace wonder    unthrifty unprofitable, i.e., we waste an opportunity to add

  79    dash trace    preferment promotion

  80    the i.e., the ship of the

  85    relished tasted well    discredits misdeeds

  87    blossoms full-flowering

  90    this the

  93    Give…lie insult me so that I may challenge you to a duel    try find out

103    preposterous utterly absurd; the Clown means to say “prosperous”

105    give…report speak well of me

106    gentle noble/kind

112    boors peasants    franklins landowners ranking below the gentry

115    ne’er so false completely false    in on

116    tall…hands brave/fine man

118    would wish

120    to my power as far as I can (perhaps implying his skill at using his hands for picking pockets)

123    picture likeness, statue

Act 5 Scene 3

    1    grave wise

    3    What whatever

    5    paid home rewarded fully    vouchsafed agreed, granted kindly

    6    contracted betrothed

    8    which…answer which for all my life I shall not be able to repay

  11    trouble i.e., demands on your hospitality

  12    gallery long, large room

  13    content pleasure

  14    singularities objects of note

  21    Lonely separate (Folio’s “Louely” is conceivably correct, but a printer’s error much more likely)

  22    lively mocked realistically imitated

  23    Still motionless    well well-done

  26    something near somewhat close to resembling her

  37    As as if

  44    stone hard-hearted/dead (from grief)

  47    admiring full of wonder    spirits vital energies

  50    superstition idolatry

  55    fixed painted

  56    sore painfully/severely

  58    So…dry and an equal number of summers cannot dry up

  62    cause i.e., himself

  64    piece up in add to

  67    wrought moved, affected

  70    fancy imagination

  76    verily truly

  79    fixture fixed setting    motion movement, life

  82    transported entranced

  86    settled senses calm state of mind in

  87    Let’t leave it

  92    cordial restorative, beneficial to the heart

  93    air…her she seems to breathe

  97    ruddiness rosy color

  98    mar spoil

103    forbear restrain yourself, withdraw

104    presently immediately    chapel room set aside for worship    resolve you prepare yourself

109    wicked powers witchcraft

116    On onward

120    strike strike up (sense then shifts to “affect”)

123    fill…up i.e., bring you back to life

124    him i.e., death

128    for…double by shunning her in this new life, you would kill her again

131    Is…suitor? i.e., Must she take your hand?

137    pertain to life is truly alive

138    make it manifest explain

141    hooted jeered

150    preserved kept alive, protected

153    in being alive

154    issue outcome/child

156    they …relation at this crucial moment others trouble your happiness by relating their own stories

159    Partake extend    turtle turtledove, thought to mate for life

161    mate i.e., Antigonus

162    lost dead

165    match contract

166    between’s between us

170    For as for

173    justified confirmed, acknowledged

179    troth-plight betrothed

181    demand question

183    dissevered divided

THE LIFE AND DEATH OF KING JOHN

During April 1811, Jane Austen was staying in London with her brother Henry. In a letter home to her sister Cassandra, she complained of “a very unlucky change of the Play for this very night—Hamlet instead of King John—and we are to go on Monday to Macbeth instead, but it is a disappointment to us both.” Two centuries on, we are likely to be astonished that so discerning a woman as Jane Austen would rather have seen King John than Hamlet or Macbeth. There is, however, a simple explanation: Austen was a seasoned admirer of Sarah Siddons, the greatest actress of the age, one of whose most celebrated roles was that of the impassioned Queen Constance, as rewarding a female role as any in the whole corpus of Shakespeare’s English history plays.

It was not for the wronged mother Constance alone that King John was held in high regard in the nineteenth century. The Victorians, with their penchant for sentiment, delighted in the pathos of the boy Arthur persuading Hubert not to burn out his eyes with hot irons. But the largest role, bigger than that of the vacillating king who gives the play its title, is that of the Bastard, Philip Falconbridge. The German Romantic critic A. W. von Schlegel was compelled by this figure: “He ridicules the secret springs of politics, without disapproving of them, for he owns that he is endeavoring to make his fortune by similar means, and wishes rather to belong to the deceivers than the deceived, for in his view of the world there is no other choice.” The Bastard—a dramatic invention, not a real historical figure—is a key character in Shakespeare’s development of the self-serving type that reaches its apogee with lago in Othello and Edmund in King Lear. Yet he is the most sympathetic male adult in the drama. He has wit and wisdom as well as the desire for advancement. The rest are mere politicians. In its anatomy of the mechanisms of their intrigue, King John is one of Shakespeare’s most modern plays. Set in a feudal world where monarchs were supposed to be God’s representatives on earth, it exposes power as a “commodity” for which men are in hungry competition.

The Bastard is the only character in whom the audience have confidence because he has confidence in us. Soliloquies offer access to his thought processes, and self-conscious theatricality allows the spectators to share his space. “Your royal presences be ruled by me,” he says to two kings at once, and we enjoy his presumption because he makes us part of the story: his lines about the citizens of Angiers, watching from the “battlements” of the stage gallery, are equally applicable to the paying crowd “in a theater, whence they gape and point / At your industrious scenes and acts of death.”

“Speak, citizens, for England,” says the King of France to the people of Angiers as it is besieged by rival armies from opposite sides of the English Channel. Of all Shakespeare’s history plays, King John is the one that most explicitly asks what it might mean to speak for England. It explores questions about legitimacy and inheritance that were not only of concern to all propertied families in Tudor England, but also of monumental significance to the monarchy—especially at a time when an aged childless queen was sitting on the throne. In the much better known play of King Lear, the legitimate son Edgar is the virtuous one and the illegitimate Edmund is the villain. King John imagines a more challenging possibility: suppose that a great king dies and that his bravest, most honest, and most intelligent son is an illegitimate one. In such a circumstance, inheritance on the basis of merit is not possible: if a bastard were to ascend the throne, the legitimacy of the entire monarchical system would be called into question. The seamless interdependence of patrilineal state, law, Church, and family would begin to unravel.

Richard I, the Lionheart, the exemplary king, has died without a legitimate son; the next brother in line (Geoffrey) is also dead. Who should succeed: the next brother down (John) or the son of the first brother (Arthur)? As if this were not difficult enough, the question of who speaks for England is intertwined with other debates about legitimacy. What is the geographic limit of England’s domain—does England retain the right to rule parts of France? And who should speak for England’s religion? This thorny issue is focused on the appointment of a new archbishop of Canterbury to head the English Church. Does the pope have the right to impose his candidate or should the English retain a voice in their own ecclesiastical affairs? Is there a point at which the monarchy may legitimately reject the will of the papacy? For a Tudor audience, a confrontation of this sort was bound to reverberate with Henry VIII’s disputed divorce and the break from Rome in the 1530s.

In Protestant ideology, King John was a hero because he stood up against papal tyranny. He was seen as a kind of Henry VIII before his time. In the mid-sixteenth century, the Protestant zealot John Bale wrote a court drama on these lines, while the text of Shakespeare’s probable primary source, the anonymous two-part play The Troublesome Reign of King John (published in 1591), is awash with raw anti-Catholic propaganda. Shakespeare’s own play has often been read as testimony to his Protestant allegiance: in the 1730s, at a time of anxieties about a potential Jacobite uprising, an adaptation of it was performed in London with the unambiguous title Papal Tyranny in the Reign of King John. Yet the authentic Shakespeare is profoundly ambiguous. There is a clear vein of anti-Catholicism in John’s “no Italian priest / Shall tithe or toll in our dominions,” together with the way in which the papal legate Cardinal Pandulph is a scheming politician who speaks by indirections and equivocation (“But thou dost swear only to be forsworn, / And most forsworn, to keep what thou dost swear”). At the same time, John is accusingly addressed as “The borrowed majesty of England” and his equivocation hardly makes him a model ruler.

Back in the first scene, before there is any resolution to all the difficult questions of succession and faith, power, and proprietorship, a sheriff enters. His presence signals the jurisdiction of the shires, the “country” as opposed to the “court” interest. The question of which of two brothers will inherit a parcel of land in the shires parallels that of which of Richard Coeur-de-lion’s brothers, John or Geoffrey (through Arthur), will inherit the nation as a whole. Again, for the original audience in the 1590s, an encounter set in the distant thirteenth century would have echoed with debates in their own time, where it was not unknown for a member of Parliament to give voice in the House of Commons to words that one might have expected to belong to the queen alone: “I speak for all England.” In many quarters, there was a strongly held view that “England” was not synonymous with the English queen and her court based in and around London. Though the Tudor monarchs had tried to unify the nation by establishing a network of legal representatives across the shires, the “country” gentry as well as the great barons of the north and west guarded their autonomy fiercely.

The Bastard announces himself as a gentleman born in Northamptonshire; he is “a good blunt fellow,” which is to say a plain-speaking English countryman; later, he appeals to Saint George, the patron saint of England. His, then, is the voice of Shakespeare’s own place of origin, the Midlands, deep England. He is given a choice: to inherit the Falconbridge estates or take his “chance” and assume the name, though not the patrimony, of the royal father who sired him out of wedlock.

The norm in the English gentry was for the older son to inherit the land and the younger to become mobile, to go to London and find a career in the law, the clergy, the army, the diplomatic corps, or possibly even the entertainment business. Settled legitimacy was pitched against the life of the adventurer. By accepting his illegitimacy and renouncing the land he is actually entitled to (because it was the mother’s adultery, not the father’s, he is not forcibly disinherited in the manner of Edmund in King Lear), the Bastard takes the route that was usually that of the younger brother. Shakespeare did the same when he left Stratford-upon-Avon.

The Bastard’s origin in Middle England is further stressed by the arrival of Lady Falconbridge and James Gurney, wearing riding robes that signify the journey from country to court. The Bastard then describes his half-brother as “Colbrand the Giant, that same mighty man.” Colbrand was a Danish invader who was defeated in single combat by Guy of Warwick—a legendary figure who was immensely popular in chapbook, ballad, and drama. If Robert Falconbridge is symbolically Colbrand, then Philip the Bastard is symbolically Guy, a Warwickshire folk hero. Perhaps he is even a version of Robin Hood, with the Sheriff of Northampton standing in for his colleague from Nottingham. Robin Hood himself, the most famous folk hero from the reign of John, cannot be mentioned because his name would immediately turn the king into a villain, which Shakespeare did not want to do at the beginning of the play, both because he wanted to keep open the question of the relative legitimacy of the claims of John and Arthur and because he was working in that tradition of chronicle and drama in which King John was a proto-Protestant hero because of his refusal to allow the pope’s nominee, Stephen Langton, to become Archbishop of Canterbury.

When the pope excommunicates the English king and gives permission—indeed promise of canonization—to anyone who conspires to kill him, the parallels with contemporary England, where the pope had delivered the same sentence upon Queen Elizabeth, are impossible to ignore. So too with the way in which the fickle French swing one way and then the other (“O, foul revolt of French inconstancy!” exclaims Queen Elinor): in the sixteenth century, France was wracked by religiously motivated civil wars and it was well-nigh impossible to guess whether the state would end up with a Catholic or a Protestant on the throne. “The grappling vigour and rough frown of war” dominates the action of this play, just as wars of religion and dominion in the Netherlands, Ireland, and elsewhere impinged upon the lives of Shakespeare’s audience. Like Thersites in Troilus and Cressida, though without the vicious streak, the Bastard anatomizes the resulting chaos of alliances and divisions: “Mad world, mad kings, mad composition!”

The Bastard stands in for Guy of Warwick, who stands in for Robin Hood of Old England. It was Robin who maintained the values of good King Richard at home, whilst the latter was fighting his “holy war” in the Middle East (“Richard that robbed the lion of his heart / And fought the holy wars in Palestine”). As the play progresses, the Bastard’s role shifts to that of stand-in for the dead Coeur-de-lion himself. He ends up fighting the war on John’s behalf and at one point comes within a whisker of ascending the throne. When he speaks for England in the closing lines, his world-weary voice is also that of his creator, who in his Henry VI plays has shown the bloody consequences of England turning against itself.

KEY FACTS

PLOT: King Richard I, the revered “Lionheart,” is dead. His brother John has become king of England, but the French argue that the throne should belong to the boy Arthur, son of John’s deceased older brother Geoffrey. Matching the dispute over the throne is a dispute over inheritance in the noble Falconbridge family. It is discovered that Philip Falconbridge (the “Bastard”) is the illegitimate son of Richard I; he is accordingly knighted “Sir Richard and Plantagenet.” French and English forces fight for the town of Angiers in France; a citizen proposes that the opponents should be united by a marriage between Lewis the Dauphin, heir to France, and John’s niece, Lady Blanche. Arthur’s mother, Constance, is furious that the French have given up on her son’s claim. John is excommunicated for failing to agree to the pope’s choice for the post of archbishop of Canterbury. The papal legate Cardinal Pandulph stirs the French to resume war against the English. Arthur is captured and John commissions his servant Hubert to execute the boy; young Arthur dies from a fall while trying to escape. John changes his mind and agrees to the pope’s wishes. A French invasion force is shipwrecked. John falls sick and dies. His son Henry becomes king, though the Bastard remains the most forceful character.

MAJOR PARTS: (with percentage of lines/number of speeches/scenes on stage) Bastard (20%/89/11), King John (17%/95/9), Constance (10%/36/3), King Philip of France (7%/44/3), Hubert (6%/52/6), Salisbury (6%/36/6), Lewis the Dauphin (6%/28/5), Cardinal Pandulph (6%/23/4), Arthur (5%/23/5), Pembroke (3%/20/4), Queen Elinor (2%/22/4), Blanche (2%/9/2), Chatillon (2%/5/2).

LINGUISTIC MEDIUM: 100% verse.

DATE: 1595–97? Mentioned by Meres 1598; close relationship to anonymous two-part play The Troublesome Reign of King John (published 1591), but stylistically much closer to later histories.

SOURCES: Scholars dispute the play’s relationship to The Troublesome Reign: is it the principal source or a badly printed text of an early version of Shakespeare’s play? On balance, the evidence supports the view that it was an old play that Shakespeare reworked in his own vein (rather as he reworked other anonymously authored chronicle plays such as The Famous Victories of Henry V and King Leir). The third volume of the 1587 edition of Holinshed’s Chronicles is the primary historical source behind both the anonymous play and Shakespeare’s.

TEXT: The two parts of The Troublesome Reign were reprinted together in 1611 with the title-page claim “Written by W. Sh.” (reprinted 1622 as “Written by W. Shakespeare”), but this was a sales ploy and not a reliable attribution. The only authoritative text is that in the First Folio. Scholars dispute the nature of the copy from which it was typeset; there is some evidence that it may have been the work of two scribes. There are a number of textual problems, most notably in the name of Hubert: this first appears halfway through Act 2 scene 1 as speaker’s name for the citizen of Angiers (who is initially an anonymous “Cit.”), but it is not used in the dialogue at this point, so the citizen is not identifiable by name to the audience. In the theater, “Hubert” is named for the first time when he swears loyalty to King John and is commissioned to imprison Arthur. Is the same person intended? Editors differ in their attempts to untangle this problem: we leave the question open by means of a marginal direction.

THE LIFE AND DEATH OF KING JOHN

KING JOHN of England

QUEEN ELINOR, his mother, Henry II’s widow

PRINCE HENRY, John’s son, a child, later Henry III

BLANCHE of Castile, John’s niece

LADY FALCONBRIDGE, Sir Robert’s widow

ROBERT Falconbridge, her legitimate son

Philip Falconbridge, the BASTARD, her illegitimate son with King Richard I

James GURNEY, her servant

HUBERT, trusted servant to King John

PETER of Pomfret, a prophet

KING PHILIP II of France

*LEWIS the Dauphin, his eldest son

Duke of AUSTRIA, allied to the French

MELUN, a French nobleman

CHATILLON, French nobleman and ambassador to England

CITIZEN of Angiers

CONSTANCE, wife of Geoffrey, John’s deceased older brother

ARTHUR, a child, her son and John’s nephew, Duke of Bretagne

CARDINAL PANDULPH, Pope Innocent III’s representative

A Sheriff and various Lords, Executioners, Heralds, Messengers, Soldiers, Citizens and Attendants

Act 1 Scene 11.1

running scene 1

       Enter King John, Queen Elinor, Pembroke, Essex and Salisbury, with the Chatillon of France

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     Now, say, Chatillon, what would France¹ with us?

CHATILLON

CHATILLON     Thus, after greeting, speaks the King of France,

               In my behaviour,³ to the majesty,

               The borrowed⁴ majesty, of England here.

5

5     

QUEEN ELINOR

QUEEN ELINOR           A strange beginning: ‘borrowed majesty’!

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     Silence, good mother: hear the embassy.⁶

CHATILLON

CHATILLON     Philip of France,⁷ in right and true behalf

               Of thy deceasèd brother Geoffrey’s⁸ son,

               Arthur Plantagenet,⁹ lays most lawful claim

10

10           To this fair island and the territories¹⁰ —

               To Ireland, Poitiers,¹¹ Anjou, Touraine, Maine —

               Desiring thee to lay aside the sword¹²

               Which sways¹³ usurpingly these several titles,

               And put the same into young Arthur’s hand,

15

15           Thy nephew, and right¹⁵ royal sovereign.

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     What follows if we disallow of¹⁶ this?

CHATILLON

CHATILLON     The proud control¹⁷ of fierce and bloody war,

               To enforce these rights so forcibly withheld—

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     Here have we war for war and blood for blood,

20

20           Controlment for controlment: so answer France.

CHATILLON

CHATILLON     Then take my king’s defiance from my mouth,

               The furthest limit of my embassy.²²

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     Bear mine to him, and so depart in peace:

               Be thou as lightning in the eyes of France;

25

25           For ere²⁵ thou canst report, I will be there:

               The thunder of my cannon shall be heard.

               So hence:²⁷ be thou the trumpet of our wrath

               And sullen presage²⁸ of your own decay.—

               An honourable conduct²⁹ let him have: To Pembroke

30

30           Pembroke, look to’t.— Farewell, Chatillon.

       Exeunt Chatillon and Pembroke

QUEEN ELINOR

QUEEN ELINOR     What now, my son? Have I not ever said

               How that ambitious Constance³² would not cease

               Till she had kindled³³ France and all the world,

               Upon³⁴ the right and party of her son?

35

35           This might have been prevented and made whole³⁵

               With very easy arguments³⁶ of love,

               Which now the manage³⁷ of two kingdoms must

               With fearful bloody issue³⁸ arbitrate.

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     Our strong possession and our right for us.

40

40   

QUEEN ELINOR

QUEEN ELINOR           Your strong possession much more than your right, Aside to John

               Or else it must go wrong with you and me:

               So much my conscience whispers in your ear,

               Which none but heaven, and you, and I, shall hear. She whispers to Essex

       Enter a Sheriff

ESSEX

ESSEX     My liege,⁴⁴ here is the strangest controversy,

45

45           Come from the country to be judged by you,

               That e’er I heard: shall I produce⁴⁶ the men?

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     Let them approach.—

       [Exit Sheriff]

               Our abbeys and our priories shall pay

               This expeditious charge.⁴⁹

       Enter Robert Falconbridge and Philip [the Bastard]

50

50           What men are you?

BASTARD

BASTARD     Your faithful subject I, a gentleman,

               Born in Northamptonshire and eldest son,

               As I suppose, to Robert Falconbridge,

               A soldier, by the honour-giving hand

55

55           Of Coeur-de-lion,⁵⁵ knighted in the field.

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     What art thou?

ROBERT

ROBERT     The son and heir to that same Falconbridge.

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     Is that the elder, and art thou the heir?

               You came not of one mother then, it seems.

60

60   

BASTARD

BASTARD           Most certain of one mother, mighty king,

               That is well known, and, as I think, one father:

               But for the certain knowledge of that truth

               I put you o’er⁶³ to heaven, and to my mother;

               Of that I doubt, as all men’s children may.

65

65   

QUEEN ELINOR

QUEEN ELINOR           Out on thee,⁶⁵ rude man! Thou dost shame thy mother

               And wound her honour with this diffidence.⁶⁶

BASTARD

BASTARD     I, madam? No, I have no reason for it.

               That is my brother’s plea and none of mine,

               The which if he can prove, a⁶⁹ pops me out

70

70           At least from fair⁷⁰ five hundred pound a year:

               Heaven guard my mother’s honour and my land.

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     A good blunt fellow.— Why, being younger born, Aside / To Bastard

               Doth he lay claim to thine inheritance?

BASTARD

BASTARD     I know not why, except to get the land:

75

75           But once⁷⁵ he slandered me with bastardy:

               But whe’er⁷⁶ I be as true begot or no,

               That still I lay⁷⁷ upon my mother’s head:

               But that I am as well begot, my liege —

               Fair fall⁷⁹ the bones that took the pains for me —

80

80           Compare our faces, and be judge yourself

               If old Sir Robert did beget us both,

               And were our father and this son like him:

               O old Sir Robert, father, on my knee

               I give heaven thanks I was not like⁸⁴ to thee!

85

85   

KING JOHN

KING JOHN           Why, what a madcap⁸⁵ hath heaven lent us here!

QUEEN ELINOR

QUEEN ELINOR     He hath a trick⁸⁶ of Coeur-de-lion’s face:

               The accent of his tongue affecteth⁸⁷ him.

               Do you not read some tokens⁸⁸ of my son

               In the large composition⁸⁹ of this man?

90

90   

KING JOHN

KING JOHN           Mine eye hath well examined his parts,⁹⁰

               And finds them perfect Richard.— Sirrah,⁹¹ speak, To Robert

               What doth move⁹² you to claim your brother’s land?

BASTARD

BASTARD     Because he hath a half-face⁹³ like my father.

               With half that face⁹⁴ would he have all my land —

95

95           A half-faced groat⁹⁵ — five hundred pound a year!

ROBERT

ROBERT     My gracious liege, when that⁹⁶ my father lived,

               Your brother⁹⁷ did employ my father much—

BASTARD

BASTARD     Well, sir, by this you cannot get my land:

               Your tale must be how he employed my mother.

100

100 

ROBERT

ROBERT             And once dispatched him in an embassy

               To Germany, there with the emperor

               To treat of¹⁰² high affairs touching that time.

               Th’advantage of his absence took the king,

               And in the meantime sojourned¹⁰⁴ at my father’s;

105

105         Where how he did prevail,¹⁰⁵ I shame to speak.

               But truth is truth: large lengths of seas and shores

               Between my father and my mother lay,

               As I have heard my father speak himself,

               When this same lusty¹⁰⁹ gentleman was got.

110

110         Upon his death-bed he by will bequeathed

               His lands to me, and took¹¹¹ it on his death

               That this my mother’s son was none of his;

               And if he were, he came into the world

               Full fourteen weeks before¹¹⁴ the course of time.

115

115         Then, good my liege, let me have what is mine,

               My father’s land, as was my father’s will.

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     Sirrah, your brother is legitimate:

               Your father’s wife did after wedlock bear him:

               And if she did play false,¹¹⁹ the fault was hers,

120

120         Which fault lies¹²⁰ on the hazards of all husbands

               That marry wives. Tell me, how¹²¹ if my brother,

               Who, as you say, took pains to get this son,

               Had of your father claimed this son for his?

               In sooth,¹²⁴ good friend, your father might have kept

125

125         This calf, bred from his cow, from all the world:

               In sooth he might. Then if he were my brother’s,

               My brother might not claim him, nor your father,

               Being none of his, refuse him:¹²⁸ this concludes,

               My mother’s son did get your father’s heir,

130

130         Your father’s heir must have your father’s land.

ROBERT

ROBERT     Shall then my father’s will¹³¹ be of no force

               To dispossess that child which is not his?

BASTARD

BASTARD     Of no more force to dispossess me, sir,

               Than was his will¹³⁴ to get me, as I think.

135

135 

QUEEN ELINOR

QUEEN ELINOR             Whether¹³⁵ hadst thou rather be: a Falconbridge,

               And like thy brother to enjoy thy land,

               Or the reputed¹³⁷ son of Coeur-de-lion,

               Lord of thy presence,¹³⁸ and no land beside?

BASTARD

BASTARD     Madam, an¹³⁹ if my brother had my shape

140

140         And I had his, Sir¹⁴⁰ Robert’s his like him,

               And if my legs were two such riding-rods,¹⁴¹

               My arms, such eel-skins stuffed, my face so thin,

               That in¹⁴³ mine ear I durst not stick a rose,

               Lest men should say, ‘Look, where three-farthings¹⁴⁴ goes’,

145

145         And to his shape¹⁴⁵ were heir to all this land,

               Would I might¹⁴⁶ never stir from off this place,

               I would give it every foot¹⁴⁷ to have this face:

               It would not be Sir Nob¹⁴⁸ in any case.

QUEEN ELINOR

QUEEN ELINOR     I like thee well: wilt thou forsake thy fortune,

150

150         Bequeath thy land to him and follow me?

               I am a soldier and now bound to France.

BASTARD

BASTARD     Brother, take you my land, I’ll take my chance.

               Your face hath got five hundred pound a year,

               Yet sell your face for five pence and ’tis dear.¹⁵⁴—

155

155         Madam, I’ll follow you unto the death.

QUEEN ELINOR

QUEEN ELINOR     Nay, I would have you go before me thither.¹⁵⁶

BASTARD

BASTARD     Our country manners give¹⁵⁷ our betters way.

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     What is thy name?

BASTARD

BASTARD     Philip, my liege, so is my name begun,

160

160         Philip, good old sir Robert’s wife’s eldest son.

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     From henceforth bear his name whose form¹⁶¹ thou bear’st:

               Kneel thou down Philip, but rise¹⁶² more great, He knights the Bastard

               Arise sir Richard, and Plantagenet.

BASTARD

BASTARD     Brother by th’mother’s side, give me your hand:

165

165         My father gave me honour, yours gave land:

               Now blessèd be the hour¹⁶⁶ by night or day,

               When I was got, Sir Robert was away.

QUEEN ELINOR

QUEEN ELINOR     The very spirit of Plantagenet:

               I am thy grandam,¹⁶⁹ Richard: call me so.

170

170 

BASTARD

BASTARD             Madam, by chance, but not by truth:¹⁷⁰ what though?

               Something about¹⁷¹ a little from the right,

               In at the window,¹⁷² or else o’er the hatch:

               Who dares not stir¹⁷³ by day must walk by night,

               And have¹⁷⁴ is have, however men do catch:

175

175         Near¹⁷⁵ or far off, well won is still well shot,

               And I am I, howe’er I was begot.

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     Go, Falconbridge, now hast thou thy desire:

               A landless knight makes thee a landed squire.—

               Come, madam, and come, Richard, we must speed¹⁷⁹

180

180         For France, for France, for it is more than need.¹⁸⁰

BASTARD

BASTARD     Brother, adieu:¹⁸¹ good fortune come to thee,

               For thou wast got i’th’way of honesty.

       Exeunt all but Bastard

               A foot¹⁸³ of honour better than I was,

               But many a many¹⁸⁴ foot of land the worse.

185

185         Well, now can I make any Joan¹⁸⁵ a lady.

               ‘Good den,¹⁸⁶ Sir Richard’ — ‘God-a-mercy, fellow’ —

               And if his name be George, I’ll call him Peter;

               For new-made honour doth forget men’s names:

               ’Tis¹⁸⁹ too respective and too sociable

190

190         For your conversion.¹⁹⁰ Now your traveller,

               He and his toothpick¹⁹¹ at my worship’s mess,

               And when my knightly stomach¹⁹² is sufficed,

               Why then I suck my teeth and catechize¹⁹³

               My pickèd¹⁹⁴ man of countries: ‘My dear sir,’

195

195         Thus leaning on mine elbow I begin,

               ‘I shall beseech you’; that is Question now,

               And then comes Answer like an Absey book:¹⁹⁷

               ‘O sir,’ says Answer, ‘at your best command,

               At your employment, at your service, sir.’

200

200         ‘No, sir,’ says Question, ‘I, sweet sir, at yours.’

               And so, ere Answer knows what Question would,²⁰¹

               Saving²⁰² in dialogue of compliment,

               And talking of the Alps and Apennines,

               The Pyrenean and the river Po,

205

205         It draws toward supper²⁰⁵ in conclusion so.

               But this is worshipful society,

               And fits the mounting²⁰⁷ spirit like myself;

               For he is but a bastard²⁰⁸ to the time

               That doth not smack²⁰⁹ of observation,

210

210         And so am I²¹⁰ whether I smack or no:

               And not alone in habit²¹¹ and device,

               Exterior form, outward accoutrement,²¹²

               But from the inward motion²¹³ to deliver

               Sweet, sweet, sweet poison²¹⁴ for the age’s tooth,

215

215         Which though I will not practise²¹⁵ to deceive,

               Yet to²¹⁶ avoid deceit I mean to learn;

               For it shall strew²¹⁷ the footsteps of my rising.

       Enter Lady Falconbridge and James Gurney

               But who comes in such haste in riding-robes?²¹⁸

               What woman-post²¹⁹ is this? Hath she no husband

220

220         That will take pains to blow a horn²²⁰ before her?

               O me, ’tis my mother.— How now, good lady?

               What brings you here to court so hastily?

LADY FALCONBRIDGE

LADY FALCONBRIDGE     Where is that slave²²³ thy brother? Where is he

               That holds in chase²²⁴ mine honour up and down?

225

225 

BASTARD

BASTARD             My brother Robert, old Sir Robert’s son,

               Colbrand the Giant,²²⁶ that same mighty man,

               Is it Sir Robert’s son that you seek so?

LADY FALCONBRIDGE

LADY FALCONBRIDGE     Sir Robert’s son, ay, thou unreverend²²⁸ boy,

               Sir Robert’s son. Why scorn’st thou at Sir Robert?

230

230         He is Sir Robert’s son, and so art thou.

BASTARD

BASTARD     James Gurney, wilt thou give us leave²³¹ a while?

GURNEY

GURNEY     Good leave, good Philip.

BASTARD

BASTARD     Philip Sparrow,²³³ James,

               There’s toys²³⁴ abroad: anon I’ll tell thee more.

       Exit James [Gurney]

235

235         Madam, I was not old Sir Robert’s son:

               Sir Robert might have eat²³⁶ his part in me

               Upon Good Friday, and ne’er broke his fast:

               Sir Robert could do²³⁸ well, marry, to confess:

               Could get²³⁹ me, Sir Robert could not do it;

240

240         We know his handiwork:²⁴⁰ therefore, good mother,

               To whom am I beholding²⁴¹ for these limbs?

               Sir Robert never holp²⁴² to make this leg.

LADY FALCONBRIDGE

LADY FALCONBRIDGE     Hast thou conspirèd with thy brother too,

               That²⁴⁴ for thine own gain shouldst defend mine honour?

245

245         What means this scorn, thou most untoward²⁴⁵ knave?

BASTARD

BASTARD     Knight, knight, good mother, Basilisco-like!²⁴⁶

               What! I am dubbed,²⁴⁷ I have it on my shoulder:

               But, mother, I am not Sir Robert’s son:

               I have disclaimed Sir Robert and my land,

250

250         Legitimation,²⁵⁰ name, and all is gone;

               Then, good my mother, let me know my father:

               Some proper²⁵² man, I hope: who was it, mother?

LADY FALCONBRIDGE

LADY FALCONBRIDGE     Hast thou denied thyself a Falconbridge?

BASTARD

BASTARD     As faithfully as I deny²⁵⁴ the devil.

255

255 

LADY FALCONBRIDGE

LADY FALCONBRIDGE             King Richard Coeur-de-lion was thy father:

               By long and vehement suit²⁵⁶ I was seduced

               To make room for him in my husband’s bed:

               Heaven²⁵⁸ lay not my transgression to my charge,

               That art the issue²⁵⁹ of my dear offence

260

260         Which was so strongly urged past my defence.²⁶⁰

BASTARD

BASTARD     Now by this light, were I to get²⁶¹ again,

               Madam, I would not wish a better father:

               Some sins do bear their privilege²⁶³ on earth,

               And so doth yours: your fault was not your folly:²⁶⁴

265

265         Needs must you lay your heart at his dispose,²⁶⁵

               Subjected²⁶⁶ tribute to commanding love,

               Against whose fury and unmatchèd force

               The aweless²⁶⁸ lion could not wage the fight,

               Nor keep his princely heart from Richard’s hand:

270

270         He that perforce²⁷⁰ robs lions of their hearts

               May easily win a woman’s: ay, my mother,

               With all my heart I thank thee for my father:

               Who²⁷³ lives and dares but say thou didst not well

               When I was got, I’ll send his soul to hell.

275

275         Come, lady, I will show thee to my kin,²⁷⁵

               And they shall say, when Richard me begot,

               If thou hadst said him nay,²⁷⁷ it had been sin;

               Who says it was,²⁷⁸ he lies: I say ’twas not.

       Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 12.1

running scene 2

       Enter before Angiers, [on one side] Philip King of France, Lewis [the] Dauphin, Constance, [and] Arthur, [on the other side] Austria With their forces

KING PHILIP

KING PHILIP     Before Angiers well met, brave Austria.—

               Arthur, that² great forerunner of thy blood,

               Richard that robbed the lion of his heart

               And fought the holy⁴ wars in Palestine,

5

5             By⁵ this brave duke came early to his grave:

               And for amends to his posterity,⁶

               At our importance⁷ hither is he come,

               To spread⁸ his colours, boy, in thy behalf,

               And to rebuke⁹ the usurpation

10

10           Of thy unnatural¹⁰ uncle, English John:

               Embrace him, love him, give him welcome hither.

ARTHUR

ARTHUR     God shall forgive you Coeur-de-lion’s death To Austria

               The rather that you give his offspring¹³ life,

               Shadowing¹⁴ their right under your wings of war:

15

15           I give you welcome with a powerless¹⁵ hand,

               But with a heart full of unstainèd¹⁶ love:

               Welcome before the gates of Angiers, Duke.

LEWIS

LEWIS     A noble boy: who would not do thee right?

AUSTRIA

AUSTRIA     Upon thy cheek lay I this zealous¹⁹ kiss,

20

20           As seal²⁰ to this indenture of my love:

               That to my home I will no more return

               Till Angiers and the right thou hast in France,

               Together with that pale,²³ that white-faced shore,

               Whose foot spurns²⁴ back the ocean’s roaring tides

25

25           And coops²⁵ from other lands her islanders,

               Even till that England, hedged in with the main,²⁶

               That water-wallèd bulwark,²⁷ still secure

               And confident²⁸ from foreign purposes,

               Even till that utmost corner of the west

30

30           Salute thee for her king: till then, fair boy,

               Will I not think of home, but follow arms.³¹

CONSTANCE

CONSTANCE     O, take his mother’s thanks, a widow’s thanks,

               Till your strong hand shall help to give him strength

               To make a more requital to³⁴ your love.

35

35   

AUSTRIA

AUSTRIA           The peace of heaven is theirs that lift their swords

               In such a just and charitable war.

KING PHILIP

KING PHILIP     Well then, to work: our cannon shall be bent³⁷

               Against the brows³⁸ of this resisting town.

               Call for our chiefest men of discipline,³⁹

40

40           To cull⁴⁰ the plots of best advantages:

               We’ll lay before this town our royal bones,

               Wade to the market-place in Frenchmen’s blood,

               But we will⁴³ make it subject to this boy.

CONSTANCE

CONSTANCE     Stay⁴⁴ for an answer to your embassy,

45

45           Lest unadvised⁴⁵ you stain your swords with blood:

               My lord Chatillon may from England bring

               That right in peace which here we urge in war,

               And then we shall repent each drop of blood

               That hot rash haste so indirectly⁴⁹ shed.

       Enter Chatillon

50

50   

KING PHILIP

KING PHILIP           A wonder, lady: lo,⁵⁰ upon thy wish,

               Our messenger Chatillon is arrived.—

               What England⁵² says, say briefly, gentle lord:

               We coldly⁵³ pause for thee: Chatillon, speak.

CHATILLON

CHATILLON     Then turn your forces from this paltry siege,

55

55           And stir them up against⁵⁵ a mightier task:

               England, impatient⁵⁶ of your just demands,

               Hath put himself in arms: the adverse winds,

               Whose leisure⁵⁸ I have stayed, have given him time

               To land his legions⁵⁹ all as soon as I:

60

60           His marches are expedient⁶⁰ to this town,

               His forces strong, his soldiers confident:

               With him along is come the Mother-Queen,⁶²

               An Ate⁶³ stirring him to blood and strife:

               With her her niece,⁶⁴ the lady Blanche of Spain:

65

65           With them a bastard of the king’s deceased,⁶⁵

               And all th’unsettled humours⁶⁶ of the land,

               Rash, inconsiderate,⁶⁷ fiery voluntaries,

               With ladies’ faces⁶⁸ and fierce dragons’ spleens,

               Have sold⁶⁹ their fortunes at their native homes,

70

70           Bearing their birthrights proudly on their backs,

               To make⁷¹ a hazard of new fortunes here:

               In brief, a braver⁷² choice of dauntless spirits

               Than now the English bottoms⁷³ have waft o’er

               Did never float upon the swelling tide,

75

75           To do offence and scathe⁷⁵ in Christendom.

       Drum beats

               The interruption of their churlish⁷⁶ drums

               Cuts off more circumstance:⁷⁷ they are at hand:

               To parley⁷⁸ or to fight therefore prepare.

KING PHILIP

KING PHILIP     How much unlooked-for is this expedition!⁷⁹

80

80   

AUSTRIA

AUSTRIA           By how much unexpected, by so much

               We must awake endeavour for defence,

               For courage mounteth with occasion:⁸²

               Let them be welcome then: we are prepared.

       Enter King [John] of England, [the] Bastard, Queen [Elinor], Blanche, Pembroke and others

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     Peace be to France, if France in peace permit

85

85           Our just and lineal⁸⁵ entrance to our own;

               If not, bleed France, and peace ascend to heaven,

               Whiles we, God’s wrathful agent, do correct

               Their proud contempt that beats⁸⁸ his peace to heaven.

KING PHILIP

KING PHILIP     Peace be to England, if that⁸⁹ war return

90

90           From France to England, there to live in peace:

               England we love, and for that England’s⁹¹ sake

               With burden of our armour here we sweat:

               This toil⁹³ of ours should be a work of thine;

               But thou from loving England art so far,

95

95           That thou hast underwrought⁹⁵ his lawful king,

               Cut off the sequence of posterity,⁹⁶

               Outfacèd⁹⁷ infant state, and done a rape

               Upon the maiden virtue of the crown:

               Look here upon thy brother Geoffrey’s⁹⁹ face: Indicates Arthur

100

100         These eyes, these brows, were moulded out of his;

               This little abstract¹⁰¹ doth contain that large

               Which died in Geoffrey, and the hand of time

               Shall draw this brief¹⁰³ into as huge a volume:

               That Geoffrey was thy elder brother born,

105

105         And this his son: England was Geoffrey’s right,

               And this is Geoffrey’s in the name of God:

               How comes it then that thou art called a king,

               When living blood doth in these temples beat

               Which owe¹⁰⁹ the crown that thou o’ermasterest?

110

110 

KING JOHN

KING JOHN             From whom hast thou this great commission,¹¹⁰ France,

               To draw my answer from thy articles?¹¹¹

KING PHILIP

KING PHILIP     From that supernal judge¹¹² that stirs good thoughts

               In any breast of strong authority,

               To look into the blots and stains of right:

115

115         That judge hath made me guardian to this boy,

               Under whose warrant I impeach¹¹⁶ thy wrong,

               And by whose help I mean to chastise it.

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     Alack,¹¹⁸ thou dost usurp authority.

KING PHILIP

KING PHILIP     Excuse¹¹⁹ it is to beat usurping down.

120

QUEEN ELINOR

QUEEN ELINOR     Who is it thou dost call usurper, France?

CONSTANCE

CONSTANCE     Let me make answer: thy usurping son.

QUEEN ELINOR

QUEEN ELINOR     Out,¹²² insolent! Thy bastard shall be king,

               That thou mayst be a queen, and check¹²³ the world.

CONSTANCE

CONSTANCE     My bed was ever to thy son as true

125

125         As thine was to thy husband, and this boy

               Liker in feature¹²⁶ to his father Geoffrey

               Than thou and John, in manners¹²⁷ being as like

               As rain to water, or devil to his dam.¹²⁸

               My boy a bastard? By my soul I think

130

130         His¹³⁰ father never was so true begot:

               It cannot be, an if¹³¹ thou wert his mother.

QUEEN ELINOR

QUEEN ELINOR     There’s a good mother, boy, that blots¹³² thy father.

CONSTANCE

CONSTANCE     There’s a good grandam,¹³³ boy, that would blot thee.

AUSTRIA

AUSTRIA     Peace!

135

135 

BASTARD

BASTARD             Hear the crier.¹³⁵

AUSTRIA

AUSTRIA     What the devil art thou?

BASTARD

BASTARD     One that will play the devil,¹³⁷ sir, with you,

               An a¹³⁸ may catch your hide and you alone:

               You are the hare¹³⁹ of whom the proverb goes,

140

140         Whose valour plucks dead lions by the beard.

               I’ll smoke¹⁴¹ your skin-coat an I catch you right:

               Sirrah, look to’t:¹⁴² i’faith I will, i’faith.

BLANCHE

BLANCHE     O, well did he become¹⁴³ that lion’s robe

               That did disrobe the lion of that robe.

145

145 

BASTARD

BASTARD             It lies as sightly¹⁴⁵ on the back of him

               As great Alcides’¹⁴⁶ shoes upon an ass:

               But, ass, I’ll take that burden from your back,

               Or lay on that¹⁴⁸ shall make your shoulders crack.

AUSTRIA

AUSTRIA     What cracker¹⁴⁹ is this same that deafs our ears

150

150         With this abundance of superfluous breath?

KING PHILIP

KING PHILIP     Lewis, determine what we shall do straight.¹⁵¹

LEWIS

LEWIS     Women and fools, break off your conference.

               King John, this is the very sum¹⁵³ of all:

               England and Ireland, Anjou, Touraine, Maine,

155

155         In right of Arthur do I claim of thee:

               Wilt thou resign them and lay down thy arms?

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     My life as soon: I do defy thee, France.

               Arthur of Bretagne,¹⁵⁸ yield thee to my hand,

               And out of my dear love I’ll give thee more

160

160         Than e’er the coward hand of France can win.

               Submit thee, boy.

QUEEN ELINOR

QUEEN ELINOR     Come to thy grandam, child.

CONSTANCE

CONSTANCE     Do, child, go to it¹⁶³ grandam, child:

               Give grandam kingdom, and it grandam will

165

165         Give it a plum, a cherry, and a fig:¹⁶⁵

               There’s a good grandam.

ARTHUR

ARTHUR     Good my mother, peace.

               I would that I were low laid in my grave:

               I am not worth this coil¹⁶⁹ that’s made for me.

170

170 

QUEEN ELINOR

QUEEN ELINOR             His mother shames¹⁷⁰ him so, poor boy, he weeps.

CONSTANCE

CONSTANCE     Now shame upon you, whe’er she does or no:

               His grandam’s wrongs, and not his mother’s shames,

               Draws those heaven-moving pearls¹⁷³ from his poor eyes,

               Which heaven shall take in¹⁷⁴ nature of a fee:

175

175         Ay, with these crystal beads¹⁷⁵ heaven shall be bribed

               To do him justice and revenge on you.

QUEEN ELINOR

QUEEN ELINOR     Thou monstrous¹⁷⁷ slanderer of heaven and earth!

CONSTANCE

CONSTANCE     Thou monstrous injurer of heaven and earth,

               Call not me slanderer: thou and thine usurp

180

180         The dominations,¹⁸⁰ royalties, and rights

               Of this oppressed boy: this is thy eldest son’s son,¹⁸¹

               Infortunate¹⁸² in nothing but in thee:

               Thy sins are visited¹⁸³ in this poor child:

               The canon¹⁸⁴ of the law is laid on him,

185

185         Being but¹⁸⁵ the second generation

               Removèd¹⁸⁶ from thy sin-conceiving womb.

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     Bedlam,¹⁸⁷ have done.

CONSTANCE

CONSTANCE     I have but this to say:

               That he is not only plaguèd for her sin,

190

190         But God hath made her sin¹⁹⁰ and her the plague

               On this removèd issue,¹⁹¹ plagued for her,

               And with her plague her sin: his injury¹⁹²

               Her injury the beadle¹⁹³ to her sin,

               All punished in the person of this child,

195

195         And all for¹⁹⁵ her: a plague upon her!

QUEEN ELINOR

QUEEN ELINOR     Thou unadvisèd¹⁹⁶ scold, I can produce

               A will that bars the title¹⁹⁷ of thy son.

CONSTANCE

CONSTANCE     Ay, who doubts that? A will: a wicked will,

               A woman’s will,¹⁹⁹ a cankered grandam’s will!

200

200 

KING PHILIP

KING PHILIP             Peace, lady: pause, or be more temperate:²⁰⁰

               It ill beseems²⁰¹ this presence to cry aim

               To these ill-tunèd²⁰² repetitions.

               Some trumpet²⁰³ summon hither to the walls

               These men of Angiers: let us hear them speak

205

205         Whose title they admit,²⁰⁵ Arthur’s or John’s.

       Trumpet sounds. Enter a Citizen upon the walls [with others]

CITIZEN

CITIZEN     Who is it that hath warned²⁰⁶ us to the walls?

KING PHILIP

KING PHILIP     ’Tis France, for England.²⁰⁷

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     England for itself:

               You men of Angiers, and my loving subjects—

210

210 

KING PHILIP

KING PHILIP             You loving men of Angiers, Arthur’s subjects,

               Our trumpet called you to this gentle²¹¹ parle—

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     For our advantage; therefore hear us first:

               These flags of France that are advancèd²¹³ here

               Before the eye and prospect²¹⁴ of your town,

215

215         Have hither marched to your endamagement.²¹⁵

               The cannons have their bowels²¹⁶ full of wrath,

               And ready mounted are they to spit forth

               Their iron indignation gainst your walls:

               All preparation for a bloody siege

220

220         And merciless proceeding by these French

               Confronts your city’s eyes, your winking gates:

               And but for our approach, those sleeping stones,²²²

               That as a waist²²³ doth girdle you about,

               By the compulsion of their ordinance²²⁴

225

225         By this time from their fixèd beds of lime²²⁵

               Had been dishabited,²²⁶ and wide havoc made

               For bloody power²²⁷ to rush upon your peace.

               But on the sight of us your lawful king,

               Who painfully with much expedient²²⁹ march

230

230         Have brought a countercheck²³⁰ before your gates,

               To save unscratched your city’s threatened cheeks,

               Behold, the French, amazed,²³² vouchsafe a parle:

               And now instead of bullets²³³ wrapped in fire

               To make a shaking fever in your walls,

235

235         They shoot but calm words, folded²³⁵ up in smoke,

               To make a faithless error²³⁶ in your ears,

               Which trust accordingly,²³⁷ kind citizens,

               And let us in. Your king, whose laboured²³⁸ spirits,

               Forwearied²³⁹ in this action of swift speed,

240

240         Craves harbourage²⁴⁰ within your city walls.

KING PHILIP

KING PHILIP     When I have said,²⁴¹ make answer to us both.

               Lo,²⁴² in this right hand, whose protection He takes Arthur’s hand

               Is most divinely vowed upon the right²⁴³

               Of him it holds, stands young Plantagenet,

245

245         Son to the elder brother of this man,

               And king o’er him and all that he enjoys:²⁴⁶

               For²⁴⁷ this downtrodden equity, we tread

               In warlike march these greens²⁴⁸ before your town,

               Being no further enemy to you

250

250         Than the constraint²⁵⁰ of hospitable zeal

               In the relief of this oppressèd child

               Religiously provokes. Be pleasèd then

               To pay that duty which you truly owe

               To him that owes²⁵⁴ it, namely this young prince:

255

255         And then our arms, like to a muzzled bear,

               Save²⁵⁶ in aspect, hath all offence sealed up:

               Our cannons’ malice vainly shall be spent²⁵⁷

               Against th’invulnerable clouds of heaven,

               And with a blessèd and unvexed²⁵⁹ retire,

260

260         With unhacked²⁶⁰ swords and helmets all unbruised,

               We will bear home that lusty²⁶¹ blood again

               Which here we came to spout against your town,

               And leave your children, wives, and you in peace.

               But if you fondly²⁶⁴ pass our proffered offer,

265

265         ’Tis not the roundure²⁶⁵ of your old-faced walls

               Can hide you from our messengers of war,²⁶⁶

               Though²⁶⁷ all these English and their discipline

               Were harboured in their rude²⁶⁸ circumference:

               Then tell us, shall your city call us lord,

270

270         In²⁷⁰ that behalf which we have challenged it?

               Or shall we give the signal to our rage,

               And stalk in blood to our possession?

CITIZEN

CITIZEN     In brief, we are the King of England’s subjects:

               For him, and in his right, we hold this town.

275

275 

KING JOHN

KING JOHN             Acknowledge then the king, and let me in.

CITIZEN

CITIZEN     That can we not: but he that proves²⁷⁶ the king,

               To him will we prove loyal: till that time

               Have we rammed up our gates against the world.

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     Doth not the crown of England prove the king?

280

280         And if not that, I bring you witnesses:

               Twice fifteen thousand hearts of England’s breed—

BASTARD

BASTARD     Bastards, and else.²⁸² Aside

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     To verify our title with their lives.

KING PHILIP

KING PHILIP     As many and as well-born bloods²⁸⁴ as those—

285

285 

BASTARD

BASTARD             Some bastards too. Aside

KING PHILIP

KING PHILIP     Stand in his face²⁸⁶ to contradict his claim.

CITIZEN

CITIZEN     Till you compound²⁸⁷ whose right is worthiest,

               We for²⁸⁸ the worthiest hold the right from both.

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     Then God forgive the sin of all those souls

290

290         That to their everlasting residence,²⁹⁰

               Before the dew of evening fall, shall fleet²⁹¹

               In dreadful²⁹² trial of our kingdom’s king.

KING PHILIP

KING PHILIP     Amen, amen. Mount, chevaliers:²⁹³ to arms!

BASTARD

BASTARD     Saint George,²⁹⁴ that swinged the dragon, and e’er since

295

295         Sits²⁹⁵ on’s horseback at mine hostess’ door,

               Teach us some fence!²⁹⁶— Sirrah, were I at home To Austria

               At your den, sirrah, with your lioness,²⁹⁷

               I would set²⁹⁸ an ox-head to your lion’s hide,

               And make a monster²⁹⁹ of you.

300

300 

AUSTRIA

AUSTRIA             Peace, no more.

BASTARD

BASTARD     O tremble, for you hear the lion roar.

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     Up higher to the plain, where we’ll set forth

               In best appointment³⁰³ all our regiments.

BASTARD

BASTARD     Speed then, to take advantage³⁰⁴ of the field.

305

305 

KING PHILIP

KING PHILIP             It shall be so, and at the other hill

               Command the rest to stand. Citizens remain on the walls God³⁰⁶ and our right! Exeunt [French and English forces]

       Here after excursions, enter [at one door] the Herald of France with Trumpets to the gates

FRENCH HERALD

FRENCH HERALD     You men of Angiers, open wide your gates,

               And let young Arthur Duke of Bretagne in,

               Who by³⁰⁹ the hand of France this day hath made

310

310         Much work for tears in many an English mother,

               Whose sons lie scattered on the bleeding ground:

               Many a widow’s husband grovelling³¹² lies,

               Coldly embracing the discoloured earth:

               And victory with little loss doth play

315

315         Upon the dancing banners of the French,

               Who are at hand, triumphantly displayed,³¹⁶

               To enter conquerors, and to proclaim

               Arthur of Bretagne England’s king and yours.

       Enter [at another door the] English Herald, with Trumpets

ENGLISH HERALD

ENGLISH HERALD Rejoice, you men of Angiers, ring your bells:

320

320         King John, your king and England’s, doth approach,

               Commander³²¹ of this hot malicious day:

               Their armours that marched hence³²² so silver-bright

               Hither return all gilt³²³ with Frenchmen’s blood:

               There stuck no plume in any English crest³²⁴

325

325         That is removèd by a staff³²⁵ of France:

               Our colours³²⁶ do return in those same hands

               That did display them when we first marched forth:

               And like³²⁸ a jolly troop of huntsmen come

               Our lusty English, all with purpled hands,

330

330         Dyed in the dying slaughter of their foes:

               Open your gates and give the victors way.

CITIZEN

CITIZEN     Heralds, from off our towers we might behold This Citizen may be Hubert

               From first to last, the onset and retire³³³

               Of both your armies, whose equality

335

335         By our best eyes cannot be censurèd:³³⁵

               Blood hath bought blood, and blows have answered blows:

               Strength matched with strength, and power confronted power:

               Both are alike,³³⁸ and both alike we like.

               One must prove greatest. While they weigh so even,

340

340         We hold our town for neither, yet for both.

       Enter the two Kings with their powers, at several doors [King John accompanied by the Bastard, Queen Elinor, Blanche; King Philip by Lewis the Dauphin and Austria]

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     France, hast thou yet more blood to cast away?

               Say, shall the current of our right run on,

               Whose passage,³⁴³ vexed with thy impediment,

               Shall leave his native³⁴⁴ channel and o’erswell

345

345         With course disturbed even thy confining shores,

               Unless thou let his silver water keep

               A peaceful progress³⁴⁷ to the ocean.

KING PHILIP

KING PHILIP     England, thou hast not saved one drop of blood

               In this hot trial more than we of France;

350

350         Rather, lost more. And by this hand I swear,

               That sways³⁵¹ the earth this climate overlooks,

               Before we will lay down our just-borne³⁵² arms,

               We’ll put thee down,³⁵³ gainst whom these arms we bear,

               Or add a royal number³⁵⁴ to the dead,

355

355         Gracing the scroll that tells of³⁵⁵ this war’s loss

               With slaughter coupled to the name of kings.

BASTARD

BASTARD     Ha, majesty! How high thy glory towers,³⁵⁷

               When the rich blood of kings is set on fire:

               O, now doth Death line his dead chaps³⁵⁹ with steel:

360

360         The swords of soldiers are his teeth, his fangs:

               And now he feasts, mousing³⁶¹ the flesh of men

               In undetermined differences³⁶² of kings.

               Why stand these royal fronts³⁶³ amazèd thus?

               Cry havoc,³⁶⁴ kings: back to the stainèd field

365

365         You equal potents,³⁶⁵ fiery kindled spirits!

               Then let confusion³⁶⁶ of one part confirm

               The other’s peace:³⁶⁷ till then, blows, blood and death.

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     Whose party do the townsmen yet admit?³⁶⁸

KING PHILIP

KING PHILIP     Speak, citizens, for England. Who’s your king?

370

370 

CITIZEN

CITIZEN             The King of England, when we know the king.

KING PHILIP

KING PHILIP     Know him in us, that here hold up³⁷¹ his right.

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     In us, that³⁷² are our own great deputy

               And bear possession of our person here,

               Lord of our presence,³⁷⁴ Angiers, and of you.

375

375 

CITIZEN

CITIZEN             A greater power than we denies all this,

               And till it be undoubted, we do lock

               Our former scruple in our strong-barred gates:

               Kings of³⁷⁸ our fear, until our fears resolved

               Be by some certain³⁷⁹ king, purged and deposed.

380

380 

BASTARD

BASTARD             By heaven, these scroyles³⁸⁰ of Angiers flout you, kings,

               And stand securely on their battlements,

               As in a theatre, whence they gape and point

               At your industrious³⁸³ scenes and acts of death.

               Your royal presences be ruled by me:

385

385         Do like the mutines of Jerusalem,³⁸⁵

               Be friends awhile, and both conjointly bend³⁸⁶

               Your sharpest deeds of malice on this town.

               By east and west let France and England mount³⁸⁸

               Their battering cannon chargèd³⁸⁹ to the mouths,

390

390         Till their soul-fearing³⁹⁰ clamours have brawled down

               The flinty ribs of this contemptuous city:

               I’d play³⁹² incessantly upon these jades,

               Even till unfencèd³⁹³ desolation

               Leave them as naked as the vulgar³⁹⁴ air:

395

395         That done, dissever your united strengths,

               And part your mingled colours once again:

               Turn face to face, and bloody point³⁹⁷ to point:

               Then in a moment Fortune shall cull forth³⁹⁸

               Out of one side her happy minion,³⁹⁹

400

400         To whom in favour she shall give the day,⁴⁰⁰

               And kiss him with a glorious victory:

               How like you this wild⁴⁰² counsel, mighty states?

               Smacks⁴⁰³ it not something of the policy?

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     Now, by the sky that hangs above our heads,

405

405         I like it well.— France, shall we knit⁴⁰⁵ our powers,

               And lay⁴⁰⁶ this Angiers even with the ground,

               Then after fight who⁴⁰⁷ shall be king of it?

BASTARD

BASTARD     An if⁴⁰⁸ thou hast the mettle of a king,

               Being wronged as we are by this peevish⁴⁰⁹ town,

410

410         Turn thou the mouth of thy artillery,

               As we will ours, against these saucy⁴¹¹ walls,

               And when that⁴¹² we have dashed them to the ground,

               Why then defy each other, and pell-mell,⁴¹³

               Make work upon ourselves,⁴¹⁴ for heaven or hell.

415

415 

KING PHILIP

KING PHILIP             Let it be so: say, where will you assault?

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     We from the west will send destruction

               Into this city’s bosom.

AUSTRIA

AUSTRIA     I from the north.

KING PHILIP

KING PHILIP     Our thunder⁴¹⁹ from the south

420

420         Shall rain their drift⁴²⁰ of bullets on this town.

BASTARD

BASTARD     O prudent discipline!⁴²¹ From north to south:

               Austria and France shoot in each other’s mouth:

               I’ll stir them to it.— Come, away, away!

CITIZEN

CITIZEN     Hear us, great kings: vouchsafe⁴²⁴ awhile to stay,

425

425         And I shall show you peace and fair-faced league:⁴²⁵

               Win you this city without stroke or wound:

               Rescue those breathing lives⁴²⁷ to die in beds,

               That here come sacrifices for the field.

               Persever⁴²⁹ not, but hear me, mighty kings.

430

430 

KING JOHN

KING JOHN             Speak on with favour:⁴³⁰ we are bent to hear.

CITIZEN

CITIZEN     That daughter there of Spain, the lady Blanche,

               Is niece to England: look upon the years⁴³²

               Of Lewis the dauphin and that lovely maid.

               If lusty⁴³⁴ love should go in quest of beauty,

435

435         Where should he find it fairer than in Blanche?

               If zealous love should go in search of virtue,

               Where should he find it purer than in Blanche?

               If love ambitious sought a match of birth,⁴³⁸

               Whose veins bound⁴³⁹ richer blood than Lady Blanche?

440

440         Such as she is, in beauty, virtue, birth,

               Is the young dauphin every way complete:⁴⁴¹

               If⁴⁴² not complete of, say he is not she:

               And she again wants⁴⁴³ nothing, to name want,

               If⁴⁴⁴ want it be not that she is not he:

445

445         He is the half part of a blessèd man,

               Left to be finishèd⁴⁴⁶ by such as she:

               And she a fair divided⁴⁴⁷ excellence,

               Whose fullness of perfection lies in him.

               O, two such silver currents when they join

450

450         Do glorify the banks that bound them in:

               And two such shores to two such streams made one,

               Two such controlling bounds⁴⁵² shall you be, kings,

               To these two princes,⁴⁵³ if you marry them:

               This union shall do more than battery⁴⁵⁴ can

455

455         To our fast-closèd⁴⁵⁵ gates: for at this match,

               With swifter spleen⁴⁵⁶ than powder can enforce,

               The mouth of passage⁴⁵⁷ shall we fling wide ope,

               And give you entrance: but without this match,

               The sea enragèd is not half so deaf,

460

460         Lions more confident, mountains and rocks

               More free from motion, no, not Death himself

               In mortal⁴⁶² fury half so peremptory,

               As we to keep this city.

BASTARD

BASTARD     Here’s a stay⁴⁶⁴

465

465         That shakes the rotten carcass of old Death

               Out of his rags. Here’s a large mouth, indeed,

               That spits forth death and mountains, rocks and seas,

               Talks as familiarly of roaring lions

               As maids of thirteen do of puppy-dogs.

470

470         What cannoneer begot this lusty blood?⁴⁷⁰

               He speaks plain cannon:⁴⁷¹ fire, and smoke, and bounce:

               He gives the bastinado⁴⁷² with his tongue:

               Our ears are cudgelled: not a word of his

               But buffets⁴⁷⁴ better than a fist of France:

475

475         Zounds!⁴⁷⁵ I was never so bethumped with words

               Since⁴⁷⁶ I first called my brother’s father dad.

QUEEN ELINOR

QUEEN ELINOR     Son, list⁴⁷⁷ to this conjunction, make this match,

               Give with our niece a dowry large enough:

               For, by this knot, thou shalt so surely tie

480

480         Thy now unsured⁴⁸⁰ assurance to the crown

               That yon⁴⁸¹ green boy shall have no sun to ripe

               The bloom that promiseth a mighty fruit.

               I see a yielding in the looks of France:

               Mark⁴⁸⁴ how they whisper: urge them while their souls

485

485         Are capable of⁴⁸⁵ this ambition,

               Lest zeal,⁴⁸⁶ now melted by the windy breath

               Of soft petitions,⁴⁸⁷ pity and remorse,

               Cool and congeal again to what it was.

CITIZEN

CITIZEN     Why answer not the double majesties

490

490         This friendly treaty⁴⁹⁰ of our threatened town?

KING PHILIP

KING PHILIP     Speak England first, that hath been forward⁴⁹¹ first

               To speak unto this city: what say you?

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     If that the dauphin there, thy princely son,

               Can in⁴⁹⁴ this book of beauty read ‘I love’,

495

495         Her dowry shall weigh equal with a queen:

               For Anjou⁴⁹⁶ and fair Touraine, Maine, Poitiers,

               And all that we upon this side the⁴⁹⁷ sea —

               Except this city now by us besieged —

               Find liable⁴⁹⁹ to our crown and dignity,

500

500         Shall gild her bridal bed and make her rich

               In titles, honours, and promotions,⁵⁰¹

               As she in beauty, education, blood,

               Holds hand with⁵⁰³ any princess of the world.

KING PHILIP

KING PHILIP     What say’st thou, boy? Look in the lady’s face.

505

LEWIS

LEWIS     I do, my lord, and in her eye I find

               A wonder, or a wondrous miracle,

               The shadow⁵⁰⁷ of myself formed in her eye:

               Which, being but the shadow of your son,⁵⁰⁸

               Becomes a sun and makes⁵⁰⁹ your son a shadow:

510

510         I do protest I never loved myself

               Till now infixèd⁵¹¹ I beheld myself

               Drawn in the flattering table⁵¹² of her eye.

       Whispers with Blanche

BASTARD

BASTARD     Drawn⁵¹³ in the flattering table of her eye,

               Hanged in the frowning wrinkle of her brow,

515

515         And quartered⁵¹⁵ in her heart, he doth espy

               Himself love’s traitor: this is pity now,

               That hanged and drawn and quartered there should be

               In such a love⁵¹⁸ so vile a lout as he.

BLANCHE

BLANCHE     My uncle’s will⁵¹⁹ in this respect is mine:

520

520         If he see aught⁵²⁰ in you that makes him like,

               That anything⁵²¹ he sees which moves his liking,

               I can with ease translate⁵²² it to my will:

               Or if you will, to speak more properly,⁵²³

               I will enforce⁵²⁴ it eas’ly to my love.

525

525         Further I will not flatter you, my lord,

               That⁵²⁶ all I see in you is worthy love,

               Than this: that nothing do I see in you,

               Though churlish⁵²⁸ thoughts themselves should be your judge,

               That I can find should merit⁵²⁹ any hate.

530

530 

KING JOHN

KING JOHN             What say these young ones? What say you, my niece?

BLANCHE

BLANCHE     That she is bound in honour still⁵³¹ to do

               What you in wisdom still vouchsafe⁵³² to say.

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     Speak then, Prince Dauphin, can you love this lady?

LEWIS

LEWIS     Nay, ask me if I can refrain from love,

535

535         For I do love her most unfeignedly.⁵³⁵

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     Then do I give Volquessen, Touraine, Maine,

               Poitiers and Anjou, these five provinces,

               With her to thee, and this addition more:

               Full⁵³⁹ thirty thousand marks of English coin.

540

540         Philip of France, if thou be pleased withal,⁵⁴⁰

               Command thy son and daughter to join hands.

KING PHILIP

KING PHILIP     It likes⁵⁴² us well, young princes: close your hands.

AUSTRIA

AUSTRIA     And your lips too, for I am well assured⁵⁴³

               That I did so when I was first assured.⁵⁴⁴ Lewis and Blanche join hands and kiss

545

545 

KING PHILIP

KING PHILIP             Now, citizens of Angiers, ope your gates,

               Let in that amity which you have made,

               For at Saint Mary’s chapel presently⁵⁴⁷

               The rites of marriage shall be solemnized.

               Is not the lady Constance in this troop?

550

550         I know she is not, for this match made up⁵⁵⁰

               Her presence would have interrupted much.

               Where is she and her son? Tell me, who⁵⁵² knows.

LEWIS

LEWIS     She is sad and passionate⁵⁵³ at your highness’ tent.

KING PHILIP

KING PHILIP     And by my faith this league that we have made

555

555         Will give her sadness very little cure.—

               Brother of England, how may we content

               This widow lady? In her right we came,

               Which we, God knows, have turned another way,

               To our own vantage.

560

560 

KING JOHN

KING JOHN             We will heal up all,

               For we’ll create young Arthur Duke of Bretagne

               And Earl of Richmond, and this rich fair town

               We make him lord of. Call the lady Constance:

               Some speedy messenger bid her repair⁵⁶⁴

565

565         To our solemnity:⁵⁶⁵ I trust we shall,

       [Exit Salisbury?]

               If not fill up the measure⁵⁶⁶ of her will,

               Yet in some measure⁵⁶⁷ satisfy her so

               That we shall stop her exclamation.⁵⁶⁸

               Go we as well as haste will suffer⁵⁶⁹ us

570

570         To this unlooked-for, unpreparèd pomp.⁵⁷⁰

       Exeunt [all but the Bastard]

BASTARD

BASTARD     Mad world, mad kings, mad composition!⁵⁷¹

               John, to stop Arthur’s title⁵⁷² in the whole,

               Hath willingly departed⁵⁷³ with a part,

               And France, whose armour conscience buckled on,

575

575         Whom zeal and charity brought to the field

               As God’s own soldier, rounded⁵⁷⁶ in the ear

               With⁵⁷⁷ that same purpose-changer, that sly devil,

               That broker⁵⁷⁸ that still breaks the pate of faith,

               That daily break-vow, he that wins⁵⁷⁹ of all,

580

580         Of kings, of beggars, old men, young men, maids,

               Who⁵⁸¹ having no external thing to lose

               But the word ‘maid’,⁵⁸² cheats the poor maid of that:

               That smooth-faced⁵⁸³ gentleman, tickling commodity,

               Commodity, the bias⁵⁸⁴ of the world,

585

585         The world who of itself is peisèd⁵⁸⁵ well,

               Made to run even⁵⁸⁶ upon even ground,

               Till this advantage, this vile-drawing⁵⁸⁷ bias,

               This sway⁵⁸⁸ of motion, this commodity,

               Makes it take head from⁵⁸⁹ all indifferency,

590

590         From all direction, purpose, course, intent:

               And this same bias, this commodity,

               This bawd,⁵⁹² this broker, this all-changing word,

               Clapped on⁵⁹³ the outward eye of fickle France,

               Hath drawn him from his own determined⁵⁹⁴ aid,

595

595         From a resolved⁵⁹⁵ and honourable war,

               To a most base⁵⁹⁶ and vile-concluded peace.

               And why rail I on⁵⁹⁷ this commodity?

               But for⁵⁹⁸ because he hath not wooed me yet:

               Not that I have the power to clutch⁵⁹⁹ my hand,

600

600         When his fair angels⁶⁰⁰ would salute my palm;

               But for⁶⁰¹ my hand, as unattempted yet,

               Like a poor beggar, raileth on the rich.

               Well, whiles I am a beggar, I will rail,

               And say there is no sin but to be rich:

605

605         And being rich, my virtue then shall be

               To say there is no vice but beggary:

               Since kings break faith upon⁶⁰⁷ commodity,

               Gain be my lord, for I will worship thee.

       Exit

Act 2 [Scene 2]

running scene 3

       Enter Constance, Arthur and Salisbury

CONSTANCE

CONSTANCE     Gone to be married? Gone to swear a peace? To Salisbury

               False blood to false blood joined! Gone to be friends?

               Shall Lewis have Blanche, and Blanche those provinces?

               It is not so, thou hast misspoke,⁴ misheard:

5

5             Be well advised,⁵ tell o’er thy tale again.

               It cannot be, thou dost but⁶ say ’tis so.

               I trust⁷ I may not trust thee, for thy word

               Is but the vain breath of a common man:⁸

               Believe me, I do not believe thee, man:

10

10           I have a king’s oath to the contrary.

               Thou shalt be punished for thus frighting¹¹ me,

               For I am sick and capable of¹² fears:

               Oppressed with wrongs, and therefore full of fears:

               A widow, husbandless, subject to fears,

15

15           A woman naturally born to fears;

               And though¹⁶ thou now confess thou didst but jest

               With my vexed spirits, I cannot take a truce,¹⁷

               But they will quake and tremble all this day.

               What dost thou mean by shaking of thy head?

20

20           Why dost thou look so sadly²⁰ on my son?

               What means that hand upon that breast of thine?

               Why holds thine eye that lamentable²² rheum,

               Like a proud²³ river peering o’er his bounds?

               Be these sad²⁴ signs confirmers of thy words?

25

25           Then speak again, not all thy former tale,

               But this one word: whether thy tale be true.

SALISBURY

SALISBURY     As true as I believe you think them²⁷ false

               That give you cause to prove²⁸ my saying true.

CONSTANCE

CONSTANCE     O, if thou teach me to believe this sorrow,

30

30           Teach thou this sorrow how to make me die,

               And let belief and life encounter³¹ so

               As doth the fury of two desperate men,

               Which in the very meeting fall and die.

               Lewis marry Blanche!— O boy, then where art thou? To Arthur

35

35           France friend with England, what becomes of me?—

               Fellow, be gone: I cannot brook³⁶ thy sight: To Salisbury

               This news hath made thee a most ugly man.

SALISBURY

SALISBURY     What other harm have I, good lady, done,

               But spoke the harm that is by others done?

40

CONSTANCE

CONSTANCE     Which harm within itself so heinous is

               As it makes harmful all that speak of it.

ARTHUR

ARTHUR     I do beseech you, madam, be content.⁴²

CONSTANCE

CONSTANCE     If thou that bidd’st me be content wert⁴³ grim,

               Ugly and sland’rous⁴⁴ to thy mother’s womb,

45

45           Full of unpleasing blots and sightless⁴⁵ stains,

               Lame, foolish, crooked,⁴⁶ swart, prodigious,

               Patched⁴⁷ with foul moles and eye-offending marks,

               I would not care, I then would be content,

               For then I should not love thee, no, nor thou

50

50           Become⁵⁰ thy great birth, nor deserve a crown.

               But thou art fair,⁵¹ and at thy birth, dear boy,

               Nature and Fortune joined to make thee great.

               Of Nature’s gifts thou mayst with lilies boast,

               And with the half-blown⁵⁴ rose. But Fortune, O,

55

55           She is corrupted, changed, and won from thee:

               Sh’adulterates⁵⁶ hourly with thine uncle John,

               And with her golden⁵⁷ hand hath plucked on France

               To tread down fair respect of sovereignty,⁵⁸

               And made his majesty⁵⁹ the bawd to theirs.

60

60           France is a bawd to Fortune and King John,

               That strumpet⁶¹ Fortune, that usurping John:—

               Tell me, thou fellow,⁶² is not France forsworn? To Salisbury

               Envenom⁶³ him with words, or get thee gone

               And leave those woes alone, which I alone

65

65           Am bound to underbear.⁶⁵

SALISBURY

SALISBURY     Pardon me, madam,

               I may not go without you to the kings.

CONSTANCE

CONSTANCE     Thou mayst, thou shalt: I will not go with thee:

               I will instruct my sorrows to be proud,⁶⁹

70

70           For grief is proud and makes his owner stoop.

               To me and to the state⁷¹ of my great grief

               Let kings assemble: for my grief’s so great

               That no supporter but the huge firm earth

               Can hold it up: here I and sorrows sit: She sits upon the ground

75

75           Here is my throne: bid kings come bow to it.

       [Exit Salisbury with Arthur] Constance remains seated

Act 3 Scene 1

running scene 3 continues

       Enter King John, King Philip, Lewis, Blanche, Queen Elinor, the Bastard [and] Austria

KING PHILIP

KING PHILIP     ’Tis true,¹ fair daughter, and this blessèd day

               Ever in France shall be kept festival:

               To solemnize this day the glorious sun

               Stays⁴ in his course and plays the alchemist,

5

5             Turning with splendour of his precious eye

               The meagre cloddy earth to glittering gold:

               The yearly course that brings this day about

               Shall never see it but a holy day.⁸

CONSTANCE

CONSTANCE     A wicked day, and not a holy day! Rising

10

10           What hath this day deserved? What hath it done,

               That it in golden letters¹¹ should be set

               Among the high tides¹² in the calendar?

               Nay, rather turn this day out of the week,

               This day of shame, oppression, perjury.

15

15           Or if it must stand still,¹⁵ let wives with child

               Pray that their burdens may not fall¹⁶ this day,

               Lest that their hopes prodigiously¹⁷ be crossed:

               But¹⁸ on this day let seamen fear no wreck:

               No¹⁹ bargains break that are not this day made;

20

20           This day all things begun come to ill end,

               Yea, faith itself to hollow falsehood change.

KING PHILIP

KING PHILIP     By heaven, lady, you shall have no cause

               To curse the fair proceedings of this day:

               Have I not pawned²⁴ to you my majesty?

25

25   

CONSTANCE

CONSTANCE           You have beguiled²⁵ me with a counterfeit

               Resembling majesty, which, being touched and tried,²⁶

               Proves valueless: you are forsworn,²⁷ forsworn:

               You came in arms²⁸ to spill mine enemies’ blood,

               But now in arms²⁹ you strengthen it with yours.

30

30           The grappling vigour and rough frown of war

               Is cold in amity and painted³¹ peace,

               And our³² oppression hath made up this league:

               Arm, arm, you heavens, against these perjured kings!

               A widow cries: be husband to me, heavens!

35

35           Let not the hours of this ungodly day

               Wear out³⁶ the days in peace; but, ere sun set,

               Set armèd discord ’twixt these perjured kings:

               Hear me, O, hear me!

AUSTRIA

AUSTRIA     Lady Constance, peace!

40

40   

CONSTANCE

CONSTANCE           War, war, no peace! Peace is to me a war:

               O Limoges,⁴¹ O Austria, thou dost shame

               That bloody spoil:⁴² thou slave, thou wretch, thou coward:

               Thou little valiant, great in villainy,

               Thou ever strong upon the stronger side;

45

45           Thou Fortune’s champion,⁴⁵ that dost never fight

               But when her humorous⁴⁶ ladyship is by

               To teach thee safety:⁴⁷ thou art perjured too,

               And sooth’st up greatness.⁴⁸ What a fool art thou,

               A ramping⁴⁹ fool, to brag, and stamp, and swear

50

50           Upon my party: thou cold-blooded slave,

               Hast thou not spoke like thunder on my side?

               Been sworn my soldier, bidding me depend

               Upon thy stars, thy fortune, and thy strength,

               And dost thou now fall over⁵⁴ to my foes?

55

55           Thou wear a lion’s hide! Doff⁵⁵ it for shame,

               And hang a calf’s-skin⁵⁶ on those recreant limbs.

AUSTRIA

AUSTRIA     O, that a man should speak those words to me!

BASTARD

BASTARD     And hang a calf’s-skin on those recreant limbs.

AUSTRIA

AUSTRIA     Thou dar’st not say so, villain, for thy life.

60

60   

BASTARD

BASTARD           And hang a calf’s-skin on those recreant limbs.

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     We like not this: thou dost forget thyself.

       Enter Pandulph*

KING PHILIP

KING PHILIP     Here comes the holy legate⁶² of the Pope.

CARDINAL PANDULPH

CARDINAL PANDULPH     Hail, you anointed deputies of heaven.—

               To thee, King John, my holy errand is:

65

65           I Pandulph, of fair Milan cardinal,

               And from Pope Innocent⁶⁶ the legate here,

               Do in his name religiously⁶⁷ demand

               Why thou against the Church, our holy mother,

               So wilfully dost spurn;⁶⁹ and force perforce

70

70           Keep Stephen Langton,⁷⁰ chosen archbishop

               Of Canterbury, from that holy see:⁷¹

               This, in our foresaid⁷² holy father’s name,

               Pope Innocent, I do demand of thee.

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     What earthy⁷⁴ name to interrogatories

75

75           Can test⁷⁵ the free breath of a sacred king?

               Thou canst not, cardinal, devise a name

               So slight, unworthy, and ridiculous

               To charge⁷⁸ me to an answer, as the Pope.

               Tell him this tale, and from the mouth of England

80

80           Add thus much more, that no Italian priest

               Shall tithe⁸¹ or toll in our dominions:

               But as we, under heaven, are supreme head,

               So, under him, that great supremacy,⁸³

               Where⁸⁴ we do reign, we will alone uphold

85

85           Without th’assistance of a mortal hand:

               So tell the Pope, all reverence set apart⁸⁶

               To him and his usurped authority.

KING PHILIP

KING PHILIP     Brother of England, you blaspheme⁸⁸ in this.

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     Though you and all the kings of Christendom

90

90           Are led so grossly⁹⁰ by this meddling priest,

               Dreading the curse⁹¹ that money may buy out,

               And by the merit of vile⁹² gold, dross, dust,

               Purchase corrupted pardon of⁹³ a man,

               Who in that sale sells⁹⁴ pardon from himself:

95

95           Though you and all the rest so grossly led

               This juggling⁹⁶ witchcraft with revenue cherish,

               Yet I alone, alone do me oppose⁹⁷

               Against the Pope, and count his friends my foes.

CARDINAL PANDULPH

CARDINAL PANDULPH     Then by the lawful power that I have,

100

100         Thou shalt stand cursed and excommunicate:¹⁰⁰

               And blessèd shall he be that doth revolt

               From his allegiance to an heretic:¹⁰²

               And meritorious shall that hand be called,

               Canonizèd and worshipped as a saint,

105

               That takes away by any secret course

               Thy hateful life.

CONSTANCE

CONSTANCE     O, lawful let it be

               That I have room¹⁰⁸ with Rome to curse awhile:

               Good Father Cardinal, cry thou ‘Amen’

110

110         To my keen¹¹⁰ curses; for without my wrong

               There is no tongue hath power to curse him right.¹¹¹

CARDINAL PANDULPH

CARDINAL PANDULPH     There’s law and warrant,¹¹² lady, for my curse.

CONSTANCE

CONSTANCE     And for mine too: when law can do no right,

               Let it be lawful that law bar no wrong:¹¹⁴

115

115         Law cannot give my child his kingdom here;

               For he that holds¹¹⁶ his kingdom holds the law:

               Therefore, since law itself is perfect¹¹⁷ wrong,

               How can the law forbid my tongue to curse?

CARDINAL PANDULPH

CARDINAL PANDULPH     Philip of France, on peril of a curse,

120

120         Let go the hand of that arch-heretic,¹²⁰

               And raise the power of France¹²¹ upon his head,

               Unless he do submit himself to Rome.

QUEEN ELINOR

QUEEN ELINOR     Look’st thou pale, France? Do not let go thy hand.

CONSTANCE

CONSTANCE     Look to that,¹²⁴ devil, lest that France repent,

125

125         And by disjoining hands, hell lose a soul.

AUSTRIA

AUSTRIA     King Philip, listen to the cardinal.

BASTARD

BASTARD     And hang a calf’s-skin on his recreant limbs.

AUSTRIA

AUSTRIA     Well, ruffian, I must pocket up¹²⁸ these wrongs,

               Because—

130

130 

BASTARD

BASTARD             Your breeches best may carry them.

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     Philip, what say’st thou to the cardinal?

CONSTANCE

CONSTANCE     What should he say, but as the cardinal?¹³²

LEWIS

LEWIS     Bethink you,¹³³ father, for the difference

               Is purchase¹³⁴ of a heavy curse from Rome,

135

135         Or the light¹³⁵ loss of England for a friend:

               Forgo the easier.

BLANCHE

BLANCHE     That’s the curse of Rome.

CONSTANCE

CONSTANCE     O Lewis, stand fast: the devil tempts thee here

               In likeness of a new untrimmèd¹³⁹ bride.

140

140 

BLANCHE

BLANCHE             The lady Constance speaks not from her faith,

               But from her need.

CONSTANCE

CONSTANCE     O, if thou grant my need,¹⁴²

               Which only lives but by¹⁴³ the death of faith,

               That need must needs¹⁴⁴ infer this principle,

145

145         That faith would live again by death of need:

               O then tread down my need, and faith mounts up:

               Keep my need up, and faith is trodden down.

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     The king is moved,¹⁴⁸ and answers not to this.

CONSTANCE

CONSTANCE     O, be removed¹⁴⁹ from him, and answer well! To King Philip

150

150 

AUSTRIA

AUSTRIA             Do so, King Philip, hang no more in doubt.

BASTARD

BASTARD     Hang¹⁵¹ nothing but a calf’s-skin, most sweet lout.

KING PHILIP

KING PHILIP     I am perplexed, and know not what to say.

CARDINAL PANDULPH

CARDINAL PANDULPH     What canst thou say but will perplex thee more,

               If thou stand excommunicate and cursed?

155

KING PHILIP

KING PHILIP     Good reverend father, make¹⁵⁵ my person yours,

               And tell me how you would bestow yourself.¹⁵⁶

               This royal hand and mine are newly knit,

               And the conjunction of our inward souls

               Married in league, coupled and linked together

160

160         With all religious strength of sacred vows:

               The latest¹⁶¹ breath that gave the sound of words

               Was deep-sworn faith, peace, amity, true love

               Between our kingdoms and our royal selves,

               And even¹⁶⁴ before this truce, but new before,

165

165         No longer than we well could wash our hands

               To clap¹⁶⁶ this royal bargain up of peace,

               Heaven knows, they were besmeared and overstained¹⁶⁷

               With slaughter’s pencil,¹⁶⁸ where revenge did paint

               The fearful¹⁶⁹ difference of incensèd kings:

170

170         And shall these hands, so lately purged of blood,

               So newly joined in love, so strong in both,

               Unyoke this seizure¹⁷² and this kind regreet?

               Play fast and loose¹⁷³ with faith, so jest with heaven,

               Make such unconstant¹⁷⁴ children of ourselves,

175

175         As now again to snatch our palm from palm?

               Unswear faith sworn, and on the marriage-bed

               Of smiling peace to march a bloody¹⁷⁷ host,

               And make a riot on the gentle brow¹⁷⁸

               Of true sincerity? O holy sir,

180

180         My reverend father, let it not be so:

               Out of your grace, devise, ordain,¹⁸¹ impose

               Some gentle order, and then we shall be blest

               To do your pleasure and continue friends.

CARDINAL PANDULPH

CARDINAL PANDULPH     All form is formless, order orderless,

185

185         Save what is opposite to England’s love.

               Therefore to arms, be champion of our Church,

               Or let the Church, our mother, breathe her curse,

               A mother’s curse, on her revolting¹⁸⁸ son:

               France, thou mayst hold¹⁸⁹ a serpent by the tongue,

190

190         A casèd¹⁹⁰ lion by the mortal paw,

               A fasting tiger safer by the tooth,

               Than keep in peace that hand which thou dost hold.

KING PHILIP

KING PHILIP     I may disjoin my hand, but not my faith.¹⁹³

CARDINAL PANDULPH

CARDINAL PANDULPH     So mak’st thou faith¹⁹⁴ an enemy to faith,

195

195         And like a civil war set’st oath to¹⁹⁵ oath,

               Thy tongue against thy tongue. O, let thy vow

               First made to heaven, first be to heaven performed,

               That is, to be the champion of our Church:

               What since¹⁹⁹ thou swor’st is sworn against thyself,

200

200         And may not be performèd by thyself,

               For that which thou hast sworn to do amiss

               Is not amiss when it is truly done:²⁰²

               And being not done, where doing tends to²⁰³ ill,

               The truth is then most done not doing it:

205

               The better act²⁰⁵ of purposes mistook

               Is to mistake again:²⁰⁶ though indirect,

               Yet indirection thereby grows direct,

               And falsehood falsehood cures, as fire²⁰⁸ cools fire

               Within the scorchèd veins of one new burned:

210

210         It is religion²¹⁰ that doth make vows kept,

               But thou hast sworn against religion:

               By²¹² what thou swear’st against the thing thou swear’st,

               And²¹³ mak’st an oath the surety for thy truth

               Against an oath the truth: thou art unsure²¹⁴

215

215         To swear, swears²¹⁵ only not to be forsworn,

               Else what a mockery should it be to swear?

               But thou dost swear only to be forsworn,

               And most forsworn, to keep what thou dost swear:

               Therefore thy later vows against thy first

220

220         Is in thyself rebellion to thyself:

               And better conquest never canst thou make

               Than arm thy constant and thy nobler parts

               Against these giddy loose suggestions:

               Upon which better part²²⁴ our prayers come in,

225

225         If thou vouchsafe them. But if not, then know

               The peril of our curses light²²⁶ on thee

               So heavy as²²⁷ thou shalt not shake them off,

               But in despair die under their black²²⁸ weight.

AUSTRIA

AUSTRIA     Rebellion,²²⁹ flat rebellion!

230

230 

BASTARD

BASTARD             Will’t not be?²³⁰

               Will not a calf’s-skin stop²³¹ that mouth of thine?

LEWIS

LEWIS     Father, to arms!

BLANCHE

BLANCHE     Upon thy wedding day?

               Against the blood²³⁴ that thou hast marrièd?

235

235         What, shall our feast be kept²³⁵ with slaughtered men?

               Shall braying trumpets and loud churlish drums,

               Clamours of hell, be measures²³⁷ to our pomp?

               O husband, hear me: ay, alack, how new

               Is ‘husband’ in my mouth! Even for that name,

240

240         Which till this time my tongue did ne’er pronounce,

               Upon my knee I beg, go not to arms

               Against mine uncle. She may kneel here

CONSTANCE

CONSTANCE     O, upon my knee made hard with kneeling, She may kneel

               I do pray to thee, thou virtuous dauphin,

245

245         Alter not the doom²⁴⁵ forethought by heaven.

BLANCHE

BLANCHE     Now shall I see thy love: what motive may

               Be stronger with thee than the name of wife?

CONSTANCE

CONSTANCE     That which upholdeth him that thee upholds:²⁴⁸

               His honour:— O, thine honour, Lewis, thine honour! To Lewis

250

250 

LEWIS

LEWIS             I muse²⁵⁰ your majesty doth seem so cold, To King Philip

               When such profound respects²⁵¹ do pull you on.

CARDINAL PANDULPH

CARDINAL PANDULPH     I will denounce²⁵² a curse upon his head.

KING PHILIP

KING PHILIP     Thou shalt not need. England, I will fall from²⁵³ thee.

CONSTANCE

CONSTANCE     O, fair return of banished majesty! She may rise

255

255 

QUEEN ELINOR

QUEEN ELINOR             O, foul revolt of French inconstancy!

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     France, thou shalt rue²⁵⁶ this hour within this hour.

BASTARD

BASTARD     Old Time the clock-setter, that bald²⁵⁷ sexton Time,

               Is it as he will? Well then, France shall rue.

BLANCHE

BLANCHE     The sun’s o’ercast with blood: fair day, adieu!²⁵⁹

260

260         Which is the side that I must go withal?

               I am with both, each army hath a hand,

               And in their rage, I having hold of both,

               They whirl asunder and dismember²⁶³ me.

               Husband, I cannot pray that thou mayst win:—

265

265         Uncle, I needs must pray that thou mayst lose:—

               Father,²⁶⁶ I may not wish the fortune thine:—

               Grandam, I will not wish thy wishes thrive:

               Whoever wins, on that side shall I lose:

               Assurèd loss before the match be played.

270

270 

LEWIS

LEWIS             Lady, with me, with me thy fortune lies. He may help her rise

BLANCHE

BLANCHE     There where my fortune lives, there my life dies.

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     Cousin,²⁷² go draw our puissance together.

       [Exit the Bastard]

               France, I am burned up with inflaming wrath,

               A rage whose heat hath this condition:²⁷⁴

275

275         That nothing can allay, nothing but blood,

               The blood, and dearest-valued²⁷⁶ blood, of France.

KING PHILIP

KING PHILIP     Thy rage shall burn thee up, and thou shalt turn

               To ashes, ere our blood shall quench that fire:

               Look to thyself, thou art in jeopardy.

280

280 

KING JOHN

KING JOHN             No more than he that threats.²⁸⁰ To arms let’s hie!

       Exeunt

Act 3 Scene 23.2

running scene 4

       Alarums, excursions. Enter [the] Bastard, with Austria’s head

BASTARD

BASTARD     Now, by my life, this day grows wondrous hot:

               Some airy devil² hovers in the sky

               And pours down mischief. Austria’s head lie there, He puts down Austria’s head

               While Philip⁴ breathes.

       Enter [King] John, Arthur [and] Hubert

5

5     

KING JOHN

KING JOHN           Hubert, keep⁵ this boy.— Philip, make up:

               My mother is assailèd⁶ in our tent,

               And ta’en,⁷ I fear.

BASTARD

BASTARD     My lord, I rescued her:

               Her highness is in safety, fear you not:

10

10           But on, my liege,¹⁰ for very little pains

               Will bring this labour to an happy end.¹¹

       Exeunt

       Alarums, excursions, retreat. Enter King John, Queen Elinor, Arthur, [the] Bastard, Hubert, [and] Lords

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     So shall it be: your grace shall stay behind¹² To Queen Elinor

               So strongly guarded:— Cousin, look not sad: To Arthur

               Thy grandam loves thee; and thy uncle will

15

15           As dear be to thee as thy father was.

ARTHUR

ARTHUR     O, this will make my mother die with grief.

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     Cousin, away for England! Haste before,¹⁷ To Bastard

               And ere our coming see thou shake the bags

               Of hoarding abbots: imprisoned angels¹⁹

20

20           Set at liberty: the fat ribs of peace

               Must by the hungry now be fed upon:

               Use our commission²² in his utmost force.

BASTARD

BASTARD     Bell,²³ book and candle shall not drive me back,

               When gold and silver becks²⁴ me to come on.

25

25           I leave your highness:— grandam, I will pray,

               If ever I remember to be holy,

               For your fair safety: so I kiss your hand.

ELINOR

ELINOR     Farewell, gentle²⁸ cousin.

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     Coz,²⁹ farewell.

       [Exit the Bastard]

30

30   

QUEEN ELINOR

QUEEN ELINOR           Come hither, little kinsman: hark, a word. To Arthur

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     Come hither, Hubert. He takes Hubert aside

                                    O my gentle Hubert,

               We owe thee much: within this wall of flesh

               There is a soul counts thee her creditor

               And with advantage³⁴ means to pay thy love:

35

35           And, my good friend, thy voluntary³⁵ oath

               Lives in this bosom,³⁶ dearly cherishèd.

               Give me thy hand: I had a thing to say,

               But I will fit it with some better tune.³⁸

               By heaven, Hubert, I am almost ashamed

40

40           To say what good respect⁴⁰ I have of thee.

HUBERT

HUBERT     I am much bounden⁴¹ to your majesty.

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     Good friend, thou hast no cause to say so yet,

               But thou shalt have: and creep time ne’er so slow,

               Yet it shall come for me to do thee good.

45

45           I had a thing to say, but let it go:

               The sun is in the heaven, and the proud day,

               Attended with the pleasures of the world,

               Is all too wanton⁴⁸ and too full of gauds

               To give me audience:⁴⁹ if the midnight bell

50

50           Did with his iron tongue and brazen⁵⁰ mouth

               Sound on⁵¹ into the drowsy race of night:

               If this same were a churchyard where we stand,

               And thou possessèd with a thousand wrongs:

               Or if that surly spirit, melancholy,

55

55           Had baked thy blood and made it heavy, thick,

               Which else⁵⁶ runs tickling up and down the veins,

               Making that idiot,⁵⁷ laughter, keep men’s eyes

               And strain their cheeks to idle merriment,

               A passion⁵⁹ hateful to my purposes:

60

60           Or if that thou couldst see me without eyes,

               Hear me without thine ears, and make reply

               Without a tongue, using conceit⁶² alone,

               Without eyes, ears and harmful sound of words:

               Then, in despite⁶⁴ of broad-eyed watchful day,

65

               I would into thy bosom pour my thoughts.

               But, ah, I will not: yet I love thee well,

               And by my troth,⁶⁷ I think thou lov’st me well.

HUBERT

HUBERT     So well, that what⁶⁸ you bid me undertake,

               Though that my death were adjunct to⁶⁹ my act,

70

70           By heaven, I would do it.

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     Do not I know thou wouldst?

               Good Hubert, Hubert, Hubert, throw thine eye

               On yon⁷³ young boy: I’ll tell thee what, my friend,

               He is a very serpent in my way,

75

75           And whereso’er this foot of mine doth tread,

               He lies before me: dost thou understand me?

               Thou art his keeper.

HUBERT

HUBERT     And I’ll keep him so,⁷⁸

               That he shall not offend your majesty.

80

80   

KING JOHN

KING JOHN           Death.

HUBERT

HUBERT     My lord?

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     A grave.

HUBERT

HUBERT     He shall not live.

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     Enough.

85

85           I could be merry now: Hubert, I love thee.

               Well, I’ll not say what I intend for thee:

               Remember.— Madam, fare you well:

               I’ll send those powers⁸⁸ o’er to your majesty.

ELINOR

ELINOR     My blessing go with thee.

90

90   

KING JOHN

KING JOHN           For England, cousin,⁹⁰ go.

               Hubert shall be your man,⁹¹ attend on you

               With all true duty.— On toward Calais, ho!

       Exeunt [Queen Elinor at one door, the rest at another]

Act 3 Scene 3

running scene 5

       Enter King Philip, Lewis, Cardinal Pandulph [and] Attendants

KING PHILIP

KING PHILIP     So by a roaring tempest on the flood,¹

               A whole armado² of convicted sail

               Is scattered and disjoined from fellowship.³

CARDINAL PANDULPH

CARDINAL PANDULPH     Courage and comfort: all shall yet go well.

5

5     

KING PHILIP

KING PHILIP           What can go well when we have run⁵ so ill?

               Are we not beaten? Is not Angiers lost?

               Arthur ta’en prisoner? Divers⁷ dear friends slain?

               And bloody⁸ England into England gone,

               O’erbearing⁹ interruption, spite of France?

10

10   

LEWIS

LEWIS           What he hath won, that hath he fortified:

               So hot¹¹ a speed with such advice disposed,

               Such temperate¹² order in so fierce a cause,

               Doth want example:¹³ who hath read or heard

               Of any kindred¹⁴ action like to this?

15

15   

KING PHILIP

KING PHILIP           well could I bear that England had this praise,

               So¹⁶ we could find some pattern of our shame.

       Enter Constance Distracted, with her hair down

               Look, who comes here! A grave¹⁷ unto a soul:

               Holding th’eternal spirit against her will,

               In the vile prison of afflicted breath:

20

20           I prithee, lady, go away with me.

CONSTANCE

CONSTANCE     Lo, now: now see the issue²¹ of your peace.

KING PHILIP

KING PHILIP     Patience, good lady: comfort, gentle Constance.

CONSTANCE

CONSTANCE     No, I defy²³ all counsel, all redress,

               But²⁴ that which ends all counsel, true redress:

25

25           Death, death, O amiable,²⁵ lovely death:

               Thou odoriferous²⁶ stench: sound rottenness:

               Arise forth from the couch of lasting²⁷ night,

               Thou hate and terror to prosperity,

               And I will kiss thy detestable bones,

30

30           And put my eyeballs in thy vaulty³⁰ brows,

               And ring these fingers with thy household worms,

               And stop this gap of breath³² with fulsome dust,

               And be a carrion³³ monster like thyself:

               Come, grin on me, and I will think thou smil’st

35

35           And buss³⁵ thee as thy wife: misery’s love,

               O, come to me!

KING PHILIP

KING PHILIP     O fair affliction,³⁷ peace!

CONSTANCE

CONSTANCE     No, no, I will not, having breath to cry:

               O, that my tongue were in the thunder’s mouth!

40

40           Then with a passion would I shake the world,

               And rouse from sleep that fell⁴¹ anatomy

               Which cannot hear a lady’s feeble voice,

               Which scorns a modern⁴³ invocation.

CARDINAL PANDULPH

CARDINAL PANDULPH     Lady, you utter madness, and not sorrow.

45

45   

CONSTANCE

CONSTANCE           Thou art not holy to belie⁴⁵ me so:

               I am not mad: this hair I tear is mine:

               My name is Constance: I was Geoffrey’s wife:

               Young Arthur is my son, and he is lost:

               I am not mad: I would to heaven I were,

50

50           For then, ’tis like⁵⁰ I should forget myself:

               O, if I could, what grief should I forget!

               Preach some philosophy to make me mad,

               And thou shalt be canonized, cardinal:

               For, being not mad, but sensible of⁵⁴ grief,

55

55           My reasonable part⁵⁵ produces reason

               How I may be delivered of⁵⁶ these woes,

               And teaches me to kill or hang myself:

               If I were mad, I should forget my son,

               Or madly think a babe of clouts⁵⁹ were he:

60

60           I am not mad: too well, too well I feel

               The different⁶¹ plague of each calamity.

KING PHILIP

KING PHILIP     Bind⁶² up those tresses: O, what love I note

               In the fair multitude of those her hairs!

               Where but by chance a silver drop⁶⁴ hath fallen,

65

65           Even to that drop ten thousand wiry friends⁶⁵

               Do glue themselves in sociable⁶⁶ grief,

               Like true, inseparable, faithful loves,

               Sticking together in calamity.

CONSTANCE

CONSTANCE     To⁶⁹ England, if you will.

70

70   

KING PHILIP

KING PHILIP     Bind up your hairs.

CONSTANCE

CONSTANCE     Yes, that I will: and wherefore⁷¹ will I do it?

               I tore them from their bonds and cried aloud ‘

               O, that these hands could so redeem⁷³ my son,

               As they have given these hairs their liberty!’

75

75           But now I envy at⁷⁵ their liberty,

               And will again commit them to their bonds,

               Because my poor child is a prisoner. She binds up her hair

               And, Father Cardinal, I have heard you say

               That we shall see and know⁷⁹ our friends in heaven:

80

80           If that be true, I shall see my boy again;

               For since the birth of Cain,⁸¹ the first male child,

               To him that did but yesterday suspire,⁸²

               There was not such a gracious⁸³ creature born:

               But now will canker-sorrow⁸⁴ eat my bud

85

85           And chase the native⁸⁵ beauty from his cheek,

               And he will look as hollow as a ghost,

               As dim⁸⁷ and meagre as an ague’s fit,

               And so⁸⁸ he’ll die: and rising so again,

               When I shall meet him in the court of heaven

90

90           I shall not know⁹⁰ him: therefore never, never

               Must I behold my pretty Arthur more.

CARDINAL PANDULPH

CARDINAL PANDULPH     You hold too heinous⁹² a respect of grief.

CONSTANCE

CONSTANCE     He talks to me that never had a son.

KING PHILIP

KING PHILIP     You are as fond of⁹⁴ grief as of your child.

95

95   

CONSTANCE

CONSTANCE           Grief fills the room⁹⁵ up of my absent child:

               Lies in his bed, walks up and down with me,

               Puts on his pretty looks, repeats his words,

               Remembers⁹⁸ me of all his gracious parts,

               Stuffs out his vacant garments with his form;

100

100         Then have I reason to be fond of grief?

               Fare you well: had you such a loss as I,

               I could give better comfort than you do. She unbinds her hair

               I will not keep this form¹⁰³ upon my head,

               When there is such disorder in my wit:

105

105         O lord, my boy, my Arthur, my fair son,

               My life, my joy, my food, my all the world:

               My widow-comfort, and my sorrows’ cure!

       Exit

KING PHILIP

KING PHILIP     I fear some outrage,¹⁰⁸ and I’ll follow her.

       Exit

LEWIS

LEWIS     There’s nothing in this world can make me joy:¹⁰⁹

110

110         Life is as tedious as a twice-told tale,

               Vexing the dull¹¹¹ ear of a drowsy man;

               And bitter shame hath spoiled the sweet word’s¹¹² taste

               That¹¹³ it yields nought but shame and bitterness.

CARDINAL PANDULPH

CARDINAL PANDULPH     Before the curing of a strong disease,

115

115         Even in the instant¹¹⁵ of repair and health,

               The fit¹¹⁶ is strongest: evils that take leave,

               On their departure most of all show evil:

               What have you lost by losing of this day?¹¹⁸

LEWIS

LEWIS     All days of glory, joy and happiness.

120

CARDINAL PANDULPH

CARDINAL PANDULPH     If you had¹²⁰ won it, certainly you had.

               No, no: when Fortune means¹²¹ to men most good,

               She looks upon them with a threat’ning eye:

               ’Tis strange to think how much King John hath lost

               In this which he accounts¹²⁴ so clearly won:

125

125         Are not you grieved that Arthur is his prisoner?

LEWIS

LEWIS     As heartily as he is glad he hath him.

CARDINAL PANDULPH

CARDINAL PANDULPH     Your mind is all as youthful as your blood.

               Now hear me speak with a prophetic spirit:

               For even the breath of what I mean to speak

130

130         Shall blow each dust, each straw, each little rub,¹³⁰

               Out of the path which shall directly lead

               Thy foot to England’s throne. And therefore mark:¹³²

               John hath seized Arthur, and it cannot be

               That whiles warm life plays in that infant’s¹³⁴ veins,

135

135         The misplaced¹³⁵ John should entertain an hour,

               One minute, nay, one quiet breath of rest.

               A sceptre snatched with an unruly hand

               Must be as boisterously¹³⁸ maintained as gained:

               And he that stands upon a slipp’ry place

140

140         Makes¹⁴⁰ nice of no vile hold to stay him up:

               That¹⁴¹ John may stand, then Arthur needs must fall:

               So be it, for it cannot be but so.

LEWIS

LEWIS     But what shall I gain by young Arthur’s fall?

CARDINAL PANDULPH

CARDINAL PANDULPH     You, in the right of Lady Blanche your wife,

145

145         May then make all the claim that Arthur did.

LEWIS

LEWIS     And lose it, life and all, as Arthur did.

CARDINAL PANDULPH

CARDINAL PANDULPH     How green¹⁴⁷ you are, and fresh in this old world!

               John lays you plots:¹⁴⁸ the times conspire with you:

               For he that steeps¹⁴⁹ his safety in true blood

150

150         Shall find but bloody safety and untrue.¹⁵⁰

               This act, so evilly born, shall cool the hearts

               Of all his people and freeze up their zeal,¹⁵²

               That none¹⁵³ so small advantage shall step forth

               To check¹⁵⁴ his reign, but they will cherish it:

155

155         No natural exhalation¹⁵⁵ in the sky,

               No scope¹⁵⁶ of nature, no distempered day,

               No common wind, no customèd¹⁵⁷ event,

               But they will pluck away¹⁵⁸ his natural cause

               And call them meteors, prodigies,¹⁵⁹ and signs,

160

160         Abortives,¹⁶⁰ presages, and tongues of heaven,

               Plainly denouncing¹⁶¹ vengeance upon John.

LEWIS

LEWIS     Maybe he will not touch young Arthur’s life,

               But hold¹⁶³ himself safe in his prisonment.

CARDINAL PANDULPH

CARDINAL PANDULPH     O sir, when he shall hear of your approach,¹⁶⁴

165

165         If that young Arthur be not gone already,

               Even at that news he dies: and then the hearts

               Of all his people shall revolt from him,

               And kiss¹⁶⁸ the lips of unacquainted change,

               And pick¹⁶⁹ strong matter of revolt and wrath

170

170         Out¹⁷⁰ of the bloody fingers’ ends of John.

               Methinks I see this hurly¹⁷¹ all on foot:

               And O, what better matter breeds¹⁷² for you

               Than I have named! The Bastard Falconbridge

               Is now in England, ransacking the Church,

175

175         Offending charity: if but a dozen French

               Were there in arms, they would be as a call¹⁷⁶

               To train¹⁷⁷ ten thousand English to their side,

               Or, as a little snow, tumbled about,

               Anon¹⁷⁹ becomes a mountain. O noble dauphin,

180

180         Go with me to the king: ’tis wonderful

               What may be wrought¹⁸¹ out of their discontent,

               Now that their souls are top-full¹⁸² of offence.

               For England go: I will whet on¹⁸³ the king.

LEWIS

LEWIS     Strong reasons make strange actions:¹⁸⁴ let us go:

185

185         If you say¹⁸⁵ ay, the king will not say no.

       Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 14.1

running scene 6

       Enter Hubert and Executioners With a rope and irons

HUBERT

HUBERT     Heat me¹ these irons hot, and look thou stand

               Within² the arras: when I strike my foot

               Upon the bosom of the ground, rush forth

               And bind the boy which you shall find with me

5

5             Fast to the chair: be heedful:⁵ hence, and watch.

FIRST EXECUTIONER

FIRST EXECUTIONER     I hope your warrant will bear out⁶ the deed.

HUBERT

HUBERT     Uncleanly scruples:⁷ Fear not you: look to’t. The Executioners withdraw behind the arras

               Young lad, come forth; I have to say with⁸ you.

       Enter Arthur

ARTHUR

ARTHUR     Good morrow, Hubert.

10

10   

HUBERT

HUBERT           Good morrow, little¹⁰ prince.

ARTHUR

ARTHUR     As¹¹ little prince, having so great a title

               To be more prince, as may be. You are sad.¹²

HUBERT

HUBERT     Indeed, I have been merrier.

ARTHUR

ARTHUR     ’Mercy¹⁴ on me!

15

15           Methinks nobody should be sad but I:

               Yet, I remember, when I was in France,

               Young gentlemen would be as sad¹⁷ as night

               Only¹⁸ for wantonness: by my christendom,

               So¹⁹ I were out of prison and kept sheep,

20

20           I should be as merry as the day is long:

               And so I would be here, but that I doubt²¹

               My uncle practises²² more harm to me:

               He is afraid of me, and I of him:

               Is it my fault that I was Geoffrey’s son?

25

25           No, indeed, is’t not: and I would²⁵ to heaven

               I were your son, so²⁶ you would love me, Hubert.

HUBERT

HUBERT     If I talk to him, with his innocent prate²⁷ Aside

               He will awake my mercy which lies dead:

               Therefore I will be sudden and dispatch.²⁹

30

30   

ARTHUR

ARTHUR           Are you sick, Hubert? You look pale today:

               In sooth,³¹ I would you were a little sick,

               That I might sit all night and watch³² with you.

               I warrant³³ I love you more than you do me.

HUBERT

HUBERT     His words do take possession of my bosom.— Aside

35

35           Read here, young Arthur.— How now, foolish rheum!³⁵ Showing a paper/Aside

               Turning³⁶ dispiteous torture out of door?

               I must be brief,³⁷ lest resolution drop

               Out at mine eyes in tender womanish tears.

               Can you not read it? Is it not fair writ?³⁹

40

40   

ARTHUR

ARTHUR           Too fairly, Hubert, for so foul effect:⁴⁰

               Must you with hot irons burn out both mine eyes?

HUBERT

HUBERT     Young boy, I must.

ARTHUR

ARTHUR     And will you?

HUBERT

HUBERT     And I will.

45

45   

ARTHUR

ARTHUR           Have you the heart? When your head did but ache,

               I knit⁴⁶ my handkercher about your brows,

               The best I had, a princess wrought it⁴⁷ me,

               And I did never ask it you⁴⁸ again:

               And with my hand at midnight held your head,

50

50           And like the watchful⁵⁰ minutes to the hour,

               Still and anon⁵¹ cheered up the heavy time,

               Saying ‘What lack you?⁵²’ and ‘Where lies your grief?’

               Or ‘What good love⁵³ may I perform for you?’

               Many a poor man’s son would have lien⁵⁴ still

55

55           And ne’er have spoke a loving word to you:

               But you at⁵⁶ your sick service had a prince:

               Nay, you may think my love was crafty⁵⁷ love,

               And call it cunning. Do, an if⁵⁸ you will.

               If heaven be pleased that you must use me ill,⁵⁹

60

60           Why then you must. Will you put out mine eyes?

               These eyes that never did, nor never shall,

               So much as frown on you.

HUBERT

HUBERT     I have sworn to do it:

               And with hot irons must I burn them out.

65

65   

ARTHUR

ARTHUR           Ah, none but in this iron age⁶⁵ would do it:

               The iron of itself, though heat⁶⁶ red-hot,

               Approaching near these eyes, would drink my tears

               And quench this⁶⁸ fiery indignation,

               Even⁶⁹ in the matter of mine innocence:

70

70           Nay, after that, consume away in rust

               But for containing⁷¹ fire to harm mine eye:

               Are you more stubborn-hard than hammered iron?

               And if an angel should have⁷³ come to me

               And told me Hubert should put out mine eyes,

75

75           I would not have believed him: no tongue but Hubert’s.

HUBERT

HUBERT     Come forth. Stamps; Executioners come forward

               Do as I bid you do.

ARTHUR

ARTHUR     O, save me, Hubert, save me! My eyes are out⁷⁸

               Even with the fierce looks of these bloody men.

80

80   

HUBERT

HUBERT           Give me the iron, I say, and bind him here.

ARTHUR

ARTHUR     Alas, what need you be so boist’rous-rough?

               I will not struggle: I will stand stone-still:

               For heaven sake, Hubert, let me not be bound:

               Nay, hear me, Hubert, drive these men away,

85

85           And I will sit as quiet as a lamb:

               I will not stir, nor winch,⁸⁶ nor speak a word,

               Nor look upon the iron angerly:⁸⁷

               Thrust but these men away, and I’ll forgive you,

               Whatever torment you do put me to.

90

90   

HUBERT

HUBERT           Go, stand within: let me alone with him.

FIRST EXECUTIONER

FIRST EXECUTIONER     I am best pleased to be from⁹¹ such a deed.

       [Exeunt Executioners]

ARTHUR

ARTHUR     Alas, I then have chid⁹² away my friend!

               He hath a stern look, but a gentle heart:

               Let him come back, that his compassion may

95

95           Give life to yours.

HUBERT

HUBERT     Come, boy, prepare yourself.

ARTHUR

ARTHUR     Is there no remedy?⁹⁷

HUBERT

HUBERT     None, but to lose your eyes.

ARTHUR

ARTHUR     O heaven, that there were but a mote⁹⁹ in yours,

100

100         A grain, a dust, a gnat, a wandering hair,

               Any annoyance¹⁰¹ in that precious sense:

               Then feeling what small things are boisterous¹⁰² there,

               Your vile intent must needs seem horrible.

HUBERT

HUBERT     Is this your promise? Go to,¹⁰⁴ hold your tongue.

105

105 

ARTHUR

ARTHUR             Hubert, the utterance of a brace¹⁰⁵ of tongues

               Must¹⁰⁶ needs want pleading for a pair of eyes:

               Let me not¹⁰⁷ hold my tongue: let me not, Hubert:

               Or, Hubert, if you will, cut out my tongue,

               So I may keep mine eyes. O, spare mine eyes,

110

110         Though to no use but still¹¹⁰ to look on you.

               Lo, by my troth,¹¹¹ the instrument is cold

               And would not harm me.

HUBERT

HUBERT     I can heat it, boy.

ARTHUR

ARTHUR     No, in good sooth:¹¹⁴ the fire is dead with grief,

115

115         Being create¹¹⁵ for comfort, to be used

               In undeserved extremes:¹¹⁶ see else yourself:

               There is no malice in this burning coal:

               The breath of heaven hath blown his spirit out,

               And strewed repentant ashes on his head.

120

120 

HUBERT

HUBERT             But with my breath I can revive it, boy.

ARTHUR

ARTHUR     An if you do, you will but¹²¹ make it blush

               And glow with shame of your proceedings, Hubert:

               Nay, it perchance¹²³ will sparkle in your eyes,

               And, like a dog that is compelled to fight,

125

125         Snatch¹²⁵ at his master that doth tarre him on.

               All things that you should use to do me wrong

               Deny their office:¹²⁷ only you do lack

               That mercy, which fierce fire and iron extends,¹²⁸

               Creatures¹²⁹ of note for mercy, lacking uses.

130

130 

HUBERT

HUBERT             Well, see to live: I will not touch thine eye

               For all the treasure that thine uncle owes:¹³¹

               Yet am I sworn and I did purpose,¹³² boy,

               With this same very iron to burn them out.

ARTHUR

ARTHUR     O, now you look like Hubert. All this while

135

135         You were disguisèd.

HUBERT

HUBERT     Peace; no more. Adieu.

               Your uncle must not know but¹³⁷ you are dead.

               I’ll fill these doggèd¹³⁸ spies with false reports:

               And, pretty child, sleep doubtless,¹³⁹ and secure,

140

140         That Hubert for the wealth of all the world,

               Will not offend¹⁴¹ thee.

ARTHUR

ARTHUR     O heaven! I thank you, Hubert.

HUBERT

HUBERT     Silence, no more: go closely¹⁴³ in with me.

               Much danger do I undergo for thee.

       Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 24.2

running scene 7

       Enter King John, Pembroke, Salisbury and other Lords King John ascends the throne

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     Here once again we sit: once again crowned,

               And looked upon, I hope, with cheerful eyes.

PEMBROKE

PEMBROKE     This ‘once again’, but that your highness pleased,

               Was once⁴ superfluous: you were crowned before,

5

5             And that high royalty was ne’er plucked off:

               The faiths of men ne’er stainèd with revolt:

               Fresh⁷ expectation troubled not the land

               With any longed-for change or better state.⁸

SALISBURY

SALISBURY     Therefore, to be possessed⁹ with double pomp,

10

10           To guard¹⁰ a title that was rich before,

               To gild¹¹ refinèd gold, to paint the lily,

               To throw a perfume on the violet,

               To smooth the ice, or add another hue

               Unto the rainbow, or with taper-light¹⁴

15

15           To seek the beauteous eye of heaven¹⁵ to garnish,

               Is wasteful and ridiculous excess.

PEMBROKE

PEMBROKE     But¹⁷ that your royal pleasure must be done,

               This act is as an ancient tale new told,

               And, in the last repeating, troublesome,

20

20           Being urgèd at a time unseasonable.²⁰

SALISBURY

SALISBURY     In this the antique²¹ and well-noted face

               Of plain old form²² is much disfigurèd,

               And, like a shifted²³ wind unto a sail,

               It²⁴ makes the course of thoughts to fetch about,

25

25           Startles and frights consideration,²⁵

               Makes sound²⁶ opinion sick and truth suspected,

               For putting on so new a fashioned²⁷ robe.

PEMBROKE

PEMBROKE     When workmen strive to do better than well,

               They do confound²⁹ their skill in covetousness,

30

30           And oftentimes excusing³⁰ of a fault

               Doth make the fault the worse by th’excuse:

               As patches set upon a little breach³²

               Discredit³³ more in hiding of the fault

               Than did the fault before it was so patched.

35

35   

SALISBURY

SALISBURY           To this effect, before you were new crowned,³⁵

               We breathed³⁶ our counsel: but it pleased your highness

               To overbear³⁷ it, and we are all well pleased,

               Since all and every part of what we would

               Doth make³⁹ a stand at what your highness will.

40

40   

KING JOHN

KING JOHN           Some reasons of this double coronation

               I have possessed you with,⁴¹ and think them strong.

               And more,⁴² more strong, than lesser is my fear,

               I shall indue⁴³ you with: meantime but ask

               What you would have reformed that is not well,

45

45           And well shall you perceive how willingly

               I will both hear and grant you your requests.

PEMBROKE

PEMBROKE     Then I, as one that am the tongue⁴⁷ of these,

               To sound⁴⁸ the purposes of all their hearts,

               Both for myself and them, but chief of all

50

50           Your safety, for the which myself and them⁵⁰

               Bend⁵¹ their best studies, heartily request

               Th’enfranchisement⁵² of Arthur, whose restraint

               Doth move the murmuring lips of discontent

               To break into this dangerous argument:

55

55           If what in rest⁵⁵ you have, in right you hold,

               Why then your fears, which, as they say, attend⁵⁶

               The steps of wrong, should move you to mew up⁵⁷

               Your tender⁵⁸ kinsman, and to choke his days

               With barbarous ignorance and deny his youth

60

60           The rich advantage of good exercise.⁶⁰

               That⁶¹ the time’s enemies may not have this

               To grace occasions,⁶² let it be our suit

               That you have bid us ask his liberty,

               Which for our goods⁶⁴ we do no further ask

65

65           Than, whereupon our weal⁶⁵ on you depending

               Counts⁶⁶ it your weal, he have his liberty.

       Enter Hubert

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     Let it be so: I do commit⁶⁷ his youth

               To your direction.⁶⁸—

               Hubert, what news with you? Taking him to one side

70

70   

PEMBROKE

PEMBROKE           This is the man should do⁷⁰ the bloody deed:

               He showed his warrant to a friend of mine:

               The image of a wicked heinous⁷² fault

               Lives⁷³ in his eye: that close aspect of his

               Do⁷⁴ show the mood of a much troubled breast,

75

               And I do fearfully believe ’tis done,

               What we so feared he had a charge⁷⁶ to do.

SALISBURY

SALISBURY     The colour⁷⁷ of the king doth come and go

               Between his purpose and his conscience,

               Like heralds ’twixt⁷⁹ two dreadful battles set:

80

80           His passion is so ripe,⁸⁰ it needs must break.

PEMBROKE

PEMBROKE     And when it breaks, I fear will issue thence

               The foul corruption of a sweet child’s death.

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     We cannot hold⁸³ mortality’s strong hand.—

               Good lords, although my will to give⁸⁴ is living, To Lords

85

85           The suit which you demand is gone and dead.

               He tells us Arthur is deceased tonight.⁸⁶

SALISBURY

SALISBURY     Indeed we feared his sickness was past cure.

PEMBROKE

PEMBROKE     Indeed we heard how near his death he was

               Before the child himself felt he was sick:

90

90           This must be answered⁹⁰ either here or hence.

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     Why do you bend such solemn brows⁹¹ on me?

               Think you I bear the shears of destiny?⁹²

               Have I commandment on⁹³ the pulse of life?

SALISBURY

SALISBURY     It is apparent⁹⁴ foul play, and ’tis shame

95

95           That greatness⁹⁵ should so grossly offer it:

               So⁹⁶ thrive it in your game, and so farewell.

PEMBROKE

PEMBROKE     Stay yet, Lord Salisbury: I’ll go with thee,

               And find th’inheritance of this poor child,

               His little kingdom of a forcèd⁹⁹ grave.

100

100         That blood which owed¹⁰⁰ the breadth of all this isle,

               Three foot of it doth hold: bad world the while:¹⁰¹

               This must not be thus borne: this will break out

               To all our sorrows, and ere long I doubt.¹⁰³

       Exeunt [Lords]

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     They burn in indignation: I repent:

105

105         There is no sure¹⁰⁵ foundation set on blood:

               No certain life achieved by others’ death.

       Enter [a] Messenger

               A fearful¹⁰⁷ eye thou hast. Where is that blood

               That I have seen inhabit in those cheeks?

               So foul a sky clears not without a storm:

110

110         Pour down thy weather:¹¹⁰ how goes all in France?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     From¹¹¹ France to England: never such a power

               For any foreign preparation¹¹²

               Was levied¹¹³ in the body of a land.

               The copy¹¹⁴ of your speed is learned by them:

115

115         For when you should be told they do prepare,

               The tidings comes that they are all arrived.

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     O, where hath our intelligence¹¹⁷ been drunk?

               Where hath it slept? Where is my mother’s care,¹¹⁸

               That such an army could be drawn¹¹⁹ in France,

120

120         And she not hear of it?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     My liege, her ear

               Is stopped with dust: the first of April died

               Your noble mother; and as I hear, my lord,

               The lady Constance in a frenzy¹²⁴ died

125

125         Three days before: but this from Rumour’s tongue

               I idly¹²⁶ heard: if true or false I know not.

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     Withhold thy speed, dreadful Occasion:¹²⁷

               O, make a league¹²⁸ with me, till I have pleased

               My discontented peers. What? Mother dead?

130

130         How wildly¹³⁰ then walks my estate in France!—

               Under whose conduct¹³¹ came those powers of France

               That thou for¹³² truth giv’st out are landed here?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Under the dauphin.

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     Thou hast made me giddy

135

135         With these ill tidings.

       Enter [the] Bastard and Peter of Pomfret

                                    Now, what says the world

               To your proceedings?¹³⁶ Do not seek to stuff

               My head with more ill news, for it is full.

BASTARD

BASTARD     But if you be afeard¹³⁸ to hear the worst,

               Then let the worst unheard¹³⁹ fall on your head.

140

140 

KING JOHN

KING JOHN             Bear with me cousin, for I was amazed¹⁴⁰

               Under the tide:¹⁴¹ but now I breathe again

               Aloft¹⁴² the flood, and can give audience

               To any tongue, speak it of what it will.

BASTARD

BASTARD     How I have sped¹⁴⁴ among the clergymen,

145

145         The sums I have collected shall express:¹⁴⁵

               But as I travelled hither through the land,

               I find the people strangely fantasied:¹⁴⁷

               Possessed with rumours, full of idle¹⁴⁸ dreams,

               Not knowing what they fear, but full of fear.

150

150         And here’s a prophet that I brought with me

               From forth the streets of Pomfret, whom I found

               With many hundreds treading¹⁵² on his heels:

               To whom he sung in rude¹⁵³ harsh-sounding rhymes,

               That ere the next Ascension Day¹⁵⁴ at noon,

155

155         Your highness should deliver up¹⁵⁵ your crown.

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     Thou idle dreamer, wherefore didst thou so?

PETER

PETER     Foreknowing that the truth will fall out so.

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     Hubert, away with him: imprison him,

               And on that day at noon, whereon he says

160

160         I shall yield up my crown, let him be hanged.

               Deliver him to safety,¹⁶¹ and return,

               For I must use thee.—

       [Exeunt Hubert and Peter]

                                    O my gentle¹⁶² cousin,

               Hear’st thou the news abroad,¹⁶³ who are arrived?

BASTARD

BASTARD     The French, my lord: men’s mouths are full of it.

165

165         Besides, I met Lord Bigot and Lord Salisbury,

               With eyes as red as new-enkindled fire,

               And others more, going to seek the grave

               Of Arthur, who they say is¹⁶⁸ killed tonight

               On your suggestion.¹⁶⁹

170

170 

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     Gentle kinsman, go,

               And thrust thyself into their companies.

               I have a way to win their loves again:

               Bring them before me.

BASTARD

BASTARD     I will seek them out.

175

175 

KING JOHN

KING JOHN             Nay, but make haste: the¹⁷⁵ better foot before.

               O, let me have no subject enemies,¹⁷⁶

               When adverse¹⁷⁷ foreigners affright my towns

               With dreadful pomp of stout¹⁷⁸ invasion.

               Be Mercury,¹⁷⁹ set feathers to thy heels,

180

180         And fly like thought from them to me again.

BASTARD

BASTARD     The spirit¹⁸¹ of the time shall teach me speed.

       Exit

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     Spoke like a sprightful¹⁸² noble gentleman.

               Go after him: for he perhaps shall need

               Some messenger betwixt¹⁸⁴ me and the peers,

185

185         And be thou he.

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     With all my heart, my liege.

       [Exit]

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     My mother dead!

       Enter Hubert

HUBERT

HUBERT     My lord, they say five moons were seen tonight:¹⁸⁸

               Four fixèd, and the fifth did whirl about

190

190         The other four in wondrous¹⁹⁰ motion.

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     Five moons?

HUBERT

HUBERT     Old men and beldams¹⁹² in the streets

               Do prophesy upon it¹⁹³ dangerously:

               Young Arthur’s death is common in their mouths,

195

195         And when they talk of him, they shake their heads

               And whisper one¹⁹⁶ another in the ear.

               And he that speaks doth grip the hearer’s wrist,

               Whilst he that hears makes fearful action,¹⁹⁸

               With wrinkled brows, with nods, with rolling eyes.

200

200         I saw a smith stand with his hammer, thus,

               The whilst his iron did on the anvil cool,

               With open mouth swallowing a tailor’s news,

               Who, with his shears and measure in his hand,

               Standing on slippers, which his nimble haste

205

205         Had²⁰⁵ falsely thrust upon contrary feet,

               Told of a many thousand²⁰⁶ warlike French

               That were embattailèd²⁰⁷ and ranked in Kent.

               Another lean, unwashed artificer²⁰⁸

               Cuts off his tale, and talks of Arthur’s death.

210

210 

KING JOHN

KING JOHN             Why seek’st thou to possess²¹⁰ me with these fears?

               Why urgest thou²¹¹ so oft young Arthur’s death?

               Thy hand hath murdered him: I had a mighty cause²¹²

               To wish him dead, but thou hadst none to kill him.

HUBERT

HUBERT     No had,²¹⁴ my lord! Why, did you not provoke me?

215

215 

KING JOHN

KING JOHN             It is the curse of kings to be attended

               By slaves that take their humours²¹⁶ for a warrant

               To break within the bloody²¹⁷ house of life,

               And on the winking²¹⁸ of authority

               To understand a law,²¹⁹ to know the meaning

220

220         Of dangerous²²⁰ majesty, when perchance it frowns

               More upon humour²²¹ than advised respect.

HUBERT

HUBERT     Here is your hand²²² and seal for what I did. He shows a paper

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     O, when the last account²²³ ’twixt heaven and earth

               Is to be made, then shall this hand and seal

225

225         Witness against us to damnation.

               How oft the sight of means to do²²⁶ ill deeds

               Make deeds ill done! Hadst not thou been by,²²⁷

               A fellow by the hand of nature marked,²²⁸

               Quoted²²⁹ and signed to do a deed of shame,

230

230         This murder had not come into my mind.

               But taking note of thy abhorred aspect,²³¹

               Finding thee fit for bloody villainy,

               Apt, liable²³³ to be employed in danger,

               I faintly²³⁴ broke with thee of Arthur’s death:

235

235         And thou, to be endearèd to a king,

               Made it no conscience²³⁶ to destroy a prince.

HUBERT

HUBERT     My lord—

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     Hadst thou but shook thy head or made a pause

               When I spake darkly²³⁹ what I purposèd,

240

240         Or turned an eye of doubt upon my face,

               As²⁴¹ bid me tell my tale in express words,

               Deep shame had²⁴² struck me dumb, made me break off,

               And those thy fears might have wrought²⁴³ fears in me.

               But thou didst understand me by my signs

245

245         And didst in signs again parley²⁴⁵ with sin:

               Yea, without stop, didst let thy heart consent,

               And consequently thy rude²⁴⁷ hand to act

               The deed, which both our tongues held vile to name.

               Out of my sight, and never see me more!

250

250         My nobles leave me, and my state²⁵⁰ is braved,

               Even at my gates, with ranks of foreign powers;

               Nay, in the body²⁵² of this fleshly land,

               This kingdom, this confine²⁵³ of blood and breath,

               Hostility and civil tumult²⁵⁴ reigns

255

255         Between my conscience and my cousin’s death.

HUBERT

HUBERT     Arm you against your other enemies:

               I’ll make a peace between your soul and you.

               Young Arthur is alive: this hand of mine

               Is yet a maiden²⁵⁹ and an innocent hand,

260

260         Not painted with the crimson spots of blood.

               Within this bosom never entered yet

               The dreadful motion²⁶² of a murderous thought;

               And you have slandered nature in my form,²⁶³

               Which, howsoever rude exteriorly,²⁶⁴

265

265         Is yet the cover of a fairer mind

               Than to be butcher of an innocent child.

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     Doth Arthur live? O, haste thee to the peers:

               Throw²⁶⁸ this report on their incensèd rage,

               And make them tame²⁶⁹ to their obedience.

270

270         Forgive the comment that my passion made

               Upon thy feature, for my rage was blind,

               And foul imaginary²⁷² eyes of blood

               Presented thee more hideous than thou art.

               O, answer not, but to my closet²⁷⁴ bring

275

275         The angry lords with all expedient haste.

               I conjure²⁷⁶ thee but slowly: run more fast.

       Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 34.3

running scene 8

       Enter Arthur, on the walls Disguised as a ship boy

ARTHUR

ARTHUR     The wall is high, and yet will I leap down.

               Good ground, be pitiful and hurt me not:

               There’s few or none do know me: if they did,

               This ship-boy’s semblance⁴ hath disguised me quite.

5

5             I am afraid, and yet I’ll venture⁵ it.

               If I get down, and do not break my limbs,

               I’ll find a thousand shifts⁷ to get away:

               As good to die⁸ and go, as die and stay. He leaps down

               O me! My uncle’s spirit is in these stones:

10

10           Heaven take my soul, and England keep my bones!

       Dies

       Enter Pembroke, Salisbury and Bigot

SALISBURY

SALISBURY     Lords, I will meet him¹¹ at Saint Edmundsbury:

               It is our safety,¹² and we must embrace

               This gentle¹³ offer of the perilous time.

PEMBROKE

PEMBROKE     Who brought that letter from the cardinal?

15

15   

SALISBURY

SALISBURY           The count Melun, a noble lord of France,

               Whose private¹⁶ with me of the dauphin’s love

               Is much more general¹⁷ than these lines import.

BIGOT

BIGOT     Tomorrow morning let us meet him then.

SALISBURY

SALISBURY     Or rather then set forward; for ’twill be

20

20           Two long days’ journey, lords, or ere²⁰ we meet.

       Enter [the] Bastard

BASTARD

BASTARD     Once more today well met, distempered²¹ lords:

               The king by me requests your presence straight.²²

SALISBURY

SALISBURY     The king hath dispossessed himself²³ of us:

               We will not line²⁴ his thin bestainèd cloak

25

25           With our pure honours, nor attend the foot²⁵

               That leaves the print of blood where’er it walks.

               Return and tell him so: we know the worst.

BASTARD

BASTARD     Whate’er you think, good words, I think, were best.

SALISBURY

SALISBURY     Our griefs,²⁹ and not our manners, reason now.

30

30   

BASTARD

BASTARD           But there is little reason in your grief.

               Therefore ’twere reason you had manners now.

PEMBROKE

PEMBROKE     Sir, sir, impatience³² hath his privilege.

BASTARD

BASTARD     ’Tis³³ true, to hurt his master, no man’s else.

SALISBURY

SALISBURY     This is the prison. What is he lies here? He sees Arthur’s body

35

PEMBROKE

PEMBROKE     O, death, made proud with pure and princely beauty:

               The earth had not a hole to hide this deed.

SALISBURY

SALISBURY     Murder, as³⁷ hating what himself hath done,

               Doth lay it open³⁸ to urge on revenge.

BIGOT

BIGOT     Or when he³⁹ doomed this beauty to a grave,

40

40           Found it too precious-princely for a grave.

SALISBURY

SALISBURY     Sir Richard,⁴¹ what think you? You have beheld,

               Or have you read, or heard: or could you think,

               Or do you almost think,⁴³ although you see,

               That⁴⁴ you do see? Could thought, without this object,

45

45           Form such another? This is the very top,

               The height, the crest,⁴⁶ or crest unto the crest,

               Of murder’s arms:⁴⁷ this is the bloodiest shame,

               The wildest savagery, the vilest stroke,

               That ever wall-eyed⁴⁹ wrath or staring rage

50

50           Presented to the tears of soft remorse.⁵⁰

PEMBROKE

PEMBROKE     All murders past do stand excused⁵¹ in this:

               And this, so sole⁵² and so unmatchable,

               Shall give a holiness, a purity,

               To the yet unbegotten sin of times,⁵⁴

55

55           And prove a deadly bloodshed but a jest,

               Exampled⁵⁶ by this heinous spectacle.

BASTARD

BASTARD     It is a damned and a bloody work:

               The graceless⁵⁸ action of a heavy hand,

               If that it be the work of any hand.

60

60   

SALISBURY

SALISBURY           If that it be the work of any hand?

               We had a kind of light⁶¹ what would ensue:

               It is the shameful work of Hubert’s hand,

               The practice⁶³ and the purpose of the king:

               From whose obedience I forbid my soul,

65

65           Kneeling before this ruin of sweet life,

               And breathing to his breathless⁶⁶ excellence

               The incense⁶⁷ of a vow, a holy vow:

               Never to taste the pleasures of the world,

               Never to be infected⁶⁹ with delight,

70

70           Nor conversant with ease and idleness,

               Till I have set⁷¹ a glory to this hand,

               By giving it the worship⁷² of revenge.

PEMBROKE and BIGOT

PEMBROKE and BIGOT     Our souls religiously⁷³ confirm thy words.

       Enter Hubert

HUBERT

HUBERT     Lords, I am hot with haste in seeking you:

75

75           Arthur doth live: the king hath sent for you.

SALISBURY

SALISBURY     O, he is bold, and blushes not at death.—

               Avaunt,⁷⁷ thou hateful villain, get thee gone!

HUBERT

HUBERT     I am no villain.

SALISBURY

SALISBURY     Must I rob the law?⁷⁹ Draws his sword

80

80   

BASTARD

BASTARD           Your sword is bright,⁸⁰ sir: put it up again.

SALISBURY

SALISBURY     Not till I sheathe it in a murderer’s skin.⁸¹

HUBERT

HUBERT     Stand back, Lord Salisbury, stand back, I say:

               By heaven, I think my sword’s as sharp as yours. Draws his sword

               I would not have you, lord, forget yourself,

85

85           Nor tempt⁸⁵ the danger of my true defence;

               Lest I, by marking⁸⁶ of your rage, forget

               Your worth, your greatness and nobility.

BIGOT

BIGOT     Out, dunghill! Dar’st thou brave⁸⁸ a nobleman?

HUBERT

HUBERT     Not for my life: but yet I dare defend

90

90           My innocent life against an emperor.

SALISBURY

SALISBURY     Thou art a murderer.

HUBERT

HUBERT     Do not prove me so:⁹²

               Yet⁹³ I am none. Whose tongue soe’er speaks false,

               Not truly speaks: who speaks not truly, lies.

95

95   

PEMBROKE

PEMBROKE           Cut him to pieces.

BASTARD

BASTARD     Keep the peace, I say.

SALISBURY

SALISBURY     Stand by,⁹⁷ or I shall gall you, Falconbridge.

BASTARD

BASTARD     Thou wert better gall the devil, Salisbury:

               If thou but frown on me, or stir thy foot,

100

100         Or teach thy hasty spleen¹⁰⁰ to do me shame,

               I’ll strike thee dead. Put up thy sword betime,¹⁰¹

               Or I’ll so maul you and your toasting-iron,¹⁰²

               That you shall think the devil is come from hell.

BIGOT

BIGOT     What wilt thou do, renownèd Falconbridge?

105

105         Second¹⁰⁵ a villain and a murderer?

HUBERT

HUBERT     Lord Bigot, I am none.

BIGOT

BIGOT     Who killed this prince?

HUBERT

HUBERT     ’Tis not an hour since I left him well:

               I honoured him, I loved him, and will weep

110

110         My date¹¹⁰ of life out for his sweet life’s loss.

SALISBURY

SALISBURY     Trust not those cunning waters of his eyes,

               For villainy is not without such rheum,¹¹²

               And he, long traded¹¹³ in it, makes it seem

               Like rivers of remorse and innocency.

115

115         Away with me, all you whose souls abhor

               Th’uncleanly savours¹¹⁶ of a slaughter-house,

               For I am stifled with this smell of sin.

BIGOT

BIGOT     Away toward Bury, to the Dauphin there.

PEMBROKE

PEMBROKE     There tell the king he may inquire¹¹⁹ us out.

       Exeunt Lords

120

120 

BASTARD

BASTARD             Here’s a good world! Knew you of this fair work?

               Beyond the infinite and boundless reach

               Of mercy, if thou didst this deed of death,

               Art thou damned, Hubert.

HUBERT

HUBERT     Do but hear me, sir.

125

125 

BASTARD

BASTARD             Ha! I’ll tell thee what:

               Thou’rt damned as black¹²⁶ — nay, nothing is so black —

               Thou art more deep damned than Prince Lucifer:¹²⁷

               There is not yet so ugly a fiend of hell

               As thou shalt be, if thou didst kill this child.

130

130 

HUBERT

HUBERT             Upon my soul—

               If thou didst but consent

BASTARD

BASTARD     To this most cruel act, do but¹³¹ despair:

               And if thou want’st¹³² a cord, the smallest thread

               That ever spider twisted from her womb

               Will serve to strangle thee: a rush¹³⁴ will be a beam

135

               To hang thee on: or wouldst¹³⁵ thou drown thyself,

               Put but a little water in a spoon,

               And it shall be as all the ocean,

               Enough to stifle¹³⁸ such a villain up.

               I do suspect thee very grievously.¹³⁹

140

140 

HUBERT

HUBERT             If I in act, consent, or sin of thought,

               Be guilty of the stealing that sweet breath

               Which was embounded¹⁴² in this beauteous clay,

               Let hell want¹⁴³ pains enough to torture me:

               I left him well.

145

145 

BASTARD

BASTARD             Go, bear him in thine arms:

               I am amazed,¹⁴⁶ methinks, and lose my way

               Among the thorns and dangers of this world.

               How easy dost thou take¹⁴⁸ all England up!

               From forth this morsel of dead royalty,

150

150         The life, the right, and truth of all this realm

               Is fled to heaven: and England now is left

               To tug and scamble¹⁵² and to part by th’teeth

               The unowed¹⁵³ interest of proud-swelling state:

               Now for¹⁵⁴ the bare-picked bone of majesty

155

155         Doth doggèd¹⁵⁵ war bristle his angry crest

               And snarleth in the gentle eyes of peace:

               Now powers¹⁵⁷ from home and discontents at home

               Meet in one line:¹⁵⁸ and vast confusion waits,

               As doth a raven on a sick-fall’n beast,

160

160         The imminent decay of wrested pomp.¹⁶⁰

               Now happy he¹⁶¹ whose cloak and cincture can

               Hold out¹⁶² this tempest. Bear away that child

               And follow me with speed: I’ll to the king:

               A thousand businesses are brief in hand,¹⁶⁴

165

165         And heaven itself doth frown upon the land. Hubert carrying the body of Arthur

       Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 15.1

running scene 9

       Enter King John and Pandulph, [with] Attendants

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     Thus have I yielded up into your hand Giving Cardinal Pandulph the crown

               The circle² of my glory.

CARDINAL PANDULPH

CARDINAL PANDULPH     Take again Returning the crown to King John

               From this my hand, as holding of⁴ the Pope

5

5             Your sovereign greatness and authority.

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     Now keep your holy word: go meet the French,

               And from his holiness use all your power

               To stop their marches ’fore we are inflamed:⁸

               Our discontented counties⁹ do revolt:

10

10           Our people quarrel with obedience,

               Swearing allegiance and the love of soul¹¹

               To stranger¹² blood, to foreign royalty;

               This inundation¹³ of mistempered humour

               Rests¹⁴ by you only to be qualified.

15

15           Then pause not: for the present time’s so sick,

               That present¹⁶ med’cine must be ministered,

               Or overthrow¹⁷ incurable ensues.

CARDINAL PANDULPH

CARDINAL PANDULPH     It was my breath that blew this tempest up,

               Upon your stubborn usage¹⁹ of the Pope:

20

20           But since you are a gentle convertite,²⁰

               My tongue shall hush again this storm of war

               And make fair weather in your blust’ring²² land:

               On this Ascension Day, remember well,

               Upon your oath of service to the Pope,

25

25           Go I to make the French lay down their arms.

       Exeunt [all but King John]

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     Is this Ascension Day? Did not the prophet

               Say that before Ascension Day at noon

               My crown I should give off?²⁸ Even so I have:

               I did suppose it should be on constraint,²⁹

30

30           But, heav’n be thanked, it is but voluntary.

       Enter [the] Bastard

BASTARD

BASTARD     All Kent hath yielded: nothing there holds out

               But Dover Castle: London hath received,

               Like a kind host, the dauphin and his powers.

               Your nobles will not hear³⁴ you, but are gone

35

35           To offer service to your enemy:

               And wild amazement hurries up and down

               The little number of your doubtful³⁷ friends.

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     Would not my lords return to me again

               After they heard young Arthur was alive?

40

40   

BASTARD

BASTARD           They found him dead and cast into the streets,

               An empty casket, where the jewel of life

               By some damned hand was robbed and ta’en away.

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     That villain Hubert told me he did live.

BASTARD

BASTARD     So on my soul he did, for aught he knew:

45

45           But wherefore do you droop?⁴⁵ Why look you sad?

               Be great in act as you have been in thought:

               Let not the world see fear and sad distrust

               Govern the motion⁴⁸ of a kingly eye:

               Be stirring⁴⁹ as the time, be fire with fire,

50

50           Threaten the threat’ner and outface⁵⁰ the brow

               Of bragging⁵¹ horror: so shall inferior eyes,

               That borrow⁵² their behaviours from the great,

               Grow great by your example, and put on

               The dauntless spirit of resolution.

55

55           Away, and glisten like the god of war⁵⁵

               When he intendeth to become⁵⁶ the field:

               Show boldness and aspiring confidence:

               What, shall they seek the lion in his den,

               And fright him there? And make him tremble there?

60

60           O, let it not be said: forage,⁶⁰ and run

               To meet displeasure farther from the doors,

               And grapple with him ere he come so nigh.⁶²

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     The legate of the Pope hath been with me,

               And I have made a happy⁶⁴ peace with him,

65

               And he hath promised to dismiss the powers

               Led by the dauphin.

BASTARD

BASTARD     O inglorious⁶⁷ league!

               Shall we, upon⁶⁸ the footing of our land,

               Send fair-play⁶⁹ orders, and make compromise,

70

70           Insinuation,⁷⁰ parley and base truce

               To arms invasive? Shall a beardless boy,

               A cockered⁷² silken wanton, brave our fields,

               And flesh⁷³ his spirit in a warlike soil,

               Mocking the air with colours⁷⁴ idly spread,

75

75           And find no check?⁷⁵ Let us, my liege, to arms:

               Perchance the cardinal cannot make your peace;

               Or if he do, let it at least be said

               They saw we had a purpose⁷⁸ of defence.

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     Have thou the ordering⁷⁹ of this present time.

80

80   

BASTARD

BASTARD           Away, then, with good courage!— Yet, I know, Aside

               Our party may well meet a prouder⁸¹ foe.

       Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 25.2

running scene 10

       Enter, in arms, Lewis, Salisbury, Melun, Pembroke, Bigot [and] Soldiers

LEWIS

LEWIS     My lord Melun, let this be copied out,

               And keep it safe for our remembrance:

               Return the precedent³ to these lords again,

               That having our fair⁴ order written down,

5

5             Both they and we, perusing o’er these notes,

               May know wherefore we took the sacrament⁶

               And keep our faiths⁷ firm and inviolable.

SALISBURY

SALISBURY     Upon our sides it never shall be broken.

               And, noble dauphin, albeit⁹ we swear

10

10           A voluntary zeal and an unurged faith

               To your proceedings: yet believe me, prince,

               I am not glad that such a sore of time¹²

               Should seek a plaster by contemned¹³ revolt,

               And heal the inveterate canker¹⁴ of one wound

15

15           By making many: O, it grieves my soul

               That I must draw this metal¹⁶ from my side

               To be a widow-maker: O, and there

               Where honourable rescue and defence¹⁸

               Cries out upon¹⁹ the name of Salisbury!

20

20           But such is the infection of the time,

               That for the health and physic²¹ of our right,

               We cannot deal but²² with the very hand

               Of stern injustice and confusèd²³ wrong:

               And is’t not pity, O my grievèd friends,

25

25           That we, the sons and children of this isle,

               Was born to see so sad an hour as this,

               Wherein we step after²⁷ a stranger, march

               Upon her gentle bosom, and fill up

               Her enemies’ ranks? I must withdraw and weep

30

30           Upon the spot³⁰ of this enforced cause —

               To grace³¹ the gentry of a land remote,

               And follow unacquainted³² colours here.

               What, here? O nation, that thou couldst remove,³³

               That Neptune’s³⁴ arms who clippeth thee about,

35

35           Would bear³⁵ thee from the knowledge of thyself,

               And grapple³⁶ thee unto a pagan shore,

               Where these two Christian armies might combine

               The blood of malice in a vein of league,

               And not to spend³⁹ it so unneighbourly.

40

40   

LEWIS

LEWIS           A noble temper⁴⁰ dost thou show in this,

               And great affections⁴¹ wrestling in thy bosom

               Doth make an earthquake⁴² of nobility.

               O, what a noble combat hast thou fought

               Between compulsion⁴⁴ and a brave respect:

45

45           Let me wipe off this honourable dew,⁴⁵

               That silverly doth progress on thy cheeks:

               My heart hath melted at a lady’s tears,

               Being an ordinary⁴⁸ inundation:

               But this effusion of such manly drops,

50

50           This shower, blown up by tempest of the soul,

               Startles mine eyes, and makes me more amazed

               Than had I seen the vaulty⁵² top of heaven

               Figured⁵³ quite o’er with burning meteors.

               Lift up thy brow, renownèd Salisbury,

55

55           And with a great heart heave⁵⁵ away this storm:

               Commend⁵⁶ these waters to those baby eyes

               That never saw the giant world enraged,

               Nor met with fortune other than at feasts,

               Full warm of blood,⁵⁹ of mirth, of gossiping:

60

60           Come, come; for thou shalt thrust thy hand as deep

               Into the purse of rich prosperity

               As Lewis himself: so, nobles,⁶² shall you all,

               That knit⁶³ your sinews to the strength of mine.

               And even⁶⁴ there methinks an angel spake.

       Enter Cardinal Pandulph

65

65           Look where the holy legate comes apace,⁶⁵

               To give us warrant from the hand of heaven

               And on our actions set the name of right

               With holy breath.

CARDINAL PANDULPH

CARDINAL PANDULPH     Hail, noble Prince of France!

70

70           The next is this: King John hath reconciled

               Himself to Rome: his spirit is come⁷¹ in

               That so stood out against the Holy Church,

               The great metropolis and see⁷³ of Rome.

               Therefore thy threat’ning colours now wind up,⁷⁴

75

75           And tame the savage spirit of wild war,

               That like a lion fostered⁷⁶ up at hand,

               It may lie gently at the foot of peace,

               And be no further harmful than in show.⁷⁸

LEWIS

LEWIS     Your grace shall pardon me, I will not back:⁷⁹

80

80           I am too high-born to be propertied,⁸⁰

               To be a secondary at control,⁸¹

               Or useful serving-man and instrument

               To any sovereign state throughout the world.

               Your breath first kindled the dead coal of wars

85

85           Between this chastised kingdom and myself,

               And brought in matter that should feed this fire;

               And now ’tis far too huge to be blown out

               With that same weak wind which enkindled it:

               You taught me how to know the face of right,⁸⁹

90

90           Acquainted me with⁹⁰ interest to this land,

               Yea, thrust this enterprise into my heart;

               And come ye now to tell me John hath made

               His peace with Rome? What is that peace to me?

               I, by the honour of my marriage-bed,

95

95           After young Arthur, claim this land for mine:

               And, now it is half-conquered, must I back

               Because that John hath made his peace with Rome?

               Am I Rome’s slave? What penny⁹⁸ hath Rome borne,

               What men provided, what munition sent,

100

100         To underprop¹⁰⁰ this action? Is’t not I

               That undergo this charge?¹⁰¹ Who else but I,

               And such as to my claim are liable,¹⁰²

               Sweat in this business and maintain this war?

               Have I not heard these islanders shout out

105

105         ‘Vive le roi’¹⁰⁵ as I have banked their towns?

               Have I not here the best cards for the game

               To win this easy match¹⁰⁷ played for a crown?

               And shall I now give o’er the yielded set?¹⁰⁸

               No, no, on my soul, it never shall be said.

110

110 

CARDINAL PANDULPH

CARDINAL PANDULPH             You look but on the outside of this work.

LEWIS

LEWIS     Outside or inside, I will not return

               Till my attempt so much be glorified

               As to my ample¹¹³ hope was promisèd

               Before I drew¹¹⁴ this gallant head of war,

115

115         And culled¹¹⁵ these fiery spirits from the world

               To outlook¹¹⁶ conquest and to win renown

               Even in the jaws of danger and of death. Trumpet sounds

               What lusty¹¹⁸ trumpet thus doth summon us?

       Enter [the] Bastard

BASTARD

BASTARD     According to¹¹⁹ the fair play of the world,

120

120         Let me have audience:¹²⁰ I am sent to speak.

               My holy lord of Milan, from the king

               I come to learn how you have dealt for him:¹²²

               And, as you answer, I do know the scope¹²³

               And warrant¹²⁴ limited unto my tongue.

125

125 

CARDINAL PANDULPH

CARDINAL PANDULPH     The dauphin is too wilful-opposite,¹²⁵

               And will not temporize¹²⁶ with my entreaties:

               He flatly says he’ll not lay down his arms.

BASTARD

BASTARD     By all the blood that ever fury breathed,

               The youth says well. Now hear our English king,

130

130         For thus his royalty doth speak in me:

               He is prepared, and reason¹³¹ too he should:

               This apish¹³² and unmannerly approach,

               This harnessed¹³³ masque and unadvisèd revel,

               This unheard¹³⁴ sauciness and boyish troops,

135

135         The king doth smile at, and is well prepared

               To whip¹³⁶ this dwarfish war, these pigmy arms,

               From out the circle of his territories.

               That hand which had the strength, even at your door,

               To cudgel you and make you take the hatch,¹³⁹

140

140         To dive like buckets in concealèd wells,

               To crouch in litter¹⁴¹ of your stable planks,

               To lie like pawns¹⁴² locked up in chests and trunks,

               To hug¹⁴³ with swine, to seek sweet safety out

               In vaults¹⁴⁴ and prisons, and to thrill and shake

145

145         Even at the crying of your nation’s crow,¹⁴⁵

               Thinking this voice an armèd Englishman:

               Shall that victorious hand be feebled here,

               That in your chambers gave you chastisement?

               No: know the gallant monarch is in arms

150

150         And like an eagle o’er his eyrie¹⁵⁰ towers,

               To souse¹⁵¹ annoyance that comes near his nest:

               And you degenerate, you ingrate revolts,¹⁵²

               You bloody Neroes,¹⁵³ ripping up the womb

               Of your dear mother England, blush for shame:

155

155         For your own ladies and pale-visaged maids

               Like Amazons¹⁵⁶ come tripping after drums:

               Their thimbles into armèd gauntlets¹⁵⁷ change,

               Their needles to lances, and their gentle hearts

               To fierce and bloody inclination.

160

160 

LEWIS

LEWIS             There end thy brave,¹⁶⁰ and turn thy face in peace:

               We grant thou canst outscold¹⁶¹ us: fare thee well:

               We hold our time too precious to be spent

               With such a brabbler.¹⁶³

CARDINAL PANDULPH

CARDINAL PANDULPH     Give me leave to speak.

165

165 

BASTARD

BASTARD             No, I will speak.

LEWIS

LEWIS     We will attend¹⁶⁶ to neither.

               Strike up the drums, and let the tongue of war

               Plead for our interest and our being here.

BASTARD

BASTARD     Indeed your drums, being beaten, will cry out;

170

170         And so shall you, being beaten: do but start

               An echo with the clamour of thy drum,

               And even at hand a drum is ready braced¹⁷²

               That shall reverberate all as loud as thine.

               Sound but another, and another shall

175

175         As loud as thine rattle the welkin’s¹⁷⁵ ear

               And mock the deep-mouthed thunder: for at hand —

               Not trusting to this halting¹⁷⁷ legate here,

               Whom he hath used rather for sport¹⁷⁸ than need —

               Is warlike John: and in his forehead¹⁷⁹ sits

180

180         A bare-ribbed¹⁸⁰ Death, whose office is this day

               To feast upon whole thousands of the French.

LEWIS

LEWIS     Strike up our drums, to find this danger out.

BASTARD

BASTARD     And thou shalt find¹⁸³ it, dauphin, do not doubt.

       Exeunt [at different doors]

Act 5 Scene 35.3

running scene 11

       Alarums. Enter King John and Hubert [at different doors]

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     How goes the day with us? O, tell me, Hubert.

HUBERT

HUBERT     Badly, I fear. How fares your majesty?

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     This fever that hath troubled me so long

               Lies heavy on me: O, my heart is sick!

       Enter a Messenger

5

5     

MESSENGER

MESSENGER           My lord, your valiant kinsman Falconbridge

               Desires your majesty to leave the field

               And send him word by me which way you go.

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     Tell him toward Swinstead,⁸ to the abbey there.

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Be of good comfort, for the great supply⁹

10

10           That was expected by the dauphin here

               Are wrecked three nights ago on Goodwin Sands.¹¹

               This news was brought to Richard¹² but even now:

               The French fight coldly¹³ and retire themselves.

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     Ay me, this tyrant fever burns me up,

15

15           And will not let me welcome this good news.

               Set on toward Swinstead: to my litter¹⁶ straight;

               Weakness possesseth me, and I am faint.

       Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 4

running scene 11 continues

       Enter Salisbury, Pembroke and Bigot

SALISBURY

SALISBURY     I did not think the king so stored¹ with friends.

PEMBROKE

PEMBROKE     Up once again:² put spirit in the French:

               If they miscarry,³ we miscarry too.

SALISBURY

SALISBURY     That misbegotten⁴ devil Falconbridge

5

5             In⁵ spite of spite, alone upholds the day.

PEMBROKE

PEMBROKE     They say King John, sore⁶ sick, hath left the field.

       Enter Melun, wounded

MELUN

MELUN     Lead me to the revolts⁷ of England here.

SALISBURY

SALISBURY     When we were happy we had other names.

PEMBROKE

PEMBROKE     It is the count Melun.

10

10   

SALISBURY

SALISBURY           Wounded to death.

MELUN

MELUN     Fly,¹¹ noble English, you are bought and sold:

               Unthread¹² the rude eye of rebellion

               And welcome home again discarded faith:

               Seek out King John and fall before his feet:

15

15           For if the French be lords of this loud day,

               He¹⁶ means to recompense the pains you take

               By cutting off your heads: thus hath he sworn

               And I with him, and many more with me,

               Upon the altar at Saint Edmundsbury;

20

20           Even on that altar where we swore to you

               Dear amity and everlasting love.

SALISBURY

SALISBURY     May this be possible? May this be true?

MELUN

MELUN     Have I not hideous death within my view,

               Retaining but a quantity²⁴ of life,

25

25           Which bleeds away, even as a form of wax

               Resolveth²⁶ from his figure gainst the fire?

               What in the world should make me now deceive,

               Since I must lose the use²⁸ of all deceit?

               Why should I then be false, since it is true

30

30           That I must die here and live hence³⁰ by truth?

               I say again, if Lewis do win the day,

               He is forsworn³² if e’er those eyes of yours

               Behold another daybreak in the east:

               But even this night, whose black contagious breath

35

35           Already smokes³⁵ about the burning crest

               Of the old, feeble and day-wearied sun,

               Even this ill night, your breathing shall expire,

               Paying the fine³⁸ of rated treachery

               Even with a treacherous fine³⁹ of all your lives,

40

40           If Lewis by your assistance win the day.

               Commend me to one Hubert with your king:

               The love of him, and this respect⁴² besides,

               For that my grandsire was an Englishman,

               Awakes my conscience to confess all this.

45

45           In lieu⁴⁵ whereof, I pray you, bear me hence

               From forth the noise and rumour⁴⁶ of the field,

               Where I may think the remnant⁴⁷ of my thoughts

               In peace, and part this body and my soul

               With contemplation and devout desires.

50

50   

SALISBURY

SALISBURY           We do believe thee, and beshrew⁵⁰ my soul,

               But I do love the favour⁵¹ and the form

               Of this most fair occasion, by the which

               We will untread⁵³ the steps of damnèd flight,

               And like a bated⁵⁴ and retirèd flood,

55

55           Leaving our rankness⁵⁵ and irregular course,

               Stoop low within those bounds⁵⁶ we have o’erlooked

               And calmly run on in obedience

               Even to our ocean, to our great King John.

               My arm shall give thee help to bear thee hence,

60

60           For I do see the cruel pangs of death

               Right⁶¹ in thine eye. Away, my friends! New flight,

               And happy⁶² newness, that intends old right.

       Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 55.5

running scene 12

       Enter Lewis and his train

LEWIS

LEWIS     The sun of heaven, methought, was loath¹ to set,

               But stayed and made the western welkin² blush,

               When English measure³ backward their own ground

               In faint retire:⁴ O, bravely came we off,

5

5             When with a volley of our needless⁵ shot,

               After such bloody toil, we bid goodnight,

               And wound our tott’ring⁷ colours clearly up,

               Last in the field, and almost lords of it.

       Enter a Messenger

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Where is my prince, the dauphin?

10

10   

LEWIS

LEWIS           Here: what news?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     The count Melun is slain: the English lords

               By his persuasion are¹² again fall’n off,

               And your supply, which you have wished so long,

               Are cast away and sunk on Goodwin Sands.

15

15   

LEWIS

LEWIS           Ah, foul shrewd¹⁵ news! Beshrew thy very heart!

               I did not think to be so sad tonight

               As this hath made me. Who was he that said

               King John did fly an hour or two before

               The stumbling¹⁹ night did part our weary powers?

20

20   

MESSENGER

MESSENGER           Whoever spoke it, it is true, my lord.

LEWIS

LEWIS     Well: keep good quarter²¹ and good care tonight:

               The day shall not be up so soon as I,

               To try the fair adventure²³ of tomorrow.

       Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 65.6

running scene 13

       Enter [the] Bastard and Hubert, severally

HUBERT

HUBERT     Who’s there? Speak, ho! Speak quickly, or I shoot.

BASTARD

BASTARD     A friend. What art thou?

HUBERT

HUBERT     Of the part³ of England.

BASTARD

BASTARD     Whither dost thou go?

5

5     

HUBERT

HUBERT           What’s that to thee? Why may not I demand

               Of thine affairs, as well as thou of mine?

BASTARD

BASTARD     Hubert, I think?

HUBERT

HUBERT     Thou hast a perfect⁸ thought:

               I will upon all hazards⁹ well believe

10

10           Thou art my friend, that know’st my tongue so well.

               Who art thou?

BASTARD

BASTARD     Who thou wilt: and if thou please,

               Thou mayst befriend me so much as to think

               I come¹⁴ one way of the Plantagenets.

15

15   

HUBERT

HUBERT           Unkind remembrance!¹⁵ Thou and endless night

               Have done me shame: brave soldier, pardon me,

               That any accent¹⁷ breaking from thy tongue

               Should scape¹⁸ the true acquaintance of mine ear.

BASTARD

BASTARD     Come, come: sans compliment¹⁹: what news abroad?

20

20   

HUBERT

HUBERT           Why, here walk I in the black brow of night,

               To find you out.²¹

BASTARD

BASTARD     Brief,²² then: and what’s the news?

HUBERT

HUBERT     O my sweet sir, news fitting to the night,

               Black, fearful, comfortless and horrible.

25

25   

BASTARD

BASTARD           Show me the very wound²⁵ of this ill news:

               I am no woman, I’ll not swoon at it.

HUBERT

HUBERT     The king, I fear, is poisoned by a monk:

               I left him almost speechless, and broke out²⁸

               To acquaint you with this evil, that you might

30

30           The better arm you to³⁰ the sudden time,

               Than if you had at leisure³¹ known of this.

BASTARD

BASTARD     How did he take it? Who did taste³² to him?

HUBERT

HUBERT     A monk, I tell you, a resolvèd villain,

               Whose bowels³⁴ suddenly burst out: the king

35

35           Yet³⁵ speaks and peradventure may recover.

BASTARD

BASTARD     Who didst thou leave to tend his majesty?

HUBERT

HUBERT     Why, know you not? The lords are all come back,

               And brought Prince Henry³⁸ in their company,

               At whose request the king hath pardoned them,

40

40           And they are all about his majesty.

BASTARD

BASTARD     Withhold thine indignation, mighty heaven,

               And tempt us not to bear⁴² above our power.

               I’ll tell thee, Hubert, half my power⁴³ this night,

               Passing⁴⁴ these flats, are taken by the tide:

45

45           These Lincoln Washes⁴⁵ have devourèd them:

               Myself, well mounted, hardly⁴⁶ have escaped.

               Away before:⁴⁷ conduct me to the king:

               I doubt⁴⁸ he will be dead or ere I come.

       Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 75.7

running scene 14

       Enter Prince Henry, Salisbury and Bigot

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY It is too late: the life of all his blood

               Is touched² corruptibly, and his pure brain,

               Which some suppose the soul’s frail dwelling-house,

               Doth by the idle⁴ comments that it makes

5

5             Foretell the ending of mortality.

       Enter Pembroke

PEMBROKE

PEMBROKE     His highness yet doth speak, and holds belief

               That, being brought into the open air,

               It would allay the burning quality

               Of that fell⁹ poison which assaileth him.

10

10   

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY           Let him be brought into the orchard¹⁰ here.

       [Exit Bigot]

               Doth he still rage?¹¹

PEMBROKE

PEMBROKE     He is more patient

               Than when you left him; even now he sung.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY O vanity¹⁴ of sickness! Fierce extremes

15

15           In their continuance will not feel themselves.¹⁵

               Death, having preyed upon the outward parts,

               Leaves them invisible,¹⁷ and his siege is now

               Against the mind, the which he pricks and wounds

               With many legions¹⁹ of strange fantasies,

20

20           Which, in their throng and press to that last hold,²⁰

               Confound²¹ themselves. ’Tis strange that death should sing.

               I am the cygnet²² to this pale faint swan,

               Who chants a doleful hymn to his own death,

               And from the organ-pipe of frailty sings

25

25           His soul and body to their lasting rest.

SALISBURY

SALISBURY     Be of good comfort, Prince, for you are born

               To set a form upon that indigest²⁷

               Which he hath left so shapeless and so rude.²⁸

       King John [is] brought in

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     Ay, marry, now my soul hath elbow-room:²⁹

30

30           It would not out at windows nor at doors:

               There is so hot a summer in my bosom

               That all my bowels crumble up to dust:

               I am a scribbled form,³³ drawn with a pen

               Upon a parchment, and against this fire

35

35           Do I shrink up.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY How fares your majesty?

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     Poisoned, ill fare:³⁷ dead, forsook, cast off:

               And none of you will bid the winter come

               To thrust his icy fingers in my maw,³⁹

40

40           Nor let my kingdom’s rivers take their course

               Through my burned bosom, nor entreat the north⁴¹

               To make his bleak winds kiss my parchèd lips

               And comfort me with cold. I do not ask you much,

               I beg cold comfort:⁴⁴ and you are so strait

45

45           And so ingrateful,⁴⁵ you deny me that.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY O that there were some virtue⁴⁶ in my tears,

               That might relieve you!

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     The salt in them is hot.

               Within me is a hell, and there the poison

50

50           Is, as a fiend, confined to tyrannize

               On unreprievable condemnèd blood.

       Enter [the] Bastard

BASTARD

BASTARD     O, I am scalded with my violent motion⁵²

               And spleen⁵³ of speed to see your majesty!

KING JOHN

KING JOHN     O cousin, thou art come to set⁵⁴ mine eye:

55

55           The tackle⁵⁵ of my heart is cracked and burnt,

               And all the shrouds⁵⁶ wherewith my life should sail

               Are turnèd to one thread, one little hair:

               My heart hath one poor string⁵⁸ to stay it by,

               Which holds but till thy news be utterèd:

60

60           And then all this thou see’st is but a clod⁶⁰

               And module⁶¹ of confounded royalty.

BASTARD

BASTARD     The dauphin is preparing hitherward,⁶²

               Where heaven he⁶³ knows how we shall answer him:

               For in a night the best part of my power,

65

65           As I upon⁶⁵ advantage did remove,

               Were in the Washes all unwarily

               Devourèd by the unexpected flood.⁶⁷ King John dies

SALISBURY

SALISBURY     You breathe these dead⁶⁸ news in as dead an ear.—

               My liege, my lord!— But⁶⁹ now a king, now thus. To King John

70

70   

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY           Even so⁷⁰ must I run on, and even so stop.

               What surety of the world, what hope, what stay,⁷¹

               When this was now a king, and now is clay?

BASTARD

BASTARD     Art thou gone so? I do but stay behind To King John

               To do the office for thee of revenge,

75

75           And then my soul shall wait on⁷⁵ thee to heaven,

               As it on earth hath been thy servant still.⁷⁶—

               Now, now, you stars that move in your right spheres,⁷⁷ To the Lords

               Where be your powers? Show now your mended faiths,

               And instantly return with me again,

80

80           To push destruction and perpetual shame

               Out of the weak door of our fainting land:

               Straight⁸² let us seek, or straight we shall be sought:

               The dauphin rages at our very heels.

SALISBURY

SALISBURY     It seems you know not, then, so much as we:

85

85           The Cardinal Pandulph is within at rest,

               Who half an hour since came from the dauphin,

               And brings from him such offers of our peace

               As we with honour and respect⁸⁸ may take,

               With purpose presently⁸⁹ to leave this war.

90

90   

BASTARD

BASTARD           He will the rather⁹⁰ do it when he sees

               Ourselves well sinewèd⁹¹ to our defence.

SALISBURY

SALISBURY     Nay, ’tis in a manner done already,

               For many carriages⁹³ he hath dispatched

               To the seaside, and put his cause and quarrel

95

95           To the disposing⁹⁵ of the cardinal,

               With whom yourself, myself and other lords,

               If you think meet,⁹⁷ this afternoon will post

               To consummate⁹⁸ this business happily.

BASTARD

BASTARD     Let it be so.— And you, my noble prince,

100

100         With other princes¹⁰⁰ that may best be spared,

               Shall wait upon¹⁰¹ your father’s funeral.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY At Worcester must his body be interred;

               For so he willed it.

BASTARD

BASTARD     Thither shall it then,

105

105         And happily¹⁰⁵ may your sweet self put on

               The lineal state¹⁰⁶ and glory of the land,

               To whom with all submission, on my knee

               I do bequeath¹⁰⁸ my faithful services

               And true subjection everlastingly. He kneels

110

110 

SALISBURY

SALISBURY             And the like tender¹¹⁰ of our love we make,

               To rest¹¹¹ without a spot for ever more. The Lords kneel

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY I have a kind soul that would give thanks

               And knows not how to do it but with tears. He weeps

BASTARD

BASTARD     O, let us pay the time but¹¹⁴ needful woe, Rising

115

115         Since it hath been beforehand¹¹⁵ with our griefs.

               This England never did, nor never shall,

               Lie at the proud foot of a conqueror,

               But¹¹⁸ when it first did help to wound itself.

               Now these her princes are come home again,

120

120         Come the three corners¹²⁰ of the world in arms,

               And we shall shock¹²¹ them. Nought shall make us rue,

               If England to itself do rest¹²² but true.

       Exeunt

Textual Notes

F = First Folio text of 1623, the only authority for the play

F2 = a correction introduced in the Second Folio text of 1632

Ed = a correction introduced by a later editor

SD = stage direction

SH = speech heading (i.e., speaker’s name)

List of parts = Ed

1.1.0 SD the = F. Ed = them, but F can be supported if “Chatillon” is regarded as a title rather than a name 49 expeditious = F. F2 = expeditions 148 It = F. F2 = I. F is taken to refer to the Bastard’s face from the previous line 189 too = F2. F = two 209 smack = Ed. F = smoake 217 SD Enter…Gurney = Ed. SD five lines down in F 239 Could = F. Ed = Could he/a. Although inserting “he” clarifies the sense, the suggestion is not supported metrically 259 That = F. Ed = Thou

Act 2 Scene 1 = Ed. F = Scœna Secunda 1 SH KING PHILIP = Ed. F = Lewis 18 SH LEWIS = F. Some eds reassign to King Philip 63 Ate = Ed. F = Ace 113 breast = F2. F = beast 146 shoes = F. Ed = shows 151 SH KING PHILIP = Ed. F continues Austria’s speech, with line beginning “King Lewis” 221 Confronts your = Ed. F = Comfort yours 265 roundure = Ed. F = rounder 332 SH CITIZEN = Ed. F = Hubert. This SH recurs for rest of the scene; editors dispute whether or not the Hubert who is a character from Act 3 scene 2 onward is intended 342 run = F2 (runne). F = rome 359 dead = F. Ed = dread 375 SH CITIZEN = Ed. F = Fra 378 Kings = F. Ed = Kinged 432 niece = Ed. F = neere 442 of = F. Ed = O 496 Anjou = Ed. F = Angiers

Act 2 [Scene 2] = Ed. F = Actus Secundus

3.1.75 test = Ed. F = tast. Ed = task 124 that = F. Ed = it 190 casèd = F. Ed = crazèd, chafed 213 truth = F. Ed = troth

3.2.4 SD Enter…Hubert = Ed. Placed one line earlier in F 64 broad-eyed = Ed. F = brooded

3.3.45 not holy = Ed. F = holy 65 friends = Ed. F = fiends 112 word’s = F. Ed = world’s 151 evilly = F. Ed = vilely

4.1.68 this = F. Ed = his

4.2.1 again = F3. F = against 42 than = Ed. F = then. Ed = when 223 account spelled accompt in F

4.3.161 cincture = Ed. F = center

Act 5 = Ed. F = Actus Quartus

5.1.55 glisten = Ed. F = glister

5.2.36 grapple = Ed. F = cripple. Ed = gripple 134 unheard = F. Ed = unhaired 136 these = Ed. F = this

5.4.18 more = Ed. F = moe

5.5.7 tott’ring = F. Ed = tatt’ring, secondary sense, i.e., torn

5.6.15 endless = F. Ed = eyeless

5.7.18 mind = Ed. F = winde 22 cygnet = Ed. F = Symet 44 strait spelled straight in F

Act 1 Scene 1

    *   List of parts: LEWIS anglicized form of French “Louis”

 1.1    Location: England King John youngest son of Henry II and Elinor; born 1166, reigned 1199–1216 Queen Elinor daughter of William V, Duke of Aquitaine; she married and divorced Louis VII of France before marrying Henry II of England

    1    would France does the King of France want

    3    behaviour person, i.e., through me    majesty sovereignty, splendor

    4    borrowed assumed/feigned

    6    embassy message (from the ambassador)

    7    Philip of France King Philip II, son of Louis VII; lived 1165–1223, reigned from 1180

    8    Geoffrey fourth son of Henry II

    9    Arthur Plantagenet son of    Geoffrey and Constance

  10    territories dominions/dependencies

  11    Poitiers i.e., the province of Poitou

  12    sword i.e., state control

  13    sways rules/controls    several various/individual

  15    right by right, i.e., true

  16    disallow of refuse

  17    control constraint/mastery

  22    embassy message/ambassadorial role

  25    ere before    report deliver your message/make the noise of a    cannon or of    thunder

  27    hence go from here    trumpet herald/musical wind instrument used to announce important arrivals

  28    sullen presage gloomy portent    decay downfall/death

  29    conduct escort

  32    Constance heiress of Conan IV, Duke of Brittany; married Geoffrey in 1181 with whom she had Arthur

  33    kindled stirred up, inflamed    France king and nation

  34    Upon on behalf of    party part, side

  35    made whole i.e., resolved

  36    arguments proofs    love friendship

  37    manage management, government

  38    issue outcome

  44    liege lord    controversy dispute

  46    produce bring out

  49    expeditious charge sudden cost

  55    Coeur-de-lion Richard I, nicknamed “the Lionheart”    field battlefield

  63    put you o’er direct you    heaven here and on several subsequent occasions “heaven” may be an alteration from “God,” following 1606 Parliamentary “Act to restrain the Abuses of Players”

  65    Out on thee expression of indignation    rude uncivilized

  66    diffidence mistrust

  69    a he    pops me out disinherits me

  70    fair fully

  75    once in a word/at some time

  76    whe’er whether    true begot honorably conceived, legitimate

  77    lay…head i.e., leave my mother to answer

  79    Fair fall may good fortune befall

  84    like similar

  85    madcap lunatic/wild fellow    lent brought

  86    trick distinctive look, habit

  87    affecteth imitates, assumes the character of

  88    tokens signs, evidence

  89    large composition general/robust constitution

  90    parts qualities

  91    Sirrah sir (used to an inferior)

  92    move prompt

  93    half-face profile/thin face

  94    face plays on the sense of “brazen defiance”

  95    half-faced groat coin worth four old pence with the monarch’s face in profile; also, “imperfect/insignificant”

  96    when that when

  97    Your brother i.e., Richard I,    Coeur-de-lion 99 tale story (perhaps plays on sense of “genitals”)    employed made use of/occupied sexually

102    treat of discuss    high important    touching relating to/affecting

104    sojourned stayed

105    prevail gain the mastery/succeed in attaining/persuade

109    lusty vigorous, lively (plays on the sense of “product of lust”)    got begot, conceived

111    took…death i.e., swore most solemnly

114    before…time i.e., before the full nine months were up

119    did play false was unfaithful    fault sin, moral defect (may play on the sense of “vagina”)

120    lies…hazards i.e., is one of the risks

121    how what    brother i.e., Richard I

124    sooth truth    kept…world the owner of a    cow has the right to keep any    calf born of that cow

128    refuse him spurn Philip (the Bastard)    concludes settles it

131    will legal testament/wishes

134    will wish/carnal desire/penis

135    Whether which of the two

137    reputed recognized/supposed

138    presence self/personal dignity

139    an if if    shape appearance

140    Sir…him i.e., that resembles Sir Robert’s

141    riding-rods horsewhips, i.e., skinny

143    in behind

144    three-farthings the thin three-farthing coin bore the queen’s image in front of a rose

145    to his shape in addition to having his inherited physical appearance

146    Would I might may I

147    it every foot every foot of it    this i.e., my own

148    Nob nickname for Robert (puns on senses of “head/head of the family”)    case puns on the sense of “face/appearance”

154    dear expensive, because more than a    groat (fourpence)

156    thither i.e., to    death

157    give…way allow our superiors to go first, as is polite

161    form likeness, image

162    rise some editors emend to “arise” for the sake of meter

166    hour possible pun on “whore”

169    grandam grandmother

170    truth chaste loyalty    what though what of that

171    Something about in a somewhat indirect way    from the right distant from the correct way, i.e., legitimacy

172    window with vaginal connotations    hatch lower part of a door (with vaginal connotations)

173    stir plays on the senses of “get an erection/engage in sex”    walk plays on the sexual sense of “be erect”

174    have (sexual) possession    catch seize, get hold of

175    Near…off i.e., to the target (in archery/sexually)    shot plays on the sense of “ejaculated”

179    speed travel hastily

180    need necessary

181    adieu good-bye

183    foot degree (may pun on French foutre, i.e., “fuck”)

184    many a many i.e., many (emphatic)

185    Joan typical name for a country or lower-class woman

186    den evening (from “God give you good even”)    God-a-mercy God have mercy on you

189    ’Tis i.e., remembering men’s names    respective attentive/respectful

190    conversion i.e., newly titled man

191    toothpick ornate toothpicks were fashionable and seen as a foreign sophistication    worship’s mess company of people eating together (now honored by his title)

192    stomach appetite    sufficed satisfied

193    catechize question

194    pickèd foppish/having used the toothpick/specially chosen    of countries i.e., well-traveled

197    Absey book book of ABC

201    would wants, asks

202    Saving except    dialogue of compliment polite/affected conversation

205    supper i.e., suppertime    so thus

207    mounting (socially) ascending/aspiring

208    bastard…time not a true son of the current age

209    smack show the characteristics (literally, taste); Folio spelling “smoake” was alternative form of same word, which could also mean “observe, suspect”    observation observance of polite, fashionable practices

210    so am I i.e., a literal bastard

211    habit dress    device outward show/ingenuity/heraldic design

212    accoutrement formal trappings

213    motion desire, impulse

214    sweet poison i.e., flattery    tooth appetite, sweet tooth

215    practise plot

216    to…learn i.e., learn how to spot other people’s deception by studying it myself

217    strew be scattered    rising i.e., ascent to greatness

218    riding-robes horse-riding clothes

219    woman-post female messenger

220    blow a horn i.e., to announce her arrival (plays on the fact that her husband has recently been shown to be a cuckold; men with unfaithful wives were popularly imagined to wear horns on their forehead)

223    slave wretch, villain

224    holds in chase hunts    up and down in every respect/everywhere

226    Colbrand the Giant part of an invading Danish army defeated by Guy of Warwick, the eponymous hero of a medieval romance story

228    unreverend irreverent, disrespectful

231    give us leave leave us

233    Philip Sparrow the Bastard rejects his former name (since he has been renamed “Sir Richard Plantagenet”) as a common name for sparrows (as it resembles their call)

234    toys trifling matters    abroad about, going on    anon soon

236    eat…fast “He may his part on Good Friday    eat and fast never the worse for ought he shall get” was proverbial eat i.e., eaten (pronounced “et”)    in of

238    do perform, achieve/make, produce/copulate    marry by the Virgin Mary    confess admit/agree

239    Could get i.e., were it possible he could conceive

240    handiwork i.e., his half-brother, Robert Falconbridge

241    beholding beholden, indebted

242    holp helped

244    That you who

245    untoward unmannerly, improper    knave scoundrel; the Bastard puns on the meaning “servant”

246    Basilisco a character in a contemporary play who insisted on his knighthood being acknowledged

247    dubbed knighted, by having a sword placed on the    shoulder

250    Legitimation legitimacy

252    proper fine/respectable

254    deny renounce

256    suit urging, courtship

258    Heaven may heaven    charge account/responsibility

259    issue offspring    dear cherished/grievous/costly

260    defence resistance

261    get be conceived

263    privilege immunity

264    folly foolishness/lust

265    dispose disposal, command

266    Subjected obedient/as his royal subject

268    aweless fearless    lion…hand as punishment for killing the Duke of Austria’s son, Richard I was imprisoned with a lion, whose heart he tore out by putting his hand down its throat

270    perforce forcibly

273    Who whoever

275    kin (new) relations

277    said him nay refused him

278    was i.e., a sin

Act 2 Scene 1

 2.1 Location: France before Angiers in front of the gates of Angiers, on the Loire river Dauphin title for heir to the French throne Austria historically Leopold V; apparently wearing a lion’s skin, supposedly taken from Richard I

    2    that…blood i.e., your predecessor

    4    holy…Palestine the Crusades

    5    By i.e., at the hand of

    6    posterity descendants

    7    importance request

    8    spread display colours battle flags

    9    rebuke repress

  10    unnatural i.e., behaving in a manner that contradicts natural kinship

  13    offspring descendants

  14    Shadowing sheltering

  15    powerless i.e., without a military force behind it

  16    unstainèd pure, unblemished

  19    zealous earnest

  20    seal…indenture wax seal on a legal contract

  23    pale…shore i.e., the chalk cliffs of England’s southeastern coast (hence England)    pale either adjectival (colorless) or a noun (boundary, enclosure)

  24    spurns kicks, rejects

  25    coops encloses, protects

  26    main sea

  27    bulwark fortification    still always

  28    confident from self-assured against    purposes plans, i.e., threats of invasion

  31    follow arms i.e., take part in military action

  34    more requital to greater recompense for

  37    bent directed

  38    brows i.e., walls/battlements

  39    discipline military strategy

  40    cull select    plots positions, sites    advantages i.e., military advantage in attack

  43    But we will if necessary to    subject to ruled by/answerable to

  44    Stay wait    embassy message

  45    unadvised rashly, without full thought or information

  49    indirectly wrongfully

  50    lo look

  52    England the King of England    gentle noble

  53    coldly calmly

  55    against in preparation for

  56    impatient of angered by

  58    leisure convenience    stayed waited for

  59    legions forces

  60    expedient rapid

  62    Mother-Queen Queen-Mother, i.e., Elinor

  63    Ate Greek goddess of discord and revenge

  64    niece female relative; actually Elinor’s granddaughter and John’s niece    Blanche of Spain daughter of John’s sister Eleanor and Alfonso VIII, King of Castile

  65    king’s deceased dead king (Richard I)

  66    unsettled humours i.e., unruly persons, malcontents;    humours four chief bodily fluids (blood, phlegm, choler, black choler) governing mental qualities and disposition

  67    inconsiderate reckless    voluntaries volunteers

  68    ladies’ faces i.e., beardless and young    spleens tempers, impulses

  69    sold…backs i.e., they have spent everything on armor and military equipment

  71    make…of risk, venture

  72    braver more splendid, finer    choice selection

  73    bottoms keels, i.e., ships    waft wafted, i.e., conveyed (suggesting a quick easy journey)

  75    scathe damage

  76    churlish rough, harsh

  77    circumstance details

  78    parley negotiate

  79    expedition warlike enterprise/haste

  82    occasion (needful) circumstances    others i.e., troops

  85    lineal hereditary    own i.e., territories/role of ruler

  88    beats drives, forces

  89    if that if

  91    England’s i.e., Arthur’s

  93    toil i.e., supporting Arthur’s cause    work duty, undertaking

  95    underwrought undermined, sought to overthrow    his its

  96    sequence of posterity lawful succession

  97    Outfacèd defied/intimidated    infant state young majesty, i.e., Arthur

  99    Geoffrey’s i.e., Arthur’s father’s

101    abstract essence, summary

103    brief summary

109    owe own

110    commission warrant

111    articles points/charges

112    supernal judge i.e., God    supernal celestial

116    impeach challenge, accuse

118    Alack exclamation of dissatisfaction, regret

119    Excuse…down preventing (your) usurpation of authority is a good enough excuse

122    Out expression of irritation and scorn

123    check control, discipline

126    Liker in feature more similar in physical appearance

127    in manners (who are) in behavior/character

128    dam mother (devil and parent were proverbially similar)

130    His…mother Constance insults Elinor by suggesting that it is likelier that Geoffrey was a bastard than that Arthur might be one

131    an if if

132    blots slanders

133    grandam grandmother    blot defile/erase

135    crier announcing officer in a law court/town crier (a mocking reference to Austria)

137    play the devil i.e., make trouble

138    An a if he    catch seize, get hold of    hide i.e., lion’s skin

139    hare…beard “even hares may pull dead lions by the beard” (proverbial)

141    smoke subject to smoke/disinfect/beat    an if

142    look to’t beware

143    become earn/befit

145    sightly appropriately

146    Alcides Hercules (Greek hero, one of whose twelve labors involved killing a lion, whose skin he then wore); some editors emend “shoes” to “shows,” i.e., distinctive clothing

148    lay on that i.e., inflict blows

149    cracker boaster (playing on the sense of “supposed breaker of    shoulders“)    deafs deafens

151    straight straight away

153    very sum final summary, absolute essence

158    Bretagne Brittany

163    it its

165    fig fruit/something valueless/rude gesture

169    coil turmoil, fuss

170    shames dishonors, embarrasses

173    pearls i.e., tears

174    in…fee as a bribe for divine support

175    beads teardrops (plays on the sense of “prayer beads on a rosary”)

177    monstrous unnatural

180    dominations dominions    royalties royal rights

181    eldest son’s son eldest grandson

182    Infortunate unfortunate

183    visited punished

184    canon…law scriptural rule (that the sins of the parents will be visited upon their children)

185    but only

186    Removèd distant

187    Bedlam i.e., madwoman

190    her sin implies John, whom Constance suggests was conceived adulterously (in sin)

191    removèd issue relative at one remove, i.e., Arthur    for because of

192    his injury harm done to Arthur

193    beadle parish officer entitled to punish minor offenses, i.e., punisher

195    for because of/instead of

196    unadvisèd rash, thoughtless

197    title legal claim

199    will willfulness, wish    cankered corrupt

200    temperate calm

201    beseems befits    presence royal company    cry aim shout encouragement (archery term)

202    ill-tunèd harsh-sounding    repetitions repeated accusations

203    trumpet trumpeter

205    admit grant, recognize

206    warned summoned

207    France, for England i.e., the French king on behalf of Arthur (who should be King of England)

211    gentle peaceful/noble    parle negotiation

213    advancèd raised, displayed

214    prospect view

215    endamagement damage, detriment

216    bowels entrails

222    stones i.e., city walls

223    waist belt

224    ordinance artillery

225    lime mortar

226    dishabited dislodged

227    bloody power violent, fierce troops

229    much expedient very hasty

230    countercheck rebuke/check to oppose (the course of something)

232    amazed stunned/overwhelmed    vouchsafe permit

233    bullets cannonballs

235    folded…smoke i.e., concealed in deceitful rhetoric

236    faithless error untrustworthy lie

237    accordingly in the same manner/as it deserves

238    laboured exhausted with hard work

239    Forwearied worn out

240    harbourage shelter

241    said finished speaking

242    Lo see

243    right i.e., just claim

246    enjoys possesses

247    For on behalf of    downtrodden equity oppressed right    tread picks up on    downtrodden

248    greens grassy areas

250    constraint compulsion

254    owes owns

256    Save except    aspect appearance    offence hostility, harm    sealed up i.e., prevented

257    spent expended, fired

259    unvexed untroubled/unimpeded    retire retreat

260    unhacked unused/undamaged (from battle)

261    lusty vigorous

264    fondly foolishly    pass pass up, disregard

265    roundure roundness, circumference

266    messengers of war i.e., cannonballs

267    Though even if    discipline skill in warfare

268    rude rough

270    In…which on behalf of him (Arthur) for whom

276    proves proves to be

282    else others, suchlike

284    bloods hot-blooded fellows/noble men

286    in his face against him

287    compound agree

288    for on behalf of    hold withhold

290    everlasting residence i.e., the grave, death

291    fleet pass, fly off

292    dreadful terrifying, daunting    trial contest, putting to the proof

293    chevaliers knights

294    Saint George patron saint of England who famously slew a dragon    swinged beat, thrashed

295    Sits…door i.e., as a tavern sign    hostess tavern landlady

296    fence fencing skill

297    lioness i.e., Austria’s wife; also means “whore”

298    set…hide i.e., give Austria the cuckold’s horns by sleeping with his wife

299    monster because a combination of lion and ox

303    appointment order, arrangement

304    advantage superior military position/opportunity

306    God    …right! a battle cry    excursions fighting (across the stage)    Trumpets trumpeters

309    by…France with the help of the French king

312    grovelling prostrate, face down

316    displayed drawn up (if referring to the troops)/unfurled (if referring to the banners)

321    Commander victor    malicious violent, hostile

322    hence from here

323    gilt coated/glittering

324    crest i.e., helmet

325    staff spear/lance

326    colours battle flags

328    like…huntsmen traditionally huntsmen smeared their hands with blood of the kill

333    onset and retire attack and retreat

335    censured judged

338    alike equally    like approve

343    passage progress, course

344    native natural, habitual    o’erswell flood (John threatens French territory)

347    progress journey (may play on the sense of “official royal tour”)

351    sways rules    climate part of the sky

352    just-borne justly carried

353    put thee down defeat you

354    royal number i.e., a king’s name

355    tells of records/counts

357    towers soars, mounts (falconry term)

359    chaps jaws

361    mousing tearing at (like a cat or an owl with its prey)

362    undetermined differences unresolved disagreements

363    fronts faces

364    havoc a call for general slaughter

365    potents potentates, rulers

366    confusion overthrow, destruction    part side

367    peace i.e., victory

368    yet admit now recognize

371    hold up support

372    that…here i.e., John has no need for a spokesperson, representing himself as rightful king

374    presence own existence/majesty

378    Kings of i.e., ruled by

379    some certain i.e., one or the other/the particular rightful    purged and deposed refers to the    fears

380    scroyles scoundrels    flout mock, insult

383    industrious ingenious/painstaking/hardworking    acts deeds/theatrical actions/parts of a play

385    mutines of Jerusalem rival Jewish factions who united to fight the Romans besieging Jerusalem in AD 70 mutines mutineers, rebels

386    conjointly bend jointly aim

388    mount raise/prepare for firing

389    chargèd loaded

390    soul-fearing terrifying    brawled down destroyed noisily

392    play torment by firing at    jades wretches (literally, worthless horses)

393    unfencèd without walls, i.e., unprotected    desolation barren ruin/despondency

394    vulgar common

397    point i.e., sword point

398    cull forth select

399    happy minion fortunate favorite

400    day i.e., victory

402    wild irregular/audacious    states sovereigns

403    Smacks…something has it not a flavor    the policy stratagem

405    knit unite

406    lay level, flatten

407    who i.e., to determine who

408    An if if    mettle spirit, disposition

409    peevish obstinate/foolish

411    saucy insolent

412    when that when

413    pell-mell headlong/in hand-to-hand combat

414    ourselves i.e., each other    heaven or hell i.e., eternal life or damnation

419    thunder i.e., cannon

420    drift shower, deluge

421    discipline military strategy

424    vouchsafe agree, grant

425    league alliance, friendship

427    breathing lives i.e., living people

429    Persever persevere, proceed

430    favour permission, approval    bent resolved/inclined

432    years age

434    lusty lively, merry/fertile/lustful

438    birth noble ancestry

439    bound contain

441    complete fully equipped, perfect in

442    If…she i.e., the only fault in his perfection is that he is not her    complete of full of (those virtues)

443    wants lacks

444    If…he unless it could be a fault that she is not him

446    finishèd completed

447    divided incomplete

452    bounds boundaries

453    princes royal persons (of either sex)

454    battery assault

455    fast-closèd firmly, tightly shut    match marriage (puns on the sense of “match that lights gunpowder”)

456    spleen eagerness, angry energy    powder gunpowder

457    mouth of passage i.e., entrance    ope open

462    mortal fatal peremptory determined

464    stay obstacle

470    lusty blood spirited fellow

471    plain cannon i.e., just like a cannon    bounce explosion

472    bastinado beating with a stick

474    buffets beats, strikes

475    Zounds by God’s wounds    bethumped pounded, thumped soundly

476    Since…dad i.e., since I learned to speak (conceivably suggesting punishment for the illegitimate boy calling Sir Robert “Dad”)

477    list listen    conjunction union

480    unsured insecure

481    yon yonder, that (one over there)    green youthful/inexperienced    boy i.e., Arthur    sun i.e., royal patronage

484    Mark note, observe

485    capable of receptive to

486    zeal enthusiasm

487    soft petitions gentle pleas    remorse sorrow/compassion

490    treaty proposition

491    forward ready

494    in…love i.e., love Blanche

496    Anjou Folio prints “Anglers,” presumably mistaking the province of Anjou for the city of Angiers, where the scene takes place

497    the of the

499    liable subject

501    promotions social advancement

503    Holds hand with i.e., is equal to

507    shadow reflection, image (sense then shifts to “mere imitation/shadow cast by the sun”)

508    son plays on “sun” (popular image of royal glory)

509    makes…shadow i.e., outshines my actual or former self (plays on sense of “dims even your royal glory”)

511    infixèd fastened firmly

512    table tablet, painting surface

513    Drawn plays on the sense of “disembowelled” (being    hanged, drawn and    quartered was a traitor’s punishment)

515    quartered cut into pieces/lodged    espy discern

518    love expression of love/lover

519    will desire, determination

520    aught anything

521    That anything whatever it is

522    translate convert, transform

523    properly correctly, decorously

524    enforce urge/compel, impose

526    That i.e., by saying that    worthy worthy of

528    churlish harsh/grudging

529    merit deserve

531    still always

532    vouchsafe deign, graciously condescend

535    unfeignedly genuinely

539    Full i.e., all of    mark monetary unit (not a coin) worth two thirds of an English pound

540    withal with this

542    likes pleases    close join

543    well assured very certain

544    assured betrothed

547    presently immediately

550    made up accomplished

552    who whoever

553    passionate impassioned/emotional/sorrowful

564    repair come

565    solemnity i.e., the wedding ceremony

566    measure magnitude, capacity

567    measure limited extent, proportion

568    exclamation outcry, objection

569    suffer permit

570    pomp celebration

571    composition settlement/compromise

572    title…whole claim to the whole kingdom

573    departed parted

576    rounded whispered

577    With by

578    broker go-between, agent (plays on the notion of breakage)    breaks beats, cracks    pate head, skull    faith loyalty/truth

579    wins gets the better

581    Who i.e., the maid’s    thing plays on the sense of “penis”

582    ‘maid’ virgin

583    smooth-faced plausible/deceitful    tickling amusing, playing with (plays on the sense of “fondling sexually”)    commodity convenience, expediency/advantage, profit, self-interest/woman in her sexual capacity (plays on the sense of “virginity/female sexual goods”)

584    bias natural inclination (literally the weight in the bowling ball that enables it to be rolled in a curve)

585    peisèd poised, weighted

586    even level, evenly

587    vile-drawing i.e., that attracts evil

588    sway guiding power/swerve/change

589    take head from rebel against/roll away from    indifferency moderation/equal impartiality

592    bawd pimp, go-between    all-changing i.e., causing everything to change

593    Clapped on fixed on, presented to    outward eye eyeball, external eye/hole in the bowling ball through which the bias was inserted

594    determined resolved/planned    aid i.e., support for Arthur’s cause

595    resolved determined/settled

596    base dishonorable/worthless

597    rail I on do I rant about

598    But for only

599    clutch clench (in refusal of an offer)

600    angels gold coins    salute greet/touch (plays on the sense of “gold coin” and on the notion of “angelic salutation”—i.e., the angels’ greeting to the Virgin Mary)

601    for because    unattempted untempted/unapproached

607    upon because of

Act 2 Scene 2

    4    misspoke spoken inaccurately/expressed badly

    5    Be well advised consider carefully/be well-informed

    6    but only

    7    trust believe

    8    common man i.e., not a king

  11    frighting frightening

  12    capable of susceptible to

  16    though even if

  17    take a truce make peace

  20    sadly gravely

  22    lamentable sorrowful    rheum watery discharge, i.e., tears

  23    proud swollen/arrogant    peering o’er his overflowing its

  24    sad solemn/sorrowful

  27    them either King John and King Philip or simply the French

  28    prove discover by experience

  31    encounter meet in combat

  36    brook tolerate

  42    content patient, calm

  43    wert were    grim ugly/destructive

  44    sland’rous shameful

  45    sightless unsightly, offensive (possibly “unseen, internal”)

  46    crooked deformed    swart swarthy, of dark complexion (considered unattractive)    prodigious monstrous, unnatural/ill-omened

  47    Patched blotched, marked

  50    Become befit

  51    fair handsome/pale-complexioned

  54    half-blown half-blossomed, i.e., still young and beautiful

  56    Sh’adulterates she commits adultery (rather than being faithful to Arthur)    hourly constantly (puns on “whore-ly,” i.e., like a whore)

  57    golden implies offers of money    plucked on drawn on, enticed/dragged in

  58    sovereignty i.e., Arthur’s claim to the throne

  59    his majesty i.e., King Philip and his power    theirs i.e., King John and Fortune’s

  61    strumpet harlot, prostitute

  62    fellow with connotations of “servant/worthless man”    France i.e., the French king    forsworn guilty of perjury, breaking his promise

  63    Envenom poison    words i.e., curses

  65    underbear endure

  69    proud swollen/arrogant

  71    state condition/throne

Act 3 Scene 1

    1    ’Tis true Philip and Blanche enter mid-conversation    daughter i.e., daughter-in-law

    4    Stays…course stands still    plays the alchemist i.e., turns base metals into gold

    8    holy day holiday/blessed occasion

  11    golden letters used to mark feast days in the Church calendar

  12    high tides important festival dates

  15    stand still remain    with child pregnant

  16    fall i.e., be born

  17    prodigiously with ill omen, i.e., with the birth of a deformed child    crossed thwarted

  18    But except    wreck shipwreck

  19    No…made break only agreements made on this day

  24    pawned pledged    majesty royal dignity, i.e., his word

  25    beguiled deceived

  26    touched and tried put to the test

  27    forsworn perjured, guilty of breaking your word

  28    in arms with weapons/in friendship

  29    arms coat of arms (Blanche and Lewis’s heraldic emblems will now be united)    yours i.e., your arms/blood

  31    painted superficial/feigned

  32    our i.e., Constance and Arthur’s    made up composed, accomplished    league alliance

  36    Wear out survive/waste    days some editors emend to “day”

  41    Limoges i.e., Austria (Shakespeare combined two historical figures in one character, Duke Leopold of Austria and Viscount Vidomar of Limoges)

  42    bloody spoil i.e., the lion’s skin    spoil plunder, booty

  45    champion one who fights on behalf of another

  46    humorous temperamental    by nearby

  47    safety i.e., the best course of action, how to avoid getting injured

  48    sooth’st up greatness flatter powerful people

  49    ramping rampant/roaring/excessive    swear…party declare your support for my cause

  54    fall over defect

  55    Doff remove

  56    calf’s-skin associated with fools and cowards    recreant cowardly

    Pandulph a fusion of two historical figures, one a cardinal, the other a    legate

  62    legate papal representative

  66    Pope Innocent Innocent III

  67    religiously solemnly/in the name of religion

  69    spurn rebel, kick    force perforce with violent compulsion

  70    Stephen Langton elected archbishop of Canterbury by Pope Innocent, but rejected by John

  71    see bishopric/the seat of a bishop in his church

  72    foresaid aforementioned

  74    earthy earthly    interrogatories questions put to an accused person

  75    test put to the proof

  78    charge order

  81    tithe levy a tax (specifically the tenth of one’s goods owed to the Church)    toll exact a payment

  83    great supremacy highest authority or power

  84    Where in which    uphold maintain/rule

  86    set apart discarded, ignored

  88    blaspheme speak irreverently

  90    grossly foolishly    meddling priest i.e., the pope

  91    the curse i.e., excommunication    buy out cancel

  92    vile base    dross impure substance

  93    of from

  94    sells…himself incurs his own damnation/sells pardons that do not come from God

  96    juggling cheating, deceiving    cherish nourish, maintain

  97    me oppose place myself in opposition

100    excommunicate excommunicated

102    heretic one who maintains unorthodox religious views

108    room space (puns on    Rome)

110    keen eager/sharp    my wrong the wrong done to me (my motivation)

111    right properly, correctly, rightfully (plays on the sense of “good”)

112    warrant authority

114    bar no wrong does not prevent retaliation, i.e., cursing

116    holds maintains, controls

117    perfect completely

120    arch-heretic chief rebel to the Christian Church

121    power of France i.e., army    his head him/his army

124    Look to that beware of/consider that possibility

128    pocket up endure/swallow (the Bastard plays on the literal sense of pockets in    breeches)

132    as the cardinal i.e., as the cardinal says

133    Bethink you consider carefully    difference disagreement/choice

134    purchase acquisition

135    light minor

139    untrimmèd unadorned/unbedded, i.e., virgin

142    need appeal for help

143    but by because of    faith i.e., King Philip’s promise

144    needs necessarily

148    moved affected with sympathy/angered

149    be removed stand apart/separate yourself from his plans/be estranged (plays on    moved)

151    Hang i.e., wear

155    make…yours i.e., put your self in my position

156    bestow yourself behave

161    latest last

164    even right    but new just immediately

166    clap strike hands reciprocally in token of a    bargain bargain transaction

167    overstained covered with stains/dyed

168    pencil paintbrush

169    fearful awesome, fear-inducing    difference dispute, discord

172    Unyoke this seizure unclasp this grasp (of hands)    regreet return of salutation

173    fast and loose i.e., gamble (literally, game of betting whether the end of a rope was fastened or not)    so in the same manner

174    unconstant changeable, fickle

177    bloody bloodstained/violent    host army

178    brow forehead

181    ordain establish

188    revolting rebelling

189    hold…tongue “take a serpent by the tongue” (proverbial; a snake’s venom was thought to be located in the tongue)

190    casèd wearing a skin, i.e., living    mortal fatal, lethal

193    faith promise (to King John)

194    faith religious faith, i.e., the Church

195    to against

199    since subsequently, i.e., since swearing allegiance to the Church    swor’st i.e., allegiance with John

202    truly done i.e.,    not done at all

203    to toward

205    act action    purposes mistook misguided aims, erroneous outcomes

206    mistake again i.e., break your oath to John    indirect roundabout, devious

208    fire…burned “one heat drives out another” (proverbial; heat was used to treat burns)

210    religion religious belief, obligation or fear

212    By…swear’st i.e., you swear against the very faith by which you swear (in the making of your second oath to John)

213    And…truth i.e., in making an oath that apparently guarantees your loyalty and integrity, you in fact violate your faith

214    unsure uncertain, hesitant

215    swears…forsworn you swear never to break your word

224    part side

226    light descend (   heavy creates a play on the sense of “of little weight”)

227    as that

228    black deadly

229    Rebellion i.e., Philip’s rebellion against the Church or against himself    flat outright

230    be i.e., be still and silent

231    stop fill/silence

234    blood…marrièd i.e., as Blanche is John’s niece

235    kept celebrated

237    measures melodious accompaniment

245    doom judgment/destiny    forethought anticipated, planned

248    that thee upholds who supports you

250    muse wonder

251    profound respects important considerations

252    denounce proclaim

253    fall from desert/renounce

256    rue grieve for/regret

257    bald proverbially, Time was hairless

259    adieu good-bye

263    dismember mutilate, tear limb from limb

266    Father i.e., father-in-law

272    Cousin i.e., kinsman    puissance power/army

274    condition nature/stipulation

276    dearest-valued i.e., royal/life-sustaining

280    threats threatens    hie hasten

Act 3 Scene 2

 3.2 Alarums calls to battle    excursions fighting (across the stage)

    2    airy devil aerial demons were associated with storms and, here, battle

    4    Philip i.e., the Bastard    breathes catches his breath    Hubert probably based on Hubert de Burgh, chief judicial officer under King John

    5    keep look after/guard    make up move forward, press on

    6    assailèd attacked

    7    ta’en taken, captured

  10    liege lord, superior entitled to feudal allegiance and service    pains…labour a birth metaphor

  11    happy end fortunate outcome/pleasing conclusion    retreat call for withdrawal of army

  12    stay behind i.e., remain behind in charge of John’s territories

  17    Haste before hurry ahead (of us)

  19    angels gold coins (playing on the sense of “heavenly angels”)

  22    commission warrant/authority    his its

  23    Bell…candle items involved in the ceremony of excommunication

  24    becks beckons

  28    gentle kind/noble

  29    Coz cousin

  34    advantage profit/interest    pay repay

  35    voluntary freely offered, willing

  36    bosom i.e., heart

  38    tune i.e., words, speech

  40    respect regard

  41    bounden indebted, obliged

  48    wanton lively, playful    gauds showy playthings, attractive trifles

  49    give me audience listen to me    midnight bell i.e., bell tolling midnight

  50    brazen made of brass/shameless

  51    Sound on continue striking    race course

  56    else otherwise

  57    idiot clown/fool    keep occupy, hold captive

  59    passion emotion

  62    conceit thought

  64    despite spite    watchful wakeful/vigilant

  67    troth faith

  68    what whatever

  69    adjunct to attendant upon, linked to

  73    yon yonder, that

  78    so in such a way

  88    powers forces

  90    cousin i.e., Arthur

  91    man servant

Act 3 Scene 3

    1    flood sea

    2    armado armada, fleet    convicted defeated

    3    fellowship puns on “fellow ships”

    5    run fared/followed a course

    7    Divers various/several

    8    bloody bloodstained/violent    England the King of England

    9    O’erbearing overcoming    interruption resistance, obstacles    spite in defiance

  11    hot active, vigorous, quick    advice prudence    disposed handled

  12    temperate calm, composed

  13    want example lack precedent

  14    kindred related, allied in qualities    like similar

  16    So provided that    pattern previous example

  17    grave i.e., shell of the body, mere container

  21    issue outcome    peace i.e., agreement, treaty

  23    defy reject    counsel advice    redress assistance, comfort

  24    But except

  25    amiable lovable

  26    odoriferous sweet-smelling    sound wholesome, healthy

  27    lasting everlasting

  30    vaulty empty/sepulchral

  32    gap of breath i.e., mouth    fulsome repulsive

  33    carrion skeletal/rotting

  35    buss kiss

  37    affliction i.e., afflicted one

  41    fell terrible/cruel    anatomy skeleton

  43    modern commonplace, everyday    invocation entreaty

  45    belie slander

  50    like likely

  54    sensible of sensitive to, capable of feeling

  55    reasonable part rational faculty

  56    delivered of released from (perhaps with connotations of childbirth)

  59    babe of clouts ragdoll    clouts cloths/rags

  61    different distinct, individual    plague affliction

  62    Bind…tresses in her distress, Constance’s hair is loose and dishevelled

  64    silver drop i.e., tear

  65    wiry friends i.e., hairs (   wiry does not necessarily suggest “coarse, tough”)

  66    sociable sympathetic

  69    To…will Constance’s response to Philip’s invitation earlier in the scene

  71    wherefore why

  73    redeem liberate

  75    envy at resent

  79    know recognize/be acquainted with

  81    Cain in the Bible, Adam and Eve’s eldest son (who killed his brother Abel)

  82    suspire (first) breathe

  83    gracious filled with divine grace/virtuous/delightful

  84    canker-sorrow the gnawing worm of grief    bud i.e., young son

  85    native natural

  87    dim dull/pale    meagre gaunt    an ague’s fit (the victim of) a bout of shaking caused by fever

  88    so in that way/in that condition    rising i.e., from death/into heaven

  90    know recognize

  92    heinous grave, severe    respect view

  94    fond of doting on

  95    room place

  98    Remembers reminds

103    form orderly arrangement

108    outrage passionate act of violence (i.e., suicide)

109    joy feel happy, take pleasure

111    dull bored/inattentive/sleepy

112    word’s i.e.,    Life

113    That so that

115    in the instant at the precise moment    repair recovery

116    fit bout of illness

118    day i.e., battle (Lewis employs the more literal sense)

120    had would have (lost all those things)

121    means intends

124    accounts reckons

130    rub obstacle (a term from the game of bowls)

132    mark pay attention

134    infant young child/minor, too young to claim sovereignty (legal term)

135    misplaced i.e., usurping    entertain receive, experience

138    boisterously violently

140    Makes…no is not fussy about using any    stay prop, keep

141    That in order that

147    green young, inexperienced

148    lays you plots makes schemes for you

149    steeps soaks    true legitimate/royal

150    untrue deceptive/uncertain

152    zeal fervent loyalty

153    none…advantage not even the smallest opportunity

154    check inhibit, curb, control    reign rule (puns on “rein”)

155    exhalation vapor/meteor (considered a bad omen)

156    scope circumstance    distempered disordered/stormy

157    customèd customary, ordinary

158    pluck away disregard    his its    cause explanation

159    prodigies omens

160    Abortives abnormalities    presages signs, portents

161    denouncing declaring

163    hold consider    himself i.e., John    in his prisonment i.e., while Arthur is John’s prisoner

164    approach arrival

168    kiss…of i.e., welcome    unacquainted unfamiliar

169    pick extract/find    strong matter of compelling reason for

170    Out…John i.e., in John’s crimes, symbolized by his bloodstained hands

171    hurly uproar, turmoil    on foot underway

172    breeds develops

176    call decoy, bait/call to arms

177    train lure

179    Anon instantly

181    wrought fashioned

182    top-full brimful    offence hostility, sense of wrong (in reaction to John’s deeds)

183    whet on encourage (as if sharpening a sword)

184    strange actions unusual/unexpected military deeds

185    ay yes

Act 4 Scene 1

 4.1 Location: England, a prison

    1    me for me    irons branding tools    look be sure

    2    Within behind    arras large tapestry, wall hanging

    5    heedful watchful/careful

    6    bear out support, authorize

    7    Uncleanly scruples improper concerns/concerns about being morally tainted

    8    to say with something to say to

  10    little young, small (Arthur then shifts the sense)

  11    As…be I am as little a prince as possible, despite having claims to being much greater

  12    sad serious, solemn

  14    ’Mercy i.e., God’s mercy

  17    sad serious/mournful/dark-colored

  18    Only merely    wantonness foolish behavior/whim    by my christendom i.e., as I am a Christian

  19    So provided that

  21    doubt suspect, fear

  22    practises plots

  25    would wish

  26    so if

  27    prate chatter

  29    dispatch put (him) to death/hurry up

  31    sooth truth

  32    watch stay awake

  33    warrant assure (you)

  35    rheum i.e., tears

  36    Turning    …door banishing pitiless torture

  37    brief quick    resolution determination

  39    fair writ written clearly, well

  40    effect purpose

  46    knit tied    handkercher handkerchief

  47    wrought it embroidered it for

  48    it you for it back from you

  50    watchful timekeeping/wakeful/vigilant

  51    Still and anon continually    heavy slow-moving/sad

  52    lack you i.e., do you need    grief physical pain/sorrow

  53    love act of kindness

  54    lien lain

  56    at…service i.e., to look after you through your illness

  57    crafty devious

  58    an if if

  59    ill badly, wrongfully

  65    iron age the present/the last and worst of the four classical ages: Gold, Silver, Bronze, Iron/a period of wickedness and cruelty (puns on    irons)

  66    heat heated

  68    this its

  69    Even…matter in the very substance, i.e., tears

  71    But for containing merely because it contained

  73    should have had

  78    out put out/blinded

  86    winch wince

  87    angerly angrily

  91    from away from

  92    chid scolded/driven

  97    remedy alternative/relief

  99    mote particle of dust; making literal the biblical reference to “a mote in the eye,” i.e., a minor fault observed in another person by someone who ignores a greater fault of his or her own (Matthew 7:3)

101    annoyance irritation    sense organ of sense, i.e., eye

102    boisterous painful

104    Go to expression of irritated impatience

105    a brace (even) a pair

106    Must…pleading would not be sufficient to plead

107    Let me not do not make me

110    still always

111    troth faith

114    in good sooth truly

115    create created

116    undeserved extremes unjust cruelties    else otherwise, i.e., if it isn’t true

121    but only

123    perchance perhaps    sparkle in send sparks into

125    Snatch snap, bite    tarre provoke, urge

127    office proper function

128    extends offers

129    Creatures…uses instruments noted for compassion when they are not put to evil uses

131    owes owns

132    purpose intend

137    but anything other than that

138    doggèd doglike/cruel

139    doubtless without fear

141    offend harm

143    closely secretly

Act 4 Scene 2

 4.2 Location: England, the court of King John

    4    once in a word/one occasion (that was)

    7    Fresh new

    8    state state of affairs/monarch

    9    possessed invested, given possession (of the royal title)    double pomp second ceremony

  10    guard adorn/protect

  11    gild cover with a thin layer of gold

  14    taper-light candlelight

  15    eye of heaven i.e., the sun

  17    But i.e., were it not    pleasure will/desire

  20    unseasonable unsuitable (probably four syllables;    Being at beginning of line may be monosyllabic for sake of meter)

  21    antique old    well-noted well-known

  22    form custom    disfigurèd altered

  23    shifted changed (in direction)

  24    It i.e., having a second coronation    fetch about change tack

  25    consideration deep reflection

  26    sound healthy

  27    new a fashioned newly made/of new design

  29    confound ruin

  30    excusing…th’excuse i.e., excuses draw attention to faults rather than explaining them away

  32    breach tear, hole

  33    Discredit bring into disrepute

  35    new crowned i.e., crowned again

  36    breathed spoke

  37    overbear overrule

  39    make…at stop and give way for/resist

  41    possessed you with informed you of

  42    more…fear I shall give you further reasons that are as great as my fear is small

  43    indue supply

  47    tongue spokesperson

  48    sound proclaim/discover the depth of

  50    them they

  51    Bend direct, focus    studies efforts

  52    enfranchisement release

  55    rest peace/freedom from exertion    in right rightfully

  56    attend…wrong i.e., are bent toward wrongdoing    attend accompany

  57    mew up confine

  58    tender young

  60    exercise occupations/gentlemanly physical training in the martial arts

  61    That so that    this i.e., such an argument

  62    grace occasions suit their purposes    suit request (that John earlier invited them to make)

  64    goods personal benefits

  65    weal welfare

  66    Counts considers

  67    commit entrust

  68    direction responsibility (for Arthur’s upbringing)

  70    should do who was to have done

  72    heinous hateful, odious

  73    Lives i.e., is apparent    close secretive    aspect appearance

  74    Do most editions since the Fourth Folio emend to “Does,” but “Does show” sounds infelicitous: an elision Do’ show is possible (“Doth show” is also possible)

  76    charge order

  77    colour i.e., of his complexion (which alternates between pale and red)

  79    ’twixt between    dreadful battles terrifying fighting forces

  80    ripe swollen (like an abscess)    break burst

  83    hold hold back

  84    give i.e., grant your request

  86    tonight last night

  90    answered accounted for/recompensed    hence elsewhere/in the future/in the next world

  91    brows faces, expressions

  92    shears of destiny i.e., like Atropos, one of the three Fates, responsible for cutting the thread of life

  93    commandment on control over

  94    apparent evidently

  95    greatness i.e., a king    grossly blatantly    offer undertake, venture to do

  96    So thus, i.e.,    grossly game intrigue, undertaking

  99    forcèd compelled, brought about by violence

100    owed owned

101    the while in the meantime/while such things happen

103    doubt fear

105    sure secure    set i.e., built

107    fearful frightened

110    weather i.e., stormy news

111    From    …England the messenger interprets John’s    how goes (“how is it going”) in terms of literal movement (France invading England)    power army

112    preparation military expedition

113    levied mustered, raised    body length and breadth

114    copy example

117    intelligence military information, spies

118    care diligence

119    drawn gathered

124    frenzy madness/fit of agitation

126    idly casually

127    Occasion course of events

128    league alliance/truce

130    wildly disorderedly, without rule    walks goes, progresses    estate affairs/holdings

131    conduct leadership

132    for…out claim in the name of truth    Pomfret Pontefract in Yorkshire

136    proceedings course of action, i.e., to collect money from the monasteries

138    afeard afraid

139    unheard…head befall you without warning, i.e., it is better to be prepared for the    worst

140    amazed stunned/bewildered

141    tide i.e., torrent of bad news

142    Aloft above, afloat in

144    sped succeeded/fared

145    express communicate/reveal

147    strangely fantasied full of strange imaginings

148    idle foolish/crazy

152    treading…heels i.e., following him closely

153    rude unlearned/lacking in polish

154    Ascension Day celebration of the feast of ascension of Christ into heaven, the Thursday forty days after Easter

155    deliver up surrender

161    safety safe-keeping, i.e., custody

162    gentle noble

163    abroad out there, in public

168    is was    tonight last night

169    suggestion instigation

175    the…before i.e., quickly

176    subject enemies i.e., subjects who are enemies

177    adverse hostile

178    stout bold/determined

179    Mercury messenger of the Roman gods, often depicted with feathered sandals or feet

181    spirit…time i.e., circumstances (conceivably    spirit plays on the alchemical sense of “mercury”)

182    sprightful spirited

184    betwixt between

188    tonight last night

190    wondrous bizarre, unbelievable

192    beldams old women

193    prophesy upon it make predictions based on it

196    one to one

198    fearful action frightened gestures

205    Had…feet he had mistakenly put on the wrong feet

206    a many thousand i.e., many thousands of

207    embattailèd drawn up in battle array    ranked arranged in ranks

208    artificer artisan

210    possess acquaint/occupy

211    urgest thou do you present, bring forward    oft often

212    cause reason

214    No had had none    provoke incite

216    humours whims, moods

217    bloody…life i.e., the body

218    winking i.e., subtle signal

219    understand a law interpret it as a mandate

220    dangerous threatening    perchance perhaps

221    upon humour because of a whim    advised respect careful deliberation

222    hand signature

223    account judgment

226    means to do ways of doing, instruments for

227    by at hand

228    marked physically blemished/taken note of

229    Quoted noted, specified    signed marked distinctively

231    aspect face/appearance

233    liable suitable

234    faintly half-heartedly/tentatively    broke spoke

236    conscience i.e., matter of moral dilemma

239    darkly obscurely

241    As as though to    express specific

242    had would have

243    wrought created

245    parley negotiate

247    rude violent/unkind

250    state authority, sovereignty    braved challenged, defied

252    body…land refers to England as a body, as well as to the king’s own body (the popular metaphor of monarch as microcosm of state)

253    confine territory/limit/prison

254    tumult disturbance, insurrection/confused and violent emotion

259    maiden unblemished/virginal (a similarity continued in the idea of hymenal/murderous    blood)

262    motion suggestion/impulse

263    form appearance

264    rude exteriorly outwardly harsh-looking

268    Throw cast (as if water on the fire of their    rage)

269    tame submissive

272    imaginary imaginative/nonexistent    eyes of blood passionate, angry eyes/bloodshot eyes

274    closet private room

276    conjure entreat, ask earnestly

Act 4 Scene 3

 4.3 Location: England, a prison

    4    semblance appearance    quite totally

    5    venture risk

    7    shifts stratagems (possibly puns on the sense of “changes of clothing”)

    8    die…stay i.e., risk death by escaping than stay and face certain death

  11    him i.e., Lewis the dauphin    Saint Edmundsbury Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk

  12    safety best safeguard

  13    gentle courteous/noble

  16    private confidential talk

  17    general universal, all-embracing

  20    or ere before    we i.e., the English lords and Lew is

  21    distempered vexed, discontented

  22    straight straightaway

  23    dispossessed himself caused himself to lose possession, i.e., lost our support

  24    line supply a lining for, i.e., fortify    bestainèd marked with stains    cloak cover for his deeds

  25    attend the foot i.e., serve one

  29    griefs grievances, complaints    reason speak, debate (the Bastard shifts the sense to “good sense, rationality”)

  32    impatience anger    privilege freedom/advantage

  33    ’Tis…else refers to the proverbial saying “anger punishes itself”

  37    as as if

  38    lay it open reveal the deed openly

  39    he i.e., murder

  41    Sir Richard i.e., the Bastard    beheld…think i.e., ever encountered or imagined (anything like this)

  43    think wonder

  44    That    …see what you see in front of you/that your eyes are functioning correctly object sight (of Arthur’s body)

  46    crest heraldic device in the upper portion of a coat of arms (sense has shifted from “pinnacle”)

  47    arms coat of arms

  49    wall-eyed pale-eyed/squinting

  50    remorse pity

  51    excused pardoned    in i.e., in comparison to

  52    sole unique, unrivaled

  54    times the future

  56    Exampled compared with the precedent of    heinous infamous, wicked

  58    graceless ungodly/coarse    heavy oppressive/clumsy

  61    light foresight, indication

  63    practice plot

  66    breathless dead/inexpressible

  67    incense perfumed smoke/breath

  69    infected affected, stirred

  71    set added

  72    worship honor

  73    religiously solemnly/devoutly    confirm strengthen, support

  77    Avaunt be gone

  79    rob the law i.e., by taking the law into my own hands and killing you myself

  80    bright i.e., unused    up away

  81    murderer’s skin animal leather was the usual material used for sword scabbards

  85    tempt test    danger damage/peril    defence legal defense/self-defense in a fight

  86    marking paying sole attention to

  88    brave challenge, defy

  92    prove me so i.e., by making me kill you

  93    Yet so far    Whose tongue soe’er whoever’s tongue

  97    by aside    gall injure

100    spleen temper/spirit

101    betime at once

102    toasting-iron i.e., sword (contemptuous)

105    Second support/act as deputy to

110    date duration

112    rheum watery matter/tears

113    traded practiced

116    savours smells

119    inquire us out seek us

126    black traditionally the color of the devil

127    Prince Lucifer the rebel archangel who fell from heaven to hell, i.e., Satan, the devil

131    but nothing but

132    want’st lack    cord rope (to hang yourself)

134    rush reed

135    wouldst should you/if you wish to

138    stifle suffocate, drown

139    grievously strongly

142    embounded enclosed    clay i.e., Arthur’s flesh

143    want lack

146    amazed confused

148    take…up i.e., lift up Arthur’s body (playing on the sense of “cause the English nation to take up arms”)

152    scamble scramble, struggle, make shift    part tear apart

153    unowed interest portion not owned by a universally recognized king (plays on the financial senses of the words: the nobles do not owe the king allegiance, imagined as monetary interest to be fought over)

154    for on behalf of bare-picked…majesty sovereign authority that has been almost stripped bare of dignity and grandeur by being fought over like dogs with a bone

155    doggèd fierce/cruel/doglike    crest hackles/heraldic device on a coat of arms

157    powers armies    from away from    discontents discontented persons

158    line i.e., united purpose    confusion disaster/chaos/destruction

160    wrested pomp majesty seized by force

161    he is he    cincture belt

162    Hold out weather, endure

164    brief in hand will soon be underway/must be dealt with urgently

Act 5 Scene 1

 5.1 Location: England, the court of King John

    2    circle…glory i.e., my stately crown

    4    as holding of in tenure, leasehold from (i.e., John must recognize papal authority once more)

    8    inflamed consumed by fire

    9    counties shires/counts, i.e., noblemen

  11    love of soul deepest love

  12    stranger foreign

  13    inundation flood    mistempered humour anger, ill-temper/bodily imbalance

  14    Rests remains    only alone    qualified calmed

  16    present instant, taking immediate effect    ministered administered, given

  17    overthrow bodily collapse (with political connotations)

  19    usage treatment

  20    convertite convert/penitent

  22    blust’ring turbulent, stormy

  28    give off give up, hand over

  29    constraint compulsion

  34    hear listen to, take notice of

  37    doubtful fearful/untrustworthy

  45    droop look downcast

  48    motion movement

  49    stirring as active    the time i.e., current events

  50    outface defy    brow countenance

  51    bragging boastful/bullying    inferior eyes i.e., the king’s subjects

  52    borrow…from model their actions on

  55    god of war i.e., the Roman god Mars

  56    become grace/come to    field battlefield

  60    forage overrun (an area)/ pillage

  62    nigh near

  64    happy fortunate, opportune

  67    inglorious shameful

  68    upon…land standing on our own soil/because land is being paced by foreign soldiers

  69    fair-play honorable, lacking cunning

  70    Insinuation suggestions, attempts to gain favor    base dishonorable, cowardly

  72    cockered pampered    silken effeminate/luxurious/clothed in silk    wanton spoiled child    brave challenge

  73    flesh initiate (in warfare)/plunge in (as one would a weapon into flesh)

  74    colours battle flags    idly foolishly/frivolously

  75    check resistance

  78    purpose intention, plan

  79    ordering management

  81    prouder superior/more arrogant

Act 5 Scene 2

 5.2 Location: England, the French camp

    3    precedent original (copy)

    4    fair just/neatly written    order agreement

    6    took the sacrament received communion (a way of confirming the sacredness of vows)

    7    faiths pledges

    9    albeit although

  12    sore of time wound of the present

  13    contemned despised, contemptible

  14    canker ulcer/corruption

  16    metal i.e., sword

  18    rescue and defence rescue of England from John/defense of England against the French

  19    Cries out upon appeals to/rejects

  21    physic cure

  22    deal but proceed in any way other than

  23    confusèd disastrous, disorderly

  27    step after march behind, support    stranger foreigner

  30    spot place/blemish, moral stain

  31    grace honor, support

  32    unacquainted unfamiliar

  33    remove move, depart

  34    Neptune Roman god of the sea    clippeth embrace

  35    bear carry

  36    grapple bind, attach    pagan…league i.e., the English and French might unite against a common non-Christian enemy

  39    spend…unneighbourly waste it in such an unneighborly manner

  40    temper disposition

  41    affections emotions, loyalties

  42    earthquake i.e., tumult

  44    compulsion necessity (of opposing John)    brave respect noble regard (for your country)

  45    dew i.e., tears

  48    ordinary commonplace, everyday

  52    vaulty arched roof

  53    Figured adorned

  55    heave bear

  56    Commend commit, entrust    those baby eyes i.e., babies

  59    blood liveliness

  62    nobles may play on the sense of “gold coins”

  63    knit join    sinews muscles, i.e., strength

  64    even…spake i.e., in this heaven supports us/I see already that the promise of financial reward will secure your support (alternatively, some editors speculate that the reference is to a trumpet signaling Pandulph’s arrival)    angel gold coin/heavenly being

  65    apace quickly

  71    come in become reconciled, returned

  73    see bishopric/seat of a bishop in his church

  74    wind up furl

  76    fostered…hand brought up by hand

  78    show appearance

  79    back go back

  80    propertied treated as an object

  81    secondary at control second in command, deputy

  89    right justice/a rightful claim

  90    Acquainted me with introduced me to, made me aware of    interest valid claim

  98    penny…borne expense has Rome sustained

100    underprop support

101    charge expense

102    liable subject

105    ‘Vive le roi’ “Long live the king” (French; also a phrase in playing    cards)    banked besieged (within banks of fortifications)/captured, confined/skirted around (“bank” may also be a cardplaying term, perhaps meaning “to secure as a winning” or “a card-player’s stake”)

107    match game, contest (may play on the sense of “marriage” given Lewis’s union with Blanche) crown royal crown/coin, i.e., bet at cards

108    set series of games (won at cards)

113    ample complete, great

114    drew gathered    head army

115    culled selected

116    outlook overcome/outstare

118    lusty vigorous

119    According to in accordance with

120    have audience be heard

122    dealt for him proceeded on his behalf

123    scope extent

124    warrant authority    limited designated, permitted

125    wilful-opposite stubbornly hostile

126    temporize negotiate

131    reason with good reason

132    apish apelike, foolish    unmannerly inappropriate, impolite (puns on “unmanly”—i.e., cowardly/not like a human)

133    harnessed armored    masque courtly entertainment involving dancing and elaborate costumes    unadvisèd ill-considered

134    unheard unheard of, extraordinary (plays on the literal sense as King John is not present, though he responds through the Bastard; some editors emend to “unhaired”—i.e., boyishly beardless)

136    whip i.e., drive    pigmy very small

139    take the hatch leap over the lower half of the door, i.e., retreat hastily

141    litter animal straw    planks floors

142    pawns goods pledged in exchange for a loan of money

143    hug i.e., curl up

144    vaults cellars/tombs    thrill tremble

145    crow cockerel, the French national symbol

150    eyrie nest/brood

151    souse swoop down on

152    revolts rebels

153    Neroes the Roman emperor Nero was supposed to have torn open his mother’s womb after killing her

156    Amazons race of warrior women    tripping moving quickly and lightly

157    gauntlets armored gloves

160    brave challenge    turn thy face i.e., retreat

161    outscold outdo us in scolding/have more quarrelsome women than we

163    brabbler brawler/quarrelsome faultfinder

166    attend listen

172    ready braced prepared, with the skin tightened

175    welkin sky

177    halting hesitating

178    sport amusement

179    forehead countenance

180    bare-ribbed skeletal    office duty, task

183    find discover/suffer, experience

Act 5 Scene 3

 5.3 Location: England, the battlefield    Alarums battle calls

    8    Swinstead actually Swineshead, Lincolnshire

    9    supply reinforcements

  11    Goodwin Sands dangerous sandbanks off the coast of Kent

  12    Richard i.e., the Bastard

  13    coldly unenthusiastically    retire themselves retreat

  16    litter bed for the transport of the sick or wounded

Act 5 Scene 4

    1    stored well supplied

    2    Up once again i.e., onward, back to battle

    3    miscarry fail

    4    misbegotten wrongfully conceived

    5    In…spite despite everything

    6    sore grievously

    7    revolts rebels

  11    Fly flee    bought and sold betrayed

  12    Unthread withdraw (like thread from a needle)    eye needle’s eye

  16    He i.e., Lewis, the French dauphin

  24    quantity small amount

  26    Resolveth dissolves, melts    his figure its    shape

  28    use practice/benefit

  30    hence from now on/in the next world

  32    forsworn perjured

  35    smokes grows misty/moves like smoke

  38    fine penalty    rated assessed/rebuked

  39    fine ending/penalty

  42    respect factor

  45    lieu exchange, payment    whereof of which

  46    rumour tumult, noise

  47    remnant remainder

  50    beshrew curse

  51    favour appearance/face/benevolence    form appearance/outcome

  53    untread retrace

  54    bated diminished

  55    rankness swelling, excess (plays on the sense of “vileness”)

  56    bounds limits, boundaries

  61    Right clearly    New flight i.e., toward King John

  62    happy fortunate    old right i.e., loyalty to King John

Act 5 Scene 5

 5.5 Location: England, the French camp    train retinue

    1    loath reluctant

    2    welkin sky

    3    measure travel (over)

    4    faint retire weak retreat    bravely splendidly    came we off we left the field of combat

    5    needless superfluous, unnecessary

    7    tott’ring waving/tattered (from the battle)

  12    are…off have once again withdrawn their allegiance

  15    shrewd harsh

  19    stumbling i.e., causing the men to stumble

  21    quarter watch

  23    adventure fortune/hazard

Act 5 Scene 6

 5.6 Location: England, not far from Swinstead Abbey    severally separately

    3    Of the part on the side

    8    perfect accurate

    9    upon all hazards whatever the risks

  14    come…of am descended from (via one of my parents)

  15    Unkind remembrance! Unnatural memory! (Hubert addresses his own memory;    unkind may play on the sense of “lacking proper kinship”)

  17    accent utterance/way of speaking    breaking coming

  18    scape escape, elude

  19    sans    compliment without ceremony    abroad at large, out there

  21    find you out find you

  22    Brief be brief

  25    very wound most painful part, worst

  28    broke out rushed out, left

  30    to for    sudden time unexpected events, emergency

  31    at leisure later, without urgency

  32    taste act as taster (i.e., person who ate some of the king’s food to see whether it was poisoned)

  34    bowels intestines

  35    Yet still    peradventure perhaps, by chance

  38    Prince Henry John’s son, the future Henry III, who ruled 1216–72

  42    bear…power endure more than we are able to

  43    power army

  44    Passing passing over    flats sandbanks

  45    Lincoln Washes sandbanks in Lincolnshire

  46    hardly barely/with difficulty

  47    Away before lead on, go ahead

  48    doubt fear    or ere before

Act 5 Scene 7

 5.7 Location: England, the garden of Swinstead Abbey

    2    touched tainted/endangered    corruptibly in a manner causing decay    pure clear, lucid

    4    idle nonsensical

    9    fell cruel/fierce

  10    orchard garden

  11    rage rave

  14    vanity absurdity

  15    not feel themselves be unaware/become unaware of physical pain

  17    invisible invisibly

  19    legions multitudes/armies

  20    hold stronghold (i.e., the mind)

  21    Confound destroy, defeat/confuse

  22    cygnet young swan, i.e., Prince Henry, the dying John’s youthful son    swan the swan was thought to sing only once, just before it died

  27    indigest shapeless mass/confused situation

  28    rude undefined, rough, disordered

  29    elbow-room i.e., enough space

  33    scribbled form indistinctly drawn shape/hasty sketch

  37    fare food (plays on the sense of the verb—i.e., “to do”)    forsook rejected, abandoned

  39    maw throat/stomach

  41    north north wind

  44    cold comfort comforting coolness/no comfort    strait severe/stingy (“straight” in Folio)

  45    ingrateful ungrateful

  46    virtue power/remedy

  52    motion urge

  53    spleen eagerness

  54    set close (after death)

  55    tackle rigging and sails

  56    shrouds ship’s ropes (plays on the sense of “burial sheet”)

  58    string heartstring/rope    stay support/anchor

  60    clod lump of earth

  61    module model, image    confounded destroyed

  62    preparing hitherward on his way here/preparing to come here

  63    heaven he probably originally “God he,” altered because of 1606 Parliamentary “Act to restrain the Abuses of Players,” which sought to put an end to blasphemous language on the stage

  65    upon i.e., to gain (tactical)    remove move, change the position of

  67    flood rushing water/tide

  68    dead deadly/grave

  69    But just    thus i.e., dead

  70    Even so in the same way

  71    stay support

  75    wait on escort

  76    still always

  77    right spheres proper orbits

  82    Straight at once

  88    respect self-respect

  89    presently immediately

  90    rather sooner

  91    sinewèd strengthened

  93    carriages gun carriages (i.e., supports for artillery)

  95    disposing management

  97    meet fitting    post hasten

  98    consummate conclude

100    princes nobles

101    wait upon attend, serve in

105    happily with good fortune

106    lineal state i.e., rightfully inherited kingship

108    bequeath give

110    like tender same offer

111    rest remain    spot blot

114    but ambiguous here since it can mean both “only” and “not merely”    needful woe necessary mourning

115    beforehand in credit, had more than enough (financial term)

118    But except

120    three corners i.e., all other parts

121    shock repel with force rue grieve

122    rest remain

THE LIFE AND DEATH OF KING RICHARD THE SECOND

How do we measure the worth of our rulers? By the justice of their claim to power or the quality of their actions at the helm of state? King Richard II has wasted public funds and is under the influence of self-serving flatterers. He has arranged the murder of his uncle, Thomas of Woodstock, a plain-speaking elder statesman who has resisted Richard’s misrule. Yet he is the rightful king, anointed by God. In the central scene of Shakespeare’s play, the king is forced to participate in a ceremony in which he formally removes himself from the throne. Deposition was a matter so sensitive that this scene was censored out of the early printed editions of the play, so resonant that the Earl of Essex and his fellow conspirators commissioned Shakespeare’s acting company to put on a special performance of Richard II on the eve of their rebellion against Queen Elizabeth. Their intention must have been to use the theater as a way of preparing the people of London for their challenge to the monarch.

After the failure of their march on the palace, one of Essex’s men, Sir Gilly Meyrick, was sentenced to death for, among other things, commissioning this performance. Shakespeare’s company managed to persuade the Star Chamber that they had only undertaken the performance for the sake of an extra fee and that they had no involvement in the real-life plot. They escaped with a reprimand. Though Shakespeare’s sometime patron the Earl of Southampton marched with Essex, it would be foolhardy to infer the dramatist’s own loyalties from this incident. To judge from the choices he made in dramatizing his historical source materials, he seems to have been more interested in the human story of Richard’s fall than the politics of rebellion.

It is likely that the Essex faction commissioned the special performance not so much for its actual content—we cannot be sure that the deposition was actually staged at this time in the play’s life—as for the broad association between the rise of Henry Bullingbrook and the career of the charismatic earl. Essex’s men were probably remembering a book originally dedicated to their master, Sir John Hayward’s The First Part of the Life and Reign of King Henry IV. Published in 1599, it had caused much controversy as a result of its detailed treatment of Richard’s removal from the throne. The play must, nevertheless, have been very attractive to Essex and his followers, not only because it seemed to give good reasons for taking action against an ineffective, vacillating monarch, but also because it appeared to lament the decline of chivalric England. One of Essex’s chief strategies during his rise to prominence at court in the 1590s was to portray himself as a hero from a nobler age that had gone. He invoked the code of “honor” and made himself synonymous with such displays as the Accession Day tilts, in which courtiers would joust like knights of old.

The beginning of the play, so redolent of the medieval “rites of knighthood,” would have been very much to Essex’s taste. Mowbray and Bullingbrook throw down their gages and prepare for single combat with sword and lance. They are concerned above all with “spotless reputation”: “Mine honour is my life; both grow in one,” says Mowbray, “Take honour from me, and my life is done.” Honor is seen as the hallmark of the “trueborn Englishman.” The feuding dukes regard themselves as true patriots, appealing to “English earth” and lamenting that in exile they must forgo their “native English” language. Richard’s native language, by contrast, was French (which was also the nationality of his wife) and his court is implicitly seen as a place of French affectation. King Richard stands accused of wasting the patrimony of the English nation. He has been fleeced by his flatterers and costly Irish wars have required him to “lease out” the land. Given that Queen Elizabeth’s exchequer was also heavily overdrawn as a result of the Irish problem, Shakespeare was probably being diplomatic as well as practical in not attempting to stage Richard’s military campaign in Ireland, which is described at great length in his source, Holinshed’s Chronicles. The focus remains firmly on the English land, imagined metaphorically as a sea-walled garden “full of weeds, her fairest flowers choked up.” Within two years of the play appearing in print, John of Gaunt’s “this sceptred isle” speech was ripped from its context and included in an anthology called England’s Parnassus as an exemplar of patriotic writing. It appears there as an unfinished sentence, lacking the sting in the tail: “this England…Is now leased out…That England, that was wont to conquer others, / Hath made a shameful conquest of itself.” True patriotism, the original context reveals, involves fierce criticism of bad government as well as rhetorical praise of the land.

But if the bad governor is sacredly endowed as God’s anointed deputy on earth, then is it permissible to remove him, even in the name of England and “true chivalry”? If the king is synonymous with the law, then to turn the law against him may seem a contradiction in terms, as the Bishop of Carlisle recognizes: “What subject can give sentence on his king?” The monarch was traditionally imagined to have two bodies: as body politic, the king was incarnation of the nation; as body natural, he was a mortal like anyone else. This was what made possible the paradoxical words “The king is dead, long live the king.” When Richard stages his own unthroning, he inverts the words of the coronation service, shatters a mirror, and gives up one of his two bodies.

What is left for the private self when the public persona is stripped away? Without “honor,” according to the contentious dukes, “Men are but gilded loam or painted clay.” But what would a king be without his crown, without a name, and a title? Once Richard has broken the mirror, he turns from his image to his inner self. Whereas monarchy depends on exterior show, inwardness is explored through the medium of words. Richard is by far the most inward-looking of Shakespeare’s kings. By focusing on the individual consciousness, considering Richard’s fate in psychological terms, Shakespeare neatly sidesteps the alarmingly destabilizing political consequences of the moment when a subject gives sentence on a king. “I had forgot myself. Am I not king?” In the very act of asking this question, Richard reveals that the answer is “no”: since a king has two bodies, he has the right to speak in the royal “we,” but here Richard is no more than an “I.” In speaking of himself he veers between “I,” “we,” and “he” (“What must the king do now? Must he submit?”). Inconsistent pronouns are the surest sign of the instability of his self.

Soliloquy and rhetorical elaboration are forms of self-dramatization. Richard sustains himself through a bravura linguistic performance: “Let’s talk of graves…” He makes himself the object of his subjective musings: “Must he lose the name of king?” He watches himself losing his grip on his role: “Ay, no; no, ay, for I must nothing be.” And he becomes more and more aware that to be is also to act, that we are all role-players: “Thus play I in one prison many people, / And none contented” (“one prison” is the Folio text’s interesting variant on the original Quarto’s “one person”—“prison” nicely suggests both Richard’s confined location and the traditional idea of the body as prison of the soul, which is then released to eternity in death). He leaves the stage in the manner of “a well-graced actor.”

Though the Folio text is titled The Life and Death of King Richard the Second, the earlier Quarto edition was called The Tragedy of King Richard the Second. The structure of the drama answers to a very traditional idea of tragedy as a story in which a powerful figure falls from earthly prosperity and in so doing rises to greatness of soul. Pity for Richard is the prevailing tragic emotion in the closing scenes. “It seems to be the design of the poet to raise Richard to esteem in his fall, and consequently to interest the reader in his favour,” wrote Dr. Johnson. Note “the reader” there, not the spectator—this is a play that has been more admired on page than stage. Johnson continues: “He gives him only passive fortitude, the virtue of a confessor, rather than of a king. In his prosperity we saw him imperious and oppressive; but in his distress he is wise, patient, and pious.”

By concentrating on the inner life of Richard, Shakespeare diminishes some of the major elements of the play that was his structural model, Christopher Marlowe’s Edward II. The flatterers Bushy, Bagot, and Green are given very small roles and the exclusion of the queen from the king’s affections is not fully developed. In Marlowe’s dramatization of the fall of a weak king and the rise of his rival, the minions—first Gaveston and then Spencer—are central not only to the politics but also to the sexuality of the play. They are explicitly the king’s lovers. The abused queen becomes a lead player in the rebellion against the king. Shakespeare’s Richard by contrast seems too self-absorbed to be powerfully driven by sexual desire. Samuel Taylor Coleridge spoke intriguingly of the character’s feminine friendism, but that is not quite a euphemism for homoerotic feeling.

As the man who rises when Richard falls, Bullingbrook’s story remains unfinished. But Shakespeare anticipates the civil war that will wrack his reign. The role of Northumberland, who cooperates with Bullingbrook but will eventually turn against him, is greatly expanded from its seed in Holinshed’s Chronicles. Richard delivers a prophecy that “The time shall not be many hours of age / More than it is ere foul sin, gathering head, / Shall break into corruption” and predicts rightly that Northumberland will seek to pluck King Henry IV from his usurped throne. As he wrote these words, Shakespeare must have been thinking of how he was going to continue the story in another play.

KEY FACTS

PLOT: In the presence of King Richard, Henry Bullingbrook accuses Thomas Mowbray of embezzling crown funds and of plotting the death of his uncle, the Duke of Gloucester. They will not be reconciled and are about to fight, but Richard stops the combat before it can begin. Bullingbrook is exiled for ten years (later reduced to six); Mowbray is exiled for life. John of Gaunt (Duke of Lancaster, uncle to the king and father to Bullingbrook) dies after accusing Richard of improper government. Richard orders the seizure of Gaunt’s property, thus denying Bullingbrook his inheritance. He then departs for Ireland, appointing his other uncle York to govern in his absence. Northumberland reveals that Bullingbrook has returned to England with an army. Bullingbrook persuades his uncle York that he has returned for his rightful inheritance, not to start a rebellion against the crown. Richard returns from Ireland to discover that his Welsh troops have deserted him, that York has allied himself with Bullingbrook, and that the common people are rising against him. Bullingbrook and his supporters meet with Richard. Bullingbrook promises to surrender his arms if his banishment is repealed and his inheritance restored. Richard agrees to his demands. Richard’s cousin Aumerle is accused of murdering the Duke of Gloucester. Bullingbrook arrests everyone involved in the allegations. Richard agrees to abdicate. Bullingbrook announces his coronation. A plot is hatched to restore Richard to the throne. York discovers that his son Aumerle is involved in a plot to kill Bullingbrook. Aumerle confesses to Bullingbrook, and is pardoned. Richard is killed while imprisoned in Pomfret Castle. Bullingbrook receives news of his supporters’ efforts to defeat his detractors. Exton presents Richard’s body to Bullingbrook, only to be rewarded with banishment. Bullingbrook promises to undertake a pilgrimage to expiate his sins.

MAJOR PARTS: (with percentage of lines/number of speeches/scenes on stage) King Richard II (27%/98/9), Henry Bullingbrook (15%/90/8), Duke of York (10%/54/8), John of Gaunt (7%/28/4), Northumberland (5%/38/6), Mowbray (5%/13/2), Queen (4%/25/4), Aumerle (3%/38/7), Duchess of York (3%/28/2), Bishop of Carlisle (2%/6/2), Duchess of Gloucester (2%/4/1), Gardener (2%/6/1).

LINGUISTIC MEDIUM: 100% verse, with high proportion of rhyme.

DATE: 1595–96. Registered for publication August 1597. Written after Samuel Daniel’s First Four Books of the Civil Wars (registered October 1594, apparently published 1595); perhaps postdates renowned Accession Day tilts of November 1595. Described in February 1601 as “old and long out of use.”

SOURCES: primary source is the account of the last two years of Richard’s reign in Raphael Holinshed’s Chronicles (1587 edition), supplemented—especially for various details in the final act—by Samuel Daniel’s First Four Books of the Civil Wars between the two Houses of Lancaster and York (1594–95). Christopher Marlowe’s Edward II (1592?) was a major dramatic influence, both structurally (the fall of a weak king and the rise of his rival) and thematically (flatterers, Irish wars, a marginalized queen). Some scholars also detect the influence of the anonymous chronicle play of Woodstock: as well as verbal parallels, there are resemblances between Shakespeare’s John of Gaunt and this play’s Thomas of Woodstock, Duke of Gloucester, but recent scholarship suggests that Shakespeare’s play precedes Woodstock, not vice versa. The garden scene is apparently without source, though the comparison between a disordered state and an overgrown garden was traditional.

TEXT: First printed in Quarto in 1597, with text deriving from Shakespeare’s working manuscript or a transcription of it; the deposition scene was, however, omitted for reasons of censorship. The First Quarto was reprinted several times (Second and Third Quartos, 1598; Fourth Quarto, 1608; Fifth Quarto, 1615). These later Quartos correct a few obvious errors in the First Quarto, but introduce many misprints. The Second Quarto was one of the first printed play texts to include Shakespeare’s name on the title page. The Fourth Quarto printed the deposition sequence for the first time, but in a defective text. The Folio text seems to have been printed from the Third Quarto (though a few editors argue that it was based on either the Fifth Quarto or a defective copy of the Third Quarto with the missing final leaves made up from the Fifth Quarto), but the Folio editor also consulted a manuscript closely related to theatrical production, perhaps the company “playbook.” The Folio restored many First Quarto readings that had been corrupted in later Quartos, printed a good text of the deposition scene for the first time, added and systematized stage directions, made some alterations to staging for the sake of clarification, introduced act divisions, replaced “God” with “heaven” in accordance with the 1606 Act to restrain Abuses, made a few verbal alterations, and omitted about fifty lines (these mostly seem to be deliberate theatrical cuts, though a clutch of individual lines might have been dropped inadvertently). Most modern editions are based on the First Quarto, with the deposition scene, stage directions, and many individual readings taken from the Folio. Our text resists this sort of conflation and is based on Folio, with the correction of manifest printers’ errors. The Quarto-only passages are given at the end of the play.

GENEALOGY: See this page.

THE LIFE AND DEATH OF KING RICHARD THE SECOND

KING RICHARD II of England

QUEEN, Richard’s wife

JOHN OF GAUNT, Duke of Lancaster, Richard’s uncle

HENRY BULLINGBROOK, Duke of Hereford, John of Gaunt’s son, later King Henry IV

DUKE OF YORK, Edmund of Langley, Richard’s uncle

DUCHESS OF YORK, his wife

DUKE OF AUMERLE, their son and Earl of Rutland

DUCHESS OF GLOUCESTER, widow of Thomas of Woodstock, Duke of Gloucester (Richard’s uncle)

THOMAS MOWBRAY, Duke of Norfolk

EARL OF SALISBURY

DUKE OF SURREY

LORD BERKELEY

BISHOP OF CARLISLE

ABBOT OF WESTMINSTER

SIR STEPHEN SCROOP

BUSHY

BAGOT

GREEN

EARL OF NORTHUMBERLAND

HARRY PERCY, Northumberland’s son

LORD ROSS

LORD WILLOUGHBY

LORD FITZWATERS

SIR PIERS OF EXTON

LORD

LORD MARSHAL

TWO HERALDS

CAPTAIN of the Welsh army

TWO LADIES attending the Queen

GARDENER

SERVANT to the Gardener

SERVANT to York

KEEPER of the prison at Pomfret Castle

TWO SERVANTS to Exton

GROOM of Richard’s stable

Various Soldiers, Attendants, Lords

Act 1 Scene 11.1

running scene 1

       Enter King Richard, John of Gaunt, with other Nobles and Attendants

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Old John of Gaunt, time-honoured Lancaster,

               Hast thou² according to thy oath and band

               Brought hither Henry Hereford³ thy bold son,

               Here to make good the boist’rous⁴ late appeal,

5

5             Which then our⁵ leisure would not let us hear,

               Against the Duke of Norfolk, Thomas Mowbray?

GAUNT

GAUNT     I have, my liege.⁷

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Tell me, moreover, hast thou sounded⁸ him,

               If he appeal the duke on ancient⁹ malice,

10

10           Or worthily, as a good subject should,

               On some known ground¹¹ of treachery in him?

GAUNT

GAUNT     As near as I could sift¹² him on that argument,

               On some apparent¹³ danger seen in him

               Aimed at your highness, no inveterate¹⁴ malice.

15

15   

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Then call them to our presence.

               [Exit an Attendant]

Face to face,

               And frowning brow to brow, ourselves will hear

               Th’accuser and the accusèd freely speak;

               High-stomached¹⁸ are they both, and full of ire,

               In rage deaf as the sea, hasty as fire.

       Enter Bullingbrook and Mowbray

20

20   

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK Many years of happy days befall

               My gracious²¹ sovereign, my most loving liege!

MOWBRAY

MOWBRAY     Each day still²² better other’s happiness

               Until the heavens, envying earth’s good hap,²³

               Add an immortal title²⁴ to your crown!

25

25   

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD We thank you both. Yet one but²⁵ flatters us,

               As well appeareth²⁶ by the cause you come,

               Namely, to appeal²⁷ each other of high treason.

               Cousin of Hereford, what dost thou object²⁸

               Against the Duke of Norfolk, Thomas Mowbray?

30

30   

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK First, heaven be the record³⁰ to my speech!

               In the devotion of a subject’s love,

               Tend’ring³² the precious safety of my prince,

               And free from other misbegotten³³ hate,

               Come I appellant³⁴ to this princely presence.

35

35           Now, Thomas Mowbray, do I turn to thee,

               And mark³⁶ my greeting well, for what I speak

               My body shall make good upon this earth,

               Or my divine soul answer³⁸ it in heaven.

               Thou art a traitor and a miscreant;³⁹

40

40           Too good⁴⁰ to be so and too bad to live,

               Since the more fair and crystal⁴¹ is the sky,

               The uglier seem the clouds that in it fly.

               Once more, the more to aggravate⁴³ the note,

               With a foul traitor’s name stuff I thy throat;

45

45           And wish — so please my sovereign — ere⁴⁵ I move,

               What my tongue speaks my right⁴⁶ drawn sword may prove.

MOWBRAY

MOWBRAY     Let not my cold⁴⁷ words here accuse my zeal:

               ’Tis not the trial⁴⁸ of a woman’s war,

               The bitter clamour of two eager⁴⁹ tongues,

50

50           Can arbitrate⁵⁰ this cause betwixt us twain.

               The blood⁵¹ is hot that must be cooled for this.

               Yet can I not of such tame patience boast

               As to be hushed and nought at all to say.

               First, the fair reverence of⁵⁴ your highness curbs me

55

55           From giving reins and spurs to my free speech,

               Which else⁵⁶ would post until it had returned

               These terms of treason doubly down his throat.

               Setting⁵⁸ aside his high blood’s royalty,

               And let⁵⁹ him be no kinsman to my liege,

60

60           I do defy⁶⁰ him, and I spit at him,

               Call him a slanderous coward and a villain,

               Which to maintain I would allow him odds,⁶²

               And meet⁶³ him, were I tied to run afoot

               Even to the frozen ridges of the Alps,

65

65           Or any other ground inhabitable⁶⁵

               Wherever Englishman durst⁶⁶ set his foot.

               Meantime, let this⁶⁷ defend my loyalty:

               By all my hopes most falsely doth he lie.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK  Pale trembling coward, there I throw my gage,⁶⁹ Throws down his gage

70

70           Disclaiming here the kindred of a king,

               And lay aside my high blood’s royalty,

               Which fear, not reverence, makes thee to except.⁷²

               If guilty dread hath left thee so much strength

               As to take up mine honour’s pawn,⁷⁴ then stoop.

75

75           By that and all the rites of knighthood else,

               Will I make good⁷⁶ against thee, arm to arm,

               What I have spoken, or thou canst devise.⁷⁷

MOWBRAY

MOWBRAY     I take it up, and by that sword I swear Takes up gage

               Which gently⁷⁹ laid my knighthood on my shoulder,

80

80           I’ll answer thee in⁸⁰ any fair degree,

               Or chivalrous design of knightly trial:

               And when I mount, alive may I not light,⁸²

               If I be traitor or unjustly⁸³ fight!

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD What doth our cousin lay⁸⁴ to Mowbray’s charge?

85

85           It must be great that can inherit us⁸⁵

               So much as of a thought of ill in him.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK  Look⁸⁷ what I said: my life shall prove it true,

               That Mowbray hath received eight thousand nobles⁸⁸

               In name of lendings⁸⁹ for your highness’ soldiers,

90

90           The which he hath detained for lewd⁹⁰ employments,

               Like a false traitor and injurious⁹¹ villain.

               Besides I say, and will in battle prove,

               Or⁹³ here or elsewhere to the furthest verge

               That ever was surveyed by English eye,

95

95           That all the treasons for these eighteen years

               Complotted⁹⁶ and contrivèd in this land

               Fetched⁹⁷ from false Mowbray their first head and spring.

               Further I say, and further will maintain

               Upon his bad life to make all this good,

100

100         That he did plot the Duke of Gloucester’s¹⁰⁰ death,

               Suggest¹⁰¹ his soon-believing adversaries,

               And consequently, like a traitor coward,

               Sluiced out¹⁰³ his innocent soul through streams of blood:

               Which blood, like sacrificing¹⁰⁴ Abel’s, cries

105

105         Even from the tongueless caverns of the earth

               To me for justice and rough chastisement.¹⁰⁶

               And by the glorious worth of my descent,

               This arm shall do it, or this life be spent.

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD How high a pitch¹⁰⁹ his resolution soars!

110

110         Thomas of Norfolk, what sayest thou to this?

MOWBRAY

MOWBRAY     O, let my sovereign turn away his face

               And bid his ears a little while be deaf,

               Till I have told this slander of¹¹³ his blood,

               How God and good men hate so foul a liar.

115

115 

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Mowbray, impartial are our eyes and ears.

               Were he my brother, nay, our kingdom’s heir,

               As he is but my father’s brother’s son,

               Now, by my sceptre’s awe,¹¹⁸ I make a vow,

               Such neighbour¹¹⁹ nearness to our sacred blood

120

120         Should nothing privilege him, nor partialize¹²⁰

               The unstooping firmness of my upright soul.

               He is our subject, Mowbray, so art thou.

               Free speech and fearless I to thee allow.

MOWBRAY

MOWBRAY     Then, Bullingbrook, as low as to thy heart,

125

125         Through the false passage of thy throat, thou liest.

               Three parts of that receipt¹²⁶ I had for Calais

               Disbursed I duly to his highness’ soldiers;

               The other part reserved I by consent,

               For that my sovereign liege was in my debt

130

130         Upon¹³⁰ remainder of a dear account,

               Since last I went to France to fetch¹³¹ his queen.

               Now swallow down that lie. For Gloucester’s death,

               I slew him not; but to mine own disgrace

               Neglected my sworn duty in that case.

135

135         For you, my noble lord of Lancaster,¹³⁵

               The honourable father to my foe,

               Once I did lay an ambush for your life —

               A trespass¹³⁸ that doth vex my grievèd soul.

               But ere I last received the sacrament

140

140         I did confess it, and exactly¹⁴⁰ begged

               Your grace’s pardon, and I hope I had it.

               This is my fault. As for the rest appealed,¹⁴²

               It issues from the rancour of a villain,

               A recreant¹⁴⁴ and most degenerate traitor

145

145         Which¹⁴⁵ in myself I boldly will defend,

               And interchangeably¹⁴⁶ hurl down my gage Throws down his gage

               Upon this overweening¹⁴⁷ traitor’s foot,

               To prove myself a loyal gentleman

               Even in¹⁴⁹ the best blood chambered in his bosom.

150

150         In haste whereof,¹⁵⁰ most heartily I pray

               Your highness to assign our trial day.

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Wrath-kindled gentlemen, be ruled by me:

               Let’s purge¹⁵³ this choler without letting blood.

               This we prescribe, though no physician:

155

155         Deep malice makes too deep incision.

               Forget, forgive, conclude¹⁵⁶ and be agreed:

               Our doctors¹⁵⁷ say this is no time to bleed.

               Good uncle, let this end where it begun:

               We’ll calm the Duke of Norfolk, you your son.

160

160 

GAUNT

GAUNT             To be a make-peace shall become¹⁶⁰ my age:

               Throw down, my son, the Duke of Norfolk’s gage.

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD And, Norfolk, throw down his.

GAUNT

GAUNT When, Harry, when?

               Obedience bids I should not bid again.

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Norfolk, throw down, we bid; there is no boot.¹⁶⁴

165

165 

MOWBRAY

MOWBRAY             Myself I throw, dread¹⁶⁵ sovereign, at thy foot. Kneels

               My life thou shalt command, but not my shame:

               The one my duty owes, but my fair name,¹⁶⁷

               Despite of death that lives upon my grave,

               To dark dishonour’s use thou shalt not have.

170

170         I am disgraced, impeached¹⁷⁰ and baffled here,

               Pierced to the soul with slander’s venomed spear,

               The which no balm¹⁷² can cure but his heart-blood

               Which breathed this poison.

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Rage must be withstood.

175

175         Give me his gage. Lions make leopards¹⁷⁵ tame.

MOWBRAY

MOWBRAY     Yea, but not change his spots.¹⁷⁶ Take but my shame,

               And I resign my gage. My dear dear lord,

               The purest treasure mortal times afford

               Is spotless reputation: that away,¹⁷⁹

180

180         Men are but gilded¹⁸⁰ loam or painted clay.

               A jewel in a ten-times-barred-up¹⁸¹ chest

               Is a bold spirit in a loyal breast.

               Mine honour is my life; both grow in one:¹⁸³

               Take honour from me, and my life is done.

185

185         Then, dear my liege, mine honour let me try.¹⁸⁵

               In that I live and for that will I die.

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Cousin, throw down your gage. Do you begin.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK O, heaven defend my soul from such foul sin!

               Shall I seem crest-fall’n¹⁸⁹ in my father’s sight?

190

190         Or with pale beggar-fear impeach my height¹⁹⁰

               Before this out-dared¹⁹¹ dastard? Ere my tongue

               Shall wound mine honour with such feeble wrong,

               Or sound so base a parle,¹⁹³ my teeth shall tear

               The slavish motive¹⁹⁴ of recanting fear,

195

195         And spit it bleeding in his¹⁹⁵ high disgrace,

               Where shame doth harbour,¹⁹⁶ even in Mowbray’s face.

       Exit Gaunt

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD We were not born to sue,¹⁹⁷ but to command,

               Which since we cannot do to make you friends,

               Be ready, as your lives shall answer it,

200

200         At Coventry upon Saint Lambert’s day:²⁰⁰

               There shall your swords and lances arbitrate

               The swelling²⁰² difference of your settled hate.

               Since we cannot atone²⁰³ you, we shall see

               Justice design²⁰⁴ the victor’s chivalry.

205

205         Lord Marshal, command our officers at arms

               Be ready to direct these home alarms.²⁰⁶

       Exeunt

Act 1 Scene 21.2

running scene 2

       Enter Gaunt and Duchess of Gloucester

GAUNT

GAUNT     Alas, the part¹ I had in Gloucester’s blood

               Doth more solicit² me than your exclaims,

               To stir³ against the butchers of his life.

               But since correction lieth in those hands⁴

5

5             Which made the fault that we cannot correct,

               Put we our quarrel to the will of heaven,

               Who, when they see the hours ripe on earth,

               Will rain hot vengeance on offenders’ heads.

DUCHESS

DUCHESS     Finds brotherhood in thee no sharper spur?

10

10           Hath love in thy old blood no living fire?

               Edward’s¹¹ seven sons, whereof thyself art one,

               Were as seven vials of his sacred blood,

               Or seven fair branches springing from one root:

               Some of those seven are dried by nature’s course,

15

15           Some of those branches by the Destinies¹⁵ cut.

               But Thomas, my dear lord, my life, my Gloucester,

               One vial full of Edward’s sacred blood,

               One flourishing branch of his most royal root,

               Is cracked, and all the precious liquor¹⁹ spilt,

20

20           Is hacked down, and his summer leaves all faded,

               By envy’s²¹ hand and murder’s bloody axe.

               Ah, Gaunt, his blood was thine! That bed, that womb,

               That metal,²³ that self-mould that fashioned thee

               Made him a man. And though thou liv’st and breath’st,

25

25           Yet art thou slain in him. Thou dost consent²⁵

               In some large measure to thy father’s death,

               In that thou see’st thy wretched brother die,

               Who was the model²⁸ of thy father’s life.

               Call it not patience, Gaunt, it is despair.

30

30           In suff’ring³⁰ thus thy brother to be slaughtered,

               Thou show’st the naked³¹ pathway to thy life,

               Teaching stern murder how to butcher thee.

               That which in mean³³ men we entitle patience

               Is pale cold cowardice in noble breasts.

35

35           What shall I say? To safeguard thine own life,

               The best way is to venge³⁶ my Gloucester’s death.

GAUNT

GAUNT     Heaven’s³⁷ is the quarrel, for heaven’s substitute,

               His deputy anointed³⁸ in his sight,

               Hath caused his death, the which if wrongfully,

40

40           Let heaven revenge, for I may never lift

               An angry arm against his minister.

DUCHESS

DUCHESS     Where then, alas, may I complaint myself?⁴²

GAUNT

GAUNT     To heaven, the widow’s champion⁴³ to defence.

DUCHESS

DUCHESS     Why, then, I will. Farewell, old Gaunt.

45

45           Thou go’st to Coventry, there to behold

               Our cousin⁴⁶ Hereford and fell Mowbray fight.

               O, sit my husband’s wrongs on Hereford’s spear,

               That it may enter butcher Mowbray’s breast!

               Or if misfortune miss the first career,⁴⁹

50

50           Be Mowbray’s sins so heavy in his bosom,

               That they may break his foaming courser’s⁵¹ back,

               And throw the rider headlong in the lists,⁵²

               A caitiff⁵³ recreant to my cousin Hereford!

               Farewell, old Gaunt: thy sometimes⁵⁴ brother’s wife

55

55           With her companion grief must end her life.

GAUNT

GAUNT     Sister, farewell. I must to Coventry.

               As much good stay with thee as go with me!

DUCHESS

DUCHESS     Yet one word more: grief boundeth⁵⁸ where it falls,

               Not with the empty hollowness, but weight.

60

60           I take my leave before I have begun,

               For sorrow ends not when it seemeth done.

               Commend me to my brother,⁶² Edmund York.

               Lo,⁶³ this is all. Nay, yet depart not so:

               Though this be all, do not so quickly go.

65

65           I shall remember more. Bid him — O, what? —

               With all good speed at Plashy⁶⁶ visit me.

               Alack, and what shall good old York there see

               But empty lodgings and unfurnished walls,

               Unpeopled offices,⁶⁹ untrodden stones?

70

70           And what hear there for welcome but my groans?

               Therefore commend me, let him not come there

               To seek out sorrow that dwells everywhere.

               Desolate, desolate, will I hence and die:

               The last leave of thee takes my weeping eye.

       Exeunt

Act 1 Scene 31.3

running scene 3

       Enter [the Lord] Marshal and Aumerle

LORD MARSHAL

LORD MARSHAL My Lord Aumerle, is Harry Hereford armed?

AUMERLE

AUMERLE     Yea, at all points,² and longs to enter in.

LORD MARSHAL

LORD MARSHAL The Duke of Norfolk, sprightfully³ and bold,

               Stays⁴ but the summons of the appellant’s trumpet.

5

5     

AUMERLE

AUMERLE           Why, then, the champions⁵ are prepared, and stay

               For nothing but his majesty’s approach.

       Flourish. Enter King, Gaunt, Bushy, Bagot, Green and others. [When they are set,] then

       Mowbray in armour and [a] Herald

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Marshal, demand⁷ of yonder champion

               The cause of his arrival here in arms.

               Ask him his name and orderly⁹ proceed

10

10           To swear him in the justice of his cause.

LORD MARSHAL

LORD MARSHAL In God’s name and the king’s, say who thou art

               And why thou com’st thus knightly clad in arms,

                Against what man thou com’st, and what’s thy quarrel.¹³

               Speak truly, on thy knighthood and thine oath,

15

15           As so defend thee heaven and thy valour!

MOWBRAY

MOWBRAY     My name is Thomas Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk,

               Who hither comes engagèd by my oath —

               Which heaven defend¹⁸ a knight should violate! —

               Both to defend my loyalty and truth

20

20           To God, my king and his succeeding²⁰ issue,

               Against the Duke of Hereford that appeals me,

               And, by the grace of God and this mine arm,

               To prove him, in defending of myself,

               A traitor to my God, my king, and me.

25

25           And as I truly fight, defend me heaven!

       Tucket. Enter Hereford [Bullingbrook] and Herald

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Marshal, ask yonder knight in arms,

               Both who he is and why he cometh hither

               Thus plated²⁸ in habiliments of war,

               And formally, according to our law,

30

30           Depose him³⁰ in the justice of his cause.

LORD MARSHAL

LORD MARSHAL What is thy name? And wherefore³¹ com’st thou hither, To Bullingbrook

               Before King Richard in his royal lists?

               Against whom com’st thou? And what’s thy quarrel?

               Speak like a true knight, so defend thee heaven!

35

35   

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK Harry of Hereford, Lancaster and Derby

               Am I, who ready here do stand in arms

               To prove, by heaven’s grace and my body’s valour,

               In lists, on Thomas Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk,

               That he’s a traitor, foul and dangerous,

40

40           To God of heaven, King Richard and to me.

               And as I truly fight, defend me heaven!

LORD MARSHAL

LORD MARSHAL On pain of death, no person be so bold

               Or daring-hardy⁴³ as to touch the lists,

               Except the marshal and such officers

45

45           Appointed to direct these fair⁴⁵ designs.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK Lord Marshal, let me kiss my sovereign’s hand,

               And bow my knee before his majesty.

               For Mowbray and myself are like two men

               That vow a long and weary pilgrimage,

50

50           Then let us take a ceremonious leave

               And loving farewell of our several⁵¹ friends.

LORD MARSHAL

LORD MARSHAL The appellant in all duty greets your highness,

               And craves to kiss your hand and take his leave.

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD  We will descend and fold him in our arms.

       Comes down and embraces Bullingbrook

55

55           Cousin of Hereford, as⁵⁵ thy cause is just,

               So be thy fortune in this royal fight!⁵⁶

               Farewell, my blood,⁵⁷ which if today thou shed,

               Lament we may, but not revenge thee dead.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK O, let no noble eye profane⁵⁹ a tear

60

60           For me, if I be gored with Mowbray’s spear.

               As confident as is the falcon’s flight

               Against a bird, do I with Mowbray fight.—

               My loving lord, I take my leave of you.— To Richard

               Of you, my noble cousin, Lord Aumerle,

65

65           Not sick, although I have to do with death,

               But lusty,⁶⁶ young, and cheerly drawing breath.

               Lo, as at English feasts, so I regreet⁶⁷

               The daintiest⁶⁸ last, to make the end most sweet.—

               O thou, the earthy author of my blood, To Gaunt

70

70           Whose youthful spirit, in me regenerate,⁷⁰

               Doth with a twofold⁷¹ rigour lift me up

               To reach at victory above my head,

               Add proof⁷³ unto mine armour with thy prayers,

               And with thy blessings steel my lance’s point,

75

75           That it may enter Mowbray’s waxen⁷⁵ coat,

               And furbish⁷⁶ new the name of John a Gaunt,

               Even in the lusty ’haviour⁷⁷ of his son.

GAUNT

GAUNT     Heaven in thy good cause make thee prosp’rous!

               Be swift like lightning in the execution,

80

80           And let thy blows, doubly redoublèd,

               Fall like amazing⁸¹ thunder on the casque

               Of thy amazed pernicious⁸² enemy,

               Rouse up thy youthful blood, be valiant and live.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK Mine innocence and Saint George⁸⁴ to thrive!

85

85   

MOWBRAY

MOWBRAY           However heaven or fortune cast my lot,

               There lives or dies, true to King Richard’s throne,

               A loyal, just and upright gentleman.

               Never did captive with a freer heart

               Cast off his chains of bondage and embrace

90

90           His golden uncontrolled enfranchisement⁹⁰

               More than my dancing soul doth celebrate

               This feast of battle with mine adversary.

               Most mighty liege, and my companion peers,

               Take from my mouth the wish of happy years.

95

95           As gentle⁹⁵ and as jocund as to jest

               Go I to fight. Truth hath a quiet breast.

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Farewell, my lord. Securely⁹⁷ I espy

               Virtue with valour couchèd⁹⁸ in thine eye.

               Order⁹⁹ the trial, marshal, and begin.

100

100 

LORD MARSHAL

LORD MARSHAL Harry of Hereford, Lancaster and Derby,

               Receive thy lance. And heaven defend thy right! Attendant gives a lance to Bullingbrook

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK Strong as a tower, in hope I cry ‘Amen’.

LORD MARSHAL

LORD MARSHAL Go bear this lance to Thomas, Duke of Norfolk. Attendant gives a lance to Mowbray

FIRST HERALD

FIRST HERALD Harry of Hereford, Lancaster and Derby,

105

105         Stands here for God, his sovereign and himself,

               On pain to be found false and recreant,¹⁰⁶

               To prove the Duke of Norfolk, Thomas Mowbray,

               A traitor to his God, his king and him,¹⁰⁸

               And dares him to set forwards to the fight.

110

110 

SECOND HERALD

SECOND HERALD Here standeth Thomas Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk,

               On pain to be found false and recreant,

               Both to defend himself and to approve¹¹²

               Henry of Hereford, Lancaster and Derby,

               To God, his sovereign and to him¹¹⁴ disloyal,

115

115         Courageously and with a free desire

               Attending¹¹⁶ but the signal to begin.

       A charge sounded

LORD MARSHAL

LORD MARSHAL Sound trumpets, and set forward, combatants.

               Stay,¹¹⁸ the king hath thrown his warder down.

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Let them lay by¹¹⁹ their helmets and their spears,

120

120         And both return back to their chairs again.

               Withdraw with us, and let the trumpets sound

               While we return¹²² these dukes what we decree.

       A long flourish

               Draw near, and list¹²³ what with our council we have done.

               For that¹²⁴ our kingdom’s earth should not be soiled

125

125         With that dear¹²⁵ blood which it hath fosterèd,

               And for¹²⁶ our eyes do hate the dire aspect

               Of civil wounds ploughed up with neighbours’ swords,

               Which so roused up with boist’rous¹²⁸ untuned drums,

               With harsh resounding trumpets’ dreadful bray,

130

130         And grating shock¹³⁰ of wrathful iron arms,

               Might from our quiet confines fright fair peace

               And make us wade even in our kindred’s blood:

               Therefore, we banish you our territories.

               You, cousin Hereford, upon pain of death,

135

135         Till twice five summers have enriched our fields

               Shall not regreet¹³⁶ our fair dominions,

               But tread the stranger¹³⁷ paths of banishment.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK Your will be done. This must my comfort be:

               That sun that warms you here shall shine on me,

140

140         And those his golden beams to you here lent

               Shall point on me and gild my banishment.

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Norfolk, for thee remains a heavier doom,

               Which I with some unwillingness pronounce:

               The sly¹⁴⁴ slow hours shall not determinate

145

145         The dateless limit¹⁴⁵ of thy dear exile.

               The hopeless word of ‘never to return’

               Breathe I against thee, upon pain of life.¹⁴⁷

MOWBRAY

MOWBRAY     A heavy sentence, my most sovereign liege,

               And all unlooked for¹⁴⁹ from your highness’ mouth.

150

150         A dearer merit,¹⁵⁰ not so deep a maim

               As to be cast forth in the common¹⁵¹ air,

               Have I deservèd at your highness’ hands.

               The language I have learned these forty years,

               My native English, now I must forgo,

155

155         And now my tongue’s use is to me no more

               Than an unstringèd viol or a harp,

               Or like a cunning¹⁵⁷ instrument cased up,

               Or, being open,¹⁵⁸ put into his hands

               That knows no touch¹⁵⁹ to tune the harmony.

160

160         Within my mouth you have enjailed my tongue,

               Doubly portcullised¹⁶¹ with my teeth and lips,

               And dull unfeeling barren ignorance

               Is made my jailer to attend on me.

               I am too old to fawn upon a nurse,

165

165         Too far in years to be a pupil now.

               What is thy sentence then but speechless death,

               Which robs my tongue from breathing native breath?

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD It boots¹⁶⁸ thee not to be compassionate.

               After our sentence, plaining¹⁶⁹ comes too late.

170

170 

MOWBRAY

MOWBRAY             Then thus I turn me from my country’s light

               To dwell in solemn¹⁷¹ shades of endless night. Starts to go

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Return again, and take an oath with thee.

               Lay on our royal sword your banished hands;

               Swear by the duty that you owe to heaven —

175

175         Our part therein¹⁷⁵ we banish with yourselves —

               To keep the oath that we administer:

               You never shall, so help you truth and heaven,

               Embrace each other’s love in banishment,

               Nor ever look upon each other’s face,

180

180         Nor ever write, regreet,¹⁸⁰ or reconcile

               This louring¹⁸¹ tempest of your home-bred hate,

               Nor ever by advisèd¹⁸² purpose meet

               To plot, contrive, or complot¹⁸³ any ill

               Gainst us, our state, our subjects, or our land.

185

185 

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK  I swear.

MOWBRAY

MOWBRAY     And I, to keep all this.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK  Norfolk, so far as¹⁸⁷ to mine enemy:

               By this time, had the king permitted us,

               One of our souls had wandered in the air,

190

190         Banished this frail sepulchre¹⁹⁰ of our flesh,

               As now our flesh is banished from this land.

               Confess thy treasons ere thou fly¹⁹² this realm:

               Since thou hast far to go, bear not along

               The clogging¹⁹⁴ burden of a guilty soul.

195

195 

MOWBRAY

MOWBRAY             No, Bullingbrook. If ever I were traitor,

               My name be blotted from the book of life,

               And I from heaven banished as from hence!

               But what thou art, heaven, thou, and I do know,

               And all too soon, I fear, the king shall rue.¹⁹⁹

200

200         Farewell, my liege, now no way can I stray:²⁰⁰

               Save²⁰¹ back to England, all the world’s my way.

       Exit

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Uncle, even in the glasses²⁰² of thine eyes To Gaunt

               I see thy grievèd heart. Thy sad aspect²⁰³

               Hath from the number of his banished years

205

205         Plucked four away.— Six frozen winters spent, To Bullingbrook

               Return with welcome home from banishment.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK How long a time lies in one little word!

               Four lagging winters and four wanton²⁰⁸ springs

               End in a word: such is the breath of kings.

210

210 

GAUNT

GAUNT     I thank my liege, that in regard of me

               He shortens four years of my son’s exile.

               But little vantage²¹² shall I reap thereby,

               For ere the six years that he hath to spend

               Can change their moons and bring their times²¹⁴ about

215

215         My oil-dried²¹⁵ lamp and time-bewasted light

               Shall be extinct²¹⁶ with age and endless night.

               My inch of taper²¹⁷ will be burnt and done,

               And blindfold²¹⁸ death not let me see my son.

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Why uncle, thou hast many years to live.

220

220 

GAUNT

GAUNT             But not a minute, king, that thou canst give.

               Shorten my days thou canst with sudden sorrow,

               And pluck nights from me, but not lend a morrow.

               Thou canst help time to furrow me with age,

               But stop no wrinkle in his pilgrimage.²²⁴

225

225         Thy word is current²²⁵ with him for my death,

               But dead,²²⁶ thy kingdom cannot buy my breath.

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Thy son is banished upon good advice,²²⁷

               Whereto thy tongue a party-verdict²²⁸ gave.

               Why at our justice seem’st thou then to lour?²²⁹

230

230 

GAUNT

GAUNT             Things sweet to taste prove in digestion sour.

               You urged me as a judge, but I had rather

               You would have bid me argue like a father.

               Alas, I looked when²³³ some of you should say

               I was too strict to make²³⁴ mine own away.

235

235         But you gave leave²³⁵ to my unwilling tongue,

               Against my will to do myself this wrong.

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Cousin, farewell, and, uncle, bid him so.

               Six years we banish him, and he shall go. Flourish.

       Exeunt [Richard and Attendants]

AUMERLE

AUMERLE     Cousin, farewell. What presence²³⁹ must not know, To Bullingbrook

240

240         From where you do remain let paper²⁴⁰ show.

LORD MARSHAL

LORD MARSHAL  My lord, no leave take I, for I will ride To Bullingbrook

               As far as land will let me, by your side.

GAUNT

GAUNT      O, to what purpose dost thou hoard thy words To Bullingbrook

               That thou return’st no greeting to thy friends?

245

245 

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK I have too few²⁴⁵ to take my leave of you,

               When the tongue’s office²⁴⁶ should be prodigal

               To breathe²⁴⁷ th’abundant dolour of the heart.

GAUNT

GAUNT     Thy grief²⁴⁸ is but thy absence for a time.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK  Joy absent, grief is present for that time.

250

250 

GAUNT

GAUNT             What is six winters? They are quickly gone.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK  To men in joy. But grief makes one hour ten.

GAUNT

GAUNT     Call it a travel²⁵² that thou tak’st for pleasure.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK  My heart will sigh when I miscall²⁵³ it so,

               Which finds it an enforcèd pilgrimage.

255

255 

GAUNT

GAUNT             The sullen²⁵⁵ passage of thy weary steps

               Esteem as foil²⁵⁶ wherein thou art to set

               The precious jewel of thy home return.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK  O, who can hold a fire in his hand

               By thinking on the frosty Caucasus?²⁵⁹

260

260         Or cloy²⁶⁰ the hungry edge of appetite

               By bare imagination of a feast?

               Or wallow naked in December snow

               By thinking on fantastic²⁶³ summer’s heat?

               O, no, the apprehension²⁶⁴ of the good

265

265         Gives but the greater feeling to the worse.

               Fell²⁶⁶ sorrow’s tooth doth never rankle more

               Than when it bites, but lanceth²⁶⁷ not the sore.

GAUNT

GAUNT     Come, come, my son, I’ll bring²⁶⁸ thee on thy way.

               Had I thy youth and cause, I would not stay.

270

270 

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK Then England’s ground, farewell. Sweet soil, adieu.²⁷⁰

               My mother, and my nurse, which bears me yet!

               Where’er I wander, boast of this I can,

               Though banished, yet a trueborn Englishman.

       [Exeunt]

Act 1 Scene 41.4

running scene 4

       Enter King, Aumerle, Green and Bagot

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD We did observe.¹— Cousin Aumerle,

               How far brought you high² Hereford on his way?

AUMERLE

AUMERLE     I brought high Hereford, if you call him so,

               But to the next⁴ highway, and there I left him.

5

5     

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD And say, what store⁵ of parting tears were shed?

AUMERLE

AUMERLE     Faith, none for me,⁶ except the north-east wind,

               Which then blew bitterly against our face,

               Awaked the sleepy rheum,⁸ and so by chance

               Did grace our hollow⁹ parting with a tear.

10

10     

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD What said our cousin when you parted with him?

AUMERLE

AUMERLE     ‘Farewell’. And, for¹¹ my heart disdainèd that my tongue

               Should so profane the word, that taught me craft¹²

               To counterfeit¹³ oppression of such grief

               That word seemed buried in my sorrow’s grave.

15

15           Marry,¹⁵ would the word ‘farewell’ have lengthened hours

               And added years to his short banishment,

               He should have had a volume of farewells,

               But since it would not, he had none of me.

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD He is our cousin,¹⁹ cousin, but ’tis doubt,

20

20           When time shall call him home from banishment,

               Whether our kinsman come to see his friends.²¹

               Ourself and Bushy, Bagot here, and Green

               Observed his courtship to the common people.

               How he did seem to dive into their hearts

25

25           With humble and familiar courtesy,

               What reverence²⁶ he did throw away on slaves,

               Wooing poor craftsmen with the craft of smiles

               And patient underbearing²⁸ of his fortune,

               As ’twere to banish²⁹ their affects with him.

30

30           Off goes his bonnet³⁰ to an oyster-wench.

               A brace of draymen³¹ bid God speed him well

               And had the tribute of his supple³² knee,

               With ‘Thanks, my countrymen, my loving friends’,

               As were our England in reversion³⁴ his,

35

35           And he our³⁵ subjects’ next degree in hope.

GREEN

GREEN     Well, he is gone, and with him go these thoughts.

               Now for the rebels which stand out³⁷ in Ireland.

               Expedient manage³⁸ must be made, my liege,

               Ere further leisure³⁹ yield them further means

40

40           For their advantage and your highness’ loss.

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD We will ourself in person to this war,

               And, for our coffers with too great a court

               And liberal largesse⁴³ are grown somewhat light,

               We are enforced to farm⁴⁴ our royal realm,

45

45           The revenue whereof shall furnish us

               For our affairs in hand. If that come short,⁴⁶

               Our substitutes⁴⁷ at home shall have blank charters,

               Whereto, when they shall know what men are rich,

               They shall subscribe them⁴⁹ for large sums of gold

50

50           And send them⁵⁰ after to supply our wants,

               For we will make for Ireland presently.⁵¹

       Enter Bushy

               Bushy, what news?

BUSHY

BUSHY     Old John of Gaunt is very sick, my lord,

               Suddenly taken, and hath sent post haste

55

55           To entreat your majesty to visit him.

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Where lies he?

BUSHY

BUSHY     At Ely House.⁵⁷

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Now put it, heaven, in his physician’s mind

               To help him to his grave immediately!

60

60           The lining⁶⁰ of his coffers shall make coats

               To deck our soldiers for these Irish wars.

               Come, gentlemen, let’s all go visit him.

               Pray heaven we may make haste, and come too late!

       [Exeunt]

Act 2 Scene 12.1

running scene 5

       Enter Gaunt, sick, with York [and Attendants]

GAUNT

GAUNT     Will the king come, that I may breathe my last

               In wholesome counsel to his unstaid² youth?

YORK

YORK      Vex not yourself, nor strive not with your breath,

               For all in vain comes counsel to his ear.

5

5     

GAUNT

GAUNT           O, but they say the tongues of dying men

               Enforce attention like deep harmony.

               Where words are scarce, they are seldom spent in vain,

               For they breathe truth that breathe their words in pain.

               He that no more must say is listened⁹ more

10

10           Than they whom youth and ease have taught to gloze.¹⁰

               More are men’s ends marked¹¹ than their lives before.

               The setting sun and music is the close,¹²

               As the last¹³ taste of sweets is sweetest last,

               Writ in remembrance more than things long past.

15

15           Though Richard my life’s counsel would not hear,

               My death’s sad¹⁶ tale may yet undeaf his ear.

YORK

YORK      No, it is stopped with other flatt’ring sounds,

               As praises, of his state:¹⁸ then there are found

               Lascivious metres,¹⁹ to whose venom sound

20

20           The open ear of youth doth always listen,

               Report of fashions in proud²¹ Italy,

               Whose manners still our tardy apish²² nation

               Limps after in base imitation.

               Where doth the world thrust forth a vanity²⁴ —

25

25           So²⁵ it be new, there’s no respect how vile —

               That is not quickly buzzed²⁶ into his ears?

               That²⁷ all too late comes counsel to be heard,

               Where will²⁸ doth mutiny with wit’s regard.

               Direct not him whose way himself will choose.

30

30           ’Tis breath thou lack’st, and that breath wilt thou lose.

GAUNT

GAUNT     Methinks I am a prophet new inspired³¹

               And thus expiring³² do foretell of him.

               His rash fierce blaze of riot³³ cannot last,

               For violent fires soon burn out themselves.

35

35           Small³⁵ showers last long, but sudden storms are short.

               He tires betimes³⁶ that spurs too fast betimes.

               With eager feeding food doth choke the feeder.

               Light vanity,³⁸ insatiate cormorant,

               Consuming means³⁹ soon preys upon itself.

40

40           This royal throne of kings, this sceptred⁴⁰ isle,

               This earth of majesty,⁴¹ this seat of Mars,

               This other Eden, demi-paradise,

               This fortress built by nature for herself

               Against infection and the hand of war,

45

45           This happy breed⁴⁵ of men, this little world,

               This precious stone set in the silver sea,

               Which serves it in the office⁴⁷ of a wall,

               Or as a moat defensive to a house,

               Against the envy of less happier lands,

50

50           This blessèd plot,⁵⁰ this earth, this realm, this England,

               This nurse, this teeming⁵¹ womb of royal kings,

               Feared by their breed⁵² and famous for their birth,

               Renownèd for their deeds as far from home,

               For Christian service and true chivalry,

55

55           As is the sepulchre⁵⁵ in stubborn Jewry

               Of the world’s⁵⁶ ransom, blessèd Mary’s son:

               This land of such dear souls, this dear dear land,

               Dear for her reputation through the world,

               Is now leased out — I die pronouncing it —

60

60           Like to a tenement⁶⁰ or pelting farm.

               England, bound in⁶¹ with the triumphant sea,

               Whose rocky shore beats back the envious⁶² siege

               Of watery Neptune,⁶³ is now bound in with shame,

               With inky⁶⁴ blots and rotten parchment bonds.

65

65           That England, that was wont⁶⁵ to conquer others,

               Hath made a shameful conquest of itself.

               Ah, would the scandal vanish with my life,

               How happy then were my ensuing death!

       Enter King, Queen, Aumerle, Bushy, Green, Bagot, Ross and Willoughby

YORK

YORK     The king is come. Deal mildly with his youth,

70

70           For young hot colts being raged do rage the more.

QUEEN

QUEEN     How fares our noble uncle Lancaster?

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD What comfort, man? How is’t with agèd Gaunt?

GAUNT

GAUNT     O, how that name befits my composition!⁷³

               Old Gaunt indeed, and gaunt in being old.

75

75           Within me grief hath kept a tedious fast,

               And who abstains from meat⁷⁶ that is not gaunt?

               For sleeping England long time have I watched.⁷⁷

               Watching breeds leanness, leanness is all gaunt.

               The pleasure that some fathers feed upon,

80

80           Is my strict fast — I mean, my children’s looks,

               And therein fasting, hast thou made me gaunt.

               Gaunt am I for the grave, gaunt as a grave,

               Whose hollow womb inherits⁸³ nought but bones.

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Can sick men play so nicely⁸⁴ with their names?

85

85   

GAUNT

GAUNT           No, misery makes sport to mock⁸⁵ itself.

               Since thou dost seek to kill⁸⁶ my name in me,

               I mock my name, great king, to flatter thee.

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Should dying men flatter those that live?

GAUNT

GAUNT     No, no, men living flatter those that die.

90

90   

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Thou, now a-dying, say’st thou flatter’st me.

GAUNT

GAUNT     O no, thou diest, though I the sicker be.

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD I am in health, I breathe, I see thee ill.

GAUNT

GAUNT     Now he that made me knows I see thee ill:⁹³

               Ill in myself to see, and in thee seeing ill.

95

95           Thy death-bed is no lesser than the land

               Wherein thou liest in reputation sick.

               And thou, too careless patient as thou art,

               Commit’st thy anointed body to the cure

               Of those physicians that first wounded thee.

100

100         A thousand flatterers sit within thy crown,

               Whose compass¹⁰¹ is no bigger than thy head.

               And yet, encagèd in so small a verge,¹⁰²

               The waste¹⁰³ is no whit lesser than thy land.

               O, had thy grandsire¹⁰⁴ with a prophet’s eye

105

105         Seen how his son’s son should destroy his sons,¹⁰⁵

               From forth¹⁰⁶ thy reach he would have laid thy shame,

               Deposing¹⁰⁷ thee before thou wert possessed,

               Which art possessed now to depose thyself.

               Why, cousin,¹⁰⁹ were thou regent of the world,

110

110         It were a shame to let his land by lease.

               But for¹¹¹ thy world enjoying but this land,

               Is it not more than shame to shame it so?

               Landlord of England art thou and not king.

               Thy state¹¹⁴ of law is bondslave to the law, and—

115

115 

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD And thou, a lunatic lean-witted fool,

               Presuming on¹¹⁶ an ague’s privilege,

               Dar’st with thy frozen¹¹⁷ admonition

               Make pale our cheek, chasing the royal blood

               With fury from his native residence?

120

120         Now, by my seat’s¹²⁰ right royal majesty,

               Wert thou not brother to great Edward’s son,

               This tongue that runs so roundly¹²² in thy head

               Should run thy head from thy unreverent¹²³ shoulders.

GAUNT

GAUNT     O, spare me not, my brother’s — Edward’s — son,

125

125         For that¹²⁵ I was his father Edward’s son.

               That blood already, like the pelican,¹²⁶

               Thou hast tapped out¹²⁷ and drunkenly caroused.

               My brother Gloucester, plain well-meaning soul —

               Whom fair¹²⁹ befall in heaven ’mongst happy souls! —

130

130         May be a precedent and witness good

               That thou respect’st not spilling Edward’s blood.

               Join with the present sickness that I have,

               And thy unkindness¹³³ be like crookèd age,

               To crop at once a too long withered flower.

135

135         Live in thy shame, but die not shame with thee:

               These words hereafter thy tormentors be!

               Convey me to my bed, then to my grave:

               Love they to live that love and honour have. Carried off by Attendants

       Exit

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD And let them die that age and sullens¹³⁹ have,

140

140         For both hast thou, and both become¹⁴⁰ the grave.

YORK

YORK     I do beseech your majesty, impute his words

               To wayward sickliness and age in him.

               He loves you, on my life, and holds you dear

               As Harry¹⁴³ Duke of Hereford, were he here.

145

145 

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Right, you say true. As Hereford’s love, so his;

               As theirs, so mine, and all be as it is.

       Enter Northumberland

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND My liege, old Gaunt commends him to your majesty.

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD What says he?

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND Nay, nothing. All is said.

150

150         His tongue is now a stringless instrument.

               Words, life and all, old Lancaster hath spent.¹⁵¹

YORK

YORK     Be York the next that must be bankrupt so!

               Though death be poor, it ends a mortal woe.

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD The ripest fruit first falls, and so doth he.

155

155         His time is spent, our pilgrimage¹⁵⁵ must be.

               So much for that. Now for our Irish wars:

               We must supplant¹⁵⁷ those rough rug-headed kerns,

               Which live like venom where no venom else

               But only they have privilege to live.

160

160         And for these great affairs do ask some charge,¹⁶⁰

               Towards our assistance we do seize¹⁶¹ to us

               The plate,¹⁶² coin, revenues and movables,

               Whereof our uncle Gaunt did stand possessed.

YORK

YORK     How long shall I be patient? O, how long

165

165         Shall tender duty make me suffer wrong?

               Not Gloucester’s death, nor Hereford’s banishment,

               Nor Gaunt’s rebukes,¹⁶⁷ nor England’s private wrongs,

               Nor the prevention of poor Bullingbrook¹⁶⁸

               About his marriage, nor my own disgrace

170

170         Have ever made me sour my patient cheek,

               Or bend one wrinkle¹⁷¹ on my sovereign’s face.

               I am the last of noble Edward’s sons,

               Of whom thy father, Prince of Wales, was first.

               In war was never lion raged more fierce,

175

175         In peace was never gentle Iamb more mild,

               Than was that young and princely gentleman.

               His face thou hast, for even so looked he,

               Accomplished¹⁷⁸ with the number of thy hours.

               But when he frowned, it was against the French

180

180         And not against his friends. His noble hand

               Did win what he did spend and spent not that

               Which his triumphant father’s hand had won.

               His hands were guilty of no kindred’s blood,

               But bloody with the enemies of his kin.

185

185         O Richard, York is too far gone with grief,

               Or else he never would compare between.

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Why, uncle, what’s the matter?

YORK

YORK     O my liege,

               Pardon me, if you please; if not, I, pleased

190

190         Not to be pardoned, am content withal.¹⁹⁰

               Seek you to seize¹⁹¹ and grip into your hands

               The royalties¹⁹² and rights of banished Hereford?

               Is not Gaunt dead? And doth not Hereford live?

               Was not Gaunt just? And is not Harry true?¹⁹⁴

195

195         Did not the one deserve to have an heir?

               Is not his heir a well-deserving son?

               Take Hereford’s rights away, and take from time

               His¹⁹⁸ charters and his customary rights:

               Let not tomorrow then ensue¹⁹⁹ today.

200

200         Be not thyself. For how art thou a king

               But by fair sequence and succession?

               Now, afore God — God forbid I say true! —

               If you do wrongfully seize Hereford’s right,

               Call²⁰⁴ in his letters patents that he hath

205

205         By²⁰⁵ his attorneys-general to sue

               His livery, and deny his offered homage,²⁰⁶

               You pluck²⁰⁷ a thousand dangers on your head,

               You lose a thousand well-disposèd hearts

               And prick²⁰⁹ my tender patience to those thoughts

210

210         Which honour and allegiance cannot think.

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Think what you will, we seize into our hands

               His plate, his goods, his money and his lands.

YORK

YORK     I’ll not be by²¹³ the while. My liege, farewell:

               What will ensue hereof, there’s none can tell.

215

215         But by bad courses²¹⁵ may be understood

               That their events²¹⁶ can never fall out good.

       Exit

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Go, Bushy, to the Earl of Wiltshire straight.

               Bid him repair²¹⁸ to us to Ely House

               To see²¹⁹ this business.— Tomorrow next

220

220         We will for Ireland, and ’tis time, I trow.²²⁰

               And we create, in absence of ourself,

               Our uncle York Lord Governor of England,

               For he is just and always loved us well.—

               Come on, our queen. Tomorrow must we part.

225

225         Be merry, for our time of stay is short.

       Flourish. [Exeunt all] except Northumberland, Willoughby and Ross

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND Well, lords, the Duke of Lancaster is dead.

ROSS

ROSS     And living too, for now his son is duke.

WILLOUGHBY

WILLOUGHBY     Barely in title, not in revenue.

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND Richly in both, if justice had her right.

230

230 

ROSS

ROSS             My heart is great,²³⁰ but it must break with silence,

               Ere’t be disburdened with a liberal²³¹ tongue.

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND Nay, speak thy mind, and let him ne’er speak more

               That speaks thy words again to do thee harm!

WILLOUGHBY

WILLOUGHBY     Tends²³⁴ that thou wouldst speak to th’Duke of Hereford?

235

235         If it be so, out with it boldly, man.

               Quick is mine ear to hear of good towards him.

ROSS

ROSS     No good at all that I can do for him,

               Unless you call it good to pity him,

               Bereft²³⁹ and gelded of his patrimony.

240

240 

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND Now, afore heaven, ’tis shame such wrongs are borne

               In him, a royal prince, and many more

               Of noble blood in this declining land.

               The king is not himself, but basely led

               By flatterers. And what they will inform,

245

245         Merely in hate, gainst any of us all,

               That will the king severely prosecute²⁴⁶

               Gainst us, our lives, our children, and our heirs.

ROSS

ROSS     The commons hath he piled²⁴⁸ with grievous taxes,

               And quite lost their hearts. The nobles hath he fined

250

250         For ancient²⁵⁰ quarrels, and quite lost their hearts.

WILLOUGHBY

WILLOUGHBY     And daily new exactions²⁵¹ are devised,

               As blanks,²⁵² benevolences, and I wot not what.

               But what, o’God’s name, doth become of this?²⁵³

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND Wars hath not wasted it, for warred he hath not,

255

255         But basely²⁵⁵ yielded upon compromise

               That which his ancestors achieved with blows.

               More hath he spent in peace than they in wars.

ROSS

ROSS     The Earl of Wiltshire hath the realm in farm.²⁵⁸

WILLOUGHBY

WILLOUGHBY     The king’s grown bankrupt, like a broken²⁵⁹ man.

260

260 

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND Reproach and dissolution hangeth over him.

ROSS

ROSS     He hath not money for these Irish wars,

               His burdenous taxations notwithstanding,

               But by the robbing of the banished duke.

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND His noble kinsman. Most degenerate king!

265

265         But, lords, we hear this fearful tempest sing,

               Yet seek no shelter to avoid the storm.

               We see the wind sit sore²⁶⁷ upon our sails,

               And yet we strike²⁶⁸ not, but securely perish.

ROSS

ROSS     We see the very wreck that we must suffer,

270

270         And unavoided is the danger now,

               For suffering²⁷¹ so the causes of our wreck.

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND Not so: even through the hollow eyes of death

               I spy life peering, but I dare not say

               How near the tidings²⁷⁴ of our comfort is.

275

275 

WILLOUGHBY

WILLOUGHBY             Nay, let us share thy thoughts, as thou dost ours.

ROSS

ROSS     Be confident to speak, Northumberland.

               We three are but thyself, and speaking so,

               Thy words are but as thoughts: therefore be bold.

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND Then thus: I have from Port le Blanc, a bay

280

280         In Brittany, received intelligence

               That Harry Duke of Hereford, Rainold²⁸¹ Lord Cobham,

               That late broke²⁸² from the Duke of Exeter,

               His²⁸³ brother, Archbishop late of Canterbury,

               Sir Thomas Erpingham, Sir John Rainston,

285

285         Sir John Norbery, Sir Robert Waterton and Francis Quoint,

               All these well furnished²⁸⁶ by the Duke of Brittany

               With eight tall²⁸⁷ ships, three thousand men of war,

               Are making hither with all due expedience²⁸⁸

               And shortly mean to touch our northern shore.

290

290         Perhaps they had ere this,²⁹⁰ but that they stay

               The first departing of the king for Ireland.

               If then we shall shake off our slavish yoke,

               Imp out²⁹³ our drooping country’s broken wing,

               Redeem from broking pawn²⁹⁴ the blemished crown,

295

295         Wipe off the dust that hides our sceptre’s gilt²⁹⁵

               And make high majesty look like itself,

               Away with me in post²⁹⁷ to Ravenspurgh.

               But if you faint,²⁹⁸ as fearing to do so,

               Stay and be secret, and myself will go.

300

300 

ROSS

ROSS             To horse, to horse! Urge doubts to them that fear.

WILLOUGHBY

WILLOUGHBY     Hold³⁰¹ out my horse, and I will first be there.

       Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 22.2

running scene 6

       Enter Queen, Bushy and Bagot

BUSHY

BUSHY     Madam, your majesty is too much sad.

               You promised, when you parted with the king,

               To lay aside life-harming heaviness³

               And entertain⁴ a cheerful disposition.

5

5     

QUEEN

QUEEN           To please the king I did. To please myself

               I cannot do it. Yet I know no cause

               Why I should welcome such a guest as grief,

               Save bidding farewell to so sweet a guest

               As my sweet Richard. Yet again, methinks,

10

10           Some unborn sorrow, ripe in fortune’s womb,

               Is coming towards me, and my inward soul

               With nothing trembles. At something it grieves,

               More than with parting from my lord the king.

BUSHY

BUSHY     Each substance of a grief hath twenty shadows,¹⁴

15

15           Which shows like grief itself, but is not so.

               For sorrow’s eye, glazèd¹⁶ with blinding tears,

               Divides one thing entire to¹⁷ many objects,

               Like perspectives,¹⁸ which rightly gazed upon

               Show nothing but confusion: eyed awry¹⁹

20

20           Distinguish form.²⁰ So your sweet majesty,

               Looking awry upon your lord’s departure,

               Find shapes of grief, more than himself²² to wail,

               Which, looked on as it is, is naught but shadows

               Of what it is not. Then, thrice-gracious queen,

25

25           More²⁵ than your lord’s departure weep not. More’s not seen;

               Or if it be, ’tis with false sorrow’s eye,

               Which for²⁷ things true weeps things imaginary.

QUEEN

QUEEN     It may be so, but yet my inward soul

               Persuades me it is otherwise. Howe’er it be,

30

30           I cannot but be sad, so heavy³⁰ sad

               As though on³¹ thinking on no thought I think,

               Makes me with heavy nothing faint and shrink.

BUSHY

BUSHY     ’Tis nothing but conceit,³³ my gracious lady.

QUEEN

QUEEN     ’Tis nothing less.³⁴ Conceit is still derived

35

35           From some forefather grief. Mine is not so,

               For nothing hath begot³⁶ my something grief,

               Or something hath the nothing that I grieve.³⁷

               ’Tis in reversion³⁸ that I do possess —

               But what it is, that is not yet known — what

40

40           I cannot name. ’Tis nameless woe, I wot.⁴⁰

       Enter Green

GREEN

GREEN     Heaven save your majesty! And well met, gentlemen.

               I hope the king is not yet shipped for Ireland.

QUEEN

QUEEN     Why hop’st thou so? ’Tis better hope he is,

               For his designs crave haste, his haste good hope.

45

45           Then wherefore⁴⁵ dost thou hope he is not shipped?

GREEN

GREEN     That he, our hope, might have retired⁴⁶ his power,

               And driven into despair an enemy’s hope,

               Who strongly⁴⁸ hath set footing in this land.

               The banished Bullingbrook repeals himself,⁴⁹

50

50           And with uplifted arms⁵⁰ is safe arrived

               At Ravenspurgh.

QUEEN

QUEEN     Now God in heaven forbid!

GREEN

GREEN     O, madam, ’tis too true. And that is worse,

               The Lord Northumberland, his son young Henry Percy,

55

55           The Lords of Ross, Beaumond and Willoughby,

               With all their powerful friends, are fled to him.

BUSHY

BUSHY     Why have you not proclaimed Northumberland

               And the rest of the revolted faction, traitors?

GREEN

GREEN     We have: whereupon the Earl of Worcester

60

60           Hath broke his staff,⁶⁰ resigned his stewardship,

               And all the household⁶¹ servants fled with him

               To Bullingbrook.

QUEEN

QUEEN     So, Green, thou art the midwife of my woe,

               And Bullingbrook my sorrow’s dismal heir.⁶⁴

65

65           Now hath my soul brought forth her prodigy,⁶⁵

               And I, a gasping new-delivered mother,

               Have woe to woe, sorrow to sorrow joined.

BUSHY

BUSHY     Despair not, madam.

QUEEN

QUEEN     Who shall hinder me?

70

70           I will despair, and be at enmity

               With cozening⁷¹ hope; he is a flatterer,

               A parasite, a keeper-back of death,

               Who gently would dissolve the bands⁷³ of life,

               Which false hope lingers⁷⁴ in extremity.

       Enter York

75

75   

GREEN

GREEN     Here comes the Duke of York.

QUEEN

QUEEN     With signs of war about his agèd neck.

               O, full of careful⁷⁷ business are his looks!

               Uncle, for heaven’s sake, speak comfortable⁷⁸ words.

YORK

YORK      Comfort’s in heaven, and we are on the earth,

80

80           Where nothing lives but crosses,⁸⁰ care and grief.

               Your husband, he is gone to save⁸¹ far off,

               Whilst others come to make him lose at home.

               Here am I left to underprop⁸³ his land,

               Who, weak with age, cannot support myself.

85

85           Now comes the sick hour that his surfeit⁸⁵ made,

               Now shall he try⁸⁶ his friends that flattered him.

       Enter a Servant

SERVANT

SERVANT     My lord, your son⁸⁷ was gone before I came.

YORK

YORK      He was? Why, so! Go all which way it will!

               The nobles they are fled, the commons they are cold,⁸⁹

90

90           And will, I fear, revolt on Hereford’s side.

               Sirrah,⁹¹ get thee to Plashy, to my sister Gloucester:

               Bid her send me presently⁹² a thousand pound.

               Hold, take my ring.⁹³

SERVANT

SERVANT     My lord, I had forgot to tell your lordship:

95

95           Today as I came by, I callèd there —

               But I shall grieve you to report the rest.

YORK

YORK      What is’t, knave?

SERVANT

SERVANT     An hour before I came, the duchess died.

YORK

YORK      Heav’n⁹⁹ for his mercy! What a tide of woes

100

100         Come rushing on this woeful land at once!

               I know not what to do. I would¹⁰¹ to heaven —

               So¹⁰² my untruth had not provoked him to it —

               The king had cut off my head with my brother’s.¹⁰³

               What, are there posts¹⁰⁴ dispatched for Ireland?

105

105         How shall we do¹⁰⁵ for money for these wars?

               Come, sister — cousin, I would say — pray, pardon me.— To Queen

               Go, fellow, get thee home, provide some carts To Servant

               And bring away the armour that is there.—

       [Exit Servant]

               Gentlemen, will you muster¹⁰⁹ men?

110

110         If I know how or which way to order these affairs

               Thus disorderly thrust into my hands,

               Never believe me. Both are my kinsmen.

               Th’one is my sovereign, whom both my oath¹¹³

               And duty bids defend: th’other again

115

115         Is my kinsman, whom the king hath wronged,

               Whom conscience and my kindred¹¹⁶ bids to right.

               Well, somewhat¹¹⁷ we must do.— Come, cousin, I’ll

               Dispose of¹¹⁸ you.—

               Gentlemen, go muster up your men,

120

120         And meet me presently at Berkeley¹²⁰ Castle.

               I should to Plashy too,

               But time will not permit. All is uneven,

               And everything is left at¹²³ six and seven.

       Exeunt [York and Queen]

BUSHY

BUSHY     The wind sits¹²⁴ fair for news to go to Ireland,

125

125         But none returns. For us to levy power¹²⁵

               Proportionable to th’enemy

               Is all impossible.

GREEN

GREEN     Besides, our nearness to the king in love

               Is near the hate of those¹²⁹ love not the king.

130

130 

BAGOT

BAGOT              And that’s the wavering commons, for their love

               Lies in their purses, and whoso empties them,

               By so much fills their hearts with deadly hate.

BUSHY

BUSHY     Wherein the king stands generally¹³³ condemned.

BAGOT

BAGOT      If judgement¹³⁴ lie in them, then so do we,

135

135         Because we have been ever near the king.

GREEN

GREEN     Well, I will for refuge straight¹³⁶ to Bristol Castle.

               The Earl of Wiltshire is already there.

BUSHY

BUSHY     Thither will I with you, for little office¹³⁸

               Will the hateful¹³⁹ commons perform for us,

140

140         Except like curs¹⁴⁰ to tear us all in pieces.

               Will you go along with us? To Bagot

BAGOT

BAGOT      No, I will to Ireland to his majesty.

               Farewell. If heart’s presages¹⁴³ be not vain,

               We three here part that ne’er shall meet again.

01

01   

BUSHY

BUSHY           That’s as¹⁴⁵ York thrives to beat back Bullingbrook.

GREEN

GREEN     Alas, poor duke! The task he undertakes

               Is numb’ring sands and drinking oceans dry.

               Where one on his side fights, thousands will fly.

BUSHY

BUSHY     Farewell at once, for once, for all, and ever.

150

150         Well, we may meet again.

BAGOT

BAGOT     I fear me, never.

       Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 32.3

running scene 7

       Enter the Duke of Hereford [Bullingbrook] and Northumberland

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK How far is it, my lord, to Berkeley now?

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND Believe me, noble lord,

               I am a stranger here in Gloucestershire.

               These high wild hills and rough uneven ways

5

5             Draws out our miles, and makes them wearisome.

               And yet our fair discourse hath been as sugar,

               Making the hard way sweet and delectable.

               But I bethink me what a weary way

               From Ravenspurgh to Cottshold⁹ will be found

10

10           In¹⁰ Ross and Willoughby, wanting your company,

               Which, I protest, hath very much beguiled¹¹

               The tediousness and process¹² of my travel.

               But theirs is sweetened with the hope to have

               The present benefit that I possess;

15

15           And hope to joy is little less in joy

               Than hope enjoyed. By this¹⁶ the weary lords

               Shall make their way seem short, as mine hath done

               By sight of what I have, your noble company.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK  Of much less value is my company

20

20           Than your good words. But who comes here?

       Enter Harry Percy

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND It is my son, young Harry Percy,

               Sent from my brother Worcester, whencesoever.²²—

               Harry, how fares your uncle?

PERCY

PERCY     I had thought, my lord, to have learned his health of you.

25

25   

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND Why, is he not with the queen?

PERCY

PERCY     No, my good lord. He hath forsook²⁶ the court,

               Broken his staff of office and dispersed

               The household of the king.

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND What was his reason?

30

30           He was not so resolved when we last spake together.

PERCY

PERCY     Because your lordship was proclaimèd traitor.

               But he, my lord, is gone to Ravenspurgh

               To offer service to the Duke of Hereford,

               And sent me over by Berkeley to discover

35

35           What power the Duke of York had levied³⁵ there,

               Then with direction to repair³⁶ to Ravenspurgh.

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND Have you forgot the Duke of Hereford, boy?

PERCY

PERCY     No, my good lord, for that is not forgot

               Which ne’er I did remember: to my knowledge,

40

40           I never in my life did look on him.

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND Then learn to know him now: this is the duke.

PERCY

PERCY     My gracious lord, I tender⁴² you my service,

               Such as it is, being tender, raw and young,

               Which elder days shall ripen and confirm

45

45           To more approvèd⁴⁵ service and desert.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK  I thank thee, gentle⁴⁶ Percy, and be sure

               I count myself in nothing else so happy

               As in a soul rememb’ring my good friends.

               And as my fortune⁴⁹ ripens with thy love,

50

50           It shall be still⁵⁰ thy true love’s recompense.

               My heart this covenant makes, my hand thus seals it. Gives Percy his hand

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND How far is it to Berkeley? And what stir⁵²

               Keeps good old York there with his men of war?

PERCY

PERCY     There stands the castle, by yond⁵⁴ tuft of trees,

55

55           Manned with three hundred men, as I have heard.

               And in it are the Lords of York, Berkeley and Seymour,

               None else of name and noble estimate.⁵⁷

       Enter Ross and Willoughby

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND Here come the Lords of Ross and Willoughby,

               Bloody with spurring,⁵⁹ fiery-red with haste.

60

60           

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK Welcome, my lords. I wot⁶⁰ your love pursues

               A banished traitor. All my treasury

               Is yet but unfelt⁶² thanks, which more enriched

               Shall be your love and labour’s recompense.

ROSS

ROSS     Your presence makes us rich, most noble lord.

65

65   

WILLOUGHBY

WILLOUGHBY           And far surmounts our labour to attain it.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK  Evermore thanks⁶⁶ — th’exchequer of the poor,

               Which, till my infant fortune comes to years,⁶⁷

               Stands for my bounty. But who comes here?

       Enter Berkeley

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND It is my Lord of Berkeley, as I guess.

70

70   

BERKELEY

BERKELEY           My Lord of Hereford, my message is to you.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK  My⁷¹ lord, my answer is — to Lancaster,

               And I am come to seek that name in England.

               And I must find that title in your tongue,

               Before I make reply to aught⁷⁴ you say.

75

75   

LORD BERKELEY

LORD BERKELEY Mistake me not, my lord, ’tis not my meaning

               To raze⁷⁶ one title of your honour out.

               To you, my lord, I come — what⁷⁷ lord you will—

               From the most glorious⁷⁸ of this land,

               The Duke of York, to know what pricks⁷⁹ you on

80

80           To take advantage of the absent time⁸⁰

               And fright our native⁸¹ peace with self-born arms.

       Enter York [with Attendants]

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK  I shall not need transport my words by you.

               Here comes his grace in person.— My noble uncle! Kneels

YORK

YORK      Show me thy humble heart, and not thy knee,

85

85           Whose duty is deceivable⁸⁵ and false.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK  My gracious uncle—

YORK

YORK      Tut, tut! Grace⁸⁷ me no grace, nor uncle me no uncle.

               I am no traitor’s uncle; and that word ‘grace’

               In an ungracious⁸⁹ mouth is but profane.

90

90           Why have these banished and forbidden legs

               Dared once to touch a dust⁹¹ of England’s ground?

               But then more ‘why’: why have they dared to march

               So many miles upon her peaceful bosom,

               Frighting her pale-faced villages with war

95

95           And ostentation of despisèd⁹⁵ arms?

               Com’st thou because th’anointed king is hence?

               Why, foolish boy, the king is left behind,

               And in my loyal bosom lies his power.

               Were I but now the lord of such hot youth

100

100         As when brave Gaunt, thy father, and myself

               Rescued the Black Prince,¹⁰¹ that young Mars of men,

               From forth the ranks of many thousand French,

               O, then how quickly should this arm of mine,

               Now prisoner to the palsy,¹⁰⁴ chastise thee

105

105         And minister correction to thy fault!

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK  My gracious uncle, let me know my fault.

               On¹⁰⁷ what condition stands it and wherein?

YORK

YORK     Even in condition of the worst degree,

               In gross rebellion and detested treason.

110

110         Thou art a banished man, and here art come

               Before th’expiration of thy time,

               In braving¹¹² arms against thy sovereign.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK  As I was banished, I was banished Hereford, Stands

               But as I come, I come for¹¹⁴ Lancaster.

115

115         And noble uncle, I beseech your grace

               Look on my wrongs with an indifferent¹¹⁶ eye.

               You are my father, for methinks in you

               I see old Gaunt alive. O then, my father,

               Will you permit that I shall stand condemned

120

120         A wand’ring vagabond; my rights and royalties

               Plucked from my arms perforce¹²¹ and given away

               To upstart unthrifts?¹²² Wherefore was I born?

               If that my cousin king be King of England,

               It must be granted I am Duke of Lancaster.

125

125         You have a son, Aumerle, my noble kinsman:

               Had you first died, and he been thus trod down,

               He should have found his uncle Gaunt a father

               To rouse¹²⁸ his wrongs and chase them to the bay.

               I am denied¹²⁹ to sue my liv’ry here,

130

130         And yet my letters patents¹³⁰ give me leave.

               My father’s goods are all distrained¹³¹ and sold,

               And these and all are all amiss¹³² employed.

               What would you have me do? I am a subject,

               And challenge law.¹³⁴ Attorneys are denied me;

135

135         And therefore personally I lay my claim

               To my inheritance of free descent.¹³⁶

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND The noble duke hath been too much abused.

ROSS

ROSS     It stands¹³⁸ your grace upon to do him right.

WILLOUGHBY

WILLOUGHBY     Base men by his endowments¹³⁹ are made great.

140

140 

YORK

YORK             My lords of England, let me tell you this:

               I have had feeling of my cousin’s wrongs

               And laboured all I could to do him right.

               But in this kind¹⁴³ to come, in braving arms,

               Be¹⁴⁴ his own carver and cut out his way,

145

145         To find out right with wrongs, it may not be,

               And you that do abet him in this kind

               Cherish rebellion and are rebels all.

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND The noble duke hath sworn his coming is

               But for his own; and for the right of that

150

150         We all have strongly sworn to give him aid.

               And let him ne’er see joy that breaks that oath!

YORK

YORK     Well, well, I see the issue¹⁵² of these arms.

               I cannot mend it, I must needs confess,

               Because my power¹⁵⁴ is weak and all ill left.

155

155         But if I could, by him that gave me life,

               I would attach¹⁵⁶ you all and make you stoop

               Unto the sovereign mercy of the king.

               But since I cannot, be it known to you

               I do remain as neuter.¹⁵⁹ So, fare you well,

160

160         Unless you please to enter in the castle

               And there repose you for this night.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK  An offer, uncle, that we will accept.

               But we must win¹⁶³ your grace to go with us

               To Bristol Castle, which they say is held

165

165         By Bushy, Bagot and their complices,

               The caterpillars¹⁶⁶ of the commonwealth,

               Which I have sworn to weed and pluck away.

YORK

YORK     It may be I will go with you: but yet I’ll pause,

               For I am loath to break our country’s laws.

170

170         Nor friends nor foes, to me welcome you are:

               Things past redress are now with me past care.

       Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 42.4

running scene 8

       Enter Salisbury and a [Welsh] Captain

CAPTAIN

CAPTAIN     My lord of Salisbury, we have stayed¹ ten days,

               And hardly² kept our countrymen together,

               And yet we hear no tidings from the king;

               Therefore we will disperse ourselves: farewell.

5

5     

SALISBURY

SALISBURY           Stay yet another day, thou trusty Welshman:

               The king reposeth all his confidence in thee.

CAPTAIN

CAPTAIN     ’Tis thought the king is dead: we will not stay.

               The bay-trees⁸ in our country all are withered

               And meteors⁹ fright the fixèd stars of heaven;

10

10           The pale-faced moon looks bloody on the earth

               And lean-looked¹¹ prophets whisper fearful change;

               Rich men look sad and ruffians dance and leap,

               The one¹³ in fear to lose what they enjoy,

               The other to enjoy by rage and war.

15

15           These signs forerun the death of kings.

               Farewell. Our countrymen are gone and fled,

               As well assured Richard their king is dead.

       Exit

SALISBURY

SALISBURY     Ah, Richard, with eyes of heavy mind

               I see thy glory like a shooting star

20

20           Fall to the base earth from the firmament.²⁰

               Thy sun sets weeping in the lowly west,

               Witnessing²² storms to come, woe and unrest.

               Thy friends are fled to wait upon²³ thy foes,

               And crossly²⁴ to thy good all fortune goes.

       Exit

Act 3 Scene 13.1

running scene 9

       Enter Bullingbrook, York, Northumberland, Ross, Percy, Willoughby, with Bushy and

       Green, prisoners

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK Bring forth these men.

               Bushy and Green, I will not vex your souls —

               Since presently³ your souls must part your bodies —

               With too much urging⁴ your pernicious lives,

5

5             For ’twere no charity. Yet to wash your blood

               From off my hands, here in the view of men

               I will unfold some causes of⁷ your deaths.

               You have misled a prince, a royal king,

               A happy⁹ gentleman in blood and lineaments,

10

10           By you unhappied¹⁰ and disfigured clean.

               You have in manner¹¹ with your sinful hours

               Made a divorce¹² betwixt his queen and him,

               Broke¹³ the possession of a royal bed

               And stained the beauty of a fair queen’s cheeks

15

15           With tears drawn from her eyes with your foul wrongs.

               Myself, a prince by fortune of my birth,

               Near to the king in blood, and near in love

               Till you did make him misinterpret me,

               Have stooped my neck under your injuries,

20

20           And sighed my English breath in foreign clouds,²⁰

               Eating the bitter bread of banishment;

               While you have fed upon my signories,²²

               Disparked my parks²³ and felled my forest woods,

               From mine own windows torn my household coat,²⁴

25

25           Razed out my imprese,²⁵ leaving me no sign,

               Save men’s opinions and my living blood,

               To show the world I am a gentleman.

               This and much more, much more than twice all this,

               Condemns you to the death.²⁹— See them delivered over

30

30           To execution and the hand of death.

BUSHY

BUSHY     More welcome is the stroke of death to me

               Than Bullingbrook to England.

GREEN

GREEN     My comfort is that heaven will take our souls

               And plague injustice with the pains of hell.

35

35   

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK My Lord Northumberland, see them dispatched.³⁵—

       [Exeunt Northumberland and others, with the prisoners]

               Uncle, you say the queen is at your house:

               For heaven’s sake, fairly let her be entreated.³⁷

               Tell her I send to her my kind commends;³⁸

               Take special care my greetings be delivered.

40

40   

YORK

YORK            A gentleman of mine I have dispatched

               With letters of your love to her at large.⁴¹

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK Thanks, gentle uncle.— Come, lords, away.

               To fight with Glendower and his complices;

               A while to work, and after holiday.

       Exeunt

Act 3 Scene 23.2

running scene 10

       Drums. Flourish and colours. Enter Richard, Aumerle, Carlisle and Soldiers

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Barkloughly Castle¹ call you this at hand?

AUMERLE

AUMERLE     Yea, my lord. How brooks² your grace the air,

               After your late tossing on the breaking seas?

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Needs must I like it well: I weep for joy

5

5             To stand upon my kingdom once again.

               Dear earth, I do salute thee with my hand,

               Though rebels wound thee with their horses’ hoofs.

               As a long-parted mother with her child

               Plays fondly⁹ with her tears and smiles in meeting,

10

10           So, weeping, smiling, greet I thee, my earth,

               And do thee favour with my royal hands.

               Feed not thy sovereign’s foe, my gentle earth,

               Nor with thy sweets comfort his ravenous sense,¹³

               But let thy spiders,¹⁴ that suck up thy venom,

15

15           And heavy-gaited toads lie in their way,

               Doing annoyance¹⁶ to the treacherous feet

               Which with usurping steps do trample thee.

               Yield stinging nettles to mine enemies;

               And when they from thy bosom pluck a flower,

20

20           Guard²⁰ it, I prithee, with a lurking adder

               Whose double²¹ tongue may with a mortal touch

               Throw death upon thy sovereign’s enemies.

               Mock not my senseless conjuration,²³ lords:

               This earth shall have a feeling and these stones

25

25           Prove armèd soldiers, ere her native²⁵ king

               Shall falter under foul rebellion’s arms.

CARLISLE

CARLISLE     Fear not, my lord. That power that made you king

               Hath power to keep you king in spite of all.

AUMERLE

AUMERLE      He means, my lord, that we are too remiss,

30

30           Whilst Bullingbrook, through our security,³⁰

               Grows strong and great in substance and in friends.

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Discomfortable³² cousin! Know’st thou not

               That when the searching eye³³ of heaven is hid,

               Behind the globe that lights the lower world,

35

35           Then thieves and robbers range abroad unseen

               In murders and in outrage bloody here:

               But when from under this terrestrial ball

               He fires the proud tops of the eastern pines

               And darts his lightning through ev’ry guilty hole,

40

40           Then murders, treasons and detested sins —

               The cloak of night being plucked from off their backs —

               Stand bare and naked, trembling at themselves?

               So when this thief, this traitor, Bullingbrook,

               Who all this while hath revelled in the night,

45

45           Shall see us rising in our throne, the east,

               His treasons will sit blushing in his face,

               Not able to endure the sight of day,

               But, self-affrighted, tremble at his sin.

               Not all the water in the rough rude⁴⁹ sea

50

50           Can wash the balm⁵⁰ from an anointed king;

               The breath of worldly men cannot depose

               The deputy elected by the Lord.

               For every man that Bullingbrook hath pressed⁵³

               To lift shrewd⁵⁴ steel against our golden crown,

55

55           Heaven for his Richard hath in heavenly pay

               A glorious angel.⁵⁶ Then, if angels fight,

               Weak men must fall, for heaven still guards the right.

       Enter Salisbury

               Welcome, my lord. How far off lies your power?

SALISBURY

SALISBURY     Nor near⁵⁹ nor farther off, my gracious lord,

60

60           Than this weak arm. Discomfort⁶⁰ guides my tongue

               And bids me speak of nothing but despair.

               One day too late, I fear, my noble lord,

               Hath clouded all thy happy⁶³ days on earth.

               O, call back yesterday, bid time return,

65

65           And thou shalt have twelve thousand fighting men!

               Today, today, unhappy day too late,

               O’erthrows thy joys, friends, fortune and thy state;⁶⁷

               For all the Welshmen, hearing thou wert dead,

               Are gone to Bullingbrook, dispersed and fled.

70

70   

AUMERLE

AUMERLE           Comfort, my liege. Why looks your grace so pale?

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD But now⁷¹ the blood of twenty thousand men

               Did triumph⁷² in my face, and they are fled.

               And till so much blood thither come again,

               Have I not reason to look pale and dead?

75

75           All souls that will be safe fly from my side,

               For time hath set a blot upon my pride.

AUMERLE

AUMERLE     Comfort, my liege. Remember who you are.

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD I had forgot myself. Am I not king?

               Awake, thou sluggard majesty, thou sleepest.

80

80           Is not the king’s name forty thousand names?

               Arm, arm, my name! A puny subject strikes

               At thy great glory. Look not to the ground,

               Ye favourites of a king. Are we not high?⁸³

               High be our thoughts. I know my uncle York

85

85           Hath power⁸⁵ enough to serve our turn. But who comes here?

       Enter Scroop

SCROOP

SCROOP     More health and happiness betide⁸⁶ my liege

               Than can my care-tuned⁸⁷ tongue deliver him!

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Mine ear is open and my heart prepared.

               The worst is worldly loss thou canst unfold.

90

90           Say, is my kingdom lost? Why, ’twas my care,⁹⁰

               And what loss is it to be rid of care?

               Strives Bullingbrook to be as great as we?

               Greater he shall not be. If he serve God,

               We’ll serve him too and be his fellow⁹⁴ so.

95

95           Revolt our subjects? That we cannot mend.⁹⁵

               They break their faith to God as well as us.

               Cry woe, destruction, ruin, loss, decay.

               The worst is death, and death will have his day.

SCROOP

SCROOP     Glad am I that your highness is so armed

100

100         To bear the tidings of calamity.

               Like an unseasonable stormy day,

               Which makes the silver rivers drown their shores,

               As if the world were all dissolved to tears,

               So high above his¹⁰⁴ limits swells the rage

105

105         Of Bullingbrook,¹⁰⁵ covering your fearful land

               With hard bright steel and hearts harder than steel.

               Whitebeards¹⁰⁷ have armed their thin and hairless scalps

               Against thy majesty, and boys with women’s voices

               Strive to speak big¹⁰⁹ and clap their female joints

110

110         In stiff unwieldy arms¹¹⁰ against thy crown.

               Thy very beadsmen¹¹¹ learn to bend their bows

               Of double-fatal¹¹² yew against thy state.

               Yea, distaff-women¹¹³ manage rusty bills

               Against thy seat.¹¹⁴ Both young and old rebel,

115

115         And all goes worse than I have power to tell.

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Too well, too well thou tell’st a tale so ill.

               Where is the Earl of Wiltshire? Where is Bagot?

               What is become of Bushy, where is Green,

               That they have let the dangerous enemy

120

120         Measure our confines¹²⁰ with such peaceful steps?

               If we prevail, their heads shall pay for it.

               I warrant¹²² they have made peace with Bullingbrook.

SCROOP

SCROOP     Peace have they made with him indeed, my lord.

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD O, villains, vipers, damned without redemption!

125

125         Dogs, easily won to fawn on any man!

               Snakes, in my heart-blood warmed, that sting my heart!

               Three Judases,¹²⁷ each one thrice worse than Judas!

               Would they make peace? Terrible hell make war

               Upon their spotted¹²⁹ souls for this offence!

130

130 

SCROOP

SCROOP             Sweet love, I see, changing his property,¹³⁰

               Turns to the sourest and most deadly hate.

               Again uncurse their souls; their peace is made

               With heads, and not with hands:¹³³ those whom you curse

               Have felt the worst of death’s destroying hand

135

135         And lie full low, graved¹³⁵ in the hollow ground.

AUMERLE

AUMERLE      Is Bushy, Green and the Earl of Wiltshire dead?

SCROOP

SCROOP     Yea, all of them at Bristol lost their heads.

AUMERLE

AUMERLE      Where is the duke my father with his power?

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD No matter where; of comfort no man speak.

140

140         Let’s talk of graves, of worms, and epitaphs,

               Make dust our paper and with rainy eyes

               Write sorrow on the bosom of the earth.

               Let’s choose executors and talk of wills.

               And yet not so; for what can we bequeath

145

145         Save our deposed bodiès to the ground?

               Our lands, our lives and all are Bullingbrook’s,

               And nothing can we call our own but death

               And that small model¹⁴⁸ of the barren earth

               Which serves as paste and cover¹⁴⁹ to our bones.

150

150         For heaven’s sake let us sit upon the ground

               And tell sad¹⁵¹ stories of the death of kings:

               How some have been deposed, some slain in war,

               Some haunted by the ghosts they have deposed,

               Some poisoned by their wives, some sleeping killed,

155

155         All murdered. For within the hollow crown

               That rounds¹⁵⁶ the mortal temples of a king

               Keeps Death his court and there the antic¹⁵⁷ sits,

               Scoffing his state¹⁵⁸ and grinning at his pomp,

               Allowing him a breath, a little scene,

160

160         To monarchize,¹⁶⁰ be feared and kill with looks,

               Infusing him with self¹⁶¹ and vain conceit,

               As if this flesh which walls about our life,

               Were brass impregnable. And humoured thus,¹⁶³

               Comes at the last and with a little pin

165

165         Bores through his castle walls, and farewell king!

               Cover your heads and mock not flesh and blood

               With solemn reverence. Throw away respect,

               Tradition, form and ceremonious duty,

               For you have but mistook me all this while:

170

170         I live with bread like you, feel want,

               Taste grief, need friends. Subjected¹⁷¹ thus,

               How can you say to me, I am a king?

CARLISLE

CARLISLE     My lord, wise men ne’er wail their present woes,

               But presently¹⁷⁴ prevent the ways to wail.

175

175         To fear the foe, since fear oppresseth strength,

               Gives in your weakness strength unto your foe,

               And¹⁷⁷ so your follies fight against yourself.

               Fear and be slain. No¹⁷⁸ worse can come to fight.

               And fight and die is death destroying death,¹⁷⁹

180

180         Where fearing dying pays death servile breath.

AUMERLE

AUMERLE      My father hath a power. Enquire of him

               And learn to make a¹⁸² body of a limb.

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Thou chid’st¹⁸³ me well. Proud Bullingbrook, I come

               To change¹⁸⁴ blows with thee for our day of doom:

185

185         This ague¹⁸⁵ fit of fear is over-blown,

               An easy task it is to win our own.

               Say, Scroop, where lies our uncle with his power?

               Speak sweetly, man, although thy looks be sour.

SCROOP

SCROOP     Men judge by the complexion of the sky

190

190         The state and inclination of the day;

               So may you by my dull and heavy¹⁹¹ eye,

               My tongue hath but a heavier tale to say.

               I play the torturer, by¹⁹³ small and small

               To lengthen out the worst that must be spoken.

195

195         Your uncle York is joined with Bullingbrook,

               And all your northern castles yielded up,

               And all your southern gentlemen in arms

               Upon his faction.

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Thou hast said enough.

200

200         Beshrew²⁰⁰ thee, cousin, which didst lead me forth To Aumerie

               Of that sweet way I was in to despair!

               What say you now? What comfort have we now?

               By heaven, I’ll hate him everlastingly

               That bids me be of comfort any more.

205

205         Go to Flint Castle:²⁰⁵ there I’ll pine away.

               A king, woe’s slave, shall kingly woe obey.

               That power²⁰⁷ I have, discharge, and let ’em go

               To ear²⁰⁸ the land that hath some hope to grow,

               For I have none. Let no man speak again

210

210         To alter this, for counsel is but vain.

AUMERLE

AUMERLE      My liege, one word.

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD He does me double wrong

               That wounds me with the flatteries of his tongue.

               Discharge my followers. Let them hence away,

215

215         From Richard’s night to Bullingbrook’s fair day.

       Exeunt

Act 3 Scene 33.3

running scene 11

       Enter, with Drum and Colours, Bullingbrook, York, Northumberland [and] Attendants

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK  So that¹ by this intelligence we learn

               The Welshmen are dispersed, and Salisbury

               Is gone to meet the king, who lately landed

               With some few private friends upon this coast.

5

5     

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND The news is very fair and good, my lord.

               Richard not far from hence hath hid his head.

YORK

YORK     It would beseem⁷ the Lord Northumberland

               To say ‘King Richard’. Alack the heavy day

               When such a sacred king should hide his head.

10

10   

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND Your grace mistakes. Only to be brief

               Left I his title out.

YORK

YORK     The time hath been,

               Would you have been so brief with him, he would

               Have been so brief with you to¹⁴ shorten you,

15

15           For taking¹⁵ so the head, your whole head’s length.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK Mistake¹⁶ not, uncle, further than you should.

YORK

YORK     Take¹⁷ not, good cousin, further than you should,

               Lest you mistake¹⁸ the heavens are o’er your head.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK I know it, uncle, and oppose not myself

20

20           Against their will. But who comes here?

       Enter Percy

               Welcome, Harry. What, will not this castle yield?

PERCY

PERCY     The castle royally is manned, my lord,

               Against thy entrance.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK Royally? Why, it contains no king?

25

25   

PERCY

PERCY           Yes, my good lord,

               It doth contain a king: King Richard lies²⁶

               Within the limits of yond lime and stone,

               And with him the Lord Aumerle, Lord Salisbury,

               Sir Stephen Scroop, besides a clergyman

30

30           Of holy reverence, who,³⁰ I cannot learn.

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND O, belike³¹ it is the Bishop of Carlisle.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK Noble lord,

               Go to the rude³³ ribs of that ancient castle.

               Through brazen³⁴ trumpet send the breath of parle

35

35           Into his³⁵ ruined ears, and thus deliver:

               Henry Bullingbrook

               Upon his knees doth kiss King Richard’s hand

               And sends allegiance and true faith of heart

               To his most royal person, hither come

40

40           Even at his feet to lay my arms and power

               Provided that my⁴¹ banishment repealed

               And lands restored again be freely granted.

               If not, I’ll use th’advantage⁴³ of my power

               And lay⁴⁴ the summer’s dust with showers of blood

45

45           Rained from the wounds of slaughtered Englishmen;

               The which, how far off from the mind of Bullingbrook

               It is, such⁴⁷ crimson tempest should bedrench

               The fresh green lap of fair King Richard’s land,

               My stooping duty tenderly⁴⁹ shall show.

50

50           Go signify as much, while here we march

               Upon the grassy carpet of this plain.

               Let’s march without the noise of threat’ning drum,

               That from this castle’s tattered⁵³ battlements

               Our fair appointments⁵⁴ may be well perused.

55

55           Methinks King Richard and myself should meet

               With no less terror than the elements

               Of fire and water,⁵⁷ when their thund’ring smoke

               At meeting tears the cloudy cheeks of heaven.

               Be he the fire, I’ll be the yielding water;

60

60           The rage be his, while on the earth I rain⁶⁰

               My waters on the earth, and not on him.

               March on, and mark⁶² King Richard how he looks.

       Parley without, and answer within. Then a flourish. Enter on the walls, Richard, Carlisle, Aumerle, Scroop [and] Salisbury

               See, see, King Richard doth himself appear,

               As doth the blushing⁶⁴ discontented sun

65

65           From out the fiery portal of the east,

               When he perceives the envious⁶⁶ clouds are bent

               To dim his glory and to stain⁶⁷ the tract

               Of his bright passage to the occident.⁶⁸

YORK

YORK     Yet looks he like a king. Behold, his eye,

70

70           As bright as is the eagle’s, lightens forth⁷⁰

               Controlling majesty. Alack, alack, for woe,

               That any harm should stain so fair a show!

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD We are amazed;⁷³ and thus long have we stood To Northumberland

               To watch⁷⁴ the fearful bending of thy knee

75

75           Because we thought ourself thy lawful king.

               And if we be, how dare thy joints forget

               To pay their awful⁷⁷ duty to our presence?

               If we be not, show us the hand⁷⁸ of God

               That hath dismissed us from our stewardship,

80

80           For well we know, no hand of blood and bone

               Can grip the sacred handle of our sceptre,

               Unless he do profane,⁸² steal, or usurp.

               And though you think that all, as you have done,

               Have torn⁸⁴ their souls by turning them from us,

85

85           And we are barren and bereft of friends,

               Yet know, my master, God omnipotent,

               Is must’ring in his clouds on our behalf

               Armies of pestilence, and they shall strike⁸⁸

               Your children yet unborn and unbegot,⁸⁹

90

90           That⁹⁰ lift your vassal hands against my head

               And threat the glory of my precious crown.

               Tell Bullingbrook — for yond methinks he is —

               That every stride he makes upon my land

               Is dangerous treason. He is come to ope⁹⁴

95

95           The purple testament⁹⁵ of bleeding war;

               But ere the crown he looks for live in peace,

               Ten thousand bloody crowns⁹⁷ of mothers’ sons

               Shall ill become the flower of England’s face,

               Change the complexion of her maid-pale⁹⁹ peace

100

100         To scarlet indignation and bedew

               Her pastor’s¹⁰¹ grass with faithful English blood.

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND The king of heaven forbid our lord the king

               Should so with civil¹⁰³ and uncivil arms

               Be rushed upon! Thy thrice-noble cousin,

105

105         Harry Bullingbrook, doth humbly kiss thy hand.

               And by the honourable tomb he swears,

               That stands upon your royal grandsire’s bones,

               And by the royalties of both your bloods —

               Currents that spring from one most gracious head¹⁰⁹ —

110

110         And by the buried hand of warlike Gaunt,

               And by the worth and honour of himself,

               Comprising all that may be sworn or said,

               His coming hither hath no further scope¹¹³

               Than for his lineal royalties¹¹⁴ and to beg

115

115         Enfranchisement¹¹⁵ immediate on his knees,

               Which on thy royal party¹¹⁶ granted once,

               His glittering arms he will commend¹¹⁷ to rust,

               His barbèd¹¹⁸ steeds to stables, and his heart

               To faithful service of your majesty.

120

120         This¹²⁰ swears he, as he is a prince, is just:

               And, as I am a gentleman, I credit¹²¹ him.

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Northumberland, say thus the king returns.¹²²

               His noble cousin is right welcome hither,

               And all the number of his fair demands

125

125         Shall be accomplished¹²⁵ without contradiction.

               With all the gracious¹²⁶ utterance thou hast,

               Speak to his gentle hearing kind commends.¹²⁷—

               We do debase ourself, cousin, do we not, To Aumerie

               To look so poorly¹²⁹ and to speak so fair?

130

130         Shall we call back Northumberland, and send

               Defiance to the traitor, and so die?

AUMERLE

AUMERLE     No, good my lord, let’s fight with gentle words

               Till time lend friends and friends their helpful swords.

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD O God, O God, that e’er¹³⁴ this tongue of mine,

135

135         That laid the sentence of dread banishment

               On yond¹³⁶ proud man, should take it off again

               With words of sooth!¹³⁷ O, that I were as great

               As is my grief, or lesser than my name!

               Or that I could forget what I have been,

140

140         Or not remember what I must be now!

               Swell’st thou, proud heart? I’ll give thee scope¹⁴¹ to beat,

               Since foes have scope to beat¹⁴² both thee and me.

AUMERLE

AUMERLE     Northumberland comes back from Bullingbrook.

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD What must the king do now? Must he submit?

145

145         The king shall do it. Must he be deposed?

               The king shall be contented.¹⁴⁶ Must he lose

               The name of king? O’God’s name, let it go.

               I’ll give my jewels for a set of beads,¹⁴⁸

               My gorgeous palace for a hermitage,

150

150         My gay apparel for an almsman’s¹⁵⁰ gown,

               My figured¹⁵¹ goblets for a dish of wood,

               My sceptre for a palmer’s¹⁵² walking staff,

               My subjects for a pair of carvèd saints,

               And my large kingdom for a little grave,

155

155         A little little grave, an obscure grave.

               Or I’ll be buried in the king’s highway,

               Some way of common trade,¹⁵⁷ where subjects’ feet

               May hourly trample on their sovereign’s head,

               For on my heart they tread now whilst I live,

160

160         And buried once,¹⁶⁰ why not upon my head?—

               Aumerle, thou weep’st, my tender-hearted cousin!

               We’ll make foul weather with despisèd¹⁶² tears,

               Our sighs and they shall lodge¹⁶³ the summer corn,

               And make a dearth¹⁶⁴ in this revolting land.

165

165         Or shall we play the wantons¹⁶⁵ with our woes,

               And make¹⁶⁶ some pretty match with shedding tears?

               As thus, to drop them still¹⁶⁷ upon one place,

               Till they have fretted us¹⁶⁸ a pair of graves

               Within the earth, and, therein laid — there lies

170

170         Two kinsmen digged their graves with weeping eyes.

               Would not this ill¹⁷¹ do well?— Well, well, I see

               I talk but idly, and you mock at me.—

               Most mighty prince, my lord Northumberland,

               What says King Bullingbrook? Will his majesty

175

175         Give Richard leave to live till Richard die?

               You make a leg,¹⁷⁶ and Bullingbrook says ‘Ay’.

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND My lord, in the base court¹⁷⁷ he doth attend

               To speak with you. May it please you to come down?

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Down, down I come, like glist’ring¹⁷⁹ Phaethon,

180

180         Wanting the manage¹⁸⁰ of unruly jades.

               In the base court? Base court where kings grow base,

               To come at traitors’ calls and do them grace.¹⁸²

               In the base court, come down: down court, down king,

               For night-owls shriek¹⁸⁴ where mounting larks should sing.

       [Exeunt from above]

185

185 

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK What says his majesty?

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND Sorrow and grief of heart

               Makes him speak fondly,¹⁸⁷ like a frantic man

               Yet he is come.

       [Enter King Richard and his Attendants below]

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK Stand all apart,¹⁸⁹

190

190         And show fair duty to his majesty.

               My gracious lord— Kneels

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Fair cousin, you debase¹⁹² your princely knee

               To make the base earth proud with kissing it.

               Me rather had¹⁹⁴ my heart might feel your love

195

195         Than my unpleased eye see your courtesy.¹⁹⁵

               Up,¹⁹⁶ cousin, up! Your heart is up, I know,

               Thus high at least, although your knee be low.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK  My gracious lord, I come but for mine own.

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Your own is yours, and I am yours, and all.

200

200 

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK  So far be mine, my most redoubted²⁰⁰ lord,

               As my true service shall deserve your love.

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Well you deserved. They well deserve to have,

               That know the strong’st and surest way to get.— Bullingbrook rises

               Uncle, give me your hand: nay, dry your eyes. To York

205

205         Tears show their love, but want their remedies.²⁰⁵—

               Cousin, I am too young to be your father, To Bullingbrook

               Though you are old enough to be my heir.

               What you will have, I’ll give, and willing²⁰⁸ too,

               For do we must what force will have us do.

210

210         Set on towards London, cousin, is it so?

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK  Yea, my good lord.

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Then I must not say no.

       Flourish. Exeunt

Act 3 Scene 43.4

running scene 12

       Enter the Queen and two Ladies

QUEEN

QUEEN     What sport shall we devise here in this garden,

               To drive away the heavy² thought of care?

LADY

LADY     Madam, we’ll play at bowls.

QUEEN

QUEEN     ’Twill make me think the world is full of rubs,⁴

5

5             And that my fortune runs against the bias.⁵

LADY

LADY     Madam, we’ll dance.

QUEEN

QUEEN     My legs can keep no measure⁷ in delight

               When my poor heart no measure⁸ keeps in grief:

               Therefore, no dancing, girl, some other sport.

10

10   

LADY

LADY           Madam, we’ll tell tales.

QUEEN

QUEEN     Of sorrow or of joy?

LADY

LADY     Of either, madam.

QUEEN

QUEEN     Of neither, girl.

               For if of joy, being altogether wanting,¹⁴

15

15           It doth remember¹⁵ me the more of sorrow.

               Or if of grief, being altogether had,¹⁶

               It adds more sorrow to my want¹⁷ of joy.

               For what I have I need not to repeat,

               And what I want it boots not¹⁹ to complain.

20

20   

LADY

LADY           Madam, I’ll sing.

QUEEN

QUEEN     ’Tis²¹ well that thou hast cause,

               But thou shouldst please me better, wouldst thou weep.

LADY

LADY     I could weep, madam, would it do you good.

QUEEN

QUEEN     And I could sing, would weeping do me good,

25

25           And never borrow any tear of thee.

       Enter a Gardener and two Servants

               But stay, here come the gardeners.

               Let’s step into the shadow of these trees.

               My²⁸ wretchedness unto a row of pins,

               They’ll talk of state,²⁹ for everyone doth so

30

30           Against³⁰ a change; woe is forerun with woe. Queen and Ladies stand aside

GARDENER

GARDENER     Go bind thou up yond dangling apricocks,³¹

               Which, like unruly children, make their sire³²

               Stoop with oppression³³ of their prodigal weight.

               Give some supportance³⁴ to the bending twigs.

35

35           Go thou, and like an executioner,

               Cut off the heads of too fast-growing sprays,³⁶

               That look too lofty³⁷ in our commonwealth:

               All must be even³⁸ in our government.

               You thus employed, I will go root away

40

40           The noisome⁴⁰ weeds, that without profit suck

               The soil’s fertility from wholesome⁴¹ flowers.

SERVANT

SERVANT     Why should we in the compass⁴² of a pale

               Keep law and form and due proportion,

               Showing, as in a model,⁴⁴ our firm estate,

45

45           When our sea-wallèd garden, the whole land,

               Is full of weeds, her fairest flowers choked up,

               Her fruit-trees all unpruned, her hedges ruined,

               Her knots⁴⁸ disordered and her wholesome herbs

               Swarming with caterpillars?

50

50   

GARDENER

GARDENER           Hold thy peace.

               He that hath suffered⁵¹ this disordered spring

               Hath now himself met with the fall of leaf.⁵²

               The weeds that his broad-spreading leaves did shelter,

               That seemed in eating him to hold him up,

55

55           Are pulled up root and all by Bullingbrook —

               I mean the Earl of Wiltshire, Bushy, Green.

SERVANT

SERVANT     What, are they dead?

GARDENER

GARDENER     They are. And Bullingbrook

               Hath seized⁵⁹ the wasteful king. O, what pity is it

60

60           That he had not so trimmed⁶⁰ and dressed his land

               As we this garden: we at time of year⁶¹

               Do wound the bark, the skin of our fruit-trees,

               Lest, being over-proud⁶³ with sap and blood,

               With too much riches it confound⁶⁴ itself.

65

65           Had he done so to great and growing men,

               They might have lived to bear and he to taste

               Their fruits of duty. Superfluous branches

               We lop away, that bearing⁶⁸ boughs may live.

               Had he done so, himself had borne the crown,⁶⁹

70

70           Which waste and idle hours hath quite thrown down.

SERVANT

SERVANT     What, think you the king shall be deposed?

GARDENER

GARDENER     Depressed⁷² he is already, and deposed

               ’Tis doubted⁷³ he will be. Letters came last night

               To a dear friend of the Duke of York’s,

75

75           That tell black tidings.

QUEEN

QUEEN     O, I am pressed to death⁷⁶ through want of speaking! Comes forward

               Thou, old Adam’s⁷⁷ likeness, set to dress this garden,

               How dares thy harsh rude tongue sound this unpleasing news?

               What Eve, what serpent, hath suggested⁷⁹ thee

80

80           To make a second fall of cursèd man?

               Why dost thou say King Richard is deposed?

               Dar’st thou, thou little better thing than earth,

               Divine⁸³ his downfall? Say, where, when, and how,

               Cam’st thou by this ill tidings? Speak, thou wretch.

85

85   

GARDENER

GARDENER           Pardon me, madam. Little joy have I

               To breathe these news; yet what I say is true.

               King Richard, he is in the mighty hold⁸⁷

               Of Bullingbrook. Their fortunes both are weighed:

               In your lord’s scale is nothing but himself,

90

90           And some few vanities⁹⁰ that make him light.

               But in the balance of great Bullingbrook,

               Besides himself, are all the English peers,

               And with that odds⁹³ he weighs King Richard down.

               Post⁹⁴ you to London, and you’ll find it so,

95

95           I speak no more than everyone doth know.

QUEEN

QUEEN     Nimble mischance, that art so light of foot,

               Doth not thy embassage⁹⁷ belong to me,

               And am I last that knows it? O, thou think’st

               To serve me last, that I may longest keep

100

100         Thy sorrow in my breast. Come, ladies, go

               To meet at London London’s king in woe.

               What, was I born to this, that my sad look

               Should grace the triumph¹⁰³ of great Bullingbrook?

               Gard’ner, for telling me this news of woe,

105

105         I would the plants thou graft’st may never grow.

       Exeunt [Queen and Ladies]

GARDENER

GARDENER     Poor queen, so¹⁰⁶ that thy state might be no worse,

               I would my skill were subject to thy curse.

               Here did she drop a tear. Here in this place

               I’ll set a bank of rue,¹⁰⁹ sour herb of grace.

110

110         Rue, e’en for ruth,¹¹⁰ here shortly shall be seen,

               In the remembrance of a weeping queen.

       Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 14.1

running scene 13

       Enter, as to the Parliament, Bullingbrook, Aumerle, Northumberland, Percy, Fitzwaters, Surrey, Carlisle, Abbot of Westminister, Herald, Officers and Bagot

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK  Call forth Bagot.— Bagot is brought forward

               Now, Bagot, freely speak thy mind,

               What thou dost know of noble Gloucester’s death,

               Who wrought⁴ it with the king, and who performed

5

5             The bloody office⁵ of his timeless end.

BAGOT

BAGOT     Then set before my face the lord Aumerle.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK Cousin, stand forth, and look upon that man. To Aumerle

BAGOT

BAGOT     My lord Aumerle, I know your daring tongue

               Scorns to unsay⁹ what it hath once delivered.

10

10           In that dead¹⁰ time when Gloucester’s death was plotted,

               I heard you say, ‘Is not my arm of length,¹¹

               That reacheth from the restful English court

               As far as Calais, to my uncle’s head?’

               Amongst much other talk, that very time,

15

15           I heard you say that you had rather refuse

               The offer of an hundred thousand crowns¹⁶

               Than¹⁷ Bullingbrook’s return to England;

               Adding withal¹⁸ how blest this land would be

               In this your cousin’s death.

20

20   

AUMERLE

AUMERLE            Princes and noble lords,

               What answer shall I make to this base²¹ man?

               Shall I so much dishonour my fair stars,²²

               On²³ equal terms to give him chastisement?

               Either I must, or have mine honour soiled

25

25           With th’attainder²⁵ of his sland’rous lips.— Throws down his gage

               There is my gage, the manual²⁶ seal of death

               That marks thee out for hell. I say thou liest,

               And will maintain what thou hast said is false

               In thy heart-blood, though being all too base

30

30           To stain the temper³⁰ of my knightly sword.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK  Bagot, forbear.³¹ Thou shalt not take it up.

AUMERLE

AUMERLE      Excepting one,³² I would he were the best

               In all this presence that hath moved³³ me so.

FITZWATERS

FITZWATERS      If that thy valour stand³⁴ on sympathy, To Aumerie

35

35           There is my gage, Aumerle, in gage³⁵ to thine. Throws down his gage

               By that fair sun that shows me where thou stand’st,

               I heard thee say, and vauntingly³⁷ thou spak’st it,

               That thou wert cause of noble Gloucester’s death.

               If thou deniest³⁹ it twenty times, thou liest,

40

40           And I will turn⁴⁰ thy falsehood to thy heart,

               Where it was forgèd, with my rapier’s point.

AUMERLE

AUMERLE      Thou dar’st not, coward, live to see the day.

FITZWATERS

FITZWATERS      Now by my soul, I would it were this hour.

AUMERLE

AUMERLE      Fitzwaters, thou art damned to hell for this.

45

45   

PERCY

PERCY           Aumerie, thou liest: his honour is as true

               In this appeal⁴⁶ as thou art all unjust.

               And that thou art so, there I throw my gage,

               To prove it on thee to th’extremest⁴⁸ point Throws down his gage

               Of mortal breathing. Seize it, if thou dar’st.

50

50   

AUMERLE

AUMERLE            An if⁵⁰ I do not, may my hands rot off Picks up the gage

               And never brandish more⁵¹ revengeful steel

               Over the glittering helmet of my foe!

SURREY

SURREY     My lord Fitzwaters, I do remember well

               The very time Aumerle and you did talk.

55

55   

FITZWATERS

FITZWATERS           My lord, ’tis very true. You were in presence⁵⁵ then

               And you can witness with me this is true.

SURREY

SURREY     As false, by heaven, as heaven itself is true.

FITZWATERS

FITZWATERS     Surrey, thou liest.

SURREY

SURREY     Dishonourable boy!

60

60           That lie shall lie so heavy on my sword

               That it shall render⁶¹ vengeance and revenge

               Till thou the lie-giver and that lie do lie

               In earth as quiet as thy father’s skull,

               In proof whereof, there is mine honour’s pawn. Throws down his gage

65

65           Engage⁶⁵ it to the trial, if thou dar’st.

FITZWATERS

FITZWATERS      How fondly⁶⁶ dost thou spur a forward horse!

               If I dare eat, or drink, or breathe, or live,

               I dare meet Surrey in a wilderness,⁶⁸

               And spit upon him, whilst I say he lies,

70

70           And lies, and lies. There is my bond of faith, Throws down his gage

               To tie⁷¹ thee to my strong correction.

               As I intend to thrive in this new world,

               Aumerle is guilty of my true appeal.

               Besides, I heard the banished Norfolk say

75

75           That thou, Aumerle, didst send two of thy men

               To execute the noble duke at Calais.

AUMERLE

AUMERLE      Some honest Christian trust me with a gage. Borrows a gage, then throws it down

               That⁷⁸ Norfolk lies, here do I throw down this,

               If he may be repealed,⁷⁹ to try his honour.

80

80   

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK  These differences⁸⁰ shall all rest under gage

               Till Norfolk be repealed. Repealed he shall be,

               And, though mine enemy, restored again

               To all his lands and signories.⁸³ When he’s returned,

               Against Aumerle we will enforce his trial.⁸⁴

85

85   

CARLISLE

CARLISLE           That honourable day shall ne’er be seen.

               Many a time hath banished Norfolk fought

               For Jesu Christ in glorious Christian field,⁸⁷

               Streaming the ensign⁸⁸ of the Christian cross

               Against black pagans, Turks and Saracens,

90

90           And toiled⁹⁰ with works of war, retired himself

               To Italy, and there at Venice gave

               His body to that pleasant country’s earth,

               And his pure soul unto his captain Christ,

               Under whose colours⁹⁴ he had fought so long.

95

35   

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK  Why, bishop, is Norfolk dead?

CARLISLE

CARLISLE     As sure as I live, my lord.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK  Sweet peace conduct his sweet soul to the bosom⁹⁷

               Of good old Abraham! Lords appellants,⁹⁸

               Your differences shall all rest under gage

100

100         Till we assign you to your days of trial.

       Enter York

YORK

YORK     Great Duke of Lancaster, I come to thee

               From plume-plucked¹⁰² Richard, who with willing soul

               Adopts thee heir, and his high sceptre yields

               To the possession of thy royal hand.

105

105         Ascend his throne, descending¹⁰⁵ now from him,

               And long live Henry, of that name the fourth!

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK  In God’s name, I’ll ascend the regal throne.

CARLISLE

CARLISLE     Marry,¹⁰⁸ heaven forbid!

               Worst¹⁰⁹ in this royal presence may I speak,

110

110         Yet best beseeming¹¹⁰ me to speak the truth.

               Would God that any in this noble presence

               Were enough noble to be upright judge

               Of noble Richard! Then true noblesse¹¹³ would

               Learn¹¹⁴ him forbearance from so foul a wrong.

115

115         What subject can give sentence on his king?

               And who sits here that is not Richard’s subject?

               Thieves are not judged but they are by¹¹⁷ to hear,

               Although apparent¹¹⁸ guilt be seen in them.

               And shall the figure¹¹⁹ of God’s majesty,

120

120         His captain, steward, deputy-elect,

               Anointed, crownèd, planted many years,

               Be judged by subject¹²² and inferior breath,

               And he himself not present? O, forbid it, God,

               That in a Christian climate souls refined

125

125         Should show so heinous,¹²⁵ black, obscene a deed.

               I speak to subjects, and a subject speaks,

               Stirred up by heaven, thus boldly for his king.

               My lord of Hereford here, whom you call king,

               Is a foul traitor to proud Hereford’s king.

130

130         And if you crown him, let me prophesy

               The blood of English shall manure¹³¹ the ground,

               And future ages groan for his foul act.

               Peace shall go sleep with Turks and infidels,

               And in this seat of peace tumultuous wars

135

135         Shall kin with kin and kind¹³⁵ with kind confound.

               Disorder, horror, fear and mutiny

               Shall here inhabit, and this land be called

               The field¹³⁸ of Golgotha and dead men’s skulls.

               O, if you rear this house¹³⁹ against this house,

140

140         It will the woefullest division prove

               That ever fell upon this cursed earth.

               Prevent it, resist it, and let it not be so,

               Lest child, child’s children, cry against you ‘Woe!’

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND Well have you argued, sir. And for your pains,

145

145         Of capital treason we arrest you here.

               My lord of Westminster, be it your charge

               To keep him safely till his day of trial.

               May it please you, lords, to grant the commons’ suit?¹⁴⁸

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK Fetch hither Richard, that in common view

150

150         He may surrender,¹⁵⁰ so we shall proceed

               Without suspicion.

YORK

YORK     I will be his conduct.¹⁵²

       Exit

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK Lords, you that here are under our arrest,

               Procure your sureties¹⁵⁴ for your days of answer.

155

155         Little are we beholding¹⁵⁵ to your love,

               And little looked for¹⁵⁶ at your helping hands.

       Enter Richard and York [with Officers bearing the regalia]

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Alack, why am I sent for to a king,

               Before I have shook off the regal thoughts

               Wherewith I reigned? I hardly yet have learned

160

160         To insinuate,¹⁶⁰ flatter, bow, and bend my knee.

               Give sorrow leave awhile to tutor me

               To this submission. Yet I well remember

               The favours¹⁶³ of these men: were they not mine?

               Did they not sometime¹⁶⁴ cry, ‘All hail!’ to me?

165

165         So Judas did to Christ, but he in twelve¹⁶⁵

               Found truth in all but one; I, in twelve thousand, none.

               God save the king! Will no man say ‘Amen’?

               Am I both priest and clerk?¹⁶⁸ Well then, amen.

               God save the king, although I be not he.

170

170         And yet, amen, if heaven do think him me.

               To do what service¹⁷¹ am I sent for hither?

YORK

YORK     To do that office of thine own good will

               Which tired majesty¹⁷³ did make thee offer:

               The resignation of thy state and crown

175

175         To Henry Bullingbrook.

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Give me the crown.— Takes the crown and offers it to Bullingbrook Here, cousin, seize¹⁷⁶ the crown:

               Here cousin, on this side my hand, on that side thine.

               Now is this golden crown like a deep well

               That owes¹⁷⁹ two buckets, filling one another,

180

180         The emptier ever dancing in the air,

               The other down, unseen and full of water:

               That bucket down and full of tears am I,

               Drinking my griefs, whilst you mount up on high.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK I thought you had been willing to resign.

185

185 

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD My crown I am, but still my griefs are mine.

               You may my glories and my state depose,

               But not my griefs; still am I king of those.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK Part of your cares you give me with your crown.

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Your¹⁸⁹ cares set up do not pluck my cares down.

190

190         My care is loss of care, by¹⁹⁰ old care done:

               Your care is gain of care, by new care won.

               The cares I give I have, though given away,

               They tend¹⁹³ the crown, yet still with me they stay.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK Are you contented to resign the crown?

195

195 

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Ay,¹⁹⁵ no; no, ay, for I must nothing be:

               Therefore no ‘no’, for I resign to thee.

               Now mark me¹⁹⁷ how I will undo myself:

               I give this heavy weight from off my head, Bullingbrook accepts crown

               And this unwieldy sceptre from my hand, Bullingbrook accepts scepter

200

200         The pride of kingly sway²⁰⁰ from out my heart.

               With mine own tears I wash away my balm,

               With mine own hands I give away my crown,

               With mine own tongue deny my sacred state,

               With mine own breath release²⁰⁴ all duteous oaths.

205

205         All pomp and majesty I do forswear:²⁰⁵

               My manors, rents, revenues I forgo:

               My acts, decrees, and statutes I deny.

               God pardon all oaths that are broke to me,

               God keep all vows unbroke are made to thee.

210

210         Make me, that nothing have, with nothing grieved,²¹⁰

               And thou with all pleased, that hast all achieved.

               Long mayst thou live in Richard’s seat to sit,

               And soon lie Richard in an earthy pit!

               ‘God save King Henry’, unkinged Richard says,

215

215         ‘And send him many years of sunshine days!’ —

               What more remains?

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND  No more, but that you read Gives a paper

               These accusations and these grievous crimes

               Committed by your person and your followers

220

220         Against the state and profit of this land,

               That, by confessing them, the souls of men

               May deem that you are worthily deposed.

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Must I do so? And must I ravel out²²³

               My weaved-up follies? Gentle²²⁴ Northumberland,

225

225         If thy offences were upon record,

               Would it not shame thee in so fair a troop²²⁶

               To read a lecture²²⁷ of them? If thou wouldst,

               There shouldst thou find one heinous article,²²⁸

               Containing the deposing of a king

230

230         And cracking the strong warrant²³⁰ of an oath,

               Marked with a blot, damned in the book of heaven.

               Nay, all of you that stand and look upon me,

               Whilst that my wretchedness doth bait²³³ myself,

               Though some of you with Pilate²³⁴ wash your hands

235

235         Showing an outward pity, yet you Pilates

               Have here delivered me to my sour²³⁶ cross,

               And water cannot wash away your sin.

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND My lord, dispatch.²³⁸ Read o’er these articles.

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Mine eyes are full of tears, I cannot see.

240

240         And yet salt water blinds them not so much

               But they can see a sort²⁴¹ of traitors here.

               Nay, if I turn mine eyes upon myself,

               I find myself a traitor with the rest,

               For I have given here my soul’s consent

245

245         T’undeck²⁴⁵ the pompous body of a king;

               Made glory base and sovereignty a slave,

               Proud majesty a subject, state a peasant.

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND  My lord

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD No lord of thine, thou haught²⁴⁹ insulting man,

250

250         No, nor no man’s lord.— I have no name, no title;

               No, not that name was given me at the font,²⁵¹

               But ’tis usurped. Alack the heavy day,

               That I have worn so many winters out,

               And know not now what name to call myself.

255

255         O, that I were a mockery²⁵⁵ king of snow,

               Standing before the sun of Bullingbrook,

               To melt myself away in water-drops!

               Good king, great king — and yet not greatly good —

               An if²⁵⁹ my word be sterling yet in England,

260

260         Let it command a mirror hither straight,

               That it may show me what²⁶¹ a face I have,

               Since it is bankrupt of his²⁶² majesty.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK Go some²⁶³ of you and fetch a looking-glass.

       [Exit an Attendant]

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND Read o’er this paper while the glass doth come.

265

265 

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Fiend, thou torments me ere I come to hell!

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK Urge it no more, my lord Northumberland.

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND The commons will not then be satisfied.

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD They shall be satisfied. I’ll read enough,

               When I do see the very book indeed

270

270         Where all my sins are writ, and that’s myself.

       Enter one, with a glass

               Give me that glass, and therein will I read. Takes the mirror

               No deeper wrinkles yet? Hath sorrow struck

               So many blows upon this face of mine,

               And made no deeper wounds? O flatt’ring glass,

275

275         Like to my followers in prosperity,

               Thou dost beguile²⁷⁶ me! Was this face the face

               That every day under his household roof

               Did keep²⁷⁸ ten thousand men? Was this the face

               That like the sun did make beholders wink?²⁷⁹

280

280         Is this the face which faced²⁸⁰ so many follies,

               That was at last out-faced²⁸¹ by Bullingbrook?

               A brittle glory shineth in this face,

               As brittle as the glory is the face. Throws the mirror down against the ground

               For there it is, cracked in an hundred shivers.²⁸⁴

285

285         Mark, silent king, the moral²⁸⁵ of this sport,

               How soon my sorrow hath destroyed my face.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK The shadow²⁸⁷ of your sorrow hath destroyed

               The shadow of your face.

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Say that again.

290

290         The shadow of my sorrow? Ha? Let’s see,

               ’Tis very true, my grief lies all within,

               And these external manner²⁹² of laments

               Are merely shadows to the unseen grief

               That swells with silence in the tortured soul.

295

295         There lies the substance: and I thank thee, king,

               For thy great bounty, that not only giv’st

               Me cause to wail, but teachest me the way

               How to lament the cause. I’ll beg one boon,²⁹⁸

               And then be gone and trouble you no more.

300

300         Shall I obtain it?

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK Name it, fair cousin.

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD ‘Fair cousin’? I am greater than a king,

               For when I was a king, my flatterers

               Were then but subjects; being now a subject,

305

305         I have a king here to³⁰⁵ my flatterer.

               Being so great, I have no need to beg.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK Yet ask.

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD And shall I have?

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK You shall.

310

310 

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Then give me leave to go.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK Whither?

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Whither you will, so I were from your sights.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK Go, some of you convey³¹³ him to the Tower.

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD O, good! ‘Convey’? Conveyers are you all,

315

315         That rise thus nimbly by a true king’s fall.

       [Exeunt Richard, some Lords and a Guard]

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK On Wednesday next we solemnly set down³¹⁶

               Our coronation. Lords, prepare yourselves.

       Exeunt [all except Carlisle, the Abbot and Aumerle]

ABBOT

ABBOT     A woeful pageant have we here beheld.

CARLISLE

CARLISLE     The woe’s to come. The children yet unborn

320

320         Shall feel this day as sharp to them as thorn.

AUMERLE

AUMERLE     You holy clergymen, is there no plot

               To rid the realm of this pernicious³²² blot?

ABBOT

ABBOT     Before I freely speak my mind herein,

               You shall not only take the sacrament³²⁴

325

325         To bury³²⁵ mine intents, but also to effect

               Whatever I shall happen to devise.

               I see your brows are full of discontent,

               Your heart of sorrow and your eyes of tears.

               Come home with me to supper. I’ll lay

330

330         A plot shall show us all a merry day.

       Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 15.1

running scene 14

       Enter Queen and Ladies

QUEEN

QUEEN     This way the king will come. This is the way

               To Julius Caesar’s² ill-erected tower,

               To whose flint³ bosom my condemnèd lord

               Is doomed⁴ a prisoner by proud Bullingbrook.

5

5             Here let us rest, if this rebellious earth

               Have any resting for her true king’s queen.

       Enter Richard and Guard

               But soft, but see, or rather do not see,

               My fair rose wither. Yet look up, behold,

               That you in pity may dissolve to dew,

10

10           And wash him fresh again with true-love tears.

               Ah, thou, the model¹¹ where old Troy did stand,

               Thou map¹² of honour, thou King Richard’s tomb,

               And not King Richard. Thou most beauteous inn,¹³

               Why should hard-favoured¹⁴ grief be lodged in thee,

15

15           When triumph is become an ale-house¹⁵ guest?

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Join not with grief, fair woman, do not so,

               To make my end too sudden. Learn, good soul,

               To think our former state¹⁸ a happy dream;

               From which awaked, the truth of what we are

20

20           Shows us but this. I am sworn brother,²⁰ sweet,

               To grim Necessity, and he and I

               Will keep a league²² till death. Hie thee to France

               And cloister²³ thee in some religious house.

               Our holy lives must win a new world’s²⁴ crown,

25

25           Which our profane hours here have stricken down.

QUEEN

QUEEN     What, is my Richard both in shape²⁶ and mind

               Transformed and weakened? Hath Bullingbrook deposed

               Thine intellect? Hath he been in thy heart?

               The lion dying thrusteth forth his paw,

30

30           And wounds the earth, if nothing else, with rage

               To be³¹ o’erpowered. And wilt thou, pupil-like,

               Take thy correction mildly, kiss the rod,³²

               And fawn on rage with base humility,

               Which art a lion and a king of beasts?

35

35   

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD A king of beasts,³⁵ indeed. If aught but beasts,

               I had been still³⁶ a happy king of men.

               Good sometime³⁷ queen, prepare thee hence for France:

               Think I am dead and that even here thou tak’st,

               As from my death-bed, thy last living leave.

40

40           In winter’s tedious nights sit by the fire

               With good old folks and let them tell thee tales

               Of woeful ages long ago betid.⁴²

               And ere thou bid good night, to quit⁴³ their grief,

               Tell thou the lamentable fall of me

45

45           And send the hearers weeping to their beds.

               For why⁴⁶ the senseless brands will sympathize

               The heavy accent⁴⁷ of thy moving tongue

               And in compassion weep⁴⁸ the fire out,

               And some⁴⁹ will mourn in ashes, some coal-black,

50

50           For the deposing of a rightful king.

       Enter Northumberland [and others]

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND My lord, the mind of Bullingbrook is changed.

               You must to Pomfret,⁵² not unto the Tower.—

               And, madam, there is order ta’en⁵³ for you: To the Queen

               With all swift speed you must away to France.

55

55   

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Northumberland, thou ladder wherewithal⁵⁵

               The mounting Bullingbrook ascends my throne,

               The time shall not be many⁵⁷ hours of age

               More than it is ere foul sin, gathering head,⁵⁸

               Shall break into corruption.⁵⁹ Thou shalt think,

60

60           Though he⁶⁰ divide the realm and give thee half,

               It is too little, helping⁶¹ him to all.

               He shall think that thou, which⁶² know’st the way

               To plant unrightful⁶³ kings, wilt know again,

               Being ne’er so little urged, another way

65

65           To pluck him headlong from th’usurpèd throne.

               The love of wicked friends converts to fear;

               That fear to hate, and hate turns one or both⁶⁷

               To worthy⁶⁸ danger and deservèd death.

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND My guilt be on my head, and there an end.

70

70           Take leave and part,⁷⁰ for you must part forthwith.

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Doubly divorced? Bad men, ye violate

               A twofold marriage, ’twixt⁷² my crown and me

               And then betwixt me and my married wife.—

               Let me unkiss⁷⁴ the oath ’twixt thee and me; To Queen

75

75           And yet not so, for with a kiss ’twas made.—

               Part us, Northumberland. I towards the north,

               Where shivering cold and sickness pines⁷⁷ the clime.

               My queen to France, from whence,⁷⁸ set forth in pomp,

               She came adornèd hither like sweet May,

80

80           Sent back like Hallowmas⁸⁰ or short’st of day.

QUEEN

QUEEN     And must we be divided? Must we part?

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Ay, hand from hand, my love, and heart from heart.

QUEEN

QUEEN     Banish us both and send the king with me.

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND That were⁸⁴ some love but little policy.

85

85   

QUEEN

QUEEN           Then whither he goes, thither let me go.

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD So two, together weeping, make one woe.

               Weep thou for me in France, I for thee here.

               Better far off than, near, be⁸⁸ ne’er the near.

               Go, count thy way with sighs; I mine with groans.

90

90   

QUEEN

QUEEN           So longest way shall have the longest moans.

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Twice for one step I’ll groan, the way being short,

               And piece⁹² the way out with a heavy heart.

               Come, come, in wooing sorrow let’s be brief,

               Since, wedding it, there is such length in grief.

95

95           One kiss shall stop⁹⁵ our mouths, and dumbly part; They kiss

               Thus give I mine, and thus take I thy heart.

QUEEN

QUEEN     Give me mine own again. ’Twere⁹⁷ no good part

               To take on me to keep and kill⁹⁸ thy heart. They kiss

               So, now I have mine own again, be gone,

100

100         That I may strive to kill it with a groan.

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD We make woe wanton¹⁰¹ with this fond delay.

               Once more, adieu;¹⁰² the rest let sorrow say

       Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 25.2

running scene 15

       Enter York and his Duchess

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK My lord, you told me you would tell the rest,

               When weeping made you break the story off,

               Of our two cousins³ coming into London.

YORK

YORK     Where did I leave?⁴

5

5     

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK At that sad stop, my lord,

               Where rude⁶ misgoverned hands from windows’ tops

               Threw dust and rubbish on King Richard’s head.

YORK

YORK     Then, as I said, the duke, great Bullingbrook,

               Mounted upon a hot and fiery steed

10

10           Which¹⁰ his aspiring rider seemed to know,

               With slow but stately pace kept on his course,

               While all tongues cried ‘God save thee, Bullingbrook!’

               You would have thought the very windows spake,

               So many greedy looks of young and old

15

15           Through casements¹⁵ darted their desiring eyes

               Upon his visage, and that all the walls

               With painted imagery¹⁷ had said at once ‘

               ‘Jesu preserve thee! Welcome, Bullingbrook!’

               Whilst he, from one side to the other turning,

20

20           Bareheaded,²⁰ lower than his proud steed’s neck,

               Bespake²¹ them thus: ‘I thank you, countrymen’,

               And thus still²² doing, thus he passed along.

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK Alas, poor Richard! Where rides he the whilst?²³

YORK

YORK     As in a theatre, the eyes of men,

25

25           After a well-graced²⁵ actor leaves the stage,

               Are idly²⁶ bent on him that enters next,

               Thinking his prattle to be tedious,

               Even so, or with much more contempt, men’s eyes

               Did scowl on Richard. No man cried ‘God save him’,

30

30           No joyful tongue gave him his welcome home,

               But dust was thrown upon his sacred head,

               Which with such gentle sorrow he shook off,

               His face still combating with³³ tears and smiles,

               The badges³⁴ of his grief and patience,

35

35           That had not God, for some strong purpose, steeled

               The hearts of men, they must perforce³⁶ have melted

               And barbarism itself have pitied him.

               But heaven hath a hand in these events,

               To whose high will we bound³⁹ our calm contents.

40

40           To Bullingbrook are we sworn subjects now,

               Whose state⁴¹ and honour I for aye allow.

       Enter Aumerle

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK Here comes my son Aumerle.

YORK

YORK     Aumerle that was,

               But that is lost for being Richard’s friend.

45

45           And, madam, you must call him Rutland⁴⁵ now.

               I am in parliament pledge⁴⁶ for his truth

               And lasting fealty⁴⁷ to the new-made king.

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK Welcome, my son. Who are the violets⁴⁸ now

               That strew the green lap of the new come spring?⁴⁹

50

50   

AUMERLE

AUMERLE           Madam, I know not, nor I greatly care not.

               God knows I had as lief⁵¹ be none as one.

YORK

YORK     Well, bear you⁵² well in this new spring of time,

               Lest you be cropped⁵³ before you come to prime.

               What news from Oxford? Hold⁵⁴ those jousts and triumphs?

55

55   

AUMERLE

AUMERLE           For aught I know, my lord, they do.

YORK

YORK     You will be there, I know.

AUMERLE

AUMERLE     If God prevent not, I purpose so.

YORK

YORK     What seal⁵⁸ is that, that hangs without thy bosom?

               Yea, look’st thou pale? Let me see the writing.

60

60   

AUMERLE

AUMERLE           My lord, ’tis nothing.

YORK

YORK     No matter, then, who sees it.

               I will be satisfied. Let me see the writing.

AUMERLE

AUMERLE     I do beseech your grace to pardon me.

               It is a matter of small consequence,

65

65           Which for some reasons I would not have seen.

YORK

YORK     Which for some reasons, sir, I mean to see.

               I fear, I fear—

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK What should you fear?

               ’Tis nothing but some bond⁶⁹ that he is entered into

70

70           For gay apparel against⁷⁰ the triumph.

YORK

YORK     Bound to himself? What doth he with a bond

               That he is bound to? Wife, thou art a fool.

               Boy, let me see the writing.

AUMERLE

AUMERLE      I do beseech you pardon me. I may not show it.

75

75   

YORK

YORK           I will be satisfied. Let me see it, I say.

       Snatches it

               Treason, foul treason! Villain, traitor, slave!

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK What’s the matter, my lord?

YORK

YORK     Ho! Who’s within there?

       [Enter a Servant]

               Saddle my horse.

80

80           Heaven for his mercy, what treachery is here!

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK Why, what is’t, my lord?

YORK

YORK     Give me my boots, I say. Saddle my horse.—

       [Exit Servant]

               Now, by my honour, my life, my troth,

               I will appeach⁸⁴ the villain.

85

85   

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK What is the matter?

YORK

YORK     Peace, foolish woman.

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK I will not peace. What is the matter, son?

AUMERLE

AUMERLE     Good mother, be content. It is no more

               Than my poor life must answer.⁸⁹

90

90   

DUCHESS OF YORK

90 DUCHESS OF YORK           Thy life answer?

       Enter Servant with boots

YORK

YORK     Bring me my boots. I will unto the king.

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK Strike him, Aumerle. Poor boy, thou art amazed.⁹²—

               Hence, villain!⁹³ Never more come in my sight. To Servant

YORK

YORK     Give me my boots, I say.

95

95   

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK Why, York, what wilt thou do?

               Wilt thou not hide the trespass of thine own?⁹⁶

               Have we more sons? Or are we like to have?

               Is not my teeming date⁹⁸ drunk up with time?

               And wilt thou pluck my fair son from mine age,

100

100         And rob me of a happy mother’s name?

               Is he not like thee? Is he not thine own?

YORK

YORK     Thou fond¹⁰² mad woman,

               Wilt thou conceal this dark conspiracy?

               A dozen of them here have ta’en the sacrament,

105

105         And interchangeably¹⁰⁵ set down their hands,

               To kill the king at Oxford.

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK He shall be none.¹⁰⁷

               We’ll keep him here. Then what is that¹⁰⁸ to him?

YORK

YORK     Away, fond woman! Were he twenty times my son,

110

110         I would appeach him.

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK Hadst thou groaned¹¹¹ for him

               As I have done, thou wouldst be more pitiful.

               But now I know thy mind; thou dost suspect

               That I have been disloyal to thy bed,

115

115         And that he is a bastard, not thy son.

               Sweet York, sweet husband, be not of that mind:

               He is as like thee as a man may be,

               Not like to me, nor any of my kin,

               And yet I love him.

120

120 

YORK

YORK             Make way, unruly woman!

       Exit

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK After, Aumerle! Mount thee upon his horse.¹²¹

               Spur post,¹²² and get before him to the king,

               And beg thy pardon ere he do accuse thee.

               I’ll not be long behind. Though I be old,

125

125         I doubt not but to ride as fast as York:

               And never will I rise up from the ground¹²⁶

               Till Bullingbrook have pardoned thee. Away, begone!

       Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 35.3

running scene 16

       Enter Bullingbrook, Percy and other Lords

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK Can no man tell of my unthrifty¹ son?

               ’Tis full three months since I did see him last.

               If any plague hang over us, ’tis he.

               I would to heaven, my lords, he might be found.

5

5             Enquire at London, ’mongst the taverns there,

               For there, they say, he daily doth frequent,

               With unrestrainèd loose⁷ companions,

               Even such, they say, as stand in narrow lanes,

               And rob our watch,⁹ and beat our passengers,

10

10           Which he, young wanton and effeminate¹⁰ boy,

               Takes on the¹¹ point of honour to support

               So dissolute a crew.

PERCY

PERCY     My lord, some two days since I saw the prince,

               And told him of these triumphs held at Oxford.

15

15   

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK And what said the gallant?¹⁵

PERCY

PERCY     His answer was, he would unto the stews,¹⁶

               And from the common’st¹⁷ creature pluck a glove,

               And wear it as a favour,¹⁸ and with that

               He would unhorse¹⁹ the lustiest challenger.

20

20   

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK As dissolute as desp’rate.²⁰ Yet through both

               I see some sparks of better hope, which elder days

               May happily²² bring forth. But who comes here?

       Enter Aumerle

AUMERLE

AUMERLE     Where is the king?

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK What means our cousin, that he stares²⁴ and looks

25

25           so wildly?

AUMERLE

AUMERLE     God save your grace! I do beseech your majesty,

               To have some conference with your grace alone.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK Withdraw yourselves, and leave us here alone.

       [Exeunt Henry Percy and Lords]

               What is the matter with our cousin now?

30

30   

AUMERLE

AUMERLE           Forever may my knees grow³⁰ to the earth,

               My tongue cleave to my roof within my mouth

               Unless a pardon³² ere I rise or speak.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK Intended or committed was this fault?

               If on the first, how heinous e’er it be,

35

35           To win thy after-love³⁵ I pardon thee.

AUMERLE

AUMERLE     Then give me leave that I may turn the key,

               That no man enter till my tale be done.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK  Have thy desire. Aumerle locks door

YORK

YORK     (Within) My liege, beware! Look to thyself:

40

40           Thou hast a traitor in thy presence there.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK  Villain, I’ll make thee safe.⁴¹ Draws his sword

AUMERLE

AUMERLE      Stay⁴² thy revengeful hand, thou hast no cause to fear.

YORK

YORK     (Within) Open the door, secure,⁴³ foolhardy king:

               Shall I for love speak treason⁴⁴ to thy face?

45

45           Open the door, or I will break it open. Bullingbrook unlocks door

       Enter York

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK  What is the matter, uncle? Speak,

               Recover breath, tell us how near is danger,

               That we may arm us to encounter it.

YORK

YORK     Peruse this writing here, and thou shalt know

50

50           The reason that my haste⁵⁰ forbids me show. Presents paper

AUMERLE

AUMERLE      Remember, as thou read’st, thy promise passed.⁵¹

               I do repent me: read not my name there

               My heart is not confederate with my hand.⁵³

YORK

YORK     It was, villain, ere thy hand did set it down.

55

55           I tore it from the traitor’s bosom, king.

               Fear, and not love, begets his penitence;

               Forget to pity him, lest thy pity prove

               A serpent that will sting thee to the heart.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK  O, heinous, strong⁵⁹ and bold conspiracy!

60

60           O loyal father of a treacherous son!

               Thou sheer,⁶¹ immaculate and silver fountain,

               From whence this stream through muddy passages

               Hath held his current⁶³ and defiled himself!

               Thy overflow of good converts to bad,

65

65           And thy abundant goodness shall excuse

               This deadly blot⁶⁶ in thy digressing son.

YORK

YORK     So shall my virtue be his vice’s bawd,⁶⁷

               And he shall spend⁶⁸ mine honour with his shame,

               As thriftless sons their scraping⁶⁹ fathers’ gold.

70

70           Mine honour lives when his dishonour dies,

               Or my shamed life in his dishonour lies.

               Thou kill’st me in his life: giving him breath,

               The traitor lives, the true⁷³ man’s put to death.

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK (Within) What ho, my liege! For heaven’s sake,

75

75           let me in.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK  What shrill-voiced suppliant makes this eager cry?

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK (Within) A woman, and thine aunt, great king. ’Tis I.

               Speak with me, pity me, open the door:

               A beggar begs that never begged before.

80

80   

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK  Our scene is altered from a serious thing,

               And now changed to ‘The Beggar and the King’.—

               My dangerous cousin, let your mother in.

               I know she’s come to pray for your foul sin.

YORK

YORK     If thou do pardon, whosoever pray,

85

85           More sins for⁸⁵ this forgiveness prosper may.

               This festered⁸⁶ joint cut off, the rest rests sound:

               This let alone⁸⁷ will all the rest confound.

       Enter Duchess

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK O king, believe not this hard-hearted man!

               Love loving not itself⁸⁹ none other can.

90

90   

YORK

YORK           Thou frantic⁹⁰ woman, what dost thou make here?

               Shall thy old dugs⁹¹ once more a traitor rear?

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK Sweet York, be patient. Hear me, gentle liege. Kneels

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK  Rise up, good aunt.

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK Not yet, I thee beseech.

95

95           Forever will I kneel upon my knees,

               And never see day that the happy⁹⁶ sees,

               Till thou give joy, until thou bid me joy,

               By pardoning Rutland, my transgressing boy.

AUMERLE

AUMERLE      Unto my mother’s prayers I bend my knee. Kneels

100

100 

YORK

YORK             Against them both my true¹⁰⁰ joints bended be. Kneels

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK Pleads he in earnest? Look upon his face:

               His eyes do drop no tears, his prayers are in jest:¹⁰²

               His words come from his mouth, ours from our breast.

               He prays but faintly and would¹⁰⁴ be denied:

105

105         We pray with heart and soul and all beside.

               His weary joints would gladly rise, I know:

               Our knees shall kneel till to the ground they grow.

               His prayers are full of false hypocrisy,

               Ours of true zeal and deep integrity.

110

110         Our prayers do out-pray his: then let them have

               That mercy which true prayers ought to have.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK  Good aunt, stand up.

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK Nay, do not say, ‘stand up’.

               But, ‘pardon’ first, and afterwards ‘stand up’.

115

115         And if I were thy nurse, thy tongue to teach,

               ‘Pardon’ should be the first word of thy speech.

               I never longed to hear a word till now:

               Say ‘pardon’, king, let pity teach thee how.

               The word is short, but not so short as sweet:

120

120         No word like ‘pardon’ for kings’ mouths so meet.¹²⁰

YORK

YORK     Speak it in French, king: say, ‘pardonnez-moi’.¹²¹

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK Dost thou teach pardon pardon to destroy?

               Ah, my sour husband, my hard-hearted lord,

               That sets the word itself against the word!—

125

125         Speak ‘pardon’ as ’tis current in our land: To Bullingbrook

               The chopping¹²⁶ French we do not understand.

               Thine eye begins to speak, set thy tongue there,

               Or in thy piteous heart plant thou thine ear,

               That hearing how our plaints¹²⁹ and prayers do pierce,

130

130         Pity may move thee ‘pardon’ to rehearse.¹³⁰

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK  Good aunt, stand up.

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK I do not sue¹³² to stand:

               Pardon is all the suit¹³³ I have in hand.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK  I pardon him, as heaven shall pardon me.

135

135 

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK O, happy¹³⁵ vantage of a kneeling knee!

               Yet am I sick for fear: speak it again,

               Twice saying ‘pardon’ doth not pardon twain,¹³⁷

               But makes one pardon strong.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK  I pardon him with all my heart.

140

140 

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK  A god on earth thou art. York, Duchess, and Aumerle rise

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK But for¹⁴¹ our trusty brother-in-law, the abbot,

               With all the rest of that consorted¹⁴² crew,

               Destruction straight shall dog them at the heels.

               Good uncle, help to order several¹⁴⁴ powers

145

145         To Oxford, or where’er these traitors are:

               They shall not live within this world, I swear,

               But I will have them, if I once know where.

               Uncle, farewell, and, cousin, adieu:

               Your mother well hath prayed, and prove¹⁴⁹ you true.

150

150 

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK Come, my old son. I pray heaven make thee new.

       Exeunt

[Act 5 Scene 4]

running scene 16 continues

       Enter Exton and Servants

EXTON

EXTON     Didst thou not mark the king, what words he spake —

               ‘Have I no friend will rid me of this living fear?’

               Was it not so?

SERVANT

SERVANT     Those were his very words.

5

5     

EXTON

EXTON           ‘Have I no friend?’ quoth he: he spake it twice,

               And urged it twice together, did he not?

SERVANT

SERVANT     He did.

EXTON

EXTON     And speaking it, he wistly⁸ looked on me,

               As⁹ who should say, ‘I would thou wert the man

10

10           That would divorce this terror from my heart’,

               Meaning the king at Pomfret. Come, let’s go:

               I am the king’s friend, and will rid his foe.

       Exeunt

Act 5 Scene [5]5.5

running scene 17

       Enter Richard

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD I have been studying¹ how to compare

               This prison where I live unto the world.

               And for because³ the world is populous

               And here is not a creature but myself,

5

5             I cannot do it. Yet I’ll hammer’t out.

               My brain I’ll prove the female to my soul,

               My soul the father, and these two beget⁷

               A generation of still-breeding⁸ thoughts;

               And these same thoughts people this little world,

10

10           In humours¹⁰ like the people of this world,

               For no thought is contented. The better sort,

               As¹² thoughts of things divine, are intermixed

               With scruples¹³ and do set the faith itself

               Against the faith: as thus, ‘Come, little ones’,¹⁴

15

15           And then again:

               ‘It¹⁶ is as hard to come as for a camel

               To thread the postern¹⁷ of a needle’s eye.’

               Thoughts tending to ambition, they do plot

               Unlikely wonders; how these vain weak nails

20

20           May tear a passage through the flinty ribs

               Of this hard world, my ragged²¹ prison walls,

               And, for²² they cannot, die in their own pride.

               Thoughts tending to content²³ flatter themselves

               That they are not the first of fortune’s slaves,

25

25           Nor shall not be the last, like silly²⁵ beggars

               Who sitting in the stocks²⁶ refuge their shame,

               That²⁷ many have and others must sit there;

               And in this thought they find a kind of ease,

               Bearing their own misfortune on the back

30

30           Of such as have before endured the like.

               Thus play I in one prison³¹ many people,

               And none contented. Sometimes am I king;

               Then treason³³ makes me wish myself a beggar,

               And so I am. Then crushing penury³⁴

35

35           Persuades me I was better when a king.

               Then am I kinged again, and by and by³⁶

               Think that I am unkinged by Bullingbrook,

               And straight³⁸ am nothing. But whate’er I am,

       Music

               Nor I nor any man that but man is³⁹

40

40           With nothing⁴⁰ shall be pleased, till he be eased

               With being nothing.⁴¹ Music do I hear?

               Ha, ha! Keep time. How sour sweet music is

               When time is broke and no proportion⁴³ kept!

               So is it in the music of men’s lives.

45

45           And here have I the daintiness⁴⁵ of ear

               To hear time broke in a disordered string,⁴⁶

               But for the concord⁴⁷ of my state and time

               Had not an ear to hear my true time broke.

               I wasted time, and now doth time waste⁴⁹ me,

50

50           For now hath time made me his numb’ring clock.⁵⁰

               My thoughts are minutes; and with sighs they jar⁵¹

               Their watches⁵² on unto mine eyes, the outward watch,

               Whereto my finger, like a dial’s point,⁵³

               Is pointing still,⁵⁴ in cleansing them from tears.

55

55           Now sir, the sound that tells⁵⁵ what hour it is

               Are clamorous groans, that strike⁵⁶ upon my heart,

               Which is the bell. So sighs and tears and groans

               Show minutes, hours and times.⁵⁸ But my time

               Runs posting⁵⁹ on in Bullingbrook’s proud joy,

60

60           While I stand fooling here, his Jack o’th’clock.⁶⁰

               This music mads⁶¹ me. Let it sound no more, Music stops

               For though it have holp⁶² madmen to their wits,

               In me it seems it will make wise men mad.

               Yet blessing on his heart that gives it me,

65

65           For ’tis a sign of love, and love to⁶⁵ Richard

               Is a strange brooch⁶⁶ in this all-hating world.

       Enter Groom

GROOM

GROOM     Hail, royal prince!

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Thanks, noble peer.⁶⁸

               The⁶⁹ cheapest of us is ten groats too dear.

70

70           What art thou? And how com’st thou hither

               Where no man ever comes but that sad⁷¹ dog

               That brings me food to make misfortune⁷² live?

GROOM

GROOM     I was a poor groom of thy stable, king,

               When thou wert king, who, travelling towards York,

75

75           With much ado,⁷⁵ at length have gotten leave

               To look upon my sometimes⁷⁶ royal master’s face.

               O, how it yearned⁷⁷ my heart when I beheld

               In London streets, that coronation-day,

               When Bullingbrook rode on roan⁷⁹ Barbary,

80

80           That horse that thou so often hast bestrid,⁸⁰

               That horse that I so carefully have dressed!

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Rode he on Barbary? Tell me, gentle⁸² friend,

               How went he under him?

GROOM

GROOM     So proudly as if he had disdained the ground.

85

85   

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD So proud that Bullingbrook was on his back?

               That jade⁸⁶ hath eat bread from my royal hand,

               This hand hath made him proud with clapping⁸⁷ him.

               Would he not stumble? Would he not fall down,

               Since pride must have a fall, and break the neck

90

90           Of that proud man that did usurp his back?

               Forgiveness, horse. Why do I rail on⁹¹ thee,

               Since thou, created to be awed⁹² by man,

               Wast born to bear? I was not made a horse,

               And yet I bear a burden like an ass,

95

95           Spurred, galled⁹⁵ and tired by jauncing Bullingbrook.

       Enter Keeper, with a dish

KEEPER

KEEPER     Fellow,⁹⁶ give place. Here is no longer stay.

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD If thou love me, ’tis time thou wert away. To Groom

GROOM

GROOM     What my tongue dares not, that my heart shall say.

       Exit

KEEPER

KEEPER     My lord, will’t please you to fall to?⁹⁹

100

100 

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD Taste of it first, as thou wert wont¹⁰⁰ to do.

KEEPER

KEEPER     My lord, I dare not. Sir Pierce of Exton, who

               Lately came from th’king, commands the contrary.

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD The devil take Henry of Lancaster and thee!

               Patience is stale, and I am weary of it. Beats him

105

105 

KEEPER

KEEPER             Help, help, help!

       Enter Exton and Servants [armed]

KING RICHARD

KING RICHARD How now? What means death in this rude¹⁰⁶ assault?

               Villain, thine own hand yields thy death’s instrument.—

       Takes a weapon from one man and kills him with it

               Go thou, and fill another room¹⁰⁸ in hell.— Kills another man

       Exton strikes him down

               That hand shall burn in never-quenching fire

110

110         That staggers¹¹⁰ thus my person. Exton, thy fierce hand

               Hath with the king’s blood stained the king’s own land.

               Mount, mount, my soul! Thy seat¹¹² is up on high,

               Whilst my gross¹¹³ flesh sinks downward, here to die. Dies

EXTON

EXTON     As full of valour as of royal blood.

               Both have I spilled. O, would the deed were good!

115

115         For now the devil that told me I did well

               Says that this deed is chronicled in hell.

               This dead king to the living king I’ll bear.—

               Take hence the rest, and give them burial here.

       Exeunt

Act 5 Scene [6]5.6

running scene 18

       Flourish. Enter Bullingbrook, York, with other Lords and Attendants

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK  Kind uncle York, the latest news we hear

               Is that the rebels have consumed with fire

               Our town of Cicester³ in Gloucestershire,

               But whether they be ta’en⁴ or slain we hear not.

       Enter Northumberland

5

5             Welcome, my lord. What is the news?

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND First, to thy sacred state wish I all happiness.

               The next⁷ news is, I have to London sent

               The heads of Salisbury, Spencer, Blunt and Kent.

               The manner of their taking⁹ may appear

10

10           At large discoursèd¹⁰ in this paper here. Gives a paper

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK We thank thee, gentle Percy, for thy pains,

               And to thy worth will add right worthy¹² gains.

       Enter Fitzwaters

FITZWATERS

FITZWATERS      My lord, I have from Oxford sent to London

               The heads of Brocas and Sir Bennet Seely,

15

15           Two of the dangerous consorted traitors

               That sought at Oxford thy dire¹⁶ overthrow.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK Thy pains, Fitzwaters, shall not be forgot.

               Right noble is thy merit, well I wot.¹⁸

       Enter Percy and Carlisle

PERCY

PERCY     The grand¹⁹ conspirator, Abbot of Westminster,

20

20           With clog²⁰ of conscience and sour melancholy

               Hath yielded up his body to the grave,

               But here is Carlisle living, to abide²²

               Thy kingly doom²³ and sentence of his pride.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK Carlisle, this is your doom:

25

25           Choose out some secret place, some reverend room,²⁵

               More²⁶ than thou hast, and with it joy thy life.

               So as thou liv’st in peace, die free from strife:

               For though mine enemy thou hast ever been,

               High²⁹ sparks of honour in thee have I seen.

       Enter Exton, with [Attendants carrying] a coffin

30

30   

EXTON

EXTON           Great king, within this coffin I present

               Thy buried fear. Herein all breathless lies

               The mightiest of thy greatest enemies,

               Richard of Bordeaux,³³ by me hither brought.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK Exton, I thank thee not, for thou hast wrought³⁴

35

35           A deed of slaughter with thy fatal hand

               Upon my head and all this famous land.

EXTON

EXTON     From your own mouth, my lord, did I this deed.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK They love not poison that do poison need,

               Nor do I thee. Though I did wish him dead,

40

40           I hate the murd’rer, love⁴⁰ him murderèd.

               The guilt of conscience take thou for thy labour,

               But neither my good word nor princely favour.

               With Cain⁴³ go wander through the shade of night,

               And never show thy head by day nor light.

45

45           Lords, I protest, my soul is full of woe

               That blood should sprinkle me to make me grow.

               Come, mourn with me for that I do lament,

               And put on sullen⁴⁸ black incontinent.

               I’ll make a voyage to the Holy Land,⁴⁹

50

50           To wash this blood off from my guilty hand.

               March sadly⁵¹ after: grace my mourning here,

               In weeping after⁵² this untimely bier.

       Exeunt

Quarto passages that do not appear in the Folio

        Following 1.3.127:

               And for we think the eagle-wingèd pride

               Of sky-aspiring and ambitious thoughts,

               With rival-hating envy, set on you

               To wake our peace, which in our country’s cradle

               Draws the sweet infant breath of gentle sleep;

        Following 1.3.232:

               O, had it been a stranger, not my child,

               To smooth his fault I should have been more mild:

               A partial slander sought I to avoid,

               And in the sentence my own life destroyed.

        Following 1.3.257:

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK Nay, rather, every tedious stride I make

               Will but remember me what a deal of world

               I wander from the jewels that I love.

               Must I not serve a long apprenticehood

               To foreign passages, and in the end,

               Having my freedom, boast of nothing else

               But that I was a journeyman to grief?

GAUNT

GAUNT     All places that the eye of heaven visits

               Are to a wise man ports and happy havens.

               Teach thy necessity to reason thus;

               There is no virtue like necessity.

               Think not the king did banish thee,

               But thou the king. Woe doth the heavier sit,

               Where it perceives it is but faintly borne.

               Go, say I sent thee forth to purchase honour

               And not the king exiled thee; or suppose

               Devouring pestilence hangs in our air

               And thou art flying to a fresher clime:

               Look what thy soul holds dear, imagine it

               To lie that way thou go’st, not whence thou comest:

               Suppose the singing birds musicians,

               The grass whereon thou tread’st the presence strewed,

               The flowers fair ladies, and thy steps no more

               Than a delightful measure or a dance;

               For gnarling sorrow hath less power to bite

               The man that mocks at it and sets it light.

        Following 3.2.28:

               The means that heaven yields must be embraced,

               And not neglected; else, if heaven would,

               And we will not, heaven’s offer we refuse,

               The proffered means of succour and redress.

        Following 4.1.52:

LORD

LORD     I task the earth to the like, forsworn Aumerle;

               And spur thee on with full as many lies

               As may be holloaed in thy treacherous ear

               From sun to sun: there is my honour’s pawn;

               Engage it to the trial, if thou darest.

AUMERLE

AUMERLE     Who sets me else? By heaven, I’ll throw at all:

               I have a thousand spirits in one breast,

               To answer twenty thousand such as you.

Textual Notes

Q = First Quarto text of 1597

F = First Folio text of 1623

F2 = a correction introduced in the Second Folio text of 1632

Ed = a correction introduced by a later editor

List of parts = Ed

1.1.127 duly = Q. Not in F 163 Obedience bids = Ed. F erroneously prints the words twice 203 we shall = Q. F = you shall

1.2.20 faded spelled vaded in F 43 to = F. Q = and 62 my = F. Q = thy

1.3.28 plated = Q. F = placed 29 formally = Q. F = formerly 76 furbish = Q. F = furnish 86 King = Q. F = Kings 256 as foil = Q. F = a soyle 266 never = Q. F = euer

1.4.7 blew = Q. F = grew 22 Bagot here = Q. F = heere Bagot 27 smiles = Q. F = soules

2.1.18 found = Q. F = sound 118 chasing = Q. F = chafing 191 grip spelled gripe in F 234 thou wouldst = Q. F = thou’dst 286 Brittany = Ed. F = Britaine

2.2.3 life-harming = Q. F = selfe-harming 27 weeps = Q. F = weepe 54 son young = Q. F = yong sonne 74 hope lingers = Q. F = hopes linger 95 as…callèd = Q. F = I came by, and call’d

2.3.87 nor uncle me no uncle = Ed. F = nor Unckle me 92 then more = Q. F = more then

3.2.26 rebellion’s = Q. F = Rebellious 102 makes = Q. F = make 107 Whitebeards = Q. F = White Beares 177 And…yourself = Q. Not in F

3.3.39 most royal = Q. F = Royall (F‘s lineation is also aberrant in these lines)

3.4.11 joy = Ed. F = Griefe 26 come = Q. F = comes 61 we at = Ed. F = at 62 Do = Q. F = And 70 and = F. Q = of

4.1.27 I say thou = Q. F = Thou 34 sympathy = Q. F = sympathize 113 noblesse = Q. F = noblenesse 132 his = F. Q = this 139 rear = F. Q = raise

5.1.39 thy = Q. F = my

5.3.37 be = Q. F = me 50 reason = F. Q = treason 63 held = Q. F = had 95 kneel = F. Q = walke

5.5 [Scene 5] = Ed. F = Scoena Quarta (i.e., numbered 5.4, since previous scene break is not noted) 31 prison = F. Q = person 95 Spurred, galled = Q. F = Spur-gall’d

5.6 [Scene 6] = Ed. F = Scoena Quinta

Act 1 Scene 1

    *   List of parts: QUEEN unnamed on stage; the historical Richard’s wife at the end of his reign was Isabel of Valois, a child; in portraying an adult queen and a close marriage, the play seems to conflate Isabel with Richard’s deceased first wife, Anne of Bohemia

 1.1    Location: the court of King Richard II John of Gaunt was named after his place of birth, Ghent

    2    Hast thou have you—the familiar form used to intimates and inferiors    band bond

    3    Henry Hereford i.e., Bullingbrook; he had been created Duke of Hereford (pronounced as two syllables) by Richard in 1397

    4    boist’rous violent    late recent    appeal binding accusation

    5    our Richard uses the plural royal pronoun    leisure i.e., lack of leisure

    7    liege lord, superior entitled to feudal allegiance and service

    8    sounded enquired of

    9    on ancient out of long-standing

  11    ground motive, cause

  12    sift find by questioning    argument topic

  13    apparent manifest, obvious

  14    inveterate long-standing

  18    High-stomached proud/high-spirited/courageous/angry    ire anger

  21    gracious full of divine grace, holy/benevolent

  22    still always

  23    hap fortune

  24    immortal title i.e., immortality (in heaven)

  25    but only

  26    well appeareth is plainly apparent    you come i.e., about which you come

  27    appeal accuse of a crime that the accuser undertakes to prove (especially of treason)

  28    object charge

  30    record witness

  32    Tend’ring cherishing

  33    misbegotten wrongfully conceived

  34    appellant (as an) accuser

  36    mark note, pay attention to

  38    answer answer for

  39    miscreant wretch, villain

  40    good high-ranking

  41    crystal clear, bright (heavenly bodies were thought to be contained within rotating crystal spheres)

  43    aggravate emphasize, magnify    note reproach, mark of disgrace

  45    ere before

  46    right justly, rightfully

  47    cold deliberate, unimpassioned    accuse i.e., diminish, cast doubt on    zeal powerful feelings/loyalty

  48    trial judgment, test

  49    eager sharp, biting

  50    Can arbitrate that can reach a judicial decision on    cause matter of dispute    betwixt between    twain two

  51    blood anger, passion/bodily blood    cooled calmed/let flow (either through medical bloodletting or in death)

  54    fair reverence of proper respect for

  56    else otherwise    post hasten

  58    Setting…royalty regardless of his royal blood (Bullingbrook is Richard’s cousin, and grandson to Edward III;    high blood plays on the sense of “extreme anger”)

  59    let supposing

  60    defy challenge to combat

  62    odds the advantage

  63    meet encounter in combat    tied obliged

  65    inhabitable not habitable

  66    durst dares to

  67    this i.e., the following accusation, or possibly Mowbray indicates his sword

  69    gage pledge signifying a commitment to combat (usually a glove or gauntlet, thrown down to challenge the opponent)

  72    except set aside

  74    pawn gage

  76    make good prove

  77    thou canst devise you can invent

  79    gently nobly/kindly/softly

  80    in    …degree to any just, honorable extent

  82    light alight, dismount (from my horse)

  83    unjustly dishonorably/in an unjust cause

  84    lay    …charge accuse Mowbray of

  85    inherit us put us in possession

  87    Look attend to, note

  88    nobles gold coins

  89    lendings advances on payment

  90    lewd improper/vile

  91    injurious harmful

  93    Or either

  96    Complotted plotted in conspiracy with others

  97    Fetched drew/derived    head source

100    Duke of Gloucester son of Edward III, hence Richard’s uncle and John of Gaunt’s brother; he was murdered in 1397 at Calais, while in the custody of Mowbray and, many believe, at Richard’s prompting

101    Suggest tempt, incite

103    Sluiced out let flow, flooded out

104    sacrificing sacrificial    Abel in the Bible, killed by his brother Cain, the world’s first murderer

106    chastisement correction, punishment

109    pitch height (literally, the highest point in a falcon’s flight)

113    slander of disgrace to

118    my sceptre’s awe the reverence due to my scepter

119    neighbour neighboring, close

120    partialize make partial, bias

126    receipt amount received

130    Upon…account for the balance of a large debt

131    fetch historically Mowbray was involved in marriage negotiations on Richard’s behalf, though Richard escorted the French princess Isabel to England

135    lord of Lancaster i.e., John of Gaunt

138    trespass sin

140    exactly in full detail/specifically

142    appealed with which I am charged

144    recreant cowardly (if an adjective)/coward (if a noun)

145    Which which accusation

146    interchangeably in exchange, reciprocally

147    overweening arrogant

149    Even in i.e., by shedding    chambered enclosed

150    In haste whereof to hasten which

153    purge cure medically (by bloodletting)    choler anger (literally yellow bile, the hot and dry “humor,” one of four fluids in ancient and medieval physiology, believed to govern physical and mental qualities)    letting shedding; refers specifically to the medical practice of phlebotomy (opening a vein so as to let blood flow)

156    conclude come to terms

157    doctors learned men, astrologers

160    become suit, befit

164    boot point, advantage (in refusing)

165    dread revered

167    fair name honorable reputation

170    impeached accused legally    baffled disgraced publicly

172    balm ointment    his…breathed the heart-blood of he who uttered

175    Lions make leopards the lion symbolized the king and featured on the royal coat of arms; Mowbray’s coat of arms bore a lion leopard, i.e., walking and showing the full face

176    spots leopard spots/stains of dishonor    Take take responsibility for/take over

179    away gone

180    but gilded merely covered with gold, superficially fair    loam earth, clay

181    ten-times-barred-up i.e., extremely secure    chest plays on the sense of “torso”

183    in one together, inseparably

185    try put to the test

189    crest-fall’n humbled/abashed

190    impeach my height discredit my high rank, stoop

191    out-dared cowed/terrified    dastard coward

193    parle truce (literally trumpet call instigating negotiation)

194    motive instrument, i.e., tongue    recanting renouncing a belief/making a public confession of error

195    his its (the tongue’s)

196    harbour dwell/shelter

197    sue beg

200    Saint Lambert’s day September 17

202    swelling growing/inflated with pride    settled fixed, unchanging

203    atone set at one, reconcile

204    design designate, identify    chivalry valor or prowess in war

206    home alarms domestic calls to arms

Act 1 Scene 2

 1.2    Location: unspecified, probably assumed to be Ely House, London

    1    part…blood i.e., my kinship to Gloucester (who was John of Gaunt’s brother)

    2    solicit urge    exclaims outcries, exclamations

    3    stir take action

    4    those hands i.e., Richard’s (whom Gaunt holds responsible for Gloucester’s death)

  11    Edward’s Edward III

  15    Destinies the Fates in classical mythology who cut the thread of life with their shears

  19    liquor liquid

  21    envy’s malice’s

  23    metal substance (puns on “mettle,” i.e., disposition)    self-mould selfsame mold/mold from which the self is made

  25    consent assent, acquiesce

  28    model copy, image

  30    suff’ring allowing

  31    naked i.e., defenseless

  33    mean lowly, humble

  36    venge avenge

  37    Heaven’s    …deputy i.e., Richard who, as king, was held to be God’s earthly representative

  38    anointed…sight i.e., marked with holy oil at Westminster Abbey, the part of the coronation ceremony that signified the sacred nature of the king

  42    complaint myself lodge a formal complaint

  43    champion defender

  46    cousin kinsman    fell cruel, fierce

  49    career charge of the horse in combat

  51    courser swift powerful horse ridden in battle

  52    lists area of combat (literally, the barriers enclosing it)

  53    caitiff cowardly, villainous    recreant faith-breaker

  54    thy sometimes formerly your

  58    boundeth rebounds

  62    brother i.e., brother-in-law

  63    Lo look

  66    Plashy the Duke of Gloucester’s country estate in Essex

  69    offices servants’ quarters

Act 1 Scene 3

 1.3    Location: the area of combat at Coventry

    2    at all points completely, in every respect

    3    sprightfully full of high spirits

    4    Stays awaits    appellant accuser, challenger

    5    champions contenders    Flourish trumpet fanfare accompanying a person in authority    When    …    set a Quarto direction, omitted from Folio, indicating that the king, as umpire, should be set upon a raised throne

    7    demand ask

    9    orderly duly, properly

  13    quarrel complaint

  18    defend forbid

  20    succeeding subsequent/who will inherit the throne issue children    Tucket personal trumpet call

  28    plated armored    habiliments clothing, attire

  30    Depose him take his sworn deposition

  31    wherefore why

  43    daring-hardy recklessly bold    touch i.e., interfere in

  45    fair lawful, proper

  51    several respective/various

  55    as insofar as, to the extent to which

  56    royal fight because held in the king’s presence

  57    my blood Richard’s reference is ambiguous; Bullingbrook was his cousin but all subjects were the king’s and part of the body politic

  59    profane wrongfully let fall

  66    lusty vigorous, robust    cheerly cheerfully

  67    regreet salute, welcome

  68    daintiest most delicious

  70    regenerate reborn, renewed

  71    twofold i.e., father’s and son’s

  73    proof impenetrability

  75    waxen i.e., soft, vulnerable

  76    furbish polish

  77    ’haviour behavior, actions

  81    amazing stupefying/terrifying    casque helmet

  82    pernicious ruinous

  84    Saint George patron saint of England

  90    enfranchisement freedom

  95    gentle pleasant, friendly, courteous    jocund joyful, cheerful    jest amuse oneself/act in a masque

  97    Securely confidently

  98    couchèd lodged/at rest

  99    Order set in order/initiate

106    recreant cowardly/unfaithful to duty

108    him i.e., Bullingbrook

112    approve prove

114    him i.e., Mowbray

116    Attending awaiting    charge trumpet call signaling the beginning of combat

118    Stay halt, stop    warder staff or baton held by the king to symbolize his authority over the combat

119    lay by put    aside

122    return inform

123    list listen to

124    For that because

125    dear beloved/costly

126    for because    aspect sight

128    boist’rous noisy, raucous/violent

130    shock clash in combat

136    regreet see again

137    stranger foreign

144    sly stealthy    determinate put to an end

145    dateless limit unlimited term    dear heartfelt/grievous

147    life i.e., loss of life

149    unlooked for unexpected

150    merit reward    maim wound

151    common ordinary/open

157    cunning skillfully made/requiring skill to play

158    open not in its case

159    touch fingering/skill

161    portcullised shut in, as if with a portcullis (defensive iron grille, usually of a castle)

168    boots profits    compassionate lamenting piteously

169    plaining complaining

171    solemn burdensome/dark/mournful

175    Our part therein i.e., the duty you owe to me as king

180    regreet greet (one another) again

181    louring darkly threatening

182    advisèd considered, deliberate

183    complot conspire in

187    so far as let me say this much

190    sepulchre tomb

192    fly flee

194    clogging encumbering (like a clog, a block of wood attached to the neck or leg to prevent escape)

199    rue regret, lament

200    stray take the wrong road/go wrong

201    Save except

202    glasses windows

203    aspect look

208    wanton abundant, flourishing

212    vantage advantage

214    times seasonal cycles

215    oil-dried empty of oil    time-bewasted used up by time

216    extinct extinguished

217    taper candle

218    blindfold death refers to the eyeless skull that symbolized death and/or to the idea of death depriving Gaunt of the power to see

224    pilgrimage i.e., journey through life

225    current valid, genuine (as a legitimate coin)

226    dead i.e., once I am dead

227    advice counsel, consideration, judgment

228    party-verdict share in the collective decision (of the king’s advisers)

229    lour frown, look gloomy

233    looked when expected that, waited for

234    make…away banish my own child

235    leave permission

239    presence…know I cannot learn of you in person/what the royal court shall not know

240    paper i.e., letters

245    few i.e., few words

246    office function    prodigal extravagant

247    breathe utter    dolour sorrow

248    grief cause for grief (Bullingbrook shifts the sense to “sorrow”)    time short while

252    travel journey/labor

253    miscall wrongly call

255    sullen somber, melancholy

256    Esteem as foil regard as a setting for a jewel

259    Caucasus region bordering Asia Minor including the Caucasus Mountains, depicted by Ovid as cold and stony

260    cloy satiate, gorge

263    fantastic imaginary

264    apprehension conception, awareness

266    Fell fierce, cruel    rankle cause festering

267    lanceth pierces (to relieve infection)

268    bring escort

270    adieu good-bye

Act 1 Scene 4

 1.4    Location: the royal court

    1    We did observe Richard enters mid-conversation

    2    high proud/of high rank

    4    next nearest

    5    store quantity, abundance

    6    for me on my part

    8    rheum watery discharge, i.e., tears

    9    hollow insincere

  11    for because

  12    craft skill, cunning

  13    counterfeit pretend, fake

  15    Marry by the Virgin Mary

  19    cousin Aumerle’s father is the Duke of York, Richard’s uncle    doubt doubtful

  21    friends relatives

  26    reverence respect

  28    underbearing endurance

  29    banish…him take their affection into exile with him

  30    bonnet soft brimless hat    oyster-wench girl who sells oysters

  31    brace of draymen pair of cart drivers

  32    supple easily bent

  34    in reversion i.e., after my death (when leased land would revert to its true owner)

  35    our…hope in terms of public expectation and favor, the nearest heir

  37    stand out make a stand, hold out

  38    Expedient manage swift management

  39    leisure delay

  43    largesse generosity

  44    farm lease parts of the land to tenants who might then collect taxes on their own behalf

  46    come short is insufficient

  47    substitutes those appointed to govern during the king’s absence    blank charters documents authorizing deputies to collect revenues, or forced loans; blank spaces were left for the names of those required to pay

  49    subscribe them enter their names

  50    them i.e., the    sums collected

  51    presently immediately

  57    Ely House the Bishop of Ely’s palace in Holborn, London

  60    lining contents (puns on the sense of “lining of a coat”)

Act 2 Scene 1

 2.1    Location: London, Ely House sick Gaunt is probably carried on stage in a chair

    2    unstaid uncontrolled

    9    listened listened to

  10    gloze flatter, talk smoothly

  11    marked paid attention to

  12    close closing cadence of a piece of music

  13    last at its end/for longest

  16    sad serious, solemn

  18    state kingly splendor

  19    metres verses    venom poisonous

  21    proud arrogant/showy/splendid

  22    tardy apish belatedly imitating

  24    vanity trifle

  25    So provided    there’s no respect it does not matter

  26    buzzed whispered busily

  27    That so that

  28    will…regard desire rebels against reasoned consideration

  31    new inspired newly filled with divine influence (plays on the sense of “full of newly drawn breath”)

  32    expiring dying/breathing out

  33    riot wasteful, dissolute lifestyle

  35    Small composed of fine drops

  36    betimes early

  38    Light vanity frivolous foolishness    cormorant glutton (literally, greedy seabird)

  39    means resources, means of sustenance

  40    sceptred invested with regal authority

  41    earth of majesty land fit for kings    Mars Roman god of war

  45    happy breed fortunate race

  47    office function

  50    plot land for cultivation

  51    teeming fertile

  52    by their breed on account of their mighty ancestry

  55    sepulchre cave outside Jerusalem in which Christ was buried    stubborn Jewry the residents of Jerusalem who resisted Christianity

  56    world’s    …son i.e., Christ

  60    tenement land or property held by a tenant    pelting paltry

  61    bound in bordered, surrounded

  62    envious malicious, hostile

  63    Neptune Roman god of the sea    bound legally bound

  64    inky…bonds i.e., the corrupt blank charters

  65    wont accustomed

  73    composition state of health

  76    meat food

  77    watched remained awake/kept guard

  83    inherits receives

  84    nicely ingeniously, precisely

  85    to mock in mocking

  86    kill…me i.e., by banishing Gaunt’s son and heir

  93    see thee ill see you imperfectly (as my sight is failing)/see the ill that is in you

101    compass circumference

102    verge limit, rim/the twelve-mile radius around the king’s court/measure of land

103    waste wasteland/wastefulness/damage done to property by a tenant/waist

104    grandsire i.e., Edward III

105    his sons Edward’s sons, Richard’s uncles/Richard’s own (as yet unborn) children

106    forth beyond

107    Deposing disinheriting, depriving    possessed in possession of the crown (sense then shifts to “inhabited by the devil”)

109    cousin kinsman    regent ruler

111    for…land insofar as your world consists of this land

114    state…law absolute legal status (as king) is now subject to legal processes (as a result of leasing out land)

116    Presuming on taking advantage of    ague fever and shaking

117    frozen cold, hostile/chilled by illness

120    seat throne/status

122    roundly bluntly/fluently

123    unreverent disrespectful

125    For that because

126    pelican the bird’s offspring were thought to feed on her blood

127    tapped out drawn as from a barrel    caroused drunk heartily/drunk toasts with

129    fair good, happiness

133    unkindness unnatural behavior

139    sullens sulks, gloomy moods

140    become befit, suit

143    dear As Harry as dearly as Gaunt holds Harry (but Richard interprets “as dearly as Harry holds Richard”)

151    spent used up, exhausted

155    pilgrimage i.e., journey through life

157    supplant get rid of    rug-headed shaggy-haired    kerns lightly armed foot soldiers

160    ask some charge require some expenditure

161    seize take possession (legal term)

162    plate gold or silver tableware    movables portable property

167    Gaunt’s rebukes the rebukes given by Richard to Gaunt    private wrongs wrongs done to individuals

168    Bullingbrook…marriage Richard prevented the exiled Bullingbrook from marrying a cousin of the French king

171    bend one wrinkle direct one frown

178    Accomplished…hours i.e., when he was your age    Accomplished equipped

190    withal with that

191    seize take legal possession of

192    royalties rights granted by the king/rights due to one of royal blood

194    true loyal/legitimate (as heir)

198    His i.e., time’s    customary rights i.e., of inheritance and succession

199    ensue follow

204    Call…patents revoke the documents signed by the king granting land or titles

205    By…livery allowing him to sue, through his lawyers, for the right to his inheritance

206    homage avowal of allegiance, part of the formal process of receiving one’s inheritance

207    pluck pull

209    prick spur

213    by nearby, present

215    courses i.e., of action

216    events consequences

218    repair come

219    see attend to    Tomorrow next tomorrow/tomorrow morning

220    trow believe

230    great swollen with emotion    with silence by keeping silent

231    liberal freely speaking

234    Tends…to does what you want to say relate to

239    Bereft forcibly deprived, robbed    gelded deprived of wealth/castrated

246    prosecute perform/pursue

248    piled most editors emend to “pilled” (stripped bare, plundered)

250    ancient long-standing

251    exactions means of enforcing payment

252    blanks blank charters    benevolences forced loans    wot know

253    this i.e., all the money that has been collected

255    basely…compromise made concessions in a cowardly way

258    in farm for rent, on lease

259    broken financially ruined

267    sore sorely, threateningly

268    strike draw in the sails/strike blows in opposition    securely overconfidently, heedlessly

271    suffering enduring, permitting

274    tidings news

281    Rainold…Exeter in fact, it was the young Earl of Arundel who escaped from Exeter’s custody; it seems likely that a line is missing here and many editors insert a line based on Shakespeare’s source, Holinshed’s Chronicles: “Thomas, son and heir to th’Earl of Arundel”

282    broke escaped

283    His i.e., the Earl of Arundel’s

286    furnished equipped

287    tall large, grand

288    expedience haste

290    had ere this would have done already    stay await

293    Imp out repair by inserting new feathers (falconry term)

294    broking pawn being pledged to a pawnbroker

295    gilt gold (puns on “guilt”)

297    post haste    Ravenspurgh a former Yorkshire port on the River Humber

298    faint lose heart, are nervous

301    Hold…horse as long as my horse holds out

Act 2 Scene 2

 2.2    Location: the royal court

    3    heaviness sorrow

    4    entertain maintain/receive

  14    shadows mirrored reflections, insubstantial things

  16    glazèd glassed over/covered with a film

  17    thing entire to complete thing into

  18    perspectives optical devices incorporating mirrors that produce distorted images/seemingly distorted paintings that only become clear when viewed from a particular angle    rightly directly, from the front

  19    awry obliquely, from the side

  20    Distinguish form make their shape clear, reveal order

  22    himself the original grief/Richard’s departure    wail bewail, lament

  25    More for more

  27    for in place of/because of

  30    heavy weightily/sorrowfully

  31    on…think dwelling anxiously on nothing, on the absence of thought

  33    conceit imagination (the queen shifts the sense to “thought, understanding”)

  34    nothing less i.e., far from it    still always

  36    begot conceived, created    something substantial, actual

  37    grieve grieve for, feel sorrow over

  38    in reversion i.e., asa legacy, not yet inherited

  40    wot know, believe

  45    wherefore why

  46    retired pulled back (from Ireland)

  48    strongly with a powerful military force

  49    repeals himself recalls himself from exile/revokes his sentence of banishment

  50    uplifted arms arms raised in prayer/brandished weapons

  60    staff i.e., the symbol of his role as Steward of the king’s household

  61    household i.e., royal establishment

  64    heir child, offspring

  65    prodigy portent/monster

  71    cozening deceitful (may play on “cousin”)

  73    bands bonds

  74    lingers draws out, causes to linger    in extremity to the very end/the final moments of life

  77    careful anxious, care-filled

  78    comfortable comforting

  80    crosses obstacles

  81    save protect (his rule in Ireland)

  83    underprop support, prop up

  85    surfeit excess, over-indulgence

  86    try put to the test

  87    son i.e., the Duke of Aumerle

  89    cold unenthusiastic/unmoved

  91    Sirrah sir (used to an inferior)    sister sister-in-law

  92    presently immediately

  93    take my ring i.e., as a sign that the message is genuinely from York

  99    Heav’n i.e., I pray heaven (God)

101    would wish

102    So provided that    untruth disloyalty

103    brother’s i.e., the murdered Gloucester’s

104    posts messengers

105    do manage, provide

109    muster assemble in readiness for action

113    oath i.e., of allegiance

116    kindred kinship, family bond

117    somewhat something

118    Dispose of make arrangements for

120    Berkeley Castle a castle in Gloucestershire, near Bristol

123    at…seven in chaos

124    sits i.e., blows

125    power troops

129    those those who

133    generally universally/by the people

134    judgement…we they are to be judges, then our fate lies in their hands

136    straight (go) straight away

138    office service

139    hateful hate-filled

140    curs dogs

143    presages forebodings    vain wrong, in vain

145    as depends on how

Act 2 Scene 3

 2.3    Location: Gloucestershire

    9    Cottshold the Cotswolds, rural area covering part of Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire

  10    In by    wanting lacking

  11    beguiled whiled away

  12    tediousness and process tedious course

  16    By this in this way/with this hope

  22    whencesoever wherever he may be

  26    forsook abandoned, rejected

  35    levied raised

  36    repair go

  42    tender offer (sense then shifts to “youthful, inexperienced”)

  45    approvèd proven

  46    gentle noble/courteous/kind

  49    fortune success, luck/wealth

  50    still always

  52    stir events, activity

  54    yond yonder, that    tuft clump

  57    estimate repute

  59    spurring i.e., the blood of the horses they have spurred on so hard

  60    wot know

  62    unfelt i.e., not yet expressed through material reward    which i.e., which    treasury

  66    thanks…poor i.e., gratitude is the only wealth the poor have

  67    comes to years reaches the age of maturity

  71    my…Lancaster Bullingbrook will respond only to his proper    title (Duke of Lancaster), inherited from his father, John of Gaunt

  74    aught anything

  76    raze erase/scrape title puns on “tittle,” i.e., tiniest part

  77    what…will whatever the title you wish me to use

  78    glorious illustrious, important

  79    pricks spurs

  80    absent time i.e., time during which the king is absent

  81    native natural, inherent (with connotations of birth)    self-born originating with you, brandished for your own cause (also “self-borne”—carried by yourself)

  85    deceivable deceptive

  87    Grace…grace don’t speak to me of “grace” (since your behavior is so    ungracious)

  89    ungracious unmannerly/wicked/lacking in spiritual grace

  91    dust particle of dust

  95    ostentation of despisèd display of despicable (because traitorous)

101    Black Prince Edward, Richard’s father and son of Edward III

104    palsy weakness of the body, accompanied at times with tremor

107    On…wherein? What point of law have I contravened and how?/What personal flaw am I deemed to have and how has it manifested itself? condition legal stipulation/personal quality; York shifts the sense to “circumstances”

112    braving defiant, boastfully flaunted

114    for as/to claim the title of

116    indifferent impartial

121    perforce forcibly

122    unthrifts spendthrifts, wasteful people (with moral connotations)

128    rouse expose, chase from hiding (hunting term)    bay last stand (where the cornered animal turns on its hunters)

129    denied…liv’ry refused the right to legally claim my inheritance

130    letters patent documents signed by the king granting land or titles (Bullingbrook’s have been revoked by Richard)

131    distrained confiscated by law

132    amiss wrongly

134    challenge law claim my legal rights

136    of free descent through legal succession

138    stands…upon is the responsibility of your grace

139    endowments i.e., wealth and property (that has now been given to others)

143    kind manner

144    Be…way i.e., act on his own authority, help himself (literally, carve his own piece of meat)

152    issue outcome

154    power army    ill left left in disordered, poor condition

156    attach arrest    stoop i.e., kneel for    mercy

159    as neuter neutral

163    win persuade

166    caterpillars i.e., parasites

Act 2 Scene 4

 2.4    Location: Wales

    1    stayed waited

    2    hardly with difficulty

    8    bay-trees bay leaves were associated with victory and immortality

    9    meteors regarded as bad omens

  11    lean-looked gaunt, lean-looking

  13    The one i.e.,    rich men

  20    firmament sky

  22    Witnessing betokening, indicating

  23    wait upon offer allegiance to

  24    crossly adversely

Act 3 Scene 1

 3.1    Location: Bristol

    3    presently immediately    part depart from

    4    urging insisting on, emphasizing    pernicious wicked, destructive

    7    causes of legal reasons for

    9    happy fortunate

  10    unhappied made unfortunate, ruined    clean completely

  11    in manner as it were, in a way

  12    divorce breach, separation

  13    Broke…bed i.e., interfered with marital union and happiness

  20    clouds mists of breath/climates, skies

  22    signories estates

  23    Disparked my parks opened my enclosed hunting grounds for other uses

  24    coat coat of arms (often emblazoned on stained or painted windows)

  25    imprese heraldic family emblem

  29    death death penalty (legal term)

  35    dispatched dealt with/killed

  37    entreated treated

  38    commends regards

  41    at large (expressed) in full

Act 3 Scene 2

 3.2    Location: Barkloughly (Harlech) Castle, northern Wales colours military flags (and those carrying them)

    1    Barkloughly castle actually Harlech Castle

    2    brooks likes (technically “tolerates”)

    9    fondly affectionately/foolishly

  13    sense appetite

  14    spiders like    toads, they were thought to be poisonous

  16    annoyance harm

  20    Guard protect/trim with an ornamental border    prithee pray thee

  21    double forked    mortal deadly

  23    senseless conjuration appeal to the unfeeling earth/foolish entreaty

  25    native rightful, legitimately crowned

  30    security overconfidence

  32    Discomfortable discouraging

  33    eye…world when, to us, the sun is hidden beneath the earth, lighting the underside of the world

  49    rude turbulent

  50    balm consecrating oil, used to anoint a king at his coronation

  53    pressed conscripted

  54    shrewd sharp, biting    steel sword

  56    angel puns on the sense of “gold coin”

  59    Nor near no nearer

  60    Discomfort sorrow/discouragement

  63    happy fortunate

  67    state kingship, power

  71    But now only a moment ago

  72    triumph rejoice, exult

  83    high noble in rank (sense then shifts to “proud, ambitious”)

  85    power…turn sufficient troops for our needs

  86    betide befall, come to

  87    care-tuned tuned by sorrow/tuned to a sorrowful key    deliver report to

  90    care burden, source of anxiety

  94    fellow equal/servant

  95    mend remedy

104    his applies to both    rage and to    Bullingbrook

105    Bullingbrook probably puns on “brook”    fearful frightened

107    Whitebeards i.e., old men

109    big with deep voices (like men)    clap place, thrust    female feminine, i.e., youthful

110    arms armor

111    beadsmen almsmen who were paid to pray on behalf of another

112    double-fatal doubly deadly (the wood of the    yew was used to make bows; its leaves and berries were poisonous)

113    distaff-women women occupied in spinning (a distaff was a staff used to hold wool)    bills long-handled weapons with blades at the ends

114    seat throne

120    Measure our confines travel over our territories    peaceful i.e., unopposed

122    I warrant I’m sure, I’ll guarantee

127    Judas the disciple who betrayed Jesus Christ

129    spotted stained (with sin)

130    property essence, own nature

133    hands used to sign a document or swear an oath

135    graved buried

148    model microcosm, replica/mould

149    paste and cover pastry covering/piecrust

151    sad solemn/sorrowful    stories historical narratives

156    rounds encircles    mortal human/destined for death

157    antic grotesque buffoon

158    his state at the king’s regality

160    monarchize act the monarch

161    self self-made/self-centered    conceit imaginings, concept (of himself)

163    humoured thus Death, having amused himself in this way/Death, being so inclined/Death, having allowed the king to indulge himself in this way

171    Subjected under the dominion of grief/turned into a mere subject (rather than being a king)

174    presently immediately    prevent…wail seek to forestall the routes to (or sources of) grief

177    And…yourself this line is omitted in Folio, seemingly as a printer’s error rather than a deliberate cut

178    No…fight nothing worse (than being    slain) can come from fighting

179    death destroying death i.e., defying death by dying nobly (and, perhaps, being remembered in such a way)/by conquering death’s power to make one afraid

182    a…limb i.e., a great fighting force out of a small number of soldiers

183    chid’st reprove, upbraid

184    change exchange    doom destiny

185    ague acute or violent fever/fit of shaking or shivering    over-blown blown over

191    heavy gloomy, sorrowful

193    by…small by increments, little by little

200    Beshrew curse    forth Of out of

205    Flint Castle situated in northeast Wales

207    power forces, troops    discharge dismiss

208    ear plough, cultivate

Act 3 Scene 3

 3.3    Location: outside Flint Castle

    1    So that Bullingbrook enters in mid-conversation

    7    beseem befit

  14    to as to

  15    taking…head treating the head of state in such a manner/being headstrong/omitting the king’s title    your by your

  16    Mistake misunderstand (puns on “mis-take”)

  17    Take seize, presume

  18    mistake fail to understand that

  26    lies dwells, is

  30    who i.e., who he is

  31    belike probably

  33    rude rough, rugged    ribs i.e., walls

  34    brazen brass (plays on the sense of “audacious, shameless”)    parle parley, negotiation between enemy forces (or the trumpet call signifying this)

  35    his its (the castle’s, but possibly also referring to Richard)    ruined battered

  41    my…again the revoking of my banishment and restoration of my lands

  43    th’advantage…power the superiority of my military force

  44    lay flatten, subdue

  47    such that such a    bedrench drench thoroughly, soak

  49    tenderly gently, peacefully/lovingly

  53    tattered battered, old/jagged

  54    fair appointments fine military provision

  57    fire and water i.e., lightning and rain

  60    rain puns on “reign”

  62    mark note, observe    Parley trumpet summons to negotiation

  64    blushing i.e., in anger

  66    envious hostile

  67    stain obscure, dim    tract course

  68    occident west (where the sun sets)

  70    lightens forth flashes out, like lightning

  73    amazed astounded, bewildered

  74    watch expect, wait for    fearful full of reverence

  77    awful full of awe

  78    hand sign/signature

  82    profane sin, commit sacrilege

  84    torn i.e., ruined, damned    turning…us i.e., betraying me

  88    strike blight, afflict with plague (   pestilence)

  89    unbegot not yet conceived

  90    That of you who    vassal servile, slavish

  94    ope open

  95    purple testament bloody legacy

  97    crowns heads (plays on    crown in the previous line)

  99    maid-pale virgin white, pale as a young girl

101    pastor’s shepherd’s, i.e., Richard, England’s shepherd or spiritual protector

103    civil domestic, used in civil war    uncivil violent, barbarous

109    head source

113    scope aim

114    lineal royalties hereditary rights as one with royal blood

115    Enfranchisement freedom (from banishment), restoration of rights

116    party part

117    commend commit

118    barbèd armored with barbs (metal protectors)

120    is and is

121    credit believe

122    returns replies

125    accomplished carried out

126    gracious courteous, elegant

127    commends greetings, regards

129    poorly abject, lowly

134    e’er ever

136    yond yonder, i.e., at some distance but within sight

137    sooth smooth words, appeasing terms

141    scope room, freedom/a purpose

142    beat conquer, strike (plays on the sense of a heart beating)

146    be contented i.e., submit, agree

148    set of beads rosary

150    almsman recipient of charity

151    figured embossed, ornamented

152    palmer’s pilgrim’s

157    trade commerce/tread

160    buried once once I am buried

162    despisèd despicable/to be scorned/unimportant

163    lodge flatten

164    dearth famine    revolting rebellious

165    play the wantons trifle, frolic

166    make devise    pretty match ingenious game

167    still always

168    fretted us eroded for us (   fretted puns on the sense of “been distressed, complained”)

171    ill affliction

176    make a leg bow

177    base court lower or servants’ court    attend wait

179    glist’ring glistening, glittering    Phaethon in Greek mythology, the son of Apollo, the sun god; he was unable to control his father’s horse-drawn sun chariot, burned part of the earth, and was felled with a thunderbolt hurled by Zeus

180    manage control    jades worthless horses

182    do them grace bow to them courteously/grant them favor

184    night-owls shriek considered a bad omen

187    fondly foolishly    frantic mad, frenzied

189    apart aside

192    debase continues the earlier wordplay on base

194    Me rather had I had rather

195    courtesy curtsy, i.e., bow

196    up i.e., proud, ambitious/rebellious

200    redoubted dreaded, revered

205    want their remedies lack remedies for what caused them

208    willing willingly

Act 3 Scene 4

 3.4    Location: the Duke of York’s garden

    2    heavy burdensome/sad

    4    rubs hindrances (technically, impediment that interrupts the course of a bowling ball)

    5    against the bias contrary to the desired course (a    bias is the weight in the ball that enables it to be bowled in a curve)

    7    measure due proportion/stately dance step

    8    measure limit

  14    wanting lacking

  15    remember remind

  16    being altogether had as I am entirely possessed by it

  17    want lack

  19    boots not is useless    complain lament

  21    ’Tis…cause i.e., it is a good thing that you are happy enough to do so

  28    My I’ll wager my    row of pins i.e., insignificant items

  29    state affairs of state, politics

  30    Against in anticipation of    forerun with heralded by

  31    apricocks apricots

  32    sire father, i.e., tree that bears them

  33    oppression burden    prodigal excessive

  34    supportance support

  36    sprays shoots

  37    lofty tall/proud, ambitious

  38    even equal

  40    noisome noxious, harmful

  41    wholesome healthy

  42    compass limits    pale fenced area, enclosure

  44    model copy in miniature    firm estate settled situation/secure kingdom

  48    knots intricately designed flower beds

  51    suffered permitted/undergone

  52    fall of leaf i.e., autumn

  59    seized taken into custody

  60    trimmed adorned

  61    at time of year in season

  63    over-proud too swollen

  64    confound ruin

  68    bearing fertile, fruit-bearing

  69    crown king’s crown/leafy head of a tree

  72    Depressed humbled, lowered in fortune

  73    doubted feared

  76    pressed to death a punishment that involved pressing the suspect with heavy weights until they pleaded innocent or guilty, or died

  77    Adam in the Bible, the first man; he was in charge of cultivating the Garden of Eden until he was tempted into sin by    Eve who had been tricked by the devil in the guise of a    serpent

  79    suggested tempted

  83    Divine prophesy

  87    hold grasp/custody

  90    vanities follies    light of little weight/frivolous

  93    odds advantage

  94    Post hasten

  97    embassage message/errand    belong to i.e., concern

103    triumph public festivity, triumphal procession

106    so provided    state situation/royal status

109    rue herb symbolizing repentance and grace    sour bitter, sad

110    e’en for ruth for sheer pity

Act 4 Scene 1

 4.1    Location: Westminster Hall, London

    4    wrought worked/arranged

    5    office task/duty    timeless untimely/everlasting

    9    unsay deny, retract

  10    dead fatal, deadly/secret, dark/past

  11    of length long

  16    crowns gold coins

  17    Than than have

  18    withal besides

  21    base contemptible/low-born

  22    stars birth, rank/destiny

  23    On…chastisement? To correct/punish him as if we were equals?

  25    th’attainder the dishonorable slur, accusation

  26    manual    …death gauntlet (glove thrown down as a    gage)/death warrant sealed by my hand

  30    temper steely firmness/condition

  31    forbear stop

  32    one i.e., Bullingbrook

  33    moved roused, angered

  34    stand insist    sympathy equal rank (in an opponent)

  35    in gage engaged

  37    vauntingly boastfully

  39    deniest two syllables (“deny’st”)

  40    turn return

  46    appeal accusation

  48    th’extremest…breathing i.e., the death

  50    An if if

  51    more again

  55    in presence present

  61    render return

  65    Engage…trial accept it and thus pledge yourself to combat (   trial)

  66    fondly foolishly    forward eager

  68    wilderness i.e., even somewhere remote or where no help is available

  71    tie bind    correction punishment, rebuke

  78    That to assert that

  79    repealed called back from exile    try test in combat

  80    differences disputes    rest under gage remain challenges

  83    signories estates

  84    enforce his trial make sure that the combat takes place

  87    field i.e., battle

  88    Streaming the ensign flying the banner

  90    toiled exhausted

  94    colours battle flags

  97    bosom…Abraham i.e., heaven

  98    appellants who have made formal accusations

102    plume-plucked humbled, stripped of his glory

105    descending i.e., being passed to an heir

108    Marry by the Virgin Mary

109    Worst of lowest rank

110    beseeming befitting (as he is a clergyman)

113    noblesse nobility

114    Learn teach

117    by present

118    apparent obvious

119    figure image

122    subject i.e., of a subject

125    heinous grave/wicked    obscene repulsive, foul

131    manure fertilize (after being spilt)

135    kind countrymen    confound bring to ruin

138    field battlefield    Golgotha Calvary (called “the place of skulls”), the hill outside Jerusalem where Christ was crucified

139    house royal family/Parliament

148    suit request (that the terms of Richard’s abdication be declared publicly to Parliament)

150    surrender abdicate

152    conduct escort

154    sureties guarantors (who will vouch for your appearance)    answer trial

155    beholding indebted

156    little looked for little expected your    love    regalia crown and scepter

160    insinuate ingratiate myself

163    favours faces/support, kindness/gifts

164    sometime formerly

165    twelve i.e., the twelve disciples

168    priest and clerk in church services the priest said prayers to which the clerk responded “Amen”

171    service puns on the sense of “church service”

173    tired majesty exhausted, weary dignity/sovereign power

176    seize grasp/take legal possession of/arrest

179    owes owns, possesses    filling one another the rising of the full bucket causes the other to be lowered and filled

189    Your…down your assumption of the anxieties and obligations of kingship does not detract from my grief; in the following lines Richard plays on several senses of    care: kingly responsibility/personal grief/concern

190    by…done caused by my former inadequate responsibility

193    tend attend, follow

195    Ay puns on “I”    no puns on “know”

197    mark me note    undo bring to naught, destroy, unmake

200    sway rule

204    release…oaths release my subjects from their oaths of allegiance to me

205    forswear reject

210    with nothing grieved not grieved at all/grieved with the fact that I have nothing

223    ravel out unravel

224    Gentle noble/kind

226    troop company

227    read a lecture read out an account (as though preaching a lesson)

228    article item forming part of an accusation

230    warrant guarantee

233    bait harass, torment (like a bear being baited for sport)

234    Pilate Pontius Pilate, Roman governor of Judaea involved in the crucifixion of Christ, but who washed his hands before the discontented crowd as a means of exonerating himself from blame

236    sour bitter, harsh

238    dispatch make haste, get on with it

241    sort pack, gang

245    T’undeck to undress, to strip of ornament    pompous splendid, ceremonially dressed

249    haught haughty, arrogant

251    at the font i.e., at my christening

255    mockery imitation/subject of ridicule

259    An if if    sterling valid currency

261    what what kind of

262    his its

263    some i.e., one    glass mirror

276    beguile deceive

278    keep maintain

279    wink blink, shut their eyes

280    faced covered over/countenanced, sanctioned

281    out-faced defied, challenged/replaced by

284    shivers shards, fragments

285    moral significance, true meaning

287    shadow reflection/dark, gloomy shade (Richard develops the sense to include delusive semblance, “thing without substance”)

292    manner forms

298    boon favor

305    to as

313    convey escort (Richard goes on to play on the sense of “steal”)

316    set down appoint the time for

322    pernicious destructive

324    take the sacrament receive Holy Communion (as a means of confirming your word)

325    bury conceal

Act 5 Scene 1

 5.1    Location: London, near the Tower

    2    Julius Caesar it was a popular notion that the Roman emperor built the Tower of London; in fact, it was erected by William the Conqueror    ill-erected built for wicked ends and with evil consequences

    3    flint i.e., hard

    4    doomed judged/consigned to some adverse fate

  11    model ground plan, outline    Troy supposedly founded by the Trojan Brutus, London was often referred to as the New Troy

  12    map outline, image

  13    inn house/place of temporary lodging

  14    hard-favoured ugly

  15    ale-house cheap, lowly place of lodging

  18    state situation/kingship

  20    sworn brother the devoted, loyal friend

  22    league bond of friendship, allegiance    Hie hurry

  23    cloister seclude, conceal religious house convent

  24    new world’s i.e., heaven’s

  26    shape physical appearance

  31    To be at being

  32    rod punishment cane

  35    beasts beastly men    aught but anything other than

  36    still yet/always    happy fortunate

  37    sometime former

  42    long ago betid that happened long ago

  43    quit requite, repay    grief i.e., mournful    tales

  46    why this cause    brands burning logs    sympathize feel for, respond to

  47    heavy accent sorrowful tone    moving talking/affecting, stirring to sorrow

  48    weep literally, exude resin as they burn

  49    some i.e., of the firewood (brands)

  52    Pomfret Pontefract Castle, in Yorkshire

  53    order ta’en instructions issued, arrangements made

  55    wherewithal by means of which

  57    many…age i.e., older

  58    head to a head (of a boil, with play on the sense of “insurrection”)

  59    corruption pus (plays on the sense of “sin, destruction”)

  60    Though he even if he were to

  61    helping you having helped

  62    which who

  63    unrightful illegitimate

  67    one or both i.e., either usurping king or his collaborator

  68    worthy well-deserved

  70    part separate (from the queen; sense then shifts to “depart”)

  72    ’twixt betwixt, between

  74    unkiss annul with a kiss

  77    pines afflicts, wastes away

  78    from whence from where; Isabel was daughter to the French king

  80    Hallowmas November 1, All Saints’ Day    short’st of day the winter solstice, shortest day of the year

  84    were would show

  88    be…near not being together near nearer

  92    piece…out lengthen the journey

  95    stop stop up, silence

  97    ’Twere…me it would do no good to take it upon myself (part plays on the sense of “parting” and “body part, organ”)

  98    kill i.e., with sorrow

101    wanton playful, unrestrained, self-indulgent    fond foolish/doting

102    adieu good-bye

Act 5 Scene 2

 5.2    Location: the Duke of York’s house

    3    cousins kinsmen, i.e., Richard and Bullingbrook; York was their uncle

    4    leave break off

    6    rude unkind, uncivilized, rough    misgoverned unruly, unrestrained    windows’ tops upper windows

  10    Which i.e., which horse    aspiring ambitious

  15    casements windows

  17    painted imagery the people, or speaking figures in painted wall coverings

  20    Bareheaded removing one’s hat was a sign of respect or deference

  21    Bespake addressed

  22    still continually

  23    the whilst during this

  25    well-graced attractive/skilled/well-regarded, favored

  26    idly unenthusiastically/inattentively

  33    combating with fighting between

  34    badges signs/livery

  36    perforce of necessity

  39    bound bind/limit, confine    contents contentment

  41    state regality, kingship    aye ever, i.e., fully

  45    Rutland for his support of Richard, Aumerle lost his status as duke, though he retained the title Earl of Rutland

  46    pledge…truth guarantor of his loyalty

  47    fealty allegiance

  48    violets i.e., court favorites

  49    spring i.e., Bullingbrook’s kingship

  51    as lief as soon, rather

  52    bear you conduct yourself

  53    cropped cut down/beheaded

  54    Hold go ahead    triumphs public festivities

  58    seal i.e., seal attached to the bottom of a document (which Aumerle apparently carries in his doublet or jacket)

  69    bond financial agreement (retained by the creditor)

  70    against in preparation for

  84    appeach denounce, inform against

  89    answer answer for

  92    amazed stunned, confused

  93    villain rogue/servant

  96    own i.e., own child

  98    teeming date time for childbearing

102    fond foolish/doting

105    interchangeably reciprocally (so each of the conspirators has a copy of the agreement)

107    be none not be one of them

108    that i.e., the plot/the actions of the conspirators

111    groaned i.e., in labor

121    his horse i.e., grab his saddled horse and ride out first

122    post speedily

126    the ground i.e., kneeling

Act 5 Scene 3

 5.3    Location: the royal court

    1    unthrifty extravagant, dissolute    son Prince Hal, later Henry V

    7    loose immoral, wasteful

    9    watch night watchmen    passengers travelers

  10    effeminate frivolous, self-indulgent, immature

  11    Takes on the undertakes as a

  15    gallant fashionable young man/fine fellow

  16    stews brothels/part of a city occupied by houses of ill-fame

  17    common’st most whorish, promiscuous    creature prostitute    glove with vaginal connotations

  18    favour love token (worn by knights in jousts)    with that wearing the token

  19    unhorse plays on the sense of “deprive of a whore”    lustiest most vigorous (plays on the sense of “most licentious”)

  20    desp’rate reckless    both i.e., both flaws

  22    happily with favorable destiny/with a happy result

  24    stares gapes, looks horror-struck

  30    grow i.e., be fixed

  32    a pardon i.e., I am granted a pardon

  35    after-love future loyalty

  41    safe harmless i.e., dead

  42    Stay withhold

  43    secure overconfident

  44    speak treason i.e., by having to use such disrespectful terms

  50    haste i.e., breathlessness

  51    passed just made

  53    hand signature

  59    strong flagrant/significant, dangerous

  61    sheer pure, clear    fountain spring

  63    held his current taken its course

  66    deadly blot fatal sin/ink signature    digressing deviating from its course/transgressing morally

  67    bawd pimp, procurer

  68    spend waste/may play on the sense of “ejaculate”

  69    scraping money-saving

  73    true loyal 81 ‘The…King’ probably refers to a ballad telling the popular tale of King Cophetua and the beggar maid he fell in love with

  85    for as a result of

  86    festered corrupt/diseased

  87    let alone left untreated    confound destroy

  89    itself i.e., its own flesh and blood, one’s son

  90    frantic mad

  91    dugs breasts

  96    happy happy/fortunate person

100    true loyal

102    in jest pretend

104    would wishes to

120    meet fitting

121    ‘pardonnez-moi’ French for “pardon me,” i.e., excuse me for refusing your request

126    chopping meaning-shifting, logic-chopping/affected

129    plaints laments

130    rehearse pronounce/repeat

132    sue beg

133    suit request (puns on the sense of “suit of cards,” an image maintained in hand)

135    happy joyous/fortunate    vantage profit, gain/advantageous position

137    twain divide in two

141    for as for brother-in-law i.e., the Duke of Exeter the i.e., and the

142    consorted conspiring

144    several separate, various

149    prove i.e., make sure you prove

Act 5 Scene 4

    8    wistly intently, meaningfully

    9    As as one

Act 5 Scene 5

 5.5    Location: Pomfret (Pontefract) Castle

    1    studying thinking about, dwelling on

    3    for because because

    7    beget conceive

    8    still-breeding constantly reproducing

  10    humours dispositions, moods

  12    As such as

  13    scruples doubts    faith i.e., religious belief, as manifested through Scripture

  14    ‘Come, little ones’ from the Bible (Luke 18:16; also Matthew 19:14)

  16    ‘It…eye’ biblical (Luke 18:25; also Matthew 19:24 and Mark 10:25)

  17    postern back or side gate

  21    ragged rough, rugged

  22    for because    pride prime/arrogance

  23    content acceptance

  25    silly simple/lowly/helpless

  26    stocks contraption for public punishment in which the arms or legs were confined    refuge take refuge from, reduce

  27    That with the thought that

  31    prison most editions follow Quarto’s “person,” but Folio’s “Prison” seems to be a purposeful alteration, not a printer’s error

  33    treason thoughts of treason

  34    penury poverty

  36    by and by soon

  38    straight straight away

  39    but man is is merely mortal

  40    nothing anything

  41    nothing i.e., dead

  43    proportion musical time, rhythm

  45    daintiness sensitivity

  46    string individual string/musical instrument

  47    concord harmony

  49    waste decay

  50    numb’ring clock clock with hours marked on it (i.e., not an hourglass)

  51    jar…on tick on, jump forward (jar plays on the sense of “make discordant”)

  52    watches intervals between minutes/wakeful periods    watch clock face (plays on the sense of “sentry/wakeful person”)

  53    dial’s point clock’s hand

  54    still continuously (plays on the sense of “motionless”)

  55    tells counts out/reveals

  56    strike beat, pound/toll

  58    times marks on the dial, i.e., quarter- or half-hours    time lifetime, time on earth

  59    posting hurrying

  60    Jack o’th’clock figure of a man that strikes a bell on the outside of some types of clocks

  61    mads maddens

  62    holp…wits music was thought to assist the recovery of the insane    holp helped

  65    to for

  66    strange brooch rare jewel

  68    peer equal/nobleman

  69    The…us i.e., the imprisoned Richard    ten groats Richard plays on the financial senses of royal and noble (types of gold coin): a royal was worth ten groats more than a noble, so the Groom has overvalued the royal prince by that amount (Richard identifies himself and the Groom as nobles)    groat coin worth four old pence

  71    sad dismal, unsmiling

  72    misfortune i.e., Richard

  75    ado trouble, fuss

  76    sometimes formerly

  77    yearned grieved, moved

  79    roan horse with a coat in which the prevailing color is interspersed with some other    Barbary the horse’s name, suggesting that it was imported from the Barbary coast of northern Africa whose horses were noted for great speed and endurance

  80    bestrid straddled, ridden

  82    gentle noble

  86    jade worthless old horse

  87    clapping patting

  91    rail on abuse

  92    awed controlled, subdued

  95    galled made sore    jauncing hard-riding

  96    Fellow servant    give place move, withdraw/defer to me

  99    fall to begin eating

100    wont accustomed

106    rude rough, violent

108    room empty space

110    staggers makes stagger    my person my royal person

112    seat royal throne/place in heaven

113    gross earthly, fleshy, lowly

Act 5 Scene 6

 5.6    Location: the royal court

    3    Cicester Cirencester

    4    ta’en taken, captured

    7    next most pressing

    9    taking capture

  10    At large discoursèd related in full

  12    worthy well-deserved/valuable

  16    dire dangerous, dreadful

  18    wot know

  19    grand chief

  20    clog burden

  22    abide await

  23    doom judgment, punishment

  25    reverend room holy place (i.e., monastery)

  26    More i.e., more worthy of reverence/larger than your prison cell    joy enjoy

  29    High noble

  33    Bordeaux Richard’s birthplace

  34    wrought created, fashioned

  40    love…murderèd love him who has been murdered/love the fact that he has been murdered

  43    Cain in the Bible, the world’s first murderer

  48    sullen mournful, somber    incontinent immediately

  49    Holy Land i.e., Jerusalem

  51    sadly solemnly/sorrowfully    Grace dignify

  52    after as you follow    bier stretcher-like structure on which a corpse is carried to the grave

THE TWO PARTS OF HENRY THE FOURTH

Shakespeare’s art of mingling comedy, history, and tragedy reached its peak in the two parts of King Henry the Fourth. As history, the plays paint a panorama of England, embracing a wider social range than any previous historical drama as the action moves from court to tavern, council chamber to battlefield, city to country, Archbishop and Lord Chief Justice to whore and thief. As comedy, they tell the story of a prodigal son’s journey from youth to maturity and an old rogue’s art of surviving by means of jokes, tall tales, and the art of being not only witty in himself but “the cause that wit is in other men.” As tragedy, they reveal the slow decline of a king who cannot escape his past, the precipitate demise of an impetuous young warrior who embodies both the glory and the futility of military heroism, and the heart-breaking dismissal of a substitute father who has loved a prince with a warmth of which his true father is incapable.

Richard II had followed the tragic pattern of a mismatch between the character of a man of high estate and the demands of his position as a ruler. It juxtaposed the fall of King Richard to the rise of Henry Bullingbrook:, comparing them to a pair of buckets on a pulley, one descending into a well as the other ascends. Once Bullingbrook has become King Henry IV, the pattern is reasserted and reversed in the next generation. Henry sees his son seeming to become another Richard, a time waster surrounding himself with unsuitable companions and allowing the country to run to seed. He sees himself—a soldier, a man of decision and action—not in his son, but in Hotspur, child of the Percy family who had helped him to displace Richard from the throne.

Historically, Henry Percy, known as Hotspur, was over twenty years older than Prince Henry (usually called Harry and, by Falstaff alone, Hal), the future King Henry V, victor of Agincourt. With his habitual dramatic license, Shakespeare altered history and made them rival youths of the same generation. Henry IV’s nightmare of history repeating itself is that Hotspur will play his own role to his son’s Richard. He wishes that “some night-tripping fairy” had exchanged the two Harries in their cradles “And called mine Percy, his [i.e., Northumberland’s] Plantagenet.” But this time it is the rebel who falls and the true heir who succeeds. Henry the Fourth, a double-header of a play, is full of doubles. There are paired fathers and sons: the king and the prince, Northumberland and Hotspur. There are surrogate fathers to the young hero: Sir John Falstaff and the Lord Chief Justice. There are brothers in blood (Prince Harry and Prince John, Northumberland and Worcester, Hotspur and his brother-in-law Mortimer, the aged kinsmen Shallow and Silence) and brothers in jest (Hal’s “sworn brethren” among the tavern crowd, Ned Poins chief among them).

One of the questions that fascinates Shakespeare in these plays concerns the appropriate education for a future king. The Tudor view was that the ideal king should combine the qualities of soldier, scholar, and courtier. Fencing, jousting, and hunting offered training in the chivalric arts of the medieval aristocracy, but a learned humanist tutor was also required to drill the prince in languages, literature, history, ethics, law, and theology. And at the same time it was necessary to master the elaborate codes of behavior, the conventions of propriety and deference, upon which courtship depended.

Hotspur is the embodiment of an old-style chivalric warrior. He would rather be astride his horse than engaging in courtly parley with his wife. He lives by the code of honor and is deliciously scornful of the courtly manners embodied by the trimly dressed, clean-shaven lord who comes with “pouncet-box” in hand to demand Hotspur’s prisoners: the clash of styles between battlefield and court is enough to turn him into a rebel. Hotspur has boundless courage and energy, but his desire “To pluck bright honour from the pale-faced moon” is susceptible to parody: his own wife teases him and Prince Hal mocks him as “the Hotspur of the north, he that kills me some six or seven dozen of Scots at a breakfast, washes his hands, and says to his wife ‘Fie upon this quiet life! I want work.’ “His impulsiveness means that he cannot calculate, he is never the politician. “A plague upon it, / I have forgot the map!” he says during a council of war. A more politic tactician would be most unlikely to have forgotten it—and would never admit as much if he had.

As Hotspur embodies the old chivalric code, his fellow-warrior the Welshman Glendower stands for an equally antiquated mode of being: magical thinking. He boasts of portents at his birth—fiery shapes in the air and goats running from the mountain—but this kind of talk is ridiculed. When he claims that he “can call spirits from the vasty deep,” Hotspur wryly asks “But will they come when you do call for them?” Talk of dragons and finless fish is “skimble-skamble stuff” that does nothing to advance the cause of the rebellion. In the end, the consequence of Glendower’s desire to listen to prophecies is that he fails to turn up for the battle.

The First Part shows Prince Harry playing “truant” from “chivalry,” but returning to it when the time is ripe. Even as he proves himself on the battlefield, the critique of honor continues with Falstaff’s mock “catechism”: “Can honour set to a leg? No…Who hath it? He that died o’Wednesday.” Falstaff’s philosophy is a simple “give me life”: never mind about ethical and political codes of behavior. “I am not a double man,” he says to Hal, putting down the dead Hotspur, whom he has been carrying on his back. Yet he is double the size of anyone else in the play and he has a double life, rising from feigned death on the battlefield of Shrewsbury so that he can return in The Second Part. It will be altogether harder to get rid of cowardly Falstaff than to defeat brave Hotspur. “Thou art not what thou seem’st,” remarks Hal: in seeming to have killed Hotspur, Falstaff is not the coward he has appeared to be. But he has not slain Hotspur, merely stabbed him when he is already dead—a supremely dishonorable deed. And yet what is honor? A mere word, an empty code. It is the trickster, the chancer, who survives, not the honorable man.

Falstaff is at once the great deceiver and the great truth teller, who reduces war to its bottom line: common foot soldiers are but “food for powder.” One of the reasons why Shakespeare made him fat was to remind the audience of the solidity of the human body: Falstaff’s girth is a way of saying that history is made not only of big speeches and dramatic events, but also of the daily lives of people who eat, drink, sleep, and die: “Rare words! Brave world! Hostess, my breakfast, come! / O, I could wish this tavern were my drum!”

A key word in The First Part is “instinct.” Hotspur has instinctive courage and Falstaff an instinctive sense of self-preservation. The king thinks that his son is instinctively idle and irresponsible. The aim of a sixteenth-century royal humanist education was to overcome such innate propensities by developing the ethical, linguistic, and political faculties of the pupil prince. For Hal, the King’s Tavern in Eastcheap serves as a parody of the schoolroom at court. Falstaff is explicitly identified as his “tutor” and a central part of his education is to learn a new language—not, however, Latin, Greek, or the rhetorical elaboration of courtly speech, but the language of the people. This is a Harry who develops the art of speaking with every “Tom, Dick and Francis.” He learns their jargon—“They call drinking deep, dyeing scarlet”—and becomes “so good a proficient in one quarter of an hour” that he will be able to “drink with any tinker in his own language” for the rest of his life. Henry IV believes that one of the failings of his predecessor Richard II was to seek to make himself popular, thus eroding the necessary distance that creates awe and gives mystique to the monarchy. But his own distance from public life—he is nearly always surrounded by an inner circle of courtiers or closeted alone in his chamber—causes power to ebb from him. His son, by contrast, comes to know the common people, developing a rapport that will enable him to inspire and lead his army in Henry V. The point is made through the very linguistic medium of the drama: all of Shakespeare’s other English kings speak entirely in verse, whereas Prince Hal has command of a flexible prose voice, with which he reduces himself to the level of his people, an Eastcheap trick that he repeats when he goes in disguise among his men on the night before the battle of Agincourt.

The prince succeeds according to the principle articulated by the cunning politician Ulysses in Troilus and Cressida: a man “Cannot make boast to have that which he hath, / Nor feels not what he owes, but by reflection, / As when his virtues shining upon others / Heat them and they retort that heat again / To the first giver.” That is to say, we can only make value judgments through a process of comparison. “Percy is but my factor, good my lord, / To engross up glorious deeds on my behalf”: by temporarily ceding glory to Henry Hotspur, Henry Monmouth will seem all the more glorious when he eventually triumphs over him. His whole strategy is revealed in the imagery of his first soliloquy: the sun seems brighter after cloud and a jewel on a dull background will “show more goodly and attract more eyes / Than that which hath no foil to set it off.” The offsetting of the prince against his various foils is the structural key to the drama.

Prince Harry is a man of the future; his father is haunted by the past. Both parts of Henry the Fourth are suffused with the memory of the “by-paths and indirect crooked ways” by which Bullingbrook “met” (or rather took) the crown. The king is revealed at his most vulnerable halfway through The Second Part, in a scene that may have troubled the censor: sick and sleepless, he meditates on the cares of state, the fragility of office, and the weight of his past sin. A usurper himself, Henry IV has no ground on which to base his authority over the rebels who were once his allies. The only basis of his power is victory on the battlefield. In each part, this is achieved by means of a trick. At Shrewsbury in The First Part, the device consists of dressing several different men as the king in order to confuse the enemy. Having slain one of the impersonators, Douglas assumes that he is addressing another of them: “What art thou, / That counterfeit’st the person of a king?” This time, however, it is the king, not a counterfeit—which beautifully dramatizes the point that the king is a counterfeit because of his usurpation. In The Second Part, the king is too sick to fight his own battle, so at Gaultree Forest the Machiavellian strategy of reneging upon the terms of a negotiated truce is carried out by his second son, Prince John of Lancaster. Does that make Prince Harry into the true follower of Machiavelli, who advised that the effective prince is one who gets someone else to do his dirty work for him?

At the beginning of The First Part, the king says that he must postpone his crusade to the Holy Land because of the new civil broils at home, the fresh wound upon the earth of England. His dream of expiating his sins by liberating Jerusalem from the heathen is never translated into action. The prophecy that he would end his life there is only realized ironically: he dies in the “Jerusalem chamber” of his own palace. Henry IV’s fear, apparently borne out by the bad company that Prince Harry keeps, is that the sin of the father will be visited upon the reign of his son:

For the fifth Harry from curbèd licence plucks

The muzzle of restraint, and the wild dog

Shall flesh his tooth in every innocent.

O my poor kingdom, sick with civil blows!

When that my care could not withhold thy riots,

What wilt thou do when riot is thy care?

O, thou wilt be a wilderness again,

Peopled with wolves, thy old inhabitants!

He imagines that the “riot” of the wayward prince will be translated into civil disorder when he becomes king. That is also Falstaff’s hope on hearing that his beloved Hal is now Henry V: “the laws of England are at my commandment…and woe unto my Lord Chief Justice!” But he is in for a shock: Hal immediately adopts Falstaff’s adversary, the Lord Chief Justice, as his new surrogate father. As in The First Part he had startled the rebels by transforming himself from tavern idler to armed warrior on horseback, so now in The Second Part he proves that he has learned the civic virtues as well as the military ones.

The prince’s self-revelatory soliloquy early in The First Part began with the words “I know you all.” The newly crowned king’s rejection of Falstaff late in The Second Part begins with the words “I know thee not, old man.” The verbal echo is unmistakable: he has ceased to be Hal, he is now delivering on his promise that the time would come when he would throw off the companions and misleaders of his youth. As predicted in the soliloquy, Harry has succeeded in falsifying men’s hopes. His reformation glitters over his fault. Falstaff and company suddenly seem to be no more than instruments in a princely conjuring trick, a theatrical act of self-transformation designed to impress a public audience.

Radically opposing interpretations thus become possible. By one account, the politic march of history stands in violent contrast to the humane virtues of friendship, loyalty, good humor, sociability, verbal inventiveness, self-mockery, loyalty, and love. Humanity gives way to what the Bastard in King John called “commodity.” The alternative view is that Falstaff embodies the temptations of the flesh. He scores highly for at least three of the seven deadly sins—gluttony, lust, and sloth. He is the “Vice” figure of the old tradition of morality plays and his rejection is accordingly Hal’s final step on the path toward political and moral redemption. So it is that Hal can be played equally persuasively as a young man going on a journey toward maturity but still enjoy his departures from the straight and narrow path or as one of Shakespeare’s Machiavellian manipulators—energetic and intellectually astute, a brilliant actor, but intensely self-conscious, emotionally reined in.

It is not known whether Shakespeare always intended Henry the Fourth to be a two-part play or whether he discovered at some point in the writing or production of The First Part that it would be dramatically unsatisfying to contain a double climax in a single play, to have Prince Harry prove himself a chivalric hero by defeating Hotspur on the battlefield and then immediately dissociate himself from Falstaff and the other thieves. Instead, the rejection of Falstaff is withheld until The Second Part, but anticipated in the play-within-the-play in The First Part, in which the prince’s return to his father is pre-enacted in the tavern.

The scene is a glorious piece of improvised theater, with the actors changing roles and parodying different linguistic registers. Thus, for instance, when Falstaff plays King Henry he apes the affected courtly prose style of John Lyly: “for though the camomile, the more it is trodden the faster it grows, yet youth, the more it is wasted the sooner it wears.” It is a mark of Shakespeare’s attention to detail that when Falstaff is playing the king he calls the prince “Harry” instead of his pet name “Hal.” Though the language of the mock-play is intricate and varied, the staging is simple: “This chair shall be my state, this dagger my sceptre and this cushion my crown.” The metatheatrical effect reminds the audience that they are in a theater and at the same time suggests that power is itself a form of theater. There is no intrinsic reason why a golden crown is sacred and a stuffed cushion anarchic; whether in a theater or a palace, a throne may represent a “chair of state” but it is still a mere chair.

A chair is a chair and, as Gadshill puts it, “Homo is a common name to all men.” Falstaff may be “that reverend Vice, that grey Iniquity, that father Ruffian, that Vanity in years,” but he is also the embodiment of the shared frailty of all humanity: “If sack and sugar be a fault, heaven help the wicked: if to be old and merry be a sin, then many an old host that I know is damned.” To banish plump Jack is to banish “all the world.” “I do,” says Hal, playing the role of his father the king; “I will,” he adds, anticipating what he will do when he becomes king himself. As so often when Shakespeare’s art is working in its most concentrated form, judgment is left suspended. Is Hal “essentially made,” with or without knowing it? And is it possible to be a true friend and a true prince? At the end of the “play extempore,” he is friend more than prince, lying to an authority figure, the sheriff, in order to protect Falstaff. So is he—as some editors emend—“essentially mad,” fundamentally as opposed to temporarily a “madcap”? “The true prince may, for recreation sake, prove a false thief,” says Falstaff: is the playtime of “recreation” a space for a brief interlude of misrule or a crucible in which the self is recreated?

There is little historical warrant for the story of Henry V’s riotous youth. A “prodigal son” narrative was attached to him in the chronicles and the anonymous play The Famous Victories of Henry the Fifth in order to highlight the change he undergoes when he becomes king, submits to the rule of law and so unifies and brings to order the nation that his father divided. The rejection of Falstaff and company is part and parcel of Harry’s symbolically becoming a new person at the moment of his coronation. The notion of “reformation” and the washing away of past iniquities clearly have strong religious connotations. Each time the prince returns to the court, he speaks a language of “fall” and “pardon.” When he fights well, his father tells him that “Thou hast redeemed thy lost opinion.”

The rhythm of Prince Hal’s life is that of providential history, leading to his “reformation” and his assumption of the roles, which attracted Queen Elizabeth to him: unifier of the body-politic, victor over a rival kingdom, heroic leader of a great and independent nation. The rhythm of Falstaff’s life is that of the body and the seasons. In The Second Part he journeys into the deep England of Justice Shallow’s Gloucestershire orchard. The immemorial quality of the rural world animated by Shallow’s ramblings—his talk that is strangely profound in its very triviality—summons up an England that is older and more stable than anything possible in the court-world of intrigue, innovation, and reversal. To a far greater degree than any previous play, Henry the Fourth brings the lives of ordinary people into history. The scene with the carriers in The First Part is a miniature of ordinary working-day life and common speech (“This house is turned upside down since Robin the ostler died”), while the Gloucestershire sequence in The Second Part is miraculously detailed. Shallow’s kinsman Silence has come over from Lincolnshire to stay and so provides an opportunity for the exchange of gossip (“How a good yoke of bullocks at Stamford Fair?…Is old Double of your town living yet?”) and the sharing of reminiscence, which Falstaff then participates in (“We have heard the chimes at midnight, Master Shallow”). The pace of the action slows in a gesture of respect to the old, even as we laugh at them.

We learn from Shallow that Falstaff began his career as a page to Thomas Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk. This appears to be a Shakespearean fancy without source: it is true of neither the historical Sir John Falstaff, who flees the battlefield in 1 Henry VI, nor the historical Sir John Oldcastle, of whom the character of Falstaff was originally an irreverent portrait. Why did Shakespeare give his fictional Falstaff a past that began in the service of Mowbray? At one level, it links him with opposition to the Lancastrian ascendancy represented by King Henry IV and his son. Mowbray was Henry IV’s opponent when the latter was still Bullingbrook, back at the beginning of Richard II. Like father, like son: as Bullingbrook’s accusation of treachery was instrumental in the banishment of Mowbray from the land, so Hal will banish Falstaff from his presence. Mowbray departs with a moving farewell to his native land and language; the effect of his words is to suggest that love of the English earth and the English word goes deeper than dynastic difference. We do not hear similar patriotic sentiments in the mouth of the self-interested Bullingbrook; he does nothing to bring back the old England idealized in the deathbed speech of his father, John of Gaunt (whose name and whose England are also remembered by Shallow).

In Shakespeare’s own time, those who suffered banishment because of ideological difference, but who claimed that they were nevertheless loyal to England, were predominantly Catholics. And this suggests another level to the allusion that binds Falstaff to the Duke of Norfolk. To an Elizabethan audience, the name of Norfolk—the only surviving dukedom in the land—was synonymous with overt or suspected Catholic sympathy. The old Catholic ways persisted in the country long after the official change of religion inaugurated by Henry VIII’s break from Rome. The Catholic liturgy’s integral relationship with the agricultural calendar and the cycles of human biology could not be shattered overnight. There may, then, be a sense in which Falstaff’s journey into deep England is also a journey into the old religion of Shakespeare’s father and maternal grandfather. One wonders if it is a coincidence that, in fleshing out the skeletal character of the prince’s riotous companion that he inherited from the old play of The Famous Victories of Henry the Fifth, Shakespeare retained and made much of his own father’s name of John. It is ironic that Falstaff’s original surname, Oldcastle, had to be changed because the character was regarded as an insult to the memory of the proto-Protestant Lollard of that name: “for Oldcastle died martyr,” says the epilogue to The Second Part, “and this is not the man.”

Indeed it is not the man, for Falstaff is if anything an embodiment of those ancient Catholic rhythms, which were suppressed in the name of Reformation. Vestiges of Oldcastle litter the text: “Falstaff sweats to death” suggests a martyr burning on a bonfire and “if I become not a cart as well as another man” could suggest a religious dissident on the way to the stake as well as a criminal being taken to the gallows. Protestants, especially in the extreme form of puritans, were traditionally lean; fat monks were symbolic of the corruptions of Catholicism. By making Sir John fat and not calling him Oldcastle, Shakespeare raises the specter of Catholic as opposed to Protestant martyrdoms. Falstaff is Malvolio’s opposite: he stands for cakes and ale, festival and holiday, all that was anathema to puritanism. At the beginning of Henry V, the Archbishop of Canterbury confirms that Prince Harry’s transformation was completed with the rejection of Falstaff: “Never came reformation in a flood, / With such a heady currance, scouring faults.” If there is a proto-Protestant or embryonic puritan in the plays, it is King Harry the Fifth, newly washed of his past, casting off his old companions, turning away England’s former self.

Even as he uses Hal for his own advancement, Falstaff is always a truer father than the cold and politic King Henry IV can ever be. The point is made with beautiful clarity by the contrast between Falstaff’s heated engagement in the scene in which he and Hal act out the prodigal prince’s forthcoming interview with his father and the king’s chilly detachment in the interview itself. The complexity and the pain of the end of The Second Part stem from the way in which, by casting himself as the prodigal son and coming home to his politic heritage, Hal tears into the heart of old England. According to Holinshed’s Chronicles, King Henry V left no friendship unrewarded. This cannot be said of Shakespeare’s version of history. “Master Shallow, I owe you a thousand pound,” says Falstaff immediately after he has been publicly denounced by his “sweet boy,” changing the subject in the way that people often do when they feel betrayed or bewildered. At this moment, the spectator who has attended carefully to both parts may remember an earlier exchange when Hal asks “Sirrah, do I owe you a thousand pound?” and Falstaff replies “A thousand pound, Hal? A million. Thy love is worth a million: thou ow’st me thy love.”

In the epilogue to The Second Part, Shakespeare promises that “our humble author will continue the story with Sir John in it, and make you merry with fair Katherine of France.” Audience members attending Henry V on the basis of this promise might be justified in asking for their money back: we do not see Sir John Falstaff in the Agincourt play. His presence would raise too many awkward questions of the “reformed” king. We only hear—most comically and at the same time most movingly—of his death. The king has broken his heart.

KEY FACTS: THE FIRST PART OF HENRY THE FOURTH

PLOT: After deposing King Richard II, Henry Bullingbrook has ascended the throne as Henry IV. Guilt about the disposition troubles his conscience, and the stability of his reign is threatened by growing opposition from some of the nobles who helped him to the throne. His son, Prince Henry (also known as Harry and, by Falstaff, as Hal), is living a dissolute life, frequenting the taverns of Eastcheap in the company of Sir John Falstaff and other disreputable characters, with whom he participates in a highway robbery. Opposition to the king becomes open rebellion, led by the Earl of Northumberland’s son Henry Percy, known for his courage and impetuous nature as Hotspur. The Percy family supports the claim to the throne of Hotspur’s brother-in-law, Edmund Mortimer. The rebellion brings Hal back to his father’s side, while Falstaff musters a ragged troop of soldiers. The king’s army defeat the rebels at the battle of Shrewsbury, where Hal kills Hotspur. Falstaff lives to die another day.

MAJOR PARTS: (with percentage of lines/number of speeches/scenes on stage) Falstaff (20%/151/ 8), Prince Henry (18%/170/10), Hotspur (18%/102/8), King Henry (11%/30/6), Worcester (6%/35/7), Poins (3%/36/3), Glendower (3%/23/1). Several characters speak between 15 and 30 of the play’s 3,000 lines: Douglas, Hostess Quickly, Gadshill, Vernon, Mortimer, Lady Percy, Bardolph, Blunt, Northumberland, Westmorland, Francis.

LINGUISTIC MEDIUM: 55% verse, 45% prose.

DATE: Probably written and first performed 1596–97; registered for publication February 1598. Falstaff’s name was originally Oldcastle; it was probably changed to Falstaff either during the months when William Brooke, Lord Cobham (an indirect descendant of the historical Sir John Oldcastle), was Lord Chamberlain (August 1596 to March 1597) or following the suppression of playing (July–October 1597) caused by a politically inflammatory play called The Isle of Dogs.

SOURCES: Based on the account of the reign of Henry IV in the 1587 edition of Holinshed’s Chronicles, with some use of Samuel Daniel’s epic poem The First Four Books of the Civil Wars (1595). Thus, for instance, the historical Hotspur was twenty years older than Hal, but Daniel made them contemporaries for dramatic effect. The intermingling of historical materials and comedy, in the context of the prince’s riotous youth, is developed from the anonymous Queen’s Men play, The Famous Victories of Henry the Fifth (performed late 1580s), which includes characters who may be regarded as crude prototypes of Falstaff and Poins.

TEXT: Quarto 1598 (text probably based on a scribal transcript of Shakespeare’s manuscript; two printings, one of them lost save for a few sheets), reprinted 1599, 1604, 1608, 1613, 1622 (indicating that this was one of Shakespeare’s most popular plays). The Folio text was set from the Fifth Quarto, correcting some but nowhere near all of its mistakes. Oaths were systematically removed in accordance with the 1606 Parliamentary “Act to restrain the Abuses of Players”: since the Act applied to stage performances, not printed books, this suggests that a theatrical manuscript also lay behind the Folio text. There is therefore good reason to regard Folio as an autonomous text, with its own authority. Our text is based on Folio, but where there are manifest errors, either derived from the Quarto tradition or introduced by the Folio compositors, we restore readings from the First Quarto.

GENEALOGY: See this page.

KEY FACTS: THE SECOND PART OF HENRY THE FOURTH

PLOT: In despair at the death of his son Hotspur, the Earl of Northumberland lends his support to a second rebellion, led by the Archbishop of York. As the threat of civil war looms over the country, King Henry IV grows sick, while also fearing that his son Prince Henry (also known as Harry and, by Falstaff, as Hal) has returned to his old life with Falstaff and the other disreputable denizens of the Eastcheap tavern. Falstaff is sent on a recruiting expedition and renews old acquaintances in Gloucestershire. The rebel army is met by the king’s forces, led this time by Hal’s younger brother, Prince John of Lancaster. On his deathbed, King Henry is reconciled with his son, who has begun to distance himself from his former companions. A new, mature Hal accepts the crown as Henry V.

MAJOR PARTS: (with percentage of lines/number of speeches/scenes on stage) Falstaff (20%/184/8), Prince Henry (9%/60/5), King Henry IV (9%/34/4), Shallow (6%/77/4), Lord Chief Justice (5%/56/4), Hostess Quickly (5%/49/3), Archbishop Scroop (5%/25/3), Prince John of Lancaster (3%26/5), Westmorland (3%/21/4), Lord Bardolph (3%/18/2), Northumberland (3%/17/2), Pistol (2%/31/3), Doll Tearsheet (2%/31/2), Bardolph (2%/30/6), Poins (2%/28/2), Warwick (2%/26/4), Mowbray (2%/18/3), Hastings (2%/17/3), Morton (2%/6/1).

LINGUISTIC MEDIUM: 50% verse, 50% prose.

DATE: Around 1597–98. Must have been written after The First Part (1596–97) and before Henry V (early 1599); registered for publication August 1600. Vestiges of the name “Oldcastle” for “Falstaff” suggest that drafting may have begun before Lord Cobham’s objections led to the name change in The First Part, but the play was probably not acted before this. The double epilogue (see “Text,” below) suggests different stages of production.

SOURCES: Based on the account of the reign of Henry IV in the 1587 edition of Holinshed’s Chronicles, with some use of Samuel Daniel’s epic poem The First Four Books of the Civil Wars (1595). The intermingling of historical materials and comedy, in the context of the Prince’s riotous youth, is developed from the anonymous Queen’s Men play, The Famous Victories of Henry the Fifth (performed late 1580s), which included characters who may be regarded as crude prototypes of Falstaff and company, a scene in which a laboring man is press-ganged into the army, and a well-known encounter where the prince boxes the Lord Chief Justice on the ears.

TEXT: Quarto 1600, in two different issues, one of which omits Act 3 Scene 1 (showing the sick and sleepless king): scholars debate whether the scene was a late Shakespearean addition to his original draft or an omission because of its politically sensitive references back to the deposition of Richard II. The Quartos are usually thought to have been printed from Shakespeare’s working manuscript. The 1623 Folio contains eight significant passages that are not in the Quarto, some relating to either the Archbishop’s insurrection or the deposition of Richard II. These are more likely to be Quarto cuts (some for reasons of censorship, others for dramatic compression) than Folio additions. The Folio text shows some signs of consultation of a theatrical manuscript, probably some time after the 1606 “Act to restrain the Abuses of Players” (profanity has been toned down). The most plausible explanation of the complex textual history is that Folio was typeset from a carefully prepared manuscript based on a post-1606 promptbook, perhaps collated with the first issue of the Quarto. A further complication is that the Epilogue is printed in different ways in Quarto and Folio, and seems to combine two different speeches, probably one written for public performance and the other for a staging at court in the presence of Queen Elizabeth. Most editions are based on Quarto, with the Folio-only passages inserted, whereas we respect Folio as an autonomous text, though use Quarto for the correction of manifest printer’s errors.

GENEALOGY: See this page.

THE FIRST PART OF HENRY THE FOURTH, with the Life and Death of Henry surnamed Hotspur

KING HENRY IV, formerly Henry Bullingbrook, Duke of Lancaster

PRINCE HENRY, Prince of Wales, Hal or Harry Monmouth

PRINCE JOHN, his younger brother, Lord of Lancaster

Earl of WESTMORLAND

Sir Walter BLUNT

Sir John FALSTAFF

Edward or Ned POINS

PETO

BARDOLPH

Earl of NORTHUMBERLAND, Henry Percy

Earl of WORCESTER, Thomas Percy, his younger brother

HOTSPUR, Sir Henry (or Harry) Percy, Northumberland’s son

Lord Edmund MORTIMER, Earl of March, Hotspur’s brother-in-law,

Owen GLENDOWER, Welsh lord, Mortimer’s father-in-law

Earl of DOUGLAS, a Scots Lord

Sir Richard VERNON

ARCHBISHOP of York, Richard Scroop

SIR MICHAEL, member of Archbishop’s household

LADY PERCY (Kate), Hotspur’s wife, Mortimer’s sister

LADY MORTIMER, Mortimer’s wife, Glendower’s daughter

FIRST CARRIER (Mugs)

OSTLER

SECOND CARRIER (Tom)

GADSHILL

CHAMBERLAIN

FIRST TRAVELLER

SECOND TRAVELLER

FRANCIS, an apprentice drawer or tapster

VINTNER

HOSTESS QUICKLY, landlady of a tavern

SHERIFF

SERVANT

MESSENGER

Lords, Soldiers, other Travellers, and Attendants

Act 1 Scene 11.1

running scene 1

       Enter the King, Lord John of Lancaster, [the] Earl of Westmorland, with others

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV So shaken as we¹ are, so wan with care,

               Find we² a time for frighted peace to pant,

               And breathe short-winded accents³ of new broils

               To be commenced in strands afar remote.⁴

5

5     No more the thirsty entrance⁵ of this soil

               Shall daub⁶ her lips with her own children’s blood.

               No more shall trenching⁷ war channel her fields,

               Nor bruise her flow’rets⁸ with the armèd hoofs

               Of hostile paces.⁹ Those opposèd eyes,

10

10     Which, like the meteors¹⁰ of a troubled heaven,

               All of one nature, of one substance bred,

               Did lately meet in the intestine shock¹²

               And furious close¹³ of civil butchery

               Shall now, in mutual well-beseeming¹⁴ ranks,

15

15     March all one way and be no more opposed

               Against acquaintance, kindred and allies.

               The edge of war, like an ill-sheathèd knife,

               No more shall cut his master. Therefore, friends,

               As far as to the sepulchre of Christ¹⁹ —

20

20     Whose soldier now, under whose blessèd cross

               We are impressèd²¹ and engaged to fight —

               Forthwith a power²² of English shall we levy,

               Whose arms²³ were moulded in their mother’s womb

               To chase these pagans in those holy fields²⁴

25

25     Over whose acres walked those blessèd feet²⁵

               Which fourteen hundred years ago were nailed

               For our advantage on the bitter²⁷ cross.

               But this our purpose is a twelvemonth old,

               And bootless²⁹ ’tis to tell you we will go:

30

30     Therefore we meet not now.— Then let me hear

               Of you, my gentle³¹ cousin Westmorland,

               What yesternight³² our council did decree

               In forwarding this dear³³ expedience.

WESTMORLAND

WESTMORLAND My liege,³⁴ this haste was hot in question,

35

35     And many limits³⁵ of the charge set down

               But³⁶ yesternight, when all athwart there came

               A post³⁷ from Wales loaden with heavy news;

               Whose worst was that the noble Mortimer,

               Leading the men of Herefordshire to fight

40

40     Against the irregular⁴⁰ and wild Glendower,

               Was by the rude⁴¹ hands of that Welshman taken,

               And a thousand of his people butcherèd,

               Upon whose dead corpse⁴³ there was such misuse,

               Such beastly shameless transformation,⁴⁴

45

45     By those Welshwomen done as may not be

               Without much shame retold or spoken of.

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV It seems then that the tidings⁴⁷ of this broil

               Brake⁴⁸ off our business for the Holy Land.

WESTMORLAND

WESTMORLAND This matched with⁴⁹ other like, my gracious lord.

50

5     Far more uneven⁵⁰ and unwelcome news

               Came from the north and thus it did report:

               On Holy Rood day,⁵² the gallant Hotspur there,

               Young Harry Percy, and brave Archibald,

               That ever-valiant and approvèd⁵⁴ Scot,

55

55     At Holmedon⁵⁵ met, where they did spend

               A sad⁵⁶ and bloody hour,

               As by discharge of their artillery,

               And shape of likelihood,⁵⁸ the news was told,

               For he that brought them, in the very heat⁵⁹

60

60     And pride of their contention did take horse,

               Uncertain of the issue⁶¹ any way.

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV Here⁶² is a dear and true industrious friend,

               Sir Walter Blunt, new lighted⁶³ from his horse,

               Stained with the variation of each⁶⁴ soil

65

65     Betwixt⁶⁵ that Holmedon and this seat of ours,

               And he hath brought us smooth⁶⁶ and welcome news.

               The Earl of Douglas is discomfited,⁶⁷

               Ten thousand bold Scots, two and twenty knights,

               Balked⁶⁹ in their own blood did Sir Walter see

70

70     On Holmedon’s plains. Of prisoners, Hotspur took

               Mordake,⁷¹ Earl of Fife, and eldest son

               To beaten Douglas, and the Earl of Athol,

               Of Murray, Angus, and Menteith.⁷³

               And is not this an honourable spoil?⁷⁴

75

75     A gallant⁷⁵ prize? Ha, cousin, is it not?

WESTMORLAND

WESTMORLAND In faith, it is a conquest for a prince to boast of.

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV Yea, there thou mak’st me sad and mak’st me sin

               In envy that my Lord Northumberland

               Should be the father of so blest a son:

80

80     A son who is the theme⁸⁰ of honour’s tongue;

               Amongst a grove, the very straightest plant,⁸¹

               Who is sweet Fortune’s minion⁸² and her pride,

               Whilst I, by looking on the praise of him,

               See riot⁸⁴ and dishonour stain the brow

85

85     Of my young Harry. O, that it could be proved

               That some night-tripping⁸⁶ fairy had exchanged

               In cradle-clothes our children where they lay,

               And called mine Percy, his Plantagenet:⁸⁸

               Then would I have his Harry, and he mine.

90

90     But let him from⁹⁰ my thoughts. What think you, coz,

               Of this young Percy’s pride? The prisoners,

               Which he in this adventure⁹² hath surprised,

               To his own use he keeps, and sends me word

               I shall have none but Mordake Earl of Fife.

95

95     

WESTMORLAND

WESTMORLAND This is his uncle’s teaching. This is Worcester,

               Malevolent to you in all aspects,

               Which makes him prune⁹⁷ himself, and bristle up

               The crest of youth against your dignity.⁹⁸

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV But I have sent for him to answer this.

100

100   And for this cause¹⁰⁰ awhile we must neglect

               Our holy purpose to Jerusalem.

               Cousin, on Wednesday next our council we

               Will hold at Windsor, and so inform the lords.

               But come yourself with speed to us again,

105

105   For more is to be said and to be done

               Than out¹⁰⁶ of anger can be utterèd.

WESTMORLAND

WESTMORLAND I will, my liege.

       Exeunt

Act 1 Scene 21.2

running scene 2

       Enter Henry, Prince of Wales [and] Sir John Falstaff

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Now, Hal, what time of day is it, lad?

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Thou art so fat-witted² with drinking of old sack and unbuttoning thee after supper and sleeping upon benches in the afternoon, that thou hast forgotten³ to demand that truly⁴ which thou wouldst truly know. What a devil hast thou to do with the time of the day? Unless hours were cups of sack and minutes capons⁵ and clocks the tongues of bawds⁶ and dials the signs of leaping-houses and the blessed sun himself a fair hot⁷ wench in flame-coloured taffeta, I see no reason why thou shouldst be so superfluous⁸ to demand the time of the day.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Indeed, you come near me⁹ now, Hal, for we that take purses go by the moon and seven stars,¹⁰ and not by Phoebus, he, ‘that wand’ring knight so fair’. And, I prithee, sweet wag,¹¹ when thou art king, as God save thy grace — majesty I should say, for grace thou wilt have none—

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY What, none?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF No, not so much as will serve to be prologue to an egg and butter.¹⁴

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Well, how then? Come, roundly,¹⁵ roundly.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Marry,¹⁶ then, sweet wag, when thou art king, let not us that are squires of the night’s body be called thieves¹⁷ of the day’s beauty. Let us be Diana’s foresters, gentlemen of the shade, minions¹⁸ of the moon; and let men say we be men of good government, being governed, as the sea is, by our noble and chaste mistress the moon, under whose countenance²⁰ we steal.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Thou say’st well, and it holds²¹ well too, for the fortune of us that are the moon’s men doth ebb and flow like the sea, being governed, as the sea is, by the moon. As, for proof, now: a purse of gold most resolutely snatched on Monday night and most dissolutely spent on Tuesday morning; got with swearing ‘Lay by’²⁴ and spent with crying ‘Bring in’,²⁵ now in as low an ebb as the foot of the ladder and by and by in as high a flow as the ridge of the gallows.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Thou say’st true, lad. And is not my hostess²⁷ of the tavern a most sweet wench?

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY As is the honey of Hybla,²⁹ my old lad of the castle. And is not a buff jerkin a most sweet robe of durance?³⁰

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF How now, how now, mad wag? What, in thy quips and thy quiddities?³¹ What a plague³² have I to do with a buff jerkin?

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Why, what a pox³³ have I to do with my hostess of the tavern?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Well, thou hast called³⁴ her to a reck’ning many a time and oft.

PRINCE HENRY

prince henry Did I ever call for thee to pay thy part?³⁵

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF No, I’ll give thee thy due, thou hast paid all there.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Yea, and elsewhere, so far as my coin would stretch,³⁷ and where it would not, I have used my credit.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Yea, and so used it that were it here apparent that thou art heir³⁹ apparent — but, I prithee, sweet wag, shall there be gallows standing in England when thou art king? And resolution⁴¹ thus fobbed as it is with the rusty curb of old father antic the law? Do not thou, when thou art a king, hang a thief.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY No, thou shalt.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Shall I? O rare!⁴⁴ I’ll be a brave judge.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Thou judgest false already: I mean, thou shalt have the hanging of the thieves and so become a rare hangman.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Well, Hal, well, and in some sort it jumps⁴⁷ with my humour as well as waiting⁴⁸ in the court, I can tell you.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY For obtaining of suits?⁴⁹

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Yea, for obtaining of suits, whereof the hangman hath no lean wardrobe.⁵⁰ I am as melancholy as a gib cat⁵¹ or a lugged bear.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Or an old lion, or a lover’s lute.⁵²

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Yea, or the drone of a Lincolnshire bagpipe.⁵³

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY What say’st thou to a hare,⁵⁴ or the melancholy of Moorditch?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Thou hast the most unsavoury similes and art indeed the most comparative,⁵⁶ rascalli’st, sweet young prince. But, Hal, I prithee trouble me no more with vanity.⁵⁷ I would thou and I knew where a commodity of good names were to be bought. An old lord of the council rated⁵⁸ me the other day in the street about you, sir, but I marked him not.⁵⁹ And yet he talked very wisely, but I regarded him not; and yet he talked wisely, and in the street too.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Thou didst well, for no⁶¹ man regards it.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF O, thou hast damnable iteration⁶² and art indeed able to corrupt a saint. Thou hast done much harm unto me, Hal, God forgive thee for it! Before I knew thee, Hal, I knew nothing. And now I am, if a man should speak truly, little better than⁶⁵ one of the wicked. I must give over this life, and I will give it over. An I do not, I am a villain. I’ll be damned for never a⁶⁶ king’s son in Christendom.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Where shall we take a purse tomorrow, Jack?⁶⁷

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Where thou wilt, lad, I’ll make one.⁶⁸ An I do not, call me villain and baffle⁶⁹ me.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY I see a good amendment⁷⁰ of life in thee, from praying to purse-taking.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Why, Hal, ’tis my vocation,⁷¹ Hal: ’tis no sin for a man to labour in his vocation. Poins! Now shall we know if Gadshill⁷² have set a watch. O, if men were to be saved by merit,⁷³ what hole in hell were hot enough for him? This is the most omnipotent⁷⁴ villain that ever cried ‘Stand’ to a true man.

        [Enter Poins]

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Good morrow, Ned.

POINS

POINS     Good morrow, sweet Hal. What says Monsieur Remorse?⁷⁶ What says Sir John Sack and Sugar, Jack? How agrees the devil and thee about thy soul, that thou soldest him on Good Friday⁷⁸ last for a cup of Madeira and a cold capon’s leg?

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Sir John stands to his word, the devil shall have his bargain, for he was never yet a breaker of proverbs: he will give⁸⁰ the devil his due.

POINS

POINS      Then art thou damned for keeping thy word with the devil.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Else he had⁸² been damned for cozening the devil.

POINS

POINS      But, my lads, my lads, tomorrow morning, by four o’clock, early at Gad’s⁸³ Hill, there are pilgrims going to Canterbury with rich offerings, and traders riding to London with fat purses. I have vizards⁸⁵ for you all; you have horses for yourselves. Gadshill lies⁸⁶ tonight in Rochester. I have bespoke supper tomorrow in Eastcheap;⁸⁷ we may do it as secure as sleep. If you will go, I will stuff your purses full of crowns:⁸⁸ if you will not, tarry at home and be hanged.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Hear ye, Yedward,⁸⁹ if I tarry at home and go not, I’ll hang you for going.

POINS

POINS      You will, chops?⁹⁰

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Hal, wilt thou make one?

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Who, I rob? I a thief? Not I.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF There’s neither honesty, manhood, nor good fellowship in thee, nor thou cam’st not of the blood royal,⁹⁴ if thou dar’st not stand for ten shillings.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Well then, once in my days I’ll be a madcap.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Why, that’s well said.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Well, come what will, I’ll tarry at home.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF I’ll be a traitor then, when thou art king.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY I care not.

POINS

POINS      Sir John, I prithee leave the prince and me alone: I will lay him down such reasons for this adventure that he shall go.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Well,¹⁰² mayst thou have the spirit of persuasion and he the ears of profiting, that what thou speakest may move and what he hears may be believed, that the true prince may, for recreation sake, prove a false thief; for the poor abuses¹⁰⁴ of the time want countenance.¹⁰⁵ Farewell. You shall find me in Eastcheap.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Farewell, the latter¹⁰⁶ spring! Farewell, All-hallown summer!

       [Exit Falstaff]

POINS

POINS      Now, my good sweet honey lord, ride with us tomorrow. I have a jest to execute that I cannot manage alone. Falstaff, Peto, Bardolph and Gadshill shall rob those men that we have already waylaid:¹⁰⁹ yourself and I will not be there. And when they have the booty, if you and I do not rob them, cut this head from my shoulders.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY But how shall we part with them in setting forth?

POINS

POINS      Why, we will set forth before or after them, and appoint them a place of meeting, wherein it is at our pleasure¹¹⁴ to fail; and then will they adventure upon the exploit themselves, which they shall have no sooner achieved, but we’ll set upon them.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Ay, but ’tis like¹¹⁷ that they will know us by our horses, by our habits and by every other appointment,¹¹⁸ to be ourselves.

POINS

POINS      Tut! Our horses they shall not see: I’ll tie them in the wood. Our vizards we will change after we leave them. And, sirrah,¹²⁰ I have cases of buckram for the nonce,¹²¹ to immask our noted outward garments.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY But I doubt¹²² they will be too hard for us.

POINS

POINS      Well, for two of them, I know them to be as true-bred cowards as ever turned back.¹²⁴ And for the third, if he fight longer than he sees reason, I’ll forswear arms. The virtue of this jest will be the incomprehensible¹²⁵ lies that this fat rogue will tell us when we meet at supper: how thirty at least he fought with, what wards,¹²⁷ what blows, what extremities he endured; and in the reproof of this lies the jest.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Well, I’ll go with thee. Provide us all things necessary and meet me tomorrow night in Eastcheap. There I’ll sup.¹³⁰ Farewell.

POINS

POINS     Farewell, my lord.

       Exit Poins

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY I know you all, and will awhile uphold¹³²

               The unyoked humour¹³³ of your idleness.

               Yet herein will I imitate the sun,¹³⁴

135

135   Who doth permit the base contagious¹³⁵ clouds

               To smother up his beauty from the world,

               That when he please again to be himself,

               Being wanted,¹³⁸ he may be more wondered at,

               By breaking through the foul and ugly mists

140

140   Of vapours that did seem to strangle him.

               If all the year were playing holidays,

               To sport¹⁴² would be as tedious as to work;

               But when they seldom come, they wished-for come,

               And nothing pleaseth but rare accidents.¹⁴⁴

145

145   So, when this loose behaviour I throw off

               And pay the debt I never promisèd,

               By how much better than my word I am,

               By so much shall I falsify men’s hopes,¹⁴⁸

               And like bright metal on a sullen ground,¹⁴⁹

150

15     My reformation, glittering o’er my fault,

               Shall show more goodly and attract more eyes

               Than that which hath no foil¹⁵² to set it off.

               I’ll so offend¹⁵³ to make offence a skill,

               Redeeming time¹⁵⁴ when men think least I will.

       [Exit]

Act 1 Scene 31.3

running scene 3

       Enter the King, Northumberland, Worcester, Hotspur, Sir Walter Blunt and others

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV My blood hath been too cold and temperate,¹

               Unapt² to stir at these indignities,

               And you have found me;³ for accordingly

               You tread upon⁴ my patience. But be sure

5

5     I will from henceforth rather be myself,⁵

               Mighty and to be feared, than my condition,⁶

               Which hath been smooth as oil, soft as young down,

               And therefore lost that title of⁸ respect

               Which the proud⁹ soul ne’er pays but to the proud.

10

10     

WORCESTER

WORCESTER Our house,¹⁰ my sovereign liege, little deserves

               The scourge¹¹ of greatness to be used on it.

               And that same greatness too which our own hands

               Have holp¹³ to make so portly.

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND  Mylord— To the King

15

15     

KING HENRY

KING HENRY IV Worcester, get thee gone, for I do see

               Danger and disobedience in thine eye.

               O, sir, your presence is too bold and peremptory,¹⁷

               And majesty might never yet endure

               The moody frontier¹⁹ of a servant brow.

20

20     You have good leave²⁰ to leave us. When we need

               Your use²¹ and counsel, we shall send for you.—

       [Exit Worcester]

               You were about to speak. To Northumberland

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND Yea, my good lord.

               Those prisoners in your highness’ name demanded,

25

25     Which Harry Percy here at Holmedon took,

               Were, as he says, not with²⁶ such strength denied

               As was delivered²⁷ to your majesty,

               Who either through envy or misprision²⁸

               Was guilty of this fault and not my son.

30

30     

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR My liege, I did deny no prisoners. To the King

               But I remember, when the fight was done,

               When I was dry with rage³² and extreme toil,

               Breathless and faint, leaning upon my sword,

               Came there a certain lord, neat³⁴ and trimly dressed,

35

35     Fresh as a bridegroom, and his chin new reaped³⁵

               Showed like a stubble-land at harvest-home.³⁶

               He was perfumèd like a milliner,³⁷

               And ’twixt his finger and his thumb he held

               A pouncet-box,³⁹ which ever and anon

40

40     He gave⁴⁰ his nose and took’t away again,

               Who therewith angry,⁴¹ when it next came there,

               Took⁴² it in snuff. And still he smiled and talked,

               And as the soldiers bore dead bodies by,

               He called them untaught⁴⁴ knaves, unmannerly,

45

45     To bring a slovenly⁴⁵ unhandsome corpse

               Betwixt the wind and his nobility.⁴⁶

               With many holiday⁴⁷ and lady terms

               He questioned⁴⁸ me, among the rest demanded

               My prisoners in your majesty’s behalf.

50

5     I then, all smarting with my wounds being cold,⁵⁰

               To be so pestered with a popinjay,⁵¹

               Out of my grief⁵² and my impatience,

               Answered neglectingly⁵³ I know not what,

               He should or should not. For he made me mad

55

55     To see him shine so brisk⁵⁵ and smell so sweet

               And talk so like a waiting-gentlewoman⁵⁶

               Of guns and drums and wounds — God⁵⁷ save the mark! —

               And telling me the sovereign’st⁵⁸ thing on earth

               Was parmaceti⁵⁹ for an inward bruise,

60

60     And that it was great pity, so it was,

               That villainous saltpetre⁶¹ should be digged

               Out of the bowels of the harmless earth,

               Which many a good tall⁶³ fellow had destroyed

               So cowardly, and but for these vile guns,

65

65     He would himself have been a soldier.

               This bald unjointed chat⁶⁶ of his, my lord,

               Made me to answer indirectly,⁶⁷ as I said,

               And I beseech⁶⁸ you let not this report

               Come current⁶⁹ for an accusation

70

70     Betwixt my love and your high majesty.

BLUNT

BLUNT The circumstance considered, good my lord, To the king

               Whatever Harry Percy then had said

               To such a person and in such a place,

               At such a time, with all the rest retold,⁷⁴

75

75     May reasonably die⁷⁵ and never rise

               To do him wrong or any way impeach⁷⁶

               What then he said, so⁷⁷ he unsay it now.

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV Why, yet he⁷⁸ doth deny his prisoners,

               But with proviso and exception,⁷⁹

80

80     That we at our own charge⁸⁰ shall ransom straight

               His brother-in-law, the foolish Mortimer,

               Who, in my soul, hath wilfully betrayed

               The lives of those that he did lead to fight

               Against the great magician, damned Glendower,

85

85     Whose daughter, as we hear, the Earl of March⁸⁵

               Hath lately married. Shall our coffers,⁸⁶ then,

               Be emptied to redeem a traitor home?

               Shall we buy treason, and indent⁸⁸ with fears

               When they have lost and forfeited themselves?

90

90     No, on the barren mountain let him starve,

               For I shall never hold that man my friend

               Whose tongue shall ask me for one penny cost

               To ransom home revolted⁹³ Mortimer.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR Revolted Mortimer?

95

95     He never did fall off,⁹⁵ my sovereign liege,

               But by the chance of war. To prove that true

               Needs no more but one tongue for all those wounds,

               Those mouthèd⁹⁸ wounds, which valiantly he took

               When on the gentle Severn’s sedgy bank,⁹⁹

100

100  In single opposition, hand to hand,

               He did confound¹⁰¹ the best part of an hour

               In changing hardiment¹⁰² with great Glendower.

               Three times they breathed¹⁰³ and three times did they drink,

               Upon agreement,¹⁰⁴ of swift Severn’s flood;

105

105   Who then, affrighted¹⁰⁵ with their bloody looks,

               Ran fearfully among the trembling reeds,

               And hid his crisp¹⁰⁷ head in the hollow bank,

               Bloodstainèd with these valiant combatants.

               Never did base¹⁰⁹ and rotten policy

110

110   Colour¹¹⁰ her working with such deadly wounds;

               Nor never could the noble Mortimer

               Receive so many, and all willingly.

               Then let him not be slandered¹¹³ with revolt.

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV Thou dost belie¹¹⁴ him, Percy, thou dost belie him;

115

115   He never did encounter¹¹⁵ with Glendower.

               I tell thee, he durst¹¹⁶ as well have met the devil alone

               As Owen Glendower for an enemy.

               Art thou not ashamed? But, sirrah, henceforth

               Let me not hear you speak of Mortimer.

120

120   Send me your prisoners with the speediest means,

               Or you shall hear in such a kind¹²¹ from me

               As will displease ye.— My lord Northumberland,

               We license¹²³ your departure with your son.—

               Send us your prisoners, or you’ll hear of it. To Hotspur

       Exeunt King [Henry, Blunt and train]

125

125   

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR An if¹²⁵ the devil come and roar for them

               I will not send them. I will after¹²⁶ straight

               And tell him so, for I will ease my heart,

               Although it be with hazard of¹²⁸ my head.

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND What? Drunk with choler?¹²⁹ Stay and pause awhile.

130

130   Here comes your uncle.

       Enter Worcester

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR Speak of Mortimer?

               Yes, I will speak of him, and let my soul

               Want mercy,¹³³ if I do not join with him.

               In his behalf I’ll empty all these veins,

135

135   And shed my dear blood drop by drop i’th’dust,

               But I will lift the downfall¹³⁶ Mortimer

               As high i’th’air as this unthankful king,

               As this ingrate¹³⁸ and cankered Bullingbrook.

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND Brother, the king hath made your nephew mad.

140

140   

WORCESTER

WORCESTER Who struck this heat¹⁴⁰ up after I was gone?

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR He will, forsooth,¹⁴¹ have all my prisoners.

               And when I urged¹⁴² the ransom once again

               Of my wife’s brother, then his cheek looked pale,

               And on my face he turned an eye of death,¹⁴⁴

145

145   Trembling even at the name of Mortimer.

WORCESTER

WORCESTER I cannot blame him: was he¹⁴⁶ not proclaimed

               By Richard,¹⁴⁷ that dead is, the next of blood?

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND He was. I heard the proclamation.

               And then it was when the unhappy¹⁴⁹ king —

150

15     Whose wrongs in us¹⁵⁰ God pardon! — did set forth

               Upon his Irish expedition,

               From whence he intercepted¹⁵² did return

               To be deposed and shortly murderèd.

WORCESTER

WORCESTER And for whose death we in the world’s wide mouth

155

155   Live scandalized and foully spoken of.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR But soft,¹⁵⁶ I pray you; did King Richard then

               Proclaim my brother¹⁵⁷ Mortimer

               Heir to the crown?

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND He did. Myself did hear it.

160

160   

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR Nay, then I cannot blame his cousin¹⁶⁰ king,

               That wished him on the barren mountains starved.

               But shall it be that you that set the crown

               Upon the head of this forgetful man

               And for his sake wore the detested blot¹⁶⁴

165

165   Of murderous subornation,¹⁶⁵ shall it be,

               That you a world of curses undergo,

               Being the agents, or base second means,¹⁶⁷

               The cords, the ladder, or the hangman rather?

               O, pardon if that I descend so low,

170

170   To show the line¹⁷⁰ and the predicament

               Wherein you range¹⁷¹ under this subtle king.

               Shall it for shame be spoken in these days,

               Or fill up chronicles in time to come,

               That men of your nobility and power

175

175   Did gage¹⁷⁵ them both in an unjust behalf,

               As both of you — God pardon it! — have done,

               To put down Richard, that sweet lovely rose,

               And plant this thorn, this canker,¹⁷⁸ Bullingbrook?

               And shall it in more shame be further spoken,

180

180   That you are fooled,¹⁸⁰ discarded and shook off

               By him for whom these shames ye underwent?

               No. Yet time serves wherein you may redeem

               Your banished honours and restore yourselves

               Into the good thoughts of the world again,

185

185   Revenge the jeering and disdained contempt

               Of this proud king, who studies¹⁸⁶ day and night

               To answer¹⁸⁷ all the debt he owes unto you

               Even with the bloody payment of your deaths:

               Therefore, I say—

190

190   

WORCESTER

WORCESTER Peace, cousin, say no more.

               And now I will unclasp¹⁹¹ a secret book,

               And to your quick-conceiving¹⁹² discontents

               I’ll read you matter deep¹⁹³ and dangerous,

               As full of peril and adventurous spirit

195

195   As to o’er-walk¹⁹⁵ a current roaring loud

               On the unsteadfast¹⁹⁶ footing of a spear.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR If he fall in, goodnight,¹⁹⁷ or sink or swim.

               Send danger from the east unto the west,

               So¹⁹⁹ honour cross it from the north to south,

200

200   And let them grapple. The blood more stirs

               To rouse a lion than to start a hare!

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND Imagination of some great exploit To Worcester

               Drives him beyond the bounds of patience.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR By heaven, methinks it were an easy leap,

205

205   To pluck bright honour from the pale-faced moon,

               Or dive into the bottom of the deep,

               Where fathom-line²⁰⁷ could never touch the ground,

               And pluck up drownèd honour by the locks,

               So he that doth redeem²⁰⁹ her thence might wear

210

210   Without corrival,²¹⁰ all her dignities:

               But out upon²¹¹ this half-faced fellowship!

WORCESTER

WORCESTER  He apprehends²¹² a world of figures here, To Northumberland

               But not the form²¹³ of what he should attend.—

               Good cousin, give me audience for a while and list²¹⁴ to me.

215

215   

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR I cry you mercy.²¹⁵

WORCESTER

WORCESTER Those same noble Scots

               That are your prisoners —

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR I’ll keep them all.

               By heaven, he shall not have a Scot²¹⁹ of them.

220

220   No, if a Scot would save his soul, he shall not.

               I’ll keep them, by this hand.

WORCESTER

WORCESTER You start away

               And lend no ear unto my purposes.

               Those prisoners you shall keep.

225

225   

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR Nay, I will; that’s flat.

               He said he would not ransom Mortimer,

               Forbade my tongue to speak of Mortimer,

               But I will find him when he lies asleep,

               And in his ear I’ll holla²²⁹ ‘Mortimer!’

230

230   Nay, I’ll have a starling shall be taught to speak

               Nothing but ‘Mortimer’, and give it him

               To keep his anger still²³² in motion.

WORCESTER

WORCESTER Hear you, cousin, a word.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR All studies here I solemnly defy,²³⁴

235

235   Save how to gall and pinch²³⁵ this Bullingbrook.

               And that same sword-and-buckler²³⁶ Prince of Wales,

               But that²³⁷ I think his father loves him not

               And would be glad he met with some mischance,²³⁸

               I would have poisoned him with a pot of ale.

240

240   

WORCESTER

WORCESTER Farewell, kinsman. I’ll talk to you

               When you are better²⁴¹ tempered to attend.

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND Why, what a wasp-tongued and impatient fool To Hotspur

               Art thou to break into this woman’s mood,

               Tying²⁴⁴ thine ear to no tongue but thine own!

245

245   

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR Why, look you, I am whipped and scourged with rods,

               Nettled and stung with pismires,²⁴⁶ when I hear

               Of this vile politician,²⁴⁷ Bullingbrook.

               In Richard’s time — what d’ye call the place? —

               A plague upon’t, it is in Gloucestershire,

250

25     ’Twas where the madcap duke his uncle²⁵⁰ kept,

               His uncle York, where I first bowed my knee

               Unto this king of smiles, this Bullingbrook,

               When you and he came back from Ravenspurgh.²⁵³

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND At Berkeley Castle.²⁵⁴

255

255   

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR You say true.

               Why, what a candy deal²⁵⁶ of courtesy

               This fawning greyhound then did proffer me.

               ‘Look when²⁵⁸ his infant fortune came to age’,

               And ‘gentle Harry Percy’ and ‘kind cousin’.—

260

260   O, the devil take such cozeners!²⁶⁰ — God forgive me, To Worcester

               Good uncle, tell your tale, for I have done.

WORCESTER

WORCESTER Nay, if you have not, to’t again,

               We’ll stay²⁶³ your leisure.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR I have done, in sooth.²⁶⁴

01

01   

WORCESTER

WORCESTER Then once more to your Scottish prisoners.

               Deliver them up without their ransom straight,

               And make the Douglas’ son²⁶⁷ your only mean

               For powers in Scotland, which, for divers²⁶⁸ reasons

               Which I shall send you written, be assured

270

270   Will easily be granted.— You, my lord, To Northumberland

               Your son in Scotland being thus employed,

               Shall secretly into the bosom²⁷² creep

               Of that same noble prelate²⁷³ well beloved,

               The archbishop.

275

275   

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR Of York, is’t not?

WORCESTER

WORCESTER True, who bears hard²⁷⁶

               His brother’s death at Bristol, the lord Scroop.²⁷⁷

               I speak not this in estimation,²⁷⁸

               As what I think might be, but what I know

280

280   Is ruminated, plotted and set down,

               And only stays²⁸¹ but to behold the face

               Of that occasion that shall bring it on.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR I smell it:²⁸³

               Upon my life, it will do wondrous well.

285

285   

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND Before²⁸⁵ the game’s afoot, thou still let’st slip.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR Why, it cannot choose but be a noble plot.

               And then the power²⁸⁷ of Scotland and of York,

               To join with Mortimer, ha?

WORCESTER

WORCESTER And so they shall.

290

290   

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR In faith, it is exceedingly well aimed.²⁹⁰

WORCESTER

WORCESTER And ’tis no little reason bids us speed,

               To save our heads by raising of a head.²⁹²

               For, bear ourselves as even²⁹³ as we can,

               The king will always think him in our debt,

295

295   And think we think ourselves unsatisfied,

               Till he hath found a time to pay us home.²⁹⁶

               And see already how he doth begin

               To make us strangers to his looks of love.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR He does, he does. We’ll be revenged on him.

300

30     

WORCESTER

WORCESTER Cousin, farewell. No further go in this

               Than I by letters shall direct your course.

               When time is ripe, which will be suddenly,³⁰²

               I’ll steal³⁰³ to Glendower and Lord Mortimer,

               Where you and Douglas and our powers at once,³⁰⁴

305

305   As I will fashion it, shall happily³⁰⁵ meet,

               To bear our fortunes in our own strong arms,

               Which now we hold at much uncertainty.

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND Farewell, good brother. We shall thrive, I trust.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR Uncle, adieu. O, let the hours be short

310

310   Till fields³¹⁰ and blows and groans applaud our sport!

       Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 12.1

running scene 4

       Enter a Carrier with a lantern in his hand

FIRST CARRIER

FIRST CARRIER Heigh-ho! An’t be not four by the day,¹ I’ll be hanged. Charles’ wain is over the new chimney, and yet our horse not packed.² What, ostler!

OSTLER

OSTLER Anon,³ anon. Within

FIRST CARRIER

FIRST CARRIER I prithee, Tom,⁴ beat Cut’s saddle, put a few flocks in the point. The poor jade⁵ is wrung in the withers out of all cess.

       Enter another Carrier

SECOND CARRIER

SECOND CARRIER Peas and beans⁶ are as dank here as a dog, and this is the next way to give poor jades the bots.⁷ This house is turned upside down since Robin the ostler died.

FIRST CARRIER

FIRST CARRIER Poor fellow, never joyed⁹ since the price of oats rose. It was the death of him.

SECOND CARRIER

SECOND CARRIER I think this is the most villainous house in all London Road for fleas: I am stung like a tench.¹²

FIRST CARRIER

FIRST CARRIER Like a tench? There is ne’er a king in Christendom could be better bit than I have been since the first cock.¹⁴

SECOND CARRIER

SECOND CARRIER Why, you will allow us ne’er a jordan,¹⁵ and then we leak in your chimney,¹⁶ and your chamber-lye breeds fleas like a loach.

FIRST CARRIER

FIRST CARRIER What, ostler! Come away¹⁷ and be hanged! Come away!

SECOND CARRIER

SECOND CARRIER I have a gammon of bacon¹⁸ and two razes of ginger, to be delivered as far as Charing Cross.¹⁹

FIRST CARRIER

FIRST CARRIER The turkeys in my pannier²⁰ are quite starved. What, ostler! A plague on thee! Hast thou never an²¹ eye in thy head? Canst not hear? An ’twere not as good a deed as drink to break the pate of thee, I am a very villain. Come, and be hanged! Hast²³ no faith in thee?

       Enter Gadshill

GADSHILL

GADSHILL  Good morrow, carriers. What’s o’clock?

FIRST CARRIER

FIRST CARRIER I think it be two o’clock.²⁵

GADSHILL

GADSHILL I prithee lend me thy lantern to see my gelding²⁶ in the stable.

FIRST CARRIER

FIRST CARRIER Nay, soft, I²⁷ pray ye; I know a trick worth two of that.

GADSHILL

GADSHILL  I prithee lend me thine. To the Second Carrier

SECOND CARRIER

SECOND CARRIER Ay,²⁹ when? Can’st tell? Lend me thy lantern, quoth a? Marry, I’ll see thee hanged first.

GADSHILL

GADSHILL Sirrah carrier, what time do you mean to come to London?

SECOND CARRIER

SECOND CARRIER Time³² enough to go to bed with a candle, I warrant thee.— Come, neighbour Mugs,³³ we’ll call up the gentlemen. They will along with company, for they have great charge.

       Exeunt [Carriers]

       Enter Chamberlain

GADSHILL

GADSHILL What, ho, Chamberlain?

CHAMBERLAIN

CHAMBERLAIN At³⁶ hand, quoth pick-purse.

GADSHILL

GADSHILL  That’s³⁷ even as fair as — at hand, quoth the chamberlain, for thou variest no more from picking of purses than giving³⁸ direction doth from labouring. Thou lay’st³⁹ the plot how.

CHAMBERLAIN

CHAMBERLAIN Good morrow, Master Gadshill. It holds current that⁴⁰ I told you yesternight: there’s a franklin⁴¹ in the wild of Kent hath brought three hundred marks with him in gold. I heard him tell it to one of his company last night at supper, a kind of auditor,⁴³ one that hath abundance of charge too, God knows what. They are up already, and call for eggs and butter.⁴⁴ They will away presently.

GADSHILL

GADSHILL Sirrah, if they meet not with Saint Nicholas’ clerks,⁴⁵ I’ll give thee this neck.

CHAMBERLAIN

CHAMBERLAIN No, I’ll none of it: I prithee keep that for the hangman, for I know thou worship’st Saint Nicholas as truly as a man of falsehood may.

GADSHILL

GADSHILL What talkest thou to me of the hangman? If I hang, I’ll make a fat pair of gallows, for if I hang, old Sir John hangs with me, and thou know’st he’s no starveling.⁵⁰ Tut, there are other Trojans that thou dream’st not of, the which for sport sake are content to do the profession⁵¹ some grace; that would, if matters should be looked into, for their own credit sake, make all whole.⁵² I am joined with no foot-land rakers,⁵³ no long-staff sixpenny strikers, none of these mad mustachio purple-hued malt-worms, but with nobility and tranquillity,⁵⁴ burgomasters and great oneyers,⁵⁵ such as can hold in, such as will strike sooner than speak, and speak sooner than drink, and drink sooner than pray. And yet, I lie, for they pray continually unto their saint, the commonwealth;⁵⁷ or rather not to pray to her, but prey on her, for they ride⁵⁸ up and down on her and make her their boots.

CHAMBERLAIN

CHAMBERLAIN What, the commonwealth their boots? Will she hold⁵⁹ out water in foul way?

GADSHILL

GADSHILL She will, she will; justice hath liquored⁶¹ her. We steal as in a castle, cocksure.⁶² We have the receipt of fern-seed, we walk invisible.

CHAMBERLAIN

CHAMBERLAIN Nay, I think rather you are more beholding to the night than to fern-seed for your walking invisible.

GADSHILL

GADSHILL Give me thy hand. Thou shalt have a share in our purpose, as I am a true⁶⁵ man.

CHAMBERLAIN

CHAMBERLAIN  Nay, rather let me have it, as you are a false thief.

GADSHILL

GADSHILL Go to. Homo⁶⁸ is a common name to all men. Bid the ostler bring the gelding out of the stable. Farewell, ye muddy⁶⁹ knave.

       Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 22.2

running scene 5

       Enter Prince, Poins and Peto [and Bardolph]

POINS

POINS  Come, shelter, shelter. I have removed Falstaff’s horse, and he frets¹ like a gummed velvet.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY  Stand close.³ Poins, Peto, and Bardolph stand aside

       Enter Falstaff

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Poins! Poins, and be hanged! Poins!

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Peace, ye fat-kidneyed⁵ rascal. What a brawling dost thou keep!

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF What, Poins? Hal?

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY  He is walked up to the top of the hill. I’ll go seek him. Stands aside with the others

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF I am accursed to rob in that thief’s company. That rascal hath removed my horse, and tied him I know not where. If I travel but four foot by the square⁹ further afoot, I shall break my wind.¹⁰ Well, I doubt not but to die a fair death for all this, if I scape hanging for killing that rogue. I have forsworn his company hourly any time this two-and-twenty year, and yet I am bewitched with the rogue’s company. If the rascal have not given me medicines¹³ to make me love him, I’ll be hanged; it could not be else: I have drunk medicines. Poins, Hal, a plague upon you both! Bardolph! Peto! I’ll starve ere¹⁵ I rob a foot further. An ’twere not as good a deed as to drink, to turn true man¹⁶ and to leave these rogues, I am the veriest varlet that ever chewed with a tooth. Eight yards of uneven ground is threescore and ten miles afoot with me, and the stony-hearted villains know it well enough. A plague upon’t when thieves cannot be true one to another! The Prince, Poins, Peto and Bardolph come forward They whistle

Whew!²⁰ A plague light upon you all! Give me my horse, you rogues. Give me my horse, and be hanged!

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Peace, ye fat-guts! Lie down, lay thine ear close to the ground and list if thou can hear the tread of travellers.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Have you any levers to lift me up again, being down? I’ll not bear mine own flesh so far afoot again for all the coin in thy father’s exchequer.²⁵ What a plague mean ye to colt²⁶ me thus?

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Thou liest. Thou art not colted, thou art uncolted.²⁷

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF I prithee, good Prince Hal, help me to²⁸ my horse, good king’s son.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Out, you rogue! Shall I be your ostler?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Go, hang thyself in thine own heir-apparent garters!³⁰ If I be ta’en, I’ll peach for this. An I have not ballads³¹ made on all and sung to filthy tunes, let a cup of sack be my poison. When a jest is so forward,³² and afoot too! I hate it.

       Enter Gadshill

GADSHILL

GADSHILL  Stand.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF So I do, against my will.

POINS

POINS O, ’tis our setter.³⁵ I know his voice.

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH What news?

GADSHILL

GADSHILL Case ye,³⁷ case ye; on with your vizards. There’s money of the king’s coming down the hill, ’tis going to the king’s exchequer.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF You lie, you rogue, ’tis going to the King’s Tavern.

GADSHILL

GADSHILL There’s enough to make us all.⁴⁰

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF To be hanged.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY You four shall front⁴² them in the narrow lane. Ned and I will walk lower;⁴³ if they scape from your encounter, then they light on us.

PETO

PETO But how many be⁴⁴ of them?

GADSHILL

GADSHILL Some eight or ten.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Will they not rob us?

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY What, a coward, Sir John Paunch?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Indeed, I am not John of Gaunt,⁴⁸ your grandfather; but yet no coward, Hal.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY We’ll leave that to the proof.⁴⁹

POINS

POINS Sirrah Jack, thy horse stands behind the hedge. When thou need’st him, there thou shalt find him. Farewell, and stand fast.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Now cannot I strike him, if I should be hanged.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Ned, where are our disguises? To Poins

POINS

POINS  Here, hard⁵⁴ by. Stand close. To Prince Henry

       [Exeunt Prince Henry and Poins]

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Now, my masters, happy⁵⁵ man be his dole, say I. Every man to his business.

       Enter Travellers

FIRSTTRAVELLER

FIRST TRAVELLER Come, neighbour. The boy shall lead our horses down the hill. We’ll walk afoot awhile, and ease our legs.

THIEVES

THIEVES Stay!

TRAVELLERS

TRAVELLERS Jesu bless us!

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Strike, down with them! Cut the villains’ throats. Ah, whoreson⁶⁰ caterpillars, bacon-fed⁶¹ knaves! They hate us youth, down with them, fleece them.

TRAVELLERS

TRAVELLERS O, we are undone,⁶² both we and ours for ever!

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Hang ye, gorbellied⁶³ knaves, are you undone? No, ye fat chuffs, I would your store⁶⁴ were here! On, bacons, on! What, ye knaves? Young men must live. You are grand-jurors,⁶⁵ are ye? We’ll jure ye, i’faith.

       Here they rob them and bind them [Exeunt]

       Enter the Prince and Poins

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY The thieves have bound the true men. Now could thou and I rob the thieves and go merrily to London, it would be argument⁶⁷ for a week, laughter for a month and a good jest for ever.

POINS

POINS Stand close. I hear them coming.

       Enter Thieves again

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Come, my masters,⁷⁰ let us share, and then to horse before day. An the prince and Poins be not two arrant⁷¹ cowards, there’s no equity stirring. There’s no more valour in that Poins than in a wild duck.⁷²

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Your money!

POINS

POINS Villains!

       As they are sharing, the Prince and Poins set upon them. They all run away, leaving the booty behind them

75

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Got with much ease. Now merrily to horse.

               The thieves are scattered and possessed with fear

               So strongly that they dare not meet each other:

               Each takes his fellow for an officer.

               Away, good Ned. Falstaff sweats to death,

80

80     And lards⁸⁰ the lean earth as he walks along.

               Were’t not for laughing, I should pity him.

POINS

POINS How the rogue roared!

       Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 32.3

running scene 6

       Enter Hotspur, solus, reading a letter

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR ‘But for mine own part, my lord, I could be well contented to be there, in respect of the love I bear your house.²’ He could be contented: why is he not, then? In respect of the love he bears our house. He shows in this, he loves his own barn better than he loves our house. Let me see some more. ‘The purpose you undertake is dangerous’ — why, that’s certain: ’tis dangerous to take a cold, to sleep, to drink. But I tell you, my lord fool, out of this nettle, danger, we pluck this flower, safety. ‘The purpose you undertake is dangerous, the friends you have named uncertain,⁸ the time itself unsorted and your whole plot too light for the counterpoise⁹ of so great an opposition.’ Say you so, say you so? I say unto you again, you are a shallow cowardly hind,¹⁰ and you lie. What a lack-brain is this? I protest,¹¹ our plot is as good a plot as ever was laid; our friends true and constant: a good plot, good friends, and full of expectation.¹² An excellent plot, very good friends. What a frosty-spirited rogue is this? Why, my lord of York¹³ commends the plot and the general course of the action. By this hand if I were now by this rascal, I could brain¹⁵ him with his lady’s fan. Is there not my father, my uncle and myself, Lord Edmund Mortimer, my lord of York and Owen Glendower? Is there not besides the Douglas?¹⁷ Have I not all their letters to meet me in arms by the ninth of the next month? And are they not some of them set forward already? What a pagan rascal is this? An infidel! Ha, you shall see now in¹⁹ very sincerity of fear and cold heart, will he to the king and lay open all our proceedings. O, I could divide myself and go to buffets,²¹ for moving such a dish of skimmed milk with so honourable an action!²² Hang him. Let him tell the king we are prepared. I will set forwards tonight.

       Enter his Lady

               How now, Kate? I must leave you within these two hours.

25

25     

LADY PERCY

LADY PERCY O, my good lord, why are you thus alone?

               For what offence have I this fortnight been

               A banished woman from my Harry’s bed?

               Tell me, sweet lord, what is’t that takes from thee

               Thy stomach,²⁹ pleasure and thy golden sleep?

30

30     Why dost thou bend thine eyes upon the earth,

               And start so often when thou sit’st alone?

               Why hast thou lost the fresh blood in thy cheeks,

               And given my treasures³³ and my rights of thee

               To thick-eyed³⁴ musing and cursed melancholy?

35

35     In my faint³⁵ slumbers I by thee have watched,

               And heard thee murmur tales of iron wars,

               Speak terms of manage³⁷ to thy bounding steed,

               Cry ‘Courage! To the field!’ And thou hast talked

               Of sallies and retires,³⁹ trenches, tents,

40

40     Of palisadoes,⁴⁰ frontiers, parapets,

               Of basilisks,⁴¹ of cannon, culverin,

               Of prisoners’ ransom and of soldiers slain,

               And all the current⁴³ of a heady fight.

               Thy spirit within thee hath been so at war

45

45     And thus hath so bestirred thee in thy sleep,

               That beads of sweat hath stood upon thy brow

               Like bubbles in a late-disturbèd stream;

               And in thy face strange motions⁴⁸ have appeared,

               Such as we see when men restrain⁴⁹ their breath

50

5     On some great sudden haste. O, what portents are these?

               Some heavy⁵¹ business hath my lord in hand,

               And I must know it, else he loves me not.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR What, ho!⁵³

       [Enter a Servant]

               Is Gilliams⁵⁴ with the packet gone?

55

55     

SERVANT

SERVANT He is, my lord, an hour agone.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR Hath Butler⁵⁶ brought those horses from the sheriff?

SERVANT

SERVANT One horse, my lord, he brought even⁵⁷ now.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR What horse? A roan,⁵⁸ a crop-ear, is it not?

SERVANT

SERVANT It is, my lord.

60

60     

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR That roan shall be my throne.

               Well, I will back⁶¹ him straight.

       Esperance!

               Bid Butler lead him forth into the park.

       [Exit Servant]

LADY PERCY

LADY PERCY But hear you, my lord.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR What say’st thou, my lady?

65

65     

LADY PERCY

LADY PERCY What is it carries you away?⁶⁵

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR Why, my horse, my love, my horse.

LADY PERCY

LADY PERCY Out, you mad-headed ape!

               A weasel⁶⁸ hath not such a deal of spleen

               As you are tossed with. In sooth,

70

70     I’ll know your business, Harry, that I will.

               I fear my brother Mortimer doth stir⁷¹

               About his title,⁷² and hath sent for you

               To line⁷³ his enterprise. But if you go—

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR So far afoot, I shall be weary, love.

75

75     

LADY PERCY

LADY PERCY Come, come, you paraquito,⁷⁵ answer me

               Directly unto this question that I shall ask:

               Indeed, I’ll break thy little finger,⁷⁷ Harry,

               If thou wilt not tell me true.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR Away,

80

80     Away, you trifler!⁸⁰ Love? I love thee not.

               I care not for thee, Kate. This is no world

               To play with mammets⁸² and to tilt with lips.

               We must have bloody noses and cracked crowns,⁸³

               And pass them current⁸⁴ too.— God’s me, my horse!

85

85     What say’st thou, Kate? What wouldst thou have with me?

LADY PERCY

LADY PERCY Do ye not love me? Do ye not, indeed?

               Well, do not then, for since you love me not,

               I will not love myself. Do you not love me?

               Nay, tell me if thou speak’st in jest or no.

90

90     

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR Come, wilt thou see me ride?

               And when I am a-horseback, I will swear

               I love thee infinitely. But hark you, Kate,

               I must not have you henceforth question me

               Whither I go, nor reason whereabout.⁹⁴

95

95     Whither I must, I must. And to conclude,

               This evening must I leave thee, gentle Kate.

               I know you wise, but yet no further wise

               Than Harry Percy’s wife. Constant⁹⁸ you are,

               But yet a woman: and for secrecy,

100

100   No lady closer,¹⁰⁰ for I well believe

               Thou wilt not utter what thou dost not know,

               And so far will I trust thee, gentle Kate.

LADY PERCY

LADY PERCY How? So far?

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR Not an inch further. But hark you, Kate:

105

105   Whither I go, thither shall you go too.

               Today will I set forth, tomorrow you.

               Will this content you, Kate?

LADY PERCY

LADY PERCY It must of force.¹⁰⁸

       Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 42.4

running scene 7

       Enter Prince and Poins

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Ned, prithee come out of that fat¹ room, and lend me thy hand to laugh a little.

POINS

POINS Where hast been, Hal?

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY With three or four loggerheads⁴ amongst three or fourscore hogsheads. I have sounded⁵ the very base-string of humility. Sirrah, I am sworn brother to a leash⁶ of drawers, and can call them by their names, as Tom, Dick and Francis. They take it already upon their confidence that though I be but Prince of Wales, yet I am the king of courtesy, telling me flatly I am no proud⁸ Jack like Falstaff, but a Corinthian,⁹ a lad of mettle, a good boy, and when I am king of England, I shall command all the good lads in Eastcheap. They call drinking deep, dyeing scarlet;¹⁰ and when you breathe¹¹ in your watering, then they cry ‘Hem!’ and bid you play it off. To conclude, I am so good a proficient in one quarter of an hour that I can drink¹³ with any tinker in his own language during my life. I tell thee, Ned, thou hast lost much honour that thou wert not with me in this action.¹⁴ But, sweet Ned — to sweeten which name of Ned, I give thee this pennyworth of sugar,¹⁵ clapped even now into my hand by an under-skinker,¹⁶ one that never spake other English in his life than ‘Eight shillings and sixpence’ and ‘You are welcome’, with this shrill addition, ‘Anon,¹⁸ anon, sir!— Score a pint of bastard in the Half-Moon’, or so. But, Ned, to drive¹⁹ away time till Falstaff come, I prithee do thou stand in some by-room while I question my puny²⁰ drawer to what end he gave me the sugar and do never leave²¹ calling ‘Francis’, that his tale to me may be nothing but ‘Anon’. Step aside, and I’ll show thee a precedent.²²

POINS

POINS Francis!

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Thou art perfect.²⁴

POINS

POINS Francis!

       [Exit Poins]

       Enter Drawer [Francis]

FRANCIS

FRANCIS Anon, anon, sir.— Look down into the Pomgarnet,²⁶ Ralph.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Come hither, Francis.

FRANCIS

FRANCIS My lord?

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY How long hast thou to serve,²⁹ Francis?

FRANCIS

FRANCIS Forsooth, five years, and as much as to—

POINS

POINS Francis! Within

FRANCIS

FRANCIS Anon, anon, sir.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Five years. By’r lady,³³ a long lease for the clinking of pewter. But Francis, darest thou be so valiant as to play the coward with thy indenture³⁴ and show it a fair pair of heels and run from it?

FRANCIS

FRANCIS O lord, sir, I’ll be sworn upon all the books³⁶ in England, I could find in my heart—

POINS

POINS Francis! Within

FRANCIS

FRANCIS Anon, anon, sir.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY How old art thou, Francis?

FRANCIS

FRANCIS Let me see — about Michaelmas⁴¹ next I shall be—

POINS

POINS  Francis! Within

FRANCIS

FRANCIS Anon, sir.— Pray you stay⁴³ a little, my lord.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Nay, but hark you, Francis, for⁴⁴ the sugar thou gavest me, ’twas a pennyworth, was’t not?

FRANCIS

FRANCIS O lord, sir, I would it had been two!

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY I will give thee for it a thousand pound. Ask me when thou wilt, and thou shalt have it.

POINS

POINS  Francis! Within

FRANCIS

FRANCIS Anon, anon.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Anon, Francis? No, Francis. But tomorrow, Francis, or, Francis, on Thursday, or indeed, Francis, when thou wilt. But, Francis!

FRANCIS

FRANCIS My lord?

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Wilt thou rob⁵⁴ this leathern jerkin, crystal-button, not-pated, agate-ring,⁵⁵ puke-stocking, caddis-garter, smooth-tongue, Spanish-pouch—

FRANCIS

FRANCIS O lord, sir, who do you mean?

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Why, then, your brown bastard⁵⁷ is your only drink, for look you, Francis, your white canvas doublet⁵⁸ will sully. In Barbary, sir, it cannot come to so much.

FRANCIS

FRANCIS What, sir?

POINS

POINS  Francis! Within

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Away, you rogue! Dost thou hear them call?

       Here they both call him. The Drawer stands amazed, not knowing which way to go Enter Vintner

VINTNER

VINTNER What, stand’st thou still, and hear’st such a calling? Look to the guests

               within.

       [Exit Francis]

               My lord, old Sir John, with half-a-dozen more, are at the door: shall I let them in?

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Let them alone awhile, and then open the door.

       [Exit Vintner]

               Poins!

       Enter Poins

POINS

POINS  Anon, anon, sir.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Sirrah, Falstaff and the rest of the thieves are at the door. Shall we be merry?

POINS

POINS  As merry as crickets,⁷¹ my lad. But hark ye: what cunning match have you made with this jest of the drawer? Come, what’s the issue?⁷²

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY I⁷³ am now of all humours that have showed themselves humours since the old days of goodman Adam to the pupil age of this present twelve o’clock at midnight.

       [Enter Francis]

               What’s o’clock, Francis?

FRANCIS

FRANCIS Anon,⁷⁷ anon, sir.

       [Exit]

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY That ever this fellow should have fewer words than a parrot, and yet⁷⁸ the son of a woman! His industry⁷⁹ is upstairs and downstairs, his eloquence the parcel of a reckoning. I am not yet of Percy’s mind,⁸⁰ the Hotspur of the north, he that kills me⁸¹ some six or seven dozen of Scots at a breakfast, washes his hands, and says to his wife ‘Fie upon this quiet life! I want work.’ ‘O my sweet Harry’, says she, ‘how many hast thou killed today?’ ‘Give my roan horse a drench⁸³’, says he, and answers ‘Some fourteen’, an hour after, ‘a trifle, a trifle’. I prithee call in

               Falstaff. I’ll play Percy, and that damned brawn⁸⁵ shall play Dame Mortimer his

               wife. ‘Rivo!’⁸⁶ says the drunkard. Call in ribs, call in tallow. Poins calls

       Enter Falstaff, [Gadshill, Bardolph and Peto. Francis follows with wine]

POINS

POINS Welcome, Jack. Where hast thou been?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF A plague of⁸⁸ all cowards, I say, and a vengeance too, marry and amen!— Give me a cup of sack, boy.— Ere I lead this life long, I’ll sew nether stocks⁸⁹ and To Francis mend them and foot⁹⁰ them too. A plague of all cowards!— Give me a cup of sack,

               rogue. Is there no virtue extant?⁹¹ Drinks

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Didst thou never see Titan⁹² kiss a dish of butter — pitiful-hearted Titan — that melted at the sweet tale of the sun? If thou didst, then behold that compound.⁹⁴

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF You rogue, here’s lime⁹⁵ in this sack too.— There is nothing but roguery to To Francis

               be found in villainous man; yet a coward is worse than a cup of sack with lime in’t.

       [Francis may exit]

               A villainous coward! Go thy ways,⁹⁸ old Jack, die when thou wilt, if manhood, good manhood, be not forgot upon the face of the earth, then am I a shotten herring.⁹⁹ There lives not three good men unhanged in England, and one of them is fat and grows old. God help the while!¹⁰¹ A bad world, I say. I would I were a weaver. I could sing all manner of songs. A plague of all cowards, I say still.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY How now, wool-sack,¹⁰³ what mutter you?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF A king’s son? If I do not beat thee out of thy kingdom with a dagger of lath,¹⁰⁴ and drive all thy subjects afore thee like a flock of wild geese, I’ll¹⁰⁵ never wear hair on my face more. You Prince of Wales?

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Why, you whoreson round¹⁰⁷ man, what’s the matter?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Are you not a coward? Answer me to that. And Poins there?

POINS

POINS Ye fat paunch, an ye call me coward, I’ll stab thee.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF I call thee coward? I’ll see thee damned ere I call thee coward, but I would give a thousand pound I could run as fast as thou canst. You are straight enough in the shoulders, you care not who sees your back. Call you that backing¹¹² of your friends? A plague upon such backing! Give me them that will face¹¹³ me. Give me a cup of sack. I am a rogue, if I drunk¹¹⁴ today.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY O, villain, thy lips are scarce wiped since thou drunk’st last.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF All’s¹¹⁶ one for that.

       He drinks

               A plague of all cowards, still say I.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY What’s the matter?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF What’s the matter? Here be four of us have ta’en¹¹⁹ a thousand pound this morning.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Where is it, Jack? Where is it?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Where is it? Taken from us it is: a hundred upon poor¹²² four of us.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY What, a hundred, man?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF I am a rogue, if I were not at half-sword¹²⁴ with a dozen of them two hours together. I have scaped by miracle. I am eight times thrust through the doublet, four through the hose,¹²⁶ my buckler cut through and through, my sword hacked like a hand-saw¹²⁷ — ecce signum! I never dealt better since I was a man: all would not do. A plague of all cowards! Let them speak; if they speak more or less than truth, they are villains and the sons of darkness.¹²⁹

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Speak, sirs, how was it?

GADSHILL

GADSHILL  We four set upon some dozen—

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Sixteen at least, my lord.

GADSHILL

GADSHILL And bound them.

PETO

PETO No, no, they were not bound.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF You rogue, they were bound, every man of them, or I am a Jew else, an Ebrew Jew.¹³⁶

GADSHILL

GADSHILL  As we were sharing, some six or seven fresh men set upon us—

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF And unbound the rest, and then come¹³⁸ in the other.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY What, fought ye with them all?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF All? I know not what ye call all, but if I fought not with fifty of them, I am a bunch of radish: if there were not two or three and fifty upon poor old Jack, then am I no two-legged creature.

POINS

POINS  Pray heaven you have not murdered some of them.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Nay, that’s past praying for, I have peppered¹⁴⁴ two of them: two I am sure I have paid,¹⁴⁵ two rogues in buckram suits. I tell thee what, Hal, if I tell thee a lie, spit in my face, call me horse. Thou knowest my old ward.¹⁴⁶ Here I lay and thus I bore my point. Four rogues in buckram let drive at¹⁴⁷ me—

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY What, four? Thou saidst but two even now.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Four, Hal, I told thee four.

POINS

POINS  Ay, ay, he said four.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF These four came all a-front,¹⁵¹ and mainly thrust at me. I made no more ado but took all their seven points¹⁵² in my target, thus.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Seven? Why, there were but four even now.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF In buckram?

POINS

POINS  Ay, four, in buckram suits.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Seven, by these hilts,¹⁵⁶ or I am a villain else.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Prithee let him alone. We shall have more anon. Aside to Poins

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Dost thou hear me, Hal?

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Ay, and mark¹⁵⁹ thee too, Jack.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Do so, for it is worth the listening to. These nine in buckram that I told

               thee of—

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY So, two more already.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Their points¹⁶³ being broken—

POINS

POINS Down fell his hose.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Began to give me ground.¹⁶⁵ But I followed me close, came in foot and hand; and with a thought¹⁶⁶ seven of the eleven I paid.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY O, monstrous! Eleven buckram men grown out of two?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF But, as the devil would have it, three misbegotten¹⁶⁸ knaves in Kendal green came at my back and let drive at me; for it was so dark, Hal, that thou couldst not see thy hand.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY These lies are like the father¹⁷¹ that begets them, gross as a mountain, open, palpable. Why, thou clay-brained¹⁷² guts, thou knotty-pated fool, thou whoreson, obscene, greasy tallow-catch¹⁷³—

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF What, art thou mad? Art thou mad? Is not the truth the truth?

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Why, how couldst thou know these men in Kendal green when it was so dark thou couldst not see thy hand? Come, tell us your reason: what say’st thou to this?

POINS

POINS Come, your reason, Jack, your reason.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF What, upon compulsion?¹⁷⁹ No. Were I at the strappado, or all the racks in the world, I would not tell you on compulsion. Give you a reason on compulsion? If reasons¹⁸¹ were as plentiful as blackberries, I would give no man a reason upon compulsion, I.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY I’ll be no longer guilty of this sin. This sanguine¹⁸³ coward, this bed-presser,¹⁸⁴ this horseback-breaker, this huge hill of flesh—

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Away, you starveling, you elf-skin,¹⁸⁵ you dried neat’s tongue, bull’s pizzle, you stock-fish!¹⁸⁶ O, for breath to utter what is like thee! You tailor’s-yard, you sheath,¹⁸⁷ you bowcase, you vile standing-tuck—

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Well, breathe awhile, and then to’t again: and when thou hast tired thyself in base comparisons, hear me speak but thus.

POINS

POINS  Mark, Jack.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY We two saw you four set on four and bound them, and were masters of their wealth. Mark now, how a plain tale shall put you down. Then did we two set on you four, and with a word,¹⁹³ out-faced you from your prize, and have it, yea, and can show it you in the house. And, Falstaff, you carried your guts away as nimbly, with as quick dexterity, and roared for mercy and still ran and roared, as ever I heard bull-calf. What a slave¹⁹⁶ art thou, to hack thy sword as thou hast done, and then say it was in fight! What trick, what device, what starting-hole¹⁹⁷ canst thou now find out to hide thee from this open and apparent¹⁹⁸ shame?

POINS

POINS  Come, let’s hear, Jack: what trick hast thou now?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF I knew²⁰⁰ ye as well as he that made ye. Why, hear ye, my masters, was it for me to kill the heir-apparent? Should I turn upon the true prince? Why, thou knowest I am as valiant as Hercules,²⁰² but beware instinct. The lion will not touch the true prince. Instinct is a great matter. I was a coward on instinct. I shall think the better of myself and thee during my life: I for a valiant lion, and thou for a true prince. But, lads, I am glad you have the money.— Hostess, clap to²⁰⁵ the doors. Watch²⁰⁶ tonight, pray tomorrow. Gallants, lads, boys, hearts of gold, all the good titles of fellowship come to you! What, shall we be merry? Shall we have a play extempore?²⁰⁸

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Content, and the argument²⁰⁹ shall be thy running away.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Ah, no more of that, Hal, an²¹⁰ thou lovest me!

       Enter Hostess [Quickly]

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY My lord the prince?

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY How now, my lady the hostess? What say’st thou to me?

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY Marry, my lord, there is a nobleman of the court at door would speak with you: he says he comes from your father.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Give him as much as will make him a royal²¹⁵ man, and send him back again to my mother.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF What manner of man is he?

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY An old man.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF What doth gravity²¹⁹ out of his bed at midnight? Shall I give him his answer?

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Prithee do, Jack.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF ’Faith, and I’ll send him packing.

       Exit

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Now, sirs: you fought fair; so did you, Peto, so did you, Bardolph. You are lions too, you ran away upon instinct. You will not touch the true prince; no, fie!²²⁴

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH ’Faith, I ran when I saw others run.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Tell me now in earnest, how came Falstaff’s sword so hacked?

PETO

PETO Why, he hacked it with his dagger, and said he would swear²²⁷ truth out of England but he would make you believe it was done in fight, and persuaded us to do the like.

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH Yea, and to tickle our noses with spear-grass²³⁰ to make them bleed, and then to beslubber²³¹ our garments with it and swear it was the blood of true men. I did that²³² I did not this seven years before, I blushed to hear his monstrous devices.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY O, villain, thou stolest a cup of sack eighteen years ago, and wert taken²³³ with the manner, and ever since thou hast blushed extempore.²³⁴ Thou hadst fire and sword on thy side, and yet thou ran’st away; what instinct hadst thou for it?

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH My lord, do you see these meteors?²³⁶ Do you behold these exhalations?

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY  I do.

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH What think you they portend?²³⁸

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Hot²³⁹ livers and cold purses.

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH Choler,²⁴⁰ my lord, if rightly taken.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY No, if rightly taken, halter.²⁴¹

       Enter Falstaff

               Here comes lean Jack, here comes bare-bone.— How now, my sweet creature of bombast?²⁴³ How long is’t ago, Jack, since thou saw’st thine own knee?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF My own knee? When I was about thy years, Hal, I was not an²⁴⁴ eagle’s talon in the waist. I could have crept into any alderman’s thumb-ring.²⁴⁵ A plague of sighing and grief! It blows a man up like a bladder. There’s villainous news abroad: here was Sir John Braby from your father; you must go to the court in the morning. That same mad fellow of the north, Percy,²⁴⁸ and he of Wales that gave Amamon²⁴⁹ the bastinado and made Lucifer cuckold and swore the devil his true liegeman upon the cross of a Welsh hook²⁵⁰ — what a plague call you him?

POINS

POINS  O, Glendower.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Owen, Owen the same, and his son-in-law Mortimer, and old Northumberland, and that sprightly Scot of Scots, Douglas, that runs o’horseback up a hill perpendicular—

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY He that rides at high speed and with a pistol kills a sparrow flying.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF You have hit it.²⁵⁶

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY So did he never the sparrow.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Well, that rascal hath good mettle²⁵⁸ in him. He will not run.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Why, what a rascal art thou then, to praise him so for running?²⁵⁹

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF A-horseback, ye cuckoo,²⁶⁰ but afoot he will not budge a foot.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Yes, Jack, upon instinct.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF I grant ye, upon instinct. Well, he is there too, and one Mordake, and a thousand blue-caps²⁶³ more. Worcester is stolen away by night. Thy father’s beard is turned white with the news; you²⁶⁴ may buy land now as cheap as stinking mackerel.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Then ’tis like,²⁶⁶ if there come a hot sun and this civil buffeting hold, we shall buy maidenheads²⁶⁷ as they buy hob-nails, by the hundreds.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF By the mass, lad, thou say’st true. It is like we shall have good trading²⁶⁸ that way. But tell me, Hal, art not thou horrible afeard? Thou being heir apparent, could the world pick thee out three such enemies again as that fiend Douglas, that spirit²⁷¹ Percy, and that devil Glendower? Art not thou horrible afraid? Doth not thy blood thrill²⁷² at it?

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Not a whit, I lack some of thy instinct.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Well, thou wilt be horrible chid²⁷⁴ tomorrow when thou comest to thy father: if thou do love me, practise an answer.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Do thou stand for²⁷⁶ my father, and examine me upon the particulars of my life.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Shall I? Content.²⁷⁸ This chair shall be my state, this dagger my sceptre and this cushion my crown.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Thy state is taken for a joint-stool,²⁸⁰ thy golden sceptre for a leaden dagger, and thy precious rich crown²⁸¹ for a pitiful bald crown.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Well, an the fire of grace²⁸² be not quite out of thee, now shalt thou be moved.²⁸³ Give me a cup of sack to make mine eyes look red, that it may be thought I have wept, for I must speak in passion, and I will do it in King Cambyses’ vein.²⁸⁴

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY  Well, here is my leg. He bows or kneels

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF And here is my speech. Stand aside, nobility.²⁸⁶

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY This is excellent sport, i’faith!

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Weep²⁸⁸ not, sweet queen, for trickling tears are vain.

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY O,²⁸⁹ the father, how he holds his countenance!

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF For God’s sake, lords, convey²⁹⁰ my tristful queen, For tears do stop²⁹¹ the flood-gates of her eyes.

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY O, rare,²⁹² he doth it as like one of these harlotry players as ever I see!

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Peace, good pint-pot,²⁹³ peace, good tickle-brain.— Harry, I do not only Quickly may exit, perhaps escorted by Bardolph marvel where thou spendest thy time, but also how thou art accompanied, for though the camomile,²⁹⁵ the more it is trodden the faster it grows, yet youth, the more it is wasted the sooner it wears. Thou art my son, I have partly thy mother’s word, partly my opinion, but chiefly a villainous trick²⁹⁷ of thine eye and a foolish hanging of thy nether lip that doth warrant²⁹⁸ me. If then thou be son to me, here lieth the point: why, being son to me, art thou so pointed at?²⁹⁹ Shall the blessed sun of heaven prove a micher³⁰⁰ and eat blackberries? A question not to be asked. Shall the son of England prove a thief and take purses? A question to be asked. There is a thing, Harry, which thou hast often heard of and it is known to many in our land by the name of pitch:³⁰³ this pitch, as ancient writers do report, doth defile; so doth the company thou keepest. For, Harry, now I do not speak to thee in drink but in tears: not in pleasure but in passion:³⁰⁵ not in words only, but in woes also. And yet there is a virtuous man whom I have often noted in thy company, but I know not his name.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY What manner of man, an it like³⁰⁸ your majesty?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF A goodly portly³⁰⁹ man, i’faith, and a corpulent: of a cheerful look, a pleasing eye and a most noble carriage,³¹⁰ and as I think, his age some fifty, or, by’r lady, inclining to threescore;³¹¹ and now I remember me, his name is Falstaff. If that man should be lewdly given,³¹² he deceives me; for, Harry, I see virtue in his looks. If then the tree may be known by the fruit, as the fruit by the tree, then peremptorily³¹³ I speak it, there is virtue in that Falstaff: him keep with, the rest banish. And tell me now, thou naughty³¹⁵ varlet, tell me, where hast thou been this month?

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Dost thou speak like a king? Do thou stand for me, and I’ll play my father.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Depose me? If thou dost it half so gravely, so majestically, both in word and matter, hang me up by the heels for a rabbit-sucker³¹⁹ or a poulter’s hare.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Well, here I am set.³²⁰

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF And here I stand. Judge, my masters.³²¹

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Now, Harry, whence come you?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF My noble lord, from Eastcheap.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY The complaints I hear of thee are grievous.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF I’faith, my lord, they are false. — Nay, I’ll tickle ye³²⁵ for a young prince.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Swearest thou, ungracious³²⁶ boy? Henceforth ne’er look on me. Thou art violently carried away from grace: there is a devil haunts thee in the likeness of a fat old man; a tun³²⁸ of man is thy companion. Why dost thou converse with that trunk³²⁹ of humours, that bolting-hutch of beastliness, that swollen parcel of dropsies,³³⁰ that huge bombard of sack, that stuffed cloak-bag of guts, that roasted Manningtree³³¹ ox with the pudding in his belly, that reverend Vice, that grey Iniquity,³³² that father Ruffian, that Vanity in years? Wherein is he good, but to taste sack and drink it? Wherein neat and cleanly,³³³ but to carve a capon and eat it? Wherein cunning,³³⁴ but in craft? Wherein crafty, but in villainy? Wherein villainous, but in all things? Wherein worthy, but in nothing?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF I would your grace would take³³⁶ me with you: whom means your grace?

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY That villainous abominable misleader of youth, Falstaff, that old white-bearded Satan.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF  My lord, the³³⁹ man I know.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY I know thou dost.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF But to say I know more harm in him than in myself, were to say more than I know. That he is old, the more the pity, his white hairs do witness it. But that he is, saving your reverence,³⁴³ a whoremaster, that I utterly deny. If sack and sugar be a fault, heaven help the wicked: if to be old and merry be a sin, then many an old host³⁴⁵ that I know is damned: if to be fat be to be hated, then Pharaoh’s lean kine³⁴⁶ are to be loved. No, my good lord, banish Peto, banish Bardolph, banish Poins, but for sweet Jack Falstaff, kind Jack Falstaff, true Jack Falstaff, valiant Jack Falstaff, and therefore more valiant, being, as he is old Jack Falstaff, banish not him thy Harry’s company, banish not him thy Harry’s company: banish plump Jack, and banish all the world.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY  I do, I will. Knocking

       Enter Bardolph, running

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH  O, my lord, my lord! The sheriff with a most monstrous³⁵² watch is at the door.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Out, you rogue!— Play out the play: I have much to say in the behalf of that Falstaff.

       Enter the Hostess [Quickly]

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY O, my lord, my lord!

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Heigh, heigh! The³⁵⁷ devil rides upon a fiddlestick. What’s the matter?

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY The sheriff and all the watch are at the door: they are come to search the house. Shall I let them in?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Dost thou hear, Hal? Never³⁶⁰ call a true piece of gold a counterfeit: thou art essentially made, without seeming so.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY And thou a natural coward, without instinct.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF I deny your major.³⁶³ If you will deny the sheriff, so: if not, let him enter: if I become³⁶⁴ not a cart as well as another man, a plague on my bringing up! I hope I shall as soon³⁶⁵ be strangled with a halter as another.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Go, hide thee behind the arras.³⁶⁶ The rest walk up above. Now, my masters, for a true³⁶⁷ face and good conscience.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Both which I have had: but their date is out,³⁶⁸ and therefore I’ll hide me. Falstaff hides behind

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Call in the sheriff.

       Exeunt [all except Prince Henry and Peto] the arras

       Enter Sheriff and the Carrier Now, master sheriff, what is your will with me?

SHERIFF

SHERIFF First, pardon me, my lord. A hue and cry³⁷¹

       Hath followed certain men unto this house.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY What men?

SHERIFF

SHERIFF One of them is well known, my gracious lord,

375

375   A gross fat man.

CARRIER

CARRIER As fat as butter.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY The man, I do assure you, is not here,

               For I myself at this time have employed him.

               And, sheriff, I will engage³⁷⁹ my word to thee

380

38   That I will, by tomorrow dinnertime,³⁸⁰

               Send him to answer thee,³⁸¹ or any man,

               For anything he shall be charged withal:³⁸²

               And so let me entreat you leave the house.

SHERIFF

SHERIFF I will, my lord. There are two gentlemen

385

385   Have in this robbery lost three hundred marks.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY It may be so: if he have robbed these men,

               He shall be answerable,³⁸⁷ and so farewell.

SHERIFF

SHERIFF Goodnight, my noble lord.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY I think it is good morrow,³⁸⁹ is it not?

390

39   

SHERIFF

SHERIFF Indeed, my lord, I think it be two o’clock.

       Exeunt [Sheriff and Carrier]

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY This oily³⁹¹ rascal is known as well as Paul’s. Go, call him forth. To Peto

PETO

PETO Falstaff! Fast asleep behind the arras, and snorting like a horse.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Hark, how hard he fetches breath. Search his pockets.

       He searcheth his pockets, and findeth certain papers

               What hast thou found?

PETO

PETO Nothing but papers, my lord.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Let’s see, what be they? Read them.

PETO

PETO ‘Item, A capon, 2s 2d.³⁹⁷ Item, Sauce, 4d. Item, Sack, two gallons, 5s 8d. Item, Reads

               Anchovies and sack after supper, 2s 6d. Item, Bread, ob.³⁹⁸’

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY O, monstrous! But³⁹⁹ one halfpenny-worth of bread to this intolerable deal

               of sack? What there is else, keep close,⁴⁰⁰ we’ll read it at more advantage. There let him sleep till day. I’ll to the court in the morning. We must all to the wars, and thy place shall be honourable. I’ll procure this fat rogue a charge of foot,⁴⁰² and I know his death will be a march of twelvescore.⁴⁰³ The money shall be paid back again with advantage.⁴⁰⁴ Be with me betimes in the morning, and so, good morrow, Peto.

PETO

PETO Good morrow, good my lord.

       Exeunt

Act 3 Scene 13.1

running scene 8

       Enter Hotspur, Worcester, Lord Mortimer and Owen Glendower

MORTIMER

MORTIMER These promises¹ are fair, the parties sure,

               And our induction² full of prosperous hope.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR Lord Mortimer, and cousin Glendower,

               Will you sit down?

5

5     And uncle Worcester — a plague upon it,

               I have forgot the map!

GLENDOWER

GLENDOWER  No, here it is. Shows a map

               Sit, cousin Percy, sit, good cousin Hotspur —

               For by that name as oft as Lancaster⁹

10

10     Doth speak of you, his cheeks look pale and with

               A rising sigh he wisheth you in heaven.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR And you in hell, as oft as he hears Owen Glendower spoke of.

GLENDOWER

GLENDOWER I cannot blame him: at my nativity

               The front¹⁴ of heaven was full of fiery shapes,

15

15     Of burning cressets,¹⁵ and at my birth

               The frame and foundation of the earth

               Shaked like a coward.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR Why, so it would have done at the same season, if your mother’s cat had

       but kittened, though yourself had never been born.

20

20     

GLENDOWER

GLENDOWER I say the earth did shake when I was born.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR And I say the earth was not of my mind,

               If you suppose as fearing you²² it shook.

GLENDOWER

GLENDOWER The heavens were all on fire, the earth did tremble.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR O, then the earth shook to see the heavens on fire,

25

25     And not in fear of your nativity.

               Diseasèd nature oftentimes breaks forth

               In strange eruptions;²⁷ and the teeming earth

               Is with a kind of colic²⁸ pinched and vexed

               By the imprisoning of unruly wind

30

30     Within her womb,³⁰ which, for enlargement striving,

               Shakes the old beldam³¹ earth and tumbles down

               Steeples and moss-grown³² towers. At your birth

               Our grandam³³ earth, having this distemperature,

               In passion³⁴ shook.

35

35     

GLENDOWER

GLENDOWER Cousin, of many men

               I do not bear these crossings.³⁶ Give me leave

               To tell you once again that at my birth

               The front of heaven was full of fiery shapes,

               The goats ran from the mountains, and the herds

40

40     Were strangely clamorous⁴⁰ to the frighted fields.

               These signs have marked me⁴¹ extraordinary,

               And all the courses⁴² of my life do show

               I am not in the roll⁴³ of common men.

               Where is the living,⁴⁴ clipped in with the sea

45

45     That chides⁴⁵ the banks of England, Scotland and Wales,

               Which calls me pupil, or hath read to⁴⁶ me?

               And bring him out that is but woman’s son

               Can trace⁴⁸ me in the tedious ways of art

               And hold me pace⁴⁹ in deep experiments.

50

5     

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR I think there’s no man speaks better Welsh.⁵⁰

               I’ll to dinner.

MORTIMER

MORTIMER Peace, cousin Percy, you will make him mad.

GLENDOWER

GLENDOWER  I can call⁵³ spirits from the vasty deep.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR Why, so can I, or so can any man.

55

55     But will they come when you do call for them?

GLENDOWER

GLENDOWER  Why, I can teach thee, cousin, to command the devil.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR And I can teach thee, cousin, to shame the devil

               By telling truth: tell⁵⁸ truth and shame the devil.

               If thou have power to raise him, bring him hither,

60

60     And I’ll be sworn I have power to shame him hence.

               O, while you live, tell truth and shame the devil!

MORTIMER

MORTIMER Come, come, no more of this unprofitable chat.

GLENDOWER

GLENDOWER  Three times hath Henry Bullingbrook made head⁶³

               Against my power:⁶⁴ thrice from the banks of Wye

65

65     And sandy-bottomed Severn have I sent him

               Bootless⁶⁶ home and weather-beaten back.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR Home without boots, and in foul weather too!

               How scapes he agues,⁶⁸ in the devil’s name?

GLENDOWER

GLENDOWER  Come, here’s the map: shall we divide our right⁶⁹

70

70     According to our threefold order ta’en?⁷⁰

MORTIMER

MORTIMER The archdeacon⁷¹ hath divided it

               Into three limits⁷² very equally:

               England, from Trent⁷³ and Severn hitherto,

               By south and east is to my part assigned:

75

75     All westward, Wales beyond the Severn shore,

               And all the fertile land within that bound,

               To Owen Glendower: and, dear coz, to you

               The remnant northward, lying off from Trent.

               And our indentures tripartite⁷⁹ are drawn,

80

80     Which being sealèd interchangeably⁸⁰ —

               A business that this⁸¹ night may execute—

               Tomorrow, cousin Percy, you and I

               And my good lord of Worcester will set forth

               To meet your father and the Scottish power,

85

85     As is appointed⁸⁵ us, at Shrewsbury.

               My father⁸⁶ Glendower is not ready yet,

               Nor shall we need his help these fourteen days.—

               Within that space⁸⁸ you may have drawn together To Glendower

               Your tenants, friends and neighbouring gentlemen.

90

90     

GLENDOWER

GLENDOWER A shorter time shall send me to you, lords.

               And in my conduct⁹¹ shall your ladies come,

               From whom you now must steal⁹² and take no leave,

               For there will be a⁹³ world of water shed

               Upon the parting of your wives and you.

95

95     

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR Methinks my moiety,⁹⁵ north from Burton here, Looks at map

               In quantity equals not one of yours:

               See how this river comes⁹⁷ me cranking in,

               And cuts me from the best of all my land

               A huge half-moon, a monstrous cantle out.⁹⁹

100

100   I’ll have the current in this place dammed up,

               And here the smug¹⁰¹ and silver Trent shall run

               In a new channel, fair and evenly.

               It shall not wind with such a deep indent,¹⁰³

               To rob me of so rich a bottom¹⁰⁴ here.

105

105   

GLENDOWER

GLENDOWER Not wind? It shall, it must. You see it doth.

MORTIMER

MORTIMER Yea, but

               Mark how he¹⁰⁷ bears his course, and runs me up

               With like advantage¹⁰⁸ on the other side,

               Gelding¹⁰⁹ the opposèd continent as much

110

110   As on the other side it takes from you.

WORCESTER

WORCESTER Yea, but a little charge¹¹¹ will trench him here

               And on this north side win this cape¹¹² of land,

               And then he runs straight and even.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR I’ll have it so. A little charge will do it.

115

115   

GLENDOWER

GLENDOWER I’ll not have it altered.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR Will not you?

GLENDOWER

GLENDOWER No, nor you shall not.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR Who shall say me nay?

GLENDOWER

GLENDOWER Why, that will I.

120

120   

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR Let¹²⁰ me not understand you, then. Speak it in Welsh.

GLENDOWER

GLENDOWER I can speak English, lord, as well as you,

               For I was trained up in the English court;

               Where, being but young,¹²³ I framed to the harp

               Many an English ditty¹²⁴ lovely well

125

125   And gave¹²⁵ the tongue a helpful ornament;

               A virtue¹²⁶ that was never seen in you.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR Marry,

               And I am glad of it with all my heart.

               I had rather be a kitten and cry mew

130

130   Than one of these same metre ballad-mongers.¹³⁰

               I had rather hear a brazen¹³¹ candlestick turned,

               Or a dry¹³² wheel grate on the axle-tree,

               And that would set my teeth nothing on edge,

               Nothing¹³⁴ so much as mincing poetry:

135

135   ’Tis like the forced gait of a shuffling nag.¹³⁵

GLENDOWER

GLENDOWER  Come, you shall have Trent turned.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR I do not care: I’ll give thrice so much land

               To any well-deserving friend;

               But in¹³⁹ the way of bargain, mark ye me,

140

140   I’ll cavil on¹⁴⁰ the ninth part of a hair.

               Are the indentures drawn?¹⁴¹ Shall we be gone?

GLENDOWER

GLENDOWER  The moon shines fair, you may away by night.

               I’ll haste the writer¹⁴³ and withal

               Break with¹⁴⁴ your wives of your departure hence.

145

145   I am afraid my daughter will run mad,

               So much she doteth on¹⁴⁶ her Mortimer.

       Exit

MORTIMER

MORTIMER Fie, cousin Percy, how you cross¹⁴⁷ my father!

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR I cannot choose:¹⁴⁸ sometime he angers me

               With telling me of the mouldwarp¹⁴⁹ and the ant,

150

150     Of the dreamer¹⁵⁰ Merlin and his prophecies,

               And of a dragon and a finless fish,

               A clip-winged¹⁵² griffin and a moulten raven,

               A couching¹⁵³ lion and a ramping cat,

               And such a deal of skimble-skamble¹⁵⁴ stuff

155

155   As puts¹⁵⁵ me from my faith. I tell you what,

               He held me last night at least nine hours

               In reck’ning up¹⁵⁷ the several devils’ names

               That were his lackeys:¹⁵⁸ I cried ‘Hum’, and ‘Well, go to’,

               But marked him¹⁵⁹ not a word. O, he is as tedious

160

160   As a tired horse, a railing¹⁶⁰ wife,

               Worse than a smoky house. I had rather live

               With cheese¹⁶² and garlic in a windmill far,

               Than feed on cates¹⁶³ and have him talk to me

               In any summer-house¹⁶⁴ in Christendom.

165

165   

MORTIMER

MORTIMER In faith,¹⁶⁵ he was a worthy gentleman,

               Exceeding well read, and profited¹⁶⁶

               In strange concealments, valiant as a lion

               And wondrous affable and as bountiful

               As mines of India.¹⁶⁹ Shall I tell you, cousin?

170

170   He holds your temper¹⁷⁰ in a high respect

               And curbs himself even of his natural scope¹⁷¹

               When you do¹⁷² cross his humour — ’faith, he does.

               I warrant you, that man is not alive

               Might so have tempted¹⁷⁴ him as you have done,

175

175   Without the taste¹⁷⁵ of danger and reproof:

               But do not use it oft,¹⁷⁶ let me entreat you.

WORCESTER

WORCESTER In faith, my lord, you are too wilful-blame,¹⁷⁷ To Hotspur

               And since your coming hither have done enough

               To put him quite besides¹⁷⁹ his patience.

180

180   You must needs¹⁸⁰ learn, lord, to amend this fault:

               Though sometimes it show¹⁸¹ greatness, courage, blood —

               And that’s the dearest grace¹⁸² it renders you —

               Yet oftentimes it doth present¹⁸³ harsh rage,

               Defect of manners, want of government,¹⁸⁴

185

185   Pride, haughtiness, opinion¹⁸⁵ and disdain,

               The least of which haunting¹⁸⁶ a nobleman

               Loseth¹⁸⁷ men’s hearts and leaves behind a stain

               Upon the beauty of all parts besides,¹⁸⁸

               Beguiling¹⁸⁹ them of commendation.

190

190   

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR Well, I am schooled.¹⁹⁰ Good manners be your speed!

               Here come our wives, and let us take our leave.

        Enter Glendower with the Ladies

MORTIMER

MORTIMER This is the deadly spite¹⁹² that angers me:

               My wife can speak no English, I no Welsh.

GLENDOWER

GLENDOWER My daughter weeps. She’ll not part with you,

195

195   She’ll be a soldier too, she’ll to the wars.

MORTIMER

MORTIMER Good father, tell her that she and my aunt Percy¹⁹⁶

               Shall follow in your conduct¹⁹⁷ speedily.

        Glendower speaks to her in Welsh, and she answers him in the same

GLENDOWER

GLENDOWER She is desperate here:¹⁹⁸ a peevish self-willed harlotry,

               One that no persuasion can do good upon.

        The Lady speaks in Welsh

200

200   

MORTIMER

MORTIMER             I understand thy looks: that pretty Welsh²⁰⁰

               Which thou pour’st down from these swelling heavens²⁰¹

               I am too perfect²⁰² in, and, but for shame,

               In such a parley²⁰³ should I answer thee.

        The Lady [speaks] again in Welsh

               I understand thy kisses and thou mine,

205

205   And that’s a feeling disputation.²⁰⁵

               But I will never be a truant,²⁰⁶ love,

               Till I have learned thy language, for thy tongue

               Makes Welsh as sweet as ditties highly penned,²⁰⁸

               Sung by a fair queen in a summer’s bower,

210

210   With ravishing division,²¹⁰ to her lute.

GLENDOWER

GLENDOWER Nay, if thou melt,²¹¹ then will she run mad.

        The Lady speaks again in Welsh

MORTIMER

MORTIMER O, I am ignorance itself in this!²¹²

GLENDOWER

GLENDOWER She bids you on the wanton rushes²¹³ lay you down

               And rest your gentle head upon her lap,

215

215   And she will sing the song that pleaseth you

               And on your eyelids crown²¹⁶ the god of sleep,

               Charming your blood with pleasing heaviness,²¹⁷

               Making such difference ’twixt wake and sleep

               As is the difference betwixt day and night

220

220   The hour before the heavenly-harnessed team²²⁰

               Begins his golden progress²²¹ in the east.

MORTIMER

MORTIMER With all my heart I’ll sit and hear her sing:

               By that time will our book,²²³ I think, be drawn.

GLENDOWER

GLENDOWER Do so,

225

225   And those musicians that shall play to you

               Hang in the air²²⁶ a thousand leagues from hence,

               And straight²²⁷ they shall be here: sit, and attend.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR Come, Kate, thou art perfect in²²⁸ lying down: come, quick, quick, that I may lay my head in thy lap.

LADY PERCY

LADY PERCY Go, ye giddy goose.

        The music plays

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR Now I perceive the devil understands Welsh,²³¹ and ’tis no marvel he is so humorous.²³² By’r lady, he’s a good musician.

LADY PERCY

LADY PERCY Then would you be nothing but musical, for you are altogether governed by humours.²³⁴ Lie still, ye thief, and hear the lady sing in Welsh.

235

235   

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR             I had rather hear Lady, my brach,²³⁵ howl in Irish.

LADY PERCY

LADY PERCY Wouldst have thy head broken?²³⁶

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR No.

LADY PERCY

LADY PERCY Then be still.²³⁸

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR Neither,²³⁹ ’tis a woman’s fault.

240

240   

LADY PERCY

LADY PERCY             Now God help thee!

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR To the Welsh lady’s bed.

LADY PERCY

LADY PERCY What’s that?

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR Peace, she sings.

        Here the Lady sings a Welsh song

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR Come, I’ll have your song too. To Lady Percy

245

245   

LADY PERCY

LADY PERCY Not mine, in good sooth.²⁴⁵

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR Not yours, in good sooth?

               You swear like a comfit-maker’s²⁴⁷ wife.

               ‘Not you, in good sooth’, and ‘As true as I live’,

               And ‘As God shall mend me’ and ‘As sure as day!’

250

250     And givest such sarcenet surety²⁵⁰ for thy oaths,

               As if thou never walk’st further than Finsbury.²⁵¹

               Swear me,²⁵² Kate, like a lady as thou art,

               A good mouth-filling oath, and leave ‘in sooth’,

               And such protest of pepper-gingerbread,²⁵⁴

255

255   To velvet-guards²⁵⁵ and Sunday-citizens.

               Come, sing.

LADY PERCY

LADY PERCY I will not sing.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR ’Tis the next way to turn tailor,²⁵⁸ or be red-breast teacher. An the indentures be drawn, I’ll away within these two hours, and so, come in when ye will.

        Exit

260

260   

GLENDOWER

GLENDOWER             Come, come, Lord Mortimer, you are as slow

               As hot Lord Percy is on fire to go.

               By this²⁶² our book is drawn, we’ll but seal,

               And then to horse immediately.

MORTIMER

MORTIMER With all my heart.

        Exeunt

Act 3 Scene 23.2

running scene 9

        Enter the King, Prince of Wales and others

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV Lords, give us leave.¹ The Prince of Wales and I

               Must have some private conference. But be near at hand,

               For we shall presently have need of you.

        Exeunt Lords

               I know not whether heaven will have it so,

5

5     For some displeasing service I have done,

               That in his secret doom,⁶ out of my blood

               He’ll breed revengement and a scourge⁷ for me.

               But thou dost in thy passages⁸ of life

               Make me believe that thou art only marked⁹

10

10     For the hot vengeance and the rod¹⁰ of heaven

               To punish my mistreadings.¹¹ Tell me else,

               Could such inordinate¹² and low desires,

               Such poor, such bare,¹³ such lewd, such mean attempts,

               Such barren pleasures, rude society,¹⁴

15

15     As thou art matched withal¹⁵ and grafted to,

               Accompany the greatness of thy blood

               And hold their level¹⁷ with thy princely heart?

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY So please your majesty, I would I could

               Quit¹⁹ all offences with as clear excuse

20

20     As well as I am doubtless²⁰ I can purge

               Myself of many I am charged withal:

               Yet such extenuation let me beg,

               As, in reproof²³ of many tales devised,

               Which oft the ear of greatness²⁴ needs must hear

25

25     By smiling pick-thanks²⁵ and base news-mongers,

               I may, for some things true,²⁶ wherein my youth

               Hath faulty²⁷ wand’red and irregular,

               Find pardon on my true submission.²⁸

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV Heaven pardon thee! Yet let me wonder,²⁹ Harry,

30

30     At thy affections,³⁰ which do hold a wing

               Quite from the flight of all thy ancestors.

               Thy place in council thou hast rudely³² lost,

               Which by thy younger brother is supplied,³³

               And art almost an alien³⁴ to the hearts

35

35     Of all the court and princes of my blood.

               The hope and expectation of thy time³⁶

               Is ruined, and the soul of every man

               Prophetically do forethink³⁸ thy fall.

               Had I so lavish of my presence been,

40

40     So common-hackneyed⁴⁰ in the eyes of men,

               So stale and cheap to vulgar company,

               Opinion,⁴² that did help me to the crown,

               Had⁴³ still kept loyal to possession

               And left me in reputeless⁴⁴ banishment,

45

45     A fellow of no mark⁴⁵ nor likelihood.

               By being seldom seen, I could not stir

               But like a comet I was wondered at,

               That men would tell their children, ‘This is he.’

               Others would say, ‘Where? Which is Bullingbrook?’

50

50     And then I stole⁵⁰ all courtesy from heaven,

               And dressed myself in such humility

               That I did pluck allegiance from men’s hearts,

               Loud shouts and salutations from their mouths,

               Even in the presence of the crownèd king.

55

55     Thus I did keep my person fresh and new;

               My presence, like a robe pontifical,⁵⁶

               Ne’er seen but wondered at: and so my state,⁵⁷

               Seldom⁵⁸ but sumptuous, showed like a feast

               And won by rareness such solemnity.⁵⁹

60

60     The skipping⁶⁰ king, he ambled up and down

               With shallow jesters and rash bavin⁶¹ wits,

               Soon kindled and soon burnt, carded his state,⁶²

               Mingled his royalty with carping⁶³ fools,

               Had his great name profanèd with their scorns⁶⁴

65

65     And gave his countenance, against his name,⁶⁵

               To laugh at gibing⁶⁶ boys and stand the push

               Of every beardless vain comparative;⁶⁷

               Grew a companion to the common streets,

               Enfeoffed⁶⁹ himself to popularity,

70

70     That, being daily swallowed by men’s eyes,

               They surfeited⁷¹ with honey and began

               To loathe⁷² the taste of sweetness, whereof a little

               More than a little is by much too much.

               So when he had occasion to be seen,

75

75     He was but as the cuckoo⁷⁵ is in June,

               Heard, not regarded, seen, but with such eyes

               As, sick and blunted with community,⁷⁷

               Afford no extraordinary gaze,⁷⁸

               Such as is bent on sun-like majesty

80

80     When it shines seldom in admiring eyes.

               But rather drowsed and hung their eyelids down,

               Slept in his face⁸² and rendered such aspect

               As cloudy⁸³ men use to do to their adversaries,

               Being with his presence glutted, gorged and full.

85

85     And in that very line,⁸⁵ Harry, standest thou,

               For thou hast lost thy princely privilege

               With vile participation.⁸⁷ Not an eye

               But is a-weary of thy common⁸⁸ sight,

               Save mine, which hath desired to see thee more,

90

90     Which now doth that I would not have it do,

               Make blind itself with foolish tenderness.⁹¹

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY I shall hereafter, my thrice-gracious lord,

               Be more myself.⁹³

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV For⁹⁴ all the world

95

95     As thou art to this hour was Richard then,

               When I from France set foot at Ravenspurgh,

               And even as I was then is Percy now.

               Now, by my sceptre and my soul to boot,

               He⁹⁹ hath more worthy interest to the state

100

100   Than thou, the shadow of succession;¹⁰⁰

               For of¹⁰¹ no right, nor colour like to right,

               He doth fill fields with harness¹⁰² in the realm,

               Turns head¹⁰³ against the lion’s armèd jaws,

               And, being no more in¹⁰⁴ debt to years than thou,

105

105   Leads ancient¹⁰⁵ lords and reverend bishops on

               To bloody battles and to bruising¹⁰⁶ arms.

               What never-dying honour hath he got

               Against renownèd Douglas, whose¹⁰⁸ high deeds,

               Whose hot incursions¹⁰⁹ and great name in arms

110

110   Holds from all soldiers chief¹¹⁰ majority

               And military title capital

               Through all the kingdoms that acknowledge Christ!

               Thrice hath the Hotspur, Mars¹¹³ in swaddling clothes,

               This infant warrior, in his enterprises¹¹⁴

115

115   Discomfited¹¹⁵ great Douglas, ta’en him once,

               Enlargèd¹¹⁶ him and made a friend of him,

               To fill¹¹⁷ the mouth of deep defiance up

               And shake the peace and safety of our throne.

               And what say you to this? Percy, Northumberland,

120

120   The archbishop’s grace of York, Douglas, Mortimer,

               Capitulate¹²¹ against us and are up.

               But wherefore do I tell these news to thee?

               Why, Harry, do I tell thee of my foes,

               Which art my near’st and dearest¹²⁴ enemy?

125

125   Thou that art like¹²⁵ enough, through vassal fear,

               Base inclination¹²⁶ and the start of spleen,

               To fight against me under Percy’s pay,

               To dog his heels and curtsy¹²⁸ at his frowns,

               To show how much thou art degenerate.

130

130   

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY             Do not think so. You shall not find it so.

               And heaven forgive them that so much have swayed

               Your majesty’s good thoughts away from me!

               I will redeem all this on Percy’s head¹³³

               And in¹³⁴ the closing of some glorious day

135

135   Be bold to tell you that I am your son,

               When I will wear a garment all of blood

               And stain my favours¹³⁷ in a bloody mask,

               Which, washed away, shall scour¹³⁸ my shame with it.

               And that shall be the day, whene’er it lights,¹³⁹

140

140   That this same child of honour and renown,

               This gallant Hotspur, this all-praisèd knight,

               And your unthought-of¹⁴² Harry chance to meet.

               For every honour sitting on his helm,¹⁴³

               Would they were multitudes, and on my head

145

145   My shames redoubled! For the time will come,

               That I shall make this northern youth exchange

               His glorious deeds for my indignities.

               Percy is but my factor,¹⁴⁸ good my lord,

               To engross up¹⁴⁹ glorious deeds on my behalf,

150

150     And I will call him to so strict account,

               That he shall render every glory up,

               Yea, even the slightest worship¹⁵² of his time,

               Or I will tear the reckoning¹⁵³ from his heart.

               This, in the name of heaven, I promise here:

155

155   The which if I perform and do survive

               I do beseech your majesty may salve¹⁵⁶

               The long-grown wounds of my intemperature.¹⁵⁷

               If not, the end of life cancels all bonds,

               And I will die a hundred thousand deaths

160

160   Ere break the smallest parcel¹⁶⁰ of this vow.

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV A hundred thousand rebels die in this:

               Thou shalt have charge¹⁶² and sovereign trust herein.

        Enter Blunt

               How now, good Blunt? Thy looks are full of speed.¹⁶³

BLUNT

BLUNT So hath the business that I come to speak of.

165

165   Lord Mortimer of Scotland hath sent word

               That Douglas and the English rebels met

               The eleventh of this month at Shrewsbury.

               A mighty and a fearful head¹⁶⁸ they are,

               If¹⁶⁹ promises be kept on every hand,

170

170   As ever offered foul play in a state.

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV The Earl of Westmorland set forth today,

               With him my son, Lord John of Lancaster,

               For this advertisement¹⁷³ is five days old.

               On Wednesday next, Harry, thou shalt set forward:

175

175   On Thursday we ourselves will march.

               Our meeting is Bridgnorth,¹⁷⁶ and, Harry, you shall march

               Through Gloucestershire, by which account,

               Our business valuèd,¹⁷⁸ some twelve days hence

               Our general forces at Bridgnorth shall meet.

180

180   Our hands are full of business: let’s away.

               Advantage feeds him fat¹⁸¹ while men delay.

        Exeunt

Act 3 Scene 33.3

running scene 10

        Enter Falstaff and Bardolph

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Bardolph, am I not fallen away vilely¹ since this last action? Do I not bate? Do I not dwindle? Why my skin hangs about me like an old lady’s loose gown. I am withered like an old apple-john.³ Well, I’ll repent, and that suddenly, while I am in some liking.⁴ I shall be out of heart shortly, and then I shall have no strength⁵ to repent. An I have not forgotten what the inside of a church is made of, I am a peppercorn,⁶ a brewer’s horse. The inside of a church! Company, villainous company, hath been the spoil of me.

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH Sir John, you are so fretful,⁸ you cannot live long.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Why, there is it:⁹ come sing me a bawdy song, make me merry. I was as virtuously given¹⁰ as a gentleman need to be; virtuous enough: swore little, diced not — above seven times a week, went to a bawdy-house¹¹ not above once in a quarter — of an hour, paid money that I borrowed — three of four times, lived well and in good compass:¹³ and now I live out of all order, out of compass.

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH Why, you are so fat, Sir John, that you must needs be out of all compass, out of all reasonable compass, Sir John.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Do thou amend thy face, and I’ll amend my life: thou art our admiral,¹⁶ thou bearest the lantern in the poop,¹⁷ but ’tis in the nose of thee; thou art the Knight of the Burning Lamp.

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH Why, Sir John, my face does you no harm.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF No, I’ll be sworn, I make as good use of it as many a man doth of a death’s-head²¹ or a memento mori: I never see thy face but I think upon hellfire and Dives²² that lived in purple, for there he is in his robes, burning, burning. If thou wert any way given to virtue, I would swear by thy face; my oath should be ‘By this fire’, but thou art altogether given over;²⁴ and wert indeed, but for the light in thy face, the son of utter darkness. When thou ran’st up Gad’s Hill in the night to catch my horse, if I did not think that thou hadst been an ignis fatuus²⁶ or a ball of wildfire, there’s no purchase²⁷ in money. O, thou art a perpetual triumph, an everlasting bonfire-light!²⁸ Thou hast saved me a thousand marks in links and torches, walking with thee in the night betwixt tavern and tavern. But the sack that thou hast drunk me³⁰ would have bought me lights as good cheap as the dearest chandler’s³¹ in Europe. I have maintained that salamander of yours with fire any time this two and thirty years. Heaven reward me for it!

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH I would my face were in your belly!³³

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF So should I be sure to be heart-burned.³⁴

        Enter Hostess [Quickly]

How now, Dame Partlet³⁵ the hen! Have you inquired yet who picked my pocket?

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY Why, Sir John, what do you think, Sir John? Do you think I keep thieves in my house? I have searched, I have inquired, so has my husband, man by man, boy by boy, servant by servant. The tithe³⁸ of a hair was never lost in my house before.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Ye lie, hostess: Bardolph was shaved⁴⁰ and lost many a hair; and I’ll be sworn my pocket was picked. Go to, you are a woman,⁴¹ go.

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY Who, I? I defy thee. I was never called so in mine own house before.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Go to, I know⁴³ you well enough.

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY No, Sir John, you do not know me, Sir John. I know you, Sir John: you owe me money, Sir John, and now you pick a quarrel to beguile⁴⁵ me of it. I bought you a dozen of shirts to your back.⁴⁶

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Dowlas,⁴⁷ filthy dowlas: I have given them away to bakers’ wives, and they have made bolters⁴⁸ of them.

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY Now, as I am a true woman, holland⁴⁹ of eight shillings an ell. You owe money here besides, Sir John, for your diet and by-drinkings,⁵⁰ and money lent you, four and twenty pounds.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF He had his part of it, let him pay. Points to Bardolph

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY He? Alas, he is poor, he hath nothing.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF How? Poor? Look upon his face. What call you rich? Let them coin his nose, let them coin his cheeks. I’ll not pay a denier.⁵⁵ What, will you make a younker⁵⁶ of me? Shall I not take mine ease in mine inn but I shall have my pocket picked? I have lost a seal-ring⁵⁷ of my grandfather’s worth forty mark.

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY I have heard the prince tell him, I know not how oft, that that ring was copper!

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF How? The prince is a jack,⁶⁰ a sneak-cup. An if he were here, I would cudgel him like a dog, if he would say so.

        Enter the Prince marching [with Peto], and Falstaff meets him playing on his truncheon like a fife

How now, lad? is the wind in that door?⁶² Must we all march

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH Yea, two and two, Newgate fashion.⁶³

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY My lord, I pray you hear me.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY What say’st thou, Mistress Quickly? How does thy husband? I love him well. He is an honest man.

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY Good my lord, hear me.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Prithee let her alone, and list to me.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY What say’st thou, Jack?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF The other night I fell asleep here behind the arras and had my pocket picked. This house is turned bawdy-house: they pick pockets.⁷¹

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY What didst thou lose, Jack?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Wilt thou believe me, Hal, three or four bonds⁷³ of forty pound apiece, and a seal-ring of my grandfather’s?

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY A trifle, some eight-penny matter.

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY So I told him, my lord; and I said I heard your grace say so. And, my lord, he speaks most vilely of you, like a foul-mouthed man as he is, and said he would cudgel you.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY What? He did not?

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY There’s neither faith, truth, nor womanhood in me else.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF There’s no more faith in thee than a stewed prune,⁸¹ nor no more truth in thee than in a drawn fox.⁸² And for womanhood, Maid Marian may be the deputy’s wife of the ward to⁸³ thee. Go, you nothing, go.

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY Say, what thing? What thing?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF What thing?⁸⁵ Why, a thing to thank heaven on.

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY I am no thing to thank heaven on, I would thou shouldst know it. I am an honest man’s wife, and, setting thy knighthood⁸⁷ aside, thou art a knave to call me so.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Setting thy womanhood aside, thou art a beast to say otherwise.

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY Say, what beast, thou knave, thou?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF What beast? Why, an otter.⁹¹

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY An otter, Sir John? Why an otter?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Why? She’s neither fish nor flesh; a man knows not where to have⁹³ her.

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY Thou art an unjust man in saying so; thou or any man knows where to have me, thou knave, thou!

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Thou say’st true, hostess, and he slanders thee most grossly.

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY So he doth you, my lord, and said this other day you owed him a thousand pound.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Sirrah, do I owe you a thousand pound?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF A thousand pound, Hal? A million. Thy love is worth a million: thou ow’st me thy love.

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY Nay, my lord, he called you Jack, and said he would cudgel you.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Did I, Bardolph?

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH Indeed, Sir John, you said so.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Yea, if he said my ring was copper.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY I say ’tis copper. Dar’st thou be as good as thy word now?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Why, Hal, thou know’st, as thou art but a man, I dare, but as thou art a prince, I fear thee as I fear the roaring of the lion’s whelp.¹⁰⁸

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY And why not as the lion?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF The king himself is to be feared as the lion: dost thou think I’ll fear thee as I fear thy father? Nay, if I do, let my girdle break.¹¹¹

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY O, if it should, how would thy guts fall about thy knees! But, sirrah, there’s no room for faith, truth, nor honesty in this bosom of thine: it is all filled up with guts and midriff. Charge an honest woman with picking thy pocket? Why, thou whoreson, impudent, embossed¹¹⁵ rascal, if there were anything in thy pocket but tavern-reck’nings, memorandums¹¹⁶ of bawdy-houses, and one poor penny-worth of sugar-candy to make thee long-winded:¹¹⁷ if thy pocket were enriched with any other injuries¹¹⁸ but these, I am a villain. And yet you will stand to it, you will not pocket up¹¹⁹ wrong. Art thou not ashamed?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Dost thou hear, Hal? Thou know’st in the state of innocency Adam fell, and what should poor Jack Falstaff do in the days of villainy? Thou seest I have more flesh¹²² than another man, and therefore more frailty. You confess then, you picked my pocket?

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY It appears so by the story.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Hostess, I forgive thee. Go, make ready breakfast, love thy husband, look to thy servants and cherish thy guests. Thou shalt find me tractable to any honest reason: thou seest I am pacified still.¹²⁷ Nay, prithee be gone.— Exit Hostess Now Hal, to the news at court: for the robbery, lad, how is that answered?¹²⁸

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY O, my sweet beef,¹²⁹ I must still be good angel to thee. The money is paid back again.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF O, I do not like that paying back, ’tis a double labour.¹³¹

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY I am good friends with my father and may do anything.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Rob me the exchequer¹³³ the first thing thou dost, and do it with unwashed hands too.

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH Do, my lord.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY I have procured thee, Jack, a charge of foot.¹³⁶

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF I would it had been of horse. Where shall I find one that can steal well? O, for a fine thief, of two-and-twenty or thereabout! I am heinously unprovided.¹³⁸ Well, God be thanked for these rebels, they¹³⁹ offend none but the virtuous. I laud them, I praise them.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Bardolph.

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH My lord?

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Go bear this letter to Lord John of Lancaster, Gives letters To my brother John. This to my lord of Westmorland.—

        [Exit Bardolph]

Go, Peto, to horse, for thou and I Have thirty miles to ride yet ere dinner time.—

        [Exit Peto]

Jack, meet me tomorrow in the Temple hall¹⁴⁷ At two o’clock in the afternoon. There shalt thou know thy charge¹⁴⁹ and there receive Money and order for their furniture.¹⁵⁰ The land is burning, Percy stands on high, And either they or we must lower lie.

        [Exit Prince Henry]

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Rare¹⁵³ words! Brave world! Hostess, my breakfast, come! O, I could wish this tavern¹⁵⁴ were my drum!

        Exit

Act 4 Scene 14.1

running scene 11

        Enter Harry Hotspur, Worcester and Douglas

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR Well said, my noble Scot. If speaking truth

               In this fine² age were not thought flattery,

               Such attribution³ should the Douglas have,

               As not a⁴ soldier of this season’s stamp

5

5     Should go so general current⁵ through the world.

               By heaven, I cannot flatter: I defy⁶

               The tongues of soothers.⁷ But a braver place

               In my heart’s love hath no man than yourself.

               Nay, task⁹ me to my word, approve me, lord.

10

10     

DOUGLAS

DOUGLAS           Thou art the king of honour:

               No man so potent breathes¹¹ upon the ground

               But I will beard¹² him.

        Enter a Messenger With letters

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR Do so, and ’tis well.—

               What letters hast there? — I can but¹⁴ thank you.

15

15     

MESSENGER

MESSENGER           These letters come from your father.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR Letters from him? Why comes he not himself?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER He cannot come, my lord, he is grievous sick.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR How? Has he the leisure to be sick now

               In such a jostling¹⁹ time? Who leads his power?

20

20     Under whose government²⁰ come they along?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER His letters bears²¹ his mind, not I his mind.

WORCESTER

WORCESTER I prithee tell me, doth he keep²² his bed?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER He did, my lord, four days ere I set forth,

               And at the time of my departure thence

25

25     He²⁵ was much feared by his physician.

WORCESTER

WORCESTER I would²⁶ the state of time had first been whole

               Ere he by sickness had been visited:

               His health was never better worth²⁸ than now.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR Sick now? Droop now? This sickness doth infect

30

30     The very life-blood of our enterprise,

               ’Tis catching hither,³¹ even to our camp.

               He writes me here that inward sickness³² —

               And that his friends by deputation³³ could not

               So soon be drawn,³⁴ nor did he think it meet

35

35     To lay so dangerous and dear³⁵ a trust

               On any soul removed but on his own.

               Yet doth he give us bold advertisement,³⁷

               That with our small conjunction³⁸ we should on,

               To see how fortune is disposed to us,

40

40     For, as he writes, there is no quailing now,

               Because the king is certainly possessed⁴¹

               Of all our purposes. What say you to it?

WORCESTER

WORCESTER Your father’s sickness is a maim⁴³ to us.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR A perilous gash, a very limb lopped off:

45

45     And yet, in faith, it is not. His present want⁴⁵

               Seems more⁴⁶ than we shall find it. Were it good

               To set⁴⁷ the exact wealth of all our states

               All at one cast?⁴⁸ To set so rich a main

               On the nice hazard⁴⁹ of one doubtful hour?

50

50     It were not good, for therein should we read⁵⁰

               The very bottom⁵¹ and the soul of hope,

               The very list,⁵² the very utmost bound

               Of all our fortunes.

DOUGLAS

DOUGLAS ’Faith, and so we should,

55

55     Where now remains a sweet reversion,⁵⁵

               We may boldly spend upon the hope of what

               Is to come in.

               A comfort of retirement⁵⁸ lives in this.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR A rendezvous,⁵⁹ a home to fly unto,

60

60     If that the devil and mischance look big⁶⁰

               Upon the maidenhead⁶¹ of our affairs.

WORCESTER

WORCESTER But yet I would your father had been here.

               The quality and hair⁶³ of our attempt

               Brooks⁶⁴ no division: it will be thought

65

65     By some, that know not why he is away,

               That wisdom, loyalty⁶⁶ and mere dislike

               Of our proceedings kept the earl from hence.

               And think how such an apprehension⁶⁸

               May turn the tide of fearful faction⁶⁹

70

70     And breed a kind of question⁷⁰ in our cause,

               For well you know, we of the off’ring⁷¹ side

               Must keep aloof from strict arbitrement,⁷²

               And stop all sight-holes, every loop⁷³ from whence

               The eye of reason may pry in upon us:

75

75     This absence of your father draws⁷⁵ a curtain,

               That shows the ignorant a kind of fear

               Before not dreamt of.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR You strain too far.⁷⁸

               I rather of his absence make this use:⁷⁹

80

80     It lends a lustre and more great opinion,⁸⁰

               A larger dare⁸¹ to our great enterprise,

               Than if the earl were here, for men must think,

               If we without his help can make a head⁸³

               To push against the kingdom, with his help

85

85     We shall o’erturn it topsy-turvy down.

               Yet⁸⁶ all goes well, yet all our joints are whole.

DOUGLAS

DOUGLAS As⁸⁷ heart can think. There is not such a word

               Spoke of in Scotland as this dream of fear.

        Enter Sir Richard Vernon

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR My cousin Vernon, welcome, by my soul.

90

90     

VERNON

VERNON           Pray God my news be worth a welcome, lord.

               The Earl of Westmorland, seven thousand strong,

               Is marching hitherwards, with him Prince John.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR No harm:⁹³ what more?

VERNON

VERNON And further, I have learned,

95

95     The king himself in person hath set forth,

               Or hitherwards intended⁹⁶ speedily,

               With strong and mighty preparation.⁹⁷

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR He shall be welcome too. Where is his son,

               The nimble-footed madcap Prince of Wales,

100

100   And his comrades that daffed¹⁰⁰ the world aside

               And bid it pass?

VERNON

VERNON All furnished,¹⁰² all in arms,

               All plumed like estridges¹⁰³ that with the wind

               Bated¹⁰⁴ like eagles having lately bathed,

105

105   Glittering in golden coats¹⁰⁵ like images,

               As full of spirit as the month of May,

               And gorgeous¹⁰⁷ as the sun at midsummer,

               Wanton¹⁰⁸ as youthful goats, wild as young bulls.

               I saw young Harry with his beaver¹⁰⁹ on,

110

110   His cuisses¹¹⁰ on his thighs, gallantly armed,

               Rise from the ground like feathered Mercury,¹¹¹

               And vaulted with such ease into his seat,¹¹²

               As if an angel dropped down from the clouds,

               To turn and wind¹¹⁴ a fiery Pegasus

115

115   And witch¹¹⁵ the world with noble horsemanship.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR No more, no more. Worse than the sun in March,

               This praise doth nourish agues.¹¹⁷ Let them come.

               They come like sacrifices in their trim,¹¹⁸

               And to the fire-eyed maid¹¹⁹ of smoky war

120

120   All hot and bleeding will we offer them:

               The mailèd Mars¹²¹ shall on his altar sit

               Up to the ears in blood. I am on fire

               To hear this rich reprisal¹²³ is so nigh

               And yet not ours. Come, let me take my horse,

125

125   Who is to bear me like a thunderbolt

               Against the bosom of the Prince of Wales.

               Harry to Harry, shall hot horse to horse

               Meet and ne’er part till one drop down a corpse!

               O, that Glendower were come!

130

130   

VERNON

VERNON             There is more news:

               I learned in Worcester,¹³¹ as I rode along,

               He cannot draw¹³² his power this fourteen days.

DOUGLAS

DOUGLAS That’s the worst tidings that I hear of yet.

WORCESTER

WORCESTER Ay, by my faith, that bears a frosty sound.

135

135   

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR             What may the king’s whole battle reach unto?¹³⁵

VERNON

VERNON To thirty thousand.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR Forty let it be.

               My father and Glendower being both away,

               The powers of us¹³⁹ may serve so great a day.

140

140   Come, let us take a muster¹⁴⁰ speedily:

               Doomsday¹⁴¹ is near; die all, die merrily.

DOUGLAS

DOUGLAS Talk not of dying. I am out of¹⁴² fear

               Of death or death’s hand for this one-half year.¹⁴³

        Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 24.2

running scene 12

        Enter Falstaff and Bardolph

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Bardolph, get¹ thee before to Coventry. Fill me a bottle of sack. Our soldiers shall march through, we’ll to Sutton Coldfield² tonight.

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH Will you give me money, captain?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Lay out,⁴ lay out.

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH This bottle makes⁵ an angel.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF An if it do, take it for thy labour. And if it make twenty, take them all, I’ll answer the coinage.⁷ Bid my lieutenant Peto meet me at the town’s end.

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH I will, captain. Farewell.

        Exit

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF If I be not ashamed of my soldiers, I am a soused gurnet.⁹ I have misused the king’s press¹⁰ damnably. I have got, in exchange of a hundred and fifty soldiers, three hundred and odd pounds. I press me none but good¹¹ householders, yeoman’s sons, inquire me out¹² contracted bachelors, such as had been asked twice on the banns,¹³ such a commodity of warm slaves as had as lieve hear the devil as a drum; such as fear the report of a caliver¹⁴ worse than a struck fowl or a hurt wild duck. I pressed me none but such toasts-and-butter,¹⁵ with hearts in their bellies no bigger than pins’ heads, and they have bought¹⁶ out their services. And now my whole charge¹⁷ consists of ancients, corporals, lieutenants, gentlemen of companies, slaves as ragged as Lazarus¹⁸ in the painted cloth, where the glutton’s dogs licked his sores; and such as indeed were never soldiers, but discarded unjust servingmen,¹⁹ younger²⁰ sons to younger brothers, revolted tapsters and ostlers trade-fallen, the cankers²¹ of a calm world and long peace, ten times more dishonourable ragged than an old-faced ancient;²² and such have I, to fill up the rooms²³ of them that have bought out their services, that you would think that I had a hundred and fifty tattered prodigals²⁴ lately come from swine-keeping, from eating draff and husks.²⁵ A mad fellow met me on the way and told me I had unloaded all the gibbets²⁶ and pressed the dead bodies. No eye hath seen such scarecrows. I’ll not march through Coventry with them, that’s flat. Nay, and the villains march wide betwixt the legs, as if they had gyves²⁸ on; for indeed, I had the most of them out of prison. There’s not a shirt and a half in all my company, and the half shirt is two napkins tacked together and thrown over the shoulders like a herald’s coat³¹ without sleeves, and the shirt, to say the truth, stolen from my host of St Albans,³² or the red-nose innkeeper of Daventry. But that’s all one, they’ll find³³ linen enough on every hedge.

        Enter the Prince and the Lord of Westmorland

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY How now, blown³⁴ Jack? How now, quilt?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF What, Hal? How now, mad wag? What a devil dost thou in Warwickshire? — My good lord of Westmorland, I cry you mercy:³⁶ I thought your honour had already been at Shrewsbury.

WESTMORLAND

WESTMORLAND ’Faith, Sir John, ’tis more than time that I were there, and you too, but my powers are there already. The king, I can tell you, looks for³⁹ us all: we must away all tonight.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Tut, never fear⁴¹ me. I am as vigilant as a cat to steal cream.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY I think to steal cream indeed, for thy theft hath already made thee butter.⁴³ But tell me, Jack, whose fellows are these that come after?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Mine, Hal, mine.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY I did never see such pitiful rascals.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Tut, tut, good enough to toss:⁴⁶ food for powder, food for powder. They’ll fill a pit⁴⁷ as well as better. Tush, man, mortal men, mortal men.

WESTMORLAND

WESTMORLAND Ay, but, Sir John, methinks they are exceeding poor and bare,⁴⁸ too beggarly.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Faith, for their poverty, I know not where they had that; and for their bareness, I am sure they never learned that of me.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY No, I’ll be sworn, unless you call three⁵² fingers on the ribs bare. But, sirrah, make haste. Percy is already in the field.⁵³

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF What, is the king encamped?

WESTMORLAND

WESTMORLAND He is, Sir John. I fear we shall stay⁵⁵ too long.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Well,

               To⁵⁷ the latter end of a fray and the beginning of a feast

               Fits a dull fighter and a keen guest.

        Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 34.3

running scene 13

        Enter Hotspur, Worcester, Douglas and Vernon

HOTSPUR WE’LL

HOTSPUR WE’LL fight with him¹ tonight.

WORCESTER

WORCESTER It may not be.

DOUGLAS

DOUGLAS You give him then³ advantage.

VERNON

VERNON Not a whit.

5

5     

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR Why say you so? Looks he not for supply?⁵

VERNON

VERNON So do we.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR His is certain, ours is doubtful.

WORCESTER

WORCESTER Good cousin, be advised, stir not tonight.

VERNON

VERNON Do not, my lord.

10

10     

DOUGLAS

DOUGLAS           You do not counsel well:

               You speak it out of fear and cold heart.

VERNON

VERNON Do me no slander, Douglas: by my life,

               And I dare well maintain¹³ it with my life,

               If well-respected¹⁴ honour bid me on,

15

15     I hold as little counsel¹⁵ with weak fear

               As you, my lord, or any Scot that this day lives.

               Let it be seen tomorrow in the battle

               Which of us fears.

DOUGLAS

DOUGLAS Yea, or tonight.

20

20     

VERNON

VERNON Content.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR Tonight, say I.

VERNON

VERNON Come, come it may not be. I wonder much,

               Being men of such great leading²³ as you are,

               That you foresee not what impediments

25

25     Drag²⁵ back our expedition: certain horse

               Of my cousin Vernon’s are not yet come up,

               Your uncle Worcester’s horse came but today,

               And now their pride and mettle²⁸ is asleep,

               Their courage with hard labour tame and dull,

30

30     That³⁰ not a horse is half the half of himself.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR So are the horses of the enemy

               In general, journey-bated³² and brought low.

               The better part of ours are full of rest.

WORCESTER

WORCESTER The number of the king exceedeth ours:

35

35     For God’s sake, cousin, stay till all come in.

        The trumpet sounds a parley³⁵

        Enter Sir Walter Blunt

BLUNT

BLUNT I come with gracious offers from the king,

               If you vouchsafe³⁷ me hearing and respect.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR Welcome, Sir Walter Blunt, and would to God

               You were of our determination.³⁹

40

40     Some of us love you well, and even those some⁴⁰

               Envy your great deservings and good name,

               Because you are not of our quality,⁴²

               But stand against us like an enemy.

BLUNT

BLUNT And heaven defend⁴⁴ but still I should stand so,

45

45     So long as out of limit⁴⁵ and true rule

               You stand against anointed⁴⁶ majesty.

               But to my charge:⁴⁷ the king hath sent to know

               The nature of your griefs,⁴⁸ and whereupon

               You conjure⁴⁹ from the breast of civil peace

50

50     Such bold hostility, teaching his duteous land

               Audacious cruelty. If that⁵¹ the king

               Have any way your good deserts⁵² forgot,

               Which he confesseth to be manifold,

               He bids you name your griefs, and with all speed

55

55     You shall have your desires with interest,⁵⁵

               And pardon absolute for yourself and these

               Herein misled by your suggestion.⁵⁷

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR The king is kind, and well we know the king

               Knows at what time to promise, when to pay.

60

60     My father, my uncle and myself

               Did give him that same royalty he wears,

               And when he was⁶² not six and twenty strong,

               Sick⁶³ in the world’s regard, wretched and low,

               A poor unminded⁶⁴ outlaw sneaking home,

65

65     My father gave him welcome to the shore.

               And when he heard him swear and vow to God

               He came but to be Duke of Lancaster,

               To sue his livery⁶⁸ and beg his peace,

               With tears of innocency and terms of zeal,⁶⁹

70

70     My father, in kind heart and pity moved,

               Swore him assistance and performed it too.

               Now when the lords and barons of the realm

               Perceived Northumberland did lean to him,

               The more⁷⁴ and less came in with cap and knee,

75

75     Met him in boroughs, cities, villages,

               Attended⁷⁶ him on bridges, stood in lanes,

               Laid gifts before him, proffered him their oaths,

               Gave him their heirs,⁷⁸ as pages followed him

               Even at the heels in golden⁷⁹ multitudes.

80

80     He presently,⁸⁰ as greatness knows itself,

               Steps⁸¹ me a little higher than his vow

               Made to my father, while his⁸² blood was poor,

               Upon the naked shore at Ravenspurgh,

               And now, forsooth,⁸⁴ takes on him to reform

85

85     Some certain edicts and some strait⁸⁵ decrees

               That lay too heavy on the commonwealth,

               Cries⁸⁷ out upon abuses, seems to weep

               Over his country’s wrongs, and by this face,

               This seeming brow of justice, did he win

90

90     The hearts of all that he did angle for.

               Proceeded further — cut⁹¹ me off the heads

               Of all the favourites that the absent king

               In deputation⁹³ left behind him here,

               When he was personal in⁹⁴ the Irish war.

95

95     

BLUNT

BLUNT Tut, I came not to hear this.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR Then to the point.

               In short time after, he deposed the king.

               Soon after that, deprived him of his life,

               And in⁹⁹ the neck of that, tasked the whole state.

100

100   To make that worse, suffered his kinsman March¹⁰⁰ —

               Who is, if¹⁰¹ every owner were placed,

               Indeed his king — to be engaged¹⁰² in Wales,

               There without ransom to lie forfeited,¹⁰³

               Disgraced¹⁰⁴ me in my happy victories,

105

105   Sought to entrap me by intelligence,¹⁰⁵

               Rated¹⁰⁶ my uncle from the council board,

               In rage dismissed my father from the court,

               Broke oath on oath, committed wrong on wrong,

               And in conclusion drove us to seek out

110

110   This head of safety;¹¹⁰ and withal to pry

               Into his title, the which we find

               Too indirect¹¹² for long continuance.

BLUNT

BLUNT Shall I return this answer to the king?

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR Not so, Sir Walter. We’ll withdraw awhile.

115

115   Go to the king, and let there be impawned¹¹⁵

               Some surety¹¹⁶ for a safe return again,

               And in the morning early shall my uncle

               Bring him our purpose. And so farewell.

BLUNT

BLUNT I would you would accept¹¹⁹ of grace and love.

120

120   

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR               And’t may be so we shall.

BLUNT

BLUNT Pray heaven you do.

        Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 44.4

running scene 14

        Enter the Archbishop of York and Sir Michael

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK Hie,¹ good Sir Michael; bear this sealèd brief Gives a letter

               With wingèd haste to the Lord Marshal,

               This to my cousin Scroop, and all the rest

               To whom they are directed.⁴ If you knew

5

5     How much⁵ they do import, you would make haste.

SIR MICHAEL

SIR MICHAEL My good lord,

               I guess their tenor.⁷

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK Like⁸ enough you do.

               Tomorrow, good Sir Michael, is a day

10

10     Wherein the fortune of ten thousand men

               Must bide the touch,¹¹ for, sir, at Shrewsbury,

               As I am truly given to understand,

               The king with mighty and quick-raisèd power

               Meets with Lord Harry.¹⁴ And I fear, Sir Michael,

15

15     What with the sickness of Northumberland,

               Whose power¹⁶ was in the first proportion,

               And what with Owen Glendower’s absence thence,

               Who with them was rated firmly¹⁸ too

               And comes not in,¹⁹ o’er-ruled by prophecies,

20

20     I fear the power of Percy is too weak

               To wage an instant trial²¹ with the king.

SIR MICHAEL

SIR MICHAEL Why, my good lord, you need not fear.

               There is Douglas and Lord Mortimer.

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK No, Mortimer is not there.

25

25     

SIR MICHAEL

SIR MICHAEL But there is Mordake, Vernon, Lord Harry Percy,

               And there is my lord of Worcester and a head²⁶

               Of gallant warriors, noble gentlemen.

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK And so there is. But yet the king hath drawn

               The special head²⁹ of all the land together:

30

30     The Prince of Wales, Lord John of Lancaster,

               The noble Westmorland and warlike Blunt;

               And many more corrivals³² and dear men

               Of estimation³³ and command in arms.

SIR MICHAEL

SIR MICHAEL Doubt not, my lord, he shall be well opposed.

35

35     

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK I hope no less, yet needful ’tis to fear.

               And, to prevent the worst, Sir Michael, speed;

               For if Lord Percy thrive³⁷ not, ere the king

               Dismiss his power, he means to visit us,

               For he hath heard of our confederacy,³⁹

40

40     And ’tis but wisdom to make strong⁴⁰ against him:

               Therefore make haste. I must go write again

               To other friends, and so farewell, Sir Michael.

        Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 15.1

running scene 15

        Enter the King, Prince of Wales, Lord John of Lancaster, Earl of Westmorland, Sir Walter Blunt and Falstaff

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV How bloodily the sun begins to peer

               Above yon busky² hill! The day looks pale

               At his distemperature.³

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY The southern wind

5

5     Doth play the trumpet⁵ to his purposes,

               And by his hollow whistling in the leaves

               Foretells a tempest and a blust’ring day.

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV Then with the losers let it sympathize,

               For nothing can seem foul⁹ to those that win.

        The trumpet sounds

        Enter Worcester [and Vernon]

10

10     How now, my lord of Worcester? ’Tis not well

               That you and I should meet upon such terms

               As now we meet. You have deceived our trust,

               And made us doff¹³ our easy robes of peace,

               To crush our old limbs in ungentle steel:¹⁴

15

15     This is not well, my lord, this is not well.

               What say you to it? Will you again unknit¹⁶

               This churlish¹⁷ knot of all-abhorrèd war?

               And move in that obedient orb¹⁸ again

               Where you did give a fair and natural light,

20

20     And be no more an exhaled meteor,²⁰

               A prodigy²¹ of fear and a portent

               Of broachèd²² mischief to the unborn times?

WORCESTER

WORCESTER Hear me, my liege:

               For mine own part, I could be well content

25

25     To entertain²⁵ the lag-end of my life

               With quiet hours, for I do protest,

               I have not sought the day of this dislike.²⁷

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV You have not sought it? How comes it, then?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Rebellion lay in his way, and he found it.

30

30     

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Peace, chewet,³⁰ peace!

WORCESTER

WORCESTER It pleased your majesty to turn your looks

               Of favour from myself and all our house;

               And yet I must remember³³ you, my lord,

               We were the first and dearest of your friends.

35

35     For you my staff of office³⁵ did I break

               In Richard’s time, and posted³⁶ day and night

               To meet you on the way, and kiss your hand,

               When yet you were in place and in account

               Nothing³⁹ so strong and fortunate as I.

40

40     It was myself, my brother and his son,

               That brought⁴¹ you home and boldly did outdare

               The danger of the time. You swore to us,

               And you did swear that oath at Doncaster,⁴³

               That you did⁴⁴ nothing of purpose gainst the state,

45

45     Nor claim no further than your new-fall’n right,⁴⁵

               The seat⁴⁶ of Gaunt, dukedom of Lancaster.

               To this we swore our aid. But in short space

               It rained down fortune show’ring on your head,

               And such a flood of greatness fell on you —

50

50     What with our help, what with the absent king,

               What with the injuries⁵¹ of wanton time,

               The seeming sufferances⁵² that you had borne,

               And the contrarious⁵³ winds that held the king

               So long in the unlucky⁵⁴ Irish wars

55

55     That all in England did repute⁵⁵ him dead —

               And from this swarm of fair advantages

               You took occasion⁵⁷ to be quickly wooed

               To gripe⁵⁸ the general sway into your hand,

               Forgot your oath to us at Doncaster,

60

60     And being fed by us, you used us so

               As that ungentle gull,⁶¹ the cuckoo’s bird,

               Useth the sparrow, did oppress our nest,

               Grew by our feeding to so great a bulk

               That even our love⁶⁴ durst not come near your sight

65

65     For fear of swallowing.⁶⁵ But with nimble wing

               We were enforced, for safety sake, to fly

               Out of your sight and raise this present head,

               Whereby we stand opposèd⁶⁸ by such means

               As you yourself have forged against yourself

70

70     By unkind⁷⁰ usage, dangerous countenance,

               And violation of all faith and troth⁷¹

               Sworn to us in your younger⁷² enterprise.

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV These things indeed you have articulated,

               Proclaimed at market-crosses, read in churches,

75

75     To face⁷⁵ the garment of rebellion

               With some fine colour⁷⁶ that may please the eye

               Of fickle changelings⁷⁷ and poor discontents,

               Which gape and rub the elbow⁷⁸ at the news

               Of hurly-burly⁷⁹ innovation:

80

80     And never yet did insurrection want⁸⁰

               Such water-colours⁸¹ to impaint his cause,

               Nor moody⁸² beggars, starving for a time

               Of pell-mell havoc⁸³ and confusion.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY In both our⁸⁴ armies there is many a soul

85

85     Shall pay full dearly for this encounter,

               If once they join in trial.⁸⁶ Tell your nephew,

               The Prince of Wales doth join with all the world

               In praise of Henry Percy: by my hopes⁸⁸ —

               This present enterprise set⁸⁹ off his head —

90

90     I do not think a braver⁹⁰ gentleman,

               More active-valiant or more valiant-young,

               More daring or more bold, is now alive

               To grace this latter⁹³ age with noble deeds.

               For my part, I may speak it to my shame,

95

95     I have a truant been to chivalry,

               And so I hear he doth account me too.

               Yet this⁹⁷ before my father’s majesty:

               I am content that he shall take the odds⁹⁸

               Of his great name and estimation,⁹⁹

100

100   And will, to save the blood on either side,

               Try fortune with him in a single fight.

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV And, Prince of Wales, so dare we venture¹⁰² thee,

               Albeit¹⁰³ considerations infinite

               Do make¹⁰⁴ against it. No, good Worcester, no,

105

105   We love our people well; even those we love

               That are misled upon your cousin’s¹⁰⁶ part.

               And, will they take the offer of our grace,¹⁰⁷

               Both he and they and you, yea, every man

               Shall be my friend again and I’ll be his.

110

110   So tell your cousin, and bring me word

               What he will do. But if he will not yield,

               Rebuke¹¹² and dread correction wait on us

               And they shall do their office.¹¹³ So, be gone,

               We will not now be troubled with reply.

115

115   We offer fair,¹¹⁵ take it advisedly.

        Exeunt Worcester [and Vernon]

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY It will not be accepted, on my life.

               The Douglas and the Hotspur both together

               Are confident against the world in arms.

KING HENRY

KING HENRY IV Hence, therefore, every leader to his charge,¹¹⁹

120

120   For on their answer¹²⁰ will we set on them;

               And God befriend us as our cause is just!

        Exeunt all but Prince and Falstaff

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Hal, if thou see me down in the battle and bestride¹²² me, so; ’tis a point of friendship.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Nothing but a colossus¹²⁴ can do thee that friendship. Say thy prayers, and farewell.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF I would it were bedtime, Hal, and all well.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Why, thou ow’st heaven a death.¹²⁷

        [Exit Prince Henry]

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF ’Tis not due yet. I would be loath to pay him before his day. What need I be so forward¹²⁹ with him that calls not on me? Well, ’tis no matter, honour pricks me on. But how if honour prick me off¹³⁰ when I come on? How then? Can honour set to a leg? No. Or an arm? No. Or take away the grief¹³¹ of a wound? No. Honour hath no skill in surgery, then? No. What is honour? A word. What is that word ‘honour’? Air. A trim¹³³ reckoning! Who hath it? He that died o’Wednesday. Doth he feel it? No. Doth he hear it? No. Is it insensible,¹³⁴ then? Yea, to the dead. But will it not live with the living? No. Why? Detraction¹³⁵ will not suffer it. Therefore I’ll none of it. Honour is a mere scutcheon:¹³⁶ and so ends my catechism.

        Exit

Act 5 Scene 25.2

running scene 16

        Enter Worcester and Sir Richard Vernon

WORCESTER

WORCESTER O, no, my nephew must not know, Sir Richard,

               The liberal kind offer of the king.

VERNON

VERNON ’Twere best he did.

WORCESTER

WORCESTER Then we are all undone.⁴

5

5     It is not possible, it cannot be,

               The king would keep his word in loving us.

               He will suspect us still⁷ and find a time

               To punish this offence in other faults.

               Supposition⁹ all our lives shall be stuck full of eyes;

10

10     For treason is but trusted like the fox,

               Who, ne’er so tame,¹¹ so cherished and locked up,

               Will have a wild trick¹² of his ancestors.

               Look¹³ how he can, or sad or merrily,

               Interpretation will misquote¹⁴ our looks,

15

15     And we shall feed like oxen at a stall,

               The¹⁶ better cherished, still the nearer death.

               My nephew’s trespass¹⁷ may be well forgot,

               It hath the excuse of youth and heat of blood,

               And an adopted¹⁹ name of privilege,

20

20     A hare-brained²⁰ Hotspur, governed by a spleen:

               All his offences live upon²¹ my head

               And on his father’s. We did train²² him on,

               And, his corruption being ta’en²³ from us,

               We as the spring²⁴ of all, shall pay for all.

25

25     Therefore, good cousin, let not Harry know,

               In any case,²⁶ the offer of the king.

VERNON

VERNON Deliver²⁷ what you will, I’ll say ’tis so.

               Here comes your cousin.

        Enter Hotspur [and Douglas]

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR My uncle is returned.

30

30     Deliver up³⁰ my lord of Westmorland.—

               Uncle, what news?

WORCESTER

WORCESTER The king will bid you battle³² presently.

DOUGLAS

DOUGLAS Defy him by³³ the lord of Westmorland.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR Lord Douglas, go you and tell him so.

35

35     

DOUGLAS

DOUGLAS Marry, and shall, and very willingly.

        Exit Douglas

WORCESTER

WORCESTER There is no seeming³⁶ mercy in the king.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR Did you beg any? God forbid!

WORCESTER

WORCESTER I told him gently³⁸ of our grievances,

               Of his oath-breaking, which he mended³⁹ thus,

40

40     By now forswearing⁴⁰ that he is forsworn.

               He calls us rebels, traitors, and will scourge⁴¹

               With haughty arms this hateful name in us.

        Enter Douglas

DOUGLAS

DOUGLAS Arm,⁴³ gentlemen, to arms! For I have thrown

               A brave defiance in King Henry’s teeth,

45

45     And Westmorland that was engaged⁴⁵ did bear it,

               Which cannot choose but bring him quickly on.

WORCESTER

WORCESTER The Prince of Wales stepped forth before the king,

               And, nephew, challenged you to single fight.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR O, would⁴⁹ the quarrel lay upon our heads,

50

50     And that no man might draw short breath⁵⁰ today

               But I and Harry Monmouth!⁵¹ Tell me, tell me,

               How showed his talking? Seemed it in contempt?

VERNON

VERNON No, by my soul. I never in my life

               Did hear a challenge urged⁵⁴ more modestly,

55

55     Unless a brother should a brother dare

               To gentle⁵⁶ exercise and proof of arms.

               He gave you all the duties of⁵⁷ a man,

               Trimmed⁵⁸ up your praises with a princely tongue,

               Spoke your deservings like a chronicle,⁵⁹

60

60     Making⁶⁰ you ever better than his praise

               By still dispraising praise valued with you.

               And, which became him like a prince indeed,

               He made a blushing cital⁶³ of himself,

               And chid⁶⁴ his truant youth with such a grace

65

65     As if he mastered there a double⁶⁵ spirit

               Of teaching and of learning instantly.

               There did he pause. But let me tell the world,

               If he outlive the envy⁶⁸ of this day,

               England did never owe⁶⁹ so sweet a hope,

70

70     So much misconstrued in his wantonness.⁷⁰

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR Cousin, I think thou art enamourèd

               On⁷² his follies: never did I hear

               Of any prince so⁷³ wild a liberty.

               But be he as he will, yet once ere night

75

75     I will embrace him with a soldier’s arm,

               That he shall shrink⁷⁶ under my courtesy.

               Arm, arm with speed. And, fellows, soldiers, friends,

               Better⁷⁸ consider what you have to do

               Than I, that have not well the gift of tongue,

80

80     Can lift your blood up with persuasion.

        Enter a Messenger

MESSENGER

MESSENGER My lord, here are letters for you.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR I cannot read them now.

               O, gentlemen, the time of life is short!

               To⁸⁴ spend that shortness basely were too long,

85

85     If life did ride upon a dial’s point,

               Still ending at the arrival of an hour.

               And if we live, we live to tread on kings,

               If die, brave⁸⁸ death, when princes die with us!

               Now, for our consciences, the arms are fair,⁸⁹

90

90     When the intent for bearing them is just.

        Enter another Messenger

MESSENGER

MESSENGER My lord, prepare, the king comes on apace.⁹¹

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR I thank him, that he cuts me⁹² from my tale,

               For I profess not⁹³ talking. Only this:

               Let each man do his best. And here I draw a sword

95

95     Whose worthy temper⁹⁵ I intend to stain

               With the best blood that I can meet withal

               In the adventure⁹⁷ of this perilous day.

               Now, Esperance!⁹⁸ Percy! And set on.

               Sound all the lofty instruments⁹⁹ of war,

100

100   And by that music let us all embrace,

               For, heaven to earth,¹⁰¹ some of us never shall

               A second time do such a courtesy.

        They embrace [and exeunt]. The trumpets sound. The King entereth with his power. Alarum unto the battle. Then enter Douglas and Sir Walter Blunt [dressed like the King]

BLUNT

BLUNT What is thy name, that in battle thus

               Thou crossest me? What honour dost thou seek

105

105   Upon my head?

DOUGLAS

DOUGLAS Know then, my name is Douglas,

               And I do haunt¹⁰⁷ thee in the battle thus

               Because some tell me that thou art a king.

BLUNT

BLUNT They tell thee true.

110

110   

DOUGLAS

DOUGLAS               The Lord of Stafford dear¹¹⁰ today hath bought

               Thy likeness, for instead of thee, King Harry,

               This sword hath ended him. So shall it thee,

               Unless thou yield thee as a prisoner.

BLUNT

BLUNT I was not born to yield, thou haughty Scot,

115

115   And thou shalt find a king that will revenge

               Lord Stafford’s death.

        Fight. Blunt is slain

        Then enters Hotspur

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR O Douglas, had’st thou fought at Holmedon¹¹⁷ thus,

               I never had triumphed o’er a Scot.

DOUGLAS

DOUGLAS All’s done, all’s won, here breathless lies the king.

120

120   

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR               Where?

DOUGLAS

DOUGLAS Here.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR This, Douglas? No. I know this face full¹²² well:

               A gallant knight he was, his name was Blunt,

               Semblably furnished¹²⁴ like the king himself.

125

125   

DOUGLAS

DOUGLAS               Ah, fool, go with thy soul, whither it goes!

               A borrowed title hast thou bought too dear.

               Why didst thou tell me that thou wert a king?

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR The king hath many marching¹²⁸ in his coats.

DOUGLAS

DOUGLAS Now, by my sword, I will kill all his coats.

130

130   I’ll murder all his wardrobe, piece by piece,

               Until I meet the king.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR Up, and away!

               Our soldiers stand¹³³ full fairly for the day.

        Exeunt

        Alarum, and enter Falstaff, solus

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Though I could scape shot-free¹³⁴ at London, I fear the shot here: here’s no scoring¹³⁵ but upon the pate. Soft! Who are you? Sir Walter Blunt. There’s honour for you! Here’s no vanity!¹³⁶ I am as hot as molten lead,¹³⁷ and as heavy too; heaven keep lead out of me! I need no more weight than mine own bowels. I have led my ragamuffins¹³⁸ where they are peppered: there’s not three of my hundred and fifty left alive, and they for the town’s end,¹³⁹ to beg during life. But who comes here?

        Enter the Prince

140

140   

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY               What, stand’st thou idle here? Lend me thy sword.

               Many a nobleman lies stark and stiff

               Under the hoofs of vaunting¹⁴² enemies,

               Whose deaths are unrevenged. Prithee

               Lend me thy sword.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF O Hal, I prithee give me leave to breathe awhile. Turk Gregory¹⁴⁵ never did such deeds in arms as I have done this day. I have paid¹⁴⁶ Percy, I have made him sure.¹⁴⁷

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY He is, indeed, and living to kill thee. I prithee lend me thy sword.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Nay, Hal, if Percy be alive, thou get’st not my sword; but take my pistol, if thou wilt.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Give it me. What, is it in the case?¹⁵¹

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Ay, Hal, ’tis hot.¹⁵² There’s that will sack a city.

        The Prince draws out a bottle of sack

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY What, is it a time to jest and dally now?

        Exit. [He] throws it at him [as he leaves]

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF If Percy be alive, I’ll pierce¹⁵⁴ him. If he do come in my way, so:¹⁵⁶ if he do not, if I come in his willingly, let him make a carbonado¹⁵⁵ of me. I like not such grinning honour as Sir Walter hath. Give me life, which if I can save, so: if not, honour comes unlooked for,¹⁵⁷ and there’s an end.

        Exit

Act 5 Scene 35.3

running scene 16 continues

        Alarum. Excursions. Enter the King, the Prince, Lord John of Lancaster and Earl of Westmorland The Prince has been wounded

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV I prithee,

               Harry, withdraw thyself, thou bleed’st too much.

               Lord John of Lancaster, go you with him.

PRINCE JOHN

PRINCE JOHN Not I, my lord, unless I did bleed too.

5

5     

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY I beseech your majesty, make up,⁵

               Lest your retirement⁶ do amaze your friends.

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV I will do so.

               My lord of Westmorland, lead him to his tent.

WESTMORLAND

WESTMORLAND Come, my lord, I’ll lead you to your tent.

10

10     

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Lead me, my lord? I do not need your help;

               And heaven forbid a shallow scratch should drive

               The Prince of Wales from such a field as this,

               Where stained¹³ nobility lies trodden on,

               And rebels’ arms triumph in massacres!

15

15     

PRINCE JOHN

PRINCE JOHN We breathe¹⁵ too long: come, cousin Westmorland,

               Our duty this way lies. For heaven’s sake, come.

        [Exeunt Lancaster and Westmorland]

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY By heaven, thou hast deceived me, Lancaster.

               I did not think thee lord of such a spirit:

               Before, I loved thee as a brother, John;

20

20     But now, I do respect thee as my soul.

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV I saw him hold Lord Percy at the point²¹

               With lustier maintenance²² than I did look for

               Of such an ungrown²³ warrior.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY O, this boy lends mettle²⁴ to us all!

        Exit

        Enter Douglas

25

25     

DOUGLAS

DOUGLAS Another king? They grow like Hydra’s heads.²⁵

               I am the Douglas, fatal to all those

               That wear those colours²⁷ on them. What art thou,

               That counterfeit’st²⁸ the person of a king?

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV The king himself, who, Douglas, grieves at heart

30

30     So many of his shadows³⁰ thou hast met

               And not the very³¹ king. I have two boys

               Seek³² Percy and thyself about the field:

               But, seeing thou fall’st on me so luckily,

               I will assay³⁴ thee, so defend thyself.

35

35     

DOUGLAS

DOUGLAS           I fear thou art another counterfeit,

               And yet, in faith, thou bear’st thee like a king.

               But mine³⁷ I am sure thou art, whoe’er thou be,

               And thus I win thee.

        They fight, the King being in danger

        Enter Prince

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Hold up thy head, vile Scot, or thou art like³⁹

40

40     Never to hold it up again! The spirits

               Of valiant Shirley, Stafford, Blunt, are⁴¹ in my arms;

               It is the Prince of Wales that threatens thee,

               Who never promiseth but he means to pay.⁴³

        They fight. Douglas flieth

               Cheerly,⁴⁴ my lord. How fares your grace?

45

45     Sir Nicholas Gawsey hath for succour sent,

               And so hath Clifton: I’ll to Clifton straight.

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV Stay, and breathe awhile.

               Thou hast redeemed thy lost opinion,⁴⁸

               And showed thou mak’st⁴⁹ some tender of my life,

50

50     In this fair rescue thou hast brought to me.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY O heaven! They did me too much injury

               That ever said I hearkened⁵² to your death.

               If it were so, I might have let alone

               The insulting⁵⁴ hand of Douglas over you,

55

55     Which would have been as speedy in your end

               As all the poisonous potions in the world

               And saved the treacherous labour of your son.

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV Make up to⁵⁸ Clifton, I’ll to Sir Nicholas Gawsey.

        Exit

        Enter Hotspur

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR If I mistake not, thou art Harry Monmouth.

60

60     

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY           Thou speak’st as if I would deny my name.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR My name is Harry Percy.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Why, then I see

               A very valiant rebel of that name.

               I am the Prince of Wales; and think not, Percy,

65

65     To share with me in glory any more:

               Two stars keep not their motion⁶⁶ in one sphere,

               Nor can one England brook⁶⁷ a double reign,

               Of Harry Percy and the Prince of Wales.

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR Nor shall it, Harry, for the hour is come

70

70     To end the one of us; and would to heaven

               Thy name in arms⁷¹ were now as great as mine!

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY I’ll make it greater ere I part from thee,

               And all the budding⁷³ honours on thy crest

               I’ll crop, to make a garland for my head.

75

75     

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR I can no longer brook thy vanities.⁷⁵

        Fight

        Enter Falstaff

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Well said,⁷⁶ Hal! To it Hal! Nay, you shall find no boy’s play here, I can tell you.

        Enter Douglas, he fights with Falstaff, who falls down as if he were dead

        [Exit Douglas]

        The Prince killeth Percy [Hotspur]

HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR O, Harry, thou hast robbed me of my youth!

               I better brook the loss of brittle⁷⁹ life

80

80     Than those proud titles⁸⁰ thou hast won of me.

               They wound my thoughts worse than the sword my flesh:

               But thought’s the slave of life, and life, time’s fool;

               And time that takes survey of all the world

               Must have a stop. O, I could prophesy,⁸⁴

85

85     But that the earth and the cold hand of death

               Lies on my tongue. No, Percy, thou art dust

               And food for— Dies

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY For worms, brave Percy. Farewell, great heart!

               Ill-weaved⁸⁹ ambition, how much art thou shrunk?

90

90     When that this body did contain a spirit,

               A kingdom for it was too⁹¹ small a bound,

               But now two paces of the vilest earth

               Is room enough. This earth that bears thee dead

               Bears not alive so stout⁹⁴ a gentleman.

95

95     If thou wert sensible⁹⁵ of courtesy,

               I should not make so great a show of zeal,⁹⁶

               But let my favours⁹⁷ hide thy mangled face, Covers Hotspur’s face

               And, even in thy behalf, I’ll thank myself

               For doing these fair rites of tenderness.

100

100   Adieu, and take thy praise with thee to heaven!

               Thy ignominy¹⁰¹ sleep with thee in the grave,

               But not remembered in thy epitaph!—

               What? Old acquaintance? Could not all this flesh He sees Falstaff on the ground

               Keep in a little life? Poor Jack, farewell!

105

105   I could have better spared a better man.

               O, I should have a heavy¹⁰⁶ miss of thee,

               If I were much in love with vanity!

               Death hath not struck so fat a deer today,

               Though many dearer,¹⁰⁹ in this bloody fray.

110

110   Embowelled¹¹⁰ will I see thee by and by:

               Till then in blood¹¹¹ by noble Percy lie.

        Exit

        Falstaff riseth up

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Embowelled! If thou embowel me today, I’ll give you leave to powder¹¹² me and eat me too tomorrow. ’Twas time to counterfeit, or that hot termagant¹¹³ Scot had paid me scot and lot¹¹⁴ too. Counterfeit? I am no counterfeit; to die, is to be a counterfeit, for he is but the counterfeit of a man who hath not the life of a man. But to counterfeit dying, when a man thereby liveth, is to be no counterfeit, but the true and perfect image of life indeed. The better part of valour is discretion,¹¹⁷ in the which better part I have saved my life. I am afraid of this gunpowder¹¹⁸ Percy, though he be dead. How, if he should counterfeit too and rise? I am afraid he would prove the better counterfeit: therefore I’ll make him sure, yea, and I’ll swear I killed him. Why may not he rise as well as I? Nothing confutes¹²¹ me but eyes, and nobody sees me. Stabs him Therefore, sirrah, with a new wound in your thigh, come you along with me.

        Takes Hotspur on his back

        Enter Prince and John of Lancaster

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Come, brother John, full bravely hast thou fleshed¹²⁴

125

125   Thy maiden¹²⁵ sword.

PRINCE JOHN

PRINCE JOHN But, soft! Who have we here?

               Did you not tell me this fat man was dead?

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY I did. I saw him dead,

               Breathless and bleeding on the ground.—

130

130   Art thou alive? Or is it fantasy¹³⁰ To Falstaff

               That plays upon our eyesight? I prithee speak.

               We will not trust our eyes without our ears.

               Thou art not what thou seem’st.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF No, that’s certain: I am not a double man.¹³⁴ But if I be not Jack¹³⁵ Falstaff, then am I a jack. There is Percy. Throws the body down If your father will do me any honour, so: if not, let him kill the next Percy himself. I look to be either earl or duke, I can assure you.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Why, Percy I killed myself and saw thee dead.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF Didst thou? Lord, Lord, how the world is given to lying! I grant you I was down and out of breath, and so was he. But we rose both at an instant¹³⁹ and fought a long hour by Shrewsbury clock.¹⁴⁰ If I may be believed, so: if not, let them that should reward valour bear the sin upon their own heads. I’ll take’t¹⁴¹ on my death, I gave him this wound in the thigh: if the man were alive and would deny it, I would make him eat a piece of my sword.

PRINCE JOHN

PRINCE JOHN This is the strangest tale that e’er I heard.

145

145   

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY               This is the strangest fellow, brother John.—

               Come, bring your luggage¹⁴⁶ nobly on your back. To Falstaff

               For my part, if a lie may do thee grace,¹⁴⁷

               I’ll gild¹⁴⁸ it with the happiest terms I have.—

        A retreat is sounded

               The¹⁴⁹ trumpets sound retreat, the day is ours.—

150

150   Come, brother, let’s to the highest¹⁵⁰ of the field,

               To see what friends are living, who are dead.

        Exeunt [Prince Henry and Lancaster]

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF I’ll follow, as they say, for reward. He that rewards me, heaven reward him! If I do¹⁵³ grow great again, I’ll grow less, for I’ll purge, and leave sack, and live cleanly as a nobleman should do.

        Exit

Act 5 Scene 4

running scene 16 continues

        The trumpets sound. Enter the King, Prince of Wales, Lord John of Lancaster, Earl of Westmorland [and others], with Worcester and Vernon prisoners

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV Thus ever did rebellion find rebuke.¹

               Ill-spirited² Worcester, did we not send grace,

               Pardon and terms of love to all of you?

               And wouldst thou turn⁴ our offers contrary?

5

5     Misuse⁵ the tenor of thy kinsman’s trust?

               Three knights upon our party⁶ slain today,

               A noble earl and many a creature else

               Had been alive this hour,

               If like a Christian thou hadst truly borne

10

10     Betwixt our armies true intelligence.¹⁰

WORCESTER

WORCESTER What I have done my safety¹¹ urged me to,

               And I embrace this fortune patiently,

               Since not to be avoided it falls on me.

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV Bear Worcester to death¹⁴ and Vernon too:

15

15     Other offenders we will pause upon.¹⁵

        Exeunt Worcester and Vernon, [guarded]

               How goes the field?¹⁶

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY The noble Scot, Lord Douglas, when he saw

               The fortune of the day quite turned from him,

               The noble Percy slain, and all his men

20

20     Upon²⁰ the foot of fear, fled with the rest;

               And falling from a hill, he was so bruised

               That the pursuers took²² him. At my tent

               The Douglas is, and I beseech your grace

               I may dispose of²⁴ him.

25

25     

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV           With all my heart.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Then, brother John of Lancaster, to you

               This honourable bounty²⁷ shall belong:

               Go to the Douglas, and deliver him

               Up to his pleasure,²⁹ ransomless and free:

30

30     His valour shown upon our crests³⁰ today

               Hath taught us how to cherish such high³¹ deeds

               Even³² in the bosom of our adversaries.

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV Then this remains, that we divide our power.³³—

               You, son John, and my cousin Westmorland

35

35     Towards York shall bend you³⁵ with your dearest speed,

               To meet Northumberland and the prelate³⁶ Scroop,

               Who, as we hear, are busily in arms.³⁷—

               Myself and you, son Harry, will towards Wales,

               To fight with Glendower and the Earl of March.

40

40     Rebellion in this land shall lose his way,

               Meeting the check⁴¹ of such another day.

               And since this business so fair⁴² is done,

               Let us not leave⁴³ till all our own be won.

        Exeunt

Textual Notes

Q = First Quarto text of 1598

Q5 = Fifth Quarto text of 1613

Q7 = Seventh Quarto text of 1632

F = First Folio text of 1623

F2 = a correction introduced in the Second Folio text of 1632

F3 = a correction introduced in the Third Folio text of 1663–64

Ed = a correction introduced by a later editor

SD = stage direction

SH = speech heading (i.e., speaker’s name)

List of parts = Ed

BARDOLPH = F. Q = Bardoll

1.1.64 Stained = Q. F = Strain’d 66 welcome = Q. F = welcomes 76 In…is = Ed. F includes at end of king’s speech, making his answer his own rhetorical question

1.2.0 SD Falstaff = Ed. F = Falstaffe and Pointz (it is conceivable that Poins enters here and remains silently in the background during the first 74 lines of dialogue, but more likely that he enters when his name is mentioned at line 72) 29 of Hybla = Q. Not in F 55 similes = Q5. F = smiles 61 for…it = F. Q = for wisedome cries out in the streets and no man regards it 72 Poins set as a speech heading in F 82 had been = Q. F = had 108 Peto, Bardolph = Ed. F = Haruey, Rossill (Shakespeare’s original names for these characters) 152 foil = Q. F = soyle

1.3.24 name = Q. Not in F 27 As…son = F. Q = As is deliuered to your maiestie. / Either enuie therefore, or misprision, / Is guiltie of this fault, and not my sonne (F is more likely to be purposeful revision than compositorial error) 43 bore = Q. F = bare 45 corpse spelled corse in F 68 this = F. Q = his 78 yet he doth= Q. F = yet doth 136 downfall = F. Q = down-trod 164 wore = F. Q = weare 239 poisoned him = F. Q = him poisoned 256 candy = Q. F = caudie 303 Lord = Ed. F = loe

2.1.25 SH FIRST CARRIER = Ed. F = Car.

2.2.0 SD and Bardolph (not in F but implied by Q’s ‘and Peto &c.’) 8 thief’s = Q. F = Theefe 9 square spelled squire in F 20 me my = Q. F = my 35 SH BARDOLPH = Ed. F = Bardolfe, what newes? (continuation of Poins’ speech) 36 SH GADSHILL = Ed. F = Bar. 55 SH FIRST TRAVELLER = Ed. F = Tra. 60 Ah, whoreson = Ed. F = a whorson

2.3.1 SH HOTSPUR = Ed. Not in F 11 our friends = Q. F = our Friend 46 beads = Q. F = beds 100 well believe = Q. F = will beleeue 102 far will = Q. F = farre wilt

2.4.90 and foot them = Q. Not in F 96 with lime in’t F (uncorrected) reads with in’t F (corrected) reads with lime 109 SH POINS = Q. F = Prin. 146 ward = Q. F = word 171 the = F. Q = their 181 plentiful = Q. F = plentie 244 talon spelled talent in F 247 Braby = F. Q = Bracy 248 That = Q. F = The 253 that = Q. F = the 290 tristful = Ed. F = trustfull 299 sun spelled Sonne in F 352 most = Q. F = most most 403 march = Q. F = Match

3.1.44 the = F. Q = he 65 sent = Q. F = hent 191 our = Q. F = your 218 ’twixt = Q. F = betwixt 226 hence = Q. F = thence

3.2.154 heaven…survive = F. Q = God I promise heere, / The which if he be pleasd I shall performe (F alteration due to 1606 Parliamentary ‘Act to restrain the Abuses of Players’)

3.3.16 my = Q. F = thy 25 son spelled sunne in F 38 tithe = Ed. F = tight 60 sneak-cup = F. Q = sneakeup 97 owed spelled ought in F 126 and cherish = F. Q = cherish (F sets this speech as verse, though it is prose in Q; seems to have been added in an attempt to create a pentameter line)

4.1.21 I his mind = F. Q = I my mind. Ed = I, my lord 63 hair = Q. F = Heire 81 our = Q. F = your 88 as = Q. F = At dream = F. Q = tearme 92 with him = Q. F = with 127 hot = Q. F = not

4.2.2 Coldfield = Ed. F = cop-hill 14 fowl = Q. F = Foole 24 tattered = F3. F = totter’d

4.4.0 SD Michael spelled Michell in F

5.1.47 swore = Q. F = sware 72 your younger = Q. F = yonger 134 Is it = F. Q = tis

5.2.8 other = Q. F = others 31 news = Q. F = newe- 52 talking = F. Q = tasking 73 a liberty = Q. F = at Liberty 79 Than = Q. F = That 89 are = Q. F = is 138 ragamuffins = Ed. F = rag of Muffins 141 lies = Q. F = likes

5.3.6 Lest your = Q. F = Least you 63 that = F. Q = the 93 thee dead = Q7. Q/F = the dead 123 with me = Q. F = me

Act 1 Scene 1

 1.1    Location: the royal court. Henry Bullingbrook had usurped the English crown in 1399 when he forced his cousin, Richard II, to abdicate. Richard died shortly afterward in mysterious circumstances. The early years of Henry’s reign were dominated by a determination to justify and consolidate his claim to the throne and by a number of insurrections. As the play opens, Henry voices his anxiety about civil unrest

    1    we i.e., the king/the nation as a whole wan pale, sickly

    2    Find we let us find frighted frightened

    3    breathe short-winded accents speak while out of breath broils quarrels, fighting

    4    strands afar remote distant shores

    5    entrance mouth

    6    daub smear, plaster

    7    trenching ploughing

    8    flow’rets small flowers armèd iron-shod/armored

    9    paces (horse’s) tread/gallop opposèd hostile, malevolent

  10    meteors regarded as bad omens

  12    intestine shock internal, domestic military encounter

  13    close hand-to-hand fighting

  14    mutual well-beseeming united and ordered

  19    sepulchre of Christ Christ’s tomb (at Jerusalem; Henry is planning a crusade to the Holy Land)

  21    impressèd conscripted engaged pledged, committed

  22    power army levy raise, muster

  23    arms upper limbs/weapons mother’s natural mother’s/England’s

  24    fields lands/battlefields

  25    blessèd feet i.e., Christ’s

  27    bitter painful/pitiable

  29    bootless pointless

  31    gentle kindly/noble cousin kinsman

  32    yesternight last night

  33    dear important/urgent/noble/costly expedience expedition

  34    liege lord, superior to whom feudal service was due hot in question hotly debated

  35    limits…charge responsibilities relating to the undertaking

  36    But only, as recently as athwart adversely, at odds with our business

  37    post messenger loaden weighed down heavy sad/weighty

  40    irregular…Glendower uncivilized guerrilla fighter (Glendower was leader of the Welsh rebels)

  41    rude rough

  43    corpse corpses

  44    transformation mutilation

  47    tidings news

  48    Brake archaic past tense of “break”

  49    matched with together with, accompanied by

  50    uneven rough, unsettling

  52    Holy Rood day September 14, dedicated to the cross (rood) of Christ Hotspur Henry Percy’s nickname suggests that he is vigorous, hasty, and hot-headed

  54    approvèd tried and tested (in battle)

  55    Holmedon the Northumberland site of the battle

  56    sad serious/leading to sorrow

  58    shape of likelihood likely conjecture

  59    heat…contention middle of the fiercest fighting

  61    issue outcome any either

  62    Here either “here at court” or a line indicating Blunt’s presence among the “other” lords in attendance on stage

  63    new lighted only just dismounted

  64    variation of each different types of

  65    Betwixt between seat residence/throne

  66    smooth pleasant, welcome

  67    discomfited defeated

  69    Balked heaped up (in “balks,” i.e., ridges)

  71    Mordake…Douglas Mordake was Earl of Fife but not Douglas’ son—Shakespeare misread Holinshed’s Chronicles, his main source

  73    Menteith not in fact another earl, but one of Mordake’s titles

  74    honourable spoil noble gains of war

  75    gallant fine, splendid

  80    theme subject, chief topic

  81    straightest plant most upright tree

  82    minion favorite

  84    riot debauchery, corruption

  86    night-tripping moving nimbly through the night fairy popular belief held that fairies sometimes stole human infants, substituting (troublesome) fairy children for them

  88    Plantagenet the surname of this royal dynasty

  90    from go from coz short for “cousin” (i.e., kinsman)

  92    adventure enterprise, venture surprised captured, ambushed

  97    prune preen (like a bird) bristle raise, ruffle angrily

  98    dignity worthiness/kingship

100    cause reason

106    out…utterèd can be spoken openly in anger

Act 1 Scene 2

 1.2    Location: in London, but unspecified; perhaps the prince’s apartments

    2    fat-witted dull-witted (plays on Falstaff’s physical size) sack Spanish white wine

    3    forgotten neglected/forgotten how

    4    demand that truly ask accurately, rightly truly genuinely/accurately

    5    capons castrated cockerels, a common dish

    6    bawds pimps, procurers of sex dials sundials/clock faces leaping-houses brothels

    7    hot lustful taffeta silky material associated with prostitutes

    8    superfluous unnecessarily curious, irrelevant

    9    come near me touch the point, begin to understand me go by travel by the light of/tell the time according to

  10    the seven stars the Pleiades (a group of stars in the constellation Taurus) Phoebus the sun god ‘wandering…fair’ probably a phrase from a ballad or popular romance, referring to the sun as a knight in a tale of romance

  11    wag mischievous boy grace term of address for royalty (but sense then shifts to “spiritual grace” and then to “prayer before a meal”)

  14    egg and butter i.e., a very light meal (barely requiring grace tobe said as a blessing)

  15    roundly plainly, straightforwardly (may play on Falstaff’s shape)

  16    Marry by the Virgin Mary squires…body the night’s personal attendants (night’s puns on “knight’s”)

  17    thieves…beauty i.e., by sleepily wasting the day (beauty puns on “booty”) Diana Roman goddess of the moon, patron of hunting and virginity foresters forest dwellers, servants

  18    minions favorites of good government of good conduct/who live under a good ruler

  20    countenance face, appearance/support, authority steal rob/move furtively

  21    holds applies, is apt

  24    ‘Lay by’ highwayman’s command that his victims lay aside their weapons

  25    ‘Bring in’ an order for drinks now…gallows one moment one’s fortune is as low as the bottom of the ladder leading to the gallows, the next as high as the crossbar at the top of the gallows—i.e., whatever a thief’s course, the result (hanging) is the same

  27    hostess landlady

  29    Hybla Sicilian town famous for its honey old…castle carouser (plays on “Oldcastle,” Shakespeare’s original name for Falstaff; castle may play on the sense of “stocks,” instruments of public punishment in which a thief might be confined; a London brothel called The Castle may also be alluded to, appropriately named given that castle was slang for “vagina”) buff jerkin tight leather jacket worn by sheriffs officers (plays on the sense of “naked vagina”)

  30    robe of durance long-lasting garment (with sexual connotations; durance plays on the sense of “imprisonment”)

  31    quiddities quibbles

  32    What a plague emphatic form of “what”

  33    pox venereal disease

  34    called…reck’ning asked her for the bill/asked her to explain herself/had sex with her

  35    pay thy part pay for your share/have sex

  37    coin would stretch money would go/penis would grow; coin puns on “quoin”—i.e., carpenter’s wedge (a euphemism for “penis”)

  39    heir puns on here (which was pronounced in a similar manner)

  41    resolution determination fobbed cheated curb restraint (literally, chain passed under a horse’s jaw) old father antic the elderly buffoon (that is)

  44    rare splendid brave fine, excellent

  47    jumps…humour fits my disposition

  48    waiting waiting around/being in attendance

  49    suits requests, legal petitions (Falstaff plays on the sense of “suits of clothes”; the hangman had the right to keep his victims’ garments)

  50    no lean wardrobe i.e., no small amount (because hangings were common; wardrobe may pun on “wardrope,” a type of thick rope)

  51    gib cat tom cat lugged bear baited bear, pulled by the ears and tugged on a chain

  52    lute the stringed instrument was associated with lovers

  53    bagpipe musical instrument/tedious, moaning speaker

  54    hare a proverbially melancholy animal Moorditch notoriously filthy drainage ditch outside the northern walls of the City of London

  56    comparative prone to making comparisons rascalli’st most rascal-like

  57    vanity foolishness, trifles commodity supply names reputations

  58    rated scolded

  59    marked him not took no notice of him

  61    no…it biblical allusion, “Wisdom crieth without…and no man regarded” (Proverbs 1:20–4), truncated in Folio because of the 1606 Parliamentary “Act to restrain the Abuses of Players”

  62    damnable iteration a way of constantly quoting Scripture that will lead to damnation saint puritan term for a person chosen by God to be saved

  65    An if

  66    never a no

  67    Jack affectionate form of “John”

  68    make one make up one of the party

  69    baffle publicly disgrace (a knight)

  70    amendment reformation

  71    vocation calling (from God)

  72    Gadshill named after Gad’s Hill in Kent, a notorious place for highway robberies set a watch surveyed the targeted area, conducted a recce (as part of planning a robbery; some editors emend to “set a match”—slang for “plan a robbery”)

  73    saved by merit had their souls saved through good works and personal desert (as opposed to divine grace)

  74    omnipotent unparalleled, almighty ‘Stand’ stand and deliver—highwayman’s command true honest

  76    Monsieur Remorse teasing reference to Falstaff Sir…Jack i.e., Falstaff; another mocking reference, apparently alluding to Falstaff’s taste for sweetened wine

  78    Good Friday the Friday before Easter Sunday, a strict fast day Madeira a strong white wine

  80    give…due proverbial

  82    Else he had Otherwise he had been cozening cheating

  83    Gad’s Hill the notorious spot for robberies was situated on the Dover road near Rochester in Kent; pilgrims traveling to Canterbury were often targets

  85    vizards masks

  86    lies lodges bespoke ordered

  87    Eastcheap London street running from the junction of Cannon and Gracechurch Streets to Great Tower Street secure safely

  88    crowns gold coins tarry stay

  89    Yedward dialect form of “Edward” hang you i.e., report it and get you hanged

  90    chops fat cheeks

  94    blood royal regal descent (Falstaff goes on to play on the sense of “gold coin worth ten shillings“) stand for stand and fight for/be worth

102    Well…believed Falstaff parodies the language of a Protestant sermon on the power of God’s word to move the congregation

104    abuses wrongdoings, sins

105    want countenance lack recognition and support

106    latter…summer late spring and summer lasting until All Hallows’ Eve (October 31); the suggestion is that Falstaff’s youthful behavior is not in keeping with his age

109    waylaid set an ambush for

114    pleasure preference, decision fail i.e., to turn up

117    like likely habits clothes

118    appointment piece of gear

120    sirrah sir (familiar form often used to inferiors, jocular here) cases of buckram suits of coarse cloth

121    nonce purpose, occasion immask disguise noted well known

122    doubt fear hard tough, powerful

124    turned back turned their backs to flee forswear swear to give up

125    incomprehensible boundless, unlimited

127    wards defensive maneuvers (fencing term) reproof disproving, refutation/shame, reprimand

130    sup have supper (the last meal of the day)

132    uphold carry on with/support

133    unyoked humour unrestrained behavior, wild whim

134    sun common symbol of royalty

135    contagious noxious, infectious; clouds were thought to harbor disease

138    wanted missed, lacked

142    sport play, entertain oneself

144    rare accidents unusual events

148    falsify men’s hopes prove expectations of me false

149    sullen ground dark background

152    foil contrast, background (technically, setting for a jewel)

153    so offend misbehave in such a way skill art/cunning tactic

154    Redeeming time making up for lost time (Redeeming has religious connotations)

Act 1 Scene 3

 1.3    Location: the royal court

    1    temperate calm, restrained

    2    Unapt not inclined or ready to

    3    found me found me to be so

    4    tread upon try, take advantage of

    5    myself my royal self

    6    condition natural disposition

    8    title of claim

    9    proud fine, splendid, possessed of self-respect

  10    house family

  11    scourge punishing whip

  13    holp helped portly prosperous, majestic/overweight, too comfortable

  17    peremptory determined/imperious

  19    moody frontier threatening look frontier literally, military fortification

  20    good leave full permission

  21    use services

  26    with…denied refused so emphatically

  27    delivered reported

  28    envy or misprision malice or misunderstanding

  32    dry with rage thirsty after the fury of battle

  34    neat elegant trimly finely, immaculately

  35    new reaped freshly shaven

  36    stubble-land at harvest-home shorn stalks of crops at the end of the harvest

  37    milliner seller of fancy goods (originally those from Milan)

  39    pouncet-box small box with a perforated lid, used for holding perfume or snuff ever and anon time and again

  40    gave held up to

  41    Who therewith angry at which (removal of the box) his nose became angry

  42    Took…snuff inhaled/took offense still continually

  44    untaught ignorant, ill-mannered

  45    slovenly dirty, untidy unhandsome unattractive, unbecoming

  46    nobility elegant, aristocratic personage

  47    holiday…terms refined, genteel expressions

  48    questioned conversed with/asked questions of

  50    cold untended/congealing

  51    popinjay parrot (i.e., gaudy prattler)

  52    grief pain

  53    neglectingly unthinkingly, carelessly

  55    brisk sprucely, smartly

  56    waiting-gentlewoman woman of good family attending on a great lady

  57    God…mark! conventional expression of apology

  58    sovereign’st best, most healing

  59    parmaceti corruption of “spermaceti”—fat from the head of a sperm whale, used for treating bruises

  61    saltpetre potassium nitrate, the chief ingredient of gunpowder, also used medicinally

  63    tall fine, valiant

  66    bald unjointed chat empty, incoherent chatter

  67    indirectly inattentively

  68    beseech beg

  69    Come current be accepted at face value

  74    retold related, explained

  75    die i.e., be forgotten

  76    impeach discredit, accuse

  77    so provided that

  78    yet he still Hotspur (the king does not reply to him directly) deny refuse (to hand over)

  79    proviso and exception terms and conditions

  80    charge expense straight straight away

  85    Earl of March i.e., Mortimer; in fact, Shakespeare confuses two Edmund Mortimers: one was indeed the Earl of March, but it was his uncle of the same name who married Glendower’s daughter

  86    coffers money chests, treasury

  88    indent make a contract fears those traitors who give us cause for fear/cowards

  93    revolted rebellious

  95    fall off abandon loyalty

  98    mouthèd open, gaping/famous, spoken of

  99    Severn’s sedgy bank reed-covered banks of the River Severn, which divided England and south Wales

101    confound spend, consume

102    changing hardiment exchanging valiant blows

103    breathed broke off to catch their breath

104    Upon agreement by mutual consent flood water, torrent

105    affrighted frightened

107    crisp wavy, rippled (personifies the river as curly-haired) hollow empty, sunken

109    base…policy lowly and corrupt plotting

110    Colour disguise/dye

113    slandered “sland’red” in Folio revolt i.e., the accusation of being a rebel

114    belie misrepresent, lie about

115    encounter fight

116    durst (would have) dared

121    kind manner

123    license formally authorize

125    An if if

126    after follow

128    with hazard of at the risk (of losing)

129    choler anger

133    Want mercy lack God’s mercy, i.e., be damned

136    downfall downfallen

138    ingrate ungrateful cankered diseased, corrupted Bullingbrook Henry’s surname before he was king (taken from the castle in which he was born—Hotspur refuses to acknowledge Henry’s royal status)

140    heat anger

141    forsooth in truth

142    urged pressed, brought forward

144    eye of death fearful look, perhaps also threatening

146    he i.e., Mortimer

147    Richard Richard II, deposed by Henry next of blood nearest blood relation, i.e., heir to the throne; confusion between the two Mortimers continues—it was in fact the younger man who was proclaimed heir, rather than his uncle (husband of Glendower’s daughter and the man who is meant here)

149    unhappy unfortunate

150    in us i.e., at our hands—the Percy family had supported Henry against Richard

152    intercepted interrupted (in the middle of his Irish campaign)

156    soft wait a moment

157    brother brother-in-law

160    cousin may pun on “cozen” (i.e., “cheat”)

164    blot (moral) stain

165    subornation incitement (to Richard’s murder)

167    second means agents, instruments

170    line status (plays on the sense of “rope”) predicament category/dangerous situation

171    range move/are ranked subtle crafty

175    gage pledge

178    canker wild rose/worm that destroys plants/ulcer

180    fooled made fools of/duped, frustrated

186    studies reflects, plans, endeavors

187    answer repay

191    unclasp i.e., open

192    quick-conceiving ready, quick to understand

193    deep deep-rooted/grave/cunning

195    o’er-walk cross

196    unsteadfast unsteady spear i.e., used as a bridge

197    goodnight i.e., he’s dead or…swim whether he sinks or swims/he’ll either sink or swim

199    So provided cross meet/thwart, oppose

207    fathom-line weighted line used for measuring the depth of water

209    redeem rescue, restore thence from there

210    corrival rival, competitor

211    out upon away with half-faced fellowship partial, unsatisfactory partnership

212    apprehends conceives of, perceives figures images/forms/figures of speech

213    form essential principle attend consider

214    list listen

215    cry you mercy beg your pardon

219    Scot puns on the sense of “small payment”

229    holla shout

232    still constantly

234    defy renounce

235    gall and pinch irritate and torment

236    sword-and-buckler weapons associated with servants; a gentleman carried rapier and dagger buckler small shield

237    But that were it not for the fact that

238    mischance accident

241    better…attend in the right frame of mind to listen

244    Tying…own listening to no one but yourself

246    pismires ants

247    politician crafty plotter

250    duke his uncle i.e., Edmund of Langley, Duke of York kept lived

253    Ravenspurgh Spurn Head on the Yorkshire coast

254    Berkeley Castle a castle in Gloucestershire, near Bristol

256    candy deal sickly sweet (flattering) quantity

258    Look when wait for the time when, as soon as infant…age i.e., I come into my inheritance

260    cozeners deceivers (puns on “cousin”)

263    stay await

264    sooth truth

267    the Douglas’ son i.e., Mordake mean For powers agent or means of raising an army

268    divers various

272    bosom i.e., confidence, trust

273    prelate church dignitary

276    bears hard takes badly

277    lord Scroop William Scroop, Earl of Wiltshire, executed by Bullingbrook in 1399; in fact the archbishop’s cousin

278    estimation guessing

281    stays waits face…occasion i.e., opportunity

283    smell it catch the scent, as in hunting

285    Before…slip you always release the dogs before the prey has been sighted

287    power army

290    aimed devised, directed

292    head army

293    even steadily, patiently

296    pay us home repay us in full/administer a fatal blow

302    suddenly soon

303    steal go secretly

304    at once all at the same time

305    happily fortunately

310    fields battlefields

Act 2 Scene 1

 2.1    Location: an inn-yard on the road between London and Canterbury Carrier deliveryman

    1    by the day in the morning Charles’ wain Charlemagne’s wagon, old name for the constellation of the Plough

    2    packed loaded ostler groom at an inn

    3    anon soon, in a moment

    4    Tom presumably the Second Carrier, though possibly the Ostler beat Cut’s saddle beating a saddle would soften it; Cut is the horse’s name flocks tufts of wool (for padding) point pommel of saddle

    5    jade worn-out old horse wrung…withers rubbed sore between the shoulders out…cess beyond measure

    6    Peas and beans i.e., horses’ food dank…dog damp

    7    bots intestinal worms house inn

    9    joyed was happy

  12    tench freshwater fish with spots said to resemble flea bites

  14    first cock first cockcrow, midnight

  15    jordan chamber-pot leak urinate

  16    chimney fireplace chamber-lye urine loach small freshwater fish, thought to harbor fleas

  17    Come away come along

  18    gammon of bacon ham razes either “races” (roots) or “rasers” (a measure amounting to four bushels)

  19    Charing Cross village between London and Westminster, site of a market

  20    pannier one of a pair of baskets

  21    An…thee if cracking your skull were not as good a thing as drinking

  23    Hast have you faith honesty, trustworthiness

  25    two o’clock either an error, since the First Carrier earlier said that he thought it was four o’clock, or a lie to mislead Gadshill (who may have aroused suspicion)

  26    gelding castrated horse

  27    I…that i.e., I’m not so stupid as to fall for such an old trick

  29    Ay…tell? What time is it? Do you know? (repeating Gadshill’s earlier request); or proverbial phrase meaning “you must be joking” quoth a did you say

  32    Time…candle i.e., sometime tonight warrant assure

  33    neighbour Mugs i.e., the First Carrier; neighbour is a friendly form of address call wake along…charge want to travel in a group because they’re carrying valuable goods Chamberlain inn attendant in charge of the bedrooms

  36    At …pick-purse I’m ready, as the pickpocket says

  37    That’s…as i.e., you might as well have said

  38    giving…labouring giving orders does from working

  39    lay’st…how devise the plan, direct the thief

  40    holds current that remains true what

  41    franklin small landowner wild of Kent Kentish weald, wooded country between the North and South Downs of southern England three…gold i.e., £200, a mark was an accounting unit (rather than a coin) worth two-thirds of a pound

  43    auditor treasury official abundance of charge a lot of baggage

  44    eggs and butter i.e., breakfast presently immediately

  45    Saint Nicholas’ clerks thieves, highwaymen; Saint Nicholas was supposedly their patron saint I’ll…neck i.e., you can hang me

  50    starveling skinny, starving person Trojans fine fellows (slang) the which who

  51    profession i.e., of robbery

  52    make all whole put everything right, sort things out

  53    foot-land rakers thieves who operate on foot (as opposed to on a horse) long-staff sixpenny strikers thieves who, merely to steal sixpence, strike their victims with a long stick mustachio purple-hued malt-worms purple-faced drunkards with large moustaches

  54    tranquillity those living a peaceful life burgomasters town officials

  55    oneyers exact meaning uncertain, perhaps “ones,” i.e., great personages hold in hold firm/keep silent

  57    commonwealth nation

  58    ride i.e., like a horse, but also with sexual connotations boots booty, plunder (the Chamberlain plays on the sense of “footwear”; there is also a quibble on the sense of “vagina”)

  59    hold…way keep you dry on a muddy road/piss herself

  61    liquored oiled (to make waterproof)/plied with alcohol as…castle i.e., in complete safety

  62    cocksure completely secure receipt of fern-seed recipe for fern-seed (supposed to confer invisibility)

  65    true honest

  68    Homo Latin for “man” common name to general name for

  69    muddy muddled, dull-witted (plays on the sense of “dirty”)

Act 2 Scene 2

 2.2    Location: the highway near Gad’s Hill

    1    frets…velvet fusses or, literally, frays like cheap velvet stiffened with gum

    3    close concealed

    5    fat-kidneyed i.e., fat-bellied (rascal may play on the sense of “young or inferior deer,” a creature Falstaff is frequently compared to) keep make, keep up

    9    by the square exactly square a measuring instrument

  10    break my wind lose my breath (plays on the sense of “fart”) Well…rogue I expect to die well despite everything, as long as I’m not hanged for killing Poins

  13    medicines potions

  15    ere before An if

  16    turn true man reform, become honest/become an informer veriest varlet most complete rogue

  20    Whew! Expression of alarm or perhaps Falstaff trying to whistle

  25    exchequer treasury

  26    colt cheat

  27    uncolted without a horse

  28    to i.e., to find, but the prince takes him to mean “to mount”

  30    heir-apparent garters jokes on the fact that as heir apparent, the prince belonged to the knightly Order of the Garter peach turn informer, betray (my accomplices)

  31    ballads…all songs made up about you filthy disgraceful, obscene

  32    forward far advanced/presumptuous, immodest afoot when the robbery plot is underway/when I am on foot

  35    setter one who plans robberies

  37    Case ye mask yourselves

  40    make us all make our fortunes

  42    front confront

  43    lower further down light on come upon

  44    be are there

  48    Gaunt plays on the literal sense of “thin” (though actually the name was a form of “Ghent”)

  49    proof test

  54    hard near

  55    happy…dole may good fortune be every man’s lot

  60    whoreson caterpillars bastard parasites whoreson son of a whore

  61    bacon-fed fat, well-fed youth youngsters

  62    undone ruined

  63    gorbellied big-bellied chuffs clowns/misers

  64    store savings, full possessions bacons pigs

  65    grand-jurors wealthy men, eligible to sit on a jury jure judge, see to/make a juror of

  67    argument a topic of conversation

  70    my masters sirs

  71    arrant absolute equity stirring judgement in the world

  72    wild duck i.e., easily frightened

  80    lards drips fat on

Act 2 Scene 3

 2.3    Location: Hotspur’s estate (historically, Warkworth Castle in Northumberland) solus alone

    2    house family (Hotspur goes on to play on the literal meaning, contrasting it with barn)

    8    uncertain unreliable unsorted unsuitable

    9    counterpoise counterbalance

  10    hind peasant/menial/nervous female deer lack-brain idiot

  11    protest declare, affirm

  12    expectation promise

  13    lord of York the Archbishop of York, Richard Scroop

  15    brain…fan knock his brains out with a lady’s fan—light and suitable for one with little brain

  17    the Douglas Archibald, Earl of Douglas; the signifies the head of a Scottish clan

  19    in…of i.e., really motivated by

  21    go to buffets come to blows (with myself) moving trying to persuade dish…milk i.e., weak, cowardly one

  22    action course of action/military enterprise/rhetorical gesture/division in a logical argument prepared drawn up for military action

  29    stomach appetite

  33    treasures…rights treasured intimacy and wifely rights

  34    thick-eyed dull-sighted, preoccupied/heavy-lidded (from lack of sleep)

  35    faint light, restless watched remained awake

  37    terms of manage words of control

  39    sallies and retires advances and retreats

  40    palisadoes defensive fortifications

  41    basilisks large cannon (named after a mythical reptile) culverin another type of large cannon

  43    current movement, onward flow heady violent, swiftly moving

  48    motions movements, expressions/emotions

  49    restrain hold/catch

  51    heavy important, weighty

  53    What, ho! summons to servant

  54    Gilliams name of another servant packet packet of letters, dispatch

  56    Butler another servant

  57    even just

  58    roan with a coat of mixed color crop-ear with the top of the ears cropped

  61    back mount straight straight away Esperance! Hope! (the Percy family motto was “Esperance ma comforte,” French for “In hope is my strength/consolation”)

  65    carries you away transports you with emotion

  68    weasel a notoriously aggressive animal (Hotspur responds literally) spleen anger, impulsiveness

  71    stir become roused, rebellious

  72    title claim to the throne

  73    line support

  75    paraquito little parrot

  77    little finger phallic connotations

  80    trifler frivolous time waster

  82    mammets dolls, perhaps with play on Latin mamma (“breasts”) tilt joust

  83    crowns heads (plays on the sense of “coins” as well as having royal connotations)

  84    pass them current pass them off as good currency God’s me God save me

  94    whereabout speculate why

  98    Constant faithful, trustworthy

100    closer more tight-lipped

108    force necessity

Act 2 Scene 4

 2.4    Location: a tavern in Eastcheap, London

    1    fat stuffy (possibly “vat”) lend…hand help me

    4    loggerheads blockheads, idiots three or fourscore sixty or eighty (a score is twenty) hogsheads large wine casks

    5    sounded…humility played the lowest note of baseness/humbleness sworn brother avowed intimate friend

    6    leash set of three (usually animals tied together) drawers bartenders, waiters Francis name of the bartender Hal subsequently teases

    8    proud pompous Jack fellow, knave/Jack Falstaff (diminutive version of John)

    9    Corinthian fine fellow—Corinth in ancient Greece was notorious for riotous living mettle spirit, worth

  10    dyeing scarlet probably because heavy drinking reddens the complexion; perhaps because urine, a product of drinking, was used to fix dye

  11    breathe…watering pause for breath while drinking (possibly “fart while urinating”) ‘Hem!’ sound of disapproval/a clearing of the throat play it off finish it up

  13    drink…language i.e., consort comfortably with a drinker of any social class/drink heavily (tinkers were reputedly heavy drinkers)

  14    action encounter (usually military)

  15    pennyworth of sugar small quantity of sugar used to sweeten wine

  16    under-skinker low-ranking waiter (to “skink” is to pour out liquor)

  18    Anon (I’m) coming, just a moment Score put on the bill bastard sweet Spanish wine Half-Moon one of the rooms in the tavern

  19    drive pass by-room side room

  20    puny inexperienced/young/weedy to what end why

  21    leave stop

  22    precedent example

  24    perfect word-perfect

  26    Pomgarnet Pomegranate, the name of another room in the tavern

  29    to serve left of your apprenticeship (the usual length was seven years; Francis is probably fourteen or sixteen)

  33    By’r lady by Our Lady (the Virgin Mary) long…pewter long apprenticeship to learn to be a barman (drinking vessels were made of pewter)

  34    indenture contract by which an apprentice was bound

  36    books i.e., Bibles

  41    Michaelmas the feast of Saint Michael, September 29

  43    stay wait

  44    for as for, about

  54    rob i.e., rob your master of service by running away leathern jerkin (the master who wears a) tight-fitting leather jacket crystal-button fashionable shiny buttons not-pated short-haired

  55    agate-ring ring set with a carved agate stone puke-stocking dark-colored heavy woollen stockings caddis-garter garter made of woollen tape smooth tongue smooth talker, flatterer Spanish-pouch wallet of Spanish leather

  57    brown bastard Spanish wine, sweeter than the white variety your only drink the best of drinks

  58    doublet tight-fitting jacket sully get dirty Barbary region in northern Africa (from which sugar was imported) it i.e., sugar amazed dumbfounded Vintner innkeeper selling wine

  71    merry as crickets proverbial presumably because they jump about “singing” cunning match clever game, contest of wits

  72    issue outcome, point

  73    I…midnight I now understand all the moods that have ever existed from the beginning of time until now (i.e., I’m in the mood for anything/I have seen everything) goodman title for those below the rank of gentleman (the biblical Adam was a gardener) pupil age youthful time (i.e., the present)

  77    Anon puns on “one” (pronounced similarly)

  78    yet nevertheless (be)

  79    industry business, labor, diligence is is to run the…reckoning consists of the items on a bill

  80    mind opinion, way of thinking

  81    kills me kills (me is colloquial/emphatic)

  83    drench drink/draught of medicine

  85    brawn lump of flesh/fattened boar or pig

  86    ‘Rivo!’ presumably a drinking cry; of uncertain origin ribs fatty meat on bones (i.e., Falstaff) tallow animal fat

  88    of on

  89    nether stocks stockings for the lower leg

  90    foot darn the sole, repair the foot

  91    virtue extant courage still alive

  92    Titan Roman sun god (large and red-faced like Falstaff as he “kisses” the cup of sack); there may be sexual innuendo in butter (a whore was a “dish of butter”), melted (ejaculated), and tail (genitals) pitiful-hearted compassionate, tender

  94    compound mixture (melted butter), i.e., either Falstaff and sack or Falstaff and sweat

  95    lime calcium oxide, used to preserve wine

  98    Go thy ways off you go

  99    shotten herring a herring that has spawned its eggs (i.e., thin and weak)

101    while present age weaver many were Protestant immigrants, known for psalm-singing

103    wool-sack large bale of wool; judges traditionally sat on them

104    dagger of lath stage dagger made of soft wood, traditionally used by the comic Vice in morality plays

105    I’ll…more i.e., I’m not a real man hair a beard

107    round fat/plain speaking

112    backing supporting/turning one’s back, running away

113    face stand face to face/defy, contradict

114    drunk have had anything to drink

116    All’s…that sow hat, it doesn’t matter

119    ta’en taken

122    poor only

124    at half-sword at close quarters/fighting with short swords

126    hose breeches buckler small shield—sword and buckler were considered old-fashioned or lower-class weapons

127    like a hand-saw with the edge so notched from blows it appears serrated like the blade of a saw ecce signum “behold the sign or proof” (Latin; echoes words from the Catholic Mass) dealt fought all…do all this was not enough though

129    sons of darkness biblical phrase (1 Thessalonians 5:5)

136    Ebrew Jew a real (Hebrew) Jew, i.e., a knave

138    come…other the others came in

144    peppered made it hot for, stabbed repeatedly

145    paid settled with, killed buckram coarse linen cloth

146    ward defensive posture (fencing term) lay positioned myself bore my point pointed my sword

147    let drive at bore down on, attacked

151    a-front abreast mainly violently made…ado didn’t wait any longer

152    points sword points target shield

156    these hilts this sword handle

159    mark observe, take note of/keep count

163    points sword points, but Poins takes it to mean the laces attaching the hose to the doublet

165    give me ground back away (me is emphatic) foot and hand at close range

166    with a thought as quick as thought

168    misbegotten wretched, bastard Kendal green coarse, green woollen cloth from Kendal in Cumbria (associated with forest outlaws)

171    father i.e., Falstaff, here compared to the devil—the proverbial “father of lies” begets conceives, creates

172    clay-brained dull-witted knotty-pated thick-headed

173    tallow-catch accumulation of animal fat

179    upon compulsion under force strappado means of torture: the victim was raised by ropes that tied his arms behind his back, then dropped suddenly, which usually dislocated the joints racks instruments of torture: the victim was tied to a frame, which was then extended, stretching the arms and legs in opposite directions

181    reasons puns on “raisins” (i.e., grapes, less readily available than blackberries)

183    sanguine red-faced (with coward, this creates an oxymoron, as a sanguine temperament was equated with courage)

184    bed-presser heavyweight who will strain beds; perhaps also lazy, one who stays in bed horseback-breaker one so fat he breaks horses’ backs (pun on “horse”/”whore’s”)

185    elf-skin man of shrunken, fragile form (often emended to “eel-skin”) neat’s ox’s pizzle penis; a dried bull’s penis was sometimes used as a whip

186    stock-fish dried cod (suggestive of physical weakness and an impotent penis) tailor’s-yard measuring yardstick/penis (tailors were sometimes imaged as thin or effeminate men)

187    sheath cover for knife or sword, i.e., empty case/vagina bowcase long, thin case for an archer’s bow, hence starveling/vagina standing-tuck slender sword that is either rigid (i.e., useless because insufficiently resilient) or upright (not engaged in action) or idle, delaying; with phallic connotations

193    with a word in a word/with merely a single word out-faced confronted and intimidated

196    slave base-minded villain

197    starting-hole bolt hole, hiding place

198    apparent evident

200    knew recognized

202    Hercules Greek hero renowned for strength instinct impulse/innate tendency/intuition lion…prince lions were popularly thought to recognize and refuse to harm royalty

205    clap to shut

206    Watch remain awake (for revelry)/be on guard Gallants fine, fashionable young men hearts fine companions

208    extempore immediately, improvised without rehearsal

209    argument plot, theme

210    an if

215    royal plays on the sense of “coin of greater value than the ‘noble’ [another type of coin]”

219    gravity aged respectability

224    fie expression of reproach or disgust

227    swear…England swear (falsely) with such conviction that truth fled the country

230    spear-grass tough, coarse grass

231    beslubber daub, smear true valiant/honest

232    that something monstrous devices outrageous tricks

233    taken…manner caught red-handed with the evidence/got into the habit

234    extempore spontaneously (i.e., Bardolph has a permanently red face from drinking) fire i.e., a fiery face

236    meteors …exhalations i.e., red blotches on Bardolph’s face; meteors were considered bad omens and thought to result from the sun sucking up poisonous vapors from the earth

238    portend foretell

239    Hot…purses drunkenness and poverty

240    Choler anger (choler was one of the four bodily “humors” governing the disposition) rightly taken correctly understood (the prince shifts the sense to “justly arrested”)

241    halter a noose (Hal puns on choler/collar)

243    bombast padding/high-flown language

244    an…in the width of an eagle’s claw around

245    alderman’s thumb-ring seal ring often worn by wealthy citizens on the thumb

248    Percy i.e., Hotspur he of Wales i.e., Glendower

249    Amamon name of a demon bastinado beating with a stick Lucifer the devil cuckold man with an unfaithful wife swore…liegeman made the devil swear to be his true servant

250    Welsh hook hooked staff used as a weapon and lacking the cross shape of a sword (on which oaths were customarily sworn) what a plague intensified form of “what”

256    hit it got it right (the prince plays on the literal sense)

258    mettle spirit (plays on the sense of “metal,” i.e., not fluid and liable to run) run flee (plays on sense of “melt”)

259    running i.e., speeding o’ horseback

260    cuckoo i.e., mindless repeater of words

263    blue-caps Scottish soldiers, who wore blue hats

264    you…mackerel i.e., for very little indeed—mackerel was a cheap fish even when fresh; perhaps land was being sold off to raise money for war or because of general economic anxiety about conflict (mackerel plays on the sense of “pimp/whore”)

266    like likely hot plays on angry/lecherous buffeting hold strife continues

267    maidenheads virginities as…hundreds i.e., as cheaply as nails for boots, suggesting that in troubled times women will be raped or forced to sell themselves

268    trading commerce/prostitution/sex

271    spirit devil (though the word also has connotations of “courage”)

272    thrill tremble/go cold

274    chid scolded

276    stand for stand in for, play the part of particulars details

278    Content I’m content, very well state throne

280    joint-stool low stool made by a joiner (“I took you for a joint stool” was a way of mockingly apologizing for ignoring someone)

281    crown head

282    fire of grace effects of divine grace

283    moved affected emotionally, stirred

284    King Cambyses’ vein ranting style; Cambyses was the tyrant in Thomas Preston’s Life of Cambyses, King of Persia (1569)

286    Stand aside, nobility presumably those in the tavern are being asked to clear a space

288    Weep…vain Falstaff addresses Mistress Quickly, who is presumably weeping from merriment (puns on “quean,” i.e., harlot, whore)

289    O, the father i.e., in God’s name; or refers to Falstaff acting the part of the prince’s father holds his countenance keeps a straight face, remains in character

290    convey take away/escort (to a seat) tristful sorrowful

291    stop fill up

292    rare marvelous harlotry players knavish actors

293    pint-pot Falstaff addresses Mistress Quickly with a nickname for one who sells beer tickle-brain potent liquor (here, one who sells it)

295    camomile daisy-like plant with medicinal qualities; it grows rapidly, proverbially more so when trodden on

297    trick habit, feature foolish…lip way of hanging your lower lip, regarded as a sign of loose living foolish affected/idiotic/lecherous

298    warrant assure

299    pointed at i.e., gossiped about/mocked sun puns on “son”

300    micher truant/loiterer/petty thief

303    pitch black tar-like substance defile stain, corrupt; Falstaff paraphrases Ecclesiastes 13:1: “Whoso toucheth pitch shall be defiled”

305    passion sincere emotion, distress

308    an it like if it please

309    portly dignified/fat corpulent solid, well-built/fat

310    noble carriage dignified bearing

311    three score sixty

312    lewdly given wickedly, lasciviously inclined

313    peremptorily determinedly

315    naughty wicked

319    rabbit-sucker unweaned baby rabbit poulter’s hare hare hanging up in a poulterer’s shop (which sold fowl and game)

320    set seated (on the mock throne)

321    Judge, my masters the tavern audience must decide who is the more kingly

325    tickle ye amuse you in the role of

326    ungracious without grace, blasphemous

328    tun large barrel especially for wine or beer/ton weight converse associate

329    trunk container/body humours diseases/fluids that determine the disposition: blood, bile, choler, phlegm bolting-hutch large bin used for sifting grain

330    dropsies diseases, which made the body swell with an accumulation of fluid bombard a leather wine jug cloak-bag large bag for carrying clothes

331    Manningtree Essex town with a well-known fair and cattle market pudding stuffing/sausage reverend worthy of respect Vice comic character in medieval morality plays who tempted the youthful hero grey gray-haired

332    Iniquity sinfulness/allegorical name for morality play character father i.e., elderly Vanity vain, proud, foolish, worthless character In years i.e., advanced in years, aged Wherein…good what is he good for

333    neat and cleanly refined and skillful

334    cunning knowledgeable, skillful craft deceit crafty skillful

336    take…you enable me to follow you, help me to understand

339    the…know i.e., I recognize the man but not the description

343    saving your reverence begging your pardon/if you will excuse my language whoremaster user of whores, i.e., a wicked man

345    host innkeeper, pub landlord

346    Pharoah’s lean kine biblical reference to Pharoah’s dream in which the seven lean kine (cattle) devour the seven fat kine, foretelling famine to come (Genesis 41:1–31)

352    monstrous unnaturally large watch group of citizens responsible for keeping order in the streets at night

357    The…fiddlestick i.e., here’s a fine commotion (proverbial)

360    Never…counterfeit a much debated line; Falstaff seems to be referring to himself as genuine gold (i.e., loyal, worthy), despite the prince’s earlier accusations of cowardice and hypocrisy thou…so another obscure line; probably either “you are basically true (essentially made) to your friends, even if some of your recent declarations seem to contradict this” or “you are fundamentally a deceptive play-actor (made), despite seeming to be loyal”; some editors adopt a later reading, and substitute “mad” for “made”

363    deny your major reject your main premise deny refuse entrance to so so be it

364    become suit, befit cart wagon used to transport the condemned man to the gallows bringing up upbringing, breeding (which entitled him, as a knight, to death by beheading)/being brought before the authorities/being hanged

365    soon willingly/quickly

366    arras large tapestry wall hanging (hung so that there was space behind it to hide) walk up above go upstairs

367    true honest

368    date is out lease has expired, i.e., it’s too late for that

371    hue and cry the noise and shouting of citizens in pursuit of a felon

379    engage pledge

380    dinnertime i.e., midday

381    answer thee respond to your charges, account for himself to you

382    withal with

387    answerable held responsible

389    morrow morning

391    oily greasy/cunning, slippery Paul’s St. Paul’s Cathedral, the tallest landmark in London at this time

397    2s 2d two shillings and two pence

398    ob. abbreviation of “obolus,” i.e., halfpenny

399    But merely intolerable deal excessive quantity

400    close hidden, safe advantage a better opportunity

402    charge of foot command of an infantry company

403    twelvescore i.e., 240 yards money i.e., that was stolen

404    advantage interest betimes early

Act 3 Scene 1

 3.1    Location: unspecified; probably in Glendower’s house

    1    promises i.e., of support sure secure, reliable

    2    induction beginning prosperous hope hope of prospering

    9    Lancaster i.e., King Henry; Glendower deliberately refers to him by his former title (Duke of Lancaster)

  14    front forehead, face

  15    cressets torches (literally fires burning in iron baskets), hence meteors (signs of ill omen)

  22    as fearing you because it feared you

  27    eruptions outbreaks of disease/natural or meteorological disturbances teeming fertile, breeding

  28    colic severe stomach pains

  30    womb bowels/stomach enlargement release

  31    beldam old woman, grandmother

  32    moss-grown overgrown with moss, old

  33    grandam grandmother distemperature bodily disturbance

  34    passion suffering, bodily affliction

  36    crossings contradictions

  40    clamorous noisy frighted fields fields full of fear

  41    marked me marked me out as

  42    courses events

  43    roll list

  44    the living any person living clipped in with surrounded by

  45    chides beats, contends with

  46    read to i.e., instructed, educated

  48    trace follow tedious time-consuming, lengthy, complex art scholarship/magic, occult arts

  49    hold me pace keep up with me deep experiments profound, learned investigations

  50    Welsh i.e., nonsense, gibberish

  53    call summon, invoke (Hotspur shifts the sense to “call out to”) vasty deep immense abyss

  58    tell…devil proverbial

  63    made head advanced

  64    power army Wye river on the Welsh-English border

  66    Bootless unsuccessful, without gain (Hotspur plays on the literal sense)

  68    agues violent fevers characterized by shaking

  69    right just claim (to land)

  70    threefold order ta’en three-way agreement

  71    archdeacon not identified; chronicle sources suggest Archdeacon of Bangor

  72    limits regions

  73    Trent…hitherto the rivers Trent and Severn up to this point (presumably Mortimer indicates the map)

  79    indentures tripartite contracts drawn up in triplicate drawn drawn up

  80    sealèd interchangeably each party has a copy signed and sealed by all

  81    this…execute can be done tonight

  85    appointed agreed by Shrewsbury town on the Welsh-English border

  86    father father-in-law

  88    space period of time

  91    in my conduct escorted by me

  92    steal slip away

  93    a…water i.e., many tears

  95    moiety share, portion Burton Derbyshire town of Burton-upon-Trent

  97    comes…in twists sharply into my section; Hotspur objects that the river turns north from Burton and deprives him of the fertile lands of Lincolnshire and part of Nottinghamshire

  99    cantle out corner or portion cut off

101    smug smooth

103    deep indent sharp angled section, indentation

104    bottom river valley

107    he it (the river Trent) runs me runs

108    like advantage the same effect

109    Gelding depriving, cutting (land) off from opposèd continent land on the opposite side

111    charge cost/gunpowder used in blasting trench create a trench or channel

112    cape spur, projecting piece

120    Let…Welsh i.e., say it in Welsh (which I don’t understand) so that I won’t understand (and take offence)

123    being but young since I was young at the time framed to composed for

124    ditty poem, ballad lovely beautifully

125    gave…ornament adorned the English language with music and poetry/decorated the words with the music/improved the sound of the language with my Welsh accent

126    virtue accomplishment, skill

130    metre ballad-mongers sellers of predictably rhymed popular ballads

131    brazen brass turned i.e., on a lathe (which made an unpleasant grating noise)

132    dry unoiled axle-tree axle

134    Nothing…as nothing like as much as mincing affectedly dainty

135    nag feeble old horse

139    in…bargain when it comes to bargaining

140    cavil on dispute insistently over

141    drawn drawn up

143    haste the writer hurry the writer of the indentures withal at the same time

144    Break with speak to, inform

146    doteth on loves very dearly, is infatuated with

147    cross antagonize

148    choose help it

149    mouldwarp mole; according to Holinshed’s Chronicles the division of the map was arranged in accordance with a prophecy that imaged Henry IV as a mole and the others as dragon, lion, and wolf

150    dreamer visionary Merlin wizard and prophet at the legendary court of King Arthur

152    clip-winged with its wings clipped, i.e., prevented from flying griffin mythical beast, half lion, half eagle moulten having molted, lost its feathers

153    couching lying down (form of “couchant,” a heraldic term) ramping rearing, standing on its hind legs (form of “rampant,” a heraldic term)

154    skimble-skamble incoherent, nonsensical

155    puts…faith makes me forget or disbelieve my religion

157    reck’ning up listing, recounting several various

158    lackeys servants, followers ‘Hum’ noncommittal sound expressing agreement ‘Well, go to’ i.e., you don’t say, well I never

159    marked him took no notice of

160    railing complaining, scolding

162    cheese…windmill i.e., poor food in uncomfortable, noisy accommodation

163    cates delicacies

164    summer-house rich man’s country house

165    In faith truly

166    profited…concealments proficient in secret arts

169    India i.e., the West Indies

170    temper temperament, character

171    scope freedom of expression

172    do…humour antagonize him

174    tempted provoked

175    taste…reproof experiencing harm and rebuke

176    use it oft do it often

177    wilful-blame blameworthy for being obstinately self-willed

179    beside out of

180    must needs must

181    show is evidence of blood spirit

182    dearest grace most valuable advantage renders offers

183    present represent, demonstrate

184    want of government lack of self-control

185    opinion arrogance, conceit

186    haunting being associated with

187    Loseth causes him to lose

188    parts besides other qualities

189    Beguiling depriving

190    schooled instructed/admonished be your speed bring you good fortune

192    spite vexation, regret

196    aunt Percy more confusion between the two Edmund Mortimers: Lady Percy (Hotspur’s wife) was in fact the sister of the Mortimer married to Glendower’s daughter and aunt of the younger man

197    in your conduct under your escort

198    desperate here recklessly determined on this point (her decision not to leave Mortimer) peevish self-willed harlotry obstinate headstrong hussy

200    pretty Welsh i.e., her eloquent tears

201    swelling heavens i.e., her eyes filled with tears

202    too perfect only too accomplished, fluent

203    parley language, conversation (perhaps, picking up on soldier, with a sense of “military negotiation”)

205    feeling disputation moving, heartfelt discussion/conversation conducted through touch

206    truant negligent student

208    highly penned elaborately composed

210    division ornamentation, variation (specifically, passage in which a series of short notes elaborates on a longer passage)

211    melt give way to your feelings, weep

212    this i.e., Welsh

213    wanton rushes luxuriant floor covering of reeds

216    crown give power to

217    heaviness drowsiness

220    heavenly-harnessed team horses that drew the sun god’s chariot

221    progress course/royal journey

223    book indentures, legal contracts drawn drawn up

226    Hang…air i.e., they’re spirits thousand leagues three thousand miles

227    straight straight away

228    perfect in expert at, practiced at lying down with sexual connotations (continued in lap)

231    devil understands Welsh i.e., because the supposed spirits have answered Glendower’s call and music is playing

232    humorous capricious, whimsical

234    humours moods, whims (thought to be generated by bodily fluids or “humors”)

235    brach bitch, female dog (called Lady) Irish designed as insult here; may possibly suggest his bitch’s breed

236    broken beaten, grazed

238    still quiet, calm

239    Neither i.e., I won’t do that either woman’s fault i.e., being silent (or sexually passive) is a woman’s trait; may play on “broken head” as “broken maidenhead” (lost virginity), perhaps with fault quibbling on its sense of “vagina/sinful sexual yielding”

245    sooth truth

247    comfit-maker’s confectioner’s; Hotspur makes fun of a genteel oath and offers several more

250    sarcenet surety flimsy assurance sarcenet fine silken cloth

251    Finsbury Finsbury Fields, popular place of recreation just outside the city of London

252    Swear me swear/swear for me

254    protest of pepper-gingerbread i.e., mild oaths pepper-gingerbread in which pepper was partly substituted for ginger, making the gingerbread less spicy and pungent

255    velvet-guards velvet trimmings on clothes, or those who wore them Sunday-citizens those keeping their best clothes for Sunday

258    tailor tailors were supposed to be enthusiastic singers be red-breast teacher teach singing to robins (small red-breasted birds)

262    this this time but seal just put our seals on the documents

Act 3 Scene 2

 3.2    Location: the royal court

    1    give us leave please leave us alone

    6    doom judgment blood family, offspring

    7    scourge punishment of divine origin/punishing whip

    8    passages course through, way of

    9    only marked For solely designated tobe

  10    rod i.e., of punishment

  11    mistreadings wrongful steps, sins else how else

  12    inordinate immoderate, disorderly

  13    bare wretched, paltry/undisguised lewd vulgar, low attempts undertakings

  14    rude society vulgar, uncivilized companionship

  15    withal with grafted united

  17    hold their level think themselves equal to

  19    Quit acquit myself of clear honest

  20    doubtless sure

  23    reproof refutation, disproof

  24    greatness the great, the high-ranking

  25    pick-thanks flatterers and informers news-mongers tellers of tales, gossips

  26    things true genuine misdemeanors

  27    faulty…irregular gone astray off the proper path

  28    true submission honest admission

  29    wonder express surprise

  30    affections tastes, inclinations hold a wing fly

  32    rudely violently, in an uncivilized manner (according to an apocryphal tale, the prince was expelled from the King’s Privy Council for hitting the Lord Chief Justice)

  33    supplied filled

  34    alien stranger

  36    time youth, life

  38    forethink expect/prophesy

  40    common-hackneyed cheapened by habitual exposure (from “hackney,” a horse for hire)

  42    Opinion public opinion

  43    Had…possession would have remained loyal to the holder of the crown (Richard II, deposed by Henry)

  44    reputeless inglorious, shameful/anonymous, unacknowledged

  45    mark significance likelihood prospect of success

  50    stole…heaven adopted a manner of heavenly graciousness

  56    pontifical belonging to a bishop

  57    state magnificence, kingship

  58    Seldom infrequently seen feast special occasion, celebration

  59    solemnity ceremonious dignity

  60    skipping frivolous up and down i.e., aimlessly

  61    rash bavin quickly burnt up bavin brushwood or kindling soon ignited and burnt

  62    carded his state destroyed his dignity, kingly status (to “card” is either to mix or to comb impurities from wool)

  63    Carping chattering (Quarto has “capring,” so most editors print “capering”)

  64    scorns foolishness, mockeries/contemptuous way of speaking

  65    against his name to the detriment of his royal reputation

  66    gibing mocking, taunting stand the push expose himself to the proximity/mockery of

  67    beardless vain comparative immature, worthless maker of mocking comparisons

  69    Enfeoffed committed, bound (literally, to vow loyalty to a lord in return for land)

  71    surfeited grew overindulged and sick

  72    loathe…sweetness i.e., they got sick of the sight of him

  75    cuckoo…June i.e., commonplace by midsummer, not noticed any longer

  77    community familiarity

  78    extraordinary gaze special notice

  82    face i.e., presence rendered such aspect with such an expression

  83    cloudy sullen, gloomy use to habitually

  85    line category

  87    vile participation associating with commoners and base, vulgar people

  88    common widespread, public/cheap, vulgar

  91    tenderness i.e., tears of affection

  93    Be more myself act in a manner more befitting my position

  94    For…world i.e., in every way

  99    He…state He (Percy) has a more honorable claim to the crown

100    shadow of succession mere shadow of a proper heir

101    of having colour like to semblance, pretext of

102    harness armor, i.e., armed men

103    Turns head directs his attention/leads his army lion’s i.e., the king’s (the lion is a traditional symbol of royalty)

104    in…years older (historically Hotspur was actually twenty-three years older than the prince)

105    ancient long-established

106    bruising damaging, crushing

108    whose i.e., Hotspur’s high illustrious, noble

109    hot incursions fierce attacks

110    chief…capital military fame and pre-eminence

113    Mars Roman god of war swaddling clothes wrappings for babies (refers to Hotspur’s youth)

114    enterprises military undertakings

115    Discomfited defeated ta’en him once captured him on one occasion

116    Enlargèd released

117    fill…up complete the number of opponents/add to the roar of opposition

121    Capitulate have formed a league, draw up agreements up i.e., in arms

124    dearest most precious, loved/worst, most bitter

125    like likely vassal base, servile

126    Base inclination taste for the inferior/acceding to base motives start of spleen rush of anger

128    curtsy bow, show respect

133    redeem…head atone for my sins with Percy’s head/make Percy pay for all this

134    in…day at the end of some victorious battle

137    favours facial features/chivalric tokens worn to symbolize pledges or great feats bloody mask face made unrecognizable because covered in blood/mass, covering of blood

138    scour cleanse, get rid of

139    lights arrives/dawns

142    unthought-of ignored, associated with no great expectations

143    helm helmet

148    factor agent, commercial broker

149    engross up accumulate, buy up

152    worship…time honor gained in his lifetime

153    reckoning account, bill

156    salve apply healing ointment to

157    intemperature intemperance, lack of restraint/diseased body, disordered health

160    parcel part

162    charge command (of troops) sovereign supreme, royal (perhaps continuing the disease imagery with play on the sense of “healing”)

163    speed urgency

168    head military force

169    If…hand if all who have promised to join them do so

173    advertisement announcement, news

176    Bridgnorth small Shropshire town on the River Severn, south of Shrewsbury

178    our business valuèd according to this reckoning

181    Advantage…fat opportunity (for rebellion) increases

Act 3 Scene 3

 3.3    Location: the tavern in Eastcheap

    1    fallen away vilely horribly shrunken action engagement, battle (i.e., the robbery on Gad’s Hill) bate decrease

    3    apple-john type of apple said to be in best eating condition when shriveled suddenly immediately

    4    in some liking in the mood/in good physical condition out of heart disheartened/out of condition

    5    strength i.e., physical or spiritual

    6    peppercorn i.e., small and shriveled brewer’s horse i.e., old and worn out

    8    fretful restless, anxious/frayed, worn

    9    there is it i.e., exactly, that’s the situation

  10    given inclined

  11    bawdy-house brothel

  13    compass measure, moderation/circumference (referring to his wide girth), belt

  16    admiral flagship with a lantern to guide the rest of the fleet

  17    poop stern or rear of a ship nose i.e., because it is red from drinking Knight…Lamp mock-chivalric title parodying heroic names in tales of romance

  21    death’s-head skull (i.e., emblem of mortality, often carved into a stone set in a ring) memento mori object used to symbolize death (Latin: “reminder of death”)

  22    Dives…purple refers to Christ’s parable of Dives, the rich man clothed in purple who goes to hell for allowing the pauper, Lazarus, to starve (Luke 16:19–31)

  24    given over lost to virtue, committed to sin

  26    ignis fatuus will-o’-the-wisp, marsh gas that gives off phosphorescent light and misleads night wanderers ball of wildfire will-o’-the-wisp/ball of lightning/skin disease characterized by vivid eruptions

  27    purchase value

  28    bonfire-light Folio spells “Bone-fire-Light,” suggesting both etymology and original pronunciation links torches

  30    drunk me drunk (me is emphatic) good cheap cheap

  31    chandler’s candle maker’s salamander lizard-like creature supposed to live in fire

  33    I…belly! proverbial retort (compares to modern “Get stuffed!”)

  34    be heart-burned have indigestion/my heart would be literally on fire

  35    Dame Partlet traditional name for a hen

  38    tithe tenth part

  40    was shaved had his beard cut/went bald through syphilis/had his head shaved to get rid of lice/was robbed; hair may play on “whore”

  41    woman i.e., inadequate/deceitful/promiscuous

  43    know am acquainted with/have sexual knowledge of

  45    beguile cheat

  46    to your back for you to wear

  47    Dowlas coarse linen (from Doulas in Brittany)

  48    bolters cloths used for sifting flour

  49    holland fine linen (originally from Holland) ell a measure of length (forty-five inches)

  50    diet and by-drinkings meals and drinks in between meals

  55    denier small coin worth one tenth of a penny

  56    younker fashionable and gullible young man, easily duped take mine ease relax

  57    seal-ring engraved ring used for sealing documents with wax, frequently an heirloom forty mark a substantial sum of money; a mark was worth two thirds of a pound

  60    jack knave, rascal sneak-cup sneaky person, knave/one who sneaks drinks from others’ cups truncheon cudgel (symbol of his new military office)

  62    Is…door? i.e., is that the situation door direction

  63    two…fashion prisoners were shackled together and led in pairs to Newgate, the City prison

  71    pick pockets plays on the sense of “plunder vaginas”

  73    bonds deeds promising the bearer payment

  81    stewed prune commonly available in brothels, hence “whore/pimp”

  82    drawn fox hunted fox (drawn from cover and dependent on its cunning for safety) Maid Marian a disreputable character in morris dances and May games, played by a boy in female clothing deputy’s…ward wife of the deputy of the ward (an administrative district), i.e., a respectable woman

  83    to compared to nothing thing of no significance/vagina (“no thing”)

  85    thing whore/vagina on for

  87    thy knighthood the respect usually due to one who is a knight

  91    otter an aquatic mammal whose exact nature and type was a subject of debate

  93    have place, categorize/have sex with

108    whelp cub, offspring

111    let…break the breaking of one’s belt (girdle) proverbially signified bad luck

115    embossed swollen/foaming at the mouth with exhaustion like a hunted animal rascal rogue/young, inferior deer

116    memorandums bills, invoices

117    sugar-candy…long-winded sugar was used to improve stamina

118    injuries items whose loss you claim has caused you injury stand to it insist, maintain your grievance

119    pocket up accept (plays on literal sense of “pocket”)

122    flesh…frailty Falstaff plays with the biblical saying “the flesh is frail” (Matthew 26:41 and elsewhere)

127    still always

128    answered accounted for

129    sweet beef plump, fresh, unsalted beef good angel guardian angel

131    double labour i.e., first taking it, then returning it

133    exchequer royal treasury with unwashed hands straight away/without scruple

136    charge of foot command of an infantry company

138    unprovided ill-equipped (for villainous exploits)

139    they…virtuous i.e., by causing war, which provides opportunities for theft and profiteering laud celebrate, praise

147    Temple hall the Inner Temple at one of the London Inns of Court (where young men studied law)

149    charge company, regiment

150    furniture equipment

153    Rare marvelous Brave splendid

154    tavern…drum Falstaff wishes he might remain at the inn; a drum summoned soldiers to battle (possible pun on tavern/“taborin,” a type of drum)

Act 4 Scene 1

 4.1    Location: the rebel camp near Shrewsbury

    2    fine over-refined

    3    attribution honor, praise

    4    As not a that no other season’s stamp year’s design or mint (coinage term)

    5    general current generally accepted (continues coining imagery)

    6    defy reject, challenge

    7    soothers flatterers braver more honorable

    9    task hold approve me prove, test

  11    breathes…ground lives

  12    beard i.e., challenge, defy (literally, pull insultingly by the beard)

  14    but only

  19    jostling clashing, contentious power army

  20    government leadership

  21    bears contain/reveal I his mind this Folio reading makes sense, though it is cheeky for the messenger to answer back in this way; most modern editors emend to “not I, my lord”

  22    keep keep to

  25    He…by his health was much feared for

  26    would wish state of time present situation whole sound, healthy

  28    better worth more important

  31    catching hither contagious even here

  32    inward sickness possibly an incomplete line, or one that expresses Hotspur’s hasty manner of speaking

  33    by deputation through those acting on his behalf

  34    drawn drawn together, assembled meet fitting, appropriate

  35    dear important

  37    bold advertisement resolute advice/advice to be resolute

  38    conjunction combined forces on proceed

  41    possessed informed

  43    maim serious injury

  45    present want absence now

  46    more…it worse than it will actually prove to be

  47    set hazard, stake

  48    cast throw of the dice main army/gambling stake

  49    nice hazard delicate risk/precarious game of dice doubtful uncertain

  50    read discern

  51    very bottom full extent

  52    list limit bound extent, boundary

  55    reversion back-up, something to be relied on (literally, future inheritance)

  58    retirement something to fall back on/peace, seclusion

  59    rendezvous retreat, refuge

  60    big threateningly, menacingly

  61    maidenhead beginning, first trial (literally, virginity)

  63    hair nature

  64    Brooks tolerates

  66    loyalty i.e., to the king mere absolute

  68    apprehension thought, perception

  69    fearful faction (rebel) alliances that generate fear/frightened groups (of rebel sympathizers)

  70    question doubt, mistrust

  71    off’ring challenging, aggressing

  72    strict arbitrement close scrutiny, rigorous judgment

  73    loop loophole, aperture

  75    draws opens

  78    strain too far exaggerate

  79    make this use find this advantage

  80    opinion renown, prestige

  81    dare boldness

  83    make a head raise an army

  86    Yet still joints limbs

  87    As…think i.e., as can possibly be wished

  93    No harm i.e., that doesn’t matter

  96    intended is about to leave

  97    preparation equipped military force

100    daffed tossed carelessly

102    furnished equipped

103    estridges ostriches (presumably the men’s helmets are adorned with feathers)

104    Bated fluttered

105    golden coats sleeveless outer garments richly adorned with heraldic arms, worn over armor images gilded statues/emblems

107    gorgeous brightly colored, magnificent

108    Wanton wild, frolicsome, carefree

109    beaver helmet (technically, the visor)

110    cuisses thigh armor

111    feathered Mercury Roman messenger of the gods, usually depicted with wings on cap and sandals

112    seat i.e., saddle

114    wind wheel about, turn Pegasus winged horse in Greek mythology

115    witch bewitch

117    agues violent fevers thought to be bred or worsened by the early spring sun

118    trim finery, adornment (like animals garlanded for sacrifice)

119    maid…war Bellona, the Roman goddess of war

121    mailèd Mars Roman god of war, clad in armor

123    reprisal prize

131    Worcester English town on the River Severn

132    draw…days gather his forces for a fortnight

135    What…unto? What is the total number of the king’s troops?

139    powers of us forces we have serve suffice for

140    muster roll call

141    Doomsday Judgment Day

142    out of free from

143    this one-half year six months; Douglas does not expect to die within this period

Act 4 Scene 2

 4.2    Location: the road (they are traveling, probably along the Roman road Watling Street from London to Shrewsbury via Coventry, a Midlands town near Stratford-upon-Avon)

    1    get thee before you go on ahead

    2    Sutton Coldfield Warwickshire town twenty miles northwest of Coventry

    4    Lay out pay for it yourself

    5    makes brings the amount you owe me to (Falstaff responds to the sense of “creates”) angel a gold coin variously worth between 6s 8d and 10s

    7    answer the coinage be responsible for the validity of the coins

    9    soused gurnet type of pickled fish/drunkard

  10    press power of conscription I…pounds Falstaff has allowed those who can afford it to buy their way out of being soldiers of for

  11    good substantial, wealthy yeomen’s sons the sons of freeholders of small landed estates

  12    inquire me out ask for, seek contracted engaged (to be married)

  13    banns public notice of the intention to marry, announced in church on three successive Sundays; the bachelors here are to be married soon commodity portion, quantity warm comfortably off/sexually eager lieve soon drum i.e., customarily sounded to enlist recruits or call men to battle

  14    caliver musket, lightweight firearm

  15    toasts-and-butter milksops, pampered fellows hearts…heads i.e., those with little appetite for fighting

  16    bought…services bribed Falstaff to be exempted from military service

  17    charge command, unit ancients ensigns, i.e., soldiers who carried military banners (plays on the sense of “elderly people”) gentlemen of companies gentlemen soldiers without formal rank

  18    Lazarus…sores refers to the biblical story of the beggar Lazarus and the contemptuous rich man (Luke 16:19–21) painted cloth cheap wall hanging depicting the biblical tale

  19    discarded unjust serving-men dismissed dishonest servants

  20    younger…brothers i.e., those with no hope of a substantial inheritance revolted tapsters apprentice barmen who have run away from their masters ostlers trade-fallen out-of-work stablemen

  21    cankers ulcers/parasites

  22    ancient military banner

  23    rooms places

  24    prodigals in the biblical parable, the prodigal (extravagant) son wasted his inheritance and was reduced to feeding with the pigs

  25    draff and husks pigswill and corn husks

  26    gibbets gallows

  28    gyves leg irons, shackles

  31    herald’s…sleeves the tabard was a sleeveless outer garment open down the sides

  32    Saint Albans town along Watling Street about twenty-five miles north of London Daventry Northamptonshire town southeast of Coventry

  33    find…hedge i.e., they’ll steal clothes left to dry on hedgerows

  34    blown swollen/short of breath quilt padded covering/fat man (plays on Falstaff’s name, Jack, which could also mean a padded tunic worn instead of armor

  36    cry you mercy beg your pardon

  39    looks for expects

  41    fear doubt

  43    butter i.e., fat

  46    toss throw away/impale on a pike food for powder cannon-fodder

  47    pit mass grave as well as better just as well as better men would Tush exclamation of contempt

  48    bare poorly clothed/inadequately equipped (Falstaff shifts the sense to “bare-boned, thin”)

  52    three…ribs three fingers’ depth of fat covering his ribs; a “finger” measured three quarters of an inch

  53    field battlefield

  55    stay delay

  57    To…guest i.e., the end of a fight and the beginning of a feast is the best time to arrive for one keener on eating than fighting (proverbial)

Act 4 Scene 3

 4.3    Location: the rebel camp near Shrewsbury

    1    him i.e., the king

    3    then in that case, if you wait

    5    Looks…supply? Is he not expecting reinforcements?

  13    maintain justify, support, prove

  14    well-respected well-considered bid me on urges me forward

  15    counsel conference

  23    leading leadership

  25    drag hold expedition speedy action horse horses, cavalry

  28    pride and mettle spirit and liveliness

  30    That…himself so that none of the horses is even a quarter of its normal strength

  32    journey-bated exhausted by travelling

  35    parley trumpet summons to negotiation between enemy forces

  37    vouchsafe permit respect consideration

  39    determination mind, conviction

  40    even those some those very people

  42    quality party

  44    defend forbid

  45    out of limit past the bounds of natural order and allegiance

  46    anointed i.e., rightful, legitimate (having been marked with holy oil as part of the coronation ceremony)

  47    charge duty, task

  48    griefs grievances, complaints whereupon on what grounds

  49    conjure call forth (with connotations of magical invocation and bewitchment)

  51    If that if

  52    deserts deservings, merits

  55    with interest and more in addition

  57    suggestion prompting, incitement

  62    was…strong had fewer than twenty-six followers

  63    Sick…regard suffering poor public reputation

  64    unminded disregarded outlaw Richard II had banished Henry Bullingbrook; he returned following his father’s death and Richard’s seizure of his land and titles

  68    sue his livery legally claim his right to inherit his father’s lands and title beg his peace seek reconciliation with King Richard

  69    terms of zeal i.e., eager assurances of loyalty

  74    more…knee those of higher and lower social status offered him allegiance—with cap in hand and knees bent in a bow/kneeling

  76    Attended awaited/accompanied lanes paths/rows

  78    heirs…followed punctuated thus in Folio, but most editors emend to “heirs as pages, followed,” thus altering the sense

  79    golden splendidly or brightly dressed/celebratory, joyous/rich, abundant

  80    presently soon greatness knows itself those in power come to understand their situation

  81    Steps…higher becomes more ambitious

  82    his…poor he was still humble/before he was king

  84    forsooth in truth, perhaps used ironically here

  85    strait harsh, strict

  87    Cries…abuses condemns corruption, draws attention to wrongs

  91    cut…favourites Richard’s favorite courtiers were beheaded cut me cut (me is emphatic)

  93    In deputation as his deputies

  94    was personal in went in person to

  99    in…of on the strength of/immediately after tasked taxed

100    March the Earl of March, Edmund Mortimer

101    if…placed if every claimant were entitled to occupy their rightful position

102    engaged held hostage

103    forfeited abandoned

104    Disgraced…victories i.e., by demanding my prisoners, the King turned my triumphs into disgrace

105    intelligence spying

106    Rated chided angrily, dismissed

110    head of safety defensive army withal furthermore pry…title examine his claim (to the throne)

112    indirect insufficiently direct in the line of succession/devious, irregular for long continuance to last long

115    impawned pledged, held in pawn

116    surety guarantee

119    accept…love i.e., be reconciled

Act 4 Scene 4

 4.4    Location: unspecified; presumably in the Archbishop of York’s palace Sir Michael presumably a priest or a knight; “sir” can be a courtesy title for clergymen

    1    Hie go quickly brief letter, dispatch

    4    directed addressed

    5    much…import much information they contain/important they are

    7    tenor substance, drift

    8    Like likely

  11    bide the touch be put to the test (as gold is tested with a touchstone)

  14    Lord Harry i.e., Hotspur

  16    power…proportion army was of the greatest size/importance

  18    rated firmly considered to be strong, a powerful source of support

  19    comes not in does not participate o’er-ruled by prophecies i.e., he is staying away due to unfavorable predictions of events

  21    instant trial immediate test of strength

  26    head force, army

  29    special head exceptional military leadership

  32    corrivals partners dear honorable/valuable

  33    estimation worth, reputation

  37    thrive flourish, succeed

  39    confederacy league, conspiracy (with the rebels)

  40    make strong strengthen our defenses

Act 5 Scene 1

 5.1    Location: the king’s camp near Shrewsbury

    2    busky bush-covered

    3    distemperature unhealthy, unnatural appearance

    5    the trumpet part of trumpeter or herald

    9    foul gloomy, bad (weather)

  13    doff take off easy comfortable

  14    ungentle steel hard, uncomfortable steel armor

  16    unknit undo

  17    churlish rude, ungracious, base

  18    orb orbit, sphere

  20    exhaled meteor meteors were believed to be formed of vapors drawn from the earth (“exhaled”) by the sun; they were considered bad omens

  21    prodigy omen/unnatural thing

  22    broachèd already begun mischief evil, calamity unborn times future

  25    entertain occupy lag-end latter part

  27    dislike animosity, discord

  30    chewet chough, jackdaw, i.e., chatterer/minced meat or fish pie

  33    remember remind

  35    staff of office Worcester had been steward of the king’s household

  36    posted rode speedily

  39    Nothing nowhere near

  41    brought escorted, accompanied outdare defy

  43    Doncaster town in the northeast of England

  44    did…state had no intention of threatening the realm

  45    new-fall’n right recently inherited title (after his father’s death)

  46    seat estate Gaunt John of Gaunt, Henry’s father

  51    injuries abuses, wrongdoing wanton ungoverned, poorly managed

  52    seeming sufferances apparent wrongs

  53    contrarious opposing, unfavorable

  54    unlucky ill-fated

  55    repute believe him to be

  57    occasion the opportunity wooed persuaded

  58    gripe grip, grasp general sway overall power

  61    ungentle gull cruel/dishonorable young bird cuckoo’s…sparrow the cuckoo lays its eggs in other birds’ nests to be hatched and fed; cuckoo chicks are much bigger and eventually take over the nest

  64    our love those of us who loved you durst not did not dare

  65    swallowing being eaten

  68    opposèd…means in opposition to you as a result of such factors

  70    unkind cruel/unnatural

  71    troth honesty, integrity

  72    younger earlier, original

  75    face adorn, cover

  76    colour hue/pretexts, pretence

  77    changelings turncoats, changeable people discontents discontented persons

  78    rub the elbow hug themselves in pleasure

  79    hurly burly chaotic innovation novelty, change, revolution

  80    want need, lack

  81    water-colours watery deceptions impaint paint, color

  82    moody sullen, angry

  83    havoc plundering, violent disorder

  84    both our i.e., the king’s and the rebels’

  86    trial battle

  88    by my hopes i.e., of salvation

  89    set…head not counted against him

  90    braver finer/more courageous

  93    latter recent, present

  97    this I say this

  98    odds advantages

  99    estimation reputation

102    venture hazard, risk

103    Albeit despite the fact that

104    make weigh, argue

106    cousin’s relative’s (i.e., nephew’s)

107    grace pardon

112    Rebuke shame, disgrace dread correction terrible punishment wait on us are at my command

113    office duty, task

115    fair fairly, fair terms take it advisedly consider it carefully

119    charge command/company, unit/responsibility

120    on their answer once we’ve had their answer, i.e., refusal of the terms

122    bestride stand astride a fallen man in order to defend him so thus—presumably Falstaff demonstrates the gesture

124    colossus giant; the Colossus of Rhodes, a gigantic statue of Apollo, supposedly stood astride the entrance to the harbor

127    death proverbial; puns on “debt”

129    forward eager pricks spurs

130    pricks me off marks me down (for a dead man) set…leg join together, set a broken leg

131    grief pain

133    trim fine, neat

134    insensible cannot be felt by the senses

135    Detraction slander

136    scutcheon heraldic shield, decorated with coats of arms and often used at funerals catechism set series of questions and answers (used as a form of instruction by the Church)

Act 5 Scene 2

 5.2    Location: the rebel camp near Shrewsbury, then the battlefield

    4    undone ruined

    7    still always

    9    Supposition notions, uncertainty, speculation stuck…eyes always watching, suspicious

  11    ne’er so tame however tame he appears

  12    trick trait

  13    Look…can however one appears or either

  14    misquote falsely report, misinterpret

  16    The…death refers to the fact that oxen are fattened up before being killed

  17    trespass wrongdoing, transgression

  19    adopted…privilege nickname, which gives him licence (i.e., Hotspur, signifying rash impulsiveness)

  20    hare-brained reckless, rash spleen violent bad temper (from the abdominal organ regarded as the location of strong emotion)

  21    live upon shall be blamed on

  22    train lead

  23    ta’en derived, caught (like an infectious disease)

  24    spring source

  26    In any case whatever happens

  27    Deliver…so say what you like, I’ll agree

  30    Deliver up release—Westmorland has been held as surety for Worcester’s safe return

  32    battle to engage in battle

  33    Defy him by send our defiant response through

  36    seeming apparent

  38    gently with dignity, like a gentleman

  39    mended improved on, contributed to

  40    forswearing…forsworn falsely swearing that he had not broken his word

  41    scourge punish

  43    Arm prepare, put on your armor

  45    engaged held as hostage bear convey

  49    would…heads if only the quarrel was just between the two of us

  50    draw short breath become out of breath (from fighting)/die

  51    Monmouth nickname for the prince; the name of the town on the Welsh-English border where he was born

  54    urged proposed

  56    gentle honorable/not excessively violent proof of arms trial of fighting skills

  57    duties of respect due to

  58    Trimmed…praises adorned his praise of you

  59    chronicle factual historical account

  60    Making…you increasing your worth since no praise of his could do justice to your merits

  63    blushing cital modest account

  64    chid rebuked, condemned truant neglectful, misspent

  65    double…instantly two sides of himself, both teacher and pupil, at the same time

  68    envy malice, hostility

  69    owe own

  70    wantonness wild, dissolute behavior

  72    On of

  73    so…liberty who indulged in so much lawless freedom, wild behavior

  76    shrink…courtesy be overwhelmed by my degree of courtesy/collapse, be wounded by me

  78    Better…persuasion you are better off thinking for yourselves about what you have to do than expecting me, who lacks the gift of eloquence, to try to rouse your spirits

  84    To…hour a life spent basely goes on for too long even if it only lasts an hour If even if dial’s point hand of a clock

  88    brave glorious

  89    fair justifiable

  91    apace swiftly

  92    cuts me forces me to break off

  93    profess not don’t claim to be expert at

  95    temper character/degree of hardness

  97    adventure risky venture

  98    Esperance! hope (French; part of the Percy family motto)

  99    instruments i.e., trumpets, drums

101    heaven to earth I’ll wager heaven against earth (i.e., something eternal and valuable against something transitory and unimportant) [and exeunt] most editions introduce a scene break here, but Folio does not have one and the action continues, with the imaginary location shifting seamlessly from rebel camp to battlefield Alarum call to battle (played on a trumpet) dressed like the King wearing the king’s colors, Blunt is acting as a decoy. Most editors introduce a scene break at this stage direction, since the stage is momentarily bare and the imaginary location shifts from the rebel camp to the battlefield, but in the early texts and on stage the action is continuous

107    haunt follow

110    dear at great cost bought thy likeness paid for appearing like you (i.e., Stafford was also dressed like the king)

117    Holmedon town in Northumberland

122    full extremely

124    Semblably furnished similarly dressed and armed

128    marching…coats wearing the same clothing as him coats sleeveless outer garments adorned with heraldic arms, worn over armor

133    stand…day seem likely to win the battle solus alone

134    shot-free without paying the tavern bill/without getting shot

135    scoring adding to tavern bill/being wounded pate head

136    Here’s no vanity! There’s no self-conceit or concern for frivolity in death! molten melted

137    lead i.e., bullets bowels guts, stomach

138    ragamuffins i.e., his ragged company of soldiers peppered shot and killed; this would enable Falstaff to pocket his soldiers’ pay

139    town’s end outskirts of the town where beggars congregate

142    vaunting bragging, vainglorious

145    Turk Gregory Pope Gregory VII or XIII; both had violent reputations Turk violent barbarian

146    paid repaid, settled with (i.e., killed)

147    sure i.e., dead, but the prince shifts the sense to “out of danger”

151    case holster

152    hot Falstaff claims it has recently been fired frequently sack destroy out i.e., from Falstaff’s holster

154    pierce pronounced “perse”—the word puns on “Percy” so so be it/thus—presumably miming his action

155    carbonado dish of scored, grilled meat grinning honour i.e., the sort of honor Blunt has earned, whose expression is now fixed as death stiffens his facial muscles

156    so all well and good

157    unlooked for without being sought, unexpectedly an end death/of my speech

Act 5 Scene 3

 5.3    Location: the battlefield at Shrewsbury Excursions outbursts of fighting moving across the stage

    5    make up advance, bring up your forces

    6    retirement retreat, insufficiently aggressive strategy amaze alarm, bewilder

  13    stained bloodstained (may play on sense of “dishonored”)

  15    breathe rest, pause

  21    point i.e., of his sword

  22    lustier maintenance more vigorous bearing

  23    ungrown immature; historically, John was thirteen at the time of the battle

  24    mettle courage, spirit

  25    Hydra’s heads in Greek mythology, the Hydra was a monster that grew two heads for every one that was cut off

  27    colours i.e., the king’s

  28    counterfeit’st impersonates

  30    shadows reflections/those in disguise, actors

  31    very real, true

  32    Seek who seek

  34    assay test

  37    mine my victim, conquest

  39    like likely

  41    are…arms lend strength to my arms

  43    pay settle the debt/kill flieth runs away

  44    Cheerly expression of encouragement

  48    opinion reputation

  49    mak’st…life have some care for my life

  52    hearkened waited eagerly for, sought

  54    insulting threatening, harmful/boastful, contemptuous

  58    Make up to move your forces forward

  66    motion course, trajectory, orbit sphere orbit; stars and planets were thought to be contained within crystalline spheres

  67    brook endure

  71    name in arms military reputation

  73    budding…crest literally, chivalric favors decorating his helmet; figuratively, his glorious reputation

  75    vanities vain boasts

  76    said done killeth i.e., fatally wounds

  79    brittle fragile

  80    titles claims to honor

  84    prophesy conventional belief held that the dying were able to foretell the future

  89    III-weaved devious, tangled

  91    too…bound insufficient to contain it

  94    stout strong, valiant

  95    sensible aware

  96    show of zeal expression of feeling

  97    favours chivalric tokens worn on his helmet

101    ignominy shame

106    heavy…thee miss you greatly (heavy plays on the sense of “weighty, fat”)

109    dearer more noble/more valuable

110    Emboweled disemboweled (in preparation for embalming)

111    in blood in his own blood (plays on hunting term; a deer that was in blood was vigorous and full of life)

112    powder embalm/preserve in salt (like venison)

113    termagant savage, violent

114    scot and lot in full

117    discretion good judgment

118    gunpowder i.e., fiery, explosive

121    confutes refutes, contradicts

124    fleshed initiated into fighting (plays on the sense of “sexual initiated”; from the practice of feeding hunting dogs raw meat to excite them)

125    maiden virgin, previously unused sword with phallic connotations

130    fantasy illusion, imagination

134    double man ghost/two men (referring to the fact he carries Hotspur on his back)

135    jack knave

139    at an instant simultaneously

140    Shrewsbury clock perhaps referring to an actual clock (e.g., the church clock), or a metaphorical phrase

141    take’t…death swear as though I were about to die and my soul depended upon it

146    luggage i.e., Hotspur

147    do thee grace bring you honor

148    gild embellish happiest most favorable retreat specific trumpet call signaling retreat

149    the…ours we have won

150    highest highest vantage point

153    do…less become a powerful nobleman/I’ll slim down purge repent, purify myself/take laxatives or emetics to cause weight loss leave give up

Act 5 Scene 4

    1    rebuke punishment

    2    III-spirited wicked, evil-hearted grace good will, forgiveness

    4    turn…contrary report the opposite

    5    Misuse abuse tenor character, nature

    6    upon our party on our side

  10    true intelligence honest information

  11    safety concern for personal safety

  14    the death execution

  15    pause upon think about, consider their fates

  16    field battlefield

  20    Upon…fear running away in fear

  22    took seized, arrested

  24    dispose of decide what to do with

  27    honourable bounty the honor of this act of generosity

  29    to his pleasure to do as he pleases

  30    crests helmets

  31    high noble

  32    Even…adversaries in Quarto, Prince John replies before the king’s closing speech: “I thank your grace for this high courtesy, / Which I shall give away immediately.” (“give away”: undertake, pass on [to Douglas])

  33    power army

  35    bend you direct your course dearest utmost

  36    prelate ecclesiastical dignitary (i.e., the Archbishop of York, Richard Scroop)

  37    busily in arms engaged in preparing for battle

  41    check curb, reprimand such another day another battle like today’s

  42    fair successfully

  43    leave stop all…won everything that rightfully belongs to us is under our control (won puns on “one”)

THE SECOND PART OF HENRY THE FOURTH,
Containing His Death and the Coronation of King Henry the Fifth*

RUMOUR, the presenter

KING HENRY IV

PRINCE HENRY, later King Henry V, also known as Hal or Harry Monmouth

Prince John of LANCASTER, brother to the prince

Humphrey, Duke of GLOUCESTER, a younger brother

Thomas, Duke of CLARENCE, a younger brother

LADY NORTHUMBERLAND, Northumberland’s wife

LADY PERCY, Northumberland’s daughter-in-law, widow of Henry Percy known as Hotspur

Northumberland’s PORTER

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE and his SERVANT

HOSTESS QUICKLY, landlady of a tavern

DOLL TEARSHEET

FRANCIS, a drawer

WILLIAM, a drawer

SECOND DRAWER

SHALLOW, a country Justice of the Peace

SILENCE, his kinsman, another Justice of the Peace

DAVY, servant to Shallow

FANG, a constable

SNARE, his yeoman or assistant

Page to the King, Messengers, Servants, Musicians, Grooms, Beadles, Soldiers, Attendants

Speaker of the EPILOGUE

Induction1.1

       Enter Rumour

RUMOUR

RUMOUR     Open your ears, for which of you will stop

               The vent of hearing² when loud Rumour speaks?

               I, from the orient³ to the drooping west,

               Making the wind my post-horse,⁴ still unfold

5

5             The acts⁵ commencèd on this ball of earth.

               Upon my tongue continual slanders ride,

               The which in every language I pronounce,

               Stuffing the ears of them with false reports.

               I speak of peace, while covert enmity

10

10           Under the smile of safety wounds the world.

               And who but Rumour, who but only I,

               Make fearful¹² musters and prepared defence

               Whilst the big¹³ year, swoll’n with some other griefs,

               Is thought with child by the stern tyrant war,

15

15           And¹⁵ no such matter? Rumour is a pipe

               Blown by surmises, jealousies,¹⁶ conjectures

               And of¹⁷ so easy and so plain a stop

               That the blunt¹⁸ monster with uncounted heads,

               The still-discordant¹⁹ wavering multitude,

20

20           Can play upon it. But what need I thus

               My well-known body to anatomize²¹

               Among my household?²² Why is Rumour here?

               I run before King Harry’s victory,²³

               Who in a bloody field²⁴ by Shrewsbury

25

25           Hath beaten down young Hotspur²⁵ and his troops,

               Quenching the flame of bold rebellion

               Even with the rebels’ blood. But what mean I

               To speak so true at first? My office²⁸ is

               To noise abroad that Harry Monmouth²⁹ fell

30

30           Under the wrath of noble Hotspur’s sword,

               And that the king before the Douglas’³¹ rage

               Stooped his anointed³² head as low as death.

               This have I rumoured through the peasant³³ towns

               Between the royal field of Shrewsbury

35

35           And this worm-eaten hold³⁵ of ragged stone,

               Where Hotspur’s father, old Northumberland,

               Lies crafty-sick.³⁷ The posts come tiring on,

               And not a man of them brings other news

               Than³⁹ they have learned of me. From Rumour’s tongues

40

40           They bring smooth comforts false, worse than true wrongs.⁴⁰

              Exit

Act 1 Scene [1]1.1

running scene 1

       Enter Lord Bardolph and the Porter [separately]

LORD BARDOLPH

LORD BARDOLPH Who keeps¹ the gate here, ho?

               Where is the earl?

PORTER

PORTER     What³ shall I say you are?

LORD BARDOLPH

LORD BARDOLPH Tell thou the earl

5

5             That the lord Bardolph doth attend⁵ him here.

PORTER

PORTER     His⁶ lordship is walked forth into the orchard.

               Please it⁷ your honour, knock but at the gate,

               And he himself will answer.

       Enter Northumberland

LORD BARDOLPH

LORD BARDOLPH Here comes the earl.

       [Exit Porter]

10

10   

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND What news, Lord Bardolph? Every minute now

               Should be the father of some stratagem;¹¹

               The times are wild:¹² contention, like a horse

               Full of high feeding,¹³ madly hath broke loose

               And bears down¹⁴ all before him.

15

15   

LORD BARDOLPH

LORD BARDOLPH Noble earl,

               I bring you certain¹⁶ news from Shrewsbury.

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND Good, an¹⁷ heaven will!

LORD BARDOLPH

LORD BARDOLPH As good as heart can wish:

               The king is almost wounded to the death

20

20           And, in the fortune of my lord your son,²⁰

               Prince Harry slain outright, and both the Blunts²¹

               Killed by the hand of Douglas, young Prince John²²

               And Westmorland²³ and Stafford fled the field,

               And Harry Monmouth’s brawn,²⁴ the hulk Sir John,

25

25           Is prisoner to your son. O, such a day,

               So fought, so followed²⁶ and so fairly won,

               Came not till now to dignify the times

               Since Caesar’s fortunes!²⁸

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND How²⁹ is this derived?

30

30           Saw you the field? Came you from Shrewsbury?

LORD BARDOLPH

LORD BARDOLPH I spake with one, my lord, that came from thence,

               A gentleman well bred and of good name,

               That freely rendered³³ me these news for true.

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND Here comes my servant Travers,³⁴ whom I sent

35

35           On Tuesday last to listen after news.

       Enter Travers

LORD BARDOLPH

LORD BARDOLPH My lord, I over-rode³⁶ him on the way,

               And he is furnished with no certainties

               More than he haply³⁸ may retail from me.

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND Now, Travers, what good tidings comes from you?

40

40   

TRAVERS

TRAVERS           My lord, Sir John Umfrevile⁴⁰ turned me back

               With joyful tidings; and, being better horsed,

               Outrode⁴² me. After him came spurring hard

               A gentleman, almost forspent⁴³ with speed,

               That stopped by me to breathe⁴⁴ his bloodied horse.

45

40           He asked the way to Chester,⁴⁵ and of him

               I did demand what news from Shrewsbury:

               He told me that rebellion had ill luck

               And that young Harry Percy’s spur was cold.

               With that, he gave his able⁴⁹ horse the head,

50

50           And bending forwards struck his able⁵⁰ heels

               Against the panting sides of his poor jade⁵¹

               Up to the rowel-head,⁵² and starting so

               He seemed in running to devour the way,⁵³

               Staying⁵⁴ no longer question.

55

55   

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND Ha? Again:

               Said he young Harry Percy’s spur was cold?

               Of Hotspur Coldspur? That rebellion

               Had met ill luck?

LORD BARDOLPH

LORD BARDOLPH My lord, I’ll tell you what:

60

60           If my young lord your son have⁶⁰ not the day,

               Upon mine honour, for a silken point⁶¹

               I’ll give my barony.⁶² Never talk of it.

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND Why should the gentleman that rode by Travers

               Give then such instances⁶⁴ of loss?

65

65   

LORD BARDOLPH

LORD BARDOLPH Who, he?

               He was some hilding⁶⁶ fellow that had stolen

               The horse he rode on, and, upon my life,

               Spoke at a venture.⁶⁸ Look, here comes more news.

       Enter Morton

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND Yea, this man’s brow, like to a title-leaf,⁶⁹

70

70           Foretells the nature of a tragic volume:

               So looks the strand⁷¹ when the imperious flood

               Hath left a witnessed usurpation.⁷²—

               Say, Morton, didst thou come from Shrewsbury?

MORTON

MORTON     I ran from Shrewsbury, my noble lord,

75

75           Where hateful death put on his ugliest mask

               To fright our party.

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND How doth my son and brother?

               Thou trembl’st; and the whiteness in thy cheek

               Is apter⁷⁹ than thy tongue to tell thy errand.

80

80           Even⁸⁰ such a man, so faint, so spiritless,

               So dull, so dead in look, so woe-begone,

               Drew⁸² Priam’s curtain in the dead of night,

               And would have told him half his Troy was burned.

               But Priam found the fire ere⁸⁴ he his tongue,

85

85           And I my Percy’s death ere thou report’st it.

               This thou wouldst say, ‘Your son did thus and thus.

               Your brother thus. So fought the noble Douglas’,

               Stopping⁸⁸ my greedy ear with their bold deeds.

               But in the end, to stop⁸⁹ mine ear indeed,

90

90           Thou hast a sigh to blow away this praise,

               Ending with ‘Brother, son, and all are dead.’

MORTON

MORTON     Douglas is living, and your brother, yet.

               But, for my lord your son—

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND Why, he is dead.

95

95           See what a ready tongue suspicion hath!

               He that but fears the thing he would not know

               Hath by instinct knowledge from others’ eyes

               That what he feared is chanced.⁹⁸ Yet speak, Morton —

               Tell thou thy earl his divination⁹⁹ lies,

100

10         And I will take it as a sweet disgrace

               And make thee rich for doing¹⁰¹ me such wrong.

MORTON

MORTON     You are too great to be by me gainsaid:¹⁰²

               Your spirit¹⁰³ is too true, your fears too certain.

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND Yet, for all this, say not that Percy’s dead.

105

105         I see a strange confession in thine eye:

               Thou shak’st thy head and hold’st¹⁰⁶ it fear or sin

               To speak a truth. If he be slain, say so:

               The tongue offends not that reports his death.

               And he doth sin that doth belie¹⁰⁹ the dead,

110

110         Not he which says the dead is not alive.

               Yet the first bringer of unwelcome news

               Hath but a losing office,¹¹² and his tongue

               Sounds ever after as a sullen¹¹³ bell,

               Rememb’red knolling¹¹⁴ a departing friend.

115

115 

LORD BARDOLPH

LORD BARDOLPH I cannot think, my lord, your son is dead.

MORTON

MORTON     I am sorry I should force you to believe

               That which I would¹¹⁷ to heaven I had not seen.

               But these mine eyes saw him in bloody state,

               Rend’ring faint quittance,¹¹⁹ wearied and out-breathed,

120

120         To Henry Monmouth, whose swift wrath beat down

               The never-daunted¹²¹ Percy to the earth,

               From whence with life he never more sprung up.

               In few,¹²³ his death, whose spirit lent a fire

               Even to the dullest peasant in his camp,

125

125         Being bruited¹²⁵ once, took fire and heat away

               From the best tempered¹²⁶ courage in his troops,

               For from his mettle¹²⁷ was his party steeled;

               Which once in him abated,¹²⁸ all the rest

               Turned on themselves, like dull and heavy lead.

130

130         And as the thing that’s heavy in itself,

               Upon enforcement¹³¹ flies with greatest speed,

               So did our men, heavy in¹³² Hotspur’s loss,

               Lend¹³³ to this weight such lightness with their fear

               That arrows fled not swifter toward their aim

135

135         Than did our soldiers, aiming at their safety,

               Fly from the field. Then was the noble Worcester¹³⁶

               Too soon ta’en prisoner. And that furious Scot,

               The bloody Douglas, whose well-labouring¹³⁸ sword

               Had three times slain th’appearance of the king,¹³⁹

140

140         ’Gan¹⁴⁰ vail his stomach and did grace the shame

               Of those that turned their backs, and in his flight,

               Stumbling in fear, was took. The sum of all

               Is that the king hath won, and hath sent out

               A speedy power¹⁴⁴ to encounter you, my lord,

145

145         Under the conduct of young Lancaster¹⁴⁵

               And Westmorland. This is the news at¹⁴⁶ full.

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND For this I shall have time enough to mourn.

               In poison there is physic,¹⁴⁸ and this news,

               Having been well, that would have made me sick,

150

150         Being sick, have in¹⁵⁰ some measure made me well.

               And as the wretch, whose fever-weakened joints,

               Like strengthless hinges, buckle under life,

               Impatient¹⁵³ of his fit, breaks like a fire

               Out of his keeper’s¹⁵⁴ arms, even so my limbs,

155

155         Weakened¹⁵⁵ with grief, being now enraged with grief,

               Are thrice themselves. Hence, therefore, thou nice¹⁵⁶ crutch! Throws down his crutch

               A scaly gauntlet¹⁵⁷ now with joints of steel

               Must glove this hand. And hence, thou sickly coif!¹⁵⁸ Throws down his nightcap

               Thou art a guard too wanton¹⁵⁹ for the head

160

160         Which princes, fleshed¹⁶⁰ with conquest, aim to hit.

               Now bind my brows with iron, and approach

               The ragged’st¹⁶² hour that time and spite dare bring

               To frown upon th’enraged Northumberland!

               Let heaven kiss earth! Now let not Nature’s hand

165

165         Keep the wild flood confined! Let order die!

               And let the world no longer be a stage

               To feed contention¹⁶⁷ in a ling’ring act,

               But let one spirit of the first-born Cain¹⁶⁸

               Reign in all bosoms, that, each heart being set

170

170         On bloody courses, the rude¹⁷⁰ scene may end,

               And darkness be the burier of the dead!

LORD BARDOLPH

LORD BARDOLPH Sweet earl, divorce not wisdom from your honour.

MORTON

MORTON     The lives of all your loving complices¹⁷³

               Lean on your health, the which, if you give o’er¹⁷⁴

175

175         To stormy passion,¹⁷⁵ must perforce decay.

               You cast th’event¹⁷⁶ of war, my noble lord,

               And summed¹⁷⁷ the account of chance, before you said ‘

               Let us make head.’¹⁷⁸ It was your presurmise

               That in the dole¹⁷⁹ of blows, your son might drop.

180

180         You knew he walked o’er perils on an edge,¹⁸⁰

               More likely to fall in than to get o’er:

               You were advised¹⁸² his flesh was capable

               Of wounds and scars and that his forward¹⁸³ spirit

               Would lift him where most trade of¹⁸⁴ danger ranged:

185

185         Yet did you say ‘Go forth’, and none of this,

               Though strongly apprehended,¹⁸⁶ could restrain

               The stiff-borne¹⁸⁷ action. What hath then befallen,

               Or what hath this bold enterprise brought forth,

               More than that being which was like¹⁸⁹ to be?

190

190 

LORD BARDOLPH

LORD BARDOLPH We all that are engagèd to¹⁹⁰ this loss

               Knew that we ventured on such dangerous seas

               That if¹⁹² we wrought our life was ten to one.

               And yet we ventured, for the gain proposed

               Choked the respect¹⁹⁴ of likely peril feared.

195

195         And since we are o’erset,¹⁹⁵ venture again.

               Come, we will all put forth,¹⁹⁶ body and goods.

MORTON

MORTON     ’Tis¹⁹⁷ more than time. And, my most noble lord,

               I hear for certain, and do speak the truth:

               The gentle¹⁹⁹ Archbishop of York is up

200

200         With well-appointed powers.²⁰⁰ He is a man

               Who with a double surety²⁰¹ binds his followers.

               My lord your son had only but the corpse,²⁰²

               But²⁰³ shadows and the shows of men, to fight,

               For that same word, rebellion, did divide

205

205         The action of their bodies from their souls,

               And they did fight with queasiness,²⁰⁶ constrained,

               As²⁰⁷ men drink potions, that their weapons only

               Seemed on our side. But, for their spirits and souls,

               This word, rebellion, it had froze them up,

210

210         As fish are in a pond. But now the bishop

               Turns insurrection to religion.²¹¹

               Supposed²¹² sincere and holy in his thoughts,

               He’s followed both with body and with mind,

               And doth enlarge his rising²¹⁴ with the blood

215

215         Of fair King Richard, scraped from Pomfret stones:

               Derives from heaven his quarrel and his cause:

               Tells them he doth bestride²¹⁷ a bleeding land,

               Gasping for life under great Bullingbrook:²¹⁸

               And more and less²¹⁹ do flock to follow him.

220

220 

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND I knew of this before. But, to speak truth,

               This present grief had wiped it from my mind.

               Go in with me, and counsel every man

               The aptest²²³ way for safety and revenge.

               Get posts²²⁴ and letters, and make friends with speed.

225

225         Never so few, nor never yet more need.

       Exeunt

Act 1 Scene [2]1.2

running scene 2

       Enter Falstaff and Page

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Sirrah,¹ you giant, what says the doctor to my water?

PAGE

PAGE     He said, sir, the water itself was a good healthy water, but, for the party that owed³ it, he might have more diseases than he knew for.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Men of all sorts take a pride to gird at⁴ me. The brain of this foolish-compounded clay, man, is not able to invent anything that tends to laughter, more than I invent or is invented on me. I am not only witty in myself, but the cause that wit is in other men. I do here walk before thee like a sow that hath o’erwhelmed⁸ all her litter but one. If the prince put thee into my service for any other reason than to set me off,⁹ why then I have no judgement. Thou whoreson mandrake,¹⁰ thou art fitter to be worn in my cap than to wait at my heels. I was never manned with¹¹ an agate till now: but I will set you neither in gold nor silver, but in vile apparel, and send¹² you back again to your master, for a jewel — the juvenal,¹³ the prince your master, whose chin is not yet fledged. I will sooner have a beard grow in the palm of my hand than he shall get one on his cheek, yet he will not stick¹⁵ to say his face is a face-royal. Heaven may finish it when he will, it is not a hair amiss¹⁶ yet. He may keep it still at a face-royal, for a barber shall never earn sixpence out of it; and yet he will be crowing as if he had writ¹⁷ man ever since his father was a bachelor. He may keep his own grace,¹⁸ but he is almost out of mine, I can assure him. What said Master Dombledon¹⁹ about the satin for my short cloak and slops?²⁰

PAGE

PAGE     He said, sir, you should procure him better assurance²¹ than Bardolph: he would not take his bond and yours. He liked not the security.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Let²³ him be damned, like the glutton! May his tongue be hotter! A whoreson Achitophel!²⁴ A rascally yea-forsooth knave, to bear a gentleman in hand, and then stand²⁵ upon security! The whoreson smooth-pates do now wear nothing but high²⁶ shoes, and bunches of keys at their girdles. And if a man is through²⁷ with them in honest taking up, then they must stand upon security. I had as lief²⁸ they would put ratsbane in my mouth as offer to stop it with security. I looked²⁹ he should have sent me two and twenty yards of satin, as I am true knight, and he sends me security. Well, he may sleep in security, for he hath the horn of abundance,³⁰ and the lightness³¹ of his wife shines through it, and yet cannot he see, though he have his own lanthorn³² to light him. Where’s Bardolph?

PAGE

PAGE     He’s gone into Smithfield³³ to buy your worship a horse.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     I bought him in Paul’s,³⁴ and he’ll buy me a horse in Smithfield. If I could get me a wife in the stews,³⁵ I were manned, horsed, and wived.

       Enter Chief Justice and Servant

PAGE

PAGE     Sir, here comes the nobleman³⁶ that committed the prince for striking him about Bardolph.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Wait, close.³⁸ I will not see him. Tries to sneak away

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE What’s he that goes there?

SERVANT

SERVANT     Falstaff, an’t⁴⁰ please your lordship.

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE He that was in question for⁴¹ the robbery?

SERVANT

SERVANT     He, my lord. But he hath since done good service⁴² at Shrewsbury, and, as I hear, is now going with some charge⁴³ to the lord John of Lancaster.

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE What, to York? Call him back again.

SERVANT

SERVANT     Sir John Falstaff!

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Boy, tell him I am deaf.

PAGE

PAGE     You must speak louder: my master is deaf.

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE I am sure he is, to the hearing of anything good. Go, pluck him by the elbow, I must speak with him.

SERVANT

SERVANT     Sir John!

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     What? A young knave, and beg? Is there not wars?⁵¹ Is there not employment? Doth not the king lack subjects? Do not the rebels want⁵² soldiers? Though it be a shame to be on any side but one, it is worse shame to beg than to be on the worstr side, were⁵⁴ it worse than the name of rebellion can tell how to make it.

SERVANT

SERVANT     You mistake me, sir.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Why, sir, did I say you were an honest man? Setting⁵⁷ my knighthood and my soldiership aside, I had lied in my throat,⁵⁸ if I had said so.

SERVANT

SERVANT     I pray you, sir, then set your knighthood and your soldiership aside, and give me leave to tell you, you lie in your throat if you say I am any other than an honest man.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     I give thee leave to tell me so? I lay aside that which grows to⁶² me? If thou gett’st any leave of me, hang me: if thou tak’st leave, thou wert better be hanged. You hunt counter,⁶⁴ hence! Avaunt!

SERVANT

SERVANT     Sir, my lord would speak with you.

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE Sir John Falstaff, a word with you.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     My good lord! Give your lordship good time of the day. I am glad to see your lordship abroad.⁶⁸ I heard say your lordship was sick. I hope your lordship goes abroad by advice.⁶⁹ Your lordship, though not clean past your youth, hath yet some smack⁷⁰ of age in you, some relish of the saltness of time, and I most humbly beseech your lordship to have a reverend⁷¹ care of your health.

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE Sir John, I sent for you before your expedition to Shrewsbury.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     If it please your lordship, I hear his majesty is returned with some discomfort from Wales.

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE I talk not of his majesty: you would not come when I sent for you.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     And I hear, moreover, his highness is fallen into this same whoreson apoplexy.⁷⁷

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE Well, heaven mend him! I pray, let me speak with you.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     This apoplexy is, as I take it, a kind of lethargy, a sleeping of the blood, a whoreson tingling.

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE What⁸¹ tell you me of it? Be it as it is.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     It hath it original⁸² from much grief, from study and perturbation of the brain. I have read the cause of his effects in Galen:⁸³ it is a kind of deafness.

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE I think you are fallen into the disease, for you hear not what I say to you.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Very well, my lord, very well. Rather, an’t please you, it is the disease of not listening, the malady of not marking,⁸⁷ that I am troubled withal.

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE To punish⁸⁸ you by the heels would amend the attention of your ears, and I care not if I be your physician.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     I am as poor as Job,⁹⁰ my lord, but not so patient: your lordship may minister the potion of imprisonment to me in⁹¹ respect of poverty, but how I should be your patient to follow your prescriptions, the wise⁹² may make some dram of a scruple, or indeed a scruple itself.

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE I sent for you, when there were matters⁹⁴ against you for your life, to come speak with me.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     As I was then advised by my learned counsel in the laws of this land-service,⁹⁶ I did not come.

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE Well, the truth is, Sir John, you live in great infamy.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     He⁹⁹ that buckles him in my belt cannot live in less.

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE Your means¹⁰⁰ is very slender, and your waste great.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     I would it were otherwise: I would my means were greater, and my waist slenderer.

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE You have misled the youthful prince.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     The young prince hath misled me. I¹⁰⁴ am the fellow with the great belly, and he my dog.

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE Well, I am loath to gall¹⁰⁶ a new-healed wound: your day’s service at Shrewsbury hath a little gilded over your night’s exploit¹⁰⁷ on Gad’s Hill. You may thank the unquiet¹⁰⁸ time for your quiet o’er-posting that action.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     My lord?

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE But since all is well, keep it so: wake not a sleeping wolf.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     To wake a wolf is as bad as to smell a fox.¹¹¹

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE What? You are as a candle, the better¹¹² part burnt out.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     A wassail candle,¹¹³ my lord, all tallow: if I did say of wax, my growth would approve¹¹⁴ the truth.

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE There is not a white hair on your face but should have his¹¹⁵ effect of gravity.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     His effect of gravy,¹¹⁷ gravy, gravy.

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE You follow the young prince up and down, like his evil angel.¹¹⁸

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Not so, my lord, your ill angel is light:¹¹⁹ but I hope he that looks upon me will take me without weighing.¹²⁰ And yet, in some respects, I grant, I cannot go: I cannot tell.¹²¹ Virtue is of so little regard in these costermongers that true valour is turned bear-herd:¹²² pregnancy is made a tapster, and hath his quick wit wasted in giving reckonings:¹²³ all the other gifts appertinent to man — as the malice of this age shapes them — are not worth a gooseberry. You that are old consider not the capacities of us that are young. You measure the heat of our livers¹²⁵ with the bitterness of your galls.¹²⁶ And we that are in the vaward of our youth, I must confess, are wags¹²⁷ too.

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE Do you set down your name in the scroll of youth, that are written down old with all the characters¹²⁹ of age? Have you not a moist eye? A dry hand? A yellow cheek? A white beard? A decreasing leg? An increasing belly? Is not your voice broken?¹³¹ Your wind short? Your wit single? And every part about you blasted¹³² with antiquity? And will you call yourself young? Fie, fie, fie, Sir John.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     My lord, I was born with a white head and something a round belly. For my voice, I have lost it with halloing¹³⁴ and singing of anthems. To approve my youth further, I will not. The truth is, I am only old in judgement and understanding, and he that will caper with¹³⁶ me for a thousand marks, let him lend me the money, and have at him!¹³⁷ For the box of th’ear that the prince gave you, he gave it like a rude¹³⁸ prince, and you took it like a sensible lord. I have checked him for it, and the young lion repents; marry,¹³⁹ not in ashes and sackcloth, but in new silk and old sack.¹⁴⁰

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE Well, heaven send the prince a better companion!

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Heaven send the companion a better prince! I cannot rid my hands of him.

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE Well, the king hath severed you and Prince Harry. I hear you are going with Lord John of Lancaster against the archbishop and the Earl of Northumberland.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Yes, I¹⁴⁶ thank your pretty sweet wit for it. But look you pray — all you that kiss my lady Peace at home — that our armies join not in a hot day, for if I take but two shirts out with me, and I mean not to sweat extraordinarily: if it be a hot day, if I brandish anything but my bottle, would I might never spit white¹⁴⁹ again. There is not a dangerous action¹⁵⁰ can peep out his head but I am thrust upon it. Well, I cannot last ever.

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE Well, be honest,¹⁵² be honest, and heaven bless your expedition.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Will your lordship lend me a thousand pound to furnish me forth?¹⁵³

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE Not a penny, not a penny. You are too impatient to bear crosses.¹⁵⁴ Fare you well. Commend me to my cousin Westmorland.

       [Exeunt Lord Chief Justice and Servant]

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE If I do, fillip¹⁵⁶ me with a three-man beetle. A man can no more separate age and covetousness than he can part young limbs and lechery: but the gout galls the one, and the pox¹⁵⁸ pinches the other; and so both the degrees prevent my curses.— Boy!

PAGE

PAGE     Sir?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     What money is in my purse?

PAGE

PAGE     Seven groats¹⁶² and two-pence.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     I can get no remedy against this consumption¹⁶³ of the purse. Borrowing only lingers and lingers it out, but the disease is incurable. Gives letters Go bear this letter to my lord of Lancaster, this to the prince, this to the Earl of Westmorland, and this to old Mistress Ursula,¹⁶⁶ whom I have weekly sworn to marry since I perceived the first white hair on my chin. About it: you know where to find me.

       [Exit Page]

                  A pox of¹⁶⁸ this gout, or a gout of this pox! For the one or th’other plays the rogue with my great toe. It is no matter if I do halt.¹⁶⁹ I have the wars for my colour, and my pension shall seem the more reasonable. A good wit will make use of anything: I will turn diseases to commodity.¹⁷¹

       Exit

Act 1 Scene [3]1.3

running scene 3

       Enter Archbishop, Hastings, Mowbray and Lord Bardolph

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK Thus have you heard our causes¹ and know our means,

               And, my most noble friends, I pray you all

               Speak plainly your opinions of our hopes.

               And first, lord marshal,⁴ what say you to it?

5

5     

MOWBRAY

MOWBRAY               I well allow⁵ the occasion of our arms,

               But gladly would be better satisfied

               How in⁷ our means we should advance ourselves

               To look with forehead bold and big enough

               Upon the power and puissance⁹ of the king.

10

10   

HASTINGS

HASTINGS           Our¹⁰ present musters grow upon the file

               To five and twenty thousand men of choice,¹¹

               And our supplies¹² live largely in the hope

               Of great Northumberland, whose bosom burns

               With an incensèd fire of injuries.

15

15   

LORD BARDOLPH

LORD BARDOLPH The question then, Lord Hastings, standeth thus:

               Whether our present five and twenty thousand

               May hold up head¹⁷ without Northumberland?

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     With him, we may.

LORD BARDOLPH

LORD BARDOLPH Ay, marry, there’s the point:

20

20           But if without him we be thought too feeble,

               My judgement is, we should not step too far

               Till we had his assistance by the hand.²²

               For in a theme²³ so bloody-faced as this,

               Conjecture, expectation and surmise

25

25           Of aids incertain²⁵ should not be admitted.

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK ’Tis very true, Lord Bardolph, for indeed

               It was young Hotspur’s case²⁷ at Shrewsbury.

LORD BARDOLPH

LORD BARDOLPH It was, my lord, who lined²⁸ himself with hope,

               Eating the air²⁹ on promise of supply,

30

30           Flatt’ring himself with project³⁰ of a power

               Much smaller³¹ than the smallest of his thoughts,

               And so, with great imagination

               Proper to madmen, led his powers to death

               And winking³⁴ leaped into destruction.

35

35   

HASTINGS

HASTINGS           But, by your leave,³⁵ it never yet did hurt

               To lay down likelihoods and forms of hope.

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE Yes,³⁷ if this present quality of war —

               Indeed the instant³⁸ action, a cause on foot —

               Lives³⁹ so in hope as in an early spring

40

40           We see th’appearing buds, which to prove fruit,

               Hope gives not so much warrant as despair

               That frosts will bite them. When we mean to build,

               We first survey the plot, then draw the model,

               And when we see the figure⁴⁴ of the house,

45

45           Then must we rate⁴⁵ the cost of the erection,

               Which if we find outweighs ability,⁴⁶

               What do we then but draw anew the model

               In fewer offices?⁴⁸ Or at least desist

               To build at all? Much more, in this great work —

50

50           Which is almost to pluck a kingdom down

               And set another up — should we survey

               The plot of situation and the model,

               Consent⁵³ upon a sure foundation,

               Question surveyors, know our own estate,⁵⁴

55

55           How able⁵⁵ such a work to undergo,

               To weigh against his opposite.⁵⁶ Or else

               We fortify⁵⁷ in paper and in figures,

               Using the names of men instead of men,

               Like one that draws the model of a house

60

60           Beyond his power to build it; who, half through,

               Gives o’er⁶¹ and leaves his part-created cost

               A naked subject⁶² to the weeping clouds

               And waste for churlish⁶³ winter’s tyranny.

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     Grant that our hopes, yet likely of fair birth,

65

65           Should be still-born, and that we now⁶⁵ possessed

               The utmost man of expectation,

               I think we are a body strong enough,

               Even as we are, to equal with the king.

LORD BARDOLPH

LORD BARDOLPH What, is the king but five and twenty thousand?

70

70   

HASTINGS

HASTINGS           To us no more, nay, not so much, Lord Bardolph.

               For his divisions — as⁷¹ the times do brawl —

               Are in three heads: one power against the French,

               And one against Glendower,⁷³ perforce a third

               Must take up us. So is the unfirm⁷⁴ king

75

75           In three divided, and his coffers⁷⁵ sound

               With hollow poverty and emptiness.

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK That he should draw his several strengths together

               And come against us in full puissance

               Need not be dreaded.

80

80   

HASTINGS

HASTINGS           If he should do so,

               He leaves his back unarmed, the French and Welsh

               Baying⁸² him at the heels: never fear that.

LORD BARDOLPH

LORD BARDOLPH Who is it like⁸³ should lead his forces hither?

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     The Duke of Lancaster and Westmorland:

85

               Against the Welsh, himself and Harry Monmouth.

               But who is substituted⁸⁶ gainst the French,

               I have no certain notice.⁸⁷

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK Let us on,

               And publish the occasion⁸⁹ of our arms.

90

90           The commonwealth is sick of their own choice,

               Their over-greedy love hath surfeited:⁹¹

               An habitation⁹² giddy and unsure

               Hath he that buildeth on the vulgar heart.⁹³

               O thou fond many,⁹⁴ with what loud applause

95

95           Didst thou beat heaven with blessing Bullingbrook,

               Before he was what thou wouldst have him be!

               And being now trimmed⁹⁷ in thine own desires,

               Thou,⁹⁸ beastly feeder, art so full of him

               That thou provok’st thyself to cast⁹⁹ him up.

100

100         So,¹⁰⁰ so, thou common dog, didst thou disgorge

               Thy glutton bosom of the royal Richard,

               And now thou wouldst eat¹⁰² thy dead vomit up,

               And howl’st to find it. What trust is in these times?

               They that, when Richard lived, would have him die,

105

105         Are now become enamoured on his grave.

               Thou, that threw’st dust upon his goodly head

               When through proud London he came sighing on

               After th’admirèd heels of Bullingbrook,

               Criest now ‘O earth, yield us that king again,

110

110         And take thou this.’ O, thoughts of men accursed!

               Past and to come seems best; things present worst.

MOWBRAY

MOWBRAY     Shall we go draw¹¹² our numbers and set on?

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     We are time’s subjects, and time bids be gone.

       [Exeunt]

Act 2 Scene 12.1

running scene 4

       Enter Hostess [Quickly], with two officers: Fang and Snare

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY Master¹ Fang, have you entered the action?

FANG

FANG     It is entered.

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY Where’s your yeoman?³ Is it a lusty yeoman? Will he stand to it?

FANG

FANG     Sirrah— Looks around Where’s Snare?

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY Ay, ay, good Master Snare.

SNARE

SNARE     Here, here. Comes forward

FANG

FANG     Snare, we must arrest Sir John Falstaff.

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY Ay, good Master Snare, I have entered⁸ him and all.

SNARE

SNARE     It may chance cost some of us our lives: he will stab.

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY Alas the day. Take heed of him: he stabbed¹⁰ me in mine own house, and that most beastly. He cares not what mischief he doth, if his weapon¹¹ be out. He will foin¹² like any devil, he will spare neither man, woman nor child.

FANG

FANG     If I can close¹³ with him, I care not for his thrust.

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY No, nor I neither: I’ll be at your elbow.

FANG

FANG     If I but fist¹⁵ him once, if he come but within my vice—

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY I am undone¹⁶ with his going. I warrant he is an infinitive thing upon my score.¹⁷ Good Master Fang, hold him sure: good Master Snare, let him not scape.¹⁸ He comes continuantly to Pie-corner — saving your manhoods — to buy a saddle,¹⁹ and he is indited to dinner to the Lubber’s-head in Lombard Street, to Master Smooth’s the silkman. I pra’ye, since my exion²⁰ is entered and my case so openly known to the world, let him be brought in to his answer. A hundred mark²¹ is a long one²² for a poor lone woman to bear, and I have borne, and borne, and borne, and have been fubbed²³ off, and fubbed off, from this day to that day, that it is a shame to be thought on. There is no honesty in such dealing,²⁴ unless a woman should be made an ass and a beast, to bear every knave’s wrong.²⁵

       Enter Falstaff [with his Page] and Bardolph

Yonder he comes, and that arrant²⁶ malmsey-nose Bardolph, with him. Do your offices,²⁷ do your offices: Master Fang and Master Snare, do me, do me, do me your offices.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     How now? Whose mare’s dead?²⁹ What’s the matter?

FANG

FANG     Sir John, I arrest you at the suit of Mistress Quickly.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Away, varlets!³¹ Draw, Bardolph. They draw Cut me off the villain’s head. Throw the quean³² in the channel.

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY Throw me in the channel? I’ll throw thee there. Wilt thou? Wilt thou? Thou bastardly rogue! Murder, murder! O, thou honeysuckle³⁴ villain, wilt thou kill God’s officers and the king’s? O, thou honey-seed³⁵ rogue, thou art a honey-seed, a man-queller,³⁶ and a woman-queller.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Keep them off, Bardolph.

FANG

FANG     A rescue, a rescue!

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY Good people, bring a rescue.³⁹— To Page Thou wilt not? Thou wilt not? Do, do, thou rogue! Do, thou hemp-seed!⁴⁰

PAGE

PAGE     Away, you scullion,⁴¹ you rampallion, you fustilarian! To Fang I’ll tuck your catastrophe.⁴²

       Enter Chief Justice

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE What’s the matter? Keep the peace here, ho!

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY Good my⁴⁴ lord, be good to me. I beseech you stand to me.

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE How now, Sir John? What are you brawling here? Doth this become⁴⁶ your place, your time and business? You should have been well on your way to York. Stand from him, fellow; wherefore⁴⁷ hang’st upon him?

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY O my most worshipful lord, an’t please your grace, I am a poor widow of Eastcheap,⁴⁹ and he is arrested at my suit.

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE For what sum?

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY It is more than for some, my lord, it is for all, all I have. He hath eaten me out of house and home; he hath put all my substance into that fat belly of his. But I will have some of it out again, or I will ride⁵³ thee o’nights like the mare.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     I think I am as like to ride the mare, if I have any vantage of ground⁵⁵ to get up.⁵⁶

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE How comes this, Sir John? Fie, what a man of good temper⁵⁷ would endure this tempest of exclamation? Are you not ashamed to enforce a poor widow to so rough a course to come⁵⁹ by her own?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     What is the gross⁶⁰ sum that I owe thee?

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY Marry,⁶¹ if thou wert an honest man, thyself and the money too. Thou didst swear to me upon a parcel-gilt⁶² goblet, sitting in my Dolphin-chamber at the round table, by a sea-coal⁶³ fire, on Wednesday in Whitsun week, when the prince broke⁶⁴ thy head for lik’ning him to a singing-man of Windsor; thou didst swear to me then, as I was washing thy wound, to marry me and make me my lady thy wife. Canst thou deny it? Did not goodwife⁶⁶ Keech, the butcher’s wife, come in then and call me gossip⁶⁷ Quickly, coming in to borrow a mess of vinegar, telling us she had a good dish⁶⁸ of prawns, whereby thou didst desire to eat some, whereby I told thee they were ill for a green⁶⁹ wound? And didst not thou, when she was gone downstairs, desire me to be no more familiar with such poor people, saying that ere long they should call me madam?⁷¹ And didst thou not kiss me and bid me fetch thee thirty shillings? I put thee now to thy book-oath:⁷² deny it, if thou canst.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     My lord, this is a poor mad soul, and she says up and down the town that her eldest son⁷⁵ is like you. She hath been in good case, and the truth is, poverty hath distracted her.⁷⁶ But for these foolish officers, I beseech you I may have redress against them.

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE Sir John, Sir John, I am well acquainted with your manner of wrenching the true cause the false way. It is not a confident brow, nor the throng of words that come with such more than impudent sauciness from you, can thrust me from a level⁸¹ consideration. I know you ha’ practised upon the easy-yielding⁸² spirit of this woman.

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY Yea, in troth,⁸³ my lord.

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE Prithee, peace.— Pay⁸⁴ her the debt you owe her, and unpay the villainy you have done her: the one you may do with sterling money, and the other with current⁸⁶ repentance.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     My lord, I will not undergo this sneap⁸⁷ without reply. You call honourable boldness ‘impudent sauciness’. If a man will curtsy⁸⁸ and say nothing, he is virtuous. No, my lord — your⁸⁹ humble duty remembered — I will not be your suitor. I say to you, I desire deliverance from these officers, being upon hasty employment in the king’s affairs.

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE You speak as having power⁹² to do wrong. But answer in the effect of your reputation, and satisfy⁹³ the poor woman.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Come hither, hostess. Takes Quickly aside

       Enter Master Gower

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE Now, Master Gower, what news?

GOWER

GOWER     The king, my lord, and Henry Prince of Wales Are near at hand: Gives a paper the rest the paper tells.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     As I am a gentleman.

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY Nay, you said so before.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     As I am a gentleman. Come, no more words of it.

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY By this heavenly ground¹⁰¹ I tread on, I must be fain to pawn both my plate¹⁰² and the tapestry of my dining chambers.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Glasses,¹⁰³ glasses is the only drinking. And for thy walls, a pretty slight drollery,¹⁰⁴ or the story of the Prodigal, or the German hunting in water-work is worth a thousand of these bed-hangings and these fly-bitten tapestries. Let it be ten pound, if thou canst. Come, if it were not for thy humours,¹⁰⁶ there is not a better wench in England. Go, wash thy face, and draw thy action.¹⁰⁷ Come, thou must not be in this humour with me. Come, I know thou wast set on¹⁰⁸ to this.

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY Prithee, Sir John, let it be but twenty nobles.¹⁰⁹ I loath to pawn my plate, in good earnest, la.¹¹⁰

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Let it alone. I’ll make other shift.¹¹¹ You’ll be a fool still.

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY Well, you shall have it, although I pawn my gown. I hope you’ll come to supper. You’ll pay me all together?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Will I live?¹¹⁴ — To Bardolph Go, with her, with her — hook on, hook on.

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY Will you have Doll¹¹⁵ Tearsheet meet you at supper?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     No more words. Let’s have¹¹⁶ her.

       [Exeunt Quickly, Bardolph, Fang and others]

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE I have heard bitter news.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     What’s the news, my good lord?

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE Where lay the king last night?

GOWER

GOWER     At Basingstoke,¹²⁰ my lord.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     I hope, my lord, all’s well. What is the news, my lord?

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE Come all his forces back?

GOWER

GOWER     No. Fifteen hundred foot, five hundred horse,

               Are marched up to my lord of Lancaster,

125

125         Against Northumberland and the Archbishop.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Comes the king back from Wales, my noble lord?

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE You shall have letters of me presently.¹²⁷ Come, go along with me, good Master Gower.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     My lord!

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE What’s the matter?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Master Gower, shall I entreat you with me to dinner?

GOWER

GOWER     I must wait upon my good lord here. I thank you, good Sir John.

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE Sir John, you loiter here too long, being¹³³ you are to take soldiers up in counties as you go.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Will you sup with me, Master Gower?

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE What foolish master taught you these manners, Sir John?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Master Gower, if they become me not, he was a fool that taught them me. This is the right fencing grace,¹³⁸ my lord: tap for tap, and so part fair.

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE Now the lord lighten thee!¹³⁹ Thou art a great fool.

       Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 22.2

running scene 5

       Enter Prince Henry and Poins

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Trust me, I am exceeding weary.

POINS

POINS     Is it come to that? I had thought weariness durst not have attached² one of so high blood.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY It doth me, though it discolours⁴ the complexion of my greatness to acknowledge it. Doth it not show vilely⁵ in me to desire small beer?

POINS

POINS     Why, a prince should not be so loosely studied⁶ as to remember so weak a composition.⁷

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Belike⁸ then my appetite was not princely got, for, in troth, I do now remember the poor creature, small beer. But indeed these humble considerations make me out of love with my greatness. What a disgrace¹⁰ is it to me to remember thy name? Or to know thy face tomorrow? Or to take note how many pair of silk stockings thou hast — videlicet¹² these — and those that were thy peach-coloured ones — or to bear¹³ the inventory of thy shirts, as one for superfluity, and one other for use? But that the tennis-court-keeper knows better than I, for it is a low¹⁴ ebb of linen with thee when thou kept’st not racket there, as thou hast not done a great while, because the rest of thy Low Countries¹⁶ have made a shift to eat up thy Holland.

POINS

POINS     How ill it follows, after you have laboured so hard, you should talk so idly! Tell me, how many good young princes would do so, their fathers lying so sick as yours is?

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Shall I tell thee one thing, Poins?

POINS

POINS     Yes, and let it be an excellent good thing.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY It shall serve among wits of no higher breeding than thine.

POINS

POINS     Go to.²⁴ I stand the push of your one thing that you’ll tell.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Why, I tell thee it is not meet²⁵ that I should be sad now my father is sick — albeit²⁶ I could tell to thee, as to one it pleases me, for fault of a better, to call my friend, I could be sad, and sad indeed too.

POINS

POINS     Very hardly²⁸ upon such a subject.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Thou think’st me as far in the devil’s book as thou and Falstaff for obduracy and persistency. Let the end try³⁰ the man. But I tell thee, my heart bleeds inwardly that my father is so sick: and keeping such vile company as thou art hath in reason taken from me all ostentation³² of sorrow.

POINS

POINS     The reason?

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY What wouldst thou think of me, if I should weep?

POINS

POINS     I would think thee a most princely hypocrite.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY It would be every man’s thought, and thou art a blessed fellow to think as every man thinks: never a³⁷ man’s thought in the world keeps the roadway better than thine: every man would think me an hypocrite indeed. And what accites³⁹ your most worshipful thought to think so?

POINS

POINS     Why, because you have been so lewd⁴⁰ and so much engrafted to Falstaff.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY And to thee.

POINS

POINS     Nay, I am well spoken of. I can hear it with mine own ears: the worst that they can say of me is that I am a second brother⁴³ and that I am a proper fellow of my hands. And those two things, I confess, I cannot help. Look, look, here comes Bardolph.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY And the boy that I gave Falstaff. He had him from me Christian, and see if the fat villain have not transformed him ape.⁴⁷

       Enter Bardolph [and Falstaff’s Page]

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     Save⁴⁸ your grace.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY And yours, most noble Bardolph.

POINS

POINS     Come, you pernicious ass, you bashful fool, must you be blushing?⁵⁰ To Bardolph Wherefore blush you now? What a maidenly man-at-arms are you become! Is it such a matter to get⁵² a pottle-pot’s maidenhead?

PAGE

PAGE     He called me even now, my lord, through a red lattice,⁵³ and I could discern no part of his face from the window. At last I spied his eyes, and methought he had made two holes in the ale-wife’s new petticoat⁵⁵ and peeped through.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Hath not the boy profited?⁵⁶ To Poins

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     Away, you whoreson upright rabbit, away!

PAGE

PAGE     Away, you rascally Althaea’s dream,⁵⁸ away!

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Instruct us, boy. What dream, boy?

PAGE

PAGE     Marry, my lord, Althaea dreamed she was delivered of a fire-brand,⁶⁰ and therefore I call him her dream.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY A crown’s worth of good interpretation.— Gives Page money There it is, boy.

POINS

POINS     O, that this good blossom⁶³ could be kept from cankers!— Gives Page money Well, there is sixpence⁶⁴ to preserve thee.

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     If⁶⁵ you do not make him be hanged among you, the gallows shall be wronged.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY And how doth thy master, Bardolph?

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     Well, my good lord. He heard of your grace’s coming to town. Gives a letter There’s a letter for you.

POINS

POINS     Delivered with good respect.⁷⁰ And how doth the martlemas, your master?

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     In bodily health, sir.

POINS

POINS     Marry, the immortal part needs a physician, but that moves not him: though that be sick, it dies not.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY I do allow this wen⁷⁴ to be as familiar with me as my dog, and he holds his place, for look you he writes.

POINS

POINS     Reads

       (Letter)

‘John Falstaff, knight.’ — Every man must know that, as⁷⁷ oft as he hath occasion to name himself, even like⁷⁸ those that are kin to the king, for they never prick their finger but they say, ‘There is some of the king’s blood spilt.’ ‘How comes that?’ says he that takes upon him not to conceive.⁸⁰ The answer is as ready as a borrower’s cap,⁸¹ ‘I am the king’s poor cousin, sir.’

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Nay, they will be⁸² kin to us, but they will fetch it from Japhet. But to the letter: Reads ‘Sir John Falstaff, knight, to the son of the king, nearest his father, Harry Prince of Wales, greeting.’

POINS

POINS     Why, this is a certificate.⁸⁵

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Peace! Reads ‘I will imitate the honourable Romans in brevity.’

POINS

POINS     Sure he means brevity in breath, short-winded. Takes the letter and reads ‘I commend me to thee, I commend thee, and I⁸⁸ leave thee. Be not too familiar with Poins, for he misuses thy favours so much, that he swears thou art to marry his sister Nell. Repent at idle times⁹⁰ as thou mayst, and so farewell. Thine, by yea and no, which is as much as to say, as thou usest him, Jack Falstaff with my familiars,⁹¹ John with my brothers and sister, and Sir John with all Europe.’ My lord, I will steep⁹² this letter in sack⁹³ and make him eat it.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY That’s to make him eat twenty⁹⁴ of his words. But do you use me thus, Ned? Must I marry your sister?

POINS

POINS     May the wench have no worse fortune! But I never said so.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Well, thus we play⁹⁷ the fools with the time, and the spirits of the wise sit in the clouds and mock us.— To Bardoloph Is your master here in London?

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     Yes, my lord.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Where sups he? Doth the old boar feed in the old frank?¹⁰⁰

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     At the old place, my lord, in Eastcheap.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY What company?

PAGE

PAGE     Ephesians,¹⁰³ my lord, of the old church.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Sup any women with him?

PAGE

PAGE     None, my lord, but old Mistress Quickly and Mistress Doll Tearsheet.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY What pagan¹⁰⁶ may that be?

PAGE

PAGE     A proper¹⁰⁷ gentlewoman, sir, and a kinswoman of my master’s.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Even such kin as the parish heifers are to the town bull.¹⁰⁸— To Poins Shall we steal upon them, Ned, at supper?

POINS

POINS     I am your shadow, my lord: I’ll follow you.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Sirrah, you boy, and Bardolph, no word to your master that I am yet in town. Gives money There’s for your silence.

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     I have no tongue, sir.

PAGE

PAGE     And for mine, sir, I will govern it.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Fare ye well. Go.

       [Exeunt Bardolph and Page]

This Doll Tearsheet should be some road.¹¹⁶

POINS

POINS     I warrant you, as common as the way¹¹⁷ between St Albans and London.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY How might we see Falstaff bestow¹¹⁸ himself tonight in his true colours, and not ourselves be seen?

POINS

POINS     Put on two leathern jerkins and aprons, and wait upon him at his table like drawers.¹²¹

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY From a God¹²² to a bull? A heavy declension! It was Jove’s case. From a prince to a prentice,¹²³ a low transformation: that shall be mine, for in everything the purpose must weigh with¹²⁴ the folly. Follow me, Ned.

       Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 32.3

running scene 6

       Enter Northumberland and his Lady, and Harry Percy’s Lady

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND I prithee, loving wife and gentle daughter,

               Give an even way² unto my rough affairs.

               Put not you on the visage³ of the times

               And be like them to Percy troublesome.

5

5       

LADY NORTHUMBERLAND

LADY NORTHUMBERLAND I have given over, I will speak no more.

               Do what you will: your wisdom be your guide.

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND Alas, sweet wife, my honour is at pawn,

               And, but⁸ my going, nothing can redeem it.

LADY PERCY

LADY PERCY     O, yet, for heaven’s sake, go not to these wars!

10

10           The time¹⁰ was, father, when you broke your word,

               When you were more endeared to it than now,

               When your own Percy, when my heart-dear Harry,

               Threw many a northward look to see his father

               Bring up his powers. But he did long in vain.

15

15           Who then persuaded you to stay at home?

               There were two honours lost, yours and your son’s.

               For yours, may heavenly glory brighten it.

               For his, it stuck upon him as the sun

               In the grey¹⁹ vault of heaven, and by his light

20

20           Did all the chivalry of England move

               To do brave acts. He was indeed the glass²¹

               Wherein the noble youth did dress themselves:²²

               He²³ had no legs that practised not his gait:

               And speaking thick,²⁴ which nature made his blemish,

25

25           Became the accents of the valiant,

               For those that could speak low and tardily

               Would turn²⁷ their own perfection to abuse,

               To seem like him: so that in speech, in gait,

               In diet, in affections of delight,²⁹

30

30           In military rules, humours of blood,³⁰

               He was the mark³¹ and glass, copy and book,

               That fashioned others. And him — O, wondrous him!

               O, miracle of men! — him did you leave,

               Second to none, unseconded³⁴ by you,

35

35           To look upon the hideous god of war

               In disadvantage, to abide a field³⁶

               Where nothing but the sound of Hotspur’s name

               Did seem defensible.³⁸ So you left him.

               Never, O, never, do his ghost³⁹ the wrong

40

40           To hold your honour more precise and nice⁴⁰

               With others than with him. Let them alone.

               The marshal⁴² and the archbishop are strong.

               Had my sweet Harry had but half their numbers,

               Today might I, hanging on Hotspur’s neck,

45

45           Have talked of Monmouth’s⁴⁵ grave.

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND Beshrew⁴⁶ your heart,

               Fair daughter, you do draw my spirits⁴⁷ from me

               With new⁴⁸ lamenting ancient oversights.

               But I must go and meet with danger there,

50

50           Or it will seek me in another place

               And find me worse provided.⁵¹

LADY NORTHUMBERLAND

LADY NORTHUMBERLAND O, fly to Scotland,

               Till that the nobles and the armèd commons

               Have of their puissance⁵⁴ made a little taste.

55

25   

LADY PERCY

LADY PERCY           If they get ground⁵⁵ and vantage of the king,

               Then join you with them, like a rib of steel,

               To make strength stronger. But, for all our loves,

               First let them try themselves. So did your son.

               He was so suffered;⁵⁹ so came I a widow,

60

60           And never shall have length of life enough

               To rain upon remembrance⁶¹ with mine eyes,

               That it may grow and sprout as high as heaven,

               For recordation to⁶³ my noble husband.

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND Come, come, go in with me. ’Tis with my mind

65

65           As with the tide swelled up unto his height,

               That makes a still-stand,⁶⁶ running neither way.

               Fain would I go to meet the archbishop,

               But many thousand reasons hold me back.

               I will resolve for⁶⁹ Scotland: there am I,

70

70           Till time and vantage crave my company.

       Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 42.4

running scene 7

       Enter two Drawers

FIRST DRAWER

FIRST DRAWER What hast thou brought there? Apple-johns?¹ Thou know’st Sir John cannot endure an apple-john.

SECOND DRAWER

SECOND DRAWER Thou say’st true. The prince once set a dish of apple-johns before him, and told him there were five more Sir Johns, and, putting off his hat, said ‘I will now take my leave of these six dry, round, old, withered knights.’ It angered him to the heart, but he hath forgot that.

FIRST DRAWER

FIRST DRAWER Why then, cover⁷ and set them down, and see if thou canst find out Sneak’s noise;⁸ Mistress Tearsheet would fain have some music.

SECOND DRAWER

SECOND DRAWER Sirrah, here will be the prince and Master Poins anon,⁹ and they will put on two of our jerkins¹⁰ and aprons, and Sir John must not know of it. Bardolph hath brought word.

FIRST DRAWER

FIRST DRAWER Then here will be old Utis:¹² it will be an excellent stratagem.

SECOND DRAWER

SECOND DRAWER I’ll see if I can find out Sneak.

       Exit

       Enter Hostess [Quickly] and Doll [Tearsheet]

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY Sweetheart, methinks now you are in an excellent good temperality:¹⁵ your pulsidge beats as extraordinarily as heart would desire; and your colour, I warrant you, is as red as any rose. But, you have drunk too much canaries,¹⁷ and that’s a marvellous searching wine, and it perfumes the blood ere we can say ‘What’s this?’ How do you now?

DOLL TEARSHEET

DOLL TEARSHEET Better than I was. Hem!¹⁹

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY Why, that was well said. A good heart’s worth gold. Look, here comes Sir John.

       Enter Falstaff

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     ‘When²² Arthur first in court’— Sings Empty the jordan.²³— To First Drawer‘And was a worthy king’. How now, Mistress Doll? Sings

       [Exit First Drawer]

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY Sick of a calm,²⁵ yea, good sooth.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     So is all her sect.²⁶ If they be once in a calm, they are sick.

DOLL TEARSHEET

DOLL TEARSHEET You muddy rascal, is that all the comfort you give me?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     You make fat rascals,²⁸ Mistress Doll.

DOLL TEARSHEET

DOLL TEARSHEET I make²⁹ them? Gluttony and diseases make them, I make them not.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     If the cook³⁰ make the gluttony, you help to make the diseases, Doll. We catch of³¹ you, Doll, we catch of you. Grant that, my poor virtue, grant that.

DOLL TEARSHEET

DOLL TEARSHEET Ay, marry, our chains and our jewels.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     ‘Your³³ broaches, pearls and ouches.’ For to serve bravely is to come halting off, you know. To come off the breach³⁴ with his pike bent bravely, and to surgery bravely; to venture upon the charged chambers³⁵ bravely—

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY Why, this is the old fashion: you two never meet but you fall to some discord. You are both, in good troth, as rheumatic³⁷ as two dry toasts. You cannot one bear with another’s confirmities.³⁸ To Doll What the good year! One must bear,³⁹ and that must be you: you are the weaker vessel, as they say, the emptier vessel.

DOLL TEARSHEET

DOLL TEARSHEET Can a weak empty vessel⁴¹ bear such a huge full hogshead? There’s a whole merchant’s venture⁴² of Bordeaux stuff in him. You have not seen a hulk better stuffed in the hold. Come, I’ll be friends with thee, Jack. Thou art going to the wars, and whether I shall ever see thee again or no, there is nobody cares.

       Enter [First] Drawer

FIRST DRAWER

FIRST DRAWER Sir, Ancient⁴⁵ Pistol is below, and would speak with you.

DOLL TEARSHEET

DOLL TEARSHEET Hang him, swaggering⁴⁶ rascal! Let him not come hither: it is the foul-mouthed’st rogue in England.

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY If he swagger, let him not come here. I must live amongst my neighbours. I’ll⁴⁹ no swaggerers. I am in good name and fame with the very best. Shut the door, there comes no swaggerers here. I have not lived all this while, to have swaggering now. Shut the door, I pray you.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Dost thou hear, hostess?

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY Pray you, pacify yourself, Sir John. There comes no swaggerers here.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Dost thou hear? It is mine ancient.

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY Tilly-fally,⁵⁶ Sir John, never tell me: your ancient swaggerer comes not in my doors. I was before Master Tisick,⁵⁷ the deputy, the other day, and as he said to me — it was no longer ago than Wednesday last — ‘Neighbour Quickly’, says he — Master Dumbe,⁵⁹ our minister, was by then — ‘Neighbour Quickly,’ says he, ‘receive⁶⁰ those that are civil; for’, sayeth he, ‘you are in an ill name.’ Now he said so, I can tell whereupon. ‘For’, says he, ‘you are an honest woman, and well thought on; therefore take heed what guests you receive. Receive’, says he, ‘no swaggering companions.’⁶³ There comes none here. You would bless you to hear what he said. No, I’ll no swaggerers.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     He’s no swaggerer, hostess: a tame⁶⁵ cheater he. You may stroke him as gently as a puppy greyhound. He will not swagger with a Barbary hen,⁶⁶ if her feathers turn back in any show of resistance.— Call him up, drawer.

       [Exit First Drawer]

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY ‘Cheater’, call you him? I will bar no honest man my house, nor no cheater, but I do not love swaggering. I am the worse⁶⁹ when one says ‘swagger’. Feel, masters, how I shake. Look you, I warrant you.

DOLL TEARSHEET

DOLL TEARSHEET So you do, hostess.

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY Do I? Yea, in very truth do I, if it⁷² were an aspen leaf: I cannot abide swaggerers.

       Enter Pistol, and Bardolph and his Boy

PISTOL

PISTOL     Save you, Sir John!

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Welcome, Ancient Pistol. Here, Pistol, I charge⁷⁵ you with a cup of sack. Do you discharge⁷⁶ upon mine hostess.

PISTOL

PISTOL     I will discharge upon her, Sir John, with two bullets.⁷⁷

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     She is Pistol-proof,⁷⁸ sir. You shall hardly offend her.

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY Come,⁷⁹ I’ll drink no proofs nor no bullets: I will drink no more than will do me good, for no man’s pleasure, I.

PISTOL

PISTOL     Then to you, Mistress Dorothy.⁸¹ I will charge you.

DOLL TEARSHEET

DOLL TEARSHEET Charge⁸² me? I scorn you, scurvy companion. What? You poor, base, rascally, cheating, lack-linen mate!⁸³ Away, you mouldy rogue, away! I am meat for your master.

PISTOL

PISTOL     I know⁸⁵ you, Mistress Dorothy.

DOLL TEARSHEET

DOLL TEARSHEET Away, you cutpurse⁸⁶ rascal, you filthy bung, away! By this wine, I’ll thrust my knife in your mouldy chaps,⁸⁷ if you play the saucy cuttle with me. Away, you bottle-ale⁸⁸ rascal, you basket-hilt stale juggler, you! Since when, I pray you, sir? What, with two points⁸⁹ on your shoulder? Much!

PISTOL

PISTOL     I will murder⁹⁰ your ruff for this.

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY No, Good Captain⁹¹ Pistol. Not here, sweet captain.

DOLL TEARSHEET

DOLL TEARSHEET Captain? Thou abominable damned cheater, art thou not ashamed to be called captain? If captains were of my mind, they would truncheon⁹³ you out for taking their names upon you before you have earned them. You a captain? You slave, for what? For tearing a poor whore’s ruff in a bawdy-house?⁹⁵ He a captain? Hang him, rogue! He lives upon mouldy stewed prunes⁹⁶ and dried cakes. A captain? These villains will make the word ‘captain’ odious: therefore captains had need look to it.⁹⁸

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     Pray thee go down,⁹⁹ good ancient. To Pistol

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Hark thee hither, Mistress Doll.

PISTOL

PISTOL     Not I. I tell thee what, Corporal Bardolph, I could tear her. I’ll be revenged on her.

PAGE

PAGE     Pray thee go down. To Pistol

PISTOL

PISTOL     I’ll¹⁰⁴ see her damned first

105

105         To Pluto’s damnèd lake,¹⁰⁵

               To the infernal deep,

               With Erebus¹⁰⁷ and tortures vile also.

               Hold¹⁰⁸ hook and line, say I.

               Down, down, dogs! Down, Fates!¹⁰⁹

110

110         Have we not Hiren¹¹⁰ here?

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY Good Captain Peesel,¹¹¹ be quiet. It is very late. I beseek you now, aggravate¹¹² your choler.

PISTOL

PISTOL     These be good humours¹¹³ indeed. Shall pack-horses

               And hollow pampered jades¹¹⁴ of Asia,

115

115         Which cannot go but thirty miles a day,

               Compare with Caesar and with cannibals,¹¹⁶

               And Trojan Greeks?¹¹⁷

               Nay, rather damn them with King Cerberus,¹¹⁸

               And let the welkin¹¹⁹ roar. Shall we fall foul for toys?

120

120 

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY By my troth, captain, these are very bitter words.

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     Be gone, good ancient: this will grow to a brawl anon.

PISTOL

PISTOL     Die men¹²² like dogs! Give crowns like pins!

               Have we not Hiren here?

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY On my word, captain, there’s none such here. What the goodyear, do you think I would deny her?¹²⁵ I pray be quiet.

PISTOL

PISTOL     Then feed,¹²⁶ and be fat, my fair Calipolis.

               Come, give me some sack.

               Si¹²⁸ fortune me tormente, sperato me contento.

               Fear we broadsides?¹²⁹ No, let the fiend give fire.

130

130         Give me some sack. And, sweetheart, lie thou there. Lays down his sword

               Come we to full points¹³¹ here? And are etceteras nothing?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Pistol, I would be quiet.

PISTOL

PISTOL     Sweet knight, I kiss thy neaf.¹³³ What, we have seen the seven stars!

DOLL TEARSHEET

DOLL TEARSHEET Thrust him downstairs. I cannot endure such a fustian¹³⁴ rascal.

135

135 

PISTOL

PISTOL               ‘Thrust him down stairs’? Know we not Galloway nags?¹³⁵

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Quoit¹³⁶ him down, Bardolph, like a shove-groat shilling. Nay, if he do nothing but speak nothing, he shall be nothing here.

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     Come, get you downstairs.

PISTOL

PISTOL     What? Shall we have incision?¹³⁹ Shall we imbrue? Snatches up his sword

140

140         Then death¹⁴⁰ rock me asleep, abridge my doleful days.

               Why then, let grievous, ghastly, gaping wounds

               Untwined¹⁴² the Sisters Three! Come, Atropos, I say!

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY Here’s good stuff toward.¹⁴³

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Give me my rapier,¹⁴⁴ boy.

145

140 

DOLL TEARSHEET

DOLL TEARSHEET I prithee, Jack, I prithee do not draw.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Get you downstairs. Draws and attacks Pistol

       [Exit Pistol, driven out by Bardolph]

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY Here’s a goodly tumult! I’ll forswear¹⁴⁷ keeping house, before I’ll be in these tirrits¹⁴⁸ and frights. So, murder, I warrant now. Alas, alas, put up your naked weapons, put up your naked weapons.

DOLL TEARSHEET

DOLL TEARSHEET I prithee, Jack, be quiet. The rascal is gone. Ah, you whoreson little valiant villain, you!

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY Are you not hurt i’th’groin? Methought he made a shrewd¹⁵² thrust at your belly.

       [Enter Bardolph]

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Have you turned him out of doors? To Bardolph

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     Yes, sir. The rascal’s drunk. You have hurt him, sir, in the shoulder.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     A rascal to brave¹⁵⁶ me!

DOLL TEARSHEET

DOLL TEARSHEET Ah, you sweet little rogue, you! Alas, poor ape, how thou sweat’st! Come, let me wipe thy face. Come on, you whoreson chops.¹⁵⁸ Ah, rogue, I love thee. Thou art as valorous as Hector of Troy,¹⁵⁹ worth five of Agamemnon, and ten times better than the Nine Worthies.¹⁶⁰ Ah, villain!

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     A rascally slave, I will toss¹⁶¹ the rogue in a blanket.

DOLL TEARSHEET

DOLL TEARSHEET Do, if thou dar’st for thy heart. If thou dost, I’ll canvass¹⁶² thee between a pair of sheets.

       Enter Musicians

PAGE

PAGE     The music is come, sir.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Let them play.— Play, sirs.— Sit on my knee, Doll. A rascal bragging slave! The rogue fled from me like quicksilver.¹⁶⁶

DOLL TEARSHEET

DOLL TEARSHEET And thou followed’st him like a church.¹⁶⁷ Thou whoreson little tidy Bartholomew boar-pig,¹⁶⁸ when wilt thou leave fighting on days and foining on nights, and begin to patch up thine old body for heaven?

       Enter the Prince and Poins, disguised

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Peace, good Doll. Do not speak like a death’s-head,¹⁷⁰ do not bid me remember mine end.

DOLL TEARSHEET

DOLL TEARSHEET Sirrah, what humour¹⁷² is the prince of?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     A good shallow young fellow: he would have made a good pantler,¹⁷³ he would have chipped bread¹⁷⁴ well.

DOLL TEARSHEET

DOLL TEARSHEET They say Poins hath a good wit.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     He a good wit? Hang him, baboon! His wit is as thick as Tewkesbury mustard.¹⁷⁶ There is no more conceit¹⁷⁷ in him than is in a mallet.

DOLL TEARSHEET

DOLL TEARSHEET Why doth the prince love him so, then?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Because their legs¹⁷⁹ are both of a bigness, and he plays at quoits well, and eats conger and fennel,¹⁸⁰ and drinks off candles’ ends for flap-dragons, and rides the wild-mare with the boys, and jumps upon joint-stools,¹⁸¹ and swears with a good grace, and wears his boot very smooth,¹⁸² like unto the sign of the leg, and breeds no bate with telling of discreet¹⁸³ stories, and such other gambol faculties he hath, that show a weak mind and an able body, for the which the prince admits¹⁸⁴ him; for the prince himself is such another.¹⁸⁵ The weight of an hair will turn the scales between their avoirdupois.¹⁸⁶

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Would not this nave of a wheel¹⁸⁷ have his ears cut off? Aside to Poins

POINS

POINS     Let us beat him before his whore.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Look, if the withered elder¹⁸⁹ hath not his poll clawed like a parrot.

POINS

POINS     Is it not strange that desire should so many years outlive performance?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Kiss me, Doll. She kisses him

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Saturn and Venus¹⁹² this year in conjunction! Aside to Poins What says the almanac to that?

POINS

POINS     And look whether the fiery Trigon,¹⁹⁴ his man, be not lisping to his master’s old tables,¹⁹⁵ his notebook, his counsel-keeper.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Thou dost give me flatt’ring busses.¹⁹⁶ To Doll

DOLL TEARSHEET

DOLL TEARSHEET Nay truly, I kiss thee with a most constant heart.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     I am old, I am old.

DOLL TEARSHEET

DOLL TEARSHEET I love thee better than I love e’er a scurvy young boy of them all.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     What stuff²⁰⁰ wilt thou have a kirtle of? I shall receive money on Thursday. Thou shalt have a cap tomorrow. A merry song, come. It grows late. We will to bed. Thou wilt forget me when I am gone.

DOLL TEARSHEET

DOLL TEARSHEET Thou wilt set me a-weeping, if thou say’st so. Prove that ever I dress myself handsome²⁰⁴ till thy return. Well, hearken the end.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Some sack, Francis.

PRINCE HENRY and POINS

PRINCE HENRY and POINS      Anon,²⁰⁶ anon, sir. Stepping forward

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Ha? A bastard son of the king’s?— And art not thou Poins his²⁰⁷ brother?

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Why, thou globe of sinful continents,²⁰⁸ what a life dost thou lead!

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     A better than thou: I am a gentleman, thou art a drawer.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Very true, sir, and I come to draw you out by the ears.

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY O, the lord preserve thy good grace! Welcome to London. Now, heaven bless that sweet face of thine! What, are you come from Wales?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Thou whoreson mad compound²¹³ of majesty, by this light flesh and corrupt blood, thou art welcome.

DOLL TEARSHEET

DOLL TEARSHEET How? You fat fool, I scorn you.

POINS

POINS     My lord, he will drive you out of your revenge and turn all to a merriment, if you take²¹⁷ not the heat.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY You whoreson candle-mine,²¹⁸ you, how vilely did you speak of me even now before this honest,²¹⁹ virtuous, civil gentlewoman!

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY Blessing on your good heart, and so she is, by my troth.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Didst thou hear me? To Prince Henry

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Yes, and you knew²²² me, as you did when you ran away by Gad’s Hill: you knew I was at your back, and spoke it on purpose to try my patience.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     No, no, no, not so. I did not think thou wast within hearing.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY I shall drive you then to confess the wilful abuse,²²⁵ and then I know how to handle you.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     No abuse, Hal, on mine honour, no abuse.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Not to dispraise me, and call me pantler and bread-chopper and I know not what?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     No abuse, Hal.

POINS

POINS     No abuse?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     No abuse, Ned, in the world, honest Ned, none. I dispraised him before the wicked, that the wicked might not fall in love with him — in which doing, I have done the part of a careful friend and a true subject, and thy father is to give me thanks for it. No abuse, Hal.— None, Ned, none.— No, boys, none.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY See now whether pure fear and entire cowardice doth not make thee wrong this virtuous gentlewoman to close²³⁷ with us? Is she of the wicked? Is thine hostess here of the wicked? Or is the boy of the wicked? Or honest Bardolph, whose zeal burns²³⁹ in his nose, of the wicked?

POINS

POINS     Answer, thou dead elm,²⁴⁰ answer.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     The fiend hath pricked²⁴¹ down Bardolph irrecoverable, and his face is Lucifer’s privy-kitchen,²⁴² where he doth nothing but roast malt-worms. For the boy, there is a good angel about him, but the devil outbids²⁴³ him too.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY For the women?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     For one of them, she is in hell²⁴⁵ already, and burns poor souls. For the other, I owe²⁴⁶ her money, and whether she be damned for that, I know not.

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY No, I warrant you.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     No, I think thou art not. I think thou art quit²⁴⁸ for that. Marry, there is another indictment upon thee, for suffering²⁴⁹ flesh to be eaten in thy house, contrary to the law, for the which I think thou wilt howl.²⁵⁰

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY All victuallers²⁵¹ do so. What is a joint of mutton or two in a whole Lent?

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY You, gentlewoman— To Doll

DOLL TEARSHEET

DOLL TEARSHEET What says your grace?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     His grace says²⁵⁵ that which his flesh rebels against. Knocking within

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY Who knocks so loud at door? Look to the door there, Francis.

       Enter Peto

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Peto, how now? What news?

PETO

PETO     The king your father is at Westminster,²⁵⁸

               And there are twenty weak and wearied posts²⁵⁹

260

260         Come from the north, and as I came along,

               I met and overtook a dozen captains,

               Bare-headed,²⁶² sweating, knocking at the taverns,

               And asking every one for Sir John Falstaff.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY By heaven, Poins, I feel me much to blame,

265

265         So idly to profane²⁶⁵ the precious time,

               When tempest of commotion,²⁶⁶ like the south

               Borne²⁶⁷ with black vapour, doth begin to melt

               And drop upon our bare unarmèd heads.—

               Give me my sword and cloak.— Falstaff, goodnight.

       Exeunt [Prince Henry, Poins and Peto]

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Now comes in the sweetest morsel²⁷⁰ of the night, and we must hence and leave it unpicked.²⁷¹ Knocking within More knocking at the door? How now? What’s the matter?

Bardolph goes to the door

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     You must away to court, sir, presently.²⁷² A dozen captains stay²⁷³ at door for you.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Pay the musicians, sirrah.— To the Page Farewell, hostess.— Farewell, Doll. You see, my good wenches, how men of merit are sought after. The undeserver may sleep, when the man of action is called on. Farewell good wenches. If I be not sent away post,²⁷⁷ I will see you again ere I go.

DOLL TEARSHEET

DOLL TEARSHEET I cannot speak. If my heart be not ready to burst — well, sweet Jack, have a care of thyself.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Farewell, farewell.

       Exeunt [Falstaff, Bardolph and Page]

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY Well, fare thee well. I have known²⁸¹ thee these twenty-nine years, come peascod-time,²⁸² but an honester and truer-hearted man — well, fare thee well.

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     Mistress Tearsheet! Within

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY What’s the matter?

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     Bid Mistress Tearsheet come to my master. Within

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY O, run, Doll, run. Run, good Doll!

       Exeunt

Act 3 Scene 13.1

running scene 8

       Enter the King, with a Page

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV Go call the Earls of Surrey and of Warwick. Gives letters

               But ere they come, bid them o’er-read these letters,

               And well consider of them. Make good speed.

       Exit [Page]

               How many thousand of my poorest subjects

5

5             Are at this hour asleep? O sleep, O gentle sleep,

               Nature’s soft nurse, how have I frighted thee,

               That thou no more wilt weigh my eyelids down

               And steep my senses in forgetfulness?

               Why rather, sleep, liest thou in smoky cribs,⁹

10

10           Upon uneasy pallets¹⁰ stretching thee

               And hushed with buzzing night-flies to thy slumber,

               Than in the perfumed chambers of the great,

               Under the canopies of costly state,¹³

               And lulled with sounds of sweetest melody?

15

15           O thou dull god, why liest thou with the vile¹⁵

               In loathsome beds, and leav’st the kingly couch

               A watch-case¹⁷ or a common ’larum-bell?

               Wilt thou upon the high and giddy mast

               Seal up the ship-boy’s eyes, and rock his brains

20

20           In cradle of the rude imperious surge²⁰

               And in the visitation²¹ of the winds,

               Who take the ruffian billows²² by the top,

               Curling their monstrous heads and hanging them

               With deaf’ning clamours in the slipp’ry²⁴ clouds,

25

25           That,²⁵ with the hurly, death itself awakes?

               Canst thou, O partial²⁶ sleep, give thy repose

               To the wet sea-boy in an hour so rude,²⁷

               And in the calmest and most stillest night,

               With all appliances and means to boot,²⁹

30

30           Deny it to a king? Then happy low,³⁰ lie down!

               Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.

       Enter Warwick and Surrey

WARWICK

WARWICK     Many good morrows³² to your majesty!

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV Is it good morrow, lords?

WARWICK

WARWICK     ’Tis one o’clock, and past.

35

35   

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV Why then, good morrow to you all, my lords.

               Have you read o’er the letters that I sent you?

WARWICK

WARWICK     We have, my liege.

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV Then you perceive the body of our kingdom

               How foul³⁹ it is, what rank diseases grow

40

40           And with what danger, near the heart of it?

WARWICK

WARWICK     It is but as a body yet distempered,⁴¹

               Which to his former strength may be restored

               With good advice and little⁴³ medicine:

               My lord Northumberland will soon be cooled.⁴⁴

45

45   

WARWICK

WARWICK           O, heaven! That one might read the book of fate,

               And see the revolution⁴⁶ of the times

               Make mountains level, and the continent,⁴⁷

               Weary of solid firmness, melt itself

               Into the sea. And other times, to see

50

50           The beachy⁵⁰ girdle of the ocean

               Too wide for Neptune’s⁵¹ hips; how chance’s mocks

               And changes fill the cup of alteration

               With divers⁵³ liquors! ’Tis not ten years gone

               Since Richard⁵⁴ and Northumberland, great friends,

55

55           Did feast together, and in two years after

               Were they at wars. It is but eight years since

               This Percy⁵⁷ was the man nearest my soul,

               Who like a brother toiled in my affairs

               And laid his love and life under my foot,⁵⁹

60

60           Yea, for my sake, even to the eyes⁶⁰ of Richard

               Gave him defiance. But which of you was by—

               You, cousin Neville,⁶² as I may remember— To Warwick

               When Richard, with his eye brimful of tears,

               Then checked and rated⁶⁴ by Northumberland,

65

65           Did speak these words, now proved a prophecy?

               ‘Northumberland,⁶⁶ thou ladder by the which

               My cousin Bullingbrook ascends my throne’ —

               Though then, heaven knows, I had no such intent,

               But that necessity so bowed the state

70

70           That I and greatness were compelled to kiss —

               ‘The time shall come’, thus did he follow it,

               ‘The time will come that foul sin, gathering head,⁷²

               Shall break into corruption.⁷³’ So went on,

               Foretelling this same⁷⁴ time’s condition

75

75           And the division of our amity.

WARWICK

WARWICK     There is a history in all men’s lives,

               Figuring⁷⁷ the nature of the times deceased,

               The which observed, a man may prophesy,

               With a near aim,⁷⁹ of the main chance of things

80

80           As yet not come to life, which in their seeds

               And weak beginnings lie intreasurèd.⁸¹

               Such things become the hatch and brood⁸² of time;

               And by the necessary form⁸³ of this,

               King Richard might create a perfect guess

85

85           That great Northumberland, then false⁸⁵ to him,

               Would of that seed grow to a greater falseness,

               Which should not find a ground to root upon,

               Unless on you.

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV Are these things then necessities?

90

90           Then let us meet them like necessities;

               And that same word even now cries out on⁹¹ us.

               They say the bishop and Northumberland

               Are fifty thousand strong.

WARWICK

WARWICK     It cannot be, my lord.

95

95           Rumour doth double, like the voice and echo,

               The numbers of the feared. Please it your grace

               To go to bed. Upon my life, my lord,

               The powers that you already have sent forth

               Shall bring this prize in very easily.

100

100         To comfort you the more, I have received

               A certain instance¹⁰¹ that Glendower is dead.

               Your majesty hath been this fortnight ill,

               And these unseasoned¹⁰³ hours perforce must add

               Unto your sickness.

105

105 

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV I will take your counsel.

               And were these inward¹⁰⁶ wars once out of hand,

               We would,¹⁰⁷ dear lords, unto the Holy Land.

       Exeunt

Act 3 Scene 23.2

running scene 9

       Enter Shallow and Silence, with Mouldy, Shadow, Wart, Feeble, Bullcalf [and Servants]

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Come on, come on, come on. Give me your hand, sir; give me your hand, sir. An early stirrer, by the rood!² And how doth my good cousin Silence?

SILENCE

SILENCE     Good morrow, good cousin Shallow.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     And how doth my cousin, your bedfellow?⁴ And your fairest daughter and mine, my goddaughter Ellen?

SILENCE

SILENCE     Alas, a black⁶ ouzel, cousin Shallow!

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     By⁷ yea and nay, sir. I dare say my cousin William is become a good scholar: he is at Oxford⁸ still, is he not?

SILENCE

SILENCE     Indeed, sir, to my cost.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     He must then to the Inns of Court¹⁰ shortly. I was once of Clement’s Inn, where I think they will talk of mad Shallow yet.

SILENCE

SILENCE     You were called ‘lusty¹² Shallow’ then, cousin.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     I was called anything, and I would have done anything indeed too, and roundly¹⁴ too. There was I, and little John Doit of Staffordshire, and black George Bare, and Francis Pickbone,¹⁵ and Will Squele, a Cotswold man. You had not four such swinge-bucklers¹⁶ in all the Inns of Court again. And I may say to you, we knew where the bona-robas¹⁷ were and had the best of them all at commandment. Then was Jack Falstaff, now Sir John, a boy, and page to Thomas Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk.

SILENCE

SILENCE     This Sir John, cousin, that comes hither anon about soldiers?

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     The same Sir John, the very same. I saw him break Scoggin’s²¹ head at the court-gate,²² when he was a crack not thus high. And the very same day did I fight with one Sampson Stockfish,²³ a fruiterer, behind Gray’s Inn. O, the mad days that I have spent! And to see how many of mine old acquaintance are dead!

SILENCE

SILENCE     We shall all follow, cousin.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Certain, ’tis certain, very sure, very sure: death is certain to all, all shall die. How²⁷ a good yoke of bullocks at Stamford Fair?

SILENCE

SILENCE     Truly, cousin, I was not there.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Death is certain. Is old Double of your town living yet?

SILENCE

SILENCE     Dead, sir.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Dead? See, see, he drew³¹ a good bow, and dead? He shot a fine shoot. John of Gaunt loved him well, and betted much money on his head. Dead? He would have clapped³³ in the clout at twelvescore, and carried you a forehand shaft at fourteen³⁴ and fourteen and a half, that it would have done a man’s heart good to see. How a score³⁵ of ewes now?

SILENCE

SILENCE     Thereafter³⁶ as they be: a score of good ewes may be worth ten pounds.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     And is old Double dead?

       Enter Bardolph and his Boy [Falstaff’s Page]

SILENCE

SILENCE     Here come two of Sir John Falstaffs men, as I think.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Good morrow, honest gentlemen.

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     I beseech⁴⁰ you, which is Justice Shallow?

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     I am Robert Shallow, sir, a poor esquire⁴¹ of this county, and one of the king’s justices of the peace.⁴² What is your good pleasure with me?

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     My captain, sir, commends him to you — my captain, Sir John Falstaff, a tall⁴³ gentleman, and a most gallant leader.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     He greets me well, sir. I knew him a good backsword⁴⁵ man. How doth the good knight? May I ask how my lady his wife doth?

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     Sir, pardon. A soldier is better accommodated⁴⁷ than with a wife.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     It is well said, sir; and it is well said indeed too. Better accommodated! It is good, yea, indeed, is it. Good phrases are surely, and everywhere, very commendable. Accommodated! It comes of accommodo.⁵⁰ Very good, a good phrase.

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     Pardon, sir, I have heard the word. Phrase call you it? By this day, I know not the phrase, but I will maintain the word with my sword to be a soldier-like word, and a word of exceeding good command. ‘Accommodated’, that is when a man is, as they say, accommodated, or when a man is being whereby he thought to be accommodated, which is an excellent thing.

       Enter Falstaff

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     It is very just.⁵⁶ Look, here comes good Sir John. Give me your good hand, give me your worship’s good hand. Trust me, you look well and bear your years very well. Welcome, good Sir John.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     I am glad to see you well, good Master Robert Shallow.— Master Surecard,⁵⁹ as I think?

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     No, Sir John, it is my cousin Silence, in commission⁶¹ with me.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Good Master Silence, it well befits you should be of the peace.⁶²

SILENCE

SILENCE     Your good worship is welcome.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Fie, this is hot weather, gentlemen. Have you provided me here half a dozen of sufficient⁶⁵ men?

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Marry, have we, sir. Will you sit?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Let me see them, I beseech you. They sit

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Where’s the roll? Where’s the roll? Where’s the roll? Let me see, let me see, let me see. So, so, so, so. Yea, marry, sir.— Ralph Mouldy! Let them appear as I call, let them do so, let them do so. Let me see, where is Mouldy?

MOULDY

MOULDY     Here, if it please you.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     What think you, Sir John? A good-limbed fellow: young, strong, and of good friends.⁷³

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Is thy name Mouldy?

MOULDY

MOULDY     Yea, if it please you.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     ’Tis the more time thou wert used.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Ha, ha, ha! Most excellent! Things that are mouldy lack use: very singular good. Well said, Sir John, very well said.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Prick⁷⁹ him.

MOULDY

MOULDY     I was pricked⁸⁰ well enough before, if you could have let me alone. My old dame⁸¹ will be undone now for one to do her husbandry and her drudgery; you need not to have pricked me. There are other men fitter to go out than I.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Go to. Peace, Mouldy, you shall go. Mouldy, it is time you were spent.⁸³

MOULDY

MOULDY     Spent?

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Peace, fellow, peace; stand aside. Know you where you are?— For the other,⁸⁶ Sir John, let me see.— Simon Shadow?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Ay, marry, let me have him to sit under: he’s like to be a cold⁸⁷ soldier.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Where’s Shadow?

SHADOW

SHADOW     Here, sir.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Shadow, whose son⁹⁰ art thou?

SHADOW

SHADOW     My mother’s son, sir.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Thy mother’s son! Like enough, and thy father’s shadow.⁹² So the son of the female is the shadow of the male. It is often so, indeed, but not⁹³ of the father’s substance!

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Do you like him, Sir John?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Shadow will serve⁹⁶ for summer. Aside Prick him,— for we have a number of shadows⁹⁷ to fill up the muster book.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Thomas Wart?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Where’s he?

WART

WART     Here, sir.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Is thy name Wart?

WART

WART     Yea, sir.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Thou art a very ragged¹⁰³ wart.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Shall I prick him down, Sir John?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     It were superfluous, for his apparel¹⁰⁵ is built upon his back, and the whole frame stands upon pins. Prick him no more.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Ha, ha, ha! You can do it, sir, you can do it. I commend you well.—Francis Feeble?

FEEBLE

FEEBLE     Here, sir.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     What trade art thou, Feeble?

FEEBLE

FEEBLE     A woman’s tailor,¹¹¹ sir.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Shall I prick him, sir?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     You may: but if he had been a man’s tailor, he would have pricked¹¹³ you. Wilt thou make as many holes in an enemy’s battle¹¹⁴ as thou hast done in a woman’s petticoat?

FEEBLE

FEEBLE     I will do my good will,¹¹⁶ sir. You can have no more.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Well said, good woman’s tailor! Well said, courageous Feeble! Thou wilt be as valiant as the wrathful dove or most magnanimous¹¹⁸ mouse. Prick the woman’s tailor well,¹¹⁹ Master Shallow, deep, Master Shallow.

FEEBLE

FEEBLE     I would Wart might have gone, sir.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     I would thou wert a man’s tailor, that thou mightst mend him and make him fit to go.¹²² I cannot put him to a private soldier that is the leader of so many thousands.¹²³ Let that suffice, most forcible Feeble.

FEEBLE

FEEBLE     It shall suffice.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     I am bound to thee, reverend Feeble.— Who is the next?

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Peter Bullcalf of the green?¹²⁶

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Yea, marry, let us see Bullcalf.

BULLCALF

BULLCALF     Here, sir.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Trust me, a likely¹²⁹ fellow! Come, prick me Bullcalf till he roar again.

BULLCALF

BULLCALF     O, good my lord captain—

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     What, dost thou roar before th’art pricked?

BULLCALF

BULLCALF     O, sir! I am a diseased man.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     What disease hast thou?

BULLCALF

BULLCALF     A whoreson cold, sir, a cough, sir, which I caught with ringing¹³⁴ in the king’s affairs upon his coronation day,¹³⁵ sir.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Come, thou shalt go to the wars in a gown.¹³⁶ We will have away thy cold, and I will take such order¹³⁷ that thy friends shall ring for thee.— Is here all?

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     There is two¹³⁸ more called than your number. You must have but four here, sir, and so I pray you go in with me to dinner.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Come, I will go drink with you, but I cannot tarry¹⁴⁰ dinner. I am glad to see you, in good troth, Master Shallow.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     O, Sir John, do you remember since we lay all night in the Windmill¹⁴² in St George’s Field?¹⁴³

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     No more of that, good Master Shallow, no more of that.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Ha, it was a merry night. And is Jane Nightwork¹⁴⁵ alive?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     She lives, Master Shallow.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     She never could away with¹⁴⁷ me.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Never, never. She would always say she could not abide Master Shallow.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     I could anger her to the heart. She was then a bona-roba.¹⁴⁹ Doth she hold her own well?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Old, old, Master Shallow.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Nay, she must be old. She cannot choose but be old, certain she’s old, and had Robin Nightwork by old Nightwork before I came to Clement’s Inn.

SILENCE

SILENCE     That’s fifty-five years ago.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Ha, cousin Silence, that thou hadst seen that that this knight and I have seen! Ha, Sir John, said I well?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     We have heard the chimes at midnight, Master Shallow.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     That we have, that we have, in faith, Sir John, we have. Our watch-word¹⁵⁸ was ‘Hem boys!’ Come, let’s to dinner; come, let’s to dinner. O, the days that we have seen! Come, come.

       [Exeunt Falstaff and the Justices]

BULLCALF

BULLCALF     Good Master Corporate¹⁶¹ Bardolph, stand my friend, Gives money to Bardolph and here is four Harry ten shillings in French crowns for you. In very truth, sir, I had as lief¹⁶² be hanged, sir, as go. And yet, for mine own part, sir, I do not care; but rather, because I am unwilling, and for mine own part, have a desire to stay with my friends.¹⁶⁴ Else, sir, I did not care, for mine own part, so much.

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     Go to.¹⁶⁶ Stand aside.

MOULDY

MOULDY     And, good master corporal captain, for my old dame’s sake, stand my friend: she hath nobody to do anything about her when I am gone, and she is old, and cannot help herself. Gives money You shall have forty,¹⁶⁹ sir.

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     Go to. Stand aside.

FEEBLE

FEEBLE     I care not. A man can die but once: we owe a death. I will never bear a base mind. If it be my destiny, so:¹⁷² if it be not, so. No man is too good to serve his prince, and let it go which way it will, he that dies this year is quit¹⁷³ for the next.

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     Well said. Thou art a good fellow.

FEEBLE

FEEBLE     Nay, I will bear no base mind.

       [Enter Falstaff and the Justices]

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Come, sir, which men shall I have?

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Four of which you please.

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     Sir, a word with you: I have three pound to free Mouldy and Bullcalf.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Go to, well.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Come, Sir John, which four will you have?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Do you choose for me.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Marry, then, Mouldy, Bullcalf, Feeble and Shadow.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Mouldy and Bullcalf: for you, Mouldy, stay at home till you are past service.¹⁸⁴— And for your part, Bullcalf, grow till you come unto it. I will none of you.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Sir John, Sir John, do not yourself wrong. They are your likeliest¹⁸⁶ men, and I would have you served with the best.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Will you tell me, Master Shallow, how to choose a man? Care I for the limb, the thews,¹⁸⁹ the stature, bulk, and big assemblance of a man? Give me the spirit, Master Shallow. Where’s Wart? You see what a ragged appearance it is. He shall charge¹⁹¹ you and discharge you with the motion of a pewterer’s hammer, come off and on¹⁹² swifter than he that gibbets on the brewer’s bucket. And this same half-faced¹⁹³ fellow, Shadow, give me this man: he presents no mark to the enemy. The foeman may with as great aim¹⁹⁴ level at the edge of a penknife. And for a retreat, how swiftly will this Feeble, the woman’s tailor, run off! O, give me the spare¹⁹⁶ men, and spare me the great ones. Put me a caliver into Wart’s hand, Bardolph.

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     Hold, Wart, traverse.¹⁹⁸ Gives Wart a caliver Thus, thus, thus.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Come, manage me¹⁹⁹ your caliver. So, very well, go to, very good, exceeding good. O, give me always a little, lean, old, chopped,²⁰⁰ bald shot. Well said, Wart. Thou art a good scab.²⁰¹ Gives money Hold, there is a tester for thee.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     He is not his craft’s master. He doth not do it right. I remember at Mile-End Green,²⁰² when I lay at Clement’s Inn — I was then Sir²⁰³ Dagonet in Arthur’s show — there was a little quiver²⁰⁴ fellow, and he would manage you his piece thus. And he would about and about, and come you in and come you in. ‘Ra, ta, ta’, would he say. ‘Bounce’, would he say, and away again would he go, and again would he come. I shall never see such a fellow.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     These fellows will do well, Master Shallow. Farewell, Master Silence. I wil not use many words with you. Fare you well, gentlemen both. I thank you. I must²¹⁰ a dozen mile tonight. Bardolph, give the soldiers coats.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Sir John, heaven bless you and prosper your affairs, and send us peace! As you return, visit my house. Let our old acquaintance be renewed. Peradventure²¹² I will with you to the court.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     I would²¹⁴ you would, Master Shallow.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Go to. I have²¹⁵ spoke at a word. Fare you well.

       Exit

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Fare you well, gentle²¹⁶ gentlemen.— On, Bardolph. Lead the men away.

       [Exeunt Bardolph, Mouldy, Shadow, Wart, Feeble and Bullcalf]

As I return, I will fetch off²¹⁷ these justices. I do see the bottom of Justice Shallow. How subject we old men are to this vice of lying! This same starved justice hath done nothing but prate²¹⁹ to me of the wildness of his youth, and the feats he hath done about Turnbull Street,²²⁰ and every third word a lie, duer paid to the hearer than the Turk’s tribute.²²¹ I do remember him at Clement’s Inn like a man made after supper of a cheese-paring. When he was naked, he was, for all the world, like a forked radish, with a head fantastically carved upon it with a knife. He was so forlorn,²²⁴ that his dimensions to any thick sight were invincible. He was the very genius²²⁵ of famine. He came ever in the rearward of the fashion. And now is this Vice’s dagger²²⁶ become a squire, and talks as familiarly of John of Gaunt as if he had been sworn brother²²⁷ to him, and I’ll be sworn he never saw him but once in the Tilt-yard,²²⁸ and then he burst his head for crowding among the marshal’s men. I saw it, and told John of Gaunt he beat his own name,²²⁹ for you might have trussed him²³⁰ and all his apparel into an eel-skin, the case of a treble hautboy was a mansion for him, a court. And now hath he land and beefs.²³¹ Well, I will be acquainted²³² with him, if I return, and it shall go hard but I will make him a philosopher’s two stones²³³ to me. If the young dace be a bait for the old pike, I see no reason in the law of nature but I may snap at him. Let time shape,²³⁴ and there an end.

       Exit

Act 4 Scene 14.1

running scene 10

       Enter the Archbishop, Mowbray, Hastings

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK What is this forest called?

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     ’Tis Gaultree Forest,² an’t shall please your grace.

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK Here stand, my lords, and send discoverers³ forth

               To know the numbers of our enemies.

5

5     

HASTINGS

HASTINGS         We have sent forth already.

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK ’Tis well done.

               My friends and brethren in these great affairs,

               I must acquaint you that I have received

               New-dated⁹ letters from Northumberland.

10

10           Their cold intent, tenor and substance, thus:

               Here doth he wish his person, with such powers¹¹

               As might hold sortance with¹² his quality,

               The which he could not levy,¹³ whereupon

               He is retired,¹⁴ to ripe his growing fortunes,

15

15           To Scotland; and concludes in hearty prayers

               That your attempts may overlive¹⁶ the hazard

               And fearful meeting of their opposite.¹⁷

MOWBRAY

MOWBRAY     Thus do the hopes we have in him touch ground¹⁸

               And dash themselves to pieces.

       Enter a Messenger

20

20   

HASTINGS

HASTINGS           Now, what news?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     West of this forest, scarcely off a mile,

               In goodly form²² comes on the enemy.

               And by the ground they hide, I judge their number

               Upon or near the rate²⁴ of thirty thousand.

25

25   

MOWBRAY

MOWBRAY           The just²⁵ proportion that we gave them out.

               Let us sway on²⁶ and face them in the field.

       Enter Westmorland

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK What well-appointed²⁷ leader fronts us here?

MOWBRAY

MOWBRAY     I think it is my lord of Westmorland.

WESTMORLAND

WESTMORLAND Health and fair greeting from our general,

30

30           The prince,³⁰ Lord John and Duke of Lancaster.

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK Say on, my lord of Westmorland, in peace:

               What doth³² concern your coming?

WESTMORLAND

WESTMORLAND Then, my lord,

               Unto your grace do I in chief address

35

35           The substance of my speech. If that³⁵ rebellion

               Came like itself,³⁶ in base and abject routs,

               Led on by bloody³⁷ youth, guarded with rage,

               And countenanced³⁸ by boys and beggary,

               I say, if damned commotion³⁹ so appeared,

40

40           In his true, native and most proper⁴⁰ shape,

               You, reverend⁴¹ father, and these noble lords

               Had not⁴² been here to dress the ugly form

               Of base and bloody insurrection

               With your fair honours.⁴⁴ You, lord archbishop,

45

45           Whose see⁴⁵ is by a civil peace maintained,

               Whose beard the silver hand of peace hath touched,

               Whose learning and good letters⁴⁷ peace hath tutored,

               Whose white investments⁴⁸ figure innocence,

               The dove and very blessèd spirit of peace,

50

50           Wherefore do you so ill translate yourself

               Out of the speech of peace that bears such grace,

               Into the harsh and boisterous tongue of war,

               Turning your books to graves, your ink to blood,

               Your pens to lances and your tongue divine

55

55           To a loud trumpet and a point⁵⁵ of war?

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK Wherefore do I this? So the question stands.

               Briefly to this end: we are all diseased,

               And with our surfeiting and wanton⁵⁸ hours

               Have brought ourselves into a burning fever,

60

60           And we must bleed⁶⁰ for it, of which disease

               Our late King Richard, being infected, died.

               But, my most noble lord of Westmorland,

               I take⁶³ not on me here as a physician,

               Nor do I as an enemy to peace

65

65           Troop in the throngs of military men,

               But rather show⁶⁶ awhile like fearful war,

               To diet rank⁶⁷ minds sick of happiness

               And purge th’obstructions which begin to stop

               Our very veins of life. Hear me more plainly.

70

70           I have in equal balance justly⁷⁰ weighed

               What wrongs our arms may do, what wrongs we suffer,

               And find our griefs⁷² heavier than our offences.

               We see which way the stream of time doth run,

               And are enforced from our most quiet there⁷⁴

75

75           By the rough torrent of occasion,⁷⁵

               And have the summary of all our griefs,

               When time shall serve, to show in articles;⁷⁷

               Which long ere this we offered to the king,

               And might by no suit⁷⁹ gain our audience.

80

80           When we are wronged and would unfold⁸⁰ our griefs,

               We are denied access unto his person

               Even by those men that most have done us wrong.

               The dangers of the days but newly gone,⁸³

               Whose memory⁸⁴ is written on the earth

85

85           With yet appearing⁸⁵ blood, and the examples

               Of⁸⁶ every minute’s instance, present now,

               Hath put us in these ill-beseeming⁸⁷ arms,

               Not to break peace or any branch of it,

               But to establish here a peace indeed,

90

90           Concurring both in name and quality.

WESTMORLAND

WESTMORLAND Whenever yet was your appeal denied?

               Wherein have you been gallèd⁹² by the king?

               What peer hath been suborned⁹³ to grate on you,

               That you should seal⁹⁴ this lawless bloody book

95

95           Of forged rebellion with a seal divine?

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK My brother general, the commonwealth,⁹⁶

               I make my quarrel in particular.

WESTMORLAND

WESTMORLAND There is no need of any such redress,

               Or if there were, it not belongs to you.

100

100 

MOWBRAY

MOWBRAY               Why not to him in part, and to us all

               That feel the bruises of the days before,

               And suffer the condition of these times

               To lay a heavy and unequal¹⁰³ hand

               Upon our honours?

105

105 

WESTMORLAND

WESTMORLAND O, my good lord Mowbray,

               Construe¹⁰⁶ the times to their necessities,

               And you shall say indeed, it is the time,

               And not the king, that doth you injuries.

               Yet for your part, it not appears¹⁰⁹ to me

110

110         Either from the king or in the present time

               That you should have an inch of any ground

               To build a grief on. Were you not restored

               To all the Duke of Norfolk’s signories,¹¹³

               Your noble and right well rememb’red father’s?

115

115 

MOWBRAY

MOWBRAY               What thing, in honour, had my father lost,

               That need to be revived and breathed¹¹⁶ in me?

               The king that loved him, as the state¹¹⁷ stood then,

               Was force perforce¹¹⁸ compelled to banish him,

               And then that Henry Bullingbrook and he,

120

120         Being mounted and both rousèd¹²⁰ in their seats,

               Their neighing coursers¹²¹ daring of the spur,

               Their armèd¹²² staves in charge, their beavers down,

               Their eyes of fire sparkling through sights of steel¹²³

               And the loud trumpet blowing them together,¹²⁴

125

125         Then, then, when there was nothing could have stayed¹²⁵

               My father from the breast of Bullingbrook,

               O, when the king did throw his warder¹²⁷ down —

               His own life hung upon the staff he threw —

               Then threw he down himself and all their lives¹²⁹

130

130         That by indictment¹³⁰ and by dint of sword

               Have since miscarried¹³¹ under Bullingbrook.

WESTMORLAND

WESTMORLAND You speak, Lord Mowbray, now you know not what.

               The Earl of Hereford¹³³ was reputed then

               In England the most valiant gentleman.

135

135         Who knows on whom fortune would then have smiled?

               But if your father had been victor there,

               He¹³⁷ ne’er had borne it out of Coventry,

               For all the country in a general voice

               Cried hate upon him, and all their prayers and love

140

140         Were set on Hereford, whom they doted on

               And blessed and graced and did¹⁴¹ more than the king —

               But this is mere digression from my purpose.

               Here come I from our princely general

               To know your griefs; to tell you from his grace

145

145         That he will give you audience, and wherein¹⁴⁵

               It shall appear that your demands are just,

               You shall enjoy them,¹⁴⁷ everything set off,

               That might so much as think you¹⁴⁸ enemies.

MOWBRAY

MOWBRAY     But he hath forced us to compel¹⁴⁹ this offer,

150

150         And it proceeds from policy,¹⁵⁰ not love.

WESTMORLAND

WESTMORLAND Mowbray, you overween¹⁵¹ to take it so.

               This offer comes from mercy, not from fear.

               For, lo, within a ken¹⁵³ our army lies,

               Upon mine honour, all too confident

155

155         To give admittance to a thought of fear.

               Our battle¹⁵⁶ is more full of names than yours,

               Our men more perfect¹⁵⁷ in the use of arms,

               Our armour all as strong, our cause the best;

               Then reason will¹⁵⁹ our hearts should be as good.

160

160         Say you not then our offer is compelled.

MOWBRAY

MOWBRAY     Well, by my will, we shall admit no parley.¹⁶¹

WESTMORLAND

WESTMORLAND That argues but the shame of your offence:

               A rotten¹⁶³ case abides no handling.

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     Hath the Prince John a full commission,

165

165         In very ample virtue¹⁶⁵ of his father,

               To hear and absolutely to determine¹⁶⁶

               Of what conditions we shall stand upon?

WESTMORLAND

WESTMORLAND That is intended¹⁶⁸ in the general’s name.

               I muse¹⁶⁹ you make so slight a question.

170

170 

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK Then take, my lord of Westmorland, this schedule,¹⁷⁰ Gives paper

               For this contains our general grievances:

               Each several article¹⁷² herein redressed,

               All members of our cause, both here and hence,¹⁷³

               That are insinewed to¹⁷⁴ this action,

175

175         Acquitted¹⁷⁵ by a true substantial form

               And present¹⁷⁶ execution of our wills

               To us and to our purposes confined,

               We come within our awful banks¹⁷⁸ again

               And knit¹⁷⁹ our powers to the arm of peace.

180

180 

WESTMORLAND

WESTMORLAND This will I show the general. Please you,¹⁸⁰ lords,

               In sight of both our battles¹⁸¹ we may meet,

               At either end¹⁸² in peace, which heaven so frame,

               Or to the place of difference call the swords

               Which must decide it.

185

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK My lord, we will do so.

       [Exit Westmorland]

MOWBRAY

MOWBRAY     There is a thing within my bosom tells me

               That no conditions of our peace can stand.

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     Fear you not that. If we can make our peace

               Upon such large terms and so absolute¹⁸⁹

190

190         As our conditions shall consist upon,¹⁹⁰

               Our peace shall stand as firm as rocky mountains.

MOWBRAY

MOWBRAY     Ay, but our valuation¹⁹² shall be such

               That every slight and false-derivèd¹⁹³ cause,

               Yea, every idle, nice and wanton¹⁹⁴ reason

195

195         Shall to the king taste of this action,

               That, were¹⁹⁶ our royal faiths martyrs in love,

               We shall be winnowed¹⁹⁷ with so rough a wind

               That¹⁹⁸ even our corn shall seem as light as chaff

               And good from bad find no partition.

200

200 

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK No, no, my lord. Note this: the king is weary

               Of dainty²⁰¹ and such picking grievances,

               For he hath found to end one doubt²⁰² by death

               Revives two greater in the heirs of life,²⁰³

               And therefore will he wipe his tables²⁰⁴ clean

205

205         And keep no tell-tale to his memory

               That may repeat and history²⁰⁶ his loss

               To new remembrance. For full well he knows

               He cannot so precisely²⁰⁸ weed this land

               As his misdoubts present occasion:²⁰⁹

210

210         His foes are so enrooted²¹⁰ with his friends

               That, plucking to unfix an enemy,

               He doth unfasten so and shake a friend,

               So that this land, like an offensive wife

               That hath enraged him on²¹⁴ to offer strokes,

215

215         As he is striking, holds his infant up

               And hangs resolved correction²¹⁶ in the arm

               That was upreared to execution.²¹⁷

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     Besides, the king hath wasted²¹⁸ all his rods

               On late²¹⁹ offenders, that he now doth lack

220

220         The very instruments of chastisement,

               So that his power, like to a fangless lion,

               May offer,²²² but not hold.

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK ’Tis very true,

               And therefore be assured, my good lord marshal,

225

225         If we do now make our atonement²²⁵ well,

               Our peace will, like a broken limb united,

               Grow stronger for the breaking.

MOWBRAY

MOWBRAY     Be it so.

               Here is returned my lord of Westmorland.

       Enter Westmorland

230

230 

WESTMORLAND

WESTMORLAND The prince is here at hand. Pleaseth your lordship

               To meet his grace just²³¹ distance ’tween our armies.

MOWBRAY

MOWBRAY     Your grace of York, in heaven’s name then forward.

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK Before,²³³ and greet his grace.— My lord, we come.

       Enter Prince John [and Attendants]a

PRINCE JOHN

PRINCE JOHN You are well encountered here, my cousin²³⁴ Mowbray.—

235

235         Good day to you, gentle²³⁵ lord archbishop.—

               And so to you, Lord Hastings, and to all.—

               My lord of York, it better²³⁷ showed with you

               When that your flock, assembled by the bell,

               Encircled you to hear with reverence

240

240         Your exposition on the holy text

               Than now to see you here an iron²⁴¹ man,

               Cheering a rout of rebels with your drum,

               Turning the word²⁴³ to sword and life to death.

               That man that sits within a monarch’s heart,

245

245         And ripens in the sunshine of his favour,

               Would he²⁴⁶ abuse the countenance of the king,

               Alack, what mischiefs might he set abroach²⁴⁷

               In shadow of such greatness! With you, lord bishop,

               It is even so. Who hath not heard it spoken

250

250         How deep²⁵⁰ you were within the books of heaven?

               To us, the speaker²⁵¹ in his parliament;

               To us, th’imagined voice of heaven itself,

               The very opener and intelligencer²⁵³

               Between the grace, the sanctities²⁵⁴ of heaven

255

255         And our dull workings.²⁵⁵ O, who shall believe

               But you²⁵⁶ misuse the reverence of your place,

               Employ the countenance²⁵⁷ and grace of heaven,

               As a false²⁵⁸ favourite doth his prince’s name,

               In deeds dishonourable? You have taken up,²⁵⁹

260

260         Under the counterfeited zeal²⁶⁰ of heaven,

               The subjects of heaven’s substitute,²⁶¹ my father,

               And both against the peace of heaven and him

               Have here upswarmèd²⁶³ them.

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK Good my lord of Lancaster,

265

265         I am not here against your father’s peace,

               But, as I told my lord of Westmorland,

               The time misordered²⁶⁷ doth, in common sense,

               Crowd us and crush us to this monstrous²⁶⁸ form,

               To hold²⁶⁹ our safety up. I sent your grace

270

270         The parcels²⁷⁰ and particulars of our grief,

               The which hath been with scorn shoved²⁷¹ from the court,

               Whereon this Hydra²⁷² son of war is born,

               Whose dangerous eyes²⁷³ may well be charmed asleep

               With grant of our most just and right desires,

275

275         And true obedience, of this madness cured,

               Stoop tamely to the foot of majesty.

MOWBRAY

MOWBRAY     If not, we ready are to try our fortunes

               To the last man.

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     And though we here fall down,

280

280         We have supplies²⁸⁰ to second our attempt:

               If they miscarry, theirs shall second them,

               And so success²⁸² of mischief shall be born

               And heir from heir shall hold this quarrel up

               Whiles²⁸⁴ England shall have generation.

285

285 

PRINCE JOHN

PRINCE JOHN You are too shallow, Hastings, much too shallow,

               To sound the bottom²⁸⁶ of the after-times.

WESTMORLAND

WESTMORLAND Pleaseth your grace to answer them directly

               How far forth²⁸⁸ you do like their articles.

PRINCE JOHN

PRINCE JOHN I like them all, and do allow them well,²⁸⁹

290

290         And swear here, by the honour of my blood,

               My father’s purposes have been mistook,²⁹¹

               And some about him have too lavishly²⁹²

               Wrested his meaning and authority.—

               My lord, these griefs shall be with speed redressed, To Archbishop

295

295         Upon my life, they shall. If this may please you,

               Discharge your powers²⁹⁶ unto their several counties,

               As we will ours, and here between the armies,

               Let’s drink together friendly and embrace,

               That all their eyes may bear those tokens²⁹⁹ home

300

300         Of our restorèd love and amity.

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK I take your princely word for these redresses.

PRINCE JOHN

PRINCE JOHN I give it you, and will maintain my word,

               And thereupon I drink unto your grace. Toasts Archbishop

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     Go, captain, and deliver to the army

305

305         This news of peace: let them have pay, and part.³⁰⁵

               I know it will well please them. Hie³⁰⁶ thee, captain.

       Exit [Officer]

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK To you, my noble lord of Westmorland. Toasts Westmorland

WESTMORLAND

WESTMORLAND I pledge³⁰⁸ your grace, and if you knew what pains Toasts Archbishop

               I have bestowed to breed this present peace,

310

310         You would drink freely. But my love to ye

               Shall show itself more openly hereafter.

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK I do not doubt you.

WESTMORLAND

WESTMORLAND I am glad of it.—

               Health to my lord and gentle cousin, Mowbray. Toasts Mowbray

315

315 

MOWBRAY

MOWBRAY               You wish me health in very happy season,³¹⁵

               For I am, on the sudden, something³¹⁶ ill.

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK Against³¹⁷ ill chances men are ever merry,

               But heaviness³¹⁸ foreruns the good event.

WESTMORLAND

WESTMORLAND Therefore be merry, coz,³¹⁹ since sudden sorrow

320

320         Serves to say thus: ‘Some good thing comes tomorrow.’

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK Believe me, I am passing³²¹ light in spirit.

MOWBRAY

MOWBRAY     So much the worse, if your own rule be true.

PRINCE JOHN

PRINCE JOHN The word of peace is rendered.³²³ Hark, how they shout!

MOWBRAY

MOWBRAY     This had been cheerful³²⁴ after victory.

325

325 

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK A peace is of the nature of a conquest,

               For then both parties nobly are subdued,

               And neither party loser.

PRINCE JOHN

PRINCE JOHN Go, my lord, To Westmorland

               And let our army be dischargèd too.—

       Exit [Westmorland]

330

330         And, good my lord, so please you, let our trains³³⁰ To Archbishop

               March by us, that we may peruse³³¹ the men

               We should have coped withal.³³²

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK Go, good Lord Hastings,

               And ere they be dismissed, let them march by.

       Exit [Hastings]

335

335 

PRINCE JOHN

PRINCE JOHN I trust, lords, we shall lie³³⁵ tonight together.

       Enter Westmorland

               Now, cousin, wherefore stands our army still?

WESTMORLAND

WESTMORLAND The leaders, having charge from you to stand,

               Will not go off until they hear you speak.

PRINCE JOHN

PRINCE JOHN They know their duties.

       Enter Hastings

340

340 

HASTINGS

HASTINGS               Our army is dispersed.

               Like youthful steers unyoked,³⁴¹ they took their course

               East, west, north, south, or, like a school broke up,

               Each hurries toward his home and sporting-place.³⁴³

WESTMORLAND

WESTMORLAND Good tidings, my lord Hastings, for the which

345

345         I do arrest thee, traitor, of high treason.—

               And you, lord archbishop, and you, Lord Mowbray,

               Of³⁴⁷ capital treason I attach you both.

MOWBRAY

MOWBRAY     Is this proceeding just and honourable?

WESTMORLAND

WESTMORLAND Is your assembly so?

350

350 

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK Will you thus break your faith?

PRINCE JOHN

PRINCE JOHN I pawned³⁵¹ thee none:

               I promised you redress of these same grievances

               Whereof you did complain; which, by mine honour,

               I will perform with a most Christian care.

355

355         But for you, rebels, look to taste the due

               Meet³⁵⁶ for rebellion and such acts as yours.

               Most shallowly³⁵⁷ did you these arms commence,

               Fondly³⁵⁸ brought here and foolishly sent hence.

               Strike up our drums, pursue the scattered stray.³⁵⁹

360

360         Heaven, and not we, have safely fought today.

               Some guard these traitors to the block of death,

               Treason’s true bed and yielder up of breath.

       Exeunt

       Enter Falstaff and Coleville [separately]

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     What’s your name, sir? Of what condition³⁶³ are you, and of what place, I pray?

COLEVILLE

COLEVILLE     I am a knight, sir, and my name is Coleville of the Dale.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Well, then, Coleville is your name, a knight is your degree, and your place, the Dale.³⁶⁸ Coleville shall still be your name, a traitor your degree, and the dungeon your place, a place deep enough so shall you be still Coleville of the Dale.

COLEVILLE

COLEVILLE     Are not you Sir John Falstaff?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     As good a man as he, sir, whoe’er I am. Do ye yield, sir, or shall I sweat for you? If I do sweat, they are the drops³⁷¹ of thy lovers, and they weep for thy death: therefore rouse up fear and trembling, and do observance³⁷² to my mercy.

COLEVILLE

COLEVILLE     I think you are Sir John Falstaff, and in that thought yield me.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     I³⁷⁴ have a whole school of tongues in this belly of mine, and not a tongue of them all speaks any other word but my name. An³⁷⁵ I had but a belly of any indifferency,³⁷⁶ I were simply the most active fellow in Europe. My womb, my womb, my womb, undoes me. Here comes our general.

       Enter Prince John and Westmorland [with Blunt and others]

PRINCE JOHN

PRINCE JOHN The heat is past. Follow no further now.Call in the powers, good cousin Westmorland.Now, Falstaff, where have you been all this while?When everything is ended, then you come.These tardy tricks³⁸² of yours will, on my life, One time or other break³⁸³ some gallows’ back.

       [Exit Westmorland]

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     I would be sorry, my lord, but³⁸⁴ it should be thus: I never knew yet but rebuke and check was the reward of valour. Do you think me a swallow, an arrow, or a bullet? Have I, in my poor and old motion, the expedition³⁸⁶ of thought? I have speeded hither with³⁸⁷ the very extremest inch of possibility. I have foundered nine³⁸⁸ score and odd posts, and here, travel-tainted as I am, have in my pure and immaculate valour, taken Sir John Coleville of the Dale, a most furious³⁸⁹ knight and valorous enemy. But what of that? He saw me, and yielded, that I may justly say, with the hook-nosed³⁹¹ fellow of Rome, ‘I came, saw, and overcame.’

PRINCE JOHN

PRINCE JOHN It was more of his courtesy than your deserving.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     I know not. Here he is, and here I yield him. And I beseech your grace, let it be booked³⁹⁴ with the rest of this day’s deeds; or, I swear, I will have it in a particular ballad,³⁹⁵ with mine own picture on the top of it, Coleville kissing my foot: to the which course, if I be enforced, if you do not all show like gilt two-pences³⁹⁶ to me, and I in the clear sky of fame o’ershine you as much as the full moon doth the cinders³⁹⁸ of the element — which show like pins’ heads to her — believe not the word of the noble: therefore let me have right, and let desert mount.³⁹⁹

PRINCE JOHN

PRINCE JOHN Thine’s too heavy⁴⁰⁰ to mount.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Let it shine, then.

PRINCE JOHN

PRINCE JOHN Thine’s too thick⁴⁰² to shine.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Let it do something, my good lord, that may do me good, and call it what you will.

PRINCE JOHN

PRINCE JOHN Is thy name Coleville?

COLEVILLE

COLEVILLE     It is, my lord.

PRINCE JOHN

PRINCE JOHN A famous rebel art thou, Coleville.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     And a famous true subject took him.

COLEVILLE

COLEVILLE     I am, my lord, but as my betters are

410

410         That led me hither. Had they been⁴¹⁰ ruled by me,

               You should have won them dearer⁴¹¹ than you have.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     I know not how they sold⁴¹² themselves, but thou, like a kind fellow, gav’st thyself away; and I thank thee for thee.

       Enter Westmorland

PRINCE JOHN

PRINCE JOHN Have you left⁴¹⁴ pursuit?

WESTMORLAND

WESTMORLAND Retreat is made and execution stayed.⁴¹⁵

PRINCE JOHN

PRINCE JOHN Send Coleville with his confederates

               To York, to present⁴¹⁷ execution.—

               Blunt, lead him hence, and see you guard him sure.⁴¹⁸

       Exeunt [Blunt and others] with Coleville

               And now dispatch we toward the court, my lords.

420

420         I hear the king my father is sore⁴²⁰ sick.

               Our news shall go before us to his majesty,

               Which, cousin, you shall bear to comfort him, To Westmorland

               And we with sober⁴²³ speed will follow you.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     My lord, I beseech you give me leave to go through Gloucestershire, and, when you come to court, stand my good lord, pray, in your good report.

PRINCE JOHN

PRINCE JOHN Fare you well, Falstaff. I, in my condition⁴²⁶ Shall better speak of you than you deserve.

       Exeunt [all but Falstaff]

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     I would⁴²⁸ you had but the wit: ’twere better than your dukedom. Good faith, this same young sober-blooded boy doth not love me, nor a man cannot make him laugh. But that’s no marvel: he drinks no wine. There’s never any of these demure boys come⁴³¹ to any proof, for thin drink doth so over-cool their blood, and making many fish-meals,⁴³² that they fall into a kind of male green-sickness, and then when they marry, they get wenches.⁴³³ They are generally fools and cowards; which some of us should be too, but for inflammation.⁴³⁴ A good sherry-sack hath a two-fold operation in it: it ascends me⁴³⁵ into the brain, dries me there all the foolish and dull and curdy⁴³⁶ vapours which environ it, makes it apprehensive, quick, forgetive,⁴³⁷ full of nimble, fiery and delectable shapes, which, delivered o’er to the voice, the tongue, which is the birth, becomes excellent wit. The second property of your excellent sherry is the warming of the blood, which, before cold and settled, left the liver⁴⁴⁰ white and pale, which is the badge of pusillanimity and cowardice. But the sherry warms it and makes it course from the inwards to the parts extremes:⁴⁴² it illuminateth the face, which as a beacon gives warning to all the rest of this little kingdom, man, to arm. And then the vital⁴⁴³ commoners and inland petty spirits muster me⁴⁴⁴ all to their captain, the heart, who, great and puffed up with his retinue, doth any deed of courage, and this valour comes of sherry. So that skill in the weapon is nothing without sack, for that sets it a-work,⁴⁴⁶ and learning a⁴⁴⁷ mere hoard of gold kept by a devil, till sack commences it and sets it in act and use. Hereof comes it that Prince Harry is valiant, for the cold blood he did naturally inherit of his father, he hath, like lean, sterile and bare land, manured, husbanded⁴⁵⁰ and tilled with excellent endeavour of drinking good and good store of fertile sherry, that he is become very hot and valiant. If I had a thousand sons, the first principle I would teach them should be to forswear thin potations⁴⁵³ and to addict themselves to sack.

       Enter Bardolph

How now Bardolph?

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     The army is discharged all and gone.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Let them go. I’ll through Gloucestershire, and there will I visit Master Robert Shallow, Esquire. I have him already tempering⁴⁵⁷ between my finger and my thumb, and shortly will I seal with him.⁴⁵⁸ Come away.

       Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 24.2

running scene 11

       Enter King, Warwick, Clarence, Gloucester

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV Now, lords, if heaven doth give successful end

               To this debate² that bleedeth at our doors,

               We will our youth lead on to higher fields³

               And draw no swords but what are sanctified.⁴

5

5             Our navy is addressed,⁵ our power collected,

               Our substitutes⁶ in absence well invested,

               And everything lies level⁷ to our wish;

               Only we want⁸ a little personal strength,

               And pause us,⁹ till these rebels, now afoot,

10

10           Come underneath the yoke of government.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Both which we doubt not but your majesty

               Shall soon enjoy.

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV Humphrey, my son of Gloucester,

               Where is the prince your brother?

15

15   

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER           I think he’s gone to hunt, my lord, at Windsor.

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV And how accompanied?

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     I do not know, my lord.

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV Is not his brother, Thomas of Clarence, with him?

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     No, my good lord, he is in presence¹⁹ here.

20

20   

CLARENCE

CLARENCE           What would my lord and father? Comes forward

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV Nothing but well to thee, Thomas of Clarence.

               How chance²² thou art not with the prince thy brother?

               He loves thee, and thou dost neglect him, Thomas.

               Thou hast a better place in his affection

25

25           Than all thy brothers. Cherish it, my boy,

               And noble offices²⁶ thou mayst effect

               Of mediation, after I am dead,

               Between his greatness and thy other brethren:²⁸

               Therefore omit²⁹ him not, blunt not his love,

30

30           Nor lose the good advantage of his grace

               By seeming cold or careless of his will,

               For he is gracious, if he be observed.³²

               He hath a tear for pity and a hand

               Open as day for melting³⁴ charity:

35

35           Yet notwithstanding, being incensed, he’s flint,³⁵

               As humorous³⁶ as winter, and as sudden

               As flaws congealèd³⁷ in the spring of day.

               His temper,³⁸ therefore, must be well observed:

               Chide him for faults, and do it reverently,³⁹

40

40           When you perceive his blood inclined to mirth,

               But being moody, give him line⁴¹ and scope,

               Till that his passions, like a whale on ground,⁴²

               Confound⁴³ themselves with working. Learn this, Thomas,

               And thou shalt prove a shelter to thy friends,

45

45           A hoop of gold to bind thy brothers in,

               That the united vessel of their blood,

               Mingled with venom of suggestion⁴⁷ —

               As, force perforce,⁴⁸ the age will pour it in —

               Shall never leak, though it do work as strong

50

50           As aconitum⁵⁰ or rash gunpowder.

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     I shall observe him with all care and love.

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV Why art thou not at Windsor with him, Thomas?

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     He is not there today. He dines in London.

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV And how accompanied? Canst thou tell that?

55

55   

CLARENCE

CLARENCE           With Poins, and other his continual⁵⁵ followers.

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV Most subject is the fattest⁵⁶ soil to weeds,

               And he, the noble image of my youth,

               Is overspread with them: therefore my grief

               Stretches itself beyond the hour of death.

60

60           The blood⁶⁰ weeps from my heart when I do shape

               In forms imaginary th’unguided days

               And rotten times that you shall look upon

               When I am sleeping with my ancestors.

               For when his headstrong riot hath no curb,⁶⁴

65

65           When rage and hot blood are his counsellors,

               When means and lavish⁶⁶ manners meet together,

               O, with what wings shall his affections fly

               Towards fronting⁶⁸ peril and opposed decay!

WARWICK

WARWICK     My gracious lord, you look⁶⁹ beyond him quite:

70

70           The prince but studies his companions

               Like a strange tongue, wherein, to gain the language,

               ’Tis needful that the most immodest word

               Be looked upon and learned, which once attained,

               Your highness knows, comes to no further use

75

75           But to be known and hated. So, like gross terms,

               The prince will, in the perfectness⁷⁶ of time,

               Cast off his followers, and their memory

               Shall as a pattern or a measure⁷⁸ live,

               By which his grace must mete⁷⁹ the lives of others,

80

80           Turning past evils to advantages.

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV ’Tis⁸¹ seldom when the bee doth leave her comb

               In the dead carrion.

       Enter Westmorland

               Who’s here? Westmorland?

WESTMORLAND

WESTMORLAND Health to my sovereign, and new happiness

85

85           Added to that that I am to deliver!

               Prince John, your son, doth kiss your grace’s hand.

               Mowbray, the Bishop Scroop,⁸⁷ Hastings and all

               Are brought to the correction of your law.

               There is not now a rebel’s sword unsheathed,

90

90           But peace puts forth her olive everywhere.

               The manner how this action hath been borne⁹¹

               Here at more leisure may your highness read, Gives a paper

               With every course⁹³ in his particular.

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV O Westmorland, thou art a summer bird,

95

95           Which ever in the haunch⁹⁵ of winter sings

               The lifting up⁹⁶ of day.

       Enter Harcourt

               Look, here’s more news.

HARCOURT

HARCOURT     From enemies heaven keep your majesty,

               And when they stand against you, may they fall

100

100         As those that I am come to tell you of.

               The Earl Northumberland and the lord Bardolph,

               With a great power of English and of Scots

               Are by the sheriff of Yorkshire overthrown:

               The manner and true order of the fight

105

105         This packet,¹⁰⁵ please it you, contains at large. Gives papers

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV And wherefore should these good news make me sick?

               Will fortune never come with both hands full,

               But write her fair words still in foulest letters?

               She either gives a stomach¹⁰⁹ and no food —

110

110         Such are the poor, in health — or else a feast

               And takes away the stomach — such are the rich,

               That have abundance and enjoy it not.

               I should rejoice now at this happy news,

               And now my sight fails, and my brain is giddy.

115

115         O, me! Come near me, now I am much ill.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Comfort, your majesty!

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     O my royal father!

WESTMORLAND

WESTMORLAND My sovereign lord, cheer up yourself, look up.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Be patient, princes. You do know these fits

120

120         Are with his highness very ordinary.

               Stand from him. Give him air. He’ll straight¹²¹ be well.

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     No, no, he cannot long hold out: these pangs,¹²²

               Th’incessant care and labour of his mind,

               Hath wrought the mure¹²⁴ that should confine it in

125

125         So thin that life looks through and will break out.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     The people fear me,¹²⁶ for they do observe

               Unfathered heirs¹²⁷ and loathly births of nature:

               The seasons change their manners,¹²⁸ as the year

               Had found some months asleep and leaped them over.

130

130 

CLARENCE

CLARENCE               The river hath thrice flowed,¹³⁰ no ebb between,

               And the old folk, time’s doting¹³¹ chronicles,

               Say it did so a little time before

               That our great-grandsire, Edward,¹³³ sicked and died.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Speak lower, princes, for the king recovers.

135

135 

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER               This apoplexy¹³⁵ will certain be his end.

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV I pray you take me up and bear me hence

               Into some other chamber. Softly, pray.

               Let there be no noise made, my gentle friends,

               Unless some dull¹³⁹ and favourable hand

140

140         Will whisper music to my weary spirit.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Call for the music in the other room. To Servant

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV Set me the crown upon my pillow here. Crown is set on the pillow

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     His eye is hollow, and he changes much.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Less noise, less noise!

       Enter Prince Henry

145

145 

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Who saw the Duke of Clarence?

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     I am here, brother, full of heaviness.¹⁴⁶ Weeps

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY How now? Rain¹⁴⁷ within doors, and none abroad?

               How doth the king?

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Exceeding ill.

150

150 

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY Heard he the good news yet?

               Tell it him.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     He altered much upon the hearing it.

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY If he be sick with joy, he’ll recover without physic.¹⁵³

WARWICK

WARWICK     Not so much noise, my lords.— Sweet prince, speak low,

155

155         The king your father is disposed to sleep.

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     Let us withdraw into the other room.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Will’t please your grace to go along with us?

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY No, I will sit and watch here by the king.

       [Exeunt all but Prince Henry]

               Why doth the crown lie there upon his pillow,

160

160         Being so troublesome a bedfellow?

               O polished perturbation!¹⁶¹ Golden care!

               That keep’st the ports¹⁶² of slumber open wide

               To many a watchful¹⁶³ night! Sleep with it now,

               Yet not so sound and half so deeply sweet

165

165         As he whose brow with homely biggen¹⁶⁵ bound

               Snores out the watch¹⁶⁶ of night. O majesty!

               When thou dost pinch thy bearer, thou dost sit

               Like a rich armour¹⁶⁸ worn in heat of day,

               That scald’st with safety. By his gates of breath¹⁶⁹

170

170         There lies a downy feather which stirs not:

               Did he suspire,¹⁷¹ that light and weightless down

               Perforce must move. My gracious lord, my father,

               This sleep is sound indeed. This is a sleep

               That from this golden rigol¹⁷⁴ hath divorced

175

175         So many English kings. Thy due from me

               Is tears and heavy sorrows of the blood,

               Which nature, love, and filial tenderness,

               Shall, O dear father, pay thee plenteously.

               My due from thee is this imperial crown,

180

180         Which, as immediate¹⁸⁰ from thy place and blood,

               Derives itself¹⁸¹ to me. Lo, here it sits, Puts crown on his head

               Which heaven shall guard. And put¹⁸² the world’s whole strength

               Into one giant arm, it shall not force

               This lineal¹⁸⁴ honour from me. This from thee

185

185         Will I to mine¹⁸⁵ leave, as ’tis left to me.

       Exit

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV Warwick! Gloucester! Clarence! Waking

       Enter Warwick, Gloucester, Clarence

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     Doth the king call?

WARWICK

WARWICK     What would your majesty? How fares your grace?

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV Why did you leave me here alone, my lords?

190

190 

CLARENCE

CLARENCE               We left the prince my brother here, my liege,

               Who undertook to sit and watch by you.

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV The Prince of Wales? Where is he? Let me see him.

WARWICK

WARWICK     This door is open. He is gone this way.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     He came not through the chamber where we stayed.

195

195 

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV Where is the crown? Who took it from my pillow?

WARWICK

WARWICK     When we withdrew, my liege, we left it here.

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV The prince hath ta’en it hence. Go, seek him out.

               Is he so hasty that he doth suppose

               My sleep my death?

200

200         Find him, my lord of Warwick. Chide²⁰⁰ him hither.

       [Exit Warwick]

               This part²⁰¹ of his conjoins with my disease

               And helps to end me. See, sons, what things you are,

               How quickly nature falls into revolt²⁰³

               When gold becomes her object!

205

205         For this the foolish over-careful fathers

               Have broke their sleeps with thoughts, their brains with care,

               Their bones with industry,

               For this they have engrossed²⁰⁸ and pilèd up

               The cankered²⁰⁹ heaps of strange-achievèd gold.

210

210         For this they have been thoughtful²¹⁰ to invest

               Their sons with arts²¹¹ and martial exercises.

               When, like the bee, culling from every flower

               The virtuous sweets,

               Our thighs²¹⁴ packed with wax, our mouths with honey,

215

215         We bring it to the hive, and, like the bees,²¹⁵

               Are murdered for our pains. This²¹⁶ bitter taste

               Yields his engrossments to the ending²¹⁷ father.

       Enter Warwick

               Now, where is he that will not stay²¹⁸ so long

               Till his friend sickness hath determined²¹⁹ me?

220

220 

WARWICK

WARWICK               My lord, I found the prince in the next room,

               Washing with kindly²²¹ tears his gentle cheeks,

               With such a deep demeanour in great sorrow

               That tyranny,²²³ which never quaffed but blood,

               Would, by beholding him, have washed his knife

225

225         With gentle eye-drops. He is coming hither.

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV But wherefore did he take away the crown?

       Enter Prince Henry [with the crown]

               Lo, where he comes.— Come hither to me, Harry.—

               Depart the chamber, leave us here alone.

       Exeunt [Warwick, Gloucester, Clarence]

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY I never thought to hear you speak again.

230

230 

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV Thy wish was father, Harry, to that thought:

               I stay too long by thee, I weary thee.

               Dost thou so hunger for my empty chair²³²

               That thou wilt needs invest thee with mine honours

               Before thy hour be ripe? O foolish youth!

235

235         Thou seek’st the greatness that will o’erwhelm thee.

               Stay but a little, for my cloud of dignity²³⁶

               Is held from falling with so weak a wind

               That it will quickly drop. My day is dim.

               Thou hast stolen that which after some few hours

240

240         Were²⁴⁰ thine without offence, and at my death

               Thou hast sealed²⁴¹ up my expectation.

               Thy life did manifest²⁴² thou lovedst me not,

               And thou wilt have me die assured of it.

               Thou hid’st a thousand daggers in thy thoughts,

245

245         Which thou hast whetted²⁴⁵ on thy stony heart,

               To stab at half an hour of my life.

               What? Canst thou not forbear²⁴⁷ me half an hour?

               Then get thee gone and dig my grave thyself,

               And bid the merry bells ring to thy ear

250

250         That thou art crownèd, not that I am dead.

               Let all the tears that should bedew my hearse

               Be drops of balm²⁵² to sanctify thy head,

               Only compound²⁵³ me with forgotten dust.

               Give that which gave thee life unto the worms.

255

255         Pluck down my officers, break my decrees,

               For now a time is come to mock at form.²⁵⁶

               Henry the Fifth is crowned. Up, vanity,

               Down, royal state, all you sage counsellors, hence!

               And to the English court assemble now,

260

260         From ev’ry region, apes of idleness!²⁶⁰

               Now, neighbour confines,²⁶¹ purge you of your scum:

               Have you a ruffian that will swear, drink, dance,

               Revel the night, rob, murder, and commit

               The oldest sins the newest kind of ways?

265

265         Be happy, he will trouble you no more.

               England shall double gild²⁶⁶ his treble guilt.

               England shall give him office,²⁶⁷ honour, might,

               For the fifth Harry from curbèd licence plucks

               The muzzle of restraint, and the wild dog

270

270         Shall flesh his tooth²⁷⁰ in every innocent.

               O my poor kingdom, sick with civil blows!

               When that my care²⁷² could not withhold thy riots,

               What wilt thou do when riot is thy care?

               O, thou wilt be a wilderness again,

275

275         Peopled with wolves, thy old inhabitants!

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY O, pardon me, my liege! But for my tears,

               The moist impediments unto my speech,

               I had²⁷⁸ forestalled this dear and deep rebuke

               Ere you with grief had spoke and I had heard

280

280         The course of it so far. There is your crown, Puts it back on the pillow

               And he that wears the crown immortally

               Long guard it yours. If I affect²⁸² it more

               Than as your honour and as your renown,

               Let me no more from this obedience²⁸⁴ rise, Kneels

285

285         Which my most true and inward duteous spirit

               Teacheth, this prostrate and exterior bending.

               Heaven witness with me, when I here came in,

               And found no course²⁸⁸ of breath within your majesty,

               How cold it struck my heart. If I do feign,

290

290         O, let me in my present wildness die

               And never live to show th’incredulous world

               The noble change that I have purposèd.²⁹²

               Coming to look on you, thinking you dead,

               And dead almost, my liege, to think you were,

295

295         I spake unto the crown as having sense,²⁹⁵

               And thus upbraided it: ‘The care on thee depending²⁹⁶

               Hath fed upon the body of my father:

               Therefore, thou best of gold art worst of gold.

               Other, less fine in carat,²⁹⁹ is more precious,

300

300         Preserving life in med’cine potable,³⁰⁰

               But thou, most fine,³⁰¹ most honoured, most renowned,

               Hast eat the bearer up.’ Thus, my royal liege,

               Accusing it, I put it on my head,

               To try³⁰⁴ with it, as with an enemy

305

305         That had before my face murdered my father,

               The quarrel of a true inheritor.

               But if it did infect my blood with joy,

               Or swell my thoughts to any strain of pride,

               If any rebel or vain spirit of mine

310

310         Did with the least affection³¹⁰ of a welcome

               Give entertainment to³¹¹ the might of it,

               Let heaven forever keep it from my head

               And make me as the poorest vassal³¹³ is

               That doth with awe and terror kneel to it!

315

315 

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV O my son,

               Heaven put it in thy mind to take it hence,

               That thou mightst join the more³¹⁷ thy father’s love,

               Pleading so wisely in excuse of it!

               Come hither, Harry, sit thou by my bed Prince Henry rises

320

320         And hear, I think, the very latest³²⁰ counsel

               That ever I shall breathe. Heaven knows, my son,

               By what by-paths³²² and indirect crooked ways

               I met³²³ this crown, and I myself know well

               How troublesome it sat upon my head.

325

325         To thee it shall descend with better quiet,

               Better opinion, better confirmation,

               For all the soil³²⁷ of the achievement goes

               With me into the earth. It seemed in me

               But as an honour snatched with boist’rous³²⁹ hand,

330

330         And I had many³³⁰ living to upbraid

               My gain of it by their assistances,

               Which daily grew to quarrel and to bloodshed,

               Wounding supposèd peace. All these bold fears³³³

               Thou see’st with peril I have answerèd,

335

335         For all my reign hath been but as a scene

               Acting that argument.³³⁶ And now my death

               Changes the mood, for what in me was purchased,³³⁷

               Falls upon thee in a more fairer sort.³³⁸

               So thou the garland³³⁹ wear’st successively.

340

340         Yet, though thou stand’st more sure than I could do,

               Thou art not firm enough, since griefs are green,³⁴¹

               And all thy friends, which thou must make³⁴² thy friends,

               Have but their stings and teeth newly taken out,

               By whose fell working³⁴⁴ I was first advanced

345

345         And by whose power I well might lodge³⁴⁵ a fear

               To be again displaced, which to avoid,

               I cut them off and had a purpose now

               To lead out many to the Holy Land,

               Lest rest and lying still might make them look

350

350         Too near³⁵⁰ unto my state. Therefore, my Harry,

               Be it thy course to busy giddy³⁵¹ minds

               With foreign quarrels, that action,³⁵² hence borne out,

               May waste³⁵³ the memory of the former days.

               More would I,³⁵⁴ but my lungs are wasted so

355

355         That strength of speech is utterly denied me.

               How I came by the crown, O heaven forgive,

               And grant it may with thee in true peace live!

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY My gracious liege,

               You won it, wore it, kept it, gave it me.

360

360         Then plain and right must my possession be;

               Which I with more than with a common pain³⁶¹

               Gainst all the world will rightfully maintain.

       Enter Lord John of Lancaster [Prince John] and Warwick [behind]

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV Look, look, here comes my John of Lancaster.

PRINCE JOHN

PRINCE JOHN Health, peace, and happiness to my royal father!

365

365 

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV Thou bring’st me happiness and peace, son John,

               But health, alack, with youthful wings is flown

               From this bare withered trunk.³⁶⁷ Upon thy sight

               My worldly business makes a period.³⁶⁸

               Where is my lord of Warwick?

370

370 

PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY My lord of Warwick!

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV Doth any name particular belong

               Unto the lodging³⁷² where I first did swoon?

WARWICK

WARWICK     ’Tis called Jerusalem, my noble lord.

KING HENRY IV

KING HENRY IV Laud³⁷⁴ be to heaven! Even there my life must end.

375

375         It hath been prophesied to me many years,³⁷⁵

               I should not die but³⁷⁶ in Jerusalem,

               Which vainly³⁷⁷ I supposed the Holy Land.

               But bear me to that chamber. There I’ll lie.

               In that Jerusalem shall Harry die.

       Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 15.1

running scene 12

       Enter Shallow, Silence, Falstaff, Bardolph, Page and Davy

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     By¹ cock and pie, you shall not away tonight. What, Davy, I say!

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     You must excuse me, Master Robert Shallow.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     I will not excuse you. You shall not be excused. Excuses shall not be admitted. There is no excuse shall serve. You shall not be excused.— Why, Davy!

DAVY

DAVY     Here, sir. Steps forward

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Davy, Davy, Davy, let me see, Davy, let me see. William Cook, bid him come hither. Sir John, you shall not be excused.

DAVY

DAVY     Marry, sir, thus: those precepts⁸ cannot be served. And again, sir, shall we sow the headland⁹ with wheat?

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     With red wheat,¹⁰ Davy. But for William Cook: are there no young pigeons?

DAVY

DAVY     Yes, sir. Gives a paper Here is now the smith’s note¹¹ for shoeing and plough-irons.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Let it be cast¹² and paid.— Sir John, you shall not be excused.

DAVY

DAVY     Sir, a new link¹³ to the bucket must needs be had. And, sir, do you mean to stop any of William’s wages, about the sack he lost the other day at Hinckley Fair?¹⁴

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     He shall answer¹⁵ it. Some pigeons, Davy, a couple of short-legged hens, a joint of mutton, and any pretty little tiny kickshaws,¹⁶ tell William Cook. They talk aside

DAVY

DAVY     Doth the man of war¹⁷ stay all night, sir?

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Yes, Davy. I will use¹⁸ him well. A friend i’th’court is better than a penny in purse. Use his men well, Davy, for they are arrant knaves,¹⁹ and will backbite.

DAVY

DAVY     No worse than they are bitten,²⁰ sir, for they have marvellous foul linen.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Well conceited,²¹ Davy. About thy business, Davy.

DAVY

DAVY     I beseech you, sir, to countenance²² William Visor of Woncot against Clement Perkes of the Hill.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     There are many complaints, Davy, against that Visor. That Visor is an arrant knave, on my knowledge.

DAVY

DAVY     I grant your worship that he is a knave, sir, but yet, heaven forbid, sir, but a knave should have some countenance at his friend’s request. An honest man, sir, is able to speak for himself, when a knave is not. I have served your worship truly, sir, these eight years, and if I cannot once or twice in a quarter bear out²⁹ a knave against an honest man, I have but a very little credit³⁰ with your worship. The knave is mine honest friend, sir: therefore, I beseech your worship let him be countenanced.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Go to, I say he shall have no wrong. Look about,³³ Davy.

       [Exit Davy]

Where are you, Sir John? Come, off with your boots.— Give me your hand, Master Bardolph.

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     I am glad to see your worship.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     I thank thee with all my heart, kind Master Bardolph, and welcome, my tall³⁷ fellow.— Come, Sir John.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     I’ll follow you, good Master Robert Shallow.

       [Exit Shallow]

Bardolph, look to our horses.

       [Exeunt Bardolph and Page]

If I were sawed into quantities,⁴¹ I should make four dozen of such bearded hermits’ staves⁴² as Master Shallow. It is a wonderful thing to see the semblable coherence of his men’s spirits and his: they, by observing of him, do bear themselves like foolish justices: he, by conversing⁴⁴ with them, is turned into a justice-like servingman. Their spirits are so married in conjunction⁴⁵ with the participation of society that they flock together in consent, like so many wild geese. If I had a suit to⁴⁶ Master Shallow, I would humour his men with the imputation⁴⁷ of being near their master: if to his men, I would curry⁴⁸ with Master Shallow that no man could better command his servants. It is certain that either wise bearing or ignorant carriage⁵⁰ is caught, as men take diseases, one of another: therefore let men take heed of their company. I will devise matter enough out of this Shallow to keep Prince Harry in continual laughter the wearing out of six fashions, which is four terms,⁵³ or two actions, and he shall laugh with intervallums. O, it is much that a lie with a slight oath and a jest with a sad brow⁵⁴ will do with a fellow that never had the ache in his shoulders. O, you shall see him laugh till his face be like a wet cloak ill laid up.⁵⁶

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Sir John! Within

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     I come, Master Shallow, I come, Master Shallow.

       Exit

Act 5 Scene 25.2

running scene 13

       Enter the Earl of Warwick and the Lord Chief Justice

WARWICK

WARWICK     How now, my Lord Chief Justice whither away?¹

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE How doth the king?

WARWICK

WARWICK     Exceeding well, his cares are now all ended.

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE I hope, not dead.

5

5     

WARWICK

WARWICK         He’s walked the way of nature,

               And to our purposes he lives no more.

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE I would his majesty had called me with him.

               The service⁸ that I truly did his life

               Hath left me open to all injuries.

10

10     

WARWICK

WARWICK           Indeed I think the young king loves you not.

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE I know he doth not, and do arm myself

               To welcome the condition of the time,

               Which cannot look more hideously upon me

               Than I have drawn it in my fantasy.¹⁴

       Enter John of Lancaster [Prince John], Gloucester and Clarence, [Westmorland and others]

15

15    

WARWICK

WARWICK           Here come the heavy issue¹⁵ of dead Harry.

               O, that the living Harry had the temper¹⁶

               Of him, the worst of these three gentlemen!

               How many nobles then should hold their places¹⁸

               That must strike sail¹⁹ to spirits of vile sort!

20

20   

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE Alas, I fear all will be overturned.

PRINCE JOHN

PRINCE JOHN Good morrow, cousin Warwick, good morrow.

GLOUCESTER and CLARENCE

GLOUCESTER and CLARENCE Good morrow, cousin.

PRINCE JOHN

PRINCE JOHN We meet like men that had forgot to speak.

WARWICK

WARWICK     We do remember, but our argument²⁴

25

25           Is all too heavy to admit much talk.

PRINCE JOHN

PRINCE JOHN Well, peace be with him that hath made us heavy.

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE Peace be with us, lest we be heavier!

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     O, good my lord, you have lost a friend indeed,

               And I dare swear you borrow not²⁹ that face

30

30           Of seeming sorrow, it is sure³⁰ your own.

PRINCE JOHN

PRINCE JOHN Though no man be assured what grace³¹ to find,

               You stand in coldest expectation.³²

               I am the sorrier, would ’twere otherwise.

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     Well, you must now speak Sir John Falstaff fair,

35

35           Which swims against your³⁵ stream of quality.

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE Sweet princes, what I did, I did in honour,

               Led by th’impartial conduct of my soul,

               And never shall you see that I will beg

               A ragged³⁹ and forestalled remission.

40

40           If troth⁴⁰ and upright innocency fail me,

               I’ll to the king my master that is dead,

               And tell him who hath sent me after him.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Here comes the prince.

       Enter Prince Henry [now King Henry V]

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE Good morrow, and heaven save your majesty!

45

45   

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V This new and gorgeous garment majesty

               Sits not so easy on me as you think.—

               Brothers, you mix your sadness with some fear.

               This is the English, not the Turkish court,

               Not Amurah⁴⁹ an Amurah succeeds,

50

50           But Harry Harry. Yet be sad, good brothers,

               For, to speak truth, it very well becomes you.

               Sorrow so royally in you appears

               That I will deeply put the fashion on

               And wear it in my heart. Why then, be sad,

55

55           But entertain no more of it, good brothers,

               Than a joint burden laid upon us all.

               For me, by heaven, I bid you be assured,

               I’ll be your father and your brother too.

               Let me but bear your love, I’ll bear your cares;

60

60           But weep that Harry’s dead, and so will I;

               But Harry lives, that shall convert those tears

               By number⁶² into hours of happiness.

PRINCE JOHN, GLOUCESTER and CLARENCE

PRINCE JOHN, GLOUCESTER and CLARENCE     We hope no other from your majesty.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V You all look strangely⁶⁴ on me.— And you most: To Lord Chief Justice

65

65           You are, I think, assured⁶⁵ I love you not.

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE I am assured, if I be measured rightly,

               Your majesty hath no just cause to hate me.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V No?

               How might a prince of my great hopes⁶⁹ forget

70

70           So great indignities you laid upon me?

               What? Rate,⁷¹ rebuke, and roughly send to prison

               Th’immediate heir of England? Was this easy?⁷²

               May this be washed in Lethe,⁷³ and forgotten?

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE I then did use the person⁷⁴ of your father,

75

75           The image of his power lay then in me,

               And in th’administration of his law,

               Whiles I was busy for the commonwealth,

               Your highness pleasèd to forget my place,

               The majesty and power of law and justice,

80

80           The image of the king whom I presented,⁸⁰

               And struck me in my very seat of judgement,

               Whereon, as an offender to your father,

               I gave bold way to my authority

               And did commit⁸⁴ you. If the deed were ill,

85

85           Be you⁸⁵ contented, wearing now the garland,

               To have a son set your decrees at nought?

               To pluck down justice from your awful⁸⁷ bench?

               To trip the course of law and blunt the sword

               That guards the peace and safety of your person?

90

90           Nay, more, to spurn⁹⁰ at your most royal image

               And mock your workings in a second body?⁹¹

               Question your royal thoughts, make⁹² the case yours,

               Be now the father and propose⁹³ a son,

               Hear your own dignity so much profaned,⁹⁴

95

95           See your most dreadful⁹⁵ laws so loosely slighted,

               Behold yourself so by a son disdained,

               And then imagine me taking your part

               And in your power soft⁹⁸ silencing your son.

               After this cold considerance,⁹⁹ sentence me;

100

100         And, as you are a king, speak in your state¹⁰⁰

               What I have done that misbecame¹⁰¹ my place,

               My person, or my liege’s sovereignty.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V You are right, Justice, and you weigh¹⁰³ this well:

               Therefore still¹⁰⁴ bear the balance and the sword.

105

105         And I do wish your honours may increase

               Till you do live to see a son of mine

               Offend you and obey you, as I did.

               So shall I live to speak my father’s words:

               ‘Happy am I, that have a man so bold,

110

110         That dares do justice on my proper¹¹⁰ son;

               And no less happy, having such a son,

               That would deliver up his greatness so

               Into the hands of justice.’ You did commit me,

               For which, I do commit¹¹⁴ into your hand

115

115         Th’unstained sword that you have used¹¹⁵ to bear,

               With this remembrance:¹¹⁶ that you use the same

               With the like bold, just and impartial spirit

               As you have done gainst me. There is my hand. Offers his hand

               You shall be as a father to my youth,

120

120         My voice shall sound¹²⁰ as you do prompt mine ear,

               And I will stoop and humble my intents¹²¹

               To your well-practised¹²² wise directions.

               And, princes all, believe me, I beseech you:

               My father is gone wild into his grave,

125

125         For in his tomb lie my affections,¹²⁵

               And with his spirits sadly¹²⁶ I survive,

               To mock¹²⁷ the expectation of the world,

               To frustrate prophecies and to raze out¹²⁸

               Rotten opinion,¹²⁹ who hath writ me down

130

130         After my seeming.¹³⁰ The tide of blood in me

               Hath proudly flowed in vanity¹³¹ till now.

               Now doth it turn and ebb back to the sea,

               Where it shall mingle with the state of floods¹³³

               And flow henceforth in formal majesty.

135

135         Now call we our high court of parliament,

               And let us choose such limbs¹³⁶ of noble counsel,

               That the great body of our state may go

               In equal rank with the best governed nation,

               That war, or peace, or both at once, may be

140

140         As things acquainted and familiar to us,—

               In which you, father, shall have foremost hand. To Lord Chief Justice

               Our coronation done, we will accite,¹⁴²

               As I before remembered,¹⁴³ all our state.

               And, heaven consigning to¹⁴⁴ my good intents,

145

145         No prince nor peer shall have just cause to say,

               Heaven shorten Harry’s happy life one day!

       Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 35.3

running scene 14

       Enter Falstaff, Shallow, Silence, Bardolph, [Davy] and Page

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Nay, you shall see mine orchard,¹ where, in an arbour, we will eat a last year’s pippin² of my own graffing, with a dish of caraways, and so forth.— Come, cousin Silence.— And then to bed.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     You have here a goodly dwelling and a rich.⁴

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Barren, barren, barren: beggars all, beggars all, Sir John. Marry, good air.— Spread,⁶ Davy, spread, Davy. Well said, Davy.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     This Davy serves you for good uses. He is your servingman and your husband.⁸

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     A good varlet,⁹ a good varlet, a very good varlet, Sir John. I have drunk too much sack at supper. A good varlet. Now sit down, now sit down. Come, cousin.

SILENCE

SILENCE     Ah, sirrah, quoth a,¹¹ we shall

                                    Do nothing but eat, and make good cheer, Sings

                                    And praise heaven for the merry year.

                                    When flesh¹⁴ is cheap and females dear,

15

15                                And lusty¹⁵ lads roam here and there

                                    So merrily, and ever among so merrily.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     There’s a merry heart. Good Master Silence, I’ll give you a health¹⁷ for that anon.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Give Master Bardolph some wine, Davy.

DAVY

DAVY     Sweet sir, sit. I’ll be with you anon. Most sweet sir, sit. Master page, good master page, sit. Proface!²¹ What you want in meat, we’ll have in drink, but you bear.²² The heart’s all.

       [Exit]

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Be merry, Master Bardolph.— And, my little soldier there, be merry.

SILENCE

SILENCE     Be merry, be merry, my wife has all, Sings

25

                                For women are shrews,²⁵ both short and tall.

                                    ’Tis merry in²⁶ hall when beards wag all,

                                    And welcome merry Shrovetide.²⁷

                                    Be merry, be merry.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     I did not think Master Silence had been a man of this mettle.²⁹

SILENCE

SILENCE     Who, I? I have been merry twice and once³⁰ ere now.

       [Enter Davy with apples]

DAVY

DAVY     There is a dish of leather-coats³¹ for you. To Bardolph?

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Davy!

DAVY

DAVY     Your worship! I’ll be with you straight.— A cup of wine, sir?

SILENCE

SILENCE     A cup of wine that’s brisk³⁴ and fine, Sings

35

                                And drink unto the leman³⁵ mine,

                                    And a merry heart lives long-a.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Well said, Master Silence.

SILENCE

SILENCE     If we shall be merry, now comes in the sweet of the night.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Health and long life to you, Master Silence.

40

40   

SILENCE

SILENCE           Fill the cup, and let it come,⁴⁰ Sings

                                    I’ll pledge⁴¹ you a mile to the bottom.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Honest Bardolph, welcome. If thou want’st anything, and wilt not call, beshrew⁴³ thy heart.— To Page Welcome, my little tiny thief.— And welcome indeed too. I’ll drink to Master Bardolph, and to all the cavalieros⁴⁴ about London.

DAVY

DAVY     I hope to see London once ere I die.

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     If I might see you there, Davy.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     You’ll crack a quart⁴⁷ together, ha! Will you not, Master Bardolph?

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     Yes, sir, in a pottle-pot.⁴⁸

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     I thank thee. The knave will stick by thee,⁴⁹ I can assure thee that. He will not out:⁵⁰ he is true bred.

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     And I’ll stick by him, sir.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Why, there spoke a king. Lack nothing: be merry. Knocking within Look who’s at door there, ho! Davy goes to the door Who knocks?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Why, now you have done me right.⁵⁴

55

55   

SILENCE

SILENCE           Do⁵⁵ me right, Sings

                                    And dub me knight,

                                    Samingo.

               Is’t not so?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     ’Tis so.

SILENCE

SILENCE     Is’t so? Why then, say an old man can do somewhat.⁶⁰

DAVY

DAVY     If it please your worship, there’s one Pistol come from the court with news.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     From the court? Let him come in.

       Enter Pistol

How now, Pistol?

PISTOL

PISTOL     Sir John, save you, sir!

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     What wind blew you hither, Pistol?

PISTOL

PISTOL     Not the ill wind which blows none to good, sweet knight. Thou art now one of the greatest⁶⁷ men in the realm.

SILENCE

SILENCE     Indeed, I think he be, but⁶⁸ Goodman Puff of Barson.

PISTOL

PISTOL     Puff? Puff in thy teeth, most recreant⁶⁹ coward base!

70

70           Sir John, I am thy Pistol and thy friend,

               Helter-skelter have I rode to thee,

               And tidings do I bring and lucky joys

               And golden times and happy news of price.⁷³

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     I prithee now deliver them like a man⁷⁴ of this world.

75

75   

PISTOL

PISTOL           A⁷⁵ foutre for the world and worldlings base!

               I speak of Africa and golden joys.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     O base Assyrian⁷⁷ knight, what is thy news?

               Let King Cophetua⁷⁸ know the truth thereof.

SILENCE

SILENCE     And Robin⁷⁹ Hood, Scarlet and John. Sings

80

80   

PISTOL

PISTOL           Shall dunghill curs⁸⁰ confront the Helicons?

               And shall good news be baffled?⁸¹

               Then, Pistol, lay⁸² thy head in Furies’ lap.

SILENCE

SILENCE     Honest gentleman, I know not your breeding.⁸³

PISTOL

PISTOL     Why then, lament therefore. ↓Silence falls asleep↓

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Give me pardon, sir. If, sir, you come with news from the court, I take it there is but two ways, either to utter them, or to conceal them. I am, sir, under the king, in some authority.

PISTOL

PISTOL     Under which king, Besonian?⁸⁸ Speak or die.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Under King Harry.

90

90   

PISTOL

PISTOL           Harry the Fourth or Fifth?

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Harry the Fourth.

PISTOL

PISTOL     A foutre for thine office!—

               Sir John, thy tender lambkin now is king.

               Harry the Fifth’s the man. I speak the truth.

95

95           When Pistol lies, do⁹⁵ this, and fig me, like

               The bragging Spaniard.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     What, is the old king dead?

PISTOL

PISTOL     As nail in door. The things I speak are just.⁹⁸

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Away,⁹⁹ Bardolph!— Saddle my horse.— Master Robert Shallow, choose what office thou wilt in the land, ’tis thine.— Pistol, I will double-charge¹⁰⁰ thee with dignities.

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     O, joyful day! I would not take¹⁰² a knighthood for my fortune.

PISTOL

PISTOL     What? I do bring good news.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Carry¹⁰⁴ Master Silence to bed.— Master Shallow, my lord Shallow, be what thou wilt. I am fortune’s steward. Get on thy boots. We’ll ride all night. O sweet Pistol! Away, Bardolph!

       [Exit Bardolph]

Come, Pistol, utter more to me, and withal¹⁰⁷ devise something to do thyself good. Boot,¹⁰⁸ boot, Master Shallow. I know the young king is sick for me. Let us take any man’s horses. The laws of England are at my commandment. Happy are they which have been my friends, and woe unto my Lord Chief Justice!

PISTOL

PISTOL     Let vultures¹¹¹ vile seize on his lungs also! ‘Where is the life that late I led?’¹¹² say they. Why, here it is. Welcome those pleasant days.

       Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 45.4

running scene 15

       Enter Hostess Quickly, Doll Tearsheet and Beadles

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY No, thou arrant knave. I would I might die, that¹ I might have thee hanged.² Thou hast drawn my shoulder out of joint.

FIRST BEADLE

FIRST BEADLE The constables have delivered her over³ to me, and she shall have whipping-cheer⁴ enough, I warrant her. There hath been a man or two lately killed about her.⁵

DOLL TEARSHEET

DOLL TEARSHEET Nut-hook,⁶ nut-hook, you lie. Come on, I’ll tell thee what, thou⁸ damned tripe-visaged⁷ rascal. If the child I now go with do miscarry, thou hadst better thou hadst struck thy mother, thou paper-faced villain.

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY O, that Sir John were come, he would make this a bloody⁹ day to somebody, But I¹⁰ would the fruit of her womb might miscarry!

FIRST BEADLE

FIRST BEADLE If it do, you shall have a dozen of cushions¹¹ again, you have but eleven now. Come, I charge you both go with me, for the man is dead that you and Pistol beat among you.

DOLL TEARSHEET

DOLL TEARSHEET I’ll tell thee what, thou thin man in a censer,¹⁴ I will have you as soundly swinged¹⁵ for this, you blue-bottled rogue, you filthy famished correctioner. If you be not swinged, I’ll forswear half-kirtles.¹⁶

FIRST BEADLE

FIRST BEADLE Come, come, you she knight-errant,¹⁷ come.

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY O, that right¹⁸ should thus o’ercome might! Well, of sufferance comes ease.

DOLL TEARSHEET

DOLL TEARSHEET Come, you rogue, come. Bring me to a justice.

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY Yes, come, you starved bloodhound.

DOLL TEARSHEET

DOLL TEARSHEET Goodman²² death, goodman bones!

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY Thou anatomy,²³ thou!

DOLL TEARSHEET

DOLL TEARSHEET Come, you thin thing,²⁴ come you rascal.

FIRST BEADLE

FIRST BEADLE Very well.

       Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 55.5

running scene 16

       Enter two Grooms

FIRST GROOM

FIRST GROOM More rushes,¹ more rushes.

SECOND GROOM

SECOND GROOM The trumpets have sounded twice.

FIRST GROOM

FIRST GROOM It will be two of the clock ere they come from the coronation.

       Exeunt Grooms

       Enter Falstaff, Shallow, Pistol, Bardolph and Page

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Stand here by me, Master Robert Shallow. I will make the king do you grace. I will leer upon⁵ him as he comes by, and do but mark the countenance that he will give me.

PISTOL

PISTOL     Bless thy lungs, good knight.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Come here, Pistol, stand behind me.— O, if I had had time to have made new liveries,⁹ I would have bestowed the thousand pound I borrowed of you. But it is no matter, this poor show doth better: this doth infer¹⁰ the zeal I had to see him.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     It doth so.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     It shows my earnestness in affection—

PISTOL

PISTOL     It doth so.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     My devotion—

PISTOL

PISTOL     It doth, it doth, it doth.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     As it were, to ride day and night, and not to deliberate, not to remember, not to have patience to shift me¹⁷—

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     It is most certain.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     But to stand stained with travel, and sweating with desire to see him, thinking of nothing else, putting all affairs in oblivion, as if there were nothing else to be done but to see him.

PISTOL

PISTOL     ’Tis semper idem,²² for obsque hoc nihil est. ’Tis all in every part.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     ’Tis so, indeed.

PISTOL

PISTOL     My knight, I will inflame thy noble liver,²⁴

25

25           And make thee rage.

               Thy Doll, and Helen²⁶ of thy noble thoughts,

               Is in base durance²⁷ and contagious prison,

               Haled²⁸ thither

               By most mechanical²⁹ and dirty hand.

30

30           Rouse up revenge from ebon³⁰ den with fell

               Alecto’s³¹ snake,

               For Doll is in.³² Pistol speaks naught but troth.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     I will deliver her.

PISTOL

PISTOL     There roared the sea, and trumpet-clangour sounds.

       The trumpets sound. Enter King Henry V, [with his] brothers [Prince John, Clarence, Gloucester], Lord Chief Justice [and others]

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Save thy grace, King Hal, my royal Hal!

PISTOL

PISTOL     The heavens thee guard and keep, most royal imp³⁶ of fame!

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Save thee, my sweet boy!

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V My Lord Chief Justice, speak to that vain³⁸ man.

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE Have you your wits? Know you what ’tis you speak?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     My king, my Jove!⁴⁰ I speak to thee, my heart!

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V I know thee not, old man. Fall to thy prayers.

               How ill white hairs become a fool and jester!

               I have long dreamed of such a kind of man,

               So surfeit-swelled,⁴⁴ so old and so profane.

45

45           But being awake, I do despise my dream.

               Make less thy body hence,⁴⁶ and more thy grace,

               Leave gormandizing;⁴⁷ know the grave doth gape

               For thee thrice wider than for other men.

               Reply not to me with a fool-born jest.

50

50           Presume not that I am the thing I was,

               For heaven doth know — so shall the world perceive —

               That I have turned away my former self,

               So will I those that kept me company.

               When thou dost hear I am as I have been,

55

55           Approach me, and thou shalt be as thou wast,

               The tutor and the feeder of my riots:⁵⁶

               Till then, I banish thee, on pain of death,

               As I have done the rest of my misleaders,

               Not to come near our⁵⁹ person by ten mile.

60

60           For competence of life⁶⁰ I will allow you,

               That⁶¹ lack of means enforce you not to evil.

               And, as we hear you do reform yourselves,

               We will, according to your strength and qualities,

               Give you advancement.⁶⁴— Be it your charge, my lord, To Chief Justice

65

65           To see performed the tenor⁶⁵ of our word.— Set on.

       Exeunt King [and his train]

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Master Shallow, I owe you a thousand pound.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     Aye, marry, Sir John, which I beseech you to let me have home with me.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     That can hardly be, Master Shallow. Do not you grieve at this: I shall be sent for in private to him. Look you, he must seem thus to the world. Fear not your advancement. I will be the man yet that shall make you great.

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     I cannot well perceive how, unless you should give me your doublet⁷¹ and stuff me out with straw. I beseech you, good Sir John, let me have five hundred of my thousand.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Sir, I will be as good as my word. This that you heard was but a colour.⁷⁴

SHALLOW

SHALLOW     A colour⁷⁵ I fear that you will die in, Sir John.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Fear no colours.⁷⁶ Go with me to dinner.— Come, Lieutenant Pistol. Come, Bardolph. I shall be sent for soon at night.⁷⁷

       [Enter Prince John, the Lord Chief Justice and Officers]

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE Go, carry Sir John Falstaff to the Fleet.⁷⁸

               Take all his company along with him.

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     My lord, my lord—

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE I cannot now speak. I will hear you soon. Take them away.

PISTOL

PISTOL     Si⁸² fortuna me tormento, spero me contento.

       Exeunt all but Lancaster [Prince John] and Chief Justice

PRINCE JOHN

PRINCE JOHN I like this fair proceeding⁸³ of the king’s.

               He hath intent⁸⁴ his wonted followers

85

85           Shall all be very well provided for,

               But all are banished till their conversations⁸⁶

               Appear more wise and modest to the world.

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE And so they are.

PRINCE JOHN

PRINCE JOHN The king hath called his parliament, my lord.

90

90   

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE He hath.

PRINCE JOHN

PRINCE JOHN I will lay odds that, ere this year expire,

               We bear our civil swords⁹² and native fire

               As far as France. I heard a bird so sing,

               Whose music, to my thinking, pleased the king.

95

95           Come, will you hence?

       Exeunt

Epilogue

       [Enter the Epilogue]

First my fear, then my curtsy,⁹⁶ last my speech. My fear is your displeasure: my curtsy, my duty: and my speech, to beg your pardons. If you look for a good speech now, you undo me, for what I have to say is of mine own making, and what indeed I should say will, I doubt,⁹⁹ prove mine own marring. But to the purpose, and so to the venture.¹⁰⁰ Be it known to you, as it is very well, I was lately here in the end of a displeasing play, to pray your patience for it and to promise you a better. I did mean indeed to pay you with this, which, if like an ill venture¹⁰² it come unluckily home, I break,¹⁰³ and you, my gentle creditors, lose. Here I promised you I would be and here I commit my body to your mercies: bate me¹⁰⁴ some and I will pay you some and, as most debtors do, promise you infinitely. If my tongue cannot entreat you to acquit me, will you command me to use my legs? And yet that were but light payment, to dance out of your debt. But a good conscience will make any possible satisfaction, and so will I. All the gentlewomen here have forgiven me: if the gentlemen will not, then the gentlemen do not agree with the gentlewomen, which was never seen before in such an assembly. One word more, I beseech you: if you be not too much cloyed with fat meat, our humble author will continue¹¹² the story, with Sir John in it, and make you merry with fair Katherine of France, where, for anything I know, Falstaff shall die of a sweat,¹¹³ unless already he be killed with your hard¹¹⁴ opinions. For Oldcastle died a martyr, and this is not the man. My tongue is weary, when my legs are too, I will bid you goodnight, and so kneel down before you; but, indeed, to pray for the queen.

       [Exit]

Quarto passages that do not appear in the Folio

       Following 1.2.186:

but it was alway yet the trick of our English nation, if they have a good thing, to make it too common. If ye will needs say I am an old man, you should give me rest. I would to God my name were not so terrible to the enemy as it is: I were better to be eaten to death with a rust than to be scoured to nothing with perpetual motion.

       Following 2.2.20:

and God knows, whether those that bawl out the ruins of thy linen shall inherit his kingdom: but the midwives say the children are not in the fault; whereupon the world increases, and kindreds are mightily strengthened.

       Following 2.4.10:

Dispatch: the room where they supped is too hot; they’ll come in straight.

       Following 2.4.44:

DOLL TEARSHEET

DOLL TEARSHEET Hang yourself, you muddy conger, hang yourself!

       Following 2.4.109:

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     No more, Pistol; I would not have you discharge yourself of our company, Pistol.

       After ‘divers liquors!’ in 3.1.53:

                                    O, if this were seen,

The happiest youth, viewing his progress through,

What perils past, what crosses to ensue,

Would shut the book, and sit him down and die.

Textual Notes

Q = First Quarto text of 1600

F = First Folio text of 1623

F2 = a correction introduced in the Second Folio text of 1632

Ed = a correction introduced by a later editor

SD = stage direction

SH = speech heading (i.e., speaker’s name)

List of parts: adapted from THE ACTORS NAMES at end of F text

Induction SH RUMOUR = Ed. Not in F 35 hold = Ed. F = Hole

1.1.42 hard = Q. F = head 68 Spoke = Q. F = Speake a venture = Q. F = aduenture 188 brought = F2. F = bring

1.2.5 clay, man spelled Clay-man in F 72 for = Q. Not in F

2.1.1 SH HOSTESS QUICKLY = Ed. F = Hostesse 120, 123 SH GOWER = Ed. F = Mes. 134 counties = Q. F = Countries

2.2.12 videlicet spelled Viz. in F 81 borrower’s = Ed. F = borrowed

2.3.5 SH LADY NORTHUMBERLAND = Ed. F = Wife. (throughout the scene)

2.4.107 With = Q. F = where 163 SD Musicians = Ed. F = Musique 186 avoirdupois spelled Haber-de-pois in F

3.2.110 SH FALSTAFF = Ed. F = Shal.

4.1.39 appeared = Ed. F = appeare 118 force = Ed. F = forc’d 252 th’imagined = Ed. F = th’imagine 424 My…report set as prose in F, but some eds set as verse because of rhyme on court/report 436 curdy spelled cruddie in F

4.2.262 will = Q. F = swill 277 moist = Q. F = most 372 swoon = Q. F = swoon’d

5.2.37 th’impartial = Q. F = th’Imperiall 45 SH KING HENRY V = Ed. F = Prince. 97 your = Q. F = you

5.3.19 Give = Q. F = Good 78 Cophetua = Q. F = Couitha 83 SH SILENCE = Ed. F = Shal.

5.4.3 SH FIRST BEADLE = Ed. F = Off.

5.5.13 SH PISTOL = F. Some eds reassign to SHALLOW 15 SH PISTOL = F. Some eds reassign to SHALLOW 96 Epilogue text follows F. Q divides into three paragraphs: (1) from First my feare to promise you infinitely: and so I kneele downe before you; but indeed, to pray for the Queene. (2) from If my tongue cannot to such as assemblie. (3) from One word more to wil bid you, good night. I.e., F moves prayer for the Queen to the end. The confusion may be caused by the conflation of two distinct epilogues, perhaps one for public and one for court performance

Induction

    *   List of parts: irregular humorists lawless/disorderly men with wayward temperaments

 1.1 prologue. The Second Part of Henry the Fourth is continuous with The First Part, taking place immediately after the battle of Shrewsbury   Rumour allegorical figure traditionally covered in painted tongues

    2    vent of hearing i.e., ear

    3    orient east    drooping declining, where the sun sets

    4    post-horse horse kept at a post house or inn for the use of messengers or travelers    still always, continually    unfold reveal

    5    acts actions, events/divisions of a play

  12    fearful…defence enrollment of troops and preparations for defense inspired by fear

  13    big pregnant    griefs suffering, hardship

  15    And…matter which is not the case    pipe small wind instrument, recorder

  16    jealousies suspicions

  17    of…stop so easy and straightforward to play stop finger-hole of a wind instrument

  18    blunt stupid, dull

  19    still-discordant constantly quarrelling

  21    anatomize dissect, analyze

  22    household domestic intimates, i.e., audience

  23    King Harry’s victory Henry IV’s troops defeated Hotspur and the other rebels at the Battle of Shrewsbury (dramatized in 1 Henry IV)

  24    field battlefield Shrewsbury town on the Welsh-English border

  25    Hotspur Sir Henry (or Harry) Percy, the Earl of Northumberland’s son

  28    office duty, task

  29    Harry Monmouth Prince Henry (or Harry, or Hal), named after the town on the Welsh-English border where he was born

  31    the Douglas Archibald, Earl of Douglas; the signifies the head of a Scottish clan

  32    anointed i.e., royal, legitimate (having been marked with holy oil as part of the coronation ceremony)

  33    peasant country, rustic (with connotations of “unsophisticated, credulous”)

  35    hold fortress; Warkworth Castle was the Earl of Northumberland’s residence    ragged rough, eroded

  37    crafty-sick feigning illness    posts messengers on horseback    tiring on in tearing haste/exhausting themselves and their horses

  39    Than except what

  40    true wrongs the painful truth

Act 1 Scene 1

 1.1   Location: Warkworth Castle (residence of the Earl of Northumberland)    Porter gatekeeper

    1    keeps guards

    3    What who

    5    attend wait for/wait upon

    6    is has    orchard garden

    7    Please it if it please

  11    stratagem violent deed/scheme, plot

  12    wild savage, rebellious, unruly

  13    high feeding overly rich food

  14    bears down tramples

  16    certain definite

  17    an if    will is willing, wishes it

  20    your son Sir Henry Percy (Hotspur)

  21    Blunts Sir Walter Blunt was killed by Douglas in 1 Henry IV, Act 5 Scene 1; another Blunt is only mentioned in one of the play’s sources

  22    Prince John Prince Henry’s younger brother

  23    Westmorland Ralph Neville, a kinsman of the king’s    Stafford in 1 Henry IV, Act 5 Scene 1, the Earl of Stafford is said to have been killed in the battle

  24    brawn lump of flesh/fattened boar or pig    hulk big, unwieldy person (literally, large ship)    Sir John i.e., Falstaff

  26    followed supported by loyal troops

  28    fortunes successes

  29    How…derived? What is the source of your information?

  33    Rendered gave, related

  34    Travers his name suggests his function to contradict Lord Bardolph

  36    over-rode overtook

  38    haply perhaps    retail recount

  40    Sir John Umfrevile either the name originally given to Lord Bardolph’s character in an earlier version of the scene, or the gentleman who also gave Bardolph good news of the battle

  42    Outrode rode faster than, left behind

  43    forspent exhausted

  44    breathe allow to rest and recover breath    bloodied i.e., from the constant digging of spurs

  45    Chester town in the northwest of England

  49    able recovered/strong/easy to handle    gave…head let him go freely, without restraint of the bridle

  50    able capable/powerful

  51    jade worn-out horse

  52    rowel-head spiked wheel at the end of a spur

  53    devour the way eat up the road

  54    Staying waiting for

  60    have…day has not won the battle

  61    point lace for fastening clothing, i.e., something of small value

  62    barony land held by a baron

  64    instances evidence

  66    hilding worthless

  68    at a venture without due consideration/in a speculative manner    Morton another servant of Northumberland’s; his name suggests death

  69    title-leaf title page of a book describing the contents

  71    strand shore, beach    flood sea

  72    witnessed usurpation visible signs of its invasion (left by the retreating tide)

  79    apter more likely/more suitable

  80    Even just

  82    Drew drew aside, opened    Priam King of Troy, killed in the Trojan war against the Greeks    curtain i.e., of his bed

  84    ere before

  88    Stopping filling

  89    stop…indeed prevent me from ever hearing anything again, i.e., kill me

  98    is chanced has happened

  99    divination prophecy, intuition

101    doing…wrong i.e., by telling me that I’m mistaken (a servant should not contradict his master)

102    gainsaid contradicted

103    spirit instinct, intelligence

106    hold’st maintain, believe

109    belie slander

112    losing office profitless task

113    sullen mournful

114    knolling ringing the funeral bell for

117    would wish

119    quittance repayment (of blows)    out-breathed breathless

121    never-daunted never overcome with fear

123    In few in short

125    bruited reported

126    best tempered of finest quality, most hardened (literally refers to the treating of a sword to give it strength and resilience)

127    mettle character, courage plays on “metal”    steeled hardened, literally overlaid with steel

128    abated blunted/diminished

131    Upon enforcement under compulsion, with force applied

132    heavy in weighed down/saddened by

133    Lend…fear i.e., despite the weight of their loss, fear made them light

136    Worcester Thomas Percy, Earl of Worcester, Northumberland’s brother

138    well-labouring hard-working

139    th’appearance…king several men, including Sir Walter Blunt and the Earl of Stafford, had been dressed like the king to act as decoys on the battlefield

140    ’Gan…stomach began to lessen his courage    grace…backs i.e., Douglas joined those fleeing the battle grace dignify, sanction

144    power armed force    encounter meet in battle

145    Lancaster Prince John (so called because he was born in Lancaster)

146    at in

148    physic medicine

150    in…well i.e., had I been healthy this bad news would have made me ill; being ill, it has gone some way toward giving me strength

153    Impatient…fit unable to endure his attack of fever

154    keeper nurse

155    Weakened “weak’ned” in Folio, perhaps playing on “weak-kneed”

156    nice effeminate, unmanly

157    scaly gauntlet armored glove covered with plates of steel, giving it the appearance of scales

158    coif nightcap

159    wanton self-indulgent, effeminate

160    fleshed made eager after having their appetites whetted (as hunting dogs are fed raw meat to excite them)

162    ragged’st roughest, harshest

167    contention strife    ling’ring act painfully protracted struggle/drawn-out part of a play

168    Cain son of Adam and Eve who in killing his brother Abel became the world’s first murderer

170    rude violent/unpolished

173    complices confederates, supporters

174    give o’er give way, give in

175    passion outburst of emotion    perforce necessarily

176    cast th’event calculated the likely outcome

177    summed added up

178    make head raise an army    presurmise suspicion beforehand

179    dole dealing out (may play on “dole,” i.e., sorrow)    drop fall, die

180    edge i.e., narrow bridge/sword edge

182    advised aware    capable Of susceptible to

183    forward eager, adventurous, rash

184    trade of trafficking in    ranged was positioned

186    apprehended anticipated/feared

187    stiff-borne proudly, stubbornly carried

189    like likely

190    engagèd to involved in

192    if…one the odds of coming out alive were ten to one

194    respect consideration

195    o’erset overcome

196    all put forth all set out (as if going to sea)/stake everything

197    ’Tis…time i.e., we shouldn’t delay

199    gentle well-born    up prepared for battle

200    well-appointed powers well-equipped forces

201    double surety i.e., as he has both spiritual and temporal authority

202    corpse bodies (not the souls)

203    But mere

206    queasiness uncertainty, reluctance

207    As…potions like men who drink medicine

211    religion i.e., a religious cause

212    Supposed known to be

214    enlarge his rising fortify, justify his uprising    with…stones by recalling the murder of Richard II at Pomfret (Pontefract) Castle; Richard had been usurped by his cousin, Henry Bullingbrook, now Henry IV

217    bestride stand over

218    Bullingbrook i.e., Henry IV

219    more and less those of both high and low rank

223    aptest best, readiest

224    posts messengers

Act 1 Scene 2

 1.2    Location: in London, but unspecified, probably a street

    1    Sirrah sir (used to social inferiors)    giant ironic since the page is a boy    water urine

    3    owed owned    knew for was aware of

    4    gird at taunt    foolish-compounded made up of folly

    8    o’erwhelmed squashed with her bulk

    9    set me off display me to my best advantage; perhaps plays on “make me appear ridiculous”    whoreson bastard (son of a whore)

  10    mandrake poisonous plant whose forked root made it resemble the human form

  11    manned with attended by    agate diminutive person, an allusion to the tiny figures cut in the agate stones that appeared in rings

  12    send…jewel Falstaff jokingly threatens to return the page to the prince as an ornament

  13    juvenal youth (puns on first syllable of “jewel”)    fledged covered with down, i.e., he hasn’t got a beard

  15    stick hesitate    face-royal majestic face (royal plays on the sense of “coin with the king’s face on it”)

  16    amiss out of place    a…it no barber could charge sixpence to shave a beardless face

  17    writ called himself

  18    grace term of address to a prince/favor

  19    Dombledon a name probably derived from “dommel” or “dummel,” i.e., dummy, stupid

  20    slops loose baggy breeches

  21    assurance financial guarantee    Bardolph Falstaff’s follower is unrelated to the rebel lord of the same name

  23    Let…hotter! refers to the biblical parable of Dives and Lazarus in which the rich Dives refused food to the poor leper Lazarus, and was condemned to hell where he begged for water to cool his tongue; gluttony is one of the seven deadly sins

  24    Achitophel an adviser to King David who betrayed him; Old Testament equivalent to Judas Iscariot    yea-forsooth obsequious, like a tradesman who affects propriety by using mild oaths    bear…hand lead a man on

  25    stand insist    smooth-pates men with short hair, an image associated with puritan tradesmen

  26    high high-heeled, suggestive of pride    girdles belts; the keys signify the men’s showy self-importance

  27    through…up has agreed an honest and straightforward purchase with them

  28    lief soon, willingly    ratsbane rat poison

  29    looked expected

  30    horn of abundance cornucopia or horn of plenty, i.e., lots of wealth (plays on the notion of the horns supposedly sprouted by cuckolds, i.e., men with unfaithful wives)

  31    lightness light/sexual promiscuity

  32    lanthorn lantern (continues play on “horn”)

  33    Smithfield area in the City of London with a horse and cattle market; of poor reputation

  34    Paul’s St. Paul’s Cathedral; the aisle served as a place for servants to seek new masters

  35    stews brothels

  36    nobleman…Bardolph according to an apocryphal tale, the prince was expelled from the King’s Privy Council for hitting the Lord Chief Justice, an episode also referred to in 1 Henry IV, Act 3 Scene 2    committed imprisoned

  38    close stay close/stay out of sight    not see him avoid him/pretend I have not seen him

  40    an’t if it

  41    in question for suspected of/was questioned about

  42    good service in 1 Henry IV Falstaff claimed the credit for killing Hotspur, although Prince Henry had in fact done so

  43    charge military command

  51    A…wars? Falstaff pretends to think the servant is begging rather than undertaking proper employment

  52    want lack

  54    were…it although it’s hard to say what could be worse than rebellion

  57    Setting…aside disregarding my honor as a knight and soldier (which signify I couldn’t lie)

  58    in my throat outrageously

  62    grows to belongs to, is an integral part of

  64    hunt counter one on the wrong track (hunting term: following the wrong scent); conceivably “one asking to go to prison (the Counter)”    Avaunt! Be off!

  68    abroad out of doors

  69    by advice with the doctor’s permission

  70    smack hint, taste    relish flavor, taste    saltness artificially preserved vitality of youth (salt is used to preserve meat)

  71    reverend respectful

  77    apoplexy illness causing paralysis

  81    What why

  82    it original its origin

  83    Galen famous second-century Greek physician

  87    marking paying attention    withal with

  88    punish…heels i.e., shackle your ankles, or put you in the stocks

  90    Job biblical character who lost all his wealth but bore his ill-luck with patience

  91    in…poverty i.e., because I am too poor to pay a fine    how why, in what way

  92    wise…itself a wise person might question    dram unit of weight/small measure of medicine    scruple third of a dram/doubt

  94    matters…life charges laid against you that are punishable by the death penalty

  96    land-service military service, which meant one could not be summoned to answer a civil charge; also a euphemistic way of referring to the robbery Falstaff carried out at Gad’s Hill (in 1 Henry IV)

  99    He…less i.e., one of my large girth cannot be anything but great

100    means financial resources, income waste expenditure (puns on “waist”)

104    I…dog presumably a joke about a fat man being led by his dog; possibly alludes to the full moon, popularly supposed to be inhabited by a man with a dog

106    gall irritate

107    exploit…Hill i.e., the robbery at Gad’s Hill in Kent in which Falstaff was involved in 1 Henry IV

108    unquiet disturbed by war    your…action having that offence quietly passed over

111    smell a fox be suspicious

112    better greater, most useful/more virtuous

113    wassail candle fat candle used at a feast    tallow animal fat (used in candle making)    wax beeswax (used for high-quality candles; plays on the sense of “growth”)

114    approve demonstrate, prove

115    his its

117    gravy grease, sweat

118    angel attendant spirit (Falstaff plays on the sense of “gold coin”)

119    light slim, underweight/counterfeit or fraudulently filed/satanic (the devil was originally Lucifer, the angel of light)

120    weighing considering, judging/determining physical weight    go pass as currency/walk/perform sexually

121    cannot tell do not know/cannot be counted as a legitimate coin    costermongers barrow boys, street salesmen; originally sellers of costard apples

122    bear-herd keeper of a performing bear    pregnancy cleverness, quick-wittedness    tapster innkeeper, barman

123    reckonings tavern bills    appertinent belonging

125    livers considered the seat of the passions

126    galls the source of bitterness and anger    vaward vanguard, forefront, early part

127    wags mischievous fellows

129    characters letters/characteristics    moist watery, rheumy

131    broken cracked, weak    single weak, poor

132    blasted blighted    Fie expression of shame and indignation

134    halloing shouting/calling to hunting dogs    approve prove/commend

136    caper with dance with/compete in dancing with    marks a mark was worth two-thirds of a pound

137    have at him expression of defiance: so much    for him/let’s go for it For as for

138    rude violent, unmannerly    sensible reasonable/capable of physical sensation    checked rebuked

139    marry by the Virgin Mary    ashes and sackcloth symbols of repentance

140    sack Spanish white wine

146    I…it either a sarcastic “thank you for reminding me” or implies that the Lord Chief Justice is responsible for the separation    look you be sure to

149    spit white i.e., be healthy (red spittle would result from illness or internal injury)

150    action engagement with the enemy

152    be honest behave honorably

153    furnish me forth equip me for the expedition

154    bear crosses sustain hardships/carry coins (stamped on one side with a cross)

156    fillip strike    three-man beetle huge sledgehammer requiring three men to lift it

158    pox venereal disease    pinches torments    both the degrees i.e., of age and youth

162    groats coins worth four old pence

163    consumption disease (specifically, tuberculosis, which caused victims to waste slowly away)

166    Mistress Ursula not mentioned elsewhere; either an error for Mistress Quickly (Nell) or perhaps Falstaff is involved with another woman

168    pox of plague on    pox syphilis

169    halt limp    colour excuse, pretext

171    commodity profit, advantage

Act 1 Scene 3

 1.3    Location: presumably York, the Archbishop’s palace

    1    causes concerns/matters of legal dispute    means methods/resources

    4    lord marshal i.e., Thomas Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk, the son of the man banished by Richard II

    5    allow grant    occasion motive/necessity/opportunity    arms taking arms

    7    in with    advance ourselves promote our cause/be so ambitious/make military advances

    9    puissance strength, influence

  10    Our…file i.e., our current list of recruited soldiers grows

  11    men of choice selected troops

  12    supplies reinforcements    live…Of rely chiefly on/are greatly increased by the expectation of support from

  17    hold up head form a sufficient army

  22    by the hand at hand, ready

  23    theme cause    bloody-faced violent, bloody (perhaps with additional sense of “shameful”)

  25    aids incertain uncertain support    admitted entertained, treated as valid

  27    case situation

  28    lined fortified

  29    Eating the air i.e., feeding on false hopes

  30    project the mental conception, prospect    power army

  31    Much smaller which turned out to be much smaller

  34    winking with his eyes shut (to reality)

  35    by your leave with your permission (to contradict)

  37    Yes i.e., yes it can hurt    quality state, condition

  38    instant present    cause on foot business that is already underway

  39    Lives…them has as little chance of success as early spring buds that are likely to be killed by frosts before they have borne fruit    warrant assurance, grounds for optimism

  44    figure design

  45    rate calculate

  46    ability i.e., to pay

  48    offices rooms    least worst

  53    Consent agree

  54    estate wealth, resources

  55    able…undergo practical it is to undertake the project

  56    opposite adverse factors/the resources of the enemy

  57    fortify plays on sense of “strengthen structurally, build”    figures numbers/designs

  61    o’er up    cost object of expense, i.e., the building

  62    naked subject exposed, unprotected victim

  63    churlish rough, unkind

  65    now…expectation already have all the men we can expect

  71    as…brawl given the present strife

  73    Glendower leader of the Welsh rebels    perforce of necessity

  74    unfirm insecure/indecisive

  75    coffers money chests, i.e., treasury

  82    Baying hunting, barking at in pursuit like a pack of dogs

  83    like likely

  86    substituted delegated

  87    notice information

  89    publish the occasion proclaim the cause

  91    surfeited overindulged and become sick

  92    habitation dwelling

  93    vulgar heart popular, public affection

  94    fond many foolish multitude

  97    trimmed furnished with, adorned/strengthened

  98    Thou i.e., the people

  99    cast vomit

100    So in the same way    disgorge vomit up from

102    eat…up the idea that a dog eats its vomit is proverbial (originating in Proverbs 26:11 and 2 Peter 2:22)

112    draw add up/assemble

Act 2 Scene 1

 2.1    Location: Eastcheap, London, near a tavern Hostess landlady of a tavern

    1    Master Quickly errs in using an overly respectful title for a mere constable    entered the action begun the lawsuit

    3    yeoman police officer’s assistant    lusty strong, vigorous/lustful    stand to it be up to the task/get an erection

    8    entered brought a lawsuit against

  10    stabbed hurt (financially; plays on sense of “penetrated sexually”    house inn (plays on sense of “vagina”)

  11    weapon with phallic connotations

  12    foin lunge, thrust with a weapon (sexual connotations, continued in thrust)

  13    close grapple, fight (plays on sense of “embrace sexually”)

  15    fist punch (plays on the sense of “masturbate”)    come plays on sense of “have an orgasm”    vice grip

  16    undone ruined (financially/sexually, in terms of reputation)    going plays on the sense of “sexual activity”    warrant assure you    infinitive malapropism for “infinite”    thing with phallic connotations

  17    score tavern bill, accounts    sure securely, firmly

  18    scape escape    continuantly malapropism for “continually” or for “incontinently,” i.e., immediately (plays on “continently,” i.e., chastely)    Pie-corner the corner of Giltspur Street and Cock Lane, in Smithfield, London; famous for cooks’ shops and saddlers, also known for prostitution (pie and corner were both slang terms for the vagina)    saving…manhoods apologetic formula for mentioning an indelicate subject (manhoods may have phallic connotations)

  19    saddle with slang sense of “whore”    indited malapropism for invited (to “indite” is to summon for trial)    Lubber’s-head i.e., Libbard’s or Leopard’s Head, name of a public house; a lubber is a clumsy, idle lout    Lombard Street London street running from Mansion House to Gracechurch Street

  20    exion i.e., action    case lawsuit (plays on sense of “vagina”)

  21    A hundred mark equivalent to £66—a large sum; mark also means “score, reckoning,” and has phallic connotations

  22    long one i.e., large bill (with phallic connotations)    borne endured patiently (plays on the sense of “borne the weight of a man during sex”)

  23    fubbed fobbed

  24    dealing plays on the sense of “having sex”

  25    wrong assumes additional sense of “(shaming) penis” or possibly “illegitimate child”

  26    arrant notorious, downright    malmsey-nose red-nosed (from drink; malmsey is a sweet red wine)

  27    offices official duties/acts of bodily excretion    do me do (me is emphatic; plays on sense of “have sex with me”)

  29    Whose mare’s dead? What’s the fuss?    mare plays on the sense of “whore”

  31    varlets rogues, rascals

  32    quean whore    channel gutter

  34    honeysuckle malapropism for “homicidal”

  35    honey-seed i.e., homicide (plays on sense of “sweet semen”)

  36    man-queller murderer, crusher of men (appropriate given Falstaff’s size)    woman-queller with sexual connotations

  39    a rescue i.e., help (or perhaps Quickly thinks a rescue is some type of weapon or restraining rope)

  40    hemp-seed i.e., one fit for the hangman’s rope (made of hemp); perhaps another malapropism for “homicide”

  41    scullion most menial kitchen servant    rampallion scoundrel, ruffian    fustilarian unclear; perhaps derived from “fustilugs” (i.e., a fat, unkempt woman)    tuck punish (may pun on “fuck”)

  42    catastrophe arse

  44    Good my my good    stand to support (plays on sense of “become erect for”)

  46    become befit, suit

  47    wherefore why

  49    Eastcheap London Street running from the junction of Cannon and Gracechurch Streets to Great Tower Street

  53    ride…mare sit on you and suffocate you like the nightmare, a female spirit supposedly responsible for bad dreams; with sexual connotations mare plays on the sense of “whore”

  55    vantage of ground superior position, favorable opportunity

  56    get up with sexual connotations

  57    temper disposition

  59    come…own get what is due to her (come plays on the sense of “orgasm”)

  60    gross total (perhaps with play on “fat/lecherous”)

  61    Marry by the Virgin Mary (plays on the sense of “marriage”)

  62    parcel-gilt partly gilded    Dolphin-chamber a particular room in the inn (these were often individually named)

  63    sea-coal superior type of coal transported by sea from the north of England    Whitsun week seven weeks after Easter

  64    broke hit, grazed    singing-man of Windsor chorister of the royal chapel; possibly a reference to John Magdalen of the King’s Chapel, who passed himself off as Richard II in a plot to overthrow Henry IV

  66    goodwife term of address for a married woman    Keech lump of congealed fat, an appropriate name for a butcher

  67    gossip familiar form of address for a female friend    mess small quantity

  68    dish perhaps with vaginal connotations    whereby whereupon

  69    green fresh, unhealed

  71    madam i.e., a suitable term of address for the wife of a knight

  72    book-oath oath on the Bible

  75    son…you i.e., that you’re his father    in good case well-off (case plays on the sense of “vagina”)

  76    distracted her driven her mad

  81    level fair, balanced    practised upon worked craftily on, taken advantage of

  82    easy-yielding generous, soft-hearted/sexually pliant

  83    troth truth (plays on the sense of “pledge of marriage”)

  84    Pay…debt plays on the sense of “undertake your obligation of marital sex”    unpay undo, make good

  86    current present, immediate/genuine

  87    sneap snub, rebuke

  88    curtsy bow

  89    your…remembered not forgetting the respect due to one in your position    be your suitor petition you for a favor

  92    power authorization    in…reputation in accordance with the reputation you claim

  93    satisfy financially reimburse/sexually pleasure

101    heavenly ground Quickly mixes religious and secular oaths: by this heavenly light/by the ground I walk on    fain content

102    plate silver or gold tableware, presumably cups in view of Falstaff’s response

103    Glasses…drinking in the late sixteenth century glassware was becoming more fashionable than metal drinking vessels

104    drollery comic picture or drawing    Prodigal biblical story of the wasteful prodigal son, a popular subject for wall hangings    German hunting hunting scenes of German origin    water-work imitation tapestry/watercolor

106    humours moods

107    draw thy action withdraw your lawsuit

108    set on put up

109    nobles gold coins worth about a third of a pound    I I am

110    la exclamation used for emphasis

111    shift arrangements    still always

114    Will I live? i.e., as sure as I live    Hook on hang on to her, don’t let her out of sight

115    Doll a common name for a prostitute    Tearsheet again suggestive of prostitution, evoking vigorous sexual activity sufficient to tear the bedsheets

116    have plays on the sense of “possess sexually”

120    Basingstoke a market town in Hampshire, forty-six miles southwest of London

127    presently immediately

133    being it being the case that    take soldiers up enlist soldiers

138    grace style    tap for tap tit for tat    fair on good terms

139    lighten thee enlighten you/reduce your weight    great considerable/fat

Act 2 Scene 2

 2.2   Location: in London but unspecified—either the prince’s apartments or the same street location as the previous scene

    2    attached arrested, taken into custody (legal term)

    4    discolours…greatness makes me blush/tarnishes my princely status

    5    show vilely appear base    small beer weak or thin beer/trivial occupations

    6    loosely studied poorly educated/concerned with immoral matters

    7    composition mixture, brew/invention

    8    Belike perhaps, most likely    got begotten, created

  10    disgrace…name a member of the royal family would not have been expected to have any kind of personal relationship with a commoner

  12    videlicet “namely” (Latin)

  13    bear be aware of    for superfluity as a spare

  14    low…racket i.e., he doesn’t play when he hasn’t got a shirt to change into

  16    low countries nether regions, i.e., his sexual appetite and brothel use    made…Holland contrived to use up the money that would have been spent on shirts (Holland, one of the Low Countries, was a source of fine linen)

  24    Go to exclamation of dismissive impatience    stand the push withstand the thrust

  25    meet fitting

  26    albeit even though    fault lack

  28    Very hardly with difficulty

  30    try test, judge, determine

  32    ostentation outward show

  37    never a no    keeps the roadway sticks to the common path (of men’s thoughts)

  39    accites induces/summons (in legal sense)

  40    lewd common, base    engraffed closely attached

  43    second brother i.e., a younger son without an inheritance, dependent on his wits    proper…hands good in a fight

  47    transformed him ape apparently Falstaff has dressed his page up in an elaborate outfit, like a performing monkey

  48    Save God save    your grace respectful title, but Henry shifts the sense of grace to “virtue, honor”

  50    blushing i.e., red-faced from drink

  52    get…maidenhead i.e., drain a tankard of ale    maidenhead virginity

  53    red lattice the lattice windows of alehouses were usually painted red; Bardolph’s face is therefore indistinguishable from the background

  55    ale-wife’s new petticoat landlady’s (red) skirt (not necessarily underwear); red clothing was associated with prostitution

  56    profited benefited (from Falstaff’s teaching)

  58    Althaea’s dream in classical mythology Althaea was told that her son would live until a burning brand was consumed; the page confuses her with Hecuba, mother of Paris, who dreamed that she would give birth to a fire-brand that would destroy Troy (as Paris’ actions later did)

  60    fire-brand burning log/mischief maker

  63    blossom i.e., the page    cankers grubs that destroy plants

  64    sixpence probably alludes to the cross on an Elizabethan sixpence

  65    If…you if your influence doesn’t end up getting him hanged

  70    good respect very properly, most ceremoniously (ironic given Bardolph’s blunt delivery)    martlemas i.e., fattened beast; Martinmas, the feast of Saint Martin (November 11), was associated with the slaughter of cattle and pigs

  74    wen wart, growth    holds his place insists on his rank

  77    as…himself since he continually reminds them whenever he mentions his name

  78    even like in the same way as

  80    conceive understand

  81    borrower’s cap i.e., readily removed in humble respect

  82    will be are determined to be    but…Japhet even if they have to derive their claim from as far back as Japhet, Noah’s third son

  85    certificate licence issued to a subject by the king; in a letter the addressee’s name should come first

  88    I…thee Falstaff imitates Roman brevity by emulating the structure of Caesar’s veni, vidi, vici (“I came, I saw, I conquered”): “I present my kind regards, praise your virtues and say goodbye”

  90    idle times leisure mayst can    by…no a mild oath

  91    familiars close friends

  92    steep soak

  93    sack Spanish white wine

  94    twenty i.e., a lot    use treat, behave toward

  97    play…time pass the time foolishly

100    frank sty, pig-pen

103    Ephesians…church good old companions of the usual disreputable ways

106    pagan heathen/prostitute

107    proper respectable

108    town bull commonly owned bull that was used to impregnate all the heifers

116    road i.e., whore (used by all men; road was slang for “vagina”)

117    way…London i.e., Watling Street, the main road from London to the Midlands    St Albans Hertfordshire town twenty-five miles north of London

118    bestow behave

121    drawers bartenders, waiters

122    God…bull refers to the supreme god Jove’s transformation into a bull, in which form he raped Europa    heavy declension serious decline    case plays on the sense of “vagina”

123    prentice apprentice (bartender)

124    weigh with equal, counterbalance

Act 2 Scene 3

 2.3   Location: Warkworth Castle, Northumberland

    2    even way smooth passage    rough difficult

    3    visage face, i.e., attitude

    8    but except for

  10    time…word Lady Percy refers to Northumberland’s failure to join his son at Shrewsbury (see 1 Henry IV)

  19    grey pale blue

  21    glass mirror

  22    dress themselves fashion themselves, using him as a model

  23    He…gait there was no one did not imitate his manner of walking

  24    thick rapidly and loudly

  27    turn…abuse spoil their naturally pleasant manner of speaking

  29    affections of delight enjoyment of pleasures

  30    humours of blood moods

  31    mark reference point

  34    unseconded unsupported

  36    abide a field face a battle

  38    defensible to offer any defense

  39    ghost soul, spirit

  40    precise and nice scrupulous and particular

  42    marshal…archbishop i.e., Mowbray and the Archbishop of York

  45    Monmouth’s i.e., the Prince of Wales’

  46    Beshrew curse

  47    spirits vital powers

  48    new newly, again    ancient oversights past mistakes

  51    provided prepared, equipped

  54    puissance power, strength

  55    ground…of superiority and advantage over

  59    so suffered allowed to do so    came I I became

  61    remembrance perhaps the plant of remembrance, rosemary

  63    recordation to commemoration of

  66    still-stand pause, standstill

  69    for to make for

Act 2 Scene 4

 2.4   Location: Quickly’s tavern in Eastcheap, London    Drawers bartenders, waiters

    1    Apple-johns type of apple said to be in best eating condition when shriveled

    7    cover lay the table

    8    noise band of musicians    fain gladly

    9    anon soon

  10    jerkins close-fitting jackets often made of leather

  12    old Utis fine larks, high jinks (from the now obsolete word utas, meaning “festivity”)

  15    temperality Quickly means “temper” (plays on “temporality,” i.e., time)    pulsidge malapropism for “pulse”    extraordinarily malapropism for “ordinarily”

  17    canaries wine from the Canary Islands    searching penetrating, powerful    perfumes probably a malapropism for “perfuses,” i.e., suffuses, permeates

  19    Hem! probably a hiccup

  22    ‘When…court’ a line from the popular ballad “Sir Launcelot du Lake”

  23    jordan chamber pot

  25    calm i.e., “qualm,” a fit of faintness    good sooth truly

  26    sect sex/type/profession    If…sick for a woman or a prostitute to be quiet means she is unwell

  28    rascals rogues/lean young deer

  29    make possibly with sexual connotations: “have sex with”

  30    cook plays on the sense of “pimp” and puns on “cock”

  31    catch of get diseases (specifically, venereal disease) from (Doll responds to the sense of “steal from”)

  33    ‘Your…ouches’ presumably a line from a ballad, but “broaches, pearls and ouches” are also terms for skin lesions (associated with venereal disease) ouch gem/boil    serve in military and sexual sense    bravely courageously/showily    halting limping (from injury sustained in war/as a result of syphilitic bone erosion; “come off” could mean “dismount sexually”)

  34    breach gap in fortifications/vagina    pike staff with an iron spike/penis    surgery treatment (for injury/venereal disease)

  35    charged chambers loaded barrels of small cannon/infectious vagina

  37    rheumatic Quickly probably intends “choleric,” i.e., temperamentally hot and dry

  38    confirmities malapropism for “infirmities” misleadingly suggesting “resemblances”    What…year! common exclamation of impatience (like “What the devil!”)

  39    bear be tolerant/bear the weight of a man during sex/bear children

  41    vessel now takes on vaginal connotations    hogshead large wine barrel, i.e., Falstaff

  42    venture i.e., cargo (risked in a sea voyage)    Bordeaux stuff wine from Bordeaux in France    hulk big, unwieldy person/large ship

  45    Ancient ensign, i.e., soldier responsible for carrying military banners    Pistol pronounced “pizzle,” generating a pun on the sense of “penis”

  46    swaggering blustering, insolent, quarrelsome

  49    I’ll I’ll have    fame reputation

  56    Tilly-fally nonsense

  57    Tisick i.e., “phthisic” or tuberculosis, a wasting disease of the lungs    deputy one acting in place of a magistrate, before whom Quickly has been summoned for keeping a disorderly tavern

  59    Dumbe parsons who did not preach or who did so with insufficient vigour were known as “dumb dogs”    by nearby

  60    receive i.e., as customers    are…name have a bad reputation    Now…whereupon and now I understand why

  63    companions fellows    bless you be surprised/consider yourself fortunate

  65    tame harmless    cheater crafty card-player (with connotations of “deceiver”)

  66    Barbary hen guinea fowl/prostitute

  69    am the worse feel ill

  72    if it as if I were

  75    charge load (like a gun)/toast

  76    discharge fire/toast/ejaculate

  77    two bullets plays on the idea of “testicles”

  78    Pistol-proof bulletproof/resistant to your charms, or penis/past child-bearing age    hardly plays on notion of erectile hardness

  79    Come possible play on sense of “orgasm”    drink plays on the sense of “have sex”

  81    Dorothy Doll is the shortened form of the name

  82    Charge Doll interprets this in a sexual sense, perhaps “charge at with a (phallic) weapon” or “burden (with pregnancy)”    scurvy worthless, contemptible

  83    lack-linen mate poorly dressed fellow    meat…master i.e., too good for you (meat puns on “mate” and on the sense of “whore”)

  85    know perhaps with sexual overtones (i.e., “am familiar with you sexually”)

  86    cutpurse thieving, pickpocket    bung pickpocket

  87    chaps cheeks    saucy cuttle insolent thief (a cuttle was the knife used by thieves to cut the strings securing purses to people’s belts)

  88    bottle-ale perhaps meaning cheap or frothy    basket-hilt i.e., swashbuckling, inadequate (literally, sword hilt provided with a defense for the swordsman’s hand, consisting of narrow plates of steel curved into the shape of a basket)    juggler trickster    Since when i.e., how long have you claimed to be a soldier/so manly

  89    points laces for attaching armor    Much! sarcastic exclamation (i.e., “Much manly prowess you have!”/”Two points certainly is a lot!”

  90    murder i.e., rip off, tear (i.e., sexually assault;    ruff was slang for “vagina”) ruff prostitutes were known for wearing large ruffs

  91    Captain Quickly promotes Pistol (who is an ensign), either inadvertently or in order to flatter him

  93    truncheon beat    out i.e., of their ranks, from military service

  95    bawdy-house brothel

  96    stewed prunes a dish commonly available in brothels (hence also “whores”)    dried stale

  98    look to it beware, look out

  99    down downstairs

104    I’ll…first this and several of Pistol’s subsequent speeches are set in prose in Folio, but consist of fragments and parodies of verse plays, so they should be spoken as verse, though the rhythms and line-breaks are highly irregular

105    Pluto’s damnèd lake Pluto was the Roman god of the underworld, which had several rivers; the Romans thought that the Italian lake Avernus was the entrance to the underworld

107    Erebus son of Chaos and Night, used to personify the underworld

108    Hold…line i.e., don’t let go (angling terminology)

109    Fates classical goddesses of destiny

110    Hiren perhaps Pistol has affectedly named his sword; Hiren (Irene) may refer to a character in George Peele’s lost play The Turkish Mahomet and Hiren the Fair Greek; puns on “iron,” again suggesting Pistol’s sword

111    Peesel variant pronunciation of “Pistol,” further emphasizing play on “pizzle” (penis)    beseek i.e., beseech

112    aggravate in fact Quickly means the opposite, perhaps “abrogate” (put an end to)    choler anger, one of the four bodily humors

113    humours moods (literally, bodily fluids governing the temperament)    Shall…day closely modeled on lines in Christopher Marlowe’s Tamburlaine Part II, 4.3.1–2; much of Pistol’s speech parodies theatrical rhetoric

114    jades worn-out horses/whores

116    cannibals Pistol may mean “Hannibal” (i.e., famous Carthaginian general who fought the Romans in the third century BC)

117    Trojan Greeks Greeks besieging Troy in the Trojan war, or Pistol confuses the two groups (may play on sense of “jolly, roistering fellows”)

118    King Cerberus the three-headed dog that guarded the entrance to the underworld; not a king

119    welkin sky, heavens    fall…toys quarrel/be destroyed over trifles

122    Die men let men die    Give…pins give crowns away as though they were worth no more than pins

125    deny her deny that she is here (Quickly thinks that Pistol is referring to an actual woman, probably a prostitute)

126    feed…Calipolis parodies a line in George Peele’s The Battle of Alcazar

128    Si…contento “If fortune torments me, hope contents me” (rather garbled Italian)

129    broadsides simultaneous discharge of artillery from one side of a ship    give fire shoot

131    full points an end (literally, full stops, periods); plays on the sense of “erect penises”    etceteras nothing both euphemisms for the vagina

133    neaf hand    seven stars constellation of the Pleiades; Pistol suggests they’ve enjoyed themselves at night

134    fustian cheap/bombastic

135    Galloway nags small Scottish horses/prostitutes

136    Quoit throw    shove-groat shilling shilling coin used in shove-groat, a board game that involved moving a coin toward a compartment

139    incision i.e., bloodshed    imbrue stain (with blood)

140    death…asleep quotation from a song attributed to Anne Boleyn, written as she awaited execution    abridge shorten

142    Untwined unravel, spin out (like the thread of a person’s life, spun by the Fates)    Sisters Three Fates of classical mythology    Atropos one of the Fates, who cut the thread of life after her sisters, Clotho and Lachesis, spun and unwound it

143    toward coming up, imminent

144    rapier lightweight sword

147    forswear reject, give up    keeping house inn-keeping

148    tirrits fits of fear, upsets    put…weapons sheathe, or hold back your swords (plays on the sense of “get an erection with your bare penises”)

152    shrewd vicious, dangerous

156    brave challenge, defy

158    chops fat cheeks

159    Hector of Troy leader of the Trojan army, known for his valiant and honorable nature    Agamemnon leader of the Greek army when it opposed the Trojans

160    Nine Worthies historical figures embodying the ideals of chivalry: three Jews (Joshua, David, and Judas Maccabaeus), three pagans (Hector of Troy, Alexander the Great, and Julius Caesar), and three Christians (Arthur, Charlemagne, and Godfrey of Bouillon)

161    toss…blanket proverbial punishment for cowards

162    canvass…sheets i.e., have sex with you canvass toss

166    quicksilver mercury, i.e., rapidly

167    like a church unclear; perhaps “slowly, in a stately manner/not at all”    tidy fat, healthy

168    Bartholomew boar-pig pig roasts were traditional at London’s St. Bartholomew’s fair (August 24)    foining thrusting (with a sword; sexual connotations)

170    death’s head skull used as a memento mori, a reminder of the inevitability of death

172    humour disposition

173    pantler servant in charge of the pantry

174    chipped bread cut away the hard crusts

176    Tewkesbury mustard creamy mustard blended with horseradish, produced in the West Country town of Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire

177    conceit wit, understanding, imagination

179    legs…bigness i.e., they’re the same type (vain, fashion-conscious); men were judged by the shapeliness of their legs    of a the same    quoits game in which a metal ring was thrown at a peg fixed in the ground

180    conger and fennel conger eel seasoned with fennel, difficult to digest    drinks…flap-dragons plays a drinking game in which one must drink liquor with burning objects (in this case candles’ ends) floating in it    flap-dragons raisins that had to be plucked from burning brandy and swallowed    rides the wild-mare plays a game similar to leapfrog in which players land on rather than jump over others (mare plays on the sense of “whore”)

181    jumps upon joint-stools i.e., indulges in high spirits    joint-stool low stool made by a joiner

182    smooth close-fitting (to show off his legs)    sign of the leg sign over a boot maker’s shop    breeds no bate causes no dissent, rouses no disagreement

183    discreet cautious, prudent (i.e., dull)    gambol playful

184    admits receives, socializes with

185    such another the same type

186    avoirdupois weight

187    nave of a wheel wheel hub (puns on “knave” and on Falstaff’s rotundity)    ears cut off the punishment for slandering royalty

189    elder elder tree/old man    poll…parrot Doll is ruffling his hair poll head (plays on popular name for a parrot)

192    Saturn and Venus planets thought to govern old age and love respectively    in conjunction together in the heavens (plays on the sense of “in sexual union”)    almanac astrological calendar

194    fiery Trigon i.e., red-faced Bardolph; signs of the zodiac were divided into four groups of three (trigons), the fiery set consisting of Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius    lisping whispering/talking in a loving voice

195    tables…counsel-keeper i.e., Mistress Quickly tables notebook (for recording secret assignations)

196    busses kisses

200    stuff material    kirtle gown

204    handsome smartly, respectably    harken the end judge by the outcome (whether I’m faithful or not), wait and see

206    Anon coming, right away

207    Poins his Poins’

208    continents parts of the world/contents

213    compound composition, piece    light loose, immoral (refers to Doll)

217    take…heat do not act now

218    candle-mine source of animal fat for making candles

219    honest chaste

222    knew recognized

225    wilful abuse deliberate slander

237    close unite, agree    wicked mocking the language of puritan zealots

239    burns…nose another reference to Bardolph’s alcoholically red face

240    dead elm rotten old tree; the elm tree was traditionally used to support vines, and to make coffins

241    pricked marked

242    Lucifer’s privy-kitchen i.e., hell    malt-worms drunkards

243    outbids i.e., is more influential than

245    hell…burns i.e., has syphilis, with which she infects others

246    owe…that puritans considered money lending sinful

248    quit acquitted, forgiven/paid back

249    suffering permitting    flesh…eaten i.e., meat to be eaten during Lent (when it was forbidden)/prostitution to take place

250    howl be punished/be damned

251    victuallers innkeepers    mutton sheep/prostitute

255    says…against i.e., the polite title gentlewoman is one that the prince (or his sexual impulse) knows instinctively to be misapplied to a loose woman like Doll    grace title for a prince/honor, virtue

258    Westminster location of the royal court in London

259    posts messengers

262    Bare-headed a sign of haste; it was customary to cover the head

265    profane i.e., misuse

266    commotion insurrection    south south wind, thought to carry disease and storms

267    Borne…vapour carried along with dark clouds

270    morsel part/sexual titbit

271    unpicked untasted

272    presently at once

273    stay wait

277    post posthaste, immediately

281    known perhaps with sexual connotations

282    peascod-time the time when peas ripen in the pod (plays on sense of “testicle time”)

Act 3 Scene 1

 3.1   Location: the royal court

    9    cribs hovels

  10    pallets straw mattresses

  13    state splendor

  15    vile mean, wretched, low-born

  17    watch-case ticking watch in a case/sentry box    common ’larum-bell public alarm bell, rung by a night watchman in an emergency

  20    rude imperious surge rough, overwhelming swell of the sea

  21    visitation violent, destructive force

  22    ruffian billows rough waves

  24    slipp’ry rapidly passing/unable to be grasped

  25    That so that    hurly tumult, uproar

  26    partial unfair, biased/sympathetic

  27    rude rough, dangerous

  29    to boot besides

  30    happy low fortunate humble men

  32    morrows mornings

  39    foul diseased, polluted    rank festering, gross, abundant

  41    distempered out of sorts

  43    little a little

  44    cooled calm down, regain equilibrium

  46    revolution change, movement

  47    continent dry land

  50    beachy…ocean i.e., seashore, imaged as a belt

  51    Neptune Roman god of the sea    chance’s mocks mockeries of fortune

  53    divers various/unfavorable

  54    Richard Richard II

  57    This Percy i.e., Northumberland

  59    under my foot at my service

  60    eyes i.e., face

  62    Neville in fact, Warwick’s name is Richard de Beauchamp, although the Earl of Warwick in 3 Henry VI is Richard Neville

  64    rated berated

  66    ‘Northumberland…throne’ for these and the other lines the king recalls, see Richard II, Act 5 Scene 1

  72    head to a head (of a boil, with play on the sense of “insurrection/army”)

  73    corruption pus (plays on the sense of “sin, destruction”)

  74    same current

  77    Figuring reproducing, depicting    deceased past, gone by

  79    near aim accurate guess    main chance likely outcome

  81    intreasurèd safely stored

  82    hatch and brood outcome and offspring

  83    necessary form inevitable pattern

  85    false disloyal

  91    cries out on denounces/calls for attention from

101    A certain instance secure evidence    Glendower leader of the Welsh rebels

103    unseasoned late, unseasonable    perforce of necessity

106    inward civil    out of hand over and done with

107    would wish to go

Act 3 Scene 2

 3.2   Location: Gloucestershire, west England (the home of Shallow—though Falstaff is supposed to be going from London to York and this would not be on his way)    Shallow and Silence both Justices of the Peace (magistrates); Silence (from Lincolnshire?) appears to be visiting his kinsman Mouldy…Bullcalf army recruits (Folio groups their entrance at the beginning of the scene, but they could come on individually when their names are called from the roll)

    2    rood (Christ’s) cross

    4    bedfellow i.e., wife

    6    black of dark hair and/or complexion (considered less attractive than fair hair and skin)    ouzel blackbird

    7    By…nay a mild oath

    8    Oxford Oxford University, sixty miles northwest of London

  10    Inns of Court in London where young men trained for the legal profession    Clement’s Inn one of the Inns of Chancery, a step below the Inns of Court

  12    lusty lively/lustful

  14    roundly to the full    Doit an appropriate name for a little man; a doit is a small coin of little value

  15    Pickbone a name suggestive of greed    Squele suggests an excitable man, or one with a shrill, high-pitched voice    Cotswold the Cotswolds are a range of hills in Gloucestershire

  16    swinge-bucklers swashbucklers, swaggerers

  17    bona-robas attractive whores

  21    Scoggin’s John Scoggin was court jester to Edward IV

  22    court-gate palace gates    crack lively lad (picks up on the language of breaking)

  23    Sampson Stockfish ironic combination of names: Sampson is a biblical hero and stockfish is dried cod (used to suggest physical weakness and an impotent penis)    Gray’s Inn one of the Inns of Court

  27    How what price is    yoke of bullocks pair of young bulls    Stamford town in Lincolnshire famous for horse and cattle fairs; some editors suspect that this scene is in fact located near Stamford, a more logical stopping place for Falstaff as he travels from London to York, but Shakespeare was often careless of geographical realism

  31    drew…bow was a good archer    John of Gaunt Henry IV’s father; he dies in Richard II

  33    clapped…clout hit the target clout square of cloth marking the center    twelvescore i.e., 240 yards (twelve times twenty)    forehand shaft arrow shot directly, without the usual curved trajectory employed when shooting at distance

  34    fourteen…half i.e., 280–90 yards

  35    score twenty    ewes female sheep

  36    Thereafter…be depending on their quality

  40    beseech seek to know

  41    esquire one ranking just below a knight

  42    justices of the peace local magistrates

  43    tall brave

  45    backsword fencing weapon with a protective basket-work hilt

  47    accommodated equipped (a fashionable word unfamiliar to the provincial Shallow)

  50    accommodo Shallow considers the word’s Latin origin    phrase the term could refer to a single word

  56    just true

  59    Surecard the name means “one certain of success”

  61    in commission authorized to act as a magistrate

  62    of the peace a magistrate/silent

  65    sufficient competent

  73    friends family

  79    Prick mark down on the list

  80    pricked vexed/sour, mouldy (plays on the sense of “equipped with a penis”)

  81    dame wife (possibly mother, but the sexual punning makes a wife seem more likely)    undone at a loss    do her husbandry undertake agricultural or household work/perform the sexual role of a husband    drudgery domestic/sexual labor

  83    spent used up, consumed (plays on the sense of “sexually exhausted after orgasm”)

  86    other others, rest

  87    cold cool (like shade)/cowardly

  90    son puns on “sun”

  92    shadow reflection, image

  93    not…substance i.e., potentially the son of another man

  96    serve do, suffice/perform military service

  97    shadows names of dead or imaginary men, a ruse to enable the captain of the regiment to claim their pay    muster military recruitment

103    ragged rough/tattered (may pun on “ragwort,” a plant thought to be an aphrodisiac)

105    apparel…pins suggesting his clothes are held together by pins, or that his physical frame is poorly put together (pins plays on the sense of “legs”)

111    tailor the profession had a reputation for effeminacy as well as for lechery (“tail” plays on the sense of “sexual organs,” thus leading to renewed sexual play on prick in the following lines)

113    pricked clothed/stabbed with a pin/penetrated sexually

114    battle army

116    good will best (will plays on the sense of “penis”)

118    magnanimous brave

119    well…deep i.e., firmly (with continued sexual play)

122    go plays on the sense of “have sex”    put him to enlist him as

123    thousands i.e., vermin/lice

126    green i.e., village green

129    likely promising    again in response

134    ringing…affairs church bellringing on behalf of the king

135    coronation day i.e., anniversary of the coronation

136    gown dressing gown/nightgown

137    take such order issue instructions, arrange    ring for thee ring the bells instead of you/for your funeral

138    two…four Shallow counts six but we only see five

140    tarry stay for

142    Windmill probably the name of a brothel, perhaps a tavern

143    St George’s Field area between Southwark and Lambeth, south of the River Thames; known for prostitution

145    Nightwork her surname suggests her occupation as a prostitute

147    away with endure, get on with

149    bona-roba whore

158    watch-word code word, password/drinking cry

161    Corporate malapropism for “Corporal”    stand act as    Harry ten shillings shillings from the reign of Henry VII, subsequently worth only half their original value

162    lief willingly

164    friends family

166    Go to i.e., very well, off you go

169    forty i.e., shillings

172    so so be it

173    quit free

184    service military/domestic/sexual service    come unto it reach manhood

186    likeliest ablest

189    thews physique, strength    assemblance appearance, frame, composition

191    charge…you load and fire    pewterer’s hammer pewter was hammered out with rapid actions

192    come off and on advance and retreat/lower and raise (the gun)/stay still and act    gibbets…bucket slightly unclear meaning; perhaps hangs on, carries, balances the beam (bucket) from which the brewer’s buckets are suspended

193    half-faced thin    mark target

194    aim chance of hitting the target    level aim

196    spare thin/surplus to requirement    caliver light musket

198    traverse march/take aim

199    manage me handle skillfully

200    chopped chapped, i.e., dried up    shot marksman (possible play on sense of “animal left over after the best of the herd have been selected”)    said done

201    scab rascal (plays on his name)    tester sixpence

202    Mile-End Green East London drill ground for citizen soldiers; now Stepney Green

203    Sir…show refers to a display of archery on Mile-End Green in which participants took the names of King Arthur’s knights of the Round Table; Shallow played Arthur’s fool

204    quiver nimble (plays on sense of “case for arrows”)    manage…come i.e., was quick and skillful at firing, then retreating to the rear rank of musketeers in order to reload before advancing to fire once more; “Ra, ta, ta” is the noise of reloading and “Bounce” that of the shot

210    must i.e., must go

212    Peradventure perhaps

214    would wish

215    have…word meant what I said

216    gentle noble

217    fetch off trick, get the better of

219    prate chatter

220    Turnbull Street in Clerkenwell, London; known haunt of thieves and prostitutes    duer more punctually

221    Turk’s tribute regular tribute money due the sultan; failure to pay was punishable by death    man…cheese-paring figure of a man carved idly out of the rind of cheese

224    forlorn pitiful, meager    thick dull, weak    invincible impossible to make out; some editors emend to “invisible”

225    genius spirit    rearward rear

226    Vice’s dagger thin, insubstantial wooden dagger used by the Vice character in morality plays    squire of a rank just below that of knight    John of Gaunt father of King Henry IV

227    sworn brother avowed companion in arms, intimate friend

228    Tilt-yard area for jousting tournaments near Whitehall, London    burst…men got his head beaten trying to get past the guards

229    his own name i.e., a gaunt, very thin person

230    him i.e., Shallow    eel-skin i.e., because he is so thin    treble hautboy oboe

231    beefs cattle

232    acquainted familiar    go…will be hard luck if I do not

233    philosopher’s two stones the philosopher’s stone supposedly turned base metal into gold; Falstaff intends to make a money out of Shallow (two stones plays on the sense of “testicles”)    dace small freshwater fish    pike large, voracious freshwater fish (also, appropriately enough, known as a jack)

234    shape shape matters

Act 4 Scene 1

 4.1   Location: Gaultree Forest, north of York

    2    Gaultree Forest ancient royal forest to the north of York    an’t if it

    3    discoverers scouts

    9    New-dated of recent date

  11    powers forces

  12    hold sortance with correspond, agree    quality rank

  13    levy raise, muster

  14    retired withdrawn    ripe ripen, develop

  16    overlive survive

  17    opposite adversary

  18    touch ground run aground

  22    form formation

  24    rate estimate, number

  25    just…out exact number we estimated

  26    sway on move forward

  27    well-appointed well-equipped    fronts faces, confronts

  30    prince…Lancaster Prince John, although born at Lancaster was actually Duke of Bedford

  32    doth…coming does your arrival mean

  35    If that if

  36    like itself in its true colors    routs mobs, gangs

  37    bloody bloodthirsty    guarded adorned, trimmed/protected, flanked by

  38    countenanced approved, supported

  39    commotion insurrection, rebellion

  40    most proper own true

  41    reverend respected

  42    Had not would not have been    dress dress up, adorn

  44    honours noble selves

  45    see diocese

  47    letters scholarship

  48    investments ecclesiastical robes    figure symbolize

  55    point musical signal (perhaps plays on the sense of “sword”)

  58    wanton uncontrolled/idle/self-indulgent/lascivious

  60    bleed let blood as a medical cure/shed blood in battle

  63    take…me do not take on the role of

  66    show appear

  67    rank coarse, gross/corrupt

  70    justly exactly/fairly

  72    griefs sufferings, grievances

  74    most quiet there former peacefulness in the stream of time

  75    occasion circumstances

  77    articles account of charges, list of grievances

  79    suit supplication/legal petition    gain our audience be granted a hearing

  80    unfold disclose, explain

  83    but newly gone only recently passed

  84    memory…earth i.e., the land bears scars of battle

  85    yet appearing still visible

  86    Of…instance of which every minute gives us evidence/which each moment urges upon us

  87    ill-beseeming unbecoming

  92    gallèd vexed, wounded

  93    suborned bribed    grate on harass

  94    seal approve, ratify by affixing a wax seal

  96    commonwealth state, general good

103    unequal unjust

106    Construe make sense of/judge    to their necessities according to what is urgent and immediate

109    not appears doesn’t appear

113    signories estates

116    breathed reanimated

117    the state circumstances

118    force perforce with violent compulsion    banish him Richard II banished both Mowbray’s father and Henry Bullingbrook (Henry IV), rather than allow them to meet in combat, in events dramatized in Richard II

120    rousèd raised/angry, roused

121    coursers horses    daring…spur i.e., eager to charge

122    armèd…charge lances held in position    beavers visors or face guards of their helmets

123    sights of steel slits in their visors

124    blowing them together giving them the signal to charge

125    stayed kept, prevented

127    warder staff held by one presiding over combat

129    all their lives the lives of all those

130    indictment legal accusation    dint of sword force of arms

131    miscarried come to grief

133    Earl of Hereford i.e., Bullingbrook

137    He…Coventry he would not have got away in safety from Coventry (Midlands town, the location of the combat)

141    did did so, did bless and grace (him)

145    wherein on those matters in which

147    enjoy them have those requests granted    set off put aside

148    think you make you seem

149    compel oblige him to make

150    policy strategy, cunning

151    overween go too far

153    ken range of sight

156    battle army    names noblemen, famed soldiers

157    perfect skilled

159    reason will it stands to reason

161    parley negotiation with the enemy

163    rotten…handling something putrid won’t stand close examination (rotten case plays on sense of “syphilitic vagina”)

165    very ample virtue full authority

166    determine Of decide on

168    intended implied    name title

169    muse marvel

170    schedule list

172    Each several article provided that each separate charge

173    hence elsewhere

174    insinewed to an integral part of, bound to

175    Acquitted provided that we are cleared    true substantial form binding legal proceedings

176    present…confined immediate carrying out of the demands relating to us and our intentions

178    awful banks respectful (awe-full) boundaries

179    knit bind, unite

180    Please you if you’re content

181    battles armies

182    At either end on both sides    frame arrange

189    absolute unconditional

190    consist upon insist upon/consist of

192    valuation estimation in the eyes of the king

193    false-derivèd wrongly attributed

194    nice and wanton petty and frivolous

196    were…love even if we were willing to die for love of the king

197    winnowed separated, as is the corn from the worthless husks (chaff) by the action of the wind

198    That…partition the king will be unable to distinguish the good from the bad in us

201    dainty petty    picking trifling

202    doubt fear

203    heirs of life survivors

204    tables records

206    history record, recount

208    precisely completely

209    misdoubts present occasion i.e., to the extent that he would like misdoubts suspicions, fears

210    enrooted entangled by the roots

214    enraged him on provoked him

216    hangs resolved correction forestalls the determined punishment

217    execution carry out the action

218    wasted used up    rods whipping rods

219    late recent/dead

222    offer threaten

225    atonement reconciliation

231    just at an equal

233    Before lead on

234    cousin form of address between nobles, not necessarily denoting kinship

235    gentle noble

237    better…you suited you better

241    iron armored/unyielding

243    word i.e., holy word of scripture

246    Would he were he to    countenance favor, patronage

247    set abroach unleash

250    deep…heaven learned in Scripture/firmly in God’s grace

251    speaker intermediary between monarch and parliament; here, between God and the people

253    opener and intelligencer one who explains and informs

254    sanctities holiness, sacred nature

255    workings efforts/perceptions

256    But you that you don’t    place position

257    countenance favor

258    false dishonest, disloyal

259    taken up raised

260    zeal puns on “seal,” i.e., authority

261    heaven’s substitute the monarch was regarded as God’s deputy on earth

263    upswarmèd made them rise up like an angry swarm

267    misordered confused    in common sense as all acknowledge

268    monstrous unnatural

269    hold…up maintain our security

270    parcels details

271    shoved i.e., dismissed

272    Hydra in Greek mythology, a monster that grew two heads for every one that was cut off

273    dangerous eyes refers to another monster, Argus, whose hundred eyes kept permanent watch until charmed to sleep by Mercury

280    supplies reinforcements    second support, renew

282    success succession

284    Whiles…generation for as long as people continue to be born

286    sound the bottom gauge the depth, i.e., foretell

288    How far forth to what extent    like approve of, agree to

289    allow them well approve of them

291    mistook misunderstood

292    lavishly freely

296    powers forces    several various, separate

299    tokens signs

305    part depart

306    Hie hurry

308    pledge toast

315    happy season opportune moment

316    something somewhat

317    Against in anticipation of

318    heaviness…event sadness comes over men before a positive outcome

319    coz abbreviation of “cousin”

321    passing surpassingly, extremely

323    rendered given

324    had been cheerful would have been uplifting

330    trains retinues, followers

331    peruse look over

332    coped withal had to fight with

335    lie lodge

341    steers unyoked calves freed from the yoke

343    sporting-place place of entertainment, leisure

347    Of for, on the grounds of    attach arrest

351    pawned pledged

356    Meet appropriate

357    shallowly foolishly, thoughtlessly

358    Fondly stupidly

359    stray stragglers

363    condition rank

368    Dale the sense now widens from “valley” to include “pit”

371    drops tears    lovers friends

372    do observance show respect

374    I…name i.e., I am known by name everywhere on account of my vast stomach    school crowd

375    An if

376    indifferency ordinary size    womb belly

382    tardy tricks delaying dodges

383    break…back i.e., get you hanged (and your weight will cause the gallows to break)

384    but…be if it were not

386    expedition speed

387    with…possibility as fast as possible    foundered lamed

388    nine…posts over 180 horses

389    furious violent, wrathful

391    hook-nosed…Rome i.e., Julius Caesar

394    booked recorded

395    particular ballad special ballad written about me    picture ballads were commonly illustrated with woodcuts

396    gilt two-pences false coins, twopenny pieces gilded and passed off as gold half-crowns    to compared to

398    cinders…element i.e., stars

399    desert mount merit be recognized

400    heavy fat, weighty/heinous, dreadful

402    thick fat/dim

410    been…me taken my advice

411    won them dearer they would have cost more, i.e., you would have had to fight for them

412    sold presented/betrayed/bartered away

414    left left off, given up

415    execution stayed bloodshed halted

417    present immediate

418    sure carefully, securely

420    sore seriously

423    sober moderate, dignified

426    in my condition according to my disposition/as military commander

428    would wish

431    come…proof turn out well

432    making many fish-meals they eat such a lot of fish (as opposed to red meat)    green-sickness anaemia causing a greenish complexion; it often afflicted teenage girls

433    get wenches father only daughters

434    inflammation roused emotions resulting from drink/swelling weight    sherry-sack sweet Spanish white wine

435    ascends me ascends (me is used colloquially for emphasis)

436    curdy thick, curdled    vapours noxious exhalations supposedly produced in the body and rising to the brain    environ surround    apprehensive intelligent, perceptive

437    forgetive apt at forging, inventive

440    liver considered the seat of the passions    pusillanimity lack of courage, timidity

442    parts extremes extremities

443    vital…spirits the “vital spirits” were thought to be the essence of life

444    muster me assemble

446    a-work to work

447    a is a    commences initiates, unleashes (puns on “Commencement,” the formal term for the degree award ceremony at Cambridge University)

450    husbanded cultivated

453    potations liquors

457    tempering becoming pliant, softening like wax

458    seal with him come to an agreement/shape him to my purposes

Act 4 Scene 2

 4.2   Location: the Jerusalem Chamber in Westminster Abbey, though here transferred to the royal court

    2    debate strife, conflict

    3    higher fields i.e., to Jerusalem, on a crusade

    4    sanctified consecrated, holy

    5    addressed ready

    6    substitutes…invested deputies installed in office

    7    level equal

    8    want lack

    9    pause us rest, wait

  19    in presence present/in the royal presence

  22    chance does it happen

  26    offices services

  28    brethren brothers

  29    omit neglect

  32    observed treated with respect

  34    melting tender

  35    flint i.e., hard, unyielding

  36    humorous moody, volatile

  37    flaws congealèd icy gusts of wind    spring dawn/gentle warmth

  38    temper disposition/mood

  39    reverently respectfully

  41    line range, scope

  42    on ground beached

  43    confound defeat, overthrow    working exertion

  47    suggestion suspicion/incitement to evil

  48    force perforce of necessity

  50    aconitum aconite or wolfsbane, a poisonous plant    rash hasty, violent

  55    other his continual his other constant

  56    fattest richest, most fertile

  60    blood…heart every sigh was thought to drain a drop of blood from the heart

  64    curb restraint (literally, chain passed under a horse’s jaw)

  66    lavish wild, unrestrained

  68    fronting advancing/confronting    opposed hostile

  69    look…quite go too far in judging him

  76    perfectness fullness

  78    measure guide

  79    mete measure

  81    ’Tis…carrion i.e., people rarely give up their pleasures despite the corrupt surroundings; drawn from the biblical story of Samson who found a bees’ nest in the carcass of a lion (Judges 14:8)

  87    Bishop Scroop i.e., the Archbishop of York, Richard Scroop

  91    borne carried out

  93    course…particular turn of events set out in detail

  95    haunch hindquarter, back end

  96    lifting up rising, breaking

105    packet i.e., of letters, dispatch

109    stomach appetite

121    straight straightaway

122    pangs attacks, spasms of pain

124    wrought the mure made the wall

126    fear me fill me with fear

127    Unfathered heirs children supposed to be unnatural, conceived supernaturally    loathly births deformed infants, regarded as ill omens

128    change their manners alter their usual patterns    as as if

130    flowed flooded

131    doting weak-minded/foolish/fond, attentive

133    Edward Edward III    sicked sickened

135    apoplexy illness causing paralysis

139    dull gentle    favourable kindly

146    heaviness sadness

147    Rain i.e., tears    abroad outside

153    physic medicine

161    perturbation cause of trouble    care source of anxiety

162    ports doors, gates (i.e., eyelids)

163    watchful wakeful

165    homely biggen plain nightcap

166    watch portion of the night/watchful vigil

168    armour…safety metal armor that gets hot and burns the wearer at the same time it protects him from attack

169    gates of breath i.e., mouth and nose

171    suspire breathe out

174    rigol circle (i.e., crown)

180    immediate direct successor

181    Derives itself descends

182    put…strength even if all the strength in the world were concentrated

184    lineal inherited

185    mine i.e., my heir

200    Chide drive with rebukes

201    part action    conjoins unites

203    falls into revolt betrays itself, is unnatural

208    engrossed amassed

209    cankered tarnished/corrupt    strange-achievèd ill-gotten/brought from overseas

210    thoughtful careful    invest endow (plays on financial sense)

211    arts scholarship

214    thighs…wax beeswax is stored in sacs on the upper parts of bees’ legs

215    bees…pains in fact it is not workers, but drones (bees whose sole purpose is to impregnate the queen) who die after mating or are cast out of the hive to die

216    This…engrossments these accumulations give a bitter taste

217    ending dying

218    stay wait

219    determined terminated

221    kindly filial/   gentle gentle noble/tender

223    tyranny cruelty    but anything but

232    chair position/throne

236    cloud of dignity rank or honor, insubstantial as a cloud

240    Were would have been

241    sealed…expectation confirmed my fears

242    manifest demonstrate

245    whetted sharpened

247    forbear endure, permit

252    balm consecrated oil used in the coronation of the monarch    sanctify consecrate, render holy

253    compound mix

256    form established order, custom

260    apes of idleness fools prone to all unworthy vices

261    confines states, countries

266    gild cover with gold (puns on guilt)

267    office official position

270    flesh his tooth sink his tooth into the flesh

272    care anxiety, concerned efforts (sense then shifts to “chief concern”)

278    had would have    dear heartfelt

282    affect desire

284    obedience i.e., kneeling posture

288    course current

292    have purposèd intend

295    as having sense as though it were alive

296    on thee depending attached to you

299    fine in carat pure

300    med’cine potable i.e., aurum potabile, a liquid medicine supposed to contain gold

301    fine refined, pure

304    try dispute, engage in

310    affection tendency to

311    Give entertainment to receive, be hospitable to    might power

313    vassal subject

317    join the more be further united to

320    latest last, final

322    by-paths obscure, indirect paths

323    met came by

327    soil grounds, foundation/stain, dishonor

329    boist’rous unruly, violent

330    many i.e., of the men who claimed to have assisted him

333    fears sources of fear

336    argument plot, theme/subject of contention

337    purchased bought, acquired not inherited

338    fairer sort just manner/favorable lot

339    garland i.e., crown    successively by right of succession

341    griefs are green grievances remain fresh, unhealed

342    make work to maintain as

344    fell working fierce efforts

345    lodge harbor

350    near closely    state kingship

351    giddy foolish, restless

352    action war    hence borne out undertaken abroad

353    waste dispel

354    I I say    wasted worn out

361    common pain ordinary effort

367    trunk body/tree trunk

368    a period an end

372    lodging room    swoon faint

374    Laud praise

375    years i.e., years ago

376    but except

377    vainly foolishly/conceitedly

Act 5 Scene 1

 5.1   Location: at Justice Shallow’s, Gloucestershire    Davy one of Shallow’s servants

    1    By…pie a mild oath    cock form of “God”    pie Roman Catholic service book

    8    precepts writs, summons

    9    headland strip of unplowed land in a field; used for turning the plough it was sown later than the rest of the field

  10    red wheat a dark-colored late variety

  11    smith’s note blacksmith’s bill    plough-irons any iron parts of a plow

  12    cast calculated (plays on the sense of “form metal into shape”)

  13    link…bucket rope or chain, most likely for the pail drawing water up from a well

  14    Hinckley Fair well-known cattle fair held every August at Hinckley, a market town on the Warwickshire/Leicestershire border

  15    answer repay

  16    kickshaws fancy dishes

  17    man of war soldier/large warship (i.e., Falstaff)

  18    use treat    A…purse i.e., it’s useful to have friends in high places

  19    arrant knaves absolute rogues    backbite tell tales, slander

  20    bitten…linen i.e., clothes full of lice

  21    Well conceited very witty

  22    countenance favor

  29    bear out support

  30    credit trust/reputation

  33    Look about watch out/get busy

  37    tall valiant, or perhaps ironically addressed to the page

  41    quantities little bits

  42    staves i.e., long and thin    semblable coherence close correspondence

  44    conversing associating

  45    married in conjunction intimately connected

  46    suit to lawsuit for/favor to beg

  47    imputation…near suggestion that I am friendly with

  48    curry curry favor, flatter

  50    carriage behavior, bearing

  53    terms sessions of the law courts (four in a year)    actions lawsuits    intervallums intervals between terms

  54    sad brow straight face    never…shoulders i.e., was young and carefree

  56    ill laid up badly folded, i.e., creased up

Act 5 Scene 2

 5.2   Location: the royal court

    1    whither away where are you going

    8    service…injuries presumably the Lord Chief Justice is recalling the time he had Prince Henry arrested and is worried about repercussions now that Hal is king    truly faithfully

  14    fantasy imagination

  15    heavy issue sorrowful offspring

  16    temper disposition

  18    hold their places retain their positions

  19    strike sail lower their sails, i.e., submit    vile base

  24    argument subject for discussion

  29    borrow not do not put on

  30    sure certainly

  31    grace favor (from Hal)

  32    coldest expectation the least favorable situation

  35    your…quality the current of your nature and position

  39    ragged wretched    forestalled remission pardon so certain to be refused it is not worth asking

  40    troth good faith, honesty

  49    Amurah a Turkish sultan who, upon gaining the throne, had all his brothers killed; his successor did the same thing

  62    number…happiness i.e., for each tear there shall be an hour of happiness

  64    strangely in a distant, unfamiliar manner

  65    assured convinced

  69    hopes expectations

  71    Rate berate

  72    easy insignificant/lenient

  73    Lethe in Greek mythology, the river in the underworld; immersion in its waters induced forgetfulness

  74    use the person represent

  80    presented represented

  84    commit imprison

  85    Be you would you be    garland crown

  87    awful awe-inspiring, majestic    bench judge’s seat, i.e., judicial system

  90    spurn strike/disdain

  91    second body deputy, substitute

  92    make…yours put yourself in that situation

  93    propose imagine

  94    profaned abused, treated with contempt

  95    dreadful formidable, awe-inspiring    loosely carelessly, casually

  98    soft gently

  99    cold considerance calm consideration

100    state role as king

101    misbecame was not appropriate to

103    weigh consider, reason

104    still…sword i.e., retain your position; balance (scales) and sword are the emblems of justice

110    proper own

114    commit sense shifts from “imprison” to “entrust”

115    used been accustomed

116    remembrance reminder

120    sound speak out

121    intents intentions

122    well-practised experienced

125    affections wild inclinations, self-indulgent behavior

126    sadly solemnly, seriously

127    mock defy

128    raze out erase, obliterate

129    Rotten opinion poor, corrupt reputation

130    After my seeming in accordance with the way I appeared to be

131    vanity worthlessness, folly

133    state of floods majesty of the sea

136    limbs…counsel i.e., advisers

142    accite summon

143    remembered mentioned (pronounced remembred)

144    consigning to approving, setting its seal to

Act 5 Scene 3

 5.3   Location: Shallow’s garden, Gloucestershire

    1    orchard garden

    2    pippin variety of apple    graffing grafting, cultivation    caraways sweets or cakes made with caraway seeds

    4    rich fertile/well-off one

    6    Spread lay the cloth for eating    said done

    8    husband steward

    9    varlet servant/rogue

  11    quoth a said he

  14    flesh meat/whores    dear beloved/expensive

  15    lusty lively/lustful

  17    health toast

  21    Proface! a toast or welcoming cry: “May it do you good!” (from old French or Italian)    want in meat lack in flesh, i.e., size

  22    bear put up with it    all i.e., the most important thing

  25    shrews nags and scolds

  26    in…all at dinner when men’s beards move up and down in lively conversation

  27    Shrovetide the three feast days before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent

  29    mettle character/liveliness

  30    twice and once comic inversion of “once or twice”

  31    leather-coats russet apples that have tough skins

  34    brisk dry/sparkling

  35    leman sweetheart

  40    let it come pass it round

  41    pledge toast    a…bottom the whole cup, even if it were a mile deep

  43    beshrew a curse on

  44    cavalieros fashionable young men

  47    crack a quart empty a quart pot, i.e., two pints of ale

  48    pottle-pot tankard containing two quarts (four pints), twice what Shallow proposed

  49    stick by thee keep up with you (in drinking)

  50    out drop out    true bred i.e., made of the right stuff

  54    done me right i.e., by matching me in drinking

  55    Do…Samingo popular drinking song    Samingo Sir Mingo (mingo is Latin for “I urinate”)

  60    somewhat something

  67    greatest most influential (Silence takes the sense of “fattest”)

  68    but except for    Goodman title for those below the rank of gentleman    Puff name suggestive of swelling (Pistol shifts the sense to “brag, boast”)

  69    recreant cowardly

  73    price great value

  74    man…world an ordinary mortal, i.e., in plain language

  75    A foutre i.e., “I don’t give a fuck” (from the French)

  77    Assyrian native of Assyria, ancient Middle Eastern country renowned in the Bible for robbery and pillage, later associated with luxury

  78    King Cophetua African king who fell in love with a beggar girl; a popular topic for ballads

  79    Robin…John fragment from the ballad Robin Hood and the Pinder of Wakefield

  80    curs dogs    Helicons i.e., the Muses who lived on Mount Helicon in Greece—hence “true poets”

  81    baffled frustrated/treated with contempt

  82    lay…lap appeal to the Furies, mythological goddesses of revenge

  83    breeding social status

  88    Besonian beggar, knave (from Italian besogno)

  95    do…me make the indecent gesture known as the “fig of Spain,” which consisted of thrusting the thumb between the index and middle fingers

  98    just true

  99    Away let’s go

100    double-charge…dignities load you, like a firearm, twice over with honors

102    take exchange

104    Carry…bed presumably Silence has passed out from too much drink

107    withal moreover

108    Boot get your boots on    sick i.e., longing, pining for (unconscious play on sense of “sick of”)

111    vultures…also refers to the punishment inflicted on Prometheus by the Greek gods; for stealing fire from heaven, he had his liver pecked out by vultures each day (it regrew at night)

112    ‘Where…led?’ line from a lost poem or ballad

Act 5 Scene 4

 5.4   Location: London, but unspecified—almost certainly a street    Beadles parish officers with the power to punish petty offenders, perhaps synonymous with Fang and Snare

    1    that so that

    2    hanged i.e., as her murderer

    3    over up (for punishment)

    4    whipping-cheer feast of whipping, a common punishment for whores

    5    killed about her murdered on her account; may play on “brought to orgasm” in her company

    6    Nut-hook beadle or constable; literally a long pole with a hook at the end for gathering nuts

    7    tripe-visaged with a face like tripe (i.e., sallow, pock-marked)    go am pregnant

    8    thou…struck you’d have been better off if you’d struck    paper-faced i.e., thin, pale

    9    bloody…somebody he’d fight and make somebody pay for this

  10    I…miscarry either she hopes Doll will miscarry and the beadle be punished or she’s confused and means the opposite

  11    cushions implying that Doll is feigning pregnancy by stuffing a cushion under her gown    but only

  14    man in a censer vessels in which incense was burnt were embossed with figures

  15    swinged thrashed    blue-bottled beadles wore dark-blue uniforms    correctioner one who administers punishment; or more specifically, officer at the Bridewell House of Correction for prostitutes

  16    forswear half-kirtles give up wearing skirts; a kirtle consisted of a bodice and a skirt

  17    she knight-errant female knight/prostitute (who commits her misdeeds, or errs by night)

  18    right…might inversion of the proverb “might overcomes right”    sufferance…ease undergoing suffering/patient forbearance produces relief/comfort

  22    Goodman…bones insults referring to the beadle’s thinness

  23    anatomy skeleton

  24    thing perhaps with phallic connotations    rascal rogue/underweight young deer

Act 5 Scene 5

 5.5   Location: a public place in Westminster, near the Abbey    Grooms manservants

    1    rushes with which Elizabethan floors were commonly strewn

    5    leer upon look sideways at, catch his eye    countenance look/patronage

    9    liveries servants’ uniforms    bestowed laid out, used

  10    infer imply, demonstrate

  17    shift me change my shirt

  22    semper idem, “ever the same” (Latin) obsque…est “apart from this there is nothing” (Latin; obsque is a mistake for absque)    ’Tis…part Pistol’s rough translation of the Latin

  24    liver regarded as the seat of the passions

  26    Helen i.e., Helen of Troy, supposedly the most beautiful woman in the world

  27    durance imprisonment

  28    Haled hauled, dragged

  29    mechanical vulgar, common

  30    ebon ebony, black    fell fierce

  31    Alecto one of the Furies, described by Virgil as being crowned with snakes

  32    in in prison; possibly plays on “pregnant” (hence Falstaff’s “deliver”)

  36    imp scion or offspring of a noble house

  38    vain foolish, worthless

  40    Jove supreme Roman god    heart dear old friend

  44    surfeit-swelled swollen from overindulgence

  46    hence henceforth

  47    gormandizing excessive eating

  56    riots debauched behavior, revelry, disorderly deeds

  59    our Hal uses the royal plural pronoun

  60    competence of life a sufficient allowance

  61    That…evil so that poverty will not make you turn to crime

  64    advancement promotion, favor    charge responsibility, orders

  65    tenor substance

  71    doublet close-fitting jacket

  74    colour pretence (of Henry’s)

  75    colour puns on “collar” (hangman’s noose),    die puns on “dye”

  76    colours enemy flags

  77    soon at night this very evening/early in the evening

  78    Fleet prison in the City of London

  82    Si…contento “If fortune torments me, hope contents me” (Italian; the same motto Pistol uttered in Act 2 Scene 4, with the Italian differently garbled)

  83    fair proceeding kindly/just course of action

  84    hath intent intends    wonted customary

  86    conversations behavior

  92    civil swords used in civil wars

  96    curtsy bow    your addressed to the audience

  99    doubt fear    marring ruin

100    venture attempt/risk

102    ill venture unsuccessful commercial voyage

103    break break my promise/am bankrupt    creditors plays on both financial sense and “people who believe my promise”

104    bate me let me off

112    continue…it i.e., in Henry V, although in the end Falstaff did not feature in that play

113    sweat a fit of sweating due to either physical exertion, the plague or a type of cure for venereal disease

114    hard unfavorable    Oldcastle…martyr Sir John Oldcastle, the name originally given to Falstaff, was an early fifteenth-century Lollard leader, subsequently regarded as a martyr by the puritans; Shakespeare had to drop the name from the play due to objections from Oldcastle’s descendants

THE LIFE OF HENRY THE FIFTH

Henry the Fifth has become synonymous with English patriotism. A dashing young king achieves a stunning military victory against all odds, stirring his men to impossible valor through sheer rhetorical force. The phrases have become legendary: “Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more”; “Cry ‘God for Harry, England, and Saint George!’ ”; “We few, we happy few, we band of brothers.” Whereas all Shakespeare’s other history plays of the 1590s portray an England riven by faction and anxiety over rightful succession to the throne, here the nation seems united and all-conquering. Perhaps no other Shakespeare play has such a simple plot: King Harry makes his claim for France, thwarts a small conspiracy, sets sail, takes Harfleur, wins the battle of Agincourt, and marries the defeated king’s daughter. The cast consists almost entirely of his loyal army and his French enemies, among whom the dauphin in particular is parodied as a kind of poor man’s Hotspur. Yet, as so often with Shakespeare, a wealth of reservations are held within that “almost.” 2 Henry IV ended with an epilogue promising a continuation of the story “with Sir John in it”: the fat knight’s absence casts a shadow across the king’s triumphs.

The play does not begin with a ceremonial entrance and a large-scale royal court scene. First the Chorus appears alone on the bare stage. The audience are invited to reflect upon the fact that what they are about to witness is performance, not reality, and that their imaginary forces will be necessary in order to transform stage and playing company into battlefield and army. The play is intended to work upon us as King Harry works upon his followers: the dazzling power of words creates the triumph out of extremely limited resources. Between each act the Chorus returns to remind us that it is all a theatrical trick: we only suppose that we have been transported to France and that the little band of players and extras constitute a great army on the march or fighting to the death in hand-to-hand combat. Players, as Macbeth and Prospero will remind later Shakespearean audiences, are but shadows. After two or three turns of the hourglass, the revels end and the action vanishes like a dream. So too with Harry’s triumph: the closing chorus, an artfully turned sonnet, compares the imaginative work of the author (“In little room confining mighty men”) with the brevity of the victorious king’s reign (“Small time, but in that small most greatly lived / This star of England”). Could it then be that the secret of Harry’s success is linguistic might rather than the right of his cause?

The action proper commences with the representatives of the Church confirming the “reformation” of the king, his conversion to piety from the “wildness” of the Henry IV plays. He has transformed himself into a master of divinity, political affairs, and the theory of war. The dialogue of the bishops also introduces another theme, familiar from the historical Reformation of the sixteenth century: the sequestration of ecclesiastical assets by the state. This precipitates a political deal: the archbishop will provide legal justification for the king’s proposed invasion of France and in return the crown will take the side of the Church in their financial dispute with parliament. The whole apparatus of justification by precedent and lines of descent and debate over the applicability of the Salic law, elaborated in the archbishop’s interminable speech in the following scene is a charade acted out for politic ends. The king has a one-line question—“May I with right and conscience make this claim?”— and he gets the answer he wants to hear: yes. He is not interested in the small print.

By starting the action with the scheming bishops, Shakespeare suggests that the motivation for war is a matter more of political pragmatism than high principle. King Harry is anxious about a possible Scottish incursion and he is aware that his own hold on the throne is insecure—hence the need to dispatch the traitors Cambridge, Scroop, and Grey by means of a piece of theater that shows his capacity for both mercy and stern justice, to reveal the iron fist in his velvet glove. For all the talk of ancient rights to France and the need to bounce back the insult of the tennis balls, one cannot help suspecting that Harry’s real motivation for going to war is driven by his dying father’s strategic advice:

…Therefore, my Harry,

Be it thy course to busy giddy minds

With foreign quarrels, that action, hence borne out,

May waste the memory of the former days. (2 Henry IV, 4.2.350–3)

There is nothing like an overseas military adventure to unite a divided nation.

Prince Hal’s riotous behavior in the Henry IV plays is now revealed to have been an elaborate game, a piece of playacting. He continues to play games once he is king: his handling of the traitors in the second act and the business of the glove in the cap after Agincourt are theatrical devices designed to demonstrate his quasi-magical power of seeing into his subjects’ souls. The manner in which an actor plays the part of King Harry will be largely determined by the extent to which he plays up the character’s actorliness. The wooing of Katherine is a crux in this regard: how much of a performance is the combination of charm, wit, boyish embarrassment, and delight in power (“in loving me, you should love the friend of France, for I love France so well that I will not part with a village of it”)? Or is Harry genuinely smitten with Kate?

The king’s mastery comes above all from what the archbishop calls “his sweet and honeyed sentences.” Rhetorical force is his greatest gift: he can debate, cajole, command, inspire. Shakespeare gives him more than three times as many words as any other character in the play. Only Hamlet can match Harry in the ease with which he moves between highly wrought verse and conversational prose. Many a modern general has reached for the Saint Crispin’s day oration in preparing his men to go into battle: Laurence Olivier’s 1944 film, dedicated to the British, American, and other Allied troops who were liberating Europe from the Nazis, is only the most renowned of the frequent military appropriations of the play (it was reputedly at Winston Churchill’s insistence that Olivier cut the scene with the three traitors—at such a critical historical moment, there had to be unity in the Allied ranks). Even hardened cynics find themselves becoming patriotic when the king addresses his band of brothers, especially in film when the words are further pumped up by sweeping camera action and rousing music.

Harry’s rallying speeches reveal a sharp political intelligence at work. For instance, “Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more” is carefully modulated in three parts. The “dear friends” with which it begins are the king’s immediate kinsmen and closest followers. They set the lead example. Attention then turns to the aristocracy and gentry, the “noblest English,” whose role is to “Be copy now to men of grosser [i.e., less high-class] blood/And teach them how to war.” Then come the “yeomen” and finally “the mean and base.” All will be of “noble lustre” if they surge forward into the breach in Harfleur’s wall. The speech thus enacts the chain of command down the ranks. It offers a textbook image of the officer class leading from the front by example. Even lowly Corporal Bardolph is momentarily inspired. But Nym, Pistol, and Falstaff’s boy are not. They stop in their tracks and have to be physically beaten to the breach by loyal Captain Fluellen. The power of the king’s rhetoric is thus called into question.

Fluellen believes in fighting war by the book. His modern equivalent would be a liberal-minded army officer intent upon fighting according to the rules of the Geneva convention. But his very mode of thinking exposes cracks in the king’s moral armor. King Harry of Monmouth is compared to Alexander the Great of Macedon not only because they are both great warriors (both come from places beginning with “M,” each of which has a river running through it, “and there is salmons in both”), but also because “as Alexander killed his friend Cleitus, being in his ales and his cups, so also Harry Monmouth, being in his right wits and his good judgments, turned away the fat knight with the great belly-doublet.” The audience is thus reminded that the price of Harry’s greatness is the killing of Falstaff’s heart.

There is also the matter of the killing of the French prisoners, strikingly omitted not only from Olivier’s wartime film but also from Kenneth Branagh’s generally more hard-edged portrayal of Agincourt in his 1989 movie. For Fluellen, the French army’s killing of the boys and the baggage-handlers is “expressly against the law of arms.” Gower replies that, since the French have broken the rules, the English have been forced to do so as well: “wherefore the king, most worthily, hath caused every soldier to cut his prisoner’s throat. O, ’tis a gallant king!” But the text is quite explicit that King Harry gives the order to kill the prisoners before he hears of the attack on the camp followers. The reason for their summary slaughter is that every last soldier is needed to cope with the arrival of French reinforcements. It is a pragmatic decision, not a gallant or a worthy one. So too at Harfleur earlier: though a threat rather than an action, the idea of raping the maidens and massacring the innocents of the city does not immediately conjure up the terms “gallant” or “worthily.”

Most searching of all is the debate between the disguised Harry “le Roi” and Michael Williams on the night before the battle:

But if the cause be not good, the king himself hath a heavy reckoning to make, when all those legs and arms and heads, chopped off in battle, shall join together at the latter day and cry all, “We died at such a place”—some swearing, some crying for a surgeon, some upon their wives left poor behind them, some upon the debts they owe, some upon their children rawly left. I am afeard there are few die well that die in a battle, for how can they charitably dispose of anything, when blood is their argument?

This little touch of Michael in the night pricks Harry’s conscience, leading him to soliloquize on the responsibilities of leadership and to pray that God will not choose this moment to punish him for the fault his father made in compassing the crown. After the battle, the king succeeds in embarrassing and, with typical double-handedness, offers to reward Williams. But he never finds a full answer to the point: every subject’s duty is the king’s while every subject’s soul is his own, but the fact remains that bloody battle is not a place for “dying well” in the sense of drawing up one’s spiritual accounts and making peace with God.

Where 1 Henry IV began with rebellion coming from Scotland (the Douglas) and Wales (Owen Glendower), Henry the Fifth brings the whole of the British Isles together in the fight against France. Included in King Henry’s army is a quartet representing England (Gower), Wales (Fluellen), Scotland (Jamy), and Ireland (MacMorris). But we cannot say for sure that the play is celebrating the unification of the four nations into one, for during the campaign against France, King Harry’s army is not without its tensions. The Irish MacMorris, in particular, is an odd man out, not even at peace with the affable Fluellen:

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     Captain MacMorris, I think, look you, under your correction, there is not many of your nation—

MACMORRIS

MACMORRIS     Of my nation? What ish my nation? Ish a villain and a bastard and a knave and a rascal. What ish my nation? Who talks of my nation?

In the chorus to the fifth act, the Earl of Essex is celebrated because as the audience is watching the play in London in 1599 he is “broaching” (spiking) the Irish on his sword. Yet here in the body of the third act, Shakespeare gives a voice to Ireland. Or rather, he questions England’s—for the Welsh Fluellen in his loyalty to Harry of Monmouth, once Prince of Wales and now King of England, speaks for England—he questions England’s right to speak for Ireland. What Englishman or anglicized Welshman dare talk of MacMorris’ nation? What kind of a nation can Ireland be when the Irish are construed by the English as villains and bastards and knaves and rascals? And that is how the dominant voice of Elizabethan England’s national poet, Edmund Spenser, did construe them in his dialogue of the mid-1590s, A View of the Present State of Ireland. But even Spenser had his counter-voices. A View is written in the form of a dialogue and it is more sharply critical of the “Old English” settlers in Ireland than the Irish themselves, while in The Faerie Queene there is a Savage Nation resembling Ireland, but also a Savage Man who is the noblest man.

As for Shakespeare, he is all countervoice. When MacMorris says “What ish my nation?” Ireland in its anguish is allowed to speak, just as in The Tempest Shakespeare’s most beautiful poetry is put into the mouth of a “savage and deformed slave” whose name evokes Carib and Cannibal. Because he was hardly ever narrowly topical in his own age and culture, Shakespeare has remained topical in other ages and cultures. Because he addresses great political issues rather than local political circumstances, his plays speak to such perennial problems as tyranny and aggressive nationalism. Because his own positions are so elusive, because every one of his voices has its countervoice—Fluellen his MacMorris, King Harry his Michael Williams, Prospero his Caliban—he has become the voice of many positions.

Perhaps surprisingly, given the amount of space that is given to the king’s stirring speeches and the archbishop’s convoluted history lesson, Henry the Fifth has almost as high a proportion of prose as the two parts of Henry IV. And it is the prose scenes that are the most emotionally engaging: Hostess Quickly’s simultaneously comic and moving account of Falstaff’s death, the moment of tenderness as the women say farewell to their men going off to war, the figure of Fluellen (portrayed with great affection for his loyalty and professionalism, yet simultaneously teased for his pedantry in the history and theory of warfare), the utterly authentic combination of fear, common sense, and bloody-mindedness shown by the common soldiers in their debate with the disguised king on the night before the battle.

Falstaff is dead, but his spirit is reanimated in his friends who follow the wars to France. Throughout the Henry IV/V trilogy, there is an under-commentary cutting away at Prince Hal’s growth into the role of warrior-king and patriot: a confused but vibrant prose voice is counterpointed against the polished verse of law, order, and military glory. It is a voice summed up most concisely in the words of Falstaff’s sometime page. In response to the king’s cry that battle is the opportunity to achieve immortal fame, the boy says, “Would I were in an ale-house in London: I would give all my fame for a pot of ale and safety.” This is not just the sentiment of a pint-sized Falstaff out from under King Arthur’s bosom: it is the voice of the foot soldier in every age. After Agincourt, the king thanks God for the miracle whereby fewer than thirty English have been killed in the battle. In his listing of the dead, he does not mention Falstaff’s proxies, yet they are the ones whom the audience mourns most: Bardolph and Nym, hanged; the boy, killed with the luggage; Quickly or Doll,* dead in the spital of a malady of France. They have died not for Harry’s but for Falstaff’s England; they have fought not for a palace or parliament in Westminster but for an alehouse in Eastcheap.

KEY FACTS

PLOT: Soon after his accession to the throne King Henry V is considering asserting his right to rule France as well as England. Consulting the Archbishop of Canterbury as to the justness of his claim, he receives a gift of tennis balls sent by the dauphin—a scornful jibe at his youth, which spurs him on to the invasion of France. The king’s former companions from his days in the Eastcheap tavern hear of the death of Sir John Falstaff from Hostess Quickly. They take their leave of her and set out to join Henry’s army. Despite the dauphin’s insistence that Henry is an unworthy opponent, the French king receives the English ambassadors but finally rejects Henry’s claim to the crown. Henry’s forces besiege and then take the town of Harfleur. While her father rouses his nobles to retaliation, Princess Katherine begins to learn English with the help of her companion Alice. Following the victory at Harfleur, the English forces begin a retreat through Normandy on account of the poor condition of the men, who are disheartened by sickness and foul weather. Even so, Henry rejects the French Herald’s offer of ransom and the two armies prepare to fight. On the eve of the battle of Agincourt, Henry tours the camp in disguise and, sounding out the opinions of his men, is led to consider the heavy responsibilities of kingship. In the French camp, by contrast, confidence is high. As battle is joined, Henry rallies his troops and places them all in God’s hands. An English victory is confirmed, with miraculously small losses. As part of the subsequent treaty, Henry woos and wins Katherine to ensure the linking of the two countries through marriage.

MAJOR PARTS: (with percentage of lines/number of speeches/scenes on stage) King Henry V (32%/147/11), Fluellen (9%/68/6), Chorus (7%/6/6), Archbishop of Canterbury (7%/18/2), Pistol (5%/62/7), Duke of Exeter (4%/22/8), Constable of France (4%/40/5), Lewis the Dauphin (4%/31/5), French King (3%/19/3), Boy (2%/16/4), Williams (2%/28/3), Duke of Burgundy (2%/8/1), Gower (2%/5/1), Katherine (2%/33/2), Montjoy (2%/11/3), Nym (1%/ 20/3), Hostess (1%/11/2), Duke of Orléans (1%/29/3).

LINGUISTIC MEDIUM: 60% verse, 40% prose.

DATE: 1599. Must have been written soon after 2 Henry IV; not mentioned by Meres in 1598; published 1600. It is nearly always assumed that “the general…from Ireland coming” (Act 5 Chorus) refers to the Earl of Essex’s Irish expedition, which lasted from March to September 1599. A small minority of commentators suppose that “the general” is Lord Mountjoy, who was Master-General of the Ordnance and Lord Deputy of Ireland from February 1600 onward, which would date the play, or at least the choruses, rather later, but the allusion implies public fame much more fitting with Essex than Mountjoy. Self-conscious theatrical references (“this wooden O”) suggest that the play may have been written as a showpiece for the newly built Globe theatre, which opened some time between February and September 1599, but it could have opened at the Curtain.

SOURCES: Based primarily on the 1587 edition of Holinshed’s Chronicles; some probable use of Holinshed’s main source, Edward Halle’s Union of the Two Noble and Illustre Families of Lancaster and York (1548). Like the Henry IV plays, also draws on the anonymous play The Famous Victories of Henry the Fifth: containing the Honourable Battell of Agin-court (published 1598, but in the repertoire for up to a decade before this). The old play includes such details as Canterbury’s justification of the claim to France, the tennis balls, and the courtship of Princess Katherine. The rival acting company of Philip Henslowe also had a Henry V play, but it is lost, so its influence on Shakespeare cannot be determined. The sequence on the night before Agincourt is influenced by a 1590s dramatic tradition of scenes in which a ruler goes in disguise among his people.

TEXT: A Quarto was published in 1600 (The Chronicle History of Henry the fift, With his battell fought at Agin Court in France. Together with Auntient Pistoll. As it hath bene sundry times playd by the Right honorable the Lord Chamberlaine his servants). Less than half the length of the later Folio text, with many errors and inconsistencies, and some notable differences from the Folio (e.g., no Chorus whatsoever; Bourbon instead of the dauphin on the French side in the Agincourt scenes), it is some kind of reconstruction, perhaps from memory, of a version of the play as performed on stage. This Quarto was reprinted in 1602 and 1619 (the latter with a false date of 1608). The Folio text is much fuller and better printed; it is almost certainly derived from Shakespeare’s manuscript or a scribal copy of it. There are, however, some occasions when the Quarto can be used to correct errors. It is possible that the Folio editor occasionally consulted a copy of the Third Quarto. The most awkward speeches for modern editors are those written in French: a combination of Shakespeare’s imperfect French, incomprehension on the part of the printers and the differences between sixteenth-century and modern French means that the creation of a usable text requires more than usual editorial licence in correcting and modernizing.

GENEALOGY: See this page.

THE LIFE OF HENRY THE FIFTH

CHORUS

The English side

KING HENRY V

Duke of BEDFORD, his younger brother

Humphrey, Duke of GLOUCESTER, another younger brother

Duke of EXETER, the king’s uncle

Duke of YORK, the king’s cousin

Earl of WESTMORLAND

Earl of WARWICK

Earl of SALISBURY

Archbishop of CANTERBURY

Bishop of ELY

Corporal NYM

Lieutenant BARDOLPH

Ancient PISTOL

HOSTESS QUICKLY, keeper of a tavern, married to Pistol

BOY, previously page to Falstaff

HERALD

The French side

FRENCH KING, Charles VI

QUEEN ISABEL, his Wife

Lewis the DAUPHIN, their son and heir

KATHERINE, their daughter

ALICE, Katherine’s lady-in-waiting

CONSTABLE of France

Duke of BURGUNDY

MONTJOY, the French Herald

GOVERNOR of Harfleur

Duke of BOURBON

Duke of ORLEANS

Duke of BERRI

Lord RAMBURES

Lord GRANDPRE

French AMBASSADORS to England

FRENCH LORDS

Soldiers, Messengers, Attendants

Prologue

       Enter Prologue

CHORUS

CHORUS     O, for a muse¹ of fire, that would ascend

               The brightest heaven of invention,²

               A kingdom for a stage, princes to act

               And monarchs to behold the swelling⁴ scene!

5

5             Then should the warlike⁵ Harry, like himself,

               Assume the port⁶ of Mars, and at his heels,

               Leashed in like hounds, should famine, sword and fire

               Crouch for employment. But pardon, gentles⁸ all,

               The flat unraisèd⁹ spirits that hath dared

10

10           On this unworthy scaffold¹⁰ to bring forth

               So great an object. Can this cockpit¹¹ hold

               The vasty¹² fields of France? Or may we cram

               Within this wooden O,¹³ the very casques

               That did affright¹⁴ the air at Agincourt?

15

15           O, pardon! Since a crooked¹⁵ figure may

               Attest in little place a million,

               And let us, ciphers¹⁷ to this great accompt,

               On your imaginary¹⁸ forces work.

               Suppose¹⁹ within the girdle of these walls

20

20           Are now confined two mighty monarchies,²⁰

               Whose high uprearèd²¹ and abutting fronts

               The perilous narrow ocean²² parts asunder.

               Piece out²³ our imperfections with your thoughts:

               Into a thousand parts divide one man,

25

25           And make imaginary puissance.²⁵

               Think when we talk of horses, that you see them

               Printing their proud hoofs i’th’receiving earth,

               For ’tis your thoughts that now must deck²⁸ our kings,

               Carry them here and there, jumping o’er times,

30

30           Turning th’accomplishment of many years

               Into an hourglass: for³¹ the which supply,

               Admit me chorus to this history;

               Who prologue-like your humble patience pray,

               Gently to hear, kindly to judge, our play.

       Exit

Act 1 Scene 11.1

running scene 1

       Enter the two Bishops of Canterbury and Ely

CANTERBURY

CANTERBURY     My lord, I’ll tell you: that self¹ bill is urged,

               Which in th’eleventh year of the last king’s² reign

               Was like,³ and had indeed against us passed,

               But that the scambling⁴ and unquiet time

5

5             Did push it out of further question.⁵

ELY

ELY     But how, my lord, shall we resist it now?

CANTERBURY

CANTERBURY It must be thought on: if it pass against us,

               We lose the better half of our possession.

               For all the temporal⁹ lands which men devout

10

10           By testament¹⁰ have given to the Church

               Would they strip from us; being valued thus:

               As much as would maintain,¹² to the king’s honour,

               Full fifteen earls and fifteen hundred knights,

               Six thousand and two hundred good esquires,¹⁴

15

15           And, to relief of lazars¹⁵ and weak age

               Of indigent¹⁶ faint souls past corporal toil,

               A hundred almshouses right well supplied,

               And to the coffers¹⁸ of the king beside,

               A thousand pounds by th’year. Thus runs the bill.¹⁹

20

20   

ELY

ELY           This would drink deep.²⁰

CANTERBURY

CANTERBURY     ’Twould drink the cup and all.

ELY

ELY     But what prevention?

CANTERBURY

CANTERBURY     The king is full of grace²³ and fair regard.

ELY

ELY     And a true lover of the holy church.

25

25   

CANTERBURY

CANTERBURY           The courses²⁵ of his youth promised it not.

               The breath no sooner left his father’s body,

               But that his wildness, mortified²⁷ in him,

               Seemed to die too. Yea, at that very moment

               Consideration²⁹ like an angel came

30

30           And whipped th’offending Adam³⁰ out of him,

               Leaving his body as a paradise,³¹

               T’envelop and contain celestial spirits.³²

               Never was such a sudden scholar made,

               Never came reformation in a flood,

35

35           With such a heady currance,³⁵ scouring faults,

               Nor never Hydra-headed³⁶ wilfulness

               So soon did lose his seat,³⁷ and all at once,

               As in this king.

ELY

ELY     We are blessèd in the change.

40

40   

CANTERBURY

CANTERBURY           Hear him but reason in divinity,

               And, all-admiring, with an inward wish

               You would desire the king were made a prelate.

               Hear him debate of commonwealth affairs,

               You would say it hath been all in all⁴⁴ his study.

45

45           List⁴⁵ his discourse of war, and you shall hear

               A fearful battle rendered⁴⁶ you in music.

               Turn him to any cause of policy,⁴⁷

               The Gordian knot⁴⁸ of it he will unloose,

               Familiar⁴⁹ as his garter, that, when he speaks,

50

50           The air, a chartered⁵⁰ libertine, is still,

               And the mute wonder lurketh in men’s ears

               To steal his sweet and honeyed sentences,

               So that the art and practic⁵³ part of life

               Must⁵⁴ be the mistress to this theoric:

55

55           Which is a wonder how his grace should glean⁵⁵ it,

               Since his addiction was to courses vain,⁵⁶

               His companies⁵⁷ unlettered, rude and shallow,

               His hours filled up with riots,⁵⁸ banquets, sports,

               And never noted⁵⁹ in him any study,

60

60           Any retirement, any sequestration⁶⁰

               From open⁶¹ haunts and popularity.

ELY

ELY     The strawberry grows underneath the nettle

               And wholesome berries thrive and ripen best

               Neighboured by fruit of baser quality.

65

65           And so the prince obscured⁶⁵ his contemplation

               Under the veil of wildness, which, no doubt,

               Grew like the summer grass, fastest by night,

               Unseen, yet crescive⁶⁸ in his faculty.

CANTERBURY

CANTERBURY     It must be so, for miracles are ceased.

70

70           And therefore we must needs⁷⁰ admit the means

               How things are perfected.

ELY

ELY     But, my good lord,

               How now for mitigation⁷³ of this bill

               Urged by the commons?⁷⁴ Doth his majesty

75

75           Incline to⁷⁵ it, or no?

CANTERBURY

CANTERBURY     He seems indifferent,

               Or rather swaying more upon⁷⁷ our part

               Than cherishing th’exhibitors against us,⁷⁸

               For I have made an offer to his majesty,

80

80           Upon⁸⁰ our spiritual convocation

               And in regard of causes⁸¹ now in hand,

               Which I have opened⁸² to his grace at large,

               As touching⁸³ France, to give a greater sum

               Than⁸⁴ ever at one time the clergy yet

85

85           Did to his predecessors part withal.

ELY

ELY     How did this offer seem received, my lord?

CANTERBURY

CANTERBURY     With good acceptance of his majesty,

               Save that there was not time enough to hear,

               As I perceived his grace would fain⁸⁹ have done,

90

90           The severals⁹⁰ and unhidden passages

               Of his true titles to some certain dukedoms

               And generally to the crown and seat of France,

               Derived from Edward,⁹³ his great-grandfather.

ELY

ELY     What was th’impediment that broke this off?

95

95   

CANTERBURY

CANTERBURY           The French ambassador upon that instant

               Craved audience; and the hour I think is come

               To give him hearing. Is it four o’clock?

ELY

ELY     It is.

CANTERBURY

CANTERBURY     Then go we in to know his embassy,⁹⁹

100

100         Which I could with a ready guess declare,

               Before the Frenchman speak a word of it.

ELY

ELY     I’ll wait upon you and I long to hear it.

       Exeunt

[Act 1 Scene 2]

running scene 1 continues

       Enter the King [Henry V], Humphrey [Duke of Gloucester], Bedford, Clarence, Warwick, Westmorland, Exeter [and Attendants]

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Where is my gracious¹ lord of Canterbury?

EXETER

EXETER     Not here in presence.²

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Send for him, good uncle.

WESTMORLAND

WESTMORLAND Shall we call in th’ambassador, my liege?

5

5     

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Not yet, my cousin:⁵ we would be resolved,

               Before we hear him, of some things of weight

               That task⁷ our thoughts, concerning us and France.

       Enter [the] two Bishops

CANTERBURY

CANTERBURY     God and his angels guard your sacred throne

               And make you long become⁹ it!

10

10   

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Sure, we thank you.

               My learnèd lord, we pray you to proceed

               And justly¹² and religiously unfold

               Why the law Salic¹³ that they have in France

               Or¹⁴ should, or should not, bar us in our claim.

15

15           And God forbid, my dear and faithful lord,

               That you should fashion,¹⁶ wrest, or bow your reading,

               Or nicely charge¹⁷ your understanding soul

               With opening titles miscreate,¹⁸ whose right

               Suits¹⁹ not in native colours with the truth,

20

20           For God doth know how many now in health

               Shall drop their blood²¹ in approbation

               Of what your reverence shall incite us to.

               Therefore take heed how²³ you impawn our person,

               How you awake our sleeping sword of war;

25

25           We charge²⁵ you, in the name of God, take heed,

               For never two such kingdoms did contend

               Without much fall of blood, whose guiltless drops

               Are every one a woe, a sore complaint²⁸

               Gainst him whose wrongs²⁹ gives edge unto the swords

30

30           That make such waste in brief mortality.

               Under this conjuration,³¹ speak, my lord,

               For we will hear, note³² and believe in heart

               That what you speak is in your conscience washed

               As pure as sin with baptism.

35

35   

CANTERBURY

CANTERBURY           Then hear me, gracious sovereign, and you peers,

               That owe yourselves, your lives and services

               To this imperial throne. There is no bar

               To make against your highness’ claim to France

               But this, which they produce from Pharamond,³⁹

40

40           ‘In terram Salicam mulieres ne succedant’,

               ‘No woman shall succeed in Salic land.’

               Which Salic land the French unjustly gloss⁴²

               To be the realm of France, and Pharamond

               The founder of this law and female bar.

45

45           Yet their own authors faithfully affirm

               That the land Salic is in Germany,

               Between the floods⁴⁷ of Sala and of Elbe,

               Where Charles the Great,⁴⁸ having subdued the Saxons,

               There left behind and settled certain French,

50

50           Who, holding in disdain the German women

               For some dishonest manners⁵¹ of their life,

               Established then this law; to wit,⁵² no female

               Should be inheritrix⁵³ in Salic land —

               Which Salic, as I said, ’twixt⁵⁴ Elbe and Sala,

55

55           Is at this day in Germany called Meisen.

               Then doth it well appear the Salic law

               Was not devisèd for the realm of France,

               Nor did the French possess the Salic land

               Until four hundred one-and-twenty years

60

60           After defunction⁶⁰ of King Pharamond —

               Idly⁶¹ supposed the founder of this law —

               Who died within⁶² the year of our redemption

               Four hundred twenty-six, and Charles the Great

               Subdued the Saxons, and did seat⁶⁴ the French

65

65           Beyond the river Sala, in the year

               Eight hundred five. Besides,⁶⁶ their writers say,

               King Pepin, which deposèd Childeric,

               Did, as heir general,⁶⁸ being descended

               Of Blithild, which was daughter to King Clothair,

70

70           Make claim and title to the crown of France.

               Hugh Capet also, who usurped the crown

               Of Charles the Duke of Lorraine, sole heir male

               Of the true line and stock of Charles the Great,⁷³

               To find⁷⁴ his title with some shows of truth,

75

75           Though, in pure truth, it was corrupt and naught,

               Conveyed himself⁷⁶ as th’heir to th’Lady Lingare,

               Daughter to Charlemagne,⁷⁷ who was the son

               To Lewis the emperor, and Lewis the son

               Of Charles the Great. Also King⁷⁹ Lewis the Tenth,

80

80           Who was sole heir to the usurper Capet,

               Could not keep quiet⁸¹ in his conscience,

               Wearing the crown of France, till satisfied

               That fair Queen Isabel, his grandmother,

               Was lineal⁸⁴ of the Lady Ermengare,

85

85           Daughter to Charles the foresaid Duke of Lorraine:

               By the which marriage the line of Charles the Great

               Was reunited to the crown of France.

               So that, as clear as is the summer’s sun,

               King Pepin’s title and Hugh Capet’s claim,

90

90           King Lewis his satisfaction,⁹⁰ all appear

               To hold in⁹¹ right and title of the female:

               So do the kings of France unto this day,

               Howbeit⁹³ they would hold up this Salic law

               To bar your highness claiming from the female,

95

95           And rather choose to hide them in a net⁹⁵

               Than amply⁹⁶ to imbar their crooked titles

               Usurped from you and your progenitors.⁹⁷

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V May I with right and conscience make this claim?

CANTERBURY

CANTERBURY     The⁹⁹ sin upon my head, dread sovereign!

100

100         For in the book¹⁰⁰ of Numbers is it writ,

               When the man dies, let the inheritance

               Descend unto the daughter. Gracious lord,

               Stand for¹⁰³ your own, unwind your bloody flag,

               Look back into your mighty ancestors:

105

105         Go, my dread lord, to your great-grandsire’s¹⁰⁵ tomb,

               From¹⁰⁶ whom you claim; invoke his warlike spirit,

               And your great-uncle’s, Edward¹⁰⁷ the Black Prince,

               Who on the French ground played a tragedy,

               Making defeat on the full power of France,

110

110         Whiles his most mighty father on a hill

               Stood smiling to behold his lion’s whelp¹¹¹

               Forage¹¹² in blood of French nobility.

               O, noble English, that could entertain¹¹³

               With half their forces the full pride of France

115

115         And let another half stand laughing by,

               All out of work and cold for¹¹⁶ action!

ELY

ELY     Awake remembrance of these valiant dead¹¹⁷

               And with your puissant¹¹⁸ arm renew their feats;

               You are their heir, you sit upon their throne:

120

120         The blood and courage that renownèd¹²⁰ them

               Runs in your veins, and my thrice-puissant liege

               Is in the very May-morn of his youth,

               Ripe for exploits and mighty enterprises.

EXETER

EXETER     Your brother kings and monarchs of the earth

125

125         Do all expect that you should rouse yourself,

               As did the former¹²⁶ lions of your blood.

WESTMORLAND

WESTMORLAND They know your grace hath cause and means and might;

               So hath your highness. Never King of England

               Had nobles richer and more loyal subjects,

130

130         Whose¹³⁰ hearts have left their bodies here in England

               And lie pavilioned¹³¹ in the fields of France.

CANTERBURY

CANTERBURY     O, let their bodies follow, my dear liege,

               With bloods and sword and fire to win your right.¹³³

               In aid whereof we of the spiritualty¹³⁴

135

135         Will raise your highness such a mighty sum

               As never did the clergy at one time

               Bring in to any of your ancestors.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V We must not only arm t’invade the French,

               But lay¹³⁹ down our proportions to defend

140

140         Against the Scot, who will make road¹⁴⁰ upon us

               With all advantages.¹⁴¹

CANTERBURY

CANTERBURY     They of those marches,¹⁴² gracious sovereign,

               Shall be a wall sufficient to defend

               Our inland from the pilfering borderers.¹⁴⁴

145

145   

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V We do not mean the coursing snatchers¹⁴⁵ only,

               But fear the main intendment¹⁴⁶ of the Scot,

               Who hath been still a giddy¹⁴⁷ neighbour to us.

               For you shall read that my great-grandfather

               Never went with his forces into France

150

150         But that the Scot on his unfurnished¹⁵⁰ kingdom

               Came pouring like the tide into a breach,¹⁵¹

               With ample and brim¹⁵² fullness of his force,

               Galling¹⁵³ the gleanèd land with hot assays,

               Girding¹⁵⁴ with grievous siege castles and towns,

155

155         That England, being empty of defence,

               Hath shook and trembled at th’ill neighbourhood.¹⁵⁶

CANTERBURY

CANTERBURY     She¹⁵⁷ hath been then more feared than harmed, my liege,

               For hear¹⁵⁸ her but exampled by herself:

               When all her chivalry¹⁵⁹ hath been in France

160

160         And she a mourning widow of her nobles,

               She hath herself not only well defended

               But taken and impounded as a stray¹⁶²

               The king¹⁶³ of Scots, whom she did send to France,

               To fill King Edward’s fame¹⁶⁴ with prisoner kings

165

165         And make their¹⁶⁵ chronicle as rich with praise

               As is the ooze¹⁶⁶ and bottom of the sea

               With sunken wreck and sumless treasuries.¹⁶⁷

ELY

ELY     But there’s a saying very old and true,

               ‘If that you will France win,

170

170         Then with Scotland first begin.’

               For once the eagle England being in prey,¹⁷¹

               To her unguarded nest the weasel Scot

               Comes sneaking and so sucks her princely eggs,

               Playing the mouse in absence of the cat,

175

175         To ’tame¹⁷⁵ and havoc more than she can eat.

EXETER

EXETER     It follows then the cat must stay at home,

               Yet that is but a crushed¹⁷⁷ necessity,

               Since we have locks to safeguard necessaries

               And pretty¹⁷⁹ traps to catch the petty thieves.

180

180         While that the armèd hand doth fight abroad,

               Th’advisèd¹⁸¹ head defends itself at home,

               For government, though high¹⁸² and low and lower,

               Put into parts, doth keep in one consent,¹⁸³

               Congreeing¹⁸⁴ in a full and natural close,

185

185         Like music.

CANTERBURY

CANTERBURY     Therefore doth heaven divide

               The state of man in divers¹⁸⁷ functions,

               Setting endeavour in continual motion,

               To which is fixèd, as an aim¹⁸⁹ or butt,

190

190         Obedience, for so work the honeybees,

               Creatures that by a rule in nature teach

               The act of order to a peopled kingdom.

               They have a king¹⁹³ and officers of sorts,

               Where some, like magistrates, correct¹⁹⁴ at home,

195

195         Others, like merchants, venture trade abroad:

               Others, like soldiers, armèd in their stings,¹⁹⁶

               Make boot upon¹⁹⁷ the summer’s velvet buds,

               Which pillage¹⁹⁸ they with merry march bring home

               To the tent-royal of their emperor,

200

200         Who, busied in his majesty,²⁰⁰ surveys

               The singing masons²⁰¹ building roofs of gold,

               The civil²⁰² citizens kneading up the honey,

               The poor mechanic²⁰³ porters crowding in

               Their heavy burdens at his narrow gate,

205

205         The sad-eyed justice,²⁰⁵ with his surly hum,

               Delivering o’er to executors²⁰⁶ pale

               The lazy yawning drone.²⁰⁷ I this infer,

               That many things, having²⁰⁸ full reference

               To one consent, may work contrariously.²⁰⁹

210

210         As many arrows, loosèd several ways,

               Come to one mark,²¹¹ as many ways meet in one town,

               As many fresh streams meet in one salt sea,

               As many lines close²¹³ in the dial’s centre,

               So may a thousand actions, once afoot

215

215         End in one purpose, and be all well borne²¹⁵

               Without defeat. Therefore to France, my liege.

               Divide your happy²¹⁷ England into four,

               Whereof take you one quarter into France,

               And you withal²¹⁹ shall make all Gallia shake.

220

220         If we with thrice such powers left at home

               Cannot defend our own doors from the dog,

               Let us be worried²²² and our nation lose

               The name of hardiness and policy.²²³

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Call in the messengers sent from the dauphin.²²⁴

       [Exeunt some]

225

225         Now are we well resolved,²²⁵ and, by God’s help

               And yours, the noble sinews of our power,

               France being ours, we’ll bend²²⁷ it to our awe,

               Or²²⁸ break it all to pieces. Or there we’ll sit,

               Ruling in large²²⁹ and ample empery

230

230         O’er France and all her almost kingly dukedoms,

               Or lay these bones in an unworthy urn,

               Tombless, with no remembrance over them:

               Either our history shall with full mouth²³³

               Speak freely of our acts, or else our grave,

235

235         Like Turkish mute,²³⁵ shall have a tongueless mouth,

               Not worshipped with a waxen²³⁶ epitaph.

       Enter Ambassadors of France

               Now are we well prepared to know the pleasure²³⁷

               Of our fair cousin dauphin, for we hear

               Your greeting is from him, not from the king.

240

240   

FIRST AMBASSADOR

FIRST AMBASSADOR May’t please your majesty to give us leave

               Freely to render²⁴¹ what we have in charge,

               Or shall we sparingly²⁴² show you far off

               The dauphin’s meaning and our embassy?

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V We are no tyrant, but a Christian king,

245

245         Unto²⁴⁵ whose grace our passion is as subject

               As are our wretches fettered²⁴⁶ in our prisons:

               Therefore with frank and with uncurbèd plainness

               Tell us the dauphin’s mind.

FIRST AMBASSADOR

FIRST AMBASSADOR Thus, then, in few:²⁴⁹

250

250         Your highness, lately sending into²⁵⁰ France,

               Did claim some certain dukedoms, in the right

               Of your great predecessor, King Edward the Third.

               In answer of which claim, the prince our master

               Says that you savour²⁵⁴ too much of your youth,

255

255         And bids you be advised²⁵⁵ there’s naught in France

               That can be with a nimble galliard²⁵⁶ won.

               You cannot revel into dukedoms there:

               He therefore sends you, meeter²⁵⁸ for your spirit,

               This tun²⁵⁹ of treasure; and in lieu of this, Presents a box

260

260         Desires you let the dukedoms that you claim

               Hear no more of you. This the dauphin speaks.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V What treasure, uncle?

EXETER

EXETER     Tennis balls, my liege. Looks in the box

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V We are glad the dauphin is so pleasant²⁶⁴ with us.

265

265         His present and your pains we thank you for:

               When we have matched our rackets²⁶⁶ to these balls,

               We will in France, by God’s grace, play a set

               Shall strike his father’s crown²⁶⁸ into the hazard.

               Tell him he hath made a match with such a wrangler²⁶⁹

270

270         That all the courts²⁷⁰ of France will be disturbed

               With chaces.²⁷¹ And we understand him well,

               How he comes o’er us²⁷² with our wilder days,

               Not measuring²⁷³ what use we made of them.

               We never valued this poor seat²⁷⁴ of England,

275

275         And therefore, living hence,²⁷⁵ did give ourself

               To barbarous licence,²⁷⁶ as ’tis ever common

               That men are merriest when they are from home.

               But tell the dauphin I will keep my state,²⁷⁸

               Be like a king and show my sail of greatness²⁷⁹

280

280         When I do rouse me²⁸⁰ in my throne of France.

               For that²⁸¹ I have laid by my majesty

               And plodded like²⁸² a man for working days,

               But I will rise there with so full a glory

               That I will dazzle all the eyes of France,

285

285         Yea, strike the dauphin blind to look on us.

               And tell the pleasant prince this mock²⁸⁶ of his

               Hath turned his balls²⁸⁷ to gun-stones, and his soul

               Shall stand sore chargèd²⁸⁸ for the wasteful vengeance

               That shall fly with them, for many a thousand widows

290

290         Shall this his mock mock out of their dear husbands;

               Mock mothers from their sons, mock castles down,

               And some are yet ungotten²⁹² and unborn

               That shall have cause to curse the dauphin’s scorn.

               But this lies all within the will of God,

295

295         To whom I do appeal, and in whose name

               Tell you the dauphin I am coming on

               To venge me²⁹⁷ as I may and to put forth

               My rightful hand in a well-hallowed²⁹⁸ cause.

               So get you hence in peace, and tell the dauphin

300

300         His jest will savour but of shallow wit,

               When thousands weep more than did laugh at it.

               Convey them with safe conduct. Fare you well.

       Exeunt Ambassadors

EXETER

EXETER     This was a merry message.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V We hope to make the sender blush at it:

305

305         Therefore, my lords, omit³⁰⁵ no happy hour

               That may give furth’rance³⁰⁶ to our expedition,

               For we have now no thought in us but France,

               Save those to³⁰⁸ God, that run before our business.

               Therefore let our proportions³⁰⁹ for these wars

310

310         Be soon collected and all things thought upon

               That may with reasonable swiftness add

               More feathers to our wings, for, God before,³¹²

               We’ll chide³¹³ this dauphin at his father’s door.

               Therefore let every man now task³¹⁴ his thought,

315

315         That this fair³¹⁵ action may on foot be brought.

       Flourish. Exeunt

[Act 2]

       Enter Chorus

CHORUS

CHORUS     Now all the youth of England are on fire,¹

               And silken dalliance² in the wardrobe lies:

               Now thrive the armourers, and honour’s thought

               Reigns solely in the breast of every man.

5

5             They sell the pasture now to buy the horse,

               Following the mirror⁶ of all Christian kings,

               With wingèd⁷ heels, as English Mercuries.

               For now sits expectation in the air,

               And hides a sword from hilts⁹ unto the point

10

10           With crowns imperial, crowns and coronets,¹⁰

               Promised to Harry and his followers.

               The French, advised by good intelligence¹²

               Of this most dreadful preparation,¹³

               Shake in their fear and with pale¹⁴ policy

15

15           Seek to divert the English purposes.

               O England! Model to¹⁶ thy inward greatness,

               Like little body with a mighty heart,

               What¹⁸ mightst thou do, that honour would thee do,

               Were all thy children¹⁹ kind and natural?

20

20           But see, thy fault France hath in thee found out,

               A nest of hollow²¹ bosoms, which he fills

               With treacherous crowns,²² and three corrupted men:

               One, Richard Earl of Cambridge, and the second,

               Henry Lord Scroop of Masham, and the third,

25

25           Sir Thomas Grey, knight, of Northumberland,

               Have, for the gilt²⁶ of France — O guilt indeed! —

               Confirmed conspiracy with fearful²⁷ France,

               And by their hands this²⁸ grace of kings must die,

               If hell and treason hold their promises,

30

30           Ere³⁰ he take ship for France, and in Southampton.

               Linger your patience on, and we’ll digest³¹

               Th’abuse of distance;³² force a play.

               The sum is paid, the traitors are agreed,

               The king is set from London, and the scene

35

35           Is now transported, gentles, to Southampton.

               There is the playhouse now, there must you sit,

               And thence to France shall we convey you safe,

               And bring you back, charming³⁸ the narrow seas

               To give you gentle pass,³⁹ for if we may,

40

40           We’ll not offend one stomach⁴⁰ with our play.

               But, till⁴¹ the king come forth, and not till then,

               Unto Southampton do we shift our scene.

       Exit

[Act 2 Scene 1]2.1

running scene 2

       Enter Corporal Nym and Lieutenant Bardolph

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     Well met, Corporal Nym.

NYM

NYM     Good morrow,² Lieutenant Bardolph.

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     What, are Ancient³ Pistol and you friends yet?

NYM

NYM     For my part,⁴ I care not: I say little, but when time shall serve, there shall be smiles — but that shall be as it may. I dare not fight, but I will wink⁵ and hold out mine iron:⁶ it is a simple one, but what though? It will toast cheese, and it will endure cold as another man’s sword will, and there’s an end.⁷

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     I will bestow⁸ a breakfast to make you friends, and we’ll be all three sworn brothers to France. Let’t be so, good Corporal Nym.

NYM

NYM     Faith, I will live so long as I may, that’s the certain¹⁰ of it. And when I cannot live any longer, I will do as I may. That is my rest,¹¹ that is the rendezvous of it.

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     It is certain, corporal, that he is married to Nell Quickly, and certainly she did you wrong, for you were troth-plight¹³ to her.

NYM

NYM     I cannot tell.¹⁴ Things must be as they may: men may sleep, and they may have their throats about them at that time, and some say knives have edges. It must be as it may: though¹⁶ patience be a tired mare, yet she will plod. There must be conclusions. Well, I cannot tell.

       Enter Pistol and [Hostess] Quickly

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     Here comes Ancient Pistol and his wife. Good corporal, be patient here.— How now, mine host¹⁹ Pistol?

PISTOL

PISTOL     Base tike,²⁰ call’st thou me host? Now, by this hand, I swear, I scorn the term, nor shall my Nell keep lodgers.²¹

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY No, by my troth,²² not long, for we cannot lodge and board a dozen or fourteen gentlewomen that live honestly by the prick of their needles,²³ but it will be thought we keep a bawdy house²⁴ straight. O, well-a-day, lady. Nym and Pistol draw If he be not drawn²⁵ now, we shall see wilful adultery and murder committed.

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     Good lieutenant, good corporal, offer²⁶ nothing here.

NYM

NYM     Pish!²⁷

PISTOL

PISTOL     Pish for thee, Iceland dog!²⁸ Thou prick-eared cur of Iceland!

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY Good Corporal Nym, show thy valour²⁹ and put up your sword. They sheathe their swords

NYM

NYM     Will you shog off?³⁰ I would have you solus.

PISTOL

PISTOL     ‘Solus’, egregious³¹ dog? O viper vile!

               The ‘solus’ in thy most marvellous face,

               The ‘solus’ in thy teeth and in thy throat

               And in thy hateful lungs, yea, in thy maw,³⁴ perdy,

35

35           And, which is worse, within thy nasty mouth!

               I do retort³⁶ the ‘solus’ in thy bowels,

               For I can take,³⁷ and Pistol’s cock is up,

               And flashing fire³⁸ will follow.

NYM

NYM     I am not Barbason.³⁹ You cannot conjure me. I have an humour to knock you indifferently⁴⁰ well. If you grow foul with me, Pistol, I will scour you with my rapier,⁴¹ as I may, in fair terms. If you would walk off, I would prick your guts a little, in good terms, as I may, and that’s the humour of it.

PISTOL

PISTOL     O braggart⁴³ vile and damnèd furious wight!

               The grave doth gape, and doting death is near:

45

45           Therefore exhale.⁴⁵ They draw again

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     Hear me, hear me what I say: Draws he that strikes the first stroke, I’ll run⁴⁶ him up to the hilts, as I am a soldier. They sheathe their swords

PISTOL

PISTOL     An oath of mickle⁴⁸ might, and fury shall abate.—

               Give me thy fist,⁴⁹ thy fore-foot to me give. To Nym

50

50           Thy spirits are most tall.⁵⁰

NYM

NYM     I will cut thy throat, one time or other, in fair terms: that is the humour of it.

PISTOL

PISTOL     ‘Couple a gorge!⁵²’

               That is the word. I defy thee again.

               O hound of Crete,⁵⁴ think’st thou my spouse to get?

55

55           No, to the spital⁵⁵ go,

               And from the powd’ring tub⁵⁶ of infamy

               Fetch forth the lazar⁵⁷ kite of Cressid’s kind,

               Doll Tearsheet⁵⁸ she by name, and her espouse:

               I have,⁵⁹ and I will hold, the quondam Quickly

60

60           For the only she;⁶⁰ and — pauca, there’s enough.

               Go to.

       Enter the Boy

BOY

BOY     Mine host Pistol, you must come to my master,⁶² and you, hostess. He is very sick, and would to bed.— Good Bardolph, put⁶³ thy face between his sheets, and do the office of a warming-pan. Faith, he’s very ill.

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     Away, you rogue!

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY By my troth, he’ll yield⁶⁶ the crow a pudding one of these days. The king⁶⁷ has killed his heart. Good husband, come home presently.

       Exeunt [Hostess and Boy]

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     Come, shall I make you two friends? We must to France together.

               Why the devil should we keep knives to cut one another’s throats?

PISTOL

PISTOL     Let floods o’erswell, and fiends for food howl on!

NYM

NYM     You’ll pay me the eight shillings I won of you at betting?

PISTOL

PISTOL     Base⁷² is the slave that pays.

NYM

NYM     That now I will have: that’s the humour of it.

PISTOL

PISTOL     As manhood shall compound.⁷⁴ Push home.

       [They] draw

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     By this sword, he that makes the first thrust, I’ll kill him. By this sword, I will.

PISTOL

PISTOL     Sword⁷⁷ is an oath, and oaths must have their course. Sheathes his sword

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     Corporal Nym, an⁷⁸ thou wilt be friends, be friends: an thou wilt not, why, then, be enemies with me too. Prithee put up.⁷⁹

80

80   

PISTOL

PISTOL           A noble⁸⁰ shalt thou have, and present pay,

               And liquor likewise will I give to thee,

               And friendship shall combine, and brotherhood.

               I’ll live by Nym,⁸³ and Nym shall live by me.

               Is not this just?⁸⁴ For I shall sutler be

85

85           Unto the camp,⁸⁵ and profits will accrue.

               Give me thy hand.

NYM

NYM     I shall have my noble?

PISTOL

PISTOL     In cash most justly⁸⁸ paid.

NYM

NYM     Well, then, that’s the humour of’t.

       Enter Hostess [Quickly]

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY As ever you come of⁹⁰ women, come in quickly to Sir John. Ah, poor heart! He is so shaked of a burning quotidian tertian,⁹¹ that it is most lamentable to behold. Sweet men, come to him.

       [Exit]

NYM

NYM     The king hath run bad humours⁹³ on the knight, that’s the even of it.

PISTOL

PISTOL     Nym, thou hast spoke the right. His heart is fracted⁹⁵ and corroborate.

NYM

NYM     The king is a good king, but it must be as it may, he passes⁹⁶ some humours and careers.⁹⁷

PISTOL

PISTOL     Let us condole⁹⁸ the knight, for, lambkins we will live.

       [Exeunt]

[Act 2 Scene 2]2.2

running scene 3

       Enter Exeter, Bedford and Westmorland

BEDFORD

BEDFORD     ’Fore God, his grace is bold¹ to trust these traitors.

EXETER

EXETER     They shall be apprehended² by and by.

WESTMORLAND

WESTMORLAND How smooth³ and even they do bear themselves,

               As if allegiance in their bosoms sat,

5

5             Crownèd with faith and constant loyalty.

BEDFORD

BEDFORD     The king hath note⁶ of all that they intend,

               By interception⁷ which they dream not of.

EXETER

EXETER     Nay, but the man that was his bedfellow,⁸

               Whom he hath dulled⁹ and cloyed with gracious favours,

10

10           That he should for a foreign purse¹⁰ so sell

               His sovereign’s life to death and treachery.

       Sound trumpets

       Enter the King, Scroop, Cambridge, Grey [and Attendants]

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Now sits the wind fair, and we will aboard.—

               My lord of Cambridge, and my kind lord of Masham,

               And you, my gentle¹⁴ knight, give me your thoughts:

15

15           Think you not that the powers¹⁵ we bear with us

               Will cut their passage through the force of France,

               Doing the execution¹⁷ and the act

               For which we have in head¹⁸ assembled them?

SCROOP

SCROOP     No doubt, my liege, if each man do his best.

20

20   

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V I doubt not that, since we are well persuaded

               We carry not a heart with us from hence

               That grows²² not in a fair consent with ours,

               Nor leave not one behind that doth not wish

               Success and conquest to attend on²⁴ us.

25

25   

CAMBRIDGE

CAMBRIDGE           Never was monarch better feared²⁵ and loved

               Than is your majesty: there’s not, I think, a subject

               That sits in heart-grief²⁷ and uneasiness

               Under the sweet shade of your government.

GREY

GREY     True: those that were your father’s enemies

30

30           Have steeped³⁰ their galls in honey and do serve you

               With hearts create³¹ of duty and of zeal.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V We therefore have great cause of thankfulness,

               And³³ shall forget the office of our hand,

               Sooner than quittance of desert and merit

35

35           According to the weight and worthiness.³⁵

SCROOP

SCROOP     So service shall with steelèd³⁶ sinews toil,

               And labour shall refresh itself with hope,

               To do your grace incessant services.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V We judge³⁹ no less.— Uncle of Exeter,

40

40           Enlarge⁴⁰ the man committed yesterday,

               That railed⁴¹ against our person: we consider

               It was excess of wine that set him on,

               And on his more advice⁴³ we pardon him.

SCROOP

SCROOP     That’s mercy, but too much security.⁴⁴

45

45           Let him be punished, sovereign, lest example

               Breed, by his sufferance,⁴⁶ more of such a kind.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V O, let us yet be merciful.

CAMBRIDGE

CAMBRIDGE     So may your highness, and yet punish too.

GREY

GREY     Sir,

50

50           You show great mercy, if you give him life,

               After the taste of much correction.⁵¹

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Alas, your too much love and care of me

               Are heavy orisons⁵³ gainst this poor wretch!

               If little faults, proceeding on distemper⁵⁴

55

55           Shall not be winked at,⁵⁵ how shall we stretch our eye

               When capital⁵⁶ crimes, chewed, swallowed and digested,

               Appear before us? — we’ll yet enlarge that man,

               Though Cambridge, Scroop and Grey, in their dear⁵⁸ care

               And tender preservation of our person,

60

60           Would have him punished. — And now to our French causes:

               Who are the late commissioners?⁶¹

CAMBRIDGE

CAMBRIDGE     I one, my lord.

               Your highness bade me ask for it today.

SCROOP

SCROOP     So did you me, my liege.

65

65   

GREY

GREY           And I, my royal sovereign.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Then, Richard Earl of Cambridge, there is yours.— Gives each a paper

               There yours, Lord Scroop of Masham.— And, sir knight,

               Grey of Northumberland, this same is yours.

               Read them, and know I know your worthiness.—

70

70           My lord of Westmorland, and uncle Exeter,

               We will aboard tonight.— Why, how now, gentlemen?

               What see you in those papers that you lose⁷²

               So much complexion?— Look ye, how they change:

               Their cheeks are paper.⁷⁴— Why, what read you there

75

75           That hath so cowarded and chased your blood

               Out of appearance?⁷⁶

CAMBRIDGE

CAMBRIDGE     I do confess my fault,

               And do submit me to your highness’ mercy.

GREY and SCROOP

GREY and SCROOP To which we all appeal.

80

80   

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V The mercy that was quick⁸⁰ in us but late,

               By your own counsel is suppressed and killed.

               You must not dare, for shame, to talk of mercy,

               For your own reasons⁸³ turn into your bosoms,

               As dogs upon their masters, worrying⁸⁴ you.—

85

85           See you, my princes, and my noble peers,

               These English monsters. My lord of Cambridge here,

               You know how apt our love was to accord⁸⁷

               To furnish⁸⁸ him with all appertinents

               Belonging to his honour; and this man

90

90           Hath, for a few light⁹⁰ crowns, lightly conspired

               And sworn unto the practices⁹¹ of France

               To kill us here in Hampton. To the which

               This knight,⁹³ no less for bounty bound to us

               Than Cambridge is, hath likewise sworn.— But, O,

95

95           What shall I say to thee, Lord Scroop, thou cruel,

               Ingrateful, savage and inhuman creature?

               Thou that didst bear the key of all my counsels,⁹⁷

               That knew’st the very bottom of my soul,

               That almost mightst have coined⁹⁹ me into gold,

100

100         Wouldst thou have practised on¹⁰⁰ me for thy use?

               May it be possible that foreign hire

               Could out of thee extract one spark of evil

               That might annoy¹⁰³ my finger? ’Tis so strange,

               That though the truth of it stands off as gross¹⁰⁴

105

105         As black and white, my eye will scarcely see it.

               Treason and murder, ever kept together,

               As two yoke-devils¹⁰⁷ sworn to either’s purpose,

               Working so grossly¹⁰⁸ in a natural cause,

               That admiration did not whoop¹⁰⁹ at them.

110

110         But thou gainst all proportion,¹¹⁰ didst bring in

               Wonder to wait on¹¹¹ treason and on murder,

               And whatsoever cunning fiend it was

               That wrought¹¹³ upon thee so preposterously

               Hath got the voice¹¹⁴ in hell for excellence,

115

115         All other devils that suggest¹¹⁵ by treasons

               Do botch¹¹⁶ and bungle up damnation

               With patches,¹¹⁷ colours and with forms being fetched

               From glist’ring¹¹⁸ semblances of piety.

               But he that tempered¹¹⁹ thee, bade thee stand up,

120

120         Gave thee no instance¹²⁰ why thou shouldst do treason,

               Unless to dub¹²¹ thee with the name of traitor.

               If that same demon that hath gulled¹²² thee thus

               Should with his lion gait¹²³ walk the whole world,

               He might return to vasty Tartar¹²⁴ back,

125

125         And tell the legions¹²⁵ ‘I can never win

               A soul so easy¹²⁶ as that Englishman’s.’

               O, how hast thou with jealousy¹²⁷ infected

               The sweetness of affiance!¹²⁸ Show men dutiful?

               Why, so didst thou. Seem they grave and learnèd?

130

130         Why, so didst thou. Come they of noble family?

               Why, so didst thou. Seem they religious?

               Why, so didst thou. Or are they spare¹³² in diet,

               Free from gross passion¹³³ or of mirth or anger,

               Constant in spirit,¹³⁴ not swerving with the blood,

135

135         Garnished and decked in modest complement,¹³⁵

               Not working¹³⁶ with the eye without the ear,

               And but in purgèd¹³⁷ judgement trusting neither?

               Such and so finely bolted¹³⁸ didst thou seem:

               And thus thy fall hath left a kind of blot,

140

140         To mark the full-fraught¹⁴⁰ man and best indued

               With some suspicion. I will weep for thee,

               For this revolt of thine, methinks, is like

               Another¹⁴³ fall of man.— Their faults are open. To Exeter

               Arrest them to¹⁴⁴ the answer of the law,

145

145         And God acquit them of their practices.¹⁴⁵

EXETER

EXETER     I arrest thee of high treason, by¹⁴⁶ the name of Richard Earl of Cambridge.— I arrest thee of high treason, by the name of Henry Lord Scroop of Masham.— I arrest thee of high treason, by the name of Thomas Grey, knight, of Northumberland.

150

150 

SCROOP

SCROOP               Our purposes God justly hath discovered,¹⁵⁰

               And I repent my fault more than my death,

               Which I beseech your highness to forgive,

               Although my body pay the price of it.

CAMBRIDGE

CAMBRIDGE     For me, the gold of France did not seduce,

155

155         Although I did admit it as a motive

               The sooner to effect what I intended.¹⁵⁶

               But God be thankèd for prevention,

               Which I in sufferance¹⁵⁸ heartily will rejoice,

               Beseeching God and you to pardon me.

160

160 

GREY

GREY               Never did faithful subject more rejoice

               At the discovery of most dangerous treason

               Than I do at this hour joy o’er myself,

               Prevented from a damnèd enterprise.

               My fault, but not my body, pardon, sovereign.

165

165   

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V God quit¹⁶⁵ you in his mercy! Hear your sentence:

               You have conspired against our royal person,

               Joined with an enemy proclaimed¹⁶⁷ and from his coffers

               Received the golden earnest¹⁶⁸ of our death,

               Wherein you would have sold your king to slaughter,

170

170         His princes and his peers to servitude,

               His subjects to oppression and contempt

               And his whole kingdom into desolation.¹⁷²

               Touching our person,¹⁷³ seek we no revenge,

               But we our kingdom’s safety must so tender,¹⁷⁴

175

175         Whose ruin you have sought, that to her laws

               We do deliver you. Get you therefore hence,

               Poor miserable wretches, to your death:

               The taste whereof, God of his mercy give

               You patience to endure, and true repentance

180

180         Of all your dear¹⁸⁰ offences!— Bear them hence.—

       Exeunt [Cambridge, Scroop and Grey, guarded]

               Now, lords, for France: the enterprise whereof

               Shall be to¹⁸² you, as us, like glorious.

               We doubt not of a fair¹⁸³ and lucky war,

               Since God so graciously hath brought to light

185

185         This dangerous treason lurking in our way

               To hinder our beginnings. We doubt not now

               But every rub¹⁸⁷ is smoothèd on our way.

               Then forth, dear countrymen. Let us deliver

               Our puissance¹⁸⁹ into the hand of God,

190

190         Putting it straight in expedition.¹⁹⁰

               Cheerly¹⁹¹ to sea, the signs of war advance:

               No King of England, if not King of France.

       Flourish [Exeunt]

[Act 2 Scene 3]2.3

running scene 4

       Enter Pistol, Nym, Bardolph, Boy and Hostess [Quickly]

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY Prithee, honey-sweet husband, let me bring¹ thee to Staines.

PISTOL

PISTOL     No, for my manly heart doth yearn.²

               Bardolph, be blithe:³ Nym, rouse thy vaunting veins:

               Boy, bristle⁴ thy courage up, for Falstaff he is dead,

5

5             And we must earn⁵ therefore.

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     Would I were with him, wheresome’er he is, either in heaven or in hell.

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY Nay, sure, he’s not in hell: he’s in Arthur’s bosom,⁷ if ever man went to Arthur’s bosom. A⁸ made a finer end and went away an it had been any christom⁹ child. A parted e’en just between twelve and one, e’en at the turning o’th’tide. For after I saw him fumble with the sheets and play with flowers¹⁰ and smile upon¹¹ his fingers’ end, I knew there was but one way, for his nose was as sharp as a pen¹² on a table of green fields. ‘How now, Sir John?’ quoth I. ‘What, man? Be o’good cheer.’ So a cried out, ‘God, God, God!’ three or four times. Now I, to comfort him, bid him a should not think of God; I hoped there was no need to trouble himself with any such thoughts yet. So a bade me lay more clothes¹⁵ on his feet. I put my hand into the bed and felt them, and they were as cold as any stone. Then I felt to his knees, and so up-peered and upward, and all¹⁷ was as cold as any stone.

NYM

NYM     They say he cried out of¹⁹ sack.

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY Ay, that a did.

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     And of women.

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY Nay, that a did not.

BOY

BOY     Yes, that a did, and said they were devils incarnate.²³

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY A could never abide carnation,²⁴ ’twas a colour he never liked.

BOY

BOY     A said once the devil would have him about²⁵ women.

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY A did in some sort, indeed, handle²⁶ women, but then he was rheumatic,²⁷ and talked of the whore of Babylon.

BOY

BOY     Do you not remember, a saw a flea stick upon²⁸ Bardolph’s nose, and a said it was a black soul burning²⁹ in hell?

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     Well, the fuel³⁰ is gone that maintained that fire: that’s all the riches I got in his service.

NYM

NYM     Shall we shog?³² The king will be gone from Southampton.

PISTOL

PISTOL     Come, let’s away.— My love, give me thy lips. Kisses her

               Look to my chattels³⁴ and my movables.

35

35           Let senses rule.³⁵ The world is ‘pitch and pay’,

               Trust none,

               For oaths³⁷ are straws, men’s faiths are wafer-cakes,

               And hold-fast³⁸ is the only dog. My duck,

               Therefore, Caveto³⁹ be thy counsellor.

40

40           Go, clear thy crystals.⁴⁰ Yoke-fellows in arms,

               Let us to France, like horse-leeches,⁴¹ my boys,

               To suck, to suck, the very blood to suck!

BOY

BOY     And that’s but unwholesome food they say.

PISTOL

PISTOL     Touch her soft mouth, and march.

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     Farewell, hostess. Kisses her

NYM

NYM     I cannot kiss, that is the humour of it. But, adieu.

PISTOL

PISTOL     Let housewifery⁴⁷ appear. Keep close, I thee command.

HOSTESS QUICKLY

HOSTESS QUICKLY Farewell. Adieu.

       Exeunt [separately]

[Act 2 Scene 4]*

running scene 5

       Flourish. Enter the French King, the Dauphin, the Dukes of Berri and Brittany, [the Constable and others]

FRENCH KING

FRENCH KING Thus comes the English with full power upon us,

               And more² than carefully it us concerns

               To answer royally in our defences.

               Therefore the Dukes of Berri and of Brittany,

5

5             Of Brabant and of Orléans, shall make forth,

               And you, Prince Dauphin, with all swift dispatch⁶

               To line⁷ and new repair our towns of war

               With men of courage and with means defendant,⁸

               For England his approaches⁹ makes as fierce

10

10           As waters to the sucking of a gulf.¹⁰

               It fits us¹¹ then to be as provident

               As fear may teach us, out of late examples¹²

               Left by the fatal and neglected¹³ English

               Upon our fields.

15

15   

DAUPHIN

DAUPHIN           My most redoubted¹⁵ father,

               It is most meet¹⁶ we arm us gainst the foe,

               For peace itself should not so dull a kingdom,

               Though¹⁸ war nor no known quarrel were in question,

               But that defences, musters,¹⁹ preparations,

20

20           Should be maintained, assembled and collected,

               As were a war in expectation.

               Therefore, I say ’tis meet we all go forth

               To view the sick and feeble parts of France,

               And let us do it with no show of fear —

25

25           No, with no more than if we heard that England

               Were busied with a Whitsun morris-dance,²⁶

               For, my good liege, she is so idly²⁷ kinged,

               Her sceptre²⁸ so fantastically borne

               By a vain, giddy, shallow, humorous²⁹ youth,

30

30           That fear attends³⁰ her not.

CONSTABLE

CONSTABLE     O, peace, Prince Dauphin!

               You are too much mistaken in this king.

               Question your grace the late³³ ambassadors,

               With what great state³⁴ he heard their embassy,

35

35           How well supplied with noble counsellors,

               How modest³⁶ in exception, and withal

               How terrible³⁷ in constant resolution,

               And you shall find his vanities forespent³⁸

               Were but the outside of the Roman³⁹ Brutus,

40

40           Covering discretion with a coat of folly;

               As gardeners do with ordure⁴¹ hide those roots

               That shall first spring and be most delicate.

DAUPHIN

DAUPHIN     Well, ’tis not so, my lord high constable.

               But though⁴⁴ we think it so, it is no matter.

45

45           In cases of defence ’tis best to weigh⁴⁵

               The enemy more mighty than he seems,

               So⁴⁷ the proportions of defence are filled,

               Which of⁴⁸ a weak and niggardly projection

               Doth, like a miser, spoil his coat with scanting⁴⁹

50

50           A little cloth.

FRENCH KING

FRENCH KING Think we⁵¹ King Harry strong,

               And, princes, look you⁵² strongly arm to meet him.

               The kindred of him hath been fleshed⁵³ upon us,

               And he is bred out of that bloody strain⁵⁴

55

55           That haunted⁵⁵ us in our familiar paths.

               Witness our too much memorable shame

               When Crécy battle fatally was struck,⁵⁷

               And all our princes captived by the hand

               Of that black name, Edward, Black Prince of Wales,

60

60           Whiles that his mountain⁶⁰ sire, on mountain standing,

               Up in the air, crowned with the golden sun,

               Saw his heroical seed,⁶² and smiled to see him

               Mangle⁶³ the work of nature and deface

               The patterns⁶⁴ that by God and by French fathers

65

65           Had twenty years been made. This⁶⁵ is a stem

               Of that victorious stock, and let us fear

               The native⁶⁷ mightiness and fate of him.

       Enter a Messenger

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Ambassadors from Harry King of England

               Do crave admittance to your majesty.

70

70   

FRENCH KING

FRENCH KING We’ll give them present⁷⁰ audience. Go, and bring them.

       [Exeunt Messenger and others]

               You see this chase⁷¹ is hotly followed, friends.

DAUPHIN

DAUPHIN     Turn head,⁷² and stop pursuit, for coward dogs

               Most spend their mouths⁷³ when what they seem to threaten

               Runs far before them. Good my sovereign,

75

75           Take⁷⁵ up the English short, and let them know

               Of what a monarchy you are the head.

               Self-love, my liege, is not so vile a sin

               As self-neglecting.⁷⁸

       Enter Exeter [and others]

FRENCH KING

FRENCH KING From our brother of England?

80

EXETER

EXETER     From him, and thus he greets your majesty.

               He wills⁸¹ you, in the name of God Almighty,

               That you divest⁸² yourself and lay apart

               The borrowed glories⁸³ that by gift of heaven,

               By law of nature and of nations, longs⁸⁴

85

85           To him and to his heirs, namely, the crown

               And all wide-stretchèd⁸⁶ honours that pertain

               By custom and the ordinance of times⁸⁷

               Unto the crown of France. That you may know

               ’Tis no sinister⁸⁹ nor no awkward claim,

90

90           Picked from the worm-holes⁹⁰ of long-vanished days,

               Nor from the dust of old oblivion raked,

               He sends you this most memorable line,⁹² Gives a paper

               In every branch truly demonstrative;

               Willing you overlook this pedigree.

95

95           And when you find him evenly derived⁹⁵

               From his most famed of famous ancestors,

               Edward the Third, he bids you then resign

               Your crown and kingdom, indirectly⁹⁸ held

               From him the native⁹⁹ and true challenger.

100

110 

FRENCH KING

FRENCH KING Or else what follows?

EXETER

EXETER     Bloody constraint.¹⁰¹ For if you hide the crown

               Even in your hearts, there will he rake for it:

               Therefore in fierce tempest is he coming,

               In thunder and in earthquake, like a Jove,¹⁰⁴

105

105         That, if requiring¹⁰⁵ fail, he will compel,

               And bids you, in the bowels¹⁰⁶ of the Lord,

               Deliver up the crown, and to take mercy

               On the poor souls for whom this hungry war

               Opens his vasty jaws, and on¹⁰⁹ your head

110

110         Turning the widows’ tears, the orphans’ cries

               The dead men’s blood, the pining maidens’ groans,

               For husbands, fathers and betrothèd lovers,

               That shall be swallowed in this controversy.

               This is his claim, his threatening and my message —

115

115         Unless the dauphin be in presence here,

               To whom expressly I bring greeting too.

FRENCH KING

FRENCH KING For us, we will consider of this further:

               Tomorrow shall you bear our full intent

               Back to our brother of England.

120

120 

DAUPHIN

DAUPHIN               For the dauphin,

               I stand here for him. What to him from England?

EXETER

EXETER     Scorn and defiance, slight¹²² regard, contempt,

               And anything that may not misbecome¹²³

               The mighty sender, doth he prize you at.¹²⁴

125

125         Thus says my king: an if¹²⁵ your father’s highness

               Do not, in grant of all demands at large,¹²⁶

               Sweeten the bitter mock you sent his majesty,

               He’ll call you to so hot an answer of it,

               That caves and womby¹²⁹ vaultages of France

130

130         Shall chide your trespass and return your mock

               In second accent¹³¹ of his ordinance.

DAUPHIN

DAUPHIN     Say, if my father render fair return,¹³²

               It is against my will, for I desire

               Nothing but odds¹³⁴ with England. To that end,

135

135         As matching to his youth and vanity,

               I did present him with the Paris balls.

EXETER

EXETER     He’ll make your Paris Louvre¹³⁷ shake for it,

               Were it the mistress-court¹³⁸ of mighty Europe.

               And be assured, you’ll find a diff’rence,

140

140         As we his subjects have in wonder found,

               Between the promise of his greener days¹⁴¹

               And these he masters¹⁴² now. Now he weighs time

               Even to the utmost grain: that you shall read¹⁴³

               In your own losses, if he stay in France.

145

145 

FRENCH KING

FRENCH KING Tomorrow shall you know our mind at full.

       Flourish

EXETER

EXETER     Dispatch us with all speed, lest that our king

               Come here himself to question our delay;

               For he is footed¹⁴⁸ in this land already.

FRENCH KING

FRENCH KING You shall be soon dispatched with fair conditions:

150

150         A night is but small breath¹⁵⁰ and little pause

               To answer matters of this consequence.

       Flourish. Exeunt

[Act 3]

       Enter Chorus

CHORUS

CHORUS     Thus with imagined wing¹ our swift scene flies

               In motion of no less celerity²

               Than that of thought. Suppose that you have seen

               The well-appointed⁴ king at Dover pier

5

5             Embark his royalty,⁵ and his brave fleet

               With silken streamers,⁶ the young Phoebus fanning.

               Play with⁷ your fancies, and in them behold

               Upon the hempen tackle⁸ ship-boys climbing;

               Hear the shrill whistle⁹ which doth order give

10

10           To sounds confused. Behold the threaden¹⁰ sails,

               Borne with th’invisible and creeping wind,

               Draw¹² the huge bottoms through the furrowed sea,

               Breasting the lofty surge.¹³ O, do but think

               You stand upon the rivage¹⁴ and behold

15

15           A city on th’inconstant billows¹⁵ dancing;

               For so appears this fleet majestical,

               Holding due course to Harfleur.¹⁷ Follow, follow.

               Grapple¹⁸ your minds to sternage of this navy,

               And leave your England as dead midnight still,

20

20           Guarded with grandsires, babies and old women,

               Either past or not arrived to pith²¹ and puissance,

               For who is he, whose²² chin is but enriched

               With one appearing hair, that will not follow

               These culled²⁴ and choice-drawn cavaliers to France?

25

25           Work,²⁵ work your thoughts, and therein see a siege:

               Behold the ordnance²⁶ on their carriages,

               With fatal mouths gaping on girded²⁷ Harfleur.

               Suppose²⁸ th’ambassador from the French comes back,

               Tells Harry that the king doth offer him

30

30           Katherine his daughter, and with her, to dowry,

               Some petty and unprofitable dukedoms.

               The offer likes not,³² and the nimble gunner

               With linstock³³ now the devilish cannon touches,

       Alarum, and chambers go off

               And down goes all before them. Still be kind,

35

35           And eke out³⁵ our performance with your mind.

       Exit

Act 3 Scene 13.1

running scene 6

       Enter the King, Exeter, Bedford and Gloucester. Alarum. [Enter Soldiers with] scaling-ladders at Harfleur

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Once more unto the breach,¹ dear friends, once more,

               Or close the wall up with our English dead.

               In peace there’s nothing so becomes a man

               As modest stillness and humility,

5

5             But when the blast of war blows in our ears,

               Then imitate the action of the tiger:

               Stiffen the sinews, conjure up the blood,⁷

               Disguise fair nature with hard-favoured⁸ rage,

               Then lend⁹ the eye a terrible aspect:

10

10           Let it pry through the portage¹⁰ of the head

               Like the brass cannon, let the brow o’erwhelm¹¹ it

               As fearfully¹² as doth a gallèd rock

               O’erhang and jutty¹³ his confounded base,

               Swilled¹⁴ with the wild and wasteful ocean.

15

15           Now set the teeth¹⁵ and stretch the nostril wide,

               Hold hard the breath and bend up¹⁶ every spirit

               To his full height. On, on, you noblest English,

               Whose blood is fet¹⁸ from fathers of war-proof,

               Fathers that, like so many Alexanders,¹⁹

20

20           Have in these parts from morn till even fought

               And sheathed²¹ their swords for lack of argument.

               Dishonour²² not your mothers: now attest

               That those whom you called fathers did beget²³ you.

               Be copy²⁴ now to men of grosser blood,

25

25           And teach them how to war. And you, good yeoman,²⁵

               Whose limbs were made in England, show us here

               The mettle²⁷ of your pasture: let us swear

               That you are worth your breeding, which I doubt not,

               For there is none of you so²⁹ mean and base,

30

30           That hath not noble lustre in your eyes.

               I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips,³¹

               Straining upon the start.³² The game’s afoot:

               Follow your spirit, and upon this charge³³

               Cry ‘God for Harry,³⁴ England, and Saint George!’

       [Exeunt]

       Alarum, and chambers go off

[Act 3 Scene 2]

running scene 6 continues

       Enter Nym, Bardolph, Pistol and Boy

BARDOLPH

BARDOLPH     On, on, on, on, on! To the breach, to the breach!

NYM

NYM     Pray thee, corporal, stay: the knocks² are too hot, and for mine own part, I have not a case³ of lives. The humour of it is too hot, that is the very plainsong of it.

PISTOL

PISTOL     The plainsong is most just, for humours⁵ do abound. Knocks go and come, God’s vassals⁶ drop and die,

                                    And sword and shield, Sings

                                    In bloody field,

                                    Doth win immortal fame.

BOY

BOY     Would I were in an ale-house in London: I would give all my fame¹⁰ for a pot of ale and safety.

PISTOL

PISTOL     And I:

                                    If wishes would prevail¹³ with me, Sings

                                    My¹⁴ purpose should not fail with me,

15

                                But thither would I hie.¹⁵

BOY

BOY     As duly, Sings

                                    But not as truly,¹⁷

                                    As bird doth sing on bough.

       Enter Fluellen

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     Up to the breach, you dogs! Avaunt,¹⁹ you cullions! Drives them on

20

20   

PISTOL

PISTOL           Be merciful, great duke,²⁰ to men of mould.

               Abate thy rage, abate thy manly rage,

               Abate thy rage, great duke!

               Good bawcock,²³ bate thy rage: use lenity, sweet chuck!

NYM

NYM     These be good humours! Your²⁴ honour wins bad humours.

       Exeunt [all but Boy]

BOY

BOY     As young as I am, I have observed these three swashers.²⁵ I am boy to them all three, but all they three, though they would serve me, could not be man²⁶ to me; for indeed three such antics²⁷ do not amount to a man. For Bardolph, he is white-livered and red-faced; by the means whereof a faces²⁸ it out, but fights not. For Pistol, he hath a killing tongue and a quiet sword; by the means whereof a breaks words,²⁹ and keeps whole³⁰ weapons. For Nym, he hath heard that men of few words are the best men, and therefore he scorns to say his prayers, lest a should be thought a coward. But his few bad words are matched with as few good deeds; for a never broke any man’s head but his own, and that was against a post when he was drunk. They will steal anything, and call it purchase.³⁴ Bardolph stole a lute-case, bore it twelve leagues,³⁵ and sold it for three halfpence. Nym and Bardolph are sworn brothers³⁶ in filching, and in Calais they stole a fire-shovel. I knew by that piece of service³⁷ the men would carry coals. They would have me as familiar with men’s pockets as their gloves or their handkerchiefs, which makes much against my manhood,³⁹ if I should take from another’s pocket to put into mine; for it is plain pocketing⁴⁰ up of wrongs. I must leave them, and seek some better service: their villainy goes⁴¹ against my weak stomach, and therefore I must cast it up.

       Exit

       Enter Gower [and Fluellen]

GOWER

GOWER     Captain Fluellen, you must come presently⁴² to the mines; the Duke of Gloucester would speak with you.

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     To the mines? Tell you the duke, it is not⁴⁵ so good to come to the mines, for look you, the mines is not according to the disciplines of the war: the concavities of it is not sufficient, for look you, th’athversary,⁴⁶ you may discuss unto the duke, look you, is digt⁴⁷ himself, four yard under, the countermines. By Cheshu, I think a will plow up⁴⁸ all, if there is not better directions.

GOWER

GOWER     The Duke of Gloucester, to whom the order⁴⁹ of the siege is given, is altogether directed by an Irishman, a very valiant gentleman, i’faith.

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     It is Captain MacMorris, is it not?

GOWER

GOWER     I think it be.

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     By Cheshu, he is an ass, as in⁵³ the world. I will verify as much in his beard. He has no more directions in the true disciplines of the wars, look you, of the Roman disciplines,⁵⁵ than is a puppy dog.

       Enter MacMorris and Captain Jamy

GOWER

GOWER     Here a comes, and the Scots captain, Captain Jamy, with him.

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     Captain Jamy is a marvellous falorous⁵⁷ gentleman, that is certain, and of great expedition⁵⁸ and knowledge in th’aunchient wars, upon my particular knowledge of his directions. By Cheshu, he will maintain his argument as well as any military man in the world, in the disciplines of the pristine wars of the Romans.

JAMY

JAMY     I say gud⁶² day, Captain Fluellen.

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     God-den⁶³ to your worship, good Captain James.

GOWER

GOWER     How now, Captain MacMorris? Have you quit the mines? Have the pioneers⁶⁴ given o’er?⁶⁵

MACMORRIS

MACMORRIS     By Chrish, la,⁶⁶ tish ill done: the work ish give over, the trompet sound the retreat. By my hand, I swear, and my father’s soul, the work ish ill done, it ish give over.⁶⁸ I would have blowed up the town, so Chrish save me, la, in an hour. O, tish ill done, tish ill done. By my hand, tish ill done!

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     Captain MacMorris, I beseech you now, will you voutsafe⁷⁰ me, look you, a few disputations⁷¹ with you, as partly touching or concerning the disciplines of the war, the Roman wars, in the way of argument, look you, and friendly communication — partly to satisfy my opinion, and partly for the satisfaction, look you, of my mind, as touching the direction of the military discipline, that is the point.

JAMY

JAMY     It sall⁷⁶ be vary gud, gud feith, gud captains bath, and I sall quit you with gud leve, as I may pick occasion;⁷⁷ that sall I, marry.

MACMORRIS

MACMORRIS     It is no time to discourse, so Chrish save me. The day is hot and the weather and the wars and the king and the dukes: it is no time to discourse. The town is beseeched,⁸⁰ and the trumpet call us to the breach, and we talk, and, be Chrish, do nothing. ’Tis shame for us all. So God sa’⁸¹ me, ’tis shame to stand still, it is shame, by my hand. And there is throats to be cut, and works to be done, and there ish nothing done, so Chrish sa’ me, la!

JAMY

JAMY     By the mess,⁸⁴ ere these eyes of mine take themselves to slomber, I’ll de gud service, or I’ll lig⁸⁵ i’th’grund for it; ay, or go to death. And I’ll pay’t as valorously as I may, that sall I suerly⁸⁶ do, that is the breff and the long. Marry, I wad full fain heard⁸⁷ some question ’tween you tway.

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     Captain MacMorris, I think, look you, under your correction,⁸⁸ there is not many of your nation—

MACMORRIS

MACMORRIS     Of my nation? What ish⁹⁰ my nation? Ish a villain and a bastard and a knave and a rascal. What ish my nation? Who talks of my nation?

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     Look you, if you take the matter otherwise than is meant, Captain MacMorris, peradventure⁹³ I shall think you do not use me with that affability as in discretion⁹⁴ you ought to use me, look you, being as good a man as yourself, both in the disciplines of war, and in the derivation of my birth, and in other particularities.

MACMORRIS

MACMORRIS     I do not know you so good a man as myself. So Chrish save me, I will cut off your head.

GOWER

GOWER     Gentlemen both, you will⁹⁹ mistake each other.

JAMY

JAMY     Ah, that’s a foul fault.

        A parley¹⁰⁰

GOWER

GOWER     The town sounds a parley.

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     Captain MacMorris, when there is more better opportunity to be required,¹⁰² look you, I will be so bold as to tell you I know the disciplines of war, and there is an end.

       Exeunt

[Act 3 Scene 3]3.3

running scene 6 continues

       Enter the King and all his train before the gates

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V How yet resolves¹ the governor of the town?

               This is the latest² parle we will admit:

               Therefore to our best mercy give yourselves,

               Or like to men proud of destruction⁴

5

5             Defy us to our worst, for as I am a soldier,

               A name that in my thoughts becomes⁶ me best,

               If I begin the batt’ry⁷ once again,

               I will not leave the half-achieved⁸ Harfleur

               Till in her ashes she lie burièd.

10

10           The gates of mercy shall be all shut up,

               And the fleshed¹¹ soldier, rough and hard of heart,

               In liberty¹² of bloody hand shall range

               With conscience wide as hell, mowing like grass

               Your fresh fair virgins and your flow’ring¹⁴ infants.

15

15           What is it then to me, if impious¹⁵ war,

               Arrayed in flames like to the prince of fiends,¹⁶

               Do with his smirched¹⁷ complexion all fell feats

               Enlinked¹⁸ to waste and desolation?

               What is’t to me, when you yourselves are cause,

20

20           If your pure maidens fall into the hand

               Of hot²¹ and forcing violation?

               What rein²² can hold licentious wickedness

               When down the hill he holds his fierce career?²³

               We may as bootless²⁴ spend our vain command

25

25           Upon th’enragèd soldiers in their spoil²⁵

               As send precepts²⁶ to the leviathan

               To come ashore. Therefore, you men of Harfleur,

               Take pity of²⁸ your town and of your people,

               Whiles yet my soldiers are in my command,

30

30           Whiles yet the cool and temperate³⁰ wind of grace

               O’erblows³¹ the filthy and contagious clouds

               Of heady³² murder, spoil and villainy.

               If not, why, in a moment look³³ to see

               The blind and bloody soldier with foul hand

35

35           Defile the locks³⁵ of your shrill-shrieking daughters,

               Your fathers taken by the silver beards,

               And their most reverend heads dashed to the walls,

               Your naked infants spitted³⁸ upon pikes,

               Whiles the mad mothers with their howls confused³⁹

40

40           Do break the clouds, as did the wives of Jewry⁴⁰

               At Herod’s bloody-hunting slaughtermen.⁴¹

               What say you? Will you yield, and this avoid?

               Or, guilty in defence,⁴³ be thus destroyed?

       Enter Governor [above, on the walls]

GOVERNOR

GOVERNOR     Our expectation⁴⁴ hath this day an end.

45

45           The dauphin, whom of succours⁴⁵ we entreated,

               Returns⁴⁶ us that his powers are yet not ready

               To raise⁴⁷ so great a siege: therefore, great king,

               We yield our town and lives to thy soft⁴⁸ mercy.

               Enter our gates, dispose⁴⁹ of us and ours,

50

50           For we no longer are defensible.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Open your gates.— Come, uncle Exeter,

               Go you and enter Harfleur; there remain,

               And fortify it strongly gainst the French.

               Use mercy to them all. For us, dear uncle,

55

55           The winter coming on and sickness growing

               Upon our soldiers, we will retire to Calais.

               Tonight in Harfleur will we be your guest;

               Tomorrow for the march are we addressed.⁵⁸

       Flourish, and [the King and his train] enter the town

[Act 3 Scene 4]3.4

running scene 7

       Enter Katherine and [Alice,] an old gentlewoman

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     Alice,¹ tu as été en Angleterre, et tu bien parles le langage.

ALICE

ALICE     Un² peu, madame.

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     Je³ te prie, m’enseignez: il faut que j’apprenne à parler. Comment appelez-vous la main en anglais?

ALICE

ALICE     La⁵ main? Elle est appelée de hand.

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     De⁶ hand. Et les doigts?

ALICE

ALICE     Les⁷ doigts? Ma foi, j’oublie les doigts, mais je me souviendrai. Les doigts? Je pense qu’ils sont appelés de fingres. Oui, de fingres.

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     La⁹ main, de hand, les doigts, de fingres. Je pense que je suis le bon écolier. J’ai gagné deux mots d’anglais vitement. Comment appelez-vous les ongles?

ALICE

ALICE     Les¹¹ ongles? Nous les appelons de nails.

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     De nails. Écoutez,¹² dites-moi, si je parle bien: de hand, de fingres, et de nails.

ALICE

ALICE     C’est¹³ bien dit, madame. Il est fort bon anglais.

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     Dites-moi¹⁴ l’anglais pour le bras.

ALICE

ALICE     De¹⁵ arm, madame.

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     Et¹⁶ le coude?

ALICE

ALICE     D’elbow.

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     D’elbow. Je¹⁸ m’en fais la répétition de tous les mots que vous m’avez appris dès à présent.

ALICE

ALICE     Il²⁰ est trop difficile, madame, comme je pense.

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     Excusez-moi,²¹ Alice, écoutez: de hand, de fingres, de nails, de arma, de bilbow.²²

ALICE

ALICE     D’elbow, madame.

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     O Seigneur²⁴ Dieu, je m’en oublie! D’elbow. Comment appelez-vous le col?

ALICE

ALICE     De neck, madame.

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     De nick.²⁶ Et le menton?

ALICE

ALICE     De chin.

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     De sin.²⁸ Le col, de nick, le menton, de sin.

ALICE

ALICE     Oui.²⁹ Sauf votre honneur, en vérité, vous prononcez les mots aussi droit que les natifs d’Angleterre.

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     Je³¹ ne doute point d’apprendre, par la grâce de Dieu, et en peu de temps.

ALICE

ALICE     N’avez³² vous pas déjà, oublié ce que je vous ai enseigne?

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     Non, je réciterai à vous promptement:³³ de hand, de fingres, de mails—

ALICE

ALICE     De nails, madame.

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     De nails, de arm, de ilbow.

ALICE

ALICE     Sauf³⁶ votre honneur, d’elbow.

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     Ainsi³⁷ dis-je, d’elbow, de nick, et de sin. Comment appelez-vous le pied et la robe?

ALICE

ALICE     Le foot,³⁹ madame, et le coun.

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     Le foot et le coun! O⁴⁰ Seigneur Dieu! Ce sont les mots de son mauvais, corruptible, gros, et impudique, et non pour les dames d’honneur d’user. Je ne voudrais prononcer ces mots devant les seigneurs de France pour tout le monde. Foh! Le foot et le coun! Néanmoins, je réciterai une autre fois ma leçon ensemble: de hand, de fingres, de nails, de arm, d’elbow, de nick, de sin, de foot, de coun.

ALICE

ALICE     Excellent,⁴⁵ madame!

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     C’est⁴⁶ assez pour une fois. Allons-nous à dîner.

       Exeunt

[Act 3 Scene 5]

running scene 7 continues

       Enter the King of France, the Dauphin, [the Duke of Brittany,] the Constable of France and others

FRENCH KING

FRENCH KING ’Tis certain he hath passed the River Somme.¹

CONSTABLE

CONSTABLE     And if he be not fought withal,² my lord,

               Let us not live in France, let us quit all

               And give our vineyards to a barbarous people.

5

5     

DAUPHIN

DAUPHIN             O⁵ Dieu vivant! Shall a few sprays of us,

               The emptying⁶ of our fathers’ luxury,

               Our scions,⁷ put in wild and savage stock,

               Spirt⁸ up so suddenly into the clouds,

               And overlook⁹ their grafters?

10

10   

BRITTANY

BRITTANY           Normans,¹⁰ but bastard Normans, Norman bastards!

               Mort¹¹ de ma vie! If they march along

               Unfought withal, but I will sell my dukedom

               To buy a slobb’ry¹³ and a dirty farm

               In that nook-shotten¹⁴ isle of Albion.

15

15   

CONSTABLE

CONSTABLE           Dieu¹⁵ de batailles! Where have they this mettle?

               Is not their climate foggy, raw and dull,

               On whom, as in despite,¹⁷ the sun looks pale,

               Killing their fruit with frowns? Can sodden¹⁸ water,

               A drench¹⁹ for sur-reined jades, their barley broth,

20

20           Decoct²⁰ their cold blood to such valiant heat?

               And shall our quick blood, spirited with wine,

               Seem frosty? O, for honour of our land,

               Let us not hang like roping²³ icicles

               Upon our houses’ thatch, whiles a more frosty people

25

25           Sweat drops of gallant youth in our rich fields!

               Poor²⁶ we may call them in their native lords.

DAUPHIN

DAUPHIN     By faith and honour,

               Our madams²⁸ mock at us, and plainly say

               Our mettle is bred out²⁹ and they will give

30

30           Their bodies to the lust of English youth

               To new-store³¹ France with bastard warriors.

BOURBON

BOURBON     They bid us to the English dancing-schools,

               And teach lavoltas³³ high and swift corantos,

               Saying our³⁴ grace is only in our heels

35

35           And that we are most lofty³⁵ runaways.

FRENCH KING

FRENCH KING Where is Montjoy the herald?³⁶ Speed him hence.

               Let him greet England³⁷ with our sharp defiance.

               Up, princes, and with spirit of honour edged

               More sharper than your swords, hie³⁹ to the field:

40

40           Charles Delabret, High Constable of France,

               You Dukes of Orléans, Bourbon, and of Berri,

               Alençon, Brabant, Bar, and Burgundy;

               Jaques Chatillion, Rambures, Vaudemont,

               Beaumont, Grandpré, Roussi, and Fauconbridge,

45

45           Foix, Lestrale, Boucicault, and Charolais,

               High dukes, great princes, barons, lords and knights,

               For your great seats⁴⁷ now quit you of great shames.

               Bar⁴⁸ Harry England, that sweeps through our land

               With pennons⁴⁹ painted in the blood of Harfleur.

50

50           Rush on his host,⁵⁰ as doth the melted snow

               Upon the valleys, whose low vassal seat

               The Alps doth spit and void⁵² his rheum upon.

               Go down upon him, you have power enough,

               And in a captive chariot into Rouen⁵⁴

55

55           Bring him our prisoner.

CONSTABLE

CONSTABLE     This becomes the great.⁵⁶

               Sorry am I his numbers are so few,

               His soldiers sick and famished in their march,

               For I am sure, when he shall see our army,

60

60           He’ll drop his heart⁶⁰ into the sink of fear

               And for achievement⁶¹ offer us his ransom.

FRENCH KING

FRENCH KING Therefore, lord constable, haste on⁶² Montjoy,

               And let him say to England that we send

               To know what willing ransom he will give.—

65

65           Prince Dauphin, you shall stay with us in Rouen.

DAUPHIN

DAUPHIN     Not so, I do beseech your majesty.

FRENCH KING

FRENCH KING Be patient, for you shall remain with us.—

               Now forth, lord constable and princes all,

               And quickly bring us word of England’s fall.

       Exeunt

[Act 3 Scene 6]3.6

running scene 8

       Enter Captains, English and Welsh: Gower and Fluellen

GOWER

GOWER     How now, Captain Fluellen? Come you from the bridge?¹

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     I assure you, there is very excellent services² committed at the bridge.

GOWER

GOWER     Is the Duke of Exeter safe?

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     The Duke of Exeter is as magnanimous⁴ as Agamemnon, and a man that I love and honour with my soul and my heart and my duty and my life and my living and my uttermost power. He is not — God be praised and blessed! — any hurt in the world, but keeps the bridge most valiantly, with excellent discipline. There is an aunchient lieutenant there at the pridge,⁸ I think in my very conscience he is as valiant a man as Mark Antony,⁹ and he is a man of no estimation in the world, but I did see him do as gallant service.

GOWER

GOWER     What do you call him?

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     He is called Aunchient¹² Pistol.

GOWER

GOWER     I know him not.

       Enter Pistol

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     Here is the man.

15

15   

PISTOL

PISTOL           Captain, I thee beseech to do me favours:

               The Duke of Exeter doth love thee well.

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     Ay, I praise God, and I have merited some love at his hands.

PISTOL

PISTOL     Bardolph, a soldier, firm and sound of heart,

               And of buxom¹⁹ valour, hath, by cruel fate,

20

20           And giddy²⁰ Fortune’s furious fickle wheel,

               That goddess blind,

               That stands upon the rolling restless stone²²—

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     By your patience,²³ Aunchient Pistol. Fortune is painted blind, with a muffler²⁴ afore her eyes, to signify to you that Fortune is blind; and she is painted also with a wheel, to signify to you, which is the moral²⁸ of it, that she is turning and inconstant, and mutability, and variation. And her foot, look you, is fixed upon a spherical stone, which rolls and rolls and rolls. In good truth, the poet makes a most excellent description of it. Fortune is an excellent moral.

PISTOL

PISTOL     Fortune is Bardolph’s foe, and frowns on him,

30

30           For he hath stol’n a pax,³⁰

               And hangèd must a be — a damnèd death!

               Let gallows gape for dog, let man go free

               And let not hemp³³ his wind-pipe suffocate.

               But Exeter hath given the doom³⁴ of death

35

35           For pax of little price.

               Therefore, go speak — the duke will hear thy voice —

               And let not Bardolph’s vital thread³⁷ be cut

               With edge of penny cord³⁸ and vile reproach.

               Speak, captain, for his life, and I will thee requite.³⁹

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     Aunchient Pistol, I do partly⁴⁰ understand your meaning.

PISTOL

PISTOL     Why then, rejoice therefore.

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     Certainly, aunchient, it is not a thing to rejoice at, for if,⁴² look you, he were my brother, I would desire the duke to use his good pleasure and put him to execution; for discipline ought to be used.

PISTOL

PISTOL     Die and be damned! And figo⁴⁵ for thy friendship!

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     It is well.

PISTOL

PISTOL     The fig of Spain!

       Exit

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     Very good.

GOWER

GOWER     Why, this is an arrant⁴⁹ counterfeit rascal. I remember him now: a bawd, a cutpurse.⁵⁰

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     I’ll assure you, a uttered as prave words at the pridge as you shall see in a summer’s day.⁵¹ But it is very well. What he has spoke to me, that is well, I warrant⁵² you, when time is serve.⁵³

GOWER

GOWER     Why, ’tis a gull,⁵⁴ a fool, a rogue, that now and then goes to the wars to grace himself at his return into London under the form of a soldier; and such fellows are perfect⁵⁶ in the great commanders’ names, and they will learn you by rote where services were done; at such and such a sconce,⁵⁷ at such a breach, at such a convoy,⁵⁸ who came off bravely, who was shot, who disgraced, what terms the enemy stood on — and this they con⁵⁹ perfectly in the phrase of war, which they trick up⁶⁰ with new-tuned oaths. And what a beard of the general’s cut and a horrid⁶¹ suit of the camp will do among foaming bottles and ale-washed wits is wonderful to be thought on. But you must learn to know such slanders⁶² of the age, or else you may be marvellously mistook.⁶³

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     I tell you what, Captain Gower, I do perceive he is not the man that he would gladly make show to the world he is: if I find a hole⁶⁵ in his coat, I will tell him my mind. Drum heard Hark you, the king is coming and I must speak with him from⁶⁶ the pridge.

       Drum and colours. Enter the King and his poor Soldiers [and Gloucester]

God pless your majesty!

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V How now, Fluellen? Cam’st thou from the bridge?

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     Ay, so please your majesty. The Duke of Exeter has very gallantly maintained the pridge; the French is gone off, look you, and there is gallant and most prave passages.⁷² Marry, th’athversary was have possession of the pridge, but he is enforced⁷³ to retire, and the Duke of Exeter is master of the pridge. I can tell your majesty, the duke is a prave man.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V What men have you lost, Fluellen?

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     The perdition⁷⁶ of th’athversary hath been very great, reasonable great. Marry, for my part, I think the duke hath lost never a man,⁷⁷ but one that is like to be executed for robbing a church, one Bardolph, if your majesty know the man: his face is all bubukles⁷⁹ and whelks and knobs and flames o’ fire, and his lips blows at his nose and it is like a coal of fire, sometimes plue and sometimes red. But his nose is executed and his fire’s out.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V We would have all such offenders so cut off:⁸² and we give express charge,⁸³ that in our marches through the country, there be nothing compelled from the villages, nothing taken but paid for, none of the French upbraided or abused in disdainful language; for when lenity⁸⁵ and cruelty play for a kingdom, the gentler gamester⁸⁶ is the soonest winner.

       Tucket. Enter Montjoy

MONTJOY

MONTJOY     You know me by my habit.⁸⁷

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Well then, I know thee: what shall I know of⁸⁸ thee?

MONTJOY

MONTJOY     My master’s mind.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Unfold⁹⁰ it.

MONTJOY

MONTJOY     Thus says my king: ‘Say thou to Harry of England, though we seemed dead, we did but sleep. Advantage⁹² is a better soldier than rashness. Tell him we could have rebuked⁹³ him at Harfleur, but that we thought not good to bruise an injury till it were full ripe. Now we speak upon our cue,⁹⁴ and our voice is imperial: England shall repent his folly, see his weakness, and admire our sufferance.⁹⁵ Bid him therefore consider of his ransom, which must proportion⁹⁶ the losses we have borne, the subjects we have lost, the disgrace we have digested;⁹⁷ which in weight to re-answer, his pettiness⁹⁸ would bow under. For our losses, his exchequer is too poor; for th’effusion of our blood, the muster⁹⁹ of his kingdom too faint a number; and for our disgrace, his own person, kneeling at our feet, but a weak and worthless satisfaction. To this add defiance, and tell him, for conclusion, he hath betrayed his followers, whose condemnation is pronounced.’ So far¹⁰² my king and master; so much my office.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V What is thy name? I know thy quality.¹⁰⁴

MONTJOY

MONTJOY     Montjoy.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Thou dost thy office fairly. Turn thee back,

               And tell thy king I do not seek him now,

               But could be willing to march on to Calais

               Without impeachment.¹⁰⁹ For, to say the sooth,

110

110         Though ’tis no wisdom to confess so much

               Unto an enemy of craft and vantage,¹¹¹

               My people are with sickness much enfeebled,

               My numbers lessened, and those few I have,

               Almost no better than so many French;

115

115         Who when they were in health, I tell thee, herald,

               I thought upon one pair of English legs

               Did march three Frenchmen.— Yet, forgive me, God,

               That I do brag thus. This your air of France

               Hath blown that vice in me: I must repent.—

120

120         Go therefore, tell thy master here I am;

               My ransom is this frail and worthless trunk;¹²¹

               My army but a weak and sickly guard:

               Yet, God before,¹²³ tell him we will come on,

               Though France himself and such another neighbour

125

125         Stand in our way. There’s for thy labour, Montjoy. Gives money

               Go bid thy master well advise himself.

               If we may pass, we will. If we be hindered,

               We shall your tawny¹²⁸ ground with your red blood

               Discolour. And so Montjoy, fare you well.

130

130         The sum of all our answer is but this:

               We would not seek a battle, as we are,

               Nor, as we are, we say we will not shun it.

               So tell your master.

MONTJOY

MONTJOY     I shall deliver so. Thanks to your highness.

       [Exit]

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     I hope they will not come upon us now.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V We are in God’s hand, brother, not in theirs.

               March to the bridge, it now draws toward night.

               Beyond the river we’ll encamp ourselves,

               And on tomorrow, bid them¹³⁹ march away.

       Exeunt

[Act 3 Scene 7]3.7

running scene 9

       Enter the Constable of France, the Lord Rambures, Orléans, Dauphin with others

CONSTABLE

CONSTABLE     Tut, I have the best armour of the world. Would it were day!

ORLÉANS

ORLÉANS You have an excellent armour, but let my horse have his due.

CONSTABLE

CONSTABLE     It is the best horse of Europe.

ORLÉANS

ORLÉANS Will it never be morning?

DAUPHIN

DAUPHIN     My lord of Orléans, and my lord high constable, you talk of horse and armour?

ORLÉANS

ORLÉANS You are as well provided of both as any prince in the world.

DAUPHIN

DAUPHIN     What a long night is this? I will not change my horse with any that treads but on four pasterns.⁹ Ch’ha! He bounds from the earth, as if his entrails were hairs: le cheval volant,¹⁰ the Pegasus, chez les narines de feu! When I bestride him, I soar, I am a hawk: he trots the air, the earth sings when he touches it, the basest¹¹ horn of his hoof is more musical than the pipe of Hermes.¹²

ORLÉANS

ORLÉANS He’s of the colour of the nutmeg.

DAUPHIN

DAUPHIN     And of the heat of the ginger. It is a beast for Perseus:¹⁴ he is pure air and fire; and the dull elements of earth and water never appear in him, but only in patient stillness while his rider mounts him. He is indeed a horse, and all other jades¹⁶ you may call beasts.

CONSTABLE

CONSTABLE     Indeed, my lord, it is a most absolute¹⁸ and excellent horse.

DAUPHIN

DAUPHIN     It is the prince of palfreys.¹⁹ His neigh is like the bidding of a monarch and his countenance²⁰ enforces homage.

ORLÉANS

ORLÉANS No more, cousin.

DAUPHIN

DAUPHIN     Nay, the man hath no wit that cannot, from the rising²² of the lark to the lodging²³ of the lamb, vary deserved praise on my palfrey. It is a theme as fluent as the sea: turn the sands²⁴ into eloquent tongues and my horse is argument for them all. ’Tis a subject for a sovereign to reason on, and for a sovereign’s sovereign to ride on, and for the world, familiar to us and unknown, to lay²⁶ apart their particular functions and wonder at him. I once writ a sonnet in his praise and began thus: ‘Wonder of nature’—

ORLÉANS

ORLÉANS I have heard a sonnet begin so to one’s mistress.

DAUPHIN

DAUPHIN     Then did they imitate that which I composed to my courser,³⁰ for my horse is my mistress.

ORLÉANS

ORLÉANS Your mistress bears³² well.

DAUPHIN

DAUPHIN     Me³³ well, which is the prescript praise and perfection of a good and particular³⁴ mistress.

CONSTABLE

CONSTABLE     Nay, for methought yesterday your mistress shrewdly³⁵ shook your back.

DAUPHIN

DAUPHIN     So perhaps did yours.

CONSTABLE

CONSTABLE     Mine³⁷ was not bridled.

DAUPHIN

DAUPHIN     O, then belike³⁸ she was old and gentle, and you rode like a kern of Ireland, your French hose³⁹ off, and in your straight strossers.

CONSTABLE

CONSTABLE     You have good judgement in horsemanship.⁴⁰

DAUPHIN

DAUPHIN     Be warned by me, then: they that ride so and ride not warily, fall into foul bogs.⁴¹ I had rather have my horse to my mistress.

CONSTABLE

CONSTABLE     I had as lief⁴³ have my mistress a jade.

DAUPHIN

DAUPHIN     I tell thee, constable, my⁴⁴ mistress wears his own hair.

CONSTABLE

CONSTABLE     I could make as true a boast as that, if I had a sow to⁴⁵ my mistress.

DAUPHIN

DAUPHIN     ‘Le⁴⁶ chien est retourné à son propre vomissement, et la truie lavée au bourbier.’ Thou makest use of anything.

CONSTABLE

CONSTABLE     Yet do I not use⁴⁸ my horse for my mistress, or any such proverb so little kin⁴⁹ to the purpose.

RAMBURES

RAMBURES     My lord constable, the armour that I saw in your tent tonight, are those stars or suns upon it?

CONSTABLE

CONSTABLE     Stars, my lord.

DAUPHIN

DAUPHIN     Some of them will fall⁵³ tomorrow, I hope.

CONSTABLE

CONSTABLE     And yet my sky shall not want.⁵⁴

DAUPHIN

DAUPHIN     That may be, for you bear a many⁵⁵ superfluously and ’twere more honour some were away.

CONSTABLE

CONSTABLE     Ev’n⁵⁷ as your horse bears your praises, who would trot as well, were some of your brags dismounted.

DAUPHIN

DAUPHIN     Would I were able to load him with his desert!⁵⁹ Will it never be day? I will trot tomorrow a mile, and my way shall be paved with English faces.

CONSTABLE

CONSTABLE     I will not say so, for fear I should be faced⁶¹ out of my way. But I would it were morning, for I would fain be about the ears⁶² of the English.

RAMBURES

RAMBURES     Who will go to hazard⁶³ with me for twenty prisoners?

CONSTABLE

CONSTABLE     You must first go yourself to hazard,⁶⁴ ere you have them.

DAUPHIN

DAUPHIN     ’Tis midnight, I’ll go arm myself.

       Exit

ORLÉANS

ORLÉANS The dauphin longs for morning.

RAMBURES

RAMBURES     He longs to eat the English.

CONSTABLE

CONSTABLE     I think he will eat all he kills.⁶⁸

ORLÉANS

ORLÉANS By the white hand of my lady, he’s a gallant prince.

CONSTABLE

CONSTABLE     Swear by her foot,⁷⁰ that she may tread out the oath.

ORLÉANS

ORLÉANS He is simply the most active⁷¹ gentleman of France.

CONSTABLE

CONSTABLE     Doing⁷² is activity, and he will still be doing.

ORLÉANS

ORLÉANS He never did harm,⁷³ that I heard of.

CONSTABLE

CONSTABLE     Nor will do none tomorrow: he will keep that good name still.

ORLÉANS

ORLÉANS I know him to be valiant.

CONSTABLE

CONSTABLE     I was told that by one that knows him better than you.

ORLÉANS

ORLÉANS What’s⁷⁷ he?

CONSTABLE

CONSTABLE     Marry, he⁷⁸ told me so himself, and he said he cared not who knew it.

ORLÉANS

ORLÉANS He needs not, it is no hidden virtue⁷⁹ in him.

CONSTABLE

CONSTABLE     By my faith, sir, but it is: never anybody saw it but his lackey.⁸⁰ ’Tis a hooded⁸¹ valour, and when it appears, it will bate.

ORLÉANS

ORLÉANS Ill will never said well.

CONSTABLE

CONSTABLE     I will cap that proverb with ‘There is flattery in friendship.’

ORLÉANS

ORLÉANS And I will take up⁸⁴ that with ‘Give the devil his due.’

CONSTABLE

CONSTABLE     Well placed: there stands your friend for the devil. Have⁸⁵ at the very eye of that proverb with ‘A pox of the devil.’

ORLÉANS

ORLÉANS You are the better at proverbs, by how much ‘A fool’s bolt⁸⁷ is soon shot.’

CONSTABLE

CONSTABLE     You have shot over.⁸⁸

ORLÉANS

ORLÉANS ’Tis not the first time you were overshot.⁸⁹

       Enter a Messenger

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     My lord high constable, the English lie within fifteen hundred paces of your tents.

CONSTABLE

CONSTABLE     Who hath measured the ground?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     The lord Grandpré.

CONSTABLE

CONSTABLE     A valiant and most expert gentleman. Would it were day! Alas, poor Harry of England: he longs not for the dawning as we do.

ORLÉANS

ORLÉANS What a wretched and peevish⁹⁶ fellow is this king of England, to mope with his fat-brained⁹⁷ followers so far out of his knowledge!

CONSTABLE

CONSTABLE     If the English had any apprehension,⁹⁸ they would run away.

ORLÉANS

ORLÉANS That they lack, for if their heads had any intellectual armour, they could never wear such heavy head-pieces.¹⁰⁰

RAMBURES

RAMBURES     That island of England breeds very valiant creatures; their mastiffs¹⁰¹ are of unmatchable courage.

ORLÉANS

ORLÉANS Foolish curs, that run¹⁰³ winking into the mouth of a Russian bear and have their heads crushed like rotten apples. You may as well say, that’s a valiant flea that dare eat his breakfast¹⁰⁵ on the lip of a lion.

CONSTABLE

CONSTABLE     Just, just. And the men do sympathize with the mastiffs in robustious¹⁰⁶ and rough coming on,¹⁰⁷ leaving their wits with their wives, and then give them great meals of beef and iron and steel; they will eat like wolves and fight like devils.

ORLÉANS

ORLÉANS Ay, but these English are shrewdly¹⁰⁹ out of beef.

CONSTABLE

CONSTABLE     Then shall we find tomorrow they have only stomachs¹¹⁰ to eat and none to fight. Now is it time to arm. Come, shall we about it?

ORLÉANS

ORLÉANS It is now two o’clock, but let me see, by ten

               We shall have each a hundred Englishmen.

       Exeunt

[Act 4]

       [Enter] Chorus

CHORUS

CHORUS     Now entertain conjecture of¹ a time

               When creeping murmur² and the poring dark

               Fills the wide vessel of the universe.

               From camp to camp through the foul⁴ womb of night

5

5             The hum of either army stilly⁵ sounds,

               That the fixed sentinels almost receive

               The secret whispers of each other’s watch.

               Fire answers fire, and through their paly⁸ flames

               Each battle sees the other’s umbered⁹ face.

10

10           Steed threatens steed, in high and boastful neighs

               Piercing the night’s dull ear, and from the tents,

               The armourers, accomplishing¹² the knights,

               With busy hammers closing rivets¹³ up,

               Give dreadful note¹⁴ of preparation.

15

15           The country cocks do crow, the clocks do toll,

               And the third hour of drowsy morning name.

               Proud of their numbers and secure¹⁷ in soul,

               The confident and over-lusty¹⁸ French

               Do the low-rated¹⁹ English play at dice;

20

20           And chide²⁰ the cripple tardy-gaited night,

               Who like a foul and ugly witch doth limp

               So tediously²² away. The poor condemnèd English,

               Like sacrifices, by their watchful fires

               Sit patiently and inly²⁴ ruminate

25

25           The morning’s danger, and their gesture sad²⁵

               Investing²⁶ lank-lean cheeks and war-worn coats

               Presented them unto the gazing moon

               So many horrid ghosts. O, now, who²⁸ will behold

               The royal captain of this ruined band

30

30           Walking from watch³⁰ to watch, from tent to tent,

               Let him cry ‘Praise and glory on his head!’

               For forth he goes and visits all his host,³²

               Bids them good morrow with a modest smile

               And calls them brothers, friends and countrymen.

35

35           Upon his royal face there is no note³⁵

               How dread an army hath enrounded³⁶ him;

               Nor doth he dedicate³⁷ one jot of colour

               Unto the weary and all-watchèd³⁸ night,

               But freshly looks and over-bears³⁹ attaint

40

40           With cheerful semblance⁴⁰ and sweet majesty,

               That every wretch, pining⁴¹ and pale before,

               Beholding him, plucks comfort from his looks.

               A largess⁴³ universal like the sun

               His liberal⁴⁴ eye doth give to every one,

45

45           Thawing cold fear, that⁴⁵ mean and gentle all,

               Behold, as may unworthiness⁴⁶ define,

               A little touch⁴⁷ of Harry in the night.

               And so our scene must to the battle fly,

               Where — O, for pity! — we shall much disgrace

50

50           With four or five most vile and ragged⁵⁰ foils,

               Right ill-disposed⁵¹ in brawl ridiculous,

               The name of Agincourt. Yet sit and see,

               Minding⁵³ true things by what their mock’ries be.

       Exit

[Act 4 Scene 1]4.1

running scene 10

       Enter the King, Bedford and Gloucester

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Gloucester, ’tis true that we are in great danger,

               The greater therefore should our courage be.—

               Good morrow, brother Bedford. God Almighty!

               There is some soul of goodness in things evil,

5

5             Would men⁵ observingly distil it out.

               For our bad⁶ neighbour makes us early stirrers,

               Which is both healthful and good husbandry.⁷

               Besides, they are our outward consciences

               And preachers to us all, admonishing

10

10           That we should dress us¹⁰ fairly for our end.

               Thus may we gather¹¹ honey from the weed,

               And make¹² a moral of the devil himself.—

       Enter Erpingham

               Good morrow, old Sir Thomas Erpingham:

               A good soft pillow for that good white head

15

15           Were better than a churlish¹⁵ turf of France.

ERPINGHAM

ERPINGHAM     Not so, my liege. This lodging likes¹⁶ me better,

               Since I may say ‘Now lie I like a king.’

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V ’Tis good for men to love their present pains

               Upon example,¹⁹ so the spirit is eased:

20

20           And when the mind is quickened,²⁰ out of doubt,

               The organs, though defunct and dead before,

               Break up²² their drowsy grave and newly move

               With casted slough²³ and fresh legerity.

               Lend me thy cloak, Sir Thomas. Brothers both,

25

25           Commend me²⁵ to the princes in our camp;

               Do my good morrow to them, and anon²⁶

               Desire them all to my pavilion.²⁷

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     We shall, my liege.

ERPINGHAM

ERPINGHAM     Shall I attend your grace?

30

30   

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V No, my good knight.

               Go with my brothers to my lords of England:

               I and my bosom³² must debate awhile Covers himself with Erpingham’s cloak

               And then I would no other company.

ERPINGHAM

ERPINGHAM     The Lord in heaven bless thee, noble Harry!

       Exeunt [all but King Henry]

35

35   

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V God-a-mercy, old heart! Thou speak’st cheerfully.

       Enter Pistol

PISTOL

PISTOL     Che³⁶ vous là?

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V A friend.

PISTOL

PISTOL     Discuss³⁸ unto me: art thou officer?

               Or art thou base, common and popular?³⁹

40

40   

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V I am a gentleman⁴⁰ of a company.

PISTOL

PISTOL     Trail’st⁴¹ thou the puissant pike?

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Even so.⁴² What are you?

PISTOL

PISTOL     As good a gentleman as the emperor.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Then you are a better than the king.

45

45   

PISTOL

PISTOL           The king’s a bawcock,⁴⁵ and a heart of gold,

               A lad of life, an imp⁴⁶ of fame,

               Of parents good, of fist most valiant.

               I kiss his dirty shoe and from heartstring

               I love the lovely bully.⁴⁹ What is thy name?

50

50   

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Harry le Roy.⁵⁰

PISTOL

PISTOL     Le Roy? A Cornish name: art thou of Cornish crew?⁵¹

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V No, I am a Welshman.

PISTOL

PISTOL     Know’st thou Fluellen?

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Yes.

55

55   

PISTOL

PISTOL           Tell him I’ll knock his leek about his pate⁵⁵

               Upon Saint Davy’s day.⁵⁶

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Do not you wear your dagger in your cap that day, lest he knock that about yours.

PISTOL

PISTOL     Art thou his friend?

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V And his kinsman too.

PISTOL

PISTOL     The figo for thee, then!

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V I thank you. God be with you!

PISTOL

PISTOL     My name is Pistol called.

       Exit. The King remains [and stands aside]

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V It sorts⁶⁴ well with your fierceness.

       Enter Fluellen and Gower

GOWER

GOWER     Captain Fluellen!

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     So, in the name of Jesu Christ, speak fewer.⁶⁶ It is the greatest admiration in the universal world, when the true and aunchient prerogatifes⁶⁷ and laws of the wars is not kept: if you would take the pains but to examine the wars of Pompey the Great,⁶⁸ you shall find, I warrant you, that there is no tiddle⁶⁹ taddle nor pibble babble in Pompey’s camp. I warrant you, you shall find the ceremonies⁷⁰ of the wars, and the cares⁷¹ of it, and the forms of it, and the sobriety of it, and the modesty⁷² of it, to be otherwise.

GOWER

GOWER     Why, the enemy is loud. You hear him all night.

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     If the enemy is an ass and a fool and a prating⁷⁴ coxcomb, is it meet, think you, that we should also, look you, be an ass and a fool and a prating coxcomb, in your own conscience, now?

GOWER

GOWER     I will speak lower.

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     I pray you and beseech you that you will.

       Exeunt [Gower and Fluellen]

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Though it appear a little out of fashion, There is much care⁸⁰ and valour in this Welshman.

       Enter three soldiers: John Bates, Alexander Court and Michael Williams

COURT

COURT     Brother John Bates, is not that the morning which breaks yonder?

BATES

BATES     I think it be. But we have no great cause to desire the approach of day.

WILLIAMS

WILLIAMS     We see yonder the beginning of the day, but I think we shall never see the end of it.— Who goes there?

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V A friend.

WILLIAMS

WILLIAMS     Under what captain serve you?

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Under Sir Thomas Erpingham.

WILLIAMS

WILLIAMS     A good old commander and a most kind gentleman. I pray you, what thinks he of our estate?⁸⁹

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Even as men wrecked⁹⁰ upon a sand, that look to be washed off the next tide.

BATES

BATES     He hath not told his thought to the king?

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V No, nor it is not meet he should. For, though⁹³ I speak it to you, I think the king is but a man, as I am: the violet smells to him as it doth to me: the element⁹⁵ shows to him as it doth to me; all his senses have but human conditions, his ceremonies⁹⁶ laid by, in his nakedness he appears but a man; and though his affections⁹⁷ are higher mounted than ours, yet, when they stoop, they stoop with the like wing.⁹⁸ Therefore, when he sees reason of fears, as we do, his fears, out of doubt, be of the same relish⁹⁹ as ours are. Yet, in reason, no man should possess him with any appearance of fear, lest he¹⁰⁰, by showing it, should dishearten his army.

BATES

BATES     He may show what outward courage he will, but I believe, as cold a night as ’tis, he could wish himself in Thames¹⁰³ up to the neck; and so I would he were, and I by him, at all adventures,¹⁰⁴ so we were quit here.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V By my troth, I will speak my conscience of the king: I think he would not wish himself anywhere but where he is.

BATES

BATES     Then I would he were here alone; so should he be sure to be ransomed, and a many poor men’s lives saved.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V I dare say you love him not so ill to wish him here alone, howsoever you speak this to feel¹¹⁰ other men’s minds. Methinks I could not die anywhere so contented as in the king’s company; his cause being just and his quarrel honourable.

WILLIAMS

WILLIAMS     That’s more than we know.

BATES

BATES     Ay, or more than we should seek after;¹¹⁴ for we know enough, if we know we are the king’s subjects. If his cause be wrong, our obedience to the king wipes the crime of it out of us.

WILLIAMS

WILLIAMS     But if the cause be not good, the king himself hath a heavy reckoning¹¹⁷ to make, when all those legs and arms and heads, chopped off in a battle, shall join together¹¹⁸ at the latter day¹¹⁹ and cry all, ‘We died at such a place’ — some swearing, some crying for a surgeon, some upon¹²⁰ their wives left poor behind them, some upon the debts they owe, some upon their children rawly¹²¹ left. I am afeard there are few die well that die in a battle, for how can they charitably¹²² dispose of anything, when blood is their argument?¹²³ Now, if these men do not die well, it will be a black matter for the king that led them to it — who to disobey were against all proportion¹²⁵ of subjection.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V So, if a son that is by his father sent about merchandise¹²⁶ do sinfully miscarry upon the sea, the imputation of¹²⁷ his wickedness, by your rule, should be imposed upon his father that sent him. Or if a servant, under his master’s command transporting a sum of money, be assailed by robbers and die in many irreconciled¹³⁰ iniquities, you may call the business of the master the author of the servant’s damnation. But this is not so: the king is not bound to answer the particular endings of his soldiers, the father of his son, nor the master of his servant; for they purpose¹³³ not their death, when they purpose their services. Besides, there is no king, be his cause never so spotless, if it come to the arbitrement of swords,¹³⁵ can try it out with all unspotted soldiers: some peradventure¹³⁶ have on them the guilt of premeditated and contrived murder; some, of beguiling¹³⁷ virgins with the broken seals of perjury; some, making the wars their bulwark,¹³⁸ that have before gored the gentle bosom of peace with pillage and robbery. Now, if these men have defeated the law and outrun native punishment,¹³⁹ though they can outstrip men, they have no wings to fly from God. War is his beadle,¹⁴¹ war is his vengeance, so that here men are punished for before-breach of the king’s laws in now¹⁴² the king’s quarrel. Where they feared the death, they have borne life away;¹⁴³ and where they would be safe, they perish. Then if they die unprovided,¹⁴⁴ no more is the king guilty of their damnation than he was before guilty of those impieties for the which they are now visited.¹⁴⁵ Every subject’s duty is the king’s, but every subject’s soul is his own. Therefore should every soldier in the wars do as every sick man in his bed, wash every mote out of his conscience, and dying so, death is to him advantage; or not dying, the time was blessedly¹⁴⁹ lost wherein such preparation was gained. And in him that escapes, it were not sin to think that, making¹⁵⁰ God so free an offer, he let him outlive that day to see his greatness and to teach others how they should prepare.¹⁵¹

WILLIAMS

WILLIAMS     ’Tis certain, every man that dies ill,¹⁵² the ill upon his own head, the king is not to answer it.¹⁵³

BATES

BATES     But I do not desire he should answer for me, and yet I determine to fight lustily¹⁵⁵ for him.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V I myself heard the king say he would not be ransomed.

WILLIAMS

WILLIAMS     Ay, he said so, to make us fight cheerfully. But when our throats are cut, he may be ransomed, and we ne’er the wiser.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V If I live to see it,¹⁵⁹ I will never trust his word after.

WILLIAMS

WILLIAMS     You pay¹⁶⁰ him then. That’s a perilous shot out of an elder-gun, that a poor and a private displeasure can do against a monarch. You may as well go about¹⁶¹ to turn the sun to ice with fanning in his face with a peacock’s feather. You’ll never trust his word after! Come, ’tis a foolish saying.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Your reproof is something too round.¹⁶⁴ I should be angry with you, if the time were convenient.

WILLIAMS

WILLIAMS     Let it be a quarrel between us, if you live.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V I embrace¹⁶⁷ it.

WILLIAMS

WILLIAMS     How shall I know thee again?

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Give me any gage¹⁶⁹ of thine, and I will wear it in my bonnet: then, if ever thou darest¹⁷⁰ acknowledge it, I will make it my quarrel.

WILLIAMS

WILLIAMS     Here’s my glove. Give me another of thine.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V There. They exchange gloves

WILLIAMS

WILLIAMS     This will I also wear in my cap. If ever thou come to me and say, after tomorrow, ‘This is my glove’, by this hand, I will take¹⁷⁴ thee a box on the ear.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V If ever I live to see it, I will challenge it.

WILLIAMS

WILLIAMS     Thou dar’st as well be hanged.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Well, I will do it, though¹⁷⁷ I take thee in the king’s company.

WILLIAMS

WILLIAMS     Keep thy word. Fare thee well.

BATES

BATES     Be friends, you English fools, be friends. We have French quarrels enough, if you could tell how to reckon.¹⁸⁰

       Exeunt Soldiers

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Indeed, the French may lay twenty French crowns¹⁸¹ to one, they will beat us; for they bear them on their shoulders. But it is no English treason to cut French crowns,¹⁸³ and tomorrow the king himself will be a clipper.

               Upon the king! Let us our lives, our souls,

185

185         Our debts, our careful¹⁸⁵ wives,

               Our children and our sins lay on¹⁸⁶ the king!

               We must bear all. O, hard condition,¹⁸⁷

               Twin-born¹⁸⁸ with greatness, subject to the breath

               Of every fool, whose sense no more can feel

190

190         But his own wringing.¹⁹⁰ What infinite heart’s-ease

               Must kings neglect, that private men enjoy?

               And what have kings, that privates¹⁹² have not too,

               Save¹⁹³ ceremony, save general ceremony?

               And what art thou, thou idle¹⁹⁴ ceremony?

195

195         What kind of god art thou, that suffer’st more

               Of mortal¹⁹⁶ griefs than do thy worshippers?

               What are thy rents? What are thy comings in?¹⁹⁷

               O ceremony, show me but thy worth.

               What? Is thy soul of adoration?¹⁹⁹

200

200         Art thou aught²⁰⁰ else but place, degree and form,

               Creating awe and fear in other men?

               Wherein thou art less happy being feared

               Than they in fearing.

               What drink’st thou oft, instead of homage sweet,

205

205         But poisoned flattery? O, be sick, great greatness,

               And bid thy ceremony give thee cure!

               Think’st thou the fiery fever will go out

               With titles²⁰⁸ blown from adulation?

               Will it give place²⁰⁹ to flexure and low bending?

210

210         Canst thou, when thou command’st²¹⁰ the beggar’s knee,

               Command the health of it? No, thou proud dream,

               That play’st so subtly²¹² with a king’s repose.

               I am a king that find thee,²¹³ and I know

               ’Tis not the balm,²¹⁴ the sceptre and the ball,

215

215         The sword, the mace,²¹⁵ the crown imperial,

               The intertissued²¹⁶ robe of gold and pearl,

               The farcèd²¹⁷ title running ’fore the king,

               The throne he sits on, nor the tide of pomp²¹⁸

               That beats upon the high shore of this world.

220

220         No, not all these, thrice-gorgeous ceremony,

               Not all these, laid in bed majestical,

               Can sleep so soundly as the wretched slave,

               Who with a body filled and vacant mind

               Gets him to rest, crammed with distressful²²⁴ bread,

225

225         Never sees horrid night, the child of hell,

               But like a lackey,²²⁶ from the rise to set,

               Sweats in²²⁷ the eye of Phoebus and all night

               Sleeps in Elysium:²²⁸ next day after dawn,

               Doth rise and help Hyperion²²⁹ to his horse,

230

230         And follows so the ever-running year,

               With profitable²³¹ labour, to his grave.

               And but for ceremony, such a wretch,

               Winding up days with toil and nights with sleep,

               Had the forehand²³⁴ and vantage of a king.

235

235         The slave, a member²³⁵ of the country’s peace,

               Enjoys it; but in gross²³⁶ brain little wots

               What watch²³⁷ the king keeps to maintain the peace,

               Whose hours the peasant best advantages.²³⁸

       Enter Erpingham

ERPINGHAM

ERPINGHAM     My lord, your nobles, jealous of²³⁹ your absence,

240

240         Seek through your camp to find you.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY Good old knight,

               Collect them all together at my tent:

               I’ll be before thee.

ERPINGHAM

ERPINGHAM     I shall do’t, my lord.

       Exit

245

245 

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V O God of battles, steel my soldiers’ hearts,

               Possess them not with fear. Take from them now

               The sense of reck’ning,²⁴⁷ ere th’opposèd numbers

               Pluck their hearts from them. Not today, O lord,

               O, not today, think not upon the fault

250

250         My²⁵⁰ father made in compassing the crown!

               I Richard’s body have interrèd new,²⁵¹

               And on it have bestowed more contrite tears

               Than from it issued forcèd²⁵³ drops of blood.

               Five hundred poor I have in yearly pay,

255

255         Who twice a day their withered hands hold up

               Toward heaven, to pardon blood,²⁵⁶ and I have built

               Two chantries,²⁵⁷ where the sad and solemn priests

               Sing still²⁵⁸ for Richard’s soul. More will I do,

               Though all that I can do is nothing worth,

260

260         Since that my penitence comes after all,

               Imploring pardon.

       Enter Gloucester

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     My liege.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V My brother Gloucester’s voice?— Ay,

               I know thy errand. I will go with thee.

265

265         The day, my friends, and all things stay²⁶⁵ for me.

       Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 2]4.2

running scene 11

       Enter the Dauphin, Orléans, Rambures and Beaumont

ORLÉANS

ORLÉANS The sun doth gild our armour. Up, my lords!

DAUPHIN

DAUPHIN     Monte² à cheval! My horse, varlet! Laquais! Ha!

ORLÉANS

ORLÉANS O brave spirit!

DAUPHIN

DAUPHIN     Via,⁴ les eaux et la terre.

5

5     

ORLÉANS

ORLÉANS Rien⁵ puis? L’air et feu.

DAUPHIN

DAUPHIN     Cieux,⁶ cousin Orléans.

       Enter Constable

               Now, my lord constable?

CONSTABLE

CONSTABLE     Hark, how our steeds for present service⁸ neigh.

DAUPHIN

DAUPHIN     Mount them, and make⁹ incision in their hides,

10

10           That their hot blood may spin¹⁰ in English eyes,

               And dout¹¹ them with superfluous courage. Ha!

RAMBURES

RAMBURES     What, will you have them weep our horses’ blood?

               How shall we then behold their natural tears?

       Enter Messenger

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     The English are embattled,¹⁴ you French peers.

15

15   

CONSTABLE

CONSTABLE           To horse, you gallant princes, straight to horse!

               Do but behold yond¹⁶ poor and starvèd band,

               And your fair show¹⁷ shall suck away their souls,

               Leaving them but the shales¹⁸ and husks of men.

               There is not work enough for all our hands,

20

20           Scarce blood enough in all their sickly veins

               To give each naked curtle-axe²¹ a stain,

               That our French gallants²² shall today draw out,

               And sheathe for lack of sport. Let us but blow on them,

               The vapour of our valour will o’erturn them.²⁴

25

25           ’Tis positive gainst all exceptions,²⁵ lords,

               That our superfluous lackeys and our peasants,

               Who in unnecessary action swarm

               About our squares of battle,²⁸ were enow

               To purge this field of such a hilding²⁹ foe,

30

30           Though we upon this mountain’s basis³⁰ by

               Took stand for idle speculation:

               But that our honours³² must not. What’s to say?

               A very little little let us do

               And all is done. Then let the trumpets sound

35

35           The tucket sonance³⁵ and the note to mount,

               For our approach shall so much dare³⁶ the field

               That England shall couch down in fear and yield.

       Enter Grandpre

GRANDPRE

GRANDPRE     Why do you stay³⁸ so long, my lords of France?

               Yond³⁹ island carrions, desperate of their bones,

40

40           Ill-favouredly become⁴⁰ the morning field:

               Their ragged curtains⁴¹ poorly are let loose,

               And our air shakes them passing⁴² scornfully.

               Big Mars⁴³ seems bankrupt in their beggared host

               And faintly through a rusty beaver⁴⁴ peeps.

45

45           The horsemen sit like fixèd candlesticks,⁴⁵

               With torch-staves⁴⁶ in their hand, and their poor jades

               Lob⁴⁷ down their heads, dropping the hides and hips,

               The gum⁴⁸ down-roping from their pale dead eyes

               And in their pale dull mouths the gimmaled⁴⁹ bit

50

50           Lies foul⁵⁰ with chewed grass, still and motionless,

               And their executors,⁵¹ the knavish crows,

               Fly o’er them all, impatient for their hour.⁵²

               Description cannot suit⁵³ itself in words

               To demonstrate⁵⁴ the life of such a battle

55

55           In life so lifeless as it shows itself.

CONSTABLE

CONSTABLE     They have said their prayers and they stay for death.

DAUPHIN

DAUPHIN     Shall we go send them dinners and fresh suits

               And give their fasting⁵⁸ horses provender,

               And after fight with them?

60

60   

CONSTABLE

CONSTABLE           I stay but for my guidon.⁶⁰ To the field!

               I will the banner from a trumpet take

               And use it for my haste. Come, come, away!

               The sun is high and we outwear⁶³ the day.

       Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 3]4.3

running scene 12

       Enter Gloucester, Bedford, Exeter, Erpingham with all his host, Salisbury and Westmorland

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Where is the king?

BEDFORD

BEDFORD     The king himself is rode to view their battle.

WESTMORLAND

WESTMORLAND Of fighting men they have full threescore³ thousand.

EXETER

EXETER     There’s five to one. Besides, they all are fresh.

5

5     

SALISBURY

SALISBURY             God’s arm strike with us! ’Tis a fearful odds.

               God buy’⁶ you, princes all; I’ll to my charge.

               If we no more meet till we meet in heaven,

               Then joyfully, my noble Lord of Bedford,

               My dear Lord Gloucester, and my good Lord Exeter,

10

10           And my kind kinsman,¹⁰ warriors all, adieu!

BEDFORD

BEDFORD     Farewell, good Salisbury, and good luck go with thee!

EXETER

EXETER     Farewell, kind lord. Fight valiantly today.

               And yet I do thee wrong to mind¹³ thee of it,

               For thou art framed¹⁴ of the firm truth of valour.

       [Exit Salisbury]

15

15   

BEDFORD

BEDFORD           He is as full of valour as of kindness,

               Princely in both.

       Enter the King

WESTMORLAND

WESTMORLAND O, that we now had here

               But one ten thousand of those men in England

               That do no work today!

20

20   

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V What’s he that wishes so?

               My cousin Westmorland? No, my fair cousin,

               If we²² are marked to die, we are enough

               To do our country loss, and if to live,

               The fewer men, the greater share of honour.

25

25           God’s will, I pray thee, wish²⁵ not one man more.

               By Jove,²⁶ I am not covetous for gold,

               Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost,²⁷

               It yearns²⁸ me not if men my garments wear;

               Such outward things dwell not in my desires.

30

30           But if it be a sin to covet honour,

               I am the most offending soul alive.

               No, faith, my coz,³² wish not a man from England.

               God’s peace, I would not lose so great an honour

               As one man more, methinks, would share³⁴ from me

35

35           For the best hope I have. O, do not wish one more.

               Rather proclaim it,³⁶ Westmorland, through my host,

               That he which hath no stomach to³⁷ this fight,

               Let him depart, his passport³⁸ shall be made

               And crowns for convoy³⁹ put into his purse:

40

40           We would not die in that man’s company

               That fears his⁴¹ fellowship to die with us.—

               This day is called the feast of Crispian:⁴² To all

               He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,

               Will stand a tiptoe⁴⁴ when this day is named,

45

45           And rouse him at the name of Crispian.

               He that shall see this day, and live old age,

               Will yearly on the vigil⁴⁷ feast his neighbours,

               And say, ‘Tomorrow is Saint Crispian.’

               Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars,

50

50           And say, ‘These wounds I had on Crispin’s day.’

               Old men forget; yet all⁵¹ shall be forgot,

               But he’ll remember with advantages⁵²

               What feats he did that day. Then shall our names,

               Familiar in his mouth as household words —

55

55           Harry the king, Bedford and Exeter,

               Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester —

               Be⁵⁷ in their flowing cups freshly rememberèd.

               This story shall the good man teach his son,

               And Crispin Crispian⁵⁹ shall ne’er go by,

60

60           From this day to the ending of the world,

               But we in it shall be rememberèd;

               We few, we happy⁶² few, we band of brothers.

               For he today that sheds his blood with me

               Shall be my brother, be he ne’er so vile,⁶⁴

65

65           This day shall gentle his condition.⁶⁵

               And gentlemen in England now abed

               Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,

               And hold their manhoods⁶⁸ cheap whiles any speaks

               That fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s day.

       Enter Salisbury

70

70   

SALISBURY

SALISBURY           My sovereign lord, bestow yourself⁷⁰ with speed:

               The French are bravely⁷¹ in their battles set,

               And will with all expedience⁷² charge on us.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V All things are ready, if our minds be so.

WESTMORLAND

WESTMORLAND Perish the man whose mind is backward⁷⁴ now!

75

75   

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Thou dost not wish more help from England, coz?

WESTMORLAND

WESTMORLAND God’s will, my liege, would you and I alone,

               Without more help, could fight this royal battle!

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Why, now thou hast unwished five thousand men,

               Which likes⁷⁹ me better than to wish us one.—

80

80           You know your places. God be with you all!

       Tucket. Enter Montjoy

MONTJOY

MONTJOY     Once more I come to know of thee, King Harry,

               If for thy ransom thou wilt now compound,⁸²

               Before thy most assurèd overthrow,

               For certainly thou art so near the gulf,⁸⁴

85

85           Thou needs must be englutted.⁸⁵ Besides, in mercy,

               The constable desires thee thou wilt mind⁸⁶

               Thy followers of repentance; that their souls

               May make a peaceful and a sweet retire⁸⁸

               From off these fields, where, wretches, their poor bodies

90

90           Must lie and fester.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V      Who hath sent thee now?

MONTJOY

MONTJOY     The Constable of France.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V      I pray thee bear my former answer back:

               Bid them achieve⁹⁴ me and then sell my bones.

95

95           Good God, why should they mock poor fellows thus?

               The⁹⁶ man that once did sell the lion’s skin

               While the beast lived, was killed with hunting him.

               A many⁹⁸ of our bodies shall no doubt

               Find native⁹⁹ graves, upon the which, I trust,

100

100         Shall witness live in brass¹⁰⁰ of this day’s work.

               And those that leave their valiant bones in France,

               Dying like men, though buried in your dunghills,

               They shall be famed, for there the sun shall greet them,

               And draw their honours reeking¹⁰⁴ up to heaven,

105

105         Leaving their earthly parts to choke your clime,¹⁰⁵

               The smell whereof shall breed a plague in France.

               Mark¹⁰⁷ then abounding valour in our English,

               That being dead, like to the bullet’s crazing,¹⁰⁸

               Break out into a second course of mischief,¹⁰⁹

110

110         Killing in¹¹⁰ relapse of mortality.

               Let me speak proudly: tell the constable

               We are but warriors for the working day.¹¹²

               Our gayness¹¹³ and our gilt are all besmirched

               With rainy marching in the painful field.¹¹⁴

115

115         There’s not a piece of feather¹¹⁵ in our host —

               Good argument, I hope, we will not fly¹¹⁶ —

               And time hath worn us into slovenry.¹¹⁷

               But, by the mass, our hearts are in the trim,¹¹⁸

               And my poor soldiers tell me, yet ere night,

120

120         They’ll be in fresher robes, or they will pluck¹²⁰

               The gay new coats o’er the French soldiers’ heads

               And turn them out of service. If they do this —

               As, if God please, they shall — my ransom then

               Will soon be levied.¹²⁴ Herald, save thou thy labour:

125

125         Come thou no more for ransom, gentle herald.

               They shall have none, I swear, but these my joints,¹²⁶

               Which if they have as¹²⁷ I will leave ’em them,

               Shall yield them little, tell the constable.

MONTJOY

MONTJOY     I shall, King Harry. And so fare thee well:

130

130         Thou never shalt hear herald any more.

       Exit

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V     I fear thou wilt once more come again for a ransom.

       Enter York

YORK

YORK     My lord, most humbly on my knee I beg Kneels

               The leading of the vanguard.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Take it, brave York.— Now, soldiers, march away.

135

135         And how thou pleasest, God, dispose¹³⁵ the day!

       Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 4]4.4

running scene 13

       Alarum. Excursions. Enter Pistol, French Soldier [and] Boy

PISTOL

PISTOL     Yield, cur!

FRENCH SOLDIER

FRENCH SOLDIER Je² pense que vous êtes le gentilhomme de bon qualité.

PISTOL

PISTOL     Qualtitie³ calmie custure me? Art thou a gentleman? What is thy name? Discuss.⁴

5

5     

FRENCH SOLDIER

FRENCH SOLDIER FRENCH SOLDIER O Seigneur Dieu!⁵

PISTOL

PISTOL     O, Signieur Dew should be a gentleman.

               Perpend⁷ my words, O Signieur Dew, and mark:

               O Signieur Dew, thou diest on point of fox,⁸ Draws his sword

               Except,⁹ O signieur, thou do give to me

10

10           Egregious¹⁰ ransom.

FRENCH SOLDIER

FRENCH SOLDIER O,¹¹ prenez miséricorde! Ayez pitié de moi!

PISTOL

PISTOL     ‘Moy’¹² shall not serve. I will have forty moys,

               For I will fetch thy rim¹³ out at thy throat

               In drops of crimson blood.

15

15   

FRENCH SOLDIER

FRENCH SOLDIER Est-il¹⁵ impossible d’échapper la force de ton bras?

PISTOL

PISTOL     Brass,¹⁶ cur?

               Thou damnèd and luxurious¹⁷ mountain goat,

               Offer’st me brass?

FRENCH SOLDIER

FRENCH SOLDIER O, pardonnez-moi!¹⁹

20

20   

PISTOL

PISTOL           Say’st thou me so? Is that a ton of moys?²⁰

               Come hither, boy. Ask me this slave in French

               What is his name.

BOY

BOY     Écoutez, comment êtes-vous appelé?²³

FRENCH SOLDIER

FRENCH SOLDIER Monsieur le Fer²⁴.

BOY

BOY     He says his name is Master Fer.

PISTOL

PISTOL     Master Fer?²⁶ I’ll fer him, and firk him, and ferret him. Discuss the same in French unto him.

BOY

BOY     I do not know the French for fer and ferret and firk.

PISTOL

PISTOL     Bid him prepare, for I will cut his throat.

30

30   

FRENCH SOLDIER

FRENCH SOLDIER Que dit-il, monsieur?³⁰

BOY

BOY     Il³¹ me commande à vous dire que vous faites vous prêt, car ce soldat ici est disposé

               tout à cette heure de couper votre gorge.

PISTOL

PISTOL     Owy,³³ cuppele gorge, permafoy,

               Peasant, unless thou give me crowns, brave³⁴ crowns;

35

35           Or mangled shalt thou be by this my sword.

FRENCH SOLDIER

FRENCH SOLDIER O,³⁶ je vous supplie, pour l’amour de Dieu, me pardonner! Je suis gentilhomme de bonne maison. Gardez ma vie, et je vous donnerai deux cents écus.

PISTOL

PISTOL     What are his words?

BOY

BOY     He prays you to save his life: he is a gentleman of a good house, and for his ransom he will give you two hundred crowns.

PISTOL

PISTOL     Tell him my fury shall abate, and I the crowns will take.

FRENCH SOLDIER

FRENCH SOLDIER Petit⁴² monsieur, que dit-il?

BOY

BOY     Encore⁴³ qu’il est contre son jurement de pardonner aucun prisonnier, néanmoins, pour les écus que vous l’avez promis, il est content à vous donner la liberté, le franchisement.

FRENCH SOLDIER

FRENCH SOLDIER Kneels Sur⁴⁶ mes genoux je vous donne mille remerciements, et je m’estime heureux que j’ai tombé entre les mains d’un chevalier, je pense, le plus brave, vaillant, et très distingué seigneur d’Angleterre.

PISTOL

PISTOL     Expound⁴⁹ unto me, boy.

BOY

BOY     He gives you, upon his knees, a thousand thanks, and he esteems himself happy that he hath fallen into the hands of one, as he thinks, the most brave, valorous, and thrice-worthy⁵² signieur of England.

PISTOL

PISTOL     As I suck blood,⁵³ I will some mercy show. Follow me!

BOY

BOY     Suivez-vous le grand capitaine!⁵⁴

       [Exeunt Pistol and French Soldier]

I did never know so full⁵⁵ a voice issue from so empty a heart. But the saying is true, ‘The empty vessel makes the greatest sound’. Bardolph and Nym had ten times more valour than this roaring devil i’th’old play,⁵⁷ that everyone may pare his nails with a wooden dagger,⁵⁸ and they are both hanged, and so would this be, if he durst steal anything adventurously.⁵⁹ I must stay with the lackeys, with the luggage of our camp. The French might have a good prey⁶⁰ of us, if he knew of it, for there is none to guard it but boys.

       Exit

[Act 4 Scene 5]

running scene 13 continues

       Enter Constable, Orléans, Bourbon, Dauphin and Rambures

CONSTABLE

CONSTABLE     O diable!¹

ORLÉANS

ORLÉANS O² Seigneur! Le jour est perdu, tout est perdu!

DAUPHIN

DAUPHIN     Mort³ de ma vie! All is confounded, all.

               Reproach and everlasting shame

5

5             Sits mocking in our plumes.⁵ O méchante fortune!

       A short alarum

               Do not run away.

CONSTABLE

CONSTABLE     Why, all our ranks are broke.⁷

DAUPHIN

DAUPHIN     O, perdurable⁸ shame! Let’s stab ourselves.

               Be these the wretches that we played at dice for?

10

10   

ORLÉANS

ORLÉANS Is this the king we sent to for his ransom?

BOURBON

BOURBON     Shame and eternal shame, nothing but shame!

               Let us die! In¹² once more, back again.

               And he that will not follow Bourbon now,

               Let him go hence, and with his cap in hand,

15

15           Like a base pander,¹⁵ hold the chamber door

               Whilst by a base slave, no gentler¹⁶ than my dog,

               His fairest daughter is contaminated.

CONSTABLE

CONSTABLE     Disorder that hath spoiled¹⁸ us, friend us now.

               Let us on¹⁹ heaps go offer up our lives.

20

20   

ORLÉANS

ORLÉANS We are enough yet living in the field

               To smother up the English in our throngs,

               If any order might be thought upon.²²

BOURBON

BOURBON     The devil take order now! I’ll to the throng;

               Let life be short, else shame will be too long.

       Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 6]4.6

running scene 13 continues

       Alarum. Enter the King and his train [Exeter and others,] with prisoners

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Well have we done, thrice-valiant countrymen.

               But all’s not done, yet keep² the French the field.

EXETER

EXETER     The Duke of York commends him to your majesty.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Lives he, good uncle? Thrice within this hour

5

5             I saw him down; thrice up again and fighting,

               From helmet to the spur all blood he was.

EXETER

EXETER     In which array, brave soldier, doth he lie,

               Larding⁸ the plain, and by his bloody side,

               Yoke-fellow to his honour-owing⁹ wounds,

10

10           The noble Earl of Suffolk also lies.

               Suffolk first died, and York, all haggled over,¹¹

               Comes to him, where in gore he lay insteeped,¹²

               And takes him by the beard, kisses the gashes

               That bloodily did yawn upon his face,

15

15           And cries aloud, ‘Tarry,¹⁵ my cousin Suffolk!

               My soul shall thine keep company to heaven.

               Tarry, sweet soul, for mine, then fly abreast,¹⁷

               As in this glorious and well-foughten field¹⁸

               We kept together in our chivalry.¹⁹’

20

20           Upon these words I came and cheered him up.²⁰

               He smiled me in the face, raught²¹ me his hand

               And with a feeble grip says, ‘Dear my lord,

               Commend²³ my service to my sovereign.’

               So did he turn and over Suffolk’s neck

25

25           He threw his wounded arm and kissed his lips,

               And so espoused²⁶ to death, with blood he sealed

               A testament²⁷ of noble-ending love.

               The pretty and sweet manner of it forced

               Those waters²⁹ from me which I would have stopped,

30

30           But I had not so much of man in me,

               And all my mother³¹ came into mine eyes

               And gave me up to tears.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V I blame you not,

               For hearing this, I must perforce³⁴ compound

35

35           With mixed-full³⁵ eyes, or they will issue too.

       Alarum

               But, hark, what new alarum is this same?

               The French have reinforced their scattered men.

               Then every soldier kill his prisoners.

               Give the word through.

       Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 7]

running scene 13 continues

       Enter Fluellen and Gower

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     Kill the poys¹ and the luggage! ’Tis expressly against the law of arms. ’Tis as arrant a piece of knavery, mark you now, as can be offer’t,² in your conscience, now, is it not?

GOWER

GOWER     ’Tis certain there’s not a boy left alive, and the cowardly rascals that ran from the battle ha’ done this slaughter. Besides, they have burned and carried away all that was in the king’s tent, wherefore⁶ the king, most worthily, hath caused every soldier to cut his prisoner’s throat. O, ’tis a gallant king!

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     Ay, he was porn at Monmouth,⁸ Captain Gower. What call you the town’s name where Alexander the Pig⁹ was born?

GOWER

GOWER     Alexander the Great.

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     Why, I pray you, is not ‘pig’ great? The pig, or the great, or the mighty, or the huge, or the magnanimous, are all¹² one reckonings, save the phrase is a little variations.

GOWER

GOWER     I think Alexander the Great was born in Macedon,¹⁴ his father was called Philip of Macedon, as I take¹⁵ it.

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     I think it is in Macedon where Alexander is porn. I tell you, captain, if you look in the maps of the ’orld, I warrant you sall find, in the comparisons between Macedon and Monmouth, that the situations,¹⁸ look you, is both alike. There is a river in Macedon, and there is also moreover a river at Monmouth: it is called Wye²⁰ at Monmouth, but it is out of my prains what is the name of the other river. But ’tis all one, ’tis alike as my fingers is to my fingers, and there is salmons in both.²² If you mark Alexander’s life well, Harry of Monmouth’s life is come after it indifferent well, for there is figures²³ in all things. Alexander, God knows, and you know, in his rages and his furies and his wraths and his cholers²⁴ and his moods and his displeasures and his indignations and also being a little intoxicates²⁵ in his prains, did, in his ales²⁶ and his angers, look you, kill his best friend, Cleitus.

GOWER

GOWER     Our king is not like him in that: he never killed any of his friends.

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     It is not well done, mark you now, to take the tales out of my mouth ere it is made and finished. I speak but in the figures and comparisons of it: as Alexander killed his friend Cleitus, being in his ales and his cups,³⁰ so also Harry Monmouth, being in his right wits and his good judgements, turned away the fat knight with the great belly-doublet.³² He was full of jests and gipes and knaveries and mocks³³ — I have forgot his name.

GOWER

GOWER     Sir John Falstaff.

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     That is he. I’ll tell you there is good men porn at Monmouth.

GOWER

GOWER     Here comes his majesty.

       Alarum. Enter King Harry and Bourbon [and others] with prisoners. Flourish

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V I was not angry since I came to France

               Until this instant.³⁸ Take a trumpet, herald,

               Ride thou unto the horsemen on yond hill:

40

40           If they will fight with us, bid them come down,

               Or void the field: they do offend our sight.

               If they’ll do neither, we will come to them

               And make them skirr⁴³ away, as swift as stones

               Enforcèd⁴⁴ from the old Assyrian slings.

45

45           Besides,⁴⁵ we’ll cut the throats of those we have,

               And not a man of them that we shall take⁴⁶

               Shall taste our mercy. Go and tell them so.

       Enter Montjoy

EXETER

EXETER     Here comes the herald of the French, my liege.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     His eyes are humbler than they used to be.

50

50   

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V How now? What means this, herald? Know’st thou not

               That I have fined⁵¹ these bones of mine for ransom?

               Com’st thou again for ransom?

MONTJOY

MONTJOY     No, great king:

               I come to thee for charitable licence,⁵⁴

55

55           That we may wander o’er this bloody field

               To book⁵⁶ our dead and then to bury them,

               To sort our nobles from our common men.

               For many of our princes — woe the while! —

               Lie drowned and soaked in mercenary⁵⁹ blood,

60

60           So do our vulgar⁶⁰ drench their peasant limbs

               In blood of princes, and our wounded steeds

               Fret⁶² fetlock-deep in gore and with wild rage

               Yerk⁶³ out their armèd heels at their dead masters,

               Killing them twice. O, give us leave, great king,

65

65           To view the field in safety and dispose

               Of their dead bodies!

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V I tell thee truly, herald,

               I know not if the day⁶⁸ be ours or no,

               For yet a many of your horsemen peer⁶⁹

70

70           And gallop o’er the field.

MONTJOY

MONTJOY     The day is yours.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Praised be God, and not our strength, for it!—

               What is this castle called that stands hard⁷³ by?

MONTJOY

MONTJOY     They call it Agincourt.

75

75   

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Then call we this the field of Agincourt,

               Fought on the day of Crispin Crispianus.

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     Your grandfather⁷⁷ of famous memory, an’t please your majesty, and your great-uncle Edward the Plack Prince of Wales, as I have read in the chronicles,⁷⁸ fought a most prave pattle here in France.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V They did, Fluellen.

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     Your majesty says very true: if your majesties is remembered of it, the Welshmen did good service in a garden where leeks did grow, wearing leeks in their Monmouth caps,⁸³ which, your majesty know, to this hour is an honourable badge⁸⁴ of the service, and I do believe your majesty takes no scorn to wear the leek upon Saint Tavy’s⁸⁵ day.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V I wear it for a memorable honour,⁸⁶ For I am Welsh, you know, good countryman.

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN All the water in Wye cannot wash your majesty’s Welsh plood out of your pody, I can tell you that. God pless it and preserve it, as long as it pleases his grace,⁸⁹ and his majesty too!

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Thanks, good my countryman.

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     By Jeshu, I am your majesty’s countryman, I care not who know it. I will confess it to all the ’orld. I need not to be ashamed of your majesty, praised be God, so long as your majesty is an honest man.

95

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V God keep me so!

       Enter Williams

Our heralds go with him.

Bring me just notice of the numbers dead

On both our parts.—

       [Exeunt Heralds with Montjoy]

Call yonder fellow hither. Points to Williams

EXETER

EXETER     Soldier, you must come to the king.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Soldier, why wear’st thou that glove in thy cap?

WILLIAMS

WILLIAMS     An’t please your majesty, ’tis the gage¹⁰² of one that I should fight withal, if he be alive.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V An Englishman?

WILLIAMS

WILLIAMS     An’t please your majesty, a rascal that swaggered¹⁰⁵ with me last night, who, if alive and ever dare to challenge¹⁰⁶ this glove, I have sworn to take him a box o’th’ear, or if I can see my glove in his cap, which he swore as he was a soldier he would wear if alive, I will strike it out soundly.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V What think you, Captain Fluellen? Is it fit¹⁰⁹ this soldier keep his oath?

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     He is a craven¹¹⁰ and a villain else, an’t please your majesty, in my conscience.

KING HENRYV

KING HENRYV It may be his enemy is a gentleman of great sort,¹¹² quite from the answer of his degree.

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     Though he be as good a gentleman as the devil is, as Lucifer and Beelzebub¹¹⁴ himself, it is necessary, look your grace, that he keep his vow and his oath: if he be perjured, see you now, his reputation is as arrant a villain and a jack-sauce¹¹⁶ as ever his black¹¹⁷ shoe trod upon God’s ground and his earth, in my conscience, la!

KING HENRYV

KING HENRYV Then keep thy vow, sirrah,¹¹⁸ when thou meet’st the fellow.

WILLIAMS

WILLIAMS     So I will, my liege, as I live.

KING HENRYV

KING HENRYV Who servest thou under?

WILLIAMS

WILLIAMS     Under Captain Gower, my liege.

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     Gower is¹²² a good captain, and is good knowledge and literatured in the wars.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Call him hither to me, soldier.

WILLIAMS

WILLIAMS     I will, my liege.

       Exit

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Here, Fluellen, wear thou this favour¹²⁶ for me and stick it in thy cap. Gives him Williams’ glove When Alençon¹²⁷ and myself were down together, I plucked this glove from his helm:¹²⁸ if any man challenge this, he is a friend to Alençon and an enemy to our person; if thou encounter any such, apprehend¹²⁹ him, an thou dost me love.

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     Your grace does me as great honours as can be desired in the hearts of his subjects. I would fain¹³¹ see the man that has but two legs that shall find himself aggriefed at this glove; that is all. But I would fain see it¹³² once, an please God of his grace that I might see.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Know’st thou Gower?

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     He is my dear friend, an please you.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Pray thee go seek him, and bring him to my tent.

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     I will fetch him.

       Exit

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V My lord of Warwick, and my brother Gloucester,

               Follow Fluellen closely at the heels.

140

140         The glove which I have given him for a favour

               May haply¹⁴¹ purchase him a box o’th’ear.

               It is the soldier’s, I by bargain should

               Wear it myself. Follow, good cousin Warwick:

               If that the soldier strike him, as I judge

145

145         By his blunt¹⁴⁵ bearing he will keep his word,

               Some sudden mischief¹⁴⁶ may arise of it,

               For I do know Fluellen valiant

               And, touched¹⁴⁸ with choler, hot as gunpowder,

               And quickly will return an injury.

150

150         Follow and see there be no harm between them.

               Go you with me, uncle of Exeter.

       Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 8]

running scene 13 continues

       Enter Gower and Williams

WILLIAMS

WILLIAMS     I warrant it is to knight you, captain.

       Enter Fluellen

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     God’s will and his pleasure, captain, I beseech you now, come apace² to the king: there is more good toward you peradventure,³ than is in your knowledge to dream of.

WILLIAMS

WILLIAMS     Sir, know you⁵ this glove?

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     Know the glove? I know the glove is a glove.

WILLIAMS

WILLIAMS     I know this, and thus I challenge it.

       Strikes him

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     ’Sblood,⁸ an arrant traitor as any’s in the universal world, or in France, or in England!

GOWER

GOWER     How now, sir? You villain! To Williams

WILLIAMS

WILLIAMS     Do you think I’ll be¹¹ forsworn?

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     Stand away,¹² Captain Gower. I will give treason his payment into ploughs, I warrant you.

WILLIAMS

WILLIAMS     I am no traitor.

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     That’s a lie¹⁵ in thy throat. I charge you in his majesty’s name, apprehend him. He’s a friend of the Duke Alençon’s.

       Enter Warwick and Gloucester

WARWICK

WARWICK     How now, how now? What’s the matter?

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     My lord of Warwick, here is — praised be God for it! — a most contagious treason come to light, look you, as you shall desire in a summer’s day.¹⁹ Here is his majesty.

       Enter King and Exeter

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V How now? What’s the matter?

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     My liege, here is a villain and a traitor, that, look your grace, has struck the glove which your majesty is take out²³ of the helmet of Alençon.

WILLIAMS

WILLIAMS     My liege, this was my glove, here is the fellow of it. Shows other glove And he that I gave it to in change promised to wear it in his cap. I promised to strike him, if he did. I met this man with my glove in his cap, and I have been as good as my word.

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     Your majesty hear now, saving your majesty’s manhood, what an arrant, rascally, beggarly, lousy knave it is. I hope your majesty is pear²⁸ me testimony and witness, and will avouchment,²⁹ that this is the glove of Alençon that your majesty is give³⁰ me, in your conscience, now.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Give me thy glove, soldier. Look, here is the fellow of it. Shows his glove ’Twas I, indeed, thou promisèd’st to strike, And thou hast given me most bitter terms.³³

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     An please your majesty, let his neck answer for it, if there is any martial law in the world.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V How canst thou make me satisfaction?³⁶

WILLIAMS

WILLIAMS     All offences, my lord, come from the heart. Never came any from mine that might offend your majesty.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V It was ourself thou didst abuse.³⁹

WILLIAMS

WILLIAMS     Your majesty came not like yourself: you appeared to me but as a common man; witness the night, your garments, your lowliness.⁴¹ And what your highness suffered under that shape, I beseech you take it for your own fault and not mine, for had you been as I took you for, I made no offence: therefore, I beseech your highness, pardon me.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Here, uncle Exeter, fill this glove with crowns, And give it to this fellow.— Keep it, fellow, And wear it for an honour in thy cap Till I do challenge it.— Give him the crowns.— Exeter gives And captain, you must needs be friends with him. Williams money

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     By this day and this light, the fellow has mettle⁵⁰ enough in his belly.—Hold, Offers Williams money there is twelve-pence for you, and I pray you to serve God, and keep you out of prawls and prabbles⁵² and quarrels and dissensions and, I warrant you, it is the better for you.

WILLIAMS

WILLIAMS     I will⁵⁴ none of your money.

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     It is with a good will. I can tell you, it will serve you to mend your shoes. Come, wherefore should you be so pashful? Your shoes is not so good.⁵⁶ ’Tis a good silling, I warrant you, or I will change it.

       Enter Herald

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Now, herald, are the dead numbered?

HERALD

HERALD     Here is the number of the slaughtered French. Gives a paper

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V What prisoners of good sort⁶⁰ are taken, uncle?

EXETER

EXETER     ‘Charles Duke of Orléans, nephew to the king, Reads

               John Duke of Bourbon, and Lord Bouciqualt.

               Of other lords and barons, knights and squires,

               Full fifteen hundred, besides common men.’

65

65   

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V           This note doth tell me of ten thousand French

               That in the field lie slain: of princes, in this number,

               And nobles bearing banners, there lie dead

               One hundred twenty six: added to these,

               Of knights, esquires, and gallant gentlemen,

70

70           Eight thousand and four hundred, of the which,

               Five hundred were but yesterday dubbed knights.

               So that in these ten thousand they have lost,

               There are but sixteen hundred mercenaries:

               The rest are princes, barons, lords, knights, squires,

75

75           And gentlemen of blood⁷⁵ and quality.

               The names of those their nobles that lie dead:

               Charles Delabreth, High Constable of France,

               Jaques of Chatillion, Admiral⁷⁸ of France,

               The master of the cross-bows, Lord Rambures,

80

80           Great Master⁸⁰ of France, the brave Sir Guichard Dolphin,

               John Duke of Alençon, Anthony Duke of Brabant,

               The brother to the Duke of Burgundy,

               And Edward Duke of Bar. Of lusty⁸³ earls,

               Grandpré and Roussi, Fauconbridge and Foix,

85

85           Beaumont and Marle, Vaudemont and Lestrale.

               Here was a royal fellowship of death.—

               Where is the number of our English dead?— Herald gives him another paper

               ‘Edward the Duke of York, the Earl of Suffolk, Reads

               Sir Richard Ketly, Davy Gam, Esquire’;

90

90           None else of name,⁹⁰ and of all other men

               But five-and-twenty. O God, thy arm⁹¹ was here.

               And not to us, but to thy arm alone,

               Ascribe we all! When, without stratagem,⁹³

               But in plain shock⁹⁴ and even play of battle,

95

95           Was ever known so great and little loss

               On one part and on th’other? Take it, God,

               For it is none but thine.

EXETER

EXETER     ’Tis wonderful.⁹⁸

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Come, go we in procession to the village.

100

100         And be it death proclaimèd through our host

               To boast of this or take that praise from God

               Which is his only.

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     Is it not lawful, an please your majesty, to tell how many is killed?

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Yes, captain, but with this acknowledgement:

105

105         That God fought for us.

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     Yes, my conscience, he did us great good.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Do we all holy rites.

               Let there be sung Non nobis¹⁰⁸ and Te Deum,

               The dead with¹⁰⁹ charity enclosed in clay,

110

110         And then to Calais, and to England then,

               Where ne’er from France arrived more happy men.

       Exeunt

Act 5

Enter Chorus

CHORUS

CHORUS     Vouchsafe⁴ to those that have not read the story,

               That I may prompt² them: and of such as have,

               I humbly pray them to admit th’excuse

               Of time,⁴ of numbers and due course of things,

5

5             Which cannot in their huge⁵ and proper life

               Be here presented. Now we bear the king

               Toward Calais: grant⁷ him there; there seen,

               Heave him away upon your wingèd thoughts

               Athwart⁹ the sea. Behold, the English beach

10

10           Pales¹⁰ in the flood with men, wives and boys,

               Whose shouts and claps¹¹ out-voice the deep-mouthed sea,

               Which like a mighty whiffler¹² ’fore the king

               Seems to prepare his way. So let him land,

               And solemnly¹⁴ see him set on to London.

15

15           So swift a pace hath thought that even now

               You may imagine him upon Blackheath,¹⁶

               Where that¹⁷ his lords desire him to have borne

               His bruisèd¹⁸ helmet and his bended sword

               Before him through the city. He forbids it,

20

20           Being free from vainness²⁰ and self-glorious pride;

               Giving full trophy,²¹ signal and ostent

               Quite from himself to God. But now behold,

               In the quick forge and working-house²³ of thought,

               How London doth pour out her citizens.

25

25           The mayor and all his brethren²⁵ in best sort,

               Like to the senators of th’antique²⁶ Rome,

               With the plebeians swarming at their heels,

               Go forth and fetch their conqu’ring Caesar in:

               As by a lower²⁹ but by loving likelihood,

30

30           Were now the general³⁰ of our gracious empress,

               As in good time he may, from Ireland coming,

               Bringing rebellion broachèd³² on his sword,

               How many would the peaceful city quit,

               To welcome him? Much³⁴ more, and much more cause,

35

35           Did they this Harry. Now in London place him,

               As yet the lamentation³⁶ of the French

               Invites³⁷ the King of England’s stay at home:

               The emperor’s coming³⁸ in behalf of France,

               To order peace between them.³⁹ And omit

40

40           All the occurrences, whatever chanced,

               Till Harry’s back return again to France:

               There must we bring him; and myself have played⁴²

               The interim, by rememb’ring you ’tis past.

               Then brook⁴⁴ abridgment, and your eyes advance,

45

45           After your thoughts, straight back again to France.

       Exit

[Act 5 Scene 1]5.1

running scene 14

       Enter Fluellen and Gower

GOWER

GOWER     Nay, that’s right. But why wear you your leek today? Saint Davy’s day is past.

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     There is occasions and causes why and wherefore³ in all things. I will tell you, asse⁴ my friend, Captain Gower: the rascally, scald, beggarly, lousy, pragging knave, Pistol, which you and yourself and all the world know to be no petter than a fellow, look you now, of no merits, he is come to me and prings me pread and salt yesterday, look you, and bid me eat my leek. It was in a place where I could not breed no contention⁸ with him, but I will be so bold as to wear it in my cap till I see him once again, and then I will tell him a little piece of my desires.

       Enter Pistol

GOWER

GOWER     Why, here he comes, swelling¹⁰ like a turkey-cock.

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     ’Tis no matter for his swellings nor his turkey-cocks.— God pless you, aunchient Pistol. You scurvy,¹² lousy knave, God pless you!

PISTOL

PISTOL     Ha, art thou bedlam?¹³ Dost thou thirst, base Trojan, To have me fold¹⁴ up Parcas fatal web? Hence, I am qualmish¹⁵ at the smell of leek.

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     I peseech you heartily, scurvy, lousy knave, at my desires, and my requests, and my petitions, to eat, look you, this leek; because, look you, you do not love it, nor your affections and your appetites and your disgestions¹⁸ doo’s not agree with it, I would desire you to eat it.

PISTOL

PISTOL     Not for Cadwallader²⁰ and all his goats.

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     There is one goat²¹ for you.

       Strikes him

                  Will you be so good, scald²² knave, as eat it?

PISTOL

PISTOL     Base Trojan, thou shalt die.

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     You say very true, scald knave, when God’s will is:²⁴ I will desire you to live in the meantime, and eat your victuals.²⁵ Come, there is sauce for it. Strikes him You called me yesterday ‘mountain squire’, but I will make you today a squire of low degree. I pray you fall to:²⁷ if you can mock a leek, you can eat a leek.

GOWER

GOWER     Enough, captain, you have astonished²⁸ him.

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     I say, I will make him eat some part of my leek, or I will peat his pate four days.— Bite, I pray you, it is good for your green³⁰ wound and your ploody coxcomb.

PISTOL

PISTOL     Must I bite?

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     Yes, certainly, and out of doubt and out of question too, and ambiguities.

PISTOL

PISTOL     By this leek, I will most horribly revenge.³⁴ I eat and eat, I swear— Eats

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     Eat, I pray you. Fluellen threatens him or strikes him Will you have some more sauce to your leek? There is not enough leek to swear by.

PISTOL

PISTOL     Quiet thy cudgel, thou dost see I eat. Eats

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     Much good do you, scald knave, heartily. Nay, pray you throw none away, the skin is good for your broken coxcomb. When you take occasions³⁹ to see leeks hereafter, I pray you mock at ’em, that is all.

PISTOL

PISTOL     Good.⁴¹

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     Ay, leeks is good. Hold you, there is a groat⁴² to heal your pate. Offers a coin

PISTOL

PISTOL     Me a groat?

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     Yes, verily and in truth, you shall take it, or I have another leek in my pocket, which you shall eat.

PISTOL

PISTOL     I take thy groat in earnest of⁴⁶ revenge.

FLUELLEN

FLUELLEN     If I owe you anything, I will pay⁴⁷ you in cudgels. You shall be a woodmonger,⁴⁸ and buy nothing of me but cudgels. God buy you, and keep you, and heal your pate.

       Exit

PISTOL

PISTOL     All hell shall stir for this.

GOWER

GOWER     Go, go, you are a counterfeit⁵¹ cowardly knave. Will you mock at an ancient tradition, begun upon an honourable respect, and worn as a memorable trophy of predeceased⁵³ valour and dare not avouch in your deeds any of your words? I have seen you gleeking⁵⁴ and galling at this gentleman twice or thrice. You thought because he could not speak English in the native garb,⁵⁵ he could not therefore handle an English cudgel: you find it otherwise, and henceforth let a Welsh correction teach you a good English condition.⁵⁷ Fare ye well.

       Exit

PISTOL

PISTOL     Doth Fortune play the hussy with me now?

               News have I, that my Doll⁵⁹ is dead i’th’spital

60

60           Of a malady of France,⁶⁰

               And there my rendezvous⁶¹ is quite cut off.

               Old I do wax,⁶² and from my weary limbs

               Honour is cudgelled. Well, bawd⁶³ I’ll turn,

               And something⁶⁴ lean to cutpurse of quick hand.

65

65           To England will I steal,⁶⁵ and there I’ll steal,

               And patches⁶⁶ will I get unto these cudgelled scars,

               And swear I got them in the Gallia⁶⁷ wars.

       Exit

Act 5 [Scene 2]*

running scene 15

       Enter, at one door King Henry, Exeter, Bedford, Warwick, [Gloucester, Clarence, Westmorland] and other Lords: at another, Queen Isabel, the [French] King, the Duke of Burgundy and other French [including Katherine and Alice]

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Peace to this meeting, wherefore¹ we are met.

               Unto our brother² France, and to our sister,

               Health and fair³ time of day, joy and good wishes

               To our most fair and princely⁴ cousin Katherine,

5

5             And, as a branch and member of this royalty,⁵

               By whom this great assembly is contrived,

               We do salute you, Duke of Burgundy,

               And princes French and peers, health to you all!

FRENCH KING

FRENCH KING Right joyous are we to behold your face,

10

10           Most worthy brother England, fairly met.

               So are you, princes English, every one.

QUEEN ISABEL

QUEEN ISABEL So happy be the issue,¹² brother England,

               Of this good day and of this gracious¹³ meeting,

               As we are now glad to behold your eyes —

15

15           Your eyes, which hitherto have borne in them

               Against the French, that met them in their bent,¹⁶

               The fatal balls¹⁷ of murdering basilisks.

               The venom of such looks, we fairly hope,

               Have lost their quality,¹⁹ and that this day

20

20           Shall change all griefs and quarrels into love.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V To cry amen to that, thus we appear.

QUEEN ISABEL

QUEEN ISABEL You English princes all, I do salute you.

BURGUNDY

BURGUNDY     My duty to you both, on²³ equal love,

               Great Kings of France and England! That I have laboured,

25

25           With all my wits, my pains²⁵ and strong endeavours,

               To bring your most imperial majesties

               Unto this bar²⁷ and royal interview,

               Your mightiness on both parts best can witness.

               Since then my office hath so far prevailed

30

30           That,³⁰ face to face and royal eye to eye,

               You have congreeted,³¹ let it not disgrace me,

               If I demand, before³² this royal view,

               What rub³³ or what impediment there is,

               Why that the naked, poor and mangled Peace,

35

35           Dear nurse³⁵ of arts, plenties and joyful births,

               Should not in this best garden of the world,

               Our fertile France, put up³⁷ her lovely visage?

               Alas, she hath from France too long been chased,

               And all her husbandry³⁹ doth lie on heaps,

40

40           Corrupting⁴⁰ in it own fertility.

               Her vine, the merry cheerer of the heart,

               Unprunèd dies: her hedges even-pleached,⁴²

               Like prisoners wildly overgrown with hair,

               Put forth disordered twigs: her fallow leas⁴⁴

45

45           The darnel,⁴⁵ hemlock and rank fumitory

               Doth root upon,⁴⁶ while that the coulter rusts

               That should deracinate⁴⁷ such savagery.

               The even mead,⁴⁸ that erst brought sweetly forth

               The freckled⁴⁹ cowslip, burnet and green clover,

50

50           Wanting⁵⁰ the scythe, withal uncorrected, rank,

               Conceives⁵¹ by idleness and nothing teems

               But hateful docks,⁵² rough thistles, kecksies, burs,

               Losing both beauty and utility;

               And all our vineyards, fallows,⁵⁴ meads and hedges,

55

55           Defective in their natures,⁵⁵ grow to wildness.

               Even so our houses and ourselves and children

               Have lost, or do not learn for want of time,

               The sciences⁵⁸ that should become our country,

               But grow like savages — as soldiers will

60

60           That nothing do but meditate on blood —

               To swearing and stern looks, diffused⁶¹ attire

               And everything that seems unnatural.

               Which to reduce⁶³ into our former favour

               You are assembled, and my speech entreats

65

65           That I may know the let,⁶⁵ why gentle Peace

               Should not expel these inconveniences

               And bless us with her former qualities.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V If, Duke of Burgundy, you would⁶⁸ the peace,

               Whose want⁶⁹ gives growth to th’imperfections

70

70           Which you have cited, you must buy that peace

               With full accord⁷¹ to all our just demands,

               Whose tenors⁷² and particular effects

               You have enscheduled⁷³ briefly in your hands.

BURGUNDY

BURGUNDY     The king hath heard them, to the which as yet

75

75           There is no answer made.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Well then, the peace,

               Which you before so urged, lies in his answer.

FRENCH KING

FRENCH KING I have but with a cursitory eye⁷⁸

               O’erglanced⁷⁹ the articles. Pleaseth your grace

80

80           To appoint some of your council presently

               To sit with us once more, with better heed⁸¹

               To re-survey them, we will suddenly⁸²

               Pass⁸³ our accept and peremptory answer.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Brother, we shall.— Go, uncle Exeter,

85

85           And brother Clarence, and you, brother Gloucester,

               Warwick and Huntingdon, go with the king,

               And take with you free power to ratify,⁸⁷

               Augment, or alter, as your wisdoms best

               Shall see advantageable for our dignity,

90

90           Anything in or out of our demands,

               And we’ll consign⁹¹ thereto.— Will you, fair sister, To Queen Isabel

               Go with the princes, or stay here with us?

QUEEN ISABEL

QUEEN ISABEL Our gracious brother, I will go with them:

               Haply⁹⁴ a woman’s voice may do some good,

95

95           When articles too nicely⁹⁵ urged be stood on.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Yet leave our cousin Katherine here with us.

               She is our capital⁹⁷ demand comprised

               Within the fore-rank⁹⁸ of our articles.

QUEEN ISABEL

QUEEN ISABEL She hath good leave.

       Exeunt all. Henry, Katherine [and Alice] remain

100

100 

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V               Fair Katherine, and most fair,

               Will you vouchsafe to teach a soldier terms¹⁰¹

               Such as will enter at a lady’s ear

               And plead his love-suit¹⁰³ to her gentle heart?

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     Your majesty shall mock at me: I cannot speak your England.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V O fair Katherine, if you will love me soundly with your French heart, I will be glad to hear you confess it brokenly with your English tongue. Do you like me, Kate?

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     Pardonnez-moi,¹⁰⁸ I cannot tell vat is ‘like me’.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V An angel is like you, Kate, and you are like an angel.

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     Que¹¹⁰ dit-il? Que je suis semblable à les anges? To Alice

ALICE

ALICE     Oui,¹¹¹ vraiment, sauf votre grâce, ainsi dit-il.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V I said so, dear Katherine, and I must not blush to affirm it.

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     O¹¹³ bon Dieu! Les langues des hommes sont pleines de tromperies.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V What says she, fair one? To Alice That the tongues of men are full of deceits?

ALICE

ALICE     Oui, dat de tongues of de mans is be full of deceits: dat is de princess.¹¹⁵

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V The princess is the better Englishwoman.¹¹⁶ I’faith, Kate, my wooing is fit for thy understanding. I am glad thou canst speak no better English, for, if thou couldst, thou wouldst find me such a plain¹¹⁸ king that thou wouldst think I had sold my farm to buy my crown. I know no ways to mince¹¹⁹ it in love, but directly to say ‘I love you.’ Then if you urge me further than to say, ‘Do you in faith?’, I wear out my suit.¹²¹ Give me your answer, i’faith, do, and so clap hands and a bargain. How say you, lady?

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     Sauf votre honneur,¹²³ me understand veil.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Marry, if you would put¹²⁴ me to verses or to dance for your sake, Kate, why you undid¹²⁵ me, for the one I have neither words nor measure; and for the other, I have no strength in measure,¹²⁶ yet a reasonable measure in strength. If I could win a lady at leap-frog, or by vaulting into my saddle with my armour on my back, under¹²⁸ the correction of bragging be it spoken, I should quickly leap into a wife. Or if I might buffet¹²⁹ for my love, or bound my horse for her favours, I could lay on¹³⁰ like a butcher and sit like a jackanapes, never off. But, before God, Kate, I cannot look greenly¹³¹ nor gasp out my eloquence, nor I have no cunning in protestation; only downright¹³² oaths, which I never use till urged, nor never break for urging.¹³³ If thou canst love a fellow of this temper, Kate, whose face is not worth sunburning, that never looks in his glass¹³⁴ for love of anything he sees there, let thine eye be thy cook.¹³⁵ I speak to thee plain soldier: if thou canst love me for this, take me: if not, to say to thee that I shall die, is true; but for thy love, by the lord, no. Yet I love thee too. And while thou liv’st, dear Kate, take a fellow of plain and uncoined¹³⁸ constancy, for he perforce must do thee right, because he hath not the gift to woo in other places. For these fellows of infinite tongue,¹³⁹ that can rhyme themselves into ladies’ favours,¹⁴⁰ they do always reason themselves out again. What!¹⁴¹ A speaker is but a prater, a rhyme is but a ballad. A good leg will fall, a straight back will stoop, a black beard will turn white, a curled pate will grow bald, a fair face will wither, a full¹⁴³ eye will wax hollow: but a good heart, Kate, is the sun and the moon — or rather the sun and not the moon, for it shines bright and never changes, but keeps his course truly. If thou would have such a one, take me: and take me, take a soldier: take a soldier, take a king. And what say’st thou then to my love? Speak, my fair, and fairly,¹⁴⁷ I pray thee.

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     Is it possible dat I sould love de enemy of France?

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V No, it is not possible you should love the enemy of France, Kate; but in loving me, you should love the friend¹⁵⁰ of France, for I love France so well that I will not part with a village of it; I will have it all mine: and, Kate, when France is mine and I am yours, then yours is France and you are mine.

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     I cannot tell vat is dat.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V No, Kate? I will tell thee in French, which I am sure will hang upon my tongue like a new-married wife about her husband’s neck, hardly to be shook off. Je¹⁵⁶ quand sur le possession de France, et quand vous avez le possession de moi — let me see, what then? Saint¹⁵⁷ Denis be my speed! — donc vôtre est France et vous êtes mienne. It is as easy for me, Kate, to conquer the kingdom as to speak so much more French. I shall never move¹⁵⁹ thee in French, unless it be to laugh at me.

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     Sauf¹⁶⁰ votre honneur, le français que vous parlez, il est meilleur que l’anglais lequel je parle.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V No, faith, is’t not, Kate. But thy speaking of my tongue, and I thine, most truly-falsely,¹⁶³ must needs be granted to be much at one. But, Kate, dost thou understand thus much English, canst thou love me?

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     I cannot tell.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Can any of your neighbours¹⁶⁶ tell, Kate? I’ll ask them. Come, I know thou lovest me. And at night, when you come into your closet,¹⁶⁷ you’ll question this gentlewoman about me; and I know, Kate, you will to her dispraise¹⁶⁸ those parts in me that you love with your heart, but, good Kate, mock me mercifully, the rather, gentle princess, because I love thee cruelly.¹⁷⁰ If ever thou beest mine, Kate, as I have a saving faith¹⁷¹ within me tells me thou shalt, I get thee with scambling, and thou must therefore needs prove a good soldier-breeder. Shall not thou and I, between Saint Denis and Saint George, compound¹⁷³ a boy, half French, half English, that shall go to Constantinople and take¹⁷⁴ the Turk by the beard? Shall we not? What say’st thou, my fair flower-de-luce?¹⁷⁵

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     I do not know dat.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V No, ’tis hereafter¹⁷⁷ to know, but now to promise: do but now promise, Kate, you will endeavour for your French part¹⁷⁸ of such a boy; and for my English moiety¹⁷⁹ take the word of a king and a bachelor. How answer you, la plus belle Katherine du monde, mon très chère et devin déesse?

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     Your majestee ’ave¹⁸¹ fausse French enough to deceive de most sage demoiselle¹⁸² dat is en France.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Now, fie upon my false French! By mine honour, in true English, I love thee, Kate: by which honour I dare not swear thou lovest me, yet my blood¹⁸⁴ begins to flatter me that thou dost, notwithstanding¹⁸⁵ the poor and untempering effect of my visage. Now, beshrew¹⁸⁶ my father’s ambition! He was thinking of civil wars when he got¹⁸⁷ me: therefore was I created with a stubborn outside, with an aspect of iron, that when I come to woo ladies, I fright them. But, in faith, Kate, the elder I wax, the better I shall appear. My comfort is that old age, that ill layer-up¹⁸⁹ of beauty, can do no more spoil¹⁹⁰ upon my face. Thou hast me, if thou hast me, at the worst; and thou shalt wear¹⁹¹ me, if thou wear me, better and better. And therefore tell me, most fair Katherine, will you have me? Put off your maiden blushes, avouch the thoughts of your heart with the looks of an empress, take me by the hand, and say, ‘Harry of England I am thine.’ Which word thou shalt no sooner bless mine ear withal, but I will tell thee aloud, ‘England is thine, Ireland is thine, France is thine, and Henry Plantagenet¹⁹⁶ is thine’; who though I speak it before his face, if he be not fellow with¹⁹⁷ the best king, thou shalt find the best king of good fellows. Come, your answer in broken music; for thy voice is music and thy English broken: therefore, queen of all, Katherine, break¹⁹⁹ thy mind to me in broken English; wilt thou have me?

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     Dat is as it sall please de²⁰¹ roi mon père.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Nay, it will please him well, Kate; it shall please him, Kate.

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     Den it sall also content me.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Upon that I kiss your hand, and I call you my queen. Tries to kiss her hand

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     Laissez,²⁰⁵ mon seigneur, laissez, laissez: ma foi, je ne veux point que vous abaissiez votre grandeur en baisant la main d’une, de votre seigneurie, indigne serviteur. Excusez-moi, je vous supplie, mon très-puissant seigneur.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Then I will kiss your lips, Kate.

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     Les²⁰⁹ dames et demoiselles pour être baisées devant leur noces, il n’est pas la coutume de France.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Madam my interpreter, what says she?

ALICE

ALICE     Dat it is not be de fashion pour les ladies of France — I cannot tell vat is baiser en Anglish.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V To kiss.

ALICE

ALICE     Your majesty entendre²¹⁵ bettre que moi.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V It is not a fashion for the maids in France to kiss before they are married, would she say?

ALICE

ALICE     Oui,²¹⁸ vraiment.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V O, Kate, nice²¹⁹ customs curtsy to great kings. Dear Kate, you and I cannot be confined within the weak list²²⁰ of a country’s fashion: we are the makers of manners, Kate; and the liberty that follows²²¹ our places stops the mouth of all find-faults,²²² as I will do yours, for upholding the nice fashion of your country in denying me a kiss: Kisses her therefore, patiently and yielding. You have witchcraft in your lips, Kate: there is more eloquence in a sugar touch of them than in the tongues of the French council; and they should sooner persuade Harry of England than a general petition of monarchs. Here comes your father.

       Enter the French power [King, Queen, Burgundy] and the English Lords

BURGUNDY

BURGUNDY     God save your majesty! My royal cousin, teach you our princess English?

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V I would have her learn, my fair cousin, how perfectly I love her, and that is good English.

BURGUNDY

BURGUNDY     Is she not apt?²³⁰

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Our tongue is rough, coz, and my condition²³¹ is not smooth, so that, having neither the voice nor the heart of flattery about me, I cannot so conjure up the spirit of love in her that he will appear in his true likeness.

BURGUNDY

BURGUNDY     Pardon the frankness of my mirth, if I answer you for that. If you would conjure²³⁵ in her, you must make a circle: if conjure up love in her in his true likeness, he must appear naked and blind.²³⁶ Can you blame her then, being a maid yet rosed²³⁷ over with the virgin crimson of modesty, if she deny the appearance of a naked blind boy in²³⁸ her naked seeing self? It were, my lord, a hard condition for a maid to consign²³⁹ to.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Yet they do wink and yield,²⁴⁰ as love is blind and enforces.

BURGUNDY

BURGUNDY     They are then excused, my lord, when they see not what they do.²⁴¹

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Then, good my lord, teach your cousin to consent winking.²⁴²

BURGUNDY

BURGUNDY     I will wink on²⁴³ her to consent, my lord, if you will teach her to know my meaning, for maids, well summered²⁴⁴ and warm kept, are like flies at Bartholomew-tide: blind,²⁴⁵ though they have their eyes, and then they will endure handling, which before would not abide looking on.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V This moral²⁴⁷ ties me over to time and a hot summer; and so I shall catch the fly, your cousin, in the latter end²⁴⁸ and she must be blind too.

BURGUNDY

BURGUNDY     As love is, my lord, before it loves.²⁴⁹

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V It is so: and you may, some of you, thank love for my blindness, who cannot see many a fair French city for one fair French maid that stands in my way.

FRENCH KING

FRENCH KING Yes, my lord, you see them perspectively,²⁵³ the cities turned into a maid; for they are all girdled with maiden²⁵⁴ walls that war hath never entered.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Shall Kate be my wife?

FRENCH KING

FRENCH KING So please you.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V I am content, so²⁵⁷ the maiden cities you talk of may wait on her. So the maid that stood in the way for my wish shall show me the way to my will.²⁵⁸

FRENCH KING

FRENCH KING We have consented to all terms of reason.²⁵⁹

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Is’t so, my lords of England?

WESTMORLAND

WESTMORLAND The king hath granted every article:

               His daughter first, and then in sequel²⁶² all,

               According to their firm proposèd natures.

EXETER

EXETER     Only he hath not yet subscribed²⁶⁴ this: where your majesty demands, that the King of France, having any occasion to write for matter of grant,²⁶⁵ shall name your highness in this form and with this addition²⁶⁶ in French, Notre très cher fils Henri, Roi d’Angleterre, Héritier de France: and thus in Latin, Praeclarissimus²⁶⁷ filius noster Henricus, Rex Angliae, et Haeres Franciae.

FRENCH KING

FRENCH KING Nor this I have not, brother, so denied,

270

270         But your request²⁷⁰ shall make me let it pass.

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V I pray you then, in love and dear alliance,

               Let that one article rank with the rest,

               And thereupon give me your daughter.

FRENCH KING

FRENCH KING Take her, fair son, and from her blood raise up

275

275         Issue²⁷⁵ to me, that the contending kingdoms

               Of France and England, whose very shores look pale²⁷⁶

               With envy of each other’s happiness,

               May cease their hatred, and this dear²⁷⁸ conjunction

               Plant neighbourhood²⁷⁹ and Christian-like accord

280

280         In their sweet bosoms,²⁸⁰ that never war advance

               His bleeding sword ’twixt England and fair France.

LORDS

LORDS     Amen!

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Now, welcome, Kate: and bear me witness all,

               That here I kiss her as my sovereign queen. Kisses her

       Flourish

285

285 

QUEEN ISABEL

QUEEN ISABEL God, the best maker of all marriages,

               Combine your hearts in one, your realms in one!

               As man and wife, being two, are one in love,

               So be there ’twixt your kingdoms such a spousal,²⁸⁸

               That never may ill office,²⁸⁹ or fell jealousy,

290

290         Which troubles oft the bed of blessèd marriage,

               Thrust in between the paction²⁹¹ of these kingdoms,

               To make divorce of their incorporate²⁹² league,

               That English may as French, French Englishmen,

               Receive each other. God speak this Amen!

295

295 

ALL

ALL               Amen!

KING HENRY V

KING HENRY V Prepare we for our marriage, on which day,

               My lord of Burgundy, we’ll take your oath,

               And all the peers’, for surety²⁹⁸ of our leagues.

               Then shall I swear to Kate, and you to me,

300

300         And may our oaths well kept and prosp’rous be!

       Sennet. Exeunt

[Epilogue]

       Enter Chorus

CHORUS

CHORUS     Thus far, with rough¹ and all-unable pen,

               Our bending² author hath pursued the story,

               In little room confining mighty men,

               Mangling by starts⁴ the full course of their glory.

5

5             Small time,⁵ but in that small most greatly lived

               This star of England. Fortune made his sword;

               By which the world’s best garden⁷ be achieved,

               And of it left his son imperial lord.

               Henry the Sixth, in infant bands⁹ crowned King

10

10           Of France and England, did this king succeed,

               Whose¹¹ state so many had the managing,

               That they lost France and made his England bleed,

               Which oft our stage hath shown; and, for their¹³ sake,

               In your fair minds let this acceptance take.¹⁴

       [Exit]

Textual Notes

Q = First Quarto text of 1600

F = First Folio text of 1623

F2 = a correction introduced in the Second Folio text of 1632

F4 = a correction introduced in the Fourth Folio text of 1685

Ed = a correction introduced by a later editor

SD = stage direction

SH = speech heading (i.e., speaker’s name)

List of parts = Ed

Prologue SH CHORUS = Ed. Not in F

1.2.40 succedant = F2. F = succedaul 47, 54 Elbe = Ed. F = Elue 200 majesty = Ed. F = Maiesties 215 End = Q. F = And 224 dauphin spelled Dolphin throughout F 246 are = Q. F = is 315 SD Flourish = Ed. F places after Exeunt

2.0.1 SH CHORUS = Ed. Not in F

2.1.16 mare = Q. F = name 22 SH HOSTESS QUICKLY = Ed. F = Host. 25 drawn = Ed. F = hewne 28 Iceland spelled Island in F 60 enough. Go to = Ed. F = enough to go to 62 you, hostess = Ed. F = your Hostesse 89 that’s = F2. F = that

2.2.29 SH GREY = Ed. F = Kni. 88 furnish him = F2. F = furnish 108 a = F2. F = an 109 whoop = Ed. F = hoope 115 All = Ed. F = And 140 mark the = Ed. F = make thee 147 Henry = Q. F = Thomas 158 Which I = F2. F = Which 175 you have = Q. F = you

2.3.12 on a table = Ed. F = and a Table 24 SH HOSTESS QUICKLY = Ed. F = Woman.

2.4.111 pining = Q. F = priuy 137 Louvre spelled Louer in F 151 SD Flourish = Ed. After act break in F

3.0 Act 3 = Ed. F = Actus Secundus 1 SH CHORUS = Ed. Not in F 6 fanning = Ed. F = fayning 17 Harfleur spelled Harflew in F

3.1.7 conjure = Ed. F = commune 17 noblest = F2. F = Noblish 24 men = F4. F = me 32 Straining = Ed. F = Straying

3.2.36 Calais spelled Callice in F 51 SH FLUELLEN = Ed. F = Welch. 62 SH JAMY = Ed. F = Scot. 66 SH MACMORRIS = Ed. F = Irish.

3.3.32 heady = F2. F = headly 35 Defile = Ed. F = Desire

3.4.1 parles = F2. F = parlas. Textual notes for the French-language scenes are selective, since the distinction between modernization and emendation is hard to maintain 6 Et les doigts? assigned to Alice in F 7 SH ALICE = Ed. F = Kat. 9 SH KATHERINE = Ed. F = Alice 11 Nous = Ed. Not in F 16 le = F2. F = de 39 coun = Q. F = Count 40 Ce = F2. F = il

3.5.7 scions spelled Syens in F 11 de = F2. F = du 43 Vaudemont = F2. F = Vandemint 45 Foix = Ed. F = Loys 46 knights = Ed. F = Kings

3.6.5 life = Q. F = liue 24 her = Q. F = his 56 perfect spelled perfit in F 85 lenity = Q. F = Leuitie

3.7.9 pasterns = F2. F = postures 43 lief spelled liue in F 46 truie = Ed. F = leuye

4.0 Act 4 = Ed. F = Actus Tertius 1 SH CHORUS = Ed. Not in F 16 name = Ed. F = nam’d 20 cripple spelled creeple in F

4.1.3 Good spelled God in F 87 Thomas = Ed. F = Iohn 199 adoration = F2. F = Odoration 207 Think’st spelled Thinks in F 229 Hyperion = F2. F = Hiperio 247 ere = Ed. F = of 265 friends = Q. F = friend

4.2.2 Monte à = Ed. F = Monte 6 Cieux = Ed. F = Cein 25 gainst = F2. F = against 49 gimmaled = Ed. F = Iymold 50 chewed spelled chaw’d in F 60 guidon = Ed. F = Guard: on

4.3.12 Farewell…today printed after line 14 in F 13 And…valour assigned to Bedford in F 50 And…day.’ = Q. Not in F 133 vanguard = F (spelled Vaward)

4.4.11 miséricorde = F2. F = miserecordie pitié = F2. F = pitez 32 à cette heure = Ed. F = asture 47 j’ai tombé = Ed. F = Ie intombe 54 Suivez-vous = Ed. F = Saaue vous

4.5.3 Mort de = Q. F = Mor Dieu 16 by a = Q. F = a

Act 4 Scene 7 = Ed. F = Actus Quartus 61 our = Ed. F = with 95 God = Q. F = Good

4.8.99 we = Ed. F = me

5.0.1 SH CHORUS = Ed. Not in F

5.1.52 begun = Ed. F = began 58 hussy = F (huswife) 67 swear = Q. F = swore

5.2.12 England = F2. F = Ireland 21 SH KING HENRY V = Ed. F = Eng. or England in lines 21, 68, 76, 84, 96 45 fumitory spelled Femetary in F 78 cursitory = Ed. F = curselarie 108 vat = Ed. F = wat 123 vell = Ed. F = well 201 sall = Ed. F = shall 212 baiser = Ed. F = buisse 254 hath never = Ed. F = hath 262 then in F2. F = in 291 paction = Ed. F = Pation

Epilogue SH CHORUS = Ed. Not in F

* Pistol is married to Nell Quickly, but says in Act 5 that “my Doll is dead i’th’spital / Of malady of France”: this is one of the numerous cruxes where Shakespeare or the printer may have muddled a name or where there may be purposeful dramatic play. The sense of loss suggests that he is talking about his wife, but death by way of sexually transmitted disease (the French malady) is much likelier for the whore Doll Tearsheet than the hostess Quickly, and has already been prepared for by Pistol’s lines in Act 2 Scene 1 about Doll in “the powdering-tub of infamy.” Either way, the point is to make Pistol into the last survivor of the Eastcheap cronies.

Prologue

    1    muse source of inspiration (originally, one of nine classical goddesses inspiring learning and the arts)

    2    invention imagination, creativity/rhetorical term for the discovery of topics

    4    swelling growing/magnificent

    5    warlike skilled in warfare/like war (or Mars) itself    like himself in a manner befitting his status as a kingly warrior

    6    port bearing, stance    Mars Roman god of war

    8    gentles ladies and gentlemen

    9    flat unraisèd dull, lifeless, dormant    spirits i.e., the actors and playwright (plays on the idea of supernatural spirits that may be raised by incantation)

  10    scaffold stage

  11    cockpit circular arena (literally, ring used for cockfighting—much smaller than a theater)

  12    vasty vast

  13    wooden O i.e., the circular, timber-built theater (wooden plays on the sense of “dull, lifeless”)    casques helmets

  14    affright frighten    Agincourt English forces defeated the French at the battle of Agincourt (northern France) on October 25, 1415

  15    crooked…million i.e., a zero added to 100,000 increases the number to 1,000,000    crooked rounded; perhaps with connotations of “deceptive, crafty”    figure may play on the sense of “person, actor”

  17    ciphers zeros/nonentities/symbols, visual representations    accompt account, total/story

  18    imaginary imaginative

  19    Suppose imagine    girdle circumference

  20    monarchies i.e., England and France

  21    uprearèd raised up, erected, reared up    abutting neighboring, adjoining (perhaps with a suggestion of fighting animals butting one another)    fronts cliffs of Dover and Calais/frontiers/foreheads

  22    narrow ocean i.e., the English Channel

  23    Piece out supplement

  25    puissance power

  28    deck adorn, equip

  31    for…supply for the purposes of which

Act 1 Scene 1

 1.1   Location: the royal court, London

    1    self same    urged put forward

    2    last king’s i.e., Henry IV’s

    3    like likely (to have been passed)

    4    scambling quarrelsome, scuffling

    5    question consideration

    9    temporal secular, not belonging to the Church

  10    by testament in their wills

  12    maintain stand the cost of

  14    esquires one ranking just below a knight

  15    lazars lepers

  16    indigent needy, poor    corporal toil physical work

  18    coffers money chests, i.e., treasury    beside in addition

  19    bill (proposed) parliamentary act/total owed

  20    drink deep i.e., swallow much of their wealth

  23    grace honor/virtue/divine grace/goodwill    fair regard consideration, respect/is well respected

  25    courses actions, behavior

  27    mortified killed/subdued by self-denial

  29    Consideration meditation, self-reflection

  30    th’offending Adam i.e., original sin, the result of the biblical Adam and Eve’s disobedience of God

  31    paradise i.e., place of innocence, like Eden before Adam and Eve sinned

  32    spirits traits of character (perhaps plays on the sense of “supernatural celestial beings”)

  35    heady currance strong current    scouring cleaning away

  36    Hydra-headed in Greek mythology, the Hydra was a monster who grew two new heads for every one that was cut off

  37    seat throne/position

  44    all in all entirely, exclusively

  45    List listen to

  46    rendered…music i.e., described eloquently

  47    cause of policy political issue, explanation of statecraft

  48    Gordian knot proverbially too intricate to undo (a prophecy decreed that whoever could untie the knot would rule Asia; Alexander the Great cut it with his sword)

  49    Familiar…garter as easily as his garter (band tied around leg to keep up hosiery)

  50    chartered privileged, licensed    libertine free spirit

  53    practic practical

  54    Must…theoric must have taught him how to theorize

  55    glean have learned

  56    courses vain idle, worthless behavior

  57    companies companions    unlettered illiterate, ignorant    rude rough, coarse, uncivilized

  58    riots debauched, disorderly behavior, revelry

  59    noted was seen

  60    sequestration retreat into privacy

  61    open public    popularity associating with the public, low company

  65    obscured disguised, hid    contemplation meditation, thought

  68    crescive…faculty growing, in accordance with its natural function

  70    needs necessarily    means natural cause

  73    mitigation reducing (the severity of)

  74    commons the House of Commons, parliament

  75    Incline to favor

  77    upon toward

  78    th’exhibitors against us i.e., those who are putting forward the bill

  80    Upon on behalf of    convocation assembly, gathering

  81    causes matters, legal issues

  82    opened disclosed, explained    at large in full

  83    touching concerning

  84    Than…withal than the clergy ever gave to any previous monarch withal with

  89    fain gladly

  90    severals particulars    unhidden passages clear, undisputed lines of inheritance

  93    Edward i.e., Edward III

  99    embassy message

Act 1 Scene 2

    1    gracious holy, filled with divine grace

    2    presence the royal presence

    5    cousin term of address used by members of the nobility    resolved satisfied, decided about

    7    task occupy

    9    become grace, honor

  12    justly precisely/in a legal sense    unfold reveal, explain

  13    law Salic a law preventing inheritance through the female line

  14    Or either    bar prevent, obstruct

  16    fashion…bow shape, twist, or bend    reading interpretation

  17    nicely charge burden through ingenious subtlety

  18    opening titles miscreate expounding false claims

  19    Suits…colours i.e., does not match

  21    drop their blood i.e., be injured or die    approbation putting to the test

  23    how…person i.e., what you commit me to

  25    charge command

  28    complaint lament

  29    wrongs grievances/wrongdoings

  31    conjuration solemn appeal

  32    note pay attention

  39    Pharamond legendary French king

  42    gloss define

  47    floods rivers    Sala and of Elbe rivers in Germany (Sala is now Saale)

  48    Charles the Great Charlemagne, Holy Roman Emperor and eighth-century French king

  51    dishonest manners unchaste behavior

  52    to wit that is to say

  53    inheritrix heiress

  54    ’twixt between

  60    defunction death

  61    Idly foolishly

  62    within…redemption i.e., AD

  64    seat settle, establish

  66    Besides in addition

  68    heir general legitimate heir (claiming through male or female lines)

  73    Charles the Great Charlemagne

  74    find supply, refine

  76    Conveyed himself pretended to be

  77    Charlemagne Charles II, rather than the Charlemagne mentioned earlier

  79    King…Tenth an error for Louis IX, thirteenth-century King of France; the slip appears in Holinshed’s Chronicles, Shakespeare’s source here

  81    quiet peace of mind

  84    lineal a direct descendant

  90    satisfaction i.e., of his lineage

  91    hold in rely on, derive from

  93    Howbeit however    would wish to

  95    net i.e., tangle of contradictory legalities/network of lineal justifications (rather than a direct line)/possibly refers to the proverbial “you dance in a net and think nobody sees you”—i.e., try to conceal what is obvious

  96    amply openly    imbar bar claim to/make bare, reveal    crooked false/indirect

  97    progenitors ancestors

  99    The…head i.e., if the claim is false, the moral blame will lie with Canterbury    dread revered

100    book…daughter a reference to Numbers 27:8

103    Stand for defend/uphold

105    great-grandsire i.e., Edward III

106    From…claim i.e., as whose ancestor you make this claim; Edward was descended through his mother from the French king Philip IV

107    Edward…France the English defeated France at the battle of Crécy, 1346; Edward III had given command of his armies to his eldest son, the Black Prince

111    lion’s whelp cub

112    Forage plunder/eat greedily

113    entertain engage, meet with

116    for through lack of

117    valiant dead i.e., Henry’s ancestors

118    puissant powerful

120    renownèd made famous

126    former…blood i.e., kingly ancestors; the lion is the symbol of kingship, and appears on the royal coat of arms

130    Whose…England i.e., who are already imagining themselves in France

131    pavilioned in military tents

133    right i.e., rightful claim to the French throne

134    spiritualty clergy

139    lay…proportions allocate troops

140    make road invade

141    advantages opportunities

142    marches northern border regions

144    borderers i.e., the Scottish

145    coursing snatchers swift-riding raiders (from hare-coursing with greyhounds; the “snatch” was the act of capture)

146    intendment intention

147    giddy wild, unstable

150    unfurnished unprotected

151    breach hole, gap (in this instance in a sea wall)

152    brim i.e., total

153    Galling vexing, wounding    gleanèd stripped (of defenders)    hot fast/hot-tempered    assays attacks

154    Girding surrounding

156    th’ill neighbourhood poor neighborliness, hostility

157    She i.e., England

158    hear…herself i.e., listen to instructive examples from the past

159    chivalry knights, protectors

162    stray stray dog

163    King…France David II of Scotland was captured and imprisoned by English forces in 1346; Edward III was in France at the time but David was not, in fact, sent there

164    fame reputation

165    their i.e., Edward and England’s    chronicle historical account

166    ooze mud

168    ELY spoken by Ely in Folio, but many editors reassign to WESTMORLAND, who speaks the corresponding lines in Shakespeare’s chronicle sources (would the Bishop contradict his superior, the archbishop?)

171    in prey out hunting

175    ’tame attame, i.e., break into    havoc destroy

177    crushed forced, distorted

179    pretty clever

181    Th’advisèd the sensible, prudent

182    high…parts divided into melodies of differing pitches    high…lower i.e., of three different social groups

183    consent harmony

184    Congreeing coming together, agreeing    close cadence

187    divers various, different

189    aim target    butt archery target

193    king Aristotle’s belief that the queen bee was male remained influential

194    correct enforce order

196    stings bee stings/staffs used as weapons

197    Make boot upon plunder

198    pillage spoils, booty

200    majesty royal responsibilities

201    masons stonemasons, builders

202    civil civilized, orderly

203    mechanic engaged in manual labor

205    sad-eyed justice solemn judge    surly stern    hum “hmm”—noise signifying displeasure or deliberation/noise made by a bee

206    executors executioners

207    drone male bee whose sole function was to impregnate the queen; they died after mating or were cast out of the hive to die

208    having…consent working together for an agreed cause

209    contrariously in opposed ways

211    mark target ways roads

213    close converge, meet    dial’s sundial’s

215    borne carried out

217    happy fortunate

219    withal with it    Gallia Gaul, i.e., France

222    worried anxious, concerned/shaken in the jaws of a dog

223    policy statesmanship, strategy

224    dauphin title of the heir to the French throne

225    well resolved free from doubt/determined

227    bend…awe make it revere us

228    Or either

229    large great/generous/unrestrained    empery sovereignty

233    with full mouth loudly, with mouth wide open

235    Turkish mute a Turkish slave, perhaps a castrated harem guard, who has had his tongue cut out to ensure secrecy

236    waxen i.e., quickly worn away and forgotten

237    pleasure wish, intention

241    render deliver    in charge been ordered (to say)

242    sparingly with restraint and delicacy    far off indirectly, more generally

245    unto…subject i.e., his temper is ruled by his Christian goodness

246    fettered chained

249    in few in brief

250    sending into i.e., sending an ambassador with his claims

254    savour smell, have a flavor

255    advised warned/informed

256    galliard lively dance

258    meeter more suitable

259    tun box, chest

264    pleasant merry, jocular

266    rackets tennis rackets/noisy assaults of war

268    crown royal crown/coin staked on a game of tennis, which gave its name to the final point scored in the game    hazard danger/opening in the wall of a tennis court; a ball that entered it became unplayable so no point could be scored

269    wrangler quarrelsome opponent

270    courts tennis courts/royal court

271    chaces double bounces of the ball in tennis before it is returned, hence no points/hunts, pursuits

272    comes o’er us assumes superiority, taunts us

273    measuring judging

274    seat throne

275    hence i.e., away from the court

276    licence wild freedoms

278    state throne/dignity, kingship

279    sail of greatness fully unfurled power

280    rouse me raise or rear up

281    For that with that ultimate glory in mind

282    like…days i.e., like a common man

286    mock act of mockery

287    balls tennis balls (may also play on the sense of “testicles”)    gun-stones cannon balls

288    chargèd burdened (plays on the sense of “loaded with ammunition”)    wasteful damaging

292    ungotten not yet conceived

297    venge me revenge myself

298    well-hallowed holy, much blessed

305    omit…hour do not neglect any favorable opportunity

306    furth’rance help

308    to for

309    proportions military resources

312    God before with God on our side

313    chide rebuke, punish

314    task employ

315    fair honorable/favored/lawful    on…brought get underway    Flourish trumpet fanfare accompanying a person in authority

Act 2

    1    on fire i.e., burning to fight

    2    silken dalliance fine clothes/idle pastimes

    6    mirror i.e., model, example

    7    wingèd…Mercuries i.e., swiftly, like Mercury, messenger of the Roman god Jove; he wore winged sandals

    9    hilts crosspiece by the handle

  10    coronets small crowns, worn by some members of the nobility

  12    intelligence information obtained by spying

  13    preparation equipped military force

  14    pale fearful, cowardly, ineffective    policy stratagems, intrigue

  16    model to replica of

  18    What i.e., what great things    would i.e., would have

  19    thy children i.e., Englishmen    kind honorable/full of natural family affection

  21    hollow empty/false    bosoms hearts/clothing covering the breast, in which a purse could be concealed

  22    crowns gold coins

  26    gilt gold

  27    fearful frightened

  28    this…kings i.e., Henry V

  30    Ere before    Southampton port on the south coast of England

  31    digest breakdown/set in order

  32    Th’abuse of distance i.e., the violation of the theatrical unity of place as the action moves to Southampton    force cram full

  38    charming casting a spell over

  39    pass passage

  40    offend one stomach offend good taste/make anyone seasick

  41    till…then i.e., this accounts for the fact that the following scene takes place in London

Act 2 Scene 1

 2.1   Location: in London, but unspecified, probably a street   Nym means “thief” or “to thieve”

    2    morrow morning

    3    Ancient ensign, i.e., soldier responsible for carrying military banners    Pistol pronounced “pizzle,” generating a pun on the sense of “penis”

    4    part possible sexual quibble on the sense of “penis”    time…serve i.e., opportunity arises

    5    wink close both eyes

    6    iron sword (perhaps with phallic connotations)    what though what of it

    7    there’s an end i.e., that’s that (end may play on the sense of “penis”)

    8    bestow give    sworn brothers avowedly loyal brothers-in-arms

  10    certain certainty, fact

  11    rest last resolve (term from card-playing referring to the final, reserved stake)    rendezvous last resort, refuge

  13    troth-plight engaged, betrothed (a much more binding contract than it is now)

  14    cannot tell do not know

  16    though…plod plod on, wait her turn; Nym may hint at eventual revenge on Pistol

  19    host innkeeper (Pistol picks up on the sense of “pimp”)

  20    tike dog, mongrel

  21    keep lodgers rent out rooms/run a brothel

  22    troth faith

  23    love…needles make a respectable living from taking in sewing (but prick plays on the senses of “penis/sexual penetration” and needles on “vaginas”)

  24    bawdy house brothel    straight straight away    well-a-day exclamation of dismay    draw i.e., draw their swords    lady i.e., by Our Lady (the Virgin Mary)

  25    drawn refers to his sword being out/his penis being erect

  26    offer start, attempt

  27    Pish! exclamation of contempt, disgust

  28    Iceland dog species of lap dog with an abundance of long, rough hair (being a lap dog may generate sexual connotations: one that burrows into ladies’ laps)    prick-eared pointy-eared/with an eagerly erect penis/having cuckold’s horns (men with unfaithful wives were popularly supposed to grow horns)    cur dog

  29    valour honor/courage    put up sheathe, put away

  30    shog off go away    solus alone

  31    egregious outrageous

  34    maw throat/stomach    perdy i.e., par dieu, French for “by God”

  36    retort return    bowels intestines, guts

  37    take catch fire/have sex    cock is up pistol is cocked, ready to fire/penis is erect

  38    fire the retort of the gun/the burning effects of venereal disease

  39    Barbason name of a demon    conjure summon/control    humour inclination, mood (governed by one of the four “humors,” or bodily fluids believed to influence health and disposition)

  40    indifferently fairly    foul insulting, foul-mouthed/dirty from firing/syphilitic (“the foul disease”)    scour clean (a gun) with a scouring-rod/stab/have sex

  41    rapier light sword used for fencing    fair terms plain language/justly, legitimately/terms that are not foul, like Pistol’s    prick stab (with sexual connotations)

  43    braggart boaster    wight person

  45    exhale i.e., draw your sword

  46    run…hilts i.e., plunge my sword all the way into him

  48    mickle much

  49    fist hand    fore-foot hand, paw

  50    tall bold, valiant

  52    ‘Couple a gorge!’ i.e., Couper la gorge!—French for “Cut the throat!”

  54    hound of Crete hairy dog

  55    spital hospital

  56    powd’ring tub sweating tub for the treatment of venereal disease    infamy bad reputation

  57    lazar leprous    kite bird of prey/prostitute    Cressid’s in classical legend, Cressida was the unfaithful lover of Troilus; in Robert Henryson’s Testament of Cressid she gets leprosy

  58    Doll Tearsheet Doll was a common name for a prostitute; Tearsheet is similarly suggestive, evoking vigorous sexual activity sufficient to tear the bedsheets    espouse marry

  59    have…hold familiar phrase from the marriage service    quondam former (her name has changed through marriage)

  60    only she i.e., unequaled female    pauca “few” (Latin), i.e., few words

  62    my master i.e., Falstaff, companion of Henry’s wild youth (see 1 and 2 Henry IV)

  63    put…warming-pan i.e., because his face is fiery red from drinking warming-pan flat, closed dish used to hold hot coals for warming pan

  66    yield…pudding i.e., die (proverbial, referring to providing the crow with dead flesh to eat)

  67    king…heart on coming to the throne, Henry rejected Falstaff and his former wild companions (see 2 Henry IV, Act 5 Scene 5)    presently immediately/soon

  72    Base poor, low (in spirit/in money)

  74    manhood shall compound i.e., valor will decide (in a fight)

  77    Sword…oath plays on “ ’s word”—i.e., “by God’s word,” a common oath

  78    an if

  79    put up sheathe (your sword)

  80    noble gold coin worth six shillings and eightpence

  83    Nym may play on the meaning of the name: “thieving”

  84    just honorable/true    sutler seller of provisions

  85    camp military camp

  88    justly exactly/fairly

  90    come of were born of (may play on “come off”—i.e., dismount after sex)

  91    quotidian tertian types of fever, a quotidian afflicting the patient daily, a tertian every third day; illness that combined fevers was deemed almost certainly fatal

  93    run bad humours i.e., vented his bad temper/caused Falstaff’s misery and illness    even of it i.e., the truth of the matter

  95    fracted broken    corroborate strengthened; Pistol presumably errs, meaning the opposite

  96    passes lets pass, indulges in    humours inclinations, whims

  97    careers short gallops at full speed—i.e., sudden impulses

  98    condole comfort, sympathize with    live i.e., outlive Falstaff

Act 2 Scene 2

 2.2   Location: Southampton (a port on the south coast of England)

    1    bold daring/overconfident

    2    apprehended arrested

    3    smooth in a pleasant, plausible manner    even steadily    bear present, conduct

    6    hath note is informed aware

    7    interception i.e., intercepting their messages

    8    bedfellow i.e., close companion

    9    dulled dulled the appetite of cloyed overfilled and sickened

  10    a foreign purse i.e., French money

  14    gentle noble

  15    powers troops

  17    execution action/killing

  18    in head as an army

  22    grows…consent is not in total agreement, sympathy

  24    attend on wait upon

  25    feared revered, viewed with awe

  27    heart-grief discontent, unhappiness

  30    steeped…honey soaked their bitterness in honey

  31    create created

  33    And…merit i.e., I am more likely to forget how to use my own hand than to forget to repay what is due to people    office use, proper function quittance repayment

  35    weight and worthiness due proportion and worth (of the deserving deeds)

  36    steelèd hardened, steely

  39    judge think

  40    Enlarge release    committed imprisoned

  41    railed ranted, spoke abusively

  43    more advice thinking better of it (in sobriety)

  44    security complacency, overconfidence

  46    his sufferance i.e., your pardoning him

  51    correction punishment

  53    orisons pleas, prayers

  54    on distemper from mental ill-health (in this case, drunkenness)

  55    winked at i.e., ignored    how…eye how wide must we open our eyes

  56    capital punishable by death    chewed…digested i.e., carefully planned and organized

  58    dear worthy, tender (puns on the sense of “dire, grievous”)

  61    late commissioners officials recently appointed to act for the king in his absence

  72    lose…complexion grow so pale

  74    paper i.e., white/easily read

  76    Out of appearance away from sight/out of your faces

  80    quick alive/prompt

  83    reasons i.e., the arguments you made about showing no mercy

  84    worrying biting at

  87    accord agree

  88    furnish provide    appertinents…honour things appropriate for his dignified position

  90    light of little value/immoral    lightly readily, easily

  91    practices plots

  93    This knight i.e., Grey    bounty (kingly) generosity

  97    counsels secrets

  99    coined…gold i.e., used me to make as much gold as you liked

100    practised on worked on, deceived    use profit

103    annoy harm

104    off as gross out as plainly

107    yoke-devils devils yoked together in evil

108    grossly blatantly    natural i.e., natural to evil creatures

109    whoop exclaim

110    proportion natural order

111    wait on serve

113    wrought worked    preposterously unnaturally

114    voice vote

115    suggest tempt    treasons suggesting treasonous acts

116    botch…up clumsily patch

117    patches pieces of material/fools/rogues    colours outward appearances/excuses, pretexts/military flags denoting allegiance    forms outward behavior

118    glist’ring shining, glittering

119    tempered shaped/made resolved (as a sword is hardened)    stand up make a stand, rebel

120    instance motive, evidence

121    dub invest, knight

122    gulled tricked

123    lion gait alludes to 1 Peter 5:8: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour”

124    vasty Tartar vast hell (Tartarus is hell in classical mythology)

125    legions multitudes of devils

126    easy easily

127    jealousy suspicion

128    affiance trust    Show appear

132    spare frugal, abstemious

133    gross passion powerful feeling, coarse emotion

134    Constant in spirit steadfast in disposition    blood passions

135    complement qualities, accomplishments/outward appearance

136    working…ear i.e., without observing and listening together

137    purged purified, refined

138    bolted sifted

140    full-fraught fully laden (with virtues)    indued endowed

143    another…man i.e., the disobedience of the biblical Adam and Eve    open obvious/revealed

144    to…of i.e., so that they will be answerable to the law

145    practices sinful plots, treacheries

146    by…of you who go by the name of

150    discovered revealed

156    what I intended Cambridge’s main intention was to make Edmund Mortimer king

158    sufferance patience/suffering

165    quit acquit, pardon

167    enemy proclaimed i.e., France, an officially designated enemy of the state

168    earnest advance payment

172    desolation ruin, destruction

173    Touching our person with regard to myself

174    tender hold dear, value

180    dear dire/costly

182    to…glorious as glorious to you as to me

183    fair favored/honorable/just    lucky successful, fortunate

187    rub obstacle (bowling term)

189    puissance power

190    straight in expedition straight away to speedy action

191    Cheerly heartily, cheerfully    advance move forward/raise banners

Act 2 Scene 3

 2.3   Location: in London, but unspecified, probably a street

    1    bring accompany    Staines town seventeen miles west of London, on the way to Southampton

    2    yearn grieve

    3    blithe merry    rouse…veins raise your lively spirits/drum up some courage    vaunting boasting

    4    bristle arouse, cause to stand on end

    5    earn make money/grieve

    7    Arthur’s bosom malapropism for “Abraham’s bosom,” i.e., heaven

    8    A he    a finer end as fine a death as there could be    an as if

    9    christom innocent, newly christened—literally, a child that died within a month of birth    e’en just

  10    flowers used to keep the sickroom sweet-smelling

  11    upon…end at his own fingers

  12    pen quill pen (i.e., white, cold, and pointed)    table…fields perhaps alluding to the fields on a green gaming (backgammon) table; also biblical in tone (“he maketh me to lie down in green pastures,” Psalm 23:2); many editors emend to “and a babbled/talked of green fields”

  15    clothes bedclothes, blankets

  17    all…stone plays on senses of “penis” (“awl”) and “testicle”

  19    of against    sack Spanish white wine

  23    incarnate in human form

  24    carnation shade of red

  25    about concerning, because of

  26    handle discuss/touch, feel

  27    rheumatic feverish/malapropism for “lunatic” (plays on “Rome-atic,” thus anticipating the whore of Babylon)    whore of Babylon a popular image for the Roman Catholic Church

  28    stick upon cling to/pierce, bite

  29    burning i.e., as Bardolph’s nose is fiery red from drink

  30    the fuel i.e., alcohol, supplied by Falstaff

  32    shog be gone

  34    chattels…movables movable possessions

  35    Let senses rule i.e., be sensible, keep your wits about you    world…pay’ i.e., in this world it’s “cash down, no credit” (proverbial)

  37    oaths promises (to pay)    straws i.e., worthless    wafer-cakes thin, lightweight cakes

  38    hold-fast…dog “Brag is a good dog, but Holdfast is a better” (proverbial); a brag is a large nail, a hold-fast a clamp or bolt and a dog a vice or clamp

  39    Caveto “beware” (Latin)

  40    clear thy crystals wipe your eyes    Yoke-fellows comrades

  41    horse-leeches large leeches

  47    housewifery careful housekeeping    close indoors/reticent/chaste

Act 2 Scene 4

 2.4   Location: the French royal court, at Rouen, northern France   French King i.e., Charles VI    Constable title of the commander-in-chief of the French army

    2    more…defences i.e., it is vitally important that we put up strong defenses

    6    dispatch haste

    7    line reinforce

    8    defendant defensive

    9    approaches attacks

  10    gulf whirlpool

  11    fits us is appropriate    provident forward-thinking

  12    late examples i.e., former French defeats, such as Crécy (1346) and Poitiers (1356)

  13    neglected underestimated by the French

  15    redoubted revered

  16    meet right, fit

  18    Though even if

  19    musters lists or recruitment of soldiers

  26    Whitsun morris-dance folk dance, traditionally held at Whitsun (the seventh Sunday after Easter)

  27    idly frivolously, uselessly    kinged ruled (by Henry)

  28    sceptre staff carried as a symbol of sovereignty/baton carried by the fool of a morris troupe, or possibly scepter carried by the mock figure of a king that the troupe used    fantastically fancifully, bizarrely

  29    humorous capricious, whimsical

  30    attends accompanies, waits on

  33    late recent

  34    state dignity/ceremony/demeanor

  36    modest moderate, mild    exception i.e., taking exception, objecting    withal in addition

  37    terrible frightening, inspiring dread

  38    forespent previous used up

  39    Roman…folly Lucius Junius Brutus feigned stupidity to dupe and expel Tarquinius Superbus, King of Rome

  41    ordure manure

  44    though even if

  45    weigh judge, estimate

  47    So…filled so that the defenses will be on an adequate scale

  48    of…projection if planned in too miserly a fashion

  49    scanting witholding

  51    Think we let us think

  52    look you be prepared, make sure you

  53    fleshed hunting term referring to feeding hounds raw meat to excite them for the chase

  54    bloody strain bloodthirsty breed

  55    haunted pursued    familiar habitual/familial

  57    struck fought/stricken

  60    mountain i.e., ascendant/immovable, sturdy; may also refer to Edward’s birth in mountainous Wales    sire father

  62    seed offspring

  63    Mangle wound, hack at

  64    patterns exemplary models

  65    This i.e., Henry

  67    native inborn    fate destiny

  70    present immediate

  71    chase…followed hunt is urgently pursued

  72    Turn head turn and face your pursuers (hunting term)

  73    spend their mouths bark, cry

  75    Take…short take quick and decisive action toward the English

  78    self-neglecting a lack of self-respect

  81    wills urges, demands

  82    divest undress    apart aside

  83    borrowed glories i.e., the glories of kingship that are not rightfully his

  84    longs appertains

  86    wide-stretchèd far-reaching

  87    ordinance of times law established through long tradition

  89    sinister irregular, unjust, deceitful    awkward oblique

  90    worm-holes decay, incomplete remains

  92    line family tree

  95    evenly derived directly descended

  98    indirectly dishonestly, wrongfully

  99    native natural/rightful by birth

101    Bloody constraint violent force, military compulsion

104    Jove ruler of the Roman gods, whose weapon was a thunderbolt

105    requiring demanding

106    bowels inmost mercy

109    on…Turning places responsibility with you for

122    slight disdainful

123    misbecome be unbecoming to

124    prize you at consider you worth

125    an if if

126    At large in full

129    womby womblike, hollow    vaultages vaults, caverns

131    second accent echo    ordinance artillery (ordnance)/decree

132    fair return an agreeable reply

134    odds conflict

137    Louvre palace in Paris/puns on “lover”

138    mistress-court principal court/mistress, lover

141    greener days i.e., his wild youth

142    masters possesses/rules    weighs…grain i.e., makes careful use of his time

143    read see, learn

148    footed present, disembarked

150    breath breathing space, break

Act 3

    1    with imagined wing i.e., the wings of imagination

    2    celerity speed

    4    well-appointed well-equipped    Dover port on the south coast of England: Shakespeare seems to have forgotten that he had previously specified Southampton

    5    his royalty his royal person, himself    brave bold/impressive, splendid

    6    streamers banners, pennants    the…fanning fanning the hot face of the sun (Phoebus, Roman god of the sun)

    7    Play with indulge, exercise    fancies imaginations

    8    hempen tackle rigging made from hemp

    9    whistle i.e., that of the ship’s chief officer    order command/harmony

  10    threaden made of linen thread

  12    Draw move, drag (perhaps with play on the sense of “create, represent”)    bottoms i.e., ships (literally hulls or keels)

  13    lofty surge high, swelling waves

  14    rivage shore

  15    inconstant billows shifting waves

  17    Harfleur French port at the mouth of the River Seine

  18    Grapple fasten (nautical term; grappling hooks were used to attach one ship to another)    sternage the sterns of ships

  21    pith strength

  22    whose…hair i.e., who has only just reached the early manhood (when stubble appears)

  24    culled chosen    choice-drawn specially selected    cavaliers military gentlemen

  25    Work be industrious/create, fashion

  26    ordnance cannons    carriages wheeled frames that cannons are mounted on

  27    girded besieged, surrounded

  28    Suppose imagine

  32    likes not displeases

  33    linstock stick for holding the gunner’s lighted match    Alarum a call to arms by trumpets or drums    chambers small cannons

  35    eke out supplement

Act 3 Scene 1

 3.1   Location: Harfleur, northern France   scaling-ladders used by soldiers to climb defensive fortifications

    1    breach gap in defensive fortifications

    7    the blood i.e., heat, courage and ferocity

    8    hard-favoured ugly

    9    lend give    terrible terrifying    aspect appearance, gaze

  10    portage porthole

  11    o’erwhelm overhang, project over

  12    fearfully frighteningly    gallèd battered

  13    jutty jut out over    confounded ruined

  14    Swilled washed    wasteful destructive

  15    set the teeth i.e., bare/grit your teeth

  16    bend up strain (from archery: to bring tension to the string of a bow)

  18    fet derived    of war-proof tested and proved in war

  19    Alexanders i.e., Alexander the Great who lamented that he had no more worlds to conquer

  21    sheathed…argument only stopped fighting because there was no opposition left

  22    Dishonour…mothers i.e., by suggesting that they were unfaithful to your fathers

  23    beget conceive

  24    copy an example    grosser lesser, coarser

  25    yeoman man of property who is not a gentleman

  27    mettle quality    your pasture the land you were raised on, i.e., your breeding

  29    so…base of such low social status

  31    slips leashes designed for quick release

  32    upon the start in anticipation of release

  33    charge order/report of the cannon

  34    Harry i.e., Henry    Saint George patron saint of England    chambers pieces of artillery, such as cannon

Act 3 Scene 2

    2    knocks hard blows

    3    case box/set, pair (of pistols)    plainsong i.e., truth (literally, simple melody)

    5    humours dampness, mist/emotions/bodily fluids, especially blood

    6    vassals servants

  10    fame reputation, honor

  13    prevail succeed

  14    My…me i.e., I would get what I want

  15    hie hurry

  17    truly honorably/in tune    Fluellen anglicized spelling of Llewellyn

  19    Avaunt begone    cullions rascals/testicles

  20    duke captain, leader    mould clay (perhaps with play on the sense of “decay, rottenness”)

  23    bawcock fine fellow (from French beau coq)    lenity mildness    chuck chick

  24    Your…humours perhaps “you are making everyone unhappy, distempered”; many editors emend “wins” to “runs”

  25    swashers swashbucklers, boasters    boy servant/youth

  26    man manservant/manly

  27    antics buffoons    white-livered i.e., cowardly (the liver was thought to be the seat of the passions)

  28    a faces he brazens, blusters

  29    breaks words exchanges words/breaks promises/mangles vocabulary (puns on “break swords,” which Pistol fails to do)

  30    whole i.e., unused

  34    purchase plunder, booty

  35    twelve leagues approximately thirty-six miles (a league was about three miles)

  36    sworn brothers brothers-in-arms    filching stealing    Calais port on the northern coast of France, occupied by the English 1347–1558    fire-shovel shovel for placing coals on the fire

  37    piece of service military exploit    carry coals show cowardice/submit to insults/do degrading work    familiar…pockets i.e., by picking them

  39    manhood manliness

  40    pocketing…wrongs pocketing stolen goods/accepting insults

  41    goes…stomach makes me sick/goes against my valor    cast it up give it up/vomit it up

  42    presently at once    mines tunnels dug under besieged places and packed with explosives

  45    not i.e., not constructed    disciplines proper procedures    concavities hollowness, depth

  46    th’athversary the adversary; Shakespeare attempts to render his Welsh accent phonetically    discuss explain, declare

  47    is digt has digged    countermines passages dug by the besieged defenders as a means of trying to intercept enemies    Chesu Jesus (suggesting Welsh pronunciation)

  48    plow up blowup    directions instructions, plans

  49    order control, organization

  53    in any in    in his beard i.e., to his face

  55    Roman disciplines i.e., traditional military tactics, not so heavily reliant on gunpowder

  57    falorous i.e., valorous

  58    expedition quickness of argument; possibly an error for “experience” and “erudition”

  62    gud i.e., good; Jamy’s Scottish accent is also rendered phonetically

  63    God-den good day/evening

  64    pioneers soldiers employed to dig trenches and tunnels

  65    given o’er finished

  66    la exclamation used as a substitute for an oath    tish ’tis, i.e., it is (MacMorris’s Irish pronunciation)

  68    give over abandoned, given up

  70    voutsafe vouchsafe, i.e., permit

  71    disputations conversations

  76    sall shall    feith faith    bath both    quit requite, answer    good leve your good leave, i.e., permission

  77    pick occasion find the opportunity    marry by the Virgin Mary

  80    beseeched besieged    be by

  81    sa’ save

  84    mess mass (a common oath)    ere before

  85    lig lie

  86    suerly surely    breff…long i.e., the long and the short of it breff brief    wad would    full fain very gladly

  87    heard have heard    question discussion, debate    tway two (Scottish dialect)

  88    under your correction i.e., with your permission

  90    Ish…rascal either MacMorris declares that anyone who criticizes the Irish is a villain, etc., or he anticipates the habitual terms of abuse leveled at the Irish

  93    peradventure perhaps    use treat

  94    discretion good judgment

  99    will are going to/are determined to

100    parley trumpet call indicating a ceasefire whilst negotiation is to take place between the opposing sides

102    required asked for, i.e., available

Act 3 Scene 3

 3.3   Location: still outside Harfleur   gates town gates

    1    resolves answers, determines

    2    latest last    parle ceasefire and negotiation    admit allow, grant

    4    destruction their own ruin

    6    becomes fits, suits

    7    batt’ry bombardment

    8    half-achieved half-conquered

  11    fleshed used to war/eager for bloodshed

  12    liberty…range shall be allowed total freedom to kill

  14    flow’ring flourishing

  15    impious sinful, wicked

  16    prince of fiends i.e., the devil

  17    smirched discolored, filthy    fell cruel, fierce

  18    Enlinked joined, linked

  21    hot lustful/eager/aggressive    violation violence/rape

  22    rein puns on “reign”    hold contain, restrain

  23    career rapid gallop

  24    bootless uselessly    spend waste    vain useless

  25    spoil act of pillaging/booty

  26    precepts legal summons/moral instructions    leviathan biblical sea creature of enormous size

  28    of on

  30    temperate moderate, restrained

  31    O’erblows blows away    contagious noxious, infectious (clouds were thought to harbor disease)

  32    heady impulsive, violent    spoil pillaging

  33    look expect

  35    locks hair/guarded chastity

  38    spitted impaled    pikes weapons with long wooden handles and pointed metal heads

  39    confused disordered/mingled together

  40    Jewry Judaea (region in southern Palestine, now Israel)/the Jewish people

  41    Herod’s bloody-hunting slaughtermen in an attempt to destroy the infant Jesus, King Herod ordered the slaughter of all boys under the age of two in Bethlehem and surrounding areas (Matthew 2:16–18)

  43    guilty in defence i.e., guilty of bringing about this slaughter through persisting in trying to defend the town

  44    expectation hopefulness

  45    succours help/reinforcements

  46    Returns replies to    powers troops

  47    raise put an end to

  48    soft compassionate

  49    dispose control, govern/make arrangements for

  58    addressed prepared, directed

Act 3 Scene 4

 3.4   Location: not specified, but presumably the French royal court, at Rouen, northern France

    1    Alice…langage “Alice, you have been in England, and you speak the language well”

    2    Un peu, madame “a little, my lady”

    3    Je…anglais? “I pray you, teach me: I must learn to speak [it]. What do you call the hand in English?”

    5    La…hand “The hand? It is called ‘de hand’ ”   de mispronunciation of English “the”

    6    De…doigts? “ ‘De hand.’ And the fingers?”

    7    Les …fingres “The fingers? By my faith, I forget the fingers; but I will remember. The fingers? I think that they are called ‘de fingres.’ Yes, ‘de fingres’ ”

    9    La…ongles? “The hand, ‘de hand’; the fingers, ‘de fingres.’ I think that I am a good pupil. I have learned two English words quickly. What do you call the nails?”

  11    Les…nails “The nails? We call them ‘de nails’ ”

  12    Écoutez…bien “Listen, tell me, if I speak well”

  13    C’est…anglais “That’s well said, my lady. It is very good English”

  14    Dites-moi…bras “Tell me the English for the arm”

  15    De arm, madame “ ‘De arm,’ my lady”

  16    Et le coude? “And the elbow?”

  18    Je…prissent “I shall repeat all of the words that you have taught me so far”

  20    Il…pense “It is too difficult, my lady, I think”

  21    Excusez-moi, Alice, écoutez “Pardon me, Alice, listen”

  22    bilbow type of sword/manacle for the ankles

  24    O…col? “O Lord God, I am forgetting! ’D’elbow.’ What do you call the neck?”

  26    nick puns on English slang sense of “vagina”    Et le menton? “And the chin?”

  28    sin given the slang sense of “nick,” “sin” takes on a sense of “sexual transgression”

  29    Oui…d’Angleterre “Yes. Saving your honor, in truth, you pronounce the words as correctly as the natives of England”

  31    Je…temps “I do not doubt that I shall learn [English], by the grace of God, and in a short space of time”

  32    N’avez…enseignés? “Have you not already forgotten what I have taught you?”

  33    Non…promptement “No, I will recite it to you promptly” mails possible pun on “males”

  36    Sauf… d’elbow “Saving your honor, ’d’elbow’ ”

  37    Ainsi…robe? “So I said, ’d’elbow, de nick’ and ‘de sin.’ What do you call the foot and the gown?”

  39    foot puns on French foutre, i.e., “fuck” coun “gown,” puns on French con, i.e., “cunt”

  40    O…ensemble “O Lord God! These are words with a wicked sound, corrupting, coarse, and lewd, and not for ladies of honor to use: I would not like to utter these words before the gentlemen of France for all the world. Fie! The ‘foot’ and the ‘coun’! Nevertheless, I will recite my whole lesson once again”

  45    Excellent, madame! “Excellent, my lady!”

  46    C’est…dinner “That’s enough for one time. Let us go to dinner.”

Act 3 Scene 5

    1    River Somme just over halfway between Calais and Harfleur

    2    withal wit

    5    O Dieu vivant! “O living God!” (French)    sprays offshoots/spurts of semen (refers to the fact that after the Norman Conquest of 1066, many English have some French heritage)

    6    emptying ejaculate    luxury lust

    7    scions shoots used for grafting (when a shoot from one plant is fused to the stem of another)    stock the plant that receives the graft (here, the English)

    8    Spirt sprout

    9    overlook rise above/look down on/ignore/bewitch    grafters i.e., those who have done the grafting/the trees from which the grafted shoot was taken

  10    Normans i.e., the English who have French ancestry    bastard illegitimat

  11    Mort…viel “Death of my life!”

  13    Slobb’ry slimy, muddy

  14    nook-shotten crookedly shaped    Albion the island composed of England, Scotland, and Wale

  15    Dieu de batailles! “God of battles!”    mettle spirit, temperament, courage

  17    despite contempt, malice    looks pale i.e., barely shines

  18    sodden boiled, stewed

  19    drench drink/dose of medicine    sur-reined overridden    jades worn-out horses    barley-broth strong ale

  20    Decoct heat up

  23    roping hanging like ropes

  26    Poor…lords i.e., while our fields are    rich in themselves, they may be called poor if they are owned by such spiritless masters as we are proving to be

  28    madams ladies/wives

  29    bred out weakened by generations of breeding

  31    new-store freshly populate

  33    lavoltas…corantos dances that involve leaping, turning, and running (implying cowardice)

  34    our…heels our only accomplishment is in dancing/running away

  35    lofty highborn/proficient/high leaping

  36    herald messenger

  37    England the country/King Henry

  39    hie hurry

  47    seats estates/ranks, status    quit absolve/avenge/rid

  48    Bar obstruct

  49    pennons banners, streamers attached to lances

  50    host army

  52    void empty, cough up, sneeze    rheum watery discharge, mucus (here, melted snow)

  54    Rouen town in northern France, capital of Normandy

  56    becomes the great befits kingly greatness

  60    heart courage, spirit    sink cesspit

  61    for achievement in exchange for honor/as the only paltry thing to be achieved    his ransom amount that must be paid on his defeat

  62    haste on dispatch with speed

Act 3 Scene 6

 3.6   Location: the English camp, northern France

    1    bridge historically, this would have been over the River Ternoise, on the way to Calais

    2    services military feats

    4    magnanimous of great and generous spirit, nobly valiant    Agamemnon leader of the Greeks at the siege of Troy

    8    pridge bridge (Fluellen’s Welsh accent renders “b” as “p”)

    9    Mark Antony famous Roman general    no estimation reputation/social standing

  12    Aunchient i.e., Ancient, an ensign or bearer of military banners

  19    buxom lively, vigorous/pliant

  20    giddy fickle    Fortune…blind Fortune was traditionally depicted as a blind woman turning a wheel that raised humans up and cast them down    furious cruel/violently turning

  22    rolling restless stone alternative image of Fortune, the possessor of a rolling stone on which humans balanced precariously

  23    By your patience i.e., forgive me for interrupting

  24    muffler blindfold

  28    moral symbolic figure, allegory

  30    pax disc, usually of gold or silver, bearing an image of the crucifixion, kissed by those taking Communion

  33    hemp i.e., rope made of hemp

  34    doom judgment

  37    vital thread thread of life, supposedly spun and cut by the three Fates

  38    penny cord cheap rope    reproach blame, disgrace

  39    requite repay (with a bribe)

  40    partly i.e., because it is implied rather than stated/because Pistol’s speech is confusing

  42    if even i

  45    figo a fig (from old Spanish figo or Italian fico); exclamation of contempt, often accompanied by an obscene gesture known as the fig of Spain, which consisted of thrusting the thumb between the index and middle fingers or into the mouth

  49    arrant downright    counterfeit deceptive, feigning    bawd pimp

  50    cutpurse pickpocket

  51    a summer’s day i.e., a long day

  52    warrant assure

  53    time is serve there is opportunity

  54    gull fool, dupe/hoaxer

  56    perfect word perfect    learn you teach/learn (you being emphatic)

  57    sconce small fort

  58    convoy armed escort    came off acquitted himself    what…on i.e., what conditions the enemy insisted on

  59    con learn, memorize    the…war military terminology

  60    trick up adorn, dress up    new-tuned newly invented, fashionable    general’s cut same style as the general’s

  61    horrid fearful, intimidating    suit outfit, uniform/shout, battle cry    ale-washed drunken

  62    slanders…age i.e., people who are a disgrace to current times

  63    mistook mistaken, misled

  65    hole…coat i.e., slip in the way he presents himself/chance to expose him

  66    from i.e., about    colours military banners or flags    poor shabby, tired, unwell

  72    passages fights    was have i.e., did have

  73    enforced compelled

  76    perdition loss/destruction

  77    never a man no man    like likely

  79    bubukles inflamed swellings    whelks pimples    knobs lumps, swellings    flames o’ fire i.e., red streaks or patches    blows i.e., like bellows on a fire

  82    cut off killed

  83    charge command    compelled forcibly taken

  85    lenity gentleness, mercifulness

  86    gamester player/gambler    Tucket trumpet call

  87    habit clothing (French herald’s uniform, which would bear his king’s coat of arms)

  88    of from

  90    Unfold reveal, relate

  92    Advantage superior position for a military attack/favorable circumstances/greater numbers

  93    rebuked repressed, checked    bruise an injury squeeze a boil

  94    upon our cue at the right time for us

  95    sufferance patience, endurance

  96    proportion be proportionate to, compensate for

  97    digested endured    in…re-answer to pay back in full measure

  98    pettiness weakness, inadequacy

  99    muster roll call, number of soldiers (or total population)

102    So far i.e., this concludes the message of

104    quality character/rank/occupation

109    impeachment hindrance    sooth truth

111    craft and vantage cunning and military advantage

121    trunk body

123    God before with God on our side

128    tawny yellowish-brown

139    them i.e., the English soldiers

Act 3 Scene 7

 3.7   Location: the French camp, near Agincourt

    9    pasterns i.e., hoofs (literally, part of the leg between the fetlock and the hoof)    Ch’ha! exclamation of triumph and pride, or onomatopoeic sound of a horse    entrails were hairs i.e., as if he weighed nothing entrails intestine

  10    le cheval volant “the flying horse”    Pegasus winged horse in classical mythology    chez…feu “with fiery nostrils”

  11    basest horn lowest part (plays on the sense of “musical instrument lowest in pitch”)

  12    Hermes in classical mythology, Hermes played his pipe to charm the hundred-eyed giant Argus asleep

  14    Perseus in classical mythology, the hero who beheaded the gorgon Medusa; from her blood sprang the horse Pegasus

  16    jades worn-out horses

  18    absolute perfect

  19    palfreys horses for riding (particularly by women) as opposed to warhorses; a word associated with romantic tales of wandering knights bidding command

  20    countenance appearance/bearing

  22    rising…lamb i.e., all day long

  23    lodging going to bed, settling down    vary express a set    theme in fresh words (rhetorical term)

  24    the sands i.e., infinite particles of sand

  26    lay…functions set aside their business or occupation

  30    courser swift horse, charger

  32    bears carries your weight in riding/during sex

  33    Me i.e., only me    prescript prescribed, appropriate

  34    particular personal, private

  35    shrewdly sharply, severely/shrewishly, bad-temperedly    shook your back jolted you/had sex with you

  37    Mine…bridled i.e., my mistress is a woman, not a horse

  38    belike presumably    rode as a horseman/sexually    kern of Ireland Irish foot soldier/peasant

  39    hose breeches    straight strossers tight trousers (worn by the Irish)/ bare skin

  40    horsemanship perhaps with a pun on “whores”

  41    foul bogs muddy mires/diseased vaginas/dirty anuses

  43    as lief rather    jade worn-out horse/prostitute (possibly picking up a pun in the dauphin’s    horse and rendering it “whores”)

  44    my…hair implying that the Constable’s bewigged mistress does not, as she is bald from syphilis

  45    to as

  46   ‘Le…bourbier’ “The dog is returned to his own vomit, and the washed sow to the mire” (proverbial)

  48    use utilize/employ sexually

  49    kin…purpose relevant

  53    fall i.e., be knocked off

  54    want lack (stars)

  55    many great many    honour honest/noble

  57    Ev’n just

  59    desert what he deserves

  61    faced…way outfaced, shamed and driven away

  62    about the ears i.e., beating the heads

  63    go to hazard place a bet

  64    hazard risk, danger

  68    eat all he kills implies that he won’t kill anyone

  70    foot may play on the sense of “vulva” or on French    foutre (“fuck”)    tread out trample on and erase, i.e., prove wrong (with sexual connotations, to tread being also “to have sex”)

  71    active energetic/sexually vigorous

  72    Doing having sex    still constantly

  73    did harm hurt, injured/upset anyone

  77    What’s who’s

  78    he i.e., the dauphin

  79    no hidden virtue i.e., it is obvious/it does not exist

  80    lackey servant, who has presumably seen the dauphin’s supposed valor in the form of a beating

  81    hooded concealed, masked (like a hunting falcon)    bate flutter its wings/abate, diminish

  84    take up counter

  85    Have…eye I’ll strike the very target/tenderest part

  87    bolt short blunt arrow suitable for use by a fool/penis    soon shot plays on the notion of premature ejaculation

  88    shot over overshot the target, i.e., your proverb does not fit the sequence

  89    overshot outshot, beaten in archery

  96    peevish foolish/headstrong    mope wander about aimlessly

  97    fat-brained thick-witted, stupid    out…knowledge i.e., out of known territory, familiar affairs

  98    apprehension understanding

100    head-pieces helmets

101    mastiffs strong and fierce breed of dog

103    run…bear i.e., in bear-baiting with dogs    winking with eyes closed

105    eat his breakfast i.e., suck blood from

106    robustious noisy, rough

107    coming on advancing    give if you give

109    shrewdly seriously, severely

110    stomachs appetites

Act 4

    1    entertain conjecture of i.e., imagine    conjecture supposition

    2    murmur rumor    poring eye-straining (puns on “pouring”)

    4    foul loathsome/dark, dirty

    5    stilly quietly

    8    paly pale

    9    umbered shadowed/orange-brown, as though stained with umber (brown pigment made from earth)

  12    accomplishing equipping

  13    rivets bolts for fastening armor

  14    note sound/notice

  17    secure overconfident

  18    over-lusty overly lively and cheerful

  19    low-rated little valued    play gamble for

  20    chide scold    tardy-gaited slow-moving

  22    tediously laboriously/painfully

  24    inly inwardly

  25    gesture sad serious/sorrowful bearing

  26    Investing enveloping, clothing    lank-lean gaunt

  28    who whoever

  30    watch group of soldiers on guard

  32    host army

  35    note sign

  36    enrounded surrounded

  37    dedicate give up, sacrifice

  38    all-watchèd i.e., spent entirely in watchfulness

  39    over-bears overcomes    attaint sign of weariness (perhaps plays on the sense of “false color”)

  40    semblance appearance

  41    pining wasting away

  43    largess largesse (generosity, warmth)

  44    liberal unrestrained, generous

  45    that…all so that men of low and high ranks

  46    unworthiness the Chorus refers to his own humble status or inadequate means of expression

  47    touch glimpse

  50    ragged shabby    foils light fencing swords

  51    ill-disposed poorly handled

  53    Minding calling to mind    mock’ries imitations

Act 4 Scene 1

 4.1   Location: the English camp, near Agincourt

    5    Would men if men would    observingly observantly    distil extract

    6    bad…stirrers proverbial: “he that has an ill neighbor has oftentimes an ill morning” (the neighbors here being the French)

    7    husbandry domestic management (here applies to life rather than a household)

  10    dress us prepare ourselves

  11    gather…weed proverbial

  12    make…of i.e., draw a moral from

  15    churlish hard, unyielding

  16    likes pleases

  19    upon example by taking another’s example

  20    quickened revived

  22    Break up break out of

  23    casted slough cast off skin (like a snake’s)    legerity lightness

  25    commend me convey my greetings

  26    anon shortly

  27    pavilion ceremonial tent

  32    bosom i.e., heart

  36    Che vous là? Pistol’s rendering of Qui va la?, French for “Who goes there?”

  38    Discuss declare

  39    popular of the common people

  40    gentleman…company gentleman volunteer serving in the ranks

  41    Trail’st…pike? i.e., are you in the infantry

  42    Even so just so

  45    bawcock fine fellow

  46    imp shoot, scion

  49    bully fine fellow

  50    le Roy the king (roi is French for “king”)

  51    crew group/military company

  55    pate head

  56    Saint Davy’s day March 1, when Welshmen wore leeks in their caps to commemorate Saint David, the patron saint of Wales

  64    sorts fits

  66    fewer less/more quietly    admiration wonder

  67    prerogatifes i.e., prerogatives—principles, rights

  68    Pompey the Great famous Roman general

  69    tiddle…pabble tittle-tattle, babbling

  70    ceremonies formalities

  71    cares duties    forms due procedures, codes of conduct    sobriety seriousness

  72    modesty discipline    otherwise i.e., other than as things are here

  74    prating prattling    coxcomb fool

  80    care responsibility

  89    estate situation, circumstances

  90    wrecked shipwrecked sand sandbank

  93    though…it i.e., though I myself say so (but should not)

  95    element sky    conditions qualities, functions, limitations

  96    ceremonies kingly trappings    laid by put aside

  97    affections emotions    higher mounted more lofty and sophisticated    stoop swoop, descend (falconry term)

  98    like wing i.e., in the same way that ours do    of for

  99    relish flavor    possess him with show him/induce in him

100    he i.e., the king

103    Thames the River Thames, which runs through London

104    at all adventures at all events, whatever the outcome    quit away from, finished

110    feel test

114    seek after try to find out

117    reckoning account of debts (both literal losses and spiritual debts)

118    join together remake whole bodies/unite in crying out

119    latter day Judgment Day

120    upon on account of

121    rawly too young/unprovided for    afeard afraid

122    charitably i.e., with Christian charity    dispose of make arrangements for/bestow (possessions in a will/souls to God)

123    argument theme

125    proportion natural order    subjection the condition of being a subject

126    merchandise trading, commerce    sinfully miscarry i.e., die in a state of sin

127    imputation of accusation of, responsibility for

130    irreconciled unreconciled to God, unabsolved    iniquities wicked acts, sins    author person responsible for, creator of

133    purpose intend, plan

135    arbitrement of swords arbitration, determining of the matter through war    try it out i.e., put his cause to the test    unspotted pure, sin-free

136    peradventure perhaps

137    beguiling deceiving    perjury oath-breaking

138    bulwark (military) fortification/safeguard, means of escape (from punishment for crimes)

139    native punishment the punishment due to them at home

141    beadle parish officer with the power to punish petty offenders    before-breach previous breaking

142    now…quarrel the war that is now being fought on behalf of the king    death death penalty

143    borne life away i.e., got away with their lives

144    unprovided unprepared

145    visited punished

149    blessedly fortunately, in a holy manner    lost spent

150    making…offer in offering himself to God

151    prepare i.e., for death

152    ill i.e., unprepared, in sin

153    to answer it responsible for it

155    lustily heartily

159    it i.e., that outcome

160    pay punish    perilous dangerous (said ironically)    elder-gun toy gun, pellet gun (made from an elder stick)    a…displeasure the displeasure of a commoner

161    go about try

164    round blunt, plainspoken

167    embrace heartily accept

169    gage pledge (usually signifying a commitment to duel; often a glove or gauntlet)    bonnet hat

170    darest dare to

174    take give

177    though even if take find

180    reckon count

181    crowns coins/heads

183    cut French crowns cut French heads off/shave silver or gold from French coins    clipper clipper of coins/barber

185    careful full of cares or grief

186    lay on burden/assault

187    condition situation/social rank

188    twin-born born at the same birth    breath i.e., opinion

190    wringing aches and pains    heart’s-ease inner peace, contentment

192    privates men who do not hold public office

193    Save except    general public

194    idle useless

196    mortal human

197    comings in income

199    of adoration made up of insubstantial admiration/of the things that provoke admiration

200    aught anything    place…form i.e., social rank and eminence

208    titles puns on “tittles,” i.e., trifles    blown fanned, breathed (as if to cool fever)/corrupted, contaminated

209    give place retreat, give way    flexure kneeling    bending bowing

210    command’st…knee claim it as your right that the beggar kneels before you

212    subtly deceptively    repose rest

213    find thee find you out, discover your true nature

214    balm consecrated oil (used at a coronation)    ball monarch’s orb

215    mace official scepter

216    intertissued interwoven

217    farcèd stuffed, pompous

218    pomp ceremonious trappings, splendor

224    distressful earned by labor

226    lackey servant, specifically a footman who ran alongside his master’s coach (here, Phoebus’ chariot)    the…set sunrise to sunset

227    in…Phoebus under the sun (Phoebus, the Roman sun god)

228    Elysium i.e., perfect contentment (the heaven of classical mythology)

229    Hyperion in classical mythology, father of the sun; sometimes the sun itself

231    profitable useful, valuable (not “remunerative”)

234    forehand…of advantage over

235    member sharer in

236    gross dull    wots knows

237    watch sleeplessness/guard

238    advantages benefits from

239    jealous of anxious about

247    sense of reck’ning counting, calculation    th’opposèd numbers the numbers of enemy soldiers

250    My…crown! Henry’s father, Henry IV, deposed Richard II, who was murdered whilst in captivity    compassing obtaining

251    interrèd new newly buried, with proper ceremony

253    forcèd violently shed

256    blood i.e., murder

257    chantries endowed chapels where priests sing masses for the founders or for individuals specified by them (in this case, Richard)    sad serious, grave

258    still to this day/continually

265    stay wait

Act 4 Scene 2

 4.2   Location: the French camp near Agincourt

    2    Monte à cheval “To horse!” varlet manservant/rascal Laquais! “Lackey!”

    4    Via…terre “Go through and over water and earth”

    5    Rien…feu “Nothing else? Air and fire”

    6    Cieux “the heavens”

    8    present service immediate action

    9    make…hides i.e., with spurs

  10    spin spurt

  11    dout extinguish, douse    superfluous courage an excess of French courage (shown by the abundance of    blood)

  14    embattled arranged in battle formation    peers companions

  16    yond…band i.e., the English

  17    fair show splendid appearance

  18    shales shells

  21    curtle-axe cutlass, short sword

  22    gallants fine, spirited young men

  24    o’erturn them knock them over

  25    exceptions objections

  28    squares of battle square formations of soldiers

  29    hilding worthless, contemptible

  30    basis base    by nearby

  32    honours noble ranks/sense of honor    What’s what’s left

  35    tucket sonance trumpet sound

  36    dare defy/daze, paralyze with fear

  38    stay wait

  39    Yond yonder, those (over there)    island i.e., English    carrions carcasses    desperate…bones without hope of saving their lives

  40    Ill-favouredly become i.e., ill-befit, disgrace

  41    curtains banners

  42    passing surpassingly, extremely

  43    Mars Roman god of war    beggared host impoverished army

  44    beaver helmet’s visor

  45    fixèd candlesticks i.e., inanimate metal objects

  46    torch-staves staffs for holding torches

  47    Lob hang heavily

  48    gum rheum, gummy discharge    down-roping hanging in strings

  49    gimmaled jointed

  50    foul dirty, stained

  51    executors those who dispose of what is left after death

  52    hour i.e., of death

  53    suit clothe/befit

  54    demonstrate…battle vividly depict such an army

  58    fasting starving provender fodder

  60    guidon pointed flag or pennant

  63    outwear waste

Act 4 Scene 3

 4.3   Location: the English camp, near Agincourt

    3    threescore thousand sixty thousand

    6    buy’ be with    charge company

  10    kinsman i.e., Westmorland, whose son was married to Salisbury’s daughter

  13    mind remind

  14    framed composed    truth principle

  22    we…loss there are enough of us for England to feel the loss

  25    wish wish for

  26    Jove supreme Roman god

  27    upon my cost at my expense

  28    yearns grieves

  32    coz cousin

  34    share take away as his share

  36    proclaim it declare, announce

  37    stomach to appetite/courage for

  38    passport document of authorization (to pass through France and board a ship)

  39    convoy i.e., his journey

  41    his fellowship duty as a companion

  42    feast of Crispian Saint Crispin’s day, October 25

  44    stand a tiptoe i.e., feel uplifted, proud, eager

  47    vigil evening before a feast day

  51    all all else

  52    advantages additions

  57    Be…rememberèd i.e., a toast will be raised to them

  59    Crispin Crispian Saint Crispin’s day marks the martyring of two brothers, Crispin and Crispianus

  62    happy fortunate

  64    vile low-ranking

  65    gentle his condition ennoble him

  68    manhoods manliness    any anyone

  70    bestow yourself act, move

  71    bravely showily, with great display    in…set in military formations

  72    expedience speed

  74    backward reluctant/not    ready

  79    likes pleases

  82    compound agree terms

  84    gulf whirlpool

  85    englutted swallowed up

  86    mind remind

  88    retire retreat

  94    achieve win, capture

  96    The…him “to sell the bear’s (lion’s) skin before the beast is caught” (proverbial) is foolish and dangerous

  98    many great number

  99    native English, i.e., they will survive the war

100    in brass inscribed on brass memorial plaques

104    reeking smelling (not necessarily unpleasantly)/blood-smeared

105    clime region/climate

107    Mark take notice of

108    crazing shattering (once lodged in the body); may also suggest “grazing”—i.e., ricocheting

109    mischief damage, harm

110    in…mortality as their bodies decompose

112    for the working day i.e., dressed for work, not requiring finery

113    gayness showy appearance, brightness of color    besmirched discolored, stained

114    painful field arduous terrain

115    feather i.e., ornamental helmet feathers

116    fly flee

117    slovenry slovenliness, dirtiness

118    in the trim finely dressed/ready for action

120    pluck…service on dismissal from service, a servant would have his livery removed (additional play on sense of military service)

124    levied raised

126    joints limbs

127    as…them i.e., dead

135    dispose direct, govern

Act 4 Scene 4

 4.4   Location: the battlefield at Agincourt   Excursions: bouts of fighting across the stag

    2    Je…qualité “I think that you are a gentleman of good quality”

    3    Qualtitie uncomprehending repetition of    qualité calmie custure me apparently a corruption of a fairly popular Irish refrain cailin og a stor (“maiden, my treasure”); Pistol seems to have picked up on the the “qu/c” sound of the French

    4    Discuss declar

    5    O Seigneur Dieu! “O Lord God!”

    7    Perpend consider    mark take note

    8    fox type of sword

    9    Except unless

  10    Egregious exceptionally larg

  11    O…moi! “O, have mercy! Have pity on me!”

  12    Moy mispronunciation of “moi”; Pistol understands this to mean a type of coin, though it could also mean “measurement of corn, approximately a bushel”

  13    rim stomach linin

  15    Est-il…bras? “Is it impossible to escape the strength of your arm?”

  16    Brass i.e., inferior metal; Pistol’s misunderstanding of bras

  17    luxurious lecherous

  19    O pardonnez-moi! “O spare me!”

  20    ton of moys Pistol’s interpretation of the French

  23    Écoutez…appelé? “Listen, what is your name?”

  24    le Fer iron

  26    fer a nonce usage of the word, roughly intending “beat”; possible play on “fear,” i.e., frighten    firk beat (puns on “fuck”)    ferret worry, tear at (plays on sense of “have sex with”)

  30    Que…monsieur? “What did he say, sir?”

  31    Il…gorge He orders me to tell you that you are to make yourself ready, because this soldier here is disposed, at this very hour, to cut your throat

  33    Owy…permafoy Pistol’s mangled attempt to say Oui, couper la gorge, par ma foi, i.e., “yes, cut the throat, by my faith”

  34    brave fine/worthy

  36    O…écus “O I beseech you, for the love of God, to spare me. I am a gentleman of a good house [i.e., family]. Save my life and I will give you two hundred crowns”

  42    Petit…dit-il? “Little sir, what does he say?”

  43    Encore…franchisement “Although it is contrary to his vow to spare any prisoner, nevertheless, for the crowns that you have promised him, he is content to give you liberty, freedom”

  46    Sur…d’Angleterre the Boy’s ensuing translation is accurate

  49    Expound explain, translate

  52    thrice-worthy most worthy

  53    suck blood kill/am a leech

  54    Suivez-vous…capitaine! “Follow the great captain!”

  55    full loud

  57    devil i’th’old play i.e., one like the character of the devil in an old morality play    pare trim

  58    wooden dagger the traditional prop of a morality-play devil    this this man, Pistol

  59    adventurously in a manner involving genuine risk

  60    prey plunder

Act 4 Scene 5

    1    O diable! “O the devil!”

    2    O…perdu! “O Lord! The day is lost, all is lost!”

    3    Mort…vie! “Death of my life!”    confounded ruined

    5    in our plumes i.e., over us (in their feathered helmets)    O méchante fortune! “O wicked fortune!”

    7    broke broken, scattered

    8    perdurable everlasting

  12    In i.e., into battle

  15    pander go-between, pimp    hold…door guard the bedroom door

  16    gentler nobler/kinder

  18    spoiled ruined/plundered    friend befriend

  19    on in

  22    upon of

Act 4 Scene 6

 4.6    train followers

    2    keep remain (on)

    8    Larding enriching

    9    honour-owing i.e., honorable

  11    all haggled over hacked all over

  12    insteeped drenched

  15    Tarry linger, wait

  17    abreast side by side

  18    well-foughten field well-fought battle

  19    chivalry knightly prowess/bravery in war

  20    cheered him up spoke comfortingly to him

  21    raught reached

  23    Commend offer, remember

  26    espoused married, united

  27    testament will, bequest

  29    waters i.e., tears

  31    my mother i.e., his tender, womanly side

  34    perforce necessarily    compound come to terms (may play on the sense of “mix”)

  35    mixed-full unclear meaning, perhaps “swimming confusedly with tears/fully mixed with tears” (some editors emend to “mistful” or “willful”)    issue discharge (tears)

Act 4 Scene 7

    1    poys boys    luggage perhaps “those guarding the luggage”

    2    offer’t attempted, dared

    6    wherefore because of which    worthily deservedly, justly

    8    Monmouth town in south Wales, near the English border

    9    Pig i.e., Big (Great)

  12    all one reckonings all amount to the same thing    phrase…variations wording is slightly different

  14    Macedon Macedonia, a region in what is now northern Greece

  15    take understand 17 ’orld world

  18    situations geographical layout

  20    Wye the River Wye, on the Welsh-English border

  22    both i.e., both rivers    is…it follows, resembles

  23    figures comparisons, parallels

  24    cholers fits of anger (governed by choler, one of the four bodily humors controlling mood)

  25    intoxicates intoxicated, drunk

  26    in his ales i.e., while drunk    Cleitus friend and general to Alexander the Great (killed in a drunken argument by Alexander)

  30    his cups i.e., drunk

  32    belly-doublet close-fitting jacket with the lower part padded (in Falstaff’s case, with his fat)    gipes jibes    knaveries roguish tricks

  33    mocks jeers, acts of mockery

  38    this instant i.e., at the death of the boys    trumpet trumpeter

  43    skirr scurry, flee

  44    Enforcèd forcibly flung

  45    Besides in addition    those i.e., those French prisoners

  46    take capture

  51    fined undertaken to pay    bones i.e., and nothing more

  54    licence permission

  56    book record

  59    mercenary belonging to paid soldiers

  60    vulgar common people

  62    Fret struggle, chafe    fetlock-deep up to the fetlock (back of a horse’s leg, above the hoof)

  63    Yerk lash, jerk    armèd heels iron-shod hooves

  68    day i.e., victory

  69    peer appear/look carefully

  73    hard close

  77    grandfather…memory i.e., Edward III    an’t if it

  78    chronicles historical accounts

  83    Monmouth caps round brimless caps with tapering crowns, originally made in Monmouth

  84    badge emblem, insignia

  85    Tavy’s i.e., David’s

  86    memorable honour honor well worth commemorating

  89    his grace i.e., the king (or possibly “God’s grace”)

102    gage pledge

105    swaggered quarreled, blustered

106    challenge claim

109    fit appropriate

110    craven coward else otherwise

112    sort rank    quite…degree of too high a rank to have to answer Williams’ challenge

114    Lucifer and Beelzebub the devil

116    jack-sauce saucy, impudent fellow

117    black dirty/wicked, damned

118    sirrah sir (used to an inferior)

122    is has    literatured is well-read

126    favour token worn as mark of favor

127    Alençon a French duke    down i.e., on the ground

128    helm helmet

129    apprehend arrest    love an act of love and loyalty

131    fain eagerly    that…legs i.e., whoever he might be

132    it him

141    haply perhaps

145    blunt forthright

146    mischief harm

148    touched affected/lit, fired (like gunpowder) choler anger

Act 4 Scene 8

    2    apace quickly

    3    peradventure perhaps

    5    know you do you recognize

    8    ’Sblood God’s blood

  11    be forsworn break my word

  12    away aside    into ploughs in blows (perhaps “in two blows”)

  15    lie…throat deliberate lie

  19    summer’s day i.e., long day

  23    is take out took out

  28    is pear will bear

  29    avouchment avouch, affirm

  30    is give gave

  33    terms language, words

  36    satisfaction amends

  39    abuse insult

  41    lowliness apparent low rank

  50    mettle spirit, courage

  52    prawls and prabbles brawls and brabbles (i.e., petty quarrels)    dissensions quarrels, disputes

  54    will want

  56    good genuine, not counterfeit

  60    good sort high rank

  75    blood nobility

  78    Admiral commander-in-chief of the navy

  80    Great Master chief official of the royal household

  83    lusty strong, vigorous

  90    name note, rank

  91    arm i.e., might, power

  93    stratagem tricks designed to outwit the enemy

  94    plain shock direct clash of forces    even play straightforward contest

  98    wonderful to be marveled at, extraordinary

108    Non nobis opening words of Psalm 115 (“Give praise not unto us, O God”)    Te Deum thanksgiving hymn “Te Deum laudamus” (“We praise thee O God”)

109    with…clay i.e., given a Christian burial

Act 5

    1    Vouchsafe grant

    2    prompt them i.e., remind them what comes next

    4    time the (five-year) time lapse between the last scene and the next/the limited time in which to perform a play    numbers limited number of actors and the multitude they are called on to represent    due…things the nature of historical events

    5    huge…life i.e., true enormous scale

    7    grant acknowledge, allow imaginatively

    9    Athwart across

  10    Pales fences    flood sea

  11    claps applause    deep-mouthed loud, deep-voiced

  12    whiffler attendant who clears the way at a procession

  14    solemnly ceremoniously

  16    Blackheath a large common, just south of London

  17    Where that where

  18    bruiséd dented    bended bent

  20    vainness personal vanity, pride

  21    trophy token of victory    signal symbol, sign    ostent display

  23    working-house workshop

  25    brethren fellow councillors    best sort i.e., civic robes

  26    th’antique ancient

  29    lower…likelihood i.e., less glorious, but as loving, similar circumstance

  30    general…empress apparently a reference to the Earl of Essex, for much of 1599 the commander of English troops in    Ireland on behalf of Elizabeth I

  32    broachèd pierced, speared

  34    much many and and with

  36    lamentation mourning, grievances

  37    Invites requires

  38    emperor’s coming the Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund came to England in 1416

  39    them editors have conjectured that there may be a line or so missing at this point in the text    omit let us pass over, ignore

  42    played The interim performed, represented the intervening period

  44    brook tolerate

Act 5 Scene 1

 5.1   Location: the English camp, France

    3    wherefore how, why

    4    asse as (plays on “ass/arse”) scald vile/scabby

    8    breed no contention start any argument

  10    swelling…turkey-cock i.e., puffed up with self-importance (in Fluellen’s response    swellings and    cock have potentially phallic resonances)

  12    scurvy contemptible, worthless

  13    bedlam mad    thirst i.e., long    base Trojan knave

  14    fold…web i.e., end your life (in classical mythology, the Parcae are the three Fates, who spin, reel out, and cut the thread of each human life)

  15    qualmish made sick

  18    disgestions digestions, perhaps implying “hard-earned,” “difficult to digest”

  20    Cadwallader seventh-century Welsh warrior king    goats traditionally associated with Wales

  21    goat possible pun on “goad” (i.e., rod for driving cattle/powerful incitement)

  22    scald scabby

  24    God’s will is God decides

  25    victuals food    sauce flavoring/a rebuke

  27    fall to begin eating

  28    astonished stunned

  30    green fresh/festering, infected    ploody coxcomb bloody head

  34    revenge have my revenge

  39    take occasions should happen, have the opportunity

  41    Good very well

  42    groat small coin worth four old pence

  46    in earnest of as a down payment for

  47    pay punish    cudgels beatings

  48    woodmonger one who deals in wood    buy be with

  51    counterfeit deceitful

  53    predeceased former, past

  54    gleeking taunting, insulting    galling harassing, scoffing

  55    garb fashion

  57    condition disposition

  59    Doll some editors emend to “Nell,” assuming that Pistol refers to his wife, Nell Quickly    i’th’spital in the hospital

  60    malady of France syphilis, the “French disease”

  61    rendezvous refuge, haven, perhaps with play on “sexual encounter”

  62    wax grow

  63    bawd pimp

  64    something…hand am somewhat inclined to become a deft pickpocket

  65    steal steal away (plays on the sense of “rob”)

  66    patches bandages (also with suggestion of patches to conceal syphilitic scars)

  67    Gallia i.e., French

Act 5 Scene 2

 5.2   Location: the royal court, France

    1    wherefore for which

    2    brother fellow monarch sister i.e., Queen Isabel, wife of the French king

    3    fair…day i.e., good day

    4    princely royal

    5    royalty collection of royal persons

  12    issue outcome

  13    gracious happy/prosperous

  16    bent line of sight/direction of fire

  17    balls eyeballs/cannonballs    basilisks large cannon/mythical reptiles whose gaze could kill

  19    quality i.e., deadly nature

  23    on based on

  25    pains efforts

  27    barcourt, tribunal    interview meeting

  30    That in the sense that

  31    congreeted greeted each other

  32    before…view in such royal company

  33    rub obstacle (bowling term)

  35    nurse nourisher    arts learning, scholarship

  37    put up raise    visage face

  39    husbandry agricultural cultivation and produce    on heaps in a mess

  40    Corrupting…fertility rotting for being overripe/ruining itself by being overgrown it its

  42    even-pleached regularly interwoven

  44    fallow leas unplowed arable fields

  45    darnel…fumitory weeds    rank overabundant

  46    root upon take root, grow    coulter blade on a plow

  47    deracinate uproot    savagery wild plants

  48    even mead level meadow    erst formerly

  49    freckled…clover i.e., all useful plants or herbs

  50    Wanting lacking    withal uncorrected unchecked by it

  51    Conceives germinates, breeds    teems is fertile, flourishes

  52    docks…burs all types of weed    kecksies dry hollow stems

  54    fallows arable lands

  55    natures proper functions

  58    sciences knowledge, skills

  61    diffused disordered

  63    reduce restore    favour appearance/approval, good grace

  65    let hindrance

  68    would desire

  69    want lack

  71    accord agreement    just exact/legitimate

  72    tenors substances, contents    effects purposes/drifts

  73    enscheduled listed, written down

  78    cursitory eye cursory glance

  79    O’erglanced looked over    Pleaseth if it please

  81    better heed greater care, attention

  82    suddenly in a short time

  83    Pass pronounce    accept acceptable (to us), agreed    peremptory final, resolved

  87    ratify confirm

  91    consign subscribe, agree

  94    Haply perhaps

  95    nicely strictly, fastidiously    stood on insisted

  97    capital principal comprised included

  98    fore-rank front row    articles conditions

101    terms words, expressions (plays on the sense of “conditions of a truce”)

103    love-suit courtship

108    Pardonnez-moi “excuse me”

110    Que…anges? “What does he say? That I resemble angels?”

111    Oui…dit-il “Yes, truly, saving your grace, he says so”

113    O…tromperies “O good God! The tongues of men are full of deceits”

115    is de princess i.e., is what the princess said

116    the better Englishwoman i.e., like an Englishwoman for mistrusting his flattery    fit appropriate, suitable

118    plain plainspoken/simple

119    mince speak in a delicate or pretentious way/behave affectedly

121    suit courtship (perhaps with suggestion of worn-out clothing)    clap…bargain shake hands on a deal

123    Sauf votre honneur “saving your honor”

124    put…verses have me write love poetry

125    undid would ruin    measure poetic meter

126    strength in measure i.e., ability in dancing measure slow, stately dance    measure in strength amount of physical strength

128    under…spoken at the risk of punishment for boasting, let it be said    leap into gain/have sex with

129    buffet box    bound make jump

130    lay on strike vigorously/lie upon during sex    sit on his horse/on his wife    jackanapes monkey (or someone acting like one)    off failing off

131    look greenly i.e., as an inexperienced young lover does    cunning in protestation skill in declarations (of love)

132    downright plain    urged provoked

133    urging being persuaded by others    temper temperament, disposition    not worth sunburning i.e., so ugly that the sun could not make it worse (Elizabethans considered fair skin a particular mark of beauty)

134    glass mirror

135    be thy cook i.e., dress the dish (his face) to make it appetizing

138    uncoined genuine, freshly minted and uncirculated (amongst women)

139    infinite tongue clever, unlimited speech

140    favours sexual benevolence

141    What! exclamation of scorn    prater chatterbox    ballad popular, common form of poetry    fall waste away

143    full perfect, lustrous    wax hollow sunken/insincere

147    fairly favorably

150    friend also has sense of “lover”

156    Je…moi “I, when I have possession of France, and when you have the possession of me” (imperfect but generally comprehensible French)

157    Saint…speed!    Saint Denis help me! Saint Denis patron saint of France    donc…mienne “therefore yours is France and you are mine”

159    move i.e., stir emotion in

160    Sauf…parle “Saving your honor, the French that you speak, it is better than the English that I speak”

163    truly-falsely sincerely and inaccurately    at one the same

166    neighbours close acquaintances

167    closet private room

168    dispraise belittle

170    cruelly extremely    beest be

171    saving faith faith deep enough for salvation    scambling struggling, scuffling

173    compound compose, create

174    take…beard humiliate, drive the Turks out

175    flower-de-luce fleur-de-lis (lily), emblem on the French coat of arms

177    hereafter in time to come    know plays on sense of “have sex”

178    part behalf (plays on sense of “genitals”)

179    moiety half, portion    la…déesse “the most fair Katherine of the world, my most dear and divine goddess”

181    ’ave have, i.e., has    fausse “false”—i.e., “incorrect/insincere”    sage prudent, wise

182    demoiselle “young lady”

184    blood passion/sexual desire

185    notwithstanding in spite of    untempering unsoftening, unsettling

186    beshrew curse    civil wars i.e., Richard II’s deposition

187    got conceived    aspect facial appearance

189    ill layer-up poor preserver/wrinkler

190    spoil damage

191    wear use, possess (plays on sense of “exhaust sexually”)

196    Plantagenet name of the dynasty to which Henry V belonged

197    fellow with equal to

199    break open, broach

201    de…pere “the king my father”

205    Laissez…seigneur “Desist, my lord, desist, desist: my faith, I do not at all wish you to abase your greatness in kissing the hand of one [who is] your lordship’s unworthy servant. Excuse me, I beg of you, my most mighty lord”

209    Les…France “In France it is not the custom for ladies and young ladies to be kissed before their marriages”

215    entendre…moi “understands” better “than me”

218    Oui, vraiment “Yes, truly”

219    nice fastidious/coy/trivial

220    list boundary (literally, barrier enclosing a jousting or duelling area)

221    follows our places goes with our high rank

222    find-faults people who seek to criticize

230    apt ready, quick to learn

231    condition disposition

235    conjure i.e., raise up (spirits, but here a penis)    make a circle magic circle for conjuring/open her vagina

236    naked and blind like Cupid (Roman god of love, traditionally depicted thus)/in the form of a penis (with its “blind eye”)    maid virgin

237    rosed…modesty i.e., blushing in modesty/flushed in sexual excitement

238    in within (emotionally)/inside (sexually) naked seeing emotionally exposed/aware of her physical nakedness hard plays on the idea of penile hardness

239    consign assent

240    wink and yield close their eyes and give in    enforces (love/the penis) pushes his way in

241    do plays on the sense of “have sex with”

242    consent winking agree to wink and yield

243    on at know understand (with sexual connotations)

244    summered tended, nurtured    warm comfortably, well-off/sexually aroused    Bartholomew-tide Saint Bartholomew’s day, August 24

245    blind…eyes sluggish, unaware (from the summer heat)    handling with sexual connotations

247    moral lesson    ties me over confines me to

248    latter end late summer/lower body

249    before it loves i.e., until it sees the object of its love/before sexual consummation

253    perspectively obliquely, distortedly (through a perspective: either a lens that distorts objects or a painting that only becomes clear when viewed from an angle)

254    maiden unbreached by military/sexual force    entered invaded in war/penetrated sexually

257    so so long as    wait on her follow her (as a dowry)

258    will political, military desire/sexual desire/penis

259    terms of reason reasonable terms

262    in sequel succession

264    subscribed signed, agreed to

265    matter of grant official conferment of lands or titles

266    addition title    Notre…France “Our very dear son Henry, King of England, heir of France”

267    Praeclarissimus…Franciae “Our very dear son Henry, King of England, heir of France”

270    request i.e., to marry Katherine

275    Issue descendants

276    pale due to the chalk cliffs

278    dear tender/costly

279    neighbourhood friendly, neighborly

280    bosoms hearts    advance raise

288    spousal marriage, union

289    ill office disservice, poor dealings    fell fierce

291    paction pact, contract

292    incorporate united in one body, indivisible

298    surety…leagues security of our alliance    Sennet trumpet signalling a procession

Epilogue

    1    rough imperfect, coarse    all-unable inadequate

    2    bending i.e., over his work/bowing

    4    by starts in fits and starts, intermittently

    5    Small time Henry died aged thirty-five, after a nine-year reign

    7    world’s best garden i.e., France

    9    infant bands strips of linen babies were wrapped in

  11    Whose of whose

  13    their i.e., Shakespeare’s plays concerning Henry VI

  14    this acceptance take this play find favor

THE THREE PARTS OF HENRY THE SIXTH

Henry V ends with the Chorus speaking an epilogue in sonnet form. It offers a forward look that somewhat deflates the triumph of Agincourt. King Henry, the “star of England,” will live but a small time. “The world’s best garden,” having been brought to order by his charismatic arts, will soon be choked with weeds. His son will be crowned King of France and England whilst still an infant. So many rivals then had the managing of his state “That they lost France and made his England bleed, / Which oft our stage hath shown.” Shakespeare thus reminds his audience that his cycle of history plays is complete: the sequence from Richard II to Henry V at this point joins on to the earlier written tetralogy of the three parts of Henry the Sixth and Richard III. Sometimes gathered together in modern productions under a title such as The Wars of the Roses or The Plantagenets, these plays tell the story of England’s self-scarring and “dire division.”

In The First Part of Henry the Sixth, Henry V’s miraculous conquest of France goes into reverse, despite the exploits of the noble Talbot; meanwhile civil war brews at home. In The Second Part, the war with France is brought to an end by the marriage of King Henry VI to Margaret of Anjou, but the weak king cannot prevent the rise of the Yorkist faction. At the beginning of The Third Part, the succession is surrendered to Richard Duke of York, but his ascendancy is halted on a Yorkshire battlefield, where Queen Margaret brings his life to an undignified end; his sons spend the rest of the play avenging him—and of those sons, it is Richard of Gloucester, the future Richard III, who proves most unscrupulous and therefore most to be feared.

The Romantic poet and Shakespearean commentator Samuel Taylor Coleridge did not think well of this bloody triple-header. He said of the opening lines of The First Part, “if you do not feel the impossibility of this speech having been written by Shakespeare, all I dare suggest is, that you may have ears—for so has another animal—but an ear you cannot have.” To his own finely tuned ear for poetry, the rhythm of the verse was crude and far inferior to that of even Shakespeare’s earliest plays. Coleridge was lecturing on Shakespeare only a few years after the publication of Edmond Malone’s scholarly Dissertation on the Three Parts of King Henry VI, tending to show that these plays were not written originally by Shakespeare. Ever since Shakespeare rose in the course of the eighteenth century to his status as supreme cultural icon, there has been a tendency to assume that any less-than-perfect work—Titus Andronicus, say, or Pericles—must have been the product of some lesser dramatist, or at the very least that Shakespeare was merely patching up a rickety old play for which he was not originally responsible. In the case of the Henry the Sixth plays, support for the latter possibility seemed to come from the existence of early editions of versions of the second and third parts under the titles The First Part of the Contention of the two Famous Houses of York and Lancaster with the Death of the Good Duke Humphrey (published in 1594) and The True Tragedy of Richard Duke of York and the Death of Good King Henry the Sixth, with the Whole Contention between the two houses Lancaster and York (1595). Malone and his successors argued that these were the originals, written by another dramatist (probably one of the so-called university wits, Robert Greene or George Peele), and that Shakespeare merely undertook the work of a reviser. As for The First Part of Henry the Sixth, Malone regarded it as almost holly un-Shakespearean. Though grounded in textual scholarship, his arguments were driven by critical distaste for the plays’ style of verse, the “stately march” whereby “the sense concludes or pauses uniformly at the end of every line.”

More recently, scholars have suggested that The First Part of the Contention and Richard Duke of York are in fact texts of works by Shakespeare, albeit poorly transcribed ones. The titles The First Part and The Whole Contention strongly suggest that the plays that we now call The Second Part and The Third Part of Henry the Sixth originally constituted a two-part work. They were probably first produced in the early 1590s, when Christopher Marlowe’s mighty Tamburlaine the Great had established a vogue for two-part plays filled with battles, processions, and high-sounding verse.

What we now call The First Part of Henry the Sixth would then stand slightly apart. Since it appears to have been premiered—to considerable acclaim—in 1592, it was probably written after the two Wars of the Roses plays that are now called the second and third parts. Perhaps it was what in modern film parlance is called a “prequel,” designed to cash in on the success of a blockbuster. Its lack of unity and its use of different source materials for different scenes suggest that it may have been a collaborative work. Thomas Nashe, who also wrote in partnership with Marlowe, has been suggested as a prime contributor, but there may have been three or even four hands in the composition. The possibility that Shakespeare was not the principal author of the Talbot/Joan of Arc play would account for some of the inconsistencies in the sequence considered as a trilogy. Among these is the fact that in The Second Part Humphrey Duke of Gloucester is a statesmanlike figure, a Lord Protector worthy of his late brother Henry V, whereas in The First Part he is more rough-hewn, and the plot discrepancy whereby the surrender of Anjou and Maine, a condition of the marriage between King Henry VI and Margaret of Anjou, is much resented in The Second Part yet not challenged in the marriage negotiations in The First Part.

There is a long tradition of attempting to establish literary authorship by stylistic tests—preference for feminine endings in verse lines, contractions (them versus ’em), frequency of grammatical function words, and so forth. The availability of large-scale databases of texts and computer programs to crunch them means that such tests are becoming ever more sophisticated and reliable. When several different tests give the same result, one can speak tentatively of the evidence attaining scientific standards of probability. Twenty-first-century stylometric research of this kind suggests that nearly all of The Second Part can be confidently attributed to Shakespeare, that there are some doubts about The Third Part and that Shakespeare probably wrote only a few scenes of The First Part. Perhaps the only thing that makes one hesitate about these results is that they seem too convenient, in that they so neatly mirror the consensus about the relative dramatic quality of the three plays: The Second Part has gloriously Shakespearean energy and variety, and it nearly always works superbly in the theater; The Third Part has some immensely powerful rhetorical encounters but many longueurs; The First Part is generally the least admired—save for the rose-plucking scene in the second act and the moving dialogue of Talbot and his son in the fourth-act battle, the very sequences that the computer tests ascribe to Shakespeare.

It cannot be determined whether the traces of non-Shakespearean language are the vestiges of older plays that Shakespeare was revising or whether they are signs of active collaboration. Nor do we know whether the plays were ever staged as a trilogy in Shakespeare’s lifetime. They only came to be labeled as such in the posthumously published 1623 Folio, where all his histories were collected and ordered by the chronology of their subject matter as opposed to their composition. Since the charismatic villain Richard of Gloucester appears in The Second Part and The Third Part, it becomes very tempting to think of the whole group as a tetralogy capped by The Tragedy of Richard the Third. Perhaps the best approach is to try to treat each of the plays both on its own terms—they were, after all, designed to be performed one at a time—and as part of Shakespeare’s unfolding panorama of English history.

Richard III, probably first staged between 1592 and 1594, does seem to represent a quantum leap in Shakespeare’s dramatic art. Whilst Crookback Richard has been a role that has made the names of great actors from David Garrick in the eighteenth century to Edmund Kean in the nineteenth to Antony Sher in the twentieth, the Henry the Sixth plays have not fared well on the English (or any other) stage. The second and third parts were given a few outings in a heavily adapted and compressed form between the Restoration and Regency periods, but almost three hundred years elapsed before there was a full-scale revival of the entire sequence, and even the twentieth century, which restored to favor such previously unpopular early Shakespearean plays as Love’s Labour’s Lost and Titus Andronicus, only saw some half-dozen major productions: those of F. R. Benson at the beginning of the century, Sir Barry Jackson shortly after World War II, John Barton and Peter Hall (rewritten and compressed into two plays under the title The Wars of the Roses) at Stratford-upon-Avon in the early 1960s, Terry Hands and Adrian Noble in succeeding decades at Stratford (the latter reducing the tetralogy to a trilogy entitled The Plantagenets), and Michael Bogdanov as part of a brave attempt to stage all of the history plays in modern dress, with a strong anti-Thatcherite political agenda, for the touring English Shakespeare Company in the 1980s.

The early-twenty-first century, however, witnessed a reversal of fortune: Michael Boyd directed a much-admired version with full texts under the title This England in the intimate space of the Swan theater in Stratford-upon-Avon, then on becoming artistic director of the Royal Shakespeare Company revived his productions on a larger stage. Edward Hall, meanwhile, followed his father, Peter, in reducing three to two, with an energetic version set in a slaughterhouse and entitled Rose Rage. In a new millennium, at a time of renewed religious war and deep uncertainty about the meaning of nation and national identity, Shakespeare’s exploration of the foundations of the fractured Tudor polity seemed powerfully prescient.

The Henry the Sixth plays reveal Shakespeare learning his art with great rapidity. Poetic styles and stage business are snapped up from the university men, source material from the prose chronicles of English history. Edward Hall’s Union of the Two Noble and Illustrious Families of Lancaster and York (1548) is compressed in such a way as to give a pattern to the march of history. The action is concerned less with individual characters than with the roles that individuals play in the drama of the nation’s destiny. Shakespeare is quite willing to change someone’s age or even their nature in order to subordinate them to his overall scheme. The demonization of Richard of Gloucester is only the most striking example. Whereas we associate the mature Shakespeare with contemplation—King Harry or Prince Hamlet in troubled soliloquy—the driving force of these early plays is action. The First Part deploys a set of variations on an underlying structure in which dramatic action precedes explanation, then a scene will end with epigrammatic recapitulation; each scene is presented in such a way that a different character’s viewpoint is emphasized or a new aspect of an existing character developed. The scene with Talbot in the Countess of Auvergne’s castle, for instance, highlights the courtesy and prudence of a man who has previously been seen as the exemplar of heroic courage. It also provides a contrast against which the later confrontation of Suffolk and Margaret can be measured: Talbot is a relic from the days of Henry V and England’s conquest of France, while Suffolk is a harbinger of division and the Wars of the Roses.

In The Second Part, Shakespeare used a structural pattern to which he returned in later tragedies such as King Lear and Timon of Athens: the hero, Duke Humphrey of Gloucester, is progressively isolated as prominence is given to the legalistic conspiracies of his malicious enemies. But since the subject is the nation, not an individual hero, Humphrey is dispatched in the third act, and the remainder of the play turns to the subject of rebellion (Jack Cade’s proletarian rising in Act 4) and attempted usurpation (the altogether more dangerous Duke of York’s march on London). The Third Part begins in chaos, with each of the first two acts ending in a battle (at Wakefield, then Towton), then proceeds in an uneasy equilibrium that sees two kings alive simultaneously and their respective claims only resolved after a bewildering series of encounters, parleys and changes of allegiance.

Balanced scene structure is paralleled by formal rhetorical style. The formality of the world of these plays is also apparent from the use of dramatic tableaux. The civil strife of the Wars of the Roses could have no better epitome than the paired entrances in Act 2 Scene 5 of The Third Part, where a son that has killed his father appears at one stage door and a moment later a father that has killed his son emerges through the other. Their entry rudely interrupts King Henry’s meditation on how he only wants a quiet life, how he’d rather be a shepherd than a king. The aspirations of the weak but pious king are formally visualized in the stage direction for his next entry, in Act 3 Scene 1: “Enter King Henry, disguised, carrying a prayer-book.” Only in retreat and disguise can he fulfill his desire to be a holy man. And even then his peace lasts only an instant, for two gamekeepers overhear and apprehend him, taking him to captivity in the hands of usurping King Edward. By contrast, when Richard of Gloucester becomes King Richard in the next play, a prayer-book is itself a form of disguise.

The unifying theme that makes the plays work as a trilogy, whatever the circumstances of their origin, is the pitching of two world-pictures against each other. Opposites cannot coexist in harmony, so chaos ensues. In The First Part the opposition takes the form of French against English, Joan against Talbot, magical thinking against rationality, female against male, and implicitly Catholic against Protestant. The historical Talbot was a Catholic, but to an audience in the early 1590s, his plain-speaking Englishness and his heroic deeds on the continental mainland would inevitably have evoked the knightly warriors such as Sir Philip Sidney who fought with Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, in the religious wars of the 1580s in the Spanish Netherlands. Joan, meanwhile, is a figure familiar from anti-Catholic propaganda: a virgin branded whore (“pucelle” means “maiden” but “puzzel” connotes prostitute), a saint and martyr converted into a conjuror of devils, a figure linked to Papist veneration of the Virgin Mary by way of the suggestion of miraculous pregnancy.

The dialectic of The Second Part pits honest old Duke Humphrey of Gloucester and pious young King Henry VI against the scheming Plantagenets. Richard Duke of York’s brain, “more busy than the labouring spider,” “weaves tedious snares to trap” his enemies; his son Richard, future Duke of Gloucester and eventual Richard III, will develop both this kind of language and his father’s strategizing to chilling effect. As various characters shift allegiance between the houses of York and Lancaster, so audience sympathies shift as the fast-moving action unfolds: the power-hungry York of The Second Part becomes a figure of pathos when he is forced to wear a paper crown in the final moments before he is stabbed to death in The Third Part.

Shakespeare does not reveal his own allegiances, but he knows the direction in which history is moving. A key incident in this regard is the fake miracle of Simpcox in The Second Part: King Henry is taken in, a mark of his naive faith, whereas Humphrey of Gloucester adopts the sceptical, interrogative voice of a witchfinder—for which the contemporary equivalent would have been a seeker after closet Catholics. Revealingly, the source for this scene was not the pro-Tudor chronicle of Edward Hall but the anti-Catholic martyrology of John Foxe. Other “medieval,” and thus implicitly Catholic, elements are also subverted: the Duchess of Gloucester’s reliance on conjuration and the trial by combat between the armorer Horner and his man Peter both backfire.

Protestantism, with its rejection of the hierarchies of saints and cardinals, its commitment to the Bible in the language of the people, was associated with a democratization of religious faith. The Second Part is the element of the trilogy that toys with the popular voice (hence its significant proportion of prose writing, which is entirely absent from the first and third parts), but it cannot be said to endorse a modern notion of democracy. Jack Cade is a highly attractive figure on stage because he speaks in the same language as the commoners in the audience; his clowning offers welcome respite from the high rhetoric and low cunning of the aristocrats, and such lines as “the first thing we do, let’s kill all the lawyers” elicit an approving laugh in every age. But Shakespeare, who made his living by the literacy that his father lacked, can hardly be said to approve of a character who orders the hanging of a village clerk for the crime of being able to read and write. And Cade’s vision of England is self-contradictory to the core:

CADE

CADE     Be brave, then, for your captain is brave, and vows reformation. There shall be in England seven halfpenny loaves sold for a penny: the three-hooped pot shall have ten hoops, and I will make it felony to drink small beer. All the realm shall be in common, and in Cheapside shall my palfrey go to grass: and when I am king, as king I will be—

ALL

ALL     God save your majesty!

This is a double-edged “reformation”: cheap bread, unwatered ale and the land held in common sound Utopian, but Cade does not really want representative government. He wants to be king himself. Shakespeare plays the same trick against the “commonwealth” idealism of the courtier Gonzalo twenty years later in The Tempest: “No sovereignty— / Yet he would be king on’t.” If Shakespeare has an Eden, it is not a place anterior to class distinction on the lines of the old rhyme “When Adam delved and Eve span / Who was then the gentleman?” but rather an English gentleman’s country estate, a place of peace and retreat where Cade is an intruder: the Kentish garden of Alexander Iden.

There is a primal quality to the three plays of Henry the Sixth. The basis of drama is agon, the Greek word for “struggle” or “contest.” According to Aristotle, the origin of tragedy was the moment when an actor split off from a chorus and began to enter into dialogue with them. Later came a second actor and a further opportunity for confrontation—the term for the first actor was “protagonist” and the second “deuteragonist.” Conversation in the theater of historical tragedy is always a form of agon, which rapidly escalates into emotional intensity (agony) and thence to physical violence. Shakespeare, with his highly self-conscious theatrical art, is always acutely aware of the several agons that coexist in the theater: between the actor and his role (the struggle to master a part), between the players and the audience (the struggle to grab attention, to move a crowd of onlookers to woe and wonder), within each individual character (the play of conflicting desires and duties), as well as between the characters in their dialogue and stage disposition.

War is the logical culmination of an agonistic world: it is the beginning and end of the three parts of Henry the Sixth. The process of escalation is such that The Third Part in particular portrays the complete breakdown of society. The play has the harrowing, relentless quality of Greek tragedy, where people live and die according to a code of revenge, the sins of the fathers are visited upon the children, and the language moves between rhetorical, proto-operatic arias of anger, anguish, invective, and rapid-fire one-line exchanges in which the brutal conflicts between Lancastrians and Yorkists, men and women, old and young, self-servers and seekers after justice, winners and losers, are stripped to their essentials. In this world, words are weapons, but just occasionally they are harbingers of hope, as when King Henry VI lays his hands on young Henry Richmond’s head and says:

Come hither, England’s hope. If secret powers

Suggest but truth to my divining thoughts,

This pretty lad will prove our country’s bliss.

His looks are full of peaceful majesty,

His head by nature framed to wear a crown,

His hand to wield a sceptre, and himself

Likely in time to bless a regal throne.

Make much of him, my lords, for this is he

Must help you more than you are hurt by me.

This anointing looks forward to the establishment of the Tudor dynasty when Richmond becomes Henry VII, Queen Elizabeth’s grandfather. But, as always seems to happen at moments of apparent stasis in these plays, a messenger then rushes on with the news that the rival king, Edward, has escaped. The violence continues apace. And before the final victory of Richmond at Bosworth Field, England must endure the darkness and blood of Crookback Richard’s reign, to which Shakespeare will turn his attention in his next tragedy.

KEY FACTS: THE FIRST PART OF HENRY THE SIXTH

AUTHORSHIP: Shakespeare clearly wrote at least some of the play, as witnessed by its inclusion in the Folio, but of the three Henry the Sixth plays this is the one that is most likely to be collaborative. A wide range of stylometric tests raise very severe doubts over the likelihood of sole Shakespearean authorship. Modern scholarship favors Thomas Nashe (who praised the Talbot scenes in a pamphlet of 1592) as the likeliest collaborator, but one or two other authorial hands may also be present. Robert Greene, Christopher Marlowe, George Peele and whichever dramatist wrote the chronicle play of Locrine have all been suggested. The scenes most likely to be Shakespeare’s are 2.4 (the roses in the Temple garden) and 4.2–4.7.32 (the battle scenes dominated by Talbot).

PLOT: Following the death of his father, Henry V, the young Henry VI is proclaimed king under the protectorship of his uncles, the Dukes of Gloucester and Exeter. There is conflict between Gloucester and his long-term rival, the Bishop of Winchester, and their respective supporters. Richard Plantagenet, having established a claim to the throne through the Mortimer line of his family, declares his animosity toward the Duke of Somerset. Each adopts a rose as an emblem for his faction: white for York, red for Lancaster. Charles the Dauphin, fortified by his alliance with the mysterious maid Joan la Pucelle (Joan of Arc), dominates the battles in France. The Duke of Bedford, Henry’s uncle, is killed. The English captain Talbot—a legendary warrior, much feared by the French—is also killed. His death occurs as a direct result of the continuing enmity between York and Somerset, both of whom failed to supply reinforcements to the English troops. Fortunes turn and Joan is captured and burned. An uneasy peace is concluded between England and France. In light of this, Gloucester engineers a politically astute marriage between Henry and the Earl of Armagnac’s daughter. Meanwhile, in France, Suffolk is enchanted by Margaret, the daughter of the Duke of Anjou. Suffolk woos Margaret to be Henry’s queen and in order to gain her father’s consent cedes the newly conquered French territories of Anjou and Maine. Suffolk returns to England and persuades Henry, against opposition from the court, to marry Margaret and make her Queen of England.

MAJOR PARTS: (with percentage of lines/number of speeches/scenes on stage) Talbot (15%/59/12), Joan la Pucelle (9%/46/10), Richard Plantagenet, later Duke of York (7%/56/7), Duke of Gloucester (7%/48/7), King Henry VI (7%/29/5), Earl of Suffolk (6%/41/3), Charles, King of France (5%/41/8), Winchester (4%/27/6), Edmund Mortimer (3%/9/1), Sir William Lucy (3%/14/3), Duke of Bedford (3%/19/4), Earl of Warwick (3%/24/4), Duke of Somerset (2%/ 27/4), Duke of Exeter (2%/11/5), Reignier (2%/24/6), Duke of Alençon (2%/18/7), John Talbot (2%/11/2), Countess of Auvergne (2%/13/1), Duke of Burgundy (2%/17/6).

LINGUISTIC MEDIUM: 100% verse.

DATE: 1592. Generally assumed to be the “harey the vi” performed at the Rose Theatre in March 1592 (marked as “ne”—new?—by proprietor Philip Henslowe). Nashe’s pamphlet Pierce Penniless (registered for publication August 1592) refers to the Talbot scenes inspiring “the tears of ten thousand spectators.”

SOURCES: Different chronicle sources seem to have been used, perhaps by the play’s different authors. So, for example, Edward Hall’s The Union of the Two Noble and Illustre Famelies of Lancastre and Yorke (1548) is the main source for the civil contention in England, whereas the account of Joan of Arc draws on Holinshed’s Chronicles (1587 edition). Strikingly, the scenes most likely to be Shakespeare’s—the Temple garden and Talbot with his son—seem to be pure dramatic invention, with no source in the chronicles.

TEXT: 1623 Folio is the only text. There is dispute over whether it was set from (multi-?) authorial holograph or scribal copy, and the extent to which it was influenced by the playhouse bookkeeper. Some textual inconsistencies (e.g., whether Winchester is a bishop or a cardinal) may have been the result of different authors making different assumptions. The Folio editors introduced act and scene divisions that are perhaps more literary than theatrical.

TRILOGY?: Modern scholarship leans to the view that the plays the Folio calls the second and third parts of Henry the Sixth were originally a two-part “Wars of the Roses” drama (The First Part of the Contention and The True Tragedy of Richard Duke of York) and that this play was a (collaborative) “prequel,” written later to cash in on their success. This argument supposes that the three plays only became a “trilogy” when they were renamed and ordered by historical sequence in the 1623 Folio. Some scholars, however, adhere to the minority view that all three parts were written in sequence as a trilogy.

GENEALOGY: See this page.

KEY FACTS: THE SECOND PART OF HENRY THE SIXTH

AUTHORSHIP: Inclusion in the Folio is a presumption in favor of Shakespeare’s authorship, but stylometric tests raise some doubts about his sole authorship. Peele, Greene and Nashe have been suggested as possible contributors. There is no scholarly consensus on the question, which is closely related to the problem of the nature of the Quarto text (see below), but of the three Henry the Sixth plays this is the one with the strongest probability of near-exclusive Shakespearean authorship.

PLOT: Despite the recently concluded peace between England and France, dissension is rife within the English court. Suffolk’s influence, both at court and with the new Queen Margaret, intensifies. The fractious English nobles unite in their common aim to get rid of the Duke of Gloucester. His wife, Eleanor, the Duchess of Gloucester, aspires to the crown and is lured by a priest, John Hume, who is in the pay of Suffolk, to consult a witch about her ambitions. She is brought to trial and banished. Gloucester resigns his staff of office, allowing Henry to become king in his own right. Somerset returns from France with the news of the loss of all English territories. York and others seize this opportunity to implicate Gloucester in the loss of France and to accuse him of treason. Suffolk, Margaret, Winchester and York agree that Gloucester should be murdered. Meanwhile, there is a rebellion in Ireland and York is sent by Suffolk to deal with the crisis. York incites Jack Cade, a clothier posing as Mortimer, to promote further dissension by rebelling in Kent. Gloucester is murdered and the king turns against Suffolk, who is subsequently banished and murdered. Cardinal Beaufort (Winchester) outlives his old enemy by only a few hours. Cade’s rebellion is finally quashed but York returns to claim the crown, supported by his sons, Edward, Richard and George, and by Salisbury and Warwick. The two sides take up arms, Henry supported by Margaret, Somerset, Buckingham and the Cliffords. For the first time, Lancastrians face Yorkists at the battle of St Albans. The play ends with the king and queen in flight and the Yorkists contemplating the crown.

MAJOR PARTS: (with percentage of lines/number of speeches/scenes on stage) Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York (12%/58/9), King Henry VI (10%/82/11), Duke of Gloucester (10%/69/7), Duke of Suffolk (10%/67/7), Queen Margaret (10%/61/9), Jack Cade (8%/61/6), Earl of Warwick (4%/32/8), Cardinal Beaufort (4%/31/6), Eleanor (4%/21/5), Earl of Salisbury (3%/17/8), Duke of Buckingham (2%/24/9), Lord Clifford (2%/17/4), Captain (2%/ 11/1), Lord Say (2%/13/2), Alexander Iden (2%/9/2), Young Clifford (2%/4/2), Dick (1%/24/4).

LINGUISTIC MEDIUM: 85% verse, 15% prose.

DATE: 1591? Unquestionably precedes the play now known as The Third Part, a line of which was parodied in a pamphlet entered for publication in September 1592. Almost certainly played as a two-parter with the following play by Pembroke’s Men, who were active in 1592. The possibility of an earlier pre-Shakespearean version and a later Shakespearean revision cannot be ruled out.

SOURCES: The main historical source seems to have been either Edward Hall’s The Union of the Two Noble and Illustre Famelies of Lancastre and Yorke (1548) or Richard Grafton’s abridged and very slightly altered version thereof (1569); Holinshed’s Chronicles also seems to have been used, but there are fewer signs of its influence than in any of the other English histories. The false miracle of Simpcox was added by Grafton to Hall, but Shakespeare almost certainly read it in John Foxe’s hugely influential protestant martyrology Actes and Monuments (perhaps read in the enlarged edition of 1583).

TEXT: A short version was published in Quarto form in 1594, entitled The First Part of the Contention betwixt the two famous Houses of Yorke and Lancaster, with the death of the good Duke Humphrey: And the banishment and death of the Duke of Suffolke, and the Tragicall end of the proud Cardinall of Winchester, with the notable Rebellion of lacke Cade: And the Duke of Yorkes first claime vnto the Crowne, reprinted 1600 and, with attribution to Shakespeare and title combined with that of the following play, 1619 (The Whole Contention betweene the two Famous Houses, Lancaster and Yorke). The Quarto text is a reconstruction of a playing version, but there is much dispute over whether it is a short and often poorly remembered version of the play that is preserved in full in the Folio or the text of an early version (not by Shakespeare? partly by Shakespeare?) that Shakespeare then revised into the play that was printed in the Folio. It is equally unclear whether the possible linguistic signs of a non-Shakespearean hand (or hands) in the Folio text are vestiges of an older version or the result of active collaboration/coauthorship. We use the Folio text, which has the authority of Hemings and Condell; it is usually thought to represent a fairly close approximation of Shakespeare’s manuscript, though the Third Quarto sometimes seems to have been consulted. The Quarto remains valuable for certain details of staging and the more significant of its variations are recorded in the textual notes.

GENEALOGY: See this page.

KEY FACTS: THE THIRD PART OF HENRY THE SIXTH

AUTHORSHIP: Inclusion in the Folio and Chettle/Greene’s “upstart crow” jibe (see “Date,” below) are presumptions in favor of Shakespeare’s authorship, but stylometric tests raise grave doubts about his sole authorship. Peele, Greene and Nashe have been suggested as possible contributors. There is no scholarly consensus on the question, which is closely related to the problem of the nature of the Octavo text (see below).

PLOT: Having won the battle of St. Albans and with Richard Plantagenet sitting on the throne of England, the Yorkists confront the Lancastrians. King Henry, to his wife’s dismay, agrees to York’s demand that he disinherit his son, Edward, Prince of Wales. Margaret vows to destroy York and his followers. She enlists the support of Clifford and others to raise an army. Margaret’s forces meet with those of York in battle, during which York’s youngest son, Rutland, is killed by Clifford. York is then captured by Clifford and Northumberland, taunted with details of Rutland’s death and brutally murdered. Edward and Richard are informed of their father’s murder and unite with Warwick, who proclaims Edward the new Duke of York. They raise an army and defeat the Lancastrians at Towton. Henry, Margaret and their son are forced to flee north; Clifford is killed. Henry is captured and brought to London, where he is placed in the Tower by the new King Edward. In France, Margaret and Warwick meet at the court of King Lewis. News reaches them that Edward has married Lady Elizabeth Grey, in spite of his earlier betrothal, instigated by Warwick, to King Lewis’ sister, Lady Bona. This insult turns both Warwick and Lewis against Edward. Warwick pledges support to Margaret, releasing Henry from the Tower and reinstating him as King of England. Warwick leaves London to muster his army, during which time Edward returns and recaptures Henry. The forces of Edward and Warwick meet at Barnet, where Warwick is killed. Margaret arrives in England with reinforcements. Her forces encounter Edward’s for the last time at Tewkesbury, where, after much bloodshed, the Wars of the Roses seem finally to be over.

MAJOR PARTS: (with percentage of lines/number of speeches/scenes on stage) Edward, Earl of March/King Edward IV (15%/132/18), Earl of Warwick (15%/99/12), Richard/Duke of Gloucester (14%/108/17), King Henry VI (12%/71/7), Queen Margaret (10%/53/7), Richard, Duke of York (6%/37/3), Lord Clifford (5%/35/6), George/Duke of Clarence (4%/39/12), Lady Elizabeth Grey/Queen Elizabeth (3%/31/4), King Lewis XI (2%/21/1), Edward, Prince of Wales (2%/16/6).

LINGUISTIC MEDIUM: 100% verse.

DATE: 1591? York’s line “O, tiger’s heart wrapt in a woman’s hide!” is parodied in Greene’s Groatsworth of Wit (a pamphlet prepared for the press—entered for publication September 1592—by Henry Chettle, perhaps based in part on the papers of the late dramatist Robert Greene), where Shakespeare is described as an “upstart crow, beautified with our feathers, that with his Tiger’s heart wrapped in a player’s hide, supposes he is as well able to bombast out a blank verse as the best of you.” Pembroke’s Men, who played the Octavo version, were active in 1592. The possibility of an earlier pre-Shakespearean version and a later Shakespearean revision cannot be ruled out.

SOURCES: Based primarily on Edward Hall, The Union of the Two Noble and Illustre Famelies of Lancastre and Yorke (1548) and the second (1587) edition of Holinshed’s Chronicles. In some details, the Octavo text seems to follow Hall and the Folio Holinshed, which may support the theory of revision (see below).

TEXT: A short version was published in Octavo form in 1595, entitled The true Tragedie of Richard Duke of Yorke, and the death of good King Henrie the Sixt, with the whole contention betweene the two Houses Lancaster and Yorke, as it was sundrie times acted by the Right Honourable the Earle of Pembrooke his seruants, reprinted in Quarto in 1600 and, with attribution to Shakespeare and title combined with that of the previous play, 1619 (The Whole Contention betweene the two Famous Houses, Lancaster and Yorke). The Octavo text is a reconstruction of a playing version, but there is much dispute over whether it is a short and often poorly remembered version of the play that is preserved in full in the Folio or the text of an early version (not by Shakespeare? partly by Shakespeare?) that Shakespeare then revised into the play that was printed in the Folio. It is equally unclear whether the linguistic signs of a non-Shakespearean hand (or hands) in the Folio text are vestiges of an older version or the result of active collaboration/coauthorship. We use the Folio text, which has the authority of Hemings and Condell, though the nature of the copy from which it was set is disputed. The Octavo remains valuable for certain details of staging.

GENEALOGY: See this page.

THE FIRST PART OF HENRY THE SIXTH

The English side

KING HENRY VI, probably a boy player

Duke of BEDFORD, Regent of France

Duke of GLOUCESTER, Lord Protector, brother of the late Henry V, uncle of the king

Duke of EXETER, uncle of the late Henry V, great-uncle of the king

Bishop of WINCHESTER, later a Cardinal, Exeter’s younger brother, family name Beaufort

Duke of SOMERSET, Exeter’s nephew

RICHARD PLANTAGENET, later DUKE OF YORK and Regent of France

Earl of WARWICK

Earl of SALISBURY

Earl of SUFFOLK, William de la Pole

Lord TALBOT, later Earl of Shrewsbury

JOHN Talbot, his son

Edmund MORTIMER, Earl of March

Sir Thomas GARGRAVE

Sir William GLASDALE

Sir John FALSTAFF (historically Fastolf, not the same character as in Henry IV and The Merry Wives of Windsor)

Sir William LUCY

WOODVILLE, Lieutenant of the Tower of London

MAYOR of London

OFFICER to the Mayor of London

VERNON

BASSET

A LAWYER

A Papal LEGATE

JAILERS

English CAPTAIN

FIRST SERVINGMAN

FIRST MESSENGER

SECOND MESSENGER

THIRD MESSENGER

FIRST WARDER

SECOND WARDER

The French side

CHARLES the Dauphin, later King of France

REIGNIER, Duke of Anjou, King of Naples

MARGARET, his daughter

Duke of ALENÇON

BASTARD of Orléans

Duke of BURGUNDY

French GENERAL

Joan la PUCELLE, also called Joan of Arc

SHEPHERD, father of Joan

MASTER GUNNER of Orleans

Master Gunner’s BOY, his son

COUNTESS of Auvergne

Her PORTER

French SERGEANT

FIRST SENTINEL

WATCH

FIRST SOLDIER

French SCOUT

Soldiers, Attendants, Ambassadors, the Governor of Paris, French herald, Servingmen, Messengers, Sentinels, Captains, Fiends, Trumpeters

Act 1 Scene 11.1

running scene 1

       Dead march. Enter the funeral of King Henry the Fifth, attended on by the Duke of Bedford, Regent of France; the Duke of Gloucester, Protector; the Duke of Exeter, [the Earl of] Warwick, the Bishop of Winchester, and the Duke of Somerset, [and Heralds]

BEDFORD

BEDFORD     Hung¹ be the heavens with black: yield, day, to night!

               Comets,² importing change of times and states,

               Brandish³ your crystal tresses in the sky,

               And with them scourge⁴ the bad revolting stars

5

5             That have consented unto⁵ Henry’s death:

               King Henry the Fifth, too⁶ famous to live long:

               England ne’er lost a king of so much worth.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     England ne’er had a king until his time:

               Virtue⁹ he had, deserving to command:

10

10           His¹⁰ brandished sword did blind men with his beams:

               His arms spread wider than a dragon’s wings:

               His sparkling eyes, replete with¹² wrathful fire,

               More dazzlèd and drove back his enemies

               Than midday sun, fierce bent against their faces.

15

15           What¹⁵ should I say? His deeds exceed all speech:

               He¹⁶ ne’er lift up his hand but conquerèd.

EXETER

EXETER     We mourn in black: why mourn we not in blood?¹⁷

               Henry is dead and never shall revive:¹⁸

               Upon a wooden¹⁹ coffin we attend,

20

20           And death’s dishonourable victory

               We with our stately presence glorify,

               Like captives bound to a triumphant car.²²

               What, shall we curse the planets of mishap,²³

               That plotted²⁴ thus our glory’s overthrow?

25

25           Or shall we think the subtle-witted²⁵ French

               Conjurers and sorcerers, that, afraid of him,

               By magic verses²⁷ have contrived his end?

WINCHESTER

WINCHESTER     He was a king blessed of the King of Kings.²⁸

               Unto the French the dreadful judgement day

30

30           So dreadful³⁰ will not be as was his sight.

               The battles of the Lord of hosts³¹ he fought:

               The church’s prayers made him so prosperous.³²

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     The church? Where is it? Had not churchmen prayed,³³

               His thread of life³⁴ had not so soon decayed.

35

35           None do you like but an effeminate prince,³⁵

               Whom like a schoolboy you may overawe.³⁶

WINCHESTER

WINCHESTER     Gloucester, whate’er we like, thou art Protector³⁷

               And lookest³⁸ to command the Prince and realm.

               Thy wife is proud: she holdeth thee in awe,

40

40           More than God or religious churchmen may.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Name not religion, for thou lov’st the flesh,⁴¹

               And ne’er throughout the year to church thou go’st

               Except it be to pray against thy foes.

BEDFORD

BEDFORD     Cease, cease these jars,⁴⁴ and rest your minds in peace:

45

45           Let’s to the altar: heralds, wait on us:

       [Exeunt funeral procession]

               Instead of gold, we’ll offer up our arms:

               Since arms avail not⁴⁷ now that Henry’s dead:

               Posterity, await for⁴⁸ wretched years,

               When, at⁴⁹ their mothers’ moistened eyes, babes shall suck,

50

50           Our isle be made a nourish⁵⁰ of salt tears,

               And none but women left to wail the dead.

               Henry the Fifth, thy ghost I invocate:⁵²

               Prosper this realm, keep it from civil broils,⁵³

               Combat with adverse planets⁵⁴ in the heavens:

55

55           A far more glorious star⁵⁵ thy soul will make

               Than Julius Caesar, or bright—

       Enter a Messenger

FIRST MESSENGER

FIRST MESSENGER My honourable lords, health to you all:

               Sad tidings bring I to you out of France,

               Of loss, of slaughter and discomfiture:⁵⁹

60

60           Guyenne, Champaigne,⁶⁰ Rouen, Rheims, Orléans,

               Paris, Gisors, Poitiers, are all quite lost.

BEDFORD

BEDFORD     What say’st thou, man, before dead Henry’s corpse?

               Speak softly, or the loss of those great towns

               Will make him burst his lead⁶⁴ and rise from death.

65

65   

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER           Is Paris lost? Is Rouen yielded up?

               If Henry were recalled to life again,

               These news would cause him once more yield the ghost.⁶⁷

EXETER

EXETER     How were they lost? What treachery was used?

FIRST MESSENGER

FIRST MESSENGER No treachery, but want⁶⁹ of men and money.

70

70           Amongst the soldiers this is mutterèd:

               That here you maintain several⁷¹ factions,

               And whilst a field⁷² should be dispatched and fought,

               You are disputing of⁷³ your generals.

               One would have lingering wars with little cost:

75

75           Another would fly swift, but wanteth wings:

               A third thinks, without expense at all,

               By guileful⁷⁷ fair words peace may be obtained.

               Awake, awake, English nobility!

               Let not sloth dim your honours new-begot:⁷⁹

80

80           Cropped are the flower-de-luces⁸⁰ in your arms:

               Of England’s coat,⁸¹ one half is cut away.

       [Exit]

EXETER

EXETER     Were our tears wanting to⁸² this funeral,

               These tidings would call forth her⁸³ flowing tides.

BEDFORD

BEDFORD     Me they concern: Regent⁸⁴ I am of France:

85

85           Give me my steelèd coat:⁸⁵ I’ll fight for France.

               Away with these disgraceful wailing robes! He removes his mourning robes

               Wounds will I lend the French instead of eyes,

               To weep their intermissive⁸⁸ miseries.

       Enter to them another Messenger

SECOND MESSENGER

SECOND MESSENGER Lords, view these letters, full of bad mischance.⁸⁹

90

90           France is revolted from the English quite,⁹⁰

               Except some petty⁹¹ towns of no import.

               The dauphin⁹² Charles is crownèd king in Rheims:

               The Bastard⁹³ of Orléans with him is joined:

               Reignier, Duke of Anjou, doth take his part:

95

95           The Duke of Alençon flieth to his side.

       Exit

EXETER

EXETER     The dauphin crownèd king! All fly to him?

               O whither shall we fly⁹⁷ from this reproach?

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     We will not fly, but to our enemies’ throats.

               Bedford, if thou be slack, I’ll fight it out.

100

100 

BEDFORD

BEDFORD               Gloucester, why doubt’st thou of my forwardness?¹⁰⁰

               An army have I mustered in my thoughts,

               Wherewith already France is overrun.

       Enter another Messenger

THIRD MESSENGER

THIRD MESSENGER My gracious lords, to add to your laments,

               Wherewith you now bedew¹⁰⁴ King Henry’s hearse,

105

105         I must inform you of a dismal¹⁰⁵ fight

               Betwixt the stout Lord Talbot and the French.

WINCHESTER

WINCHESTER     What? Wherein Talbot overcame — is’t so?

THIRD MESSENGER

THIRD MESSENGER O no: wherein Lord Talbot was o’erthrown:

               The circumstance¹⁰⁹ I’ll tell you more at large.

110

110         The tenth of August¹¹⁰ last, this dreadful lord,

               Retiring from the siege of Orléans,

               Having full scarce¹¹² six thousand in his troop,

               By three and twenty thousand of the French

               Was round encompassèd¹¹⁴ and set upon:

115

115         No leisure had he to enrank¹¹⁵ his men.

               He wanted¹¹⁶ pikes to set before his archers:

               Instead whereof, sharp stakes plucked out of hedges

               They pitchèd in the ground confusedly,¹¹⁸

               To keep the horsemen off from breaking in.

120

120         More than three hours the fight continuèd,

               Where valiant Talbot above human thought¹²¹

               Enacted wonders with his sword and lance.

               Hundreds he sent to hell, and none durst stand¹²³ him:

               Here, there, and everywhere, enraged he slew.

125

125         The French exclaimed the devil was in arms:

               All the whole army stood agazed on¹²⁶ him.

               His soldiers spying his undaunted spirit

               ‘A¹²⁸ Talbot! A Talbot!’ cried out amain

               And rushed into the bowels¹²⁹ of the battle.

130

130         Here had the conquest fully been sealed up,¹³⁰

               If Sir John Falstaff¹³¹ had not played the coward.

               He, being in the vanguard, placed behind

               With¹³³ purpose to relieve and follow them,

               Cowardly fled, not having struck one stroke.

135

135         Hence grew the general wrack¹³⁵ and massacre;

               Enclosèd¹³⁶ were they with their enemies.

               A base Walloon,¹³⁷ to win the dauphin’s grace,

               Thrust Talbot with a spear into the back,

               Whom all France with their chief assembled strength

140

140         Durst not presume to look once in the face.

BEDFORD

BEDFORD     Is Talbot slain then? I will slay myself,

               For living idly here in pomp¹⁴² and ease,

               Whilst such a worthy leader, wanting aid,

               Unto his dastard foemen¹⁴⁴ is betrayed.

145

145 

THIRD MESSENGER

THIRD MESSENGER               O no, he lives, but is took prisoner,

               And Lord Scales with him, and Lord Hungerford:

               Most of the rest slaughtered, or took likewise.

BEDFORD

BEDFORD     His ransom there is none but I shall pay.

               I’ll hale¹⁴⁹ the dauphin headlong from his throne:

150

150         His crown shall be the ransom of my friend:

               Four of their lords I’ll change¹⁵¹ for one of ours.

               Farewell, my masters: to my task will I.

               Bonfires in France forthwith I am to make,

               To keep¹⁵⁴ our great Saint George’s feast withal.

155

155         Ten thousand soldiers with me I will take,

               Whose bloody deeds shall make all Europe quake.

THIRD MESSENGER

THIRD MESSENGER So you had need, for Orléans is besieged.

               The English army is grown weak and faint:

               The Earl of Salisbury craveth supply,¹⁵⁹

160

160         And hardly¹⁶⁰ keeps his men from mutiny,

               Since they, so few, watch such a multitude.

       [Exit]

EXETER

EXETER     Remember, lords, your oaths to Henry sworn:

               Either to quell¹⁶³ the dauphin utterly,

               Or bring him in obedience to your yoke.

165

165 

BEDFORD

BEDFORD               I do remember it, and here take my leave,

               To go about my preparation.

       Exit Bedford

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     I’ll to the Tower¹⁶⁷ with all the haste I can,

               To view th’artillery and munition,

               And then I will proclaim young Henry king.

       Exit Gloucester

170

170 

EXETER

EXETER     To Eltham¹⁷⁰ will I, where the young king is,

               Being¹⁷¹ ordained his special governor,

               And for his safety there I’ll best devise.

       Exit

WINCHESTER

WINCHESTER     Each hath his place and function to attend:

               I am left out; for me nothing remains:

175

175         But long I will not be Jack-out-of-office.¹⁷⁵

               The king from Eltham I intend to steal

               And sit¹⁷⁷ at chiefest stern of public weal.

       Exit

[Act 1 Scene 2]1.2

running scene 2

       Sound a flourish. Enter Charles [the Dauphin, the Duke of] Alençon and Reignier [Duke of Anjou], marching with Drum and Soldiers

CHARLES

CHARLES     Mars¹ his true moving, even as in the heavens

               So in the earth, to this day is not known.

               Late³ did he shine upon the English side:

               Now we are victors: upon us he smiles.

5

5             What towns of any moment⁵ but we have?

               At pleasure here we lie near Orléans;

               Otherwhiles⁷ the famished English, like pale ghosts,

               Faintly besiege us one hour in a month.

ALENÇON

ALENÇON They want⁹ their porridge and their fat bull-beeves:

10

10           Either they must be dieted¹⁰ like mules,

               And have their provender¹¹ tied to their mouths,

               Or piteous they will look, like drownèd mice.

REIGNIER

REIGNIER     Let’s raise¹³ the siege: why live we idly here?

               Talbot is taken, whom we wont¹⁴ to fear:

15

15           Remaineth none but mad-brained Salisbury,

               And he may well in fretting¹⁶ spend his gall,

               Nor men nor money hath he to make war.

CHARLES

CHARLES     Sound, sound alarum!¹⁸ We will rush on them.

               Now for the honour of the forlorn¹⁹ French:

20

20           Him I forgive my death that killeth me

               When he sees me go back one foot or fly.

       Exeunt

       Here alarum: they are beaten back by the English with great loss

       Enter Charles, Alençon and Reignier

CHARLES

CHARLES     Who ever saw the like? What men have I?

               Dogs, cowards, dastards!²³ I would ne’er have fled,

               But that they left me ’midst my enemies.

25

25   

REIGNIER

REIGNIER           Salisbury is a desperate homicide;²⁵

               He fighteth as one weary of his life:

               The other lords, like lions wanting food,

               Do rush upon us as their hungry²⁸ prey.

ALENÇON

ALENÇON     Froissart,²⁹ a countryman of ours, records

30

30           England all³⁰ Olivers and Rowlands bred,

               During the time Edward the Third did reign:

               More truly now may this be verified;

               For none but Samsons and Goliases³³

               It sendeth forth to skirmish:³⁴ one to ten!

35

35           Lean raw-boned³⁵ rascals, who would e’er suppose

               They had such courage and audacity?

CHARLES

CHARLES     Let’s leave this town, for they are hare-brained slaves,³⁷

               And hunger will enforce them to be more eager:³⁸

               Of old I know them; rather with their teeth

40

40           The walls they’ll tear down than forsake⁴⁰ the siege.

REIGNIER

REIGNIER     I think by some odd gimmers⁴¹ or device

               Their arms are set, like clocks, still⁴² to strike on;

               Else ne’er could they hold out so as they do:

               By my consent,⁴⁴ we’ll even let them alone.

45

45   

ALENÇON

ALENÇ           Be it so.

       Enter the Bastard of Orléans

BASTARD

BASTARD     Where’s the Prince Dauphin? I have news for him.

CHARLES

CHARLES     Bastard of Orléans, thrice welcome to us.

BASTARD

BASTARD     Methinks your looks are sad, your cheer appalled.⁴⁸

               Hath the late overthrow wrought⁴⁹ this offence?

50

50           Be not dismayed, for succour is at hand:

               A holy maid hither with me I bring,

               Which by a vision sent to her from heaven,

               Ordainèd⁵³ is to raise this tedious siege

               And drive the English forth⁵⁴ the bounds of France:

55

55           The spirit of deep prophecy she hath,

               Exceeding the nine sibyls⁵⁶ of old Rome:

               What’s past and what’s to come she can descry.⁵⁷

               Speak, shall I call her in? Believe my words,

               For they are certain and unfallible.

60

60   

CHARLES

CHARLES           Go, call her in.

       [Exit Bastard of Orléans]

                                    But first, to try⁶⁰ her skill,

               Reignier, stand thou as dauphin in my place:

               Question her proudly:⁶² let thy looks be stern:

               By this means shall we sound⁶³ what skill she hath.

Enter [the Bastard of Orléans, with] Joan [la] Pucelle [armed]

REIGNIER

REIGNIER     Fair maid, is’t thou wilt do these wondrous feats? As Charles

65

65   

PUCELLE

PUCELLE           Reignier, is’t thou that thinkest to beguile⁶⁵ me?

               Where is the dauphin?— Come, come from behind: To Charles

               I know thee well, though never seen before.

               Be not amazed, there’s nothing hid from me;

               In private will I talk with thee apart:

70

70           Stand back, you lords, and give us leave awhile. Reignier, Alençon and Bastard stand apart⁷⁰

REIGNIER

REIGNIER     She takes upon her⁷¹ bravely at first dash.

PUCELLE

PUCELLE     Dauphin, I am by birth a shepherd’s daughter,

               My wit⁷³ untrained in any kind of art:

               Heaven and our Lady gracious⁷⁴ hath it pleased

75

75           To shine on my contemptible estate.⁷⁵

               Lo,⁷⁶ whilst I waited on my tender lambs,

               And to sun’s parching heat displayed my cheeks,

               God’s mother deignèd to appear to me,

               And in a vision full of majesty,

80

80           Willed me to leave my base vocation

               And free my country from calamity:

               Her aid she promised, and assured success.

               In complete⁸³ glory she revealed herself:

               And whereas I was black and swart⁸⁴ before,

85

85           With those clear rays which she infused on⁸⁵ me

               That beauty am I blessed with, which you may see.

               Ask me what question thou canst possible,

               And I will answer unpremeditated:⁸⁸

               My courage try by combat, if thou dar’st,

90

90           And thou shalt find that I exceed my sex.

               Resolve on⁹¹ this, thou shalt be fortunate,

               If thou receive me for thy warlike mate.⁹²

CHARLES

CHARLES     Thou hast astonished me with thy high terms:⁹³

               Only this proof⁹⁴ I’ll of thy valour make,

95

95           In single combat thou shalt buckle⁹⁵ with me,

               And if thou vanquishest,⁹⁶ thy words are true:

               Otherwise I renounce all confidence.⁹⁷

PUCELLE

PUCELLE     I am prepared: here is my keen-edged⁹⁸ sword,

               Decked⁹⁹ with five flower-de-luces on each side,

100

100         The which at Touraine,¹⁰⁰ in Saint Katherine’s churchyard,

               Out of a great deal of old iron I chose forth.

CHARLES

CHARLES     Then come, a¹⁰² God’s name: I fear no woman.

PUCELLE

PUCELLE     And while I live, I’ll¹⁰³ ne’er fly from a man.

       Here they fight, and Joan la Pucelle overcomes

CHARLES

CHARLES     Stay, stay thy hands! Thou art an Amazon¹⁰⁴

105

105         And fightest with the sword of Deborah.¹⁰⁵

PUCELLE

PUCELLE     Christ’s mother helps me, else¹⁰⁶ I were too weak.

CHARLES

CHARLES     Whoe’er helps thee, ’tis thou that must help me:

               Impatiently I burn with thy desire:¹⁰⁸

               My heart and hands thou hast at once subdued.

110

110         Excellent Pucelle, if thy name be so,

               Let me thy servant¹¹¹ and not sovereign be:

               ’Tis the French dauphin sueth to¹¹² thee thus.

PUCELLE

PUCELLE     I must not yield to any rites of love,

               For my profession’s¹¹⁴ sacred from above:

115

115         When I have chased all thy foes from hence,

               Then will I think upon a recompense.¹¹⁶

CHARLES

CHARLES     Meantime, look gracious¹¹⁷ on thy prostrate thrall.

REIGNIER

REIGNIER     My lord, methinks, is very long in talk. To the others, apart

ALENÇON

ALENÇON     Doubtless he shrives¹¹⁹ this woman to her smock,

120

120         Else ne’er could he so long protract¹²⁰ his speech.

REIGNIER

REIGNIER     Shall we disturb him, since he keeps no mean?¹²¹

ALENÇON

ALENÇON He may mean more than we poor men do know.¹²²

               These women are shrewd¹²³ tempters with their tongues.

REIGNIER

REIGNIER     My lord, where are you?¹²⁴ What devise you on?

125

125         Shall we give o’er¹²⁵ Orléans, or no?

PUCELLE

PUCELLE     Why, no, I say: distrustful recreants,¹²⁶

               Fight till the last gasp: I’ll be your guard.

CHARLES

CHARLES     What she says, I’ll confirm: we’ll fight it out.

PUCELLE

PUCELLE     Assigned am I to be the English scourge.¹²⁹

130

130         This night the siege assuredly I’ll raise:

               Expect Saint Martin’s summer,¹³¹ halcyon’s days,

               Since I have entered into these wars.

               Glory is like a circle in the water,

               Which never ceaseth to enlarge itself

135

135         Till by broad spreading, it disperse to naught.

               With Henry’s death, the English circle ends:

               Dispersèd are the glories it included:

               Now am I like that proud insulting¹³⁸ ship

               Which Caesar¹³⁹ and his fortune bare at once.

140

140 

CHARLES

CHARLES               Was Mahomet¹⁴⁰ inspirèd with a dove?

               Thou with¹⁴¹ an eagle art inspirèd then.

               Helen,¹⁴² the mother of great Constantine,

               Nor yet Saint Philip’s daughters¹⁴³ were like thee.

               Bright star of Venus,¹⁴⁴ fall’n down on the earth,

145

145         How may I reverently worship thee enough?

ALENÇON

ALENÇON     Leave off delays, and let us raise the siege.

REIGNIER

REIGNIER     Woman, do what thou canst to save our honours;

               Drive them from Orléans, and be immortalized.¹⁴⁸

CHARLES

CHARLES     Presently¹⁴⁹ we’ll try: come, let’s away about it:

150

150         No prophet will I trust, if she prove false.

       Exeunt

[Act 1 Scene 3]1.3

running scene 3

       Enter Gloucester, with his Servingmen [in blue coats]

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     I am come to survey the Tower this day:

               Since Henry’s death, I fear, there is conveyance:²

               Where be these warders,³ that they wait not here? Servingmen knock on gates

               Open the gates; ’tis Gloucester that calls.

5

5     

FIRST WARDER

FIRST WARDER Who’s there that knocks so imperiously? Within

FIRST SERVINGMAN

FIRST SERVINGMAN It is the noble Duke of Gloucester.

SECOND WARDER

SECOND WARDER Whoe’er he be, you may not be let in. Within

FIRST SERVINGMAN

FIRST SERVINGMAN Villains,⁸ answer you so the Lord Protector?

FIRST WARDER

FIRST WARDER The Lord protect him, so we answer him: Within

10

10           We do no otherwise than we are willed.¹⁰

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Who willèd you? Or whose will stands but mine?

               There’s none¹² protector of the realm but I.

               Break up¹³ the gates, I’ll be your warrantize: To Servingmen

               Shall I be flouted¹⁴ thus by dunghill grooms?

       Gloucester’s men rush at the Tower Gates, and Woodville the Lieutenant speaks within

15

15   

WOODVILLE

WOODVILLE           What noise is this? What traitors have we here?

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Lieutenant, is it you whose voice I hear?

               Open the gates: here’s Gloucester that would enter.

WOODVILLE

WOODVILLE     Have patience, noble duke: I may not open:

               The Cardinal¹⁹ of Winchester forbids:

20

20           From him I have express commandment

               That thou nor none of thine shall be let in.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Faint-hearted Woodville, prizest him ’fore²² me?

               Arrogant Winchester, that haughty prelate,

               Whom Henry, our late sovereign, ne’er could brook?²⁴

25

25           Thou art no friend to God or to the king:

               Open the gates, or I’ll shut²⁶ thee out shortly.

SERVINGMEN

SERVINGMEN     Open the gates unto the Lord Protector,

               Or we’ll burst them open, if that you come not quickly.

       Enter to the [Lord] Protector at the Tower Gates, [the Bishop of] Winchester and his men in tawny coats

WINCHESTER

WINCHESTER     How now, ambitious umpire!²⁹ What means this?

30

30     

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER             Peeled³⁰ priest, dost thou command me to be shut out?

WINCHESTER

WINCHESTER     I do, thou most usurping proditor,³¹

               And not ‘Protector’, of the king or realm.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Stand back, thou manifest conspirator,

               Thou that contrived’st³⁴ to murder our dead lord:

35

35           Thou that giv’st whores³⁵ indulgences to sin:

               I’ll canvass³⁶ thee in thy broad cardinal’s hat,

               If thou proceed in this thy insolence.

WINCHESTER

WINCHESTER     Nay, stand thou back, I will not budge a foot:

               This be Damascus,³⁹ be thou cursèd Cain,

40

40           To slay thy brother Abel, if thou wilt.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     I will not slay thee, but I’ll drive thee back:

               Thy scarlet robes as a child’s bearing-cloth⁴²

               I’ll use to carry thee out of this place.

WINCHESTER

WINCHESTER     Do what thou dar’st, I beard⁴⁴ thee to thy face.

45

45   

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER           What? Am I dared⁴⁵ and bearded to my face?

               Draw, men, for all this⁴⁶ privilegèd place; All draw their swords

               Blue coats to tawny coats. Priest, beware your beard,

               I mean to tug it and to cuff you soundly.

               Under my feet I stamp thy cardinal’s hat:

50

50           In spite of Pope or dignities⁵⁰ of Church,

               Here by the cheeks I’ll drag thee up and down.

WINCHESTER

WINCHESTER     Gloucester, thou wilt answer this before the Pope.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Winchester⁵³ goose, I cry, ‘A rope, a rope!’—

               Now beat them hence: why do you let them stay?— To Servingmen

55

55           Thee I’ll chase hence, thou wolf in sheep’s array.— To Winchester

               Out, tawny coats!— Out, scarlet hypocrite!

       Here Gloucester’s men beat out the [Bishop of Winchester’s] men, and enter in the hurly-burly the Mayor of London and his Officers

MAYOR

MAYOR     Fie,⁵⁷ lords, that you, being supreme magistrates,

               Thus contumeliously⁵⁸ should break the peace!

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Peace, mayor, thou know’st little of my wrongs:

60

60           Here’s Beaufort, that regards nor God nor king,

               Hath here distrained⁶¹ the Tower to his use.

WINCHESTER

WINCHESTER     Here’s Gloucester — a foe to citizens,

               One that still⁶³ motions war and never peace,

               O’ercharging⁶⁴ your free purses with large fines—

65

65           That seeks to overthrow religion,

               Because he is Protector of the realm,

               And would have armour here out of the Tower,

               To crown himself king and suppress the prince.⁶⁸

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     I will not answer thee with words, but blows.

       Here they skirmish again

70

70   

MAYOR

MAYOR           Naught rests⁷⁰ for me, in this tumultuous strife,

               But to make open proclamation.

               Come, officer, as loud as e’er thou canst, cry. Handing a paper to the Officer, who reads

OFFICER

OFFICER     All manner of men assembled here in arms this day against God’s peace and the king’s, we charge and command you, in his highness’ name, to repair⁷⁴ to your several⁷⁵ dwelling-places, and not to wear, handle, or use any sword, weapon, or dagger, henceforward, upon pain of death. The skirmish ends

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Cardinal, I’ll be no breaker of the law:

               But we shall meet, and break⁷⁸ our minds at large.

WINCHESTER

WINCHESTER     Gloucester, we’ll meet to thy cost, be sure:

80

80           Thy heart-blood I will have for this day’s work.

MAYOR

MAYOR  I’ll call for clubs,⁸¹ if you will not away:

               This cardinal’s more haughty than the devil.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Mayor, farewell: thou dost but what thou mayst.

WINCHESTER

WINCHESTER     Abominable⁸⁴ Gloucester, guard thy head,

85

85           For I intend to have it ere⁸⁵ long.

       Exeunt [separately, Gloucester and Bishop of Winchester with their Servingmen]

MAYOR

MAYOR     See the coast cleared, and then we will depart.

               Good God, these nobles should such stomachs⁸⁷ bear!

               I myself fight not once in forty year.

       Exeunt

[Act 1 Scene 4]1.4

running scene 4

       Enter the Master Gunner of Orléans and his Boy

MASTER GUNNER

MASTER GUNNER Sirrah,¹ thou know’st how Orléans is besieged,

               And how the English have the suburbs² won.

BOY

BOY     Father, I know, and oft have shot at them,

               Howe’er, unfortunate, I missed my aim.

5

5     

MASTER GUNNER

MASTER GUNNER But now thou shalt not. Be thou ruled by me:

               Chief Master Gunner am I of this town,

               Something I must do to procure me grace:⁷

               The prince’s espials⁸ have informèd me

               How the English, in the suburbs close entrenched,⁹

10

10           Wont,¹⁰ through a secret grate of iron bars

               In yonder tower, to overpeer the city,

               And thence discover how with most advantage

               They may vex us with shot or with assault.

               To intercept this inconvenience,¹⁴

15

15           A piece of ordnance¹⁵ gainst it I have placed,

               And even these three days have I watched,

               If I could see them. Now do thou watch

               For I can stay no longer.

               If thou spy’st any, run and bring me word,

20

20           And thou shalt find me at the governor’s.

BOY

BOY     Father, I warrant you, take²¹ you no care:

       Exit [Master Gunner]

               I’ll never trouble you, if I may spy them.

       Exit

       Enter Salisbury and Talbot on the turrets, with others [including Sir Thomas Gargrave and Sir William Glasdale]

SALISBURY

SALISBURY     Talbot, my life, my joy, again returned?

               How wert thou handled, being prisoner?

25

25           Or by what means got’st thou to be released?

               Discourse, I prithee, on this turret’s top.

TALBOT

TALBOT     The Earl of Bedford had a prisoner,

               Called the brave Lord Ponton de Santrailles:

               For him was I exchanged and ransomèd.

30

30           But with a baser³⁰ man of arms by far

               Once in contempt they would have bartered me:

               Which I, disdaining, scorned, and cravèd³² death,

               Rather than I would be so pilled³³ esteemed:

               In fine,³⁴ redeemed I was as I desired.

35

35           But O, the treacherous Falstaff wounds my heart,

               Whom with my bare fists I would execute,

               If I now had him brought into my power.

SALISBURY

SALISBURY     Yet tell’st thou not how thou wert entertained.³⁸

TALBOT

TALBOT     With scoffs and scorns and contumelious³⁹ taunts:

40

40           In open market-place produced they me,

               To be a public spectacle to all:

               ‘Here’, said they, ‘is the terror of the French,

               The scarecrow that affrights our children so.’

               Then broke I from the officers that led me,

45

45           And with my nails digged stones out of the ground,

               To hurl at the beholders of my shame.

               My grisly⁴⁷ countenance made others fly:

               None durst come near for fear of sudden⁴⁸ death.

               In iron walls they deemed me not secure:

50

50           So great fear of my name ’mongst them was spread,

               That they supposed I could rend bars of steel,

               And spurn⁵² in pieces posts of adamant.

               Wherefore⁵³ a guard of chosen shot I had,

               That walked about me every minute while:⁵⁴

55

55           And if I did but stir out of my bed,

               Ready they were to shoot me to the heart.

       Enter the Boy [who passes over the stage and exits] with a linstock [lit and burning]

SALISBURY

SALISBURY     I grieve to hear what torments you endured,

               But we will be revenged sufficiently.

               Now it is supper-time in Orléans:

60

60           Here, through this grate, I count each one

               And view the Frenchmen how they fortify:

               Let us look in: the sight will much delight thee:

               Sir Thomas Gargrave, and Sir William Glasdale,

               Let me have your express⁶⁴ opinions

65

65           Where is best place to make our batt’ry⁶⁵ next. They look through the grate

GARGRAVE

GARGRAVE     I think, at the north gate, for there stands lords.

GLASDALE

GLASDALE     And I, here, at the bulwark⁶⁷ of the bridge.

TALBOT

TALBOT     For aught⁶⁸ I see, this city must be famished,

               Or with light skirmishes enfeeblèd.⁶⁹

       Here they shoot [within] and Salisbury [and Gargrave] fall down

70

70   

SALISBURY

SALISBURY           O Lord have mercy on us, wretched sinners!

GARGRAVE

GARGRAVE     O Lord have mercy on me, woeful man!

TALBOT

TALBOT     What chance⁷² is this that suddenly hath crossed us?

               Speak, Salisbury; at least, if thou canst, speak:

               How far’st thou, mirror⁷⁴ of all martial men?

75

75           One of thy eyes and thy cheek’s side struck off?

               Accursèd tower! Accursèd fatal⁷⁶ hand

               That hath contrived this woeful tragedy.

               In thirteen battles Salisbury o’ercame:

               Henry the Fifth he first trained to the wars:

80

80           Whilst any trump⁸⁰ did sound, or drum struck up,

               His sword did ne’er leave striking in the field.

               Yet liv’st thou, Salisbury? Though thy speech doth fail,

               One eye thou hast to look to heaven for grace.

               The sun with one eye vieweth all the world.

85

85           Heaven, be thou gracious to none alive,

               If Salisbury wants⁸⁶ mercy at thy hands.

               Sir Thomas Gargrave, hast thou any life?

               Speak unto Talbot: nay, look up to him.

               Bear hence his body: I will help to bury it.

       [Exit one with Gargrave’s body]

90

90           Salisbury, cheer thy spirit with this comfort:

               Thou shalt not die whiles—

               He beckons with his hand and smiles on me:

               As⁹³ who should say ‘When I am dead and gone,

               Remember to avenge me on the French.’

95

95           Plantagenet,⁹⁵ I will; and like thee, Nero,

               Play on the lute, beholding the towns burn:

               Wretched shall France be only in⁹⁷ my name.

       Here an alarum, and it thunders and lightens

               What stir is this? What tumult’s in the heavens?

               Whence cometh this alarum and the noise?

       Enter a Messenger

100

100 

MESSENGER

MESSENGER               My lord, my lord, the French have gathered head.¹⁰⁰

               The dauphin, with one Joan la Pucelle joined,

               A holy prophetess new risen up,

               Is come with a great power¹⁰³ to raise the siege.

       Here Salisbury lifteth himself up and groans

TALBOT

TALBOT     Hear, hear, how dying Salisbury doth groan!

105

105         It irks¹⁰⁵ his heart he cannot be revenged.

               Frenchmen, I’ll be a Salisbury to you.

               Puzzel or pucelle,¹⁰⁷ dolphin or dogfish,

               Your hearts I’ll stamp out with my horse’s heels,

               And make a quagmire of your mingled¹⁰⁹ brains.

110

110         Convey¹¹⁰ me Salisbury into his tent,

               And then we’ll try what these dastard Frenchmen dare.

       Alarum. Exeunt

[Act 1 Scene 5]

running scene 4 continues

       Here an alarum again, and Talbot pursueth the Dauphin, and driveth him: then enter Joan la Pucelle, driving Englishmen before her, [and exeunt]. Then enter Talbot

TALBOT

TALBOT     Where is my strength, my valour, and my force?

               Our English troops retire, I cannot stay² them:

               A woman clad in armour chaseth them.

       Enter [Joan la] Pucelle

               Here, here she comes. I’ll have a bout⁴ with thee:

5

5             Devil or devil’s dam,⁵ I’ll conjure thee:

               Blood⁶ will I draw on thee — thou art a witch —

               And straightway give thy soul to him⁷ thou serv’st.

PUCELLE

PUCELLE     Come, come, ’tis only I that must disgrace thee.

       Here they fight

TALBOT

TALBOT     Heavens, can you suffer hell so to prevail?

10

10           My breast I’ll burst with straining of my courage¹⁰

               And from my shoulders crack my arms asunder.

               But I will chastise this high-minded¹² strumpet.

       They fight again

PUCELLE

PUCELLE     Talbot, farewell: thy hour is not yet come:

               I must go victual¹⁴ Orléans forthwith.

       A short alarum: then [the French] enter the town with soldiers

15

15           O’ertake me if thou canst: I scorn thy strength.

               Go, go, cheer up thy hungry-starvèd men:

               Help Salisbury to make his testament:¹⁷

               This day is ours, as many more shall be.

       Exit

TALBOT

TALBOT     My thoughts are whirlèd like a potter’s wheel:

20

20           I know not where I am, nor what I do:

               A witch by fear, not force, like Hannibal,²¹

               Drives back our troops and conquers as she lists:²²

               So bees with smoke and doves with noisome²³ stench

               Are from their hives and houses driven away.

25

25           They called us, for our fierceness, English dogs:

               Now, like to whelps,²⁶ we crying run away.

       A short alarum

               Hark, countrymen: either renew the fight,

               Or tear the lions out of England’s coat;²⁸

               Renounce your soil, give²⁹ sheep in lions’ stead:

30

30           Sheep run not half so treacherous³⁰ from the wolf,

               Or horse or oxen from the leopard,

               As you fly from your oft-subduèd³² slaves.

       Alarum. Here another skirmish

               It³³ will not be: retire into your trenches:

               You all consented³⁴ unto Salisbury’s death,

35

35           For none would strike a stroke in his revenge.³⁵

               Pucelle is entered into Orléans,

               In spite of us or aught that we could do.

               O would³⁸ I were to die with Salisbury!

               The shame hereof will make me hide my head.

       Exit Talbot

       Alarum: retreat: flourish

[Act 1 Scene 6]

running scene 4 continues

       Enter on the walls,* [Joan la] Pucelle, Charles [the Dauphin], Reignier, Alençon and Soldiers [with colours]

PUCELLE

PUCELLE     Advance¹ our waving colours on the walls:

               Rescued is Orléans from the English.

               Thus Joan la Pucelle hath performed her word.

CHARLES

CHARLES     Divinest creature, Astraea’s⁴ daughter,

5

5             How shall I honour thee for this success?

               Thy promises are like Adonis’ garden⁶

               That one day bloomed and fruitful were the next.

               France, triumph in thy glorious prophetess!

               Recovered is the town of Orléans:

10

10           More blessèd hap¹⁰ did ne’er befall our state.

REIGNIER

REIGNIER     Why ring not out the bells aloud throughout the town?

               Dauphin, command the citizens make bonfires

               And feast and banquet in the open streets,

               To celebrate the joy that God hath given us.

15

ALENÇON

ALENÇON     All France will be replete with mirth and joy,

               When they shall hear how we have played the men.¹⁶

CHARLES

CHARLES     ’Tis Joan, not we, by whom the day is won:

               For which I will divide my crown with her,

               And all the priests and friars in my realm

20

20           Shall in procession sing her endless praise.

               A statelier pyramid²¹ to her I’ll rear

               Than Rhodope’s of Memphis’ ever was.

               In memory of her, when she is dead,

               Her ashes, in an urn more precious

25

25           Than the rich-jewelled²⁵ coffer of Darius,

               Transported shall be at high²⁶ festivals

               Before the kings and queens of France.

               No longer on Saint Denis²⁸ will we cry,

               But Joan la Pucelle shall be France’s saint.

30

30           Come in, and let us banquet royally,

               After this golden day of victory.

       Flourish. Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 1

running scene 5

       Enter [above] a [French] Sergeant of a band* with two Sentinels

SERGEANT

SERGEANT     Sirs, take your places and be vigilant:

               If any noise or soldier you perceive

               Near to the walls, by some apparent³ sign

               Let us have knowledge at the court of guard.⁴

5

5     

FIRST SENTINEL

FIRST SENTINEL Sergeant, you shall.

       [Exit Sergeant]

                                    Thus are poor servitors,⁵

               When others sleep upon their quiet beds,

               Constrained⁷ to watch in darkness, rain and cold.

       Enter Talbot, Bedford, Burgundy, [and soldiers], with scaling-ladders, their drums beating a dead march

TALBOT

TALBOT     Lord Regent, and redoubted⁸ Burgundy,

               By whose approach⁹ the regions of Artois,

10

10           Wallon,¹⁰ and Picardy are friends to us:

               This happy¹¹ night the Frenchmen are secure,

               Having all day caroused and banqueted:

               Embrace we then this opportunity,

               As fitting best to quittance¹⁴ their deceit,

15

15           Contrived by art¹⁵ and baleful sorcery.

BEDFORD

BEDFORD     Coward of France!¹⁶ How much he wrongs his fame,

               Despairing of his own arm’s fortitude,¹⁷

               To join with witches and the help of hell.

BURGUNDY

BURGUNDY     Traitors have never other company.

20

20           But what’s that Pucelle whom they term so pure?

TALBOT

TALBOT     A maid, they say.

BEDFORD

BEDFORD     A maid? And be so martial?

BURGUNDY

BURGUNDY     Pray God she prove not masculine²³ ere long,

               If underneath the standard²⁴ of the French

25

25           She carry armour²⁵ as she hath begun.

TALBOT

TALBOT     Well, let them practise and converse²⁶ with spirits.

               God is our fortress, in whose conquering name

               Let us resolve to scale their flinty²⁸ bulwarks.

BEDFORD

BEDFORD     Ascend, brave Talbot, we will follow thee.

30

30   

TALBOT

TALBOT     Not all together: better far, I guess,

               That we do make our entrance several³¹ ways:

               That, if it chance the one of us do fail,

               The other yet may rise against their force.

BEDFORD

BEDFORD     Agreed: I’ll to yond³⁴ corner.

35

35   

BURGUNDY

BURGUNDY           And I to this.

TALBOT

TALBOT     And here will Talbot mount, or make his grave.

               Now, Salisbury, for thee, and for the right

               Of English Henry, shall this night appear

               How much in duty I am bound to both.

40

40   

SENTINELS

SENTINELS           Arm! Arm! The enemy doth make assault!

       [English soldiers, having scaled the walls] cry: ‘Saint George,’ ‘A Talbot.’

       The French leap o’er the walls in their shirts. Enter several ways [the] Bastard [of Orléans],

       Alençon [and] Reignier, half ready, and half unready

ALENÇON

ALENÇON     How now, my lords? What, all unready so?

BASTARD

BASTARD     Unready? Ay, and glad we scaped so well.

REIGNIER

REIGNIER     ’Twas time, I trow,⁴³ to wake and leave our beds,

               Hearing alarums at our chamber doors.

45

45   

ALENÇON

ALENÇON           Of all exploits since first I followed arms,

               Ne’er heard I of a warlike enterprise

               More venturous⁴⁷ or desperate than this.

BASTARD

BASTARD     I think this Talbot be a fiend of hell.

REIGNIER

REIGNIER     If not of hell, the heavens sure favour him.

50

50   

ALENÇON

ALENÇON     Here cometh Charles: I marvel⁵⁰ how he sped.

       Enter Charles and Joan [la Pucelle]

BASTARD

BASTARD     Tut, holy⁵¹ Joan was his defensive guard.

CHARLES

CHARLES     Is this thy cunning,⁵² thou deceitful dame?

               Didst thou at first, to flatter⁵³ us withal,

               Make us partakers of a little gain,

55

55           That now our loss might be ten times so much?

PUCELLE

PUCELLE     Wherefore is Charles impatient⁵⁶ with his friend?

               At all times will you have my power alike?⁵⁷

               Sleeping or waking must I still prevail,⁵⁸

               Or will you blame and lay the fault on me?

60

60           Improvident⁶⁰ soldiers, had your watch been good,

               This sudden mischief⁶¹ never could have fall’n.

CHARLES

CHARLES     Duke of Alençon, this was your default,⁶²

               That, being captain of the watch tonight,

               Did look no better to that weighty charge.⁶⁴

65

65   

ALENÇON

ALENÇON           Had all your quarters⁶⁵ been as safely kept

               As that whereof I had the government,⁶⁶

               We had not been thus shamefully surprised.⁶⁷

BASTARD

BASTARD     Mine was secure.

REIGNIER

REIGNIER     And so was mine, my lord.

70

70   

CHARLES

CHARLES           And for myself, most part of all this night,

               Within her quarter⁷¹ and mine own precinct

               I was employed in passing⁷² to and fro,

               About⁷³ relieving of the sentinels.

               Then how or which way should they first break in?

75

75   

PUCELLE

PUCELLE           Question, my lords, no further of the case,

               How or which way: ’tis sure they found some place

               But⁷⁷ weakly guarded, where the breach was made:

               And now there rests⁷⁸ no other shift but this:

               To gather our soldiers, scattered and dispersed,

80

80           And lay new platforms⁸⁰ to endamage them.

       Alarum. Enter an [English] Soldier, crying ‘A Talbot! A Talbot!’ [The French] fly, leaving their clothes behind

SOLDIER

SOLDIER     I’ll be so bold to take what they have left:

               The cry of ‘Talbot’ serves me for a sword,

               For I have loaden me with many spoils,⁸³

               Using no other weapon but his name.

       Exit

[Act 2 Scene 2]

running scene 5 continues

       Enter Talbot, Bedford, Burgundy, [a Captain, and others]

BEDFORD

BEDFORD     The day begins to break, and night is fled,

               Whose pitchy² mantle over-veiled the earth.

               Here sound retreat, and cease our hot pursuit.

       Retreat [sounded]

TALBOT

TALBOT     Bring forth the body of old Salisbury,

5

5             And here advance⁵ it in the market-place,

               The middle centre of this cursèd town.

               Now have I paid my vow⁷ unto his soul:

               For every drop of blood was drawn from him,

               There hath at least five Frenchmen died tonight.

10

10           And that hereafter ages may behold

               What ruin¹¹ happened in revenge of him,

               Within their chiefest temple I’ll erect

               A tomb, wherein his corpse shall be interred:

               Upon the which, that everyone may read,

15

15           Shall be engraved the sack of Orléans,

               The treacherous manner of his mournful¹⁶ death,

               And what a terror he had been to France.

               But, lords, in all our bloody massacre,

               I muse¹⁹ we met not with the dauphin’s grace,

20

20           His new-come champion,²⁰ virtuous Joan of Arc,

               Nor any of his false confederates.

BEDFORD

BEDFORD     ’Tis thought, Lord Talbot, when the fight began,

               Roused on the sudden from their drowsy beds,

               They did amongst the troops of armèd men

25

25           Leap o’er the walls for refuge in the field.

BURGUNDY

BURGUNDY     Myself, as far as I could well discern

               For smoke and dusky vapours of the night,

               Am sure I scared the dauphin and his trull,²⁸

               When arm in arm they both came swiftly running,

30

30           Like to a pair of loving turtle-doves³⁰

               That could not live asunder day or night.

               After that things are set in order here,

               We’ll follow them with all the power³³ we have.

       Enter a Messenger

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     All hail, my lords! Which of this princely train

35

35           Call ye the warlike Talbot, for his acts

               So much applauded through the realm of France?

TALBOT

TALBOT     Here is the Talbot: who would speak with him?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     The virtuous lady, Countess of Auvergne,

               With modesty admiring thy renown,

40

40           By me entreats, great lord, thou wouldst vouchsafe⁴⁰

               To visit her poor⁴¹ castle where she lies,

               That she may boast she hath beheld the man

               Whose glory fills the world with loud report.⁴³

BURGUNDY

BURGUNDY     Is it even so? Nay, then I see our wars

45

45           Will turn unto a peaceful comic sport,⁴⁵

               When ladies crave to be encountered with.⁴⁶

               You may not, my lord, despise⁴⁷ her gentle suit.

TALBOT

TALBOT     Ne’er trust me then: for when a world⁴⁸ of men

               Could not prevail with all their oratory,⁴⁹

50

50           Yet hath a woman’s kindness overruled:⁵⁰

               And therefore tell her I return great thanks,

               And in submission will attend on⁵² her.

               Will not your honours bear me company?

BEDFORD

BEDFORD     No, truly, ’tis more than manners will:

55

55           And I have heard it said, unbidden⁵⁵ guests

               Are often welcomest when they are gone.

TALBOT

TALBOT     Well then, alone, since there’s no remedy,⁵⁷

               I mean to prove⁵⁸ this lady’s courtesy.

               Come hither, captain.

60

60           You perceive my mind?⁶⁰

       Whispers

CAPTAIN

CAPTAIN     I do, my lord, and mean⁶¹ accordingly.

       Exeunt

[Act 2 Scene 3]2.3

running scene 6

       Enter [the] Countess [of Auvergne and her Porter]

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     Porter, remember what I gave¹ in charge,

               And when you have done so, bring the keys to me.

PORTER

PORTER     Madam, I will.

       Exit

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     The plot is laid: if all things fall out right,

5

5             I shall as famous be by this exploit

               As Scythian Tomyris⁶ by Cyrus’ death.

               Great is the rumour of this dreadful knight,

               And his achievements of no less account:

               Fain⁹ would mine eyes be witness with mine ears,

10

10           To give their censure¹⁰ of these rare reports.

       Enter Messenger and Talbot

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Madam, according as your ladyship desired,

               By message craved, so is Lord Talbot come.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     And he is welcome. What, is this the man?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Madam, it is.

15

COUNTESS

COUNTESS           Is this the scourge of France?

               Is this the Talbot, so much feared abroad¹⁶

               That with his name the mothers still¹⁷ their babes?

               I see report is fabulous¹⁸ and false:

               I thought I should have seen some Hercules,¹⁹

20

20           A second Hector,²⁰ for his grim aspect,

               And large proportion²¹ of his strong-knit limbs.

               Alas, this is a child, a silly²² dwarf:

               It cannot be this weak and writhled²³ shrimp

               Should strike such terror to his enemies.

25

25   

TALBOT

TALBOT           Madam, I have been bold to trouble you:

               But since your ladyship is not at leisure,

               I’ll sort²⁷ some other time to visit you.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     What means he now? Go ask him whither he goes.

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Stay, my lord Talbot, for my lady craves

30

30           To know the cause of your abrupt departure.

TALBOT

TALBOT     Marry,³¹ for that she’s in a wrong belief,

               I³² go to certify her Talbot’s here.

       Enter Porter with keys

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     If thou be he, then art thou prisoner.

TALBOT

TALBOT     Prisoner? To whom?

35

35   

COUNTESS

COUNTESS           To me, bloodthirsty lord;

               And for that cause I trained³⁶ thee to my house.

               Long time thy shadow³⁷ hath been thrall to me,

               For in my gallery thy picture hangs:

               But now the substance shall endure the like,

40

40           And I will chain these legs and arms of thine,

               That hast by tyranny⁴¹ these many years

               Wasted⁴² our country, slain our citizens,

               And sent our sons and husbands captivate.⁴³

TALBOT

TALBOT     Ha, ha, ha!

45

45   

COUNTESS

COUNTESS           Laughest thou, wretch? Thy mirth shall turn to moan.

TALBOT

TALBOT     I laugh to see your ladyship so fond⁴⁶

               To think that you have aught⁴⁷ but Talbot’s shadow

               Whereon to practise your severity.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     Why, art not thou the man?

50

50   

TALBOT

TALBOT           I am indeed.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     Then have I substance too.

TALBOT

TALBOT     No, no, I am but shadow of myself:

               You are deceived, my substance is not here;

               For what you see is but the smallest part

55

55           And least⁵⁵ proportion of humanity:

               I tell you, madam, were the whole frame⁵⁶ here,

               It is of such a spacious lofty pitch,⁵⁷

               Your roof were not sufficient to contain’t.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     This is a riddling merchant⁵⁹ for the nonce:

60

60           He will be here, and yet he is not here:

               How can these contrarieties⁶¹ agree?

TALBOT

TALBOT     That will I show you presently.⁶²

       Winds his horn, drums strike up, a peal of ordnance. Enter Soldiers

               How say you, madam? Are you now persuaded

               That Talbot is but shadow of himself?

65

65           These are his substance, sinews, arms and strength,

               With which he yoketh⁶⁶ your rebellious necks,

               Razeth⁶⁷ your cities and subverts your towns

               And in a moment makes them desolate.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     Victorious Talbot, pardon my abuse:⁶⁹

70

70           I find thou art no less than fame hath bruited,⁷⁰

               And more than may be gathered by thy shape.

               Let my presumption not provoke thy wrath,

               For I am sorry that with reverence

               I did not entertain⁷⁴ thee as thou art.

75

75   

TALBOT

TALBOT           Be not dismayed, fair lady, nor misconster⁷⁵

               The mind of Talbot, as you did mistake

               The outward composition of his body.

               What you have done hath not offended me:

               Nor other satisfaction do I crave,

80

80           But only, with your patience,⁸⁰ that we may

               Taste of your wine and see what cates⁸¹ you have,

               For soldiers’ stomachs⁸² always serve them well.

COUNTESS

COUNTESS     With all my heart, and think me honourèd

               To feast so great a warrior in my house.

       Exeunt

[Act 2 Scene 4]2.4

running scene 7

       A rose briar revealed

       Enter Richard Plantagenet, Warwick, Somerset, Suffolk, [Vernon, and a Lawyer]

RICHARD PLANTAGENET

RICHARD PLANTAGENET Great lords and gentlemen, what means this silence?

               Dare no man answer in a case² of truth?

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Within the Temple hall we were³ too loud:

               The garden here is more convenient.

5

5     

RICHARD PLANTAGENET

RICHARD PLANTAGENET Then say at once if I maintained the truth:

               Or else⁶ was wrangling Somerset in th’error?

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Faith, I have been a truant⁷ in the law,

               And never yet could frame⁸ my will to it,

               And therefore frame the law unto my will.

10

SOMERSET

SOMERSET     Judge you, my lord of Warwick, then between us.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Between two hawks, which flies the higher pitch,¹¹

               Between two dogs, which hath the deeper mouth,¹²

               Between two blades,¹³ which bears the better temper,

               Between two horses, which doth bear him¹⁴ best,

15

15           Between two girls, which hath the merriest eye,

               I have perhaps some shallow¹⁶ spirit of judgement:

               But in these nice¹⁷ sharp quillets of the law,

               Good faith, I am no wiser than a daw.¹⁸

RICHARD PLANTAGENET

RICHARD PLANTAGENET Tut, tut, here is a mannerly forbearance:¹⁹

20

20           The truth appears so naked²⁰ on my side

               That any purblind²¹ eye may find it out.

SOMERSET

SOMERSET     And on my side it is so well apparelled,²²

               So clear, so shining, and so evident

               That it will glimmer through a blind²⁴ man’s eye.

25

25   

RICHARD PLANTAGENET

RICHARD PLANTAGENET Since you are tongue-tied and so loath to speak,

               In dumb significants²⁶ proclaim your thoughts:

               Let him that is a true-born gentleman

               And stands²⁸ upon the honour of his birth,

               If he suppose that I have pleaded²⁹ truth,

30

30           From off this brier pluck a white rose³⁰ with me. He plucks a white rose

SOMERSET

SOMERSET     Let him that is no coward nor no flatterer,

               But dare maintain the party³² of the truth,

               Pluck a red³³ rose from off this thorn with me. He plucks a red rose

WARWICK

WARWICK     I love no colours,³⁴ and without all colour

35

35           Of base insinuating flattery

               I pluck this white rose with Plantagenet.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     I pluck this red rose with young Somerset

               And say withal³⁸ I think he held the right.

VERNON

VERNON     Stay, lords and gentlemen, and pluck no more

40

40           Till you conclude that he upon whose side

               The fewest roses are cropped from the tree

               Shall yield⁴² the other in the right opinion.

SOMERSET

SOMERSET     Good Master Vernon, it is well objected:⁴³

               If I have fewest, I subscribe⁴⁴ in silence.

RICHARD PLANTAGENET

RICHARD PLANTAGENET And I.

VERNON

VERNON     Then for the truth and plainness of the case.

               I pluck this pale and maiden⁴⁷ blossom here,

               Giving my verdict on the white rose side.

SOMERSET

SOMERSET     Prick not your finger as you pluck it off,

50

50           Lest bleeding you do paint the white rose red

               And fall on my side so against your will.

VERNON

VERNON     If I, my lord, for my opinion bleed,

               Opinion⁵³ shall be surgeon to my hurt

               And keep me on the side where still⁵⁴ I am.

55

55   

SOMERSET

SOMERSET           Well, well, come on, who else?

LAWYER

LAWYER     Unless my study and my books be false,

               The argument you held was wrong in law: To Somerset

               In sign whereof I pluck a white rose too.

RICHARD PLANTAGENET

RICHARD PLANTAGENET Now, Somerset, where is your argument?

60

60  

SOMERSET

SOMERSET           Here in my scabbard,⁶⁰ meditating that

               Shall dye your white rose in a bloody red.

RICHARD PLANTAGENET

RICHARD PLANTAGENET Meantime your cheeks do counterfeit⁶² our roses:

               For pale they look with fear, as witnessing

               The truth on our side.

65

65   

SOMERSET

SOMERSET           No, Plantagenet,

               ’Tis not for fear, but anger, that thy cheeks

               Blush for pure shame to counterfeit our roses,

               And yet thy tongue will not confess thy error.

RICHARD PLANTAGENET

RICHARD PLANTAGENET Hath not thy rose a canker,⁶⁹ Somerset?

70

70   

SOMERSET

SOMERSET           Hath not thy rose a thorn, Plantagenet?

RICHARD PLANTAGENET

RICHARD PLANTAGENET Ay, sharp and piercing, to maintain his⁷¹ truth,

               Whiles thy consuming canker eats his falsehood.

SOMERSET

SOMERSET     Well, I’ll find friends to wear my bleeding roses,

               That shall maintain what I have said is true,

75

75           Where false⁷⁵ Plantagenet dare not be seen.

RICHARD PLANTAGENET

RICHARD PLANTAGENET Now, by this maiden blossom in my hand,

               I scorn thee and thy fashion,⁷⁷ peevish boy.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Turn not thy scorns this way, Plantagenet.

RICHARD PLANTAGENET

RICHARD PLANTAGENET Proud Pole,⁷⁹ I will, and scorn both him and thee.

80

80   

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK           I’ll turn⁸⁰ my part thereof into thy throat.

SOMERSET

SOMERSET     Away, away, good William de la Pole:

               We grace⁸² the yeoman by conversing with him.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Now, by God’s will, thou wrong’st him, Somerset:

               His grandfather⁸⁴ was Lionel Duke of Clarence,

85

85           Third son to the third Edward King of England:

               Spring crestless⁸⁶ yeomen from so deep a root?

RICHARD PLANTAGENET

RICHARD PLANTAGENET He bears⁸⁷ him on the place’s privilege,

               Or durst not for his craven⁸⁸ heart say thus.

SOMERSET

SOMERSET     By him that made me, I’ll maintain⁸⁹ my words

90

90           On any plot of ground in Christendom.

               Was not thy father, Richard Earl of Cambridge,

               For treason executed in our late king’s days?

               And by his treason, stand’st not thou attainted,⁹³

               Corrupted, and exempt from ancient gentry?

95

95           His trespass yet lives guilty in thy blood,

               And till thou be restored,⁹⁶ thou art a yeoman.

RICHARD PLANTAGENET

RICHARD PLANTAGENET My father was attachèd, not attainted,⁹⁷

               Condemned to die for treason, but no traitor;

               And that I’ll prove on better men than Somerset,

100

100         Were¹⁰⁰ growing time once ripened to my will.

               For your partaker¹⁰¹ Pole and you yourself,

               I’ll note¹⁰² you in my book of memory,

               To scourge you for this apprehension:¹⁰³

               Look to it¹⁰⁴ well, and say you are well warned.

105

105 

SOMERSET

SOMERSET               Ah, thou shalt find us ready for thee still,

               And know us by these colours for thy foes,

               For these my friends in spite¹⁰⁷ of thee shall wear.

RICHARD PLANTAGENET

RICHARD PLANTAGENET And by my soul, this pale and angry rose,

               As cognizance¹⁰⁹ of my blood-drinking hate,

110

110         Will I for ever and my faction wear,

               Until it wither with me to my grave,

               Or flourish to the height of my degree.¹¹²

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Go forward and be choked with thy ambition:

               And so farewell until I meet thee next.

       Exit

SOMERSET

SOMERSET     Have with thee,¹¹⁵ Pole.— Farewell, ambitious Richard.

       Exit

RICHARD PLANTAGENET

RICHARD PLANTAGENET How I am braved¹¹⁶ and must perforce endure it!

WARWICK

WARWICK     This blot that they object¹¹⁷ against your house

               Shall be wiped out in the next parliament,

               Called for¹¹⁹ the truce of Winchester and Gloucester:

120

120         And if thou be not then created York,

               I will not live to be accounted Warwick.

               Meantime, in¹²² signal of my love to thee,

               Against proud Somerset and William Pole,

               Will I upon thy party¹²⁴ wear this rose.

125

125         And here I prophesy: this brawl today,

               Grown to this faction¹²⁶ in the Temple garden,

               Shall send, between the red rose and the white,

               A thousand souls to death and deadly night.

RICHARD PLANTAGENET

RICHARD PLANTAGENET Good Master Vernon, I am bound to you,

130

130         That you on my behalf would pluck a flower.

VERNON

VERNON     In your behalf still¹³¹ will I wear the same.

LAWYER

LAWYER     And so will I.

RICHARD PLANTAGENET

RICHARD PLANTAGENET Thanks, gentles.¹³³

               Come, let us four to dinner: I dare say

135

135         This quarrel will drink blood another day.

       Exeunt

[Act 2 Scene 5]2.5

running scene 8

       Enter Mortimer, brought in a chair, and Jailers

MORTIMER

MORTIMER     Kind keepers¹ of my weak decaying age,

               Let dying Mortimer here rest himself.

               Even like a man new haled³ from the rack,

               So fare my limbs with long imprisonment:

5

5             And these grey locks, the pursuivants⁵ of death,

               Nestor-like⁶ agèd in an age of care,

               Argue the end of Edmund Mortimer.

               These eyes, like lamps whose wasting oil is spent,

               Wax⁹ dim, as drawing to their exigent:

10

10           Weak shoulders, overborne¹⁰ with burdening grief,

               And pithless¹¹ arms, like to a withered vine,

               That droops his sapless branches to the ground.

               Yet are these feet, whose strengthless stay is numb,¹³

               Unable to support this lump of clay,

15

15           Swift-wingèd with desire to get a grave,

               As witting¹⁶ I no other comfort have.

               But tell me, keeper, will my nephew come?

FIRST JAILER

FIRST JAILER Richard Plantagenet, my lord, will come:

               We sent unto the Temple, unto his chamber,

20

20           And answer was returned that he will come.

MORTIMER

MORTIMER     Enough: my soul shall then be satisfied.

               Poor gentleman, his wrong²² doth equal mine.

               Since Henry Monmouth²³ first began to reign,

               Before whose glory I was great in arms,

25

25           This loathsome sequestration²⁵ have I had:

               And even²⁶ since then hath Richard been obscured,

               Deprived of honour and inheritance.

               But now, the arbitrator²⁸ of despairs,

               Just death, kind umpire²⁹ of men’s miseries,

30

30           With sweet enlargement³⁰ doth dismiss me hence:

               I would his³¹ troubles likewise were expired,

               That so he might recover what was lost.

       Enter Richard [Plantagenet]

FIRST JAILER

FIRST JAILER My lord, your loving nephew now is come.

MORTIMER

MORTIMER     Richard Plantagenet, my friend, is he come?

35

35   

RICHARD PLANTAGENET

RICHARD PLANTAGENET Ay, noble uncle, thus ignobly used,³⁵

               Your nephew, late³⁶ despisèd Richard, comes.

MORTIMER

MORTIMER     Direct mine arms I may embrace his neck,

               And in his bosom spend my latter³⁸ gasp.

               O tell me when my lips do touch his cheeks,

40

40           That I may kindly⁴⁰ give one fainting kiss. He embraces Richard

               And now declare, sweet stem from York’s great stock,⁴¹

               Why didst thou say of late thou wert despised?

RICHARD PLANTAGENET

RICHARD PLANTAGENET First, lean thine agèd back against mine arm,

               And in that ease I’ll tell thee my disease.⁴⁴

45

45           This day in argument upon a case,

               Some words there grew ’twixt Somerset and me:

               Among which terms he used his lavish⁴⁷ tongue

               And did upbraid me with my father’s death:

               Which obloquy⁴⁹ set bars before my tongue,

50

50           Else with the like I had requited⁵⁰ him.

               Therefore, good uncle, for my father’s sake,

               In honour of a true Plantagenet,

               And for alliance’⁵³ sake, declare the cause

               My father, Earl of Cambridge, lost his head.

55

55   

MORTIMER

MORTIMER           That cause, fair nephew, that imprisoned me

               And hath detained me all my flowering youth

               Within a loathsome dungeon, there to pine,

               Was cursèd instrument of his decease.

RICHARD PLANTAGENET

RICHARD PLANTAGENET Discover⁵⁹ more at large what cause that was,

60

60           For I am ignorant and cannot guess.

MORTIMER

MORTIMER     I will, if that my fading breath permit

               And death approach not ere my tale be done.

               Henry the Fourth, grandfather to this king,

               Deposed his nephew⁶⁴ Richard, Edward’s son,

65

65           The first begotten and the lawful heir

               Of Edward king, the third of that descent,

               During whose⁶⁷ reign the Percies of the north,

               Finding his usurpation most unjust,

               Endeavoured my advancement to the throne.

70

70           The reason moved⁷⁰ these warlike lords to this

               Was for that — young King Richard thus removed,

               Leaving no heir begotten of his body —

               I was the next by birth and parentage:

               For by my mother⁷⁴ I derivèd am

75

75           From Lionel Duke of Clarence, the third son

               To King Edward the Third; whereas the king

               From John of Gaunt⁷⁷ doth bring his pedigree,

               Being but fourth of that heroic line.

               But mark:⁷⁹ as in this haughty great attempt

80

80           They⁸⁰ labourèd to plant the rightful heir,

               I lost my liberty and they their lives.

               Long after this, when Henry the Fifth,

               Succeeding his father Bullingbrook,⁸³ did reign,

               Thy father, Earl of Cambridge then, derived

85

85           From famous Edmund Langley, Duke of York,

               Marrying my sister that thy mother was,

               Again, in pity of my hard⁸⁷ distress,

               Levied an army, weening⁸⁸ to redeem

               And have installed me in the diadem:⁸⁹

90

90           But, as the rest, so fell that noble earl,

               And was beheaded. Thus the Mortimers,

               In whom the title rested, were suppressed.

RICHARD PLANTAGENET

RICHARD PLANTAGENET Of which, my lord, your honour is the last.

MORTIMER

MORTIMER     True, and thou see’st that I no issue⁹⁴ have,

95

95           And that my fainting words do warrant⁹⁵ death:

               Thou art my heir; the rest I wish thee gather:⁹⁶

               But yet be wary in thy studious⁹⁷ care.

RICHARD PLANTAGENET

RICHARD PLANTAGENET Thy grave admonishments⁹⁸ prevail with me:

               But yet methinks my father’s execution

100

100         Was nothing less than bloody tyranny.

MORTIMER

MORTIMER     With silence, nephew, be thou politic:¹⁰¹

               Strong-fixèd is the house of Lancaster,

               And like a mountain, not to be removed.

               But now thy uncle is removing¹⁰⁴ hence,

105

105         As princes do their courts, when they are cloyed¹⁰⁵

               With long continuance in a settled place.

RICHARD PLANTAGENET

RICHARD PLANTAGENET O uncle, would some part of my young years

               Might but redeem the passage¹⁰⁸ of your age.

MORTIMER

MORTIMER     Thou dost then wrong me, as that slaughterer doth

110

110         Which giveth many wounds when one will kill.

               Mourn not, except¹¹¹ thou sorrow for my good,

               Only give order¹¹² for my funeral.

               And so farewell, and fair be all thy hopes,

               And prosperous be thy life in peace and war.

       Dies

115

115 

RICHARD PLANTAGENET

RICHARD PLANTAGENET               And peace, no war, befall thy parting soul.

               In prison hast thou spent a pilgrimage,

               And like a hermit overpassed¹¹⁷ thy days.

               Well, I will lock his counsel in my breast,

               And what I do imagine, let that rest.¹¹⁹

120

120         Keepers, convey him hence, and I myself

               Will see his burial better than his life.

       Exeunt [Jailers with Mortimer’s body]

               Here dies the dusky¹²² torch of Mortimer,

               Choked with ambition of¹²³ the meaner sort.

               And for¹²⁴ those wrongs, those bitter injuries,

125

125         Which Somerset hath offered to my house,¹²⁵

               I doubt not but with honour to redress.

               And therefore haste I to the parliament,

               Either to be restorèd to my blood,¹²⁸

               Or make¹²⁹ mine ill the advantage of my good.

       Exit

Act 3 Scene 1*

running scene 9

       Flourish. Enter King [Henry VI], Exeter, Gloucester, [Bishop of] Winchester, Warwick, Somerset, Suffolk, Richard Plantagenet. Gloucester offers to put up a bill: Winchester snatches it, tears it

WINCHESTER

WINCHESTER     Com’st thou with deep premeditated lines?¹

               With written pamphlets studiously devised?

               Humphrey of Gloucester, if thou canst accuse,

               Or aught intend’st to lay unto my charge,

5

5             Do it without invention,⁵ suddenly,

               As I with sudden and extemporal⁶ speech

               Purpose to answer what thou canst object.⁷

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Presumptuous priest, this place commands my patience,⁸

               Or thou shouldst find thou hast dishonoured me.

10

10           Think not, although in writing I preferred¹⁰

               The manner of thy vile¹¹ outrageous crimes,

               That therefore I have forged,¹² or am not able

               Verbatim¹³ to rehearse the method of my pen.

               No, prelate, such is thy audacious wickedness,

15

15           Thy lewd,¹⁵ pestiferous and dissentious pranks,

               As very¹⁶ infants prattle of thy pride.

               Thou art a most pernicious¹⁷ usurer,

               Froward¹⁸ by nature, enemy to peace,

               Lascivious, wanton,¹⁹ more than well beseems

20

20           A man of thy profession and degree.²⁰

               And for²¹ thy treachery, what’s more manifest?

               In that thou laid’st a trap to take my life,

               As well at London Bridge as at the Tower.

               Beside, I fear me, if thy thoughts were sifted,²⁴

25

25           The king, thy sovereign, is not quite exempt

               From envious²⁶ malice of thy swelling heart.

WINCHESTER

WINCHESTER     Gloucester, I do defy thee. Lords, vouchsafe

               To give me hearing what I shall reply.

               If I were covetous, ambitious or perverse,

30

30           As he will have me, how am I so poor?

               Or how haps³¹ it I seek not to advance

               Or raise myself, but keep my wonted³² calling?

               And for dissension, who preferreth peace

               More than I do? — Except³⁴ I be provoked.

35

35           No, my good lords, it is not that³⁵ offends:

               It is not that that hath incensed the Duke:

               It is because no one should sway³⁷ but he,

               No one but he should be about³⁸ the king:

               And that engenders thunder in his breast

40

40           And makes him roar these accusations forth.

               But he shall know I am as good—

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     As good?

               Thou bastard⁴³ of my grandfather.

WINCHESTER

WINCHESTER     Ay, lordly sir: for what are you, I pray,

45

45           But one imperious⁴⁵ in another’s throne?

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Am I not Protector, saucy⁴⁶ priest?

WINCHESTER

WINCHESTER     And am not I a prelate of the Church?

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Yes, as an outlaw in a castle keeps⁴⁸

               And useth it to patronage⁴⁹ his theft.

50

50   

WINCHESTER

WINCHESTER           Unreverent Gloucester.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Thou art reverent⁵¹

               Touching⁵² thy spiritual function, not thy life.

WINCHESTER

WINCHESTER     Rome⁵³ shall remedy this.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Roam thither then.

55

55           My lord, it were your duty to forbear.⁵⁵ To Gloucester

SOMERSET

SOMERSET     Ay, see the bishop be not overborne.⁵⁶

               Methinks my lord should be religious To Winchester

               And know the office⁵⁸ that belongs to such.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Methinks his lordship⁵⁹ should be humbler:

60

60           It fitteth not a prelate so to plead.

SOMERSET

SOMERSET     Yes, when his holy state⁶¹ is touched so near.

WARWICK

WARWICK     State holy or unhallowed, what of that?

               Is not his grace Protector to the king?

RICHARD PLANTAGENET

RICHARD PLANTAGENET Plantagenet, I see, must hold his tongue, Aside

65

65           Lest it be said ‘Speak, sirrah,⁶⁵ when you should:

               Must your bold verdict enter talk with lords?’

               Else would I have a fling⁶⁷ at Winchester.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Uncles of Gloucester and of Winchester,

               The special watchmen of our English weal,⁶⁹

70

70           I would prevail, if prayers might prevail,

               To join your hearts in love and amity.

               O what a scandal is it to our crown,

               That two such noble peers as ye should jar!⁷³

               Believe me, lords, my tender years⁷⁴ can tell

75

75           Civil dissension is a viperous worm⁷⁵

               That gnaws the bowels⁷⁶ of the commonwealth.

       A noise within: ‘Down with the tawny-coats!’

               What tumult’s this?

WARWICK

WARWICK     An uproar, I dare warrant,

               Begun through malice of the Bishop’s men.

       A noise again: ‘Stones, stones!’ Enter Mayor [of London]

80

80   

MAYOR

MAYOR           O my good lords, and virtuous Henry,

               Pity the city of London, pity us!

               The Bishop and the Duke of Gloucester’s men,

               Forbidden late⁸³ to carry any weapon,

               Have filled their pockets full of pebble stones

85

85           And, banding themselves⁸⁵ in contrary parts,

               Do pelt so fast at one another’s pate⁸⁶

               That many have their giddy⁸⁷ brains knocked out:

               Our windows are broke down in every street,

               And we, for fear, compelled to shut our shops.

       Enter [Servingmen] in skirmish with bloody pates

90

90   

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI We charge you, on allegiance to ourself,

               To hold your slaught’ring hands and keep the peace.

               Pray, uncle Gloucester, mitigate⁹² this strife.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

FIRST SERVINGMAN Nay, if we be forbidden stones, we’ll fall to it with our teeth.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

SECOND SERVINGMAN Do what ye dare, we are as⁹⁴ resolute.

       Skirmish again

95

95   

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER           You of my household, leave this peevish⁹⁵ broil

               And set this unaccustomed fight aside.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

THIRD SERVINGMAN My lord, we know your grace to be a man

               Just and upright and, for your royal birth,

               Inferior to none but to his majesty:

100

100         And ere that we will suffer¹⁰⁰ such a prince,

               So kind a father of the commonweal,

               To be disgracèd¹⁰² by an inkhorn mate,

               We and our wives and children all will fight

               And have our bodies slaughtered by thy foes.

105

105 

FIRST SERVINGMAN

FIRST SERVINGMAN Ay, and the very parings¹⁰⁵ of our nails

               Shall pitch a field¹⁰⁶ when we are dead.

       Begin again

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Stay, stay, I say!

               And if you love me, as you say you do,

               Let me persuade you to forbear awhile.

110

110 

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI O how this discord doth afflict my soul!

               Can you, my lord of Winchester, behold

               My sighs and tears and will not once relent?

               Who should be pitiful, if you be not?

               Or who should study¹¹⁴ to prefer a peace,

115

115         If holy churchmen take delight in broils?

WARWICK

WARWICK     Yield, my Lord Protector, yield, Winchester:

               Except you mean with obstinate repulse¹¹⁷

               To slay your sovereign and destroy the realm.

               You see what mischief¹¹⁹ and what murder too

120

120         Hath been enacted through your enmity:

               Then be at peace, except ye thirst for blood.

WINCHESTER

WINCHESTER     He shall submit, or I will never yield.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Compassion on the king commands me stoop,

               Or I would see his¹²⁴ heart out, ere the priest

125

125         Should ever get that privilege of¹²⁵ me.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Behold, my lord of Winchester, the duke

               Hath banished moody¹²⁷ discontented fury,

               As by his smoothèd brows it doth appear:

               Why look you still so stern and tragical?¹²⁹

130

130 

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER             Here, Winchester, I offer thee my hand. Winchester turns away

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Fie, uncle Beaufort! I have heard you preach To Winchester

               That malice was a great and grievous sin:

               And will not you maintain the thing you teach,

               But prove a chief offender in the same?

135

135 

WARWICK

WARWICK             Sweet king: the bishop hath¹³⁵ a kindly gird.

               For shame, my lord of Winchester, relent:

               What, shall a child instruct you what to do?

WINCHESTER

WINCHESTER     Well, Duke of Gloucester, I will yield to thee

               Love for thy love and hand for hand I give.

140

140 

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER             Ay, but I fear me with a hollow¹⁴⁰ heart.— Aside

               See here, my friends and loving countrymen, To the others

               This token¹⁴² serveth for a flag of truce

               Betwixt ourselves and all our followers:

               So help me God, as I dissemble¹⁴⁴ not.

145

145 

WINCHESTER

WINCHESTER             So help me God,— as I intend it not. Aside

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI O loving uncle, kind Duke of Gloucester,

               How joyful am I made by this contract.¹⁴⁷—

               Away, my masters,¹⁴⁸ trouble us no more,

               But join in friendship, as your lords have done.

150

150 

FIRST SERVINGMAN

FIRST SERVINGMAN Content: I’ll to the surgeon’s.¹⁵⁰

SECOND SERVINGMAN

SECOND SERVINGMAN And so will I.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

THIRD SERVINGMAN And I will see what physic¹⁵² the tavern affords.

                                        Exeunt [the Mayor and Servingmen]

WARWICK

WARWICK     Accept this scroll, most gracious sovereign,

               Which in the right of Richard Plantagenet

155

155         We do exhibit¹⁵⁵ to your majesty.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Well urged, my lord of Warwick — for sweet prince,

               And if your grace mark¹⁵⁷ every circumstance,

               You have great reason to do Richard right,

               Especially for those occasions¹⁵⁹

160

160         At Eltham Place I told your majesty.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI And those occasions, uncle, were of¹⁶¹ force:

               Therefore, my loving lords, our pleasure is

               That Richard be restorèd to his blood.¹⁶³

WARWICK

WARWICK     Let Richard be restorèd to his blood;

165

165         So shall his father’s wrongs¹⁶⁵ be recompensed.

WINCHESTER

WINCHESTER     As will the rest, so willeth Winchester.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI If Richard will be true, not that alone

               But all the whole inheritance I give

               That doth belong unto the House of York,

170

170         From whence you spring by lineal descent.

RICHARD PLANTAGENET

RICHARD PLANTAGENET Thy humble servant vows obedience

               And humble service till the point of death.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Stoop then and set your knee against my foot, Richard kneels

               And, in reguerdon¹⁷⁴ of that duty done,

175

175         I gird¹⁷⁵ thee with the valiant sword of York:

               Rise Richard, like a true Plantagenet,

               And rise created princely¹⁷⁷ Duke of York.

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK And so thrive Richard as thy foes may fall: Plantagenet is henceforth known as Richard Duke of York

               And as my duty springs, so perish they

180

180         That grudge one thought¹⁸⁰ against your majesty.

ALL

ALL     Welcome, high prince, the mighty Duke of York!

SOMERSET

SOMERSET     Perish, base prince, ignoble Duke of York! Aside

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Now will it best avail your majesty

               To cross the seas and to be crowned in France:

185

185         The presence of a king engenders love

               Amongst his subjects and his loyal friends,

               As it disanimates¹⁸⁷ his enemies.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI When Gloucester says the word, King Henry goes,

               For friendly counsel cuts off many foes.

190

190 

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER             Your ships already are in readiness.

       Sennet. Flourish

       Exeunt all but Exeter

EXETER

EXETER     Ay, we may march in England or in France,

               Not seeing what is likely to ensue:

               This late dissension grown betwixt the peers

               Burns under feignèd ashes of forged¹⁹⁴ love,

195

195         And will at last break out into a flame:

               As festered¹⁹⁶ members rot but by degree,

               Till bones and flesh and sinews fall away,

               So will this base and envious¹⁹⁸ discord breed.

               And now I fear that fatal prophecy

200

200         Which, in the time of Henry named the Fifth,

               Was in the mouth of every sucking babe:

               That Henry²⁰² born at Monmouth should win all

               And Henry²⁰³ born at Windsor lose all:

               Which is so plain that Exeter doth wish

205

205         His days may finish ere that hapless²⁰⁵ time.

       Exit

Act 3 Scene 23.2

running scene 10

       Enter [Joan la] Pucelle disguised, with four [French] Soldiers with sacks upon their backs

PUCELLE

PUCELLE     These are the city gates, the gates of Rouen,

               Through which our policy² must make a breach.

               Take heed, be wary how you place your words:

               Talk like the vulgar⁴ sort of market men

5

5             That come to gather money for their corn.

               If we have entrance, as I hope we shall,

               And that⁷ we find the slothful watch but weak,

               I’ll by a sign give notice to our friends,

               That Charles the Dauphin may encounter⁹ them.

10

10   

FIRST SOLDIER

FIRST SOLDIER Our sacks shall be a mean¹⁰ to sack the city,

               And we be¹¹ lords and rulers over Rouen:

               Therefore we’ll knock.

       [They] knock

WATCH

WATCH     Qui là?¹³ Within

PUCELLE

PUCELLE     Paysans, la pauvre gens de France:¹⁴

15

15           Poor market folks that come to sell their corn.

WATCH

WATCH     Enter, go in: the market bell is rung. Opening the gates

PUCELLE

PUCELLE     Now, Rouen, I’ll shake thy bulwarks to the ground.

       Exeunt

       Enter Charles, [the] Bastard [of Orléans], Alençon, [Reignier, and forces]

CHARLES

CHARLES     Saint Denis bless this happy¹⁸ stratagem,

               And once again we’ll sleep secure in Rouen.

20

20   

BASTARD

BASTARD           Here entered Pucelle and her practisants:²⁰

               Now she is there, how will she specify

               Here is the best and safest passage in?

REIGNIER

REIGNIER     By thrusting out a torch from yonder tower,

               Which, once discerned, shows that her meaning is,

25

25           No²⁵ way to that, for weakness, which she entered.

       Enter [Joan la] Pucelle on the top, thrusting out a torch burning

PUCELLE

PUCELLE     Behold, this is the happy wedding²⁶ torch

               That joineth Rouen unto her countrymen,

               But burning fatal to the Talbonites!

BASTARD

BASTARD     See, noble Charles, the beacon of our friend:

30

30           The burning torch in yonder turret stands.

CHARLES

CHARLES     Now shine it³¹ like a comet of revenge,

               A prophet to³² the fall of all our foes!

REIGNIER

REIGNIER      Defer no time, delays have dangerous ends:

               Enter and cry, ‘The dauphin!’, presently,³⁴

35

35           And then do³⁵ execution on the watch.

       Alarum [Exeunt]

       An alarum. [Enter] Talbot in an excursion

TALBOT

TALBOT     France, thou shalt rue this treason with thy tears,

               If Talbot but survive thy treachery.

               Pucelle, that witch, that damnèd sorceress,

               Hath wrought this hellish mischief unawares,³⁹

40

40           That hardly⁴⁰ we escaped the pride of France.

       Exit

       An alarum: excursions. Bedford brought in sick in a chair. Enter Talbot and Burgundy without: within, [Joan la] Pucelle, Charles, Bastard of Orléans, [Alençon] and Reignier on the walls

PUCELLE

PUCELLE     Good morrow, gallants:⁴¹ want ye corn for bread?

               I think the Duke of Burgundy will fast

               Before he’ll buy again at such a rate.⁴³

               ’Twas full of darnel:⁴⁴ do you like the taste?

45

45   

BURGUNDY

BURGUNDY           Scoff on, vile fiend and shameless courtesan:

               I trust ere long to choke thee with thine own And make thee curse the harvest of that corn.

CHARLES

CHARLES     Your grace may starve, perhaps, before that time.

BEDFORD

BEDFORD     O, let no words, but deeds, revenge this treason.

50

50   

PUCELLE

PUCELLE           What will you do, good grey-beard? Break a lance

               And run a-tilt at⁵¹ death within a chair?

TALBOT

TALBOT     Foul fiend of France, and hag⁵² of all despite,

               Encompassed with⁵³ thy lustful paramours,

               Becomes it thee to taunt his valiant age

55

55           And twit⁵⁵ with cowardice a man half dead?

               Damsel, I’ll have a bout⁵⁶ with you again,

               Or else let Talbot perish with this shame.

PUCELLE

PUCELLE     Are ye so hot,⁵⁸ sir? Yet, Pucelle, hold thy peace:

               If Talbot do but thunder, rain will follow.

       [The English] whisper together in counsel

60

60           God speed⁶⁰ the parliament: who shall be the speaker?

TALBOT

TALBOT     Dare ye come forth and meet us in the field?⁶¹

PUCELLE

PUCELLE     Belike⁶² your lordship takes us then for fools,

               To try if that our own be ours or no.

TALBOT

TALBOT     I speak not to that railing Hecate,⁶⁴

65

65           But unto thee, Alençon, and the rest.

               Will ye, like soldiers, come and fight it out?

ALENÇON

ALENÇON     Seigneur,⁶⁷ no.

TALBOT

TALBOT     Seigneur, hang! Base muleteers⁶⁸ of France,

               Like peasant footboys⁶⁹ do they keep the walls,

70

70           And dare not take up arms like gentlemen.

PUCELLE

PUCELLE     Away, captains, let’s get us from the walls,

               For Talbot means no goodness by his looks.

               Goodbye, my lord: we came but to tell you

               That we are here.

       Exeunt from the walls

75

75   

TALBOT

TALBOT           And there will we be too, ere it be long,

               Or else reproach be Talbot’s greatest fame.

               Vow, Burgundy, by honour of thy house,

               Pricked⁷⁸ on by public wrongs sustained in France,

               Either to get the town again or die.

80

80           And I, as sure as English Henry lives,

               And as his⁸¹ father here was conqueror,

               As sure as in this late betrayèd town

               Great Coeur-de-lion’s⁸³ heart was burièd,

               So sure I swear to get the town or die.

85

85   

BURGUNDY

BURGUNDY           My vows are equal partners with thy vows.

TALBOT

TALBOT     But ere we go, regard⁸⁶ this dying prince,

               The valiant Duke of Bedford.— Come, my lord, To Bedford

               We will bestow you in some better place,

               Fitter for sickness and for crazy⁸⁹ age.

90

90   

BEDFORD

BEDFORD           Lord Talbot, do not so dishonour me:

               Here will I sit before the walls of Rouen

               And will be partner of your weal⁹² or woe.

BURGUNDY

BURGUNDY     Courageous Bedford, let us now persuade you.

BEDFORD

BEDFORD     Not to be gone from hence: for once I read

95

95           That stout⁹⁵ Pendragon, in his litter sick,

               Came to the field and vanquishèd his foes.

               Methinks I should revive the soldiers’ hearts,

               Because I ever⁹⁸ found them as myself.

TALBOT

TALBOT     Undaunted spirit in a dying breast!

100

100         Then be it so: heavens keep old Bedford safe.

               And now no more ado,¹⁰¹ brave Burgundy,

               But gather we our forces out of hand,¹⁰²

               And set upon our boasting enemy.

       Exit [with Burgundy and forces]

       An alarum: excursions. Enter Sir John Falstaff and a Captain

CAPTAIN

CAPTAIN     Whither away, Sir John Falstaff, in such haste?

105

105 

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF             Whither away? To save myself by flight:

               We are like to have the overthrow¹⁰⁶ again.

CAPTAIN

CAPTAIN     What? Will you fly, and leave Lord Talbot?

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     Ay, all the Talbots in the world, to save my life.

       Exit

CAPTAIN

CAPTAIN     Cowardly knight, ill fortune follow thee!

       Exit

       Retreat: excursions. [Joan la] Pucelle, Alençon and Charles fly

110

110 

BEDFORD

BEDFORD             Now, quiet soul, depart when heaven please,

               For I have seen our enemies’ overthrow.

               What is the trust or strength of foolish man?

               They that of late were daring¹¹³ with their scoffs

               Are glad¹¹⁴ and fain by flight to save themselves.

       Bedford dies, and is carried in by two in his chair.

       An alarum. Enter Talbot, Burgundy and the rest [of the English soldiers]

115

115 

TALBOT

TALBOT             Lost, and recovered in a day again!

               This is a double honour, Burgundy:

               Yet heavens have glory for this victory.

BURGUNDY

BURGUNDY     Warlike and martial Talbot, Burgundy

               Enshrines thee in his heart, and there erects

120

120         Thy noble deeds as valour’s monuments.

TALBOT

TALBOT     Thanks, gentle¹²¹ duke. But where is Pucelle now?

               I think her old familiar¹²² is asleep.

               Now where’s the Bastard’s braves,¹²³ and Charles his gleeks?

               What, all amort?¹²⁴ Rouen hangs her head for grief

125

125         That such a valiant company are fled.

               Now will we take some order¹²⁶ in the town,

               Placing therein some expert¹²⁷ officers,

               And then depart to Paris, to the king,

               For there young Henry with his nobles lie.¹²⁹

130

130 

BURGUNDY

BURGUNDY             What wills Lord Talbot pleaseth Burgundy.

TALBOT

TALBOT     But yet, before we go, let’s not forget

               The noble Duke of Bedford late deceased,

               But see his exequies¹³³ fulfilled in Rouen.

               A braver soldier never couchèd lance,¹³⁴

135

135         A gentler heart did never sway¹³⁵ in court.

               But kings and mightiest potentates¹³⁶ must die,

               For that’s the end¹³⁷ of human misery.

       Exeunt

Act 3 Scene 3*

running scene 11

       Enter Charles, [the] Bastard [of Orléans], Alençon, [Joan la] Pucelle [and French soldiers]

PUCELLE

PUCELLE     Dismay not, princes, at this accident,¹

               Nor grieve that Rouen is so recoverèd:²

               Care³ is no cure, but rather corrosive,

               For things that are not to be remedied.

5

5             Let frantic Talbot triumph for a while

               And like a peacock sweep along his tail:

               We’ll pull his plumes and take away his train,⁷

               If Dauphin and the rest will be but ruled.⁸

CHARLES

CHARLES     We have been guided by thee hitherto,

10

10           And of thy cunning¹⁰ had no diffidence:

               One sudden foil¹¹ shall never breed distrust.

BASTARD

BASTARD     Search out thy wit¹² for secret policies,

               And we will make thee famous through the world.

ALENÇON

ALENÇON     We’ll set thy statue in some holy place,

15

15           And have thee reverenced like a blessèd saint.

               Employ thee then, sweet virgin, for our good.

PUCELLE

PUCELLE     Then thus it must be: this doth Joan devise:

               By fair¹⁸ persuasions, mixed with sugared words,

               We will entice the Duke of Burgundy

20

20           To leave the Talbot and to follow us.

CHARLES

CHARLES     Ay, marry, sweeting,²¹ if we could do that,

               France were no place for Henry’s warriors,

               Nor should that nation boast it so with us,

               But be extirpèd²⁴ from our provinces.

25

25   

ALENÇON

ALENÇON     For ever should they be expulsed²⁵ from France

               And not have title of an earldom here.

PUCELLE

PUCELLE     Your honours shall perceive how I will work

               To bring this matter to the wishèd end.

       Drum sounds afar off

               Hark! By the sound of drum you may perceive

30

30           Their powers are marching unto Paris-ward.³⁰

       Here sound an English march

               There goes the Talbot, with his colours spread,³¹

               And all the troops of English after him.

       [Here sound a] French march

               Now in the rearward comes the duke and his:

               Fortune in³⁴ favour makes him lag behind.

35

35           Summon a parley:³⁵ we will talk with him.

       Trumpets sound a parley

CHARLES

CHARLES     A parley with the Duke of Burgundy.

       [Enter Burgundy with soldiers]

BURGUNDY

BURGUNDY     Who craves a parley with the Burgundy?

PUCELLE

PUCELLE      The princely Charles of France, thy countryman.

BURGUNDY

BURGUNDY     What say’st thou, Charles? For I am marching hence.

40

40   

CHARLES

CHARLES           Speak, Pucelle, and enchant⁴⁰ him with thy words.

PUCELLE

PUCELLE      Brave Burgundy, undoubted hope of France,

               Stay, let thy humble handmaid speak to thee.

BURGUNDY

BURGUNDY     Speak on, but be not over-tedious.⁴³

PUCELLE

PUCELLE     Look on thy country, look on fertile France,

45

45           And see the cities and the towns defaced

               By wasting⁴⁶ ruin of the cruel foe,

               As looks the mother on her lowly⁴⁷ babe

               When death doth close his tender-dying⁴⁸ eyes.

               See, see the pining⁴⁹ malady of France:

50

50           Behold the wounds, the most unnatural⁵⁰ wounds,

               Which thou thyself hast given her woeful breast.

               O turn thy edgèd⁵² sword another way:

               Strike those that hurt, and hurt not those that help:

               One drop of blood drawn from thy country’s bosom

55

55           Should grieve thee more than streams of foreign gore.

               Return thee therefore with a flood of tears,

               And wash away thy country’s stainèd⁵⁷ spots.

BURGUNDY

BURGUNDY     Either she hath bewitched me with her words,

               Or nature⁵⁹ makes me suddenly relent.

60

60   

PUCELLE

PUCELLE           Besides, all French and France exclaims on⁶⁰ thee,

               Doubting thy birth and lawful progeny.⁶¹

               Who join’st thou with, but with a lordly nation

               That will not trust thee but for profit’s sake?

               When Talbot hath set footing once in France

65

65           And fashioned thee that instrument of ill,

               Who then but English Henry will be lord

               And thou be thrust out like a fugitive?

               Call we to mind, and mark but⁶⁸ this for proof:

               Was not the Duke of Orléans thy foe?

70

70           And was he not in England prisoner?

               But when they heard he was thine enemy,

               They set him free without his ransom paid,

               In spite of Burgundy and all his friends.

               See, then, thou fight’st against thy countrymen,

75

75           And join’st with them⁷⁵ will be thy slaughtermen.

               Come, come, return; return, thou wandering⁷⁶ lord:

               Charles and the rest will take thee in their arms.

BURGUNDY

BURGUNDY     I am vanquished: these haughty⁷⁸ words of hers Aside

               Have battered me like roaring cannon-shot,

80

80           And made me almost yield upon my knees.

               Forgive me, country, and sweet countrymen:

               And, lords, accept this hearty⁸² kind embrace.

               My forces and my power⁸³ of men are yours.

               So farewell, Talbot: I’ll no longer trust thee.

85

85   

PUCELLE

PUCELLE           Done like a Frenchman: turn and turn again. Aside

CHARLES

CHARLES     Welcome, brave duke: thy friendship makes us fresh.⁸⁶

BASTARD

BASTARD     And doth beget⁸⁷ new courage in our breasts.

ALENÇON

ALENÇON     Pucelle hath bravely⁸⁸ played her part in this,

               And doth deserve a coronet⁸⁹ of gold.

90

90   

CHARLES

CHARLES           Now let us on, my lords, and join our powers,

               And seek how we may prejudice⁹¹ the foe.

       Exeunt

Act 3 Scene 43.4

running scene 12

       Enter King [Henry VI], Gloucester, [Bishop of] Winchester, [Richard Plantagenet, now Duke of] York, Suffolk, Somerset, Warwick, Exeter, [Vernon, Basset and others]. To them, with his Soldiers, Talbot

TALBOT

TALBOT     My gracious prince, and honourable peers,

               Hearing of your arrival in this realm,

               I have awhile given truce unto my wars,

               To do⁴ my duty to my sovereign:

5

5             In sign whereof, this arm, that hath reclaimed⁵

               To your obedience fifty fortresses,

               Twelve cities and seven walled towns of strength,

               Beside five hundred prisoners of esteem,⁸

               Lets fall his sword before your highness’ feet,

10

10           And with submissive loyalty of heart

               Ascribes the glory of his conquest got

               First to my God and next unto your grace. He kneels

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Is this the lord Talbot, uncle Gloucester,

               That hath so long been resident in France?

15

15   

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER           Yes, if it please your majesty, my liege.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Welcome, brave captain and victorious lord. To Talbot

               When I was young, as yet I am not old,

               I do remember how my father said

               A stouter¹⁹ champion never handled sword.

20

20           Long since we were resolvèd²⁰ of your truth,

               Your faithful service and your toil in war,

               Yet never have you tasted our reward,

               Or been reguerdoned²³ with so much as thanks,

               Because till now we never saw your face.

25

25           Therefore stand up, and for these good deserts²⁵ Talbot rises

               We here create you Earl of Shrewsbury,

               And in our coronation take your place.

       Sennet. Flourish

       Exeunt all but Vernon and Basset

VERNON

VERNON     Now sir, to you that were so hot²⁸ at sea,

               Disgracing²⁹ of these colours that I wear

30

30           In honour of my noble lord of York,

               Dar’st thou maintain the former words thou spak’st?

BASSET

BASSET     Yes, sir, as well as you dare patronage³²

               The envious³³ barking of your saucy tongue

               Against my lord the Duke of Somerset.

35

35   

VERNON

VERNON           Sirrah,³⁵ thy lord I honour as he is.

BASSET

BASSET     Why, what is he? As good a man as York.

VERNON

VERNON     Hark ye, not so: in witness, take ye that.

       Strikes him

BASSET

BASSET     Villain, thou know’st the law of arms³⁸ is such

               That whoso draws a sword ’tis present³⁹ death,

40

40           Or else this blow should broach⁴⁰ thy dearest blood.

               But I’ll unto his majesty, and crave⁴¹

               I may have liberty⁴² to venge this wrong,

               When thou shalt see I’ll meet thee to thy cost.

VERNON

VERNON     Well, miscreant,⁴⁴ I’ll be there as soon as you,

45

45           And after⁴⁵ meet you sooner than you would.

       Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 1

running scene 13

       Enter King [Henry VI], Gloucester, [Bishop of] Winchester, York, Suffolk, Somerset, Warwick, Talbot, and [the] Governor [of Paris and] Exeter

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Lord Bishop, set the crown upon his head.

WINCHESTER

WINCHESTER     God save King Henry, of that name the sixth! Crowns King Henry

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Now, Governor of Paris, take your oath,

               That you elect⁴ no other king but him;

5

5             Esteem⁵ none friends but such as are his friends,

               And none your foes but such as shall pretend⁶

               Malicious practices against his state:

               This shall ye do, so help you righteous God.

       Enter Falstaff

FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF     My gracious sovereign, as I rode from Calais

10

10           To haste unto your coronation,

               A letter was delivered to my hands, He shows the letter

               Writ to your grace from th’Duke of Burgundy.

TALBOT

TALBOT     Shame to the Duke of Burgundy and thee!

               I vowed, base knight, when I did meet thee next,

15

15           To tear the Garter¹⁵ from thy craven’s leg, Plucks it off

               Which I have done, because unworthily

               Thou wast installèd in that high degree.

               Pardon me, princely Henry, and the rest:

               This dastard,¹⁹ at the battle of Patay,

20

20           When but in all I was six thousand strong

               And that the French were almost ten to one,

               Before we met or that a stroke was given,

               Like to a trusty squire did run away:

               In which assault we lost twelve hundred men.

25

25           Myself and divers²⁵ gentlemen beside

               Were there surprised and taken prisoners.

               Then judge, great lords, if I have done amiss:

               Or whether that such cowards ought to wear

               This ornament of knighthood: yea or no?

30

30   

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER             To say the truth, this fact³⁰ was infamous

               And ill beseeming any common³¹ man,

               Much more a knight, a captain³² and a leader.

TALBOT

TALBOT     When first this order was ordained, my lords,

               Knights of the Garter were of noble birth,

35

35           Valiant and virtuous, full of haughty courage,³⁵

               Such as were grown to credit³⁶ by the wars:

               Not fearing death, nor shrinking for³⁷ distress,

               But always resolute in most extremes.

               He then that is not furnished³⁹ in this sort

40

40           Doth but usurp the sacred name of knight,

               Profaning this most honourable order,

               And should, if I were worthy to be judge,

               Be quite degraded,⁴³ like a hedge-born swain

               That doth presume to boast of gentle⁴⁴ blood.

45

45   

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Stain to thy countrymen, thou hear’st thy doom:⁴⁵

               Be packing,⁴⁶ therefore, thou that wast a knight:

               Henceforth we banish thee on pain of death.

       [Exit Falstaff]

               And now, my Lord Protector, view the letter

               Sent from our uncle Duke of Burgundy.

50

50   

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER           What means his grace, that he hath changed his style?⁵⁰

               No more but⁵¹ plain and bluntly ‘To the king’?

               Hath he forgot he is his sovereign?

               Or doth this churlish⁵³ superscription

               Pretend⁵⁴ some alteration in good will?

55

55           What’s here? — ‘I have upon especial cause, Reads

               Moved with compassion of my country’s wrack,⁵⁶

               Together with the pitiful complaints

               Of such as your oppression feeds upon,

               Forsaken your pernicious⁵⁹ faction

60

60           And joined with Charles, the rightful King of France.’

               O monstrous treachery! Can this be so?

               That in alliance, amity and oaths,

               There should be found such false dissembling guile?

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI What? Doth my uncle Burgundy revolt?⁶⁴

65

65   

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER           He doth, my lord, and is become your foe.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Is that the worst this letter doth contain?

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     It is the worst, and all, my lord, he writes.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Why then Lord Talbot there shall talk with him

               And give him chastisement⁶⁹ for this abuse.

70

70           How say you, my lord? Are you not content?

TALBOT

TALBOT     Content, my liege? Yes: but⁷¹ that I am prevented,

               I should have begged I might have been employed.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Then gather strength⁷³ and march unto him straight:

               Let him perceive how ill we brook⁷⁴ his treason

75

75           And what offence it is to flout⁷⁵ his friends.

TALBOT

TALBOT     I go, my lord, in heart desiring still⁷⁶

               You may behold confusion⁷⁷ of your foes.

       [Exit]

       Enter Vernon and Basset

VERNON

VERNON     Grant me the combat,⁷⁸ gracious sovereign.

BASSET

BASSET     And me, my lord, grant me the combat too.

80

80   

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK This is my servant:⁸⁰ hear him, noble prince. Pointing to Vernon

SOMERSET

SOMERSET     And this is mine, sweet Henry, favour him. Pointing to Basset

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Be patient, lords, and give them leave to speak.

               Say, gentlemen, what makes you thus exclaim,⁸³

               And wherefore crave you combat, or with whom?

85

85   

VERNON

VERNON           With him, my lord, for he hath done me wrong.

BASSET

BASSET     And I with him, for he hath done me wrong.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI What is that wrong whereof you both complain?

               First let me know, and then I’ll answer you.

BASSET

BASSET     Crossing the sea from England into France,

90

90           This fellow here with envious⁹⁰ carping tongue,

               Upbraided me about the rose I wear,

               Saying the sanguine⁹² colour of the leaves

               Did represent my master’s blushing cheeks,

               When stubbornly he did repugn⁹⁴ the truth

95

95           About a certain question⁹⁵ in the law

               Argued betwixt the Duke of York and him:

               With other vile and ignominious terms:

               In confutation⁹⁸ of which rude reproach

               And in defence of my lord’s worthiness,

100

100         I crave the benefit¹⁰⁰ of law of arms.

VERNON

VERNON     And that is my petition,¹⁰¹ noble lord:

               For though he seem with forgèd¹⁰² quaint conceit

               To set¹⁰³ a gloss upon his bold intent,

               Yet know, my lord, I was provoked by him,

105

105         And he first took exceptions at¹⁰⁵ this badge,

               Pronouncing that the paleness of this flower

               Bewrayed¹⁰⁷ the faintness of my master’s heart.

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK Will not this malice, Somerset, be left?

SOMERSET

SOMERSET     Your private grudge, my lord of York, will out,

110

110         Though ne’er so cunningly you smother it.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Good Lord, what madness rules in brainsick¹¹¹ men,

               When for so slight and frivolous a cause

               Such factious emulations¹¹³ shall arise?

               Good cousins¹¹⁴ both of York and Somerset,

115

115         Quiet yourselves, I pray, and be at peace.

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK Let this dissension first be tried by fight,

               And then your highness shall command a peace.

SOMERSET

SOMERSET     The quarrel toucheth¹¹⁸ none but us alone:

               Betwixt ourselves let us decide it then.

120

120 

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK There is my pledge:¹²⁰ accept it, Somerset.

VERNON

VERNON     Nay, let it rest¹²¹ where it began at first.

BASSET

BASSET     Confirm it so, mine honourable lord.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Confirm it so? Confounded¹²³ be your strife,

               And perish ye with your audacious prate:¹²⁴

125

125         Presumptuous vassals,¹²⁵ are you not ashamed

               With this immodest¹²⁶ clamorous outrage

               To trouble and disturb the king and us?

               And you, my lords, methinks you do not well

               To bear with their perverse objections:¹²⁹

130

130         Much less to take occasion¹³⁰ from their mouths

               To raise a mutiny¹³¹ betwixt yourselves.

               Let me persuade you take a better course.

EXETER

EXETER     It grieves his highness: good my lords, be friends.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Come hither, you that would be combatants:

135

135         Henceforth I charge you, as you love our favour,

               Quite to forget this quarrel and the cause.

               And you, my lords, remember where we are:

               In France, amongst a fickle wavering nation:

               If they perceive dissension in our looks

140

140         And that within ourselves¹⁴⁰ we disagree,

               How will their grudging stomachs¹⁴¹ be provoked

               To wilful disobedience, and rebel!¹⁴²

               Beside, what infamy will there arise,

               When foreign princes shall be certified,¹⁴⁴

145

145         That for a toy,¹⁴⁵ a thing of no regard,

               King Henry’s peers and chief nobility

               Destroyed themselves, and lost the realm of France!

               O, think upon the conquest of my father,

               My tender years, and let us not forgo¹⁴⁹

150

150         That¹⁵⁰ for a trifle that was bought with blood.

               Let me be umpire in this doubtful¹⁵¹ strife:

               I see no reason, if I wear this rose, Putting on a red rose

               That any one should therefore be suspicious¹⁵³

               I more incline to¹⁵⁴ Somerset than York:

155

155         Both are my kinsmen, and I love them both.

               As¹⁵⁶ well they may upbraid me with my crown,

               Because, forsooth,¹⁵⁷ the King of Scots is crowned.

               But your discretions¹⁵⁸ better can persuade

               Than I am able to instruct or teach:

160

160         And therefore, as we hither came in peace,

               So let us still continue peace and love.

               Cousin of York, we institute¹⁶² your grace

               To be our regent in these parts¹⁶³ of France:

               And good my lord of Somerset, unite

165

165         Your troops of horsemen with his bands of foot,¹⁶⁵

               And like true subjects, sons of your progenitors,¹⁶⁶

               Go cheerfully together and digest¹⁶⁷

               Your angry choler¹⁶⁸ on your enemies.

               Ourself, my Lord Protector and the rest,

170

170         After some respite,¹⁷⁰ will return to Calais;

               From thence to England, where I hope ere long

               To be presented, by your victories,

               With Charles, Alençon and that traitorous rout.¹⁷³

       Flourish

       Exeunt all but York, Warwick, Exeter [and] Vernon

WARWICK

WARWICK     My lord of York, I promise you, the king

175

175         Prettily,¹⁷⁵ methought, did play the orator.

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK And so he did: but yet I like it not,

               In that he wears the badge of Somerset.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Tush, that was but his fancy,¹⁷⁸ blame him not:

               I dare presume, sweet prince, he thought no harm.

180

180 

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK An¹⁸⁰ if I wist he did—but let it rest:

               Other affairs must now be managèd.

       Exeunt [all but] Exeter

EXETER

EXETER     Well didst thou, Richard, to suppress thy voice:

               For had the passions¹⁸³ of thy heart burst out,

               I fear we should have seen deciphered¹⁸⁴ there

185

185         More rancorous spite, more furious raging broils,

               Than yet can be imagined or supposed:

               But howsoe’er, no simple¹⁸⁷ man that sees

               This jarring discord of nobility,

               This shouldering¹⁸⁹ of each other in the court,

190

190         This factious bandying¹⁹⁰ of their favourites,

               But that¹⁹¹ it doth presage some ill event.

               ’Tis much¹⁹² when sceptres are in children’s hands:

               But more, when envy¹⁹³ breeds unkind division,

               There comes the ruin, there begins confusion.¹⁹⁴

       Exit

[Act 4 Scene 2]4.2

running scene 14

       Enter Talbot, with Trump and Drum before Bordeaux

TALBOT

TALBOT     Go to the gates of Bordeaux, trumpeter:

               Summon their general unto the wall.

       [Trumpet] sounds. Enter General aloft

               English John Talbot, captains, calls you forth,

               Servant in arms to Harry King of England,

5

5             And thus he would:⁵ open your city gates,

               Be humble to us, call my sovereign yours,

               And do him homage as obedient subjects,

               And I’ll withdraw me and my bloody⁸ power.

               But if you frown upon this proffered peace,

10

10           You tempt the fury of my three attendants,

               Lean famine, quartering¹¹ steel, and climbing fire,

               Who in a moment even¹² with the earth

               Shall lay your stately and air-braving¹³ towers,

               If you forsake¹⁴ the offer of their love.

15

15   

GENERAL

GENERAL           Thou ominous¹⁵ and fearful owl of death,

               Our nation’s terror and their bloody scourge,

               The period¹⁷ of thy tyranny approacheth.

               On us thou canst not enter but by death:

               For I protest we are well fortified

20

20           And strong enough to issue out²⁰ and fight.

               If thou retire, the dauphin well appointed²¹

               Stands with the snares of war to tangle thee.

               On either hand thee²³ there are squadrons pitched,

               To wall²⁴ thee from the liberty of flight;

25

25           And no way canst thou turn thee for redress,²⁵

               But death doth front²⁶ thee with apparent spoil,

               And pale²⁷ destruction meets thee in the face:

               Ten thousand French have ta’en the sacrament²⁸

               To rive²⁹ their dangerous artillery

30

30           Upon no Christian soul but English Talbot:

               Lo, there thou stand’st, a breathing valiant man

               Of an invincible unconquered spirit:

               This is the latest³³ glory of thy praise

               That I thy enemy due³⁴ thee withal:

35

35           For ere the glass³⁵ that now begins to run

               Finish the process of his sandy hour,

               These eyes that see thee now well colourèd³⁷

               Shall see thee withered, bloody, pale and dead.

       Drum afar off

               Hark, hark, the dauphin’s drum, a warning bell,³⁹

40

40           Sings heavy⁴⁰ music to thy timorous soul,

               And mine shall ring thy dire⁴¹ departure out.

       Exit

TALBOT

TALBOT     He fables⁴² not: I hear the enemy:

               Out, some light horsemen, and peruse⁴³ their wings.

               O negligent and heedless⁴⁴ discipline,

45

45           How are we parked⁴⁵ and bounded in a pale?

               A little herd of England’s timorous deer,

               Mazed⁴⁷ with a yelping kennel of French curs.

               If we be English deer, be then in blood,⁴⁸

               Not rascal-like⁴⁹ to fall down with a pinch,

50

50           But rather, moody-mad:⁵⁰ and desperate stags

               Turn on the bloody hounds with heads of steel⁵¹

               And make the cowards stand⁵² aloof at bay:

               Sell every man his life as dear as mine,

               And they shall find dear⁵⁴ deer of us, my friends.

55

55           God and Saint George, Talbot and England’s right,

               Prosper our colours in this dangerous fight!

       Exeunt]

[Act 4 Scene 3]4.3

running scene 15

       Enter a Messenger that meets York. Enter York with Trumpet and many Soldiers

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK Are not the speedy scouts returned again,

               That dogged² the mighty army of the dauphin?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     They are returned, my lord, and give it out³

               That he is marched to Bordeaux with his power

5

5             To fight with Talbot: as he marched along,

               By your espials⁶ were discoverèd

               Two mightier troops than that the dauphin led,

               Which joined with him and made their march for Bordeaux.

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK A plague upon that villain Somerset,

10

10           That thus delays my promisèd supply

               Of horsemen, that were levied for this siege.

               Renownèd Talbot doth expect my aid,

               And I am louted¹³ by a traitor villain,

               And cannot help the noble chevalier:

15

15           God comfort him in this necessity:¹⁵

               If he miscarry,¹⁶ farewell wars in France.

       Enter another messenger [Sir William Lucy]

LUCY

LUCY     Thou princely leader of our English strength,

               Never so needful¹⁸ on the earth of France,

               Spur to the rescue of the noble Talbot,

20

20           Who now is girdled²⁰ with a waist of iron

               And hemmed about with grim destruction:

               To Bordeaux, warlike duke, to Bordeaux, York,

               Else farewell Talbot, France, and England’s honour.

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK O God, that Somerset, who in proud heart

25

25           Doth stop²⁵ my cornets, were in Talbot’s place,

               So should we save a valiant gentleman

               By forfeiting a traitor and a coward:

               Mad ire and wrathful fury makes me weep,

               That thus we die, while remiss²⁹ traitors sleep.

30

30   

LUCY

LUCY           O, send some succour to the distressed³⁰ lord.

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK He dies, we lose: I break my warlike word:

               We mourn, France smiles: we lose, they daily get,

               All ’long of³³ this vile traitor Somerset.

LUCY

LUCY     Then God take mercy on brave Talbot’s soul,

35

35           And on his son young John, who two hours since

               I met in travel toward his warlike father:

               This seven years did not Talbot see his son,

               And now they meet where both their lives are done.

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK Alas, what joy shall noble Talbot have

40

40           To bid his young son welcome to his grave?

               Away, vexation⁴¹ almost stops my breath,

               That sundered⁴² friends greet in the hour of death.

               Lucy, farewell: no more my fortune can,⁴³

               But curse the cause⁴⁴ I cannot aid the man.

45

45           Maine, Blois, Poitiers, and Tours are won away,

               ’Long all⁴⁶ of Somerset and his delay.

       Exeunt [all but Lucy]

LUCY

LUCY     Thus, while the vulture of sedition⁴⁷

               Feeds in the bosom of such great commanders,

               Sleeping neglection⁴⁹ doth betray to loss

50

50           The conquest of our scarce-cold⁵⁰ conqueror,

               That ever-living⁵¹ man of memory,

               Henry the Fifth: whiles they each other cross,⁵²

               Lives, honours, lauds,⁵³ and all hurry to loss.

       [Exit]

[Act 4 Scene 4]

running scene 16

       Enter Somerset with his army, [a Captain of Talbot’s with him]

SOMERSET

SOMERSET     It is too late, I cannot send them now:

               This expedition² was by York and Talbot

               Too rashly plotted. All our general force

               Might with a sally⁴ of the very town

5

5             Be buckled with:⁵ the over-daring Talbot

               Hath sullied all his gloss⁶ of former honour

               By this unheedful,⁷ desperate, wild adventure:

               York set him on to fight and die in shame,

               That, Talbot dead, great York might bear the name.

10

10   

CAPTAIN

CAPTAIN           Here is Sir William Lucy, who with me

               Set from our o’ermatched¹¹ forces forth for aid.

       [Enter Sir William Lucy]

SOMERSET

SOMERSET     How now, Sir William, whither were you sent?

LUCY

LUCY     Whither, my lord? From bought and sold¹³ Lord Talbot,

               Who, ringed about with bold adversity,

15

15           Cries out for noble York and Somerset,

               To beat assailing death from his weak legions:¹⁶

               And whiles the honourable captain there

               Drops bloody sweat from his war-wearied limbs,

               And, in advantage ling’ring,¹⁹ looks for rescue,

20

20           You, his false hopes, the trust²⁰ of England’s honour,

               Keep off aloof²¹ with worthless emulation:

               Let not your private discord²² keep away

               The levied succours²³ that should lend him aid,

               While he, renownèd noble gentleman,

25

25           Yields up his life unto a world of²⁵ odds.

               Orléans the Bastard, Charles, Burgundy,

               Alençon, Reignier, compass him about,²⁷

               And Talbot perisheth by your default.²⁸

SOMERSET

SOMERSET     York set him on:²⁹ York should have sent him aid.

30

30   

LUCY

LUCY           And York as fast upon your grace exclaims,

               Swearing that you withhold his levied host,³¹

               Collected for this expedition.

SOMERSET

SOMERSET     York lies: he might have sent³³ and had the horse:

               I owe him little duty, and less love,

35

35           And take foul scorn³⁵ to fawn on him by sending.

LUCY

LUCY     The fraud of England, not the force of France,

               Hath now entrapped the noble-minded Talbot:

               Never to England shall he bear his life,

               But dies betrayed to fortune by your strife.

40

40   

SOMERSET

SOMERSET           Come, go: I will dispatch the horsemen straight:

               Within six hours they will be at his aid.

LUCY

LUCY     Too late comes rescue: he is ta’en or slain.

               For fly he could not, if he would have fled,

               And fly would Talbot never, though⁴⁴ he might.

45

45   

SOMERSET

SOMERSET           If he be dead, brave Talbot, then adieu.

LUCY

LUCY     His fame lives in the world, his shame in you.

       Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 5]4.5

running scene 17

       Enter Talbot and his son [John]

TALBOT

TALBOT     O young John Talbot, I did send for thee

               To tutor thee in stratagems of war,

               That Talbot’s name might be in thee revived

               When sapless age and weak unable limbs

5

5             Should bring thy father to his drooping⁵ chair.

               But — O malignant⁶ and ill-boding stars —

               Now thou art come unto a feast of death,

               A terrible and unavoided⁸ danger:

               Therefore, dear boy, mount on my swiftest horse,

10

10           And I’ll direct thee how thou shalt escape

               By sudden¹¹ flight. Come, dally not, be gone.

JOHN

JOHN     Is my name Talbot? And am I your son?

               And shall I fly? O, if you love my mother,

               Dishonour not her honourable name,

15

15           To make a bastard and a slave of me:

               The world will say, he is not Talbot’s blood,

               That basely fled when noble Talbot stood.

TALBOT

TALBOT     Fly to revenge my death if I be slain.

JOHN

JOHN     He that flies so will ne’er return again.

20

20   

TALBOT

TALBOT           If we both stay, we both are sure to die.

JOHN

JOHN     Then let me stay and, father, do you fly:

               Your²² loss is great, so your regard should be;

               My worth unknown, no loss is known in me.

               Upon my death the French can little boast;

25

25           In yours they will, in you all hopes are lost.

               Flight cannot stain the honour you have won,

               But mine²⁷ it will, that no exploit have done.

               You fled for vantage,²⁸ everyone will swear:

               But if I bow,²⁹ they’ll say it was for fear.

30

30           There is no hope that ever I will stay,

               If the first hour I shrink and run away:

               Here on my knee I beg mortality,³²

               Rather than life preserved with infamy.

TALBOT

TALBOT     Shall all thy mother’s hopes lie in one tomb?

35

35   

JOHN

JOHN           Ay, rather than I’ll shame my mother’s womb.

TALBOT

TALBOT     Upon my blessing I command thee go.

JOHN

JOHN     To fight I will, but not to fly the foe.

TALBOT

TALBOT     Part of thy father may be saved in thee.

JOHN

JOHN     No part of him but will be shame in me.

40

40   

TALBOT

TALBOT           Thou never hadst renown, nor canst not lose it.

JOHN

JOHN     Yes, your renownèd name: shall flight abuse⁴¹ it?

TALBOT

TALBOT     Thy father’s charge⁴² shall clear thee from that stain.

JOHN

JOHN     You cannot witness for me, being slain.

               If death be so apparent,⁴⁴ then both fly.

45

45   

TALBOT

TALBOT           And leave my followers here to fight and die?

               My age⁴⁶ was never tainted with such shame.

JOHN

JOHN     And shall my youth be guilty of such blame?

               No more can I be severed from your side,

               Than can yourself yourself in twain divide:

50

50           Stay, go, do what you will, the like do I;

               For live I will not, if my father die.

TALBOT

TALBOT     Then here I take my leave of thee, fair son,

               Born to eclipse⁵³ thy life this afternoon:

               Come, side by side, together live and die,

55

55           And soul with soul from France to heaven fly.

       Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 6]

running scene 17 continues

       Alarum: excursions, wherein Talbot’s son [John] is hemmed about [by French soldiers], and Talbot rescues him

TALBOT

TALBOT     Saint George and victory! Fight, soldiers, fight:

               The Regent² hath with Talbot broke his word

               And left us to the rage of France his³ sword.

               Where is John Talbot? Pause, and take thy breath:

5

5             I gave thee life and rescued thee from death.

JOHN

JOHN     O, twice my father, twice am I thy son:

               The life thou gav’st me first was lost and done,

               Till with thy warlike sword, despite of fate,

               To my determined⁹ time thou gav’st new date.

10

10   

TALBOT

TALBOT           When from the dauphin’s crest¹⁰ thy sword struck fire,

               It warmed thy father’s heart with proud desire

               Of bold-faced victory. Then leaden age,

               Quickened¹³ with youthful spleen and warlike rage,

               Beat down Alençon, Orléans, Burgundy,

15

15           And from the pride¹⁵ of Gallia rescued thee.

               The ireful¹⁶ bastard Orléans, that drew blood

               From thee, my boy, and had the maidenhood¹⁷

               Of thy first fight, I soon encountered,

               And interchanging blows I quickly shed

20

20           Some of his bastard blood, and in disgrace²⁰

               Bespoke him thus: ‘Contaminated, base

               And misbegotten²² blood I spill of thine,

               Mean²³ and right poor, for that pure blood of mine

               Which thou didst force from Talbot, my brave boy.’

25

25           Here, purposing²⁵ the Bastard to destroy,

               Came in strong rescue. Speak, thy father’s care:

               Art thou not weary, John? How dost thou fare?

               Wilt thou yet leave the battle, boy, and fly,

               Now thou art sealed²⁹ the son of chivalry?

30

30           Fly, to revenge my death when I am dead:

               The help of one stands me in little stead.

               O, too much folly is it, well I wot,³²

               To hazard all our lives in one small boat.

               If I today die not with Frenchmen’s rage,

35

35           Tomorrow I shall die with mickle³⁵ age.

               By me they nothing gain, and if I stay

               ’Tis but the short’ning of my life one day.

               In thee thy mother dies, our household’s name,

               My death’s revenge, thy youth, and England’s fame:

40

40           All these and more we hazard by thy stay;

               All these are saved if thou wilt fly away.

JOHN

JOHN     The sword of Orléans hath not made me smart:⁴²

               These words of yours draw life-blood from my heart.

               On that advantage,⁴⁴ bought with such a shame,

45

45           To save a paltry life and slay bright fame,

               Before young Talbot from old Talbot fly,

               The⁴⁷ coward horse that bears me fall and die:

               And like⁴⁸ me to the peasant boys of France,

               To be shame’s scorn⁴⁹ and subject of mischance.

50

50           Surely, by all the glory you have won,

               An if I fly, I am not Talbot’s son.

               Then talk no more of flight, it is no boot:⁵²

               If son to Talbot, die at Talbot’s foot.

TALBOT

TALBOT     Then follow⁵⁴ thou thy desp’rate sire of Crete,

55

55           Thou Icarus: thy life to me is sweet:

               If thou wilt fight, fight by thy father’s side,

               And commendable proved, let’s die in pride.⁵⁷

       Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 7]

running scene 17 continues

       Alarum. Excursions. Enter old Talbot led [by a Servant]

TALBOT

TALBOT     Where is my other life? Mine own is gone.

               O, where’s young Talbot? Where is valiant John?

               Triumphant³ death, smeared with captivity,

               Young Talbot’s valour makes me smile at thee.

5

5             When he perceived me shrink and on my knee,

               His bloody sword he brandished over me,

               And like a hungry lion did commence

               Rough deeds of rage and stern impatience:⁸

               But when my angry guardant⁹ stood alone,

10

10           Tend’ring my ruin¹⁰ and assailed of none,

               Dizzy-eyed¹¹ fury and great rage of heart

               Suddenly made him from my side to start

               Into the clust’ring¹³ battle of the French:

               And in that sea of blood my boy did drench¹⁴

15

15           His over-mounting¹⁵ spirit, and there died,

               My Icarus, my blossom, in his pride.

SERVANT

SERVANT     O my dear lord, lo¹⁷ where your son is borne.

       Enter [Soldiers] with [the body of] John Talbot borne

TALBOT

TALBOT     Thou antic¹⁸ death, which laugh’st us here to scorn,

               Anon,¹⁹ from thy insulting tyranny,

20

20           Couplèd in bonds of perpetuity,

               Two Talbots, wingèd through the lither²¹ sky,

               In thy despite²² shall scape mortality.

               O thou whose wounds become hard-favoured²³ death, To John

               Speak to thy father ere thou yield thy breath.

25

25           Brave²⁵ death by speaking, whether he will or no:

               Imagine him a Frenchman and thy foe.

               Poor boy, he smiles, methinks, as who²⁷ should say,

               ‘Had death been French, then death had died today.’

               Come, come, and lay him in his father’s arms:

30

30           My spirit can no longer bear these harms.

               Soldiers, adieu: I have what I would have,

               Now my old arms are young John Talbot’s grave.

       Dies

       Enter Charles, Alençon, Burgundy, Bastard [of Orléans] and [Joan la] Pucelle

CHARLES

CHARLES     Had York and Somerset brought rescue in,

               We should have found a bloody day of this.

35

35   

BASTARD

BASTARD           How the young whelp³⁵ of Talbot’s, raging wood,

               Did flesh³⁶ his puny sword in Frenchmen’s blood.

PUCELLE

PUCELLE      Once I encountered him, and thus I said:

               ‘Thou maiden³⁸ youth, be vanquished by a maid.’

               But with a proud majestical high scorn,

40

40           He answered thus: ‘Young Talbot was not born

               To be the pillage⁴¹ of a giglot wench’:

               So rushing in the bowels⁴² of the French,

               He left me proudly, as unworthy fight.

BURGUNDY

BURGUNDY     Doubtless he would have made a noble knight:

45

45           See where he lies inhearsèd⁴⁵ in the arms

               Of the most bloody⁴⁶ nurser of his harms.

BASTARD

BASTARD     Hew them to pieces, hack their bones asunder

               Whose life was England’s glory, Gallia’s wonder.⁴⁸

CHARLES

CHARLES     O no, forbear: for that⁴⁹ which we have fled

50

50           During the life, let us not wrong it dead.

       Enter Lucy [with a French herald]

LUCY

LUCY     Herald, conduct me to the dauphin’s tent,

               To know who hath obtained the glory of the day.

CHARLES

CHARLES     On what submissive message⁵³ art thou sent?

LUCY

LUCY     Submission, dauphin? ’Tis a mere⁵⁴ French word:

55

55           We English warriors wot⁵⁵ not what it means.

               I come to know what prisoners thou hast ta’en

               And to survey⁵⁷ the bodies of the dead.

CHARLES

CHARLES     For prisoners ask’st thou? Hell our prison is.

               But tell me whom thou seek’st?

60

60   

LUCY

LUCY           But⁶⁰ where’s the great Alcides of the field,

               Valiant Lord Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury,

               Created for his rare⁶² success in arms

               Great Earl of Washford, Waterford, and Valence,

               Lord Talbot of Goodrich and Urchinfield,

65

65           Lord Strange of Blackmere, Lord Verdun of Alton,

               Lord Cromwell of Wingfield, Lord Furnival of Sheffield,

               The thrice victorious lord of Falconbridge,

               Knight of the noble order of Saint George,

               Worthy⁶⁹ Saint Michael and the Golden Fleece,

70

70           Great Marshal to Henry the Sixth

               Of all his wars within the realm of France?

PUCELLE

PUCELLE     Here is a silly stately style⁷² indeed:

               The Turk,⁷³ that two-and-fifty kingdoms hath,

               Writes not so tedious a style as this.

75

75           Him that thou magnifi’st with all these titles,

               Stinking and fly-blown⁷⁶ lies here at our feet.

LUCY

LUCY     Is Talbot slain, the Frenchmen’s only scourge,

               Your kingdom’s terror and black Nemesis?⁷⁸

               O were mine eyeballs into bullets turned,

80

80           That I in rage might shoot them at your faces!

               O, that I could but call these dead to life!

               It were enough to fright the realm of France.

               Were but his picture left amongst you here,

               It would amaze⁸⁴ the proudest of you all.

85

85           Give me their bodies, that I may bear them hence

               And give them burial as beseems⁸⁶ their worth.

PUCELLE

PUCELLE      I think this upstart is old Talbot’s ghost,

               He speaks with such a proud commanding spirit:

               For God’s sake let him have them: to keep them here,

90

90           They would but stink, and putrefy the air.

CHARLES

CHARLES     Go take their bodies hence.

LUCY

LUCY     I’ll bear them hence: but from their ashes⁹² shall be reared

               A phoenix that shall make all France afeard.

CHARLES

CHARLES     So⁹⁴ we be rid of them, do with them what thou wilt.

95

95           And now to Paris in this conquering vein:

               All will be ours, now bloody Talbot’s slain.

       Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 15.1

running scene 18

       Sennet. Enter King [Henry VI], Gloucester, and Exeter [attended]

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Have you perused the letters from the Pope,

               The Emperor, and the Earl of Armagnac?

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     I have, my lord, and their intent is this:

               They humbly sue unto⁴ your excellence

5

5             To have a godly peace concluded of⁵

               Between the realms of England and of France.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI How doth your grace affect their motion?⁷

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Well, my good lord, and as the only means

               To stop effusion of our Christian blood

10

10           And stablish¹⁰ quietness on every side.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Ay, marry, uncle, for I always thought

               It was both impious and unnatural

               That such immanity¹³ and bloody strife

               Should reign among professors of one faith.

15

15   

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER           Beside, my lord, the sooner to effect

               And surer bind this knot of amity,

               The Earl of Armagnac, near knit¹⁷ to Charles,

               A man of great authority in France,

               Proffers his only daughter to your grace

20

20           In marriage, with a large and sumptuous dowry.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Marriage, uncle? Alas, my years are young:²¹

               And fitter is my study and my books

               Than wanton²³ dalliance with a paramour.

               Yet call th’ambassadors, and as you please,

25

25           So let them have their answers every one:

       Exit Attendant

               I shall be well content with any choice

               Tends²⁷ to God’s glory and my country’s weal.

       Enter Winchester [in Cardinal’s habit], and three Ambassadors [one a Papal legate]

EXETER

EXETER     What, is my lord of Winchester installed, Aside

               And called unto a cardinal’s degree?²⁹

30

30           Then I perceive that will be verified³⁰

               Henry the Fifth did sometime³¹ prophesy:

               ‘If once he come to be a cardinal,

               He’ll make his cap³³ co-equal with the crown.’

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI My lords ambassadors, your several³⁴ suits

35

35           Have been considered and debated on:

               Your purpose is both good and reasonable:

               And therefore are we certainly resolved

               To draw³⁸ conditions of a friendly peace,

               Which by my lord of Winchester we mean

40

40           Shall be transported presently⁴⁰ to France.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     And for the proffer of my lord your master, To Armagnac ambassador

               I have informed his highness so at large⁴²

               As⁴³ liking of the lady’s virtuous gifts,

               Her beauty and the value of her dower,

45

45           He doth intend she shall be England’s queen.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI In argument⁴⁶ and proof of which contract,

               Bear her this jewel, pledge of my affection.

               And so, my Lord Protector, see them guarded

               And safely brought to Dover, wherein shipped⁴⁹

50

50           Commit them to the fortune of the sea.

       Exeunt [all but Winchester and Legate]

WINCHESTER

WINCHESTER     Stay, my lord legate, you shall first receive

               The sum of money which I promised

               Should be delivered to his holiness

               For clothing me in these grave ornaments.⁵⁴

55

55   

LEGATE

LEGATE           I will attend upon your lordship’s leisure.

       [Exit]

WINCHESTER

WINCHESTER     Now Winchester will not submit, I trow,⁵⁶

               Or be inferior to the proudest peer:

               Humphrey of Gloucester, thou shalt well perceive

               That neither in birth or for authority,

60

60           The bishop will be overborne by thee:

               I’ll either make thee stoop and bend thy knee,

               Or sack this country with a mutiny.⁶²

       Exit

Act 5 Scene 25.2

running scene 19

       Enter Charles, Burgundy, Alençon, Bastard [of Orléans], Reignier and Joan [la Pucelle]

CHARLES

CHARLES     These news, my lords, may cheer our drooping spirits:

               ’Tis said the stout² Parisians do revolt

               And turn again unto the warlike French.

ALENÇON

ALENÇON     Then march to Paris, royal Charles of France,

5

5             And keep not back your powers⁵ in dalliance.

PUCELLE

PUCELLE     Peace be amongst them, if they turn to us,

               Else ruin combat with⁷ their palaces.

       Enter Scout

SCOUT

SCOUT     Success unto our valiant general,

               And happiness to his accomplices.⁹

10

10   

CHARLES

CHARLES           What tidings send our scouts? I prithee speak.

SCOUT

SCOUT     The English army that divided was

               Into two parties, is now conjoined in one,

               And means to give you battle presently.

CHARLES

CHARLES     Somewhat too sudden, sirs, the warning is,

15

15           But we will presently provide¹⁵ for them.

BURGUNDY

BURGUNDY     I trust the ghost of Talbot is not there:

               Now he is gone, my lord, you need not fear.

PUCELLE

PUCELLE     Of all base passions, fear is most accursed.

               Command the conquest, Charles, it shall be thine:

20

20           Let Henry fret and all the world repine.²⁰

CHARLES

CHARLES     Then on, my lords, and France be fortunate!

       Exeunt

[Act 5 Scene 3]

running scene 19 continues

       Alarum. Excursions. Enter Joan la Pucelle

PUCELLE

PUCELLE     The regent conquers, and the Frenchmen fly.

               Now help, ye charming² spells and periapts,

               And ye choice³ spirits that admonish me,

               And give me signs of future accidents.⁴

       Thunder

5

5             You speedy helpers, that are substitutes⁵

               Under the lordly⁶ monarch of the north,

               Appear, and aid me in this enterprise.

       Enter Fiends

               This speedy and quick⁸ appearance argues proof

               Of your accustomed diligence to me.

10

10           Now, ye familiar spirits¹⁰ that are culled

               Out of the powerful regions under earth,

               Help me this once, that France may get the field.¹²

       They walk, and speak not

               O hold me not with silence over-long:

               Where¹⁴ I was wont to feed you with my blood,

15

15           I’ll lop a member¹⁵ off and give it you

               In earnest¹⁶ of a further benefit,

               So you do condescend to help me now.

       They hang their heads

               No hope to have redress?¹⁸ My body shall

               Pay recompense, if you will grant my suit.

       They shake their heads

20

20           Cannot my body nor blood-sacrifice

               Entreat you to your wonted furtherance?²¹

               Then take my soul — my body, soul and all —

               Before that England give the French the foil.²³

       They depart

               See, they forsake me! Now the time is come

25

25           That France must vail²⁵ her lofty-plumèd crest

               And let her head fall into England’s lap.

               My ancient²⁷ incantations are too weak,

               And hell too strong for me to buckle²⁸ with:

               Now, France, thy glory droopeth to the dust.

       Exit

       Excursions. Burgundy and York fight hand to hand. [The] French fly [leaving Joan la Pucelle in York’s power]

30

30   

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK Damsel of France, I think I have you fast:³⁰

               Unchain your spirits now with spelling³¹ charms

               And try if they can gain your liberty.

               A goodly prize, fit for the devil’s grace!³³

               See how the ugly witch doth bend her brows,³⁴

35

35           As if with³⁵ Circe she would change my shape!

PUCELLE

PUCELLE      Changed to a worser shape thou canst not be.

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK O, Charles the Dauphin is a proper³⁷ man:

               No shape but his can please your dainty³⁸ eye.

PUCELLE

PUCELLE      A plaguing mischief³⁹ light on Charles and thee,

40

40           And may ye both be suddenly surprised

               By bloody hands, in⁴¹ sleeping on your beds!

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK Fell banning hag,⁴² enchantress, hold thy tongue.

PUCELLE

PUCELLE      I prithee, give me leave to curse awhile.

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK Curse, miscreant,⁴⁴ when thou com’st to the stake.

       Exeunt

       Alarum. Enter Suffolk with Margaret in his hand

45

45   

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK           Be what thou wilt, thou art my prisoner.

       Gazes on her

               O fairest beauty, do not fear nor fly:

               For I will touch thee but with reverent hands:

               I kiss these fingers for⁴⁸ eternal peace,

               And lay⁴⁹ them gently on thy tender side.

50

50           Who art thou? Say, that I may honour thee.

MARGARET

MARGARET     Margaret my name, and daughter to a king,

               The King of Naples, whosoe’er thou art.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     An earl I am, and Suffolk am I called.

               Be not offended, nature’s miracle,

55

55           Thou art allotted⁵⁵ to be ta’en by me:

               So doth the swan her downy cygnets save,⁵⁶

               Keeping them prisoner underneath her wings:

               Yet if this servile usage⁵⁸ once offend,

               Go, and be free again, as Suffolk’s friend.

       She is going

60

60           O stay!— I have no power to let her pass; Aside

               My hand would free her, but my heart says no.

               As plays the sun upon the glassy⁶² streams,

               Twinkling⁶³ another counterfeited beam,

               So seems this gorgeous beauty to mine eyes.

65

65           Fain would I woo her, yet I dare not speak:

               I’ll call for pen and ink, and write my mind:

               Fie, de la Pole,⁶⁷ disable not thyself!

               Hast not a tongue? Is she not here?

               Wilt thou be daunted at a woman’s sight?⁶⁹

70

70           Ay, beauty’s princely majesty is such

               Confounds⁷¹ the tongue and makes the senses rough.

MARGARET

MARGARET     Say, Earl of Suffolk — if thy name be so —

               What ransom must I pay before I pass?

               For I perceive I am thy prisoner.

75

75   

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK           How canst thou tell she will deny thy suit, Aside

               Before thou make a trial of her love?

MARGARET

MARGARET     Why speak’st thou not? What ransom must I pay?

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     She’s beautiful, and therefore to be wooed: Aside

               She is a woman, therefore to be won.

80

80   

MARGARET

MARGARET           Wilt thou accept of ransom, yea or no?

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Fond⁸¹ man, remember that thou hast a wife: Aside

               Then how can Margaret be thy paramour?

MARGARET

MARGARET     I were best to leave him, for he will not hear. Aside

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     There all is marred: there lies a cooling card.⁸⁴ Aside

85

85   

MARGARET

MARGARET           He talks at random: sure, the man is mad. Aside

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     And yet a dispensation⁸⁶ may be had. Aside

MARGARET

MARGARET     And yet I would that you would answer me.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     I’ll win this Lady Margaret. For whom? Aside

               Why, for my king: tush, that’s a wooden thing.⁸⁹

90

90   

MARGARET

MARGARET           He talks of wood: it is some carpenter. Aside

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Yet so my fancy⁹¹ may be satisfied, Aside

               And peace establishèd between these realms.

               But there remains a scruple⁹³ in that too:

               For though her father be the King of Naples,

95

95           Duke of Anjou and Maine, yet is he poor,

               And our nobility will scorn the match.

MARGARET

MARGARET     Hear ye, captain? Are you not at leisure?

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     It shall be so, disdain⁹⁸ they ne’er so much. Aside

               Henry is youthful and will quickly yield.—

100

100         Madam, I have a secret to reveal. To Margaret

MARGARET

MARGARET     What though I be enthralled,¹⁰¹ he seems a knight, Aside

               And will not any way dishonour me.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Lady, vouchsafe to listen what I say.

MARGARET

MARGARET     Perhaps I shall be rescued by the French, Aside

105

105         And then I need not crave his courtesy.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Sweet madam, give me a hearing in a cause.

MARGARET

MARGARET     Tush, women have been captivate¹⁰⁷ ere now. Aside

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Lady, wherefore talk you so?

MARGARET

MARGARET     I cry you mercy,¹⁰⁹ ’tis but quid for quo.

110

110 

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK             Say, gentle princess, would you not suppose

               Your bondage happy¹¹¹ to be made a queen?

MARGARET

MARGARET     To be a queen in bondage is more vile¹¹²

               Than is a slave in base servility,¹¹³

               For princes should be free.

115

115 

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK             And so shall you,

               If happy England’s royal king be free.

MARGARET

MARGARET     Why, what concerns his freedom unto me?

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     I’ll undertake to make thee Henry’s queen,

               To put a golden sceptre in thy hand

120

120         And set a precious crown upon thy head,

               If thou wilt condescend to be my—

MARGARET

MARGARET      What?

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     His love.

MARGARET

MARGARET     I am unworthy to be Henry’s wife.

125

125 

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK             No, gentle madam, I unworthy am

               To woo so fair a dame to be his wife,

               And have no portion¹²⁷ in the choice myself.

               How say you, madam, are ye so content?

MARGARET

MARGARET     An if¹²⁹ my father please, I am content.

130

130 

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK             Then call our captains and our colours¹³⁰ forth,

               And, madam, at your father’s castle walls

               We’ll crave a parley,¹³² to confer with him.

       [Enter Captains, Colours and Trumpeters]

       Sound [a parley]. Enter Reignier on the walls

               See, Reignier, see, thy daughter prisoner.

REIGNIER

REIGNIER      To whom?

135

135 

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK             To me.

REIGNIER

REIGNIER      Suffolk, what remedy?¹³⁶

               I am a soldier, and unapt to weep,

               Or to exclaim on¹³⁸ fortune’s fickleness.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Yes, there is remedy enough, my lord:

140

140         Consent, and for thy honour give consent,

               Thy daughter shall be wedded to my king,

               Whom¹⁴² I with pain have wooed and won thereto:

               And this her easy-held¹⁴³ imprisonment

               Hath gained thy daughter princely liberty.

145

145 

REIGNIER

REIGNIER             Speaks Suffolk as he thinks?

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Fair Margaret knows

               That Suffolk doth not flatter, face,¹⁴⁷ or feign.

REIGNIER

REIGNIER     Upon thy princely warrant,¹⁴⁸ I descend

               To give thee answer of thy just¹⁴⁹ demand.

       [Exit from the walls]

150

150 

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK             And here I will expect¹⁵⁰ thy coming.

               Trumpets sound. Enter Reignier [below]

REIGNIER

REIGNIER     Welcome, brave earl, into our territories:

               Command in Anjou what your honour pleases.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Thanks, Reignier, happy¹⁵⁴ for so sweet a child,

155

155         Fit to be made companion with a king:

               What answer makes your grace unto my suit?

REIGNIER

REIGNIER     Since thou dost deign to woo her little worth¹⁵⁷

               To be the princely bride of such a lord,

               Upon condition I may quietly¹⁵⁹

160

160         Enjoy mine own, the country Maine and Anjou,

               Free from oppression or the stroke of war,

               My daughter shall be Henry’s, if he please.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     That is her ransom: I deliver her,

               And those two counties¹⁶⁴ I will undertake

165

165         Your grace shall well and quietly enjoy.

REIGNIER

REIGNIER     And I again¹⁶⁶ in Henry’s royal name,

               As deputy¹⁶⁷ unto that gracious king,

               Give thee her hand for sign of plighted¹⁶⁸ faith.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Reignier of France, I give thee kingly thanks,

170

170         Because this is in traffic¹⁷⁰ of a king.—

               And yet, methinks, I could be well content Aside

               To be mine own attorney¹⁷² in this case.—

               I’ll over then to England with this news, To Reignier

               And make this marriage to be solemnized:¹⁷⁴

175

175         So farewell, Reignier: set this diamond safe

               In golden palaces, as it becomes.¹⁷⁶

REIGNIER

REIGNIER     I do embrace thee, as I would embrace

               The Christian prince King Henry, were he here.

MARGARET

MARGARET     Farewell, my lord: good wishes, praise and prayers

180

180         Shall Suffolk ever have of Margaret.

       She is going

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Farewell, sweet madam: but hark you, Margaret:

               No princely¹⁸² commendations to my king?

MARGARET

MARGARET     Such commendations as becomes a maid,

               A virgin and his servant, say to him.

185

185 

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK             Words sweetly placed¹⁸⁵ and modestly directed.

               But madam, I must trouble you again;

               No loving token to his majesty?

MARGARET

MARGARET     Yes, my good lord, a pure unspotted heart,

               Never yet taint¹⁸⁹ with love, I send the king.

190

190 

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK             And this withal.¹⁹⁰

       Kisses her

MARGARET

MARGARET     That for thyself: I will not so presume

               To send such peevish¹⁹² tokens to a king.

       [Exeunt Reignier and Margaret]

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     O, wert thou for myself! But, Suffolk, stay:¹⁹³

               Thou mayst not wander in that labyrinth:¹⁹⁴

195

195         There Minotaurs and ugly treasons lurk.

               Solicit¹⁹⁶ Henry with her wondrous praise.

               Bethink¹⁹⁷ thee on her virtues that surmount,

               Mad natural graces that extinguish¹⁹⁸ art,

               Repeat their semblance¹⁹⁹ often on the seas,

200

200         That when thou com’st to kneel at Henry’s feet,

               Thou mayst bereave²⁰¹ him of his wits with wonder.

       Exit

[Act 5 Scene 4]5.4

running scene 20

       Enter York, Warwick, [a] Shepherd [and Joan la] Pucelle [guarded]

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK Bring forth that sorceress condemned to burn.

SHEPHERD

SHEPHERD     Ah, Joan, this kills thy father’s heart outright.

               Have I sought every country³ far and near,

               And now it is my chance⁴ to find thee out,

5

5             Must I behold thy timeless⁵ cruel death?

               Ah, Joan, sweet daughter Joan, I’ll die with thee.

PUCELLE

PUCELLE     Decrepit miser,⁷ base ignoble wretch,

               I am descended of a gentler⁸ blood.

               Thou art no father, nor no friend⁹ of mine.

10

10   

SHEPHERD

SHEPHERD           Out, out!¹⁰— My lords, an’t please you, ’tis not so:

               I did beget¹¹ her, all the parish knows:

               Her mother liveth yet, can testify

               She was the first fruit of my bach’lorship.¹³

WARWICK

WARWICK     Graceless, wilt thou deny thy parentage?

15

15   

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK This argues¹⁵ what her kind of life hath been:

               Wicked and vile, and so her death concludes.¹⁶

SHEPHERD

SHEPHERD     Fie, Joan, that thou wilt be so obstacle:¹⁷

               God knows thou art a collop¹⁸ of my flesh,

               And for thy sake have I shed many a tear:

20

20           Deny me not, I prithee, gentle Joan.

PUCELLE

PUCELLE     Peasant, avaunt!²¹— You have suborned this man, To the English

               Of²² purpose to obscure my noble birth.

SHEPHERD

SHEPHERD     ’Tis true, I gave a noble²³ to the priest

               The morn that I was wedded to her mother.

25

25           Kneel down and take my blessing, good my girl.

               Wilt thou not stoop? Now cursèd be the time

               Of thy nativity:²⁷ I would the milk

               Thy mother gave thee when thou sucked’st her breast,

               Had been a little ratsbane²⁹ for thy sake.

30

30           Or else, when thou didst keep³⁰ my lambs afield,

               I wish some ravenous wolf had eaten thee.

               Dost thou deny thy father, cursèd drab?³²—

               O burn her, burn her: hanging is too good.

       Exit

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK Take her away; for she hath lived too long,

35

35           To fill the world with vicious qualities.

PUCELLE

PUCELLE     First let me tell you whom you have condemned:

               Not one begotten of a shepherd swain,³⁷

               But issued from the progeny³⁸ of kings:

               Virtuous and holy, chosen from above,

40

40           By inspiration of celestial grace,

               To work exceeding⁴¹ miracles on earth.

               I never had to do⁴² with wicked spirits:

               But you that are polluted with your lusts,

               Stained with the guiltless blood of innocents,

45

45           Corrupt and tainted with a thousand vices:

               Because you want⁴⁶ the grace that others have,

               You judge it straight⁴⁷ a thing impossible

               To compass⁴⁸ wonders but by help of devils.

               No misconceivèd,⁴⁹ Joan of Arc hath been

50

50           A virgin from her tender⁵⁰ infancy,

               Chaste and immaculate in very thought,

               Whose maiden blood thus rigorously⁵² effused

               Will cry for vengeance at the gates of heaven.

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK Ay, ay.— Away with her to execution. To Guards

55

55   

WARWICK

WARWICK           And hark ye, sirs: because she is a maid,

               Spare⁵⁶ for no faggots: let there be enough:

               Place barrels of pitch⁵⁷ upon the fatal stake,

               That so her torture may be shortenèd.

PUCELLE

PUCELLE     Will nothing turn your unrelenting hearts?

60

60           Then, Joan, discover⁶⁰ thine infirmity,

               That warranteth⁶¹ by law to be thy privilege.

               I am with child, ye bloody homicides:

               Murder not then the fruit within my womb,

               Although ye hale⁶⁴ me to a violent death.

65

65   

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK Now heaven forfend,⁶⁵ the holy maid with child?

WARWICK

WARWICK     The greatest miracle that e’er ye wrought.

               Is all your strict preciseness⁶⁷ come to this?

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK She and the dauphin have been juggling.⁶⁸

               I did imagine what would be her refuge.⁶⁹

70

70   

WARWICK

WARWICK           Well, go to: we’ll have no bastards live,

               Especially since Charles must father it.

PUCELLE

PUCELLE     You are deceived: my child is none of his:

               It was Alençon that enjoyed my love.

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK Alencon, that notorious machiavel?⁷⁴

75

75           It dies, an⁷⁵ if it had a thousand lives.

PUCELLE

PUCELLE      O give me leave, I have deluded you:

               ’Twas neither Charles nor yet the duke I named,

               But Reignier, King of Naples, that prevailed.⁷⁸

WARWICK

WARWICK     A married man: that’s most intolerable!

80

80   

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK Why, here’s a girl! I think she knows not well,

               There were so many, whom she may accuse.

WARWICK

WARWICK     It’s sign she hath been liberal and free.⁸²

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK And yet, forsooth, she is a virgin pure.—

               Strumpet, thy words condemn thy brat and thee.

85

85           Use no entreaty, for it is in vain.

PUCELLE

PUCELLE      Then lead me hence, with whom I leave my curse:

               May never glorious sun reflex⁸⁷ his beams

               Upon the country where you make abode:

               But darkness and the gloomy shade of death

90

90           Environ you, till mischief and despair

               Drive you to break your necks or hang yourselves!

       Exit [guarded]

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK Break thou in pieces and consume⁹² to ashes,

               Thou foul accursèd minister⁹³ of hell!

       Enter [Bishop of Winchester, now] Cardinal [attended]

WINCHESTER

WINCHESTER     Lord Regent, I do greet your excellence

95

95           With letters of commission⁹⁵ from the king.

               For know, my lords, the states of Christendom,

               Moved with remorse⁹⁷ of these outrageous broils,

               Have earnestly implored a general peace

               Betwixt our nation and the aspiring⁹⁹ French,

100

100         And here at hand the dauphin and his train

               Approacheth to confer about some matter.

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK Is all our travail¹⁰² turned to this effect?

               After the slaughter of so many peers,

               So many captains, gentlemen and soldiers,

105

105         That in this quarrel have been overthrown

               And sold their bodies for their country’s benefit,

               Shall we at last conclude effeminate peace?

               Have we not lost most part of all the towns,

               By treason, falsehood and by treachery,

110

110         Our great progenitors had conquerèd?

               O Warwick, Warwick, I foresee with grief

               The utter loss of all the realm of France.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Be patient, York: if we conclude¹¹³ a peace,

               It shall be with such strict and severe covenants¹¹⁴

115

115         As little shall the Frenchmen gain thereby.

       Enter Charles, Alençon, Bastard [of Orléans] and Reignier

CHARLES

CHARLES     Since, lords of England, it is thus agreed

               That peaceful truce shall be proclaimed in France,

               We come to be informèd by yourselves

               What the conditions of that league must be.

120

120 

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK Speak, Winchester, for boiling choler chokes

               The hollow passage of my poisoned voice,

               By sight of these our baleful¹²² enemies.

WINCHESTER

WINCHESTER     Charles and the rest, it is enacted¹²³ thus:

               That, in regard¹²⁴ King Henry gives consent,

125

125         Of mere¹²⁵ compassion and of lenity,

               To ease your country of distressful¹²⁶ war,

               And suffer¹²⁷ you to breathe in fruitful peace,

               You shall become true liegemen¹²⁸ to his crown.

               And, Charles, upon condition thou wilt swear

130

130         To pay him tribute,¹³⁰ and submit thyself,

               Thou shalt be placed as viceroy under him,

               And still enjoy thy regal dignity.

ALENÇON

ALENÇON     Must he be then as shadow of himself?

               Adorn his temples with a coronet,¹³⁴

135

135         And yet in substance and authority

               Retain but¹³⁶ privilege of a private man?

               This proffer¹³⁷ is absurd and reasonless.

CHARLES

CHARLES     ’Tis known already that I am possessed

               With more than half the Gallian¹³⁹ territories,

140

140         And therein reverenced for¹⁴⁰ their lawful king.

               Shall I, for lucre¹⁴¹ of the rest unvanquished,

               Detract so much from that prerogative,

               As to be called but viceroy of the whole?

               No, lord ambassador, I’ll rather keep

145

145         That which I have than, coveting for more,

               Be cast¹⁴⁶ from possibility of all.

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK Insulting Charles, hast thou by secret means

               Used intercession to obtain a league,

               And, now the matter grows to compromise,¹⁴⁹

150

150         Stand’st thou aloof upon comparison?¹⁵⁰

               Either accept the title thou usurp’st,

               Of benefit¹⁵² proceeding from our king

               And not of any challenge of desert,¹⁵³

               Or we will plague thee with incessant wars.

155

155 

REIGNIER

REIGNIER             My lord, you do not well in obstinacy Aside to Charles

               To cavil¹⁵⁶ in the course of this contract:

               If once it be neglected,¹⁵⁷ ten to one

               We shall not find like opportunity.

ALENÇON

ALENÇON     To say the truth, it is your policy Aside to Charles

160

160         To save your subjects from such massacre

               And ruthless slaughters as are daily seen

               By our proceeding in hostility:

               And therefore take this compact¹⁶³ of a truce,

               Although you break it when your pleasure serves.

165

165 

WARWICK

WARWICK             How say’st thou, Charles? Shall our condition¹⁶⁵ stand?

CHARLES

CHARLES     It shall:

               Only reserved¹⁶⁷ you claim no interest

               In any of our towns of garrison.¹⁶⁸

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK

RICHARD DUKE OF YORK Then swear allegiance to his majesty,

170

170         As thou art knight, never to disobey

               Nor be rebellious to the crown of England,

               Thou, nor thy nobles, to the crown of England.

               So, now dismiss your army when ye please:

               Hang up your ensigns,¹⁷⁴ let your drums be still,

175

175         For here we entertain¹⁷⁵ a solemn peace.

       Exeunt

Act 5 [Scene 5]*

running scene 21

       Enter Suffolk in conference with King [Henry VI], Gloucester and Exeter

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Your wondrous rare description, noble earl,

               Of beauteous Margaret hath astonished me:

               Her virtues gracèd with external gifts

               Do breed love’s settled⁴ passions in my heart,

5

5             And like as rigour⁵ of tempestuous gusts

               Provokes⁶ the mightiest hulk against the tide,

               So am I driven by breath of her renown

               Either to suffer shipwreck or arrive

               Where I may have fruition of her love.

10

10   

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK           Tush, my good lord, this superficial tale

               Is but a preface of her worthy praise:¹¹

               The chief perfections of that lovely dame,

               Had I sufficient skill to utter them,

               Would make a volume of enticing lines,

15

15           Able to ravish any dull conceit:¹⁵

               And, which is more, she is not so divine,

               So full¹⁷ replete with choice of all delights,

               But with as humble lowliness¹⁸ of mind

               She is content to be at your command:

20

20           Command, I mean, of virtuous chaste intents,

               To love and honour Henry as her lord.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI And otherwise will Henry ne’er presume:

               Therefore, my Lord Protector, give consent

               That Margaret may be England’s royal queen.

25

25   

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER           So should I give consent to flatter²⁵ sin.

               You know, my lord, your highness is betrothed

               Unto another lady of esteem:²⁷

               How shall we then dispense with that contract,²⁸

               And not deface your honour with reproach?²⁹

30

30   

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK           As doth a ruler with unlawful oaths,

               Or one that, at a triumph³¹ having vowed

               To try his strength, forsaketh yet the lists³²

               By reason of his adversary’s odds.

               A poor earl’s daughter is unequal odds,

35

35           And therefore may be broke³⁵ without offence.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Why, what, I pray, is Margaret more than that?

               Her father is no better than an earl,

               Although in glorious titles he excel.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Yes, my lord, her father is a king,

40

40           The King of Naples and Jerusalem,

               And of such great authority in France

               As his alliance will confirm⁴² our peace

               And keep the Frenchmen in allegiance.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     And so the Earl of Armagnac may do,

45

45           Because he is near kinsman unto Charles.

EXETER

EXETER     Beside, his wealth doth warrant⁴⁶ a liberal dower,

               Where⁴⁷ Reignier sooner will receive than give.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     A dower, my lords? Disgrace not so your king,

               That he should be so abject, base and poor,

50

50           To choose for wealth and not for perfect love.

               Henry is able to enrich his queen,

               And not to seek a queen to make him rich:

               So worthless peasants bargain for their wives,

               As market men for oxen, sheep, or horse.

55

55           Marriage is a matter of more worth

               Than to be dealt in by attorneyship:⁵⁶

               Not whom we will,⁵⁷ but whom his grace affects,

               Must be companion of his nuptial bed.

               And therefore, lords, since he affects her most,

60

60           Most of all these reasons bindeth us,

               In our opinions she should be preferred.⁶¹

               For what is wedlock forcèd but a hell,

               An age of discord and continual strife?

               Whereas the contrary bringeth bliss,

65

65           And is a pattern⁶⁵ of celestial peace.

               Whom should we match with Henry, being a king,

               But Margaret, that is daughter to a king?

               Her peerless feature,⁶⁸ joinèd with her birth,

               Approves⁶⁹ her fit for none but for a king:

70

70           Her valiant courage and undaunted spirit,

               More than in women commonly is seen,

               Will answer our hope in issue⁷² of a king.

               For Henry, son unto a conqueror,

               Is likely to beget more conquerors,

75

75           If with a lady of so high resolve,⁷⁵

               As is fair Margaret, he be linked in love.

               Then yield, my lords, and here conclude with me

               That Margaret shall be queen, and none but she.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Whether it be through force of your report,

80

80           My noble lord of Suffolk, or for that⁸⁰

               My tender youth was never yet attaint⁸¹

               With any passion of inflaming love,

               I cannot tell: but this I am assured,

               I feel such sharp dissension⁸⁴ in my breast,

85

85           Such fierce alarums both of hope and fear,

               As I am sick with working of my thoughts.

               Take therefore shipping: post,⁸⁷ my lord, to France:

               Agree to any covenants, and procure⁸⁸

               That Lady Margaret do vouchsafe to come

90

90           To cross the seas to England, and be crowned

               King Henry’s faithful and anointed⁹¹ queen.

               For your expenses and sufficient charge,⁹²

               Among the people gather up a tenth.⁹³

               Be gone, I say, for, till you do return,

95

95           I rest perplexèd with a thousand cares.

               And you, good uncle, banish all offence:⁹⁶

               If you do censure⁹⁷ me by what you were,

               Not what you are, I know it will excuse

               This sudden execution of my will.

100

100         And so conduct me where from company¹⁰⁰

               I may revolve and ruminate¹⁰¹ my grief.

       Exit

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Ay, grief, I fear me, both at first and last.

       Exit [with Exeter]

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Thus Suffolk hath prevailed, and thus he goes

               As did the youthful Paris¹⁰⁴ once to Greece,

105

105         With hope to find the like event¹⁰⁵ in love,

               But prosper better than the Trojan did:

               Margaret shall now be queen, and rule the king:

               But I will rule both her, the king, and realm.

       Exit

Textual Notes

F = First Folio text of 1623, the only authority for the play

F2 = a correction introduced in the Second Folio text of 1632

Ed = a correction introduced by a later editor

SD = stage direction

SH = speech heading (i.e., speaker’s name)

List of parts = Ed

1.1.60 Champaigne = F. Ed = Compiègne Rouen = Ed. Not in F, but implicit in the text 92 dauphin = Ed. F = Dolphin 94 Reignier = Ed. F = Reynold 131 Falstaff = F. Ed = Fastolf 176 steal = Ed. F = send

1.2.21 fly = F. Ed = flee 30 bred = Ed. F = breed 47 SH CHARLES = Ed. F = Dolph. 65 SH PUCELLE = Ed. F = Puzel 99 five = Ed. F = fine

1.3.6 SH FIRST SERVINGMAN = Ed. F = Glost. I. Man. 19 The Cardinal = F. Ed = My lord 29 umpire = F2. F = Vmpheir 30 peeled spelled Piel’d in F 42 scarlet = F. Ed = purple 49 cardinal’s hat = F. Ed = bishop’s mitre 56 scarlet = F. Ed = cloakèd 56 SD [Bishop of Winchester’s] = Ed. F = Cardinalls 73 SH OFFICER = Ed. Not in F 77 Cardinal = F. Ed = Bishop 82 cardinal’s = F. Ed = bishop is

1.4.10 Wont = Ed. F = Went 27 Earl = F. Ed. = Duke 66 lords = F. Ed = Lou 69 SD shoot = Ed. F = shot SD fall = Ed. F = falls 89 Bear…it moved from its position in F two lines before, since the body referred to cannot be that of Salisbury, and must be that of Gargrave 95 Nero = Ed

1.6.21 pyramid = Ed. F = pyramis 22 of = Ed. F = or

2.1.5 SH FIRST SENTINEL = Ed. F = Sent. 80 SD [The French] fly = Ed. F = they flye (F has additional “Exeunt” cue for the French one line above)

2.2.20 Arc = Ed. F = Acre

2.4.0 SD Suffolk = Ed. F = Poole 1 SH RICHARD PLANTAGENET = Ed. F = Yorke 41 are…tree = F. Ed = from the tree are cropped 57 law = Ed. F = you 118 wiped = F2 (wip’t). F = whipt 133 gentles = Ed. F = gentle. Ed = gentle sirs/gentlemen

2.5.33 SH FIRST JAILER = Ed. F = Keeper 71 King = Ed. F2 = K. Not in F 75 the = F2. Not in F 76 the king = Ed. F = hee 129 mine ill = Ed. F = my will

3.1.56 see = F. Ed = so 167 that = Ed. F = that all

4.1.19 Patay = Ed. F = Poictiers. Probably an authorial error, since the battle of Poitiers took place much earlier 48 my = Ed. Not in F SD [Flourish] = Ed. F places in stage direction eight lines later 180 wist = Ed. F = wish

4.2.15 SH GENERAL = Ed. F = Cap. 29 rive = F. Ed = fire

4.3.17 SH LUCY = Ed. F = 2. Mes. 53 lauds = F. Ed = lands

4.4.16 legions = Ed. F = Regions. Suggested compositorial confusion between Shakespeare’s lower-case “l” and “r,” which similarly occurs in other plays 19 in advantage = F. Ed = unadvantaged 31 host = F. Ed = horse

4.7.17 SD Enter…borne = Ed. F places one line earlier 63 Washford = F. Ed = Wexford 89 them = Ed. F = him 94 them = Ed. F = him

Act 5 Scene 1 = Ed. F = Scena secunda

5.2 Scene 2 = Ed. F = Scoena Tertia SD Pucelle = Ed. F = Ione 57 her = Ed. F = his 160 country = F. Ed = countries 185 modestly = F2. F = modestie

5.4.10 an’t = Ed. F = and 37 one = Ed. F = me 49 Arc = Ed. F = Aire 93 SD Enter…Cardinal = Ed. F places two lines earlier

5.5.60 Most = F. Ed. = It most or That most

Act 1 Scene 1

 1.1   Location: Westminster Abbey, London    Dead march solemn piece of music accompanying a funeral; probably played with a muffled drum

    1    Hung…black some scholars believe that the projecting roof or canopy over the Elizabethan stage (the heavens) was conventionally draped with black for the performance of a tragedy

    2    Comets these were thought to presage change and were often deemed to be evil omens    states circumstances/ruling bodies

    3    Brandish flourish/shine, flash    crystal tresses clear, gleaming strands (of hair—i.e., the comets’ tails)

    4    scourge punish, whip revolting rebellious stars thought to influence human destiny

    5    consented unto conspired in

    6    too…long Henry died when he was thirty-five, after a nine-year reign

    9    Virtue merit/grace/power

  10    his its

  12    replete with full of

  15    What…say? i.e., I have not words to express it

  16    He…conquerèd he never raised his arm (i.e., sword) without conquering the enemy

  17    in blood i.e., by declaring war against the French

  18    revive live again

  19    wooden plays on the sense of “unfeeling, lifeless”

  22    car chariot (to which captives were traditionally bound, to be paraded through the streets by the victors)

  23    of mishap of evil influence, that bring misfortune

  24    plotted schemed/mapped out

  25    subtle-witted crafty, clever

  27    verses spells, incantations    contrived plotted

  28    King of Kings name for Christ, used especially during descriptions of Judgement Day (Revelations 19:16)

  30    dreadful awe-inspiring, causing dread and fear

  31    Lord of hosts frequent biblical name for God

  32    prosperous successful, fortunate

  33    prayed i.e., for Henry’s downfall; puns on “preyed”

  34    thread of life in classical mythology, the three Fates spun, measured out and cut the thread of a person’s life

  35    effeminate prince weak, unmanly ruler

  36    overawe i.e., repress and control

  37    Protector surrogate ruler of the realm, while the new king was too young to reign; Henry VI was a baby when Henry V died

  38    lookest expect

  41    the flesh worldly, material pleasures/sexual pursuits

  44    jars discords, conflicts

  47    avail not are of no use or advantage

  48    await for expect, anticipate

  49    at…suck babies are suckled only by their mother’s tears

  50    nourish nurse

  52    invocate invoke, summon

  53    broils turmoil, conflict

  54    adverse planets planets of unfavorable influences

  55    star…Caesar according to Roman tradition, the great ruler’s soul was turned into a star

  59    discomfiture overthrow, utter defeat

  60    Champaigne Compiègne (not Champagne)

  64    burst his lead break out of the leaden inner lining of the wooden coffin

  67    yield the ghost die

  69    want lack

  71    several separate, divisive

  72    field battle    dispatched prepared, organized

  73    of about

  77    guileful deceitful, devious

  79    new-begot newly created

  80    flower-de-luces fleur-de-lis, or lily of France; after Edward III claimed his right to the French throne, the flower was incorporated into the English royal coat of    arms arms coat of arms

  81    coat coat of arms

  82    wanting to lacking for

  83    her i.e., England’s    tides picks up on    tidings

  84    Regent ruler in the king’s absence

  85    steelèd coat armor

  88    intermissive coming at intervals

  89    mischance misfortune

  90    quite entirely

  91    petty small, insignificant

  92    dauphin title of the French king’s eldest son, heir to the throne

  93    Bastard illegitimate son of Charles, Duke of Orléans

  97    fly flee (Gloucester shifts the sense to “rush upon in attack”)    reproach shame, disgrace

100    forwardness readiness, preparedness

104    bedew i.e., wet with tears

105    dismal disastrous, ominous    fight i.e., the battle of Patay, which, historically, took place after the siege of Orléans that is depicted in the following two scenes

109    circumstances details

110    tenth of August historically, 18 June (1429)    dreadful frightening, inspiring dread and awe

112    full scarce barely

114    round encompassèd completely surrounded

115    enrank draw up in battle ranks

116    wanted lacked    pikes stakes bound with iron and sharpened at either end, set in the ground to protect archers from enemy cavalry

118    confusedly in a disorderly manner

121    above human thought beyond human belief

123    stand resist

126    agazed on amazed by, gaping at

128    A to    amain forcefully

129    bowels innards, intestines

130    sealed up finished

131    Falstaff historically “Fastolf”; not the character who features in 1 and 2 Henry IV and is declared dead in Henry V

133    With on

135    wrack wreck, ruin

136    Enclosèd surrounded

137    Walloon inhabitant of a region that is now part of southern Belgium    grace favor

142    pomp luxury, splendor

144    dastard foemen cowardly enemies

149    hale haul, drag

151    change exchange

154    keep celebrate    Saint George’s feast 23 April, feast day of the patron saint of England    withal with

159    supply reinforcements, relief

160    hardly with difficulty

163    quell crush, overcome

167    Tower Tower of London, which housed the royal armory

170    Eltham royal palace nine miles southeast of London, on the road to Canterbury

171    Being as I am    special governor guardian

175    Jack-out-of-office a knave who has been dismissed from his post

177    sit…stern control the ship of state, i.e., assume the government    public weal the commonwealth, the state

Act 1 Scene 2

1.2   Location: the French camp, near Orléans, a town on the River Loire, south of Paris    flourish trumpet fanfare accompanying a person in authority    Drum drummers

    1    Mars…moving the exact orbit of the planet Mars (a source of uncertainty to Elizabethan astronomers); Mars was also the Roman god of war

    3    Late recently

    5    moment importance

    7    Otherwhiles at times

    9    want lack    porridge vegetable stew    bull-beeves bull-beef, joints of beef

  10    dieted fed

  11    provender animal feed, fodder

  13    raise put an end to

  14    wont used, were accustomed

  16    fretting impatience, bad temper spend his gall wear out his bitterness

  18    alarum call to arms

  19    forlorn in imminent danger of death

  23    dastards cowards

  25    homicide murderer

  28    hungry a transferred epithet; the lions are hungry for the prey

  29    Froissart Jean Froissart, fourteenth-century French author who chronicled contemporary conflicts between France and England

  30    all…Rowlands like the two knights in the twelfth-century poem La Chanson de Roland (The Song of Roland), who embody Christian virtue, heroism and true friendship

  33    Samsons and Goliases biblical characters famed for great strength; Samson appears in Judges 14, and Goliath (Golias), the giant killed by David, in 1 Samuel 17

  34    skirmish do battle,   fight one…ten one (English) man for every ten (French)

  35    raw-boned skeleton-like, excessively lean or gaunt    rascals lean, inferior deer in a herd

  37    hare-brained slaves reckless villains

  38    eager fierce, hungry for violence

  40    forsake give up, leave

  41    gimmers gimmals, mechanical connecting links, used especially for transmitting motion    device mechanism

  42    still continually

  44    consent agreement (to your suggestion to leave this town)    even completely

  48    cheer appalled face pale

  49    wrought worked, brought about    offence harm

  53    Ordainèd destined, appointed by God    raise put an end to    tedious harrowing, lengthy

  54    forth out of    bounds territory

  56    nine sibyls female prophets from classical times, not exclusively from Rome and usually said to be ten in number

  57    descry discern, see

  60    try test

  62    proudly haughtily, with authority

  63    sound probe, measure    Joan [la] Pucelle i.e., Joan of Arc; pucelle is French for “maid, virgin,” with play on “puzzel,” i.e., “whore”

  65    beguile deceive

  70    apart aside

  71    takes upon her takes the initiative boldly/plays her part splendidly    at first dash from the outset, at the first encounter (with sexual connotations)

  73    wit intellect    art scholarship, learning

  74    our Lady gracious the Virgin Mary, God’s (Christ’s) mother

  75    contemptible estate lowly, humble condition

  76    Lo look (a general speech marker; may pun on “low”)    tender young

  83    complete perfect

  84    black and swart dark, unattractive, and swarthy

  85    infused on shed on, poured into

  88    unpremeditated spontaneously

  91    Resolve on be assured of

  92    mate companion, brother-in-arms (with play on the sense of “sexual partner”; warlike may pun on “whorelike”)

  93    high terms lofty/eloquent words

  94    proof test

  95    buckle fight at close quarters, grapple (plays on sense of “have sex”)

  96    vanquishest overcome me

  97    confidence trust, belief/intimacy

  98    keen-edged sharp

  99    Decked adorned    flower-de-luces fleurs-de-lis, the lily on French coat of arms

100    Touraine region in central France    Saint Katherine fourth-century saint and virgin martyr who was beheaded for her Christian faith; Joan of Arc claimed to have seen her in a vision

102    a in

103    I’ll…man unwitting sexual innuendo

104    Amazon mythical race of female warriors

105    Deborah Old Testament prophetess who lead the Israelites in revolt against their Canaanite oppressors (Judges 4 and 5)

106    else otherwise

108    thy desire the same urge to fight that you feel/sexual desire for you

111    servant plays on the notion of sexual service

112    sueth to begs, woos

114    profession religious calling, profession of faith

116    recompense return, repayment

117    gracious with divine grace/with favor    prostrate either figurative (“adoring, submissive”) or Charles may literally still be on the floor after the fight    thrall slave

119    shrives hears confession and grants absolution/undresses/has sex with    smock undergarment

120    protract extend (plays on notion of penile erection)

121    mean limit, measure

122    know perhaps with sexual connotations (to know: to have sex with)

123    shrewd cunning, artful    tongues speech/tongues used sexually

124    where are you what are your intentions    devise you on do you decide upon, are you planning

125    give o’er abandon, leave

126    recreants cowards, deserters, those who abandon the true cause

129    scourge one sent by God to punish

131    Saint Martin’s summer a late spell of fine weather; Saint Martin’s day is November 11    halcyon’s days a period of calm (from the legend that the kingfisher laid its eggs in a nest on the surface of the water; whilst they incubated the waters remained untroubled)

138    insulting exultant, mocking

139    Caesar…once in a story related by the ancient writer Plutarch, Caesar tells a sea captain not to fear the rough weather as his ship contains both Caesar and Caesar’s good fortune

140    Mahomet…dove Mohammed, the prophet and founder of Islam who received divine revelations from a dove that whispered in his ear; sceptics said that he had merely trained the bird to nibble corn lodged there

141    with by    eagle a Christian symbol

142    Helen mother of the emperor    Constantine; after being led by a vision to the discovery of the true cross, she converted her son to Christianity, which he made the official religion in the Roman Empire

143    Saint Philip’s daughters four virgins said to have prophetic powers (Acts 21:9)

144    Venus Roman goddess of love; the planet Venus is known as the Morning Star

148    immortalized gain immortal fame

149    Presently immediately

Act 1 Scene 3

 1.3   Location: the Tower of London    blue coats Gloucester’s livery and the typical color of Elizabethan servants’ uniforms

    2    conveyance trickery, theft

    3    warders guards

    8    Villains scoundrels/base servants

  10    willed ordered

  12    none no other

  13    Break up open    warrantize guarantee, surety

  14    flouted mocked, taunted

  19    Cardinal an error; he has only just been made a Cardinal in Act 5 Scene 1

  22    prizest him ’fore do you esteem him more than

  24    brook endure

  26    shut…shortly have you dismissed immediately    tawny yellowish brown, the color of the uniform worn by summoners or officers of an ecclesiastical court

  29    umpire one who sets himself up as arbitrator (Second Folio’s emendation of Folio’s “Vmpheir”; some editors emend to “Humphrey,” but there is no reason for the bishop to use his adversary’s Christian name)

  30    Peeled bald, tonsured

  31    proditor traitor

  34    contrived’st plotted    dead lord i.e., Henry V

  35    whores…sin the see of the Bishop of Winchester owned and leased land in Southwark, an area south of the Thames notorious for brothels; prostitutes were known as “Winchester geese”    indulgences official documents, purchasable from the Church, that granted absolution from sin

  36    canvass entangle in a net/sift, examine, as through a canvas sieve/punish (literally toss in a canvas sheet)    cardinal’s hat also the name of a long-standing Southwark brothel; the Bishop of Winchester does not actually become a cardinal until later in the play

  39    Damascus…Cain the city of Damascus, in Syria, was thought to have been built at the place where Adam and Eve’s son Cain murdered his brother Abel

  42    bearing-cloth christening robe

  44    beard defy (literally, pull insultingly by the beard)

  45    dared challenged

  46    for all this despite this being    privilegèd place i.e., royal residence, where it was illegal to draw swords

  50    dignities dignitaries

  53    Winchester goose syphilitic swelling in the groin/client of prostitutes a rope i.e., for flogging (dominant sense); also “hangman’s noose/penis/parrot’s cry (abusive)”    hurly-burly tumult, uproar

  57    Fie expression of impatience

  58    contumeliously disgracefully, insolently

  61    distrained seized

  63    still constantly, always motions promotes, urges

  64    O’ercharging…fines i.e., overburdening with heavy taxation (levied to fund war)    free generous

  68    prince ruler, king

  70    rests remains

  74    repair return

  75    several various

  78    break reveal, broach    at large in full

  81    call for clubs give the rallying cry for apprentices armed with clubs (used to suppress a riot)

  84    Abominable loathsome (often popularly “inhuman, unnatural”)

  85    ere before

  87    stomachs tempers, anger

Act 1 Scene 4

 1.4   Location: Orléans, France

    1    Sirrah sir (used to inferiors)

    2    suburbs outskirts, areas outside the city walls

    7    grace honor/favor

    8    espials spies

    9    close entrenched securely dug-in/fortified nearby

  10    Wont are accustomed

  14    inconvenience harm, injury

  15    ordnance cannon, artillery    gainst aimed at

  21    take…care do not worry

  30    baser of lower birth or rank    man of arms soldier

  32    cravèd entreated

  33    pilled peeled, i.e., reduced, worthless, deprived of honor

  34    In fine in short, to sum up    redeemed ransomed

  38    entertained treated

  39    contumelious contemptuous, insolent

  47    grisly grim, terrifying

  48    sudden immediate

  52    spurn kick adamant a legendary substance of unsurpassed hardness

  53    Wherefore for which reason    chosen shot specially selected marksman

  54    every minute while at one-minute intervals    linstock forked stick for holding the gunner’s lighted match

  64    express precise, considered

  65    batt’ry assault, bombardment

  67    bulwark manned fortification

  68    aught anything, what

  69    enfeeblèd weakened

  72    chance unfortunate event    crossed thwarted

  74    mirror i.e., model, image

  76    fatal deadly/that deals fate

  80    trump trumpet

  86    wants lacks

  93    As as one

  95    Plantagenet Salisbury (Thomas Montacute) was a descendant of Edward III    Nero…burn Roman emperor, Nero supposedly played music (popularly “fiddled”) while Rome burned

  97    only in at the mere sound of    lightens lightning flashes

100    gathered head raised an army, drawn their forces together

103    power army

105    irks distresses

107    Puzzel or pucelle though it means the opposite, the word had in England taken on a slang sense of “whore”    dolphin i.e., Dauphin (pronounced in the same way)

109    mingled mixed together/mangled

110    Convey me convey (me is emphatic)

Act 1 Scene 5

    2    stay prevent

    4    bout of fighting/of sex

    5    dam mother    conjure control with incantations, exorcise (perhaps “have sex with”)

    6    Blood…witch superstition held anyone who drew blood from a witch was then protected from her spells

    7    him the devil/the dauphin

  10    courage vigor, spirit

  12    high-minded arrogant

  14    victual supply with provisions

  17    testament will

  21    Hannibal famous third-century Carthaginian general who once outwitted his Roman enemies by tying firebrands to the horns of a vast herd of oxen so that they thought they were outnumbered

  22    lists pleases

  23    noisome noxious

  26    whelps puppies

  28    England’s coat coat of arms, in which three    lions featured, quartered with the French fleur-de-lis

  29    give display    stead place

  30    treacherous cowardly

  32    subduèd overcome, subjugated

  33    It…be i.e., it is useless

  34    consented unto conspired to bring about

  35    his revenge revenge of him

  38    would if only, I wish

Act 1 Scene 6

    *    walls city walls

    1    Advance raise aloft    colours military banners or flags

    4    Astraea Greek goddess of justice

    6    Adonis’ garden mythical garden of extraordinary fertility

  10    hap chance, fortune

  16    played the men performed our role of soldier, displayed manliness

  21    pyramid…Memphis Rhodope was a Greek courtesan, who married a king of Memphis and supposedly built the third Egyptian pyramid

  25    rich-jewelled…Darius King of Persia, conquered by Alexander the Great; the coffer is either Darius’ jeweled treasure chest (in which Alexander stored the works of Homer), or his coffin

  26    high elaborate, important

  28    Saint Denis patron saint of France

Act 2 Scene 1

    *    band company of soldiers guarding the town

    3    apparent clear, manifest

    4    court of guard guardhouse

    5    servitors soldiers, those who perform military service

    7    Constrained obliged    scaling-ladders used by soldiers to climb defensive fortifications    dead march funeral march or simply march played on muffled drums

    8    redoubted revered/feared

    9    approach arrival

  10    Wallon region that is now part of southern Belgium

  11    happy fortunate    secure carefree/overconfident

  14    quittance requite, repay

  15    art magic    baleful malignant, deadly

  16    Coward of France! i.e., the dauphin    fame reputation

  17    fortitude strength

  23    prove not masculine does not turn out to be a man/turns out to be a woman (by getting pregnant)

  24    standard military banner/soldier who carries the banner/erect penis

  25    carry armour wear armor/bear the weight of a man in armor (during sex)

  26    practise and converse scheme and talk, associate/have sex

  28    flinty hard, stony

  31    several separate, various

  34    yond yonder, that (over there)    ready dressed

  43    I trow I am sure

  47    venturous risky    desperate reckless, hazardous

  50    marvel…sped wonder how he fared

  51    holy may pun on “holey” (i.e., “with a vagina,” imaging Joan in her sexual capacity)

  52    cunning magic/skill/craftiness

  53    flatter falsely encourage    withal with it

  56    impatient angry

  57    alike in the same way

  58    prevail be victorious

  60    Improvident careless, shortsighted

  61    mischief calamity, harm    fall’n befallen, happened

  62    default failure, negligence

  64    weighty charge important responsibility

  65    quarters part of an army camp/rooms, apartments    kept guarded, secured

  66    government control, management

  67    surprised ambushed, assaulted

  71    her quarter Joan’s rooms (possibly plays sexually on sense of “hindquarters”)    precinct sector, area of control

  72    passing moving

  73    About concerned with    relieving…sentinels possibly plays on the sense of “sexually relieving my erection”

  77    But only

  78    rests remains    shift strategy

  80    platforms plans    endamage them harm the enemy

  83    spoils plunder, booty

Act 2 Scene 2

    2    pitchy black (as pitch, a tarlike substance)    Retreat trumpet signal recalling the pursuing force

    5    advance display/raise

    7    vow i.e., of vengeance

  11    ruin death, destruction

  16    mournful sorrowful, causing grief

  19    muse wonder

  20    champion one who fights for another, defendant    virtuous said with irony

  28    trull whore

  30    turtle-doves emblematic of faithful love, they supposedly formed couples for life

  33    power military force

  40    vouchsafe grant, deign

  41    poor humble lies lives

  43    report plays on the sense of “explosion of a gun or cannon”

  45    comic sport amusing entertainment (sport plays on the sense of “sexual activity”)

  46    encountered with met/fought with/had sex with

  47    despise scorn    gentle kind/courteous/honorable

  48    world i.e., great number

  49    oratory eloquence, rhetorical skill

  50    overruled prevailed

  52    attend on visit, wait on

  55    unbidden uninvited

  57    remedy alternative

  58    prove try/test sexually

  60    mind intention

  61    mean mean to act

Act 2 Scene 3

 2.3   Location: the castle of the Countess of Auvergne, near Orléans, France

    1    gave in charge ordered

    6    Tomyris…death in revenge for her son’s death, Queen Tomyris killed his murderer, the Persian king Cyrus, and put his head in a wineskin full of blood

    9    Fain willingly

  10    censure opinion (not necessarily negative)    rare exceptional/splendid

  16    abroad everywhere, out in the world

  17    still silence

  18    fabulous fantastical, fictitious

  19    Hercules famous Greek hero and demigod, possessed of exceptional strength

  20    Hector famed Trojan warrior    for in terms of    grim aspect stern expression

  21    proportion size, bulk    strong-knit powerfully built, well constructed

  22    silly feeble, weak

  23    writhled wrinkled

  27    sort arrange, choose

  31    Marry by the Virgin Mary    for that because    in…belief under a misapprehension

  32    I…here i.e., by leaving I demonstrate that I am the real Talbot, independent-minded and not inclined to listen to insults/I go as a means of demonstrating my presence

  36    trained lured

  37    shadow portrait/(illusory) image built on reputation/insubstantial thing    thrall slave

  41    tyranny cruelty, oppressive violence

  42    Wasted ravaged/exhausted

  43    captivate into captivity

  46    fond foolish

  47    aught nothing

  55    least…humanity smallest part of humankind (here referring to the army)

  56    frame structure, i.e., the body/the army

  57    pitch height

  59    merchant fellow/trader (in riddles)    for the nonce as the occasion requires

  61    contrarieties paradoxes, contradictions

  62    presently immediately    Winds blows    ordnance artillery

  66    yoketh subjects, imprisons, yokes like an animal

  67    Razeth wipes out, obliterates    subverts overthrows

  69    abuse insulting, aggressive behavior/delusion, misconception

  70    bruited reported, proclaimed

  74    entertain receive

  75    misconster misconstrue

  80    patience permission

  81    cates delicacies

  82    stomachs appetites

Act 2 Scene 4

 2.4   Location: London, a garden at the Temple (area west of the City that housed the Inns of Court, where young men studied law)

    2    case of truth legal term for a case that is to be resolved by considering the facts rather than any ethical implications; given the ensuing dialogue, the dispute may have been one concerning Plantagenet’s claim to the throne

    3    were would have been

    6    Or else perhaps “or alternatively, to put it another way,” but probably Plantagenet simply inquires, “Was I right or was Somerset wrong?,” to which he can only receive a favorable answer    wrangling quarreling/disputing (formally on an academic issue)

    7    a truant negligent

    8    frame adapt

  11    pitch height (falconry term: highest point in the flight of a bird of prey)

  12    mouth bark

  13    blades swords’ blades    temper quality, hardness

  14    bear him carry himself

  16    shallow naive

  17    nice precise, fastidious    sharp subtle, discerning    quillets fine distinctions

  18    daw jackdaw, a proverbially stupid bird

  19    mannerly forbearance courteous reluctance (to be involved)

  20    naked evident, palpable

  21    purblind partially blind

  22    apparelled dressed (as opposed to being naked)

  24    blind i.e., totally blind as opposed to merely purblind

  26    significants signs

  28    stands insists

  29    pleaded stated (legal sense)

  30    white rose badge of the Mortimers (from whom Richard is descended) and then the House of York

  32    party side

  33    red rose badge of the House of Lancaster

  34    colours literally, hues/corroborative evidence (legal sense)/military banners    colour outward appearance

  38    withal with it

  42    yield concede in law

  43    objected urged, brought forward as an argument

  44    subscribe submit, agree (literally, sign a document)

  47    maiden unblemished, pure

  53    Opinion public opinion, reputation (a shift from the usual sense in the previous line)

  54    still always

  60    scabbard sheath for a sword    meditating that thinking on that which

  62    counterfeit imitate

  69    canker parasitic grub that destroys plants

  71    his its

  75    false dishonest (also continues Somerset’s accusation that Richard is counterfeit)

  77    fashion sort/fashion of wearing a red rose peevish foolish/stubborn

  79    Pole Suffolk’s family name

  80    turn…throat throw the slanders back down your throat

  82    grace favor, ennoble    yeoman man who owns property but is not a gentleman

  84    grandfather ancestor (actually his great-great-grandfather)

  86    crestless without heraldic crest/without a top to his family tree (an image picked up on in root)/with lowered (cock’s) crest, i.e., cowardly

  87    bears…privilege relies on the fact that this is a privileged place (where it was forbidden to draw swords)

  88    craven cowardly

  89    maintain stand by, defend

  93    attainted tainted, corrupt/subject to attainder (legal term), i.e., unable to inherit property or title from a relative who received the death penalty

  96    be restored have title and property returned, be reinstated

  97    attachèd, not attainted arrested, but not made legally subject to attainder (perhaps having been executed on the king’s orders, without being formally indicted by bill of attainder)

100    Were…will i.e., given the opportunity

101    partaker part-taker, supporter

102    note record/brand

103    apprehension opinion

104    Look to it beware it, expect it

107    spite contempt

109    cognizance badge, distinguishing mark

112    degree rank

115    Have with thee I will go with you

116    braved defied, insulted    perforce of necessity

117    object bring forward as a charge, an accusation

119    for…of to make peace between

122    in signal as a sign

124    party side

126    faction dissent, forming of factions

131    still always

133    gentles gentlemen

Act 2 Scene 5

 2.5   Location: the Tower of London

    1    keepers carers, nurses/jailers

    3    haled hauled, dragged rack torture instrument that stretched the limbs

    5    pursuivants messengers (one of whose tasks was to announce the imminent arrival of their master)

    6    Nestor oldest of the Greek leaders who fought at Troy; famed for his wisdom    care anxiety, sorrow

    9    Wax grow    exigent end

  10    overborne overburdened

  11    pithless feeble, lacking “pith” or vital essence

  13    stay is numb support is paralyzed

  16    witting knowing

  22    his wrong the wrong done to him

  23    Henry Monmouth Henry V, so nicknamed because he was born at Monmouth, a town in southern Wales near the English border

  25    sequestration imprisonment/loss of income

  26    even exactly

  28    arbitrator one who decides and settles a matter between opposed parties

  29    umpire one brought in to decide a matter when arbitrators cannot agree

  30    enlargement release

  31    his i.e., Richard’s

  35    used treated

  36    late lately, recently

  38    latter last

  40    kindly in kinship

  41    stock main body of a tree or plant

  44    disease pronounced “dis-ease”

  47    lavish unrestrained, excessive

  49    obloquy disgrace, slander    set…tongue made me speechless/made me grit my teeth (in rage)

  50    requited repaid, answered

  53    alliance’ kinship’s, family’s    declare explain

  59    Discover reveal    at large fully

  64    nephew relative (here, cousin)    Richard, Edward’s son Richard II, son to Edward III; the deposition is dramatized in Richard II

  67    whose i.e., Henry IV’s    Percies Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland, and his son (nicknamed “Hotspur”); these events are dramatized in 1 and 2 Henry IV

  70    moved that moved

  74    mother actually his grandmother, daughter to the Duke of Clarence; probably this Edmund Mortimer is being confused with his uncle of the same name, although “mother” can mean “female ancestor” derivèd descended

  77    John of Gaunt Edward III’s fourth son

  79    mark pay attention    haughty proud, aspiring

  80    They i.e., the Mortimers and the Percies

  83    Bullingbrook i.e., Henry IV, known by this name before he was king

  87    hard severe

  88    weening aiming, thinking

  89    diadem crown

  94    issue children

  95    warrant guarantee

  96    gather infer/regain (the inheritance)

  97    studious diligent

  98    admonishments warnings

101    politic prudent

104    removing departing (i.e., dying)

105    cloyed sickened, satiated

108    passage passing

111    except unless    sorrow…good mourn for the good in me/can use your grief for my (posthumous) advantage, i.e., revenge

112    give order make arrangements

117    overpassed lived out, spent

119    let that rest leave that alone

122    dusky dim, flickering (perhaps referring to his failing eyesight)

123    of…sort belonging to less noble people (i.e., Bullingbrook and his supporters)

124    for as for

125    house family

128    blood i.e., inheritance rights

129    make…good turn the wrongs done to me to my advantage, let my injuries fuel my ambition

Act 3 Scene 1

 3.1   Location: London, parliament    offers…bill attempts to present a list of accusations

     1    deep premeditated lines carefully planned statements

     5    invention stratagem/fabrication/written exposition    suddenly spontaneously

     6    extemporal unplanned

     7    object bring forward in accusation

     8    commands my patience obliges me to endure this

  10    preferred put forward

  11    vile contemptible, shameful

  12    forged fabricated, invented

  13    Verbatim word for word/orally    rehearse relate, repeat    method…pen order and arrangement of what I have written

  15    lewd low, wicked    pestiferous poisonous, deadly    dissentious quarrelsome, provoking disorder    pranks wicked deeds, malicious acts

  16    As very that even

  17    pernicious destructive    usurer moneylender who charges (often very high) interest; another reference to the leasing of land in Southwark and sanctioning of brothels there

  18    Froward demanding, stubborn

  19    wanton dissolute    beseems befits, is appropriate to

  20    degree position, status

  21    for as for

  24    sifted closely examined

  26    envious malicious    swelling arrogant

  31    haps happens, chances

  32    wonted customary, usual

  34    except unless

  35    that that which

  37    sway rule, have influence

  38    about concerned with

  43    bastard Winchester was the illegitimate son of John of Gaunt by Catherine Swynford (whom Gaunt later married)

  45    imperious acting like a king

  46    saucy insolent

  48    keeps resides for defense

  49    patronage protect

  51    reverent worthy of respect

  52    Touching concerning    function role, occupation

  53    Rome i.e., the Pope

  55    forbear desist

  56    overborne overruled, subdued

  58    office duty, behavior    such i.e.,    religious persons

  59    his lordship i.e., Winchester

  61    holy state ecclesiastical status    touched…near so closely concerned

  65    sirrah term of address for social inferiors

  67    fling verbal attack

  69    weal commonwealth, state

  73    jar clash, quarrel

  74    tender years historically, Henry, a baby when his father died, was five at the time of this dispute

  75    viperous worm malevolent, poisonous snake

  76    bowels insides, intestines    tawny-coats i.e., ecclesiastical officials, supporters of Winchester

  83    late lately

  85    banding themselves forming groups    contrary parts opposing parties

  86    pate head (s)

  87    giddy consumed by disorder, mad with fury

  92    mitigate calm, lessen

  94    as just as

  95    peevish foolish/stubborn

100    suffer allow

102    disgracèd insulted; treated without reverent respect    inkhorn mate mere scribe (i.e., low status)

105    parings trimmings

106    pitch a field prepare for battle pitch prepare defensive stakes

114    study endeavor, labor    prefer put forward, favor

117    repulse refusal, rejection

119    mischief harm, calamity

124    his i.e., Winchester’s

125    privilege of advantage over

127    moody angry, disordered

129    tragical foreboding/sorrowful

135    hath…gird has been given a suitable rebuke

140    hollow empty, insincere, deceptive

142    token i.e., the handshake

144    dissemble deceive, pretend

147    contract accord, agreement

148    masters i.e., the servants (a condescending though not offensive form of address)

150    surgeon more particularly, physician

152    physic medicine

155    exhibit show, submit for consideration

157    mark note, pay attention to circumstance detail, particular

159    occasions reasons, circumstances

161    of force convincing, forceful

163    blood hereditary rights (to property and titles)

165    wrongs i.e., wrongs suffered by him

174    reguerdon recompense, reward

175    gird invest (with a title; picks up on the sound of reguerdon)

177    princely of the royal blood

180    grudge one thought have one resentful thought

187    disanimates discourages, disheartens    Sennet trumpet call signaling a procession

194    forged false (may play on the sense of “moulded in fire”)

196    festered rotten, decomposing    members limbs    by degree gradually, in stages

198    envious malicious

202    Henry…Monmouth i.e., Henry V

203    Henry…Windsor i.e., Henry VI

205    hapless unlucky

Act 3 Scene 2

 3.2   Location: Rouen, a French town on the River Seine, between Le Havre and Paris

    2    policy strategy, cunning

    4    vulgar common, ordinary

    7    that if

    9    encounter assail, confront

  10    mean means

  11    be shall be

  13    Qui là? “Who goes there?” (French)

  14    Paysans…France “Peasants, the poor folk of France”

  18    happy fortunate

  20    practisants conspirators, plotters

  25    No…entered no entrance is as weakly guarded as the one she entered    top i.e., gallery, upper staging level

  26    wedding torch Hymen, the Greek and Roman god of marriage, was traditionally depicted carrying a burning torch

  31    shine it may it shine

  32    prophet to portent of (comets were thought to be bad omens)

  34    presently immediately

  35    do…watch kill the guards    excursion a bout of fighting across the stage

  39    unawares unexpectedly

  40    hardly with difficulty    pride power and arrogance/the dauphin (and his fellow nobles)    without on the main stage    within probably, but not necessarily on the upper staging level, conventionally used to represent city walls

  41    gallants fine young gentlemen (sarcastic)

  43    rate cost

  44    darnel weeds

  51    run a-tilt at joust with, charge at    within whilst seated in

  52    hag witch    of all despite full of spite or malice

  53    Encompassed with surrounded by

  55    twit taunt

  56    bout of fighting/of sex

  58    hot hot-tempered/lustful

  60    speed aid/hurry up    speaker spokesperson/chairman (of the parliament)

  61    in the field for battle

  62    Belike presumably

  64    Hecate in classical mythology, the goddess of night and the underworld and the patroness of witches

  67    Seigneur lord

  68    Base muleteers lowly mule drivers

  69    footboys boy servants, often assistants to footmen    keep stay near

  78    Pricked spurred

  81    his…conqueror Henry V besieged and captured Rouen in 1419

  83    Coeur-de-lion Richard I of England, nicknamed “the Lionheart” after he fought a lion and tore its heart out; he asked that his heart be buried in Rouen

  86    regard observe/tend to

  89    crazy infirm, fragile

  92    weal happiness

  95    stout brave    Pendragon Uther Pendragon, father of King Arthur; the story referred to here is related in Geoffrey of Monmouth’s Historia Regnum Britanniae    litter transportable bed for the sick

  98    ever always

101    ado business, fuss

102    out of hand at once, immediately

106    have the overthrow be defeated

113    daring challenging, defiant

114    glad here, relieved    fain willing

121    gentle noble/kind

122    familiar witch’s attendant spirit, demon

123    braves boasts    Charles his gleeks Charles’ scoffs, jests

124    amort downcast, dispirited

126    take some order establish order, make arrangements

127    expert experienced

129    lie dwells

133    exequies funeral rites

134    couchèd lance leveled his lance in attack

135    sway exert influence

136    potentates powerful rulers

137    end sum, final destination/purpose/ending, death

Act 3 Scene 3

 3.3   Location: near Rouen

    1    accident unforeseen event

    2    recoverèd regained by the English

    3    Care…cure sorrow, anxiety

    7    train peacock’s tail/army

    8    be but ruled merely follow advice

  10    cunning skill/magical powers    diffidence distrust

  11    foil defeat

  12    wit intelligence    secret policies surprise stratagems

  18    fair plausible, flattering

  21    sweeting sweetheart, darling

  24    extirpèd uprooted

  25    expulsed expelled

  30    unto Paris-ward toward Paris

  31    colours spread flags unfurled

  34    in in our

  35    parley negotiation between opposing sides (summoned with a particular trumpet call)

  40    enchant bewitch

  43    tedious laborious, lengthy

  46    wasting destructive, ravaging

  47    lowly laid low, prostrate/tiny

  48    tender-dying youthful dying

  49    pining wasting    malady of France plays on the sense of “syphilis” (“the French disease”)

  50    unnatural against the natural order/against one’s own country

  52    edgèd sharp

  57    stainèd i.e., staining

  59    nature natural, inherent feeling/a sense of kinship

  60    exclaims on accuses, condemns loudly

  61    lawful progeny legitimate lineage

  68    mark but only note

  75    them those who

  76    wandering straying, erring

  78    haughty high, lofty

  82    hearty sincere, heartfelt

  83    power force, army

  86    makes us fresh invigorates, renews us, makes us eager

  87    beget breed, create

  88    bravely courageously/splendidly

  89    coronet small crown worn by members of the nobility

  91    prejudice injure, damage

Act 3 Scene 4

 3.4   Location: Paris, France

    4    do my duty pay homage

    5    reclaimed won back

    8    esteem high rank

  19    stouter bolder, more hardy champion one who fights on behalf of another

  20    resolvèd convinced truth loyalty

  23    reguerdoned rewarded

  25    deserts deservings, merits

  28    hot hot-tempered, angry

  29    Disgracing…colours insulting the badge (that identifies his loyalty)

  32    patronage defend, uphold

  33    envious malicious    saucy insolent

  35    Sirrah sir (used to an inferior; here, contemptuous)    as he is i.e., for what he’s worth (implying not much)

  38    law of arms law that forbade fighting near a royal residence

  39    present immediate

  40    broach set flowing

  41    crave request earnestly

  42    liberty permission

  44    miscreant villain, wretch

  45    after i.e., after the king’s permission to fight has been obtained

Act 4 Scene 1

    4    elect acknowledge, accept

    5    Esteem consider

    6    pretend intend, plan

  15    Garter sign of membership of the Order of the Garter, the highest order of English knighthood, consisting of a blue and gold ribbon tied below the left knee    craven’s coward’s

  19    dastard despicable coward

  25    divers several, various

  30    fact deed, crime

  31    common ordinary, without rank

  32    captain commander of a regiment

  35    haughty courage high spirit, exalted bravery

  36    grown to credit risen to honor

  37    for from    distress hardship, adversity

  39    furnished…sort so equipped

  43    degraded lowered in rank    hedge-born swain person of very low birth, peasant born out of doors

  44    gentle noble

  45    doom sentence, judgment

  46    Be packing be off, get packing

  50    style form of address

  51    but than

  53    churlish ungracious, blunt    superscription form of address appearing at the head of the letter

  54    Pretend imply, intend

  56    wrack ruin

  59    pernicious destructive

  64    revolt rebel; literally, perform a complete turnaround

  69    chastisement punishment, retribution

  71    but…prevented were it not for the fact that I have been anticipated (by you)

  73    strength troops    straight straightaway

  74    brook tolerate

  75    flout mock, abuse

  76    still (that) always

  77    confusion destruction, overthrow

  78    the combat permission to fight a duel

  80    servant follower

  83    exclaim outcry, protest

  90    envious malicious

  92    sanguine blood-red    leaves petals

  94    repugn reject, oppose

  95    question…law i.e., the question of succession, and the attainder of York’s father (see Act 2 Scene 4)

  98    confutation refutation (legal term)    rude ignorant

100    benefit (legal) privilege

101    petition formal request

102    forgèd false, crafted    quaint conceit cunning invention/ingenious rhetoric

103    set…upon give a plausible, attractive appearance to

105    took exceptions at objected to

107    Bewrayed betrayed, revealed    faintness cowardice, timidity

111    brainsick foolish, demented

113    factious emulations divisive rivalries

114    cousins kinsmen; also a term used to fellow nobles

118    toucheth concerns

120    pledge gage, i.e., item (often a glove or gauntlet) that signified the giver’s commitment to a duel

121    rest remain

123    Confounded destroyed, overcome

124    prate prattle, chatter

125    vassals servants

126    immodest arrogant, outspoken

129    objections accusations, allegations

130    occasion grounds, opportunity

131    mutiny strife, riot

140    within ourselves amongst ourselves (plays on the sense of “within our own bodies”)

141    grudging stomachs resentful tempers/stomachs exhibiting signs of disease

142    rebel rebellion

144    certified informed, shown

145    toy trifle    regard value, consequence

149    forgo forfeit, lose

150    That…that for a trifle that which was

151    doubtful precarious, generating fear

153    suspicious anxious

154    incline to favor

156    As…may they might as well

157    forsooth in truth

158    discretions judgments

162    institute appoint

163    parts regions

165    bands of foot regiments of infantry, foot soldiers

166    progenitors forefathers

167    digest i.e., break down, assimilate, get rid of

168    angry choler anger

170    respite interval, delay

173    rout rabble

175    Prettily charmingly/ingeniously

178    fancy whim

180    An…wist if I knew

183    passions powerful feelings

184    deciphered revealed, detected

187    simple common, ordinary

189    shouldering jostling

190    bandying verbal contests    favourites supporters

191    that sees that    event outcome

192    much a weighty business

193    envy malice, enmity    unkind unnatural

194    confusion chaos, destruction

Act 4 Scene 2

 4.2   Location: outside the gates of Bordeaux (a major port on the River Garonne in southwest France)    Trump and Drum trumpeter and drummer aloft gallery, upper staging level, conventionally used to represent city walls

    5    would wishes

    8    bloody bloodthirsty, warlike

  11    quartering dismembering

  12    even level

  13    air-braving defying the heavens, lofty

  14    forsake reject

  15    ominous…death the owl’s cry was thought to portend evil or death

  17    period end

  20    issue out come forth

  21    appointed equipped

  23    hand thee side of you    pitched drawn up in battle formation

  24    wall block, shut off

  25    redress relief, aid

  26    front confront, face    apparent spoil obvious destruction

  27    pale i.e., deathly

  28    ta’en the sacrament taken Communion as a means of confirming their oaths

  29    rive split open (with explosions)

  33    latest last

  34    due endow

  35    glass hourglass

  37    well colourèd in good health

  39    warning bell bell rung to warn of fire or invasion

  40    heavy solemn, sad, burdensome

  41    dire dreadful    departure i.e., death

  42    fables lies, fabricates

  43    peruse investigate, survey    wings flanks, forces at the sides of a main body of troops

  44    heedless careless, slack    discipline military strategy

  45    parked…pale fenced in and confined within an enclosure

  47    Mazed bewildered, confused    kennel pack    curs hounds

  48    in blood full of life, in fine condition (hunting term)

  49    rascal-like like young, inferior deer    pinch bite, nip

  50    moody-mad wild with rage

  51    heads of steel antlers like swords

  52    stand…bay back off as we, like the maddened, cornered deer, turn to face our pursuers

  54    dear costly (with obvious pun)

Act 4 Scene 3

 4.3   Location: France; six hours’ journey from Bordeaux, exact location unspecified

    2    dogged tracked, followed

    3    give it out assert

    6    espials spies

  13    louted made a fool of, mocked; or possibly “delayed”

  15    necessity unavoidable event

  16    miscarry come to harm

  18    needful necessary

  20    girdled belted, surrounded    waist belt (puns on “waste,” i.e., vast expanse)

  25    stop detain, delay    cornets cavalry, troops of horsemen

  29    remiss careless

  30    distressed undergoing adversity

  33    ’long of because of

  41    vexation terrible anguish, affliction

  42    sundered separated    friends relatives

  43    can can do

  44    cause i.e., Somerset

  46    ’Long all all because

  47    sedition disputes between factions/mutiny, revolt

  49    Sleeping neglection careless, lazy neglect

  50    scarce-cold recently dead (historically, however, the events of this scene took place thirty-one years after the death of Henry V)

  51    ever-living…memory man who will live forever in memory

  52    cross thwart, obstruct

  53    lauds praises    Exit some editors have Lucy remaining on stage; he speaks again shortly after the beginning of the following scene

Act 4 Scene 4

    2    expedition speedy action, military enterprise

    4    sally sudden attack, sortie    very town merely the town’s garrison, unsupported by further troops

    5    buckled with encountered, tackled

    6    gloss luster

    7    unheedful careless, negligent

  11    o’ermatched outnumbered

  13    bought and sold betrayed

  16    legions troops

  19    in advantage ling’ring trying to draw out any kind of benefit through delaying tactics/desperately protracting his superior military position for as long as possible

  20    trust trustee, guardian

  21    Keep off aloof stand aside    worthless emulation ignoble ambition, rivalry

  22    private discord personal disagreement

  23    levied succours mustered military assistance

  25    world of immense, overwhelming

  27    compass him about surround him

  28    default negligence, failure to act

  29    set him on incited him

  31    host army, specifically cavalry

  33    sent sent for

  35    take foul scorn think scornfully, find it disgraceful

  44    though even if

Act 4 Scene 5

 4.5   Location: a battlefield near Bordeaux, France

    5    drooping transferred epithet: decaying, failing

    6    malignant of evil influence    ill-boding inauspicious

    8    unavoided unavoidable

  11    sudden rapid/immediate

  22    Your…great the loss of you would have a devastating impact regard self-regard, care of yourself

  27    mine i.e., my honour exploit warlike deeds

  28    vantage military advantage

  29    bow retreat

  32    mortality death

  41    abuse dishonor

  42    charge order, command

  44    apparent certain, evident

  46    age whole life

  53    eclipse extinguish

Act 4 Scene 6

    2    Regent i.e., York, who was appointed regent in Act 4 Scene 1

    3    France his France’s

    9    determined limited, with an appointed ending    date limit, term

  10    crest helmet

  13    Quickened was reanimated, lived    spleen fiery temper, impetuosity

  15    pride arrogance/foremost nobility    Gallia France

  16    ireful enraged

  17    maidenhood virginity

  20    in disgrace with contempt, insultingly

  22    misbegotten illegitimate, wrongly created

  23    Mean base

  25    purposing as I was intending

  29    sealed confirmed

  32    wot know

  35    mickle great

  42    smart suffer, feel pain

  44    On that advantage for the sake of that advantage (i.e., safety)

  47    The may the

  48    like liken

  49    scorn object of scorn    subject of mischance victim of misfortune

  52    boot use

  54    follow…Icarus Icarus and his father, Daedalus, tried to escape imprisonment in Crete using wings made out of feathers and wax; Icarus flew too close to the sun and the wax melted so that he fell to his death

  57    pride honor, glory

Act 4 Scene 7

    3    Triumphant victorious, celebrating victory    captivity the blood of injured captives

    8    stern impatience cruel fury

    9    guardant protector, guard

  10    Tend’ring my ruin tending to my injuries, caring for me in my fall of by

  11    Dizzy-eyed with dazzled, glazed eyes

  13    clust’ring crowded, swarming

  14    drench drown

  15    over-mounting overambitious

  17    lo look

  18    antic grinning, grotesque

  19    Anon soon

  21    lither yielding, supple

  22    In thy despite in contempt, in spite of you    scape mortality escape death (through the immortality of the soul)

  23    become hard-favoured suit ugly, hideous

  25    Brave defy, challenge

  27    who one who

  35    whelp puppy (plays on the fact that a “talbot” is a type of hunting dog)    wood mad

  36    flesh initiate (from the practice of feeding hunting dogs raw meat to excite them) puny inexperienced, novice

  38    maiden virginal, inexperienced

  41    pillage plunder    giglot strumpet, whorish

  42    bowels depths, core

  45    inhearsèd laid as in a coffin

  46    bloody bloodthirsty/covered in blood    nurser…harms person who taught him to harm his enemies/person who has caused his injuries (by allowing him into battle)/person bent or slumped over him and seemingly tending his wounds

  48    wonder source of amazement and awe

  49    that…fled i.e., Talbot

  53    submissive message message of submission, surrender

  54    a mere an exclusively

  55    wot know

  57    survey examine, take note of

  60    But…France this epic list of Talbot’s many titles may have been derived from an epitaph on his original tomb in France    Alcides Hercules, the mythical hero famed for feats of strength

  62    rare extraordinary/splendid

  69    Worthy equal to/worthy of    Saint Michael the Order of Saint Michael, a French chivalric order in fact not established until 1469, after the events of the play occurred    Golden Fleece another French order of knights, set up in 1429

  72    style list of titles, mode of expression

  73    The Turk conventional title for the Turkish sultan

  76    fly-blown putrefied, rotting (literally, with fly’s eggs laid in his decomposing flesh)

  78    Nemesis Greek goddess of justice and retribution, who punished pride and arrogance

  84    amaze terrify, alarm

  86    beseems befits, is appropriate to

  92    ashes…phoenix the phoenix, a mythical bird, was said to live for five hundred years, consume itself in fire and then rise again from its own ashes

  94    So provided

Act 5 Scene 1

 5.1   Location: the royal court, London

    4    sue unto entreat

    5    concluded of resolved, settled

    7    affect their motion incline to their proposal

  10    stablish establish

  13    immanity barbarity, atrocities

  17    near knit closely related

  21    young historically Henry was actually twenty-one

  23    wanton lascivious

  27    Tends that tends    weal welfare legate representative

  29    degree rank

  30    verified come true

  31    sometime at one time, formerly

  33    cap i.e., Cardinal’s red hat

  34    several separate, respective

  38    draw draw up

  40    presently immediately

  42    at large in full

  43    As that

  46    In argument as evidence

  49    wherein shipped where once embarked

  54    grave ornaments dignified robes of office

  56    trow am sure

  62    a mutiny an open revolt, rebellion

Act 5 Scene 2

 5.2   Location: France, exact location unspecified

    2    stout brave, resolute

    5    powers troops dalliance idleness, time wasting

    7    combat with fight, bring down

    9    accomplices allies

  15    provide prepare ourselves

  20    repine complain

Act 5 Scene 3

    2    charming magic    periapts amulets, charms (worn on the body)

    3    choice excellent, worthy    admonish forewarn

    4    accidents events, chance happenings

    5    substitutes servants, agents

    6    lordly…north i.e., the devil

    8    quick lively, in living form/alert, vigorous

  10    familiar spirits attendant spirits that served a witch, often inhabiting the bodies of animals    culled selected

  12    get the field win the battle

  14    Where whereas    wont accustomed

  15    member limb

  16    earnest advance payment

  18    redress assistance, relief    body…recompense with sexual connotations (to pay: to have sex)

  21    wonted furtherance usual assistance

  23    the foil defeat

  25    vail lower (in submission) lofty-plumèd crest helmet adorned with tall feathers

  27    ancient former/very old

  28    buckle fight (plays on the sense of “have sex”)    Excursions sortie, bouts of fighting (during which Joan reenters)

  30    fast secure

  31    spelling conjuring

  33    devil’s grace favor; also touches on the paradoxical notion of the devil possessing divine grace

  34    bend her brows scowl

  35    with like    Circe in Greek mythology, an island-dwelling sorceress who turned men into pigs with a magic potion

  37    proper handsome, perfect

  38    dainty fastidious, scrupulous

  39    plaguing mischief tormenting calamity

  41    in while

  42    Fell banning hag fierce cursing witch

  44    miscreant heretic    in his hand led by the hand

  48    for to signify

  49    lay…side i.e., release her hand so that it hangs by her side

  55    allotted destined

  56    save protect

  58    usage treatment

  62    glassy mirrorlike

  63    Twinkling causing to twinkle    counterfeited mirrored, reflected

  67    de la Pole Suffolk’s family name    disable devalue, disparage

  69    a woman’s sight the sight of a woman/the gaze of a woman

  71    Confounds that it destroys the power of    rough dulls/agitated

  81    Fond foolish

  84    cooling card opponent’s card that, when played, ruins one’s hopes of winning (plays on the idea of “cooling” down hot desire)

  86    dispensation special permission from the Pope to dissolve a marriage

  89    wooden thing stupid idea/man (the king) not moved by passion/(Suffolk’s) erect penis

  91    fancy infatuation/love

  93    scruple difficulty

  98    disdain…much however disdainful they are

101    enthralled taken captive

107    captivate taken prisoner, both literally and metaphorically (either in love or servitude)

109    cry you mercy beg your pardon    quid    for    quo quid pro quo (Latin), i.e., tit for tat

111    bondage happy imprisonment fortunate were you

112    vile degraded, low (punned on in    servility)

113    servility slavery

127    portion share, part (plays on the sense of “marriage portion, dowry”)    choice an act of choice/object chosen

129    An if if

130    colours ensigns, bearers of military flags

132    parley military negotiation between opposing sides

136    what remedy i.e., there’s no help

138    exclaim on accuse

142    Whom refers to Margaret

143    easy-held easily endured

147    face deceive, show a false face

148    warrant guarantee

149    just honorable, worthy

150    expect await    below i.e., the main stage

154    happy for fortunate in having

157    her little worth her relative poverty, playing on the notion of moral value

159    quietly peacefully

164    counties i.e., regions, domains

166    again in return

167    deputy i.e., Suffolk

168    plighted pledged, promised

170    traffic business, trade

172    attorney (legal) representative, advocate

174    solemnized celebrated, formalized

176    it becomes befits it

182    princely commendations royal greetings, compliments

185    placed arranged

189    taint touched, tainted, stained

190    withal in addition

192    peevish foolish

193    stay stop

194    labyrinth…Minotaurs in Greek mythology, the Minotaur was a legendary monster with the head of a bull and the body of a man, living in the labyrinth of King Minos, in Crete

196    Solicit urge, move her wondrous praise   praise of her wondrous qualities

197    Bethink thee reflect, remember    surmount excel

198    extinguish art outdo artifice

199    Repeat their semblance recall, dwell on the image of them

201    bereave deprive, rob

Act 5 Scene 4

 5.4   Location: France, exact location unspecified

    3    sought every country searched every region

    4    chance fortune

    5    timeless untimely, premature

    7    miser miserable creature

    8    gentler nobler

    9    friend relative

  10    Out, out! expression of dismay and denial an’t if it

  11    beget conceive, father

  13    bach’lorship suggesting, either intentionally or unwittingly for comic purposes, that Joan was illegitimate; the Shepherd may intend “youth,” and the word can also mean “period as a novice or apprentice”

  15    argues demonstrates

  16    concludes proves/is a fitting end

  17    obstacle i.e., “obstinate,” an error that apparently demonstrates the Shepherd’s humble origins

  18    collop piece, part

  21    avaunt begone suborned bribed, corrupted

  22    Of on

  23    noble gold coin

  27    nativity birth, with a particular emphasis on astronomy

  29    ratsbane rat poison

  30    keep look after    afield in the field

  32    drab whore

  37    swain rustic

  38    progeny lineage

  41    exceeding exceptional

  42    to do plays on the sense of “sexual intercourse”

  46    want lack

  47    straight instantly

  48    compass bring about

  49    No misconceivèd not wickedly created/illegitimate; some editors emend punctuation, e.g., to “No, misconceivèd!,” meaning “No, you have misunderstood”

  50    tender young/mild, gentle

  52    rigorously effused savagely spilt

  56    Spare…faggots do not be miserly with the bundles of kindling (a bigger blaze made it more likely for a victim to lose consciousness from smoke inhalation before their flesh burned)

  57    pitch black tarlike substance (burning it would increase the amount of asphyxiating smoke produced)

  60    discover reveal    infirmity weakness, vulnerability

  61    warranteth…privilege legally guarantees my exemption (as putting a pregnant woman to death would entail killing the innocent child)

  64    hale drag, haul

  65    forfend forbid

  67    preciseness morality, propriety

  68    juggling having sex

  69    refuge last resource, final defense

  74    machiavel i.e., intriguer/unscrupulous schemer (from Niccolò Machiavelli’s The Prince, a sixteenth-century treatise perceived as advocating ruthless political cunning)

  75    an if even if

  78    prevailed seduced me

  82    liberal and free licentious and promiscuous (perhaps with mocking play on the senses of “generous and innocent”)

  87    reflex reflect, shine

  92    consume be burned

  93    minister servant, agent

  95    commission warrant, authority to act

  97    remorse pity    outrageous broils excessively violent turmoil

  99    aspiring ambitious

102    travail labor, effort

113    conclude resolve, settle

114    covenants terms of agreement

122    baleful deadly, poisonous

123    enacted decreed

124    in regard in so far as

125    mere pure, entire    lenity mildness, mercifulness

126    distressful devastating, ruinous

127    suffer permit

128    liegemen loyal followers

130    tribute (usually annual) payment made as an act of homage

134    coronet small crown worn by members of the nobility

136    but only

137    proffer proposal, offer

139    Gallian French

140    reverenced for held in respect as

141    lucre acquisition, gain    the rest remaining territories (that are)

146    cast excluded, driven

149    compromise resolution

150    upon comparison by insisting on comparing your current state with the one you are being offered/on comparing our position to yours

152    Of benefit out of generosity/as a benefaction

153    challenge of desert claim based on merit

156    cavil dispute, raise quibbling objections

157    neglected disregarded, underestimated

163    compact agreement, contract

165    condition terms of agreement

167    reserved with the sole reservation that

168    town of garrison fortified towns

174    ensigns military banners

175    entertain accept, receive

Act 5 Scene 5

 5.5   Location: the royal court, London

    4    settled rooted, firmly entrenched

    5    rigour the harshness

    6    Provokes impels    hulk large vessel

  11    her worthy praise praise of her true worth

  15    conceit imagination

  17    full fully

  18    lowliness meekness

  25    flatter gloss over, mitigate

  27    lady of esteem i.e., the daughter of the Earl of Armagnac (see Act 5 scene 1)

  28    contract betrothal

  29    reproach disgrace, shame

  31    triumph jousting tournament

  32    lists designated combat arena

  35    be broke broken off with

  42    confirm strengthen, entrench

  46    warrant guarantee

  47    Where whereas

  56    attorneyship legal practices, negotiations between lawyers

  57    will want    affects loves, prefers

  61    preferred put forward, recommended, promoted

  65    pattern model

  68    feature physical appearance

  69    Approves proves

  72    issue…king giving a child to the king/giving birth to the future king

  75    resolve constancy, courage, resolution

  80    for that because

  81    attaint touched, affected

  84    dissension conflict

  87    post hurry

  88    procure ensure, contrive

  91    anointed marked with holy oil, the sign of monarchy

  92    charge money to spend

  93    tenth a tax of ten percent on income or property

  96    offence hostility, opposition

  97    censure judge (not necessarily negatively)    what you were i.e., your own youthful impulsiveness

100    from company alone

101    revolve and ruminate consider, meditate on    grief anxieties/love melancholy (Gloucester then intensifies the sense)

104    Paris…Greece in Greek legend, Paris’ abduction of the beautiful Helen, wife of the King of Troy, provoked the devastating Trojan war with the Greeks

105    like event same outcome

THE SECOND PART OF HENRY THE SIXTH, WITH THE DEATH OF THE GOOD DUKE HUMPHREY

Lancastrians

KING HENRY VI

QUEEN MARGARET

Duke Humphrey of GLOUCESTER, Lord Protector, the king’s uncle

ELEANOR, Duchess of Gloucester

CARDINAL Beaufort, Bishop of Winchester, the king’s great-uncle

Duke of SOMERSET, the Cardinal’s nephew

Duke of BUCKINGHAM, Humphrey Stafford

Marquis, later Duke, of SUFFOLK, William de la Pole

Old Lord CLIFFORD

YOUNG CLIFFORD, his son

Yorkists

Richard Plantagenet, Duke of YORK

EDWARD, Earl of March, his son

RICHARD (who will eventually become King Richard III), another son

Earl of SALISBURY, Richard Neville

Earl of WARWICK, his son

The conjuration

John HUME, a priest

John SOUTHWELL, a priest

MARGARET JORDAN, a witch

Roger BULLINGBROOK, a conjurer

ASNATH, a spirit

The petitions and combat

Thomas HORNER, an armourer

PETER Thump, the Armourer’s man

FIRST PETITIONER

SECOND PETITIONER

FIRST NEIGHBOUR

SECOND NEIGHBOUR

THIRD NEIGHBOUR

FIRST PRENTICE

SECOND PRENTICE

The false miracle

Saunder SIMPCOX

Simpcox’s WIFE

MAYOR of St. Albans

TOWNSMAN

BEADLE

Eleanor’s penance

Gloucester’s SERVANT

Sir John STANLEY

A SHERIFF of London

A HERALD

The murder of Gloucester

FIRST MURDERER

SECOND MURDERER

The murder of Suffolk

LIEUTENANT, commander of a ship

MASTER of the same ship

The Master’s MATE

Walter WHITMORE

Cade’s rebellion

George BEVIS (probably the original actor’s name, the character being an anonymous commoner)

John HOLLAND (probably the original actor’s name, the character being an anonymous commoner)

Jack CADE, also known as John

DICK the butcher

SMITH the weaver

Emmanuel, a CLERK of Chartham

Sir Humphrey STAFFORD

William, STAFFORD’S BROTHER

MICHAEL

Lord SAYE

MESSENGER

SECOND MESSENGER

Lord SCALES

FIRST CITIZEN

SOLDIER

Alexander IDEN, an esquire of Kent

VAUX, a messenger

Petitioners, Servant, Servingman, Brethren of St. Albans, Townspeople of St. Albans, Gloucester’s Men, Sheriff’s Officers, Attendants, Commons, a Sawyer, Matthew Gough, Iden’s Men, Soldiers

Act 1 Scene 1*

running scene 1

       Flourish of trumpets, then hautboys. Enter King [Henry VI], Duke Humphrey [of Gloucester], Salisbury, Warwick and [Cardinal] Beaufort on the one side. The Queen [Margaret], Suffolk, York, Somerset and Buckingham on the other

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     As by your high imperial majesty

               I had in charge² at my depart for France,

               As procurator to³ your excellence,

               To marry⁴ Princess Margaret for your grace,

5

5             So, in the famous ancient city, Tours,⁵

               In presence of the Kings of France and Sicil,⁶

               The Dukes of Orleans, Calaber,⁷ Bretagne and Alençon,

               Seven earls, twelve barons and twenty reverend bishops,

               I have performed my task and was espoused,⁹

10

10           And humbly now upon my bended knee,

               In sight of England and her lordly peers,

               Deliver up my title in the queen

               To your most gracious hands, that are the substance

               Of that great shadow¹⁴ I did represent:

15

15           The happiest¹⁵ gift that ever marquis gave,

               The fairest queen that ever king received.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Suffolk, arise. Welcome, Queen Margaret:

               I can express no kinder¹⁸ sign of love

               Than this kind kiss: O Lord, that lends me life,

20

20           Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness:

               For thou hast given me in this beauteous face

               A world of earthly blessings to my soul,

               If sympathy²³ of love unite our thoughts.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Great King of England and my gracious lord,

25

25           The mutual conference²⁵ that my mind hath had,

               By day, by night, waking and in my dreams,

               In courtly company or at my beads,²⁷

               With you, mine alderliefest²⁸ sovereign,

               Makes me the bolder to salute²⁹ my king

30

30           With ruder³⁰ terms, such as my wit affords

               And overjoy of heart doth minister.³¹

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Her sight³² did ravish, but her grace in speech,

               Her words yclad³³ with wisdom’s majesty,

               Makes me from wond’ring³⁴ fall to weeping joys,

35

35           Such is the fullness of my heart’s content.

               Lords, with one cheerful voice, welcome my love.

ALL

ALL     Long live Queen Margaret, England’s happiness!

       Kneel

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET We thank you all. They rise

       Flourish

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     My Lord Protector,³⁹ so it please your grace, To Gloucester

40

40           Here are the articles⁴⁰ of contracted peace

               Between our sovereign and the French King Charles,

               For eighteen months concluded⁴² by consent.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Reads. ‘Imprimis,⁴³ it is agreed between the French King Charles, and William de la Pole, Marquess of Suffolk, ambassador for Henry King of England, that the said Henry shall espouse the Lady Margaret, daughter unto Reignier King of Naples, Sicilia and Jerusalem, and crown her Queen of England ere⁴⁶ the thirtieth of May next ensuing.

               Item:⁴⁸ that the duchy of Anjou and the county of Maine shall be released and delivered to the king her father’— Lets the paper fall

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Uncle, how now?

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Pardon me, gracious lord,

               Some sudden qualm⁵² hath struck me at the heart

               And dimmed mine eyes, that⁵³ I can read no further.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Uncle⁵⁴ of Winchester, I pray, read on.

CARDINAL

CARDINAL      Reads ‘Item: it is further agreed between them, that the duchies of Anjou and Maine shall be released and delivered over to the king her father, and she sent over of⁵⁷ the King of England’s own proper cost and charges, without having any dowry.’

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI They please us well.— Lord marquis, kneel down: To Suffolk

60

60           We here create thee the first Duke of Suffolk, Suffolk kneels

               And gird⁶¹ thee with the sword.— Suffolk rises

               Cousin⁶² of York,

               We here discharge your grace from being regent⁶³

               I’th’parts of France, till term of eighteen months

65

65           Be full⁶⁵ expired. Thanks, uncle Winchester,

               Gloucester, York, Buckingham, Somerset,

               Salisbury and Warwick.

               We thank you all for this great favour done,

               In entertainment⁶⁹ to my princely queen.

70

70           Come, let us in, and with all speed provide⁷⁰

               To see her coronation be performed.

                                              Exeunt King [Henry VI], Queen [Margaret] and Suffolk. The rest remain

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Brave⁷² peers of England, pillars of the state,

               To you Duke Humphrey must unload his grief:

               Your grief, the common grief of all the land.

75

75           What? Did my brother Henry⁷⁵ spend his youth,

               His valour, coin and people, in the wars?

               Did he so often lodge⁷⁷ in open field,

               In winter’s cold and summer’s parching heat,

               To conquer France, his true inheritance?

80

80           And did my brother Bedford toil his wits,

               To keep by policy⁸¹ what Henry got?

               Have you yourselves, Somerset, Buckingham,

               Brave York, Salisbury and victorious Warwick,

               Received deep scars in France and Normandy:

85

85           Or hath mine uncle Beaufort and myself,

               With all the learnèd Council⁸⁶ of the realm,

               Studied so long, sat in the Council house

               Early and late, debating to and fro

               How France and Frenchmen might be kept in awe,⁸⁹

90

90           And had his highness in his infancy

               Crownèd in Paris in despite of foes?

               And shall these labours and these honours die?

               Shall Henry’s conquest, Bedford’s vigilance,

               Your deeds of war and all our counsel⁹⁴ die?

95

95           O peers of England, shameful is this league,⁹⁵

               Fatal this marriage, cancelling your fame,⁹⁶

               Blotting your names from books of memory,

               Razing⁹⁸ the characters of your renown,

               Defacing monuments⁹⁹ of conquered France,

100

100         Undoing all, as¹⁰⁰ all had never been!

CARDINAL

CARDINAL     Nephew, what means this passionate discourse?

               This peroration¹⁰² with such circumstance:

               For France, ’tis ours; and we will keep it still.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Ay, uncle, we will keep it, if we can:

105

105         But now it is impossible we should.

               Suffolk, the new-made duke that rules the roost,

               Hath given the duchy of Anjou and Maine

               Unto the poor King Reignier, whose large style¹⁰⁸

               Agrees not with the leanness of his purse.

110

110 

SALISBURY

SALISBURY             Now by the death of him¹¹⁰ that died for all,

               These counties were the keys of Normandy.—

               But wherefore¹¹² weeps Warwick, my valiant son?

WARWICK

WARWICK     For grief that they are past recovery.

               For were there hope to conquer them again,

115

115         My sword should shed hot blood, mine eyes no tears.

               Anjou and Maine? Myself did win them both:

               Those provinces these arms of mine did conquer.

               And are the cities that I got with wounds

               Delivered up again with peaceful words?

120

120         Mort Dieu!¹²⁰

YORK

YORK      For¹²¹ Suffolk’s duke, may he be suffocate,

               That dims the honour of this warlike isle:

               France should have torn and rent¹²³ my very heart

               Before I would have yielded to this league.

125

125         I never read but England’s kings have had

               Large sums of gold and dowries with their wives:

               And our King Henry gives away his own,

               To match¹²⁸ with her that brings no vantages.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     A proper¹²⁹ jest, and never heard before,

130

130         That Suffolk should demand a whole fifteenth¹³⁰

               For costs and charges in transporting her:

               She should have stayed in France and starved in France,

               Before—

CARDINAL

CARDINAL     My lord of Gloucester, now ye grow too hot:¹³⁴

135

135         It was the pleasure¹³⁵ of my lord the king.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     My lord of Winchester, I know your mind.

               ’Tis not my speeches that you do mislike,

               But ’tis my presence that doth trouble ye.

               Rancour will out: proud prelate, in thy face

140

140         I see thy fury: if I longer stay,

               We shall begin our ancient¹⁴¹ bickerings.—

               Lordings,¹⁴² farewell, and say when I am gone,

               I prophesied France will be lost ere long.

       Exit Humphrey [Gloucester]

CARDINAL

CARDINAL     So, there goes our Protector in a rage:

145

145         ’Tis known to you he is mine enemy:

               Nay more, an enemy unto you all,

               And no great friend, I fear me, to the king:

               Consider, lords, he is the next of blood¹⁴⁸

               And heir apparent to the English crown:

150

150         Had Henry got an empire by his marriage,

               And all the wealthy¹⁵¹ kingdoms of the west,

               There’s reason he should be displeased at it.

               Look to it, lords: let not his smoothing¹⁵³ words

               Bewitch your hearts: be wise and circumspect.

155

155         What though the common people favour him,

               Calling him ‘Humphrey, the good Duke of Gloucester’,

               Clapping their hands, and crying with loud voice,

               ‘Jesu maintain your royal excellence!’

               With ‘God preserve the good Duke Humphrey!’

160

160         I fear me, lords, for all this flattering gloss,¹⁶⁰

               He will be found a dangerous Protector.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Why should he then protect our sovereign,

               He¹⁶³ being of age to govern of himself?

               Cousin of Somerset, join you with me,

165

165         And all together, with the Duke of Suffolk,

               We’ll quickly hoist Duke Humphrey from his seat.

CARDINAL

CARDINAL     This weighty business will not brook¹⁶⁷ delay:

               I’ll to the Duke of Suffolk presently.¹⁶⁸

       Exit Cardinal

SOMERSET

SOMERSET     Cousin of Buckingham, though Humphrey’s pride

170

170         And greatness of his place be grief to us,

               Yet let us watch the haughty¹⁷¹ cardinal:

               His insolence is more intolerable

               Than¹⁷³ all the princes in the land beside:

               If Gloucester be displaced, he’ll be Protector.

175

175 

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM             Or¹⁷⁵ thou or I, Somerset, will be Protector,

               Despite Duke Humphrey or the cardinal. Exeunt Buckingham and Somerset

SALISBURY

SALISBURY     Pride¹⁷⁷ went before, ambition follows him.

               While these do labour for their own preferment,¹⁷⁸

               Behoves it¹⁷⁹ us to labour for the realm.

180

180         I¹⁸⁰ never saw but Humphrey Duke of Gloucester

               Did bear him¹⁸¹ like a noble gentleman:

               Oft have I seen the haughty cardinal,

               More like a soldier than a man o’th’Church,

               As stout¹⁸⁴ and proud as he were lord of all,

185

185         Swear like a ruffian and demean¹⁸⁵ himself

               Unlike the ruler of a commonweal.

               Warwick, my son, the comfort of my age,

               Thy deeds, thy plainness¹⁸⁸ and thy housekeeping

               Hath won the greatest favour of the commons,

190

190         Excepting none but¹⁹⁰ good Duke Humphrey.

               And, brother¹⁹¹ York, thy acts in Ireland

               In bringing them to civil discipline,

               Thy late¹⁹³ exploits done in the heart of France,

               When thou wert regent for our sovereign,

195

195         Have made thee feared and honoured of the people:

               Join we together for the public good,

               In what we can, to bridle¹⁹⁷ and suppress

               The pride of Suffolk and the cardinal,

               With Somerset’s and Buckingham’s ambition:

200

200         And, as we may, cherish²⁰⁰ Duke Humphrey’s deeds,

               While they do tend²⁰¹ the profit of the land.

WARWICK

WARWICK     So God help Warwick, as he loves the land,

               And common²⁰³ profit of his country.

YORK

YORK     And so says York,— for he hath greatest cause.²⁰⁴ Aside

205

205 

SALISBURY

SALISBURY             Then let’s make haste away, and look²⁰⁵ unto the main.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Unto the main? O, father, Maine²⁰⁶ is lost,

               That Maine which by main²⁰⁷ force Warwick did win,

               And would have kept so long as breath did last:

               Main chance, father, you meant, but I meant Maine,

210

210         Which I will win from France, or else be slain,

       Exeunt Warwick and Salisbury, leaving York

YORK

YORK     Anjou and Maine are given to the French,

               Paris is lost, the state of Normandy

               Stands on a tickle²¹³ point now they are gone:

               Suffolk concluded²¹⁴ on the articles,

215

215         The peers agreed, and Henry was well pleased

               To change²¹⁶ two dukedoms for a duke’s fair daughter.

               I cannot blame them all: what is’t to them?

               ’Tis thine²¹⁸ they give away, and not their own.

               Pirates may make²¹⁹ cheap pennyworths of their pillage

220

220         And purchase friends²²⁰ and give to courtesans,

               Still²²¹ revelling like lords till all be gone,

               While as²²² the silly owner of the goods

               Weeps over them, and wrings his hapless²²³ hands,

               And shakes his head, and trembling²²⁴ stands aloof,

225

225         While all is shared and all is borne away,

               Ready²²⁶ to starve and dare not touch his own.

               So York must sit and fret and bite his tongue,

               While his own lands are bargained for and sold:

               Methinks the realms of England, France and Ireland

230

230         Bear that proportion²³⁰ to my flesh and blood,

               As did the fatal brand Althaea²³¹ burnt

               Unto the prince’s heart of Calydon.

               Anjou and Maine both given unto the French!

               Cold news for me: for I had hope of France,

235

235         Even as I have of fertile England’s soil.

               A day will come when York shall claim his own,

               And therefore I will take the Nevilles’²³⁷ parts

               And make a show of love to proud Duke Humphrey,

               And, when I spy advantage, claim the crown,

240

240         For that’s the golden mark²⁴⁰ I seek to hit:

               Nor shall proud Lancaster²⁴¹ usurp my right,

               Nor hold the sceptre in his childish²⁴² fist,

               Nor wear the diadem²⁴³ upon his head,

               Whose church-like humours²⁴⁴ fits not for a crown.

245

245         Then, York, be still²⁴⁵ awhile, till time do serve:

               Watch²⁴⁶ thou, and wake when others be asleep,

               To pry into the secrets of the state,

               Till Henry, surfeiting²⁴⁸ in joys of love,

               With his new bride and England’s dear-bought²⁴⁹ queen,

250

250         And Humphrey with the peers be fall’n at jars:²⁵⁰

               Then will I raise aloft the milk-white rose,²⁵¹

               With whose sweet smell the air shall be perfumed,

               And in my standard²⁵³ bear the arms of York,

               To grapple²⁵⁴ with the House of Lancaster:

255

255         And force perforce²⁵⁵ I’ll make him yield the crown,

               Whose bookish²⁵⁶ rule hath pulled fair England down.

       Exit York

[Act 1 Scene 2]1.2

running scene 2

       Enter Duke Humphrey [of Gloucester] and his wife Eleanor

ELEANOR

ELEANOR     Why droops my lord like over-ripened corn,

               Hanging the head at Ceres’² plenteous load?

               Why doth the great Duke Humphrey knit his brows,

               As⁴ frowning at the favours of the world?

5

5             Why are thine eyes fixed to the sullen⁵ earth,

               Gazing on that which seems to dim thy sight?

               What see’st thou there? King Henry’s diadem,

               Enchased⁸ with all the honours of the world?

               If so, gaze on, and grovel⁹ on thy face,

10

10           Until thy head be circlèd with the same.

               Put forth thy hand, reach at the glorious gold.

               What, is’t¹² too short? I’ll lengthen it with mine,

               And having both together heaved it up,

               We’ll both together lift our heads to heaven,

15

15           And never more abase our sight so low

               As to vouchsafe¹⁶ one glance unto the ground.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     O Nell, sweet Nell, if thou dost love thy lord,

               Banish the canker¹⁸ of ambitious thoughts:

               And may that thought, when I imagine ill¹⁹

20

20           Against my king and nephew, virtuous Henry,

               Be my last breathing²¹ in this mortal world.

               My troublous dreams this night²² doth make me sad.

ELEANOR

ELEANOR     What dreamed my lord? Tell me, and I’ll requite²³ it

               With sweet rehearsal²⁴ of my morning’s dream.

25

25   

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER           Methought this staff,²⁵ mine office-badge in court,

               Was broke in twain:²⁶ by whom I have forgot,

               But, as I think, it was by th’cardinal:

               And on the pieces of the broken wand

               Were placed the heads of Edmund Duke of Somerset,

30

30           And William de la Pole, first Duke of Suffolk.

               This was my dream: what it doth bode, God knows.

ELEANOR

ELEANOR     Tut, this was nothing but an argument³²

               That he that breaks³³ a stick of Gloucester’s grove

               Shall lose his head for his presumption.

35

35           But list³⁵ to me, my Humphrey, my sweet duke:

               Methought I sat in seat of majesty

               In the cathedral church of Westminster,

               And in that chair³⁸ where kings and queens are crowned,

               Where Henry and Dame Margaret kneeled to me

40

40           And on my head did set the diadem.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Nay, Eleanor, then must I chide⁴¹ outright:

               Presumptuous dame, ill-nurtured⁴² Eleanor,

               Art thou not second woman in the realm,

               And the Protector’s wife, beloved of⁴⁴ him?

45

45           Hast thou not worldly pleasure at command,

               Above the reach or compass⁴⁶ of thy thought?

               And wilt thou still be hammering⁴⁷ treachery,

               To tumble down thy husband and thyself

               From top of honour to disgrace’s feet?

50

50           Away from me, and let me hear no more!

ELEANOR

ELEANOR     What, what, my lord? Are you so choleric⁵¹

               With Eleanor for telling but⁵² her dream?

               Next time I’ll keep my dreams unto myself,

               And not be checked.⁵⁴

55

55   

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER           Nay, be not angry: I am pleased again.

       Enter [a] Messenger

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     My Lord Protector, ’tis his highness’ pleasure

               You do prepare to ride unto St Albans,⁵⁷

               Where as⁵⁸ the king and queen do mean to hawk.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     I go. Come, Nell, thou wilt ride with us?

60

60   

ELEANOR

ELEANOR           Yes, my good lord, I’ll follow presently.⁶⁰

       Exit Humphrey [Duke of Gloucester with Messenger]

               Follow I must: I cannot go before,

               While Gloucester bears this base⁶² and humble mind.

               Were I a man, a duke, and next of blood,

               I would remove these tedious stumbling blocks

65

65           And smooth my way upon their headless necks.

               And, being a woman, I will not be slack

               To play my part in Fortune’s pageant.⁶⁷—

               Where are you there? Sir⁶⁸ John! Nay, fear not, man, Calling

               We are alone: here’s none but thee and I.

       Enter Hume

70

70   

HUME

HUME           Jesus preserve your royal majesty.

ELEANOR

ELEANOR     What say’st thou? ‘Majesty’: I am but grace.⁷¹

HUME

HUME     But by the grace of God, and Hume’s advice,

               Your grace’s title shall be multiplied.⁷³

ELEANOR

ELEANOR     What say’st thou, man? Hast thou as yet conferred

75

75           With Margery Jordan, the cunning⁷⁵ witch,

               With Roger Bullingbrook, the conjurer?⁷⁶

               And will they undertake to do me good?

HUME

HUME     This they have promised to show your highness:

               A spirit raised from depth of underground,

80

80           That shall make answer to such questions

               As by your grace shall be propounded⁸¹ him.

ELEANOR

ELEANOR     It is enough: I’ll think upon the questions:

               When from St Albans we do make return,

               We’ll see these things effected to the full.

85

85           Here, Hume, take this reward: make merry, man, Giving him money

               With thy confederates in this weighty cause.

       Exit Eleanor

HUME

HUME     Hume must make merry with the duchess’ gold:

               Marry,⁸⁸ and shall: but how now, Sir John Hume?

               Seal up your lips, and give no words but mum:⁸⁹

90

90           The business asketh silent secrecy.

               Dame Eleanor gives gold to bring the witch:

               Gold cannot come amiss, were she a devil.

               Yet have I gold flies⁹³ from another coast:

               I dare not say from the rich cardinal

95

95           And from the great and new-made Duke of Suffolk,

               Yet I do find it so: for to be plain,

               They, knowing Dame Eleanor’s aspiring humour,⁹⁷

               Have hired me to undermine the duchess

               And buzz⁹⁹ these conjurations in her brain.

100

100         They say ‘A crafty knave does need no broker¹⁰⁰’,

               Yet am I Suffolk and the cardinal’s broker.

               Hume, if you take not heed, you shall go near¹⁰²

               To call them both a pair of crafty knaves.

               Well, so it stands: and thus, I fear, at last

105

105         Hume’s knavery will be the duchess’ wrack,¹⁰⁵

               And her attainture¹⁰⁶ will be Humphrey’s fall:

               Sort¹⁰⁷ how it will, I shall have gold for all.

       Exit

[Act 1 Scene 3]*

running scene 3

       Enter three or four Petitioners, [Peter] the armourer’s man being one

FIRST PETITIONER

FIRST PETITIONER My masters,¹ let’s stand close: my Lord Protector will come this way by and by, and then we may deliver our supplications in the quill.²

SECOND PETITIONER

SECOND PETITIONER Marry, the Lord protect³ him, for he’s a good man, Jesu bless him.

       Enter Suffolk and Queen [Margaret]

FIRST PETITIONER

FIRST PETITIONER Here a⁴ comes, methinks, and the queen with him. I’ll be the first, sure. He goes to meet Suffolk and the Queen

SECOND PETITIONER

SECOND PETITIONER Come back, fool: this is the Duke of Suffolk, and not my Lord Protector.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     How now, fellow: wouldst⁸ anything with me?

FIRST PETITIONER

FIRST PETITIONER I pray, my lord, pardon me: I took ye for my Lord Protector.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET  Reading ‘To my Lord Protector!’— Are your supplications to his lordship?

               Let me see them: what is thine?

FIRST PETITIONER

FIRST PETITIONER Mine is, an’t¹² please your grace, against John Goodman, my lord cardinal’s man,¹³ for keeping my house and lands and wife and all from me.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Thy wife too? That’s some wrong indeed.— To Second Petitioner What’s yours?

                What’s here?— Reading supplication ‘Against the Duke of Suffolk, for enclosing the commons¹⁵ of Melford.’— How now, Sir Knave? To Second Petitioner

SECOND PETITIONER

SECOND PETITIONER Alas, sir, I am but a poor petitioner of our whole township.

PETER

PETER      Offering his petition Against my master, Thomas Horner, for saying that the Duke of York was rightful heir to the crown.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET What say’st thou? Did the Duke of York say he was rightful heir to the crown?

PETER

PETER     That my master was? No, forsooth:²² my master said that he was, and that the king was an usurper.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Who is there?

       Enter Servant

               Take this fellow in, and send for his master with a pursuivant²⁵ presently.— We’ll hear more of your matter before the king.

       Exit [Servant with Peter]

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET And as for you that love to be protected

               Under the wings of our Protector’s grace,

               Begin your suits anew, and sue to²⁹ him.

       Tear the supplication

30

30           Away, base cullions!³⁰— Suffolk, let them go.

ALL [PETITIONERS]

ALL [PETITIONERS] Come, let’s be gone.

       Exeunt [Petitioners]

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET My lord of Suffolk, say, is this the guise?³²

               Is this the fashions³³ in the court of England?

               Is this the government of Britain’s isle?

35

35           And this the royalty of Albion’s³⁵ king?

               What, shall King Henry be a pupil still

               Under the surly Gloucester’s governance?

               Am I a queen in title and in style,³⁸

               And must be made a subject to a duke?

40

40           I tell thee, Pole,⁴⁰ when in the city Tours

               Thou ran’st a-tilt⁴¹ in honour of my love

               And stol’st away the ladies’ hearts of France,

               I thought King Henry had resemblèd thee

               In courage, courtship and proportion:⁴⁴

45

45           But all his mind is bent⁴⁵ to holiness,

               To number⁴⁶ Ave-Maries on his beads:

               His champions⁴⁷ are the prophets and apostles,

               His weapons holy saws⁴⁸ of sacred writ,

               His study is his tilt-yard,⁴⁹ and his loves

50

50           Are brazen images⁵⁰ of canonizèd saints.

               I would the college⁵¹ of the cardinals

               Would choose him Pope, and carry him to Rome,

               And set the triple crown⁵³ upon his head:

               That were a state⁵⁴ fit for his holiness.

55

55   

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK           Madam, be patient: as I was cause

               Your highness came to England, so will I

               In England work⁵⁷ your grace’s full content.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Beside the haughty Protector, have we Beaufort

               The imperious churchman, Somerset, Buckingham,

60

60           And grumbling York: and not⁶⁰ the least of these

               But can do more in England than the king.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     And he of these that can do most of all

               Cannot do more in England than the Nevilles:

               Salisbury and Warwick are no simple⁶⁴ peers.

65

65   

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Not all these lords do vex me half so much

               As that proud dame, the Lord Protector’s wife:

               She sweeps it⁶⁷ through the court with troops of ladies,

               More like an empress than Duke Humphrey’s wife:

               Strangers⁶⁹ in court do take her for the queen:

70

70           She bears⁷⁰ a duke’s revenues on her back,

               And in her heart she scorns our poverty:

               Shall I not live to be avenged on her?

               Contemptuous⁷³ base-born callet as she is,

               She vaunted⁷⁴ ’mongst her minions t’other day,

75

75           The very train of her worst wearing⁷⁵ gown

               Was better worth⁷⁶ than all my father’s lands,

               Till⁷⁷ Suffolk gave two dukedoms for his daughter.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Madam, myself have limed a bush⁷⁸ for her,

               And placed a choir of such enticing birds,⁷⁹

80

80           That she will light⁸⁰ to listen to the lays,

               And never mount to trouble you again.

               So let her rest: and, madam, list to me,

               For I am bold to counsel you in this:

               Although we fancy⁸⁴ not the cardinal,

85

85           Yet must we join with him and with the lords,

               Till we have brought Duke Humphrey in disgrace.

               As for the Duke of York, this late complaint⁸⁷

               Will make⁸⁸ but little for his benefit:

               So one by one we’ll weed⁸⁹ them all at last,

90

90           And you yourself shall steer the happy helm.

       Sound a sennet. Enter the King [Henry VI with Somerset and] York [whispering on either side of him], Duke Humphrey [of Gloucester], Cardinal, Buckingham, Salisbury, Warwick and the Duchess [Eleanor]

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI For my part, noble lords, I care not which:

               Or⁹² Somerset or York, all’s one to me.

YORK

YORK      If York have ill demeaned⁹³ himself in France,

               Then let him be denied the regentship.⁹⁴

95

95   

SOMERSET

SOMERSET           If Somerset be unworthy of the place,

               Let York be regent: I will yield to him.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Whether your grace be worthy, yea or no,

               Dispute not that: York is the worthier.

CARDINAL

CARDINAL     Ambitious Warwick, let thy betters speak.

100

100 

WARWICK

WARWICK             The cardinal’s not my better in the field.¹⁰⁰

BUCKINGHAM ALL

BUCKINGHAM ALL in this presence¹⁰¹ are thy betters, Warwick.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Warwick may live to be the best of all.

SALISBURY

SALISBURY     Peace, son, and show some reason, Buckingham,

               Why Somerset should be preferred in this.

105

105 

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Because the king, forsooth, will have it so.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Madam, the king is old enough himself

               To give his censure:¹⁰⁷ these are no women’s matters.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET If he be old enough, what needs your grace

               To be Protector of his excellence?

110

110 

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER             Madam, I am Protector of the realm,

               And at his pleasure will resign my place.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Resign it then and leave¹¹² thine insolence.

               Since thou wert king — as who is king but thou? —

               The commonwealth hath daily run to wrack,

115

115         The dauphin¹¹⁵ hath prevailed beyond the seas,

               And all the peers and nobles of the realm

               Have been as bondmen¹¹⁷ to thy sovereignty.

CARDINAL

CARDINAL     The commons hast thou racked:¹¹⁸ the clergy’s bags

               Are lank¹¹⁹ and lean with thy extortions.

120

120 

SOMERSET

SOMERSET             Thy sumptuous buildings and thy wife’s attire

               Have cost a mass of public treasury.¹²¹

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Thy cruelty in execution

               Upon offenders hath exceeded law,

               And left thee to the mercy of the law.

125

125 

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Thy sale of offices¹²⁵ and towns in France,

               If they were known, as the suspect¹²⁶ is great,

               Would make thee quickly hop¹²⁷ without thy head.

       Exit Gloucester

       Queen Margaret drops her fan

               Give me my fan: what, minion,¹²⁸ can ye not? To Eleanor

       She gives the Duchess [Eleanor] a box on the ear

               I cry you mercy,¹²⁹ madam: was it you?

130

130 

ELEANOR

ELEANOR             Was’t I? Yea, I it was, proud Frenchwoman:

               Could I come near your beauty with my nails,

               I’d set¹³² my ten commandments in your face.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Sweet aunt, be quiet: ’twas against her will.¹³³

ELEANOR

ELEANOR     Against her will, good king? Look to’t¹³⁴ in time,

135

135         She’ll hamper¹³⁵ thee and dandle thee like a baby:

               Though in this place most master¹³⁶ wear no breeches,

               She shall not strike Dame Eleanor unrevenged.

       Exit Eleanor

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Lord Cardinal, I will follow Eleanor,

               And listen after¹³⁹ Humphrey, how he proceeds:

140

140         She’s tickled¹⁴⁰ now, her fury needs no spurs,

               She’ll gallop far enough to her destruction.

       Exit Buckingham

       Enter Humphrey [Duke of Gloucester]

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Now, lords, my choler being overblown

               With walking once about the quadrangle,

               I come to talk of commonwealth affairs.

145

145         As for your spiteful false objections,¹⁴⁵

               Prove them, and I lie open to the law:

               But God in mercy so deal with my soul,

               As I in duty love my king and country.

               But to the matter that we have in hand:—

150

150         I say, my sovereign, York is meetest¹⁵⁰ man

               To be your regent in the realm of France.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Before we make election,¹⁵² give me leave

               To show some reason, of no little force,

               That York is most unmeet of any man.

155

155 

YORK

YORK             I’ll tell thee, Suffolk, why I am unmeet:

               First, for¹⁵⁶ I cannot flatter thee in pride:

               Next, if I be appointed for the place,

               My Lord of Somerset will keep me here,

               Without discharge,¹⁵⁹ money, or furniture,

160

160         Till France be won into the dauphin’s hands:

               Last time I danced attendance on his will

               Till Paris was besieged, famished, and lost.

WARWICK

WARWICK     That can I witness, and a fouler fact¹⁶³

               Did never traitor in the land commit.

165

165 

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK             Peace, headstrong Warwick.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Image¹⁶⁶ of pride, why should I hold my peace?

       Enter [guarded, Horner the] armourer and his man [Peter]

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Because here is a man accused of treason:

               Pray God the Duke of York excuse himself!

YORK

YORK     Doth anyone accuse York for¹⁶⁹ a traitor?

170

170 

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI What¹⁷⁰ mean’st thou, Suffolk? Tell me, what are these?

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Please it your majesty, this is the man Indicating Peter

               That doth accuse his master of high treason:

               His words were these: that Richard, Duke of York,

               Was rightful heir unto the English crown

175

175         And that your majesty was an usurper.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Say, man, were these thy words?

HORNER

HORNER     An’t¹⁷⁷ shall please your majesty, I never said nor thought any such matter: God is my witness, I am falsely accused by the villain.

PETER

PETER      Raising his hands By these ten bones,¹⁷⁹ my lords, he did speak them to me in the garret one night, as we were scouring¹⁸⁰ my Lord of York’s armour.

YORK

YORK     Base dunghill villain and mechanical,¹⁸¹

               I’ll have thy head for this thy traitor’s speech.—

               I do beseech your royal majesty,

               Let him have all the rigour of the law.

HORNER

HORNER     Alas, my lord, hang me if ever I spake the words: my accuser is my prentice,¹⁸⁶ and when I did correct him for his fault the other day, he did vow upon his knees he would be even with me — I have good witness of this — therefore I beseech your majesty, do not cast away an honest man for a villain’s accusation.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Uncle, what shall we say to this in law? To Gloucester

190

190 

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER             This doom,¹⁹⁰ my lord, if I may judge:

               Let Somerset be regent o’er the French,

               Because in York this¹⁹² breeds suspicion:

               And let these have a day appointed them Indicating Horner and Peter

               For single combat in convenient¹⁹⁴ place,

195

195         For he hath witness of his servant’s malice: Indicating Horner

               This is the law, and this Duke Humphrey’s doom.

SOMERSET

SOMERSET     I humbly thank your royal majesty.

HORNER

HORNER     And I accept the combat willingly.

PETER

PETER     Alas, my lord, I cannot fight: for God’s sake, pity my case: the spite of man prevaileth against me. O Lord, have mercy upon me! I shall never be able to fight a blow. O Lord, my heart!

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Sirrah,²⁰² or you must fight, or else be hanged.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Away with them to prison, and the day

               Of combat shall be the last of the next month.

205

205         Come, Somerset, we’ll see thee sent away.

       Flourish. Exeunt

[Act 1 Scene 4]1.4

running scene 4

       Enter the Witch [Margaret Jordan], the two priests [Hume and Southwell] and Bullingbrook

HUME

HUME     Come, my masters, the duchess, I tell you, expects performance of your promises.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK  Master Hume, we are therefore provided:³ will her ladyship behold and hear our exorcisms?⁴

HUME

HUME     Ay, what else? Fear you not her courage.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK  I have heard her reported to be a woman of an invincible spirit: but it shall be convenient, Master Hume, that you be by her aloft, while we be busy below: and so, I pray you, go in God’s name and leave us.

       Exit Hume

                She lies down upon her face Mother Jordan, be you prostrate and grovel on the earth. John Southwell, read you, and let us to our work.

       Enter Eleanor aloft [Hume following]

ELEANOR

ELEANOR     Well said,¹¹ my masters, and welcome all. To this gear the sooner the better.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK  Patience, good lady: wizards know their times:

               Deep night, dark night, the silent of the night,

               The time of night when Troy¹⁴ was set on fire,

15

15           The time when screech-owls¹⁵ cry and bandogs howl,

               And spirits walk, and ghosts break up¹⁶ their graves:

               That time best fits the work we have in hand.

               Madam, sit you and fear not: whom we raise,

               We will make fast¹⁹ within a hallowed verge.

       Here [they] do the ceremonies belonging, and make the circle: Bullingbrook or Southwell reads, ‘Conjuro te’, etc. It thunders and lightens terribly: then the Spirit [Asnath] riseth

20

20   

ASNATH

ASNATH           Adsum.²⁰

MARGARET JORDAN

MARGARET JORDAN Asnath,

               By the eternal God, whose name and power

               Thou tremblest at, answer that²³ I shall ask:

               For till thou speak, thou shalt not pass from hence.

25

25   

ASNATH

ASNATH           Ask what thou wilt: that²⁵ I had said and done.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK ‘First of the king: what shall of him become?’ Reads

ASNATH

ASNATH     The duke yet lives that Henry shall depose:

               But him outlive, and die a violent death. As the Spirit speaks, Southwell writes the answer

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK ‘What fates await the Duke of Suffolk?’ Reads

30

30   

ASNATH

ASNATH           By water shall he die, and take his end.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK ‘What shall befall the Duke of Somerset?’ Reads

ASNATH

ASNATH     Let him shun castles;

               Safer shall he be upon the sandy plains

               Than where castles mounted³⁴ stand.

35

35           Have done, for more I hardly can endure.

BULLINGBROOK

BULLINGBROOK Descend to darkness and the burning lake!

               False³⁷ fiend, avoid!

       Thunder and lightning. Exit Spirit

       Enter the Duke of York and the Duke of Buckingham with their guard [Sir Humphrey Stafford as Captain] and break in

YORK

YORK     Lay hands upon these traitors and their trash:³⁸

               Beldam,³⁹ I think we watched you at an inch. To Jordan

40

40           What, madam, are you there? The king and commonweal

               Are deeply indebted for this piece of pains:⁴¹

               My Lord Protector will, I doubt it not,

               See you well guerdoned⁴³ for these good deserts.

ELEANOR

ELEANOR     Not half so bad as thine to England’s king,

45

45           Injurious⁴⁵ duke, that threatest where’s no cause.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     True, madam, none at all: what call you this? Pointing to the papers

               Away with them: let them be clapped up close⁴⁷

               And kept asunder.⁴⁸— You, madam, shall with us. To Eleanor

               Stafford, take her to⁴⁹ thee.

       [Exeunt above Eleanor and Hume, guarded]

50

50           We’ll see your trinkets⁵⁰ here all forthcoming.

               All, away!

       Exeunt [below guard with Margaret Jordan, Southwell and Bullingbrook]

YORK

YORK     Lord Buckingham, methinks you watched her well:

               A pretty⁵³ plot, well chosen to build upon.

               Now pray, my lord, let’s see the devil’s writ.⁵⁴ Buckingham gives him the papers

55

55           What have we here?

               ‘The duke yet lives, that Henry shall depose:

       Reads

               But him outlive, and die a violent death.’

               Why, this is just⁵⁸

               ‘Aio Aeacidam,⁵⁹ Romanos vincere posse.’

60

60           Well, to the rest:

               ‘Tell me what fate awaits the Duke of Suffolk?’

               ‘By water shall he die, and take his end.’

               ‘What shall betide the Duke of Somerset?’

               ‘Let him shun castles:

65

65           Safer shall he be upon the sandy plains

               Than where castles mounted stand.’

               Come, come, my lords,

               These oracles are hardly attained,⁶⁸

               And hardly⁶⁹ understood.

70

70           The king is now in progress⁷⁰ towards St Albans,

               With him the husband of this lovely lady:

               Thither goes these news as fast as horse can carry them:

               A sorry breakfast for my Lord Protector.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Your grace shall give me leave, my lord of York,

75

75           To be the post⁷⁵ in hope of his reward.

YORK

YORK     At your pleasure, my good lord. Who’s within there, ho! Calling within

       Enter a Servingman

               Invite my lords of Salisbury and Warwick

               To sup⁷⁸ with me tomorrow night. Away.

       Exeunt [severally]

[Act 2 Scene 1]2.1

running scene 5

       Enter the King [Henry VI], Queen [Margaret], Protector [Gloucester], Cardinal and Suffolk, with Falconers hallooing

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Believe me, lords, for flying¹ at the brook,

               I saw not better sport these² seven years’ day:

               Yet, by your leave, the wind was very high,

               And,⁴ ten to one, old Joan had not gone out.

5

5     

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI But what a point,⁵ my lord, your falcon made, To Gloucester

               And what a pitch⁶ she flew above the rest:

               To see how God in all his creatures works!

               Yea, man and birds are fain of⁸ climbing high.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     No marvel, an it like⁹ your majesty,

10

10           My Lord Protector’s hawks do tower¹⁰ so well:

               They know their master loves to be aloft,¹¹

               And bears his thoughts above his falcon’s pitch.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     My lord, ’tis but a base ignoble mind

               That mounts no higher than a bird can soar.

15

15   

CARDINAL

CARDINAL           I thought as much: he would be above the clouds.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Ay, my lord cardinal, how¹⁶ think you by that?

               Were it not good your grace could fly to heaven?

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI The treasury of everlasting joy.

CARDINAL

CARDINAL     Thy heaven is on earth: thine eyes and thoughts

20

20           Beat on a crown, the treasure of thy heart,

               Pernicious²¹ Protector, dangerous peer,

               That smooth’st it²² so with king and commonweal!

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     What, cardinal?

               Is your priesthood grown peremptory?²⁴

25

               Tantaene²⁵ animis coelestibus irae?

               Churchmen so hot?²⁶ Good uncle, hide such malice:

               With such holiness, can you do it?

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     No malice, sir, no more than well becomes

               So good a quarrel and so bad a peer.

30

30   

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER           As who, my lord?

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Why, as you, my lord,

               An’t like your lordly Lord’s Protectorship.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Why, Suffolk, England knows thine insolence.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET And thy ambition, Gloucester.

35

35   

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI I prithee, peace, good queen,

               And whet not on³⁶ these furious peers,

               For blessèd³⁷ are the peacemakers on earth.

CARDINAL

CARDINAL     Let me be blessèd for the peace I make

               Against this proud Protector, with my sword.

40

40   

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER           Faith, holy uncle, would’t were come to that. Gloucester and Cardinal speak aside

CARDINAL

CARDINAL      Marry,⁴¹ when thou dar’st.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Make⁴² up no factious numbers for the matter,

               In thine own person answer thy abuse.⁴³

CARDINAL

CARDINAL     Ay, where thou dar’st not peep:⁴⁴ an if thou dar’st,

45

45           This evening, on the east side of the grove.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI How now, my lords?

CARDINAL

CARDINAL     Believe me, cousin Gloucester,

               Had not your man⁴⁸ put up the fowl so suddenly,

               We had had⁴⁹ more sport.— Come with thy two-hand sword.

50

50   

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER           True, uncle.—

               Are ye advised?⁵¹ The east side of the grove?

CARDINAL

CARDINAL     I am with you.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Why, how now, uncle Gloucester?

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Talking of hawking; nothing else, my lord.—

55

55           Now, by God’s mother,⁵⁵ priest, I’ll shave your crown for this,

               Or all my fence⁵⁶ shall fail.

CARDINAL

CARDINAL     Medice,⁵⁷ teipsum—

               Protector, see to’t well, protect yourself.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI The winds grow high: so do your stomachs,⁵⁹ lords:

60

60           How irksome is this music to my heart!

               When such strings jar,⁶¹ what hope of harmony?

               I pray, my lords, let me compound⁶² this strife.

       Enter one [Townsman] crying ‘A miracle!’

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     What means this noise?

               Fellow, what miracle dost thou proclaim?

65

65   

TOWNSMAN

TOWNSMAN           A miracle, a miracle!

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Come to the king and tell him what miracle.

TOWNSMAN

TOWNSMAN     Forsooth,⁶⁷ a blind man at Saint Alban’s shrine

               Within this half-hour hath received his sight:

               A man that ne’er saw in his life before.

70

70   

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Now, God be praised, that to believing souls

               Gives light in darkness, comfort in despair.

       Enter the Mayor of St Albans, and his brethren, bearing the man [Simpcox] between two in a chair, [Simpcox’s Wife and Townspeople following]

CARDINAL

CARDINAL     Here comes the townsmen on procession,

               To present your highness with the man.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Great is his comfort in this earthly vale,⁷⁴

75

75           Although by⁷⁵ his sight his sin be multiplied.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Stand by, my masters, bring him near the king:

               His highness’ pleasure is to talk with him.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Good fellow, tell us here the circumstance,⁷⁸

               That we for thee may glorify the Lord.

80

80           What, hast thou been long blind and now restored?

SIMPCOX

SIMPCOX     Born blind, an’t please your grace.

WIFE

WIFE     Ay, indeed, was he.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     What woman is this?

WIFE

WIFE     His wife, an’t like your worship.

85

85   

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER           Hadst thou⁸⁵ been his mother, thou couldst have better told.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Where wert thou born? To Simpcox

SIMPCOX

SIMPCOX     At Berwick⁸⁷ in the north, an’t like your grace.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Poor soul, God’s goodness hath been great to thee:

               Let never day nor night unhallowed pass,⁸⁹

90

90           But still⁹⁰ remember what the Lord hath done.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Tell me, good fellow, cam’st thou here by chance, To Simpcox

               Or of⁹² devotion, to this holy shrine?

SIMPCOX

SIMPCOX     God knows, of pure devotion, being called

               A hundred times and oft’ner in my sleep,

95

95           By good Saint Alban, who said, ‘Simon, come:

               Come offer⁹⁶ at my shrine, and I will help thee.’

WIFE

WIFE     Most true, forsooth: and many time and oft

               Myself have heard a voice to call him so.

CARDINAL

CARDINAL     What, art thou lame?

100

100 

SIMPCOX

SIMPCOX             Ay, God Almighty help me.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     How cam’st thou so?

SIMPCOX

SIMPCOX     A fall¹⁰² off of a tree.

WIFE

WIFE     A plum tree, master.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     How long hast thou been blind?

105

105 

SIMPCOX

SIMPCOX             O, born so, master.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     What, and wouldst climb a tree?

SIMPCOX

SIMPCOX     But that¹⁰⁷ in all my life, when I was a youth.

WIFE

WIFE     Too true, and bought his climbing very dear.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Mass,¹⁰⁹ thou lov’dst plums well, that wouldst venture so.

110

110 

SIMPCOX

SIMPCOX              Alas, good master, my wife desired some damsons,¹¹⁰

               And made me climb,¹¹¹ with danger of my life.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     A subtle¹¹² knave, but yet it shall not serve:

               Let me see thine eyes: wink¹¹³ now: now open them:

               In my opinion, yet¹¹⁴ thou see’st not well.

SIMPCOX

SIMPCOX      Yes, master, clear as day, I thank God and Saint Alban.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Say’st¹¹⁶ thou me so: what colour is this cloak of?

SIMPCOX

SIMPCOX      Red, master, red as blood.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Why, that’s well said: what colour is my gown of?

SIMPCOX

SIMPCOX      Black, forsooth, coal-black as jet.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Why, then, thou know’st what colour jet is of?

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     And yet, I think, jet did he never see.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     But cloaks and gowns, before this day, a many.¹²²

WIFE

WIFE     Never, before this day, in all his life.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Tell me, sirrah, what’s my name?

SIMPCOX

SIMPCOX     Alas, master, I know not.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     What’s his name?

SIMPCOX

SIMPCOX     I know not.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Nor his?

SIMPCOX

SIMPCOX      No, indeed, master.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     What’s thine own name?

SIMPCOX

SIMPCOX      Saunder Simpcox, an if it please you, master.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Then, Saunder, sit there, the lying’st knave in Christendom. If thou hadst been born blind, thou might’st as well have known all our names as thus to name the several¹³⁴ colours we do wear. Sight may distinguish of colours, but suddenly to nominate¹³⁵ them all, it is impossible.— My lords, Saint Alban here hath done a miracle: and would ye not think his cunning¹³⁶ to be great, that could restore this cripple to his legs again?

SIMPCOX

SIMPCOX     O master, that you could!

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     My masters of St Albans, have you not beadles¹³⁹ in your town, and things called whips?

MAYOR

MAYOR     Yes, my lord, if it please your grace.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Then send for one presently.¹⁴²

MAYOR

MAYOR     Sirrah, go fetch the beadle hither straight.¹⁴³

       Exit [a Townsperson]

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Now fetch me a stool hither by and by.¹⁴⁴— Now, sirrah, if you mean to save yourself from whipping, leap me over this stool and run away.

SIMPCOX

SIMPCOX     Alas, master, I am not able to stand alone:¹⁴⁶ You go about to torture me in vain.

       Enter a Beadle with whips

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Well, sir, we must have you find your legs.— Sirrah beadle, whip him till he leap over that same stool.

BEADLE

BEADLE     I will, my lord.— Come on, sirrah, off with your doublet¹⁵⁰ quickly.

SIMPCOX

SIMPCOX     Alas, master, what shall I do? I am not able to stand.

       After the Beadle hath hit him once, he leaps over the stool and runs away: and they follow and cry, ‘A miracle!’

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI O God, see’st thou this, and bearest¹⁵² so long?

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET It made me laugh to see the villain run.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Follow the knave, and take this drab¹⁵⁴ away.

155

155 

WIFE

WIFE             Alas, sir, we did it for pure need.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Let them be whipped through every market town

               Till they come to Berwick, from whence they came.

       Exeunt [Wife, Beadle, Mayor and Townspeople]

CARDINAL

CARDINAL     Duke Humphrey has done a miracle today.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     True: made the lame to leap and fly away.

160

160 

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER             But you have done more miracles than I:

               You made in a day, my lord, whole towns¹⁶¹ to fly.

       Enter Buckingham

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI What tidings with our cousin Buckingham?

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Such as my heart doth tremble to unfold:

               A sort¹⁶⁴ of naughty persons, lewdly bent,

165

165         Under¹⁶⁵ the countenance and confederacy

               Of Lady Eleanor, the Protector’s wife,

               The ringleader and head of all this rout,¹⁶⁷

               Have practised¹⁶⁸ dangerously against your state,

               Dealing with witches and with conjurers,

170

170         Whom we have apprehended¹⁷⁰ in the fact,

               Raising up wicked spirits from under ground,

               Demanding of¹⁷² King Henry’s life and death,

               And other of your highness’ Privy Council,

               As more at large¹⁷⁴ your grace shall understand.

175

175 

CARDINAL

CARDINAL             And so, my Lord Protector, by this means

               Your lady is forthcoming yet¹⁷⁶ at London.

               This news, I think, hath turned¹⁷⁷ your weapon’s edge:

               ’Tis like,¹⁷⁸ my lord, you will not keep your hour.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Ambitious churchman, leave to afflict¹⁷⁹ my heart:

180

180         Sorrow and grief have vanquished all my powers:

               And, vanquished as I am, I yield to thee,

               Or to the meanest groom.¹⁸²

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI O God, what mischiefs work the wicked ones,

               Heaping confusion¹⁸⁴ on their own heads thereby!

185

185 

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Gloucester, see here the tainture¹⁸⁵ of thy nest,

               And look¹⁸⁶ thyself be faultless, thou wert best.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Madam, for myself, to heaven I do appeal,

               How I have loved my king and commonweal:

               And for my wife, I know not how it stands:¹⁸⁹

190

190         Sorry I am to hear what I have heard.

               Noble she is: but if she have forgot

               Honour and virtue and conversed¹⁹² with such

               As, like to pitch,¹⁹³ defile nobility,

               I banish her my bed and company

195

195         And give her as a prey to law and shame,

               That hath dishonoured Gloucester’s honest name.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Well, for this night we will repose us here:

               Tomorrow toward London back again,

               To look into this business thoroughly

200

200         And call these foul offenders to their answers,

               And poise²⁰¹ the cause in justice’ equal scales,

               Whose beam stands sure,²⁰² whose rightful cause prevails.

       Flourish. Exeunt

[Act 2 Scene 2]*

running scene 6

       Enter York, Salisbury and Warwick

YORK

YORK     Now, my good lords of Salisbury and Warwick,

               Our simple supper ended, give me leave

               In this close³ walk to satisfy myself

               In craving your opinion of my title,

5

5             Which is infallible, to England’s crown.

SALISBURY

SALISBURY     My lord, I long to hear it at full.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Sweet York, begin: and if thy claim be good,

               The Nevilles are thy subjects to command.

YORK

YORK     Then thus:

10

10           Edward the Third, my lords, had seven sons:

               The first, Edward the Black Prince, Prince of Wales;

               The second, William of Hatfield: and the third,

               Lionel Duke of Clarence: next to whom

               Was John of Gaunt, the Duke of Lancaster;

15

15           The fifth was Edmund Langley, Duke of York;

               The sixth was Thomas of Woodstock, Duke of Gloucester;

               William of Windsor was the seventh and last.

               Edward the Black Prince died before his father,

               And left behind him Richard,¹⁹ his only son,

20

20           Who, after Edward the Third’s death, reigned as king,

               Till Henry Bullingbrook, Duke of Lancaster,

               The eldest son and heir of John of Gaunt,

               Crowned by the name of Henry the Fourth,

               Seized on the realm, deposed the rightful king,

25

25           Sent his poor queen to France, from whence she came,

               And him to Pomfret:²⁶ where, as all you know,

               Harmless Richard was murdered traitorously.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Father, the duke hath told the truth:

               Thus got the house of Lancaster the crown.

30

30   

YORK

YORK           Which now they hold by force and not by right:

               For Richard, the first son’s heir, being dead,

               The issue³² of the next son should have reigned.

SALISBURY

SALISBURY     But William of Hatfield died without an heir.

YORK

YORK     The third son, Duke of Clarence, from whose line

35

35           I claim the crown, had issue Philippa, a daughter,

               Who married Edmund Mortimer, Earl of March.

               Edmund had issue, Roger Earl of March;

               Roger had issue, Edmund,³⁸ Anne and Eleanor.

SALISBURY

SALISBURY     This Edmund,³⁹ in the reign of Bullingbrook,

40

40           As I have read, laid claim unto the crown,

               And but for Owen Glendower, had been king,

               Who⁴² kept him in captivity till he died.

               But to the rest.

YORK

YORK     His eldest sister, Anne,

45

45           My mother, being heir unto the crown,

               Married Richard Earl of Cambridge, who was son

               To Edmund Langley, Edward the Third’s fifth son.

               By her I claim the kingdom: she was heir

               To Roger Earl of March, who was the son

50

50           Of Edmund Mortimer, who married Philippe,

               Sole daughter unto Lionel Duke of Clarence.

               So, if the issue of the elder son

               Succeed before the younger, I am king.

WARWICK

WARWICK     What plain proceedings⁵⁴ is more plain than this?

55

55           Henry doth claim the crown from John of Gaunt,

               The fourth son: York claims it from the third:

               Till Lionel’s issue⁵⁷ fails, his should not reign.

               It fails not yet, but flourishes in thee

               And in thy sons, fair slips⁵⁹ of such a stock.

60

60           Then, father Salisbury, kneel we together,

               And in this private plot⁶¹ be we the first

               That shall salute our rightful sovereign

               With honour of his birthright to the crown.

BOTH

BOTH     Long live our sovereign Richard, England’s king!

65

65   

YORK

YORK           We⁶⁵ thank you, lords: but I am not your king

               Till I be crowned and that⁶⁶ my sword be stained

               With heart-blood of the house of Lancaster:

               And that’s not suddenly⁶⁸ to be performed,

               But with advice⁶⁹ and silent secrecy.

70

70           Do you as I do in these dangerous days:

               Wink at⁷¹ the Duke of Suffolk’s insolence,

               At Beaufort’s pride, at Somerset’s ambition,

               At Buckingham, and all the crew of them,

               Till they have snared the shepherd of the flock,

75

75           That virtuous prince, the good Duke Humphrey:

               ’Tis that they seek, and they, in seeking that,

               Shall find their deaths, if York can prophesy.

SALISBURY

SALISBURY     My lord, break we off: we know your mind at full.

WARWICK

WARWICK     My heart assures me that the Earl of Warwick

80

80           Shall one day make the Duke of York a king.

YORK

YORK     And, Neville,⁸¹ this I do assure myself:

               Richard shall live to make the Earl of Warwick

               The greatest man in England but⁸³ the king.

       Exeunt

[Act 2 Scene 3]2.3

running scene 7

       Sound trumpets. Enter the King [Henry VI] and state [Queen Margaret, Gloucester, Suffolk, Buckingham and Cardinal], with Guard, to banish the Duchess [Eleanor, with Margaret Jordan, Southwell, Hume and Bullingbrook, all guarded. Enter to them York, Salisbury and Warwick]

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Stand forth, Dame Eleanor Cobham, Gloucester’s wife:

               In sight of God, and us, your guilt is great:

               Receive the sentence of the law for sins

               Such as by God’s book⁴ are adjudged to death.—

5

5             You four, from hence to prison back again:

               From thence unto the place of execution:

               The witch in Smithfield⁷ shall be burned to ashes,

               And you three shall be strangled⁸ on the gallows.

               You, madam, for⁹ you are more nobly born,

10

10           Despoilèd¹⁰ of your honour in your life,

               Shall, after three days’ open¹¹ penance done,

               Live in your country here in banishment,

               With¹³ Sir John Stanley, in the Isle of Man.

ELEANOR

ELEANOR     Welcome is banishment, welcome were¹⁴ my death.

15

15   

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER           Eleanor, the law, thou see’st, hath judged thee:

               I cannot justify¹⁶ whom the law condemns.—

       [Exeunt Eleanor and other prisoners, guarded]

               Mine eyes are full of tears, my heart of grief.

               Ah, Humphrey, this dishonour in thine age

               Will bring thy head with sorrow to the ground.

20

20           I beseech your majesty, give me leave to go:

               Sorrow would²¹ solace and mine age would ease.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Stay,²² Humphrey Duke of Gloucester: ere thou go,

               Give up thy staff:²³ Henry will to himself

               Protector be, and God²⁴ shall be my hope,

25

25           My stay,²⁵ my guide, and lantern to my feet:

               And go in peace, Humphrey, no less beloved

               Than when thou wert Protector to thy king.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET I see no reason why a king of years²⁸

               Should be to be²⁹ protected like a child:

30

30           God and King Henry govern England’s realm:

               Give up your staff, sir, and the king his³¹ realm.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     My staff? Here, noble Henry, is my staff:

               As willingly do I the same resign

               As e’er thy father Henry made it mine:

35

35           And even as willingly at thy feet I leave it

               As others would ambitiously receive it. He lays the staff at Henry’s feet

               Farewell, good king: when I am dead and gone,

               May honourable peace attend thy throne!

       Exit Gloucester

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Why, now is Henry king, and Margaret queen,

40

40           And Humphrey Duke of Gloucester scarce himself,

               That bears⁴¹ so shrewd a maim: two pulls at once:

               His lady banished, and a limb lopped off. She picks up the staff

               This staff of honour raught,⁴³ there let it stand

               Where it best fits to be, in Henry’s hand. She gives the staff to Henry

45

45   

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK           Thus droops this lofty pine⁴⁵ and hangs his sprays:

               Thus Eleanor’s pride dies in her youngest days.⁴⁶

YORK

YORK      Lords, let him go.⁴⁷— Please it your majesty,

               This is the day appointed for the combat,

               And ready are the appellant⁴⁹ and defendant,

50

50           The armourer and his man, to enter the lists,⁵⁰

               So please your highness to behold the fight.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Ay, good my lord: for purposely therefore⁵²

               Left I the court, to see this quarrel tried.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI A⁵⁴ God’s name, see the lists and all things fit:

55

55           Here let them end it, and God defend the right.

YORK

YORK      I never saw a fellow worse bestead,⁵⁶

               Or more afraid to fight, than is the appellant,

               The servant of this armourer, my lords.

       Enter at one door [Horner] the armourer and his [three] Neighbours, drinking to him so much that he is drunk: and he enters with a Drum before him and his staff with a sandbag fastened to it: and at the other door [Peter] his man, with a drum and sandbag, and Prentices drinking to him

FIRST NEIGHBOUR

FIRST NEIGHBOUR Here, neighbour Horner, I drink to you in a cup of sack:⁵⁹ and fear

               not, neighbour, you shall do well enough.

SECOND NEIGHBOUR

SECOND NEIGHBOUR And here, neighbour, here’s a cup of charneco.⁶¹

THIRD NEIGHBOUR

THIRD NEIGHBOUR And here’s a pot of good double⁶² beer, neighbour: drink, and fear not your man.

HORNER

HORNER     Let it come, i’faith, and I’ll pledge⁶⁴ you all, and a fig for Peter! Horner drinks with them

FIRST PRENTICE

FIRST PRENTICE Here, Peter, I drink to thee, and be not afraid.

SECOND PRENTICE

SECOND PRENTICE Be merry, Peter, and fear not thy master: fight for credit of the prentices. Peter rejects their offers of drinks

PETER

PETER     I thank you all: drink, and pray for me, I pray you, for I think I have taken

               my last draught in this world. Here, Robin, an if I die, I give thee my apron: and, Will, thou shalt have my hammer: and here, Tom, take all the money that I have. O Lord bless me, I pray God, for I am never able to deal⁷¹ with my master: he hath learnt so much fence⁷² already.

SALISBURY

SALISBURY     Come, leave your drinking, and fall to blows. Sirrah, what’s thy name?

PETER

PETER     Peter, forsooth.

SALISBURY

SALISBURY     Peter! What more?

PETER

PETER     Thump.

SALISBURY

SALISBURY     Thump? Then see thou thump thy master well.

HORNER

HORNER     Masters, I am come hither, as it were, upon my man’s instigation, to prove him a knave and myself an honest man: and touching⁷⁹ the Duke of York, I will take my death⁸⁰ I never meant him any ill, nor the king, nor the queen: and therefore, Peter, have at thee⁸¹ with a downright blow.

YORK

YORK      Dispatch:⁸² this knave’s tongue begins to double.

               Sound, trumpets, alarum⁸³ to the combatants!

       [Alarum.] They fight, and Peter strikes him [Horner] down

HORNER

HORNER     Hold, Peter, hold! I confess, I confess treason. Dies

YORK

YORK     Take away his weapon.— Fellow, thank God, and the good wine in⁸⁵ thy master’s way.

PETER

PETER     O God, have I overcome mine enemies in this presence?⁸⁷ O Peter, thou hast prevailed in right.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Go, take hence that traitor from our sight,

90

90           For by his death we do perceive his guilt,

               And God in justice hath revealed to us

               The truth and innocence of this poor fellow,

               Which he⁹³ had thought to have murdered wrongfully.

               Come, fellow, follow us for thy reward.

       Sound a flourish. Exeunt

[Act 2 Scene 4]2.4

running scene 8

       Enter Duke Humphrey [Gloucester] and his Men in mourning cloaks

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Thus sometimes hath the brightest day a cloud:

               And after summer evermore succeeds²

               Barren winter, with his wrathful nipping cold:

               So cares and joys abound, as seasons fleet.⁴

5

5             Sirs, what’s o’clock?

SERVANT

SERVANT     Ten, my lord.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Ten is the hour that was appointed me

               To watch the coming of my punished duchess:

               Uneath⁹ may she endure the flinty streets,

10

10           To tread them with her tender-feeling feet.

               Sweet Nell, ill can thy noble mind abrook¹¹

               The abject¹² people gazing on thy face,

               With envious¹³ looks laughing at thy shame,

               That erst¹⁴ did follow thy proud chariot-wheels

15

15           When thou didst ride in triumph through the streets.

               But soft, I think she comes: and I’ll prepare

               My tear-stained eyes to see her miseries.

       Enter the Duchess [Eleanor barefoot] in a white sheet, [with verses pinned on her back] and a taper burning in her hand, with [Sir John Stanley,] the Sheriff and Officers

SERVANT

SERVANT     So please your grace, we’ll take her from the sheriff.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     No, stir not for your lives, let her pass by.

20

20   

ELEANOR

ELEANOR           Come you, my lord, to see my open shame?

               Now thou dost penance too. Look how they gaze,

               See how the giddy²² multitude do point,

               And nod their heads, and throw²³ their eyes on thee.

               Ah, Gloucester, hide thee from their hateful²⁴ looks,

25

25           And, in thy closet²⁵ pent up, rue my shame,

               And ban²⁶ thine enemies, both mine and thine.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Be patient, gentle Nell: forget this grief.

ELEANOR

ELEANOR     Ah, Gloucester, teach me to forget myself,

               For whilst I think I am thy married wife

30

30           And thou a prince, Protector of this land,

               Methinks I should not thus be led along,

               Mailed up³² in shame, with papers on my back,

               And followed with a rabble that rejoice

               To see my tears and hear my deep-fet³⁴ groans.

35

35           The ruthless flint doth cut my tender feet,

               And when I start,³⁶ the envious people laugh

               And bid me be advisèd³⁷ how I tread.

               Ah, Humphrey, can I bear this shameful yoke?

               Trowest thou³⁹ that e’er I’ll look upon the world,

40

40           Or count them happy that enjoys the sun?

               No: dark shall be my light, and night my day.

               To think upon my pomp⁴² shall be my hell.

               Sometime I’ll say, I am Duke Humphrey’s wife,

               And he a prince and ruler of the land:

45

45           Yet so he ruled and such a prince he was,

               As⁴⁶ he stood by, whilst I, his forlorn duchess,

               Was made a wonder⁴⁷ and a pointing-stock

               To every idle⁴⁸ rascal follower.

               But be thou mild⁴⁹ and blush not at my shame,

50

50           Nor stir at nothing till the axe of death

               Hang over thee, as sure it shortly will.

               For Suffolk, he that can do all in all

               With her⁵³ that hateth thee and hates us all,

               And York and impious Beaufort, that false priest,

55

55           Have all limed⁵⁵ bushes to betray thy wings,

               And fly thou how thou canst,⁵⁶ they’ll tangle thee.

               But fear not thou, until thy foot be snared,

               Nor never seek prevention of thy foes.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Ah, Nell, forbear:⁵⁹ thou aimest all awry.

60

60           I must offend before I be attainted:⁶⁰

               And had I twenty times so many foes,

               And each of them had twenty times their power,

               All these could not procure⁶³ me any scathe,

               So long as I am loyal, true and crimeless.

65

65           Wouldst have me rescue thee from this reproach?

               Why yet thy scandal were not⁶⁶ wiped away

               But I in danger for the breach of law.

               Thy greatest help is quiet,⁶⁸ gentle Nell:

               I pray thee sort⁶⁹ thy heart to patience,

70

70           These few days’ wonder⁷⁰ will be quickly worn.

       Enter a Herald

HERALD

HERALD     I summon your grace to his majesty’s parliament,

               Holden⁷² at Bury the first of this next month.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     And my consent ne’er asked herein before?

               This is close dealing.⁷⁴ Well, I will be there.—

       [Exit Herald]

75

75           My Nell, I take my leave: and, Master Sheriff,

               Let not her penance exceed the king’s commission.⁷⁶

SHERIFF

SHERIFF     An’t please your grace, here my commission stays,⁷⁷

               And Sir John Stanley is appointed now

               To take her with him to the Isle of Man.

80

80   

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER           Must you, Sir John, protect⁸⁰ my lady here?

STANLEY

STANLEY     So am I given in charge, may’t please your grace.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Entreat⁸² her not the worse in that I pray

               You use her well: the world may laugh again,

               And I may live to do you kindness if

85

85           You do it her. And so, Sir John, farewell. He begins to leave

ELEANOR

ELEANOR     What, gone, my lord, and bid me not farewell?

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Witness my tears, I cannot stay to speak.

       Exeunt Gloucester [and his Men]

ELEANOR

ELEANOR     Art thou gone too? All comfort go with thee,

               For none abides with me: my joy is death:

90

90           Death, at whose name I oft have been afeared,⁹⁰

               Because I wished this world’s eternity.⁹¹

               Stanley, I prithee go, and take me hence:

               I care not whither, for I beg no favour,

               Only convey me where thou art commanded.

95

95   

STANLEY

STANLEY           Why, madam, that is to the Isle of Man,

               There to be used⁹⁶ according to your state.

ELEANOR

ELEANOR     That’s bad enough, for I am but reproach:⁹⁷

               And shall I then be used reproachfully?

STANLEY

STANLEY     Like to a duchess, and Duke Humphrey’s lady:

100

100         According to that state you shall be used.

ELEANOR

ELEANOR     Sheriff, farewell, and better¹⁰¹ than I fare,

               Although thou hast been conduct¹⁰² of my shame.

SHERIFF

SHERIFF     It is my office;¹⁰³ and, madam, pardon me.

ELEANOR

ELEANOR     Ay, ay, farewell, thy office is discharged:¹⁰⁴

105

105         Come, Stanley, shall we go?

STANLEY

STANLEY     Madam, your penance done, throw off this sheet,

               And go we to attire¹⁰⁷ you for our journey.

ELEANOR

ELEANOR     My shame will not be shifted¹⁰⁸ with my sheet:

               No, it will hang upon my richest robes

110

110         And show itself, attire me how I can.

               Go, lead the way: I long to see my prison.

       Exeunt

[Act 3 Scene 1]3.1

running scene 9

       Sound a sennet. Enter King [Henry VI], Queen [Margaret], Cardinal, Suffolk, York, Buckingham, Salisbury and Warwick to the parliament [with Attendants]

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI I muse¹ my lord of Gloucester is not come:

               ’Tis not his wont² to be the hindmost man,

               Whate’er occasion keeps him from us now.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Can you not see? Or will ye not observe

5

5             The strangeness⁵ of his altered countenance?

               With what a majesty he bears himself,

               How insolent⁷ of late he is become,

               How proud, how peremptory,⁸ and unlike himself?

               We know⁹ the time since he was mild and affable,

10

10           And if we did but glance a far-off¹⁰ look,

               Immediately he was upon his knee,

               That all the court admired him for¹² submission.

               But meet him now, and be it in the morn,

               When everyone will give¹⁴ the time of day,

15

15           He knits his brow¹⁵ and shows an angry eye,

               And passeth by with stiff unbowèd knee,¹⁶

               Disdaining duty¹⁷ that to us belongs.

               Small curs¹⁸ are not regarded when they grin,

               But great men tremble when the lion roars,

20

20           And Humphrey is no little man in England.

               First note that he is near you in descent,

               And should you fall, he is the next will mount.

               Meseemeth²³ then it is no policy,

               Respecting²⁴ what a rancorous mind he bears,

25

25           And his advantage following your decease,

               That he should come about²⁶ your royal person

               Or be admitted to your highness’ Council.

               By flattery hath he won the commons’ hearts:

               And when he please to make commotion,²⁹

30

30           ’Tis to be feared they all will follow him.

               Now ’tis the spring, and weeds are shallow-rooted:³¹

               Suffer³² them now, and they’ll o’ergrow the garden

               And choke the herbs for want³³ of husbandry.

               The reverent care I bear unto my lord

35

35           Made me collect³⁵ these dangers in the duke.

               If it be fond,³⁶ call it a woman’s fear:

               Which fear, if better reasons can supplant,³⁷

               I will subscribe³⁸ and say I wronged the duke.

               My lord of Suffolk, Buckingham and York,

40

               Reprove⁴⁰ my allegation, if you can,

               Or else conclude my words effectual.⁴¹

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Well hath your highness seen into this duke:

               And had I first been put⁴³ to speak my mind,

               I think I should have told your grace’s tale.

45

45           The duchess, by his subornation,⁴⁵

               Upon my life, began her devilish practices:⁴⁶

               Or if he were not privy to⁴⁷ those faults,

               Yet by reputing⁴⁸ of his high descent,

               As next the⁴⁹ king he was successive heir,

50

50           And such high vaunts⁵⁰ of his nobility,

               Did instigate the bedlam brain-sick⁵¹ duchess

               By wicked means to frame⁵² our sovereign’s fall.

               Smooth runs the water where the brook is deep:

               And in his simple show⁵⁴ he harbours treason.

55

55           The fox barks not when he would steal the lamb.—

               No, no, my sovereign, Gloucester is a man To King Henry

               Unsounded⁵⁷ yet and full of deep deceit.

CARDINAL

CARDINAL     Did he not, contrary to form of law, To King Henry

               Devise strange⁵⁹ deaths for small offences done?

60

60   

YORK

YORK           And did he not, in his Protectorship, To King Henry

               Levy⁶¹ great sums of money through the realm

               For soldiers’ pay in France, and never sent it,

               By means whereof⁶³ the towns each day revolted?

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Tut, these are petty faults to⁶⁴ faults unknown,

65

65           Which time will bring to light in smooth⁶⁵ Duke Humphrey.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI My lords, at once:⁶⁶ the care you have of us

               To mow down thorns that would annoy⁶⁷ our foot

               Is worthy praise: but shall⁶⁸ I speak my conscience,

               Our kinsman Gloucester is as innocent

70

70           From meaning treason to our royal person

               As is the sucking lamb or harmless dove:

               The duke is virtuous, mild and too well given⁷²

               To dream on evil or to work my downfall.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Ah, what’s more dangerous than this fond affiance?⁷⁴

75

75           Seems he a dove? His feathers are but borrowed,

               For he’s disposèd as⁷⁶ the hateful raven.

               Is he a lamb? His skin is surely lent him,

               For he’s inclined⁷⁸ as is the ravenous wolves.

               Who cannot steal a shape⁷⁹ that means deceit?

80

80           Take heed, my lord, the welfare of us all

               Hangs⁸¹ on the cutting short that fraudful man.

       Enter Somerset

SOMERSET

SOMERSET     All health unto my gracious sovereign.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Welcome, Lord Somerset. What news from France?

SOMERSET

SOMERSET     That all your interest⁸⁴ in those territories

85

85           Is utterly bereft⁸⁵ you: all is lost.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Cold news, Lord Somerset: but God’s will be done.

YORK

YORK     Cold news for me: for I had hope of France Aside

               As firmly as I hope for fertile England.

               Thus are my blossoms blasted⁸⁹ in the bud

90

90           And caterpillars eat my leaves away:

               But I will remedy this gear⁹¹ ere long,

               Or sell my title for a glorious grave.

       Enter Gloucester

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     All happiness unto my lord the king:

               Pardon, my liege, that I have stayed⁹⁴ so long.

95

95   

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK           Nay, Gloucester, know that thou art come too soon,

               Unless thou wert more loyal than thou art:

               I do arrest thee of high treason here.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Well, Suffolk, thou shalt not see me blush

               Nor change my countenance for this arrest:

100

100         A heart unspotted is not easily daunted.

               The purest spring is not so free from mud

               As I am clear from treason to my sovereign.

               Who can accuse me? Wherein am I guilty?

YORK

YORK     ’Tis thought, my lord, that you took bribes of¹⁰⁴ France,

105

105         And, being Protector, stayed¹⁰⁵ the soldiers’ pay,

               By means whereof his highness hath lost France.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Is it but thought so? What¹⁰⁷ are they that think it?

               I never robbed the soldiers of their pay,

               Nor ever had one penny bribe from France.

110

110         So help me God, as I have watched the night,¹¹⁰

               Ay, night by night, in studying¹¹¹ good for England,

               That¹¹² doit that e’er I wrested from the king,

               Or any groat¹¹³ I hoarded to my use,

               Be brought against me at my trial day!

115

115         No: many a pound of mine own proper store,¹¹⁵

               Because I would not tax the needy commons,

               Have I disbursèd¹¹⁷ to the garrisons,

               And never asked for restitution.

CARDINAL

CARDINAL     It serves you well, my lord, to say so much.

120

120 

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER             I say no more than truth, so help me God.

YORK

YORK     In your Protectorship you did devise

               Strange tortures for offenders, never heard of,

               That¹²³ England was defamed by tyranny.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Why, ’tis well known that whiles¹²⁴ I was Protector,

125

125         Pity was all the fault that was in me:

               For I should melt at an offender’s tears,

               And lowly¹²⁷ words were ransom for their fault:

               Unless it were a bloody murderer,

               Or foul felonious¹²⁹ thief that fleeced poor passengers,

130

130         I never gave them condign¹³⁰ punishment.

               Murder indeed, that bloody sin, I tortured

               Above¹³² the felon or what trespass else.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     My lord, these faults are easy,¹³³ quickly answered:

               But mightier crimes are laid unto your charge,

135

135         Whereof you cannot easily purge yourself.

               I do arrest you in his highness’ name,

               And here commit you to my lord cardinal

               To keep¹³⁸ until your further time of trial.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI My lord of Gloucester, ’tis my special hope

140

140         That you will clear yourself from all suspense:¹⁴⁰

               My conscience tells me you are innocent.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Ah, gracious lord, these days are dangerous:

               Virtue is choked with foul ambition

               And charity chased hence by rancour’s hand:

145

145         Foul subornation¹⁴⁵ is predominant

               And equity¹⁴⁶ exiled your highness’ land.

               I know their complot¹⁴⁷ is to have my life:

               And if my death might make this island happy,

               And prove the period¹⁴⁹ of their tyranny,

150

150         I would expend it¹⁵⁰ with all willingness.

               But mine¹⁵¹ is made the prologue to their play:

               For thousands more, that yet suspect no peril,

               Will not conclude their plotted tragedy.

               Beaufort’s red sparkling eyes blab¹⁵⁴ his heart’s malice,

155

155         And Suffolk’s cloudy brow his stormy hate:

               Sharp¹⁵⁶ Buckingham unburdens with his tongue

               The envious¹⁵⁷ load that lies upon his heart:

               And doggèd¹⁵⁸ York, that reaches at the moon,

               Whose overweening¹⁵⁹ arm I have plucked back,

160

160         By false accuse¹⁶⁰ doth level at my life.—

               And you, my sovereign lady, with the rest, To Queen Margaret

               Causeless¹⁶² have laid disgraces on my head,

               And with your best endeavour have stirred up

               My liefest liege¹⁶⁴ to be mine enemy:

165

165         Ay, all of you have laid your heads together —

               Myself had notice of your conventicles¹⁶⁶ —

               And all to make away my guiltless life.

               I shall not want¹⁶⁸ false witness to condemn me,

               Nor store¹⁶⁹ of treasons to augment my guilt:

170

170         The ancient proverb will be well effected:

               ‘A staff is quickly found to beat a dog.’

CARDINAL

CARDINAL     My liege, his railing¹⁷² is intolerable.

               If those that care to keep your royal person

               From treason’s secret knife and traitors’ rage

175

175         Be thus upbraided, chid¹⁷⁵ and rated at,

               And the offender granted scope¹⁷⁶ of speech,

               ’Twill make them cool in zeal¹⁷⁷ unto your grace.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Hath he not twit¹⁷⁸ our sovereign lady here

               With ignominious words, though clerkly couched,¹⁷⁹

180

180         As if she had subornèd¹⁸⁰ some to swear

               False allegations to o’erthrow his state?¹⁸¹

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET But I can give the loser leave to chide.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Far truer spoke than meant: I lose indeed:

               Beshrew¹⁸⁴ the winners, for they played me false,

185

185         And well such losers may have leave to speak.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     He’ll wrest¹⁸⁶ the sense and hold us here all day.

               Lord Cardinal, he is your prisoner.

CARDINAL

CARDINAL     Sirs, take away the duke, and guard him sure.¹⁸⁸

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Ah, thus King Henry throws away his crutch

190

190         Before his legs be firm to bear his body.

               Thus is the shepherd beaten from thy side,

               And wolves are gnarling¹⁹² who shall gnaw thee first.

               Ah, that my fear were false: ah, that it were:

               For, good King Henry, thy decay¹⁹⁴ I fear.

       Exit Gloucester [guarded]

195

195 

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI My lords, what to your wisdoms seemeth best,

               Do or undo, as if ourself were here.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET What, will your highness leave the parliament?

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Ay, Margaret: my heart is drowned with grief,

               Whose flood begins to flow within mine eyes:

200

200         My body round engirt²⁰⁰ with misery:

               For what’s more miserable than discontent?—

               Ah, uncle Humphrey, in thy face I see

               The map²⁰³ of honour, truth and loyalty:

               And yet, good Humphrey, is the hour to come

205

205         That e’er I proved thee false²⁰⁵ or feared thy faith.

               What louring star now envies thy estate,²⁰⁶

               That these great lords and Margaret our queen

               Do seek subversion²⁰⁸ of thy harmless life?

               Thou never didst them wrong, nor no man wrong:

210

210         And as the butcher takes away the calf,

               And binds the wretch, and beats it when it strays,²¹¹

               Bearing it to the bloody slaughterhouse,

               Even so remorseless have they borne him hence:

               And as the dam²¹⁴ runs lowing up and down,

215

215         Looking the way her harmless young one went,

               And can do naught but wail her darling’s loss,

               Even so myself bewails good Gloucester’s case

               With sad unhelpful tears, and with dimmed eyes

               Look after him, and cannot do him good:

220

220         So mighty are his vowèd²²⁰ enemies.

               His fortunes I will weep, and ’twixt²²¹ each groan

               Say ‘Who’s a traitor? Gloucester he is none.’

       Exit [with Buckingham, Salisbury and Warwick]

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Free²²³ lords, cold snow melts with the sun’s hot beams:

               Henry my lord is cold²²⁴ in great affairs,

225

225         Too full of foolish pity: and Gloucester’s show²²⁵

               Beguiles²²⁶ him as the mournful crocodile

               With sorrow snares relenting passengers,

               Or as the snake rolled in a flow’ring bank,

               With shining chequered slough,²²⁹ doth sting a child

230

230         That for the beauty thinks it excellent.

               Believe me, lords, were none more wise than I—

               And yet herein I judge mine own wit²³² good—

               This Gloucester should be quickly rid²³³ the world,

               To rid us from the fear we have of him.

235

235 

CARDINAL

CARDINAL             That he should die is worthy²³⁵ policy:

               But yet we want a colour²³⁶ for his death:

               ’Tis meet²³⁷ he be condemned by course of law.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     But, in my mind, that were²³⁸ no policy:

               The king will labour still²³⁹ to save his life,

240

240         The commons haply rise,²⁴⁰ to save his life:

               And yet we have but trivial argument,²⁴¹

               More than mistrust,²⁴² that shows him worthy death.

YORK

YORK     So that, by this,²⁴³ you would not have him die.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Ah, York, no man alive so fain²⁴⁴ as I.

245

245 

YORK

YORK             ’Tis York that hath more reason for his death.— Aside

               But, my lord cardinal, and you my lord of Suffolk, Aloud

               Say as you think, and speak it from your souls:

               Were’t not all one,²⁴⁸ an empty eagle were set

               To guard the chicken from a hungry kite,²⁴⁹

250

250         As place Duke Humphrey for the king’s Protector?

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET So the poor chicken should be sure of death.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Madam, ’tis true: and were’t not madness then

               To make the fox surveyor²⁵³ of the fold,

               Who being accused a crafty murderer,

255

255         His guilt should be but idly posted over,²⁵⁵

               Because²⁵⁶ his purpose is not executed?

               No: let him die, in that he is a fox,

               By nature proved an enemy to the flock,

               Before his chaps²⁵⁹ be stained with crimson blood,

260

260         As Humphrey, proved²⁶⁰ by reasons, to my liege.

               And do not stand²⁶¹ on quillets how to slay him:

               Be it by gins, by snares,²⁶² by subtlety,

               Sleeping or waking, ’tis no matter how,

               So²⁶⁴ he be dead: for that is good deceit

265

265         Which mates²⁶⁵ him first that first intends deceit.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Thrice-noble Suffolk, ’tis resolutely spoke.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Not resolute, except²⁶⁷ so much were done:

               For things are often spoke and seldom meant:

               But that²⁶⁹ my heart accordeth with my tongue,

270

270         Seeing the deed is meritorious,²⁷⁰

               And to preserve my sovereign from his foe,

               Say but the word, and I will be his priest.²⁷²

CARDINAL

CARDINAL     But I would have him dead, my lord of Suffolk,

               Ere²⁷⁴ you can take due orders for a priest:

275

275         Say you consent and censure²⁷⁵ well the deed,

               And I’ll provide his executioner,

               I tender so²⁷⁷ the safety of my liege.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Here is my hand, the deed is worthy doing.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET And so say I.

280

280 

YORK

YORK             And I: and now we three have spoke it,

               It skills²⁸¹ not greatly who impugns our doom.

       Enter a Post

POST

POST     Great lords, from Ireland am I come amain²⁸²

               To signify²⁸³ that rebels there are up

               And put the Englishmen unto the sword.

285

285         Send succours,²⁸⁵ lords, and stop the rage betime,

               Before the wound do grow uncurable:

               For, being green,²⁸⁷ there is great hope of help.

CARDINAL

CARDINAL     A breach²⁸⁸ that craves a quick expedient stop!

               What counsel give you in this weighty cause?²⁸⁹

290

290 

YORK

YORK             That Somerset be sent as regent thither:

               ’Tis meet²⁹¹ that lucky ruler be employed:

               Witness the fortune he hath had in France.

SOMERSET

SOMERSET     If York, with all his far-fet²⁹³ policy,

               Had been the regent there instead of me,

295

295         He never would have stayed in France so long.

YORK

YORK     No, not to lose it all, as thou hast done.

               I rather would have lost my life betimes²⁹⁷

               Than bring a burden of dishonour home

               By staying there so long till all were lost.

300

300         Show me one scar charactered³⁰⁰ on thy skin:

               Men’s flesh³⁰¹ preserved so whole do seldom win.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Nay, then, this spark will prove a raging fire

               If wind and fuel be brought to feed it with:

               No more, good York: sweet Somerset, be still:

305

305         Thy fortune, York, hadst thou been regent there,

               Might happily³⁰⁶ have proved far worse than his.

YORK

YORK     What, worse than naught? Nay, then a shame take all!

SOMERSET

SOMERSET     And, in the number,³⁰⁸ thee that wishest shame.

CARDINAL

CARDINAL     My lord of York, try³⁰⁹ what your fortune is:

310

310         The uncivil³¹⁰ kerns of Ireland are in arms

               And temper clay³¹¹ with blood of Englishmen.

               To Ireland will you lead a band of men,

               Collected choicely,³¹³ from each county some,

               And try your hap³¹⁴ against the Irishmen?

35

35   

YORK

YORK           I will, my lord, so please his majesty.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Why, our authority is his consent,

               And what we do establish he confirms:

               Then, noble York, take thou this task in hand.

YORK

YORK     I am content: provide me soldiers, lords,

320

320         Whiles I take order³²⁰ for mine own affairs.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     A charge, Lord York, that I will see performed.

               But now return we to the false Duke Humphrey.

CARDINAL

CARDINAL     No more of him: for I will deal with him

               That henceforth he shall trouble us no more:

325

325         And so break off: the day is almost spent.

               Lord Suffolk, you and I must talk of that event.

YORK

YORK     My lord of Suffolk, within fourteen days

               At Bristol I expect my soldiers,

               For there I’ll ship them all for Ireland.

330

330 

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK             I’ll see it truly done, my lord of York.

       Exeunt [leaving] York

YORK

YORK     Now, York, or never, steel thy fearful thoughts,

               And change misdoubt³³² to resolution:

               Be that³³³ thou hop’st to be, or what thou art

               Resign to death: it is not worth th’enjoying:

335

335         Let pale-faced fear keep³³⁵ with the mean-born man,

               And find no harbour³³⁶ in a royal heart.

               Faster than springtime showers comes thought on thought,

               And not a thought but thinks on dignity.³³⁸

               My brain, more busy than the labouring spider,

340

340         Weaves tedious³⁴⁰ snares to trap mine enemies.

               Well, nobles, well: ’tis politicly³⁴¹ done,

               To send me packing with an host of men:

               I fear me³⁴³ you but warm the starvèd snake,

               Who, cherished in your breasts, will sting your hearts.

345

345         ’Twas men I lacked and you will give them me:

               I take it kindly: yet be well assured

               You put sharp weapons in a madman’s hands.

               Whiles I in Ireland nourish³⁴⁸ a mighty band,

               I will stir up in England some black storm

350

350         Shall³⁵⁰ blow ten thousand souls to heaven or hell:

               And this fell³⁵¹ tempest shall not cease to rage

               Until the golden circuit³⁵² on my head,

               Like to the glorious sun’s transparent beams,

               Do calm the fury of this mad-bred³⁵⁴ flaw.

355

355         And for a minister³⁵⁵ of my intent,

               I have seduced a headstrong Kentishman,

               John Cade of Ashford,³⁵⁷

               To make commotion,³⁵⁸ as full well he can,

               Under the title of John Mortimer.³⁵⁹

360

360         In Ireland have I seen this stubborn Cade

               Oppose himself against a troop of kerns,

               And fought so long, till that³⁶² his thighs with darts

               Were almost like a sharp-quilled porcupine:

               And in the end, being rescued, I have seen

365

365         Him caper³⁶⁵ upright like a wild Morisco,

               Shaking the³⁶⁶ bloody darts as he his bells.

               Full³⁶⁷ often, like a shag-haired crafty kern,

               Hath he conversèd with the enemy,

               And, undiscovered, come to me again

370

370         And given me notice³⁷⁰ of their villainies.

               This devil here shall be my substitute:

               For that John³⁷² Mortimer, which now is dead,

               In face, in gait,³⁷³ in speech, he doth resemble.

               By this I shall perceive the commons’³⁷⁴ mind,

375

375         How they affect³⁷⁵ the house and claim of York.

               Say he be taken,³⁷⁶ racked and torturèd,

               I know no pain they can inflict upon him

               Will make him say I moved³⁷⁸ him to those arms.

               Say that he thrive, as ’tis great like³⁷⁹ he will,

380

380         Why then from Ireland come I with my strength

               And reap the harvest which that rascal³⁸¹ sowed.

               For Humphrey being dead, as he shall be,

               And Henry put apart,³⁸³ the next for me.

       Exit

[Act 3 Scene 2]

running scene 10

       Enter two or three [Murderers] running over the stage, from the murder of Duke Humphrey [Gloucester]

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER Run to my lord of Suffolk: let him know

               We have dispatched² the duke, as he commanded.

SECOND MURDERER

SECOND MURDERER O, that it were to do!³ What have we done?

               Didst ever hear a man so penitent?

       Enter Suffolk

5

5     

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER Here comes my lord.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Now, sirs, have you dispatched this thing?

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER Ay, my good lord, he’s dead.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Why, that’s well said. Go, get you to my house:

               I will reward you for this venturous⁹ deed:

10

10           The king and all the peers are here at hand.

               Have you laid fair¹¹ the bed? Is all things well,

               According as I gave directions?

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER ’Tis, my good lord.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Away! Be gone.

       Exeunt [Murderers]

       Sound trumpets. Enter the King [Henry VI], the Queen [Margaret], Cardinal, Somerset, with Attendants

15

15   

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Go call our uncle to our presence straight:¹⁵

               Say we intend to try his grace today

               If¹⁷ he be guilty, as ’tis publishèd.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     I’ll call him presently, my noble lord.

       Exit

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Lords, take your places: and, I pray you all,

20

20           Proceed no straiter²⁰ gainst our uncle Gloucester

               Than from true evidence of good esteem²¹

               He be approved in²² practice culpable.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET God forbid any malice should prevail,

               That faultless²⁴ may condemn a noble man:

25

25           Pray God he may acquit him²⁵ of suspicion!

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI I thank thee, Meg: these words content me much.

       Enter Suffolk

               How now? Why look’st thou pale? Why tremblest thou?

               Where is our uncle? What’s the matter, Suffolk?

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Dead in his bed, my lord: Gloucester is dead.

30

30   

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Marry, God forfend!³⁰

CARDINAL

CARDINAL     God’s secret judgement: I did dream tonight³¹

               The duke was dumb and could not speak a word.

       King [Henry VI] swoons

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET How fares my lord?— Help, lords, the king is dead!

SOMERSET

SOMERSET     Rear up³⁴ his body: wring him by the nose.

35

35   

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Run, go, help, help! O Henry, ope thine eyes!

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     He doth revive again: madam, be patient.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI O heavenly God!

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET How fares my gracious lord?

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Comfort, my sovereign: gracious Henry, comfort.

40

40   

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI What, doth my lord of Suffolk comfort me?

               Came he right now to sing a raven’s note,⁴¹

               Whose dismal⁴² tune bereft my vital powers:

               And thinks he that the chirping of a wren,

               By crying comfort from a hollow⁴⁴ breast,

45

45           Can chase away the first-conceivèd⁴⁵ sound?

               Hide not thy poison with such sugared words:

               Lay not thy hands on me: forbear I say,

               Their touch affrights⁴⁸ me as a serpent’s sting.

               Thou baleful⁴⁹ messenger, out of my sight:

50

50           Upon thy eyeballs murderous tyranny

               Sits in grim majesty, to fright the world.

               Look not upon me, for thine eyes are wounding:

               Yet do not go away: come, basilisk,⁵³

               And kill the innocent gazer with thy sight:

55

55           For in the shade of death I shall find joy:

               In life, but double death, now Gloucester’s dead.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Why do you rate⁵⁷ my lord of Suffolk thus?

               Although the duke was enemy to him,

               Yet he most Christian-like laments his death:

60

60           And for myself, foe as he was to me,

               Might liquid tears, or heart-offending⁶¹ groans,

               Or blood-consuming sighs recall his life,

               I would be blind with weeping, sick with groans,

               Look pale as primrose with blood-drinking sighs,

65

65           And all to have the noble duke alive.

               What know I how the world may deem⁶⁶ of me?

               For it is known we were but hollow⁶⁷ friends:

               It may be judged I made the duke away.

               So shall my name with slander’s tongue be wounded,

70

70           And princes’ courts be filled with my reproach:⁷⁰

               This get I by his death: ay me, unhappy,

               To be a queen, and crowned with infamy.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Ah, woe is me for Gloucester, wretched man!

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Be woe⁷⁴ for me, more wretched than he is.

75

75           What, dost thou turn away and hide thy face?

               I am no loathsome leper: look on me.

               What, art thou, like the adder, waxen deaf?⁷⁷

               Be poisonous too and kill thy forlorn⁷⁸ queen.

               Is all thy comfort shut in Gloucester’s tomb?

80

80           Why, then, Dame Margaret was ne’er thy joy.

               Erect his statue and worship it,

               And make my image but an ale-house sign.

               Was I for this nigh⁸³ wracked upon the sea

               And twice by awkward⁸⁴ wind from England’s bank

85

85           Drove back again unto my native clime?⁸⁵

               What boded this, but⁸⁶ well forewarning wind

               Did seem to say ‘Seek not a scorpion’s nest,

               Nor set no footing on this unkind⁸⁸ shore’?

               What did I then, but cursed the gentle⁸⁹ gusts

90

90           And he⁹⁰ that loosed them forth their brazen caves,

               And bid them blow towards England’s blessèd shore,

               Or turn our stern upon a dreadful rock?

               Yet Aeolus⁹³ would not be a murderer,

               But left that hateful office unto thee.

95

95           The pretty⁹⁵ vaulting sea refused to drown me,

               Knowing that thou wouldst have me drowned on shore

               With tears as salt as sea, through thy unkindness.

               The splitting⁹⁸ rocks cowered in the sinking sands,

               And would not dash me with their ragged sides,

100

100         Because¹⁰⁰ thy flinty heart, more hard than they,

               Might in thy palace perish¹⁰¹ Margaret.

               As far as I could ken¹⁰² thy chalky cliffs,

               When from thy shore the tempest beat us back,

               I stood upon the hatches¹⁰⁴ in the storm,

105

105         And when the dusky sky began to rob

               My earnest-gaping¹⁰⁶ sight of thy land’s view,

               I took a costly jewel from my neck —

               A heart it was, bound in with¹⁰⁸ diamonds —

               And threw it towards thy land. The sea received it,

110

110         And so I wished thy body might my heart:

               And even with this, I lost fair England’s view,

               And bid mine eyes be packing¹¹² with my heart,

               And called them blind and dusky spectacles,

               For losing ken of Albion’s wishèd¹¹⁴ coast.

115

115         How often have I tempted Suffolk’s tongue,

               The agent¹¹⁶ of thy foul inconstancy,

               To sit and witch¹¹⁷ me as Ascanius did,

               When he to madding¹¹⁸ Dido would unfold

               His father’s acts commenced in burning Troy.

120

120         Am I not witched like her? Or thou not false¹²⁰ like him?

               Ay me, I can no more:¹²¹ die, Margaret,

               For Henry weeps that thou dost live so long.

       Noise within. Enter Warwick, [Salisbury] and many Commons

WARWICK

WARWICK     It is reported, mighty sovereign,

               That good Duke Humphrey traitorously is murdered

125

125         By Suffolk and the Cardinal Beaufort’s means:

               The commons, like an angry hive of bees

               That want¹²⁷ their leader, scatter up and down

               And care not who they sting in his revenge.¹²⁸

               Myself have calmed their spleenful¹²⁹ mutiny,

130

130         Until they hear the order¹³⁰ of his death.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI That he is dead, good Warwick, ’tis too true:

               But how he died, God knows, not Henry:

               Enter his chamber, view his breathless corpse,

               And comment then upon¹³⁴ his sudden death.

135

135 

WARWICK

WARWICK             That shall I do, my liege.— Stay, Salisbury,

               With the rude¹³⁶ multitude till I return.

       [Exeunt Warwick, Salisbury and Commons]

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI O, thou that judgest all things, stay¹³⁷ my thoughts:

               My thoughts, that labour to persuade my soul

               Some violent hands were laid on Humphrey’s life:

140

140         If my suspect¹⁴⁰ be false, forgive me, God,

               For judgement only doth belong to thee:

               Fain¹⁴² would I go to chafe his paly lips

               With twenty thousand kisses, and to drain

               Upon his face an ocean of salt tears,

145

145         To tell my love unto his dumb deaf trunk,¹⁴⁵

               And with my fingers feel his hand unfeeling:

               But all in vain are these mean obsequies;¹⁴⁷

       Bed put forth

               And to survey his dead and earthy image:

               What were it but to make my sorrow greater?

       [Enter Warwick to reveal Gloucester’s body in his bed]

150

150 

WARWICK

WARWICK             Come hither, gracious sovereign, view this body.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI That is to see how deep my grave is made,

               For with his soul fled all my worldly solace:

               For seeing him, I see my¹⁵³ life in death.

WARWICK

WARWICK     As surely as my soul intends to live

155

155         With that dread¹⁵⁵ king that took our state upon him

               To free us from his father’s wrathful curse,

               I do believe that violent hands were laid

               Upon the life of this thrice-famèd¹⁵⁸ duke.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     A dreadful oath, sworn with a solemn tongue:

160

160         What instance¹⁶⁰ gives Lord Warwick for his vow?

WARWICK

WARWICK     See how the blood is settled¹⁶¹ in his face.

               Oft have I seen a timely-parted ghost,¹⁶²

               Of ashy semblance, meagre,¹⁶³ pale and bloodless,

               Being¹⁶⁴ all descended to the labouring heart,

165

165         Who in the conflict that it holds with death,

               Attracts the same for aidance¹⁶⁶ gainst the enemy,

               Which¹⁶⁷ with the heart there cools, and ne’er returneth

               To blush and beautify the cheek again.

               But see, his face is black and full of blood:

170

170         His eyeballs further out than when he lived,

               Staring full ghastly like a strangled man:

               His hair upreared,¹⁷² his nostrils stretched with struggling:

               His hands abroad displayed,¹⁷³ as one that grasped

               And tugged for life and was by strength subdued.

175

175         Look, on the sheets his hair, you see, is sticking.

               His well-proportioned¹⁷⁶ beard, made rough and rugged,

               Like to the summer’s corn by tempest lodged:¹⁷⁷

               It cannot be but he was murdered here:

               The least of all these signs were probable.¹⁷⁹

180

180 

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK             Why, Warwick, who should do the duke to death?

               Myself and Beaufort had him in protection,

               And we, I hope, sir, are no murderers.

WARWICK

WARWICK     But both of you were vowed Duke Humphrey’s foes,

               And you, forsooth, had the good duke to keep:¹⁸⁴

185

185         ’Tis like¹⁸⁵ you would not feast him like a friend,

               And ’tis well seen¹⁸⁶ he found an enemy.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Then you, belike,¹⁸⁷ suspect these noblemen

               As guilty of Duke Humphrey’s timeless¹⁸⁸ death.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Who finds the heifer dead and bleeding fresh,

190

190         And sees fast by a butcher with an axe,

               But will suspect ’twas he that made the slaughter?

               Who finds the partridge in the puttock’s¹⁹² nest,

               But may imagine how the bird was dead,

               Although the kite soar with unbloodied beak?

195

195         Even so suspicious is this tragedy.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Are you the butcher, Suffolk? Where’s your knife?

               Is Beaufort termed a kite? Where are his talons?

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     I wear no knife to slaughter sleeping men:

               But here’s a vengeful sword, rusted with ease,¹⁹⁹

200

200         That shall be scoured²⁰⁰ in his rancorous heart

               That slanders me with murder’s crimson badge.²⁰¹

               Say, if thou dar’st, proud Lord of Warwickshire,

               That I am faulty²⁰³ in Duke Humphrey’s death.

       [Exeunt Cardinal and Somerset]

WARWICK

WARWICK     What dares not Warwick, if false Suffolk dare him?

205

205 

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET He dares not calm his contumelious²⁰⁵ spirit,

               Nor cease to be an arrogant controller,²⁰⁶

               Though Suffolk dare him twenty thousand times.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Madam, be still: with reverence may I say,

               For every word you speak in his behalf

210

210         Is slander to your royal dignity.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Blunt-witted lord, ignoble in demeanour,

               If ever lady wronged her lord so much,

               Thy mother took into her blameful bed

               Some stern untutored churl:²¹⁴ and noble stock

215

215         Was graft²¹⁵ with crab-tree slip, whose fruit thou art,

               And never of the Nevilles’ noble race.

WARWICK

WARWICK     But that the guilt of murder bucklers²¹⁷ thee,

               And²¹⁸ I should rob the deathsman of his fee,

               Quitting²¹⁹ thee thereby of ten thousand shames,

220

220         And that my sovereign’s presence makes²²⁰ me mild,

               I would, false murd’rous coward, on thy knee

               Make thee beg pardon for thy passèd²²² speech,

               And say it was thy mother that thou meant’st,

               That thou thyself was born in bastardy:

225

225         And after all this fearful²²⁵ homage done,

               Give thee thy hire²²⁶ and send thy soul to hell,

               Pernicious²²⁷ bloodsucker of sleeping men!

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Thou shalt be waking while I shed thy blood,

               If from this presence²²⁹ thou dar’st go with me.

230

230 

WARWICK

WARWICK             Away even now, or I will drag thee hence:

               Unworthy though thou art, I’ll cope²³¹ with thee,

               And do some service to Duke Humphrey’s ghost.

       Exeunt [Suffolk and Warwick]

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI What stronger breastplate than a heart untainted?

               Thrice is he armed that hath his quarrel just:²³⁴

235

235         And he but naked, though locked up in steel,²³⁵

               Whose conscience with injustice is corrupted.

       A noise within

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET What noise is this?

       Enter Suffolk and Warwick, with their weapons drawn

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Why, how now, lords? Your wrathful weapons²³⁸ drawn

               Here in our presence? Dare you be so bold?

240

240         Why, what tumultuous clamour have we here?

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     The trait’rous Warwick with the men of Bury

               Set all upon me, mighty sovereign.

       Enter Salisbury [from the Commons, within]

SALISBURY

SALISBURY     Sirs, stand apart: the king shall know your mind.— To the Commons

               Dread lord, the commons send you word by me, To King Henry

245

245         Unless Lord Suffolk straight be done to death,

               Or banishèd fair England’s territories,

               They will by violence tear him from your palace,

               And torture him with grievous ling’ring death.

               They say, by him the good Duke Humphrey died:

250

250         They say, in him they fear your highness’ death:

               And mere²⁵¹ instinct of love and loyalty,

               Free from a stubborn opposite²⁵² intent,

               As²⁵³ being thought to contradict your liking,

               Makes them thus forward in²⁵⁴ his banishment.

255

255         They say, in care of your most royal person,

               That if your highness should intend to sleep

               And charge²⁵⁷ that no man should disturb your rest

               In²⁵⁸ pain of your dislike, or pain of death,

               Yet, notwithstanding such a strait²⁵⁹ edict,

260

260         Were there a serpent seen, with forkèd tongue,

               That slyly glided towards your majesty,

               It were but necessary you were waked:

               Lest, being suffered²⁶³ in that harmful slumber,

               The mortal worm²⁶⁴ might make the sleep eternal.

265

265         And therefore do they cry, though you forbid,

               That they will guard you, whe’er²⁶⁶ you will or no,

               From such fell²⁶⁷ serpents as false Suffolk is,

               With whose envenomèd and fatal sting,

               Your loving uncle, twenty times his worth,

270

270         They say, is shamefully bereft of life.

COMMONS

COMMONS     An answer from the king, my lord of Salisbury!

       Within

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     ’Tis like²⁷² the commons, rude unpolished hinds,

               Could send such message to their sovereign:

               But you, my lord, were glad to be employed,

275

275         To show how quaint²⁷⁵ an orator you are.

               But all the honour Salisbury hath won

               Is that he was the Lord Ambassador

               Sent from a sort²⁷⁸ of tinkers to the king.

COMMONS

COMMONS     An answer from the king, or we will all break in.

       Within

280

280 

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Go, Salisbury, and tell them all from me

               I thank them for their tender loving care:

               And had I not been cited²⁸² so by them,

               Yet did I purpose²⁸³ as they do entreat:

               For sure, my thoughts do hourly prophesy

285

285         Mischance²⁸⁵ unto my state by Suffolk’s means.

               And therefore by his²⁸⁶ majesty I swear,

               Whose far unworthy deputy I am,

               He shall not breathe infection in²⁸⁸ this air

               But²⁸⁹ three days longer, on the pain of death.

       [Exit Salisbury]

290

290 

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET O Henry, let me plead for gentle²⁹⁰ Suffolk.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Ungentle²⁹¹ queen, to call him gentle Suffolk.

               No more, I say: if thou dost plead for him,

               Thou wilt but add increase unto my wrath.

               Had I but said, I would have kept my word:

295

295         But when I swear, it is irrevocable:

               If after three days’ space thou here be’st²⁹⁶ found

               On any ground that I am ruler of,

               The world shall not be ransom for thy life.

               Come, Warwick, come, good Warwick, go with me:

300

300         I have great matters to impart to thee.

       Exeunt [all but Queen Margaret and Suffolk]

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Mischance and sorrow go along with you!

               Heart’s discontent and sour affliction

               Be playfellows to keep you company!

               There’s two of you, the devil make a third,

305

305         And threefold vengeance tend³⁰⁵ upon your steps.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Cease, gentle queen, these execrations,³⁰⁶

               And let thy Suffolk take his heavy³⁰⁷ leave.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Fie, coward woman and soft-hearted wretch!

               Hast thou not spirit to curse thine enemies?

310

310 

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK             A plague upon them! Wherefore should I curse them?

               Could curses kill, as doth the mandrake’s³¹¹ groan,

               I would invent as bitter-searching³¹² terms,

               As curst, as harsh and horrible to hear,

               Delivered strongly through my fixèd³¹⁴ teeth,

315

315         With full as many signs of deadly hate,

               As lean-faced envy in her loathsome cave.

               My tongue should stumble in mine earnest words:

               Mine eyes should sparkle like the beaten flint:³¹⁸

               Mine hair be fixed on end,³¹⁹ as one distract:

320

320         Ay, every joint should seem to curse and ban,³²⁰

               And even now my burdened heart would break

               Should I not curse them. Poison be their drink!

               Gall,³²³ worse than gall, the daintiest that they taste:

               Their sweetest shade, a grove of cypress trees:³²⁴

325

325         Their chiefest prospect,³²⁵ murd’ring basilisks:

               Their softest touch, as smart³²⁶ as lizards’ stings:

               Their music, frightful as the serpent’s hiss,

               And boding³²⁸ screech-owls make the consort full!

               All the foul terrors in dark-seated hell—

330

330 

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Enough, sweet Suffolk, thou torment’st thyself,

               And these dread curses, like the sun gainst glass,

               Or like an overchargèd³³² gun, recoil,

               And turn the force of them upon thyself.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     You bade me ban, and will you bid me leave?³³⁴

335

335         Now by the ground that I am banished from,

               Well could I curse away a winter’s night,

               Though standing naked on a mountain top,

               Where biting cold would never let grass grow,

               And think it but a minute spent in sport.³³⁹

340

340 

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET O, let me entreat thee cease: give me thy hand,

               That I may dew it with my mournful tears:

               Nor let the rain of heaven wet this place,

               To wash away my woeful monuments.³⁴³ She kisses his hand

               O, could this kiss be printed in thy hand,

345

345           That thou mightst think upon these³⁴⁵ by the seal,

               Through whom a thousand sighs are breathed for thee.

               So get thee gone, that I may know³⁴⁷ my grief:

               ’Tis but surmised³⁴⁸ whiles thou art standing by,

               As one that surfeits³⁴⁹ thinking on a want:

350

350         I will repeal³⁵⁰ thee, or, be well assured,

               Adventure³⁵¹ to be banishèd myself:

               And banishèd I am, if but from thee.

               Go, speak not to me: even now be gone.

               O, go not yet. Even thus two friends³⁵⁴ condemned

355

355         Embrace, and kiss, and take ten thousand leaves,

               Loather³⁵⁶ a hundred times to part than die:

               Yet now farewell, and farewell life with thee.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Thus is poor Suffolk ten times banishèd:

               Once by the king, and three times thrice by thee.

360

360         ’Tis not the land I care for, wert thou thence:³⁶⁰

               A wilderness is populous enough,

               So³⁶² Suffolk had thy heavenly company:

               For where thou art, there is the world itself,

               With every several³⁶⁴ pleasure in the world:

365

365         And where thou art not, desolation.

               I can no more: live thou to joy³⁶⁶ thy life:

               Myself no joy in naught but that thou liv’st.

       Enter Vaux

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Whither goes Vaux so fast? What news, I prithee?

VAUX

VAUX     To signify unto his majesty

370

370         That Cardinal Beaufort is at point of death:

               For suddenly a grievous sickness took him,

               That makes him gasp, and stare, and catch the³⁷² air,

               Blaspheming God and cursing men on earth.

               Sometimes he talks as if Duke Humphrey’s ghost

375

375         Were by his side: sometime he calls the king,

               And whispers to his pillow, as³⁷⁶ to him,

               The secrets of his overchargèd³⁷⁷ soul;

               And I am sent to tell his majesty

               That even now he cries aloud for him.

380

380 

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Go tell this heavy³⁸⁰ message to the king.

       Exit [Vaux]

               Ay me! What is this world? What news are these?

               But wherefore grieve I at an³⁸² hour’s poor loss,

               Omitting³⁸³ Suffolk’s exile, my soul’s treasure?

               Why only, Suffolk, mourn I not for thee,

385

385         And with the southern clouds³⁸⁵ contend in tears?

               Theirs for the earth’s increase, mine for my sorrows.

               Now get thee hence: the king, thou know’st, is coming:

               If thou be found by³⁸⁸ me, thou art but dead.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     If I depart from thee, I cannot live:

390

390         And in thy sight to die,³⁹⁰ what were it else

               But like a pleasant slumber in thy lap?³⁹¹

               Here could I breathe³⁹² my soul into the air,

               As mild and gentle as the cradle-babe

               Dying with mother’s dug³⁹⁴ between its lips.

395

               Where,³⁹⁵ from thy sight, I should be raging mad,

               And cry out for thee to close up mine eyes,

               To have thee with thy lips to stop my mouth,

               So shouldst thou either turn³⁹⁸ my flying soul, He kisses her

               Or I should breathe it so into thy body,

400

400         And then it lived⁴⁰⁰ in sweet Elysium.

               To die by thee were but⁴⁰¹ to die in jest:

               From thee to die were torture more than death:

               O let me stay, befall what may befall!

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Away: though parting be a fretful⁴⁰⁴ corrosive,

405

405         It is applièd to a deathful⁴⁰⁵ wound.

               To France, sweet Suffolk: let me hear from thee:

               For wheresoe’er thou art in this world’s globe,

               I’ll have an Iris⁴⁰⁸ that shall find thee out.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK      I go.

410

410 

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET And take my heart with thee. She kisses him

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     A jewel, locked into the woefull’st cask⁴¹¹

               That ever did contain a thing of worth:

               Even as a splitted bark,⁴¹³ so sunder we:

               This way fall I to death.

415

415 

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET This way for me.

       Exeunt [severally⁴¹⁵]

[Act 3 Scene 3]3.3

running scene 11

       Enter the King [Henry VI], Salisbury and Warwick, to the Cardinal in bed

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI How fares my lord? Speak, Beaufort, to thy sovereign.

CARDINAL

CARDINAL     If thou be’st death, I’ll give thee England’s treasure,

               Enough to purchase such another island,

               So⁴ thou wilt let me live, and feel no pain.

5

5     

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Ah, what a sign it is of evil life,

               Where death’s approach is seen⁶ so terrible.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Beaufort, it is thy sovereign speaks to thee.

CARDINAL

CARDINAL     Bring me unto my trial when you will.

               Died he⁹ not in his bed? Where should he die?

10

10           Can I make men live, whe’er they will or no?

               O torture me no more, I will confess.

               Alive again? Then show me where he is:

               I’ll give a thousand pound to look upon him.

               He hath no eyes, the dust¹⁴ hath blinded them.

15

15           Comb down his hair: look, look, it stands upright,

               Like lime-twigs¹⁶ set to catch my wingèd soul:

               Give me some drink, and bid the apothecary

               Bring the strong poison that I bought of¹⁸ him.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI O, thou eternal mover of the heavens,

20

20           Look with a gentle eye upon this wretch:

               O beat away the busy meddling fiend²¹

               That lays strong siege unto this wretch’s soul,

               And from his bosom purge this black despair.

WARWICK

WARWICK     See how the pangs of death do make him grin.²⁴

25

25   

SALISBURY

SALISBURY           Disturb him not: let him pass peaceably.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Peace to his soul, if God’s good pleasure be.

               Lord Card’nal, if thou think’st on heaven’s bliss,

               Hold up thy hand, make signal of thy hope. Cardinal dies

               He dies and makes no sign: O God, forgive him.

30

30   

WARWICK

WARWICK           So bad a death argues³⁰ a monstrous life.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Forbear to judge, for we are sinners all.

               Close up his eyes and draw the curtain close,³²

               And let us all to meditation.³³

       Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 1]4.1

running scene 12

       Alarum. Fight at sea. Ordnance goes off. Enter [a] Lieutenant, [a Master, a Master’s Mate, Walter Whitmore; with] Suffolk [disguised and two Gentlemen as their prisoners] and others

LIEUTENANT

LIEUTENANT     The gaudy,¹ blabbing and remorseful day

               Is crept into the bosom of the sea:

               And now loud-howling wolves arouse³ the jades

               That drag the tragic melancholy night:

5

5             Who, with their drowsy, slow and flagging⁵ wings

               Clip⁶ dead men’s graves, and from their misty jaws

               Breathe foul contagious darkness in the air:

               Therefore bring forth the soldiers of our prize,⁸

               For whilst our pinnace⁹ anchors in the Downs,

10

10           Here shall they make their ransom on the sand,

               Or with their blood stain this discoloured¹¹ shore.

               Master, this prisoner freely give I thee, Pointing to First Gentleman

               And thou that art his mate, make boot¹³ of this: Pointing to Second Gentleman

               The other, Walter Whitmore, is thy share. Pointing to Suffolk

15

15   

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN What is my ransom, master, let me know? To the Master

MASTER

MASTER     A thousand crowns, or else lay down your head.

MATE

MATE     And so much shall you give, or off goes yours. To Second Gentleman

LIEUTENANT

LIEUTENANT     What, think you much¹⁸ to pay two thousand crowns, To both Gentlemen

               And bear the name and port¹⁹ of gentlemen?

20

20   

WHITMORE

WHITMORE           Cut both the villains’ throats, for die you shall:

               The lives of those which we have lost in fight

               Be counterpoised²² with such a petty sum.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN I’ll give it, sir, and therefore spare my life. To the Master

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN And so will I, and write home for it straight. To the Mate

25

25   

WHITMORE

WHITMORE           I lost mine eye in laying²⁵ the prize aboard, To Suffolk

               And therefore to revenge it, shalt thou die,

               And so should these, if I might have my will.

LIEUTENANT

LIEUTENANT     Be not so rash: take ransom: let him live.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Look on my George:²⁹ I am a gentleman:

30

30           Rate³⁰ me at what thou wilt, thou shalt be paid.

WHITMORE

WHITMORE     And so am I: my name is Walter³¹ Whitmore.

               How now? Why starts thou? What, doth death affright?³²

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Thy name affrights me, in whose sound is death:

               A cunning man³⁴ did calculate my birth

35

35           And told me that by water I should die:

               Yet let not this make thee be bloody-minded:³⁶

               Thy name is Gualtier, being rightly sounded.³⁷

WHITMORE

WHITMORE     Gualtier or Walter, which it is, I care not:

               Never yet did base dishonour blur our name,

40

40           But with our sword we wiped away the blot.

               Therefore, when merchant-like I sell revenge,⁴¹

               Broke be my sword, my arms⁴² torn and defaced,

               And I proclaimed a coward through the world.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Stay, Whitmore, for thy prisoner is a prince,

45

45           The Duke of Suffolk, William de la Pole.

WHITMORE

WHITMORE     The Duke of Suffolk muffled up in rags?

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Ay, but these rags are no part of the duke:

               Jove⁴⁸ sometimes went disguised, and why not I?

LIEUTENANT

LIEUTENANT     But Jove was never slain as thou shalt be,

50

50           Obscure⁵⁰ and lousy swain, King Henry’s blood!

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     The honourable blood of Lancaster

               Must not be shed by such a jaded⁵² groom:

               Hast thou not kissed thy hand⁵³ and held my stirrup?

               Bare-headed⁵⁴ plodded by my foot-cloth mule

55

55           And thought thee happy⁵⁵ when I shook my head?

               How often hast thou waited⁵⁶ at my cup,

               Fed⁵⁷ from my trencher, kneeled down at the board,

               When I have feasted with Queen Margaret?

               Remember it, and let it make thee crest-fall’n,⁵⁹

60

60           Ay, and allay this thy abortive pride:

               How in our voiding lobby⁶¹ hast thou stood

               And duly waited for my coming forth?

               This hand of mine hath writ in thy behalf,

               And therefore shall it charm⁶⁴ thy riotous tongue.

65

65   

WHITMORE

WHITMORE           Speak, captain, shall I stab the forlorn swain?⁶⁵

LIEUTENANT

LIEUTENANT     First let my words stab him, as he hath me.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Base slave, thy words are blunt⁶⁷ and so art thou.

LIEUTENANT

LIEUTENANT     Convey him hence and on our longboat’s⁶⁸ side

               Strike off his head.

70

70   

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK           Thou dar’st not for thy own.⁷⁰

LIEUTENANT

LIEUTENANT     Pole—

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Pole?⁷²

LIEUTENANT

LIEUTENANT     Ay, kennel,⁷³ puddle, sink, whose filth and dirt

               Troubles⁷⁴ the silver spring where England drinks:

75

75           Now will I dam up this thy yawning⁷⁵ mouth

               For swallowing the treasure of the realm.

               Thy lips that kissed the queen shall sweep the ground:⁷⁷

               And thou that smiled’st at good Duke Humphrey’s death,

               Against⁷⁹ the senseless winds shalt grin in vain,

80

80           Who⁸⁰ in contempt shall hiss at thee again.

               And wedded be thou to the hags of hell,⁸¹

               For daring to affy⁸² a mighty lord

               Unto the daughter of a worthless king,

               Having neither subject,⁸⁴ wealth, nor diadem:

85

85           By devilish policy⁸⁵ art thou grown great,

               And like ambitious Sylla,⁸⁶ overgorged

               With gobbets⁸⁷ of thy mother’s bleeding heart.

               By thee Anjou and Maine were sold to France,

               The false revolting⁸⁹ Normans thorough thee

90

90           Disdain to call us lord, and Picardy⁹⁰

               Hath slain their governors, surprised⁹¹ our forts,

               And sent the ragged soldiers wounded home.

               The princely Warwick, and the Nevilles all,

               Whose dreadful swords were never drawn in vain,

95

95           As hating⁹⁵ thee, are rising up in arms:

               And now the House of York, thrust from the crown

               By shameful murder⁹⁷ of a guiltless king

               And lofty proud encroaching⁹⁸ tyranny,

               Burns with revenging fire, whose⁹⁹ hopeful colours

100

100         Advance¹⁰⁰ our half-faced sun, striving to shine,

               Under the which is writ ‘Invitis nubibus’.¹⁰¹

               The commons¹⁰² here in Kent are up in arms,

               And, to conclude, reproach and beggary

               Is crept into the palace of our king,

105

105         And all by thee.— Away, convey him hence.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     O, that I were a god,¹⁰⁶ to shoot forth thunder

               Upon these paltry, servile, abject drudges:¹⁰⁷

               Small things make base men proud. This villain here,

               Being captain of a pinnace,¹⁰⁹ threatens more

110

110         Than Bargulus¹¹⁰ the strong Illyrian pirate.

               Drones¹¹¹ suck not eagles’ blood, but rob beehives:

               It is impossible that I should die

               By such a lowly vassal¹¹³ as thyself.

               Thy words move rage and not remorse in me:

115

115         I go of¹¹⁵ message from the queen to France:

               I charge thee waft¹¹⁶ me safely cross the Channel.

LIEUTENANT

LIEUTENANT     Walter—

WHITMORE

WHITMORE     Come, Suffolk, I must waft thee to thy death.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Paene¹¹⁹ gelidus timor occupat artus: it is thee I fear.

120

120 

WHITMORE

WHITMORE             Thou shalt have cause to fear before I leave thee.

               What, are ye daunted now? Now will ye stoop?

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN My gracious lord, entreat him, speak him fair.¹²²

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Suffolk’s imperial¹²³ tongue is stern and rough:

               Used to command, untaught to plead for favour.

125

125         Far be it we¹²⁵ should honour such as these

               With humble suit:¹²⁶ no, rather let my head

               Stoop to the block than these knees bow to any,

               Save to the God of heaven and to my king:

               And sooner dance upon a bloody pole¹²⁹

130

130         Than stand uncovered¹³⁰ to the vulgar groom.

               True nobility is exempt from fear:

               More can I bear than you dare execute.

LIEUTENANT

LIEUTENANT     Hale¹³³ him away, and let him talk no more.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Come, soldiers, show what cruelty ye can,

135

135         That this my death may never be forgot.

               Great men oft die by vile¹³⁶ Besonians:

               A Roman sworder¹³⁷ and banditto slave

               Murdered sweet¹³⁸ Tully: Brutus’ bastard hand

               Stabbed Julius Caesar: savage islanders

140

140         Pompey the Great:¹⁴⁰ and Suffolk dies by pirates.

       Exit Walter [Whitmore] with Suffolk

LIEUTENANT

LIEUTENANT     And as for these whose ransom we have set,

               It is our pleasure one of them depart:

               Therefore come you with us and let him go.

                                               Exit Lieutenant, and the rest [leaving]the First Gentleman

       Enter Whitmore with the body [of Suffolk]

WHITMORE

WHITMORE     There let his head and lifeless body lie,

145

145         Until the queen his mistress¹⁴⁵ bury it.

       Exit

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN O, barbarous and bloody spectacle!

               His body will I bear unto the king:

               If he revenge it not, yet will his friends:

               So will the queen, that living held him dear.

       [Exit with the body]

[Act 4 Scene 2]4.2

running scene 13

       Enter [George] Bevis and John Holland [with long staves]

BEVIS

BEVIS      Come and get thee a sword, though made of a lath:¹ they have been up these two days.

HOLLAND

HOLLAND     They have the more need to sleep now then.

BEVIS

BEVIS     I tell thee, Jack Cade the clothier⁴ means to dress the commonwealth, and turn it,⁵ and set a new nap upon it.

HOLLAND

HOLLAND     So he had need, for ’tis threadbare. Well, I say it was never merry world⁶ in England since gentlemen came up.⁷

BEVIS

BEVIS     O miserable age: virtue is not regarded⁸ in handicraftsmen.

HOLLAND

HOLLAND     The nobility think scorn⁹ to go in leather aprons.

BEVIS

BEVIS     Nay more, the King’s Council are no good workmen.

HOLLAND

HOLLAND     True: and yet it is said, ‘Labour¹¹ in thy vocation’: which is as much to say as, ‘Let the magistrates be labouring¹² men’, and therefore should we be magistrates.

BEVIS

BEVIS     Thou hast hit it:¹⁴ for there’s no better sign of a brave mind than a hard hand.

HOLLAND

HOLLAND     I see them! I see them! There’s Best’s¹⁶ son, the tanner of Wingham.

BEVIS

BEVIS     He shall have the skins of our enemies to make dog’s¹⁷ leather of.

HOLLAND

HOLLAND     And Dick the Butcher.

BEVIS

BEVIS     Then is sin struck down like an ox, and iniquity’s throat cut like a calf.

HOLLAND

HOLLAND     And Smith the weaver.

BEVIS

BEVIS      Argo,²¹ their thread of life is spun.

HOLLAND

HOLLAND     Come, come, let’s fall in²² with them.

       Drum. Enter Cade, Dick [the] Butcher, Smith the Weaver, and a Sawyer, with infinite numbers [with long staves]

CADE

CADE     We,²³ John Cade, so termed of our supposed father—

DICK

DICK     Or rather of²⁴ stealing a cade of herrings. Aside

CADE

CADE     For our enemies shall fail²⁵ before us, inspired with the spirit of putting down kings and princes.— Command silence.

DICK

DICK     Silence!

CADE

CADE     My father was a Mortimer—

DICK

DICK      Aside He was an honest man, and a good bricklayer.²⁹

CADE

CADE     My mother a Plantagenet—

DICK

DICK      Aside I knew her well, she was a midwife.

CADE

CADE     My wife descended of the Lacys³²—

DICK

DICK      Aside She was indeed a pedlar’s daughter, and sold many laces.³³

SMITH

SMITH      Aside But now of late, not able to travel³⁴ with her furred pack, she washes bucks here at home.

CADE

CADE     Therefore am I of an honourable house.

DICK

DICK      Aside Ay, by my faith, the field³⁷ is honourable, and there was he born, under a hedge: for his father had never a house but the cage.³⁸

CADE

CADE     Valiant I am—

SMITH

SMITH      Aside A must needs,⁴⁰ for beggary is valiant.

CADE

CADE     I am able to endure much—

DICK

DICK     No question of that: Aside for I have seen him whipped⁴² three market days together.

CADE

CADE     I fear neither sword nor fire—

SMITH

SMITH      Aside He need not fear the sword, for his coat is of proof.⁴⁵

DICK

DICK      Aside But methinks he should stand⁴⁶ in fear of fire, being burnt i’th’hand for stealing of sheep.

CADE

CADE     Be brave, then, for your captain is brave, and vows reformation. There shall be in England seven halfpenny loaves sold for a penny: the⁴⁹ three-hooped pot shall have ten hoops, and I will make it felony to drink small⁵⁰ beer. All the realm shall be in common, and in Cheapside⁵¹ shall my palfrey go to grass: and when I am king, as king I will be—

ALL

ALL     God save your majesty!

CADE

CADE     I thank you, good people. There shall be no money: all shall eat and drink on my score,⁵⁵ and I will apparel them all in one livery, that they may agree like brothers, and worship me their lord.

DICK

DICK     The first thing we do, let’s kill all the lawyers.

CADE

CADE     Nay, that I mean to do. Is not this a lamentable thing, that of the skin of an innocent lamb should be made parchment? That parchment, being scribbled o’er, should undo a man? Some say the bee stings, but I say, ’tis the bee’s wax:⁶⁰ for I did but seal⁶¹ once to a thing, and I was never mine own man since. How now? Who’s there?

       Enter [some, bringing forward] a Clerk [of Chartham]

SMITH

SMITH     The Clerk of Chartham: he can write and read and cast account.⁶³

CADE

CADE     O, monstrous.⁶⁴

SMITH

SMITH     We took⁶⁵ him setting of boys’ copies.

CADE

CADE     Here’s a villain!

SMITH

SMITH     H’as a book in his pocket with red letters⁶⁷ in’t.

CADE

CADE     Nay, then he is a conjurer.⁶⁸

DICK

DICK     Nay, he can make obligations,⁶⁹ and write court hand.

CADE

CADE     I am sorry for’t: the man is a proper⁷⁰ man, of mine honour: unless I find him guilty, he shall not die. Come hither, sirrah, I must examine thee: what is thy name?

CLERK

CLERK     Emmanuel.⁷³

DICK

DICK     They use to write it on the top of letters: ’twill go hard with⁷⁴ you.

CADE

CADE     Let me alone.— To the Clerk Dost⁷⁵ thou use to write thy name? Or hast thou a mark to thyself, like an honest plain-dealing⁷⁶ man?

CLERK

CLERK     Sir, I thank God, I have been so well brought up that I can write my name.

ALL

ALL     He hath confessed: away with him: he’s a villain and a traitor.

CADE

CADE     Away with him, I say: hang him with his pen and inkhorn⁷⁹ about his neck.

       Exit one with the Clerk

       Enter Michael

MICHAEL

MICHAEL     Where’s our general?

CADE

CADE     Here I am, thou particular⁸¹ fellow.

MICHAEL

MICHAEL     Fly, fly, fly! Sir Humphrey Stafford and his brother are hard⁸² by, with the king’s forces.

CADE

CADE     Stand, villain, stand, or I’ll fell thee down: he shall be encountered⁸⁴ with a man as good as himself. He is but a knight, is a⁸⁵?

MICHAEL

MICHAEL     No.⁸⁶

CADE

CADE     To equal him I will make myself a knight presently.⁸⁷ Kneels

               Rise up Sir John Mortimer. Rises

               Now have at him!

       Enter Sir Humphrey Stafford and his brother, with Drum, [Herald] and Soldiers

90

90   

STAFFORD

STAFFORD           Rebellious hinds,⁹⁰ the filth and scum of Kent,

               Marked for the gallows: lay your weapons down:

               Home to your cottages: forsake this groom.⁹²

               The king is merciful, if you revolt.⁹³

STAFFORD’S BROTHER

STAFFORD’S BROTHER But angry, wrathful, and inclined to blood,

95

95           If you go forward: therefore yield, or die.

CADE

CADE     As for these silken-coated slaves, I pass⁹⁶ not:

               It is to you, good people, that I speak,

               Over whom, in time to come, I hope to reign:

               For I am rightful heir unto the crown.

100

100 

STAFFORD

STAFFORD             Villain, thy father was a plasterer,

               And thou thyself a shearman,¹⁰¹ art thou not?

CADE

CADE     And Adam¹⁰² was a gardener.

STAFFORD’S BROTHER

STAFFORD’S BROTHER And what of that?

CADE

CADE     Marry, this: Edmund Mortimer, Earl of March, married the Duke of Clarence’ daughter, did he not?

STAFFORD

STAFFORD     Ay, sir.

CADE

CADE     By her he had two¹⁰⁷ children at one birth.

STAFFORD’S BROTHER

STAFFORD’S BROTHER That’s false.

CADE

CADE     Ay, there’s the question:¹⁰⁹ but I say ’tis true:

110

110         The elder of them, being put to nurse,¹¹⁰

               Was by a beggar-woman stol’n away,

               And, ignorant of his birth and parentage,

               Became a bricklayer when he came to age.

               His son am I: deny it if you can.

115

115 

DICK

DICK             Nay, ’tis too true: therefore he shall be king.

SMITH

SMITH     Sir, he made a chimney in my father’s house, and the bricks are alive¹¹⁶ at this day to testify it: therefore deny it not.

STAFFORD

STAFFORD     And will you credit this base drudge’s words,

               That speaks he knows not what?

120

120 

ALL

ALL             Ay, marry, will we: therefore get ye gone.

STAFFORD’S BROTHER

STAFFORD’S BROTHER Jack Cade, the Duke of York hath taught you this.

CADE

CADE     He lies, for I invented it myself.— Aside

                Aloud Go to,¹²³ sirrah, tell the king from me, that for his father’s sake, Henry the Fifth, in whose time boys went to span-counter¹²⁴ for French crowns, I am content he shall reign: but I’ll be Protector¹²⁵ over him.

DICK

DICK     And furthermore, we’ll have the lord Saye’s head for selling the dukedom of Maine.

CADE

CADE     And good reason: for thereby is England mained,¹²⁸ and fain to go with a staff, but that my puissance¹²⁹ holds it up. Fellow kings, I tell you that that Lord Saye hath gelded¹³⁰ the commonwealth, and made it an eunuch: and more than that, he can speak French, and therefore he is a traitor.

STAFFORD

STAFFORD     O gross and miserable¹³² ignorance!

CADE

CADE     Nay, answer if you can: the Frenchmen are our enemies: go to, then, I ask but this: can he that speaks with the tongue¹³⁴ of an enemy be a good counsellor, or no?

ALL

ALL     No, no, and therefore we’ll have his head.

STAFFORD’S BROTHER

STAFFORD’S BROTHER Well, seeing gentle¹³⁷ words will not prevail,

               Assail them with the army of the king.

STAFFORD

STAFFORD     Herald, away, and throughout every town

140

140         Proclaim them traitors that are up¹⁴⁰ with Cade,

               That¹⁴¹ those which fly before the battle ends

               May, even in their wives’ and children’s sight,

               Be hanged up for¹⁴³ example at their doors:

               And you that be the king’s friends, follow me.

       Exeunt [Stafford, Stafford’s brother and Soldiers]

145

145 

CADE

CADE             And you that love the commons, follow me:

               Now show yourselves men, ’tis for liberty.

               We will not leave one lord, one gentleman:

               Spare none but such as go in clouted shoon,¹⁴⁸

               For they are thrifty¹⁴⁹ honest men, and such

150

150         As would, but that they dare not, take our parts.

DICK

DICK     They are all in order¹⁵¹ and march toward us.

CADE

CADE     But then are we in order when we are most out of order.¹⁵² Come, march forward.

       [Exeunt]

[Act 4 Scene 3]

running scene 13 continues

       Alarums to the fight, wherein both the Staffords [Stafford and Stafford’s brother] are slain. Enter Cade and the rest

CADE

CADE     Where’s Dick, the butcher of Ashford?

DICK

DICK     Here, sir.

CADE

CADE     They fell before thee like sheep and oxen, and thou behaved’st thyself as if thou hadst been in thine own slaughter-house: therefore thus will I reward thee: the Lent⁵ shall be as long again as it is, and thou shalt have a licence to kill for a hundred lacking one.

DICK

DICK     I desire no more.

CADE

CADE     And, to speak truth, thou deserv’st no less. This monument⁸ of the victory will I bear, Putting on Stafford’s brigandine⁹ and the bodies shall be dragged at my horse heels till I do come to London, where we will have the Mayor’s sword borne before us.

DICK

DICK     If we mean to thrive and do good, break open the jails and let out the prisoners.

CADE

CADE     Fear¹³ not that, I warrant thee. Come, let’s march towards London.

       Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 4]4.4

running scene 14

       Enter the King [Henry VI] with a supplication, and the Queen [Margaret] with Suffolk’s head, the Duke of Buckingham and the Lord Saye

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Oft have I heard that grief softens the mind, Aside

               And makes it fearful and degenerate:

               Think therefore on revenge and cease to weep.

               But who can cease to weep and look on this?

5

5             Here may his head lie on my throbbing breast:

               But where’s the body that I should embrace?

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     What answer makes your grace to the rebels’ supplication? To the King

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI I’ll send some holy bishop to entreat:

               For God forbid so many simple souls

10

10           Should perish by the sword. And I myself,

               Rather than bloody war shall cut them short,

               Will parley¹² with Jack Cade their general.

               But stay, I’ll read it over once again.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Ah, barbarous villains! Hath this lovely face Aside to Suffolk’s head

15

15           Ruled like a wandering¹⁵ planet over me,

               And could it not enforce them to relent,

               That¹⁷ were unworthy to behold the same?

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Lord Saye, Jack Cade hath sworn to have thy head.

SAYE

SAYE      Ay, but I hope your highness shall have his.

20

20   

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI How now, madam?

               Still lamenting and mourning for Suffolk’s death?

               I fear me, love, if that I had been dead,

               Thou wouldst not have mourned so much for me.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET No, my love, I should not mourn, but die for thee.

       Enter a Messenger

25

25   

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI How now? What news? Why com’st thou in such haste?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     The rebels are in Southwark:²⁶ fly, my lord!

               Jack Cade proclaims himself Lord Mortimer,

               Descended from the Duke of Clarence’ house,

               And calls your grace usurper, openly,

30

30           And vows to crown himself in Westminster.

               His army is a ragged multitude

               Of hinds and peasants, rude and merciless:

               Sir Humphrey Stafford and his brother’s death

               Hath given them heart and courage to proceed:

35

35           All scholars, lawyers, courtiers, gentlemen,

               They call false caterpillars,³⁶ and intend their death.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI O, graceless³⁷ men: they know not what they do.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     My gracious lord, retire to Killingworth,³⁸

               Until a power³⁹ be raised to put them down.

40

40   

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Ah, were the Duke of Suffolk now alive,

               These Kentish rebels would be soon appeased.⁴¹

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Lord Saye, the traitors hateth thee,

               Therefore away with us to Killingworth.

SAYE

SAYE     So⁴⁴ might your grace’s person be in danger.

45

45           The sight of me is odious in their eyes:

               And therefore in this city will I stay

               And live alone as secret as I may.

       Enter another Messenger

SECOND MESSENGER

SECOND MESSENGER Jack Cade hath gotten London Bridge.

               The citizens fly and forsake their houses:

50

50           The rascal people,⁵⁰ thirsting after prey,

               Join with the traitor, and they jointly swear

               To spoil⁵² the city and your royal court.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Then linger not, my lord, away, take horse.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Come, Margaret: God, our hope, will succour us.

55

55   

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET My hope is gone now Suffolk is deceased. Aside

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Farewell, my lord: trust not the Kentish rebels. To Saye

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Trust nobody, for fear you be betrayed.

SAYE

SAYE     The trust I have is in mine innocence,

               And therefore am I bold and resolute.

       Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 5]4.5

running scene 15

       Enter Lord Scales upon the Tower walking. Then enters two or three Citizens below

SCALES

SCALES     How now? Is Jack Cade slain?

FIRST CITIZEN

FIRST CITIZEN No, my lord, nor likely to be slain: for they have won the bridge,² killing all those that withstand them: the Lord Mayor craves³ aid of your honour from the Tower to defend the city from the rebels.

5

5     

SCALES

SCALES         Such aid as I can spare you shall command,

               But I am troubled here with them myself:

               The rebels have assayed to win the Tower.

               But get you to Smithfield, and gather head,⁸

               And thither I will send you Matthew Gough.⁹

10

10           Fight for your king, your country, and your lives:

               And so, farewell, for I must hence again.

       Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 6]*

running scene 16

       Enter Jack Cade and the rest, and strikes his staff on London Stone

CADE

CADE     Now is Mortimer lord of this city, and here sitting upon London Stone, I charge and command that, of² the city’s cost, the Pissing Conduit run nothing but claret wine this first year of our reign. And now henceforward it shall be treason for any that calls me other than Lord Mortimer.

       Enter a Soldier running

SOLDIER

SOLDIER     Jack Cade! Jack Cade!

CADE

CADE     Knock him down there. They kill him

SMITH

SMITH     If this fellow be wise, he’ll never call ye Jack Cade more: I think he hath a very fair warning.

DICK

DICK     My lord, there’s an army gathered together in Smithfield.

CADE

CADE     Come then, let’s go fight with them: but first, go and set London Bridge on fire, and, if you can, burn down the Tower too. Come, let’s away.

       Exeunt all

[Act 4 Scene 7]4.7

running scene 17

       Alarums. Matthew Gough is slain, and all the rest [of his followers with him]. Then enter Jack Cade, with his company [including Dick, Smith and Holland]

CADE

CADE     So, sirs: now go some and pull down the Savoy:¹ others to the Inns of Court: down with them all.

DICK

DICK     I have a suit unto your lordship.

CADE

CADE     Be it a lordship,⁴ thou shalt have it for that word.

DICK

DICK     Only that the laws of England may come out of your mouth.

HOLLAND

HOLLAND     Mass, ’twill be sore law, then; Aside for he was thrust in the mouth with a spear, and ’tis not whole⁷ yet.

SMITH

SMITH      Aside Nay, John, it will be stinking law, for his breath stinks with eating toasted cheese.

CADE

CADE     I have thought upon it: it shall be so. Away, burn all the records of the realm: my mouth shall be the Parliament of England.

HOLLAND

HOLLAND      Aside Then we are like to have biting¹² statutes, unless his teeth be pulled out.

CADE

CADE     And henceforward all things shall be in common.

       Enter a Messenger

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     My lord, a prize, a prize! Here’s the Lord Saye which sold the towns¹⁴ in France. He that made us pay¹⁵ one and twenty fifteens, and one shilling to the pound, the last subsidy.¹⁶

       Enter George [Bevis], with the Lord Saye

CADE

CADE     Well, he shall be beheaded for it ten times.— To Saye Ah, thou say,¹⁷ thou serge, nay, thou buckram¹⁸ lord! Now art thou within point-blank of our jurisdiction regal. What canst thou answer to my majesty for giving up of Normandy unto Mounsieur Basimecu,²⁰ the Dauphin of France? Be it known unto thee by these presence, even the presence of Lord Mortimer, that I am the besom²¹ that must sweep the court clean of such filth as thou art: thou hast most traitorously corrupted the youth of the realm in erecting a grammar school: and whereas before, our forefathers had no other books but the score²⁴ and the tally, thou hast caused printing²⁵ to be used, and contrary to the king, his crown, and dignity, thou hast built a paper-mill. It will be proved to thy face that thou hast men about thee that usually²⁷ talk of a noun and a verb, and such abominable words as no Christian ear can endure to hear. Thou hast appointed justices of peace, to call poor men before them about matters they were not able to answer. Moreover, thou hast put them in prison, and because they could not read, thou hast hanged them, when, indeed, only³¹ for that cause they have been most worthy to live. Thou dost ride on a foot-cloth,³² dost thou not?

SAYE

SAYE      What of that?

CADE

CADE     Marry,³⁴ thou ought’st not to let thy horse wear a cloak, when honester men than thou go in their hose and doublets.³⁵

DICK

DICK     And work in their shirt too, as myself, for example, that am a butcher.

SAYE

SAYE      You men of Kent—

DICK

DICK     What say you of Kent?

SAYE

SAYE     Nothing but this: ’tis ‘bona³⁹ terra, mala gens’.

CADE

CADE     Away with him, away with him! He speaks Latin.

SAYE

SAYE      Hear me but speak, and bear⁴¹ me where you will:

               Kent, in the commentaries Caesar writ,⁴²

               Is termed the civil’st place of this isle:

               Sweet is the country, because full of riches:

45

45           The people liberal,⁴⁵ valiant, active, wealthy:

               Which makes me hope you are not void of pity.

               I sold not Maine, I lost not Normandy,

               Yet to recover them would lose my life.

               Justice with favour⁴⁹ have I always done:

50

50           Prayers and tears have moved me, gifts could never.

               When have I aught⁵¹ exacted at your hands,

               Kent to maintain, the king, the realm and you?

               Large gifts have I bestowed on learnèd clerks,⁵³

               Because my book⁵⁴ preferred me to the king.

55

55           And seeing ignorance is the curse of God,

               Knowledge the wing wherewith we fly to heaven.

               Unless you be possessed with devilish spirits,

               You cannot but forbear⁵⁸ to murder me:

               This tongue hath parleyed unto⁵⁹ foreign kings

60

60           For your behoof⁶⁰—

CADE

CADE     Tut, when struck’st thou one blow in the field?⁶¹

SAYE

SAYE      Great men have reaching⁶² hands: oft have I struck

               Those that I never saw and struck them dead.

BEVIS

BEVIS      O monstrous coward! What, to come behind⁶⁴ folks?

65

65   

SAYE

SAYE            These cheeks are pale for watching⁶⁵ for your good.

CADE

CADE     Give him a box o’th’ear and that will make ’em red again.

SAYE

SAYE      Long sitting⁶⁷ to determine poor men’s causes

               Hath made me full of sickness and diseases.

CADE

CADE     Ye shall have a hempen caudle,⁶⁹ then, and the help of hatchet.

DICK

DICK     Why dost thou quiver, man?

SAYE

SAYE      The palsy,⁷¹ and not fear, provokes me.

CADE

CADE     Nay, he nods at us, as who⁷² should say, ‘I’ll be even with you.’ I’ll see if his head will stand steadier on a pole, or no: take him away, and behead him.

SAYE

SAYE     Tell me: wherein have I offended most?

75

75           Have I affected⁷⁵ wealth or honour? Speak.

               Are my chests filled up with extorted gold?

               Is my apparel sumptuous to behold?

               Whom have I injured, that ye seek my death?

               These hands are free from guiltless bloodshedding,⁷⁹

80

80           This breast from harbouring foul deceitful thoughts.

               O, let me live!

CADE

CADE     I feel remorse⁸² in myself with his words: Aside but I’ll bridle it: he shall die, an it be but for pleading so well for his life.— Aloud Away with him: he has a familiar⁸³ under his tongue: he speaks not a⁸⁴ God’s name. Go, take him away, I say, and strike off his head presently, and then break into his son-in-law’s house, Sir James Cromer, and strike off his head, and bring them both upon two poles hither.

ALL

ALL     It shall be done.

SAYE

SAYE      Ah, countrymen, if when you make your prayers,

               God should be so obdurate⁸⁹ as yourselves,

90

90           How would it fare with your departed souls?

               And therefore yet relent, and save my life.

CADE

CADE     Away with him, and do as I command ye.

       Exeunt one or two with the Lord Saye

               The proudest peer in the realm shall not wear a head on his shoulders, unless he pay me tribute:⁹⁴ there shall not a maid be married, but she shall pay to me her maidenhead ere they have it: men shall hold⁹⁵ of me in capite. And we charge and command that their wives be as free⁹⁶ as heart can wish or tongue can tell.

DICK

DICK     My lord, when shall we go to Cheapside and take⁹⁷ up commodities upon our bills?

CADE

CADE     Marry, presently.

ALL

ALL     O, brave!¹⁰⁰

       Enter one with the heads [of Saye and Cromer on poles]

CADE

CADE     But is not this braver? The heads are made to kiss Let them kiss one another, for they loved well when they were alive. Now part them again, lest they consult about the giving up of some more towns in France. Soldiers, defer the spoil¹⁰³ of the city until night: for with these borne before us, instead of maces,¹⁰⁴ will we ride through the streets, and at every corner have them kiss. Away!

       Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 8]4.8

running scene 17 continues

       Alarum and retreat. Enter again Cade and all his rabblement

CADE

CADE     Up Fish Street,¹ down St Magnus’ Corner, kill and knock down: throw them into Thames!

       Sound a parley

               What noise is this I hear? Dare any be so bold to sound retreat or parley, when I command them kill?

       Enter Buckingham and old Clifford

5

5     

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM         Ay, here they be that dare and will disturb thee:

               Know, Cade, we come ambassadors from the king

               Unto the commons whom thou hast misled,

               And here pronounce⁸ free pardon to them all

               That will forsake thee and go home in peace.

10

10   

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD           What say ye, countrymen? Will ye relent

               And yield to mercy whilst ’tis offered you,

               Or let a rabble lead you to your deaths?

               Who¹³ loves the king and will embrace his pardon,

               Fling up his cap, and say ‘God save his majesty!’

15

15           Who hateth him, and honours not his father,

               Henry the Fifth, that made all France to quake,

               Shake he¹⁷ his weapon at us and pass by. The rebels fling up their

ALL

ALL     God save the king! God save the king! caps and forsake Cade

CADE

CADE     What, Buckingham and Clifford, are ye so brave?¹⁹—

                To the rabble And you, base peasants, do ye believe him? Will you needs be hanged with your pardons about your necks? Hath my sword therefore broke through London gates, that you should leave me at the White Hart²² in Southwark? I thought ye would never have given out²³ these arms till you had recovered your ancient freedom. But you are all recreants²⁴ and dastards, and delight to live in slavery to the nobility. Let them break your backs with burdens, take your houses over your heads, ravish²⁶ your wives and daughters before your faces. For me, I will make shift for one, and so God’s curse light upon you all.

ALL

ALL     We’ll follow Cade, we’ll follow Cade! They run to Cade again

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD     Is Cade the son of Henry the Fifth,

30

30           That thus you do exclaim you’ll go with him?

               Will he conduct you through the heart of France,

               And make the meanest³² of you earls and dukes?

               Alas, he hath no home, no place to fly to:

               Nor knows he how to live but by the spoil,³⁴

35

35           Unless by robbing of your friends and us.

               Were’t not a shame, that whilst you live at jar,³⁶

               The fearful³⁷ French, whom you late vanquishèd,

               Should make a start³⁸ o’er seas and vanquish you?

               Methinks already in this civil broil³⁹

40

40           I see them lording it in London streets,

               Crying ‘Villiago!’⁴¹ unto all they meet.

               Better ten thousand base-born Cades miscarry⁴²

               Than you should stoop unto a Frenchman’s mercy.

               To France, to France, and get what you have lost:

45

45           Spare England, for it is your native coast:

               Henry hath money, you are strong and manly:

               God on our side, doubt not of victory.

ALL

ALL     A⁴⁸ Clifford, a Clifford! We’ll follow the king and Clifford.

CADE

CADE     Was ever feather so lightly blown to and fro as this multitude? The name of Henry the Fifth hales⁵⁰ them to an hundred mischiefs, and makes them leave me desolate. I see them lay their heads together to surprise⁵¹ me. My sword make way for me, for here is no staying: in despite⁵² of the devils and hell, have through the very middest of you: and heavens and honour be witness, that no want of resolution in me, but only my followers’ base and ignominious treasons, makes me betake me⁵⁵ to my heels.

       Exit

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     What, is he fled? Go, some, and follow him,

               And he that brings his head unto the king

               Shall have a thousand crowns for his reward.

       Exeunt some of them

               Follow me, soldiers: we’ll devise a mean⁵⁹

60

60           To reconcile you all unto the king.

       Exeunt all

[Act 4 Scene 9]4.9

running scene 18

       Sound Trumpets. Enter King [Henry VI], Queen [Margaret] and Somerset on the terrace [above]

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Was ever king that joyed¹ an earthly throne,

               And could command no more content than I?

               No sooner was I crept out of my cradle

               But I was made a king at nine months old.

5

5             Was never subject longed to be a king

               As I do long and wish to be a subject.

       Enter Buckingham and Clifford

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Health and glad tidings to your majesty.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Why, Buckingham, is the traitor Cade surprised?⁸

               Or is he but retired⁹ to make him strong?

       Enter [below] Multitudes with halters about their necks

10

10   

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD           He is fled, my lord, and all his powers¹⁰ do yield,

               And humbly thus with halters on their necks,

               Expect¹² your highness’ doom of life or death.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Then, heaven, set ope¹³ thy everlasting gates,

               To entertain¹⁴ my vows of thanks and praise.

15

15           Soldiers, this day have you redeemed your lives,

               And showed how well you love your prince and country:

               Continue still in this so good a mind,

               And Henry, though he be infortunate,¹⁸

               Assure yourselves, will never be unkind:

20

20           And so, with thanks and pardon to you all,

               I do dismiss you to your several countries.²¹

ALL

ALL     God save the king! God save the king!

       Enter a Messenger

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Please it your grace to be advertisèd²³

               The Duke of York is newly²⁴ come from Ireland,

25

25           And with a puissant²⁵ and a mighty power

               Of galloglasses²⁶ and stout kerns

               Is marching hitherward in proud array,²⁷

               And still²⁸ proclaimeth, as he comes along,

               His arms are only to remove from thee

30

30           The Duke of Somerset, whom he terms a traitor.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Thus stands my state,³¹ ’twixt Cade and York distressed,

               Like to a ship that, having scaped a tempest,

               Is straightway calmed³³ and boarded with a pirate.

               But now is Cade driven back, his men dispersed,

35

35           And now is York in arms to second³⁵ him.

               I pray thee, Buckingham, go and meet him,

               And ask him what’s the reason of³⁷ these arms:

               Tell him I’ll send Duke Edmund³⁸ to the Tower,

               And, Somerset, we will commit thee thither,

40

40           Until his army be dismissed from him.

SOMERSET

SOMERSET     My lord,

               I’ll yield myself to prison willingly,

               Or unto death, to do my country good.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI In any case, be not too rough in terms,⁴⁴

45

45           For he is fierce and cannot brook⁴⁵ hard language.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     I will, my lord, and doubt not so to deal⁴⁶

               As all things shall redound unto⁴⁷ your good.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Come, wife, let’s in, and learn to govern better,

               For yet⁴⁹ may England curse my wretched reign.

       Flourish. Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 10]4.10

running scene 19

       Enter Cade

CADE

CADE     Fie¹ on ambitions: fie on myself, that have a sword, and yet am ready to famish.² These five days have I hid me in these woods and durst not peep out, for all the country is laid³ for me: but now am I so hungry that if I might have a lease of my life for a thousand years I could stay⁴ no longer. Wherefore o’er a brick wall have I climbed into this garden, to see if I can eat grass, or pick a sallet⁵ another while,⁶ which is not amiss to cool a man’s stomach this hot weather: and I think this word⁷ ‘sallet’ was born to do me good: for many a time, but for a sallet, my brain-pan⁸ had been cleft with a brown bill: and many a time when I have been dry⁹ and bravely marching, it hath served me instead of a quart pot to drink in: and now the word ‘sallet’ must serve me to feed on.

       Enter Iden [and his Men]

IDEN

IDEN      Lord, who would live turmoiled¹¹ in the court,

               And may enjoy such quiet walks as these?

               This small inheritance my father left me

               Contenteth me, and worth a monarchy.

15

15           I seek not to wax¹⁵ great by others’ waning,

               Or gather wealth I¹⁶ care not with what envy:

               Sufficeth that¹⁷ I have maintains my state

               And sends the poor well pleasèd¹⁸ from my gate.

CADE

CADE     Here’s the lord¹⁹ of the soil come to seize me for a stray, for entering his fee-simple without leave. Ah, villain, thou wilt betray me, and get a thousand crowns of²¹ the king by carrying my head to him: but I’ll make thee eat iron like an ostrich, and swallow my sword like a great pin ere thou and I part.

IDEN

IDEN     Why, rude companion,²³ whatsoe’er thou be,

               I know thee not: why, then, should I betray thee?

25

25           Is’t not enough to break into my garden,

               And, like a thief, to come to rob my grounds,

               Climbing my walls in spite of me the owner,

               But thou wilt brave²⁸ me with these saucy terms?

CADE

CADE     Brave thee? Ay, by the best blood that ever was broached,²⁹ and beard thee too. Look on me well: I have eat³⁰ no meat these five days, yet come thou and thy five men, and if I do not leave you all as dead as a doornail, I pray God I may never eat grass more.

IDEN

IDEN     Nay, it shall ne’er be said, while England stands,

               That Alexander Iden, an esquire³⁴ of Kent,

35

35           Took odds³⁵ to combat a poor famished man.

               Oppose thy steadfast gazing eyes to mine,

               See if thou canst outface³⁷ me with thy looks:

               Set limb to limb, and thou art far the lesser:

               Thy hand is but a finger to my fist,

40

40           Thy leg a stick comparèd with this truncheon:⁴⁰

               My foot shall fight with all the strength thou hast,

               And if⁴² mine arm be heavèd in the air,

               Thy grave is digged already in the earth:

               As for words, whose⁴⁴ greatness answers words,

45

45           Let this my sword report what speech forbears.⁴⁵

CADE

CADE     By my valour, the most complete⁴⁶ champion that ever I heard. Steel, if thou turn the edge,⁴⁷ or cut not out the burly-boned clown in chines of beef ere thou sleep in thy sheath, I beseech Jove on my knees thou mayst be turned to hobnails.⁴⁸

       Here they fight. [Cade falls]

               O, I am slain! Famine and no other hath slain me: let ten thousand devils come against me, and give me but the ten meals I have lost, and I’d defy them all. Wither, garden, and be henceforth a burying place to all that do dwell in this house, because the unconquered soul of Cade is fled.

IDEN

IDEN     Is’t Cade that I have slain, that monstrous⁵³ traitor?

               Sword, I will hallow⁵⁴ thee for this thy deed,

55

55           And hang thee o’er my tomb when I am dead.

               Ne’er shall this blood be wipèd from thy point,

               But thou shalt wear it as a herald’s coat,⁵⁷

               To emblaze⁵⁸ the honour that thy master got.

CADE

CADE     Iden, farewell, and be proud of thy victory. Tell Kent from me, she hath lost her best man, and exhort all the world to be cowards: for I that never feared any, am vanquished by famine, not by valour.

       Dies

IDEN

IDEN     How much thou wrong’st me, heaven be my judge:

               Die, damnèd wretch, the curse of her that bare⁶³ thee:

               And as I thrust⁶⁴ thy body in with my sword,

65

65           So wish I I might thrust thy soul to hell.

               Hence will I drag thee headlong by the heels

               Unto a dunghill which shall be thy grave,

               And there cut off thy most ungracious⁶⁸ head,

               Which I will bear in triumph to the king,

70

70           Leaving thy trunk⁷⁰ for crows to feed upon.

       Exeunt [with Cade’s body]

[Act 5 Scene 1]5.1

running scene 20

       Enter York, and his army of Irish, with Drum and Colours

YORK

YORK     From Ireland thus comes York to claim his right,

               And pluck the crown from feeble Henry’s head.

               Ring, bells, aloud: burn, bonfires, clear and bright,

               To entertain⁴ great England’s lawful king.

5

5             Ah, sancta majestas!⁵ Who would not buy thee dear?

               Let them obey that knows not how to rule.

               This hand was made to handle naught but gold.⁷

               I cannot give due action to my words,

               Except⁹ a sword or sceptre balance it.

10

10           A sceptre shall it have, have I¹⁰ a soul,

               On which I’ll toss¹¹ the flower-de-luce of France.

       Enter Buckingham

               Whom have we here? Buckingham to disturb me? Aside

               The king hath sent him sure: I must dissemble.¹³

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     York, if thou meanest well, I greet thee well.

15

15   

YORK

YORK           Humphrey of Buckingham, I accept thy greeting.

               Art thou a messenger, or come of pleasure?¹⁶

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     A messenger from Henry, our dread liege,

               To know the reason of these arms in peace:

               Or why thou, being a subject as I am,

20

20           Against thy oath and true allegiance sworn,

               Should raise so great a power without his leave,

               Or dare to bring thy force so near the court.

YORK

YORK     Scarce can I speak, my choler²³ is so great. Aside

               O, I could hew up rocks and fight with flint,

25

25           I am so angry at these abject²⁵ terms.

               And now, like Ajax Telamonius,²⁶

               On sheep or oxen could I spend²⁷ my fury.

               I am far better born²⁸ than is the king:

               More like a king, more kingly in my thoughts.

30

30           But I must make fair weather³⁰ yet a while,

               Till Henry be more weak and I more strong.—

               Buckingham, I prithee pardon me, Aloud

               That I have given no answer all this while:

               My mind was troubled with deep melancholy.

35

35           The cause why I have brought this army hither

               Is to remove proud Somerset from the king,

               Seditious to his grace and to the state.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     That is too much presumption on thy part:

               But if thy arms be to no other end,

40

40           The king hath yielded unto thy demand:

               The Duke of Somerset is in the Tower.

YORK

YORK     Upon thine honour, is he prisoner?

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Upon mine honour, he is prisoner.

YORK

YORK     Then, Buckingham, I do dismiss my powers.

45

45           Soldiers, I thank you all: disperse yourselves:

               Meet me tomorrow in St George’s Field,⁴⁶

               You shall have pay and everything you wish.

               And let my sovereign, virtuous Henry,

               Command⁴⁹ my eldest son, nay, all my sons,

50

50           As pledges of my fealty⁵⁰ and love,

               I’ll send them all as willing as I live:

               Lands, goods, horse, armour, anything I have,

               Is his to use, so⁵³ Somerset may die.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     York, I commend this kind⁵⁴ submission:

55

55           We twain⁵⁵ will go into his highness’ tent.

       Enter King [Henry VI] and Attendants

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Buckingham, doth York intend no harm to us,

               That thus he marcheth with thee arm in arm?

YORK

YORK     In all submission and humility

               York doth present himself unto your highness.

60

60   

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Then what intends these forces thou dost bring?

YORK

YORK      To heave the traitor Somerset from hence,

               And fight against that monstrous rebel Cade,

               Who since I heard to be discomfited.⁶³

       Enter Iden with Cade’s head

IDEN

IDEN      If one so rude⁶⁴ and of so mean condition

65

65           May pass into the presence of a king,

               Lo, I present your grace a traitor’s head,

               The head of Cade, whom I in combat slew.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI The head of Cade? Great God, how just art thou!

               O, let me view his visage, being dead,

70

70           That living wrought⁷⁰ me such exceeding trouble.

               Tell me, my friend, art thou the man that slew him?

IDEN

IDEN     I was, an’t like⁷² your majesty.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI How art thou called? And what is thy degree?⁷³

IDEN

IDEN     Alexander Iden, that’s my name:

75

75           A poor esquire of Kent, that loves his king.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     So please it you, my lord, ’twere not amiss

               He were created knight for his good service.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Iden, kneel down. Iden kneels and is knighted

                                              Rise up a knight. He rises

               We give thee for reward a thousand marks,⁷⁹

80

80           And will⁸⁰ that thou henceforth attend on us.

IDEN

IDEN     May Iden live to merit such a bounty,

               And never live but true unto his liege.

       [Exit]

       Enter Queen [Margaret] and Somerset

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI See, Buckingham, Somerset comes wi’th’queen:

               Go bid her hide him quickly from the duke.

85

85   

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET For thousand Yorks he shall not hide his head,

               But boldly stand and front⁸⁶ him to his face.

YORK

YORK     How now? Is Somerset at liberty?

               Then, York, unloose thy long-imprisoned thoughts,

               And let thy tongue be equal with thy heart.

90

90           Shall I endure the sight of Somerset?

               False king, why hast thou broken faith with me,

               Knowing how hardly⁹² I can brook abuse?

               King did I call thee? No, thou art not king:

               Not fit to govern and rule multitudes,

95

95           Which⁹⁵ dar’st not, no, nor canst not rule a traitor.

               That head of thine doth not become⁹⁶ a crown:

               Thy hand is made to grasp a palmer’s⁹⁷ staff,

               And not to grace an awful⁹⁸ princely sceptre.

               That gold must round engirt⁹⁹ these brows of mine,

100

100         Whose smile and frown, like to Achilles’ spear,¹⁰⁰

               Is able with the change to kill and cure.

               Here is a hand to hold a sceptre up,

               And with the same to act¹⁰³ controlling laws:

               Give place: by heaven, thou shalt rule no more

105

105         O’er him whom heaven created for thy ruler.

SOMERSET

SOMERSET     O monstrous traitor! I arrest thee, York,

               Of capital¹⁰⁷ treason gainst the king and crown:

               Obey, audacious traitor, kneel for grace.

YORK

YORK     Wouldst have me kneel? First let me ask of these,¹⁰⁹

110

110         If they can brook¹¹⁰ I bow a knee to man.

               Sirrah, call in my sons to be my bail;

       [Exit Attendant]

               I know, ere they will have me go to ward,¹¹²

               They’ll pawn their swords for my enfranchisement.¹¹³

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Call hither Clifford: bid him come amain,¹¹⁴

115

115         To say if that¹¹⁵ the bastard boys of York

               Shall be the surety for their traitor father.

       [Exit Buckingham]

YORK

YORK     O blood-bespotted¹¹⁷ Neapolitan,

               Outcast of Naples, England’s bloody scourge!¹¹⁸

               The sons of York, thy betters in their birth,

120

120         Shall be their father’s bail, and bane¹²⁰ to those

               That for my surety will refuse the boys.

       Enter Edward and Richard

               See where they come: I’ll warrant they’ll make it good.

       Enter Clifford [and his son Young Clifford]

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET And here comes Clifford to deny their bail.

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD     Health and all happiness to my lord the king. Kneeling to Henry, then rising

125

125 

YORK

YORK             I thank thee, Clifford: say, what news with thee?

               Nay, do not fright us with an angry look:

               We are thy sovereign, Clifford, kneel again:

               For thy mistaking so, we pardon thee.

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD     This is my king, York, I do not mistake:

130

130         But thou mistakes me much to think I do:

               To Bedlam¹³¹ with him! Is the man grown mad?

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Ay, Clifford, a bedlam¹³² and ambitious humour

               Makes him oppose himself against his king.

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD     He is a traitor: let him to¹³⁴ the Tower,

135

135         And chop away that factious pate¹³⁵ of his.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET He is arrested, but will not obey:

               His sons, he says, shall give their words for him.

YORK

YORK     Will you not, sons?

EDWARD

EDWARD     Ay, noble father, if our words will serve.

140

140 

RICHARD

RICHARD             And if words will not, then our weapons shall.

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD     Why, what a brood of traitors have we here?

YORK

YORK     Look in a glass,¹⁴² and call thy image so.

               I am thy king, and thou a false-heart¹⁴³ traitor:

               Call hither to the stake¹⁴⁴ my two brave bears,

145

145         That with the very shaking of their chains

               They may astonish¹⁴⁶ these fell-lurking curs:

               Bid Salisbury and Warwick come to me.

       Enter the Earls of Warwick and Salisbury

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD     Are these thy bears? We’ll bait thy bears to death,

               And manacle the bearherd¹⁴⁹ in their chains,

150

150         If thou dar’st bring them to the baiting place.¹⁵⁰

RICHARD

RICHARD     Oft have I seen a hot o’erweening¹⁵¹ cur

               Run¹⁵² back and bite, because he was withheld:

               Who, being suffered¹⁵³ with the bear’s fell paw,

               Hath clapped his tail between his legs and cried:

155

155         And such a piece of service¹⁵⁵ will you do,

               If you oppose yourselves¹⁵⁶ to match Lord Warwick.

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD     Hence, heap of wrath, foul indigested lump,¹⁵⁷

               As crooked¹⁵⁸ in thy manners as thy shape!

YORK

YORK     Nay, we shall heat you¹⁵⁹ thoroughly anon.

160

160 

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD             Take heed, lest by your heat you burn yourselves.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Why, Warwick, hath thy knee forgot to bow?

               Old Salisbury, shame to thy silver hair,

               Thou mad misleader of thy brainsick son!

               What, wilt thou on thy death-bed play the ruffian,

165

165         And seek for sorrow with thy spectacles?¹⁶⁵

               O, where is faith? O, where is loyalty?

               If it be banished from the frosty¹⁶⁷ head,

               Where shall it find a harbour¹⁶⁸ in the earth?

               Wilt thou go dig a grave to find out war,

170

170         And shame thine honourable age with blood?

               Why art thou old and want’st experience,

               Or wherefore dost abuse it if thou hast it?

               For shame in duty bend thy knee to me,

               That bows unto the grave with mickle¹⁷⁴ age.

175

175 

SALISBURY

SALISBURY             My lord, I have considered with myself

               The title of this most renownèd duke,

               And in my conscience do repute¹⁷⁷ his grace

               The rightful heir to England’s royal seat.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Hast thou not sworn allegiance unto me?

180

180 

SALISBURY

SALISBURY             I have.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Canst thou dispense with¹⁸¹ heaven for such an oath?

SALISBURY

SALISBURY     It is great sin to swear unto a sin:

               But greater sin to keep a sinful oath:

               Who can be bound by any solemn vow

185

185         To do a murd’rous deed, to rob a man,

               To force a spotless virgin’s chastity,

               To reave¹⁸⁷ the orphan of his patrimony,

               To wring¹⁸⁸ the widow from her customed right,

               And have no other reason for this wrong

190

190         But that he was bound by a solemn oath?

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET A subtle¹⁹¹ traitor needs no sophister.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Call Buckingham, and bid him arm himself.

YORK

YORK     Call Buckingham, and all the friends thou hast,

               I am resolved for death or dignity.¹⁹⁴

195

195 

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD             The first I warrant thee, if dreams prove true.

WARWICK

WARWICK     You were best to go to bed and dream again,

               To keep thee from the tempest of the field.¹⁹⁷

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD     I am resolved to bear a greater storm

               Than any thou canst conjure up today:

200

200         And that I’ll write upon thy burgonet,²⁰⁰

               Might I but know²⁰¹ thee by thy household badge.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Now by my father’s²⁰² badge, old Neville’s crest,

               The rampant²⁰³ bear chained to the ragged staff,

               This day I’ll wear aloft²⁰⁴ my burgonet,

205

205         As on a mountain top the cedar shows²⁰⁵

               That keeps his leaves in spite of any storm,

               Even to affright thee with the view thereof.

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD     And from thy burgonet I’ll rend²⁰⁸ thy bear

               And tread it under foot with all contempt,

210

210         Despite the bearherd that protects the bear.

YOUNG CLIFFORD

YOUNG CLIFFORD And so to arms, victorious father,

               To quell the rebels and their complices.²¹²

RICHARD

RICHARD     Fie, charity, for shame! Speak not in spite,

               For you shall sup with Jesu Christ tonight.

215

215 

YOUNG CLIFFORD

YOUNG CLIFFORD Foul stigmatic,²¹⁵ that’s more than thou canst tell.

RICHARD

RICHARD     If not in heaven, you’ll surely sup in hell.

       Exeunt [severally]

[Act 5 Scene 2]

running scene 21

       [Alarums to the battle.] Enter Warwick

WARWICK

WARWICK     Clifford of Cumberland, ’tis Warwick calls:

               And if thou dost not hide thee from the bear,

               Now, when the angry trumpet sounds alarum

               And dead⁴ men’s cries do fill the empty air,

5

5             Clifford, I say, come forth and fight with me:

               Proud northern lord, Clifford of Cumberland,

               Warwick is hoarse with calling thee to arms.

       Enter York

               How now, my noble lord? What, all afoot?⁸

YORK

YORK     The deadly-handed Clifford slew my steed:

10

10           But match to match I have encountered him

               And made a prey for carrion kites¹¹ and crows

               Even of the bonny beast he loved so well.

       Enter Clifford

WARWICK

WARWICK     Of¹³ one or both of us the time is come.

YORK

YORK      Hold, Warwick: seek thee out some other chase,¹⁴

15

15           For I myself must hunt this deer to death.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Then, nobly,¹⁶ York: ’tis for a crown thou fight’st:—

               As I intend, Clifford, to thrive today,

               It grieves my soul to leave thee unassailed.

       Exit Warwick

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD     What seest thou in me, York? Why dost thou pause?

20

20   

YORK

YORK            With thy brave bearing should I be in love,

               But that thou art so fast²¹ mine enemy.

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD     Nor should thy prowess want praise and esteem,

               But that ’tis shown ignobly and in treason.

YORK

YORK      So let it help me now against thy sword

25

25           As I in justice and true right express it.²⁵

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD     My soul and body on²⁶ the action both!

YORK

YORK      A dreadful lay!²⁷ Address thee instantly. They fight, and Clifford falls

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD     La²⁸ fin couronne les oeuvres. Dies

YORK

YORK      Thus war hath given thee peace, for thou art still.

30

30           Peace with his soul, heaven, if it be thy will.

       [Exit]

       Enter Young Clifford

YOUNG CLIFFORD

YOUNG CLIFFORD Shame and confusion,³¹ all is on the rout!

               Fear frames³² disorder, and disorder wounds

               Where it should guard. O war, thou son of hell,

               Whom angry heavens do make their minister,

35

35           Throw in the frozen³⁵ bosoms of our part

               Hot coals of vengeance. Let no soldier fly.³⁶

               He that is truly dedicate³⁷ to war

               Hath no self-love:³⁸ nor he that loves himself

               Hath not essentially³⁹ but by circumstance

40

40           The name of valour.— O, let the vile world end, Seeing his dead father

               And the premised⁴¹ flames of the last day

               Knit⁴² earth and heaven together.

               Now let the general trumpet⁴³ blow his blast,

               Particularities⁴⁴ and petty sounds

45

45           To cease. Wast thou ordainèd,⁴⁵ dear father,

               To lose⁴⁶ thy youth in peace, and to achieve

               The silver livery⁴⁷ of advisèd age,

               And in thy reverence and thy chair-days,⁴⁸ thus

               To die in ruffian battle? Even at this sight

50

50           My heart is turned to stone: and while ’tis mine,

               It shall be stony. York not our old men spares:

               No more will I their babes: tears virginal⁵²

               Shall be to me even as the dew to fire,⁵³

               And beauty that the tyrant oft reclaims⁵⁴

55

55           Shall to my flaming wrath be oil and flax:⁵⁵

               Henceforth I will not have to do with pity.

               Meet I an infant of the House of York,

               Into as many gobbets⁵⁸ will I cut it

               As wild Medea young Absyrtus⁵⁹ did.

60

60           In cruelty will I seek out my fame.

               Come, thou new ruin of old Clifford’s house:

               As did Aeneas⁶² old Anchises bear,

               So bear I thee upon my manly shoulders:

               But then Aeneas bare⁶⁴ a living load,

65

65           Nothing so heavy⁶⁵ as these woes of mine.

       [Exit with Clifford’s body]

       Enter Richard and Somerset to fight [Somerset is killed]

RICHARD

RICHARD     So lie thou there:

               For underneath an ale-house’ paltry sign,

               The Castle in St Albans, Somerset

               Hath made the wizard⁶⁹ famous in his death:

70

70           Sword, hold thy temper:⁷⁰ heart, be wrathful still:

               Priests pray for enemies, but princes kill.

       [Exit]

       Fight. Excursions. Enter King [Henry VI], Queen [Margaret] and others

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Away, my lord, you are slow: for shame, away!

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Can we outrun the heavens? Good Margaret, stay.⁷³

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET What are you made of? You’ll nor⁷⁴ fight nor fly:

75

75           Now is it⁷⁵ manhood, wisdom and defence,

               To give the enemy way, and to secure us⁷⁶

               By what⁷⁷ we can, which can no more but fly.

       Alarum afar off

               If you be ta’en,⁷⁸ we then should see the bottom

               Of all our fortunes: but if we haply scape,⁷⁹

80

80           As well we may, if not through your neglect,

               We shall to London get, where you are loved

               And where this breach⁸² now in our fortunes made

               May readily be stopped.

       Enter [Young] Clifford

YOUNG CLIFFORD

YOUNG CLIFFORD But that my heart’s on future mischief⁸⁴ set,

85

85           I would speak blasphemy ere⁸⁵ bid you fly:

               But fly you must: uncurable discomfit⁸⁶

               Reigns in the hearts of all our present parts.⁸⁷

               Away, for your relief,⁸⁸ and we will live

               To see their⁸⁹ day and them our fortune give.

90

90           Away, my lord, away!

       Exeunt

[Act 5 Scene 3]

running scene 7

       Alarum. Retreat. Enter York, Richard, Warwick and Soldiers, with Drum and Colours

YORK

YORK      Of Salisbury, who can report of him,

               That winter² lion, who in rage forgets

               Agèd contusions³ and all brush of time,

               And, like a gallant⁴ in the brow of youth,

5

5             Repairs⁵ him with occasion? This happy day

               Is not itself, nor have we won one foot,⁶

               If Salisbury be lost.

RICHARD

RICHARD     My noble father:

               Three times today I holp⁹ him to his horse,

10

10           Three times bestrid him:¹⁰ thrice I led him off,

               Persuaded him from any further act:

               But still¹² where danger was, still there I met him,

               And like rich hangings¹³ in a homely house,

               So was his will in his old feeble body.

15

15           But noble as he is, look where he comes.

       Enter Salisbury

SALISBURY

SALISBURY     Now, by my sword, well hast thou fought today:

               By th’mass, so did we all. I thank you, Richard.

               God knows how long it is I have to live:

               And it hath pleased him that three times today

20

20           You have defended me from imminent death.

               Well, lords, we have not got²¹ that which we have:

               ’Tis not enough our foes are this time fled,

               Being²³ opposites of such repairing nature.

YORK

YORK      I know our safety²⁴ is to follow them,

25

25           For, as I hear, the king is fled to London,

               To call a present²⁶ court of parliament:

               Let us pursue him ere the writs²⁷ go forth.

               What says Lord Warwick, shall we after them?

WARWICK

WARWICK     After them? Nay, before them, if we can:

30

30           Now by my hand, lords, ’twas a glorious day.

               St Albans battle won by famous York

               Shall be eternized³² in all age to come.

               Sound drum and trumpets, and to London all,

               And more such days as these to us befall!

       Exeunt

Textual Notes

Q = First Quarto text of 1594

Q2 = Second Quarto text of 1600

Q3 = Third Quarto text of 1619

F = First Folio text of 1623

F2 = a correction introduced in the Second Folio text of 1632

F4 = a correction introduced in the Fourth Folio text of 1685

Ed = a correction introduced by a later editor

SD = stage direction

SH = speech heading (i.e., speaker’s name)

List of parts = Ed

THE…HUMPHREY = F. Printed as The First Part of the Contention betwixt the two famous Houses of York and Lancaster, with the death of the good Duke Humphrey in Q, Q2 and Q3

1.1.24–31 Great…minister Q has the following alternative lines (all alternative Q passages are here edited and modernized):

               Th’excessive love I bear unto your grace

               Forbids me to be lavish of my tongue,

               Lest I should speak more than beseems a woman:

               Let this suffice: my bliss is in your liking,

               And nothing can make poor Margaret miserable,

               Unless the frown of mighty England’s King.

49 SD Lets…fall derived from Q’s direction: Duke Humphrey lets it fall 90 had = Ed. F = hath 98 Razing = Ed. F = Racing 129 SH GLOUCESTER = Ed. F = Hum./Glo. (throughout) 166 hoist spelled hoyse in F 175 Protector = Q. F = Protectors 253 in my = Ed. F = in in my 254 grapple = F, Q3. Q = graffle, although there is no record of it in the OED

1.2.19 thought = F. Ed = hour 22 dreams = F (dreames). Ed = dream 38 are = Q. F = wer 75 witch = F. Q = witch of Ely. Q3 = witch of Rye. Ed = witch of Eye

1.3.4 SH FIRST PETITIONER = F4. F = Peter. In agreement with the Textual Companion that the First Petitioner must have pushed forward to warrant his apology, “Peter” and “Petitioner” being easily confused; other editors defend F 22 master = Ed. F = Mistresse 23 usurper = F. Q = usurer 58 haughty = F (haughtie). F2 = haught 80 the = F. Ed = their 90 At this point F has an exit direction for Suffolk, yet he contributes to the following discussion; therefore his exit direction has been removed 94 denied = Ed. F = denay’d 115 dauphin = Ed. F = Dolphin 132 I’d = Q. F = I could 140 fury = Ed. F = Fume. However, the emendation better fits the metre and the mistake can be explained as a minim error 177 SH HORNER = Ed. F = Armorer 190 judge = F. Ed = judge by case 203–5 Away…away = F. The following alternative lines are spoken by Gloucester in Q, where the action takes place before Queen Margaret drops her glove (as opposed to F’s fan):

               The law my lord is this by case, it rests suspicious

               That a day of combat be appointed

               And there to try each other’s right or wrong

               Which shall be on the thirtieth of this month,

               With Eben staves and standbags combatting

               In Smithfield before your royal majesty.

The reference to “Eben staves” and “standbags” might refer to the remembered performance of the scene

1.4.20 SH ASNATH = Ed. F = Spirit 21 SH MARGARET JORDAN = Ed. F = Witch 36–7 Descend…avoid = F. Q has the following longer alternative:

               Then down, I say, unto the damnèd pool,

               Where Pluto in his fiery wagon sits

               Riding, amidst the singed and parchèd smokes,

               The road of Ditis by the River Styx.

               There howl and burn for ever in those flames.

               Rise, Jordan, rise, and stay thy charming spells.

               Zounds, we are betrayed!

56–7 The…death some editors move the reading aloud of the prophecies to the next scene, following Q, which also assigns them to King Henry

2.1.27 such = F. Ed = some 52 SH CARDINAL…you. = Ed. F = Cardinall, I am with you. F presents the line as a continuation of Gloucester’s speech rather than a response from the cardinal 65 SH TOWNSMAN = Ed. F = One 136 his = Q. F = it,

2.2.35 Philippa = Ed. F = Phillip 46–7 who…son = Ed. F’s lines are considered unmetrical and nonsensical:

               Who was to Edmond Langley,

               Edward the thirds fift Sonnes Sonne;

2.3.3 sins = Ed. F = sinne 65 After the First Prentice Q inserts a third prentice who speaks the following line: Here, Peter, here’s a pint of claret wine for thee. Q also adds the following extra line at the beginning of F’s “Second” Prentice’s line: And here’s a quart for me.

3.1.0 SD Enter…parliament = F. Q has the following stage direction, which may reflect contemporary performance:

Enter to the parliament. Enter two heralds before, then the Duke of Buckingham, and the Duke of Suffolk, and then the Duke of York, and the Cardinal of Winchester, and then the King and the Queen, and then the Earl of Salisbury, and the Earl of Warwick.

78 wolves = F. Ed = wolf 117 disbursèd = Ed. F = dis-pursed which is now archaic 264 deceit = F. Ed = conceit 329 For = F. Ed = From

3.2.0 SD Enter…Humphrey = F. Q = Then the curtains being drawn, Duke Humphrey is discovered in his bed, and two men lying on his breast and smothering him in his bed. And then enter the Duke of Suffolk to them. 14 Away…gone = F. Q = Then draw the curtains again and get you gone. Ed = Then draw the curtains close; away, be gone! SD Sound…Attendants F’s original direction includes an entry for Suffolk, who is already onstage, and is therefore omitted here 26 Meg = Ed. F = Nell 76 leper = Ed. F = Leaper 80 Dame = F. Ed = Queen Margaret = Ed. F = Elianor 101 Margaret = Ed. F = Elianor 117 witch = Ed. F = watch 121 Margaret = Ed. F = Elinor 203 SD [Exeunt…Somerset] the direction “Exit Cardinal” is found in Q; editors add an exit direction for Somerset here because he has no further activity in the scene 232 SD Exeunt…Warwick based on Q’s direction: Warwick pulls him out. Exit Warwick and Suffolk. F = Exeunt Q’s stage direction continues: and then all the Commons within, cries, “Down with Suffolk, down with Suffolk.” This presumably represents original performance, and it is on this basis that some editors have decided to insert stage directions and/or spoken lines for Commons

279 SH COMMONS = Ed. Not in F 309 enemies = Q. F = enemy. Privileging Q over F results in agreement with “them” in the following line 311 Could = Q. F = Would. Emendation directed by the editorial tradition in response to the repeated use of “would” in the following line 319 Mine = F. Q = My on = Ed. F = an 333 turn = Ed. F = turnes 335 the = F. Q = this 345 these = F. Ed = these lips 410 SD [She kisses him] = Q. Not in F 415 SD severally = Q. Not in F

3.3.0 SD to…bed = F. Q = and then the curtains be drawn, and the Cardinal is discovered in his bed, raving and staring as if he were mad

4.1.0 SD a Master…prisoners based on Q’s stage direction: Alarms within, and the chambers be discharged, like as it were a fight at sea. And then enter the Captain of the ship and the Master, and the Master’s Mate, and the Duke of Suffolk disguised, and others with him, and Walter Whickmore 1 SH LIEUTENANT = F. Q = Captain 6 Clip = Ed. F = Cleape 20 SH WHITMORE = Ed. In F these lines continue the Lieutenant’s speech 32 death = F. Ed = thee 48 Jove…I = Q. Not in F; justified by the Lieutenant’s following line 50 Obscure…blood = F. Editors often reassign this line to Suffolk, arguing that he is distinguishing between himself and the Lieutenant. However, F’s reading can be supported as a slight on Suffolk by the Lieutenant, and by Whitmore’s subsequent line in response to Suffolk’s speech where he refers directly to Suffolk as “swain” lousy = F (lowsie). Ed = lowly 72 SH SUFFOLK = Ed. F = Sir; presumed compositor misreading of “Suf” or “S” or “Su” 73 SH LIEUTENANT = Ed. F = Lord; presumed compositor misreading of “Lieu” or “L” 79 shalt = Q. F = shall 87 mother’s bleeding = Ed. F = Mother-bleeding 95 are = Ed. F = and 114 Thy…me Q has an extra line at this point attributed to the “Captain,” F’s Lieutenant: Ay, but my deeds shall stay thy fury soon. Some editions print the following: But my deeds, Suffolk, soon shall stay thy rage. 134 SH SUFFOLK = Ed. In F this line is spoken by the Lieutenant, but Suffolk’s “That” appears to refer to it as his own

4.2.0, 22 SD with long staves = Q. Not in F 24 SH DICK = Ed. F = But. 25 fail = F. Ed = fall, on the grounds that Cade is punning on his name, Latin “cadere” meaning “to fall” 34 SH SMITH = Ed. F = Weaver 62 SD Chartham = Ed. Q = Chattam. Both are places in the southeast of England 76 an = F2. F = a 79 SD Michael = F. Q = Tom. Ed = a messenger 88 Mortimer at this point in Q Cade also knights Dick the butcher

4.4.21 mourning for = F, Q. Ed = mourning 42 traitors = F. Ed = trait’rous rabble 48 hath = F. Q = hath almost 57 be betrayed = F2. F = betraid

4.6.7 SH SMITH = Ed. F = But.

4.7.6 SH HOLLAND = Ed. F = Iohn. In this edition the character labelled “John” is identified as “John Holland” and therefore assigned the speech heading “Holland,” rather than identifying him as a new character, as in other editions 32 on = Q. F = in 40 Away…Latin = F. In place of this Q has the following lines:

CADE

CADE     ‘Bonum terrum’. Zounds, what is that?

DICK

DICK     He speaks French.

WILL

will     No, ’tis Dutch.

NICK

NICK     No, ’tis Outalian: I know it well enough.

52 Kent = F. Ed = But 69 caudle = F4. F = Candle help of = F. Ed = health o’th’ 84 At this point Q adds the following detail taken from the Chronicles: to the Standard in Cheapside 85 Q again adds the following detail, again present in the Chronicles: go to Mile End Green 95 men = F. Q = Married men 96 At this point Q has the following additional lines, thought to be an authorial addition to the promptbook by some editors:

       Enter Robin

ROBIN

ROBIN     O captain, London Bridge is afire!

CADE

CADE     Run to Billingsgate and fetch pitch and flax and squench it.

       Enter Dick and a Sergeant

SERGEANT

SERGEANT     Justice, justice, I pray you, sir, let me have justice of this fellow here.

CADE

CADE     Why, what has he done?

SERGEANT

SERGEANT     Alas, sir, he has ravished my wife.

BUTCHER

BUTCHER     Why, my lord, he would have ‘rested me and I went and entered my action in his wife’s paper house.

CADE

CADE     Dick, follow thy suit in her common place. You whoreson villain, you are a sergeant — you’ll take any man by the throat for twelvepence, and ‘rest a man when he’s at dinner, and have him to prison ere the meat be out of his mouth. Go, Dick, take him hence: cut out his tongue for cogging, hough him for running, and, to conclude, brave him with his own mace.

       Exit [Butcher] with the Sergeant

99 Additional lines at this point in Q for Cade: He that will lustily stand to it shall go with me and take up these commodities following: item, a gown, a kirtle, a petticoat, and a smock.

[Act 4 Scene 8] there is no scene break at this point in Q. Some editors explain the apparent scene break in F as necessary in order to waste space at the end of the page due to incorrectly cast-off copy.

4.8.12 rabble = F. Ed = rebel 28 SD They…again = Q. Not in F

4.9.33 calmed = F4. F = calme 34 dispersed = Ed. F = dispierc’d

4.10.4 o’er = Ed. F = on 15 waning = Ed. F = warning 48 Jove = F. Q = God

5.1.10 soul = F. Ed = sword 30–1 But…strong = F. In place of these lines Q has the following:

               But York dissemble, till thou meet thy sons,

               Who now in arms expect their father’s sight,

               And not far hence I know they cannot be.

70 trouble Q adds the following lines:

               A visage stern, coal-black his curlèd locks,

               Deep trenchèd furrows in his frowning brow,

               Presageth warlike humours in his life.

83 wi’th’queen = Ed. F = with th’Queen 109 these = Ed. F = thee 111 sons = Q. F = sonne 113 for = F2. F = of 149 bearherd = Ed. F = Berard 194 or = Ed. F = and 201 household = Q. F = housed. F2 = house’s 210 bearherd = Ed. F = Bearard

5.2.0 SD [Alarums…battle] = Q. Not in F 62 As…mine = F. Q includes a confrontation between Young Clifford and Richard in place of F’s lines:

[YOUNG CLIFFORD]

[YOUNG CLIFFORD]           And thus as old Anchises’ son did bear

               His agèd father on his manly back,

               And fought with him against the bloody Greeks,

               Even so will I. But stay, here’s one of them,

               To whom my soul hath sworn immortal hate.

Enter RICHARD, and then [YOUNG] CLIFFORD lays down his father, fights with him, and Richard flies away again.

               Out, crookback villain, get thee from my sight,

               But I will after thee, and once again

               When I have borne my father to his tent,

               I’ll try my fortune better with thee yet.

       Exit Young Clifford with his father

5.3.1 SH YORK York has four lines in Q which precede his speech in F:

               How now, boys: fortunate this fight hath been,

               I hope to us and ours, for England’s good,

               And our great honour, that so long we lost

               Whilst faint-heart Henry did usurp our rights:

Act 1 Scene 1

 1.1   Location: the royal court, London    Flourish trumpet fanfare accompanying a person in authority    hautboys oboe-like instruments

    2    had in charge was commanded    depart departure

    3    procurator to deputy, representative for

    4    marry i.e., by proxy, on the king’s behalf    for on behalf of

    5    Tours a city southwest of Orléans, located at the junction of the Rivers Cher and Loire

    6    Sicil Sicily

    7    Calaber Calabria, a region of southern Italy    Bretagne Brittany

    9    espoused married

  14    shadow image, reflection

  15    happiest most fortunate    marquis i.e., Suffolk

  18    kinder more natural, affectionate

  23    sympathy harmony, mutual feeling

  25    mutual conference intimate conversation

  27    beads i.e., prayers, said over a Catholic rosary (beads used as prompts in the reciting of prayers)

  28    alderliefest most beloved

  29    salute address/greet

  30    ruder unaccomplished, unpolished    wit skill, intellect

  31    minister supply, provide

  32    Her sight the sight of her

  33    yclad decked out, clothed

  34    wond’ring marveling, admiring

  39    Protector surrogate ruler of the realm, while the new king was too young to reign (Henry VI had inherited the throne as a baby)    so if

  40    articles terms, conditions    contracted formally agreed

  42    concluded resolved, settled

  43    Imprimis “in the first place” (Latin)

  46    ere before

  48    Item “likewise” (Latin)

  52    qualm sudden feeling of nausea/fit of misgiving

  53    that so that

  54    Uncle technically, Henry’s great-uncle

  57    of at    proper personal

  61    gird invest (with the title)

  62    Cousin a common form of address used among nobles

  63    regent one who rules in the king’s absence

  65    full fully

  69    entertainment hospitality    princely royal

  70    provide prepare

  72    Brave noble, splendid/valiant

  75    Henry i.e., Henry V

  77    lodge dwell, sleep

  81    policy skillful political strategy

  86    Council i.e., the Privy Council of the king’s ministers and advisers

  89    awe subjection, dread

  94    counsel advice, plans

  95    league union, alliance

  96    fame honor, reputations

  98    Razing erasing    characters written records

  99    monuments records, memorials

100    as as though

102    peroration rhetorical speech    circumstance elaborate details

108    large style grand title

110    him…all i.e., Christ

112    wherefore why

120    Mort Dieu! “God’s death!” (a French oath)

121    For as for    suffocate suffocated (puns on Suffolk)

123    rent ripped up

128    match marry    vantages advantages, assets

129    proper fine, resounding

130    fifteenth tax of one fifteenth of the value of income or property

134    hot angry, worked-up

135    pleasure will, desire

141    ancient former, long-standing

142    Lordings my lords

148    next of blood next in line (to the throne; Henry VI does not, at this point, have children, and Gloucester is his father’s brother)

151    wealthy…west i.e., Spanish possessions in the Americas (an anachronism)

153    smoothing flattering, ingratiating, plausible

160    flattering gloss deceptively attractive appearance

163    He i.e., Henry VI

167    brook tolerate

168    presently immediately

171    haughty proud, aspiring

173    Than than that of

175    Or either

177    Pride i.e., the cardinal    ambition i.e., Buckingham and Somerset

178    preferment advancement

179    Behoves it it is appropriate for

180    I…but I have always seen that

181    him himself

184    stout arrogant, haughty    as as if

185    demean behave, conduct

188    plainness openness, frankness    housekeeping hospitality

190    Excepting none but with the exception only of that shown to

191    brother brother-in-law (York was married to Salisbury’s sister, Cecily Neville)

193    late recent

197    bridle control, restrain

200    cherish encourage, nurture

201    tend promote, encourage, tend to

203    common communal, general

204    cause i.e., as one with a claim to the throne

205    look…main see to the most important business at hand (from the dice game of hazard where the “main” was the successful throw)

206    Maine French province lost as part of the recent treaty

207    main sheer

213    tickle precarious

214    concluded settled, decided

216    change exchange

218    thine your inheritance (York addresses himself)

219    make…pillage barter their booty for virtually nothing

220    purchase friends i.e., through such generosity courtesans prostitutes; plays on the original meaning “one attached to the court of a prince”

221    Still continually

222    While as while    silly helpless

223    hapless unfortunate

224    trembling frightened    aloof to one side (unable to intervene)

226    Ready about

230    proportion relation

231    Althaea…Calydon in Greek mythology, it was prophesied that Meleager, Prince of Calydon, would only live for as long as a log burned in the fire; his mother, Althaea, snatched the brand out, but cast it back into the flames when, years later, Meleager killed her brothers

237    Nevilles’ i.e., Salisbury and Warwick’s

240    mark target

241    Lancaster i.e., Henry VI

242    childish Henry was only nine months old when he was crowned

243    diadem crown

244    church-like humours pious disposition

245    still quiet, patient    time do serve an opportunity arises

246    Watch remain awake/be on guard

248    surfeiting overindulging

249    dear-bought expensive, obtained at too high a price

250    at jars into conflict, discord

251    milk-white rose emblem of the House of York

253    standard military banner, battle flag

254    grapple struggle, wrestle

255    force perforce through violence, by compulsion

256    bookish studious (perhaps with particular reference to religious texts)

Act 1 Scene 2

 1.2   Location: the residence of the Duke of Gloucester

    2    Ceres Roman goddess of agriculture and the harvest

    4    As as though

    5    sullen drab, somber, dull in color

    8    Enchased adorned, decorated as with jewels

    9    grovel lie facedown, prostrate

  12    is’t is your arm

  16    vouchsafe allow

  18    canker infection, ulcer

  19    imagine ill formulate evil plans

  21    breathing breath

  22    this night last night

  23    requite repay, recompense

  24    rehearsal recounting    morning’s dream according to popular belief, morning dreams were supposed to tell the truth

  25    staff formal rod of office    office-badge badge of office

  26    twain two

  32    an argument proof, evidence

  33    breaks…grove i.e., damages Gloucester in the slightest

  35    list listen

  38    chair throne

  41    chide rebuke

  42    ill-nurtured ill-mannered, poorly bred

  44    of by

  46    compass scope, limit

  47    hammering thinking insistently on/devising

  51    choleric angry (choler was one of the four bodily humors thought to govern temperament)

  52    but only

  54    checked scolded

  57    St Albans town about twenty-five miles north of London

  58    Where as where    hawk hunt with trained hawks

  60    presently immediately/shortly

  62    base unambitious, lowly

  67    pageant spectacle, entertainment

  68    Sir conventional form of address for clergymen

  71    grace the correct term of address for a duchess

  73    multiplied amplified, increased

  75    cunning skilled in magic

  76    conjurer magician, one who conjures spirits

  81    propounded asked of, put to

  88    Marry by the Virgin Mary

  89    mum silence

  93    flies that flies, comes    coast quarter, source

  97    aspiring humour ambitious frame of mind

  99    buzz whisper    conjurations incantations

100    broker agent, go-between

102    go near come close

105    wrack wreck, ruin

106    attainture conviction for treason

107    Sort…will however it falls out

Act 1 Scene 3

 1.3   Location: the royal court, London    Petitioners those with formal requests to make to those in authority    armourer’s man servant or apprentice to a maker of armor

    1    My masters gentlemen close near one another as a group

    2    in the quill as a group; possibly “in their written forms”

    3    protect plays on the title of Lord Protector

    4    a he

    8    wouldst do you want

  12    an’t if it

  13    man servant, agent

  15    enclosing the commons fencing in common land available to all and converting it to private use

  22    forsooth in truth

  25    pursuivant state messenger with the power to execute warrants

  29    sue to entreat

  30    cullions rogues, wretches

  32    guise manner, style

  33    fashions customs, practices

  35    Albion ancient name for England

  38    style mode of address, formal title

  40    Pole de la Pole, Suffolk’s family name

  41    ran’st a-tilt took part in a jousting tournament

  44    proportion physical form

  45    bent directed

  46    number count    Ave-Maries Hail Marys, prayers frequently recited over a rosary    beads rosary

  47    champions most admired combatants/defenders, those who fight on behalf of another

  48    saws sayings, maxims

  49    tilt-yard tournament ground

  50    brazen images bronze statues

  51    college…cardinals highest council of the Catholic Church, responsible for electing new Popes

  53    triple crown i.e., the crown worn by the Pope

  54    state status    his holiness plays on the Pope’s official title

  57    work enable, effect

  60    not…But even the least of them

  64    simple ordinary, humble

  67    sweeps it parades, struts

  69    Strangers foreigners

  70    bears…back i.e., dresses in a magnificent style    revenues wealth, income

  73    Contemptuous contemptible/scornful    callet whore

  74    vaunted boasted    minions favorites

  75    worst wearing most unfashionable

  76    better worth worth more

  77    Till…daughter before Suffolk handed over two dukedoms (Anjou and Maine) as part of the dowry from Henry VI

  78    limed a bush created a trap (from the process of smearing twigs with birdlime, a sticky substance used to catch birds)

  79    enticing birds i.e., decoys

  80    light alight    lays songs

  84    fancy favor, incline to

  87    late complaint i.e., Peter’s allegation that his master said York was the rightful heir to the throne

  88    make…benefit do him little service

  89    weed uproot, weed out    sennet trumpet call signaling a procession

  92    Or either

  93    ill demeaned badly conducted

  94    regentship position of ruling in France on the king’s behalf

100    field battlefield

101    presence royal reception chamber, presence of the king

107    censure judgment, opinion

112    leave stop, give up

115    dauphin title of the French king’s eldest son, heir to the throne (here used to refer to Charles VII as the English considered Henry VI the rightful King of France) prevailed gained in strength and influence

117    bondmen slaves

118    racked ruined, exhausted (through taxation)    bags moneybags

119    lank shrunken

121    treasury money

125    offices official functions, positions

126    suspect suspicion

127    hop…head be beheaded, executed

128    minion hussy, servant

129    cry you mercy beg your pardon (sarcastic)

132    set…commandments i.e., scratch with my fingernails

133    against her will unintentional, a mistake

134    Look to’t beware

135    hamper obstruct, fetter    dandle pamper, pet

136    most master the greatest master (i.e., the queen)

139    listen after watch out for

140    tickled vexed, provoked

145    objections accusations

150    meetest the most suitable

152    election choice    give me leave permit me

156    for…pride because my self-respect will not allow me to flatter you/because I cannot flatter your pride

159    discharge payment    furniture military equipment

163    fouler fact more wicked deed, crime

166    Image embodiment

169    for of being

170    what who

177    An’t if it

179    ten bones i.e., fingers    garret turret, watchtower

180    scouring cleaning

181    mechanical manual worker, laborer

186    prentice apprentice    correct punish

190    doom judgment, sentence

192    this i.e., the business involving Peter and Horner

194    convenient appropriate, suitable

202    Sirrah sir (used to an inferior)    or either

Act 1 Scene 4

 1.4   Location: the residence of the Duke of Gloucester

    3    therefore provided equipped to that end

    4    exorcisms conjuring up of spirits    aloft i.e., on the upper staging level or gallery

  11    said done    gear business, matter

  14    Troy…fire under cover of darkness the city of Troy was set on fire and destroyed by the Greeks, who had entered the city concealed in the Trojan horse

  15    screech-owls barn owls, so-named from their discordant cry and considered birds of ill omen    bandogs fierce tied-up watchdogs

  16    up open, out of

  19    make fast secure, restrain    hallowed verge magic circle    belonging necessary, appropriate    ‘Conjuro te’ “I conjure you” (Latin; the beginning of an invocation)    Asnath an anagram of “Sathan,” i.e., Satan    riseth presumably through a trapdoor

  20    Adsum “I am here” (Latin)

  23    that that which

  25    that i.e., would that (I wish that)

  34    mounted situated on a mount

  37    False treacherous    avoid be gone

  38    trash rubbish, paraphernalia

  39    Beldam hag, witch    at an inch very closely

  41    piece of pains trouble you have taken

  43    guerdoned rewarded    deserts deserving deeds

  45    Injurious insulting    threatest threatens

  47    clapped up close securely locked up

  48    asunder apart

  49    to with

  50    trinkets trifles, rubbish (used for conjuring)    all forthcoming safe and ready to be produced as evidence in court

  53    pretty artful, cunning    plot scheme/plot of land

  54    devil’s writ as opposed to “holy writ,” i.e., Scripture

  58    just exactly

  59    ‘Aio…posse’ words spoken by the oracle at Delphi to Pyrrhus when he asked whether he would conquer Rome; they may be interpreted to mean either “I proclaim that you, the descendant of Aeacus, can conquer the Romans” or “I proclaim that the Romans can conquer you, the descendant of Aeacus”

  68    hardly attained obtained with difficulty

  69    hardly barely

  70    in progress on a state journey or procession

  75    post messenger

  78    sup take supper    severally separately

Act 2 Scene 1

 2.1   Location: St. Albans (a town about twenty-five miles north of London)    hallooing calling out to the dogs

    1    flying…brook hunting waterfowl by using dogs to drive the birds from the bankside bushes so that trained hawks might swoop upon them

    2    these…day for the last seven years, i.e., for a long time (proverbial)

    4    And…out i.e., the odds were against the hawk Joan being able to fly (letting birds out in a high wind risked losing them)

    5    point advantageous position from which to swoop on the fowl

    6    pitch height (literally, the highest point in a falcon’s flight)

    8    fain of inclined to, fond of

    9    an it like if it please

  10    tower soar in circling movements to the highest point

  11    aloft up high, dominant

  16    how…that what do you mean by that

  21    Pernicious destructive, wicked

  22    smooth’st it flatters, speaks plausibly

  24    peremptory unchallengeable, overbearing

  25    Tantaene…irae? “Is there so much anger in heavenly minds?” (Latin; from Virgil’s Aeneid, 1.11)

  26    hot hot-tempered, angry

  36    whet not on do not encourage

  37    blessèd…earth biblical; the king cites Matthew 5:9

  41    Marry by the Virgin Mary

  42    Make…matter do not bring any of your supporters into the business

  43    abuse wrongdoing, insult (to me)

  44    peep appear, show your face    an if if

  48    your man i.e., the falconer    put up raised, provoked from cover into flight

  49    had had would have had    two-hand sword long, heavy sword

  51    Are ye advised? Do you understand?

  55    God’s mother i.e., the Virgin Mary    crown the tonsure, the shaved crown of a priest’s head

  56    fence fencing skills, swordsmanship

  57    Medice, teipsum “Physician, heal thyself” (Latin; from the Bible, Luke 4:23)

  59    stomachs tempers, angry appetites

  61    jar sound discordant

  62    compound settle

  67    Forsooth in truth    Saint Alban’s shrine allegedly the first Christian martyr in England, Saint Alban was executed in the early fourth century for sheltering Christian converts    brethren members of the town corporation

  74    earthly vale i.e., the earth, the mortal world

  75    by…multiplied i.e., as he will be subject to more temptations

  78    circumstance details

  85    thou…told you would have been in a better position to say so (i.e., that he had been blind from birth)

  87    Berwick Berwick-upon-Tweed, town on the border between Scotland and England

  89    unhallowed pass i.e., pass without saying your prayers    unhallowed unholy

  90    still continually

  92    of out of, from

  96    offer make an offering

102    fall…tree “climbing a plum tree” could be euphemistic for copulation

107    But that only that time, once

109    Mass by the (religious) Mass

110    damsons plays on sense of “testicles”

111    climb play son sense of “mount sexually”

112    subtle crafty    shall not serve will not hold, suffice

113    wink close your eyes

114    yet still

116    Say’st…so do you say so

122    many multitude

134    several various of between

135    nominate name

136    cunning skill

139    beadles parish constables

142    presently immediately

143    straight straightaway

144    by and by immediately

146    alone unsupported

150    doublet close-fitting jacket

152    bearest (do you) endure it

154    drab whore

161    towns i.e., the French towns given away as part of Margaret’s dowry

164    sort gang naughty wicked, villainous    lewdly bent bent on evil

165    Under…confederacy supported by and in collusion with

167    rout gang, crowd

168    practised plotted

170    apprehended…fact caught in the act, arrested as they committed the crime

172    Demanding of asking about

174    at large at length

176    forthcoming yet in custody, awaiting trial

177    turned blunted

178    like likely    hour appointed time

179    leave to afflict stop tormenting

182    meanest groom humblest servingman

184    confusion destruction, devastation

185    tainture defilement

186    look make sure, take care

189    how it stands the full circumstances

192    conversed kept company, associated

193    like to pitch resembling pitch (a black, tarlike substance)

201    poise weigh, balance    cause court case

202    beam stands sure scales are evenly balanced

Act 2 Scene 2

 2.2   Location: York’s private garden

    3    close secluded, private

  19    Richard i.e., Richard II

  26    Pomfret Pontefract, near York

  32    issue offspring

  38    Edmund i.e., Edmund Mortimer, fifth Earl of March, declared heir presumptive by Richard II

  39    This Edmund following an error in the historical sources he used, Shakespeare now confuses Edmund Mortimer with his uncle of the same name, the man who was captured by the Welsh rebel leader    Owen Glendower but went on to marry Glendower’s daughter and fight on the rebel side

  42    Who i.e., Glendower    captivity…died another error

  54    proceedings line of descent

  57    issue descendants, line of descent    fails dies out, comes to an end

  59    slips cuttings    stock tree

  61    plot ground

  65    We York uses the royal pronoun

  66    that until the time that

  68    suddenly immediately/impetuously

  69    with advice advisedly, prudently

  71    Wink at shut your eyes to, ignore

  81    Neville Warwick’s family name

  83    but except for

Act 2 Scene 3

 2.3   Location: London, a place of judgment (exact location unspecified)

    4    God’s book i.e., the Bible    adjudged to judged in advance to be worthy of

    7    Smithfield area in the City of London; the customary place for the execution of heretics

    8    strangled i.e., hanged

    9    for because

  10    Despoilèd stripped, deprived in i.e., for the rest of

  11    open public

  13    With i.e., in the custody of    Isle of Man small island off the northwest coast of England

  14    were would be

  16    justify excuse

  21    would desires, would have

  22    Stay wait

  23    staff the official symbol of the Protector’s role

  24    God…feet Henry draws on the words of several Psalms

  25    stay support

  28    of years of maturity

  29    be to be need to be

  31    king his king’s

  41    bears…maim suffers such a serious injury    pulls wrenches

  43    raught seized

  45    pine possibly alludes to the emblem adopted by Henry IV, Gloucester’s father    sprays branches (offspring)

  46    her youngest days its prime

  47    let him go i.e., forget him

  49    appellant challenger, accuser

  50    lists designated combat area

  52    purposely therefore specifically for that reason

  54    A in    fit prepared

  56    bestead prepared    Drum drummer    staff…it a basic but potentially vicious type of weapon

  59    sack type of Spanish sweet white wine

  61    charneco sweet Portuguese wine, a kind of port

  62    double very strong

  64    pledge toast    fig from old Spanish figo; exclamation of contempt, often accompanied by an obscene gesture that consisted of thrusting the thumb between the index and middle fingers

  71    deal fight

  72    fence fencing

  79    touching concerning

  80    take my death stake my life on it

  81    have at thee i.e., here I come (standard utterance at the opening of a fight)    downright forthright, literally “vertically downward”

  82    Dispatch get on with it    double slur (perhaps plays on the sense of “deceive”)

  83    alarum trumpet call to arms

  85    in…way in between you and your master/hindering your master

  87    presence i.e., of the king

  93    he i.e., Horner

Act 2 Scene 4

 2.4   Location: a London street

    2    evermore succeeds always follows

    4    fleet pass swiftly away

    9    Uneath not easily flinty hard, stony

  11    abrook endure

  12    abject base, lowly

  13    envious malicious

  14    erst formerly    proud splendid, luxurious    chariot-wheels…triumph the image is of a glorious military victor returning home in ceremony    verses…back wrongdoers undertaking public penance were required to wear papers listing their crimes    taper candle

  22    giddy fickle, unstable, heady, excited

  23    throw turn, cast

  24    hateful hate-filled

  25    closet private chamber rue pity, grieve for

  26    ban curse

  32    Mailed up enveloped, wrapped up (falconry term referring to the covering of the hawk to quiet it)

  34    deep-fet fetched up from deep within, profound

  36    start flinch (in pain)

  37    advisèd careful

  39    Trowest thou do you think

  42    pomp (former) splendor

  46    As that

  47    wonder spectacle    pointing-stock object of ridicule

  48    idle useless/foolish/trifling    rascal lowborn

  49    mild placid, calm

  53    her i.e., Queen Margaret

  55    limed smeared with birdlime (sticky substance used to catch birds)

  56    how thou canst as best you may

  59    forbear desist    aimest guess, conjecture    awry mistakenly

  60    attainted convicted of treason

  63    procure…scathe bring about any damage

  66    scandal were not disgrace would not be

  68    quiet acceptance, calm

  69    sort fashion, adapt

  70    few days’ wonder passing spectacle (proverbial: “a wonder lasts but nine days”)    worn worn away, forgotten

  72    Holden to be held    Bury Bury St. Edmunds, a town in Suffolk

  74    close dealing secretive business, plotting

  76    commission orders, authorization

  77    stays ends

  80    protect take custody of

  82    Entreat treat

  90    afeared afraid

  91    this world’s eternity eternal enjoyment of this world

  96    used treated    state rank (Eleanor develops the sense of “condition of shame”)

  97    reproach disgrace itself

101    better…fare may you fare better than I

102    conduct conductor, guide

103    office job, duty

104    is discharged has been carried out

107    attire clothe

108    shifted moved, altered (puns on the sense of “changed as an undergarment or ‘shift’ ”)

Act 3 Scene 1

 3.1   Location: Bury St. Edmunds

    1    muse wonder

    2    wont usual practice    hindmost last (to arrive)

    5    strangeness aloof, distant nature

    7    insolent haughty, arrogant

    8    peremptory overbearing

    9    know remember    since when

  10    far-off distant

  12    admired him for marveled at his

  14    give…day greet one another

  15    knits his brow frowns

  16    stiff unbowèd knee a respectful bow involved bending the knee

  17    duty i.e., dutiful gestures of respect

  18    curs dogs    grin bare their teeth, snarl

  23    Meseemeth it seems to me    no policy not expedient, imprudent

  24    Respecting considering    rancorous malicious, bitter

  26    come about frequent, be in contact with

  29    commotion rebellion, riot

  31    shallow-rooted i.e., easily pulled up

  32    Suffer allow

  33    want lack    husbandry cultivation

  35    collect gather (information about)/conclude, deduce

  36    fond foolish

  37    supplant uproot, overthrow, replace

  38    subscribe give in, concede

  40    Reprove refute, disprove

  41    effectual pertinent, valid

  43    put obliged, called upon

  45    subornation incitement (to do wrong)

  46    practices plots

  47    privy to privately aware of

  48    reputing boasting/thinking proudly

  49    the to the

  50    vaunts boasts

  51    bedlam brain-sick insane and foolish

  52    frame organize, devise

  54    simple show innocent appearance

  57    Unsounded unfathomed, not probed or measured

  59    strange i.e., cruel or illegal

  61    Levy raise

  63    By means whereof as a result of which

  64    to compared to

  65    smooth glib, apparently amiable

  66    at once in answer to you all/without further ado/once and for all

  67    annoy injure

  68    shall I if I

  72    given disposed, inclined

  74    fond affiance misguided trust/foolish affinity

  76    disposèd as of the disposition of    raven a bird of ill omen

  78    inclined of the same disposition    wolves i.e., who proverbially wear sheep’s clothing

  79    steal a shape adopt a disguise    means intends

  81    Hangs depends    cutting short plays on the idea of beheading    fraudful treacherous, fraudulent

  84    interest legal claim

  85    bereft deprived

  89    blasted blighted, withered

  91    gear business

  94    stayed delayed, been absent

104    of from

105    stayed withheld

107    What who

110    watched the night stayed awake

111    studying pursuing/meditating on

112    That may that    doit small coin of little value

113    groat coin worth four old pence

115    proper store personal wealth

117    disbursèd paid out

123    That so that    was defamed by became infamous for

124    whiles while

127    lowly…fault humble words of repentance were payment enough for the crime

129    felonious wicked, criminal    fleeced plundered, robbed    passengers travelers

130    condign fitting, appropriate

132    Above…else more severely than other types of offense

133    easy slight, small

138    keep guard, detain further subsequent

140    suspense suspicion

145    subordination incitement to wrongdoing, bribery    predominant in the ascendant (astronomical term)

146    equity justice

147    complot plot, conspiracy

149    period end

150    expend it pay the price (of death)

151    mine i.e., my death

154    blab reveal, betray

156    Sharp merciless, severe

157    envious malicious

158    doggèd doglike, ill-tempered, stubborn

159    overweening overreaching, presumptuous

160    accuse accusation    level aim

162    Causeless without cause

164    liefest liege dearest sovereign

166    conventicles secret meetings

168    want lack

169    store abundance

172    railing ranting, complaining

175    chid rebuked    rated at berated

176    scope range, opportunity

177    zeal loyalty, devotion

178    twit taunted, reproached

179    clerky couched skillfully expressed

180    subornèd bribed

181    state authority, high position

184    Beshrew curse    played me false cheated, deceived me

186    wrest the sense twist the meaning

188    sure securely

192    gnarling snarling, growling

194    decay ruin, downfall

200    engirt encircled

203    map image

205    proved thee false found you disloyal    feared thy faith doubted your loyalty

206    envies thy estate feels malice toward your position

208    subversion the destruction, overthrow

211    strays a problematic image as the calf is bound, unless this means loosely leashed about the neck or penned in—possibly and functions more like “or” as Henry lists the things a butcher might do to a calf; many editors emend to “strains”

214    dam mother

220    vowèd avowed, sworn

221    ’twixt in between

223    Free noble, honorable

224    cold indifferent, passive

225    show false appearance, deceptive behavior

226    Beguiles deceives, distracts    crocodile…passengers crocodiles were believed to shed tears as a means of enticing victims relenting pitying

229    chequered slough patterned, multicolored outer skin

232    wit intellect, reasoning

233    rid removed from

235    worthy sensible, shrewd

236    colour pretext, excuse (picks up on die/dye to pun on the sense of “hue”; also puns on “collar”—i.e., hangman’s noose)

237    meet appropriate, fitting

238    were would be    policy clever strategy

239    still continually

240    haply rise may perhaps rebel

241    trivial argument scant evidence, slight grounds

242    More than mistrust except for suspicion

243    by this on the strength of this reasoning

244    fain willing

248    all one the same (if)    empty hungry

249    kite bird of prey

253    surveyor…fold keeper of the sheepfold

255    idly posted over foolishly ignored

256    Because…executed simply because he had yet to kill one of the sheep

259    chaps jaws

260    proved…liege has been demonstrated through reasoned argument to be a threat to Henry

261    stand insist    quillets fine distinctions, quibbles

262    gins, by snares two types of traps for catching game    subtlety cunning, crafty strategy

264    So provided

265    mates checkmates, catches out

267    except unless

269    that to show that    accordeth is in accordance with

270    meritorious worthy, deserving of God’s reward

272    be his priest preside over his death like a priest administering the last rites (i.e., kill him)

274    Ere…priest before you have time to be ordained as a priest/to arrange for a priest to be there

275    censure approve

277    tender so hold so dear

281    skills…doom does not make much difference who questions our judgment    Post messenger

282    amain in haste

283    signify inform, report    up up in arms

285    succours assistance    betime rapidly, at an early stage

287    green fresh

288    breach gash, hole/uprising, rebellion

289    weighty cause pressing circumstance, important matter

291    meet appropriate    lucky…France York is being sarcastic and insulting toward Somerset

293    far-fet far-fetched, devious

297    betimes early

300    charactered inscribed, written

301    Men’s flesh men whose flesh is

306    happily perhaps

308    in the number among them

309    try put to the test

310    uncivil uncivilized, rebellious    kerns lightly armed Irish foot soldiers

311    temper clay soften, mix earth

313    Collected choicely carefully selected

314    hap luck, fortune

320    take order make arrangements

332    misdoubt mistrust, uncertainty

333    that that which

335    keep dwell, remain    mean-born lowborn, humble

336    harbour dwelling, shelter

338    dignity honor, high rank, kingship

340    tedious laborious, painstakingly intricate

341    politicly strategically, cunningly

343    fear me fear    warm…hearts refers to the proverbial cautionary tale of the man who warms a frozen snake against his chest, only to have it revive and bite him starvèd stiff from cold

348    nourish generate, support

350    Shall that shall

351    fell fierce, cruel

352    circuit i.e., crown

354    mad-bred created by madness    flaw squall, blast

355    minister…intent agent of my intentions

357    Ashford town in Kent, south of Canterbury

358    make commotion rouse rebellion

359    John Mortimer like York, a member of the Mortimer family, who were descended from Edward III’s third son, Lionel, Duke of Clarence, and could thus claim entitlement to the throne

362    till that until    darts arrows

365    caper perform a leaping, nimble dance    Morisco morris dancer

366    he the morris dancer    bells traditionally tied to the dancer’s legs

367    Full very    shag-haired shaggy-haired, wild-haired

370    notice information

372    John…dead Mortimer was executed in 1424

373    gait bearing

374    commons’ common people’s, public’s

375    affect favor, incline to

376    taken arrested    racked tortured by being strapped upon a frame and having the limbs stretched

378    moved persuaded

379    great like very likely

381    rascal lowborn man/rogue

383    put apart ousted, put aside (perhaps with murderous suggestion)

Act 3 Scene 2

    2    dispatched done away with, killed (Suffolk shifts the sense to “managed, carried out”)

    3    to do still to be done (i.e., that we had not done it)

    9    venturous risky

  11    laid fair tidied, straightened up

  15    straight straightaway

  17    If (to determine) whether    publishèd declared

  20    straiter more harshly

  21    of good esteem worthy of belief

  22    approved in proved guilty of    practice culpable guilty plotting, wrongful conspiracy

  24    faultless…man may condemn an innocent and noble man

  25    acquit him clear himself

  30    forfend forbid

  31    tonight last night

  34    Rear up raise, support    wring twist, squeeze (to restore circulation)

  41    raven’s note proverbially ominous and associated with death

  42    dismal fatal, ominous    bereft robbed me of

  44    hollow empty, insincere

  45    first-conceivèd original, first perceived

  48    affrights frightens

  49    baleful deadly

  53    basilisk mythological reptile whose gaze had the power to kill

  57    rate berate

  61    heart-offending heart-wounding (each groan or sigh was thought to deprive the heart of a drop of blood)

  66    deem judge, think

  67    hollow shallow, insincere

  70    reproach censure, disgrace

  74    woe sorry

  77    adder, waxen deaf in order to resist snake charmers, the adder supposedly blocked one ear with its tail and placed the other to the ground waxen grown

  78    forlorn wretched, neglected, outcast

  83    nigh nearly

  84    awkward adverse, unfavorable    bank shore

  85    clime land, region

  86    but unless (the)

  88    unkind hostile, unnatural

  89    gentle kindly (i.e., in relation to what follows)

  90    he i.e.,    Aeolus forth forth from    brazen strong (as brass); in classical mythology, Aeolus’ island is described as being surrounded by bronze walls

  93    Aeolus in Greek mythology, the ruler of the winds

  95    pretty artful/clever/charming    vaulting leaping

  98    splitting vicious, jagged, capable of splitting ships    sinking sands sands capable of sinking ships

100    Because so that

101    perish destroy

102    ken see, make out

104    hatches deck

106    earnest-gaping eagerly gazing

108    bound in with surrounded by

112    packing gone    heart i.e., the    jewel (plays on the sense of “affections, desires”)

114    wishèd longed for, desired

116    agent i.e., as Henry’s deputy

117    witch bewitch    Ascanius son of Aeneas, in whose form Cupid disguised himself so that he could enchant Dido with tales of Aeneas’ bravery in the battle of Troy, and make her fall in love with the boy’s father; Aeneas responded to Dido’s passion, but eventually deserted her

118    madding frantic, maddened by love

120    false inconstant, disloyal

121    can no more cannot go on    Commons commoners

127    want lack

128    his revenge payment for his death

129    spleenful enraged

130    order nature, circumstances

134    comment then upon explain

136    rude rough, ignorant

137    stay stop, restrain

140    suspect suspicion

142    Fain gladly    chafe restore warmth to    paly bloodless, pale

145    trunk body

147    mean obsequies meager funeral rites    Enter…bed i.e., the curtains are drawn to reveal the discovery space, a sizable alcove at the back of the stage

153    my…death an image of my own death

155    dread revered, awe-inspiring king i.e., Christ

158    thrice-famèd well-renowned, much honored

160    instance evidence

161    settled congealed, not flowing

162    timely-parted ghost corpse of a person who has died naturally, at their right time

163    meagre emaciated

164    Being (the blood) having

166    aidance assistance

167    Which i.e., the blood

172    upreared standing on end

173    abroad displayed spread out widely

176    well-proportioned well-shaped    rugged shaggy, disheveled

177    lodged flattened

179    probable sufficient evidence

184    keep guard, protect

185    like likely    feast entertain

186    well seen obvious

187    belike perhaps

188    timeless untimely

192    puttock bird of prey, especially the kite

199    ease disuse

200    scoured cleaned (often with a thrusting action)

201    badge insignia, sign of allegiance

203    faulty guilty

205    contumelious contemptuous, insolent

206    controller critic

214    stern untutored churl coarse ignorant peasant    stock tree trunk/family tree

215    graft united (horticultural image from the practice of grafting a cutting of one plant or tree onto the trunk of another, usually a stronger but coarser tree that allowed the superior cutting to flourish)    crab-tree slip cutting of a wild apple tree (slip plays on the sense of “moral lapse”)

217    bucklers shields (a buckler is a small round shield)

218    And…fee i.e., by killing you myself rather than you being executed for the murder of Gloucester    deathsman executioner

219    Quitting ridding

220    makes me mild makes me restrain myself

222    passèd recently uttered

225    fearful homage timorous servility

226    hire payment (i.e., death)

227    Pernicious destructive, wicked

229    presence royal presence

231    cope fight, encounter

234    just justified, with righteousness on his side

235    steel i.e., armor

238    weapons…presence it was a punishable offense to draw a sword in the presence of the king

251    mere pure, absolute

252    opposite hostile, opposing

253    As…liking that might be thought to be opposed to your wishes

254    forward in insistent in demanding

257    charge order

258    In on

259    strait strict

263    suffered allowed to remain

264    mortal worm fatal snake

266    whe’er whether

267    fell dangerous, destructive

272    like likely (sarcastic)    hinds peasants

275    quaint skillful, cunning

278    sort gang    tinkers menders of metal pots and kettles (also applied to beggars or thieves)

282    cited urged, incited

283    purpose intend (to do)

285    Mischance calamity, misfortune    state kingly status

286    his i.e., God’s

288    breathe infection in contaminate

289    But any more than

290    gentle noble

291    Ungentle discourteous, unkind

296    be’st be

305    tend attend

306    execrations curses

307    heavy sorrowful

311    mandrake plant with forked roots that resembled the human form; it was said to shriek when pulled from the ground, causing madness or death in any who heard it

312    bitter-searching sharp, piercing, probing

314    fixèd gritted, clenched

318    beaten flint this stone gives off sparks when it is struck

319    fixed on end standing upright    distract frenzied, mad

320    ban curse

323    Gall bile    daintiest most refined thing

324    cypress trees often planted in graveyards, they were associated with death

325    prospect view    basilisks mythical reptiles that could kill with a look

326    smart painful, sharp    lizards these reptiles were often confused with snakes and thought to be poisonous

328    boding ominous    consort group of musicians

332    overchargèd overloaded

334    leave stop

339    sport entertainment, diversion

343    monuments memorials, mementoes

345    these…seal these lips by the imprint they left on your hand

347    know feel, realize the extent of

348    surmised guessed at, imagined

349    surfeits overindulges and grows sick    want deprivation

350    repeal recall from exile

351    Adventure venture, hazard

354    friends plays on the sense of “lovers”

356    Loather more reluctant

360    wert thou thence if you were not in it

362    So provided

364    several various

366    joy enjoy

372    catch the gasp for

376    as as if

377    overchargèd overburdened

380    heavy sorrowful

382    an…loss i.e., the cardinal’s old age would mean he did not have long to live in any event

383    Omitting disregarding

385    southern clouds rain was thought to come chiefly from the south    contend in compete for

388    by near    but as good as

390    die plays on the sense of “have an orgasm”

391    lap plays on the sense of “vagina”

392    breathe…air i.e., die

394    dug nipple

395    Where whereas    from away from

398    turn turn back, return

400    lived would live    Elysium heaven or paradise of Greek mythology

401    but…jest not really to die at all/to play at dying (with sexual connotations)

404    fretful abrasive, aggravating

405    deathful deadly, fatal

408    Iris in Greek mythology, goddess of the rainbow and the messenger of Juno, queen of the gods (plays on the sense of “part of the eye”)

411    cask casket

413    bark ship    sunder we we are split in two, we separate

415    severally separately

Act 3 Scene 3

 3.3   Location: the cardinal’s bedchamber

    4    So if

    6    is seen appears

    9    he i.e., Gloucester

  14    dust i.e., to which all bodies return

  16    lime-twigs twigs smeared with birdlime, a sticky substance used to catch birds

  18    of from

  21    fiend the devil

  24    grin grimace

  30    argues testifies to, suggests

  32    close tightly

  33    meditation reflection and prayer

Act 4 Scene 1

 4.1   Location: the coast of Kent    Ordnance cannon Master officer in charge of sailing a ship

    1    gaudy bright blabbing revealing, telltale

    3    arouse awaken    jades worn-out horses, but here dragons (who drew the chariot of Hecate, Greek goddess of the night)

    5    flagging drooping

    6    Clip strike glancingly, skim/embrace, clasp

    8    prize captured vessel

    9    pinnace small two-masted boat Downs an anchorage off the coast of Kent

  11    discoloured i.e., which will be discolored

  13    make boot take advantage, make profit

  18    much it too much

  19    port social position

  22    counterpoised compensated, offset

  25    laying…aboard boarding the captured ship

  29    George badge or emblem of Saint George, patron saint of England; part of the insignia of the knightly Order of the Garter

  30    Rate value

  31    Walter pronounced like “water”

  32    affright frighten you

  34    cunning man one skilled in magic and fortune-telling    calculate my birth cast my horoscope

  36    bloody-minded intent on murder/think on my death

  37    sounded pronounced

  41    sell revenge i.e., ransom prisoners

  42    arms coat of arms

  48    Jove Roman king of the gods

  50    Obscure lowly, insignificant    lousy despicable, louse-infested    swain rustic, yokel

  52    jaded contemptible (language in the next line picks up a play on “jades,” i.e., worn-out horses)    groom servant/servant who tended to horses

  53    kissed thy hand a gesture of respect

  54    Bare-headed servants did not wear hats in deference to their masters    foot-cloth mule mule used to carry (or possibly wearing) the stately ornamental cloth used to drape a nobleman’s horse

  55    happy fortunate    shook my head nodded in approval/gave the slightest sign of acknowledgment

  56    waited…cup served me drink

  57    Fed…trencher acted as my taster/been supported by my household trencher plate    kneeled…board bowed, served deferentially at the table (board)

  59    crest-fall’n humbled

  61    voiding lobby antechamber or lobby for those leaving the main chamber

  64    charm i.e., silence (with a spell)

  65    forlorn swain wretched fellow/neglected lover (of Queen Margaret; or Whitmore mocks the idea of the servant–master relationship Suffolk has just elaborated on)

  67    blunt forthright/unthreatening, lacking sharpness

  68    longboat the largest boat belonging to a sailing vessel, presumably used to bring the men ashore

  70    for thy own for fear of losing your own head

  72    Pole? Suffolk reacts to the insolent use of his family name by an inferior; in his ensuing speech, the Lieutenant puns on “pool”

  73    kennel gutter    sink sewer

  74    Troubles stirs up, muddies

  75    yawning gaping

  77    sweep the ground either as the body kneels with its head bowed for execution or as the decapitated head falls to the ground, its lips against the dirt

  79    Against exposed to    senseless unfeeling    grin grimace

  80    Who i.e., the    winds again in response

  81    hags of hell the three Furies of classical mythology

  82    affy betroth, engage    mighty…king i.e., Henry VI to Margaret

  84    subject subjects

  85    policy cunning, strategy

  86    Sylla Sulla (138–78 BC), notoriously cruel Roman dictator who drew up a list of his enemies who were to be killed    overgorged stuffed, glutted

  87    gobbets chunks of raw flesh    mother’s i.e., native country’s

  89    revolting rebellious    thorough through, because of

  90    Picardy region of northern France

  91    surprised seized

  95    As hating in hate of

  97    murder…king i.e., Richard II, who was deposed by Bullingbrook (Henry IV), thus establishing the ascendancy of the House of Lancaster

  98    encroaching grasping (wrongfully)

  99    whose i.e., the House of York   colours military banners (of the House of York)

100    Advance raise, hold up    half-faced sun the emblem of Edward III and Richard II consisted of the sun’s rays emerging above clouds

101    ‘Invitis nubibus’ “In spite of clouds” (Latin)

102    commons common people

106    god…thunder Jove (Jupiter), the Roman king of the gods, was traditionally armed with a thunderbolt

107    drudges base servants

109    pinnace i.e., relatively small boat, often in attendance on a larger

110    Bargulus…pirate a pirate mentioned in Cicero’s De Officiis, a standard text in Elizabethan schools

111    Drones…beehives nonworking male bees (whose sole purpose is to impregnate the queen) were thought to eat the honey other bees had made; equally inaccurate was the belief that beetles sucked eagles’ blood

113    vassal servant, slave

115    of with a

116    waft guide, convey

119    Paene…artus “Cold fear almost entirely seizes my limbs” (Latin)

122    fair courteously

123    imperial commanding

125    we Suffolk uses the royal pronoun

126    suit entreaty

129    bloody pole the heads of traitors were mounted on spikes and displayed on London Bridge; pole puns on Suffolk’s family name

130    uncovered hatless (a mark of deference)

133    Hale haul, drag

136    vile low, contemptible    Besonians beggars, base men

137    sworder assassin    banditto bandit, lawless

138    sweet sweet-voiced, rhetorically masterful    Tully Cicero, famous Roman orator and statesman of the first century BC; in fact, he was killed by a centurion and a tribune, though Thomas Nashe refers to his murder by “slaves”    Brutus’ bastard rumor had it that Brutus was Julius Caesar’s illegitimate son

140    Pompey the Great famous Roman general of the first century BC; he was killed in Egypt, but a play by George Chapman depicted his death on the Greek island of Lesbos

145    mistress “female master,” but here predominantly “lover”

Act 4 Scene 2

 4.2   Location: Kent [   George]…   Holland probably the names of the actors Shakespeare had in mind as he wrote this scene; John Holland is known to have been an actor at the time    staves staffs used as weapons

    1    lath thin strip of wood; a dagger of lath was the conventional weapon of the Vice character in morality plays    up in rebellion, up in arms

    4    clothier cloth worker who dealt with cloth after it had been woven    dress clothe/reform

    5    turn it turn it inside out (as a means of renewing it and prolonging its use)/turn it upside down socially    set…it give it a smooth finish    nap projecting fibers, surface texture

    6    merry world like the good old days

    7    up into fashion

    8    regarded noticed, valued

    9    think scorn disdain, consider it lowly    leather aprons the typical clothing of an artisan

  11    ‘Labour…vocation’ proverbial, i.e., each man must walk in his own calling

  12    labouring working (manually)

  14    hit it got it, hit the nail on the head    brave fine    hard hardened, toughened (through manual labor)

  16    Best’s…tanner the son of Best, the tanner (leather worker)    Wingham village near Canterbury, in Kent

  17    dog’s-leather used for glove making

  21    Argo i.e., ergo—“therefore” (Latin)    thread…spun in classical mythology, the three Fates spun, measured out and cut the thread of a person’s life

  22    fall in join    Sawyer workman who saws timber infinite numbers i.e., a large group of people

  23    We Cade uses the royal pronoun    termed of named after

  24    of for    cade barrel

  25    fail some editors emend to “fall,” thus generating a possible play on Cade’s name as    cadere is Latin for “to fall”

  29    bricklayer puns on Mortimer/mortarer

  32    Lacys the family name of the earls of Lincoln

  33    laces puns on Lacys

  34    travel puns on “travail” (work, labor/have sex, as a roaming whore)    furred pack pedlar’s pack (made of or trimmed with fur)/vagina covered with pubic hair    washes bucks washes laundry/has sex with lecherous men

  37    field may play on the sense of “background of a coat of arms”    under a hedge proverbial birthplace for the very lowly

  38    cage prison for petty criminals and vagabonds

  40    A must needs he must be    valiant sturdy, capable of work

  42    whipped the standard punishment for vagabonds

  45    proof tried resistance (i.e., old, much worn; usually applied to impenetrable armor)

  46    stand remain    burnt branded (with a “T” for “Thief”)

  49    the…hoops wooden drinking vessels had hoops around them as a means of measuring their contents; a    three-hooped pot contained two pints, so Cade’s suggestion means that a drinker would get considerably more for his money

  50    small weak    be in common become common land, available to all

  51    Cheapside market area of London    palfrey a horse for riding (as opposed to a warhorse)    grass graze

  55    score account, expense    apparel dress    livery servants’ uniform    agree match/get on

  60    wax sealing wax, used on official documents

  61    seal agree, put my name (plays on the sense of “have sex”)    thing i.e., document (plays on the sense of “vagina”)    Clerk parish clerk with secretarial responsibilities as scribe or notary    Chartham a village near Canterbury, in Kent

  63    cast account do arithmetic, add up accounts

  64    monstrous unnatural (a lack of literacy and numeracy was very common among country folk)

  65    took found, encountered/arrested, captured    setting…copies preparing written exercises for schoolboys

  67    red letters in almanacs, the saints’ days were printed in red as were the capital letters in school primers

  68    conjurer magician (using an almanac to make predictions)

  69    make obligations draw up legal bonds    court hand the script used in official, legal documents

  70    proper fine/handsome

  73    Emmanuel meaning “God with us,” a phrase often found at the heads of letters or deeds

  74    go hard with be the worse

  75    Dost…to do you usually    mark to thyself illiterate people “signed” their name by making a mark such as an “X”

  76    plain-dealing simple, straightforward

  79    inkhorn portable inkwell

  81    particular private (playing on opposite of    general)

  82    hard close

  84    encountered i.e., in combat

  85    a he

  86    No i.e., no, nothing but a knight

  87    presently immediately    Drum drummer

  90    hinds peasants

  92    groom servant (i.e., Cade)

  93    revolt turn back (to your former allegiance)

  96    pass care

101    shearman one who shears excess fiber from woollen cloth as it is made

102    Adam in the Bible, the first man; he looked after the Garden of Eden

107    two…birth i.e., twins

109    question problem

110    put to nurse given to a wet nurse to be breastfed (noble women did not generally breastfeed their own babies)

116    alive still there

123    Go to expression of impatient dismissal

124    span-counter game in which a player tried to throw a counter or coin as close to that of his opponent as possible (and within the distance of the span of a hand)    French crowns coins/syphilitic baldness/monarch’s crowns (refers to the campaigns against the French under Henry V)

125    Protector legal and political guardian

128    mained maimed (puns on Maine)    fain to go obliged to walk

129    puissance power

130    gelded castrated

132    miserable contemptible, pitiable

134    tongue language

137    gentle peaceable

140    up up in arms

141    That so that

143    for as

148    clouted shoon patched or hobnailed shoes (i.e., workingmen’s footwear)

149    thrifty respectable, worthy

151    order battle formation

152    out of order rebellious

Act 4 Scene 3

    5    Lent…one during Lent, the forty-day period before Easter when Christians were to eat fish rather than meat, butchers required a special license to slaughter animals; Cade promises to double the length of Lent and grants Dick the right to kill ninety-nine animals/supply ninety-nine customers/hold a license for ninety-nine years

    8    monument memorial trophy

    9    brigandine body armor

  13    Fear doubt    warrant assure

Act 4 Scene 4

 4.4   Location: the royal court, London    supplication formal petition

  12    parley negotiate

  15    wandering unfixed, having its own motion

  17    That who

  26    Southwark area just south of the Thames, on the outskirts of the City

  36    false caterpillars treacherous parasites

  37    graceless rough, ignorant/lacking divine grace    they…do echoes Christ’s words from the cross (Luke 23:34)

  38    Killingworth Kenilworth Castle, near Coventry in Warwickshire

  39    power army

  41    appeased pacified

  44    So then

  50    rascal people rabble

  52    spoil plunder, loot

Act 4 Scene 5

 4.5   Location: the Tower of London

    2    the bridge i.e., London Bridge

    3    craves requests/begs

    8    gather head raise an army

    9    Matthew Gough historically a very experienced soldier

Act 4 Scene 6

 4.6   Location: Cannon Street, London    London Stone central City landmark located in Cannon Street

    2    of at    Pissing Conduit the nickname for Little Conduit, a water fountain used by the lower-class Londoners

Act 4 Scene 7

 4.7   Location: Smithfield, London

    1    Savoy the London residence of the Duke of Lancaster    Inns of Court series of buildings west of the City where young men studied law

    4    lordship title and estate of a lord

    7    whole healed, healthy

  12    biting severe/gnawed, bitten with teeth

  14    towns i.e., Anjou and Maine

  15    pay…fifteens a tax of 140 percent on each person’s assets

  16    subsidy levying of taxation to meet a special requirement, e.g., war

  17    say fine part-silk fabric (puns on Saye)    serge hard-wearing woollen fabric

  18    buckram coarse linen    point-blank direct range

  20    Basimecu i.e., baise mon cul, French for “kiss my arse”    Be…presence the standard legal phrase used at the beginning of a document (where “these presents” refers to the document) is confused with the royal “presence”

  21    besom broom (puns on “basimecu”)

  24    score…tally means of keeping accounts where sticks were scored, or notched, with a total, then split into halves (tallies) so that debtor and creditor had one each

  25    printing…paper-mill an anachronism: the printing press (1476) and the paper mill (1495) were not established in England until the late-fifteenth century

  27    usually habitually

  31    only…live if a criminal could prove that he could read Latin he could claim “benefit of clergy” and avoid being hanged

  32    foot-cloth stately ornamental cloth draped over the back of a horse

  34    Marry by the Virgin Mary

  35    hose and doublets breeches and jackets (with no outer garment)

  39    ‘bona…gens’ “a good land, bad people” (Italian catchphrase used of England and the English)

  41    bear (then) take

  42    commentaries Caesar writ Julius Caesar’s Commentarii de Bello Gallico describes his campaigns from 58 to 52 BC; in Golding’s 1564 translation the people of Kent are described as the “civillest” in England

  45    liberal generous

  49    favour leniency, compassion

  51    aught anything    exacted enforced (payment of taxes)

  53    clerks scholars

  54    book learning, education    preferred me gained me preferment, recommended me

  58    forbear desist, refrain

  59    parleyed unto negotiated with

  60    behoof benefit, advantage

  61    field battlefield

  62    reaching far-reaching, influential

  64    come behind a dishonorable way to attack an enemy

  65    watching remaining awake, on guard

  67    sitting i.e., as a judge    determine settle, decide    causes lawsuits, cases

  69    hempen caudle i.e., hangman’s rope caudle strengthening medicinal gruel    hatchet the executioner’s axe

  71    palsy illness characterized by trembling

  72    who one who    even fair, forthright/steady, unwavering

  75    affected loved, aimed at

  79    guiltless bloodshedding the shedding of innocent blood

  82    remorse pity    bridle restrain    an…but if only

  83    familiar attendant spirit, demon

  84    a in

  89    obdurate unyielding

  94    tribute payment made to a monarch as an act of homage    pay…it alludes to the “droit de seigneur,” the right of a feudal lord to have sex with the bride of a vassal on her wedding night    maidenhead virginity

  95    hold hold property    in capite directly from the crown (legal term); puns on Latin caput, i.e., “head/maidenhead”

  96    free sexually available

  97    take…bills acquire goods on credit or by means of force/spear decapitated heads on our weapons/have sex with whores bills financial accounts/long-handled bladed weapons/penises

100    brave marvelous, fine

103    spoil looting, plunder

104    maces staffs of office

Act 4 Scene 8

 4.8   Location: near London Bridge, on the north side of the River Thames    rabblement riotous followers

    1    Fish Street on the north side of London Bridge, across the river from Southwark    St Magnus’ Corner site of St. Magnus’ Church, by London Bridge at the bottom of Fish Street    parley trumpet summons for negotiation between opposing sides, during which fighting was to stop

    8    pronounce formally declare, proclaim

  13    Who whoever

  17    Shake he let him shake (in defiance)

  19    brave audacious

  22    White Hart an inn on Borough High Street in    Southwark, south of the Thames, at which Cade had lodged; its name plays on the sense of “coward”

  23    out up

  24    recreants deserters    dastards cowards

  26    ravish rape    make…one look out for myself

  32    meanest lowliest, most humble

  34    the spoil looting, plunder

  36    at jar in discord

  37    fearful frightened

  38    start sudden invasion

  39    broil turmoil, battle

  41    ‘Villiago!’ version of the Italian (here generally “foreign”) word for coward, vigliacco

  42    miscarry perish, come to harm

  48    A to

  50    hales hauls, drags

  51    surprise capture

  52    despite spite    have through here I come through

  55    betake me take

  59    mean way, means

Act 4 Scene 9

 4.9   Location: unspecified, presumably Kenilworth Castle    terrace i.e., the upper staging level or gallery

    1    joyed enjoyed

    8    surprised seized

    9    retired retreated    halters nooses

  10    powers forces, soldiers

  12    Expect await    doom judgment, sentence

  13    ope open

  14    entertain receive

  18    infortunate unfortunate

  21    several countries various regions

  23    advertisèd warned

  24    newly recently, just

  25    puissant powerful

  26    galloglasses Irish soldiers armed with axes    stout bold, hardy    kerns lightly armed Irish foot soldiers

  27    array readiness for combat

  28    still continually

  31    state situation/country/kingship    distressed afflicted with adversity

  33    calmed becalmed

  35    second support, reinforce

  37    of for

  38    Duke Edmund i.e., Somerset

  44    rough in terms harsh in your choice of language

  45    brook tolerate

  46    deal negotiate

  47    redound unto turn out for

  49    yet so far, up until now

Act 4 Scene 10

4.10   Location: Iden’s garden, Kent

    1    Fie expression of angry impatience

    2    famish starve    durst dared

    3    laid set with traps

    4    stay wait, delay

    5    sallet salad (leaves and vegetables)

    6    while time    stomach appetite

    7    word possible pun on “wort,” i.e., edible herb or vegetable    sallet light helmet

    8    brain-pan skull    brown bill long-handled weapon with an axelike blade, either painted or varnished brown, or stained with dried blood

    9    dry thirsty

  11    turmoiled harried, in a state of upheaval

  15    wax grow    waning diminishing, loss

  16    I…envy regardless of others’ envy or malice

  17    Sufficeth that it is enough that what

  18    well pleasèd i.e., with plenty of food

  19    lord…soil i.e., owner of the estate    stray trespasser    fee-simple land or property that is owned outright, and may be passed on to heirs in such a condition

  21    of from    eat…ostrich it was a popularly thought that ostriches did so; Cade means that he will stab Iden

  23    rude companion lowly, rough fellow

  28    brave defy    saucy insolent

  29    broached shed    beard defy (literally, pull insultingly by the beard)

  30    eat eaten    meat food

  34    esquire a gentleman ranking below a knight

  35    Took odds accepted such an unequal challenge

  37    outface defy

  40    truncheon thick staff, i.e., Iden’s leg

  42    if…earth i.e., if I but raise my arm, you are as good as dead

  44    whose…words either “whose power is only inflicted upon mere words” or “the power of this (my sword) answers them”

  45    forbears refrains from, cannot express

  46    complete consummate, accomplished    champion defender of a person or cause

  47    turn the edge fail to cut    chines joints

  48    turned to hobnails melted down and turned into the nails used in boots

  53    monstrous unnatural

  54    hallow consecrate, bless

  57    herald’s coat heraldic device

  58    emblaze set forth by means of a heraldic device

  63    bare bore, gave birth to

  64    thrust…sword thrust my sword into your body

  68    ungracious lacking divine grace

  70    trunk body

Act 5 Scene 1

 5.1   Location: St. Albans    Drum drummer    Colours flagbearers

    4    entertain welcome

    5    sancta majestas “sacred majesty” (Latin)

    7    gold i.e., the official regalia of kingship

    9    Except unless

  10    have I as sure as I have

  11    toss impale    flower-de-luce fleur-de-lis, the heraldic lily of the French royal coat of arms

  13    dissemble deceive, disguise the truth

  16    of pleasure on your own initiative, to please yourself

  23    choler anger

  25    abject lowly, despicable

  26    Ajax Telamonius a hero of the Trojan War, Ajax, son of Telamon, flew into a mad fit of rage when the armor of Achilles was awarded to Odysseus rather than himself; in his frenzy he slaughtered a flock of sheep, thinking they were his enemies

  27    spend expend

  28    better born i.e., have a superior claim to the throne

  30    make fair weather pretend to be agreeable

  46    St George’s Field area between Southwark and Lambeth on the south side of the Thames

  49    Command demand, send for

  50    fealty loyalty

  53    so provided that

  54    kind proper, noble

  55    twain two

  63    discomfited defeated

  64    rude…condition ignorant and of such low rank

  70    wrought created for

  72    an’t like if it please

  73    degree rank

  79    marks a mark was an accounting unit, rather than a coin, worth two thirds of a pound

  80    will desire

  86    front confront

  92    how hardly with what difficulty    brook abuse tolerate deception, abide insult

  95    Which who

  96    become befit

  97    palmer’s pilgrim’s; carrying a staff signaled that one had visited the Holy Land

  98    awful awe-inspiring

  99    engirt encircle

100    Achilles’ spear having received a fatal wound from the spear of the Greek hero, Telephus was able to cure it with rust from the same weapon

103    act enact, bring about    controlling i.e., firm, effective

107    capital punishable by death

109    these may refer to attendants/sons/weapons

110    brook permit man any man

112    ward custody

113    enfranchisement liberty

114    amain quickly

115    if that whether

117    blood-bespotted warmongering, bloodthirsty    Neapolitan Margaret was the daughter of Reignier, the titular King of Naples

118    scourge punishment, whip

120    bane destruction, poison

131    Bedlam the hospital of Saint Mary of Bethlehem in London, an institution for the insane

132    bedlam mad    humour mood, temperament

134    to be sent to

135    factious pate rebellious head

142    glass mirror

143    false-heart treacherous, disloyal

144    stake…bears an image from bear-baiting, a popular entertainment at which a bear was chained to a stake and set upon by dogs

146    astonish terrify    fell-lurking curs fierce dogs waiting to attack

149    bearherd bear keeper, handler (i.e., York)

150    baiting place bear pit

151    o’erweening overexcited, presumptuous

152    Run…bite i.e., twist round and bite the dog handler

153    suffered released/hurt    fell savage, fierce

155    piece of service sort of action

156    oppose yourselves set yourselves in opposition    match fight/equal the strength of

157    lump possibly continues bear imagery as newborn cubs were popularly supposed to be licked into shape by their mother

158    crooked…shape Richard is famed for a hunched back and various other physical deformities or ailments

159    heat you make things hot for you/make you hot from fighting

165    spectacles eyes/eyeglasses (suggests the failing eyesight of Salisbury’s old age)

167    frosty i.e., white-haired

168    harbour refuge

174    mickle great

177    repute consider

181    dispense with obtain dispensation from/disregard, do without

187    reave rob

188    wring force    customed right legally sanctioned rights of inheritance

191    subtle cunning, skillful    sophister one who makes skillful use of false logic, a specious reasoner

194    dignity honor, high rank, kingship

197    field battlefield

200    burgonet light helmet, often bearing a crest

201    know recognize, identify    household badge family crest

202    father’s father-in-law’s

203    rampant rearing, on hind legs    ragged rough-hewn

204    aloft mounted on    burgonet visored helmet

205    shows is visible, shows itself

208    rend tear, rip

212    complices accomplices

215    stigmatic criminal who has been branded, i.e., deformed one

Act 5 Scene 2

    4    dead dying

    8    afoot on foot

  11    carrion kites birds of prey that feed on dead flesh

  13    Of for

  14    chase prey

  16    nobly i.e., may you fight nobly

  21    fast firmly

  25    it i.e., my    prowess

  26    on…both I lay upon the outcome of the action

  27    lay wager, bet    Address prepare

  28    La…oeuvres “The end crowns the works” (French)

  31    confusion overthrow, ruin    on the rout in disorderly retreat

  32    frames creates

  35    frozen inactive, frozen with fear    part party, side

  36    fly flee

  37    dedicate dedicated

  38    self-love self-interest, concern for preserving himself

  39    essentially inherently    circumstance accident, chance events

  41    premised preordained    last day Judgment Day

  42    Knit unite, join

  43    general trumpet the trumpet sounding doomsday to all men

  44    Particularities individual trifles

  45    ordainèd folio reads “ordain’d”—final syllable may or may not be sounded

  46    lose spend

  47    livery i.e., hair    advisèd cautious/experienced, prudent

  48    chair-days infirm or inactive old age

  52    tears virginal virgins’ tears

  53    dew to fire it was thought that dew encouraged fire to burn more fiercely

  54    reclaims calms, subdues

  55    oil and flax both highly flammable

  58    gobbets chunks of raw flesh

  59    Medea young Absyrtus daughter of the King of Colchis,    Medea fell in love with Jason, and ran away with him; to delay her father’s pursuit, she killed her brother    Absyrtus and scattered pieces of his body in her wake

  62    Aeneas…bear in Virgil’s    Aeneid, Aeneas carried his elderly father,    Anchises, on his back as they escaped from burning Troy

  64    bare bore

  65    heavy sorrowful/weighty

  69    wizard Roger Bullingbrook, who raised a spirit that predicted that Somerset would die “where castles mounted stand” (Act 1 Scene 4)

  70    temper hardness    still always Excursions bouts of fighting across the stage

  73    stay wait

  74    nor neither

  75    is it it is

  76    secure us save ourselves

  77    what whatever (means)

  78    ta’en captured

  79    haply scape by chance escape

  82    breach hole (literally, gap in defensive fortifications)

  84    mischief harm (to the enemy)

  85    ere before I would, rather than

  86    discomfit discouragement, defeat

  87    present parts surviving forces

  88    relief safety

  89    their…give a day of victory like theirs and to make them suffer our misfortunes

Act 5 Scene 3

    2    winter i.e., aged

    3    Agèd contusions the bruises of old age    brush hostile encounters, collisions

    4    gallant fashionable young man    brow i.e., height, prime

    5    Repairs…occasion restores himself with opportunity (for action)

    6    foot i.e., of ground

    9    holp helped

  10    bestrid him stood over him to defend him when he was down

  12    still always

  13    hangings wall hangings, tapestries    homely humble

  21    got…have secured what we in essence possess (refers either to the gains of the battle or to York’s kingship)

  23    Being…nature since they are enemies who can recover swiftly (repairing plays on the sense of “returning”)

  24    safety best means of safeguard

  26    a present an immediate

  27    writs summons to parliament

  32    eternized immortalized

THE THIRD PART OF HENRY THE SIXTH, WITH THE DEATH OF THE DUKE OF YORK

Lancastrians

KING HENRY VI

QUEEN MARGARET

PRINCE EDWARD, their son

Lord CLIFFORD

Duke of EXETER

Duke of SOMERSET, adherent of both Lancaster and York

Earl of NORTHUMBERLAND

Earl of WESTMORLAND

Earl of OXFORD

Henry, Earl of Richmond, the future King Henry VII

Mayor of Coventry

SOMERVILLE

A FATHER who has killed his son in battle, while fighting for Lancaster

A HUNTSMAN

Yorkists

Richard Plantagenet, Duke of YORK

EDWARD, Earl of March, his eldest son, later KING EDWARD IV

GEORGE, his second son, later Duke of CLARENCE

RICHARD, his third son, later Duke of GLOUCESTER, the future King Richard III

Edmund, his youngest son, Earl of RUTLAND

TUTOR to Rutland

Duke of NORFOLK

Earl of WARWICK

MONTAGUE, brother to Warwick

Earl of PEMBROKE

Lord STAFFORD

Lord HASTINGS

Sir JOHN MORTIMER

Sir Hugh Mortimer

Sir William STANLEY

Sir John MONTGOMERY

Elizabeth, LADY GREY, later QUEEN ELIZABETH

Lord RIVERS, her brother (adherent first of Lancaster, then of York)

Prince Edward, infant son of Edward IV and Lady Grey

MAYOR of York

LIEUTENANT of the Tower of London

A SON who has killed his father in battle, while fighting for York

NURSE of Prince Edward of York

NOBLEMAN

Three WATCHMEN

The French

KING LEWIS XI of France

Lady BONA of Savoy

Lord Bourbon

Others

Two GAMEKEEPERS

MESSENGERS

POSTS

Two Aldermen of York

Soldiers, Drummers, Trumpeters, Colours (military flagbearers), Attendants

Act 1 Scene 11.1

running scene 1

       Alarum. Enter Plantagenet, [the Duke of York,] Edward, Richard, Norfolk, Montague, Warwick [with white roses in their hats,] and Soldiers

WARWICK

WARWICK     I wonder how the king escaped our hands.

YORK

YORK     While we pursued the horsemen of the north,

               He slyly stole away and left his men:

               Whereat the great lord of Northumberland,

5

5             Whose warlike ears could never brook retreat,⁵

               Cheered up the drooping⁶ army, and himself,

               Lord Clifford and Lord Stafford, all abreast,

               Charged our main battle’s⁸ front, and breaking in,

               Were by the swords of common soldiers slain.

10

10   

EDWARD

EDWARD           Lord Stafford’s father, Duke of Buckingham,

               Is either slain or wounded dangerous.¹¹

               I cleft¹² his beaver with a downright blow.

               That this is true, father, behold his blood.

MONTAGUE

MONTAGUE     And, brother,¹⁴ here’s the Earl of Wiltshire’s blood,

15

15           Whom I encountered¹⁵ as the battles joined.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Speak thou¹⁶ for me and tell them what I did. Shows Somerset’s head

YORK

YORK     Richard hath best deserved of all my sons.—

               But is your grace dead, my lord of Somerset?

NORFOLK

NORFOLK     Such¹⁹ hope have all the line of John of Gaunt.

20

20   

RICHARD

RICHARD           Thus do I hope to shake King Henry’s head.

WARWICK

WARWICK     And so do I.— Victorious Prince of York,

               Before²² I see thee seated in that throne

               Which now the house of Lancaster usurps,

               I vow by heaven these eyes shall never close.

25

25           This is the palace of the fearful²⁵ king,

               And this the regal seat: possess²⁶ it, York,

               For this is thine and not King Henry’s heirs’.

YORK

YORK     Assist me, then, sweet Warwick, and I will,

               For hither we have broken in by force.

30

30   

NORFOLK

NORFOLK           We’ll all assist you, he that flies shall die.

YORK

YORK     Thanks, gentle³¹ Norfolk.— Stay by me, my lords,

               And soldiers, stay and lodge by me this night. They go up [to the throne]

WARWICK

WARWICK     And when the king comes, offer³³ him no violence,

               Unless he seek to thrust you out perforce.³⁴

35

35   

YORK

YORK           The queen this day here holds her parliament,

               But little thinks we shall be of her council.

               By words or blows here let us win our right.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Armed as we are, let’s stay within this house.

WARWICK

WARWICK     The bloody parliament shall this be called,

40

40           Unless Plantagenet, Duke of York, be king,

               And bashful⁴¹ Henry deposed, whose cowardice

               Hath made us bywords⁴² to our enemies.

YORK

YORK     Then leave me not, my lords: be resolute.

               I mean to take possession of my right.

45

45   

WARWICK

WARWICK           Neither the king, nor he that loves him best,

               The proudest he that holds up⁴⁶ Lancaster,

               Dares stir a wing, if Warwick shake his bells.⁴⁷

               I’ll plant⁴⁸ Plantagenet, root him up who dares.

               Resolve thee, Richard: claim the English crown.

       Flourish. Enter King Henry, Clifford, Northumberland, Westmorland, Exeter [with red roses in their hats,] and the rest

50

50   

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI My lords, look where the sturdy⁵⁰ rebel sits,

               Even in the chair of state:⁵¹ belike he means,

               Backed by the power of Warwick, that false peer,⁵²

               To aspire unto the crown and reign as king.

               Earl of Northumberland, he slew thy father,

55

55           And thine, Lord Clifford, and you both have vowed revenge

               On him, his sons, his favourites and his friends.

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND If I be not,⁵⁷ heavens be revenged on me!

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD     The hope thereof makes Clifford mourn in steel.⁵⁸

WESTMORLAND

WESTMORLAND What, shall we suffer⁵⁹ this? Let’s pluck him down.

60

60           My heart for anger burns. I cannot brook⁶⁰ it.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Be patient, gentle Earl of Westmorland.

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD     Patience is for poltroons,⁶² such as he.

               He durst not⁶³ sit there had your father lived.

               My gracious lord, here in the parliament

65

65           Let us assail⁶⁵ the family of York.

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND Well hast thou spoken, cousin:⁶⁶ be it so.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Ah, know you not the city⁶⁷ favours them,

               And they have troops of soldiers at their beck?⁶⁸

WESTMORLAND

WESTMORLAND But when the duke is slain, they’ll quickly fly.

70

70   

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Far be the thought of this from Henry’s heart,

               To make a shambles⁷¹ of the parliament house.—

               Cousin of Exeter, frowns, words and threats

               Shall be the war that Henry means to use.—

               Thou factious⁷⁴ Duke of York, descend my throne,

75

75           And kneel for grace and mercy at my feet.

               I am thy sovereign.

YORK

YORK     I am thine.

EXETER

EXETER     For shame, come down. He⁷⁸ made thee Duke of York.

YORK

YORK     It was my inheritance, as the earldom⁷⁹ was.

80

80   

EXETER

EXETER           Thy father was a traitor⁸⁰ to the crown.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Exeter, thou art a traitor to the crown

               In following this usurping Henry.

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD     Whom should he follow but his natural king?

WARWICK

WARWICK     True, Clifford, that’s Richard Duke of York.

85

85   

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI And shall I stand, and thou sit in my throne?

YORK

YORK     It must and shall be so. Content thyself.⁸⁶

WARWICK

WARWICK     Be Duke of Lancaster, let him be king. To King Henry

WESTMORLAND

WESTMORLAND He is both king and Duke of Lancaster,

               And that the Lord of Westmorland shall maintain.⁸⁹

90

90   

WARWICK

WARWICK           And Warwick shall disprove it. You forget

               That we are those which chased you from the field⁹¹

               And slew your fathers, and with colours⁹² spread

               Marched through the city to the palace gates.

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND Yes, Warwick, I remember it to my grief.

95

95           And by his⁹⁵ soul, thou and thy house shall rue it.

WESTMORLAND

WESTMORLAND Plantagenet, of thee and these thy sons,

               Thy kinsmen and thy friends, I’ll have more lives

               Than drops of blood were in my father’s veins.

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD     Urge⁹⁹ it no more, lest that instead of words,

100

100         I send thee, Warwick, such a messenger¹⁰⁰

               As shall revenge his death before I stir.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Poor Clifford, how I scorn his worthless threats.

YORK

YORK     Will you we¹⁰³ show our title to the crown?

               If not, our swords shall plead¹⁰⁴ it in the field.

105

105 

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI What title hast thou, traitor, to the crown?

               Thy father¹⁰⁶ was, as thou art, Duke of York:

               Thy grandfather, Roger Mortimer, Earl of March:

               I am the son of Henry the Fifth,

               Who made the dauphin¹⁰⁹ and the French to stoop

110

110         And seized upon their towns and provinces.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Talk not of France, sith¹¹¹ thou hast lost it all.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI The Lord Protector¹¹² lost it and not I:

               When I was crowned, I was but nine months old.

RICHARD

RICHARD     You are old enough now, and yet,¹¹⁴ methinks, you lose.—

115

115         Father, tear the crown from the usurper’s head.

EDWARD

EDWARD     Sweet father, do so, set it on your head.

MONTAGUE

MONTAGUE     Good brother, as thou lov’st and honourest arms,

               Let’s fight it out and not stand cavilling¹¹⁸ thus.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Sound drums and trumpets, and the king will fly.

120

120 

YORK

YORK             Sons, peace!

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Peace, thou, and give King Henry leave¹²¹ to speak.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Plantagenet shall speak first: hear him, lords,

               And be you silent and attentive too,

               For he that interrupts him shall not live.

125

125 

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Think’st thou that I will leave my kingly throne,

               Wherein my grandsire and my father sat?

               No: first shall war unpeople¹²⁷ this my realm;

               Ay, and their colours, often borne in France,

               And now in England to our heart’s great sorrow,

130

130         Shall be my winding-sheet.¹³⁰ Why faint you, lords?

               My title’s good, and better far than his.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Prove it, Henry, and thou shalt be king.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Henry the Fourth by conquest got the crown.

YORK

YORK     ’Twas by rebellion against his king.¹³⁴

135

135 

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI I know not what to say, my title’s weak.— Aside

               Tell me, may not a king adopt an heir?

YORK

YORK     What then?

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI An if¹³⁸ he may, then am I lawful king,

               For Richard, in the view of many lords,

140

140         Resigned the crown to Henry the Fourth,

               Whose heir my father was, and I am his.

YORK

YORK     He rose against him, being¹⁴² his sovereign,

               And made him to resign his crown perforce.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Suppose, my lords, he did it unconstrained,¹⁴⁴

145

145         Think you ’twere¹⁴⁵ prejudicial to his crown?

EXETER

EXETER     No, for he could not so resign his crown,

               But that the next heir¹⁴⁷ should succeed and reign.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Art thou against us, Duke of Exeter?

EXETER

EXETER     His¹⁴⁹ is the right, and therefore pardon me.

150

150 

YORK

YORK             Why whisper you, my lords, and answer not?

EXETER

EXETER     My conscience tells me he is lawful king.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI All will revolt from me and turn to him. Aside?

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND Plantagenet, for all the claim thou lay’st, To York

               Think not that Henry shall be so deposed.

155

155 

WARWICK

WARWICK             Deposed he shall be, in despite¹⁵⁵ of all.

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND Thou art deceived.¹⁵⁶ ’Tis not thy southern power,

               Of Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, nor of Kent,

               Which makes thee thus presumptuous and proud,

               Can set the duke up¹⁵⁹ in despite of me.

160

160 

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD             King Henry, be thy title right or wrong,

               Lord Clifford vows to fight in thy defence:

               May that ground gape and swallow me alive,

               Where I shall kneel to him that slew my father!

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI O Clifford, how thy words revive my heart!

165

165 

YORK

YORK             Henry of Lancaster, resign thy crown.

               What mutter you, or what conspire you, lords?

WARWICK

WARWICK     Do right unto this princely Duke of York,

               Or I will fill the house with armèd men,

               And over the chair of state, where now he sits,

170

170         Write up his title with usurping blood.¹⁷⁰

       He stamps with his foot and the Soldiers show themselves

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI My lord of Warwick, hear me but one word:

               Let me for this my lifetime reign as king.

YORK

YORK     Confirm the crown to me and to mine heirs,

               And thou shalt reign in quiet while thou liv’st.

175

175 

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI I am content. Richard Plantagenet,

               Enjoy the kingdom after my decease.

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD     What wrong is this unto the prince your son!

WARWICK

WARWICK     What good is this to England and himself!

WESTMORLAND

WESTMORLAND Base,¹⁷⁹ fearful and despairing Henry!

180

180 

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD             How hast thou injured both thyself and us!

WESTMORLAND

WESTMORLAND I cannot stay to hear these articles.¹⁸¹

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND Nor I.

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD     Come, cousin, let us tell the queen these news. To Northumberland

WESTMORLAND

WESTMORLAND Farewell, faint-hearted and degenerate king,

185

185         In whose cold¹⁸⁵ blood no spark of honour bides.

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND Be thou a prey unto the House of York,

               And die in bands¹⁸⁷ for this unmanly deed.

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD     In dreadful war mayst thou be overcome,

               Or live in peace abandoned and despised.

       [Exeunt Northumberland, Clifford and Westmorland]

190

190 

WARWICK

WARWICK             Turn this way, Henry, and regard them not.

EXETER

EXETER     They seek revenge and therefore will not yield.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Ah, Exeter.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Why should you sigh, my lord?

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Not for myself, Lord Warwick, but my son,

195

195         Whom I unnaturally shall disinherit.

               But be it as it may.— I here entail¹⁹⁶ To York

               The crown to thee and to thine heirs for ever,

               Conditionally,¹⁹⁸ that here thou take an oath

               To cease this civil war, and, whilst I live,

200

200         To honour me as thy king and sovereign,

               And neither by treason nor hostility

               To seek to put me down²⁰² and reign thyself.

YORK

YORK     This oath I willingly take and will perform.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Long live King Henry!— Plantagenet embrace him.

205

205 

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI And long live thou and these thy forward²⁰⁵ sons!

YORK

YORK     Now York and Lancaster are reconciled.

EXETER

EXETER     Accursed be he that seeks to make them foes.

       Sennet. Here they come down

YORK

YORK     Farewell, my gracious lord, I’ll to my castle.

       [Exeunt York, his sons and their Soldiers]

WARWICK

WARWICK     And I’ll keep²⁰⁹ London with my soldiers.

       [Exit]

210

210 

NORFOLK

NORFOLK             And I to Norfolk with my followers.

       [Exit]

MONTAGUE

MONTAGUE     And I unto the sea²¹¹ from whence I came.

       [Exit]

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI And I with grief and sorrow to the court.

       Enter the Queen [Margaret, with Prince Edward]

EXETER

EXETER     Here comes the queen, whose looks bewray²¹³ her anger.

               I’ll steal away. Starts to leave

215

215 

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Exeter, so will I.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Nay, go not from me, I will follow thee.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Be patient, gentle queen, and I will stay.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Who can be patient in such extremes?

               Ah, wretched man, would²¹⁹ I had died a maid

220

220         And never seen thee, never borne thee son,

               Seeing thou hast proved so unnatural a father.

               Hath he deserved to lose his birthright thus?

               Hadst thou but loved him half so well as I,

               Or felt that pain²²⁴ which I did for him once,

225

225         Or nourished him as I did with my blood,²²⁵

               Thou wouldst have left thy dearest heart-blood there,

               Rather than have made that savage duke thine heir

               And disinherited thine only son.

PRINCE EDWARD

PRINCE EDWARD Father, you cannot disinherit me:

230

230         If you be king, why should not I succeed?

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Pardon me, Margaret.— Pardon me, sweet son.

               The Earl of Warwick and the duke enforced me.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Enforced thee? Art thou king, and wilt be forced?

               I shame to hear thee speak. Ah, timorous wretch,

235

235         Thou hast undone²³⁵ thyself, thy son and me,

               And given unto the House of York such head²³⁶

               As thou shalt reign but by their sufferance.²³⁷

               To entail him and his heirs unto the crown,

               What is it, but to make thy sepulchre²³⁹

240

240         And creep into it far before thy time?

               Warwick is chancellor and the lord of Calais,

               Stern Falconbridge commands the narrow seas,²⁴²

               The duke²⁴³ is made protector of the realm,

               And yet shalt thou be safe? Such safety finds

245

245         The trembling lamb environèd²⁴⁵ with wolves.

               Had I been there, which am a silly²⁴⁶ woman,

               The soldiers should have tossed²⁴⁷ me on their pikes

               Before I would have granted²⁴⁸ to that act.

               But thou preferr’st thy life before thine honour.

250

250         And seeing thou dost, I²⁵⁰ here divorce myself

               Both from thy table, Henry, and thy bed,

               Until that act of parliament be repealed

               Whereby my son is disinherited.

               The northern lords that have forsworn²⁵⁴ thy colours

255

255         Will follow mine, if once they see them spread:

               And spread they shall be, to thy foul disgrace

               And utter ruin of the House of York.

               Thus do I leave thee.— Come, son, let’s away.

               Our army is ready; come, we’ll after them.

260

260 

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Stay, gentle Margaret, and hear me speak.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Thou hast spoke too much already. Get thee gone.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Gentle son Edward, thou wilt stay with me?

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Ay, to be murdered by his enemies.

PRINCE EDWARD

PRINCE EDWARD When I return with victory from the field

265

265         I’ll see your grace: till then I’ll follow her.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Come, son, away. We may not linger thus.

       [Exeunt Queen Margaret and Prince Edward]

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Poor queen, how love to me and to her son

               Hath made her break out into terms of rage.

               Revenged may she be on that hateful duke,

270

270         Whose haughty spirit, wingèd with desire,

               Will cost²⁷¹ my crown, and like an empty eagle

               Tire²⁷² on the flesh of me and of my son.

               The loss of those three lords torments my heart:

               I’ll write unto them and entreat them fair.²⁷⁴

275

275         Come, cousin you shall be the messenger.

EXETER

EXETER     And I, I hope, shall reconcile them all.

       Flourish. Exeunt

[Act 1 Scene 2]1.2

running scene 2

       Enter Richard, Edward and Montague

RICHARD

RICHARD     Brother, though I be youngest, give me leave.¹

EDWARD

EDWARD     No, I can better play the orator.

MONTAGUE

MONTAGUE     But I have reasons strong and forcible.³

       Enter the Duke of York

YORK

YORK     Why, how now, sons and brother, at a strife?

5

5             What is your quarrel? How began it first?

EDWARD

EDWARD     No quarrel, but a slight contention.

YORK

YORK     About what?

RICHARD

RICHARD     About that which concerns your grace and us:

               The crown of England, father, which is yours.

10

10   

YORK

YORK           Mine boy? Not till King Henry be dead.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Your right depends not on his life or death.

EDWARD

EDWARD     Now you are heir: therefore enjoy it now.

               By giving the House of Lancaster leave to breathe,¹³

               It will outrun¹⁴ you, father, in the end.

15

15   

YORK

YORK           I took an oath that he should quietly¹⁵ reign.

EDWARD

EDWARD     But for a kingdom any oath may be broken:

               I would break a thousand oaths to reign one year.

RICHARD

RICHARD     No: God forbid your grace should be forsworn.¹⁸

YORK

YORK     I shall be, if I claim by open war.

20

20   

RICHARD

RICHARD           I’ll prove the contrary, if you’ll hear me speak.

YORK

YORK     Thou canst not, son: it is impossible.

RICHARD

RICHARD     An oath is of no moment,²² being not took

               Before a true and lawful magistrate,

               That hath authority over him that swears.

25

25           Henry had none, but did usurp the place.

               Then, seeing ’twas he that made you to depose,²⁶

               Your oath, my lord, is vain²⁷ and frivolous.

               Therefore to arms: and, father, do but think

               How sweet a thing it is to wear a crown,

30

30           Within whose circuit³⁰ is Elysium

               And all that poets feign³¹ of bliss and joy.

               Why do we linger thus? I cannot rest

               Until the white rose that I wear be dyed³³

               Even in the lukewarm blood of Henry’s heart.

35

35   

YORK

YORK           Richard, enough: I will be king or die.

               Brother, thou shalt to London presently,³⁶

               And whet on³⁷ Warwick to this enterprise.

               Thou, Richard, shalt to the Duke of Norfolk,

               And tell him privily³⁹ of our intent.

40

40           You Edward, shall unto my lord Cobham,

               With whom the Kentishmen will willingly rise.⁴¹

               In them I trust, for they are soldiers,

               Witty,⁴³ courteous, liberal, full of spirit.

               While you are thus employed, what resteth more,⁴⁴

45

45           But that I seek occasion⁴⁵ how to rise,

               And yet the king not privy⁴⁶ to my drift,

               Nor any of the House of Lancaster?

       Enter a Messenger

               But stay.⁴⁸ What news? Why com’st thou in such post?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     The queen with all the northern earls and lords

50

50           Intend here to besiege you in your castle.

               She is hard⁵¹ by with twenty thousand men,

               And therefore fortify your hold,⁵² my lord.

       [Exit]

YORK

YORK     Ay, with my sword. What, think’st thou that we fear them?

               Edward and Richard, you shall stay with me,

55

55           My brother Montague shall post⁵⁵ to London.

               Let noble Warwick Cobham and the rest,

               Whom we have left protectors of the king,

               With powerful policy⁵⁸ strengthen themselves,

               And trust not simple⁵⁹ Henry nor his oaths.

60

60   

MONTAGUE

MONTAGUE           Brother, I go: I’ll win them, fear it not.

               And thus most humbly I do take my leave.

       Exit

       Enter [John] Mortimer and his brother [Hugh]

YORK

YORK     Sir John and Sir Hugh Mortimer, mine uncles,

               You are come to Sandal in a happy⁶³ hour.

               The army of the queen mean to besiege us.

65

65   

JOHN MORTIMER

JOHN MORTIMER She shall not need:⁶⁵ we’ll meet her in the field.

YORK

YORK     What, with five thousand men?

RICHARD

RICHARD     Ay, with five hundred, father, for a need.⁶⁷

               A woman’s general: what should we fear?

       A march afar off

EDWARD

EDWARD     I hear their drums: let’s set our men in order,

70

70           And issue forth and bid them battle straight.⁷⁰

YORK

YORK     Five men to twenty: though the odds be great,

               I doubt not, uncle, of our victory.

               Many a battle have I won in France,

               Whenas⁷⁴ the enemy hath been ten to one.

75

75           Why should I not now have the like⁷⁵ success?

       Alarum. Exeunt

[Act 1 Scene 3]1.3

running scene 3

       Enter Rutland and his Tutor

RUTLAND

RUTLAND     Ah, whither shall I fly to scape¹ their hands?

               Ah, tutor, look where bloody² Clifford comes.

       Enter Clifford [and Soldiers]

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD     Chaplain, away, thy priesthood saves thy life.

               As for the brat of this accursèd duke,⁴

5

5             Whose father slew my father, he shall die.

TUTOR

TUTOR     And I, my lord, will bear him company.

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD     Soldiers, away with him.

TUTOR

TUTOR     Ah, Clifford, murder not this innocent child,

               Lest thou be hated both of⁹ God and man.

       Exit [dragged off by Soldiers]

10

10   

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD           How now? Is he dead already? Or is it fear

               That makes him close his eyes? I’ll open them.

RUTLAND

RUTLAND     So¹² looks the pent-up lion o’er the wretch

               That trembles under his devouring paws:

               And so he walks, insulting¹⁴ o’er his prey,

15

15           And so he comes, to rend¹⁵ his limbs asunder.

               Ah, gentle Clifford, kill me with thy sword,

               And not with such a cruel threat’ning look.

               Sweet Clifford, hear me speak before I die:

               I am too mean¹⁹ a subject for thy wrath.

20

20           Be thou revenged on men, and let me live.

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD     In vain thou speak’st, poor boy. My father’s blood

               Hath stopped the²² passage where thy words should enter.

RUTLAND

RUTLAND     Then let my father’s blood open it again.

               He is a man, and, Clifford, cope²⁴ with him.

25

25   

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD           Had I thy brethren here, their lives and thine

               Were not revenge sufficient for me.

               No, if I digged up thy forefathers’ graves

               And hung their rotten coffins up in chains,

               It could not slake²⁹ mine ire, nor ease my heart.

30

30           The sight of any of the house of York

               Is as a fury³¹ to torment my soul,

               And till I root out their accursèd line

               And leave not one alive, I live in hell.

               Therefore— Raises his rapier

35

35   

RUTLAND

RUTLAND           O, let me pray before I take my death!

               To thee I pray: sweet Clifford, pity me! Kneels?

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD     Such pity as my rapier’s³⁷ point affords.

RUTLAND

RUTLAND     I never did thee harm: why wilt thou slay me?

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD     Thy father hath.

40

40   

RUTLAND

RUTLAND           But ’twas ere⁴⁰ I was born.

               Thou hast one son, for his sake pity me,

               Lest in revenge thereof, sith⁴² God is just,

               He be as miserably slain as I.

               Ah, let me live in prison all my days,

45

45           And when I give occasion⁴⁵ of offence,

               Then let me die, for now thou hast no cause.

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD     No cause?

               Thy father slew my father: therefore, die. Stabs him

RUTLAND

RUTLAND     Di⁴⁹ faciant laudis summa sit ista tuae! Dies

50

50   

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD           Plantagenet, I come, Plantagenet!

               And this thy son’s blood cleaving to my blade

               Shall rust upon my weapon, till thy blood,

               Congealed with this, do make me wipe off both.

       Exit

[Act 1 Scene 4]

running scene 3 continues

       Alarum. Enter Richard, Duke of York

YORK

YORK     The army of the queen hath got¹ the field.

               My uncles² both are slain in rescuing me;

               And all my followers to³ the eager foe

               Turn back and fly, like ships before the wind,

5

5             Or lambs pursued by hunger-starvèd wolves.

               My sons, God knows what hath bechancèd⁶ them:

               But this I know, they have demeaned⁷ themselves

               Like men born to renown by life or death.

               Three times did Richard make a lane⁹ to me,

10

10           And thrice cried ‘Courage, father, fight it out!’

               And full as oft¹¹ came Edward to my side,

               With purple¹² falchion, painted to the hilt

               In blood of those that had encountered¹³ him.

               And when the hardiest¹⁴ warriors did retire,

15

15           Richard cried ‘Charge, and give no foot of ground!’

               And cried ‘A crown, or else a glorious tomb,

               A sceptre, or an earthly sepulchre!’

               With this we charged again, but, out, alas,¹⁸

               We bodged¹⁹ again, as I have seen a swan

20

20           With bootless²⁰ labour swim against the tide

               And spend²¹ her strength with overmatching waves.

       A short alarum within

               Ah, hark, the fatal²² followers do pursue,

               And I am faint and cannot fly their fury.

               And were I strong, I would not shun their fury.

25

25           The sands²⁵ are numbered that makes up my life.

               Here must I stay, and here my life must end.

       Enter the Queen, Clifford, Northumberland, the young Prince and Soldiers

               Come, bloody Clifford, rough Northumberland,

               I dare your quenchless fury to more rage:

               I am your butt,²⁹ and I abide your shot.

30

30   

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND Yield to our mercy, proud Plantagenet.

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD     Ay, to such mercy as his ruthless arm,

               With downright payment,³² showed unto my father.

               Now Phaethon³³ hath tumbled from his car,

               And made an evening at the noontide prick.³⁴

35

35   

YORK

YORK           My ashes, as the phoenix,³⁵ may bring forth

               A bird³⁶ that will revenge upon you all.

               And in that hope I throw mine eyes to heaven,

               Scorning whate’er you can afflict me with.

               Why come you not? What, multitudes and fear?³⁹

40

40   

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD           So cowards fight when they can fly no further,

               So doves do peck the falcon’s piercing talons,

               So desperate thieves, all hopeless of their lives,

               Breathe out invectives gainst the officers.

YORK

YORK     O Clifford, but bethink thee⁴⁴ once again,

45

45           An in thy thought o’er-run⁴⁵ my former time:

               An if thou canst for⁴⁶ blushing, view this face,

               And bite thy tongue that slanders him with cowardice

               Whose frown hath made thee faint and fly ere this!

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD     I will not bandy⁴⁹ with thee word for word,

50

50           But buckler⁵⁰ with thee blows, twice two for one.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Hold,⁵¹ valiant Clifford, for a thousand causes

               I would prolong awhile the traitor’s life.—

               Wrath makes him deaf; speak thou, Northumberland.

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND Hold, Clifford, do not honour him so much

55

55           To prick thy finger, though to⁵⁵ wound his heart.

               What valour were it, when a cur doth grin,⁵⁶

               For one to thrust his hand between his teeth,

               When he might spurn⁵⁸ him with his foot away?

               It is war’s prize⁵⁹ to take all vantages,

60

60           And ten⁶⁰ to one is no impeach of valour. They seize York, who struggles

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD     Ay, ay, so strives the woodcock⁶¹ with the gin.

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND So doth the cony⁶² struggle in the net.

YORK

YORK     So triumph thieves upon their conquered booty,

               So true⁶⁴ men yield, with robbers so o’ermatched.

65

65   

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND What would your grace have done unto him now?

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Brave warriors, Clifford and Northumberland,

               Come, make him stand upon this molehill here,

               That raught⁶⁸ at mountains with outstretchèd arms,

               Yet parted⁶⁹ but the shadow with his hand.—

70

70           What, was it you that would be England’s king? To York

               Was’t you that revelled⁷¹ in our parliament,

               And made a preachment⁷² of your high descent?

               Where are your mess⁷³ of sons to back you now,

               The wanton⁷⁴ Edward and the lusty George?

75

75           And where’s that valiant crook-back prodigy,⁷⁵

               Dicky, your boy, that with his grumbling⁷⁶ voice

               Was wont⁷⁷ to cheer his dad in mutinies?

               Or with the rest, where is your darling Rutland?

               Look, York, I stained this napkin⁷⁹ with the blood

80

80           That valiant Clifford, with his rapier’s point,

               Made issue⁸¹ from the bosom of the boy.

               And if thine eyes can water for his death,

               I give thee this to dry thy cheeks withal.⁸³

               Alas poor York, but⁸⁴ that I hate thee deadly,

85

85           I should lament thy miserable state.

               I prithee⁸⁶ grieve to make me merry, York.

               What, hath thy fiery heart so parched⁸⁷ thine entrails

               That not a tear can fall for Rutland’s death?

               Why art thou patient, man? Thou shouldst be mad.

90

90           And I, to make thee mad, do mock thee thus.

               Stamp, rave and fret,⁹¹ that I may sing and dance.

               Thou wouldst be fee’d,⁹² I see, to make me sport.

               York cannot speak unless he wear a crown.

               A crown for York! And, lords, bow low to him.

95

95           Hold you his hands, whilst I do set it on. Puts a paper crown on his head

               Ay, marry,⁹⁶ sir, now looks he like a king.

               Ay, this is he that took King Henry’s chair,⁹⁷

               And this is he was his adopted heir.

               But how is it that great Plantagenet

100

100         Is crowned so soon and broke his solemn oath?

               As I bethink me, you should not be king

               Till our King Henry had shook hands with death.

               And will you pale¹⁰³ your head in Henry’s glory,

               And rob his temples of the diadem,¹⁰⁴

105

105         Now in his life, against your holy oath?

               O, ’tis a fault too too unpardonable!

               Off with the crown, and with the crown his head.

               And whilst we breathe,¹⁰⁸ take time to do him dead.

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD     That is my office,¹⁰⁹ for my father’s sake.

110

110 

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Nay, stay, let’s hear the orisons¹¹⁰ he makes.

YORK

YORK     She-wolf of France, but worse than wolves of France,

               Whose tongue more poisons than the adder’s tooth!

               How ill-beseeming¹¹³ is it in thy sex

               To triumph,¹¹⁴ like an Amazonian trull,

115

115         Upon their woes whom fortune captivates!¹¹⁵

               But that thy face is vizard-like,¹¹⁶ unchanging,

               Made impudent¹¹⁷ with use of evil deeds,

               I would assay,¹¹⁸ proud queen, to make thee blush.

               To tell thee whence¹¹⁹ thou cam’st, of whom derived,

120

120         Were shame enough to shame thee, wert thou not shameless.

               Thy father bears the type¹²¹ of King of Naples,

               Of both the Sicils¹²² and Jerusalem,

               Yet not so wealthy as an English yeoman.¹²³

               Hath that poor monarch taught thee to insult?¹²⁴

125

125         It needs not, nor it boots¹²⁵ thee not, proud queen,

               Unless the adage¹²⁶ must be verified,

               That beggars mounted¹²⁷ run their horse to death.

               ’Tis beauty that doth oft make women proud,

               But, God he knows, thy share thereof is small.

130

130         ’Tis virtue that doth make them most admired,

               The contrary doth make thee wondered¹³¹ at.

               ’Tis government¹³² that makes them seem divine,

               The want¹³³ thereof makes thee abominable.

               Thou art as opposite to every good

135

135         As the Antipodes¹³⁵ are unto us,

               Or as the south to the Septentrion.¹³⁶

               O, tiger’s heart wrapt in a woman’s hide!

               How couldst thou drain the life-blood of the child,

               To bid the father wipe his eyes withal,¹³⁹

140

140         And yet be seen to bear a woman’s face?

               Women are soft, mild, pitiful¹⁴¹ and flexible;

               Thou stern, obdurate,¹⁴² flinty, rough, remorseless.

               Bid’st thou me rage? Why, now thou hast thy wish.

               Wouldst have me weep? Why, now thou hast thy will.

145

145         For raging wind blows up incessant showers,

               And when the rage allays, the rain begins.

               These tears are my sweet Rutland’s obsequies,¹⁴⁷

               And every drop cries vengeance for his death,

               Gainst thee, fell¹⁴⁹ Clifford, and thee, false Frenchwoman.

150

150 

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND Beshrew¹⁵⁰ me, but his passions moves me so

               That hardly can I check¹⁵¹ my eyes from tears.

YORK

YORK     That face of his the hungry cannibals

               Would not have touched, would not have stained with blood.

               But you are more inhuman, more inexorable,

155

155         O, ten times more, than tigers of Hyrcania.¹⁵⁵

               See, ruthless queen, a hapless¹⁵⁶ father’s tears.

               This cloth thou dipped’st in blood of my sweet boy,

               And I with tears do wash the blood away.

               Keep thou the napkin, and go boast of this,

160

160         And if thou tell’st the heavy¹⁶⁰ story right,

               Upon my soul, the hearers will shed tears.

               Yea, even my foes will shed fast-falling tears,

               And say ‘Alas, it was a piteous¹⁶³ deed!’

               There, take the crown, and with the crown, my curse.

165

165         And in thy need such comfort come to thee

               As now I reap at thy too cruel hand.

               Hard-hearted Clifford, take me from the world:

               My soul to heaven, my blood upon your heads.

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND Had he been slaughterman to all my kin,

170

170         I should not for my life but weep with him,

               To see how inly¹⁷¹ sorrow gripes his soul.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET What, weeping-ripe,¹⁷² my lord Northumberland?

               Think but upon the wrong he did us all,

               And that will quickly dry thy melting tears.

175

175 

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD             Here’s for my oath, here’s for my father’s death. Stabs him twice

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET And here’s to right our gentle-hearted¹⁷⁶ king. Stabs him

YORK

YORK     Open thy gate of mercy, gracious God.

               My soul flies through these wounds to seek out thee. Dies

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Off with his head and set it on York gates,

180

180         So York may overlook the town of York.

       Flourish. Exeunt [with the body]

[Act 2 Scene 1]*

running scene 4

       A march. Enter Edward, Richard and their power

EDWARD

EDWARD     I wonder how our princely father scaped,

               Or whether he be scaped away or no

               From Clifford’s and Northumberland’s pursuit?

               Had he been ta’en,⁴ we should have heard the news:

5

5             Had he been slain, we should have heard the news:

               Or had he scaped, methinks we should have heard

               The happy tidings of his good escape.

               How fares my brother? Why is he so sad?

RICHARD

RICHARD     I cannot joy, until I be resolved⁹

10

10           Where¹⁰ our right valiant father is become.

               I saw him in the battle range¹¹ about

               And watched him how he singled Clifford forth.¹²

               Methought he bore him¹³ in the thickest troop

               As doth a lion in a herd of neat,¹⁴

15

15           Or as a bear encompassed round with dogs,

               Who having pinched¹⁶ a few and made them cry,

               The rest stand all aloof,¹⁷ and bark at him.

               So fared our father with his enemies,

               So fled his enemies my warlike father.

20

20           Methinks, ’tis prize²⁰ enough to be his son. Three suns appear

               See how the morning opes²¹ her golden gates,

               And takes her farewell of the glorious sun.

               How well resembles it the prime of youth,

               Trimmed²⁴ like a younker prancing to his love.

25

25   

EDWARD

EDWARD           Dazzle mine eyes, or do I see three suns?²⁵

RICHARD

RICHARD     Three glorious suns, each one a perfect sun,

               Not separated with the racking²⁷ clouds,

               But severed²⁸ in a pale clear-shining sky.

               See, see: they join, embrace, and seem to kiss,

30

30           As if they vowed some league inviolable.

               Now are they but one lamp, one light, one sun.

               In this the heaven figures³² some event.

EDWARD

EDWARD     ’Tis wondrous strange, the like yet never heard of.

               I think it cites³⁴ us, brother, to the field,

35

35           That we, the sons of brave Plantagenet,

               Each one already blazing by our meeds,³⁶

               Should notwithstanding join our lights together

               And overshine³⁸ the earth, as this the world.

               Whate’er it bodes, henceforward will I bear

40

40           Upon my target⁴⁰ three fair-shining suns.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Nay, bear three daughters:⁴¹ by your leave, I speak it,

               You love the breeder⁴² better than the male.

       Enter one [a Messenger] blowing

               But what art thou, whose heavy⁴³ looks foretell

               Some dreadful story hanging on thy tongue?

45

45   

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Ah, one that was a woeful looker-on

               Whenas⁴⁶ the noble Duke of York was slain,

               Your princely father and my loving lord!

EDWARD

EDWARD     O, speak no more, for I have heard too much.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Say how he died, for I will hear it all.

50

50   

MESSENGER

MESSENGER           Environèd⁵⁰ he was with many foes,

               And stood against them, as the hope of Troy⁵¹

               Against the Greeks that would have entered Troy.

               But Hercules⁵³ himself must yield to odds,

               And many strokes, though with a little axe,

55

55           Hews down and fells the hardest-timbered oak.

               By many hands your father was subdued,

               But only slaughtered by the ireful arm

               Of unrelenting Clifford and the queen,

               Who crowned the gracious duke in high despite,⁵⁹

60

60           Laughed in his face, and when with grief he wept,

               The ruthless queen gave him to dry his cheeks

               A napkin steepèd in the harmless⁶² blood

               Of sweet young Rutland, by rough⁶³ Clifford slain.

               And after many scorns, many foul taunts,

65

65           They took his head, and on the gates of York

               They set the same, and there it doth remain,

               The saddest spectacle that e’er I viewed.

       [Exit]

EDWARD

EDWARD     Sweet Duke of York, our prop to lean upon,

               Now thou art gone, we have no staff, no stay.⁶⁹

70

70           O Clifford, boist’rous⁷⁰ Clifford, thou hast slain

               The flower of Europe for his chivalry,

               And treacherously hast thou vanquished him,

               For hand to hand he would have vanquished thee.

               Now my soul’s palace⁷⁴ is become a prison.

75

75           Ah, would she⁷⁵ break from hence, that this my body

               Might in the ground be closèd up in rest,

               For never henceforth shall I joy again:

               Never, O, never, shall I see more joy!⁷⁸

RICHARD

RICHARD     I cannot weep, for all my body’s moisture

80

80           Scarce serves to quench my furnace-burning heart.

               Nor can my tongue unload my heart’s great burden,

               For selfsame wind⁸² that I should speak withal

               Is kindling coals that fires all my breast,

               And burns me up with flames that tears would quench.

85

85           To weep is to make less the depth of grief:

               Tears then for babes; blows and revenge for me.

               Richard, I bear thy name, I’ll venge⁸⁷ thy death,

               Or die renownèd by attempting it.

EDWARD

EDWARD     His name that valiant duke hath left with thee:

90

90           His dukedom and his chair⁹⁰ with me is left.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Nay, if thou be that princely eagle’s⁹¹ bird,

               Show thy descent by gazing gainst the sun.

               For chair and dukedom, throne and kingdom say,

               Either that⁹⁴ is thine, or else thou wert not his.

       March. Enter Warwick, Marquis [of] Montague and their army

95

95   

WARWICK

WARWICK           How now, fair lords? What fare?⁹⁵ What news abroad?

RICHARD

RICHARD     Great Lord of Warwick, if we should recount

               Our baleful⁹⁷ news, and at each word’s deliverance

               Stab poniards⁹⁸ in our flesh till all were told,

               The words would add more anguish than the wounds.

100

100         O, valiant lord, the Duke of York is slain!

EDWARD

EDWARD     O Warwick, Warwick, that Plantagenet

               Which held thee dearly as his soul’s redemption,

               Is by the stern¹⁰³ Lord Clifford done to death.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Ten days ago I drowned these news in tears,

105

105         And now, to add more measure¹⁰⁵ to your woes,

               I come to tell you things sith¹⁰⁶ then befall’n.

               After the bloody fray at Wakefield¹⁰⁷ fought,

               Where your brave father breathed his latest¹⁰⁸ gasp,

               Tidings, as swiftly as the posts¹⁰⁹ could run,

110

110         Were brought me of your loss and his depart.¹¹⁰

               I, then in London, keeper¹¹¹ of the king,

               Mustered my soldiers, gathered flocks of friends,

               Marched toward St Albans¹¹³ to intercept the queen,

               Bearing the king in my behalf¹¹⁴ along.

115

115         For by my scouts I was advertisèd¹¹⁵

               That she was coming with a full intent

               To dash¹¹⁷ our late decree in parliament

               Touching¹¹⁸ King Henry’s oath and your succession.

               Short tale to make, we at St Albans met

120

120         Our battles¹²⁰ joined, and both sides fiercely fought.

               But whether ’twas the coldness¹²¹ of the king,

               Who looked full¹²² gently on his warlike queen,

               That robbed my soldiers of their heated spleen,¹²³

               Or whether ’twas report of her success,

125

125         Or more than common fear of Clifford’s rigour,¹²⁵

               Who thunders to his captives blood and death,

               I cannot judge: but to conclude with truth,

               Their weapons like to¹²⁸ lightning came and went,

               Our soldiers’ like the night-owl’s lazy flight,

130

130         Or like an idle thresher with a flail,¹³⁰

               Fell gently down, as if they struck their friends.

               I cheered them up with justice of our cause,

               With promise of high pay and great rewards,

               But all in vain: they had no heart to fight,

135

135         And we in them no hope to win the day,

               So that we fled. The king unto the queen,

               Lord George your brother, Norfolk and myself,

               In haste, post-haste, are come to join with you,

               For in the marches¹³⁹ here we heard you were,

140

140         Making another head¹⁴⁰ to fight again.

EDWARD

EDWARD     Where is the Duke of Norfolk, gentle Warwick?

               And when came George from Burgundy to England?

WARWICK

WARWICK     Some six miles off the duke is with the soldiers,

               And for your brother, he was lately sent

145

145         From your kind aunt,¹⁴⁵ Duchess of Burgundy,

               With aid of soldiers to this needful¹⁴⁶ war.

RICHARD

RICHARD     ’Twas odds, belike,¹⁴⁷ when valiant Warwick fled;

               Oft have I heard his praises in pursuit,¹⁴⁸

               But ne’er till now his scandal of retire.¹⁴⁹

150

150 

WARWICK

WARWICK             Nor now my scandal, Richard, dost thou hear,

               For thou shalt know this strong right hand of mine

               Can pluck the diadem from faint Henry’s head,

               And wring¹⁵³ the awful sceptre from his fist,

               Were he as famous and as bold in war

155

155         As he is famed for mildness, peace, and prayer.

RICHARD

RICHARD     I know it well, Lord Warwick, blame me not.

               ’Tis love I bear thy glories make me speak.

               But in this troublous time, what’s to be done?

               Shall we go throw away our coats of steel,

160

160         And wrap our bodies in black mourning gowns,

               Numb’ring¹⁶¹ our Ave Maries with our beads?

               Or shall we on the helmets of our foes

               Tell¹⁶³ our devotion with revengeful arms?

               If for the last, say ay, and to it, lords.

165

165 

WARWICK

WARWICK             Why, therefore¹⁶⁵ Warwick came to seek you out,

               And therefore comes my brother Montague.

               Attend¹⁶⁷ me, lords: the proud insulting queen,

               With Clifford and the haught¹⁶⁸ Northumberland,

               And of their feather many more proud birds,

170

170         Have wrought¹⁷⁰ the easy-melting king like wax.

               He swore consent to your succession,

               His oath enrollèd¹⁷² in the parliament.

               And now to London all the crew¹⁷³ are gone,

               To frustrate¹⁷⁴ both his oath and what beside

175

175         May make¹⁷⁵ against the house of Lancaster.

               Their power, I think, is thirty thousand strong.

               Now, if the help of Norfolk and myself,

               With all the friends that thou, brave Earl of March,

               Amongst the loving Welshmen canst procure,

180

180         Will but amount to five-and-twenty thousand,

               Why, via,¹⁸¹ to London will we march,

               And once again bestride¹⁸² our foaming steeds,

               And once again cry ‘Charge!’ upon our foes,

               But never once again turn back and fly.

185

185 

RICHARD

RICHARD             Ay, now methinks I hear great Warwick speak;

               Ne’er may he live to see a sunshine day,

               That cries ‘Retire!’¹⁸⁷ if Warwick bid him stay.

EDWARD

EDWARD     Lord Warwick, on thy shoulder will I lean,

               And when thou fail’st — as God forbid the hour —

190

190         Must Edward fall, which peril heaven forfend!¹⁹⁰

WARWICK

WARWICK     No longer Earl of March, but Duke of York:

               The next degree¹⁹² is England’s royal throne.

               For King of England shalt thou be proclaimed

               In every borough as we pass along.

195

195         And he that throws not up his cap for joy

               Shall for the fault make forfeit of his head.

               King Edward, valiant Richard, Montague,

               Stay we no longer, dreaming of renown,

               But sound the trumpets, and about our task.

200

200 

RICHARD

RICHARD             Then, Clifford, were thy heart as hard as steel,

               As thou hast shown it flinty by thy deeds,

               I come to pierce it or to give thee mine.

EDWARD

EDWARD     Then strike up drums. God and Saint George²⁰³ for us!

       Enter a Messenger

WARWICK

WARWICK     How now? What news?

205

205 

MESSENGER

MESSENGER             The Duke of Norfolk sends you word by me,

               The queen is coming with a puissant host,²⁰⁶

               And craves²⁰⁷ your company for speedy counsel.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Why then it sorts,²⁰⁸ brave warriors, let’s away.

       Exeunt

[Act 2 Scene 2]2.2

running scene 5

       Flourish. Enter the King, the Queen, Clifford, Northumberland] and young Prince, with Drum and Trumpets York’s head is set above the city gates

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Welcome, my lord, to this brave¹ town of York.

               Yonder’s the head of that arch-enemy

               That sought to be encompassed with your crown:

               Doth not the object cheer your heart, my lord?

5

5     

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Ay, as the rocks cheer them that fear their wreck:⁵

               To see this sight, it irks⁶ my very soul.

               Withhold revenge, dear God! ’tis not my fault,

               Nor wittingly have I infringed my vow.

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD     My gracious liege, this too much lenity⁹

10

10           And harmful pity must be laid aside.

               To whom do lions cast their gentle looks?

               Not to the beast that would usurp their den.

               Whose hand is that the forest bear doth lick?

               Not his that spoils¹⁴ her young before her face.

15

15           Who scapes the lurking serpent’s mortal sting?

               Not he that sets his foot upon her back.

               The smallest worm will turn being trodden on,

               And doves will peck in safeguard of their brood.

               Ambitious York doth level¹⁹ at thy crown,

20

20           Thou smiling while he knit²⁰ his angry brows:

               He, but a duke, would have his son a king,

               And raise²² his issue, like a loving sire;

               Thou, being a king, blest with a goodly²³ son,

               Didst yield consent to disinherit him,

25

25           Which argued thee²⁵ a most unloving father.

               Unreasonable²⁶ creatures feed their young;

               And though man’s face be fearful²⁷ to their eyes,

               Yet, in protection of their tender²⁸ ones,

               Who hath not seen them, even with those wings

30

30           Which sometime they have used with fearful flight,

               Make war with him that climbed unto their nest,

               Offering their own lives in their young’s defence?

               For shame, my liege, make them your precedent!³³

               Were it not pity³⁴ that this goodly boy

35

35           Should lose his birthright by his father’s fault,

               And long hereafter say unto his child,

               ‘What my great-grandfather and his grandsire got

               My careless father fondly³⁸ gave away’?

               Ah, what a shame³⁹ were this! Look on the boy;

40

40           And let his manly face, which promiseth

               Successful fortune, steel thy melting⁴¹ heart

               To hold thine own and leave thine own with him.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Full well hath Clifford played the orator,

               Inferring⁴⁴ arguments of mighty force:

45

45           But, Clifford, tell me, didst thou never hear

               That things ill-got⁴⁶ had ever bad success?

               And happy⁴⁷ always was it for that son

               Whose father for his hoarding⁴⁸ went to hell?

               I’ll leave my son my virtuous deeds behind,

50

50           And would my father had left me no more:

               For all the rest is held at such a rate⁵¹

               As brings a thousand-fold more care⁵² to keep

               Than in possession any jot of pleasure.

               Ah, cousin York, would thy best friends did know

55

55           How it doth grieve me that thy head is here!

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET My lord, cheer up your spirits: our foes are nigh,⁵⁶

               And this soft courage makes your followers faint.⁵⁷

               You promised knighthood to our forward⁵⁸ son:

               Unsheathe your sword, and dub⁵⁹ him presently.

60

60           Edward, kneel down.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Edward Plantagenet, arise a knight;

               And learn this lesson, draw thy sword in right.⁶²

PRINCE EDWARD

PRINCE EDWARD My gracious father, by your kingly leave,

               I’ll draw it as apparent⁶⁴ to the crown,

65

65           And in that quarrel use it to the death.

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD     Why, that is spoken like a toward⁶⁶ prince.

       Enter a Messenger

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Royal commanders, be in readiness:

               For with a band of thirty thousand men

               Comes Warwick, backing of⁶⁹ the Duke of York;

70

70           And in the towns, as they do march along,

               Proclaims him king, and many fly to him.

               Deraign⁷² your battle, for they are at hand.

       [Exit]

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD     I would your highness would depart the field:

               The queen hath best success when you are absent.

75

75   

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Ay, good my lord, and leave us to our fortune.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Why, that’s my fortune too: therefore I’ll stay.

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND Be it with resolution then to fight.

PRINCE EDWARD

PRINCE EDWARD My royal father, cheer these noble lords

               And hearten those that fight in your defence.

80

80           Unsheathe your sword, good father, cry ‘Saint George!’

       March. Enter Edward, Warwick, Richard, Clarence [George], Norfolk, Montague and Soldiers

EDWARD

EDWARD     Now, perjured Henry, wilt thou kneel for grace,

               And set thy diadem upon my head,

               Or bide⁸³ the mortal fortune of the field?

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET     Go, rate⁸⁴ thy minions, proud insulting boy.

85

85           Becomes it thee to be thus bold in terms

               Before thy sovereign and thy lawful king?

EDWARD

EDWARD     I am his king, and he should bow his knee:

               I was adopted heir by his consent.

               Since when, his oath is broke, for as I hear,

90

90           You that are king, though he do wear the crown,

               Have caused him, by new act of parliament,

               To blot out me and put his own son in.

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD     And reason too:

               Who should succeed the father but the son?

95

95   

RICHARD

RICHARD           Are you there, butcher? O, I cannot speak!

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD     Ay, crookback, here I stand to answer thee,

               Or any he,⁹⁷ the proudest of thy sort.

RICHARD

RICHARD     ’Twas you that killed young Rutland, was it not?

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD     Ay, and old York, and yet not satisfied.

100

100 

RICHARD

RICHARD             For God’s sake, lords, give signal to the fight.

WARWICK

WARWICK     What say’st thou, Henry, wilt thou yield the crown?

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Why, how now, long-tongued¹⁰² Warwick, dare you speak?

               When you and I met at St Albans last,

               Your legs¹⁰⁴ did better service than your hands.

105

105 

WARWICK

WARWICK             Then ’twas my turn to fly, and now ’tis thine.

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD     You said so much before and yet you fled.

WARWICK

WARWICK     ’Twas not your valour, Clifford, drove me thence.

NORTHUMBERLAND

NORTHUMBERLAND No, nor your manhood that durst¹⁰⁸ make you stay.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Northumberland, I hold thee reverently.¹⁰⁹

110

110         Break off the parley,¹¹⁰ for scarce I can refrain

               The execution¹¹¹ of my big-swol’n heart

               Upon that Clifford, that cruel child-killer.

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD     I slew thy father. Call’st thou him a child?

RICHARD

RICHARD     Ay, like a dastard¹¹⁴ and a treacherous coward,

115

115         As thou didst kill our tender¹¹⁵ brother Rutland.

               But ere sunset, I’ll make thee curse the deed.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Have done with words, my lords, and hear me speak.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Defy them then, or else hold close thy lips.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI I prithee, give no limits to my tongue:

120

120         I am a king and privileged to speak.

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD     My liege, the wound that bred this meeting here

               Cannot be cured by words: therefore be still.¹²²

RICHARD

RICHARD     Then, executioner, unsheathe thy sword:

               By him¹²⁴ that made us all, I am resolved

125

125         That Clifford’s manhood lies¹²⁵ upon his tongue.

EDWARD

EDWARD     Say, Henry, shall I have my right or no?

               A thousand men have broke their fasts¹²⁷ today,

               That ne’er shall dine unless thou yield the crown.

WARWICK

WARWICK     If thou deny,¹²⁹ their blood upon thy head,

130

130         For York in justice puts his armour on.

PRINCE EDWARD

PRINCE EDWARD If that be right which Warwick says is right,

               There is no wrong, but everything is right.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Whoever got¹³³ thee, there thy mother stands,

               For well I wot,¹³⁴ thou hast thy mother’s tongue.

135

135 

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET     But thou art neither like thy sire nor dam,¹³⁵

               But like a foul misshapen stigmatic,¹³⁶

               Marked¹³⁷ by the destinies to be avoided,

               As venom¹³⁸ toads or lizards’ dreadful stings.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Iron of Naples¹³⁹ hid with English gilt,

140

140         Whose father bears the title of a king

               As if a channel¹⁴¹ should be called the sea

               Sham’st thou not,¹⁴² knowing whence thou art extraught,

               To let thy tongue detect¹⁴³ thy base-born heart?

EDWARD

EDWARD     A wisp of straw¹⁴⁴ were worth a thousand crowns,

145

145         To make this shameless callet¹⁴⁵ know herself.

               Helen¹⁴⁶ of Greece was fairer far than thou,

               Although thy husband may be Menelaus;

               And ne’er was Agamemnon’s brother¹⁴⁸ wronged

               By that false woman, as this king by thee.

150

150         His father¹⁵⁰ revelled in the heart of France,

               And tamed the king, and made the dauphin stoop.

               And had he¹⁵² matched according to his state,

               He might have kept that glory to this day.

               But when he took a beggar to his bed,

155

155         And graced¹⁵⁵ thy poor sire with his bridal-day,

               Even then that sunshine brewed a shower for him,

               That washed his father’s fortunes forth¹⁵⁷ of France,

               And heaped sedition¹⁵⁸ on his crown at home.

               For what hath broached¹⁵⁹ this tumult but thy pride?

160

160         Hadst thou been meek, our title¹⁶⁰ still had slept,

               And we, in pity of the gentle king,

               Had slipped¹⁶² our claim until another age.

GEORGE

GEORGE     But when we saw our¹⁶³ sunshine made thy spring,

               And that thy summer bred us no increase,¹⁶⁴

165

165         We set the axe to thy usurping root.

               And though the edge hath something¹⁶⁶ hit ourselves,

               Yet, know thou, since we have begun to strike,

               We’ll never leave till we have hewn thee down,

               Or bathed thy growing with our heated bloods.

170

170 

EDWARD

EDWARD             And in this resolution, I defy thee,

               Not willing any longer conference,

               Since thou denied’st¹⁷² the gentle king to speak.

               Sound trumpets, let our bloody colours wave,

               And either victory or else a grave!

175

175 

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Stay, Edward.

EDWARD

EDWARD     No, wrangling woman, we’ll no longer stay.

               These words will cost ten thousand lives this day.

       Exeunt

[Act 2 Scene 3]*

running scene 5 continues

       Alarum. Excursions. Enter Warwick

WARWICK

WARWICK     Forspent¹ with toil, as runners with a race,

               I lay me down a little while to breathe,²

               For strokes received, and many blows repaid

               Have robbed my strong-knit sinews of their strength,

5

5             And spite of spite⁵ needs must I rest awhile.

       Enter Edward running

EDWARD

EDWARD     Smile, gentle heaven, or strike, ungentle death,

               For this world frowns, and Edward’s sun is clouded.

WARWICK

WARWICK     How now, my lord, what hap?⁸ What hope of good?

       Enter Clarence [George]

GEORGE

GEORGE     Our hap is loss, our hope but sad despair,

10

10           Our ranks are broke, and ruin follows us.

               What counsel give you? Whither shall we fly?

EDWARD

EDWARD     Bootless¹² is flight, they follow us with wings,

               And weak we are and cannot shun pursuit.

       Enter Richard

RICHARD

RICHARD     Ah, Warwick, why hast thou withdrawn thyself?

15

15           Thy brother’s¹⁵ blood the thirsty earth hath drunk,

               Broached with the steely point of Clifford’s lance,

               And in the very pangs of death he cried,

               Like to¹⁸ a dismal clangour heard from far,

               ‘Warwick, revenge! Brother, revenge my death!’

20

20           So, underneath the belly of their steeds,

               That stained their fetlocks²¹ in his smoking blood,

               The noble gentleman gave up the ghost.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Then let the earth be drunken with our blood.

               I’ll kill my horse, because I will not fly.

25

25           Why stand we like soft-hearted women here,

               Wailing our losses, whiles the foe doth rage,

               And look upon,²⁷ as if the tragedy

               Were played in jest²⁸ by counterfeiting actors?

               Here on my knee, I vow to God above, Kneels

30

30           I’ll never pause again, never stand still,

               Till either death hath closed these eyes of mine

               Or fortune given me measure³² of revenge.

EDWARD

EDWARD     O Warwick, I do bend my knee with thine,

               And in this vow do chain my soul to thine.

35

35           And, ere my knee rise from the earth’s cold face,

               I throw³⁶ my hands, mine eyes, my heart to thee,

               Thou setter-up and plucker-down of kings,

               Beseeching thee, if with thy will it stands³⁸

               That to my foes this body must be prey,

40

40           Yet that thy brazen⁴⁰ gates of heaven may ope,

               And give sweet passage to my sinful soul.

               Now, lords, take leave until we meet again,

               Where’er it be, in heaven or in earth.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Brother, give me thy hand, and, gentle Warwick,

45

45           Let me embrace thee in my weary arms.

               I, that did never weep, now melt with woe

               That winter should cut off our springtime so.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Away, away! Once more, sweet lords farewell.

GEORGE

GEORGE     Yet let us all together to our troops,

50

50           And give them leave to fly that will not stay,

               And call them pillars that will stand to⁵¹ us.

               And, if we thrive,⁵² promise them such rewards

               As victors wear at the Olympian games.⁵³

               This may plant courage in their quailing breasts,

55

55           For yet is hope of life and victory.

               Forslow⁵⁶ no longer, make we hence amain.

       Exeunt

[Act 2 Scene 4]

running scene 5 continues

       Excursions. Enter Richard and Clifford

RICHARD

RICHARD     Now, Clifford, I have singled thee alone.¹

               Suppose this arm is for the Duke of York,

               And this for Rutland, both bound to revenge,

               Wert thou⁴ environed with a brazen wall.

5

5     

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD         Now, Richard, I am with thee here alone.

               This is the hand that stabbed thy father York,

               And this the hand that slew thy brother Rutland,

               And here’s the heart that triumphs in their death And cheers these hands that slew thy sire and brother

10

10           To execute the like upon thyself.

               And so, have at thee!¹¹

       They fight

       Warwick comes [and rescues Richard], Clifford flies

RICHARD

RICHARD     Nay Warwick, single out some other chase,¹²

               For I myself will hunt this wolf to death.

       Exeunt

[Act 2 Scene 5]

running scene 5 continues

       Alarum. Enter King Henry alone

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI This battle fares like to the morning’s war,

               When dying clouds contend with growing light,

               What³ time the shepherd, blowing of his nails,

               Can neither call it perfect⁴ day nor night.

5

5             Now sways it this way, like a mighty sea

               Forced by the tide to combat with the wind.

               Now sways it that way, like the selfsame sea

               Forced to retire by fury of the wind.

               Sometime the flood⁹ prevails, and then the wind,

10

10           Now one the better, then another best;

               Both tugging to be victors, breast to breast,

               Yet neither conqueror nor conquerèd:

               So is the equal poise¹³ of this fell war.

               Here on this molehill will I sit me down.

15

15           To whom God will, there be the victory.

               For Margaret my queen, and Clifford too,

               Have chid¹⁷ me from the battle, swearing both

               They prosper best of all when I am thence.

               Would I were dead, if God’s good will were so;

20

20           For what is in this world but grief and woe?

               O, God! Methinks it were a happy life,

               To be no better than a homely swain,²²

               To sit upon a hill, as I do now,

               To carve out dials²⁴ quaintly, point by point,

25

25           Thereby to see the minutes how they run:

               How many makes the hour full complete,

               How many hours brings about²⁷ the day,

               How many days will finish up the year,

               How many years a mortal man may live.

30

30           When this is known, then to divide the times:

               So many hours must I tend my flock,

               So many hours must I take my rest,

               So many hours must I contemplate,

               So many hours must I sport³⁴ myself,

35

35           So many days my ewes have been with young,³⁵

               So many weeks ere the poor fools will ean,³⁶

               So many years ere I shall shear the fleece.

               So minutes, hours, days, months and years,

               Passed over to the end they³⁹ were created,

40

40           Would bring white hairs unto a quiet grave.

               Ah, what a life were this! How sweet! How lovely!

               Gives not the hawthorn bush a sweeter shade

               To shepherds looking on their silly⁴³ sheep,

               Than doth a rich embroidered canopy⁴⁴

45

45           To kings that fear their subjects’ treachery?

               O, yes, it doth; a thousand-fold it doth.

               And to conclude, the shepherd’s homely curds,⁴⁷

               His cold thin drink out of his leather bottle,

               His wonted⁴⁹ sleep under a fresh tree’s shade,

50

50           All which secure⁵⁰ and sweetly he enjoys,

               Is far beyond a prince’s delicates,⁵¹

               His viands⁵² sparkling in a golden cup,

               His body couchèd in a curious⁵³ bed,

               When care,⁵⁴ mistrust and treason waits on him.

       Alarum. Enter a Son that has killed his father, at one door, and a Father that hath killed his son at another door [with their bodies]

55

55   

SON

SON           Ill blows the wind that profits nobody.

               This man, whom hand to hand I slew in fight,

               May be possessèd with⁵⁷ some store of crowns,

               And I, that haply⁵⁸ take them from him now,

               May yet ere night yield both my life and them

60

60           To some man else, as this dead man doth me.

               Who’s this? O, God! It is my father’s face,

               Whom in this conflict I unwares⁶² have killed.

               O heavy⁶³ times, begetting such events!

               From London by the king was I pressed⁶⁴ forth.

65

65           My father, being the Earl of Warwick’s man,⁶⁵

               Came on the part⁶⁶ of York, pressed by his master.

               And I, who at his hands received my life,

               Have by my hands of life bereavèd him.

               Pardon me, God, I knew not what I did.

70

70           And pardon, father, for I knew not thee.

               My tears shall wipe away these bloody marks,

               And no more words till they have flowed their fill.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI O, piteous spectacle! O, bloody times!

               Whiles lions war and battle for their dens,

75

75           Poor harmless lambs abide⁷⁵ their enmity.

               Weep, wretched man: I’ll aid thee tear for tear,

               And let our hearts and eyes, like civil war,

               Be blind with tears and break o’ercharged⁷⁸ with grief.

       [The] Father [steps forward], bearing of his Son

FATHER

FATHER     Thou that so stoutly⁷⁹ hath resisted me,

80

80           Give me thy gold, if thou hast any gold,

               For I have bought it with an hundred blows.

               But let me see: is this our foeman’s face?

               Ah, no, no, no, it is mine only son!

               Ah, boy, if any life be left in thee,

85

85           Throw up⁸⁵ thine eye! See, see what showers arise,

               Blown with the windy tempest of my heart,

               Upon thy wounds, that kills mine eye and heart.

               O, pity, God, this miserable age!

               What stratagems,⁸⁹ how fell, how butcherly,

90

90           Erroneous,⁹⁰ mutinous and unnatural,

               This deadly quarrel daily doth beget!

               O boy, thy father gave thee life too soon,

               And hath bereft thee of thy life too late!⁹³

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Woe above woe! Grief more than common grief!

95

95           O, that my death would stay⁹⁵ these ruthful deeds!

               O, pity, pity, gentle heaven, pity!

               The red rose and the white are on his face,⁹⁷

               The fatal colours of our striving houses:

               The one his purple⁹⁹ blood right well resembles,

100

100         The other his pale cheeks, methinks, presenteth.¹⁰⁰

               Wither one rose, and let the other flourish.

               If you contend,¹⁰² a thousand lives must wither.

SON

SON     How will my mother for a father’s death

               Take on with¹⁰⁴ me and ne’er be satisfied!

105

105 

FATHER

FATHER             How will my wife for slaughter of my son

               Shed seas of tears and ne’er be satisfied!

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI How will the country for these woeful chances¹⁰⁷

               Misthink¹⁰⁸ the king and not be satisfied!

SON

SON     Was ever son so rued¹⁰⁹ a father’s death?

110

110 

FATHER

FATHER             Was ever father so bemoaned his son?

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Was ever king so grieved for subjects’ woe?

               Much is your sorrow; mine ten times so much.

SON

SON     I’ll bear thee hence, where I may weep my fill.

       [Exit with the body]

FATHER

FATHER     These arms of mine shall be thy winding-sheet,¹¹⁴

115

115         My heart, sweet boy, shall be thy sepulchre,

               For from my heart thine image ne’er shall go.

               My sighing breast shall be thy funeral bell;

               And so obsequious¹¹⁸ will thy father be,

               E’en for the loss of thee, having no more,

120

120         As Priam¹²⁰ was for all his valiant sons.

               I’ll bear thee hence; and let them fight that will,

               For I have murdered where I should not kill.

       Exit [with the body]

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Sad-hearted men, much overgone¹²³ with care,

               Here sits a king more woeful than you are.

       Alarums. Excursions. Enter the Queen, the Prince and Exeter

125

125 

PRINCE EDWARD

PRINCE EDWARD Fly, father, fly! For all your friends are fled,

               And Warwick rages like a chafèd¹²⁶ bull:

               Away, for death doth hold us in pursuit.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Mount you, my lord, towards Berwick¹²⁸ post amain.

               Edward and Richard, like a brace¹²⁹ of greyhounds

130

130         Having the fearful flying hare in sight,

               With fiery eyes sparkling for very¹³¹ wrath,

               And bloody steel grasped in their ireful hands,

               Are at our backs, and therefore hence amain.¹³³

EXETER

EXETER     Away, for vengeance comes along with them.

135

135         Nay, stay not to expostulate,¹³⁵ make speed,

               Or else come after. I’ll away before.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Nay, take me with thee, good sweet Exeter:

               Not that I fear to stay, but love to go

               Whither the queen intends. Forward, away!

       Exeunt

[Act 2 Scene 6]

running scene 5 continues

       A loud alarum. Enter Clifford wounded

CLIFFORD

CLIFFORD     Here burns my candle out; ay, here it dies,

               Which whiles it lasted gave King Henry light.

               O Lancaster, I fear thy overthrow

               More than my body’s parting with my soul!

5

5             My⁴ love and fear glued many friends to thee,

               And now I fall. Thy tough commixtures⁶ melts,

               Impairing Henry, strength’ning misproud⁷ York,

               The common people swarm like summer flies,

               And whither fly the gnats but to the sun?⁹

10

10           And who shines now but Henry’s enemies?

               O Phoebus,¹¹ hadst thou never given consent

               That Phaethon¹² should check thy fiery steeds,

               Thy burning car never had scorched the earth!

               And, Henry, hadst thou swayed¹⁴ as kings should do,

15

15           Or as thy father and his father did,

               Giving no ground¹⁶ unto the House of York,

               They never then had sprung like summer flies;

               I and ten thousand in this luckless realm

               Had left no mourning widows for our death,

20

20           And thou this day hadst kept thy chair²⁰ in peace.

               For what doth cherish²¹ weeds but gentle air?

               And what makes robbers bold but too much lenity?

               Bootless are plaints,²³ and cureless are my wounds.

               No way to fly, nor strength to hold out flight.

25

25           The foe is merciless, and will not pity,

               For at their hands I have deserved no pity.

               The air hath got into my deadly wounds,

               And much effuse²⁸ of blood doth make me faint.

               Come, York and Richard, Warwick and the rest:

30

30           I stabbed your fathers’ bosoms; split my breast. Faints

       Alarum and retreat. Enter Edward, Warwick, Richard and Soldiers, Montague and Clarence

       [George]

EDWARD

EDWARD     Now breathe³¹ we, lords. Good fortune bids us pause,

               And smooth the frowns of war with peaceful looks.

               Some troops pursue the bloody-minded queen,

               That led calm Henry, though he were a king,

35

35           As doth a sail, filled with a fretting³⁵ gust,

               Command³⁶ an argosy to stem the waves.

               But think you, lords, that Clifford fled with them?

WARWICK

WARWICK     No, ’tis impossible he should escape,

               For, though before his³⁹ face I speak the words,

40

40           Your brother Richard marked⁴⁰ him for the grave,

               And wheresoe’er he is, he’s surely dead.

       Clifford groans [and dies]

RICHARD

RICHARD     Whose soul is that which takes her heavy⁴² leave?

               A deadly groan, like life and death’s departing.⁴³

EDWARD

EDWARD     See who it is. And now the battle’s ended,

45

45           If friend or foe, let him be gently used.⁴⁵

RICHARD

RICHARD     Revoke that doom⁴⁶ of mercy, for ’tis Clifford,

               Who not contented that he lopped the branch

               In hewing Rutland when his leaves put forth,

               But set his murd’ring knife unto the root

50

50           From whence that tender spray⁵⁰ did sweetly spring,

               I mean our princely father, Duke of York.

WARWICK

WARWICK     From off the gates of York fetch down the head,

               Your father’s head, which Clifford placèd there,

               Instead whereof let this⁵⁴ supply the room:

55

55           Measure⁵⁵ for measure must be answered.

EDWARD

EDWARD     Bring forth that fatal screech-owl⁵⁶ to our house,

               That nothing sung⁵⁷ but death to us and ours:

               Now death shall stop his dismal⁵⁸ threat’ning sound,

               And his ill-boding⁵⁹ tongue no more shall speak.

60

60   

WARWICK

WARWICK           I think his understanding is bereft.⁶⁰

               Speak, Clifford, dost thou know who speaks to thee?

               Dark cloudy death o’ershades his beams⁶² of life,

               And he nor⁶³ sees nor hears us what we say.

RICHARD

RICHARD     O, would he did, and so perhaps he doth.

65

65           ’Tis but his policy⁶⁵ to counterfeit,

               Because he would avoid such bitter taunts

               Which in the time of death he gave our father.

GEORGE

GEORGE     If so thou think’st, vex him with eager⁶⁸ words.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Clifford, ask mercy and obtain no grace.

70

70   

EDWARD

EDWARD           Clifford, repent in bootless penitence.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Clifford, devise excuses for thy faults.⁷¹

GEORGE

GEORGE     While we devise fell tortures for thy faults.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Thou didst love York, and I am son to York.

EDWARD

EDWARD     Thou pitied’st Rutland, I will pity thee.

75

75   

GEORGE

GEORGE           Where’s Captain Margaret to fence⁷⁵ you now?

WARWICK

WARWICK     They mock thee, Clifford: swear as thou wast wont.⁷⁶

RICHARD

RICHARD     What, not an oath? Nay, then the world goes hard⁷⁷

               When Clifford cannot spare his friends an oath.

               I know by that he’s dead, and, by my soul,

80

80           If this right hand would buy two hours’ life,

               That I in all despite⁸¹ might rail at him,

               This⁸² hand should chop it off, and with the issuing blood

               Stifle⁸³ the villain whose unstanchèd thirst

               York and young Rutland could not satisfy.

85

85   

WARWICK

WARWICK           Ay, but he’s dead. Off with the traitor’s head,

               And rear⁸⁶ it in the place your father’s stands.

               And now to London with triumphant march,

               There to be crownèd England’s royal king:

               From whence shall Warwick cut⁸⁹ the sea to France,

90

90           And ask⁹⁰ the lady Bona for thy queen.

               So shalt thou sinew⁹¹ both these lands together,

               And having France thy friend, thou shalt not dread

               The scattered foe that hopes to rise again,

               For though they cannot greatly sting to hurt,

95

95           Yet look to have them buzz⁹⁵ to offend thine ears.

               First will I see the coronation,

               And then to Brittany I’ll cross the sea,

               To effect this marriage, so it please my lord.

EDWARD

EDWARD     Even⁹⁹ as thou wilt, sweet Warwick, let it be,

100

100         For in thy shoulder¹⁰⁰ do I build my seat,

               And never will I undertake the thing

               Wherein thy counsel and consent is wanting.¹⁰²

               Richard, I will create thee Duke of Gloucester,

               And George, of Clarence; Warwick, as ourself,

105

105         Shall do and undo as him pleaseth best.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Let me be Duke of Clarence, George of Gloucester,

               For Gloucester’s dukedom is too ominous.¹⁰⁷

WARWICK

WARWICK     Tut, that’s a foolish observation.

               Richard, be Duke of Gloucester. Now to London,

110

110         To see these honours in possession.

       Exeunt

[Act 3 Scene 1]3.1

running scene 6

       Enter two Keepers with crossbows in their hands

FIRST KEEPER

FIRST KEEPER Under this thick-grown brake¹ we’ll shroud ourselves,

               For through this laund² anon the deer will come,

               And in this covert³ will we make our stand,

               Culling the principal⁴ of all the deer.

5

5     

SECOND KEEPER

SECOND KEEPER I’ll stay above the hill, so both may shoot.

FIRST KEEPER

FIRST KEEPER That cannot be. The noise of thy crossbow

               Will scare the herd, and so my shoot⁷ is lost.

               Here stand we both, and aim we at the best,

               And, for⁹ the time shall not seem tedious,

10

10           I’ll tell thee what befell me on a day

               In this self-place¹¹ where now we mean to stand.

SECOND KEEPER

SECOND KEEPER Here comes a man. Let’s stay till he be past.

       Enter the King, [disguised,] with a prayer-book

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI From Scotland am I stol’n, even of¹³ pure love,

               To greet mine own land with my wishful¹⁴ sight.

15

15           No, Harry, Harry, ’tis no land of thine:

               Thy place is filled, thy sceptre wrung from thee,

               Thy balm¹⁷ washed off wherewith thou wast anointed.

               No bending knee will call thee Caesar¹⁸ now,

               No humble suitors press to speak for right,¹⁹

20

20           No, not a man comes for redress of²⁰ thee.

               For how can I help them, and not myself?

FIRST KEEPER

FIRST KEEPER Ay, here’s a deer whose skin’s a keeper’s fee:²²

               This is the quondam²³ king; let’s seize upon him.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Let me embrace the sour adversaries,

25

25           For wise men say it is the wisest course.

SECOND KEEPER

SECOND KEEPER Why linger we? Let us lay hands upon him.

FIRST KEEPER

FIRST KEEPER Forbear²⁷ awhile, we’ll hear a little more.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI My queen and son are gone to France for aid,

               And, as I hear, the great commanding Warwick

30

30           Is thither gone, to crave³⁰ the French king’s sister

               To wife for Edward. If this news be true,

               Poor queen and son, your labour is but lost,

               For Warwick is a subtle³³ orator,

               And Lewis³⁴ a prince soon won with moving words.

35

35           By this account then Margaret may win him,

               For she’s a woman to be pitied much:

               Her sighs will make a batt’ry³⁷ in his breast,

               Her tears will pierce into a marble heart,

               The tiger will be mild whiles she doth mourn;

40

40           And Nero⁴⁰ will be tainted with remorse,

               To hear and see her plaints,⁴¹ her brinish tears.

               Ay, but she’s come to beg, Warwick to give:

               She on his left side, craving aid for Henry,

               He on his right, asking a wife for Edward.

45

45           She weeps, and says her Henry is deposed,

               He smiles, and says his Edward is installed;

               That she, poor wretch, for grief can speak no more,

               Whiles Warwick tells his title,⁴⁸ smooths the wrong,

               Inferreth⁴⁹ arguments of mighty strength,

50

50           And in conclusion wins the king from her,

               With promise of his sister, and what⁵¹ else,

               To strengthen and support King Edward’s place.

               O Margaret, thus ’twill be, and thou, poor soul,

               Art then forsaken, as thou went’st forlorn.⁵⁴

55

55   

SECOND KEEPER

SECOND KEEPER Say, what art thou that talk’st of kings and queens?

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI More than I seem, and less than I was born to:

               A man at least, for less I should not be.

               And men may talk of kings, and why not I?

SECOND KEEPER

SECOND KEEPER Ay, but thou talk’st as if thou wert a king.

60

60   

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Why, so I am, in mind, and that’s enough.

SECOND KEEPER

SECOND KEEPER But, if thou be a king, where is thy crown?

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI My crown is in my heart, not on my head,

               Not decked with diamonds and Indian stones,⁶³

               Nor to be seen: my crown is called content.

65

65           A crown it is that seldom kings enjoy.

SECOND KEEPER

SECOND KEEPER Well, if you be a king crowned with content,

               Your crown content and you must be contented

               To go along with us, for, as we think,

               You are the king King Edward hath deposed,

70

70           And we his subjects sworn in all allegiance

               Will apprehend⁷¹ you as his enemy.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI But did you never swear and break an oath?

SECOND KEEPER

SECOND KEEPER No, never such an oath, nor will not now.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Where did you dwell when I was King of England?

75

75   

SECOND KEEPER

SECOND KEEPER Here in this country,⁷⁵ where we now remain.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI I was anointed king at nine months old.

               My father and my grandfather were kings,

               And you were sworn true subjects unto me:

               And tell me, then, have you not broke your oaths?

80

80   

FIRST KEEPER

FIRST KEEPER No,

               For we were subjects but⁸¹ while you were king.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Why? Am I dead? Do I not breathe a⁸² man?

               Ah, simple⁸³ men, you know not what you swear.

               Look, as I blow this feather from my face,

85

85           And as the air blows it to me again,

               Obeying with⁸⁶ my wind when I do blow,

               And yielding to another when it blows,

               Commanded always by the greater gust,

               Such is the lightness⁸⁹ of you, common men.

90

90           But do not break your oaths, for of that sin

               My mild entreaty shall not make you guilty.

               Go where you will, the king shall be commanded,

               And be you kings, command, and I’ll obey.

FIRST KEEPER

FIRST KEEPER We are true subjects to the king, King Edward.

95

95   

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI So would you be again to Henry,

               If he were seated as King Edward is.

FIRST KEEPER

FIRST KEEPER We charge⁹⁷ you, in God’s name and the king’s,

               To go with us unto the officers.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI In God’s name, lead. Your king’s name be obeyed,

100

100         And what God will, that let your king perform,

               And what he will, I humbly yield unto.

       Exeunt

[Act 3 Scene 2]3.2

running scene 7

       Enter King Edward, [Richard, now Duke of] Gloucester, [George, now Duke of] Clarence,        Lady Grey Richard is henceforth known as Gloucester, George as Clarence

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Brother of Gloucester, at St Alban’s field¹

               This lady’s husband, Sir Richard² Grey, was slain,

               His land then seized on by the conqueror.

               Her suit⁴ is now to repossess those lands,

5

5             Which we in justice cannot well deny,

               Because in quarrel of⁶ the House of York

               The worthy gentleman did lose his life.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Your highness shall do well to grant her suit:

               It were dishonour to deny it her.

10

10   

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV It were no less, but yet I’ll make a pause. Gloucester and Clarence speak aside throughout

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Yea, is it so?

               I see the lady hath a thing¹² to grant,

               Before the king will grant her humble suit.

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     He knows the game.¹⁴ How true he keeps the wind!

15

15   

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER           Silence!

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Widow, we will consider of your suit,

               And come some other time to know our mind.

LADY GREY

LADY GREY     Right gracious lord, I cannot brook¹⁸ delay.

               May it please your highness to resolve¹⁹ me now,

20

20           And what your pleasure²⁰ is, shall satisfy me.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Ay, widow? Then I’ll warrant²¹ you all your lands,

               An if²² what pleases him shall pleasure you.

               Fight closer,²³ or good faith, you’ll catch a blow.

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     I fear her not,²⁴ unless she chance to fall.

25

25   

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER           God forbid that, for he’ll take vantages.²⁵

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV How many children hast thou, widow? Tell me.

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     I think he means to beg²⁷ a child of her.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Nay, then, whip me:²⁸ he’ll rather give her two.

LADY GREY

LADY GREY     Three, my most gracious lord.

30

30   

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER           You shall have four, if you’ll be ruled by him.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV ’Twere pity they should lose their father’s lands.

LADY GREY

LADY GREY     Be pitiful, dread³² lord, and grant it then.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Lords, give us leave:³³ I’ll try this widow’s wit. Gloucester and Clarence step back and continue to speak aside

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Ay, good³⁴ leave have you, for you will have leave,

35

35           Till youth take leave and leave you to the³⁵ crutch.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Now tell me, madam, do you love your children?

LADY GREY

LADY GREY     Ay, full as dearly as I love myself.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV And would you not do much to do them good?

LADY GREY

LADY GREY     To do them good, I would sustain some harm.

40

40   

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Then get your husband’s lands, to do them good.

LADY GREY

LADY GREY     Therefore⁴¹ I came unto your majesty.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV I’ll tell you how these lands are to be got.

LADY GREY

LADY GREY     So shall you bind me to your highness’ service.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV What service⁴⁴ wilt thou do me, if I give them?

45

45   

LADY GREY

LADY GREY           What you command, that rests in me⁴⁵ to do.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV But you will take exceptions to my boon.⁴⁶

LADY GREY

LADY GREY     No, gracious lord, except⁴⁷ I cannot do it.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Ay, but thou canst do⁴⁸ what I mean to ask.

LADY GREY

LADY GREY     Why, then I will do what your grace commands.

50

50   

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER           He plies her hard,⁵⁰ and much rain wears the marble.

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     As red⁵¹ as fire! Nay, then her wax must melt.

LADY GREY

LADY GREY     Why stops my lord? Shall I not hear my task?

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV An easy task,⁵³ ’tis but to love a king.

LADY GREY

LADY GREY     That’s soon performed, because I am a subject.

55

55   

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Why, then, thy husband’s lands I freely give thee.

LADY GREY

LADY GREY     I take my leave with many thousand thanks.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     The match⁵⁷ is made: she seals it with a curtsy.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV     But stay thee, ’tis the fruits of love I mean.

LADY GREY

LADY GREY     The fruits of love I mean, my loving liege.

60

60   

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Ay, but, I fear me, in another sense.

               What love, think’st thou, I sue so much to get?

LADY GREY

LADY GREY     My love till death, my humble thanks, my prayers,

               That love which virtue begs and virtue grants.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV No, by my troth, I did not mean such love.

65

65   

LADY GREY

LADY GREY           Why, then you mean not as I thought you did.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV But now you partly may perceive my mind.

LADY GREY

LADY GREY     My mind will never grant what I perceive

               Your highness aims at, if I aim aright.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV To tell thee plain, I aim to lie with thee.

70

70   

LADY GREY

LADY GREY           To tell you plain, I had rather lie in prison.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Why, then thou shalt not have thy husband’s lands.

LADY GREY

LADY GREY     Why, then mine honesty shall be my dower,

               For by that loss I will not purchase them.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Therein thou wrong’st thy children mightily.

75

75   

LADY GREY

LADY GREY           Herein your highness wrongs both them and me.

               But, mighty lord, this merry inclination⁷⁶

               Accords not with the sadness⁷⁷ of my suit.

               Please you dismiss me either with ‘Ay’ or ‘No’.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Ay, if thou wilt say ‘Ay’ to my request;

80

80           No if thou dost say ‘No’ to my demand.

LADY GREY

LADY GREY     Then, no, my lord. My suit is at an end.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     The widow likes him not, she knits her brows.⁸²

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     He is the bluntest⁸³ wooer in Christendom.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Her looks do argue her⁸⁴ replete with modesty, Aside

85

85           Her words doth show her wit incomparable,

               All her perfections challenge⁸⁶ sovereignty.

               One way or other, she is for a king,

               And she shall be my love,⁸⁸ or else my queen.—

               Say that King Edward take thee for his queen? To her

90

90   

LADY GREY

LADY GREY           ’Tis better said than done, my gracious lord:

               I am a subject fit to jest withal,

               But far unfit to be a sovereign.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Sweet widow, by my state⁹³ I swear to thee,

               I speak no more than what my soul intends,

95

95           And that is, to enjoy thee for my love.

LADY GREY

LADY GREY     And that is more than I will yield unto:

               I know I am too mean⁹⁷ to be your queen

               And yet too good to be your concubine.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV You cavil,⁹⁹ widow: I did mean, my queen.

100

100 

LADY GREY

LADY GREY             ’Twill grieve your grace my sons should call you father.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV No more than when my daughters call thee mother.

               Thou art a widow, and thou hast some children,

               And, by God’s mother, I, being but a bachelor,

               Have other some.¹⁰⁴ Why, ’tis a happy thing

105

105         To be the father unto many sons.

               Answer no more, for thou shalt be my queen.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     The ghostly father¹⁰⁷ now hath done his shrift.

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     When he was made a shriver,¹⁰⁸ ’twas for shift.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV     Brothers, you muse¹⁰⁹ what chat we two have had.

110

110 

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER             The widow likes it not, for she looks very sad. To Edward

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV You’ll think it strange if I should marry her.

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     To who, my lord?

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Why, Clarence, to myself.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     That would be ten¹¹⁴ days’ wonder at the least.

115

115 

CLARENCE

CLARENCE             That’s a day longer than a wonder lasts.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     By so much is the wonder in¹¹⁶ extremes.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Well, jest on, brothers. I can tell you both

               Her suit is granted for her husband’s lands.

       Enter a Nobleman

NOBLEMAN

NOBLEMAN     My gracious lord, Henry your foe is taken,¹¹⁹

120

120         And brought your prisoner to your palace gate.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV See that he be conveyed unto the Tower,

               And go we, brothers, to the man that took him,

               To question¹²³ of his apprehension.—

               Widow, go you along.— Lords, use¹²⁴ her honourably.

       Exeunt. Richard [of Gloucester] remains

125

125 

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER             Ay, Edward will use women honourably.

               Would he were wasted,¹²⁶ marrow, bones and all,

               That from his loins no hopeful branch¹²⁷ may spring,

               To cross¹²⁸ me from the golden time I look for.

               And yet, between my soul’s desire and me —

130

130         The¹³⁰ lustful Edward’s title buried —

               Is Clarence, Henry, and his son young Edward,

               And all the unlooked for¹³² issue of their bodies,

               To take their rooms,¹³³ ere I can place myself.

               A cold premeditation¹³⁴ for my purpose.

135

135         Why, then, I do but dream on sovereignty,

               Like one that stands upon a promontory,¹³⁶

               And spies a far-off shore where he would tread,

               Wishing his foot were equal with¹³⁸ his eye,

               And chides¹³⁹ the sea that sunders him from thence,

140

140         Saying, he’ll lade¹⁴⁰ it dry to have his way:

               So do I wish¹⁴¹ the crown, being so far off,

               And so I chide the means¹⁴² that keeps me from it,

               And so I say, I’ll cut¹⁴³ the causes off,

               Flattering me¹⁴⁴ with impossibilities.

145

145         My eye’s too quick, my heart o’erweens¹⁴⁵ too much,

               Unless my hand and strength could equal them.

               Well, say there is no kingdom then for Richard:

               What other pleasure can the world afford?

               I’ll make my heaven in a lady’s lap,

150

150         And deck¹⁵⁰ my body in gay ornaments,

               And witch¹⁵¹ sweet ladies with my words and looks.

               O, miserable thought, and more unlikely

               Than to accomplish¹⁵³ twenty golden crowns.

               Why, love forswore¹⁵⁴ me in my mother’s womb,

155

155         And, for¹⁵⁵ I should not deal in her soft laws,

               She did corrupt frail nature with some bribe,

               To shrink mine arm up like a withered shrub,

               To make an envious¹⁵⁸ mountain on my back,

               Where sits deformity to mock my body;

160

160         To shape my legs of an unequal size,

               To disproportion me in every part,

               Like to a chaos¹⁶² or an unlicked bear-whelp,

               That carries no impression¹⁶³ like the dam.

               And am I then a man to be beloved?

165

165         O, monstrous¹⁶⁵ fault, to harbour such a thought.

               Then, since this earth affords no joy to me,

               But to command, to check,¹⁶⁷ to o’erbear such

               As are of better person¹⁶⁸ than myself,

               I’ll make my heaven to dream upon the crown,

170

170         And whiles I live, t’account¹⁷⁰ this world but hell,

               Until my misshaped trunk¹⁷¹ that bears this head

               Be round impalèd¹⁷² with a glorious crown.

               And yet I know not how to get the crown,

               For many lives stand between me and home,¹⁷⁴

175

175         And I — like one lost in a thorny wood,

               That rents¹⁷⁶ the thorns and is rent with the thorns,

               Seeking a way and straying from the way,

               Not knowing how to find the open air,

               But toiling desperately to find it out —

180

180         Torment myself to catch¹⁸⁰ the English crown:

               And from that torment I will free myself,

               Or hew my way out with a bloody axe.

               Why, I can smile, and murder whiles I smile,

               And cry ‘Content’ to that which grieves my heart,

185

185         And wet my cheeks with artificial tears,

               And frame¹⁸⁶ my face to all occasions.

               I’ll drown more sailors than the mermaid¹⁸⁷ shall,

               I’ll slay more gazers than the basilisk,¹⁸⁸

               I’ll play the orator as well as Nestor,¹⁸⁹

190

190         Deceive more slyly than Ulysses¹⁹⁰ could,

               And, like a Sinon,¹⁹¹ take another Troy.

               I can add colours to the chameleon,

               Change shapes with Proteus¹⁹³ for advantages,

               And set¹⁹⁴ the murderous Machevil to school.

195

195         Can I do this, and cannot get a crown?

               Tut, were it further off, I’ll pluck it down.

       Exit

[Act 3 Scene 3]3.3

running scene 8

       Flourish. Enter Lewis the French King, his sister Bona, his Admiral called Bourbon, Prince Edward, Queen Margaret and the Earl of Oxford. Lewis sits and riseth up again

KING LEWIS

KING LEWIS     Fair Queen of England, worthy Margaret,

               Sit down with us. It ill befits thy state²

               And birth, that thou shouldst stand while Lewis doth sit.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET     No, mighty King of France: now Margaret

5

5             Must strike her sail⁵ and learn awhile to serve

               Where kings command. I was, I must confess,

               Great Albion’s⁷ queen in former golden days,

               But now mischance⁸ hath trod my title down

               And with dishonour laid me on the ground,

10

10           Where I must take like seat unto¹⁰ my fortune,

               And to my humble seat conform myself.

KING LEWIS

KING LEWIS     Why, say, fair queen, whence springs this deep despair?

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET From such a cause as fills mine eyes with tears

               And stops my tongue, while heart is drowned in cares.

15

15   

KING LEWIS

KING LEWIS           Whate’er it be,¹⁵ be thou still like thyself,

               And sit thee by our side:

       Seats her by him

               Yield not thy neck

               To fortune’s yoke, but let thy dauntless mind

               Still ride in triumph over all mischance.

               Be plain, Queen Margaret, and tell thy grief:

20

20           It shall be eased, if France²⁰ can yield relief.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Those gracious words revive my drooping thoughts

               And give my tongue-tied sorrows leave to speak.

               Now therefore be it known to noble Lewis,

               That Henry, sole possessor of my love,

25

25           Is, of²⁵ a king, become a banished man,

               And forced to live in Scotland a forlorn;²⁶

               While proud ambitious Edward, Duke of York,

               Usurps the regal title and the seat

               Of England’s true-anointed lawful king.

30

30           This is the cause that I, poor Margaret,

               With this my son, Prince Edward, Henry’s heir,

               Am come to crave thy just and lawful aid.

               And if thou fail us, all our hope is done.

               Scotland hath will to help, but cannot help,

35

35           Our people and our peers are both misled,

               Our treasures seized, our soldiers put to flight,

               And, as thou see’st, ourselves in heavy³⁷ plight.

KING LEWIS

KING LEWIS     Renownèd queen, with patience calm the storm,³⁸

               While we bethink a means to break it off.

40

40   

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET The more we stay,⁴⁰ the stronger grows our foe.

KING LEWIS

KING LEWIS     The more I stay,⁴¹ the more I’ll succour thee.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET O, but impatience waiteth on⁴² true sorrow.

               And see where comes the breeder of my sorrow!

       Enter Warwick

KING LEWIS

KING LEWIS     What’s he approacheth boldly to our presence?

45

45   

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Our Earl of Warwick, Edward’s greatest friend.

KING LEWIS

KING LEWIS     Welcome, brave Warwick, What brings thee to France?

       He descends. She ariseth

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Ay, now begins a second storm to rise,

               For this is he that moves both wind and tide.

WARWICK

WARWICK     From worthy Edward, King of Albion,

50

50           My lord and sovereign, and thy vowèd friend,

               I come, in kindness and unfeignèd love,

               First, to do greetings to thy royal person,

               And then to crave a league of amity,

               And lastly, to confirm that amity

55

55           With nuptial knot, if thou vouchsafe⁵⁵ to grant

               That virtuous Lady Bona, thy fair sister,

               To England’s king in lawful marriage.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET If that go forward, Henry’s hope is done. Aside?

WARWICK

WARWICK     And, gracious madam, in⁵⁹ our king’s behalf,

       Speaking to Bona

60

60           I am commanded, with your leave and favour,

               Humbly to kiss your hand, and with my tongue

               To tell the passion of my sovereign’s heart;

               Where fame,⁶³ late ent’ring at his heedful ears,

               Hath placed thy beauty’s image and thy virtue.

65

65   

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET King Lewis and Lady Bona, hear me speak,

               Before you answer Warwick. His demand

               Springs not from Edward’s well-meant honest love,

               But from deceit bred by necessity.

               For how can tyrants⁶⁹ safely govern home,

70

70           Unless abroad they purchase great alliance?

               To prove him tyrant this reason may suffice,

               That Henry liveth still: but were he dead,

               Yet here Prince Edward stands, King Henry’s son.

               Look,⁷⁴ therefore, Lewis, that by this league and marriage

75

75           Thou draw⁷⁵ not on thy danger and dishonour,

               For though usurpers sway the rule⁷⁶ awhile,

               Yet heav’ns are just, and time suppresseth wrongs.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Injurious⁷⁸ Margaret.

PRINCE EDWARD

PRINCE EDWARD And why not queen?

80

80   

WARWICK

WARWICK           Because thy father Henry did usurp,

               And thou no more art prince than she is queen.

OXFORD

OXFORD     Then Warwick disannuls⁸² great John of Gaunt,

               Which⁸³ did subdue the greatest part of Spain;

               And, after John of Gaunt, Henry the Fourth,

85

85           Whose wisdom was a mirror⁸⁵ to the wisest,

               And after that wise prince, Henry the Fifth,

               Who by his prowess conquerèd all France:

               From these our Henry lineally descends.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Oxford, how haps⁸⁹ it, in this smooth discourse,

90

90           You told not how Henry the Sixth hath lost

               All that which Henry Fifth had gotten?

               Methinks these peers of France should smile at that.

               But for the rest, you tell⁹³ a pedigree

               Of threescore⁹⁴ and two years, a silly time

95

95           To make prescription⁹⁵ for a kingdom’s worth.

OXFORD

OXFORD     Why, Warwick, canst thou speak against thy liege,

               Whom thou obeyed’st thirty-and-six years,⁹⁷

               And not bewray⁹⁸ thy treason with a blush?

WARWICK

WARWICK     Can Oxford, that did ever fence⁹⁹ the right,

100

100         Now buckler¹⁰⁰ falsehood with a pedigree?

               For shame, leave Henry and call Edward king.

OXFORD

OXFORD     Call him my king by whose injurious doom¹⁰²

               My elder brother, the lord Aubrey Vere,¹⁰³

               Was done to death? And more than so,¹⁰⁴ my father,

105

105         Even in the downfall¹⁰⁵ of his mellowed years,

               When nature brought him to the door of death?

               No, Warwick, no: while life upholds this arm,

               This arm upholds the House of Lancaster.

WARWICK

WARWICK     And I the House of York.

110

110 

KING LEWIS

KING LEWIS             Queen Margaret, Prince Edward, and Oxford,

               Vouchsafe, at our request, to stand aside,

               While I use¹¹² further conference with Warwick.

       They stand aloof

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Heavens grant that Warwick’s words bewitch him not.

KING LEWIS

KING LEWIS     Now Warwick, tell me, even¹¹⁴ upon thy conscience,

115

115         Is Edward your true king? For I were loath

               To link with him that were not lawful chosen.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Thereon I pawn¹¹⁷ my credit and mine honour.

KING LEWIS

KING LEWIS     But is he gracious¹¹⁸ in the people’s eye?

WARWICK

WARWICK     The more that¹¹⁹ Henry was unfortunate.

120

120 

KING LEWIS

KING LEWIS             Then further, all dissembling¹²⁰ set aside,

               Tell me for truth¹²¹ the measure of his love

               Unto our sister Bona.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Such it seems

               As may beseem¹²⁴ a monarch like himself.

125

125         Myself have often heard him say and swear

               That this his love was an external¹²⁶ plant,

               Whereof the root was fixed in virtue’s ground,

               The leaves and fruit maintained with beauty’s sun,

               Exempt from envy,¹²⁹ but not from disdain,

130

130         Unless the lady Bona quit¹³⁰ his pain.

KING LEWIS

KING LEWIS     Now, sister, let us hear your firm resolve.

BONA

BONA     Your grant,¹³² or your denial, shall be mine.—

               Yet I confess that often ere this day,

       Speaks to Warwick

               When I have heard your king’s desert¹³⁴ recounted,

135

135         Mine ear hath tempted judgement to desire.

KING LEWIS

KING LEWIS     Then, Warwick, thus: our sister shall be Edward’s.

               And now forthwith shall articles¹³⁷ be drawn

               Touching¹³⁸ the jointure that your king must make,

               Which with her dowry shall be counterpoised.¹³⁹—

140

140         Draw near, Queen Margaret, and be a witness

               That Bona shall be wife to the English king.

PRINCE EDWARD

PRINCE EDWARD To Edward, but not to the English king.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Deceitful Warwick, it was thy device¹⁴³

               By this alliance to make void my suit.

145

145         Before thy coming Lewis was Henry’s friend.

KING LEWIS

KING LEWIS     And still is friend to him and Margaret.

               But if your title to the crown be weak,

               As may appear by Edward’s good success,¹⁴⁸

               Then ’tis but reason that I be released

150

150         From giving aid which late¹⁵⁰ I promisèd.

               Yet shall you have all kindness at my hand

               That your estate¹⁵² requires and mine can yield.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Henry now lives in Scotland at his ease,

               Where having nothing, nothing can he lose.

155

155         And as for you yourself, our quondam¹⁵⁵ queen,

               You have a father able to maintain you,

               And better ’twere you troubled him than France.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Peace, impudent and shameless Warwick,

               Proud setter-up and puller-down of kings.

160

160         I will not hence,¹⁶⁰ till with my talk and tears —

               Both full of truth — I make King Lewis behold

               Thy sly conveyance¹⁶² and thy lord’s false love,

       Post blowing a horn within

               For both of you are birds of selfsame feather.

KING LEWIS

KING LEWIS     Warwick, this is some post to us or thee.

       Enter the Post

165

165 

POST

POST             My lord ambassador, these letters are for you,

       Speaks to Warwick

               Sent from your brother, Marquis Montague.—

               These from our king unto your majesty.—

       To Lewis

               And, madam, these for you, from whom I know not.

       To Margaret

       They all read their letters

OXFORD

OXFORD     I like it well that our fair queen and mistress

170

170         Smiles at her news, while Warwick frowns at his.

PRINCE EDWARD

PRINCE EDWARD Nay, mark how Lewis stamps, as¹⁷¹ he were nettled.

               I hope all’s for the best.

KING LEWIS

KING LEWIS     Warwick, what are thy news?— And yours, fair queen?

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Mine, such as fill my heart with unhoped¹⁷⁴ joys.

175

175 

WARWICK

WARWICK             Mine, full of sorrow and heart’s discontent.

KING LEWIS

KING LEWIS     What? Has your king married the Lady Grey?

               And now, to soothe¹⁷⁷ your forgery and his,

               Sends me a paper to persuade me patience?

               Is this th’alliance that he seeks with France?

180

180         Dare he presume to scorn¹⁸⁰ us in this manner?

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET I told your majesty as much before:

               This proveth Edward’s love and Warwick’s honesty.

WARWICK

WARWICK     King Lewis, I here protest, in sight of heaven

               And by the hope I have of heavenly bliss,

185

185         That I am clear from¹⁸⁵ this misdeed of Edward’s,

               No more my king, for he dishonours me,

               But most himself, if he could see his shame.

               Did I forget that by the house of York

               My father came untimely¹⁸⁹ to his death?

190

190         Did I let pass th’abuse¹⁹⁰ done to my niece?

               Did I impale him¹⁹¹ with the regal crown?

               Did I put¹⁹² Henry from his native right?

               And am I guerdoned¹⁹³ at the last with shame?

               Shame on himself, for my desert¹⁹⁴ is honour.

195

195         And to repair my honour lost for him,

               I here renounce him and return to Henry.—

               My noble queen, let former grudges pass,

               And henceforth I am thy true servitor.¹⁹⁸

               I will revenge his wrong to Lady Bona,

200

200         And replant Henry in his former state.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Warwick, these words have turned my hate to love,

               And I forgive and quite forget old faults,

               And joy²⁰³ that thou becom’st King Henry’s friend.

WARWICK

WARWICK     So much his friend, ay, his unfeignèd²⁰⁴ friend,

205

205         That, if King Lewis vouchsafe to furnish²⁰⁵ us

               With some few bands²⁰⁶ of chosen soldiers,

               I’ll undertake to land them on our coast

               And force the tyrant from his seat by war.

               ’Tis not his new-made bride shall succour him.

210

210         And as for Clarence, as my letters tell me,

               He’s very likely now to fall from²¹¹ him

               For matching²¹² more for wanton lust than honour,

               Or than for strength and safety of our country.

BONA

BONA     Dear brother, how shall Bona be revenged

215

215         But by thy help to this distressèd queen?

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Renowned prince, how shall poor Henry live,

               Unless thou rescue him from foul despair?

BONA

BONA     My quarrel and this English queen’s are one.

WARWICK

WARWICK     And mine, fair Lady Bona, joins with yours.

220

220 

KING LEWIS

KING LEWIS             And mine with hers, and thine, and Margaret’s.

               Therefore at last I firmly am resolved

               You shall have aid.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Let me give humble thanks for all at once.

KING LEWIS

KING LEWIS     Then, England’s messenger, return in post²²⁴

225

225         And tell false Edward, thy supposèd king,

               That Lewis of France is sending over masquers²²⁶

               To revel it with him and his new bride.

               Thou see’st what’s passed,²²⁸ go fear thy king withal.

BONA

BONA     Tell him, in hope he’ll prove a widower shortly,

230

230         I’ll wear the willow garland²³⁰ for his sake.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Tell him, my mourning weeds²³¹ are laid aside,

               And I am ready to put armour on.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Tell him from me that he hath done me wrong,

               And therefore I’ll uncrown him ere’t be²³⁴ long.

235

235         There’s thy reward.²³⁵ Be gone. Gives money

       Exit Post

KING LEWIS

KING LEWIS     But, Warwick,

               Thou and Oxford, with five thousand men

               Shall cross the seas, and bid²³⁸ false Edward battle.

               And, as occasion²³⁹ serves, this noble queen

240

240         And prince shall follow with a fresh supply.²⁴⁰

               Yet, ere thou go, but answer me one doubt:

               What pledge have we of thy firm loyalty?

WARWICK

WARWICK     This shall assure my constant loyalty,

               That if our queen and this young prince agree,

245

245         I’ll join mine eldest daughter²⁴⁵ and my joy

               To him forthwith in holy wedlock bands.²⁴⁶

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Yes, I agree, and thank you for your motion.²⁴⁷—

               Son Edward, she is fair and virtuous:

               Therefore delay not, give thy hand to Warwick,

250

250         And, with thy hand, thy faith irrevocable,

               That only Warwick’s daughter shall be thine.

PRINCE EDWARD

PRINCE EDWARD Yes, I accept her, for she well deserves it.

               And here, to pledge my vow, I give my hand.

       He gives his hand to Warwick

KING LEWIS

KING LEWIS     Why stay we now? These soldiers shall be levied.—

255

255         And thou, Lord Bourbon, our High Admiral,

               Shall waft²⁵⁶ them over with our royal fleet.

               I long till Edward fall by war’s mischance,

               For mocking marriage with a dame of France.

       Exeunt. Warwick remains

WARWICK

WARWICK     I came from Edward as ambassador,

260

260         But I return his sworn and mortal foe:

               Matter of marriage was the charge he gave me,

               But dreadful war shall answer his demand.

               Had he none else to make a stale²⁶³ but me?

               Then none but I shall turn his jest to sorrow.

265

265         I was the chief that raised him to the crown,

               And I’ll be chief to bring him down again,

               Not that I pity Henry’s misery,

               But seek revenge on Edward’s mockery.

       Exit

[Act 4 Scene 1]4.1

running scene 9

       Enter Richard [of Gloucester], Clarence, Somerset and Montague

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Now tell me, brother Clarence, what think you

               Of this new marriage with the lady Grey?

               Hath not our brother made a worthy choice?

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     Alas, you know, ’tis far from hence to France.

5

5             How could he stay⁵ till Warwick made return?

SOMERSET

SOMERSET     My lords, forbear this talk: here comes the king.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     And his well-chosen bride.

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     I mind⁸ to tell him plainly what I think.

       Flourish. Enter King Edward, Lady Grey [now Queen Elizabeth], Pembroke, Stafford,

       Hastings: four stand on one side and four on the other

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Now, brother of Clarence, how like you our choice,

10

10           That you stand pensive, as half malcontent?¹⁰

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     As well as Lewis of France, or the Earl of Warwick,

               Which¹² are so weak of courage and in judgement

               That they’ll take no offence at our abuse.¹³

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Suppose they take offence without a cause:

15

15           They are but Lewis and Warwick. I am Edward,

               Your king and Warwick’s, and must have my will.¹⁶

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     And shall have your will, because our king.

               Yet hasty marriage seldom proveth well.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Yea, brother Richard, are you offended too?

20

20   

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER           Not I, no:

               God forbid that I should wish them severed

               Whom God hath joined together. Ay, and ’twere pity

               To sunder them that yoke²³ so well together.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Setting your scorns and your mislike²⁴ aside,

25

25           Tell me some reason why the lady Grey

               Should not become my wife and England’s queen.—

               And you too, Somerset and Montague,

               Speak freely what you think.

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     Then this is mine opinion: that King Lewis

30

30           Becomes your enemy, for mocking him

               About the marriage of the lady Bona.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     And Warwick, doing what you gave in charge,³²

               Is now dishonoured by this new marriage.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV What if both Lewis and Warwick be appeased

35

35           By such invention³⁵ as I can devise?

MONTAGUE

MONTAGUE     Yet, to have joined with France in such alliance

               Would more have strengthened this our commonwealth

               Gainst foreign storms than any home-bred marriage.

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     Why, knows not Montague that of itself

40

40           England is safe, if true⁴⁰ within itself?

MONTAGUE

MONTAGUE     But the safer when ’tis backed with France.

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     ’Tis better using France than trusting France.

               Let us be backed with God and with the seas

               Which he hath given for fence⁴⁴ impregnable,

45

45           And with their helps only⁴⁵ defend ourselves.

               In them, and in ourselves, our safety lies.

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     For this one speech, Lord Hastings well deserves

               To have⁴⁸ the heir of the lord Hungerford.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Ay, what of that? It was my will and grant,

50

50           And for this once my will shall stand for law.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     And yet methinks your grace hath not done well,

               To give the heir⁵² and daughter of Lord Scales

               Unto the brother of your loving bride;

               She better would have fitted me or Clarence,

55

55           But in your bride you bury⁵⁵ brotherhood.

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     Or else you would not have bestowed the heir

               Of the lord Bonville on your new wife’s son,⁵⁷

               And leave your brothers to go speed⁵⁸ elsewhere.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Alas, poor Clarence, is it for a wife

60

60           That thou art malcontent? I will provide thee.

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     In choosing for yourself, you showed your judgement,

               Which being shallow, you shall give me leave

               To play the broker⁶³ in mine own behalf.

               And to that end, I shortly mind⁶⁴ to leave you.

65

65   

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Leave me, or tarry,⁶⁵ Edward will be king,

               And not be tied unto his brother’s will.

LADY GREY

LADY GREY     My lords, before it pleased his majesty

               To raise my state to title of a queen,

               Do me but right, and you must all confess

70

70           That I was not ignoble of descent,

               And meaner⁷¹ than myself have had like fortune.

               But as this title honours me and mine,

               So your dislikes,⁷³ to whom I would be pleasing,

               Doth cloud my joys with danger⁷⁴ and with sorrow.

75

75   

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV My love, forbear to fawn⁷⁵ upon their frowns.

               What danger or what sorrow can befall thee,

               So long as Edward is thy constant friend,⁷⁷

               And their true sovereign, whom they must obey?

               Nay, whom they shall obey, and love thee too,

80

80           Unless they seek for hatred at my hands,

               Which if they do, yet will I keep thee safe,

               And they shall feel the vengeance of my wrath.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     I hear, yet say not much, but think the more. Aside

       Enter a Post

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Now, messenger, what letters or what news From France?

85

85   

POST

POST           My sovereign liege, no letters, and few words,

               But such as I, without your special pardon,

               Dare not relate.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Go to,⁸⁸ we pardon thee: therefore, in brief,

               Tell me their words as near as thou canst guess⁸⁹ them.

90

90           What answer makes King Lewis unto our letters?

POST

POST     At my depart, these were his very words:

               ‘Go tell false Edward, thy supposèd king,

               That Lewis of France is sending over masquers

               To revel it with him and his new bride.’

95

95   

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Is Lewis so brave?⁹⁵ Belike he thinks me Henry.

               But what said Lady Bona to my marriage?

POST

POST     These were her words, uttered with mild disdain:

               ‘Tell him, in hope he’ll prove a widower shortly,

               I’ll wear the willow garland for his sake.’

100

100 

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV I blame not her; she could say little less.

               She had the wrong.— But what said Henry’s queen?

               For I have heard that she was there in place.¹⁰²

POST

POST     ‘Tell him’, quoth she, ‘my mourning weeds are done,¹⁰³

               And I am ready to put armour on.’

105

105 

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Belike she minds to play the Amazon.¹⁰⁵

               But what said Warwick to these injuries?¹⁰⁶

POST

POST     He, more incensed against your majesty

               Than all the rest, discharged¹⁰⁸ me with these words:

               ‘Tell him from me that he hath done me wrong,

110

110         And therefore I’ll uncrown him ere’t be long.’

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Ha? Durst the traitor breathe out so proud words?

               Well, I will arm me, being thus forewarned.

               They shall have wars and pay for their presumption.—

               But say, is Warwick friends with Margaret?

115

115 

POST

POST             Ay, gracious sovereign, they are so linked in friendship

               That young Prince Edward marries Warwick’s daughter.

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     Belike¹¹⁷ the elder; Clarence will have the younger.— Aside

               Now, brother king, farewell, and sit you fast,¹¹⁸

               For I will hence to Warwick’s other daughter,

120

120         That, though I want¹²⁰ a kingdom, yet in marriage

               I may not prove inferior to yourself.

               You that love me and Warwick, follow me.

       Exit Clarence, and Somerset follows

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Not I. Aside

               My thoughts aim at a further matter:

125

125         I stay not for the love of Edward, but the crown.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Clarence and Somerset both gone to Warwick!

               Yet am I armed against the worst can happen,

               And haste is needful¹²⁸ in this desp’rate case.—

               Pembroke and Stafford, you in our behalf

130

130         Go levy men, and make prepare¹³⁰ for war;

               They are already, or quickly will be landed.

               Myself in person will straight¹³² follow you.

       Exeunt Pembroke and Stafford

               But, ere I go, Hastings and Montague,

               Resolve my doubt. You twain,¹³⁴ of all the rest,

135

135         Are near to Warwick by blood and by alliance:

               Tell me if you love Warwick more than me?

               If it be so, then both depart to him.

               I rather wish you foes than hollow¹³⁸ friends.

               But if you mind to hold your true obedience,

140

140         Give me assurance with some friendly vow,

               That I may never have you in suspect.¹⁴¹

MONTAGUE

MONTAGUE     So God help Montague as he proves true.

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     And Hastings as he favours Edward’s cause.

KING EDWARD

KING EDWARD IV Now, brother Richard, will you stand by us?

145

145 

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER             Ay, in despite of all that shall withstand¹⁴⁵ you.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Why, so. Then am I sure of victory.

               Now therefore let us hence, and lose no hour

               Till we meet Warwick with his foreign power.¹⁴⁸

       Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 2]4.2

running scene 10

       Enter Warwick and Oxford in England, with French Soldiers

WARWICK

WARWICK     Trust me, my lord, all hitherto¹ goes well.

               The common people by numbers swarm to us.

       Enter Clarence and Somerset

               But see where Somerset and Clarence comes.

               Speak suddenly,⁴ my lords, are we all friends?

5

5     

CLARENCE

CLARENCE         Fear not that, my lord.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Then, gentle Clarence, welcome unto Warwick.—

               And welcome, Somerset. I hold it cowardice

               To rest⁸ mistrustful where a noble heart

               Hath pawned⁹ an open hand in sign of love;

10

10           Else might I think that Clarence, Edward’s brother,

               Were but a feignèd friend to our proceedings.¹¹

               But welcome, sweet Clarence, my daughter shall be thine.

               And now what rests but, in night’s coverture,¹³

               Thy brother being carelessly¹⁴ encamped,

15

15           His soldiers lurking¹⁵ in the towns about,

               And but¹⁶ attended by a simple guard,

               We may surprise¹⁷ and take him at our pleasure?

               Our scouts have found the¹⁸ adventure very easy,

               That as Ulysses¹⁹ and stout Diomede

20

20           With sleight and manhood stole to Rhesus’ tents,

               And brought from thence the Thracian fatal steeds,

               So we, well covered with the night’s black mantle,

               At unawares²³ may beat down Edward’s guard

               And seize himself. I say not, slaughter him,

25

25           For I intend but only to surprise him.

               You that will follow me to this attempt,

               Applaud the name of Henry with your leader.

       They all cry, ‘Henry!’

               Why, then, let’s on our way in silent sort,²⁸

               For Warwick and his friends, God and Saint George!

       Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 3]*

running scene 11

       Enter three Watchmen to guard the King’s tent

FIRST WATCHMAN

FIRST WATCHMAN Come on, my¹ masters, each man take his stand.

               The king by this² is set him down to sleep.

SECOND WATCHMAN

SECOND WATCHMAN What, will he not to bed?

FIRST WATCHMAN

FIRST WATCHMAN Why, no, for he hath made a solemn vow

5

5             Never to lie and take his natural rest

               Till Warwick or himself be quite suppressed.

SECOND WATCHMAN

SECOND WATCHMAN Tomorrow then belike shall be the day,

               If Warwick be so near as men report.

THIRD WATCHMAN

THIRD WATCHMAN But say, I pray, what nobleman is that

10

10           That with the king here resteth in his tent?

FIRST WATCHMAN

FIRST WATCHMAN ’Tis the lord Hastings, the king’s chiefest friend.

THIRD WATCHMAN

THIRD WATCHMAN O, is it so? But why commands the king

               That his chief followers lodge in towns about¹³ him,

               While he himself keeps¹⁴ in the cold field?

15

15   

SECOND WATCHMAN

SECOND WATCHMAN ’Tis the more honour, because more dangerous.

THIRD WATCHMAN

THIRD WATCHMAN Ay, but give me worship¹⁶ and quietness.

               I like it better than a dangerous honour.

               If Warwick knew in what estate¹⁸ he stands,

               ’Tis to be doubted¹⁹ he would waken him.

20

20   

FIRST WATCHMAN

FIRST WATCHMAN Unless our halberds²⁰ did shut up his passage.

SECOND WATCHMAN

SECOND WATCHMAN Ay, wherefore²¹ else guard we his royal tent,

               But to defend his person from night-foes?

       Enter Warwick, Clarence, Oxford, Somerset and French Soldiers, silent all

WARWICK

WARWICK     This is his tent, and see where stand his guard.

               Courage, my masters: honour now or never:

25

25           But²⁵ follow me, and Edward shall be ours.

FIRST WATCHMAN

FIRST WATCHMAN Who goes there?

SECOND WATCHMAN

SECOND WATCHMAN Stay, or thou diest!

       Warwick and the rest cry all, ‘Warwick! Warwick!’ and set upon the guard, who fly, crying, ‘Arm! Arm!’ Warwick and the rest following them. The Drum playing and Trumpet sounding, enter Warwick, Somerset and the rest bringing the King [Edward] out in his gown, sitting in a chair. Richard and Hastings fly over the stage

SOMERSET

SOMERSET     What²⁸ are they that fly there?

WARWICK

WARWICK     Richard and Hastings. Let them go. Here is

30

30           The duke.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV The duke? Why, Warwick, when we parted,

               Thou called’st me king.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Ay, but the case is altered.

               When you disgraced me in my embassade,³⁴

35

35           Then I degraded³⁵ you from being king,

               And come now to create you Duke of York.

               Alas, how should you govern any kingdom,

               That know not how to use ambassadors,

               Nor how to be contented with one wife,

40

40           Nor how to use your brothers brotherly,

               Nor how to study for the people’s welfare,

               Nor how to shroud yourself from enemies?

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Yea, brother of Clarence, art thou here too?

               Nay, then I see that Edward needs must down.⁴⁴—

45

45           Yet, Warwick, in despite of all mischance,

               Of thee thyself and all thy complices,⁴⁶

               Edward will always bear himself as king.

               Though fortune’s malice overthrow my state,⁴⁸

               My mind exceeds the compass⁴⁹ of her wheel.

50

50   

WARWICK

WARWICK           Then, for his mind, be Edward England’s king,

       Takes off his crown

               But Henry now shall wear the English crown,

               And be true king indeed, thou but the shadow.—

               My lord of Somerset, at my request,

               See that forthwith Duke Edward be conveyed

55

55           Unto my brother, Archbishop of York.

               When I have fought with Pembroke and his fellows,

               I’ll follow you, and tell what answer

               Lewis and the lady Bona send to him.—

               Now, for awhile farewell, good Duke of York.

       They lead him out forcibly

60

60   

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV What fates impose, that men must needs abide;⁶⁰

               It boots not⁶¹ to resist both wind and tide.

       Exeunt [all but Oxford and Warwick]

OXFORD

OXFORD     What now remains, my lords, for us to do

               But march to London with our soldiers?

WARWICK

WARWICK     Ay, that’s the first thing that we have to do,

65

65           To free King Henry from imprisonment

               And see him seated in the regal throne.

       Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 4]4.4

running scene 12

       Enter Rivers and Lady Grey [Queen Elizabeth]

RIVERS

RIVERS     Madam, what makes¹ you in this sudden change?

LADY GREY

LADY GREY     Why brother Rivers, are you yet to learn

               What late misfortune is befall’n King Edward?

RIVERS

RIVERS     What? Loss of some pitched⁴ battle against Warwick?

5

5     

LADY GREY

LADY GREY         No, but the loss of his own royal person.

RIVERS

RIVERS     Then is my sovereign slain?

LADY GREY

LADY GREY     Ay, almost slain, for he is taken prisoner,

               Either betrayed by falsehood⁸ of his guard

               Or by his foe surprised at⁹ unawares.

10

10           And as I further have to understand,

               Is new committed to¹¹ the Bishop of York,

               Fell¹² Warwick’s brother and by that our foe.

RIVERS

RIVERS     These news I must confess are full of grief,

               Yet, gracious madam, bear it as you may,

15

15           Warwick may lose, that now hath won the day.

LADY GREY

LADY GREY     Till then fair hope must hinder¹⁶ life’s decay.

               And I the rather wean me from despair

               For love of Edward’s offspring in my womb.

               This is it that makes me bridle¹⁹ passion

20

20           And bear with mildness my misfortune’s cross.

               Ay, ay, for this I draw in many a tear

               And stop the rising of blood-sucking sighs,²²

               Lest with my sighs or tears I blast²³ or drown

               King Edward’s fruit, true heir to th’English crown.

25

25   

RIVERS

RIVERS     But, madam, where²⁵ is Warwick then become?

LADY GREY

LADY GREY     I am informed that he comes towards London,

               To set the crown once more on Henry’s head.

               Guess thou the rest: King Edward’s friends must down.²⁸

               But, to prevent the tyrant’s²⁹ violence —

30

30           For trust not him that hath once broken faith —

               I’ll hence forthwith unto the sanctuary,³¹

               To save at least the heir of Edward’s right.³²

               There shall I rest secure³³ from force and fraud.

               Come, therefore, let us fly while we may fly.

35

35           If Warwick take us we are sure to die.

       Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 5]4.5

running scene 13

       Enter Richard, Lord Hastings and Sir William Stanley [with Soldiers]

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Now, my lord Hastings and Sir William Stanley,

               Leave² off to wonder why I drew you hither,

               Into this chiefest³ thicket of the park.

               Thus stands the case:⁴ you know our king, my brother,

5

5             Is prisoner to the bishop here, at whose hands

               He hath good usage⁶ and great liberty,

               And, often but⁷ attended with weak guard,

               Comes hunting this way to disport⁸ himself.

               I have advertised⁹ him by secret means

10

10           That if about this hour he make this way

               Under the colour¹¹ of his usual game,

               He shall here find his friends with horse and men

               To set him free from his captivity.

       Enter King Edward and a Huntsman with him

HUNTSMAN

HUNTSMAN     This way, my lord, for this way lies the game.¹⁴

15

15   

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Nay, this way, man. See where the huntsmen stand.—

               Now, brother of Gloucester, Lord Hastings and the rest,

               Stand you thus close,¹⁷ to steal the bishop’s deer?

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Brother, the time and case requireth haste.

               Your horse stands ready at the park-corner.

20

20   

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV But whither shall we then?

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     To Lynn,²¹ my lord,

               And shipped from thence to Flanders.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Well guessed, believe me, for that was my meaning.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Stanley, I will requite²⁴ thy forwardness.

25

25   

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER           But wherefore stay we? ’Tis no time to talk.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Huntsman, what say’st thou? Wilt thou go along?

HUNTSMAN

HUNTSMAN     Better do so than tarry and be hanged.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Come then, away. Let’s ha’ no more ado.²⁸

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Bishop, farewell. Shield thee from Warwick’s frown,

30

30           And pray that I may repossess the crown.

       Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 6]*

running scene 14

       Flourish. Enter King Henry the Sixth, Clarence, Warwick, Somerset, young Henry of Richmond], Oxford, Montague and Lieutenant

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Master lieutenant, now that God and friends

               Have shaken Edward from the regal seat,

               And turned my captive state to liberty,

               My fear to hope, my sorrows unto joys,

5

5             At our enlargement⁵ what are thy due fees?

LIEUTENANT

LIEUTENANT     Subjects may challenge⁶ nothing of their sov’reigns,

               But if an humble prayer may prevail,

               I then crave pardon of your majesty.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI For what, lieutenant? For well using me?

10

10           Nay, be thou sure I’ll well requite thy kindness,

               For that¹¹ it made my imprisonment a pleasure.

               Ay, such a pleasure as encagèd birds

               Conceive,¹³ when after many moody thoughts,

               At last, by notes¹⁴ of household harmony,

15

15           They quite forget their loss of liberty.

               But, Warwick, after God, thou set’st me free,

               And chiefly therefore I thank God and thee.

               He was the author,¹⁸ thou the instrument.

               Therefore, that I may conquer fortune’s spite

20

20           By living low,²⁰ where fortune cannot hurt me,

               And that the people of this blessèd land

               May not be punished with my thwarting stars,²²

               Warwick, although my head still wear the crown,

               I here resign my government to thee,

25

25           For thou art fortunate in all thy deeds.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Your grace hath still²⁶ been famed for virtuous

               And now may seem as wise as virtuous,

               By spying²⁸ and avoiding fortune’s malice,

               For few men rightly temper²⁹ with the stars:

30

30           Yet in this one thing let me blame your grace,

               For choosing me when Clarence is in place.³¹

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     No, Warwick, thou art worthy of the sway,³²

               To whom the heav’ns in thy nativity

               Adjudged³⁴ an olive branch and laurel crown,

35

35           As likely to be blest in peace and war.

               And therefore I yield³⁶ thee my free consent.

WARWICK

WARWICK     And I choose Clarence only³⁷ for Protector.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Warwick and Clarence give me both your hands.

               Now join your hands, and with your hands your hearts,

40

40           That no dissension⁴⁰ hinder government.

               I make you both protectors of this land,

               While I myself will lead a private life

               And in devotion⁴³ spend my latter days,

               To sin’s rebuke and my creator’s praise.

45

45   

WARWICK

WARWICK           What answers Clarence to his sovereign’s will?

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     That he consents, if Warwick yield consent,

               For on thy fortune I repose myself.⁴⁷

WARWICK

WARWICK     Why, then, though loath, yet must I be content.

               We’ll yoke⁴⁹ together, like a double shadow

50

50           To Henry’s body, and supply⁵⁰ his place,

               I mean, in bearing weight of government,

               While he enjoys the honour and his ease.

               And, Clarence, now then it is more than needful

               Forthwith that Edward be pronounced a traitor,

55

55           And all his lands and goods be confiscate.

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     What else?⁵⁶ And that succession be determinèd.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Ay, therein Clarence⁵⁷ shall not want his part.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI But, with the first of all your chief affairs,

               Let me entreat, for I command no more,

60

60           That Margaret your queen and my son Edward

               Be sent for, to return from France with speed.

               For till I see them here, by doubtful⁶² fear

               My joy of liberty is half eclipsed.

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     It shall be done, my sovereign, with all speed.

65

65   

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI My lord of Somerset, what youth is that,

               Of whom you seem to have so tender care?

SOMERSET

SOMERSET     My liege, it is young Henry,⁶⁷ Earl of Richmond.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Come hither, England’s hope.

       Lays his hand on his head

                                                                 If secret powers

               Suggest but truth to my divining⁶⁹ thoughts,

70

70           This pretty⁷⁰ lad will prove our country’s bliss.

               His looks are full of peaceful majesty,

               His head by nature framed to wear a crown,

               His hand to wield a sceptre, and himself

               Likely in time to bless a regal throne.

75

75           Make much of him, my lords, for this is he

               Must help you more than you are hurt by me.

       Enter a Post

WARWICK

WARWICK     What news, my friend?

POST

POST     That Edward is escapèd from your brother,⁷⁸

               And fled, as he hears since, to Burgundy.

80

80   

WARWICK

WARWICK           Unsavoury news! But how made he escape?

POST

POST     He was conveyed⁸¹ by Richard, Duke of Gloucester,

               And the Lord Hastings, who attended⁸² him

               In secret ambush on the forest side

               And from the bishop’s huntsmen rescued him,

85

85           For hunting was his daily exercise.

WARWICK

WARWICK     My brother was too careless of his charge.⁸⁶

               But let us hence, my sovereign, to provide

               A salve⁸⁸ for any sore that may betide.

       Exeunt. Somerset, Richmond and Oxford remain

SOMERSET

SOMERSET     My lord, I like not of this flight of Edward’s,

90

90           For doubtless Burgundy will yield him help,

               And we shall have more wars before’t be long.

               As Henry’s late presaging prophecy

               Did glad my heart with hope of this young Richmond,

               So doth my heart misgive me, in these conflicts

95

95           What may befall him, to his harm and ours:

               Therefore, Lord Oxford, to prevent the worst,

               Forthwith we’ll send him hence to Brittany,

               Till storms be past of civil enmity.

OXFORD

OXFORD     Ay, for if Edward repossess the crown,

100

100         ’Tis like that Richmond with the rest, shall down.

SOMERSET

SOMERSET     It shall be so. He shall to Brittany.

               Come, therefore, let’s about it speedily.

       Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 7]4.7

running scene 15

       Flourish. Enter Edward, Richard, Hastings and Soldiers

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Now, brother Richard, Lord Hastings and the rest,

               Yet thus far fortune maketh us amends,

               And says that once more I shall interchange³

               My wanèd⁴ state for Henry’s regal crown.

5

5             Well have we passed and now repassed the seas

               And brought desirèd help from Burgundy.

               What then remains, we being thus arrived

               From Ravenspurgh⁸ haven before the gates of York,

               But that we enter, as into our dukedom? Hastings knocks

10

10   

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER           The gates made fast?¹⁰ Brother, I like not this,

               For many men that stumble at the threshold

               Are well foretold¹² that danger lurks within.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Tush, man, abodements¹³ must not now affright us.

               By fair or foul means we must enter in,

15

15           For hither will our friends repair¹⁵ to us.

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     My liege, I’ll knock once more to summon them. Knocks

       Enter [above], on the walls, the Mayor of York and his brethren

MAYOR

MAYOR     My lords, we were forewarned of your coming,

               And shut the gates for safety of ourselves;

               For now we owe allegiance unto Henry.

20

20   

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV But, Master Mayor, if Henry be your king,

               Yet Edward, at the least, is Duke of York.

MAYOR

MAYOR     True, my good lord, I know you for no less.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Why, and I challenge²³ nothing but my dukedom,

               As being well content with that alone.

25

25   

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER           But when the fox hath once got²⁵ in his nose, Aside

               He’ll soon find means to make the body follow.

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     Why, Master Mayor, why stand you in a doubt?

               Open the gates, we are King Henry’s friends.

MAYOR

MAYOR     Ay, say you so? The gates shall then be opened.

       He descends [with his brethren]

30

30   

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER           A wise stout³⁰ captain, and soon persuaded.

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     The good old man would fain³¹ that all were well,

               So³² ’twere not long of him. But being entered,

               I doubt not, I, but we shall soon persuade

               Both him and all his brothers unto reason.

       Enter the Mayor and two Aldermen [below]

35

35   

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV So, Master Mayor, these gates must not be shut

               But³⁶ in the night or in the time of war.

               What! Fear not, man, but yield me up the keys.

       Takes his keys

               For Edward will defend the town and thee,

               And all those friends that deign³⁹ to follow me.

       March. Enter Montgomery, with Drum and Soldiers

40

40   

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER           Brother, this is Sir John Montgomery,

               Our trusty friend, unless I be deceived.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Welcome, Sir John. But why come you in arms?

MONTGOMERY

MONTGOMERY To help King Edward in his time of storm,

               As every loyal subject ought to do.

45

45   

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Thanks, good Montgomery, but we now forget⁴⁵

               Our title to the crown and only claim

               Our dukedom, till God please to send the rest.

MONTGOMERY

MONTGOMERY Then fare you well, for I will hence again.

               I came to serve a king and not a duke.—

50

50           Drummer, strike up and let us march away.

       The Drum begins to march

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Nay, stay, Sir John, awhile, and we’ll debate

               By what safe means the crown may be recovered.

MONTGOMERY

MONTGOMERY What talk you of debating? In few words,

               If you’ll not here proclaim yourself our king,

55

55           I’ll leave you to your fortune and be gone

               To keep them back that come to succour you.

               Why shall we fight, if you pretend⁵⁷ no title?

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Why, brother, wherefore stand you⁵⁸ on nice points?

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV When we grow stronger, then we’ll make our claim.

60

60           Till then, ’tis wisdom to conceal our meaning.⁶⁰

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     Away with scrupulous wit,⁶¹ now arms must rule.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     And fearless minds climb soonest unto crowns.

               Brother, we will proclaim you out of hand.⁶³

               The bruit⁶⁴ thereof will bring you many friends.

65

65   

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Then be it as you will, for ’tis my right,

               And Henry but usurps the diadem.

MONTGOMERY

MONTGOMERY Ay, now my sovereign speaketh like himself,

               And now will I be Edward’s champion.⁶⁸

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     Sound trumpet. Edward shall be here proclaimed.

70

70           Come, fellow soldier, make thou proclamation.

       Flourish. Sound⁷⁰

SOLDIER⁷¹

SOLDIER     Reads ‘Edward the Fourth, by the grace of God, King of England and France, and Lord of Ireland, etc.’

MONTGOMERY

MONTGOMERY And whosoe’er gainsays⁷³ King Edward’s right,

               By this I challenge him to single fight.

       Throws down his gauntlet⁷⁴

75

75   

ALL

ALL           Long live Edward the Fourth!

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Thanks, brave⁷⁶ Montgomery, and thanks unto you all.

               If fortune serve me, I’ll requite this kindness.

               Now, for this night, let’s harbour⁷⁸ here in York,

               And when the morning sun shall raise his car⁷⁹

80

80           Above the border of this horizon,

               We’ll forward towards Warwick and his mates;

               For well I wot⁸² that Henry is no soldier.

               Ah, froward⁸³ Clarence, how evil it beseems thee

               To flatter Henry and forsake thy brother!

85

85           Yet, as we may, we’ll meet both thee and Warwick.

               Come on, brave soldiers, doubt not of the day,⁸⁶

               And that once gotten, doubt not of large pay.

       Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 8]*

running scene 16

       Flourish. Enter the King, Warwick, Montague, Clarence, Oxford and Somerset

WARWICK

WARWICK     What counsel, lords? Edward from Belgia,¹

               With hasty² Germans and blunt Hollanders,

               Hath passed in safety through the narrow seas,³

               And with his troops doth march amain⁴ to London,

5

5             And many giddy⁵ people flock to him.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Let’s levy men and beat him back again.

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     A little fire is quickly trodden out,

               Which, being suffered,⁸ rivers cannot quench.

WARWICK

WARWICK     In Warwickshire I have true-hearted friends,

10

10           Not mutinous in peace, yet bold in war.

               Those will I muster up, and thou, son¹¹ Clarence,

               Shalt stir up in Suffolk, Norfolk and in Kent,

               The knights and gentlemen to come with thee.

               Thou, brother Montague, in Buckingham,

15

15           Northampton and in Leicestershire, shalt find

               Men well inclined to hear what thou command’st.

               And thou, brave Oxford, wondrous¹⁷ well beloved,

               In Oxfordshire shalt muster up thy friends.

               My sovereign, with the loving citizens,

20

20           Like to his island girt in with²⁰ the ocean,

               Or modest Dian²¹ circled with her nymphs,

               Shall rest²² in London till we come to him.

               Fair lords, take leave and stand not²³ to reply.

               Farewell, my sovereign.

25

25   

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Farewell, my Hector,²⁵ and my Troy’s true hope.

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     In sign of truth,²⁶ I kiss your highness’ hand.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Well-minded²⁷ Clarence, be thou fortunate.

MONTAGUE

MONTAGUE     Comfort,²⁸ my lord, and so I take my leave.

OXFORD

OXFORD     And thus²⁹ I seal my truth, and bid adieu.

30

30   

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Sweet Oxford, and my loving Montague,

               And all at once,³¹ once more a happy farewell.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Farewell, sweet lords, let’s meet at Coventry.

       Exeunt. [King Henry and Exeter remain]

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Here at the palace will I rest awhile.

               Cousin of Exeter, what thinks your lordship?

35

35           Methinks the power that Edward hath in field

               Should not be able to encounter³⁶ mine.

EXETER

EXETER     The doubt³⁷ is that he will seduce the rest.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI That’s not my fear. My meed³⁸ hath got me fame:

               I have not stopped mine ears to their demands,³⁹

40

40           Nor posted off⁴⁰ their suits with slow delays.

               My pity hath been balm to heal their wounds,

               My mildness hath allayed their swelling griefs,

               My mercy dried their water-flowing tears.

               I have not been desirous of their wealth,

45

45           Nor much oppressed them with great subsidies,⁴⁵

               Nor forward of⁴⁶ revenge, though they much erred.

               Then why should they love Edward more than me?

               No, Exeter, these graces challenge grace,⁴⁸

               And when the lion fawns upon the lamb,

50

50           The lamb will never cease to follow him.

       Shout within, ‘A Lancaster! A Lancaster!’

EXETER

EXETER     Hark, hark, my lord, what shouts are these?

       Enter Edward and his Soldiers

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Seize on the shame-faced⁵² Henry. Bear him hence,

               And once again proclaim us King of England.—

               You are the fount⁵⁴ that makes small brooks to flow:

55

55           Now stops thy spring, my sea shall suck them dry,

               And swell so much the higher by their ebb.⁵⁶—

               Hence with him to the Tower. Let him not speak.

       Exeunt [some] with King Henry

               And, lords, towards Coventry bend⁵⁸ we our course

               Where peremptory⁵⁹ Warwick now remains.

60

60           The sun shines hot, and if we use delay,

               Cold biting winter mars⁶¹ our hoped-for hay.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Away betimes,⁶² before his forces join,

               And take the great-grown traitor unawares.

               Brave warriors, march amain towards Coventry.

       Exeunt

[Act 5 Scene 1]5.1

running scene 17

       Enter Warwick, the Mayor of Coventry, two Messengers and others upon the walls

WARWICK

WARWICK     Where is the post that came from valiant Oxford?

               How far hence is thy lord, mine honest fellow?

FIRST MESSENGER

FIRST MESSENGER By this³ at Dunsmore, marching hitherward.

       [He may exit]

WARWICK

WARWICK     How far off is our brother Montague?

5

5             Where is the post that came from Montague?

SECOND MESSENGER

SECOND MESSENGER By this at Daintry,⁶ with a puissant troop.

       [He may exit]

       Enter Somerville

WARWICK

WARWICK     Say, Somerville, what says my loving son?⁷

               And, by thy guess, how nigh is Clarence now?

SOMERVILLE

SOMERVILLE     At Southam⁹ I did leave him with his forces

10

10           And do expect him here some two hours hence. Drum heard

WARWICK

WARWICK     Then Clarence is at hand, I hear his drum.

SOMERVILLE

SOMERVILLE     It is not his, my lord, here¹² Southam lies.

               The drum your honour hears marcheth from Warwick.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Who should that be? Belike, unlooked-for friends.

15

15   

SOMERVILLE

SOMERVILLE           They are at hand, and you shall quickly know.

       [Exit into the city]

       March. Flourish. Enter Edward, Richard and Soldiers

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Go, trumpet, to the walls, and sound a parle.¹⁶

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     See how the surly¹⁷ Warwick mans the wall.

WARWICK

WARWICK     O, unbid¹⁸ spite, is sportful Edward come?

               Where slept our scouts or how are they seduced,

20

20           That we could hear no news of his repair?²⁰

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Now, Warwick, wilt thou ope the city gates,

               Speak gentle words and humbly bend thy knee?

               Call Edward king and at his hands beg mercy,

               And he shall pardon thee these outrages.

25

25   

WARWICK

WARWICK           Nay, rather, wilt thou draw²⁵ thy forces hence,

               Confess who set thee up and plucked thee down,

               Call Warwick patron²⁷ and be penitent?

               And thou shalt still remain the Duke of York.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     I thought, at least, he would have said the king,

30

30           Or did he make the jest against his will?

WARWICK

WARWICK     Is not a dukedom, sir, a goodly gift?

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Ay, by my faith, for a poor earl³² to give.

               I’ll do thee service for so good a gift.

WARWICK

WARWICK     ’Twas I that gave the kingdom to thy brother.

35

35   

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Why then ’tis mine, if but by Warwick’s gift.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Thou art no Atlas³⁶ for so great a weight,

               And weakling, Warwick takes his gift again,

               And Henry is my king, Warwick his subject.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV But Warwick’s king is Edward’s prisoner.

40

40           And, gallant Warwick, do but answer this:

               What is the body when the head is off?

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Alas, that Warwick had no more forecast,⁴²

               But whiles he thought to steal the single ten,⁴³

               The king was slyly fingered⁴⁴ from the deck.

45

45           You left poor Henry at the bishop’s palace,

               And ten to one you’ll meet him in the Tower.

EDWARD

EDWARD     ’Tis even⁴⁷ so, yet you are Warwick still.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Come, Warwick, take the time,⁴⁸ kneel down, kneel down.

               Nay, when?⁴⁹ Strike now, or else the iron cools.

50

50   

WARWICK

WARWICK           I had rather chop this hand off at a blow,

               And with the other fling it at thy face,

               Than bear so low a sail to strike to thee.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Sail how thou canst, have wind and tide thy friend,

               This hand, fast wound about thy coal-black hair,

55

55           Shall, whiles thy head is warm and new cut off,

               Write in the dust this sentence with thy blood,

               ‘Wind-changing⁵⁷ Warwick now can change no more.’

       Enter Oxford with Drum and Colours

WARWICK

WARWICK     O, cheerful colours, see where Oxford comes!

OXFORD

OXFORD     Oxford, Oxford, for Lancaster! He and his forces enter the city

60

60   

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER           The gates are open, let us enter too.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV So other foes may set⁶¹ upon our backs.

               Stand we in good array,⁶² for they no doubt

               Will issue out again and bid⁶³ us battle;

               If not, the city being but of small defence,⁶⁴

65

65           We’ll quickly rouse⁶⁵ the traitors in the same. Oxford appears on the walls

WARWICK

WARWICK     O, welcome, Oxford, for we want⁶⁶ thy help.

       Enter Montague with Drum and Colours

MONTAGUE

MONTAGUE     Montague, Montague, for Lancaster! He and his forces enter the city

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Thou and thy brother both shall buy⁶⁸ this treason

               Even with the dearest blood your bodies bear.

70

70   

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV The harder matched,⁷⁰ the greater victory.

               My mind presageth⁷¹ happy gain and conquest.

       Enter Somerset with Drum and Colours

SOMERSET

SOMERSET     Somerset, Somerset, for Lancaster! He and his forces enter the city

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Two⁷³ of thy name, both Dukes of Somerset,

               Have sold their lives unto the house of York,

75

75           And thou shalt be the third if this sword hold.

       Enter Clarence with Drum and Colours

WARWICK

WARWICK     And lo, where George of Clarence sweeps along,

               Of force enough to bid his brother battle,

               With whom an upright zeal to right⁷⁸ prevails

               More than the nature⁷⁹ of a brother’s love.

80

80           Come, Clarence, come. Thou wilt, if Warwick call.

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     Father⁸¹ of Warwick, know you what this means? Takes red rose out of his hat

               Look here, I throw my infamy at thee. Throws it at Warwick

               I will not ruinate⁸³ my father’s house,

               Who gave his blood to lime⁸⁴ the stones together,

85

85           And set up Lancaster. Why, trowest thou,⁸⁵ Warwick,

               That CIarence is so harsh, so blunt,⁸⁶ unnatural,

               To bend⁸⁷ the fatal instruments of war

               Against his brother and his lawful king?

               Perhaps thou wilt object⁸⁹ my holy oath:

90

90           To keep that oath were more impiety

               Than Jephthah,⁹¹ when he sacrificed his daughter.

               I am so sorry for my trespass⁹² made

               That, to deserve well at my brother’s hands,

               I here proclaim myself thy mortal foe,

95

95           With resolution, wheresoe’er I meet thee —

               As I will meet thee, if thou stir abroad⁹⁶ —

               To plague thee for thy foul misleading me.

               And so, proud-hearted Warwick, I defy thee,

               And to my brother turn my blushing⁹⁹ cheeks.—

100

100         Pardon me, Edward, I will make amends.—

               And, Richard, do not frown upon my faults,

               For I will henceforth be no more unconstant.¹⁰²

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Now welcome more, and ten times more beloved,

               Than if thou never hadst deserved our hate.

105

105 

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER             Welcome, good Clarence, this is brotherlike.

WARWICK

WARWICK     O passing¹⁰⁶ traitor, perjured and unjust!

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV What, Warwick, wilt thou leave the town and fight?

               Or shall we beat the stones about thine ears?

WARWICK

WARWICK     Alas, I am not cooped¹⁰⁹ here for defence.

110

110         I will away towards Barnet¹¹⁰ presently,

               And bid thee battle, Edward, if thou dar’st.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Yes, Warwick, Edward dares, and leads the way.—

               Lords, to the field. Saint George and victory!

       Exeunt [King Edward and his company]. March.

       Warwick and his company follows

[Act 5 Scene 2]5.2

running scene 18

       Alarum and excursions. Enter Edward bringing forth Warwick wounded

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV So, lie thou there. Die thou, and die our fear,

               For Warwick was a bug² that feared us all.

               Now, Montague, sit fast:³ I seek for thee,

               That⁴ Warwick’s bones may keep thine company.

       Exit

5

5     

WARWICK

WARWICK         Ah, who is nigh? Come to me, friend or foe,

               And tell me who is victor, York or Warwick?

               Why ask I that? My mangled body shows,

               My blood, my want of strength, my sick heart shows,

               That I must yield my body to the earth

10

10           And, by my fall, the conquest to my foe.

               Thus yields the cedar¹¹ to the axe’s edge,

               Whose arms¹² gave shelter to the princely eagle,

               Under whose shade the ramping¹³ lion slept,

               Whose top-branch overpeered¹⁴ Jove’s spreading tree

15

15           And kept low shrubs from winter’s powerful wind.

               These eyes, that now are dimmed with death’s black veil,

               Have been as piercing as the midday sun,

               To search¹⁸ the secret treasons of the world.

               The wrinkles in my brows, now filled with blood,

20

20           Were likened oft to kingly sepulchres,

               For who lived king, but I could dig his grave?

               And who durst smile when Warwick bent his brow?²²

               Lo, now my glory smeared in dust and blood.

               My parks,²⁴ my walks, my manors that I had,

25

25           Even now forsake me; and of all my lands

               Is nothing left me but my body’s length.

               Why, what is pomp,²⁷ rule, reign, but earth and dust?

               And live we how we can, yet die we must.

       Enter Oxford and Somerset

SOMERSET

SOMERSET     Ah, Warwick, Warwick, wert thou as we are,

30

30           We might recover all our loss again.

               The queen from France hath brought a puissant power.³¹

               Even now we heard the news. Ah, couldst thou fly.

WARWICK

WARWICK     Why, then I would not fly. Ah, Montague,

               If thou be there, sweet brother, take my hand

35

35           And with³⁵ thy lips keep in my soul awhile.

               Thou lov’st me not, for, brother, if thou didst,

               Thy tears would wash this cold congealèd blood

               That glues my lips and will not let me speak.

               Come quickly, Montague, or I am dead.

40

40   

SOMERSET

SOMERSET           Ah, Warwick, Montague hath breathed his last,

               And to the latest gasp cried out for Warwick

               And said ‘Commend me to my valiant brother.’

               And more he would have said, and more he spoke,

               Which sounded like a cannon in a vault,

45

45           That mought⁴⁵ not be distinguished, but at last

               I well might hear, delivered with a groan,

               ‘O, farewell, Warwick!’

WARWICK

WARWICK     Sweet rest his soul. Fly, lords, and save yourselves,

               For Warwick bids you all farewell to meet in heaven. Dies

50

50   

OXFORD

OXFORD           Away, away, to meet the queen’s great power.

       Here they bear away his body. Exeunt

[Act 5 Scene 3]

running scene 18 continues

       Flourish. Enter King Edward in triumph,* with Richard, Clarence and the rest

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Thus far our fortune keeps an upward course,

               And we are graced with wreaths of victory.

               But, in the midst of this bright-shining day,

               I spy a black, suspicious, threat’ning cloud,

5

5             That will encounter with our glorious sun,

               Ere he attain his easeful western bed.

               I mean, my lords, those powers that the queen

               Hath raised in Gallia⁸ have arrived our coast

               And, as we hear, march on to fight with us.

10

10   

CLARENCE

CLARENCE           A little gale will soon disperse that cloud

               And blow it to the source from whence it came.

               Thy very beams will dry those vapours up,

               For every cloud engenders not a storm.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     The queen is valued¹⁴ thirty thousand strong,

15

15           And Somerset with Oxford fled to her:

               If she have time to breathe,¹⁶ be well assured

               Her faction will be full as strong as ours.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV We are advertised¹⁸ by our loving friends

               That they do hold their course toward Tewkesbury.¹⁹

20

20           We, having now the best at Barnet field,

               Will thither straight, for willingness rids way,²¹

               And as we march, our strength will be augmented

               In every county as we go along.

               Strike up the drum, cry ‘Courage!’ and away.

       Exeunt

[Act 5 Scene 4]5.4

running scene 19

       Flourish. March. Enter the Queen, young Edward, Somerset, Oxford and Soldiers

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Great lords, wise men ne’er sit and wail their loss,

               But cheerly² seek how to redress their harms.

               What though the mast be now blown overboard,

               The cable broke, the holding-anchor⁴ lost,

5

5             And half our sailors swallowed in the flood?⁵

               Yet lives our pilot⁶ still. Is’t meet that he

               Should leave the helm and like a fearful lad,

               With tearful eyes add water to the sea

               And give more strength to that which hath too much,

10

10           Whiles, in his moan,¹⁰ the ship splits on the rock,

               Which industry¹¹ and courage might have saved?

               Ah, what a shame! Ah, what a fault were this!

               Say Warwick was our anchor: what of that?

               And Montague our topmast: what of him?

15

15           Our slaughtered friends the tackles:¹⁵ what of these?

               Why, is not Oxford here another anchor?

               And Somerset another goodly mast?

               The friends of France our shrouds¹⁸ and tacklings?

               And, though unskilful, why not Ned¹⁹ and I

20

20           For once allowed the skilful pilot’s charge?²⁰

               We will not from²¹ the helm to sit and weep,

               But keep our course, though the rough wind say no,

               From shelves²³ and rocks that threaten us with wreck.

               As good to chide the waves as speak them fair.

25

25           And what is Edward but a ruthless sea?

               What Clarence but a quicksand of deceit?

               And Richard but a ragged²⁷ fatal rock?

               All these the enemies to our poor bark.²⁸

               Say you can swim, alas, ’tis but a while:

30

30           Tread on the sand, why, there you quickly sink,

               Bestride³¹ the rock, the tide will wash you off,

               Or else you famish, that’s a three-fold death.

               This speak I, lords, to let you understand,

               If case some one of you would fly from us,

35

35           That there’s no hoped-for mercy with the brothers

               More than with ruthless waves, with sands and rocks.

               Why, courage then: what cannot be avoided

               ’Twere childish weakness to lament or fear.

PRINCE EDWARD

PRINCE EDWARD Methinks a woman of this valiant spirit

40

40           Should, if a coward heard her speak these words,

               Infuse his breast with magnanimity⁴¹

               And make him, naked,⁴² foil a man at arms.

               I speak not this as doubting any here,

               For did I but suspect a fearful man

45

45           He should have leave to go away betimes,⁴⁵

               Lest in our need he might infect another

               And make him of like spirit to himself.

               If any such be here — as God forbid —

               Let him depart before we need his help.

50

50   

OXFORD

OXFORD           Women and children⁵⁰ of so high a courage,

               And warriors faint: why, ’twere perpetual shame.

               O, brave young prince, thy famous grandfather⁵²

               Doth live again in thee: long mayst thou live

               To bear his image and renew his glories!

55

55   

SOMERSET

SOMERSET           And he that will not fight for such a hope,

               Go home to bed, and like the owl by day,

               If he arise, be mocked and wondered at.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Thanks, gentle Somerset. Sweet Oxford, thanks.

PRINCE EDWARD

PRINCE EDWARD And take his⁵⁹ thanks that yet hath nothing else.

       Enter a Messenger

60

60   

MESSENGER

MESSENGER           Prepare you, lords, for Edward is at hand.

               Ready to fight: therefore be resolute.

       [He may exit]

OXFORD

OXFORD     I thought no less: it is his policy⁶²

               To haste thus fast, to find us unprovided.⁶³

SOMERSET

SOMERSET     But he’s deceived: we are in readiness.

65

65   

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET This cheers my heart, to see your forwardness.⁶⁵

OXFORD

OXFORD     Here pitch our battle,⁶⁶ hence we will not budge.

       Flourish and march. Enter Edward, Richard, Clarence and Soldiers

KING EDWARD

KING EDWARD IV Brave followers, yonder stands the thorny wood,

               Which by the heavens’ assistance and your strength,

               Must by the roots be hewn up yet ere night.

70

70           I need not add more fuel to your fire,

               For well I wot⁷¹ ye blaze to burn them out.

               Give signal to the fight, and to it, lords!

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Lords, knights, and gentlemen, what I should say

               My tears gainsay,⁷⁴ for every word I speak,

75

75           Ye see I drink the water of my eye.

               Therefore no more but this: Henry, your sovereign,

               Is prisoner to the foe, his state⁷⁷ usurped,

               His realm a slaughter-house, his subjects slain,

               His statutes cancelled and his treasure spent,

80

80           And yonder is the wolf that makes this spoil.⁸⁰

               You fight in justice. Then, in God’s name, lords,

               Be valiant and give signal to the fight.

       Alarum, retreat, excursions. Exeunt

[Act 5 Scene 5]

running scene 19 continues

       Flourish. Enter Edward, Richard [and] Clarence [with] Queen, Oxford, Somerset,

       [prisoners]

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Now here a period¹ of tumultuous broils.

               Away with Oxford to Hames² Castle straight.

               For Somerset, off with his guilty head.

               Go, bear them hence: I will not hear them speak.

5

5     

OXFORD

OXFORD         For my part, I’ll not trouble thee with words.

SOMERSET

SOMERSET     Nor I, but stoop⁶ with patience to my fortune.

       Exeunt [Oxford and Somerset, guarded]

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET So part we sadly in this troublous world,

               To meet with joy in sweet Jerusalem.⁸

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Is proclamation made that who⁹ finds Edward

10

10           Shall have a high reward, and he¹⁰ his life?

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     It is, and lo¹¹ where youthful Edward comes!

       Enter [Soldiers with] the Prince

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Bring forth the gallant,¹² let us hear him speak.

               What? Can so young a thorn begin to prick?

               Edward, what satisfaction¹⁴ canst thou make

15

15           For bearing arms, for stirring up my subjects,

               And all the trouble thou hast turned me to?

PRINCE EDWARD

PRINCE EDWARD Speak like a subject, proud ambitious York.

               Suppose that I am now my father’s mouth.

               Resign thy chair,¹⁹ and where I stand kneel thou,

20

20           Whilst I propose the selfsame words to thee,

               Which, traitor, thou wouldst have me answer to.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Ah, that thy father had been so resolved!

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     That you might still have worn the petticoat,

               And ne’er have stol’n the breech²⁴ from Lancaster.

25

25   

PRINCE EDWARD

PRINCE EDWARD Let Aesop²⁵ fable in a winter’s night,

               His currish²⁶ riddles sorts not with this place.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     By heaven, brat, I’ll plague ye for that word.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Ay, thou wast born to be a plague to men.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     For God’s sake, take away this captive scold.²⁹

30

30   

PRINCE EDWARD

PRINCE EDWARD Nay, take away this scolding crookback rather.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Peace, wilful boy, or I will charm³¹ your tongue.

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     Untutored lad, thou art too malapert.³²

PRINCE EDWARD

PRINCE EDWARD     I know my duty. You are all undutiful:

               Lascivious Edward, and thou perjured George,

35

35           And thou misshapen Dick,³⁵ I tell ye all

               I am your better, traitors as ye are,

               And thou usurp’st my father’s right and mine.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Take that, the likeness³⁸ of this railer here.

       Stabs him

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Sprawl’st thou?³⁹ Take that to end thy agony.

       Richard stabs him

40

40   

CLARENCE

CLARENCE           And there’s for twitting⁴⁰ me with perjury.

       Clarence stabs him

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET O, kill me too!

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Marry, and shall.⁴²

       Offers to kill her

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Hold, Richard, hold, for we have done too much.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Why should she live to fill the world with words?

45

45   

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV What, doth she swoon? Use means for her recovery.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Clarence, excuse me to the king my brother.

               I’ll hence to London on a serious matter.

               Ere ye come there, be sure⁴⁸ to hear some news.

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     What? What?

50

50   

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER           Tower, the Tower.

       Exit

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET O Ned, sweet Ned! Speak to thy mother, boy.

               Canst thou not speak? O, traitors, murderers!

               They that stabbed Caesar shed no blood at all,

               Did not offend, nor were not worthy blame,

55

55           If this foul deed were by⁵⁵ to equal it.

               He was a man; this, in respect,⁵⁶ a child,

               And men ne’er spend their fury on a child.

               What’s worse than murderer, that I may name it?

               No, no, my heart will burst, an if I speak —

60

60           And I will speak, that so my heart may burst.

               Butchers and villains, bloody cannibals!

               How sweet a plant have you untimely⁶² cropped.

               You have no⁶³ children, butchers! If you had,

               The thought of them would have stirred up remorse.⁶⁴

65

65           But if you ever chance to have a child,

               Look⁶⁶ in his youth to have him so cut off

               As, deathmen, you have rid⁶⁷ this sweet young prince.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Away with her: go, bear her hence perforce.⁶⁸

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Nay, never bear me hence, dispatch⁶⁹ me here:

70

70           Here⁷⁰ sheathe thy sword, I’ll pardon thee my death.

               What, wilt thou not? Then, Clarence, do it thou.

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     By heaven, I will not do thee so much ease.⁷²

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Good Clarence, do, sweet Clarence, do thou do it.

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     Didst thou not hear me swear I would not do it?

75

75   

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Ay, but thou usest⁷⁵ to forswear thyself.

               ’Twas sin before, but now ’tis charity.

               What, wilt thou not? Where is that devil’s butcher, Richard?

               Hard-favoured⁷⁸ Richard? Richard, where art thou?

               Thou art not here; murder is thy alms-deed:⁷⁹

80

80           Petitioners for blood thou ne’er put’st back.⁸⁰

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Away, I say: I charge ye, bear her hence.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET So come to⁸² you and yours, as to this prince.

       Exit Queen, [dragged out by Soldiers]

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Where’s Richard gone?

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     To London all in post and, as I guess,

85

85           To make a bloody supper in the Tower.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV He’s sudden⁸⁶ if a thing comes in his head.

               Now march we hence. Discharge the common sort⁸⁷

               With pay and thanks, and let’s away to London

               And see our gentle queen how well she fares:

90

90           By this, I hope, she hath a son for me.

       Exeunt

[Act 5 Scene 6]5.6

running scene 20

       Enter Henry the Sixth and Richard, with the Lieutenant, on the walls

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Good day, my lord. What, at your book¹ so hard?

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Ay, my good lord — my lord, I should say rather.

               ’Tis sin to flatter. ‘Good’ was little better.³

               ‘Good Gloucester’ and ‘good devil’ were alike,

5

5             And both preposterous:⁵ therefore, not ‘good lord’.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Sirrah,⁶ leave us to ourselves: we must confer.

       [Exit Lieutenant]

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI So flies the reckless⁷ shepherd from the wolf,

               So first the harmless sheep doth yield his fleece

               And next his throat unto the butcher’s knife.

10

10           What scene of death hath Roscius¹⁰ now to act?

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Suspicion¹¹ always haunts the guilty mind,

               The thief doth fear each bush an officer

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI The bird that hath been limèd¹³ in a bush

               With trembling wings misdoubteth¹⁴ every bush;

15

15           And I, the hapless male¹⁵ to one sweet bird,

               Have now the fatal¹⁶ object in my eye

               Where¹⁷ my poor young was limed, was caught and killed.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Why, what a peevish¹⁸ fool was that of Crete,

               That taught his son the office of a fowl!

20

20           And yet, for all his wings, the fool²⁰ was drowned.

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI I, Daedalus, my poor boy, Icarus,

               Thy father, Minos,²² that denied our course,

               The sun²³ that seared the wings of my sweet boy,

               Thy brother Edward, and thyself the sea

25

25           Whose envious²⁵ gulf did swallow up his life.

               Ah, kill me with thy weapon, not with words!

               My breast can better brook²⁷ thy dagger’s point

               Than can my ears that tragic history.²⁸

               But wherefore dost thou come? Is’t for my life?

30

30   

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER           Think’st thou I am an executioner?

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI A persecutor I am sure, thou art,

               If murdering innocents be executing,

               Why then, thou art an executioner.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Thy son I killed for his presumption.

35

35   

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Hadst thou been killed when first thou didst presume,

               Thou hadst not lived to kill a son of mine.

               And thus I prophesy, that many a thousand,

               Which now mistrust³⁸ no parcel of my fear,

               And many an old man’s sigh and many a widow’s,

40

40           And many an orphan’s water-standing⁴⁰ eye —

               Men for their sons, wives for their husbands,

               Orphans for their parents’ timeless⁴² death —

               Shall rue the hour that ever thou wast born.

               The owl shrieked at thy birth — an evil sign —

45

45           The night-crow⁴⁵ cried, aboding luckless time,

               Dogs howled, and hideous tempest shook down trees,

               The raven rooked her⁴⁷ on the chimney’s top,

               And chatt’ring pies⁴⁸ in dismal discords sung.

               Thy mother felt more than a mother’s pain,⁴⁹

50

50           And yet brought forth less than a mother’s hope,

               To wit,⁵¹ an indigested and deformèd lump,

               Not like the fruit of such a goodly tree.

               Teeth⁵³ hadst thou in thy head when thou wast born,

               To signify thou cam’st to bite the world.

55

55           And if the rest be true which I have heard,

               Thou cam’st—

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     I’ll hear no more: die, prophet, in thy speech,

               For this amongst the rest, was I ordained.⁵⁸

       Stabs him

KING HENRY VI

KING HENRY VI Ay, and for much more slaughter after this.

60

60           O, God forgive my sins and pardon thee!

       Dies

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     What? Will the aspiring blood of Lancaster

               Sink in the ground? I thought it would have mounted.

               See how my sword weeps⁶³ for the poor king’s death.

               O, may such purple⁶⁴ tears be alway shed

65

65           From those that wish the downfall of our house.

               If any spark of life be yet remaining,

               Down, down to hell, and say I sent thee thither,

               I, that have neither pity, love, nor fear.

       Stabs him again

               Indeed, ’tis true that⁶⁹ Henry told me of,

70

70           For I have often heard my mother say

               I came⁷¹ into the world with my legs forward.

               Had I not reason, think ye, to make haste,

               And seek their ruin that usurped our right?

               The midwife wondered⁷⁴ and the women cried

75

75           ‘O, Jesus bless us, he is born with teeth!’

               And so I was, which plainly signified

               That I should snarl and bite and play the dog.

               Then, since the heavens have shaped my body so,

               Let hell make crook’d my mind to answer⁷⁹ it.

80

80           I have no brother, I am like no brother.

               And this word ‘love’, which greybeards⁸¹ call divine,

               Be resident in men like⁸² one another

               And not in me: I am myself alone.

               Clarence, beware, thou keep’st me from the light,⁸⁴

85

85           But I will sort⁸⁵ a pitchy day for thee,

               For I will buzz abroad⁸⁶ such prophecies

               That Edward shall be fearful of⁸⁷ his life,

               And then, to purge his fear, I’ll be thy death.

               King Henry and the prince his son are gone.

90

90           Clarence, thy turn is next, and then the rest,

               Counting myself but bad⁹¹ till I be best.

               I’ll throw thy body in another room

               And triumph, Henry, in thy day of doom.⁹³

       Exit [with the body]

[Act 5 Scene 7]5.7

running scene 21

       Flourish. Enter King, Queen, Clarence, Richard, Hastings, Nurse [with the young Prince] and Attendants

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Once more we sit in England’s royal throne,

               Repurchased with the blood of enemies.

               What valiant foemen, like to autumn’s corn,

               Have we mowed down in tops⁴ of all their pride!

5

5             Three Dukes of Somerset, three-fold renowned

               For hardy⁶ and undoubted champions,

               Two Cliffords, as⁷ the father and the son,

               And two Northumberlands: two braver men

               Ne’er spurred their coursers⁹ at the trumpet’s sound.

10

10           With them, the two brave bears,¹⁰ Warwick and Montague,

               That in¹¹ their chains fettered the kingly lion

               And made the forest tremble when they roared.

               Thus have we swept suspicion¹³ from our seat

               And made our footstool of security.—

15

15           Come hither, Bess, and let me kiss my boy.—

               Young Ned, for thee, thine uncles and myself

               Have in our armours watched¹⁷ the winter’s night,

               Went all afoot¹⁸ in summer’s scalding heat,

               That thou mightst repossess the crown in peace,

20

20           And of our labours thou shalt reap the gain.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     I’ll blast²¹ his harvest, if your head were laid, Aside

               For yet I am not looked on²² in the world.

               This shoulder was ordained so thick²³ to heave,

               And heave it shall some weight, or break my back.

25

25           Work²⁵ thou the way, and that shalt execute.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Clarence and Gloucester, love my lovely queen,

               And kiss your princely nephew, brothers both.

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     The duty that I owe unto your majesty

               I seal upon the lips of this sweet babe. Kisses the baby

30

30   

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH Thanks, noble Clarence. Worthy brother,³⁰ thanks.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     And that³¹ I love the tree from whence thou sprang’st,

               Witness the loving kiss I give the fruit.—

               To say the truth, so Judas³³ kissed his master Aside

               And cried ‘All hail!’ whenas³⁴ he meant all harm.

35

35   

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Now am I seated as my soul delights,

               Having my country’s peace and brothers’ loves.

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     What will your grace have done with Margaret?

               Reynard,³⁸ her father, to the King of France

               Hath pawned the Sicils and Jerusalem,

40

40           And hither have they sent it⁴⁰ for her ransom.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Away with her, and waft⁴¹ her hence to France.

               And now what rests but that we spend the time

               With stately triumphs,⁴³ mirthful comic shows,

               Such as befits the pleasure of the court.

45

45           Sound drums and trumpets! Farewell sour⁴⁵ annoy,

               For here I hope begins our lasting joy.

       Exeunt all

Textual Notes

O = First Octavo text of 1595

Q3 = Third Quarto text of 1619

F = First Folio text of 1623

F2 = a correction introduced in the Second Folio text of 1632

F3 = a correction introduced in the Third Folio text of 1663–64

Ed = a correction introduced by a later editor

SD = Stage direction

SH = Speech heading (i.e., speaker’s names)

List of parts = Ed

1.1.2 SH YORK = O. F = Pl. or Plat. (throughout) 106 Thy = O. F = My 171 hear me = F3. F = heare 262 with me = O. F = me 264 from = O. F = to 276 SD Flourish printed as part of the entrance direction to the next scene in F 1.2.47 SD a Messenger = O. F = Gabriel (the name of an actor in Shakespeare’s company) 49 SH MESSENGER = O. F = Gabriel 2.1.96 recount = F3. F = tecompt 130 an idle = O. F = a lazie 2.2.89 Since = F2. F = Cla. Since (assigning lines 89–92 to George of Clarence) 151 dauphin spelled Dolphin in F 163 SH GEORGE = O. F = Cla.

2.5.89 stratagems = F3. F = Stragems 90 Erroneous = F2. F = Erreoneous 119 E’en = Ed. F = Men

2.6.8 The…flies = O. Not in F 44 SH EDWARD See…is. = O. Assigned to Richard in F 60 his = O. F = is 91 sinew spelled sinow in F

3.1.0 SD two Keepers = O. F = Sinklo, and Humfrey (the names of actors in Shakespeare’s company) 1 SH FIRST KEEPER = Ed. F = Sink. or Sinklo. (throughout) 5 SH SECOND KEEPER = Ed. F = Hum. throughout 17 wast = F3. F = was 30 Is = F2. F = I: 55 that = O. Not in F

3.2.8 SH GLOUCESTER F = Rich. 18 SH LADY GREY = Ed. F = Wid. 84 looks do = F2. F = Looks doth 124 honourably = O. F = honorable

3.3.126 external = F. O = eternall

4.1.92 thy = O. F = the

4.2.15 towns = Ed. F = Towne

4.4.17 wean spelled waine in F

4.5.4 stands = Ed. F = stand 8 Comes = Ed. F = Come

5.1.78 an = F2. F = in

5.7.5 renowned = Q3. F = Renowne 30 SH QUEEN ELIZABETH = O. F = Cla. Thanks = O. F = Thanke

Act 1 Scene 1

 1.1   Location: the Parliament House at Westminster, London    Alarum trumpet call to arms    white roses emblems of the House of York

    5    brook retreat tolerate the sound of a trumpet call signaling retreat

    6    drooping flagging, spiritless

    8    battle’s army’s, battalion’s

  11    dangerous dangerously, potentially fatally

  12    cleft split    beaver face-guard, helmet visor    downright directed from above, straight down

  14    brother historically, Montague was Warwick’s brother; his father was York’s brother-in-law

  15    encountered fought with

  16    thou Richard addresses Somerset’s head

  19    Such…Gaunt may all the descendants of Gaunt have such a fate

  22    Before until

  25    fearful anxious, frightened

  26    possess sit in (literally)/seize (metaphorically)

  31    gentle noble

  33    offer attempt, start

  34    perforce by force

  41    bashful timorous

  42    bywords proverbial

  46    holds up supports

  47    shake his bells i.e., move, make to swoop on (an image from falconry: bells attached to the bird’s legs served to terrify its prey)

  48    plant establish, install (puns on Plantagenet)    Flourish trumpet fanfare signaling the arrival of a person of authority    red roses emblems of the House of Lancaster

  50    sturdy uncompromising, obstinate, defiant

  51    chair of state throne    belike presumably, probably

  52    false peer disloyal lord

  57    be not i.e., be not avenged

  58    steel armor (rather than the traditional black cloth; i.e., ready for revenge)

  59    suffer allow

  60    brook endure

  62    poltroons cowards, worthless men

  63    durst not would not have dared

  65    assail attack, assault

  66    cousin kinsman; a common form of address among the nobility

  67    city i.e., citizens of London

  68    beck command, call

  71    shambles slaughterhouse

  74    factious rebellious, generator of division

  78    He…York in 1 Henry VI (Act 3 Scene 1), Henry restores Richard to a noble title (previously denied him because his father had been executed for treason)

  79    earldom York inherited the earldom of March through his mother, through whom he claimed a right to the throne

  80    traitor…crown the Earl of Cambridge, York’s father, was executed for treason (Henry V, Act 2 Scene 2)

  86    Content thyself accept it

  89    maintain defend, support

  91    field battlefield

  92    colours military flags

  95    his i.e., Northumberland’s father, slain in the battle

  99    Urge claim, insist on

100    messenger perhaps Clifford means an avenging angel

103    Will you we do you want me to

104    plead make a case for

106    father…York historically, York inherited the title from his uncle Edward, his father’s elder brother

109    dauphin title of the French king’s eldest son, heir to the throne    stoop submit, bow down

111    sith since

112    Lord Protector Duke of Gloucester, murdered in 2 Henry VI; the Protector ruled on behalf of a monarch who was too young to do so

114    yet still

118    cavilling disputing over details

121    leave permission, opportunity

127    unpeople depopulate

130    winding-sheet burial shroud    faint you do you lose heart

134    his king i.e., Richard II, whom Henry IV deposed

138    An if if

142    him, being Richard II, who was

144    unconstrained voluntarily

145    ’twere…crown it would invalidate his right (or that of his descendants) to the throne

147    heir i.e., heir who is next in line or has been specifically nominated (by Richard)

149    His i.e., York’s

155    despite spite

156    deceived mistaken    power army, forces

159    up i.e., on the throne

170    usurping blood i.e., the blood of Henry VI

179    Base dishonorable, unworthy

181    articles conditions, terms of agreement

185    cold weak, cowardly, unnatural

187    bands bonds, chains

196    entail bequeath as a legally untransferable possession

198    Conditionally on the condition

202    put me down depose/murder me

205    forward precocious, promising/presumptuous, demanding    Sennet trumpet call signaling a procession    down i.e., from the throne, or a dais on which it sits

209    keep remain in/guard

211    unto the sea meaning obscure, since Montague did not have any particular connection with the sea; Shakespeare may be confusing him with Falconbridge

213    bewray betray, reveal

219    would I wish    maid a virgin, unmarried

224    pain i.e., of labor

225    blood i.e., breast milk, thought to be converted from blood, and popularly supposed to convey to the child some of the mother’s temperament (another sense of “blood”)

235    undone ruined

236    head free reign

237    sufferance permission, tolerance

239    sepulchre tomb

242    narrow seas i.e., the English Channel

243    duke i.e., of York

245    environèd surrounded

246    silly helpless, defenseless

247    tossed impaled    pikes spears

248    granted agreed

250    I…bed legally, a type of divorce known as mensa et thoro, in which partners were free from the duty to cohabit, but not permitted to remarry

254    forsworn rejected their oaths to serve under

271    cost cost me, deprive me of/accost, attack    empty hungry

272    Tire feed voraciously

274    fair courteously

Act 1 Scene 2

 1.2   Location: the Duke of York’s castle (historically Sandal Castle in Yorkshire, northern England)

    1    leave permission (to speak)

    3    forcible compelling

  13    breathe rest, recover itself

  14    outrun escape, elude

  15    quietly peacefully

  18    forsworn guilty of perjury, an oath breaker

  22    moment significance

  26    depose take an oath

  27    vain worthless    frivolous paltry

  30    circuit circumference    Elysium in Greek mythology, a paradise inhabited by the good or distinguished after death

  31    feign conjure up, imagine (plays on “fain,” i.e., to make glad, rejoice in)

  33    dyed puns on “died”

  36    presently immediately

  37    whet on encourage, sharpen the inclination of

  39    privily privately, secretly

  41    rise rebel, rise up in arms

  43    Witty intelligent    liberal generous-hearted    spirit courage, vigor

  44    resteth more else remains

  45    occasion opportunity

  46    privy…drift aware of my intentions

  48    stay wait    post haste

  51    hard close

  52    hold stronghold, fortress

  55    post ride swiftly

  58    policy strategy/cunning

  59    simple foolish

  63    happy fortunate

  65    need need to

  67    for a need if necessary

  70    straight straightaway

  74    Whenas when, although

  75    like same

Act 1 Scene 3

 1.3   Location: the battlefield, near Sandal Castle, Yorkshire

    1    scape escape

    2    bloody bloodthirsty, warmongering

    4    duke i.e., York, who killed Clifford’s father in 2 Henry VI (Act 5 Scene 2)

    9    of by

  12    So thus    pent-up caged (furious and ravenous)

  14    insulting exulting scornfully

  15    rend tear    asunder apart

  19    mean unworthy, small, young

  22    the…enter i.e., the route to compassion

  24    cope fight

  29    slake reduce, abate

  31    fury avenging spirit (in classical mythology, the Furies were the goddesses of vengeance)

  37    rapier light sharp-pointed sword

  40    ere before

  42    sith since

  45    occasion instance/cause

  49    Di…tuae! (Latin) “The gods grant that this may be the height of your glory” (Ovid, Heroides 2.66)

Act 1 Scene 4

    1    got won

    2    uncles i.e., Sir John and Sir Hugh Mortimer

    3    to compared to/faced with    eager fierce, savage/impatient

    6    bechancèd happened to

    7    demeaned behaved

    9    lane path, passage

  11    full as oft just as frequently

  12    purple bloodied, blood-red    falchion curved sword

  13    encountered fought with

  14    hardiest boldest

  18    out, alas exclamation of dismay

  19    bodged budged, gave way/botched, bungled

  20    bootless pointless

  21    spend expend, use up    overmatching overwhelming, more powerful

  22    fatal death-bringing

  25    sands i.e., grains of sand in an hourglass

  29    butt target (archery term)    abide await, will endure

  32    payment dealing out of death

  33    Phaethon…car in Greek mythology, Phaethon was the son of the sun god Apollo/Phoebus; he drove his father’s sun-chariot (car), but could not control it, burned part of the earth and was killed with a thunderbolt hurled by Zeus

  34    noontide prick mark of noon on a sundial

  35    phoenix mythical Arabian bird that was consumed by fire every five hundred years, then resurrected from the ashes; only one existed at a time

  36    bird i.e., child

  39    fear still afraid

  44    bethink thee remind yourself/think

  45    o’er-run recollect, go over

  46    for in spite of

  49    bandy exchange (insults)

  50    buckler fight at close quarters/ward off (blows)

  51    Hold wait, desist    causes reasons

  55    though to even though it

  56    cur doth grin dog bears its teeth

  58    spurn kick

  59    prize benefit, privilege    vantages advantages, opportunities

  60    ten…valour for ten men to attack one is no disgrace

  61    woodcock a proverbially stupid, and easily captured, bird    gin trap

  62    cony rabbit

  64    true honest    o’ermatched outnumbered

  68    That raught he who reached

  69    parted took as his share/divided (as he reached for something illusory)

  71    revelled made merry

  72    preachment sermon

  73    mess group of four

  74    wanton wild/lascivious    lusty vigorous, lively/lustful

  75    prodigy monster, abnormal child (considered ominous)

  76    grumbling growling, deep/discontented

  77    wont accustomed

  79    napkin handkerchief

  81    issue flow, spring forth

  83    withal with

  84    but were it not

  86    prithee beg, pray you

  87    parched dried up, shriveled entrails insides, intestines

  91    fret rage

  92    fee’d paid    sport entertainment

  96    marry by the Virgin Mary

  97    chair throne

103    pale encircle

104    diadem crown

108    breathe pause for breath

109    office duty, task

110    orisons prayers

113    ill-beseeming unbecoming

114    triumph exult (literally, return home in great ceremony, displaying one’s captives)    Amazonian the Amazons were a mythical race of female warriors    trull whore

115    captivates captures

116    vizard-like masklike, expressionless

117    impudent shameless    use habitual practice

118    assay attempt

119    whence from where    derived descended

121    type title

122    both the Sicils i.e., Naples and Sicily

123    yeoman man who owns property but is not a gentleman

124    insult be insolent, scornful

125    boots profits

126    adage maxim, saying

127    mounted on horseback/socially elevated

131    wondered marveled

132    government self-control

133    want lack abominable loathsome (often popularly “inhuman, unnatural”)

135    Antipodes the other side of the world

136    Septentrion i.e., the north (literally, the seven stars that make up the Plough or Big Dipper constellation)

139    withal with it (the handkerchief stained with Rutland’s blood)

141    pitiful full of pity, compassionate    flexible yielding, easily moved

142    obdurate stubborn, unmovable    flinty hard, stony    rough violent, harsh

147    obsequies funeral rites

149    fell cruel, savage    false treacherous

150    Beshrew curse

151    check restrain

155    Hyrcania in ancient times the region south of the Caspian Sea; its    tigers were proverbially fierce

156    hapless unfortunate

160    heavy sorrowful, terrible

163    piteous worthy of pity

171    inly inward    gripes grips

172    weeping-ripe on the verge of tears

176    gentle-hearted noble-hearted/tender-hearted

Act 2 Scene 1

 2.1   Location: the borders of Wales    power army

    4    ta’en taken, captured

    9    resolved satisfied, informed

  10    Where…become what has become of our very valiant father

  11    range move, wander

  12    forth out

  13    bore him conducted himself

  14    neat cattle

  16    pinched bitten, tormented

  17    aloof at a distance

  20    prize privilege, reward

  21    opes opens

  24    Trimmed adorned, decked out    younker fashionable young man    prancing posturing, nimbly dancing for

  25    suns the emblem of Edward III and Richard II consisted of the sun’s rays emerging above clouds

  27    racking drifting, scudding

  28    severed separate

  32    figures foretells, prefigures

  34    cites summons

  36    meeds merits

  38    overshine illuminate, shine on/outshine, surpass    this this phenomenon

  40    target shield

  41    daughters Richard plays on    suns/“sons”

  42    breeder woman    blowing out of breath

  43    heavy serious, sad

  46    Whenas when

  50    Environèd surrounded

  51    hope of Troy Hector, the mighty warrior who defended the city of Troy against the invasion of the Greeks

  53    Hercules semi-divine hero of classical mythology, famed for his strength

  59    despite contempt, scorn, mockery

  62    harmless innocent

  63    rough cruel, violent

  69    stay support

  70    boist’rous brutal

  74    soul’s palace i.e., body

  75    she i.e., his soul

  78    more joy joy any more

  82    wind breath

  87    venge avenge

  90    chair seat of authority as duke; also, claim to the throne

  91    eagle’s…sun eagles were thought to be able to gaze unblinkingly at the sun and to test their young by making them do so

  94    that the sun (i.e., kingship)

  95    What fare? What is the state of things?    abroad in the world

  97    baleful deadly

  98    poniards daggers

103    stern cruel

105    measure quantity

106    sith since

107    Wakefield town in West Yorkshire

108    latest last

109    posts messengers

110    depart death

111    keeper guard

113    St Albans town about twenty-five miles north of London

114    in my behalf for my own interests

115    advertisèd notified, warned

117    dash overturn    late recent

118    Touching regarding

120    battles armies

121    coldness indifference, apathy

122    full very, extremely

123    heated spleen fiery passion

125    rigour cruelty, severity

128    like to like

130    flail instrument used to thresh corn, consisting of a staff from which a shorter pole swings

139    marches borders of Wales

140    Making another head raising another army

145    aunt…Burgundy this granddaughter of John of Gaunt was in fact a distant cousin

146    needful needing reinforcements

147    ’Twas odds, belike the odds were probably very unfavorable

148    in pursuit for pursuing the enemy

149    scandal of retire notoriety for retreating

153    wring wrench    awful awe-inspiring

161    Numb’ring counting    Ave Maries Hail Marys, prayers frequently recited over a rosary    beads rosary (beads used as prompts in the reciting of prayers)

163    Tell proclaim/count (with sword strokes rather than prayers)

165    therefore for that reason

167    Attend listen, pay attention to

168    haught haughty, arrogant

170    wrought worked, molded

172    enrollèd officially recorded

173    crew body of men, gang

174    frustrate annul    what beside anything else

175    make work, be used

181    via “onward”(Italian)

182    bestride straddle

187    ‘Retire!’ Withdraw!

190    forfend forbid

192    degree rank/step

203    Saint George patron saint of England

206    puissant host powerful army

207    craves requests

208    sorts arranges itself

Act 2 Scene 2

 2.2   Location: outside the city walls of York    Drum and Trumpets drummer and trumpeters

    1    brave splendid

    5    wreck shipwreck

    6    irks distresses, troubles

    9    lenity mildness

  14    spoils slaughters, destroys

  19    level aim

  20    knit furrows

  22    raise promote (the rank of; plays on the sense of “conceive, bring into existence”)    issue offspring    sire father

  23    goodly fine, excellent

  25    argued thee demonstrated, suggested that you were

  26    Unreasonable brute, not endowed with reason

  27    fearful frightening

  28    tender young/vulnerable

  33    precedent example

  34    pity a disaster, a shame

  38    fondly foolishly

  39    shame disgrace, dishonor

  41    melting i.e., soft, compassionate

  44    Inferring offering, adducing

  46    ill-got wrongfully gained    success outcome

  47    happy fortunate (i.e., in his inheritance)

  48    hoarding i.e., of goods, money

  51    rate cost

  52    care troubles, burdensome responsibilities    keep maintain, defend, protect

  56    nigh near

  57    faint lose heart

  58    forward promising, precocious

  59    dub create a knight (by touching the shoulders with a sword while the knight kneeled before the monarch)    presently immediately

  62    right righteousness, a just cause

  64    apparent heir

  66    toward bold, promising

  69    backing of supporting

  72    Deraign set in order, prepare    battle army    Clarence    [George] George is not in fact made Duke of Clarence until Act 2 Scene 6

  83    bide undergo/await    mortal fatal

  84    rate rebuke, berate    minions favorites/servants

  97    he man    sort gang

102    long-tongued i.e., prattling

104    legs…hands i.e., in fleeing rather than fighting

108    durst dared

109    reverently in great esteem, in respect

110    parley conversation, exchange/negotiation between opposing sides    refrain hold back

111    execution carrying out, enacting (of feelings; plays on sense of “putting to death”)    big-swol’n i.e., with anger, grief, revenge

114    dastard coward

115    tender young

122    still silent

124    him…all i.e., God    resolved convinced, satisfied

125    lies plays on the sense of “deceives”    upon his tongue i.e., only in his words

127    broke their fasts breakfasted, i.e., started the day

129    deny refuse

133    got begot, conceived, fathered

134    wot know

135    dam mother

136    stigmatic one marked with a physical deformity or blemish

137    Marked branded    destinies i.e., fate (in classical mythology, the three Fates who controlled the birth, life, and death of all)

138    venom poisonous

139    Naples Margaret was the daughter of Reignier, the titular King of Naples    gilt gold veneer (i.e., marriage to an Englishman); puns on “guilt”

141    channel stream/gutter

142    Sham’st thou not are you not ashamed    extraught descended

143    detect reveal

144    wisp of straw scolds (verbally abusive women) were traditionally made to wear a straw garland as a means of publicly shaming them

145    callet scold/whore

146    Helen…Menelaus Helen of Troy was allegedly the most beautiful woman in the world; she betrayed her husband, Menelaus, King of Sparta and Agamemnon’s brother, when Paris carried her off and provoked the Trojan War

148    Agamemnon’s brother Menelaus

150    His father i.e., Henry V    revelled made merry, had his will

152    he i.e., Henry VI    matched married    state social standing, rank

155    graced…sire honored your impoverished father    his i.e., Henry VI’s

157    forth out

158    sedition turbulence, violence, rebellion

159    broached set flowing, initiated

160    title claim to the throne    still always

162    slipped passed over, left unasserted

163    our…spring i.e., that we were not benefiting from your prosperity/that our favor was making you successful rather than ourselves

164    increase harvest, yield

166    something somewhat, to some extent

172    denied’st forbad, refused to allow

Act 2 Scene 3

 2.3   Location: the battlefield, near York    Excursions bouts of fighting across the stage

    1    Forspent exhausted

    2    breathe rest, draw breath

    5    spite of spite come what may

    8    hap fortune

  12    Bootless pointless, useless

  15    brother’s i.e., Warwick’s illegitimate half brother, Thomas Neville

  18    Like to like    dismal ominous    clangour ringing, reverberation

  21    fetlocks the parts of a horse’s legs just above the hooves

  27    upon on

  28    played in jest pretend, make-believe, performed for entertainment    counterfeiting imitating, pretending

  32    measure due proportion, full quantity

  36    throw i.e., give over, dedicate    thee i.e., God

  38    stands agrees

  40    brazen strong (as brass)    ope open

  51    to by

  52    thrive succeed/live

  53    Olympian games held every four years in honor of the supreme Greek god Zeus; winners were honored with olive garlands

  56    Forslow delay    amain speedily

Act 2 Scene 4

    1    singled thee alone isolated you from the rest (hunting term for separating a deer from the herd)

    4    Wert thou were you, even if you were

  11    have at thee i.e., here I come (standard utterance at the opening of a fight)

  12    chase prey

Act 2 Scene 5

    3    What that    blowing…nails i.e., warming his hands by blowing on them/having nothing much to do    of on

    4    perfect complete

    9    flood sea

  13    poise balance    fell fierce, cruel

  17    chid driven with rebukes

  22    homely swain simple rustic

  24    dials sundials    quaintly skillfully, intricately

  27    brings about conclude

  34    sport enjoy, entertain

  35    with young pregnant

  36    ean give birth

  39    they for which they

  43    silly simple/helpless

  44    canopy i.e., one above a bed, throne, or carried over the king in a procession

  47    curds cheese-like foodstuff made from coagulated milk

  49    wonted usual, accustomed

  50    secure carefree, safe

  51    delicates luxuries, delicacies

  52    viands food

  53    curious finely, skillfully made

  54    care anxiety, troubles    waits on attends (like a servant)/lies in wait for

  57    possessèd with in possession of    crowns gold coins

  58    haply by chance/with luck

  62    unwares unknowingly, unintentionally

  63    heavy sorrowful

  64    pressed conscripted, enlisted compulsorily

  65    man servant

  66    part side

  75    abide endure

  78    o’ercharged overburdened

  79    stoutly bravely

  85    Throw up open

  89    stratagems violent, bloody deeds

  90    Erroneous wrongful, criminal

  93    late recently, early

  95    stay stop, prevent    ruthful piteous, lamentable

  97    on his face in his complexion

  99    purple deep red

100    presenteth represents, imitates

102    contend compete, fight

104    Take on with rage against, cry out on

107    chances fortunes, events

108    Misthink think badly of

109    rued regretted, lamented

114    winding-sheet burial shroud

118    obsequious dutiful in performing funeral rites

120    Priam…sons Priam, King of Troy, had fifty sons, all of whom were killed in the Trojan War

123    overgone overcome, worn out

126    chafèd provoked, angered

128    Berwick Berwick-upon-Tweed, town on the Scotland–England border    post amain ride with extreme haste

129    brace pair

131    very absolute

133    hence amain leave quickly

135    expostulate remonstrate, debate (the matter)

Act 2 Scene 6

    5    My…fear love for and fear of me

    6    commixtures compounds (produced by love and fear)

    7    misproud wrongfully proud, treacherously arrogant

    9    sun i.e., Edward’s emblem

  11    Phoebus the sun god

  12    Phaethon…earth Phoebus’ son, who was unable to control (check) the horses that drew his father’s sun-chariot (car), burned part of the earth and was killed

  14    swayed ruled

  16    ground advantage

  20    chair throne

  21    cherish nurture

  23    Bootless are plaints laments are useless

  28    effuse loss, effusion retreat trumpet or drum call signaling retreat

  31    breathe rest, pause

  35    fretting sporadic, blustery/impatient, nagging

  36    Command compel, force    argosy large merchant ship    stem cut through

  39    his may refer to either Clifford or Richard

  40    marked destined/wounded

  42    heavy sorrowful

  43    departing separation, parting

  45    gently used treated honorably

  46    doom judgment, sentence

  50    spray branch, offshoot

  54    this…room Clifford’s head fill the place

  55    Measure due proportion/retribution/justice

  56    fatal screech-owl owl (i.e., Clifford) whose cry foretold death to our family    house family

  57    nothing sung has sung nothing

  58    dismal ominous

  59    ill-boding evil-predicting, ominous

  60    bereft gone

  62    beams eye beams (thought to radiate from the eyes and enable sight)

  63    nor neither

  65    policy strategy, cunning

  68    eager sharp, biting

  71    faults crimes

  75    fence protect

  76    wast wont used to do, were accustomed to

  77    goes hard is harsh, tough

  81    despite malice, anger    rail rant, insult

  82    This i.e., the other

  83    Stifle choke    unstanchèd insatiable

  86    rear raise

  89    cut cross

  90    ask ask for    lady Bona daughter of the Duke of Savoy; her sister was married to King Louis XI of France

  91    sinew unite, tie closely

  95    buzz spread rumors, agitate

  99    Even just

100    in thy shoulder i.e., relying on your support    seat throne

102    wanting lacking

107    ominous the three previous Dukes of Gloucester had all met violent deaths

Act 3 Scene 1

 3.1   Location: a forest in northern England, near the Scottish border    Keepers gamekeepers

    1    brake thicket, bush

    2    laund clearing, glade    anon soon

    3    covert concealed spot    stand hiding place from which to shoot

    4    principal superior, best

    7    shoot shot

    9    for so

  11    self-place same place

  13    of out of

  14    wishful longing

  17    balm consecrated oil with which the monarch was anointed at coronation

  18    Caesar emperor, ruler

  19    speak for right ask for justice

  20    redress of aid from

  22    keeper’s fee the horns and skin of a slain deer were customarily given to the park’s gamekeeper

  23    quondam former

  27    Forbear desist

  30    crave ask for    sister sister-in-law

  33    subtle skillful, cunning

  34    Lewis Louis XI

  37    batt’ry assault, bombardment/breach, entry

  40    Nero notoriously cruel Roman emperor    tainted tinged, touched (unnaturally in such a cruel man)

  41    plaints laments, pleas    brinish salty

  48    tells his title recounts the rightfulness of Edward’s claims to the throne    smooths glosses over

  49    Inferreth presents, adduces    arguments evidence

  51    what whatever

  54    forlorn neglected, destitute

  63    stones jewels

  71    apprehend arrest

  75    country region

  81    but only

  82    a as a

  83    simple foolish

  86    Obeying with obeying, following    wind breath

  89    lightness lack of weight/fickleness

  97    charge order

Act 3 Scene 2

 3.2   Location: the royal court, London

    1    field battlefield

    2    Richard historically John

    4    suit petition, entreaty    repossess regain possession of

    6    of on behalf of

  12    thing plays on the sense of “vagina”

  14    game animal being hunted/woman being pursued sexually    true…wind determinedly he remains downwind of the prey (so that it cannot scent him)

  18    brook endure

  19    resolve answer

  20    pleasure will (plays on the sense of “sexual desire”) satisfy content (plays on the sense of “satisfy sexually”)

  21    warrant guarantee, assure

  22    An if if

  23    closer closer to the enemy, so as to contain and avoid his thrusts (with sexual suggestion)    blow hit/sexual thrust

  24    fear her not do not fear for her    fall stumble in the fight/succumb sexually/become pregnant

  25    vantages superior position in fighting/sexual opportunity

  27    beg…her request legal guardianship of one of her children (this could generate financial profit for the guardian)/get her pregnant

  28    whip me a mild oath

  32    dread revered

  33    give us leave give us privacy    try test    wit intellect (probably also “genitals”)

  34    good…leave enjoy your privacy for you will take liberties

  35    the crutch i.e., old age (puns on “crotch”)

  41    Therefore for that reason

  44    service i.e., as a subject/sexually

  45    rests in me is in my power

  46    boon request

  47    except unless

  48    do plays on the sense of “perform sexually”

  50    plies her hard works on her persistently/works on her sexually with an erect penis

  51    red hot

  53    task duty, job/sexual action

  57    match agreement/sexual encounter

  76    inclination attitude, disposition

  77    sadness seriousness

  82    knits her brows frowns

  83    bluntest most unceremonious, plain-spoken

  84    argue her demonstrate her to be

  86    challenge call for, lay claim to

  88    love lover

  93    state majesty, royal status

  97    mean humble

  99    cavil quibble over details

104    other some some others, i.e., illegitimate children

107    ghostly father priest ghostly holy, spiritual    done his shrift heard confession (plays on the sense of “had sex”)

108    shriver confessor, priest/sexually active man    for shift out of strategy, a trick/to get at women’s undergarments (puns on    shrift)

109    muse wonder/speculate

114    ten…lasts proverbial: “a wonder lasts but nine days”

116    in extremes excessive, much greater

119    taken captured

123    question…apprehension ask about his arrest

124    use treat (Gloucester shifts the sense to “employ sexually”)

126    wasted consumed with disease (particularly syphilis, which eats at the bones)    marrow bone marrow/semen

127    branch i.e., offspring, child (also with phallic connotations)

128    cross thwart, hinder    golden time i.e., kingship, the crown

130    The…burièd i.e., once Edward is dead

132    unlooked for unwanted/unforeseeable    issue children, offspring

133    rooms places, positions

134    cold premeditation discouraging prospect

136    promontory headland jutting into the sea

138    were equal with could reach as far as

139    chides chastises    sunders separates

140    lade drain, empty

141    wish wish for

142    means obstacle

143    cut…off murder those in my way

144    Flattering me deluding myself

145    o’erweens is arrogant, presumptuous

150    deck adorn    gay ornaments bright, ostentatious attire

151    witch bewitch, seduce

153    accomplish get hold of

154    forswore rejected

155    for so that    deal in have dealings with (plays on the sense of “have sex according to”)

158    envious spiteful, malicious

162    chaos shapeless mass    unlicked bear-whelp bear cubs were thought to be licked into shape by their mothers

163    impression…dam shape like that of the mother

165    monstrous unnatural, deformed    fault mistake

167    check rebuke    o’erbear dominate

168    person appearance

170    t’account to consider

171    trunk body

172    impalèd surrounded, enclosed

174    home my target

176    rents tears apart

180    catch seize

186    frame fashion, adapt

187    mermaid the siren of classical mythology was said to sing sweetly in order to draw sailors onto rocks where they would drown

188    basilisk mythical reptile whose gaze had the power to kill

189    Nestor Greek leader who fought at Troy; famed for his wisdom and eloquence

190    Ulysses King of Ithaca and hero of Homer’s Odyssey; noted for his cunning

191    Sinon in Virgil’s Aeneid, the man who pretended to desert the Greeks and persuaded King Priam of Troy to admit the wooden horse into the city, as a result of which Troy was destroyed

193    Proteus the sea god Neptune’s herdsman who had the ability to change shape at will

194    set…school teach Machiavelli a few things    Machevil an intriguer, an unscrupulous schemer (from Niccolò Machiavelli’s The Prince, a sixteenth-century treatise perceived as advocating ruthless political cunning)

Act 3 Scene 3

 3.3   Location: the royal court, France

    2    state rank

    5    strike her sail humble herself (literally, lower a ship’s sail in deference to a vessel of greater importance)

    7    Albion’s England’s

    8    mischance misfortune

  10    like seat unto a place befitting

  15    be…thyself always behave in a manner that befits your position

  20    France i.e., the King of France

  25    of from

  26    forlorn destitute, abandoned person

  37    heavy burdensome/sorrowful

  38    storm i.e., of grief, passion

  40    stay wait, delay

  41    stay plays on the sense of “support” succour help

  42    waiteth on attends, accompanies    descends i.e., from the throne, or dais on which it sits

  55    vouchsafe permit, consent

  59    in on

  63    fame report    late recently    heedful attentive

  69    tyrants usurpers

  74    Look beware

  75    draw…thy do not bring on yourself

  76    sway the rule wield power

  78    Injurious slanderous, offensive

  82    disannuls cancels, ignores    John of Gaunt father of    Henry the Fourth, great-grandfather of Henry VI; he features in Richard II

  83    Which who

  85    mirror i.e., image, model

  89    haps happens, chances    smooth plausible, glib

  93    tell recount

  94    threescore…years i.e., the sixty-two years between 1399, when Henry IV deposed Richard II, and 1461, when Edward IV deposed Henry VI    silly meager, trifling

  95    prescription a claim founded on long use (legal term)

  97    thirty-and-six years a period that corresponds more fittingly to Warwick’s age (he was born in 1428) rather than his allegiance, as he had joined the Yorkists in 1455

  98    bewray betray, reveal

  99    fence protect

100    buckler defend

102    injurious doom wrongful judgment, sentence

103    Aubrey Vere he and his father, the Earl of Oxford, were executed for treason by Edward IV in 1462

104    more than so furthermore

105    downfall decline    mellowed ripened

112    use engage in    conference discussion    aloof aside

114    even justly, fully

117    pawn pledge, stake    credit reputation

118    gracious esteemed, popular

119    more that more so because

120    dissembling duplicity, pretence

121    for truth truly    measure extent

124    beseem befit

126    external visible; some editors prefer Octavo’s “eternal”

129    envy malice    disdain (Bona’s possible) loathing, scorn

130    quit end

132    grant consent    mine the decision I make—i.e., I will agree with whatever you think fit

134    desert merits

137    articles terms, conditions    drawn drawn up

138    Touching regarding    jointure marriage settlement provided for the wife by the husband

139    counterpoised matched, equaled

143    device plot, strategy

148    success fortune/outcome (plays on the sense of “succession to the throne”)

150    late recently

152    estate status

155    quondam former

160    hence go from here

162    conveyance trickery, cunning    Post messenger

171    as as if

174    unhoped unexpected

177    soothe smooth over    forgery deception

180    scorn insult

185    clear from innocent of

189    untimely…death Warwick’s father, the Earl of Salisbury, was executed after being captured fighting for the Yorkists at the battle of Wakefield untimely prematurely

190    th’abuse…niece Holinshed’s Chronicles, one of Shakespeare’s key sources, reports that Edward tried to “deflower” Warwick’s daughter or niece

191    impale him encircle his head

192    put force

193    guerdoned rewarded

194    my desert what I deserve

198    servitor servant

203    joy rejoice

204    unfeignèd sincere, honest

205    vouchsafe to furnish will consent to equip

206    bands troops

211    fall from abandon, turn against

212    matching marrying

224    post haste

226    masquers performers of masques (courtly entertainments involving dancing and elaborate costume; often put on to celebrate aristocratic marriages)

228    passed happened    fear frighten    withal with it

230    willow garland token of a forsaken lover

231    weeds garments

234    ere’t be before

235    reward payment

238    bid challenge (to)

239    occasion opportunity/events

240    supply reinforcements

245    eldest daughter historically Warwick’s second daughter, Anne, who was betrothed to Edward, although he died before they married

246    bands bonds

247    motion suggestion

256    waft convey (by water)

263    stale fool, mockery (of)

Act 4 Scene 1

 4.1   Location: the royal court, London

    5    stay wait (spoken in irony)

    8    mind intend

  10    malcontent dissatisfied, discontented

  12    Which who

  13    abuse insult

  16    will wishes (plays on the sense of “sexual desire”)

  23    yoke are joined, coupled like oxen under a yoke (plays on the sense of “sexually united”)

  24    mislike displeasure

  32    gave in charge ordered

  35    invention scheme, plan

  40    true loyal, trustworthy

  44    fence defence

  45    only alone

  48    have…Hungerford marry the rich heiress, Mary, daughter of Lord Hungerford; historically, it was Hastings’ son who married her

  52    heir…bride the wealthy Lord Scales’ daughter, Elizabeth, was married to Lord Anthony Rivers, the new queen’s brother

  55    bury forget

  57    new wife’s son Sir Thomas Grey, married to the heir of Lord Harrington and    Bonville

  58    speed get on, fare/succeed

  63    broker marriage broker, agent

  64    mind intend

  65    tarry stay

  71    meaner humbler people, those of lower rank

  73    dislikes disapproval    would wish to

  74    danger hurt/apprehension

  75    fawn…frowns i.e., try to ingratiate yourself, win them round

  77    friend supporter/lover

  88    Go to expression of impatience

  89    guess reconstruct from memory

  95    brave daring, insolent, defiant

102    in place present

103    done over with, no longer worn

105    Amazon member of a legendary race of female warriors

106    injuries insults

108    discharged dismissed

117    Belike probably

118    sit you fast sit tight, hold on to your throne

120    want lack

128    needful necessary

130    prepare preparation

132    straight straightaway

134    twain two

138    hollow insincere

141    in suspect under suspicion

145    withstand resist

148    power army

Act 4 Scene 2

 4.2   Location: England (historically, near Warwick)

    1    hitherto thus far

    4    suddenly immediately

    8    rest remain

    9    pawned pledged

  11    proceedings course of action

  13    in night’s coverture under cover of darkness

  14    carelessly without concern/without proper military precautions

  15    lurking idling

  16    but only

  17    surprise ambush, seize

  18    the…easy venturing into Edward’s camp is simple/there is little hazard

  19    Ulysses…steeds in Homer’s Iliad, Ulysses and Diomede sneak under cover of night into the camp of the Thracian leader, Rhesus, and steal his horses, an oracle having predicted that Troy would not fall to the Greeks as long as the horses of Rhesus grazed on the plains of Troy    stout bold    sleight cunning    fatal fated, part of destiny/causing death

  23    At unawares suddenly, unexpectedly

  28    sort manner

Act 4 Scene 3

 4.3   Location: King Edward’s camp (historically, near Warwick)

    1    my masters gentlemen stand post, position

    2    this this time set sat

  13    about around

  14    keeps lodges, sleeps

  16    worship dignified ease

  18    estate situation    he i.e., Edward

  19    doubted feared

  20    halberds long-handled weapons with axelike heads    shut up prevent, bar    passage progress

  21    wherefore why

  25    But only, merely    gown dressing gown or nightgown/loose upper garment for men

  28    What who

  34    embassade ambassadorial mission

  35    degraded lowered in rank

  44    down fall

  46    complices accomplices

  48    state sovereignty    fortune’s…wheel fortune was traditionally depicted as a blind woman turning a wheel that raised humans up and cast them down

  49    compass range, circumference    for i.e., in

  60    abide endure

  61    boots not is useless

Act 4 Scene 4

 4.4   Location: London

    1    makes…change is the reason for your sudden change in mood

    4    pitched planned, designated

    8    falsehood disloyalty, treachery

    9    surprised at captured

  11    to i.e., to the custody of    Bishop i.e., Archbishop

  12    Fell fierce, cruel    by that therefore

  16    hinder delay, prevent

  19    bridle reign in, restrain    passion intense feeling, grief

  22    blood-sucking sighs each sigh was thought to drain a drop of blood from the heart

  23    blast blight, wither

  25    where…become what has become of/where is Warwick

  28    down fall

  29    tyrant’s usurper’s

  31    sanctuary churches and associated Church-owned buildings provided sanctuary from arrest; the historical sources Shakespeare drew on say that Elizabeth went to Westminster

  32    right title to the throne

  33    secure protected    fraud trickery, treachery

Act 4 Scene 5

 4.5   Location: Yorkshire, at hunting grounds belonging to the Archbishop of York

    2    Leave off cease

    3    chiefest largest, most dense    park private hunting ground

    4    case circumstances

    6    hath good usage is well treated

    7    but only

    8    disport entertain, amuse

    9    advertised informed, alerted

  11    colour pretext    game hunting

  14    game prey, quarry

  17    close concealed

  21    Lynn King’s Lynn, a town on the Norfolk coast

  24    requite reward    forwardness eagerness, zeal

  28    ado fuss, time-wasting

Act 4 Scene 6

 4.6   Location: the Tower of London    Lieutenant the second-in-command at the Tower of London

    5    enlargement release due fees wealthy prisoners could pay for special food or service

    6    challenge require, ask

  11    For that because

  13    Conceive begin to experience    moody melancholy, somber

  14    notes…harmony filling the house with song, singing in a manner that is harmonious with their domestic environment

  18    author creator, originator

  20    low humbly

  22    thwarting stars bad fortune

  26    still always    famed for renowned as being

  28    spying spying out/foreseeing

  29    temper…stars allow themselves to conform to their fate, mold their dispositions to their fate

  31    in place present

  32    sway power, influence

  34    Adjudged awarded    olive branch a symbol of peace    laurel crown a symbol of victory

  36    yield grant    free consent willing agreement

  37    only alone    Protector one who governs in the absence of the monarch

  40    dissension dissent, disagreement

  43    devotion prayer, religious commitment    latter last, remaining

  47    repose myself depend, rely

  49    yoke join

  50    supply fill

  56    What else? i.e., “yes, of course”

  57    Clarence…part if the Lancastrian claim were set aside, Edward attainted for treason and his unborn child disregarded, then Clarence would have a significant claim to the throne    want lack

  62    doubtful apprehensive

  67    Henry…Richmond Henry Tudor, the future Henry VII, whose kingship put an end to the Wars of the Roses

  69    divining foreseeing, prophetic

  70    pretty fine, handsome

  78    brother i.e., the Archbishop of York

  81    conveyed carried away in secrecy

  82    attended awaited

  86    charge duty, orders/prisoner

  88    salve healing ointment    betide occur

Act 4 Scene 7

 4.7    Location: outside the city gates of York

    3    interchange exchange

    4    wanèd weakened, diminished

    8    Ravenspurgh former Yorkshire port on the River Humber    haven harbor

  10    made fast tightly secured

  12    well foretold clearly warned

  13    abodements omens, premonitions    affright frighten

  15    repair make their way, return    above i.e., on the upper staging level or gallery, conventionally used to represent city walls    brethren members of the town corporation

  23    challenge demand, require

  25    got…nose got his nose in

  30    stout valiant

  31    fain be glad

  32    So…him so long as he is not held accountable    Aldermen members of the town council

  36    But except

  39    deign are willing

  45    forget disregard

  57    pretend claim, profess

  58    wherefore stand you why do you dwell, insist on    nice overly precise, particular

  60    meaning intention

  61    scrupulous wit quibbling reason, cautious intellect

  63    out of hand immediately

  64    bruit news, announcement

  68    champion defender

  70    Sound i.e., trumpets sound

  71    SOLDIER some editors suppose that this speech heading has been inserted erroneously and that Montgomery should read the proclamation

  73    gainsays denies

  74    gauntlet armored glove, traditionally thrown down as a means of challenging one’s enemy to single combat; to pick it up was to accept a challenge to a duel

  76    brave noble

  78    harbour make our lodging

  79    car chariot (of the sun god)

  82    wot know

  83    froward willful, obstinate, perverse    beseems suits, befits

  86    the day victory in battle

Act 4 Scene 8

 4.8   Location: London, at the Bishop of London’s palace

    1    Belgia the Netherlands

    2    hasty rash, quick-tempered blunt harsh, uncivilized, rough

    3    narrow seas i.e., the English Channel

    4    amain speedily

    5    giddy unstable, fickle, excitable

    8    suffered tolerated, permitted (to burn)

  11    son son-in-law

  17    wondrous extraordinarily

  20    girt in with surrounded by

  21    Dian Diana, Roman goddess of the moon, hunting, and chastity; often portrayed with her attendant virginal    nymphs

  22    rest remain

  23    stand not do not wait

  25    Hector the eldest son of Priam, King of Troy, Hector was one of the great warriors of the Trojan War

  26    truth faith, loyalty

  27    Well-minded loyal, virtuous, well-intentioned

  28    Comfort be encouraged

  29    thus Oxford probably also kisses Henry’s hand

  31    at once together    happy propitious, fortunate

  36    encounter fight and defeat

  37    doubt fear

  38    meed merit, virtue

  39    their demands the various requests and appeals of the people

  40    posted off postponed    suits pleas, petitions

  45    subsidies taxes

  46    forward of eager for

  48    graces challenge grace virtues claim respect and favor

  52    shame-faced timid, shy, modest

  54    fount spring, source

  56    ebb waning, reducing

  58    bend direct

  59    peremptory imperious, overbearing

  61    mars ruins    hay i.e., yield, harvest

  62    betimes quickly

Act 5 Scene 1

 5.1   Location: the city walls of Coventry

    3    this this time, now    Dunsmore between Coventry and Daventry

    6    Daintry Daventry    puissant powerful

    7    son son-in-law

    9    Southam town about ten miles southeast of Coventry

  12    here in this direction

  16    parle parley, a trumpet summons for negotiation between opposing sides, during which fighting was to stop

  17    surly imperious, arrogant

  18    unbid unwelcome    sportful lecherous

  20    repair approach

  25    draw withdraw

  27    patron protector

  32    earl lower in rank than a duke

  36    Atlas…weight in classical mythology, the giant Atlas carried the earth on his shoulders

  42    forecast forethought, prudence/anticipated

  43    single ten a mere ten-point card, valuable but less so than a royal card

  44    fingered stolen

  47    even exactly    are Warwick still i.e., will always be yourself, and doubtless will not change your attitude/remain in position, and have the chance to change your attitude

  48    time opportunity

  49    Nay, when? expression of impatience    Strike…cools proverbial: “strike while the iron is hot” (Warwick shifts the sense of    strike to “lower one’s sail in submission”)

  57    Wind-changing i.e., changeable, fickle    Colours military flagbearers

  61    set…backs attack our rearguard forces

  62    array readiness for combat

  63    bid challenge

  64    of small defence poorly fortified

  65    rouse draw out (from a lair; a hunting term)

  66    want need

  68    buy pay for

  70    harder matched greater the enemy

  71    presageth foretells    happy fortunate

  73    Two…name Edmund, second Duke of Somerset, killed at the 1455 battle of St. Albans (his head appears in Act 1 Scene 1), and his son Henry, third duke, beheaded in 1464 for his Lancastrian sympathies

  78    to right for justice

  79    nature natural instinct

  81    Father father-in-law

  83    ruinate ruin

  84    lime stick, join

  85    trowest thou do you think

  86    blunt rough, ignorant

  87    bend aim, direct

  89    object bring up, urge as an objection

  91    Jephthah…daughter biblical character who vowed that if the Israelites defeated the Ammonites in battle he would sacrifice the first thing he saw on his return home, little realizing that it would mean having to kill his own daughter (Judges 11)

  92    trespass wrong, crime

  96    abroad i.e., outside Coventry

  99    blushing i.e., in shame

102    unconstant changeable, disloyal

106    passing surpassing, extreme

109    cooped protectively enclosed

110    Barnet town about ten miles north of London (seventy-five miles southeast of Coventry, but Shakespeare has compressed various historical events for dramatic purposes; the action between this and the next scene is virtually continuous)    presently immediately

Act 5 Scene 2

 5.2   Location: the battlefield, near Barnet, ten miles north of London

    2    bug imaginary terror, bogeyman    feared frightened

    3    sit fast be on guard, secure yourself

    4    That so that

  11    cedar the tallest of evergreen trees was a popular symbol of sovereignty, like the eagle and the lion

  12    arms branches

  13    ramping rearing fiercely onto its hind legs

  14    overpeered peered over/lorded over, outranked    Jove’s spreading tree the oak, the tree associated with the Roman king of the gods

  18    search seek out, discern/probe

  22    bent his brow frowned

  24    parks private hunting grounds    walks pathways of garden or park

  27    pomp splendor, luxury

  31    puissant power powerful army

  35    with…awhile i.e., kiss me; at death the soul was thought to escape through the mouth

  45    mought might

Act 5 Scene 3

    *    triumph a display of victorious celebration

    8    Gallia France

  14    valued estimated to be

  16    breathe rest, gather her strength

  18    advertised informed

  19    Tewkesbury town in Gloucestershire

  21    rids way makes the journey seem shorter

Act 5 Scene 4

 5.4   Location: near Tewkesbury, in Gloucestershire

    2    cheerly cheerfully, optimistically

    4    holding-anchor i.e., anchor, used to secure a ship by holding fast to the bottom of the sea

    5    flood sea

    6    pilot captain, i.e., Henry    meet right, fitting

  10    in his moan as he laments

  11    industry hard work

  15    tackles rigging

  18    shrouds ropes that brace and support the mast

  19    Ned i.e., Edward, Henry and Margaret’s son

  20    charge responsibility

  21    from leave

  23    shelves sandbanks

  27    ragged jagged, uneven

  28    bark ship

  31    Bestride sit upon, straddle

  41    magnanimity greatness of spirit

  42    naked unarmed    foil…arms defeat an armed man in combat

  45    betimes at once

  50    Women and children i.e., Margaret and Edward

  52    grandfather i.e., Henry V

  59    his i.e., Edward’s    that yet who as yet

  62    policy stratagem, cunning

  63    unprovided unprepared

  65    forwardness eagerness, readiness

  66    pitch our battle set up, deploy our army

  71    wot know    blaze burn with zeal, excitement

  74    gainsay contradict

  77    state sovereignty

  80    spoil destruction, pillage

Act 5 Scene 5

    1    a period an end    broils turmoil, confused fighting

    2    Hames now Ham, a town on the River Somme near Calais straight immediately

    6    stoop submit

    8    Jerusalem i.e., heaven

    9    who whoever

  10    he i.e., Edward

  11    lo look

  12    gallant fine young man (usually applied to a fashionable man about town)

  14    satisfaction amends, atonement

  19    chair throne

  24    breech breeches, trousers

  25    Aesop the Greek writer of moral fables concerning animals was a slave and reputedly hunchbacked fable tell tales

  26    currish snarling, contemptible, cynical/about animals    sort not are not in keeping

  29    scold verbally abusive woman

  31    charm subdue, silence with a charm

  32    malapert impudent

  35    Dick possibly plays on the sense of “penis”

  38    likeness image    railer abusive ranter (i.e., Margaret)

  39    Sprawl’st thou? Do you thrash, writhe around?

  40    twitting taunting/rebuking

  42    Marry, and shall I shall, by the Virgin Mary    Offers attempts

  48    be sure expect

  55    by…it there to compare with it

  56    respect comparison

  62    untimely prematurely

  63    have no cannot possibly have

  64    remorse pity

  66    Look expect

  67    rid killed

  68    perforce forcibly

  69    dispatch kill

  70    Here i.e., in my body

  72    ease comfort, release

  75    usest are accustomed    forswear thyself perjure yourself, break your word

  78    Hard-favoured ugly

  79    alms-deed act of charity

  80    put’st back rejected, turned away

  82    So come to may the same happen to

  86    sudden swift, impulsive

  87    common sort ordinary soldiers

Act 5 Scene 6

 5.6   Location: the Tower of London

    1    book probably prayer book or Bible

    3    better i.e., than flattery

    5    preposterous an inversion of the natural order

    6    Sirrah sir (used to an inferior)

    7    reckless negligent, careless

  10    Roscius famous first-century Roman actor

  11    Suspicion apprehension of something evil

  13    limèd trapped with birdlime, a sticky substance spread on branches to snare birds

  14    misdoubteth suspects, fears

  15    male father    bird offspring

  16    fatal deadly/fateful    object…eye sight, scene in my mind’s eye/thing, person before me (or, conceivably, Gloucester has already drawn the    weapon Henry goes on to refer to)

  17    Where in which/by whom

  18    peevish foolish, childish    fool…fowl Icarus and his father,    Daedalus, tried to escape imprisonment in Crete using wings Daedalus had made out of feathers and wax;    Icarus flew too close to the sun, the wax melted and he fell to his death    office function, role

  20    fool continues the punning on fowl

  22    Minos the King of Crete, who imprisoned Daedalus and    Icarus course departure

  23    sun likened here to    Edward, the sun alludes to the Yorkist emblem

  25    envious malicious, evil    gulf whirlpool/voracious depths

  27    brook endure, take

  28    history story

  38    mistrust…fear apprehend, suspect no part of what I fear (will happen)

  40    water-standing filled, flooded with tears

  42    timeless untimely, premature

  45    night-crow literary name for a bird whose nighttime croak was an evil omen    aboding forewarning

  47    rooked her cowered, huddled (perhaps with play on “rook,” a type of bird)

  48    pies magpies (also thought to be bad luck)    dismal ominous, sinister

  49    pain labor pains

  51    To wit that is to say    indigested shapeless

  53    Teeth…born this was considered abnormal and ominous

  58    ordained destined

  63    weeps i.e., drips blood

  64    purple blood-colored    alway always

  69    that…of what Henry said about me/what Henry said to me

  71    came…forward i.e., was a breech birth, where the baby is born feet first

  74    wondered was amazed

  79    answer correspond to

  81    greybeards wise old men

  82    like who resemble

  84    light the crown (an image drawn from the Yorkist sun)

  85    sort arrange/set    pitchy black as pitch (a tarlike substance)

  86    buzz abroad spread rumors in the world    prophecies omens, forewarnings

  87    of for

  91    bad worthless, contemptible

  93    doom judgment, i.e., your death

Act 5 Scene 7

 5.7   Location: the royal court, London

    4    in tops at the height

    6    hardy bold, resolute undoubted unquestionable/fearless champions warriors, men of valor

    7    as namely

    9    coursers powerful horses used in war

  10    bears refers to Warwick’s family emblem, a bear chained to a ragged staff

  11    in with fettered shackled

  13    suspicion apprehension, anxiety seat throne

  17    watched kept watch, remained awake throughout

  18    all afoot on foot, as soldiers/all over the place

  21    blast blight, wither    head plays the sense of “head of wheat”    laid cut off (maintains the crop image)

  22    looked on held in high regard

  23    thick sturdy (referring to his hunched back)

  25    Work devise (addressed to himself)    that i.e., his shoulder    execute carry it out (with grim play on the sense of “put to death”)

  30    brother i.e., brother-in-law

  31    that because    tree i.e., the family of York, his own stock

  33    Judas…master Judas famously kissed Christ and betrayed him

  34    whenas although

  38    Reynard…Jerusalem Margaret’s father, Reignier, was the titular King of Sicily, Naples (the Sicils) and Jerusalem; spelling “Reynard” may imply the craft of a fox

  40    it i.e., the money raised

  41    waft convey by sea

  43    triumphs public processions celebrating victory

  45    sour annoy bitter trouble

THE TRAGEDY OF RICHARD THE THIRD

Shakespeare’s first group of historical plays comes to a harmonious conclusion with the defeat of wicked King Richard at the battle of Bosworth Field in 1485. The victorious Henry, Earl of Richmond, belongs to the House of Lancaster. He marries the Princess Elizabeth, of the House of York, thus unifying the nobility and bringing to an end the Wars of the Roses. In the final scene of Richard the Third, the Lord Stanley, Earl of Derby, places the crown on Richmond’s head and he becomes King Henry VII, inaugurator of the Tudor dynasty. The play closes with a speech in which Henry looks back on the civil strife that has been the subject not just of this play but also of the Henry VI sequence, and forward to the golden age over which his wife’s namesake, Queen Elizabeth, liked to believe that she reigned. On hearing these lines, Shakespeare’s audience would themselves have looked both forward and back: back to a bloody period in the nation’s history, with relief at how it was providentially ended by the Tudor dispensation; forward to an uncertain future, in the knowledge that the queen was now too old to sustain the line.

Historians still debate the question of how villainous Richard III really was, and in particular whether he personally ordered the slaying of the princes in the Tower. What is not in doubt is that it was convenient for the Tudors to paint him as a villain, in order to make his opponent, the future Henry VII, into a hero and a saint. Sir Thomas More played a major part in the process with his History of King Richard III, written at the court of Richmond’s son, Henry VIII. Shakespeare finished the work, immortalizing Richard as the scheming Crookback, in the public theater of Henry VIII’s younger daughter. The English are notorious for getting their theology from Milton and their history from Shakespeare, rather than from more orthodox sources. The endurance of the image of a Richard who is “determinèd to prove a villain” is testimony to the power of drama to be more memorable than written history. Richard the Third is one of those core Shakespearean plays that everybody has heard of, even if they have never read it. The success of two film versions—first Sir Laurence Olivier’s and subsequently Sir Ian McKellen’s dazzling update to the fascist 1930s—has assured its continuing life.

As in the Henry VI plays, the language is frequently elevated and highly rhetorical. The combination of formal language and a sense of symmetry in the events—action leading to reaction, bloody violence to revenge, a slippery rise followed by a crashing fall as the wheel of fortune turns—places the play in the tradition of the Roman tragedian Seneca. The influence on Shakespeare was probably both direct—Seneca had been published in English translation in the 1580s—and indirect, via the Mirror for Magistrates, a highly Senecan collection of “complaint” poems, telling of misfortunes and wickedness, written in the voices of the victims of history, including both King Richard’s brother George, Duke of Clarence, and King Edward IV’s mistress, Jane Shore.

The Senecan symmetry is taken to an extreme in the role of Queen Margaret, the widow of King Henry VI, who had been such a powerful force throughout the Wars of the Roses plays. In Act 1 Scene 3, she formally curses Rivers, Dorset, Hastings, Buckingham, and Richard himself. All her curses are fulfilled and as each character dies, he realizes that this is the case. Senecan tragedy traditionally began with a Ghost returning from the underworld and demanding revenge for his or her murder. In an elegant variation, Shakespeare withholds the Ghosts for the climax of the play, bringing them on to taunt King Richard in his tent on the eve of the battle that will be his downfall.

Whereas nearly everybody in the Henry VI plays appears to be caught up in a maelstrom of historical events that they are not able to control, Richard attempts to take command of his own and his country’s destiny. There is little doubt that the part was written for Richard Burbage, just as he was becoming Shakespeare’s closest friend in the theater world. Richard the Third is the first of the small group of Shakespearean plays that are not ensemble pieces—which the Henry VI plays so clearly were—but star vehicles, in which the leading player has three times as many lines as anybody else. This play was the making of both the writer and the star. It accounts for their nicknames in a well-attested theatrical anecdote that has them as rivals in the bed of a theater-crazed citizen’s wife: Burbage is “Richard the Third” and Shakespeare “William the Conqueror.”

The trick that they seem to have worked out together was to make the leading character into the apparent author of his own script. From the very opening soliloquy, Richard takes the audience into his confidence and shares with them the role he will adopt and the plot of the drama that he intends to act out, which might be titled “an unlovely but clever man plans his ascent to the throne, not letting anybody—even an innocent child—get in his way.” He is master of the wink and the aside; he rejoices in playing the role of Iniquity, the Vice in the old tradition of morality plays. The audience enjoys his performance exactly because they know it is a performance.

The master actor needs a straight man. For Richard, this role is played by Buckingham, who assists him as he stage-manages his public image for his appearance before the Lord Mayor and citizens of London. In the previous play in the sequence, Henry VI’s prayer book was a sign that he did not want to be king; Richard’s is a sign that he is pretending not to want to be king, thus leading the Londoners to beg him to take on the office. “Will you enforce me to a world of cares?” he says, feigning reluctance—and in the next breath he whispers “Call them again,” ensuring that the offer is renewed so that this time it can be accepted. In all this, he is, as always, the consummate actor.

There are two key turning points for Richard. One is when he contrives to lose his right-hand man, Buckingham. The comedian begins to flounder without his stooge. The other is when the lamenting women who serve as a kind of Greek chorus to the action come together and confront him in the enormously long fourth scene of the fourth act. Richard’s bravura seduction of the Lady Anne had revealed his skill with words, but now his verbal power is matched by the combined forces of the Queens Margaret and Elizabeth. If one innovation in the writing of Richard the Third was the conversion of the ensemble chronicle play into a star vehicle for a single huge theatrical personality, the other was the feminization of this traditionally masculine form. In Shakespeare’s earlier history plays, in those of other authors, and indeed in the tragedies of Marlowe, women are bit-part players. Here, however, the boy-actors who play Elizabeth, Margaret, and Anne are given larger parts and more richly inflected rhetoric than all of their adult colleagues save the leading three who play Richard, Buckingham, and Clarence. Symbolically, given that Richard explains his own lust for power as a consequence of his inadequacy in the arts of love, it is fitting that he meets his match in the form of women and boys.

It is Richard’s theatrical self-consciousness that ultimately sets his play above the three parts of Henry VI. In The First Part, Talbot is a manly hero and Joan an intriguing semicomic villain; in The Second Part, there is splendid energy (Queen Margaret running amok) and variety (Jack Cade and the voice of the discontented commons); in The Third Part, we witness a scene of high drama when York is taunted with a paper crown before being stabbed to death. But it is not until Richard of Gloucester gets into his stride that we meet a figure with the compelling theatrical presence of a Falstaff or an Iago. At the climax of his first long soliloquy in Act 3 of 3 Henry VI—a speech that the theatrical tradition has often imported into Richard the Third—he announces that he will “play the orator,” “add colours to the chameleon,” and “change shapes with Proteus for advantages”: each image is of the art of the actor, with his persuasive tongue and power of self-transformation.

Richard adds that he will “set the murderous machiavel to school.” In his black farce The Jew of Malta, Christopher Marlowe had brought on a representation of Machiavelli, the Renaissance archetype of the scheming politician, to speak the prologue. As soon as the Prologue leaves the stage, Barabas the Jew is revealed, speaking his opening soliloquy. The audience thus makes the equation that Barabas is a machiavellian schemer. In Richard the Third, Shakespeare made a bold advance on this device. He dispensed with a prologue and began the action with Richard’s riveting soliloquy, “Now is the winter of our discontent.” Where Marlowe had cast Barabas in the role of the machiavel by means of a pointed structural device, Shakespeare’s Richard casts himself. He announces that since his crookback prevents him from playing the role of a stage-lover, he will self-consciously adopt that of a stage-villain. For good measure, he goes on in the second scene to show that he can in fact play the lover—with such accomplishment that he successfully woos Lady Anne over the very corpse of her father-in-law when she knows that he has been responsible for the murder of her first husband. As promised, he plays the orator to supreme effect. By the third act, he is changing shapes with Proteus and, as we have seen, appearing between two bishops in the color of a holy man. By means of the orator’s art of saying the opposite of what he means—“I cannot, nor I will not” accept the crown—he wins over the Mayor and citizens of London.

The character of Richard III is Shakespeare’s improvment on the Marlovian antihero. Marlowe’s Tamburlaine, Barabas, and Dr. Faustus fashion their identities by assuming roles—scourge of God, machiavel, conjuror. They do not stop to think that such roles are precisely that: flimsy theatrical impersonations. If they did stop, the whole Marlovian house of cards would come tumbling down. But Shakespeare began from a different place. He was an actor himself. This was the one trump card that was unavailable to Marlowe. Richard is quintessentially Shakespearean, supremely charismatic in the theater, because he knows that he is a role-player. He revels, and makes the audience revel, in play-acting. He is the first full embodiment of a Shakespearean obsession that culminates in Macbeth’s “poor player” and Prospero’s “These our actors.” It is Iago in Othello who says “I am not what I am.” But Richard could have said it too.

Only in his dreams does Richard stop acting. And when that happens, his identity collapses. Since he has forged his identity through acting, Richard denies the possibility of an essential being that is anterior to performance. He cannot sustain a language of being—“I am,” “I am not”—because he keeps coming back to particular roles (“villain”) and actions (murdering). The moment when an authentic self ought to be asserted, as in a deathbed repentance, becomes that when the self collapses. This is an actor-dramatist’s way of looking at the nature of human being. The Ghosts who appear to him in his dream the night before the last battle make him realize that actions have consequences: murder will bring him “to the bar” and a verdict of “guilty” will be pronounced. This final emphasis upon guilt is the pragmatic Shakespeare’s correction of the blasphemous Marlowe toward religious and moral orthodoxy. Having been granted his earthly crown, Richard is defeated by Henry of Richmond, who has spent the night before the battle of Bosworth Field in pious prayer to the Christian God: “O thou, whose captain I account myself, / Look on my forces with a gracious eye.” The fall of the overreacher is thus yoked to the Tudor myth of that providential scheme of history that combined the houses of York and Lancaster and established the dynasty that brought unity, then Reformation and ambition for imperial glory to the nation.

KEY FACTS

AUTHORSHIP: Though closely related to the Henry VI plays, authorship of which is much disputed, Richard the Third is almost certainly entirely Shakespeare’s.

PLOT: After years of civil unrest between the royal Houses of York and Lancaster, the Yorkist Edward IV is undisputed king. His brother, Richard Duke of Gloucester, plots to seize the throne for himself, removing anybody in his path. Richard decides he needs a wife and sets out to woo Lady Anne, widow of Henry VI’s heir. Against all the odds he wins her and celebrates by having his brother Clarence covertly killed in the Tower. On hearing of Clarence’s death, Edward IV is taken ill and dies. In his new role as Lord Protector, Richard has Edward’s heirs confined in the Tower, supposedly for safekeeping and to await the coronation. Edward IV’s widow, Queen Elizabeth, mistrusts Richard and is proved right when he orders the execution of her brother Rivers and son (by her first marriage) Grey. The Duke of Buckingham becomes Richard’s chief adviser and together they mastermind and manipulate Richard’s accession to the throne. Richard promises Buckingham an earldom for his help but refuses to grant it when Buckingham will not kill the princes held in the Tower. Richard finds other killers. Fearing for his safety, Buckingham flees to join the last Lancastrian heir Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond, who is leading an army from France against Richard. Having willed the death of his wife Anne, Richard plans to marry Edward IV’s daughter (also Elizabeth, not seen in the play) in order to prevent Richmond from doing so and thereby strengthening his claim to the throne; Queen Elizabeth tricks him by pretending that she will assist him in this. Richmond and his followers arrive in England and the two armies camp close at Bosworth Field. The night before the battle, the Ghosts of his victims torment Richard in his dreams. The next day Richard is killed in battle and Richmond claims the crown as Henry VII. He announces he will marry Elizabeth of York and finally unite the two warring factions.

MAJOR PARTS: (with percentage of lines/number of speeches/scenes on stage) Richard III/Duke of Gloucester (32%/301/14), Duke of Buckingham (10%/91/11), Queen Elizabeth (7%/98/6), Queen Margaret (6%/33/2), George, Duke of Clarence (5%/33/3), Lady Anne (5%/51/3), Lord Hastings (4%/47/8), Duchess of York (4%/43/4), Henry, Earl of Richmond (4%/14/3), Lord Stanley, Earl of Derby (3%/32/9), King Edward IV (2%/11/1), Sir William Catesby (2%/31/9), Earl Rivers (2%/24/5), Edward, Prince of Wales (1%/19/2), Richard, Duke of York (1%/21/2).

LINGUISTIC MEDIUM: 98% verse, 2% prose.

DATE: 1592? 1594? Must follow the Henry VI plays, so perhaps written shortly before the theaters were closed due to plague in June 1592. Alteration of the chronicle sources to flatter Lord Stanley, Earl of Derby, has led some scholars to suppose that the play was written for the acting company of Lord Strange’s Men, active at this time, whose patron was Stanley’s descendant. Alternatively, Shakespeare might have been writing for Pembroke’s Men in 1592: the text also includes brief praise of the Pembroke family name. Some scholars, by contrast, suppose the play to be Shakespeare’s first work for the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, the company formed after the post-plague reopening of the theaters in summer 1594. Support for this view might come from the way in which the play was clearly written as a showcase for Richard Burbage, the Chamberlain’s leading man.

SOURCES: The main source for the representation of Richard as a hunchbacked villain is Sir Thomas More’s History of King Richard III (c.1513). Since More was writing at the court of King Henry VIII, son of Henry VII, who defeated Richard at Bosworth Field, he had a vested interest in portraying Richard as unfavorably as possible. He got much of his information from Bishop Morton of Ely, a bitter enemy of Richard. More’s account was incorporated in the major Tudor chronicles; Shakespeare probably read it via Edward Hall’s Union of the Noble and Illustre Famelies of Lancastre and York (1548). He may also have consulted Holinshed and one or more other chronicles. The historical poem sequence known as The Mirror for Magistrates (1559, expanded 1563) seems to have shaped Shakespeare’s treatment of the Clarence plot. The relationship to an anonymous drama The True Tragedie of Richard the Third (registered for publication June 1594, poorly printed) is unclear: it seems to have been an older play, belonging to the Queen’s Men, that was perhaps published to cash in on the success of Shakespeare’s version.

TEXT: Quarto edition, 1597, with title advertising the content of the play: The Tragedy of King Richard the third. Containing, His treacherous Plots against his brother Clarence: the pittiefull murther of his innocent nephewes: his tyrannicall vsurpation: with the whole course of his detested life, and most deserued death. As it hath beene lately Acted by the Right honourable the Lord Chamberlaine his servants. Reprinted 1598, with Shakespeare’s name on the title page (one of the first printed plays to be so attributed), and again in 1602, 1605, 1612, 1622, 1629, 1634, indicating the play’s popularity. Each Quarto was reprinted from the last, with some errors and occasional editorial correction. The 1623 Folio text derives from an independent manuscript that differed substantially from the Quarto tradition, though the Sixth Quarto and to a lesser extent the Third Quarto were consulted in its preparation. There has been much scholarly debate over the sources and relationship of the two texts: their relationship and relative authority has been justifiably described as the most difficult textual problem in all Shakespeare. It appears that the Folio, though printed much later, reflects an earlier version of the play. The Folio text is about 200 lines longer than the Quarto, a difference more probably due to Quarto cutting and streamlining than Folio expansion. The Quarto has just under 40 lines that are not in Folio. There are hundreds of variants of wording. The Folio text is generally more coherent; some of the difficulties of the Quarto have been attributed to “memorial reconstruction” by actors, but current scholarship questions this view. Though Folio has many deficiencies, some imported from the Quarto tradition and others introduced by the compositors, it requires less editorial intervention to render it comprehensible and theatrically workable. It has been the copy text for most, though not all, scholarly editions, as it is for ours, in accordance with our Folio-based policy.

GENEALOGY: See this page.

THE TRAGEDY OF RICHARD THE THIRD: with the Landing of Earl Richmond and the Battle at Bosworth Field*

RICHARD, Duke of Gloucester, later King RICHARD III

Duke of CLARENCE, his brother

Duke of BUCKINGHAM

Lord HASTINGS, the Lord Chamberlain

Sir William CATESBY

Sir Richard RATCLIFFE

Lord LOVELL

BRACKENBURY, Lord Lieutenant of the Tower

Lord Stanley, Earl of DERBY (sometimes addressed as Derby and sometimes as Stanley, here given speech prefix Derby)

KING EDWARD IV, Gloucester’s older brother

QUEEN ELIZABETH, his Wife

PRINCE EDWARD, their older son

Duke of YORK, their younger son

Lord RIVERS, Elizabeth’s brother

Lord GREY, Elizabeth’s son by her first husband

Marquis of DORSET, his brother

Sir Thomas VAUGHAN

Lady ANNE, widow of Edward, Prince of Wales, later Duchess of Gloucester

QUEEN MARGARET, widow of Henry VI

DUCHESS OF YORK, mother to Gloucester, Clarence, Edward IV

Earl of RICHMOND, later King Henry VII

Earl of OXFORD

Sir JAMES BLUNT

Sir WALTER HERBERT

Sir WILLIAM BRANDON

Duke of NORFOLK

Earl of SURREY

CARDINAL, Archbishop of Canterbury

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK

BISHOP OF ELY

SIR CHRISTOPHER, a priest

Sir John, a PRIEST

Lord MAYOR of London

Three CITIZENS

JAMES TYRRELL

Two MURDERERS

MESSENGERS

KEEPER

PURSUIVANT

PAGE

Ghost of KING HENRY VI

Ghost of EDWARD, his son

Two Bishops, Soldiers, Halberdiers, Gentlemen, Lords, Citizens, Attendants

Act 1 Scene 11.1

running scene 1

       Enter Richard, Duke of Gloucester, solus

RICHARD

RICHARD     Now is the winter of our discontent

               Made glorious summer by this son of York:²

               And all the clouds that loured³ upon our house

               In the deep bosom of the ocean buried.

5

5             Now are our brows bound with victorious wreaths,

               Our bruisèd arms⁶ hung up for monuments,

               Our stern alarums⁷ changed to merry meetings,

               Our dreadful⁸ marches to delightful measures.

               Grim-visaged war hath smoothed his wrinkled front,⁹

10

10           And now, instead of mounting barbèd¹⁰ steeds

               To fright the souls of fearful¹¹ adversaries,

               He capers¹² nimbly in a lady’s chamber

               To the lascivious pleasing¹³ of a lute.

               But I, that am not shaped for sportive¹⁴ tricks,

15

15           Nor made to court¹⁵ an amorous looking-glass:

               I, that am rudely stamped,¹⁶ and want love’s majesty

               To strut before a wanton¹⁷ ambling nymph:

               I, that am curtailed¹⁸ of this fair proportion,

               Cheated of feature¹⁹ by dissembling nature,

20

20           Deformed, unfinished, sent²⁰ before my time

               Into this breathing world, scarce half made up,²¹

               And that so lamely and unfashionable²²

               That dogs bark at me as I halt²³ by them —

               Why, I, in this weak piping²⁴ time of peace,

25

25           Have no delight to pass away the time,

               Unless to see my shadow in the sun

               And descant²⁷ on mine own deformity.

               And therefore, since I cannot prove a lover,

               To entertain²⁹ these fair well-spoken days,

30

30           I am determinèd³⁰ to prove a villain

               And hate the idle pleasures of these days.

               Plots have I laid, inductions³² dangerous,

               By drunken prophecies, libels and dreams,

               To set my brother Clarence and the king

35

35           In deadly hate the one against the other.

               And if King Edward be as true and just

               As I am subtle,³⁷ false and treacherous,

               This day should Clarence closely be mewed up,³⁸

               About³⁹ a prophecy, which says that ‘G’

40

40           Of Edward’s heirs the murderer shall be.

               Dive, thoughts, down to my soul: here Clarence comes.—

       Enter Clarence, guarded, and Brackenbury

               Brother, good day. What means this armèd guard

               That waits upon⁴³ your grace?

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     His majesty,

45

45           Tend’ring⁴⁵ my person’s safety, hath appointed

               This conduct⁴⁶ to convey me to th’Tower.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Upon what cause?

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     Because my name is George.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Alack, my lord, that fault is none of yours.

50

50           He should, for that, commit⁵⁰ your godfathers.

               O, belike⁵¹ his majesty hath some intent

               That you should be new-christened⁵² in the Tower.

               But what’s the matter,⁵³ Clarence, may I know?

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     Yea, Richard, when I know, but I protest⁵⁴

55

55           As yet I do not. But, as I can learn,

               He hearkens after⁵⁶ prophecies and dreams,

               And from the cross-row⁵⁷ plucks the letter G,

               And says a wizard told him that by ‘G’

               His issue⁵⁹ disinherited should be:

60

60           And, for⁶⁰ my name of George begins with G,

               It follows in his thought that I am he.

               These, as I learn, and such like toys⁶² as these,

               Hath moved his highness to commit me now.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Why, this it is when men are ruled by women:

65

65           ’Tis not the king that sends you to the Tower,

               My lady Grey⁶⁶ his wife, Clarence, ’tis she

               That tempts him to this harsh extremity.

               Was it not she and that good man of worship,⁶⁸

               Anthony Woodville,⁶⁹ her brother there,

70

70           That made him send Lord Hastings to the Tower,

               From whence this present day he is delivered?⁷¹

               We are not safe, Clarence, we are not safe.

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     By heaven, I think there is no man secure

               But the queen’s kindred and night-walking heralds⁷⁴

75

75           That trudge betwixt⁷⁵ the king and Mistress Shore.

               Heard you not what an humble suppliant⁷⁶

               Lord Hastings was to her, for his delivery?⁷⁷

RICHARD

RICHARD     Humbly complaining⁷⁸ to her deity

               Got my Lord Chamberlain⁷⁹ his liberty.

80

80           I’ll tell you what: I think it is our way,

               If we will keep in favour with the king,

               To be her men⁸² and wear her livery.

               The jealous o’erworn⁸³ widow and herself,

               Since that our brother dubbed them⁸⁴ gentlewomen,

85

85           Are mighty gossips⁸⁵ in our monarchy.

               How say you sir? Can you deny all this?

BRACKENBURY

BRACKENBURY I beseech your graces both to pardon me:

               His majesty hath straitly⁸⁷ given in charge

               That no man shall have private conference,

               Of⁸⁹ what degree soever, with your brother.

90

90   

RICHARD

RICHARD           Even so, an⁹⁰ please your worship, Brackenbury,

               You may partake of anything we say.

               We speak no treason, man: we say the king

               Is wise and virtuous, and his noble queen

               Well⁹⁴ struck in years, fair and not jealous.

95

95           We say that Shore’s wife hath a pretty foot,

               A cherry lip, a bonny eye, a passing⁹⁶ pleasing tongue,

               And that the queen’s kindred are made gentlefolks.

               How say you sir? Can you deny all this?

BRACKENBURY

BRACKENBURY With this, my lord, myself have nought to do.

100

RICHARD

RICHARD     Naught to do with Mistress Shore? I tell thee, fellow,

               He that doth naught¹⁰¹ with her, excepting one,

               Were best to do it secretly, alone.

BRACKENBURY

BRACKENBURY What one, my lord?

RICHARD

RICHARD     Her husband, knave. Wouldst thou betray¹⁰⁴ me?

105

105 

BRACKENBURY

BRACKENBURY I do beseech your grace to pardon me, and withal¹⁰⁵

               Forbear¹⁰⁶ your conference with the noble duke.

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     We know thy charge,¹⁰⁷ Brackenbury, and will obey.

RICHARD

RICHARD     We are the queen’s abjects,¹⁰⁸ and must obey.—

               Brother, farewell. I will unto the king,

110

110         And whatsoe’er you will employ me in,

               Were it to call King Edward’s widow sister,

               I will perform it to enfranchise¹¹² you.

               Meantime, this deep disgrace in brotherhood

               Touches¹¹⁴ me deeper than you can imagine. Embraces him

115

115 

CLARENCE

CLARENCE             I know it pleaseth neither of us well.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Well, your imprisonment shall not be long.

               I will deliver you or else lie for you.¹¹⁷

               Meantime, have patience.

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     I must perforce.¹¹⁹ Farewell.

       Exit Clarence [led by Brackenbury and Guards]

120

120 

RICHARD

RICHARD             Go, tread the path that thou shalt ne’er return.

               Simple, plain Clarence, I do love thee so

               That I will shortly send thy soul to heaven,

               If heaven will take the present¹²³ at our hands.

               But who comes here? The new-delivered¹²⁴ Hastings?

       Enter Lord Hastings

125

125 

HASTINGS

HASTINGS             Good time of day unto my gracious lord.

RICHARD

RICHARD     As much unto my good Lord Chamberlain.

               Well are you welcome to this open air.

               How hath your lordship brooked¹²⁸ imprisonment?

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     With patience, noble lord, as prisoners must.

130

130         But I shall live, my lord, to give them thanks¹³⁰

               That were the cause of my imprisonment.

RICHARD

RICHARD     No doubt, no doubt. And so shall Clarence too,

               For they that were your enemies are his,

               And have prevailed as much on him as you.

135

135 

HASTINGS

HASTINGS             More pity that the eagles should be mewed,¹³⁵

               Whiles kites and buzzards¹³⁶ play at liberty.

RICHARD

RICHARD     What news abroad?¹³⁷

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     No news so bad abroad as this at home:

               The king is sickly, weak and melancholy,

140

140         And his physicians fear him¹⁴⁰ mightily.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Now, by Saint John, that news is bad indeed.

               O, he hath kept an evil diet¹⁴² long,

               And overmuch consumed his royal person.

               ’Tis very grievous to be thought upon.

145

145         Where is he, in his bed?

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     He is.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Go you before, and I will follow you.

       Exit Hastings

               He cannot live, I hope, and must not die

               Till George be packed¹⁴⁹ with post-horse up to heaven.

150

150         I’ll in to urge his hatred more to Clarence,

               With lies well steeled¹⁵¹ with weighty arguments.

               And, if I fail not in my deep¹⁵² intent,

               Clarence hath not another day to live:

               Which done, God take King Edward to his mercy,

155

155         And leave the world for me to bustle¹⁵⁵ in.

               For then I’ll marry Warwick’s youngest daughter.¹⁵⁶

               What though I killed her husband¹⁵⁷ and her father?

               The readiest way to make the wench amends

               Is to become her husband and her father:

160

160         The which will I, not all so much for love

               As for another secret close¹⁶¹ intent,

               By marrying her which I must reach unto.¹⁶²

               But yet I run¹⁶³ before my horse to market:

               Clarence still breathes, Edward still lives and reigns.

165

165         When they are gone, then must I count my gains.

       Exit

Act 1 Scene 21.2

running scene 1 continues

       Enter the corpse of Henry the Sixth with [Gentlemen bearing] halberds to guard it, Lady Anne being the mourner

ANNE

ANNE     Set down, set down your honourable load —

               If honour may be shrouded² in a hearse —

               Whilst I awhile obsequiously³ lament

               Th’untimely fall of virtuous Lancaster.⁴ They set down the coffin

5

5             Poor key-cold⁵ figure of a holy king,

               Pale ashes⁶ of the house of Lancaster,

               Thou bloodless remnant of that royal blood,

               Be it⁸ lawful that I invocate thy ghost,

               To hear the lamentations of poor Anne,

10

10           Wife to thy Edward, to thy slaughtered son,

               Stabbed by the selfsame hand that made these wounds.

               Lo,¹² in these windows that let forth thy life,

               I pour the helpless balm¹³ of my poor eyes.

               O, cursèd be the hand that made these holes:

15

15           Cursed the heart that had the heart to do it:

               Cursed the blood that let this blood from hence!

               More direful hap¹⁷ betide that hated wretch

               That makes us wretched by the death of thee

               Than I can wish to wolves, to spiders, toads,¹⁹

20

20           Or any creeping venomed thing that lives.

               If ever he have child, abortive²¹ be it,

               Prodigious,²² and untimely brought to light,

               Whose ugly and unnatural aspect²³

               May fright the hopeful mother at the view,

25

25           And that²⁵ be heir to his unhappiness.

               If ever he have wife, let her be made

               More miserable by the death of him

               Than I am made by my young lord and thee.—

               Come, now towards Chertsey²⁹ with your holy load,

30

30           Taken from Paul’s³⁰ to be interrèd there. They lift the coffin

               And still as³¹ you are weary of this weight,

               Rest you, whiles I lament King Henry’s corpse.

       Enter Richard, Duke of Gloucester

RICHARD

RICHARD     Stay, you that bear the corpse, and set it down.

ANNE

ANNE     What black magician conjures up this fiend,

35

35           To stop devoted³⁵ charitable deeds?

RICHARD

RICHARD     Villains, set down the corpse, or, by Saint Paul,

               I’ll make a corpse of him that disobeys.

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN     My lord, stand back, and let the coffin pass.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Unmannered dog, stand’st thou when I command.

40

40           Advance⁴⁰ thy halberd higher than my breast,

               Or, by Saint Paul, I’ll strike thee to my foot,

               And spurn upon⁴² thee, beggar, for thy boldness They set down the coffin

ANNE

ANNE     What, do you tremble? Are you all afraid?

               Alas, I blame you not, for you are mortal,

45

45           And mortal eyes cannot endure the devil.—

               Avaunt,⁴⁶ thou dreadful minister of hell!

               Thou hadst but power over his mortal body,

               His soul thou canst not have: therefore be gone.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Sweet saint, for charity, be not so curst.⁴⁹

50

50   

ANNE

ANNE           Foul devil, for God’s sake, hence,⁵⁰ and trouble us not,

               For thou hast made the happy earth thy hell,

               Filled it with cursing cries and deep exclaims.⁵²

               If thou delight to view thy heinous deeds,

               Behold this pattern⁵⁴ of thy butcheries.— Uncovers the body

55

55           O, gentlemen, see, see dead Henry’s wounds

               Open their congealed mouths and bleed afresh.—

               Blush, blush, thou lump of foul deformity,

               For ’tis thy⁵⁸ presence that exhales this blood

               From cold and empty veins, where no blood dwells.

60

60           Thy deeds, inhuman and unnatural,

               Provokes this deluge most unnatural.—

               O God, which this blood mad’st, revenge his death!

               O earth, which this blood drink’st, revenge his death!

               Either heav’n with lightning strike the murd’rer dead,

65

65           Or earth gape open wide and eat him quick,

               As thou dost swallow up this good king’s blood

               Which his hell-governed arm hath butcherèd!

RICHARD

RICHARD     Lady, you know no rules of charity,

               Which renders good for bad, blessings for curses.

70

70   

ANNE

ANNE           Villain, thou know’st nor law of God nor man:

               No beast so⁷¹ fierce but knows some touch of pity.

RICHARD

RICHARD     But I know none, and therefore am no beast.

ANNE

ANNE     O, wonderful,⁷³ when devils tell the truth!

RICHARD

RICHARD     More wonderful, when angels are so angry.

75

75           Vouchsafe,⁷⁵ divine perfection of a woman,

               Of these supposèd crimes to give me leave,⁷⁶

               By circumstance⁷⁷ but to acquit myself.

ANNE

ANNE     Vouchsafe, defused⁷⁸ infection of man,

               Of these known evils, but to give me leave,

80

80           By circumstance to curse thy cursèd self.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Fairer than tongue can name thee, let me have

               Some patient leisure⁸² to excuse myself.

ANNE

ANNE     Fouler than heart can think thee, thou canst make

               No excuse current,⁸⁴ but to hang thyself.

85

85   

RICHARD

RICHARD           By such despair,⁸⁵ I should accuse myself.

ANNE

ANNE     And by despairing shalt thou stand excused

               For doing worthy⁸⁷ vengeance on thyself,

               That didst unworthy⁸⁸ slaughter upon others.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Say that I slew them not.

90

90   

ANNE

ANNE           Then say they were not slain.

               But dead they are, and devilish slave,⁹¹ by thee.

RICHARD

RICHARD     I did not kill your husband.

ANNE

ANNE     Why, then he is alive.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Nay, he is dead, and slain by Edward’s hands.

95

95   

ANNE

ANNE           In⁹⁵ thy foul throat thou liest: Queen Margaret saw

               Thy murd’rous falchion⁹⁶ smoking in his blood,

               The which thou once⁹⁷ didst bend against her breast,

               But that thy brothers beat aside the point.

RICHARD

RICHARD     I was provokèd by her sland’rous tongue,

100

100         That laid their guilt upon my guiltless shoulders.

ANNE

ANNE     Thou wast provokèd by thy bloody mind,

               That never dream’st on aught¹⁰² but butcheries.

               Didst thou not kill this king?

RICHARD

RICHARD     I grant ye.

105

105 

ANNE

ANNE             Dost grant me, hedgehog?¹⁰⁵ Then, God grant me too

               Thou mayst be damnèd for that wicked deed.

               O, he was gentle, mild and virtuous!

RICHARD

RICHARD     The better for the king of heaven that hath him.

ANNE

ANNE     He is in heaven, where thou shalt never come.

110

110 

RICHARD

RICHARD             Let him thank me, that holp¹¹⁰ to send him thither,

               For he was fitter for that place than earth.

ANNE

ANNE     And thou unfit for any place but hell.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Yes, one place else, if you will hear me name it.

ANNE

ANNE     Some dungeon.

115

115 

RICHARD

RICHARD             Your bedchamber.¹¹⁵

ANNE

ANNE     Ill rest betide the chamber where thou liest.

RICHARD

RICHARD     So will it, madam, till I lie with you.

ANNE

ANNE     I hope so.¹¹⁸

RICHARD

RICHARD     I know so. But, gentle Lady Anne,

120

120         To leave this keen¹²⁰ encounter of our wits,

               And fall something into a slower method:

               Is not the causer of the timeless¹²² deaths

               Of these Plantagenets, Henry and Edward,

               As blameful as the executioner?

125

125 

ANNE

ANNE             Thou wast the cause and most accursed effect.¹²⁵

RICHARD

RICHARD     Your beauty was the cause of that effect.

               Your beauty, that did haunt me in my sleep

               To undertake the death of all the world,

               So I might live one hour in your sweet bosom.

130

130 

ANNE

ANNE             If I thought that, I tell thee, homicide,¹³⁰

               These nails should rend that beauty from my cheeks.

RICHARD

RICHARD     These eyes could never endure that beauty’s wreck.

               You should not blemish it, if I stood by:

               As all the world is cheerèd by the sun,

135

135         So I by that: it is my day, my life.

ANNE

ANNE     Black night o’ershade thy day, and death thy life.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Curse not thyself, fair creature: thou art both.¹³⁷

ANNE

ANNE     I would¹³⁸ I were, to be revenged on thee.

RICHARD

RICHARD     It is a quarrel most unnatural

140

140         To be revenged on him that loveth thee.

ANNE

ANNE     It is a quarrel just and reasonable

               To be revenged on him that killed my husband.

RICHARD

RICHARD     He that bereft thee, lady, of thy husband,

               Did it to help thee to a better husband.

145

145 

ANNE

ANNE             His better doth not breathe upon the earth.

RICHARD

RICHARD     He lives¹⁴⁶ that loves thee better than he could.

ANNE

ANNE     Name him.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Plantagenet.¹⁴⁸

ANNE

ANNE     Why, that was he.

150

150 

RICHARD

RICHARD             The selfsame name, but one of better nature.

ANNE

ANNE     Where is he?

RICHARD

RICHARD     Here.

       Spits at him

               Why dost thou spit at me?

ANNE

ANNE     Would it were mortal poison, for thy sake.

155

155 

RICHARD

RICHARD             Never came poison from so sweet a place.

ANNE

ANNE     Never hung poison on a fouler toad.

               Out of my sight, thou dost infect mine eyes.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Thine eyes, sweet lady, have infected mine.¹⁵⁸

ANNE

ANNE     Would they were basilisks,¹⁵⁹ to strike thee dead.

160

160 

RICHARD

RICHARD             I would they were, that I might die¹⁶⁰ at once,

               For now they kill me with a living death.

               Those eyes of thine from mine have drawn salt tears,

               Shamed their aspects¹⁶³ with store of childish drops:

               These eyes, which never shed remorseful tear —

165

165         No,¹⁶⁵ when my father York and Edward wept,

               To hear the piteous moan that Rutland¹⁶⁶ made

               When black-faced¹⁶⁷ Clifford shook his sword at him,

               Nor when thy warlike father,¹⁶⁸ like a child,

               Told the sad story of my father’s death,

170

170         And twenty times made pause to sob and weep,

               That¹⁷¹ all the standers-by had wet their cheeks

               Like trees bedashed¹⁷² with rain: in that sad time,

               My manly eyes did scorn an humble¹⁷³ tear.

               And what these sorrows could not thence exhale,¹⁷⁴

175

175         Thy beauty hath, and made them blind with weeping.

               I never sued¹⁷⁶ to friend nor enemy:

               My tongue could never learn sweet smoothing¹⁷⁷ word.

               But now thy beauty is proposed my fee,¹⁷⁸

               My proud heart sues, and prompts my tongue to speak.

       She looks scornfully at him

180

180         Teach not thy lip such scorn, for it was made

               For kissing, lady, not for such contempt.

               If thy revengeful heart cannot forgive,

               Lo, here I lend thee this sharp-pointed sword, Gives her his sword

               Which if thou please to hide in this true breast. ↓Kneels↓

185

185         And let the soul forth that adoreth thee,

               I lay it naked to the deadly stroke

               And humbly beg the death upon my knee.

       He lays his breast open: she offers at [it] with his sword

               Nay, do not pause, for I did kill King Henry —

               But ’twas thy beauty that provokèd me.

190

190         Nay, now dispatch: ’twas I that stabbed young Edward —

               But ’twas thy heavenly face that set me on.¹⁹¹

       She falls the sword

               Take up the sword again, or take up me.¹⁹²

ANNE

ANNE     Arise, dissembler.¹⁹³ Though I wish thy death,

               I will not be thy executioner.

195

195 

RICHARD

RICHARD             Then bid me kill myself, and I will do it.

       Takes his sword back

ANNE

ANNE     I have already.

RICHARD

RICHARD     That was in thy rage:

               Speak it again, and even with the word,

               This hand, which for thy love did kill thy love,

200

200         Shall for thy love kill a far truer love.²⁰⁰

               To both their deaths shalt thou be accessory.

ANNE

ANNE     I would I knew thy heart.

RICHARD

RICHARD     ’Tis figured in²⁰³ my tongue.

ANNE

ANNE     I fear me both are false.

205

205 

RICHARD

RICHARD             Then never man was true.

ANNE

ANNE     Well, well, put up your sword.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Say, then, my peace is made.

ANNE

ANNE     That shalt thou know hereafter.

RICHARD

RICHARD     But shall I live in hope?

210

210 

ANNE

ANNE             All men, I hope, live so.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Vouchsafe to wear this ring. Puts a ring on her

               Look how my ring encompasseth thy finger.

               Even so²¹³ thy breast encloseth my poor heart:

               Wear both of them, for both of them are thine.

215

215         And if thy poor devoted servant may

               But beg one favour at thy gracious hand,

               Thou dost confirm his happiness for ever.

ANNE

ANNE     What is it?

RICHARD

RICHARD     That it may please you leave these sad designs

220

220         To him that hath most cause to be a mourner,

               And presently²²¹ repair to Crosby House,

               Where after I have solemnly interred

               At Chertsey monast’ry this noble king,

               And wet his grave with my repentant tears —

225

225         I will with all expedient duty²²⁵ see you.

               For divers²²⁶ unknown reasons, I beseech you,

               Grant me this boon.²²⁷

ANNE

ANNE     With all my heart, and much it joys me too,

               To see you are become so penitent.—

230

230         Tressell and Berkeley,²³⁰ go along with me.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Bid me farewell.

ANNE

ANNE     ’Tis more than you deserve,

               But since you teach me how to flatter you,

               Imagine I have said farewell already.

       Exeunt two [Tressell and Berkeley] with Anne

235

235 

GENTLEMEN

GENTLEMEN             Towards Chertsey, noble lord?

RICHARD

RICHARD     No, to Whitefriars.²³⁶ There attend my coming.

       Exit corpse [borne by the other gentlemen]

               Was ever woman in this humour²³⁷ wooed?

               Was ever woman in this humour won?

               I’ll have her, but I will not keep her long.

240

240         What? I, that killed her husband and his father,

               To take her in her heart’s extremest hate,

               With curses in her mouth, tears in her eyes,

               The bleeding witness²⁴³ of my hatred by,

               Having God, her conscience, and these bars²⁴⁴ against me,

245

245         And I no friends to back my suit²⁴⁵ withal,

               But the plain devil and dissembling looks?

               And yet to win her, all²⁴⁷ the world to nothing?

               Ha!

               Hath she forgot already that brave²⁴⁹ prince,

250

250         Edward, her lord, whom I, some three months since,

               Stabbed in my angry mood²⁵¹ at Tewkesbury?

               A sweeter and a lovelier gentleman,

               Framed²⁵³ in the prodigality of nature,

               Young, valiant, wise, and, no doubt, right royal,²⁵⁴

255

255         The spacious world cannot again afford.

               And will she yet abase her eyes on me,

               That cropped the golden prime²⁵⁷ of this sweet prince,

               And made her widow to a woeful bed?

               On me, whose²⁵⁹ all not equals Edward’s moiety?

260

260         On me, that halts²⁶⁰ and am misshapen thus?

               My dukedom to a beggarly denier!²⁶¹

               I do mistake my person all this while.

               Upon my life, she finds, although I cannot,

               Myself to be a marv’llous proper²⁶⁴ man.

265

265         I’ll be²⁶⁵ at charges for a looking-glass,

               And entertain²⁶⁶ a score or two of tailors

               To study fashions to adorn my body.

               Since I am crept in favour with myself,

               I will maintain it with some little cost.

270

270         But first I’ll turn yon fellow in²⁷⁰ his grave,

               And then return lamenting to my love.

               Shine out, fair sun, till I have bought a glass,²⁷²

               That I may see my shadow²⁷³ as I pass.

       Exit

Act 1 Scene 3*

running scene 2

       Enter [Elizabeth] the Queen Mother, Lord Rivers and Lord Grey

RIVERS

RIVERS     Have patience, madam. There’s no doubt his majesty

               Will soon recover his accustomed health.

GREY

GREY     In that you brook³ it ill, it makes him worse: To Queen Elizabeth

               Therefore, for God’s sake, entertain good comfort,⁴

5

5             And cheer his grace with quick and merry eyes.

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH If he were dead, what would betide on⁶ me?

GREY

GREY     No other harm but loss of such a lord.

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH The loss of such a lord includes⁸ all harms.

GREY

GREY     The heavens have blessed you with a goodly⁹ son

10

10           To be your comforter when he is gone.

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH Ah, he is young, and his minority

               Is put unto the trust of Richard Gloucester,

               A man that loves not me, nor none of you.

RIVERS

RIVERS     Is it concluded¹⁴ he shall be Protector?

15

15   

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH It is determined, not concluded yet:

               But so it must be, if the king miscarry.¹⁶

       Enter Buckingham and [Stanley, Earl of] Derby

GREY

GREY     Here come the lords of Buckingham and Derby.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Good time of day unto your royal grace.

DERBY

DERBY     God make your majesty joyful as you have been.

20

20   

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH The Countess Richmond,²⁰ good my lord of Derby,

               To your good prayer will scarcely say amen.

               Yet, Derby, notwithstanding she’s your wife,

               And loves not me, be you, good lord, assured

               I hate not you for her proud arrogance.

25

25   

DERBY

DERBY           I do beseech you either not believe

               The envious²⁶ slanders of her false accusers,

               Or, if she be accused on true report,

               Bear with her weakness, which I think proceeds

               From wayward²⁹ sickness and no grounded malice.

30

30   

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH Saw you the king today, my lord of Derby?

DERBY

DERBY     But now the Duke of Buckingham and I

               Are come from visiting his majesty.

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH What likelihood of his amendment, lords?

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Madam, good hope: his grace speaks cheerfully.

35

35   

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH God grant him health. Did you confer with him?

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Ay, madam. He desires to make atonement³⁶

               Between the Duke of Gloucester and your brothers,³⁷

               And between them and my Lord Chamberlain,

               And sent to warn³⁹ them to his royal presence.

40

40   

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH Would all were well! But that will never be.

               I fear our happiness⁴¹ is at the height.

       Enter Richard [with Hastings and Dorset]

RICHARD

RICHARD     They do me wrong, and I will not endure it.

               Who is it that complains unto the king

               That I, forsooth,⁴⁴ am stern and love them not?

45

45           By holy Paul, they love his grace but lightly⁴⁵

               That fill his ears with such dissentious⁴⁶ rumours.

               Because I cannot flatter and look fair,⁴⁷

               Smile in men’s faces, smooth,⁴⁸ deceive and cog,

               Duck⁴⁹ with French nods and apish courtesy,

50

50           I must be held a rancorous enemy.

               Cannot a plain⁵¹ man live and think no harm,

               But thus his simple truth must be abused

               By silken,⁵³ sly, insinuating jacks?

GREY

GREY     To who in all this presence⁵⁴ speaks your grace?

55

55   

RICHARD

RICHARD           To thee, that hast nor⁵⁵ honesty nor grace.

               When have I injured thee? When done thee wrong?

               Or thee? Or thee? Or any of your faction?

               A plague upon you all! His royal grace —

               Whom God preserve better than you would wish —

60

60           Cannot be quiet scarce a breathing-while,⁶⁰

               But you must trouble him with lewd⁶¹ complaints.

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH Brother of Gloucester, you mistake the matter.

               The king, on his own royal disposition,

               And not provoked by any suitor else,

65

65           Aiming, belike,⁶⁵ at your interior hatred,

               That in your outward action shows itself

               Against my children, brothers, and myself,

               Makes him to send,⁶⁸ that he may learn the ground.

RICHARD

RICHARD     I cannot tell. The world is grown so bad

70

70           That wrens⁷⁰ make prey where eagles dare not perch.

               Since every Jack became a gentleman,

               There’s many a gentle person made a jack.

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH Come, come, we know your meaning, brother Gloucester:

               You envy my advancement and my friends’.⁷⁴

75

75           God grant we never may have need of you.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Meantime, God grants that I have need of you.

               Our brother⁷⁷ is imprisoned by your means,

               Myself disgraced, and the nobility

               Held in contempt, while great promotions

80

80           Are daily given to ennoble those

               That scarce some two days since were worth a noble.⁸¹

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH By him that raised me to this careful⁸² height

               From that contented hap⁸³ which I enjoyed,

               I never did incense his majesty

85

85           Against the Duke of Clarence, but have been

               An earnest advocate to plead for him.

               My lord, you do me shameful injury,

               Falsely to draw me⁸⁸ in these vile suspects.

RICHARD

RICHARD     You may deny that you were not the mean

90

90           Of my lord Hastings’ late⁹⁰ imprisonment.

RIVERS

RIVERS     She may, my lord, for—

RICHARD

RICHARD     She may, Lord Rivers? Why, who knows not so?

               She may do more, sir, than denying that.

               She may help you to many fair preferments,⁹⁴

95

95           And then deny her aiding hand therein,

               And lay those honours on your high desert.⁹⁶

               What may she not? She may, ay, marry,⁹⁷ may she—

RIVERS

RIVERS     What, marry, may she?

RICHARD

RICHARD     What, marry, may she? Marry with a king,

100

100         A bachelor and a handsome stripling¹⁰⁰ too.

               Iwis¹⁰¹ your grandam had a worser match.

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH My lord of Gloucester, I have too long borne

               Your blunt upbraidings and your bitter scoffs.

               By heaven, I will acquaint his majesty

105

105         Of those gross¹⁰⁵ taunts that oft I have endured.

               I had rather be a country servant-maid

               Than a great queen, with this condition,

               To be so bated, scorned and stormèd at.

       Enter old Queen Margaret [unseen by the others]

               Small joy have I in being England’s queen.

110

110 

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET And lessened be that small, God, I beseech him! Speaks aside throughout

               Thy honour, state¹¹¹ and seat is due to me.

RICHARD

RICHARD     What? Threat¹¹² you me with telling of the king? To Queen Elizabeth

               I will avouch’t¹¹³ in presence of the king.

               I dare adventure¹¹⁴ to be sent to th’Tower.

115

115         ’Tis time to speak, my pains¹¹⁵ are quite forgot.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Out,¹¹⁶ devil! I do remember them too well:

               Thou kill’dst my husband Henry in the Tower,

               And Edward, my poor son, at Tewkesbury.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Ere¹¹⁹ you were queen, ay, or your husband king, To Queen Elizabeth

120

120         I was a packhorse¹²⁰ in his great affairs,

               A weeder-out of his proud¹²¹ adversaries,

               A liberal rewarder of his friends.

               To royalize his blood, I spent mine own.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Ay, and much better blood than his or thine.

125

125 

RICHARD

RICHARD             In all which time you and your husband Grey

               Were factious for¹²⁶ the House of Lancaster.—

               And, Rivers, so were you.— Was not your husband¹²⁷

               In Margaret’s battle at St Albans slain?

               Let me put in your minds, if you forget,

130

130         What you have been ere this,¹³⁰ and what you are:

               Withal,¹³¹ what I have been, and what I am.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET A murd’rous villain, and so still thou art.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Poor Clarence¹³³ did forsake his father, Warwick,

               Ay, and forswore himself¹³⁴ — which Jesu pardon! —

135

135 

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Which God revenge!

RICHARD

RICHARD     To fight on Edward’s party for the crown.

               And for his meed,¹³⁷ poor lord, he is mewed up.

               I would to God my heart were flint, like Edward’s,

               Or Edward’s soft and pitiful,¹³⁹ like mine.

140

140         I am too childish-foolish¹⁴⁰ for this world.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Hie¹⁴¹ thee to hell for shame, and leave this world,

               Thou cacodemon!¹⁴² There thy kingdom is.

RIVERS

RIVERS     My lord of Gloucester, in those busy days

               Which here you urge¹⁴⁴ to prove us enemies,

145

145         We followed then our lord, our sovereign king.

               So should we you, if you should be our king.

RICHARD

RICHARD     If I should be? I had rather be a pedlar.

               Far be it from my heart, the thought thereof.

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH As little joy, my lord, as you suppose

150

150         You should enjoy were you this country’s king,

               As little joy you may suppose in me,

               That I enjoy, being the queen thereof.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET A little joy enjoys the queen thereof,

               For I am she, and altogether joyless.

155

155         I can no longer hold me patient.— Comes forward

               Hear me, you wrangling pirates, that fall out

               In sharing that which you have pilled¹⁵⁷ from me.

               Which of you trembles not that looks on me?

               If¹⁵⁹ not, that I am queen, you bow like subjects,

160

160         Yet that, by you deposed, you quake like rebels.

               Ah, gentle¹⁶¹ villain, do not turn away. To Richard

RICHARD

RICHARD     Foul wrinkled witch, what mak’st thou¹⁶² in my sight?

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET But repetition of¹⁶³ what thou hast marred,

               That will I make¹⁶⁴ before I let thee go.

165

165 

RICHARD

RICHARD             Wert thou not banishèd on pain of death?

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET I was, but I do find more pain in banishment

               Than death can yield me here by my abode.¹⁶⁷

               A husband and a son thou ow’st to me,

               And thou¹⁶⁹ a kingdom; all of you allegiance.

170

170         The sorrow that I have, by right is yours,

               And all the pleasures you usurp are mine.

RICHARD

RICHARD     The curse¹⁷² my noble father laid on thee,

               When thou didst crown his warlike brows with paper

               And with thy scorns drew’st rivers from his eyes,

175

175         And then, to dry them, gav’st the duke a clout¹⁷⁵

               Steeped in the faultless blood of pretty¹⁷⁶ Rutland —

               His curses then, from bitterness of soul

               Denounced against thee, are all fall’n upon thee,

               And God, not we, hath plagued¹⁷⁹ thy bloody deed.

180

180 

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH So just is God, to right the innocent.

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     O, ’twas the foulest deed to slay that babe,¹⁸¹

               And the most merciless that e’er was heard of!

RIVERS

RIVERS     Tyrants themselves wept when it was reported.

DORSET

DORSET     No¹⁸⁴ man but prophesied revenge for it.

185

185 

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM             Northumberland, then present, wept to see it.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET What? Were you snarling all before I came,

               Ready to catch¹⁸⁷ each other by the throat,

               And turn you all your hatred now on me?

               Did York’s dread curse prevail so much with heaven?

190

190         That Henry’s death, my lovely Edward’s death,

               Their kingdom’s loss, my woeful banishment,

               Should all but answer for¹⁹² that peevish brat?

               Can curses pierce the clouds and enter heaven?

               Why then give way, dull¹⁹⁴ clouds, to my quick curses.

195

195         Though not by war, by surfeit¹⁹⁵ die your king,

               As ours by murder, to make him a king.—

               Edward thy son, that now is Prince of Wales, To Elizabeth

               For Edward our son, that was Prince of Wales,

               Die in his youth by like¹⁹⁹ untimely violence!

200

200         Thyself a queen, for me that was a queen,

               Outlive thy glory, like my wretched self!

               Long mayst thou live to wail thy children’s death,

               And see another, as I see thee now,

               Decked²⁰⁴ in thy rights, as thou art stalled in mine.

205

205         Long die thy happy days before thy death,

               And, after many lengthened hours of grief,

               Die neither mother, wife, nor England’s queen.—

               Rivers and Dorset, you were standers-by,²⁰⁸

               And so wast thou, Lord Hastings, when my son

210

210         Was stabbed with bloody daggers: God, I pray him,

               That none of you may live his natural age,

               But by some unlooked²¹² accident cut off.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Have done thy charm,²¹³ thou hateful withered hag.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET And leave out thee? Stay, dog, for thou shalt hear me.

215

215         If heaven have any grievous plague in store

               Exceeding those that I can wish upon thee,

               O, let them²¹⁷ keep it till thy sins be ripe,

               And then hurl down their indignation

               On thee, the troubler of the poor world’s peace.

220

220         The worm of conscience still²²⁰ begnaw thy soul.

               Thy friends suspect for²²¹ traitors while thou liv’st,

               And take deep traitors for thy dearest friends.

               No sleep close up that deadly²²³ eye of thine,

               Unless it be while some tormenting dream

225

225         Affrights thee with a hell of ugly devils.

               Thou elvish-marked,²²⁶ abortive, rooting hog,

               Thou that wast sealed²²⁷ in thy nativity

               The slave of nature²²⁸ and the son of hell.

               Thou slander²²⁹ of thy heavy mother’s womb,

230

230         Thou loathèd issue²³⁰ of thy father’s loins,

               Thou rag²³¹ of honour, thou detested—

RICHARD

RICHARD     Margaret.²³²

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Richard.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Ha?

235

235 

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET I call thee not.

RICHARD

RICHARD     I cry thee mercy²³⁶ then, for I did think

               That thou hadst called me all these bitter names.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Why, so I did, but looked for²³⁸ no reply.

               O, let me make the period²³⁹ to my curse.

240

240 

RICHARD

RICHARD             ’Tis done by me, and ends in ‘Margaret’.

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH Thus have you breathed your curse against yourself.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Poor painted²⁴² queen, vain flourish of my fortune.

               Why strew’st thou sugar on that bottled²⁴³ spider,

               Whose deadly web ensnareth thee about?

245

245         Fool, fool, thou whet’st²⁴⁵ a knife to kill thyself.

               The day will come that thou shalt wish for me

               To help thee curse this poisonous bunch-backed²⁴⁷ toad.

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     False-boding²⁴⁸ woman, end thy frantic curse,

               Lest to thy harm thou move our patience.

250

250 

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Foul shame upon you! You have all moved mine.

RIVERS

RIVERS     Were you well served,²⁵¹ you would be taught your duty.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET To serve me well, you all should do me duty,²⁵²

               Teach me to be your queen, and you my subjects.

               O, serve me well, and teach yourselves that duty.

255

255 

DORSET

DORSET             Dispute not with her, she is lunatic.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Peace, Master Marquis,²⁵⁶ you are malapert:

               Your fire-new²⁵⁷ stamp of honour is scarce current.

               O, that your young nobility²⁵⁸ could judge

               What ’twere to lose it, and be miserable.

260

260         They that stand high have many blasts to shake them,

               And if they fall, they dash themselves to pieces.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Good counsel, marry. Learn it, learn it, marquis.

DORSET

DORSET     It touches you, my lord, as much as me.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Ay, and much more. But I was born so high,²⁶⁴

265

265         Our eyrie²⁶⁵ buildeth in the cedar’s top,

               And dallies with²⁶⁶ the wind and scorns the sun.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET And turns the sun²⁶⁷ to shade. Alas, alas!

               Witness my son, now in the shade of death,

               Whose bright out-shining beams thy cloudy wrath

270

270         Hath in eternal darkness folded up.

               Your eyrie buildeth in our eyrie’s nest.

               O God, that see’st it, do not suffer²⁷² it.

               As it is won with blood, lost be it so!

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Peace, peace, for shame, if not for charity.

275

275 

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Urge neither charity nor shame to me:

               Uncharitably with me have you dealt,

               And shamefully my hopes by you are butchered.

               My charity²⁷⁸ is outrage, life my shame,

               And in that shame still²⁷⁹ live my sorrow’s rage.

280

280 

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM             Have done, have done.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET O princely Buckingham, I’ll kiss thy hand

               In sign of league and amity with thee.

               Now fair²⁸³ befall thee and thy noble house.

               Thy garments are not spotted with our blood,

285

285         Nor thou within the compass²⁸⁵ of my curse.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Nor no one here, for curses never pass²⁸⁶

               The lips of those that breathe them in the air.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET I will not think but²⁸⁸ they ascend the sky,

               And there awake God’s gentle-sleeping peace.

290

290         O Buckingham, take heed of yonder dog:

               Look when²⁹¹ he fawns, he bites; and when he bites,

               His venom²⁹² tooth will rankle to the death.

               Have not to do with him, beware of him.

               Sin, death and hell have set their marks²⁹⁴ on him,

295

295         And all their ministers attend on him.

RICHARD

RICHARD     What doth she say, my lord of Buckingham?

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Nothing that I respect,²⁹⁷ my gracious lord.

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET What, dost thou scorn me for my gentle counsel?

               And soothe²⁹⁹ the devil that I warn thee from?

300

300         O, but remember this another day,

               When he shall split thy very heart with sorrow,

               And say poor Margaret was a prophetess.—

               Live each of you the subjects to his hate,

               And he to yours, and all of you to God’s.

       Exit

305

305 

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM             My hair doth stand on end to hear her curses.

RIVERS

RIVERS     And so doth mine. I muse why she’s at liberty.

RICHARD

RICHARD     I cannot blame her. By God’s holy mother,

               She hath had too much wrong, and I repent

               My part thereof that I have done to her.

310

310 

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH I never did her any, to my knowledge.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Yet you have all the vantage³¹¹ of her wrong.

               I was too hot³¹² to do somebody good,

               That is too cold³¹³ in thinking of it now.

               Marry, as for Clarence, he is well repaid:

315

315         He is franked³¹⁵ up to fatting for his pains —

               God pardon them that are the cause thereof!

RIVERS

RIVERS     A virtuous and a Christian-like conclusion,

               To pray for them that have done scathe³¹⁸ to us.

RICHARD

RICHARD     So do I ever, being well advised.³¹⁹—

320

320         For had I cursed now, I had cursed myself.

       Speaks to himself

       Enter Catesby

CATESBY

CATESBY     Madam, his majesty doth call for you,

               And for your grace, and yours, my gracious lord.

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH Catesby, I come. Lords, will you go with me?

RIVERS

RIVERS     We wait upon³²⁴ your grace.

       Exeunt all but [Richard of] Gloucester

325

325 

RICHARD

RICHARD             I do the wrong, and first begin to brawl.

               The secret mischiefs³²⁶ that I set abroach

               I lay³²⁷ unto the grievous charge of others.

               Clarence, who I indeed have cast in darkness,³²⁸

               I do beweep³²⁹ to many simple gulls —

330

330         Namely, to Derby, Hastings, Buckingham —

               And tell them ’tis the queen and her allies³³¹

               That stir³³² the king against the duke my brother.

               Now they believe it, and withal whet³³³ me

               To be revenged on Rivers, Dorset, Grey.

335

335         But then I sigh, and with a piece of scripture,

               Tell them that God bids us do good for evil:

               And thus I clothe my naked villainy

               With odd old ends³³⁸ stol’n forth of holy writ,

               And seem a saint when most I play the devil.

       Enter two Murderers

340

340         But, soft, here come my executioners.—

               How now, my hardy,³⁴¹ stout-resolvèd mates,

               Are you now going to dispatch³⁴² this thing?

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER We are, my lord, and come to have the warrant

               That we may be admitted where he is.

345

345 

RICHARD

RICHARD             Well thought upon. I have it here about me. Gives the warrant

               When you have done, repair³⁴⁶ to Crosby Place.

               But, sirs, be sudden³⁴⁷ in the execution,

               Withal obdurate,³⁴⁸ do not hear him plead;

               For Clarence is well-spoken,³⁴⁹ and perhaps

350

350         May move your hearts to pity if you mark³⁵⁰ him.

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER Tut, tut! My lord, we will not stand to prate:³⁵¹

               Talkers are no good doers. Be assured

               We go to use our hands and not our tongues.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Your eyes drop millstones³⁵⁴ when fools’ eyes fall tears.

355

355         I like you, lads. About your business straight.³⁵⁵

               Go, go, dispatch.

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER We will, my noble lord.

               [Exeunt]

Act 1 Scene 41.4

running scene 3

       Enter Clarence and Keeper

KEEPER

KEEPER     Why looks your grace so heavily¹ today?

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     O, I have passed a miserable night,

               So full of fearful dreams, of ugly sights,

               That, as I am a Christian faithful man,

5

5             I would not spend⁵ another such a night,

               Though ’twere⁶ to buy a world of happy days,

               So full of dismal⁷ terror was the time.

KEEPER

KEEPER     What was your dream, my lord? I pray you tell me.

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     Methoughts that I had broken from the Tower,

10

10           And was embarked to cross to Burgundy,

               And in my company my brother Gloucester,

               Who from my cabin tempted me to walk

               Upon the hatches:¹³ there we looked toward England,

               And cited up¹⁴ a thousand heavy times,

15

15           During the wars of York and Lancaster

               That had befall’n us. As we paced along

               Upon the giddy¹⁷ footing of the hatches,

               Methought that Gloucester stumbled, and in falling

               Struck me, that thought to stay¹⁹ him, overboard,

20

20           Into the tumbling billows of the main.²⁰

               O lord, methought, what pain it was to drown!

               What dreadful noise of water in mine ears,

               What sights of ugly death within mine eyes.

               Methoughts I saw a thousand fearful wrecks:

25

25           A thousand men that fishes gnawed upon:

               Wedges of gold, great anchors, heaps of pearl,

               Inestimable²⁷ stones, unvalued jewels,

               All scattered in the bottom of the sea.

               Some lay in dead men’s skulls, and in the holes

30

30           Where eyes did once inhabit, there were crept,

               As ’twere in scorn of eyes, reflecting gems,

               That wooed the slimy bottom of the deep,

               And mocked the dead bones that lay scattered by.

KEEPER

KEEPER     Had you such leisure in the time of death

35

35           To gaze upon these secrets of the deep?

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     Methought I had, and often did I strive

               To yield the ghost.³⁷ But still the envious flood

               Stopped in³⁸ my soul, and would not let it forth

               To find the empty, vast³⁹ and wand’ring air,

40

40           But smothered it within my panting bulk,⁴⁰

               Which almost burst to belch it in the sea.

KEEPER

KEEPER     Awaked you not in this sore⁴² agony?

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     No, no, my dream was lengthened after life.

               O, then began the tempest to my soul,

45

45           I passed, methought, the melancholy flood,⁴⁵

               With that sour ferryman⁴⁶ which poets write of,

               Unto the kingdom⁴⁷ of perpetual night.

               The first that there did greet my stranger⁴⁸ soul,

               Was my great father-in-law, renownèd Warwick,

50

50           Who spake aloud, ‘What scourge for perjury⁵⁰

               Can this dark monarchy⁵¹ afford false Clarence?’

               And so he vanished. Then came wand’ring by

               A shadow⁵³ like an angel, with bright hair

               Dabbled in blood, and he shrieked⁵⁴ out aloud,

55

55           ‘Clarence is come: false, fleeting,⁵⁵ perjured Clarence,

               That stabbed me in the field⁵⁶ by Tewkesbury.

               Seize on him, Furies,⁵⁷ take him unto torment!’

               With that, methought, a legion⁵⁸ of foul fiends

               Environed⁵⁹ me, and howlèd in mine ears

60

60           Such hideous cries, that with the very noise

               I trembling waked, and for a season⁶¹ after

               Could not believe but that I was in hell,

               Such terrible impression made the dream.

KEEPER

KEEPER     No marvel, lord, though⁶⁴ it affrighted you,

65

65           I am afraid, methinks, to hear you tell it.

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     Ah, keeper, keeper, I have done these things,

               That now give evidence against my soul,

               For Edward’s sake, and see how he requites⁶⁸ me.

               O God! If my deep prayers cannot appease thee,

70

70           But thou wilt be avenged on my misdeeds,

               Yet execute thy wrath in me alone,

               O, spare my guiltless wife and my poor children.

               Keeper, I prithee⁷³ sit by me awhile.

               My soul is heavy,⁷⁴ and I fain would sleep.

75

75   

KEEPER

KEEPER           I will, my lord. God give your grace good rest. Clarence sleeps

       Enter Brackenbury, the Lieutenant

BRACKENBURY

BRACKENBURY Sorrow breaks⁷⁶ seasons and reposing hours,

               Makes the night morning, and the noontide⁷⁷ night.

               Princes have but their titles for⁷⁸ their glories,

               An outward honour for⁷⁹ an inward toil,

80

80           And, for⁸⁰ unfelt imaginations,

               They often feel a world of restless cares:⁸¹

               So that between their titles and low name,⁸²

               There’s nothing differs but the outward fame.⁸³

       Enter [the] two Murderers

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER Ho, who’s here?

BRACKENBURY

BRACKENBURY What wouldst thou, fellow? And how cam’st thou hither?

SECOND MURDERER

SECOND MURDERER I would speak with Clarence, and I came hither on my legs.

BRACKENBURY

BRACKENBURY What, so brief?

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER ’Tis better, sir, than to be tedious. Gives Brackenbury a paper Let him see our commission, and talk no more.

90

90   

BRACKENBURY

BRACKENBURY I am in this commanded to deliver

       Reads

               The noble Duke of Clarence to your hands.

               I will not reason⁹² what is meant hereby,

               Because I will⁹³ be guiltless from the meaning.

               There lies the duke asleep, and there the keys.

95

95           I’ll to the king and signify to⁹⁵ him

               That thus I have resigned to you my charge.

       Exit

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER You may, sir, ’tis a point of wisdom. Fare you well.

SECOND MURDERER

SECOND MURDERER What, shall we stab him as he sleeps?

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER No: he’ll say ’twas done cowardly, when he wakes.

SECOND MURDERER

SECOND MURDERER Why he shall never wake until the great judgement day.

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER Why, then he’ll say we stabbed him sleeping.

SECOND MURDERER

SECOND MURDERER The urging of¹⁰² that word ‘judgement’ hath bred a kind of remorse in me.

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER What? Art thou afraid?

SECOND MURDERER

SECOND MURDERER Not to kill him, having a warrant, but to be damned for killing him, from the which no warrant can defend me.

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER I thought thou hadst been resolute.

SECOND MURDERER

SECOND MURDERER So I am, to let him live.

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER I’ll back to the Duke of Gloucester and tell him so.

SECOND MURDERER

SECOND MURDERER Nay, I prithee stay¹¹⁰ a little. I hope this passionate humour of mine will change. It¹¹¹ was wont to hold me but while one tells twenty. They pause or count to twenty

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER How dost thou feel thyself now?

SECOND MURDERER

SECOND MURDERER Some certain dregs of conscience are yet within me.

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER Remember our reward, when the deed’s done.

SECOND MURDERER

SECOND MURDERER Come, he dies. I had forgot the reward.

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER Where’s thy conscience now?

SECOND MURDERER

SECOND MURDERER O, in the Duke of Gloucester’s purse.

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER When he opens his purse to give us our reward, thy conscience flies out.

SECOND MURDERER

SECOND MURDERER ’Tis no matter, let it go. There’s few or none will entertain¹²⁰ it.

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER What if it come to thee again?

SECOND MURDERER

SECOND MURDERER I’ll not meddle with it: it makes a man a coward. A man cannot steal, but it accuseth him: a man cannot swear, but it checks¹²³ him: a man cannot lie¹²⁴ with his neighbour’s wife, but it detects him. ’Tis a blushing shamefaced spirit that mutinies in a man’s bosom: it fills a man full of obstacles: it made me once restore¹²⁶ a purse of gold that, by chance, I found: it beggars any man that keeps it: it is turned out of towns and cities for¹²⁷ a dangerous thing: and every man that means to live well¹²⁸ endeavours to trust to himself and live without it.

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER ’Tis even now at my elbow, persuading me not to kill the duke.

SECOND MURDERER

SECOND MURDERER Take the devil in thy mind, and believe him¹³⁰ not: he would insinuate¹³¹ with thee but to make thee sigh.

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER I am strong-framed, he cannot prevail with me.

SECOND MURDERER

SECOND MURDERER Spoke like a tall¹³³ man that respects thy reputation. Come, shall we fall to work?

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER Take¹³⁵ him on the costard with the hilts of thy sword, and then throw him into the malmsey-butt¹³⁶ in the next room.

SECOND MURDERER

SECOND MURDERER O, excellent device;¹³⁷ and make a sop of him.

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER Soft, he wakes.

SECOND MURDERER

SECOND MURDERER Strike!

140

140 

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER No, we’ll reason¹⁴⁰ with him.

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     Where art thou, keeper? Give me a cup of wine.

SECOND MURDERER

SECOND MURDERER You shall have wine enough, my lord, anon.¹⁴²

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     In God’s name, what art thou?

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER A man, as you are.

145

145 

CLARENCE

CLARENCE             But not, as I am, royal.

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER Nor you, as we are, loyal.

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     Thy voice is thunder, but thy looks are humble.

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER My voice is now the king’s, my looks mine own.

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     How darkly and how deadly dost thou speak!

150

150         Your eyes do menace me: why look you pale?

               Who sent you hither? Wherefore¹⁵¹ do you come?

SECOND MURDERER

SECOND MURDERER To, to, to—

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     To murder me?

BOTH

BOTH     Ay, ay.

155

155 

CLARENCE

CLARENCE             You scarcely have the hearts to tell me so,

               And therefore cannot have the hearts to do it.

               Wherein, my friends, have I offended you?

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER Offended us you have not, but the king.

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     I shall be reconciled to him again.

160

160 

SECOND MURDERER

SECOND MURDERER Never, my lord: therefore prepare to die.

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     Are you drawn forth¹⁶¹ among a world of men

               To slay the innocent? What is my offence?

               Where is the evidence that doth accuse me?

               What lawful quest¹⁶⁴ have given their verdict up

165

165         Unto the frowning judge? Or who pronounced

               The bitter sentence of poor Clarence’ death,

               Before I be convict¹⁶⁷ by course of law?

               To threaten me with death is most unlawful.

               I charge¹⁶⁹ you, as you hope for any goodness

170

170         That you depart and lay no hands on me.

               The deed you undertake is damnable.

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER What we will do, we do upon command.

SECOND MURDERER

SECOND MURDERER And he that hath commanded is our king.

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     Erroneous¹⁷⁴ vassals, the great king of kings

175

175         Hath in the table¹⁷⁵ of his law commanded

               That thou shalt do no murder.¹⁷⁶ Will you then

               Spurn at¹⁷⁷ his edict and fulfil a man’s?

               Take heed, for he holds vengeance in his hand,

               To hurl upon their heads that break his law.

180

180 

SECOND MURDERER

SECOND MURDERER And that same vengeance doth he hurl on thee,

               For false forswearing¹⁸¹ and for murder, too.

               Thou didst receive the sacrament¹⁸² to fight

               In quarrel of¹⁸³ the house of Lancaster.

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER And, like a traitor to the name of God,

185

185         Didst break that vow, and with thy treacherous blade

               Unripp’dst¹⁸⁶ the bowels of thy sovereign’s son.

SECOND MURDERER

SECOND MURDERER Whom thou wast sworn to cherish and defend.

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER How canst thou urge God’s dreadful¹⁸⁸ law to us,

               When thou hast broke it in such dear¹⁸⁹ degree?

190

190 

CLARENCE

CLARENCE             Alas, for whose sake did I that ill deed?

               For Edward, for my brother, for his sake.

               He sends you not to murder me for this,

               For in that sin he is as deep as I.

               If God will be avengèd for the deed,

195

195         O, know you yet he doth it publicly.

               Take not the quarrel¹⁹⁶ from his powerful arm:

               He needs no indirect¹⁹⁷ or lawless course

               To cut off¹⁹⁸ those that have offended him.

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER Who made thee, then, a bloody¹⁹⁹ minister,

200

200         When gallant-springing²⁰⁰ brave Plantagenet,

               That princely novice,²⁰¹ was struck dead by thee?

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     My brother’s love,²⁰² the devil and my rage.

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER Thy brother’s love, our duty and thy faults,

               Provoke us hither now to slaughter thee.

205

205 

CLARENCE

CLARENCE             If you do love my brother, hate not me.

               I am his brother and I love him well.

               If you are hired for meed,²⁰⁷ go back again,

               And I will send you to my brother Gloucester,

               Who shall reward you better for my life

210

210         Than Edward will for tidings of my death.

SECOND MURDERER

SECOND MURDERER You are deceived, your brother Gloucester hates you.

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     O no, he loves me, and he holds me dear.

               Go you to him from me.

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER Ay, so we will.

215

225 

CLARENCE

CLARENCE             Tell him, when that our princely father York

               Blessed his three sons with his victorious arm,

               He little thought of this divided friendship.²¹⁷

               Bid Gloucester think on this, and he will weep.

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER Ay, millstones, as he lessoned²¹⁹ us to weep.

220

220 

CLARENCE

CLARENCE             O, do not slander him, for he is kind.²²⁰

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER Right, as snow in harvest.

               Come, you deceive yourself:

               ’Tis he that sends us to destroy you here.

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     It cannot be, for he bewept my fortune,

225

225         And hugged me in his arms, and swore, with sobs

               That he would labour my delivery.²²⁶

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER Why, so he doth, when he delivers you

               From this earth’s thraldom²²⁸ to the joys of heaven.

SECOND MURDERER

SECOND MURDERER Make peace with God, for you must die, my lord.

230

230 

CLARENCE

CLARENCE             Have you that holy feeling²³⁰ in your souls

               To counsel me to make my peace with God,

               And are you yet to your own souls so blind

               That you will war with God by murd’ring me?

               O, sirs, consider, they that set you on

235

235         To do this deed will hate you for the deed.

SECOND MURDERER

SECOND MURDERER What shall we do? To First Murderer

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     Relent, and save your souls.

               Which of you, if you were a prince’s son,

               Being pent²³⁹ from liberty, as I am now,

240

240         If two such murderers as yourselves came to you,

               Would not entreat for life as you would beg,

               Were you in my distress?

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER Relent? No: ’tis cowardly and womanish.

CLARENCE

CLARENCE     Not to relent is beastly,²⁴⁴ savage, devilish.

245

245         My friend, I spy some pity in thy looks. To Second Murderer

               O, if thine eye be not a flatterer,

               Come thou on my side, and entreat for me,

               A begging prince what beggar pities not?

SECOND MURDERER

SECOND MURDERER Look behind you, my lord.

250

250 

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER Take that, and that: if all this will not do,

       Stabs him

               I’ll drown you in the malmsey-butt within.

       Exit [with the body]

SECOND MURDERER

SECOND MURDERER A bloody deed, and desperately dispatched.²⁵²

               How fain,²⁵³ like Pilate, would I wash my hands

               Of this most grievous murder!

       Enter First Murderer

255

255 

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER How now? What mean’st thou, that thou help’st me not?

               By heaven, the duke shall know how slack you have been!

SECOND MURDERER

SECOND MURDERER I would he knew that I had saved his brother.

               Take thou the fee, and tell him what I say,

               For I repent me that the duke is slain.

       Exit

260

260 

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER So do not I. Go, coward as thou art.

               Well, I’ll go hide the body in some hole

               Till that the duke give order for his burial.

               And when I have my meed, I will away,

               For this will out,²⁶⁴ and then I must not stay.

       Exit

Act 2 Scene 12.1

running scene 4

       Flourish. Enter the King, sick, the Queen, Lord Marquis Dorset, Rivers, Hastings, Catesby, Buckingham, Woodville [and others]

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Why, so. Now have I done a good day’s work.

               You peers, continue this united league.

               I every day expect an embassage³

               From my redeemer to redeem me hence,

5

5             And more to peace my soul shall part to heaven,

               Since I have made my friends at peace on earth.—

               Dorset and Rivers, take each other’s hand:

               Dissemble not⁸ your hatred, swear your love.

RIVERS

RIVERS     By heaven, my soul is purged from⁹ grudging hate,

10

10           And with my hand I seal my true¹⁰ heart’s love. Gives his hand to Hastings

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     So thrive I,¹¹ as I truly swear the like!

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Take heed you dally¹² not before your king,

               Lest he that is the supreme king of kings¹³

               Confound¹⁴ your hidden falsehood, and award

15

15           Either of you to be the other’s end.¹⁵

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     So prosper I, as I swear perfect love.

RIVERS

RIVERS     And I, as I love Hastings with my heart.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Madam, yourself is not exempt from this,

               Nor you, son¹⁹ Dorset, Buckingham, nor you;

20

20           You have been factious²⁰ one against the other.

               Wife, love Lord Hastings: let him kiss your hand,

               And what you do, do it unfeignedly.²²

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH There, Hastings, I will never more remember

               Our former hatred, so thrive I and mine.

25

25   

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Dorset, embrace him.— Hastings, love Lord Marquis.

DORSET

DORSET     This interchange of love, I here protest,²⁶

               Upon my part shall be inviolable.

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     And so swear I. They embrace

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Now, princely Buckingham, seal thou this league

30

30           With thy embracements to my wife’s allies,³⁰

               And make me happy in your unity.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Whenever Buckingham doth turn his hate To the Queen

               Upon your grace, but³³ with all duteous love

               Doth cherish you and yours, God punish me

35

35           With hate in those where I expect most love.

               When I have most need to employ a friend,

               And most assurèd that he is a friend,

               Deep,³⁸ hollow, treacherous, and full of guile

               Be he unto me. This do I beg of heaven,

40

40           When I am cold in love to you or yours.

       Embrace

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV A pleasing cordial,⁴¹ princely Buckingham,

               Is this thy vow unto my sickly heart.

               There wanteth⁴³ now our brother Gloucester here,

               To make the blessed period⁴⁴ of this peace.

45

45   

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM           And, in good time,⁴⁵

               Here comes Sir Richard Ratcliffe and the duke.

       Enter Ratcliffe and [Richard of] Gloucester

RICHARD

RICHARD     Good morrow⁴⁷ to my sovereign king and queen.

               And, princely peers, a happy time of day!

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Happy, indeed, as we have spent the day.

50

50           Gloucester, we have done deeds of charity,

               Made peace of enmity, fair love of hate,

               Between these swelling⁵² wrong-incensed peers.

RICHARD

RICHARD     A blessèd labour, my most sovereign lord.

               Among this princely heap,⁵⁴ if any here,

55

55           By false intelligence,⁵⁵ or wrong surmise,

               Hold me a foe, if I unwillingly, or in my rage,

               Have aught committed that is hardly borne⁵⁷

               To any in this presence, I desire

               To reconcile me to his friendly peace.

60

60           ’Tis death to me to be at enmity:

               I hate it, and desire all good men’s love.—

               First, madam, I entreat true peace of you,

               Which I will purchase with my duteous service.—

               Of you, my noble cousin Buckingham,

65

65           If ever any grudge were lodged between us.—

               Of you and you, Lord Rivers, and of Dorset,

               That all without desert⁶⁷ have frowned on me.—

               Of you, Lord Woodville, and, Lord Scales,⁶⁸ of you:

               Dukes, earls, lords, gentlemen, indeed, of all.

70

70           I do not know that Englishman alive

               With whom my soul is any jot at odds

               More than the⁷² infant that is born tonight.

               I thank my God for my humility.

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH A holy day shall this be kept hereafter.

75

75           I would to God all strifes were well compounded.⁷⁵—

               My sovereign lord, I do beseech your highness

               To take our brother Clarence to your grace.⁷⁷

RICHARD

RICHARD     Why, madam, have I offered love for this

               To be so flouted⁷⁹ in this royal presence?

80

80           Who knows not that the gentle⁸⁰ duke is dead?

       They all start

               You do him injury to scorn his corpse.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Who knows not he is dead? Who knows he is?

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH All-seeing heaven, what a world is this?

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Look I so pale, Lord Dorset, as the rest?

85

85   

DORSET

DORSET           Ay, my good lord, and no man in the presence

               But his red colour hath forsook⁸⁶ his cheeks.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Is Clarence dead? The order was reversed.

RICHARD

RICHARD     But he, poor man, by your first order died,

               And that⁸⁹ a wingèd Mercury did bear:

90

90           Some tardy⁹⁰ cripple bare the countermand,

               That came too lag⁹¹ to see him burièd.

               God⁹² grant that some, less noble and less loyal,

               Nearer in bloody thoughts, and not in blood,

               Deserve not worse than wretched Clarence did,

95

95           And yet go current from suspicion.

       Enter [Lord Stanley,] Earl of Derby

DERBY

DERBY     A boon,⁹⁶ my sovereign, for my service done. Kneels

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV I prithee peace. My soul is full of sorrow.

DERBY

DERBY     I will not rise, unless your highness hear me.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Then say at once what is it thou requests.

100

100 

DERBY

DERBY             The forfeit,¹⁰⁰ sovereign, of my servant’s life, Rises

               Who slew today a riotous gentleman

               Lately attendant on the Duke of Norfolk.

KING EDWARD IV

KING EDWARD IV Have I a tongue to doom¹⁰³ my brother’s death,

               And shall that tongue give pardon to a slave?

105

105         My brother killed no man: his fault was thought,

               And yet his punishment was bitter death.

               Who sued¹⁰⁷ to me for him? Who, in my wrath,

               Kneeled at my feet, and bid me be advised?¹⁰⁸

               Who spoke of brotherhood? Who spoke of love?

110

110         Who told me how the poor soul did forsake¹¹⁰

               The mighty Warwick and did fight for me?

               Who told me, in the field¹¹² at Tewkesbury

               When Oxford had me down,¹¹³ he rescued me,

               And said, ‘Dear brother, live, and be a king’?

115

115         Who told me, when we both lay in the field,

               Frozen almost to death, how he did lap¹¹⁶ me

               Even in his garments, and did give himself,

               All thin¹¹⁸ and naked, to the numb cold night?

               All this from my remembrance¹¹⁹ brutish wrath

120

120         Sinfully plucked, and not a man of you

               Had so much grace to put it in my mind.

               But when your carters¹²² or your waiting vassals

               Have done a drunken slaughter, and defaced¹²³

               The precious image of our dear Redeemer,

125

125         You straight¹²⁵ are on your knees for pardon, pardon,

               And I, unjustly too, must grant it you.

               But¹²⁷ for my brother not a man would speak,

               Nor I, ungracious,¹²⁸ speak unto myself

               For him, poor soul. The proudest¹²⁹ of you all

130

130         Have been beholding¹³⁰ to him in his life,

               Yet none of you would once beg for his life.

               O God, I fear thy justice will take hold

               On¹³³ me, and you, and mine, and yours for this!—

               Come, Hastings, help me to my closet.¹³⁴

135

135         Ah, poor Clarence.

       Exeunt some with King and Queen

RICHARD

RICHARD     This is the fruits of rashness. Marked¹³⁶ you not

               How that the guilty kindred of the queen

               Looked pale when they did hear of Clarence’ death?

               O, they did urge it still¹³⁹ unto the king!

140

140         God will revenge it. Come, lords, will you go

               To comfort Edward with our company.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     We wait upon your grace.

       Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 2

running scene 4 continues

       Enter the old Duchess of York with the two children of Clarence

BOY

BOY     Good grandam,¹ tell us, is our father dead?

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK No, boy.

DAUGHTER

DAUGHTER     Why do you weep so oft, and beat your breast,

               And cry ‘O Clarence, my unhappy son’?

5

5     

BOY

BOY         Why do you look on us, and shake your head,

               And call us orphans, wretches,⁶ castaways,

               If that our noble father were alive?

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK My pretty cousins,⁸ you mistake me both:

               I do lament the sickness of the king,

10

10           As¹⁰ loath to lose him, not your father’s death.

               It were lost¹¹ sorrow to wail one that’s lost.

BOY

BOY     Then you conclude, my grandam, he is dead.

               The king mine uncle is to blame for it.

               God will revenge it, whom I will importune¹⁴

15

15           With earnest prayers all to that effect.

DAUGHTER

DAUGHTER     And so will I.

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK Peace, children, peace. The king doth love you well.

               Incapable¹⁸ and shallow innocents,

               You cannot guess who caused your father’s death.

20

20   

BOY

BOY           Grandam, we can, for my good uncle Gloucester

               Told me the king, provoked to it by the queen,

               Devised impeachments²² to imprison him;

               And when my uncle told me so, he wept,

               And pitied me, and kindly²⁴ kissed my cheek,

25

25           Bade me rely on him as on my father,

               And he would love me dearly as a child.

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK Ah, that deceit should steal such gentle shape,²⁷

               And with a virtuous visor²⁸ hide deep vice!

               He is my son — ay, and therein my shame.

30

30           Yet from my dugs³⁰ he drew not this deceit.

BOY

BOY     Think you my uncle did dissemble, grandam?

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK Ay, boy.

BOY

BOY     I cannot think it. Hark, what noise is this? Wailing within

       Enter the Queen with her hair about her ears, Rivers and Dorset after her

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH Ah, who shall hinder me to wail and weep,

35

35           To chide³⁵ my fortune, and torment myself?

               I’ll join with black³⁶ despair against my soul,

               And to³⁷ myself become an enemy.

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK What means this scene of rude impatience?³⁸

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH To make an act³⁹ of tragic violence.

40

40           Edward, my lord, thy son, our king, is dead.

               Why grow the branches when the root is gone?

               Why wither not the leaves that want⁴² their sap?

               If you will live, lament: if die, be brief,⁴³

               That our swift-wingèd souls may catch⁴⁴ the king’s,

45

45           Or, like obedient subjects, follow him

               To his new kingdom of ne’er-changing night.

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK Ah, so much interest⁴⁷ have I in thy sorrow

               As I had title in⁴⁸ thy noble husband.

               I have bewept a worthy husband’s death,

50

50           And lived with looking on his images:⁵⁰

               But now two mirrors⁵¹ of his princely semblance

               Are cracked in pieces by malignant death,

               And I for comfort have but one false glass,⁵³

               That grieves me when I see my shame in him.

55

55           Thou art a widow, yet thou art a mother,

               And hast the comfort of thy children left.

               But death hath snatched my husband from mine arms,

               And plucked two crutches from my feeble hands,

               Clarence and Edward. O, what cause have I,

60

60           Thine being but a moiety⁶⁰ of my moan,

               To overgo⁶¹ thy woes and drown thy cries.

BOY

BOY     Ah, aunt, you wept not for our father’s death: To the Queen

               How can we aid you with our kindred⁶³ tears?

DAUGHTER

DAUGHTER     Our fatherless distress was left unmoaned.⁶⁴

65

65           Your widow-dolour⁶⁵ likewise be unwept. To the Queen

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH Give me no help in lamentation,

               I am not barren to⁶⁷ bring forth complaints.

               All springs reduce⁶⁸ their currents to mine eyes,

               That I, being governed by the watery moon,⁶⁹

70

               May send forth plenteous tears to drown the world.

               Ah, for my husband, for my dear lord Edward!

CHILDREN

CHILDREN     Ah, for our father, for our dear lord Clarence!

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK Alas for both, both mine, Edward and Clarence!

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH What stay⁷⁴ had I but Edward? And he’s gone.

75

75   

CHILDREN

CHILDREN           What stay had we but Clarence? And he’s gone.

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK What stays had I but they? And they are gone.

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH Was never widow⁷⁷ had so dear a loss.

CHILDREN

CHILDREN     Were never orphans had so dear a loss!

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK Was never mother had so dear a loss.

80

80           Alas, I am the mother of these griefs!

               Their woes are parcelled,⁸¹ mine is general.

               She for an Edward weeps, and so do I:

               I for a Clarence weep, so doth not she:

               These babes for Clarence weep, and so do I:

85

85           I for an Edward weep, so do not they.

               Alas, you three, on me, threefold distressed,

               Pour all your tears! I am your sorrow’s nurse,⁸⁷

               And I will pamper⁸⁸ it with lamentation.

DORSET

DORSET     Comfort, dear mother. God is much displeased To the Queen

90

90           That you take with unthankfulness, his doing.

               In common worldly things, ’tis called ungrateful,

               With dull⁹² unwillingness to repay a debt

               Which with a bounteous hand was kindly lent,

               Much more to be thus opposite⁹⁴ with heaven,

95

95           For it requires⁹⁵ the royal debt it lent you.

RIVERS

RIVERS     Madam, bethink you, like a careful⁹⁶ mother

               Of the young prince your son: send straight for him

               Let him be crowned. In him your comfort lives.

               Drown desperate sorrow in dead Edward’s grave

100

100         And plant your joys in living Edward’s throne.

       Enter Richard, Buckingham, [Stanley, Earl of] Derby, Hastings and Ratcliffe

RICHARD

RICHARD     Sister, have comfort. All of us have cause To the Queen

               To wail the dimming of our shining star,

               But none can help our harms by wailing them.—

               Madam, my mother, I do cry you mercy:¹⁰⁴ Kneels

105

105         I did not see your grace. Humbly on my knee

               I crave your blessing.

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK God bless thee, and put meekness¹⁰⁷ in thy breast,

               Love, charity, obedience and true duty. Richard rises

RICHARD

RICHARD     Amen.— And make me die a good old man. Aside

110

110         That is the butt-end¹¹⁰ of a mother’s blessing;

               I marvel that her grace¹¹¹ did leave it out.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     You cloudy¹¹² princes and heart-sorrowing peers,

               That bear this heavy mutual load of moan,¹¹³

               Now cheer each other in each other’s love.

115

115         Though we have spent our harvest of this king,

               We are to reap the harvest of his son.

               The broken rancour¹¹⁷ of your high-swoll’n hates,

               But lately splintered,¹¹⁸ knit, and joined together,

               Must gently be preserved, cherished, and kept.¹¹⁹

120

               Meseemeth¹²⁰ good, that, with some little train,

               Forthwith¹²¹ from Ludlow the young prince be fet

               Hither to London, to be crowned our king.

RIVERS

RIVERS     Why with some little train, my lord of Buckingham?

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Marry, my lord, lest by a multitude,¹²⁴

125

125         The new-healed wound of malice should break out,

               Which would be so much the more dangerous

               By how much the estate¹²⁷ is green and yet ungoverned.

               Where¹²⁸ every horse bears his commanding rein,

               And may direct his course as please himself,

130

130         As¹³⁰ well the fear of harm, as harm apparent,

               In my opinion, ought to be prevented.

RICHARD

RICHARD     I hope the king made peace with¹³² all of us,

               And the compact¹³³ is firm and true in me.

RIVERS

RIVERS     And so in me, and so, I think, in all.

135

135         Yet since it is but green,¹³⁵ it should be put

               To no apparent¹³⁶ likelihood of breach,

               Which haply¹³⁷ by much company might be urged:

               Therefore I say with noble Buckingham,

               That it is meet¹³⁹ so few should fetch the prince.

140

140 

HASTINGS

HASTINGS             And so say I.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Then be it so, and go we to determine

               Who they shall be that straight shall post¹⁴² to Ludlow.

               Madam, and you my sister, will you go

               To give your censures¹⁴⁴ in this business? Exeunt. Buckingham and Richard remain

145

145 

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM             My lord, whoever journeys to the prince,

               For God’s sake, let not us two stay at home.

               For by¹⁴⁷ the way I’ll sort occasion,

               As index¹⁴⁸ to the story we late talked of,

               To part the queen’s proud kindred from the prince.

150

150 

RICHARD

RICHARD             My other self, my counsel’s¹⁵⁰ consistory,

               My oracle, my prophet, my dear cousin,

               I, as a child, will go by thy direction.¹⁵²

               Towards Ludlow then, for we’ll not stay behind.

       Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 32.3

running scene 5

       Enter one Citizen at one door, and another at the other

FIRST CITIZEN

FIRST CITIZEN Good morrow, neighbour. Whither away so fast?

SECOND CITIZEN

SECOND CITIZEN I promise you, I scarcely know myself.

               Hear you the news abroad?³

FIRST CITIZEN

FIRST CITIZEN Yes, that the king is dead.

5

5     

SECOND CITIZEN

SECOND CITIZEN Ill news, by’r lady,⁵ seldom comes the better:

               I fear, I fear ’twill prove a giddy⁶ world.

       Enter another Citizen

THIRD CITIZEN

THIRD CITIZEN Neighbours, God speed.⁷

FIRST CITIZEN

FIRST CITIZEN Give⁸ you good morrow, sir.

THIRD CITIZEN

THIRD CITIZEN Doth⁹ the news hold of good King Edward’s death?

10

SECOND CITIZEN

SECOND CITIZEN Ay, sir, it is too true, God¹⁰ help the while.

THIRD CITIZEN

THIRD CITIZEN Then, masters,¹¹ look to see a troublous world.

FIRST CITIZEN

FIRST CITIZEN No, no. By God’s good grace his son shall reign.

THIRD CITIZEN

THIRD CITIZEN Woe to that land that’s governed by a child.

SECOND CITIZEN

SECOND CITIZEN In him there is a hope of government,

15

15           Which in his nonage,¹⁵ council under him,

               And in his full and ripened years, himself,

               No doubt shall then, and till then govern well.

FIRST CITIZEN

FIRST CITIZEN So stood the state when Henry the Sixth

               Was crowned in Paris but at nine months old.

20

20   

THIRD CITIZEN

THIRD CITIZEN Stood the state so?²⁰ No, no, good friends, God wot,

               For then this land was famously enriched

               With politic grave counsel;²² then the king

               Had virtuous uncles to protect²³ his grace.

FIRST CITIZEN

FIRST CITIZEN Why, so hath this, both by his father and mother.

25

25   

THIRD CITIZEN

THIRD CITIZEN Better it were they all came by his father,

               Or by his father there were none at all.

               For emulation,²⁷ who shall now be nearest,

               Will touch²⁸ us all too near, if God prevent not.

               O, full of danger is the Duke of Gloucester,

30

30           And the queen’s sons and brothers haught³⁰ and proud:

               And were they to be ruled, and not to rule,

               This sickly land might solace³² as before.

FIRST CITIZEN

FIRST CITIZEN Come, come, we fear the worst. All will be well.

THIRD CITIZEN

THIRD CITIZEN When clouds are seen, wise men put on their cloaks;

35

35           When great leaves fall, then winter is at hand;

               When the sun sets, who doth not look for³⁶ night?

               Untimely storms makes men expect a dearth.³⁷

               All may be well; but, if God sort³⁸ it so,

               ’Tis more than we deserve or I expect.

40

40   

SECOND CITIZEN

SECOND CITIZEN Truly, the hearts of men are full of fear.

               You cannot reason⁴¹ almost with a man

               That looks not heavily⁴² and full of dread.

THIRD CITIZEN

THIRD CITIZEN Before the days of change, still⁴³ is it so.

               By a divine instinct men’s minds mistrust⁴⁴

45

45           Pursuing danger. As by proof,⁴⁵ we see

               The water swell before a boist’rous⁴⁶ storm.

               But leave it all to God. Whither away?⁴⁷

SECOND CITIZEN

SECOND CITIZEN Marry, we were sent for to the justices.⁴⁸

THIRD CITIZEN

THIRD CITIZEN And so was I. I’ll bear you company.

       Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 42.4

running scene 6

       Enter [the] Archbishop, young York, the Queen and the Duchess

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK Last night, I heard, they lay¹ at Stony Stratford

               And at Northampton² they do rest tonight.

               Tomorrow, or next day, they will be here.

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK I long with all my heart to see the prince.

5

5             I hope he is much grown since last I saw him.

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH But I hear, no. They say my son of York

               Has almost overta’en him in his growth.

YORK

YORK     Ay, mother, but I would not have it so.

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK Why, my good cousin,⁹ it is good to grow.

10

10   

YORK

YORK           Grandam, one night as we did sit at supper,

               My uncle Rivers talked how I did grow

               More than my brother. ‘Ay’, quoth my uncle Gloucester,

               ‘Small herbs have grace,¹³ great weeds do grow apace.’

               And since, methinks, I would not grow so fast,

15

15           Because sweet flowers are slow and weeds make haste.

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK Good faith, good faith, the saying did not hold¹⁶

               In him that did object the same¹⁷ to thee.

               He was the wretched’st thing when he was young,

               So long a-growing and so leisurely,

20

20           That, if his rule were true, he should be gracious.

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK And so no doubt he is, my gracious madam.

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK I hope he is, but yet let mothers doubt.

YORK

YORK     Now, by my troth,²³ if I had been remembered,

               I could have given my uncle’s grace a flout,²⁴

25

25           To touch²⁵ his growth nearer than he touched mine.

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK How, my young York? I prithee let me hear it.

YORK

YORK     Marry, they say my uncle grew so fast

               That he could gnaw²⁸ a crust at two hours old.

               ’Twas full two years ere I could get a tooth.

30

30           Grandam, this would have been a biting³⁰ jest.

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK I prithee, pretty York, who told thee this?

YORK

YORK     Grandam, his nurse.

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK His nurse? Why, she was dead ere thou wast born.

YORK

YORK     If ’twere not she, I cannot tell who told me.

35

35   

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH A parlous³⁵ boy. Go to, you are too shrewd.

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK Good madam, be not angry with the child.

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH Pitchers have ears.³⁷

       Enter a Messenger

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK Here comes a messenger. What news?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Such news, my lord, as grieves me to report.

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH How doth the prince?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Well, madam, and in health.

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK What is thy news?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Lord Rivers and Lord Grey are sent to Pomfret,⁴³

               And with them Sir Thomas Vaughan, prisoners.

45

45   

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK Who hath committed them?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     The mighty dukes, Gloucester and Buckingham.

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK For what offence?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     The sum of all I can,⁴⁸ I have disclosed.

               Why or for what the nobles were committed

50

50           Is all unknown to me, my gracious lord.

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH Ay me, I see the ruin of my house.⁵¹

               The tiger now hath seized the gentle hind,⁵²

               Insulting⁵³ tyranny begins to jut

               Upon the innocent and aweless⁵⁴ throne.

55

55           Welcome, destruction, blood and massacre.

               I see, as in a map,⁵⁶ the end of all.

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK Accursed and unquiet wrangling days,

               How many of you have mine eyes beheld?

               My husband lost his life to get the crown,

60

60           And often up and down my sons were tossed,

               For me to joy and weep their gain and loss.

               And being seated,⁶² and domestic broils

               Clean overblown,⁶³ themselves the conquerors,

               Make war upon themselves, brother to brother,

65

65           Blood to blood, self against self. O, preposterous⁶⁵

               And frantic outrage,⁶⁶ end thy damnèd spleen,

               Or let me die, to look on earth no more!

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH Come, come, my boy, we will to sanctuary.⁶⁸— To young York

               Madam, farewell. To the Duchess

70

70   

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK Stay, I will go with you.

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH You have no cause.

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK My gracious lady, go,

               And thither bear your treasure and your goods.

               For my part, I’ll resign unto your grace

75

75           The seal⁷⁵ I keep: and so betide to me

               As well I tender you and all of yours!

               Go, I’ll conduct you to the sanctuary.

       Exeunt

Act 3 Scene 13.1

running scene 7

       The trumpets sound. Enter young Prince [Edward], the Dukes of Gloucester [Richard] and Buckingham, Lord Cardinal with others

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Welcome, sweet prince, to London, to your chamber.¹

RICHARD

RICHARD     Welcome, dear cousin, my thoughts’ sovereign.²

               The weary way hath made you melancholy.

PRINCE EDWARD

PRINCE EDWARD No, uncle, but our crosses⁴ on the way

5

5             Have made it tedious, wearisome, and heavy.⁵

               I want⁶ more uncles here to welcome me.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Sweet prince, the untainted virtue of your years

               Hath not yet dived into the world’s deceit.

               No more can you distinguish of a man

10

10           Than of his outward show, which — God he knows —

               Seldom or never jumpeth¹¹ with the heart.

               Those uncles which you want were dangerous:

               Your grace attended¹³ to their sugared words,

               But looked not on the poison of their hearts.

15

15           God keep you from them, and from such false friends.

PRINCE EDWARD

PRINCE EDWARD God keep me from false friends, but they were none.

RICHARD

RICHARD     My lord, the Mayor of London comes to greet you.

       Enter Lord Mayor

LORD MAYOR

LORD MAYOR     God bless your grace with health and happy days.

PRINCE EDWARD

PRINCE EDWARD I thank you, good my lord, and thank you all.—

20

20           I thought my mother, and my brother York,

               Would long ere²¹ this have met us on the way.

               Fie, what a slug²² is Hastings, that he comes not

               To tell us whether they will come or no.

       Enter Lord Hastings

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     And, in good time, here comes the sweating lord.

25

25   

PRINCE EDWARD

PRINCE EDWARD Welcome, my lord. What, will our mother come?

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     On what occasion,²⁶ God he knows, not I,

               The queen your mother, and your brother York,

               Have taken sanctuary. The tender²⁸ prince

               Would fain²⁹ have come with me to meet your grace,

30

30           But by his mother was perforce³⁰ withheld.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Fie, what an indirect³¹ and peevish course

               Is this of hers?— Lord Cardinal, will your grace

               Persuade the queen to send the Duke of York

               Unto his princely brother presently?³⁴—

35

35           If she deny, Lord Hastings, go with him,

               And from her jealous³⁶ arms pluck him perforce.

CARDINAL

CARDINAL     My lord of Buckingham, if my weak oratory³⁷

               Can from his mother win the Duke of York,

               Anon³⁹ expect him here. But if she be obdurate

40

40           To mild entreaties, God forbid

               We should infringe the holy privilege

               Of blessèd sanctuary. Not for all this land

               Would I be guilty of so great a sin.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     You are too senseless⁴⁴ obstinate, my lord,

45

45           Too ceremonious and traditional.

               Weigh⁴⁶ it but with the grossness of this age,

               You break not sanctuary in seizing him.

               The benefit⁴⁸ thereof is always granted

               To those whose dealings⁴⁹ have deserved the place,

50

50           And those who have the wit⁵⁰ to claim the place:

               This prince hath neither claimed it nor deserved it,

               And therefore, in mine opinion, cannot have it.

               Then, taking him from thence⁵³ that is not there,

               You break no privilege nor charter⁵⁴ there.

55

55           Oft have I heard of sanctuary men,

               But sanctuary children ne’er till now.

CARDINAL

CARDINAL     My lord, you shall o’er-rule my mind for once.—

               Come on, Lord Hastings, will you go with me?

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     I go, my lord.

       Exeunt Cardinal and Hastings

60

60   

PRINCE EDWARD

PRINCE EDWARD Good lords, make all the speedy haste you may.—

               Say, uncle Gloucester, if our brother come,

               Where shall we sojourn⁶² till our coronation?

RICHARD

RICHARD     Where it think’st best unto your royal self.

               If I may counsel you, some day or two

65

65           Your highness shall repose you⁶⁵ at the Tower:

               Then where you please, and shall be thought most fit

               For your best health and recreation.

PRINCE EDWARD

PRINCE EDWARD I do not like the Tower, of any place.⁶⁸—

               Did Julius Caesar build that place, my lord? To Buckingham

70

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     He did, my gracious lord, begin that place,

               Which, since, succeeding ages have re-edified.⁷¹

PRINCE EDWARD

PRINCE EDWARD Is it upon record?⁷² Or else reported

               Successively from age to age, he built it?

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Upon record, my gracious lord.

75

75   

PRINCE EDWARD

PRINCE EDWARD But say, my lord, it were not registered,⁷⁵

               Methinks the truth should live from age to age,

               As ’twere retailed⁷⁷ to all posterity,

               Even to the general ending day.⁷⁸

RICHARD

RICHARD     So⁷⁹ wise so young, they say, do never live long. Aside

80

80   

PRINCE EDWARD

PRINCE EDWARD What say you, uncle?

RICHARD

RICHARD     I say, without characters,⁸¹ fame lives long.—

               Thus, like the formal⁸² Vice, Iniquity, Aside

               I moralize⁸³ two meanings in one word.

PRINCE EDWARD

PRINCE EDWARD That Julius Caesar was a famous man.

85

85           With⁸⁵ what his valour did enrich his wit,

               His wit set down to make his valour live.

               Death makes no conquest of his conqueror,⁸⁷

               For now he lives in fame, though not in life.

               I’ll tell you what, my cousin Buckingham—

90

90   

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM           What, my gracious lord?

PRINCE EDWARD

PRINCE EDWARD An if⁹¹ I live until I be a man,

               I’ll win our ancient right in France again,

               Or die a soldier, as I lived a king.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Short summers lightly⁹⁴ have a forward spring. Aside

       Enter young York, Hastings and Cardinal

95

95   

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM           Now, in good time, here comes the Duke of York.

PRINCE EDWARD

PRINCE EDWARD Richard of York, how fares our noble brother?

YORK

YORK     Well, my dear lord, so must I call you now.

PRINCE EDWARD

PRINCE EDWARD Ay, brother, to our grief,⁹⁸ as it is yours:

               Too late⁹⁹ he died that might have kept that title,

100

100         Which by his death hath lost much majesty.

RICHARD

RICHARD     How fares our cousin, noble lord of York?

YORK

YORK     I thank you, gentle uncle. O, my lord,

               You said that idle¹⁰³ weeds are fast in growth:

               The prince my brother hath outgrown me far.

105

105 

RICHARD

RICHARD             He hath, my lord.

YORK

YORK     And therefore is he idle?

RICHARD

RICHARD     O, my fair cousin, I must not say so.

YORK

YORK     Then he is more beholding¹⁰⁸ to you than I.

RICHARD

RICHARD     He may command me as my sovereign,

110

110         But you have power in me as in¹¹⁰ a kinsman.

YORK

YORK     I pray you, uncle, give me this dagger.¹¹¹

RICHARD

RICHARD     My dagger, little cousin? With¹¹² all my heart.

PRINCE EDWARD

PRINCE EDWARD A beggar, brother?

YORK

YORK     Of my kind uncle, that I know will give,

115

115         And being but a toy,¹¹⁵ which is no grief to give.

RICHARD

RICHARD     A greater gift than that I’ll give my cousin.

YORK

YORK     A greater gift? O, that’s the sword to it.¹¹⁷

RICHARD

RICHARD     Ay, gentle cousin, were it light¹¹⁸ enough.

YORK

YORK     O, then, I see, you will part but with light gifts.

120

120         In weightier things you’ll say a beggar nay.¹²⁰

RICHARD

RICHARD     It is too weighty for your grace to wear.

YORK

YORK     I weigh it lightly,¹²² were it heavier.

RICHARD

RICHARD     What, would you have¹²³ my weapon, little lord?

YORK

YORK     I would, that I might thank you as you call me.

125

125 

RICHARD

RICHARD             How?

YORK

YORK     Little.

PRINCE EDWARD

PRINCE EDWARD My lord of York will still¹²⁷ be cross in talk.

               Uncle, your grace knows how to bear with him.

YORK

YORK     You mean to bear me, not to bear with me.—

130

130         Uncle, my brother mocks both you and me,

               Because that I am little, like¹³¹ an ape,

               He thinks that you should bear me on your shoulders.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     With what a sharp-provided¹³³ wit he reasons! Aside

               To mitigate¹³⁴ the scorn he gives his uncle,

135

135         He prettily¹³⁵ and aptly taunts himself.

               So cunning¹³⁶ and so young is wonderful.

RICHARD

RICHARD     My lord, will’t please you pass along?

               Myself and my good cousin Buckingham

               Will to your mother, to entreat of her

140

140         To meet you at the Tower and welcome you.

YORK

YORK     What, will you go unto the Tower, my lord?

PRINCE EDWARD

PRINCE EDWARD My Lord Protector will have it so.

YORK

YORK     I shall not sleep in quiet at the Tower.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Why, what should you fear?

145

145 

YORK

YORK             Marry, my uncle Clarence’ angry ghost.

               My grandam told me he was murdered there.

PRINCE EDWARD

PRINCE EDWARD I fear no uncles dead.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Nor none that live, I hope.

PRINCE EDWARD

PRINCE EDWARD An if they live, I hope I need not fear.

150

150         But come, my lord and with a heavy heart,

               Thinking on them, go I unto the Tower.

       A sennet.

       Exeunt Prince, York, Hastings and Dorset. Richard, Buckingham and Catesby remain

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Think you, my lord, this little prating¹⁵² York

               Was not incensèd¹⁵³ by his subtle mother

               To taunt and scorn you thus opprobriously?¹⁵⁴

155

155 

RICHARD

RICHARD             No doubt, no doubt. O, ’tis a perilous¹⁵⁵ boy:

               Bold, quick, ingenious, forward,¹⁵⁶ capable.

               He is all the mother’s,¹⁵⁷ from the top to toe.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Well, let them rest.¹⁵⁸— Come hither, Catesby.

               Thou art sworn as deeply¹⁵⁹ to effect what we intend

160

160         As closely¹⁶⁰ to conceal what we impart.

               Thou know’st our reasons urged¹⁶¹ upon the way,

               What think’st thou? Is it not an easy matter

               To make William Lord Hastings of¹⁶³ our mind,

               For the instalment of this noble duke

165

165         In the seat royal of this famous isle?

CATESBY

CATESBY     He¹⁶⁶ for his father’s sake so loves the prince,

               That he will not be won to aught¹⁶⁷ against him.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     What think’st thou, then, of Stanley? Will not he?

CATESBY

CATESBY     He will do all in all as Hastings doth.

170

170 

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM             Well, then, no more but this: go, gentle Catesby,

               And, as¹⁷¹ it were far off sound thou Lord Hastings,

               How he doth stand affected¹⁷² to our purpose,

               And summon him tomorrow to the Tower,

               To sit¹⁷⁴ about the coronation.

175

175         If thou dost find him tractable to us,

               Encourage him, and tell him all our reasons.

               If he be leaden, icy-cold, unwilling,

               Be thou so too, and so break off the talk,

               And give us notice of his inclination,

180

180         For we tomorrow hold divided¹⁸⁰ councils,

               Wherein thyself shalt highly¹⁸¹ be employed.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Commend me to Lord¹⁸² William. Tell him, Catesby,

               His ancient¹⁸³ knot of dangerous adversaries

               Tomorrow are let blood¹⁸⁴ at Pomfret Castle,

185

185         And bid my lord, for joy of this good news,

               Give Mistress¹⁸⁶ Shore one gentle kiss the more.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Good Catesby, go effect this business soundly.

CATESBY

CATESBY     My good lords both, with all the heed¹⁸⁸ I can.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Shall we hear from you, Catesby, ere we sleep?

190

190 

CATESBY

CATESBY             You shall, my lord.

RICHARD

RICHARD     At Crosby House, there shall you find us both.

       Exit Catesby

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Now my lord, what shall we do if we perceive

               Lord Hastings will not yield to our complots?¹⁹³

RICHARD

RICHARD     Chop off his head: something we will determine:

195

195         And look when I am king, claim thou of me

               The earldom of Hereford, and all the movables¹⁹⁶

               Whereof the king my brother was possessed.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     I’ll claim that promise at your grace’s hand.

RICHARD

RICHARD     And look to have it yielded with all kindness.

200

200         Come, let us sup betimes,²⁰⁰ that afterwards

               We may digest²⁰¹ our complots in some form.

       Exeunt

Act 3 Scene 23.2

running scene 8

       Enter a Messenger to the door of Hastings

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     My lord, my lord!

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     Who knocks? Within

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     One from the lord Stanley.

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     What is’t o’clock? Within

5

5     

MESSENGER

MESSENGER         Upon the stroke of four.

       Enter Lord Hastings

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     Cannot my lord Stanley sleep these tedious⁶ nights?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     So it appears by that I have to say.

               First, he commends him to your noble self.

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     What then?

10

10   

MESSENGER

MESSENGER           Then certifies your lordship that this night

               He dreamt the boar¹¹ had razèd off his helm.

               Besides, he says there are two councils kept,

               And that¹³ may be determined at the one

               Which may make you and him to rue¹⁴ at th’other:

15

15           Therefore he sends to know your lordship’s pleasure,¹⁵

               If you will presently¹⁶ take horse with him,

               And with all speed post¹⁷ with him toward the north,

               To shun the danger that his soul divines.

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     Go, fellow, go, return unto thy lord,

20

20           Bid him not fear the separated council:

               His honour²¹ and myself are at the one,

               And at the other is my good friend Catesby,

               Where nothing can proceed that toucheth²³ us

               Whereof I shall not have intelligence.²⁴

25

25           Tell him his fears are shallow, without instance.²⁵

               And for his dreams, I wonder he’s so simple

               To trust the mock’ry²⁷ of unquiet slumbers.

               To fly²⁸ the boar before the boar pursues,

               Were²⁹ to incense the boar to follow us

30

30           And make pursuit where he did mean³⁰ no chase.

               Go, bid thy master rise and come to me

               And we will both together to the Tower,

               Where he shall see the boar will use³³ us kindly.

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     I’ll go, my lord, and tell him what you say.

       Exit

       Enter Catesby

35

35   

CATESBY

CATESBY           Many good morrows to my noble lord.

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     Good morrow, Catesby. You are early stirring.

               What news, what news, in this our tott’ring state?

CATESBY

CATESBY     It is a reeling world, indeed, my lord,

               And I believe will never stand upright

40

40           Till Richard wear the garland⁴⁰ of the realm.

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     How? Wear the garland? Dost thou mean the crown?

CATESBY

CATESBY     Ay, my good lord.

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     I’ll have this crown⁴³ of mine cut from my shoulders

               Before I’ll see the crown so foul⁴⁴ misplaced.

45

45           But canst thou guess that he doth aim at it?

CATESBY

CATESBY     Ay, on my life, and hopes to find you forward⁴⁶

               Upon his party for the gain thereof:

               And thereupon he sends you this good news,

               That this same very day your enemies,

50

50           The kindred of the queen, must die at Pomfret.

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     Indeed, I am no mourner for that news,

               Because they have been still my adversaries.

               But that I’ll give my voice on Richard’s side

               To bar my master’s⁵⁴ heirs in true descent,

55

55           God knows I will not do it, to the death.

CATESBY

CATESBY     God keep your lordship in that gracious mind.

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     But I shall laugh at this a twelvemonth hence,

               That they⁵⁸ which brought me in my master’s hate,

               I live to look upon their tragedy.

60

               Well, Catesby, ere a fortnight make me older,

               I’ll send some packing that yet think not on’t.

CATESBY

CATESBY     ’Tis a vile thing to die, my gracious lord,

               When men are unprepared and look not for it.

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     O, monstrous,⁶⁴ monstrous! And so falls it out

65

65           With Rivers, Vaughan, Grey: and so ’twill do

               With some men else, that think themselves as safe

               As thou and I — who, as thou know’st, are dear

               To princely Richard and to Buckingham.

CATESBY

CATESBY     The princes both make high account⁶⁹ of you.—

70

70           For they account⁷⁰ his head upon the bridge. Aside

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     I know they do, and I have well deserved it.

       Enter Lord Stanley [Earl of Derby]

               Come on, come on, where is your boar-spear, man? To Derby

               Fear you the boar, and go so unprovided?⁷³

DERBY

DERBY     My lord, good morrow.— Good morrow, Catesby.

75

75           You may jest on, but, by the holy rood,⁷⁵

               I do not like these several⁷⁶ councils, I.

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     My lord, I hold my life as dear as yours,

               And never in my days, I do protest,⁷⁸

               Was it so precious to me as ’tis now.

80

80           Think you, but that I know our state secure,

               I would be so triumphant⁸¹ as I am?

DERBY

DERBY     The lords at Pomfret, when they rode from London,

               Were jocund⁸³ and supposed their states were sure,

               And they indeed had no cause to mistrust:⁸⁴

85

85           But yet you see how soon the day o’ercast.

               This⁸⁶ sudden stab of rancour I misdoubt:

               Pray God, I say, I prove a needless coward.

               What, shall we toward the Tower? The day is spent.⁸⁸

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     Come, come, have with you.⁸⁹ Wot you what, my lord?

90

90           Today the lords you talk of are beheaded.

LORD DERBY

LORD DERBY     They, for their truth,⁹¹ might better wear their heads

               Than some that have accused them wear their hats.⁹²

               But come, my lord, let’s away.

       Enter a Pursuivant

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     Go on before:⁹⁴ I’ll talk with this good fellow.—

       Exeunt Derby and Catesby

95

95           How now, sirrah?⁹⁵ How goes the world with thee?

PURSUIVANT

PURSUIVANT     The better that your lordship please to ask.

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     I tell thee, man, ’tis better with me now

               Than when thou met’st me last where now we meet:

               Then was I going prisoner to the Tower,

100

100         By the suggestion¹⁰⁰ of the queen’s allies.

               But now, I tell thee — keep it to thyself —

               This day those enemies are put to death,

               And I in better state¹⁰³ than e’er I was.

PURSUIVANT

PURSUIVANT     God hold¹⁰⁴ it to your honour’s good content.

105

105 

HASTINGS

HASTINGS             Gramercy,¹⁰⁵ fellow. There, drink that for me.

       Throws him his purse

PURSUIVANT

PURSUIVANT     I thank your honour.

       Exit

       Enter a Priest

PRIEST

PRIEST     Well met, my lord. I am glad to see your honour.

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     I thank thee, good Sir¹⁰⁸ John, with all my heart.

               I¹⁰⁹ am in your debt for your last exercise:

110

110         Come the next Sabbath, and I will content¹¹⁰ you. Whispers in his ear

PRIEST

PRIEST     I’ll wait upon your lordship.

       Enter Buckingham

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     What, talking with a priest, Lord Chamberlain?

               Your friends at Pomfret, they do need the priest:

               Your honour hath no shriving work¹¹⁴ in hand.

115

115 

HASTINGS

HASTINGS             Good faith, and when I met this holy man,

               The men you talk of came into my mind.

               What, go you toward the Tower?

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     I do, my lord, but long I cannot stay there.

               I shall return before your lordship thence.¹¹⁹

120

120 

HASTINGS

HASTINGS             Nay, like enough, for I stay¹²⁰ dinner there.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     And supper too, although thou know’st it not.— Aside

               Come, will you go?

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     I’ll wait upon your lordship.

       Exeunt

Act 3 Scene 33.3

running scene 9

       Enter Sir Richard Ratcliffe with Halberds, carrying the nobles [Rivers, Grey and Vaughan] to death at Pomfret

RIVERS

RIVERS     Sir Richard Ratcliffe, let me tell thee this:

               Today shalt thou behold a subject die

               For truth, for duty, and for loyalty.

GREY

GREY     God bless the prince from all the pack of you.

5

5             A knot⁵ you are of damnèd blood-suckers!

VAUGHAN

VAUGHAN     You live that shall cry woe for this hereafter.

RATCLIFFE

RATCLIFFE     Dispatch.⁷ The limit of your lives is out.

RIVERS

RIVERS     O Pomfret, Pomfret! O thou bloody prison!

               Fatal and ominous to noble peers!

10

10           Within the guilty closure¹⁰ of thy walls

               Richard the Second here was hacked to death.

               And, for¹² more slander to thy dismal seat,

               We give to thee our guiltless blood to drink.

GREY

GREY     Now Margaret’s curse is fall’n upon our heads,

15

15           When she exclaimed on¹⁵ Hastings, you and I,

               For standing by when Richard stabbed her son.

RIVERS

RIVERS     Then cursed she Richard, then cursed she Buckingham,

               Then cursed she Hastings. O, remember, God,

               To hear her prayer for them, as now for us:

20

20           And for²⁰ my sister and her princely sons,

               Be satisfied, dear God, with our true blood,

               Which, as thou know’st, unjustly must be spilt.

RATCLIFFE

RATCLIFFE     Make haste: the hour of death is expiate.²³

RIVERS

RIVERS     Come, Grey, come, Vaughan, let us here embrace.

25

25           Farewell, until we meet again in heaven.

       Exeunt

Act 3 Scene 4*

running scene 10

       Enter Buckingham, Derby, Hastings, Bishop of Ely, Norfolk, Ratcliffe, Lovell, with others.

       [They take their seats] at a table

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     Now, noble peers, the cause why we are met

               Is to determine of² the coronation.

               In God’s name speak: when is the royal day?

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Is all things ready for the royal time?

5

5     

DERBY

DERBY         It is, and wants but nomination.⁵

BISHOP OF ELY

BISHOP OF ELY Tomorrow, then, I judge a happy⁶ day.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Who knows the Lord Protector’s mind herein?

               Who is most inward⁸ with the noble duke?

BISHOP OF ELY

BISHOP OF ELY Your grace, we think, should soonest know his mind.⁹

10

10   

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM           We know each other’s faces: for¹⁰ our hearts,

               He knows no more of mine, than I of yours,

               Or I of his, my lord, than you of mine.—

               Lord Hastings, you and he are near in love.¹³

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     I thank his grace, I know he loves me well.

15

15           But, for his purpose in the coronation,

               I have not sounded¹⁶ him, nor he delivered

               His gracious pleasure any way therein:

               But you, my honourable lords, may name the time,

               And in¹⁹ the duke’s behalf I’ll give my voice,

20

20           Which I presume he’ll take²⁰ in gentle part.

       Enter [Richard of] Gloucester

BISHOP OF ELY

BISHOP OF ELY In happy time, here comes the duke himself.

RICHARD

RICHARD     My noble lords and cousins²² all, good morrow.

               I have been long a sleeper: but I trust

               My absence doth neglect²⁴ no great design

25

25           Which by my presence might have been concluded.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Had you not come upon your cue, my lord,

               William Lord Hastings had pronounced your part²⁷ —

               I mean your voice — for crowning of the king.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Than my lord Hastings no man might be bolder:²⁹

30

30           His lordship knows me well, and loves me well.—

               My lord of Ely, when I was last in Holborn,

               I saw good strawberries in your garden there:

               I do beseech you send for some of them.

BISHOP OF ELY

BISHOP OF ELY Marry, and will, my lord, with all my heart.

       Exit Bishop

35

35   

RICHARD

RICHARD           Cousin of Buckingham, a word with you.

               Catesby hath sounded Hastings in our business, They speak aside

               And finds the testy³⁷ gentleman so hot

               That he will lose his head³⁸ ere give consent

               His master’s child, as worshipfully³⁹ he terms it,

40

40           Shall lose the royalty of England’s throne.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Withdraw yourself a while. I’ll go with you.

       Exeunt [Richard and Buckingham]

DERBY

DERBY     We have not yet set⁴² down this day of triumph.

               Tomorrow, in my judgement, is too sudden,

               For I myself am not so well provided⁴⁴

45

45           As else I would be, were the day prolonged.⁴⁵

       Enter the Bishop of Ely

BISHOP OF ELY

BISHOP OF ELY Where is my lord, the Duke of Gloucester?

               I have sent for these strawberries.

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     His grace looks cheerfully and smooth⁴⁸ this morning:

               There’s some conceit⁴⁹ or other likes him well,

50

50           When that he bids good morrow with such spirit.

               I think there’s never a man in Christendom

               Can lesser hide his love or hate than he,

               For by his face straight⁵³ shall you know his heart.

DERBY

DERBY     What of his heart perceive you in his face

55

55           By any livelihood⁵⁵ he showed today?

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     Marry, that with no man here he is offended:

               For, were he, he had shown it in his looks.

       Enter Richard and Buckingham

RICHARD

RICHARD     I pray you all, tell me what they deserve

               That do conspire my death with devilish plots

60

60           Of damned witchcraft, and that have prevailed

               Upon my body with their hellish charms.⁶¹

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     The tender love I bear your grace, my lord,

               Makes me most forward in this princely presence

               To doom⁶⁴ th’offenders, whosoe’er they be:

65

65           I say, my lord, they have deserved death.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Then be your eyes the witness of their evil.

               Look how I am bewitched: behold, mine arm Points to his arm

               Is like a blasted⁶⁸ sapling, withered up:

               And this is⁶⁹ Edward’s wife, that monstrous witch,

70

70           Consorted⁷⁰ with that harlot, strumpet Shore,

               That by their witchcraft thus have markèd me.

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     If they have done this deed, my noble lord—

RICHARD

RICHARD     If? Thou protector of this damnèd strumpet—

               Talk’st thou to me of ‘ifs’? Thou art a traitor.

75

75           Off with his head! Now, by Saint Paul I swear,

               I will not dine until I see the same.⁷⁶ —

               Lovell and Ratcliffe, look that it be done.

               The rest that love me, rise and follow me.

       Exeunt. Lovell and Ratcliffe with the Lord Hastings remain

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     Woe, woe for England! Not a whit for me,

80

80           For I, too fond,⁸⁰ might have prevented this.

               Stanley did dream the boar did rouse⁸¹ our helms;

               And I did scorn it and disdain to fly.

               Three times today my foot-cloth horse⁸³ did stumble,

               And started,⁸⁴ when he looked upon the Tower,

85

85           As⁸⁵ loath to bear me to the slaughter-house.

               O, now I need the priest that spake to me:

               I now repent I told the pursuivant,

               As too triumphing⁸⁸ how mine enemies

               Today at Pomfret bloodily were butchered,

90

90           And I myself secure in grace and favour.

               O Margaret, Margaret, now thy heavy curse

               Is lighted on poor Hastings’ wretched head!

RATCLIFFE

RATCLIFFE     Come, come, dispatch. The duke would be at dinner.

               Make a short shrift:⁹⁴ he longs to see your head.

95

95   

HASTINGS

HASTINGS           O, momentary grace⁹⁵ of mortal men,

               Which we more hunt for than the grace of God!

               Who⁹⁷ builds his hope in air of your good looks,

               Lives like a drunken sailor on a mast,

               Ready with every nod to tumble down

100

100         Into the fatal bowels of the deep.

LOVELL

LOVELL     Come, come, dispatch: ’tis bootless¹⁰¹ to exclaim.

HASTINGS

HASTINGS     O bloody Richard! Miserable England!

               I prophesy the fearful’st time to thee

               That ever wretched age hath looked upon.

105

105         Come, lead me to the block: bear him my head.

               They smile at me who shortly shall be dead.

       Exeunt

[Act 3 Scene 5]3.5

running scene 11

       Enter Richard and Buckingham, in rotten armour, marvellous ill-favoured

RICHARD

RICHARD     Come, cousin, canst thou quake and change thy colour,¹

               Murder² thy breath in middle of a word,

               And then again begin, and stop again,

               As if thou were distraught and mad with terror?

5

5     

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM         Tut, I can counterfeit⁵ the deep tragedian,

               Speak and look back,⁶ and pry on every side,

               Tremble and start at wagging⁷ of a straw:

               Intending⁸ deep suspicion, ghastly looks

               Are at my service,⁹ like enforcèd smiles,

10

10           And both are ready in their offices¹⁰

               At any time to grace my stratagems.

               But what, is Catesby gone?

RICHARD

RICHARD     He is, and see, he brings the mayor along.

       Enter the Mayor and Catesby

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Lord Mayor—

15

15   

RICHARD

RICHARD           Look to the drawbridge there!

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Hark, a drum!

RICHARD

RICHARD     Catesby, o’erlook¹⁷ the walls.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Lord Mayor, the reason we have sent—

RICHARD

RICHARD     Look back, defend thee, here are enemies.

20

20   

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM           God and our innocency defend and guard us!

       Enter Lovell and Ratcliffe, with Hastings’ head

RICHARD

RICHARD     Be patient,²¹ they are friends: Ratcliffe and Lovell.

LOVELL

LOVELL     Here is the head of that ignoble traitor,

               The dangerous and unsuspected Hastings.

RICHARD

RICHARD     So dear I loved the man that I must weep.

25

25           I took him for the plainest²⁵ harmless creature

               That breathed upon the earth a Christian,

               Made him my book,²⁷ wherein my soul recorded

               The history²⁸ of all her secret thoughts.

               So smooth²⁹ he daubed his vice with show of virtue

30

30           That, his³⁰ apparent open guilt omitted —

               I mean, his conversation³¹ with Shore’s wife —

               He lived from³² all attainder of suspects.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Well, well, he was the covert’st sheltered³³ traitor

               That ever lived.

35

35           Would you imagine, or almost³⁵ believe,

               Were’t not that, by great preservation

               We live to tell it, that the subtle³⁷ traitor

               This day had plotted, in the council house,

               To murder me and my good lord of Gloucester?

40

40   

MAYOR

MAYOR           Had he done so?

RICHARD

RICHARD     What? Think you we are Turks⁴¹ or infidels?

               Or that we would, against the form⁴² of law,

               Proceed thus rashly⁴³ in the villain’s death,

               But that the extreme peril of the case,

45

45           The peace of England and our person’s safety,

               Enforced us to this execution?

MAYOR

MAYOR     Now fair⁴⁷ befall you! He deserved his death,

               And your good graces, both have well proceeded⁴⁸

               To warn false traitors from the like attempts.

50

50   

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM           I never looked for⁵⁰ better at his hands,

               After he once fell⁵¹ in with Mistress Shore.

               Yet had⁵² we not determined he should die

               Until your lordship came to see⁵³ his end,

               Which now the loving haste of these our friends,

55

55           Something against our meanings, have prevented;

               Because, my lord, I would have had you heard

               The traitor speak, and timorously⁵⁷ confess

               The manner and the purpose of his treasons,

               That you might well have signified the same

60

60           Unto the citizens, who haply⁶⁰ may

               Misconster⁶¹ us in him and wail his death.

MAYOR

MAYOR     But, my good lord, your grace’s words shall serve

               As well as⁶³ I had seen and heard him speak:

               And do not doubt, right noble princes both,

65

65           But I’ll acquaint our duteous citizens

               With all your just proceedings in this case.

RICHARD

RICHARD     And to that end we wished your lordship here,

               T’avoid the censures of the carping⁶⁸ world.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Which since you come too late of⁶⁹ our intent,

70

70           Yet witness⁷⁰ what you hear we did intend.

               And so, my good Lord Mayor, we bid farewell.

       Exit Mayor

RICHARD

RICHARD     Go, after, after, cousin Buckingham.

               The mayor towards Guildhall⁷³ hies him in all post:

               There, at your meetest vantage⁷⁴ of the time,

75

75           Infer⁷⁵ the bastardy of Edward’s children:

               Tell them how Edward put to death a citizen

               Only for saying he would make his son

               Heir to the crown, meaning indeed his house,⁷⁸

               Which, by the sign⁷⁹ thereof was termèd so.

80

80           Moreover, urge his hateful luxury⁸⁰

               And bestial appetite in change of lust,⁸¹

               Which stretched unto their servants, daughters, wives,

               Even where⁸³ his raging eye or savage heart,

               Without control, lusted to make a prey.

85

85           Nay, for a need,⁸⁵ thus far come near my person:

               Tell them, when that my mother went⁸⁶ with child

               Of that insatiate Edward, noble York

               My princely father then had wars in France,

               And by true⁸⁹ computation of the time,

90

90           Found that the issue was not his begot⁹⁰ —

               Which well⁹¹ appearèd in his lineaments,

               Being nothing like the noble duke my father.

               Yet touch this sparingly,⁹³ as ’twere far off,

               Because, my lord, you know my mother lives.

95

95   

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM           Doubt not, my lord, I’ll play the orator

               As if the golden fee⁹⁶ for which I plead

               Were for myself. And so, my lord, adieu.

RICHARD

RICHARD     If you thrive well,⁹⁸ bring them to Baynard’s Castle,

               Where you shall find me well accompanied

100

100         With reverend fathers and well-learned bishops.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     I go: and towards three or four o’clock

               Look for the news that the Guildhall affords.

       Exit Buckingham

RICHARD

RICHARD     Go, Lovell, with all speed to Doctor Shaw.¹⁰³—

               Go thou to Friar Penker: bid them both To Catesby or Ratcliffe

105

105         Meet me within this hour at Baynard’s Castle.

       Exeunt [all but Richard]

               Now will I go to take¹⁰⁶ some privy order

               To draw the brats of Clarence out of sight,

               And to give order that no manner¹⁰⁸ person

               Have any time recourse¹⁰⁹ unto the princes.

       Exit

[Act 3 Scene 6]3.6

running scene 12

       Enter a Scrivener

SCRIVENER

SCRIVENER     Here is the indictment¹ of the good Lord Hastings, Shows a paper

               Which in a set hand² fairly is engrossed,

               That it may be today read o’er in Paul’s.³

               And mark how well the sequel⁴ hangs together:

5

5             Eleven hours I have spent to write it over,

               For yesternight by Catesby was it sent me,

               The precedent⁷ was full as long a-doing.

               And yet within these five hours Hastings lived,

               Untainted,⁹ unexamined, free, at liberty.

10

10           Here’s a good world the while!¹⁰ Who is so gross

               That cannot see this palpable device?¹¹

               Yet who so bold, but says he sees it not?

               Bad is the world, and all will come to nought

               When such ill dealing must be seen in thought.¹⁴

       Exit

[Act 3 Scene 7]*

running scene 13

       Enter Richard and Buckingham, at several doors

RICHARD

RICHARD     How now, how now? What say the citizens?

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Now, by the holy mother of our lord,

               The citizens are mum,³ say not a word.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Touched you⁴ the bastardy of Edward’s children?

5

5     

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM         I did: with his contract⁵ with Lady Lucy,

               And his contract⁶ by deputy in France,

               Th’unsatiate greediness of his desire,

               And his enforcement⁸ of the city wives,

               His tyranny for trifles,⁹ his own bastardy,

10

10           As being got,¹⁰ your father then in France,

               And his resemblance, being not like the duke.

               Withal I did infer your lineaments,

               Being the right idea of your father,

               Both in your form and nobleness of mind:

15

15           Laid open¹⁵ all your victories in Scotland,

               Your discipline¹⁶ in war, wisdom in peace,

               Your bounty,¹⁷ virtue, fair humility:

               Indeed, left nothing fitting for¹⁸ your purpose

               Untouched, or slightly¹⁹ handled, in discourse.

20

20           And when my oratory drew toward end,

               I bid them that did love their country’s good

               Cry ‘God save Richard, England’s royal king!’

RICHARD

RICHARD     And did they so?

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     No, so God help me, they spake not a word,

25

25           But, like dumb statues or breathing stones,

               Stared each on other and looked deadly pale:

               Which when I saw, I reprehended them,

               And asked the mayor what meant this wilful silence:

               His answer was, the people were not used

30

30           To be spoke to but by the recorder.³⁰

               Then he was urged to tell my tale again:

               ‘Thus saith the duke, thus hath the duke inferred’³² —

               But nothing spoke in³³ warrant from himself.

               When he had done, some followers of mine own,

35

35           At lower end of the hall,³⁵ hurled up their caps,

               And some ten voices cried, ‘God save King Richard!’

               And thus I took the vantage³⁷ of those few:

               ‘Thanks, gentle citizens and friends,’ quoth I,

               ‘This general³⁹ applause and cheerful shout

40

40           Argues⁴⁰ your wisdom and your love to Richard.’

               And even here⁴¹ brake off, and came away.

RICHARD

RICHARD     What tongueless blocks⁴² were they? Would they not speak?

               Will not the mayor then and his brethren⁴³ come?

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     The mayor is here at hand. Intend⁴⁴ some fear:

45

45           Be not you spoke with, but by mighty suit.⁴⁵

               And look⁴⁶ you get a prayer-book in your hand,

               And stand between two churchmen, good my lord,

               For on that ground⁴⁸ I’ll make a holy descant:

               And be not easily won⁴⁹ to our requests.

50

50           Play the maid’s⁵⁰ part: still answer nay, and take it.

RICHARD

RICHARD     I go. And if you plead as well for them

               As I can say nay to thee for myself,⁵²

               No doubt we bring it to a happy issue.⁵³

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Go, go, up to the leads.⁵⁴ The Lord Mayor knocks.

       [Exit Richard]

       Enter the Mayor and Citizens

55

55           Welcome, my lord. I dance attendance⁵⁵ here:

               I think the duke will not be spoke withal.

       Enter Catesby

               Now, Catesby, what says your lord to my request.

CATESBY

CATESBY     He doth entreat your grace, my noble lord,

               To visit him tomorrow or next day:

60

60           He is within, with two right reverend fathers,

               Divinely bent⁶¹ to meditation,

               And in no worldly suits⁶² would he be moved,

               To draw him from his holy exercise.⁶³

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Return, good Catesby, to the gracious duke:

65

65           Tell him myself, the Mayor and Alderman,

               In deep⁶⁶ designs, in matter of great moment,

               No less importing⁶⁷ than our general good,

               Are come to have some conference with his grace.

CATESBY

CATESBY     I’ll signify so much unto him straight.

       Exit

70

70   

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM           Ah, ha, my lord, this prince is not an Edward!

               He is not lulling⁷¹ on a lewd love-bed,

               But on his knees at meditation:

               Not dallying⁷³ with a brace of courtesans,

               But meditating with two deep⁷⁴ divines:

75

75           Not sleeping, to engross⁷⁵ his idle body,

               But praying, to enrich his watchful⁷⁶ soul.

               Happy⁷⁷ were England, would this virtuous prince

               Take on his grace⁷⁸ the sovereignty thereof:

               But sure I fear we shall not win him to it.

80

80   

MAYOR

MAYOR           Marry, God defend⁸⁰ his grace should say us nay!

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     I fear he will. — Here Catesby comes again.

       Enter Catesby

               Now, Catesby, what says his grace?

CATESBY

CATESBY     He wonders to what end you have assembled

               Such troops of citizens to come to him,

85

85           His grace not being warned thereof before.

               He fears, my lord, you mean no good to him.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Sorry I am my noble cousin should

               Suspect me that I mean no good to him.

               By heaven, we come to him in perfect⁸⁹ love,

90

90           And so once more return and tell his grace.

       Exit [Catesby]

               When holy and devout religious men

               Are at their beads,⁹² ’tis hard to draw them thence,

               So sweet is zealous⁹³ contemplation.

       Enter Richard aloft, between two Bishops. [Catesby returns]

MAYOR

MAYOR     See, where his grace stands ’tween two clergymen.

95

95   

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM           Two props⁹⁵ of virtue for a Christian prince,

               To stay⁹⁶ him from the fall of vanity:

               And, see, a book of prayer in his hand,

               True ornaments to know a holy man.—

               Famous Plantagenet, most gracious prince,

100

100         Lend favourable ear to our requests,

               And pardon us the interruption

               Of thy devotion and right¹⁰² Christian zeal.

RICHARD

RICHARD     My lord, there needs no such apology:

               I do beseech your grace to pardon me,

105

105         Who, earnest in the service of my God,

               Deferred the visitation¹⁰⁶ of my friends.

               But, leaving this, what is your grace’s pleasure?

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Even that, I hope, which pleaseth God above,

               And all good men of this ungoverned isle.

110

110 

RICHARD

RICHARD             I do suspect I have done some offence

               That seems disgracious¹¹¹ in the city’s eye,

               And that you come to reprehend my ignorance.¹¹²

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     You have, my lord: would it might please your grace,

               On our entreaties, to amend your fault.

115

115 

RICHARD

RICHARD             Else¹¹⁵ wherefore breathe I in a Christian land?

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Know then, it is your fault that you resign

               The supreme seat, the throne majestical,

               The sceptred¹¹⁸ office of your ancestors,

               Your state¹¹⁹ of fortune and your due of birth,

120

120         The lineal¹²⁰ glory of your royal house,

               To the corruption of a blemished¹²¹ stock;

               Whiles, in the mildness of your sleepy thoughts,

               Which here we waken to our country’s good,

               The noble isle doth want¹²⁴ his proper limbs:

125

125         His face defaced with scars of infamy,¹²⁵

               His royal stock graft¹²⁶ with ignoble plants,

               And almost shouldered¹²⁷ in the swallowing gulf

               Of dark forgetfulness and deep oblivion.

               Which to recure,¹²⁹ we heartily solicit

130

130         Your gracious self to take on you the charge

               And kingly government of this your land —

               Not as Protector, steward, substitute,

               Or lowly factor¹³³ for another’s gain;

               But as successively¹³⁴ from blood to blood,

135

135         Your right of birth, your empery,¹³⁵ your own.

               For this, consorted¹³⁶ with the citizens,

               Your very worshipful¹³⁷ and loving friends,

               And by their vehement instigation,

               In this just cause come I to move¹³⁹ your grace.

140

140 

RICHARD

RICHARD             I cannot tell if to depart in silence,

               Or bitterly to speak in your reproof

               Best fitteth my degree¹⁴² or your condition.

               If not¹⁴³ to answer, you might haply think

               Tongue-tied ambition, not replying, yielded¹⁴⁴

145

145         To bear the golden yoke of sovereignty,

               Which fondly¹⁴⁶ you would here impose on me.

               If to reprove you for this suit of yours,

               So seasoned with your faithful love to me,

               Then on the other side I checked¹⁴⁹ my friends.

150

150         Therefore, to speak, and to avoid the first,

               And then, in speaking, not to incur the last,

               Definitively thus I answer you:

               Your love deserves my thanks, but my desert¹⁵³

               Unmeritable shuns your high request.

155

155         First, if all obstacles were cut away,¹⁵⁵

               And that my path were even¹⁵⁶ to the crown,

               As the ripe revenue¹⁵⁷ and due of birth,

               Yet so much is my poverty of spirit,

               So mighty and so many my defects,

160

160         That I would rather hide me from my greatness¹⁶⁰ —

               Being a bark¹⁶¹ to brook no mighty sea —

               Than in¹⁶² my greatness covet to be hid,

               And in the vapour¹⁶³ of my glory smothered.

               But, God be thanked, there is no need of me,

165

165         And much I need¹⁶⁵ to help you, were there need.

               The royal tree¹⁶⁶ hath left us royal fruit,

               Which, mellowed¹⁶⁷ by the stealing hours of time,

               Will well become¹⁶⁸ the seat of majesty,

               And make, no doubt, us happy by his reign.

170

170         On him I lay that¹⁷⁰ you would lay on me,

               The right and fortune of his happy¹⁷¹ stars,

               Which God defend¹⁷² that I should wring from him!

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     My lord, this argues¹⁷³ conscience in your grace,

               But the respects thereof¹⁷⁴ are nice and trivial,

175

175         All circumstances well considerèd.

               You say that Edward is your brother’s son:

               So say we too, but not by Edward’s wife,

               For first was he contract¹⁷⁸ to Lady Lucy —

               Your mother lives a witness to his vow —

180

180         And afterward by substitute¹⁸⁰ betrothed

               To Bona, sister¹⁸¹ to the King of France.

               These both put off, a poor petitioner,¹⁸²

               A care-crazed¹⁸³ mother to a many sons,

               A beauty-waning and distressed widow,

185

185         Even in the afternoon of her best days,

               Made prize and purchase¹⁸⁶ of his wanton eye,

               Seduced the pitch¹⁸⁷ and height of his degree

               To base declension¹⁸⁸ and loathed bigamy.

               By her, in his unlawful bed, he got

190

190         This Edward, whom our manners¹⁹⁰ call the prince.

               More bitterly could I expostulate,¹⁹¹

               Save that, for reverence to some alive,¹⁹²

               I give a sparing¹⁹³ limit to my tongue.

               Then, good my lord, take to your royal self

195

195         This proffered benefit¹⁹⁵ of dignity:

               If not to bless us and the land withal,

               Yet to draw forth your noble ancestry

               From the corruption of abusing times,

               Unto a lineal true-derivèd¹⁹⁹ course.

200

200 

MAYOR

MAYOR             Do, good my lord: your citizens entreat you. To Richard

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Refuse not, mighty lord, this proffered love.

CATESBY

CATESBY     O, make them joyful, grant their lawful suit!

RICHARD

RICHARD     Alas, why would you heap this care²⁰³ on me?

               I am unfit for state and majesty.

205

205         I do beseech you, take it not amiss:

               I cannot nor I will not yield to you.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     If you refuse it — as,²⁰⁷ in love and zeal,

               Loath to depose the child, your brother’s son,

               As well we know your tenderness of heart

210

210         And gentle, kind, effeminate²¹⁰ remorse,

               Which we have noted in you to your kindred

               And equally indeed to all estates²¹² —

               Yet know, whe’er you accept our suit or no,

               Your brother’s son shall never reign our king,

215

215         But we will plant some other in the throne

               To the disgrace and downfall of your house:

               And in this resolution here we leave you.—

               Come, citizens, we will entreat no more.

       Exeunt [Buckingham with Citizens]

CATESBY

CATESBY     Call him again, sweet prince. Accept their suit.

220

220         If you deny them all the land will rue it.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Will you enforce me to a world of cares?

               Call them again. I am not made of stones,

               But penetrable to your kind entreaties,

               Albeit against my conscience and my soul.

       Enter Buckingham and the rest

225

225         Cousin of Buckingham, and sage, grave men,

               Since you will buckle²²⁶ fortune on my back,

               To bear her burden, whe’er I will or no,

               I must have patience to endure the load:

               But if black scandal or foul-faced reproach

230

230         Attend the sequel²³⁰ of your imposition,

               Your²³¹ mere enforcement shall acquittance me

               From all the impure blots and stains thereof;

               For God doth know, and you may partly see,

               How far I am from the desire of this.

235

235 

MAYOR

MAYOR             God bless your grace! We see it and will say it.

RICHARD

RICHARD     In saying so, you shall but say the truth.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Then I salute you with this royal title:

               Long live King Richard, England’s worthy king!

ALL

ALL     Amen.

240

240 

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM             Tomorrow may it please you to be crowned?

RICHARD

RICHARD     Even²⁴¹ when you please, for you will have it so.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Tomorrow, then, we will attend your grace.

               And so most joyfully we take our leave.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Come, let us to our holy work again.— To the Bishops

245

245         Farewell, my cousins: farewell, gentle friends.

       Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 14.1

running scene 14

       Enter the Queen, Anne Duchess of Gloucester [leading a girl], the Duchess of York and Marquis Dorset

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK Who meets us here? My niece¹ Plantagenet

               Led in the hand of her kind aunt of Gloucester?

               Now, for my life, she’s wand’ring to the Tower,

               On pure heart’s love to greet the tender⁴ prince.

5

5             Daughter, well met.

ANNE

ANNE     God give your graces both

               A happy and a joyful time of day.

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH As much to you, good sister. Whither away?

ANNE

ANNE     No further than the Tower, and, as I guess,

10

10           Upon the like devotion¹⁰ as yourselves,

               To gratulate¹¹ the gentle princes there.

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH Kind sister, thanks: we’ll enter all together.

       Enter the Lieutenant [Brackenbury]

               And, in good time, here the lieutenant comes.

               Master Lieutenant, pray you, by your leave,

15

15           How doth the prince, and my young son of York?

BRACKENBURY

BRACKENBURY Right well, dear madam. By your patience,

               I may not suffer¹⁷ you to visit them:

               The king hath strictly charged the contrary.

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH The king? Who’s that?

20

20   

BRACKENBURY

BRACKENBURY I mean the Lord Protector.

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH The lord protect him from that kingly title!

               Hath he set bounds²² between their love and me?

               I am their mother: who shall bar me from them?

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK I am their father’s mother: I will see them.

25

25   

ANNE

ANNE           Their aunt I am in law,²⁵ in love their mother:

               Then bring me to their sights. I’ll bear thy blame

               And take thy office²⁷ from thee, on my peril.

BRACKENBURY

BRACKENBURY No, madam, no; I may not leave it so:

               I am bound by oath, and therefore pardon me.

       Exit

       Enter Stanley [Earl of Derby]

30

30   

DERBY

DERBY           Let me but meet you, ladies, one hour hence,

               And I’ll salute your grace of York as mother,³¹

               And reverend looker-on,³² of two fair queens.—

               Come, madam, you must straight³³ to Westminster, To Anne

               There to be crownèd Richard’s royal queen.

35

35   

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH Ah, cut my lace³⁵ asunder,

               That my pent³⁶ heart may have some scope to beat,

               Or else I swoon with this dead-killing news!

ANNE

ANNE     Despiteful³⁸ tidings! O, unpleasing news!

DORSET

DORSET     Be of good cheer. Mother, how fares your grace?

40

40   

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH O Dorset, speak not to me, get thee gone!

               Death and destruction dogs thee at thy heels:

               Thy mother’s name is ominous to children.

               If thou wilt outstrip death, go cross the seas,

               And live with Richmond,⁴⁴ from the reach of hell.

45

45           Go, hie⁴⁵ thee, hie thee from this slaughter-house,

               Lest thou increase the number of the dead

               And make me die the thrall⁴⁷ of Margaret’s curse,

               Nor⁴⁸ mother, wife, nor England’s counted queen.

DERBY

DERBY     Full of wise care is this your counsel, madam.—

50

50           Take all the swift advantage of the hours. To Dorset

               You shall have letters⁵¹ from me to my son

               In your behalf, to meet you on the way.

               Be not ta’en⁵³ tardy by unwise delay.

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK O ill-dispersing⁵⁴ wind of misery!

55

55           O my accursèd womb, the bed of death!

               A cockatrice⁵⁶ hast thou hatched to the world,

               Whose unavoided⁵⁷ eye is murderous.

DERBY

DERBY     Come, madam, come: I in all haste was sent. To Anne

ANNE

ANNE     And I with all unwillingness will go.

60

60           O, would to God that the inclusive⁶⁰ verge

               Of golden metal that must round my brow

               Were red-hot steel, to sear me to the brains!

               Anointed⁶³ let me be with deadly venom,

               And die, ere men can say, ‘God save the queen!’

65

65   

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH Go, go, poor soul, I envy not thy glory:

               To⁶⁶ feed my humour wish thyself no harm.

ANNE

ANNE     No? Why? When he that is my husband now

               Came to me, as I followed Henry’s corpse,

               When scarce the blood was well washed from his hands

70

70           Which issued from my other angel husband⁷⁰

               And that dear saint which then I weeping followed —

               O, when I say I looked on Richard’s face,

               This was my wish: ‘Be thou’, quoth I, ‘accursed

               For making me, so young, so old⁷⁴ a widow!

75

75           And, when thou wed’st, let sorrow haunt thy bed;

               And be thy wife — if any be so mad —

               More miserable by the life of thee

               Than thou hast made me by my dear lord’s death!’

               Lo, ere I can repeat this curse again,

80

80           Within so small a time, my woman’s heart

               Grossly⁸¹ grew captive to his honey words

               And proved the subject of mine own soul’s curse,

               Which hitherto hath held mine eyes from rest,

               For never yet one hour in his bed

85

85           Did I enjoy the golden dew of sleep,

               But with his timorous⁸⁶ dreams was still awaked.

               Besides, he hates me for my father Warwick,⁸⁷

               And will, no doubt, shortly be rid of me.

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH Poor heart, adieu! I pity thy complaining.⁸⁹

90

90   

ANNE

ANNE           No more than with my soul I mourn for yours.

DORSET

DORSET     Farewell, thou woeful welcomer of glory.

ANNE

ANNE     Adieu, poor soul, that tak’st thy leave of it.

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK Go thou to Richmond, and good fortune guide thee.— To Dorset

               Go thou to Richard, and good angels tend thee.— To Anne

95

95           Go thou to sanctuary, and good thoughts possess thee.— To Queen Elizabeth

               I to my grave, where peace and rest lie with me.

               Eighty odd years of sorrow have I seen,

               And each hour’s joy wrecked with a week of teen.⁹⁸ She starts to leave

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH Stay, yet look back with me unto the Tower.

100

100         Pity, you ancient stones, those tender babes

               Whom envy hath immured¹⁰¹ within your walls,

               Rough cradle for such little pretty ones,

               Rude¹⁰³ ragged nurse, old sullen playfellow

               For tender princes: use my babies well.

105

105         So¹⁰⁵ foolish sorrows bids your stones farewell.

       Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 24.2

running scene 15

       Sound a sennet. Enter Richard in pomp, Buckingham, Catesby, Ratcliffe, Lovell, [a Page and others. A throne is brought forth]

RICHARD

RICHARD     Stand all apart.¹— Cousin of Buckingham.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     My gracious sovereign?

RICHARD

RICHARD     Give me thy hand.

       Sound [trumpets]

       He ascends the throne

               Thus high, by thy advice and thy assistance, Richard and Buckingham speak aside

5

5             Is King Richard seated.

               But shall we wear these glories for a day?

               Or shall they last, and we rejoice in them?

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Still live they and forever let them last!

RICHARD

RICHARD     Ah, Buckingham, now do I play the touch,⁹

10

10           To try¹⁰ if thou be current gold indeed:

               Young Edward lives. Think now what I would speak.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Say on, my loving lord.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Why, Buckingham, I say I would be king,

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Why, so you are, my thrice-renownèd lord.

15

15   

RICHARD

RICHARD           Ha? Am I king? ’Tis so: but Edward lives.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     True, noble prince.

RICHARD

RICHARD     O, bitter consequence,¹⁷

               That Edward still should live — true noble prince.¹⁸

               Cousin, thou wast not wont¹⁹ to be so dull.

20

20           Shall I be plain? I wish the bastards dead,

               And I would have it suddenly²¹ performed.

               What say’st thou now? Speak suddenly, be brief.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Your grace may do your pleasure.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Tut, tut, thou art all ice: thy kindness freezes.

25

25           Say, have I thy consent that they shall die?

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Give me some little breath,²⁶ some pause, dear lord,

               Before I positively²⁷ speak in this:

               I will resolve²⁸ you herein presently.

       Exit

CATESBY

CATESBY     The king is angry: see, he gnaws his lip. Aside

30

30   

RICHARD

RICHARD     I will converse with iron-witted³⁰ fools

               And unrespective³¹ boys: none are for me

               That look into me with considerate³² eyes.

               High-reaching³³ Buckingham grows circumspect.—

               Boy!

35

35   

PAGE

PAGE           My lord? Comes forward

RICHARD

RICHARD     Know’st thou not any whom corrupting gold

               Will tempt unto a close³⁷ exploit of death?

PAGE

PAGE     I know a discontented gentleman,

               Whose humble means match not his haughty³⁹ spirit:

40

40           Gold were as good as twenty orators,⁴⁰

               And will, no doubt, tempt him to anything.

RICHARD

RICHARD     What is his name?

PAGE

PAGE     His name, my lord, is Tyrrell.

RICHARD

RICHARD     I partly know the man. Go, call him hither, boy.

       Exit [Page]

45

45           The deep-revolving⁴⁵ witty Buckingham

               No more shall be the neighbour to my counsels.⁴⁶

               Hath he so long held out⁴⁷ with me untired,

               And stops he now for breath? Well, be it so.

       Enter Stanley

               How now, Lord Stanley, what’s the news?

50

50   

DERBY

DERBY           Know, my loving lord, the marquis Dorset

               As I hear, is fled to Richmond,

               In the parts where he abides. Stands apart

RICHARD

RICHARD     Come hither, Catesby. Rumour it abroad

               That Anne, my wife, is very grievous sick:

55

55           I will take order⁵⁵ for her keeping close.

               Inquire me out some mean⁵⁶ poor gentleman,

               Whom I will marry straight to Clarence’ daughter:

               The boy⁵⁸ is foolish, and I fear not him.

               Look, how thou dream’st!⁵⁹ I say again, give out

60

60           That Anne my queen is sick and like to die:

               About it,⁶¹ for it stands me much upon,

               To stop all hopes whose growth may damage me.

       [Exit Catesby]

               I must be married to my brother’s daughter,⁶³

               Or else my kingdom stands on brittle glass.

65

65           Murder her brothers, and then marry her:

               Uncertain way of gain! But I am in

               So far in blood that sin will pluck on⁶⁷ sin:

               Tear-falling pity⁶⁸ dwells not in this eye.

       Enter [Page, with] Tyrrell

               Is thy name Tyrrell?

70

70   

TYRRELL

TYRRELL           James Tyrrell, and your most obedient subject.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Art thou, indeed?

TYRRELL

TYRRELL     Prove⁷² me, my gracious lord. King Richard and Tyrrell speak aside

RICHARD

RICHARD     Dar’st thou resolve to kill a friend⁷³ of mine?

TYRRELL

TYRRELL     Please you:

75

75           But I had rather kill two enemies.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Why, then thou hast it: two deep enemies,

               Foes to my rest and my sweet sleep’s disturbers

               Are they that I would have thee deal upon⁷⁸ —

               Tyrrell, I mean those bastards in the Tower.

80

80   

TYRRELL

TYRRELL     Let me have open⁸⁰ means to come to them,

               And soon I’ll rid you from the fear of them.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Thou sing’st sweet music. Hark, come hither, Tyrrell

               Go, by this token:⁸³ rise, and lend thine ear. Gives a token

               There⁸⁴ is no more but so: say it is done,

       Whispers

85

85           And I will love thee, and prefer⁸⁵ thee for it.

TYRRELL

TYRRELL     I will dispatch it straight.

       Exit [Tyrrell, with the Page]

       Enter Buckingham

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     My lord, I have considered in my mind

               The late⁸⁸ request that you did sound me in.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Well, let that rest. Dorset is fled to Richmond.

90

90   

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM           I hear the news, my lord.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Stanley, he⁹¹ is your wife’s son. Well, look unto it.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     My lord, I claim the gift, my due by promise,

               For which your honour and your faith is pawned:⁹³

               Th’earldom of Hereford and the movables⁹⁴

95

95           Which you have promisèd I shall possess.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Stanley, look to⁹⁶ your wife: if she convey

               Letters to Richmond, you shall answer⁹⁷ it.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     What says your highness to my just request?

RICHARD

RICHARD     I do remember me, Henry the Sixth

100

100         Did prophesy that Richmond should be king,

               When Richmond was a little peevish¹⁰¹ boy.

               A king, perhaps—

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     May it please you to resolve¹⁰³ me in my suit.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Thou troublest me: I am not in the vein.¹⁰⁴

       Exit

105

105 

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM             And is it thus? Repays he my deep service

               With such contempt? Made I him king for this?

               O, let me think on Hastings, and be gone

               To Brecknock,¹⁰⁸ while my fearful head is on!

       Exit

[Act 4 Scene 3]

running scene 15 continues

       Enter Tyrrell

TYRRELL

TYRRELL     The tyrannous and bloody act is done,

               The most arch² deed of piteous massacre

               That ever yet this land was guilty of.

               Dighton and Forrest, who I did suborn⁴

5

5             To do this piece of ruthful⁵ butchery,

               Albeit they were fleshed⁶ villains, bloody dogs,

               Melted with tenderness and mild compassion,

               Wept like to children in their⁸ deaths’ sad story.

               ‘O, thus’, quoth Dighton, ‘lay the gentle babes.’

10

10           ‘Thus, thus’, quoth Forrest, ‘girdling¹⁰ one another

               Within their alabaster¹¹ innocent arms.

               Their lips were four red roses on a stalk,

               And in their summer beauty kissed each other.

               A book of prayers on their pillow lay,

15

15           Which one¹⁵’, quoth Forrest, ‘almost changed my mind.

               But O! The devil’— there the villain stopped.

               When Dighton thus told on: ‘We smotherèd

               The most replenishèd¹⁸ sweet work of nature,

               That from the prime¹⁹ creation e’er she framed.’

20

20           Hence both are gone²⁰ with conscience and remorse:

               They could not speak, and so I left them both,

               To bear this tidings to the bloody²² king.

       Enter Richard

               And here he comes.— All heath, my sovereign lord!

RICHARD

RICHARD     Kind Tyrrell, am I happy in thy news?

25

25   

TYRRELL

TYRRELL           If to have done the thing you gave in charge²⁵

               Beget your happiness, be happy then,

               For it is done.

RICHARD

RICHARD     But didst thou see them dead?

TYRRELL

TYRRELL     I did, my lord.

30

30   

RICHARD

RICHARD           And buried, gentle Tyrrell?

TYRRELL

TYRRELL     The chaplain of the Tower hath buried them,

               But where, to say the truth, I do not know.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Come to me, Tyrrell, soon and³³ after supper,

               When thou shalt tell the process³⁴ of their death.

35

35           Meantime, but think how I may do thee good,

               And be³⁶ inheritor of thy desire.

               Farewell till then.

TYRRELL

TYRRELL     I humbly take my leave.

       [Exit]

RICHARD

RICHARD     The son of Clarence have I pent up close,³⁹

40

40           His daughter meanly⁴⁰ have I matched in marriage,

               The sons of Edward sleep in Abraham’s bosom,⁴¹

               And Anne my wife hath bid the world good night.

               Now, for⁴³ I know the Breton Richmond aims

               At young Elizabeth, my brother’s daughter,

45

45           And by that knot⁴⁵ looks proudly on the crown,

               To her go I, a jolly thriving wooer.

       Enter Ratcliffe

RATCLIFFE

RATCLIFFE     My lord!

RICHARD

RICHARD     Good or bad news, that thou com’st in so bluntly?⁴⁸

RATCLIFFE

RATCLIFFE     Bad news, my lord: Morton⁴⁹ is fled to Richmond,

50

50           And Buckingham, backed with the hardy⁵⁰ Welshmen,

               Is in the field, and still his power⁵¹ increaseth.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Ely with Richmond troubles me more near⁵²

               Than Buckingham and his rash-levied⁵³ strength.

               Come, I have learned that fearful commenting⁵⁴

55

55           Is leaden servitor⁵⁵ to dull delay:

               Delay leads⁵⁶ impotent and snail-paced beggary.

               Then fiery expedition⁵⁷ be my wing,

               Jove’s Mercury,⁵⁸ and herald for a king!

               Go, muster men. My⁵⁹ counsel is my shield:

60

60           We must be brief⁶⁰ when traitors brave the field.

       Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 4]*

running scene 16

       Enter old Queen Margaret

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET So, now prosperity begins to mellow¹

               And drop into the rotten mouth of death.

               Here in these confines³ slyly have I lurked,

               To watch the waning of mine enemies.

5

5             A dire induction⁵ am I witness to,

               And will to France, hoping the consequence⁶

               Will prove as bitter, black, and tragical.

               Withdraw thee, wretched Margaret. Who comes here?

       Enter Duchess [of York] and Queen [Elizabeth]

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH Ah, my poor princes! Ah, my tender babes!

10

10           My unblowed¹⁰ flowers, new-appearing sweets!

               If yet your gentle souls fly in the air

               And be not fixed in doom perpetual,¹²

               Hover about me with your airy wings

               And hear your mother’s lamentation!

15

15   

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Hover about her: say that right for right¹⁵ Aside

               Hath dimmed your infant morn to agèd night.

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK So many miseries have crazed¹⁷ my voice,

               That my woe-wearied tongue is still and mute.

               Edward Plantagenet,¹⁹ why art thou dead?

20

20   

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Plantagenet doth quit²⁰ Plantagenet: Aside

               Edward for Edward²¹ pays a dying debt.

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH Wilt thou, O God, fly from such gentle lambs,

               And throw them in the entrails²³ of the wolf?

               When didst thou sleep when such a deed was done?

25

25   

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET When holy Harry²⁵ died, and my sweet son. Aside

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK Dead life, blind sight, poor mortal living ghost,

               Woe’s scene, world’s shame, grave’s²⁷ due by life usurped,

               Brief abstract²⁸ and record of tedious days,

               Rest thy unrest on England’s lawful²⁹ earth, Sits down

30

30           Unlawfully made drunk with innocent blood!

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH Ah, that thou³¹ wouldst as soon afford a grave

               As thou canst yield a melancholy seat!

               Then would I hide my bones, not rest them here.

               Ah, who hath any cause to mourn but we? Sits with her

35

35   

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET If ancient sorrow be most reverend, Comes forward

               Give mine the benefit of seniory,³⁶

               And let my griefs frown on³⁷ the upper hand.

               If sorrow can admit society,³⁸ Sits with them

               I had an Edward,³⁹ till a Richard killed him:

40

40           I had a husband,⁴⁰ till a Richard killed him:

               Thou hadst an Edward,⁴¹ till a Richard killed him:

               Thou hadst a Richard,⁴² till a Richard killed him.

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK I had a Richard⁴³ too, and thou didst kill him;

               I had a Rutland⁴⁴ too, thou holp’st to kill him.

45

45   

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Thou hadst a Clarence too, and Richard killed him.

               From forth the kennel of thy womb hath crept

               A hell-hound that doth hunt us all to death:

               That dog, that had his teeth⁴⁸ before his eyes,

               To worry⁴⁹ lambs and lap their gentle blood,

50

50           That foul defacer⁵⁰ of God’s handiwork,

               That reigns in gallèd⁵¹ eyes of weeping souls,

               That excellent⁵² grand tyrant of the earth,

               Thy womb let loose, to chase us to our graves.

               O upright,⁵⁴ just, and true-disposing God,

55

55           How do I thank thee, that this carnal cur⁵⁵

               Preys on the issue⁵⁶ of his mother’s body,

               And makes her pew-fellow⁵⁷ with others’ moan!

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK O Harry’s wife, triumph⁵⁸ not in my woes!

               God witness with me, I have wept for thine.

60

60   

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Bear with me: I am hungry for revenge,

               And now I cloy me⁶¹ with beholding it.

               Thy Edward⁶² he is dead, that killed my Edward:

               The other Edward⁶³ dead, to quit my Edward:

               Young York⁶⁴ he is but boot, because both they

65

65           Matched not the high perfection⁶⁵ of my loss.

               Thy Clarence he is dead that stabbed my Edward,

               And the beholders of this frantic⁶⁷ play,

               Th’adulterate⁶⁸ Hastings, Rivers, Vaughan, Grey,

               Untimely smothered in their dusky graves.

70

70           Richard yet lives, hell’s black intelligencer,⁷⁰

               Only reserved⁷¹ their factor to buy souls

               And send them thither. But at hand, at hand,

               Ensues his piteous and unpitied end:

               Earth gapes, hell burns, fiends roar, saints pray,

75

75           To have him suddenly conveyed from hence.

               Cancel his bond of life, dear God, I pray,

               That I may live and say, ‘The dog is dead!’

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH O, thou didst prophesy the time would come

               That I should wish for thee to help me curse

80

80           That bottled⁸⁰ spider, that foul bunch-backed toad!

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET I called thee then vain flourish⁸¹ of my fortune:

               I called thee then poor shadow,⁸² painted queen,

               The presentation⁸³ of but what I was,

               The flattering index⁸⁴ of a direful pageant,

85

85           One heaved a-high, to be hurled down below,

               A mother only mocked⁸⁶ with two fair babes,

               A dream⁸⁷ of what thou wast, a garish flag,

               To be the aim of every dangerous shot;

               A sign⁸⁹ of dignity, a breath, a bubble;

90

90           A queen in jest,⁹⁰ only to fill the scene.

               Where is thy husband now? Where be thy brothers?

               Where be thy two sons? Wherein dost thou joy?

               Who sues,⁹³ and kneels and says, ‘God save the queen’?

               Where be the bending⁹⁴ peers that flattered thee?

95

95           Where be the thronging troops⁹⁵ that followed thee?

               Decline⁹⁶ all this, and see what now thou art:

               For⁹⁷ happy wife, a most distressèd widow:

               For joyful mother, one that wails the name:⁹⁸

               For one being sued to, one that humbly sues:

100

100         For queen, a very caitiff¹⁰⁰ crowned with care:

               For she that scorned at me, now scorned of¹⁰¹ me:

               For she being feared of all, now fearing one:

               For she commanding all, obeyed of none.

               Thus hath the course¹⁰⁴ of justice whirled about,

105

105         And left thee but a very¹⁰⁵ prey to time,

               Having no more but thought¹⁰⁶ of what thou wast,

               To torture thee the more, being what thou art.

               Thou didst usurp my place, and dost thou not

               Usurp the just proportion of my sorrow?

110

110         Now thy proud neck bears half my burdened yoke,

               From which even here I slip my wearied head,

               And leave the burden of it all on thee.

               Farewell, York’s wife, and queen of sad mischance:¹¹³

               These English woes shall make me smile in France. Starts to leave

115

115 

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH O thou well skilled in curses, stay awhile,

               And teach me how to curse mine enemies!

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Forbear¹¹⁷ to sleep the night, and fast the day:

               Compare dead happiness with living woe:

               Think that thy babes were sweeter than they were,

120

120         And he that slew them fouler than he is.

               Bett’ring¹²¹ thy loss makes the bad causer worse:

               Revolving¹²² this will teach thee how to curse.

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH My words are dull.¹²³ O, quicken them with thine!

QUEEN MARGARET

QUEEN MARGARET Thy woes will make them sharp, and pierce like mine.

       Exit Margaret

125

125 

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK Why should calamity be full of words?

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH Windy¹²⁶ attorneys to their client’s woes,

               Airy succeeders of intestine¹²⁷ joys,

               Poor breathing orators of miseries!

               Let them have scope:¹²⁹ though what they will impart

130

130         Help nothing else, yet do they ease the heart.

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK If so, then be not tongue-tied: go with me.

               And in the breath of bitter words let’s smother

               My damnèd son, that thy two sweet sons smothered. Trumpet

               The trumpet sounds: be copious in exclaims.¹³⁴

       Enter King Richard and his train

135

135 

RICHARD

RICHARD             Who intercepts me in my expedition?¹³⁵

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK O, she that might¹³⁶ have intercepted thee,

               By strangling thee in her accursèd womb,

               From¹³⁸ all the slaughters, wretch, that thou hast done!

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH Hid’st thou that forehead with a golden crown

140

140         Where’t should be branded,¹⁴⁰ if that right were right,

               The slaughter of the prince that owed¹⁴¹ that crown,

               And the dire death of my poor sons and brothers?

               Tell me, thou villain¹⁴³ slave, where are my children?

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK Thou toad, thou toad, where is thy brother Clarence?

145

145         And little Ned Plantagenet, his son?

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH Where is the gentle Rivers, Vaughan, Grey?

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK Where is kind Hastings?

RICHARD

RICHARD     A flourish,¹⁴⁸ trumpets! Strike alarum, drums!

               Let not the heavens hear these tell-tale¹⁴⁹ women

150

150         Rail¹⁵⁰ on the lord’s anointed. Strike, I say!

       Flourish. Alarums

               Either be patient and entreat¹⁵¹ me fair,

               Or with the clamorous report¹⁵² of war

               Thus will I drown your exclamations.

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK Art thou my son?

155

155 

RICHARD

RICHARD             Ay, I thank God, my father, and yourself.

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK Then patiently hear my impatience.¹⁵⁶

RICHARD

RICHARD     Madam, I have a touch of your condition,¹⁵⁷

               That cannot brook¹⁵⁸ the accent of reproof.

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK O, let me speak!

160

160 

RICHARD

RICHARD             Do then, but I’ll not hear.

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK I will be mild and gentle in my words.

RICHARD

RICHARD     And brief, good mother, for I am in haste.

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK Art thou so hasty? I have stayed¹⁶³ for thee,

               God knows, in torment and in agony.

165

165 

RICHARD

RICHARD             And came I not at last to comfort you?

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK No, by the holy rood,¹⁶⁶ thou know’st it well,

               Thou cam’st on earth to make the earth my hell.

               A grievous burden was thy birth to me:

               Tetchy¹⁶⁹ and wayward was thy infancy:

170

170         Thy schooldays frightful,¹⁷⁰ desp’rate, wild, and furious:

               Thy prime¹⁷¹ of manhood daring, bold, and venturous:

               Thy age confirmed,¹⁷² proud, subtle, sly and bloody,

               More mild, but yet more harmful, kind in hatred.¹⁷³

               What comfortable¹⁷⁴ hour canst thou name,

175

175         That ever graced me with thy company?

RICHARD

RICHARD     Faith, none, but Humphrey¹⁷⁶ Hour, that called your grace

               To breakfast once forth¹⁷⁷ of my company.

               If I be so disgracious in your eye,

               Let me march on and not offend you, madam.

180

180         Strike up the drum. Drums

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK I prithee hear me speak.

RICHARD

RICHARD     You speak too bitterly.

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK Hear me a word,

               For I shall never speak to thee again.

185

185 

RICHARD

RICHARD     So.

DUCHESS OF YORK

DUCHESS OF YORK Either thou wilt die, by God’s just ordinance¹⁸⁶

               Ere from this war thou turn¹⁸⁷ a conqueror,

               Or I with grief and extreme age shall perish

               And never more behold thy face again.

190

190         Therefore take with thee my most grievous curse,

               Which in the day of battle tire¹⁹¹ thee more

               Than all the complete¹⁹² armour that thou wear’st!

               My prayers on the adverse party fight,

               And there the little souls of Edward’s children

195

195         Whisper¹⁹⁵ the spirits of thine enemies

               And promise them success and victory.

               Bloody thou art, bloody will be thy end:

               Shame serves¹⁹⁸ thy life and doth thy death attend.

       Exit

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH Though far more cause, yet much less spirit to curse

200

200         Abides in me: I say amen to her.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Stay, madam, I must talk a word with you.

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH I have no more sons of the royal blood

               For thee to slaughter: for my daughters, Richard,

               They shall be praying nuns, not weeping queens,

205

205         And therefore level²⁰⁵ not to hit their lives.

RICHARD

RICHARD     You have a daughter called Elizabeth,

               Virtuous and fair, royal and gracious.

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH And must she die for this? O, let her live,

               And I’ll corrupt her manners,²⁰⁹ stain her beauty,

210

210         Slander myself as false²¹⁰ to Edward’s bed,

               Throw over her the veil²¹¹ of infamy:

               So²¹² she may live unscarred of bleeding slaughter,

               I will confess she was not Edward’s daughter.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Wrong not her birth, she is a royal princess.

215

215 

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH To save her life, I’ll say she is not so.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Her life is safest²¹⁶ only in her birth.

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH And only in that safety died her brothers.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Lo, at their birth good stars were opposite.²¹⁸

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH No, to their lives ill friends²¹⁹ were contrary.

220

220 

RICHARD

RICHARD             All unavoided²²⁰ is the doom of destiny.

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH True, when avoided grace²²¹ makes destiny.

               My babes were destined to a fairer²²² death,

               If grace had blessed thee with a fairer life.

RICHARD

RICHARD     You speak as if that I had slain my cousins.

225

225 

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH Cousins, indeed, and by their uncle cozened²²⁵

               Of comfort, kingdom, kindred, freedom, life.

               Whose hand soever²²⁷ lanched their tender hearts,

               Thy head,²²⁸ all indirectly, gave direction.

               No doubt the murd’rous knife was dull and blunt

230

230         Till it was whetted on thy stone-hard heart,

               To revel in the entrails of my lambs.

               But²³² that still use of grief makes wild grief tame,

               My tongue should to thy ears not name my boys

               Till that my nails were anchored in thine eyes,

235

235         And I, in such a desp’rate bay²³⁵ of death,

               Like a poor bark,²³⁶ of sails and tackling reft,

               Rush²³⁷ all to pieces on thy rocky bosom.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Madam, so thrive I²³⁸ in my enterprise

               And dangerous success²³⁹ of bloody wars,

240

240         As²⁴⁰ I intend more good to you and yours,

               Than ever you and yours by me were harmed.

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH What good is covered²⁴² with the face of heaven,

               To be discovered,²⁴³ that can do me good?

RICHARD

RICHARD     Th’advancement²⁴⁴ of your children, gentle lady.

245

245 

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH Up to some scaffold,²⁴⁵ there to lose their heads?

RICHARD

RICHARD     Unto the dignity²⁴⁶ and height of fortune,

               The high imperial type²⁴⁷ of this earth’s glory.

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH Flatter²⁴⁸ my sorrow with report of it:

               Tell me what state,²⁴⁹ what dignity, what honour,

250

250         Canst thou demise²⁵⁰ to any child of mine?

RICHARD

RICHARD     Even²⁵¹ all I have; ay, and myself and all,

               Will I withal endow²⁵² a child of thine,

               So²⁵³ in the Lethe of thy angry soul

               Thou drown the sad remembrance²⁵⁴ of those wrongs

255

255         Which thou supposest I have done to thee.

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH Be brief, lest that the process²⁵⁶ of thy kindness

               Last longer telling²⁵⁷ than thy kindness’ date.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Then know, that from my soul I love thy daughter.

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH My daughter’s mother thinks²⁵⁹ it with her soul.

260

260 

RICHARD

RICHARD             What do you think?

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH That thou dost love my daughter from²⁶¹ thy soul.

               So from thy soul’s love didst thou love her brothers,

               And from my heart’s love I do thank thee for it.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Be not so hasty to confound²⁶⁴ my meaning:

265

265         I mean that with my soul I love thy daughter

               And do intend to make her Queen of England.

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH Well then, who dost thou mean shall be her king?

RICHARD

RICHARD     Even he that makes her queen. Who else should be?

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH What, thou?

270

270 

RICHARD

RICHARD             Even so. How²⁷⁰ think you of it?

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH How canst thou woo her?

RICHARD

RICHARD     That I would learn of you,

               As one being best acquainted with her humour.²⁷³

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH And wilt thou learn of me?

275

275 

RICHARD

RICHARD             Madam, with all my heart.

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH Send to her, by the man that slew her brothers,

               A pair of bleeding hearts: thereon engrave²⁷⁷

               ‘Edward’ and ‘York’, then haply²⁷⁸ will she weep:

               Therefore present to her — as sometime²⁷⁹ Margaret

280

280         Did to thy father, steeped in Rutland’s blood —

               A handkerchief, which, say to her, did drain

               The purple²⁸² sap from her sweet brother’s body,

               And bid her wipe her weeping eyes withal.²⁸³

               If this inducement move her not to love,

285

285         Send her a letter of thy noble deeds:

               Tell her thou mad’st away²⁸⁶ her uncle Clarence,

               Her uncle Rivers, ay, and, for her sake,

               Mad’st quick conveyance²⁸⁸ with her good aunt Anne.

RICHARD

RICHARD     You mock me, madam: this is not the way

290

290         To win your daughter.

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH There is no other way,

               Unless thou couldst put on some other shape,²⁹²

               And not be Richard that hath done all this.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Say that I did all this for love of her.

295

295 

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH Nay, then indeed she cannot choose but hate thee,

               Having bought love with such a bloody spoil.²⁹⁶

RICHARD

RICHARD     Look what²⁹⁷ is done cannot be now amended:

               Men shall deal²⁹⁸ unadvisedly sometimes,

               Which after-hours²⁹⁹ give leisure to repent.

300

300         If I did take the kingdom from your sons,

               To make amends, I’ll give it to your daughter.

               If I have killed the issue³⁰² of your womb,

               To quicken³⁰³ your increase, I will beget

               Mine issue of your blood upon³⁰⁴ your daughter.

305

305         A grandam’s name is little less in love

               Than is the doting title of a mother;

               They are as children but one step below,

               Even of your mettle,³⁰⁸ of your very blood,

               Of all one³⁰⁹ pain, save for a night of groans

310

310         Endured of her,³¹⁰ for whom you bid like sorrow.

               Your children were vexation to your youth,

               But mine shall be a comfort to your age.

               The loss you have is but a son being king,

               And by that loss your daughter is made queen.

315

315         I cannot make you what amends I would:³¹⁵

               Therefore accept such kindness as I can.³¹⁶

               Dorset your son, that with a fearful soul

               Leads discontented steps in foreign soil,

               This fair alliance quickly shall call home

320

320         To high promotions and great dignity.

               The king that calls your beauteous daughter wife

               Familiarly³²² shall call thy Dorset brother.

               Again shall you be mother to a king,

               And all the ruins of distressful times

325

325         Repaired with double riches of content.

               What? We have many goodly days to see.

               The liquid drops of tears that you have shed

               Shall come again, transformed to orient³²⁸ pearl,

               Advantaging³²⁹ their love with interest

330

330         Of ten times double gain of happiness.

               Go then, my mother,³³¹ to thy daughter go:

               Make bold³³² her bashful years with your experience,

               Prepare her ears to hear a wooer’s tale,

               Put in her tender heart th’aspiring flame

335

335         Of golden sovereignty, acquaint the princess

               With the sweet silent hours of marriage joys.

               And when this arm of mine hath chastisèd

               The petty rebel, dull-brained Buckingham,

               Bound with triumphant garlands will I come

340

340         And lead thy daughter to a conqueror’s bed:

               To whom I will retail³⁴¹ my conquest won,

               And she shall be sole victoress,³⁴² Caesar’s Caesar.

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH What were I best to say? Her father’s brother

               Would be her lord?³⁴⁴ Or shall I say her uncle?

345

345         Or he that slew her brothers and her uncles?

               Under what title shall I woo for thee,

               That God, the law, my honour and her love,

               Can make seem pleasing to her tender years?

RICHARD

RICHARD     Infer³⁴⁹ fair England’s peace by this alliance.

350

350 

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH Which she shall purchase³⁵⁰ with still lasting war.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Tell her the king, that may command, entreats.

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH That³⁵² at her hands which the king’s king forbids.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Say she shall be a high and mighty queen.

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH To vail³⁵⁴ the title, as her mother doth.

355

355 

RICHARD

RICHARD             Say I will love her everlastingly.

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH But how long shall that title³⁵⁶ ‘ever’ last?

RICHARD

RICHARD     Sweetly in force³⁵⁷ unto her fair life’s end.

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH But how long fairly³⁵⁸ shall her sweet life last?

RICHARD

RICHARD     As long as heaven and nature lengthens it.

360

360 

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH As long as hell and Richard likes of it.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Say I, her sovereign, am her subject low.

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH But she, your subject, loathes³⁶² such sovereignty.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Be eloquent in³⁶³ my behalf to her.

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH An honest tale speeds³⁶⁴ best being plainly told.

365

365 

RICHARD

RICHARD             Then plainly to her tell my loving tale.

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH Plain and not honest is too harsh a style.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Your reasons are too shallow and too quick.³⁶⁷

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH O no, my reasons are too³⁶⁸ deep and dead:

               Too deep and dead, poor infants, in their graves.

370

370 

RICHARD

RICHARD             Harp not on that string, madam: that is past.

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH Harp on it still shall I till heart-strings³⁷¹ break.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Now, by my George,³⁷² my garter and my crown—

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH Profaned, dishonoured and the third usurped.

RICHARD

RICHARD     I swear—

375

375 

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH By nothing, for this is no oath:

               Thy George, profaned, hath lost his³⁷⁶ lordly honour;

               Thy garter, blemished, pawned his knightly virtue;

               Thy crown, usurped, disgraced his kingly glory.

               If something thou wouldst swear to be believed,

380

380         Swear then by something that thou hast not wronged.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Then, by myself—

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH Thyself is self-misused.³⁸²

RICHARD

RICHARD     Now, by the world—

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH ’Tis full of thy foul wrongs.

385

385 

RICHARD

RICHARD             My father’s death—

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH Thy life hath it dishonoured.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Why then, by heaven—

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH Heaven’s wrong is most of all.

               If thou didst fear to break an oath with him,³⁸⁹

390

390         The unity³⁹⁰ the king my husband made

               Thou hadst³⁹¹ not broken, nor my brothers died.

               If thou hadst feared to break an oath by him,

               Th’imperial metal, circling now thy head,

               Had graced the tender temples of my child,

395

395         And both the princes had been breathing here,

               Which now, two tender bedfellows for dust,

               Thy broken faith hath made the prey for worms.

               What canst thou swear by now?

RICHARD

RICHARD     The time to come.

400

400 

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH That thou hast wrongèd in the time o’erpast,⁴⁰⁰

               For I myself have many tears to wash

               Hereafter time,⁴⁰² for time past wronged by thee.

               The children live whose fathers thou hast slaughtered,

               Ungoverned⁴⁰⁴ youth, to wail it with their age:

405

405         The parents live whose children thou hast butchered,

               Old barren plants, to wail it with⁴⁰⁶ their age.

               Swear not by time to come, for that thou hast

               Misused ere used, by time’s ill-used repast.

RICHARD

RICHARD     As I intend to prosper and repent,

410

410         So thrive I⁴¹⁰ in my dangerous affairs

               Of hostile arms. Myself myself confound.⁴¹¹

               Heaven and fortune bar me happy hours!

               Day, yield me not thy light; nor, night, thy rest.

               Be opposite⁴¹⁴ all planets of good luck

415

415         To my proceeding⁴¹⁵ if, with dear heart’s love,

               Immaculate devotion, holy thoughts,

               I tender not⁴¹⁷ thy beauteous princely daughter.

               In her consists my happiness and thine:

               Without her, follows to myself and thee,

420

420         Herself, the land and many a Christian soul,

               Death, desolation, ruin and decay.

               It cannot be avoided but by this:

               It will not be avoided but by this.

               Therefore, dear mother — I must call you so —

425

425         Be the attorney⁴²⁵ of my love to her:

               Plead⁴²⁶ what I will be, not what I have been:

               Not my deserts,⁴²⁷ but what I will deserve.

               Urge the necessity and state of times,⁴²⁸

               And be not peevish found in great designs.⁴²⁹

430

430 

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH Shall I be tempted of⁴³⁰ the devil thus?

RICHARD

RICHARD     Ay, if the devil tempt you to do good.

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH Shall I forget⁴³² myself to be myself?

RICHARD

RICHARD     Ay, if⁴³³ yourself’s remembrance wrong yourself.

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH Yet thou didst kill my children.

435

435 

RICHARD

RICHARD     But in your daughter’s womb I bury them,

               Where in that nest of spicery⁴³⁶ they will breed

               Selves of themselves, to your recomforture.⁴³⁷

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH Shall I go win my daughter to thy will?

RICHARD

RICHARD     And be a happy mother by the deed.

440

440 

QUEEN ELIZABETH

QUEEN ELIZABETH I go. Write to me very shortly,

               And you shall understand from me her mind.⁴⁴¹

RICHARD

RICHARD     Bear her my true love’s kiss, and so, farewell. Kisses her

       Exit [Queen Elizabeth]

               Relenting fool, and shallow, changing woman!—

               How now, what news?

       Enter Ratcliffe [with Catesby following]

445

445 

RATCLIFFE

RATCLIFFE             Most mighty sovereign, on the western coast

               Rideth a puissant⁴⁴⁶ navy: to our shores

               Throng many doubtful⁴⁴⁷ hollow-hearted friends,

               Unarmed, and unresolved to beat them back.

               ’Tis thought that Richmond is their⁴⁴⁹ admiral,

450

450         And there they hull,⁴⁵⁰ expecting but the aid

               Of Buckingham to welcome them ashore.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Some light-foot⁴⁵² friend post to the Duke of Norfolk:

               Ratcliffe, thyself, or Catesby. Where is he?

CATESBY

CATESBY     Here, my good lord.

455

455 

RICHARD

RICHARD             Catesby, fly to the duke.

CATESBY

CATESBY     I will, my lord, with all convenient haste.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Ratcliffe, come hither. Post to Salisbury.

               When thou com’st thither— Dull, unmindful⁴⁵⁸ villain, To Catesby

               Why stay’st thou here, and go’st not to the duke?

460

460 

CATESBY

CATESBY             First, mighty liege, tell me your highness’ pleasure,

               What from your grace I shall deliver to him.

RICHARD

RICHARD     O, true, good Catesby. Bid him levy straight

               The greatest strength and power⁴⁶³ that he can make,

               And meet me suddenly⁴⁶⁴ at Salisbury.

465

465 

CATESBY

CATESBY             I go.

       Exit

RATCLIFFE

RATCLIFFE     What, may it please you, shall I do at Salisbury?

RICHARD

RICHARD     Why, what wouldst thou do there before I go?

RATCLIFFE

RATCLIFFE     Your highness told me I should post before.

RICHARD

RICHARD     My mind is changed.—

       Enter Lord Stanley [Earl of Derby]

470

470         Stanley, what news with you?

DERBY

DERBY     None good, my liege, to please you with the hearing,

               Nor none so bad, but well⁴⁷² may be reported.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Hoyday,⁴⁷³ a riddle: neither good nor bad.

               Why need’st thou run so many miles about,

475

475         When thou mayst tell thy tale the nearest⁴⁷⁵ way?

               Once more, what news?

DERBY

DERBY     Richmond is on the seas.

RICHARD

RICHARD     There let him sink, and be the seas on him!

               White-livered runagate,⁴⁷⁹ what doth he there?

480

480 

DERBY

DERBY             I know not, mighty sovereign, but by guess.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Well, as you guess?

DERBY

DERBY     Stirred up by Dorset, Buckingham and Morton,

               He makes for England, here to claim the crown.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Is the chair⁴⁸⁴ empty? Is the sword unswayed?

485

485         Is the king dead? The empire⁴⁸⁵ unpossessed?

               What heir of York is there alive but we?

               And who is England’s king but great York’s heir?

               Then tell me, what makes he⁴⁸⁸ upon the seas?

DERBY

DERBY     Unless for that,⁴⁸⁹ my liege, I cannot guess.

490

490 

RICHARD

RICHARD             Unless for that⁴⁹⁰ he comes to be your liege,

               You cannot guess wherefore the Welshman⁴⁹¹ comes.

               Thou wilt revolt, and fly to him, I fear.

DERBY

DERBY     No, my good lord: therefore mistrust me not.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Where is thy power,⁴⁹⁴ then, to beat him back?

495

495         Where be thy tenants⁴⁹⁵ and thy followers?

               Are they not now upon the western shore,

               Safe-conducting the rebels from their ships?

DERBY

DERBY     No, my good lord, my friends are in the north.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Cold⁴⁹⁹ friends to me: what do they in the north,

500

500         When they should serve their sovereign in the west?

DERBY

DERBY     They have not been commanded, mighty king.

               Pleaseth⁵⁰² your majesty to give me leave,

               I’ll muster up my friends and meet your grace

               Where and what time your majesty shall please.

505

505 

RICHARD

RICHARD             Ay, thou wouldst be gone to join with Richmond.

               But I’ll not trust thee.

DERBY

DERBY     Most mighty sovereign,

               You have no cause to hold⁵⁰⁸ my friendship doubtful:

               I never was nor never will be false.

510

510 

RICHARD

RICHARD             Go then and muster men, but, leave behind

               Your son, George Stanley. Look⁵¹¹ your heart be firm,

               Or else his head’s assurance⁵¹² is but frail.

DERBY

DERBY     So deal with him as I prove true to you.

       Exit Stanley [Earl of Derby]

       Enter a Messenger

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     My gracious sovereign, now in Devonshire,

515

515         As I by friends am well advertisèd,⁵¹⁵

               Sir Edward Courtney and the haughty prelate,

               Bishop of Exeter, his elder brother,

               With many more confederates, are in arms.

       Enter another Messenger

SECOND MESSENGER

SECOND MESSENGER In Kent, my liege, the Guildfords are in arms,

520

520         And every hour more competitors⁵²⁰

               Flock to the rebels, and their power grows strong.

       Enter another Messenger

THIRD MESSENGER

THIRD MESSENGER My lord, the army of great Buckingham—

RICHARD

RICHARD     Out on ye, owls!⁵²³ Nothing but songs of death?

       He striketh him

               There, take thou that, till thou bring better news.

525

525 

THIRD MESSENGER

THIRD MESSENGER The news I have to tell your majesty

               Is that by sudden floods and fall of waters⁵²⁶

               Buckingham’s army is dispersed and scattered,

               And he himself wandered away alone,

               No man knows whither.

530

530 

RICHARD

RICHARD             I cry thee mercy:⁵³⁰

               There is my purse to cure that blow of thine. Gives money

               Hath any well-advisèd⁵³² friend proclaimed

               Reward to him that brings the traitor in?

THIRD MESSENGER

THIRD MESSENGER Such proclamation hath been made, my lord.

       Enter another Messenger

535

535 

FOURTH MESSENGER

FOURTH MESSENGER Sir Thomas Lovell and Lord Marquis Dorset,

               ’Tis said, my liege, in Yorkshire are in arms.

               But this good comfort bring I to your highness:

               The Breton navy is dispersed by tempest.

               Richmond, in Dorsetshire, sent out a boat

540

540         Unto the shore, to ask those on the banks

               If they were his assistants,⁵⁴¹ yea or no,

               Who answered him they came from Buckingham

               Upon his party:⁵⁴³ he, mistrusting them,

               Hoised⁵⁴⁴ sail and made his course again for Brittany.

545

545 

RICHARD

RICHARD             March on, march on, since we are up in arms.

               If not to fight with foreign enemies,

               Yet to beat down these rebels here at home.

       Enter Catesby

545 

CATESBY

CATESBY             My liege, the Duke of Buckingham is taken:⁵⁴⁸

               That is the best news. That the Earl of Richmond

550

550         Is with a mighty power landed at Milford⁵⁵⁰

               Is colder⁵⁵¹ news, but yet they must be told.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Away towards Salisbury! While we reason⁵⁵² here,

               A royal battle might be won and lost.

               Someone take order Buckingham be brought

555

555         To Salisbury. The rest march on with me.

       Flourish. Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 5]4.5

running scene 17

       Enter [Stanley, Earl of] Derby and Sir Christopher

DERBY

DERBY     Sir Christopher, tell Richmond this from me:

               That in the sty² of the most deadly boar

               My son George Stanley is franked³ up in hold.

               If I revolt, off goes young George’s head:

5

5             The fear of that holds off my present aid.

               So get thee gone: commend me to thy lord.

               Withal say that the queen hath heartily consented

               He should espouse⁸ Elizabeth her daughter.

               But tell me, where is princely Richmond now?

10

10   

CHRISTOPHER

CHRISTOPHER At Pembroke,¹⁰ or at Ha’rfordwest, in Wales.

DERBY

DERBY     What men of name¹¹ resort to him?

CHRISTOPHER

CHRISTOPHER Sir Walter Herbert, a renownèd soldier,

               Sir Gilbert Talbot, Sir William Stanley,

               Oxford, redoubted¹⁴ Pembroke, Sir James Blunt,

15

15           And Rice¹⁵ ap Thomas with a valiant crew,

               And many other of great name and worth:

               And towards London do they bend¹⁷ their power,

               If by¹⁸ the way they be not fought withal.

DERBY

DERBY     Well, hie thee to thy lord: I kiss his hand,

20

20           My letter will resolve²⁰ him of my mind. Farewell.

       Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 1*

running scene 18

       Enter Buckingham with [Guards bearing] halberds [and the Sheriff], led to execution

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Will not King Richard let me speak with him?

SHERIFF

SHERIFF     No, my good lord: therefore be patient.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Hastings, and Edward’s children, Grey and Rivers,

               Holy King Henry, and thy fair son Edward,

5

5             Vaughan, and all that have miscarrièd⁵

               By underhand corrupted foul injustice,

               If that your moody⁷ discontented souls

               Do through the clouds behold this present hour,

               Even for revenge mock my destruction!—

10

10           This is All Souls’ day,¹⁰ fellow, is it not?

SHERIFF

SHERIFF     It is.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Why, then All Souls’ day is my body’s doomsday.

               This¹³ is the day which, in King Edward’s time,

               I wished might fall on me, when I was found

15

15           False to his children and his wife’s allies:

               This is the day wherein I wished to fall

               By the false faith of him whom most I trusted:

               This, this All Souls’ day to my fearful soul

               Is the determined respite of¹⁹ my wrongs.

20

20           That high all-seer²⁰ which I dallied with

               Hath turned my feignèd²¹ prayer on my head

               And given in earnest what I begged in jest:²²

               Thus doth he force the swords of wicked men

               To turn their own points in their masters’ bosoms.

25

25           Thus Margaret’s curse falls heavy on my neck:

               ‘When he’, quoth she, ‘shall split thy heart with sorrow,

               Remember Margaret was a prophetess.’

               Come lead me, officers, to the block²⁸ of shame.

               Wrong hath but wrong, and blame the due of blame.

       Exeunt Buckingham with Officers

Act 5 Scene 25.2

running scene 19

       Enter Richmond, Oxford, Blunt, Herbert and others, with Drum and Colours

RICHMOND

RICHMOND     Fellows in arms, and my most loving friends

               Bruised underneath the yoke of tyranny,

               Thus far into the bowels³ of the land

               Have we marched on without impediment;

5

5             And here receive we from our father⁵ Stanley

               Lines of fair comfort and encouragement.

               The wretched, bloody, and usurping boar —

               That spoiled⁸ your summer fields and fruitful vines,

               Swills⁹ your warm blood like wash, and makes his trough

10

10           In your embowelled¹⁰ bosoms — this foul swine

               Is now even in the centre of this isle,

               Near to the town of Leicester,¹² as we learn.

               From Tamworth thither is but one day’s march.

               In God’s name, cheerly¹⁴ on, courageous friends,

15

15           To reap the harvest of perpetual peace

               By this one bloody trial of sharp¹⁶ war.

OXFORD

OXFORD     Every man’s conscience is a thousand men,

               To fight against this guilty homicide.¹⁸

HERBERT

HERBERT     I doubt not but his friends will turn to us.

20

20   

BLUNT

BLUNT           He hath no friends but what are friends for fear,

               Which in his dearest need will fly from him.

RICHMOND

RICHMOND     All for our vantage.²² Then, in God’s name, march.

               True hope is swift, and flies with swallow’s wings:

               Kings it makes gods and meaner²⁴ creatures kings.

       Exeunt

[Act 5 Scene 3]5.3

running scene 20

       Enter King Richard in arms, with Norfolk, Ratcliffe and the Earl of Surrey [with Soldiers, who pitch Richard’s tent]

RICHARD

RICHARD     Here pitch our tent, even here in Bosworth Field.

               My lord of Surrey, why look you so sad?²

SURREY

SURREY     My heart is ten times lighter than my looks.

RICHARD

RICHARD     My lord of Norfolk—

5

5     

NORFOLK

NORFOLK         Here, most gracious liege.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Norfolk, we must have knocks,⁶ ha? Must we not?

NORFOLK

NORFOLK     We must both give and take, my loving lord.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Up with my tent! Here will I lie tonight,

               But where tomorrow? Well, all’s⁹ one for that.

10

10           Who hath descried¹⁰ the number of the traitors?

NORFOLK

NORFOLK     Six or seven thousand is their utmost power.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Why, our battalia¹² trebles that account:

               Besides, the king’s name is a tower of strength,

               Which they upon the adverse faction want.¹⁴

15

15           Up with the tent! Come, noble gentlemen,

               Let us survey the vantage¹⁶ of the ground.

               Call for some men of sound direction:¹⁷

               Let’s lack no discipline, make no delay,

               For, lords, tomorrow is a busy day.

       Exeunt [into the tent]

       Enter Richmond, Sir William Brandon, Oxford, [Blunt] and Dorset [with Soldiers, who pitch Richmond’s tent]

20

20   

RICHMOND

RICHMOND           The weary sun hath made a golden set,

               And by the bright tract²¹ of his fiery car,

               Gives token of a goodly day tomorrow.

               Sir William Brandon, you shall bear my standard.²³

               Give me some ink and paper in my tent:

25

25           I’ll draw the form and model²⁵ of our battle,

               Limit²⁶ each leader to his several charge,

               And part²⁷ in just proportion our small power.

               My lord of Oxford, you, Sir William Brandon,

               And you, Sir Walter Herbert, stay with me.

30

30           The Earl of Pembroke keeps³⁰ his regiment;

               Good Captain Blunt, bear my goodnight to him,

               And by the second hour in the morning

               Desire the earl to see me in my tent.

               Yet one thing more, good captain, do for me:

35

35           Where is Lord Stanley quartered,³⁵ do you know?

BLUNT

BLUNT     Unless I have mista’en his colours³⁶ much —

               Which well I am assured I have not done —

               His regiment lies half a mile at least South from the mighty power of the king.

40

40   

RICHMOND

RICHMOND           If without peril it be possible,

               Sweet Blunt, make some good means to speak with him,

               And give him from me this most needful⁴² note.

BLUNT

BLUNT     Upon my life, my lord, I’ll undertake it.

               And so, God give you quiet rest tonight.

       [Exit]

45

45   

RICHMOND

RICHMOND           Good night, good Captain Blunt. Come gentlemen,

               Let us consult upon tomorrow’s business;

               Into my tent: the dew is raw and cold.

       They withdraw into the tent

       Enter Richard, Ratcliffe, Norfolk and Catesby [and other Soldiers]

RICHARD

RICHARD     What is’t o’clock?

CATESBY

CATESBY     It’s supper-time, my lord: it’s nine o’clock.

50

50   

RICHARD

RICHARD           I will not sup tonight.

               Give me some ink and paper.

               What, is my beaver⁵² easier than it was?

               And all my armour laid into⁵³ my tent?

CATESBY

CATESBY     It is, my liege, and all things are in readiness.

55

55   

RICHARD

RICHARD           Good Norfolk, hie⁵⁵ thee to thy charge:

               Use careful watch, choose trusty sentinels.

NORFOLK

NORFOLK     I go, my lord.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Stir with the lark tomorrow, gentle Norfolk.

NORFOLK

NORFOLK     I warrant⁵⁹ you, my lord.

       Exit

60

60   

RICHARD

RICHARD           Ratcliffe!

RATCLIFFE

RATCLIFFE     My lord?

RICHARD

RICHARD     Send out a pursuivant at arms⁶²

               To Stanley’s regiment: bid him bring his power

               Before sun-rising, lest his son George fall

65

65           Into the blind cave of eternal night.—

               Fill me a bowl of wine. Give me a watch.⁶⁶ To other Soldiers

               Saddle white Surrey⁶⁷ for the field tomorrow.

               Look that my staves⁶⁸ be sound, and not too heavy. Exit some Soldiers

               Ratcliffe!

70

70   

RATCLIFFE

RATCLIFFE           My lord?

RICHARD

RICHARD     Saw’st the melancholy Lord Northumberland?

RATCLIFFE

RATCLIFFE     Thomas the Earl of Surrey and himself,

               Much about cockshut⁷³ time, from troop to troop

               Went through the army, cheering up⁷⁴ the soldiers. Enter a Soldier

75

75   

RICHARD

RICHARD           So, I am satisfied.— Give me a bowl of wine:—

               I have not that alacrity⁷⁶ of spirit,

               Nor cheer of mind, that I was wont⁷⁷ to have.—

               Set it⁷⁸ down.— Is ink and paper ready?

RATCLIFFE

RATCLIFFE     It is, my lord.

80

80   

RICHARD

RICHARD           Bid my guard watch. Leave me.

               Ratcliffe, about the mid of night come to my tent

               And help to arm me.⁸² Leave me, I say.

       Exeunt Ratcliffe [and Soldiers] Richard withdraws to his tent, writes, and then sleeps

       Enter Derby to Richmond in his tent

DERBY

DERBY     Fortune and victory sit on thy helm!⁸³

RICHMOND

RICHMOND     All comfort that the dark night can afford

85

85           Be to thy person, noble father-in-law!⁸⁵

               Tell me, how fares our noble mother?

DERBY

DERBY     I, by attorney,⁸⁷ bless thee from thy mother

               Who prays continually for Richmond’s good.

               So much for that. The silent hours steal on,

90

90           And flaky⁹⁰ darkness breaks within the east.

               In brief — for so the season⁹¹ bids us be —

               Prepare thy battle early in the morning,

               And put thy fortune to th’arbitrement⁹³

               Of bloody strokes and mortal-staring⁹⁴ war.

95

95           I, as I may — that⁹⁵ which I would I cannot —

               With⁹⁶ best advantage will deceive the time,

               And aid thee in this doubtful shock⁹⁷ of arms.

               But on thy side I may not be too forward⁹⁸

               Lest, being seen, thy brother,⁹⁹ tender George,

100

100         Be executed in his father’s sight.

               Farewell. The leisure¹⁰¹ and the fearful time

               Cuts off the ceremonious vows of love

               And ample interchange¹⁰³ of sweet discourse

               Which so long sundered¹⁰⁴ friends should dwell upon:

105

105         God give us leisure for these rites of love!

               Once more, adieu. Be valiant, and speed well!

RICHMOND

RICHMOND     Good lords, conduct him to his regiment:

               I’ll strive with¹⁰⁸ troubled noise to take a nap,

               Lest leaden slumber peise¹⁰⁹ me down tomorrow,

110

110         When I should mount with wings of victory.

               Once more, good night, kind lords and gentlemen.

       Exeunt. Richmond remains

               O thou, whose captain I account¹¹² myself, Kneels

               Look on my forces with a gracious¹¹³ eye:

               Put in their hands thy bruising irons¹¹⁴ of wrath,

115

115         That they may crush down with a heavy fall

               Th’usurping helmets of our adversaries!

               Make us thy ministers of chastisement,

               That we may praise thee in thy victory!

               To thee I do commend my watchful¹¹⁹ soul,

120

120         Ere I let fall the windows of mine eyes:

               Sleeping and waking, O, defend me still!

       Sleeps

       Enter the Ghost of Prince Edward, son to Henry VI

GHOST OF PRINCE EDWARD

GHOST OF PRINCE EDWARD Let me sit heavy on thy soul tomorrow!

       To Richard

               Think how thou stab’st me in my prime of youth

               At Tewkesbury: despair¹²⁴ therefore, and die!—

125

125         Be cheerful, Richmond, for the wrongèd souls

       To Richmond

               Of butchered princes fight in thy behalf.

               King Henry’s issue,¹²⁷ Richmond, comforts thee.

       [Exit?] The Ghosts either exit individually or remain onstage

       Enter the Ghost of Henry the Sixth

GHOST OF KING HENRY VI

GHOST OF KING HENRY VI When I was mortal, my anointed¹²⁸ body To Richard

               By thee was punchèd¹²⁹ full of holes;

130

130         Think on the Tower¹³⁰ and me: despair and die!

               Harry the Sixth bids thee despair and die!—

               Virtuous and holy, be thou conqueror!

       To Richmond

               Harry, that prophesied thou shouldst be king,

               Doth comfort thee in sleep: live and flourish!

       [Exit?]

       Enter the Ghost of Clarence

135

135 

GHOST OF CLARENCE

GHOST OF CLARENCE Let me sit heavy in thy soul tomorrow! To Richard

               I, that was washed¹³⁶ to death with fulsome wine,

               Poor Clarence, by thy guile betrayed to death!

               Tomorrow in the battle think on me,

               And fall¹³⁹ thy edgeless sword: despair and die!—

140

140         Thou offspring of the House of Lancaster,

       To Richmond

               The wrongèd heirs of York do pray for thee.

               Good angels guard thy battle!¹⁴² Live and flourish!

       [Exit?]

       Enter the Ghosts of Rivers, Grey and Vaughan

GHOST OF RIVERS

GHOST OF RIVERS Let me sit heavy in thy soul tomorrow, To Richard

               Rivers that died at Pomfret: despair and die!

145

145 

GHOST OF GREY

GHOST OF GREY Think upon Grey, and let thy soul despair! To Richard

GHOST OF VAUGHAN

GHOST OF VAUGHAN Think upon Vaughan, and, with guilty fear, To Richard

               Let fall thy lance: despair and die!

ALL

ALL     Awake, and think our wrongs in Richard’s bosom

       To Richmond

               Will conquer him! Awake, and win the day!

       [Exeunt Ghosts?]

       Enter the Ghost of Lord Hastings

150

150 

GHOST OF HASTINGS

GHOST OF HASTINGS Bloody and guilty, guiltily awake To Richard

               And in a bloody battle end thy days!

               Think on Lord Hastings: despair and die!

               Quiet untroubled soul, awake, awake!

       To Richmond

               Arm, fight, and conquer, for fair England’s sake!

       [Exit?]

       Enter the Ghosts of the two young Princes

155

155 

GHOSTS OF PRINCES

GHOSTS OF PRINCES Dream on thy cousins smothered in the Tower: To Richard

               Let us be laid¹⁵⁶ within thy bosom, Richard,

               And weigh thee down to ruin, shame, and death!

               Thy nephews’ souls bid thee despair and die!—

               Sleep, Richmond, sleep in peace and wake in joy:

       To Richmond

160

160         Good angels guard thee from the boar’s annoy!¹⁶⁰

               Live and beget a happy race of kings!

               Edward’s unhappy sons do bid thee flourish.

       [Exit Ghosts?]

       Enter the Ghost of Anne, his wife

GHOST OF ANNE

GHOST OF ANNE Richard, thy wife, that wretched Anne thy wife,

       To Richard

               That never slept a quiet¹⁶⁴ hour with thee,

165

165         Now fills thy sleep with perturbations.

               Tomorrow in the battle think on me,

               And fall thy edgeless sword: despair and die!—

               Thou quiet soul, sleep thou a quiet sleep:

       To Richmond

               Dream of success and happy victory!

170

170         Thy adversary’s wife doth pray for thee.

       [Exit?]

       Enter the Ghost of Buckingham

GHOST OF BUCKINGHAM

GHOST OF BUCKINGHAM The first was I that helped thee to the crown:

       To Richard

               The last was I that felt thy tyranny.

               O, in the battle think on Buckingham,

               And die in terror of thy guiltiness!

175

175         Dream on, dream on, of bloody deeds and death:

               Fainting,¹⁷⁶ despair; despairing, yield thy breath!—

               I died for hope ere I could lend thee aid;

       To Richmond

               But cheer thy heart, and be thou not dismayed:

               God and good angels fight on Richmond’s side,

180

180         And Richard¹⁸⁰ fall in height of all his pride.

       [Exit?] If the Ghosts have not exited individually, they all vanish at this point

       Richard starts out of his dream

RICHARD

RICHARD     Give me another horse! Bind up my wounds!

               Have mercy, Jesu! — Soft,¹⁸² I did but dream.

               O coward conscience, how dost thou afflict me!

               The lights burn blue.¹⁸⁴ It is not dead midnight.

185

185         Cold fearful drops¹⁸⁵ stand on my trembling flesh.

               What? Do I fear myself? There’s none else by.

               Richard loves Richard: that is, I am I.

               Is there a murderer here? No. Yes, I am.

               Then fly. What, from myself? Great reason why:

190

190         Lest I revenge. What? Myself upon myself?

               Alack, I love myself. Wherefore?¹⁹¹ For any good

               That I myself have done unto myself?

               O no! Alas, I rather hate myself

               For hateful deeds committed by myself!

195

195         I am a villain: yet I lie, I am not.

               Fool, of thyself speak well: fool, do not flatter.

               My conscience hath a thousand several¹⁹⁷ tongues,

               And every tongue brings¹⁹⁸ in a several tale,

               And every tale condemns me for a villain.

200

200         Perjury in the high’st degree,

               Murder, stern murder, in the direst degree,

               All several sins, all used²⁰² in each degree,

               Throng all to th’bar,²⁰³ crying all, ‘Guilty! Guilty!’

               I shall despair. There is no creature²⁰⁴ loves me;

205

205         And if I die, no soul shall pity me.

               Nay, wherefore should they, since that I myself

               Find in myself no pity to myself?

               Methought the souls of all that I had murdered

               Came to my tent, and every one did threat²⁰⁹

210

210         Tomorrow’s vengeance on the head of Richard.

       Enter Ratcliffe

RATCLIFFE

RATCLIFFE     My lord?

RICHARD

RICHARD     Who’s there?

RATCLIFFE

RATCLIFFE     Ratcliffe, my lord, ’tis I. The early village cock

               Hath twice done salutation to the morn.

215

215         Your friends are up and buckle on their armour.

RICHARD

RICHARD     O Ratcliffe, I fear, I fear—

RATCLIFFE

RATCLIFFE     Nay, good my lord, be not afraid of shadows.²¹⁷

RICHARD

RICHARD     By the apostle Paul, shadows tonight

               Have struck more terror to the soul of Richard

220

220         Than can the substance of ten thousand soldiers

               Armèd in proof,²²¹ and led by shallow Richmond.

               ’Tis not yet near day. Come, go with me:

               Under our tents I’ll play the eavesdropper,

               To hear if any mean to shrink from²²⁴ me.

       Exeunt Richard and Ratcliffe

       Enter the Lords to Richmond, sitting in his tent

225

225 

LORDS

LORDS             Good morrow, Richmond!

RICHMOND

RICHMOND     Cry mercy,²²⁶ lords and watchful gentlemen,

               That you have ta’en²²⁷ a tardy sluggard here.

LORDS

LORDS     How have you slept, my lord?

RICHMOND

RICHMOND     The sweetest sleep, and fairest-boding dreams

230

230         That ever entered in a drowsy head,

               Have I since your departure had, my lords.

               Methought their souls, whose bodies Richard murdered,

               Came to my tent and cried on²³³ victory:

               I promise you my heart is very jocund²³⁴

235

235         In the remembrance of so fair a dream.

               How far into the morning is it, lords?

LORDS

LORDS     Upon the stroke of four.

RICHMOND

RICHMOND     Why, then ’tis time to arm and give direction.—

               More than I have said,²³⁹ loving countrymen,

       His oration to his Soldiers

240

240         The leisure²⁴⁰ and enforcement of the time

               Forbids to dwell upon. Yet remember this:

               God and our good cause fight upon our side,

               The prayers of holy saints and wrongèd souls,

               Like high-reared bulwarks,²⁴⁴ stand before our faces,

245

245         Richard except,²⁴⁵ those whom we fight against

               Had rather have us win than him they follow:

               For what is he they follow? Truly, gentlemen,

               A bloody tyrant and a homicide:

               One raised²⁴⁹ in blood, and one in blood established;

250

250         One that made means²⁵⁰ to come by what he hath,

               And slaughtered those that were the means to help him:

               A base foul stone,²⁵² made precious by the foil

               Of England’s chair,²⁵³ where he is falsely set:

               One that hath ever been God’s enemy.

255

255         Then if you fight against God’s enemy,

               God will in justice ward²⁵⁶ you as his soldiers:

               If you do swear to put a tyrant down,

               You sleep in peace, the tyrant being slain:

               If you do fight against your country’s foes,

260

260         Your country’s fat²⁶⁰ shall pay your pains the hire:

               If you do fight in safeguard of your wives,

               Your wives shall welcome home the conquerors:

               If you do free your children from the sword,

               Your children’s children quits²⁶⁴ it in your age.

265

265         Then, in the name of God and all these rights,

               Advance your standards,²⁶⁶ draw your willing swords.

               For me, the²⁶⁷ ransom of my bold attempt

               Shall be this cold corpse on the earth’s cold face:

               But if I thrive,²⁶⁹ the gain of my attempt

270

270         The least of you shall share his part thereof.

               Sound drums and trumpets boldly and cheerfully.

               God and Saint George,²⁷² Richmond and victory!

       [Exeunt]

       Enter King Richard, Ratcliffe and Catesby [with Attendants and Soldiers]

RICHARD

RICHARD     What said Northumberland as touching²⁷³ Richmond?

RATCLIFFE

RATCLIFFE     That he was never trainèd up in arms.

275

275 

RICHARD

RICHARD             He said the truth: and what said Surrey then?

RATCLIFFE

RATCLIFFE     He smiled and said, ‘The better for our purpose.’

RICHARD

RICHARD     He was in the right, and so indeed it is.

       Clock strikes

               Tell²⁷⁸ the clock there. Give me a calendar.

               Who saw the sun today?

280

280 

RATCLIFFE

RATCLIFFE             Not I, my lord.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Then he disdains to shine, for by the book²⁸¹

               He should have braved the east²⁸² an hour ago

               A black²⁸³ day will it be to somebody. Ratcliffe!

RATCLIFFE

RATCLIFFE     My lord?

285

285 

RICHARD

RICHARD             The sun will not be seen today:

               The sky doth frown and lour²⁸⁶ upon our army.

               I would these dewy tears were from²⁸⁷ the ground.

               Not shine today? Why, what is that to me

               More than to Richmond? For the selfsame heaven

290

290         That frowns on me looks sadly²⁹⁰ upon him.

       Enter Norfolk

NORFOLK

NORFOLK     Arm, arm, my lord: the foe vaunts²⁹¹ in the field.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Come, bustle, bustle. Caparison²⁹² my horse. He arms

               Call up Lord Stanley, bid him bring his power.

               I will lead forth my soldiers to the plain,

295

295         And thus my battle shall be orderèd:

               My foreward²⁹⁶ shall be drawn in length,

               Consisting equally of horse and foot:²⁹⁷

               Our archers shall be placèd in the midst;

               John Duke of Norfolk, Thomas Earl of Surrey,

300

300         Shall have the leading of the foot and horse.

               They thus directed,³⁰¹ we will follow

               In the main battle, whose puissance³⁰² on either side

               Shall be well wingèd³⁰³ with our chiefest horse.

               This, and Saint George to boot!³⁰⁴ What think’st thou, Norfolk?

305

305 

NORFOLK

NORFOLK             A good direction, warlike sovereign.

               This found I on my tent this morning: Shows a paper

               ‘Jockey³⁰⁷ of Norfolk, be not so bold, Reads

               For Dickon³⁰⁸ thy master is bought and sold.’

RICHARD

RICHARD     A thing devisèd by the enemy.

310

310         Go, gentleman, every man to his charge

               Let not our babbling dreams affright our souls:

               For conscience is a word that cowards use,

               Devised at first to keep the strong in awe.

               Our strong arms be our conscience, swords our law.

315

315         March on, join³¹⁵ bravely, let us to’t pell-mell:

               If not to heaven, then hand in hand to hell.—

               What shall I say more than I have inferred?³¹⁷ His oration to his army

               Remember whom you are to cope³¹⁸ withal:

               A sort³¹⁹ of vagabonds, rascals and runaways,

320

320         A scum of Bretons and base lackey peasants,

               Whom their o’er-cloyèd³²¹ country vomits forth

               To desperate adventures and assured destruction.

               You sleeping safe, they bring you to unrest:

               You having lands, and blest with beauteous wives,

325

325         They would restrain³²⁵ the one, distain the other.

               And who doth lead them but a paltry fellow,³²⁶

               Long kept in Bretagne³²⁷ at our mother’s cost?

               A milksop,³²⁸ one that never in his life

               Felt so much cold as over-shoes in snow?³²⁹

330

330         Let’s whip these stragglers³³⁰ o’er the seas again,

               Lash³³¹ hence these overweening rags of France,

               These famished beggars, weary of their lives,

               Who, but³³³ for dreaming on this fond exploit,

               For want³³⁴ of means, poor rats, had hanged themselves.

335

335         If we be conquered, let men conquer us,

               And not these bastard Bretons, whom our fathers

               Have in their own land³³⁷ beaten, bobbed and thumped,

               And on³³⁸ record, left them the heirs of shame.

               Shall these enjoy our lands? Lie³³⁹ with our wives?

340

340         Ravish³⁴⁰ our daughters?

       Drum afar off

               Hark! I hear their drum.

               Fight, gentlemen of England! Fight boldly, yeomen!³⁴¹

               Draw, archers, draw your arrows to the head!

               Spur your proud³⁴³ horses hard, and ride in blood:

               Amaze³⁴⁴ the welkin with your broken staves!

       Enter a Messenger

345

345         What says Lord Stanley? Will he bring his power?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     My lord, he doth deny³⁴⁶ to come.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Off with his son George’s head!

NORFOLK

NORFOLK     My lord, the enemy is past the marsh³⁴⁸

               After the battle let George Stanley die.

350

350 

RICHARD

RICHARD             A thousand hearts are great³⁵⁰ within my bosom.

               Advance our standards, set upon our foes.

               Our ancient word of courage,³⁵² fair Saint George,

               Inspire us with the spleen³⁵³ of fiery dragons!

               Upon them! Victory sits on our helms.

       [Exeunt]

       Alarum, excursions. Enter Catesby

355

355 

CATESBY

CATESBY             Rescue, my lord of Norfolk, rescue, rescue!

               The king enacts more wonders than a³⁵⁶ man,

               Daring an opposite³⁵⁷ to every danger:

               His horse is slain, and all on foot he fights,

               Seeking for Richmond in the throat of death.

360

360         Rescue, fair lord, or else the day is lost!

       Alarums. Enter Richard

RICHARD

RICHARD     A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse!

CATESBY

CATESBY     Withdraw, my lord: I’ll help you to a horse.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Slave, I have set³⁶³ my life upon a cast,

               And I will stand³⁶⁴ the hazard of the die.

365

365         I think there be six Richmonds³⁶⁵ in the field:

               Five have I slain today instead of him.

               A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse!

       [Exeunt]

       Alarum. Enter Richard and Richmond: they fight. Richard is slain. Retreat and flourish.

       Enter Richmond, Derby bearing the crown, with divers other Lords

RICHMOND

RICHMOND     God and your arms be praised, victorious friends!

               The day is ours, the bloody dog is dead.

370

370 

DERBY

DERBY             Courageous Richmond, well hast thou acquit thee.³⁷⁰

               Lo, here, these long-usurpèd royalties³⁷¹

               From the dead temples of this bloody wretch

               Have I plucked off, to grace thy brows withal:

               Wear it and make much of it.

375

375 

RICHMOND

RICHMOND             Great God of heaven, say ‘Amen’ to all!

               But, tell me, is young George Stanley living?

DERBY

DERBY     He is, my lord, and safe in Leicester town,

               Whither, if you please, we may withdraw us.

RICHMOND

RICHMOND     What men of name³⁷⁹ are slain on either side?

380

380 

DERBY

DERBY             John Duke of Norfolk, Walter Lord Ferris,

               Sir Robert Brackenbury, and Sir William Brandon.

RICHMOND

RICHMOND     Inter their bodies as become their births:³⁸²

               Proclaim a pardon to the soldiers fled

               That in submission will return to us:

385

385         And then, as we have ta’en the sacrament,³⁸⁵

               We will unite³⁸⁶ the white rose and the red.

               Smile heaven upon this fair conjunction,³⁸⁷

               That long have frowned upon their enmity!

               What traitor hears me and says not ‘Amen’?

390

390         England hath long been mad, and scarred herself;

               The brother blindly shed the brother’s blood,

               The father rashly slaughtered his own son,

               The son, compelled, been butcher to the sire:³⁹³

               All this divided York and Lancaster,

395

395         Divided in their dire division.

               O, now let Richmond and Elizabeth,

               The true succeeders³⁹⁷ of each royal house,

               By God’s fair ordinance³⁹⁸ conjoin together.

               And let thy heirs — God, if thy will be so —

400

400         Enrich the time to come with smooth-faced peace,

               With smiling plenty and fair prosperous days!

               Abate⁴⁰² the edge of traitors, gracious Lord,

               That would reduce⁴⁰³ these bloody days again,

               And make poor England weep in streams of blood;

405

405         Let them not live to taste this land’s increase⁴⁰⁵

               That would with treason wound this fair land’s peace.

               Now civil wounds are stopped,⁴⁰⁷ peace lives again:

               That she may long live here, God say ‘Amen’!

       Exeunt

Quarto passages that do not appear in the Folio

       Following 4.2.103:

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     My lord!

RICHARD

RICHARD     How chance the prophet could not at that time

               Have told me, I being by, that I should kill him?

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     My lord, your promise for the earldom,—

RICHARD

RICHARD     Richmond! When last I was at Exeter,

               The mayor in courtesy showed me the castle,

               And called it Rougemont: at which name I started,

               Because a bard of Ireland told me once

               I should not live long after I saw Richmond.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     My lord!

RICHARD

RICHARD     Ay, what’s o’clock?

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     I am thus bold to put your grace in mind

               Of what you promised me.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Well, but what’s o’clock?

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Upon the stroke of ten.

RICHARD

RICHARD     Well, let it strike.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Why let it strike?

RICHARD

RICHARD     Because that, like a Jack, thou keep’st the stroke

               Betwixt thy begging and my meditation.

               I am not in the giving vein today.

       Following 5.3.212:

RICHARD

RICHARD     O Ratcliffe, I have dreamed a fearful dream!

               What thinkest thou, will our friends prove all true?

RATCLIFFE

RATCLIFFE     No doubt, my lord.

Textual Notes

Q = First Quarto text of 1597

F = First Folio text of 1623

F2 = a correction introduced in the Second Folio text of 1632

Ed = a correction introduced by a later editor

SD = stage direction

SH = speech heading (i.e., speaker’s name)

List of parts = Ed

1.1.1 SH RICHARD = Ed. Not in F 77 was…his = Q. F = was, for her

1.2.211 SH RICHARD = Q. F assigns line to Lady Anne

1.3.6 If…me? accidentally printed twice in F 17 come the lords = Q. F = comes the Lord 158 of spelled off in F 305 on = Q. F = an 310 SH QUEEN ELIZABETH = Q. F = Mar. 343 SH FIRST MURDERER = Ed. F = Vil. (for Villain)

2.1.108 at = Q. F = and

2.2.1 SH BOY = Q. F = Edw. 3 you = Q. Not in F 47 I = Q. Not in F 83 weep = Q. F = weepes 84–5 and…they = Q. F = sodo not they (i.e., one line omitted due to eyeskip) 87 Pour spelled Power in F 142 Ludlow = Q. F = London 146 God’s = Q. F = God 153 Ludlow = Q. F = London

3.1.124 as = Q. F = as, as,

3.4.26 cue spelled Q in F

3.5.104 Penker = Ed. F = Pevker

4.1.16 SH BRACKENBURY = Ed. F = Lieu.

Act 4 Scene 4 = Ed. F = Scena Tertia 36 seniory = Q. F = signeurie 44 holp’st spelled hop’st in F 289 this is not = Q, F2. F = this not 370 Harp…past mistakenly printed after the following line in F 442 SD Exit [Queen Elizabeth] = Ed. F = Exit (directly after her last speech) 457 Ratcliffe = Ed. F = Catesby 519 SH SECOND = Ed. Not in F 522 SH THIRD = Ed. Not in F 535 SH FOURTH = Ed. Not in F 538 Breton spelled Brittaine in F 544 Brittany spelled Brittaine in F

Act 4 Scene 5 = Ed. F = Scena Quarta 10 Ha’rfordwest = Ed. F = Hertford West

5.2.11 centre = Q. F = Centry

5.3.29 you = F2. F = your 122 SH GHOST OF PRINCE EDWARD = Ed. F = Gh 128 SH GHOST OF KING HENRY VI = Ed. F = Ghost 135 SH GHOST OF CLARENCE = Ed. F = Ghost 143 SH GHOST OF RIVERS = Ed. F = Riu 145 SH GHOST OF GREY = Ed. F = Grey. 146 SH GHOST OF VAUGHAN = Ed. F = Vaugh. 150 SH GHOST OF HASTINGS = Ed. F = Gho. 155 SH GHOSTS OF PRINCES = Ed. F = Ghosts. 158 souls bid = Q. F = soule bids 163 SH GHOST OF ANNE = Ed. F = Ghost 171 SH GHOST OF BUCKINGHAM = Ed. F = Ghost 225 SH LORDS = Q. F = Richm. 317 SD His…army = Q. Not in F 341 Fight = Q. F = Right 354 helms = Q. F = helpes

Act 1 Scene 1

    *    List of parts: GREY…DORSET in the early scenes, these two may be treated as one figure    widow historically she was betrothed, not married, to Prince Edward (son of King Henry VI), but in the play (following Hall’s chronicle) she is described as his wife/widow

 1.1   Location: near the Tower of London    solus alone

    2    son of York i.e., Edward IV, whose father was Richard Duke of York (puns on “sun,” the emblem of the House of York)

    3    loured frowned threateningly    house family (of York)

    6    arms armor, weapons    for as

    7    alarums calls to arms/sudden attacks

    8    dreadful fearsome, inspiring dread    measures stately dances

    9    front forehead

  10    barbèd armored

  11    fearful frightened (or possibly “frightening”)

  12    capers dances with leaping movements/has sex    chamber plays on the sense of “vagina”

  13    pleasing attraction, delight

  14    sportive pleasurable/amorous/sexual    tricks behavior, skills/sexual acts

  15    court…looking-glass i.e., gaze lovingly at myself in a mirror, flirt with my own reflection

  16    rudely stamped crudely formed, roughly printed with an image    want lack

  17    wanton flirtatious, lascivious    ambling sauntering, walking with a sexy rolling gait

  18    curtailed deprived, cut short (literally refers to the docking of a dog’s tail)

  19    feature a pleasing shape    dissembling cheating, deceitful

  20    sent…time i.e., born prematurely

  21    made up fully formed

  22    unfashionable odd-looking, inelegant/poorly shaped

  23    halt limp

  24    piping characterized by pastoral pipes, rather than warlike instruments/shrill, weak, contemptible

  27    descant improvise variations on (musical term), i.e., ponder, comment

  29    entertain pass enjoyably    well-spoken courteous, harmonious

  30    determinèd resolved/destined

  32    inductions initial steps, preparations

  37    subtle cunning, sly    false dishonest, disloyal

  38    mewed up imprisoned, cooped up (like a caged bird of prey)

  39    About as a result of    ‘G’ Clarence’s first name is George; Richard, however, is the Duke of Gloucester

  43    waits upon attends

  45    Tend’ring holding dear, being concerned for (ironic)

  46    conduct escort    th’Tower the Tower of London

  50    commit imprison    godfathers sometimes responsible for the naming of the child at baptism

  51    belike probably/perhaps

  52    new-christened a grim anticipation of Clarence’s death by drowning

  53    matter reason

  54    protest declare

  56    hearkens after listens to

  57    cross-row alphabet (prefixed by a cross in children’s primers)

  59    issue children

  60    for because

  62    toys whims, trifles

  66    lady Grey Elizabeth’s title before her marriage to Edward; Richard is being contemptuous

  68    worship repute, honor

  69    Anthony Woodville i.e., Earl Rivers

  71    delivered released

  74    night-walking heralds secret, nighttime messengers (a night-walker also meant a thief or a prostitute)

  75    trudge betwixt go to and fro between    Mistress Shore Jane Shore, wife of a London goldsmith and Edward IV’s lover; she later became Hastings’    mistress Mistress usual title for a woman; perhaps here with suggestive play on the sense of “lover” or even “female master”

  76    suppliant petitioner

  77    delivery release from prison

  78    complaining appealing, lamenting, pleading    her deity a mocking title for Mistress Shore

  79    Lord Chamberlain i.e., Hastings

  82    men servants (perhaps with sexual connotations)    livery uniform indicating whom one served (wear her livery may play on a sense of “have sex with her”)

  83    o’erworn worn out (like old clothing/sexually)    widow i.e., Queen Elizabeth

  84    dubbed them conferred on them the rank of

  85    gossips chatterers/godparents

  87    straitly…charge strictly ordered

  89    Of…soever regardless of social rank

  90    an if it

  94    Well…years well advanced in age (Richard seems to pretend to mean “mature, wise” or “well-preserved”)    fair attractive/just

  96    passing surpassingly, exceptionally

101    doth naught Richard shifts the sense to “sexually penetrates her vagina”

104    betray me i.e., by making me name the king as Shore’s lover

105    withal moreover

106    Forbear restrain, cease

107    charge duty, instructions

108    abjects varies “subjects” to incorporate sense of “contemptible outcasts”

112    enfranchise free

114    Touches affects

117    lie for you take your place in prison (playing on the sense of “lie about you”)

119    perforce of necessity (“patience perforce” was proverbial)

123    present gift

124    new-delivered recently released

128    brooked tolerated

130    give them thanks i.e., pay them back, have revenge

135    mewed caged

136    kites and buzzards inferior birds of prey

137    abroad in the world

140    him for him

142    diet lifestyle

149    packed packed off, dispatched    post-horse all possible speed

151    steeled strengthened with steel, reinforced

152    deep cunning/secret

155    bustle busy myself, be active

156    Warwick’s youngest daughter i.e., Lady Anne Neville; having changed sides, the Earl of Warwick died fighting against the House of York

157    her husband Anne Neville was not in fact married to Prince Edward (Henry VI’s son) although she had been betrothed to him before his death    father father-in-law, i.e., Henry VI

161    close concealed

162    reach unto strive to carry out

163    run…market i.e., get ahead of myself (proverbial)

Act 1 Scene 2

 1.2   Location: a London street    halberds long-handled weapons with axe-like heads

    2    shrouded concealed/wrapped in a shroud    hearse probably here an open coffin, or litter beneath a frame supporting a funereal cloth

    3    obsequiously in a manner proper to the dead

    4    Lancaster i.e., Henry VI, former head of the House of Lancaster

    5    key-cold cold as a metal key (proverbial)

    6    ashes i.e., remains, lifeless body

    8    Be it let it be    invocate invoke, call upon

  12    Lo look    windows vents, i.e., wounds

  13    balm healing ointment/substance with which the dead are anointed (i.e., tears)

  17    direful hap dreadful fortune    betide befall, happen to

  19    spiders, toads thought to be poisonous

  21    abortive monstrous, deformed

  22    Prodigious unnatural/ill-omened

  23    aspect appearance

  25    that may that (child)    unhappiness ill fortune/misery

  29    Chertsey on the River Thames, in Surrey; site of a famous monastery

  30    Paul’s St. Paul’s Cathedral in London

  31    still as whenever

  35    devoted holy, devout

  40    Advance raise

  42    spurn upon kick

  46    Avaunt be gone

  49    curst ill-tempered/cursed, damnable

  50    hence get hence, go away

  52    exclaims outcries, exclamations

  54    pattern example, model

  58    thy…blood it was popularly believed that the wounds of a murder victim would bleed in the presence of the murderer    exhales draws forth

  71    so is so

  73    wonderful extraordinary, astonishing    devils…truth Anne interprets Richard’s    am no beast to mean that, as neither man nor beast, he must be a devil

  75    Vouchsafe permit, consent

  76    leave permission

  77    circumstance detailed explanation

  78    defused dispersed, spreading

  82    leisure time, opportunity

  84    current genuine, valid

  85    despair spiritual hopelessness (thought to precede suicide)

  87    worthy…thyself i.e., committing suicide (a highly sinful act)

  88    unworthy dishonorable, contemptible/causeless, unjustified

  91    slave villain, wretch

  95    In…liest i.e., you lie outrageously

  96    falchion curved sword

  97    once at once

102    aught anything

105    hedgehog a contemptuous reference to Richard’s crest, which featured a wild boar

110    holp helped

115    bedchamber like hell, “chamber” could also be euphemistic for the vagina

118    I hope so i.e., I certainly hope it will, as I shall never lie with you (in an ironic anticipation of future events, however, the phrase may also be construed as “I hope to lie with you”)

120    keen sharp/eager    encounter…wits plays on the sense of “sexual encounter of our genitals”

122    timeless untimely, premature

125    effect agent, perpetrator (Richard then shifts the sense to “outcome”)

130    homicide murderer

137    thou art both i.e.,day and life

138    would wish

146    He lives i.e., there is a man

148    Plantagenet the name was used by Richard Duke of York, Richard’s father

158    infected mine both disease and love were thought to enter through the eyes

159    basilisks mythical reptiles whose gaze could kill

160    die plays on the sense of “achieve sexual orgasm”

163    aspects appearance/looks, gazes

165    No, when not even when

166    Rutland Richard’s younger brother; his death is depicted in 3 Henry IV, Act 1 Scene 3

167    black-faced evil, threatening, devilish

168    father i.e., the Earl of Warwick (originally a Yorkist, although he later changed sides)

171    That so that

172    bedashed splattered

173    humble lowly

174    exhale draw out

176    sued entreated, begged (for favor)

177    smoothing flattering

178    fee payment, reward    lays…open bears his chest    offers aims, makes to thrust

191    set me on this probably has connotations of sexual arousal like provokèd falls lets fall

192    take up me accept me (perhaps with connotations of “possess me sexually/make my penis erect”; Anne interprets “raise me from my kneeling position”)

193    dissembler deceiver

200    truer love i.e., Richard himself (supposedly a truer lover than the murdered Edward)

203    figured in represented by

213    Even so in just such a way

221    presently immediately    Crosby House Richard’s London house, in Bishopsgate Street; later referred to as Crosby Place

225    expedient duty dutiful haste

226    divers various, several    unknown private, that cannot be divulged

227    boon request, favor

230    Tressell and Berkeley minor characters, not mentioned again in the play

236    Whitefriars a priory in London

237    humour manner, style, way

243    bleeding witness i.e., Henry’s body    by nearby

244    bars obstacles

245    suit courtship/formal supplication    withal with

247    all…nothing i.e., against huge odds, with everything stacked against me

249    brave splendid, noble

251    mood fit of fury    Tewkesbury site of the Gloucestershire battle where the Lancastrians were defeated; Edward’s murder took place after the battle and is dramatized in 3 Henry VI, Act 5 Scene 5

253    Framed…nature created when nature was most generous, lavish

254    royal majestic, noble

257    prime youthful manhood/springtime

259    whose…moiety the entirety of whom is not worth half of Edward

260    halt limps    unshapen deformed

261    denier small coin worth one tenth of a penny

264    proper handsome, fine

265    be…for buy, spend money on

266    entertain employ    score…of twenty or forty

270    in into

272    glass mirror, looking glass

273    shadow also means “reflection”; the shadow cast by the sun will substitute for the mirror’s image

Act 1 Scene 3

 1.3   Location: the royal court, London

    3    brook it ill endure it with difficulty, take it badly

    4    entertain good comfort take comfort, be cheerful

    6    betide on happen to, befall

    8    includes incorporates, is the sum of

    9    goodly splendid, fine

  14    concluded legally finalized    Protector guardian, who ruled on behalf of a king who was too young to do so

  16    miscarry die

  20    Countess Richmond Margaret Beaufort, Derby’s wife; by her first husband, Edmund Tudor, she was mother to Henry, Earl of Richmond (later Henry VII)    good my my good

  26    envious malicious

  29    wayward obstinate, wilful

  36    atonement reconciliation

  37    brothers only one brother, Anthony Woodville (Earl Rivers), appears in the play, but Shakespeare may have thought of him as two characters: Rivers and Woodville are listed separately in the opening stage directions at Act 2 Scene 1, and are addressed separately later in that scene

  39    warn summon

  41    happiness good fortune

  44    forsooth indeed, in truth    stern harsh, unfriendly

  45    lightly little

  46    dissentious inflammatory, quarrelsome

  47    fair pleasing, charming

  48    smooth flatter    cog fawn, flatter, deceive

  49    Duck…nods i.e., bow in an affected, courtly manner    apish idiotic/imitative

  51    plain unaffected, simple, honest

  53    silken smooth-tongued, ingratiating/elaborately dressed    jacks knaves, low-born men; plays on    Jack, a common name

  54    presence company/royal presence

  55    nor neither    grace virtue/propriety/nobility (picking up on    grace as a form of address in the previous line)

  60    breathing-while time to draw breath

  61    lewd wicked/ignorant/lowly

  65    belike probably/perhaps

  68    to send summon (you)

  70    wrens small, gentle birds (unlike large, predatory eagles)

  74    friends relatives

  77    brother i.e., George, Duke of Clarence

  81    noble gold coin worth about a third of a pound (puns on    ennoble)

  82    careful full of cares

  83    hap fortune

  88    draw me implicate me/represent me    suspects suspicions

  90    late recent

  94    preferments promotions, advancements

  96    desert deserving, merit

  97    marry by the Virgin Mary (Richard goes on to shift the sense to “wed”)

100    stripling young man

101    Iwis indeed, certainly    grandam grandmother

105    gross base/wicked/excessive    Queen Margaret historically, the widow of Henry VI was imprisoned after the battle of Tewkesbury, and later exiled to her native France

111    state rank    seat throne

112    Threat threaten

113    avouch’t affirm, declare it

114    adventure risk

115    pains efforts (made on behalf of the king)

116    Out exclamation of outrage and impatience

119    Ere before

120    packhorse workhorse

121    proud ambitious, arrogant

126    factious for on the side of, promoting dissent in the interests of

127    husband…slain historically, Elizabeth’s first husband, Sir John Grey, was killed fighting for the Lancastrians, although in 3 Henry VI (Act 3 Scene 2) he is depicted as having fought for the Yorkists    battle army

130    ere this before now

131    Withal moreover

133    Clarence…Warwick Clarence and the Earl of Warwick deserted the Yorkists; Clarence married Warwick’s daughter, but later returned to the Yorkist cause, events that are depicted in 3 Henry VI   father father-in-law

134    forswore himself broke his oath (of loyalty)

137    meed reward

139    pitiful full of pity, compassionate

140    childish-foolish innocent, inexperienced

141    Hie hurry

142    cacodemon evil spirit

144    urge bring forward, offer as evidence

157    pilled pillaged, robbed

159    If…rebels Even if you do not bow to me as your queen, then you tremble like the rebels who deposed me

161    gentle noble, high-born/kind    villain low-born, rustic/scoundrel; the phrase is oxymoronic

162    mak’st thou are you doing

163    But repetition of merely recounting    marred destroyed

164    make do

167    abode remaining

169    thou i.e., Elizabeth

172    curse…paper before his death, Richard Duke of York curses Margaret after she mockingly places a paper crown on his head (see 3 Henry VI, Act 1 Scene 4)

175    clout cloth

176    pretty youthful, fine-looking Rutland York’s young son; the episode with the cloth also appears in 3 Henry VI, Act 1 Scene 4

179    plagued punished ceaselessly

181    that babe i.e., Rutland

184    No…prophesied there was no man who did not prophesy

187    catch seize

192    but answer for merely equal    peevish foolish, childish/obstinate

194    dull thick, dark, sluggish    quick vigorous, lively, sharp

195    surfeit sickness resulting from overindulgence

199    like the same

204    Decked adorned, dressed    stalled installed

208    standers-by bystanders, lookers-on

212    unlooked unforeseen, unexpected

213    charm magic spell, curse    hag witch

217    them i.e., the heavens

220    still constantly    begnaw eat away at, gnaw

221    for tobe

223    deadly murderous

226    elvish-marked physically marked by evil elves at birth    abortive monstrous, deformed    rooting hog i.e., hunched and greedy; alludes to the boar on Richard’s crest

227    sealed…nativity branded at birth

228    slave of nature slave to bestial natural impulses/one irredeemably marked out by nature

229    slander disgrace, shame    heavy pregnant, weighty/sorrowful

230    issue offspring

231    rag discarded scrap

232    Margaret Richard makes Margaret the subject of her insults to him

236    cry thee mercy beg your pardon

238    looked for expected

239    period end

242    painted artificial/made-up with cosmetics    vain flourish meaningless, frivolous adornment    fortune (rightful) position

243    bottled swollen (with venom), rounded, bottle-shaped

245    thou whet’st you are sharpening

247    bunch-backed hunchbacked

248    False-boding falsely prophesying    frantic deranged, mad

251    well served treated as befits you (Margaret maintains the sense of “treated” and adds the sense of “obeyed, paid respect to”)

252    duty respect, deference

256    Master Marquis Margaret contemptuously prefaces the aristocratic “marquis” with the form of address for an untitled man    malapert impertinent

257    fire-new brand new, newly minted    current valid, legitimate

258    nobility continues the coining imagery with a quibble on “noble” (a gold coin)

264    so high this high (i.e., noble)

265    eyrie nest/brood of young birds of prey (especially eagles, king of birds)/noble stock of children

266    dallies with teases, plays with    scorns the sun eagles were thought to be able to gaze unblinkingly into the sun

267    sun puns on son

272    suffer endure, permit

278    My charity the charity I feel/the charity I am shown    outrage violence, hostility    life my shame the only life I am allowed is a dishonorable one/I am ashamed to live

279    still perpetually

283    fair good fortune

285    compass bounds

286    pass go any further than

288    but anything other than that

291    Look when whenever

292    venom poisonous    rankle inflict a festering wound

294    marks blemishes/identifying insignia/aims, sights

297    respect deem worthy of listening to

299    soothe flatter, humor

311    vantage advantages, benefits (i.e., being queen)    her wrong the wrong done to her

312    hot eager    do somebody good i.e., help Edward to the crown

313    cold ungrateful, indifferent

315    franked…fatting penned in to be fattened up (for slaughter)

318    scathe harm

319    well advised cautious

324    wait upon attend

326    mischiefs wicked, evil deeds    abroach in motion

327    lay…of impose as a serious accusation against (i.e., blame on)

328    cast in darkness caused to be imprisoned (with connotations of death)

329    beweep cry over    gulls idiots, gullible people

331    allies supporters, relatives

332    stir incite, stir up

333    whet encourage, incite

338    ends scraps

341    hardy bold

342    dispatch carry out (plays on the sense of “kill”)

346    repair make your way

347    sudden swift

348    obdurate inflexible, determined

349    well-spoken articulate, persuasive

350    mark pay attention to, listen to

351    prate chat

354    eyes drop millstones proverbial image of hard-heartedness    fall let fall, drop

355    straight straightaway

Act 1 Scene 4

 1.4   Location: the Tower of London    Keeper guard (this role could be conflated with Brackenbury)

    1    heavily sadly

    5    spend pass/expend (like money)

    6    Though ’twere even if it were

    7    dismal ominous, sinister

  13    hatches deck

  14    cited up recalled

  17    giddy swaying, unstable

  19    stay steady, restrain

  20    main sea

  27    Inestimable impossible to count or value    unvalued priceless

  37    yield the ghost die    envious flood malicious sea

  38    Stopped in shut up, blocked in

  39    vast boundless/empty

  40    bulk body

  42    sore serious, extreme

  45    melancholy flood the River Styx, which had to be crossed to get to Hades, the classical underworld

  46    sour ferryman Charon, who ferried souls to Hades

  47    kingdom…night Hades, the underworld

  48    stranger foreign, newly arrived

  50    perjury oath-breaking; Clarence broke his oath of allegiance to Warwick by returning to fight for the Yorkists after he and Warwick had changed sides to support the Lancastrians

  51    monarchy kingdom (the underworld)    afford offer, give to

  53    shadow ghost (of Prince Edward, Henry VI’s son)

  54    shrieked ghosts were traditionally supposed to speak in shrill voices

  55    fleeting fickle, capricious

  56    field battlefield

  57    Furies in classical mythology, three female spirits of vengeance

  58    legion army

  59    Environed surrounded

  61    season while, time

  64    though if

  68    requites rewards, repays

  73    prithee beg you (literally “I pray thee”)

  74    heavy oppressed, burdened, sorrowful

  76    breaks cracks, disrupts seasons natural rhythms of time    reposing hours time for rest

  77    noontide midday

  78    for as

  79    for at the cost of, as the result of

  80    for in exchange for    unfelt imaginations abstract concepts that cannot actually be experienced, illusory glories

  81    cares anxieties

  82    low name those of ordinary humble status

  83    fame reputation, name

  92    reason deduce, workout

  93    will want to

  95    signify to inform

102    urging of bringing forth/emphasis on

110    stay wait    passionate humour emotional mood

111    It…me it usually lasts    tells twenty counts to twenty

120    entertain receive, be hospitable to

123    checks rebukes

124    lie have sex

126    restore return    keeps retains/maintains, supports

127    for as

128    well prosperously/virtuously

130    him i.e., conscience

131    insinuate ingratiate himself

133    tall brave

135    Take strike    costard head (literally, a type of large apple)

136    malmsey-butt barrel of strong, sweet wine from Greece

137    device plan    sop piece of bread soaked in wine

140    reason converse, talk

142    anon soon

151    Wherefore why

161    drawn forth selected

164    quest inquest, those holding a judicial inquiry

167    convict convicted

169    charge command

174    Erroneous misguided, erring    vassals servants, slaves    king of kings i.e., God

175    table…law i.e., the Ten Commandments

176    do no murder the Sixth Commandment (Exodus 20:13)

177    Spurn at reject, scorn

181    false forswearing breaking your oath (forbidden by the Ninth Commandment)

182    receive the sacrament take Communion as a means of affirming your oath

183    In quarrel of in the cause of

186    Unripp’dst tore open    bowels intestines,    entrails sovereign’s son i.e., Prince Edward, son of Henry VI

188    dreadful inspiring dread and awe

189    dear extreme, grievous (a)

196    quarrel (settling of the) dispute

197    indirect devious, oblique

198    cut off kill

199    bloody violent, bloodthirsty

200    gallant-springing gallant and youthful, growing promisingly

201    novice youth, beginner

202    My brother’s love love for my brother

207    meed money, reward

217    friendship also kinship

219    lessoned taught

220    is kind is gentle, well-meaning/has feelings of natural kinship

226    labour my delivery strive to obtain my release

228    thraldom servitude, enslavement

230    feeling sensibility, awareness

239    pent shut up

244    beastly not human, lacking in reason

252    desperately dispatched carried out in desperation, executed recklessly (desperately has connotations of spiritual hopelessness)

253    fain willingly    Pilate…murder Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judaea involved in the crucifixion of Christ, washed his hands before the discontented crowd as a means of exonerating himself from blame

264    out get out, be known (“murder will out” was proverbial)

Act 2 Scene 1

 2.1   Location: the royal court, London    Flourish trumpet fanfare signaling the arrival of a person in authority

    3    embassage message

    8    Dissemble not (in shaking hands) do not conceal, disguise

    9    from of

  10    true honest, faithful

  11    thrive I may I thrive

  12    dally trifle, feign, mock

  13    king of kings i.e., God

  14    confound overthrow, catch out    award sentence, appoint

  15    end (cause of) death

  19    son i.e., stepson

  20    factious divisive, generators of factions

  22    unfeignedly sincerely, without deception

  26    protest declare

  30    allies relatives

  33    but…Doth i.e., and does not, with all duteous love

  38    Deep cunning    hollow insincere    guile cunning, deceit

  41    cordial heart-restoring medicine

  43    wanteth only lacks

  44    period end, completion

  45    in good time right on time, at the perfect moment

  47    morrow morning

  52    swelling proud, arrogant/incensed, angry    wrong-incensèd full of wrongly directed anger/enraged by perceived wrongs

  54    heap gathering, group (casual and demeaning term in this context)

  55    intelligence information    surmise assumption, conjecture

  57    is hardly borne has caused offense, is resented

  67    desert deserving, justification

  68    Lord Scales actually another title of Lord Rivers; Shakespeare erroneously supposes another character; some editors omit the line

  72    the…tonight a newborn baby

  75    well compounded settled as effectively

  77    to your grace into your favor

  79    flouted mocked

  80    gentle kind, mild/noble

  86    forsook abandoned

  89    that i.e., that first order    Mercury swift messenger of the Roman gods, usually depicted with wings on his cap and sandals

  90    tardy slow    bare the countermand brought the order revoking the first

  91    lag late, slowly

  92    God…suspicion I pray God there are none, less noble and loyal than Clarence, more involved in treachery yet less closely related to the king, who deserve worse than Clarence’s fate yet go free from suspicion (a pointed remark aimed at Elizabeth and her relatives)    go current pass as legitimate coin

  96    boon request for a favor

100    forfeit…life revocation of the death penalty that his servant has incurred

103    doom…death sentence (doom) my brother to death

107    sued pleaded

108    be advised to reconsider, reflect/to be cautious

110    forsake abandon, renounce

112    field battlefield

113    down on the ground, unhorsed/at his mercy

116    lap enfold, swathe

118    thin thinly dressed    numb numbing

119    remembrance memory

122    carters cart drivers    waiting vassals attendant servants

123    defaced…Redeemer i.e., committed murder (since man is made in God’s image)

125    straight straightaway

127    But yet

128    ungracious wickedly, lacking divine grace

129    proudest most splendid, eminent/most self-esteeming

130    beholding beholden, indebted

133    On of    you i.e., the assembled company

134    closet private room/bedchamber

136    Marked observed, noticed

139    still constantly

Act 2 Scene 2

    1    grandam grandmother

    6    wretches exiles/miserable people    castaways rejected ones

    8    cousins a general term for relatives

  10    As being

  11    lost wasted, pointless (sense then shifts to “gone”)

  14    importune urge, entreat persistently

  18    Incapable inexperienced, unknowing    shallow naïve

  22    impeachments accusations, charges

  24    kindly gently, benevolently/as a family member

  27    gentle shape an appearance of nobility, a benevolent guise

  28    visor mask

  30    dugs breasts (breast milk was popularly thought to convey some of the qualities of the mother)    hair…ears disheveled and loose hair was a theatrical convention signifying distress

  35    chide berate, chastise

  36    black profound, dark, hellish

  37    to…enemy i.e., commit suicide

  38    rude impatience uncontrolled outburst, violent want of endurance

  39    act deed/division of a play (continuing the theatrical image begun with scene)

  42    want lack

  43    brief quick

  44    catch catch up with

  47    interest right, entitlement

  48    title in claim on (as Edward’s mother)

  50    his images i.e., his sons

  51    mirrors i.e., images, reflections    semblance likeness

  53    false glass i.e., Richard, a distorted, false image of his father

  60    moiety small portion

  61    overgo exceed

  63    kindred similar, belonging to relatives

  64    unmoaned unlamented, not grieved for

  65    widow-dolour widow’s grief    be shall be

  67    barren to so infertile that I cannot    complaints grief, lamentations

  68    reduce return, bring together

  69    watery moon i.e., the moon, which controls the tides

  74    stay support

  77    Was never widow there was never a widow who    dear grievous/costly

  81    parcelled in specific parts, divided between them    general all-encompassing

  87    nurse nourisher, feeder

  88    pamper cram, feed luxuriously

  92    dull sluggish, reluctant

  94    opposite antagonistic, adversarial

  95    For it requires because it reclaims

  96    careful caring

104    cry you mercy beg your pardon

107    meekness humility

110    butt-end concluding part

111    grace quibbling on the duchess’ title and on the sense of “religious virtue”

112    cloudy gloomy

113    moan sorrow, grief

117    broken rancour divisive animosity (broken begins an image of an injured limb) high-swoll’n very inflamed/proud

118    But lately splintered only recently splinted, reset (though at the same time continuing the imagery of fragmentation)

119    kept looked after

120    Meseemeth it seems to me    little train small retinue of attendants and accompanying nobles

121    Forthwith immediately    Ludlow Ludlow Castle, in Shropshire, near the Welsh border    fet fetched

124    multitude large group

127    estate state, kingdom    green new, vulnerable (with suggestions of the prince’s youth)

128    Where…himself when each horse is in control of his own reins and may go where he pleases (i.e., in the absence of a strong rider to govern)

130    As…apparent both the fear of possible harm as well as actual harm

132    with between

133    compact agreement, contract

135    green new, not tested

136    apparent evident, real breach breakage, rupture

137    haply perhaps/probably urged encouraged

139    meet appropriate, suitable

142    post hasten

144    censures opinions

147    by on    sort occasion arrange an opportunity

148    index preface    story plan, business    late recently

150    counsel’s innermost thoughts’ (puns on advisory “council”)    consistory council chamber, meeting place

152    direction instruction, guidance

Act 2 Scene 3

 2.3   Location: a London street

    3    abroad at large, in the outside world

    5    by’r lady by Our Lady (the Virgin Mary)    seldom…better is rarely followed by better things

    6    giddy inconstant, unstable

    7    God speed God be with you; a standard greeting

    8    Give…morrow God give you good day; a standard greeting

    9    Doth…hold is the news true

  10    God…while i.e., God help us    while age, times

  11    masters sirs    look expect

  15    nonage minority, youth    council under him the Privy Council, a group of the king’s ministers, governing for him

  20    so in the same condition    wot knows

  22    politic grave counsel wise and reverend guidance

  23    protect act as formal guardians for

  27    emulation rivalry    nearest most closely related to the king/most influential over the king

  28    touch…near affect us all too closely

  30    haught haughty, aspiring

  32    solace take comfort, be happy

  36    look for expect

  37    dearth famine, shortage

  38    sort ordain, arrange

  41    cannot reason almost can scarcely reason

  42    heavily gravely, anxiously

  43    still always

  44    mistrust suspect

  45    proof experience

  46    boist’rous violent

  47    Whither away? Where are you going?

  48    justices justices of the peace; the reason for this is never stated

Act 2 Scene 4

 2.4   Location: the royal court, London

    1    lay spent the night    Stony Stratford small town in Buckinghamshire

    2    Northampton Northamptonshire town twelve miles further from London than Stony Stratford, an apparent confusion explained by Shakespeare’s sources: Richard and Buckingham met the Prince at Stony Stratford, then (Rivers, Vaughan and Grey having been arrested) took him back to Northampton before resuming the journey to London

    9    cousin general term for a relative

  13    grace virtuous qualities; possibly Richard quibbles on “herb of grace” or rue, a herb with medicinal qualities whose name means “sorrow”    apace quickly

  16    hold apply, prove true

  17    object the same suggest it, apply it

  23    troth faith    been remembered remembered

  24    flout taunt, mocking insult

  25    touch…mine mock his growth more pointedly than he mocked mine

  28    gnaw…old various historical accounts claim that Richard was born with teeth, something considered abnormal and ominous

  30    biting sharp/to do with teeth

  35    parlous mischievous, wily    Go to expression of dismissive impatience    shrewd sharp-tongued, cheeky

  37    Pitchers have ears proverbial; pitchers were jugs with large handles (“ears”)—Elizabeth means that the boy has been eavesdropping on adult conversation

  43    Pomfret Pontefract castle, in Yorkshire

  48    can know, can say

  51    house family

  52    hind female deer

  53    Insulting threatening, harmful/exulting scornfully    jut thrust, shove/project, encroach

  54    aweless inspiring no awe or dread    throne i.e., Prince Edward

  56    map chart of the world/diagram/summary, epitome

  62    seated in power, having gained the throne    broils turmoil

  63    overblown blown over

  65    preposterous unnatural (literally, in reverse order)

  66    frantic outrage insane violence    spleen fury (the spleen was thought to be the seat of extreme emotion)

  68    sanctuary churches and their precincts provided sanctuary from arrest; Elizabeth went to Westminster Abbey

  75    seal great seal of England, used by the king to authenticate documents; the Archbishop was its official keeper    so…you may my fortunes depend on the care I show you

Act 3 Scene 1

 3.1   Location: London; exact location unspecified, possibly a street

    1    chamber London was known as the camera regis, Latin for the “king’s chamber”

    2    my thoughts’ sovereign my chief concern/head of my thoughts

    4    crosses troubles (i.e., the arrests of Rivers, Vaughan and Grey)

    5    heavy laborious, burdensome, sorrowful

    6    want lack/desire

  11    jumpeth accords, agrees

  13    attended paid attention, listened

  21    ere before

  22    slug sluggard, lazy fellow

  26    On what occasion for what reason

  28    tender young    prince i.e., Edward’s younger brother, Richard

  29    fain willingly

  30    perforce forcibly

  31    indirect devious/oblique, lengthy/erroneous    peevish obstinate/perverse

  34    presently immediately

  36    jealous suspicious, mistrustful, overprotective

  37    oratory rhetorical skill

  39    Anon shortly    obdurate inflexible, determined

  44    senseless unreasonably, foolishly

  46    Weigh…with if you only judge it by    grossness low standards, coarseness

  48    benefit protection

  49    dealings actions, conduct

  50    wit intelligence, mature judgment

  53    thence…there a place that cannot really be considered as sanctuary in his case

  54    charter privilege, legal right

  62    sojourn stay, reside

  65    repose you settle yourself, rest    Tower a royal residence as well as a much-feared prison

  68    any place all places

  71    re-edified rebuilt, developed

  72    upon record written down

  75    registered recorded

  77    retailed recounted, retold

  78    general ending day universal doomsday, the end of the world

  79    So…long proverbial: “too soon wise to live long”

  81    characters written records

  82    formal Vice conventional Vice figure of morality plays, an allegorical character named after a particular sin and known for wordplay and grim humor    Iniquity sinfulness; a stock name for a Vice figure

  83    moralize interpret (perhaps playing on the idea of expounding God’s word for the purpose of moral teaching)

  85    With…live i.e., he used his intellect to write down the courageous military exploits that had enriched it, in order to ensure that his reputation lived on

  87    his conqueror the one who conquers death

  91    An if if

  94    lightly usually    forward early

  98    grief Edward refers to the death of his father

  99    late recently

103    idle useless

108    beholding beholden, indebted

110    as in in that I am

111    dagger perhaps maintaining the link between Richard and the medieval Vice figure, who traditionally carried a dagger

112    With…heart very willingly (but also implying that he would gladly stab York with it)

115    toy trifle grief hardship

117    to it that goes with it

118    light not heavy (York shifts the sense to “trifling, cheap”)

120    a beggar nay no to a beggar

122    weigh it lightly consider it a trifle/do not think it weighs very much    were it even if it were

123    have continues the grim play on “receive as a gift/receive in death”

127    still always    cross contrary, perverse

131    like…shoulders professional fools or tame bears carried apes on their backs at fairs; attention is drawn here to Richard’s hunched back bear puns on the name of the animal

133    sharp-provided quick and ready

134    mitigate moderate, lessen

135    prettily cleverly, charmingly

136    cunning crafty, clever    sennet trumpet call signaling the continuation of a procession

152    prating chattering, prattling

153    incensèd urged on, incited    subtle cunning

154    opprobriously scornfully, insultingly

155    perilous wily, dangerous, mischievous

156    forward spirited, ready    capable responsive, receptive

157    all the mother’s exactly like his mother

158    let them rest enough of them, leave them for the moment; or perhaps literally “let them take their rest”

159    deeply profoundly, solemnly

160    closely secretly

161    urged proposed, discussed way i.e., the journey from Ludlow to London

163    of…For share our opinion and intention regarding

166    He…father’s Hastings for Edward IV’s

167    won to aught persuaded to do anything

171    as…off in a roundabout way, indirectly    sound sound out, probe

172    affected to disposed toward

174    sit confer, sit in council

180    divided councils two separate meetings

181    highly crucially

182    Lord William i.e., Hastings

183    ancient knot long-standing group (knot may play on the sense of “tumor”)

184    are let blood i.e., will be executed; literally, refers to surgical bloodletting

186    Mistress Shore Hastings’ mistress Jane Shore (formerly mistress ofEdward IV)

188    heed care

193    complots conspiracies, schemes

196    movables portable property

200    sup betimes have supper early

201    digest arrange (plays on the sense of literal digestion)    form good order

Act 3 Scene 2

 3.2   Location: outside Hastings’ house

    6    tedious weary, long

  11    boar Richard’s heraldic emblem    razèd pulled, torn helm helmet

  13    that…determined decisions may be taken

  14    to rue grieve

  15    pleasure will, inclination

  16    presently immediately

  17    post ride swiftly

  21    His honour Lord Stanley

  23    toucheth affects, relates to

  24    have intelligence be informed

  25    without instance lacking evidence

  27    mock’ry foolish delusions, false images

  28    fly flee

  29    Were would be

  30    mean (originally) intend

  33    use treat    kindly gently, courteously (plays on the sense of “according to his [boarlike] nature”)

  40    garland i.e., crown (with connotations of a victor’s garland)

  43    crown head

  44    foul wickedly, wrongfully/in an ugly manner (perhaps recalling Richard’s appearance)

  46    forward…party ready to support him, eagerly on his side

  54    master’s i.e., Edward IV’s

  58    they i.e., the queen’s relatives    in into

  64    monstrous unnatural    falls it out it has happened

  69    make high account hold you in high estimation (in the context of the following line, high plays on the sense of “high up, aloft”)

  70    account consider, expect    the bridge London Bridge, on which traitors’ heads were displayed on poles

  73    unprovided unprepared, ill-equipped

  75    rood (Christ’s) cross

  76    several separate

  78    protest declare

  81    triumphant cheerful/exultant (over my enemies’ deaths)

  83    jocund merry, cheerful    states were sure positions were secure

  84    mistrust doubt, suspect

  86    This…misdoubt i.e., this sudden hostile attack has made me fearful, mistrustful

  88    spent coming to an end (although the scene begins at 4 a.m.; perhaps Stanley refers figuratively to his own “time,” i.e., life)

  89    have with you literally “I’ll join you” or as a reprimand “come along now” Wot know

  91    truth loyalty, honesty

  92    hats i.e., official positions (Stanley has Richard’s role as royal Protector in mind)    Pursuivant state messenger with the power to execute warrants

  94    before ahead

  95    sirrah sir (used to inferiors)

100    suggestion instigation, prompting

103    state prosperity, position, circumstances

104    hold keep, maintain

105    Gramercy great thanks

108    Sir conventional title for a clergyman

109    I…exercise Hastings apologizes for not attending the last church service (during which he was in prison) exercise religious service

110    content recompense

114    shriving work business of saying confession and receiving absolution

119    thence from there

120    stay stay for

Act 3 Scene 3

 3.3   Location: Pomfret (Pontefract) castle, Yorkshire

    5    knot tight group

    7    Dispatch get on with it

  10    closure enclosure

  12    for…seat to add to the disgrace associated with this place    dismal seat ominous position

  15    exclaimed on cried out against, condemned    Hastings…I in fact, Margaret does not mention Grey (see Act 1 Scene 3)

  20    for instead of

  23    expiate reached, fully come

Act 3 Scene 4

 3.4   Location: council chamber, the Tower of London

    2    of about

    5    wants but nomination requires only the appointing of the date

    6    happy auspicious, favorable

    8    inward intimate

    9    mind temperament/opinion on the coronation/intentions in general

  10    for as for

  13    near in love close, intimate

  16    sounded questioned, sounded out

  19    in on    voice vote

  20    take…part accept in a gracious manner

  22    cousins term of address between nobles

  24    neglect cause the neglect of

  27    part role (continues the theatrical language begun with cue)

  29    bolder more confident

  37    testy headstrong, short-tempered hot angry/impetuous

  38    head plays on the etymology of testy, i.e., teste, Old French for “head”

  39    worshipfully respectfully

  42    set down confirmed

  44    provided prepared

  45    prolonged postponed, delayed

  48    smooth seemingly amiable or friendly

  49    conceit idea, fancy    likes pleases

  53    straight instantly

  55    livelihood liveliness

  61    charms magic spells

  64    doom sentence

  68    blasted shriveled, blighted by supernatural means

  69    is i.e., is the doing of monstrous unnatural

  70    Consorted associated, in conjunction    Shore Jane Shore, Hastings’ mistress and formerly Edward IV’s

  76    the same i.e., Hastings’ beheading accomplished

  80    fond foolish

  81    rouse move violently, pull from our heads

  83    foot-cloth horse horse with a long ornate cloth draped over its back

  84    started shied, moved suddenly

  85    As as if    loath reluctant, unwilling

  88    triumphing exulting victoriously

  94    shrift confession (to a priest)

  95    grace fortune, favor (in the next line, the sense shifts to “divine grace, mercy”)

  97    Who he who    in air on the insubstantial foundation, in the emptiness    good favoring, approving

101    bootless useless    exclaim protest, cry out

Act 3 Scene 5

 3.5   Location: within the walls of the Tower of London    rotten rusty/old, decaying marvellous ill-favoured (looking) extremely unsightly

    1    change thy colour i.e., make yourself look pale with fear

    2    Murder i.e., cut off, catch

    5    counterfeit imitate    deep artful, cunning    tragedian tragic actor

    6    back behind me, over my shoulder (presumably in alarm or distrust)    pry peer (nervously or suspiciously)

    7    at wagging at the mere stirring, shaking

    8    Intending expressing, pretending    ghastly full of fear

    9    service command enforcèd false, deliberate

  10    offices roles, tasks

  17    o’erlook look over (seems to suggest that the scene takes place on the battlements)

  21    patient calm

  25    plainest most honest

  27    book i.e., diary, personal notebook

  28    history narrative, record

  29    smooth plausibly

  30    his…omitted apart from his manifest guilt

  31    conversation sexual relationship

  32    from free from    attainder of suspects stain of suspicion

  33    covert’st sheltered most secretly concealed

  35    almost even

  37    subtle cunning

  41    Turks i.e., barbarians, non-Christians

  42    form order, code

  43    rashly hastily

  47    fair good fortune

  48    proceeded acted (perhaps with connotations of “taken legal proceedings”)

  50    looked for expected

  51    fell in plays on the sense of “penetrated sexually”

  52    had…die we had determined that he should not die

  53    see attend to, manage

  57    timorously with fear, tremblingly

  60    haply perhaps

  61    Misconster misconstrue    us in him our role in or motives for his death

  63    as as if

  68    carping faultfinding, dissatisfied

  69    of regarding

  70    witness testify to

  73    Guildhall central building in which civic affairs were conducted    hies…post hurries as quickly as possible

  74    meetest vantage best opportunity

  75    Infer allege

  78    house both home and either shop or inn

  79    sign i.e., sign bearing the name (The Crown) of the shop or inn

  80    luxury lechery, lust

  81    change of lust constantly requiring new sexual partners

  83    Even where wherever

  85    for a need if necessary    come…person i.e., tell a tale that will affect me too

  86    went…Of was pregnant with

  89    true exact, accurate

  90    his begot conceived by him

  91    well…lineaments was obvious in Edward’s features, appearance

  93    sparingly carefully, discreetly, with restraint

  96    golden fee i.e., the crown (fee perhaps plays on the legal sense of “inherited estate”; the sense of “payment” anticipates the reward Buckingham expects for his services)

  98    thrive well are successful Baynard’s Castle London residence owned by the Duchess of York, situated by the River Thames near Blackfriars

103    Shaw…Penker both clergymen who supported Richard

106    take…order make some secret arrangements

108    manner manner of

109    recourse means of access

Act 3 Scene 6

 3.6   Location: London    Scrivener professional scribe, particularly of legal documents

    1    indictment formal statement of charges

    2    a set hand formal handwriting    fairly elegantly    engrossed written in large characters appropriate for legal documents (“gross” in its sense of “wicked, reprehensible” may pick up on its moral opposite, “fair”)

    3    Paul’s St. Paul’s Cathedral (where public proclamations were often made)

    4    the sequel the following/the sequence of events/subsequent scribal copy he produced

    7    precedent preceding document, first draft (from which the final copy has been made)

    9    Untainted unstained by accusation    unexamined not questioned, interrogated    free at liberty/innocent/untroubled

  10    the while these days    gross stupid

  11    palpable device obvious contrivance

  14    seen in thought i.e., not acknowledged openly

Act 3 Scene 7

 3.7   Location: Baynard’s Castle, London    several separate

    3    mum silent

    4    Touched you did you mention

    5    contract betrothal

    6    contract…France in 3 Henry VI (Act 3 Scene 3) the Earl of Warwick goes to France as Edward’s deputy to secure a betrothal with the King of France’s sister-in-law; he and the French king are furious and humiliated when word comes that Edward has abruptly married Elizabeth instead

    8    enforcement coercion/rape

    9    tyranny for trifles severe punishment of minor crimes/oppressive behavior even with regard to trivialities

  10    got begot, conceived

  15    Laid open revealed/described/elaborated on

  16    discipline strategic skill

  17    bounty generosity    fair honorable

  18    fitting for relevant to

  19    slightly neglectfully

  30    recorder civic official in the City of London

  32    inferred alleged

  33    in…himself on his own authority

  35    hall i.e., the Guildhall

  37    the vantage advantage

  39    general public/widespread

  40    Argues demonstrates

  41    even here at this point    brake broke

  42    blocks blockheads, idiots

  43    brethren members of the town corporation

  44    Intend pretend, feign fear an intimidating manner/religious veneration/fearfulness

  45    suit request, entreaty

  46    look make sure

  48    ground base melody    descant accompaniment to or improvised variation on the    ground, or underlying melody

  49    won persuaded

  50    maid’s young woman’s/virgin’s    still constantly, repeatedly    and take it yet have sex all the same

  52    for myself on my own behalf/for my own advantage

  53    issue outcome

  54    leads lead-covered flat roof

  55    dance attendance am being kept waiting, am eager to be seen

  61    bent occupied, concerned/bent over (in prayer)

  62    suits affairs, petitions (especially legal)

  63    exercise prayers

  66    deep very important, profound    moment significance

  67    No less importing concerning no less a matter

  71    lulling lolling, reclining

  73    dallying toying sexually, having sex    brace pair

  74    deep learned, profoundly wise    divines priests

  75    engross fatten

  76    watchful alert/awake

  77    Happy fortunate

  78    his grace plays on the ducal title and on the sense of “divine grace” (suggesting a God-given right to the crown)

  80    defend forbid

  89    perfect complete

  92    beads rosary beads

  93    zealous pious, devout    aloft i.e., on the upper staging level, or gallery

  95    props supports

  96    stay keep    fall of moral fall caused by

102    right rightful/genuine, true/extremely

106    visitation visit (especially by an ecclesiastical body); Richard is deliberately employing language with religious connotations

111    disgracious disliked

112    reprehend my ignorance rebuke me for the fault I am unaware of

115    Else…land? Why else do I live as a Christian (if not to amend my faults)?

118    sceptred involving the bearing of a royal scepter

119    state position, rank/kingship    of fortune to which fortune entitles you

120    lineal hereditary

121    blemished morally tainted (through illegitimacy) stock family tree (sense subsequently shifts to “tree trunk”)

124    want lack    proper rightful, own

125    infamy bad reputation, disgrace

126    graft grafted, i.e., united (as in horticulture)    plants may pun on “Plantagenet”

127    shouldered shoved (possibly “immersed up to the shoulders”) gulf abyss/whirlpool

129    recure redress, cure

133    factor agent

134    successively by right of succession

135    empery sovereign dominions

136    consorted united, in league

137    worshipful honorable/respectful

139    move persuade

142    degree rank or perhaps “spiritual    condition” condition social status

143    not to I do not    haply perhaps

144    yielded consented

146    fondly foolishly

149    checked (would have) rebuked

153    desert Unmeritable unworthiness

155    cut away with sinister connotations of “cut off, killed”

156    even direct, smooth

157    revenue possession/yield, income

160    greatness i.e., kingship

161    bark ship brook endure, withstand

162    in…hid desire to be enveloped by greatness

163    vapour mist/spray

165    much I need I would need a great deal (i.e., I am inadequate)

166    royal tree i.e., King Edward IV

167    mellowed matured    stealing creeping (forward)

168    become suit, befit seat throne

170    that what

171    happy auspicious, favorable

172    defend forbid wring wrench

173    argues shows, is evidence of

174    respects thereof factors in your argument nice unimportant, trifling

178    contract…vow the verbal contract entered into at betrothal was considered binding

180    substitute deputy, delegate

181    sister sister-in-law

182    petitioner Elizabeth Grey catches Edward’s eye when she entreats him for the return of her dead husband’s lands (see 3 Henry VI, Act 3 Scene 2)

183    care-crazed fraught, worn out with anxiety

186    purchase booty, plunder wanton lustful

187    pitch height (literally, the highest point in a falcon’s flight)

188    base declension descent to baseness    bigamy i.e., because Edward had been engaged to two other women previously

190    our manners courtesy

191    expostulate expound on, argue about

192    some alive i.e., Richard and Edward’s mother, the Duchess of York

193    sparing considerate, forbearing

195    benefit benevolent bestowal dignity honor, high rank, kingship

199    true-derivèd legitimate, directly descended

203    care duty, trouble, source of anxiety

207    as being, because (you are) zeal devotion

210    effeminate tender, gentle

212    estates social ranks

226    buckle i.e., like armor; my back draws attention to Richard’s hunched back

230    sequel consequences

231    Your…me the fact that you forced me shall acquit me mere absolute

241    Even just, exactly

Act 4 Scene 1

 4.1   Location: outside the Tower of London    Anne…Gloucester i.e., Lady Anne, who has married Richard at some point since his wooing of her in Act 1 Scene 2    leading a girl probably Clarence’s daughter

    1    niece granddaughter

    4    tender young

  10    like devotion same devoted purpose

  11    gratulate greet, welcome

  17    suffer allow

  22    bounds boundaries

  25    in law i.e., by marriage

  27    office responsibility, official duty

  31    mother mother-in-law (of Elizabeth and Anne)

  32    looker-on beholder    two fair queens i.e., Elizabeth and Anne (as wife of Richard, who is shortly to be crowned)

  33    straight (go) straightaway

  35    lace cords that fastened the tightly laced bodice (often cut when a woman became faint)

  36    pent confined, penned in

  38    Despiteful cruel, malicious

  44    Richmond i.e., Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond (later Henry VII), who had sought refuge in Brittany    from away from

  45    hie hurry

  47    thrall slave

  48    Nor neither counted accounted, acknowledged

  51    letters…way i.e., the letters will be sent to Dorset while en route/the letters will ask George Stanley to meet Dorset on the way and assist his journey/the letters will enable Dorset to be introduced to and assisted by Richmond when he reaches Brittany son stepson (Richmond), or possibly Stanley’s own son George

  53    ta’en tardy caught by surprise

  54    ill-dispersing evil-spreading

  56    cockatrice basilisk, a mythical reptile that could kill with its gaze

  57    unavoided unavoidable

  60    inclusive enclosing verge band, rim

  63    Anointed anointing with holy oil was a key part of the coronation

  66    To…harm Do not wish yourself harm just to satisfy my mood

  70    other angel husband my other (first) husband, who was an angel/my first husband, who was a different (i.e., good) type of angel (implying that Richard is the fallen angel Lucifer)

  74    old experienced/worn-out

  81    Grossly stupidly/excessively/coarsely

  86    timorous full or fear

  87    Warwick with Clarence, the Earl of Warwick deserted the Yorkist cause

  89    complaining lamentations

  98    teen grief, suffering

101    immured imprisoned, closed in

103    Rude harsh, rough    ragged rugged, eroded    sullen dismal, melancholy

105    So such/thus    foolish fond, doting

Act 4 Scene 2

 4.2   Location: the royal court, London    pomp ceremony, splendor, celebration

    1    apart aside

    9    play the touch act the touchstone (used to test the validity of gold)

  10    try test    current genuine

  17    consequence outcome

  18    true noble prince Richard adapts Buckingham’s phrase so that it applies to Edward

  19    wont…dull accustomed to be so stupid

  21    suddenly immediately

  26    breath breathing space

  27    positively definitively, directly

  28    resolve answer

  30    iron-witted dull-witted, stupid, obtuse

  31    unrespective inattentive, disrespectful

  32    considerate thoughtful

  33    High-reaching ambitious

  37    close secret

  39    haughty proud, aspiring

  40    orators persuasive speakers

  45    deep-revolving deeply thoughtful, musing    witty sharp, clever

  46    counsels secrets, confidences

  47    held out kept up

  55    take order make arrangements    close shut away

  56    mean humble, low-ranking

  58    The boy i.e., Clarence’s son

  59    how thou dream’st i.e., pay attention (perhaps Catesby is shocked)    give out make it known

  61    it…upon it is very important for me

  63    brother’s daughter i.e., Edward IV’s daughter Elizabeth

  67    pluck on draw on

  68    Tear-falling pity mercy, compassion that induces weeping

  72    Prove test, try

  73    friend plays on the sense of “relative”

  78    deal upon deal with, act against

  80    open unrestricted

  83    token some symbol of authority, perhaps a ring

  84    There…so that is all there is to it

  85    prefer advance, promote

  88    late recent    sound me in ask me about

  91    he i.e., Richmond

  93    pawned pledged

  94    movables portable property

  96    look to beware, watch

  97    answer be answerable for

101    peevish foolish, childish

103    resolve answer, satisfy

104    vein mood

108    Brecknock Brecon in Wales, Buckingham’s family seat

Act 4 Scene 3

    2    arch extreme, foremost

    4    suborn bribe

    5    ruthful lamentable, sad

    6    fleshed experienced (hunting term referring to feeding hounds raw meat to excite them for the chase)

    8    their…story in telling the sad story of their deaths

  10    girdling hugging, encircling

  11    alabaster i.e., white (the substance was often used for human figures that formed part of funeral monuments)

  15    Which one which, which thing

  18    replenishèd complete, perfect

  19    prime first    framed created

  20    gone overcome

  22    bloody bloodthirsty

  25    gave in charge ordered

  33    soon and i.e., soon

  34    process account, story

  36    be…desire you shall get what you wish

  39    close securely, privately

  40    meanly…marriage I have married to a low-ranking man

  41    Abraham’s bosom i.e., heaven

  43    for because    Breton from Brittany (where Richmond is taking refuge)

  45    by that knot through that marriage

  48    bluntly unceremoniously, abruptly

  49    Morton John Morton, Bishop of Ely (whom Richard asks for strawberries in Act 3 scene 4)

  50    hardy bold, resolute

  51    power army

  52    near deeply

  53    rash-levied rapidly mustered

  54    fearful commenting nervous talk

  55    leaden servitor the slow servant

  56    leads precedes, generates    beggary ruin

  57    expedition speed, quick action

  58    Jove’s Mercury swift messenger of Jove, king of the Roman gods

  59    My…shield the best advice is to arm myself/arms shall be my advisers (i.e., let us not waste time discussing matters)

  60    brief swift    brave the field challenge us on the battlefield

Act 4 Scene 4

 4.4   Location: unspecified; probably somewhere near the royal court

    1    mellow ripen

    3    confines regions, territories (of England)

    5    induction introduction, opening scene

    6    consequence unfolding events and their conclusion

  10    unblowed young and unopened, not yet in bloom    sweets flowers/dear ones

  12    in doom perpetual eternally in the place appointed for you

  15    right for right even-handed justice

  17    crazed cracked

  19    Edward Plantagenet could refer to Edward IV or his son

  20    quit requite, repay

  21    Edward for Edward probably refers to Elizabeth’s son and Margaret’s (with Henry VI)

  23    entrails insides, intestines

  25    Harry Henry VI (Margaret’s husband)

  27    grave’s…usurped i.e., one who should have died but remains living

  28    abstract summary/epitome

  29    lawful own proper, that is rightfully England’s

  31    thou i.e., the earth afford offer

  36    seniory seniority

  37    on…hand from the superior position

  38    admit society permit company

  39    Edward Margaret’s son with Henry VI (murdered by Richard, Edward IV and Clarence; see 3 Henry VI, Act 5 Scene 5)

  40    husband Henry VI (murdered by Richard; see 3 Henry VI, Act 5 Scene 6)

  41    Edward Elizabeth’s eldest son with Edward IV

  42    Richard Elizabeth’s second son, the young Duke of York

  43    Richard the Duke of York, the Duchess’ husband (killed by Margaret and Clifford; see 3 Henry VI, Act 1 Scene 4)

  44    Rutland the Duchess’ youngest son (murdered by Clifford; see 3 Henry IV, Act 1 Scene 3)    holp’st helped

  48    teeth…eyes i.e., could bite before he could see properly; Richard was born with teeth

  49    worry seize by the throat

  50    defacer…handiwork i.e., murderer (perhaps also alludes to Richard’s own deformed physique)

  51    gallèd irritated, swollen (from weeping)

  52    excellent supreme

  54    upright righteous, just    true-disposing arranging all justly

  55    carnal cur flesh-eating dog

  56    issue offspring, children

  57    pew-fellow fellow mourner    moan lamentations, grief

  58    triumph glory, exult

  61    cloy me gorge myself

  62    Thy Edward Edward IV    my Edward Margaret’s son with Henry VI

  63    other Edward Elizabeth’s eldest son with Edward IV

  64    Young York Elizabeth’s second son, the young Duke of York    but boot merely added to make up the total    both they Edward IV and his eldest son

  65    perfection…loss completeness, extent of the loss I experience/excellence of the people I have lost

  67    frantic mad, frenzied

  68    Th’adulterate the adulterous (Hastings; refers to his affair with Jane Shore)

  70    intelligencer spy, secret agent

  71    Only reserved solely kept alive (to be)/exclusively selected (as)    factor agent, representative

  80    bottled swollen (with venom), rounded, bottle-shaped    bunch-backed hunchbacked

  81    vain flourish meaningless, frivolous adornment

  82    shadow illusory, fragile image/actor    painted artificial/made-up with cosmetics

  83    presentation imitation

  84    flattering index deceptively attractive prologue    pageant play

  86    mocked taunted/imitated, playacted

  87    dream mere image flag army’s identifying banner, highly visible in battle/type of flower belonging to the iris family

  89    sign mere symbol/military banner    dignity monarchy

  90    in jest for entertainment/pretend    fill the fulfill the requirements of/make up numbers in

  93    sues pays court, entreats

  94    bending bowing/yielding

  95    troops retinues

  96    Decline go through in order (grammatical term)

  97    For instead of

  98    name i.e., of mother

100    caitiff wretch    care troubles, grief

101    of by

104    course…about an image that recalls the popular conception of    fortune as a wheel that raised humans up and cast them down as it came full circle

105    very absolute

106    thought i.e., memory

113    mischance misfortune

117    Forbear refrain, refuse

121    Bett’ring amplifying    bad causer person responsible for the evil

122    Revolving considering, reflecting on

123    dull lifeless, sluggish/blunt    quicken enliven/sharpen

126    Windy…woes (words are) empty, wind-blown representatives of the grief of the speakers

127    intestine internal (both in the sense of “experienced within” and in the sense of “digestive,” the latter making words into farts)

129    scope range, room

134    exclaims outcries, exclamations

135    expedition military enterprise/haste

136    might i.e., should

138    From i.e., to prevent

140    branded i.e., branded with

141    owed owned

143    villain wicked one/servant

148    flourish trumpet fanfare (usually signaling the arrival or departure of a person in authority)    alarum call to arms

149    tell-tale prattling

150    Rail rant lord’s anointed i.e., the king, supposedly chosen by God and anointed with holy oil at the coronation to signify this

151    entreat me fair plead with me courteously

152    report loud noise, specifically the explosion of a gun or cannon

156    impatience anger

157    condition temperament

158    brook…reproof bear the language of rebuke

163    stayed waited

166    rood cross

169    Tetchy fretful wayward willful, obstinate

170    frightful frightening desp’rate reckless

171    prime early years

172    age confirmed maturity

173    kind in hatred concealing hatred in kindness (kind may play on the sense of “natural”)

174    comfortable cheerful, comforting

176    Humphrey Hour unclear; possibly a reference to “dining with Duke Humphrey,” which meant going hungry, or perhaps an actual person is meant grace puns on graced

177    forth out

186    ordinance law (plays on the sense of “artillery”)

187    turn return

191    tire may it weigh heavy on, exhaust

192    complete full, well-equipped

195    Whisper whisper to

198    serves supplies/accompanies    doth i.e., will

205    level aim, set your target sights

209    manners morals/courteous habits

210    false unfaithful

211    veil shroud (usually associated with either modesty or mourning)

212    So provided of by

216    safest…birth only safeguarded by her high birth

218    opposite hostile, antagonistic

219    friends also “relatives” contrary opposed

220    unavoided unavoidable    doom decree/destined judgment/condemnation

221    avoided grace an absence of God’s grace (i.e., Richard)

222    fairer better/nobler/more just

225    cozened cheated

227    Whose hand soever whoever’s hand    lanched pierced

228    head brain/instigation/command    all indirectly through indirect means (plays on the sense of “wrongly”)

232    But…use did not the constant experience

235    bay cove, inlet/point at which the cornered deer turns to face the hounds pursuing it

236    poor bark shabby, ill-equipped ship    tackling rigging    reft deprived

237    Rush am dashed

238    thrive I may I thrive    enterprise military undertaking

239    dangerous success risky outcome

240    As only as far as

242    covered…heaven i.e., concealed by God

243    discovered revealed

244    Th’advancement the promotion, favoring (Elizabeth responds to the literal sense)

245    scaffold raised platform on which executions took place

246    dignity honor, high rank

247    type symbol, emblem

248    Flatter increase, pander to/alleviate, mollify

249    state high rank

250    demise convey, transfer (legal term)

251    Even exactly

252    endow bestow upon/give as a dowry

253    So if    Lethe in Greek mythology, the river in the underworld that induced forgetfulness in any who drank from or were immersed in it

254    remembrance memory

256    process story, narrative

257    telling in the telling date duration, end

259    thinks i.e., believes

261    from Elizabeth now shifts the sense to “away from, at variance with”

264    confound overturn, destroy

270    How what

273    humour temperament

277    engrave inscribe (plays on the sense of “place in the grave”)

278    haply probably/perhaps

279    sometime once, formerly

282    purple blood-red

283    withal with it

286    mad’st away disposed of, killed

288    conveyance removal, dispatch (playing on the senses of “stealing” and “deceit, trickery”)

292    shape appearance/role/disguise

296    spoil booty gained from plunder

297    Look what whatever

298    deal act, behave (plays on the sense of “kill”)

299    after-hours later moments

302    issue offspring, children

303    quicken give life to    increase descendants, children    beget conceive

304    upon by

308    mettle substance, spirit, temperament

309    Of all one causing the same amount of

310    of her by the younger Elizabeth (Queen Elizabeth’s daughter)    bid like sorrow endured similar pain

315    would would like to

316    can am able (to offer)

322    Familiarly as a family member

328    orient shining

329    Advantaging adding to the value of    their love the love that caused the tears to be shed

331    mother mother-in-law

332    bold confident, prepared (with connotations of “sexually ready”)

341    retail relate, retell

342    victoress female victor    Caesar’s Caesar i.e., the conqueror of the victor

344    lord husband

349    Infer allege, give as a reason

350    purchase…war pay for with everlasting (personal) strife

352    That i.e., a relationship (uncle/niece) considered by the Church as incestuous    king’s king i.e., God

354    vail lower (in submission), yield

356    title claim (plays on the sense of “queen’s title”)

357    in force in place, active (perhaps with sinister play on “enforce”)

358    fairly justly/in safety

362    loathes puns on low

363    in on

364    speeds succeeds    plainly honestly/in simple terms, without adornment

367    quick hasty (Elizabeth plays on the sense of “alive” when she responds with its opposite: dead)

368    too puns on “two” deep profound, learned (sense then shifts to “deep down, buried”)

371    heart-strings tendons or nerves supposed to brace the heart, hence intense feelings (puns on “harp strings”)

372    my George the image of Saint George, patron saint of England, that formed part of the insignia of the Order of the Garter, the highest order of knighthood in England garter band tied around the leg to keep up hosiery; Knights of the Garter wore a blue and gold one below the left knee

376    his its

382    self-misused disgraced, abused by yourself

389    him i.e., God

390    unity i.e., reconciliation between court factions in Act 2 Scene 1

391    hadst would have

400    o’erpast past

402    Hereafter time the future

404    Ungoverned parentless, without a father’s control    wail…age lament it in their maturity/throughout their lifetime

406    with along with

410    So thrive I to the same extent may I thrive

411    Myself myself confound may I destroy myself

414    opposite hostile, adversarial

415    proceeding course of action

417    tender not do not love, hold dear princely royal

425    attorney representative, pleader of a cause

426    Plead offer as a plea in court

427    my deserts what I deserve

428    times affairs/the present time

429    great designs important affairs, the business of state (plays on the sense of “schemes aimed at attaining power”)

430    of by

432    forget…myself forget my anguish and the wrongs done to me in order to be mother of a monarch

433    if…yourself if remembering yourself (i.e., collecting your wits/remembering your wrongs) compromises your future

436    spicery spices

437    recomforture new comfort

441    mind opinion, intention

446    puissant mighty, powerful

447    doubtful fearful/unreliable hollow-hearted false, insincere

449    their i.e., the attacking navy’s

450    hull float with sails furled

452    light-foot swift-footed post hurry

458    unmindful inattentive

463    strength and power army

464    suddenly immediately Salisbury town in Wiltshire, southwest England

472    well easily, readily

473    Hoyday exclamation of contemptuous impatience

475    nearest most direct

479    White-livered runagate cowardly renegade, runaway

484    chair throne    sword official sword of office    unswayed not wielded

485    empire kingdom    unpossessed not inherited/not ruled

488    makes he is he doing

489    that i.e., the crown

490    for that because

491    the Welshman i.e., Richmond, grandson of the Welsh Owen Tudor and Katherine of Valois (widow of Henry V)

494    power army

495    tenants who would have been required to undertake military service for their lord

499    Cold unfriendly, distant (plays on the fact that the north of England often undergoes cold weather)

502    Pleaseth if it please

508    hold consider, deem

511    Look make sure

512    assurance safety

515    advertisèd informed

520    competitors associates, allies

523    owls thought to be birds of ill omen, whose cry portended death

526    fall of waters i.e. heavy rain, storms

530    cry thee mercy beg your pardon

532    well-advisèd prudent

541    assistants supporters

543    his party Richmond’s faction

544    Hoised hoisted

548    taken captured

550    Milford Milford Haven, on the coast of southwest Wales

551    colder less welcome

552    reason talk

Act 4 Scene 5

 4.5   Location: unspecified; possibly Stanley’s home in the north of England, to which Richard sent him to muster troops, or his London residence

    2    sty pen    boar i.e., Richard

    3    franked penned    hold custody

    8    espouse marry

  10    Pembroke town in southwest Wales, just south of Milford Haven    Ha’rfordwest Haverfordwest, a town north of Milford Haven

  11    name rank/reputation    resort gather

  14    redoubted revered/feared    Pembroke Earl of Pembroke (Richmond’s uncle)

  15    Rice i.e., Rhys

  17    bend direct

  18    by on

  20    resolve…mind explain my intentions

Act 5 Scene 1

 5.1   Location: Salisbury

    5    miscarrièd come to harm, died

    7    moody angry

  10    All Souls’ day November 2, the day in the Church calendar devoted to prayer for the souls of the dead

  13    This…allies Buckingham refers to his speech in Act 2 Scene 1, in which, following the formal reconciliation of court factions, he wished to be punished with treacherous friends if he was ever disloyal to Elizabeth and her allies

  19    determined respite of ordained end to the postponement in punishing

  20    all-seer i.e., God    dallied with trifled with, mocked

  21    feignèd insincere, pretend

  22    in jest in pretense

  28    block execution block

Act 5 Scene 2

 5.2   Location: Tamworth, in the East Midlands

    3    bowels center, inmost part

    5    father stepfather

    8    spoiled stripped, despoiled

    9    Swills gulps    wash pig food

  10    emboweled disemboweled

  12    Leicester chief town of Leicestershire, east of Tamworth

  14    cheerly cheerfully, hopefully

  16    sharp harsh, merciless

  18    homicide murderer

  22    vantage advantage

  24    meaner humbler

Act 5 Scene 3

 5.3   Location: Bosworth Field, to the east of Leicester

    2    sad solemn, grave

    6    knocks hard blows

    9    all’s…that it doesn’t matter, it makes no difference

  10    descried discovered, seen

  12    battalia army    account number

  14    want lack

  16    vantage…ground best position for military action

  17    sound direction good tactical judgment

  21    tract traces, streaks    car chariot (which in classical mythology was driven by the sun god)

  23    standard flag, military banner

  25    form and model arrangement and ground plan

  26    Limit appoint, designate    several separate, respective    charge duty

  27    part…proportion distribute evenly

  30    keeps stays with

  35    quartered encamped

  36    colours identifying battle flags

  42    needful urgent

  52    beaver helmet’s visor    easier looser, moving more efficiently

  53    into in

  55    hie hasten    charge duty/post

  59    warrant assure, guarantee

  62    pursuivant at arms officer attendant on a herald, i.e., messenger

  66    watch watch light, a slow-burning candle or one marked at regular divisions to measure the passing of time/guard, watchman

  67    Surrey the name of a horse

  68    staves staffs used as weapons sound in good condition

  73    cockshut time dusk, twilight (when poultry are cooped up)

  74    cheering up encouraging, rallying

  76    alacrity readiness, sharpness

  77    wont used, accustomed

  78    it presumably the wine

  82    arm me put on my armor

  83    helm helmet

  85    father-in-law stepfather

  87    attorney proxy

  90    flaky streaked with light

  91    season time of day

  93    th’arbitrement the decision, final judgment

  94    mortal-staring deathly faced, with fatal gaze

  95    that…would what I would like to do (i.e., fight openly on your side)

  96    With…time with every opportunity I get, I will be strategically duplicitous (toward Richard)

  97    doubtful shock clash of forces, the outcome of which is uncertain/frightening military encounter

  98    forward eager

  99    brother stepbrother    tender young

101    leisure time available

103    ample interchange full exchange sweet discourse pleasant conversation

104    sundered separated

108    with against

109    peise weigh

112    account consider

113    gracious filled with divine grace/favorable

114    irons swords

119    watchful wakeful    Prince Edward son of Margaret and Henry VI

124    despair experience spiritual hopelessness (thought to precede suicide)

127    issue child, offspring

128    anointed marked with holy oil, the sign of monarchy

129    punchèd punctured, pierced

130    Tower of London, where Henry was murdered (see 3 Henry VI, Act 5 Scene 6)

136    washed i.e., drowned (in a cask of malmsey, a strong sweet wine)    fulsome nauseating/an abundant quantity of

139    fall drop, let fall    edgeless blunt, useless

142    battle army

156    laid buried

160    annoy injury, harm

164    quiet peaceful

176    Fainting staggering, losing consciousness/losing heart    yield give up

180    Richard may Richard

182    Soft wait

184    lights burn blue thought to be a sign of the presence of ghosts

185    drops i.e., of sweat

191    Wherefore? Why?

197    several different, separate

198    brings in introduces (as evidence)

202    used…degree committed at every degree of severity

203    th’bar i.e., of the court

204    creature person/minion created through favor, i.e., not a genuine supporter

209    threat threaten

217    shadows something insubstantial (Richard shifts the sense to “ghosts”)

221    proof impenetrable armor

224    shrink from i.e., desert

226    Cry mercy forgive me    watchful alert/protective, guarding

227    ta’en caught

233    cried on invoked, called out to

234    jocund lively, joyful

239    said already said, said before

240    leisure time available    enforcement constraints

244    bulwarks fortifications

245    except excepted

249    raised promoted (to the throne)    established confirmed in power

250    made means contrived, grasped opportunities, used any resource

252    stone jewel    foil setting for a jewel (designed to highlight the jewel’s beauty)

253    chair throne    falsely wrongfully, treacherously/artificially

256    ward protect

260    fat wealth, prosperous growth    hire recompense

264    quits requites, repays    age old age

266    Advance your standards raise your battle flags

267    the…face i.e., if I fail the only ransom to be paid for me shall be my death (noblemen captured in war were often released on payment of a ransom)

269    thrive succeed/live

272    Saint George patron saint of England

273    touching regarding

278    Tell count (the chimes of)    calendar almanac, containing astrological predictions that dealt with meteorology

281    book almanac

282    braved the east i.e., risen    braved made splendid/challenged

283    black dark, gloomy/evil, disastrous

286    lour glower, threaten darkly

287    from not on

290    sadly solemnly

291    vaunts flaunts itself proudly

292    Caparison harness, equip

296    foreward vanguard, front line of troops drawn extended

297    horse and foot cavalry and infantry, horsemen and foot soldiers

301    directed positioned, deployed

302    puissance power

303    wingèd flanked    chiefest horse best cavalry

304    to boot (to support us) as well

307    Jockey contraction of “John-kin,” a nickname for “John” (Norfolk’s first name)

308    Dickon diminutive of Dick, i.e., Richard    bought and sold betrayed for a bribe

315    join join battle    pell-mell with headlong haste/at close quarters, with hand-to-hand combat

317    inferred stated

318    cope fight, grapple

319    sort gang

321    o’er-cloyèd overfull and sickened

325    restrain deprive you of    distain defile, soil, rape

326    fellow with lower-class connotations

327    Bretagne Brittany    mother’s an error (for “brother’s”) that appears in the second edition of Shakespeare’s major source, Holinshed’s Chronicles; just conceivably “mother” might refer to “mother England”

328    milksop weak, cowardly person/infant still on a milk diet

329    over-shoes in snow when snow is above the level of one’s shoes

330    whip these stragglers i.e., as vagabonds were whipped out of the parish by a local official

331    Lash hence whip away from here    overweening ambitious, overreaching    rags vagrants/old scraps

333    but were it not for    fond exploit foolish military undertaking

334    want lack

337    land with connotations of “sexual territory,” i.e., wives and daughters    bobbed and thumped beaten, pounded/had sex with, raped (their women)

338    on record as is officially recorded    the…shame in disgrace/illegitimate children

339    Lie have sex with

340    Ravish rape

341    yeomen property-owning men below the level of gentlemen

343    proud splendid/rearing blood i.e., the    blood drawn from spurring the horses so hard

344    Amaze terrify, alarm, bewilder    welkin sky    broken i.e., shattered from energetic use

346    deny refuse

348    past the marsh i.e., advancing

350    great full of emotion

352    word of courage i.e., battle cry

353    spleen fury    dragons Saint George was famed for the legendary killing of a dragon    Alarum, excursions trumpet call to arms and bouts of fighting across the stage

356    a man is humanly possible

357    Daring an opposite defying an enemy

363    set…cast gambled my life on the throw of a die

364    stand await, endure    hazard chance    die singular of dice (with connotations of death)

365    six Richmonds probably refers to the military precaution of disguising other soldiers as their commander

370    acquit thee acquitted yourself

371    royalties emblems of sovereignty, i.e., the crown

379    name rank

382    become their births befits their social standing

385    ta’en the sacrament confirmed an oath by taking Holy Communion

386    unite…red i.e., unite the Houses of Lancaster (symbolized by a red rose) and York (a white rose) by marrying Elizabeth, daughter of Edward IV

387    conjunction union (literally, proximity of planets)

393    sire father

397    succeeders inheritors, heirs

398    ordinance decree

402    Abate blunt edge sword edge

403    reduce bring back

405    increase growth, harvest, prosperity

407    stopped staunched, stopped from bleeding/no longer inflicted

THE FAMOUS HISTORY OF THE LIFE OF KING HENRY THE EIGHTH

Henry the Eighth, coauthored with John Fletcher, is the only English history play of the second half of Shakespeare’s career, when his men were under the patronage of King James I. Written at a time of nostalgia for the age of Queen Elizabeth, the action comes to a climax when a doll representing the newborn future queen is brought on stage, her reign as a “maiden phoenix” is predicted, and her chosen successor, King James, is praised. “A pattern to all princes,” she is later described as one who “shall make it Holy-day”: such language suggests how the English Protestant cult of the Virgin Queen derived some of its power from the way in which it reworked the Roman Catholic cult of the Virgin Mary.

The speech is spoken by the princess’ godfather, Thomas Cranmer, famous as the architect of the English Reformation and a martyr burned to death in the reign of bloody Queen Mary: the linking of the infant Elizabeth to Protestant ideology could not be more strongly expressed. Though the final scene was written by Fletcher, Cranmer’s subsequent image of a “cedar” tree as a representation of the royal genealogical line replicates a prophecy spoken by the god Jupiter in Shakespeare’s Cymbeline. Events in Henry the Eighth do not, however, seem to have been driven by that sense of destiny, of a providential design leading to the establishment of a new dynasty, which shaped Shakespeare’s earlier chronicle plays. The emphasis is rather on the vicissitudes of court life. The play’s structure is built on an apparently arbitrary pattern of rises and falls: Buckingham falls, Anne Bullen rises, Wolsey rises, Katherine falls, Wolsey falls, Cranmer rises. Again, as Wolsey goes down, Thomas Cromwell comes up: Anne Bullen is “the weight” on this pulley of fortune. There is some skilled compression of history for the sake of dramatic effect: in the play, the fall of Cardinal Wolsey and the triple elevation of Thomas More, Thomas Cranmer, and Anne Bullen effectively work as a single event, whereas in reality these three came to eminence in, respectively, 1529, 1532, and 1533. Wolsey actually died in 1530, three years before the coronation of Anne as Henry’s second queen.

Though grounded in history, the pattern of ascent and descent is analogous to that of romance, with its highs and lows, its voyages and reunions, things lost and found. The play was originally staged under the title All is True, a wittily ironic pointer to its fantastical moments, such as Queen Katherine’s divine vision, which can hardly be literally true. Shakespeare and Fletcher may have chosen to infuse their play with the spirit of romance, so far from the tough world of the Richard and the other Henry plays, in order to create a safety zone that was necessary because Henry the Eighth dramatizes the still contentious issue over which England broke from the Church of Rome, the replacement of Queen Katherine with Anne Bullen. The crux of the action is the fall of Wolsey, mediator between the king and the pope. It becomes the occasion not to pass judgment on the rights and wrongs of the Reformation, but for a generalized reflection on the fickleness of fortune and the fruitlessness of hanging “on princes’ favors.” Henry the Eighth was a great favorite on the eighteenth- and nineteenth-century stage. That was partly because of the opportunity for spectacle provided by the coronation and the play’s other scenes of procession and court business. But it was also because of the opportunity given to actors by Wolsey’s great set-piece, “Farewell? A long farewell to all my greatness…”

Shakespeare’s Elizabethan history plays were dominated by wars, either civil or on French soil, and battles for succession to the crown. They were written in times of war when the question of the succession to Elizabeth was deeply troubling to the nation. Henry the Eighth, by contrast, was written after several years of peace. Indeed, King James regarded himself as an international peacemaker. Furthermore, he was a married king, so there was no anxiety about the succession, despite the nation’s sorrow at the premature death of his eldest son, Prince Henry, in November 1612. The wedding of the king’s daughter, Princess Elizabeth, to Frederick the Elector Palatine, the most prominent Protestant ruler in continental Europe, was postponed until February 1613 so as not to be overshadowed by the funeral. Henry the Eighth, a play with both a royal death and a royal wedding, was written in the next few months.

Despite the Protestant match for the princess, there were anxieties about a possible revival of Roman Catholicism: the religious allegiance of James’ queen was a matter of public interest about which rumors circulated. And there was considerable concern over court favorites, as different factions jostled for power. Ever since the spectacular entrance procession of King James into London at the beginning of his reign, the new court had displayed its power through pageantry. The theater played a key role here. The king, his family and his courtiers participated actively in masques, and, in their new capacity as the King’s Men, Shakespeare and his fellows were frequently called upon to play at court. All these concerns are woven into the fabric of Henry the Eighth, making it a distinctively Jacobean drama.

Kingly authority is asserted by pageantry, but also by the ruthless axing of counselors who have served their purpose. Buckingham says of York that “no man’s pie is freed / From his ambitious finger,” a sentiment that could apply to any one of the play’s thrusting courtiers as they jostle for the top seat at the table of power. A stage direction in the third act is typical both of the world of the drama and the environment that Shakespeare would have experienced when he took his men to play at court: “Exit King, frowning upon the Cardinal; the nobles throng after him, smiling and whispering.”

The question inevitably raised is whether or not the personal authority of the monarch is absolute. In order to please the courtly audience it was necessary for Shakespeare and Fletcher to follow a broadly pro-Henry line, but there do seem to be moments when a critique of the conscience of the king is built into the action. Specifically, a series of puns on words such as “prick” and “rule” imply that his policy is being determined by his sex drive as much as his desire to serve and shape his nation. The king clearly suffers a failure of “temperance,” a key Protestant virtue, in relation to Anne. And at the most elementary structural level, there is a tension between the representation of the two queens and the state ideology of Protestantism. Katherine of Aragon is the Catholic queen who becomes a near-saint granted a divine vision, while Anne, the trigger for the Reformation, is given a very small part and serves primarily as an object of sexual desire. Equally, although the chancellorship of Sir Thomas More only figures briefly in the play, there is a clear allusion to his subsequent martyrdom for the Catholic cause:

But he’s a learnèd man. May he continue

Long in his highness’ favour, and do justice

For truth’s sake and his conscience, that his bones,

When he has run his course and sleeps in blessings,

May have a tomb of orphans’ tears wept on him.

Shakespeare’s late plays share a fascination with the very different directions in which poetic language may lead. Elaborate rhetoric and honeyed words reveal how the verbal arts are tools for preferment and power. Words are both baits for advancement and means of getting off the hook: “may it like your grace / To let my tongue excuse all.” On other occasions, there is a plangent poetry of withdrawal, of retirement from the courtly fray. How is one to achieve inner peace in this world of political turmoil? The courtiers have varying degrees of success in their attempts to learn the Senecan art of patience, of using soliloquy and self-examination as a means of coming to terms with the buffets of political fortune. For Queen Katherine, uniquely, there is a moment of transcendence and divine vision. But it is only a moment, ending with a dissolution analogous to that of Prospero’s masque in The Tempest: “Spirits of peace, where are ye? Are ye all gone? / And leave me here in wretchedness behind ye?”

The voice that is absent from Henry the Eighth is the one that was so forceful in Henry IV and Henry V: the commoners, whose plain prose pricks the bubble of pretentious courtly language. As in The Winter’s Tale, gentlemen are brought on stage in the role of witnesses. But there are no equivalents to The Winter’s Tale’s lower-class characters of Shepherd and Clown. The only prose intervention belongs to a porter in the final act, who hears the hubbub of young gallants outside the closed door of the council chambers. “These are the youths that thunder at a playhouse, and fight for bitter apples,” he remarks, perhaps implying that of the three audiences for whom Shakespeare and Fletcher were writing—the court, the select company of the indoor Blackfriars theater and the mass public who paid a penny to stand in the yard of the Globe—it is the first two who now interest them more. Insofar as the play does explore the consciousness of the low born, it is when commoners such as Cromwell and above all Wolsey—son of a provincial butcher—become “great” men, provoking the enmity of the dukes and earls born to ermine. At some level, Shakespeare—son of a provincial glover who had close links with butcher’s business—is reflecting upon his own extraordinary rise. Fletcher, by contrast, was born into a higher social echelon; he and Beaumont did write for the public stage, but always with a particular eye to the court audience.

There was, perhaps, a particular frisson when the play was performed at the Blackfriars, since this was the very location of the trial of Queen Katherine. But there is no doubt that Henry the Eighth was also played at the Globe soon after it was written. At a performance in June 1613, when “chambers” (small cannon) were discharged in the fourth scene, the theater burned down. One of the several surviving accounts of the fire, by the diplomat Sir Henry Wotton, combines reportage with a perceptive reading of the play:

Now, to let matters of state sleep, I will entertain you at the present with what has happened this week at the Bank’s side. The King’s players had a new play, called All is True, representing some principal pieces of the reign of Henry VIII, which was set forth with many extraordinary circumstances of pomp and majesty, even to the matting of the stage; the Knights of the Order with their Georges and garters, the Guards with their embroidered coats, and the like: sufficient in truth within a while to make greatness very familiar, if not ridiculous. Now, King Henry making a masque at the Cardinal Wolsey’s house, and certain chambers being shot off at his entry, some of the paper, or other stuff, wherewith one of them was stopped, did light on the thatch, where being thought at first but an idle smoke, and their eyes more attentive to the show, it kindled inwardly, and ran round like a train, consuming within less than an hour the whole house to the very grounds. This was the fatal period of that virtuous fabric, wherein yet nothing did perish but wood and straw, and a few forsaken cloaks; only one man had his breeches set on fire, that would perhaps have broiled him, if he had not by the benefit of a provident wit put it out with bottle ale.

Wotton’s account reveals how much care the King’s Men took in their efforts to represent “pomp and majesty” on stage: from the matting on the floor to the garters and crosses of Saint George on the costumes, everything is contrived “to make greatness very familiar.” Intriguingly, though, the effect of transforming royal processions through Whitehall and Westminster into passages of a play on the matted stage of a thatched theater in the margins of Southwark is also to make greatness seem just a little ridiculous. The representation of the intrinsic theatricality of state power hints at its flimsiness, its reliance on the same mechanisms of show as those of the theater. Wotton’s insight serves as an epilogue not just on Henry the Eighth but on Shakespeare’s whole sequence of English history plays: on his stage, the people of England became intimately familiar for the first time with the story of their great ones, and at the same time they learned—through laughter and through debate—to respect the structures of greatness just a little less. Having witnessed the fall of lords and even monarchs on the boards of the Globe, they were ready some forty years later to erect a scaffold in Whitehall and witness the fall of an axe on the head of a real king, Charles I.

KEY FACTS

AUTHORSHIP: A collaboration between Shakespeare and John Fletcher. Neither the First Folio nor any contemporary reference mentions joint authorship, but many stylistic studies, the first of them published in 1850, have decisively revealed two hands in the composition. Alfred Lord Tennyson was apparently the first to realize that the coauthor was Fletcher. The different tests of verbal preferences (e.g., you versus ye, them versus ’em) and poetic techniques (e.g., pause patterns, feminine endings, extra monosyllables in pentameter lines) have shown remarkable unanimity in dividing the scenes in the following clear pattern of alternation:

1.1, 1.2 | Shakespeare
1.3, 1.4, 2.1, 2.2 | Fletcher
2.3, 2.4 | Shakespeare
3.1 | Fletcher
3.2.1–250 | Shakespeare
3.2.251–533, 4.1, 4.2 | Fletcher
5.1 | Shakespeare
5.2, 5.3, 5.4 | Fletcher

Prologue and Epilogue: probably Fletcher, but too short for statistically reliable analysis.

Some scholars have argued that 2.1, 2.2, the second half of 3.2, 4.1 and 4.2 were originally by Shakespeare, but touched up by Fletcher.

TITLE: Three contemporary accounts of the early performance when the Globe caught fire (see “Date,” below) refer to the play as All is True; another calls it “the play of Hen: 8.” This suggests that it was originally advertised along the lines of “All is True: The Famous History of King Henry the Eighth,” but the Folio editors opted for simply The Famous History of the Life of King HENRY the Eight.

PLOT: The Duke of Norfolk tells Buckingham of the meeting between Henry VIII and Francis I of France at the Field of the Cloth of Gold. On the instigation of Cardinal Wolsey, Buckingham is arrested for high treason. The Queen interrupts the indictment of Buckingham to demand that the king rescind a tax imposed by Wolsey to finance the French war. At a party held by Wolsey, Henry meets Anne Bullen and falls in love with her. Buckingham is tried and executed. The Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk fail to turn the king against Wolsey. Henry, questioning the legality of his marriage to Katherine, sets up a tribunal, presided over by Wolsey and the papal representative Cardinal Campeius. Anne Bullen is made Marchioness of Pembroke. Katherine walks out of the tribunal, and demands that the case be decided in Rome. Wolsey and Campeius fail to convince the queen to throw herself on the king’s mercy. Anne secretly marries Henry. A conspiracy by the Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk to disgrace Wolsey is successful, and Wolsey falls. Cranmer is appointed Archbishop of Canterbury. Katherine is divorced, Anne is crowned queen. Katherine is told of Wolsey’s death, and she herself dies. Anne gives birth to a girl, who will grow up to become Queen Elizabeth. Stephen Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester, attempts to indict Cranmer for heresy. He fails through Henry’s intervention. Elizabeth is christened and Cranmer predicts the glory of her reign.

MAJOR PARTS: (with percentage of lines/number of speeches/scenes on stage) Henry VIII (14%/ 81/9), Cardinal Wolsey (14%/79/7), Queen Katherine (12%/50/4), Duke of Norfolk (7%/48/5), Duke of Buckingham (6%/26/2), Lord Chamberlain (5%/38/7), Thomas Cranmer (4%/21/4), Duke of Suffolk (3%/30/4), Gardiner (3%/22/3), Earl of Surrey (3%/24/2), Sir Thomas Lovell (2%/21/4), Old Lady (2%/14/2), Surveyor (2%/9/1), Griffith (2%/13/2), Anne Bullen (2%/18/2), Cardinal Campeius (2%/14/3), Thomas Cromwell (2%/21/2), Lord Sands (2%/17/2).

LINGUISTIC MEDIUM: 98% verse, 2% prose.

DATE: 1613. The first Globe theater burned down in a fire that started during a performance of the play on June 29, 1613. A letter by Sir Henry Wotton describes it as “a new play” at this time.

SOURCES: Principally based on the third volume of Holinshed’s Chronicles, probably in the 1587 edition; the Stephen Gardiner sequence in Act 5 draws on John Foxe’s virulently anti-Catholic Actes and Monuments (perhaps in 1583 edition); John Stow’s Annals (1592) and John Speed’s Theatre of the Empire of Great Britain (1611) also seem to have been consulted and there may be some influence from an earlier play in celebration of the birth of one of Henry VIII’s children, Samuel Rowley’s When you see me, You know me. Or the famous Chronicle Historie of king Henrie the eighth, with the birth and vertuous life of Edward Prince of Wales (1605).

TEXT: First Folio is only early text. Good quality of printing, probably set from a scribal transcript of the authorial manuscript.

GENEALOGY: See this page.

THE FAMOUS HISTORY OF THE LIFE OF KING HENRY THE EIGHTH

PROLOGUE/EPILOGUE

KING HENRY VIII

QUEEN KATHERINE (of Aragon), Henry’s first wife, later Princess Dowager

CARDINAL WOLSEY, Lord Chancellor and Archbishop of York

ANNE Bullen, later Queen, Henry’s second wife

CARDINAL CAMPEIUS, legate from the Pope

Thomas CRANMER, later Archbishop of Canterbury

Stephen GARDINER, the king’s secretary, later Bishop of Winchester

Bishop of LINCOLN

Lord CHAMBERLAIN

Lord CHANCELLOR,* after Wolsey’s fall

Thomas CROMWELL, Wolsey’s servant and later secretary to the King’s Council

Duke of BUCKINGHAM

Duke of NORFOLK

Duke of SUFFOLK

Earl of SURREY, Buckingham’s son-in-law

Lord ABERGAVENNY, Buckingham’s son-in-law

Lord SANDS

Sir Thomas LOVELL

Sir Henry (Harry) GUILDFORD

Sir Nicholas VAUX

Sir Anthony DENNY

GRIFFITH, Gentleman-usher to Katherine

WOMAN (who sings), attendant on Katherine

PATIENCE, attendant on Katherine

OLD LADY, friend to Anne

SECRETARY to Wolsey

BRANDON

SERGEANT-at-Arms

SURVEYOR to the Duke of Buckingham

THREE GENTLEMEN

SCRIBE to the court

CRIER to the court

KEEPER of the door of the Council Chamber

MESSENGER at Kimbolton

PAGE to Gardiner

DR. BUTTS, the king’s physician

PORTER and his MAN

GARTER King-at-Arms

Lord Mayor of London

Marquis of Dorset

Marchioness of Dorset

Old Duchess of Norfolk

Guards, Tipstaves, Halberds, Secretaries, Scribes, Bishops, Priests, Gentlemen, Vergers, Aldermen, Lords, Ladies, Women, Spirits, Attendants

The Prologue

       [Enter Prologue]

               I come no more to make you laugh: things now

               That bear a weighty and a serious brow,

               Sad,³ high, and working, full of state and woe:

               Such noble scenes as draw the eye to flow

5

5             We now present. Those that can pity here

               May, if they think it well, let fall a tear:

               The subject will deserve it. Such as give

               Their money out of hope they may believe,

               May here find truth too. Those that come to see

10

10           Only a show¹⁰ or two, and so agree

               The play may pass,¹¹ if they be still, and willing,

               I’ll undertake may see away their shilling¹²

               Richly in two short hours.¹³ Only they

               That come to hear a merry, bawdy play,

15

15           A noise of targets,¹⁵ or to see a fellow

               In a long¹⁶ motley coat guarded with yellow,

               Will be deceived.¹⁷ For, gentle hearers, know

               To rank our chosen truth with such a show

               As fool and fight is, beside forfeiting¹⁹

20

20           Our own brains, and the opinion²⁰ that we bring

               To make that only true we now intend,

               Will leave us never an understanding²² friend.

               Therefore, for goodness’ sake, and as you are known

               The first and happiest²⁴ hearers of the town,

25

25           Be sad,²⁵ as we would make ye. Think ye see

               The very persons of our noble story

               As²⁷ they were living: think you see them great,

               And followed with the general throng and sweat

               Of thousand friends: then, in a moment, see

30

30           How soon this mightiness meets misery:

               And if you can be merry then, I’ll say

               A man may weep upon his wedding day.

       [Exit]

Act 1 Scene 11.1

running scene 1

       Enter the Duke of Norfolk at one door. At the other, the Duke of Buckingham and the Lord Abergavenny

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Good morrow, and well met. How have ye done

               Since last we saw² in France?

NORFOLK

NORFOLK     I thank your grace:

               Healthful, and ever since a fresh⁴ admirer

5

5             Of what⁵ I saw there.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     An untimely ague⁶

               Stayed⁷ me a prisoner in my chamber when

               Those suns of glory, those two lights of men,

               Met in the vale of Andres.

10

10   

NORFOLK

NORFOLK           ’Twixt¹⁰ Guînes and Ardres:

               I was then present, saw them salute on horseback,

               Beheld them when they lighted,¹² how they clung

               In their embracement as¹³ they grew together,

               Which had they,¹⁴ what four throned ones could have weighed

15

15           Such a compounded one?

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     All the whole time

               I was my chamber’s prisoner.

NORFOLK

NORFOLK     Then you lost

               The view of earthly glory: men might say

20

20           Till this time pomp²⁰ was single, but now married

               To one above itself. Each²¹ following day

               Became the next day’s master, till the last

               Made former wonders its.²³ Today the French,

               All clinquant,²⁴ all in gold, like heathen gods

25

25           Shone down²⁵ the English; and tomorrow they

               Made Britain India:²⁶ every man that stood

               Showed²⁷ like a mine. Their dwarfish pages were

               As cherubins,²⁸ all gilt: the madams too,

               Not used to toil, did almost sweat to bear

30

30           The pride³⁰ upon them, that their very labour

               Was to them as a painting. Now this masque³¹

               Was cried³² incomparable, and th’ensuing night

               Made³³ it a fool and beggar. The two kings,

               Equal in lustre, were³⁴ now best, now worst,

35

35           As presence did present them: him³⁵ in eye,

               Still him in praise, and being³⁶ present both,

               ’Twas said they saw but one, and no discerner³⁷

               Durst³⁸ wag his tongue in censure. When these suns —

               For so they phrase³⁹ ’em — by their heralds challenged

40

40           The noble spirits to arms, they did perform⁴⁰

               Beyond thought’s compass, that⁴¹ former fabulous story,

               Being now seen possible enough, got credit,

               That Bevis⁴³ was believed.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     O, you go⁴⁴ far.

45

45   

NORFOLK

NORFOLK           As I belong to worship,⁴⁵ and affect

               In honour honesty, the tract⁴⁶ of ev’rything

               Would by a good discourser⁴⁷ lose some life,

               Which action’s self was tongue to. All was royal:

               To⁴⁹ the disposing of it nought rebelled:

50

50           Order⁵⁰ gave each thing view. The office did

               Distinctly his full function.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Who did guide —

               I mean, who set the body and the limbs

               Of this great sport⁵⁴ together, as you guess?

55

55   

NORFOLK

NORFOLK           One, certes,⁵⁵ that promises no element

               In such a business.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     I pray you who, my lord?

NORFOLK

NORFOLK     All this was ordered⁵⁸ by the good discretion

               Of the right reverend Cardinal of York.⁵⁹

60

60   

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM           The devil speed⁶⁰ him! No man’s pie is freed

               From his ambitious finger. What had he

               To do in these fierce⁶² vanities? I wonder

               That such a keech⁶³ can with his very bulk

               Take⁶⁴ up the rays o’th’beneficial sun

65

65           And keep it from the earth.

NORFOLK

NORFOLK     Surely, sir,

               There’s in him stuff⁶⁷ that puts him to these ends:

               For being not propped by ancestry,⁶⁸ whose grace

               Chalks⁶⁹ successors their way, nor called upon

70

70           For high⁷⁰ feats done to th’crown, neither allied

               To eminent assistants,⁷¹ but spider-like,

               Out of his self-drawing⁷² web, a gives us note,

               The force of his own merit makes his way

               A gift that heaven gives for him, which buys

75

75           A place next⁷⁵ to the king.

ABERGAVENNY

ABERGAVENNY     I cannot tell

               What heaven hath given him — let some graver⁷⁷ eye

               Pierce into that — but I can see his pride

               Peep through each part of him: whence has he that,

80

80           If not from hell? The devil is a niggard,⁸⁰

               Or has given all before, and he⁸¹ begins

               A new hell in himself.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Why the devil,

               Upon this French going out,⁸⁴ took he upon him,

85

85           Without the privity⁸⁵ o’th’king, t’appoint

               Who should attend on him?⁸⁶ He makes up the file

               Of all the gentry: for the most part such⁸⁷

               To whom as great a charge as little honour

               He meant to lay upon: and his own letter,⁸⁹

90

90           The honourable board of council⁹⁰ out,

               Must fetch⁹¹ him in, he papers.

ABERGAVENNY

ABERGAVENNY     I do know

               Kinsmen of mine, three at the least, that have

               By this so sickened⁹⁴ their estates, that never

95

95           They shall abound⁹⁵ as formerly.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     O, many

               Have broke their backs with laying⁹⁷ manors on ’em

               For this great journey. What did this vanity⁹⁸

               But minister⁹⁹ communication of

100

100         A most poor issue?

NORFOLK

NORFOLK     Grievingly¹⁰¹ I think

               The peace between the French and us not¹⁰² values

               The cost that did conclude it.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Every man,

105

105         After the hideous storm that followed, was

               A thing inspired,¹⁰⁶ and, not consulting, broke

               Into a general¹⁰⁷ prophecy: that this tempest,

               Dashing¹⁰⁸ the garment of this peace, aboded

               The sudden breach on’t.¹⁰⁹

110

110 

NORFOLK

NORFOLK             Which is budded out,¹¹⁰

               For France hath flawed¹¹¹ the league, and hath attached

               Our merchants’ goods at Bordeaux.

ABERGAVENNY

ABERGAVENNY     Is it therefore¹¹³

               Th’ambassador is silenced?¹¹⁴

115

115 

NORFOLK

NORFOLK             Marry,¹¹⁵ is’t.

ABERGAVENNY

ABERGAVENNY     A proper title of¹¹⁶ a peace, and purchased

               At a superfluous rate.¹¹⁷

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Why, all this business

               Our reverend cardinal carried.¹¹⁹

120

120 

NORFOLK

NORFOLK             Like it¹²⁰ your grace,

               The state¹²¹ takes notice of the private difference

               Betwixt you and the cardinal. I advise you —

               And take it from a heart that wishes towards you

               Honour and plenteous safety — that you read¹²⁴

125

125         The cardinal’s malice and his potency¹²⁵

               Together: to consider further that

               What his high hatred would¹²⁷ effect wants not

               A minister¹²⁸ in his power. You know his nature,

               That he’s revengeful: and I know his sword

130

130         Hath a sharp edge: it’s long and’t may be said,

               It reaches far, and where ’twill not extend,

               Thither he darts¹³² it. Bosom up my counsel,

               You’ll find it wholesome.¹³³ Lo, where comes that rock

               That I advise your shunning.

       Enter Cardinal Wolsey, the purse borne before him, certain of the Guard, and two Secretaries with papers. The Cardinal in his passage fixeth his eye on Buckingham, and Buckingham on him, both full of disdain

135

135 

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY             The Duke of Buckingham’s surveyor,¹³⁵ ha?

               Where’s his examination?¹³⁶

SECRETARY

SECRETARY     Here, so please you.

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     Is he in person ready?

SECRETARY

SECRETARY     Ay, please your grace.

140

140 

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY             Well, we shall then know more, and Buckingham

               Shall lessen this big¹⁴¹ look.

       Exeunt Cardinal and his train

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     This butcher’s cur¹⁴² is venom-mouthed, and I

               Have not the power to muzzle him: therefore best

               Not wake him in his slumber. A beggar’s¹⁴⁴ book

145

145         Outworths a noble’s blood.

NORFOLK

NORFOLK     What, are you chafed?¹⁴⁶

               Ask God for temp’rance:¹⁴⁷ that’s th’appliance only

               Which your disease requires.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     I read in’s looks

150

150         Matter¹⁵⁰ against me, and his eye reviled

               Me as his abject object:¹⁵¹ at this instant

               He bores¹⁵² me with some trick: he’s gone to th’king:

               I’ll follow, and outstare him.

NORFOLK

NORFOLK     Stay, my lord,

155

155         And let your reason with your choler¹⁵⁵ question

               What ’tis you go about: to climb steep hills

               Requires slow pace at first. Anger is like

               A full hot¹⁵⁸ horse, who being allowed his way,

               Self-mettle¹⁵⁹ tires him: not a man in England

160

160         Can advise me like you: be to yourself

               As you would to your friend.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     I’ll to the king,

               And from a mouth of honour¹⁶³ quite cry down

               This Ipswich¹⁶⁴ fellow’s insolence, or proclaim

165

165         There’s difference¹⁶⁵ in no persons.

NORFOLK

NORFOLK     Be advised:¹⁶⁶

               Heat not a furnace for your foe so hot

               That it do singe yourself. We may outrun,

               By violent swiftness, that which we run at,

170

170         And lose by overrunning:¹⁷⁰ know you not

               The fire that mounts¹⁷¹ the liquor till’t run o’er,

               In seeming to augment it wastes it? Be advised:

               I say again there is no English soul

               More stronger to direct you than yourself,

175

175         If with the sap of reason you would quench

               Or but allay¹⁷⁶ the fire of passion.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Sir,

               I am thankful to you, and I’ll go along

               By your prescription:¹⁷⁹ but this top-proud fellow —

180

180         Whom from the flow of gall¹⁸⁰ I name not, but

               From sincere motions¹⁸¹ — by intelligence,

               And proofs as clear as founts¹⁸² in July when

               We see each grain of gravel, I do know

               To be corrupt and treasonous.

185

185 

NORFOLK

NORFOLK             Say not ‘treasonous’.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     To th’king I’ll say’t, and make my vouch¹⁸⁶ as strong

               As shore of rock: attend. This holy fox,

               Or wolf, or both — for he is equal¹⁸⁸ rav’nous

               As he is subtle,¹⁸⁹ and as prone to mischief

190

190         As able to perform’t, his mind and place¹⁹⁰

               Infecting one another, yea, reciprocally —

               Only to show his pomp¹⁹² as well in France

               As here at home, suggests¹⁹³ the king our master

               To this last¹⁹⁴ costly treaty, th’interview

195

195         That swallowed so much treasure,¹⁹⁵ and like a glass

               Did break i’th’wrenching.¹⁹⁶

NORFOLK

NORFOLK     Faith, and so it did.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Pray give me favour,¹⁹⁸ sir: this cunning cardinal

               The articles¹⁹⁹ o’th’combination drew

200

200         As himself pleased: and they were ratified

               As he cried ‘Thus let be’, to as much end²⁰¹

               As give a crutch to th’dead. But our count-cardinal²⁰²

               Has done this, and ’tis well: for worthy Wolsey,

               Who cannot err, he did it. Now this follows —

205

205         Which, as I take it, is a kind of puppy

               To th’old dam²⁰⁶ treason — Charles the Emperor,

               Under pretence to see the queen his aunt —

               For ’twas indeed his colour,²⁰⁸ but he came

               To whisper²⁰⁹ Wolsey — here makes visitation:

210

210         His fears were that the interview betwixt

               England and France might through their amity

               Breed him some prejudice, for from this league

               Peeped harms that menaced him. He privily²¹³

               Deals with our cardinal, and as I trow²¹⁴ —

215

215         Which I do well, for I am sure the emperor

               Paid ere²¹⁶ he promised, whereby his suit was granted

               Ere it was asked — but²¹⁷ when the way was made

               And paved with gold, the emperor thus desired

               That he²¹⁹ would please to alter the king’s course,

220

220         And break the foresaid peace. Let the king know,

               As soon he shall by me, that thus the cardinal

               Does buy and sell his²²² honour as he pleases,

               And for his own advantage.

NORFOLK

NORFOLK     I am sorry

225

225         To hear this of him, and could wish he were

               Something²²⁶ mistaken in’t.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     No, not a syllable:

               I do pronounce him in that very shape

               He shall appear in proof.²²⁹

       Enter Brandon, a Sergeant-at-Arms before him, and two or three of the Guard

230

230 

BRANDON

BRANDON             Your office,²³⁰ sergeant: execute it.

SERGEANT

SERGEANT     Sir, To Buckingham

               My lord the Duke of Buckingham, and Earl

               Of Hertford,²³³ Stafford and Northampton, I

               Arrest thee of high treason, in the name

235

235         Of our most sovereign king.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Lo you, my lord,

               The net has fall’n upon me: I shall perish

               Under device and practice.²³⁸

BRANDON

BRANDON     I am sorry

240

240         To see you ta’en from liberty, to look on²⁴⁰

               The business present. ’Tis his highness’ pleasure²⁴¹

               You shall to th’Tower.²⁴²

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     It will help me nothing²⁴³

               To plead mine innocence, for that dye is on me

245

245         Which makes my whit’st part black. The will of heav’n

               Be done in this and all things: I obey.

               O my Lord Aberga’nny, fare you well.

BRANDON

BRANDON     Nay, he must bear you company.— The king To Abergavenny

               Is pleased you shall to th’Tower, till you know

250

250         How he determines further.

ABERGAVENNY

ABERGAVENNY     As the duke said,

               The will of heaven be done, and the king’s pleasure

               By me obeyed.

BRANDON

BRANDON     Here is a warrant from

255

255         The king t’attach²⁵⁵ Lord Montague and the bodies

               Of the duke’s confessor, John de la Car,

               One Gilbert Perk, his chancellor—

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     So, so;

               These are the limbs o’th’plot: no more, I hope.

260

260 

BRANDON

BRANDON             A monk o’th’Chartreux.²⁶⁰

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     O, Nicholas Hopkins?

BRANDON

BRANDON     He.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     My surveyor is false:²⁶³ the o’er-great cardinal

               Hath showed him gold:²⁶⁴ my life is spanned already:

265

265         I am the shadow²⁶⁵ of poor Buckingham,

               Whose²⁶⁶ figure even this instant cloud puts on,

               By dark’ning my clear sun. My lord, farewell.

       Exeunt

Act 1 Scene 2

Running scene 2

       Cornets.* Enter King Henry [VIII], leaning on the Cardinal [Wolsey]’s shoulder, the Nobles, [Wolsey’s Secretary] and Sir Thomas Lovell: the Cardinal places himself under the King’s feet on his right side

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII     My life itself, and the best¹ heart of it,

               Thanks you for this great care: I stood i’th’level²

               Of a full-charged³ confederacy, and give thanks

               To you that choked it. Let be called before us

5

5             That gentleman of Buckingham’s: in person

               I’ll hear him his confessions justify,⁶

               And point by point the treasons of his master

               He shall again relate.

       A noise within crying ‘Room for the Queen, ushered by the Duke of Norfolk’. Enter the Queen [Katherine], Norfolk and Suffolk: she kneels. [The] King riseth from his state, takes her up, kisses and placeth her by him

QUEEN KATHERINE

QUEEN KATHERINE     Nay, we⁹ must longer kneel: I am a suitor.

10

10   

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII           Arise, and take place¹⁰ by us: half your suit The Queen moves to his side

               Never name to us: you have half our power:

               The other moiety¹² ere you ask is given:

               Repeat your will¹³ and take it.

QUEEN KATHERINE

QUEEN KATHERINE     Thank¹⁴ your majesty.

15

15           That you would love yourself, and in that love

               Not unconsidered leave your honour, nor

               The dignity¹⁷ of your office, is the point

               Of my petition.

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII      Lady mine, proceed.

20

20   

QUEEN KATHERINE

QUEEN KATHERINE           I am solicited,²⁰ not by a few,

               And those of true condition,²¹ that your subjects

               Are in great grievance:²² there have been commissions

               Sent down among ’em which hath flawed²³ the heart

               Of all their loyalties: wherein, although,

25

25           My good lord cardinal, they vent reproaches

               Most bitterly on you, as putter-on²⁶

               Of these exactions,²⁷ yet the king our master —

               Whose honour heaven shield from soil²⁸ — even he escapes not

               Language unmannerly, yea, such which breaks

30

30           The sides of loyalty, and almost appears

               In loud rebellion.

NORFOLK

NORFOLK     Not ‘almost appears’,

               It doth appear: for, upon these taxations,

               The clothiers³⁴ all, not able to maintain

35

35           The many to them longing,³⁵ have put off

               The spinsters,³⁶ carders, fullers, weavers, who,

               Unfit for other life,³⁷ compelled by hunger

               And lack of other means, in desperate manner

               Daring³⁹ th’event to th’teeth, are all in uproar,

40

40           And danger⁴⁰ serves among them.

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII     Taxation?

               Wherein, and what taxation? My lord cardinal,

               You that are blamed for it alike with us,

               Know you of this taxation?

45

45   

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY           Please you, sir,

               I know but of a single part⁴⁶ in aught

               Pertains to th’state, and front⁴⁷ but in that file

               Where others tell steps with me.

QUEEN KATHERINE

QUEEN KATHERINE     No, my lord?

50

50           You⁵⁰ know no more than others? But you frame

               Things that are known alike, which are not wholesome

               To those which would not know them, and yet must

               Perforce be their acquaintance. These exactions,

               Whereof my sovereign would have note,⁵⁴ they are

55

55           Most pestilent to th’hearing, and to bear⁵⁵ ’em

               The back is⁵⁶ sacrifice to th’load. They say

               They are devised by you, or else you suffer

               Too hard an exclamation.⁵⁸

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII     Still ’exaction’:

60

60           The nature of it? In what kind,⁶⁰ let’s know,

               Is this exaction?

QUEEN KATHERINE

QUEEN KATHERINE     I am much too venturous⁶²

               In tempting of⁶³ your patience, but am boldened

               Under your promised pardon. The subjects’ grief⁶⁴

65

65           Comes through commissions, which compels from each

               The sixth part of his substance,⁶⁶ to be levied

               Without delay, and the pretence⁶⁷ for this

               Is named your wars in France: this makes bold mouths:

               Tongues spit their duties out, and cold hearts freeze

70

70           Allegiance in them: their curses now

               Live where their prayers⁷¹ did: and it’s come to pass

               This tractable⁷² obedience is a slave

               To each incensèd will. I would⁷³ your highness

               Would give it quick consideration, for

75

75           There is no primer baseness.⁷⁵

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII     By my life,

               This is against our pleasure.⁷⁷

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     And for me,

               I have no further gone in this than by

80

80           A single voice,⁸⁰ and that not passed me but

               By learnèd approbation⁸¹ of the judges: if I am

               Traduced⁸² by ignorant tongues, which neither know

               My faculties⁸³ nor person, yet will be

               The chronicles of my doing, let me say

85

               ’Tis but the fate of place,⁸⁵ and the rough brake

               That virtue must go through: we must not stint⁸⁶

               Our necessary actions, in the fear

               To cope⁸⁸ malicious censurers, which ever,

               As rav’nous fishes, do a vessel follow

90

90           That is new trimmed,⁹⁰ but benefit no further

               Than vainly longing.⁹¹ What we oft do best,

               By sick interpreters, once weak ones, is

               Not ours, or not allowed: what⁹³ worst, as oft,

               Hitting a grosser quality, is cried up

95

95           For our best act: if we shall stand still,

               In⁹⁶ fear our motion will be mocked or carped at,

               We should take root here where we sit,

               Or sit state-statues⁹⁸ only.

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII     Things done well,

100

100         And with a care, exempt themselves from fear:

               Things done without example,¹⁰¹ in their issue

               Are to be feared. Have you a precedent

               Of¹⁰³ this commission? I believe not any.

               We must not rend¹⁰⁴ our subjects from our laws,

105

105         And stick them in our will. Sixth part of each?

               A trembling¹⁰⁶ contribution; why, we take

               From every tree lop,¹⁰⁷ bark, and part o’th’timber:

               And though we leave it with a root, thus hacked

               The¹⁰⁹ air will drink the sap. To every county

110

110         Where this is questioned¹¹⁰ send our letters, with

               Free pardon to each man that has denied

               The force of this commission: pray, look to’t;

               I put it to your care.

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     A word with you. To the Secretary

115

115         Let there be letters writ to every shire,

               Of the king’s grace¹¹⁶ and pardon.— The grievèd commons Aside to Secretary

               Hardly conceive¹¹⁷ of me. Let it be noised

               That through our¹¹⁸ intercession this revokement

               And pardon comes: I shall anon¹¹⁹ advise you

120

120         Further in the proceeding.

       Exit Secretary

       Enter Surveyor

QUEEN KATHERINE

QUEEN KATHERINE     I am sorry that the Duke of Buckingham To the King

               Is run in¹²² your displeasure.

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII     It grieves many:

               The gentleman is learnèd, and a most rare¹²⁴ speaker,

125

125         To¹²⁵ nature none more bound: his training such

               That he may furnish and instruct great teachers,

               And never seek for aid out of¹²⁷ himself: yet see,

               When these so noble benefits shall prove

               Not well disposed,¹²⁹ the mind growing once corrupt,

130

130         They turn to vicious¹³⁰ forms, ten times more ugly

               Than ever they were fair. This man so complete,¹³¹

               Who was enrolled ’mongst wonders — and when we,

               Almost with ravished¹³³ listening, could not find

               His hour of speech a minute — he, my lady,

135

135         Hath into monstrous¹³⁵ habits put the graces

               That once were his, and is become as black

               As if besmeared in hell. Sit by us: you shall hear —

               This was his gentleman in trust¹³⁸ — of him

               Things to strike honour sad.— Bid him recount To Wolsey

140

140         The fore-recited practices,¹⁴⁰ whereof

               We cannot feel too little, hear too much.¹⁴¹

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     Stand forth, and with bold spirit relate what you To the Surveyor

               Most like a careful¹⁴³ subject have collected

               Out of the Duke of Buckingham.

145

145 

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII             Speak freely.

SURVEYOR

SURVEYOR     First, it was usual with him — every day

               It would infect his speech — that if the king

               Should without issue¹⁴⁸ die, he’ll carry it so

               To make the sceptre¹⁴⁹ his. These very words

150

150         I’ve heard him utter to his son-in-law,

               Lord Aberga’nny, to whom by oath he menaced¹⁵¹

               Revenge upon the cardinal.

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     Please your highness note

               His dangerous conception¹⁵⁴ in this point,

155

155         Not¹⁵⁵ friended by his wish to your high person:

               His will is most malignant, and it stretches

               Beyond you to your friends.¹⁵⁷

QUEEN KATHERINE

QUEEN KATHERINE     My learnèd lord cardinal,

               Deliver¹⁵⁹ all with charity.

160

160 

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII             Speak on: To the Surveyor

               How¹⁶¹ grounded he his title to the crown

               Upon our fail? To this point¹⁶² hast thou heard him

               At any time speak aught?

SURVEYOR

SURVEYOR     He was brought to this

165

165         By a vain prophecy of Nicholas Hopkins.

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII     What was that Hopkins?

SURVEYOR

SURVEYOR     Sir, a Chartreux¹⁶⁷ friar,

               His confessor, who fed him every minute

               With words of sovereignty.

170

170 

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII             How know’st thou this?

SURVEYOR

SURVEYOR     Not long before your highness sped to France,

               The Duke being at the Rose,¹⁷² within the parish

               St Lawrence Poultney,¹⁷³ did of me demand

               What was the speech¹⁷⁴ among the Londoners

175

175         Concerning the French journey. I replied

               Men feared the French would prove perfidious¹⁷⁶

               To¹⁷⁷ the king’s danger: presently the duke

               Said ’twas the fear indeed and that he doubted¹⁷⁸

               ’Twould prove the verity of certain words

180

180         Spoke by a holy monk that oft, says he,

               ‘Hath sent to me, wishing me to permit

               John de la Car, my chaplain, a choice¹⁸² hour

               To hear from him a matter of some moment:¹⁸³

               Whom after under the confession’s seal

185

185         He solemnly had sworn that what he spoke

               My chaplain to no creature living but

               To me should utter, with demure confidence¹⁸⁷

               This pausingly ensued: “Neither the king nor’s heirs,

               Tell you the duke, shall prosper: bid him strive

190

190         To gain the love o’th’commonalty:¹⁹⁰ the duke

               Shall govern England.’ ”

QUEEN KATHERINE

QUEEN KATHERINE     If I know you well,

               You were the duke’s surveyor, and lost your office

               On the complaint o’th’tenants: take good heed

195

195         You charge not in your spleen¹⁹⁵ a noble person

               And spoil your nobler¹⁹⁶ soul: I say, take heed:

               Yes, heartily beseech you.

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII     Let him on:¹⁹⁸

               Go forward. To the Surveyor

200

200 

SURVEYOR

SURVEYOR             On my soul, I’ll speak but²⁰⁰ truth.

               I told my lord the duke, by th’devil’s illusions

               The monk might be deceived, and that ’twas dangerous

               For him to ruminate on this so far, until

               It forged²⁰⁴ him some design, which being believed,

205

205         It was much²⁰⁵ like to do: he answered, ‘Tush,

               It can do me no damage’, adding further,

               That had the king in his last sickness failed,²⁰⁷

               The cardinal’s and Sir Thomas Lovell’s heads

               Should have gone off.

210

210 

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII              Ha? What, so rank?²¹⁰ Ah, ha!

               There’s mischief in this man: canst thou say further?

SURVEYOR

SURVEYOR     I can, my liege.

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII      Proceed.

SURVEYOR

SURVEYOR     Being at Greenwich,²¹⁴

215

215         After your highness had reproved the duke

               About Sir William Bulmer—

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII      I remember

               Of such a time: being my sworn servant,

               The duke retained him his.²¹⁹ But on: what hence?

220

220 

SURVEYOR

SURVEYOR             ‘If’, quoth he, ‘I for this had been committed’²²⁰ —

               As to the Tower, I thought, — ‘I would have played

               The part my father meant to act upon

               Th’usurper Richard,²²³ who, being at Salisbury,

               Made suit²²⁴ to come in’s presence: which if granted,

225

225         As he made²²⁵ semblance of his duty, would

               Have put his knife to him.’

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII      A giant traitor.

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     Now, madam, may his highness live in freedom,

               And this man out of prison?

230

230 

QUEEN KATHERINE

QUEEN KATHERINE             God mend all.²³⁰

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII     There’s something more would out of thee: what say’st?

SURVEYOR

SURVEYOR     After ‘the duke his father’, with ‘the knife’,

               He stretched him,²³³ and with one hand on his dagger,

               Another spread on’s breast, mounting²³⁴ his eyes,

235

235         He did discharge a horrible oath, whose tenor

               Was, were he evil used,²³⁶ he would outgo

               His father by as much as a performance

               Does an irresolute²³⁸ purpose.

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII     There’s his period:²³⁹

240

240         To sheathe his knife in us: he is attached:²⁴⁰

               Call him to present²⁴¹ trial: if he may

               Find mercy in the law, ’tis his: if none,

               Let him not seek’t of us: by day and night,

               He’s traitor to th’height.²⁴⁴

       Exeunt

Act 1 Scene 3

running scene 2 continues

       Enter [the] Lord Chamberlain and Lord Sands

CHAMBERLAIN

CHAMBERLAIN     Is’t possible the spells¹ of France should juggle

               Men into such strange mysteries?²

SANDS

SANDS     New customs,

               Though they be never so ridiculous,

5

5             Nay, let ’em be⁵ unmanly, yet are followed.

CHAMBERLAIN

CHAMBERLAIN     As far as I see, all the good our English

               Have got by the late⁷ voyage is but merely

               A fit⁸ or two o’th’face: but they are shrewd ones,

               For when they hold ’em,⁹ you would swear directly

10

10           Their very noses had been counsellors

               To Pepin or Clotharius,¹¹ they keep state so.

SANDS

SANDS     They have all new legs,¹² and lame ones: one would take it,

               That never see ’em pace before, the spavin¹³

               Or springhalt¹⁴ reigned among ’em.

15

15   

CHAMBERLAIN

CHAMBERLAIN           Death,¹⁵ my lord,

               Their clothes are after¹⁶ such a pagan cut to’t

               That sure they’ve worn out¹⁷ Christendom.

       Enter Sir Thomas Lovell

               How now?

               What news, Sir Thomas Lovell?

LOVELL

LOVELL     Faith, my lord,

20

20           I hear of none, but the new proclamation

               That’s clapped²¹ upon the court gate.

CHAMBERLAIN

CHAMBERLAIN     What is’t for?

LOVELL

LOVELL     The reformation of our travelled gallants,

               That fill the court with quarrels, talk and tailors.

25

25   

CHAMBERLAIN

CHAMBERLAIN     I’m glad ’tis there: now I would pray our monsieurs

               To think an English courtier may be wise,

               And never see the Louvre.²⁷

LOVELL

LOVELL     They must either,

               For so run the conditions, leave those remnants

30

30           Of fool and feather³⁰ that they got in France,

               With all their honourable³¹ points of ignorance

               Pertaining thereunto — as³² fights and fireworks,

               Abusing³³ better men than they can be

               Out³⁴ of a foreign wisdom, renouncing clean

35

35           The faith they have in tennis and tall³⁵ stockings,

               Short blistered breeches, and those types³⁶ of travel —

               And understand³⁷ again like honest men,

               Or pack³⁸ to their old playfellows: there, I take it,

               They may cum privilegio³⁹ ‘oui’ away

40

40           The lag end⁴⁰ of their lewdness and be laughed at.

SANDS

SANDS     ’Tis time to give ’em physic,⁴¹ their diseases

               Are grown so catching.

CHAMBERLAIN

CHAMBERLAIN     What a loss our ladies

               Will have of these trim vanities!⁴⁴

45

45   

LOVELL

LOVELL           Ay, marry,⁴⁵

               There will be woe indeed, lords: the sly whoresons⁴⁶

               Have got a speeding⁴⁷ trick to lay down ladies:

               A French song and a fiddle⁴⁸ has no fellow.

SANDS

SANDS     The devil fiddle⁴⁹ ’em! I am glad they are going,

50

50           For sure there’s no converting of ’em:⁵⁰ now

               An honest country lord, as I am, beaten

               A long time out of play,⁵² may bring his plainsong

               And have an hour of hearing,⁵³ and, by’r lady,

               Held⁵⁴ current music too.

55

55   

CHAMBERLAIN

CHAMBERLAIN           Well said, Lord Sands:

               Your colt’s tooth⁵⁶ is not cast yet?

SANDS

SANDS     No, my lord,

               Nor shall not, while I have a stump.⁵⁸

CHAMBERLAIN

CHAMBERLAIN     Sir Thomas, To Lovell

60

60           Whither were you a-going?

LOVELL

LOVELL     To the cardinal’s:

               Your lordship is a guest too.

CHAMBERLAIN

CHAMBERLAIN     O, ’tis true:

               This night he makes⁶⁴ a supper, and a great one,

65

65           To many lords and ladies: there will be

               The beauty of this kingdom, I’ll assure you.

LOVELL

LOVELL     That churchman bears a bounteous mind indeed,

               A hand as fruitful⁶⁸ as the land that feeds us:

               His dews⁶⁹ fall everywhere.

70

70   

CHAMBERLAIN

CHAMBERLAIN     No doubt he’s noble:

               He had a black⁷¹ mouth that said other of him.

SANDS

SANDS     He may, my lord, he’s wherewithal⁷² in him:

               Sparing⁷³ would show a worse sin than ill doctrine:

               Men of his way⁷⁴ should be most liberal:

75

75           They are set here for examples.

CHAMBERLAIN

CHAMBERLAIN     True, they are so:

               But few now give so great ones.⁷⁷ My barge stays:

               Your lordship shall along.⁷⁸ Come, good Sir Thomas, To Lovell

               We shall be late else, which I would not be,

80

80           For I was spoke to,⁸⁰ with Sir Henry Guildford,

               This night to be comptrollers.⁸¹

SANDS

SANDS     I am your⁸² lordship’s.

       Exeunt

Act 1 Scene 41.4

running scene 3

       Hautboys. A small table under a state for the Cardinal, a longer table for the guests. Then enter Anne Bullen, and divers other Ladies and Gentlemen, as guests at one door; at another door enter Sir Henry Guildford

GUILDFORD

GUILDFORD     Ladies, a general welcome from his grace

               Salutes ye all: this night he dedicates

               To fair content and you: none here, he hopes,

               In all this noble bevy,⁴ has brought with her

5

5             One care abroad:⁵ he would have all as merry

               As, first, good company, good wine, good welcome,

               Can make good people.

       Enter Lord Chamberlain, Lords Sands and Lovell

                                    O, my lord, you’re tardy:⁷ To Chamberlain

               The very thought of this fair company

               Clapped⁹ wings to me.

10

10   

CHAMBERLAIN

CHAMBERLAIN           You are young, Sir Harry Guildford.

SANDS

SANDS     Sir Thomas Lovell, had the cardinal

               But half my lay¹² thoughts in him, some of these

               Should find a running banquet¹³ ere they rested

               I think would better please ’em: by my life,

15

15           They are a sweet society¹⁵ of fair ones.

LOVELL

LOVELL     O, that your lordship were but now confessor¹⁶

               To one or two of these.

SANDS

SANDS     I would I were:

               They should find easy¹⁹ penance.

20

20   

LOVELL

LOVELL           Faith, how easy?

SANDS

SANDS     As easy as a down²¹ bed would afford it.

CHAMBERLAIN

CHAMBERLAIN     Sweet ladies, will it please you sit?— Sir Harry, To Guildford

               Place you²³ that side, I’ll take the charge of this:

               His grace is ent’ring. Nay, you must not freeze:

25

25           Two women placed together makes cold²⁵ weather:

               My lord Sands, you are one will keep ’em waking:²⁶

               Pray sit between these ladies.

SANDS

SANDS     By my faith,

               And thank²⁹ your lordship.— He sits between Anne and another lady

               By your leave, sweet ladies,

30

30           If I chance to talk a little wild,³⁰ forgive me:

               I had it from my father.

ANNE

ANNE     Was he mad,³² sir?

SANDS

SANDS     O, very mad, exceeding mad, in love too:

               But he would bite³⁴ none: just as I do now,

35

35           He would kiss you twenty³⁵ with a breath. He kisses her

CHAMBERLAIN

CHAMBERLAIN     Well said,³⁶ my lord.

               So now you’re fairly³⁷ seated: gentlemen,

               The penance lies on you, if these fair ladies

               Pass away³⁹ frowning.

40

40   

SANDS

SANDS           For⁴⁰ my little cure,

               Let me alone.⁴¹

       Hautboys. Enter Cardinal Wolsey, and takes his state

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     You’re welcome, my fair guests: that noble lady

               Or gentleman that is not freely merry,

               Is not my friend. This, to confirm my welcome,

45

45           And to you all, good health. He drinks

SANDS

SANDS     Your grace is noble:

               Let me have such a bowl⁴⁷ may hold my thanks,

               And save me so much talking.

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     My lord Sands,

50

50           I am beholding⁵⁰ to you: cheer your neighbours:

               Ladies, you are not merry: gentlemen,

               Whose fault is this?

SANDS

SANDS     The red wine first must rise

               In their fair cheeks, my lord, then we shall have ’em

55

55           Talk us to silence.

ANNE

ANNE     You are a merry gamester,⁵⁶

               My lord Sands.

SANDS

SANDS     Yes, if I make my play:⁵⁸

               Here’s to your ladyship: and pledge it,⁵⁹ madam,

60

60           For ’tis to such a thing⁶⁰—

ANNE

ANNE     You cannot show me.

SANDS

SANDS     I told your grace they would talk anon.⁶²

       Drum and Trumpet: chambers discharged

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     What’s that?

CHAMBERLAIN

CHAMBERLAIN     Look out there, some of ye. To Servants

65

65   

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY           What warlike voice,⁶⁵

       Exit Servants

               And to what end is this? Nay, ladies, fear not:

               By all the laws of war you’re privileged.⁶⁷

       Enter a Servant

CHAMBERLAIN

CHAMBERLAIN     How now, what is’t?

SERVANT

SERVANT     A noble troop of strangers,⁶⁹

70

70           For so they seem: they’ve left their barge and landed,

               And hither make,⁷¹ as great ambassadors

               From foreign princes.

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     Good Lord Chamberlain,

               Go, give ’em welcome: you can speak the French tongue:

75

75           And pray receive ’em nobly, and conduct ’em

               Into our presence, where this heaven of beauty⁷⁶

               Shall shine at full upon them. Some attend him.

       [Exit Chamberlain, attended]

       All rise, and tables removed

               You have now a broken⁷⁸ banquet, but we’ll mend it.

               A good digestion to you all: and once more

80

80           I shower a welcome on ye: welcome all.

       Hautboys. Enter King [Henry] and others as Masquers, habited like shepherds, ushered by the Lord Chamberlain. They pass directly before the Cardinal, and gracefully salute him

               A noble company: what are their pleasures?⁸¹

CHAMBERLAIN

CHAMBERLAIN     Because they speak no English, thus they prayed

               To tell your grace: that having heard by fame⁸³

               Of this so noble and so fair assembly

85

85           This night to meet here, they could do no less,

               Out of the great respect they bear to beauty,

               But leave their flocks, and under your fair conduct,⁸⁷

               Crave leave to view these ladies, and entreat

               An hour of revels⁸⁹ with ’em.

90

90   

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY      Say, Lord Chamberlain,

               They have done my poor house grace; for which I pay ’em

               A thousand thanks, and pray ’em take their pleasures.

       [The Masquers] choose Ladies [for the dance]. [The] King [chooses] Anne Bullen

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII      The fairest hand I ever touched. O beauty,

               Till now I never knew thee!

       Music. [They] dance

95

95   

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY            My lord.

CHAMBERLAIN

CHAMBERLAIN     Your grace?

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY      Pray, tell ’em thus much from me:

               There should be one amongst ’em, by his person,

               More worthy this⁹⁹ place than myself, to whom,

100

100         If I but¹⁰⁰ knew him, with my love and duty

               I would surrender it.

CHAMBERLAIN

CHAMBERLAIN     I will, my lord.

               [He talks in a] whisper [to the Masquers]

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY      What say they?

CHAMBERLAIN

CHAMBERLAIN     Such a one, they all confess,

105

105         There is indeed, which they would have your grace

               Find out, and he will take it.¹⁰⁶

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY      Let me see, then.

               By all your good leaves, gentlemen, here I’ll make

               My royal choice.

110

110 

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII      Ye have found him, cardinal: He unmasks

               You hold a fair¹¹¹ assembly: you do well, lord.

               You¹¹² are a churchman, or I’ll tell you, cardinal,

               I should judge now unhappily.

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY      I am glad

115

115         Your grace is grown so pleasant.¹¹⁵

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII      My Lord Chamberlain,

               Prithee¹¹⁷ come hither: what fair lady’s that?

CHAMBERLAIN

CHAMBERLAIN     An’t¹¹⁸ please your grace, Sir Thomas Bullen’s daughter —

               The Viscount Rochford — one of her highness’ women.¹¹⁹

120

120 

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII      By heaven, she is a dainty¹²⁰ one.— Sweetheart, To Anne

               I were unmannerly to take you out¹²¹

               And not to kiss you. A health,¹²² gentlemen: He drinks

               Let it go round.

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     Sir Thomas Lovell, is the banquet¹²⁴ ready

125

125         I’th’privy chamber?¹²⁵

LOVELL

LOVELL     Yes, my lord.

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     Your grace, To the King

               I fear, with dancing is a little heated.¹²⁸

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII     I fear too much.

130

130 

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY             There’s fresher air, my lord,

               In the next chamber.

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII     Lead in your ladies, ev’ry one: sweet partner, To Anne

               I must not yet forsake¹³³ you:— let’s be merry, To Cardinal Wolsey

               Good my lord cardinal: I have half a dozen healths

135

135         To drink to these fair ladies, and a measure¹³⁵

               To lead ’em once again, and then let’s dream¹³⁶

               Who’s best in favour.¹³⁷ Let the music knock it.

       Exeunt with Trumpets

Act 2 Scene 12.1

running scene 4

       Enter two Gentlemen at several doors

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     Whither away so fast?

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN     O, God save ye:

               Ev’n to the hall,³ to hear what shall become

               Of the great Duke of Buckingham.

5

5     

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN         I’ll save you

               That labour, sir. All’s now done but the ceremony

               Of bringing back the prisoner.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN     Were you there?

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     Yes, indeed was I.

10

10   

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN           Pray speak what has happened.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     You may guess quickly what.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN     Is he found guilty?

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     Yes, truly is he, and condemned upon’t.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN     I am sorry for’t.

15

15   

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN           So are a number more.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN     But pray, how passed it?¹⁶

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     I’ll tell you in a¹⁷ little. The great duke

               Came to the bar, where to his accusations¹⁸

               He pleaded still¹⁹ not guilty, and alleged

20

20           Many sharp reasons to defeat the law.²⁰

               The king’s attorney, on the contrary,

               Urged on the examinations,²² proofs, confessions

               Of divers²³ witnesses, which the duke desired

               To him brought²⁴ viva voce to his face:

25

25           At which appeared against him his surveyor,

               Sir Gilbert Perk his chancellor, and John Car,

               Confessor to him, with that devil monk,

               Hopkins, that made this mischief.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN     That was he

30

30           That fed him with his prophecies.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     The same:

               All these accused him strongly, which he fain³²

               Would have flung from him, but indeed he could not:

               And so his peers, upon this evidence,

35

35           Have found him guilty of high treason. Much

               He spoke, and learnedly, for life, but all

               Was either pitied in him³⁷ or forgotten.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN     After all this, how did he bear himself?

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     When he was brought again to th’bar, to hear

40

40           His knell⁴⁰ rung out, his judgement, he was stirred

               With such an agony, he sweat⁴¹ extremely,

               And something spoke in choler,⁴² ill and hasty:

               But he fell⁴³ to himself again, and sweetly

               In all the rest showed a most noble patience.

45

45   

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN           I do not think he fears death.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     Sure he does not:

               He never was so womanish: the cause

               He may a little grieve at.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN     Certainly

50

50           The cardinal is the end⁵⁰ of this.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     ’Tis likely

               By all conjectures: first, Kildare’s attainder,⁵²

               Then deputy⁵³ of Ireland, who, removed,

               Earl Surrey was sent thither, and in haste too,

55

55           Lest he should help his father.⁵⁵

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN     That trick of state⁵⁶

               Was a deep envious⁵⁷ one.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     At his⁵⁸ return

               No doubt he will requite⁵⁹ it: this is noted,

60

60           And generally,⁶⁰ whoever the king favours,

               The card’nal instantly will find employment,

               And far enough from court too.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN     All the commons

               Hate him perniciously⁶⁴ and, o’my conscience,

65

65           Wish him ten fathom deep: this duke as much

               They love and dote on, call him ‘bounteous Buckingham,

               The mirror⁶⁷ of all courtesy’—

       Enter Buckingham from his arraignment, Tipstaves before him, the axe with the edge towards him, Halberds on each side, accompanied with Sir Thomas Lovell, Sir Nicholas Vaux, Sir William Sands, and Common People etc.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     Stay there, sir,

               And see the noble ruined man you speak of.

70

70   

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN           Let’s stand close⁷⁰ and behold him.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     All good people,

               You that thus far have come to pity me:

               Hear what I say, and then go home and lose⁷³ me.

               I have this day received a traitor’s judgement,⁷⁴

75

75           And by that name must die: yet heaven bear witness,

               And if I have a conscience, let it sink⁷⁶ me,

               Even as the axe falls, if I be not faithful.

               The law I bear no malice for my death,

               ’T has done upon the premises,⁷⁹ but justice:

80

80           But those that sought it I could wish more⁸⁰ Christians:

               Be what they will, I heartily forgive ’em:

               Yet let ’em look⁸² they glory not in mischief,

               Nor build their evils⁸³ on the graves of great men,

               For then my guiltless blood must cry against ’em.

85

85           For further life in this world I ne’er hope,

               Nor will I sue,⁸⁶ although the king have mercies

               More⁸⁷ than I dare make faults. You few that loved me,

               And dare be bold to weep for Buckingham,

               His noble friends and fellows, whom to leave

90

90           Is only⁹⁰ bitter to him, only dying:

               Go with me like good angels to my end,

               And as the long divorce⁹² of steel falls on me,

               Make of your prayers one sweet sacrifice,⁹³

               And lift my soul to heaven.— Lead on, i’God’s name. To Lovell

95

95   

LOVELL

LOVELL           I do beseech your grace, for charity,

               If ever any malice in your heart

               Were hid against me, now to forgive me frankly.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Sir Thomas Lovell, I as free forgive you

               As I would be forgiven: I forgive all.

100

100         There cannot be those numberless offences

               Gainst me that I cannot take¹⁰¹ peace with: no black envy

               Shall make my grave. Commend me to his grace:

               And if he speak of Buckingham, pray tell him

               You met him half in heaven: my vows and prayers

105

105         Yet¹⁰⁵ are the king’s, and, till my soul forsake,

               Shall cry for blessings on him. May he live

               Longer than I have time to tell¹⁰⁷ his years:

               Ever beloved and loving may his rule be:

               And when old¹⁰⁹ time shall lead him to his end,

110

110         Goodness and he fill up one monument.¹¹⁰

LOVELL

LOVELL     To th’water-side I must conduct your grace,

               Then give my charge¹¹² up to Sir Nicholas Vaux,

               Who undertakes¹¹³ you to your end.

VAUX

VAUX     Prepare there,

115

115         The duke is coming: see the barge be ready,

               And fit it with such furniture¹¹⁶ as suits

               The greatness of his person.

BUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM     Nay, Sir Nicholas,

               Let it alone: my state¹¹⁹ now will but mock me.

120

120         When I came hither, I was Lord High Constable

               And Duke of Buckingham: now, poor Edward Bohun:

               Yet I am richer than my base¹²² accusers,

               That never knew what truth¹²³ meant. I now seal it,

               And with that blood will make ’em one day groan for’t.

125

125         My noble father, Henry of Buckingham,

               Who first raised head¹²⁶ against usurping Richard,

               Flying for succour to his servant Banister,

               Being distressed, was by that wretch betrayed,

               And without trial fell: God’s peace be with him.

130

130         Henry the Seventh succeeding, truly pitying

               My father’s loss, like a most royal prince,

               Restored me to my honours, and out of ruins

               Made my name once more noble. Now his son,

               Henry the Eighth, life, honour, name and all

135

135         That made me happy, at one stroke¹³⁵ has taken

               For ever from the world. I had my trial,

               And must needs say a noble one, which makes me

               A little happier¹³⁸ than my wretched father:

               Yet thus far we are one in fortunes: both

140

140         Fell by our servants, by those men we loved most:

               A most unnatural and faithless service.

               Heaven has an end¹⁴² in all: yet, you that hear me,

               This from¹⁴³ a dying man receive as certain:

               Where you are liberal of¹⁴⁴ your loves and counsels,

145

145         Be sure you be not loose:¹⁴⁵ for those you make friends

               And give your hearts to, when they once perceive

               The least rub¹⁴⁷ in your fortunes, fall away

               Like water from ye, never found again

               But¹⁴⁹ where they mean to sink ye. All good people,

150

150         Pray for me. I must now forsake ye: the last hour

               Of my long weary life is come upon me. Farewell:

               And when you would say something that is sad,

               Speak how I fell. I have done, and God forgive me.

       Exeunt Duke and train

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     O, this is full of pity. Sir, it calls,

155

155         I fear, too many curses on their heads

               That were the authors.¹⁵⁶

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN     If the duke be guiltless,

               ’Tis full of woe: yet I can give you inkling

               Of an ensuing evil, if it fall,¹⁵⁹

160

160         Greater than this.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     Good angels keep it from us.

               What may it be? You do not doubt my faith,¹⁶² sir?

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN     This secret is so weighty, ’twill require

               A strong faith to conceal it.

165

165 

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN             Let me have it:

               I do not talk much.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN     I am confident:¹⁶⁷

               You shall,¹⁶⁸ sir: did you not of late days hear

               A buzzing¹⁶⁹ of a separation

170

170         Between the king and Katherine?

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     Yes, but it held not:¹⁷¹

               For when the king once heard it, out of anger

               He sent command to the Lord Mayor straight¹⁷³

               To stop the rumour, and allay¹⁷⁴ those tongues

175

175         That durst disperse it.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN     But that slander, sir,

               Is found a truth now: for it grows again

               Fresher than e’er it was, and held for¹⁷⁸ certain

               The king will venture at it.¹⁷⁹ Either the cardinal,

180

180         Or some about him near,¹⁸⁰ have, out of malice

               To the good queen, possessed¹⁸¹ him with a scruple

               That will undo her: to confirm this too,

               Cardinal Campeius¹⁸³ is arrived, and lately,

               As all think, for this business.

185

185 

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN             ’Tis the cardinal:

               And merely to revenge him on the emperor¹⁸⁶

               For not bestowing on him at his asking

               The archbishopric of Toledo, this is purposed.¹⁸⁸

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN     I think you have¹⁸⁹ hit the mark: but is’t not cruel

190

190         That she should feel the smart¹⁹⁰ of this? The cardinal

               Will have his will, and she must fall.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     ’Tis woeful.

               We are too open¹⁹³ here to argue this:

               Let’s think in private more.

       Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 22.2

running scene 5

       Enter Lord Chamberlain, reading this letter

CHAMBERLAIN

CHAMBERLAIN     ‘My lord, the horses your lordship sent for, with all the care I had, I saw well chosen, ridden² and furnished. They were young and handsome, and of the best breed in the north. When they were ready to set out for London, a man of my lord cardinal’s, by commission⁴ and main power, took ’em from me, with this reason: his master would be served before a subject, if not before the king, which stopped our mouths, sir.’ I fear he will indeed: well, let him have them: he will have all, I think.

       Enter to the Lord Chamberlain the Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk

NORFOLK

NORFOLK     Well met, my Lord Chamberlain.

CHAMBERLAIN

CHAMBERLAIN     Good day to both your graces.

10

10   

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK           How is the king employed?

CHAMBERLAIN

CHAMBERLAIN     I left him private,¹¹

               Full of sad¹² thoughts and troubles.

NORFOLK

NORFOLK     What’s the cause?

CHAMBERLAIN

CHAMBERLAIN     It seems the marriage with his brother’s wife

15

15           Has crept too near his conscience.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     No, his conscience¹⁶

               Has crept too near another lady.

NORFOLK

NORFOLK     ’Tis so:

               This is the cardinal’s doing: the king-cardinal,

20

20           That blind²⁰ priest, like the eldest son of fortune,

               Turns what he list.²¹ The king will know him one day.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Pray God he do: he’ll never know himself else.

NORFOLK

NORFOLK     How holily he²³ works in all his business,

               And with what zeal! For now he has cracked the league

25

25           Between us and the emperor, the queen’s great-nephew,

               He dives into the king’s soul, and there scatters

               Dangers, doubts, wringing of the conscience,

               Fears, and despairs, and all these for his marriage.

               And out of all these, to restore the king,

30

30           He counsels a divorce, a loss of her

               That like a jewel has hung twenty years

               About his neck, yet never lost her lustre:

               Of her that loves him with that excellence

               That angels love good men with: even of her

35

35           That when the greatest stroke of fortune falls

               Will bless the king: and is not this course pious?

CHAMBERLAIN

CHAMBERLAIN     Heaven keep me from such counsel: ’tis most true

               These news are everywhere, every tongue speaks ’em,

               And every true heart weeps for’t. All that dare

40

40           Look into these affairs see this main end:⁴⁰

               The French king’s sister.⁴¹ Heaven will one day open

               The king’s eyes, that so long have slept upon⁴²

               This bold⁴³ bad man.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     And free us from his slavery.

45

45   

NORFOLK

NORFOLK           We had need pray,

               And heartily, for our deliverance,

               Or this imperious man will work us all

               From princes into pages: all men’s honours

               Lie like one lump⁴⁹ before him, to be fashioned

50

50           Into what pitch⁵⁰ he please.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     For⁵¹ me, my lords,

               I love him not, nor fear him: there’s my creed:

               As I am made⁵³ without him, so I’ll stand,

               If the king please: his curses and his blessings

55

55           Touch me alike: they’re breath⁵⁵ I not believe in.

               I knew him, and I know him: so I leave him

               To him that made him proud: the Pope.

NORFOLK

NORFOLK     Let’s in,

               And with some other business put the king

60

60           From these sad thoughts, that work too much upon him:

               My lord, you’ll bear us company?

CHAMBERLAIN

CHAMBERLAIN     Excuse me,

               The king has sent me otherwhere:⁶³ besides,

               You’ll find a most unfit time to disturb him:

65

65           Health to your lordships.

NORFOLK

NORFOLK     Thanks, my good Lord Chamberlain.

       Exit Lord Chamberlain, and the King [Henry] draws the curtain and sits reading pensively

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     How sad he looks: sure, he is much afflicted.

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII     Who’s there? Ha?

NORFOLK

NORFOLK     Pray God he be not angry.

70

70   

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII           Who’s there, I say? How dare you thrust yourselves

               Into my private meditations?

               Who am I? Ha?

NORFOLK

NORFOLK     A gracious king that pardons all offences

               Malice ne’er meant: our breach of duty this way⁷⁴

75

75           Is business of estate,⁷⁵ in which we come

               To know your royal pleasure.

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII     Ye are too bold:

               Go to:⁷⁸ I’ll make ye know your times of business:

               Is this an hour for temporal⁷⁹ affairs? Ha?

       Enter [Cardinal] Wolsey and [Cardinal] Campeius with a commission

80

80           Who’s there? My good lord cardinal? O my Wolsey,

               The quiet⁸¹ of my wounded conscience:

               Thou art a cure⁸² fit for a king.— You’re welcome, To Cardinal Campeius

               Most learnèd reverend sir, into our kingdom:

               Use us and it.— My good lord, have great care To Cardinal Wolsey

85

85           I be not found a talker.⁸⁵

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     Sir, you cannot:

               I would your grace would give us but an hour

               Of private conference.

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII     We are busy: go. To Norfolk and Suffolk

90

90   

NORFOLK

NORFOLK           This priest⁹⁰ has no pride in him? Norfolk and Suffolk speak aside

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Not to speak of:

               I would not be so sick⁹² though for his place:

               But this cannot continue.

NORFOLK

NORFOLK     If it do,

95

95           I’ll venture one have-at-him.⁹⁵

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     I another.

       Exeunt Norfolk and Suffolk

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     Your grace has given a precedent⁹⁷ of wisdom

               Above all princes, in committing freely

               Your scruple⁹⁹ to the voice of Christendom:

100

100         Who can be angry now? What envy¹⁰⁰ reach you?

               The Spaniard,¹⁰¹ tied by blood and favour to her,

               Must now confess,¹⁰² if they have any goodness,

               The trial just and noble. All the clerks,¹⁰³

               I mean the learnèd ones in Christian kingdoms,

105

105         Have¹⁰⁵ their free voices. Rome, the nurse of judgement,

               Invited by your noble self, hath sent

               One general tongue¹⁰⁷ unto us: this good man,

               This just and learnèd priest, Card’nal Campeius,

               Whom once more I present unto your highness.

110

110 

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII             And once more in mine arms I bid him welcome,

               And thank the holy conclave¹¹¹ for their loves:

               They have sent me such a man I would have wished for.

CARDINAL CAMPEIUS

CARDINAL CAMPEIUS     Your grace must needs deserve all strangers’¹¹³ loves,

               You are so noble: to your highness’ hand

115

115         I tender¹¹⁵ my commission, by whose virtue,

               The court of Rome commanding, you my lord

               Cardinal of York, are joined with me their servant

               In the unpartial¹¹⁸ judging of this business.

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII     Two equal men: the queen shall be acquainted

120

120         Forthwith for what you come. Where’s Gardiner?

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     I know your majesty has always loved her

               So dear in heart, not to deny her that¹²²

               A woman of less place¹²³ might ask by law:

               Scholars allowed freely to argue for her.

125

125 

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII             Ay, and the best she shall have, and my favour

               To him that does best, God forbid else. Cardinal,

               Prithee call Gardiner to me, my new secretary.

               I find him a fit¹²⁸ fellow. Cardinal Wolsey calls Gardiner

       Enter Gardiner

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     Give me your hand: much joy and favour to you;

130

130         You are the king’s now. Aside to Gardiner

GARDINER

GARDINER     But to be commanded Aside to Wolsey

               For ever by your grace, whose hand has raised me.

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII     Come hither, Gardiner.

       [The King] walks and whispers [with Gardiner]

CARDINAL CAMPEIUS

CARDINAL CAMPEIUS     My lord of York, was not one Doctor Pace

135

135         In this man’s place before him?

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     Yes, he was.

CARDINAL CAMPEIUS

CARDINAL CAMPEIUS     Was he not held a learnèd man?

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     Yes, surely.

CARDINAL CAMPEIUS

CARDINAL CAMPEIUS     Believe me, there’s an ill opinion spread then,

140

140         Even of yourself, lord cardinal.

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     How? Of me?

CARDINAL CAMPEIUS

CARDINAL CAMPEIUS     They will not stick¹⁴² to say you envied him,

               And fearing he would rise, he was so virtuous,

               Kept¹⁴⁴ him a foreign man still, which so grieved him,

145

145         That he ran mad and died.

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     Heav’n’s peace be with him:

               That’s Christian care enough: for living murmurers¹⁴⁷

               There’s places of rebuke. He was a fool,

               For he would needs be virtuous. That good fellow,

150

150         If I command him, follows my appointment:¹⁵⁰

               I will have none¹⁵¹ so near else. Learn this, brother,

               We live not to be griped¹⁵² by meaner persons.

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII     Deliver¹⁵³ this with modesty to th’queen. To Gardiner

       Exit Gardiner

               The most convenient place that I can think of

155

155         For¹⁵⁵ such receipt of learning is Blackfriars:

               There ye shall meet about this weighty business.

               My Wolsey, see it furnished.¹⁵⁷ O, my lord,

               Would it not grieve an able¹⁵⁸ man to leave

               So sweet a bedfellow?¹⁵⁹ But, conscience, conscience:

160

160         O, ’tis a tender place, and I must leave her.

       Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 3

running scene 6

       Enter Anne Bullen and an Old Lady

ANNE

ANNE     Not¹ for that neither: here’s the pang that pinches:

               His highness having lived so long with her, and she

               So good a lady that no tongue could ever

               Pronounce⁴ dishonour of her — by my life,

5

5             She never knew harm-doing — O, now, after

               So many courses⁶ of the sun enthroned,

               Still growing in a majesty and pomp, the which

               To leave a thousandfold more bitter than

               ’Tis sweet at first to acquire — after this process,⁹

10

10           To give her the avaunt,¹⁰ it is a pity

               Would move a monster.

OLD LADY

OLD LADY     Hearts of most hard temper¹²

               Melt and lament for her.

ANNE

ANNE     O, God’s will! Much better

15

15           She ne’er had known pomp: though’t be temporal,¹⁵

               Yet, if that quarrel,¹⁶ fortune, do divorce

               It from the bearer, ’tis a sufferance panging¹⁷

               As soul and body’s severing.

OLD LADY

OLD LADY     Alas, poor lady,

20

20           She’s a stranger²⁰ now again.

ANNE

ANNE     So much the more

               Must pity drop upon her: verily,

               I swear, ’tis better to be lowly born,

               And range²⁴ with humble livers in content,

25

25           Than to be perked up²⁵ in a glist’ring grief,

               And wear a golden sorrow.

OLD LADY

OLD LADY     Our content

               Is our best having.²⁸

ANNE

ANNE     By my troth²⁹ and maidenhead,

30

30           I would not be a queen.

OLD LADY

OLD LADY     Beshrew³¹ me, I would,

               And venture maidenhead for’t, and so would you,

               For all this spice³³ of your hypocrisy:

               You, that have so fair parts³⁴ of woman on you,

35

35           Have, too, a woman’s heart, which ever yet

               Affected³⁶ eminence, wealth, sovereignty:

               Which, to say sooth,³⁷ are blessings: and which gifts,

               Saving³⁸ your mincing, the capacity

               Of your soft cheverel³⁹ conscience would receive,

40

40           If you might please to stretch it.

ANNE

ANNE     Nay, good troth.⁴¹

OLD LADY

OLD LADY     Yes, troth and troth: you would not be a queen?

ANNE

ANNE     No, not for all the riches under heaven.

OLD LADY

OLD LADY     ’Tis strange: a three-pence bowed⁴⁴ would hire me,

45

45           Old as I am, to queen it:⁴⁵ but, I pray you,

               What think you of a duchess? Have you limbs

               To bear⁴⁷ that load of title?

ANNE

ANNE     No, in truth.

OLD LADY

OLD LADY     Then you are weakly made: pluck off⁴⁹ a little:

50

50           I would not be a young count⁵⁰ in your way,

               For⁵¹ more than blushing comes to: if your back

               Cannot vouchsafe⁵² this burden, ’tis too weak

               Ever to get⁵³ a boy.

ANNE

ANNE     How you do talk!

55

55           I swear again, I would not be a queen

               For all the world.

OLD LADY

OLD LADY     In faith, for little England⁵⁷

               You’d venture an emballing:⁵⁸ I myself

               Would for Caernarvonshire,⁵⁹ although there longed

60

60           No more to th’crown but that. Lo, who comes here?

       Enter Lord Chamberlain

CHAMBERLAIN

CHAMBERLAIN     Good morrow, ladies: what were’t worth to know

               The secret of your conference?⁶²

ANNE

ANNE     My good lord,

               Not your demand: it values not⁶⁴ your asking:

65

65           Our mistress’ sorrows we were pitying.

CHAMBERLAIN

CHAMBERLAIN     It was a gentle⁶⁶ business, and becoming

               The action of good women: there is hope

               All will be well.

ANNE

ANNE     Now I pray God, amen.

70

70   

CHAMBERLAIN

CHAMBERLAIN           You bear a gentle mind, and heav’nly blessings

               Follow such creatures. That you may, fair lady,

               Perceive I speak sincerely, and high note’s

               Ta’en of your many virtues: the king’s majesty

               Commends⁷⁴ his good opinion of you, and

75

75           Does purpose⁷⁵ honour to you no less flowing

               Than Marchioness of Pembroke: to which title

               A thousand pound a year, annual support,

               Out of his grace⁷⁸ he adds.

ANNE

ANNE     I do not know

80

80           What kind⁸⁰ of my obedience I should tender:

               More⁸¹ than my all is nothing: nor my prayers

               Are not words duly hallowed,⁸² nor my wishes

               More⁸³ worth than empty vanities: yet prayers and wishes

               Are all I can return. Beseech your lordship,

85

85           Vouchsafe⁸⁵ to speak my thanks and my obedience,

               As from a blushing handmaid to his highness,

               Whose health and royalty I pray for.

CHAMBERLAIN

CHAMBERLAIN     Lady,

               I shall not fail t’approve⁸⁹ the fair conceit

90

90           The king hath of you.— I have perused⁹⁰ her well: Aside

               Beauty and honour in her are so mingled

               That they have caught the king: and who knows yet

               But from this lady may proceed a gem⁹³

               To lighten⁹⁴ all this isle.— I’ll to the king To Anne

95

95           And say I spoke with you.

ANNE

ANNE     My honoured lord.

       Exit Lord Chamberlain

OLD LADY

OLD LADY     Why, this it is: see, see!

               I have been begging sixteen years in court,

               Am yet a courtier beggarly,⁹⁹ nor could

100

100         Come¹⁰⁰ pat betwixt too early and too late

               For any suit of pounds,¹⁰¹ and you — O fate! —

               A very fresh¹⁰² fish here — fie, fie, fie upon

               This compelled¹⁰³ fortune! — have your mouth filled up

               Before you open it.

105

105 

ANNE

ANNE             This is strange¹⁰⁵ to me.

OLD LADY

OLD LADY     How tastes¹⁰⁶ it? Is it bitter? Forty pence, no:

               There was a lady once, ’tis an old story,

               That would not be a queen,¹⁰⁸ that would she not

               For all the mud¹⁰⁹ in Egypt: have you heard it?

110

110 

ANNE

ANNE             Come, you are pleasant.¹¹⁰

OLD LADY

OLD LADY     With your theme,¹¹¹ I could

               O’ermount¹¹² the lark. The Marchioness of Pembroke?

               A thousand pounds a year for pure respect?

               No other obligation? By my life,

115

115         That promises more thousands: honour’s¹¹⁵ train

               Is longer than his foreskirt: by this time

               I know your¹¹⁷ back will bear a duchess. Say,

               Are you not stronger than you were?

ANNE

ANNE     Good lady,

120

120         Make yourself mirth with your particular fancy,¹²⁰

               And leave me out on’t.¹²¹ Would I had no being

               If this salute¹²² my blood a jot: it faints me,

               To think what follows.

               The queen is comfortless, and we forgetful

125

125         In our long absence: pray, do not deliver¹²⁵

               What here you’ve heard to her.

OLD LADY

OLD LADY     What do you think me?

       Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 42.4

running scene 7

       Trumpets, sennet and cornets. Enter two Vergers, with short silver wands; next them two Scribes in the habit of doctors [and a Crier]: after them, the [Arch]bishop of Canterbury alone: after him, the Bishops of Lincoln, Ely, Rochester and St Asaph: next them, with some small distance, follows a Gentleman bearing the purse, with the great seal, and a cardinal’s hat: then two Priests, bearing each a silver cross: then a Gentleman-usher bare-headed, accompanied with a Sergeant-at-arms, bearing a silver mace: then two Gentlemen bearing two great silver pillars: after them, side by side, the two Cardinals [Wolsey and Campeius], two Noblemen, with the sword and mace. The King [Henry] takes place under the cloth of state. The two Cardinals sit under him as judges. The Queen [Katherine, attended by Griffith] takes place some distance from the King. The Bishops place themselves on each side the court in manner of a consistory: below them, the Scribes. The Lords sit next the Bishops. The rest of the Attendants stand in convenient order about the stage

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     Whilst our commission from Rome is read,

               Let silence be commanded.

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII      What’s the need?

               It hath already publicly been read,

5

5             And on all sides th’authority allowed:⁵

               You may then spare that time.

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     Be’t so. Proceed.

SCRIBE

SCRIBE     Say, ‘Henry, King of England, come into the court.’

CRIER

CRIER     Henry, King of England, come into the court.

10

10   

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII      Here.

SCRIBE

SCRIBE     Say, ‘Katherine, Queen of England, come into the court.’

CRIER

CRIER     Katherine, Queen of England, come into the court.

       The Queen makes no answer, rises out of her chair, goes about the court, comes to the King, and kneels at his feet: then speaks

QUEEN KATHERINE

QUEEN KATHERINE     Sir, I desire you do me right and justice,

               And to bestow your pity on me, for

15

15           I am a most poor woman, and a stranger,¹⁵

               Born out of your dominions, having here

               No judge indifferent,¹⁷ nor no more assurance

               Of equal¹⁸ friendship and proceeding. Alas, sir,

               In what have I offended you? What cause

20

20           Hath my behaviour given to your displeasure,

               That thus you should proceed²¹ to put me off,

               And take your good grace²² from me? Heaven witness,

               I have been to you a true and humble wife,

               At all times to your will conformable,²⁴

25

25           Ever in fear to kindle your dislike,²⁵

               Yea, subject to your countenance,²⁶ glad or sorry,

               As I saw it inclined. When was the hour

               I ever contradicted your desire,

               Or made it not mine too? Or which of your friends

30

30           Have I not strove to love, although I knew

               He were mine enemy? What friend of mine,

               That had to him derived³² your anger, did I

               Continue in my liking? Nay, gave notice

               He was from thence discharged? Sir, call to mind

35

35           That I have been your wife, in this obedience,

               Upward of twenty years, and have been blessed

               With many children³⁷ by you. If, in the course

               And process of this time, you can report,

               And prove it too, against mine honour³⁹ aught,

40

40           My bond to wedlock, or my love and duty

               Against⁴¹ your sacred person, in God’s name,

               Turn me away, and let the foul’st contempt

               Shut door upon me, and so give me up

               To the sharp’st kind of justice. Please you, sir,

45

45           The king your father was reputed for

               A prince most prudent, of an excellent

               And unmatched wit⁴⁷ and judgement. Ferdinand

               My father, King of Spain, was reckoned one

               The wisest⁴⁸ prince that there had reigned by many

50

50           A year before. It is not to be questioned

               That they had gathered a wise council to them

               Of every realm, that did debate this business,

               Who deemed our marriage lawful. Wherefore⁵³ I humbly

               Beseech you, sir, to spare me, till I may

55

55           Be by my friends in Spain advised, whose counsel

               I will implore. If not, i’th’name of God,

               Your pleasure be fulfilled.

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     You have here, lady,

               And of your choice, these reverend fathers,⁵⁹ men

60

60           Of singular integrity and learning,

               Yea, the elect⁶¹ o’th’land, who are assembled

               To plead your cause. It shall be therefore bootless⁶²

               That longer⁶³ you desire the court, as well

               For your own quiet,⁶⁴ as to rectify

65

65           What is unsettled in the king.

CARDINAL CAMPEIUS

CARDINAL CAMPEIUS     His grace

               Hath spoken well and justly: therefore, madam,

               It’s fit this royal session⁶⁸ do proceed,

               And that, without delay, their arguments

70

70           Be now produced and heard.

QUEEN KATHERINE

QUEEN KATHERINE     Lord cardinal,

               To you I speak.

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     Your pleasure, madam?

QUEEN KATHERINE

QUEEN KATHERINE     Sir,

75

75           I am about to weep: but, thinking that

               We are a queen, or long have dreamed so, certain⁷⁶

               The daughter of a king, my drops of tears

               I’ll turn to sparks of fire.

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     Be patient yet.

80

80   

QUEEN KATHERINE

QUEEN KATHERINE           I will, when you are humble: nay, before,⁸⁰

               Or God will punish me. I do believe,

               Induced by potent circumstances, that

               You are mine enemy, and make my challenge⁸³

               You shall not be my judge. For it is you

85

85           Have blown this coal⁸⁵ betwixt my lord and me,

               Which God’s dew quench. Therefore, I say again,

               I utterly abhor,⁸⁷ yea, from my soul,

               Refuse you for my judge, whom yet once more

               I hold my most malicious foe, and think not

90

90           At all a friend to truth.

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     I do profess

               You speak not like yourself, who ever yet

               Have stood to⁹³ charity, and displayed th’effects

               Of disposition gentle, and of wisdom

95

95           O’ertopping woman’s power. Madam, you do me wrong:

               I have no spleen⁹⁶ against you, nor injustice

               For you or any: how far I have proceeded,

               Or how far further shall, is warranted

               By a commission from the consistory,

100

100         Yea, the whole consistory of Rome. You charge me

               That I have blown this coal: I do deny it:

               The king is present: if it be known to him

               That I gainsay¹⁰³ my deed, how may he wound,

               And worthily,¹⁰⁴ my falsehood: yea, as much

105

105         As you have done my truth. If he know

               That I am free¹⁰⁶ of your report, he knows

               I am not of your wrong.¹⁰⁷ Therefore in him

               It lies to cure me, and the cure is to

               Remove these thoughts from you: the which before

110

110         His highness shall speak in,¹¹⁰ I do beseech

               You, gracious madam, to unthink your speaking

               And to say so no more.

QUEEN KATHERINE

QUEEN KATHERINE     My lord, my lord,

               I am a simple woman, much too weak

115

115         T’oppose your cunning. You’re meek and humble-mouthed:

               You sign¹¹⁶ your place and calling, in full seeming,

               With meekness and humility: but your heart

               Is crammed with arrogancy, spleen and pride.

               You have by fortune and his highness’ favours,

120

120         Gone slightly¹²⁰ o’er low steps, and now are mounted

               Where powers¹²¹ are your retainers, and your words,

               Domestics¹²² to you, serve your will as’t please

               Yourself pronounce their office. I must tell you,

               You tender¹²⁴ more your person’s honour than

125

125         Your high profession spiritual, that¹²⁵ again

               I do refuse you for my judge, and here,

               Before you all, appeal unto the Pope,

               To bring my whole cause¹²⁸ ’fore his holiness,

               And to be judged by him.

       She curtsies to the King, and offers to depart

130

130 

CARDINAL CAMPEIUS

CARDINAL CAMPEIUS             The queen is obstinate,

               Stubborn¹³¹ to justice, apt to accuse it, and

               Disdainful to be tried by’t: ’tis not well.

               She’s going away.

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII     Call her again. To the Crier

135

135 

CRIER

CRIER             Katherine, Queen of England, come into the court.

GRIFFITH

GRIFFITH     Madam, you are called back. To Queen Katherine

QUEEN KATHERINE

QUEEN KATHERINE     What need you note it? Pray you keep your way:¹³⁷

               When you are called, return. Now the Lord help:

               They vex me past my patience. Pray you, pass on:

140

140         I will not tarry:¹⁴⁰ no, nor ever more

               Upon this business my appearance make

               In any of their courts.

       Exeunt Queen and her Attendants

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII     Go thy ways, Kate.

               That man i’th’world who shall report he has

145

145         A better wife, let him in naught be trusted

               For speaking false in that: thou art alone —

               If thy rare¹⁴⁷ qualities, sweet gentleness,

               Thy meekness saint-like, wife-like government,¹⁴⁸

               Obeying in commanding,¹⁴⁹ and thy parts

150

150         Sovereign and pious else, could speak thee out¹⁵⁰ —

               The queen of earthly queens: she’s noble born:

               And like her true nobility, she has

               Carried¹⁵³ herself towards me.

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     Most gracious sir,

155

155         In humblest manner I require¹⁵⁵ your highness,

               That it shall please you to declare in hearing

               Of all these ears — for where I am robbed and bound,

               There must I be unloosed, although not there

               At once and fully satisfied¹⁵⁹ — whether ever I

160

160         Did broach this business to your highness, or

               Laid any scruple in your way, which might

               Induce you to the question on’t, or ever

               Have to you, but with thanks to God for such

               A royal lady, spake one the least word that might

165

165         Be to the prejudice¹⁶⁵ of her present state,

               Or touch¹⁶⁶ of her good person?

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII     My lord cardinal,

               I do excuse¹⁶⁸ you: yea, upon mine honour,

               I free you¹⁶⁹ from’t: you are not to be taught

170

170         That you have many enemies, that know not

               Why they are so, but like to village curs,¹⁷¹

               Bark when their fellows do. By some of these

               The queen is put in anger. You’re excused:

               But will you be more justified? You ever

175

175         Have wished the sleeping of this business, never desired

               It to be stirred, but oft have hindered, oft,

               The passages¹⁷⁷ made toward it: on my honour,

               I speak¹⁷⁸ my good lord card’nal to this point,

               And thus far clear him. Now, what moved me to’t,

180

180         I will be bold with time and your attention:

               Then mark th’inducement.¹⁸¹ Thus it came: give heed to’t:

               My conscience first received a tenderness,¹⁸²

               Scruple, and prick, on certain speeches uttered

               By th’Bishop of Bayonne, then French ambassador,

185

185         Who had been hither sent on the debating

               A marriage ’twixt¹⁸⁶ the Duke of Orléans and

               Our daughter Mary: i’th’progress of this business,

               Ere a determinate resolution,¹⁸⁸ he,

               I mean the bishop, did require a respite,

190

190         Wherein he might the king his lord advertise¹⁹⁰

               Whether our daughter were legitimate,

               Respecting this our marriage with the dowager,¹⁹²

               Sometimes¹⁹³ our brother’s wife. This respite shook

               The bosom of my conscience, entered me,

195

195         Yea, with a spitting¹⁹⁵ power, and made to tremble

               The region of my breast, which forced such way,

               That many mazed considerings¹⁹⁷ did throng

               And pressed in with this caution. First, methought

               I stood not in the smile¹⁹⁹ of heaven, who had

200

200         Commanded nature that my lady’s womb,

               If it conceived a male child by me, should

               Do no more offices²⁰² of life to’t than

               The grave does to th’dead: for her male issue

               Or²⁰⁴ died where they were made, or shortly after

205

205         This²⁰⁵ world had aired them. Hence I took a thought,

               This was a judgement on me, that my kingdom,

               Well worthy the best heir o’th’world, should not

               Be gladded²⁰⁸ in’t by me. Then follows that

               I weighed the danger which my realms stood in

210

210         By this my issue’s²¹⁰ fail, and that gave to me

               Many a groaning throe:²¹¹ thus hulling in

               The wild sea of my conscience, I did steer

               Toward this remedy, whereupon we are

               Now present here together: that’s to say,

215

215         I meant to rectify my conscience, which

               I then did feel full²¹⁶ sick, and yet not well,

               By all the reverend fathers of the land

               And doctors²¹⁸ learned. First I began in private

               With you, my lord of Lincoln: you remember

220

220         How under my oppression²²⁰ I did reek

               When I first moved²²¹ you.

LINCOLN

LINCOLN     Very well, my liege.

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII     I have spoke long: be pleased yourself to say

               How far you satisfied²²⁴ me.

225

225 

LINCOLN

LINCOLN             So please your highness,

               The question did at first so stagger me,

               Bearing²²⁷ a state of mighty moment in’t

               And consequence of dread, that I committed²²⁸

               The daring’st counsel which I had to doubt,

230

230         And did entreat your highness to this course

               Which you are running here.

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII     I then moved you, To Canterbury

               My lord of Canterbury, and got your leave

               To make this present summons: unsolicited

235

235         I left no reverend person in this court,

               But by particular²³⁶ consent proceeded

               Under²³⁷ your hands and seals: therefore, go on:

               For no dislike i’th’world against the person

               Of the good queen, but the sharp thorny points

240

240         Of my alleged reasons, drives this forward:

               Prove but²⁴¹ our marriage lawful, by my life

               And kingly dignity, we are contented

               To wear²⁴³ our mortal state to come with her,

               Katherine our queen, before the primest²⁴⁴ creature

245

245         That’s paragoned²⁴⁵ o’th’world.

CARDINAL CAMPEIUS

CARDINAL CAMPEIUS     So please your highness,

               The queen being absent, ’tis a needful fitness²⁴⁷

               That we adjourn this court till further²⁴⁸ day:

               Meanwhile must be an earnest motion²⁴⁹

250

250         Made to the queen, to call back her appeal

               She intends unto his holiness.²⁵¹

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII     I may perceive Aside

               These cardinals trifle with me: I abhor

               This dilatory²⁵⁴ sloth and tricks of Rome.

255

255         My learned and well-belovèd servant, Cranmer,

               Prithee return:²⁵⁶ with thy approach, I know,

               My comfort comes along.— Break up the court: Aloud

               I say, set²⁵⁸ on.

       Exeunt in manner as they entered

Act 3 Scene 13.1

running scene 8

       Enter Queen [Katherine] and her Women, as at work One with a lute

QUEEN KATHERINE

QUEEN KATHERINE     Take thy lute,¹ wench: my soul grows sad with troubles:

               Sing, and disperse ’em, if thou canst: leave² working.

WOMAN

WOMAN     Orpheus³ with his lute made trees, Sings

               And the mountain tops that freeze,

5

5             Bow themselves when he did sing.

               To his music plants and flowers

               Ever sprung, as⁷ sun and showers

               There had made a lasting spring.

               Every thing that heard him play,

10

10           Even the billows¹⁰ of the sea,

               Hung their heads, and then lay¹¹ by.

               In sweet music is such art,

               Killing¹³ care and grief of heart

               Fall asleep, or hearing, die.

       Enter [Griffith] a Gentleman

15

15   

QUEEN KATHERINE

QUEEN KATHERINE           How now?

GRIFFITH

GRIFFITH     An’t please your grace, the two great cardinals

               Wait in the presence.¹⁷

QUEEN KATHERINE

QUEEN KATHERINE     Would they speak with me?

GRIFFITH

GRIFFITH     They willed¹⁹ me say so, madam.

20

20   

QUEEN KATHERINE

QUEEN KATHERINE           Pray²⁰ their graces

               To come near.

       [Exit Griffith]

                                    What can be their business

               With me, a poor weak woman, fall’n from favour?

               I do not like their coming: now I think on’t,

               They should be good men, their affairs as righteous:²⁴

25

25           But all hoods make not monks.

       Enter the two Cardinals, Wolsey and Campeius

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     Peace to your highness.

QUEEN KATHERINE

QUEEN KATHERINE     Your graces find me here part²⁷ of a housewife:

               I would be all,²⁸ against the worst may happen.

               What are your pleasures with me, reverend lords?

30

30   

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY           May it please you, noble madam, to withdraw

               Into your private chamber: we shall give you

               The full cause of our coming.

QUEEN KATHERINE

QUEEN KATHERINE     Speak it here.

               There’s nothing I have done yet, o’ my conscience,

35

35           Deserves a corner:³⁵ would all other women

               Could speak this with as free³⁶ a soul as I do.

               My lords, I care not, so much I am happy³⁷

               Above a number,³⁸ if my actions

               Were tried by ev’ry tongue, ev’ry eye saw ’em,

40

40           Envy⁴⁰ and base opinion set against ’em,

               I know my life so even.⁴¹ If your business

               Seek me out, and that⁴² way I am wife in,

               Out with it boldly: truth loves open dealing.

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     Tanta⁴⁴ est erga te mentis integritas, Regina serenissima—

45

45   

QUEEN KATHERINE

QUEEN KATHERINE           O, good my lord, no Latin:

               I am not such a truant⁴⁶ since my coming,

               As not to know the language I have lived in:

               A strange⁴⁸ tongue makes my cause more strange, suspicious:

               Pray, speak in English: here are some will thank you,

50

50           If you speak truth, for their poor mistress’ sake:

               Believe me, she has had much wrong. Lord cardinal,

               The willing’st⁵² sin I ever yet committed

               May be absolved in English.

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     Noble lady,

55

55           I am sorry my integrity should breed,

               And service to his majesty and you,

               So deep suspicion, where all⁵⁷ faith was meant:

               We come not by the way⁵⁸ of accusation,

               To taint that honour every good tongue blesses,

60

60           Nor to betray you any way to sorrow:

               You have too much, good lady: but to know

               How you stand minded⁶² in the weighty difference

               Between the king and you, and to deliver,

               Like free⁶⁴ and honest men, our just opinions

65

65           And comforts to your cause.

CARDINAL CAMPEIUS

CARDINAL CAMPEIUS     Most honoured madam,

               My lord of York, out of his noble nature,

               Zeal and obedience he still bore your grace,

               Forgetting, like a good man, your late censure

70

70           Both of his truth and him, which was too far,

               Offers, as I do, in a sign of peace,

               His service and his counsel.

QUEEN KATHERINE

QUEEN KATHERINE     To betray me. Aside

               My lords, I thank you both for your good wills: Aloud

75

75           Ye speak like honest men:— pray God ye prove so. Aside?

               But how to make ye suddenly⁷⁶ an answer

               In such a point of weight, so near mine honour —

               More near my life, I fear — with my weak wit,⁷⁸

               And to such men of gravity and learning:

80

80           In truth I know not. I was set⁸⁰ at work

               Among my maids, full little, God knows, looking⁸¹

               Either for such men or such business:

               For her⁸³ sake that I have been — for I feel

               The last fit⁸⁴ of my greatness — good your graces,

85

85           Let me have time and counsel for my cause:

               Alas, I am a woman friendless, hopeless.

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     Madam, you wrong the king’s love with these fears.

               Your hopes and friends are infinite.

QUEEN KATHERINE

QUEEN KATHERINE     In England

90

90           But little for my profit:⁹⁰ can you think, lords,

               That any Englishman dare give me counsel?

               Or be a known friend gainst his highness’ pleasure,

               Though he be grown so desperate⁹³ to be honest,

               And live⁹⁴ a subject? Nay forsooth, my friends,

95

95           They that must weigh out⁹⁵ my afflictions,

               They that my trust must grow to, live not here:

               They are, as all my other comforts, far hence

               In mine own country, lords.

CARDINAL CAMPEIUS

CARDINAL CAMPEIUS     I would your grace

100

100         Would leave your griefs, and take my counsel.

QUEEN KATHERINE

QUEEN KATHERINE     How, sir?

CARDINAL CAMPEIUS

CARDINAL CAMPEIUS     Put your main cause into the king’s protection:

               He’s loving and most gracious. ’Twill be much

               Both for your honour better and your cause:

105

105         For if the trial of the law o’ertake ye,

               You’ll part away¹⁰⁶ disgraced.

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     He tells you rightly.

QUEEN KATHERINE

QUEEN KATHERINE     Ye tell me what ye wish for both — my ruin:

               Is this your Christian counsel? Out upon ye.¹⁰⁹

110

110         Heaven is above all yet: there sits a judge

               That no king can corrupt.

CARDINAL CAMPEIUS

CARDINAL CAMPEIUS     Your rage mistakes¹¹² us.

QUEEN KATHERINE

QUEEN KATHERINE     The more shame for ye: holy men I thought ye,

               Upon my soul, two reverend cardinal virtues:¹¹⁴

115

115         But cardinal¹¹⁵ sins and hollow hearts I fear ye:

               Mend ’em for shame, my lords. Is this your comfort?

               The cordial¹¹⁷ that ye bring a wretched lady?

               A woman lost among ye, laughed at, scorned?

               I will not wish ye half my miseries:

120

120         I have more charity. But say I warned ye:

               Take heed, for heaven’s sake, take heed, lest at¹²¹ once

               The burden of my sorrows fall upon ye.

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     Madam, this is a mere distraction:¹²³

               You turn the good we offer into envy.¹²⁴

125

125 

QUEEN KATHERINE

QUEEN KATHERINE             Ye turn me into nothing. Woe upon ye

               And all such false professors.¹²⁶ Would you have me —

               If you have any justice, any pity,

               If ye be anything but churchmen’s habits¹²⁸ —

               Put my sick cause into his hands that hates me?

130

130         Alas, he’s banished me his¹³⁰ bed already,

               His love, too long ago. I am old, my lords,

               And all the fellowship¹³² I hold now with him

               Is only my obedience. What can happen

               To me above¹³⁴ this wretchedness? All your studies

135

135         Make me a curse like this.

CARDINAL CAMPEIUS

CARDINAL CAMPEIUS     Your fears are worse.

QUEEN KATHERINE

QUEEN KATHERINE     Have I lived thus long — let me speak¹³⁷ myself,

               Since virtue finds no friends — a wife, a true one?

               A woman, I dare say without vainglory,¹³⁹

140

140         Never yet branded with suspicion?

               Have I with all my full¹⁴¹ affections

               Still¹⁴² met the king? Loved him next heaven? Obeyed him?

               Been, out of fondness,¹⁴³ superstitious to him?

               Almost forgot my prayers to content him?

145

145         And am I thus rewarded? ’Tis not well, lords.

               Bring me a constant woman to her husband,

               One that ne’er dreamed a joy beyond his pleasure,

               And to that woman, when she has done most,

               Yet will I add an honour, a great patience.

150

150 

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY             Madam, you wander from¹⁵⁰ the good we aim at.

QUEEN KATHERINE

QUEEN KATHERINE     My lord, I dare not make myself so guilty,

               To give up willingly that noble title

               Your master wed me to: nothing but death

               Shall e’er divorce my dignities.¹⁵⁴

155

155 

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY             Pray, hear me.

QUEEN KATHERINE

QUEEN KATHERINE     Would I¹⁵⁶ had never trod this English earth,

               Or felt the flatteries that grow upon it:

               Ye have angels’ faces, but heaven knows your hearts.

               What will become of me now, wretched lady?

160

160         I am the most unhappy woman living.

               Alas, poor wenches, where are now your fortunes?

               Shipwrecked upon a kingdom, where no pity,

               No friends, no hope, no kindred weep for me?

               Almost no grave allowed me? Like the lily

165

165         That once was mistress of the field and flourished,

               I’ll hang my head and perish.

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     If your grace

               Could but be brought to know our ends¹⁶⁸ are honest,

               You’d feel more comfort. Why should we, good lady,

170

170         Upon what cause, wrong you? Alas, our places,¹⁷⁰

               The way of our profession is against it:

               We are to cure such sorrows, not to sow ’em.

               For goodness’ sake, consider what you do,

               How you may hurt yourself, ay, utterly

175

175         Grow from the king’s acquaintance, by this carriage.¹⁷⁵

               The hearts of princes kiss obedience,

               So much they love it, but to stubborn spirits

               They swell and grow as terrible as storms.

               I know you have a gentle, noble temper,¹⁷⁹

180

180         A soul as even¹⁸⁰ as a calm: pray think us

               Those we profess: peacemakers, friends and servants.

CARDINAL CAMPEIUS

CARDINAL CAMPEIUS     Madam, you’ll find it so: you wrong your virtues

               With these weak women’s fears. A noble spirit,

               As yours was put into you, ever casts¹⁸⁴

185

185         Such doubts as false coin from it. The king loves you:

               Beware you lose it not: for us, if you please

               To trust us in your business, we are ready

               To use our utmost studies¹⁸⁸ in your service.

QUEEN KATHERINE

QUEEN KATHERINE     Do what ye will, my lords: and pray forgive me

190

190         If I have used¹⁹⁰ myself unmannerly.

               You know I am a woman, lacking wit

               To make a seemly answer to such persons.

               Pray do my service¹⁹³ to his majesty:

               He has my heart yet, and shall have my prayers

195

195         While I shall have my life. Come, reverend fathers,

               Bestow your counsels on me. She now begs,

               That¹⁹⁷ little thought, when she set footing here,

               She should have bought her dignities so dear.

       Exeunt

Act 3 Scene 2

running scene 9

       Enter the Duke of Norfolk, Duke of Suffolk, Lord Surrey and Lord Chamberlain

NORFOLK

NORFOLK     If you will now unite in your complaints,

               And force² them with a constancy, the cardinal

               Cannot stand under them. If you omit³

               The offer of this time, I cannot promise

5

5             But that you shall sustain more new disgraces,

               With these you bear already.

SURREY

SURREY     I am joyful

               To meet the least occasion that may give me

               Remembrance of my father-in-law the duke,⁹

10

10           To be revenged on him.¹⁰

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Which of the peers

               Have uncontemned¹² gone by him, or at least

               Strangely neglected?¹³ When did he regard

               The stamp of nobleness in any person

15

15           Out¹⁵ of himself?

CHAMBERLAIN

CHAMBERLAIN     My lords, you speak your pleasures:

               What he deserves of you and me I know:

               What we can do to him, though now the time

               Gives way¹⁹ to us, I much fear. If you cannot

20

20           Bar his access to th’king, never attempt

               Anything on him: for he hath a witchcraft

               Over the king in’s²² tongue.

NORFOLK

NORFOLK     O, fear him not:

               His spell in that is out:²⁴ the king hath found

25

25           Matter against him that forever mars

               The honey of his language. No, he’s²⁶ settled,

               Not to come off,²⁷ in his displeasure.

SURREY

SURREY     Sir,

               I should be glad to hear such news as this

30

30           Once every hour.

NORFOLK

NORFOLK     Believe it, this is true.

               In the divorce his contrary³² proceedings

               Are all unfolded,³³ wherein he appears

               As I would wish mine enemy.

35

35   

SURREY

SURREY           How came

               His practices³⁶ to light?

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Most strangely.

SURREY

SURREY     O, how, how?

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     The cardinal’s letters to the Pope miscarried,³⁹

40

40           And came to th’eye o’th’king, wherein was read

               How that the cardinal did entreat his holiness

               To stay⁴² the judgment o’th’divorce, for if

               It did take place, ‘I do’, quoth he, ‘perceive

               My king is tangled in affection to

45

45           A creature⁴⁵ of the queen’s, Lady Anne Bullen.’

SURREY

SURREY     Has the king this?

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Believe it.

SURREY

SURREY     Will this work?

CHAMBERLAIN

CHAMBERLAIN     The king in this perceives him⁴⁹ how he coasts

50

50           And hedges his own way. But in this point

               All his tricks founder, and he brings his physic⁵¹

               After his patient’s death: the king already

               Hath married the fair lady.

SURREY

SURREY     Would he had.

55

55   

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK           May you be happy in your wish, my lord,

               For I profess you have it.

SURREY

SURREY     Now, all my joy

               Trace the conjunction.⁵⁸

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     My amen to’t.

60

60   

NORFOLK

NORFOLK           All men’s.⁶⁰

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     There’s order given for her coronation:

               Marry,⁶² this is yet but young, and may be left

               To some ears unrecounted. But, my lords,

               She is a gallant⁶⁴ creature, and complete

65

65           In mind and feature. I persuade me,⁶⁵ from her

               Will fall⁶⁶ some blessing to this land, which shall

               In it be memorized.⁶⁷

SURREY

SURREY     But will the king

               Digest⁶⁹ this letter of the cardinal’s?

70

70           The Lord forbid!

NORFOLK

NORFOLK     Marry, amen.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     No, no:

               There be more wasps that buzz about his nose

               Will make this sting the sooner. Cardinal Campeius

75

75           Is stol’n away to Rome: hath ta’en no leave:

               Has left the cause⁷⁶ o’th’king unhandled, and

               Is posted⁷⁷ as the agent of our cardinal

               To second all his plot. I do assure you

               The king cried ‘Ha!’ at this.

80

80   

CHAMBERLAIN

CHAMBERLAIN           Now, God incense him,

               And let him cry ‘Ha!’ louder.

NORFOLK

NORFOLK     But, my lord,

               When returns Cranmer?

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     He⁸⁴ is returned in his opinions, which

85

85           Have satisfied the king for his divorce,

               Together with all famous colleges

               Almost in Christendom: shortly, I believe,

               His second marriage shall be published,⁸⁸ and

               Her coronation. Katherine no more

90

90           Shall be called ‘Queen’, but ‘Princess Dowager’

               And ‘widow to Prince Arthur’.

NORFOLK

NORFOLK     This same Cranmer’s

               A worthy fellow, and hath ta’en much pain

               In the king’s business.

95

95   

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK           He has, and we shall see him

               For it an archbishop.

NORFOLK

NORFOLK     So I hear.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     ’Tis so.

       Enter [Cardinal] Wolsey and Cromwell

               The cardinal.

100

100 

NORFOLK

NORFOLK             Observe, observe, he’s moody.¹⁰⁰

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     The packet,¹⁰¹ Cromwell: gave’t you the king?

CROMWELL

CROMWELL     To his own hand, in’s bedchamber.

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     Looked¹⁰³ he

               O’th’inside of the paper?

105

105 

CROMWELL

CROMWELL             Presently¹⁰⁵

               He did unseal them, and the first he viewed,

               He did it with a serious mind: a heed¹⁰⁷

               Was in his countenance. You he bade

               Attend him here this morning.

110

110 

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY             Is he ready

               To come abroad?¹¹¹

CROMWELL

CROMWELL     I think by this¹¹² he is.

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     Leave me awhile.—

       Exit Cromwell

               It shall be to the Duchess of Alençon, Aside

115

115         The French king’s sister: he shall marry her.

               Anne Bullen? No, I’ll no Anne Bullens for him:

               There’s more in’t than fair visage.¹¹⁷ Bullen?

               No, we’ll no Bullens. Speedily I wish

               To hear from Rome. The Marchioness of Pembroke?

120

120 

NORFOLK

NORFOLK             He’s discontented.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Maybe he hears the king

               Does whet his anger to him.

SURREY

SURREY     Sharp enough,

               Lord, for thy justice.

125

125 

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY             The late¹²⁵ queen’s gentlewoman? A knight’s daughter, Aside

               To be her mistress’ mistress? The queen’s queen?

               This candle burns not clear:¹²⁷ ’tis I must snuff it,

               Then out it goes. What though I know her virtuous

               And well deserving? Yet I know her for

130

130         A spleeny Lutheran,¹³⁰ and not wholesome to

               Our cause, that she should lie i’th’bosom of¹³¹

               Our hard-ruled¹³² king. Again, there is sprung up

               An heretic, an arch-one:¹³³ Cranmer, one

               Hath¹³⁴ crawled into the favour of the king,

135

135         And is his oracle.

NORFOLK

NORFOLK     He is vexed at something.

       Enter King [Henry], reading of a schedule [and Lovell]

SURREY

SURREY     I would ’twere something that would fret¹³⁷ the string,

               The master-cord¹³⁸ on’s heart!

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     The king, the king!

140

140 

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII             What piles of wealth hath he accumulated Aside

               To his own portion?¹⁴¹ And what expense by th’hour

               Seems to flow from him? How i’th’name of thrift

               Does he rake this together?— Now, my lords, Aloud

               Saw you the cardinal?

145

145 

NORFOLK

NORFOLK             My lord, we have

               Stood here observing him. Some strange commotion¹⁴⁶

               Is in his brain: he bites his lip, and starts,

               Stops on a sudden, looks upon the ground,

               Then lays his finger on his temple, straight¹⁴⁹

150

150         Springs out into fast gait, then stops again,

               Strikes his breast hard, and anon he casts

               His eye against¹⁵² the moon: in most strange postures

               We have seen him set himself.

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII     It may well be,

155

155         There is a mutiny in’s mind. This morning

               Papers of state he sent me to peruse,

               As I required: and wot¹⁵⁷ you what I found

               There, on my conscience put unwittingly?

               Forsooth, an inventory, thus importing¹⁵⁹

160

160         The several parcels¹⁶⁰ of his plate, his treasure,

               Rich stuffs¹⁶¹ and ornaments of household, which

               I find at such proud rate,¹⁶² that it outspeaks

               Possession of a subject.

NORFOLK

NORFOLK     It’s heaven’s will:

165

165         Some spirit put this paper in the packet,

               To bless your eye withal.¹⁶⁶

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII      If we did think

               His contemplation¹⁶⁸ were above the earth,

               And fixed on spiritual object, he should¹⁶⁹ still

170

170         Dwell in his musings: but I am afraid

               His thinkings are below¹⁷¹ the moon, not worth

               His serious considering.

       King takes his seat; [and] whispers [with] Lovell, who goes to the Cardinal

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY      Heaven forgive me!—

               Ever God bless your highness. To the King

175

175 

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII      Good, my lord,

               You are full of heavenly stuff,¹⁷⁶ and bear the inventory

               Of your best graces¹⁷⁷ in your mind, the which

               You were now running o’er: you have scarce time

               To steal from spiritual leisure¹⁷⁹ a brief span

180

180         To keep¹⁸⁰ your earthly audit: sure, in that

               I deem you an ill husband,¹⁸¹ and am glad

               To have you therein my companion.

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY      Sir,

               For holy offices I have a time: a time

185

185         To think upon the part of business which

               I bear i’th’state: and nature does require

               Her times of preservation,¹⁸⁷ which perforce

               I, her frail son, amongst my brethren mortal,

               Must give my tendance¹⁸⁹ to.

190

190 

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII      You have said well.

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY      And ever may your highness yoke together,

               As I will lend you cause, my doing well

               With my well saying.

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII      ’Tis well said again,

195

195         And ’tis a kind of good deed to say well:

               And yet words are no deeds. My father loved you:

               He said he did, and with his deed did crown¹⁹⁷

               His word upon you. Since I had my office,

               I have kept you next my heart, have not alone¹⁹⁹

200

200         Employed you where high profits might come home,

               But pared²⁰¹ my present havings, to bestow

               My bounties upon you.

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY      What should this mean? Aside

SURREY

SURREY     The Lord increase this business! Aside

205

205 

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII             Have I not made you,

               The prime²⁰⁶ man of the state? I pray you tell me

               If what I now pronounce²⁰⁷ you have found true:

               And if you may confess it, say withal²⁰⁸

               If you are bound to us or no. What say you?

210

210 

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY      My sovereign, I confess your royal graces,²¹⁰

               Showered on me daily, have been more than could²¹¹

               My studied purposes requite, which went

               Beyond all man’s endeavours. My endeavours

               Have ever come too short of my desires,

215

215         Yet filed²¹⁵ with my abilities: mine own ends

               Have been mine so²¹⁶ that evermore they pointed

               To th’good of your most sacred person and

               The profit of the state. For your great graces

               Heaped upon me, poor undeserver, I

220

220         Can nothing render but allegiant²²⁰ thanks,

               My prayers to heaven for you, my loyalty,

               Which ever has and ever shall be growing,

               Till death, that winter, kill it.

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII     Fairly answered:

225

225         A loyal and obedient subject is

               The rein illustrated: the²²⁶ honour of it

               Does pay the act of it, as i’th’contrary

               The foulness²²⁸ is the punishment. I presume

               That as my hand has opened bounty to you,

230

230         My heart dropped love, my power rained honour, more

               On you than any: so your hand and heart,

               Your brain, and every function of your power,²³²

               Should, notwithstanding²³³ that your bond of duty,

               As ’twere in love’s particular,²³⁴ be more

235

235         To me, your friend, than any.

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     I do profess

               That for your highness’ good I ever laboured

               More than mine own: that²³⁸ am, have and will be —

               Though all the world should crack²³⁹ their duty to you,

240

240         And throw it from their soul: though perils did

               Abound, as thick as thought could make ’em, and

               Appear in forms more horrid²⁴² — yet my duty,

               As doth a rock against the chiding²⁴³ flood,

               Should the approach of this wild river break,²⁴⁴

245

245         And stand unshaken yours.

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII     ’Tis nobly spoken:

               Take notice, lords, he has a loyal breast,

               For you have seen him open’t. Read o’er this, Gives Wolsey a paper

               And after, this, and then to breakfast with Gives him another paper

250

250         What appetite you have.

       Exit King, frowning upon the Cardinal, the Nobles throng

       after him, smiling and whispering

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     What should this mean?

               What sudden anger’s this? How have I reaped it?

               He parted frowning from me, as if ruin

               Leaped from his eyes. So looks the chafèd²⁵⁴ lion

255

255         Upon the daring huntsman that has galled²⁵⁵ him:

               Then makes him nothing.²⁵⁶ I must read this paper:

               I fear the story²⁵⁷ of his anger.— ’Tis so: He reads one of the papers

               This paper has undone²⁵⁸ me: ’tis the account

               Of all that world²⁵⁹ of wealth I have drawn together

260

260         For mine own ends — indeed, to gain the popedom,

               And fee²⁶¹ my friends in Rome. O negligence,

               Fit for a fool to fall by! What cross²⁶² devil

               Made me put this main²⁶³ secret in the packet

               I sent the king? Is there no way to cure this?

265

265         No new device²⁶⁵ to beat this from his brains?

               I know ’twill stir²⁶⁶ him strongly. Yet I know

               A way, if it take right,²⁶⁷ in spite of fortune

               Will bring me off²⁶⁸ again. What’s this? ‘To th’Pope’?

               The letter, as I live, with all the business

270

270         I writ to’s holiness. Nay then, farewell:

               I have touched the highest point of all my greatness,

               And from that full meridian²⁷² of my glory,

               I haste now to my setting.²⁷³ I shall fall

               Like a bright exhalation²⁷⁴ in the evening,

275

275         And no man see me more.

       Enter to Wolsey, the Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk, the Earl of Surrey and the Lord Chamberlain

NORFOLK

NORFOLK     Hear the king’s pleasure, cardinal, who commands you

               To render up the great seal presently²⁷⁷

               Into our hands, and to confine yourself

               To Asher²⁷⁹ House, my lord of Winchester’s,

280

280         Till you hear further from his highness.

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     Stay:

               Where’s your commission,²⁸² lords? Words cannot carry

               Authority so weighty.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Who dare cross²⁸⁴ ’em,

285

285         Bearing the king’s will from his mouth expressly?

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     Till I find more than will or words to do it²⁸⁶ —

               I mean your malice — know, officious lords,

               I dare and must deny it. Now I feel

               Of what coarse metal²⁸⁹ ye are moulded: envy.

290

290         How eagerly ye follow my disgraces,

               As if it fed ye, and how sleek²⁹¹ and wanton

               Ye appear in everything may bring my ruin!

               Follow your envious courses, men of malice:

               You have Christian warrant for ’em, and no doubt

295

295         In time will find their fit rewards.²⁹⁵ That seal

               You ask with such a violence, the king,

               Mine and your master, with his own hand gave me:

               Bade me enjoy²⁹⁸ it, with the place and honours,

               During my life: and to confirm his goodness,

300

300         Tied³⁰⁰ it by letters patents. Now, who’ll take it?

SURREY

SURREY     The king, that gave it.

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     It must be himself, then.

SURREY

SURREY     Thou art a proud traitor, priest.

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     Proud lord, thou liest:

305

305         Within these forty hours³⁰⁵ Surrey durst better

               Have burnt that tongue than said so.

SURREY

SURREY     Thy ambition,

               Thou scarlet sin,³⁰⁸ robbed this bewailing land

               Of noble Buckingham, my father-in-law:

310

310         The heads of all thy brother cardinals,

               With thee, and all thy best parts³¹¹ bound together,

               Weighed³¹² not a hair of his. Plague of your policy,

               You sent me deputy for Ireland,

               Far from his succour,³¹⁴ from the king, from all

315

315         That might have mercy on the fault³¹⁵ thou gav’st him:

               Whilst your great goodness, out of holy pity,

               Absolved him with an axe.

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     This, and all else

               This talking lord can lay upon my credit,³¹⁹

320

320         I answer is most false. The duke by law

               Found his deserts. How innocent I was

               From³²² any private malice in his end,

               His noble jury and foul cause³²³ can witness.

               If I loved many words, lord, I should tell you

325

325         You have as little honesty as honour,

               That³²⁶ in the way of loyalty and truth

               Toward the king, my ever royal master,

               Dare mate³²⁸ a sounder man than Surrey can be,

               And all that love his follies.

330

330 

SURREY

SURREY             By my soul,

               Your long coat, priest, protects you: thou shouldst feel

               My sword i’th’life-blood of thee else. My lords,

               Can ye endure to hear this arrogance?

               And from this fellow?³³⁴ If we live thus tamely,

335

335         To be thus jaded³³⁵ by a piece of scarlet,

               Farewell nobility: let his grace go forward,

               And dare³³⁷ us with his cap, like larks.

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     All goodness

               Is poison to thy stomach.

340

340 

SURREY

SURREY             Yes, that goodness

               Of gleaning all the land’s wealth into one,

               Into your own hands, Card’nal, by extortion:

               The goodness of your intercepted packets

               You writ to th’Pope against the king: your goodness,

345

345         Since you provoke me, shall be most notorious.

               My lord of Norfolk, as you are truly noble,

               As you respect the common good, the state

               Of our despised nobility, our issues,³⁴⁸

               Whom if he³⁴⁹ live will scarce be gentlemen,

350

350         Produce the grand sum of his sins, the articles³⁵⁰

               Collected from his life. I’ll startle you

               Worse than the sacring bell,³⁵² when the brown wench

               Lay kissing in your arms, lord cardinal.

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     How much, methinks, I could despise this man, Aside

355

355         But that I am bound in charity against it.

NORFOLK

NORFOLK     Those articles, my lord, are in the king’s hand:³⁵⁶

               But thus much:³⁵⁷ they are foul ones.

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     So much fairer

               And spotless shall mine innocence arise,

360

360         When the king knows my truth.

SURREY

SURREY     This cannot save you:

               I thank my memory, I yet remember

               Some of these articles, and out³⁶³ they shall.

               Now, if you can blush and cry ‘Guilty’, cardinal,

365

365         You’ll show a little honesty.

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     Speak on, sir:

               I dare³⁶⁷ your worst objections: if I blush,

               It is to see a nobleman want³⁶⁸ manners.

SURREY

SURREY     I had rather want those than my head. Have at you!³⁶⁹

370

370         First, that without the king’s assent or knowledge,

               You wrought³⁷¹ to be a legate, by which power

               You maimed the jurisdiction of all bishops.

NORFOLK

NORFOLK     Then, that in all you writ to Rome, or else

               To foreign princes, ‘Ego³⁷⁴ et Rex meus’

375

375         Was still³⁷⁵ inscribed, in which you brought the king

               To be your servant.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Then, that without the knowledge

               Either of king or council, when you went

               Ambassador³⁷⁹ to the emperor, you made bold

380

380         To carry³⁸⁰ into Flanders the great seal.

SURREY

SURREY     Item,³⁸¹ you sent a large commission

               To Gregory³⁸² de Cassado, to conclude

               Without the king’s will or the state’s allowance,³⁸³

               A league between his highness and Ferrara.³⁸⁴

385

385 

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK             That out of mere³⁸⁵ ambition, you have caused

               Your holy hat to be stamped on the king’s coin.

SURREY

SURREY     Then, that you have sent innumerable substance³⁸⁷ —

               By what means got, I leave to your own conscience —

               To furnish³⁸⁹ Rome, and to prepare the ways

390

390         You have for dignities, to³⁹⁰ the mere undoing

               Of all the kingdom. Many more³⁹¹ there are,

               Which since they are of you, and odious,

               I will not taint my mouth with.

CHAMBERLAIN

CHAMBERLAIN     O my lord,

395

395         Press not a falling man too far. ’Tis virtue:³⁹⁵

               His faults lie open³⁹⁶ to the laws, let them,

               Not you, correct him. My heart weeps to see him

               So little of his great self.

SURREY

SURREY     I forgive him.

400

400 

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK             Lord cardinal, the king’s further pleasure is,

               Because all those things you have done of late

               By your power legative⁴⁰² within this kingdom,

               Fall into th’compass of a praemunire,⁴⁰³

               That therefore such a writ be sued⁴⁰⁴ against you,

405

405         To forfeit all your goods, lands, tenements,⁴⁰⁵

               Castles,⁴⁰⁶ and whatsoever, and to be

               Out of the king’s protection. This is my charge.⁴⁰⁷

NORFOLK

NORFOLK     And so we’ll leave you to your meditations

               How to live better. For⁴⁰⁹ your stubborn answer

410

410         About the giving back the great seal to us,

               The king shall know it, and, no doubt, shall thank you.

               So fare you well, my little good lord cardinal.

       Exeunt all but Wolsey

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     So farewell to the little good you bear me.

               Farewell? A long farewell to all my greatness.

415

415         This is the state of man: today he puts forth

               The tender⁴¹⁶ leaves of hopes: tomorrow blossoms,

               And bears his blushing⁴¹⁷ honours thick upon him:

               The third day comes a frost, a killing frost,

               And when he thinks, good easy⁴¹⁹ man, full surely

420

420         His greatness is a-ripening, nips his root,

               And then he falls, as I do. I have ventured,

               Like little wanton⁴²² boys that swim on bladders,

               This⁴²³ many summers in a sea of glory,

               But far beyond my depth: my high-blown⁴²⁴ pride

425

425         At length broke under me, and now has left me

               Weary, and old with service, to the mercy

               Of a rude stream,⁴²⁷ that must for ever hide me.

               Vain⁴²⁸ pomp and glory of this world, I hate ye:

               I feel my heart new opened. O, how wretched

430

430         Is that poor man that hangs on princes’ favours?

               There is betwixt that smile we would aspire to,

               That sweet aspect⁴³² of princes, and their ruin,

               More pangs⁴³³ and fears than wars or women have:

               And when he falls, he falls like Lucifer,⁴³⁴

435

435         Never to hope again.

       Enter Cromwell, standing amazed

                                    Why, how now, Cromwell?

CROMWELL

CROMWELL     I have no power to speak, sir.

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     What, amazed

               At my misfortunes? Can thy spirit wonder

               A great man should decline?⁴³⁹ Nay, an you weep

440

440         I am fall’n indeed.

CROMWELL

CROMWELL     How does your grace?

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     Why, well:

               Never so truly happy,⁴⁴³ my good Cromwell.

               I know myself now, and I feel within me

445

445         A peace above all earthly dignities,

               A still and quiet conscience. The king has cured me,

               I humbly thank his grace, and from these shoulders,

               These ruined pillars,⁴⁴⁸ out of pity, taken

               A load would sink a navy: too much honour.

450

450         O, ’tis a burden, Cromwell, ’tis a burden

               Too heavy for a man that hopes for heaven.

CROMWELL

CROMWELL     I am glad your grace has made that right use of it.⁴⁵²

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     I hope I have: I am able now, methinks,

               Out of a fortitude of soul I feel,

455

455         To endure more miseries and greater far

               Than my weak-hearted enemies dare offer.

               What news abroad?

CROMWELL

CROMWELL     The heaviest⁴⁵⁸ and the worst

               Is your displeasure⁴⁵⁹ with the king.

460

460 

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY             God bless him.

CROMWELL

CROMWELL     The next is that Sir Thomas More is chosen

               Lord Chancellor in your place.

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     That’s somewhat sudden,

               But he’s a learned man. May he continue

465

465         Long in his highness’ favour, and do justice

               For truth’s sake and his conscience, that⁴⁶⁶ his bones,

               When he has run his course and sleeps in blessings,

               May have a tomb of orphans’⁴⁶⁸ tears wept on him.

               What more?

470

470 

CROMWELL

CROMWELL             That Cranmer is returned with welcome,

               Installed Lord Archbishop of Canterbury.

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     That’s news indeed.

CROMWELL

CROMWELL     Last, that the Lady Anne,

               Whom the king hath in secrecy long married,

475

475         This day was viewed in open⁴⁷⁵ as his queen,

               Going to chapel, and the voice⁴⁷⁶ is now

               Only about her coronation.

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     There was the weight that pulled me down.

               O Cromwell,

480

480         The king has gone beyond⁴⁸⁰ me: all my glories

               In⁴⁸¹ that one woman I have lost for ever.

               No sun shall ever usher forth mine honours,

               Or gild again the noble troops⁴⁸³ that waited

               Upon my smiles. Go, get thee from me, Cromwell:

485

485         I am a poor fall’n man, unworthy now

               To be thy lord and master. Seek the king —

               That sun I pray may never set — I have told him

               What and how true thou art: he will advance thee:

               Some little memory of me will stir him —

490

490         I know his noble nature — not to let

               Thy hopeful⁴⁹¹ service perish too. Good Cromwell,

               Neglect him not: make use⁴⁹² now, and provide

               For thine own future safety.

CROMWELL

CROMWELL     O my lord,

495

495         Must I then leave you? Must I needs forgo⁴⁹⁵

               So good, so noble and so true a master?

               Bear witness, all that have not hearts of iron,

               With what a sorrow Cromwell leaves his lord.

               The king shall have my service: but my prayers

500

500         For ever and for ever shall be yours.

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     Cromwell, I did not think to shed a tear He weeps

               In all my miseries: but thou hast forced me,

               Out of thy honest truth,⁵⁰³ to play the woman.

               Let’s dry our eyes: and thus far hear me Cromwell,

505

505         And when I am forgotten, as I shall be,

               And sleep in dull⁵⁰⁶ cold marble, where no mention

               Of me more must be heard of, say I taught thee:

               Say Wolsey, that once trod the ways of glory,

               And sounded⁵⁰⁹ all the depths and shoals of honour,

510

510         Found thee a way, out of his wreck,⁵¹⁰ to rise in:

               A sure and safe one, though thy master missed it.

               Mark⁵¹² but my fall, and that that ruined me:

               Cromwell, I charge thee, fling away ambition:

               By that sin fell the angels: how can man then,

515

515         The image of his maker, hope to win by it?

               Love thyself last: cherish those hearts that hate thee:

               Corruption wins not more than honesty.

               Still⁵¹⁸ in thy right hand carry gentle peace

               To silence envious tongues. Be just, and fear not:

520

520         Let all the ends thou aim’st at be thy country’s,

               Thy God’s, and truth’s. Then if thou fall’st, O Cromwell,

               Thou fall’st a blessèd martyr.

               Serve the king: and prithee lead me in:

               There take an inventory of all I have:

525

525         To the last penny ’tis the king’s. My robe,

               And my integrity to heaven, is all

               I dare now call mine own. O Cromwell, Cromwell,

               Had I but served my God with half the zeal

               I served my king, he would not in mine age

530

530         Have left me naked⁵³⁰ to mine enemies.

CROMWELL

CROMWELL     Good sir, have patience.

CARDINAL WOLSEY

CARDINAL WOLSEY     So I have. Farewell

               The hopes of court: my hopes in heaven do dwell.

       Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 14.1

running scene 10

       Enter two Gentlemen, meeting one another [the First holding a paper]

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     You’re well met once again.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN     So are you.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     You come to take your stand here, and behold

               The Lady Anne pass from her coronation?

5

5     

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN         ’Tis all my business.⁵ At our last encounter,

               The Duke of Buckingham came from his trial.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     ’Tis very true. But that time offered sorrow,

               This, general⁸ joy.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN     ’Tis well: the citizens,

10

10           I am sure, have shown at full their royal¹⁰ minds —

               As, let¹¹ ’em have their rights, they are ever forward —

               In celebration of this day with shows,

               Pageants and sights of honour.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     Never greater,

15

15           Nor, I’ll assure you, better taken,¹⁵ sir.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN     May I be bold to ask what that contains,

               That paper in your hand?

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     Yes, ’tis the list

               Of those that claim their offices this day

20

20           By custom of the coronation.

               The Duke of Suffolk is the first, and claims

               To be High Steward:²² next, the Duke of Norfolk,

               He to be Earl Marshal:²³ you may read the rest.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN     I thank you, sir: had I not known those customs,

25

25           I should have been beholding²⁵ to your paper:

               But I beseech you, what’s become of Katherine,

               The Princess Dowager? How goes her business?

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     That I can tell you too. The Archbishop

               Of Canterbury, accompanied with other

30

30           Learnèd and reverend fathers of his order,³⁰

               Held a late³¹ court at Dunstable, six miles off

               From Ampthill,³² where the princess lay: to which

               She was often cited³³ by them, but appeared not:

               And, to be short,³⁴ for not appearance and

35

35           The king’s late scruple,³⁵ by the main assent

               Of all these learnèd men she was divorced,

               And the late marriage made of none effect,³⁷

               Since which she was removed to Kimbolton,³⁸

               Where she remains now sick.

40

40   

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN           Alas, good lady. Trumpets

               The trumpets sound: stand close,⁴¹ the queen is coming. Hautboys

The Order of the Coronation

1. A lively flourish of Trumpets.

2. Then, [enter] two Judges.

3. Lord Chancellor, with purse and mace before him.

4. Choristers, singing. Music [being played by musicians].

5. Mayor of London, bearing the mace. Then Garter, in his coat of arms, and on his head he wore a gilt copper crown.

6. Marquis Dorset, bearing a sceptre of gold, on his head a demi-coronal of gold. With him, the Earl of Surrey, bearing the rod of silver with the dove, crowned with an earl’s coronet. Collars of esses.

7. Duke of Suffolk, in his robe of estate, his coronet on his head, bearing a long white wand, as High Steward. With him, the Duke of Norfolk, with the rod of marshalship, a coronet on his head. Collars of esses.

8. A canopy, borne by four [Barons] of the Cinque Ports, under it the Queen [Anne] in her robe, in her hair, richly adorned with pearl, crowned. On each side her, the Bishops of London and Winchester.

9. The old Duchess of Norfolk, in a coronal of gold, wrought with flowers, bearing the Queen’s train.

10. Certain Ladies or Countesses, with plain circlets of gold without flowers.
Exeunt, first passing over the stage in order and state [while being discussed by the Gentlemen]

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN     A royal train,⁴² believe me: these I know.

               Who’s that that bears the sceptre?

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     Marquis Dorset,

45

45           And that the Earl of Surrey, with the rod.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN     A bold brave gentleman. That should⁴⁶ be

               The Duke of Suffolk?

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     ’Tis the same: High Steward.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN     And that my lord of Norfolk?

50

50   

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN           Yes.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN     Heaven bless thee! He sees Anne

               Thou hast the sweetest face I ever looked on.—

               Sir, as I have a soul, she is an angel:

               Our king has all the Indies⁵⁴ in his arms,

55

55           And more, and richer, when he strains⁵⁵ that lady:

               I cannot blame his conscience.⁵⁶

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     They that bear

               The cloth of honour⁵⁸ over her, are four barons

               Of the Cinque Ports.⁵⁹

60

60   

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN           Those men are happy,

               And so are all are near her.

               I take it she that carries up the train

               Is that old noble lady, Duchess of Norfolk.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     It is, and all the rest are countesses.

65

65   

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN           Their coronets say so. These are stars indeed,

               And sometimes falling⁶⁶ ones.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     No more of that.

       [Exit the end of the procession,] and then a great flourish of Trumpets

       Enter a Third Gentleman

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     God save you, sir. Where have you been broiling?⁶⁸

THIRD GENTLEMAN

THIRD GENTLEMAN     Among the crowd i’th’Abbey,⁶⁹ where a finger

70

70           Could not be wedged in more: I am stifled

               With the mere⁷¹ rankness of their joy.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN     You saw

               The ceremony?

THIRD GENTLEMAN

THIRD GENTLEMAN     That I did.

75

75   

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN           How was it?

THIRD GENTLEMAN

THIRD GENTLEMAN     Well worth the seeing.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN     Good sir, speak⁷⁷ it to us.

THIRD GENTLEMAN

THIRD GENTLEMAN     As well as I am able. The rich stream

               Of lords and ladies, having brought the queen

80

80           To a prepared place in the choir, fell off⁸⁰

               A distance from her, while her grace sat down

               To rest a while, some half an hour or so,

               In a rich chair of state, opposing⁸³ freely

               The beauty of her person to the people.

85

85           Believe me, sir, she is the goodliest⁸⁵ woman

               That ever lay by man: which when the people

               Had the full view of, such a noise arose⁸⁷

               As the shrouds⁸⁸ make at sea in a stiff tempest,

               As loud, and to as many tunes. Hats, cloaks —

90

90           Doublets,⁹⁰ I think — flew up, and had their faces

               Been loose, this day they had been lost. Such joy

               I never saw before. Great-bellied⁹² women,

               That had not half a week to go, like rams⁹³

               In the old time of war, would shake the press⁹⁴

95

95           And make ’em reel before ’em. No man living

               Could say ‘This is my wife’ there, all were woven

               So strangely in one piece.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN     But, what followed?

THIRD GENTLEMAN

THIRD GENTLEMAN     At length her grace rose, and with modest paces

100

100         Came to the altar, where she kneeled, and saint-like

               Cast her fair eyes to heaven and prayed devoutly.

               Then rose again and bowed her to the people:

               When by the Archbishop of Canterbury

               She had all the royal makings¹⁰⁴ of a queen,

105

105         As¹⁰⁵ holy oil, Edward Confessor’s crown,

               The rod, and bird of peace, and all such emblems

               Laid nobly on her: which performed, the choir,

               With all the choicest music¹⁰⁸ of the kingdom,

               Together sung Te Deum.¹⁰⁹ So she parted,

110

110         And with the same full state¹¹⁰ paced back again

               To York Place, where the feast is held.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     Sir,

               You must no more call it York Place, that’s past:

               For, since the cardinal fell, that title’s lost:

115

115         ’Tis now the king’s, and called Whitehall.

THIRD GENTLEMAN

THIRD GENTLEMAN     I know it;

               But ’tis so lately¹¹⁷ altered, that the old name

               Is fresh about me.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN     What two reverend bishops

120

120         Were those that went on each side of the queen?

THIRD GENTLEMAN

THIRD GENTLEMAN     Stokesley and Gardiner, the one¹²¹ of Winchester,

               Newly preferred¹²² from the king’s secretary:

               The other, London.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN     He of Winchester

125

125         Is held no great good lover of the archbishop’s,

               The virtuous Cranmer.

THIRD GENTLEMAN

THIRD GENTLEMAN     All the land knows that:

               However, yet there is no great breach: when it comes,

               Cranmer will¹²⁹ find a friend will not shrink from him.

130

130 

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN             Who may that be, I pray you?

THIRD GENTLEMAN

THIRD GENTLEMAN     Thomas Cromwell;

               A man in much esteem with th’king, and truly

               A worthy friend. The king has made him

               Master o’th’Jewel House,¹³⁴

135

135         And one already of the Privy Council.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN     He will deserve more.

THIRD GENTLEMAN

THIRD GENTLEMAN     Yes, without all doubt.

               Come, gentlemen, ye shall go my way,

               Which is to th’court, and there ye shall be my guests:

140

140         Something¹⁴⁰ I can command. As I walk thither,

               I’ll tell ye more.

FIRST and SECOND GENTLEMEN

FIRST AND SECOND GENTLEMEN     You may command us, sir.

       Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 2*

running scene 11

       Enter Katherine Dowager, sick, led between Griffith, her Gentleman-usher, and Patience, her Woman

GRIFFITH

GRIFFITH     How does your grace?

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     O Griffith, sick to death:

               My legs like loaden³ branches, bow to th’earth,

               Willing to leave their burden. Reach a chair: She sits

5

5             So now, methinks, I feel a little ease.

               Didst thou not tell me, Griffith, as thou led’st me,

               That the great child of honour, Cardinal Wolsey, was dead?

GRIFFITH

GRIFFITH     Yes, madam, but I think your grace,

               Out of the pain you suffered, gave no ear to’t.

10

10   

KATHERINE

KATHERINE           Prithee, good Griffith, tell me how he died.

               If well, he stepped before me happily¹¹

               For my example.

GRIFFITH

GRIFFITH     Well, the voice¹³ goes, madam:

               For after the stout¹⁴ Earl Northumberland

15

15           Arrested him at York, and brought him forward,¹⁵

               As a man sorely tainted,¹⁶ to his answer,

               He fell sick suddenly, and grew so ill

               He could not sit¹⁸ his mule.

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     Alas, poor man.

20

20   

GRIFFITH

GRIFFITH           At last, with easy roads,²⁰ he came to Leicester,

               Lodged in the abbey, where the reverend abbot,

               With all his convent,²² honourably received him,

               To whom he gave these words: ‘O father abbot,

               An old man, broken with the storms of state,

25

25           Is come to lay his weary bones among ye:

               Give him a little earth²⁶ for charity.’

               So went to bed, where eagerly²⁷ his sickness

               Pursued him still: and three nights after this,

               About the hour of eight, which he himself

30

30           Foretold should be his last, full of repentance,

               Continual meditations, tears, and sorrows,

               He gave his honours to the world again,

               His blessèd part³³ to heaven, and slept in peace.

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     So may he rest: his faults lie gently on him.

35

35           Yet thus far, Griffith, give me leave to speak³⁵ him,

               And yet with charity. He was a man

               Of an unbounded stomach,³⁷ ever ranking

               Himself with princes: one that by suggestion³⁸

               Tied³⁹ all the kingdom. Simony was fair play:

40

40           His own opinion was his law. I’th’presence⁴⁰

               He would say untruths, and be ever double⁴¹

               Both in his words and meaning. He was never,

               But where he meant to ruin, pitiful.⁴³

               His promises were, as he then was, mighty:

45

45           But his performance, as he is now, nothing:

               Of his own body⁴⁶ he was ill, and gave

               The clergy ill example.

GRIFFITH

GRIFFITH     Noble madam,

               Men’s evil manners live in brass, their virtues

50

50           We write in water. May it please your highness

               To hear me speak his good⁵¹ now?

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     Yes, good Griffith,

               I were malicious else.

GRIFFITH

GRIFFITH     This cardinal,

55

55           Though from an humble stock, undoubtedly

               Was fashioned to⁵⁶ much honour. From his cradle

               He was a scholar, and a ripe⁵⁷ and good one:

               Exceeding wise, fair-spoken, and persuading:

               Lofty⁵⁹ and sour to them that loved him not:

60

60           But to those men that sought him, sweet as summer.

               And though he were unsatisfied in getting,⁶¹

               Which was a sin, yet in bestowing, madam,

               He was most princely: ever witness for him

               Those twins of learning that he raised in you,⁶⁴

65

65           Ipswich and Oxford:⁶⁵ one of which fell with him,

               Unwilling to outlive the good that did⁶⁶ it:

               The other, though unfinished, yet so famous,

               So excellent in art,⁶⁸ and still so rising,

               That Christendom shall ever speak his virtue.

70

70           His overthrow heaped happiness upon him:

               For then, and not till then, he felt himself,

               And found the blessedness of being little.⁷²

               And, to add greater honours to his age

               Than man could give him, he died fearing God.

75

75   

KATHERINE

KATHERINE           After my death I wish no other herald,

               No other speaker of my living actions,

               To keep mine honour from corruption,

               But such an honest chronicler as Griffith.

               Whom⁷⁹ I most hated living, thou hast made me,

80

80           With thy religious⁸⁰ truth and modesty,

               Now in his ashes honour: peace be with him.

               Patience, be near me still, and set me lower:⁸² To Patience

               I have not long to trouble thee. Good Griffith,

               Cause the musicians play me that sad note⁸⁴

85

85           I named my knell,⁸⁵ whilst I sit meditating

               On that celestial harmony⁸⁶ I go to. She sleeps

       Sad and solemn music

GRIFFITH

GRIFFITH     She is asleep: good wench, let’s sit down quiet

               For fear we wake her. Softly, gentle Patience.

The Vision

       Enter, solemnly tripping one after another, six personages, clad in white robes, wearing on their heads garlands of bays, and golden vizards on their faces, branches of bays or palm in their hands. They first congee unto her, then dance: and at certain changes, the first two hold a spare garland over her head, at which the other four make reverent curtsies. Then the two that held the garland deliver the same to the other next two, who observe the same order in their changes, and holding the garland over her head. Which done, they deliver the same garland to the last two, who likewise observe the same order. At which, as it were by inspiration, she makes in her sleep signs of rejoicing, and holdeth up her hands to heaven. And so, in their dancing vanish, carrying the garland with them. The music continues

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     Spirits of peace, where are ye? Are ye all gone,

90

90           And leave me here in wretchedness behind ye?

GRIFFITH

GRIFFITH     Madam, we are here.

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     It is not you I call for:

               Saw ye none enter since I slept?

GRIFFITH

GRIFFITH     None, madam.

95

95   

KATHERINE

KATHERINE           No? Saw you not even now a blessèd troop

               Invite me to a banquet, whose bright faces

               Cast thousand beams upon me, like the sun?

               They promised me eternal happiness,

               And brought me garlands, Griffith, which I feel

100

100         I am not worthy yet to wear: I shall, assuredly.

GRIFFITH

GRIFFITH     I am most joyful, madam, such good dreams

               Possess your fancy.¹⁰²

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     Bid the music leave,¹⁰³

               They are harsh and heavy¹⁰⁴ to me.

       Music ceases

105

105 

PATIENCE

PATIENCE             Do you note Patience and Griffith speak aside

               How much her grace is altered on the sudden?

               How long her face is drawn? How pale she looks,

               And of an earthy cold? Mark her eyes!

GRIFFITH

GRIFFITH     She is going, wench: pray, pray.

110

110 

PATIENCE

PATIENCE             Heaven comfort her.

       Enter a Messenger

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     An’t¹¹¹ like your grace—

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     You are a saucy¹¹² fellow:

               Deserve we no more reverence?

GRIFFITH

GRIFFITH     You are to blame, To the Messenger

115

115         Knowing she will not lose¹¹⁵ her wonted greatness,

               To use so rude behaviour. Go to, kneel.

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     I humbly do entreat your highness’ pardon:

               My haste made me unmannerly. There is staying¹¹⁸

               A gentleman sent from the king to see you.

120

120 

KATHERINE

KATHERINE             Admit him entrance, Griffith. But this fellow

               Let me ne’er see again.

       Exit Messenger

       Enter Lord Caputius [ushered by Griffith]

                                    If my sight fail not,

               You should be lord ambassador from the emperor,¹²²

               My royal nephew, and your name Caputius.

CAPUTIUS

CAPUTIUS     Madam, the same. Your servant.

125

125 

KATHERINE

KATHERINE             O my lord,

               The times and titles now are altered strangely

               With me since first you knew me. But I pray you,

               What is your pleasure with me?

CAPUTIUS

CAPUTIUS     Noble lady,

130

130         First mine own service to your grace: the next,

               The king’s request that I would visit you,

               Who grieves much for your weakness, and by me

               Sends you his princely commendations,

               And heartily entreats you take good comfort.

135

135 

KATHERINE

KATHERINE             O my good lord, that comfort comes too late,

               ’Tis like a pardon after execution:

               That gentle physic¹³⁷ given in time had cured me,

               But now I am past all comforts here but prayers.

               How does his highness?

140

140 

CAPUTIUS

CAPUTIUS             Madam, in good health.

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     So may he ever do, and ever flourish,

               When I shall dwell with worms, and my poor name

               Banished the kingdom. Patience, is that letter

               I caused you write yet sent away?

145

145 

PATIENCE

PATIENCE             No, madam. Gives it to Katherine

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     Sir, I most humbly pray you to deliver

               This to my lord the king. Gives the letter to Caputius

CAPUTIUS

CAPUTIUS     Most willing,¹⁴⁸ madam.

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     In which I have commended to his goodness

150

150         The model¹⁵⁰ of our chaste loves, his young daughter —

               The dews of heaven fall thick in blessings on her —

               Beseeching him to give her virtuous breeding.¹⁵²

               She is young, and of a noble modest nature:

               I hope she will deserve well — and a little

155

155         To love her for her mother’s sake, that loved him,

               Heaven knows how dearly. My next poor petition

               Is that his noble grace would have some pity

               Upon my wretched women, that so long

               Have followed both my fortunes¹⁵⁹ faithfully:

160

160         Of which there is not one, I dare avow,

               And now I should not lie, but will deserve

               For virtue and true beauty of the soul,

               For honesty¹⁶³ and decent carriage,

               A right good husband — let him be a noble —

165

165         And sure those men are happy¹⁶⁵ that shall have ’em.

               The last is for my men — they are the poorest,

               But poverty could never draw ’em from me —

               That they may have their wages duly paid ’em,

               And something over¹⁶⁹ to remember me by.

170

170         If heaven had pleased to have given me longer life

               And able¹⁷¹ means, we had not parted thus.

               These are the whole contents, and, good my lord,

               By that you love the dearest in this world,

               As you wish Christian peace to souls departed,

175

175         Stand these poor people’s friend, and urge the king

               To do me this last right.

CAPUTIUS

CAPUTIUS     By heaven, I will,

               Or let me lose the fashion¹⁷⁸ of a man.

KATHERINE

KATHERINE     I thank you, honest¹⁷⁹ lord. Remember me

180

180         In all humility unto his highness:

               Say his long trouble now is passing

               Out of this world. Tell him in death I blessed him,

               For so I will. Mine eyes grow dim. Farewell,

               My lord. Griffith, farewell. Nay, Patience,

185

185         You must not leave me yet. I must to bed:

               Call in more women. When I am dead, good wench,

               Let me be used¹⁸⁷ with honour: strew me over

               With maiden flowers,¹⁸⁸ that all the world may know

               I was a chaste wife to my grave: embalm me,

190

190         Then lay me forth:¹⁹⁰ although unqueened, yet like

               A queen and daughter to a king inter me.

               I can¹⁹² no more.

       Exeunt leading Katherine

Act 5 Scene 15.1

running scene 12

       Enter Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester, a Page with a torch before him, met by Sir Thomas Lovell

GARDINER

GARDINER     It’s one o’clock, boy, is’t not?

PAGE

PAGE     It hath struck.

GARDINER

GARDINER     These should be hours for necessities,³

               Not for delights: times to repair our nature

5

5             With comforting repose, and not for us

               To waste these times. Good hour of night, Sir Thomas:

               Whither⁷ so late?

LOVELL

LOVELL     Came you from the king, my lord?

GARDINER

GARDINER     I did, Sir Thomas, and left him at primero⁹

10

10           With the Duke of Suffolk.

LOVELL

LOVELL     I must¹¹ to him too,

               Before he go to bed. I’ll take my leave.

GARDINER

GARDINER     Not yet, Sir Thomas Lovell. What’s the matter?

               It seems you are in haste: an if¹⁴ there be

15

15           No great offence¹⁵ belongs to’t, give your friend

               Some touch¹⁶ of your late business: affairs that walk,

               As they say spirits do, at midnight, have

               In them a wilder nature than the business

               That seeks dispatch by day.

20

20   

LOVELL

LOVELL           My lord, I love you,

               And durst commend²¹ a secret to your ear

               Much weightier than this work.²² The queen’s in labour —

               They say in great extremity — and feared²³

               She’ll with the labour end.

25

25   

GARDINER

GARDINER           The fruit²⁵ she goes with

               I pray for heartily, that it may find

               Good time,²⁷ and live: but for the stock, Sir Thomas,

               I wish it grubbed up²⁸ now.

LOVELL

LOVELL     Methinks I could

30

30           Cry the amen,³⁰ and yet my conscience says

               She’s a good creature and, sweet lady, does

               Deserve our better wishes.

GARDINER

GARDINER     But, sir, sir,

               Hear me, Sir Thomas: you’re a gentleman

35

35           Of mine own way.³⁵ I know you wise, religious,

               And let me tell you, it will ne’er be well —

               ’Twill not, Sir Thomas Lovell, take’t of me —

               Till Cranmer, Cromwell, her two hands,³⁸ and she

               Sleep in their graves.

40

40   

LOVELL

LOVELL           Now, sir, you speak of two

               The most remarked⁴¹ i’th’kingdom. As for Cromwell,

               Beside that of the Jewel House, is made Master

               O’th’Rolls⁴² and the king’s secretary. Further, sir,

               Stands in the gap and trade⁴⁴ of more preferments,

45

45           With which the time⁴⁵ will load him. Th’archbishop

               Is the king’s hand and tongue, and who dare speak

               One syllable against him?

GARDINER

GARDINER     Yes, yes, Sir Thomas,

               There are⁴⁹ that dare, and I myself have ventured

50

50           To speak my mind of him: and indeed this day,

               Sir, I may tell it you, I think I have

               Incensed⁵² the lords o’th’council, that he is —

               For so I know he is, they know he is —

               A most arch-heretic,⁵⁴ a pestilence

55

55           That does infect the land: with which they, moved,⁵⁵

               Have broken⁵⁶ with the king, who hath so far

               Given ear to our complaint, of his great grace

               And princely care, foreseeing those fell⁵⁸ mischiefs

               Our reasons laid before him, hath commanded

60

60           Tomorrow morning to the council board

               He be convented.⁶¹ He’s a rank weed, Sir Thomas,

               And we must root him out. From your affairs

               I hinder you too long. Goodnight, Sir Thomas.

LOVELL

LOVELL     Many good nights, my lord: I rest⁶⁴ your servant.

       Exeunt Gardiner and Page

       Enter King [Henry] and Suffolk

65

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII     Charles, I will play no more tonight: To Suffolk

               My mind’s not on’t: you are too hard⁶⁶ for me.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Sir, I did never win of you before.

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII     But little, Charles,

               Nor shall not when my fancy’s⁶⁹ on my play.

70

70           Now, Lovell, from the queen what is the news?

LOVELL

LOVELL     I could not personally deliver to her

               What you commanded me, but by her woman

               I sent your message, who returned her thanks

               In the great’st humbleness, and desired your highness

75

75           Most heartily to pray for her.

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII     What say’st thou? Ha?

               To pray for her? What, is she crying out?

LOVELL

LOVELL     So said her woman, and that her suff’rance⁷⁸ made

               Almost each pang a death.

80

80   

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII           Alas, good lady.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     God⁸¹ safely quit her of her burden, and

               With gentle travail,⁸² to the gladding of

               Your highness with an heir!

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII     ’Tis midnight, Charles.

85

85           Prithee to bed, and in thy prayers remember

               Th’estate⁸⁶ of my poor queen. Leave me alone,

               For I must think of that which company

               Would not be friendly to.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     I wish your highness

90

90           A quiet night, and my good mistress will

               Remember in my prayers.

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII     Charles, goodnight.

       Exit Suffolk

       Enter Sir Anthony Denny

               Well, sir, what follows?

DENNY

DENNY     Sir, I have brought my lord the archbishop,

95

95           As you commanded me.

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII     Ha? Canterbury?

DENNY

DENNY     Ay, my good lord.

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII     ’Tis true: where is he, Denny?

DENNY

DENNY     He attends⁹⁹ your highness’ pleasure.

100

100 

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII             Bring him to us.

       [Exit Denny]

LOVELL

LOVELL     This is about that which the bishop¹⁰¹ spake. Aside

               I am happily¹⁰² come hither.

       Enter Cranmer and Denny

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII     Avoid¹⁰³ the gallery.

       Lovell seems to stay

                                    Ha? I have said. Be gone.

       Exeunt Lovell and Denny

               What?

105

105 

CRANMER

CRANMER             I am fearful: wherefore frowns he thus? Aside

               ’Tis his aspect of terror.¹⁰⁶ All’s not well.

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII     How now, my lord? You desire to know

               Wherefore I sent for you.

CRANMER

CRANMER     It is my duty He kneels

110

110         T’attend your highness’ pleasure.

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII     Pray you, arise,

               My good and gracious lord of Canterbury.

               Come, you and I must walk a turn together:

               I have news to tell you. Come, come, give me your hand. Cranmer stands. They walk

115

115         Ah, my good lord, I grieve at what I speak,

               And am right sorry to repeat what follows.

               I have, and most unwillingly, of late

               Heard many grievous¹¹⁸ — I do say, my lord,

               Grievous — complaints of you, which, being considered,

120

120         Have moved¹²⁰ us and our council, that you shall

               This morning come before us, where I know

               You cannot with such freedom¹²² purge yourself,

               But that, till further trial in those charges

               Which will require your answer, you must take¹²⁴

125

125         Your patience to you, and be well contented

               To make your house our Tower.¹²⁶ You a brother of us,

               It fits¹²⁷ we thus proceed, or else no witness

               Would come against you.

CRANMER

CRANMER     I humbly thank your highness, He kneels

130

130         And am right glad to catch this good occasion

               Most throughly¹³¹ to be winnowed, where my chaff

               And corn shall fly asunder. For I know

               There’s none stands under¹³³ more calumnious tongues

               Than I myself, poor man.

135

135 

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII             Stand up, good Canterbury:

               Thy truth and thy integrity is rooted

               In us, thy friend. Give me thy hand, stand up:

               Prithee, let’s walk. Now, by my halidom,¹³⁸ Cranmer stands. They walk

               What manner of man are you? My lord, I looked¹³⁹

140

140         You would have given¹⁴⁰ me your petition that

               I should have ta’en some pains to bring together

               Yourself and your accusers, and to have heard you

               Without endurance further.¹⁴³

CRANMER

CRANMER     Most dread¹⁴⁴ liege,

145

145         The good I stand on is my truth and honesty:

               If they shall fail, I with mine enemies

               Will triumph¹⁴⁷ o’er my person, which I weigh not,

               Being¹⁴⁸ of those virtues vacant. I fear nothing

               What can be said against me.

150

150 

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII             Know you not

               How your state stands i’th’world, with the whole world?

               Your enemies are many, and not small:¹⁵² their practices

               Must bear¹⁵³ the same proportion, and not ever

               The justice and the truth o’th’question carries

155

155         The dew o’th’verdict¹⁵⁵ with it: at what ease

               Might corrupt minds procure knaves as corrupt

               To swear¹⁵⁷ against you? Such things have been done.

               You are potently opposed, and with a malice

               Of as great size. Ween you of¹⁵⁹ better luck —

160

160         I mean in perjured witness¹⁶⁰ — than your master,

               Whose minister you are, whiles here he lived

               Upon this naughty¹⁶² earth? Go to, go to:

               You take¹⁶³ a precipice for no leap of danger,

               And woo¹⁶⁴ your own destruction.

165

165 

CRANMER

CRANMER             God and your majesty

               Protect mine innocence, or I fall into

               The trap is¹⁶⁷ laid for me.

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII     Be of good cheer:

               They shall no more prevail than we give way¹⁶⁹ to.

170

170         Keep comfort to you, and this morning see

               You do appear before them. If they shall chance,¹⁷¹

               In charging you with matters, to commit¹⁷² you,

               The best persuasions to the contrary

               Fail not to use, and with what vehemency

175

175         Th’occasion shall instruct you. If entreaties

               Will render you no remedy, this ring

               Deliver them, and your appeal to us

               There make before them. Look, the good man weeps: Cranmer weeps

               He’s honest, on mine honour. God’s blest mother,

180

180         I swear he is true-hearted, and a soul

               None better in my kingdom. Get you gone,

               And do as I have bid you.

       Exit Cranmer

                                    He has strangled

               His language in his tears.

       Enter Old Lady

LOVELL

LOVELL     Come back: what mean you? Within

185

185 

OLD LADY

OLD LADY             I’ll not come back: the tidings that I bring

               Will make my boldness manners.— Now¹⁸⁶ good angels To the King

               Fly o’er thy royal head, and shade thy person

               Under their blessèd wings.

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII     Now by thy looks

190

190         I guess thy message. Is¹⁹⁰ the queen delivered?

               Say, ‘Ay, and of a boy.’

OLD LADY

OLD LADY     Ay, ay, my liege,

               And of a lovely boy: the God of heaven

               Both now and ever bless her. ’Tis a girl¹⁹⁴

195

195         Promises¹⁹⁵ boys hereafter. Sir, your queen

               Desires your visitation, and¹⁹⁶ to be

               Acquainted with this stranger: ’tis as like you

               As cherry is to cherry.

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII     Lovell.

200

200 

LOVELL

LOVELL             Sir?

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII     Give her an hundred marks.²⁰¹ I’ll to the queen.

       Exit King

OLD LADY

OLD LADY     An hundred marks? By this light, I’ll ha’ more.

               An ordinary groom²⁰³ is for such payment.

               I will have more, or scold it out of him.

205

205         Said I for this, the girl was like to him? I’ll

               Have more, or else unsay’t: and now, while ’tis hot,²⁰⁶

               I’ll put²⁰⁷ it to the issue.

       Exit [Old] Lady [with Lovell]

Act 5 Scene 2

running scene 13

       Enter Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury

CRANMER

CRANMER     I hope I am not too late, and yet the gentleman

               That was sent to me from the council prayed me

               To make great haste. All fast?³ What means this? Ho!

               Who waits there?

       Enter [Door] Keeper

                                    Sure⁴ you know me?

5

5     

KEEPER

KEEPER             Yes, my lord,

               But yet I cannot help you.

CRANMER

CRANMER     Why?

KEEPER

KEEPER     Your grace must wait till you be called for.

       Enter Doctor Butts [passing over the stage]

CRANMER

CRANMER     So.⁹

10

10   

DOCTOR BUTTS

DOCTOR BUTTS           This is a piece of malice. I am glad Aside

               I came this way so happily.¹¹ The king

               Shall understand it presently.¹²

       Exit [Doctor] Butts

CRANMER

CRANMER     ’Tis Butts, Aside

               The king’s physician: as he passed along

15

15           How earnestly he cast his eyes upon me:

               Pray heaven he sound¹⁶ not my disgrace: for certain

               This is of purpose laid¹⁷ by some that hate me —

               God turn¹⁸ their hearts, I never sought their malice —

               To quench mine honour: they would shame to make me

20

20           Wait else at door, a fellow councillor,

               ’Mong boys, grooms, and lackeys. But their pleasures

               Must be fulfilled, and I attend²² with patience.

       Enter the King [Henry] and [Doctor] Butts at a window above

DOCTOR BUTTS

DOCTOR BUTTS     I’ll show your grace the strangest sight—

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII     What’s that, Butts?

25

25   

DOCTOR BUTTS

DOCTOR BUTTS           I think your highness saw this many a day.

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII     Body o’me,²⁶ where is it?

DOCTOR BUTTS

DOCTOR BUTTS     There, my lord:

               The high promotion of his grace of Canterbury,

               Who²⁹ holds his state at door, ’mongst pursuivants,

30

30           Pages, and footboys.³⁰

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII     Ha? ’Tis he, indeed.

               Is this the honour they do one another?

               ’Tis well there’s one above ’em³³ yet: I had thought

               They had parted³⁴ so much honesty among ’em —

35

35           At least good manners — as not thus to suffer³⁵

               A man of his place,³⁶ and so near our favour,

               To dance attendance³⁷ on their lordships’ pleasures —

               And at the door, too, like a post³⁸ with packets.

               By holy Mary, Butts, there’s knavery:

40

40           Let ’em alone, and draw the curtain close:⁴⁰

               We shall hear more anon.

       [Exeunt above]

       A council table brought in with chairs and stools, and placed under the state. Enter Lord Chancellor, places himself at the upper end of the table, on the left hand: a seat being left void above him, as for Canterbury’s seat. Duke of Suffolk, Duke of Norfolk, Surrey, Lord Chamberlain, Gardiner, seat themselves in order on each side. Cromwell at lower end, as secretary

CHANCELLOR

CHANCELLOR     Speak to the business, master secretary: To Cromwell

               Why are we met in council?

CROMWELL

CROMWELL     Please your honours,

45

45           The chief cause concerns his grace of Canterbury.

GARDINER

GARDINER     Has he had knowledge of it?

CROMWELL

CROMWELL     Yes.

NORFOLK

NORFOLK     Who waits there?

KEEPER

KEEPER     Without,⁴⁹ my noble lords?

50

50   

GARDINER

GARDINER           Yes.

KEEPER

KEEPER     My lord archbishop:

               And has done half an hour to know your pleasures.

CHANCELLOR

CHANCELLOR     Let him come in.

KEEPER

KEEPER     Your grace may enter now.

       Cranmer [enters below and] approaches the council table

55

55   

CHANCELLOR

CHANCELLOR           My good lord archbishop, I’m very sorry

               To sit here at this present,⁵⁶ and behold

               That chair⁵⁷ stand empty: but we all are men,

               In our own natures frail, and capable⁵⁸

               Of our flesh:⁵⁹ few are angels: out of which frailty

60

60           And want⁶⁰ of wisdom, you that best should teach us,

               Have misdemeaned yourself,⁶¹ and not a little:

               Toward the king first, then his laws, in filling

               The whole realm, by your teaching and your chaplains —

               For so we are informed — with new opinions,

65

65           Divers⁶⁵ and dangerous, which are heresies,

               And, not reformed, may prove pernicious.⁶⁶

GARDINER

GARDINER     Which reformation must be sudden too,

               My noble lords, for those that tame wild horses

               Pace⁶⁹ ’em not in their hands to make ’em gentle,

70

70           But stop their mouths with stubborn⁷⁰ bits and spur ’em

               Till they obey the manage.⁷¹ If we suffer,

               Out of our easiness⁷² and childish pity

               To one man’s honour, this contagious sickness,

               Farewell all physic:⁷⁴ and what follows then?

75

75           Commotions, uproars, with a general taint⁷⁵

               Of the whole state, as of late days our neighbours,

               The upper⁷⁷ Germany, can dearly witness,

               Yet freshly pitied in our memories.

CRANMER

CRANMER     My good lords, hitherto, in all the progress

80

80           Both of my life and office, I have laboured,

               And with no little study, that my teaching

               And the strong course⁸² of my authority

               Might go one way, and safely: and the end

               Was ever to do well: nor is there living —

85

85           I speak it with a single⁸⁵ heart, my lords —

               A man that more detests, more stirs against,

               Both in his private conscience and his place,⁸⁷

               Defacers of a public peace than I do:

               Pray heaven the king may never find a heart

90

90           With less allegiance in it. Men that make

               Envy and crooked malice nourishment

               Dare bite the best. I do beseech your lordships

               That in this case of justice, my accusers,

               Be what they will, may stand forth face to face,

95

95           And freely urge⁹⁵ against me.

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK     Nay, my lord,

               That cannot be: you are a councillor,

               And by that virtue⁹⁸ no man dare accuse you.

GARDINER

GARDINER     My lord, because we have business of more moment,⁹⁹

100

100         We will be short¹⁰⁰ with you. ’Tis his highness’ pleasure

               And our consent, for better trial of you,

               From hence you be committed to the Tower,

               Where being but a private¹⁰³ man again,

               You shall know many dare accuse you boldly,

105

105         More than, I fear, you are provided¹⁰⁵ for.

CRANMER

CRANMER     Ah, my good lord of Winchester, I thank you:

               You are always my good friend: if your will pass,¹⁰⁷

               I shall both find your lordship judge and juror,

               You are so merciful. I see your end:¹⁰⁹

110

110         ’Tis my undoing. Love and meekness, lord,

               Become¹¹¹ a churchman better than ambition:

               Win straying souls with modesty again:

               Cast none away. That I shall clear myself,

               Lay all the weight ye can upon my patience,

115

115         I make as little doubt¹¹⁵ as you do conscience

               In doing daily wrongs. I could say more,

               But reverence to your calling makes me modest.

GARDINER

GARDINER     My lord, my lord, you are a sectary,¹¹⁸

               That’s the plain truth: your painted¹¹⁹ gloss discovers

120

120         To men that understand you words¹²⁰ and weakness.

CROMWELL

CROMWELL     My lord of Winchester, you’re a little,

               By¹²² your good favour, too sharp: men so noble,

               However faulty, yet should find respect

               For what they have been: ’tis a cruelty

125

125         To load a falling man.

GARDINER

GARDINER     Good Master Secretary,

               I cry¹²⁷ your honour mercy: you may worst

               Of all this table say so.

CROMWELL

CROMWELL     Why, my lord?

130

130 

GARDINER

GARDINER             Do not I know you for a favourer

               Of this new sect? Ye are not sound.¹³¹

CROMWELL

CROMWELL     Not sound?

GARDINER

GARDINER     Not sound, I say.

CROMWELL

CROMWELL     Would you were half so honest:

135

135         Men’s prayers then would seek you, not their fears.

GARDINER

GARDINER     I shall remember this bold¹³⁶ language.

CROMWELL

CROMWELL     Do.

               Remember your bold life, too.

CHANCELLOR

CHANCELLOR     This is too much:

140

140         Forbear¹⁴⁰ for shame, my lords.

GARDINER

GARDINER     I have done.

CROMWELL

CROMWELL     And I.

CHANCELLOR

CHANCELLOR     Then thus for you, my lord: it stands agreed, To Cranmer

               I take it, by all voices, that forthwith

145

145         You be conveyed to th’Tower a prisoner,

               There to remain till the king’s further pleasure

               Be known unto us: are you all agreed, lords?

ALL

ALL     We are.

150       

CRANMER

CRANMER     Is there no other way of mercy,

150

150         But I must needs to th’Tower, my lords?

GARDINER

GARDINER     What other

               Would you expect? You are strangely troublesome:

               Let some o’th’guard be ready there.

       Enter the Guard

CRANMER

CRANMER     For me?

155

155         Must I go like a traitor thither?

GARDINER

GARDINER     Receive¹⁵⁶ him, To the Guard

               And see him safe¹⁵⁷ i’th’Tower.

CRANMER

CRANMER     Stay, good my lords,

               I have a little yet to say. Look there, my lords, He shows the King’s ring

160

160         By virtue of that ring, I take my cause

               Out of the gripes¹⁶¹ of cruel men, and give it

               To a most noble judge, the king my master.

CHAMBERLAIN¹⁶³

CHAMBERLAIN     This is the king’s ring.

SURREY

SURREY     ’Tis no counterfeit.

165

165 

SUFFOLK

SUFFOLK             ’Tis the right ring, by heaven: I told ye all,

               When we first put this dangerous stone a-rolling,

               ’Twould fall upon ourselves.

NORFOLK

NORFOLK     Do you think, my lords,

               The king will suffer but the little finger

170

170         Of this man to be vexed?

CHAMBERLAIN

CHAMBERLAIN     ’Tis now too certain:

               How much more is his life in value with him?¹⁷²

               Would I were fairly out on’t.¹⁷³

CROMWELL

CROMWELL     My mind gave¹⁷⁴ me,

175

175         In seeking tales and informations¹⁷⁵

               Against this man, whose honesty the devil

               And his disciples only envy at,

               Ye blew the fire that burns ye: now have at ye!

       Enter King [Henry] frowning on them: takes his seat

GARDINER

GARDINER     Dread sovereign, how much are we bound to heaven

180

180         In daily thanks, that gave us such a prince,

               Not only good and wise, but most religious:

               One that, in all obedience, makes the Church

               The chief aim¹⁸³ of his honour and, to strengthen

               That holy duty out of dear respect,¹⁸⁴

185

185         His royal self in judgement comes to hear

               The cause betwixt her and this great offender.

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII     You were ever good at sudden¹⁸⁷ commendations,

               Bishop of Winchester. But know I come not

               To hear such flattery now, and in my presence

190

190         They¹⁹⁰ are too thin and base to hide offences:

               To me you cannot reach. You play the spaniel,

               And think with wagging of your tongue to win me:

               But whatsoe’er thou tak’st me for, I’m sure

               Thou hast a cruel nature and a bloody.¹⁹⁴—

195

195         Good man, sit down.— Now let me see the proudest

               He,¹⁹⁶ that dares most, but wag his finger at thee. To Cranmer, who sits in vacant seat at head of table

               By all that’s holy, he had better starve¹⁹⁷

               Than but once think his place becomes thee not.

SURREY

SURREY     May it please your grace—

200

200 

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII             No, sir, it does not please me.

               I had thought I had had men of some understanding

               And wisdom of my council, but I find none.

               Was it discretion,²⁰³ lords, to let this man,

               This good man — few of you deserve that title —

205

205         This honest man, wait like a lousy footboy

               At chamber door? And one as great as you are?

               Why, what a shame was this? Did my commission

               Bid ye so far forget yourselves? I gave ye

               Power as he was a councillor to try²⁰⁹ him,

210

210         Not as a groom. There’s some of ye, I see,

               More out of malice than integrity,

               Would try him to the utmost, had ye mean,²¹²

               Which ye shall never have while I live.

CHANCELLOR

CHANCELLOR     Thus far,

215

215         My most dread sovereign, may it like²¹⁵ your grace

               To let my tongue excuse all. What was purposed²¹⁶

               Concerning his imprisonment, was rather —

               If there be faith in men — meant for his trial,

               And fair purgation²¹⁹ to the world than malice,

220

220         I’m sure, in me.

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII     Well, well, my lords, respect him:

               Take him, and use²²² him well: he’s worthy of it.

               I will say thus much for him: if a prince

               May be beholding to a subject, I

225

225         Am for his love and service so to him.

               Make me no more ado,²²⁶ but all embrace him:

               Be friends, for shame, my lords.— My lord of Canterbury, To Cranmer

               I have a suit which you must not deny me:

               That is, a fair young maid that yet wants²²⁹ baptism:

230

230         You must be godfather, and answer for her.

CRANMER

CRANMER     The greatest monarch now alive may glory

               In such an honour: how may I deserve it

               That am a poor and humble subject to you?

60       

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII     Come, come, my lord, you’d spare your spoons:²³⁴ you shall have two

235

235                noble partners with you: the old Duchess of Norfolk, and Lady Marquess Dorset:

       will these please you?

               Once more, my lord of Winchester, I charge you To Gardiner

               Embrace and love this man.

GARDINER

GARDINER     With a true heart He embraces Cranmer

240

240         And brother-love I do it.

CRANMER

CRANMER     And let heaven He weeps

               Witness how dear I hold this confirmation.

60       

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII     Good man, those joyful tears show thy true heart:

               The common voice,²⁴⁴ I see, is verified

245

245         Of thee, which says thus: ‘Do my lord of Canterbury

               A shrewd²⁴⁶ turn, and he’s your friend for ever.’

               Come, lords, we trifle time away: I long

               To have this young one made a Christian.

               As I have made ye one,²⁴⁹ lords, one remain:

250

250         So I grow stronger, you more honour gain.

       Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 35.3

running scene 14

       Noise and tumult within: enter Porter [with a broken cudgel] and his Man

PORTER

PORTER     You’ll leave¹ your noise anon, ye rascals: To those within do you take the court for Paris Garden? Ye rude² slaves, leave your gaping.

60       

[VOICE] WITHIN

[VOICE] WITHIN     Good master porter, I belong to³ th’larder.

60       

PORTER

PORTER     Belong to th’gallows, and be hanged, ye rogue! Is this a place to roar in?—

               Fetch me a dozen crab-tree⁵ staves, and strong ones: To his Man these are but switches to ’em.— To those within I’ll scratch⁶ your heads: you must be seeing christenings? Do you look for ale and cakes here, you rude rascals?

MAN

MAN     Pray, sir, be patient: ’tis as much impossible,

               Unless we sweep ’em from the door with cannons,

10

10           To scatter ’em, as ’tis to make ’em sleep

               On May-day morning,¹¹ which will never be:

               We may as well push against Paul’s,¹² as stir ’em.

PORTER

PORTER     How got they in, and be hanged?¹³

MAN

MAN     Alas, I know not: how gets the tide in?

15

15           As much as one sound cudgel of four foot —

               You see the poor remainder — could distribute, Holds up the cudgel

               I made no spare,¹⁷ sir.

PORTER

PORTER     You did nothing, sir.

MAN

MAN     I am not Samson,¹⁹ nor Sir Guy, nor Colbrand,

20

20           To mow ’em down before me: but if I spared any

               That had a head to hit, either young or old,

               He or she, cuckold²² or cuckold-maker,

               Let me ne’er hope to see a chine²³ again,

               And that I would not for a cow,²⁴ God save her!

25

25   

[VOICE] WITHIN

[VOICE] WITHIN           Do you hear, master porter?

PORTER

PORTER     I shall be with you presently,²⁶ good master puppy.—

               Keep the door close,²⁷ sirrah. To his Man

MAN

MAN     What would you have me do?

PORTER

PORTER     What should you do, but knock ’em down by th’dozens? Is this Moorfields²⁹ to muster³⁰ in? Or have we some strange Indian with the great tool come to court, the women so besiege us? Bless me, what a fry³¹ of fornication is at door! On my Christian conscience, this one christening will beget a thousand: here will be father, godfather, and all together.

MAN

MAN     The spoons³⁴ will be the bigger, sir. There is a fellow somewhat near the door, he should be a brazier³⁵ by his face, for, o’my conscience twenty of the dog-days now reign in’s nose:³⁶ all that stand about him are under the line, they need no other penance: that fire-drake³⁷ did I hit three times on the head, and three times was his nose discharged³⁸ against me: he stands there like a mortar-piece, to blow³⁹ us. There was a haberdasher’s wife of small wit near him, that railed upon me till her pinked⁴⁰ porringer fell off her head, for kindling such a combustion in the state. I missed the meteor⁴¹ once, and hit that woman, who cried out ‘Clubs!’, when I might see from far some forty truncheoners⁴² draw to her succour, which were the hope o’th’Strand,⁴³ where she was quartered. They fell on: I made good my place: at length they came⁴⁴ to th’broomstaff to me: I defied ’em still, when suddenly a file of boys behind ’em, loose shot,⁴⁵ delivered such a shower of pebbles, that I was fain⁴⁶ to draw mine honour in, and let ’em win the work: the devil was amongst ’em, I think, surely.

PORTER

PORTER     These are the youths⁴⁸ that thunder at a playhouse, and fight for bitten apples, that no audience but the tribulation⁴⁹ of Tower Hill, or the limbs of Limehouse,⁵⁰ their dear brothers, are able to endure. I have some of ’em in limbo patrum, and there they are like⁵¹ to dance these three days, besides the running banquet of two beadles⁵² that is to come.

       Enter Lord Chamberlain

60       

CHAMBERLAIN

CHAMBERLAIN     Mercy o’me: what a multitude are here!

               They grow still, too: from all parts they are coming,

55

55           As if we kept a fair here! Where are these porters,

               These lazy knaves?— You’ve made⁵⁶ a fine hand, fellows: To the Porter and his Man

               There’s a trim⁵⁷ rabble let in: are all these

               Your faithful friends⁵⁸ o’th’suburbs? We shall have

               Great⁵⁹ store of room, no doubt, left for the ladies,

60

60           When they pass back from the christening!

60       

PORTER

PORTER     An’t⁶¹ please your honour,

               We are but men, and what so many may do,

               Not being torn a-pieces, we have done:

               An army cannot rule⁶⁴ ’em.

65

65   

CHAMBERLAIN

CHAMBERLAIN           As I live,

               If the king blame me for’t, I’ll lay⁶⁶ ye all

               By th’heels, and suddenly,⁶⁷ and on your heads

               Clap round⁶⁸ fines for neglect: you’re lazy knaves,

               And here ye lie baiting of bombards,⁶⁹ when

70

70           Ye should do service.⁷⁰ Hark, the trumpets sound: Trumpet

               They’re come already from the christening:

               Go break among⁷² the press, and find a way out

               To let the troop⁷³ pass fairly, or I’ll find

               A Marshalsea⁷⁴ shall hold ye play these two months.

75

75   

PORTER

PORTER           Make way there for the princess.

MAN

MAN     You great fellow,

               Stand close up,⁷⁷ or I’ll make your head ache.

PORTER

PORTER     You i’th’camlet,⁷⁸ get up o’th’rail:

               I’ll peck⁷⁹ you o’er the pales else.

       Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 4

running scene 15

       Enter Trumpets* sounding: then two Aldermen, Lord Mayor, Garter, Cranmer, Duke of Norfolk with his Marshal’s staff, Duke of Suffolk, two Noblemen bearing great standing bowls for the christening gifts: then four Noblemen bearing a canopy, under which the Duchess of Norfolk, godmother, bearing the child richly habited in a mantle, etc., train borne by a Lady: then follows the Marchioness Dorset, the other godmother, and Ladies. The troop pass once about the stage, and Garter speaks

GARTER

GARTER     Heaven, from thy endless goodness, send prosperous life, long, and ever

               happy, to the high and mighty Princess of England, Elizabeth.

       Flourish. Enter King [Henry] and Guard

CRANMER

CRANMER     And to your royal grace, and the good queen, He kneels

               My noble partners⁴ and myself thus pray

5

5             All comfort, joy, in this most gracious lady,

               Heaven ever laid⁶ up to make parents happy,

               May hourly fall upon ye.

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII     Thank you, good lord archbishop:

               What is her name?

10

10   

CRANMER

CRANMER           Elizabeth.

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII     Stand up, lord.

               With this kiss take my blessing: God protect thee, He kisses the child

               Into whose hand I give thy life.

CRANMER

CRANMER     Amen.

15

15   

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII           My noble gossips,¹⁵ you’ve been too prodigal:

               I thank ye heartily: so shall this lady,

               When she has so much English.

CRANMER

CRANMER     Let me speak, sir,

               For heaven now bids me: and the words I utter

20

20           Let none think flattery, for they’ll find ’em truth.

               This royal infant — heaven²¹ still move about her —

               Though in her cradle, yet now promises

               Upon this land a thousand thousand blessings,

               Which time shall bring to ripeness: she shall be —

25

25           But few now living can behold that goodness —

               A pattern²⁶ to all princes living with her,

               And all that shall succeed: Saba²⁷ was never

               More covetous of wisdom and fair virtue

               Than this pure soul shall be. All princely graces

30

30           That mould up³⁰ such a mighty piece as this is,

               With all the virtues that attend the good,

               Shall still³² be doubled on her. Truth shall nurse her,

               Holy and heavenly thoughts still counsel her:

               She shall be loved and feared. Her own³⁴ shall bless her:

35

35           Her foes shake like a field of beaten³⁵ corn,

               And hang their heads with sorrow: good grows with her.

               In her days, every man shall eat in safety

               Under his own vine what he plants, and sing

               The merry songs of peace to all his neighbours.

40

40           God⁴⁰ shall be truly known, and those about her

               From her shall read⁴¹ the perfect ways of honour,

               And by those claim their greatness,⁴² not by blood.

               Nor shall this peace sleep⁴³ with her: but as when

               The bird of wonder dies, the maiden phoenix,⁴⁴

45

45           Her ashes new create another heir,

               As great in admiration⁴⁶ as herself.

               So shall she leave her blessedness to one,⁴⁷

               When heaven shall call her from this cloud of darkness,⁴⁸

               Who from the sacred ashes of her honour

50

50           Shall star-like rise, as great in fame as she was,

               And so stand fixed.⁵¹ Peace, plenty, love, truth, terror,

               That were the servants to this chosen infant,

               Shall then be his, and like a vine grow to him:

               Wherever the bright sun of heaven shall shine,

55

55           His honour and the greatness of his name

               Shall be, and make new nations. He shall flourish,

               And like a mountain cedar, reach his branches

               To all the plains about him: our children’s children

               Shall see this, and bless heaven.

60

60   

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII           Thou speakest wonders.

CRANMER

CRANMER     She shall be to the happiness of England

               An agèd princess: many days shall see her,

               And yet no day without a deed⁶³ to crown it.

               Would⁶⁴ I had known no more: but she must die,

65

65           She must, the saints must have her: yet a virgin,

               A most unspotted lily shall she pass

               To th’ground, and all the world shall mourn her.

KING HENRY VIII

KING HENRY VIII     O lord archbishop,

               Thou hast made me now a man. Never before

70

70           This happy child did I get⁷⁰ anything.

               This oracle of comfort has so pleased me,

               That when I am in heaven I shall desire

               To see what this child does, and praise my maker.

               I thank ye all. To you, my good Lord Mayor,

75

75           And your good brethren, I am much beholding:⁷⁵

               I have received much honour by your presence,

               And ye shall find me thankful. Lead the way, lords:

               Ye must all see the queen, and she must thank ye:

               She will be sick⁷⁹ else. This day, no man think

80

80           H’as⁸⁰ business at his house, for all shall stay:

               This little one shall make it holiday.⁸¹

       Exeunt

The Epilogue

       [Enter Epilogue]

               ’Tis ten to one this play can never please

               All that are here: some come to take their ease,

               And sleep an act or two: but those, we fear,

               We’ve frighted with our trumpets: so ’tis clear,

5

5             They’ll say ’tis naught.⁵ Others to hear the city

               Abused extremely, and to cry ‘That’s witty!’

               Which we have not done neither: that,⁷ I fear

               All the expected good we’re like to hear.

               For this play at this time, is only in

10

10           The merciful construction¹⁰ of good women,

               For such a one¹¹ we showed ’em. If they smile,

               And say ’twill do, I know within a while

               All the best men are ours, for ’tis ill hap¹³

               If they hold¹⁴ when their ladies bid ’em clap.

       [Exit]

Textual Notes

F = First Folio text of 1623, the only authority for the play

F2 = a correction introduced in the Second Folio text of 1632

F3 = a correction introduced in the Third Folio text of 1663–64

F4 = a correction introduced in the Fourth Folio text of 1685

Ed = a correction introduced by a later editor

SD = stage direction

SH = speech heading (i.e., speaker’s name)

List of parts = Ed

THE…EIGHTH Various contemporary references suggest the play was performed as “All is True”

1.1.9 Andres = Ed. F = Andren. Ed = Ardres 10 Guînes = Ed. F = Guynes Ardres = Ed. F = Arde 28 cherubins = F. Ed = cherubim/cherubims madams = F. Ed = mesdames 48–51 All…function F assigns these lines to Buckingham who states he wasn’t present. This edition follows editorial tradition in reassigning them to Norfolk 54 as you guess this edition follows F4’s assignation of these words to Buckingham, whereas F places them at the beginning of Norfolk’s reply 72 a = Ed. F = O 142 venom-mouthed = Ed. F = venom’d-mouth’d 196 wrenching = F. Ed = rinsing 213 He privily = F2. F = Priuily. 255 Montague spelled Mountacute in F 257 Perk = Ed. F = Pecke. Emendation is based on Holinshed and Hall’s accounts chancellor = Ed. F = Councellour. The emendation is made in accordance with Holinshed’s account 261 Nicholas = Ed. F = Michaell. The emendation is made in accordance with Holinshed’s account 267 lord = Ed. F = Lords

1.2.75 baseness = F. Ed = business 154 His = Ed. F = This 165, 166 Hopkins = Ed. F = Henton. Henton was the name of Hopkins’ monastery 176 feared = Ed. F = feare 184 confession’s = Ed. F = Commissions 190 gain = F4. Not in F; other suggestions are win and purchase 203 him = Ed. F = this 216 Bulmer = Ed. F = Blumer

1.3.0 SD Sands spelled Sandys in F 13 see = F. Ed = saw 14 Or = Ed. F = A 17 SD Enter…Lovell = Ed. Two lines down in F 39 oui = Ed. F = wee. F2 = weare 72 he’s = Ed. F = Ha’s. Ed = ’has

1.4.6 first = F. Ed = feast

2.1.26 Perk = Ed. F = Pecke 67 SD William = Ed. F = Walter. Emendation in accordance with Holinshed 102 make = F. Ed = mark

2.2.1 SH CHAMBERLAIN = Ed. Not in F 95 one have-at-him = Ed. F = one; haue at him

2.3.74 you = Ed. F = you, to you. Omitted by editors because thought to be a compositorial error, copied prematurely from the following line 102 fie, fie, fie = F. Ed = fie, fie

2.4.136 SH GRIFFITH = Ed. F = Gent. Ush.

3.1.3 SH WOMAN = Ed. F reads “SONG” instead of using a speech heading, but the song must be sung by one of the Queen’s women 25 SD Campeius = F4. F = Campian 55 should = Ed. F = shoul 65 your = F2. F = our 130 he’s = Ed.F = ha’s 135 acurse = F. Ed = accursed

3.2.215 filed = Ed. F = fill’d 402 legative = F. Ed = legatine, legantine 406 Castles = F. Ed = chattels

4.1.24 SH SECOND GENTLEMAN = F4. F = I, i.e., First Gentleman 38 Kimbolton = F3. F = Kymmalton 66 And…ones some editors ascribe this line to the First Gentleman, allocating his line to the Second Gentleman 67 SH FIRST GENTLEMAN = Ed. F = 2 SD and … Trumpets moved from its original position at the end of “The Order of the Coronation” 121 Stokesley = F4. F = Stokely 142 SH FIRST…GENTLEMEN = Ed. F = Both

4.2.8 think = F2. F = thanke 22 convent = Ed. F = Couent 108 cold = F. Ed = color 114 to = Ed. F = too. Some editors retain F arguing it means “too blameworthy”

5.1.2 SH PAGE = Ed. F = Boy 45 time = F4. F = Lime 138 halidom spelled Holydame in F 145 good = F. Ed = ground 163 precipice = F2. F = Precepit 164 woo = Ed. F = woe 184 SH LOVELL = Ed. F = Gent.

5.2.10 piece = F2. F = Peere 16 sound = F. Ed = found 21 ’Mong…lackeys some editors direct the pursuivants, pages, footboys and grooms referred to in the text to enter with Cranmer at the beginning of this scene. However, it seems perfectly possible that these figures could also be imagined, hence the need for them to be “pointed out” by Cranmer and Butts 123 faulty = F2. F = faultly 139, 143 SH CHANCELLOR = Ed. F = Cham 190 base = F. Ed = bare 198 his = F. F4 = this 243 heart = F2. F = hearts

5.3.1 Paris = F4. F = Parish

5.4.41 ways = F4. F = way 75 your = Ed. F = you

The Prologue

     *    CHANCELLOR…fall in Act 3 Scene 2, it is announced that Sir Thomas More has been made Chancellor in Wolsey’s place; historically, More resigned before the coronation of Queen Anne, so the character who marches in the procession in Act 4 Scene 1 and speaks in Act 5 Scene 2 would have been Sir Thomas Audley, but he is unnamed in the text

    3    Sad serious, solemn high lofty/important working emotive, moving state stateliness, dignity

  10    show spectacle

  11    pass be approved, pass muster still, and willing attentive and well-inclined

  12    shilling the cost of some of the most expensive seats in the theater

  13    two short hours i.e., the length of the play

  15    targets shields

  16    long…yellow a fool’s customary costume motley parti- or multicolored guarded trimmed

  17    deceived disappointed know understand (that)

  19    forfeiting…brains abandoning our intelligence

  20    opinion…intend reputation we have for presenting truthfully what we intend to perform

  22    understanding comprehending (plays on the sense of audience members “standing under” the stage, in the yard)

  24    happiest most favored

  25    sad serious

  27    As as if great influential, of high rank

Act 1 Scene 1

  1.1    Location: the royal court, London

    2    saw saw one another

    4    fresh untired, eager

    5    what…there Norfolk refers to the meeting of Henry VIII and the French King François I at the Field of the Cloth of Gold

    6    untimely ague badly-timed fever

    7    Stayed detained

  10    ’Twixt between Guînes and Ardres towns near Calais in northern France

  12    lighted alighted, dismounted

  13    as as if

  14    Which had they i.e., had they grown together throned ones i.e., kings weighed balanced, equaled

  20    pomp splendor, ceremony

  21    Each…master i.e., each day learned something from the one before it following succeeding master teacher

  23    its i.e., it sown

  24    clinquant glittering

  25    Shone down outshone tomorrow i.e., the next day they i.e., the English

  26    India i.e., seem as wealthy as the Indies (whose mines were thought to be sources of immeasurable riches)

  27    Showed appeared

  28    cherubins (statues of) angels madams high-ranking ladies

  30    pride magnificent finery, rich clothing, and accessories that so that labour…painting efforts caused them to flush, so that they looked as if they were wearing rouge

  31    masque courtly entertainment involving elaborate costume

  32    cried proclaimed night i.e., night’s entertainments

  33    Made…beggar i.e., seemed trivial and cheap in comparison

  34    were…them were deemed more or less splendid depending on which one was on view at the time

  35    him…praise the king on view always being the one praised

  36    being…one when both kings were present they appeared indistinguishable in their splendor

  37    discerner observer/one who perceives a difference

  38    Durst dared censure judgment (in favor of one rather than the other)

  39    phrase call, term

  40    perform…compass enact unimaginable feats compass bounds, limit

  41    that…credit so that tales formerly thought to be mythical and far-fetched gained such credibility

  43    Bevis the tale of Bevis of Hampton; the hero of an early English romance, he carried out legendary feats of chivalry and skill

  44    go far are making very great claims/exaggerate

  45    belong to worship hold high rank, am a nobleman affect…honesty respect integrity in matters of honor

  46    tract narrative, course of events

  47    discourser narrator lose…to fall short in describing the actual vivid events

  49    To…rebelled i.e., nothing interfered with the arrangement and handling of events

  50    Order…view good preparations meant that everything was visible The…function officials carried out their respective duties properly

  54    sport entertainment

  55    certes certainly promises no element is not in his usual role

  58    ordered organized discretion judgment

  59    Cardinal of York i.e., Wolsey

  60    speed prosper, i.e., dispatch, hasten to his death

  62    fierce high-spirited/warlike vanities entertainments/extravagances

  63    keech lump of animal fat (probably alludes to Wolsey’s origins as a butcher’s son as well as to his size)

  64    Take up absorb, occupy o’th’beneficial plays on the sense of “granting benefices” (ecclesiastical positions) sun i.e., King Henry VIII

  67    stuff substance, personal traits (plays on the sense of “meat for stuffing a pie”) puts encourages, provokes

  68    ancestry i.e., high birth grace honor, renown, virtue

  69    Chalks shows

  70    high feats important services

  71    eminent assistants noble patrons/influential helpers

  72    self-drawing self-made a…note he lets us know a he

  75    next to intimately close to/next in status to

  77    graver more reverend, wiser

  80    niggard miser

  81    he i.e., Wolsey

  84    going out expedition

  85    privity private knowledge and consent

  86    attend on him i.e., accompany the king to France (a costly enterprise) file register, list

  87    such…upon i.e., those listed will have to pay a disproportionately large amount for the small honor bestowed on them

  89    own letter personal summons (to attend)

  90    board of council i.e., Privy Council, the king’s advisers out disregarded, not consulted

  91    fetch…papers summon whoever is listed papers sets down on paper

  94    sickened weakened, depleted

  95    abound prosper, be wealthy

  97    laying…’em selling property to pay for fine clothes

  98    vanity foolish extravagance (i.e., the lavish meeting of the two kings)

  99    minister…issue provide the opportunity for a useless discussion (communication may possibly play on the sense of “sexual procreation,” and poor issue does play on the sense of “impoverished children”; the sale of assets will affect the noblemen’s heirs)

101    Grievingly sadly

102    not values is not worth

106    inspired i.e., with divine, prophetic power not consulting without consulting one another, independently

107    general universal

108    Dashing destroying aboded predicted, foretold

109    on’t of it

110    is budded out has developed, come to pass

111    flawed broken, contravened attached seized

113    therefore for that reason

114    silenced placed under house arrest

115    Marry by the Virgin Mary

116    proper title of fine name for

117    superfluous rate very high cost

119    carried managed

120    Like it may it please

121    state Privy Council/the king difference dispute, discord

124    read consider/interpret

125    potency power

127    would wishes to wants lacks

128    minister agent

132    darts thrusts Bosom up keep secret/take to heart

133    wholesome healthy, beneficial Lo look purse containing the great seal of England, used by the king to authenticate documents; the Lord Chancellor (Wolsey) was its official keeper

135    surveyor estate manager

136    examination deposition, statement

141    big proud, haughty train retinue, attendants

142    butcher’s cur another reference to Wolsey’s origins as a butcher’s son cur dog

144    beggar’s…blood a poor man’s (i.e., Wolsey’s) learning is more highly valued than a nobleman’s lineage

146    chafed irritated, angry

147    temp’rance self-control, moderation th’appliance only the only remedy

150    Matter substance, something significant (plays on the sense of “rheum, infected ocular discharge”)

151    abject object despicable view

152    bores cheats

155    choler anger

158    full hot very headstrong, overly hasty

159    Self-mettle his own vigorous spirit

163    mouth of honour i.e., gentleman’s mouth quite completely

164    Ipswich Wolsey’s birthplace, a town in Suffolk in eastern England

165    difference distinction of rank

166    advised warned

170    overrunning running past it

171    mounts causes to rise up, i.e., boils

176    allay diminish, moderate/mix, alloy

179    prescription direction, advice top-proud proud to the highest degree

180    gall bile, bitterness

181    motions motives intelligence secret information

182    founts springs

186    vouch affirmation, allegation

188    equal just as

189    subtle cunning

190    place official position (as Lord Chancellor)

192    pomp greatness, splendor

193    suggests persuades, encourages, tempts

194    last recent th’interview the meeting (between the French and English kings)

195    treasure money, wealth

196    i’th’wrenching in the rinsing/distortion of meaning

198    give me favour i.e., permit me to continue

199    articles clauses, terms o’th’combination of the treaty drew drafted, drew up

201    end effect, use

202    count-cardinal i.e., cardinal behaving like an aristocrat (contemptuous); often emended to “court-cardinal”

206    dam mother Charles the Emperor Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, Katherine of Aragon’s nephew

208    colour pretext

209    whisper whisper to

213    privily privately, secretly

214    trow believe

216    ere before

217    but only

219    he i.e., Wolsey

222    his i.e., the king’s he i.e., Wolsey

226    Something somewhat mistaken misunderstood, misrepresented

229    in proof when put to the test/in fact, according to evidence

230    office duty, task

233    Hertford historically Hereford, to which some editors emend

238    device and practice plots and stratagems

240    look on witness

241    pleasure will

242    th’Tower the Tower of London

243    nothing in no way

255    t’attach to arrest bodies persons

260    o’th’Chartreux of the Carthusian order—a monastical order noted for its severity

263    false disloyal

264    showed him gold bribed him (to betray Buckingham; whether the surveyor lies or reveals an actual plot is unclear) spanned measured out

265    shadow…Buckingham the shadowy likeness of my former self

266    Whose…sun my form being now obscured by cloud and its former innocent brightness (clear sun) dimmed/my form being shrouded by a sudden cloud that darkens my king’s favor (sun)

Act 1 Scene 2

    *    Cornets hornlike wind instruments (here announcing the king’s arrival) under…feet standing at the foot of the king’s throne or dais on which it sits

    1    best heart very essence

    2    level aim, target sights

    3    full-charged fully loaded confederacy conspiracy, plot

    6    justify prove, confirm state throne

    9    we the royal plural suitor person with a request to make, favor to ask

  10    place your official place as queen

  12    moiety half

  13    Repeat your will utter your desire

  14    Thank i.e., I thank

  17    dignity honor, kingly status

  20    solicited urged, entreated

  21    true condition loyal disposition

  22    grievance distress commissions official authorization (to collect taxes)

  23    flawed cracked, damaged

  26    putter-on instigator

  27    exactions extortionate charges

  28    soil dishonorable stain

  34    clothiers cloth workers, who dealt with woolen fabric

  35    longing belonging, i.e., dependent on them for employment put off dismissed

  36    spinsters spinners of wool into thread for weaving into cloth carders those who prepared wool for spinning by combing out impurities and aligning the fibers fullers those who beat cloth to clean and thicken it

  37    life i.e., ways of making a living

  39    Daring…th’teeth pushing the situation to the extreme, challenging matters to the limit

  40    danger i.e., the potential for outright revolt serves has joined ranks

  46    single part individual role, i.e., only my share aught anything

  47    front…me merely march in the front rank along with others who keep the same pace tell count

  50    you…acquaintance you devise matters that are known to everyone, which are damaging to those who would rather not know of them but who are obliged to endure them nevertheless

  54    have note be informed

  55    bear carry

  56    is…th’load i.e., is bowed down painfully by the burden

  58    exclamation outcry, reproach

  60    In what kind of what nature

  62    venturous adventurous, daring

  63    tempting of testing boldened Under made bold by

  64    grief grievance, complaint

  66    substance wealth

  67    pretence alleged reason/pretext

  71    prayers i.e., for the king

  72    tractable compliant slave…will i.e., now governed by wrath

  73    would wish

  75    primer baseness greater manifestation of low, dishonorable behavior

  77    pleasure wishes

  80    single voice (his) individual vote/unanimous vote (of the Privy Council) passed ratified, approved by

  81    approbation consent

  82    Traduced slandered, dishonored

  83    faculties capabilities/qualities

  85    place high office brake thicket

  86    stint restrain, withhold

  88    To cope of encountering censurers critics

  90    new trimmed newly fitted out

  91    vainly longing i.e., hoping in vain for the refurbished and seaworthy boat to sink and provide food What…allowed malicious or essentially foolish interpreters often refuse to believe in or give us credit for our best actions

  93    what…act our worst actions, which often appeal to baser people, are declared the best we ever did

  96    In for motion action/proposal carped at complained of

  98    state-statues images of statesmen

101    example precedent issue outcome

103    Of for

104    rend…will i.e., force the subjects to obey the changing will of the monarch rather than the law

106    trembling fearful

107    lop lopped-off branch

109    The…sap i.e., the tree will die

110    questioned challenged, resisted

116    grace good will/mercy commons common people

117    Hardly conceive think harshly noised rumored, reported

118    our Wolsey uses the royal plural revokement repeal

119    anon shortly

122    Is run in has incurred, come into

124    rare splendid/exceptional

125    To…bound no one is more indebted to nature for such qualities

127    out of beyond

129    disposed applied, directed

130    vicious wicked, immoral

131    complete accomplished, perfect

133    ravished entranced

135    monstrous unnatural habits clothing/behavior, practices

138    gentleman in trust trusted servant

140    practices plots

141    hear too much i.e., for our own protection

143    careful dutiful, full of care (for the king) collected picked up, gathered (as evidence)

148    issue children carry manage

149    sceptre staff carried as a symbol of sovereignty

151    menaced threatened

154    conception intention, plan

155    Not…person not being gratified in his wish regarding you (i.e., that the king should die childless)

157    friends i.e., Wolsey

159    Deliver speak

161    How…fail? On what did he base his claim to the throne in the event of my death without an heir?

162    To this point on this subject

167    Chartreux Carthusian, i.e., one of a strict monastic order from Chartreux near Grenoble in France

172    the Rose the name of a manor house belonging to Buckingham

173    St Lawrence Poultney a church on Candlewick Street in London

174    speech talk, gossip, prevailing opinion

176    perfidious treacherous

177    To…danger resulting in danger for the king presently instantly

178    doubted feared/suspected

182    choice chosen, appointed

183    moment importance

187    demure confidence grave assurance, solemn certainty

190    o’th’commonalty of the common people

195    spleen anger, malice

196    nobler i.e., as the immortal soul is more important than worldly rank

198    on go on

200    but only

204    forged formed, created (in)

205    much…do very likely to be carried out

207    failed died

210    rank foul, corrupt, gross

214    Greenwich a royal palace south of the River Thames

219    his as his own (instead of the king’s)

220    committed imprisoned

223    Richard i.e., Richard III Salisbury town in Wiltshire, southwest England

224    suit a formal request

225    made…duty i.e., by kneeling before Richard in feigned respect

230    God mend all may God put everything right

233    stretched him stood fully upright

234    mounting raising

236    evil used badly treated outgo surpass

238    irresolute shaky, undecided/not accomplished

239    period end, purpose

240    attached arrested

241    present immediate

244    to th’height in the highest degree

Act 1 Scene 3

    1    spells magic charms juggle trick, deceive, conjure

    2    mysteries enigmatic behavior (i.e., the imitation of French courtly fashions)

    5    let ’em be even if they are

    7    late recent

    8    fit…o’th’face one or two grimaces, contrived facial expressions shrewd cunning, artful/sharp, clever

    9    hold ’em assume such facial expressions

  11    Pepin or Clotharius eighth- and sixth-century Kings of the Franks keep state so maintain such affected dignity (presumably those referred to are walking around with their noses in the air)

  12    legs i.e., ways of walking/bowing take it think, assume/affirm, swear

  13    spavin tumor on a horse’s leg caused by inflammation of cartilage

  14    springhalt stringhalt, a disease of a horse’s hind legs, causing spasmodic muscle contractions

  15    Death contracted form of the oath “by God’s death”

  16    after…to’t fashioned in such a pagan manner

  17    worn out exhausted (all the styles available in)

  21    clapped placed

  27    Louvre French royal palace in Paris

  30    fool and feather foolishness and elaborate dress (such as feathers worn on hats)

  31    honourable…ignorance foolish trivia they consider worthy (points plays on the sense of “laces used for fastening clothing”)

  32    as such as fights i.e., duels fireworks fighting/whoring (perhaps also with associations of “elaborate pyrotechnic displays”)

  33    Abusing dishonoring, mocking

  34    Out…wisdom using the so-called “wisdom” they have gained abroad renouncing clean they must now renounce totally

  35    tall…breeches i.e., French fashions, playing on notion of venereal disease blistered short and puffed/covered in blisters, symptomatic of venereal disease

  36    types marks, indications travel plays on sense of sexual travail, exertion

  37    understand comprehend/stand up properly (with sexual connotations) honest honorable/true

  38    pack depart playfellows (sexual) partners

  39    cum privilegio “with immunity” (Latin; an abbreviated form of the phrase announcing the exclusive right of a printer to publish a book) oui “yes” (French)

  40    lag end latter part, tail end (with phallic connotations) lewdness foolishness/wickedness/lechery

  41    physic medicine, specifically perhaps a cure for venereal disease

  44    trim vanities smart dandies/worthless fripperies/handsome playthings

  45    marry by the Virgin Mary

  46    whoresons bastards, wretches (a coarse term of abuse)

  47    speeding successful/speedy lay down seduce/have sex with

  48    fiddle musical instrument/penis/mirth-maker, jester fellow equal

  49    fiddle play with/cheat

  50    converting of ’em i.e., reforming their behavior

  52    play performing music/sexual play plainsong simple melody, i.e., straightforward manner of wooing

  53    hearing i.e., audience (with a woman) by’r lady by Our Lady (the Virgin Mary)

  54    Held be considered current fashionable

  56    colt’s tooth youthful lust cast discarded

  58    stump remains of a tooth/penis

  64    makes gives

  68    fruitful generous

  69    dews i.e., favors, benevolence (puns on “dues” or taxes)

  71    black slanderous/sinful other otherwise

  72    he’s wherewithal he has the necessary means

  73    Sparing frugality, economy

  74    way way of life, i.e., as a cardinal

  77    ones i.e., examples stays waits

  78    along i.e., come along

  80    spoke to asked

  81    comptrollers stewards, masters of ceremonies

  82    your lordship’s i.e., entirely at your disposal

Act 1 Scene 4

  1.4    Location: York Place (now Whitehall)—Wolsey’s residence Hautboys oboelike instruments state canopy divers various, several

    4    bevy company

    5    abroad out with her, from home

    7    tardy slow, late

    9    Clapped fixed

  12    lay secular/sexual

  13    running banquet hasty meal/rewarding sexual pursuit or sex itself

  15    society group

  16    confessor plays on the sense of “sexual partner”

  19    easy penance with sexual connotations

  21    down feather

  23    Place you you arrange the seating

  25    cold plays on the sense of “sexually unresponsive”

  26    waking awake, lively (with suggestion of sexual activity)

  29    thank I thank

  30    wild erratically, madly/recklessly, excitably/lustfully

  32    mad insane/uncontrollable, high-spirited

  34    bite biting was thought to be a common trait of madmen

  35    twenty i.e., twenty ladies with a breath in one breath, in a very short space of time

  36    said done

  37    fairly properly/favorably/fully

  39    Pass away leave

  40    For as for cure spiritual duty/remedy (for frowning)/sexual remedy

  41    Let me alone leave it to me

  47    bowl i.e., full of wine may as may

  50    beholding beholden, indebted cheer entertain/encourage/cheer up

  56    gamester sporting, fun-loving person/gambler/one fond of sex

  58    make my play score (in cards/in love)

  59    pledge it drink to my toast

  60    thing plays on the sense of “penis”

  62    anon soon chambers small cannon

  65    voice i.e., noise

  67    privileged protected

  69    strangers foreigners

  71    make make their way

  76    heaven of beauty i.e., gathering of beautiful ladies

  78    broken disrupted Masquers costumed nobles taking part in a courtly entertainment involving dancing habited dressed

  81    pleasures wills, desires

  83    fame report, rumor

  87    conduct guidance, permission

  89    revels merriment/courtly entertainment

  99    this place i.e., the chair of state

100    but only

106    it i.e., the chair of state

111    fair fine/virtuous/beautiful

112    You…unhappily i.e., if you were not a rightfully minded clergyman, I should look unfavorably upon this gathering of beautiful women

115    pleasant merry

117    Prithee please (literally “I pray thee”)

118    An’t if it

119    her highness’ women i.e., lady-in-waiting to Queen Katherine

120    dainty delicately pretty

121    take you out i.e., to dance

122    health toast

124    banquet separate course of sweetmeats after the main feast, served in a different room

125    I’th’privy chamber i.e., in a private inner room

128    heated hot, but in his reply Henry plays on the sense of “lustful, hot-blooded”

133    forsake leave, give up

135    measure slow stately dance

136    dream focus on/conjecture

137    best in favour best-looking/most popular with the ladies knock it strike up

Act 2 Scene 1

  2.1    Location: a street in Westminster, London several separate

    3    hall i.e., Westminster Hall

  16    passed it did the trial proceed

  17    a little brief

  18    to his accusations in response to the accusations brought against him

  19    still consistently alleged brought forward

  20    law i.e., case against him

  22    examinations testimonies, statements proofs evidence

  23    divers various, several

  24    him brought i.e., have brought to him viva voce “in person, in live speech” (Latin)

  32    fain gladly

  37    pitied in him i.e., prompted useless pity forgotten i.e., was ineffectual

  40    knell funeral bell, i.e., death sentence

  41    sweat sweated

  42    choler anger ill unfavorable/wicked/bitter

  43    fell to recovered

  50    end root, bottom

  52    Kildare’s attainder the accusation and disgrace of the Earl of Kildare; he was imprisoned on a number of charges and his role as Lord Deputy in Ireland was given to the Earl of Surrey, Buckingham’s son-in-law

  53    deputy governor

  55    father father-in-law

  56    trick of state political contrivance

  57    envious malicious

  58    his i.e., Surrey’s

  59    requite avenge, repay

  60    generally universally, by all

  64    perniciously deeply, desiring his death or ruin

  67    mirror image, model Tipstaves court officers, named after their badge of office, a metal-tipped staff axe…him signifying that the prisoner had been condemned to death Halberds i.e., halberdiers, carrying long-handled weapons topped with a combination of spearhead and axe blade

  70    close out of sight/quietly

  73    lose forget

  74    judgement sentence

  76    sink ruin/damn

  79    premises evidence (submitted in court)

  80    more better

  82    look beware, watch out

  83    evils wrongdoings, evil careers/hovels or privies

  86    sue plead

  87    More…faults i.e., much greater than the magnitude of offense I would dare to commit

  90    only…dying the only thing that is bitter to him, the only real death he experiences

  92    divorce of steel i.e., separation of body and soul by the axe

  93    sacrifice offering

101    take make envy malice

105    Yet still forsake leaves (my body)

107    tell count

109    old time perhaps a personification here

110    monument tomb

112    charge duty, role

113    undertakes takes responsibility for

116    furniture furnishings, equipment

119    state rank

122    base dishonorable, unworthy/lowborn

123    truth loyalty/honesty seal confirm, ratify

126    head an army Richard i.e., Richard III

135    stroke action/executioner’s blow

138    happier more fortunate

142    end purpose

143    from…certain the words of a dying man were considered especially wise or prophetic

144    liberal of generous with

145    loose careless

147    rub obstacle (bowling term)

149    But except

156    authors originators, causes

159    fall happens

162    faith reliability, trustworthiness

167    am confident i.e., trust you

168    shall i.e., shall have it late recent

169    buzzing rumor

171    held not did not stand firm, did not last

173    straight straightaway

174    allay subdue, silence

178    held for it is thought

179    venture at it risk acting on it

180    about him near who are close to him

181    possessed…scruple put a doubt into his mind (perhaps with connotations of demonic possession; the doubt is that Henry’s marriage is invalid because Katherine had originally been married to his older brother Arthur; marrying one’s brother’s widow is prohibited in Leviticus 20:21)

183    Cardinal Campeius the Pope’s legate sent from Rome to determine the legality of the king’s marriage

186    emperor Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, Queen Katherine’s nephew

188    purposed intended, planned

189    have…mark i.e., are accurate mark target (in archery)

190    smart pain

193    open exposed, public

Act 2 Scene 2

  2.2    Location: the royal court, London

    2    ridden broken in furnished equipped

    4    commission warrant main considerable

  11    private on his own

  12    sad serious

  16    conscience Suffolk plays on the sexual sense of “genital expansiveness”

  20    blind without regard for others; fortune was commonly depicted as a blind woman who turns the wheel of people’s fortunes

  21    list pleases know understand, recognize

  23    he i.e., Wolsey

  40    end purpose/outcome

  41    French king’s sister the Duchess of Alençon, suggested by Wolsey as a second wife for Henry

  42    slept upon failed to notice, not perceived truly

  43    bold daring, overconfident

  49    lump probably lump of clay

  50    pitch height, i.e., stature

  51    For as for

  53    made i.e., successful, of noble rank stand remain, stand firm

  55    breath i.e., mere words

  63    otherwhere elsewhere curtain separating the main stage from the discovery space or recess at the back of the stage

  74    this way in this respect

  75    estate state

  78    Go to expression of impatient dismissal

  79    temporal worldly, secular commission warrant (from the Pope)

  81    quiet calm

  82    cure physical remedy (but with connotations of spiritual care)

  85    talker i.e., man of words rather than action

  90    priest i.e., Wolsey

  92    sick envious

  95    have-at-him thrust, attack (fencing term)

  97    precedent example

  99    scruple doubt voice of Christendom i.e., the Pope and the various clergymen who were consulted over Henry’s problem of conscience

100    envy malice

101    Spaniard i.e., Charles V (Katherine’s nephew), or the Spanish in general her i.e., Queen Katherine

102    confess admit, allow

103    clerks scholars

105    Have…voices may vote as they please

107    general tongue i.e., representative spokesperson

111    conclave body of cardinals (in Rome)

113    strangers foreigners

115    tender submit virtue power

118    unpartial impartial

122    that that which

123    place rank

128    fit suitable, able

142    stick hesitate

144    Kept…still i.e., always had him traveling abroad (on diplomatic missions)

147    murmurers gossips, rumormongers/troublemakers

150    appointment order

151    none…else i.e., no one else so close to the king

152    griped seized, clutched at meaner lower ranking

153    Deliver tell, report modesty propriety/consideration

155    For…learning to receive, play host to such a learned discussion Blackfriars Dominican monastery in London

157    furnished equipped

158    able (sexually) vigorous

159    bedfellow i.e., Katherine conscience perhaps playing on “con-science” meaning “knowledge of the vagina” (i.e., Anne Bullen’s)

Act 2 Scene 3

    1    Not…neither Anne and the Old Lady enter mid-conversation pinches torments

    4    Pronounce declare/utter

    6    courses…sun i.e., years

    9    process course (of events)

  10    avaunt order to be gone pity pity-provoking situation

  12    temper substance, hardness/disposition

  15    temporal worldly (rather than heavenly)

  16    quarrel quarreler

  17    sufferance panging hardship as tormenting

  20    stranger outsider/foreigner

  24    range roam/live/be ranked humble livers those of low rank

  25    perked up decked out glist’ring glittering, sparkling

  28    having possession

  29    troth faith maidenhead virginity

  31    Beshrew curse

  33    spice dash, touch

  34    so fair parts such beauty/such good qualities

  36    Affected likes, is drawn to

  37    sooth truth

  38    Saving despite mincing pretentious manner, affectations

  39    cheverel kid leather (noted for its softness)

  41    troth truth, faith

  44    bowed bent, i.e., worthless (puns on “bawd”)

  45    queen it play the queen; puns on “quean” meaning “prostitute”

  47    bear endure/support during sex/give birth to load of title title of duchess/duke himself/duke’s child

  49    pluck off come down (in aspiration; literally “undress”)

  50    count i.e., rank lower than a duke; puns on “cunt” way path/condition (of being a virgin)

  51    For…to i.e., on account of sexual modesty

  52    vouchsafe permit, accept burden i.e., of a man’s body during sex

  53    get beget, conceive

  57    little England affectionate term for England itself/Pembrokeshire, south Wales, where most people spoke English rather than Welsh/Westminster Hall

  58    emballing to be invested with the orb of sovereignty (as queen)/sexual intercourse

  59    Caernarvonshire a poor rural county in north Wales longed belonged

  62    conference conversation

  64    values not is not worth

  66    gentle noble/kind

  74    Commends declares, offers

  75    purpose intend

  78    grace favor

  80    kind manifestation tender offer (in return)

  81    More…nothing more than all I am able to offer is still insufficient (nothing may pick up on the sense of “vagina,” which is of course what Anne is required to supply)

  82    hallowed blessed, sanctified

  83    More of more

  85    Vouchsafe agree

  89    t’approve to corroborate, confirm conceit opinion, notion

  90    perused observed, examined

  93    gem i.e., an heir (anticipating Elizabeth’s birth)

  94    lighten illuminate (some jewels were thought to emit light)

  99    beggarly still poor

100    Come…late i.e., ask at the appropriate time pat neatly

101    suit of pounds request for money pound plays on the sense of rags/(fish) ponds

102    fresh young/blooming fish woman/whore fie expression of reproach

103    compelled enforced/unsought have…it i.e., to get plenty without even needing to ask (probably also refers to oral sex)

105    strange odd, incomprehensible/new, unfamiliar

106    tastes probably continues to play on the idea of oral sex Forty pence i.e., I’ll bet a small amount

108    queen continues to pun of “quean” (i.e., prostitute)

109    mud i.e., wealth, since Egypt was known for its rich soil

110    pleasant merry, joking

111    your theme your subject (i.e., the same advancement as you)

112    O’ermount rise higher than

115    honour’s…foreskirt i.e., more rewards will follow, just as the train of a dress is longer than the front of the skirt (perhaps with some sexual suggestion of lifting one’s skirt)

117    your…duchess i.e., you will marry a duke and bear his children

120    particular fancy personal imaginings

121    on’t of it

122    salute affects, excites blood passions, spirits (perhaps with play on “sexual desires”) faints me makes me faint

125    deliver report

Act 2 Scene 4

  2.4    Location: Blackfriars (a Dominican monastery in London) sennet trumpet fanfare signaling a procession Vergers officials carrying rods of office who process in front of Church dignitaries habit of doctors academic robes worn by Doctors of Law, i.e., black gowns and flat hats St Asaph Llanelwy, an ancient bishopric in north Wales purse it contained the great seal of England, used by the king to authenticate documents; the Lord Chancellor (Wolsey) was its official keeper two…pillars like the mace, emblems of Wolsey’s role as cardinal cloth of state canopy over a throne consistory ecclesiastical court

    5    th’authority allowed its authority recognized

  15    stranger foreigner

  17    indifferent impartial

  18    equal fair proceeding course of action/legal proceedings

  21    proceed…off go about to dismiss me/take legal action to discard me

  22    grace favor/royal person

  24    conformable compliant, obedient

  25    dislike displeasure

  26    countenance facial expression/favor/disposition

  32    to him derived drawn upon himself

  37    many children Katherine had six children by Henry, of whom only one (Mary) survived infancy

  39    honour good name aught anything

  41    Against toward

  47    wit wisdom

  48    one The wisest the very wisest

  53    Wherefore for which reason

  59    reverend fathers clergymen

  61    elect best, most choice men

  62    bootless useless

  63    longer any longer desire request (i.e., the trial’s postponement)

  64    quiet peace of mind

  68    session court, judicial gathering

  76    certain certainly

  80    before i.e., before you are humble (which you’ll never be)

  83    challenge formal objection (legal term)

  85    blown this coal i.e., stirred up trouble (proverbial)

  87    abhor reject

  93    stood to upheld

  96    spleen malice

103    gainsay deny

104    worthily justly

106    free innocent report condemnation, allegation

107    your wrong the wrong you do me in making such statements

110    in about, with regard to

116    sign display in full seeming to all appearances

120    slightly with ease

121    powers officials in power/power of position retainers servants

122    Domestics servants as’t…office in whatever manner you wish, as soon as you utter their tasks

124    tender regard, are concerned with

125    that so that

128    cause legal case offers attempts, makes to

131    Stubborn resistant apt quick, ready

137    keep your way keep going

140    tarry stay, linger

147    rare excellent/exceptional

148    government control (of self and others)

149    Obeying in commanding behaving with restraint even when issuing orders/behaving both like a queen and a dutiful wife parts…else other superior and pious qualities Sovereign excellent/royal

150    speak thee out declare themselves as being in you

153    Carried conducted

155    require request

159    satisfied compensated

165    prejudice detriment state situation/rank

166    touch taint, stain

168    excuse exonerate

169    you…taught i.e., you know full well

171    curs dogs

177    passages proceedings

178    speak support

181    mark th’inducement note what persuaded me

182    tenderness sensitivity

186    ’twixt between

188    determinate resolution conclusive outcome

190    advertise notify, discuss with

192    dowager i.e., Katherine, the widow of Henry’s brother Arthur

193    Sometimes formerly

195    spitting piercing, stabbing

197    mazed considerings bewildered thoughts, confused wonderings

199    smile i.e., favor

202    offices duties, services

204    Or either

205    This…them i.e., birth

208    gladded made glad

210    issue’s offspring’s

211    throe pain (a word often used of labor pains) hulling drifting (with sails furled)

216    full very yet still (now)

218    doctors scholars

220    oppression burdensome distress reek sweat

221    moved put the matter to, appealed to

224    satisfied reassured

227    Bearing…dread given that it concerned a matter of great importance and potentially alarming consequences

228    committed…doubt questioned the most extreme, audacious advice I was inclined to give (i.e., to pursue divorce)

236    particular individual

237    Under…seals i.e., with your formal written agreement hands signatures

241    Prove but if you can only prove

243    wear…come spend our remaining life (or perhaps “our earthly sovereignty”)

244    primest most supreme (perhaps plays on the sense of “youngest, freshest”)

245    paragoned put forth as an ideal model

247    a needful fitness necessarily appropriate behavior

248    further another

249    motion request

251    his holiness i.e., the Pope

254    dilatory delaying (with specifically legal sense of entering a dilatory plea to delay proceedings)

256    return the clergyman Thomas Cranmer was at this point in Europe, gathering support for Henry’s divorce

258    set on advance, proceed

Act 3 Scene 1

  3.1    Location: the royal court, London

    1    lute stringed musical instrument played like a guitar

    2    leave stop

    3    Orpheus legendary Greek poet, whose music had the power to charm trees, animals, and stones made i.e., made them bow

    7    as as if

  10    billows swelling waves

  11    lay by subsided, became calm

  13    Killing fatal, deadly

  17    presence royal reception chamber

  19    willed ordered

  20    Pray ask (politely)

  24    as righteous i.e., as their goodness

  27    part of partly

  28    all i.e., wholly a housewife against in anticipation of worst i.e., divorce from Henry (which would necessitate careful domestic and economic management for a woman living alone)

  35    corner i.e., secrecy

  36    free innocent

  37    happy fortunate

  38    a number many others

  40    Envy malice

  41    even straightforward, constant

  42    that…in it concerns my wifely status

  44    Tanta…serenissima “So great is my integrity toward you, most serene queen” (Latin)

  46    truant negligent student coming i.e., to England from Spain

  48    strange foreign

  52    willing’st most deliberate

  57    all only faith loyalty, integrity, honesty

  58    by the way for the purpose of

  62    minded inclined difference disagreement

  64    free honorable, upright

  76    suddenly immediately, spontaneously

  78    wit intelligence

  80    set seated

  81    looking prepared

  83    her…been i.e., my sake as the queen I was till now

  84    fit brief period

  90    profit benefit

  93    desperate reckless

  94    live a subject i.e., continue to be treated as a loyal subject to Henry (despite supporting the queen) forsooth in truth

  95    weigh out counterbalance, compensate for/outweigh/assess fully

106    part away depart

109    Out upon ye dismissive exclamation, “Away with you”

112    mistakes causes you to misunderstand

114    cardinal virtues there were four of these: justice, prudence, temperance, and fortitude

115    cardinal sins the seven deadly sins: pride, covetousness, envy, wrath, gluttony, sloth, and lechery (cardinal, as well as playing on the men’s ecclesiastical titles, may pun on “carnal”)

117    cordial heart-restoring remedy

121    at once suddenly/all at once

123    mere distraction complete frenzy

124    envy hatred, ill will

126    professors those who profess to be Christians

128    habits garments, i.e., the mere outer appearance

130    his from his

132    fellowship partnership/sexual intimacy

134    above more than studies efforts

137    speak speak for, defend

139    vainglory boasting

141    full affections complete love

142    Still always, with constancy next next to

143    fondness affection/foolishness superstitious excessively devoted, idolatrous

150    wander from stray from/mistake

154    dignities nobleness, high rank

156    Would I wish

168    ends intentions

170    places (Church) positions

175    carriage behavior

179    temper temperament

180    even level calm calm sea

184    casts rejects (plays on sense of melting metal to form coins)

188    studies efforts

190    used conducted

193    do my service pay my respects

197    That who set footing here arrived in England

Act 3 Scene 2

    2    force urge, press a constancy persistence

    3    omit…time neglect this current opportunity

    9    duke i.e., of Buckingham

  10    him i.e., Wolsey

  12    uncontemned unscorned, not treated contemptuously

  13    neglected disregarded/slighted

  15    Out of beyond

  19    Gives way favors fear doubt

  22    in’s in his

  24    out ended, lost

  26    he’s may apply to Wolsey or to Henry

  27    come off escape (if Wolsey)/desist (if Henry) his i.e., Henry’s

  32    contrary oppositional/contradictory

  33    unfolded exposed

  36    practices schemes

  39    miscarried went astray/were intercepted

  42    stay delay

  45    creature dependant, servant

  49    perceives him perceives coasts And hedges is indirect and devious (as if traveling in a roundabout manner along a coastline or by hedgerows)

  51    physic remedy

  58    Trace the conjunction follow the marriage

  60    All men’s puns on amen

  62    Marry by the Virgin Mary (picks up on the notion of marriage) young i.e., recent news may…unrecounted perhaps not everyone will have heard it/not everyone needs to hear it

  64    gallant fine, splendid complete perfect

  65    persuade me am convinced

  66    fall befall/be born

  67    memorized made memorable

  69    Digest endure, stomach

  76    cause i.e., the divorce unhandled unresolved, without management

  77    Is posted has gone in haste

  84    He…opinions i.e., letters from him have been received ahead of his arrival; the opinions may be Cranmer’s own or, more likely, those that he was sent to gather on the divorce

  88    published announced publicly

100    moody sullen, angry

101    packet dispatch, packet of letters

103    Looked…paper? i.e., Did he open it?

105    Presently immediately

107    heed care, attention

111    abroad out of his bedchamber

112    this this time

117    visage face

125    late former

127    clear bright snuff it trim its wick

130    spleeny Lutheran hot-headed Protestant wholesome beneficial, healthy

131    lie i’th’bosom of i.e., have sex with/share the secrets of

132    hard-ruled difficult to manage; possible erectile connotations

133    arch-one major, principal one (plays on “archbishop”)

134    Hath who has schedule document

137    fret gnaw, fray/add frets or ridges (to aid tuning on a stringed instrument)

138    master-cord main sinew, chief string on’s of his

141    portion share

146    commotion agitation

149    straight straightaway

152    against toward

157    wot know

159    importing concerning

160    several parcels various pieces plate gold or silver tableware

161    stuffs material, cloth ornaments of household furnishings

162    proud rate great cost/vast quantity outspeaks…subject far exceeds what a subject ought to own

166    withal with

168    contemplation thoughts/religious musing

169    should would be allowed (to)

171    below the moon i.e., worldly

176    stuff matter (plays on the sense of “(rich) fabric”; the king’s loaded language continues with inventory, steal, audit)

177    graces virtues

179    leisure time for contemplation

180    keep…audit see to your worldly accounts (as opposed to the spiritual reckoning at Judgment Day)

181    ill husband poor domestic manager glad i.e., because Wolsey is so unconcerned with self-seeking material matters (ironic)

187    times of preservation life-sustaining activities (i.e., eating, sleeping) perforce of necessity

189    tendance attention

197    crown…you i.e., by investing Wolsey with Church promotions

199    alone only

201    pared trimmed, reduced havings fortune

206    prime foremost, most powerful (under the king)

207    pronounce declare

208    withal moreover, in addition

210    graces favors

211    could…requite my most deliberate efforts could repay

215    filed kept pace

216    so only to the extent

220    allegiant loyal

226    the…it “honor is the reward of virtue” was proverbial

228    foulness dishonor, public shame

232    power faculties

233    notwithstanding…duty despite your duty to the Church/beyond the debt of allegiance of any subject to his king that your i.e., that

234    in love’s particular on account of the intimacy of close friendship

238    that…be I who am, have been and will be (after digressing, Wolsey never in fact finishes this sentence)

239    crack violate, destroy

242    horrid frightening

243    chiding tumultuous, angry

244    break interrupt/stem

254    chafèd enraged

255    galled wounded/angered

256    makes him nothing destroys him (the huntsman)

257    story cause/narrative

258    undone ruined account may play on the sense of “story, narrative”

259    world vast quantity

261    fee pay/bribe

262    cross perverse, thwarting

263    main chief, significant

265    device strategy, trick

266    stir anger

267    take right works properly, succeeds

268    bring me off rescue me

272    meridian highest point (of the sun)

273    setting decline, sunset

274    exhalation shooting star, meteor

277    presently immediately

279    Asher House Esher House, Surrey, which belonged to Wolsey as Bishop of Winchester

282    commission warrant, authority

284    cross challenge

286    it i.e., obey their orders

289    metal material/mettle (i.e., disposition, spirit) envy malice

291    sleek fawning, oily wanton unprincipled, lawless, merciless

295    rewards i.e., punishments

298    enjoy use, benefit from

300    Tied authorized, confirmed letters patents documents signed by the king conferring land, title, or official position

305    forty hours used indefinitely to convey a broad period of time

308    scarlet sin refers to the color of a cardinal’s robes; also to Isaiah 1:18, which describes sins as “red like scarlet”

311    parts qualities

312    Weighed equaled in weight of on policy political strategy, cunning

314    his succour being able to help him (Buckingham)

315    fault offense gav’st assigned to

319    credit reputation

322    From of

323    cause case (tried in court)

326    That I who

328    mate be a match for, contend with

334    fellow common man/servant/good-for-nothing (a contemptuous term for one of Wolsey’s status)

335    jaded deceived, made fools of (plays on the sense of “made green”)

337    dare…larks birds could be caught by being distracted with a piece of scarlet cloth while nets were dropped on them; there may be an implicit reference to Joan Larke, Wolsey’s mistress dare daze

348    issues children, i.e., sons

349    he i.e., Wolsey

350    articles items in a list of formal charges

352    sacring bell small bell rung at the consecration of the host, the holiest part of the Mass (after the Reformation it signified the bell rung to announce morning prayers) brown brunette/dark-complexioned (or sunburned; another dig at Wolsey, suggesting this particular lover is a common peasant) wench girl of the rustic or working class/mistress

356    hand possession/handwriting

357    thus much I can say this much foul plays on the sense of “illegible, blotted”

363    out be revealed

367    dare challenge, defy objections accusations

368    want lack

369    Have at you! i.e., here I come (standard utterance at the opening of a fight)

371    wrought planned, connived, worked legate one of the Pope’s representatives

374    ‘Ego…meus’ “My king and I” (Latin); literally “I and my king,” which leads Norfolk to claim that Wolsey places himself before the king; however, this is the required Latin word order and Wolsey’s real offence is to equate himself with the monarch

375    still always

379    Ambassador i.e., as Henry’s ambassador emperor the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V made bold dared

380    carry…seal taking the great seal of England out of the country was forbidden Flanders part of the Netherlands

381    Item next (on the list; Latin) commission delegation with specific instructions

382    Gregory de Cassado English ambassador to the Pope

383    allowance permission

384    Ferrara the Duke of Ferrara (one of the Italian city-states)

385    mere absolute, utter

387    innumerable substance incalculable wealth

389    furnish…dignities bribe Rome as a means of paving your way to personal titles and offices

390    to…kingdom i.e., at England’s expense

391    Many more i.e., accusations, offenses

395    virtue i.e., virtuous not to list the offenses

396    lie open are exposed, i.e., are at the mercy (of)

402    legative as a papal legate

403    praemunire the offense of recognizing papal legal authority over that of the English monarch

404    sued instituted, legally enforced

405    tenements houses/leased land or property

406    Castles some editors emend to “chattels” on the basis of the equivalent passage in Holinshed, but the Folio reading is a suitable climax to the list

407    charge order, instruction

409    For as for

416    tender young, fresh

417    blushing glowing, vibrant (perhaps with reference to the red robes of a cardinal)

419    easy comfortable, complacent

422    wanton playful, wild, careless bladders inflated animal bladders used as floats

423    This (for) these

424    high-blown over-inflated (like the bladders; also a suggestion of “fully blooming,” recalling the vegetation imagery of a few lines earlier)

427    rude stream rough current

428    Vain proud/empty, meaningless/foolish, frivolous

432    aspect facial appearance/gaze (with astrological connotations of “influential position of a planet”) their ruin the ruin they can cause

433    pangs pains (often applied to labor pains)

434    Lucifer the brightest angel in heaven, who rebelled, was cast into hell and became the devil amazed stunned

439    decline fall an if

443    happy fortunate

448    pillars may recall the silver pillars that were emblems of Wolsey’s role as cardinal

452    it i.e., self-knowledge

458    heaviest saddest/most weighty

459    displeasure disgrace

466    that so that

468    orphans the Lord Chancellor was the legal guardian of all orphans under the age of twenty-one

475    open public

476    voice talk

480    gone beyond overreached

481    In i.e., because of

483    troops retinues, groups of followers

491    hopeful promising

492    make use take advantage, profit

495    forgo forsake

503    truth loyalty play the woman i.e., weep

506    dull lifeless

509    sounded fathomed, probed the depth of shoals shallows

510    wreck shipwreck/ruin

512    Mark note, heed

518    Still always

530    naked defenseless

Act 4 Scene 1

  4.1    Location: a street in Westminster, London

    5    all my business what I’m here for

    8    general public, universal

  10    royal generous/supportive of the monarchy

  11    let…rights to give them their due forward eager, ready

  15    taken received

  22    High Steward the officer presiding over the coronation

  23    Earl Marshal a high-ranking state office

  25    beholding beholden, indebted

  30    order rank, status (i.e., other bishops)

  31    late recent Dunstable Bedfordshire town, about thirty-five miles north of London

  32    Ampthill Ampthill Castle, in fact closer to ten miles north of Dunstable lay lodged

  33    cited summoned

  34    short brief

  35    late scruple recent doubt (over the validity of his marriage to Katherine) main assent general agreement

  37    of none effect null and void

  38    Kimbolton a castle in Cambridgeshire, not far from Huntingdon

  41    close quiet/to one side flourish fanfare Garter Garter King-at-Arms, chief herald of the College of Arms and a key official in the management of royal ceremonies demi-coronal small coronet dove emblematic of peace Collars of esses ornamental gold chains composed of S-shaped links estate state Cinque Ports five ports on the southeast coast of England, originally Dover, Hastings, Sandwich, Hythe, and Romney; their barons had the right to hold the canopy over the king during processions in her hair with her hair loose, as was customary for brides coronal coronet train excess material at the back of a dress

  42    train retinue

  46    should must

  54    Indies i.e., great wealth

  55    strains embraces, with suggestion of sexual exertion

  56    conscience plays on the sense of “genitals”

  58    cloth of honour royal canopy

  59    Cinque Ports five (later seven) ports on the southeast coast of England that provided the navy and were granted privileges in return

  66    falling plays on the sense of “sexually receptive”

  68    broiling becoming heated, sweating (from struggling for a good view among a crowd of onlookers)

  69    i’th’Abbey in Westminster Abbey, venue for coronations finger…more perhaps with sexual connotations (especially if rankness is given its sexual sense)

  71    mere absolute, utter rankness exuberance/foul (sweaty) smell/lustfulness

  77    speak describe

  80    fell off withdrew

  83    opposing displaying

  85    goodliest finest, most good-looking

  87    arose perhaps with connotations of penile erection

  88    shrouds ropes attached to the mast, standard part of a ship’s rigging (perhaps with phallic connotations; a rope was a slang image for a penis) stiff strong; again with connotations of penile erection

  90    Doublets men’s close-fitting jackets

  92    Great-bellied i.e., pregnant

  93    rams battering rams

  94    press crowd, throng

104    royal makings trappings of royalty bestowed during a coronation

105    As such as

108    music musicians

109    Te Deum thanksgiving hymn “Te Deum laudamus” (Latin; “We praise thee O God”) parted departed

110    state procession/pomp/dignity

117    lately recently

121    the one i.e., Gardiner

122    preferred promoted

129    will who will

134    Master o’th’Jewel House i.e., responsible for the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London

140    Something…command i.e., I have some degree of influence

Act 4 Scene 2

4.2    Location: Kimbolton Castle, Cambridgeshire

    3    loaden laden, overburdened

  11    happily fittingly/fortunately/perhaps

  13    voice word, rumor

  14    stout brave, resolute

  15    brought him forward escorted him

  16    tainted disgraced/corrupted answer trial

  18    sit sit on

  20    roads stages (of the journey) Leicester chief town of Leicestershire, in central England

  22    convent members of the monastery

  26    little earth i.e., grave

  27    eagerly keenly/fiercely

  33    blessèd part i.e., soul

  35    speak speak of/describe

  37    stomach pride/ambitious appetite

  38    suggestion incitement, prompting (to wrongdoing)

  39    Tied subjected, tied up Simony buying and selling ecclesiastical posts

  40    I’th’presence in the royal reception chamber/presence of the king

  41    double duplicitous/ambiguous

  43    pitiful merciful, compassionate

  46    body i.e., sexual appetites, love of worldly pleasures ill immoral

  51    good goodness, virtues

  56    to for

  57    ripe mature, sophisticated

  59    Lofty haughty

  61    unsatisfied in getting never satisfied with what he had acquired

  64    you Griffith addresses Ipswich and Oxford

  65    Ipswich and Oxford Wolsey founded colleges in both towns, though only the one at Oxford survived him; originally intended to be Cardinal’s College, it was renamed Christ Church

  66    did made, founded

  68    art scholarship rising growing (in reputation and excellence; plays on the idea of physical completion)

  72    little humble

  79    Whom he whom (i.e., Wolsey)

  80    religious conscientious modesty moderation, restraint

  82    set me lower i.e., help me to lie back or sit lower in the chair

  84    note tune

  85    knell funeral bell

  86    celestial harmony i.e., heaven tripping moving nimbly and lightly bays bay-tree leaves, a symbol of triumph vizards masks congee make a formal bow changes turns or stages of the dance in their i.e., still

102    fancy imagination

103    music leave musicians cease

104    heavy oppressive/sorrowful

111    An’t like if it please

112    saucy insolent

115    lose give up wonted accustomed

118    staying waiting

122    emperor Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, Katherine’s nephew

137    physic medicine had would have

148    willing willingly

150    model image daughter i.e., Mary

152    breeding upbringing

159    both my fortunes i.e., good and bad, as queen and subsequently

163    honesty chastity/virtue carriage behavior

165    happy fortunate

169    over extra

171    able sufficient

178    fashion form, nature, character

179    honest honorable

187    used treated

188    maiden flowers i.e., those flowers befitting chastity

190    forth i.e., out for burial

192    can i.e., say or do

Act 5 Scene 1

 5.1    Location: the royal court, London

    3    necessities essential activities, i.e., sleep

    7    Whither where are you going

    9    primero gambling card game

  11    must must go

  14    an if if

  15    offence harm

  16    touch sense, hint late recent/late night

  21    durst commend dare entrust

  22    this work i.e., what he has been engaged in

  23    feared it is feared

  25    fruit i.e., child goes with carries/is in the throes of labor with

  27    time delivery, outcome stock tree that bore the fruit, i.e., Anne

  28    grubbed up uprooted

  30    Cry the amen i.e., agree

  35    way of thinking, i.e., Catholic religious views

  38    hands i.e., assistants, supporters

  41    remarked notable/conspicuous

  42    Master O’th’Rolls a high-ranking legal position

  44    gap and trade opening and path

  45    time age, state of affairs/time to come/opportunity

  49    are are those

  52    Incensed angered

  54    arch-heretic major, principal holder of unorthodox religious views (puns on “archbishop”)

  55    moved angered, stirred

  56    broken broached (the matter)

  58    fell fierce, terrible mischiefs evils, misfortunes

  61    convented summoned to appear rank rapidly growing, abundant

  64    rest remain

  66    hard strong (a player)

  69    fancy mind, inclination

  78    suff’rance suffering

  81    God may God quit release, relieve

  82    travail labor gladding delighting

  86    estate state, situation

  99    attends awaits

101    bishop i.e., Gardiner

102    happily fortunately, opportunely

103    Avoid leave gallery long room used for walking in

106    aspect of terror angry expression

118    grievous serious

120    moved prompted, decided

122    with such freedom so freely, easily purge clear, exonerate

124    take…you be patient

126    Tower Tower of London brother of us being a fellow member of the council

127    fits is fitting

131    throughly thoroughly winnowed i.e., cleared of impurity, as corn is exposed to wind in order to separate it from worthless husks (chaff)

133    stands under endures/is subject to calumnious slanderous

138    my halidom all I consider holy

139    looked anticipated

140    given…petition requested

143    endurance further further hardship/forthcoming imprisonment

144    dread revered

147    triumph exult (at the downfall of) weigh value

148    Being should it be nothing not at all

152    small insignificant practices plots

153    bear…proportion be correspondingly powerful ever always

155    The dew o’th’verdict i.e., a successful outcome at with

157    swear testify

159    Ween you of do you expect

160    perjured witness false testimony your master i.e., Christ

162    naughty wicked

163    take…danger behave as though jumping off a cliff were not dangerous

164    woo invite, court

167    is that is

169    give way to i.e., allow

171    chance happen

172    commit imprison

186    Now now may

190    Is…delivered? Has the queen given birth?

194    girl may apply either to Anne or to the newly born Elizabeth

195    Promises i.e., who promises to give birth to

196    and and for you

201    marks a mark was a monetary unit (rather than a coin) worth two thirds of a pound

203    groom servingman for suitable for

206    hot “to strike while the iron is hot” was proverbial

207    put…issue undertake it, insist on it (issue may play on the sense of “child”)

Act 5 Scene 2

    3    fast locked up

    4    Sure surely

    9    So so be it/I see

  11    happily fortunately/by chance

  12    understand it presently be informed of it at once

  16    sound perceive/proclaim

  17    laid arranged (like a trap)

  18    turn alter

  22    attend wait above i.e., on the upper staging level or gallery

  26    Body o’me upon my body (i.e., life)

  29    Who…state who maintains his dignity/is detained according to his status (ironic) pursuivants state messengers

  30    footboys boy servants, often assistants to footmen

  33    one above ’em i.e., the king/God

  34    parted divided honesty integrity/decorum

  35    suffer permit

  36    place status

  37    dance attendance be kept waiting

  38    post courier packets i.e., of letters

  40    close shut state throne above next to, at the upper end of the table; the seating arrangements reflect the men’s positions

  49    Without outside

  56    present present time

  57    chair i.e., Cranmer’s vacant chair next to the Lord Chancellor

  58    capable Of susceptible to

  59    flesh bodily urges, mortal weakness

  60    want lack

  61    misdemeaned yourself behaved improperly

  65    Divers various/different/perverse, cruel heresies views contrary to orthodox religious opinion

  66    pernicious destructive

  69    Pace…hands do not train them gently, by hand

  70    stubborn unyielding

  71    obey the manage perform the specific movements correctly (from French manège, “horsemanship”) suffer permit

  72    easiness indulgence, leniency

  74    physic medicine

  75    taint corruption/infection

  77    upper…witness a reference either to the Saxony peasants’ revolt of 1524 or to the rising of the Anabaptists in Münster in 1535 upper higher/inland

  82    course current/series of undertakings

  85    single united, honest

  87    place official public position

  95    urge make allegations

  98    by that virtue by virtue of that

  99    moment importance

100    short brief

103    private i.e., not exercising public office

105    provided prepared

107    pass be approved, prevail

109    end aim, purpose

111    Become befit, suit

115    doubt i.e., of my innocence conscience i.e., trouble your conscience

118    sectary follower of a heretical sect

119    painted counterfeit/superficial discovers reveals

120    words i.e., mere words

122    By…favour if you will permit me (to say so)

127    cry…mercy beg your honor’s pardon worst least

131    sound orthodox, honest

136    bold audacious, impertinent

140    Forbear stop, desist

156    Receive take into custody

157    safe securely confined

161    gripes grips, clutches

163    CHAMBERLAIN some editors reassign this line to the Chancellor

172    in…him of value to the king

173    on’t of it (the present business)

174    gave misgave, prompted fearful doubts (in)

175    informations pieces of intelligence/accusations/tales seat throne

183    aim i.e., beneficiary

184    dear respect earnest regard (for the Church)

187    sudden hasty/spontaneous

190    They i.e., the commendations

194    bloody bloodthirsty, destructive

196    He i.e., man

197    starve die

203    discretion prudence, wisdom

209    try put on trial (sense then shifts to “afflict, torment”)

212    mean the means

215    like please

216    purposed intended

219    purgation clearing of his name

222    use treat

226    ado fuss

229    wants lacks

234    spoons a set of spoons was a common christening gift

244    voice opinion

246    shrewd injurious, vicious

249    one united

Act 5 Scene 3

 5.3    Location: by a gate of the royal court, London cudgel club Man servant

    1    leave cease Paris Garden bear-baiting arena on London’s Bankside, near the Globe theater

    2    rude rough, uncivilized gaping shouting

    3    belong to i.e., work in

    5    crab-tree i.e., made from the tough wood of a crab-apple tree these i.e., these cudgels switches slim, flexible shoots cut from a tree

    6    scratch i.e., beat

  11    May-day morning traditional day of early rising for dawn festivities

  12    Paul’s St. Paul’s Cathedral

  13    and be hanged an oath

  17    made no spare didn’t hold back (when beating the crowd)

  19    Samson biblical character possessed of legendary strength Sir…Colbrand Colbrand was a Danish giant killed by Sir Guy of Warwick

  22    cuckold man with an unfaithful wife

  23    chine cut of meat from the backbone of an animal (possibly quibbles on the sense of “chink, fissure,” i.e., “vagina”)

  24    for a cow a slightly obscure phrase, apparently meaning “for anything,” though cow may play on the sense of “prostitute”

  26    presently shortly puppy impertinent young man

  27    close closed tightly sirrah sir (used to an inferior)

  29    Moorfields an area of open ground just outside London’s city walls, at one point used for training militia

  30    muster assemble (soldiers) strange foreign Indian native Americans had been known to be exhibited to London’s paying public (although “Indian” could also signify a person from the East or West Indies, or the Far East) great tool large penis

  31    fry seething brood

  34    spoons spoons given as christening presents/penises

  35    brazier brass-worker (working in high temperatures) dog-days hottest days of the year, associated with the dog Dog Star Sirius

  36    in’s nose i.e., his nose is red as if from heat (presumably from drinking) under the line at the Equator

  37    fire-drake dragon/fiery meteor

  38    discharged fired off (like a gun) mortar-piece small cannon

  39    blow us blow us up/blow his nose all over us haberdasher seller of small items relating to clothing, such as thread and ribbon railed upon ranted at

  40    pinked ornamented with small holes or slits porringer hat shaped like a soup dish kindling…combustion provoking such a tumult/lighting such a fire

  41    meteor i.e., the red-nosed brazier ‘Clubs!’ rallying cry to summon apprentices to a fight

  42    truncheoners cudgel-carriers succour aid, assistance

  43    hope o’th’Strand strapping apprentices from workshops on the Strand, a London street near the Thames was quartered lodged/lived fell on attacked made good secured, defended

  44    came…me fought at close quarters with me (literally, close enough to use broomsticks)

  45    loose shot marksmen not attached to a company

  46    fain obliged work earthwork, i.e., fort

  48    youths i.e., apprentices

  49    tribulation troublemakers, rabble Tower Hill site of public executions and a rough residential area limbs members, residents/fighters, fists

  50    Limehouse rough dockyard area in London’s East End (puns on limb) limbo patrum i.e., prison (literally, the name of the dwelling place for the souls of the unbaptized and of those who had died before Christ’s coming; continues the pun on limb)

  51    like likely running banquet i.e., a whipping through the streets (literally, hasty meal)

  52    beadles parish constables

  56    made…hand done a fine job (sarcastic)

  57    trim fine/smartly dressed (sarcastic)

  58    friends plays on the sense of “lovers” (i.e., whores) o’th’suburbs in the areas outside the City walls and its jurisdiction, known for lawlessness and prostitution

  59    Great…room plenty of space

  61    An’t if it

  64    rule control

  66    lay…th’heels put you in the stocks or shackles

  67    suddenly straightaway

  68    round heavy

  69    baiting of bombards drinking from leather jugs/harassing drunkards/giving drinks to drunkards

  70    service your job

  72    break among push through press crowd

  73    troop christening procession fairly easily

  74    Marshalsea prison in Southwark hold ye play keep you from amusement

  77    close up i.e., back

  78    camlet fabric made from silk and goat hair o’th’rail off the railing (possibly the rail around the stage, suggesting that the groundlings in the yard took the part of the crowd)

  79    peck fling pales railings

Act 5 Scene 4

 5.4    Trumpets trumpeters Garter i.e., Garter King-at-Arms, an important ceremonial post Marshal’s staff the rod of office belonging to the Earl Marshal, a high-ranking state official standing bowls bowls supported by legs or a base habited clothed

    4    partners fellow godparents

    6    laid stored

  15    gossips godparents prodigal lavish (with christening gifts)

  21    heaven…her may God always be at her side

  26    pattern exemplary model

  27    Saba the Queen of Sheba, who tested Solomon’s wisdom with difficult questions (1 Kings 10:1–10)

  30    mould up form, make up piece masterpiece, work of art

  32    still always

  34    own own people

  35    beaten (presumably) wind-beaten

  40    God i.e., religion

  41    read learn

  42    greatness power/honor/nobility blood inheritance

  43    sleep i.e., die

  44    maiden phoenix mythical Arabian bird that was consumed by fire every five hundred years, then resurrected from the ashes; only one existed at a time

  46    admiration the inspiring of wonder

  47    one i.e., James I, who succeeded Elizabeth in 1603

  48    cloud of darkness i.e., earthly life

  51    fixed constant/established/unswayed by varying fortune terror the power to inspire awe

  63    deed beneficial action

  64    Would I wish

  70    get beget, conceive/gain, achieve

  75    beholding indebted

  79    sick unhappy, hurt

  80    H’as he has stay remain/cease (work)

  81    holiday derived from “Holy-day” (as originally spelled in the Folio), emphasizing the word’s origins as a spiritual as well as celebratory time

The Epilogue

    5    naught worthless city London and its citizens

    7    that so that

  10    construction interpretation, judgment, appraisal

  11    such a one could refer to either Katherine, Anne, or Elizabeth

  13    ill hap bad luck

  14    hold refrain, refuse

THE TRAGEDY OF TROILUS AND CRESSIDA

Troilus and Cressida perhaps reveals more of Shakespeare’s mature mind at work than any of the other plays. It is highly intelligent, rich in rhetorical complexity and linguistic invention, mentally rigorous, morally skeptical, sexually charged, full of dangerous intellectual and political energy, markedly unpleasant. Most characteristically of all, it is impossible to characterize generically.

It was written towards the end of Shakespeare’s great run of comedies. The cynicism of parts of the near-contemporaneous Measure for Measure and All’s Well that Ends Well, together with the concern in those dark comedies with the rough edges of human sexuality, led early twentieth-century critics to group them together with Troilus under the rubric “problem plays.” The First Folio prints it between the histories and the tragedies, which is a fitting place: it is a tragedy in that the Trojan war, the subject of Homer’s Iliad, was western tragedy’s foundational theme, but it had been published independently in Quarto format in 1609 as The Famous History of Troilus and Cresseid, a title emphasizing a medieval romance accretion to the classical epic tale. A prefatory epistle in some copies of the Quarto performs a delicate balancing act, acknowledging that the play is “passing full of the palm comical,” but emphasizing its serious literary content and praising Shakespeare’s works for being “so framed to the life that they serve for the most common commentaries of all the actions of our lives.”

Despairing of whether to call it history, comedy, or tragedy, many modern critics, with some justification, regard Troilus and Cressida as a satire. The military plot concerning Achilles, Agamemnon, Ajax, Hector, and the rest is derived primarily from Homer and his descendants, most notably George Chapman’s 1598 translation of seven books of The Iliad into elevated English verse. The love plot concerning Troilus and Cressida, the efforts of Pandarus to bring them together, and the infidelity of Cressida in the Greek camp, is derived primarily from Chaucer’s Troilus and Criseyde. The handling of each plot is equally cynical. In its love plot the play is an anti-romance, while in its martial plot it is an anti-epic. In his anti-heroic representation of the exemplary heroes of the Trojan war, Shakespeare undermines both the style and the attitudes of Chapman’s recent translation of Homer. The prologue speaks in high Chapmanesque style of “princes orgulous,” “crownets regal,” “strong immures,” and “warlike freightage,” but the action begins with Troilus saying, “I’ll unarm again” and going on to describe himself as “weaker than a woman’s tear…Less valiant than the virgin in the night.” The admission of a “feminine” language strips all glamour from the male code of war. But then the code of love is submitted to a similar pummeling: Pandarus compares the art of love to bread-making, with its progression from grinding to bolting to kneading to leavening to cooling. Troilus idealizes his love in courtly language, but at the same time compares his desire to a wound, speaking of “the open ulcer of my heart.”

Scabs, pus, and running sores ooze through the play, while the foul-mouthed Thersites proves to be the truest commentator on the war. In the second scene we are given a first account of Hector, traditionally the most noble of heroes. Here, however, he is reported to be wrathful, chiding his devoted wife Andromache and striking his armorer. An honorable man should respect his wife and servants: the honor of Hector is thus questioned from the start. There is a clear progression from the reported striking of the armorer to Hector’s ignominious end, in which he is killed because of an act of vanity: he has unarmed himself in order to put on the alluring golden armor of a slain warrior. Our first image of Ajax, another magnificent hero in Homer, is yet one more debunking. “They say he is a very man per se, and stands alone,” says Alexander: this sounds like the glorious self-sufficiency of the epic hero. “So do all men, unless they are drunk, sick, or have no legs,” replies Cressida: “stands alone” is taken literally and thus reduced to ignobility. And, sure enough, Ajax does prove to be a singularly unheroic blockhead. As for the great Achilles, he has withdrawn from the battle and is camping around in his tent with his gay lover, Patroclus, acting out parodies of the inflated mannerisms of the other Greek generals. Again and again, Troilus and Cressida reveals the discrepancy between the polished surface that is projected by a value system, whether the heroic code or courtly love, and the tawdry reality beneath. At a philosophical level, the effect of this is deeply troubling: it is to question whether there can be such a thing as an absolute moral value.

In a purposeful anachronism during the debate about whether or not the war is worth fighting, Trojan man of action Hector appeals to the Greek thinker who was regarded in Shakespeare’s time as the father of moral philosophy: having begun by commending the argumentative powers of his brothers Troilus and Paris, Hector adds that they have reasoned “superficially, not much / Unlike young men, whom Aristotle thought / Unfit to hear moral philosophy.” To the modern ear, the language is typically dense and frustrating. Why can’t Hector say “like young men,” we wonder, instead of “not much” / brief pause for the end of the verse line / “Unlike young men”? Trust Shakespeare to prefer “not unlike” to mere “like.” The flow of argument through the play is like a serpentine river, twisting and turning with double negatives, retractions, qualifications, hypothetical cases, generalizations exploded by particular instances. The modern equivalent is the tortured language of legal opinions and government regulations, which is perhaps why the play is sometimes considered to have been a showpiece for lawyers. But we need to remember that rhetoric—the construction of elaborate edifices of argument that are expounded pro and contra with both words and sentence structures arranged in highly complex ways—was the absolute staple of each long day’s work in the Elizabethan grammar school classroom. Anyone in Shakespeare’s original audience with a few years’ formal education would have had their ears tuned to the mode of speaking that characterizes the formal debates in the respective council scenes of the Trojans and Greeks. And for some in the audience who lacked a formal education—women among them—the theater was an alternative classroom, a place to learn the art of manipulating words without the burden of having to do so in Latin.

Motivating the expansion of the grammar school network in sixteenth-century England was the educational revolution known to scholars as “humanism.” The purpose of study was not only to achieve a command of the linguistic arts, but also to be inspired to virtue by the example of the ancient heroes: to learn integrity from Hector, fortitude from Andromache, courage from Achilles, leadership from Agamemnon, strength from Ajax, wisdom from Ulysses, and so forth. It is this moral dimension that the play systematically strips away. The mythic heroes are resolutely anti-heroic. The idea that manliness can be proved in battle is subverted by the voice of Thersites. Thus when Menelaus and Paris, great rivals in Helen’s love, meet in single combat: “The cuckold and the cuckold-maker are at it. Now, bull! Now, dog!” Here at it suggests sexual congress as well as fighting, while “bull” and “dog” reduce the grandeur of the plain of Troy to the baying confines of the baiting ring (on London’s Bankside, theater and bear-baiting shared the same arenas). As Thersites lances the martial values, so the leering Pandarus reduces love to sex: coming to Troilus and Cressida after they have spent the night together for the first time, he addresses his niece as if she were synonymous with her sexual parts, battered and chafed by the repeated assaults of Troilus’ member (“How go maidenheads?…Ah, poor chipochia! Hast not slept tonight? Would he not—a naughty man—let it sleep?”). Hector quotes Aristotle as saying that “young men” are shallow in the art of moral philosophy. The play seems to reply that young men will be young men: they will squabble and sulk, they will argue for the sake of it and swear till the air is blue, they thrive on anger and violence. And old men are no better: they are petulant and manipulative, prurient and self-interested. As for women, Andromache makes but a fleeting appearance, Cassandra is no more than the voice of doom, Helen is not so much the most beautiful woman in the world as one half of a comic double act with Pandarus, and Cressida knows that her only means of survival is to use her sexuality.

Moral philosophy is not a fixed point of reference. It is itself interrogated and found wanting. Hector attempts to distinguish between the dangers of actions based on emotion (“the hot passion of distempered blood”) and the propriety of those based on reason (“a free determination / ’Twixt right and wrong”). But in the case of the Trojan war, right and wrong cannot be judged objectively: “What’s aught but as ’tis valued?” asks Troilus. Hector tries to maintain the case that value exists above “particular will,” but the play as a whole—with its constant counterpointing of Trojan and Greek, battlefield and bedroom, high rhetoric and low bawdy—proposes that all moral judgments are relative. It is Ulysses who makes this point most eloquently: a man or an action can only be judged “by reflection, / As when his virtues shining upon others / Heat them and they retort that heat again / To the first giver.” This argument is articulated as part of a cunning scheme to persuade Achilles to switch back from the role of Patroclus’ effeminate lover to the Greek army’s most masculine warrior: the image of the bullish Ajax being presented as top soldier will retort on Achilles and make him strive to regain his military preeminence.

Ulysses’ speech about the need for society to maintain a strict hierarchical order or “degree” is part of the same strategy. He argues that one of the causes of the untuning of degree in the Greek camp is the fact that their exemplary warrior Achilles is sulking in his tent when he should be in the appropriate place for an exemplary warrior, namely on the battlefield. But the method he proposes by which Achilles is to be restored to his proper place is itself a disruption of degree. Hector has issued a challenge to single combat. Degree should dictate that Hector’s equal on the Greek side, Achilles, is put forward, but Ulysses proposes Ajax instead, thus snubbing Achilles and provoking him into rejoining the army. Ulysses then achieves his end by rigging an election. Even in the midst of a rhetorically powerful vision of the chaos that ensues when the moral and social order are not upheld, he lets slip his knowledge of the relativity of value. In the very act of warning that “right and wrong” will “lose their names” if “degree” is not observed, Ulysses adds parenthetically that justice resides not inherently on the side of right, as one would expect it to, but rather in the “endless jar” between right and wrong. The play as a whole is a demonstration that order, moral and social, is not a predetermined value system answerable to a harmonious cosmic design, but rather a process, an endless debate and negotiation of terms, in which reason and judgment cannot be separated from appetite and will.

So it is that two kinds of absolute statement are juxtaposed against each other. On the one hand, aspirations to truth and fixity: “True swains in love shall in the world to come / Approve their truths by Troilus…As truth’s authentic author to be cited, / ‘As true as Troilus’ shall crown up the verse.” And on the other, cynical reductions to the lowest common denominator of the body: “Here is such patchery, such juggling and such knavery! All the argument is a cuckold and a whore, a good quarrel to draw emulations, factions and bleed to death upon. Now, the dry serpigo on the subject, and war and lechery confound all!” “Hector is dead, there is no more to say”: that is how a tragedy ought to end. But having said that line, Troilus says “Stay yet.” Shakespeare just won’t stop arguing with himself. If there is a victor in these endless jars, it is the voice of the cynical commentators, Thersites and Pandarus. The latter gets the last word, addressing the theater audience in a broken sonnet that is a symptom of this play’s fragmented world.

Troilus disintegrates because of the incompatibility between his mental image of Cressida and what he sees of her in the Greek camp when she has become Diomedes’ mistress: “This is and is not Cressid.” The sight causes him to believe that the whole rationality of the world has collapsed and “The bonds of heaven are slipped, dissolved and loosed.” He has not, however, seen Cressida brutally manhandled and kissed, treated like a piece of meat, on her arrival in the camp. Shakespeare’s point in bringing Troilus to “madness of discourse” is not to make a moral judgment about Cressida—you can’t help feeling that he admires her improvisational skills and the way in which she maintains linguistic dignity even as her body is taken by another man—but rather to strip away the illusion that bodily beauty and strength are signs of inner grace and greatness. The symbolic figure that comes closest to the rotten core of the play is that knight in sumptuous armor who is pursued by Hector. He is so fair without, but what does Hector find within? A “Most putrified core,” a decaying human body.

KEY FACTS

PLOT: For seven years the Greeks and Trojans have been at war following the Trojan prince Paris’ abduction of Helen, the most beautiful woman in the world, from her Greek husband Menelaus. The besieging Greek army is encamped under the walls of Troy and, at the point at which the play begins, the war has reached stalemate. The Greeks are quarreling among themselves. Achilles, their greatest champion, refuses to fight and has withdrawn to his tent with his lover, Patroclus. Ulysses tries to entice Achilles back to the field by arousing his jealously against Ajax, a rival warrior, whom he acclaims as their new hero and elects to meet Hector, the Trojan champion, in single combat. Equally at odds with themselves, the Trojans are debating the value of continuing the war merely for the sake of keeping Helen. Hector declares her not worth the lives she costs but when his brother Troilus contends that honor demands they continue to fight for her, Hector is brought around to his point of view. Although the single combat between Ajax and Hector ends in a show of amity, hostilities are resumed the following day. Troilus, however, is much distracted from these military concerns by his love for Cressida, the daughter of Calchas, a Trojan who has defected to the Greek camp while leaving his daughter in Troy. The young lovers are eagerly abetted by Cressida’s uncle Pandarus, who acts as their go-between. However, after only one night together they are parted when, in exchange for the captured general Antenor, Cressida is sent to join her father in the Greek camp. Almost immediately she betrays Troilus with the Greek Diomedes and, discovering this, Troilus is plunged into despair. Despite his sister Cassandra’s prophecies of doom, Hector goes into battle and is treacherously murdered by Achilles, who has finally been roused into action by the death of Patroclus. With the fall of Troy certain, Troilus, disillusioned as a lover, assumes Hector’s role as the Trojan champion and vows revenge on Achilles. The dying, disease-ridden Pandarus is left to end the play.

MAJOR PARTS: (with percentage of lines/number of speeches/scenes on stage) Troilus (15%/131/ 13), Ulysses (14%/80/7), Pandarus (11%/153/8), Cressida (8%/152/6), Thersites (8%/90/7), Achilles (6%/74/9), Hector (6%/57/7), Agamemnon (6%/52/7), Nestor (5%/38/6), Aeneas (4%/44/8), Diomedes (3%/54/11), Paris (3%/27/5), Ajax (2%/55/8), Patroclus (2%/37/5).

LINGUISTIC MEDIUM: 70% verse, 30% prose.

DATE: 1601–02. Registered for publication February 7, 1603 (“as yt is acted by my lo: Chamberlens Men”). Not mentioned by Meres in 1598; influenced by Chapman’s Homer translation of the same year. The armed prologue (Folio only) seems to parody that of Ben Jonson’s Poetaster (performed summer 1601). There are apparent allusions to the play in Thomas Lord Cromwell (Chamberlain’s Men, registered for publication in August 1602) and Thomas Middleton’s The Family of Love (?1602–03).

SOURCES: Chaucer’s Troilus and Criseyde (perhaps in Speght’s 1598 edition) for the love plot; George Chapman’s translation of seven books of Homer’s Iliad (1598) and William Caxton’s Recuyell of the Historyes of Troye (1474, the first printed book in English) for the war. Perhaps also John Lydgate’s Troy Book (1513) and Robert Henryson’s The Testament of Cresseid (1532).

TEXT:: Quarto, 1609, in two separate states: one with title page The Historie of Troylus and Cresseida. As it was acted by the Kings Maiesties seruants at the Globe. Written by William Shakespeare, the other with title page omitting reference to the stage (The Famous Historie of Troylus and Cresseid. Excellently expressing the beginning of their loues, with the conceited wooing of Pandarus Prince of Licia. Written by William Shakespeare) and a prefatory epistle that makes claims for the readerly as opposed to the theatrical text. The nature of the printer’s copy for both the Quarto and Folio’s The Tragedie of Troylus and Cressida is fiercely debated by scholars, as is the relationship between the texts. The original intention of the Folio editors was to print Troilus after Romeo and Juliet, using the Quarto as copy text (a few early copies of the Folio survive with a canceled last page of Romeo and first page of Troilus). But printing was broken off after three pages, perhaps due to a copyright dispute, and Troilus was eventually squeezed in between the Histories and Tragedies (after the setting of the “Catalogue” of plays in the Folio’s preliminary matter). When printing was resumed, a manuscript that had many differences from the Quarto text was used, though the influence of Quarto can still be strongly detected. Some scholars suppose that Folio was printed from an annotated Quarto, but this does not square with the superiority of many individual Quarto readings: why annotate a sound reading in a printed text with an alteration that makes less good sense? It is therefore probable that an independent scribal copy, perhaps based on the theater promptbook, and perhaps reflecting playhouse revision, also lies behind the Folio. In accordance with our editorial policy, we follow Folio where it is viable, but, in the light of the demonstrable presence of Quarto in the editing or printing of the Folio, we adopt Quarto readings where Folio cannot be defended.

On two occasions the text includes passages that seem to be authorial “first thoughts” intended for deletion. Most modern editors relegate such lines to an appendix. Our fidelity to Folio means that we have not done so, though we have indicated the lines in question by enclosing them within double solidi (// //): they should almost certainly be cut in performance, but are of great interest in apparently revealing Shakespeare in the process of composition.

THE TRAGEDY OF TROILUS AND CRESSIDA

PROLOGUE, in armor

Trojans

PRIAM, King of Troy

CASSANDRA, Priam’s daughter, a prophetess

ANDROMACHE, wife of Hector

HELEN, wife of Paris, previously wife of Menelaus

PANDARUS, a lord

CRESSIDA, his niece

CALCHAS, her father who has joined the Greeks

ALEXANDER, her servant

BOY,servant to Troilus

Greeks

AGAMEMNON, Commander-in-Chief

MENELAUS, his brother

ULYSSES

NESTOR

ACHILLES

PATROCLUS, his friend

AJAX

DIOMEDES

THERSITES

MYRMIDONS, Achilles’ soldiers Servants, Attendants

The Prologue

              [Enter the Prologue, in armour]

               In Troy there lies the scene. From isles of Greece

               The princes orgulous,² their high blood chafed,

               Have to the port of Athens sent their ships

               Fraught⁴ with the ministers and instruments

5

5             Of cruel war: sixty and nine, that wore

               Their crownets⁶ regal, from th’Athenian bay

               Put forth toward Phrygia,⁷ and their vow is made

               To ransack Troy, within whose strong immures⁸

               The ravished⁹ Helen, Menelaus’ queen,

10

10           With wanton¹⁰ Paris sleeps, and that’s the quarrel.

               To Tenedos¹¹ they come,

               And the deep-drawing barks¹² do there disgorge

               Their warlike fraughtage:¹³ now on Dardan plains

               The fresh and yet unbruisèd Greeks do pitch

15

15           Their brave pavilions:¹⁵ Priam’s six-gated city,

               Dardan,¹⁶ and Tymbria, Helias, Chetas, Troien,

               And Antenorides, with massy¹⁷ staples

               And corresponsive and fulfilling bolts,

               Stir up the sons of Troy.

20

20           Now expectation, tickling²⁰ skittish spirits,

               On one and other side, Trojan and Greek,

               Sets all on hazard.²² And hither am I come,

               A prologue armed,²³ but not in confidence

               Of author’s pen or actor’s voice, but suited²⁴

25

25           In like conditions as our argument,

               To tell you, fair beholders, that our play

               Leaps o’er the vaunt and firstlings²⁷ of those broils,

               Beginning in the middle,²⁸ starting thence away

               To what may be digested²⁹ in a play.

30

30           Like or find fault, do as your pleasures are:

               Now good or bad, ’tis but the chance of war.

              [Exit]

Act 1 Scene 11.1

running scene 1

              Enter Pandarus and Troilus

TROILUS

TROILUS     Call here my varlet,¹ I’ll unarm again:

               Why should I war without² the walls of Troy

               That find such cruel battle here within?

               Each Trojan that is master of his heart,

5

5             Let him to field:⁵ Troilus, alas, hath none.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Will this gear⁶ ne’er be mended?

TROILUS

TROILUS     The Greeks are strong and skilful to⁷ their strength,

               Fierce to their skill and to their fierceness valiant,

               But I am weaker than a woman’s tear,

10

10           Tamer¹⁰ than sleep, fonder than ignorance,

               Less valiant than the virgin in the night,

               And skilless¹² as unpractised infancy.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Well, I have told you enough of this: for my part, I’ll not meddle nor make.¹³ no further. He that will have a cake out of the wheat must needs tarry¹⁴ the grinding¹⁵

TROILUS

TROILUS     Have I not tarried?

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Ay, the grinding, but you must tarry the bolting.¹⁷

TROILUS

TROILUS     Have I not tarried?

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Ay, the bolting, but you must tarry the leav’ning.¹⁹

TROILUS

TROILUS     Still have I tarried.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Ay, to the leavening, but here’s yet in the word ‘hereafter’ the kneading, the making of²² the cake, the heating of the oven and the baking; nay, you must stay²³ the cooling too, or you may chance to burn your lips.

TROILUS

TROILUS     Patience herself, what goddess e’er she be,

25

25           Doth²⁵ lesser blench at suff’rance than I do.

               At Priam’s royal table do I sit;

               And when fair Cressid comes into my thoughts —

               So, traitor,²⁸ when she comes? When is she thence?

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Well, she looked yesternight fairer than ever I saw her look, or any woman else.

TROILUS

TROILUS     I was about to tell thee — when my heart,

               As wedgèd³² with a sigh, would rive in twain,

               Lest Hector or my father should perceive me —

               I have, as when the sun doth light a-scorn,³⁴

35

35           Buried this sigh in wrinkle of a smile:

               But sorrow, that is couched³⁶ in seeming gladness

               Is like that mirth fate turns to sudden sadness.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     An³⁸ her hair were³⁹ not somewhat darker than Helen’s — well, go to — there were no more comparison between the women. But, for my part, she is my kinswoman: I would⁴⁰ not, as they term it, praise her, but I would somebody had heard her talk yesterday, as I did. I will not dispraise⁴¹ your sister Cassandra’s wit, but—

TROILUS

TROILUS     O Pandarus! I tell thee, Pandarus —

               When I do tell thee, there my hopes lie drowned,

45

45           Reply not in how many fathoms⁴⁵ deep

               They lie indrenched.⁴⁶ I tell thee I am mad

               In Cressid’s love.⁴⁷ Thou answer’st she is fair,

               Pour’st in the open ulcer of my heart

               Her eyes, her hair, her cheek, her gait, her voice,

50

50           Handlest⁵⁰ in thy discourse, O, that her hand

               In whose comparison⁵¹ all whites are ink

               Writing their own reproach, to⁵² whose soft seizure

               The cygnet’s⁵³ down is harsh and spirit of sense

               Hard as the palm of ploughman: this thou tell’st me —

55

55           As true thou tell’st me — when I say I love her,

               But, saying thus, instead of oil and balm,⁵⁶

               Thou lay’st in every gash⁵⁷ that love hath given me

               The knife that made it.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     I speak no more than truth.

60

60   

TROILUS

TROILUS           Thou dost not speak so much.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Faith, I’ll not meddle in’t. Let her be as she is: if she be fair, ’tis the better for her: an she be not, she has the mends⁶² in her own hands.

TROILUS

TROILUS     Good Pandarus, how now, Pandarus?

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     I⁶⁴ have had my labour for my travail: ill-thought on of her and ill-thought on of you: gone between and between, but small thanks for my labour.

TROILUS

TROILUS     What, art thou angry, Pandarus? What, with me?

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Because she’s kin to me, therefore she’s not so fair as Helen: an⁶⁷ she were not kin to me, she would be as fair on Friday as Helen is on Sunday. But what care I? I care not an she were a blackamoor:⁶⁹ ’tis all one to me.

TROILUS

TROILUS     Say I she is not fair?⁷⁰

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     I do not care whether you do or no. She’s a fool to stay behind her father:⁷¹ let her⁷² to the Greeks, and so I’ll tell her the next time I see her. For my part, I’ll meddle nor make no more i’th’matter.

TROILUS

TROILUS     Pandarus—

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Not I.

TROILUS

TROILUS     Sweet Pandarus—

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Pray you speak no more to me: I will leave all as I found it, and there an end.

              Exit Pandarus

              Sound alarum

TROILUS

TROILUS     Peace, you ungracious⁷⁹ clamours, peace, rude sounds!

80

80           Fools on both sides! Helen must needs be fair

               When with your blood you daily paint⁸¹ her thus.

               I cannot fight upon this argument:⁸²

               It is too starved⁸³ a subject for my sword.

               But Pandarus — O gods, how do you plague me!

85

85           I cannot come to Cressid but by Pandar,

               And he’s as tetchy⁸⁶ to be wooed to woo

               As she is stubborn, chaste, against all suit.⁸⁷

               Tell me, Apollo,⁸⁸ for thy Daphne’s love,

               What Cressid is, what Pandar, and what we?⁸⁹

90

90           Her bed is India:⁹⁰ there she lies, a pearl.

               Between our Ilium⁹¹ and where she resides,

               Let it be called the wild and wand’ring flood,⁹²

               Ourself the merchant,⁹³ and this sailing Pandar

               Our doubtful hope, our convoy⁹⁴ and our bark.

       Alarum. Enter Aeneas

95

95   

AENEAS

AENEAS           How now, Prince Troilus? Wherefore not afield?⁹⁵

TROILUS

TROILUS     Because not there:⁹⁶ this woman’s answer sorts,

               For womanish it is to be from thence.

               What news, Aeneas, from the field today?

AENEAS

AENEAS     That Paris is returnèd home and hurt.

100

100 

TROILUS

TROILUS             By whom, Aeneas?

AENEAS

AENEAS     Troilus, by Menelaus.

TROILUS

TROILUS     Let Paris bleed, ’tis but a scar¹⁰² to scorn:

               Paris is gored with Menelaus’ horn.¹⁰³

              Alarum

AENEAS

AENEAS     Hark, what good sport¹⁰⁴ is out of town today!

105

105 

TROILUS

TROILUS             Better at home, if ‘would I might’ were ‘may’.

               But to the sport abroad:¹⁰⁶ are you bound thither?

AENEAS

AENEAS     In all swift haste.

TROILUS

TROILUS     Come, go we then together.

              Exeunt

[Act 1 Scene 2]

running scene 2

              Enter Cressida and her Man [Alexander]

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Who were those went by?

ALEXANDER

ALEXANDER     Queen Hecuba and Helen.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     And whither go they?

ALEXANDER

ALEXANDER     Up to the eastern tower,

5

5             Whose height commands as subject⁵ all the vale,

               To see the battle. Hector, whose patience

               Is as a virtue fixed,⁷ today was moved:

               He chides Andromache and struck his armourer,

               And, like⁹ as there were husbandry in war,

10

10           Before the sun rose he was harnessed light,¹⁰

               And to the field goes he, where every flower

               Did as a prophet weep what it foresaw

               In Hector’s wrath.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     What was his cause of anger?

15

15   

ALEXANDER

ALEXANDER           The noise¹⁵ goes, this: there is among the Greeks

               A lord of Trojan blood, nephew¹⁶ to Hector:

               They call him Ajax.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Good,¹⁸ and what of him?

ALEXANDER

ALEXANDER     They say he is a very man per se,¹⁹ and stands alone.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     So do all men, unless they are drunk,²⁰ sick, or have no legs.

ALEXANDER

ALEXANDER     This man, lady, hath robbed many beasts of their particular additions:²¹ he is as valiant as the lion, churlish²² as the bear, slow as the elephant: a man into whom nature hath so crowded humours²³ that his valour is crushed into folly, his folly sauced with discretion. There is no man hath a virtue that he hath not a glimpse²⁵ of, nor any man an attaint but he carries some stain of it: he is melancholy without cause, and merry against the hair:²⁶ he hath the joints of everything, but everything so out of joint that he is a gouty²⁷ Briareus, many hands and no use, or purblinded²⁸ Argus, all eyes and no sight.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     But how should this man, that makes me smile make Hector angry?

ALEXANDER

ALEXANDER     They say he yesterday coped³⁰ Hector in the battle and struck him down, the disdain³¹ and shame whereof hath ever since kept Hector fasting and waking.

              Enter Pandarus

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Who comes here?

ALEXANDER

ALEXANDER     Madam, your uncle Pandarus.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Hector’s a gallant man.

ALEXANDER

ALEXANDER     As may be in the world, lady.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     What’s that? What’s that?

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Good morrow, uncle Pandarus.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Good morrow, cousin Cressid. What do you talk of?— Good morrow, Alexander.— How do you, cousin? When were you at Ilium?

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     This morning, uncle.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     What were you talking of when I came? Was Hector armed and gone ere⁴¹ ye came to Ilium? Helen was not up, was she?

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Hector was gone, but Helen was not up.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     E’en so; Hector was stirring early.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     That were we talking of, and of his anger.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Was he angry?

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     So he says here.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     True, he was so; I know the cause too: he’ll lay about him⁴⁸ today, I can tell them that, and there’s Troilus will not come far behind him: let them take heed of Troilus, I can tell them that too.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     What, is he angry too?

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Who, Troilus? Troilus is the better man of the two.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     O Jupiter,⁵³ there’s no comparison.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     What, not between Troilus and Hector? Do you know a man⁵⁴ if you see him?

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Ay, if I ever saw him before and knew him.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Well, I say Troilus is Troilus.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Then you say as I say, for I am sure he is not Hector.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     No, nor Hector is not Troilus in some degrees.⁵⁹

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     ’Tis just⁶⁰ to each of them: he is himself.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Himself? Alas, poor Troilus, I would he were.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     So he is.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Condition,⁶³ I had gone barefoot to India.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     He is not Hector.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Himself? No, he’s not himself: would a⁶⁵ were himself! Well, the gods are above, time⁶⁶ must friend or end. Well, Troilus, well. I would my heart were in her body. No, Hector is not a better man than Troilus.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Excuse me.⁶⁸

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     He is elder.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Pardon me, pardon me.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Th’other’s⁷¹ not come to’t; you shall tell me another tale, when th’other’s come to’t. Hector shall not have his wit⁷² this year.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     He shall not need it if he have his own.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Nor his qualities.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     No matter.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Nor his beauty.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     ’Twould not become⁷⁷ him: his own’s better.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     You have no judgement, niece; Helen herself swore th’other day that Troilus for a brown favour⁷⁹ — for so ’tis, I must confess — not brown neither—

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     No, but brown.⁸⁰

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     ’Faith, to say truth, brown and not brown.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     To say the truth, true and not true.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     She praised his complexion above Paris.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Why, Paris hath colour enough.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     So he has.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Then Troilus should⁸⁶ have too much: if she praised him above, his complexion is higher than his: he having colour enough, and the other higher, is too flaming⁸⁸ a praise for a good complexion. I had as lief Helen’s golden tongue had commended Troilus for a copper⁸⁹ nose.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     I swear to you, I think Helen loves him better than Paris.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Then she’s a merry Greek⁹¹ indeed.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Nay, I am sure she does. She came to him th’other day into the compassed⁹³ window — and, you know, he has not past three or four hairs on his chin—

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Indeed, a tapster’s arithmetic⁹⁵ may soon bring his particulars therein to a total.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Why, he is very young, and yet will he within three pound lift as much as his brother Hector.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Is he so young a man and so old⁹⁹ a lifter?

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     But to prove to you that Helen loves him, she came and puts me her white hand to his cloven¹⁰¹ chin—

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Juno¹⁰² have mercy! How came it cloven?

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Why, you know ’tis dimpled. I think his smiling becomes him better than any man in all Phrygia.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     O, he smiles valiantly.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Does he not?

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     O yes, an¹⁰⁷ ’twere a cloud in autumn.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Why, go to, then. But to prove to you that Helen loves Troilus—

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Troilus will stand¹⁰⁹ to the proof, if you’ll prove it so.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Troilus? Why, he esteems her no more than I esteem an addle¹¹⁰ egg.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     If¹¹¹ you love an addle egg as well as you love an idle head, you would eat chickens i’th’shell.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     I cannot choose but laugh to think how she tickled his chin. Indeed, she has a marvellous¹¹⁴ white hand, I must needs confess—

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Without the rack.¹¹⁵

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     And she takes upon her to spy a white hair on his chin.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Alas, poor chin. Many a wart is richer.¹¹⁷

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     But there was such laughing! Queen Hecuba laughed that¹¹⁸ her eyes ran o’er.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     With millstones.¹²⁰

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     And Cassandra laughed.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     But there was more temperate fire under the pot¹²² of her eyes: did her eyes run o’er too?

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     And Hector laughed.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     At what was all this laughing?

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Marry,¹²⁶ at the white hair that Helen spied on Troilus’ chin.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     An’t had been a green¹²⁷ hair, I should have laughed too.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     They laughed not so much at the hair as at his pretty¹²⁸ answer.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     What was his answer?

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Quoth she, ‘Here’s but two and fifty hairs on your chin, and one of them is white.’

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     This is her question.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     That’s true, make no question of that. ‘Two and fifty hairs,¹³³’ quoth he, ‘and one white: that white hair is my father, and all,¹³⁴ the rest are his sons.’ ‘Jupiter!’ quoth she, ‘Which of these hairs is Paris, my husband?’ ‘The forked¹³⁵ one,’ quoth he, ‘pluck’t out, and give it him.’ But there was such laughing, and Helen so blushed, and Paris so chafed¹³⁷ and all the rest so laughed, that it passed.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     So¹³⁸ let it now, for it has been a great while going by.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Well, cousin. I told you a thing yesterday: think on’t.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     So I do.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     I’ll be sworn ’tis true, he will weep¹⁴¹ you, an ’twere a man born in April.

              Sound a retreat

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     And I’ll spring¹⁴² up in his tears, an ’twere a nettle against May.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Hark, they are coming from the field: shall we stand up here and see them as they pass toward Ilium? Good niece, do, sweet niece Cressida.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     At your pleasure.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Here, here, here’s an excellent place, here we may see most bravely.¹⁴⁶ I’ll tell you them all by their names as they pass by, but mark¹⁴⁷ Troilus above the rest.

              Enter Aeneas [and passes over the stage]

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Speak not so loud.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     That’s Aeneas. Is not that a brave.¹⁴⁹ man? He’s one of the flowers of Troy, I can tell you. But mark Troilus: you shall see anon¹⁵⁰

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Who’s that?

              Enter Antenor [and passes over the stage]

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     That’s Antenor. He has a shrewd¹⁵² wit, I can tell you, and he’s a man good enough: he’s one o’th’soundest judgement¹⁵³ in Troy whosoever, and a proper man of person. When comes Troilus? I’ll show you Troilus anon: if he see me, you shall see him nod at me.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Will he give¹⁵⁶ you the nod?

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     You shall see.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     If he do, the¹⁵⁸ rich shall have more.

              Enter Hector [and passes over the stage]

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     That’s Hector, that, that, look you, that there’s a fellow! Go thy way,.¹⁵⁹ Hector! There’s a brave man, niece. O brave Hector! Look how he looks! There’s a countenance¹⁶¹ Is’t not a brave man?

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     O brave man!

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Is a,¹⁶³ not? It does a man’s heart good. Look you what hacks are on his helmet. Look you yonder, do you see? Look you there? There’s no jesting¹⁶⁴ there’s laying on,¹⁶⁵ take’t off who will, as they say. There be hacks!

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Be those with swords?¹⁶⁶

              Enter Paris [and passes over the stage]

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Swords, anything, he cares not: an the devil come to him, it’s all one. By God’s lid,¹⁶⁸ it does one’s heart good. Yonder comes Paris, yonder comes Paris. Look ye yonder, niece. Is’t not a gallant man too, is’t not? Why, this is brave now. Who said he came hurt home today? He’s not hurt. Why, this will do Helen’s heart good now, ha? Would I could see Troilus now. You shall see Troilus anon.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Who’s that?

              Enter Helenas [and passes over the stage]

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     That’s Helenus. I marvel¹⁷³ where Troilus is. That’s Helenus, I think he went not forth¹⁷⁴ today: that’s Helenus.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Can Helenus fight, uncle?

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Helenus? No. Yes, he’ll fight indifferent¹⁷⁶ well. I marvel where Troilus is. Hark, do you not hear the people cry ‘Troilus’? Helenus is a priest.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     What sneaking¹⁷⁸ fellow comes yonder?

              Enter Troilus [and passes over the stage]

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Where? Yonder? That’s Deiphobus. ’Tis Troilus! There’s a man, niece!— Hem!¹⁸⁰ Brave Troilus, the prince of chivalry!

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Peace, for shame, peace!

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Mark him, note him. O brave Troilus! Look well upon him, niece. Look you how his sword is bloodied, and his helm,.¹⁸³ more hacked than Hector’s, and how he looks, and how he goes¹⁸⁴ O admirable youth! He ne’er saw three and twenty. Go thy way, Troilus, go thy way! Had I a sister were a grace¹⁸⁵ or a daughter a goddess, he should take his choice. O admirable man! Paris? Paris is dirt to¹⁸⁶ him, and I warrant¹⁸⁷ Helen, to change, would give money to boot.

              Enter Common Soldiers [and pass over the stage]

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Here come more.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Asses, fools, dolts. Chaff and bran,¹⁸⁹ chaff and bran; porridge after meat. I could live and die i’th’eyes of Troilus. Ne’er look, ne’er look. The eagles are gone: crows and daws,¹⁹¹ crows and daws! I had rather be such a man as Troilus than Agamemnon and all Greece.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     There is among the Greeks Achilles, a better man than Troilus.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Achilles? A drayman,¹⁹⁴ a porter, a very camel.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Well, well.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     ‘Well, well’? Why, have you any discretion?,¹⁹⁶ Have you any eyes? Do you know what a man is? Is not birth¹⁹⁷ beauty, good shape, discourse, manhood, learning, gentleness,¹⁹⁸ virtue, youth, liberality, and so forth, the spice and salt that seasons a man?

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Ay, a minced²⁰⁰ man, and then to be baked with no date in the²⁰¹ pie, for then the man’s date’s out.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     You²⁰² are such another woman! One knows not at what ward you lie.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Upon my back, to defend my belly;,²⁰³ upon my wit, to defend my wiles; upon my secrecy²⁰⁴ to defend mine honesty; my mask, to defend my beauty, and you, to defend all these: and at all these wards²⁰⁵ I lie at, at a thousand watches.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Say one of your watches.²⁰⁶

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Nay, I’ll watch²⁰⁷ you for that, and that’s one of the chiefest of them too: if I cannot ward²⁰⁸ what I would not have hit, I can watch you for telling how I took the blow, unless it swell²⁰⁹ past hiding, and then it’s past watching.

              Enter [Troilus’] Boy

210

210 

PANDARUS

PANDARUS             You²¹⁰ are such another!

BOY

BOY     Sir, my lord would instantly speak with you.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Where?

BOY

BOY     At your own house.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Good boy, tell him I come.

              [Exit Boy]

215

215         I doubt²¹⁵ he be hurt. Fare ye well, good niece.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Adieu, uncle.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     I’ll be with you, niece, by and by.²¹⁷

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     To bring,²¹⁸ uncle?

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Ay, a token²¹⁹ from Troilus.

220

220 

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA             By²²⁰ the same token, you are a bawd.

              Exit Pandarus

               Words, vows, gifts, tears, and love’s full sacrifice,

               He offers in²²² another’s enterprise,

               But more in Troilus thousand-fold I see

               Than in the glass²²⁴ of Pandar’s praise may be;

225

225         Yet hold I off. Women are angels, wooing:²²⁵

               Things won are done,²²⁶ joy’s soul lies in the doing.

               That she²²⁷ beloved knows nought that knows not this:

               Men²²⁸ prize the thing ungained more than it is:

               That²²⁹ she was never yet that ever knew

230

230         Love got so sweet as when desire did sue.

               Therefore this maxim out of²³¹ love I teach:

               ‘Achievement²³² is command; ungained, beseech.’

               That²³³ though my heart’s contents firm love doth bear,

               Nothing of that shall from mine eyes appear.

              Exit [with Alexander]

[Act 1 Scene 3]*

running scene 3

              Sennet. Enter Agamemnon, Nestor, Ulysses, Diomedes, Menelaus, with others

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON     Princes,

               What grief² hath set the jaundice on your cheeks?

               The ample proposition³ that hope makes

               In all designs begun on earth below

5

5             Fails in⁵ the promised largeness: checks and disasters

               Grow in the veins⁶ of actions highest reared,

               As knots, by⁷ the conflux of meeting sap,

               Infect the sound pine⁸ and diverts his grain

               Tortive and errant⁹ from his course of growth.

10

10           Nor, princes, is it matter new to us

               That we come short of our suppose¹¹ so far

               That after seven years’ siege yet Troy walls stand,

               Sith¹³ every action that hath gone before,

               Whereof we have record, trial did draw

15

15           Bias and thwart, not¹⁵ answering the aim

               And that unbodied figure of the thought

               That gave’t surmisèd shape. Why then, you princes,

               Do you with cheeks abashed behold our works¹⁸

               And think them shame, which are indeed nought else

20

20           But the protractive²⁰ trials of great Jove

               To find persistive²¹ constancy in men,

               The fineness of which metal²² is not found

               In fortune’s love?²³ For then the bold and coward,

               The wise and fool, the artist²⁴ and unread,

25

25           The hard and soft seem all affined²⁵ and kin.

               But in the wind and tempest of her²⁶ frown,

               Distinction²⁷ with a loud and powerful fan,

               Puffing at all, winnows²⁸ the light away;

               And what hath mass or matter²⁹ by itself

30

30           Lies rich in virtue³⁰ and unminglèd.

NESTOR

NESTOR     With due observance³¹ of thy godly seat,

               Great Agamemnon, Nestor shall apply³²

               Thy latest words. In the reproof³³ of chance

               Lies the true proof³⁴ of men: the sea being smooth,

35

35           How many shallow bauble³⁵ boats dare sail

               Upon her patient breast, making their way

               With those of nobler bulk!

               But let the ruffian Boreas³⁸ once enrage

               The gentle Thetis,³⁹ and anon behold

40

40           The strong-ribbed bark⁴⁰ through liquid mountains cut,

               Bounding between the two moist elements,⁴¹

               Like Perseus’ horse:⁴² where’s then the saucy boat

               Whose weak untimbered⁴³ sides but even now

               Co-rivalled greatness? Either to harbour fled,

45

45           Or made a toast⁴⁵ for Neptune. Even so

               Doth valour’s show⁴⁶ and valour’s worth divide

               In storms of fortune; for in her⁴⁷ ray and brightness

               The herd hath more annoyance by the breeze⁴⁸

               Than by the tiger, but when the splitting wind

50

50           Makes flexible the knees of knotted oaks,

               And flies fled under shade,⁵¹ why, then the thing of courage,

               As roused with rage with rage doth sympathize,⁵²

               And with an accent tuned in selfsame key

               Retires⁵⁴ to chiding fortune.

55

55   

ULYSSES

ULYSSES           Agamemnon,

               Thou great commander, nerve⁵⁶ and bone of Greece,

               Heart of our numbers,⁵⁷ soul and only spirit,

               In whom the tempers⁵⁸ and the minds of all

               Should be shut up,⁵⁹ hear what Ulysses speaks:

60

60           Besides the applause and approbation

               The which⁶¹— most mighty for thy place and sway,— To Agamemnon

               And thou most reverend⁶² for thy stretched-out life,— To Nestor

               I give to both your speeches, which were such

               As Agamemnon and⁶⁴ the hand of Greece

65

65           Should hold up high in brass,⁶⁵ and such again

               As venerable Nestor, hatched in silver,⁶⁶

               Should with a bond of air,⁶⁷ strong as the axle-tree

               In which the heavens ride, knit⁶⁸ all the Greeks’ ears

               To his experienced tongue: yet let it please both,

70

70           Thou great, and wise,⁷⁰ to hear Ulysses speak.

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON     Speak, prince of Ithaca,⁷¹ and be’t of less expect

               That matter needless, of importless burden,⁷²

               Divide thy lips than we are confident,

               When rank⁷⁴ Thersites opes his mastic jaws,

75

75           We shall hear music, wit and oracle.

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     Troy, yet⁷⁶ upon his basis, had been down,

               And the great Hector’s sword had lacked a master,

               But for these instances.⁷⁸

               The specialty of rule⁷⁹ hath been neglected;

80

80           And look how⁸⁰ many Grecian tents do stand

               Hollow⁸¹ upon this plain, so many hollow factions.

               When that the general⁸² is not like the hive

               To whom the foragers shall all repair,⁸³

               What honey is expected? Degree⁸⁴ being vizarded,

85

85           Th’unworthiest shows as fairly⁸⁵ in the mask.

               The heavens themselves, the planets and this centre⁸⁶

               Observe degree, priority and place,

               Insisture,⁸⁸ course, proportion, season, form,

               Office⁸⁹ and custom, in all line of order:

90

90           And therefore is the glorious planet Sol⁹⁰

               In noble eminence enthroned and sphered⁹¹

               Amidst the other,⁹² whose med’cinable eye

               Corrects the ill⁹³ aspects of planets evil,

               And posts,⁹⁴ like the commandment of a king,

95

95           Sans check,⁹⁵ to good and bad. But when the planets

               In evil mixture⁹⁶ to disorder wander,

               What plagues and what portents, what mutiny,

               What raging of the sea, shaking of earth,

               Commotion in the winds, frights, changes, horrors,

100

100         Divert and crack, rend and deracinate¹⁰⁰

               The unity and married¹⁰¹ calm of states

               Quite¹⁰² from their fixure? O, when degree is shaked,

               Which is the ladder to all high¹⁰³ designs,

               The enterprise is sick! How could communities,

105

105         Degrees in schools¹⁰⁵ and brotherhoods in cities,

               Peaceful commerce from dividable shores,¹⁰⁶

               The primogenitive¹⁰⁷ and due of birth,

               Prerogative of age, crowns, sceptres, laurels,

               But¹⁰⁹ by degree, stand in authentic place?

110

110         Take but degree away, untune that string,

               And, hark, what discord follows. Each thing meets

               In mere oppugnancy.¹¹² The bounded waters

               Should¹¹³ lift their bosoms higher than the shores

               And make¹¹⁴ a sop of all this solid globe:

115

115         Strength should be lord of imbecility,¹¹⁵

               And the rude¹¹⁶ son should strike his father dead:

               Force should be right, or rather, right and wrong,

               Between whose endless jar¹¹⁸ justice resides,

               Should lose their names,¹¹⁹ and so should justice too.

120

120         Then everything includes¹²⁰ itself in power,

               Power into will,¹²¹ will into appetite,

               And appetite, an universal wolf,

               So doubly seconded¹²³ with will and power,

               Must make¹²⁴ perforce an universal prey,

125

125         And last eat up himself. Great Agamemnon,

               This chaos, when degree is suffocate,¹²⁶

               Follows the choking.¹²⁷

               And this neglection of degree is it

               That by a pace¹²⁹ goes backward, in a purpose

130

130         It hath to climb. The general’s disdained

               By him one step below, he by the next,

               That next by him beneath, so every step

               Exampled¹³³ by the first pace that is sick

               Of his superior, grows to an envious fever

135

135         Of pale and bloodless emulation:¹³⁵

               And ’tis this fever that keeps Troy on foot,¹³⁶

               Not her own sinews. To end a tale of length,

               Troy in our weakness lives, not in her strength.

NESTOR

NESTOR     Most wisely hath Ulysses here discovered¹³⁹

140

140         The fever whereof all our power¹⁴⁰ is sick.

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON     The nature of the sickness found, Ulysses,

               What is the remedy?

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     The great Achilles, whom opinion¹⁴³ crowns

               The sinew and the forehand¹⁴⁴ of our host,

145

145         Having his ear full of his airy¹⁴⁵ fame,

               Grows dainty of¹⁴⁶ his worth, and in his tent

               Lies mocking our designs: with him Patroclus

               Upon¹⁴⁸ a lazy bed the livelong day

               Breaks¹⁴⁹ scurril jests,

150

150         And with ridiculous¹⁵⁰ and awkward action —

               Which, slanderer, he imitation calls —

               He pageants¹⁵² us. Sometime, great Agamemnon,

               Thy topless deputation¹⁵³ he puts on,

               And, like a strutting player, whose conceit¹⁵⁴

155

155         Lies in his hamstring,¹⁵⁵ and doth think it rich

               To hear the wooden¹⁵⁶ dialogue and sound

               ’Twixt his stretched footing and the scaffoldage,

               Such to-be-pitied¹⁵⁸ and o’er-wrested seeming

               He acts thy greatness in: and when he speaks,

160

160         ’Tis like a chime a-mending,¹⁶⁰ with terms unsquared,

               Which from the tongue of roaring Typhon¹⁶¹ dropped

               Would seems hyperboles. At this fusty¹⁶² stuff

               The large¹⁶³ Achilles, on his pressed bed lolling,

               From his deep¹⁶⁴ chest laughs out a loud applause,

165

165         Cries ‘Excellent! ’Tis Agamemnon just.¹⁶⁵

               Now play me¹⁶⁶ Nestor: hum and stroke thy beard,

               As he being dressed to¹⁶⁷ some oration.’

               That’s done, as¹⁶⁸ near as the extremest ends

               Of parallels, as¹⁶⁹ like as Vulcan and his wife,

170

170         Yet god¹⁷⁰ Achilles still cries, ‘Excellent!

               ’Tis Nestor right. Now play him me,¹⁷¹ Patroclus,

               Arming to answer¹⁷² in a night alarm.’

               And then, forsooth,¹⁷³ the faint defects of age

               Must be the scene of mirth: to cough and spit,

175

175         And, with a palsy-fumbling¹⁷⁵ on his gorget,

               Shake in and out the rivet:¹⁷⁶ and at this sport

               Sir Valour¹⁷⁷ dies; cries ‘O, enough, Patroclus,

               Or give me ribs of steel! I shall split all

               In pleasure of my spleen.¹⁷⁹’ And in this fashion,

180

180         All our abilities, gifts, natures, shapes,

               Severals¹⁸¹ and generals of grace exact,

               Achievements, plots, orders, preventions,¹⁸²

               Excitements¹⁸³ to the field, or speech for truce,

               Success or loss, what is or is not, serves

185

185         As stuff for these two to make paradoxes.¹⁸⁵

NESTOR

NESTOR     And in the imitation of these twain¹⁸⁶ —

               Who, as Ulysses says, opinion crowns

               With an imperial voice¹⁸⁸ — many are infect.

               Ajax is grown self-willed, and bears¹⁸⁹ his head

190

190         In such a rein, in¹⁹⁰ full as proud a place

               As broad¹⁹¹ Achilles, and keeps his tent like him;

               Makes factious¹⁹² feasts, rails on our state of war,

               Bold as an oracle, and sets Thersites,

               A slave¹⁹⁴ whose gall coins slanders like a mint,

195

195         To match us in comparisons with dirt,

               To weaken and discredit our exposure,¹⁹⁶

               How¹⁹⁷ rank soever rounded in with danger.

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     They tax our policy,¹⁹⁸ and call it cowardice,

               Count wisdom as no member of the war,

200

200         Forestall prescience,²⁰⁰ and esteem no act

               But that of hand:²⁰¹ the still and mental parts,

               That do contrive²⁰² how many hands shall strike

               When fitness²⁰³ calls them on, and know by measure

               Of their observant toil the enemies’ weight —

205

205         Why, this hath²⁰⁵ not a finger’s dignity.

               They call this bed-work,²⁰⁶ mapp’ry, closet-war,

               So that the ram²⁰⁷ that batters down the wall,

               For²⁰⁸ the great swing and rudeness of his poise,

               They place²⁰⁹ before his hand that made the engine,

210

210         Or those that with the fineness²¹⁰ of their souls

               By reason guide his execution.²¹¹

NESTOR

NESTOR     Let²¹² this be granted, and Achilles’ horse

               Makes many Thetis’ sons.

              Tucket²¹³

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON     What trumpet?²¹⁶ Look, Menelaus.

215

215 

MENELAUS

MENELAUS             From Troy.

              Enter Aeneas

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON     What would you ’fore our tent?

AENEAS

AENEAS     Is this great Agamemnon’s tent, I pray you?

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON     Even this.

AENEAS

AENEAS     May one that is a herald and a prince

220

220         Do a fair²²⁰ message to his kingly ears?

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON     With surety²²¹ stronger than Achilles’ arm

               ’Fore²²² all the Greekish heads, which with one voice

               Call Agamemnon head and general.

AENEAS

AENEAS     Fair leave²²⁴ and large security. How may

225

225         A stranger to those most imperial looks

               Know them from eyes of other mortals?

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON     How?

AENEAS

AENEAS     Ay,

               I ask that I might waken reverence,²²⁹

230

230         And on the cheek be ready with a blush

               Modest as morning when she coldly²³¹ eyes

               The youthful Phoebus.²³²

               Which is that god in office, guiding men?

               Which is the high and mighty Agamemnon?

235

235 

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON             This Trojan scorns us, or the men of Troy

               Are ceremonious courtiers.

AENEAS

AENEAS     Courtiers as free,²³⁷ as debonair, unarmed,

               As bending²³⁸ angels: that’s their fame in peace.

               But when they would seem soldiers, they have galls,²³⁹

240

240         Good arms, strong joints, true swords, and,

               Jove’s accord,²⁴¹

               Nothing²⁴² so full of heart. But peace, Aeneas,

               Peace, Trojan, lay thy finger on thy lips.

               The worthiness of praise distains his worth,²⁴⁴

245

245         If²⁴⁵ that the praised himself bring the praise forth.

               But what the repining²⁴⁶ enemy commends,

               That²⁴⁷ breath fame blows, that praise, sole pure, transcends.

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON     Sir, you of Troy, call you yourself Aeneas?

AENEAS

AENEAS     Ay, Greek, that is my name.

250

250 

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON             What’s your affair I pray you?

AENEAS

AENEAS     Sir, pardon, ’tis for Agamemnon’s ears.

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON     He hears nought privately that comes from Troy.

AENEAS

AENEAS     Nor I from Troy come not to whisper him:

               I bring a trumpet²⁵⁴ to awake his ear,

255

255         To set his sense²⁵⁵ on the attentive bent,

               And then to speak.

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON     Speak frankly²⁵⁷ as the wind:

               It is not Agamemnon’s sleeping hour,

               That thou shalt know. Trojan, he is awake,

260

260         He tells thee so himself.

AENEAS

AENEAS     Trumpet, blow loud,

               Send thy brass voice through all these lazy tents,

               And every Greek of mettle,²⁶³ let him know

               What Troy means fairly shall be spoke aloud.

              The trumpets sound

265

265         We have, great Agamemnon, here in Troy

               A prince called Hector — Priam is his father —

               Who in this dull²⁶⁷ and long-continued truce

               Is rusty grown. He bade me take a trumpet,

               And to this purpose speak: kings, princes, lords,

270

270         If there be one amongst the fair’st²⁷⁰ of Greece

               That holds his honour higher than his ease,²⁷¹

               That seeks his praise more than he fears his peril,

               That knows his valour, and knows not his fear,

               That²⁷⁴ loves his mistress more than in confession,

275

275         With truant vows to her own lips he loves,

               And dare avow her beauty and her worth

               In²⁷⁷ other arms than hers — to him this challenge.

               Hector, in view of Trojans and of Greeks,

               Shall make it good, or do his best to do it.

280

280         He hath a lady, wiser, fairer, truer,

               Than ever Greek did compass²⁸¹ in his arms,

               And will²⁸² tomorrow with his trumpet call

               Midway between your tents and walls of Troy,

               To rouse²⁸⁴ a Grecian that is true in love:

285

285         If any come, Hector shall honour him:

               If none, he’ll say in Troy when he retires,²⁸⁶

               The Grecian dames are sunburnt²⁸⁷ and not worth

               The splinter²⁸⁸ of a lance. Even so much.

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON     This shall be told our lovers, Lord Aeneas:

290

290         If none of them have soul²⁹⁰ in such a kind,

               We left them all at home. But we are soldiers,

               And may that soldier a mere²⁹² recreant prove,

               That means not,²⁹³ hath not, or is not in love!

               If then one is, or hath, or means to be,

295

295         That one meets Hector: if none else, I’ll be he.

NESTOR

NESTOR     Tell him of Nestor, one that was a man

               When Hector’s grandsire²⁹⁷ sucked. He is old now,

               But if there be not in our Grecian mould

               One noble man that hath one spark of fire,

300

300         To answer for his love, tell him from me

               I’ll hide my silver beard in a gold beaver³⁰¹

               And in my vantbrace³⁰² put this withered brawn,

               And meeting him will tell him that my lady

               Was fairer than his grandam³⁰⁴ and as chaste

305

305         As may be in the world. His youth in flood,³⁰⁵

               I’ll pawn³⁰⁶ this truth with my three drops of blood.

AENEAS

AENEAS     Now heavens forbid such scarcity of youth!

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     Amen.

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON     Fair Lord Aeneas, let me touch your hand:

310

310         To our pavilion³¹⁰ shall I lead you first.

               Achilles shall have word of this intent,

               So shall each lord of Greece, from tent to tent.

               Yourself shall feast with us before you go

               And find the welcome of a noble foe.

              Exeunt. Ulysses and Nestor remain

315

315 

ULYSSES

ULYSSES             Nestor.

NESTOR

NESTOR     What says Ulysses?

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     I have a young conception³¹⁷ in my brain,

               Be³¹⁸ you my time to bring it to some shape.

NESTOR

NESTOR     What is’t?

320

320 

ULYSSES

ULYSSES             This ’tis:

               Blunt³²¹ wedges rive hard knots: the seeded pride

               That hath to this maturity blown up³²²

               In rank³²³ Achilles must or now be cropped

               Or, shedding,³²⁴ breed a nursery of like evil,

325

325         To overbulk³²⁵ us all.

NESTOR

NESTOR     Well, and how?

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     This challenge that the gallant³²⁷ Hector sends,

               However it is spread³²⁸ in general name,

               Relates in purpose only to Achilles.

330

330 

NESTOR

NESTOR             The purpose is perspicuous³³⁰ even as substance

               Whose grossness little characters sum up:

               And, in³³² the publication, make no strain

               But that Achilles, were his brain as barren

               As banks³³⁴ of Libya — though, Apollo knows,

335

335         ’Tis dry³³⁵ enough — will, with great speed of judgement,

               Ay, with celerity,³³⁶ find Hector’s purpose

               Pointing on³³⁷ him.

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     And wake³³⁸ him to the answer, think you?

NESTOR

NESTOR     Yes, ’tis most meet;³³⁹ who may you else oppose

340

340         That can from³⁴⁰ Hector bring his honour off,

               If not Achilles? Though’t be a sportful³⁴¹ combat,

               Yet in this trial³⁴² much opinion dwells,

               For here the Trojans taste³⁴³ our dear’st repute

               With their fin’st³⁴⁴ palate: and trust to me, Ulysses,

345

345         Our imputation³⁴⁵ shall be oddly poised

               In this wild³⁴⁶ action. For the success,

               Although particular,³⁴⁷ shall give a scantling

               Of good or bad unto the general,³⁴⁸

               And in such indexes,³⁴⁹ although small pricks

350

350         To³⁵⁰ their subsequent volumes, there is seen

               The baby figure³⁵¹ of the giant mass

               Of things to come at³⁵² large. It is supposed

               He that meets Hector issues³⁵³ from our choice;

               And choice, being mutual act of all our souls,

355

355         Makes merit her election,³⁵⁵ and doth boil,

               As ’twere from forth us all, a man distilled³⁵⁶

               Out of our virtues; who miscarrying,³⁵⁷

               What heart³⁵⁸ from hence receives the conqu’ring part

               To steel³⁵⁹ a strong opinion to themselves,

360

360         Which³⁶⁰ entertained, limbs are his instruments,

               In no less working than are swords and bows

               Directive by the limbs.

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     Give pardon to my speech:

               Therefore ’tis meet³⁶⁴ Achilles meet not Hector.

365

365         Let us, like merchants, show our foulest³⁶⁵ wares,

               And think perchance³⁶⁶ they’ll sell: if not,

               The lustre of the better yet to show,

               Shall show the better. Do not consent

               That ever Hector and Achilles meet,

370

370         For both our honour and our shame in this

               Are dogged with two strange followers.³⁷¹

NESTOR

NESTOR     I see them not with my old eyes: what are they?

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     What glory our Achilles shares³⁷³ from Hector,

               Were he not proud, we all should wear with him:

375

375         But he already is too insolent,³⁷⁵

               And we were³⁷⁶ better parch in Afric sun

               Than in the pride and salt³⁷⁷ scorn of his eyes,

               Should he scape³⁷⁸ Hector fair. If he were foiled,

               Why then, we did³⁷⁹ our main opinion crush

380

380         In taint³⁸⁰ of our best man. No, make a lott’ry,

               And by device³⁸¹ let blockish Ajax draw

               The sort³⁸² to fight with Hector: among ourselves

               Give him allowance³⁸³ as the worthier man,

               For that will physic³⁸⁴ the great Myrmidon

385

385         Who broils³⁸⁵ in loud applause, and make him fall

               His crest³⁸⁶ that prouder than blue Iris bends.

               If the dull brainless Ajax come safe off,³⁸⁷

               We’ll dress³⁸⁸ him up in voices: if he fail,

               Yet³⁸⁹ go we under our opinion still

390

390         That we have better men. But, hit or miss,

               Our³⁹¹ project’s life this shape of sense assumes:

               Ajax employed³⁹² plucks down Achilles’ plumes.

NESTOR

NESTOR     Now, Ulysses,

               I begin to relish³⁹⁴ thy advice;

395

395         And I will give a taste of it forthwith

               To Agamemnon. Go we to him straight.³⁹⁶

               Two curs³⁹⁷ shall tame each other: pride alone

               Must tarre³⁹⁸ the mastiffs on, as ’twere their bone.

              Exeunt

[Act 2 Scene 1]

running scene 3 continues

              Enter Ajax and Thersites

AJAX

AJAX     Thersites!

THERSITES

THERSITES     Agamemnon, how² if he had boils, full, all over, generally?

AJAX

AJAX     Thersites!

THERSITES

THERSITES     And those boils did run?⁴ Say so: did not the general run? Were not that a botchy core?⁵

AJAX

AJAX     Dog!

THERSITES

THERSITES     Then there would come some matter⁷ from him: I see none now.

AJAX

AJAX     Thou bitch-wolf’s son, canst thou not hear? Feel, then.

              Strikes him

THERSITES

THERSITES     The plague of Greece upon thee, thou mongrel⁹ beef-witted lord!

AJAX

AJAX     Speak then, you whinid’st.¹⁰ leaven, speak. I will beat thee into handsomeness.¹¹

THERSITES

THERSITES     I shall sooner rail¹² thee into wit and holiness: but I think thy horse will sooner con¹³ an oration than thou learn a prayer without book. Thou canst strike, canst thou? A red murrain¹⁴ o’thy jade’s tricks!

AJAX

AJAX     Toadstool,¹⁵ learn me the proclamation.

THERSITES

THERSITES     Dost thou think I have no sense,¹⁶ thou strik’st me thus?

AJAX

AJAX     The proclamation!

THERSITES

THERSITES     Thou art proclaimed a fool, I think.

AJAX

AJAX     Do not, porcupine,¹⁹ do not; my fingers itch.

THERSITES

THERSITES     I would thou didst itch from head to foot and I had the scratching of thee: I would make thee the loathsom’st scab²¹ in Greece.

AJAX

AJAX     I say, the proclamation!

THERSITES

THERSITES     Thou grumblest and railest every hour on²³ Achilles, and thou art as full of envy at his greatness as Cerberus²⁴ is at Proserpina’s beauty, ay, that thou bark’st at him.

AJAX

AJAX     Mistress Thersites!

THERSITES

THERSITES     Thou shouldst strike him.

AJAX

AJAX     Cobloaf!²⁸

THERSITES

THERSITES     He would pun²⁹ thee into shivers with his fist, as a sailor breaks a biscuit.

AJAX

AJAX     You whoreson cur!³⁰ Beats him

THERSITES

THERSITES     Do, do.

AJAX

AJAX     Thou stool³² for a witch!

THERSITES

THERSITES     Ay, do, do, thou sodden-witted,³³ lord! Thou hast no more brain than I have in mine elbows: an asinico³⁴ may tutor thee. Thou scurvy-valiant ass, thou art here but to thrash Trojans, and thou art bought and sold³⁵ among those of any wit, like a barbarian³⁶ slave. If thou use to beat me, I will begin at thy heel, and tell what thou art by inches, thou thing of no bowels³⁷ thou!

AJAX

AJAX     You dog!

THERSITES

THERSITES     You scurvy³⁹ lord!

AJAX

AJAX     You cur! Beats him

THERSITES

THERSITES     Mars his⁴¹ idiot! Do, rudeness, do, camel: do, do.

              Enter Achilles and Patroclus

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     Why, how now, Ajax? Wherefore⁴² do you this? How now, Thersites? What’s the matter, man?

THERSITES

THERSITES     You see him there, do you?

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     Ay, what’s the matter?

THERSITES

THERSITES     Nay, look upon him.

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     So I do: what’s the matter?

THERSITES

THERSITES     Nay, but regard him well.

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     Well,⁴⁹ why, I do so.

THERSITES

THERSITES     But yet you look not well.⁵⁰ upon him, for whosomever you take him to be, he is Ajax⁵¹

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     I know that, fool.

THERSITES

THERSITES     Ay, but that⁵³ fool knows not himself.

AJAX

AJAX     Therefore⁵⁴ I beat thee.

THERSITES

THERSITES     Lo,⁵⁵ lo, lo, lo, what modicums of wit he utters! His evasions have ears thus long. I have bobbed⁵⁶ his brain more than he has beat my bones: I will buy nine sparrows⁵⁷ for a penny, and his pia mater is not worth the ninth part of a sparrow. This lord, Achilles — Ajax, who wears his wit in his belly and his guts in his head — I’ll tell you what I say of him.

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     What?

THERSITES

THERSITES     I say, this Ajax— Ajax attempts to beat him

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     Nay, good Ajax. Intervenes

THERSITES

THERSITES     Has not so much wit—

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     Nay, I must hold you. To Ajax

THERSITES

THERSITES     As will stop⁶⁵ the eye of Helen’s needle, for whom he comes to fight.

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     Peace, fool!

THERSITES

THERSITES     I would have peace and quietness, but the fool will not: he there, that he,⁶⁷ look you there.

AJAX

AJAX     O thou damned cur, I shall—

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     Will you set your wit to⁷⁰ a fool’s?

THERSITES

THERSITES     No, I warrant⁷¹ you, for a fool’s will shame it.

PATROCLUS

PATROCLUS     Good words,⁷² Thersites.

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     What’s the quarrel?

AJAX

AJAX     I bade the vile owl⁷⁴ go learn me the tenor of the proclamation, and he rails upon me.

THERSITES

THERSITES     I serve thee not.

AJAX

AJAX     Well, go to, go to.

THERSITES

THERSITES     I serve here voluntary.

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     Your last service,⁷⁹ was sufferance, ’twas not voluntary: no man is beaten voluntary. Ajax was here the voluntary⁸⁰ and you as under an impress.

THERSITES

THERSITES     E’en so.⁸¹ A great deal of your wit, too, lies in your sinews, or else there be liars. Hector shall have a great catch if he knock out either of your brains: he were as good⁸³ crack a fusty nut with no kernel.

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     What, with⁸⁴ me too, Thersites?

THERSITES

THERSITES     There’s Ulysses and old Nestor, whose wit was mouldy ere⁸⁵ your grandsires had nails on their toes, yoke⁸⁶ you like draught-oxen and make you plough up the war.

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     What? What?

THERSITES

THERSITES     Yes, good sooth.⁸⁹ To, Achilles! To, Ajax! To—

AJAX

AJAX     I shall cut out your tongue.

THERSITES

THERSITES     ’Tis no matter, I shall speak as much as thou afterwards.

PATROCLUS

PATROCLUS     No more words, Thersites, peace!

THERSITES

THERSITES     I will hold my peace⁹³ when Achilles’ brach bids me, shall I?

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     There’s⁹⁴ for you, Patroclus.

THERSITES

THERSITES     I will see you hanged like clodpolls⁹⁵ ere I come any more to your tents: I will keep⁹⁶ where there is wit stirring and leave the faction of fools.

              Exit

PATROCLUS

PATROCLUS     A good riddance.

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     Marry, this, sir, is proclaimed through all our host:⁹⁸

               That Hector, by the fifth⁹⁹ hour of the sun,

100

100         Will with a trumpet ’twixt¹⁰⁰ our tents and Troy

               Tomorrow morning call some knight to arms

               That hath a stomach,¹⁰² and such a one that dare

               Maintain— I know not what: ’tis trash. Farewell.

AJAX

AJAX     Farewell? Who shall answer him?¹⁰⁴

105

105 

ACHILLES

ACHILLES             I know not: ’tis put to lott’ry, otherwise

               He knew¹⁰⁶ his man.

AJAX

AJAX     O, meaning you? I will go learn more of it.

              Exeunt

[Act 2 Scene 2]2.2

running scene 4

              Enter Priam, Hector, Troilus, Paris and Helenus

PRIAM

PRIAM     After so many hours, lives, speeches spent,

               Thus once again says Nestor from the Greeks:

               ‘Deliver³ Helen, and all damage else —

               As⁴ honour, loss of time, travail, expense,

5

5             Wounds, friends, and what else dear⁵ that is consumed

               In hot digestion of this cormorant⁶ war —

               Shall be struck off.⁷’ Hector, what say you to’t?

HECTOR

HECTOR     Though no man lesser fears the Greeks than I,

               As far as touches my particular,⁹

10

10           Yet, dread¹⁰ Priam,

               There is no lady of more softer bowels,¹¹

               More spongy to suck in the sense of fear,

               More ready to cry out ‘Who knows what follows?’

               Than Hector is. The wound of peace is surety,¹⁴

15

15           Surety secure,¹⁵ but modest doubt is called

               The beacon of the wise, the tent¹⁶ that searches

               To th’bottom of the worst.¹⁷ Let Helen go:

               Since the first sword was drawn about this question,¹⁸

               Every tithe¹⁹ soul ’mongst many thousand dimes,

20

20           Hath been as dear as Helen — I mean, of ours.

               If we have lost so many tenths of ours

               To guard a thing not ours nor worth to us,

               Had²³ it our name, the value of one ten,

               What merit’s in that reason²⁴ which denies

25

25           The yielding of her up?

TROILUS

TROILUS     Fie,²⁶ fie, my brother!

               Weigh you the worth and honour of a king

               So great as our dread father in a scale²⁸

               Of common ounces? Will you with counters²⁹ sum

30

30           The³⁰ past proportion of his infinite,

               And buckle in a waist most fathomless³¹

               With spans³² and inches so diminutive

               As fears and reasons? Fie, for godly shame!

HELENUS

HELENUS     No marvel, though you bite so sharp at reasons,³⁴

35

35           You are so empty of them. Should not our father

               Bear³⁶ the great sway of his affairs with reasons,

               Because your³⁷ speech hath none that tells him so?

TROILUS

TROILUS     You are for dreams and slumbers, brother priest.

               You fur³⁹ your gloves with reason. Here are your reasons:

40

40           You know an enemy intends you harm,

               You know a sword employed is perilous,

               And reason flies⁴² the object of all harm.

               Who marvels then, when Helenus beholds

               A Grecian and his sword, if he do set

45

45           The very wings of reason to his heels

               And fly like chidden⁴⁶ Mercury from Jove,

               Or like a star disorbed?⁴⁷ Nay, if we talk of reason,

               Let’s shut our gates and sleep: manhood and honour

               Should have hard⁴⁹ hearts, would they but fat their thoughts

50

50           With this crammed⁵⁰ reason. Reason and respect

               Makes livers⁵¹ pale and lustihood deject.

HECTOR

HECTOR     Brother, she is not worth what she doth cost

               The holding.⁵³

TROILUS

TROILUS     What’s aught⁵⁴ but as ’tis valued?

55

55   

HECTOR

HECTOR           But value dwells not in particular will:⁵⁵

               It holds his⁵⁶ estimate and dignity

               As well⁵⁷ wherein ’tis precious of itself

               As⁵⁸ in the prizer. ’Tis mad idolatry

               To make the service⁵⁹ greater than the god,

60

60           And the will dotes⁶⁰ that is inclinable

               To what⁶¹ infectiously itself affects,

               Without some image⁶² of th’affected merit.

TROILUS

TROILUS     I⁶³ take today a wife, and my election

               Is led on in the conduct⁶⁴ of my will;

65

65           My will enkindled by mine eyes and ears,

               Two traded⁶⁶ pilots ’twixt the dangerous shores

               Of will and judgement. How may I avoid,⁶⁷

               Although my will distaste⁶⁸ what it elected,

               The wife I chose? There can be no evasion⁶⁹

70

70           To blench⁷⁰ from this and to stand firm by honour:

               We turn not back the silks upon the merchant

               When we have spoiled them; nor the remainder⁷² viands

               We do not throw in unrespective⁷³ sieve,

               Because we now are full. It was thought meet⁷⁴

75

75           Paris should do some vengeance on the Greeks;

               Your breath of full consent bellied⁷⁶ his sails,

               The seas and winds, old wranglers,⁷⁷ took a truce

               And did him service; he touched⁷⁸ the ports desired,

               And for⁷⁹ an old aunt whom the Greeks held captive,

80

80           He brought a Grecian queen,⁸⁰ whose youth and freshness

               Wrinkles⁸¹ Apollo’s and makes stale the morning.

               Why keep we her? The Grecians keep our aunt:

               Is she worth keeping? Why, she is a pearl

               Whose price⁸⁴ hath launched above a thousand ships,

85

85           And turned crowned kings to merchants.

               If you’ll avouch⁸⁶ ’twas wisdom Paris went —

               As you must needs,⁸⁷ for you all cried ‘Go, go’ —

               If you’ll confess he brought home noble prize —

               As you must needs, for you all clapped your hands

90

90           And cried ‘Inestimable!’ — why do you now

               The issue⁹¹ of your proper wisdoms rate,

               And do⁹² a deed that fortune never did,

               Beggar the estimation⁹³ which you prized

               Richer than sea and land? O, theft most base,

95

95           That we have stol’n what we do fear to keep!

               But⁹⁶ thieves unworthy of a thing so stol’n,

               That⁹⁷ in their country did them that disgrace,

               We fear to warrant in our native place!

              Enter Cassandra [at a distance] with her hair about her ears

CASSANDRA

CASSANDRA     Cry, Trojans, cry!

100

100 

PRIAM

PRIAM             What noise? What shriek is this?

TROILUS

TROILUS     ’Tis our mad sister, I do know her voice.

CASSANDRA

CASSANDRA     Cry, Trojans! Coming forward

HECTOR

HECTOR     It is Cassandra.

CASSANDRA

CASSANDRA     Cry, Trojans, cry! Lend me ten thousand eyes,

105

105         And I will fill them with prophetic tears.

HECTOR

HECTOR     Peace, sister, peace!

CASSANDRA

CASSANDRA     Virgins and boys, mid-age¹⁰⁷ and wrinkled old,

               Soft¹⁰⁸ infancy, that nothing can but cry,

               Add to my clamour! Let us pay betimes¹⁰⁹

110

110         A moiety¹¹⁰ of that mass of moan to come.

               Cry, Trojans, cry! Practise¹¹¹ your eyes with tears!

               Troy must not be, nor goodly Ilium stand:

               Our firebrand¹¹³ brother, Paris, burns us all.

               Cry, Trojans, cry! A Helen and a woe;

115

115         Cry, cry! Troy burns, or else let Helen go.

              Exit

HECTOR

HECTOR     Now, youthful Troilus, do not these high strains¹¹⁶

               Of divination in our sister work¹¹⁷

               Some touches of remorse?¹¹⁸ Or is your blood

               So madly hot that no discourse of reason,

120

120         Nor fear of bad success¹²⁰ in a bad cause,

               Can qualify the same?¹²¹

TROILUS

TROILUS     Why, brother Hector,

               We may not think¹²³ the justness of each act

               Such¹²⁴ and no other than event doth form it,

125

125         Nor once deject¹²⁵ the courage of our minds

               Because Cassandra’s mad: her brainsick raptures¹²⁶

               Cannot distaste¹²⁷ the goodness of a quarrel

               Which hath our several¹²⁸ honours all engaged

               To make it gracious.¹²⁹ For my private part,

130

130         I am no more touched¹³⁰ than all Priam’s sons:

               And Jove forbid there should be done amongst us

               Such¹³² things as might offend the weakest spleen

               To fight for and maintain.

PARIS

PARIS     Else¹³⁴ might the world convince of levity

135

135         As well¹³⁵ my undertakings as your counsels:

               But I attest¹³⁶ the gods, your full consent

               Gave wings to my propension¹³⁷ and cut off

               All fears attending on so dire¹³⁸ a project.

               For what, alas, can¹³⁹ these my single arms?

140

140         What propugnation¹⁴⁰ is in one man’s valour

               To stand the push¹⁴¹ and enmity of those

               This quarrel would excite? Yet, I protest,

               Were I alone to pass¹⁴³ the difficulties

               And had as ample power as I have will,

145

145         Paris should ne’er retract what he hath done,

               Nor faint¹⁴⁶ in the pursuit.

PRIAM

PRIAM     Paris, you speak

               Like one besotted¹⁴⁸ on your sweet delights:

               You have the honey still, but these¹⁴⁹ the gall,

150

150         So¹⁵⁰ to be valiant is no praise at all.

PARIS

PARIS     Sir, I propose¹⁵¹ not merely to myself

               The pleasures such a beauty brings with it,

               But I would have the soil¹⁵³ of her fair rape

               Wiped off in honourable keeping her.¹⁵⁴

155

155         What treason were it¹⁵⁵ to the ransacked queen,

               Disgrace to your great worths and shame to me,

               Now to deliver her possession¹⁵⁷ up

               On terms of base compulsion! Can it be

               That so degenerate a strain¹⁵⁹ as this

160

160         Should once set footing in your generous¹⁶⁰ bosoms?

               There’s not the meanest spirit¹⁶¹ on our party

               Without¹⁶² a heart to dare or sword to draw

               When Helen is defended, nor none so noble

               Whose life were ill bestowed¹⁶⁴ or death unfamed

165

165         Where Helen is the subject. Then, I say,

               Well may we fight for her whom, we know well,

               The world’s large spaces cannot parallel.

HECTOR

HECTOR     Paris and Troilus, you have both said well,

               And on the cause and question now in hand

170

170         Have glozed,¹⁷⁰ but superficially, not much

               Unlike young men, whom Aristotle¹⁷¹ thought

               Unfit to hear moral philosophy:

               The reasons you allege¹⁷³ do more conduce

               To the hot passion of distempered¹⁷⁴ blood

175

175         Than to make up a free determination¹⁷⁵

               ’Twixt right and wrong, for pleasure and revenge

               Have ears more deaf than adders¹⁷⁷ to the voice

               Of any true decision. Nature craves

               All dues¹⁷⁹ be rendered to their owners: now,

180

180         What nearer¹⁸⁰ debt in all humanity

               Than wife is to the husband? If this law

               Of nature be corrupted through affection,¹⁸²

               And that¹⁸³ great minds, of partial indulgence

               To their benumbèd¹⁸⁴ wills, resist the same,

185

185         There is a law in each well-ordered nation

               To curb those raging appetites that are

               Most disobedient and refractory.¹⁸⁷

               If Helen then be wife to Sparta’s king,

               As it is known she is, these moral laws

190

190         Of nature and of nation speak aloud

               To have her back returned: thus to persist

               In doing wrong extenuates not¹⁹² wrong,

               But makes it much more heavy.¹⁹³ Hector’s opinion

               Is this in way of¹⁹⁴ truth, yet ne’ertheless,

195

195         My spritely¹⁹⁵ brethren, I propend to you

               In resolution to keep Helen still,¹⁹⁶

               For ’tis a cause that hath¹⁹⁷ no mean dependence

               Upon our joint¹⁹⁸ and several dignities.

TROILUS

TROILUS     Why, there you touched¹⁹⁹ the life of our design:

200

200         Were it not glory that we more affected²⁰⁰

               Than the performance²⁰¹ of our heaving spleens,

               I would not wish a drop of Trojan blood

               Spent more in her defence. But, worthy Hector,

               She is a theme²⁰⁴ of honour and renown,

205

205         A spur to valiant and magnanimous²⁰⁵ deeds,

               Whose present courage²⁰⁶ may beat down our foes,

               And fame in time to come canonize²⁰⁷ us,

               For I presume brave Hector would not lose

               So rich advantage of a promised glory

210

210         As smiles²¹⁰ upon the forehead of this action

               For²¹¹ the wide world’s revenue.

HECTOR

HECTOR     I am yours,

               You valiant offspring of great Priamus.

               I have a roisting²¹⁴ challenge sent amongst

215

215         The dull and factious nobles of the Greeks

               Will²¹⁶ strike amazement to their drowsy spirits.

               I was advertised²¹⁷ their great general slept

               Whilst emulation²¹⁸ in the army crept:

               This, I presume, will wake him.

              Exeunt

[Act 2 Scene 3]2.3

running scene 5

              Enter Thersites, solus

THERSITES

THERSITES     How now, Thersites? What, lost in the labyrinth of thy fury? Shall the elephant,² Ajax carry it thus? He beats me, and I rail at him. O, worthy satisfaction! Would³ it were otherwise: that I could beat him, whilst he railed at me. ’Sfoot, I’ll learn to conjure⁴ and raise devils, but I’ll see some issue of my spiteful execrations. Then there’s Achilles, a rare⁵ engineer. If Troy be not taken till these two undermine⁶ it, the walls will stand till they fall of themselves. O thou great thunder-darter⁷ of Olympus, forget that thou art Jove, the king of gods and, Mercury, lose all the serpentine craft⁸ of thy caduceus, if thou take not that little, little, less than little wit from them that they have, which short-armed⁹ ignorance itself knows is so abundant scarce, it will not in circumvention¹⁰ deliver a fly from a spider without drawing the massy¹¹ irons and cutting the web. After this, the vengeance on the whole camp! Or, rather, the bone-ache,¹² for that, methinks, is the curse dependent on¹³ those that war for a placket. I have said my prayers and devil Envy say ‘Amen’.— What ho? My lord Achilles?

              Enter Patroclus [from the tent]

PATROCLUS

PATROCLUS     Who’s there? Thersites? Good Thersites, come in and rail. Patroclus returns to the tent

THERSITES

THERSITES     If I could have remembered a gilt counterfeit,¹⁶ thou wouldst not have slipped¹⁷ out of my contemplation. But it is no matter: thyself upon thyself! The common curse of mankind, folly and ignorance, be thine in great revenue!¹⁸ Heaven bless¹⁹ thee from a tutor, and discipline come not near thee! Let thy blood be thy direction²⁰ till thy death! Then if she that lays thee out says thou art a fair corpse, I’ll be sworn and sworn upon’t she never shrouded²¹ any but lazars. Amen.— Where’s Achilles? Patroclus reemerges from the tent

PATROCLUS

PATROCLUS     What, art thou devout? Wast thou in a prayer?

THERSITES

THERSITES     Ay, the heavens hear me!

              Enter Achilles [from the tent]

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     Who’s there?

PATROCLUS

PATROCLUS     Thersites, my lord.

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     Where, where? Art thou come? Why, my cheese,²⁷ my digestion, why hast thou not served²⁸ thyself in to my table so many meals? Come, what’s Agamemnon?

THERSITES

THERSITES     Thy commander, Achilles. Then tell me, Patroclus, what’s Achilles?

PATROCLUS

PATROCLUS     Thy lord, Thersites: then tell me, I pray thee, what’s thyself?

THERSITES

THERSITES     Thy knower,³² Patroclus: then tell me, Patroclus, what art thou?

PATROCLUS

PATROCLUS     Thou mayst tell that know’st.

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     O, tell, tell.

THERSITES

THERSITES     I’ll decline³⁵ the whole question: Agamemnon commands Achilles, Achilles is my lord, I am Patroclus’ knower, and Patroclus is a fool.

PATROCLUS

PATROCLUS     You rascal!

THERSITES

THERSITES     Peace, fool, I have not done.³⁸

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     He is a privileged man.³⁹ Proceed, Thersites.

THERSITES

THERSITES     Agamemnon is a fool, Achilles is a fool, Thersites is a fool, and, as aforesaid, Patroclus is a fool.

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     Derive⁴² this: come.

THERSITES

THERSITES     Agamemnon is a fool to offer.⁴³ to command Achilles, Achilles is a fool to be commanded of⁴⁴ Agamemnon, Thersites is a fool to serve such a fool, and Patroclus is a fool positive⁴⁵

PATROCLUS

PATROCLUS     Why am I a fool?

              Enter Agamemnon, Ulysses, Nestor, Diomedes, Ajax and Calchas [at a distance]

THERSITES

THERSITES     Make⁴⁷ that demand to the creator: it suffices me thou art. Look you, who comes here?

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     Patroclus, I’ll speak with nobody. Come in with me, Thersites.

              Exit

THERSITES

THERSITES     Here is such patchery,⁵⁰ such juggling and such knavery! All the argument is a cuckold⁵¹ and a whore, a good quarrel to draw emulations, factions and bleed to death upon. Now, the dry serpigo⁵² on the subject, and war and lechery confound⁵³ all!

              [Exit]

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON     Where is Achilles? Comes forward

55

55   

PATROCLUS

PATROCLUS           Within his tent, but ill disposed,⁵⁵ my lord.

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON     Let it be known to him that we are here.

               He shent⁵⁷ our messengers, and we lay by

               Our appertainments,⁵⁸ visiting of him:

               Let him be told of,⁵⁹ so perchance he think

60

60           We dare not move⁶⁰ the question of our place,

               Or know not what we are.

PATROCLUS

PATROCLUS     I shall so say to him.

              [Exit]

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     We saw him at the opening of his tent:

               He is not sick.

AJAX

AJAX     Yes, lion-sick,⁶⁵ sick of proud heart: you may call it melancholy if you will favour the man, but, by my head, it is pride. But why, why? Let him show us the cause.— A word, my lord. Ajax and Agamemnon speak aside

NESTOR

NESTOR     What moves Ajax thus to bay⁶⁸ at him?

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     Achilles hath inveigled⁶⁹ his fool from him.

NESTOR

NESTOR     Who, Thersites?

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     He.

NESTOR

NESTOR     Then will Ajax lack matter,⁷² if he have lost his argument.

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     No, you see, he⁷³ is his argument that has his argument — Achilles.

NESTOR

NESTOR     All the better: their fraction⁷⁴ is more our wish than their faction, but it was a strong council that a fool could disunite.

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     The amity⁷⁶ that wisdom knits not, folly may easily untie.

              Enter Patroclus

                  Here comes Patroclus.

NESTOR

NESTOR     No Achilles with him?

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     The elephant⁷⁹ hath joints, but none for courtesy: his legs are legs for necessity, not for flight.

PATROCLUS

PATROCLUS     Achilles bids me say, he is much sorry

               If anything more than your sport⁸² and pleasure

               Did move your greatness and this noble state⁸³

               To call upon him; he hopes it⁸⁴ is no other

85

85           But for your health and your digestion’ sake,

               An after-dinner’s breath.⁸⁶

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON     Hear you, Patroclus:

               We are too well acquainted with these answers,

               But his evasion, winged thus swift with scorn,

90

90           Cannot outfly our apprehensions.⁹⁰

               Much attribute⁹¹ he hath, and much the reason

               Why we ascribe it to him, yet all his virtues,

               Not virtuously of⁹³ his own part beheld,

               Do in our eyes begin to lose their gloss,

95

95           Yea, and like fair⁹⁵ fruit in an unwholesome dish,

               Are like⁹⁶ to rot untasted. Go and tell him,

               We came to speak with him; and you shall not sin⁹⁷

               If you do say we think him over-proud

               And under-honest,⁹⁹ in self-assumption greater

100

100         Than in the note of judgement, and worthier¹⁰⁰ than himself

               Here tends the savage strangeness he puts on,

               Disguise the holy strength of their command,¹⁰²

               And underwrite¹⁰³ in an observing kind

               His humorous¹⁰⁴ predominance. Yea, watch

105

105         His pettish lunes,¹⁰⁵ his ebbs, his flows, as if

               The passage¹⁰⁶ and whole carriage of this action

               Rode¹⁰⁷ on his tide. Go tell him this, and add

               That if he overhold¹⁰⁸ his price so much,

               We’ll none¹⁰⁹ of him; but let him, like an engine

110

110         Not portable, lie under¹¹⁰ this report:

               ‘Bring action hither, this¹¹¹ cannot go to war:

               A stirring¹¹² dwarf we do allowance give

               Before¹¹³ a sleeping giant.’ Tell him so.

PATROCLUS

PATROCLUS     I shall, and bring his answer presently.¹¹⁴

115

115 

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON             In second voice¹¹⁵ we’ll not be satisfied:

               We come to speak with him.— Ulysses, enter you.

              Exit Ulysses [following Patroclus]

AJAX

AJAX     What is he more than another?

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON     No more than what he thinks he is.

AJAX

AJAX     Is he so much? Do you not think he thinks himself a better man than I am?

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON     No question.

AJAX

AJAX     Will you subscribe¹²¹ his thought, and say he is?

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON     No, noble Ajax: you are as strong, as valiant, as wise, no less noble, much more gentle,¹²³ and altogether more tractable.

AJAX

AJAX     Why should a man be proud? How doth pride grow? I know not what it is.

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON     Your mind is the clearer,¹²⁵ Ajax, and your virtues the fairer. He that is proud eats up himself: pride is his own glass,¹²⁶ his own trumpet, his own chronicle, and whatever praises itself but¹²⁷ in the deed, devours the deed in the praise.

              Enter Ulysses

AJAX

AJAX     I do hate a proud man, as I hate the engendering¹²⁸ of toads.

NESTOR

NESTOR     Yet he loves himself: is’t not strange? Aside

130

130 

ULYSSES

ULYSSES             Achilles will not to the field¹³⁰ tomorrow.

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON     What’s his excuse?

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     He doth rely on none,

               But carries on the stream¹³³ of his dispose

               Without observance¹³⁴ or respect of any,

135

135         In will peculiar¹³⁵ and in self-admission.

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON     Why will he not upon our fair¹³⁶ request

               Untent his person¹³⁷ and share the air with us?

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     Things small as nothing, for¹³⁸ request’s sake only,

               He makes important: possessed he is with greatness,¹³⁹

140

140         And speaks¹⁴⁰ not to himself but with a pride

               That quarrels at self-breath: imagined worth

               Holds in his blood such swoll’n and hot¹⁴² discourse

               That ’twixt his mental and his active parts

               Kingdomed Achilles¹⁴⁴ in commotion rages

145

145         And batters gainst itself. What should I say?

               He is so plaguy¹⁴⁶ proud that the death-tokens of it

               Cry ‘No recovery.’

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON     Let Ajax go to him.—

               Dear lord, go you and greet him in his tent;

150

150         ’Tis said he holds¹⁵⁰ you well, and will be led

               At your request a little from himself.¹⁵¹

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     O Agamemnon, let it not be so!

               We’ll consecrate¹⁵³ the steps that Ajax makes

               When they go from¹⁵⁴ Achilles. Shall the proud lord

155

155         That bastes his arrogance with his own seam¹⁵⁵

               And never suffers¹⁵⁶ matter of the world

               Enter his thoughts, save such as do revolve¹⁵⁷

               And ruminate himself: shall he be worshipped

               Of¹⁵⁹ that we hold an idol more than he?

160

160         No, this thrice-worthy and right valiant lord

               Must not so stale¹⁶¹ his palm, nobly acquired,

               Nor by my will assubjugate¹⁶² his merit,

               As¹⁶³ amply titled as Achilles is, by going to Achilles:

               That were¹⁶⁴ to enlard his fat-already pride

165

165         And add¹⁶⁵ more coals to Cancer when he burns

               With entertaining great Hyperion.

               This lord go to him? Jupiter forbid,

               And say in thunder ‘Achilles go to him.’

NESTOR

NESTOR     O, this is well: he rubs¹⁶⁹ the vein of him. Aside

170

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     And how his silence drinks up this applause! Aside

AJAX

AJAX     If I go to him, with my armèd¹⁷¹ fist

               I’ll pash¹⁷² him o’er the face.

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON     O, no, you shall not go.

AJAX

AJAX     An a¹⁷⁴ be proud with me, I’ll pheeze his pride.

175

175         Let me go to him.

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     Not for the worth¹⁷⁶ that hangs upon our quarrel.

AJAX

AJAX     A paltry, insolent fellow!

NESTOR

NESTOR     How he describes himself! Aside

AJAX

AJAX     Can he not be sociable?

180

180 

ULYSSES

KATHERINE             The¹⁸⁰ raven chides blackness. Aside

AJAX

AJAX     I’ll let¹⁸¹ his humours blood.

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON     He will be the physician that should be the patient. Aside

AJAX

AJAX     An¹⁸³ all men were o’my mind—

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     Wit would be out of fashion. Aside

AJAX

AJAX     A¹⁸⁵ should not bear it so, a should eat swords first: shall pride carry it?

NESTOR

NESTOR     An ’twould,¹⁸⁶ you’d carry half. Aside

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     A would have ten shares.¹⁸⁷ Aside

AJAX

AJAX     I will knead¹⁸⁸ him: I’ll make him supple.

NESTOR

NESTOR     He’s not yet through¹⁸⁹ warm. Force him with praises: pour in, pour in, his Aside

                  ambition is dry.¹⁹⁰

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     My lord, you feed¹⁹¹ too much on this dislike. To Agamemnon

NESTOR

NESTOR     Our noble general, do not do so.

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     You must prepare to fight without Achilles.

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     Why, ’tis this naming of him¹⁹⁴ doth him harm.

195

195         Here is a man¹⁹⁵ — but ’tis before his face:

               I will be silent.

NESTOR

NESTOR     Wherefore should you so?

               He is not emulous,¹⁹⁸ as Achilles is.

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     Know¹⁹⁹ the whole world, he is as valiant.

200

200 

AJAX

AJAX             A whoreson dog, that shall palter²⁰⁰ thus with us!

               Would he were a Trojan!

NESTOR

NESTOR     What a vice were it in Ajax now—

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     If he were proud—

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     Or covetous of praise—

205

205 

ULYSSES

ULYSSES             Ay, or surly borne²⁰⁵—

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     Or strange,²⁰⁶ or self-affected!

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     Thank the heavens, lord,²⁰⁷ thou art of sweet composure:

               Praise him that got²⁰⁸ thee, she that gave thee suck:

               Fame²⁰⁹ be thy tutor, and thy parts of nature

210

210         Thrice famed beyond, beyond all erudition:

               But he that disciplined²¹¹ thy arms to fight,

               Let Mars divide eternity²¹² in twain,

               And give him half, and for thy vigour,

               Bull-bearing Milo²¹⁴ his addition yield

215

215         To sinewy Ajax. I will not praise thy wisdom,

               Which, like a bourn,²¹⁶ a pale, a shore, confines

               Thy spacious and dilated parts.²¹⁷ Here’s Nestor —

               Instructed by the antiquary²¹⁸ times —

               He must, he is, he cannot but be wise:

220

220         Put pardon, father Nestor, were your days

               As green²²¹ as Ajax’ and your brain so tempered,

               You should not have²²² the eminence of him,

               But be as Ajax.

AJAX

AJAX     Shall I call you father?

225

225 

ULYSSES

ULYSSES             Ay, my good son.

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     Be ruled²²⁶ by him, Lord Ajax.

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     There is no tarrying²²⁷ here: the hart Achilles

               Keeps²²⁸ thicket. Please it our general

               To call together all his state²²⁹ of war.

230

230         Fresh kings are come to Troy; tomorrow

               We must with all our main of power²³¹ stand fast.

               And here’s a lord— come knights from east to west,

               And cull their flower,²³³ Ajax shall cope the best.

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON     Go we to council. Let Achilles sleep:

235

235         Light boats may sail swift, though greater bulks draw deep.²³⁵

              Exeunt

[Act 3 Scene 1]*

running scene 6

              Music sounds within. Enter Pandarus and a Servant

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Friend, you! Pray you, a word: do not you follow¹ the young lord Paris?

SERVANT

SERVANT     Ay, sir, when he goes before me.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     You depend upon³ him, I mean?

SERVANT

SERVANT     Sir, I do depend uon the lord.⁴

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     You depend upon a noble gentleman: I must needs⁵ praise him.

SERVANT

SERVANT     The lord be praised!

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     You know me, do you not?

SERVANT

SERVANT     Faith, sir, superficially.⁸

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Friend, know me better: I am the Lord Pandarus.

SERVANT

SERVANT     I hope I shall know¹⁰ your honour better.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     I do desire it.

SERVANT

SERVANT     You¹² are in the state of grace?

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Grace? Not so,¹³ friend: honour and lordship are my title. What music is this?

SERVANT

SERVANT     I do but partly know, sir: it is music in parts.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Know you the musicians?

SERVANT

SERVANT     Wholly, sir.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Who play they to?

SERVANT

SERVANT     To the hearers, sir.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     At whose pleasure,²⁰ friend?

SERVANT

SERVANT     At mine, sir, and theirs that love music.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Command, I mean, friend.

SERVANT

SERVANT     Who²³ shall I command, sir?

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Friend, we understand not one another: I am too courtly²⁴ and thou art too cunning. At whose request do these men play?

SERVANT

SERVANT     That’s to’t,²⁶ indeed, sir. Marry, sir, at the request of Paris, my lord, who’s there in person; with him, the mortal Venus²⁷ the heart-blood of beauty, love’s invisible soul—

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Who? My cousin Cressida?

SERVANT

SERVANT     No, sir, Helen: could you not find out that³⁰ by her attributes?

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     It should seem, fellow, that thou hast not seen the lady Cressida. I come to speak with Paris from the Prince Troilus: I will make a complimental.³² assault upon him, for my business seethes³³

SERVANT

SERVANT     Sodden³⁴ business. There’s a stewed phrase indeed!

              Enter Paris and Helen [with Attendants]

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Fair³⁵ be to you, my lord, and to all this fair company. Fair desires in all fair measure fairly³⁶ guide them, especially to you, fair queen. Fair thoughts be your fair pillow.

HELEN

HELEN     Dear lord, you are full of fair³⁸ words.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     You speak your fair pleasure,³⁹ sweet queen. Fair prince, here is good broken⁴⁰ music.

PARIS

PARIS     You have broke⁴¹ it, cousin, and, by my life, you shall make it whole again: you shall piece it out⁴² with a piece of your performance. Nell, he is full of harmony.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Truly, lady, no.

HELEN

HELEN     O, sir—

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Rude,⁴⁵ in sooth, in good sooth, very rude.

PARIS

PARIS     Well said, my lord. Well, you say so in fits.⁴⁶

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     I have business to⁴⁷ my lord, dear queen. My lord, will you vouchsafe me a word?

HELEN

HELEN     Nay, this shall not hedge us out:⁴⁹ we’ll hear you sing, certainly.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Well, sweet queen, you are pleasant⁵⁰ with me. But, marry, thus, my lord: my dear lord and most esteemed friend, your brother Troilus—

HELEN

HELEN     My lord Pandarus, honey-sweet lord—

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Go to, sweet queen,⁵³ go to.—To Paris Commends himself most affectionately to you—

HELEN

HELEN     You shall not bob⁵⁵ us out of our melody: if you do, our melancholy upon your head!

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Sweet queen, sweet queen: that’s a sweet queen, i’faith.

HELEN

HELEN     And to make a sweet lady sad is a sour⁵⁸ offence.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Nay, that shall not serve your turn,⁵⁹ that shall it not, in truth, la. Nay, I care not for such words, no, no. And, my lord, he desires⁶⁰ you, that if the king call for him at supper, you will make his excuse.

HELEN

HELEN     My lord Pandarus—

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     What says my sweet queen, my very very sweet queen?

PARIS

PARIS     What exploit’s in hand?⁶⁴ Where sups he tonight?

HELEN

HELEN     Nay, but, my lord—

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     What says my sweet queen? My⁶⁶ cousin will fall out with you.

HELEN

HELEN     You must not know where he sups. To Paris

PARIS

PARIS     With my disposer⁶⁸ Cressida?

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     No, no; no such matter, you are wide.⁶⁹ Come, your disposer is sick.

PARIS

PARIS     Well, I’ll make excuse.⁷⁰

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Ay, good my lord. Why should you say Cressida? No, your poor disposer’s sick.

PARIS

PARIS     I spy.⁷³

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     You spy? What do you spy?— Come, give me an instrument.—He is handed a musical instrument Now, sweet queen.

HELEN

HELEN     Why, this is kindly done.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     My niece is horrible⁷⁷ in love with a thing you have, sweet queen.

HELEN

HELEN     She shall have it, my lord, if it be not my lord Paris.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     He? No, she’ll none of him: they two are twain.⁷⁹

HELEN

HELEN     Falling⁸⁰ in after falling out may make them three.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Come, come, I’ll hear no more of this. I’ll sing you a song now.

HELEN

HELEN     Ay, ay, prithee now. By my troth, sweet lord, thou hast a fine forehead.⁸²

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Ay, you may,⁸³ you may.

HELEN

HELEN     Let thy song be⁸⁴ love: this love will undo us all. O Cupid, Cupid, Cupid!

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Love? Ay, that it shall, i’faith.

PARIS

PARIS     Ay, good now,⁸⁶ ‘Love, love, nothing but love’.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     In good troth, it begins so.

                                    Love, love, nothing but love, still more! Sings

                                    For, O, love’s⁸⁹ bow

90

                                    Shoots⁹⁰ buck and doe:

                                    The shaft⁹¹ confounds,

                                    Not that it wounds,

                                    But tickles⁹³ still the sore.

                                    These lovers cry, O ho,⁹⁴ they die!

95

95                                    Yet that which seems the wound to kill,⁹⁵

                                    Doth turn O ho, to ha, ha, he!⁹⁶

                                    So dying love lives still:

                                    O ho, awhile, but ha, ha, ha!

                                    O⁹⁹ ho, groans out for ha, ha, ha!—

                  Hey-ho!

HELEN

HELEN     In love,¹⁰¹ i’faith, to the very tip of the nose.

PARIS

PARIS     He eats nothing but doves,¹⁰² love, and that breeds hot blood, and hot blood begets¹⁰³ hot thoughts, and hot thoughts beget hot deeds, and hot deeds is love.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Is this the generation of love?¹⁰⁴ Hot blood, hot thoughts, and hot deeds? Why, they are vipers:¹⁰⁵ is love a generation of vipers?— Sweet lord, who’s afield today?

PARIS

PARIS     Hector, Deiphobus, Helenus, Antenor, and all the gallantry¹⁰⁷ of Troy: I would fain¹⁰⁸ have armed today, but my Nell would not have it so. How chance my brother Troilus went not?

HELEN

HELEN     He¹¹⁰ hangs the lip at something; you know all, Lord Pandarus.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Not I, honey-sweet queen. I long to hear how they sped¹¹¹ today.— You’ll remember your brother’s excuse?

PARIS

PARIS     To a hair.¹¹³

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Farewell, sweet queen.

HELEN

HELEN     Commend me to your niece.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     I will, sweet queen.

              [Exit]

              Sound a retreat

PARIS

PARIS     They’re come from field: let us to Priam’s hall

               To greet the warriors. Sweet Helen, I must woo¹¹⁸ you

               To help unarm¹¹⁹ our Hector: his stubborn buckles,

120

120         With these your white enchanting fingers touched,

               Shall more obey¹²¹ than to the edge of steel

               Or force of Greekish sinews. You shall do more

               Than all the island kings:¹²³ disarm great Hector.

HELEN

HELEN     ’Twill make us proud to be his servant, Paris.

125

125         Yea, what he shall receive of us¹²⁵ in duty

               Gives us more palm¹²⁶ in beauty than we have,

               Yea, overshines ourself.

PARIS

PARIS     Sweet, above thought¹²⁸ I love thee.

              Exeunt

[Act 3 Scene 2]3.2

running scene 7

              Enter Pandarus and Troilus’ Man

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     How now? Where’s thy master? At my cousin Cressida’s?

MAN

MAN     No, sir, he stays² for you to conduct him thither.

              Enter Troilus

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     O, here he comes.—How now, how now?

TROILUS

TROILUS     Sirrah,⁴ walk off.

              [Exit Troilus’ Man]

5

5     

PANDARUS

PANDARUS             Have you seen my cousin?⁵

TROILUS

TROILUS     No, Pandarus: I stalk⁶ about her door,

               Like a strange⁷ soul upon the Stygian banks

               Staying for waftage.⁸ O, be thou my Charon,

               And give me swift transportance to those fields⁹

10

10           Where I may wallow in the lily-beds¹⁰

               Proposed¹¹ for the deserver. O gentle Pandarus,

               From Cupid’s shoulder pluck his painted¹² wings

               And fly with me to Cressid!

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Walk here i’th’orchard,¹⁴ I’ll bring her straight.

              Exit Pandarus

15

15   

TROILUS

TROILUS           I am giddy; expectation whirls me round.

               Th’imaginary relish¹⁶ is so sweet

               That it enchants my sense:¹⁷ what will it be,

               When that the wat’ry¹⁸ palates taste indeed

               Love’s thrice-repurèd¹⁹ nectar? Death, I fear me,

20

20           Swooning destruction, or some joy too fine,²⁰

               Too subtle-potent,²¹ tuned too sharp in sweetness,

               For the capacity²² of my ruder powers;

               I fear it much, and I do fear besides,

               That I shall lose²⁴ distinction in my joys,

25

               As doth a battle,²⁵ when they charge on heaps

               The enemy flying.²⁶

              Enter Pandarus

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     She’s making her.²⁷ ready, she’ll come straight. You must be witty now: she does so blush, and fetches²⁸ her wind so short, as if she were fraid with a sprite. I’ll fetch her. It is the prettiest²⁹ villain: she fetches her breath so short as a new-ta’en sparrow³⁰

              Exit Pandarus

TROILUS

TROILUS     Even³¹ such a passion doth embrace my bosom:

               My heart beats thicker³² than a feverous pulse,

               And all my powers do their bestowing³³ lose,

               Like vassalage³⁴ at unawares encount’ring

35

35           The eye of majesty.

              Enter Pandarus and Cressida [veiled]

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Come, come, what need you blush? Shame’s a baby. Here she is now: swear the oaths now to her that you have sworn to me.— What, are you gone again? You must be watched,³⁸ ere you be made tame, must you? Come your ways, come your ways, an you draw backward³⁹ we’ll put you i’th’fills.— Why do you not speak to her? Come, draw this curtain,⁴⁰ and let’s see your picture. Alas the day, how loath you are to offend daylight! An ’twere dark, you’d close⁴¹ sooner. So, so, rub⁴² on, and kiss the mistress. How now, a kiss in fee-farm? Build there, carpenter, the air⁴³ is sweet. Nay, you shall fight your hearts out ere I part you. The falcon⁴⁴ as the tercel, for all the ducks i’th’river. Go to, go to.

TROILUS

TROILUS     You have bereft⁴⁵ me of all words, lady.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Words pay no debts,.⁴⁶ give her deeds. But she’ll bereave you o’th’deeds too, if she call your activity⁴⁷ in question. What, billing again? Here’s ‘In witness whereof the parties interchangeably.’ Come in, come in: I’ll go get a fire⁴⁸

              [Exit]

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Will you walk in, my lord?

TROILUS

TROILUS     O Cressida, how often have I wished me thus!

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Wished, my lord? The gods grant— O my lord!

TROILUS

TROILUS     What should they grant? What makes this pretty⁵² abruption? What too curious⁵³ dreg espies my sweet lady in the fountain of our love?

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     More dregs than water, if my fears have eyes.

TROILUS

TROILUS     Fears make devils of cherubims: they never see truly.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Blind fear, that seeing reason leads,⁵⁶ finds safer footing than blind reason stumbling without fear: to fear the worst oft cures the worse.

TROILUS

TROILUS     O, let my lady apprehend⁵⁸ no fear: in all Cupid’s pageant there is presented no monster.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Nor nothing monstrous⁶⁰ neither?

TROILUS

TROILUS     Nothing, but our undertakings,⁶¹ when we vow to weep seas, live in fire, eat rocks, tame tigers; thinking it harder for our mistress to devise imposition enough⁶² than for us to undergo any difficulty imposed. This is the monstruosity in⁶³ love, lady, that the will⁶⁴ is infinite and the execution confined, that the desire is boundless and the act⁶⁵ a slave to limit.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     They say all lovers swear more performance than they are able, and yet reserve⁶⁷ an ability that they never perform, vowing more than the perfection of ten and discharging less than the tenth part of one. They that have the voice of lions and the act of hares, are they not monsters?

TROILUS

TROILUS     Are there such?,⁷⁰ Such are not we: praise us as we are tasted, allow us as we prove⁷¹ our head shall go bare till merit crown it. No perfection in reversion shall have a praise in present: we will not name desert⁷² before his birth, and, being born, his addition⁷³ shall be humble. Few words to fair faith. Troilus shall be such to Cressid as⁷⁴ what envy can say worst shall be a mock for his truth, and what truth can speak truest not truer than Troilus.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Will you walk in, my lord?

              Enter Pandarus

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     What, blushing still? Have you not done talking yet?

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Well, uncle, what folly⁷⁸ I commit, I dedicate to you.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     I thank you for that: if my lord get,⁷⁹ a boy of you, you’ll give him me. Be true to my lord: if he flinch⁸⁰ chide me for it.

TROILUS

TROILUS     You know now your hostages: your uncle’s word and my firm faith.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Nay, I’ll give my word for her too: our kindred, though they be long ere they are wooed, they are constant being won. They are burrs,.⁸³ I can tell you: they’ll stick where they are thrown⁸⁴

85

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Boldness⁸⁵ comes to me now, and brings me heart.

               Prince Troilus, I have loved you night and day

               For many weary months.

TROILUS

TROILUS     Why was my Cressid then so hard to win?

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Hard to seem won: but I was won, my lord,

90

90           With the first glance that ever — pardon me —

               If I confess much, you will play the tyrant.⁹¹

               I love you now, but not, till now, so much

               But⁹³ I might master it; in faith, I lie:

               My thoughts were like unbridled⁹⁴ children grown

95

95           Too headstrong for their mother. See, we fools!

               Why have I blabbed? Who shall be true to us,

               When we are so unsecret to ourselves?

               But, though I loved you well, I wooed you not,

               And yet, good faith, I wished myself a man,

100

100         Or that we women had men’s privilege¹⁰⁰

               Of speaking first. Sweet, bid me hold my tongue,

               For in this rapture I shall surely speak

               The thing I shall repent. See, see, your silence,

               Cunning¹⁰⁴ in dumbness, from my weakness draws

105

105         My soul of counsel¹⁰⁵ from me. Stop my mouth.

TROILUS

TROILUS     And shall,¹⁰⁶ albeit sweet music issues thence. Kisses her

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Pretty, i’faith.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     My lord, I do beseech you pardon me:

               ’Twas not my purpose, thus to beg a kiss.

110

110         I am ashamed. O heavens, what have I done?

               For this time¹¹¹ will I take my leave, my lord.

TROILUS

TROILUS     Your leave, sweet Cressid?

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Leave? An you take leave till tomorrow morning—

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Pray you content you.¹¹⁴

115

115 

TROILUS

TROILUS             What offends you, lady?

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Sir, mine own company.

TROILUS

TROILUS     You cannot shun yourself.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Let me go and try:

               I have a kind of self resides with you,

120

120         But an unkind¹²⁰ self, that itself will leave

               To be another’s fool.¹²¹ Where is my wit?

               I would be gone: I speak I know not what.

TROILUS

TROILUS     Well¹²³ know they what they speak that speaks so wisely.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Perchance,¹²⁴ my lord, I show more craft than love,

125

125         And fell so roundly¹²⁵ to a large confession

               To angle for your thoughts: but you are wise,¹²⁶

               Or else you love not, for to be wise and love

               Exceeds man’s might: that¹²⁸ dwells with gods above.

TROILUS

TROILUS     O, that I thought it could be in a woman —

130

130         As, if it can, I will presume¹³⁰ in you —

               To feed for aye¹³¹ her lamp and flames of love,

               To keep her constancy in plight¹³² and youth,

               Outliving beauty’s outward,¹³³ with a mind

               That doth renew swifter¹³⁴ than blood decays!

135

135         Or that persuasion could but thus convince me

               That my integrity and truth to you

               Might be affronted¹³⁷ with the match and weight

               Of such a winnowed¹³⁸ purity in love,

               How were I¹³⁹ then uplifted! But, alas,

140

140         I am as true as truth’s simplicity¹⁴⁰

               And simpler¹⁴¹ than the infancy of truth.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     In that I’ll war with you.

TROILUS

TROILUS     O virtuous fight,

               When right with right wars who shall be most right!

145

145         True swains¹⁴⁵ in love shall in the world to come

               Approve¹⁴⁶ their truths by Troilus: when their rhymes,

               Full of protest,¹⁴⁷ of oath and big compare,

               Wants¹⁴⁸ similes, truth tired with iteration,

               As true as steel, as plantage¹⁴⁹ to the moon,

150

150         As sun to day, as turtle¹⁵⁰ to her mate,

               As iron to adamant,¹⁵¹ as earth to th’centre,

               Yet, after all comparisons¹⁵² of truth,

               As truth’s authentic¹⁵³ author to be cited,

               ‘As true as Troilus’ shall crown up¹⁵⁴ the verse,

155

155         And sanctify the numbers.¹⁵⁵

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Prophet may you be!

               If I be false,¹⁵⁷ or swerve a hair from truth,

               When time is old and hath forgot itself,

               When waterdrops have worn the stones of Troy,

160

160         And blind oblivion swallowed cities up,

               And mighty states characterless¹⁶¹ are grated

               To dusty nothing, yet let memory,

               From false to false, among false maids in love,

               Upbraid my falsehood! When they’ve said ‘As false

165

165         As air, as water, as wind, as sandy earth,

               As fox to lamb, as wolf to heifer’s calf,

               Pard¹⁶⁷ to the hind, or stepdame to her son’,

               ‘Yea’, let them say, to stick the heart¹⁶⁸ of falsehood,

               ‘As false as Cressid.’

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Go to, a bargain made: seal it,¹⁷⁰ seal it, I’ll be the witness. Here I hold your hand, here my cousin’s. If ever you prove false one to another, since I have taken such pains to bring you together, let all pitiful goers-between be called to the world’s end after my name: call them all panders; let all constant men be Troiluses, all false women Cressids, and all brokers-between panders! Say, ‘Amen.’

TROILUS

TROILUS     Amen.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Amen.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Amen. Whereupon I will show you a chamber with a bed, which bed, because¹⁷⁸ it shall not speak of your pretty encounters, press it to death. Away! And Cupid grant all tongue-tied maidens¹⁷⁹ here Bed, chamber and pander to provide this gear!¹⁸⁰

              Exeunt

[Act 3 Scene 3]3.3

running scene 8

              Enter Ulysses, Diomedes, Nestor, Agamemnon, Menelaus and Calchas. Flourish

CALCHAS

CALCHAS     Now, princes, for the service I have done you,

               Th’advantage² of the time prompts me aloud

               To call for recompense. Appear it³ to your mind

               That through the sight⁴ I bear in things to come,

5

5             I have abandoned Troy, left my possession,⁵

               Incurred a traitor’s name, exposed myself,

               From⁷ certain and possessed conveniences,

               To doubtful fortunes, sequest’ring⁸ from me all

               That time, acquaintance, custom and condition⁹

10

10           Made tame¹⁰ and most familiar to my nature,

               And here, to do you service, am become

               As¹² new into the world, strange, unacquainted.

               I do beseech you, as in way of taste,¹³

               To give me now a little benefit

15

15           Out of those many registered in promise,¹⁵

               Which, you say, live to come¹⁶ in my behalf.

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON     What wouldst thou of us, Trojan? Make demand.

CALCHAS

CALCHAS     You have a Trojan prisoner, called Antenor,

               Yesterday took:¹⁹ Troy holds him very dear.

20

20           Oft have you — often²⁰ have you thanks therefore —

               Desired my Cressid in²¹ right great exchange,

               Whom Troy hath still denied. But this Antenor,

               I know is such a wrest²³ in their affairs

               That their negotiations all must slack,²⁴

25

25           Wanting his manage,²⁵ and they will almost

               Give us a prince of blood,²⁶ a son of Priam,

               In change of²⁷ him: let him be sent, great princes,

               And he shall buy my daughter, and her presence

               Shall quite strike off²⁹ all service I have done,

30

30           In³⁰ most accepted pain.

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON     Let Diomedes bear him,³¹

               And bring us Cressid hither: Calchas shall have

               What he requests of us. Good Diomed,

               Furnish you fairly³⁴ for this interchange.

35

35           Withal³⁵ bring word if Hector will tomorrow

               Be answered in³⁶ his challenge: Ajax is ready.

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     This shall I undertake, and ’tis a burden

               Which I am proud to bear.

              Exit [Diomedes with Calchas]

              Enter Achilles and Patroclus in their tent

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     Achilles stands i’th’entrance of his tent;

40

40           Please it⁴⁰ our general to pass strangely by him,

               As if he were forgot, and, princes all,

               Lay negligent and loose⁴² regard upon him;

               I will come last. ’Tis like⁴³ he’ll question me

               Why such unplausive⁴⁴ eyes are bent, why turned on him.

45

45           If so, I have derision medicinable⁴⁵

               To use between your strangeness and his pride,

               Which his own will shall have desire to drink;

               It may do good: pride hath no other glass⁴⁸

               To show itself but pride, for supple⁴⁹ knees

50

50           Feed arrogance and are the proud man’s fees.

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON     We’ll execute your purpose,⁵¹ and put on

               A form⁵² of strangeness as we pass along:

               So do each lord, and either greet him not

               Or else disdainfully, which shall shake⁵⁴ him more

55

55           Than if not looked on. I will lead the way.

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     What, comes the general to speak with me?

               You know my mind: I’ll fight no more gainst Troy.

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON     What says Achilles? Would he aught⁵⁸ with us?

NESTOR

NESTOR     Would you, my lord, aught with the general?

60

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     No.

NESTOR

NESTOR     Nothing, my lord.

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON     The better.⁶²

              [Exeunt Agamemnon and Nestor]

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     Good day, good day. To Menelaus

MENELAUS

MENELAUS     How do you? How do you?

              [Exit]

65

65   

ACHILLES

ACHILLES           What, does the cuckold scorn me?

AJAX

AJAX     How now, Patroclus?

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     Good morrow, Ajax.

AJAX

AJAX     Ha?

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     Good morrow.

70

70   

AJAX

AJAX           Ay, and good next day too.

              Exit

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     What mean these fellows? Know⁷¹ they not Achilles?

PATROCLUS

PATROCLUS     They pass by strangely: they were used⁷² to bend

               To send their smiles before them to Achilles,

               To come as humbly as they used to creep

75

75           To holy altars.

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     What, am I poor⁷⁶ of late?

               ’Tis certain, greatness, once fall’n out with fortune,

               Must fall out with men too: what the declined⁷⁸ is

               He shall as soon read in the eyes of others

80

80           As feel in his own fall, for men, like butterflies,

               Show not their mealy⁸¹ wings but to the summer,

               And not a man, for being simply man,

               Hath any honour, but⁸³ honoured for those honours

               That are without him, as⁸⁴ place, riches and favour,

85

85           Prizes of accident⁸⁵ as oft as merit,

               Which when they⁸⁶ fall, as being slippery standers,

               The love⁸⁷ that leaned on them as slippery too,

               Doth one pluck down another and together

               Die in the fall. But ’tis not so with me;

90

90           Fortune and I are friends: I do enjoy

               At ample point⁹¹ all that I did possess,

               Save⁹² these men’s looks, who do, methinks, find out

               Something not worth in me such rich beholding⁹³

               As they have often given. Here is Ulysses:

95

95           I’ll interrupt his reading.— How now Ulysses?

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     Now, great Thetis’ son!

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     What are you reading?

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     A strange fellow here

               Writes me⁹⁹ that man, how dearly ever parted,

100

100         How much in having, or¹⁰⁰ without or in,

               Cannot make boast to have that which he hath,

               Nor feels not what he owes,¹⁰² but by reflection,

               As when his virtues shining upon others

               Heat them and they retort¹⁰⁴ that heat again

105

105         To the first giver.

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     This is not strange, Ulysses.

               The beauty that is borne here in the face

               The bearer knows not, but¹⁰⁸ commends itself

               Not¹⁰⁹ going from itself, but eye to eye opposed

110

110         Salutes each other with each other’s form.

               For speculation¹¹¹ turns not to itself

               Till it hath travelled¹¹² and is mirrored there

               Where it may see itself. This is not strange¹¹³ at all.

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     I do not strain¹¹⁴ it at the position —

115

115         It is familiar — but at the author’s drift,¹¹⁵

               Who in his circumstance¹¹⁶ expressly proves

               That no man is the lord of anything —

               Though in¹¹⁸ and of him there is much consisting —

               Till he communicate his parts¹¹⁹ to others,

120

120         Nor doth he of himself know¹²⁰ them for aught

               Till he behold them formed in th’applause¹²¹

               Where they are extended, who,¹²² like an arch, reverb’rate

               The voice¹²³ again, or, like a gate of steel

               Fronting¹²⁴ the sun, receives and renders back

125

125         His figure¹²⁵ and his heat. I was much wrapt in this,

               And apprehended¹²⁶ here immediately

               The unknown¹²⁷ Ajax.

               Heavens, what a man is there! A very horse,¹²⁸

               That¹²⁹ has he knows not what. Nature, what things there are

130

130         Most¹³⁰ abject in regard and dear in use!

               What things again¹³¹ most dear in the esteem

               And poor in worth! Now shall we see tomorrow —

               An act that very chance doth throw upon him —

               Ajax renowned! O heavens, what some men do,

135

135         While some men leave to do!¹³⁵

               How some men creep¹³⁶ in skittish fortune’s hall,

               Whiles others play the idiots¹³⁷ in her eyes!

               How one man eats into another’s pride,¹³⁸

               While pride is¹³⁹ fasting in his wantonness!

140

140         To see these Grecian lords! Why, even already

               They clap the lubber¹⁴¹ Ajax on the shoulder,

               As if his foot were on brave Hector’s breast

               And great Troy shrinking.¹⁴³

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     I do believe it, for they passed by me

145

145         As misers do by beggars, neither gave to me

               Good word nor look. What, are my deeds forgot?

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     Time hath, my lord, a wallet¹⁴⁷ at his back,

               Wherein he puts alms for oblivion,¹⁴⁸

               A great-sized monster of ingratitudes:

150

150         Those scraps are good deeds past, which are devoured

               As fast as they are made, forgot as soon

               As done: perseverance, dear my lord,

               Keeps honour bright: to have done¹⁵³ is to hang

               Quite out of fashion, like a rusty mail¹⁵⁴

155

155         In monumental mock’ry.¹⁵⁵ Take the instant way,

               For honour travels in a strait¹⁵⁶ so narrow

               Where one¹⁵⁷ but goes abreast. Keep then the path,

               For emulation¹⁵⁸ hath a thousand sons

               That one by one pursue: if you give way,

160

160         Or hedge¹⁶⁰ aside from the direct forthright,

               Like to an entered¹⁶¹ tide they all rush by

               And leave you hindmost,¹⁶²

               Or like a gallant horse fall’n in first rank,¹⁶³

               Lie there for¹⁶⁴ pavement to the abject rear,

165

165         O’er-run and trampled on: then what they do in present,

               Though less than yours in past, must o’ertop yours,

               For time is like a fashionable host

               That slightly¹⁶⁸ shakes his parting guest by th’hand,

               And with his arms outstretched as¹⁶⁹ he would fly,

170

170         Grasps¹⁷⁰ in the comer. The welcome ever smiles,

               And farewell goes out sighing. O, let not virtue seek

               Remuneration¹⁷² for the thing it was.

               For beauty, wit,

               High birth, vigour of bone,¹⁷⁴ desert in service,

175

175         Love, friendship, charity, are subjects all

               To envious and calumniating¹⁷⁶ time.

               One touch of nature¹⁷⁷ makes the whole world kin,

               That all with one consent¹⁷⁸ praise new-born gawds,

               Though they are made and moulded of things past,

180

180         And give to dust¹⁸⁰ that is a little gilt

               More laud¹⁸¹ than gilt o’er-dusted.

               The present eye praises the present object.¹⁸²

               Then marvel not, thou great and complete¹⁸³ man,

               That all the Greeks begin to worship Ajax;

185

185         Since things in motion begin to catch the eye

               Than what not stirs. The cry¹⁸⁶ went out on thee,

               And still it might, and yet it may again,

               If thou wouldst not entomb thyself alive

               And case¹⁸⁹ thy reputation in thy tent;

190

190         Whose glorious deeds, but¹⁹⁰ in these fields of late,

               Made emulous missions¹⁹¹ ’mongst the gods themselves

               And drave¹⁹² great Mars to faction.

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     Of this my privacy

               I have strong reasons.

195

195 

ULYSSES

ULYSSES             But gainst your privacy

               The reasons are more potent and heroical:

               ’Tis known, Achilles, that you are in love

               With one¹⁹⁸ of Priam’s daughters.

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     Ha? Known?

200

200 

ULYSSES

ULYSSES             Is that a wonder?

               The providence²⁰¹ that’s in a watchful state

               Knows almost every grain of Pluto’s²⁰² gold,

               Finds bottom in th’uncomprehensive deeps,²⁰³

               Keeps place²⁰⁴ with thought, and almost, like the gods,

205

205         Do thoughts²⁰⁵ unveil in their dumb cradles.

               There is a mystery²⁰⁶ — with whom relation

               Durst never meddle — in the soul of state;²⁰⁷

               Which hath an operation²⁰⁸ more divine

               Than breath or pen can give expressure²⁰⁹ to:

210

210         All the commerce²¹⁰ that you have had with Troy

               As perfectly²¹¹ is ours as yours, my lord,

               And better would it fit²¹² Achilles much

               To throw²¹³ down Hector than Polyxena.

               But it must grieve young Pyrrhus²¹⁴ now at home,

215

215         When fame shall in our island sound her trump,²¹⁵

               And all the Greekish girls²¹⁶ shall tripping sing,

               ‘Great Hector’s sister did Achilles win,

               But our great Ajax bravely beat down him.²¹⁸’

               Farewell, my lord: I as your lover²¹⁹ speak;

220

220         The²²⁰ fool slides o’er the ice that you should break.

              [Exit]

PATROCLUS

PATROCLUS     To this effect, Achilles, have I moved²²¹ you:

               A woman impudent²²² and mannish grown

               Is not more loathed than an effeminate man

               In time of action. I stand condemned for this;

225

225         They think my little stomach to²²⁵ the war

               And your great love to me restrains you thus:

               Sweet, rouse yourself; and the weak wanton²²⁷ Cupid

               Shall from your neck unloose his amorous fold,²²⁸

               And, like a dew-drop from the lion’s mane,

230

230         Be shook to airy air.

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     Shall Ajax fight with Hector?

PATROCLUS

PATROCLUS     Ay, and perhaps receive much honour by him.²³²

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     I see my reputation is at stake,

               My fame²³⁴ is shrewdly gored.

235

235 

PATROCLUS

PATROCLUS             O, then, beware:

               Those wounds heal ill²³⁶ that men do give themselves.

               Omission to do what is necessary

               Seals²³⁸ a commission to a blank of danger,

               And danger, like an ague,²³⁹ subtly taints

240

240         Even then when we sit idly in the sun.

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     Go call Thersites hither, sweet Patroclus:

               I’ll send the fool to Ajax and desire him

               T’invite the Trojan lords after the combat

               To see us here unarmed. I have a woman’s longing,²⁴⁴

245

245         An appetite that I am sick withal,²⁴⁵

               To see great Hector in his weeds²⁴⁶ of peace,

              Enter Thersites

               To talk with him and to behold his visage,

               Even²⁴⁸ to my full of view.— A labour saved! Sees Thersites

THERSITES

THERSITES     A wonder!

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     What?

THERSITES

THERSITES     Ajax goes up and down the field, asking for himself.²⁵¹

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     How so?

THERSITES

THERSITES     He must fight singly tomorrow with Hector, and is so prophetically proud²⁵³ of an heroical cudgelling that he raves²⁵⁴ in saying nothing.

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     How can that be?

THERSITES

THERSITES     Why, he stalks up and down like a peacock,.²⁵⁶ a stride and a stand: ruminates like an hostess,²⁵⁷ that hath no arithmetic but her brain to set down her reckoning: bites his lip with a politic regard²⁵⁸ as who should say ‘There were wit in this head, an ’twould out,²⁵⁹’; and so there is, but it lies as coldly in him as fire in a flint, which will not show without knocking²⁶⁰ The man’s undone for ever; for if Hector break not his neck i’th’combat, he’ll break’t himself in vainglory. He knows.²⁶² not me: I said, ‘Good morrow, Ajax’; and he replies, ‘Thanks, Agamemnon.’ What think you of this man that takes me for the general? He’s grown a very land-fish²⁶⁴ language-less, a monster. A plague of opinion! A man may wear it on both sides, like a leather jerkin²⁶⁵

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     Thou must be my ambassador to him, Thersites.

THERSITES

THERSITES     Who, I? Why, he’ll answer nobody. He professes not²⁶⁷ answering: speaking is for beggars, he wears²⁶⁸ his tongue in’s arms. I will put on his presence; let Patroclus make his demands²⁶⁹ to me, you shall see the pageant of Ajax.

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     To him,²⁷⁰ Patroclus; tell him I humbly desire the valiant Ajax to invite the most valorous Hector to come unarmed to my tent, and to procure safe conduct for his person of the magnanimous and most illustrious six-or-seven-times-honoured captain-general of the Grecian army, Agamemnon, et cetera. Do this.

PATROCLUS

PATROCLUS     Jove bless great Ajax!

THERSITES

THERSITES     Hum!²⁷⁵

PATROCLUS

PATROCLUS     I come from the worthy Achilles—

THERSITES

THERSITES     Ha!

PATROCLUS

PATROCLUS     Who most humbly desires you to invite Hector to his tent—

THERSITES

THERSITES     Hum!

PATROCLUS

PATROCLUS     And to procure safe conduct from Agamemnon.

THERSITES

THERSITES     Agamemnon?

PATROCLUS

PATROCLUS     Ay, my lord.

THERSITES

THERSITES     Ha?

PATROCLUS

PATROCLUS     What say you to’t?

THERSITES

THERSITES     God buy you,²⁸⁵ with all my heart.

PATROCLUS

PATROCLUS     Your answer, sir.

THERSITES

THERSITES     If tomorrow be a fair day, by eleven o’clock it will go one way or other: howsoever,²⁸⁸ he shall pay for me ere he has me.

PATROCLUS

PATROCLUS     Your answer, sir.

THERSITES

THERSITES     Fare you well, with all my heart.

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     Why, but he is not in this tune,²⁹¹ is he?

THERSITES

THERSITES     No, but he’s out o’tune thus. What music will be in him when Hector has knocked out his brains, I know not, but I am sure none, unless the fiddler²⁹³ Apollo get his sinews to make catlings²⁹⁴ on.

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     Come, thou shalt bear a letter to him straight.

THERSITES

THERSITES     Let me carry another to his horse; for that’s the more capable²⁹⁶ creature.

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     My mind is troubled, like a fountain stirred,²⁹⁷

               And I myself see not the bottom of it.

       [Exeunt Achilles and Patroclus]

THERSITES

THERSITES     Would the fountain of your mind were clear again, that I might water an ass at it! I had rather be a tick in a sheep than such a valiant³⁰⁰ ignorance.

       [Exit]

[Act 4 Scene 1]4.1

running scene 9

       Enter at one door Aeneas with a torch, at another Paris, Deiphobus, Antenor, Diomedes the Grecian, with torches

PARIS

PARIS     See, ho! Who is that there?

DEIPHOBUS

DEIPHOBUS     It is the lord Aeneas.

AENEAS

AENEAS     Is the prince there in person?

               Had I so good occasion⁴ to lie long

5

5             As you, Prince Paris, nothing but heavenly business⁵

               Should rob my bed-mate of my company.

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     That’s my mind⁷ too. Good morrow, Lord Aeneas.

PARIS

PARIS     A valiant Greek, Aeneas: take his hand.

               Witness⁹ the process of your speech, within

10

10           You told how Diomed, in a whole week by days,¹⁰

               Did haunt¹¹ you in the field.

AENEAS

AENEAS     Health to you, valiant sir,

               During all question of¹³ the gentle truce,

               But when I meet you armed, as black defiance

15

15           As heart can think¹⁵ or courage execute.

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     The¹⁶ one and other Diomed embraces.

               Our bloods¹⁷ are now in calm, and, so long, health!

               But when contention¹⁸ and occasion meets,

               By Jove, I’ll play the hunter for thy life

20

20           With all my force, pursuit and policy.²⁰

AENEAS

AENEAS     And thou shalt hunt a lion that will fly

               With his face backward.²² In humane gentleness,

               Welcome to Troy. Now, by Anchises’²³ life,

               Welcome indeed! By Venus’²⁴ hand I swear,

25

25           No²⁵ man alive can love in such a sort

               The thing he means to kill more excellently.

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     We sympathize.²⁷ Jove, let Aeneas live —

               If²⁸ to my sword his fate be not the glory —

               A thousand complete²⁹ courses of the sun!

30

30           But, in mine³⁰ emulous honour, let him die

               With every joint a wound, and that tomorrow!

AENEAS

AENEAS     We know³² each other well.

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     We do, and long to know³³ each other worse.

PARIS

PARIS     This is the most despiteful’st gentle³⁴

35

35           The noblest hateful love, that e’er I heard of.

               What business, lord, so early?

AENEAS

AENEAS     I was sent for to the king; but why, I know not.

PARIS

PARIS     His purpose meets you: it was to bring this Greek

               To Calchas’ house, and there to render³⁹ him,

40

40           For the enfreed Antenor, the fair Cressid.

               Let’s have your company, or, if you please,

               Haste there before us.—

                                             I constantly⁴² do think — Aside to Aeneas

               Or rather, call my thought⁴³ a certain knowledge —

               My brother Troilus lodges there tonight:

45

45           Rouse him and give him note⁴⁵ of our approach,

               With the whole quality whereof.⁴⁶ I fear

               We shall be much unwelcome.

AENEAS

AENEAS     That I assure you:

               Troilus had rather Troy were borne to Greece

50

50           Than Cressid borne from Troy.

PARIS

PARIS     There is no help:

               The bitter disposition⁵² of the time

               Will have it so. On, lord, we’ll follow you.

AENEAS

AENEAS     Good morrow,⁵⁴ all.

       Exit Aeneas

55

55   

PARIS

PARIS           And tell me, noble Diomed, faith, tell me true,

               Even in the soul of sound good-fellowship,

               Who, in your thoughts, merits fair Helen most,

               Myself or Menelaus?

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     Both alike:

60

60           He⁶⁰ merits well to have her that doth seek her,

               Not making⁶¹ any scruple of her soilure,

               With⁶² such a hell of pain and world of charge.

               And you as well to keep her that defend her,

               Not palating⁶⁴ the taste of her dishonour,

65

65           With such a costly loss of wealth and friends.

               He, like a puling⁶⁶ cuckold, would drink up

               The lees and dregs⁶⁷ of a flat tamèd piece:

               You, like a lecher, out of whorish loins⁶⁸

               Are pleased to breed out⁶⁹ your inheritors.

70

70           Both merits poised,⁷⁰ each weighs no less nor more,

               But he as he,⁷¹ the heavier for a whore.

PARIS

PARIS     You are too bitter to your countrywoman.

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     She’s bitter to her country. Hear me, Paris:

               For every false drop in her bawdy veins

75

75           A Grecian’s life hath sunk,⁷⁵ for every scruple

               Of her contaminated carrion⁷⁶ weight,

               A Trojan hath been slain. Since she could speak,

               She hath not given so many good words breath⁷⁸

               As for her Greeks and Trojans suffered death.

80

80   

PARIS

PARIS           Fair Diomed, you do as chapmen⁸⁰ do,

               Dispraise⁸¹ the thing that you desire to buy:

               But⁸² we in silence hold this virtue well:

               We’ll not commend what we intend to sell.

               Here lies our way.⁸⁴

       Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 2]

running scene 10

       Enter Troilus and Cressida

TROILUS

TROILUS     Dear, trouble not yourself: the morn is cold.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Then, sweet my lord, I’ll call mine uncle down;

               He shall unbolt the gates.

TROILUS

TROILUS     Trouble him not.

5

5             To bed, to bed: sleep kill⁵ those pretty eyes,

               And give as soft attachment⁶ to thy senses

               As⁷ infants empty of all thought!

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Good morrow, then.

TROILUS

TROILUS     I prithee now, to bed.

10

10   

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA           Are you aweary of me?

TROILUS

TROILUS     O Cressida! But¹¹ that the busy day,

               Waked by the lark, hath roused the ribald¹² crows,

               And dreaming night will hide our joys no longer,

               I would not from¹⁴ thee.

15

15   

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA           Night hath been too brief.

TROILUS

TROILUS     Beshrew¹⁶ the witch! With venomous wights she stays

               As hideously as hell, but flies the grasps¹⁷ of love

               With wings more momentary-swift¹⁸ than thought.

               You will catch cold and curse me.

20

20   

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA           Prithee, tarry:²⁰ you men will never tarry.

               O foolish Cressid! I might have still held²¹ off,

               And then you would have tarried. Hark, there’s one up.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     What’s²³ all the doors open here?

       Within

TROILUS

TROILUS     It is your uncle.

       Enter Pandarus

25

25   

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA           A pestilence²⁵ on him! Now will he be mocking:

               I shall have such a life!²⁶

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     How²⁷ now, how now? How go maidenheads?

               Hear,²⁸ you maid! Where’s my cousin Cressid?

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Go hang yourself, you naughty²⁹ mocking uncle!

30

30           You bring me to do – – – –³⁰ and then you flout me too.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     To do³¹ what? To do what? Let her say what: what have I brought you to do?

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Come, come, beshrew your heart! You’ll ne’er be good,

               Nor suffer³⁴ others.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Ha, ha! Alas, poor wretch! Ah, poor chipochia!³⁵ Hast not slept tonight?

               Would he not — a naughty man — let it sleep? A bugbear³⁶ take him!

       One knocks

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Did not I tell you? Would he were knocked i’th’head!³⁷

               Who’s that at door? Good uncle, go and see.—

               My lord, come you again into my chamber.

40

40           You smile and mock me, as if I meant naughtily.⁴⁰

TROILUS

TROILUS     Ha, ha!

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Come, you are deceived, I think of no such thing.⁴²

               How earnestly they knock! Pray you, come in:

       Knock

               I would not for half Troy have you seen here.

       Exeunt [Troilus and Cressida]

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Who’s there? What’s the matter? Will you beat down the door? How now, what’s the matter?

       [Enter Aeneas]

AENEAS

AENEAS     Good morrow, lord, good morrow.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Who’s there? My lord Aeneas? By my troth,

               I knew⁴⁹ you not: what news with you so early?

50

50   

AENEAS

AENEAS           Is not Prince Troilus here?

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Here? What should he do here?

AENEAS

AENEAS     Come, he is here, my lord, do not deny him:

               It doth import⁵³ him much to speak with me.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Is he here, say you? ’Tis more than I know, I’ll be sworn.

55

55           For my own part, I came in late. What should he do here?

AENEAS

AENEAS     Who,⁵⁶ nay then! Come, come, you’ll do him wrong ere you’re ware: you’ll be so true to him, to be false to him. Do⁵⁷ not you know of him, but yet go fetch him hither. Go.

       Enter Troilus

TROILUS

TROILUS     How now? What’s the matter?

60

60   

AENEAS

AENEAS           My lord, I scarce have leisure to salute you,

               My matter is so rash:⁶¹ there is at hand

               Paris your brother, and Deiphobus,

               The Grecian Diomed, and our Antenor

               Delivered to us, and for him forthwith,

65

65           Ere the first sacrifice,⁶⁵ within this hour,

               We must give up to Diomedes’ hand

               The lady Cressida.

TROILUS

TROILUS     Is it concluded⁶⁸ so?

AENEAS

AENEAS     By Priam and the general state⁶⁹ of Troy:

70

70           They are at hand and ready to effect it.

TROILUS

TROILUS     How my achievements⁷¹ mock me!

               I will go meet them. And, my lord Aeneas,

               We met by chance; you did not find me here.

AENEAS

AENEAS     Good, good, my lord, the secrets of nature

75

75           Have⁷⁵ not more gift in taciturnity.

       Exeunt [Troilus and Aeneas]

       Enter Cressida

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Is’t possible? No sooner got but lost? The devil take Antenor! The young prince will go mad. A plague upon Antenor! I would they had broke’s⁷⁷ neck!

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     How now? What’s the matter? Who was here?

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Ah, ha!

80

80   

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA           Why sigh you so profoundly? Where’s my lord? Gone!

               Tell me, sweet uncle, what’s the matter?

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Would I were as deep under the earth as I am above!

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     O the gods! What’s the matter?

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Prithee, get thee in: would thou hadst ne’er been born! I knew thou wouldst be his death. O, poor gentleman! A plague upon Antenor!

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Good uncle, I beseech you, on my knees I beseech you, what’s the matter?

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Thou must be gone, wench, thou must be gone; thou art changed⁸⁷ for Antenor. Thou must to thy father, and be gone from Troilus: ’twill be his death, ’twill be his bane:⁸⁹ he cannot bear it.

90

90   

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA           O you immortal gods! I will not go.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Thou must.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     I will not, uncle. I have forgot my father:

               I know no touch⁹³ of consanguinity:

               No kin, no love, no blood, no soul so near me

95

95           As the sweet Troilus. O you gods divine!

               Make Cressid’s name the very crown of falsehood,

               If ever she leave Troilus! Time, force⁹⁷ and death,

               Do to this body what extremity you can;

               But the strong base⁹⁹ and building of my love

100

100         Is as the very centre¹⁰⁰ of the earth,

               Drawing all things to it. I will go in and weep.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Do, do.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Tear my bright hair and scratch my praisèd cheeks,

               Crack my clear voice with sobs and break my heart

105

105         With sounding¹⁰⁵ Troilus. I will not go from Troy.

       Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 3]4.3

running scene 11

       Enter Paris, Troilus, Aeneas, Deiphobus, Antenor and Diomedes

PARIS

PARIS     It is great morning, and the hour prefixed

               Of her delivery to this valiant Greek

               Comes fast upon. Good my brother Troilus,

               Tell you the lady what she is to do,

5

5             And haste⁵ her to the purpose.

TROILUS

TROILUS     Walk into her house:

               I’ll bring her to the Grecian presently;⁷

               And to his hand when I deliver her,

               Think it an altar, and thy brother Troilus

10

10           A priest there off’ring to it his heart.

PARIS

PARIS     I know what ’tis to love,

               And would,¹² as I shall pity, I could help!

               Please you walk in, my lords.

       Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 4]

running scene 12

       Enter Pandarus and Cressida

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Be moderate, be moderate.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Why tell you me of moderation?

               The grief is fine,³ full, perfect, that I taste,

               And no less in a sense as strong

5

5             As that which causeth it. How can I moderate it?

               If I could temporize⁶ with my affection,

               Or brew⁷ it to a weak and colder palate,

               The like allayment⁸ could I give my grief.

               My love admits no qualifying dross.⁹

       Enter Troilus

10

10           No more¹⁰ my grief, in such a precious loss.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Here, here, here he comes, a sweet duck.¹¹

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     O Troilus! Troilus! Embraces him

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     What a pair¹³ of spectacles is here! Let me embrace too. ‘O heart’ as the goodly saying is,

15

15                       ‘O heart, heavy heart,

                                    Why sigh’st thou without breaking?’

               Where he¹⁷ answers again,

                                    ‘Because thou canst not ease thy smart¹⁸

                                    By friendship nor by speaking.’

               There was never a truer rhyme. Let us cast away nothing, for we may live to have need of such a verse: we see it,²¹ we see it. How now, Iambs?

TROILUS

TROILUS     Cressid, I love thee in so strange²² a purity,

               That the blest gods, as²³ angry with my fancy,

               More bright²⁴ in zeal than the devotion which

25

25           Cold²⁵ lips blow to their deities, take thee from me.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Have the gods envy?²⁶

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Ay, ay, ay, ay: ’tis too plain a case.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     And is it true that I must go from Troy?

TROILUS

TROILUS     A hateful truth.

30

30   

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA           What, and from Troilus too?

TROILUS

TROILUS     From Troy and Troilus.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Is’t possible?

TROILUS

TROILUS     And suddenly, where³³ injury of chance

               Puts back³⁴ leave-taking, jostles roughly by

35

35           All time of pause, rudely³⁵ beguiles our lips

               Of all rejoindure,³⁶ forcibly prevents

               Our locked embrasures,³⁷ strangles our dear vows

               Even in³⁸ the birth of our own labouring breath.

               We two, that with so many thousand sighs

40

40           Did buy each other, must poorly sell ourselves

               With the rude brevity and discharge⁴¹ of one.

               Injurious⁴² time now with a robber’s haste

               Crams his rich thiev’ry⁴³ up, he knows not how:

               As many farewells as be stars in heaven,

45

45           With distinct⁴⁵ breath and consigned kisses to them,

               He fumbles up⁴⁶ into a loose adieu,

               And scants⁴⁷ us with a single famished kiss,

               Distasting⁴⁸ with the salt of broken tears.

AENEAS

AENEAS     My lord, is the lady ready?

       Within

50

50   

TROILUS

TROILUS           Hark! You are called. Some say the genius⁵⁰ so

               Cries ‘Come’ to him that instantly⁵¹ must die.

               Bid them have patience.— She shall come anon.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Where are my tears? Rain,⁵³ to lay this wind, or my heart will be blown up by the root.

       [Exit]

55

55   

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA           I must then to the Grecians?

TROILUS

TROILUS     No remedy.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     A woeful Cressid ’mongst the merry Greeks!⁵⁷

               When shall we see⁵⁸ again?

TROILUS

TROILUS     Hear me, my love: be thou but true of heart—

60

60   

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA           I true? How now? What wicked deem⁶⁰ is this?

TROILUS

TROILUS     Nay, we must use expostulation⁶¹ kindly,

               For it⁶² is parting from us.

               I speak not ‘Be thou true’ as fearing thee,⁶³

               For I will throw my glove⁶⁴ to Death himself,

65

65           That there’s no maculation⁶⁵ in thy heart:

               But ‘Be thou true’, say I, to fashion in⁶⁶

               My sequent protestation:⁶⁷ be thou true,

               And I will see thee.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     O, you shall be exposed, my lord, to dangers

70

70           As infinite as imminent! But I’ll be true.

TROILUS

TROILUS     And I’ll grow friend with danger. Wear this sleeve.⁷¹

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     And you this glove. When shall I see you? They exchange tokens

TROILUS

TROILUS     I will corrupt⁷³ the Grecian sentinels,

               To give thee nightly visitation.

75

75           But yet be true.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     O heavens! ‘Be true’ again!

TROILUS

TROILUS     Hear why I speak it, love:

               The Grecian youths are full of quality,⁷⁸

               Their loving,⁷⁹ well composed with gifts of nature,

80

80           Flowing and swelling o’er with arts and exercise.⁸⁰

               How novelties may move,⁸¹ and parts with person,

               Alas, a kind of godly⁸² jealousy —

               Which, I beseech you, call a virtuous sin —

               Makes me afraid.

85

85   

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA           O heavens, you love me not!

TROILUS

TROILUS     Die I a villain, then!

               In this I do not call your faith in question

               So mainly⁸⁸ as my merit: I cannot sing,

               Nor heel⁸⁹ the high lavolt, nor sweeten talk,

90

90           Nor play at subtle⁹⁰ games — fair virtues all,

               To which the Grecians are most prompt and pregnant.⁹¹

               But I can tell that in each grace of these

               There lurks a still⁹³ and dumb-discoursive devil

               That tempts most cunningly: but be not tempted.

95

95   

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA           Do you think I will?

TROILUS

TROILUS     No.

               But something may be done that we will⁹⁷ not:

               And sometimes we are devils to ourselves,

               When we will tempt the frailty of our powers,

100

100         Presuming¹⁰⁰ on their changeful potency.

AENEAS

AENEAS     Nay, good my lord—

       Within

TROILUS

TROILUS     Come, kiss, and let us part.

PARIS

PARIS     Brother Troilus!

       Within

TROILUS

TROILUS     Good brother, come you hither,

105

105         And bring Aeneas and the Grecian with you.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     My lord, will you be true?

TROILUS

TROILUS     Who, I? Alas, it is my vice, my fault:

               Whiles others fish with craft¹⁰⁸ for great opinion,

               I with great truth catch mere simplicity:¹⁰⁹

110

110         Whilst some with cunning gild their copper crowns,¹¹⁰

               With truth and plainness I do wear mine bare.¹¹¹

       Enter the Greeks [Aeneas, Paris, Antenor, Deiphobus and Diomedes]

               Fear not my truth: the moral of my wit¹¹²

               Is ‘plain and true’; there’s all the reach¹¹³ of it.—

               Welcome, Sir Diomed! Here is the lady

115

115         Which for Antenor we deliver you.

               At the port,¹¹⁶ lord, I’ll give her to thy hand,

               And by¹¹⁷ the way possess thee what she is.

               Entreat her fair;¹¹⁸ and, by my soul, fair Greek,

               If e’er thou stand at mercy of my sword,

120

120         Name Cressid and thy life shall be as safe

               As Priam is in Ilium.

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     Fair Lady Cressid,

               So please you, save¹²³ the thanks this prince expects:

               The lustre in your eye, heaven in your cheek,

125

125         Pleads¹²⁵ your fair usage, and to Diomed

               You shall be mistress, and command him wholly.

TROILUS

TROILUS     Grecian, thou dost not use me courteously,

               To shame the seal of my petition towards¹²⁸

               I’praising her: I tell thee, lord of Greece,

130

130         She is as far high-soaring o’er thy praises

               As thou¹³¹ unworthy to be called her servant.

               I charge¹³² thee use her well, even for my charge,

               For, by the dreadful¹³³ Pluto, if thou dost not,

               Though the great bulk Achilles be thy guard,

135

135         I’ll cut thy throat.

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     O, be not moved,¹³⁶ Prince Troilus.

               Let me be privileged by my place¹³⁷ and message,

               To be a speaker free: when I am hence¹³⁸

               I’ll answer¹³⁹ to my lust. And know, my lord,

140

140         I’ll nothing do on charge.¹⁴⁰ To her own worth

               She shall be prized, but that¹⁴¹ you say ‘Be’t so’,

               I’ll speak it¹⁴² in my spirit and honour, ‘No.’

TROILUS

TROILUS     Come, to the port. I’ll tell thee, Diomed,

               This brave¹⁴⁴ shall oft make thee to hide thy head.—

145

145         Lady, give me your hand, and, as we walk,

               To our own selves bend we¹⁴⁶ our needful talk.

       [Exeunt Troilus, Cressida and Diomedes]

       Sound trumpet

PARIS

PARIS     Hark! Hector’s trumpet.

AENEAS

AENEAS     How have we spent this morning!

               The prince must think me tardy¹⁴⁹ and remiss,

150

150         That swore to ride before him in the field.

PARIS

PARIS     ’Tis Troilus’ fault: come, come, to field with him.

DEIPHOBUS

DEIPHOBUS     Let us make ready straight.

AENEAS

AENEAS     Yea, with a bridegroom’s fresh¹⁵³ alacrity,

               Let us address¹⁵⁴ to tend on Hector’s heels:

155

155         The glory of our Troy doth this day lie¹⁵⁵

               On his fair worth and single chivalry.¹⁵⁶

       Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 5]4.5

running scene 13

       Enter Ajax, armed, Achilles, Patroclus, Agamemnon, Menelaus, Ulysses, Nestor, Calchas and others

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON     Here art thou in appointment¹ fresh and fair,

               Anticipating² time. With starting courage,

               Give with thy trumpet a loud note to Troy,

               Thou dreadful Ajax, that the appallèd⁴ air

5

5             May pierce the head of the great combatant

               And hale⁶ him hither.

AJAX

AJAX     Thou, trumpet,⁷ there’s my purse.

               Now crack thy lungs, and split thy brazen⁸ pipe:

               Blow, villain,⁹ till thy spherèd bias cheek

10

10           Outswell the colic¹⁰ of puffed Aquilon.

               Come, stretch thy chest and let thy eyes spout blood.¹¹

               Thou blowest for¹² Hector. Trumpet sounds

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     No trumpet answers.

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     ’Tis but early days.¹⁴

15

15   

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON           Is not yond¹⁵ Diomed, with Calchas’ daughter?

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     ’Tis he, I ken¹⁶ the manner of his gait,

               He rises on the toe: that spirit of his

               In aspiration¹⁸ lifts him from the earth.

       [Enter Diomedes and Cressida]

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON     Is this the lady Cressid?

20

20   

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES           Even she.

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON     Most dearly²¹ welcome to the Greeks, sweet lady. Kisses her

NESTOR

NESTOR     Our general doth salute you with a kiss.

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     Yet²³ is the kindness but particular;

               ’Twere better she were kissed in general.²⁴

25

25   

NESTOR

NESTOR           And very courtly²⁵ counsel: I’ll begin. Kisses her

               So much for Nestor.

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     I’ll take that winter²⁷ from your lips, fair lady:

               Achilles bids you weicome. Kisses her

MENELAUS

MENELAUS     I had good argument²⁹ for kissing once.

30

30   

PATROCLUS

PATROCLUS           But that’s no argument³⁰ for kissing now;

               For thus popped³¹ Paris in his hardiment. Kisses her

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     O, deadly gall, and theme³² of all our scorns,

               For which we lose our heads³³ to gild his horns.

PATROCLUS

PATROCLUS     The first was Menelaus’ kiss, this, mine:

35

35           Patroclus kisses you. Kisses her again

MENELAUS

MENELAUS     O, this is trim!³⁶

PATROCLUS

PATROCLUS     Paris and I kiss evermore for³⁷ him.

MENELAUS

MENELAUS     I’ll have my kiss, sir.— Lady, by your leave.³⁸

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     In kissing, do you render³⁹ or receive?

40

40   

PATROCLUS

PATROCLUS           Both take and give.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     I’ll⁴¹ make my match to live,

               The kiss you take⁴² is better than you give:

               Therefore no kiss.

MENELAUS

MENELAUS     I’ll give you boot,⁴⁴ I’ll give you three for one.

45

45   

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA           You are an odd⁴⁵ man: give even or give none.

MENELAUS

MENELAUS     An odd⁴⁶ man, lady? Every man is odd.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     No, Paris is not; for you know ’tis true

               That you are odd⁴⁸ and he is even with you.

MENELAUS

MENELAUS     You fillip me o’th’head.⁴⁹

50

50   

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA           No, I’ll be sworn.

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     It were no match,⁵¹ your nail against his horn.

               May I, sweet lady, beg a kiss of you?

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     You may.

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     I do desire⁵⁴ it.

55

55   

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA           Why, beg then.

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     Why then for Venus’ sake, give me a kiss,

               When Helen is a maid⁵⁷ again, and his—

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     I am your debtor, claim it when ’tis due.⁵⁸

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     Never’s my day, and then a kiss⁵⁹ of you.

60

60   

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES           Lady, a word: I’ll bring you to your father.

NESTOR

NESTOR     A woman of quick sense.⁶¹

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     Fie,⁶² fie upon her!

               There’s a language in her eye, her cheek, her lip;

               Nay, her foot speaks, her wanton⁶⁴ spirits look out

65

65           At every joint and motive⁶⁵ of her body.

               O, these encounterers,⁶⁶ so glib of tongue,

               That give⁶⁷ a coasting welcome ere it comes,

               And wide unclasp⁶⁸ the tables of their thoughts

               To every tickling⁶⁹ reader! Set them down

70

70           For sluttish spoils of opportunity⁷⁰

               And daughters⁷¹ of the game.

       Exeunt [Diomedes and Cressida]

       Enter all of Troy: Hector, Paris, Aeneas, Helenus and Attendants. Flourish

ALL

ALL     The Trojans’ trumpet.

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON     Yonder comes the troop.

AENEAS

AENEAS     Hail, all you state⁷⁴ of Greece. What shall be done

75

75           To him that victory commands?⁷⁵ Or do you purpose

               A victor shall be known?⁷⁶ Will you the knights

               Shall to the edge⁷⁷ of all extremity

               Pursue each other, or shall be⁷⁸ divided

               By any voice or order of the field?

80

80           Hector bade⁸⁰ ask.

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON     Which way would Hector have it?

AENEAS

AENEAS     He cares not: he’ll obey conditions.⁸²

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     ’Tis done like Hector, but securely⁸³ done,

               A little proudly, and great deal disprizing⁸⁴

85

85           The knight opposed.

AENEAS

AENEAS     If not Achilles, sir, what is your name?

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     If not Achilles, nothing.

AENEAS

AENEAS     Therefore Achilles. But whate’er know this:

               In⁸⁹ the extremity of great and little,

90

90           Valour and pride excel themselves in Hector;

               The⁹¹ one almost as infinite as all,

               The other⁹² blank as nothing. Weigh him well,

               And that which looks like pride is courtesy.

               This Ajax is half⁹⁴ made of Hector’s blood,

95

95           In love whereof, half Hector stays at home:

               Half heart, half hand, half Hector comes to seek

               This blended knight, half Trojan and half Greek.

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     A maiden⁹⁸ battle, then? O, I perceive you.

       [Enter Diomedes]

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON     Here is Sir Diomed. Go, gentle⁹⁹ knight,

100

100         Stand by our Ajax: as you and Lord Aeneas

               Consent upon the order¹⁰¹ of their fight,

               So be it, either to the uttermost,¹⁰²

               Or else a breath.¹⁰³ The combatants being kin

               Half stints¹⁰⁴ their strife before their strokes begin. Ajax and Hector enter the lists

105

105 

ULYSSES

ULYSSES             They are opposed already.

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON     What Trojan is that same that looks so heavy?¹⁰⁶

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     The youngest son of Priam, a true knight,

               // They call him Troilus: //

               Not yet mature, yet matchless,¹⁰⁹ firm of word,

110

110         Speaking in deeds and deedless¹¹⁰ in his tongue;

               Not soon provoked nor being provoked soon calmed;

               His heart and hand both open and both free,¹¹²

               For what he has he gives, what thinks he shows;

               Yet gives he not till judgement guide his bounty,¹¹⁴

115

115         Nor dignifies an impare¹¹⁵ thought with breath:

               Manly as Hector, but more dangerous,

               For Hector in his blaze of wrath subscribes¹¹⁷

               To tender objects,¹¹⁸ but he in heat of action

               Is more vindicative¹¹⁹ than jealous love.

120

120         They call him Troilus, and on him erect¹²⁰

               A second hope as fairly built as Hector.

               Thus says Aeneas, one that knows the youth

               Even¹²³ to his inches, and with private soul

               Did in great Ilium thus translate¹²⁴ him to me.

       Alarum

125

125 

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON             They are in action.¹²⁵ Hector and Ajax fight

NESTOR

NESTOR     Now, Ajax, hold thine own!

TROILUS

TROILUS     Hector, thou sleep’st: awake thee!

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON     His blows are well disposed.¹²⁸ There, Ajax!

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     You must no more.¹²⁹

       Trumpets cease

130

130 

AENEAS

AENEAS             Princes, enough, so¹³⁰ please you.

AJAX

AJAX     I am not warm¹³¹ yet: let us fight again.

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     As Hector pleases.

HECTOR

HECTOR     Why, then will I no more:

               Thou art, great lord, my father’s sister’s son,

135

135         A cousin-german¹³⁵ to great Priam’s seed.

               The obligation of our blood forbids

               A gory emulation¹³⁷ ’twixt us twain:

               Were thy commixtion¹³⁸ Greek and Trojan so

               That thou couldst say ‘This hand is Grecian all,

140

140         And this is Trojan: the sinews of this leg

               All Greek, and this all Troy: my mother’s blood

               Runs on the dexter¹⁴² cheek, and this sinister

               Bounds in¹⁴³ my father’s’, by Jove multipotent,

               Thou shouldst not bear¹⁴⁴ from me a Greekish member

145

145         Wherein my sword had not impressure¹⁴⁵ made

               Of our rank¹⁴⁶ feud. But the just gods gainsay

               That any drop thou borrowed’st from thy mother,

               My sacred aunt, should by my mortal sword

               Be drained! Let me embrace thee, Ajax:

150

150         By him that thunders,¹⁵⁰ thou hast lusty arms;

               Hector would have them fall upon him thus.

               Cousin, all honour to thee! Embraces him

AJAX

AJAX     I thank thee, Hector.

               Thou art too gentle¹⁵⁴ and too free a man:

155

155         I came to kill thee, cousin, and bear hence

               A great addition¹⁵⁶ earnèd in thy death.

HECTOR

HECTOR     Not Neoptolemus¹⁵⁷ so mirable,

               On whose bright crest¹⁵⁸ Fame with her loud’st ‘Oyez’

               Cries ‘This is he’, couldst promise¹⁵⁹ to himself

160

160         A thought of added honour torn from Hector.

AENEAS

AENEAS     There is expectance¹⁶¹ here from both the sides,

               What further you will do.

HECTOR

HECTOR     We’ll answer it:

               The issue¹⁶⁴ is embracement. Ajax, farewell. Embraces Ajax

165

165 

AJAX

AJAX             If I might in entreaties find success —

               As seld¹⁶⁶ I have the chance — I would desire

               My famous cousin to our Grecian tents.

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     ’Tis Agamemnon’s wish, and great Achilles

               Doth long to see unarmed the valiant Hector.

170

170 

HECTOR

HECTOR             Aeneas, call my brother Troilus to me,

               And signify¹⁷¹ this loving interview

               To the¹⁷² expecters of our Trojan part:

               Desire them¹⁷³ home.— Give me thy hand, my cousin, To Ajax

               I will go eat with thee and see your knights.

       Agamemnon and the rest [come forward]

175

175 

AJAX

AJAX             Great Agamemnon comes to meet us here.

HECTOR

HECTOR     The worthiest of them tell me name by name: To Aeneas

               But for Achilles, mine own searching eyes

               Shall find him by his large and portly¹⁷⁸ size.

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON     Worthy of arms,¹⁷⁹ as welcome as to one

180

180         That would be rid of such an enemy —

               But that’s no welcome:¹⁸¹ understand more clear,

               What’s past and what’s to come is strewed with husks

               And formless ruin of oblivion,

               But in this extant¹⁸⁴ moment, faith and troth,

185

185         Strained purely¹⁸⁵ from all hollow bias-drawing,

               Bids thee, with most divine integrity,

               From heart¹⁸⁷ of very heart, great Hector, welcome.

HECTOR

HECTOR     I thank thee, most imperious¹⁸⁸ Agamemnon.

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON     My well-famed lord of Troy, no less to you. To Troilus

190

190 

MENELAUS

MENELAUS             Let me confirm my princely brother’s greeting:

               You brace¹⁹¹ of warlike brothers, welcome hither.

HECTOR

HECTOR     Who¹⁹² must we answer?

AENEAS

AENEAS     The noble Menelaus.

HECTOR

HECTOR     O, you, my lord? By Mars his gauntlet,¹⁹⁴ thanks!

195

195         Mock not, that I affect¹⁹⁵ th’untraded oath:

               Your quondam¹⁹⁶ wife swears still by Venus’ glove.

               She’s well, but bade me not¹⁹⁷ commend her to you.

MENELAUS

MENELAUS     Name her not now, sir: she’s a deadly theme.¹⁹⁸

HECTOR

HECTOR     O, pardon: I offend.

200

200 

NESTOR

NESTOR             I have, thou gallant Trojan, seen thee oft,

               Labouring for destiny,²⁰¹ make cruel way

               Through ranks of Greekish youth, and I have seen thee,

               As hot²⁰³ as Perseus, spur thy Phrygian steed,

               And seen thee scorning forfeits and subduements,²⁰⁴

205

205         When thou hast hung²⁰⁵ thy advancèd sword i’th’air,

               Not letting it decline²⁰⁶ on the declined,

               That²⁰⁷ I have said unto my standers-by,

               ‘Lo, Jupiter is yonder, dealing life!’

               And I have seen thee pause and take thy breath,

210

210         When that a ring of Greeks have hemmed thee in,

               Like an Olympian²¹¹ wrestling. This have I seen,

               But this thy countenance, still²¹² locked in steel,

               I never saw till now. I knew thy grandsire,

               And once fought with him: he was a soldier good,

215

215         But, by great Mars, the captain of us all,

               Never like thee. Let an old man embrace thee,

               And, worthy warrior, welcome to our tents.

AENEAS

AENEAS     ’Tis the old Nestor.

HECTOR

HECTOR     Let me embrace thee, good old chronicle,²¹⁹

220

220         That hast so long walked hand in hand with time:

               Most reverend Nestor, I am glad to clasp²²¹ thee.

NESTOR

NESTOR     I would my arms²²² could match thee in contention,

               As they contend²²³ with thee in courtesy.

HECTOR

HECTOR     I would they could.

225

225 

NESTOR

NESTOR             Ha?

               By this white beard, I’d fight with thee tomorrow.

               Well, welcome, welcome! I have seen the time.²²⁷

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     I wonder now how yonder city stands

               When we have here her base²²⁹ and pillar by us.

230

230 

HECTOR

HECTOR             I know your favour,²³⁰ Lord Ulysses, well.

               Ah, sir, there’s many a Greek and Trojan dead,

               Since first I saw yourself and Diomed

               In Ilium, on your Greekish embassy.²³³

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     Sir, I foretold you then what would ensue:

235

235         My prophecy is but half²³⁵ his journey yet;

               For yonder walls, that pertly²³⁶ front your town,

               Yond towers, whose wanton²³⁷ tops do buss the clouds,

               Must kiss their own feet.

HECTOR

HECTOR     I must not believe you:

240

240         There they stand yet, and modestly²⁴⁰ I think,

               The fall of every Phrygian²⁴¹ stone will cost

               A drop of Grecian blood: the²⁴² end crowns all,

               And that old common arbitrator,²⁴³ Time,

               Will one day end it.

245

245 

ULYSSES

ULYSSES             So to him²⁴⁵ we leave it.

               Most gentle and most valiant Hector, welcome:

               After the general, I beseech you next

               To feast with me and see me at my tent.

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     I shall forestall²⁴⁹ thee, Lord Ulysses, thou!

250

250         Now, Hector, I have fed mine eyes on thee,

               I have with exact²⁵¹ view perused thee, Hector,

               And quoted²⁵² joint by joint.

HECTOR

HECTOR     Is this Achilles?

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     I am Achilles.

255

255 

HECTOR

HECTOR             Stand fair,²⁵⁵ I prithee: let me look on thee.

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     Behold thy fill.

HECTOR

HECTOR     Nay, I have done already.

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     Thou art too brief: I will the second time,

               As²⁵⁹ I would buy thee, view thee limb by limb.

260

260 

HECTOR

HECTOR             O, like a book of sport²⁶⁰ thou’lt read me o’er:

               But there’s more in me than thou understand’st.

               Why dost thou so oppress²⁶² me with thine eye?

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     Tell me, you heavens, in which part of his body

               Shall I destroy him? Whether there, or there, or there. Points

265

265         That I may give the local²⁶⁵ wound a name

               And make distinct²⁶⁶ the very breach whereout

               Hector’s great spirit²⁶⁷ flew. Answer me, heavens!

HECTOR

HECTOR     It would discredit the blest gods, proud man,

               To answer such a question. Stand again;²⁶⁹

270

270         Think’st thou to catch²⁷⁰ my life so pleasantly

               As to prenominate²⁷¹ in nice conjecture

               Where thou wilt hit me dead?

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     I tell thee, yea.

HECTOR

HECTOR     Wert thou the oracle to tell me so,

275

275         I’d not believe thee. Henceforth guard thee well,

               For I’ll not kill thee there, nor there, nor there,

               But, by the forge that stithied²⁷⁷ Mars his helm,

               I’ll kill thee everywhere, yea, o’er and o’er.

               You wisest Grecians, pardon me this brag:

280

280         His insolence draws folly from my lips,

               But I’ll endeavour deeds to match these words,

               Or may I never—

AJAX

AJAX     Do not chafe thee,²⁸³ cousin:

               And you, Achilles, let these threats alone,

285

285         Till accident²⁸⁵ or purpose bring you to’t.

               You may every day enough of Hector

               If you have stomach.²⁸⁷ The general state, I fear,

               Can scarce entreat²⁸⁸ you to be odd with him.

HECTOR

HECTOR     I pray you let us see you in the field:

290

290         We have had pelting²⁹⁰ wars, since you refused

               The Grecians’ cause.

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     Dost thou entreat me, Hector?

               Tomorrow do I meet thee, fell²⁹³ as death:

               Tonight all friends.

295

295 

HECTOR

HECTOR             Thy hand upon that match.²⁹⁵

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON     First, all you peers²⁹⁶ of Greece, go to my tent:

               There in²⁹⁷ the full convive you. Afterwards,

               As Hector’s leisure and your bounties²⁹⁸ shall

               Concur together, severally²⁹⁹ entreat him.

300

300         Beat loud the taborins,³⁰⁰ let the trumpets blow,

               That this great soldier may his welcome know.

       Exeunt. [Troilus and Ulysses remain]

TROILUS

TROILUS     My lord Ulysses, tell me, I beseech you,

               In what place of the field doth Calchas keep?³⁰³

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     At Menelaus’ tent, most princely Troilus:

305

305         There Diomed doth feast with him tonight,

               Who neither looks on heaven nor on earth,

               But gives all gaze and bent³⁰⁷ of amorous view

               On the fair Cressid.

TROILUS

TROILUS     Shall I, sweet lord, be bound³⁰⁹ to thee so much,

310

310         After we part from Agamemnon’s tent,

               To bring me thither?

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     You shall command me, sir.

               As gentle³¹³ tell me, of what honour was

               This Cressida in Troy? Had she no lover there

315

315         That wails her absence?

TROILUS

TROILUS     O, sir, to such as³¹⁶ boasting show their scars

               A mock³¹⁷ is due. Will you walk on, my lord?

               She was beloved, she loved; she is, and doth:³¹⁸

               But still³¹⁹ sweet love is food for fortune’s tooth.

       Exeunt

[Act 5 Scene 1]5.1

running scene 14

       Enter Achilles and Patroclus

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     I’ll heat his blood with Greekish wine tonight,

               Which with my scimitar² I’ll cool tomorrow.

               Patroclus, let us feast him to the height.

PATROCLUS

PATROCLUS     Here comes Thersites.

       Enter Thersites

5

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     How now, thou core⁵ of envy!

               Thou crusty⁶ batch of nature, what’s the news?

THERSITES

THERSITES     Why, thou picture⁷ of what thou seem’st, and idol of idiot worshippers, here’s a letter for thee. Gives a letter

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     From whence, fragment?⁹

THERSITES

THERSITES     Why, thou full dish of fool,¹⁰ from Troy.

PATROCLUS

PATROCLUS     Who keeps the tent¹¹ now?

THERSITES

THERSITES     The surgeon’s box¹² or the patient’s wound.

PATROCLUS

PATROCLUS     Well said, adversity,¹³ and what need these tricks?

THERSITES

THERSITES     Prithee be silent, boy: I profit not by thy talk: thou art thought to be Achilles’ male varlet.¹⁵

PATROCLUS

PATROCLUS     Male varlet, you rogue? What’s that?

THERSITES

THERSITES     Why, his masculine whore. Now, the rotten diseases,¹⁷ of the south, guts-griping¹⁸ ruptures, catarrhs, loads o’gravel i’th’back, lethargies, cold palsies¹⁹ and the like, take and take again such preposterous discoveries.

PATROCLUS

PATROCLUS     Why thou damnable box²⁰ of envy, thou, what mean’st thou to curse thus?

THERSITES

THERSITES     Do I curse thee?

PATROCLUS

PATROCLUS     Why no, you ruinous²³ butt, you whoreson indistinguishable cur.

THERSITES

THERSITES     No? Why art thou then exasperate,²⁴ thou idle immaterial skein of sleaved silk, thou green sarcenet²⁵ flap for a sore eye, thou tassel of a prodigal’s purse, thou? Ah, how the poor world is pestered²⁶ with such waterflies, diminutives of nature!

PATROCLUS

PATROCLUS     Out,²⁸ gall!

THERSITES

THERSITES     Finch-egg!²⁹

30

30   

ACHILLES

ACHILLES           My sweet Patroclus, I am thwarted quite

               From my great purpose in tomorrow’s battle.

               Here is a letter from Queen Hecuba,

               A token from her daughter,³³ my fair love,

               Both taxing³⁴ me and gaging me to keep

35

35           An oath that I have sworn. I will not break it:

               Fall Greeks,³⁶ fail fame, honour or go or stay,

               My major vow lies here, this I’ll obey.

               Come, come, Thersites, help to trim³⁸ my tent:

               This night in banqueting must all be spent.

40

40           Away, Patroclus!

       Exeunt [Achilles and Patroclus]

THERSITES

THERSITES     With too much blood,⁴¹ and too little brain, these two may run mad: but if with too much brain and too little blood they do, I’ll be a curer of madmen. Here’s Agamemnon, an honest fellow⁴³ enough and one that loves quails, but he has not so much brain as earwax; and the goodly transformation of Jupiter⁴⁴ there, his brother, the bull — the primitive statue⁴⁵ and oblique memorial of cuckolds, a thrifty shoeing-horn⁴⁶ in a chain, hanging at his brother’s leg — to what form but that he is should wit⁴⁷ larded with malice and malice forced with wit turn him to? To an ass, were nothing: he is both ass and ox. To an ox, were nothing: he is both ox and ass. To be a dog, a mule, a cat, a fitchew⁴⁹ a toad, a lizard, an owl, a puttock, or a herring without a roe, I would not care: but to be,⁵⁰ Menelaus, I would conspire against destiny. Ask me not what I would be if I were not Thersites, for I care⁵¹ not to be the louse of a lazar, so I were not Menelaus. Hoy-day⁵² spirits and fires!

       Enter Hector, Ajax, Agamemnon, Ulysses, Nestor, Diomedes, [Troilus and Menelaus,] with lights

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON     We go wrong, we go wrong.

AJAX

AJAX     No, yonder ’tis: there, where we see the light.

55

55   

HECTOR

HECTOR           I trouble you.

AJAX

AJAX     No, not a whit.

       Enter Achilles

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     Here comes himself to guide you.

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     Welcome, brave Hector. Welcome, princes all.

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON     So now, fair prince of Troy, I bid goodnight.

60

60           Ajax commands the guard to tend on⁶⁰ you.

HECTOR

HECTOR     Thanks and goodnight to the Greeks’ general.

MENELAUS

MENELAUS     Goodnight, my lord.

HECTOR

HECTOR     Goodnight, sweet lord Menelaus.

THERSITES

THERSITES     Sweet draught.⁶⁴ ‘Sweet’ quoth a? Sweet sink, sweet sewer. Aside

65

65   

ACHILLES

ACHILLES           Goodnight and welcome, both at once, to those

               That go or tarry.

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON     Goodnight.

       [Exeunt Agamemnon and Menelaus]

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     Old Nestor tarries, and you too, Diomed,

               Keep Hector company an hour or two.

70

70   

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES           I cannot, lord. I have important business,

               The tide whereof⁷¹ is now.— Goodnight, great Hector.

HECTOR

HECTOR     Give me your hand.

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     Follow his torch; he goes to Calchas’ tent: Aside to Troilus

               I’ll keep you company.

75

TROILUS

TROILUS     Sweet sir, you honour me.

HECTOR

HECTOR     And so, goodnight.

       [Exit Diomedes, with Ulysses and Troilus following]

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     Come, come, enter my tent.

       Exeunt [Achilles, Hector, Ajax and Nestor]

THERSITES

THERSITES     That same Diomed’s a false-hearted rogue, a most unjust.⁷⁸ knave; I will no more trust him when he leers⁷⁹ than I will a serpent when he hisses: he will spend his mouth and promise like Brabbler⁸⁰ the hound; but when he performs, astronomers foretell it:⁸¹ that it is prodigious, there will come some change. The sun borrows of⁸² the moon when Diomed keeps his word. I will rather leave to see Hector than not to dog him⁸³ They say he keeps a Trojan drab, and uses the traitor Calchas his tent. I’ll after. Nothing but lechery! All incontinent⁸⁴ varlets!

       Exit

[Act 5 Scene 2]5.2

running scene 15

       Enter Diomedes

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     What, are you up here, ho? Speak.

CALCHAS

CALCHAS     Who calls? Within

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     Diomed. Calchas, I think. Where’s your daughter?

CALCHAS

CALCHAS     She comes to you. Within

       Enter Troilus and Ulysses [at a distance, with Thersites following]
Troilus and Ulysses speak aside throughout the scene

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     Stand where the torch may not discover⁵ us.

       Enter Cressida

TROILUS

TROILUS     Cressid comes forth to him.

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     How now, my charge?⁷

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Now, my sweet guardian! Hark, a word with you. They whisper

TROILUS

TROILUS     Yea, so familiar?

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     She will sing¹⁰ any man at first sight.

THERSITES

THERSITES     And any man may sing her, if he can take her clef:¹¹ she’s noted. Aside

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     Will you remember?

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Remember? Yes.

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     Nay, but do, then;

15

15           And let your mind be coupled with your words.

TROILUS

TROILUS     What should she remember?

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     List!¹⁷

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Sweet honey Greek, tempt me no more to folly.¹⁸

THERSITES

THERSITES     Roguery!

20

20   

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES           Nay, then—

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     I’ll tell you what—

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     Foh, foh! Come, tell a pin:²² you are a forsworn – – – –.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     In faith, I cannot. What would you have me do?

THERSITES

THERSITES     A juggling trick²⁴ — to be secretly open. Aside

25

25   

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES           What did you swear you would bestow on me?

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     I prithee do not hold me to mine oath:

               Bid me do anything but that, sweet Greek.

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     Goodnight.

TROILUS

TROILUS     Hold, patience!

30

30   

ULYSSES

ULYSSES           How now, Trojan?

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Diomed—

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     No, no, goodnight: I’ll be your fool³² no more.

TROILUS

TROILUS     Thy better³³ must.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Hark, one word in your ear.

35

35   

TROILUS

TROILUS           O, plague and madness!

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     You are moved,³⁶ prince. Let us depart, I pray you,

               Lest your displeasure should enlarge itself

               To wrathful terms:³⁸ this place is dangerous;

               The time right deadly. I beseech you go.

40

40   

TROILUS

TROILUS           Behold, I pray you!

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     Nay, good my lord, go off:⁴¹

               You flow⁴² to great distraction. Come, my lord!

TROILUS

TROILUS     I pray thee, stay.

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     You have not patience. Come.

45

45   

TROILUS

TROILUS           I pray you, stay. By hell and hell-torments

               I will not speak a word!

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     And so, goodnight.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Nay, but you part in anger.

TROILUS

TROILUS     Doth that grieve⁴⁹ thee? O withered truth!

50

50   

ULYSSES

ULYSSES           Why, how now, lord?

TROILUS

TROILUS     By Jove, I will be patient.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Guardian! Why, Greek!

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     Foh, foh! Adieu: you palter.⁵³

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     In faith, I do not: come hither once again.

55

55   

ULYSSES

ULYSSES           You shake, my lord, at something; will you go?

               You will break out.⁵⁶

TROILUS

TROILUS     She strokes his cheek!

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     Come, come.

TROILUS

TROILUS     Nay, stay. By Jove, I will not speak a word:

60

60           There is between my will⁶⁰ and all offences

               A guard of patience; stay a little while.

THERSITES

THERSITES     Aside How the devil Luxury,⁶² with his fat rump and potato-finger, tickles these together! Fry,⁶³ lechery, fry!

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     But will you, then?

65

65   

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA           In faith, I will, lo!⁶⁵ Never trust me else.

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     Give me some token⁶⁶ for the surety of it.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     I’ll fetch you one.

       Exit

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     You have sworn patience.

TROILUS

TROILUS     Fear me not, sweet lord.

70

70           I will not be myself,⁷⁰ nor have cognition

               Of what I feel: I am all patience.

       Enter Cressida [with Troilus’ sleeve]

THERSITES

THERSITES     Now the pledge: now, now, now!

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Here, Diomed, keep this sleeve. She may give him the sleeve

TROILUS

TROILUS     O beauty! Where is thy faith?

75

75   

ULYSSES

ULYSSES           My lord—

TROILUS

TROILUS     I will be patient: outwardly I will.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     You look upon that sleeve? Behold it well.

               He loved me — O false wench! — Give’t me again.

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     Whose was’t? She may take back the sleeve

80

80   

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA           It is no matter, now I have’t again.

               I will not meet with you tomorrow night:

               I prithee, Diomed, visit me no more.

THERSITES

THERSITES     Now she sharpens:⁸³ well said, whetstone! Aside

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     I shall have it.

85

85   

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA           What, this?

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     Ay, that. He may take the sleeve

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     O, all you gods! O pretty, pretty pledge!

               Thy master now lies thinking in his bed

               Of thee and me, and sighs, and takes my glove,

90

90           And gives memorial⁹⁰ dainty kisses to it,

               As I kiss thee.⁹¹ She may attempt to take back the sleeve

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     Nay, do not snatch it from me.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     He that takes that takes my heart withal.⁹³

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     I had your heart before, this follows it.

95

95   

TROILUS

TROILUS           I did swear patience.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     You shall not have it, Diomed — faith, you shall not:

               I’ll give you something else.

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     I will have this. Whose was it?

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     It is no matter.

100

100 

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES             Come, tell me whose it was.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     ’Twas one that loved me better than you will.

               But, now you have it, take it.

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     Whose was it?

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     By all Diana’s waiting-women¹⁰⁴ yond,

105

105         And by herself, I will not tell you whose.

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     Tomorrow will I wear it on my helm,

               And grieve¹⁰⁷ his spirit that dares not challenge it.

TROILUS

TROILUS     Wert thou the devil, and wor’st¹⁰⁸ it on thy horn,

               It should be challenged.

110

110 

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA             Well, well, ’tis done, ’tis past. And yet it is not:

               I will not keep my word.

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     Why then, farewell:

               Thou never shalt mock Diomed again.

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     You shall not go: one cannot speak a word,

115

115         But it straight starts you.¹¹⁵

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     I do not like this fooling.

THERSITES

THERSITES     Nor I, by Pluto: but that that likes¹¹⁷ not me pleases me best. Aside

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     What, shall I come? The hour?

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Ay, come — O Jove! — do come — I shall be plagued.¹¹⁹

120

120 

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES             Farewell till then.

       Exit

CRESSIDA

CRESSIDA     Goodnight: I prithee come.

               Troilus, farewell! One eye yet looks on thee,

               But with¹²³ my heart the other eye doth see.

               Ah, poor our¹²⁴ sex! This fault in us I find,

125

125         The error¹²⁵ of our eye directs our mind:

               What¹²⁶ error leads must err. O, then conclude

               Minds swayed¹²⁷ by eyes are full of turpitude.

       Exit

THERSITES

THERSITES     A proof¹²⁸ of strength she could not publish more,

               Unless she say ‘My mind is now turned whore.’

130

130 

ULYSSES

ULYSSES             All’s done,¹³⁰ my lord.

TROILUS

TROILUS     It is.

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     Why stay we then?

TROILUS

TROILUS     To make a recordation¹³³ to my soul

               Of every syllable that here was spoke.

135

135         But if I tell how these two did co-act,¹³⁵

               Shall I not lie in publishing a truth?

               Sith¹³⁷ yet there is a credence in my heart,

               An esperance¹³⁸ so obstinately strong,

               That doth invert that test¹³⁹ of eyes and ears,

140

140         As if those organs had deceptious¹⁴⁰ functions,

               Created only to calumniate.¹⁴¹

               Was Cressid here?

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     I cannot conjure,¹⁴³ Trojan.

TROILUS

TROILUS     She was not, sure.

145

145 

ULYSSES

ULYSSES             Most sure she was.

TROILUS

TROILUS     Why, my negation¹⁴⁶ hath no taste of madness.

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     Nor mine, my lord: Cressid was here but¹⁴⁷ now.

TROILUS

TROILUS     Let it not be believed for¹⁴⁸ womanhood!

               Think, we had mothers; do not give advantage¹⁴⁹

150

150         To stubborn critics, apt, without a¹⁵⁰ theme

               For depravation, to square the general sex

               By Cressid’s rule: rather think this not Cressid.

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     What hath she done, prince, that can soil¹⁵³ our mothers?

TROILUS

TROILUS     Nothing at all, unless that this were she.

155

155 

THERSITES

THERSITES             Will he swagger¹⁵⁵ himself out on’s own eyes? Aside

TROILUS

TROILUS     This she? No, this is Diomed’s Cressida.

               If beauty have a soul, this is not she:

               If souls guide vows, if vows are sanctimony,¹⁵⁸

               If sanctimony be the gods’ delight,

160

160         If there¹⁶⁰ be rule in unity itself,

               This is not she: O madness of discourse,¹⁶¹

               That¹⁶² cause sets up with and against thyself

               By¹⁶³ foul authority, where reason can revolt

               Without perdition,¹⁶⁴ and loss assume all reason

165

165         Without revolt!¹⁶⁵ This is and is not Cressid.

               Within my soul there doth conduce¹⁶⁶ a fight

               Of this strange nature, that a thing¹⁶⁷ inseparate

               Divides more wider¹⁶⁸ than the sky and earth,

               And yet the spacious breadth of this division

170

170         Admits¹⁷⁰ no orifex for a point as subtle

               As Ariachne’s¹⁷¹ broken woof to enter.

               Instance,¹⁷² O instance, strong as Pluto’s gates,

               Cressid is mine, tied with the bonds of heaven:

               Instance, O instance, strong as heaven itself,

175

175         The bonds of heaven are slipped,¹⁷⁵ dissolved and loosed,

               And with another knot, five-finger-tied,¹⁷⁶

               The fractions¹⁷⁷ of her faith, orts of her love,

               The fragments, scraps, the bits and greasy relics

               Of her o’er-eaten¹⁷⁹ faith, are bound to Diomed.

180

180 

ULYSSES

ULYSSES             May¹⁸⁰ worthy Troilus be half attached

               With that which here his passion doth express?

TROILUS

TROILUS     Ay, Greek, and that shall be divulgèd well

               In characters as red¹⁸³ as Mars his heart

               Inflamed with Venus. Never did young man fancy¹⁸⁴

185

185         With so eternal and so fixed a soul.

               Hark, Greek: as much as I do Cressid love,

               So much by weight¹⁸⁷ hate I her Diomed.

               That sleeve is mine that he’ll bear in his helm:

               Were it a casque¹⁸⁹ composed by Vulcan’s skill

190

190         My sword should bite it. Not the dreadful spout¹⁹⁰

               Which shipmen do the hurricano call,

               Constringed¹⁹² in mass by the almighty Fenne,

               Shall dizzy with more clamour Neptune’s ear

               In his¹⁹⁴ descent than shall my prompted sword

195

195         Falling on Diomed.

THERSITES

THERSITES     He’ll¹⁹⁶ tickle it for his concupy. Aside

TROILUS

TROILUS     O Cressid! O false Cressid! False, false, false!

               Let all untruths stand by¹⁹⁸ thy stainèd name,

               And they’ll seem glorious.

200

200 

ULYSSES

ULYSSES             O, contain yourself:

               Your passion draws ears hither.

       Enter Aeneas

AENEAS

AENEAS     I have been seeking you this hour, my lord.

               Hector, by this,²⁰³ is arming him in Troy.

               Ajax, your guard, stays²⁰⁴ to conduct you home.

205

205 

TROILUS

TROILUS             Have with you,²⁰⁵ prince.— My courteous lord, adieu.

               Farewell, revolted fair!²⁰⁶ And, Diomed,

               Stand fast,²⁰⁷ and wear a castle on thy head!

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     I’ll bring you to the gates.

TROILUS

TROILUS     Accept distracted²⁰⁹ thanks.

       Exeunt Troilus, Aeneas and Ulysses

THERSITES

THERSITES     Would I could meet that rogue Diomed! I would croak like a raven:,²¹⁰ I would bode²¹¹ I would bode. Patroclus will give me anything for the intelligence of this whore. The parrot²¹² will not do more for an almond than he for a commodious drab. Lechery, lechery, still wars and lechery: nothing else holds fashion. A burning devil take them!

       [Exit]

[Act 5 Scene 3]5.3

running scene 16

       Enter Hector and Andromache

ANDROMACHE

ANDROMACHE     When was my lord so much ungently tempered,¹

               To stop his ears against admonishment?

               Unarm, unarm, and do not fight today.

HECTOR

HECTOR     You train⁴ me to offend you: get you gone.

5

5             By all the everlasting gods, I’ll go!

ANDROMACHE

ANDROMACHE     My dreams will, sure, prove ominous to⁶ the day.

HECTOR

HECTOR     No more, I say.

       Enter Cassandra

CASSANDRA

CASSANDRA     Where is my brother Hector?

ANDROMACHE

ANDROMACHE     Here, sister, armed and bloody⁹ in intent.

10

10           Consort¹⁰ with me in loud and dear petition,

               Pursue we him on knees: for I have dreamt

               Of bloody turbulence, and this whole night

               Hath nothing been but shapes and forms of slaughter.

CASSANDRA

CASSANDRA     O, ’tis true.

15

15   

HECTOR

HECTOR           Ho! Bid my trumpet¹⁵ sound!

CASSANDRA

CASSANDRA     No notes of sally,¹⁶ for the heavens, sweet brother.

HECTOR

HECTOR     Be gone, I say: the gods have heard me swear.

CASSANDRA

CASSANDRA     The gods are deaf to hot and peevish¹⁸ vows:

               They are polluted off’rings, more abhorred

20

20           Than spotted²⁰ livers in the sacrifice.

ANDROMACHE

ANDROMACHE     O, be persuaded! Do not count it holy

               To hurt by being just:²² it is as lawful,

               For²³ we would give much, to use violent thefts,

               And rob in the behalf of charity.

25

25   

CASSANDRA

CASSANDRA           It is the purpose²⁵ that makes strong the vow;

               But vows to every purpose²⁶ must not hold:

               Unarm, sweet Hector.

HECTOR

HECTOR     Hold you still, I say;

               Mine honour keeps²⁹ the weather of my fate:

30

30           Life³⁰ every man holds dear, but the dear man

               Holds honour far more precious, dear,³¹ than life.—

       Enter Troilus

               How now, young man? Mean’st thou to fight today?

ANDROMACHE

ANDROMACHE     Cassandra, call my father³³ to persuade.

       Exit Cassandra

HECTOR

HECTOR     No, faith, young Troilus; doff³⁴ thy harness, youth:

35

35           I am today i’th’vein of³⁵ chivalry.

               Let grow thy sinews till their knots be strong,

               And tempt³⁷ not yet the brushes of the war.

               Unarm thee, go, and doubt thou not, brave boy,

               I’ll stand today for thee and me and Troy.

40

40   

TROILUS

TROILUS           Brother, you have a vice of mercy in you,

               Which better fits a lion⁴¹ than a man.

HECTOR

HECTOR     What vice is that? Good Troilus, chide me for it.

TROILUS

TROILUS     When many times the captive⁴³ Grecian falls,

               Even in the fan and wind⁴⁴ of your fair sword,

45

45           You bid them rise and live.

HECTOR

HECTOR     O, ’tis fair play.

TROILUS

TROILUS     Fool’s play,⁴⁷ by heaven, Hector.

HECTOR

HECTOR     How now? How now?

TROILUS

TROILUS     For th’love of all the gods,

50

50           Let’s leave the hermit pity with our mothers,

               And when we have our armours buckled on,

               The venomed vengeance ride upon our swords,

               Spur them to ruthful⁵³ work, rein them from ruth.

HECTOR

HECTOR     Fie, savage, fie!

55

55   

TROILUS

TROILUS           Hector, then ’tis wars.⁵⁵

HECTOR

HECTOR     Troilus, I would not have you fight today.

TROILUS

TROILUS     Who should withhold me?

               Not fate, obedience, nor the hand of Mars

               Beck’ning with fiery truncheon⁵⁹ my retire;

60

60           Not Priamus and Hecuba on knees,

               Their eyes o’ergallèd⁶¹ with recourse of tears;

               Nor you, my brother, with your true sword drawn,

               Opposed to hinder me, should stop my way,

               But⁶⁴ by my ruin.

       Enter Priam and Cassandra

65

65   

CASSANDRA

CASSANDRA           Lay hold upon him, Priam, hold him fast:

               He is thy crutch; now if thou loose thy stay,⁶⁶

               Thou on him leaning, and all Troy on thee,

               Fall all together.

PRIAM

PRIAM     Come, Hector, come, go back:

70

70           Thy wife hath dreamt, thy mother hath had visions,

               Cassandra doth foresee, and I myself

               Am like a prophet suddenly enrapt⁷²

               To tell thee that this day is ominous:

               Therefore come back.

75

75   

HECTOR

HECTOR           Aeneas is afield,⁷⁵

               And I do stand engaged⁷⁶ to many Greeks,

               Even in the⁷⁷ faith of valour, to appear

               This morning to them.

PRIAM

PRIAM     Ay, but thou shalt not go.

80

80   

HECTOR

HECTOR           I must not break my faith.

               You know me dutiful: therefore, dear sir,

               Let me not shame respect;⁸² but give me leave

               To take that course by your consent and voice,

               Which you do here forbid me, royal Priam.

85

85   

CASSANDRA

CASSANDRA           O Priam, yield not to him!

ANDROMACHE

ANDROMACHE     Do not, dear father.

HECTOR

HECTOR     Andromache, I am offended with you:

               Upon the love you bear me, get you in.

       Exit Andromache

TROILUS

TROILUS     This⁸⁹ foolish, dreaming, superstitious girl

90

90           Makes all these bodements.⁹⁰

CASSANDRA

CASSANDRA     O, farewell, dear Hector!

               Look, how thou diest! Look, how thy eye turns pale!

               Look, how thy wounds do bleed at many vents!

               Hark, how Troy roars, how Hecuba cries out,

95

95           How poor Andromache shrills⁹⁵ her dolour forth!

               Behold, distraction,⁹⁶ frenzy and amazement,

               Like witless antics,⁹⁷ one another meet,

               And ail cry, ‘Hector! Hector’s dead! O Hector!’

TROILUS

TROILUS     Away! Away!

100

100 

CASSANDRA

CASSANDRA             Farewell. Yes, soft:¹⁰⁰ Hector, I take my leave;

               Thou dost thyself and all our Troy deceive.¹⁰¹

       Exit

HECTOR

HECTOR     You are amazed,¹⁰² my liege, at her exclaim.

               Go in and cheer¹⁰³ the town: we’ll forth and fight,

               Do deeds of praise and tell you them at night.

105

105 

PRIAM

PRIAM             Farewell. The gods with¹⁰⁵ safety stand about thee!

       [Exeunt Priam and Hector, separately.] Alarum

TROILUS

TROILUS     They are at it, hark! Proud Diomed, believe,

               I come to lose my arm, or win my sleeve.

       Enter Pandarus

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     Do you hear, my lord? Do you hear?

TROILUS

TROILUS     What now?

110

110 

PANDARUS

PANDARUS             Here’s a letter come from yond poor girl. Gives a letter

TROILUS

TROILUS     Let me read.

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     A whoreson tisick,.¹¹² a whoreson rascally tisick so troubles me, and the foolish fortune of this girl, and what one thing, what another, that I shall leave you one o’th’s¹¹⁴ days: and I have a rheum in mine eyes too, and such an ache in my bones that, unless a man were cursed, I cannot tell what to think on’t¹¹⁵ What says she there?

TROILUS

TROILUS     Words, words, mere words, no matter from the heart;

               Th’effect¹¹⁸ doth operate another way. Tears the letter

               Go, wind¹¹⁹ to wind, there turn and change together.

120

120         My love with words and errors¹²⁰ still she feeds;

               But edifies¹²¹ another with her deeds.

// PANDARUS

// PANDARUS     Why, but hear you? //

// TROILUS

// TROILUS     Hence,¹²³ brother lackey! Ignomy and shame //

               // Pursue thy life, and live aye with thy name! //

       Alarum.

       Exeunt

[Act 5 Scene 4]5.4

running scene 17

       Enter Thersites in [the midst of an] excursion

THERSITES

THERSITES     Now they are clapper-clawing,¹ one another, I’ll go look on. That dissembling² abominable varlet, Diomed, has got that same scurvy, doting, foolish young knave’s sleeve of Troy there in his helm. I would fain³ see them meet, that that same young Trojan ass, that loves the whore there, might send that Greekish whore-masterly⁵ villain with the sleeve back to the dissembling luxurious drab⁶ of a sleeveless errand. O’th’t’other side, the policy of those crafty swearing,⁷ rascals — that stale old mouse-eaten dry cheese, Nestor, and that same dog-fox⁸ Ulysses — is not proved worth a blackberry. They set me up in policy that mongrel cur, Ajax, against that dog of as bad a kind, Achilles. And now is the cur Ajax prouder than the cur Achilles, and will not arm today, whereupon the Grecians begin to proclaim barbarism,¹¹ and policy grows into an ill opinion.

       Enter Diomedes and Troilus

               Soft! Here comes sleeve, and th’other.

TROILUS

TROILUS     Fly not, for shouldst thou take¹³ the river Styx,

               I would swim after.

15

15   

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES           Thou dost miscall retire:¹⁵

               I do not fly, but advantageous care¹⁶

               Withdrew me from the odds of multitude.¹⁷

               Have at thee!¹⁸

THERSITES

THERSITES     Hold¹⁹ thy whore, Grecian! Now for thy whore,

20

20           Trojan! Now the sleeve, now the sleeve!

       [Exeunt Troilus and Diomedes, fighting]

       Enter Hector

HECTOR

HECTOR     What art thou, Greek? Art thou for Hector’s match?²¹

               Art thou of blood²² and honour?

THERSITES

THERSITES     No, no. I am a rascal, a scurvy railing knave, a very filthy²³ rogue.

HECTOR

HECTOR     I do believe thee: live.

       [Exit]

THERSITES

THERSITES     God-a-mercy,.²⁵ that thou wilt believe me; but a plague break thy neck for frighting me! What’s become of the wenching,²⁶ rogues? I think they have swallowed one another: I would laugh at that miracle — yet, in a sort²⁷ lechery eats itself²⁸ I’ll seek them.

       Exit

[Act 5 Scene 5]

running scene 17 continues

       Enter Diomedes and Servants

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     Go, go, my servant, take thou Troilus’ horse;

               Present the fair steed to my lady Cressid.

               Fellow, commend³ my service to her beauty;

               Tell her I have chastised the amorous Trojan,

5

5             And am her knight by proof.⁵

SERVANT

SERVANT     I go, my lord.

       [Exit]

       Enter Agamemnon

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON     Renew,⁷ renew! The fierce Polydamas

               Hath beat down Menon: bastard Margarelon⁸

               Hath Doreus prisoner,

10

10           And stands colossus-wise,¹⁰ waving his beam,

               Upon the pashèd¹¹ corpses of the kings

               Epistrophus and Cedius: Polyxenes is slain,

               Amphimachus and Thoas deadly hurt,

               Patroclus ta’en¹⁴ or slain, and Palamedes

15

15           Sore hurt and bruisèd. The dreadful¹⁵ sagittary

               Appals¹⁶ our numbers: haste we, Diomed,

               To reinforcement,¹⁷ or we perish all.

       Enter Nestor [and Soldiers]

NESTOR

NESTOR     Go, bear Patroclus’ body to Achilles,

               And bid the snail-paced Ajax arm for shame.

20

20           There is a thousand Hectors in the field:

               Now here he fights on Galathe his horse,

               And there lacks work: anon²² he’s there afoot,

               And there they fly or die, like scalèd sculls²³

               Before the belching²⁴ whale; then is he yonder,

25

25           And there the straying Greeks, ripe for his edge,²⁵

               Fall down before him, like the mower’s²⁶ swathe.

               Here, there, and everywhere, he leaves and takes,²⁷

               Dexterity so obeying appetite²⁸

               That what he will he does, and does so much

30

30           That proof³⁰ is called impossibility.

       Enter Ulysses

ULYSSES

ULYSSES     O, courage, courage, princes! Great Achilles

               Is arming, weeping, cursing, vowing vengeance:

               Patroclus’ wounds have roused his drowsy blood,

               Together with his manglèd Myrmidons,³⁴

35

35           That noseless, handless, hacked and chipped, come to him,

               Crying on³⁶ Hector. Ajax hath lost a friend

               And foams at mouth, and he is armed and at it,

               Roaring for Troilus, who hath done today

               Mad³⁹ and fantastic execution,

40

40           Engaging⁴⁰ and redeeming of himself

               With such a careless⁴¹ force and forceless care

               As if that luck,⁴² in very spite of cunning,

               Bade him win all.

       Enter Ajax

AJAX

AJAX     Troilus, thou coward Troilus!

       Exit

45

45   

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES           Ay, there, there.

NESTOR

NESTOR     So, so, we draw together.⁴⁶

       Exit

       Enter Achilles

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     Where is this Hector?

               Come, come, thou boy-queller,⁴⁸ show thy face:

               Know what it is to meet Achilles angry.

50

50           Hector? Where’s Hector? I will none⁵⁰ but Hector.

       Exit

[Act 5 Scene 6]

running scene 17 continues

       Enter Ajax

AJAX

AJAX     Troilus, thou coward Troilus, show thy head!

       Enter Diomedes

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     Troilus, I say! Where’s Troilus?

AJAX

AJAX     What wouldst thou?

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     I would correct⁴ him.

5

AJAX

AJAX     Were I the general, thou shouldst have my office⁵

               Ere that correction.⁶— Troilus, I say! What, Troilus!

       Enter Troilus

TROILUS

TROILUS     O traitor Diomed! Turn thy false face, thou traitor,

               And pay thy life thou owest me for my horse!

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     Ha, art thou there?

10

10   

AJAX

AJAX           I’ll fight with him alone: stand,¹⁰ Diomed.

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     He is my prize:¹¹ I will not look upon.

TROILUS

TROILUS     Come, both you cogging¹² Greeks, have at you both!

       Exeunt Troilus [fighting Diomedes and Ajax]

       Enter Hector

HECTOR

HECTOR     Yea, Troilus? O, well fought, my youngest brother!

       Enter Achilles Pursuing Hector

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     Now do I see thee! Have at thee, Hector! They fight

15

15   

HECTOR

HECTOR           Pause, if thou wilt.¹⁵

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     I do disdain thy courtesy, proud Trojan;

               Be happy that my arms¹⁷ are out of use:

               My rest and negligence¹⁸ befriends thee now,

               But thou anon¹⁹ shalt hear of me again:

20

20           Till when, go seek thy fortune.

       Exit

HECTOR

HECTOR     Fare thee well:

               I would have been much more a fresher man,

               Had I expected thee.— How now, my brother!

       Enter Troilus

TROILUS

TROILUS     Ajax hath ta’en Aeneas. Shall it be?

25

25           No, by the flame²⁵ of yonder glorious heaven,

               He shall not carry²⁶ him: I’ll be ta’en too,

               Or bring him off.²⁷ Fate, hear me what I say:

               I reck²⁸ not though thou end my life today.

       Exit

       Enter one in armour

HECTOR

HECTOR     Stand, stand, thou Greek: thou art a goodly mark.²⁹

30

30           No? Wilt thou not? I like thy armour well:

               I’ll frush³¹ it and unlock the rivets all,

               But I’ll be master of it. Wilt thou not, beast, abide?

               Why then fly on, I’ll hunt thee for thy hide.³³

       Exeunt

[Act 5 Scene 7]

running scene 17 continues

       Enter Achilles with Myrmidons

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     Come here about me, you my Myrmidons.

               Mark what I say: attend² me where I wheel,

               Strike not a stroke, but keep yourselves in breath,³

               And when I have the bloody Hector found,

5

5             Empale⁵ him with your weapons round about,

               In fellest⁶ manner execute your arm.

               Follow me, sirs, and my proceedings⁷ eye:

               It is decreed Hector the great must die.

       Exeunt

[Act 5 Scene 8]

running scene 17 continues

       Enter Thersites [at a distance], Menelaus and Paris, [fighting]

THERSITES

THERSITES     The cuckold and the cuckold-maker are at it. Now, bull!¹ Now, dog! ’Loo, Paris, ’loo! Now my double-henned sparrow!² ’Loo, Paris, ’loo! The bull has the game: ’ware³ horns, ho!

       Exeunt Paris and Menelaus

       Enter Bastard [Margarelon]

MARGARELON

MARGARELON     Turn, slave,⁴ and fight.

THERSITES

THERSITES     What⁵ art thou?

MARGARELON

MARGARELON     A bastard son of Priam’s.

THERSITES

THERSITES     I am a bastard too: I love bastards. I am a bastard begot,.⁷ bastard instructed, bastard in mind, bastard in valour, in everything illegitimate. One bear will not bite another, and wherefore⁹ should one bastard? Take heed, the quarrel’s most ominous to us: if the son of a whore fight for a whore, he tempts judgement¹⁰ Farewell, bastard.

       [Exit]

MARGARELON

MARGARELON     The devil take thee, coward!

       Exit

[Act 5 Scene 9]

running scene 17 continues

       Enter Hector

HECTOR

HECTOR     Most putrefied core,¹ so fair without,

               Thy goodly armour thus hath cost thy life.

               Now is my day’s work done; I’ll take good breath.

               Rest, sword, thou hast thy fill of blood and death. Takes off his helmet and hangs his shield behind him

       Enter Achilles and his Myrmidons

5

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     Look, Hector, how the sun begins to set;

               How ugly night comes breathing at his heels:

               Even with the vail⁷ and darking of the sun,

               To close the day up, Hector’s life is done.

HECTOR

HECTOR     I am unarmed: forgo this vantage,⁹ Greek.

10

10   

ACHILLES

ACHILLES           Strike, fellows, strike: this is the man I seek. They attack and Hector falls

               So, Ilium, fall thou! Now, Troy, sink down!

               Here lies thy heart, thy sinews and thy bone.

               On, Myrmidons, cry you all amain,¹³

               ‘Achilles hath the mighty Hector slain.’

       Retreat [sounded]

15

15           Hark! A retreat upon our Grecian part.

A MYRMIDON

A MYRMIDON     The Trojan trumpet sounds the like, my lord.

ACHILLES

ACHILLES     The dragon wing of night o’erspreads the earth,

               And, stickler-like,¹⁸ the armies separates.

               My half-supped sword, that frankly¹⁹ would have fed,

20

20           Pleased with this dainty bait,²⁰ thus goes to bed. Sheathes his sword

               Come, tie his body to my horse’s tail;

               Along the field I will the Trojan trail.

       Exeunt

[Act 5 Scene 10]

running scene 17 continues

       Sound retreat. Shout. Enter Agamemnon, Ajax, Menelaus, Nestor, Diomedes and the rest, marching

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON     Hark, hark! What shout is that?

NESTOR

NESTOR     Peace, drums!

SOLDIER

SOLDIER     Achilles! Achilles! Hector’s slain! Achilles! Within?

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     The bruit⁴ is, Hector’s slain, and by Achilles.

5

AJAX

AJAX     If it be so, yet bragless⁵ let it be:

               Great Hector was a man as good as he.

AGAMEMNON

AGAMEMNON     March patiently⁷ along. Let one be sent

               To pray Achilles see us at our tent.

               If in his⁹ death the gods have us befriended,

10

10           Great Troy is ours, and our sharp¹⁰ wars are ended.

       Exeunt

[Act 5 Scene 11]

running scene 17 continues

       Enter Aeneas, Paris, Antenor and Deiphobus

AENEAS

AENEAS     Stand, ho! Yet¹ are we masters of the field:

               Never go home; here starve we out² the night.

       Enter Troilus

TROILUS

TROILUS     Hector is slain.

ALL

ALL     Hector? The gods forbid!

5

TROILUS

TROILUS     He’s dead, and at the murderer’s horse’s tail,

               In beastly sort,⁶ dragged through the shameful field.

               Frown on, you heavens, effect your rage with speed!

               Sit, gods, upon your thrones, and smile at⁸ Troy!

               I say, at⁹ once let your brief plagues be mercy,

10

10           And linger not our sure destructions on!

AENEAS

AENEAS     My lord, you do discomfort¹¹ all the host!

TROILUS

TROILUS     You understand me not that tell me so:

               I do not speak of flight, of fear, of death,

               But dare¹⁴ all imminence that gods and men

15

15           Address their dangers in. Hector is gone:

               Who shall tell Priam so? Or Hecuba?

               Let him that will a screech-owl¹⁷ aye be called

               Go in to Troy and say there ‘Hector’s dead.’

               There is a word will Priam turn¹⁹ to stone;

20

20           Make wells and Niobes²⁰ of the maids and wives,

               Cool statues²¹ of the youth, and, in a word,

               Scare Troy out of itself. But, march away:

               Hector is dead, there is no more to say.

               Stay yet. You vile abominable tents,

25

25           Thus proudly pight²⁵ upon our Phrygian plains,

               Let Titan²⁶ rise as early as he dare,

               I’ll through and through²⁷ you! And, thou great-sized coward,

               No space of earth shall sunder²⁸ our two hates:

               I’ll haunt²⁹ thee like a wicked conscience still,

30

30           That mouldeth goblins³⁰ swift as frenzy’s thoughts.

               Strike a free³¹ march to Troy! With comfort go:

               Hope of revenge shall hide our inward woe.

       Enter Pandarus

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     But hear you, hear you!

TROILUS

TROILUS     Hence, broker-lackey!³⁴ Ignomy and shame

35

35           Pursue thy life, and live aye with thy name!

       Exeunt. [Pandarus remains]

PANDARUS

PANDARUS     A goodly med’cine for mine aching bones!³⁶ O world, world, world! Thus is the poor agent despised! O traitors and bawds, how earnestly are you set a-work, and how ill requited!³⁸ Why should our endeavour be so desired and the performance³⁹ so loathed? What verse for it? What instance for it? Let me see:

40

40                                    Full merrily the humble-bee⁴⁰ doth sing,

                                    Till he hath lost his honey⁴¹ and his sting.

                                    And being once subdued⁴² in armèd tail,

                                    Sweet honey and sweet notes together fail.

               Good traders⁴⁴ in the flesh, set this in your painted cloths:

45

45                                    As many as be here of panders’ hall,⁴⁵

                                    Your eyes, half out,⁴⁶ weep out at Pandar’s fall;

                                    Or if you cannot weep, yet give some groans,

                                    Though not for me, yet for your aching bones.⁴⁸

                                    Brethren and sisters of the hold-door⁴⁹ trade,

50

50                                    Some two months hence my will shall here be made:

                                    It should be now, but that my fear is this,

                                    Some gallèd⁵² goose of Winchester would hiss.

                                    Till then I’ll sweat⁵³ and seek about for eases,

                                    And at that time bequeath you my diseases.

       Exit

Quarto passages that do not appear in the Folio

       Following 3.3.108:

               To others’ eyes; nor doth the eye itself,

               That most pure spirit of sense, behold itself,

       Following 4.5.31:

               And parted thus you and your argument.

       Following 5.1.19 (after “cold palsies”):

               raw eyes, dirt-rotten livers, wheezing lungs,

               bladders full of impostume, sciaticas, limekilns

               i’the palm, incurable bone-ache, and the rivelled

               fee-simple of the tetter,

Textual Notes

Q = First Quarto text of 1609

F = First Folio text of 1623

F2 = a correction introduced in the Second Folio text of 1632

F3 = a correction introduced in the Third Folio text of 1663/64

F4 = a correction introduced in the Fourth Folio text of 1685

Ed = a correction introduced by a later editor

SD = stage direction

SH = speech heading (i.e., speaker’s name)

Some copies of the 1609 Quarto have the following prefatory epistle:

A neuer writer, to an euer reader. Newes.

ETernall reader, you haue heere a new play, neuer stal’d with the Stage, neuer clapper-clawd with the palmes of the vulger, and yet passing full of the palme comicall; for it is a birth of your braine, that neuer vnder-tooke any thing commicall, vainely: And were but the vaine names of commedies changed for the titles of Commodities, or of Playes for Pleas; you should see all those grand censors, that now stile them such vanities, flock to them for the maine grace of their grauities: especially this authors Commedies, that are so fram’d to the life, that they serue for the most common Commentaries, of all the actions of our liues, shewing such a dexteritie, and power of witte, that the most displeased with Playes, are pleasd with his Commedies. And all such dull and heauy-witted worldlings, as were neuer capable of the witte of a Commedie, comming by report of them to his representations, haue found that witte there, that they neuer found in them-selues, and haue parted better wittied then they came: feeling an edge of witte set vpon them, more then euer they dreamd they had braine to grinde it on. So much and such sauored salt of witte is in his Commedies, that they seeme (for their height of pleasure) to be borne in that sea that brought forth Venus. Amongst all there is none more witty then this: And had I time I would comment vpon it, though I know it needs not, (for so much as will make you thinke your testerne well bestowd) but for so much worth, as euen poore I know to be stuft in it. It deserues such a labour, as well as the best Commedy in Terence or Plautus. And beleeue this, that when hee is gone, and his Commedies out of sale, you will scramble for them, and set vp a new English Inquisition. Take this for a warning, and at the perrill of your pleasures losse, and Iudgements, refuse not, nor like this the lesse, for not being sullied, with the smoaky breath of the multitude; but thanke fortune for the scape it hath made amongst you. Since by the grand possessors wills I beleeue you should haue prayd for them rather then beene prayd. And so I leaue all such to bee prayd for (for the states of their wits healths) that will not praise it. Vale.

List of parts = Ed

Prologue 12 barks = F2. F = Barke 17 Antenorides = Ed. F = Antenonidus

1.1.28 when…thence = Ed. F = then she comes, when she is thence 40 her = Q. F = it 71 SH PANDARUS = F (uncorrected). F (corrected) = Troy.

1.2.2 SH ALEXANDER = Ed. F = Man. 31 disdain = Q. F = disdaind 59 nor = Q. F = not 72 wit = Ed. F = will 99 heso = Q. F = he is so 114 marvellous spelled maruel’s in F 138 forit = Q. F = for is 140 do = Q. F = does 150 tell = Q. Not in F 164 there’s = Q. Not in F 165 will = Q. F = ill 171 shall see = Q. F = shall 182 note = Q. F = not

1.3.2 jaundice spelled Iaundies in F 119 their = Q. F = her 157 scaffoldage spelled Scaffolage in F 203 calls = Q. F = call 243 Trojan spelled Troyan throughout F 245 the praised = Q. F = he prais’d

2.1.2 boils spelled Biles and Byles in F 14 o’thy = F3. F = o’th thy 19 porcupine spelled Porpentine in F 74 badethe = Q. F = bade thee tenor = Q. F = tenure 85 your = Ed. F = their 92 peace = Q. Not in F 93 brach = Ed. F = Brooch

2.2.46 And…reason = Q. Line 47 printed after line 48 in F 58 mad = Q (madde). F = made 73 sieve = Q. F = same 112 Ilium = Ed. F = Illion (throughout)

2.3.5 engineer spelled Enginer in F 52 serpigo spelled Suppeago in F 57 shent = Ed. F = sent 65 if you = Q. F = if 76 knits not, = Q. F = knits, not 79 his legs = Q. F = his legge 105 lunes = Ed. F = lines 141 worth = Q. F = wroth 189 SH NESTOR =

Ed. Printed after ‘warm’ in F

3.1.128 SH PARIS = Q. Not in F

3.2.19 repurèd = Q. F = reputed 20 Swooning spelled Sounding in F 21 tuned = Q. F = and 54 fears = Ed.F = teares 56 safer = Q. F = safe 60 Nor = Q. F = Not 94 grown = Q. F = grow 104 Cunning = Ed. F = Comming 177 with a bed = Ed. Not in F or Q

3.3.4 come = F4. F = loue 117 man = Q. F = may 139 fasting = Q. F = feasting 164 rear = Ed. F = neere 171 farewell = Q. F = farewels 180 give = Ed. F = goe 215 our = Q. F = her 259 this = Q. F = his

4.1.71 the = Q. F = which

4.2.13 joys = Ed. F = eyes 75 SDEnter Cressida = Ed. F = Enter Pandarus and Cressid 97 force = Q. F = orce

4.4.9 dross = Q. F = crosse 41 one = Q. F = our 49 SDWithin F also prints “Enter AEneas” here, possibly reflecting alternative stagings 79 gifts = Ed. F = guift 80 Flowing = Ed. F = Flawing 106 true? F mistakenly prints an Exit for Cressida here 125 usage = Q. F = visage 156 SD Exeunt placed at line 151 in F

4.5.15 yond = Q. F = yong 103 breath = Q. F = breach 158 ‘Oyez’ = Ed. F = (O yes)

5.1.24 sleaved spelled Sleyd in F 64 sewer = Ed. F = sure

5.2.11 sing = Q. F = finde clef = Q (Cliff). F = life 27 do = Q. F = do not 93 takes = Ed.F = rakes 186 muchas = F2. F = much

5.3.5 By all the = Q. F = By the 23 give…use = Ed. F = count giue much to as 93 do = Q. F = doth

5.4.6 errand spelled errant in F 7 stale = Q. F = stole

5.8.1 ‘Loo = F4. F = lowe (throughout speech) 4 SH MARGARELON = Ed. F = Bast.

5.9.16 SH A MYRMIDON = Ed. F = Gree. trumpet = Q. F = Trumpets 20 bait = Q. F = bed

The Prologue

    2   orgulous proud, haughty       high noble/proud chafed heated, roused

    4   Fraught laden       ministers agents, i.e., soldiers instruments weapons

    6   crownets coronets, small crowns

    7   Phrygia region of Asia Minor (now Turkey), location of Troy

    8   immures walls

    9   ravished abducted/ raped

  10   wanton lustful/willful, uncontrolled

  11   Tenedos island near Troy

  12   deep-drawing barks heavily laden ships lying low in the water    disgorge empty out (literally “vomit up”)

  13   fraughtage cargo    Dardan Trojan (from Dardanus, son of Zeus and the great ancestor of the Trojan rulers)

  15   brave pavilions splendid tents (brave plays on the sense of “boastful, insolent”)

  16   Dardan…Antenorides the names of the six gates of Troy

  17   massy…bolts massive metal hoops and the correspondingly sized bolts that fit into them

  20   tickling toying with/vexing, provoking    skittish lively, readily roused

  22   on hazard at risk

  23   armed equipped with weapons/wearing armor/prepared    in confidence Of overconfident about

  24   suited…argument costumed to suit the theme    argument plot/quarrel

  27   vaunt and firstlings beginnings (vaunt plays on sense of “boast”)    broils battles, turmoil

  28   in the middle a translation of the Latin in medias res; the Roman writer Horace advised the aspiring epic poet to go straight to the heart of a story

  29   digested understood/condensed within

Act 1 Scene 1

 1.1   Location: Troy Pandarus his name came to signify the function of a “pander” or go-between

    1   varlet personal servant       unarm disarm, remove armor

    2   without outside

    5   field the battlefield       none i.e., no heart to be master of, no urge to fight

    6   gear business (perhaps with connotations of “sexual organs”)

    7   to in addition to/in proportion to

  10   Tamer more docile/more dull, spiritless    fonder more foolish

  12   skilless ignorant, unaware    unpractised inexperienced/guileless

  13   meddle nor make interfere, get involved (perhaps suggestive; both words could mean “have sex”)

  14   tarry await

  15   grinding plays on the sense of “sexual intercourse”

  17   bolting sifting of flour (plays on the slang sense of “bolt,” i.e., “penis”)

  19   leav’ning fermenting of the dough with leaven

  22   making of plays on the sense of “having sex with”    heating…oven plays on the sense of “sexual arousal of the woman” (oven was a slang term for “vagina”)

  23   stay wait for    cooling of the cake/of lust burn your lips also suggestive of the effects of venereal disease

  25   Doth…suff’rance flinches less at suffering    suff’rance suffering/patient endurance

  28   traitor i.e., to love (Troilus berates himself for suggesting that he might sometimes forget Cressida)    thence out of my thoughts

  32   wedgèd split with a wedge (possibly plays on the slang sense of “wedge,” i.e., penis)    would seemed about to/wanted to rive in twain split in two

  34   a-scorn in scorn, mockingly (Troilus compares his feigned jollity to the falsely cheerful glare of the sun)

  36   couched concealed/expressed

  38   An if    go to expression of dismissive impatience

  39   were would be

  40   would wish

  41   dispraise disparage    wit intelligence

  45   fathoms a measure of depth; a fathom is about six feet

  46   indrenched drowned, submerged

  47   In Cressid’s love for love of Cressida

  50   Handlest you handle (anticipates hand)    that her hand that hand of hers

  51   In whose comparison in comparison to which

  52   to compared to    soft seizure gentle grasp

  53   cygnet baby swan    spirit of sense i.e., the most delicate touch (literally, the invisible essence thought to transmit sensation to the mind)

  56   oil and balm soothing, healing ointments (both words may play on the sense of “semen”; i.e., only sexual climax will heal Troilus’s lovesickness)

  57   gash wound (may play on the sense of “vagina”)

  62   mends remedy (i.e., she can use cosmetics; possibly also suggestive of masturbation)

  64   I…travail nothing but effort has been the reward for my pains (travail plays on the sense of “travel,” alluding to Pandarus’ role as a go-between)    on of of by

  67   an…Sunday i.e., if she were not my relative, I would say that she is as beautiful in the plain clothes appropriate to a fasting day as Helen is in her Sunday best

  69   blackamoor black African

  70   fair beautiful/fair-complexioned

  71   behind her father since her father’s departure

  72   let her let her go/rent her out    alarum call to battle (usually trumpets or drums)

  79   ungracious inconsiderate, unmannerly rude harsh/uncivilized

  81   paint i.e., as if with cosmetics, rouge

  82   upon this argument for this cause

  83   starved meager, insubstantial

  86   tetchy irritable, peevish    wooed to woo entreated to court (Cressida)

  87   suit courtship

  88   Apollo Greek sun god    Daphne wood nymph pursued by Apollo; she evaded him by praying to the river god Peneus for deliverance and was thereupon turned into a laurel tree

  89   we I

  90   India East/West Indies (thought of as regions of great wealth)

  91   Ilium Troy/the royal palace of Troy

  92   flood sea

  93   merchant trader/merchant ship    sailing possible pun on “selling”

  94   convoy escort    bark small vessel (used to escort a larger merchant ship)

  95   Wherefore not afield? Why are you not on the battlefield?

  96   Because not there i.e., “just because”    woman’s answer alludes to the proverb “because is woman’s reason” sorts is fitting

102   scar to scorn wound so slight it deserves nothing but scorn/wound given in return for Paris’ scornful behavior to Menelaus

103   horn imagined growth on the head of a cuckold (man with an unfaithful wife; Paris has stolen Menelaus’ wife, Helen)

104   sport action, entertainment (in his reply, Troilus shifts the sense to “sexual amusement”) out of town i.e., outside Troy’s walls

106   abroad in the outside world

Act 1 Scene 2

    5   commands as subject dominates, overlooks

    7   fixed steadfast       moved roused, angry (plays on the literal sense to provide antithesis with fixed)

    9   like as       as if husbandry careful management (rising early for work); plays on being a “husband”

  10   harnessed light dressed in light armor/armored quickly

  15   noise rumor, report

  16   nephew cousin

  18   Good very well

  19   per se in himself/in a class of his own (Latin) stands alone is peerless (Cressida’s response plays on the literal sense, and on the sexual sense of “is erect”)

  20   drunk…legs i.e., cannot stand up/are impotent

  21   particular additions distinctive characteristics, essential attributes

  22   churlish violent/ungracious    slow ponderous, slow-moving

  23   humours contradictory moods, temperamental characteristics

  25   glimpse trace, small part    attaint fault, stain

  26   against the hair contrary to the prevailing mood, perversely    joints parts, components

  27   gouty diseased, with swollen deformed joints    Briareus legendary monster with a hundred hands and fifty heads

  28   purblinded blind    Argus legendary monster with a hundred eyes

  30   coped grappled, fought with

  31   disdain anger, wounded pride    whereof of which waking sleepless

  41   ere before

  48   lay about him strike out/fight hard

  53   Jupiter Roman supreme god

  54   know a man recognize a proper man (Cressida affects to understand merely “recognize a person”; know may play on the sense of “have sex with”)

  59   in some degrees in some respects/by a long distance

  60   just fair/accurate

  63   Condition…India i.e., Troilus is as likely to recover his true self as I am to walk barefoot to India    Condition on the condition that

  65   a he

  66   time…end i.e., time will tell    friend befriend

  68   Excuse me expression of polite disbelief or disagreement, like Pardon me

  71   Th’other’s…to’t i.e., Troilus is not as fully mature (come to’t may have connotations of being sexually active)    tell…tale i.e., change your tune (tale may pun on “tail,” i.e., “penis”)

  72   have his wit be able to compete with Troilus’ intelligence

  77   become suit

  79   a brown favour someone with a dark complexion (considered less attractive)

  80   No, but brown Cressida mocks Pandarus’ quibbling distinctions

  86   should i.e., must therefore    his…his i.e., Troilus’…Paris’

  88   flaming extravagant, high-flown/brightly colored, flushed    as lief rather, just as soon

  89   copper red (from drinking; conceivably suggests the metal noses occasionally worn by those who had lost their real noses to syphilis)

  91   merry Greek jolly person/one of loose morals

  93   compassed curved, rounded

  95   tapster’s arithmetic i.e., simple calculation    tapster barman, tavern keeper particulars individual details, particular features

  99   old experienced    lifter weightlifter/thief (possibly also plays on the sense of “one who has sex”)

101   cloven dimpled (Cressida plays on the literal sense of “split apart”)

102   Juno queen of the Roman gods, wife of Jupiter

107   an…autumn i.e., as if he were a dark cloud or a cloud through which the sun is vainly trying to shine

109   stand…proof stand up to the test (plays on the sense of “be erect for sex”)

110   addle rotten/partly hatched (the sense Cressida picks up on in her reply)

111   If…i’th’shell perhaps alludes to the proverb “as good be an addled egg as an idle bird” (addle puns on idle)

114   marvellous marvelously confess admit (Cressida plays on the idea of confession after torture)

115   rack torture instrument that stretched the limbs

117   richer i.e., has more hairs than Troilus’ youthful chin

118   that so much that ran o’er watered

120   millstones proverbially the hard-hearted weep millstones

122   pot cooking pot

126   Marry by the Virgin Mary

127   green plays on the sense of “youthful, inexperienced”

128   pretty artful, clever

133   hairs puns on “heirs”

134   all…sons traditionally, Priam had fifty sons; perhaps the forked hair counts as two

135   forked split (alludes to the cuckold’s horns that supposedly grew from the head of a man with an unfaithful wife)

137   so chafed was so irritated it passed the occasion surpassed all description

138   So…now i.e., let it pass, be forgotten going by i.e., in the telling

141   weep…April i.e., weep like one born in the month of showers

142   spring grow (plays on the sense of the season itself) an…May as if I were a nettle anticipating the arrival of May (plays on the notion of “nettling,” i.e., irritating Troilus)

146   bravely splendidly

147   mark note, observe

149   brave splendid/bold

150   anon shortly

152   shrewd sharp

153   one o’th’soundest judgement one of those with the greatest wisdom, discretion whosoever out of anyone proper…person fine example of a man

156   give…nod acknowledge you with a nod of the head/call you a fool (nod)

158   the…more i.e., your foolishness will increase further

159   Go thy way expression of well-wishing

161   countenance (fine) face/demeanor/appearance

163   a he hacks dents, gashes

164   jesting make-believe/playing

165   laying on (evidence of) vigorous attack take’t…will whatever anyone says to the contrary (plays on the antithesis between “lay on” and “take off”)

166   with swords dents made with swords

168   God’s lid God’s eyelid (a common oath)

173   marvel wonder he i.e., Troilus

174   forth out (to fight)

176   indifferent moderately

178   sneaking creeping/shifty

180   Hem! Pandarus either tries to catch Troilus’s attention, coughs awkwardly to cover his error, or tries to prompt Cressida’s agreement

183   helm helmet

184   goes walks, bears himself ne’er…twenty is not yet twenty-three

185   grace in Greek mythology, one of the three goddesses of grace and beauty

186   to compared to

187   warrant am sure change exchange (one man for the other) to boot in addition

189   Chaff and bran husks, i.e., useless things porridge after meat a vegetable soup after the main course (both terms could also refer to sexual organs or their possessors)

191   daws jackdaws (proverbially foolish birds)

194   drayman cart-driver camel i.e., misshapen, lumbering

196   discretion good judgment

197   birth noble ancestry discourse conversational skill/sound understanding

198   gentleness good breeding, courtesy liberality generosity

200   minced cut into small pieces for cooking/dainty, effeminate, pretentious no…pie i.e., with a crucial ingredient lacking/with an impotent penis (no use to the vaginal pie)

201   the…out he is out of date, no good

202   You…woman! What a woman you are! at…lie which defensive position you assume (fencing term; plays on the notion of sexual positions, which Cressida picks up on in her reply)

203   belly stomach/womb/vagina wit may play on a sense of “genitals” wiles tricks

204   secrecy ability to keep secrets (such as a love affair or pregnancy)/sexual organs honesty integrity/virtue/chastity mask worn to shield the complexion from the sun and retain a fashionable pallor

205   wards defensive positions/designated guard stations watches vigilant observances/periods of the night during which a guard was kept (plays on “watch and ward,” i.e., to keep guard)

206   watches wakeful periods of the night (also suggestive of secretive sexual activity, perhaps with more than one man)

207   watch be wary of them i.e., things I have to guard against

208   ward defend hit struck/penetrated sexually watch…telling be on guard to prevent you revealing

209   swell become infected/swell with pregnancy past watching too late to safeguard against Boy servant

210   You…another! What a woman you are!

215   doubt fear

217   by and by soon

218   To bring i.e., are you going to bring something

219   token lover’s gift, keepsake

220   By…token on that basis bawd procurer, pimp

222   in…enterprise on behalf of another

224   glass mirror, reflection

225   wooing while being wooed

226   done finished with (plays on the sense of “sexually conquered”)

227   she woman who is

228   Men…is men value what they have not got more than its worth

229   That…sue never was there a woman for whom love was as sweet after she had been won as when she was still being wooed

231   out of drawn from

232   ‘Achievement…beseech’ “Winning a woman’s love gives a man control; if she has not been won, he must continue entreating her”

233   That so that though…bear i.e., although my heart loves surely, steadily

Act 1 Scene 3

 1.3   Location: the Greek camp, not far from Troy Sennet trumpet call signaling a procession

    2   grief grievance, displeasure       jaundice i.e., yellowness (suggestive of jealousy and disease)

    3   proposition offer, proposal       makes…below gives to all enterprises begun here on earth

    5   in…largeness to fulfill its promise       checks obstacles

    6   veins i.e., vessels in a plant for carrying       sap actions highest reared the most ambitious military endeavors

    7   by…sap at the point where flowing streams of sap meet

    8   sound pine healthy pine tree       grain i.e., the grain of the wood

    9   Tortive and errant twisted and straying

  11   suppose expectation/intention

  13   Sith…thwart since every previous recorded military action went wrong

  15   not…shape not falling out in accordance with the original plan

  18   works deeds, endeavors

  20   protractive protracted, drawn-out    Jove Jupiter, Roman king of the gods

  21   persistive persistent, enduring

  22   metal strong substance (plays on “mettle,” i.e., courage, character)

  23   In fortune’s love during the good times

  24   artist scholar

  25   affined related (continues aural play on find, fineness)

  26   her i.e., fortune’s

  27   Distinction the practice of distinguishing between things

  28   winnows separates and blows away (as the lighter chaff is separated from the wheat by the wind)

  29   matter substance, worth

  30   virtue worth, value

  31   observance of respect for seat throne, i.e., authority

  32   apply interpret

  33   reproof rebuffing, rebuking, defiance

  34   proof test (puns on reproof)

  35   bauble toylike

  38   Boreas Greek god of the north wind

  39   Thetis sea nymph, mother of Achilles (here represents the sea)

  40   bark ship    liquid mountains i.e., waves

  41   two moist elements i.e., air and water

  42   Perseus’ horse Pegasus, the winged horse of Greek mythology that sprang from Medusa’s blood when Perseus beheaded her; technically, he belonged to Bellerophon    saucy insolent

  43   untimbered unsound, lacking a strong wooden frame    even…greatness only a moment ago accompanied and competed with greater ships

  45   toast sop, piece of bread soaked in wine    Neptune Roman god of the seas Even so in just such a way

  46   show outward appearance

  47   her i.e., fortune’s

  48   breeze gadfly (which bites animals)/light wind

  51   shade shelter

  52   sympathize respond, be in accordance

  54   Retires returns, reverts

  56   nerve sinew, muscle

  57   numbers i.e., army only sole/preeminent, exceptional    spirit vital power, essence of life

  58   tempers temperaments

  59   shut up incorporated, absorbed

  61   The which which    place and sway position and authority

  62   reverend worthy, respected    stretched-out long-lasting

  64   and i.e., who is

  65   in brass engraved in brass, i.e., as a model of eloquence

  66   hatched in silver i.e., white-haired    hatched streaked, inlaid/engraved

  67   air i.e., his speech    axle-tree…ride axis on which the universe revolves (the heavens were thought to revolve around the earth)

  68   knit unite, tie

  70   great, and wise i.e., Agamemnon, and Nestor

  71   Ithaca island west of Greece, home of Ulysses    of less expect less likely

  72   importless burden insignificant content

  74   rank stinking/diseased/lustful/coarse    opes opens mastic gummy/rotten (possibly also relates to “mastix,” a scourge)

  76   yet…basis still standing on its foundations    had would have

  78   instances factors, reasons

  79   specialty of rule rights and obligations of effective authority

  80   how however

  81   Hollow empty    so…factions there are just as many deceptive factions

  82   general military leader    hive beehive (i.e., the focal point, center of command)

  83   repair return

  84   Degree rank, hierarchy    vizarded masked, concealed

  85   shows as fairly appears just as attractive, as worthy

  86   this centre i.e., the earth (which, according to the Ptolemaic model, was the center of the universe)

  88   Insisture regularity, constancy, steady continuance

  89   Office particular function

  90   Sol the sun (thought to be a planet)

  91   sphered contained within its sphere (each planet was thought to orbit within a hollow crystalline sphere)

  92   other i.e., other planets    med’cinable healing

  93   ill sick, unwell/ominous, causing misfortune    aspects planetary positions, directions of alignment

  94   posts speeds

  95   Sans check without pause

  96   mixture conjunction    to disorder wander move into unfavorable alignment

100   deracinate uproot

101   married harmonious, united

102   Quite completely fixure fixed position degree rank, hierarchy (plays on the sense of “ladder’s rung”)

103   high designs noble undertakings (high plays on its literal sense)

105   Degrees in schools academic ranks brotherhoods guilds

106   dividable shores countries separated by sea

107   primogenitive primogeniture, the inheritance rights of an eldest son

109   But except, other than stand…place remain in their legitimate positions

112   mere oppugnancy total conflict bounded enclosed, contained (by their shores)

113   Should would

114   make…globe i.e., drown the world sop piece of bread soaked in wine

115   imbecility physical weakness

116   rude violent, uncivilized

118   jar conflict, clash

119   names individual identities

120   includes subsumes, absorbs/concludes, terminates

121   will willfulness appetite desire, greed

123   seconded supported, assisted

124   make…prey inevitably prey upon everything

126   suffocate suffocated

127   choking act of suffocating

129   by a pace step by step in…climb when the intention had been to climb upwards

133   Exampled given the example, shown a precedent the…superior the morally corrupt step taken previously by his superior

135   emulation rivalry/grudging envy

136   on foot upstanding

139   discovered revealed

140   power army/strength/authority

143   opinion public opinion/reputation

144   forehand foremost part, mainstay host army

145   airy widely acknowledged/insubstantial

146   dainty of particular, fastidious about

148   Upon…bed lazily upon a bed (transferred epithet)

149   Breaks cracks, makes scurril scurrilous, vulgar

150   ridiculous comically derisory awkward unfavorable, perverse (also possibly “turned the wrong way, back foremost,” suggesting a joke about anal sex)

152   pageants impersonates, parodies

153   topless deputation supreme role puts on imitates

154   conceit intellect, wits

155   hamstring i.e., legs

156   wooden dull, lifeless, stupid/resounding on a wooden surface dialogue…scaffoldage echoing noise of his long strides over the stage platform

158   to-be-pitied…seeming pitiable and overstrained appearance

160   a-mending in need of tuning terms unsquared ill-fitting words, clumsy expressions

161   Typhon giant monster of Greek mythology who made war upon the gods and was associated with winds, earthquakes, and volcanoes

162   fusty moldy, stale (glances perhaps at “fustian,” i.e., inflated, hyperbolic language)

163   large powerfully built (also suggesting self-importance and licentiousness) pressed weighed down (with his body)

164   deep large and resounding

165   just exactly

166   me for me hum murmur in displeasure or in thought/make a throat-clearing sound

167   dressed to prepared for, ready to begin

168   as…parallels i.e., unconvincingly (parallel lines never meet)

169   as…wife Vulcan differs completely from his wife Venus: he is the deformed Roman god of fire, she the beautiful goddess of love

170   god sarcastic (perhaps nods to Achilles’ near-immortal status in mythology; his mother was the sea nymph Thetis who made him invulnerable, apart from his heel)

171   me for me

172   answer in respond to

173   forsooth in truth faint frail, feeble

175   palsy-fumbling fumbling because his hand is shaking palsy shaking fit, tremor, paralysis gorget piece of armor protecting the throat

176   rivet bolt for fastening armor sport amusement

177   Sir Valour sarcastic title for Achilles dies i.e., dies laughing

179   spleen thought to be the seat of laughter and strong emotion

181   Severals…exact accomplished virtues, both individual and universal

182   preventions defensive measures

183   Excitements exhortations, encouragement

185   paradoxes absurdities, statements contrary to received belief

186   twain two

188   an imperial voice absolute approval, a ruling vote infect infected

189   bears…rein (like a horse) resists the reins, is skittish and willful (rein puns on “reign”)

190   in…place just as proudly/with just such a proud sense of his own status

191   broad physically large/outspoken, unrestrained keeps keeps to

192   factious divisive, faction-forming rails on denounces, rants about

194   slave rogue, wretch/lackey gall bitterness coins…mint invents insults as fast as a mint coins money

196   exposure vulnerable situation

197   How…danger however abundantly we are surrounded by dangers

198   tax our policy criticize our strategy/condemn our diplomacy

200   Forestall prescience obstruct forward planning

201   that of hand physical combat/immediate action

202   contrive plan

203   fitness the right moment/a proper state of readiness know…weight by careful observation judge the enemy’s strength

205   hath…dignity is not deemed worth a finger (in relation to the whole body)

206   bed-work armchair strategy, dreaming up of plans mapp’ry mapmaking closet-war i.e., war conducted from the study

207   ram battering ram

208   For due to rudeness…poise brute force of its impact

209   place…engine value more highly than the man who designed it

210   fineness…souls subtlety of their intelligence

211   his execution the operation of the battering ram

212   Let…sons if this is the case then Achilles’ horse is worth many an Achilles (son of Thetis)

213   Tucket personal trumpet call

216   ’fore before

220   fair courteous

221   surety security arm might, power

222   ’Fore…heads foremost among or leading the Greek army

224   leave permission large comprehensive/generous

229   waken reverence summon a respectful demeanor (in myself)

231   coldly with the chill of dawn/chastely, modestly

232   Phoebus Roman name for the sun god

237   free honorable, generous debonair gracious unarmed i.e., during peacetime

238   bending bowing, reverential fame reputation

239   galls spirit to resent insult

241   Jove’s accord with Jove’s favor

242   Nothing…heart no one is so courageous

244   distains his worth sullies its value

245   If…forth if the subject of praise does the praising himself

246   repining begrudging, discontented commends compliments

247   That…blows fame broadcasts that praise sole entirely/incomparably

254   trumpet trumpeter

255   sense…bent hearing in an attentive direction

257   frankly freely

263   mettle spirit (picks up on brass to play on the sense of “metal”)

267   dull lifeless, inactive

270   fair’st noblest, most honorable

271   ease personal comfort

274   That…loves who loves his lady more than can be demonstrated by mere words and potentially untrustworthy vows

277   In…hers by taking up weapons rather than remaining in her embraces

281   compass embrace

282   will will come

284   rouse challenge, stir up (with sexual connotations)

286   retires returns

287   sunburnt dark or tanned complexions were considered unattractive

288   splinter…lance breaking a lance in combat (lance plays on the sense of “penis”) Even so much i.e., that is the sum of my message

290   soul inner conviction, spirit kind matter, business

292   mere recreant complete coward

293   not not to be not not been

297   grandsire grandfather sucked i.e., was a baby

301   beaver helmet’s visor

302   vantbrace armor for the forearm brawn muscle, arm

304   grandam grandmother

305   flood full flow, vigorous health

306   pawn pledge three…blood i.e., what little blood I have left

310   pavilion ceremonial tent

317   conception plan/notion (with connotations of pregnancy)

318   Be…shape i.e., help me to develop and give birth to this idea

321   Blunt…knots blunt tools are needed to split tough knotty wood, i.e., Achilles must be stopped by decisive action seeded planted/matured, overgrown

322   blown up become swollen/bloomed/become infected

323   rank puffed up/overabundantly growing/diseased or either

324   shedding spilling/scattering seed nursery training ground/collection of young plants like similar

325   overbulk outgrow, dominate

327   gallant fine, splendid/brave

328   spread…name issued to everyone

330   perspicuous…up as obvious as wealth, whose enormity is revealed in little digits

332   in…strain when it is announced publicly, have no doubt

334   banks of Libya shores of the Libyan desert

335   dry barren, dull

336   celerity swiftness

337   on at

338   wake…answer will it rouse him to respond

339   meet fitting oppose put forward as an opponent

340   from…off acquit himself honorably against Hector

341   sportful recreational, not pursued to the death

342   trial contest, test of skill opinion reputation

343   taste…repute sample our most precious reputation

344   fin’st refined, most discerning

345   imputation reputation oddly poised unbalanced, i.e., at great risk

346   wild reckless success result, outcome

347   particular specific to the individual fighter scantling guideline, measure

348   the general everyone

349   indexes tables of contents/prefaces pricks marks, indicators (plays on the sense of “penis”)

350   To compared to subsequent volumes the following main portion of the book (with erectile connotations)

351   baby figure i.e., microcosm (plays on the idea of conception)

352   at large in full (plays on the idea of pregnancy)

353   issues results (plays on the sense of “is born”)

355   election basis for choice boil distill by boiling

356   distilled extracted, refined

357   miscarrying should he fail

358   heart spirit, encouragement hence this (failure) part side, i.e., the Trojans

359   steel…themselves strengthen their good opinion of themselves (steel plays on “steal”)

360   Which…limbs which opinion being held, limbs become weapons no less effective than the swords and bows controlled by those limbs

364   meet fitting meet encounter in combat

365   foulest most unattractive

366   perchance perhaps

371   strange followers i.e., undesirable outcomes (regardless of whether Achilles wins or loses)

373   shares takes

375   insolent arrogant

376   were…sun would be better off shriveling up under the African sun

377   salt bitter, stinging (perhaps, picking up on parch, with connotations of “thirst-provoking, drying out”)

378   scape escape fair successfully

379   did…crush would destroy the chief part of our reputation

380   taint the dishonoring

381   device strategy, trick blockish stupid

382   sort lot

383   allowance acknowledgment

384   physic dose with medicine, cure Myrmidon i.e., Achilles (who led a band of Myrmidon warriors from Thessaly)

385   broils basks, glows fall lower, let fall

386   crest feathers on his helmet (with connotations of the strutting cock’s crest) Iris i.e., the rainbow (of which Iris, the messenger of the Greek gods, was goddess) bends arches

387   come safe off emerges successfully from the combat

388   dress…voices cover him with praise/we can retain the general conviction

389   Yet…opinion we can maintain our reputation

391   Our…assumes the outcome of our plan comes down to this

392   employed used in this way

394   relish taste, appreciate

396   straight straightaway

397   curs dogs

398   tarre incite, provoke

Act 2 Scene 1

    2   how what       full everywhere/big, swollen generally everywhere (puns on Agamemnon’s rank as general)

    4   run seep (sense then shifts to “run away”)       Say so say it were so did would

    5   botchy core boil-covered body/flawed (i.e., cowardly) heart (core may pun on “corps,” i.e., “soldiers stationed on guard”; it can also mean “hardened mass in the centre of a boil”)

    7   matter pus/significant subject matter, reason

    9   mongrel alludes to Ajax’s Greek/Trojan ancestry; his mother Hesione was sister to King Priam, his father was the Greek Telamon       beef-witted thickheaded, brainless

  10   whinid’st moldiest    leaven agent used to ferment dough beat plays on the idea of kneading dough

  11   handsomeness graciousness, courtesy (playing on the antithetical idea of a beating making Thersites more physically handsome)

  12   rail berate, rant wit intelligence holiness respectful piety

  13   con memorize

  14   red murrain bloody plague (literally, disease affecting cattle and sheep)    jade’s tricks worthless horse’s bad habits/whore’s acts (picks up on strike as “copulate”)

  15   Toadstool poisonous mushroom (plays on the sense of “toad’s excrement”)    learn me inform me of

  16   sense feeling

  19   porcupine suggesting Thersites’ prickly nature    itch i.e., to beat you

  21   scab crust covering a wound/rascal

  23   on at

  24   Cerberus three-headed guard dog of the classical underworld    Proserpina Roman goddess of the classical underworld

  28   Cobloaf a small loaf of bread with a round head

  29   pun pound    shivers splinters, pieces sailor…biscuit ships’ biscuits were proverbially dry and brittle

  30   whoreson cur bastard dog    whoreson son of a whore (a common term of abuse)

  32   stool stool/seat containing a toilet/ducking stool

  33   sodden-witted stupid/drunken

  34   asinico little ass (from Spanish asnico)    scurvy-valiant supremely worthless

  35   bought and sold betrayed for a bribe

  36   barbarian uncivilized or savage foreigner    use continue, make it a habit tell reveal/count

  37   bowels depths, sensitivity (given Ajax’s size, plays ironically on the sense of “substance, internal organs”)

  39   scurvy contemptible, worthless

  41   Mars his Mars’ (Roman god of war)    rudeness rough, ill-mannered one camel i.e., ungainly, misshapen one

  42   Wherefore why

  49   Well all right, very well/closely, properly (Thersites’ sense in the previous line)

  50   well approvingly

  51   Ajax perhaps puns on “a jakes,” i.e., a toilet

  53   that fool i.e., Ajax

  54   Therefore…thee i.e., it is because I forgot myself that I beat you (though Ajax unwittingly agrees that he is a fool)

  55   Lo look    modicums tiny amounts evasions verbal shuffling, dodges ears thus long i.e., long ass’s ears

  56   bobbed cheated/pummeled

  57   sparrows i.e., creatures of little value    pia mater brain (literally the membrane covering the brain)

  65   stop fill up    eye probably plays on the sense of “vagina”

  67   that he him

  70   to against; wit may have genital connotations and fool’s penises were proverbially supposed to be large

  71   warrant assure

  72   Good words i.e., speak more appropriately, be courteous

  74   owl i.e., dullard    tenor substance, nature

  79   service performance of duty/military service/beating    sufferance compulsory/suffering

  80   the voluntary voluntarily    as…impress conscripted/marked with beatings

  81   E’en so exactly    there be liars i.e., reports are untrue

  83   were as good might as well    fusty old, moldy

  84   with i.e., will you argue with

  85   ere before    grandsires grandfathers

  86   yoke…war i.e., they make you do the work

  89   good sooth in good truth    To the call of a plowman urging on his oxen

  93   peace puns on “piece,” i.e., genitals    brach bitch, i.e., (homosexual) whore

  94   There’s i.e., there’s an insult

  95   clodpolls idiots, blockheads

  96   keep lodge, dwell

  98   host army

  99   fifth…sun i.e., eleven a.m.

100   ’twixt between

102   stomach appetite for fighting, courage

104   answer him respond to the challenge/oppose him

106   knew would know

Act 2 Scene 2

 2.2   Location: Troy

    3   Deliver release

    4   As suchas travail labor, exertion

    5   dear revered, valued

    6   cormorant greedy, voracious (from the large seabird of that name)

    7   struck off canceled

    9   touches my particular I am concerned

  10   dread deeply honored, revered

  11   bowels sensitivity, compassion

  14   surety confidence, security

  15   secure overconfident modest doubt reasonable caution

  16   tent surgical probe

  17   worst i.e., worst wound

  18   question issue, dispute

  19   tithe soul tenth life/life taken as war’s tithe tithe the tenth of one’s annual income due to the Church dimes tenths

  23   Had…name even if it (Helen) were Trojan one ten i.e., one Trojan life

  24   reason argument, reasoning

  26   Fie expression of disgust or reproach

  28   scale…ounces i.e., one designed to weigh light, inconsequential things

  29   counters worthless tokens used to represent coins in calculation sum add up, total

  30   The…infinite the immeasurable value of his infinite worth

  31   fathomless too large to measure

  32   spans measures of nine inches (roughly equivalent to a handspan)

  34   reasons may pun on “raisins”

  36   Bear…affairs rule over matters of state

  37   your…so you urge him to act unreasonably

  39   fur…reason i.e., live in comfort, prefer appeasement for an easy life

  42   flies flees    object sight

  46   chidden scolded    Mercury Jove’s messenger, usually depicted with wings on his sandals

  47   disorbed out of its orbit

  49   hard dishonorably callous, cruel/lean, deprived (many editors prefer Quarto’s “hare,” i.e., timid) fat fatten, feed up

  50   crammed force-fed/overfed/fat

  51   livers considered the seat of the passions, including courage lustihood vigor

  53   The holding to keep hold of

  54   aught anything (worth)    valued i.e., by others, externally

  55   particular will individual preference

  56   his its    estimate and dignity value and worth

  57   As well both    of itself intrinsically

  58   As and prizer one who values it

  59   the service performance (of worship)

  60   dotes is mad/is infatuated    is inclinable To inclines towards

  61   what…affects something it loves in a diseased manner/whatever infectious object it loves

  62   image…merit appearance of worth in that object

  63   I if I were to    election choice

  64   in the conduct under the guidance    will wish, desire/intention, determination/carnal appetite/genitals, usually “penis”

  66   traded experienced

  67   avoid reject, get rid of

  68   distaste (now) dislikes

  69   evasion evasive argument, subterfuge

  70   blench turn away, shrink    stand firm by i.e., retain, plays on “erection”

  72   remainder viands leftover food

  73   unrespective sieve undiscriminating basket (for scraps)

  74   meet fitting (puns on “meat,” i.e., food)

  76   bellied filled, swelled

  77   wranglers quarrelsome opponents

  78   touched reached, landed at

  79   for in retaliation for    aunt i.e., Hesione, Ajax’s mother and sister of Priam; she was rescued from a sea monster by Hercules and given to the Greek Telamon; plays on slang sense of “prostitute,” “bawd”

  80   Grecian queen i.e., Helen

  81   Wrinkles Apollo’s makes the sun god Apollo seem wrinkled

  84   price…ships echoes Faustus’ line to Helen in Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus (“Was this the face that launched a thousand ships”)    above more than

  86   avouch affirm

  87   must needs must necessarily do

  91   issue outcome    proper own rate berate, condemn

  92   do…did i.e., behave even more inconsistently than fortune

  93   Beggar the estimation render worthless the valued object

  96   But but we are/we are merely

  97   That…place who insulted them in their own land and are afraid to justify the deed in ours    hair…ears a conventional sign of distress or madness

107   mid-age the middle-aged

108   Soft tender, vulnerable

109   betimes early, in advance

110   moiety part/half moan grief, lamentation

111   Practise employ, make use of

113   firebrand when pregnant, Paris’ mother, Hecuba, dreamed that she would give birth to a firebrand that would burn down Troy

116   high strains exalted lyrical outpourings

117   work bring about, activate

118   remorse pity, regret blood passion/temper (suggests sexual passion)

120   success outcome

121   qualify the same moderate, pacify it

123   think believe, deem

124   Such…it to be shaped solely by the way that things turn out

125   deject lessen

126   raptures fits

127   distaste make distasteful goodness virtue, rightfulness

128   several various/individual

129   gracious righteous, honorable For…part in my personal case

130   touched affected

132   Such…maintain anything that might offend even the least courageous among us and make him unwilling to fight in its defense

134   Else otherwise convince convict levity wantonness, immorality

135   As well both as and counsels advice, opinion

136   attest call to witness

137   propension inclination

138   dire dangerous

139   can…arms can my arms achieve alone arms limbs/weapons

140   propugnation defense, justification

141   stand the push withstand the attack

143   pass undergo

146   faint slacken

148   besotted intoxicated, drunk

149   these i.e., these other Trojans gall bitterness (i.e., the hostilities resulting from Paris’ abduction of Helen)

150   So therefore/in this manner praise virtue

151   propose bring up for consideration

153   soil stain, dishonor her fair rape the abduction of one so beautiful/the honorable abduction of her (rape’s more sinister connotations are picked up in ransacked)

154   honourable keeping her the honorable keeping of her

155   were it would it be ransacked violated/carried off as plunder

157   her possession our holding of her

159   strain trait, tendency

160   generous noble

161   meanest spirit most low-born soul/most small-minded character party side

162   Without who has not

164   were ill bestowed would be unworthily given death unfamed whose death would go uncelebrated

170   glozed expounded, explained

171   Aristotle famous Greek philosopher; in fact, he lived several centuries after the Trojan war

173   allege put forward conduce lead, tend

174   distempered imbalanced (in which the four bodily fluids believed to govern individual temperament are disordered)

175   free determination unbiased judgment

177   adders in order to resist snake charmers, the adder supposedly blocked one ear with its tail and placed the other to the ground

179   dues debts rendered given up, returned

180   nearer more pressing/more intimate

182   affection passion, desire

183   that if of partial out of self-interested

184   benumbèd paralyzed, powerless the same i.e., nature’s law

187   refractory rebellious, stubborn

192   extenuates not does not lessen

193   heavy serious

194   in way of as a point of, in terms of

195   spritely animated, full of spirit propend incline, yield

196   still nevertheless/always

197   hath…dependence i.e., depends in no small measure

198   joint collective several individual dignities honors

199   touched…design hit on the essence of our undertaking

200   affected were concerned with, cultivated

201   performance…spleens working out of our impassioned anger

204   theme subject, cause (for action)

205   magnanimous heroic, courageous

206   Whose present courage the ready courage of which

207   canonize memorialize, revere

210   smiles…forehead looks favorably in the face

211   For in exchange for revenue wealth

214   roisting rousing, swaggering

216   Will that will

217   advertised informed general i.e., Agamemnon

218   emulation ignoble ambition, divisive rivalry

Act 2 Scene 3

 2.3   Location: the Greek camp solus “alone” (Latin)

    2   elephant i.e., large, clumsy, thick-skinned       carry it win the day rail rant, verbally abuse satisfaction recompense, compensation (sarcastic)

    3   Would I wish       ’Sfoot by God’s foot

    4   conjure invoke       but I’ll see if it takes that to see issue result execrations curses

    5   rare fine, splendid       engineer constructor of military works/contriver, plotter

    6   undermine lay mines underneath       of themselves by their own accord

    7   thunder-darter thrower of thunderbolts (Jove’s personal weapon)

    8   craft cunning/skill       caduceus Mercury’s wand, which featured two serpents entwined about it

    9   short-armed inadequate, lacking in reach

  10   circumvention craft, power to outwit    deliver release

  11   massy heavy, massive    irons swords After following, as a result of

  12   bone-ache i.e., syphilis, which weakens the bones

  13   dependent on hanging over/attendant upon    placket the slit at the front of a skirt or petticoat, hence “woman/vagina”

  16   gilt counterfeit false coin

  17   slipped plays on “slip,” another term for a counterfeit coin    contemplation mind, thoughts (Thersites has forgotten to curse Patroclus along with Ajax and Achilles) thyself upon thyself i.e., may you be cursed by being yourself

  18   revenue abundance

  19   bless save, protect    discipline learning, instruction blood impulses, passions (rather than reason)

  20   direction guide    lays thee out prepares you for burial fair virtuous/attractive/undiseased

  21   shrouded wrapped in a shroud, prepared for burial    lazars lepers (sometimes confused with syphilitics)

  27   cheese thought to aid digestion

  28   served…meals i.e., come to see me for such a long time

  32   Thy knower one who knows you

  35   decline go through in order (grammatical term)

  38   done finished

  39   privileged man i.e., professional fool allowed to speak without restraint

  42   Derive explain, trace the source of (grammatical term)

  43   offer dare, presume/attempt

  44   of by

  45   fool positive absolute fool

  47   Make…to ask that question of    suffices is enough for

  50   patchery trickery    juggling cheating, deceiving All the argument the entire subject (of the war)

  51   cuckold…whore i.e., Menelaus and Helen    cuckold man with an unfaithful wife draw bring about, generate

  52   serpigo skin disease/venereal disease    subject whole business/the cause, Helen

  53   confound destroy, overcome

  55   ill disposed indisposed, unwell

  57   shent abused, insulted    lay by put aside

  58   appertainments prerogatives of rank    visiting of in visiting

  59   of of this    so i.e., in case

  60   move…place insist on the issue of our authority

  65   lion-sick i.e., sick with pride

  68   bay bark, howl

  69   inveigled lured away

  72   matter subject matter/material for arguing    his argument subject matter/subject of his complaints, i.e., Thersites

  73   he…Achilles Achilles is his new cause for complaint as he has taken away his old one, Thersites

  74   fraction…faction we prefer them quarreling to forming a faction against us    it…disunite it must have been a strong faction if a fool could divide it (sarcastic)

  76   amity friendship, unity

  79   elephant…courtesy elephants were thought to lack leg joints that would enable them to kneel

  82   sport recreation/exercise

  83   noble state group of nobles

  84   it…other i.e., it is for no other reason

  86   breath i.e., of fresh air

  90   apprehensions understanding (plays on the sense “arrest”)

  91   attribute reputation, honor

  93   of…beheld upheld by him

  95   fair fresh, attractive    unwholesome unsightly, contaminated

  96   like likely

  97   sin i.e., lie, do wrong

  99   under-honest less than honorable    self-assumption…judgement more arrogant than of good judgment/greater in his own estimation than those of good judgment know him to be

100   worthier…on worthier men than he wait here on account of the uncivil aloofness he affects

102   command authority

103   underwrite…predominance submit in a deferential manner to his prevailing mood

104   humorous relating to the four bodily humors thought to govern mood

105   pettish lunes petulant fits

106   passage progress carriage conduct action enterprise, i.e., the war

107   Rode…tide i.e., relied on him

108   overhold overestimate

109   none of have nothing to do with engine piece of military equipment

110   lie under be subject to

111   this i.e., this engine (Achilles)

112   stirring active allowance approval, praise

113   Before over, rather than

114   presently immediately

115   In second voice i.e., with a reply conveyed through a messenger

121   subscribe confirm, endorse

123   gentle courteous, honorable

125   the clearer more innocent

126   glass mirror trumpet announcer chronicle record

127   but…deed other than in performing worthy deeds devours consumes the value of

128   engendering mating/offspring, spawn

130   field battlefield

133   stream…dispose course of his inclination

134   observance notice/consideration/respect respect notice/regard for

135   will peculiar personal inclination, independent will self-admission self-approbation, self-centeredness

136   fair courteous/legitimate

137   Untent his person emerge from his tent

138   for…only simply because they are requested

139   greatness self-worth

140   speaks…self-breath i.e., he is almost too proud to speak

142   hot fired-up/passionate/angry

144   Kingdomed Achilles Achilles, as if he were a kingdom commotion rebellion/agitation

146   plaguy insufferably, damnably death-tokens fatal symptoms

150   holds regards

151   from himself i.e., away from his arrogant, self-absorbed behavior

153   We’ll consecrate we would rather bless

154   from away from

155   seam fat, grease

156   suffers allows

157   revolve…himself involve contemplating and meditating on himself

159   Of…he? by one whom we consider more worthy of worship (i.e., Ajax)

161   stale cheapen, lower the dignity of palm honor (literally, palm leaf, a symbol of victory or prowess)

162   assubjugate demean, debase

163   As…is granted that Achilles is well-reputed

164   were would be enlard fatten, smear with grease fat-already already bloated

165   add…Hyperion increase summer’s heat (the sun, Hyperion, enters the zodiacal sign of Cancer at the beginning of summer)

169   rubs…him stirs up his temperament, plays on his disposition

171   armèd armored/ready

172   pash smash, strike

174   An a if he proud haughty pheeze fix, do for

176   worth…quarrel all the cost attendant on our war with the Trojans

180   The…blackness i.e., Ajax condemns Achilles for faults he himself possesses (ravens are black)

181   let…blood draw his blood to balance his bodily humors (as doctors bled their patients)

183   An if

185   A he bear it behave eat swords i.e., be stabbed (possibly puns on “eat his words”) carry it prevail

186   An ’twould if it did carry half i.e., bear half the load of pride

187   ten shares ten tenths, all of it

188   knead mould (like dough), i.e., strike

189   through thoroughly Force stuff, cram

190   dry shriveled/thirsty

191   feed…dislike brood too much on Achilles’ dissension

194   naming of him repeated reference to Achilles, constant citing of his heroism

195   a man i.e., Ajax

198   emulous greedy for praise, filled with ambitious rivalry

199   Know…world let the whole world know

200   palter equivocate, be evasive

205   surly borne bore himself in an arrogant manner

206   strange aloof, distant self-affected egotistical, self-loving

207   lord i.e., Ajax composure temperament

208   got begot, conceived gave thee suck suckled you

209   Fame renown, honor thy…erudition may your natural qualities exceed three-fold anything learned

211   disciplined trained

212   eternity i.e., eternal fame twain two

214   Milo Greek athlete of the sixth century BC, famed for carrying a bull on his shoulders addition title, claim to fame

216   bourn boundary pale fenced area, enclosure shore border, shoreline confines encloses, contains

217   dilated parts extensive qualities (sarcastically plays on Ajax’s large physical size)

218   antiquary ancient

221   green youthful tempered molded, composed

222   have…of be superior to

226   ruled guided, directed

227   tarrying (point in) delaying hart male deer

228   Keeps stays hidden in the

229   state council

231   main of power full force

233   cull their flower select their very best cope match/encounter (in combat)

235   draw deep require deeper water (due to their weight)

Act 3 Scene 1

 3.1   Location: Troy

    1   follow serve, attend (the servant plays on the literal sense)

    3   depend upon serve, wait on

    4   the lord i.e., Paris, but plays on the sense of “God”

    5   must needs must

    8   superficially slightly/by sight

  10   know…better get to know your lordship better/see you become a better man

  12   You…grace? Are you in receipt of the divine favor necessary for salvation? (but Pandarus understands “Are you a duke eligible to be addressed as ‘your grace’?”)

  13   Grace? Not so here Pandarus declares such a title inappropriate for his rank

  20   pleasure command (the servant deliberately understands “enjoyment”)

  23   Who…sir? the servant willfully misunderstands Pandarus to be giving him an instruction

  24   courtly refined, possessed of the manners and language of the court    too cunning clever, skillful/devious

  26   to’t to the point

  27   Venus Roman goddess of love    heart-blood i.e., life blood, essence

  30   find out that work that out

  32   complimental courteous

  33   seethes boils with urgency (with sodden and stewed the servant picks up on connotations of the “boiling” effects of syphilis and of the sweating treatments used to try and cure it)

  34   Sodden boiled/limp, flaccid (phallic connotations)    business may play on the sense of “sexual activity”; conceivably plays on a sense of “penis” stewed saturated (puns on a “stew” or brothel)

  35   Fair i.e., fair wishes (sense shifts to “elegant” and then “pleasing”)    fair measure just proportion

  36   fairly favorably

  38   fair charming, flattering

  39   pleasure thoughts, wishes

  40   broken arranged in parts, for different instruments or voices

  41   broke interrupted    cousin friendly form of address among social equals

  42   piece it out put it back together    piece part of a song Nell nickname for Helen harmony tuneful singing/agreeable sentiments

  45   Rude (I am) unaccomplished, unpolished

  46   fits spurts, fits and starts (plays on the sense of “section of a poem or song”)

  47   to with    vouchsafe permit, grant

  49   hedge us out exclude, get rid of me

  50   pleasant merry, jocular

  53   queen plays on “quean” meaning “prostitute”

  55   bob cheat, swindle    melancholy ill temper, sullenness

  58   sour i.e., the antithesis of sweet

  59   serve your turn meet your purpose, i.e., win the argument    la exclamation used for emphasis

  60   desires requests

  64   in hand underway    sups dines

  66   My…you my friend Paris will get cross with you (for your repeated interruptions)

  68   disposer unclear meaning; perhaps “one who controls arrangements” hence possibly “courtly mistress” or, similarly, “one who may dispose of me as she wishes” (said playfully)

  69   wide i.e., of the mark

  70   make excuse i.e., on behalf of Troilus

  73   I spy i.e., I see what’s going on here

  77   horrible horribly, extremely    thing plays on the sense of “penis”

  79   twain at odds, have nothing in common (Helen plays on the literal sense of “two”)

  80   Falling…out making up after arguing (falling in plays on the notion of sexual penetration)    make them three i.e., result in childbirth

  82   fine forehead commanding countenance

  83   you may i.e., you may have your joke, so you say

  84   be be about    undo ruin

  86   good now please, be so good

  89   love’s i.e., Cupid’s    bow plays on the sense of “penis”

  90   Shoots plays on the sense of “ejaculates (in)”    buck and doe male and female (deer)

  91   shaft arrow of love/penis    confounds Not that does not damage what

  93   tickles sexually excites    still continually the sore wound/vagina (sore plays on the sense of “four-year-old male deer”)

  94   O, ho i.e., groans of pain/cries of sexual pleasure    die plays on the sense of “orgasm”

  95   to kill that will prove fatal

  96   ha, ha, he i.e., laughter/increasingly excited sexual cries

  99   O…out possibly also suggestive of the subsequent pains of childbirth

101   In love you’re in love tip…nose i.e., completely (nose plays on the sense of “penis”)

102   doves birds associated with love; they pulled Venus’ chariot hot blood sexual desire

103   begets conceives

104   generation of love how love is created

105   vipers proverbially vicious offspring afield on the battlefield

107   gallantry gallant warriors

108   fain gladly chance comes it

110   He…lip Pandarus pouts, looks vexed/Troilus is sulking

111   sped fared/succeeded

113   To a hair i.e., down to the last detail

118   woo entreat

119   unarm remove armor from

121   more obey be more obedient edge sword edge

123   island kings kings from the Greek islands

125   of us from me

126   palm honor in…have than I have from my beauty

128   above thought beyond thought itself (perhaps suggests the rashness of Paris’ actions in obtaining Helen)

Act 3 Scene 2

 3.2   Man manservant

    2   stays waits       conduct escort

    4   Sirrah sir (used to a social inferior)

    5   cousin i.e., niece (the term could designate any close relative)

    6   stalk move stealthily (hunting term, used of an approach to the prey)

    7   strange foreign, newly arrived       Stygian banks banks of the Styx, the river that the souls of the dead had to cross to reach the underworld

    8   waftage conveyance by water       Charon the ferryman who transported departed souls to the underworld

    9   fields the Elysian fields, the dwelling place of blessed souls in the underworld

  10   lily-beds with connotations of the sexual bed/vagina

  11   Proposed promised

  12   painted brightly colored/artificial/as depicted in paintings

  14   i’th’orchard in the garden    straight straightaway

  16   imaginary relish imagined taste

  17   sense senses/power of reason    be be like

  18   wat’ry tasteless/watering in anticipation    indeed in reality

  19   thrice-repurèd thrice-refined, purified    nectar with connotations of sexual juices Death with connotations of orgasm

  20   fine refined, pure

  21   subtle-potent powerfully refined    sharp high-pitched (plays on the sense of “pungent-tasting, acidic” to provide antithesis with sweetness)

  22   capacity capability, understanding    ruder coarser, more uncultivated powers faculties

  24   lose…joys be unable to distinguish one pleasure from another

  25   battle battalion    on heaps in a mass, all together

  26   flying retreating

  27   her herself    witty sharp, clever, amusing

  28   fetches…short is so breathless    fraid with frightened by sprite ghost

  29   prettiest most delightful, charming    villain here a playful term new-ta’en newly captured

  30   sparrow proverbially lecherous birds, sacred to Venus

  31   Even exactly

  32   thicker faster

  33   bestowing use, function

  34   vassalage subordination, a servant    at unawares unexpectedly

  38   watched kept awake (a method used to tame and train hawks)    Come your ways come along

  39   draw backward retreat, shy away    i’th’fills in the shafts of a cart (like a horse)

  40   draw this curtain i.e., draw back your veil (paintings are sometimes kept behind curtains to protect them from the light)    picture i.e., face

  41   close come close/embrace intimately/bring matters to a close

  42   rub…mistress a bowling metaphor; to rub is to negotiate obstacles in the way of the ball (playing on the idea of sexual friction), and to kiss the mistress to touch the target ball (with obvious sexual suggestion)    kiss in fee-farm i.e., a prolonged kiss fee-farm the absolute possession of land subject to a fixed rent

  43   air i.e., Cressida’s breath    fight…out compete to outdo one another in love (fighting plays on the notion of sexual grappling)

  44   falcon…tercel i.e., female is as vigorous as the male    tercel a male hawk for…river I’ll bet you all the ducks on the river

  45   bereft deprived

  46   pay no debts i.e., count for little (to pay one’s debt also means to have sex)    deeds actions/sexual acts/legal documents

  47   activity sexual performance    billing kissing, caressing (like doves)/drawing up a legal document/entering items in a financial account ‘In…interchangeably’ phrase used in indentures (legal contract that was halved along a zigzag line to form two documents that, when placed together, were a unique match—in this context, may suggest sexual coupling)

  48   fire suggestive of sexual passion

  52   pretty artful/charming    abruption breaking off

  53   curious subtle, well-hidden    dreg impurity, sediment

  56   seeing reason leads is guided by clear-sighted reason

  58   apprehend conceive of, perceive/fear    in…pageant spectacle, show, entertainment

  60   nothing monstrous nothing unnatural (possibly plays on phallic connotations of monstrous and “thing” to suggest “no huge penis”)

  61   undertakings (lover’s) responsibilities, vows (plays on the sense of “copulations”)

  62   imposition enough sufficiently difficult tasks

  63   monstruosity in extraordinary nature of (variant form of “monstrosity”)

  64   will desire/sexual appetite/penis    execution confined acting on it limited

  65   the act human endeavor/the sexual act

  67   reserve keep back    the…ten the ability of ten other lovers/the maximum, 100 percent

  70   such such men    Such…we I am not one tasted tested/sampled sexually allow praise/accept, approve

  71   prove plays on the sense of “perform sexually”    head may play on the sense of “head of the penis” (which will be “crowned” vaginally) crown it i.e., with a victor’s wreaths perfection in reversion promise of future achievement

  72   desert deserving, merit

  73   addition title, name    Few…faith truth needs few words (proverbial)

  74   as…truth that the worst malice can do is mock Troilus’ faith and constancy

  78   folly foolishness/lechery    I…you bestow as a gift to you/hold you responsible for

  79   get begets, conceives    give him me i.e., name him after me

  80   flinch fall short, recoil (also suggests detumescence or sexual reluctance)

  83   burrs prickly seed-heads that stick easily to clothing

  84   thrown plays on the sense of “thrown down sexually, seduced”)

  85   Boldness courage/sexual immodesty

  91   play the tyrant i.e., have mastery over me/behave in a cruel manner

  93   But…it that I could not control it

  94   unbridled uncontrolled, not reigned in

100   privilege advantage/license

104   Cunning skilled, clever

105   soul of counsel innermost secret thoughts

106   shall I shall

111   this time the time being

114   content you be contented, be quiet

120   unkind unnatural

121   fool plaything

123   Well…wisely those who speak so wisely must know what they are saying

124   Perchance perhaps (you think) craft skill/cunning

125   roundly openly, frankly large unrestrained, outspoken/full

126   wise i.e., as you didn’t take the bait

128   that that ability (to be wise and in love)

130   presume presume that it is

131   aye ever

132   plight youthful good health

133   outward outward appearance

134   renew swifter renew itself more quickly blood decays passion wanes/aging occurs

137   affronted matched, set face to face

138   winnowed refined (like wheat separated from chaff)

139   were I would I be

140   truth’s simplicity simple truth

141   simpler…truth more sincere than truth at its purest

145   swains lovers

146   Approve attest, confirm their…Troilus with reference to Troilus

147   protest declarations of love big compare extravagant comparisons

148   Want lack tired having been exhausted, rendered cliche´d iteration repetition

149   plantage plant life, vegetation (which supposedly grew more effectively under moonlight)

150   turtle turtledove (a proverbially faithful bird)

151   adamant legendary magnetic rock th’center its center (thought to be the point to which everything was drawn)

152   comparisons i.e., similes

153   authentic most authoritative, legitimate

154   crown up add the final touches to/dignify

155   numbers poetic meter

157   false untrue, unfaithful a hair i.e., even a very tiny amount

161   characterless featureless/leaving no trace, no written records grated eroded

167   Pard leopard hind female deer stepdame stepmother

168   stick the heart pierce the center

170   seal it plays on the sense of “have sex”

178   because so that encounters sexual activities press…death punish it severely (alludes to a punishment that involved pressing a suspect with heavy weights until he pleaded innocent or guilty, or died; plays on the sense of “have sex until you orgasm”)

179   maidens virgins/young women here generally/in the audience

180   gear necessary equipment/genitals

Act 3 Scene 3

 3.3   Location: the Greek camp

    2   advantage opportunity, right moment

    3   Appear it let it appear

    4   sight foresight, visionary power

    5   possession property, belongings

    7   From by turning from       conveniences advantages

    8   sequest’ring separating, removing

    9   condition social position and circumstances

  10   tame familiar, customary

  12   As as though    strange foreign, unfamiliar unacquainted unfamiliar/without acquaintances

  13   taste foretaste, i.e., advance payment

  15   registered in promise recorded as pledges

  16   live to come await fulfillment

  19   took captured

  20   often…therefore you have often been thanked for doing so

  21   in…exchange in exchange for a Trojan of rank

  23   wrest tuning implement (i.e., Antenor is essential to the harmonious operation of Trojan affairs)

  24   slack slow down, become less effective (like slack strings on an untuned instrument)

  25   Wanting his manage lacking his guidance

  26   blood royal lineage

  27   change of exchange for

  29   strike off cancel out, pay for

  30   In…pain with most willing effort

  31   bear him i.e., take Antenor back

  34   Furnish you fairly equip yourself fully    interchange exchange

  35   Withal in addition

  36   Be answered in meet the man who will answer

  40   Please it if it please    strangely distantly, as if he were a stranger

  42   loose casual, careless    regard looks

  43   like likely

  44   unplausive disapproving, disdainful

  45   derision medicinable i.e., a way to use scorn to cure him

  48   glass mirror

  49   supple…fees i.e., submissive behavior such as kneeling only encourages arrogance and is the reward the proud man expects

  51   purpose plan

  52   form appearance

  54   shake affect, unsettle

  58   aught have anything to do

  62   The better so much the better

  71   Know recognize

  72   used accustomed

  76   poor devalued, insignificant

  78   the declined man whose fortune has declined, one brought low

  81   mealy powdery (as if covered with meal or flour)    but except

  83   but…him except the honor bestowed by external recognition

  84   as such as    place position, rank

  85   of accident gained by chance, fate

  86   they i.e., such men    as…standers like those standing on slippery ground (may play on the sense of “lecherous erections,” in which case Die…fall plays on the sense of “orgasm and lose the erection,” enjoy and possess resonate sexually and ample point plays on the sense of “fully erect penis”)

  87   love i.e., adulation of others    slippery sense now also includes “fickle”

  91   At ample point to the full (possibly puns on sexual sense point as penis)

  92   Save except

  93   such rich beholding of such high regard

  99   Writes me writes (me is emphatic)    how…parted however richly endowed with personal qualities

100   or…in either externally or internally

102   owes owns, possesses but by reflection except in how his qualities are reflected in others’ responses to him

104   retort reflect, cast back

108   but unless it/but instead it

109   Not…form not in leaving and looking back at itself, but through facing another person, which enables the gazers to see themselves mirrored in each other’s eyes

111   speculation the power of sight/contemplation, thought

112   travelled plays on the sense of “travailed,” i.e., labored/become learned through study

113   strange odd/unfamiliar

114   strain…position have difficulty accepting the hypothesis

115   drift application (of the argument)

116   his circumstance the surrounding details of his argument

118   in…consisting he is composed of many fine qualities

119   parts personal qualities

120   know…aught recognize them as anything significant

121   th’applause…extended the praise of those who have seen them displayed

122   who refers to those applauding or to the applause itself an arch i.e., of a city gate or bridge

123   voice praise/vote of approval gate door

124   Fronting facing renders returns

125   His figure the sun’s shape wrapt in involved in, engaged by

126   apprehended thought of, recognized

127   unknown little known, unacknowledged

128   horse i.e., strong (perhaps slyly alludes to Ajax being large and stupid)

129   That…what i.e., who knows not what strength he possesses (perhaps also a dig at Ajax’s ignorance)

130   Most…use that are considered contemptible but are of immense practical value

131   again also/conversely

135   leave to do give up/neglect (a reference to Achilles)

136   creep…hall creep furtively into fickle fortune’s domain

137   idiots jesters, clowns, fools

138   pride glory

139   is…wantonness starves on account of his willful behavior

141   lubber clumsy lout

143   shrinking recoiling in fear

147   wallet bag, knapsack

148   alms for oblivion i.e., admirable deeds destined to be forgotten alms charitable offerings

153   to have done i.e., to have done a good deed in the past

154   mail piece of armor made of chain-mail links

155   in monumental mock’ry as a mocking trophy to forgotten glory instant immediate, direct

156   strait narrow passage, confined path

157   one…abreast i.e., one must go in single file Keep…path i.e., stick to the path/keep moving along the path

158   emulation ambitious rivalry

160   hedge aside deviate, shift forthright straight path

161   entered inrushing, broken through

162   hindmost last

163   rank line of attacking troops

164   for…rear as a paved thoroughfare for the contemptible troops in the back ranks

168   slightly casually, inattentively

169   as…fly as if he was about to fly

170   Grasps in embraces ever always

172   Remuneration payment, reward

174   vigour of bone bodily strength desert in service worthy deeds in war

176   calumniating slandering, defaming

177   touch of nature natural trait/human weakness makes…kin unites all people

178   with one consent in mutual agreement, with one voice new-born gawds trifling novelties, fashionable trinkets (gawds puns on “gods”)

180   dust…gilt i.e., worthless objects that are covered with a thin veneer of gold

181   laud praise, honor gilt o’er-dusted true gold covered with dust (here gilt as gold)

182   present object item immediately within its view

183   complete accomplished

186   cry…thee you were once acclaimed

189   case enclose, conceal

190   but…late even lately on the battlefield

191   Made emulous missions caused forays into the battle provoked by envy/rivalry

192   drave drove to faction to take sides

198   one…daughters i.e., Polyxena

201   providence foresight, forethought

202   Pluto the wealthy Greek god of the underworld

203   th’uncomprehensive deeps the fathomless seas

204   Keeps place keeps up

205   thoughts…cradles i.e., discerns thoughts even before they can be fully formulated or uttered

206   mystery inexplicable essence/art, skill/trade secret with…meddle that is never discussed relation report, narration

207   state affairs of state, government, statecraft

208   operation effect, function, power

209   expressure expression

210   commerce dealings, transactions

211   perfectly…yours is as well known to us as to you

212   fit befit, suit

213   throw…Polyxena defeat Hector in battle than to seduce Polyxena

214   Pyrrhus Achilles’ son

215   trump trumpet

216   Greekish girls women of Greece (suggests also wanton women) tripping skipping, with dancing steps

218   him i.e., Hector (also suggestive of Ajax bettering Achilles; while Ajax defeats Hector, Achilles will beat—i.e., have sex with—Polyxena)

219   lover friend, supporter

220   The…break i.e., Ajax deals incompetently with matters you would deal with properly/Ajax is such an idiot that he escapes dangers that would prove fatal to a man of your stature

221   moved encouraged, urged

222   impudent shameless

225   stomach to appetite for

227   wanton willful/lustful (may act as noun or verb)

228   fold embrace

232   by him i.e., by defeating him

234   fame reputation, renown shrewdly gored severely wounded

236   ill badly

238   Seals…danger gives danger full license, gives it a blank warrant which it may fill in as it wishes

239   ague fever characterized by shaking taints infects

244   woman’s longing i.e., cravings like those experienced in pregnancy

245   withal with

246   weeds clothes

248   Even…view until my gaze is entirely satisfied

251   himself i.e., Ajax, perhaps punning on “a jakes”

253   prophetically proud proud in anticipation

254   raves…nothing rants incoherently

256   peacock proverbially proud bird a…stand stopping and starting

257   hostess tavern landlady arithmetic ability to calculate her reckoning the bill

258   politic regard calculated expression, wise look as as one

259   an ’twould out if only it would emerge

260   knocking being struck (refers to the flint and to beating Ajax) undone ruined, destroyed, brought down

262   knows recognizes

264   land-fish fish living on land, i.e., an unnatural creature of opinion on reputation/self-regard

265   leather jerkin close-fitting leather jacket (here presumably reversible)

267   professes not does not engage in

268   wears…arms gives his answer with his weapons put on imitate presence bearing, demeanor, appearance

269   demands requests, questions

270   To him set to it, tackle him

275   Hum! i.e., hmm

285   God buy you God be with you, i.e., goodbye

288   howsoever in either case pay for me i.e., receive a beating has defeats

291   tune i.e., mood

293   fiddler fiddle-player Apollo Greek god of music

294   catlings catgut, used to make strings for musical instruments on out of

296   capable receptive, intelligent

297   stirred i.e., disturbed with sediment

300   valiant hearty, utter ignorance ignorant fool

Act 4 Scene 1

 4.1   Location: Troy torch torch (held by Aeneas)/torchbearer

    4   occasion opportunity/reason lie i.e., in bed

    5   heavenly business i.e., worship or deeds for the gods

    7   mind opinion

    9   Witness…speech bear witness to the drift of your own remarks (regarding Diomedes’ worth)

  10   by days daily

  11   haunt pursue

  13   question of discussions permitted during gentle noble/peaceful

  15   think conceive of/intend execute carry out (plays on the sense of “kill”)

  16   The…other i.e., both sentiments (health and defiance)

  17   bloods tempers so long i.e., while the truce lasts

  18   contention dispute, conflict occasion opportunity

  20   policy cunning/strategy

  22   backward i.e., courageously facing the pursuer

  23   Anchises Aeneas’ father

  24   Venus the goddess was Aeneas’ mother

  25   No…excellently no man alive can love in such a manner, so excellently the thing he means to kill

  27   sympathize agree, are in accord

  28   If…glory if I am not to have the glory of killing him

  29   complete…sun i.e., years

  30   in mine for, in the cause of emulous ambitious, rivalrous

  32   know understand

  33   know…worse see the other one in a worse state/meet as enemies

  34   despiteful’st gentle maliciously courteous

  39   render give

  42   constantly assuredly, firmly

  43   call my thought let my thought be called

  45   note notice, news

  46   quality whereof reason for it

  52   disposition nature/arrangements

  54   morrow morning

  60   He i.e., Menelaus

  61   making…of worrying about, entertaining moral doubts about soilure defilement, sexual dishonoring

  62   With…charge and the pain and cost of war

  64   palating tasting, affected by

  66   puling whimpering, whining

  67   lees and dregs remains, sediment flat tame’d piece wine cask that has been left open (tame’d) and the contents of which have become stale; plays on the sense of “sexually conquered woman” (piece), with flat suggesting unresponsive submission

  68   whorish loins i.e., Helen’s

  69   breed out conceive, create/taint and dilute the lineage of

  70   poised balanced

  71   he as he i.e., both men are equal the heavier both are more sorrowful whore plays on the antithesis of “light” (i.e., sexually immoral), a common descriptor for whores

  75   sunk i.e., been lost scruple tiny amount

  76   carrion putrefied, rotten (also a term for a whore)

  78   breath utterance

  80   chapmen traders, merchants

  81   Dispraise disparage, belittle

  82   But…sell i.e., we won’t play the tradesman hold uphold commend praise/hand over

  84   way path, route

Act 4 Scene 2

    5   kill subdue, overpower

    6   soft attachment gentle confinement

    7   As as have/as to those of

  11   But were it not busy active/interfering

  12   ribald raucously abusive, irreverent

  14   from go from

  16   Beshrew curse venomous wights malignant people stays lingers

  17   grasps clutches/embraces

  18   momentary-swift fleeting

  20   tarry linger, delay

  21   held off i.e., from intercourse

  23   What’s i.e., why are

  25   pestilence plague

  26   life i.e., hard time of it

  27   how go how is it with/what is the current price for maidenheads virginities

  28   Hear…Cressid? Pandarus pretends not to recognize Cressida now that she is no longer a virgin

  29   naughty wicked (perhaps also “licentious”)

  30   – – – – the original text has this sequence of dashes to suggest an obscenity flout insult, mock, taunt

  31   do plays on the sense of “have sex with”

  34   suffer others allow others to be

  35   chipochia vulva, vagina (from Italian poccia dell’amore, woman’s genitalia); most editors incorrectly emend to capocchia, “foreskin,” which would require the line to be addressed to Troilus

  36   bugbear hobgoblin, bogeyman (used to frighten children; Pandarus continues teasingly speaking in a manner appropriate to small children)

  37   knocked i’th’head bashed over the head (perhaps Cressida unconsciously employs sexual language: “to knock” could mean to have sex and head could refer to the head of a penis)

  40   meant naughtily had wicked intentions, i.e., was inviting you in for sex (in addition, to come could mean “to orgasm” and chamber could mean “vagina”)

  42   thing perhaps plays on the sense of “penis”

  49   knew recognized

  53   import concern

  56   Who a form of “ho” or “whoa” (expressions of impatience) ere you’re ware unintentionally, before you know it you’ll…him i.e., in trying to be loyal you will end up doing him a disservice

  57   Do…him i.e., very well, so you don’t know where he is (Aeneas will play along with Pandarus’ lie) yet nevertheless

  61   rash urgent

  65   sacrifice religious observance, offering to the gods (made at regular intervals throughout the day)

  68   concluded decided, settled

  69   state council

  71   achievements accomplishments, success/sexual conquest

  75   Have…taciturnity are not more gifted than in keeping silent

  77   broke’s broken his

  87   changed exchanged

  89   bane poison/destruction/murder

  93   touch feeling, hint consanguinity kinship, blood relationship

  97   force violence

  99   base foundation

100   centre…it refers to the Elizabethan idea that all things were drawn toward the earth’s core; plays on architectural sense of centre as a “temporary framework supporting any superstructure”

105   sounding crying out resoundingly

Act 4 Scene 3

    1   great morning broad daylight prefixed Of prearranged for

    5   haste…purpose hurry her along, get her ready for it

    7   presently immediately/soon

  12   would I wish as…pity as much as I pity

Act 4 Scene 4

    3   fine refined, pure

    6   temporize negotiate, effect a compromise

    7   brew dilute, water down

    8   like allayment same moderation, lessening

    9   qualifying dross diluting impurity

  10   No more no more does, neither can such…loss the loss of something so precious

  11   duck term of endearment for a lover

  13   pair…here sight the pair of you make (possibly pair of spectacles plays on the sense of “eyeglasses”)

  17   he i.e., the heart

  18   smart pain

  21   we see it i.e., we have seen how such words can console

  22   strange rare, exceptional

  23   as as if they are fancy love

  24   More bright which fancy is more bright

  25   Cold chaste blow breathe out (as they make their vows)

  26   envy malice/jealousy

  33   where…chance so that the cruelty of fate

  34   Puts back prevents by aside

  35   rudely roughly, harshly, unkindly beguiles cheats

  36   rejoindure reunion (i.e., a kiss; also suggestive of “rejoinder,” i.e., reply)

  37   embrasures embraces dear precious/heartfelt

  38   in…breath as we struggle to give them voice (a grim image of infanticide)

  41   discharge exhalation/payment one i.e., one sigh

  42   Injurious wounding, wrongful

  43   thiev’ry booty, stolen valuables

  45   distinct…kisses individual words and ratifying kisses to accompany each one

  46   fumbles up gathers clumsily together

  47   scants restricts, supplies inadequately

  48   Distasting its sweetness destroyed broken interrupted (by sobs)

  50   genius attendant spirit thought to accompany and influence a person throughout life

  51   instantly at that moment, imminently

  53   Rain…wind i.e., I must cry to stop myself sighing lay allay, calm blown…root uprooted (like a tree)

  57   merry Greeks a “merry Greek” was a popular phrase for a jolly fellow

  58   see see each other

  60   deem thought, notion, suspicion

  61   use expostulation kindly remonstrate gently with one another

  62   it i.e., the opportunity to even talk

  63   as fearing thee as if I doubted you

  64   throw my glove issue a challenge (to a duel)

  65   maculation stain

  66   fashion in introduce

  67   sequent protestation following declaration

  71   sleeve detachable sleeve, ornamented cuff (given as a love token)

  73   corrupt bribe

  78   quality accomplishments/personal qualities

  79   Their loving i.e., as lovers, in wooing composed made up, put together

  80   arts and exercise well-practiced skills (arts)

  81   move incite to love/arouse (sexually suggestive) parts with person natural gifts together with the handsome man they belong to (possibly parts plays on the sense of “genitals”)

  82   godly i.e., righteous

  88   mainly much

  89   heel dance high lavolt a lively dance that involved leaping movements (from Italian la volta, “the turn”)

  90   subtle cunning, involving strategy

  91   prompt and pregnant readily disposed and receptive

  93   still continual/silent dumb-discoursive silently persuasive, eloquent in silence

  97   will desire, wish

100   Presuming…potency relying too readily on a power that may in fact prove changeable

108   craft cunning for great opinion to secure great reputations

109   simplicity sincerity

110   crowns royal headgear (in the next line Troilus picks up on the sense of “heads”)

111   wear mine bare in its natural copper/go bareheaded

112   wit thinking

113   all the reach the full extent

116   port city gate

117   by on possess inform

118   Entreat her fair treat her courteously fair noble

123   save keep, withhold

125   Pleads makes the case for usage treatment

128   petition towards request to you

131   thou you are servant devotee, lover (like mistress, a term of courtly love)

132   charge command even…charge simply because I command it

133   dreadful inspiring dread, fear-inducing Pluto Greek god of the underworld

136   moved provoked, angered

137   place i.e., as a diplomat, negotiator message mission

138   hence gone from here

139   answer…lust do as I please (e.g., respond to you in battle/seduce Cressida) lust will/sexual desire

140   on charge because it was commanded To according to

141   that insofar as, just because

142   speak it say

144   brave boast/defiance

146   bend we let us direct

149   tardy reluctant, slow

153   fresh eager

154   address prepare tend attend, follow

155   lie depend

156   single chivalry individual valor/valor in single combat

Act 4 Scene 5

 4.5   Location: near the Greek camp

    1   in appointment armed, equipped

    2   Anticipating i.e., ahead of starting energetic, eager

    4   appalle’d terrified, made pale

    6   hale haul, drag

    7   trumpet trumpeter

    8   brazen brass/audacious

    9   villain wretch/servant sphere’d puffed out, rounded bias i.e., puffed out on one side, as if with a bias in it (i.e., the weight in a bowling ball that enabled it to be rolled in a curve)

  10   colic griping abdominal pain (here, attributed to excess wind) Aquilon the north wind (often depicted with swollen cheeks)

  11   spout blood i.e., due to burst blood vessels from blowing so hard

  12   for to summon

  14   early days early on in the day

  15   yond yonder, over there

  16   ken know gait walk, bearing

  18   aspiration longing for something above one

  21   dearly heartily (with suggestion of the expense incurred by the war that has brought her there)

  23   Yet as yet/however particular individual/a single event

  24   in general by everyone/indiscriminately

  25   courtly befitting court affairs and fashionable, elegant behavior/befitting courtly love

  27   winter i.e., Nestor’s old age

  29   argument subject (Menelaus refers to Helen; may play on a sense of “vagina”)

  30   argument basis, reason

  31   popped arrived unexpectedly/moved in suddenly hardiment boldness/erect penis

  32   theme…scorns reason for our being mocked/grounds of our contempt/cause for the indignities of war

  33   lose our heads lose our judgment/risk our lives gild his horns add false shine to Menelaus’ cuckoldry (men with unfaithful wives were popularly supposed to grow horns)

  36   trim fine (sarcastic)

  37   for instead of/in his place

  38   by your leave with your permission

  39   render give

  41   I’ll…live I’ll stake my life on it, I’ll bet

  42   take i.e., receive from Cressida

  44   boot something extra, an advantage, odds

  45   odd peculiar/unique/single, i.e., wifeless (also plays on the notion of odd numbers and of odds in a betting game) even an even number/equally/straightforwardly

  46   odd individual, unique

  48   odd alone, wifeless is even has settled his score (playing on the idea of being part of a couple)

  49   fillip me o’th’head touch a sensitive spot, i.e., his cuckold’s horns fillip tap, strike smartly

  51   match equal contest nail fingernail horn tough cuckold’s horns

  54   desire request (Cressida’s response either points out a difference between this more formal request and begging, or picks up desire’s sense of “want, long for”)

  57   maid unmarried/a virgin (i.e., never) his i.e., returned to Menelaus; alternatively, Ulysses breaks off without finishing

  58   when ’tis due i.e., when that has happened

  59   a kiss I’ll claim a kiss

  61   quick sense quick wit/lively sensibility/a ready sensuality

  62   Fie expression of disgust or reproach

  64   wanton lustful spirits sentiments, character traits

  65   motive moving limb, motion

  66   encounterers flirts, forward women

  67   give…comes behave in a forward, overly welcoming manner before even being approached (coasting, i.e., accosting; may pun on “costing,” i.e., costly to the man involved)

  68   wide unclasp open wide tables writing tablets, notebooks (often hinged; plays on the sense of “vaginas”)

  69   tickling lecherous/engaged in sexual stimulation with the fingers Set them down record, note them (plays on the sexual sense of “put them on their backs”)

  70   spoils of opportunity women who are sexually available on any occasion spoils sexual plunder; plays on the idea of women sexually spoiled from over-use

  71   daughters…game prostitutes

  74   state men of rank What i.e., what honor, reward

  75   that victory commands who wins purpose intend that

  76   known acknowledged, declared Will you do you wish that

  77   edge…extremity point of death (without any interruption)

  78   be…field they be separated by a marshal or by set rules in the field of combat

  80   bade ordered me to

  82   conditions agreed procedure

  83   securely overconfidently, carelessly

  84   disprizing undervaluing, disdaining

  89   In…Hector i.e., Hector’s courage is as great as his vanity is non-existent

  91   The one i.e., valor all the sum of everything

  92   The other i.e., pride blank i.e., absent Weigh judge, assess the value of

  94   half…blood Ajax’s mother Hesione was Priam’s sister, so he and Hector are cousins

  98   maiden virginal, i.e., without bloodshed (with derogatory connotations of weakness) perceive understand

  99   gentle noble

101   order procedure, direction

102   uttermost point of death

103   a breath i.e., a series of more sporting bouts with pauses for breath

104   stints restrains strife endeavors, strong exertions opposed facing one another lists designated combat area (literally, the barriers enclosing it)

106   heavy sad

109   matchless without equal firm of word resolute in speech

110   deedless…tongue i.e., never boasting of his achievements

112   free generous

114   bounty generosity

115   impare uneven, unconsidered, unworthy

117   subscribes yields, grants mercy

118   tender objects pitiful sights, i.e., the defeated and defenseless

119   vindicative vindictive, revengeful

120   erect…Hector i.e., he is expected to prove as worthy as Hector

123   Even…inches in every detail, from top to toe with private soul confidentially, privately and from the heart

124   translate interpret, explain, i.e., describe Alarum call to battle (usually trumpets or drums)

125   in action engaged in combat

128   disposed placed, distributed

129   no more stop

130   so if it

131   warm warmed up

135   cousin-german first cousin

137   emulation rivalry

138   commixtion…Trojan Trojan-Greek mixture

142   dexter right sinister left

143   Bounds in encloses multipotent massively powerful

144   bear carry away member body part

145   impressure imprint

146   rank large/grievous/violent feud i.e., the Trojan-Greek war gainsay forbid

150   him that thunders i.e., Jupiter/Jove, whose weapon was the thunderbolt lusty strong, vigorous

154   gentle noble free generous

156   addition title (i.e., honor, enhanced reputation)

157   Neoptolemus i.e., Achilles; in fact the name of his son, Pyrrhus Neoptolemus mirable admirable, marvelous

158   crest heraldic device on a coat of arms/helmet, i.e., head ‘Oyez’ cries of “oyez,” the shout a town crier used to summon attention

159   promise…Hector assure himself of additional honor gained by defeating Hector

161   expectance watchful anticipation, expectation

164   issue outcome

166   seld seldom chance i.e., to issue such an invitation desire ask, invite

171   signify make known, report

172   the…part those Trojans who are awaiting news

173   Desire them ask them to go

178   portly stately, dignified

179   Worthy of arms you who are so worthy to bear arms/receive embraces as…one you are as welcome as you possibly can be to one such as myself

181   welcome i.e., true, proper welcome

184   extant present, existing troth truth

185   Strained purely entirely purified hollow false, insincere bias-drawing deviation, crooked dealing (bowling metaphor: the bias causes swerving)

187   heart…heart the center of the heart

188   imperious majestic

191   brace pair

192   Who…answer? a polite way of asking Menelaus’ name

194   Mars his gauntlet Mars’ armored glove

195   affect favor, assume, use th’untraded the unconventional, unfamiliar

196   quondam former Venus’ glove as Mars’ lover Venus was unfaithful to her husband, Vulcan; the phrase plays on the sense of “vagina” (Latin for “sheath,” “scabbard”)

197   bade me not did not ask me to/asked me not to

198   deadly theme subject for mortal conflict/dire subject for discussion

201   Labouring for destiny doing the work of, employed by fate (in putting people to death)

203   hot hot-tempered/keen Perseus killer of the snake-haired gorgon Medusa Phrygian steed i.e., the winged horse Pegasus

204   forfeits and subduements the defeated, those near death (i.e., easy victims)

205   hung suspended, checked the swing of advance’d outstretched, raised

206   decline…declined descend on the vanquished

207   That so that

211   Olympian god of Mount Olympus/wrestler at the Olympic games

212   still always locked in steel i.e., covered by your helmet

219   chronicle historical record (Nestor’s age makes him a storehouse of memories; perhaps suggests a penchant for lengthy stories)

221   clasp embrace

222   arms limbs/weapons contention battle, strife

223   contend engage

227   I…time i.e., I can remember the time when I could have fought you

229   base and pillar foundation and support

230   favour appearance, face

233   embassy ambassadorial mission (i.e., an earlier negotiation regarding reparations for the loss of Helen)

235   half…yet half-fulfilled

236   pertly audaciously, boldly

237   wanton insolent/playful/lascivious buss kiss

240   modestly demurely, chastely (applies to the walls)/without exaggeration

241   Phrygian i.e., Trojan; Phrygia, a region in Asia Minor (now Turkey), was the location of Troy

242   the…all i.e., the eventual outcome is all that matters, time decides all things (proverbial)

243   arbitrator one who decides and settles a matter between opposed parties (legal term)

245   him i.e., Time

249   forestall prevent

251   exact detailed, precise perused inspected, examined

252   quoted scrutinized joint limb, body part (probably, picking up on fed and continued in fill, with connotations of a butcher’s joint of meat)

255   fair in full view

259   As as if

260   book of sport hunting manual

262   oppress (seek to) dominate

265   local individual, specific

266   make distinct mark out/differentiate

267   spirit soul/life-giving essence (thought to be carried in the blood) flew took flight/flowed

269   Stand again stand up (implying Achilles has knelt to the gods)/stand still/stand forward

270   catch capture, seize pleasantly easily/mockingly

271   prenominate specify in advance nice precise, detailed conjecture prediction

277   stithied…helm forged Mars’ helmet

283   chafe thee anger yourself

285   accident chance event to’t i.e., to fight Hector

287   stomach appetite general state Greek generals, council/whole Greek cause

288   entreat prevail upon, persuade odd at odds, at variance

290   pelting paltry, petty refused spurned, cast off

293   fell fierce, cruel

295   match agreement, contract (plays on the sense of “contest”)

296   peers nobles/companions

297   in to convive you feast, be convivial

298   bounties generosity, kindness

299   severally individually entreat invite

300   taborins drums

303   keep lodge, dwell

307   bent direction

309   bound obliged, indebted

313   As gentle i.e., be so courteous as to honour reputation, good name

316   such as those who scars i.e., wounds of love

317   A mock mockery (i.e., for boasting, but the further implication is that Diomedes’ flirtation with Cressida would make her former lover the object of ridicule)

318   is, and doth is still beloved and still loves

319   still always food…tooth subject to being preyed on by fortune (playing on the idea of fortune having a sweet tooth)

Act 5 Scene 1

 5.1   Location: the Greek camp

    2   scimitar short curved sword cool i.e., by exposing it to the air (with connotations of chilling with fear)

    5   core essence/center (as in the hard center of a boil)

    6   crusty scabby/ill-tempered (plays on the sense of “with a baked crust”) batch product/baker’s batch (plays on “botch,” i.e., boil) nature conceivably plays on the sense of “semen”

    7   picture mere image

    9   fragment insignificant or incomplete being/leftover, scrap of food

  10   fool idiocy (plays on the sense of “cream and stewed fruit pudding”)

  11   keeps the tent is looking after Achilles’ tent/is guilty of keeping to their tent

  12   surgeon’s box surgeon’s instrument case (Thersites responds to tent’s meaning of “surgical implement for cleaning a wound”)

  13   adversity perversity (because Thersites deliberately misunderstands words) need is the point of

  15   varlet knave, rogue/attendant, servant (hence ‘prostitute’)

  17   diseases…south i.e., venereal disease, popularly perceived as coming from Italy, especially the southern city of Naples, which had high rates of syphilis; also suggests the south wind, thought to convey disease, and perhaps the lower half of the body

  18   guts-griping colic or similar illness causing intestinal spasms ruptures hernias catarrhs colds, phlegm-producing illnesses loads o’gravel i’th’back kidney stones

  19   palsies fever characterized by trembling; the Quarto text has a longer list at this point (see appended list of “Quarto passages that do not appear in the Folio,” on this page) take strike, infect preposterous discoveries revelations of perversity (preposterous literally means “back to front,” suggesting anal sex)

  20   box plays on the sense of “vagina”

  23   ruinous ruined, i.e., rotten (also suggesting “diseased”) butt cask (plays on the sense of “buttocks”) indistinguishable shapeless, misshapen

  24   exasperate exasperated, enraged immaterial insubstantial, flimsy skein…silk reel of fine silk thread sleaved separated into filaments, plays on “sleeved”

  25   sarcenet fine silken cloth; green suggests immaturity or girlish weakness flap patch tassel dangling fringed decoration (possible phallic connotations) prodigal lavish, wasteful spender (perhaps suggestive of sexual exhaustion) purse may play on the sense of “scrotum”

  26   pestered infested/irritated waterflies i.e., buzzing insects

  28   Out expression of dismissive irritation gall bitterness/poison/irritating sore or painful pustule

  29   Finch-egg! i.e., small/ insignificant thing

  33   daughter…love i.e., Polyxena

  34   taxing imposing duty on/calling to account/reproving gaging binding, committing

  36   Fall Greeks should the Greeks be defeated or either

  38   trim tidy, deck out

  41   blood temper, hot-headedness/passion/sexual desire

  43   fellow usually used for servants, lower-class or worthless men, so a dismissive term for Agamemnon quails birds eaten as delicacies/prostitutes

  44   Jupiter…bull i.e., Menelaus, the horned cuckold, here compared to Jupiter who transformed himself into a bull in order to abduct Europa

  45   primitive statue original, archetypal image oblique memorial indirect reminder thrifty useful/ordinary, not elaborate

  46   shoeing-horn again alluding to the cuckold’s horns; plays on the sexual senses of “shoe” (vagina) and “horn” (penis) in on hanging…leg i.e., Menelaus is a hanger-on, dependent on Agamemnon that he is his current one

  47   wit i.e., Thersites’ wit larded mixed, saturated/stuffed (culinary term for the insertion of bacon strips into chicken) forced strengthened/stuffed (in a culinary sense) To i.e., to transform him into ass and ox suggesting fool and cuckold

  49   fitchew polecat/prostitute puttock scavenging bird of prey, buzzard

  50   but to be faced with the prospect of being/were I to be

  51   care…be wouldn’t mind being lazar leper so so long as

  52   Hoy-day expression of surprise

  60   tend on escort, protect

  64   draught cesspool, sewer quoth a did he say sink cesspool, sewer

  71   tide whereof time for which

  78   unjust dishonest, untrustworthy

  79   leers looks sideways/smiles disarmingly/glances seductively spend his mouth bay, bark loudly (hunting term)

  80   Brabbler a boastful liar, a brawler performs keeps his word, follows his words with deeds

  81   astronomers fortell it i.e., like a rare and significant event in the heavens prodigious ominous

  82   borrows of i.e., dims, reflects the light of (an unnatural event) leave to see abandon seeing

  83   dog him follow Diomedes drab whore uses regularly visits

  84   incontinent sexually unrestrained

Act 5 Scene 2

 5.2   Location: the Greek camp (outside Calchas’ tent)

    5   discover reveal

    7   charge responsibility, one entrusted to my care

  10   sing…sight sing to/get to know instantly, as if sight-reading music/have sex with any man quickly as if he were music to be sight-read (possible allusion to the sirens’ song)

  11   take her clef find the right musical key (clef)/possess her sexually (punning on cleft, i.e., “vagina”) noted marked, observed/notorious/set down in musical notation

  17   List! Listen!

  18   folly foolishness/lechery

  22   tell a pin i.e., don’t talk to me of trifles (pin may play on the sense of “(small) penis,” a derogatory reference to Troilus) forsworn – – – – perjured, oath-breaking…(dashes in original text indicate an omitted obscenity)

  24   juggling trick magic trick/deceitful ruse/sexual intercourse secretly open frank in private/sexually available in secret/modest and bold simultaneously/sexually accessible (playing on sense of secret meaning genitals)

  32   fool plaything/dupe

  33   Thy better i.e., Troilus himself

  36   moved agitated, upset, angry

  38   wrathful terms i.e., a fight

  41   go off leave

  42   flow…distraction are becoming increasingly agitated, frenzied (alludes to a swelling river)

  49   grieve distress, upset truth fidelity

  53   palter equivocate/haggle/trifle/mumble

  56   break out explode in anger/leap out from concealment

  60   will i.e., desire to confront Cressida and Diomedes all offences the actions Troilus might take/Cressida’s wrongdoing to him

  62   Luxury lechery potato-finger large penis/fat finger (also sexually suggestive as a digit that tickles sexually)

  63   Fry burn with lust (with connotations of the burning symptoms of venereal disease)/burn in hell

  65   lo used to add emphasis else otherwise

  66   token item used as a pledge surety assurance

  70   be myself i.e., allow myself to act on my feelings cognition recognition, knowledge

  83   sharpens toughens her resistance/sharpens Diomedes’ desire (with erectile connotations) whetstone stone used for sharpening swords (plays on the senses of vagina/woman/whore)

  90   memorial bestowed in remembrance

  91   thee refers to the sleeve; various stagings are possible in this sequence, and some editors have suggested that the ensuing line (“do not snatch it”) should be spoken by Cressida, not Diomedes

  93   withal with it, as well

104   Diana’s waiting-women i.e., the stars (Diana was the Roman goddess of chastity and the moon) yond up there

107   grieve hurt, distress his spirit i.e., the spirit of whoever owns the sleeve

108   wor’st wore

115   starts you provokes a sudden reaction in you, makes you swerve off in another direction

117   likes pleases

119   be plagued suffer, be tormented/be afflicted with divine punishment

123   with…see i.e., my other eye, representative of my true feelings, focuses on Diomedes (eye puns on “I”)

124   poor our our poor

125   error mistake/deception/wandering, straying

126   What whatever

127   swayed ruled, directed turpitude wickedness, depravity

128   proof…more she could not state a stronger proof (i.e., tried and tested truth)

130   All’s done i.e., it’s over, there is no more to see

133   recordation record, commemorative account

135   co-act behave together

137   Sith since credence faith, belief, trust

138   esperance hope

139   test evidence, testimony (most editors prefer Quarto’s “th’attest”)

140   deceptious deceptive, misleading

141   calumniate slander

143   conjure i.e., magically produce a vision of Cressida

146   negation denial hath…of does not seem like

147   but now only a moment ago

148   for for the sake of

149   advantage opportunity

150   a…depravation grounds on which to base all women’s depravity/grounds for vilification

153   soil stain, dishonor

155   swagger…eyes blusteringly talk himself out of believing the evidence of his own eyes

158   sanctimony holy, holiness

160   there…itself unity cannot be divided

161   discourse rationality

162   That…thyself that sets up arguments (cause) for and against itself

163   By abiding by, employing foul false/corrupt, flawed/illegible, incomprehensible revolt i.e., against itself

164   perdition destroying itself loss loss of reason, i.e., madness (also recalls loss of Cressida) reason appearance of reason

165   revolt contradiction

166   conduce take place

167   a thing i.e., Cressida inseparate indivisible

168   Divides more wider is more widely divided

170   Admits allows orifex orifice, opening subtle finely spun

171   Ariachne i.e., Arachne, a weaver turned into a spider by Minerva; alternatively a conflation of Arachne and Ariadne, who gave Theseus thread to use in finding his way out of the labyrinth of the Minotaur woof cross-threads in weaving (hence the strand of a spider’s web)

172   Instance evidence Pluto’s gates the gates of the underworld

175   slipped unloosed, let go (with connotations of moral failure)

176   five-finger-tied i.e., bound by human hands

177   fractions fragments, shreds orts scraps, leftovers (culinary term)

179   o’er-eaten gnawed at all over, eaten away (the sense of “surfeited” is possible but less likely)

180   May…express? Can worthy Troilus be half as seized by the emotion of events as his passionate words suggest?

183   red passionate/bloody (captures sense of sexual desire and the consequences of warfare) Mars his heart Mars’ heart

184   fancy love

187   by weight in equal proportion

189   casque helmet

190   spout waterspout, or the hurricane that produces it/heavy downpour

192   Constringed compressed, drawn together Fenne dragon of classical myth

194   his i.e., the spout’s prompted ready/provoked

196   He’ll…concupy Troilus will be provoked to violence on account of his own (or Diomedes’) lust/ Diomedes will receive blows (or fight it out) for his (or Troilus’) lust tickle beat, chastise (or Thersites may mockingly employ the milder sense of “titillate, assault gently”; sexual connotations are probable) concupy concupiscence, lust/concubine, mistress

198   by next to

203   this this time

204   stays waits

205   Have with you I’ll come with you, let’s go lord i.e., Ulysses

206   revolted fair faithless beauty

207   Stand fast be prepared castle type of close helmet

209   distracted agitated, troubled, confused

210   raven a bird of ill omen, often associated with death

211   bode prophesy the intelligence of information about

212   parrot proverbially fond of almonds commodious drab accommodating whore

Act 5 Scene 3

 5.3   Location: Troy

    1   ungently tempered unkindly, roughly disposed

    4   train induce offend pain, hurt/sin against, wrong

    6   to with regard to

    9   bloody bloodthirsty

  10   Consort join dear heartfelt, earnest

  15   trumpet trumpeter

  16   sally sudden attack

  18   peevish foolish/headstrong, obstinate

  20   spotted tainted, discolored, diseased

  22   just faithful to an oath is i.e., would be

  23   For…much because we wish to be generous use engage in/make a habit of

  25   purpose intention (i.e., cause for which the vow was taken)

  26   every purpose any intention (i.e., unworthy, spurious reasons) hold be binding

  29   keeps…of maintains the advantage over (literally, keeps to the windward side of)

  30   Life…man every man considers life precious, but the honorable man

  31   dear addressed to Cassandra? alternatively “precious-dear”

  33   father father-in-law, i.e., Priam

  34   doff take off harness armor

  35   i’th’vein of in the mood for

  37   tempt risk brushes collisions, hostile encounters

  41   lion as the noblest of beasts, the lion was proverbially said to spare the defenseless

  43   captive defeated, with no escape

  44   fan and wind i.e., as he brandishes it, without even needing to strike fair noble, fine/even-handed, just

  47   Fool’s play perhaps puns on “foul play” (to oppose fair play)

  53   ruthful piteous, lamentable, causing woe ruth pity, compassion

  55   then ’tis wars that (the abandonment of pity) is true war

  59   truncheon thick staff (such as that used by a marshal to control procedure in an official duel) retire retreat

  61   o’ergallèd heavily inflamed recourse repeated flowing

  64   But…ruin except by killing me

  66   loose thy stay release your support, prop; loose plays on “lose”—the two words were not always distinguished

  72   enrapt carried away by prophetic inspiration

  75   afield on the battlefield

  76   engaged pledged

  77   the…valour a warrior’s honorable pledge

  82   shame respect i.e., violate my duty to respect your wishes

  89   This…girl i.e., Cassandra

  90   bodements prophecies, forebodings

  95   shrills…her shrieks out her grief

  96   distraction madness amazement alarm, bewilderment

  97   antics grotesque buffoons

100   soft wait a moment

101   deceive delude/betray

102   amazed stunned/confused/dismayed exclaim outcry

103   cheer encourage, urge on

105   with…about i.e., protect

112   tisick consumptive cough, infection of lungs and throat

114   o’th’s of these rheum watery discharge (the eyes are affected by syphilis) ache…bones suggestive of syphilis, which causes bone decay

115   on’t of it

118   Th’effect…way i.e., the effect of the letter goes quite against its aim/her actions contradict her words

119   wind empty, insubstantial words (sense then shifts to “gusts of air”) turn and change flutter, intermingle (turn plays on the senses of “deceive/alter/desert” and change on the sense of “alter, change loyalty”)

120   errors lies, deceit still yet/constantly

121   edifies builds up (plays on the idea of causing penile erection) deeds actions/sexual acts

123   Hence get away Ignomy ignominy, shame, dishonor

Act 5 Scene 4

 5.4   Location: the battlefield, between Troy and the Greek camp excursion bout of fighting (moving across the stage)

    1   clapper-clawing beating up, thrashing

    2   dissembling deceitful

    3   fain gladly

    5   whore-masterly lecherous, whore-using

    6   luxurious drab lustful whore of on sleeveless fruitless, futile (plays on the literal sense of “without Troilus’ sleeve”) policy strategy/cunning

    7   swearing i.e., uttering (grand or false) pledges and claims

    8   dog-fox male fox (proverbially cunning) set me set (me is used for emphasis)

  11   proclaim barbarism declare a preference for lawlessness, ignorance (as opposed to policy, i.e., authoritative strategy) grows…opinion becomes poorly regarded

  13   take take to Styx river that departed souls had to cross in order to reach the classical underworld (i.e., Troilus would pursue Diomedes beyond death itself)

  15   miscall retire wrongly term this withdrawal a retreat

  16   advantageous care concern for my advantage

  17   of multitude i.e., that were stacked against me

  18   Have at thee! i.e., here I come (standard utterance at the opening of a fight)

  19   Hold hold onto/defend for i.e., fight for

  21   for Hector’s match a match for Hector

  22   blood noble blood/spirit, passion

  23   filthy low, scurvy, contemptible

  25   God-a-mercy God have mercy on you plague blow/affliction

  26   wenching whoring

  27   sort way, manner

  28   eats itself is self-destructive; perhaps alludes to the corrosive effects of syphilis, which decays the bones

Act 5 Scene 5

    3   commend convey, present

    5   proof trial in combat/evidence/the result

    7   Renew i.e., renew the assault

    8   bastard Margarelon illegitimate son of Priam (Margareton in the sources)

  10   colossus-wise like the Colossus of Rhodes, a gigantic statue of Apollo that supposedly stood astride the entrance to the harbor beam staff/lance

  11   pashèd smashed, battered

  14   ta’en captured

  15   dreadful fear-inducing sagittary centaur (half-man, half-horse) who supposedly fought for the Trojans; famed for his archery

  16   Appals terrifies, make pale

  17   To reinforcement i.e., to reinforce our struggling troops/to renew our attack

  22   anon shortly/at another time afoot on foot

  23   scale’d sculls schools of scaly fish

  24   belching spouting

  25   edge sword edge

  26   mower reaper swathe row of scythed crops

  27   leaves and takes leaves one dead as he cuts down another/spares one man and kills another

  28   appetite desire, will

  30   proof…impossibility the deeds he carries out seem impossible

  34   Myrmidons band of warriors from Thessaly, led by Achilles

  36   Crying on crying out in complaint/calling for vengeance against

  39   Mad furious fantastic extraordinary execution actions/slaughter

  40   Engaging…himself entering into combat and emerging alive (financial language; to engage was to mortgage, to redeem to buy back)

  41   careless…care casual attacking strength and effortless self-defense

  42   luck fortune in…cunning i.e., in defiance of his enemy’s skills

  46   draw together grow united, pull together (in contrast to the previous factional state)

  48   boy-queller boy-killer (referring to the death of Patroclus)

  50   none have nobody

Act 5 Scene 6

    4   correct punish, deliver retribution

    5   office position, role

    6   Ere that correction i.e., before I’d let you (rather than me) punish Troilus

  10   stand stay put

  11   prize reward, trophy/captive of war/booty seized in war look upon be an onlooker

  12   cogging deceitful, cheating Greeks plays on the sense of “cunning people”

  15   wilt would like to, need to (an honorable offer of pause to the presumably battle-weary Achilles)

  17   arms limbs/weapons out of use not working, out of action (due to exhaustion)

  18   rest and negligence i.e., need for rest and abandonment of the fight

  19   anon shortly

  25   flame i.e., sun

  26   carry capture/prevail over

  27   bring him off rescue him

  28   reck care

  29   mark target/notable sight

  31   frush smash, bruise

  33   hide (animal) skin, i.e., armor

Act 5 Scene 7

    2   attend follow/pay attention wheel range around/turn around, change direction (military term applying to the movement of troops)

    3   in breath i.e., fit and ready

    5   Empale enclose, fence (may pun on “impale” and possibly plays on the sense of “make pale”)

    6   fellest cruellest, fiercest execute your arm use your weapons

    7   proceedings actions

Act 5 Scene 8

    1   bull i.e., Menelaus (who has a cuckold’s horns) dog i.e., Paris; dogs were used in bull-baiting, a popular pastime; as an insult, “dog” implies base qualities ’Loo a call of encouragement to a dog

    2   double-henned sparrow i.e., Paris, as he has two women (Helen and his first wife, Oenone); the sparrow was associated with lechery and a “hen” is a derogatory term for a woman/whore has the game is winning (ironically playing on the sense of game as “sexual quarry”)

    3   ’ware beware of

    4   slave villain, wretch

    5   What who

    7   begot conceived

    9   wherefore why quarrel cause of the war

  10   judgement divine retribution

Act 5 Scene 9

    1   core body without on the outside (refers to the armor Hector admired in Act 5 scene 6)

    7   vail going down (literally, lowering a flag or weapons in submission; puns on “veil”) darking darkening

    9   vantage advantage Greek again recalls the proverbial association between Greeks and cheats

  13   amain loudly, with might

  18   stickler-like like a tournament umpire

  19   frankly freely, without restraint (perhaps with connotations of porcine greed; a “frank” was a sty, as well as a term for the process of fattening pigs)

  20   dainty bait tasty morsel, fine snack

Act 5 Scene 10

4   bruit news

5   bragless without boasting

7   patiently calmly, with quiet expectation

9   his i.e., Hector’s

10   sharp harsh, vicious, merciless

Act 5 Scene 11

    1   Yet still

    2   starve we out let us endure

    6   sort manner

    8   smile at smile in mocking scorn at/be kind to (i.e., by meting out swift destruction)

    9   at…mercy be merciful by making our afflictions immediate and brief

  11   discomfort discourage host army

  14   dare…in dare to face all impending evils that gods and men can prepare to endanger me

  17   screech-owl thought to be birds of ill omen, their cry believed to herald death aye forever

  19   will Priam turn that will turn Priam

  20   Niobes Niobe boasted that having numerous children made her superior to Latona/Leto, mother to Apollo and Diana; as a punishment for her blasphemy, Niobe’s children were killed and she turned into a rock that forever shed tears

  21   Cool statues i.e., struck dumb and frozen in grief

  25   pight pitched

  26   Titan Roman sun god

  27   through and through i.e., rampage through wreaking havoc (perhaps with suggestion of running through with a sword) great-sized coward i.e., Achilles

  28   sunder divide, part two hates mutual hatred

  29   haunt frequent, hang around/pursue, molest in the manner of troubling thoughts/visit in the manner of a spirit still constantly

  30   goblins demons frenzied thoughts the frenzied thoughts of madness

  31   free unregimented, in no formal marching order (i.e., hasty)/unimpeded, direct comfort courage

  34   broker-lackey pander, lowly go-between ignomy ignominy, dishonor

  36   aching bones suggestive of syphilis, which decays the bones

  38   requited rewarded endeavour efforts

  39   performance fulfillment, achievement verse rhyme, song/biblical text instance illustrative example

  40   humble-bee bumblebee

  41   honey plays on the senses of “sexual joy/semen” sting plays on the sense of “erect penis”

  42   subdued…tail having lost his sting/having lost his erection/having been infected by a diseased vagina

  44   traders…flesh pimps/whores/fornicators painted cloths wall-hangings decorated with morally instructive scenes or mottos

  45   hall guild, profession

  46   out blind from either weeping or syphilis

  48   aching bones symptom of syphilis

  49   hold-door brothel-keeping

  52   gallèd vexed, angered/inflamed and sore with venereal disease goose of Winchester prostitute, so called because of the many brothels of Southwark, which was under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Winchester

  53   sweat the conventional treatment for syphilis involved inducing sweating eases treatments, means of easing symptoms

THE TRAGEDY OF CORIOLANUS

Where did Shakespeare learn the Roman history that he so memorably dramatized in Julius Caesar, Antony and Cleopatra, and Coriolanus? Minor variants and improvisations apart, the answer is simple. While most of his plays involved him in the cutting and pasting of a whole range of literary and theatrical sources, in the Roman tragedies he kept his eye focused on the pages of a single great book.

That book was Plutarch’s Lives of the Most Noble Grecians and Romanes. Plutarch was a Greek, born in Boeotia in the first century AD. His book included forty-six biographies of the great figures of ancient history, arranged in pairs, half Greek and half Roman, with a brief “comparison” between each pair. The purpose of the “parallel” was to ask such questions as “Who was the greater general, the Greek Alexander or the Roman Julius Caesar?” Shakespeare affectionately mocks the device of parallelism in Henry the Fifth, when Fluellen argues that Harry of Monmouth is like Alexander of Macedon because their respective birthplaces begin with an “M” and there’s a river in each and “there is salmons in both.” But the comedy here is at Fluellen’s expense, not Plutarch’s—and, like all Shakespeare’s richest jokes, it has a serious point. As Alexander the Great killed his bosom-friend Cleitus in a drunken brawl, so King Harry in all sobriety caused his old chum Falstaff to die of a broken heart.

For Shakespeare, the historical parallel was a device of great power. The censorship of the stage exercised by court officialdom meant that it was exceedingly risky to dramatize contemporary affairs, so the best way of writing political drama was to take subjects from the past and leave it to the audience to see the parallel in the present. The uncertainty over the succession to the Virgin Queen meant that there were frequent whispers of conspiracy in the final years of Elizabeth’s reign. It would hardly have been appropriate to write a play about a group of highly placed courtiers (the Earl of Essex and his circle, say) plotting to overthrow the monarchy. But a play about a group of highly placed Roman patricians (Brutus, Cassius, and company) plotting to assassinate Julius Caesar had the capacity to raise some awkward questions by means of the implicit parallel.

Plutarch’s greatest importance for Shakespeare was his way of writing history through biography. He taught the playwright that the little human touch often says more than the large impersonal historical force. Plutarch explained his method in the Life of Alexander: “My intent is not to write histories, but only lives. For the noblest deeds do not always show men’s virtues and vices; but oftentimes a light occasion, a word, or some sport, makes men’s natural dispositions and manners appear more plain than the famous battles won wherein are slain ten thousand men, or the great armies, or cities won by siege or assault.” So too in Shakespeare’s Roman plays. It is the particular occasion—the single word, the moment of tenderness or jest—that humanizes the superpower politicians: Brutus and Cassius making up after their quarrel, the defeated Cleopatra remembering it is her birthday, Caius Martius exhausted from battle forgetting the name of the man who helped him in Corioles.

In his “Life of Caius Martius” Plutarch gives a brief character sketch of the Roman general who, by virtue of his heroic endeavor behind the closed gates of Corioles, gained the surname Coriolanus: “For this Martius’ natural wit and great heart did marvelously stir up his courage to do and attempt noble acts. But on the other side, for lack of education he was so choleric and impatient that he would yield to no living creature, which made him churlish, uncivil, and altogether unfit for any man’s conversation.” As the name “Martius” suggests, Coriolanus has all the martial virtues. His tragedy is that he has none of the civil ones. He devotes himself wholly to the code of valor (Latin virtus). Where Mark Antony is led astray from Roman values by his lover Cleopatra, Coriolanus is trained up in virtus by his mother Volumnia. He has a suitably austere Roman wife, who usually appears in company with a chaste companion (Valeria, the very opposite of Cleopatra’s companion Charmian). And when his son Young Martius, a chip off the old block, is praised for tearing the wings off a butterfly with his teeth, we gain a glimpse into the kind of upbringing that Coriolanus may be imagined to have had. “Anger’s my meat,” says Volumnia: perhaps in compensation for the premature disappearance of her husband, she has bred up an angry young man, ready to serve Rome on the battlefield where one senses she wishes she could go herself—as she does at the end of the play. If Antony and Cleopatra is about the tragic consequences of the dissolution of Romanness, Coriolanus is about the equally tragic result of an unyielding adherence to it. “It is held,” says Cominius,

That valour is the chiefest virtue, and

Most dignifies the haver: if it be,

The man I speak of cannot in the world

Be singly counterpoised…

“If it be”: Coriolanus’ own mode of speaking, by contrast, is what he calls the “absolute shall.” To leave room for an “if” would be to call his whole world-picture into question.

The play brings the absolute embodiment of virtus into hostile dialogue with other voices. As in Julius Caesar, the action begins not with the hero but with the people, to whom Plutarch (a believer in the theory that history is shaped by the deeds of great men alone) never gives a voice. In the very early period of the Roman republic, around the fifth century BC, Rome faced two threats: an external danger from neighboring territories (the Volscians, based in Antium and Corioles) and the internal danger of division between the patricians and the plebeians. The martial hero is supremely successful in dealing with the external threat through force, but his attempt to handle internal affairs in the same way leads to his banishment and eventual death. The opening scene reveals that the people do have a case: the first citizen argues cogently against inequality, speaking “in hunger for bread, not in thirst for revenge.” Diplomacy is the skill needed here; Coriolanus, who is always “himself alone” and who trusts in the deeds of the sword rather than the blandishments of the word, will have no truck with compromise. His pride and his desire to stand alone are only allayed when he faces his mother, wife, and son pleading for him to have mercy on the city. Volumnia appeals to the bond of family; after her eloquent entreaty, Coriolanus hovers for a moment in one of the most powerful silences in Shakespeare. He sets aside his code of manly strength, accepts the familial tie, and in so doing effectively signs his own death warrant. He has for the first time fully recognized the claims of other people, escaped the bond of absolute self. The knowledge of what he has done brings a kind of peace: “But let it come,” he says of his inevitable end. He is speaking here in the voice of Stoic resignation.

The nineteenth-century critic William Hazlitt said that anyone who was familiar with Coriolanus could save themselves the trouble of reading Edmund Burke’s attack on the French Revolution and Tom Paine’s defense of it, because Shakespeare gives you both sides of the question. The play anatomizes the strengths and the weaknesses of both absolutism and republicanism, interrogates both the principle of aristocracy and that of democracy. The plebeians and their elected representatives, the tribunes, have arguments as good as those of the patricians who, at the beginning of the play, have been hoarding grain for no good reason.

But ultimately, Hazlitt contended, Shakespeare had a leaning toward the side of arbitrary power, that of Coriolanus himself. Perhaps in contempt of his own lowly origins, or out of politic fear of the consequences of “confusion” in the state, Shakespeare gives charisma to aristocratic swagger. Stage directions such as “Citizens slink away” and “Enter a rabble of plebeians” suggest where authorial sympathies do not lie. “The language of poetry,” Hazlitt said, “naturally falls in with the language of power.” All the memorable poetry belongs to Coriolanus, none to the tribunes. Whatever the force of the arguments on either side, the audience is swept away by the energy of the play’s warrior hero. In particular, there is something irresistible about his solitary intensity. “Alone I did it,” he vaunts, remembering the deed that gave him his name: the conquest of Corioles, achieved when the plebeian soldiers ran away and the gates of the enemy city clanged shut behind him. In its way, his arrogance is as magnificent as his courage. Accused of being an enemy to the people, he is banished from the city for which he has been prepared to lay down his life on the battlefield. His reply turns the sentence on its head:

You common cry of curs, whose breath I hate

As reek o’th’rotten fens: whose loves I prize

As the dead carcasses of unburied men

That do corrupt my air: I banish you,

And here remain with your uncertainty.

The brilliance of the writing is in the detail: not only the glorious turn in the verb from passive “banished” to active “I banish you,” but also the first person pronoun “my” applied to the very “air,” thus showing how Coriolanus’ world revolves around himself, and the riposte “here [may you] remain with your uncertainty,” which reveals the gulf between the solitary martial hero’s firmness of vision and the messy vicissitudes of communal life.

Coriolanus walks proudly away from Rome, soon to face the humiliation of being ordered around by mere servingmen. The very qualities that made him a great warrior—his singleness of purpose and lack of compromise—are those that make him a poor politician. The play is a tragedy because the man of war cannot keep the peace. It is also a work of deep irony. Coriolanus is the walking embodiment of masculinity. He feels a peculiarly intense bond with Aufidius, his opponent on the battlefield. The single erotic speech in the play is spoken by Aufidius when he welcomes the exiled Coriolanus to his home, an arrival that excites him more than his wife crossing his threshold on their wedding night. His nightly dream has been to wrestle with Coriolanus’ body in hand-to-hand combat:

We have been down together in my sleep,

Unbuckling helms, fisting each other’s throat,

And waked half dead with nothing…

Though Coriolanus does not respond to this extraordinary advance in verbal kind, he is manifestly a man who is at his most fulfilled when among other men. And yet the march of this supremely manly man comes to an abrupt halt in the face of his mother, Volumnia. “The ladies have prevailed”: by a lovely irony, Rome is saved by the words of an old woman, not the deeds of a young man. No wonder Caius Martius is so angry when Aufidius calls him “boy”: Coriolanus is Peter Pan in full body armor, a boy who refuses to grow up.

KEY FACTS

PLOT: Famine in Rome is kindling unrest between the common people and the patricians. The people particularly resent the arrogant Caius Martius, son of Volumnia, who makes no secret of the fact that he despises them. The citizens rise up against the patricians, whom they suspect of hoarding corn for themselves. They are rewarded with the creation of two people’s representatives, or tribunes, who are given new powers to sit in the Senate. War with the neighboring Volscians halts the rioting, however, and, in the battle for the town of Corioli, Caius Martius leads the Roman army with such spectacular bravery that he is honored with the title “Coriolanus.” Back in Rome, the patricians urge Coriolanus to seek the consulship. Reluctantly, he agrees to submit himself to the necessary public display of humility in order to win the assent of the citizens, but once again his inability to mask his contempt turns them against him. Not only do they refuse their assent but, incited by their tribunes, they banish Coriolanus from Rome. In revenge, he joins the Volscians and his former enemy Tullus Aufidius. Together they march on Rome. Coriolanus refuses all attempts at conciliation by his former comrades and only through the intercession of his mother, wife, and son is he finally persuaded to spare the city. He establishes a peace, but is killed by the resentful Volscians.

MAJOR PARTS: (with percentage of lines/number of speeches/scenes on stage) Caius Martius/Coriolanus (23%/189/18), Menenius Agrippa (15%/162/13), Volumnia (8%/57/6), Sicinius Velutus (8%/117/10), Cominius (8%/67/11), Tullus Aufidius (7%/45/8), Junius Brutus (7%/ 91/9), Titus Lartius (2%/23/6), First Citizen (2%/33/4), Third Servingman (1%/20/1), Third Citizen (1%/18/3), and Valeria (1%/14/2).

LINGUISTIC MEDIUM: 80% verse, 20% prose.

DATE: 1608? Probably uses Camden’s Remaines (1605); a phrase is parodied in Ben Jonson’s Epicoene (late 1609). Allusion to “coal of fire upon the ice” in Act 1 scene 1 sometimes taken to refer to the great frost of winter 1607/08, when the Thames was frozen and people with “pans of coals to warm your fingers” were stationed on the middle of the river; the issue of grain shortage and hoarding with which the action begins has been related to an insurrection in the English midlands in 1607–08. Theaters were closed because of the plague for the majority of the time in these years, so the play may belong to the open period of April–July 1608.

SOURCES: Closely based on “The Life of Caius Martius Coriolanus” in Sir Thomas North’s English translation of Plutarch’s Lives of the Most Noble Grecians and Romanes (Shakespeare probably used the 1595 edition). Menenius’ fable of the belly in the first scene is the only occasion on which an additional source seems to have been used: the wording suggests the influence of both Livy’s Romane Historie (trans. Philemon Holland, 1600) and William Camden’s Remaines of a greater worke concerning Britaine (1605).

TEXT: 1623 Folio, apparently set from Shakespeare’s manuscript or a scribal transcript of it, is the only early edition; irregular lineation is the main problem in the printing.

THE TRAGEDY OF CORIOLANUS

Caius MARTIUS, later CORIOLANUS

VOLUMNIA, Coriolanus’ mother

VIRGILIA, his wife

YOUNG MARTIUS, his son

VALERIA, friend of Virgilia

GENTLEWOMAN, attending on Virgilia

MENENIUSAgrippa, Coriolanus’ elderly friend

NICANOR, a Roman traitor

Two MESSENGERS

LIEUTENANT

Two SOLDIERS

Two OFFICERS

Five CITIZENS

Three ROMANS

A HERALD

An AEDILE

A PATRICIAN

Two SENATORS

Tullus AUFIDIUS, Volscian general

LIEUTENANTto Aufidius

ADRIAN, a Volscian

Three SERVINGMEN

Three CONSPIRATORS

Two WATCHMEN

Three LORDS

Usher, Valeria’s Gentlewoman, Captains, Soldiers,

Drummer, Trumpeter, Scout, Nobles, Attendants

Act 1 Scene 11.1

running scene 1

        Enter a company of mutinous Citizens, with staves, clubs and other weapons

FIRST CITIZEN

FIRST CITIZEN Before we proceed any further, hear me speak.

ALL

ALL     Speak, speak.

FIRST CITIZEN

FIRST CITIZEN You are all resolved rather to die than to famish?³

ALL

ALL     Resolved, resolved.

FIRST CITIZEN

FIRST CITIZEN First, you know Caius Martius is chief enemy to the people.

ALL

ALL     We know’t, we know’t.

FIRST CITIZEN

FIRST CITIZEN Let us kill him, and we’ll have corn at our own price. Is’t a verdict?⁷

ALL

ALL     No more talking on’t:⁸ let it be done: away, away.

SECOND CITIZEN

SECOND CITIZEN One word, good citizens.

FIRST CITIZEN

FIRST CITIZEN We are accounted poor,¹⁰ citizens, the patricians good: what authority surfeits on¹¹ would relieve us. If they would yield us but the superfluity while it were wholesome¹² we might guess they relieved us humanely: but they think we are too dear:,¹³ the leanness that afflicts us, the object of our misery, is as an inventory¹⁴ to particularize their abundance: our sufferance is a gain to them. Let us revenge this with our pikes¹⁵ ere we become rakes. For the gods know, I speak this in hunger for bread, not in thirst for revenge.

SECOND CITIZEN

SECOND CITIZEN Would you proceed especially against Caius Martius?

ALL

ALL     Against him first: he’s a very dog¹⁸ to the commonalty.

SECOND CITIZEN

SECOND CITIZEN Consider you what services he has done for his country?

FIRST CITIZEN

FIRST CITIZEN Very well, and could be content to give him good report for’t, but that he pays himself with being proud.

ALL

ALL     Nay, but speak not maliciously.

FIRST CITIZEN

FIRST CITIZEN I say unto you, what he hath done famously,²³ he did it to that end: though soft-conscienced²⁴ men can be content to say it was for his country, he did it to²⁵ please his mother and to be partly proud, which he is, even to the altitude of his virtue.

SECOND CITIZEN

SECOND CITIZEN What he cannot help in his nature, you account a vice in him. You must in no way say he is covetous.

FIRST CITIZEN

FIRST CITIZEN If.²⁹ I must not, I need not be barren of accusations: he hath faults, with surplus, to tire in repetition³⁰

        Shouts within

                  What shouts are these? The other side o’th’city is risen:³¹ why stay we prating here? To th’Capitol!³²

ALL

ALL     Come, come.

FIRST CITIZEN

FIRST CITIZEN Soft,³⁴ who comes here?

        Enter Menenius Agrippa

SECOND CITIZEN

SECOND CITIZEN Worthy Menenius Agrippa, one that hath always loved the people.

FIRST CITIZEN

FIRST CITIZEN He’s one honest enough: would all the rest were so!

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     What work’s, my countrymen, in hand? Where go you With bats³⁸ and clubs? The matter, speak, I pray you.

SECOND CITIZEN

SECOND CITIZEN Our business is not unknown to th’senate: they have had inkling this fortnight what we intend to do, which now we’ll show ’em in deeds. They say poor suitors⁴¹ have strong breaths: they shall know we have strong arms too.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Why, masters,⁴² my good friends, mine honest neighbours, Will you undo⁴³ yourselves?

SECOND CITIZEN

SECOND CITIZEN We cannot, sir, we are undone already.

45

45   

MENENIUS

MENENIUS           I tell you, friends, most charitable care

               Have the patricians of you. For⁴⁶ your wants,

               Your suffering in this dearth,⁴⁷ you may as well

               Strike at the heaven with your staves⁴⁸ as lift them

               Against the Roman state, whose course will on⁴⁹

50

50           The way it takes, cracking ten thousand curbs⁵⁰

               Of more strong link asunder than can ever

               Appear in your⁵² impediment. For the dearth,

               The gods, not the patricians, make it, and

               Your knees⁵⁴ to them, not arms, must help. Alack,

55

55           You are transported⁵⁵ by calamity

               Thither where more attends⁵⁶ you, and you slander

               The helms⁵⁷ o’th’state, who care for you like fathers,

               When you curse them as enemies.

SECOND CITIZEN

SECOND CITIZEN Care for us? True,⁵⁹ indeed, they ne’er cared for⁶⁰ us yet. Suffer us to famish, and their store-houses crammed with grain: make edicts for usury, to support usurers: repeal daily any wholesome act established against the rich, and provide more piercing⁶² statutes daily, to chain up and restrain the poor. If the wars eat us not up, they will: and there’s all the love they bear us.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Either you must

65

65           Confess yourselves wondrous⁶⁵ malicious,

               Or be accused of folly. I shall tell you

               A pretty⁶⁷ tale: it may be you have heard it,

               But since it serves my purpose, I will venture

               To stale’t⁶⁹ a little more.

SECOND CITIZEN

SECOND CITIZEN Well, I’ll hear it, sir: yet you must not think to fob off our disgrace⁷⁰ with a tale: but, an’t⁷¹ please you, deliver.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     There was a time when all the body’s members

               Rebelled against the belly, thus accused it:

               That only like a gulf it did remain

75

75           I’th’midst o’th’body, idle and unactive,

               Still cupboarding⁷⁶ the viand, never bearing

               Like⁷⁷ labour with the rest, where th’other instruments

               Did see and hear, devise,⁷⁸ instruct, walk, feel,

               And, mutually participate,⁷⁹ did minister

80

80           Unto the appetite and affection⁸⁰ common

               Of the whole body. The belly answered—

SECOND CITIZEN

SECOND CITIZEN Well, sir, what answer made the belly?

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Sir, I shall tell you: with a kind of smile,

               Which ne’er⁸⁴ came from the lungs, but even thus —

85

85           For look you, I may make the belly smile

               As well as speak — it tauntingly replied

               To th’discontented members, the mutinous parts

               That envied his⁸⁸ receipt: even so most fitly

               As you malign our senators for that⁸⁹

90

90           They are not such as you.

SECOND CITIZEN

SECOND CITIZEN Your belly’s answer: what?

               The kingly crownèd head, the vigilant eye,

               The counsellor heart, the arm our soldier,

               Our steed the leg, the tongue our trumpeter,

95

95           With other muniments⁹⁵ and petty helps

               In this our fabric,⁹⁶ if that they—

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     What then? Fore me,⁹⁷ this fellow speaks! What then? What then?

SECOND CITIZEN

SECOND CITIZEN Should by the cormorant⁹⁸ belly be restrained,

               Who is the sink⁹⁹ o’th’body—

100

100 

MENENIUS

MENENIUS             Well, what then?

SECOND CITIZEN

SECOND CITIZEN The former¹⁰¹ agents, if they did complain,

               What could the belly answer?

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     I will tell you,

               If you’ll bestow a small¹⁰⁴ — of what you have little —

105

105         Patience awhile, you’st¹⁰⁵ hear the belly’s answer.

SECOND CITIZEN

SECOND CITIZEN You’re long about it.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Note me this, good friend:

               Your¹⁰⁸ most grave belly was deliberate,

               Not rash like his accusers, and thus answered:

110

110         ‘True is it, my incorporate¹¹⁰ friends,’ quoth he,

               ‘That I receive the general¹¹¹ food at first

               Which you do live upon: and fit it is,

               Because I am the storehouse and the shop

               Of the whole body. But, if you do remember,

115

115         I send it through the rivers of your blood

               Even to the court,¹¹⁶ the heart, to th’seat o’th’brain,

               And through the cranks¹¹⁷ and offices of man,

               The strongest nerves¹¹⁸ and small inferior veins

               From me receive that natural competency¹¹⁹

120

120         Whereby they live. And though that all at once’ —

               You, my good friends, this says the belly, mark¹²¹ me—

SECOND CITIZEN

SECOND CITIZEN Ay, sir, well, well.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     ‘Though all at once cannot

               See what I do deliver out to each,

125

125         Yet I can make¹²⁵ my audit up, that all

               From me do back receive the flour¹²⁶ of all,

               And leave me but the bran.¹²⁷’ What say you to’t?

SECOND CITIZEN

SECOND CITIZEN It was an answer: how apply you this?

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     The senators of Rome are this good belly,

130

130         And you the mutinous members: for examine

               Their counsels and their cares, digest¹³¹ things rightly

               Touching the weal o’th’common,¹³² you shall find

               No public benefit which you receive

               But it proceeds or comes from them to you

135

135         And no way from yourselves. What do you think,

               You, the great toe of this assembly?

SECOND CITIZEN

SECOND CITIZEN I the great toe? Why the great toe?

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     For that, being one o’th’lowest, basest, poorest

               Of this most wise rebellion, thou goest foremost:

140

140         Thou rascal,¹⁴⁰ that art worst in blood to run,

               Lead’st first to win some vantage.¹⁴¹

               But make you ready your stiff bats and clubs:

               Rome and her rats are at the point of battle:

               The one side¹⁴⁴ must have bale.

               Enter Caius Martius

                                    Hail, noble Martius.

145

145 

MARTIUS

MARTIUS             Thanks. What’s the matter, you dissentious¹⁴⁵ rogues,

               That, rubbing the poor itch of your opinion,

               Make yourselves scabs?¹⁴⁷

SECOND CITIZEN

SECOND CITIZEN We have ever¹⁴⁸ your good word.

MARTIUS

MARTIUS     He that will give good words to thee will flatter

150

150         Beneath abhorring.¹⁵⁰ What would you have, you curs,

               That like nor¹⁵¹ peace nor war? The one affrights you,

               The other makes you proud.¹⁵² He that trusts to you,

               Where he should find you lions, finds you hares:¹⁵³

               Where foxes,¹⁵⁴ geese: you are no surer, no,

155

155         Than is the coal of fire upon the ice,

               Or hailstone in the sun. Your virtue¹⁵⁶ is

               To make¹⁵⁷ him worthy whose offence subdues him

               And curse that justice did it. Who¹⁵⁸ deserves greatness

               Deserves¹⁵⁹ your hate, and your affections are

160

160         A sick man’s appetite, who desires most that

               Which would increase his evil.¹⁶¹ He that depends

               Upon your favours swims with fins of lead,

               And hews down oaks with rushes.¹⁶³ Hang ye! Trust ye?

               With every minute you do change a mind,

165

165         And call him noble that was now¹⁶⁵ your hate,

               Him vile that was your garland.¹⁶⁶ What’s the matter,

               That in these several¹⁶⁷ places of the city

               You cry against the noble senate, who,

               Under the gods, keep you in awe, which else¹⁶⁹

170

170         Would feed on one another?—What’s their seeking?¹⁷⁰ To Menenius

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     For corn at their own rates, whereof they say

               The city is well stored.

MARTIUS

MARTIUS     Hang ’em! They say?

               They’ll sit by th’fire, and presume to know

175

175         What’s done i’th’Capitol: who’s like to rise,

               Who thrives and who declines: side¹⁷⁶ factions and give out

               Conjectural marriages,¹⁷⁷ making parties strong

               And feebling¹⁷⁸ such as stand not in their liking

               Below their cobbled¹⁷⁹ shoes. They say there’s grain enough?

180

180         Would the nobility lay aside their ruth,¹⁸⁰

               And let me use my sword, I’d make a quarry¹⁸¹

               With thousands of these quartered¹⁸² slaves, as high

               As I could pick¹⁸³ my lance.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Nay, these are almost thoroughly persuaded:

185

185         For though abundantly they lack discretion,

               Yet are they passing¹⁸⁶ cowardly. But I beseech you,

               What says the other troop?

MARTIUS

MARTIUS     They are dissolved: hang ’em:

               They said they were an-hungry,¹⁸⁹ sighed forth proverbs

190

190         That hunger broke stone walls, that dogs¹⁹⁰ must eat,

               That meat¹⁹¹ was made for mouths, that the gods sent not

               Corn for the rich men only: with these shreds¹⁹²

               They vented their complainings, which being answered,

               And a petition granted them, a strange one —

195

195         To break the heart of generosity,¹⁹⁵

               And make bold power look pale — they threw their caps

               As¹⁹⁷ they would hang them on the horns o’th’moon,

               Shouting their emulation.¹⁹⁸

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     What is granted them?

200

200 

MARTIUS

MARTIUS             Five tribunes²⁰⁰ to defend their vulgar wisdoms,

               Of their own choice. One’s Junius Brutus,

               Sicinius Velutus, and I know not. ’Sdeath,²⁰²

               The rabble should have first unroofed the city,

               Ere so prevailed with me: it will in time

205

205         Win upon power²⁰⁵ and throw forth greater themes

               For insurrection’s arguing.²⁰⁶

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     This is strange.

MARTIUS

MARTIUS     Go get you home, you fragments.²⁰⁸ To the Citizens

               Enter a Messenger hastily

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Where’s Caius Martius?

210

MARTIUS

MARTIUS     Here: what’s the matter?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     The news is, sir, the Volsces are in arms.

MARTIUS

MARTIUS     I am glad on’t: then we shall ha’ means to vent²¹²

               Our musty superfluity.²¹³ See, our best elders.

               Enter Sicinius Velutus, Junius Brutus, Cominius, Titus Lartius, with other Senators

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR Martius, ’tis true that²¹⁴ you have lately told us:

215

215         The Volsces are in arms.

MARTIUS

MARTIUS     They have a leader,

               Tullus Aufidius, that will put you to’t:²¹⁷

               I sin in envying his nobility,

               And were I anything but what I am,

220

220         I would wish me only he.

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     You have fought together!²²¹

MARTIUS

MARTIUS     Were half to half the world by th’ears²²² and he

               Upon my party,²²³ I’d revolt to make

               Only my wars with²²⁴ him. He is a lion

225

225         That I am proud to hunt.

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR Then, worthy Martius,

               Attend upon²²⁷ Cominius to these wars.

COMINIUS

cominius     It is your former promise. To Martius

MARTIUS

MARTIUS     Sir, it is,

230

230         And I am constant:²³⁰ Titus Lartius, thou

               Shalt see me once more strike at Tullus’ face.

               What, art thou stiff?²³² Stand’st out?

LARTIUS

LARTIUS     No, Caius Martius,

               I’ll lean upon one crutch and fight with t’other,

235

235         Ere²³⁵ stay behind this business.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     O, true-bred!

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR Your²³⁷ company to th’Capitol, where I know

               Our greatest friends attend²³⁸ us.

LARTIUS

LARTIUS     Lead you on.— To Cominius

240

240         Follow Cominius, we must follow you, To Martius

               Right²⁴¹ worthy your priority.

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     Noble Martius.

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR Hence to your homes, be gone. To the Citizens

MARTIUS

MARTIUS     Nay, let them follow:

245

245         The Volsces have much corn: take these rats thither

               To gnaw their garners.²⁴⁶ Worshipful mutineers,

               Your valour puts well forth:²⁴⁷ pray follow.

               Exeunt

               Citizens steal away. Sicinius and Brutus remain

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Was ever man so proud as is this Martius?

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     He has no equal.

250

250 

SICINIUS

SICINIUS             When we were chosen tribunes for the people—

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Marked you his lip and eyes?

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Nay, but his taunts.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Being moved,²⁵³ he will not spare to gird the gods.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Bemock the modest²⁵⁴ moon.

255

255 

BRUTUS

BRUTUS             The²⁵⁵ present wars devour him: he is grown

               Too proud to be so valiant.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Such a nature,

               Tickled with²⁵⁸ good success, disdains the shadow

               Which he treads on at noon:²⁵⁹ but I do wonder

260

260         His insolence²⁶⁰ can brook to be commanded

               Under Cominius.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Fame, at the which he aims,

               In whom already he’s well graced, cannot

               Better be held nor more attained than by

265

265         A place below the first: for what miscarries²⁶⁵

               Shall be the general’s fault, though he perform

               To th’utmost of a man, and giddy censure²⁶⁷

               Will then cry out of Martius ‘O, if he

               Had borne the business!’

270

270 

SICINIUS

SICINIUS             Besides, if things go well,

               Opinion²⁷¹ that so sticks on Martius shall

               Of his demerits²⁷² rob Cominius.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Come:

               Half all Cominius’ honours are²⁷⁴ to Martius,

275

275         Though Martius earned them not: and all his faults

               To Martius shall be honours, though indeed

               In aught²⁷⁷ he merit not.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Let’s hence, and hear

               How the dispatch²⁷⁹ is made, and in what fashion,

280

280         More²⁸⁰ than his singularity, he goes

               Upon this present action.²⁸¹

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Let’s along.²⁸²

               Exeunt

[Act 1 Scene 2]1.2

running scene 2

        Enter Tullus Aufidius with Senators of Corioles

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR So, your opinion is, Aufidius,

               That they of Rome are entered² in our counsels

               And know how we proceed.

AUFIDIUS

AUFIDIUS     Is it not yours?

5

5             Whatever have been thought on in this state,

               That could be brought to bodily act ere⁶ Rome

               Had circumvention?⁷ ’Tis not four days gone

               Since I heard thence: these are the words: I think

               I have the letter here: yes, here it is. He reads the letter1

10

10           ‘They have pressed a power,¹⁰ but it is not known

               Whether for east or west: the dearth is great,

               The people mutinous: and it is rumoured,

               Cominius, Martius your old enemy,

               Who is of¹⁴ Rome worse hated than of you,

15

15           And Titus Lartius, a most valiant Roman,

               These three lead on this preparation¹⁶

               Whither¹⁷ ’tis bent: most likely ’tis for you:

               Consider of it.’

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR Our army’s in the field:¹⁹

20

20           We never yet made doubt but²⁰ Rome was ready

               To answer us.

AUFIDIUS

AUFIDIUS     Nor did you think it folly

               To keep your great pretences²³ veiled, till when

               They needs²⁴ must show themselves, which in the hatching,

25

25           It seemed, appeared to Rome. By the discovery,

               We shall be shortened²⁶ in our aim, which was

               To take in²⁷ many towns ere, almost, Rome

               Should know we were afoot.

SECOND SENATOR

SECOND SENATOR Noble Aufldius,

30

30           Take your commission, hie³⁰ you to your bands:

               Let us alone to guard Corioles.

               If they set down before’s,³² for the remove

               Bring up your army: but, I think, you’ll find

               They’ve not prepared for us.

35

35   

AUFIDIUS

AUFIDIUS           O, doubt not that:

               I speak from certainties. Nay, more,

               Some parcels³⁷ of their power are forth already,

               And only hitherward.³⁸ I leave your honours.

               If we and Caius Martius chance to meet,

40

40           ’Tis sworn between us we shall ever⁴⁰ strike

               Till one can do no more.

ALL

ALL     The gods assist you!

AUFIDIUS

AUFIDIUS     And keep your honours safe

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR Farewell.

45

45   

SECOND SENATOR

SECOND SENATOR           Farewell.

ALL

ALL     Farewell.

        Exeunt

Act 1 Scene 31.3

running scene 3

        Enter Volumnia and Virgilia, mother and wife to Martius: they set them down on two low stools and sew

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA     I pray you, daughter, sing, or express yourself in a more comfortable,.¹ sort: if my son were my husband, I should freelier² rejoice in that absence wherein he won honour than in the embracements of his bed where he would show most love. When yet he was but tender-bodied⁴ and the only son of my womb, when youth with comeliness⁵ plucked all gaze his way, when for a day of kings’ entreaties a mother should not sell him an hour from her beholding, I, considering how honour would become⁷ such a person, that it was no better than, picture-like⁸ to hang by th’wall if renown made it not stir, was pleased to let him seek danger where he was like⁹ to find fame: to a cruel war I sent him, from whence he returned, his brows bound with oak¹⁰ I tell thee, daughter, I sprang not more in joy at first hearing he was a man-child than now¹¹ in first seeing he had proved himself a man.

VIRGILIA

VIRGILIA     But had he died in the business, madam, how then?

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA     Then his good report should have been my son: I therein would have found issue.¹⁵ Hear me profess sincerely: had I a dozen sons, each in my love alike, and none less dear than thine and my good Martius, I had rather had eleven die nobly for their country than one voluptuously surfeit¹⁷ out of action.

        Enter a Gentlewoman

GENTLEWOMAN

GENTLEWOMAN Madam, the lady Valeria is come to visit you. To Volumnia

VIRGILIA

VIRGILIA     Beseech you give¹⁹ me leave to retire myself. To Volumnia

20

20   

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA           Indeed, you shall not.

               Methinks I hear hither²¹

               See²² him pluck Aufidius down by th’hair,

               As children from a bear, the Volsces shunning him:

               Methinks I see him stamp thus, and call thus,

25

25           ‘Come on, you cowards, you were got²⁵ in fear,

               Though you were born in Rome’; his bloody brow

               With his mailed²⁷ hand then wiping, forth he goes,

               Like to a harvest-man that’s tasked²⁸ to mow

               Or all or lose his hire.²⁹

30

30   

VIRGILIA

VIRGILIA           His bloody brow? O Jupiter,³⁰ no blood!

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA     Away, you fool! It more becomes a man

               Than gilt his trophy.³² The breasts of Hecuba

               When she did suckle Hector looked not lovelier

               Than Hector’s forehead when it spit forth blood

35

35           At Grecian sword, contemning.³⁵— Tell Valeria, To the Gentlewoman

               We are fit³⁶ to bid her welcome.

        Exit Gentlewoman

VIRGILIA

VIRGILIA     Heavens bless³⁷ my lord from fell Aufidius!

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA     He’ll beat Aufidius’ head below his knee

               And tread upon his neck

        Enter Valeria with an Usher and a Gentlewoman

VALERIA

VALERIA     My ladies both, good day to you.

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA     Sweet madam

VIRGILIA

VIRGILIA     I am glad to see your ladyship

VALERIA

valeria     How do you both? You are manifest housekeepers,.⁴³ What are you sewing here? A fine spot⁴⁴ in good faith. How does your little son?

45       

VIRGILIA

VIRGILIA     I thank your ladyship: well, good madam

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA     He had rather see the swords and hear a drum than look upon his schoolmaster

VALERIA

VALERIA     O’my⁴⁸ word, the father’s son: I’ll swear ’tis a very pretty boy. O’my troth, I looked upon him o’Wednesday half⁴⁹ an hour together: he’s such a confirmed countenance. I saw him run after⁵¹ a gilded butterfly, and when he caught it, he let it go again, and after it again, and over and over he comes, and up again, catched it again: or whether⁵² his fall enraged him, or how ’twas, he did so set his teeth and tear it. O, I warrant⁵³ how he mammocked it!

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA     One on’s⁵⁴ father’s moods

VALERIA

VALERIA     Indeed, la,⁵⁵ ’tis a noble child.

VIRGILIA

VIRGILIA     A crack,⁵⁶ madam

VALERIA

VALERIA     Come, lay aside your stitchery, I must have you play the idle housewife⁵⁷ with me this afternoon.

VIRGILIA

VIRGILIA     No, good madam, I will not out⁵⁹ of doors

VALERIA

VALERIA     Not out of doors?

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA     She shall, she shall

VIRGILIA

VIRGILIA     Indeed, no, by your patience: I’ll not over the threshold till my lord return from the wars

VALERIA

VALERIA     Fie,.⁶⁴ you confine yourself most unreasonably: come, you must go visit the good lady that lies in⁶⁵

VIRGILIA

VIRGILIA     I will wish her speedy strength, and visit her with my prayers: but I cannot go thither

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA     Why, I pray you?

VIRGILIA

VIRGILIA     ’Tis not to save labour, nor that I want⁶⁹ love

VALERIA

VALERIA     You would be another Penelope:⁷⁰ yet they say all the yarn she spun in Ulysses’ absence did but fill Ithaca full of moths. Come, I would⁷¹ your cambric were sensible⁷² as your finger, that you might leave pricking it for pity. Come, you shall go with us.

VIRGILIA

VIRGILIA     No, good madam, pardon me, indeed I will not forth

VALERIA

VALERIA     In truth, la, go with me, and I’ll tell you excellent news of your husband.

VIRGILIA

VIRGILIA     O, good madam, there can be none yet

VALERIA

VALERIA     Verily⁷⁷ I do not jest with you: there came news from him last night.

VIRGILIA

VIRGILIA     Indeed, madam?

VALERIA

valeria     In earnest, it’s true: I heard a senator speak it. Thus it is: the Volsces have an army forth, against whom Cominius the general is gone, with one part of our Roman power. Your lord and Titus Lartius are set down before their city Corioles: they nothing doubt prevailing⁸² and to make it brief wars. This is true, on mine honour: and so, I pray, go with us.

VIRGILIA

VIRGILIA     Give me excuse,⁸⁴ good madam: I will obey you in everything hereafter.

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA     Let her alone, lady: as she is now, she will but disease⁸⁵ our better mirth.

VALERIA

VALERIA     In troth,⁸⁶ I think she would. Fare you well, then. Come, good sweet lady. Prithee, Virgilia, turn thy solemness out o’door, and go along with us.

VIRGILIA

VIRGILIA     No, at a word,⁸⁸ madam: indeed, I must not. I wish you much mirth.

VALERIA

valeria          Well then, farewell.

        Exeunt Ladies

[Act 1 Scene 4]1.4

running scene 4

        Enter Martius, Titus Lartius, with Drum [, Trumpeter] and Colours, with Captains and

        Soldiers [with scaling ladders], as before the city Corioles: to them a Messenger

MARTIUS

MARTIUS     Yonder comes news: a wager they have met.¹

LARTIUS

LARTIUS     My² horse to yours, no.

MARTIUS

MARTIUS     ’Tis done.

LARTIUS

LARTIUS     Agreed.

5

5     

MARTIUS

MARTIUS              Say, has our general met the enemy? To the Messenger

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     They lie in view, but have not spoke⁶ as yet.

LARTIUS

LARTIUS     So, the good horse is mine.

MARTIUS

MARTIUS     I’ll buy him of you.

LARTIUS

LARTIUS     No, I’ll nor⁹ sell nor give him: lend you him I will

10

10           For half a hundred years.— Summon the town. To Trumpeter

MARTIUS

MARTIUS     How far off lie these armies?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Within this mile and half.

MARTIUS

MARTIUS     Then shall we hear their ’Iarum,¹³ and they ours.

               Now, Mars,¹⁴ I prithee make us quick in work,

15

15           That we with smoking¹⁵ swords may march from hence

               To help our fielded¹⁶ friends.— Come, blow thy blast. To Trumpeter

        They sound a parley: enter two Senators with others on the walls of Corioles

               Tullus Aufidius, is he within your walls?

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR No, nor¹⁸ a man that fears you less than he,

               That’s lesser than a little.!

                                    Hark, our drums

        Drum afar off

20

20           Are bringing forth our youth: we’ll break our walls

               Rather than they shall pound us up:²¹ our gates,

               Which yet seem shut, we have but pinned with rushes:²²

               They’ll open of themselves.

                                    Hark you, far off

        Alarum far off

               There is Aufidius. List²⁴ what work he makes

25

25           Amongst your cloven²⁵ army.

MARTIUS

MARTIUS     O, they are at it!

LARTIUS

LARTIUS     Their²⁷ noise be our instruction. Ladders, ho! They prepare their ladders to assault the walls

        Enter the army of the Volsces

MARTIUS

MARTIUS     They fear us not, but issue forth their city.

               Now put your shields before your hearts, and fight

30

30           With hearts more proof³⁰ than shields. Advance, brave Titus:

               They do disdain us much beyond our thoughts,³¹

               Which makes me sweat with wrath. Come on, my fellows:

               He that retires, I’ll take him for a Volsce,

               And he shall feel mine edge.³⁴

        Alarum: the Romans are beat back to their trenches [and exeunt, followed by the Volsces].

        Enter Martius cursing

35

MARTIUS

MARTIUS     all the contagion of the south³⁵ light on you,

               You shames of Rome! You herd of— boils and plagues

               Plaster you o’er, that you may be abhorred

               Further than seen,³⁸ and one infect another

               Against³⁹ the wind a mile: you souls of geese

40

40           That bear the shapes of men, how have you run

               From slaves that apes would beat! Pluto⁴¹ and hell:

               All hurt behind,⁴² backs red, and faces pale

               With flight and agued⁴³ fear! Mend and charge home,

               Or, by the fires of heaven, I’ll leave the foe

45

45           And make my wars on you: look to’t. Come on:

               If you’ll stand fast, we’ll beat⁴⁶ them to their wives,

               As they us to our trenches followed.

        Another alarum, and Martius follows [the Volsces] to [the] gates

               So, now the gates are open:⁴⁸ now prove good seconds:

               ’Tis for the followers⁴⁹ fortune widens them,

50

50           Not for the fliers:⁵⁰ mark me, and do the like.

        [He] enter[s] the gates

FIRST SOLDIER

FIRST SOLDIER Foolhardiness: not I.

SECOND SOLDIER

SECOND SOLDIER Nor I.

        [The gates close and Martius] is shut in

FIRST SOLDIER

FIRST SOLDIER See, they have shut him in.

       Alarum continues

ALL

ALL     To th’pot,⁵⁴ I warrant him.

        Enter Titus Lartius

55

55   

LARTIUS

LARTIUS           What is become of Martius?

ALL

ALL     Slain, sir, doubtless.

FIRST SOLDIER

FIRST SOLDIER Following the fliers at the very heels,

               With them he enters, who upon the sudden

               Clapped to⁵⁹ their gates: he is himself alone,

60

60           To answer⁶⁰ all the city.

LARTIUS

LARTIUS     O noble fellow!

               Who sensibly⁶² outdares his senseless sword,

               And when it bows,⁶³ stand’st up. Thou art left, Martius:

               A carbuncle entire,⁶⁴ as big as thou art,

65

65           Were not so rich a jewel. Thou wast a soldier

               Even to Cato’s⁶⁶ wish, not fierce and terrible

               Only in strokes: but with thy grim looks, and

               The thunder-like percussion of thy sounds,

               Thou mad’st thine enemies shake, as if the world

70

70           Were feverous and did tremble.

        Enter Martius, bleeding, assaulted by the enemy

FIRST SOLDIER

FIRST SOLDIER look, sir.

LARTIUS

LARTIUS     O, ’tis martius!

               Let’s fetch him off,⁷³ or make remain alike.

        They fight, and all enter the city

[Act 1 Scene 5]

running scene 4 continues

        Enter certain Romans with spoils

FIRST ROMAN

FIRST ROMAN     This will I carry to Rome.

SECOND ROMAN

SECOND ROMAN And I this.

THIRD ROMAN

THIRD ROMAN A murrain³ on’t, I took this for silver.

        Exeunt

        Alarum continues still afar off

        Enter Martius and Titus [Lartius] with a Trumpet

MARTIUS

MARTIUS     See here these movers that do prize⁴ their honours

5

5             At a cracked drachma:⁵ cushions, leaden spoons,

               Irons⁶ of a doit, doublets that hangmen would

               Bury with those that wore them, these base slaves,

               Ere yet the fight be done, pack up: down with them!

               And hark, what noise the general⁹ makes: to him.

10

10           There is the man of my soul’s hate, aufidius,

               Piercing our romans: then, valiant titus, take

               Convenient¹² numbers to make good the city,

               Whilst I, with those that have the spirit, will haste

               To help Cominius.

15

15   

LARTIUS

LARTIUS           Worthy sir, thou bleed’st:

               Thy exercise hath been too violent

               For a second course of fight.

MARTIUS

MARTIUS     Sir, praise me not:

               My work hath yet not warmed me. fare you well:

20

20           The blood i drop is rather physical²⁰

               Than dangerous to me: to Aufidius thus

               I will appear, and fight.

LARTIUS

LARTIUS     Now the fair goddess, Fortune,

               Fall deep in love with thee, and her great charms²⁴

25

25           Misguide thy opposers’²⁵ swords! Bold gentleman,

               Prosperity²⁶ be thy page.

MARTIUS

MARTIUS     Thy²⁷ friend no less

               Than those she placeth highest. So farewell.

LARTIUS

LARTIUS     Thou worthiest Martius!

        [Exit Martius]

30

30           Go sound thy trumpet in the market-place:

               Call thither all the officers o’th’town,

               Where they shall know our mind. Away.

        Exeunt

Act 1 Scene 6

running scene 4 continues

        Enter Cominius, as it were in retire*, with Soldiers

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     Breathe you,¹ my friends: well fought: we are come off

               Like Romans, neither foolish in our stands,²

               Nor cowardly in retire: believe me, sirs,

               We shall be charged again. Whiles we have struck,⁴

5

5             By⁵ interims and conveying gusts we have heard!

               The⁶ charges of our friends. The Roman gods

               Lead their successes as we wish our own,

               That both our powers, with smiling fronts⁸ encount’ring,

               May give you thankful sacrifice.

        Enter a Messenger

                                    Thy news?

10

10   

MESSENGER

MESSENGER           The citizens of Corioles have issued,¹⁰

               And given to Lartius and to Martius battle:

               I saw our party to their trenches driven,

               And then I came away.

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     Though thou speak’st truth,

15

15           Methinks thou speak’st not well. How long is’t since?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Above an hour, my lord

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     ’Tis not a mile: briefly¹⁷ we heard their drums.

               How couldst thou in a mile confound¹⁸ an hour,

               And bring thy news so late?

20

20   

MESSENGER

MESSENGER           Spies of the Volsces

               Held me in chase, that²¹ I was forced to wheel

               Three or four miles about, else had I, sir,

               Half an hour since brought my report.

        Enter Martius [bleeding]

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     Who’s yonder,

25

25               That does appear as²⁵ he were flayed? O gods,

               He has the stamp²⁶ of Martius, and I have

               Before-time²⁷ seen him thus.

MARTIUS

MARTIUS     Come I too late?

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     The shepherd knows not thunder from a tabor²⁹

30

30           More than I know the sound of Martius’ tongue

               From every meaner³¹ man.

MARTIUS

MARTIUS     Come I too late?

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     Ay, if you come not in the blood of others,

               But mantled in your own.

35

35   

MARTIUS

MARTIUS           O, let me clip³⁵ ye

               In arms as sound as when I wooed in heart,

               As merry as when our nuptial day was done,

               And tapers³⁸ burned to bedward. He embraces Cominius

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     Flower of warriors, how is’t with Titus Lartius?

40

40   

MARTIUS

MARTIUS           As with a man busied about decrees:⁴⁰

               Condemning some to death, and some to exile,

               Ransoming him, or pitying, threat’ning th’other;

               Holding Corioles in the name of Rome,

               Even like a fawning greyhound in the leash,

45

45           To let him slip⁴⁵ at will.

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     Where is that slave

               Which told me they had beat you to your trenches?

               Where is he? Call him hither.

MARTIUS

MARTIUS     Let him alone:

50

50               He did inform the truth: but for our gentlemen,

               The common file⁵¹ — a plague — tribunes for them! —

               The mouse ne’er shunned the cat as they did budge⁵²

               From rascals worse than they.

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     But how prevailed you?

55

55   

MARTIUS

MARTIUS           Will the time serve to tell? I do not think.⁵⁵

               Where is the enemy? Are you lords o’th’field?

               If not, why cease you till you are so?

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     Martius, we have at disadvantage fought

               And did retire to⁵⁹ win our purpose.

60

60   

MARTIUS

MARTIUS           How lies their battle?⁶⁰ Know you on which side

               They have placed their men of trust?

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     As I guess, Martius,

               Their bands i’th’vanguard⁶³ are the Antiates,

               Of⁶⁴ their best trust: o’er them Aufidius,

65

65           Their very heart of hope.

MARTIUS

MARTIUS     I do beseech you,

               By all the battles wherein we have fought,

               By th’blood we have shed together, by th’vows

               We have made to endure⁶⁹ friends, that you directly

70

70           Set me against Aufidius and his Antiates,

               And that you not delay the present, but,

               Filling the air with swords advanced⁷² and darts,

               We prove⁷³ this very hour.

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     Though I could wish

75

75               You were conducted to a gentle bath

               And balms⁷⁶ applied to you, yet dare I never

               Deny your asking: take your choice of those

               That best can aid your action.

MARTIUS

MARTIUS     Those are they

80

80           That most are willing: if any such be here,

               As it were sin to doubt, that love this painting⁸¹

               Wherein you see me smeared, if any fear

               Lesser⁸³ his person than an ill report:

               If any think brave⁸⁴ death outweighs bad life,

85

85               And that his country’s dearer than himself,

               Let him alone,⁸⁶ or so many so minded,

               Wave thus to express his disposition,

               And follow Martius.

        They all shout and wave their swords, take him up in their arms, and cast up their caps

               O, me⁸⁹ alone, make you a sword of me?

90

90           If these shows be not outward,⁹⁰ which of you

               But is⁹¹ four Volsces? None of you but is

               Able to bear against the great Aufidius

               A shield as hard as his. A certain number,

               Though thanks to all, must I select from all.

95

95           The rest shall bear the business in some other fight,

               As cause⁹⁶ will be obeyed. Please you to march,

               And I shall quickly draw out my command,

               Which men are best inclined.

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     March on, my fellows:

100

100         Make¹⁰⁰ good this ostentation, and you shall

               Divide in all¹⁰¹ with us.

        Exeunt

Act 1 Scene 7

running scene 4 continues

        Titus Lartius, having set a guard upon Corioles, going with Drum and Trumpet toward

        Cominius and Caius Martius, enters with a Lieutenant, other Soldiers and a Scout

LARTIUS

LARTIUS     So, let the ports¹ be guarded: keep your duties To the Lieutenant

               As I have set them down. If I do send, dispatch

               Those centuries³ to our aid: the rest will serve

               For a short holding:⁴ if we lose the field,

5

5             We cannot keep the town.

LIEUTENANT

LIEUTENANT     Fear not⁶ our care, sir.

LARTIUS

LARTIUS     Hence, and shut your gates upon’s:

               Our guider, come; to th’Roman camp conduct us.

        Exeunt

[Act 1 Scene 8]

running scene 4 continues

        Alarum, as in battle. Enter Martius and Aufidius at several* doors

MARTIUS

MARTIUS     I’ll fight with none but thee, for I do hate thee

               Worse than a promise-breaker.

AUFIDIUS

AUFIDIUS     We hate alike:

               Not Afric owns⁴ a serpent I abhor

5

5             More than thy fame and envy.⁵ Fix thy foot.

MARTIUS

MARTIUS     Let the first budger⁶ die the other’s slave,

               And the gods doom him after.

AUFIDIUS

AUFIDIUS     If I fly, Martius, holla⁸ me like a hare.

MARTIUS

MARTIUS     Within these three hours, Tullus,

10

10           Alone I fought in your Corioles’ walls,

               And made what work I pleased: ’tis not my blood

               Wherein thou see’st me masked: for thy revenge

               Wrench up¹³ thy power to th’highest.

AUFIDIUS

AUFIDIUS     Wert thou the Hector

15

15           That was the whip of your bragged progeny,¹⁵

               Thou shouldst not scape¹⁶ me here.

        Here they fight, and certain Volsces come in the aid of Aufidius. Martius fights till they be driven in breathless

               Officious, and not valiant, you have shamed me

               In¹⁸ your condemnèd seconds.

        [Exit]

[Act 1 Scene 9]

running scene 4 continues

        Alarum. Flourish*. A retreat is sounded. Enter at one door Cominius with the Romans: at another door Martius, with his arm in a scarf

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     If I should tell thee o’er¹ this thy day’s work,

               Thou’t not believe thy deeds: but I’ll report it

               Where senators shall mingle tears with smiles,

               Where great patricians shall attend⁴ and shrug,

5

5             I’th’end admire:⁵ where ladies shall be frighted,

               And, gladly quaked,⁶ hear more: where the dull tribunes,

               That with the fusty⁷ plebeians, hate thine honours,

               Shall say against their hearts,⁸ ‘We thank the gods

               Our Rome hath such a soldier.’

10

10           Yet cam’st¹⁰ thou to a morsel of this feast,

               Having fully dined before.

        Enter Titus [Lartius] with his power, from the pursuit

LARTIUS

LARTIUS     O general,

               Here is the steed, we the caparison:¹³

               Hadst thou beheld—

15

15   

MARTIUS

MARTIUS           Pray now, no more: my mother,

               Who has a charter¹⁶ to extol her blood,

               When she does praise me, grieves me. I have done

               As you have done: that’s what I can, induced¹⁸

               As you have been, that’s for my country:

20

20           He that has but effected²⁰ his good will

               Hath overta’en²¹ mine act.

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     You shall not be²² the grave of your deserving:

               Rome must know the value of her own:

               ’Twere a concealment worse than a theft,

25

25           No less than a traducement,²⁵

               To hide your doings, and to silence that

               Which, to²⁷ the spire and top of praises vouched,

               Would seem but modest: therefore, I beseech you

               In sign²⁹ of what you are, not to reward

30

30           What you have done, before our army hear me.

MARTIUS

MARTIUS     I have some wounds upon me, and they smart

               To hear themselves remembered.

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     Should they not,³³

               Well might they fester gainst³⁴ ingratitude,

35

35           And tent³⁵ themselves with death. Of all the horses,

               Whereof we have ta’en good³⁶ and good store, of all

               The treasure in³⁷ this field achieved and city,

               We render you the³⁸ tenth, to be ta’en forth,

               Before the common distribution,

40

40           At⁴⁰ your only choice.

MARTIUS

MARTIUS     I thank you, general:

               But cannot make my heart consent to take

               A bribe to pay my sword: I do refuse it,

               And stand⁴⁴ upon my common part with those

45

45           That have beheld the doing.⁴⁵

        A long flourish. They all cry ‘Martius, Martius!’ cast up their caps and lances: Cominius and Lartius stand bare

               May these same instruments, which you profane,

               Never sound more: when drums and trumpets shall

               I’th’field prove flatterers, let courts and cities be

               Made all of false-faced soothing:⁴⁹ when steel grows

50

50           Soft as the parasite’s⁵⁰ silk, let him be made

               An overture⁵¹ for th’wars: no more, I say,

               For that⁵² I have not washed my nose that bled,

               Or foiled some debile⁵³ wretch, which, without note,

               Here’s many else have done, you shout me forth⁵⁴

55

55           In acclamations hyperbolical,

               As if I loved my little⁵⁶ should be dieted

               In praises sauced⁵⁷ with lies.

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     Too modest are you:

               More cruel to your good report than grateful

60

60           To us that give⁶⁰ you truly: by your patience,

               If gainst yourself you be incensed, we’ll put you,

               Like one that means⁶² his proper harm, in manacles,

               Then reason safely with you: therefore be it known,

               As to us, to all the world, that Caius Martius

65

65           Wears this war’s garland:⁶⁵ in token of the which,

               My noble steed, known to the camp, I give him,

               With all his trim belonging:⁶⁷ and from this time,

               For what he did before Corioles, call him,

               With all th’applause and clamour of the host,⁶⁹

70

70           Martius Caius Coriolanus. Bear th’addition⁷⁰ nobly ever!

        Flourish. Trumpets sound, and Drums

ALL

ALL     Martius Caius Coriolanus!

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     I will go wash: To Cominius

               And when my face is fair,⁷³ you shall perceive

               Whether I blush or no: howbeit,⁷⁴ I thank you:

75

75           I mean to stride⁷⁵ your steed, and at all times

               To undercrest⁷⁶ your good addition

               To th’fairness⁷⁷ of my power.

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     So, to our tent,

               Where, ere we do repose us, we will write

80

80           To Rome of our success. You, Titus Lartius,

               Must to Corioles back: send us to Rome

               The best,⁸² with whom we may articulate,

               For their own good and ours.

LARTIUS

LARTIUS     I shall, my lord.

85

85   

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS           The gods begin to mock me: I, that now

               Refused most princely gifts, am bound to beg

               Of my lord general.

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     Take’t, ’tis yours: what is’t?

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     I sometime⁸⁹ lay here in Corioles

90

90           At a poor man’s house: he used⁹⁰ me kindly:

               He cried⁹¹ to me: I saw him prisoner:

               But then Aufidius was within my view,

               And wrath o’erwhelmed my pity: I request you

               To give my poor host freedom.

95

95   

COMINIUS

COMINIUS           O, well begged!

               Were he the butcher of my son, he should

               Be free as is the wind. Deliver⁹⁷ him, Titus.

LARTIUS

LARTIUS     Martius, his name?

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     By Jupiter, forgot:

100

100         I am weary: yea, my memory is tired:

               Have we no wine here?

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     Go we to our tent:

               The blood upon your visage¹⁰³ dries: ’tis time

               It should be looked to: come.

        Exeunt

[Act 1 Scene 10]

running scene 4 continues

        A flourish. Cornets. Enter Tullus Aufidius, bloody, with two or three Soldiers

AUFIDIUS

AUFIDIUS     The town is ta’en.¹

FIRST SOLDIER

FIRST SOLDIER ’Twill be delivered back on good condition.²

AUFIDIUS

AUFIDIUS     Condition?

               I would I were a Roman, for I cannot,

5

5             Being a Volsce, be that⁵ I am. Condition?

               What good condition⁶ can a treaty find

               I’th’part⁷ that is at mercy? Five times, Martius,

               I have fought with thee: so often hast thou beat me,

               And wouldst do so, I think, should we encounter⁹

10

10           As often as we eat. By th’elements,

               If e’er again I meet him beard to beard,

               He’s mine, or I am his: mine emulation¹²

               Hath not that honour in’t it had: for where¹³

               I thought to crush him in an equal force,

15

15           True sword to sword, I’ll potch¹⁵ at him some way

               Or¹⁶ wrath or craft may get him.

FIRST SOLDIER

FIRST SOLDIER He’s the devil.

AUFIDIUS

AUFIDIUS     Bolder, though not so subtle:¹⁸ my valour’s poisoned

               With only suff’ring stain¹⁹ by him: for him

20

20           Shall²⁰ fly out of itself: nor sleep nor sanctuary,

               Being naked,²¹ sick, nor fane nor Capitol,

               The prayers of priests, nor times of sacrifice,

               Embarquements²³ all of fury, shall lift up

               Their rotten²⁴ privilege and custom gainst

25

25           My hate to Martius. Where I find him, were it

               At home, upon²⁶ my brother’s guard, even there,

               Against the hospitable canon,²⁷ would I

               Wash my fierce hand in’s heart. Go you to th’city:

               Learn how ’tis held, and what²⁹ they are that must

30

30           Be hostages for Rome.

FIRST SOLDIER

FIRST SOLDIER Will not you go?

AUFIDIUS

AUFIDIUS     I am attended³² at the cypress grove. I pray you —

               ’Tis south³³ the city mills — bring me word thither

               How the world goes, that to the pace of it

35

35           I may spur on my journey.

FIRST SOLDIER

FIRST SOLDIER I shall, sir.

        [Exeunt]

Act 2 [Scene 1]2.1

running scene 5

        Enter Menenius with the two Tribunes of the people, Sicinius and Brutus

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     The augurer¹ tells me we shall have news tonight.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Good or bad?

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Not³ according to the prayer of the people, for they love not Martius.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Nature teaches beasts⁴ to know their friends.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Pray you, who does the wolf love?

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     The lamb.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Ay, to devour him, as the hungry plebeians would the noble Martius.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     He’s a Iamb indeed that baas⁸ like a bear

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     He’s a bear indeed that lives like a Iamb. You two are old men: tell me one thing that I shall ask you.

SICINIUS and BRUTUS

SICINIUS and BRUTUS Well, sir.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     In what enormity¹² is Martius poor in that you two have not in abundance?

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     He’s poor in no one fault, but stored¹³ with all

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Especially in pride.

15       

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     And topping all others in boasting

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     This is strange now: do you two know how you are censured¹⁶ here in the city, I mean of us o’th’right-hand file?¹⁷ Do you?

SICINIUS and BRUTUS

SICINIUS and BRUTUS Why? How are we censured?

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Because you talk of pride now: will you not be angry?

SICINIUS and BRUTUS

SICINIUS and BRUTUS Well, well, sir, well.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Why, ’tis,²¹ no great matter: for a very little thief of occasion will rob you of a great deal of patience: give your dispositions the reins, and be angry at your pleasures²² at the least, if you take it as a pleasure to you in being so: you blame Martius for being proud.

25       

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     We do it not alone, sir

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     I know you can do very little alone, for your helps are many, or else your actions would grow wondrous single:²⁷ your abilities are too infant-like for doing much alone. You talk of pride: O, that you could turn your eyes toward²⁸ the napes of your necks, and make but an interior survey of your good selves! O, that you could!

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     What then, sir?

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Why, then you should discover a brace³² of unmeriting, proud, violent, testy magistrates, alias fools, as any in Rome

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Menenius, you are known well enough too.

MENENIUS

menenius     I am known to be a humorous,³⁵ patrician, and one that loves a cup of hot wine with not a drop of allaying³⁶ Tiber in’t: said to be something imperfect in favouring the first complaint³⁷ hasty and tinder-like upon too trivial motion: one that converses,³⁸ more with the buttock of the night than with the forehead of the morning. What I think, I utter, and spend³⁹ my malice in my breath. Meeting two such wealsmen⁴⁰ as you are — I cannot call you Lycurguses — if the drink you give me touch my palate adversely, I⁴¹ make a crooked face at it. I can say your worships have delivered⁴² the matter well, when I find the ass in compound with the⁴³ major part of your syllables. And though I must be content to bear with thosethat say you are reverend grave men, yet they lie deadly⁴⁴ that tell you have good faces: if you see this⁴⁵ in the map of my microcosm, follows it that I am known well enough too? What harm can your bisson⁴⁶ conspectuities glean out of this character⁴⁷ if I be known well enough too?

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Come, sir, come, we know you well enough

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     You know neither me, yourselves nor anything: you are ambitious for poor knaves’ caps,⁵⁰ and legs: you wear out a good wholesome forenoon in hearing a cause between an orange-wife⁵¹ and a faucet-seller, and then rejourn the controversy⁵² of threepence to a second day of audience. When you are hearing a matter between party and party⁵³ if you chance to be pinched with the colic, you make faces like mummers,⁵⁴ set up the bloody flag against all patience, and in roaring for a chamber-pot, dismiss the controversy bleeding,⁵⁵ the more entangledby your hearing: all the peace you make in their cause is calling both the parties knaves. You are a pair of strange ones.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Come, come, you are well understood to be a perfecter giber⁵⁸ for the table than a necessary bencher⁵⁹ in the Capitol.

60       

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Our very priests must become mockers, if they shall encounter such ridiculous subjects,⁶¹ as you are. When you speak best unto the purpose, it is not worth the wagging of your beards, and your beards deserve not so honourable a grave as to stuff a botcher’s⁶³ cushion, or to be entombed in an ass’s pack-saddle: yet you must be saying, ‘Martius is proud’, who, in a cheap⁶⁴ estimation, is worth all your predecessors since Deucalion⁶⁵ though peradventure some of the best of ’em were hereditary hangmen. Good e’en⁶⁶ to your worships: more of your conversation would infect my brain, being the herdsmen of the beastly plebeians. I will be bold to take my leave of you.

        Brutus and Sicinius [stand] aside

        Enter Volumnia, Virgilia and Valeria

                  How now, my as fair as noble ladies: and the moon,⁶⁹ were she earthly, no nobler:

                  whither do you follow your eyes⁷⁰ so fast?

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA     Honourable Menenius, my boy Martius approaches: for the love of Juno,⁷¹ let’s go.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Ha? Martius coming home?

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA     Ay, worthy Menenius, and with most prosperous approbation.⁷⁴

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Take my cap, Jupiter, and I thank thee. He throws up his cap Hoo, Martius coming home?

VIRGILIA and VALERIA

VIRGILIA and VALERIA      Nay, ’tis true.

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA     Look, here’s a letter from him: the state hath another, his wife another, and, I think, there’s one at home for you.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     I will make my very house reel tonight: a letter for me?

VIRGILIA

VIRGILIA     Yes, certain, there’s a letter for you: I saw’t.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     A letter for me? It gives me an estate,⁸¹ of seven years’ health, in which time I will make⁸² a lip at the physician: the most sovereign prescription in Galen is but empiricutic⁸³ and to this preservative, of no better report than a horse-drench. Is he not wounded? He was wont⁸⁴ to come home wounded.

VIRGILIA

VIRGILIA     O, no, no, no.

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA     O, he is wounded, I thank the gods for’t.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     So do I too, if it be not too much: brings a⁸⁷ victory in his pocket? The wounds become him.

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA     On’s brows:⁸⁹ Menenius, he comes the third time home with the oaken garland.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Has he disciplined⁹¹ Aufidius soundly?

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA     Titus Lartius writes they fought together, but Aufidius got off.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     And ’twas time for him too, I’ll warrant him that: an⁹³ he had stayed by him, I would not have been so ’fidiussed⁹⁴ for all the chests in Corioles, and the gold that’s in them. Is the senate possessed⁹⁵ of this?

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA     Good ladies, let’s go. Yes, yes, yes: the senate has letters from the general, wherein he gives my son the whole name of⁹⁷ the war: he hath in this action outdone his former deeds doubly.

VALERIA

VALERIA     In troth, there’s wondrous things spoke of him.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Wondrous: ay, I warrant you, and not without his true purchasing.¹⁰⁰

VIRGILIA

VIRGILIA     The gods grant them true.

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA     True? Pow waw!¹⁰²

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     True? I’ll be sworn they are true. Where is he wounded?— God save your good worships! Martius is coming home: he has more cause to be proud.— Where is he wounded? To the Tribunes

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA     I’th’shoulder, and i’th’left arm: there will be large cicatrices¹⁰⁶ to show the people, when he shall stand for his place:¹⁰⁷ he received in the repulse of Tarquin seven hurts i’th’body.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     One¹⁰⁹ i’th’neck, and two i’th’thigh: there’s nine that I know.

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA     He had, before this last expedition, twenty-five wounds upon him.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Now it’s twenty-seven: every gash was an enemy’s grave.

        A shout and flourish

                  Hark, the trumpets.

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA     These are the ushers of Martius: before him he carries noise, and behind him he leaves tears:

115

115         Death, that dark spirit, in’s nervy¹¹⁵ arm doth lie,

               Which being advanced,¹¹⁶ declines, and then men die.

        A sennet. Trumpets sound. Enter Cominius the general, and Titus Lartius: between them

        Coriolanus, crowned with an oaken garland with Captains and Soldiers, and a Herald

HERALD

HERALD     Know, Rome, that all alone Martius did fight

               Within Corioles’ gates: where he hath won,

               With fame, a name to¹¹⁹ ‘Martius Caius’:

120

120         These¹²⁰ in honour follows ‘Coriolanus’.

               Welcome to Rome, renownèd Coriolanus!

        Sound [a] flourish

ALL

ALL     Welcome to Rome, renownèd Coriolanus!

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     No more of this, it does offend my heart:

               Pray now, no more.

125

125 

COMINIUS

COMINIUS             Look, sir, your mother.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     O, you have, I know, petitioned all the gods

               For my prosperity.¹²⁷

        Kneels

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA     Nay, my good soldier, up: He rises

               My gentle¹²⁹ Martius, worthy Caius,

130

130         And by deed-achieving honour¹³⁰ newly named:

               What is it? ‘Coriolanus’ must I call thee?

               But O, thy wife!

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     My gracious¹³³ silence, hail. To Virgilia

               Wouldst thou have laughed had I come coffined home,

135

135         That weep’st to see me triumph? Ah, my dear,

               Such eyes the widows in Corioles wear,

               And mothers that lack sons.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Now the gods crown thee!

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     And live you yet? O my sweet lady, pardon. To Valeria

140

140 

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA             I know not where to turn. O, welcome home:

               And welcome, general, and you’re welcome all.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     A hundred thousand welcomes: I could weep

               And I could laugh, I am light¹⁴³ and heavy: welcome:

               A curse begin at very root on’s¹⁴⁴ heart

145

145         That is not glad to see thee. You are three

               That Rome should dote on: yet, by the faith of men,

               We have some old crab-trees¹⁴⁷ here at home that will not

               Be grafted¹⁴⁸ to your relish. Yet welcome, warriors:

               We¹⁴⁹ call a nettle but a nettle and

150

150         The faults of fools but folly.

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     Ever right!

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Menenius, ever, ever.

HERALD

HERALD     Give¹⁵³ way there, and go on

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Your hand, and yours. To Volumnia and Virgilia

155

155         Ere in our own house I do shade¹⁵⁵ my head,

               The good patricians must be visited,

               From whom I have received not only greetings,

               But with them change of honours.¹⁵⁸

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA     I have lived

160

160         To see inherited¹⁶⁰ my very wishes,

               And the buildings of my fancy:¹⁶¹ only

               There’s one thing wanting,¹⁶² which I doubt not but

               Our Rome will cast¹⁶³ upon thee.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Know, good mother,

165

165         I had rather be their servant in my way,

               Than sway¹⁶⁶ with them in theirs.

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     On, to the Capitol

        Flourish. Cornets. Exeunt in state, as before

        Enter Brutus and Sicinius

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     All tongues speak of him, and the blearèd¹⁶⁸ sights

               Are spectacled¹⁶⁹ to see him. Your prattling nurse

170

170         Into a rapture¹⁷⁰ lets her baby cry

               While she chats¹⁷¹ him: the kitchen malkin pins

               Her richest lockram¹⁷² ’bout her reechy neck,

               Clamb’ring the walls to eye him: stalls,¹⁷³ bulks, windows

               Are smothered up, leads¹⁷⁴ filled, and ridges horsed

175

175         With variable complexions,¹⁷⁵ all agreeing

               In earnestness to see him: seld-shown¹⁷⁶ flamens

               Do press among the popular¹⁷⁷ throngs and puff

               To win a vulgar station:¹⁷⁸ our veiled dames

               Commit¹⁷⁹ the war of white and damask in

180

180         Their nicely gauded cheeks to th’wanton spoil

               Of Phoebus’ burning kisses: such a pother¹⁸¹

               As if that¹⁸² whatsoever god who leads him

               Were slily crept into his human powers,¹⁸³

               And gave him graceful posture.¹⁸⁴

185

185 

SICINIUS

SICINIUS             On the sudden,¹⁸⁵ I warrant him consul

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Then our office¹⁸⁶ may, during his power, go sleep

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     He¹⁸⁷ cannot temp’rately transport his honours

               From where he should begin and end, but will

               Lose those he hath won.

190

190 

BRUTUS

BRUTUS             In that there’s comfort

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Doubt not

               The commoners, for¹⁹² whom we stand, but they

               Upon¹⁹³ their ancient malice will forget

               With the least cause these his new honours, which¹⁹⁴

195

195         That he will give them make I as little question

               As¹⁹⁶ he is proud to do’t.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     I heard him swear,

               Were he to stand for consul, never would he

               Appear i’th’market-place nor on him put

200

200         The napless vesture²⁰⁰ of humility,

               Nor, showing, as the manner is, his wounds

               To th’people, beg their stinking breaths.²⁰²

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     ’Tis right.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     It was his word: O, he would miss it²⁰⁴ rather

205

205         Than carry it but²⁰⁵ by the suit of the gentry to him,

               And the desire of the nobles.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     I wish no better

               Than have him hold that purpose and to put it

               In execution.

210

210 

BRUTUS

BRUTUS             ’Tis most like²¹⁰ he will

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     It shall be to him then, as our good wills:²¹¹

               A sure destruction.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     So²¹³ it must fall out

               To him or our authorities for an end.

215

215         We must suggest²¹⁵ the people in what hatred

               He still²¹⁶ hath held them: that to’s power he would

               Have made them mules,²¹⁷ silenced their pleaders,

               And dispropertied²¹⁸ their freedoms, holding them,

               In human action and capacity,²¹⁹

220

220         Of no more soul nor fitness for the world

               Than camels in their war, who have their provand²²¹

               Only for bearing burdens, and sore blows

               For sinking under them.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     This, as you say, suggested

225

225         At some time when his soaring insolence

               Shall teach the people — which time shall not want,²²⁶

               If he be put upon’t,²²⁷ and that’s as easy

               As to set dogs on sheep — will be his fire

               To kindle their dry stubble, and their blaze

230

230         Shall darken²³⁰ him for ever.

        Enter a Messenger

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     What’s the matter?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     You are sent for to the Capitol: ’tis thought

               That Martius shall be consul: I have seen

               The dumb men throng to see him and the blind

235

235         To hear him speak: matrons²³⁵ flung gloves,

               Ladies and maids their scarves and handkerchiefs,

               Upon him as he passed: the nobles bended²³⁷

               As to Jove’s²³⁸ statue, and the commons made

               A shower and thunder with their caps and shouts:

240

240         I never saw the like.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Let’s to the Capitol,

               And carry²⁴² with us ears and eyes for th’time,

               But hearts²⁴³ for the event.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Have with you.²⁴⁴

        Exeunt

[Act 2 Scene 2]2.2

running scene 6

        Enter two Officers,to lay cushions,as it were,in the Capitol

FIRST OFFICER

FIRST OFFICER     Come, come, they are almost here: how many stand for consulships?

SECOND OFFICER

SECOND OFFICER     Three, they say: but ’tis thought of² everyone Coriolanus will carry it.

FIRST OFFICER

FIRST OFFICER     That’s a brave³ fellow: but he’s vengeance proud, and loves not the common people.

SECOND OFFICER

SECOND OFFICER     Faith, there hath been many great men that have flattered the people, who ne’er loved them:⁶ and there be many that they have loved, they know not wherefore:⁷ so that if they love they know not why, they hate upon no better a ground. Therefore, for Coriolanus neither to care whether they love or hate him manifests the true knowledge he has in⁹ their disposition, and out of his noble carelessness lets them plainly see’t.

FIRST OFFICER

FIRST OFFICER     If he did not care whether he had their love or no, he waved¹¹ indifferently ’twixt doing them neither good nor harm: but he seeks their hate with greater devotion than they can render it him, and leaves nothing undone that may fully discover him¹⁴ their opposite. Now to seem to affect the malice and displeasure of the people is as bad as that which he dislikes, to flatter them for their love.

SECOND OFFICER

SECOND OFFICER     He hath deserved worthily of his country, and his ascent is not by such easy degrees,¹⁸ as those who, having been supple and courteous to the people, bonneted¹⁹ without any further deed to have them at all into their estimation and report: but he hath so planted his honours in their eyes and his actions in their hearts that for their tongues to be silent and not confess so much were a kind of ingrateful injury: to report otherwise were a malice that, giving²² itself the lie, would pluck reproof and rebuke from every ear that heard it.

FIRST OFFICER

FIRST OFFICER     No more of him: he’s a worthy man: make way, they are coming.

               A sennet. Enter the Patricians, and the Tribunes of the people [Sicinius and Brutus], Lictors before them: Coriolanus, Menenius, Cominius the consul. Sicinius and Brutus take their places by themselves: Coriolanus stands

25

25   

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Having determined of²⁵ the Volsces and

               To send for Titus Lartius, it remains

               As the main point of this our after-meeting,²⁷

               To gratify²⁸ his noble service that

               Hath thus stood for²⁹ his country. Therefore please you,

30

30           Most reverend and grave³⁰ elders, to desire

               The present consul and last general

               In our well-found³² successes to report

               A little of that worthy work performed

               By Martius Caius Coriolanus, whom

35

35           We met here both to thank and to remember

               With honours like himself.³⁶

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR Speak, good Cominius:

       Leave nothing out for length,³⁸ and make us think

                              Rather our state’s defective for requital³⁹

40

40           Than we to stretch it out.— Masters o’th’people, To the Tribunes

               We do request your kindest ears: and after⁴¹

               Your loving motion⁴² toward the common body,

               To yield⁴³ what passes here.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     We are convented⁴⁴ upon a pleasing treaty, and have hearts inclinable to honour and advance the theme⁴⁵ of our assembly.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Which the rather we shall be blest⁴⁶ to do if he remember a kinder value of the people than he hath hereto⁴⁷ prized them at.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     That’s off,⁴⁸ that’s off. I would you rather had been silent: please you to hear Cominius speak?

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Most willingly: but yet my caution was more pertinent than the rebuke you give it.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     He loves your people, but tie him not to be their bedfellow. Worthy Cominius, speak.

               Coriolanus rises, and offers to go away

               Nay, keep your place.To Coriolanus

55

55   

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR           Sit, Coriolanus: never shame to hear

               What you have nobly done.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Your honour’s pardon:

               I had rather have my wounds to heal again

               Than hear say how I got them.

60

60   

BRUTUS

BRUTUS           Sir, I hope my words disbenched⁶⁰ you not?

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     No, sir: yet oft,

               When blows have made me stay, I fled from words.

               You soothed⁶³ not, therefore hurt not: but your people,

               I love them as they weigh⁶⁴—

65

65   

MENENIUS

MENENIUS           Pray now, sit down.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     I had rather have⁶⁶ one scratch my head i’th’sun

               When the alarum were struck than idly sit

               To hear my nothings monstered.⁶⁸

               Exit Coriolanus

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Masters of the people,

70

70           Your multiplying spawn⁷⁰ how can he flatter —

               That’s⁷¹ thousand to one good one — when you now see

               He had rather venture all his limbs for honour

               Than one on’s⁷³ ears to hear it? Proceed, Cominius.

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     I shall lack voice: the deeds of Coriolanus

75

75           Should not be uttered feebly: it is held

               That valour is the chiefest virtue, and

               Most dignifies the haver: if it be,

               The man I speak of cannot in the world

               Be singly counterpoised.⁷⁹ At sixteen years,

80

80           When Tarquin made⁸⁰ a head for Rome, he fought

               Beyond the mark⁸¹ of others: our then dictator,

               Whom with all praise I point at,⁸² saw him fight,

               When with his Amazonian⁸³ chin he drove

               1The bristled lips before him: he bestrid⁸⁴

85

85           An o’erpressed⁸⁵ Roman, and i’th’consul’s view

               Slew three opposers: Tarquin’s self he met,

               And struck him on⁸⁷ his knee: in that day’s feats,

                              When he might⁸⁸ act the woman in the scene,

               He proved best man i’th’fleld and for his meed⁸⁹

90

90           Was brow-bound⁹⁰ with the oak. His pupil age

               Man-entered thus, he waxèd⁹¹ like a sea,

               And in the brunt⁹² of seventeen battles since

               He lurched⁹³ all swords of the garland: for this last,

               Before and in Corioles, let me say

95

95           I cannot speak him home:⁹⁵ he stopped the fliers,

               And by his rare⁹⁶ example made the coward

               Turn terror into sport: as weeds before

               A vessel under sail, so men obeyed

               And fell below his stem:⁹⁹ his sword, death’s stamp,

100

100         Where it did mark, it took:¹⁰⁰ from face to foot

               He was a thing of blood, whose every motion

               Was timed¹⁰² with dying cries: alone he entered

               The mortal¹⁰³ gate of th’city, which he, painted

               With shunless destiny, aidless came off,¹⁰⁴

105

105         And with a sudden reinforcement¹⁰⁵ struck

               Corioles like a planet: now all’s his:

               When by and by the din of war gan¹⁰⁷ pierce

               His ready sense:¹⁰⁸ then straight his doubled spirit

               Requickened¹⁰⁹ what in flesh was fatigate,

110

110         And to the battle came he, where he did

               Run reeking¹¹¹ o’er the lives of men, as if

               ’Twere a perpetual spoil:¹¹² and till we called

               Both field and city ours, he never stood

               To ease his breast with panting.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Worthy man.

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR He cannot but with measure¹¹⁶ fit the honours which we devise him.

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     Our spoils he kicked¹¹⁷ at,

               And looked upon things precious as¹¹⁸ they were

               The common muck of the world: he covets less

120

120         Than misery¹²⁰ itself would give, rewards

               His deeds with doing them,¹²¹ and is content

               To¹²² spend the time to end it.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     He’s right noble: let him be called for.

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR Call Coriolanus.

125

125 

OFFICER

OFFICER             He doth appear.

               Enter Coriolanus

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     The senate, Coriolanus, are well pleased to make thee consul.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     I do owe them still¹²⁷ my life and services.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     It then remains that you do speak to the people.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     I do beseech you,

130

130         Let me o’erleap that custom, for I cannot

               Put on the gown, stand naked,¹³¹ and entreat them,

               For my wounds’ sake, to give their sufferage:¹³²

               Please you that I may pass¹³³ this doing.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Sir, the people must have their voices:¹³⁴

135

135         Neither will they bate¹³⁵ one jot of ceremony.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Put¹³⁶ them not to’t:

               Pray you, go fit you to the custom and

               Take to you, as your predecessors have,

               Your honour with your form.¹³⁹

140

140 

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS             It is a part that I shall blush in acting,

               And might well be taken from the people.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Mark you that?To Sicinius

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     To brag unto them, ‘Thus I did, and thus’:

               Show them th’unaching scars which I should hide,

145

145         As if I had received them for the hire¹⁴⁵

               Of their breath only!

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Do not stand upon’t:¹⁴⁷

               We recommend¹⁴⁸ to you, tribunes of the people,

               Our purpose to them,¹⁴⁹ and to our noble consul

150

150         Wish we all joy and honour.

SENATORS

SENATORS     To Coriolanus come all joy and honour!

               Flourish [of] cornets. Then exeunt [all but]Sicinius and Brutus

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     You see how he intends to use¹⁵² the people.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     May they perceive’s intent! He will require¹⁵³ them

               As if he did contemn¹⁵⁴ what he requested

155

155         Should be in them to give.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Come, we’ll inform them

               Of our proceedings here: on th’market-place

               I know they do attend¹⁵⁸ us.

               [Exeunt]

[Act 2 Scene 3]2.3

running scene 7

        Enter seven or eight Citizens

FIRST CITIZEN

FIRST CITIZEN Once,¹ if he do require our voices, we ought not to deny him.

SECOND CITIZEN

SECOND CITIZEN We may, sir, if we will.

THIRD CITIZEN

THIRD CITIZEN     We have power,⁴ in ourselves to do it, but it is a power that we have no power to do: for, if he show us his wounds and tell us his deeds, we are to put our tongues into those wounds and speak for them: so, if he tell us his noble deeds, we must also tell him our noble acceptance of them. Ingratitude is monstrous⁶ and for the multitude to be ingrateful, were to make a monster of the multitude: of the which we, being members, should bring ourselves to be monstrous members.

FIRST CITIZEN

FIRST CITIZEN And to make us no better thought of, a⁹ little help will serve: for once we stood up about the corn, he himself stuck¹⁰ not to call us the many-headed multitude.

THIRD CITIZEN

THIRD CITIZEN     We have been called so of,¹² many, not that our heads are some brown, some black, some abram¹³ some bald, but that our wits are so diversely coloured: and truly I think if all our wits were to issue out of one skull, they would fly east, west, north, south, and their consent of¹⁵ one direct way should be at once to all the points o’th’compass.

SECOND CITIZEN

SECOND CITIZEN Think you so? Which way do you judge my wit would fly?

THIRD CITIZEN

THIRD CITIZEN     Nay, your wit will not so soon out.¹⁸ as another man’s will: ’tis strongly wedged up in a blockhead: but if it were at liberty, ’twould sure southward¹⁹

SECOND CITIZEN

SECOND CITIZEN Why that way?

THIRD CITIZEN

THIRD CITIZEN     To lose itself in a fog, where being three parts melted away with rotten²¹ dews, the fourth would return for conscience’ sake, to help to get thee a wife.

SECOND CITIZEN

SECOND CITIZEN You are never without your tricks: you may,²³ you may.

THIRD CITIZEN

THIRD CITIZEN     Are you all resolved to give your voices? But that’s no matter, the greater part²⁵ carries it. I say, if he would incline to the people, there was never a worthier man.

               Enter Coriolanus in a gown of humility, with Menenius

                  Here he comes, and in the gown of humility: mark his behaviour. We are not to stay all together, but to come by him where he stands, by ones, by twos, and by threes. He’s to make his requests by particulars,²⁹ wherein every one of us has a single honour,³⁰ in giving him our own voices with our own tongues: therefore follow me, and I’ll direct you how you shall go by him.

ALL

ALL     Content, content.

               [Exeunt Citizens]

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     O sir, you are not right: have you not known

               The worthiest men have done’t?

35

35   

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS           What must I say?

               ‘I pray, sir’? Plague upon’t, I cannot bring

               My tongue to such a pace:³⁷ ‘Look, sir, my wounds:

               I got them in my country’s service when

               Some certain of your brethren roared and ran

40

40           From th’noise of our own drums.’

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     O me, the gods! You must not speak of that:

               You must desire them to think upon you.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Think upon me? Hang ’em:

               I would⁴⁴ they would forget me, like the virtues

45

45           Which our divines⁴⁵ lose by ’em.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     You’ll mar all:

               I’ll leave you: pray you, speak to ’em, I pray you,

               In wholesome⁴⁸ manner.

               Exit

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Bid them wash their faces

50

50           And keep their teeth clean.

               Enter three of the Citizens

                                    So, here comes a brace.⁵⁰

               You know the cause, sir, of my standing here.

THIRD CITIZEN

THIRD CITIZEN     We do, sir: tell us what hath brought you to’t.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Mine own desert.

SECOND CITIZEN

     SECOND CITIZEN     Your own desert?

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Ay, but not mine own desire.

THIRD CITIZEN

THIRD CITIZEN     How not your own desire?

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     No, sir, ’twas never my desire yet to trouble the poor with begging.

THIRD CITIZEN

THIRD CITIZEN     You must think, if we give you anything, we hope to gain by you.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Well then, I pray, your price o’th’consulship?

FIRST CITIZEN

FIRST CITIZEN The price is to ask it kindly.⁶⁰

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Kindly, sir, I pray let me ha’t: I have wounds to show you, which shall be yours⁶² in private: your good voice, sir: what say you?

SECOND CITIZEN

SECOND CITIZEN You shall ha’t, worthy sir.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     A match,⁶⁴ sir. There’s in all two worthy voices begged: I have your alms: adieu.

THIRD CITIZEN

THIRD CITIZEN     But this is something⁶⁶ odd.

SECOND CITIZEN

SECOND CITIZEN An ’twere⁶⁷ to give again — but ’tis no matter.

               Exeunt [Citizens]

               Enter two other Citizens

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Pray you now, if it may stand⁶⁸ with the tune of your voices that I may be consul, I have here the customary gown.

FOURTH CITIZEN

FOURTH CITIZEN     You have deserved nobly of your country, and you have not deserved nobly.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Your enigma?⁷²

FOURTH CITIZEN

FOURTH CITIZEN     You have been a scourge⁷³ to her enemies, you have been a rod to her friends: you have not indeed loved the common people.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     You should account me the more virtuous that I have not been common⁷⁶ in my love: I will, sir, flatter my sworn brother the people to earn a dearer estimation of them: ’tis a condition⁷⁷ they account gentle: and since the wisdom of their choice is rather to have my hat⁷⁸ than my heart, I will practise the insinuating⁷⁹ nod, and be off to them most counterfeitly: that is, sir, I will counterfeit the bewitchment⁸⁰ of some popular man and give it bountiful to the desirers. Therefore, beseech you, I may be consul.

FIFTH CITIZEN

FIFTH CITIZEN     We hope to find you our friend, and therefore give you our voices heartily.

FOURTH CITIZEN

FOURTH CITIZEN     You have received many wounds for your country.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     I will not seal⁸⁵ your knowledge with showing them. I will make much of your voices, and so trouble you no further.

BOTH CITIZENS

BOTH CITIZENS     The gods give you joy, sir, heartily.

               [Exeunt Citizens]

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Most sweet voices:

               Better it is to die, better to starve,

90

90           Than crave⁹⁰ the hire which first we do deserve.

               Why in⁹¹ this wolvish tongue should I stand here,

               To beg of Hob⁹² and Dick that does appear

               Their needless⁹³ vouches? Custom calls me to’t.

               What custom wills, in all things should we do’t?

95

95           The dust on antique time⁹⁵ would lie unswept,

               And mountainous error be too highly heaped

               For truth to o’erpeer.⁹⁷ Rather than fool it so,

               Let the high office and the honour go

               To one that would do thus.⁹⁹ I am half through:

100

100         The one part suffered, the other will I do.

               Enter three Citizens more

               Here come more voices.¹⁰¹

               Your voices! For your voices I have fought,

               Watched¹⁰³ for your voices: for your voices bear

               Of wounds two dozen odd: battles thrice six

105

105         I have seen and heard of:¹⁰⁵ for your voices have

               Done many things, some less, some more: your voices!

               Indeed I would be consul.

SIXTH CITIZEN

SIXTH CITIZEN     He has done nobly, and cannot go without any honest man’s voice.

SEVENTH CITIZEN

SEVENTH CITIZEN     Therefore let him be consul: the gods give him joy, and make him good friend to the people.

ALL CITIZENS

ALL CITIZENS     Amen, amen. God save thee, noble consul.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Worthy voices!

               [Exeunt Citizens]

               Enter Menenius, with Brutus and Sicinius

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     You have stood your limitation,¹¹³ and the tribunes

               Endue¹¹⁴ you with the people’s voice: remains

115

115         That in th’official marks¹¹⁵ invested, you

               Anon¹¹⁶ do meet the senate.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Is this done?

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     The custom of request¹¹⁸ you have discharged:

               The people do admit you, and are summoned

120

120         To meet anon, upon your approbation.¹²⁰

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Where? At the senate house?

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     There, Coriolanus.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     May I change these garments?

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     You may, sir.

125

125 

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS             That I’ll straight do, and, knowing myself again,

               Repair¹²⁶ to th’senate house.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     I’ll keep you company.— Will you along? To the Tribunes

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     We stay here for the people.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Fare you well.

               Exeunt Coriolanus and Menenius

130

130         He has it now, and by his looks methinks

               ’Tis warm at’s heart.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     With a proud heart he wore his humble weeds.¹³²

               Will you dismiss the people?

               Enter the Plebeians [Citizens]

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     How now, my masters,¹³⁴ have you chose this man?

135

135 

FIRST CITIZEN

FIRST CITIZEN             He has our voices, sir.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     We pray the gods he may deserve your loves.

SECOND CITIZEN

SECOND CITIZEN Amen, sir: to my poor unworthy notice,¹³⁷

               He mocked us when he begged our voices.

THIRD CITIZEN

THIRD CITIZEN     Certainly: he flouted¹³⁹ us downright.

140

140 

FIRST CITIZEN

FIRST CITIZEN             No, ’tis his kind of speech:¹⁴⁰ he did not mock us.

SECOND CITIZEN

SECOND CITIZEN Not one amongst us, save yourself, but says

               He used us scornfully: he should have showed us

               His marks of merit, wounds received for’s country.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Why, so he did, I am sure.

145

145 

ALL CITIZENS

ALL CITIZENS             No, no: no man saw ’em.

THIRD CITIZEN

THIRD CITIZEN     He said he had wounds, which he could show in private;

               And with his hat, thus waving it in scorn,

               ‘I would be consul’, says he: ‘Agèd custom,

               But by your voices, will not so permit me.

150

150         Your voices therefore.’ When we granted that,

               Here was ‘I thank you for your voices: thank you:

               Your most sweet voices: now you have left your voices,

               I have no further with¹⁵³ you.’ Was not this mockery?

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Why either were you ignorant¹⁵⁴ to see’t,

155

155         Or, seeing it, of such childish friendliness

               To yield your voices?

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Could you not have told him To the Citizens

               As you were lessoned:¹⁵⁸ when he had no power,

               But was a petty servant to the state,

160

160         He was your enemy, ever¹⁶⁰ spake against

               Your liberties and the charters¹⁶¹ that you bear

               I’th’body of the weal: and now arriving¹⁶²

               A place of potency and sway o’th’state,¹⁶³

               If he should still malignantly remain

165

165         Fast foe to th’plebeii,¹⁶⁵ your voices might

               Be curses to yourselves. You should have said

               That as his worthy deeds did claim no less

               Than what¹⁶⁸ he stood for, so his gracious nature

               Would think upon¹⁶⁹ you for your voices, and

170

170         Translate¹⁷⁰ his malice towards you into love,

               Standing¹⁷¹ your friendly lord.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Thus to have said, To the Citizens

               As you were fore-advised, had touched¹⁷³ his spirit

               And tried his inclination: from him plucked

175

175         Either his gracious promise, which you might,

               As cause¹⁷⁶ had called you up, have held him to:

               Or else it would have galled¹⁷⁷ his surly nature,

               Which easily endures not article¹⁷⁸

               Tying him to aught:¹⁷⁹ so putting him to rage,

180

180         You should have ta’en th’advantage of his choler¹⁸⁰

               And passed him unelected.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Did you perceive To the Citizens

               He did solicit you in free¹⁸³ contempt

               When he did need your loves? And do you think

185

185         That his contempt shall not be bruising to you

               When he hath power to crush? Why, had your bodies

               No heart¹⁸⁷ among you? Or had you tongues to cry

               Against the rectorship¹⁸⁸ of judgement?

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Have you, ere¹⁸⁹ now, denied the asker, To the Citizens

190

190         And now again, of him that did not ask but mock,

               Bestow your sued-for¹⁹¹ tongues?

THIRD CITIZEN

THIRD CITIZEN     He’s not confirmed: we may deny him yet.

SECOND CITIZEN

SECOND CITIZEN And will deny him:

               I’ll have five hundred voices of that sound.

195

195 

FIRST CITIZEN

FIRST CITIZEN             I twice five hundred and their friends to piece¹⁹⁵ ’em.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Get you hence instantly, and tell those friends

               They have chose a consul that will from them take

               Their liberties: make them of no more voice

               Than dogs that are as often beat for barking

200

200         As therefor²⁰⁰ kept to do so.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Let them assemble, and on a safer²⁰¹ judgement To the Citizens

               All revoke your ignorant election: enforce²⁰² his pride,

               And his old hate unto you: besides, forget not

               With what contempt he wore the humble weed,

205

205         How in his suit²⁰⁵ he scorned you: but your loves,

               Thinking upon his services, took from you

               Th’apprehension²⁰⁷ of his present portance,

               Which most gibingly,²⁰⁸ ungravely, he did fashion

               After²⁰⁹ the inveterate hate he bears you.

210

210 

BRUTUS

BRUTUS             Lay²¹⁰ a fault on us, your tribunes, To the Citizens

               That we laboured, no impediment between,²¹¹

               But that you must cast your election on him.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Say you chose him more after our commandment To the Citizens

               Than as guided by your own true affections,²¹⁴ and that

215

215         Your minds, preoccupied with what you rather must do

               Than what you should, made you against the grain²¹⁶

               To voice²¹⁷ him consul. Lay the fault on us.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Ay, spare us not: say we read lectures to²¹⁸ you, To the Citizens

               How youngly²¹⁹ he began to serve his country,

220

220         How long continued, and what stock he springs of,

               The noble house o’th’Martians, from whence came

               That Ancus Martius,²²² Numa’s daughter’s son,

               Who after great Hostilius²²³ here was king:

               Of the same house Publius²²⁴ and Quintus were,

225

225         That our best water brought by conduits²²⁵ hither:

               And Censorinus²²⁶ that was so surnamed,

               And nobly named so, twice being censor,²²⁷

               Was his great ancestor.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     One thus descended,

230

230         That²³⁰ hath beside well in his person wrought

               To be set high in place, we did commend

               To your remembrances: but you have found,

               Scaling²³³ his present bearing with his past,

               That he’s your fixed enemy, and revoke

235

235         Your sudden²³⁵ approbation.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Say, you ne’er had done’t —

               Harp on that still — but by our putting²³⁷ on:

               And presently,²³⁸ when you have drawn your number,

               Repair²³⁹ to th’Capitol.

240

240 

ALL

ALL             We will so: almost all repent in their election.

               Exeunt Plebeians [Citizens]

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Let them go on:

               This mutiny were better put in hazard,²⁴²

               Than²⁴³ stay, past doubt, for greater:

               If, as his nature is, he fall in rage

245

245         With their refusal, both observe and answer²⁴⁵

               The vantage of his anger.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     To th’Capitol, come:

               We will be there before the stream o’th’people,

               And this shall seem, as partly ’tis, their own,²⁴⁹

250

250         Which we have goaded onward.

               Exeunt

Act 3 [Scene 1]3.1

running scene 8

               Cornets. Enter Coriolanus, Menenius, all the gentry, Cominius, Titus Lartius, and other Senators

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Tullus Aufidius then had made new head?¹

LARTIUS

LARTIUS     He had, my lord, and that it was which caused

               Our swifter composition.³

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     So then the Volsces stand but as at first,

5

5             Ready, when time shall prompt them, to make road⁵

               Upon’s again.

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     They are worn,⁷ lord consul, so,

               That we shall hardly in our ages⁸ see

               Their banners wave again.

10

10   

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS           Saw you Aufidius? To Lartius

LARTIUS

LARTIUS     On safeguard¹¹ he came to me, and did curse

               Against the Volsces, for¹² they had so vilely

               Yielded the town: he is retired¹³ to Antium.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Spoke he of me?

15

15   

LARTIUS

LARTIUS           He did, my lord.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     How? What?

LARTIUS

LARTIUS     How often he had met you sword to sword:

               That of all things upon the earth, he hated

               Your person most: that he would pawn his fortunes

20

20           To hopeless restitution,²⁰ so he might

               Be called your vanquisher.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     At Antium lives he?

LARTIUS

LARTIUS     At Antium.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     I wish I had a cause to seek him there,

25

25           To oppose his hatred fully. Welcome home.

               Enter Sicinius and Brutus

               Behold, these are the tribunes of the people,

               The tongues o’th’common mouth. I do despise them,

               For they do prank them²⁸ in authority,

               Against²⁹ all noble sufferance.

30

30   

SICINIUS

SICINIUS           Pass no further.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Ha? What is that?

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     It will be dangerous to go on. No further.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     What makes this change?

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     The matter?

35

35   

COMINIUS

COMINIUS           Hath he not passed³⁵ the noble and the common?

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Cominius, no.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Have I had children’s voices?

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR Tribunes, give way: he shall to th’market-place.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     The people are incensed against him.

40

40   

SICINIUS

SICINIUS           Stop, or all will fall in broil.⁴⁰

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Are these your herd?

               Must these have voices,⁴² that can yield them now

               And straight⁴³ disclaim their tongues? What are your offices?

               You being their mouths, why rule⁴⁴ you not their teeth?

45

45           Have you not set them on?⁴⁵

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Be calm, be calm.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     It is a purposed⁴⁷ thing, and grows by plot,

               To curb the will of the nobility:

               Suffer’t, and live⁴⁹ with such as cannot rule

50

50           Nor ever will be ruled.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Call’t not a plot:

               The people cry you mocked them, and of late,⁵²

               When corn was given them gratis,⁵³ you repined,

               Scandalled⁵⁴ the suppliants for the people, called them

55

55           Time-pleasers,⁵⁵ flatterers, foes to nobleness.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Why, this was known before.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Not to them all.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Have you informed them sithence?⁵⁸

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     How? I inform them?

60

60   

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS           You are like⁶⁰ to do such business.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Not⁶¹ unlike each way to better yours.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Why then should I be consul? By yond⁶² clouds,

               Let me deserve so ill as you, and make me

               Your fellow tribune.

65

65   

SICINIUS

SICINIUS           You show too much of that⁶⁵

               For which the people stir: if you will pass

               To where you are bound, you must inquire your way,

               Which you are out of,⁶⁸ with a gentler spirit,

               Or never be so noble as a consul,

70

70           Nor yoke⁷⁰ with him for tribune.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Let’s be calm.

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     The people are abused:⁷² set on. This palt’ring

               Becomes not Rome: nor has Coriolanus

               Deserved this so dishonoured⁷⁴ rub, laid falsely

75

75           I’th’plain⁷⁵ way of his merit.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Tell me of corn?

               This was my speech, and I will speak’t again—

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Not now, not now.

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR Not in this heat, sir, now.

80

80   

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS           Now, as I live, I will.

               My nobler friends, I crave their pardons:

               For⁸² the mutable, rank-scented meinie,

               Let them regard⁸³ me, as I do not flatter,

               And therein behold themselves:⁸⁴ I say again,

85

85           In soothing⁸⁵ them, we nourish gainst our senate

               The cockle⁸⁶ of rebellion, insolence, sedition,

               Which we ourselves have ploughed for, sowed and scattered,

               By mingling them with us, the honoured⁸⁸ number,

               Who lack not virtue, no, nor power, but that

90

90           Which they have given to beggars.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Well, no more.

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR No more words, we beseech you.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     How? No more?

               As for my country I have shed my blood,

95

95           Not fearing outward force: so shall my lungs

               Coin⁹⁶ words till their decay against those measles

               Which we disdain should tetter⁹⁷ us, yet sought

               The very way to catch them.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     You speak o’th’people as if you were a god

100

100         To punish, not a man of their infirmity.¹⁰⁰

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     ’Twere well we let the people know’t.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     What, what, his choler?¹⁰²

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Choler? Were I as patient¹⁰³ as the midnight sleep,

               By Jove, ’twould be my mind.¹⁰⁴

105

105 

SICINIUS

SICINIUS             It is a mind that shall remain a poison

               Where it is, not poison any further.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Shall remain?

               Hear you this Triton¹⁰⁸ of the minnows? Mark you

               His absolute ‘shall’?

110

110 

COMINIUS

COMINIUS             ’Twas from the canon.¹¹⁰

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     ‘Shall’? O good but most unwise patricians: why,

               You grave but reckless senators, have you thus

               Given¹¹³ Hydra here to choose an officer,

               That with his peremptory¹¹⁴ ‘shall’, being but

115

115         The horn and noise¹¹⁵ o’th’monster’s, wants not spirit

               To say he’ll turn¹¹⁶ your current in a ditch,

               And make your channel his? If he have power

               Then vail your ignorance:¹¹⁸ if none, awake

               Your dangerous lenity. If you are learned,

120

120         Be not as common fools: if you are not,

               Let them have cushions¹²¹ by you. You are plebeians,

               If they be senators: and they are no less,

               When, both your voices¹²³ blended, the great’st taste

               Most palates theirs. They choose their magistrate,

125

125         And such a one as he, who puts his ‘shall’,

               His popular¹²⁶ ‘shall’, against a graver bench

               Than ever frowned in Greece. By Jove himself,

               It makes the consuls base: and my soul aches

               To know, when two authorities are up,¹²⁹

130

130         Neither supreme, how soon confusion¹³⁰

               May enter ’twixt the gap of both,¹³¹ and take

               The one by¹³² th’other.

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     Well, on to th’market-place.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Whoever gave that counsel to give forth

135

135         The corn o’th’storehouse gratis, as ’twas used¹³⁵

               Sometime in Greece—

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Well, well, no more of that.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Though there the people had more absolute power,

               I say, they nourished disobedience, fed

140

140         The ruin of the state.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Why shall the people give¹⁴¹

               One that speaks thus their voice?

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     I’ll give my reasons,

               More worthier than their voices. They know the corn

145

145         Was not our recompense,¹⁴⁵ resting well assured

               They ne’er did service for’t: being pressed¹⁴⁶ to th’war,

               Even when the navel¹⁴⁷ of the state was touched,

               They would not thread¹⁴⁸ the gates: this kind of service

               Did not deserve corn gratis. Being i’th’war,

150

150         Their mutinies and revolts, wherein they showed

               Most valour, spoke not for¹⁵¹ them. Th’accusation

               Which they have often made against the senate,

               All cause unborn,¹⁵³ could never be the native

               Of our so frank¹⁵⁴ donation. Well, what then?

155

155         How shall this bosom multiplied¹⁵⁵ digest

               The senate’s courtesy? Let deeds express

               What’s like¹⁵⁷ to be their words: ‘We did request it,

               We are the greater poll,¹⁵⁸ and in true fear

               They gave us our demands.’ Thus we debase

160

160         The nature of our seats, and make the rabble

               Call our cares¹⁶¹ fears, which will in time

               Break ope the locks o’th’senate, and bring in

               The crows¹⁶³ to peck the eagles.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Come, enough.

165

165 

BRUTUS

BRUTUS             Enough with over-measure.¹⁶⁵

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     No, take more.

               What may be sworn by, both divine and human,

               Seal¹⁶⁸ what I end withal. This double worship,

               Where one part does disdain with cause, the other

170

170         Insult¹⁷⁰ without all reason: where gentry, title, wisdom,

               Cannot conclude¹⁷¹ but by the yea and no

               Of general¹⁷² ignorance, it must omit

               Real necessities, and give way the while¹⁷³

               To unstable slightness.¹⁷⁴ Purpose so barred, it follows,

175

175         Nothing is done to purpose.¹⁷⁵ Therefore, beseech you —

               You that will be less fearful¹⁷⁶ than discreet,

               That love¹⁷⁷ the fundamental part of state

               More than you doubt the change on’t, that prefer

               A noble life before a long, and wish

180

180         To jump¹⁸⁰ a body with a dangerous physic

               That’s sure of death without it — at once pluck out

               The multitudinous tongue:¹⁸² let them not lick

               The sweet¹⁸³ which is their poison. Your dishonour

               Mangles true judgement, and bereaves¹⁸⁴ the state

185

185         Of that integrity¹⁸⁵ which should become’t,

               Not having the power to do the good it would,

               For th’ill¹⁸⁷ which doth control’t.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     He’s said enough.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     He’s spoken like a traitor, and shall answer¹⁸⁹

190

190         As traitors do.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Thou wretch, despite¹⁹¹ o’erwhelm thee!

               What should the people do with these bald¹⁹² tribunes?

               On whom depending, their obedience fails

               To th’greater bench?¹⁹⁴ In a rebellion,

195

195         When what’s¹⁹⁵ not meet, but what must be, was law,

               Then were they chosen: in a better hour,

               Let what¹⁹⁷ is meet be said it must be meet,

               And throw their power i’th’dust.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Manifest treason.

200

200 

SICINIUS

SICINIUS             This a consul? No.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     The aediles,²⁰¹ ho!

               Enter an Aedile

               Let him be apprehended.²⁰²

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Go, call the people:—

               [Exit Aedile]

                                    in whose name myself To Coriolanus

               Attach²⁰⁴ thee as a traitorous innovator,

205

205         A foe to th’public weal.²⁰⁵ Obey, I charge thee,

               And follow to thine answer.²⁰⁶

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Hence, old goat!

ALL PATRICIANS

ALL PATRICIANS     we’ll surety²⁰⁸ him.

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     Agèd sir, hands off. To Sicinius

210

210 

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS             Hence, rotten thing, or I shall shake thy bones To Sicinius

               Out of thy garments.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Help, ye citizens!

               Enter a rabble of Plebeians [Citizens] with the Aediles

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     On both sides more respect.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Here’s he that would take from you all your power.

215

215 

BRUTUS

BRUTUS             Seize him, aediles!

ALL CITIZENS

ALL CITIZENS     Down with him, down with him!

SECOND SENATOR

SECOND SENATOR Weapons, weapons, weapons!

               They all bustle about Coriolanus

               Tribunes! Patricians! Citizens! What, ho!

               Sicinius! Brutus! Coriolanus! Citizens!

220

220 

ALL

ALL             Peace, peace, peace! Stay, hold, peace!

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     What is about to be? I am out of breath:

               Confusion’s²²² near: I cannot speak. You, tribunes

               To th’people, Coriolanus, patience!

               Speak, good Sicinius.

225

225 

SICINIUS

SICINIUS             Hear me, people, peace.

ALL CITIZENS

ALL CITIZENS     Let’s hear our tribune: peace! Speak, speak, speak!

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     You are at²²⁷ point to lose your liberties:

               Martius would have all from you: Martius,

               Whom late you have named for consul.

230

230 

MENENIUS

MENENIUS             Fie, fie, fie, this is the way to kindle, not to quench.

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR To unbuild the city and to lay all flat.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     What is the city but the people?

ALL CITIZENS

ALL CITIZENS     True, the people are the city.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     By the consent of all, we were established the people’s magistrates.

235

235 

ALL CITIZENS

ALL CITIZENS             You so remain.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     And so are like to do.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     That is the way to lay the city flat,

               To bring the roof to the foundation,

               And bury all, which yet distinctly ranges,²³⁹

240

240         In heaps and piles of ruin.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     This deserves death.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Or²⁴² let us stand to our authority,

               Or let us lose it: we do here pronounce,

               Upon the part²⁴⁴ o’th’people, in whose power

245

245         We were elected theirs, Martius is worthy

               Of present²⁴⁶ death.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Therefore lay hold of him:

               Bear him to th’rock Tarpeian,²⁴⁸ and from thence

               Into destruction cast him.

250

250 

BRUTUS

BRUTUS             Aediles, seize him.

ALL CITIZENS

ALL CITIZENS     Yield, Martius, yield.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Hear me one word: beseech you, tribunes,

               Hear me but a word.

AEDILES

AEDILES     Peace, peace!

255

255 

MENENIUS

MENENIUS             Be that²⁵⁵ you seem, truly your country’s friend,

               And temp’rately²⁵⁶ proceed to what you would

               Thus violently redress.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Sir, those cold²⁵⁸ ways,

               That seem like prudent helps, are very poisonous

260

260         Where the disease is violent. Lay hands upon him,

               And bear him to the rock.

               Coriolanus draws his sword

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     No, I’ll die here:

               There’s some among you have beheld me fighting:

               Come, try upon yourselves what you have seen me.²⁶⁴

265

265 

MENENIUS

MENENIUS             Down with that sword: tribunes, withdraw a while.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Lay hands upon him.

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     Help Martius, help! You that be noble, help him, young and old.

ALL CITIZENS

ALL CITIZENS     Down with him, down with him.

               Exeunt

               In this mutiny, the Tribunes, the Aediles and the people are beat in

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Go, get you to your house: be gone, away!

270

270         All will be naught²⁷⁰ else.

SECOND SENATOR

SECOND SENATOR Get you gone.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Stand fast: we have as many friends as enemies.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Shall it be put to that?

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR The gods forbid!

275

275         I prithee, noble friend, home to thy house:

               Leave us to cure this cause.²⁷⁶

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     For ’tis a sore upon us,

               You cannot tent²⁷⁸ yourself: be gone, beseech you.

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     Come, sir, along with us.

280

280 

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS             I would they were barbarians, as they are,

               Though in Rome littered:²⁸¹ not Romans, as they are not,

               Though calved i’th’porch o’th’Capitol.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Be gone:

               Put not your worthy rage into your tongue:

285

285         One²⁸⁵ time will owe another.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     On fair ground I could beat forty of them.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     I could myself take up²⁸⁷ a brace o’th’best of them, yea, the two tribunes.

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     But now ’tis²⁸⁸ odds beyond arithmetic,

               And manhood²⁸⁹ is called foolery when it stands

290

290         Against a falling fabric.²⁹⁰ Will you hence,

               Before the tag²⁹¹ return, whose rage doth rend

               Like interrupted²⁹² waters and o’erbear

               What they are used to bear?

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Pray you be gone: To Coriolanus

295

295         I’ll try whether my old wit be in request²⁹⁵

               With those that have but little: this must be patched²⁹⁶

               With cloth of any colour.

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     Nay, come away.

               Exeunt Coriolanus and Cominius

A PATRICIAN

A PATRICIAN     This man has marred his fortune.

300

300 

MENENIUS

MENENIUS             His nature is too noble for the world:

               He would not flatter Neptune³⁰¹ for his trident,

               Or Jove for’s power to thunder:³⁰² his heart’s his mouth:

               What his breast forges, that his tongue must vent,

               And, being angry, does forget that ever

305

305         He heard the name of death.

               A noise within

                                    Here’s goodly work.

A PATRICIAN

A PATRICIAN     I would they were abed.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     I would they were in Tiber.³⁰⁷ What the vengeance!

               Could he not speak ’em fair?³⁰⁸

               Enter Brutus and Sicinius with the rabble again

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Where is this viper

310

310         That would depopulate the city and

               Be every man himself?

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     You worthy tribunes—

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     He shall be thrown down the Tarpeian rock

               With rigorous³¹⁴ hands: he hath resisted law,

315

315         And therefore law shall scorn³¹⁵ him further trial

               Than the severity of the public power

               Which he so sets³¹⁷ at naught.

FIRST CITIZEN

FIRST CITIZEN He shall well know the noble tribunes are

               The people’s mouths, and we their hands.

320

320 

ALL CITIZENS

ALL CITIZENS             He shall, sure on’t.³²⁰

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Sir, sir—

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Peace!

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Do not cry havoc³²³ where you should but hunt

               With modest warrant.³²⁴

325

325 

SICINIUS

SICINIUS             Sir, how com’st that you have holp³²⁵

               To make this rescue?³²⁶

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Hear me speak: as I do know

               The consul’s worthiness, so can I name his faults.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Consul? What consul?

330

330 

MENENIUS

MENENIUS             The consul Coriolanus.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     He consul?

ALL CITIZENS

ALL CITIZENS     No, no, no, no, no.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     If, by the tribunes’ leave,³³³ and yours, good people,

               I may be heard, I would crave a word or two,

335

335         The which shall turn you to no further harm

               Than so much loss of time.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Speak briefly then,

               For we are peremptory³³⁸ to dispatch

               This viperous traitor: to eject him hence³³⁹

340

340         Were but our danger, and to keep him here

               Our certain death: therefore it is decreed

               He dies tonight.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Now the good gods forbid

               That our renownèd Rome, whose gratitude

345

345         Towards her deservèd³⁴⁵ children is enrolled

               In Jove’s own book, like an unnatural dam³⁴⁶

               Should now eat up her own!

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     He’s a disease that must be cut away.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     O, he’s a limb that has but a disease:

350

350         Mortal³⁵⁰ to cut it off: to cure it, easy.

               What has he done to Rome that’s worthy death?

               Killing our enemies, the blood he hath lost —

               Which I dare vouch is more than that he hath

               By many an ounce — he dropped it for his country:

355

355         And what is left, to lose it by³⁵⁵ his country,

               Were to us all that do’t and suffer³⁵⁶ it,

               A brand³⁵⁷ to th’end o’th’world.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     This is clean cam.³⁵⁸

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Merely³⁵⁹ awry:

360

360         When he did love his country, it honoured him.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     The service of the foot,

               Being once gangrened, is not then respected

               For what before it was.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     We’ll hear no more:

365

365         Pursue him to his house, and pluck him thence,

               Lest his infection, being of catching nature,

               Spread further.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     One word more, one word:

               This tiger-footed rage, when it shall find

370

370         The harm of unscanned³⁷⁰ swiftness, will too late

               Tie leaden pounds to’s³⁷¹ heels. Proceed by process,

               Lest parties,³⁷² as he is beloved, break out,

               And sack great Rome with Romans.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     If it were so?

375

375 

SICINIUS

SICINIUS             What³⁷⁵ do ye talk? To Menenius

               Have we not had a taste of his obedience?

               Our aediles smote,³⁷⁷ ourselves resisted? Come.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Consider this: he has been bred i’th’wars

               Since a³⁷⁹ could draw a sword, and is ill-schooled

380

380         In bolted³⁸⁰ language: meal and bran together

               He throws without distinction. Give me leave,

               I’ll go to him, and undertake to bring him

               Where³⁸³ he shall answer by a lawful form,

               In peace, to his utmost peril.

385

385 

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR             Noble tribunes,

               It is the humane way: the other course

               Will prove too bloody, and the end of it

               Unknown³⁸⁸ to the beginning.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Noble Menenius,

390

390         Be you then as the people’s officer:

               Masters, lay down your weapons.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Go not home.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Meet on the market-place: we’ll attend³⁹³ you there,

               Where, if you bring not Martius, we’ll proceed

395

395         In our first way.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     I’ll bring him to you.

               Let me desire your company: he must come, To the Senators

               Or what is worst will follow.

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR Pray you, let’s to him.

               Exeunt

[Act 3 Scene 2]*

running scene 9

               Enter Coriolanus with Nobles

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Let them pull¹ all about mine ears, present me

               Death on the wheel,² or at wild horses’ heels,

               Or pile ten hills on the Tarpeian rock,

               That the precipitation⁴ might down stretch

5

5             Below the beam⁵ of sight, yet will I still

               Be thus to them.

               Enter Volumnia

A PATRICIAN

A PATRICIAN     You do the nobler.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     I muse⁸ my mother

               Does not approve⁹ me further, who was wont

10

10           To call them woollen¹⁰ vassals, things created

               To buy and sell with groats,¹¹ to show bare heads

               In congregations,¹² to yawn, be still and wonder,

               When one but of my ordinance¹³ stood up

               To speak of peace or war.— I talk of you: To Volumnia

15

15           Why did you wish me milder? Would you have me

               False to my nature? Rather say I play

               The man I am.

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA     O, sir, sir, sir,

               I would have had you put¹⁹ your power well on,

20

20           Before you had worn it out.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Let go.²¹

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA     You might have been enough the man you are,

               With striving less to be so: lesser²³ had been

               The things of your dispositions, if

25

25           You had not showed them how ye were disposed

               Ere²⁶ they lacked power to cross you.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Let them hang.

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA     Ay, and burn too.

               Enter Menenius with the Senators

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Come, come, you have been too rough, something²⁹ too rough:

30

30           You must return and mend it.

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR There’s no remedy:

               Unless by not so doing, our good city

               Cleave³³ in the midst and perish.

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA     Pray, be counselled: To Coriolanus

35

35           I have a heart as little apt³⁵ as yours,

               But yet a brain that leads my use of anger

               To better vantage.³⁷

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Well said, noble woman:

               Before he should thus stoop to th’herd, but³⁹ that

40

40           The violent fit⁴⁰ o’th’time craves it as physic

               For the whole state, I would put mine armour on,

               Which I can scarcely bear.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     What must I do?

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Return to th’tribunes.

45

45   

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS           Well, what then? What then?

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Repent what you have spoke.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     For them? I cannot do it to the gods:

               Must I then do’t to them?

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA     You are too absolute,⁴⁹

50

50           Though therein⁵⁰ you can never be too noble,

               But when extremities speak. I have heard you say,

               Honour and policy,⁵² like unsevered friends,

               I’th’war do grow together: grant that, and tell me

               In peace what each of them by th’other lose,

55

55           That they combine not there.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Tush, tush!

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     A good demand.⁵⁷

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA     If it be honour in your wars to seem⁵⁸

               The same you are not, which for your best ends

60

60           You adopt⁶⁰ your policy, how is it less or worse

               That⁶¹ it shall hold companionship in peace

               With honour, as in war, since that to both

               It stands in like request?

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Why force⁶⁴ you this?

65

65   

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA           Because that now it lies you on⁶⁵ to speak to th’people,

               Not by your own instruction,⁶⁶ nor by th’matter

               Which your heart prompts you, but with such words

               That are but roted⁶⁸ in your tongue, though but

               Bastards⁶⁹ and syllables of no allowance

70

70           To your bosom’s truth. Now this no more

               Dishonours you at all than to take in⁷¹

               A town with gentle⁷² words, which else would put you

               To your fortune and the hazard of much blood.

               I would dissemble with⁷⁴ my nature where

75

75           My fortunes and my friends at stake required

               I⁷⁶ should do so in honour. I am in this

               Your wife, your son, these senators, the nobles:

               And you will rather show our general⁷⁸ louts

               How you can frown than spend a fawn⁷⁹ upon ’em,

80

80           For the inheritance⁸⁰ of their loves, and safeguard

               Of what that want⁸¹ might ruin.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Noble lady!—

               Come, go with us: speak fair: you may salve⁸³ so, To Corioianus

               Not⁸⁴ what is dangerous present, but the loss

85

85           Of what is past.

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA     I prithee now, my son,

               Go to them, with this bonnet⁸⁷ in thy hand,

               And thus far having stretched⁸⁸ it — here be with them —

               Thy knee bussing⁸⁹ the stones: for in such business

90

90           Action is eloquence, and the eyes of th’ignorant

               More learnèd⁹¹ than the ears — waving thy head,

               With often thus correcting thy stout⁹² heart,

               Now humble as the ripest mulberry

               That will not hold⁹⁴ the handling: or say to them,

95

95           Thou art their soldier, and being bred in broils⁹⁵

               Hast not the soft⁹⁶ way which, thou dost confess,

               Were fit⁹⁷ for thee to use as they to claim,

               In asking⁹⁸ their good loves, but thou wilt frame

               Thyself, forsooth,⁹⁹ hereafter theirs so far

100

100         As thou hast power and person.¹⁰⁰

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     This but done,

               Even¹⁰² as she speaks, why, their hearts were yours:

               For they have pardons, being asked, as free¹⁰³

               As words to little purpose.

105

105 

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA             Prithee now,

               Go, and be ruled: although I know thou hadst rather

               Follow thine enemy in a fiery gulf

               Than flatter him in a bower.¹⁰⁸

               Enter Cominius

               Here is Cominius.

110

110 

COMINIUS

COMINIUS             I have been i’th’market-place: and, sir, ’tis fit

               You make¹¹¹ strong party, or defend yourself

               By calmness or by absence: all’s in anger.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Only fair speech.

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     I think ’twill serve, if he can thereto frame his spirit.

115

115 

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA             He must, and will:

               Prithee now, say you will, and go about it.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Must I go show them my unbarbèd sconce?¹¹⁷

               Must I with my base tongue give to my noble heart

               A lie that it must bear? Well, I will do’t:

120

120         Yet were there but this single plot¹²⁰ to lose,

               This mould¹²¹ of Martius, they to dust should grind it

               And throw’t against the wind. To th’market-place:

               You have put me now to such a part which never

               I shall discharge to th’life.¹²⁴

125

125 

COMINIUS

COMINIUS             Come, come, we’ll prompt you.

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA     I prithee now, sweet son, as thou hast said

               My praises made thee first a soldier, so

               To have my praise for this, perform a part

               Thou hast not done before.

130

130 

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS             Well, I must do’t:

               Away, my disposition, and possess me

               Some harlot’s¹³² spirit: my throat of war be turned,

               Which choirèd¹³³ with my drum, into a pipe

               Small¹³⁴ as an eunuch, or the virgin voice

135

135         That babies lull¹³⁵ asleep: the smiles of knaves

               Tent¹³⁶ in my cheeks, and schoolboys’ tears take up

               The¹³⁷ glasses of my sight: a beggar’s tongue

               Make motion through my lips, and my armed knees,

               Who bowed but in my stirrup, bend like his

140

140         That hath received an alms.¹⁴⁰ I will not do’t,

               Lest I surcease¹⁴¹ to honour mine own truth

               And by my body’s action teach my mind

               A most inherent¹⁴³ baseness.

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA     At thy choice, then:

145

145         To beg of thee, it is my more dishonour

               Than thou of them. Come all to ruin: let

               Thy mother rather feel¹⁴⁷ thy pride than fear

               Thy dangerous stoutness:¹⁴⁸ for I mock at death

               With as big heart¹⁴⁹ as thou. Do as thou list:

150

150         Thy valiantness was mine, thou sucked’st it from me,

               But owe¹⁵¹ thy pride thyself.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Pray, be content:

               Mother, I am going to the market-place:

               Chide me no more. I’ll mountebank¹⁵⁴ their loves,

155

155         Cog¹⁵⁵ their hearts from them, and come home beloved

               Of all the trades in Rome. Look, I am going:

               Commend me to my wife. I’ll return consul,

               Or never trust to what my tongue can do

               I’th’way of flattery further.

160

160 

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA             Do your will.

               Exit

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     Away, the tribunes do attend you: arm¹⁶¹ yourself

               To answer mildly: for they are prepared

               With accusations, as I hear, more strong

               Than are upon you yet.

165

165 

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS             The word¹⁶⁵ is ‘mildly’. Pray you, let us go:

               Let them accuse me by invention:¹⁶⁶ I

               Will answer in mine honour.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Ay, but mildly.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Well, mildly be it then: mildly.

               Exeunt

[Act 3 Scene 3]3.3

running scene 10

               Enter Sicinius and Brutus

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     In this point charge him home,¹ that he affects

               Tyrannical power: if he evade us there,

               Enforce³ him with his envy to the people,

               And that the spoil got on⁴ the Antiates

5

5             Was ne’er distributed.

               Enter an Aedile

                                    What, will he come?

AEDILE

AEDILE     He’s coming.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     How accompanied?

AEDILE

AEDILE     With old Menenius, and those senators

               That always favoured him.

10

10   

SICINIUS

SICINIUS           Have you a catalogue¹⁰

               Of all the voices that we have procured

               Set down by th’poll?¹²

AEDILE

AEDILE     I have: ’tis ready.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Have you collected them by tribes?¹⁴

15

15   

AEDILE

AEDILE           I have.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Assemble presently¹⁶ the people hither:

               And when they hear me say ‘It shall be so,

               I’th’right and strength o’th’commons’, be it either

               For death, for fine, or banishment, then let them

20

20           If I say ‘Fine’, cry ‘Fine!’, if ‘Death’, cry ‘Death!’,

               Insisting on the old prerogative²¹

               And power i’th’truth o’th’cause.²²

AEDILE

AEDILE     I shall inform them.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     And when such time they have begun to cry,²⁴

25

25           Let them not cease, but with a din confused

               Enforce the present execution²⁶

               Of what we chance to sentence.

AEDILE

AEDILE     Very well.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Make them be strong and ready for this hint

30

30           When we shall hap³⁰ to give’t them.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Go about it.

               [Exit Aedile]

               Put³² him to choler straight: he hath been used

               Ever to conquer, and to have his worth³³

               Of contradiction. Being once chafed,³⁴ he cannot

35

35           Be reined again to temperance: then he speaks

               What’s in his heart, and that is there which looks³⁶

               With us³⁷ to break his neck.

               Enter Coriolanus, Menenius and Cominius, with others [Senators and Patricians]

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Well, here he comes.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Calmly, I do beseech you. To Coriolanus

40

40   

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS           Ay, as an ostler,⁴⁰ that for th’poorest piece

               Will bear⁴¹ the knave by th’volume. Th’honoured gods

               Keep Rome in safety and the chairs of justice

               Supplied with worthy men: plant love among’s,⁴³

               Throng our large temples with the shows⁴⁴ of peace,

45

45           And not our streets with war!

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR Amen, amen.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     A noble wish.

               Enter the Aedile with the Plebians [Citizens]

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Draw near, ye people.

AEDILE

AEDILE     List⁴⁹ to your tribunes. Audience: peace, I say.

50

50   

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS           First, hear me speak.

SICINIUS and BRUTUS

SICINIUS and BRUTUS      Well, say.— Peace, ho!

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Shall I be charged no further than this present?⁵²

               Must all determine⁵³ here?

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     I do demand⁵⁴

55

55           If you submit you to the people’s voices,

               Allow⁵⁶ their officers, and are content

               To suffer lawful censure⁵⁷ for such faults

               As shall be proved upon you.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     I am content.

60

60   

MENENIUS

MENENIUS           Lo, citizens, he says he is content.

               The warlike service he has done, consider: think

               Upon the wounds his body bears, which show

               Like graves i’th’holy churchyard.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Scratches with briers, scars to move laughter only.

65

65   

MENENIUS

MENENIUS           Consider further

               That when he speaks not like a citizen,

               You find him like a soldier: do not take

               His rougher accents⁶⁸ for malicious sounds,

               But, as I say, such as become a soldier,

70

70           Rather than envy you.⁷⁰

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     Well, well, no more.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     What is the matter

               That being passed for consul with full voice,

               I am so dishonoured that the very⁷⁴ hour

75

75           You take it off again?

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Answer to us.⁷⁶

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Say, then: ’tis true, I ought so.⁷⁷

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     We charge you that you have contrived⁷⁸ to take

               From Rome all seasoned⁷⁹ office, and to wind

80

80           Yourself into a power tyrannical,

               For which you are a traitor to the people.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     How?⁸² Traitor?

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Nay, temperately: your promise.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     The fires i’th’lowest hell fold in⁸⁴ the people!

85

85           Call me their traitor,⁸⁵ thou injurious tribune?

               Within⁸⁶ thine eyes sat twenty thousand deaths,

               In thy hands clutched as many millions, in

               Thy lying tongue both numbers, I would say ‘

               Thou liest’ unto thee with a voice as free⁸⁹

90

90           As I⁹⁰ do pray the gods.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Mark you this, people?

ALL CITIZENS

ALL CITIZENS     To th’rock, to th’rock with him!

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Peace!

               We need not put⁹⁴ new matter to his charge:

95

95           What you have seen him do and heard him speak,

               Beating your officers, cursing yourselves,

               Opposing laws with strokes,⁹⁷ and here defying

               Those whose great power must try him.

               Even this, so criminal, and in such capital⁹⁹ kind,

100

100         Deserves th’extremest death.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     But since he hath served well for Rome—

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     What do you prate¹⁰² of service?

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     I talk of that, that know it.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     You?

105

105 

MENENIUS

MENENIUS             Is this the promise that you made your mother?

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     Know, I pray you—

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     I’ll know no further:

               Let them pronounce the steep Tarpeian death,

               Vagabond exile, flaying, pent¹⁰⁹ to linger

110

110         But with a grain a day, I would not buy

               Their mercy at the price of one fair word,

               Nor check¹¹² my courage for what they can give,

               To have’t¹¹³ with saying ‘Good morrow.’

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     For¹¹⁴ that he has,

115

115         As much as in him lies,¹¹⁵ from time to time

               Envied against¹¹⁶ the people, seeking means

               To pluck away their power, as¹¹⁷ now at last

               Given hostile strokes, and that not¹¹⁸ in the presence

               Of dreaded justice, but on the ministers

120

120         That doth distribute it. In the name o’th’people,

               And in the power of us the tribunes, we,

               Even from this instant, banish him our city,

               In peril of precipitation¹²³

               From off the rock Tarpeian, never more

125

125         To enter our Rome gates. I’th’people’s name,

               I say it shall be so.

ALL CITIZENS

ALL CITIZENS     It shall be so, it shall be so: let him away:

               He’s banished, and it shall be so.

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     Hear me, my masters, and my common friends—

130

130 

SICINIUS

SICINIUS             He’s sentenced: no more hearing.

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     Let me speak:

               I have been consul, and can show for Rome

               Her enemies’ marks upon me. I do love

               My country’s good with a respect more tender,

135

135         More holy and profound, than mine own life,

               My dear wife’s estimate,¹³⁶ her womb’s increase,

               And treasure of my loins: then if I would

               Speak that—

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     We know your drift. Speak what?

140

140 

BRUTUS

BRUTUS             There’s no more to be said, but he is banished,

               As enemy to the people and his country.

               It shall be so.

ALL CITIZENS

ALL CITIZENS     It shall be so, it shall be so.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     You common cry¹⁴⁴ of curs, whose breath I hate

145

145         As reek¹⁴⁵ o’th’rotten fens: whose loves I prize

               As the dead carcasses of unburied men

               That do corrupt my air: I banish you,

               And here remain¹⁴⁸ with your uncertainty.

               Let every feeble rumour shake your hearts:

150

150         Your enemies, with nodding of their plumes,¹⁵⁰

               Fan you into despair: have¹⁵¹ the power still

               To banish your defenders, till at length

               Your ignorance, which finds¹⁵³ not till it feels,

               Making¹⁵⁴ but reservation of yourselves,

155

155         Still¹⁵⁵ your own foes, deliver you

               As most abated¹⁵⁶ captives to some nation

               That won you without blows, despising,

               For¹⁵⁸ you, the city. Thus I turn my back:

               There is a world elsewhere.

               Exeunt Coriolanus, Cominius, [Menenius, Senators and Patricians. The Citizens] all shout, and throw up their caps

160

160 

AEDILE

AEDILE             The people’s enemy is gone, is gone!

ALL CITIZENS

ALL CITIZENS     Our enemy is banished, he is gone. Hoo-oo!

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Go see him out at gates, and follow him

               As he hath followed you, with all despite:¹⁶³

               Give him deserved vexation.¹⁶⁴ Let a guard

165

165         Attend us through the city.

ALL CITIZENS

ALL CITIZENS     Come, come, let’s see him out at gates: come.

               The gods preserve our noble tribunes! Come.

               Exeunt

Act 4 [Scene 1]4.1

running scene 11

               Enter Coriolanus, Volumnia, Virgilia, Menenius, Cominius, with the young nobility of Rome

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Come, leave¹ your tears: a brief farewell: the beast

               With many heads butts me away. Nay, mother,

               Where is your ancient³ courage? You were used

               To say extremities⁴ was the trier of spirits,

5

5             That common chances⁵ common men could bear:

               That when the sea was calm, all boats alike

               Showed mastership in floating. Fortune’s⁷ blows,

               When most struck home, being gentle wounded, craves

               A noble cunning. You were used to load me

10

10           With precepts that would make invincible

               The heart that conned¹¹ them.

VIRGILIA

VIRGILIA     O heavens! O heavens!

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Nay, I prithee, woman—

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA     Now the red pestilence¹⁴ strike all trades in Rome,

15

15           And occupations¹⁵ perish!

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     What, what, what?

               I shall be loved when I am lacked.¹⁷ Nay, mother,

               Resume that spirit, when you were wont¹⁸ to say,

               If you had been the wife of Hercules,¹⁹

20

20           Six of his labours you’d have done, and saved

               Your husband so much sweat. Cominius,

               Droop²² not: adieu. Farewell, my wife, my mother:

               I’ll do well yet. Thou old and true Menenius,

               Thy tears are salter than a younger man’s,

25

25           And venomous²⁵ to thine eyes. My sometime general,

               I have seen thee stern, and thou hast oft beheld

               Heart-hardening spectacles. Tell these sad women

               ’Tis fond²⁸ to wail inevitable strokes,

               As ’tis to laugh at ’em. My mother, you wot²⁹ well

30

30           My hazards still³⁰ have been your solace, and

               Believe’t not lightly:³¹ though I go alone,

               Like to a lonely dragon, that his fen³²

               Makes feared and talked of more than seen: your son

               Will or³⁴ exceed the common, or be caught

35

35           With cautelous³⁵ baits and practice.

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA     My first son,

               Whither will thou go? Take good Cominius

               With thee awhile: determine on some course

               More than a wild exposture³⁹ to each chance

40

40           That starts⁴⁰ i’th’way before thee.

VIRGILIA

VIRGILIA     O the gods!

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     I’ll follow⁴² thee a month, devise with thee

               Where thou shalt rest, that thou mayst hear of us

               And we of thee. So if the time thrust forth

45

45           A cause for thy repeal,⁴⁵ we shall not send

               O’er the vast world to seek a single man,

               And lose advantage,⁴⁷ which doth ever cool

               I’th’absence of the needer.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Fare ye well:

50

50           Thou hast years upon thee, and thou art too full

               Of the wars’ surfeits⁵¹ to go rove with one

               That’s yet unbruised: bring⁵² me but out at gate.

               Come, my sweet wife, my dearest mother, and

               My friends of noble touch:⁵⁴ when I am forth,

55

55           Bid me farewell, and smile. I pray you, come:

               While I remain above the ground, you shall

               Hear from me still, and never of me aught

               But what is like me formerly.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     That’s worthily

60

60           As any ear can hear. Come, let’s not weep:

               If I could shake off but one seven⁶¹ years

               From these old arms and legs, by the good gods,

               I’d with thee, every foot.⁶³

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Give me thy hand: come.

               Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 2]4.2

running scene 12

               Enter the two Tribunes, Sicinius and Brutus, with the Aedile

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Bid them all home:¹ he’s gone, and we’ll no further.

               The nobility are vexed, whom we see have sided

               In his behalf.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Now we have shown our power,

5

5             Let us seem humbler after it is done

               Than when it was a-doing.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Bid them home: say their great enemy is gone,

               And they stand in their ancient⁸ strength.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Dismiss them home.

               [Exit Aedile]

               Enter Volumnia, Virgilia and Menenius

10

10           Here comes his mother.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Let’s not meet her.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Why?

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     They say she’s mad.¹³

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     They have ta’en note of us: keep on your way.

15

15   

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA           O, you’re well met:

               Th’hoarded¹⁶ plague o’th’gods requite your love!

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Peace, peace: be not so loud.

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA     If that I could for weeping, you should hear—

               Nay, and you shall hear some. Will you be gone?

20

20   

VIRGILIA

VIRGILIA           You shall stay too: I would I had the power To the Tribunes

               To say so to my husband.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Are you mankind?²² To Volumnia

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA     Ay, fool: is that a shame? Note but this, fool:

               Was not a man my father? Hadst thou foxship²⁴

25

25           To banish him that struck more blows for Rome

               Than thou hast spoken words?

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     O blessèd heavens!

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA     More noble blows than ever thou wise words,

               And for Rome’s good. I’ll tell thee what: yet go:

30

30           Nay, but thou shalt stay too: I would³⁰ my son

               Were in Arabia,³¹ and thy tribe before him,

               His good sword in his hand.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     What then?

VIRGILIA

VIRGILIA     What then? He’d make an end of thy posterity.³⁴

35

35   

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA           Bastards and all.

               Good man, the wounds that he does bear for Rome!

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Come, come, peace.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     I would he had continued to his country

               As he began, and not unknit³⁹ himself

40

40           The noble knot⁴⁰ he made.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     I would he had.

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA     ‘I would he had’? ’Twas you incensed the rabble:

               Cats,⁴³ that can judge as fitly of his worth

               As I can of those mysteries which heaven

45

45           Will not have earth to know.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Pray, let’s go.

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA     Now pray, sir, get you gone.

               You have done a brave⁴⁸ deed: ere you go, hear this:

               As far as doth the Capitol exceed

50

50           The meanest⁵⁰ house in Rome, so far my son —

               This lady’s husband here, this, do you see? —

               Whom you have banished, does exceed you all.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Well, well, we’ll leave you.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Why stay we to be baited⁵⁴

55

55           With one that wants her wits?

               Exeunt Tribunes

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA     Take my prayers with you.

               I would the gods had nothing else to do

               But to confirm my curses. Could I meet ’em⁵⁸

               But once a day, it would unclog my heart

60

60           Of what lies heavy to’t.⁶⁰

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     You have told⁶¹ them home,

               And, by my troth, you have cause. You’ll sup⁶² with me?

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA     Anger’s my meat:⁶³ I sup upon myself,

               And so shall starve with feeding.⁶⁴ Come, let’s go:

65

65           Leave this faint puling⁶⁵ and lament as I do,

               In anger, Juno-like.⁶⁶ Come, come, come.

               Exeunt [Volumnia and Virgilia]

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Fie, fie, fie!

               Exit

[Act 4 Scene 3]4.3

running scene 13

        Enter [Nicanor], a Roman, and [Adrian] a Volsce

NICANOR

NICANOR     I know you well, sir, and you know me: your name, I think, is Adrian.

ADRIAN

ADRIAN     It is so, sir: truly, I have forgot you.

NICANOR

NICANOR     I am a Roman, and my services are, as you are, against ’em.³ Know you me yet?

ADRIAN

ADRIAN     Nicanor? No?

NICANOR

NICANOR     The same, sir.

ADRIAN

ADRIAN     You had more beard when I last saw you, but your favour⁷ is well appeared by your tongue. What’s the news in Rome? I have a note⁸ from the Volscian state to find you out there. You have well saved me a day’s journey.

10       

NICANOR

NICANOR     There hath been in Rome strange insurrections: the people against the senators, patricians and nobles.

ADRIAN

ADRIAN     Hath been? Is it ended then? Our state thinks not so: they are in a most warlike preparation, and hope to come upon them in the heat of their division.

NICANOR

NICANOR     The main blaze of it is past, but a small thing would make it flame again. For the nobles receive so to heart the banishment of that worthy Coriolanus, that they are in a ripe,¹⁶ aptness to take all power from the people and to pluck from them their tribunes for ever. This lies glowing¹⁷ I can tell you, and is almost mature for the violent breaking out.

ADRIAN

ADRIAN     Coriolanus banished?

20       

NICANOR

NICANOR     Banished, sir.

ADRIAN

ADRIAN     You will be welcome with this intelligence, Nicanor.

NICANOR

NICANOR     The day serves well for them²² now. I have heard it said, the fittest time to corrupt a man’s wife is when she’s fallen out with her husband. Your noble Tullus Aufidius will appear well in these wars, his great opposer Coriolanus being now in no request of²⁵ his country.

ADRIAN

ADRIAN     He cannot choose.²⁶ I am most fortunate, thus accidentally to encounter you. You have ended my business, and I will merrily accompany you home.

NICANOR

NICANOR     I shall between this²⁸ and supper tell you most strange things from Rome, all tending to the good of their adversaries. Have you an army ready, say you?

30       

ADRIAN

ADRIAN     A most royal one: the centurions,³⁰ and their charges, distinctly billeted already in th’entertainment³¹ and to be on foot at an hour’s warning.

NICANOR

NICANOR     I am joyful to hear of their readiness, and am the man, I think, that shall set them in present³³ action. So, sir, heartily well met, and most glad of your company.

ADRIAN

ADRIAN     You take my part³⁴ from me, sir: I have the most cause to be glad of yours.

35       

NICANOR

NICANOR     Well, let us go together.

        Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 4]4.4

running scene 14

        Enter Coriolanus in mean apparel, disguised and muffled

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     A goodly city is this Antium. City,

               ’Tis I that made thy widows: many an heir

               Of these fair edifices ’fore my wars³

               Have I heard groan and drop: then know me not,

5

5             Lest that thy wives with spits and boys with stones

               In puny⁶ battle slay me.

        Enter a Citizen

                                    Save you, sir.

CITIZEN

CITIZEN     And you.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Direct me, if it be your will,

               Where great Aufidius lies:⁹ is he in Antium?

10

10   

CITIZEN

CITIZEN           He is, and feasts the nobles of the state

               At his house this night.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Which is his house, beseech you?

CITIZEN

CITIZEN     This here before you.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Thank you, sir: farewell.

        Exit Citizen

15

15           O world, thy slippery turns!¹⁵ Friends now fast sworn,

               Whose double¹⁶ bosoms seem to wear one heart,

               Whose hours, whose bed, whose meal and exercise

               Are still¹⁸ together: who twin, as ’twere, in love,

               Unseparable, shall within this hour,

20

20           On a dissension²⁰ of a doit, break out

               To bitterest enmity: so fellest²¹ foes,

               Whose passions and whose plots²² have broke their sleep

               To take the one the other, by some chance,

               Some trick²⁴ not worth an egg, shall grow dear friends

25

25           And interjoin their issues.²⁵ So with me:

               My birthplace hate I, and my love’s upon

               This enemy town. I’ll enter: if he slay me,

               He does fair justice: if he give me way,²⁸

               I’ll do his country service.

        Exit

[Act 4 Scene 5]4.5

running scene 15

        Music plays. Enter a Servingman

FIRST SERVINGMAN

FIRST SERVINGMAN     Wine, wine, wine! What service is here? I think our fellows¹ are asleep.

        [Exit]

        Enter another Servingman

SECOND SERVINGMAN

SECOND SERVINGMAN     Where’s Cotus? My master calls for him. Cotus!

        Exit

        Enter Coriolanus

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     A goodly house: the feast smells well; but I Appear not like a guest.

        Enter the First Servingman

FIRST SERVINGMAN

FIRST SERVINGMAN     What would you have, friend? Whence⁶ are you? Here’s no place for you: pray, go⁷ to the door. Exit

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     I have deserved no better entertainment,⁸ In being Coriolanus.

        Enter Second Servingman

SECOND SERVINGMAN

SECOND SERVINGMAN     Whence are you, sir? Has the porter his eyes in his head, that he gives entrance to such companions?¹¹ Pray, get you out.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Away.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

SECOND SERVINGMAN     Away? Get you away

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Now thou’rt troublesome.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

SECOND SERVINGMAN     Are you so brave?¹⁵ I’ll have you talked with anon

        Enter Third Servingman: the first meets him

THIRD SERVINGMAN

THIRD SERVINGMAN     What fellow’s this?

FIRST SERVINGMAN

FIRST SERVINGMAN     A strange one as ever I looked on: I cannot get him out o’th’house: prithee, call my master to him.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

THIRD SERVINGMAN     What have you to do here, fellow? Pray you, avoid¹⁹ the house

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Let me but stand: I will not hurt your hearth.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

THIRD SERVINGMAN     What are you?

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     A gentleman.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

THIRD SERVINGMAN     A marvellous poor one

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     True, so I am.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

THIRD SERVINGMAN     Pray you, poor gentleman, take up some other station:²⁵ here’s no place for you: pray you, avoid: come

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Follow²⁷ your function: go and batten on cold bits.

        Pushes him away from him

THIRD SERVINGMAN

THIRD SERVINGMAN     What, you will not? Prithee, tell my master what a strange guest he has here

SECOND SERVINGMAN

SECOND SERVINGMAN     And I shall.

        Exit Second Servingman

THIRD SERVINGMAN

THIRD SERVINGMAN     Where dwell’st thou?

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Under the canopy.³²

THIRD SERVINGMAN

THIRD SERVINGMAN     Under the canopy?

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Ay.

35       

THIRD SERVINGMAN

THIRD SERVINGMAN     Where’s that?

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     I’th’city of kites and crows.³⁶

THIRD SERVINGMAN

THIRD SERVINGMAN     I’th’city of kites and crows? What an ass it is: then thou dwell’st with daws³⁸ too?

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     No, I serve not thy master.

40       

THIRD SERVINGMAN

THIRD SERVINGMAN     How, sir! Do you meddle⁴⁰ with my master?

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Ay, ’tis an honester service than to meddle with thy mistress. Thou prat’st,⁴² and prat’st: serve with thy trencher, hence!

        Beats him away

        Enter Aufidius with the [Second] Servingman

AUFIDIUS

AUFIDIUS     Where is this fellow?

SECOND SERVINGMAN

SECOND SERVINGMAN     Here, sir: I’d have beaten him like a dog, but⁴⁴ for disturbing the

               lords within. Servingmen stand aside

AUFIDIUS

AUFIDIUS     Whence com’st thou? What wouldst thou? Thy name?

               Why speak’st not? Speak, man: what’s thy name?

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     If, Tullus, Unmuffling

               Not yet thou know’st me, and seeing me dost not

50

50           Think me for the man I am, necessity

               Commands me name myself.

AUFIDIUS

AUFIDIUS     What is thy name?

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     A name unmusical to the Volscians’ ears,

               And harsh in sound to thine.

55

55   

AUFIDIUS

AUFIDIUS           Say, what’s thy name?

               Thou hast a grim⁵⁶ appearance, and thy face

               Bears a command⁵⁷ in’t: though thy tackle’s torn,

               Thou show’st⁵⁸ a noble vessel: what’s thy name?

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Prepare thy brow to frown: know’st thou me yet?

60

60   

AUFIDIUS

AUFIDIUS           I know thee not: thy name?

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     My name is Caius Martius, who hath done

               To thee particularly,⁶² and to all the Volsces,

               Great hurt and mischief:⁶³ thereto witness may

               My surname, Coriolanus. The painful⁶⁴ service,

65

65           The extreme dangers, and the drops of blood

               Shed for my thankless country, are requited

               But with that surname: a good memory⁶⁷

               And witness of the malice and displeasure

               Which thou shouldst bear me: only that name remains.

70

70           The cruelty and envy of the people,

               Permitted by our dastard⁷¹ nobles, who

               Have all forsook⁷² me, hath devoured the rest,

               And suffered me by th’voice of slaves to be

               Whooped⁷⁴ out of Rome. Now this extremity

75

75           Hath brought me to thy hearth, not out of hope —

               Mistake me not — to save my life: for if

               I had feared death, of all the men i’th’world

               I would have ’voided thee. But in⁷⁸ mere spite

               To be⁷⁹ full quit of those my banishers,

80

80           Stand I before thee here. Then if thou hast

               A heart of wreak⁸¹ in thee, that wilt revenge

               Thine own particular wrongs and stop those maims⁸²

               Of shame seen through⁸³ thy country, speed thee straight,

               And make my misery serve thy turn: so use it

85

85           That my revengeful services may prove

               As benefits to thee, for I will fight

               Against my cankered⁸⁷ country with the spleen

               Of all the under-fiends.⁸⁸ But if so be

               Thou dar’st not this, and that to prove more fortunes⁸⁹

90

90           Thou’rt tired, then, in a word, I also am

               Longer to live most weary, and present

               My throat to thee and to thy ancient⁹² malice,

               Which not to cut would show thee but a fool,

               Since I have ever followed thee with hate,

95

95           Drawn tuns⁹⁵ of blood out of thy country’s breast,

               And cannot live but to thy shame, unless

               It be to do thee service.

AUFIDIUS

AUFIDIUS     O Martius, Martius!

               Each word thou hast spoke hath weeded from my heart

100

100         A root of ancient envy. If Jupiter

               Should from yond cloud speak divine things,

               And say ‘’Tis true’, I’d not believe them more

               Than thee, all noble Martius. Let me twine

               Mine arms about that body, where against¹⁰⁴

105

105         My grainèd ash¹⁰⁵ an hundred times hath broke,

               And scarred the moon with splinters: here I clip¹⁰⁶ He embraces Corioianus

               The anvil¹⁰⁷ of my sword, and do contest

               As hotly and as nobly with thy love

               As ever in ambitious strength I did

110

110         Contend against thy valour. Know thou first,

               I loved the maid I married: never man

               Sighed truer breath. But that I see thee here,

               Thou noble thing, more dances¹¹³ my rapt heart

               Than when I first my wedded mistress saw

115

115         Bestride¹¹⁵ my threshold. Why, thou Mars, I tell thee,

               We have a¹¹⁶ power on foot, and I had purpose

               Once more to hew thy target¹¹⁷ from thy brawn,

               Or lose mine arm for’t: thou hast beat me out¹¹⁸

               Twelve several¹¹⁹ times, and I have nightly since

120

120         Dreamt of encounters ’twixt thyself and me:

               We have been down together¹²¹ in my sleep,

               Unbuckling helms,¹²² fisting each other’s throat,

               And waked¹²³ half dead with nothing. Worthy Martius,

               Had we no other quarrel else to Rome, but that

125

125         Thou art thence banished, we would muster all¹²⁵

               From twelve to seventy, and pouring war

               Into the bowels of ungrateful Rome,

               Like a bold flood o’erbear’t.¹²⁸ O, come, go in,

               And take our friendly senators by th’hands

130

130         Who now are here, taking their leaves of me,

               Who am prepared¹³¹ against your territories,

               Though not for Rome itself.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     You bless me, gods.

AUFIDIUS

AUFIDIUS     Therefore, most absolute¹³⁴ sir, if thou wilt have

135

135         The leading of thine own revenges, take

               Th’one half of my commission,¹³⁶ and set down —

               As best thou art experienced, since thou know’st

               Thy country’s strength and weakness — thine own ways:

               Whether to knock against the gates of Rome,

140

140         Or rudely¹⁴⁰ visit them in parts remote,

               To fright them, ere destroy.¹⁴¹ But come in:

               Let me commend¹⁴² thee first to those that shall

               Say yea to thy desires. A thousand welcomes!

               And more a friend than ere an enemy:

145

145         Yet, Martius, that was much. Your hand: most welcome!

        Exeunt [Coriolanus and Aufidius]

        The two Servingmen come forward

FIRST SERVINGMAN

FIRST SERVINGMAN     Here’s a strange alteration!

SECOND SERVINGMAN

SECOND SERVINGMAN     By my hand, I had thought to have strucken him with a cudgel, and yet my mind gave¹⁴⁸ me his clothes made a false report of him.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

FIRST SERVINGMAN     What an arm he has! He turned me about with his finger and his thumb, as one would set up¹⁵⁰ a top.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

SECOND SERVINGMAN     Nay, I knew by his face that there was something in him. He had, sir, a kind of face, methought…I cannot tell how to term it.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

FIRST SERVINGMAN     He had so, looking, as it were — would I were hanged, but I thought there was more in him than I could think.

155       

SECOND SERVINGMAN

SECOND SERVINGMAN     So did I, I’ll be sworn: he is simply the rarest¹⁵⁵ man i’th’world.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

FIRST SERVINGMAN     I think he¹⁵⁶ is: but a greater soldier than he you wot on.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

SECOND SERVINGMAN     Who, my master?

FIRST SERVINGMAN

FIRST SERVINGMAN     Nay, it’s¹⁵⁸ no matter for that.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

SECOND SERVINGMAN     Worth six on¹⁵⁹ him.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

FIRST SERVINGMAN     Nay, not so neither: but I take him to be the greater soldier.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

SECOND SERVINGMAN     Faith, look you, one cannot tell how to say that: for the defence of a town, our general is excellent.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

FIRST SERVINGMAN     Ay, and for an assault too.

        Enter the Third Servingman

THIRD SERVINGMAN

THIRD SERVINGMAN     O slaves,¹⁶⁴ I can tell you news: news, you rascals!

FIRST and SECOND SERVINGMAN

FIRST and SECOND SERVINGMAN     What, what, what? Let’s partake.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

THIRD SERVINGMAN     I would not be a Roman of all nations: I had as lief¹⁶⁶ be a condemned man.

FIRST and SECOND SERVINGMAN

FIRST and SECOND SERVINGMAN     Wherefore?¹⁶⁸ Wherefore?

THIRD SERVINGMAN

THIRD SERVINGMAN     Why, here’s he that was wont¹⁶⁹ to thwack our general, Caius Martius.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

FIRST SERVINGMAN     Why do you say ‘thwack our general’?

THIRD SERVINGMAN

THIRD SERVINGMAN     I do not say ‘thwack our general’, but he was always good enough for him.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

SECOND SERVINGMAN     Come, we are fellows and friends: he was ever too hard for him: I have heard him say so himself.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

FIRST SERVINGMAN     He was too hard for him directly, to say the truth on’t:¹⁷⁶ before Corioles he scotched¹⁷⁷ him and notched him like a carbonado.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

SECOND SERVINGMAN     An¹⁷⁸ he had been cannibally given, he might have boiled and eaten him too.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

FIRST SERVINGMAN     But more of thy news!

THIRD SERVINGMAN

THIRD SERVINGMAN     Why, he is so made on.¹⁸¹ here within, as if he were son and heir to Mars: set at upper end o’th’table:¹⁸² no question asked him by any of the senators, but¹⁸³ they stand bald before him. Our general himself makes a mistress of him: sanctifies¹⁸⁴ himself with’s hand and turns up the white o’th’eye to his discourse. But the bottom¹⁸⁵ of the news is, our general is cut i’th’middle and but one half of what he was yesterday: for the other has half, by the entreaty and grant of the whole table. He’ll go, he says, and sowl¹⁸⁷ the porter of Rome gates by th’ears. He will mow all down before him, and leave his passage polled¹⁸⁸

SECOND SERVINGMAN

SECOND SERVINGMAN     And he’s as like to do’t as any man I can imagine.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

THIRD SERVINGMAN     Do’t? He will do’t: for look you, sir, he has as many friends as enemies: which friends, sir, as it were, durst not, look you, sir, show themselves, as we term it, his friends whilst he’s in directitude.¹⁹²

FIRST SERVINGMAN

FIRST SERVINGMAN     Directitude? What’s that?

THIRD SERVINGMAN

THIRD SERVINGMAN     But when they shall see, sir, his crest¹⁹⁴ up again, and the man in blood, they will¹⁹⁵ out of their burrows, like conies after rain, and revel all with him.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

FIRST SERVINGMAN     But when goes this forward?

THIRD SERVINGMAN

THIRD SERVINGMAN     Tomorrow, today, presently:¹⁹⁷ you shall have the drum struck up this afternoon: ’tis as it were a parcel¹⁹⁸ of their feast, and to be executed ere they wipe their lips.

200       

SECOND SERVINGMAN

SECOND SERVINGMAN     Why, then we shall have a stirring²⁰⁰ world again. This peace i nothing but to rust iron, increase tailors, and breed ballad-makers.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

FIRST SERVINGMAN     Let me have war, say I: it exceeds peace as far as day does night: it’s sprightly walking, audible,²⁰³ and full of vent. Peace is a very apoplexy, lethargy, mulled,²⁰⁴ deaf, sleepy, insensible: a getter of more bastard children than war’s a destroyer of men.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

SECOND SERVINGMAN     ’Tis so: and as wars in some sort may be said to be a ravisher,²⁰⁶ so it cannot be denied but peace is a great maker of cuckolds²⁰⁷

FIRST SERVINGMAN

FIRST SERVINGMAN     Ay, and it makes men hate one another.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

THIRD SERVINGMAN     Reason: because they then less need one another. The wars for my money: I hope to see Romans as cheap as Volscians. They are rising,²¹⁰ they are rising.

FIRST and SECOND SERVINGMAN

FIRST and SECOND SERVINGMAN     In, in, in, in.

        Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 6]4.6

running scene 16

        Enter the two Tribunes, Sicinius and Brutus

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     We hear not of him, neither need we fear him:

               His² remedies are tame: the present peace

               And quietness of the people, which before

               Were in wild hurry.⁴ Here do we make his friends

5

5             Blush that the world goes well, who rather had,

               Though they themselves did suffer by’t, behold

               Dissentious numbers pest’ring⁷ streets than see

               Our tradesmen singing in their shops and going

               About their functions⁹ friendly.

        Enter Menenius

10

10   

BRUTUS

BRUTUS           We stood¹⁰ to’t in good time. Is this Menenius?

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     ’Tis he, ’tis he: O, he is grown most kind of late.—

               Hail, sir

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Hail to you both.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Your Coriolanus is not much missed

15

15           But¹⁵ with his friends: the commonwealth doth stand,

               And so would do, were¹⁶ he more angry at it.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     All’s well, and might have been much better if

               He could have temporized.¹⁸

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Where is he, hear you?

20

20   

MENENIUS

MENENIUS           Nay, I hear nothing:

               His mother and his wife hear nothing from him.

        Enter three or four Citizens

ALL CITIZENS

ALL CITIZENS     The gods preserve you both. To the Tribunes

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Good e’en,²³ our neighbours.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Good e’en to you all, good e’en to you all.

25

25   

FIRST CITIZEN

FIRST CITIZEN           Ourselves, our wives and children, on our knees,

               Are bound to pray for you both.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Live and thrive.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Farewell, kind neighbours.

               We wished Coriolanus had loved you as we did.

30

30   

ALL CITIZENS

ALL CITIZENS           Now the gods keep you!

SICINIUS and BRUTUS

SICINIUS and BRUTUS Farewell, farewell.

        Exeunt Citizens

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     This is a happier and more comely³² time

               Than when these fellows ran about the streets,

               Crying confusion.

35

35   

BRUTUS

BRUTUS           Caius Martius was

               A worthy officer i’th’war, but insolent,

               O’ercome with pride, ambitious past all thinking,

               Self-loving—

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     And affecting³⁹ one sole throne, without assistance.

40

40   

MENENIUS

MENENIUS           I think not so.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     We should by this,⁴¹ to all our lamentation,

               If he had gone forth consul, found it so.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     The gods have well prevented it, and Rome

               Sits safe and still without him.

        Enter an Aedile

45

45   

AEDILE

AEDILE           Worthy tribunes,

               There is a slave, whom we have put in prison,

               Reports the Volsces with two several powers⁴⁷

               Are entered in the Roman territories,

               And with the deepest malice of the war

50

50           Destroy what lies before ’em.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     ’Tis Aufidius,

               Who, hearing of our Martius’ banishment,

               Thrusts forth his horns⁵³ again into the world

               Which were inshelled⁵⁴ when Martius stood for Rome,

55

55           And durst not once peep out.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Come, what⁵⁶ talk you of Martius?

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Go see this rumourer whipped.— It cannot be To the Aedile

               The Volsces dare break⁵⁸ with us.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Cannot be?

60

60           We have record that very well it can,

               And three examples of the like hath been

               Within my age.⁶² But reason with the fellow,

               Before you punish him, where he heard this,

               Lest you shall chance to whip your information⁶⁴

65

65           And beat the messenger who bids beware

               Of what is to be dreaded.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Tell not me: I know this cannot be.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Not possible

        Enter a Messenger

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     The nobles in great earnestness are going

70

70           All to the senate house: some news is come

               That turns⁷¹ their countenances.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     ’Tis this slave:—

               Go whip him, fore the people’s eyes.— His⁷³ raising, To the Aedile

               Nothing but his report.

75

75   

MESSENGER

MESSENGER           Yes, worthy sir,

               The slave’s report is seconded⁷⁶ and more,

               More fearful, is delivered.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     What more fearful?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     It is spoke freely out of many mouths —

80

80           How probable I do not know — that Martius,

               Joined with Aufidius, leads a power gainst Rome,

               And vows revenge as⁸² spacious as between

               The young’st and oldest thing.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     This is most likely!

85

85   

BRUTUS

BRUTUS           Raised⁸⁵ only, that the weaker sort may wish

               Good Martius home again.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     The very trick on’t.⁸⁷

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     This is unlikely:

               He and Aufidius can no more atone⁸⁹

90

90           Than violent’st contrariety.⁹⁰

        Enter [another] Messenger

SECOND MESSENGER

SECOND MESSENGER     You are sent for to the senate:

               A fearful army, led by Caius Martius,

               Associated with Aufidius, rages

               Upon our territories, and have already

95

95           O’erborne⁹⁵ their way, consumed with fire, and took

               What lay before them.

        Enter Cominius

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     O, you have made good work!

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     What news? What news?

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     You have holp⁹⁹ to ravish your own daughters and

100

100         To melt the city leads¹⁰⁰ upon your pates,

               To see your wives dishonoured to your noses.¹⁰¹

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     What’s the news? What’s the news?

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     Your temples burnèd in their cement,¹⁰³ and

               Your franchises,¹⁰⁴ whereon you stood, confined

105

105         Into an auger’s bore.¹⁰⁵

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Pray now, your news?

               You have made fair work, I fear me.— To the Tribunes

                                    Pray, your news.— To Cominius

               If Martius should be joined with Volscians.

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     If? He is their god: he leads them like a thing

110

110         Made by some other deity than nature,

               That shapes man better, and they follow him

               Against us brats,¹¹² with no less confidence

               Than boys pursuing summer butterflies,

               Or butchers killing flies.

115

115 

MENENIUS

MENENIUS             You have made good work, To the Tribunes

               You and your apron-men:¹¹⁶ you that stood so much

               Upon the voice of occupation¹¹⁷ and

               The breath of garlic-eaters!¹¹⁸

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     He’ll shake your Rome about your ears. To the Tribunes

120

120 

MENENIUS

MENENIUS             As Hercules¹²⁰ did shake down mellow fruit.

               You have made fair work.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     But is this true, sir?

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     Ay, and you’ll look pale

               Before you find it other.¹²⁴ All the regions

125

125         Do smilingly¹²⁵ revolt, and who resists

               Are mocked for valiant ignorance,

               And perish constant¹²⁷ fools. Who is’t can blame him?

               Your enemies and his find something¹²⁸ in him.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     We are all undone,¹²⁹ unless

130

130         The noble man have mercy.

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     Who shall ask it?

               The tribunes cannot do’t for shame: the people

               Deserve such pity of him as the wolf

               Does of the shepherds: for¹³⁴ his best friends, if they

135

135         Should say ‘Be good to Rome’, they charged¹³⁵ him even

               As those should do that had deserved his hate,

               And therein showed¹³⁷ like enemies.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     ’Tis true: if he were putting to my house the brand¹³⁸

               That should consume it, I have not the face

140

140         To say ‘Beseech you, cease.’— You have made fair hands,¹⁴⁰ To the Tribunes

               You and your crafts:¹⁴¹ you have crafted fair!

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     You have brought

               A trembling upon Rome, such as was never

               S’incapable of help.¹⁴⁴

145

145 

SICINIUS and BRUTUS

SICINIUS and BRUTUS             Say not we brought it.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     How? Was’t we? We loved him,

               But, like beasts and cowardly nobles,

               Gave way unto your clusters,¹⁴⁸ who did hoot

               Him out o’th’city.

150

150 

COMINIUS

COMINIUS             But I fear

               They’ll roar¹⁵¹ him in again. Tullus Aufidius,

               The second name¹⁵² of men, obeys his points

               As if he were his officer: desperation

               Is all the policy, strength and defence

155

155         That Rome can make against them.

        Enter a troop of Citizens

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Here come the clusters.

               And is Aufidius with him? You are they

               That made the air unwholesome when you cast

               Your stinking greasy caps in hooting at

160

160         Coriolanus’ exile. Now he’s coming,

               And not a hair upon a soldier’s head

               Which will not prove a whip: as many coxcombs¹⁶²

               As you threw caps up will he tumble down,

               And pay you for your voices. ’Tis no matter:

165

165         If he could burn us all into one coal,¹⁶⁵

               We have deserved it.

ALL CITIZENS

ALL CITIZENS     Faith, we hear fearful news.

FIRST CITIZEN

FIRST CITIZEN For mine own part,

               When I said ‘Banish him’ I said ’twas pity.

170

170 

SECOND CITIZEN

SECOND CITIZEN             And so did I.

THIRD CITIZEN

THIRD CITIZEN     And so did I: and to say the truth, so did very many of us: that we did, we did for the best, and though we willingly consented to his banishment, yet it was against our will.

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     You’re goodly things, you voices.

175

175 

MENENIUS

MENENIUS             You have made good work,

               You and your cry.¹⁷⁶ Shall’s to the Capitol?

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     O, ay, what else?

        Exeunt [Cominius and Menenius]

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Go, masters, get you home: be not dismayed:

               These are a side¹⁷⁹ that would be glad to have

180

180         This true which they so seem to fear. Go home,

               And show no sign of fear.

FIRST CITIZEN

FIRST CITIZEN The gods be good to us! Come, masters, let’s home. I ever said we were i’th’wrong when we banished him.

SECOND CITIZEN

SECOND CITIZEN So did we all. But, come, let’s home.

        Exeunt Citizens

185

185 

BRUTUS

BRUTUS             I do not like this news.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Nor I.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Let’s to the Capitol. Would¹⁸⁷ half my wealth

               Would buy this for a lie.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Pray, let’s go.

        Exeunt Tribunes

[Act 4 Scene 7]4.7

running scene 17

        Enter Aufidius with his Lieutenant

AUFIDIUS

AUFIDIUS     Do they still fly to th’Roman?

LIEUTENANT

LIEUTENANT     I do not know what witchcraft’s in him, but

               Your soldiers use him as the grace fore meat,

               Their talk at table, and their thanks at end;

5

5             And you are darkened⁵ in this action, sir,

               Even by your own.⁶

AUFIDIUS

AUFIDIUS     I cannot help it now,

               Unless by using means⁸ I lame the foot

               Of our design. He bears himself more proudlier,

10

10           Even to my person, than I thought he would

               When first I did embrace him. Yet his nature

               In that’s no changeling,¹² and I must excuse

               What cannot be amended.

LIEUTENANT

LIEUTENANT     Yet I wish, sir —

15

15           I mean for your particular¹⁵ — you had not

               Joined in commission¹⁶ with him, but either

               Have¹⁷ borne the action of yourself, or else

               To him had left it solely.

AUFIDIUS

AUFIDIUS     I understand thee well, and be thou sure,

20

20           When he shall come to his account,²⁰ he knows not

               What I can urge²¹ against him. Although it seems,

               And so he thinks, and is no less apparent

               To th’vulgar²³ eye, that he bears all things fairly,

               And shows good husbandry for²⁴ the Volscian state,

25

25           Fights dragon-like, and does achieve²⁵ as soon

               As draw his sword: yet he hath left undone

               That which shall break his neck or hazard mine,

               Whene’er we come to our account.

LIEUTENANT

LIEUTENANT     Sir, I beseech you, think you he’ll carry²⁹ Rome?

30

30   

AUFIDIUS

AUFIDIUS           All places yields to him ere he sits down,³⁰

               And the nobility of Rome are his:

               The senators and patricians love him too:

               The tribunes are no soldiers, and their people

               Will be as rash in the repeal,³⁴ as hasty

35

35           To expel him thence. I think he’ll be to Rome

               As is the osprey³⁶ to the fish, who takes it

               By sovereignty of nature. First he was

               A noble servant to them, but he could not

               Carry his honours even:³⁹ whether ’twas pride,

40

40           Which out⁴⁰ of daily fortune ever taints

               The happy⁴¹ man: whether defect of judgement,

               To fail in the disposing⁴² of those chances

               Which he was lord of: or whether nature,⁴³

               Not to be other than one thing, not moving

45

45           From th’casque⁴⁵ to th’cushion, but commanding peace

               Even with the same austerity and garb⁴⁶

               As he controlled the war. But one of these —

               As he hath spices⁴⁸ of them all — not all,

               For I dare so far free⁴⁹ him — made him feared,

50

50           So⁵⁰ hated, and so banished: but he has a merit,

               To choke it in the utt’rance. So our virtues

               Lie in th’interpretation of the time,⁵²

               And power,⁵³ unto itself most commendable,

               Hath not a tomb so evident as a chair

55

55           T’extol what it hath done.

               One fire drives out one fire: one nail, one nail:

               Rights⁵⁷ by rights foulder, strengths by strengths do fail.

               Come, let’s away. When, Caius, Rome is thine,

               Thou art poor’st of all: then shortly art thou mine.

        Exeunt

Act 5 [Scene 1]5.1

running scene 18

        Enter Menenius, Cominius, Sicinius, Brutus, the two Tribunes, with others

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     No, I’ll not go: you hear what he¹ hath said

               Which² was sometime his general: who loved him

               In³ a most dear particular. He called me ‘father’:

               But what o’that?— Go, you that banished him: To the Tribunes

5

5             A mile before his tent fall down, and knee⁵

               The way into his mercy: nay, if he coyed⁶

               To hear Cominius speak, I’ll keep at home.

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     He would⁸ not seem to know me.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Do you hear?

10

10   

COMINIUS

COMINIUS           Yet one time he did call me by my name:

               I urged our old acquaintance, and the drops

               That we have bled together. ‘Coriolanus’

               He would not answer to: forbad all names:

               He was a kind of nothing, titleless,

15

15           Till he had forged himself a name o’th’fire

               Of burning Rome.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Why, so! You have made good work: the Tribunes

               A pair of tribunes that have wracked¹⁸ for Rome,

               To make coals¹⁹ cheap: a noble memory!

20

20   

COMINIUS

COMINIUS           I minded²⁰ him how royal ’twas to pardon

               When it was less expected. He replied

               It was a bare²² petition of a state

               To one whom they had punished.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Very well: could he say less?

25

25   

COMINIUS

COMINIUS           I offered²⁵ to awaken his regard

               For’s private²⁶ friends. His answer to me was

               He could not stay²⁷ to pick them in a pile

               Of noisome²⁸ musty chaff. He said ’twas folly

               For one poor grain or two to leave unburnt,

30

30           And still to nose th’offence.³⁰

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     For one poor grain or two?

               I am one of those: his mother, wife, his child,

               And this brave³³ fellow too: we are the grains.

               You are the musty chaff, and you are smelt

35

35           Above the moon. We must be burnt for you.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Nay, pray, be patient: if you refuse your aid

               In this so never-needed help,³⁷ yet do not

               Upbraid’s with our distress.³⁸ But sure, if you

               Would be your country’s pleader, your good tongue,

40

40           More than the instant⁴⁰ army we can make,

               Might stop our countryman.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     No, I’ll not meddle.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Pray you, go to him.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     What should I do?

45

45   

BRUTUS

BRUTUS           Only make trial what your love can do

               For Rome, towards Martius.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Well, and say that Martius return me,

               As Cominius is returned, unheard: what then?

               But as a discontented friend, grief-shot⁴⁹

50

50           With his unkindness? Say’t be so?

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Yet your good will

               Must have that thanks from Rome, after⁵² the measure

               As you intended well.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     I’ll undertake’t:

55

55           I think he’ll hear me. Yet to bite⁵⁵ his lip

               And hum at good Cominius much unhearts⁵⁶ me.

               He was not taken well,⁵⁷ he had not dined:

               The veins unfilled, our blood is cold, and then

               We pout upon⁵⁹ the morning, are unapt

60

60           To give or to forgive: but when we have stuffed

               These pipes and these conveyances⁶¹ of our blood

               With wine and feeding, we have suppler⁶² souls

               Than in our priest-like fasts: therefore I’ll watch him

               Till he be dieted to⁶⁴ my request,

65

65           And then I’ll set upon him.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     You know the very road into his kindness,

               And cannot lose your way.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Good faith, I’ll prove⁶⁸ him,

               Speed⁶⁹ how it will. I shall ere long have knowledge

70

70           Of my success.⁷⁰

        Exit

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     He’ll never hear him.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Not?

COMINIUS

COMINIUS     I tell you, he does sit in gold,⁷³ his eye

               Red as ’twould burn Rome, and his injury⁷⁴

75

75           The jailer to his pity. I kneeled before him:

               ’Twas very faintly⁷⁶ he said ‘Rise’: dismissed me

               Thus with his speechless hand. What⁷⁷ he would do

               He sent in writing after me: what he would not,

               Bound with an oath to yield to his conditions:

80

80           So that all hope is vain, unless his noble mother

               And his wife, who, as I hear, mean to solicit him

               For mercy to his country. Therefore, let’s hence,

               And with our fair entreaties haste them on.

        Exeunt

[Act 5 Scene 2]5.2

running scene 19

        Enter Menenius to the Watch or Guard

FIRST WATCHMAN

FIRST WATCHMAN     Stay: whence are you?

SECOND WATCHMAN

SECOND WATCHMAN     Stand, and go back.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     You guard like men: ’tis well.

               But, by your leave, I am an officer

5

5             Of state, and come to speak with Coriolanus.

FIRST WATCHMAN

FIRST WATCHMAN     From whence?

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     From Rome.

FIRST WATCHMAN

FIRST WATCHMAN     You may not pass, you must return: our general will no more hear from thence.

10       

SECOND WATCHMAN

SECOND WATCHMAN     You’ll see your Rome embraced with fire before you’ll speak with Coriolanus.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Good my friends,

               If you have heard your general talk of Rome,

               And of his friends there, it is lots to blanks,¹⁴

15

15           My name hath touched your ears: it is Menenius.

FIRST WATCHMAN

FIRST WATCHMAN     Be it so: go back: the virtue¹⁶ of your name is not here passable.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     I tell thee, fellow,

               The general is my lover:¹⁸ I have been

               The book¹⁹ of his good acts, whence men have read

20

20           His fame unparalleled, happily²⁰ amplified:

               For I have ever verified²¹ my friends,

               Of whom he’s chief, with all the size²² that verity

               Would without lapsing suffer:²³ nay, sometimes,

               Like to a bowl²⁴ upon a subtle ground,

25

25           I have tumbled²⁵ past the throw: and in his praise

               Have almost stamped the leasing.²⁶ Therefore, fellow,

               I must have leave to pass.

FIRST WATCHMAN

FIRST WATCHMAN     Faith, sir, if you had told as many lies in his behalf as you have uttered words in your own, you should not pass here: no, though it were as virtuous to lie as to live chastely.³⁰ Therefore, go back.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Prithee, fellow, remember my name is Menenius, always factionary³¹ on the party of your general.

SECOND WATCHMAN

SECOND WATCHMAN     Howsoever you have been his liar, as you say you have, I am one that, telling true under³⁴ him, must say you cannot pass. Therefore, go back.

35       

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Has he dined, canst thou tell? For I would not speak with him till after dinner.

FIRST WATCHMAN

FIRST WATCHMAN     You are a Roman, are you?

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     I am as thy general is.

FIRST WATCHMAN

FIRST WATCHMAN     Then you should hate Rome, as he does. Can you, when you have pushed out your gates the very defender of them, and in a violent popular ignorance,⁴⁰ given your enemy your shield,⁴¹ think to front his revenges with the easy⁴² groans of old women, the virginal palms of your daughters, or with the palsied⁴³ intercession of such a decayed dotant as you seem to be? Can you think to blow out the intended fire your city is ready to flame in, with such weak breath as this? No, you are deceived: therefore back to Rome, and prepare for your execution: you are condemned, our general has sworn you out of⁴⁶ reprieve and pardon.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Sirrah,⁴⁸ if thy captain knew I were here, he would use me with estimation.

FIRST WATCHMAN

FIRST WATCHMAN     Come, my captain knows you not.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     I mean, thy general.

FIRST WATCHMAN

FIRST WATCHMAN     My general cares not for you. Back, I say, go: lest I let forth your half-pint of blood. Back: that’s the utmost⁵² of your having: back.

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     Nay, but fellow, fellow—

        Enter Coriolanus with Aufidius

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     What’s the matter?

55       

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     To First Watchman Now, you companion,⁵⁵ I’ll say an errand for you: you shall know now that I am in estimation: you shall perceive that a jack guardant,⁵⁶ cannot office me from my son Coriolanus: guess but my entertainment⁵⁷ with him: if thou stand’st not i’th’state of hanging, or of some death more long in spectatorship⁵⁸ and crueller in suffering, behold now presently, and swoon for what’s to come upon thee.—To Coriolanus The glorious gods sit in hourly synod⁶⁰ about thy particular prosperity, and love thee no worse than thy old father Menenius does! O my son, my son! Thou art preparing fire for us: look thee, here’s water to quench it. He weeps I was hardly moved⁶² to come to thee, but being assured none but myself could move thee, I have been blown out of our gates with sighs, and conjure⁶⁴ thee to pardon Rome, and thy petitionary countrymen. The good gods assuage thy wrath, and turn the dregs of it upon this varlet⁶⁶ here: this, who like a block hath denied my access to thee.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Away!

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     How? Away?

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Wife, mother, child, I know not. My affairs

70

70           Are servanted⁷⁰ to others: though I owe

               My revenge properly,⁷¹ my remission lies

               In Volscian breasts. That⁷² we have been familiar,

               Ingrate forgetfulness shall poison, rather

               Than pity note how much. Therefore, be gone.

75

75           Mine ears against your suits are stronger than

               Your gates against my force. Yet, for⁷⁶ I loved thee,

               Take this along: I writ it for thy sake, He gives him a letter

               And would have sent it. Another word, Menenius,

               I will not hear thee speak. This man, Aufidius,

80

80           Was my beloved in Rome: yet thou behold’st.

AUFIDIUS

AUFIDIUS     You keep a constant temper.⁸¹

        Exeunt [Coriolanus and Aufidius]

        The Guard and Menenius [remain]

FIRST WATCHMAN

FIRST WATCHMAN     Now, sir, is your name Menenius?

SECOND WATCHMAN

SECOND WATCHMAN     ’Tis a spell, you see, of much power: you know the way home again.

85       

FIRST WATCHMAN

FIRST WATCHMAN     Do you hear how we are shent⁸⁵ for keeping your greatness back?

SECOND WATCHMAN

SECOND WATCHMAN     What cause, do you think, I have to swoon?

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     I neither care for.⁸⁷ th’world nor your general: for such things as you, I can scarce think there’s any, you’re so slight⁸⁸ He that hath a will to die by himself fears it not from another: let your general do his worst. For you, be⁸⁹ that you are long, and your misery increase with your age. I say to you, as I was said to, ‘Away!’

        Exit

FIRST WATCHMAN

FIRST WATCHMAN     A noble fellow, I warrant him.

SECOND WATCHMAN

SECOND WATCHMAN     The worthy fellow is our general. He’s the rock, the oak not to be wind-shaken.

        Exeunt

[Act 5 Scene 3]

running scene 19 continues

        Enter Coriolanus and Aufidius

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     We will before the walls of Rome tomorrow

               Set down² our host. My partner in this action,

               You must report to th’Volscian lords, how plainly³

               I have borne this business.

5

5     

AUFIDIUS

AUFIDIUS         Only their ends⁵ you have respected,

               Stopped your ears against the general suit of Rome:

               Never admitted a private whisper, no, not with such friends

               That thought them sure of you.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     This last old man,

10

10           Whom with a cracked heart I have sent to Rome,

               Loved me above the measure of a father,

               Nay, godded me,¹² indeed. Their latest refuge

               Was to send him, for whose old love I have,

               Though I showed¹⁴ sourly to him, once more offered

15

15           The first conditions, which they did refuse

               And cannot now accept, to grace¹⁶ him only

               That thought he could do more. A very little

               I have yielded to. Fresh embassies and suits,

               Nor¹⁹ from the state nor private friends, hereafter

20

20           Will I lend ear to.— Ha? What shout is this?

        Shout within

               Shall I be tempted to infringe my vow

               In the same time ’tis made? I will not.

        Enter Virgilia, Volumnia, Valeria, young Martius, with Attendants

               My wife comes foremost, then the honoured mould²³

               Wherein this trunk²⁴ was framed, and in her hand

25

25           The grandchild to her blood. But out, affection!²⁵

               All bond and privilege of nature break:

               Let it be virtuous to be obstinate.²⁷ Virgilia curtsies

               What is that curtsy worth? Or those dove’s eyes,²⁸

               Which can make gods forsworn?²⁹ I melt, and am not

30

30           Of stronger earth than others. My mother bows, Volumnia bows

               As if Olympus³¹ to a molehill should

               In supplication nod: and my young boy

               Hath an aspect³³ of intercession, which

               Great nature cries ‘Deny not’. Let the Volsces

35

35           Plough Rome and harrow Italy: I’ll never

               Be such a gosling³⁶ to obey instinct, but stand,

               As if a man were author³⁷ of himself

               And knew no other kin.

VIRGILIA

VIRGILIA     My lord and husband.

40

40   

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS           These eyes are not the same I wore in Rome.

VIRGILIA

VIRGILIA     The sorrow that delivers⁴¹ us thus changed

               Makes you think so.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Like a dull⁴³ actor now,

               I have forgot my part, and I am out,⁴⁴

45

45           Even to a full disgrace. Best⁴⁵ of my flesh,

               Forgive my tyranny,⁴⁶ but do not say

               For that ‘Forgive our Romans’. O, a kiss Virgilia kisses him

               Long as my exile, sweet as my revenge!

               Now, by the jealous⁴⁹ queen of heaven, that kiss

50

50           I carried from thee, dear, and my true lip

               Hath virgined it⁵¹ e’er since. You gods, I prate,

               And the most noble mother of the world

               Leave unsaluted: sink, my knee, i’th’earth: Kneels

               Of thy deep duty more impression⁵⁴ show

55

55           Than that of common sons.

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA     O, stand up blest! Coriolanus rises

               Whilst, with no softer cushion than the flint,

               I kneel before thee, and unproperly⁵⁸

               Show⁵⁹ duty as mistaken all this while

60

60           Between the child and parent. She kneels

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     What’s this? Your knees to me?

               To your corrected⁶² son?

               Then let the pebbles on the hungry⁶³ beach He raises her

               Fillip⁶⁴ the stars: then let the mutinous winds

65

65           Strike the proud cedars gainst the fiery sun,

               Murd’ring impossibility,⁶⁶ to make

               What cannot be, slight⁶⁷ work.

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA     Thou art my warrior: I holp⁶⁸ to frame thee.

               Do you know this lady?

70

70   

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS           The noble sister of Publicola,⁷⁰

               The moon⁷¹ of Rome, chaste as the icicle

               That’s curdied⁷² by the frost from purest snow

               And hangs on Dian’s⁷³ temple: dear Valeria!

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA     This is a poor epitome⁷⁴ of yours, Indicating Young Martius

75

75           Which by th’interpretation⁷⁵ of full time

               May show like all⁷⁶ yourself.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     The⁷⁷ god of soldiers, To Young Martius

               With the consent of supreme Jove, inform⁷⁸

               Thy thoughts with nobleness, that thou mayst prove

80

80           To shame⁸⁰ unvulnerable, and stick i’th’wars

               Like a great sea-mark⁸¹ standing every flaw,

               And saving those that eye⁸² thee!

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA     Your knee, sirrah. To Young Martius, who then kneels

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     That’s my brave boy.

85

85   

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA           Even he, your wife, this lady, and myself,

               Are suitors to you.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     I beseech you, peace:

               Or if you’d ask, remember this before:

               The⁸⁹ thing I have forsworn to grant may never

90

90           Be held by you denials. Do not bid me

               Dismiss my soldiers, or capitulate⁹¹

               Again with Rome’s mechanics.⁹² Tell me not

               Wherein I seem unnatural: desire not t’allay⁹³

               My rages and revenges with your colder⁹⁴ reasons.

95

95   

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA           O, no more, no more!

               You have said you will not grant us anything:

               For we have nothing else to ask, but that

               Which you deny already: yet we will ask

               That, if you fail in our request, the blame

100

100         May hang upon your hardness: therefore hear us.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Aufidius, and you Volsces, mark: for we’ll

               Hear nought from Rome in private. Your request? He sits

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA     Should we¹⁰³ be silent and not speak, our raiment

               And state of bodies would bewray¹⁰⁴ what life

105

105         We have led since thy exile. Think with thyself¹⁰⁵

               How more unfortunate than all living women

               Are we come hither: since that thy sight, which should

               Make our eyes flow with joy, hearts dance with comforts,

               Constrains them¹⁰⁹ weep and shake with fear and sorrow,

110

110         Making the mother, wife and child to see

               The son, the husband and the father tearing

               His country’s bowels out: and to poor we

               Thine enmity’s most capital:¹¹³ thou barr’st us

               Our prayers to the gods, which is a comfort

115

115         That all but we enjoy. For how can we,

               Alas, how can we for our country pray?

               Whereto we are bound, together with thy victory,

               Whereto we are bound? Alack, or¹¹⁸ we must lose

               The country, our dear nurse, or else thy person,

120

120         Our comfort in the country. We must find

               An evident¹²¹ calamity, though we had

               Our wish, which¹²² side should win. For either thou

               Must as a foreign recreant¹²³ be led

               With manacles through our streets, or else

125

125         Triumphantly tread on thy country’s ruin,

               And bear the palm¹²⁶ for having bravely shed

               Thy wife and children’s blood. For myself, son,

               I purpose¹²⁸ not to wait on fortune till

               These wars determine:¹²⁹ if I cannot persuade thee

130

130         Rather to show a noble grace¹³⁰ to both parts

               Than seek the end of one, thou shalt no sooner

               March to assault thy country than to tread —

               Trust to’t, thou shalt not — on thy mother’s womb

               That brought thee to this world.

135

135 

VIRGILIA

VIRGILIA             Ay, and mine, that brought you forth this boy,

               To keep your name living to time.

YOUNG MARTIUS

YOUNG MARTIUS     A¹³⁷ shall not tread on me:

               I’ll run away till I am bigger, but then I’ll fight.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Not¹³⁹ of a woman’s tenderness to be,

140

140         Requires nor child nor woman’s face to see:

               I have sat¹⁴¹ too long. He rises and turns to leave

VOLUMNIA

VOLUMNIA     Nay, go not from us thus:

               If it were so that our request did tend¹⁴³

               To save the Romans, thereby to destroy

145

145         The Volsces whom you serve, you might condemn us

               As poisonous of your honour. No, our suit

               Is that you reconcile them: while¹⁴⁷ the Volsces

               May say ‘This mercy we have showed’, the Romans,

               ‘This we received’, and each in either side

150

150         Give the all-hail¹⁵⁰ to thee, and cry ‘Be blest

               For making up this peace!’ Thou know’st, great son,

               The end of war’s uncertain: but this¹⁵² certain,

               That if thou conquer Rome, the benefit

               Which thou shalt thereby reap is such a name

155

155         Whose repetition will be dogged with curses:

               Whose chronicle thus writ: ‘The man was noble,

               But with his last attempt he wiped it¹⁵⁷ out,

               Destroyed his country, and his name remains

               To th’ensuing age abhorred.’ Speak to me, son:

160

160         Thou hast affected¹⁶⁰ the fine strains of honour,

               To imitate the graces of the gods,¹⁶¹

               To tear with thunder the wide cheeks o’th’air,

               And yet to charge¹⁶³ thy sulphur with a bolt

               That should but¹⁶⁴ rive an oak. Why dost not speak?

165

165         Think’st thou it honourable for a noble man

               Still¹⁶⁶ to remember wrongs? Daughter, speak you:

               He cares not for your weeping. Speak thou, boy:

               Perhaps thy childishness will move him more

               Than can our reasons. There’s no man in the world

170

170         More bound to’s mother, yet here he lets me prate

               Like one i’th’stocks.¹⁷¹ Thou hast never in thy life

               Showed thy dear mother any courtesy,

               When she, poor hen, fond¹⁷³ of no second brood,

               Has clucked thee to the wars and safely home,

175

175         Loaden with honour. Say my request’s unjust,

               And spurn me back: but if it be not so,

               Thou art not honest,¹⁷⁷ and the gods will plague thee

               That thou restrain’st¹⁷⁸ from me the duty which

               To a mother’s part belongs. He turns away:

180

180         Down, ladies: let us shame him with our knees.

               To his surname ‘Coriolanus’ ’longs¹⁸¹ more pride

               Than pity to our prayers. Down: an end:

               This is the last. So we will home to Rome, The Ladies and Young Martius kneel

               And die among our neighbours. Nay, behold’s:

185

185         This boy, that cannot¹⁸⁵ tell what he would have,

               But kneels and holds up hands for fellowship,

               Does reason¹⁸⁷ our petition with more strength

               Than thou hast to deny’t. Come, let us go:

               This fellow had a Volscian to¹⁸⁹ his mother:

190

190         His wife is in Corioles, and his child

               Like him by chance. Yet give us our dispatch:¹⁹¹

               I am hushed until our city be afire,

               And then I’ll speak a little.

        [Coriolanus] holds her by the hand, silent

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     O mother, mother!

195

195         What have you done? Behold, the heavens do ope,

               The gods look down, and this unnatural scene

               They laugh at. O my mother, mother, O!

               You have won a happy victory to Rome.

               But for your son, believe it, O believe it,

200

200         Most dangerously you have with him prevailed,

               If not most mortal²⁰¹ to him. But let it come. The Ladies and Young Martius rise

               Aufidius, though I cannot make true²⁰² wars,

               I’ll frame convenient²⁰³ peace. Now, good Aufidius,

               Were you in my stead, would you have heard

205

205         A mother less? Or granted less, Aufidius?

AUFIDIUS

AUFIDIUS     I was moved withal.²⁰⁶

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     I dare be sworn you were:

               And, sir, it is no little thing to make

               Mine eyes to sweat²⁰⁹ compassion. But, good sir,

210

210         What peace you’ll make, advise me. For my part,

               I’ll not to Rome: I’ll back²¹¹ with you, and pray you

               Stand to²¹² me in this cause.— O mother! Wife!

AUFIDIUS

AUFIDIUS     I am glad thou hast set thy mercy and thy honour Aside

               At difference in thee: out of that I’ll work

215

215         Myself a former fortune.²¹⁵

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Ay, by and by: To the Ladies

               But we will drink together, and you shall bear

               A better witness²¹⁸ back than words, which we,

               On²¹⁹ like conditions, will have counter-sealed.

220

220         Come, enter with us. Ladies, you deserve

               To have a temple built you: all the swords

               In Italy, and her confederate arms,²²²

               Could not have made this peace.

        Exeunt

[Act 5 Scene 4]*

running scene 20

        Enter Menenius and Sicinius

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     See you yond coign¹ o’th’Capitol, yond corner-stone?

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Why, what of that?

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     If it be possible for you to displace it with your little finger, there is some hope the ladies of Rome, especially his mother, may prevail with him. But I say there is no hope in’t: our throats are sentenced and stay upon⁵ execution.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Is’t possible that so short a time can alter the condition⁶ of a man?

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     There is differency⁷ between a grub and a butterfly, yet your butterfly was a grub. This Martius is grown from man to dragon: he has wings: he’s more than a creeping thing.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     He loved his mother dearly

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     So did he me, and he no more remembers his mother now than an eight-year-old horse. The tartness of his face sours ripe grapes. When he walks, he moves like an engine,¹³ and the ground shrinks before his treading. He is able to pierce a corslet,¹⁴ with his eye, talks like a knell, and his hum is a battery. He sits in his state¹⁵ as a thing made for Alexander. What he bids be done is finished with his bidding. He wants¹⁶ nothing of a god but eternity and a heaven to throne in.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     Yes, mercy, if you report him truly

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     I paint him in the character.¹⁸ Mark what mercy his mother shall bring from him. There is no more mercy in him than there is milk in a male tiger: that shall our poor city find: and all this is long of²⁰ you.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     The gods be good unto us!

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     No, in such a case the gods will not be good unto us. When we banished him, we respected not them, and, he returning to break our necks, they respect not us.

        Enter a Messenger

25

25   

MESSENGER

MESSENGER           Sir, if you’d save your life, fly to your house: To Sicinius

               The plebeians have got your fellow tribune

               And hale²⁷ him up and down, all swearing if

               The Roman ladies bring not comfort home,

               They’ll give him death by inches.²⁹

        Enter another Messenger

30

30   

SICINIUS

SICINIUS           What’s the news?

SECOND MESSENGER

SECOND MESSENGER     Good news, good news: the ladies have prevailed,

               The Volscians are dislodged,³² and Martius gone:

               A merrier day did never yet greet Rome,

               No, not th’expulsion of the Tarquins.³⁴

35

35   

SICINIUS

SICINIUS           Friend, art thou certain this is true?

               Is’t most certain?

SECOND MESSENGER

SECOND MESSENGER     As certain as I know the sun is fire:

               Where have you lurked that you make doubt of it?

               Ne’er through an arch so hurried the blown³⁹ tide

40

40           As the recomforted⁴⁰ through th’gates.

        Trumpets, hautboys, drums beat all together

                                        Why, hark you:

               The trumpets, sackbuts,⁴¹ psalteries and fifes,

               Tabors⁴² and cymbals and the shouting Romans

               Make the sun dance. A shout within

                                        Hark you!

MENENIUS

MENENIUS     This is good news:

45

45           I will go meet the ladies. This Volumnia

               Is worth of consuls, senators, patricians,

               A city full of tribunes, such as you,

               A sea and land full. You have prayed well today:

               This morning for ten thousand of your throats

50

50           I’d not have given a doit.⁵⁰ Hark, how they joy!

        [Music] sound still with the shouts

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     First, the gods bless you for your tidings: next, To the Messenger

               Accept my thankfulness.

SECOND MESSENGER

SECOND MESSENGER     Sir, we have all great cause to give great thanks.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     They are near the city?

55

55   

SECOND MESSENGER

SECOND MESSENGER           Almost at point⁵⁵ to enter.

SICINIUS

SICINIUS     We’ll meet them, and help the joy.

        Exeunt

[Act 5 Scene 5]

running scene 20 continues

        Enter two Senators with Ladies [Volumnia, Virgilia and Valeria] passing over the stage, with other Lords

A SENATOR

A SENATOR     Behold our patroness, the life of Rome!

               Call all your tribes together, praise the gods,

               And make triumphant fires: strew flowers before them:

               Unshout the noise that banished Martius:

5

5             Repeal him with the welcome of his mother:

               Cry ‘Welcome, ladies, welcome!’

ALL

ALL     Welcome, ladies, welcome!

        A flourish with Drums and Trumpets

        [Exeunt]

[Act 5 Scene 6]5.6

running scene 21

        Enter Tullus Aufidius with Attendants

AUFIDIUS

AUFIDIUS     Go tell the lords o’th’city I am here:

               Deliver them this paper: having read it,

               Bid them repair³ to th’market-place, where I,

               Even in theirs and in the commons’ ears,

5

5             Will vouch the truth of it. Him⁵ I accuse

               The city ports⁶ by this hath entered, and

               Intends t’appear before the people, hoping

               To purge himself with words. Dispatch.

        [Exeunt Attendants]

        Enter three or four Conspirators of Aufidius’ faction

               Most welcome.

10

10   

FIRST CONSPIRATOR

FIRST CONSPIRATOR           How is it with our general?

AUFIDIUS

AUFIDIUS     Even so as with a man by his own

               Alms impoisoned, and with his¹² charity slain.

SECOND CONSPIRATOR

SECOND CONSPIRATOR     Most noble sir, if you do hold the same intent

               Wherein you wished us parties,¹⁴ we’ll deliver you

15

15           Of¹⁵ your great danger.

AUFIDIUS

AUFIDIUS     Sir, I cannot tell:

               We must proceed as we do find the people.

THIRD CONSPIRATOR

THIRD CONSPIRATOR     The people will remain uncertain whilst

               ’Twixt you there’s difference:¹⁹ but the fall of either

20

20           Makes the survivor heir of all.

AUFIDIUS

AUFIDIUS     I know it,

               And my pretext to strike at him admits²²

               A good construction.²³ I raised him, and I pawned

               Mine honour for his truth:²⁴ who being so heightened,

25

25           He watered his new plants²⁵ with dews of flattery,

               Seducing so my friends: and to this end

               He bowed his nature, never known before

               But to be rough, unswayable, and free.²⁸

THIRD CONSPIRATOR

THIRD CONSPIRATOR     Sir, his stoutness²⁹

30

30           When he did stand for consul, which he lost

               By lack of stooping—

AUFIDIUS

AUFIDIUS     That³² I would have spoke of:

               Being banished for’t, he came unto my hearth,

               Presented to my knife his throat: I took him,

35

35           Made him joint-servant³⁵ with me, gave him way

               In all his own desires, nay, let him choose

               Out of my files,³⁷ his projects to accomplish,

               My best and freshest men: served his designments³⁸

               In mine own person: holp³⁹ to reap the fame

40

40           Which he did end⁴⁰ all his, and took some pride

               To do myself this wrong: till at the last

               I seemed his follower, not partner, and

               He waged⁴³ me with his countenance, as if

               I had been mercenary.⁴⁴

45

45   

FIRST CONSPIRATOR

FIRST CONSPIRATOR           So he did, my lord:

               The army marvelled at it, and in⁴⁶ the last,

               When he had carried⁴⁷ Rome and that we looked

               For no less spoil than glory—

AUFIDIUS

AUFIDIUS     There was it,⁴⁹

50

50           For which my sinews⁵⁰ shall be stretched upon him.

               At a few drops of women’s rheum,⁵¹ which are

               As cheap as lies, he sold the blood and labour

               Of our great action: therefore shall he die,

               And I’ll renew me in his fall.

        Drums and Trumpets sound, with great shouts of the people

                                        But hark.

55

55   

FIRST CONSPIRATOR

FIRST CONSPIRATOR           Your native town you entered like a post,⁵⁵

               And had no welcomes home: but he returns

               Splitting the air with noise.

SECOND CONSPIRATOR

SECOND CONSPIRATOR     And patient fools,

               Whose children he hath slain, their base throats tear

60

60           With giving him glory.

THIRD CONSPIRATOR

THIRD CONSPIRATOR     Therefore, at your vantage,⁶¹

               Ere he express himself, or move the people

               With what he would say, let him feel your sword,

               Which we will second. When he lies along,⁶⁴

65

65           After⁶⁵ your way his tale pronounced shall bury

               His reasons⁶⁶ with his body.

        Enter the Lords of the city

AUFIDIUS

AUFIDIUS     Say no more: here come the lords.

ALL THE LORDS

ALL THE LORDS     You are most welcome home.

AUFIDIUS

AUFIDIUS     I have not deserved it.

70

70           But, worthy lords, have you with heed⁷⁰ perused

               What I have written to you?

ALL THE LORDS

ALL THE LORDS     We have.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     And grieve to hear’t.

               What faults he made before the last, I think

75

75           Might have found easy fines:⁷⁵ but there to end

               Where he was to begin, and give away

               The benefit of our levies,⁷⁷ answering us

               With our own charge,⁷⁸ making a treaty where

               There was a yielding⁷⁹ — this admits no excuse.

80

80   

AUFIDIUS

AUFIDIUS           He approaches: you shall hear him.

        Enter Coriolanus marching with Drum and Colours, the Commoners being with him

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Hail, lords! I am returned your soldier,

               No more infected with my country’s love

               Than when I parted hence, but still subsisting

               Under your great command. You are to know

85

85           That prosperously⁸⁵ I have attempted and

               With bloody passage led your wars even to

               The gates of Rome. Our spoils we have brought home

               Doth more⁸⁸ than counterpoise a full third part

               The charges⁸⁹ of the action. We have made peace

90

90           With no less honour to the Antiates⁹⁰

               Than shame to th’Romans. And we here deliver,

               Subscribed⁹² by th’consuls and patricians,

               Together with the seal o’th’senate, what

               We have compounded⁹⁴ on. He gives the Lords a paper

95

95   

AUFIDIUS

AUFIDIUS           Read it not, noble lords,

               But tell the traitor in the highest degree

               He hath abused your powers.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Traitor? How now?

AUFIDIUS

AUFIDIUS     Ay, traitor, Martius.

100

100 

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS             Martius?

AUFIDIUS

AUFIDIUS     Ay, Martius, Caius Martius: dost thou think

               I’ll grace thee with that robbery, thy stol’n name,

               ‘Coriolanus’ in Corioles?

               You lords and heads o’th’state, perfidiously¹⁰⁴

105

105         He has betrayed your business, and given up,

               For certain drops of salt,¹⁰⁶ your city Rome:

               I say ‘your city’ to his wife and mother,

               Breaking his oath and resolution like

               A twist¹⁰⁹ of rotten silk, never admitting

110

110         Counsel o’th’war: but at his nurse’s tears

               He whined and roared away your victory,

               That pages blushed at him and men of heart¹¹²

               Looked wond’ring each at others.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Hear’st thou, Mars?

115

115 

AUFIDIUS

AUFIDIUS             Name not the god, thou boy of tears.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Ha?

AUFIDIUS

AUFIDIUS     No more.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Measureless liar, thou hast made my heart

               Too great for what contains it. Boy? O slave!—

120

120         Pardon me, lords, ’tis the first time that ever

               I was forced to scold.¹²¹ Your judgements, my grave lords,

               Must give¹²² this cur the lie: and his own notion —

               Who wears my stripes¹²³ impressed upon him, that

               Must bear my beating to his grave — shall join

125

125         To thrust the lie unto him.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     Peace, both, and hear me speak.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     Cut me to pieces, Volsces: men and lads,

               Stain all your edges¹²⁸ on me. ‘Boy’! False hound,

               If you have writ your annals true, ’tis there,

130

130         That, like an eagle in a dovecote, I

               Fluttered¹³¹ your Volscians in Corioles.

               Alone I did it. ‘Boy’!

AUFIDIUS

AUFIDIUS     Why, noble lords,

               Will you be put in mind of his blind fortune,¹³⁴

135

135         Which was your shame, by this unholy braggart,

               ’Fore your own eyes and ears?

ALL CONSPIRATORS

ALL CONSPIRATORS      Let him die for’t.

ALL [THE] PEOPLE

ALL [THE] PEOPLE     Tear him to pieces! Do it presently!¹³⁸ Shouting individually

               He killed my son! My daughter! He killed my cousin

140

140         Marcus! He killed my father!

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     Peace, ho! No outrage:¹⁴¹ peace!

               The man is noble, and his fame folds in¹⁴²

               This orb o’th’earth. His last offences to us

               Shall have judicious hearing.¹⁴⁴ Stand, Aufidius,

145

145         And trouble not the peace.

CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS     O that I had him, with six Aufidiuses, Drawing his sword

               Or more, his tribe, to use my lawful sword!

AUFIDIUS

AUFIDIUS     Insolent villain! Drawing his sword

ALL CONSPIRATORS

ALL CONSPIRATORS      Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill him!

        Draw both the Conspirators, and kill Martius, who falls: Aufidius stands on him

150

150 

LORDS

LORDS             Hold, hold, hold, hold!

AUFIDIUS

AUFIDIUS     My noble masters, hear me speak.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     O Tullus!

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     Thou hast done a deed whereat¹⁵³ To Aufidius

               Valour will weep.

155

155 

THIRD LORD

THIRD LORD             Tread not upon him, masters: To Aufidius and the Conspirators

               All be quiet: put up your swords.

AUFIDIUS

AUFIDIUS     My lords,

               When you shall know — as in this rage,

               Provoked by him, you cannot — the great danger

160

160         Which this man’s life did owe¹⁶⁰ you, you’ll rejoice

               That he is thus cut off. Please it¹⁶¹ your honours

               To call me to your senate, I’ll deliver¹⁶²

               Myself your loyal servant, or endure

               Your heaviest censure.¹⁶⁴

165

165 

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD             Bear from hence his body,

               And mourn you for him. Let him be regarded

               As the most noble corpse that ever herald

               Did follow to his urn.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     His own impatience

170

170         Takes from Aufidius a great part of blame.

               Let’s make the best of it.

AUFIDIUS

AUFIDIUS     My rage is gone,

               And I am struck with sorrow. Take him up:

               Help three o’th’chiefest soldiers: I’ll be one.¹⁷⁴

175

175         Beat thou the drum, that it speak mournfully:

               Trail¹⁷⁶ your steel pikes. Though in this city he

               Hath widowed and unchilded many a one,

               Which to this hour bewail the injury,

               Yet he shall have a noble memory.¹⁷⁹ Assist.

        Exeunt bearing the body of Martius. A dead march sounded

Textual Notes

F = First Folio text of 1623, the only authority for the play

F2 = a correction introduced in the Second Folio text of 1632

F3 = a correction introduced in the Third Folio text of 1663–64

F4 = a correction introduced in the Fourth Folio text of 1685

Ed = a correction introduced by a later editor

SD = stage direction

SH = speech heading (i.e., speaker’s name)

List of parts = Ed

1.1.11 on = Ed. F = one 46 you. For = Ed. F = you for 69 stale’t = Ed. F = scale’t 86 tauntingly = Ed. F = tauntingly 154 geese: you are = Ed. F = Geese you are: 183 pick = F. Ed = pitch 198 Shouting = Ed.F = Shooting 203 unroofed = Ed. F = vnroo’st 213 SDJunius = F4 (Iunius). F = Annius 230 Lartius = Ed. F = Lucius 241 your = F4. F = you 247 SDremain = Ed. F = Manet 268 of = F. Ed = on

1.2.5 on = Ed. F = one 17 Whither = Ed. F = Whether

1.3.28 that’s = F2. F = that 35 sword, contemning. = Ed. F = sword. Contenning, 70 yarn = Ed. F = yearne 71 Ithaca = Ed. F = Athica

1.4.36 boils = Ed. F = Byles 47 followed = F2. F = followes. Ed = Follow/Follow me 50 SD gates = F2. F = Gati 52 SD is shut in this direction is transferred from the end of the stage direction five lines previously. It has been repositioned because Martius has lines to speak after this direction in F; furthermore, the gates do not shut until the soldier remarks upon it 63 left = F. Ed = lost 66 Cato’s = Ed. F = Calues

1.5.4 honours = Ed. F = hours 7 them, = F3. F = them. 9 him. = F3. F = him

1.6.6 The = F. Ed = Ye 63 Antiates = Ed. F = Antients. F could make sense as “ancients” is a common spelling of “ensigns”; however, six lines later reference is made to the “Antiats,” suggesting an earlier error 83 Lesser = F3. F = Lessen 97 I = Ed. F = foure

1.9.0 SD Flourish moved from before “Alarum” since it should herald the entry of the Romans 45 beheld = F. Ed = upheld 51 An overture = F. Ed = a coverture/an ovator. If the coverture reading is preferred, it would mean a “covering,” possibly signifying a special garment. Ovator means “one who receives a public ovation” 54 shout = Ed. F = shoot, 71 Martius = Ed. F = Marcus 72 SH CORIOLANUS = Ed. F = Martius (F speech heading changes to Cor., Corio., Coriol. with effect from return to Rome in Act 2)

1.10.23 Embarquements = F. Ed = Embargements

2.1.11 SH SICINIUS and BRUTUS = Ed. F = Both. This emendation, for the purposes of clarification, also occurs at lines 18 and 20 13 with all = F3. F = withall 18 How are = F2. F = ho ware 41 can = F. Ed = cannot. The Folio reading can be defended if one agrees that Menenius is being sarcastic 44 tell you = F. Ed = tell you, you 46 bisson = Ed. F = beesome 51 faucet = Ed. F = Forset 61 are. When…purpose it = F4. F = are, when…purpose. It 66 Good e’en = Ed. F = Godden 76 SH VIRGILIA and VALERIA = Ed. F = 2. Ladies. 111 SD A…flourish moved from F’s original positioning after “Hark, the trumpets” 120 ‘Coriolanus’ = Ed. F = Martius Caius Coriolanus 136 wear = F2. F = were 139 SH CORIOLANUS = Ed. F = Com. 180 gauded = F (gawded). Ed = guarded 214 authorities…end. = F (Authorities,…end.). Ed = authorities. For an end, 226 teach = F. Ed = touch

2.2.55 SH FIRST SENATOR = Ed.F = Senat. 73 one on’s = Ed.F = on ones 83 chin = F (Shinne) 100 took:…foot = Ed.F = tooke…foot: Ed = took.… foot 143 thus‘: = F3 (thus,). F = thus 151 SH SENATORS = Ed. F = Senat.

2.3.19 wedged = F (wadg’d) 25 it. I say, = Ed. F = it, I say. 28 all together = F (altogether) 50 SD three = F. Ed = two. The speech headings were also altered by Rowe, in keeping with the emendation 55 but not = Ed. F = but 70 SH FOURTH CITIZEN = Ed. F = I. This is to distinguish between these two other citizens and the three who have just exited 82 SH FIFTH CITIZEN = Ed. F = 2. 89 starve = Ed. F = sterue 90 hire = F2 (hier). F = higher 91 tongue = F. Ed = toge 108 SH SIXTH CITIZEN = Ed. F = I.Cit. 109 SH SEVENTH CITIZEN = Ed.F = 2.Cit. 226 And…surnamed = Ed. Delius suggests inserting a line derived from North’s “Plutarch,” possibly missed by the compositor’s eyeskip from And to And.

3.1.5 road = F (roade). Ed = raid 38 SH FIRST SENATOR = Ed. F = Senat. (throughout scene) 54 suppliants = F4. F = Suppliants: 60 SH CORIOLANUS = Ed. F = Com. 72 on. = Ed. F = on, 111 good = Ed. F = God! 117 he = F. Ed = they 118 ignorance = F. Ed = impotence 153 native = F. Ed = motive 155 bosom multiplied = F. Ed = bison multitude 169 Where one = Ed. F = Whereon, 189 He’s = F (Ha’s) 194 bench? = Ed. F = Bench, 208 SH ALL PATRICIANS = Ed.F = All. 216 SH ALL CITIZENS = Ed.F = All. (throughout scene) 237 SH CORIOLANUS = Ed. F = Com. 259 poisonous = F. Ed = poisons 269 your = Ed. F = our 272 SH CORIOLANUS = Ed. F = Com. 279 SH COMINIUS = F2. F = Corio. 280 SH CORIOLANUS = Ed. F = Mene. 283 SH MENENIUS = Ed. The speech heading has been moved from three lines above 299 SH A PATRICIAN = F (Patri.) 340 our = Ed. F = one 382 him = Ed. F = bring him in peace (thought to be an error by the compositor, anticipating two lines later) 399 SH FIRST SENATOR = F (Sena.)

3.2.7 SH A PATRICIAN = Ed. F = Noble. 31 SH FIRST SENATOR = F (Sen.) 39 herd = Ed. F = heart 65 you on = F. Ed = on you 92 With = Ed. F = Which 119 bear? Well, = Ed. F = beare well? 120 plot to lose = Ed. F = Plot, to loose

3.3.12 poll = F (Pole) 40 for th’ = F2 (forth). F = fourth 44 Throng = Ed.F = Through 51 SH SICINIUS and BRUTUS = F (Both Tri.) 68 accents = Ed. F = Actions 84 hell fold = Ed. F = hell. Fould 87 clutched = Ed. F = clutcht: 92 SH ALL CITIZENS = Ed. F = All. (throughout scene) 132 for = Ed. F = from 159 SD Menenius…Patricians = Ed. F = with Cumalijs. It seems that the compositor misunderstood a direction for Coriolanus and Cominius to exit “with the others” and set it as a proper name

4.1.5 chances = F2. F = chances. 26 thee = F (the) 37 will thou = F. F2 = will you. Ed = wilt thou 41 SH VIRGILIA = Ed. F = Corio.

4.2.28 words, = Ed. F = words.

4.3.1 SH NICANOR = Ed. F = Rom. The speech heading “Roman” has been altered to the character’s proper name throughout the scene 2 SH ADRIAN = Ed. F = Volce. The speech heading “Volsce” has been altered to the character’s proper name throughout the scene 7 appeared = F. Ed = approved 24 will = F2. F = well

4.4.16 seem = F4 (seeme). F = seemes 26 hate = Ed. F = haue. Ed = leave

4.5.9 SD Servingman = Ed.F = Seruant. 74 Whooped = Ed.F = Hoop’d 124 no other = F.F3 = no 128 o’erbear’t = Ed.F = o’re-beate. Ed = o’er-bear 145 SDThe…forward = Ed. F = Enter two of the Seruingmen. The Servingmen have clearly overheard the dialogue between Aufidius and Coriolanus, so it is necessary for them to remain onstage, rather than exit and re-enter 156 on = F (one) 165 SH FIRSTand SECOND SERVINGMAN = Ed. F = Both. (throughout scene) 166 lief = F (liue) 178 boiled = F (boyld). Ed = broiled 203 sprightly walking = F. Ed = sprightly, walking 204 sleepy = F3 (sleepie). F = sleepe

4.6.22 SH ALL CITIZENS = F (All.) (throughout scene) 70 come = Ed. F = comming 91 SH SECOND MESSENGER = Ed. F = Mes. 145 SH SICINIUS and BRUTUS = F (Tri.) 167 SH ALL CITIZENS = Ed. F = Omnes.

4.7.39 ‘twas = F3. F = ‘was 41 defect = F2. F = detect 51 virtues = F2. F = Vertue 57 foulder = Ed. F = fouler.

5.1.18 for = F. Ed = fair 79 yield to his = F. Ed = hold to his/yield no new/yield to no

5.2.55 errand = Ed. F = arrant 59 swoon = Ed. F = swoond 64 our = F4. F = your 74 pity = Ed. F = pitty: 86 swoon = Ed. F = swoond

5.3.51 prate = Ed. F = pray 68 holp = Ed. F = hope 72 curdied = F. Ed = candied 89 thing = F. Ed = things 124 through = F. Ed = thorough 137 SH YOUNG MARTIUS = Ed. F = Boy. 160 fine = Ed.F = fiue 163 charge = Ed.F = change 165 noble man = F2. F = Nobleman 174 clucked = Ed. F = clock’d 180 him with = F2. F = him with him with 190 his = F. Ed = this

5.5.4 Unshout = F (Vnshoot)

5.6.37 projects to accomplish, = F3. F = projects, to accomplish 64–5 second.… way = Ed. F = second,…way. 131 Fluttered = F3. F = Flatter’d 149 SDkill = F4. F = kils

Act 1 Scene 1

 1.1   Location: Rome (a public place)

    3    famish starve

    7    verdict agreed decision

    8    on’t i.e., about it

  10    poor impoverished (playing on the sense of “bad, unworthy”) patricians members of the noble families of Rome from whom senators and consuls were chosen good wealthy, well-to-do (playing on the sense of “worthy”) authority those in power, i.e., the patricians

  11    surfeits on is overfed on, overindulges in but the superfluity merely the excess

  12    wholesome nutritious, good, restorative guess believe, judge

  13    dear costly object sight

  14    inventory…abundance detailed account that enables them to itemize their own wealth through contrast sufferance suffering

  15    pikes long-handled weapon topped with a spearhead ere before rakes i.e., very thin

  18    dog i.e., cruel, pitiless commonalty common people

  23    famously gloriously, in a manner that gained him fame to that end i.e., in order to achieve fame

  24    soft-conscienced weak-minded

  25    to…proud i.e., partly out of pride even…virtue i.e., he is just as proud as he is courageous

  29    If even if

  30    tire in repetition exhaust the speaker in recounting them

  31    risen in revolt prating chattering

  32    th’Capitol Capitoline Hill, site of the temple of Jupiter; used in the play as the location of the senate house

  34    Soft wait a moment

  38    bats cudgels matter matter in hand/reason

  41    suitors petitioners strong strong-smelling (sense then shifts to “powerful”)

  42    masters sirs

  43    undo ruin

  46    For as for

  47    dearth scarcity, famine

  48    staves staffs used as weapons

  49    on continue on

  50    curbs restraints (literally, chain passed under a horse’s jaw)

  52    your impediment any obstacle you can present

  54    knees i.e., in prayer arms weapons (playing on the sense of “limbs”)

  55    transported carried away

  56    attends awaits

  57    helms helmsmen, i.e., guides (possibly plays on the sense of “protective helmets”)

  59    True, indeed either spoken ironically or “indeed, as a matter of fact” Suffer allow (plays on the sense of “inflict pain on”)

  60    for i.e., allowing usury money lending (often at very high rates of interest) usurers moneylenders

  62    piercing oppressive, severe

  65    wondrous extraordinarily

  67    pretty apt

  69    stale’t make it stale, wear it out

  70    disgrace misfortune/injury

  71    an’t if it deliver tell (the tale)

  76    cupboarding hoarding viand food

  77    Like equal instruments functioning body parts, organs

  78    devise think

  79    participate participating

  80    affection desires, inclination

  84    ne’er…lungs i.e., was not hearty and genuine thus Menenius imitates the smile, either with his mouth or with his belly (perhaps by belching)

  88    his receipt what he received even…fitly just as aptly, fittingly (said in irony)

  89    for that because

  95    muniments provisions/defenses, fortifications

  96    fabric building, structure (i.e., body)

  97    Fore me before me (oath) speaks i.e., talks a lot

  98    cormorant greedy (like the seabird)

  99    sink sewer

101    former previously named

104    small i.e., small quantity

105    you’st you shall

108    Your i.e., this grave serious, dignified

110    incorporate united in one body

111    general belonging to everyone

116    court plays on the Latin cor (“heart”) and on “core” (“inmost part”)

117    cranks winding passages offices parts of the house used by servants (kitchen, etc.)

118    nerves sinews

119    competency means of life

121    mark pay attention, listen to

125    make…up compile my account, balance my records

126    flour i.e., finest quality meal of wheat or other grain, plays on “flower” (the best part)

127    bran husks (separated from flour after grinding), i.e., inedible part

131    digest interpret, understand (plays on the bodily sense)

132    weal o’th’common public welfare

140    rascal rogue/one of low birth/(hunting) dog worst in blood least lively, in poorest condition (hunting term)/most ill-bred

141    vantage (individual) advantage

144    The one side one side or the other bale misfortune

145    dissentious quarrelsome, rebellious

147    scabs sores/contemptible rogues

148    ever always

150    abhorring contempt curs dogs

151    nor neither The one i.e., war

152    proud arrogant, self-important

153    hares i.e., timid

154    foxes i.e., clever, cunning geese i.e., foolish surer more reliable

156    virtue particular ability

157    make…it honor a man whose wrongdoing is punished, and curse the justice that did so

158    Who whoever

159    Deserves earns, acquires affections desires, inclinations

161    evil sickness

163    rushes flimsy reeds

165    now just now, recently

166    garland hero (deserving of a wreath of victory)

167    several various

169    which else who otherwise

170    seeking request/demand

176    side takes sides in give out report

177    marriages political alliances

178    feebling weakening

179    cobbled patched, roughly mended

180    ruth compassion, pity

181    quarry pile of dead bodies (hunting term)

182    quartered mutilated, cut into quarters

183    pick pitch, throw

186    passing surpassingly, excessively

189    an-hungry hungry (Martius mocks the people’s unsophisticated speech)

190    dogs even dogs

191    meat food

192    shreds scraps (of reasoning)

195    generosity the nobles

197    As as if

198    Shouting their emulation each competing to shout the loudest/shouting in ambitious triumph

200    tribunes officials appointed to protect the interests and rights of the people vulgar common, public, plebeian

202    ’Sdeath by God’s death (common oath)

205    Win upon power gain the advantage over those in power themes subjects/arguments

206    For insurrection’s arguing to justify rebellion

208    fragments insignificant beings (literally, scraps of food)

212    vent get rid of/excrete or urinate

213    musty superfluity moldy excess, i.e., the troublesome citizens (imaged as stale goods or as bodily waste matter)

214    that what

217    to’t i.e., to the test

221    together i.e., against each other

222    by th’ears fighting

223    party side

224    with i.e., against

227    Attend upon serve under, follow

230    constant unchanging, true to my word

232    stiff reluctant/stiff with age/rendered incapable by injury Stand’st out? Will you not fight?

235    Ere in preference to

237    Your i.e., may I have your

238    attend await

241    Right…priority you deserve to go first

246    garners granaries, storehouses Worshipful esteemed (sarcastic)

247    puts well forth develops well, is promising (mocking)

253    moved roused, angered spare to gird refrain from mocking

254    modest chaste (the moon was associated with Diana, Roman goddess of chastity)

255    The may the

258    Tickled with pleased by/excited by/provoked, urged on by

259    noon suggestive of the height of success, when shadows are smallest (but later grow)

260    insolence haughty pride brook bear

265    miscarries fails

267    giddy censure fickle (public) opinion

271    Opinion the reputation/public opinion

272    demerits deserts

274    are belong

277    aught anything

279    dispatch settlement of affairs

280    More…singularity his individual qualities aside/with even greater self-importance

281    action military enterprise

282    along go

Act 1 Scene 2

 1.2   Location: Corioli (also known as Corioles)

    2    entered in acquainted with counsels opinions/plans/secrets

    6    ere before

    7    circumvention a chance to outwit (the plan)

  10    pressed a power raised an army

  14    of by

  16    preparation equipped military force

  17    Whither wherever bent directed

  19    field battlefield

  20    made doubt but doubted that

  23    pretences plans

  24    needs necessarily

  26    shortened curtailed

  27    take in capture

  30    hie hurry bands troops

  32    set down before’s besiege us remove removal, lifting (of the siege)

  37    parcels parts, sections power army forth out, on the move

  38    only hitherward march only in our direction

  40    ever ceaselessly, constantly

Act 1 Scene 3

 1.3   Location: Martius’ house, Rome

    1    comfortable cheerful sort manner

    2    freelier more freely

    4    tender-bodied young

    5    comeliness good looks

    7    become befit, suit person character/physical appearance

    8    picture-like…th’wall i.e., purely ornamental renown (desire for) honor

    9    like likely

  10    oak a garland of oak leaves, signifying that he had saved the life of a fellow Roman citizen

  11    now i.e., at that time

  15    issue offspring

  17    voluptuously surfeit live in luxurious, sensual excess

  19    give…myself permit me to withdraw

  21    hither from here/coming this way

  22    See i.e., I imagine I see

  25    got begot, conceived

  27    mailed armored

  28    tasked employed mow Or either mow

  29    hire fee

  30    Jupiter Roman supreme god

  32    gilt his trophy than a covering of gold befits the monument to his victory Hecuba Queen of Troy and mother of Hector, who led the Trojan army

  35    contemning in scorn

  36    fit ready, in a proper state

  37    bless i.e., protect fell fierce, cruel Usher male attendant who walked before a person of rank

  43    manifest housekeepers clearly engaged in domestic affairs

  44    spot piece of embroidery

  48    O’my on my troth faith

  49    half…together for a full half hour he’s he has confirmed determined

  51    after i.e., ran after

  52    or whether whether set clench

  53    warrant assure you mammocked tore to pieces

  54    on’s of his

  55    la exclamation used for emphasis

  56    crack little rascal

  57    housewife may play on the sense of “hussy, worthless woman”

  59    out go out

  64    Fie expression of reproach

  65    lies in is due to have a baby soon

  69    want lack

  70    Penelope faithful wife of Ulysses, King of Ithaca; while he was away fighting in the Trojan wars, she deterred her suitors by insisting that she had to finish weaving her father-in-law’s shroud, which she then unpicked every night

  71    would wish cambric fine linen (originally from Cambray in Flanders)

  72    sensible capable of feeling, sensitive leave cease

  77    Verily truly

  82    nothing doubt prevailing have no doubt they will succeed

  84    Give me excuse excuse me, i.e., permit me to stay

  85    disease…mirth spoil our good cheer

  86    troth truth

  88    at a word once and for all, in a word

Act 1 Scene 4

 1.4   Location: outside Corioles; the rest of the scenes in Act 1 take place at varying distances from the city Drum a drummer Colours ensigns, bearers of military banners or flags to them i.e., to them comes

    1    met i.e., in battle

    2    My…no i.e., I bet my horse against yours that they haven’t

    6    spoke encountered one another, fought

    9    nor neither

  13    ’Iarum alarum, i.e., call to arms

  14    Mars Roman god of war

  15    smoking i.e., steaming (after immersion in hot blood)

  16    fielded engaged on the battlefield parley trumpet summons to negotiation between enemy forces on the walls i.e., the upper staging level or gallery, conventionally used to represent city walls

  18    nor…he i.e., there are no men within the walls who fear you

  21    pound us up confine us (like animals)

  22    pinned with rushes i.e., bolted weakly, as if with mere reeds

  24    List listen (to)

  25    cloven split in two, divided

  27    Their let their our instruction our example, a lesson to us

  30    proof impenetrable

  31    beyond our thoughts more than we had imagined

  34    edge sword edge

  35    south south wind, thought to carry disease

  38    Further than seen even before you are seen (because of your diseased stench)

  39    Against…mile so contagiously that the infection will carry a whole mile against a contrary wind souls of geese i.e., cowards and fools

  41    Pluto Roman god of the underworld

  42    behind in the back, i.e., as they fled in cowardice

  43    agued trembling (an ague was a fever characterized by shaking) Mend improve home toward the target, i.e., the enemy

  46    beat drive with blows

  48    ope open seconds supporters

  49    followers pursuers them i.e., the gates

  50    fliers those who retreat

  54    th’pot the cooking pot, i.e., death

  59    Clapped to shut

  60    answer face/encounter in a fight

  62    sensibly capable of feeling pain outdares dares more than

  63    bows bends stand’st he stands left i.e., alone in the city

  64    carbuncle entire flawless red precious stone

  66    Cato Marcus Cato, known as the “Censor,” an advocate of Rome’s military virtues (an anachronism: Cato lived 234–149 BC)

  73    fetch him off rescue him make remain stay (with him)

Act 1 Scene 5

    3    murrain plague (literally, disease affecting cattle and sheep) Trumpet trumpeter

    4    prize value

    5    drachma silver coin (here deemed of little value)

    6    Irons iron weapons, swords of a doit i.e., worth very little doit Dutch coin worth only half an English farthing doublet close-fitting jacket hangmen hangmen were entitled to keep the clothing of those they put to death

    9    the general i.e., Cominius

  12    Convenient appropriate make good secure

  20    physical medicinal, restorative (a reference to the common medical treatment of bloodletting)

  24    charms magic spells

  25    opposers’ opponents’

  26    Prosperity…page i.e., may success attend on you

  27    Thy…highest i.e., may prosperity be no less a friend to you

Act 1 Scene 6

    *   retire retreat

    1    Breathe you catch your breath, rest

    2    stands resistance/holding of a military position

    4    struck been fighting, given blows

    5    By…gusts at intervals and blown in on the wind

    6    The may the

    8    fronts faces/front ranks (of the army)

  10    issued come forth

  17    briefly not long ago

  18    confound waste

  21    that so that

  25    as as if

  26    stamp imprint, i.e., form, bearing

  27    Before-time formerly

  29    tabor small drum used for reveling

  31    meaner humbler, lower-ranking/less worthy

  35    clip clasp, embrace

  38    tapers candles to bedward to indicate bedtime, to show the way to bed

  40    busied about decrees busy with legal judgments

  45    slip be unleashed

  51    common file ordinary soldiers

  52    budge flinch

  55    think think so

  59    to…purpose i.e., draw breath, regroup (in order to win)

  60    lies their battle are their troops drawn up

  63    bands i’th’vanguard troops in the foremost part of the army (spelled “vaward” in Shakespearean English) Antiates people from Antium, now Anzio, in southern Italy

  64    Of…trust their most reliable men

  69    endure remain

  72    advanced upraised darts small spears/arrows

  73    prove test

  76    balms healing ointments

  81    painting i.e., blood

  83    Lesser…report less for his personal safety than for his reputation

  84    brave noble, splendid/courageous

  86    him alone only that man

  89    O…me? Do you choose me as your sword? (where O, me alone is an exclamation of surprise)/Do you select only me as your weapon? (perhaps referring to the fact that the soldiers have raised him aloft like a sword)

  90    outward superficial, for the sake of appearance

  91    But is is not worth

  96    cause…obeyed circumstance dictates

100    Make…ostentation i.e., match this impressive display with action

101    Divide in all have a portion of all (the booty)

Act 1 Scene 7

    1    ports gates

    3    centuries companies of one hundred soldiers

    4    holding i.e., of the city

    6    Fear not do not doubt/do not worry about care diligence/responsibility

Act 1 Scene 8

    *   several separate

    4    Not Afric owns Africa does not possess

    5    fame and envy great reputation and personal malice/envied reputation/hated reputation Fix thy foot stand firm (in preparation for hand-to-hand combat)

    6    budger one who flinches

    8    holla shout at (as, while hunting, one would cry out after a fleeing hare)

  13    Wrench up strain, summon

  15    bragged progeny the (Trojan) ancestry you boast of

  16    scape escape from

  18    In…seconds with your damned supporters

Act 1 Scene 9

    *   Flourish trumpet fanfare (usually signaling the arrival or departure of a person in authority) retreat trumpet call instructing soldiers to retreat scarf sling/bandage

    1    tell thee o’er recount to you

    4    attend listen shrug i.e., in disbelief

    5    I’th’end admire and eventually marvel

    6    gladly quaked willingly frightened, eager and trembling dull sluggish/stupid

    7    fusty stale, mouldy

    8    hearts wills, inclinations

  10    cam’st…before i.e., this was a trifling challenge for you, in comparison with the battle you fought at Corioles

  13    caparison mere trappings

  16    charter…blood right to praise her offspring

  18    induced prevailed upon

  20    effected carried out

  21    overta’en outdone

  22    be…deserving i.e., bury your worthiness

  25    a traducement slander

  27    to…vouched i.e., affirmed in the highest possible terms

  29    In sign as a token

  33    not i.e., not hear themselves remembered

  34    gainst in the face of

  35    tent probe, clean surgically (i.e., cure)

  36    good…store fine ones and plenty of them

  37    in…city gained in the field and in the city

  38    the i.e., one

  40    At…choice entirely as you choose

  44    stand insist common part ordinary share

  45    beheld the doing seen the action bare bareheaded, a sign of respect

  49    soothing flattery

  50    parasite sycophantic, sponging courtier (playing on the sense of “silkworm”) him i.e., the parasite (though functioning as “it,” him could refer to steel or silk)

  51    overture announcer, a herald/leader, opener of the attack (some editors emend to “ovator,” i.e., one who receives an ovation or a processional entrance into Rome for a military commander)

  52    For that because

  53    debile feeble note attention, notice being taken

  54    shout me forth proclaim my virtues/hail me

  56    little small achievements dieted In fed on

  57    sauced seasoned, flavored

  60    give portray, report by your patience with your permission

  62    means intends proper own

  65    garland wreath of victory

  67    his trim belonging the equipment (trim) that goes with him

  69    host army

  70    th’addition the title/mark of distinction

  73    fair clean

  74    howbeit nevertheless

  75    stride sit astride

  76    undercrest bear (as if on a crest)

  77    th’fairness…power the best of my ability

  82    best leading citizens, most high-ranking men (of Corioles) articulate negotiate a treaty

  89    sometime at one time, formerly lay lodged

  90    used treated

  91    cried called out

  97    Deliver release

103    visage face

Act 1 Scene 10

    1    ta’en captured

    2    good condition favorable terms

    5    that what

    6    condition quality

    7    I’th’part…mercy for the side that is at the mercy of the victors

    9    encounter meet in combat

  12    emulation rivalry

  13    where whereas

  15    potch poke, thrust

  16    Or either craft skill/cunning

  18    subtle cunning, treacherous

  19    stain disgrace/eclipse

  20    Shall…itself shall my valor fly from its own nature

  21    naked defenseless fane temple

  23    Embarquements prohibitions

  24    rotten corrupt, decayed

  26    upon under guard protection

  27    hospitable canon law of hospitality

  29    what who

  32    attended awaited

  33    south south of

Act 2 Scene 1

 2.1   Location: Rome

    1    augurer Roman religious official who foretold the future through studying celestial phenomena, the behavior and entrails of birds and other sacrificial creatures

    3    Not…people not what the people wish for

    4    beasts i.e., even beasts

    8    baas bleats

  12    enormity vice, wickedness

  13    stored well supplied

  16    censured judged, thought of

  17    o’th’right-hand file by honorable and noble men (who were, in battle, traditionally placed on the right-hand side of a troop formation)

  21    ’tis…matter i.e., if you do get angry a…occasion i.e., the slightest opportunity, serving as a thief

  22    at your pleasures as you choose

  27    single solitary/feeble

  28    toward…necks i.e., inward

  32    brace pair testy irritable

  35    humorous temperamental (governed by the four bodily humors thought to control disposition and mood) hot spiced/warm

  36    allaying moderating, cooling Tiber Rome’s river, i.e., water imperfect faulty (in character)

  37    complaint i.e., complainant in a legal case tinder-like hot-tempered, easily incensed motion cause

  38    converses associates, is familiar buttock…night i.e., late nights

  39    spend expend, use up breath utterance, words (i.e., he does not bear grudges)

  40    wealsmen public servants Lycurguses i.e., wise men; Lycurgus was a legendary Spartan legislator, noted for his wisdom

  41    I…it i.e., my grimace will reveal what I think

  42    delivered expressed, reported

  43    the…syllables i.e., foolishness in most of what you say compound union, association

  44    deadly excessively tell say/report good honest/handsome

  45    this i.e., all that I have just admitted about myself the…microcosm i.e., my face (which charts the nature of the body, often viewed as a “little world”)

  46    bisson bleary-eyed conspectuities faculties of sight/insights

  47    character personality sketch/physical appearance

  50    caps i.e., doffing of caps in deference legs i.e., bows wholesome forenoon potentially profitable morning

  51    orange-wife woman who sells oranges; perhaps suggesting a dispute between a prostitute and her client; prostitutes often posed as orange-sellers in the public theaters faucet-seller seller of taps for wine or beer barrels rejourn postpone, adjourn

  52    controversy dispute audience hearing

  53    party and party i.e., two sides ina legal dispute pinched tormented

  54    mummers actors in a mime set…flag i.e., declare war

  55    bleeding unhealed, unresolved

  58    giber joker table dinner table

  59    bencher magistrate

  61    subjects citizens/topics When even when

  63    botcher one who mends old clothes

  64    in a cheap even at the lowest

  65    Deucalion in Greek mythology, the son of Prometheus; he and his wife were the only survivors of Zeus’ great flood peradventure perhaps/probably

  66    e’en evening, i.e., farewell

  69    the moon governed by Diana, Roman goddess of chastity

  70    follow your eyes i.e., go eagerly

  71    Juno supreme Roman goddess and wife of Jupiter

  74    most prosperous approbation great proof of success/great success and acclaim

  81    estate endowment

  82    make…at mock dismissively sovereign efficacious, excellent Galen famous Greek physician (an anachronism; Galen lived in the second century)

  83    empiricutic empirical/fraudulent to compared with report reputation horse-drench dose of horse medicine

  84    wont accustomed

  87    a he

  89    brows i.e., in the form of a victor’s garland

  91    disciplined beaten, punished

  93    an if

  94    ’fidiussed i.e., treated as Aufidius was; Menenius playfully coins a word from Aufidius’ name

  95    possessed aware, informed

  97    name of honor, credit for action military enterprise

100    purchasing deserving, winning

102    Pow waw! expression of dismissive scorn (i.e., “Of course they’re true!”)

106    cicatrices scars

107    place i.e., as a consul repulse driving back/defeat Tarquin the last king of Rome, defeated in about 496 BC

109    One…nine either an error arising from the desire to outdo Volumnia, or Menenius begins adding up aloud, then does not bother to enumerate the other six wounds as he makes a mental leap to the total

115    nervy sinewy, muscular

116    advanced raised up declines descends sennet trumpet call signaling a procession

119    to in addition to

120    These…follows these names, as a mark of honor, are to be followed by

127    prosperity good fortune, success

129    gentle noble, honorable

130    deed-achieving honour honor won by actions

133    gracious delightful/virtuous/full of divine grace

143    light joyful (playing on the sense of “not weighty” to provide antithesis with the literal sense of heavy here signifying “sad”)

144    on’s of his

147    crab-trees crab apple trees, i.e., the bitter tribunes

148    grafted altered, made to grow (literally, grafted to a superior tree) relish taste

149    We…folly i.e., some painful or foolish things must be accepted for what they are and cannot be called otherwise

153    Give make

155    shade conceal

158    change of honours new honors (i.e., his new name)

160    inherited realized, acquired

161    fancy imagination

162    wanting lacking

163    cast bestow

166    sway rule state ceremony, formal procession

168    blearèd dim, bleary

169    spectacled made clear, given glasses prattling gossiping, chattering

170    rapture fit

171    chats chats about malkin girl, wench

172    lockram linen reechy dirty (picks up aurally on richest)

173    stalls display tables in front of shops bulks frameworks projecting from the fronts of shops, used to display goods

174    leads lead-covered flat roofs ridges roof ridges horsed straddled

175    variable complexions various types of person agreeing in agreement/alike, equal

176    seld-shown seldom-seen flamens priests

177    popular plebeian puff become out of breath

178    vulgar station place amongst the crowd

179    Commit…kisses i.e., they raise their veils and risk getting sunburn damask pink nicely gauded skillfully made-up th’wanton spoil the unrestrained destruction/lascivious plundering Phoebus the sun god

181    pother fuss, commotion

182    that…him whichever god it is that leads Coriolanus

183    his human powers i.e., Coriolanus’ body powers faculties

184    graceful posture divine bearing

185    On the sudden suddenly/immediately warrant guarantee/predict

186    office task, function power authority, i.e., term of office

187    He…end he cannot carry his honors steadily from their beginning to their proper conclusion, i.e., he cannot long maintain his new honors

192    for…stand whom we represent

193    Upon because of ancient long-standing

194    which i.e., which cause

196    As as that

200    napless vesture threadbare garment

202    breaths i.e., voices of support

204    miss it i.e., not be appointed consul

205    carry it but i.e., obtain it other than

210    like likely

211    good wills interest wishes

213    So…end matters shall end either with his destruction or that of us and our authority (many editors emend authorities to “authority’s”)

215    suggest hint, insinuate to

216    still always

217    mules i.e., subservient beasts of burden pleaders i.e., the tribunes

218    dispropertied deprived, dispossessed (them of)

219    capacity capability, understanding

221    provand provender, food

226    want be lacking

227    put upon’t encouraged, incited to it

230    darken obscure/taint

235    matrons married women

237    bended i.e., bowed

238    Jove Roman supreme god (also known as Jupiter)

242    carry…th’time i.e., let us be vigilant for the present

243    hearts i.e., valor/commitment/hidden desires    event future outcome

244    Have with you I’ll join you/let’s go

Act 2 Scene 2

 2.2   Location: Rome (the Capitol)

    2    of by

    3    brave splendid vengeance exceedingly

    6    them refers either to the people or to the great men they i.e., the people

    7    wherefore why

    9    in of

  11    waved would waver

  14    discover him reveal him to be opposite enemy affect seek out/like, enjoy

  18    degrees steps supple compliant, obsequious

  19    bonneted removed their hats (a mark of respect)    without…report and gained others’ esteem and a good reputation without doing anything else

  22    giving…lie being manifestly untrue    Lictors officers attending magistrates

  25    determined of made a decision about

  27    after-meeting follow-up meeting

  28    gratify reward

  29    stood for defended

  30    grave dignified, respected

  32    well-found commendable/found to be good

  36    like himself appropriate to him, as worthy as he is

  38    length fear of taking too long

  39    for requital in its ability to recompense (such deeds)

  41    after afterwards, then

  42    motion encouragement, prompting body i.e., people

  43    yield consent to

  44    convented assembled upon i.e., to consider treaty proposition

  45    theme subject

  46    blest happy kinder value more generous estimation

  47    hereto previously

  48    off beside the point offers attempts

  60    disbenched unseated

  63    soothed flattered

  64    as they weigh according to their worth

  66    have…struck i.e., remain idle when the call to battle goes out

  68    monstered made into unnatural marvels

  70    multiplying spawn rapidly breeding commoners

  71    That’s…one i.e., for one good Coriolanus there are a thousand inadequate commoners/for every worthy commoner there are a thousand bad ones

  73    one on’s for one of his

  79    singly counterpoised matched by any other individual

  80    made…for raised troops to attack

  81    mark range, capacity dictator leader

  82    point at allude to

  83    Amazonian beardless, like the Amazons, a race of female warriors

  84    bestrid stood over to defend

  85    o’erpressed overpowered view sight

  87    on onto

  88    might…scene i.e., might have wept or been afraid (act and scene set up the image of a boy player)

  89    meed reward

  90    brow-bound…oak given a wreath of oak leaves to wear on his head (signifying that he had saved the life of a fellow Roman) pupil…thus his youth being thus initiated into manhood/his apprenticeship thus begun in the manner of a fully grown man

  91    waxèd grew

  92    brunt shock, violence

  93    lurched…garland robbed all fellow soldiers of the victory garland for as for

  95    speak him home find words to describe him adequately fliers those fleeing

  96    rare marvelous/exceptional

  99    stem prow stamp tool with which to imprint a design

100    took made a lasting impression (i.e., killed)

102    timed accompanied regularly

103    mortal fatal (either threatening death to Coriolanus or bringing death to the city) which from which painted…destiny i.e., stained with the blood of the dead shunless inescapable

104    came off came away, emerged

105    reinforcement fresh attack struck astrological term referring to the power of a planet to emit a deadly influence

107    gan began to

108    ready sense alert sense of hearing straight straightaway doubled redoubled in strength

109    requickened revived, reanimated fatigate weary, fatigued

111    reeking steaming (with the fresh blood of enemies)

112    spoil slaughter, destruction

116    with measure fittingly, with due proportion

117    kicked at rejected, spurned

118    as as if

120    misery complete poverty

121    with doing them i.e., by taking satisfaction from performing them

122    To…it that time well spent is an end in itself/in seeking death

127    still always

131    naked exposed (to the view of the people)/ vulnerable/wearing nothing beneath the gown (to permit a better view of war wounds)

132    sufferage vote, approval

133    pass avoid, bypass

134    voices votes

135    bate omit

136    Put force

139    your form the formality that befits your status

145    hire payment

147    stand upon’t make an issue of it

148    recommend commit, entrust

149    purpose to them intentions regarding the people

152    use treat

153    require ask

154    contemn…give despise the fact that what he requested should be in their power to give

158    attend await

Act 2 Scene 3

 2.3   Location: Rome (marketplace)

    1    Once once and for all

    4    power…do a legal prerogative that we have no moral right to exercise

    6    monstrous unnatural

    9    a…serve will require little effort once once when

  10    stuck hesitated

  12    of by that because

  13    abram auburn, here meaning “blond”

  15    consent of agreement on

  18    out emerge, come out wit…will perhaps playing on sexual connotations of both words to signify “penis”

  19    southward the south wind was thought to carry disease and storms/the lower regions, i.e., genitals

  21    rotten corrupting, unwholesome—playing on “affected by venereal disease”; conscience and tricks also have potential sexual meanings

  23    you may i.e., go on, say what you like

  25    greater part majority incline be well-disposed

  29    by particulars to individuals, one by one

  30    single honour individual privilege, right

  37    pace obedient, measured movement

  44    would wish virtues i.e., exhortations to virtue

  45    divines priests lose by waste on

  48    wholesome profitable/beneficial

  50    brace pair (originally used of dogs); an inconsistency, as three citizens have entered; similarly, the subsequent acknowledgment of two worthy voices seems to neglect the third citizen

  60    kindly pleasantly

  62    yours i.e., yours to view

  64    A match agreed

  66    something somewhat

  67    An ’twere if it were

  68    stand agree

  72    enigma riddle

  73    scourge punishing whip rod punishment cane

  76    common promiscuous, indiscriminate sworn brother loyal friend bound by oath a…them a more valuable place in their esteem

  77    condition attribute, habit gentle noble

  78    have my hat i.e., have me remove my hat as a mark of respect and deference

  79    insinuating ingratiating be off remove my hat counterfeitly falsely, insincerely

  80    counterfeit the bewitchment copy the bewitching charm popular man man who curries favor with the people/man of the people bountiful bountifully

  85    seal confirm

  90    crave beg hire payment, reward

  91    in…tongue i.e., uttering such deceptions (many editors emend to “toge,” i.e., “toga,” the gown of humility Coriolanus wears)

  92    Hob…appear any fellow who turns up (Hob and Dick were typical names for common men or rustics)

  93    needless unnecessary vouches formal confirmations

  95    antique time ancient customs

  97    o’erpeer peer over, rise above

  99    do thus behave in such a foolish manner

101    voices votes

103    Watched kept guard

105    heard of heard, i.e., experienced firsthand

113    limitation allotted time

114    Endue endow remains it only remains

115    marks insignia of office

116    Anon shortly

118    request i.e., asking for the people’s approval

120    upon your approbation to confirm their approval of you

126    Repair make my way

132    weeds clothes

134    my masters sirs

137    notice observation

139    flouted insulted, mocked

140    kind of speech way of speaking

153    further with further need of

154    ignorant too dull

158    lessoned instructed

160    ever always

161    charters…weal privileges that you hold in the commonwealth

162    arriving reaching

163    sway o’th’state state authority

165    th’plebeii the plebeians

168    what…for i.e., the position of consul

169    think upon esteem

170    Translate transform

171    Standing…lord supporting you as a patron, acting on your behalf

173    had touched would have tested (as the quality of gold was tested by rubbing it on a touchstone)

176    cause occasion called you up prompted you

177    galled irritated, inflamed

178    article condition, stipulation

179    aught anything

180    choler anger

183    free frank, undisguised

187    heart courage, spirit cry protest, rebel

188    rectorship rule

189    ere…asker on previous occasions refused to vote for one who asked you

191    sued-for begged for/formally entreated

195    piece add to, augment

200    therefor for that purpose, i.e., barking

201    safer more sensible

202    enforce emphasize

205    suit petition (may play on the sense of “clothing”)

207    Th’apprehension the understanding portance behavior, demeanor

208    gibingly tauntingly ungravely derisively, disrespectfully

209    After according to inveterate long-standing

210    Lay…on blame

211    no impediment between allowing nothing to stand in the way

214    affections wishes, preferences

216    against the grain perversely, against your true inclinations

217    voice vote

218    read lectures to instructed

219    youngly early in life

222    Ancus Martius traditionally, the fourth king of Rome Numa Numa Pompilius, second king of Rome

223    Hostilius Tullus Hostilius, third King of Rome

224    Publius unknown ancestor of Coriolanus Quintus…conduits an anachronism: Quintus Martius Rex was involved in building the Aqua Martia aqueduct in Rome in the second century BC

225    conduits aqueducts

226    Censorinus another anachronism: Caius Martius Rutilus was given the title “Censorinus” in the third century BC

227    censor magistrate in charge of the census of citizens

230    That…wrought who has, in addition, well deserved through his own actions

233    Scaling weighing up

235    sudden hasty

237    putting on encouragement, urging

238    presently…number as soon as you have gathered your crowd of supporters

239    Repair make your way

242    put in hazard risked

243    Than…greater than to await the greater revolt that would doubtless occur

245    answer…of respond to the advantages offered by

249    own i.e., own doing

Act 3 Scene 1

 3.1   Location: Rome (a street—the procession is on its way to the market-place)

    1    made new head raised a new army

    3    composition coming to terms

    5    road inroads, incursions

    7    worn weakened, exhausted

    8    ages lifetimes

  11    On safeguard under safe conduct

  12    for because vilely contemptibly, shamefully

  13    retired withdrawn Antium town situated on the coast, about thirty-five miles south of Rome; now Anzio

  20    To hopeless restitution beyond hope of recovery so provided that

  28    prank them dress themselves up

  29    Against…sufferance beyond what the nobility can endure

  35    passed…common been approved by the nobility and the common people

  40    broil turmoil, fighting

  42    voices votes

  43    straight immediately (afterward) offices roles, responsibilities

  44    rule…teeth i.e., can you not control their vicious snapping

  45    set them on encouraged them (suggesting the incitement of dogs in bear-baiting)

  47    purposed planned

  49    Suffer’t, and live if you put up with it, you will have to live

  52    of late recently

  53    gratis free repined complained

  54    Scandalled scorned, slandered

  55    Time-pleasers followers of fashion/opportunists

  58    sithence since

  60    like likely

  61    Not…yours i.e., I am likely to better you in any case

  62    yond yonder, those

  65    that that quality

  68    are out of have strayed from

  70    yoke associate yourself

  72    abused deceived palt’ring evasiveness, trickery

  74    dishonoured dishonorable rub obstacle (bowling term) laid falsely placed treacherously

  75    I’th’plain in the level, smooth

  82    For as for meinie common people, rabble (pronounced “many” or “meeny”)

  83    regard take note of, observe

  84    behold themselves i.e., reflected in the unflattering truths Coriolanus will utter

  85    soothing flattering

  86    cockle weed sedition revolt

  88    honoured honorable

  96    Coin create their i.e., the lungs’ measles red spots of disease; possibly also “lepers”

  97    tetter cover with pustules yet sought although we have sought

100    infirmity (human) weakness

102    choler bile, i.e., anger; one of the four humors of early physiology, causing irascibility of temper

103    patient calm

104    mind opinion

108    Triton minor Greek sea god minnows small fish, i.e., common people

110    from the canon out of order, exceeding a tribune’s authority

113    Given allowed Hydra in Greek mythology, a monster that grew two heads for every one that was cut off

114    peremptory imperious

115    horn and noise noisy horn wants lacks

116    turn divert current flow of water

118    vail your ignorance yield in ignorant submission vail to lower a flag or weapon in submission awake…lenity rouse yourselves from this dangerous mildness

121    cushions i.e., seats in the senate by with, next to/courtesy of

123    both your voices i.e., those of senators and plebeians the…theirs the blend of voices tastes most strongly of the plebeians/the plebeians most enjoy the prevalent taste (i.e., their own)

126    popular i.e., on behalf of the people graver more revered bench governing body/judicial court

129    up active, exerting power

130    confusion destruction/chaos

131    of both between the two take conquer/destroy

132    by by using

135    used Sometime formerly customary

141    give…voice give their vote to one who speaks thus

145    our recompense reward from us

146    pressed impressed, conscripted

147    navel i.e., very center touched threatened, affected

148    thread pass through

151    spoke not for didn’t recommend

153    All cause unborn without any justification native origin

154    frank generous, free

155    bosom multiplied (creature of) many stomachs digest comprehend/digest bodily

157    like likely

158    greater poll majority poll number of people (literally, heads)

161    cares concerns (for state welfare)

163    crows plays on the sense of “crowbars” (with which to break the locks o’th’senate) eagles i.e., superior birds; a symbol of Roman power

165    over-measure excess

168    Seal (may it) confirm withal with double worship divided authority

170    Insult behave insolently without all without any/beyond all gentry social rank, being a gentleman

171    conclude come to a decision

172    general common, popular omit neglect

173    the while in the meantime

174    slightness triviality Purpose so barred proper planning being thus prevented

175    to purpose effectively

176    fearful timid, cowardly discreet discerning, prudent

177    love…on’t love the foundations of sound government more than you fear making the changes that are necessary to preserve it (i.e., getting rid of the tribunes)

180    jump risk (treating) physic medicine

182    multitudinous tongue voice of the multitude, i.e., the tribunes

183    sweet i.e., power dishonour current shameful situation

184    bereaves deprives

185    integrity unity

187    For th’ill because of the evil (i.e., the tribunes and the people they represent)

189    answer pay for it

191    despite contempt

192    bald lacking both hair and wisdom

194    th’greater bench the more important governing body, i.e., the senate

195    what’s…law when force and circumstance, rather than what was right, prevailed

197    what…meet what is right and proper be openly acknowledged as the correct thing to do

201    aediles public officers, assistants to the tribunes

202    apprehended arrested

204    Attach arrest innovator revolutionary

205    th’public weal the commonwealth

206    answer interrogation, trial/punishment

208    surety stand bail for

222    Confusion destruction/disorder/overthrow

227    at…lose on the point of losing

239    distinctly ranges is laid out in a clear and orderly manner

242    Or either stand to uphold

244    part behalf

246    present immediate

248    th’rock Tarpeian the precipice on the Capitoline Hill, from which criminals were thrown to their deaths

255    that what

256    temp’rately calmly

258    cold calm, unimpassioned beat in beaten offstage

264    seen me seen me do

270    naught lost, brought to nothing else otherwise

276    cause disease

278    tent probe and clean (a wound) surgically, i.e., cure

281    littered born (like calved, used of animals)

285    One…another another time will compensate for this one

287    up on brace pair

288    ’tis…arithmetic i.e., we are incalculably outnumbered

289    manhood manliness/valor foolery folly

290    fabric building

291    tag rabble rend tear apart, lay waste

292    interrupted obstructed o’erbear…bear overwhelm what usually contains them (i.e., riverbanks)

295    in request With required by

296    patched…colour i.e., mended by any means possible

301    Neptune Roman god of the sea, who traditionally carried a trident (three-pronged spear)

302    thunder Jove’s weapon was the thunderbolt his…mouth i.e., he speaks what he feels

307    Tiber Rome’s river What the vengeance! intensifying phrase, similar to “What the hell!”

308    ’em fair to them courteously

314    rigorous harsh, severe

315    scorn disdain to offer

317    sets values

320    sure on’t be sure of it

323    cry havoc call for slaughter and general devastation

324    modest warrant limited license

325    holp helped

326    rescue forcible removal of a prisoner from custody (legal term)

333    leave permission

338    peremptory resolved

339    eject him hence exile him

345    deservèd deserving enrolled recorded

346    dam mother

350    Mortal fatal

355    by at the hands of

356    suffer permit

357    brand mark of disgrace

358    clean cam utterly misleading cam crooked, awry

359    Merely totally

370    unscanned thoughtless

371    to’s to its process proper legal procedure

372    parties sides, factions

375    What why

377    smote struck

379    a he

380    bolted sifted (i.e., refined, considered) meal and bran flour and worthless husks

383    Where…peril where he, his life at stake, shall answer for his behavior through the calm process of a trial

388    Unknown…beginning unpredictable

393    attend await

Act 3 Scene 2

 3.2   Location: Rome (Coriolanus’ house)

    1    pull…ears i.e., destroy everything, crush me present me put me forward for

    2    wheel torture wheel to which the victim was tied and their bones broken before they died at…heels a form of death in which the victim’s limbs were tied to horses that then ran in different directions

    4    precipitation steep drop

    5    beam the eyes were thought to emit beams that enabled vision

    8    muse wonder (that)

    9    approve support, praise wont accustomed

  10    woollen i.e., coarsely clothed vassals servants/slaves

  11    groats coins worth four old pence (suggesting the people are mere petty traders) show bare heads i.e., remove their hats as a mark of deference

  12    congregations gatherings yawn gape

  13    ordinance rank, standing

  19    put…on i.e., fully gained and exercised your new authority

  21    Let go enough

  23    lesser…dispositions the people would have understood less of your plans/moods (sense is awkward, so many editors emend “things,” e.g., to “thwartings”)

  26    Ere…you i.e., before they could prevent you actually becoming consul cross thwart

  29    something somewhat

  33    Cleave…midst split down the middle

  35    apt compliant, submissive

  37    vantage advantage, benefit

  39    but were it not

  40    fit attack of illness/seizure physic medicine

  49    absolute inflexible

  50    therein…speak i.e., being uncompromising is a noble stance, except in cases of extreme urgency

  52    policy strategy/cunning unsevered inseparable, united

  57    demand question

  58    seem…not dissimulate, pretend to be what you are not

  60    adopt adopt as less i.e., less honorable

  61    That…request for policy to be honorable in peacetime as well in as war, given that both situations require it equally

  64    force urge

  65    lies you on is incumbent upon you

  66    instruction conviction, prompting

  68    but roted merely learned by heart

  69    Bastards i.e., illegitimate, not genuine of…To unacknowledged by

  71    take in capture

  72    gentle honorable/soft, kind else otherwise put…blood put your chances to the test and risk much bloodshed

  74    dissemble with disguise where…honour in a case where, my fortunes and friends being at risk, honor required me to do so

  76    I…this i.e., my views represent those of

  78    general common

  79    a fawn flattery

  80    inheritance acquisition

  81    want lack (i.e., of their loves/of flattery)

  83    salve heal, remedy

  84    Not not only

  87    bonnet hat

  88    stretched it held it out to them here…them go this far in humoring them/on this point, give them what they want

  89    bussing kissing

  91    learnèd i.e., responsive waving shaking or bowing (in repentance and humility)

  92    stout proud

  94    hold withstand

  95    broils turmoil, battles

  96    soft sociable/gentle

  97    fit as fit

  98    asking asking for frame adapt, make

  99    forsooth in truth

100    person personal authority, influential presence

102    Even…speaks exactly as she describes

103    free freely granted

108    bower arbor/boudoir

111    make gather party faction, side

117    unbarbèd sconce unarmed head

120    plot piece of earth, i.e., body

121    mould earth/frame

124    discharge to th’life perform convincingly

132    harlot’s beggar’s/whore’s throat of war i.e., soldier’s voice

133    choirèd sang in harmony

134    Small high-pitched

135    babies lull lulls, soothes babies

136    Tent encamp take up occupy

137    The…sight my eyeballs

140    alms charitable gift

141    surcease cease

143    inherent permanent, abiding

147    feel experience, undergo the effects of

148    stoutness obstinacy

149    heart i.e., courage list please

151    owe own

154    mountebank use trickery to win

155    Cog cheat

161    arm prepare

165    word watchword, password

166    by invention with invented charges

Act 3 Scene 3

 3.3   Location: Rome (the market-place)

    1    charge him home press home your accusations affects seeks out/is drawn to

    3    Enforce urge against/attack/constrain envy malice

    4    spoil got on booty won from

  10    catalogue list

  12    by th’poll by head, individually

  14    tribes divisions of the populace of Rome

  16    presently immediately

  21    old prerogative traditional rights (of the people)

  22    i’th’truth o’th’cause in the justice of the case

  24    cry cry out, shout

  26    present execution immediate carrying out

  30    hap happen

  32    Put…straight rouse him to anger him straightaway

  33    worth Of contradiction full share of answering back, pennyworth of defiance

  34    chafed roused, angered

  36    looks looks likely, promises

  37    us i.e., our assistance

  40    ostler stable groom piece coin

  41    bear…th’volume put up with being called knave any number of times/endure any degree of ill treatment from a knave Th’honoured may the honored

  43    among’s among us

  44    shows ceremonies

  49    List listen Audience listen, pay attention

  52    this present with this present allegation

  53    determine be settled

  54    demand ask

  56    Allow acknowledge

  57    censure judgment

  68    accents ways of speaking/words

  70    envy you display malice toward you

  74    very very same

  76    Answer to us i.e., you have no right to ask the questions

  77    so to do so, i.e., answer to you

  78    contrived plotted

  79    seasoned established (or perhaps “qualified, moderate” as opposed to tyrannical) wind insinuate

  82    How? What?

  84    fold in enfold, encircle

  85    their traitor traitor to them injurious insulting, wrongful

  86    Within Even if within, i.e., whatever you might do to me

  89    free frank/honest/unrestrained

  90    I…the that with which I pray to the

  94    put add

  97    strokes blows, assaults

  99    capital i.e., worthy of the death penalty

102    prate chatter, babble

109    pent imprisoned linger barely survive, linger on

112    check restrain, curb

113    have’t have it (i.e., the people’s mercy)

114    For that because

115    in him lies he possibly could

116    Envied against shown malice toward

117    as inasmuch as (he has)

118    not not only

123    precipitation being thrown

136    estimate reputation, honor womb’s…loins i.e., children

144    cry pack

145    reek stench/foggy vapor

148    remain may you remain

150    plumes feathers on a helmet

151    have may you have still always

153    finds…feels only learns through experience

154    Making…yourselves trying only to protect yourselves/having banished everyone except yourselves

155    Still…foes always your own worst enemies

156    abated humbled, beaten down

158    For because of

163    despite disdain, contempt

164    vexation torment, mortification

Act 4 Scene 1

 4.1   Location: Rome (near the city gates)

    1    leave cease

    3    ancient former used accustomed

    4    extremities extreme circumstances, crisis

    5    common chances ordinary events

    7    Fortune’s…cunning when fortune strikes hardest, it takes noble skill to bear one’s wounds like a gentleman

  11    conned learned, memorized

  14    red pestilence red sores were characteristic of the plague

  15    occupations trades

  17    lacked absent/missed

  18    wont accustomed

  19    Hercules legendary Greek hero who achieved twelve seemingly impossible labours

  22    Droop look downcast, despair

  25    venomous i.e., stinging, causing inflammation sometime former

  28    fond foolish strokes blows, afflictions

  29    wot know

  30    still always

  31    Believe’t not lightly do not doubt this

  32    fen swamp

  34    or either exceed the common outdo ordinary men, exceed ordinary expectations

  35    cautelous…practice deceitful snares and plotting

  39    exposture exposure

  40    starts leaps up

  42    follow accompany

  45    repeal recall from exile

  47    advantage the advantageous opportunity

  51    wars’ surfeits excesses of military service

  52    bring accompany

  54    noble touch noble qualities/proven nobility (as the quality of gold is proved with a touchstone)

  61    one seven i.e., seven

  63    foot step of the way

Act 4 Scene 2

 4.2   Location: Rome (a street)

    1    home go home

    8    ancient former

  13    mad furious/wild, high-spirited/mentally disturbed

  16    Th’hoarded the stored-up requite repay

  22    mankind masculine/furious (Volumnia replies to the sense of “human”)

  24    foxship sly cunning

  30    would wish

  31    Arabia i.e., the desert (a suitably lawless place for death, and one with nowhere for the enemy to hide) tribe supporters/family before in front of, facing

  34    posterity descendants

  39    unknit untied for

  40    knot bond between him and Rome

  43    Cats i.e., wretched creatures (contemptuous)

  48    brave splendid/courageous (sarcastic)

  50    meanest poorest, humblest

  54    baited With harassed by

  58    ’em i.e., the tribunes

  60    to’t on it

  61    told chastised home thoroughly

  62    sup dine

  63    meat food

  64    starve with feeding i.e., consume myself/starve from not eating actual food

  65    faint puling feeble whining

  66    Juno-like like the supreme Roman goddess, Juno; her merciless fury is described in Virgil’s Aeneid

Act 4 Scene 3

 4.3   Location: on the road, between Rome and Antium

    3    ’em i.e., the Romans

    7    favour…tongue identity is confirmed by your voice favour appearance/face

    8    note i.e., of instruction

  16    ripe ready

  17    glowing smoldering mature ready

  22    them i.e., the Volscians

  25    of from

  26    choose do otherwise (than appear well)

  28    this this time, now

  30    centurions officers, each in charge of one hundred men charges i.e., troops distinctly billeted individually enrolled

  31    in th’entertainment on the payroll, employed

  33    present immediate

  34    part role, words

Act 4 Scene 4

 4.4   Location: Antium (outside Aufidius’ house) mean humble, poor

    3    ’fore my wars in the face of my attacks

    6    puny inexperienced Save God save

    9    lies lives

  15    slippery turns fickle, treacherous changes fast firmly

  16    double two (plays on the sense of “deceitful”)

  18    still always

  20    dissension…doit dispute over something trivial doit Dutch coin of small value

  21    fellest fiercest, most cruel

  22    plots…other plots to capture one another have kept them awake

  24    trick trifle

  25    interjoin their issues unite their fortunes/join their children in marriage

  28    give me way allow me to go freely/grant my request

Act 4 Scene 5

 4.5   Location: Antium (inside Aufidius’ house)

    1    fellows fellow servants

    6    Whence from what place

    7    go…door i.e., leave

    8    entertainment hospitality, reception

  11    companions rogues

  15    brave defiant anon in a moment

  19    avoid leave

  25    station place to stand

  27    Follow your function get on with your job batten grow fat cold bits i.e., left overs

  32    canopy i.e., the sky

  36    kites and crows birds of prey, scavengers

  38    daws jackdaws, proverbially foolish birds

  40    meddle concern yourself, interfere (Coriolanus then shifts the sense to “have sex with”)

  42    prat’st speak insolently/to little purpose trencher wooden serving dish

  44    but were it not

  56    grim fierce, cruel/forbidding, severe

  57    command authority tackle gear, equipment—i.e., clothing (plays on sense of “ship’s rigging”)

  58    show’st seem to be

  62    particularly in person, individually

  63    mischief injury thereto…Coriolanus which is attested by my honorary surname, “Coriolanus”

  64    painful arduous, diligent

  67    memory memorial/reminder

  71    dastard cowardly

  72    forsook rejected, abandoned

  74    Whooped jeered, hooted

  78    in mere out of pure

  79    be…of fully pay back

  81    wreak vengeance

  82    maims Of shame shameful wounds

  83    through throughout

  87    cankered corrupted, diseased

  88    under-fiends hell’s devils

  89    prove more fortunes try your fortunes further

  92    ancient long-standing

  95    tuns barrels

104    where against against which

105    grainèd ash strong spear (made of straight-grained ash)

106    clip embrace

107    anvil i.e., Coriolanus, who has been struck by Aufidius’ sword as an anvil is hit with a hammer

113    dances sets dancing, excites rapt enraptured

115    Bestride step across Mars Roman god of war; may pun on “Martius”

116    a…foot an army mobilized

117    target shield brawn muscular arm

118    out outright, fully

119    several separate

121    down together fighting with each other on the ground; the speech betrays a perhaps unconscious homoeroticism, with many of its terms having sexual connotations (hotly, encounters, half dead)

122    helms helmets fisting clutching, throttling; also slang for “breaking wind,” so anal connotations are not impossible

123    waked I have waked

125    muster all recruit all men

128    o’erbear’t overwhelm it (Rome)

131    am prepared have forces drawn up

134    absolute incomparable, perfect

136    commission authority/those in my command set down determine

140    rudely violently

141    ere destroy before destroying them

142    commend introduce (favorably)

148    gave told

150    set up set spinning

155    rarest most exceptional/most splendid

156    he…on you know who (i.e., Aufidius)

158    it’s…for never mind about

159    on of him like him in the following line, this may refer either to Coriolanus or to Aufidius

164    slaves rogues/servants

166    as lief rather

168    Wherefore? Why?

169    was wont used

176    on’t of it

177    scotched slashed carbonado meat scored for cooking

178    An if given inclined

181    on much of

182    upper end o’th’table i.e., in the place of honor

183    but…bald without them standing hatless (a mark of respect)

184    sanctifies…hand touches Coriolanus’ hand as if it were holy

185    bottom essence, bottom line

187    sowl roughly seize

188    polled stripped bare (literally, with the branches lopped away)

192    directitude a nonsense word; perhaps the Third Servingman means “discredit”

194    crest cockerel’s crest/feathers on a helmet in blood in good condition, full of life (hunting term)

195    will will come conies rabbits

197    presently immediately

198    parcel part

200    stirring lively, active

203    audible noisy/keen of hearing (like a hunting dog) full of vent full of shouts and noise/has picked up the scent of a hunted animal apoplexy paralysis

204    mulled numbed, stupefied getter begetter, conceiver

206    ravisher rapist

207    cuckolds men with unfaithful wives

210    rising i.e., from the table

Act 4 Scene 6

 4.6   Location: Rome

    2    His…tame the remedies needed to get rid of Coriolanus (i.e., the protesting people) are quiet

    4    hurry commotion, urgent activity

    7    pest’ring obstructing

    9    functions tasks, occupations

  10    stood to’t made a stand against it

  15    But except

  16    were even were

  18    temporized compromised, been moderate

  23    e ’en evening (i.e., any time after noon)

  32    comely decent, pleasing

  39    affecting aiming for/desiring assistance partners

  41    this this time, now

  47    several powers separate armies

  53    horns i.e., like those of a snail

  54    inshelled within his (snail’s) shell, withdrawn stood fought

  56    what why

  58    break with us i.e., break the terms of our treaty

  62    age lifetime reason with converse with, question

  64    information source of information

  71    turns transforms

  73    His raising this is his rumormongering

  76    seconded corroborated

  82    as…between wide enough to include

  85    Raised stirred up, rumored

  87    trick on’t nature, aim of it

  89    atone be reconciled

  90    violent’st contrariety most extreme opposites

  95    O’erborne overcome (everything in) took captured

  99    holp helped ravish rape

100    leads lead roofs pates heads

101    to your noses in front of you, in your faces

103    in their cement i.e., to their foundations

104    franchises rights, freedom

105    auger’s bore small hole made with a carpenter’s tool (auger)

112    brats children

116    apron-men tradesmen

117    voice of occupation workingmen’s votes

118    garlic-eaters i.e., the lower classes

120    Hercules…fruit the eleventh labor of Hercules was to pluck the golden apples of the Hesperides (the three sisters who guarded them)

124    other otherwise

125    smilingly willingly who whoever

127    constant steadfast, loyal

128    something some admirable quality

129    undone ruined

134    for as for

135    charged would be entreating

137    showed would appear

138    brand flaming torch

140    hands i.e., work (sarcastic)

141    crafts skills/craftsmen/guiles crafted worked skillfully/been cunning

144    S’incapable of help so incapable of being helped

148    clusters crowd, mobs

151    roar i.e., with fear

152    name greatest (after Coriolanus) his points Coriolanus’ instructions

162    coxcombs i.e., fool’s heads (literally, headgear with a crest like a cock’s comb)

165    coal smoldering piece of charcoal

176    cry pack (of dogs)/shouting, noise Shall’s shall we go

179    side faction

187    Would…lie i.e., I would give half my wealth to have this be untrue

Act 4 Scene 7

 4.7   Location: the Volscian camp, near Rome

    5    darkened obscured, eclipsed

    6    own own men, followers

    8    using means taking action lame…design cripple our plans (for Rome)

  12    changeling fickle thing

  15    for your particular as far as you personally are concerned

  16    Joined in commission decided to share power

  17    Have…yourself had orchestrated the campaign by yourself

  20    account reckoning, judgment

  21    urge bring forward

  23    th’vulgar the common bears manages

  24    husbandry for management on behalf of

  25    achieve succeed in his aims

  29    carry overcome, capture

  30    sits down begins a siege

  34    repeal recall from exile

  36    osprey fish hawk, thought to be so kingly that fish turned belly-up in surrender to it

  39    even steadily, evenly

  40    out…fortune due to repeated success

  41    happy fortunate

  42    disposal management

  43    nature his character

  45    casque helmet cushion i.e., senator’s seat/comfort of peacetime

  46    austerity and garb severe manner

  48    spices traces, a flavor

  49    free absolve

  50    So therefore he…utt’rance his merit stifles itself even as it is being praised/his merit is sufficient to stifle any talk of whatever fault was responsible

  52    time current age, contemporary opinion

  53    power…done while power may be inherently worthy of praise it never entombs itself more surely than when it is publicly proclaimed chair public rostrum T’extol to raise up with praise

  57    Rights…fail i.e., other, more dominant rights or strengths overcome the original ones; foulder, which could mean either “fire out” or “crumble,” is the most satisfactory emendation of Folio’s senseless “fouler,” though some editors prefer “falter”

Act 5 Scene 1

 5.1   Location: Rome

    1    he i.e., Cominius

    2    Which who sometime formerly

    3    In…particular with heartfelt personal affection He i.e., Coriolanus

    5    knee crawl

    6    coyed was reluctant

    8    would…to acted as if he did not

  18    wracked ruined (puns on “racked,” i.e., strained, worked)

  19    coals charcoal (because Rome will be burned down) memory memorial

  20    minded reminded

  22    bare worthless/threadbare

  25    offered attempted

  26    private personal

  27    stay delay, make time in from

  28    noisome foul-smelling

  30    nose th’offence smell the offensive matter (the musty chaff)

  33    brave fine

  37    so never-needed help matter in which help is needed more than ever before

  38    distress hardship, affliction

  40    instant quickly mobilized

  49    grief-shot grief-stricken

  52    after…well in proportion to your good intentions

  55    bite…hum signs of anger

  56    unhearts discourages

  57    taken well tackled at the right moment

  59    pout upon look moodily on

  61    conveyances channels (i.e., veins)

  62    suppler more yielding, receptive

  64    dieted to sufficiently well-fed to hear

  68    prove test

  69    Speed prosper, fare

  70    success outcome

  73    gold i.e., splendor, a chair of state

  74    injury sense of having been wronged

  76    faintly indifferently, disinterestedly

  77    What…conditions i.e., he listed the concessions that he would and would not make, provided that the Romans swore to comply with his conditions/he stated exactly what he would and would not do to Rome, swearing that he would abide by his intentions/he stated his wishes, and swore to stick to them

Act 5 Scene 2

 5.2   Location: the Volscian camp

  14    lots to blanks a certainty (literally, prize-winning tickets in a lottery compared to worthless ones)

  16    virtue power/worth passable valid

  18    lover good friend

  19    book record

  20    happily favorably

  21    verified supported, guaranteed the worth of

  22    size magnitude verity truth

  23    without lapsing suffer permit without collapsing

  24    bowl bowling ball subtle deceptive

  25    tumbled…throw overshot the mark

  26    stamped the leasing given the stamp of truth to falsehood

  30    chastely honestly (lie…chastely plays on the sense of “have sex as to be sexually chaste”)

  31    factionary active as a partisan

  34    under while serving under

  40    violent popular ignorance surge of ignorant public violence

  41    shield i.e., Coriolanus front confront, meet

  42    easy ready palms outstretched hands

  43    palsied trembling dotant dotard, i.e., imbecile/in senile decay

  46    out of beyond

  48    Sirrah sir (used to address an inferior) use treat estimation respect

  52    utmost…having all you’re going to get/the furthest you’re going to go

  55    companion fellow, rogue say…for deliver the report for you

  56    jack guardant knavish guardsman office officiously keep

  57    entertainment (favorable) reception stand’st…of are not already condemned to

  58    spectatorship watching

  60    synod council, assembly

  62    hardly moved persuaded with great difficulty

  64    conjure solemnly ask petitionary entreating

  66    varlet knave block idiot/impediment

  70    servanted in service owe own

  71    properly personally, as my own remission inclination to forgive

  72    That…much our friendship shall be poisoned by Rome’s ungrateful forgetfulness rather than recalled through compassion

  76    for because

  81    constant temper steadfast state of mind

  85    shent rebuked/blamed

  87    for as for

  88    slight worthless die by himself kill himself

  89    be…long may you live a long life

Act 5 Scene 3

    2    Set down encamp host army

    3    plainly openly, straightforwardly

    5    their ends Volscian aims

  12    godded me treated me like a god latest refuge last resort

  14    showed appeared

  16    grace do honor to

  19    Nor neither

  23    mould i.e., form of his mother, Volumnia

  24    this trunk my body framed formed, created

  25    affection emotion/love

  27    obstinate unyielding, hard-hearted

  28    dove’s eyes i.e., (Virgilia’s) beautiful eyes; the dove symbolized peace and fidelity in love

  29    forsworn perjured, oath-breakers

  31    Olympus the mountain home of the Greek gods

  33    aspect look

  36    gosling young goose, i.e., fool to as to stand resist

  37    author creator, originator

  41    delivers presents

  43    dull stupid/inactive

  44    am out have forgotten my lines

  45    Best…flesh i.e., Virgilia (refers to the idea that husband and wife are one flesh)

  46    tyranny cruelty

  49    jealous…heaven i.e., Juno, Roman goddess of marriage

  51    virgined it kept it chaste prate talk idly

  54    more impression a deeper indentation

  58    unproperly unfittingly, against propriety

  59    Show…parent show that all this time duty has been wrongly supposed to be owed by a child to its parent

  62    corrected reprimanded

  63    hungry sterile, barren

  64    Fillip strike smartly

  66    Murd’ring impossibility destroying the laws by which some things are impossible

  67    slight easy

  68    holp helped

  70    Publicola one of Rome’s first consuls

  71    moon i.e., chaste one

  72    curdied congealed

  73    Dian Diana, Roman goddess of the moon and chastity

  74    epitome miniature, summary

  75    th’interpretation the expounding, unfolding

  76    show like all resemble in full

  77    The…soldiers i.e., Mars

  78    inform infuse, invest

  80    shame being shamed/shameful deeds stick stand out

  81    sea-mark sailor’s guide, either a beacon or landmark standing withstanding flaw gust of wind

  82    eye see, i.e., follow

  89    The…denials i.e., I have already sworn not to and therefore can never grant certain requests; therefore you must not consider me to be denying you personally

  91    capitulate negotiate, come to terms

  92    mechanics laborers

  93    t’allay to lessen/temper/dilute

  94    colder calmer, less impassioned

103    Should we were we to raiment clothing

104    bewray betray, reveal

105    Think with thyself reflect

109    Constrains them compels them to

113    capital fatal

118    or either

121    evident certain, unavoidable

122    which whichever

123    foreign recreant deserter to a foreign power

126    palm palm leaf, symbol of victory

128    purpose intend

129    determine decide the matter

130    grace favor/mercy parts sides

137    A he

139    Not…see to avoid womanly tenderness one must not look at the faces of women or children

141    sat i.e., stayed

143    tend aim

147    while so that while

150    Give the all-hail i.e., welcome, praise

152    but this only this is

157    it i.e., his nobility

160    affected been drawn to/sought

161    gods specifically Jupiter/Jove, whose weapon was the thunderbolt

163    charge load sulphur lightning bolt thunderbolt

164    but…oak i.e., do no harm to mankind rive split

166    Still constantly

171    i’th’stocks the stocks were a public instrument of punishment in which the arms and/or legs were confined

173    fond…brood i.e., with no other children fond of doting on/desirous of

177    honest honorable/truthful

178    restrain’st withhold

181    ’longs belongs

185    cannot…have does not know what he asks

187    reason argue for

189    to for

191    dispatch dismissal

201    mortal fatally

202    true i.e., true to my word

203    convenient appropriate, suitable

206    withal by it

209    sweat i.e., weep

211    back go back

212    Stand to support

215    former fortune fortune like my former one

218    A better witness i.e., an official treaty

219    On…counter-sealed having agreed to the same terms, will have countersigned

222    her confederate arms the weapons of her allies

Act 5 Scene 4

 5.4   Location: Rome

    1    coign corner (of a building)

    5    stay upon await

    6    condition disposition

    7    differency difference

  13    engine instrument of war

  14    corslet armor protecting the torso knell the tolling of a funeral bell hum sound of displeasure or impatience battery assault

  15    state chair of state as…Alexander like a statue of Alexander the Great with his bidding as soon as he asks

  16    wants lacks throne be enthroned

  18    in the character to the life, accurately

  20    long of on account of

  27    hale haul, drag

  29    death by inches i.e., a slow death

  32    are dislodged i.e., have withdrawn

  34    Tarquins last kings of Rome (before it became a republic)

  39    blown swollen/roused by the wind

  40    recomforted relieved/refreshed hautboys oboelike instruments

  41    sackbuts type of trumpet psalteries type of stringed instrument fifes flutelike instrument, often used for military music

  42    Tabors small drums

  50    doit small Dutch coin, worth half an English farthing

  55    at point about

Act 5 Scene 6

 5.6   Location: Corioli

    3    repair go

    5    Him he whom

    6    ports gates this this time, now

  12    his his own

  14    parties supporters

  15    Of from

  19    difference disagreement, opposition

  22    admits allows

  23    construction interpretation pawned pledged

  24    truth allegiance heightened raised to a position of importance

  25    plants i.e., followers

  28    free frank, honorable

  29    stoutness stubbornness, firmness

  32    That…of I was about to mention that

  35    joint-servant i.e., equal partner gave him way let him have his way/gave him opportunity

  37    files troops

  38    designments enterprises

  39    holp helped

  40    end gather in as (harvesting term)

  43    waged paid, rewarded countenance patronage, approval

  44    mercenary a hired soldier

  46    in at

  47    had carried was about to overcome

  49    There was it i.e., that was the thing

  50    sinews…stretched strength will be exerted to the utmost against

  51    rheum i.e., tears

  55    post messenger (sent in advance of the main arrival); Aufidius’ native town is Antium, where this scene is set in Plutarch, but for the dramatic effect of Coriolanus’ downfall, Shakespeare locates it in Corioli

  61    your vantage this opportune moment for you

  64    along stretched out

  65    After…pronounced his story told in your words

  66    reasons explanations, justifications

  70    heed care

  75    easy fines lenient penalties

  77    levies expenses incurred in raising troops answering rewarding

  78    charge expenses

  79    yielding surrender

  85    prosperously…attempted my endeavors have been prosperous

  88    more…part outweigh by a full third

  89    charges costs

  90    Antiates citizens of Antium

  92    Subscribed signed

  94    compounded agreed

104    perfidiously treacherously

106    drops of salt i.e., tears

109    twist twined thread admitting Counsel o’th’war taking advice from fellow soldiers

112    heart courage

121    scold speak violently

122    give…lie accuse this dog of lying notion understanding

123    stripes lashes

128    edges swords’ edges

131    Fluttered threw into agitation, caused to flutter in panic

134    blind fortune random good luck (fortune was traditionally depicted as a blind woman)

138    presently immediately

141    outrage violence

142    folds in enfolds

144    judicious hearing i.e., lawful trial Stand stop

153    whereat at which

160    owe have in store for

161    Please it if it please

162    deliver prove, demonstrate

164    censure criticism/judgment

174    one i.e., the fourth bearer of the body

176    Trail i.e., turn the pikes upside down and carry them so that the metal heads trail along the ground; a customary practice at military funerals

179    memory memorial/posthumous reputation dead march solemn piece of music accompanying a funeral; probably played with a muffled drum

THE LAMENTABLE TRAGEDY OF TITUS ANDRONICUS

From the 1700s to the Second World War Titus Andronicus was considered so shocking and such a subversion of the noble Roman ideal of decorum that it was hardly ever staged and was frequently said to be by someone other than Shakespeare. High-minded critics and scholars could not imagine the National Poet soiling himself with a barbaric feast of rape, dismemberment, and cannibalism. Yet Titus was one of the most popular plays of the Elizabethan age.

A glorious mishmash of history and invention, it creates an imaginary Rome that is simultaneously democratic and imperial. The play is not so much an historical work as a meditation on history. We might call it a “meta-history.” The political structures of the early Roman republic and the decadence of the late Roman Empire are deliberately overlaid upon each other. They are also mingled with the preoccupations of late Elizabethan England: the opening political dispute between Saturninus and Bassianus is over the question of the succession to the recently deceased emperor, a matter of considerable concern at the time Shakespeare was writing, when the old Virgin Queen was nearing the end of her life and there were several rival candidates to succeed her.

We are asked to imagine that this could be any time in the Roman era and no time. The spiral of revenge begins with an act of human sacrifice, the slaying of Tamora’s son Alarbus to appease the spirits of those of Titus’ sons who have been killed in the wars against the Goths. Historically, human sacrifice was never practiced in ancient Rome, but all cultures have their foundational myths of sacrifice. For Shakespeare and his audience, Rome was evocative of the Roman Catholic Church as well as the pagan empire of the past. So it is that the action is peppered with allusions to the ultimate sacrifice, the crucifixion of God’s own Son, and to the doctrinal differences consequent upon it. The word martyred, which was deeply significant to both Catholics and Protestants, is applied to Lavinia, and when she assists her father in the butchery of Chiron and Demetrius, she is asked to “receive the blood,” a phrase that darkly parodies the language of the Eucharist, in which we are redeemed by the blood of Christ—though whether the wine of the feast was real or symbolic blood was a matter for fierce debate.

The play sealed Shakespeare’s reputation as the authentic successor to the original angry young man of English drama, Christopher Marlowe. Aaron’s delight in his own villainy is shamelessly pillaged from Barabas’ and Ithamore’s boasting in the same vein in Marlowe’s Jew of Malta. Shakespeare was a contrarian. He took the commonplaces of his age and stood them on their heads—or perhaps sliced off their heads and baked them in a pastry. Rome was synonymous with civilization and the Goths with barbarism: so Shakespeare considers the possibility that Rome was just as barbarous as the Gothic forest. Roman Stoicism proposed that it was healthy to keep your emotions under tight restraint: so Shakespeare voices the need to give your feelings vent (“Sorrow concealed, like an oven stopped, / Doth burn the heart to cinders where it is”). The law prescribed that punishment should be left to the justice system: so Shakespeare dramatized the primal—though ultimately self-destructive—attraction of acting out revenge for oneself. A daughter has been raped and mutilated. The law is not there to help; even the poor Clown goes from quest for imperial justice to arbitrary execution. Titus accordingly raises the stakes and thinks of a revenge so hideous that it outdoes the original crime. This is but an extreme version of an instinct that is still with us: the police do nothing about the burglaries, so out comes the homeowner’s shotgun.

Structurally, the violence in Titus is always artistically purposeful, never gratuitous. There is a harsh but elegant symmetry to the action. Alarbus’ limbs are lopped, and so then are Lavinia’s: since Tamora, Queen of the Goths, loses her son, so Titus, General of the Romans, must lose his daughter. Ever since the time of ancient Greek tragedy, western culture has been haunted by the figure of the revenger. He or she stands on a whole series of borderlines: between civilization and barbarity, between an individual’s accountability to his or her own conscience and the community’s need for the rule of law, between the conflicting demands of justice and mercy. Do we have a right—a duty even—to exact revenge against those who have destroyed our loved ones? Or should we leave vengeance to the law or the gods? And if we do take action into our own hands, are we not reducing ourselves to the same moral level as the original perpetrator of murderous deeds? In the Elizabethan public theater, Thomas Kyd began to explore these questions in The Spanish Tragedy. Shakespeare developed them further in Titus Andronicus and then refined them to their highest level in Hamlet.

Revenge drama can deal as powerfully with emotional trauma as with ethical dilemma. Hieronimo in The Spanish Tragedy is driven mad by the death of his son. In the end his grief becomes so intense that it is literally inexpressible, causing him to bite out his own tongue. Shakespeare nods towards Hieronomo when Titus says “Or shall we bite our tongues, and in dumb shows / Pass the remainder of our hateful days?”

Is it possible to relieve emotional anguish through language? The attempt to do so is the traditional cathartic function of poetic tragedy. In Titus, Marcus—the play’s chief “spectator” figure—confronts the appalling mutilation of his niece, Lavinia, and finds himself searching for a language of mourning that will “ease [her] misery.” Her father, Titus, later tries to share her pain by holding her closely to him and comparing her to the weeping wind, himself to first the sea, and then the earth. But even this elemental language is insufficient. Lavinia’s woes are literally unspeakable. Throughout Titus, Shakespeare pushes at the boundaries between true expression and false, sanity and madness, speech and silence.

In particular, he is fascinated by the ways in which the human body itself can be made to speak. The actor on the Elizabethan stage communicated with his audience in two ways: through words and through gestures. Shakespeare began his career as an actor, learning the elaborate rhetorical speeches and highly formalized physical gestures that characterized the relatively crude dramatic repertory of the time. The top box-office star of this period, the early 1590s, was Edward Alleyn. The first Hieronimo, Alleyn was renowned for his grand style. Shakespeare, though, quickly saw the dangers of going “over the top” on stage. Working closely with his leading actor, Richard Burbage, he sought to develop a much subtler style, in which poetic language became a medium less for showy display and more for a flexible, inquiring exploration of the inner life. Titus has its share of windy rhetorical grandiloquence—that was necessary in order to bring in the crowds. But its unique brilliance occurs in those passages where Shakespeare deliberately deprives himself of the dramatist’s usual resources of word and gesture. Kyd’s Hieronimo only bites himself into silence in the final scene before his death, whereas Shakespeare’s Lavinia has her tongue cut out before the halfway mark in the action. For the remainder of the time, she can speak only in dumb show. Nor can she express herself with gestures, for her hands have been cut off. She has become a visual icon of man’s inhumanity to woman. So it is that her father, Titus, has to “wrest an alphabet” from the “martyred signs” of her mutilated body.

Titus’ own body has been battered by years of war, and yet he survives. Shakespeare reminds us that real human beings are not supermen or action heroes, but vulnerable creatures. Titus is scarred, muddy, physically made to stoop low, yet he remains high and indomitable in spirit, despite all the wrongs he has to endure in a cruel world devoid of divine justice:

Marcus, we are but shrubs, no cedars we,

No big-boned men framed of the Cyclops’ size,

But metal, Marcus, steel to the very back,

Yet wrung with wrongs more than our backs can bear.

Aaron, meanwhile, is the first great Shakespearean villain, the forerunner of Richard III, Iago in Othello, and Edmund in King Lear. But he is also the first great black role in English drama. Motivated throughout by his status as an outsider, at first he seems to be the devil incarnate. But toward the end, there is an astonishing turnaround. “Is black so base a hue?” he asks the nurse who has handed him his first-born son with an insult. Black pride and paternal affection undo the ancient racist equation of darkness with evil.

Titus Andronicus plays like the work of a very clever, very naughty schoolboy. In the classroom of the Stratford-upon-Avon grammar school, young Will would have learned that the purpose of studying the classics was to be inspired by their heroic actions and moral virtues. This was the message of books such as Plutarch’s Lives of the Most Noble Grecians and Romans, out of which he would later create his Julius Caesar and Antony and Cleopatra. But what he also found in classical literature were glorious tales of blood and gore, not to mention every sex crime imaginable. The brilliance of Titus is that it is suffused with the language of the Elizabethan classroom—words like “tutor,” “instruct,” “lesson”—yet it uses classical literature as “pattern and precedent” not for virtue but for high crime and misdemeanor. The story of the rape of Philomel by Tereus and her sister Progne’s juicy act of revenge, as told in Ovid’s Metamorphoses, is explicitly invoked first by Demetrius and Chiron as the pattern for what they do to Lavinia and then by Titus as the precedent for what he will do to them. And it is by way of reference to the actual book of Ovid that the silenced Lavinia contrives to reveal what has happened.

Again, the lesson of classical literature was that tragedy should be kept apart from comedy, high art from low. Shakespeare was perfectly capable of following this precept when he wanted: Julius Caesar probably has fewer laughs than any other play in the canon. But in Titus, he wantonly flouts the classical rules. He recognizes that there is actually a very narrow borderline between tragedy and farce. Four hundred years before the enfants terribles of modern Hollywood, he saw that audiences love the shock of the rollercoaster ride from violence to humor. Jokes are always at someone’s expense and it is one of the obligations of the serious artist to push at the barrier of good taste so that we can discover when the expense is so great that we feel sick.

If the play has a fault, it is that the formality of both language and action in the opening scenes create a sense of stiffness that suggests classicism at its most tedious. This is probably not Shakespeare’s fault: modern scholarship has persuasively demonstrated by means of close stylistic analysis that Titus Andronicus was begun by another dramatist, George Peele, who had a high-level classical education and a taste for large-scale symmetrical stage encounters spoken in high-flown rhetoric. It is almost certainly Peele who deserves credit for the play’s ingenious syncretism, its sweep across the diversity of Roman history. We do not know whether the play was written as a purposeful collaboration or whether Shakespeare came in to do a rewrite or to complete an unfinished work. Nor do we know at precisely what point the writing became his alone—though there is no doubt that he is the author of all the most dramatic scenes, from the rape through the hand-chopping to the fly-killing banquet (which was his later addition, not included in the earliest printed text) to the feast at the climax.

Perhaps the most profoundly Shakespearean moment—a dramatic move far beyond the capacity of Peele—comes when Titus is confronted with the dismembered ruins of his family and his brother Marcus tells him that it is time to “storm,” to rend his hair and explode into a great tirade of words, to rant in the style of a ham actor. But he does not cry or curse. He laughs. In times of extremity, you have to throw away the rulebook. In real life, tragedy and comedy don’t live in different boxes. William Wordsworth once wrote of thoughts that lie too deep for tears. Only William Shakespeare could have dramatized the astonishing but profoundly human idea that the place you get to when you go beyond tears is not silence but laughter.

KEY FACTS

AUTHORSHIP: Mostly by Shakespeare, but the first act and possibly the beginning of the second and fourth acts have the stylistic marks of George Peele. It is not known whether this was an active collaboration or whether Shakespeare took over an older play by Peele and revised the later acts much more thoroughly than the first one. Francis Meres in 1598 and the 1623 Folio editors had no hesitation in attributing the play to Shakespeare.

PLOT: The brothers Saturninus and Bassianus are in contention for the Roman emperorship. Titus Andronicus, Rome’s most honored general, returns from wars against the Goths with their queen, Tamora, her sons, and her lover, Aaron the Moor, as captives. Her eldest son is sacrificed by Titus; she vows revenge. Titus is nominated emperor by his brother Marcus, one of Rome’s tribunes. This Titus declines, instead nominating Saturninus. To seal the bond of friendship, the new emperor offers to marry Titus’ daughter Lavinia. She, however, is already pledged to Bassianus. Saturninus, by now infatuated with Tamora, makes her empress. Manipulated by Aaron, Tamora’s sons, Chiron and Demetrius, avenge their mother by raping and mutilating Lavinia, and killing Bassianus. Aaron falsely implicates two of Titus’ sons in this murder. In his turn Titus vows revenge and sends his surviving son Lucius to the Goths to raise an army. Titus achieves his revenge by killing Tamora’s sons and serving them up to her at a banquet, and then killing her. He himself is killed by Saturninus and his death avenged by Lucius, who is made emperor.

MAJOR PARTS: (with percentage of lines/number of speeches/scenes on stage) Titus Andronicus (28%/117/9), Aaron the Moor (14%/57/6), Marcus Andronicus (12%/63/9), Tamora (10%/49/5), Saturninus (8%/49/5), Lucius (7%/51/4), Demetrius (4%/39/7), Bassianus (3%/14/3), Lavinia (2%/15/3), Chiron (2%/30/6), and Young Lucius (2%/11/4).

LINGUISTIC MEDIUM: 98% verse, 2% prose.

DATE: 1591/92, perhaps revised 1594? Performed at the Rose in January 1594 and marked by the theater manager as “ne,” possibly meaning “new.” Title page of first published edition, also 1594, seems to imply performance by three successive companies (see “Text,” below), suggesting staging before theaters were closed due to the plague for the second half of 1592 and nearly all of 1593. Perhaps the first two companies performed an old version by Peele and the 1594 performance and text were newly revised by Shakespeare

SOURCES: The story is not historical. An anonymous chapbook narrative, once thought to be the source, is almost certain to be a derivative text rather than a source, so it must be assumed either that there is a lost source or that the plot is freely invented, while drawing on a range of Roman materials, both historical and poetic—most notably the tragedies of Seneca and Ovid’s story of Progne’s revenge on the tyrant Tereus for the rape of her sister Philomel (Metamorphoses book 6, used as a prop and plot device in Act 4 Scene 1). There is also a strong influence from other tragedies of the period, notably Thomas Kyd’s Spanish Tragedy (c.1589, especially for the revenger as a self-consciously theatrical performer) and Christopher Marlowe’s The Jew of Malta (c.1591, for Aaron’s delight in his own villainy).

TEXT: Published in Quarto as The Most Lamentable Romaine Tragedie of Titus Andronicus: As it was Plaide by the Right Honourable the Earle of Darbie, Earle of Pembrooke, and Earle of Sussex their Seruants (1594, reprinted 1600 and 1611). A good-quality text, perhaps printed from Shakespeare’s manuscript, though with one or two signs of revision in the process of composition (some false starts and the possibility that the killing of both Alarbus and Mutius in the first act were late additions—could these be Shakespearean revisions to Peele’s original?). The Second Quarto, which included some good corrections, was printed from a damaged copy of the First Quarto, resulting in some changes to the wording of the final scene and the addition of four new lines at the very end of the play. The Folio text was printed from a copy of the Third Quarto, incorporating both corrections and errors from the Second and Third Quartos; it introduced many new errors of its own, because it was mostly typeset by “Compositor E,” the one genuinely incompetent agent in the creation of the First Folio. The principal value of the Folio text is that it introduces stage directions, presumably derived from the theatrical promptbook, and adds one complete new scene (Act 3 Scene 2, the fly-killing banquet). Most modern editions are based on the First Quarto, but with the banquet inserted from Folio. In accordance with our practice of beginning from Folio and avoiding the conflation of discrete texts, we depart from this tradition and edit the Folio text, though with frequent emendation in places where the text is erroneous, principally as a result of the shoddy work of “Compositor E.” Since they appear in the Folio, the Second Quarto’s extra four lines at the end are included, but they are marked with curly brackets to indicate that they are an addition that seems to derive from the printing shop rather than the playhouse.

THE LAMENTABLE TRAGEDY OF TITUS ANDRONICUS

Romans

SATURNINUS the deceased Emperor’s eldest son, who succeeds as Emperor

BASSIANUS, his brother

TITUS Andronicus, a noble general

LAVINIA his daughter

MARCUS, his brother, a Tribune of the people

BOY/YOUNG LUCIUS, son of Lucius

PUBLIUS, son of Marcus Andronicus

EMILLIUS

A CAPTAIN

A MESSENGER

A NURSE

A CLOWN

A LORD

Senators, Tribunes, Soldiers and Attendants Goths

TAMORA, Queen of the Goths, later Empress of Rome, married to Saturninus

AARON, a Moor, Tamora’s lover

Soldiers

Act 1 Scene 11.1

running scene 1

        Flourish. Enter the Tribunes and Senators, aloft. And then enter Saturninus and his followers at one door [below], and Bassianus and his followers at the other, with Drum and Colours

SATURNINUS

SATURNINUS     Noble patricians,¹ patrons of my right,

               Defend the justice of my cause with arms.

               And countrymen, my loving followers,

               Plead my successive⁴ title with your swords.

5

5             I was the first-born son that⁵ was the last

               That wore the imperial diadem⁶ of Rome:

               Then let my father’s honours⁷ live in me,

               Nor wrong mine age with this indignity.

BASSIANUS

BASSIANUS     Romans, friends, followers, favourers of my right,

10

10           If ever Bassianus, Caesar’s son,

               Were gracious¹¹ in the eyes of royal Rome,

               Keep¹² then this passage to the Capitol,

               And suffer not¹³ dishonour to approach

               Th’imperial seat, to virtue consecrate,¹⁴

15

15           To justice, continence¹⁵ and nobility:

               But let desert¹⁶ in pure election shine,

               And, Romans, fight for freedom in your choice.

        Enter Marcus Andronicus, aloft, with the crown

MARCUS

MARCUS      Princes, that strive by factions and by friends

               Ambitiously for rule and empery,¹⁹

20

20           Know that the people of Rome, for whom we stand

               A special party,²¹ have by common voice

               In election for the Roman empery,

               Chosen Andronicus, surnamèd²³ Pius

               For many good and great deserts²⁴ to Rome:

25

25           A nobler man, a braver warrior,

               Lives not this day within the city walls.

               He by the senate is accited²⁷ home

               From weary wars against the barbarous Goths,

               That²⁹ with his sons, a terror to our foes,

30

30           Hath yoked³⁰ a nation strong, trained up in arms.

               Ten years are spent since first he undertook

               This cause of Rome and chastisèd with arms

               Our enemies’ pride: five times he hath returned

               Bleeding to Rome, bearing his valiant sons

35

35           In coffins from the field,

               And now at last, laden with horror’s spoils,

               Returns the good Andronicus to Rome,

               Renownèd Titus, flourishing³⁸ in arms.

               Let us entreat, by honour³⁹ of his name,

40

40           Whom worthily you would have now succeed,

               And in the Capitol and senate’s right,

               Whom you pretend⁴² to honour and adore,

               That you withdraw you and abate your strength,

               Dismiss your followers and, as suitors⁴⁴ should,

45

               Plead your deserts⁴⁵ in peace and humbleness.

SATURNINUS

SATURNINUS     How fair⁴⁶ the tribune speaks to calm my thoughts!

BASSIANUS

BASSIANUS     Marcus Andronicus, so I do affy⁴⁷

               In thy uprightness and integrity,

               And so I love and honour thee and thine,

50

50           Thy noble brother Titus and his sons,

               And her to whom my thoughts are humbled all,⁵¹

               Gracious Lavinia, Rome’s rich ornament,

               That I will here dismiss my loving friends,

               And to my fortunes and the people’s favour

55

55           Commit my cause in balance to be weighed.

        Exeunt [his] Soldiers

SATURNINUS

SATURNINUS     Friends, that have been thus forward in⁵⁶ my right,

               I thank you all and here dismiss you all,

               And to the love and favour of my country

               Commit myself, my person and the cause.

        [Exeunt his Soldiers]

60

60           Rome, be as just and gracious unto me

               As I am confident and kind⁶¹ to thee.

               Open the gates and let me in.

BASSIANUS

BASSIANUS     Tribunes, and me, a poor competitor.⁶³

        Flourish. They [Saturninus and Bassianus] go up into the senate house. Enter a Captain

CAPTAIN

CAPTAIN     Romans, make way: the good Andronicus,

65

65           Patron⁶⁵ of virtue, Rome’s best champion,

               Successful in the battles that he fights,

               With honour and with fortune is returned

               From whence he circumscribèd⁶⁸ with his sword

               And brought to yoke, the enemies of Rome.

        Sound drums and trumpets, and then enter two of Titus’ sons [Martius and Mutius]. After them, two men bearing a coffin covered with black, then two other sons [Lucius and Quintus]. After them, Titus Andronicus [in a chariot], and then Tamora, Queen of Goths, and her two sons Chiron and Demetrius, with Aaron the Moor and others, as many as can be. They set down the coffin and Titus speaks

70

70   

TITUS

TITUS           Hail, Rome, victorious in thy mourning weeds!⁷⁰

               Lo, as the bark⁷¹ that hath discharged his freight

               Returns with precious lading⁷² to the bay

               From whence at first she weighed her anchorage,⁷³

               Cometh Andronicus, bound with laurel boughs,

75

75           To resalute his country with his tears,

               Tears of true joy for his return to Rome.

               Thou⁷⁷ great defender of this Capitol,

               Stand gracious to⁷⁸ the rites that we intend.

               Romans, of five and twenty valiant sons,

80

80           Half of the number that King Priam⁸⁰ had,

               Behold the poor remains, alive and dead!

               These that survive, let Rome reward with love:

               These that I bring unto their latest⁸³ home,

               With⁸⁴ burial amongst their ancestors.

85

85           Here Goths have given me leave⁸⁵ to sheathe my sword.

               Titus, unkind⁸⁶ and careless of thine own,

               Why suffer’st thou thy sons unburied yet

               To hover on the dreadful shore of Styx?⁸⁸

               Make way to lay them by their brethren.

        They open the tomb

90

90           There greet in silence, as the dead are wont,⁹⁰

               And sleep in peace, slain in your country’s wars.

               O sacred receptacle of my joys,

               Sweet cell⁹³ of virtue and nobility,

               How many sons of mine hast thou in store,

95

95           That thou wilt never render to me more!⁹⁵

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     Give us the proudest prisoner of the Goths,

               That we may hew⁹⁷ his limbs, and on a pile

               Ad manus fratrum⁹⁸ sacrifice his flesh

               Before this earthly prison of their bones,

100

100         That so¹⁰⁰ the shadows be not unappeased,

               Nor we disturbed with prodigies¹⁰¹ on earth.

TITUS

TITUS     I give him you, the noblest that survives,

               The eldest son of this distressèd queen.

TAMORA

TAMORA     Stay, Roman brethren, gracious¹⁰⁴ conqueror, ↓Kneels↓

105

105         Victorious Titus, rue¹⁰⁵ the tears I shed,

               A mother’s tears in passion¹⁰⁶ for her son:

               And if thy sons were ever dear to thee,

               O, think my sons to be as dear to me.

               Sufficeth not¹⁰⁹ that we are brought to Rome

110

110         To beautify thy triumphs¹¹⁰ and return,

               Captive to thee and to thy Roman yoke?

               But must my sons be slaughtered in the streets

               For valiant doings in their country’s cause?

               O, if to fight for king and commonweal

115

115         Were piety in thine, it is in these.

               Andronicus, stain not thy tomb with blood.

               Wilt thou draw near the nature of the gods?

               Draw near them then in being merciful:

               Sweet mercy is nobility’s true badge.

120

120         Thrice-noble Titus, spare my first-born son.

TITUS

TITUS     Patient¹²¹ yourself, madam, and pardon me.

               These are the brethren whom you Goths beheld

               Alive and dead, and for their brethren slain

               Religiously they ask a sacrifice:

125

125         To this your son is marked, and die he must,

               To appease their groaning shadows that are gone.

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     Away with him, and make a fire straight,¹²⁷

               And with our swords, upon a pile of wood,

               Let’s hew his limbs till they be clean¹²⁹ consumed.

        Exeunt Sons [Lucius, Quintus, Martius and Mutius] with Alarbus

130

130 

TAMORA

TAMORA             O cruel, irreligious piety! Rises

CHIRON

CHIRON     Was ever Scythia¹³¹ half so barbarous?

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     Oppose¹³² not Scythia to ambitious Rome.

               Alarbus goes to rest and we survive

               To tremble under Titus’ threat’ning looks.

135

135         Then, madam, stand resolved, but hope withal¹³⁵

               The self-same gods that armed the Queen¹³⁶ of Troy

               With opportunity of sharp revenge

               Upon the Thracian tyrant in his tent

               May favour Tamora, the Queen of Goths —

140

140         When Goths were Goths and Tamora was queen —

               To quit¹⁴¹ the bloody wrongs upon her foes.

        Enter the Sons of Andronicus again

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     See, lord and father, how we have performed

               Our Roman rites: Alarbus’ limbs are lopped,

               And entrails¹⁴⁴ feed the sacrificing fire,

145

145         Whose smoke like incense doth perfume the sky.

               Remaineth nought but to inter our brethren

               And with loud ’larums¹⁴⁷ welcome them to Rome.

TITUS

TITUS     Let it be so, and let Andronicus

               Make this his latest¹⁴⁹ farewell to their souls.

        Flourish. Then sound trumpets, and lay the coffins in the tomb

150

150         In peace and honour rest you here, my sons:

               Rome’s readiest champions, repose you here in rest,

               Secure from worldly chances and mishaps.

               Here lurks no treason, here no envy¹⁵³ swells,

               Here grow no damnèd grudges, here are no storms,

155

155         No noise, but silence and eternal sleep:

               In peace and honour rest you here, my sons.

        Enter Lavinia

LAVINIA

LAVINIA     In peace and honour live Lord Titus long:

               My noble lord and father, live in fame!¹⁵⁸

               Lo, at this tomb my tributary¹⁵⁹ tears

160

160         I render for my brethren’s obsequies,¹⁶⁰

               And at thy feet I kneel with tears of joy Kneels

               Shed on the earth for thy return to Rome.

               O, bless me here with thy victorious hand,

               Whose fortune Rome’s best citizens applaud.

165

165 

TITUS

TITUS             Kind Rome, that hast thus lovingly reserved

               The cordial¹⁶⁶ of mine age to glad my heart.

               Lavinia, live, outlive thy father’s days

               And¹⁶⁸ fame’s eternal date, for virtue’s praise. Lavinia rises

        [Enter Marcus, below]

MARCUS

MARCUS     Long live Lord Titus, my belovèd brother,

170

170         Gracious triumpher in the eyes of Rome!

TITUS

TITUS     Thanks, gentle¹⁷¹ tribune, noble brother Marcus.

MARCUS

MARCUS     And welcome, nephews, from successful wars,

               You that survive and you that sleep in fame.

               Fair lords, your¹⁷⁴ fortunes are alike in all,

175

175         That in your country’s service drew your swords:

               But safer triumph¹⁷⁶ is this funeral pomp

               That hath aspired¹⁷⁷ to Solon’s happiness

               And triumphs over chance in honour’s bed.¹⁷⁸

               Titus Andronicus, the people of Rome,

180

180         Whose friend in justice thou hast ever been,

               Send thee by me, their tribune¹⁸¹ and their trust,

               This palliament¹⁸² of white and spotless hue,

               And name thee in election for the empire

               With these our late-deceasèd emperor’s sons:

185

185         Be candidatus¹⁸⁵ then and put it on, Offers a robe

               And help to set a head on headless Rome.

TITUS

TITUS     A better head her glorious body fits¹⁸⁷

               Than his that shakes for age and feebleness.

               What, should I don this robe and trouble you?

190

190         Be chosen with proclamations today,

               Tomorrow yield up rule, resign my life

               And set abroad¹⁹² new business for you all?

               Rome, I have been thy soldier forty years,

               And led my country’s strength successfully,

195

195         And buried one and twenty valiant sons,

               Knighted in field, slain manfully in arms

               In right and service¹⁹⁷ of their noble country:

               Give me a staff of honour for mine age,

               But not a sceptre to control the world.

200

200         Upright he held it, lords, that held it last.

MARCUS

MARCUS     Titus, thou shalt obtain and ask²⁰¹ the empery.

SATURNINUS

SATURNINUS     Proud and ambitious tribune, canst thou tell?

TITUS

TITUS     Patience, Prince Saturninus—

SATURNINUS

SATURNINUS                                        Romans, do me right.

               Patricians, draw your swords and sheathe them not

205

205         Till Saturninus be Rome’s emperor.

               Andronicus, would²⁰⁶ thou wert shipped to hell,

               Rather than rob me of the people’s hearts.

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     Proud Saturnine, interrupter of the good

               That noble-minded Titus means to thee.

210

210 

TITUS

TITUS             Content thee, prince, I will restore to thee

               The people’s hearts, and wean²¹¹ them from themselves.

BASSIANUS

BASSIANUS     Andronicus, I do not flatter thee,

               But honour thee, and will do till I die:

               My faction if thou strengthen with thy friends,

215

215         I will most thankful be, and thanks to men

               Of noble minds is honourable meed.²¹⁶

TITUS

TITUS     People of Rome, and noble tribunes here,

               I ask your voices²¹⁸ and your suffrages,

               Will you bestow them friendly on Andronicus?

220

220 

TRIBUNES

TRIBUNES             To gratify the good Andronicus

               And gratulate²²¹ his safe return to Rome,

               The people will accept whom he admits.²²²

TITUS

TITUS     Tribunes, I thank you, and this suit²²³ I make,

               That you create²²⁴ our emperor’s eldest son,

225

225         Lord Saturnine, whose virtues will, I hope,

               Reflect on Rome as Titan’s²²⁶ rays on earth,

               And ripen justice in this commonweal:

               Then if you will elect by my advice,

               Crown him and say, ‘Long live our emperor!’

230

230 

MARCUS

MARCUS             With voices and applause of every sort,

               Patricians and plebeians, we create

               Lord Saturninus Rome’s great emperor,

               And say, ‘Long live our Emperor Saturnine!’

        A long flourish till they come down

SATURNINUS

SATURNINUS     Titus Andronicus, for thy favours done

235

235         To us in our election this day,

               I give thee thanks in²³⁶ part of thy deserts,

               And will with deeds requite thy gentleness:²³⁷

               And, for an onset,²³⁸ Titus, to advance

               Thy name and honourable family,

240

240         Lavinia will I make my emperess,

               Rome’s royal mistress, mistress of my heart,

               And in the sacred Pantheon²⁴² her espouse:

               Tell me, Andronicus, doth this motion²⁴³ please thee?

TITUS

TITUS     It doth, my worthy lord, and in this match

245

245         I hold me²⁴⁵ highly honoured of your grace,

               And here in sight of Rome to Saturnine,

               King and commander of our commonweal,

               The wide world’s emperor, do I consecrate

               My sword, my chariot and my prisoners,

250

250         Presents well worthy Rome’s imperial lord:

               Receive them then, the tribute that I owe, Titus’ sword chariot and prisoners are given to Saturninus

               Mine honour’s ensigns²⁵² humbled at thy feet.

SATURNINUS

SATURNINUS     Thanks, noble Titus, father of my life.

               How proud I am of thee and of thy gifts,

255

255         Rome shall record, and when I do forget

               The least of these unspeakable²⁵⁶ deserts,

               Romans forget your fealty²⁵⁷ to me.

TITUS

TITUS     Now, madam, are you prisoner to an emperor, To Tamora

               To him that for²⁵⁹ your honour and your state,

260

260         Will use²⁶⁰ you nobly and your followers.

SATURNINUS

SATURNINUS     A goodly lady, trust me, of the hue²⁶¹ Aside?

               That I would choose, were I to choose anew.—

               Clear up, fair queen, that cloudy countenance: To Tamora

               Though chance of war hath wrought this change of cheer,²⁶⁴

265

265         Thou com’st not to be made a scorn in Rome:

               Princely shall be thy usage every way.

               Rest²⁶⁷ on my word, and let not discontent

               Daunt all your hopes: madam, he comforts²⁶⁸ you

               Can make you greater than the queen of Goths.—

270

270         Lavinia, you are not displeased with this?

LAVINIA

LAVINIA     Not I, my lord, sith²⁷¹ true nobility

               Warrants²⁷² these words in princely courtesy.

SATURNINUS

SATURNINUS     Thanks, sweet Lavinia.— Romans, let us go.

               Ransomless here we set our prisoners free:

275

275         Proclaim our honours, lords, with trump and drum. Sound music; prisoners released

BASSIANUS

BASSIANUS     Lord Titus, by your leave, this maid is mine. Seizes Lavinia

TITUS

TITUS     How, sir? Are you in earnest then, my lord?

BASSIANUS

BASSIANUS     Ay, noble Titus, and resolved withal²⁷⁸

               To do myself this reason²⁷⁹ and this right.

280

280 

MARCUS

MARCUS             ‘Suum cuique’²⁸⁰ is our Roman justice:

               This prince in justice seizeth but his own.

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     And that he will, and shall, if Lucius live.

TITUS

TITUS     Traitors, avaunt!²⁸³ Where is the emperor’s guard?—

               Treason, my lord: Lavinia is surprised!²⁸⁴

285

285 

SATURNINUS

SATURNINUS             Surprised? By whom?

BASSIANUS

BASSIANUS     By him that justly may

               Bear his betrothed from all the world away.

MUTIUS

MUTIUS     Brothers, help to convey her hence away,

               And with my sword I’ll keep this door safe.

        [Exeunt Bassianus, Lavinia, Marcus, Martius, Quintus]

290

290 

TITUS

TITUS             Follow, my lord, and I’ll soon bring her back.

        [Exeunt Saturninus and Goths]

MUTIUS

MUTIUS     My lord, you pass not here.

TITUS

TITUS     What, villain boy, barr’st me my way in Rome?

        He kills him

MUTIUS

MUTIUS     Help, Lucius, help!²⁹³

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     My lord, you are unjust, and, more than so:

295

295         In wrongful quarrel²⁹⁵ you have slain your son.

TITUS

TITUS     Nor²⁹⁶ thou, nor he, are any sons of mine:

               My sons would never so dishonour me.

               Traitor, restore Lavinia to the emperor.

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     Dead, if you will, but not to be his wife

300

300         That is another’s lawful promised love.

        [Exit]

        Enter aloft the Emperor with Tamora and her two sons, and Aaron the Moor

SATURNINUS

SATURNINUS     No, Titus, no, the emperor needs her not,

               Nor her, nor thee, nor any of thy stock.

               I’ll trust by leisure³⁰³ him that mocks me once,

               Thee never, nor thy traitorous haughty sons,

305

305         Confederates all thus to dishonour me.

               Was none³⁰⁶ in Rome to make a stale

               But Saturnine? Full well, Andronicus,

               Agree these deeds with that proud brag of thine,

               That said’st I begged the empire at thy hands.

310

310 

TITUS

TITUS             O, monstrous! What reproachful words are these?

SATURNINUS

SATURNINUS     But go thy ways, go give that changing piece³¹¹

               To him that flourished³¹² for her with his sword.

               A valiant son-in-law thou shalt enjoy,

               One fit to bandy³¹⁴ with thy lawless sons,

315

315         To ruffle³¹⁵ in the commonwealth of Rome.

TITUS

TITUS     These words are razors to my wounded heart.

SATURNINUS

SATURNINUS     And therefore, lovely Tamora, Queen of Goths,

               That like the stately Phoebe³¹⁸ ’mongst her nymphs

               Dost overshine³¹⁹ the gallant’st dames of Rome,

320

320         If thou be pleased with this my sudden choice,

               Behold, I choose thee, Tamora, for my bride,

               And will create thee emperess of Rome,

               Speak, queen of Goths, dost thou applaud my choice?

               And here I swear by all the Roman gods,

325

325         Sith priest and holy water are so near

               And tapers³²⁶ burn so bright and everything

               In readiness for Hymenaeus³²⁷ stand,

               I will not resalute the streets of Rome,

               Or climb my palace, till from forth this place

330

330         I lead espoused my bride along with me.

TAMORA

TAMORA     And here in sight of heaven to Rome I swear,

               If Saturnine advance the Queen of Goths,

               She will a handmaid be to his desires,

               A loving nurse, a mother to his youth.

335

335 

SATURNINUS

SATURNINUS             Ascend, fair queen, Pantheon.³³⁵ Lords, accompany

               Your noble emperor and his lovely bride,

               Sent by the heavens for Prince Saturnine,

               Whose³³⁸ wisdom hath her fortune conquerèd:

               There shall we consummate our spousal rites.

        Exeunt all. [Titus remains]

340

340 

TITUS

TITUS             I am not bid³⁴⁰ to wait upon this bride.

               Titus, when wert thou wont³⁴¹ to walk alone,

               Dishonoured thus, and challengèd³⁴² of wrongs?

        Enter Marcus and Titus’ sons [Lucius, Quintus and Martius]

MARCUS

MARCUS     O Titus, see! O, see what thou hast done!

               In a bad quarrel slain a virtuous son.

345

345 

TITUS

TITUS             No, foolish tribune, no. No son of mine,

               Nor thou, nor these, confed’rates in the deed

               That hath dishonoured all our family:

               Unworthy brother, and unworthy sons.

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     But let us give him burial as becomes:³⁴⁹

350

350         Give Mutius burial with our brethren.

TITUS

TITUS     Traitors, away! He rests not in this tomb.

               This monument five hundred years hath stood,

               Which I have sumptuously re-edified:³⁵³

               Here none but soldiers and Rome’s servitors³⁵⁴

355

355         Repose in fame — none basely slain in brawls.

               Bury him where you can, he comes not here.

MARCUS

MARCUS     My lord, this is impiety in you:

               My nephew Mutius’ deeds do plead for him,

               He must be buried with his bretheren.³⁵⁹

360

360 

TITUS’ TWO SONS³⁶⁰

TITUS’ TWO SONS             ‘And shall, or him we will accompany.

TITUS

TITUS     ‘And shall’? What villain was it that spake that word?

TITUS’ SON

TITUS’ SON     ‘ He that would vouch³⁶² it in any place but here.

TITUS

TITUS     What, would you bury him in my despite?³⁶³

MARCUS

MARCUS     No, noble Titus, but entreat of thee

365

365         To pardon Mutius and to bury him.

TITUS

TITUS     Marcus, even thou hast struck upon my crest,³⁶⁶

               And with these boys mine honour thou hast wounded.

               My foes I do repute³⁶⁸ you every one,

               So trouble me no more, but get you gone.

370

370 

FIRST SON

FIRST SON             He is not himself, let us withdraw.

SECOND SON

SECOND SON     Not I, till Mutius’ bones be buried.

        The brother [Marcus] and the sons kneel

MARCUS

MARCUS     Brother, for in that name doth nature plead—

SECOND SON

SECOND SON     Father, and in that name doth nature speak—

TITUS

TITUS     Speak thou no more, if all the rest will speed.³⁷⁴

375

375 

MARCUS

MARCUS             Renownèd Titus, more than half my soul—

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     Dear father, soul and substance of us all—

MARCUS

MARCUS     Suffer³⁷⁷ thy brother Marcus to inter

               His noble nephew here in virtue’s nest,

               That died in honour and Lavinia’s cause.

380

380         Thou art a Roman, be not barbarous.

               The³⁸¹ Greeks upon advice did bury Ajax

               That slew himself, and wise Laertes’ son

               Did graciously plead for his funerals:

               Let not young Mutius then, that was thy joy,

385

385         Be barred his entrance here.

TITUS

TITUS     Rise, Marcus, rise.

               The dismall’st³⁸⁷ day is this that e’er I saw:

               To be dishonoured by my sons in Rome!

               Well, bury him, and bury me the next.

        They put him in the tomb

390

390 

LUCIUS

LUCIUS             There lie thy bones, sweet Mutius, with thy friends,

               Till we with trophies³⁹¹ do adorn thy tomb.

MARCUS and TITUS’ SONS

MARCUS and TITUS’ SONS     No man shed tears for noble Mutius:

               He lives in fame that died in virtue’s cause.

        Exeunt. [Titus and Marcus remain]

MARCUS

MARCUS     My lord, to step out of these sudden dumps,³⁹⁴

395

395         How comes it that the subtle³⁹⁵ Queen of Goths

               Is of a sudden thus advanced in Rome?

TITUS

TITUS     I know not, Marcus, but I know it is³⁹⁷ —

               Whether by device³⁹⁸ or no — the heavens can tell.

               Is she not then beholding³⁹⁹ to the man

400

400         That brought her for this high good turn so far?

MARCUS

MARCUS     Yes, and will nobly him remunerate.

        Flourish. Enter the Emperor, Tamora and her two sons with the Moor at one door. Enter at the other door Bassianus and Lavinia with others [Titus’ three sons]

SATURNINUS

SATURNINUS     So, Bassianus, you have played your prize:⁴⁰²

               God give you joy, sir, of your gallant bride.

BASSIANUS

BASSIANUS     And you of yours, my lord. I say no more,

405

405         Nor wish no less, and so I take my leave.

SATURNINUS

SATURNINUS     Traitor, if Rome have law or we have power,

               Thou and thy faction shall repent this rape.⁴⁰⁷

BASSIANUS

BASSIANUS     ‘Rape’ call you it, my lord, to seize my own,

               My true-betrothèd love and now my wife?

410

410         But let the laws of Rome determine all:

               Meanwhile I am possessed of that⁴¹¹ is mine.

SATURNINUS

SATURNINUS     ’Tis good,⁴¹² sir: you are very short with us.

               But if we live we’ll be as sharp⁴¹³ with you.

BASSIANUS

BASSIANUS     My lord, what I have done, as best I may,

415

415         Answer⁴¹⁵ I must, and shall do with my life.

               Only thus much I give your grace to know:

               By all the duties that I owe to Rome,

               This noble gentleman, Lord Titus here,

               Is in opinion⁴¹⁹ and in honour wronged,

420

420         That in the rescue of Lavinia

               With his own hand did slay his youngest son

               In zeal to you, and highly moved to wrath

               To be controlled⁴²³ in that he frankly gave:

               Receive him then to favour, Saturnine,

425

425         That hath expressed himself in all his deeds

               A father and a friend to thee and Rome.

TITUS

TITUS     Prince Bassianus, leave to plead⁴²⁷ my deeds:

               ’Tis thou and those⁴²⁸ that have dishonoured me.

               Rome and the righteous heavens be my judge Kneels

430

430         How I have loved and honoured Saturnine!

TAMORA

TAMORA     My worthy lord, if ever Tamora To Saturninus

               Were gracious in those princely eyes of thine,

               Then hear me speak indifferently⁴³³ for all,

               And at my suit, sweet, pardon what is past.

435

435 

SATURNINUS

SATURNINUS             What, madam, be dishonoured openly,

               And basely put it up⁴³⁶ without revenge?

TAMORA

TAMORA     Not so, my lord. The gods of Rome forfend⁴³⁷

               I should be author to dishonour⁴³⁸ you.

               But on mine honour dare I undertake⁴³⁹

440

440         For good Lord Titus’ innocence in all,

               Whose fury⁴⁴¹ not dissembled speaks his griefs:

               Then at my suit look graciously on him.

               Lose not so noble a friend on vain suppose,⁴⁴³

               Nor with sour looks afflict his gentle heart.—

445

445         My lord, be ruled by me, be won at last, Aside to Saturninus

               Dissemble⁴⁴⁶ all your griefs and discontents.

               You are but newly planted in your throne:

               Lest then the people, and patricians too,

               Upon a just survey⁴⁴⁹ take Titus’ part,

450

450         And so supplant you for ingratitude,

               Which Rome reputes to be a heinous sin,

               Yield at entreats⁴⁵² — and then let me alone:

               I’ll find a day to massacre them all,

               And raze⁴⁵⁴ their faction and their family,

455

455         The cruel father and his traitorous sons

               To whom I suèd⁴⁵⁶ for my dear son’s life,

               And make them know what ’tis to let a queen

               Kneel in the streets and beg for grace in vain.—

               Come, come, sweet emperor.— Come, Andronicus — Aloud

460

460         Take up⁴⁶⁰ this good old man, and cheer the heart

               That dies in tempest of thy angry frown.

SATURNINUS

SATURNINUS     Rise, Titus, rise: my empress hath prevailed.

TITUS

TITUS     I thank your majesty and her, my lord: Rises

               These words, these looks, infuse new life in me.

465

465 

TAMORA

TAMORA             Titus, I am incorporate in⁴⁶⁵ Rome,

               A Roman now adopted happily,⁴⁶⁶

               And must advise the emperor for his good.

               This day all quarrels die, Andronicus:

               And let it be mine honour, good my lord,

470

470         That I have reconciled your friends and you.—

               For⁴⁷¹ you, Prince Bassianus, I have passed

               My word and promise to the emperor,

               That you will be more mild and tractable.—

               And fear not, lords, and you, Lavinia:

475

475         By my advice, all humbled on your knees,

               You shall ask pardon of his majesty. Titus’ sons kneel

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     We do, and vow to heaven and to his highness

               That what we did was mildly as we might,

               Tend’ring⁴⁷⁹ our sister’s honour and our own.

480

480 

MARCUS

MARCUS             That on mine honour here I do protest.⁴⁸⁰ Kneels

SATURNINUS

SATURNINUS     Away, and talk not: trouble us no more.

TAMORA

TAMORA     Nay, nay, sweet emperor, we must all be friends:

               The tribune and his nephews kneel for grace,

               I will not be denied: sweet heart, look back.

485

485 

SATURNINUS

SATURNINUS             Marcus, for thy sake and thy brother’s here,

               And at my lovely Tamora’s entreats,

               I do remit these young men’s heinous faults.—

        [Marcus and Titus’ sons] stand up

               Lavinia, though you left me like a churl,⁴⁸⁸

               I found a friend,⁴⁸⁹ and sure as death I swore

490

490         I would not part a bachelor from the priest.

               Come, if the emperor’s court can feast two brides,

               You are my guest, Lavinia, and your friends.

               This day shall be a love-day,⁴⁹³ Tamora.

TITUS

TITUS     Tomorrow, an⁴⁹⁴ it please your majesty

495

495         To hunt the panther and the hart⁴⁹⁵ with me,

               With horn and hound we’ll give your grace bonjour.⁴⁹⁶

SATURNINUS

SATURNINUS     Be it so, Titus, and gramercy⁴⁹⁷ too. Flourish. Exeunt

Act 2 [Scene 1]

running scene 1 continues

        Enter Aaron alone

AARON

AARON     Now climbeth Tamora Olympus’¹ top,

               Safe out of fortune’s shot, and sits aloft,

               Secure of³ thunder’s crack or lightning flash,

               Advanced above pale envy’s threat’ning reach.

5

5             As when the golden sun salutes the morn,

               And, having gilt⁶ the ocean with his beams,

               Gallops⁷ the zodiac in his glistering coach

               And overlooks⁸ the highest-peering hills,

               So Tamora.

10

10           Upon her wit¹⁰ doth earthly honour wait,

               And virtue stoops and trembles at her frown.

               Then, Aaron, arm thy heart and fit thy thoughts

               To mount aloft with thy imperial mistress,

               And mount her pitch¹⁴ whom thou in triumph long

15

15           Hast prisoner held, fettered in amorous chains

               And faster bound to Aaron’s charming¹⁶ eyes

               Than is Prometheus¹⁷ tied to Caucasus.

               Away with slavish weeds¹⁸ and idle thoughts:

               I will be bright, and shine in pearl and gold

20

20           To wait upon this new-made emperess.

               To wait, said I? — To wanton²¹ with this queen,

               This goddess, this Semiramis,²² this nymph,

               This siren²³ that will charm Rome’s Saturnine

               And see his shipwreck and his commonweal’s.

25

25           Hallo! What storm is this?

        Enter Chiron and Demetrius, braving

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     Chiron, thy years want²⁶ wit, thy wit wants edge

               And manners to intrude where I am graced²⁷

               And may, for aught²⁸ thou know’st, affected be

CHIRON

CHIRON     Demetrius, thou dost overween²⁹ in all,

30

30           And so in this, to bear me down³⁰ with braves.

               ’Tis not the difference of a year or two

               Makes me less gracious or thee more fortunate:

               I am as able and as fit as thou

               To serve,³⁴ and to deserve my mistress’ grace,

35

35           And that my sword upon thee shall approve,³⁵

               And plead my passions for Lavinia’s love.

AARON

AARON     Clubs, clubs!³⁷ These lovers will not keep the peace. Aside

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     Why, boy, although our mother, unadvised,³⁸

               Gave you a dancing-rapier³⁹ by your side,

40

40           Are you so desperate grown to threat your friends?⁴⁰

               Go to:⁴¹ have your lath glued within your sheath

               Till you know better how to handle it.

CHIRON

CHIRON     Meanwhile, sir, with the little skill I have,

               Full well shalt thou perceive how much I dare

45

45   

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS           Ay, boy, grow ye so brave?⁴⁵

        They draw

AARON

AARON     Why, how now, lords? Comes forward

               So near⁴⁷ the emperor’s palace dare you draw

               And maintain such a quarrel openly?

               Full well I wot⁴⁹ the ground of all this grudge:

50

50           I would not for a million of gold

               The cause were known to them it most concerns,

               Nor would your noble mother for much more

               Be so dishonoured in the court of Rome.

               For shame, put up.⁵⁴

55

55   

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS           Not I, till I have sheathed

               My rapier in his bosom and withal

               Thrust these reproachful speeches down his throat

               That he hath breathed in my dishonour here.

CHIRON

CHIRON     For that I am prepared and full resolved,

60

60           Foul-spoken coward, that thund’rest with thy tongue,

               And with thy weapon nothing dar’st perform!

AARON

AARON     Away, I say.

               Now, by the gods that warlike Goths adore,

               This petty brabble⁶⁴ will undo us all.

65

65           Why, lords, and think you not how dangerous

               It is to jet⁶⁶ upon a prince’s right?

               What, is Lavinia then become so loose,⁶⁷

               Or Bassianus so degenerate,

               That for her love such quarrels may be broached

70

70           Without controlment,⁷⁰ justice, or revenge?

               Young lords, beware! And should the empress know

               This discord’s ground,⁷² the music would not please.

CHIRON

CHIRON     I care not, I, knew she⁷³ and all the world:

               I love Lavinia more than all the world.

75

75   

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS           Youngling, learn thou to make some meaner⁷⁵ choice:

               Lavinia is thine elder brother’s hope.

AARON

AARON     Why, are ye mad? Or know ye not in Rome

               How furious and impatient they be,

               And cannot brook⁷⁹ competitors in love?

80

80           I tell you, lords, you do but plot your deaths

               By this device.⁸¹

CHIRON

CHIRON     Aaron, a thousand deaths⁸² would I propose

               T’achieve her whom I do love.

AARON

AARON     T’achieve her how?

85

85   

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS           Why mak’st⁸⁵ thou it so strange?

               She is a woman, therefore may be wooed:

               She is a woman, therefore may be won:

               She is Lavinia, therefore must be loved.

               What, man, more water glideth by the mill

90

90           Than wots the miller of, and easy it is

               Of a cut loaf to steal a shive,⁹¹ we know:

               Though Bassianus be the emperor’s brother,

               Better than he have worn Vulcan’s badge.⁹³

AARON

AARON     Ay, and as good as Saturninus may. Aside

95

95   

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS           Then why should he despair that knows to court it⁹⁵

               With words, fair looks and liberality?

               What, hast not thou full often struck⁹⁷ a doe

               And borne her cleanly by the keeper’s nose?

AARON

AARON     Why then, it seems some certain snatch⁹⁹ or so

100

100         Would serve your turns.¹⁰⁰

CHIRON

CHIRON     Ay, so the turn were served.

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     Aaron, thou hast hit it.¹⁰²

AARON

AARON     Would you had hit it too,

               Then should not we be tired with this ado.¹⁰⁴

105

105         Why, hark ye, hark ye, and are you such fools

               To square for¹⁰⁶ this? Would it offend you then

               That both should speed?

CHIRON

CHIRON     Faith, not me.

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     Nor me, so¹⁰⁹ I were one.

110

110 

AARON

AARON             For shame, be friends, and join¹¹⁰ for that you jar:

               ’Tis policy¹¹¹ and stratagem must do

               That you affect,¹¹² and so must you resolve

               That what you cannot as¹¹³ you would achieve,

               You must perforce accomplish as you may.

115

115         Take this of me: Lucrece¹¹⁵ was not more chaste

               Than this Lavinia, Bassianus’ love.

               A speedier course than ling’ring languishment¹¹⁷

               Must we pursue, and I have found the path.

               My lords, a solemn¹¹⁹ hunting is in hand:

120

120         There will the lovely Roman ladies troop:¹²⁰

               The forest walks are wide and spacious,

               And many unfrequented plots¹²² there are

               Fitted by kind¹²³ for rape and villainy.

               Single¹²⁴ you thither then this dainty doe,

125

125         And strike her home¹²⁵ by force, if not by words:

               This way or not at all stand¹²⁶ you in hope.

               Come, come, our empress, with her sacred¹²⁷ wit

               To villainy and vengeance consecrate,

               Will we acquaint with all that we intend,

130

130         And she shall file our engines¹³⁰ with advice

               That will not suffer you to square yourselves,¹³¹

               But to your wishes’ height advance you both.

               The emperor’s court is like the house of Fame,¹³³

               The palace full of tongues, of eyes, of ears.

135

135         The woods are ruthless, dreadful,¹³⁵ deaf and dull:

               There speak and strike,¹³⁶ brave boys, and take your turns:

               There serve your lusts, shadowed from heaven’s eye,

               And revel in Lavinia’s treasury.¹³⁸

CHIRON

CHIRON     Thy counsel, lad, smells of no cowardice.

140

140 

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS             Sit¹⁴⁰ fas aut nefas, till I find the streams

               To cool this heat, a charm to calm their fits,

Per Stygia, per manes vehor.¹⁴²

        Exeunt

[Act 2 Scene 2]2.2

running scene 2

        Enter Titus Andronicus and his three sons, making a noise with hounds and horns, and Marcus

TITUS

TITUS     The hunt is up,¹ the morn is bright and grey,

               The fields are fragrant and the woods are green:

               Uncouple³ here, and let us make a bay

               And wake the emperor and his lovely bride,

5

5             And rouse the prince, and ring a hunter’s peal,⁵

               That all the court may echo with the noise.

               Sons, let it be your charge,⁷ as it is ours,

               To attend the emperor’s person carefully:

               I have been troubled in my sleep this night,

10

10           But dawning day new comfort hath inspired.

        Wind horns. Here a cry of hounds and wind horns in a peal, then enter Saturninus, Tamora, Bassianus, Lavinia, Chiron, Demetrius and their Attendants

               Many good morrows to your majesty:

               Madam, to you as many and as good.

               I promised your grace a hunter’s peal.

SATURNINUS

SATURNINUS     And you have rung it lustily,¹⁴ my lords,

15

15           Somewhat too early for new-married ladies.

BASSIANUS

BASSIANUS     Lavinia, how¹⁶ say you?

LAVINIA

LAVINIA     I say, no:

               I have been broad awake two hours and more.

SATURNINUS

SATURNINUS     Come on then, horse and chariots let us have,

20

20           And to our sport.— Madam, now shall ye see To Tamora

               Our Roman hunting.

MARCUS

MARCUS     I have dogs, my lord,

               Will rouse the proudest panther in the chase²³

               And climb the highest promontory²⁴ top.

25

25   

TITUS

TITUS           And I have horse will follow where the game

               Makes way and runs like swallows o’er the plain.

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     Chiron, we hunt not, we, with horse nor hound,

               But hope to pluck a dainty doe to ground.

        Exeunt

[Act 2 Scene 3]2.3

running scene 3

        Enter Aaron alone With a bag of gold

AARON

AARON     He that had wit would think that I had none,

               To bury so much gold under a tree

               And never after to inherit³ it.

               Let him that thinks of me so abjectly

5

5             Know that this gold must coin⁵ a stratagem

               Which, cunningly effected, will beget⁶

               A very excellent piece of villainy:

               And so repose, sweet gold, for their unrest Hides the gold

               That have their alms⁹ out of the empress’ chest.

        Enter Tamora to the Moor

10

10   

TAMORA

TAMORA           My lovely Aaron, wherefore¹⁰ look’st thou sad

               When everything doth make a gleeful boast?¹¹

               The birds chant melody on every bush,

               The snake lies rollèd in the cheerful sun,

               The green leaves quiver with the cooling wind

15

15           And make a chequered shadow on the ground:

               Under their sweet shade, Aaron, let us sit,

               And whilst the babbling echo mocks the hounds,

               Replying shrilly to the well-tuned horns

               As if a double hunt were heard at once,

20

20           Let us sit down and mark their yelping noise,

               And after conflict²¹ such as was supposed

               The wand’ring²² prince and Dido once enjoyed,

               When with a happy²³ storm they were surprised

               And curtained with a counsel-keeping²⁴ cave,

25

25           We may, each wreathèd in the other’s arms,

               Our pastimes done, possess a golden slumber,

               Whiles hounds and horns and sweet melodious birds

               Be unto us as is a nurse’s song

               Of lullaby to bring her babe asleep.

30

30   

AARON

AARON           Madam, though Venus³⁰ govern your desires,

               Saturn³¹ is dominator over mine:

               What signifies my deadly-standing³² eye,

               My silence and my cloudy melancholy,

               My fleece of woolly hair that now uncurls

35

35           Even as an adder when she doth unroll

               To do some fatal execution?

               No, madam, these are no venereal³⁷ signs:

               Vengeance is in my heart, death in my hand,

               Blood and revenge are hammering in my head.

40

40           Hark Tamora, the empress of my soul,

               Which never hopes⁴¹ more heaven than rests in thee,

               This is the day of doom for Bassianus:

               His Philomel⁴³ must lose her tongue today,

               Thy sons make pillage of her chastity

45

45           And wash their hands in Bassianus’ blood.

               See’st thou this letter? Take it up,⁴⁶ I pray thee,

               And give the king this fatal-plotted scroll.

               Now question me no more: we are espied.

               Here comes a parcel⁴⁹ of our hopeful booty,

50

50           Which dreads not yet their lives’ destruction.

        Enter Bassianus and Lavinia At a distance

TAMORA

TAMORA     Ah, my sweet Moor, sweeter to me than life!

AARON

AARON     No more, great empress: Bassianus comes.

               Be cross⁵³ with him, and I’ll go fetch thy sons

               To back thy quarrels, whatsoe’er they be.

        [Exit]

55

55   

BASSIANUS

BASSIANUS           Whom have we here? Rome’s royal emperess,

               Unfurnished⁵⁶ of her well-beseeming troop?

               Or is it Dian,⁵⁷ habited like her,

               Who hath abandonèd her holy groves

               To see the general⁵⁹ hunting in this forest?

60

60   

TAMORA

TAMORA           Saucy⁶⁰ controller of our private steps,

               Had I the power that some say Dian had,

               Thy temples should be planted presently⁶²

               With horns, as was Actaeon’s,⁶³ and the hounds

               Should drive⁶⁴ upon thy new-transformèd limbs,

65

65           Unmannerly intruder as thou art.

LAVINIA

LAVINIA     Under your patience,⁶⁶ gentle emperess,

               ’Tis thought you have a goodly gift in horning,⁶⁷

               And to be doubted⁶⁸ that your Moor and you

               Are singled forth⁶⁹ to try experiments:

70

70           Jove⁷⁰ shield your husband from his hounds today —

               ’Tis pity they should take him for a stag.

BASSIANUS

BASSIANUS     Believe me, queen, your swarth⁷² Cimmerian

               Doth make your honour of his body’s hue,

               Spotted, detested and abominable.

75

75           Why are you sequestered⁷⁵ from all your train,

               Dismounted from your snow-white goodly steed,

               And wandered hither to an obscure plot,

               Accompanied with a barbarous Moor,

               If foul desire had not conducted you?

80

80   

LAVINIA

LAVINIA           And being intercepted in your sport,

               Great reason⁸¹ that my noble lord be rated

               For sauciness.— I pray you let us hence, To Bassianus

               And let her joy⁸³ her raven-coloured love:

               This valley fits the purpose passing⁸⁴ well.

85

85   

BASSIANUS

BASSIANUS           The king my brother shall have note of this.

LAVINIA

LAVINIA     Ay, for these slips⁸⁶ have made him noted long:

               Good king, to be so mightily abused.

TAMORA

TAMORA     Why, I have patience to endure all this.

        Enter Chiron and Demetrius

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     How now, dear sovereign and our gracious mother,

90

90           Why doth your highness look so pale and wan?

TAMORA

TAMORA     Have I not reason, think you, to look pale?

               These two have ’ticed⁹² me hither to this place:

               A barren detested vale you see it is.

               The trees, though summer, yet forlorn and lean,

95

95           O’ercome⁹⁵ with moss and baleful mistletoe:

               Here never shines the sun, here nothing breeds

               Unless the nightly owl or fatal⁹⁷ raven.

               And when they showed me this abhorrèd pit,

               They told me here at dead time of the night,

100

100         A thousand fiends, a thousand hissing snakes,

               Ten thousand swelling toads,¹⁰¹ as many urchins,

               Would make such fearful and confusèd cries

               As any mortal body hearing it

               Should straight¹⁰⁴ fall mad, or else die suddenly.

105

105         No sooner had they told this hellish tale,

               But straight they told me they would bind me here

               Unto the body of a dismal¹⁰⁷ yew

               And leave me to this miserable death.

               And then they called me foul adulteress,

110

110         Lascivious Goth,¹¹⁰ and all the bitterest terms

               That ever ear did hear to such effect:

               And had you not by wondrous fortune come,

               This vengeance on me had they executed.

               Revenge it as you love your mother’s life,

115

115         Or be ye not henceforth called my children.

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     This is a witness that I am thy son.

        Stab him

CHIRON

CHIRON     And this for me, struck home to show my strength. He also stabs Bassianus

LAVINIA

LAVINIA     Ay, come, Semiramis,¹¹⁸ nay, barbarous Tamora,

               For no name fits thy nature but thy own.

120

120 

TAMORA

TAMORA             Give me thy poniard:¹²⁰ you shall know, my boys

               Your mother’s hand shall right your mother’s wrong.

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     Stay, madam, here is more belongs to her:

               First thrash¹²³ the corn, then after burn the straw.

               This minion¹²⁴ stood upon her chastity,

125

125         Upon her nuptial vow, her loyalty,

               And with that painted¹²⁶ hope braves your mightiness.

               And shall she carry this unto her grave?

CHIRON

CHIRON     An if¹²⁸ she do, I would I were an eunuch.

               Drag hence her husband to some secret hole

130

130         And make his dead trunk pillow to our lust.

TAMORA

TAMORA     But when ye have the honey¹³¹ we desire,

               Let not this wasp outlive,¹³² us both to sting.

CHIRON

CHIRON     I warrant¹³³ you, madam, we will make that sure.—

               Come, mistress, now perforce¹³⁴ we will enjoy

135

135         That nice-preservèd honesty¹³⁵ of yours.

LAVINIA

LAVINIA     O Tamora, thou bear’st a woman’s face—

TAMORA

TAMORA     I will not hear her speak, away with her!

LAVINIA

LAVINIA     Sweet lords, entreat her hear me but a word.

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     Listen, fair madam: let it be your glory To Tamora

140

140         To see her tears, but be your heart to them

               As unrelenting flint to drops of rain.

LAVINIA

LAVINIA     When did the tiger’s young ones teach the dam?¹⁴²

               O, do not learn¹⁴³ her wrath: she taught it thee.

               The milk thou suck’st from her did turn to marble:

145

145         Even at thy teat thou hadst thy tyranny.¹⁴⁵

               Yet every mother breeds not sons alike:¹⁴⁶—

               Do thou entreat her show a woman pity. To Chiron

CHIRON

CHIRON     What, wouldst thou have me prove myself a bastard?

LAVINIA

LAVINIA     ’Tis true, the raven¹⁴⁹ doth not hatch a lark

150

150         Yet have I heard — O, could I find it¹⁵⁰ now! —

               The lion moved with pity did endure

               To have his princely paws¹⁵² pared all away.

               Some say that ravens foster forlorn¹⁵³ children

               The whilst their own birds¹⁵⁴ famish in their nests:

155

155         O, be to me though thy hard heart say no,

               Nothing¹⁵⁶ so kind, but something pitiful!

TAMORA

TAMORA     I know not what it¹⁵⁷ means.— Away with her!

LAVINIA

LAVINIA     O, let me teach thee for my father’s sake,

               That gave thee life when well he might have slain thee.

160

160         Be not obdurate, open thy deaf ears.

TAMORA

TAMORA     Hadst thou in person ne’er offended me,

               Even for his sake am I pitiless.

               Remember, boys, I poured forth tears in vain

               To save your brother from the sacrifice,

165

165         But fierce Andronicus would not relent.

               Therefore away with her and use¹⁶⁶ her as you will:

               The worse to her, the better loved of me.

LAVINIA

LAVINIA     O Tamora, be called a gentle queen, Clings to Tamora

               And with thine own hands kill me in this place,

170

170         For ’tis not life that I have begged so long:

               Poor I was slain when Bassianus died.

TAMORA

TAMORA     What begg’st thou, then? Fond¹⁷² woman, let me go.

LAVINIA

LAVINIA     ’Tis present¹⁷³ death I beg, and one thing more

               That womanhood¹⁷⁴ denies my tongue to tell:

175

175         O, keep me from their worse-than-killing lust,

               And tumble¹⁷⁶ me into some loathsome pit

               Where never man’s eye may behold my body.

               Do this, and be a charitable murderer.

TAMORA

TAMORA     So should I rob my sweet sons of their fee.¹⁷⁹

180

180         No, let them satisfy their lust on thee.

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     Away, for thou hast stayed¹⁸¹ us here too long. To Lavinia

LAVINIA

LAVINIA     No grace? No womanhood? Ah, beastly creature,

               The blot and enemy to our general name,¹⁸³

               Confusion¹⁸⁴ fall—

CHIRON

CHIRON     Nay, then I’ll stop your mouth.— Grabs her

185

185         Bring thou her husband: To Demetrius

               This is the hole where Aaron bid us hide him.

        [Demetrius throws Bassianus’ body into the pit, he and Chiron then exeunt, dragging off Lavinia]

TAMORA

TAMORA     Farewell, my sons: see that you make her sure.¹⁸⁷

               Ne’er let my heart know merry cheer indeed,

               Till all the Andronici¹⁸⁹ be made away.

190

190         Now will I hence to seek my lovely Moor,

               And let my spleenful¹⁹¹ sons this trull deflower.

        Exit

        Enter Aaron with two of Titus’ sons [Quintus and Martius]

AARON

AARON     Come on, my lords, the better foot before:¹⁹²

               Straight will I bring you to the loathsome pit

               Where I espied the panther fast asleep.

195

195 

QUINTUS

QUINTUS             My sight is very dull,¹⁹⁵ whate’er it bodes.

MARTIUS

MARTIUS     And mine, I promise you. Were it not for shame,

               Well could I leave our sport to sleep awhile. Falls into the pit

QUINTUS

QUINTUS     What art thou fallen? What subtle¹⁹⁸ hole is this,

               Whose mouth is covered with rude-growing¹⁹⁹ briers

200

200         Upon whose leaves are drops of new-shed blood

               As fresh as morning’s dew distilled on flowers?

               A very fatal place it seems to me.

               Speak, brother, hast thou hurt thee with the fall?

MARTIUS

MARTIUS     O brother, with the dismall’st object²⁰⁴ hurt Martius speaks from below

205

205         That ever eye with sight made heart lament!

AARON

AARON     Now will I fetch the king to find them here, Aside

               That he thereby may have a likely guess

               How these were they that made away his brother.

        Exit Aaron

MARTIUS

MARTIUS     Why dost not comfort me and help me out

210

210         From this unhallowed²¹⁰ and blood-stainèd hole?

QUINTUS

QUINTUS     I am surprisèd²¹¹ with an uncouth fear,

               A chilling sweat o’er-runs my trembling joints:

               My heart suspects more than mine eye can see.

MARTIUS

MARTIUS     To prove thou hast a true-divining heart,

215

215         Aaron and thou look down into this den,

               And see a fearful sight of blood and death.

QUINTUS

QUINTUS     Aaron is gone and my compassionate²¹⁷ heart

               Will not permit mine eyes once to behold

               The thing whereat it trembles by surmise.²¹⁹

220

220         O, tell me how it is, for ne’er till now

               Was I a child to fear I know not what.

MARTIUS

MARTIUS     Lord Bassianus lies embrewèd²²² here

               All on a heap,²²³ like to the slaughtered Iamb,

               In this detested, dark, blood-drinking pit.

225

225 

QUINTUS

QUINTUS             If it be dark, how dost thou know ’tis he?

MARTIUS

MARTIUS     Upon his bloody finger he doth wear

               A precious ring,²²⁷ that lightens all the hole,

               Which like a taper in some monument²²⁸

               Doth shine upon the dead man’s earthly²²⁹ cheeks

230

230         And shows the ragged entrails of the pit:

               So pale did shine the moon on Pyramus²³¹

               When he by night lay bathed in maiden blood.²³²

               O brother, help me with thy fainting hand —

               If fear hath made thee faint, as me it hath —

235

235         Out of this fell²³⁵ devouring receptacle,

               As hateful as Cocytus’²³⁶ misty mouth.

QUINTUS

QUINTUS     Reach me thy hand that I may help thee out Reaches into the pit

               Or, wanting²³⁸ strength to do thee so much good,

               I may be plucked into the swallowing womb²³⁹

240

240         Of this deep pit, poor Bassianus’ grave.

               I have no strength to pluck thee to the brink.

MARTIUS

MARTIUS     Nor I no strength to climb without thy help.

QUINTUS

QUINTUS     Thy hand once more: I will not loose again

               Till thou art here aloft or I below.

245

245         Thou canst not come to me: I come to thee.

        Both fall in

        Enter the Emperor, Aaron the Moor [and Attendants]

SATURNINUS

SATURNINUS     Along with me: I’ll see what hole is here,

               And what he is that now is leapt into it.—

               Say who art thou that lately didst descend Speaks into the pit

               Into this gaping hollow of the earth?

250

250 

MARTIUS

MARTIUS             The unhappy son of old Andronicus,

               Brought hither in a most unlucky hour

               To find thy brother Bassianus dead.

SATURNINUS

SATURNINUS     My brother dead? I know thou dost but jest:

               He and his lady both are at the lodge

255

255         Upon the north side of this pleasant chase.

               ’Tis not an hour since I left him there.

MARTIUS

MARTIUS     We know not where you left him all alive,

               But, out alas,²⁵⁸ here have we found him dead.

        Enter Tamora [with Attendants,] Andronicus and Lucius

TAMORA

TAMORA     Where is my lord the king?

260

260 

SATURNINUS

SATURNINUS             Here, Tamora, though gride²⁶⁰ with killing grief.

TAMORA

TAMORA     Where is thy brother Bassianus?

SATURNINUS

SATURNINUS     Now to the bottom dost thou search²⁶² my wound:

               Poor Bassianus here lies murderèd.

TAMORA

TAMORA     Then all too late I bring this fatal writ,²⁶⁴

265

265         The complot²⁶⁵ of this timeless tragedy,

               And wonder greatly that man’s face can fold²⁶⁶

               In pleasing smiles such murderous tyranny.

        She giveth Saturnine a letter

SATURNINUS

SATURNINUS     ‘An if we miss to meet him handsomely²⁶⁸

        Saturninus reads the letter

               Sweet huntsman — Bassianus ’tis we mean —

270

270         Do thou so much as dig the grave for him:

               Thou know’st our meaning. Look for thy reward

               Among the nettles at the elder tree²⁷²

               Which overshades the mouth of that same pit

               Where we decreed²⁷⁴ to bury Bassianus.

275

275         Do this, and purchase²⁷⁵ us thy lasting friends.’

               O Tamora, was ever heard the like?

               This is the pit and this the elder tree.—

               Look, sirs, if you can find the huntsman out

               That should²⁷⁹ have murdered Bassianus here.

280

280 

AARON

AARON             My gracious lord, here is the bag of gold. Finds the bag

SATURNINUS

SATURNINUS     Two of thy whelps, fell curs of bloody kind,²⁸¹ To Titus

               Have here bereft my brother of his life.—

               Sirs, drag them from the pit unto the prison:

               There let them bide until we have devised

285

285         Some never-heard-of torturing pain for them.

TAMORA

TAMORA     What, are they in this pit? O wondrous²⁸⁶ thing! ↓Attendants may pull Quintus and Martius from the pit↓

               How easily murder is discoverèd.

TITUS

TITUS     High emperor, upon my feeble knee Kneels

               I beg this boon with tears not lightly shed,

290

290         That this fell fault of my accursèd sons,

               Accursèd if the faults be proved in them—

SATURNINUS

SATURNINUS     If it be proved? You see it is apparent.²⁹²

               Who found this letter? Tamora, was it you?

TAMORA

TAMORA     Andronicus himself did take it up.

295

295 

TITUS

TITUS             I did, my lord. Yet let me be their bail,

               For by my father’s reverend tomb I vow

               They shall be ready at your highness’ will

               To answer their suspicion²⁹⁸ with their lives.

SATURNINUS

SATURNINUS     Thou shalt not bail them: see thou follow me.— ↓Titus rises↓

300

300         Some bring the murdered body, some the murderers:

               Let them not speak a word: the guilt is plain,

               For, by my soul, were there worse end than death,

               That end upon them should be executed.

TAMORA

TAMORA     Andronicus, I will entreat the king:

305

305         Fear not³⁰⁵ thy sons, they shall do well enough.

TITUS

TITUS     Come, Lucius, come. Stay not to talk with them.

        Exeunt

[Act 2 Scene 4]

running scene 3 continues

        Enter the Empress’ sons [Demetrius and Chiron] with Lavinia, her hands cut off and her tongue cut out, and ravished*

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     So, now go tell, an if thy tongue can speak,

               Who ’twas that cut thy tongue and ravished thee.

CHIRON

CHIRON     Write down thy mind, bewray³ thy meaning so,

               An if thy stumps will let thee, play the scribe.

5

5     

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS         See how with signs and tokens she can scrawl.⁵

CHIRON

CHIRON     Go home, call for sweet water,⁶ wash thy hands.

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     She hath no tongue to call, nor hands to wash,

               And so let’s leave her to her silent walks.

CHIRON

CHIRON     An ’twere my cause,⁹ I should go hang myself.

10

10   

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS           If thou hadst hands to help thee knit¹⁰ the cord.

        Exeunt [Chiron and Demetrius]

        Wind horns. Enter Marcus from hunting to Lavinia Lavinia runs away

MARCUS

MARCUS     Who is this? My niece that flies away so fast!

               Cousin,¹² a word: where is your husband? Lavinia turns back

               If I do dream, would all my wealth would wake me;

               If I do wake, some planet strike¹⁴ me down

15

15           That I may slumber in eternal sleep.

               Speak, gentle niece, what stern ungentle hands

               Have lopped and hewed and made thy body bare

               Of her two branches, those sweet ornaments,

               Whose circling shadows¹⁹ kings have sought to sleep in,

20

20           And might not gain so great a happiness

               As half thy love? Why dost not speak to me?

               Alas, a crimson river of warm blood, Lavinia opens her mouth

               Like to a bubbling fountain stirred with wind,

               Doth rise and fall between thy rosèd lips,

25

25           Coming and going with thy honey breath.

               But sure some Tereus²⁶ hath deflowered thee

               And, lest thou shouldst detect²⁷ him, cut thy tongue.

               Ah, now thou turn’st away thy face for shame,

               And notwithstanding all this loss of blood,

30

30           As from a conduit³⁰ with three issuing spouts,

               Yet do thy cheeks look red as Titan’s³¹ face

               Blushing to be encountered with a cloud.

               Shall I speak for thee? Shall I say ’tis so?

               O, that I knew thy heart, and knew the beast,

35

35           That I might rail at³⁵ him, to ease my mind.

               Sorrow concealèd, like an oven stopped,³⁶

               Doth burn the heart to cinders where it is.

               Fair Philomela, she but lost her tongue,

               And in a tedious³⁹ sampler sewed her mind.

40

40           But, lovely niece, that mean⁴⁰ is cut from thee:

               A craftier Tereus hast thou met withal,

               And he hath cut those pretty fingers off,

               That could have better sewed than Philomel.

               O, had the monster seen those lily hands

45

45           Tremble like aspen-leaves upon a lute

               And make the silken strings delight to kiss them,

               He would not then have touched them for his life.

               Or had he heard the heavenly harmony

               Which that sweet tongue hath made,

50

50           He would have dropped his knife and fell asleep,

               As Cerberus⁵¹ at the Thracian poet’s feet.

               Come, let us go, and make thy father blind,

               For such a sight will blind a father’s eye.

               One hour’s storm will drown the fragrant meads:⁵⁴

55

55           What will whole months of tears thy father’s eyes?

               Do not draw back, for we will mourn with thee.

               O, could our mourning ease thy misery!

        Exeunt

Act 3 [Scene 1]3.1

running scene 4

        Enter the Judges and Senators with Titus’ two sons [Martius and Quintus] bound, passing on the stage to the place of execution, and Titus going before, pleading

TITUS

TITUS     Hear me, grave fathers!¹ Noble tribunes, stay!

               For pity of mine age, whose youth was spent

               In dangerous wars whilst you securely slept,

               For all my blood⁴ in Rome’s great quarrel shed,

5

5             For all the frosty nights that I have watched,⁵

               And for these bitter tears which now you see

               Filling the agèd wrinkles in my cheeks,

               Be pitiful to my condemnèd sons,

               Whose souls is not corrupted as ’tis thought.

10

10           For two and twenty sons I never wept,

               Because they died in honour’s lofty bed.

        Andronicus lieth down and the Judges pass by him

               For these, two tribunes, in the dust I write

               My heart’s deep languor¹³ and my soul’s sad tears:

               Let my tears stanch¹⁴ the earth’s dry appetite,

15

15           My sons’ sweet blood will make it shame¹⁵ and blush.

        Exeunt. [Titus remains]

               O earth, I will befriend thee more with rain

               That shall distil¹⁷ from these two ancient ruins

               Than youthful April shall with all his showers.

               In summer’s drought I’ll drop upon thee still:¹⁹

20

20           In winter with warm tears I’ll melt the snow

               And keep eternal springtime on thy face,

               So²² thou refuse to drink my dear sons’ blood.

        Enter Lucius, with his weapon drawn

               O reverend tribunes, O gentle, agèd men,

               Unbind my sons, reverse the doom²⁴ of death,

25

25           And let me say, that never wept before,

               My tears are now prevailing orators.²⁶

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     O noble father, you lament in vain:

               The tribunes hear you not, no man is by,

               And you recount your sorrows to a stone.

30

30   

TITUS

TITUS           Ah, Lucius, for thy brothers let me plead.

               Grave tribunes, once more I entreat of you—

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     My gracious lord, no tribune hears you speak.

TITUS

TITUS     Why, tis no matter, man: if they did hear,

               They would not mark³⁴ me, or if they did mark,

35

35           They would not pity me.

               Therefore I tell my sorrows bootless³⁶ to the stones,

               Who, though they cannot answer my distress,

               Yet in some sort they are better than the tribunes

               For that they will not intercept³⁹ my tale:

40

40           When I do weep, they humbly at my feet

               Receive my tears and seem to weep with me,

               And were they but attirèd⁴² in grave weeds,

               Rome could afford⁴³ no tribune like to these.

               A stone is as soft wax, tribunes more hard than stones:

45

45           A stone is silent, and offendeth not,

               And tribunes with their tongues doom men to death.

               But wherefore stand’st thou with thy weapon drawn? Rises

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     To rescue my two brothers from their death,

               For which attempt the judges have pronounced

50

50           My everlasting doom of banishment.

TITUS

TITUS     O happy⁵¹ man, they have befriended thee.

               Why, foolish Lucius, dost thou not perceive

               That Rome is but a wilderness of tigers?

               Tigers must prey, and Rome affords no prey

55

55           But me and mine: how happy art thou, then,

               From these devourers to be banishèd!

               But who comes with our brother Marcus here?

        Enter Marcus and Lavinia

MARCUS

MARCUS     Titus, prepare thy noble eyes to weep,

               Or if not so, thy noble heart to break:

60

60           I bring consuming sorrow to thine age.

TITUS

TITUS     Will it consume me? Let me see it then.

MARCUS

MARCUS     This was thy daughter.

TITUS

TITUS     Why, Marcus, so she is.

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     Ay me, this object⁶⁴ kills me. Falls to his knees

65

65   

TITUS

TITUS           Faint-hearted boy, arise and look upon her.— Lucius rises

               Speak, Lavinia, what accursèd hand

               Hath made thee handless in thy father’s sight?

               What fool hath added water to the sea?

               Or brought a faggot to bright-burning Troy?

70

70           My grief was at the height before thou cam’st,

               And now like Nilus⁷¹ it disdaineth bounds.

               Give me a sword, I’ll chop off my hands too,

               For they have fought for Rome, and all in vain:

               And they have nursed⁷⁴ this woe, in feeding life:

75

75           In bootless prayer have they been held up,

               And they have served me to effectless⁷⁶ use:

               Now all the service I require of them

               Is that the one will help to cut the other.

               ’Tis well, Lavinia, that thou hast no hands,

80

80           For hands to do Rome service is but vain.

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     Speak, gentle sister: who hath martyred⁸¹ thee?

MARCUS

MARCUS     O, that delightful engine⁸² of her thoughts

               That blabbed⁸³ them with such pleasing eloquence,

               Is torn from forth that pretty hollow cage

85

85           Where, like a sweet melodious bird, it sung

               Sweet varied notes, enchanting every ear!

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     O, say thou for her: who hath done this deed?

MARCUS

MARCUS     O, thus I found her, straying in the park,⁸⁸

               Seeking to hide herself, as doth the deer

90

90           That hath received some unrecuring⁹⁰ wound.

TITUS

TITUS     It was my dear,⁹¹ and he that wounded her

               Hath hurt me more than had he killed me dead,

               For now I stand as one upon a rock

               Environed⁹⁴ with a wilderness of sea,

95

95           Who marks the waxing⁹⁵ tide grow wave by wave,

               Expecting ever⁹⁶ when some envious surge

               Will in his brinish⁹⁷ bowels swallow him.

               This way to death my wretched sons are gone:

               Here stands my other son, a banished man,

100

100         And here my brother, weeping at my woes.

               But that which gives my soul the greatest spurn¹⁰¹

               Is dear Lavinia, dearer than my soul.

               Had I but seen thy picture in this plight,

               It would have madded me. What shall I do

105

105         Now I behold thy lively¹⁰⁵ body so?

               Thou hast no hands to wipe away thy tears,

               Nor tongue to tell me who hath martyred thee:

               Thy husband he is dead, and for his death

               Thy brothers are condemned, and dead by this.¹⁰⁹—

110

110         Look, Marcus, ah, son Lucius, look on her!

               When I did name her brothers, then fresh tears

               Stood on her cheeks, as doth the honey-dew¹¹²

               Upon a gathered lily almost withered.

MARCUS

MARCUS     Perchance she weeps because they killed her husband,

115

115         Perchance because she knows them innocent.

TITUS

TITUS     If they did kill thy husband, then be joyful,

               Because the law hath ta’en revenge on them.

               No, no, they would not do so foul a deed:

               Witness the sorrow that their sister makes.

120

120         Gentle Lavinia, let me kiss thy lips

               Or make some signs how I may do thee ease:¹²¹

               Shall thy good uncle and thy brother Lucius,

               And thou and I sit round about some fountain,

               Looking all downwards to behold our cheeks,

125

125         How they are stained like meadows yet not dry,

               With miry¹²⁶ slime left on them by a flood?

               And in the fountain shall we gaze so long

               Till the fresh taste be taken from that clearness,¹²⁸

               And made a brine-pit with our bitter tears?

130

130         Or shall we cut away our hands like thine?

               Or shall we bite our tongues and in dumb shows¹³¹

               Pass the remainder of our hateful days?

               What shall we do? Let us that have our tongues

               Plot some device¹³⁴ of further miseries

135

135         To make us wondered at in time to come.

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     Sweet father, cease your tears, for at your grief

               See how my wretched sister sobs and weeps.

MARCUS

MARCUS     Patience, dear niece.— Good Titus, dry thine eyes. Gives a handkerchief

TITUS

TITUS     Ah, Marcus, Marcus, brother, well I wot¹³⁹

140

140         Thy napkin¹⁴⁰ cannot drink a tear of mine,

               For thou, poor man, hast drowned it with thine own.

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     Ah, my Lavinia, I will wipe thy cheeks.

TITUS

TITUS     Mark, Marcus, mark! I understand her signs:

               Had she a tongue to speak, now would she say

145

145         That to her brother which I said to thee.

               His napkin with his true tears all bewet

               Can do no service on her sorrowful cheeks.

               O, what a sympathy¹⁴⁸ of woe is this:

               As far from help as Limbo¹⁴⁹ is from bliss!

        Enter Aaron the Moor alone

150

AARON

150 AARON     Titus Andronicus, my lord the emperor

               Sends thee this word: that if thou love thy sons,

               Let Marcus, Lucius, or thyself, old Titus,

               Or any one of you, chop off your hand

               And send it to the king: he for the same

155

155         Will send thee hither both thy sons alive —

               And that shall be the ransom for their fault.

TITUS

TITUS     O gracious emperor, O gentle Aaron!

               Did ever raven sing so like a lark

               That gives sweet tidings of the sun’s uprise?

160

160         With all my heart, I’ll send the emperor my hand.

               Good Aaron, wilt thou help to chop it off?

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     Stay, father, for that noble hand of thine

               That hath thrown down so many enemies

               Shall not be sent. My hand will serve the turn:

165

165         My youth can better spare my blood than you,

               And therefore mine shall save my brothers’ lives.

MARCUS

MARCUS     Which of your hands hath not defended Rome,

               And reared aloft the bloody battle-axe,

               Writing destruction on the enemy’s castle?¹⁶⁹

170

170         O, none of both¹⁷⁰ but are of high desert.

               My hand hath been but idle: let it serve

               To ransom my two nephews from their death,

               Then have I kept it to a worthy end.

AARON

AARON     Nay, come, agree whose hand shall go along,

175

175         For fear they die before their pardon come.

MARCUS

MARCUS     My hand shall go.

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     By heaven, it shall not go!

TITUS

TITUS     Sirs, strive no more: such withered herbs as these

               Are meet¹⁷⁹ for plucking up, and therefore mine.

180

180 

LUCIUS

LUCIUS             Sweet father, if I shall be thought thy son,

               Let me redeem my brothers both from death.

MARCUS

MARCUS     And for our father’s sake and mother’s care,

               Now let me show a brother’s love to thee.

TITUS

TITUS     Agree between you: I will spare¹⁸⁴ my hand.

185

185 

LUCIUS

LUCIUS             Then I’ll go fetch an axe.

MARCUS

MARCUS     But I will use the axe.

        Exeunt [Lucius and Marcus]

TITUS

TITUS     Come hither, Aaron, I’ll deceive them both:

               Lend me thy hand and I will give thee mine.

AARON

AARON     If that be called deceit, I will be honest Aside

190

190         And never whilst I live deceive men so.

               But I’ll deceive you in another sort,

               And that you’ll say,¹⁹² ere half an hour pass.

        He cuts off Titus’ hand

        Enter Lucius and Marcus again

TITUS

TITUS     Now stay your strife:¹⁹³ what shall be is dispatched.

               Good Aaron, give his majesty my hand:

195

195         Tell him it was a hand that warded¹⁹⁵ him

               From thousand dangers: bid him bury it:

               More hath it merited: that¹⁹⁷ let it have.

               As for my sons, say I account of¹⁹⁸ them

               As jewels purchased at an easy price,

200

200         And yet dear²⁰⁰ too, because I bought mine own.

AARON

AARON     I go, Andronicus, and for thy hand

               Look²⁰² by and by to have thy sons with thee.—

               Their heads I mean. O, how this villainy Aside

               Doth fat²⁰⁴ me with the very thoughts of it!

205

205         Let fools do good and fair²⁰⁵ men call for grace.

               Aaron will have his soul black like his face.

        Exit

TITUS

TITUS     O, here I lift this one hand up to heaven

               And bow this feeble ruin²⁰⁸ to the earth. Kneels

               If any power pities wretched tears,

210

210         To that I call!— What, wilt thou kneel with me? Lavinia kneels

               Do then, dear heart, for heaven shall hear our prayers,

               Or with our sighs we’ll breathe the welkin²¹² dim,

               And stain the sun with fog, as sometime clouds

               When they do hug him in their melting bosoms.

215

215 

MARCUS

MARCUS             O brother, speak with possibilities,²¹⁵

               And do not break into these deep extremes.

TITUS

TITUS     Is not my sorrow deep, having no bottom?

               Then be my passions²¹⁸ bottomless with them.

MARCUS

MARCUS     But yet let reason govern thy lament.

220

220 

TITUS

TITUS             If there were reason for these miseries,

               Then into limits could I bind my woes:

               When heaven doth weep, doth not the earth o’erflow?²²²

               If the winds rage doth not the sea wax mad,

               Threat’ning the welkin with his big-swoll’n face?

225

225         And wilt thou have a reason for this coil?²²⁵

               I am the sea. Hark how her²²⁶ sighs do blow!

               She is the weeping welkin, I the earth:

               Then must my sea be movèd²²⁸ with her sighs,

               Then must my earth with her continual tears

230

230         Become a deluge overflowed and drowned,

               For why²³¹ my bowels cannot hide her woes,

               But like a drunkard must I vomit them.

               Then give me leave, for losers will have leave

               To ease their stomachs²³⁴ with their bitter tongues.

        Enter a Messenger with two heads and a hand Titus and Lavinia may rise here

235

235 

MESSENGER

MESSENGER             Worthy Andronicus, ill art thou repaid

               For that good hand thou sent’st the emperor.

               Here are the heads of thy two noble sons,

               And here’s thy hand, in scorn to thee sent back: Sets down the heads and hand

               Thy griefs their sports,²³⁹ thy resolution mocked,

240

240         That²⁴⁰ woe is me to think upon thy woes

               More than remembrance of my father’s death.

        Exit

MARCUS

MARCUS     Now let hot Aetna²⁴² cool in Sicily,

               And be my heart an ever-burning hell!

               These miseries are more than may be borne.

245

245         To weep with them that weep doth ease some deal,²⁴⁵

               But sorrow flouted²⁴⁶ at is double death.

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     Ah, that this sight should make so deep a wound,

               And yet detested life not shrink²⁴⁸ thereat!

               That ever death should let life bear his name,²⁴⁹

250

250         Where life hath no more interest but to breathe! Lavinia kisses the heads

MARCUS

MARCUS     Alas, poor heart, that kiss is comfortless

               As frozen water to a starvèd²⁵² snake.

TITUS

TITUS     When will this fearful slumber have an end?

MARCUS

MARCUS     Now farewell flattery,²⁵⁴ die Andronicus:

255

255         Thou dost not slumber. See thy two sons’ heads,

               Thy warlike hand, thy mangled daughter here,

               Thy other banished son with this dear²⁵⁷ sight

               Struck pale and bloodless, and thy brother, I,

               Even like a stony image, cold and numb.

260

260         Ah, now no more will I control²⁶⁰ thy griefs:

               Rend off thy silver hair, thy other hand

               Gnawing with thy teeth, and be this dismal sight

               The closing up of our most wretched eyes.

               Now is a time to storm. Why art thou still?

265

265 

TITUS

TITUS             Ha, ha, ha!

MARCUS

MARCUS     Why dost thou laugh? It fits not with this hour.

TITUS

TITUS     Why? I have not another tear to shed:

               Besides, this sorrow is an enemy

               And would usurp upon my wat’ry eyes

270

270         And make them blind with tributary²⁷⁰ tears.

               Then which way shall I find Revenge’s cave?

               For these two heads do seem to speak to me

               And threat²⁷³ me I shall never come to bliss

               Till all these mischiefs²⁷⁴ be returned again

275

275         Even in their throats that have committed them.

               Come, let me see what task I have to do.

               You heavy²⁷⁷ people, circle me about,

               That I may turn me to each one of you

               And swear unto my soul to right your wrongs. They make a vow

280

280         The vow is made. Come, brother, take a head,

               And in this hand the other I will bear.

               And Lavinia, thou shalt be employed in these things:

               Bear thou my hand, sweet wench, between thy teeth.

               As for thee, boy, go get thee from my sight:

285

285         Thou art an exile, and thou must not stay:

               Hie to the Goths and raise an army there,

               And if you love me, as I think you do,

               Let’s kiss and part, for we have much to do.

        Exeunt. Lucius remains

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     Farewell Andronicus, my noble father,

290

290         The woefull’st man that ever lived in Rome.

               Farewell, proud Rome, till Lucius come again.

               He loves his pledges²⁹² dearer than his life.

               Farewell, Lavinia, my noble sister,

               O, would thou wert as thou tofore²⁹⁴ hast been!

295

295         But now nor²⁹⁵ Lucius nor Lavinia lives

               But²⁹⁶ in oblivion and hateful griefs.

               If Lucius live, he will requite your wrongs

               And make proud Saturnine and his empress

               Beg at the gates, like Tarquin²⁹⁹ and his queen.

300

300         Now will I to the Goths and raise a power,³⁰⁰

               To be revenged on Rome and Saturnine.

        Exit Lucius

[Act 3 Scene 2]3.2

running scene 5

        A banquet

        Enter [Titus] Andronicus, Marcus, Lavinia and the Boy [Young Lucius]

TITUS

TITUS     So, so, now sit, and look you eat no more

               Than will preserve just so much strength in us

               As will revenge these bitter woes of ours.

               Marcus, unknit that sorrow-wreathen knot:⁴

5

5             Thy niece and I, poor creatures, want⁵ our hands

               And cannot passionate⁶ our tenfold grief

               With folded arms. This poor right hand of mine

               Is left to tyrannize⁸ upon my breast,

               Who,⁹ when my heart, all mad with misery,

10

10           Beats in this hollow prison of my flesh,

               Then thus I thump it down.—

               Thou map¹² of woe, that thus dost talk in signs, To Lavinia

               When thy poor heart beats with outrageous¹³ beating,

               Thou canst not strike it thus to make it still.

15

15           Wound it with sighing,¹⁵ girl, kill it with groans,

               Or get some little knife between thy teeth

               And just against thy heart make thou a hole,

               That all the tears that thy poor eyes let fall

               May run into that sink,¹⁹ and soaking in

20

20           Drown the lamenting fool²⁰ in sea-salt tears.

MARCUS

MARCUS     Fie, brother, fie! Teach her not thus to lay

               Such violent hands upon her tender²² life.

TITUS

TITUS     How now? Has sorrow made thee dote²³ already?

               Why, Marcus, no man should be mad but I.

25

25           What violent hands can she lay on her life?

               Ah, wherefore dost thou urge the name of hands

               To bid Aeneas²⁷ tell the tale twice o’er

               How Troy was burnt and he made miserable?

               O, handle not the theme, to talk of hands,

30

30           Lest we remember still³⁰ that we have none.

               Fie, fie, how franticly³¹ I square my talk,

               As if we should forget we had no hands

               If Marcus did not name the word of hands.

               Come, let’s fall to,³⁴ and, gentle girl, eat this.

35

35           Here is no drink! Hark, Marcus, what she says:

               I can interpret all her martyred signs —

               She says she drinks no other drink but tears,

               Brewed with her sorrow, meshed³⁸ upon her cheeks.—

               Speechless complainer,³⁹ I will learn thy thought.

40

40           In thy dumb action⁴⁰ will I be as perfect

               As begging hermits in their holy prayers:

               Thou shalt not sigh, nor hold thy stumps to heaven,

               Nor wink,⁴³ nor nod, nor kneel, nor make a sign,

               But I of these will wrest an alphabet

45

45           And by still⁴⁵ practice learn to know thy meaning.

BOY

BOY     Good grandsire,⁴⁶ leave these bitter deep laments:

               Make my aunt merry with some pleasing tale.

MARCUS

MARCUS     Alas, the tender⁴⁸ boy in passion moved

               Doth weep to see his grandsire’s heaviness.⁴⁹

50

50   

TITUS

TITUS           Peace, tender sapling, thou art made of tears,

               And tears will quickly melt thy life away.

        Marcus strikes the dish with a knife

               What dost thou strike at, Marcus, with thy knife?

MARCUS

MARCUS     At that that I have killed, my lord: a fly.

TITUS

TITUS     Out on thee,⁵⁴ murderer! Thou kill’st my heart:

55

55           Mine eyes are cloyed with view of tyranny:

               A deed of death done on the innocent

               Becomes not Titus’ brother. Get thee gone:

               I see thou art not for my company.

MARCUS

MARCUS     Alas, my lord, I have but killed a fly.

60

60   

TITUS

TITUS           ‘But’? How if that fly had a father and mother?

               How would he hang his slender gilded wings,

               And buzz lamenting doings⁶² in the air!

               Poor harmless fly,

               That with his pretty buzzing melody

65

65           Came here to make us merry, and thou hast killed him.

MARCUS

MARCUS     Pardon me, sir, it was a black ill-favoured⁶⁶ fly,

               Like to the empress’ Moor: therefore I killed him.

TITUS

TITUS     O, O, O!

               Then pardon me for reprehending thee,

70

70           For thou hast done a charitable deed.

               Give me thy knife, I will insult on⁷¹ him,

               Flattering⁷² myself as if it were the Moor

               Come hither purposely to poison me.—

               There’s for thyself, and that’s for Tamora. Takes the knife and strikes

75

75           Ah, sirrah!⁷⁵

               Yet, I think, we are not brought so low

               But that between us we can kill a fly

               That comes in likeness of a coal-black Moor.

MARCUS

MARCUS     Alas, poor man! Grief has so wrought on⁷⁹ him

80

80           He takes false shadows for true substances.

TITUS

TITUS     Come, take away.⁸¹ Lavinia, go with me:

               I’ll to thy closet,⁸² and go read with thee

               Sad stories chancèd⁸³ in the times of old.

               Come, boy, and go with me: thy sight is young,

85

85           And thou shalt read when mine begin to dazzle.⁸⁵

        Exeunt

Act 4 [Scene 1]*

running scene 6

        Enter Young Lucius and Lavinia running after him, and the Boy flies from her, with his books under his arm He drops the books

        Enter Titus and Marcus

BOY

BOY     Help, grandsire, help! My aunt Lavinia

               Follows me everywhere, I know not why.

               Good uncle Marcus, see how swift she comes.

               Alas, sweet aunt, I know not what you mean.

5

5     

MARCUS

MARCUS         Stand by me, Lucius: do not fear thy aunt.

TITUS

TITUS     She loves thee, boy, too well to do thee harm.

BOY

BOY     Ay, when my father was in Rome she did.

MARCUS

MARCUS     What means my niece Lavinia by these signs?

TITUS

TITUS     Fear her not, Lucius — somewhat⁹ doth she mean:

10

10           See, Lucius, see how much she makes of thee:

               Somewhither would she have thee go with her.

               Ah, boy, Cornelia¹² never with more care

               Read to her sons than she hath read to thee

               Sweet poetry and Tully’s¹⁴ Orator.

15

15           Canst thou not guess wherefore she plies¹⁵ thee thus?

BOY

BOY     My lord, I know not, I, nor can I guess,

               Unless some fit or frenzy do possess her,

               For I have heard my grandsire say full oft

               Extremity of griefs would make men mad,

20

20           And I²⁰ have read that Hecuba of Troy

               Ran mad through sorrow: that made me to fear,

               Although, my lord, I know my noble aunt

               Loves me as dear as e’er my mother did,

               And would not, but in fury,²⁴ fright my youth,

25

25           Which made me down to throw my books and fly,

               Causeless perhaps. But pardon me, sweet aunt:

               And, madam, if my uncle Marcus go,²⁷

               I will most willingly attend your ladyship.

MARCUS

MARCUS     Lucius, I will. Lavinia turns over the books with her stumps

30

30   

TITUS

TITUS           How now, Lavinia?— Marcus, what means this?

               Some book there is that she desires to see.

               Which is it, girl, of these?— Open them, boy.—

               But thou art deeper³³ read, and better skilled: To Lavinia

               Come, and take choice of all my library,

35

35           And so beguile³⁵ thy sorrow till the heavens

               Reveal the damned contriver of this deed.

               What book?

               Why lifts she up her arms in sequence³⁸ thus?

MARCUS

MARCUS     I think she means that there was more than one

40

40           Confederate in the fact.⁴⁰ Ay, more there was,

               Or else to heaven she heaves⁴¹ them for revenge.

TITUS

TITUS     Lucius, what book is that she tosseth⁴² so?

BOY

BOY     Grandsire, ’tis Ovid’s Metamorphosis:

               My mother gave it me.

45

45   

MARCUS

MARCUS           For love of her that’s gone,

               Perhaps she culled⁴⁶ it from among the rest.

TITUS

TITUS     Soft,⁴⁷ so busily she turns the leaves!

        Helps her

               What would she find? Lavinia, shall I read?

               This is the tragic tale of Philomel,

50

50           And treats of Tereus’ treason and his rape —

               And rape, I fear, was root of thine annoy.⁵¹

MARCUS

MARCUS     See, brother, see: note how she quotes⁵² the leaves.

TITUS

TITUS     Lavinia, wert thou thus surprised,⁵³ sweet girl,

               Ravished and wronged as Philomela was,

55

55           Forced in the ruthless, vast⁵⁵ and gloomy woods? Lavinia nods

               See, see!

               Ay, such a place there is, where we did hunt —

               O, had we never, never hunted there! —

               Patterned by that⁵⁹ the poet here describes,

60

60           By nature made for murders and for rapes.

MARCUS

MARCUS     O, why should nature build so foul a den,

               Unless the gods delight in tragedies?⁶²

TITUS

TITUS     Give signs, sweet girl — for here are none but friends —

               What Roman lord it was durst do the deed.

65

65           Or⁶⁵ slunk not Saturnine, as Tarquin erst,

               That left the camp to sin in Lucrece’ bed?

MARCUS

MARCUS     Sit down, sweet niece: brother, sit down by me.

               Apollo,⁶⁸ Pallas, Jove or Mercury

               Inspire me, that I may this treason find.

70

70           My lord, look here: look here, Lavinia.

        He writes his name with his staff, and guides it with feet and mouth

               This sandy plot is plain:⁷¹ guide, if thou canst,

               This after me.⁷² I here have writ my name

               Without the help of any hand at all.

               Cursed be that heart that forced us to that shift.⁷⁴

75

75           Write thou, good niece, and here display at last

               What God will have discovered⁷⁶ for revenge.

               Heaven guide thy pen to print thy sorrows plain,

               That we may know the traitors and the truth!

        She takes the staff in her mouth, and guides it with her stumps, and writes

TITUS

TITUS     O, do ye read, my lord, what she hath writ?

80

80           ‘Stuprum,⁸⁰ Chiron, Demetrius.’

MARCUS

MARCUS     What, what? The lustful sons of Tamora

               Performers of this heinous, bloody deed?

TITUS

TITUS     Magni⁸³ dominator poli,

               Tam lentus audis scelera, tam lentus vides?

85

85   

MARCUS

MARCUS           O, calm thee, gentle lord, although I know

               There is enough written upon this earth

               To stir a mutiny in the mildest thoughts

               And arm the minds of infants to exclaims.⁸⁸

               My lord, kneel down with me: Lavinia, kneel:

90

90           And kneel, sweet boy, the Roman Hector’s hope,⁹⁰ They kneel

               And swear with me — as, with the woeful fere⁹¹

               And father of that chaste dishonoured dame,

               Lord Junius Brutus swore for Lucrece’ rape —

               That we will prosecute⁹⁴ by good advice

95

95           Mortal revenge upon these traitorous Goths,

               And see their blood, or die with this reproach.⁹⁶ They rise

TITUS

TITUS     ’Tis sure enough, an⁹⁷ you knew how.

               But if you hunt these bear-whelps, then beware:

               The dam⁹⁹ will wake, and, if she wind you once

100

100         She’s with the lion¹⁰⁰ deeply still in league,

               And lulls him whilst she playeth¹⁰¹ on her back,

               And when he sleeps will she do¹⁰² what she list.

               You are a young¹⁰³ huntsman, Marcus: let it alone,

               And come. I will go get a leaf¹⁰⁴ of brass

105

105         And with a gad¹⁰⁵ of steel will write these words,

               And lay it by. The angry northern wind

               Will blow these sands, like Sibyl’s leaves¹⁰⁷ abroad,

               And where’s your lesson, then? Boy, what say you?

BOY

BOY     I say, my lord, that if I were a man,

110

110         Their mother’s bedchamber should not be safe

               For these bad bondmen¹¹¹ to the yoke of Rome.

MARCUS

MARCUS     Ay, that’s my boy. Thy father hath full oft

               For his ungrateful country done the like.

BOY

BOY     And, uncle, so will I, an if I live.

115

115 

TITUS

TITUS             Come, go with me into mine armoury:

               Lucius, I’ll fit¹¹⁶ thee, and withal my boy

               Shall carry from me to the empress’ sons

               Presents that I intend to send them both.

               Come, come, thou’lt do thy message, wilt thou not?

120

120 

BOY

BOY             Ay, with my dagger in their bosoms, grandsire.

TITUS

TITUS     No, boy, not so: I’ll teach thee another course.

               Lavinia, come: Marcus, look to my house:

               Lucius and I’ll go brave it¹²³ at the court.

               Ay, marry,¹²⁴ will we, sir, and we’ll be waited on.

        Exeunt. [Marcus remains]

125

125 

MARCUS

MARCUS             O heavens, can you hear a good man groan

               And not relent or not compassion¹²⁶ him?

               Marcus, attend him in his ecstasy¹²⁷

               That hath more scars of sorrow in his heart

               Than foemen’s marks upon his battered shield,

130

130         But yet so just that he will not revenge.

               Revenge, the heavens, for old Andronicus!

        Exit

[Act 4 Scene 2]4.2

running scene 7

        Enter Aaron, Chiron and Demetrius at one door, and at another door Young Lucius and another [Attendant], with a bundle of weapons and verses writ upon them

CHIRON

CHIRON     Demetrius, here’s the son of Lucius:

               He hath some message to deliver us.

AARON

AARON     Ay, some mad message from his mad grandfather.

BOY

BOY     My lords, with all the humbleness I may,

5

5             I greet your honours from Andronicus.—

               And pray the Roman gods confound⁶ you both. Aside

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     Gramercy,⁷ lovely Lucius. What’s the news?

BOY

BOY     That you are both deciphered,⁸ that’s the news, Aside

               For villains marked with rape.— May it please you, To them

10

10           My grandsire, well advised,¹⁰ hath sent by me

               The goodliest weapons of his armoury

               To gratify your honourable youth,

               The hope of Rome, for so he bade me say,

               And so I do, and with his gifts present

15

15           Your lordships, that, whenever you have need,

               You may be armèd and appointed¹⁶ well. Attendant presents the weapons

               And so I leave you both— like bloody villains. Aside

        Exeunt [Young Lucius and Attendant]

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     What’s here? A scroll, and written round about?

               Let’s see:

20

20           ‘Integer vitae,²⁰ scelerisque purus, Reads

               Non eget Mauri jaculis, nec arcu.’

CHIRON

CHIRON     O, ’tis a verse in Horace, I know it well:

               I read it in the grammar²³ long ago.

AARON

AARON     Ay, just:²⁴ a verse in Horace, right, you have it.—

25

25           Now, what a thing it is to be an ass! Aside

               Here’s no sound jest!²⁶ The old man hath found their guilt,

               And sends them weapons wrapped about with lines

               That²⁸ wound beyond their feeling to the quick.

               But were our witty²⁹ empress well afoot

30

30           She would applaud Andronicus’ conceit:³⁰

               But let her rest in her unrest³¹ awhile.—

               And now, young lords, was’t not a happy³² star To Chiron and Demetrius

               Led us to Rome, strangers, and more than so,

               Captives, to be advancèd to this height?

35

35           It did me good before the palace gate

               To brave³⁶ the tribune in his brother’s hearing.

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     But me more good to see so great a lord

               Basely insinuate³⁸ and send us gifts.

AARON

AARON     Had he not reason, Lord Demetrius?

40

40           Did you not use his daughter very friendly?⁴⁰

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     I would we had a thousand Roman dames

               At⁴² such a bay, by turn to serve our lust.

CHIRON

CHIRON     A charitable wish and full of love.

AARON

AARON     Here lacks but your mother for to say ‘Amen’.

45

45   

CHIRON

CHIRON           And that would she for twenty thousand more.⁴⁵

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     Come, let us go; and pray to all the gods

               For our belovèd mother in her pains.

AARON

AARON     Pray to the devils: the gods have given us over. Aside?

        Flourish

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     Why do the emperor’s trumpets flourish thus?

50

50   

CHIRON

CHIRON           Belike⁵⁰ for joy the emperor hath a son.

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     Soft, who comes here?

        Enter Nurse with a blackamoor child The child hidden in her arms

NURSE

NURSE     Good morrow, lords.

               O, tell me, did you see Aaron the Moor?

AARON

AARON     Well, more⁵⁴ or less, or ne’er a whit at all:

55

55           Here Aaron is, and what⁵⁵ with Aaron now?

NURSE

NURSE     O gentle Aaron, we are all undone.⁵⁶

               Now help, or woe betide thee evermore!

AARON

AARON     Why, what a caterwauling dost thou keep!

               What dost thou wrap and fumble in thine arms?

60

60   

NURSE

NURSE           O, that which I would hide from heaven’s eye,

               Our empress’ shame and stately Rome’s disgrace!

               She is delivered, lords, she is delivered.

AARON

AARON     To whom?

NURSE

NURSE     I mean, she is brought abed.

65

65   

AARON

AARON           Well, God give her good rest! What hath he sent her?

NURSE

NURSE     A devil.

AARON

AARON     Why, then she is the devil’s dam: a joyful issue.⁶⁷

NURSE

NURSE     A joyless, dismal, black, and sorrowful issue:

               Here is the babe, as loathsome as a toad

70

70           Amongst the fair-faced breeders⁷⁰ of our clime.

               The empress sends it thee, thy⁷¹ stamp, thy seal,

               And bids thee christen it with thy dagger’s point.

AARON

AARON     Out, you whore! Is black so base a hue?—

               Sweet blowse,⁷⁴ you are a beauteous blossom, sure. To the child

75

75   

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS           Villain, what hast thou done?

AARON

AARON     That which thou canst not undo.

CHIRON

CHIRON     Thou hast undone our mother.

AARON

AARON     Villain, I have done⁷⁸ thy mother.

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     And therein, hellish dog, thou hast undone.

80

80           Woe to her chance,⁸⁰ and damned her loathèd choice,

               Accursed the offspring of so foul a fiend.

CHIRON

CHIRON     It shall not live.

AARON

AARON     It shall not die.

NURSE

NURSE     Aaron, it must: the mother wills it so.

85

85   

AARON

AARON           What, must it, nurse? Then let no man but I

               Do execution on my flesh and blood.

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     I’ll broach⁸⁷ the tadpole on my rapier’s point.

               Nurse, give it me: my sword shall soon dispatch it.

AARON

AARON     Sooner this sword shall plough thy bowels up. Draws his sword and takes the child

90

90           Stay, murderous villains! Will you kill your brother?

               Now, by the burning tapers of the sky,

               That shone so brightly when this boy was got,⁹²

               He dies upon my scimitar’s sharp point

               That touches this my first-born son and heir.

95

95           I tell you, younglings, not Enceladus⁹⁵

               With all his threat’ning band of Typhon’s⁹⁶ brood,

               Nor great Alcides,⁹⁷ nor the god of war,

               Shall seize this prey out of his father’s hands.

               What, what, ye sanguine,⁹⁹ shallow-hearted boys!

100

100         Ye white-limed¹⁰⁰ walls, ye ale-house painted signs!

               Coal-black is better than another hue

               In that it scorns to bear another hue,

               For all the water in the ocean

               Can never turn the swan’s black legs to white,

105

105         Although she lave¹⁰⁵ them hourly in the flood.

               Tell the empress from me, I am of age

               To keep mine own, excuse it how she can.

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     Wilt thou betray thy noble mistress thus?

AARON

AARON     My mistress is my mistress, this¹⁰⁹ myself,

110

110         The vigour and the picture of my youth:

               This before all the world do I prefer,

               This maugre¹¹² all the world will I keep safe,

               Or some of you shall smoke¹¹³ for it in Rome.

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     By this our mother is forever shamed.

115

115 

CHIRON

CHIRON             Rome will despise her for this foul escape.¹¹⁵

NURSE

NURSE     The emperor, in his rage, will doom her death.

CHIRON

CHIRON     I blush to think upon this ignomy.¹¹⁷

AARON

AARON     Why, there’s the privilege your beauty bears:

               Fie, treacherous hue, that will betray with blushing

120

120         The close enacts¹²⁰ and counsels of the heart.

               Here’s a young lad framed¹²¹ of another leer:

               Look how the black slave¹²² smiles upon the father,

               As¹²³ who should say ‘Old lad, I am thine own.’

               He is your brother, lords, sensibly¹²⁴ fed

125

125         Of that self-blood¹²⁵ that first gave life to you,

               And from that womb where you imprisoned were

               He is enfranchisèd¹²⁷ and come to light.

               Nay, he is your brother by the surer¹²⁸ side,

               Although my seal be stampèd in his face.

130

130 

NURSE

NURSE             Aaron, what shall I say unto the empress?

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     Advise thee,¹³¹ Aaron, what is to be done,

               And we will all subscribe to thy advice.

               Save thou the child, so¹³³ we may all be safe.

AARON

AARON     Then sit we down, and let us all consult.

135

135         My son and I will have¹³⁵ the wind of you.

               Keep there: now talk at pleasure of your safety. They sit

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     How many women saw this child of his? To the Nurse

AARON

AARON     Why, so, brave lords, when we join in league

               I am a Iamb: but if you brave the Moor,

140

140         The chafèd¹⁴⁰ boar, the mountain lioness,

               The ocean swells not so as Aaron storms.—

               But say again, how many saw the child? To the Nurse

NURSE

NURSE     Cornelia the midwife and myself,

               And none else but the delivered empress.

145

145 

AARON

AARON             The empress, the midwife, and yourself:

               Two may keep counsel when the third’s away.

               Go to the empress, tell her this I said.

        He kills her

               Weke, weke!¹⁴⁸ So cries a pig preparèd to th’spit. They all stand up

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     What mean’st thou, Aaron? Wherefore didst thou this?

150

150 

AARON

AARON             O Lord, sir, ’tis a deed of policy:¹⁵⁰

               Shall she live to betray this guilt of ours,

               A long-tongued¹⁵² babbling gossip? No, lords, no:

               And now be it known to you my full intent.

               Not far, one Muly lives, my countryman:

155

155         His wife but yesternight was brought to bed:

               His child is like to her,¹⁵⁶ fair as you are.

               Go pack¹⁵⁷ with him, and give the mother gold,

               And tell them both the circumstance¹⁵⁸ of all,

               And how by this their child shall be advanced,

160

160         And be receivèd for the emperor’s heir,

               And substituted in the place of mine,

               To calm this tempest whirling in the court,

               And let the emperor dandle him for his own.

               Hark ye, lords, ye see I have given her physic,¹⁶⁴

165

165         And you must needs bestow¹⁶⁵ her funeral:

               The fields are near and you are gallant grooms.¹⁶⁶

               This done, see that you take no longer days,¹⁶⁷

               But send the midwife presently¹⁶⁸ to me.

               The midwife and the nurse well made away,

170

170         Then let the ladies tattle what they please.

CHIRON

CHIRON     Aaron, I see thou wilt not trust the air With secrets.

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     For this care of Tamora,

               Herself and hers are highly bound to thee.

        Exeunt [Demetrius and Chiron with the body]

175

175 

AARON

AARON             Now to the Goths, as swift as swallow flies,

               There to dispose this treasure in mine arms,

               And secretly to greet the empress’ friends.

               Come on, you thick-lipped slave, I’ll bear you hence,

               For it is you that puts us to our shifts:¹⁷⁹

180

180         I’ll make you feed on berries and on roots,

               And feed on curds and whey,¹⁸¹ and suck the goat,

               And cabin¹⁸² in a cave, and bring you up

               To be a warrior and command a camp.

        Exit

[Act 4 Scene 3]4.3

running scene 8

        Enter Titus, Old Marcus, Young Lucius and other Gentlemen [Publius, Sempronius, Caius] with bows and Titus bears the arrows with letters on the end of them

TITUS

TITUS     Come, Marcus, come, kinsmen: this is the way.

               Sir Boy, let me see your archery.

               Look ye draw home³ enough, and ’tis there straight.

               Terras Astraea reliquit⁴: be you remembered,

5

5             Marcus, she’s gone, she’s fled.— Sirs, take you to your tools.

               You, cousins,⁶ shall go sound the ocean,

               And cast your nets:

               Haply⁸ you may find her in the sea,

               Yet there’s⁹ as little justice as at land.

10

10           No, Publius and Sempronius, you must do it,

               ’Tis you must dig with mattock¹¹ and with spade,

               And pierce the inmost centre of the earth.

               Then, when you come to Pluto’s region,¹³

               I pray you deliver him this petition.

15

15           Tell him, it is for justice and for aid,

               And that it comes from old Andronicus,

               Shaken with sorrows in ungrateful Rome.—

               Ah, Rome! Well, well, I made thee miserable

               What time¹⁹ I threw the people’s suffrages

20

20           On him that thus doth tyrannize o’er me.—

               Go, get you gone, and pray be careful all,

               And leave you not a man-of-war²² unsearched:

               This wicked emperor may have shipped her²³ hence,

               And, kinsmen, then we may go pipe for²⁴ justice.

25

25   

MARCUS

MARCUS           O Publius, is not this a heavy case,²⁵

               To see thy noble uncle thus distract?²⁶

PUBLIUS

PUBLIUS     Therefore, my lords, it highly us concerns

               By day and night t’attend him carefully²⁸

               And feed his humour²⁹ kindly as we may,

30

30           Till time beget some careful³⁰ remedy.

MARCUS

MARCUS     Kinsmen, his sorrows are past remedy.

               Join³² with the Goths and with revengeful war

               Take wreak³³ on Rome for this ingratitude,

               And vengeance on the traitor Saturnine.

35

35   

TITUS

TITUS           Publius, how now? How now, my masters?

               What, have you met with her?³⁶

PUBLIUS

PUBLIUS     No, my good lord, but Pluto sends you word

               If you will have Revenge from hell, you shall.

               Marry, for³⁹ Justice, she is so employed,

40

40           He thinks with Jove in heaven or somewhere else,

               So that perforce⁴¹ you must needs stay a time.

TITUS

TITUS     He doth me wrong to feed me with delays.

               I’ll dive into the burning lake⁴³ below

               And pull her out of Acheron by the heels.

45

45           Marcus, we are but shrubs, no cedars we,

               No big-boned men framed of the Cyclops’⁴⁶ size,

               But metal, Marcus, steel to the very back,

               Yet wrung⁴⁸ with wrongs more than our backs can bear.

               And sith⁴⁹ there’s no justice in earth nor hell,

50

50           We will solicit heaven and move⁵⁰ the gods

               To send down Justice for to⁵¹ wreak our wrongs.

               Come, to this gear.⁵² You are a good archer, Marcus:

        He gives them the arrows

               ‘Ad Jovem’, that’s for you: here, ‘Ad Apollinem’:

               ‘Ad Martem’,⁵⁴ that’s for myself:

55

55           Here, boy, to Pallas: here, to Mercury:

               To Saturn, Caius, not to Saturnine.

               You⁵⁷ were as good to shoot against the wind.

               To it, boy! Marcus, loose⁵⁸ when I bid.

               Of⁵⁹ my word, I have written to effect:

60

60           There’s not a god left unsolicited.

MARCUS

MARCUS     Kinsmen, shoot all your shafts into the court:

               We will afflict the emperor in his pride.

TITUS

TITUS     Now, masters, draw. They draw and shoot

               O, well said,⁶⁴ Lucius.

65

65           Good boy, in Virgo’s⁶⁵ lap. Give it Pallas.

MARCUS

MARCUS     My lord, I aim a mile beyond the moon:

               Your letter is with Jupiter by this.

TITUS

TITUS     Ha, ha!

               Publius, Publius, what hast thou done?

70

70           See, see, thou hast shot off one of Taurus’⁷⁰ horns.

MARCUS

MARCUS     This was the sport, my lord: when Publius shot,

               The bull, being galled,⁷² gave Aries such a knock

               That down fell both the ram’s horns⁷³ in the court,

               And who should find them but the empress’ villain!⁷⁴

75

75           She laughed and told the Moor he should not choose

               But give them to his master for a present.

TITUS

TITUS     Why, there it goes:⁷⁷ God give his lordship joy!

        Enter the Clown with a basket and two pigeons in it

               News, news from heaven! Marcus, the post⁷⁸ is come.—

               Sirrah, what tidings? Have you any letters?

80

80           Shall I have justice? What says Jupiter?

CLOWN

CLOWN     Ho, the gibbet-maker!⁸¹ He says that he hath taken them down again, for the man must not be hanged till the next week.

TITUS

TITUS     But what says Jupiter, I ask thee?

CLOWN

CLOWN     Alas, sir, I know not Jupiter: I never drank with him in all my life.

TITUS

TITUS     Why, villain, art not thou the carrier?⁸⁵

CLOWN

CLOWN     Ay, of my pigeons, sir, nothing else.

TITUS

TITUS     Why, didst thou not come from heaven?

CLOWN

CLOWN     From heaven? Alas, sir, I never came there: God forbid I should be so bold to press⁸⁹ to heaven in my young days. Why, I am going with my pigeons to the tribunal plebs⁹⁰ to take up a matter of brawl betwixt my uncle and one of the emperial’s⁹¹ men.

MARCUS

MARCUS     To Titus Why, sir, that is as fit as can be to serve for your oration,⁹² and let him deliver the pigeons to the emperor from you.

TITUS

TITUS     Tell me, can you deliver an oration to the emperor with a grace?⁹⁴

CLOWN

CLOWN     Nay, truly, sir, I could never say grace in all my life.

TITUS

TITUS     Sirrah, come hither: make no more ado,⁹⁶

               But give your pigeons to the emperor.

               By me thou shalt have justice at his hands.

               Hold,⁹⁹ hold — meanwhile here’s money for thy charges.

100

100         Give me pen and ink. Writes

               Sirrah, can you with a grace deliver a supplication?¹⁰¹

CLOWN

CLOWN     Ay, sir.

TITUS

TITUS     Gives the letter Then here is a supplication for you, and when you come to him, at the first approach you must kneel, then kiss his foot, then deliver up your pigeons, and

                  then look for¹⁰⁵ your reward. I’ll be at hand, sir: see you do it bravely.

CLOWN

CLOWN     I warrant you, sir, let me alone.¹⁰⁶

TITUS

TITUS     Sirrah, hast thou a knife? Come, let me see it.—

               Here, Marcus, fold it in the oration—

               For thou must take it like an humble suppliant. To the Clown

110

110         And when thou hast given it the emperor,

               Knock at my door, and tell me what he says.

CLOWN

CLOWN     God be with you, sir. I will.

        Exit

TITUS

TITUS     Come, Marcus, let us go.— Publius, follow me.

        Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 4]*

running scene 8 continues

        Enter Emperor and Empress and her two sons [and Attendants]. The Emperor brings the arrows in his hand that Titus shot at him

SATURNINUS

SATURNINUS     Why, lords, what wrongs are these? Was ever seen

               An emperor in Rome thus overborne,²

               Troubled, confronted thus, and for the extent³

               Of equal justice, used in such contempt?

5

5             My lords, you know, as know the mightful⁵ gods,

               However these disturbers of our peace

               Buzz in the people’s ears, there nought hath passed⁷

               But even⁸ with law against the wilful sons

               Of old Andronicus. And what an if

10

10           His sorrows have so overwhelmed his wits,

               Shall we be thus afflicted in his wreaks,¹¹

               His fits, his frenzy, and his bitterness?

               And now he writes to heaven for his redress.

               See, here’s ‘To Jove’, and this ‘To Mercury’,

15

15           This ‘To Apollo’, this ‘To the god of war’:

               Sweet scrolls to fly about the streets of Rome!

               What’s this but libelling against the senate

               And blazoning¹⁸ our injustice everywhere?

               A goodly humour,¹⁹ is it not, my lords?

20

20           As who would say, in Rome no justice were.

               But if I live, his feignèd ecstasies

               Shall be no shelter to these outrages,

               But he and his shall know that justice lives

               In Saturninus’ health, whom, if she²⁴ sleep,

25

25           He’ll so awake as she in fury shall

               Cut off the proud’st conspirator that lives.

TAMORA

TAMORA     My gracious lord, my lovely Saturnine,

               Lord of my life, commander of my thoughts,

               Calm thee and bear the faults of Titus’ age,

30

30           Th’effects of sorrow for his valiant sons

               Whose loss hath pierced him deep and scarred his heart;

               And rather comfort his distressèd plight

               Than prosecute the meanest³³ or the best

               For these contempts.— Why, thus it shall become

        Aside

35

35           High-witted³⁵ Tamora to gloze withal.

               But, Titus, I have touched thee to the quick,

               Thy life-blood out: if Aaron now be wise,

               Then is all safe, the anchor’s in the port.—

        Enter Clown

               How now, good fellow, wouldst thou speak with us?

40   

CLOWN

CLOWN           Yea, forsooth,⁴⁰ an your mistership be emperial.

TAMORA

TAMORA     Empress I am, but yonder sits the emperor.

CLOWN

CLOWN     ’Tis he. God and Saint Stephen give you good e’en.⁴² I have brought you a letter and a couple of pigeons here.

        Saturninus reads the letter

SATURNINUS

SATURNINUS     Go, take him away and hang him presently.

45

45   

CLOWN

CLOWN           How much money must I⁴⁵ have?

TAMORA

TAMORA     Come, sirrah, you must be hanged.

CLOWN

CLOWN     Hanged? By’r lady,⁴⁷ then I have brought up a neck to a fair end.

        Exit [guarded]

SATURNINUS

SATURNINUS     Despiteful and intolerable wrongs!

               Shall I endure this monstrous villainy?

50

50           I know from whence this same device⁵⁰ proceeds.

               May this be borne as if his traitorous sons,

               That died by law for murder of our brother,

               Have by my means been butchered wrongfully?

               Go, drag the villain hither by the hair:

55

55           Nor age nor honour shall shape privilege.⁵⁵

               For this proud mock I’ll be thy slaughterman,⁵⁶

               Sly frantic⁵⁷ wretch that holp’st to make me great

               In hope thyself should govern Rome and me.

        Enter a Messenger, Emillius

               What news with thee, Emillius?

60

60   

EMILLIUS

EMILLIUS           Arm, my lords! Rome never had more cause:

               The Goths have gathered head,⁶¹ and with a power

               Of high-resolvèd men bent⁶² to the spoil

               They hither march amain,⁶³ under conduct

               Of Lucius, son to old Andronicus,

65

65           Who threats in course of this revenge to do

               As much as ever Coriolanus⁶⁶ did.

SATURNINUS

SATURNINUS     Is warlike Lucius general of the Goths?

               These tidings nip me⁶⁸ and I hang the head

               As flowers with frost or grass beat down with storms.

70

70           Ay, now begins our sorrows to approach:

               ’Tis he the common people love so much.

               Myself hath often heard them say,

               When I have walkèd⁷³ like a private man,

               That Lucius’ banishment was wrongfully,⁷⁴

75

75           And they have wished that Lucius were their emperor.

TAMORA

TAMORA     Why should you fear? Is not our city strong?

SATURNINUS

SATURNINUS     Ay, but the citizens favour Lucius,

               And will revolt from me to succour him.

TAMORA

TAMORA     King, be thy thoughts imperious, like thy name.⁷⁹

80

80           Is the sun dimmed, that gnats do fly in it?

               The eagle suffers⁸¹ little birds to sing,

               And is not careful⁸² what they mean thereby,

               Knowing that with the shadow of his wings

               He can at pleasure stint⁸⁴ their melody:

85

85           Even so mayst thou the giddy⁸⁵ men of Rome.

               Then cheer thy spirit, for know thou, emperor,

               I will enchant the old Andronicus

               With words more sweet and yet more dangerous

               Than baits to fish or honey-stalks⁸⁹ to sheep,

90

90           When as the one is wounded with the bait,

               The other rotted⁹¹ with delicious food.

SATURNINUS

SATURNINUS     But he will not entreat his son for us.

TAMORA

TAMORA     If Tamora entreat him, then he will,

               For I can smooth⁹⁴ and fill his agèd ear

95

95           With golden promises that, were his heart

               Almost impregnable, his old ears deaf,

               Yet should both ear and heart obey my tongue.

               Go thou before to be our ambassador: To Emillius

               Say that the emperor requests a parley⁹⁹

100

100         Of warlike Lucius, and appoint¹⁰⁰ the meeting

               Even at his father’s house, the old Andronicus.

SATURNINUS

SATURNINUS     Emillius, do this message honourably:

               And if he stand in¹⁰³ hostage for his safety,

               Bid him demand what pledge will please him best.

105

105 

EMILLIUS

EMILLIUS             Your bidding shall I do effectually.¹⁰⁵

        Exit

TAMORA

TAMORA     Now will I to that old Andronicus,

               And temper¹⁰⁷ him with all the art I have,

               To pluck proud Lucius from the warlike Goths.

               And now, sweet emperor, be blithe again,

110

110         And bury all thy fear in my devices.

SATURNINUS

SATURNINUS     Then go successantly,¹¹¹ and plead to him.

        Exeunt

Act 5 [Scene 1]5.1

running scene 9

        Flourish. Enter Lucius with an army of Goths with Drum and Soldiers

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     Approvèd¹ warriors and my faithful friends,

               I have receivèd letters from great Rome

               Which signifies what hate they bear their emperor,

               And how desirous of our sight they are.

5

5             Therefore, great lords, be, as⁵ your titles witness,

               Imperious and impatient of your wrongs,

               And wherein Rome hath done you any scathe⁷

               Let him make treble satisfaction.

FIRST GOTH

FIRST GOTH     Brave slip⁹ sprung from the great Andronicus,

10

10           Whose name was once our terror, now our comfort,

               Whose high exploits and honourable deeds

               Ingrateful Rome requites with foul contempt,

               Be bold¹³ in us. we’ll follow where thou lead’st,

               Like stinging bees in hottest summer’s day

15

15           Led by their master¹⁵ to the flowered fields,

               And be avenged on cursèd Tamora.

ALL THE GOTHS

ALL THE GOTHS     And as he saith, so say we all with him.

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     I humbly thank him, and I thank you all.

               But who comes here, led by a lusty¹⁹ Goth?

        Enter a Goth, leading of Aaron with his child in his arms

20

20   

SECOND GOTH

SECOND GOTH           Renownèd Lucius, from our troops I strayed

               To gaze upon a ruinous monastery,

               And as I earnestly²² did fix mine eye

               Upon the wasted building, suddenly

               I heard a child cry underneath a wall.

25

25           I made unto the noise, when soon I heard

               The crying babe controlled²⁶ with this discourse:

               ‘Peace, tawny²⁷ slave, half me and half thy dam!

               Did not thy hue bewray²⁸ whose brat thou art,

               Had nature lent thee but thy mother’s look,

30

30           Villain, thou mightst have been an emperor.

               But where the bull and cow are both milk-white,

               They never do beget a coal-black calf.

               Peace, villain, peace!’ — even thus he rates³³ the babe —

               ‘For I must bear thee to a trusty Goth

35

35           Who, when he knows thou art the empress’ babe,

               Will hold thee dearly for thy mother’s sake.’

               With this, my weapon drawn, I rushed upon him,

               Surprised him suddenly, and brought him hither

               To use³⁹ as you think needful of the man.

40

40   

LUCIUS

LUCIUS           O worthy Goth, this is the incarnate devil

               That robbed Andronicus of his good hand,

               This is the pearl⁴² that pleased your empress’ eye,

               And here’s the base fruit⁴³ of his burning lust.—

               Say, wall-eyed⁴⁴ slave, whither wouldst thou convey To Aaron

45

45           This growing image of thy fiend-like face?

               Why dost not speak? What, deaf? Not a word?

               A halter, soldiers! Hang him on this tree,

               And by his side his fruit of bastardy.

AARON

AARON     Touch not the boy, he is of royal blood.

50

50   

LUCIUS

LUCIUS           Too like the sire⁵⁰ for ever being good.

               First hang the child, that he may see it sprawl:⁵¹

               A sight to vex the father’s soul withal.⁵²

               Get me a ladder. A ladder is brought which Aaron is made to climb

AARON

AARON     Lucius, save the child, A Goth takes the child

55

55           And bear it from me to the emperess.

               If thou do this, I’ll show thee wondrous things

               That highly may advantage thee to hear.

               If thou wilt not, befall what may befall,

               I’ll speak no more but ‘Vengeance rot you all!’

60

60   

LUCIUS

LUCIUS           Say on, an if it please me which thou speak’st,

               Thy child shall live and I will see it nourished.

AARON

AARON     An if it please thee? Why, assure thee, Lucius,

               ’Twill vex thy soul to hear what I shall speak,

               For I must talk of murders, rapes and massacres,

65

65           Acts of black night, abominable deeds,

               Complots⁶⁶ of mischief, treason, villainies

               Ruthful⁶⁷ to hear yet piteously performed:

               And this shall all be buried by my death

               Unless thou swear to me my child shall live.

70

70   

LUCIUS

LUCIUS           Tell on thy mind, I say thy child shall live.

AARON

AARON     Swear that he shall and then I will begin.

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     Who should I swear by? Thou believest no god:

               That granted, how canst thou believe an oath?

AARON

AARON     What if I do not? — As indeed I do not —

75

75           Yet for⁷⁵ I know thou art religious

               And hast a thing within thee called conscience,

               With twenty popish⁷⁷ tricks and ceremonies

               Which I have seen thee careful to observe:

               Therefore I urge thy oath, for that I know

80

80           An idiot holds his bauble⁸⁰ for a god

               And keeps the oath which by that god he swears,

               To that I’ll urge him: therefore thou shalt vow

               By that same god, what god soe’er it be,

               That thou ador’st and hast in reverence,

85

85           To save my boy, to nourish and bring him up,

               Or else I will discover⁸⁶ nought to thee.

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     Even by my god I swear to thee I will.

AARON

AARON     First know thou I begot him on the empress.

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     O most insatiate, luxurious⁸⁹ woman!

90

90   

AARON

AARON           Tut, Lucius, this was but a deed of charity

               To⁹¹ that which thou shalt hear of me anon.

               ’Twas her two sons that murdered Bassianus,

               They cut thy sister’s tongue and ravished her

               And cut her hands off and trimmed⁹⁴ her as thou saw’st.

95

95   

LUCIUS

LUCIUS           O detestable villain! Call’st thou that trimming?

AARON

AARON     Why, she was washed⁹⁶ and cut and trimmed, and ’twas

               Trim⁹⁷ sport for them that had the doing of it.

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     O barbarous, beastly villains, like thyself!

AARON

AARON     Indeed, I was their tutor to instruct them.

100

100         That codding¹⁰⁰ spirit had they from their mother,

               As¹⁰¹ sure a card as ever won the set:

               That bloody¹⁰² mind, I think, they learned of me,

               As true a dog¹⁰³ as ever fought at head.

               Well, let my deeds be witness of my worth.

105

105         I trained¹⁰⁵ thy brethren to that guileful hole

               Where the dead corpse of Bassianus lay:

               I wrote the letter that thy father found,

               And hid the gold within the letter mentioned,

               Confederate¹⁰⁹ with the queen and her two sons:

110

110         And what not done, that thou hast cause to rue

               Wherein I had no stroke of mischief in it?

               I played the cheater¹¹² for thy father’s hand,

               And when I had it, drew myself apart

               And almost broke my heart with extreme laughter:

115

115         I pried me¹¹⁵ through the crevice of a wall

               When for his hand he had his two sons’ heads,

               Beheld his tears and laughed so heartily

               That both mine eyes were rainy like to his.

               And when I told the empress of this sport,

120

120         She swoonèd almost at my pleasing tale

               And for my tidings gave me twenty kisses.

A GOTH

A GOTH     What, canst thou say all this and never blush?

AARON

AARON     Ay, like a black dog, as¹²³ the saying is.

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     Art thou not sorry for these heinous deeds?

125

125 

AARON

AARON             Ay, that I had not done a thousand more.

               Even now I curse the day — and yet I think

               Few come within the compass of my curse —

               Wherein I did not some notorious ill,

               As kill a man or else devise his death,

130

130         Ravish a maid or plot the way to do it,

               Accuse some innocent and forswear myself,¹³¹

               Set deadly enmity between two friends,

               Make poor men’s cattle break their necks,

               Set fire on barns and haystacks in the night

135

135         And bid the owners quench them with their tears.

               Oft have I digged up dead men from their graves

               And set them upright at their dear friends’ door,

               Even when their sorrows almost was forgot,

               And on their skins, as on the bark of trees,

140

140         Have with my knife carved in Roman letters,

               ‘Let not your sorrow die, though I am dead.’

               Tut, I have done a thousand dreadful things

               As willingly as one would kill a fly,

               And nothing grieves me heartily indeed

145

145         But that I cannot do ten thousand more.

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     Bring down the devil, for he must not die

               So sweet a death as hanging presently.¹⁴⁷ Aaron is made to climb down

AARON

AARON     If there be devils, would I were a devil,

               To live and burn in everlasting fire,

150

150         So I might have your company in hell,

               But to torment you with my bitter tongue.

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     Sirs, stop his mouth and let him speak no more. Aaron is gagged

        Enter Emillius

A GOTH

A GOTH     My lord, there is a messenger from Rome

               Desires to be admitted to your presence.

155

155 

LUCIUS

LUCIUS             Let him come near.

               Welcome, Emillius what’s the news from Rome?

EMILLIUS

EMILLIUS     Lord Lucius, and you princes of the Goths,

               The Roman emperor greets you all by me,

               And for¹⁵⁹ he understands you are in arms,

160

160         He craves a parley at your father’s house,

               Willing you to demand your hostages,¹⁶¹

               And they shall be immediately delivered.

A GOTH

A GOTH     What says our general?

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     Emillius, let the emperor give his pledges

165

165         Unto my father and my uncle Marcus,

               And we will come. March away.

        Flourish. Exeunt

[Act 5 Scene 2]5.2

running scene 10

        Enter Tamora and her two sons [Demetrius and Chiron,] disguised

TAMORA

TAMORA     Thus, in this strange and sad habiliment,¹

               I will encounter with Andronicus

               And say I am Revenge, sent from below

               To join with him and right his heinous wrongs:

5

5             Knock at his study, where they say he keeps,⁵

               To ruminate strange plots of dire revenge:

               Tell⁷ him Revenge is come to join with him

               And work confusion⁸ on his enemies.

               They knock and Titus opens his study door Aloft or within, holding papers

TITUS

TITUS     Who doth molest my contemplation?

10

10           Is it your trick to make me ope¹⁰ the door,

               That so my sad decrees¹¹ may fly away

               And all my study be to no effect?

               You are deceived, for what I mean to do

               See here in bloody lines¹⁴ I have set down,

15

15           And what is written shall be executed.¹⁵

TAMORA

TAMORA     Titus, I am come to talk with thee.

TITUS

TITUS     No, not a word. How can I grace¹⁷ my talk,

               Wanting¹⁸ a hand to give it action?

               Thou hast the odds of¹⁹ me, therefore no more.

20

20   

TAMORA

TAMORA           If thou didst know me, thou would’st talk with me.

TITUS

TITUS     I am not mad, I know thee well enough:

               Witness this wretched stump, witness these crimson lines,

               Witness these trenches²³ made by grief and care,

               Witness the tiring day and heavy²⁴ night,

25

25           Witness all sorrow, that I know thee well

               For our proud empress, mighty Tamora.

               Is not thy coming for my other hand?

TAMORA

TAMORA     Know, thou sad man, I am not Tamora:

               She is thy enemy and I thy friend.

30

30           I am Revenge, sent from th’infernal kingdom

               To ease the gnawing vulture of thy mind

               By working wreakful³² vengeance on thy foes.

               Come down and welcome me to this world’s light,

               Confer with me of murder and of death:

35

35           There’s not a hollow cave or lurking place,

               No vast obscurity or misty vale

               Where bloody murder or detested rape

               Can couch³⁸ for fear, but I will find them out,

               And in their ears tell them my dreadful³⁹ name,

40

40           Revenge, which makes the foul offenders quake.

TITUS

TITUS     Art thou Revenge? And art thou sent to me

               To be a torment to mine enemies?

TAMORA

TAMORA     I am: therefore come down and welcome me.

TITUS

TITUS     Do me some service ere I come to thee.

45

45           Lo by thy side where Rape and Murder stands:

               Now give some surance⁴⁶ that thou art Revenge:

               Stab them or tear them on thy chariot-wheels,

               And then I’ll come and be thy wagoner,

               And whirl along with thee about the globes,⁴⁹

50

50           Provide thee two proper palfreys,⁵⁰ as black as jet,

               To hale⁵¹ thy vengeful wagon swift away,

               And find out murder⁵² in their guilty caves.

               And when thy car⁵³ is loaden with their heads,

               I will dismount and by the wagon wheel

55

55           Trot like a servile footman all day long,

               Even from Hyperion’s⁵⁶ rising in the east

               Until his very downfall⁵⁷ in the sea.

               And day by day I’ll do this heavy task,

               So⁵⁹ thou destroy Rapine and Murder there.

60

60   

TAMORA

TAMORA           These are my ministers, and come with me.

TITUS

TITUS     Are these thy ministers? What are they called?

TAMORA

TAMORA     Rape and Murder, therefore callèd so,

               Cause they take vengeance of⁶³ such kind of men.

TITUS

TITUS     Good Lord, how like the empress’ sons they are,

65

65           And you the empress! But we worldly⁶⁵ men

               Have miserable, mad, mistaking eyes.

               O sweet Revenge, now do I come to thee,

               And if one arm’s embracement will content thee,

               I will embrace thee in it by and by.

               [Exit aloft or within]

70

70   

TAMORA

TAMORA           This closing⁷⁰ with him fits his lunacy:

               Whate’er I forge⁷¹ to feed his brainsick fits,

               Do you uphold and maintain in your speeches,

               For now he firmly takes me for Revenge,

               And, being credulous in this mad thought,

75

75           I’ll make him send for Lucius his son,

               And whilst I at a banquet hold him sure,⁷⁶

               I’ll find some cunning practice⁷⁷ out of hand

               To scatter and disperse the giddy⁷⁸ Goths,

               Or at the least make them his enemies.

80

80           See, here he comes, and I must ply my theme.⁸⁰

               [Enter Titus, on main stage]

TITUS

TITUS     Long have I been forlorn, and all for thee.

               Welcome, dread Fury,⁸² to my woeful house:

               Rapine and Murder, you are welcome too.

               How like the empress and her sons you are!

85

85           Well are you fitted,⁸⁵ had you but a Moor:

               Could not all hell afford you such a devil?

               For well I wot the empress never wags⁸⁷

               But in her company there is a Moor,

               And, would you represent our queen aright

90

90           It were convenient⁹⁰ you had such a devil.

               But welcome as you are. What shall we do?

TAMORA

TAMORA     What wouldst thou have us do, Andronicus?

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     Show me a murderer, I’ll deal with⁹³ him.

CHIRON

CHIRON     Show me a villain that hath done a rape,

95

95           And I am sent to be revenged on him.

TAMORA

TAMORA     Show me a thousand that have done thee wrong,

               And I’ll be revengèd on them all.

TITUS

TITUS     Look round about the wicked streets of Rome, To Demetrius

               And when thou find’st a man that’s like thyself,

100

100         Good Murder, stab him: he’s a murderer.—

               Go thou with him, and when it is thy hap¹⁰¹ To Chiron

               To find another that is like to thee,

               Good Rapine, stab him: he is a ravisher.—

               Go thou with them, and in the emperor’s court To Tamora

105

105         There is a queen, attended by a Moor —

               Well mayst thou know her by thy own proportion,¹⁰⁶

               For up and down¹⁰⁷ she doth resemble thee —

               I pray thee do on them some violent death:

               They have been violent to me and mine.

110

110 

TAMORA

TAMORA             Well hast thou lessoned us: this shall we do.

               But would it please thee, good Andronicus,

               To send for Lucius, thy thrice-valiant son,

               Who leads towards Rome a band of warlike Goths,

               And bid him come and banquet at thy house?

115

115         When he is here, even at thy solemn¹¹⁵ feast,

               I will bring in the empress and her sons,

               The emperor himself and all thy foes,

               And at thy mercy shall they stoop and kneel,

               And on them shalt thou ease thy angry heart.

120

120         What says Andronicus to this device?

               Enter Marcus

TITUS

TITUS     Marcus, my brother! ’Tis sad Titus calls.

               Go, gentle Marcus, to thy nephew Lucius —

               Thou shalt inquire him out among the Goths —

               Bid him repair¹²⁴ to me and bring with him

125

125         Some of the chiefest princes of the Goths.

               Bid him encamp his soldiers where they are:

               Tell him the emperor and the empress too

               Feasts at my house, and he shall feast with them.

               This do thou for my love, and so let him,

130

130         As he regards his agèd father’s life.

MARCUS

MARCUS     This will I do, and soon return again.

        [Exit]

TAMORA

TAMORA     Now will I hence about thy business,

               And take my ministers along with me.

TITUS

TITUS     Nay, nay, let Rape and Murder stay with me,

135

135         Or else I’ll call my brother back again,

               And cleave to no revenge but¹³⁶ Lucius.

TAMORA

TAMORA     What say you, boys? Will you bide with him Aside to her sons

               Whiles I go tell my lord the emperor

               How I have governed¹³⁹ our determined jest?

140

140         Yield to his humour, smooth¹⁴⁰ and speak him fair,

               And tarry with him till I turn¹⁴¹ again.

TITUS

TITUS     I know them all, though they suppose me mad, Aside

               And will o’erreach them in their own devices:

               A pair of cursèd hell-hounds and their dam!

145

145 

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS             Madam, depart at pleasure, leave us here.

TAMORA

TAMORA     Farewell, Andronicus: Revenge now goes

               To lay a complot to betray thy foes.

TITUS

TITUS     I know thou dost, and, sweet Revenge, farewell.

               [Exit Tamora]

CHIRON

CHIRON     Tell us, old man, how shall we be employed?

150

150 

TITUS

TITUS             Tut, I have work enough for you to do.—

               Publius, come hither.— Caius and Valentine!

               [Enter Publius, Caius and Valentine]

PUBLIUS

PUBLIUS     What is your will?

TITUS

TITUS     Know you these two?

PUBLIUS

PUBLIUS     The empress’ sons, I take them: Chiron, Demetrius.

155

155 

TITUS

TITUS             Fie, Publius, fie, thou art too much deceived:

               The one is Murder, Rape is the other’s name,

               And therefore bind them, gentle Publius.

               Caius and Valentine, lay hands on them.

               Oft have you heard me wish for such an hour,

160

160         And now I find it: therefore bind them sure, They seize Chiron

               And stop their mouths, if they begin to cry.¹⁶¹

        [Exit] and Demetrius

CHIRON

CHIRON     Villains, forbear!¹⁶² We are the empress’ sons.

PUBLIUS

PUBLIUS     And therefore¹⁶³ do we what we are commanded.

               Stop close their mouths, let them not speak a word.

165

165         Is he sure bound? Look that you bind them fast.

               Enter Titus Andronicus with a knife, and Lavinia with a basin

TITUS

TITUS     Come, come, Lavinia: look, thy foes are bound.

               Sirs, stop their mouths, let them not speak to me,

               But let them hear what fearful words I utter.

               O villains, Chiron and Demetrius,

170

170         Here stands the spring¹⁷⁰ whom you have stained with mud,

               This goodly summer with your winter mixed.

               You killed her husband, and for that vile fault

               Two of her brothers were condemned to death,

               My hand cut off and made a merry jest,

175

175         Both her sweet hands, her tongue, and that more dear

               Than hands or tongue, her spotless chastity,

               Inhuman traitors, you constrained and forced.

               What would you say if I should let you speak?

               Villains, for shame you could not beg for grace.

180

180         Hark, wretches, how I mean to martyr¹⁸⁰ you.

               This one hand yet is left to cut your throats,

               Whilst that Lavinia ’tween her stumps doth hold

               The basin that receives your guilty blood.

               You know your mother means to feast with me,

185

185         And calls herself Revenge and thinks me mad:

               Hark, villains, I will grind your bones to dust

               And with your blood and it I’ll make a paste,¹⁸⁷

               And of the paste a coffin¹⁸⁸ I will rear

               And make two pasties¹⁸⁹ of your shameful heads,

190

190         And bid that strumpet,¹⁹⁰ your unhallowed dam,

               Like to the earth swallow her own increase.¹⁹¹

               This is the feast that I have bid her to,

               And this the banquet she shall surfeit¹⁹³ on:

               For worse than Philomel you used my daughter,

195

195         And worse than Progne¹⁹⁵ I will be revenged.

               And now prepare your throats. Lavinia, come,

               Receive the blood, and when that they are dead,

               Let me go grind their bones to powder small

               And with this hateful liquor temper¹⁹⁹ it,

200

200         And in that paste let their vile heads be baked.

               Come, come, be everyone officious²⁰¹

               To make this banquet, which I wish might prove

               More stern and bloody than the Centaurs’ feast.²⁰³

               He cuts their throats

               So, now bring them in, for I’ll play the cook,

205

205         And see them ready gainst²⁰⁵ their mother comes.

        Exeunt [with the bodies]

[Act 5 Scene 3]5.3

running scene 10 continues

        Enter Lucius, Marcus and the Goths [with Aaron prisoner and one carrying the child]

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     Uncle Marcus, since ’tis my father’s mind

               That I repair to Rome, I am content.

A GOTH

A GOTH     And ours with thine,³ befall what fortune will.

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     Good uncle, take you in this barbarous Moor,

5

5             This ravenous tiger, this accursèd devil:

               Let him receive no sustenance, fetter him

               Till he be brought unto the empress’ face

               For testimony of her foul proceedings.

               And see the ambush⁹ of our friends be strong:

10

10           I fear the emperor means no good to us.

AARON

AARON     Some devil whisper curses in my ear,

               And prompt me, that my tongue may utter forth

               The venomous malice of my swelling heart.

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     Away, inhuman dog, unhallowed slave!—

15

15           Sirs, help our uncle to convey him in. Flourish.

               [Exeunt some Goths with Aaron]

               The trumpets show the emperor is at hand.

               Sound trumpets. Enter Emperor and Empress, with Tribunes and others [including Emillius]

SATURNINUS

SATURNINUS     What, hath the firmament¹⁷ more suns than one?

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     What boots¹⁸ it thee to call thyself a sun?

MARCUS

MARCUS     Rome’s emperor, and nephew, break the parle:¹⁹

20

20           These quarrels must be quietly debated.

               The feast is ready which the careful²¹ Titus

               Hath ordainèd to an honourable end,

               For peace, for love, for league and good to Rome:

               Please you, therefore, draw nigh, and take your places.

25

25   

SATURNINUS

SATURNINUS           Marcus, we will.

               Hautboys. A table brought in

               Enter Titus like a cook, placing the meat on the table, and Lavinia with a veil over her face

               [and Young Lucius]

TITUS

TITUS     Welcome, my gracious lord.— Welcome, dread queen.—

               Welcome, ye warlike Goths.— Welcome, Lucius.—

               And welcome, all. Although the cheer²⁸ be poor,

               ’Twill fill your stomachs. Please you eat of it.

30

30   

SATURNINUS

SATURNINUS           Why art thou thus attired, Andronicus?

TITUS

TITUS     Because I would be sure to have all well

               To entertain your highness and your empress.

TAMORA

TAMORA     We are beholding³³ to you, good Andronicus.

TITUS

TITUS     An if your highness knew my heart, you were.

35

35           My lord the emperor, resolve me this:

               Was it well done of rash Virginius³⁶

               To slay his daughter with his own right hand,

               Because she was enforced, stained and deflowered?

SATURNINUS

SATURNINUS     It was, Andronicus.

40

40   

TITUS

TITUS           Your reason, mighty lord?

SATURNINUS

SATURNINUS     Because⁴¹ the girl should not survive her shame,

               And by her presence still⁴² renew his sorrows.

TITUS

TITUS     A reason mighty, strong and effectual:

               A pattern, precedent and lively⁴⁴ warrant

45

45           For me, most wretched, to perform the like. Unveils Lavinia

               Die, die, Lavinia, and thy shame with thee,

               And with thy shame thy father’s sorrow die!

               He kills her

SATURNINUS

SATURNINUS     What hast done? Unnatural and unkind!⁴⁸

TITUS

TITUS     Killed her for whom my tears have made me blind.

50

50           I am as woeful as Virginius was,

               And have a thousand times more cause than he

               To do this outrage:⁵² and it now is done.

SATURNINUS

SATURNINUS     What, was she ravished? Tell who did the deed.

TITUS

TITUS     Will’t please you eat? Will’t please your highness feed?

55

55   

TAMORA

TAMORA           Why hast thou slain thine only daughter?

TITUS

TITUS     Not I, ’twas Chiron and Demetrius:

               They ravished her and cut away her tongue,

               And they, ’twas they, that did her all this wrong.

SATURNINUS

SATURNINUS     Go fetch them hither to us presently.

60

60   

TITUS

TITUS           Why, there they are both, bakèd in that pie,

               Whereof their mother daintily⁶¹ hath fed,

               Eating the flesh that she herself hath bred.

               ’Tis true, ’tis true, witness my knife’s sharp point.

               He stabs the Empress

SATURNINUS

SATURNINUS     Die, frantic wretch, for this accursèd deed! Kills Titus

65

65   

LUCIUS

LUCIUS           Can the son’s eye behold his father bleed?

               There’s meed for meed,⁶⁶ death for a deadly deed. Kills Saturninus. An uproar, during which Lucius and Marcus may go aloft

MARCUS

MARCUS     You sad-faced men, people and sons of Rome,

               By uproars severed, like a flight of fowl

               Scattered by winds and high tempestuous gusts,

70

70           O, let me teach you how to knit again

               This scattered corn into one mutual⁷¹ sheaf,

               These broken limbs again into one body.

A GOTH

A GOTH     Let Rome herself be bane⁷³ unto herself,

               And she whom mighty kingdoms curtsy to,

75

75           Like a forlorn⁷⁵ and desperate castaway,

               Do shameful execution on herself.

MARCUS

MARCUS     But if my frosty signs⁷⁷ and chaps of age,

               Grave witnesses of true experience,

               Cannot induce you to attend my words,

80

80           Speak, Rome’s dear friend, as erst⁸⁰ our ancestor, To Lucius

               When with his solemn tongue he did discourse

               To lovesick Dido’s sad attending ear

               The story of that baleful⁸³ burning night

               When subtle⁸⁴ Greeks surprised King Priam’s Troy.

85

85           Tell us what Sinon⁸⁵ hath bewitched our ears,

               Or who hath brought the fatal engine⁸⁶ in

               That gives our Troy, our Rome, the civil wound.

               My heart is not compact⁸⁸ of flint nor steel,

               Nor can I utter all our bitter grief,

90

90           But floods of tears will drown my oratory

               And break my very utterance, even in the time

               When it should move you to attend me most,

               Lending your kind hand commiseration.

               Here is a captain, let him tell the tale:

95

95           Your hearts will throb and weep to hear him speak.

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     This, noble auditory,⁹⁶ be it known to you,

               That cursèd Chiron and Demetrius

               Were they that murderèd our emperor’s brother,

               And they it were that ravishèd our sister.

100

100         For their fell¹⁰⁰ faults our brothers were beheaded,

               Our father’s tears despised and basely cozened¹⁰¹

               Of that true hand that fought¹⁰² Rome’s quarrel out,

               And sent her enemies unto the grave.

               Lastly, myself unkindly¹⁰⁴ banishèd,

105

105         The gates shut on me, and turned weeping out,

               To beg relief among Rome’s enemies,

               Who drowned their enmity in my true tears

               And oped their arms to embrace me as a friend.

               And I am turned forth, be it known to you,

110

110         That have preserved her welfare in my blood,

               And from her bosom took the enemy’s point,

               Sheathing the steel in my advent’rous¹¹² body.

               Alas, you know I am no vaunter,¹¹³ I:

               My scars can witness, dumb although they are,

115

115         That my report is just and full of truth.

               But soft, methinks I do digress too much,

               Citing my worthless praise: O, pardon me,

               For when no friends are by, men praise themselves.

MARCUS

MARCUS     Now is my turn to speak. Behold this child: Points to the baby

120

120         Of this was Tamora deliverèd,

               The issue of an irreligious Moor,

               Chief architect and plotter of these woes.

               The villain is alive in Titus’ house,

               And as he is to witness this is true,

125

125         Now judge what cause had Titus to revenge

               These wrongs unspeakable, past patience,

               Or more than any living man could bear.

               Now you have heard the truth, what say you, Romans?

               Have we done aught¹²⁹ amiss? Show us wherein,

130

130         And from the place where you behold us now,

               The poor¹³¹ remainder of Andronici

               Will hand in hand all headlong cast us down

               And on the ragged¹³³ stones beat forth our brains

               And make a mutual closure of our house.

135

135         Speak, Romans, speak: and if you say we shall,

               Lo, hand in hand, Lucius and I will fall.

EMILLIUS

EMILLIUS     Come, come, thou reverend man of Rome,

               And bring our emperor gently in thy hand,

               Lucius, our emperor, for well I know

140

140         The common voice do cry it shall be so.

MARCUS

MARCUS     Lucius, all hail, Rome’s royal emperor!—

               Go, go into old Titus’ sorrowful house, To Goths

               And hither hale that misbelieving Moor,

               To be adjudged some direful slaughtering death,

145

145         As punishment for his most wicked life. [Exeunt Goths]

               [Lucius and Marcus may descend]

ALL ROMANS

ALL ROMANS     Lucius, all hail, to Rome’s gracious governor!

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     Thanks, gentle Romans. May I govern so

               To heal Rome’s harms and wipe away her woe!

               But, gentle people, give me aim¹⁴⁹ awhile,

150

150         For nature puts me to a heavy task:

               Stand all aloof,¹⁵¹ but, uncle, draw you near

               To shed obsequious¹⁵² tears upon this trunk.—

               O, take this warm kiss on thy pale, cold lips, Kisses Titus

               These sorrowful drops upon thy blood-stained face,

155

155         The last true duties of thy noble son!

MARCUS

MARCUS     Tear for tear, and loving kiss for kiss, Kisses Titus

               Thy brother Marcus tenders¹⁵⁷ on thy lips.

               O were the sum of these that I should pay

               Countless and infinite, yet would I pay them.

160

160 

LUCIUS

LUCIUS             Come hither, boy, come, come, and learn of us To his son

               To melt in showers. Thy grandsire loved thee well:

               Many a time he danced thee on his knee,

               Sung thee asleep, his loving breast thy pillow:

               Many a matter hath he told to thee,

165

165         Meet¹⁶⁵ and agreeing with thine infancy:

               In that respect, then, like a loving child

               Shed yet some small drops from thy tender spring

               Because kind nature doth require it so.

               Friends should associate¹⁶⁹ friends in grief and woe:

170

170         Bid him farewell, commit him to the grave,

               Do him that kindness and take leave of him.

BOY

BOY     O grandsire, grandsire, even with all my heart Kisses Titus

               Would I were dead, so you did live again.

               O Lord, I cannot speak to him for weeping,

175

175         My tears will choke me if I ope my mouth.

        [Enter Aaron guarded by Goths]

A ROMAN

A ROMAN     You sad Andronici, have done with woes,

               Give sentence on this execrable wretch

               That hath been breeder of these dire events.

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     Set him breast-deep in earth and famish¹⁷⁹ him:

180

180         There let him stand and rave and cry for food.

               If anyone relieves or pities him,

               For the offence he dies. This is our doom:¹⁸²

               Some stay to see him fastened in the earth.

AARON

AARON     O, why should wrath be mute and fury dumb?

185

185         I am no baby, I, that with base prayers

               I should repent the evils I have done:

               Ten thousand worse than ever yet I did

               Would I perform, if I might have my will.

               If one good deed in all my life I did

190

190         I do repent it from my very soul.

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     Some loving friends convey the emperor hence,

               And give him burial in his father’s grave:

               My father and Lavinia shall forthwith

               Be closèd in our household’s monument.

195

195         As for that heinous¹⁹⁵ tiger, Tamora,

               No funeral rite, nor man in mourning weeds,

               No mournful bell shall ring her burial,

               But throw her forth to beasts and birds of prey:

               Her life was beast-like, and devoid of pity,

200

200         And being so, shall have like want of pity.

               {See justice done on Aaron, that damned Moor,}

               {From whom our heavy haps²⁰² had their beginning:}

               {Then afterwards, to order well the state,}

               {That like events may ne’er it ruinate.}

               Exeunt all [with the bodies]

Textual Notes

Q = First Quarto text of 1594

Q2 = Second Quarto text of 1600

F = First Folio text of 1623

F2 = a correction introduced in the Second Folio text of 1632

F3 = a correction introduced in the Third Folio text of 1663

F4 = a correction introduced in the Fourth Folio text of 1685

Ed = a correction introduced by a later editor

SD = stage direction

SH = speech heading (i.e., speaker’s name)

List of parts = Ed

1.1.18 SH MARCUS = Ed. Not in F 23 Pius = Q. F = Pious 71 freight spelled fraught in F 132 not = Q. F = me 174 are = Q. F = are all 214 friends = Q. F = Friend? 223 suit = Ed. F = sure. Q = sute 224 our = Q. F = your 242 Pantheon = F2. F = Pathan 252 thy = Q. F = my 258 you = Q. F = your 259 your honour = Q. F = you Honor 269 you = Q. F = your 280 cuique = F2. F = cuiquam 318 Phoebe = F2. F = Thebe 352 hundred spelled hundreth in F 362 vouch = Q. F = vouch’d 366 struck spelled stroke in F 382 wise = Q. Not in F 392 SH MARCUS…SONS = Ed. F = They all kneele and say 401 SH MARCUS = Ed. Not in F (the line is only in F, not Q1–3) 450 you = Q. F = vs 454 raze spelled race in F 462 SH SATURNINUS = Q. F = King. 477 SH LUCIUS = Ed. F = Son 487 SD stand up printed as part of the dialogue in F (“haynous faults. / Stand vp:”) 489 swore = Q. F = sware 497 SD Flourish placed at the beginning of the next scene in F

2.1.4 above = Q. F = about 22 nymph = Q. F = Queene 26 want = F2. F = wants 64 petty = Q. F = pretty 66 jet = Q. F = set 72 discord’s = Q. F = discord 107 That…speed = Q. Not in F 117 than = Ed. F = this

2.2.18 broad = Q. Not in F 26 like = Q. F = likes

2.3.54 quarrels = Q. F = quarrell 56 her = Q. F = our 64 thy = Q. F = his 85 note = Ed. F = notice 136 woman’s = Q. F = woman 204 hurt = Q. Not in F 236 Cocytus’ = F2. F = Ocitus 245 SD Both = Ed. F = Boths 260 SH SATURNINUS = Q.F = King. gride = Ed. F = grieu’d 268 SH SATURNINUS = Ed. Not in F

2.4.5 scrawl = Q (scrowle). F = scowle 11 SH MARCUS = Ed. Not in F (but implied in previous SD) 27 him = Ed. F = them 30 three = Ed. F = their

3.1.12 two = Ed. Not in F 28 you = Q. Not in F 34 or = Q2. F = oh did mark = Q. F = did heare 115 them = Q. F = him 125 like = Q. F = in 146 his true = F4. F = hertrue 150, 174, 189 SH AARON = Ed. F = Moore 193 your = Q. F = you 194 my = Q. F = me 198 for = Q. F = for for 226 blow = F2. F = flow 256 hand = Q. F = hands 257 son = Q. F = sonnes 260 thy = Q. F = my 261 Rend spelled Rent in F 299 like = Q. F = likes

3.2.13 with outrageous = F2. F = without ragious 39 complainer = Ed. F = complaynet 52 thy knife = F2. F = knife 53 fly = Ed. F = Flys 54 thee = F3. F = the 55 are = F2. Not in F 72 myself = F2. F = my selfes

4.1.9 her not= Q. F = not 41 for = Q. F = to 47 SD Helps her printed as part of the dialogue in F (“Helpe her, what would she finde”) 65 erst = Q. F = ersts 72 here = Ed. Not in F 79 writ = Q. F = writs 93 swore = F3. F = sweare

4.2.8 SH BOY…news, = Q. Not in F 15 that = Ed. Not in F 27 them = Q. F = the 44 your = Q. F = you 70 fair-faced = Q. F = fairest 78 SH AARON…mother = Q. Not in F 141 as = Q. F = at 154 Muly lives = Ed. F = Muliteus

4.3.48 backs = Q. F = backe 56 Saturn, Caius = Ed. F = Saturnine, to Caius 77 his = Q. F = your 109 must take = Ed.F = hast made

4.4.5 know, as know= Q. F = know 24–5 she…she = Ed. F = he…he 34 SD Aside printed at line 35 in F 43 SD Saturninus = Ed. F = He 58 SD a Messenger = Ed. F = Nuntius (Latin for “messenger”) 98 to be = Q. F = to 101 Even…Andronicus = Q. Not in F 111 to = Q. F = for

5.1.9 SH FIRST GOTH = Ed.F = Goth. 13 Be bold = Q. F = behold 17 SH ALL THE GOTHS = F2. Not in F 20 SH SECOND = Ed. Not in F 53 Get…ladder assigned to Aaron in F 87 to = Q. F = to to 120 swoonèd spelled sounded in F 127 the = Q. F = few 156 what’s = Q. F = what

5.2.31 thy = Q. F = the 32 thy = Q. F = my 52 caves = F2. F = cares 56 Hyperion’s = F2. F = Eptons 61 these = Ed. F = them 80 ply = Q. F = play 161 And…cry = Q. Not in F 165 F mistakenly prints “Exeunt” here 191 own = Q. Not in F

5.3.7 empress’ = Q. F = Emperous 10 I fear = Q. F = If ere 52 To…done = Q. Not in F 73 SH A GOTH = F (Goth). Q = Romane Lord 74 curtsy spelled cursie in F 77 SH MARCUS = Ed. F continues with Goth as speaker, Q with Romane Lord 93–7 Lending…Demetrius = F. Q = And force you to commiseration, / Her’s Romes young Captaine let him tell the tale, / While I stand by and weepe to heare him speake. / Lucius. Then gratious auditorie be it knowne to you, / That Chiron and the damn’d Demetrius 125 cause = F4. F = course 130 now = F. Q = pleading 132 cast us down = F. Q = hurle our selues 133 brains = F. Q = soules 146 SH ALL ROMANS = Ed. Not in F 154 blood-stained = F3. F = bloud-slaine 164 matter = F. Q = storie 165–9 Meet…woe = F. Q = And bid thee bare his prettie tales in minde, / And talke of them when he was dead and gone. / Marcus. How manie thousand times hath these poore lips, / When they were liuing warmd themselues on thine, / Oh now sweete boy giue them their latest kisse 176 SH A ROMAN = Q. F = Romans. 196 mourning = Q. F = mournfull

Act 1 Scene 1

 1.1    Location: Rome (outside the senate house or Capitol) Flourish trumpet fanfare accompanying the arrival or departure of a person or people of rank Tribunes officials appointed to protect the interests and rights of the people aloft i.e., on the upper staging level or gallery Saturninus a name suggestive of a saturnine temperament, i.e., gloomy, sullen, sluggish Drum and Colours drummers and flagbearers

    1    patricians Roman noblemen patrons protectors, supporters

    4    successive hereditary

    5    that of he who

    6    diadem crown

    7    honours respect due to rank/reputation/dignity

  11    gracious popular/worthy of favor

  12    Keep guard Capitol hill on which the temple of Jupiter stood; used in the play as the location of the senate house (the seat of government)

  13    suffer not do not permit

  14    virtue consecrate worth consecrated

  15    continence self-restraint

  16    desert merit, worth pure election free choice (as opposed to automatic inheritance by the eldest son)

  19    empery status of emperor/absolute dominion

  21    A special party i.e., elected representative (a tribune) voice vote/consensus

  23    surnamèd given the honorary name Pius i.e., dutiful, patriotic, just (embodying the virtues of Rome’s legendary founder, Pius Aeneas)

  24    deserts worthy deeds, actions deserving reward

  27    accited summoned

  29    That he who

  30    yoked conquered

  38    flourishing vigorous, thriving, eminent

  39    honour…succeed the honorable name of the candidate you wish to succeed worthily to the empery (i.e., “your own honor” as the speech is addressed to Saturninus and Bassianus, each of whom wants the empery)

  42    pretend claim

  44    suitors petitioners

  45    deserts deservings, rights

  46    fair courteously, in a balanced manner

  47    affy trust

  51    all entirely

  56    forward in active in supporting

  61    confident and kind trustful and well-disposed

  63    competitor fellow candidate

  65    Patron protector/pattern champion defender

  68    circumscribèd confined Tamora her name may be an allusion to Tomyris, Queen of the Massagetae, who carried out a bloody revenge on Cyrus of Persia after he had attacked her lands and killed her son; it perhaps suggests “amor” (Latin for “love”) and the object of her desire, the “Moor” Aaron “aron,” which is how the name is spelled in the earliest (Quarto) text, is the name of a bitter herb Moor person of either African or Middle Eastern origin; a term often used to refer to someone from Barbary, in north Africa

  70    weeds garments

  71    bark small ship

  72    lading cargo (i.e., fresh goods picked up after the discharge of the original load)

  73    anchorage anchors

  77    Thou i.e., Jupiter Capitolinus, guardian of the city

  78    Stand gracious to look favorably on

  80    King Priam King of Troy and father of fifty sons, nearly all of whom were slain in the Trojan War

  83    latest last

  84    With i.e., let Rome reward with

  85    given me leave allowed me (i.e., as they have been defeated)

  86    unkind lacking in natural family feeling careless negligent, having no care

  88    Styx river forming the boundary to the classical underworld, which could only be crossed by souls whose bodies had been properly buried

  90    wont accustomed

  93    cell storehouse

  95    more again

  97    hew hack

  98    Ad manus fratrum “to the hands of our brothers” (Latin)

100    That so so that shadows ghosts

101    prodigies ill omens/unnatural events

104    gracious favored/merciful

105    rue feel pity for

106    passion grief

109    Sufficeth not is it not enough

110    triumphs victorious processions into Rome

121    Patient calm

127    straight straightaway

129    clean totally

131    Scythia ancient region extending over much of eastern Europe and Asiatic Russia, notorious for its barbarous inhabitants

132    Oppose compare

135    withal as well

136    Queen…tent Hecuba, the wife of King Priam of Troy, took revenge for the death of her son Polydorus by blinding his murderer, the Thracian King Polymestor sharp severe/merciless

141    quit requite, repay

144    entrails bowels, intestines

147    ’larums trumpet calls

149    latest final

153    envy malice

158    fame honor/renown

159    tributary paid as a tribute/like tributary rivers

160    obsequies commemorative rites

166    cordial medicine which invigorates the heart

168    And…praise i.e., may you outlive even eternal fame, on account of your virtue

171    gentle kind/noble

174    your…all i.e., the living and the dead share the same honor

176    triumph ceremonial victory celebration

177    aspired risen Solon’s happiness the ancient Greek philosopher and lawgiver Solon observed that man is only securely happy when dead

178    bed i.e., the grave

181    tribune…trust trusted representative

182    palliament candidate’s gown (George Peele is the only writer in English to use this word, evidence strongly suggesting his authorship of this scene)

185    candidatus “candidate” (literally “one clad in a white robe”)

187    fits befits, suits

192    set abroad generate

197    right and service defending the just cause

201    obtain and ask obtain if you ask

206    would I wish

211    wean…themselves reconcile them to not getting their own way

216    meed reward

218    voices…suffrages votes

221    gratulate express joy at, salute

222    admits acknowledges (as lawful successor)

223    suit formal request

224    create appoint

226    Titan Roman sun god

236    in…deserts as part-payment of the reward you deserve

237    gentleness kindness/nobility

238    an onset a start

242    Pantheon circular temple dedicated to all the gods

243    motion proposal

245    hold me consider myself of by

252    ensigns symbols, tokens

256    unspeakable inexpressible

257    fealty obligation of allegiance

259    for because of state high rank

260    use treat (with possible anticipatory play on the sense of “have sex with”)

261    hue appearance/complexion

264    cheer facial expression

267    Rest rely

268    he comforts he who comforts

271    sith since

272    Warrants justifies/acts as a pledge for/authenticates

278    withal moreover

279    reason justified course of action

280    ‘Suum cuique’ “to each his own” (Latin)

283    avaunt be gone

284    surprised ambushed, captured unexpectedly

293    Lucius, help Lucius may reenter or may have remained at the rear of Bassianus’ party

295    quarrel (hostile) cause

296    Nor neither

303    by leisure barely (i.e., I will not be quick to)

306    Was none was there no one stale laughingstock (especially a ridiculed lover)/person used as a tool for a sinister purpose

311    changing piece fickle woman (piece is derogatory)

312    flourished brandished

314    bandy brawl

315    ruffle fight

318    Phoebe or Diana, Roman goddess of the moon, chastity, and hunting

319    overshine outshine gallant’st finest looking

326    tapers candles

327    Hymenaeus god of marriage

335    Pantheon to the Pantheon

338    Whose…conquerèd i.e., who has wisely overcome her misfortune by accepting Saturninus

340    bid invited

341    wont accustomed

342    challengèd accused

349    becomes is fitting

353    re-edified rebuilt, restored

354    servitors servants/soldiers

359    bretheren brothers

360    TITUS’ TWO SONS i.e., Quintus and Martius, though the theater audience never hears their names

362    vouch maintain, assert

363    in my despite in contemptuous disregard of me/as an act of malice toward me

366    crest helmet (perhaps, anachronistically, with heraldic connotations)

368    repute consider

374    speed succeed/be satisfied

377    Suffer allow

381    The…funerals the Greek warrior Ajax, in a frenzy of rage because the dead Achilles’ armor had been awarded to Odysseus rather than himself, killed a flock of sheep in the maddened belief that they were Greek generals; he committed suicide in shame, but received a proper burial after Odysseus (Laertes’ son) persuaded the Greeks that he deserved one advice deliberation

387    dismall’st most ominous

391    trophies memorials to a military victory

394    dumps melancholy mood, dejection

395    subtle cunning, wily

397    is is so

398    device scheming

399    beholding beholden, indebted

402    played your prize won your bout (fencing term)

407    rape seizure (of Lavinia)

411    that that which

412    ’Tis good very well

413    sharp curt, short, dismissive (but with sinister play on the sense of “violent”)

415    Answer be answerable for (it)

419    opinion reputation

423    controlled checked, thwarted frankly freely, unconditionally

427    leave to plead i.e., leave off pleading on behalf of

428    those i.e., Titus’ sons and brother

433    indifferently impartially

436    put it up submit to it

437    forfend forbid

438    author to dishonour responsible for dishonoring

439    undertake vouch

441    fury…griefs genuine fury attests to the truth of his grief

443    vain suppose needless supposition

446    Dissemble disguise

449    survey consideration, examination

452    at entreats to entreaty let me alone leave it to me

454    raze erase, obliterate

456    suèd pleaded

460    Take up bid to rise

465    incorporate in formally admitted to by legal procedure/part of the body of

466    happily fortunately, opportunely

471    For as for

479    Tend’ring while having regard for

480    protest declare, affirm

488    churl ungenerous person

489    friend (generous) patron/lover

493    love-day day for amicable reconciliation/day for lovemaking

494    an if

495    hart male deer

496    bonjour “good day” (French)

497    gramercy “great thanks” (from the French grand merci)

Act 2 Scene 1

    1    Olympus the mountain home of the Greek gods

    3    of from

    6    gilt covered with gold, i.e., shone over

    7    Gallops gallops through glistering glittering

    8    overlooks looks down on

  10    wit intelligence/ingenuity; it also has sexual connotations of “genitals” in certain contexts

  14    mount her pitch rise to the highest point of her flight (falconry term; mount has sexual connotations) in triumph as a victorious conqueror (who would return to Rome leading his chained prisoners behind his chariot)

  16    charming spell-casting

  17    Prometheus…Caucasus in punishment for stealing fire from the gods, Prometheus was chained to a rock in the Caucasus mountains where he had his liver perpetually gnawed by an eagle

  18    weeds garments idle worthless/weary

  21    wanton frolic lasciviously queen puns on “quean” (i.e., prostitute)

  22    Semiramis Assyrian queen famed for beauty, cruelty, and lust

  23    siren bewitching creature (part-woman, part-bird, though often confused with the mermaid); her enchanting singing lured sailors to shipwreck braving challenging one another, behaving with bravado

  26    want lack edge sharpness; there seems to be a sexual play around “wit” here

  27    graced favored

  28    aught anything affected loved

  29    overween presume

  30    bear me down subdue me braves bravado, boasts

  34    serve plays on the sense of “have sex”

  35    approve prove

  37    Clubs, clubs! rallying cry to summon apprentices armed with clubs to suppress a riot

  38    unadvised ill-advisedly

  39    dancing-rapier sword worn only for ornament when dancing

  40    friends relatives

  41    Go to expression of impatient dismissal lath stage sword made of wood

  45    brave defiant, insolent

  47    near…draw in Elizabethan England, it was illegal to draw weapons near a royal residence

  49    wot know

  54    put up sheathe your swords

  64    brabble brawl, quarrel undo ruin

  66    jet encroach

  67    loose unchaste, promiscuous

  70    controlment restraint

  72    ground basis (puns on the musical sense of “base melody, on which variations are developed”)

  73    knew she if she knew

  75    meaner humbler, lower-ranking

  79    brook tolerate

  81    device scheme, intention

  82    deaths perhaps plays on secondary meaning of death as “sexual orgasm” propose be ready to meet

  85    mak’st…strange do you find it so odd

  91    shive slice

  93    Vulcan’s badge i.e., the cuckold’s horns traditionally supposed to be worn by a man with an unfaithful wife (Vulcan’s wife Venus slept with Mars)

  95    court it play the courtier/woo

  97    struck…nose killed a deer and smuggled it away without the gamekeeper noticing (struck a doe plays on the sense of “had sex with a woman or whore”; doe female fallow deer)

  99    snatch seizure of the prey/hasty sexual act (the modern “quickie”)

100    serve your turns serve your purposes/render sexual service (Chiron plays on this sense in his reply)

102    hit it hit the point exactly/shot the prey (in his reply, Aaron shifts the sense to “penetrated the vagina”)

104    ado fuss/copulating

106    square for quarrel over

109    so provided that

110    join…jar join forces to obtain what you quarrel over

111    policy cunning/strategy

112    affect aim at

113    as…may achieve in the way you would like you must accomplish any way you can

115    Lucrece virtuous Roman wife who killed herself after being raped by Tarquin

117    ling’ring languishment protracted love-sorrow

119    solemn ceremonial

120    troop gather, assemble

122    plots spots (perhaps suggestive of the sense of “schemes”)

123    kind nature

124    Single select, isolate (an animal from the herd) dainty choice/pleasing to the palate/delicately pretty

125    strike her home fatally wound the deer/penetrate the vaginal target

126    stand perhaps with connotations of penile erection

127    sacred devoted (to villainy)/accursed

130    file our engines sharpen our stratagems

131    square yourselves thwart yourselves with quarreling

133    house of Fame house of whispering, gossip and rumor (described in Ovid’s Metamorphoses and Chaucer’s House of Fame)

135    dreadful inspiring awe and fear

136    strike take action/attack/penetrate sexually turns plays on the sense of “sexual acts”

138    treasury with the slang sense of “vagina”

140    Sit…nefas “be it right or wrong” (Latin)

142    Per…vehor “I am carried through the Stygian regions, through the realm of the shades”—i.e., “I am in hell” (Latin, adapted from Seneca’s Hippolytus)

Act 2 Scene 2

 2.2    Location: Rome (outside the emperor’s palace). Hitherto, the style of the play has been mainly that of Peele; henceforth, it is mainly that of Shakespeare

    1    up afoot

    3    Uncouple release the hounds (who were fastened in couples) bay deep prolonged barking of hunting hounds

    5    hunter’s peal horn-blowing to rouse the hounds

    7    charge responsibility Wind blow a blast on

  14    lustily heartily

  16    how what

  23    chase royal hunting grounds

  24    promontory mountain ridge

Act 2 Scene 3

 2.3    Location: a forest near Rome

    3    inherit possess

    5    coin create (literally, stamp metal to form a coin)

    6    beget conceive, create

    9    alms…chest i.e., this gold from Tamora’s treasury

  10    wherefore why

  11    boast show

  21    conflict sex

  22    wand’ring…Dido while on his sea-wanderings after the fall of Troy, Aeneas landed in Carthage and fell in love with Queen Dido; when out hunting they were caught in a storm and took refuge in a cave where they made love (celebrated in Virgil’s Aeneid)

  23    happy fortuitous

  24    counsel-keeping secret-keeping

  30    Venus Roman goddess of love

  31    Saturn the planet’s influence was supposed to make men sullen and melancholy dominator dominant planet

  32    deadly-standing death-dealing

  37    venereal erotic, lustful (from Venus)

  41    hopes hopes for

  43    Philomel Tereus raped Philomel and cut her tongue out to prevent her naming him as the perpetrator; she revealed his identity by weaving an account of what had happened

  46    Take it up take it

  49    parcel part hopeful hoped-for/promising

  53    cross antagonistic, quarrelsome

  56    Unfurnished…troop not equipped with a suitable escort

  57    Dian Diana, Roman goddess of hunting, and chastity habited dressed

  59    general participated in by all

  60    Saucy insolent controller critic/official responsible for household finances (i.e., one of lower status)

  62    presently immediately

  63    Actaeon having seen Diana bathing naked, Actaeon was punished by being turned into a stag and hunted by his own hounds

  64    drive rush

  66    Under your patience if I may say so gentle noble

  67    horning giving cuckold’s horns (i.e., being unfaithful to one’s husband)

  68    doubted suspected

  69    Are singled forth have deliberately separated yourselves (as an animal is from the herd) experiments i.e., sexual exploration

  70    Jove supreme Roman god

  72    swarth swarthy (i.e., black) Cimmerian one of a people who were supposed to live in darkness (i.e., the dark-skinned Aaron)

  75    sequestered separated train retinue

  81    Great reason i.e., no wonder rated berated, chastised

  83    joy enjoy

  84    passing surpassingly

  86    slips moral errors/sexual lapses noted notorious, branded with disgrace/the subject of talk

  92    ’ticed enticed

  95    O’ercome overgrown baleful deadly, poisonous

  97    fatal ominous raven like the owl, a bird whose call was associated with death

101    toads thought to be poisonous urchins goblins, elves

104    straight straightaway suddenly immediately

107    dismal ominous

110    Goth probably pronounced “goat,” a proverbially lascivious animal

118    Semiramis Assyrian queen noted for beauty, cruelty, and lust

120    poniard dagger

123    thrash plays on the sense of “have sex”

124    minion hussy stood upon insisted upon, made much of

126    painted i.e., false

128    An if if

131    honey sexual sweets

132    outlive live longer

133    warrant assure, guarantee

134    perforce by force

135    nice-preservèd honesty fastidiously maintained chastity

142    dam mother

143    learn teach

145    tyranny violence, cruelty, villainy

146    sons alike identical sons

149    raven a bird of ill omen, associated with (moral) blackness and with “ravening” (ravishing/devoring) lark associated with the brightness of morning and, because of its high flight, heaven

150    it it to be so

152    paws claws

153    forlorn abandoned, destitute

154    birds chicks

156    Nothing…pitiful if not as kind (as the fostering raven), then at least somewhat pitiful

157    it i.e., pity

166    use treat/employ sexually

172    Fond foolish

173    present immediate

174    womanhood female modesty denies forbids

176    tumble ironically to “tumble” can also mean “to have sex with”

179    fee payment, i.e., sexual entitlement

181    stayed delayed

183    our general name the reputation of womankind

184    Confusion ruin, disorder/shame/mental disturbance

187    make her sure secure her, i.e., ensure she is no threat to us

189    Andronici Latin plural of “Andronicus,” i.e., the whole family made away killed

191    spleenful violent, lustful (the spleen was regarded as the seat of strong passions) trull whore

192    better foot before best foot forward

195    dull lacking keenness of perception (associated with a melancholy and foreboding)

198    subtle treacherous, crafty, disguised

199    rude-growing wild, uncultivated

204    object sight

210    unhallowed unholy, wicked

211    surprisèd bewildered, overcome uncouth unfamiliar

217    compassionate afflicted with sorrow

219    by surmise even to imagine

222    embrewèd soaked

223    on a heap prostrate

227    ring…hole presumably the ring is set with a carbuncle, a gem supposed to emit light

228    monument tomb

229    earthly pale, lifeless

231    Pyramus in the mistaken belief that his lover Thisbe had been killed by a lion, Pyramus committed suicide; discovering this, Thisbe did the same

232    maiden blood his own blood, that of a male virgin/Thisbe’s blood (after she had killed herself over his body)

235    fell fierce, cruel

236    Cocytus a river in hell, used here for hell generally

238    wanting lacking

239    womb stomach/uterus

258    out alas alas (out is an intensifier)

260    gride pierced

262    search probe

264    writ document

265    complot plan, plot (with suggestions of “outline of a play” picked up in tragedy) timeless untimely

266    fold hide

268    handsomely conveniently

272    elder tree an ill-omened tree associated with betrayal

274    decreed decided

275    purchase win

279    should was to

281    kind nature

286    wondrous strange/incredible

292    apparent obvious

298    their suspicion the suspicion they are under

305    Fear not fear not for

Act 2 Scene 4

    *    ravished raped

    3    bewray divulge

    5    scrawl gesticulate awkwardly/write untidily

    6    sweet water a perfumed preparation similar to rose water

    9    cause case, situation

  10    knit knot

  12    Cousin a term used for any relative

  14    strike astrological term referring to the power of a planet to emit a deadly influence

  19    circling shadows protective encircling shade

  26    Tereus her brother-in-law who raped Philomel

  27    detect expose/accuse

  30    conduit fountain

  31    Titan the sun god

  35    rail at berate, rant at

  36    stopped shut up

  39    tedious laboriously executed sampler piece of embroidery

  40    mean method, course of action

  51    Cerberus…feet Orpheus (the Thracian poet) played his lute so sweetly that Cerberus, the three-headed dog guarding the entrance to the underworld, fell asleep at his feet

  54    meads meadows

Act 3 Scene 1

 3.1    Location: Rome (public place)

    1    grave fathers dignified and venerable old men

    4    my blood i.e., the blood of my sons quarrel cause

    5    watched remained awake, on guard

  13    languor sorrow, affliction

  14    stanch satisfy, quench

  15    shame feel shame

  17    distil trickle down these…ruins i.e., his eyes

  19    still continually

  22    So provided that

  24    doom sentence

  26    prevailing orators successful in their entreaty

  34    mark pay attention to

  36    bootless in vain, pointlessly

  39    intercept interrupt

  42    attirèd clothed/covered grave somber/deathly weeds garments/wild plants

  43    afford offer/supply

  51    happy fortunate

  64    object sight

  71    Nilus the river Nile, known for its annual flooding disdaineth scorns, treats with contempt (i.e., overflows)

  74    nursed…life i.e., in helping to uphold Rome, my hands have contributed to my own grief

  76    effectless fruitless

  81    martyred mutilated

  82    engine instrument

  83    blabbed uttered/told what was better kept secret

  88    park enclosed hunting ground

  90    unrecuring incurable

  91    dear puns on deer

  94    Environed surrounded

  95    waxing swelling

  96    Expecting ever always awaiting the time envious malicious

  97    brinish briny, salty

101    spurn kick, blow

105    lively living

109    this this time, now

112    honey-dew sweet sticky substance found on the leaves and stems of plants, excreted by aphids but formerly believed to be akin to dew

121    do thee ease comfort you, bring you some relief

126    miry muddy

128    clearness i.e., the pure water of the fountain

131    dumb shows mimes; frequently included in early drama

134    device scheme, plan/dramatic performance

139    wot know

140    napkin handkerchief

148    sympathy agreement, union

149    Limbo dwelling place of the unbaptized, on the borders of hell

169    castle helmet, i.e., head/fortress

170    none of both neither of you

179    meet fit

184    spare save, leave unharmed (but Titus privately intends the sense of “do without”)

192    that you’ll say i.e., you will realize that I have deceived you

193    stay your strife stop arguing

195    warded protected

197    that i.e., burial

198    account of consider/value

200    dear costly/precious mine own what already belonged to me by right

202    Look expect

204    fat nourish/delight

205    fair pale-faced/virtuous

208    ruin i.e., his mutilated body

212    welkin sky

215    with possibilities realistically

218    passions outbursts of feeling

222    o’erflow become flooded

225    coil turmoil

226    her i.e., Lavinia’s

228    be movèd become choppy/be emotionally affected

231    For why because bowels core, interior

234    stomachs bellies/resentments

239    sports entertainments

240    That so that

242    Aetna volcano in Sicily

245    some deal somewhat

246    flouted mocked

248    shrink wither through blood loss

249    bear his name continue to be called life

252    starvèd benumbed with cold

254    flattery self-delusion

257    dear grievous

260    control try to restrain

270    tributary paid asa tribute/like tributary rivers

273    threat warn, give ominous indication

274    mischiefs misfortunes/injuries

277    heavy sorrowful

292    pledges those left behind as bail (i.e., his family)

294    tofore formerly

295    nor neither

296    But except

299    Tarquin…queen the last King of Rome, Tarquinius Superbus, was expelled after his son Sextus Tarquinius raped Lucrece; Lucius Junius Brutus led the people in an uprising that saw the establishment of a republic

300    power army

Act 3 Scene 2

 3.2    Location: Rome (Titus’ house) banquet light meal

    4    sorrow-wreathen knot Marcus’ arms are folded in a gesture denoting grief

    5    want lack

    6    passionate express with passion

    8    tyrannize i.e., thump violently

    9    Who which (referring to hand)

  12    map image/epitome

  13    outrageous violent/excessive

  15    sighing each sigh was thought to drain a drop of blood from the heart

  19    sink pool or pit for waste water/receptacle

  20    fool term of endearment

  22    tender young

  23    dote foolish/deranged

  27    Aeneas in Virgil’s Aeneid, Dido asks Aeneas to tell the story of the fall of Troy, to which he responds that to repeat it would renew his grief

  30    still continually

  31    franticly frenziedly/foolishly square shape

  34    fall to begin eating

  38    meshed mashed (i.e., brewed)

  39    complainer one who laments

  40    action performance/oratorical gesture perfect perfectly acquainted

  43    wink close the eyes

  45    still constant

  46    grandsire grandfather

  48    tender young/tender-hearted/sensitive

  49    heaviness sorrow

  54    Out on thee expression of reproachful indignation

  62    buzz lamenting doings tell of sorrowful deeds

  66    ill-favoured ugly

  71    insult on triumph scornfully over

  72    Flattering…if deluding myself into believing

  75    sirrah sir (used to an inferior)

  79    wrought on worked on, affected

  81    take away clear the table

  82    closet private room

  83    chancèd that occurred

  85    dazzle grow blurred

Act 4 Scene 1

 4.1    Location: Rome (outside Titus’ house)

    9    somewhat something

  12    Cornelia Roman mother, exemplary for educating her sons, the Gracchi, who became notable political reformers

  14    Tully’s Orator Cicero’s De Oratore, a widely studied treatise on rhetoric

  15    plies importunes, behaves insistently toward

  20    I…Troy in Ovid’s Metamorphoses, Hecuba became frenzied with grief and eventually turned into a dog

  24    fury a fit of madness

  27    go accompany us

  33    deeper…skilled i.e., prepared for more advanced reading than Young Lucius’ schoolroom texts

  35    beguile while away

  38    in sequence one after the other

  40    fact crime

  41    heaves lifts

  42    tosseth turns the leaves of

  46    culled selected

  47    Soft wait a moment/hush

  51    annoy mental anguish

  52    quotes observes, examines

  53    surprised seized, ambushed

  55    vast desolate

  59    Patterned by that on the pattern of that which

  62    tragedies dire events (with a play on the idea of theatrical tragedies)

  65    Or…erst or was it not Saturnine who slunk as Tarquin once did

  68    Apollo…Mercury Apollo was associated with the discovery of the truth, Pallas Athene with the law, Jove with the punishment of crime and the messenger-god Mercury with carrying forward the will of Jove

  71    plain flat, smooth

  72    after me following my example

  74    shift means, expedient

  76    discovered revealed

  80    Stuprum “rape” (Latin)

  83    Magni…vides? “Ruler of the great heavens, are you so slow to hear crimes, so slow to see?” (Latin; from Seneca’s Hippolytus)

  88    exclaims outcries, protests

  90    Roman Hector’s hope Hector was the greatest of the Trojan warriors, so Lucius is claimed as a Roman equivalent; his son Young Lucius is his hope for the future

  91    fere spouse

  94    prosecute…advice pursue by well-considered means

  96    reproach shame, disgrace

  97    an if

  99    dam mother wind get wind of

100    lion i.e., Saturnine

101    playeth…back rolls playfully/has sex with him

102    do plays on the sense of “have sex (with)” list pleases

103    young inexperienced

104    leaf sheet

105    gad sharp spike, applied to a stylus or pen

107    Sibyl’s leaves the Sibyl (female prophet) of Cumae wrote her prophecies on leaves which were sometimes blown away before there was time to read them

111    bondmen slaves

116    fit equip (with arms) withal in addition

123    brave it swagger defiantly, make a show

124    marry by the Virgin Mary be waited on i.e., not ignored as we have been formerly

126    compassion pity

127    ecstasy fit of madness

Act 4 Scene 2

 4.2    Location: Rome (exact location unspecified)

    6    confound destroy

    7    Gramercy great thanks

    8    deciphered discovered/interpreted, read (referring to Lavinia’s writing of their names)

  10    well advised after careful consideration, in his right mind

  16    appointed equipped

  20    ‘Integer…arcu’ “The man of upright life and free from crime does not need the javelins or bows of the Moor” (Latin; from Horace’s Odes)

  23    grammar school textbook (the quotation appears in William Lily’s Latin grammar, widely used in schools from 1540 onward)

  24    just just so, precisely

  26    no sound jest said in irony; the jest could not be sounder

  28    That…quick i.e., the message touches the matter to its very heart, but the boys are so stupid that they don’t sense it

  29    witty clever afoot up and about

  30    conceit ingenious conception

  31    her unrest Tamora is in labor

  32    happy fortunate

  36    brave defy, be insolent toward

  38    insinuate Demetrius has misinterpreted Titus’ message as a strategy for gaining entrance at court

  40    friendly kindly (ironic; also plays on the sense of “like a lover”)

  42    At…bay cornered thus (hunting metaphor referring to the cornered animal turning to face its pursuers) by turn one after the other (plays on the sense of “with copulation”) serve gratify sexually

  45    more i.e., more Roman dames

  50    Belike probably

  54    more puns on Moor ne’er a whit not a bit (perhaps plays on “white”)

  55    what what do you want

  56    undone ruined

  67    issue outcome/offspring

  70    fair-faced breeders light-skinned mothers clime climate/region, realm

  71    thy…seal i.e., with your mark upon it

  74    blowse ruddy fat-faced wench (here applied to the baby as a reaction to the nurse’s condemnation of his blackness)

  78    done had sex with

  80    chance luck

  87    broach stick, as on a spit

  92    got conceived

  95    Enceladus one of the giants who fought the Olympian gods

  96    Typhon another giant (and father of monsters) who fought against the gods

  97    Alcides Hercules, the Greek hero famed for feats of great strength god of war Mars

  99    sanguine red-faced

100    white-limed whitewashed (puns on “white-limbed”) ale-house painted crudely painted

105    lave wash flood sea/river

109    this i.e., the baby

112    maugre in spite of

113    smoke i.e., suffer (an image drawn from burning at the stake)

115    escape sexual transgression

117    ignomy ignominy, disgrace

120    close enacts secret actions

121    framed made leer complexion/sly sideways glance

122    slave villain

123    As…say as if saying

124    sensibly perceptibly/made capable of sensation

125    self-blood selfsame blood

127    enfranchisèd freed

128    the surer i.e., the mother’s

131    Advise thee consider

133    so provided that

135    have…of watch as a hunter does from the security of a downwind position

140    chafèd angry/provoked

148    Weke, weke! Aaron imitates the Nurse’s dying cry

150    policy expedience, strategy

152    long-tongued chattering

156    like to her i.e., pale-skinned

157    pack make an arrangement/conspire

158    circumstance details

164    physic medicine (ironic)

165    bestow give

166    grooms fellows/herdsmen/court officials responsible for organizing special events like funerals

167    days time

168    presently immediately

179    shifts expedients/stratagems

181    curds and whey coagulated milk, similar to yogurt suck drink the milk of

182    cabin lodge

Act 4 Scene 3

 4.3    Location: Rome (outside the emperor’s palace)

    3    draw home draw the bow to its fullest extent ’tis there straight it will reach its target straightaway

    4    Terras Astraea reliquit: “Astraea [goddess of justice] has left the earth” (Latin; from Ovid’s Metamorphoses) be you remembered remember

    6    cousins kinsmen sound measure the depth of

    8    Haply perhaps/hopefully

    9    there’s i.e., in the sea there is

  11    mattock agricultural tool similar to a pick, used to break up hard ground

  13    Pluto’s region the classical underworld, over which Pluto ruled

  19    What time when suffrages votes

  22    man-of-war warship

  23    her i.e., Astraea, Greek goddess of justice

  24    pipe for look in vain for, whistle for

  25    heavy case sad state of affairs

  26    distract deranged, mad

  28    carefully attentively/with solicitude

  29    feed his humour indulge, humor him

  30    careful comforting/costing trouble

  32    Join…Goths a line is missing before this in the early texts; it was probably something like “But let us live in hope that Lucius will”

  33    wreak vengeance

  36    her i.e., Astraea

  39    for as for

  41    perforce of necessity stay wait

  43    burning lake both Acheron and the fiery Phlegethon were rivers in the classical underworld

  46    Cyclops one-eyed giant

  48    wrung racked/wrenched/pressed down upon

  49    sith since

  50    move provoke/rouse/appeal to

  51    for to to

  52    gear business

  54    ‘Ad…Martem’ “To Jove,” “To Apollo” and “To Mars” (Latin)

  57    You…wind i.e., you might as well shoot against the wind as appeal to Saturninus

  58    loose let fly

  59    Of on

  64    said done

  65    Virgo the constellation of the virgin, associated with Astraea; shooting an arrow into her lap is sexually suggestive Give it Pallas shoot the arrow labeled “Pallas” (i.e., Pallas Athene, also associated with virginity)

  70    Taurus constellation of the bull

  72    galled grazed Arles constellation of the ram

  73    horns the signs of cuckoldry (i.e., having an unfaithful wife); Marcus imagines Aaron giving them to Saturninus

  74    villain servant/doer of wicked deeds

  77    there it goes a hunter’s cry of encouragement Clown a rustic/the actor who played low-comic parts

  78    post messenger

  81    gibbet-maker the Clown has misheard or misunderstood the word Jupiter taken them down i.e., taken down the gallows (because the execution has been postponed)

  85    carrier messenger (the Clown responds to the literal sense of “bearer”)

  89    press aspire

  90    tribunal plebs malapropism for “tribuni plebis”—the tribunes in their capacity as magistrates protecting the plebeians in law take up amicably settle (a legal dispute; the pigeons are to serve as a peace offering)

  91    emperial’s malapropism for “emperor’s”

  92    oration petition

  94    with a grace courteously, pleasingly, with propriety (the Clown understands “along with a prayer before meals”)

  96    ado fuss

  99    Hold stop, wait charges expenses

101    supplication written request

105    look for expect bravely in good style

106    let me alone leave it to me

Act 4 Scene 4

 4.4    Location: action continues, but shifting to interior of palace

    2    overborne oppressed

    3    for the extent in return for his exercising

    5    mightful mighty

    7    passed happened/been legally determined

    8    even in accordance

  11    wreaks acts of vengeance

  18    blazoning proclaiming/displaying

  19    humour whim, caprice

  24    she i.e., justice

  33    meanest lowest

  35    High-witted clever, sharp gloze use fair, false words withal along with the rest

  40    forsooth in truth

  42    good e’en good evening (i.e., any time after noon)

  45    must I am I to

  47    By’r lady by Our Lady (i.e., the Virgin Mary) brought up raised (plays on the sense of “given utterance to a report or legal claim”) neck plays on the sense of “the laying of a charge at law” end i.e., death (plays on the sense of “completion of a legal case”)

  50    device trick/plot

  55    shape privilege create immunity from prosecution

  56    slaughterman executioner

  57    frantic mad holp’st helped

  61    gathered head raised an army power army

  62    bent…spoil determined on destruction

  63    amain in full force/at full speed conduct leadership

  66    Coriolanus Roman war hero who, having been exiled from Rome, joined forces with his former enemy to march against the city, events that are dramatized in Shakespeare’s Coriolanus

  68    nip me cut off my growth/blight me with frost

  73    walkèd…man i.e., gone among his citizens in disguise

  74    wrongfully wrongfully done

  79    thy name i.e., Saturninus, with its suggestion of Saturn, supposedly King of Rome in the golden age

  81    suffers allows

  82    is not careful does not care

  84    stint stop

  85    giddy fickle in allegiance/intoxicated with the thought of revolt

  89    honey-stalks clover flowers, the overeating of which causes sheep to become bloated and die

  91    rotted destroyed/corrupted by the rot, a disease that affects sheep

  94    smooth flatter

  99    parley peace negotiations during which hostilities are suspended

100    appoint arrange

103    stand in insist upon

105    effectually adequately, to the purpose

107    temper work on

111    successantly at once/one after the other

Act 5 Scene 1

 5.1    Location: somewhere near Rome Drum drummer

    1    Approvèd tried and tested

    5    as…witness as noble as your titles proclaim you to be

    7    scathe harm

    9    slip offspring (literally, a cutting from a plant)

  13    bold confident

  15    master in Shakespeare’s time, queen bees were assumed to be masculine

  19    lusty vigorous

  22    earnestly with sincere feeling

  26    controlled calmed

  27    tawny brown-skinned

  28    bewray betray brat not necessarily contemptuous

  33    rates berates, scolds

  39    use…man deal with the man as you think necessary

  42    pearl…eye proverbial: “a black man is a pearl in a fair woman’s eye”

  43    fruit i.e., the baby

  44    wall-eyed with glaring eyes

  50    sire father

  51    sprawl convulse in the throes of death

  52    withal with, moreover

  66    Complots conspiracies mischief wickedness

  67    Ruthful…performed lamentable to hear about, yet done in order to excite pity

  75    for because

  77    popish i.e., deceptive, superstitious (Protestant term; anachronistic in this context)

  80    bauble professional fool’s baton with a carved head at one end

  86    discover reveal

  89    luxurious lecherous, lascivious

  91    To compared to

  94    trimmed plays on the sense of “had sex with”

  96    washed…trimmed i.e., like dead meat

  97    Trim fine

100    codding lecherous (from “cod,” i.e., “testicle”)

101    As…set i.e., their mother’s lecherousness guaranteed theirs, as certain cards are guaranteed to win a game

102    bloody bloodthirsty

103    dog…head in bull- or bear-baiting, dogs were admired for attacking head-on

105    trained lured, as to a snare

109    Confederate in a conspiracy

112    cheater person who cheats/escheator (i.e., officer who looks after property forfeited to the crown)

115    pried me peered, spied

123    as…is “to blush like a black dog” was proverbial for having a brazen face

131    forswear myself swear falsely/break my word

147    presently instantly

159    for since

161    your hostages i.e., such hostages as you may require

Act 5 Scene 2

 5.2    Location: Rome (outside Titus’ house)

    1    sad habiliment somber clothing

    5    keeps dwells, remains (possibly playing on the sense of “watches/lies in wait”)

    7    Tell I will tell

    8    confusion ruin, overthrow Aloft or within he is either on the upper-stage or in the “discovery space”

  10    ope open

  11    sad decrees grave resolutions

  14    bloody lines writing describing bloody deeds (but with the suggestion that the lines have been, metaphorically, written in his own blood)

  15    executed plays on the sense of “killed”

  17    grace adorn, augment/give plausibility to

  18    Wanting…action lacking a hand to accompany my words with gestures

  19    odds of advantage over

  23    trenches i.e., wrinkles

  24    heavy sorrowful/burdensome

  32    wreakful vengeful

  38    couch lie hidden

  39    dreadful inspiring fear and dread

  46    surance assurance, guarantee

  49    globes planets (or a printer’s error for “globe”)

  50    proper palfreys handsome horses

  51    hale haul

  52    murder i.e., murderers

  53    car chariot

  56    Hyperion the Greek sun god

  57    downfall descent; perhaps an additional allusion to the story of Hyperion’s son Phaethon, who, attempting to drive the chariot of the sun, was unable to control the horses and crashed into the sea

  59    So provided that Rapine Rape

  63    of on

  65    worldly mortal

  70    closing agreeing (may play on the sense of “embracing”)

  71    forge invent

  76    sure securely

  77    practice plot out of hand immediately/spontaneously

  78    giddy unstable, excitable, inconstant

  80    ply my theme work at my exercise

  82    Fury avenging goddess

  85    fitted fitted out

  87    wags makes the slightest movement/goes anywhere (plays on the sense of sexual motion)

  90    convenient fitting, suitable

  93    deal with set to work upon (i.e., kill)

101    hap chance

106    proportion physical shape, appearance

107    up and down in every respect

115    solemn stately, ceremonial

124    repair make his way

136    but Lucius i.e., but that revenge which Lucius shall enact

139    governed…jest managed the exploit we planned

140    smooth…fair flatter and humor him

141    turn return

161    cry cry out

162    forbear stop

163    therefore precisely for that reason

170    spring i.e., Lavinia

180    martyr kill with great violence

187    paste usually, a mixture of flour and water

188    coffin pie crust (puns on the usual sense of the word)

189    pasties meat pies (baked without a dish)

190    strumpet whore, harlot unhallowed unholy, wicked

191    increase offspring

193    surfeit feed to excess/become sick from overeating

195    Progne Progne (or Procne), wife of Tereus, revenged his rape of her sister, Philomel, by killing her son Itys and serving him to his father in a pie

199    temper moisten

201    officious diligent in duties

203    Centaurs’ feast the wedding feast of Pirithous the Lapith and Hippodamia ended in a bloody battle between the Lapithae and the Centaurs (half-men, half-horses) when one of the Centaurs launched an attack on the women present by attempting to violate the bride

205    gainst before/in anticipation of the time when

Act 5 Scene 3

 5.3    Location: action continues; the scene then moves into the house

    3    ours with thine i.e., our minds accord with yours

    9    ambush men lying in wait to attack

  17    firmament sky

  18    boots profits, avails

  19    break the parle open the negotiations

  21    careful afflicted with care/considerate Hautboys oboelike instruments

  28    cheer food/hospitality

  33    beholding indebted

  36    Virginius the centurion Virginius killed his daughter Virginia to prevent her being raped by Appius Claudius; in some versions of the story he killed her because she had been raped

  41    Because so that

  42    still continually

  44    lively striking/living, active warrant authoritative witness/conclusive proof/sanction/document licensing execution

  48    unkind cruel

  52    outrage violent action

  61    daintily with delicate attention to the palate

  66    meed for meed measure for measure

  71    mutual unified, mutually supporting

  73    bane murderer/poison

  75    forlorn outcast

  77    frosty signs i.e., white hair chaps wrinkles/cracked skin

  80    erst formerly/once ancestor i.e., Aeneas did

  83    baleful deadly

  84    subtle cunning Greeks…Troy i.e., by gaining entry through hiding in the wooden horse

  85    Sinon the man who tricked the Trojans into accepting the horse

  86    engine instrument of warfare (i.e., the Trojan horse)

  88    compact composed

  96    auditory assembly of listeners, audience

100    fell fierce, cruel

101    cozened cheated

102    fought…out fought to the end for Rome’s cause

104    unkindly unnaturally

112    advent’rous willing to incur risk

113    vaunter boaster

129    aught anything

131    poor…Andronici the few remaining members of the Andronicus family

133    ragged rough

149    give me aim stand by and observe (archery metaphor: the person who “gave aim” stood by the target and reported the results of the shots)

151    aloof aside

152    obsequious pertaining to obsequies, i.e., funeral rites trunk body, corpse

157    tenders offers (as one would discharge a financial obligation; also with connotations of tenderness)

165    Meet fitting

169    associate accompany

179    famish starve

182    doom sentence

195    heinous wicked

202    heavy haps sorrowful fortunes

THE TRAGEDY OF ROMEO AND JULIET

Romeo and Juliet contains some of Shakespeare’s most beautiful poetry, including such well-loved lines as “a rose / By any other word would smell as sweet” and “But, soft, what light through yonder window breaks? / It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.” It also contains some of his most raucous bawdy. Seconds before Romeo identifies Juliet with the rising sun, Mercutio makes a baser comparison: “O, that she were / An open arse and thou a pop’rin pear!” The image depends on the resemblance of the fruit known as a medlar to the female genitals and the Poperinghe species of pear to the male. Mercutio’s ribbing of Romeo also puns on “to meddle” and “pop it in,” both meaning to have sex, and on “O” as a sign of the vagina. The juxtaposition of such matter to Romeo’s glorious aria on the transformative effect of love at first sight is typical of Shakespeare’s unsentimental robustness. Youthful as the lovers are, Juliet especially, this is a very grown-up play, which recognizes that love and sex are inseparable.

Shakespeare often thought in pairs. Give him an idea and he is equally interested in its opposite. Sometimes he will handle similar material in successive works, trying it out as comedy in one case and tragedy in the other. A Midsummer Night’s Dream turns on comedy’s ancient plot of young people finding true love in the face of parental opposition. In the final act, the opposite ending of the same story is invoked: Bottom and his friends perform the Roman poet Ovid’s story of Pyramus and Thisbe, a pair of lovers from rival households who lose their lives in a tragedy of bad timing and misapprehension. Though played in the style of parody, the “very tragical mirth” of Pyramus and Thisbe is a reminder that in the matter of love all does not necessarily end well. Romeo and Juliet is the companion piece. As Dream is a comedy darkened by something of the night, so Romeo is a tragedy that keeps surprising us with flashes of comedy. The shock of Juliet’s apparent death is heightened by proximity to the cheerful bustle of the wedding preparations and the comic dialogue of clown and musicians. Equally, Shakespeare takes character types from the comic tradition—the tyrannical father, the bawdy servant, the meddling friar, the witty and cynical friend—and transforms them into such complex, many-layered beings as Old Capulet, the Nurse, and Mercutio.

The spirit of the play is fundamentally Ovidian, although the story is closely based on a different source, an Italian Renaissance novella that was mediated to Shakespeare via a drearily written poem called The Tragicall Historye of Romeus and Juliet. As in Ovid’s Metamorphoses, “violent delights have violent ends”: intense passions lead to dramatic transformations, the bright flame of young love is swiftly and cruelly snuffed out, but something of constancy endures at the close. Ovid’s Pyramus and Thisbe meet by an ancient tomb outside the city. They fall to earth in death, but their love is symbolically remembered in the ripening of the blood-dark mulberry. A couplet of Friar Laurence’s neatly sums up the structure of feeling that underlies this and so many other of Ovid’s transformations: “The earth that’s nature’s mother is her tomb: / What is her burying grave, that is her womb.” Taken as a whole, the friar’s soliloquy cuts to the quick of Shakespeare’s double vision. It is structured around the rhetorical figure of oxymoron, the paradox whereby opposites are held together. Not only womb and tomb, but also day and night, herbs and flowers that are simultaneously poisonous and medicinal, virtue and vice, God’s grace and our own desires: “such opposèd kings encamp them still / In man as well as herbs.”

In Peter Quince’s staging of Pyramus and Thisbe, Snout memorably plays the part of the Wall that divides the households of the two lovers. Romeo and Juliet begins with Samson, a servant of the house of Capulet, bragging of how he will thrust the Montague maids up against a wall. That is to say, having beaten up the rival men, he will have their women: sex is a matter of taking not giving. Samson boasts the biblical name of a man capable of bringing walls tumbling down, but what actually happens is that Romeo lightly o’erleaps the orchard wall—like Ovid’s Hercules entering the fabulous gardens of the Hesperides—and moves the action into a new key. The lovers give themselves to each other and, though they are then taken in death, the wall of division crumbles away. The memory of Romeo and Juliet binds together the houses of Montague and Capulet, bringing their ancient grudge to an end.

Romeo himself has some rapid growing up to do along the way. At the beginning of the play, he is in love with Rosaline. Or rather, he is in love with the idea of being in love. We never actually see Rosaline: she exists solely as the idealized love-object of Romeo. She is nothing more than a literary type, the beautiful but unavailable mistress of the sonnet tradition that goes back to the Italian Renaissance poet Petrarch. The Petrarchan lover thrives on artifice and paradox. The fire in Romeo’s heart is dependent on his lady’s icy maidenhood—“Feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire, sick health, / Still-waking sleep that is not what it is!” As the Friar recognizes, this is mere “doting,” not true loving. And so long as Mercutio is around, the bubble of poetic language keeps on being pricked—is it not just a matter of rhyming “love” with “dove”?

Romeo still poeticizes on seeing Juliet, though he speaks in richly textured imagery instead of the banal oxymorons inspired by Rosaline: “It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night / As a rich jewel in an Ethiope’s ear.” When the lovers meet at the Capulet ball, they weave a verbal dance that answers to the motions of their bodies and hands: their initial dialogue is wrapped into the form of a sonnet. But over the next few scenes their language evolves into something more fluid and more natural. You can hear Shakespeare growing as a poet even as you see the love between Juliet and Romeo growing from infatuation at first sight to the conviction that each has found the other’s soul mate. Love is a chemistry that begins from a physiological transformation—Romeo is “bewitched by the charm of looks”—but it becomes a discovery of the very core of human being: “Can I go forward when my heart is here? / Turn back, dull earth, and find thy centre out.”

The great Romantic critic and essayist William Hazlitt read Shakespeare as profoundly as he meditated upon love. “Romeo is Hamlet in love,” he said. For Hazlitt, falling in love is like coming home to your dreams. But what also haunts the lover—remember the teasing paradoxes of A Midsummer Night’s Dream—is the suspicion that it might all be a dream. Mercutio spins a tale of how love is but the mischief of Queen Mab, midwife of illusion. Romeo blesses the night, but then acknowledges his fear that “Being in night, all this is but a dream, / Too flattering-sweet to be substantial.”

Juliet has to deal with another fear. For a girl in Shakespeare’s time, chastity was a priceless commodity. To lose her virtue without the prospect of marriage would be to lose herself. In the speech that begins “Thou know’st the mask of night is on my face,” Juliet reveals quite remarkable self-understanding. She is acutely aware that in love the stakes for a woman are far higher than they are for a man. Here Shakespeare’s poetic language becomes the vehicle of both argument and emotion. The artifice of rhyme is replaced by blank verse that moves with the suppleness of thought itself.

In the original production, the lines would have been spoken by a young male actor of perhaps around the same thirteen years as the character of Juliet. By highlighting extreme youthfulness (in the source, Juliet is sixteen), Shakespeare makes a bold implicit claim for his poetic drama. Both actor and character are speaking with maturity far beyond their years: such, the dramatist implies, is the metamorphic potency of the mingled fire and powder of love and art. Though younger than Romeo, Juliet is more knowing. She senses the danger in his talk of idolatry. In the soaring love-duet that is their final scene together before Romeo’s exile, she wills the song to be that of the nightingale rather than the lark because she knows that the break of day will mean the end of their night of love and the dawn of a harsh reality in which she will be reduced to the status of a bargaining chip in the negotiations between Verona’s powerful families.

According to the social code of the time, it is the duty of the young to obey the old. Marriage is a matter not of love, but of the consolidation and perpetuation of wealth and status. Arthur Brooke, author of the Tragicall Historye of Romeus and Juliet which Shakespeare had before him as he wrote, told his readers that the moral of the story was that young lovers who submit to erotic desire, neglecting the authority and advice of parents and listening instead to drunken gossips and superstitious friars, will come to a deservedly sticky end. Shakespeare’s play, by contrast, glories in the energy of youth. It does not seek to advance a moral or to condemn what Juliet calls the “disobedient opposition” of child to parent. The drama offers instead the tragic paradox that the heat in the blood that animates the star-crossed lovers is the same ardor that leads young men to scrap in the street and to kill out of loyalty to their friends. The kinship of love and revenge, the perpetual war between the generations: Shakespeare will return to this territory in later plays such as Hamlet and King Lear.

It is sometimes said that Romeo and Juliet is a lesser work than these “mature” tragedies because its catastrophe is provoked by fate rather than the actions of the characters themselves. Shakespeare does impose an artistic shape upon the plot through the device of the Chorus, with its emphasis on events being written in the stars. But the misadventure that provokes the disastrous ending is not merely a piece of bad luck: the reason Romeo does not get Friar Laurence’s crucial letter is that Friar John is detained for fear that he might have been infected with plague. Plague was an everyday reality in Shakespeare’s London. Puritan preachers may have proclaimed it as a judgment sent by an angry God, but that is not how it would have seemed to Shakespeare’s original audience. Everybody in the theater would have known families whose future had been blighted by plague.

Parents are supposed to die before their children, the old before the young. With plague, it is not always like that. The tragic irony of Romeo and Juliet is that the houses of both Capulet and Montague escape the plague, yet still the children die first. The final scene takes place in an ancestral tomb, but those who lie dead are the flower of a city’s youth—Mercutio, Tybalt, Paris, Juliet, and her Romeo.

KEY FACTS

PLOT: A long-standing feud between the Montagues and the Capulets flares up in a brawl on the streets of Verona, halted only by the arrival of Prince Escalus. Romeo, only son of the Montagues, is hopelessly in love with the unattainable Rosaline. Attempting to shake him out of his melancholy, his friends Mercutio and Benvolio persuade him to go to a party at the Capulets’ house. There he meets and falls instantly in love with Juliet, the Capulets’ only daughter, and she with him. With the help of Juliet’s Nurse, they are secretly married the next day by Friar Laurence. Juliet’s cousin Tybalt quarrels with Romeo and in the fight which ensues Mercutio is killed. Romeo avenges his friend’s death and kills Tybalt, for which he is banished from Verona on pain of death. After spending a single night with his bride, he escapes to Mantua. Juliet learns that her parents plan to marry her to Count Paris. Distraught, she turns to Friar Laurence, who devises a plan. He gives her a drug which will make her appear to be dead. The intention is that her parents will place her in the family tomb and when she awakes from her drugged sleep, Romeo will be waiting to escape with her to Mantua. When Romeo returns to Verona, he believes her really to be dead and kills himself. Waking to find Romeo dead beside her, Juliet kills herself. The two families, united in grief, vow to end their feud.

MAJOR PARTS: (with percentage of lines/number of speeches/scenes on stage) Romeo (20%/163/14), Juliet (18%/118/11), Friar Laurence (11%/55/7), Nurse (9%/90/11), Capulet (9%/51/9), Mercutio (8%/62/4), Benvolio (5%/64/7), Lady Capulet (4%/45/10), Escalus (3%/16/3), Paris (2%/23/5), Montague (1%/10/3).

LINGUISTIC MEDIUM: 90% verse, 10% prose.

DATE: 1595–96. Includes part for Will Kemp, who joined the Lord Chamberlain’s Men in 1594; published 1597, with assignment to “Lord Hunsdon’s Men” (the name of Shakespeare’s company from July 1596 to April 1597); astrological allusions and earthquake reference may suggest composition in 1595–96; close links with A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

SOURCES: Based on Arthur Brooke’s long narrative poem The Tragicall Historye of Romeus and Juliet (1562), which was itself based on an Italian novella by Matteo Bandello (1554, possibly known to Shakespeare via William Painter’s English translation in his 1567 Palace of Pleasure). Shakespeare’s alterations to Brooke include considerable expansion of the roles of the Nurse and Mercutio.

TEXT: The First Quarto (1597) is poorly printed, so has traditionally been assumed to be an orally reconstructed or “reported” text, though this assumption was challenged in the late twentieth century; it seems to have had a playhouse origin. The Second Quarto (1599) is longer and better printed, justifying its title-page claim “Newly corrected, augmented, and amended”; it is generally thought to have been derived from Shakespeare’s manuscript. A Third Quarto (1609) reprinted the Second, and a fourth (1622) reprinted the Third, but with intelligent corrections, some of them deriving from consultation of the First Quarto. The 1623 First Folio text was printed from the Third Quarto, though introducing its own intelligent corrections and additional stage directions, but also many new errors as a result of its being printed almost entirely by “Compositor E,” by far the least competent of the workmen who set the Folio into print. Modern editions are traditionally based on the Second Quarto, but we respect the intentions of the Folio, seeking to retain the innovations of its original editor while eliminating what we judge to be its compositorial errors by means of emendation from the Second Quarto (and occasionally the other Quartos). The Folio lacks the Prologue, an omission we highlight by enclosing the lines within asterisks. Folio follows the Second Quarto in including a number of repeated lines (e.g., the description of dawn at the end of Act 2 Scene 1 and the beginning of Act 2 Scene 2); the likeliest explanation on each of the three occasions when this occurs is that the first of the duplicated passages represents authorial “first thoughts” intended for deletion: these lines are retained in our text but are indicated by enclosure within double solidi (// //).

THE TRAGEDY OF ROMEO AND JULIET

CHORUS

ROMEO

MONTAGUE, Romeo’s father

LADY MONTAGUE, Romeo’s mother

BENVOLIO, Montague’s nephew

ABRAHAM, Montague’s servingman

BALTHASAR, Romeo’s man

JULIET

CAPULET, Juliet’s father

LADY CAPULET, Juliet’s mother

NURSE, to Juliet

TYBALT, Capulet’s nephew

SECOND CAPULET

Petruchio

MUSICIANS

SERVINGMEN

PRINCE, Escalus of Verona

PAGE to Paris

Mercutio’s Page

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR JOHN

APOTHECARY

OFFICER

CITIZENS

CONSTABLE

WATCHMEN

Prologue

               [Enter Chorus]

CHORUS¹

CHORUS     Two households, both alike in dignity,

               In fair Verona,² where we lay our scene,

               From ancient³ grudge break to new mutiny,

               Where civil⁴ blood makes civil hands unclean.

5

5             From forth the fatal⁵ loins of these two foes

               A pair of star-crossed⁶ lovers take their life,

               Whose misadventured⁷ piteous overthrows;

               Doth with their death bury their parents’ strife.

               The fearful⁹ passage of their death-marked love,;

10

10           And the continuance of their parents’ rage,

               Which, but¹¹ their children’s end, nought could remove,

               Is now the two hours’ traffic¹² of our stage;

               The which if you with patient ears attend,

               What here shall miss,¹⁴ our toil shall strive to mend.

               [Exit]

Act 1 Scene 11.1

running scene 1

               Enter Sampson and Gregory with swords and bucklers, of the House of Capulet

SAMPSON

SAMPSON     Gregory, o’my word, we’ll not carry coals.¹

GREGORY

GREGORY     No, for then we should be colliers.²

SAMPSON

SAMPSON     I mean, if we be in choler,³ we’ll draw.

GREGORY

GREGORY     Ay, while you live, draw⁴ your neck out o’th’collar.

SAMPSON

SAMPSON     I strike⁵ quickly, being moved.

GREGORY

GREGORY     But thou art not quickly moved to strike.

SAMPSON

SAMPSON     A dog of the house of Montague moves me.

GREGORY

GREGORY     To move⁸ is to stir; and to be valiant is to stand: therefore, if thou art moved, thou runn’st away.

SAMPSON

SAMPSON     A dog of that house shall move me to stand. I will take the wall¹⁰ of any man or maid of Montague’s.

GREGORY

GREGORY     That shows thee a weak slave,¹² for the weakest goes to the wall.

SAMPSON

SAMPSON     True, and therefore women being the weaker vessels are ever thrust¹³ to the wall: therefore I will push Montague’s men from the wall, and thrust his maids to the wall.

GREGORY

GREGORY     The quarrel is between our masters and us their men.¹⁶

SAMPSON

SAMPSON     ’Tis all one,¹⁷ I will show myself a tyrant: when I have fought with the men, I will be civil with the maids, and cut off their heads.

GREGORY

GREGORY     The heads of the maids?

SAMPSON

SAMPSON     Ay, the heads of the maids, or their maidenheads,²⁰ take it in what sense thou wilt.

GREGORY

GREGORY     They must take²² it in sense that feel it.

SAMPSON

SAMPSON     Me they shall feel while I am able to stand,²³ and ’tis known I am a pretty piece of flesh.

GREGORY

GREGORY     ’Tis well thou art not fish:²⁵ if thou hadst, thou hadst been poor John. Draw thy tool,²⁶ here comes of the house of the Montagues.

               Enter two other Servingmen [Abraham and Balthasar] Sampson draws

SAMPSON

SAMPSON     My naked weapon²⁷ is out. Quarrel, I will back thee.

GREGORY

GREGORY     How,²⁸ turn thy back and run?

SAMPSON

SAMPSON     Fear²⁹ me not.

GREGORY

GREGORY     No, marry,³⁰ I fear thee!

SAMPSON

SAMPSON     Let us take the law of³¹ our sides: let them begin.

GREGORY

GREGORY     I will frown as I pass by, and let them take it as they list.³² Frowns

SAMPSON

SAMPSON     Nay, as they dare. I will bite my thumb³³ at them, which is a disgrace to them if they bear it. Bites his thumb

ABRAHAM

ABRAHAM     Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?

SAMPSON

SAMPSON     I do bite my thumb, sir.

ABRAHAM

ABRAHAM     Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?

SAMPSON

SAMPSON     Is the law of our side, if I say ay? Aside

GREGORY

GREGORY     No.

SAMPSON

SAMPSON     No, sir, I do not bite my thumb at you, sir, but I bite my thumb, sir.

GREGORY

GREGORY     Do you quarrel, sir?

ABRAHAM

ABRAHAM     Quarrel sir? No, sir.

SAMPSON

SAMPSON     If you do, sir, I am for you. I serve as good a man as you.

ABRAHAM

ABRAHAM     No better?

SAMPSON

SAMPSON     Well, sir.

        Enter Benvolio

GREGORY

GREGORY     Say ‘better’— here comes one of my master’s kinsmen. Aside

SAMPSON

SAMPSON     Yes, better.

ABRAHAM

ABRAHAM     You lie.

SAMPSON

SAMPSON     Draw, if you be men. Gregory, remember thy swashing⁴⁹ blow. They fight

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     Part, fools! Draws and parts them Put up your swords, you know not what you do.

        Enter Tybalt

TYBALT

TYBALT     What, art thou drawn among these heartless hinds?⁵¹ Turn thee, Benvolio, look upon thy death. Draws

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     I do but keep the peace. Put up thy sword, Or manage⁵⁴ it to part these men with me.

TYBALT

TYBALT     What, drawn, and talk of peace? I hate the word, As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee. Have at thee, coward!

        Fight

        Enter three or four Citizens with clubs

OFFICER

OFFICER     Clubs,⁵⁸ bills and partisans! Strike! Beat them down! Down with the Capulets!

                  Down with the Montagues!

        Enter Old Capulet in his gown, and his Wife

60

60   

CAPULET

CAPULET           What noise is this? Give me my long sword,⁶⁰ ho!

LADY CAPULET

LADY CAPULET     A crutch, a crutch! Why call you for a sword?

CAPULET

CAPULET     My sword, I say! Old Montague is come,

               And flourishes his blade in spite of⁶³ me.

        Enter Old Montague and his Wife

MONTAGUE

MONTAGUE     Thou villain Capulet!— Hold me not, let me go.

65

65   

LADY MONTAGUE

LADY MONTAGUE           Thou shalt not stir a foot to seek a foe.

        Enter Prince Escalus with his train

PRINCE

PRINCE     Rebellious subjects, enemies to peace,

               Profaners⁶⁷ of this neighbour-stainèd steel—

               Will they not hear?— What, ho! You men, you beasts,

               That quench the fire of your pernicious⁶⁹ rage

70

70           With purple fountains issuing from your veins:

               On pain of torture, from those bloody hands

               Throw your mistempered⁷² weapons to the ground,

               And hear the sentence of your movèd⁷³ prince.

               Three civil broils, bred of an airy word,

75

75           By thee, Old Capulet, and Montague,

               Have thrice disturbed the quiet of our streets,

               And made Verona’s ancient⁷⁷ citizens

               Cast by their grave beseeming ornaments⁷⁸

               To wield Old partisans, in hands as old,

80

80           Cankered⁸⁰ with peace, to part your cankered hate:

               If ever you disturb our streets again,

               Your lives shall pay⁸² the forfeit of the peace.

               For this time, all the rest depart away:

               You Capulet, shall go along with me,

85

85           And, Montague, come you this afternoon,

               To know our further pleasure⁸⁶ in this case,

               To old Freetown, our common judgement-place.

               Once more, on pain of death, all men depart.

        Exeunt. [Montague, Lady Montague and Benvolio remain]

MONTAGUE

MONTAGUE     Who set this ancient quarrel new abroach?⁸⁹

90

90           Speak, nephew, were you by⁹⁰ when it began?

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     Here were the servants of your adversary,

               And yours, close fighting ere⁹² I did approach:

               I drew to part them: in the instant came

               The fiery Tybalt, with his sword prepared,⁹⁴

95

95           Which, as he breathed defiance to my ears,

               He swung about his head and cut the winds,

               Who nothing hurt withal⁹⁷ hissed him in scorn:

               While we were interchanging thrusts and blows,

               Came more and more, and fought on part and part,⁹⁹

100

100         Till the prince came, who parted either part.

LADY MONTAGUE

LADY MONTAGUE     O, where is Romeo? Saw you him today?

               Right glad am I he was not at this fray.

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     Madam, an hour before the worshipped sun

               Peered forth¹⁰⁴ the golden window of the east,

105

105         A troubled mind drave¹⁰⁵ me to walk abroad,

               Where, underneath the grove of sycamore

               That westward¹⁰⁷ rooteth from the city side,

               So early walking did I see your son:

               Towards him I made, but he was ware¹⁰⁹ of me

110

110         And stole into the covert¹¹⁰ of the wood:

               I, measuring his affections¹¹¹ by my own,

               Which then¹¹² most sought where most might not be found,

               Being one too many by my weary self,

               Pursued my humour,¹¹⁴ not pursuing his,

115

115         And gladly shunned who¹¹⁵ gladly fled from me.

MONTAGUE

MONTAGUE     Many a morning hath he there been seen,

               With tears augmenting the fresh morning’s dew,

               Adding to clouds more clouds with his deep sighs,

               But all so soon as the all-cheering sun

120

120         Should in the farthest east begin to draw

               The shady curtains from Aurora’s¹²¹ bed,

               Away from light steals home my heavy¹²² son,

               And private in his chamber pens himself,

               Shuts up his windows, locks fair daylight out

125

125         And makes himself an artificial night:

               Black¹²⁶ and portentous must this humour prove,

               Unless good counsel may the cause remove.

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     My noble uncle, do you know the cause?

MONTAGUE

MONTAGUE     I neither know it nor can learn of¹²⁹ him.

130

130 

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO             Have you importuned¹³⁰ him by any means?

MONTAGUE

MONTAGUE     Both by myself and many other friends,

               But he, his own affections’ counsellor,

               Is to himself — I will not say how true¹³³ —

               But to himself so secret and so close,¹³⁴

135

135         So far from sounding¹³⁵ and discovery,

               As is the bud bit with an envious¹³⁶ worm,

               Ere he can spread his sweet leaves to the air,

               Or dedicate his beauty to the same.

               Could we but learn from whence his sorrows grow,

140

140         We would as willingly give cure as know.

        Enter Romeo

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     See, where he comes. So please you, step aside,

               I’ll know his grievance, or be much denied.

MONTAGUE

MONTAGUE     I¹⁴³ would thou wert so happy by thy stay

               To hear true shrift.¹⁴⁴— Come, madam, let’s away.

        Exeunt [Montague and Lady Montague]

145

145 

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO             Good morrow, cousin.¹⁴⁵

ROMEO

ROMEO     Is the day so young?

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     But new struck nine.

ROMEO

ROMEO     Ay me, sad hours seem long.

               Was that my father that went hence so fast?

150

150 

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO             It was. What sadness lengthens Romeo’s hours?

ROMEO

ROMEO     Not having that, which, having, makes them short.

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     In love?

ROMEO

ROMEO     Out—

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     Of love?

155

155 

ROMEO

ROMEO             Out of her favour where I am in love.

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     Alas that love, so gentle in his view,¹⁵⁶

               Should be so tyrannous and rough in proof!¹⁵⁷

ROMEO

ROMEO     Alas that love, whose view is muffled¹⁵⁸ still,

               Should, without eyes, see pathways to his will!

160

160         Where shall we dine? O me! What fray was here?

               Yet tell me not, for I have heard it all.

               Here’s much to do with hate, but more with love:

               Why, then, O brawling love, O loving hate,

               O anything of nothing first create!¹⁶⁴

165

165         O heavy lightness, serious vanity,¹⁶⁵

               Misshapen chaos of well-seeming¹⁶⁶ forms,

               Feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire, sick health,

               Still-waking¹⁶⁸ sleep that is not what it is!

               This love feel I, that feel no love in this.

170

170         Dost thou not laugh?

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     No, coz, I rather weep.

ROMEO

ROMEO     Good heart, at what?

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     At thy good heart’s oppression.

ROMEO

ROMEO     Why, such is love’s transgression.

175

175         Griefs of mine own lie heavy in my breast,

               Which thou wilt propagate,¹⁷⁶ to have it pressed

               With more of thine: this love¹⁷⁷ that thou hast shown

               Doth add more grief to too much of mine own.

               Love is a smoke made with the fume of sighs,

180

180         Being purged,¹⁸⁰ a fire sparkling in lovers’ eyes,

               Being vexed,¹⁸¹ a sea nourished with loving tears.

               What is it else? A madness most discreet,¹⁸²

               A choking gall¹⁸³ and a preserving sweet.

               Farewell, my coz.¹⁸⁴

185

185 

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO             Soft,¹⁸⁵ I will go along,

               An if¹⁸⁶ you leave me so, you do me wrong.

ROMEO

ROMEO     Tut, I have lost myself, I am not here:

               This is not Romeo, he’s some other where.

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     Tell me in sadness,¹⁸⁹ who is that you love.

190

190 

ROMEO

ROMEO             What, shall I groan and tell thee?

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     Groan? Why, no. But sadly tell me who.

ROMEO

ROMEO     A sick man in sadness makes his will:

               A word ill-urged to one that is so ill.

               In sadness, cousin, I do love a woman.

195

195 

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO             I aimed so near,¹⁹⁵ when I supposed you loved.

ROMEO

ROMEO     A right good mark-man!¹⁹⁶ And she’s fair I love.

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     A right fair mark,¹⁹⁷ fair coz, is soonest hit.

ROMEO

ROMEO     Well, in that hit you miss: she’ll not be hit

               With Cupid’s arrow,¹⁹⁹ she hath Dian’s wit,

200

200         And in strong proof²⁰⁰ of chastity well armed,

               From love’s²⁰¹ weak childish bow she lives uncharmed.

               She will not stay²⁰² the siege of loving terms,

               Nor bide²⁰³ th’encounter of assailing eyes,

               Nor ope²⁰⁴ her lap to saint-seducing gold:

205

205         O, she is rich in beauty, only poor

               That²⁰⁶ when she dies with beauty dies her store.

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     Then she hath sworn that she will still²⁰⁷ live chaste?

ROMEO

ROMEO     She hath, and in that sparing²⁰⁸ makes huge waste,

               For beauty starved²⁰⁹ with her severity

210

210         Cuts beauty off from all posterity.

               She is too fair,²¹¹ too wise, wisely too fair,

               To merit²¹² bliss by making me despair.

               She hath forsworn to²¹³ love, and in that vow

               Do I live dead that live to tell it now.

215

215 

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO             Be ruled by me, forget to think of her.

ROMEO

ROMEO     O, teach me how I should forget to think.

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO      By giving liberty unto thine eyes:

               Examine other beauties.

ROMEO

ROMEO     ’Tis²¹⁹ the way

220

220         To call hers exquisite, in question more:

               These happy²²¹ masks that kiss fair ladies’ brows

               Being black puts us in mind they hide the fair.

               He that is strucken²²³ blind cannot forget

               The precious treasure of his eyesight lost:

225

225         Show me a mistress that is passing²²⁵ fair,

               What doth her beauty serve, but as a note²²⁶

               Where I may read who passed²²⁷ that passing fair?

               Farewell, thou canst not teach me to forget.

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     I’ll pay that doctrine,²²⁹ or else die in debt.

        Exeunt

[Act 1 Scene 2]1.2

running scene 2

        Enter Capulet, County Paris and the Clown [a Servingman]

CAPULET

CAPULET     Montague is bound¹ as well as I,

               In penalty alike, and ’tis not hard, I think,

               For men so old as we to keep the peace.

PARIS

PARIS     Of honourable reckoning⁴ are you both,

5

5             And pity ’tis you lived at odds so long.

               But now, my lord, what say you to my suit?⁶

CAPULET

CAPULET     But saying o’er⁷ what I have said before:

               My child is yet a stranger in the world,

               She hath not seen the change⁹ of fourteen years,

10

10           Let two more summers wither in their pride,¹⁰

               Ere we may think her ripe to be a bride.

PARIS

PARIS     Younger than she are happy mothers made.

CAPULET

CAPULET     And too soon marred¹³ are those so early made.

               Earth¹⁴ hath swallowed all my hopes but she:

15

15           She’s the hopeful¹⁵ lady of my earth.

               But woo her, gentle¹⁶ Paris, get her heart:

               My will to her consent is but a part;

               An¹⁸ she agree, within her scope of choice

               Lies my consent and fair according¹⁹ voice.

20

20           This night I hold an old accustomed²⁰ feast,

               Whereto I have invited many a guest,

               Such as I love, and you among the store,²²

               One more, most welcome, makes my number more.

               At my poor house look to behold this night

25

25           Earth-treading stars that make dark heaven light.

               Such comfort²⁶ as do lusty young men feel

               When well-apparelled²⁷ April on the heel

               Of limping winter treads, even such delight

               Among fresh fennel²⁹ buds shall you this night

30

30           Inherit³⁰ at my house: hear all, all see,

               And like her most whose merit most shall be,

               Which³² one more view, of many mine being one,

               May stand in number, though in reck’ning³³ none.

               Come, go with me.— Go, sirrah,³⁴ trudge about To Servingman

35

35           Through fair Verona, find those persons out Gives a list

               Whose names are written there and to them say,

               My house and welcome on their pleasure stay.³⁷

        Exeunt [Capulet and Paris]

SERVINGMAN

SERVINGMAN     Find them out whose names are written. Here it³⁸ is written that the shoemaker should meddle³⁹ with his yard, and the tailor with his last, the fisher with his pencil,⁴⁰ and the painter with his nets. But I am sent to find those persons whose names are here writ, and can never find what names the writing person hath here writ — I must to the learnèd — in good time.⁴²

        Enter Benvolio and Romeo

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     Tut, man, one fire burns out another’s⁴³ burning,

               One pain is lessened by another’s anguish:

45

45           Turn giddy, and be holp⁴⁵ by backward turning:

               One desperate grief cures with another’s languish:⁴⁶

               Take thou some new infection to thy eye,

               And the rank poison of the old will die.

ROMEO

ROMEO     Your plaintain⁴⁹ leaf is excellent for that.

50

50   

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO           For what, I pray thee?

ROMEO

ROMEO     For your broken⁵¹ shin.

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     Why, Romeo, art thou mad?

ROMEO

ROMEO     Not mad, but bound⁵³ more than a madman is:

               Shut up in prison, kept without my food,

55

55           Whipped and tormented and— Good e’en,⁵⁵ good fellow.

SERVINGMAN

SERVINGMAN     God gi’⁵⁶ good e’en. I pray, sir, can you read?

ROMEO

ROMEO     Ay, mine own fortune in my misery.

SERVINGMAN

SERVINGMAN     Perhaps you have learned it without book:⁵⁸ but, I pray, can you read anything you see?

ROMEO

ROMEO     Ay, if I know the letters and the language.

SERVINGMAN

SERVINGMAN     Ye say honestly, rest you merry!⁶¹

ROMEO

ROMEO     Stay, fellow, I can read.

60        He reads the letter

                  ‘Signior Martino and his wife and daughters, County Anselme and his beauteous sisters, the lady widow of Utruvio, Signior Placentio and his lovely nieces, Mercutio and his brother Valentine, mine uncle Capulet, his wife and daughters, my fair niece Rosaline, Livia, Signior Valentio and his cousin Tybalt, Lucio and the lively Helena.’ A fair assembly: whither⁶⁷ should they come?

SERVINGMAN

SERVINGMAN     Up.

ROMEO

ROMEO     Whither? To supper?

SERVINGMAN

SERVINGMAN     To our house.

ROMEO

ROMEO     Whose house?

SERVINGMAN

SERVINGMAN     My master’s.

ROMEO

ROMEO     Indeed, I should have asked you that before.

SERVINGMAN

SERVINGMAN     Now I’ll tell you without asking: my master is the great rich Capulet,

                  and if you be not of the house of Montagues, I pray come and crush⁷⁵ a cup of wine. Rest you merry.

        Exit

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     At this same ancient⁷⁷ feast of Capulet’s

               Sups the fair Rosaline whom thou so loves,

               With all the admired beauties of Verona:

80

80           Go thither, and with unattainted⁸⁰ eye,

               Compare her face with some that I shall show,

               And I will make thee think thy swan a crow.

ROMEO

ROMEO     When the devout religion of mine eye

               Maintains⁸⁴ such falsehood, then turn tears to fire,

85

85           And these,⁸⁵ who often drowned could never die,

               Transparent⁸⁶ heretics, be burnt for liars.

               One fairer than my love! The all-seeing sun

               Ne’er saw her match since first the world begun.

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     Tut, you saw her fair, none else being by,

90

90           Herself poised⁹⁰ with herself in either eye:

               But in that crystal scales let there be weighed

               Your lady’s love⁹² against some other maid

               That I will show you shining at this feast,

               And she shall scant⁹⁴ show well that now seems best.

95

95   

ROMEO

ROMEO           I’ll go along, no such sight to be shown,

               But to rejoice in splendour⁹⁶ of mine own.

        [Exeunt]

[Act 1 Scene 3]*

running scene 3

        Enter Capulet’s Wife and Nurse

LADY CAPULET

LADY CAPULET     Nurse, where’s my daughter? Call her forth to me.

NURSE

NURSE     Now by² my maidenhead at twelve year old,

               I bade her come. What,³ Iamb! What, ladybird!

               God forbid,⁴ where’s this girl? What, Juliet!

        Enter Juliet

5

5     

JULIET

JULIET         How now? Who calls?

NURSE

NURSE     Your mother.

JULIET

JULIET     Madam, I am here. What is your will?

LADY CAPULET

LADY CAPULET     This is the matter.— Nurse, give leave⁸ awhile,

               We must talk in secret.— Nurse, come back again,

10

10           I have remembered me, thou’s¹⁰ hear our counsel.

               Thou know’st my daughter’s of a pretty¹¹ age.

NURSE

NURSE     Faith, I can tell her age unto an hour.

LADY CAPULET

LADY CAPULET     She’s not fourteen.

NURSE

NURSE     I’ll lay fourteen¹⁴ of my teeth — and yet, to my teen be it spoken, I have but four — she’s not fourteen. How long is it now to Lammas-tide?¹⁵

LADY CAPULET

LADY CAPULET     A fortnight and odd days.

NURSE

NURSE     Even¹⁷ or odd, of all days in the year, come Lammas Eve at night shall she be fourteen. Susan¹⁸ and she — God rest all Christian souls! — were of an age. Well, Susan is with God: she was too good for me. But as I said, on Lammas Eve at night shall she be fourteen, that shall she, marry, I remember it well. ’Tis since the earthquake now eleven years, and she was weaned — I never shall forget it — of all the days of the year, upon that day, for I had then laid²² wormwood to my dug, sitting in the sun under the dovehouse wall. My lord and you were then at Mantua²⁴ — nay, I do bear a brain — but, as I said, when it did taste the wormwood on the nipple of my dug and felt it bitter, pretty fool,²⁵ to see it tetchy and fall out with the dug! ‘Shake’,²⁶ quoth the dovehouse: ’twas no need, I trow, to bid me trudge.²⁷ And since that time it is eleven years, for then she could stand alone, nay, by th’rood,²⁸ she could have run and waddled all about, for even the day before, she broke²⁹ her brow, and then my husband — God be with his soul, a was a merry man — took up the child, ‘Yea,’ quoth he, ‘dost thou fall upon thy face? Thou wilt fall backward³¹ when thou hast more wit, wilt thou not, Jule?’ And by my holidam,³² the pretty wretch left crying and said ‘Ay’. To see now how a jest shall come about!³³ I warrant, an I should live a thousand years, I never should forget it: ‘Wilt thou not, Jule?’ quoth he, and, pretty fool, it stinted³⁴ and said ‘Ay’.

LADY CAPULET

LADY CAPULET     Enough of this, I pray thee, hold thy peace.

NURSE

NURSE     Yes, madam, yet I cannot choose but laugh, to think it³⁷ should leave crying and say ‘Ay’. And yet I warrant it had upon it brow a bump as big as a young cock’rel’s stone,³⁸ a perilous knock, and it cried bitterly. ‘Yea,’ quoth my husband, ‘fall’st upon thy face? Thou wilt fall backward when thou comest to age, wilt thou not, Jule?’ It stinted and said ‘Ay’.

JULIET

JULIET     And stint thou too, I pray thee, Nurse, say I.⁴¹

NURSE

NURSE     Peace, I have done. God mark⁴² thee to his grace! Thou wast the prettiest babe that e’er I nursed. An I might live to see thee married once,⁴³ I have my wish.

LADY CAPULET

LADY CAPULET     Marry, that ‘marry’ is the very theme

45

45           I came to talk of. Tell me, daughter Juliet,

               How stands your disposition⁴⁶ to be married?

JULIET

JULIET     It is an honour that I dream not of.

NURSE

NURSE     An honour! Were not I thine only nurse, I would say thou hadst sucked

               wisdom from thy teat.⁴⁹

50

50   

LADY CAPULET

LADY CAPULET           Well, think of marriage now: younger than you,

               Here in Verona, ladies of esteem,

               Are made already mothers. By my count,

               I was your mother much⁵³ upon these years

               That you are now a maid. Thus then in brief:

55

55           The valiant Paris seeks you for his love.

NURSE

NURSE     A man, young lady! Lady, such a man as all the world — why, he’s a man of wax.⁵⁶

LADY CAPULET

LADY CAPULET     Verona’s summer hath not such a flower.

NURSE

NURSE     Nay, he’s a flower, in faith, a very flower.

60

60   

LADY CAPULET

LADY CAPULET           What say you? Can you love the gentleman?

               This night you shall behold him at our feast:

               Read o’er the volume of young Paris’ face,

               And find delight writ there with beauty’s pen,

               Examine every several⁶⁴ lineament,

65

65           And see how one another lends content⁶⁵

               And what obscured in this fair volume lies

               Find written in the margent⁶⁷ of his eyes.

               This precious book of love, this unbound⁶⁸ lover,

               To beautify him, only lacks a cover.⁶⁹

70

70           The fish lives in the sea, and ’tis much pride

               For fair without the⁷¹ fair within to hide.

               That book⁷² in many’s eyes doth share the glory,

               That in gold clasps⁷³ locks in the golden story:

               So shall you share all that he doth possess,

75

75           By having him, making yourself no less.

NURSE

NURSE     No less? Nay, bigger: women⁷⁶ grow by men.

LADY CAPULET

LADY CAPULET     Speak briefly, can you like of⁷⁷ Paris’ love?

JULIET

JULIET     I’ll look⁷⁸ to like, if looking liking move:

               But no more deep will I endart mine eye⁷⁹

80

80           Than your consent gives strength to make it fly.

        Enter a Servingman

SERVINGMAN

SERVINGMAN     Madam, the guests are come, supper served up, you called, my young lady asked for, the nurse cursed in the pantry, and everything in extremity. I must hence to wait: I beseech you, follow straight.⁸³

        Exit

LADY CAPULET

LADY CAPULET     We follow thee.— Juliet, the county⁸⁴ stays.

NURSE

NURSE     Go, girl, seek happy nights to happy days.

        Exeunt

[Act 1 Scene 4]*

running scene 4

        Enter Romeo, Mercutio, Benvolio, with five or six other Masquers, Torchbearers

ROMEO

ROMEO     What, shall this speech¹ be spoke for our excuse?

               Or shall we on without apology?

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     The³ date is out of such prolixity:

               We’ll have no Cupid⁴ hoodwinked with a scarf,

5

5             Bearing a Tartar’s⁵ painted bow of lath,

               Scaring the ladies like a crow-keeper.⁶

               But let them measure⁷ us by what they will,

               We’ll measure⁸ them a measure, and be gone.

ROMEO

ROMEO     Give me a torch, I am not for this ambling.⁹

10

10           Being but heavy,¹⁰ I will bear the light.

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     Nay, gentle Romeo, we must have you dance.

ROMEO

ROMEO     Not I, believe me. You have dancing shoes

               With nimble soles, I have a soul of lead

               So stakes me to the ground I cannot move.

15

15   

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO           You are a lover, borrow Cupid’s wings,

               And soar with them above a common bound.¹⁶

ROMEO

ROMEO     I am too sore enpiercèd¹⁷ with his shaft

               To soar with his light feathers and so bound,¹⁸

               I cannot bound a pitch¹⁹ above dull woe:

20

20           Under love’s heavy burden do I sink.

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     And²¹ to sink in it should you burden love,

               Too great oppression²² for a tender thing.

ROMEO

ROMEO     Is love a tender thing? It is too rough,

               Too rude,²⁴ too boist’rous, and it pricks like thorn.

25

25   

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO           If love be rough with you, be rough with love:

               Prick²⁶ love for pricking, and you beat love down.

               Give me a case²⁷ to put my visage in,

               A visor²⁸ for a visor! What care I Puts on a mask

               What curious eye doth quote²⁹ deformities?

30

30           Here are the beetle brows³⁰ shall blush for me.

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     Come, knock and enter, and no sooner in,

               But every man betake³² him to his Iegs.

ROMEO

ROMEO     A torch for me: let wantons³³ light of heart

               Tickle³⁴ the senseless rushes with their heels,

35

35           For I am proverbed³⁵ with a grandsire phrase,

               I’ll³⁶ be a candle-holder, and look on.

               The³⁷ game was ne’er so fair, and I am done.

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     Tut, dun’s³⁸ the mouse, the constable’s own word:

               If thou art dun, we’ll draw³⁹ thee from the mire

40

40           Or — save your reverence⁴⁰ — love, wherein thou stick’st

               Up to the ears. Come, we burn daylight,⁴¹ ho!

ROMEO

ROMEO     Nay, that’s not so.

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     I mean, sir, in delay

               We waste our lights in vain, light lights by day.

45

45           Take⁴⁵ our good meaning, for our judgement sits

               Five times in that ere once in our five wits.

ROMEO

ROMEO     And we mean⁴⁷ well in going to this masque,

               But ’tis no wit⁴⁸ to go.

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     Why, may one ask?

50

50   

ROMEO

ROMEO           I dreamt a dream tonight.⁵⁰

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     And so did I.

ROMEO

ROMEO     Well, what was yours?

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     That dreamers often lie.

ROMEO

ROMEO     In bed asleep, while they do dream things true.

55

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     O, then I see Queen Mab⁵⁵ hath been with you:

               She is the fairies’ midwife, and she comes

               In shape no bigger than an agate-stone⁵⁷

               On the forefinger of an alderman,⁵⁸

               Drawn with a team of little atomies⁵⁹

60

60           Over men’s noses as they lie asleep:

               Her wagon-spokes made of long spinners’⁶¹ legs,

               The cover of the wings of grasshoppers,

               Her traces⁶³ of the smallest spider’s web,

               Her collars of the moonshine’s wat’ry beams,

65

65           Her whip of cricket’s bone, the lash⁶⁵ of film,

               Her wagoner⁶⁶ a small grey-coated gnat,

               Not half so big as a round little worm⁶⁷

               Pricked from the lazy finger of a maid,

               Her chariot is an empty hazel-nut

70

70           Made by the joiner⁷⁰ squirrel or old grub,

               Time out o’mind the fairies’ coachmakers.

               And in this state she gallops night by night

               Through lovers’ brains, and then they dream of love,

               On courtiers’ knees, that dream on curtsies⁷⁴ straight,

75

75           O’er lawyers’ fingers, who straight dream on fees,

               O’er ladies’ lips, who straight on kisses dream,

               Which oft the angry Mab with blisters plagues,

               Because their breath with sweetmeats⁷⁸ tainted are:

               Sometime she gallops o’er a courtier’s nose,

80

80           And then dreams he of smelling⁸⁰ out a suit:

               And sometime comes she with a tithe-pig’s⁸¹ tail

               Tickling a parson’s nose as a lies asleep,

               Then he dreams of another benefice.⁸³

               Sometime she driveth o’er a soldier’s neck,

85

85           And then dreams he of cutting foreign throats,

               Of breaches,⁸⁶ ambuscadoes, Spanish blades,

               Of healths five-fathom deep,⁸⁷ and then anon

               Drums in his ear, at which he starts and wakes,

               And being thus frighted swears a prayer or two

90

90           And sleeps again. This is that very Mab

               That plaits the manes of horses in the night,

               And bakes⁹² the elflocks in foul sluttish hairs,

               Which once untangled, much misfortune bodes.

               This is the hag,⁹⁴ when maids lie on their backs,

95

95           That presses them and learns⁹⁵ them first to bear,

               Making them women of good carriage:⁹⁶

               This is she—

ROMEO

ROMEO     Peace, peace, Mercutio, peace!

               Thou talk’st of nothing.⁹⁹

100

100 

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO             True, I talk of dreams,

               Which are the children of an idle brain,

               Begot¹⁰² of nothing but vain fantasy,

               Which is as thin of substance as the air

               And more inconstant than the wind, who woos

105

105         Even now the frozen bosom of the north,

               And being angered puffs away from thence,

               Turning his side¹⁰⁷ to the dew-dropping south.

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     This wind you talk of blows us from ourselves

               Supper is done, and we shall come too late.

110

110 

ROMEO

ROMEO             I fear too early, for my mind misgives¹¹⁰

               Some consequence yet hanging in the stars

               Shall bitterly begin his fearful¹¹² date

               With this night’s revels and expire¹¹³ the term

               Of a despisèd life closed in my breast

115

115         By some vile forfeit¹¹⁵ of untimely death.

               But he that hath the steerage of my course,

               Direct my suit. On, lusty gentlemen!

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     Strike, drum.¹¹⁸

        They march about the stage and Servingmen come forth with their napkins

        Enter [Chief] Servant

CHIEF SERVINGMAN

CHIEF SERVINGMAN     Where’s Potpan, that he helps not to take away?¹¹⁹ He shift a trencher?¹²⁰ He scrape a trencher?

FIRST SERVINGMAN

FIRST SERVINGMAN     When good manners¹²¹ shall lie in one or two men’s hands and they unwashed too, ’tis a foul¹²² thing.

CHIEF SERVINGMAN

CHIEF SERVINGMAN     Away with the joint-stools,¹²³ remove the court-cupboard, look to the plate.¹²⁴ Good thou, save me a piece of marchpane, and as thou lovest me, let the porter let in Susan Grindstone¹²⁵ and Nell.— Antony, and Potpan!

SECOND SERVINGMAN

SECOND SERVINGMAN     Ay, boy, ready.

CHIEF SERVINGMAN

CHIEF SERVINGMAN     You are looked for and called for, asked for and sought for, in the great chamber.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

FIRST SERVINGMAN     We cannot be here and there too. Cheerly,¹²⁹ boys, be brisk awhile, and the¹³⁰ longer liver take all.

        Exeunt [some Servingmen]

        Enter all the Guests and Gentlewomen to the Masquers

CAPULET

CAPULET     Welcome, gentlemen! Ladies that have their toes

               Unplagued with corns will walk a bout¹³² with you.

               Ah, my mistresses, which of you all

               Will now deny¹³⁴ to dance? She that makes dainty,

135

135         She I’ll swear hath corns. Am¹³⁵ I come near ye now?

               Welcome, gentlemen! I have seen the day

               That I have worn a visor and could tell

               A whispering tale in a fair lady’s ear,

               Such as would please: ’tis gone, ’tis gone, ’tis gone.

140

140         You are welcome, gentlemen! Come, musicians, play.

        Music plays, and they dance

               A hall,¹⁴¹ hall, give room! And foot it, girls.

               More light, you knaves, and turn¹⁴² the tables up,

               And quench the fire, the room is grown too hot.

               Ah, sirrah,¹⁴⁴ this unlooked-for sport comes well.

145

145         Nay, sit, nay, sit, good cousin Capulet,

               For you and I are past our dancing days:

               How long is’t now since last yourself and I

               Were in a mask?

SECOND CAPULET

SECOND CAPULET     By’r lady,¹⁴⁹ thirty years.

150

150 

CAPULET

CAPULET             What, man? ’Tis not so much, ’tis not so much:

               ’Tis since the nuptial of Lucentio,

               Come Pentecost¹⁵² as quickly as it will,

               Some five and twenty years, and then we masked.

SECOND CAPULET

SECOND CAPULET     ’Tis more, ’tis more, his son is elder, sir:

155

155         His son is thirty.

CAPULET

CAPULET     Will you tell me that?

               His son was but a ward¹⁵⁷ two years ago.

ROMEO

ROMEO     What lady is that, which doth enrich the hand To a Servingman

               Of yonder knight?

160

160 

SERVINGMAN

SERVINGMAN             I know not, sir.

ROMEO

ROMEO     O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!

               It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night

               As a rich jewel in an Ethiope’s¹⁶³ ear:

               Beauty¹⁶⁴ too rich for use, for earth too dear!

165

165         So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows,

               As yonder lady o’er her fellows shows.

               The measure done, I’ll watch her¹⁶⁷ place of stand,

               And touching hers, make blessèd my rude¹⁶⁸ hand.

               Did my heart love till now? Forswear it,¹⁶⁹ sight,

170

170         For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night.

TYBALT

TYBALT     This, by his voice, should be a Montague.

               Fetch me my rapier,¹⁷² boy.— What dares the slave

        [Exit a Servingman]

               Come hither, covered with an antic¹⁷³ face,

               To fleer¹⁷⁴ and scorn at our solemnity?

175

175         Now, by the stock¹⁷⁵ and honour of my kin,

               To strike him dead I hold it not a sin.

CAPULET

CAPULET     Why, how now, kinsman?

               Wherefore storm you so?

TYBALT

TYBALT     Uncle, this is a Montague, our foe,

               A villain that is hither come in spite,

180

180         To scorn at our solemnity this night.

CAPULET

CAPULET     Young Romeo is it?

TYBALT

TYBALT     ’Tis he, that villain Romeo.

CAPULET

CAPULET     Content thee, gentle coz, let him alone:

               A bears him like a portly¹⁸⁴ gentleman,

185

185         And to say truth, Verona brags of him

               To be a virtuous and well-governed youth.

               I would not for the wealth of all this town

               Here in my house do him disparagement:

               Therefore be patient, take no note of him.

190

190         It is my will, the which if thou respect,

               Show a fair presence and put off these frowns,

               An ill-beseeming semblance¹⁹² for a feast.

TYBALT

TYBALT     It fits when such a villain is a guest:

               I’ll not endure him.

195

195 

CAPULET

CAPULET             He shall be endured.

               What, goodman boy?¹⁹⁶ I say, he shall: go to.

               Am I the master here or you? Go to.

               You’ll not endure him? God¹⁹⁸ shall mend my soul,

               You’ll make a mutiny among my guests?

200

200         You will set cock-a-hoop?²⁰⁰ You’ll be the man?

TYBALT

TYBALT     Why, uncle, ’tis a shame.

CAPULET

CAPULET     Go to, go to.

               You are a saucy²⁰³ boy. Is’t so, indeed?

               This trick may chance to scathe²⁰⁴ you, I know what.

205

205         You must contrary²⁰⁵ me? Marry, ’tis time.—

               Well said,²⁰⁶ my hearts!— You are a princox. Go, To Dancers/To Tybalt

               Be quiet, or— More light, more light!— for shame, To Servants/To Tybalt

               I’ll make you quiet.— What, cheerly, my hearts! To Dancers

TYBALT

TYBALT     Patience perforce²⁰⁹ with wilful choler meeting

210

210         Makes my flesh tremble in their different²¹⁰ greeting.

               I will withdraw, but this intrusion shall

               Now seeming sweet convert to bitter gall.

        Exit

ROMEO

ROMEO     If I profane²¹³ with my unworthiest hand To Juliet

               This holy shrine,²¹⁴ the gentle sin is this:

215

215         My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand

               To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss.

JULIET

JULIET     Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much,

               Which mannerly²¹⁸ devotion shows in this,

               For saints²¹⁹ have hands that pilgrims’ hands do touch,

220

220         And palm to palm is holy palmers’²²⁰ kiss.

ROMEO

ROMEO     Have not saints lips, and holy palmers too?

JULIET

JULIET     Ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer.

ROMEO

ROMEO     O, then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do:

               They pray, grant thou,²²⁴ lest faith turn to despair.

225

225 

JULIET

JULIET             Saints do not move,²²⁵ though grant for prayers’ sake.

ROMEO

ROMEO     Then move not, while my prayer’s effect I take.

               Thus from my lips, by thine, my sin is purged. Kisses her

JULIET

JULIET     Then have my lips the sin that they have took.

ROMEO

ROMEO     Sin from my lips? O, trespass sweetly urged!²²⁹

230

230         Give me my sin again. Kisses her again

JULIET

JULIET     You kiss by th’book.²³¹

NURSE

NURSE     Madam, your mother craves a word with you. Juliet stands aside

ROMEO

ROMEO     What²³³ is her mother?

NURSE

NURSE     Marry, bachelor,²³⁴

235

235         Her mother is the lady of the house,

               And a good lady, and a wise and virtuous.

               I nursed her daughter, that you talked withal.²³⁷

               I tell you, he that can lay hold of²³⁸ her

               Shall have the chinks.²³⁹

240

240 

ROMEO

ROMEO             Is she a Capulet? Aside?

               O, dear account!²⁴¹ My life is my foe’s debt.

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     Away, begone, the²⁴² sport is at the best. Comes forward

ROMEO

ROMEO     Ay, so I fear, the more is my unrest.

CAPULET

CAPULET     Nay, gentlemen, prepare not to be gone, The guests indicate that they have to leave

245

245         We have a trifling foolish banquet²⁴⁵ towards.

               Is it e’en so? Why then I thank you all.

               I thank you, honest²⁴⁷ gentlemen, goodnight.—

               More torches here!— Come on, then let’s to bed. To Servingmen

               Ah, sirrah, by my fay,²⁴⁹ it waxes late:

250

250         I’ll to my rest.

        [Exeunt all but Juliet and Nurse]

JULIET

JULIET     Come hither, nurse. What is yond²⁵¹ gentleman?

NURSE

NURSE     The son and heir of old Tiberio.

JULIET

JULIET     What’s he that now is going out of door?

NURSE

NURSE     Marry, that I think be young Petruchio.

255

255 

JULIET

JULIET             What’s he that follows here, that would not dance?

NURSE

NURSE     I know not.

JULIET

JULIET     Go ask his name.— If he be marrièd, The Nurse goes

               My grave is like²⁵⁸ to be my wedding bed.

NURSE

NURSE     His name is Romeo, and a Montague, Returning

260

260         The only son of your great enemy.

JULIET

JULIET     My only love sprung from my only hate!

               Too early seen unknown, and known too late!

               Prodigious²⁶³ birth of love it is to me,

               That I must love a loathèd enemy.

265

265 

NURSE

NURSE             What’s this? What’s this?

JULIET

JULIET     A rhyme I learned even now

               Of one I danced withal.

        One calls within ‘Juliet!’

NURSE

NURSE     Anon,²⁶⁸ anon!

               Come, let’s away: the strangers all are gone.

        Exeunt

[Act 2]

        [Enter] Chorus

CHORUS

CHORUS     Now old desire doth in his death-bed lie,

               And young affection gapes² to be his heir:

               That fair³ for which love groaned for and would die,

               With tender Juliet matched,⁴ is now not fair.

5

5             Now Romeo is beloved and loves again,⁵

               Alike⁶ bewitchèd by the charm of looks,

               But to his foe supposed⁷ he must complain,

               And she steal love’s sweet bait from fearful⁸ hooks.

               Being held a foe, he may not have access

10

10           To breathe such vows as lovers use¹⁰ to swear,

               And she as much in love, her means much less

               To meet her new-belovèd anywhere:

               But passion lends them power, time means, to meet,

               Temp’ring extremities¹⁴ with extreme sweet.

        [Exit]

[Act 2 Scene 1]2.1

running scene 5

        Enter Romeo alone

ROMEO

ROMEO     Can I go forward¹ when my heart is here?

               Turn back, dull earth,² and find thy centre out. Stands aside

        Enter Benvolio with Mercutio

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     Romeo! My cousin Romeo, Romeo!

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     He is wise,

5

5             And on my life hath stol’n him home to bed.

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     He ran this way and leapt this orchard⁶ wall.

               Call, good Mercutio.

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     Nay, I’ll conjure⁸ too.

               Romeo! Humours!⁹ Madman! Passion! Lover!

10

10           Appear thou in the likeness of a sigh,

               Speak but one rhyme,¹¹ and I am satisfied:

               Cry but ‘Ay me’, pronounce but ‘love’ and ‘dove’,

               Speak to my gossip¹³ Venus one fair word,

               One nickname for her purblind¹⁴ son and heir,

15

15           Young Abraham Cupid,¹⁵ he that shot so true,

               When King¹⁶ Cophetua loved the beggar-maid!—

               He heareth not, he stirreth not, he moveth not, Aside

               The¹⁸ ape is dead, and I must conjure him.—

               I conjure thee by Rosaline’s bright eyes,

20

20           By her high forehead and her scarlet lip,

               By her fine foot, straight leg and quiv’ring thigh,

               And the demesnes²² that there adjacent lie,

               That in thy likeness thou appear to us.

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     An if he hear thee, thou wilt anger him.

25

25   

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO           This cannot anger him: ’twould anger him

               To raise a spirit²⁶ in his mistress’ circle

               Of some strange²⁷ nature, letting it there stand

               Till she had laid²⁸ it and conjured it down:

               That were some spite.²⁹ My invocation

30

30           Is fair and honest,³⁰ and in his mistress’ name

               I conjure only but to raise up him.

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     Come, he hath hid himself among these trees,

               To be consorted with³³ the humorous night:

               Blind is his love and best befits the dark.

35

35   

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO           If love be blind, love cannot hit the mark.³⁵

               Now will he sit under a medlar³⁶ tree,

               And wish his mistress were that kind of fruit

               As maids call medlars, when they laugh alone.—

               O³⁹ Romeo, that she were, O, that she were

40

40           An open arse⁴⁰ and thou a pop’rin pear!

               Romeo, goodnight: I’ll to my truckle-bed,⁴¹

               This field-bed⁴² is too cold for me to sleep.—

               Come, shall we go?

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     Go, then, for ’tis in vain

45

45           To seek him here that means not to be found.

        Exeunt [Benvolio and Mercutio]

ROMEO

ROMEO     He jests at scars that never felt a wound. Comes forward

        [Enter Juliet above]

               But, soft, what light through yonder window breaks?

               It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.

               Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon,

50

50           Who is already sick and pale with grief,

               That thou her maid⁵¹ art far more fair than she:

               Be not her maid, since she is envious:

               Her vestal livery⁵³ is but sick and green

               And none but fools do wear it, cast it off.

55

55           It is my lady, O, it is my love!

               O, that she knew she were!

               She speaks yet she says nothing: what of that?

               Her eye discourses: I will answer it.

               I am too bold, ’tis not to me she speaks:

60

60           Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven,

               Having some business, do entreat her eyes

               To twinkle in their spheres⁶² till they return.

               What if her eyes were there, they in her head?

               The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars,

65

65           As daylight doth a lamp, her eye in heaven

               Would through the airy region stream so bright

               That birds would sing and think it were not night.

               See how she leans her cheek upon her hand!

               O, that I were a glove upon that hand,

70

70           That I might touch that cheek!

JULIET

JULIET     Ay me!

ROMEO

ROMEO     She speaks: Aside

               O, speak again, bright angel, for thou art

               As glorious⁷⁴ to this night, being o’er my head

75

75           As is a wingèd messenger of heaven

               Unto the white upturnèd⁷⁶ wond’ring eyes

               Of mortals that fall back to gaze on him

               When he bestrides the lazy puffing clouds,

               And sails upon the bosom of the air.

80

80   

JULIET

JULIET           O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore⁸⁰ art thou Romeo?

               Deny thy father and refuse thy name,

               Or if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,

               And I’ll no longer be a Capulet.

ROMEO

ROMEO     Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this? Aside

85

85   

JULIET

JULIET           ’Tis but thy name that is my enemy,

               Thou art thyself, though⁸⁶ not a Montague.

               What’s Montague? It is nor hand, nor foot,

               Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part

               Belonging to a man. O, be some other name.

90

90           What’s in a name? That which we call a rose

               By any other word would smell as sweet,

               So Romeo would, were he not Romeo called,

               Retain that dear perfection which he owes⁹³

               Without that title. Romeo, doff⁹⁴ thy name,

95

95           And for⁹⁵ thy name, which is no part of thee,

               Take all myself.

ROMEO

ROMEO     I take thee at thy word: To her

               Call me but love, and I’ll be new baptized,

               Henceforth I never will be Romeo.

100

100 

JULIET

JULIET             What man art thou that thus bescreened¹⁰⁰ in night

               So stumblest on my counsel?¹⁰¹

ROMEO

ROMEO     By a name

               I know not how to tell thee who I am:

               My name, dear saint, is hateful to myself,

105

105         Because it is an enemy to thee.

               Had I it written, I would tear the word.

JULIET

JULIET     My ears have yet not drunk a hundred words

               Of thy tongue’s uttering, yet I know the sound:

               Art thou not Romeo and a Montague?

110

110 

ROMEO

ROMEO             Neither, fair maid, if either thee dislike.

JULIET

JULIET     How cam’st thou hither, tell me, and wherefore?

               The orchard walls are high and hard to climb,

               And the place death, considering who thou art,

               If any of my kinsmen find thee here.

115

115 

ROMEO

ROMEO             With love’s light wings did I o’er-perch¹¹⁵ these walls,

               For stony limits cannot hold love out,

               And what love can do that dares love attempt:

               Therefore thy kinsmen are no stop to me.

JULIET

JULIET     If they do see thee, they will murder thee.

120

120 

ROMEO

ROMEO             Alack, there lies more peril in thine eye

               Than twenty of their swords: look thou but sweet,

               And I am proof¹²² against their enmity.

JULIET

JULIET     I would not for the world they saw thee here.

ROMEO

ROMEO     I have night’s cloak to hide me from their eyes,

125

125         And but¹²⁵ thou love me, let them find me here:

               My life were better ended by their hate,

               Than death proroguèd,¹²⁷ wanting of thy love.

JULIET

JULIET     By whose direction found’st thou out this place?

ROMEO

ROMEO     By love, that first did prompt me to inquire:

130

130         He lent me counsel¹³⁰ and I lent him eyes.

               I am no pilot,¹³¹ yet wert thou as far

               As that vast shore washed with the farthest sea,

               I should adventure for such merchandise.

JULIET

JULIET     Thou know’st the mask of night is on my face,

135

135         Else would a maiden blush bepaint my cheek

               For that which thou hast heard me speak tonight

               Fain¹³⁷ would I dwell on form, fain, fain deny

               What I have spoke: but farewell compliment!¹³⁸

               Dost thou love me? I know thou wilt say ‘Ay’,

140

140         And I will take thy word. Yet if thou swear’st,

               Thou mayst prove false: at lovers’ perjuries

               They say Jove¹⁴² laughs. O gentle Romeo,

               If thou dost love, pronounce¹⁴³ it faithfully:

               Or if thou think’st I am too quickly won,

145

145         I’ll frown and be perverse and say thee nay,

               So¹⁴⁶ thou wilt woo, but else not for the world.

               In truth, fair Montague, I am too fond,¹⁴⁷

               And therefore thou mayst think my behaviour light:¹⁴⁸

               But trust me, gentleman, I’ll prove more true

150

150         Than those that have more coying¹⁵⁰ to be strange.

               I should have been more strange, I must confess,

               But that thou overheard’st, ere I was ware,¹⁵²

               My true love’s passion: therefore pardon me,

               And not impute this yielding to light love,

155

155         Which¹⁵⁵ the dark night hath so discoverèd.

ROMEO

ROMEO     Lady, by yonder blessèd moon I vow

               That tips with silver all these fruit-tree tops—

JULIET

JULIET     O, swear not by the moon, th’inconstant moon,

               That monthly changes in her circlèd orb,¹⁵⁹

160

160         Lest that thy love prove likewise variable.

ROMEO

ROMEO     What shall I swear by?

JULIET

JULIET     Do not swear at all:

               Or if thou wilt, swear by thy gracious¹⁶³ self,

               Which is the god of my idolatry,

165

165         And I’ll believe thee.

ROMEO

ROMEO     If my heart’s dear love—

JULIET

JULIET     Well, do not swear. Although I joy in thee,

               I have no joy of this contract¹⁶⁸ tonight:

               It is too rash, too unadvised, too sudden,

170

170         Too like the lightning, which doth cease to be

               Ere one can say ‘It lightens’. Sweet, goodnight!

               This bud of love, by summer’s ripening breath,

               May prove a beauteous flower when next we meet.

               Goodnight, goodnight, as sweet repose and rest

175

175         Come to thy heart as that within my breast!

ROMEO

ROMEO     O, wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied?

JULIET

JULIET     What satisfaction¹⁷⁷ canst thou have tonight?

ROMEO

ROMEO     Th’exchange of thy love’s faithful vow for mine.

JULIET

JULIET     I gave thee mine before thou didst request it:

180

180         And yet I would it were¹⁸⁰ to give again.

ROMEO

ROMEO     Wouldst thou withdraw it? For what purpose, love?

JULIET

JULIET     But to be frank¹⁸² and give it thee again.

               And yet I wish but for the thing I have.

               My bounty¹⁸⁴ is as boundless as the sea,

185

185         My love as deep: the more I give to thee,

               The more I have, for both are infinite.

               I hear some noise within. Dear love, adieu!—

        [Nurse] calls within

               Anon, good nurse!— Sweet Montague, be true.

               Stay but a little, I will come again. [Exit, above]

190

190 

ROMEO

ROMEO             O blessèd, blessèd night! I am afeard,

               Being in night, all this is but a dream,

               Too flattering-sweet to be substantial.

        [Enter Juliet, above]

JULIET

JULIET     Three words, dear Romeo, and goodnight indeed.

               If that thy bent¹⁹⁴ of love be honourable,

195

195         Thy purpose marriage, send me word tomorrow,

               By one that I’ll procure to come to thee,

               Where and what time thou wilt perform the rite,

               And all my fortunes at thy foot I’ll lay,

               And follow thee my lord throughout the world.

        [Nurse calls] within ‘Madam!’

200

200         I come, anon.— But if thou mean’st not well,

               I do beseech thee—

        [Nurse calls] within ‘Madam!’

               By and by, I come.—

               To cease thy strife,²⁰³ and leave me to my grief.

               Tomorrow will I send.

205

205 

ROMEO

ROMEO             So thrive my soul—

JULIET

JULIET     A thousand times goodnight!

        Exit, [above]

ROMEO

ROMEO     A thousand times the worse, to want²⁰⁷ thy light.

               Love goes toward love as schoolboys from their books,

               But love from love, toward school with heavy looks. Romeo starts to go

        Enter Juliet again, [above]

210

210 

JULIET

JULIET             Hist,²¹⁰ Romeo, hist! O, for a falc’ner’s voice,

               To lure this tassel-gentle²¹¹ back again!

               Bondage is hoarse,²¹² and may not speak aloud,

               Else would I tear the cave where Echo²¹³ lies,

               And make her airy tongue more hoarse than mine,

215

215         With repetition of my ‘Romeo’.

ROMEO

ROMEO     It is my soul that calls upon my name.

               How silver-sweet sound lovers’ tongues by night,

               Like softest music to attending ears!

JULIET

JULIET     Romeo!

220

220 

ROMEO

ROMEO             My nyas?²²⁰

JULIET

JULIET     What o’clock tomorrow shall I send to thee?

ROMEO

ROMEO     By the hour of nine.

JULIET

JULIET     I will not fail: ’tis twenty years till then.

               I have forgot why I did call thee back.

225

225 

ROMEO

ROMEO             Let me stand here till thou remember it.

JULIET

JULIET     I shall forget, to²²⁶ have thee still stand there,

               Rememb’ring how I love thy company.

ROMEO

ROMEO     And I’ll still stay, to have thee still forget,

               Forgetting any other home but this.

230

230 

JULIET

JULIET             ’Tis almost morning, I would have thee gone:

               And yet no further than a wanton’s²³¹ bird,

               That lets it hop a little from his hand,

               Like a poor prisoner in his twisted gyves,²³³

               And with a silken thread plucks it back again,

235

235         So loving-jealous of his liberty.

ROMEO

ROMEO     I would I were thy bird.

JULIET

JULIET     Sweet, so would I:

               Yet I should kill thee with much cherishing.

               Goodnight, goodnight! Parting is such sweet sorrow,

240

240         That I shall say goodnight till it be morrow.

        Exit, [above]

ROMEO

ROMEO     Sleep dwell upon thine eyes, peace in thy breast!

               Would I were sleep and peace, so sweet to rest!

               // The grey-eyed morn smiles on the frowning night, //

               // Check’ring the eastern clouds with streaks of light, //

245

245         // And darkness fleckled²⁴⁵ like a drunkard reels //

               // From forth²⁴⁶ day’s pathway, made by Titan’s wheels. //

               Hence will I to my ghostly²⁴⁷ friar’s close cell,

               His help to crave, and my dear hap²⁴⁸ to tell.

        Exit

[Act 2 Scene 2]2.2

running scene 6

        Enter Friar Laurence alone with a basket

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE     The grey-eyed morn smiles on the frowning night,

               Check’ring the eastern clouds with streaks of light,

               And fleckled³ darkness like a drunkard reels

               From forth⁴ day’s path and Titan’s burning wheels:

5

5             Now, ere the sun advance⁵ his burning eye,

               The day to cheer and night’s dank dew to dry,

               I must upfill this osier cage⁷ of ours

               With baleful⁸ weeds and precious-juicèd flowers.

               The earth that’s nature’s mother is her tomb:

10

10           What is her burying grave, that is her womb,

               And from her womb children of divers¹¹ kind

               We sucking on her natural bosom find:

               Many for many virtues excellent,

               None¹⁴ but for some and yet all different.

15

15           O, mickle¹⁵ is the powerful grace that lies

               In plants, herbs, stones, and their true qualities:

               For nought so vile that on the earth doth live

               But to the earth some special good doth give,

               Nor aught¹⁹ so good but strained from that fair use

20

20           Revolts from true birth, stumbling on abuse.

               Virtue itself turns vice, being misapplied,

               And vice sometime by action dignified.

        Enter Romeo

               Within the infant rind of this weak flower

               Poison hath residence and medicine power:

25

25           For this, being smelt, with that part²⁵ cheers each part,

               Being tasted, slays²⁶ all senses with the heart.

               Two such opposèd kings encamp them still²⁷

               In man as well as herbs, grace and rude will:

               And where the worser is predominant,

30

30           Full soon the canker³⁰ death eats up that plant.

ROMEO

ROMEO     Good morrow, father.

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE     Benedicite!³²

               What early tongue so sweet saluteth me?

               Young son, it argues³⁴ a distempered head

35

35           So soon to bid good morrow to thy bed:

               Care³⁶ keeps his watch in every old man’s eye,

               And where care lodges, sleep will never lie,

               But where unbruisèd youth with unstuffed brain

               Doth couch³⁹ his limbs, there golden sleep doth reign:

40

40           Therefore thy earliness doth me assure

               Thou art uproused with some distemp’rature,

               Or if not so, then here I hit it right,

               Our Romeo hath not been in bed tonight.

ROMEO

ROMEO     That last is true, the sweeter rest was mine.

45

45   

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE           God pardon sin! Wast thou with Rosaline?

ROMEO

ROMEO     With Rosaline, my ghostly father? No,

               I have forgot that name, and that name’s woe.

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE     That’s my good son: but where hast thou been, then?

ROMEO

ROMEO     I’ll tell thee ere thou ask it me again:

50

50           I have been feasting with mine enemy,

               Where on a sudden one hath wounded me,

               That’s by me wounded: both our remedies

               Within thy help and holy physic⁵³ lies.

               I bear no hatred, blessèd man, for lo,⁵⁴

55

55           My intercession⁵⁵ likewise steads my foe.

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE     Be plain, good son, rest homely⁵⁶ in thy drift,

               Riddling confession finds but riddling shrift.⁵⁷

ROMEO

ROMEO     Then plainly know my heart’s dear love is set

               On the fair daughter of rich Capulet:

60

60           As mine on hers, so hers is set on mine;

               And all combined, save what thou must combine

               By holy marriage. When and where and how

               We met, we wooed and made exchange of vow,

               I’ll tell thee as we pass, but this I pray,

65

65           That thou consent to marry us today.

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE     Holy Saint Francis, what a change is here!

               Is Rosaline, that thou didst love so dear,

               So soon forsaken? Young men’s love then lies

               Not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes.

70

70           Jesu Maria, what a deal of brine

               Hath washed thy sallow cheeks for Rosaline!

               How much salt water thrown away in waste,

               To season love, that of it doth not taste!

               The sun not yet thy sighs from heaven clears,

75

75           Thy old⁷⁵ groans yet ringing in my ancient ears:

               Lo, here upon thy cheek the stain doth sit

               Of an old tear that is not washed off yet.

               If e’er thou wast thyself and these woes thine,

               Thou and these woes were all for Rosaline.

80

80           And art thou changed? Pronounce this sentence⁸⁰ then:

               Women may fall, when there’s no strength in men.

ROMEO

ROMEO     Thou chid’st⁸² me oft for loving Rosaline.

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE     For doting, not for loving, pupil mine.

ROMEO

ROMEO     And bad’st⁸⁴ me bury love.

85

85   

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE           Not in a grave,

               To lay one in, another out to have.

ROMEO

ROMEO     I pray thee, chide me not. Her I love now

               Doth grace⁸⁸ for grace and love for love allow:

               The other did not so.

90

90   

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE           O, she knew well

               Thy love did read by rote⁹¹ that could not spell.

               But come, young waverer, come, go with me,

               In one respect⁹³ I’ll thy assistant be:

               For this alliance may so happy prove,

95

95           To turn your households’ rancour to pure love.

ROMEO

ROMEO     O, let us hence! I stand⁹⁶ on sudden haste.

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE     Wisely and slow: they stumble that run fast.

        Exeunt

[Act 2 Scene 3]2.3

running scene 7

        Enter Benvolio and Mercutio

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     Where the devil should this Romeo be?

               Came he not home tonight?²

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     Not to his father’s: I spoke with his man.³

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     Why, that same pale hard-hearted wench, that Rosaline,

5

5             Torments him so, that he will sure run mad.

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     Tybalt, the kinsman to old Capulet,

               Hath sent a letter to his father’s house.

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     A challenge, on my life.

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     Romeo will answer it.⁹

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     Any man that can write may answer a letter.

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     Nay, he will answer the letter’s master, how he dares, being dared.¹¹

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     Alas, poor Romeo, he is already dead, stabbed with a white wench’s black eye,¹³ run through the ear with a love-song, the very pin of his heart cleft with the blind bow-boy’s¹⁴ butt-shaft: and is he a man to encounter Tybalt?

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     Why, what is Tybalt?

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     More than prince of cats,¹⁶ O, he’s the courageous captain of compliments: he fights as you sing prick-song,¹⁷ keeps time, distance and proportion: he rests his minim rests, one, two, and the third¹⁸ in your bosom — the very butcher of a silk button — a duellist, a duellist, a gentleman of the very first house,¹⁹ of the first and

                  second cause. Ah, the immortal passado,²⁰ the punto reverso, the hay!

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     The what?

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     The pox of²² such antic, lisping, affecting phantasimes, these new tuners of accent! ‘Jesu, a very good blade,²³ a very tall man, a very good whore!’ Why, is not this a lamentable thing, grandsire,²⁴ that we should be thus afflicted with these strange flies,²⁵ these fashion-mongers, these ‘pardon-me’s’, who stand so much on the new form,²⁶ that they cannot sit at ease on the old bench? O, their bones, their bones!

        Enter Romeo

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     Here comes Romeo, here comes Romeo.

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     Without his roe,²⁹ like a dried herring: O flesh, flesh, how art thou fishified! Now is he for the numbers³⁰ that Petrarch flowed in: Laura to his lady was a kitchen-wench — marry, she had a better love³¹ to berhyme her — Dido a dowdy, Cleopatra³² a gypsy, Helen and Hero hildings and harlots, Thisbe a grey eye or so, but not³³ to the purpose.— Signior Romeo, bon jour: there’s a French salutation to your French slop. You gave us the counterfeit³⁴ fairly last night.

ROMEO

ROMEO     Good morrow to you both. What counterfeit did I give you?

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     The slip, sir, the slip — can you not conceive?³⁶

ROMEO

ROMEO     Pardon, good Mercutio, my business was great, and in such a case³⁷ as mine a man may strain courtesy.

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     That’s as much as to say, such a case as yours constrains a man to bow³⁹ in the hams.

ROMEO

ROMEO     Meaning, to curtsy.⁴¹

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     Thou hast most kindly hit it.⁴²

ROMEO

ROMEO     A most courteous exposition.

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     Nay, I am the very pink⁴⁴ of courtesy.

ROMEO

ROMEO     Pink for flower.

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     Right.

ROMEO

ROMEO     Why, then is my pump⁴⁷ well flowered.

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     Sure⁴⁸ wit, follow me this jest now till thou hast worn out thy pump, that when the single⁴⁹ sole of it is worn, the jest may remain after the wearing sole singular.

ROMEO

ROMEO     O single-soled⁵¹ jest, solely singular for the singleness.

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     Come between us, good Benvolio, my wits faints.

ROMEO

ROMEO     Switch and spurs,⁵³ switch and spurs, or I’ll cry a match.

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     Nay, if our wits run the wild-goose chase,⁵⁴ I am done, for thou hast more of the wild-goose in one of thy wits than I am sure I have in my whole five. Was⁵⁵ I with you there for the goose?

ROMEO

ROMEO     Thou wast never with me for anything when thou wast not there for the⁵⁷ goose.

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     I will bite thee by the ear for that jest.

ROMEO

ROMEO     Nay, good goose, bite not.

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     Thy wit is a very bitter sweeting:⁶¹ it is a most sharp sauce.

ROMEO

ROMEO     And⁶² is it not then well served into a sweet goose?

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     O, here’s a wit⁶³ of cheverel, that stretches from an inch narrow to an ell broad!

ROMEO

ROMEO     I stretch it out for that word ‘broad⁶⁶’, which added to the goose, proves thee far and wide a broad goose.

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     Why, is not this better now than groaning for love? Now art thou sociable, now art thou Romeo, now art thou what thou art, by art as well as by nature: for this drivelling⁶⁹ love is like a great natural, that runs lolling up and down to hide his bauble⁷⁰ in a hole.

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     Stop there,⁷¹ stop there.

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     Thou desirest me to stop in⁷² my tale against the hair.

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     Thou wouldst else have made thy tale large.⁷³

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     O, thou art deceived: I would have made it short,⁷⁴ for I was come to the

                  whole depth of my tale, and meant indeed to occupy⁷⁵ the argument no longer.

        Enter Nurse and her man [Peter]

ROMEO

ROMEO     Here’s goodly gear.⁷⁶ A sail, a sail!

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     Two, two: a shirt⁷⁷ and a smock.

NURSE

NURSE     Peter?

PETER

PETER     Anon.

NURSE

NURSE     My fan, Peter.

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     Good Peter, to hide her face, for her fan’s the fairer face.

NURSE

NURSE     God ye good morrow, gentlemen.

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     God ye good e’en, fair gentlewoman.

NURSE

NURSE     Is it good e’en?

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     ’Tis no less, I tell you, for the bawdy hand⁸⁵ of the dial is now upon the prick of noon.

NURSE

NURSE     Out upon you!⁸⁷ What a man are you?

ROMEO

ROMEO     One, gentlewoman, that⁸⁸ God hath made himself to mar.

NURSE

NURSE     By my troth,⁸⁹ it is well said: ‘for himself to mar’, quoth a? Gentlemen, can any of you tell me where I may find the young Romeo?

ROMEO

ROMEO     I can tell you, but young Romeo will be older when you have found him than he was when you sought him: I am the youngest of that name, for fault⁹² of a worse.

NURSE

NURSE     You say well.

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     Yea, is the worst well? Very well took,⁹⁵ i’faith, wisely, wisely.

NURSE

NURSE     If you be he, sir, I desire some confidence⁹⁶ with you.

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     She will indite⁹⁷ him to some supper.

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     A bawd,⁹⁸ a bawd, a bawd! So ho!

ROMEO

ROMEO     What hast thou found?

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     No hare,¹⁰⁰ sir, unless a hare, sir, in a Lenten pie, that is something stale and hoar¹⁰¹ ere it be spent.

                                        An old hare hoar, Sings

                                        And an old hare hoar,

                                        Is very good meat¹⁰⁴ in Lent.

105

105                                  But a hare that is hoar¹⁰⁵

                                        Is too¹⁰⁶ much for a score,

                                        When it hoars¹⁰⁷ ere it be spent.

                  Romeo, will you come to your father’s?

                  We’ll to dinner, thither.

ROMEO

ROMEO     I will follow you.

110

110 

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     Farewell, ancient lady, farewell, ‘lady, lady, lady’. Sings

        Exeunt Mercutio, Benvolio

NURSE

NURSE     I pray you, sir, what saucy merchant¹¹¹ was this that was so full of his ropery?

ROMEO

ROMEO     A gentleman, nurse, that loves to hear himself talk, and will speak more in a minute than he will stand to¹¹³ in a month.

NURSE

NURSE     An a¹¹⁴ speak anything against me, I’ll take him down, an a were lustier than he is, and twenty such Jacks,¹¹⁵ and if I cannot, I’ll find those that shall. Scurvy knave, I am none of his flirt-gills,¹¹⁶ I am none of his skains-mates.— And thou To Peter must stand by too, and suffer every knave to use¹¹⁷ me at his pleasure?

PETER

PETER     I saw no man use you at his pleasure: if I had, my weapon¹¹⁸ should quickly have been out, I warrant you. I dare draw as soon as another man, if I see occasion in a good quarrel, and the law on my side.

NURSE

NURSE     Now, afore God, I am so vexed that every part¹²¹ about me quivers. Scurvy knave!— To Romeo Pray you, sir, a word: and as I told you, my young lady bid me inquire you out: what she bid me say, I will keep to myself. But first let me tell ye, if ye should lead her in a fool’s paradise, as they say, it were a very gross kind of behaviour, as they say, for the gentlewoman is young, and therefore, if you should deal double with¹²⁶ her, truly it were an ill thing to be offered to any gentlewoman, and very weak¹²⁷ dealing.

ROMEO

ROMEO     Nurse, commend me to thy lady and mistress. I protest¹²⁸ unto thee—

NURSE

NURSE     Good heart, and i’faith I will tell her as much. Lord, Lord, she will be a joyful woman.

ROMEO

ROMEO     What wilt thou tell her, nurse? Thou dost not mark¹³¹ me.

NURSE

NURSE     I will tell her, sir, that you do protest, which, as I take it, is a gentlemanlike offer.

ROMEO

ROMEO     Bid her devise

135

135         Some means to come to shrift¹³⁵ this afternoon,

               And there she shall at Friar Laurence’ cell

               Be shrived¹³⁷ and married. Here is for thy pains. Attempts to give money

NURSE

NURSE     No truly, sir, not a penny.

ROMEO

ROMEO     Go to, I say you shall.

140

140 

NURSE

NURSE             This afternoon, sir? Well, she shall be there.

ROMEO

ROMEO     And stay, good nurse, behind the abbey wall:

               Within this hour my man shall be with thee

               And bring thee cords¹⁴³ made like a tackled stair,

               Which to the high top-gallant¹⁴⁴ of my joy

145

145         Must be my convoy in the secret night.

               Farewell, be trusty and I’ll quit¹⁴⁶ thy pains.

               Farewell, commend me to thy mistress.

NURSE

NURSE     Now God in heaven bless thee! Hark you, sir.

ROMEO

ROMEO     What say’st thou, my dear nurse?

150

150 

NURSE

NURSE             Is your man secret?¹⁵⁰ Did you ne’er hear say,

               ‘Two¹⁵¹ may keep counsel, putting one away’?

ROMEO

ROMEO     Warrant thee,¹⁵² my man’s as true as steel.

NURSE

NURSE     Well, sir, my mistress is the sweetest lady — Lord, Lord! When ’twas a little prating¹⁵⁴ thing — O, there is a nobleman in town, one Paris, that would fain lay knife aboard, but she, good soul, had as lief¹⁵⁵ see a toad, a very toad, as see him. I anger her sometimes and tell her that Paris is the properer¹⁵⁶ man, but, I’ll warrant you, when I say so, she looks as pale as any clout¹⁵⁷ in the versal world. Doth not rosemary¹⁵⁸ and Romeo begin both with a letter?

ROMEO

ROMEO     Ay, nurse, what of that? Both with an R.

NURSE

NURSE     A mocker! That’s the dog’s name:¹⁶⁰ R is for the— no, I know it begins with some other letter — and she hath the prettiest sententious¹⁶¹ of it, of you and rosemary, that it would do you good to hear it.

ROMEO

ROMEO     Commend me to thy lady.

        [Exit Romeo]

NURSE

NURSE     Ay, a thousand times.— Peter?

PETER

PETER     Anon.

NURSE

NURSE     Before and apace.¹⁶⁶

        Exeunt Nurse and Peter

[Act 2 Scene 4]*

running scene 8

        Enter Juliet

JULIET

JULIET     The clock struck nine when I did send the nurse:

               In half an hour she promised to return.

               Perchance she cannot meet him: that’s not so.

               O, she is lame!⁴ Love’s herald should be thoughts,

5

5             Which ten times faster glides than the sun’s beams,

               Driving back shadows over louring⁶ hills:

               Therefore do nimble-pinioned⁷ doves draw love,

               And therefore hath the wind-swift Cupid wings.

               Now is the sun upon the highmost hill

10

10           Of this day’s journey, and from nine till twelve

               Is three long hours, yet she is not come.

               Had she affections and warm youthful blood,

               She would be as swift in motion as a ball:

               My words would bandy¹⁴ her to my sweet love,

15

15           And his to me.

               But old folks, many feign as they were dead,

               Unwieldy, slow, heavy and pale as lead.

        Enter Nurse [and Peter]

               O God, she comes! O honey nurse, what news?

               Hast thou met with him? Send thy man away.

20

20   

NURSE

NURSE           Peter, stay at the gate.

        [Exit Peter]

JULIET

JULIET     Now, good sweet nurse — O Lord, why look’st thou sad?

               Though news be sad, yet tell them merrily:

               If good, thou sham’st the music of sweet news

               By playing it to me with so sour a face.

25

25   

NURSE

NURSE           I am aweary, give me leave awhile.

               Fie, how my bones ache! What a jaunt²⁶ have I had!

JULIET

JULIET     I would thou hadst my bones, and I thy news:

               Nay, come, I pray thee speak, good, good nurse, speak.

NURSE

NURSE     Jesu, what haste? Can you not stay awhile?

30

30           Do you not see that I am out of breath?

JULIET

JULIET     How art thou out of breath, when thou hast breath

               To say to me that thou art out of breath?

               The excuse that thou dost make in this delay

               Is longer than the tale thou dost excuse.

35

35           Is thy news good or bad? Answer to that.

               Say either, and I’ll stay the circumstance:³⁶

               Let me be satisfied, is’t good or bad?

NURSE

NURSE     Well, you have made a simple³⁸ choice, you know not how to choose a man: Romeo? No, not he, though his face be better than any man’s, yet his leg excels all men’s, and for a hand and a foot and a body, though they be not to be talked on, yet they are past compare: he is not the flower of courtesy, but, I’ll warrant him, as gentle as a lamb. Go thy ways, wench, serve God. What, have you dined at home?

JULIET

JULIET     No, no. But all this did I know before.

45

45           What says he of our marriage? What of that?

NURSE

NURSE     Lord, how my head aches! What a head have I!

               It beats as it would fall in twenty pieces.

               My back o’t’other side — O, my back, my back!

               Beshrew⁴⁹ your heart for sending me about,

50

50           To catch my death with jaunting up and down!

JULIET

JULIET     I’faith, I am sorry that thou art not well.

               Sweet, sweet, sweet nurse, tell me, what says my love?

NURSE

NURSE     Your love says, like an honest⁵³ gentleman, and a courteous, and a kind, and a handsome, and, I warrant, a virtuous— Where is your mother?

55

55   

JULIET

JULIET           Where is my mother? Why, she is within,

               Where should she be? How oddly thou repliest:

               ‘Your love says, like an honest gentleman,

               Where is your mother?’

NURSE

NURSE     O God’s lady⁵⁹ dear!

60

60           Are you so hot?⁶⁰ Marry, come up, I trow.

               Is this the poultice⁶¹ for my aching bones?

               Henceforward do your messages yourself.

JULIET

JULIET     Here’s such a coil!⁶³ Come, what says Romeo?

NURSE

NURSE     Have you got leave to go to shrift today?

65

65   

JULIET

JULIET           I have.

NURSE

NURSE     Then hie⁶⁶ you hence to Friar Laurence’ cell,

               There stays a husband to make you a wife:

               Now comes the wanton⁶⁸ blood up in your cheeks,

               They’ll be in scarlet straight at any news.

70

70           Hie you to church, I must another way,

               To fetch a ladder, by the which your love

               Must climb a bird’s nest⁷² soon when it is dark:

               I am the drudge and toil in your delight,

               But you shall bear the burden⁷⁴ soon at night.

75

75           Go, I’ll to dinner: hie you to the cell.

JULIET

JULIET     Hie to high fortune! Honest nurse, farewell.

        Exeunt

[Act 2 Scene 5]2.5

running scene 9

        Enter Friar and Romeo

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE     So smile the heavens upon this holy act,

               That after-hours with sorrow chide us not.

ROMEO

ROMEO     Amen, amen. But come what sorrow can,

               It cannot countervail⁴ the exchange of joy

5

5             That one short minute gives me in her sight:

               Do thou but close⁶ our hands with holy words,

               Then love-devouring death do what he dare,

               It is enough I may but call her mine.

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE     These violent delights have violent ends,

10

10           And in their triumph die, like fire and powder,¹⁰

               Which as they kiss consume.¹¹ The sweetest honey

               Is loathsome in his own deliciousness,

               And in the taste confounds¹³ the appetite:

               Therefore love moderately, long love doth so:

15

15           Too swift arrives as tardy as too slow.

        Enter Juliet Running

               Here comes the lady. O, so light a foot

               Will ne’er wear out the everlasting flint:¹⁷

               A lover may bestride the gossamers¹⁸

               That idles in the wanton¹⁹ summer air,

20

20           And yet not fall, so light²⁰ is vanity.

JULIET

JULIET     Good even to my ghostly confessor.

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE     Romeo shall thank thee,²² daughter, for us both.

JULIET

JULIET     As²³ much to him, else is his thanks too much.

ROMEO

ROMEO     Ah, Juliet, if the measure of thy joy

25

25           Be heaped like mine, and that²⁵ thy skill be more

               To blazon²⁶ it, then sweeten with thy breath

               This neighbour air, and let rich music’s tongue²⁷

               Unfold the imagined²⁸ happiness that both

               Receive in either²⁹ by this dear encounter.

30

30   

JULIET

JULIET           Conceit,³⁰ more rich in matter than in words,

               Brags of his substance, not of ornament:³¹

               They are but beggars that can count their worth,

               But my true love is grown to such excess

               I cannot sum up sum³⁴ of half my wealth.

35

35   

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE           Come, come with me, and we will make short work,

               For, by your leaves, you shall not stay alone

               Till holy church incorporate two in one.

        [Exeunt]

[Act 3 Scene 1]*

running scene 10

        Enter Mercutio, Benvolio and Men

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     I pray thee, good Mercutio, let’s retire:

               The day is hot, the Capulets abroad,

               And if we meet, we shall not scape³ a brawl,

               For now, these hot days, is the mad blood stirring.

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     Thou art like one of these fellows that when he enters the confines of a tavern, claps me⁶ his sword upon the table and says ‘God send me no need of thee!’ and by⁷ the operation of the second cup draws him on the drawer, when indeed there is no need.

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     Am I like such a fellow?

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     Come, come, thou art as hot a Jack¹⁰ in thy mood as any in Italy, and as soon moved¹¹ to be moody, and as soon moody to be moved.

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     And what to?

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     Nay, an there were two¹³ such, we should have none shortly, for one would kill the other. Thou? Why, thou wilt quarrel with a man that hath a hair more or a hair less in his beard than thou hast. Thou wilt quarrel with a man for cracking nuts, having no other reason but because thou hast hazel eyes: what eye but such an eye would spy out such a quarrel? Thy head is as full of quarrels as an egg is full of meat,¹⁸ and yet thy head hath been beaten as addle as an egg for quarrelling: thou hast quarrelled with a man for coughing in the street, because he hath wakened thy dog that hath lain asleep in the sun: didst thou not fall out with a tailor for wearing his new doublet²¹ before Easter? With another for tying his new shoes with old ribbon. And yet thou wilt tutor me from²² quarrelling?

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     An I were so apt to quarrel as thou art, any man should buy the fee-simple²³ of my life for²⁴ an hour and a quarter.

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     The fee-simple? O, simple²⁵!

        Enter Tybalt, Petruchio and others

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     By my head, here comes the Capulets.

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     By my heel, I care not.

TYBALT

TYBALT     Follow me close, for I will speak to them.— To his companions

               Gentlemen, good e’en, a word with one of you.

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     And but one word with one of us? Couple it with something, make it a word and a blow.

TYBALT

TYBALT     You shall find me apt enough to that, sir, an you will give me occasion.

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     Could you not take some occasion without giving?

TYBALT

TYBALT     Mercutio, thou consort’st³⁴ with Romeo—

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     Consort? What, dost thou make us minstrels?³⁵ An thou make minstrels of us, look³⁶ to hear nothing but discords. Points to his sword Here’s my fiddlestick, here’s that shall make you dance. Come, consort!

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     We talk here in the public haunt of men:

               Either withdraw unto some private place,

40

40           Or reason coldly⁴⁰ of your grievances,

               Or else depart: here all eyes gaze on us.

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     Men’s eyes were made to look, and let them gaze:

               I will not budge for no man’s pleasure, I.

        Enter Romeo

TYBALT

TYBALT     Well, peace be with you, sir, here comes my man.

45

45   

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO           But I’ll be hanged, sir, if he wear your livery.⁴⁵

               Marry, go⁴⁶ before to field, he’ll be your follower:

               Your worship in that sense may call him ‘man’.

TYBALT

TYBALT     Romeo, the love I bear thee can afford

               No better term than this: thou art a villain.

50

50   

ROMEO

ROMEO           Tybalt, the reason that I have to love thee

               Doth much excuse⁵¹ the appertaining rage

               To such a greeting: villain am I none;

               Therefore farewell, I see thou know’st me not.

TYBALT

TYBALT     Boy, this shall not excuse the injuries

55

55           That thou hast done me: therefore turn and draw.

ROMEO

ROMEO     I do protest I never injured thee,

               But love thee better than thou canst devise,⁵⁷

               Till thou shalt know the reason of my love:

               And so, good Capulet — which name I tender⁵⁹

60

60           As dearly as my own — be satisfied.

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     O calm, dishonourable, vile submission!

               Alla stoccado⁶² carries it away.

               Tybalt, you rat-catcher, will you walk?⁶³ Draws his sword

TYBALT

TYBALT     What wouldst thou have with me?

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     Good king of cats, nothing but one of your nine lives that I mean to make bold withal,⁶⁵ and as⁶⁶ you shall use me hereafter, dry-beat the rest of the eight. Will you pluck your sword out of his pilcher⁶⁷ by the ears? Make haste, lest mine be about your ears ere it be out.

TYBALT

TYBALT     I am for you. Draws

ROMEO

ROMEO     Gentle Mercutio, put thy rapier up.

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     Come, sir, your passado⁷¹. They fight

ROMEO

ROMEO     Draw, Benvolio, beat down their weapons.—

                  Gentlemen, for shame, forbear⁷³ this outrage!

                  Tybalt, Mercutio, the prince expressly hath Tries to part them

75

75           Forbidden bandying⁷⁵ in Verona streets:

               Hold,⁷⁶ Tybalt! Good Mercutio! Tybalt stabs Mercutio

        Exit Tybalt

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     I am hurt.

               A plague o’both the houses! I am sped.⁷⁸

               Is he gone and hath nothing?

80

80   

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO           What, art thou hurt?

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     Ay, ay, a scratch, a scratch, marry, ’tis enough.

               Where is my page? Go, villain,⁸² fetch a surgeon.

        [Exit Page]

ROMEO

ROMEO     Courage, man, the hurt cannot be much.

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     No, ’tis not so deep as a well, nor so wide as a church door, but ’tis enough, ’twill serve: ask for me tomorrow, and you shall find me a grave⁸⁵ man. I am peppered,⁸⁶ I warrant, for this world. A plague o’both your houses! What? A dog, a rat, a mouse, a cat, to scratch a man to death! A braggart, a rogue, a villain, that fights by⁸⁸ the book of arithmetic!— To Romeo Why the devil came you between us? I was hurt under your arm.

ROMEO

ROMEO     I thought all for the best.

MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO     Help me into some house, Benvolio,

               Or I shall faint. A plague o’both your houses!

               They have made worms’ meat of me. I have it,

               And soundly too. Your houses! Benvolio helping

        Exeunt

95

95   

ROMEO

ROMEO           This gentleman, the prince’s near ally,⁹⁵ Mercutio

               My very⁹⁶ friend, hath got his mortal hurt

               In my behalf: my reputation stained

               With Tybalt’s slander — Tybalt, that an hour

               Hath been my cousin. O sweet Juliet,

100

100         Thy beauty hath made me effeminate,

               And in my temper¹⁰¹ softened valour’s steel!

        Enter Benvolio

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     O Romeo, Romeo, brave Mercutio is dead!

               That gallant spirit hath aspired¹⁰³ the clouds,

               Which too untimely here did scorn the earth.

105

105 

ROMEO

ROMEO             This day’s black fate on more¹⁰⁵ days doth depend,

               This but begins the woe others¹⁰⁶ must end.

        Enter Tybalt

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     Here comes the furious Tybalt back again.

ROMEO

ROMEO     He gone in triumph and Mercutio slain?

               Away to heaven, respective lenity,¹⁰⁹

110

110         And fire and fury be my conduct¹¹⁰ now!

               Now, Tybalt, take the ‘villain’ back again,

               That late thou gav’st me, for Mercutio’s soul

               Is but a little way above our heads,

               Staying for thine to keep him company:

115

115         Either thou or I, or both, must go with him.

TYBALT

TYBALT     Thou, wretched boy, that didst consort¹¹⁶ him here,

               Shalt with him hence.

ROMEO

ROMEO     This¹¹⁸ shall determine that.

        They fight. Tybalt falls

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     Romeo, away, begone!

120

120         The citizens are up, and Tybalt slain.

               Stand not amazed:¹²¹ the prince will doom thee death,

               If thou art taken. Hence, begone, away!

ROMEO

ROMEO     O, I am fortune’s fool!¹²³

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     Why dost thou stay? Exit Romeo

        Enter Citizens

125

125 

CITIZEN

CITIZEN             Which way ran he that killed Mercutio?

               Tybalt, that murderer, which way ran he?

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     There lies that Tybalt.

CITIZEN

CITIZEN     Up, sir, go with me:

               I charge¹²⁹ thee in the prince’s name, obey.

        Enter Prince, Old Montague, Capulet, their Wives and all

130

130 

PRINCE

PRINCE             Where are the vile beginners of this fray?

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     O, noble prince, I can discover¹³¹ all

               The unlucky¹³² manage of this fatal brawl:

               There lies the man, slain by young Romeo,

               That slew thy kinsman, brave Mercutio.

135

135 

LADY CAPULET

LADY CAPULET             Tybalt, my cousin?¹³⁵ O my brother’s child!

               O prince! O cousin! Husband! O, the blood is spilled

               Of my dear kinsman! Prince, as thou art true,

               For blood of ours, shed blood of Montague.

               O cousin, cousin!

140

140 

PRINCE

PRINCE             Benvolio, who began this bloody fray?

BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO     Tybalt, here slain, whom Romeo’s hand did slay.

               Romeo that spoke him fair, bid him bethink

               How nice¹⁴³ the quarrel was, and urged withal

               Your high displeasure: all this utterèd

145

145         With gentle breath, calm look, knees humbly bowed,

               Could not take truce¹⁴⁶ with the unruly spleen

               Of Tybalt, deaf to peace, but that he tilts¹⁴⁷

               With piercing steel at bold Mercutio’s breast,

               Who, all as hot, turns deadly point to point,

150

150         And with¹⁵⁰ a martial scorn, with one hand beats

               Cold death aside, and with the other sends

               It back to Tybalt, whose dexterity

               Retorts¹⁵³ it. Romeo he cries aloud,

               ‘Hold, friends! Friends, part!’ and swifter than his tongue,

155

155         His agile arm beats down their fatal points,

               And ’twixt them rushes, underneath whose arm

               An envious¹⁵⁷ thrust from Tybalt hit the life

               Of stout¹⁵⁸ Mercutio, and then Tybalt fled.

               But by and by¹⁵⁹ comes back to Romeo,

160

160         Who had but newly entertained revenge,

               And to’t they go like lightning, for, ere I

               Could draw to part them, was stout Tybalt slain.

               And as he fell, did Romeo turn and fly.

               This is the truth, or let Benvolio die.

165

165 

LADY CAPULET

LADY CAPULET             He is a kinsman to the Montague,

               Affection¹⁶⁶ makes him false, he speaks not true:

               Some twenty of them fought in this black strife,

               And all those twenty could but kill one life.

               I beg for justice, which thou, prince, must give:

170

170         Romeo slew Tybalt, Romeo must not live.

PRINCE

PRINCE     Romeo slew him, he slew Mercutio:

               Who now the price of his dear blood doth owe?

MONTAGUE

MONTAGUE     Not Romeo, prince, he was Mercutio’s friend:

               His fault concludes but what the law should end,

175

175         The life of Tybalt.

PRINCE

PRINCE     And for that offence

               Immediately we do exile him hence.

               I have an interest¹⁷⁸ in your hearts’ proceeding,

               My blood¹⁷⁹ for your rude brawls doth lie a-bleeding:

180

180         But I’ll amerce¹⁸⁰ you with so strong a fine

               That you shall all repent the loss of mine.

               It will be deaf to pleading and excuses,

               Nor tears nor prayers shall purchase out abuses:¹⁸³

               Therefore use none. Let Romeo hence in haste,

185

185         Else, when he is found, that hour is his last.

               Bear hence this body and attend our will:

               Mercy¹⁸⁷ but murders, pardoning those that kill.

        Exeunt

[Act 3 Scene 2]*

running scene 11

        Enter Juliet alone

JULIET

JULIET     Gallop apace,¹ you fiery-footed steeds,

               Towards Phoebus’² lodging: such a wagoner

               As Phaethon³ would whip you to the west,

               And bring in cloudy night immediately.

5

5             Spread thy close⁵ curtain, love-performing night,

               That runaway’s⁶ eyes may wink and Romeo

               Leap to these arms, untalked of and unseen.

               Lovers can see to do their amorous rites

               By their own beauties, or if love be blind,

10

10           It best agrees with night. Come, civil¹⁰ night,

               Thou sober-suited matron all in black,

               And learn¹² me how to lose a winning match,

               Played for a pair of stainless maidenhoods:¹³

               Hood¹⁴ my unmanned blood, bating in my cheeks,

15

15           With thy black mantle, till strange¹⁵ love grow bold,

               Think true love acted simple modesty.

               Come night, come Romeo, come thou day in night,

               For thou wilt lie upon the wings of night

               Whiter than new snow upon a raven’s back.

20

20           Come, gentle night, come, loving, black-browed night,

               Give me my Romeo, and when I shall die,²¹

               Take him and cut him out in little stars,

               And he will make the face of heaven so fine

               That all the world will be in love with night

25

25           And pay no worship to the garish sun.

               O, I have bought the mansion of a love,

               But not possessed²⁷ it, and though I am sold,

               Not yet enjoyed. So tedious is this day

               As is the night before some festival

30

30           To an impatient child that hath new robes

               And may not wear them. O, here comes my nurse,

        Enter Nurse, with cords

               And she brings news, and every tongue that speaks

               But Romeo’s name speaks heavenly eloquence.—

               Now, nurse, what news? What hast thou there? The cords

35

35           That Romeo bid thee fetch?

NURSE

NURSE     Ay, ay, the cords. Drops the cords

JULIET

JULIET     Ay me, what news? Why dost thou wring thy hands?

NURSE

NURSE     Ah, welladay!³⁸ He’s dead, he’s dead, he’s dead!

               We are undone,³⁹ lady, we are undone.

40

40           Alack the day, he’s gone, he’s killed, he’s dead!

JULIET

JULIET     Can heaven be so envious?⁴¹

NURSE

NURSE     Romeo can,

               Though heaven cannot: O Romeo, Romeo!

               Whoever would have thought it? Romeo!

45

45   

JULIET

JULIET           What devil art thou that dost torment me thus?

               This torture should be roared in dismal hell.

               Hath Romeo slain himself? Say thou but ‘Ay’,

               And that bare vowel ‘I’ shall poison more

               Than the death-darting eye of cockatrice:⁴⁹

50

50           I am not I, if there be such an ay,

               Or those eyes shut,⁵¹ that makes thee answer ‘Ay’.

               If he be slain, say ‘Ay’, or if not, ‘No’:

               Brief sounds determine of my weal⁵³ or woe.

NURSE

NURSE     I saw the wound, I saw it with mine eyes —

55

55           God⁵⁵ save the mark! — here on his manly breast: Points

               A piteous corpse, a bloody piteous corpse;

               Pale, pale as ashes, all bedaubed in blood,

               All in gore-blood:⁵⁸ I swoonèd at the sight.

JULIET

JULIET     O, break,⁵⁹ my heart, poor bankrupt, break at once!

60

60           To prison, eyes, ne’er look on liberty!

               Vile earth,⁶¹ to earth resign, end motion here,

               And thou and Romeo press one heavy bier!⁶²

NURSE

NURSE     O Tybalt, Tybalt, the best friend I had!

               O courteous Tybalt, honest gentleman,

65

65           That ever I should live to see thee dead!

JULIET

JULIET     What storm is this that blows so contrary?

               Is Romeo slaughtered, and is Tybalt dead,

               My dearest cousin, and my dearer lord?⁶⁸

               Then, dreadful trumpet,⁶⁹ sound the general doom,

70

70           For who is living, if those two are gone?

NURSE

NURSE     Tybalt is gone, and Romeo banishèd,

               Romeo that killed him, he is banishèd.

JULIET

JULIET     O, God! Did Romeo’s hand shed Tybalt’s blood?

NURSE

NURSE     It did, it did, alas the day, it did!

70

70   

JULIET

JULIET           O serpent heart, hid with a flow’ring face!

               Did ever dragon keep⁷⁶ so fair a cave?

               Beautiful tyrant, fiend angelical,

               Dove-feathered raven, wolvish-ravening lamb,

               Despisèd substance of divinest show!

80

80           Just⁸⁰ opposite to what thou justly seem’st,

               A damnèd saint, an honourable villain!

               O nature, what hadst thou to do in hell,

               When thou didst bower⁸³ the spirit of a fiend

               In mortal paradise of such sweet flesh?

85

85           Was ever book containing such vile matter

               So fairly bound? O, that deceit should dwell

               In such a gorgeous palace!

NURSE

NURSE     There’s no trust,

               No faith, no honesty in men: all perjured,

90

90           All forsworn, all naught, all dissemblers.⁹⁰

               Ah, where’s my man? Give me some aqua vitae:⁹¹

               These griefs, these woes, these sorrows make me old.

               Shame come to Romeo!

JULIET

JULIET     Blistered be thy tongue

95

95           For such a wish! He was not born to shame:

               Upon his brow shame is ashamed to sit;

               For ’tis a throne where honour may be crowned

               Sole monarch of the universal earth.

               O, what a beast was I to chide at him!

100

100 

NURSE

NURSE             Will you speak well of him that killed your cousin?

JULIET

JULIET     Shall I speak ill of him that is my husband?

               Ah, poor my lord,¹⁰² what tongue shall smooth thy name,

               When I, thy three-hours’ wife, have mangled it?

               But wherefore, villain, didst thou kill my cousin?—

105

105         That villain cousin would have killed my husband.

               Back, foolish tears, back to your native spring,

               Your tributary¹⁰⁷ drops belong to woe,

               Which you mistaking offer up to joy.

               My husband lives that Tybalt would have slain,

110

110         And Tybalt dead that would have slain my husband:

               All this is comfort, wherefore weep I then?

               Some word there was, worser than Tybalt’s death,

               That murdered me. I would forget it fain,

               But, O, it presses to my memory,

115

115         Like damnèd guilty deeds to sinners’ minds:

               ‘Tybalt is dead, and Romeo banishèd.’

               That ‘banishèd’, that one word ‘banishèd’,

               Hath slain ten thousand Tybalts. Tybalt’s death

               Was woe enough if it had ended there:

120

120         Or if sour woe delights in fellowship

               And needly¹²¹ will be ranked with other griefs,

               Why followed not, when she said ‘Tybalt’s dead’,

               Thy¹²³ father, or thy mother, nay, or both,

               Which modern¹²⁴ lamentation might have moved?

125

125         But with a rearward¹²⁵ following Tybalt’s death,

               ‘Romeo is banishèd’: to speak that word,

               Is father, mother, Tybalt, Romeo, Juliet,

               All slain, all dead. ‘Romeo is banishèd’!

               There is no end, no limit, measure, bound,

130

130         In that word’s death:¹³⁰ no words can that woe sound.

               Where is my father and my mother, nurse?

NURSE

NURSE     Weeping and wailing over Tybalt’s corpse.

               Will you go to them? I will bring you thither.

JULIET

JULIET     Wash they his wounds with tears: mine shall be spent,

135

135         When theirs are dry, for Romeo’s banishment.

               Take up those cords.— Poor ropes, you are beguiled,¹³⁶

               Both you and I, for Romeo is exiled:

               He made you for a highway to my bed,

               But I, a maid, die maiden-widowèd.

140

140         Come cord, come nurse, I’ll to my wedding-bed,

               And death, not Romeo, take my maidenhead!

NURSE

NURSE     Hie to your chamber, I’ll find Romeo

               To comfort you: I wot¹⁴³ well where he is.

               Hark ye, your Romeo will be here at night.

145

145         I’ll to him, he is hid at Laurence’ cell.

JULIET

JULIET     O, find him! Give this ring to my true knight,

               And bid him come to take his last farewell.

        Exeunt

[Act 3 Scene 3]*

running scene 12

        Enter Friar and Romeo Romeo hesitating

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE     Romeo, come forth, come forth, thou fearful¹ man:

               Affliction is enamoured of thy parts,²

               And thou art wedded to calamity.

ROMEO

ROMEO     Father, what news? What is the prince’s doom?⁴

5

5             What sorrow craves acquaintance at my hand,

               That I yet know not?

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE     Too familiar

               Is my dear son with such sour company:

               I bring thee tidings of the prince’s doom.

10

10   

ROMEO

ROMEO           What less than doomsday¹⁰ is the prince’s doom?

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE     A gentler judgement vanished¹¹ from his lips:

               Not body’s death, but body’s banishment.

ROMEO

ROMEO     Ha, banishment? Be merciful, say ‘death’,

               For exile hath more terror in his look,

15

15           Much more than death. Do not say ‘banishment’.

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE     Here from Verona art thou banishèd.

               Be patient, for the world is broad and wide.

ROMEO

ROMEO     There is no world without¹⁸ Verona walls,

               But purgatory, torture, hell itself.

20

20           Hence banishèd²⁰ is banished from the world,

               And world’s exile²¹ is death: then banishèd,

               Is death mistermed. Calling death banishèd,

               Thou cutt’st my head off with a golden axe,

               And smil’st upon the stroke that murders me.

25

25   

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE           O deadly sin! O rude unthankfulness!

               Thy²⁶ fault our law calls death, but the kind prince,

               Taking thy part, hath rushed²⁷ aside the law,

               And turned that black word ‘death’ to ‘banishment’.

               This is dear mercy, and thou see’st it not.

30

30   

ROMEO

ROMEO           ’Tis torture and not mercy. Heaven is here,

               Where Juliet lives, and every cat and dog

               And little mouse, every unworthy thing,

               Live here in heaven and may look on her,

               But Romeo may not. More validity,³⁴

35

35           More honourable state, more courtship³⁵ lives

               In carrion-flies³⁶ than Romeo: they may seize

               On the white wonder of dear Juliet’s hand

               And steal immortal blessing from her lips,

               Who even in pure and vestal³⁹ modesty,

40

40           Still blush, as thinking their own kisses⁴⁰ sin.

               This may flies do, when I from this must fly —

               And say’st thou yet that exile is not death? —

               But Romeo may not: he is banishèd.

               Hadst thou no poison mixed, no sharp-ground knife,

45

45           No sudden mean⁴⁵ of death, though ne’er so mean,

               But⁴⁶ ‘banishèd’ to kill me? ‘Banishèd’?

               O friar, the damnèd use that word in hell,

               Howling attends it: how hast thou the heart,

               Being a divine,⁴⁹ a ghostly confessor,

50

50           A sin-absolver, and my friend professed,

               To mangle me with that word ‘banishèd’?

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE     Then, fond⁵² mad man, hear me a little speak.

ROMEO

ROMEO     O, thou wilt speak again of banishment.

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE     I’ll give thee armour to keep off that word:

55

55           Adversity’s sweet milk, philosophy,

               To comfort thee, though thou art banishèd.

ROMEO

ROMEO     Yet⁵⁷ ‘banishèd’? Hang up philosophy!

               Unless philosophy can make a Juliet,

               Displant⁵⁹ a town, reverse a prince’s doom,

60

60           It helps not, it prevails not: talk no more.

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE     O, then I see that madmen have no ears.

ROMEO

ROMEO     How should they, when wise men have no eyes?

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE     Let me dispute⁶³ with thee of thy estate.

ROMEO

ROMEO     Thou canst not speak of that⁶⁴ thou dost not feel:

65

65           Wert thou as young as I, Juliet thy love,

               An hour but married, Tybalt murderèd,

               Doting⁶⁷ like me and like me banishèd,

               Then mightst thou speak, then mightst thou tear thy hair,

               And fall upon the ground as I do now,

70

70           Taking the measure of an unmade grave.

        Enter Nurse and knocks From the other side of a door

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE     Arise, one knocks. Good Romeo, hide thyself.

ROMEO

ROMEO     Not I, unless the breath of heartsick groans,

               Mist-like, enfold me from the search of eyes.

        Knock Romeo remains on the floor

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE     Hark, how they knock!— Who’s there?— Romeo, arise,

75

75           Thou wilt be taken.⁷⁵— Stay awhile!— Stand up,

        Knock

               Run to my study.— By and by!— God’s will, Romeo does not move

               What simpleness⁷⁷ is this?— I come, I come!

        Knock

               Who knocks so hard? Whence come you? What’s your will?

NURSE

NURSE     Let me come in, and you shall know my errand: From the other side of the door

80

80           I come from Lady Juliet.

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE     Welcome, then.

NURSE

NURSE     O holy friar, O, tell me, holy friar,

               Where’s my lady’s lord? Where’s Romeo?

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE     There on the ground, with his own tears made drunk.

85

85   

NURSE

NURSE           O, he is even⁸⁵ in my mistress’ case,

               Just in her case. O, woeful sympathy!⁸⁶

               Piteous predicament! Even so lies she,

               Blubb’ring and weeping, weeping and blubb’ring.

               Stand⁸⁹ up, stand up, stand, an you be a man:

90

90           For Juliet’s sake, for her sake, rise and stand.

               Why should you fall into so deep an O?⁹¹

ROMEO

ROMEO     Nurse!

NURSE

NURSE     Ah sir, ah sir! Death’s⁹³ the end of all.

ROMEO

ROMEO     Speak’st thou of Juliet? How is it with her?

95

95           Doth not she think me an old⁹⁵ murderer,

               Now I have stained the childhood of our joy

               With blood removed but little from her own?

               Where is she? And how doth she? And what says

               My concealed lady to our cancelled⁹⁹ love?

100

100 

NURSE

NURSE             O, she says nothing, sir, but weeps and weeps,

               And now falls on her bed, and then starts up,

               And Tybalt calls, and then on Romeo cries,¹⁰²

               And then down falls again.

ROMEO

ROMEO     As if that name,

105

105         Shot from the deadly level¹⁰⁵ of a gun,

               Did murder her, as that name’s cursèd hand

               Murdered her kinsman. O, tell me, friar, tell me,

               In what vile part of this anatomy

               Doth my name lodge? Tell me, that I may sack¹⁰⁹

110

110         The hateful mansion. Draws his sword

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE     Hold thy desperate hand.

               Art thou a man? Thy form cries out thou art:

               Thy tears are womanish, thy wild acts denote

               The unreasonable fury of a beast.

115

115         Unseemly woman in a seeming man,

               And ill-beseeming beast in seeming both,

               Thou hast amazed me. By my holy order,

               I thought thy disposition better tempered.¹¹⁸

               Hast thou slain Tybalt? Wilt thou slay thyself?

120

120         And slay thy lady that in thy life lives,

               By doing damnèd hate upon thyself?

               Why rail’st thou on thy birth, the heaven and earth?

               Since birth, and heaven, and earth,¹²³ all three do meet

               In thee at once, which thou at once wouldst lose.

125

125         Fie,¹²⁵ fie, thou sham’st thy shape, thy love, thy wit,

               Which¹²⁶ like a usurer abound’st in all,

               And usest none in¹²⁷ that true use indeed

               Which should bedeck¹²⁸ thy shape, thy love, thy wit.

               Thy noble shape is but a form of wax,

130

130         Digressing¹³⁰ from the valour of a man:

               Thy dear love sworn but hollow perjury,

               Killing that love which thou hast vowed to cherish:

               Thy wit, that ornament to shape and love,

               Misshapen¹³⁴ in the conduct of them both,

135

135         Like powder¹³⁵ in a skilless soldier’s flask,

               Is set afire by thine own ignorance,

               And thou dismembered¹³⁷ with thine own defence.

               What, rouse thee, man! Thy Juliet is alive,

               For whose dear sake thou wast but lately dead:¹³⁹

140

140         There art thou happy.¹⁴⁰ Tybalt would kill thee,

               But thou slew’st Tybalt: there art thou happy.

               The law that threatened death became thy friend

               And turned it to exile: there art thou happy.

               A pack of blessings light upon thy back,

145

145         Happiness courts thee in her best array,¹⁴⁵

               But like a mishavèd¹⁴⁶ and sullen wench,

               Thou pouts upon thy fortune and thy love:

               Take heed, take heed, for such die miserable.

               Go, get thee to thy love as was decreed,¹⁴⁹

150

150         Ascend her chamber, hence and comfort her:

               But look thou stay not till the watch be set,¹⁵¹

               For then thou canst not pass to Mantua,

               Where thou shalt live till we can find a time

               To blaze¹⁵⁴ your marriage, reconcile your friends,

155

155         Beg pardon of thy prince, and call thee back

               With twenty hundred thousand times more joy

               Than thou went’st forth in lamentation.—

               Go before, nurse, commend me to thy lady,

               And bid her hasten all the house to bed,

160

155         Which heavy sorrow makes them apt unto:¹⁶⁰

               Romeo is coming.

NURSE

NURSE     O Lord, I could have stayed here all night

               To hear good counsel. O, what learning is!—

               My lord, I’ll tell my lady you will come.

165

165 

ROMEO

ROMEO             Do so, and bid my sweet prepare to chide.

NURSE

NURSE     Here, sir, a ring she bid me give you, sir:

               Hie you, make haste, for it grows very late.

        [Exit]

ROMEO

ROMEO     How well my comfort is revived by this!

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE     Go hence, goodnight, and here¹⁶⁹ stands all your state:

170

170         Either be gone before the watch be set,

               Or by the break of day disguised from hence.

               Sojourn in Mantua: I’ll find out your man,

               And he shall signify¹⁷³ from time to time

               Every good hap¹⁷⁴ to you that chances here.

175

175         Give me thy hand, ’tis late. Farewell, goodnight.

ROMEO

ROMEO     But that a joy past joy calls out on me,

               It were a grief, so brief¹⁷⁷ to part with thee. Farewell.

        Exeunt

[Act 3 Scene 4]*

running scene 13

        Enter Old Capulet, his Wife and Paris

CAPULET

CAPULET     Things have fall’n out, sir, so unluckily

               That we have had no time to move² our daughter:

               Look you, she loved her kinsman Tybalt dearly,

               And so did I.— Well, we were born to die.

5

5             ’Tis very late, she’ll not come down tonight.

               I promise you, but for your company,

               I would have been abed an hour ago.

PARIS

PARIS     These times of woe afford no times to woo.

               Madam, goodnight, commend me to your daughter.

10

10   

LADY CAPULET

LADY CAPULET           I will, and know her mind early tomorrow:

               Tonight she is mewed¹¹ up to her heaviness.

CAPULET

CAPULET     Sir Paris, I will make a desperate¹² tender

               Of my child’s love: I think she will be ruled

               In all respects by me, nay, more, I doubt it not.—

15

15           Wife, go you to her ere you go to bed,

               Acquaint her here of my son¹⁶ Paris’ love,

               And bid her, mark you me,¹⁷ on Wednesday next —

               But, soft, what day is this?

PARIS

PARIS     Monday, my lord,

20

20   

CAPULET

CAPULET           Monday? Ha, ha! Well, Wednesday is too soon,

               O’Thursday let it be: o’Thursday, tell her,

               She shall be married to this noble earl.

               Will you be ready? Do you like this haste?

               We’ll keep no great ado²⁴ — a friend or two,

25

25           For hark you, Tybalt being slain so late,²⁵

               It may be thought we held him carelessly,²⁶

               Being our kinsman, if we revel much:

               Therefore we’ll have some half a dozen friends,

               And there an end. But what say you to Thursday?

30

30   

PARIS

PARIS           My lord, I would that Thursday were tomorrow.

CAPULET

CAPULET     Well get you gone: o’Thursday be it, then.—

               Go you to Juliet ere you go to bed, To Lady Capulet

               Prepare her, wife, against³³ this wedding day.—

               Farewell, my lord. Light to my chamber, ho!

35

35           Afore me!³⁵ It is so very late,

               That we may call it early by and by.

               Goodnight.

        Exeunt

[Act 3 Scene 5]

running scene 14

        Enter Romeo and Juliet aloft

JULIET

JULIET     Wilt thou be gone? It is not yet near day.

               It was the nightingale, and not the lark,

               That pierced the fearful hollow of thine ear;

               Nightly she sings on yon pom’granate tree.

5

5             Believe me, love, it was the nightingale.

ROMEO

ROMEO     It was the lark, the herald of the morn,

               No nightingale: look, love, what envious⁷ streaks

               Do lace the severing⁸ clouds in yonder east:

               Night’s candles are burnt out, and jocund⁹ day

10

10           Stands tiptoe on the misty mountains tops.

               I must be gone and live or stay and die.

JULIET

JULIET     Yon light is not daylight, I know it, I:

               It is some meteor¹³ that the sun exhales,

               To be to thee this night a torchbearer,

15

15           And light thee on thy way to Mantua.

               Therefore stay yet: thou need’st not to be gone.

ROMEO

ROMEO     Let me be ta’en,¹⁷ let me be put to death,

               I am content, so¹⁸ thou wilt have it so.

               I’ll say yon grey is not the morning’s eye,

20

20           ’Tis but the pale reflex²⁰ of Cynthia’s brow,

               Nor that is not the lark, whose notes do beat

               The vaulty²² heaven so high above our heads.

               I have more care²³ to stay than will to go:

               Come, death, and welcome! Juliet wills it so.

25

25           How is’t, my soul? Let’s talk, it is not day.

JULIET

JULIET     It is, it is: hie²⁶ hence, begone, away!

               It is the lark that sings so out of tune,

               Straining²⁸ harsh discords and unpleasing sharps.

               Some say the lark makes sweet division;²⁹

30

30           This doth not so, for she divideth us:

               Some say the lark and loathèd toad change³¹ eyes,

               O, now I would they had changed voices too,

               Since arm from arm³³ that voice doth us affray,

               Hunting thee hence with hunt’s-up³⁴ to the day.

35

35           O, now begone, more light and light it grows.

ROMEO

ROMEO     More light and light, more dark and dark our woes!

        Enter Nurse

NURSE

NURSE     Madam!

JULIET

JULIET     Nurse?

NURSE

NURSE     Your lady mother is coming to your chamber:

40

40           The day is broke, be wary, look about.

        [Exit]

JULIET

JULIET     Then, window, let day in, and let life out.

ROMEO

ROMEO     Farewell, farewell! One kiss, and I’ll descend.

JULIET

JULIET     Art thou gone so? Love, lord, ay, husband, friend,⁴³

               I must hear from thee every day in the hour,

45

45           For in a minute there are many days.

               O, by this count I shall be much in years⁴⁶

               Ere I again behold my Romeo!

ROMEO

ROMEO     Farewell!

               I will omit no opportunity

50

50           That may convey my greetings, love, to thee.

JULIET

JULIET     O, think’st thou we shall ever meet again?

ROMEO

ROMEO     I doubt it not, and all these woes shall serve

               For sweet discourses in our time to come.

JULIET

JULIET     O God, I have an ill-divining⁵⁴ soul!

55

55           Methinks I see thee, now thou art so low,

               As one dead in the bottom of a tomb:

               Either my eyesight fails or thou look’st pale.

ROMEO

ROMEO     And trust me, love, in my eye so do you:

               Dry⁵⁹ sorrow drinks our blood. Adieu, adieu!

        Exit

60

60   

JULIET

JULIET           O fortune, fortune, all men call thee fickle:

               If thou art fickle, what dost thou with him.

               That is renowned for faith? Be fickle, fortune,

               For then I hope thou wilt not keep him long,

               But send him back.

        Enter Mother Below

65

65   

LADY CAPULET

LADY CAPULET           Ho, daughter, are you up?

JULIET

JULIET     Who is’t that calls? It is my lady mother.

               Is she not⁶⁷ down so late, or up so early?

               What unaccustomed cause procures⁶⁸ her hither? Juliet could exit aloft and enter below

LADY CAPULET

LADY CAPULET     Why, how now, Juliet!

70

70   

JULIET

JULIET           Madam, I am not well.

LADY CAPULET

LADY CAPULET     Evermore weeping for your cousin’s death?

               What, wilt thou wash him from his grave with tears?

               An if⁷³ thou couldst, thou couldst not make him live:

               Therefore, have done. Some grief shows much of love,

75

75           But much of grief shows still some want of wit.

JULIET

JULIET     Yet let me weep for such a feeling⁷⁶ loss.

LADY CAPULET

LADY CAPULET     So shall you feel⁷⁷ the loss, but not the friend

               Which you weep for.

JULIET

JULIET     Feeling so the loss,

80

80           I cannot choose but ever weep the friend.

LADY CAPULET

LADY CAPULET     Well, girl, thou weep’st not so much for his death,

               As that the villain lives which slaughtered him.

JULIET

JULIET     What villain, madam?

LADY CAPULET

LADY CAPULET     That same villain, Romeo.

85

85   

JULIET

JULIET           Villain and he be many miles asunder.— Aside?

               God pardon him! I do with all my heart:

               And yet no man like⁸⁷ he doth grieve my heart.

LADY CAPULET

LADY CAPULET     That is because the traitor lives.

JULIET

JULIET     Ay, madam, from the reach of these my hands:

90

90           Would none but I might venge my cousin’s death!

LADY CAPULET

LADY CAPULET     We will have vengeance for it, fear thou not:

               Then weep no more. I’ll send to one in Mantua,

               Where that same banished runagate⁹³ doth live,

               Shall give him such an unaccustomed dram,⁹⁴

95

95           That he shall soon keep Tybalt company,

               And then I hope, thou wilt be satisfied.

JULIET

JULIET     Indeed, I never shall be satisfied⁹⁷

               With Romeo, till I behold him — dead⁹⁸ —

               Is my poor heart so for a kinsman⁹⁹ vexed.

100

100         Madam, if you could find out but a man

               To bear a poison, I would temper¹⁰¹ it,

               That Romeo should upon receipt thereof,

               Soon sleep in quiet.¹⁰³ O, how my heart abhors

               To hear him named and cannot come to him,

105

105         To wreak¹⁰⁵ the love I bore my cousin

               Upon his body that hath slaughtered him!

LADY CAPULET

LADY CAPULET     Find thou the means, and I’ll find such a man.

               But now I’ll tell thee joyful tidings, girl.

JULIET

JULIET     And joy comes well in such a needy¹⁰⁹ time:

110

110         What are they, beseech your ladyship?

LADY CAPULET

LADY CAPULET     Well, well, thou hast a careful¹¹¹ father, child,

               One who, to put thee from thy heaviness,

               Hath sorted out¹¹³ a sudden day of joy,

               That thou expects not, nor I looked not for.¹¹⁴

115

115 

JULIET

JULIET             Madam, in happy time,¹¹⁵ what day is that?

LADY CAPULET

LADY CAPULET     Marry,¹¹⁶ my child, early next Thursday morn,

               The gallant, young and noble gentleman,

               The County Paris, at St Peter’s Church,

               Shall happily make thee there a joyful bride.

120

120 

JULIET

JULIET             Now, by St Peter’s Church and Peter too,

               He shall not make me there a joyful bride.

               I wonder at this haste, that I must wed

               Ere he that should be husband comes to woo.

               I pray you tell my lord and father, madam,

125

125         I will not marry yet, and, when I do, I swear

               It shall be Romeo, whom you know I hate,

               Rather than Paris. These are news indeed!

LADY CAPULET

LADY CAPULET     Here comes your father: tell him so yourself,

               And see how he will take it at your hands.

        Enter Capulet and Nurse

CAPULET

CAPULET     When the sun sets, the earth doth drizzle dew,

               But for the sunset of my brother’s son

               It rains downright.

               How now? A conduit,¹³³ girl? What, still in tears?

               Evermore show’ring? In one little body

135

135         Thou counterfeits¹³⁵ a bark, a sea, a wind,

               For still thy eyes, which I may call the sea,

               Do ebb and flow with tears: the bark thy body is,

               Sailing in this salt flood:¹³⁸ the winds, thy sighs,

               Who, raging with thy tears and they with them,

140

140         Without a sudden calm, will overset¹⁴⁰

               Thy tempest-tossèd body. How now, wife?

               Have you delivered to her our decree?

LADY CAPULET

LADY CAPULET     Ay, sir, but she will none, she gives you thanks.

               I would¹⁴⁴ the fool were married to her grave.

145

145 

CAPULET

CAPULET             Soft, take¹⁴⁵ me with you, take me with you, wife.

               How,¹⁴⁶ will she none? Doth she not give us thanks?

               Is she not proud? Doth she not count her¹⁴⁷ blest,

               Unworthy as she is, that we have wrought¹⁴⁸

               So worthy a gentleman to be her bridegroom?

150

150 

JULIET

JULIET             Not proud you have, but thankful that you have:

               Proud can I never be of what I hate,

               But thankful even for hate,¹⁵² that is meant love.

CAPULET

CAPULET     How now? How now? Chopped-logic?¹⁵³ What is this?

               ‘Proud’ and ‘I thank you’ and ‘I thank you not’,

155

155         And yet ‘not proud’, mistress minion you?

               Thank me no thankings nor proud me no prouds,

               But fettle¹⁵⁷ your fine joints gainst Thursday next,

               To go with Paris to St Peter’s Church,

               Or I will drag thee on a hurdle¹⁵⁹ thither.

160

160         Out,¹⁶⁰ you green-sickness carrion, out, you baggage,

               You tallow-face!¹⁶¹

LADY CAPULET

LADY CAPULET     Fie, fie, what, are you mad?

JULIET

JULIET     Good father, I beseech you on my knees, Kneels

               Hear me with patience but to speak a word.

165

165 

CAPULET

CAPULET             Hang thee, young baggage, disobedient wretch!

               I tell thee what: get thee to church o’Thursday,

               Or never after look me in the face.

               Speak not, reply not, do not answer me:

               My fingers itch.¹⁶⁹ Wife, we scarce thought us blest

170

170         That God had lent us but this only child,

               But now I see this one is one too much,

               And that we have a curse in having her.

               Out on her, hilding!¹⁷³

NURSE

NURSE     God in heaven bless her!

175

175         You are to blame, my lord, to rate¹⁷⁵ her so.

CAPULET

CAPULET     And why, my lady wisdom? Hold your tongue, To Nurse

               Good prudence, smatter¹⁷⁷ with your gossips, go.

NURSE

NURSE     I speak no treason.

CAPULET

CAPULET     O, God¹⁷⁹ gi’ good e’en.

180

180 

NURSE

NURSE             May not one speak?

CAPULET

CAPULET     Peace, you mumbling fool!

               Utter your gravity¹⁸² o’er a gossip’s bowl,

               For here we need it not.

LADY CAPULET

LADY CAPULET     You are too hot.

185

185 

CAPULET

CAPULET             God’s bread,¹⁸⁵ it makes me mad!

               Day, night, hour, tide, time, work, play,

               Alone, in company, still¹⁸⁷ my care hath been

               To have her matched: and having now provided

               A gentleman of noble parentage,

190

190         Of fair demesnes,¹⁹⁰ youthful, and nobly allied,

               Stuffed, as they say, with honourable parts,¹⁹¹

               Proportioned as one’s thought would wish a man,

               And then to have a wretched puling¹⁹³ fool,

               A whining mammet,¹⁹⁴ in her fortune’s tender,

195

195         To answer ‘I’ll not wed, I cannot love,

               I am too young, I pray you pardon me.’

               But, an you will not wed, I’ll pardon¹⁹⁷ you:

               Graze where you will you shall not house with me.

               Look to’t, think on’t, I do¹⁹⁹ not use to jest.

200

200         Thursday is near, lay hand on heart, advise:²⁰⁰

               An you be mine, I’ll give you to my friend,

               An you be not, hang, beg, starve, die in the streets,

               For, by my soul, I’ll ne’er acknowledge thee,

               Nor what is mine shall never do thee good.

205

205         Trust to’t, bethink you, I’ll not be forsworn.²⁰⁵

        Exit

JULIET

JULIET     Is there no pity sitting in the clouds,

               That sees into the bottom of my grief?

               O, sweet my mother, cast me not away!

               Delay this marriage for a month, a week,

210

210         Or if you do not, make the bridal bed

               In that dim monument²¹¹ where Tybalt lies.

LADY CAPULET

LADY CAPULET     Talk not to me, for I’ll not speak a word:

               Do as thou wilt, for I have done with thee.

        Exit

JULIET

JULIET     O God!— O nurse, how shall this be prevented?

215

215         My husband is on earth, my faith²¹⁵ in heaven:

               How shall that faith return again to earth,

               Unless that husband send it me from heaven

               By leaving earth? Comfort me, counsel me.

               Alack, alack, that heaven should practise²¹⁹ stratagems

220

220         Upon so soft a subject as myself!

               What say’st thou? Hast thou not a word of joy?

               Some comfort, nurse.

NURSE

NURSE     Faith, here it is:

               Romeo is banished, and all²²⁴ the world to nothing,

225

225         That he dares ne’er come back to challenge²²⁵ you,

               Or if he do, it needs must be by stealth.

               Then, since the case so stands as now it doth,

               I think it best you married with the county.

               O, he’s a lovely gentleman!

230

230         Romeo’s a dishclout²³⁰ to him. An eagle, madam,

               Hath not so green, so quick,²³¹ so fair an eye

               As Paris hath. Beshrew²³² my very heart,

               I think you are happy in this second match,

               For it excels your first: or if it did not,

235

235         Your first is dead, or ’twere as good he were,

               As living here and you no use²³⁶ of him.

JULIET

JULIET     Speakest thou from thy heart?

NURSE

NURSE     And from my soul too,

               Or else beshrew them both.

240

240 

JULIET

JULIET             Amen.²⁴⁰

NURSE

NURSE     What?

JULIET

JULIET     Well, thou hast comforted me marv’llous much.

               Go in and tell my lady I am gone,

               Having displeased my father, to Laurence’ cell,

245

245         To make confession and to be absolved.

NURSE

NURSE     Marry, I will, and this is wisely done.

        [Exit]

JULIET

JULIET     Ancient damnation!²⁴⁷ O most wicked fiend!

               Is it more sin to wish me thus forsworn,²⁴⁸

               Or to dispraise my lord with that same tongue

250

250         Which she hath praised him with above compare

               So many thousand times? Go, counsellor,

               Thou and my bosom²⁵² henceforth shall be twain.

               I’ll to the friar, to know his remedy:

               If all else fail, myself have power to die.

        Exit

[Act 4 Scene 1]*

running scene 15

        Enter Friar and County Paris

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE     On Thursday, sir? The time is very short.

PARIS

PARIS     My father Capulet will have it so,

               And I am nothing slow³ to slack his haste.

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE     You say you do not know the lady’s mind?⁴

5

5             Uneven is the course, I like it not.

PARIS

PARIS     Immoderately she weeps for Tybalt’s death,

               And therefore have I little talk of love,

               For Venus⁸ smiles not in a house of tears.

               Now, sir, her father counts it dangerous

10

10           That she doth give her sorrow so much sway,¹⁰

               And in his wisdom hastes our marriage,

               To stop the inundation of her tears,

               Which too much minded¹³ by herself alone

               May be put from her by society:¹⁴

15

15           Now do you know the reason of this haste.

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE     I would I knew not why it should be slowed.— Aside

               Look, sir, here comes the lady towards my cell.

        Enter Juliet

PARIS

PARIS     Happily¹⁸ met, my lady and my wife!

JULIET

JULIET     That may be, sir, when I may be a wife.

20

20   

PARIS

PARIS           That ‘may be’ must be, love, on Thursday next.

JULIET

JULIET     What must be shall be.

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE     That’s a certain text.²²

PARIS

PARIS     Come you to make confession to this father?

JULIET

JULIET     To answer that, I should confess to you.

25

25   

PARIS

PARIS           Do not deny to him that you love me.

JULIET

JULIET     I will confess to you that I love him.

PARIS

PARIS     So will ye, I am sure, that you love me.

JULIET

JULIET     If I do so, it will be of more price,²⁸

               Being spoke behind your back, than to your face.

30

30   

PARIS

PARIS           Poor soul, thy face is much abused with tears.

JULIET

JULIET     The tears have got small victory by that,

               For it was bad enough before their spite.

PARIS

PARIS     Thou wrong’st it more than tears with that report.

JULIET

JULIET     That is no slander, sir, which is a truth,

35

35           And what I spake, I spake it to my face.³⁵

PARIS

PARIS     Thy face is mine, and thou hast slandered it.

JULIET

JULIET     It may be so, for it is not mine own.³⁷—

               Are you at leisure, holy father, now,

               Or shall I come to you at evening mass?

40

40   

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE           My leisure serves me, pensive⁴⁰ daughter, now.—

               My lord, we must entreat the time alone.

PARIS

PARIS     God shield⁴² I should disturb devotion!

               Juliet, on Thursday early will I rouse ye:

               Till then, adieu, and keep this holy kiss. Kisses Juliet on forehead or hand or cheek

        Exit Paris

45

45   

JULIET

JULIET           O, shut the door, and when thou hast done so,

               Come weep with me, past hope, past care, past help!

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE     O, Juliet, I already know thy grief,

               It strains me past the compass⁴⁸ of my wits:

               I hear thou must, and nothing may prorogue⁴⁹ it,

50

50           On Thursday next be married to this county.

JULIET

JULIET     Tell me not, friar, that thou hearest of this,

               Unless thou tell me how I may prevent it:

               If in thy wisdom thou canst give no help,

               Do thou but call my resolution wise,

55

55           And with this knife I’ll help it presently.⁵⁵ Shows a dagger

               God joined my heart and Romeo’s, thou our hands,

               And ere this hand, by thee to Romeo sealed,

               Shall be the label⁵⁸ to another deed,

               Or my true heart with treacherous revolt

60

60           Turn to another, this shall slay them both:⁶⁰

               Therefore, out of thy long-experienced time,⁶¹

               Give me some present counsel, or, behold,

               ’Twixt my extremes⁶³ and me this bloody knife

               Shall play the umpire,⁶⁴ arbitrating that

65

65           Which the commission⁶⁵ of thy years and art

               Could to no issue⁶⁶ of true honour bring.

               Be not so long to speak, I long to die,

               If what thou speak’st speak not of remedy.

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE     Hold, daughter: I do spy a kind of hope,

70

70           Which craves as desp’rate an execution

               As that is desperate which we would prevent.

               If, rather than to marry County Paris,

               Thou hast the strength of will to slay thyself,

               Then is it likely thou wilt undertake

75

75           A thing like death to chide away this shame,

               That cop’st⁷⁶ with death himself to scape from it:

               And if thou dar’st, I’ll give thee remedy.

JULIET

JULIET     O, bid me leap, rather than marry Paris,

               From off the battlements of any tower,

80

80           Or walk in thievish ways,⁸⁰ or bid me lurk

               Where serpents are, chain me with roaring bears,

               Or hide me nightly in a charnel-house,⁸²

               O’er-covered quite with dead men’s rattling bones,

               With reeky shanks⁸⁴ and yellow chapless skulls,

85

85           Or bid me go into a new-made grave

               And hide me with a dead man in his tomb —

               Things that to hear them told have made me tremble —

               And I will do it without fear or doubt,

               To live an unstained wife to my sweet love.

90

90   

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE           Hold, then. Go home, be merry, give consent

               To marry Paris. Wednesday is tomorrow:

               Tomorrow night look that thou lie alone,

               Let not thy nurse lie with thee in thy chamber:

               Take thou this vial, being then in bed, Shows a vial

95

95           And this distilling⁹⁵ liquor drink thou off,

               When presently through all thy veins shall run

               A cold and drowsy humour,⁹⁷ for no pulse

               Shall keep his native⁹⁸ progress, but surcease.

               No warmth, no breath shall testify thou liv’st:

100

100         The roses in thy lips and cheeks shall fade

               To wanny¹⁰¹ ashes, thy eyes’ windows fall,

               Like death when he shuts up the day of life.

               Each part, deprived of supple government,¹⁰³

               Shall stiff and stark and cold appear like death:

105

105         And in this borrowed likeness of shrunk death

               Thou shalt continue two-and-forty hours,

               And then awake as from a pleasant sleep.

               Now when the bridegroom in the morning comes

               To rouse thee from thy bed, there art thou dead:

110

110         Then as the manner of our country is,

               In thy best robes uncovered on the bier,

               // Be borne to burial in thy kindred’s grave //

               Thou shalt be borne to that same ancient vault

               Where all the kindred of the Capulets lie.

115

115         In the mean time, against¹¹⁵ thou shalt awake,

               Shall Romeo by my letters know our drift,¹¹⁶

               And hither shall he come, and he and I

               Will watch thy waking, and that very night

               Shall Romeo bear thee hence to Mantua.

120

120         And this shall free thee from this present shame,

               If no inconstant toy,¹²¹ nor womanish fear,

               Abate thy valour in the acting it.

JULIET

JULIET     Give me, give me! O, tell not me of fear! Takes the vial

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE     Hold, get you gone, be strong and prosperous¹²⁴

125

125         In this resolve: I’ll send a friar with speed

               To Mantua, with my letters to thy lord.

JULIET

JULIET     Love give me strength, and strength shall help afford.¹²⁷

               Farewell, dear father!

        Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 2]*

running scene 16

        Enter Father Capulet, Mother, Nurse and Servingmen, two or three

CAPULET

CAPULET     So many guests invite as here are writ.— [Exit a Servingman]

               Sirrah, go hire me twenty cunning² cooks.

SERVINGMAN

SERVINGMAN     You shall have none ill,³ sir, for I’ll try if they can lick their fingers.

CAPULET

CAPULET     How canst thou try them so?

SERVINGMAN

SERVINGMAN     Marry, sir, ’tis⁵ an ill cook that cannot lick his own fingers: therefore he that cannot lick his fingers goes not with me.

CAPULET

CAPULET     Go, begone.

        [Exit the Servingman]

               We shall be much unfurnished⁸ for this time.

               What, is my daughter gone to Friar Laurence?

10

10   

NURSE

NURSE           Ay, forsooth.¹⁰

CAPULET

CAPULET     Well, he may chance to do some good on her.

               A peevish¹² self-willed harlotry it is.

        Enter Juliet

NURSE

NURSE     See where she comes from shrift with merry look.

CAPULET

CAPULET     How now, my headstrong? Where have you been gadding?¹⁴

15

15   

JULIET

JULIET           Where I have learned me to repent the sin

               Of disobedient opposition

               To you and your behests,¹⁷ and am enjoined ↓Falls prostrate or kneels↓

               By holy Laurence to fall prostrate here,

               To beg your pardon. Pardon, I beseech you!

20

20           Henceforward I am ever ruled by you.

CAPULET

CAPULET     Send for the county, go tell him of this:

               I’ll have this knot knit up tomorrow morning.

JULIET

JULIET     I met the youthful lord at Laurence’ cell,

               And gave him what becomèd²⁴ love I might,

25

25           Not stepping o’er the bounds of modesty.

CAPULET

CAPULET     Why, I am glad on’t, this is well — stand up — She rises

               This is as’t should be. Let me see the county.

               Ay, marry, go, I say, and fetch him hither.

               Now, afore God, this reverend holy friar,

30

30           All our whole city is much bound to him.

JULIET

JULIET     Nurse, will you go with me into my closet,³¹

               To help me sort such needful ornaments³²

               As you think fit to furnish me tomorrow?

LADY CAPULET

LADY CAPULET     No, not till Thursday: there’s time enough.

35

35   

CAPULET

CAPULET           Go, nurse, go with her: we’ll to church tomorrow. Exeunt Juliet and Nurse

LADY CAPULET

LADY CAPULET     We shall be short³⁶ in our provision,

               ’Tis now near night.

CAPULET

CAPULET     Tush, I will stir about,

               And all things shall be well, I warrant thee, wife:

40

40           Go thou to Juliet, help to deck up her:⁴⁰

               I’ll not to bed tonight, let me alone.

               I’ll play the housewife for this once. What, ho!

               They⁴³ are all forth. Well, I will walk myself

               To County Paris, to prepare him up

45

45           Against tomorrow. My heart is wondrous light,

               Since this same wayward girl is so reclaimed.

        Exeunt Father and Mother

[Act 4 Scene 3]*

running scene 17

        Enter Juliet and Nurse A curtained bed is provided onstage

JULIET

JULIET     Ay, those attires are best, but, gentle nurse,

               I pray thee leave me to myself tonight,

               For I have need of many orisons³

               To move the heavens to smile upon my state,

5

5             Which, well thou know’st, is cross⁵ and full of sin.

        Enter Mother

LADY CAPULET

LADY CAPULET     What, are you busy, ho? Need you my help?

JULIET

JULIET     No, madam, we have culled⁷ such necessaries

               As are behoveful⁸ for our state tomorrow.

               So please you, let me now be left alone,

10

10           And let the nurse this night sit up with you,

               For I am sure you have your hands full all,

               In this so sudden business.

LADY CAPULET

LADY CAPULET     Goodnight.

               Get thee to bed, and rest, for thou hast need.

        Exeunt [Lady Capulet and Nurse]

15

15   

JULIET

JULIET           Farewell! God knows when we shall meet again.

               I have a faint cold fear thrills¹⁶ through my veins,

               That almost freezes up the heat of life.

               I’ll call them back again to comfort me.—

               Nurse!— What should she do here?

20

20           My dismal²⁰ scene I needs must act alone.

               Come, vial.

               What if this mixture do not work at all?

               Shall I be married then tomorrow morning?

               No, no, this shall forbid it.— Lie thou there.— Lays down a dagger

25

25           What if it be a poison, which the friar

               Subtly²⁶ hath ministered to have me dead,

               Lest in this marriage he should be dishonoured,

               Because he married me before to Romeo?

               I fear it is, and yet methinks it should not,

30

30           For he hath still³⁰ been tried a holy man.

               How if, when I am laid into the tomb,

               I wake before the time that Romeo

               Come to redeem me? There’s a fearful point!

               Shall I not then be stifled in the vault,

35

35           To whose foul mouth no healthsome air breathes in,

               And there die strangled ere³⁶ my Romeo comes?

               Or if I live, is it not very like,³⁷

               The horrible conceit³⁸ of death and night,

               Together with the terror of the place —

40

40           As in a vault, an ancient receptacle,

               Where for these many hundred years the bones

               Of all my buried ancestors are packed:

               Where bloody Tybalt, yet but green in earth,⁴³

               Lies fest’ring in his shroud, where, as they say,

45

45           At some hours in the night spirits resort —

               Alack, alack, is it not like that I,

               So early waking what with loathsome smells,

               And shrieks like mandrakes⁴⁸ torn out of the earth,

               That living mortals, hearing them, run mad —

50

50           O, if I wake, shall I not be distraught,⁵⁰

               Environèd⁵¹ with all these hideous fears?

               And madly play with my forefather’s joints?

               And pluck the mangled Tybalt from his shroud?

               And in this rage,⁵⁴ with some great kinsman’s bone,

55

55           As with a club, dash out my desp’rate brains?

               O, look! Methinks I see my cousin’s ghost

               Seeking out Romeo that did spit⁵⁷ his body

               Upon a rapier’s point. Stay,⁵⁸ Tybalt, stay!

               Romeo, Romeo, Romeo! Here’s drink: I drink to thee.

        She drinks and falls onto the bed within the curtains

[Act 4 Scene 4]

running scene 17 continues

        Enter Lady of the house and Nurse

LADY CAPULET

LADY CAPULET     Hold, take these keys, and fetch more spices, nurse.

NURSE

NURSE     They call for dates and quinces² in the pastry.

        Enter Old Capulet

CAPULET

CAPULET     Come, stir, stir, stir! The second cock hath crowed,

               The curfew-bell⁴ hath rung, ’tis three o’clock.

5

5             Look to the baked meats,⁵ good Angelica:

               Spare not for cost.

NURSE

NURSE     Go, you cotquean,⁷ go, To Capulet

               Get you to bed. Faith, you’ll be sick tomorrow

               For this night’s watching.⁹

10

10   

CAPULET

CAPULET           No, not a whit. What, I have watched ere now

               All night for less cause, and ne’er been sick.

LADY CAPULET

LADY CAPULET     Ay, you have been a mouse-hunt¹² in your time,

               But I will watch¹³ you from such watching now. Exeunt Lady and Nurse

CAPULET

CAPULET     A jealous hood,¹⁴ a jealous hood!—

15

15           Now fellow, what is there? Calls

        Enter three or four with spits, and logs and baskets

SERVINGMAN

SERVINGMAN     Things for the cook, sir, but I know not what.

CAPULET

CAPULET     Make haste, make haste.—

        [Exit Servingman]

               Sirrah, fetch drier logs:

               Call Peter, he will show thee where they are.

20

20   

ANOTHER SERVINGMAN

ANOTHER SERVINGMAN           I¹⁴ have a head, sir, that will find out logs,

               And never trouble Peter for the matter.

        [Exit]

CAPULET

CAPULET     Mass,²² and well said, a merry whoreson, ha! Thou shalt be logger-head.²³ Good Father, ’tis day:

        Play music

               The county will be here with music straight,²⁴

25

25           For so he said he would. I hear him near.—

               Nurse! Wife! What, ho! What, Nurse, I say!

        Enter Nurse

               Go waken Juliet, go and trim her up,²⁷

               I’ll go and chat with Paris. Hie, make haste,

               Make haste: the bridegroom he is come already.

30

30           Make haste, I say.

        [Exit]

NURSE

NURSE     Mistress, what, mistress? Juliet?—

               Fast,³² I warrant her, she.— Approaches the bed

               Why, lamb, why, lady! Fie, you slug-a-bed!

               Why, love, I say, madam, sweetheart, why, bride!

35

35           What, not a word? You take your pennyworths³⁵ now,

               Sleep for a week, for the next night, I warrant,

               The County Paris hath set³⁷ up his rest,

               That you shall rest but little. God forgive me,

               Marry and amen.— How sound is she asleep!

40

40           I must needs wake her. Madam, madam, madam!

               Ay, let the county take⁴¹ you in your bed,

               He’ll fright⁴² you up, i’faith. Will it not be? Draws the curtains

               What, dressed, and in your clothes, and down⁴³ again?

               I must needs wake you: lady, lady, lady!—

45

45           Alas, alas! Help, help! My lady’s dead!

               O, welladay, that ever I was born!

               Some aqua vitae, ho! My lord! My lady!

        Enter Mother

LADY CAPULET

LADY CAPULET     What noise is here?

NURSE

NURSE     O lamentable day!

50

50   

LADY CAPULET

LADY CAPULET           What is the matter?

NURSE

NURSE     Look, look! O heavy day!

LADY CAPULET

LADY CAPULET     O me, O me! My child, my only life,

               Revive, look up, or I will die with thee!

               Help, help! Call help.

        Enter Father

55

55   

CAPULET

CAPULET           For shame, bring Juliet forth, her lord is come.

NURSE

NURSE     She’s dead, deceased, she’s dead, alack the day!

LADY CAPULET

LADY CAPULET     Alack the day, she’s dead, she’s dead, she’s dead!

CAPULET

CAPULET     Ha? Let me see her. Out, alas,⁵⁸ she’s cold:

               Her blood is settled, and her joints are stiff.

60

60           Life and these lips have long been separated:

               Death lies on her like an untimely frost

               Upon the sweetest flower of all the field.

NURSE

NURSE     O lamentable day!

LADY CAPULET

LADY CAPULET     O woeful time!

65

65   

CAPULET

CAPULET           Death, that hath ta’en her hence to make me wail,

               Ties up my tongue, and will not let me speak.

        Enter Friar and the County Musicians may enter here

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE     Come, is the bride ready to go to church?

CAPULET

CAPULET     Ready to go, but never to return.—

               O son, the night before thy wedding-day To Paris

70

70           Hath Death lain with thy wife. There she lies,

               Flower as she was, deflowered by him.

               Death is my son-in-law, Death is my heir:

               My daughter he hath wedded. I will die,

               And leave him all: life, living,⁷⁴ all is Death’s.

75

75   

PARIS

PARIS           Have I thought long⁷⁵ to see this morning’s face,

               And doth it give me such a sight as this?

LADY CAPULET

LADY CAPULET     Accursed, unhappy, wretched, hateful day!

               Most miserable hour that e’er time saw

               In lasting⁷⁹ labour of his pilgrimage!

80

80           But one, poor one, one poor and loving child,

               But one thing to rejoice and solace in,

               And cruel death hath catched⁸² it from my sight!

NURSE

NURSE     O woe! O woeful, woeful, woeful day!

               Most lamentable day, most woeful day,

85

85           That ever, ever, I did yet behold!

               O day, O day, O day, O hateful day!

               Never was seen so black a day as this:

               O woeful day, O woeful day!

PARIS

PARIS     Beguiled,⁸⁹ divorcèd, wrongèd, spited, slain!

90

90           Most detestable death, by thee beguiled,

               By cruel cruel thee quite overthrown!

               O love, O life! Not life, but love in death!

CAPULET

CAPULET     Despised, distressèd, hated, martyred, killed!

               Uncomfortable⁹⁴ time, why cam’st thou now

95

95           To murder, murder our solemnity?⁹⁵

               O child, O child! My soul, and not my child!

               Dead art thou! Alack, my child is dead,

               And with my child my joys are burièd.

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE     Peace, ho, for shame! Confusion’s⁹⁹ care lives not

100

100         In these confusions. Heaven and yourself

               Had part in this fair maid, now heaven hath all,

               And all the better is it for the maid:

               Your part in her you could not keep from death,

               But heaven keeps his part in eternal life.

105

105         The most you sought was her promotion,¹⁰⁵

               For ’twas your heaven¹⁰⁶ she should be advanced:

               And weep ye now, seeing she is advanced

               Above the clouds, as high as heaven itself?

               O, in this love, you love your child so ill

110

110         That you run mad, seeing that she is well.

               She’s not well married that lives married long,

               But she’s best married that dies married young.

               Dry up your tears, and stick¹¹³ your rosemary

               On this fair corpse, and as the custom is,

115

115         And in her best array bear her to church:

               For though some nature bids us all lament,

               Yet nature’s tears are reason’s merriment.¹¹⁷

CAPULET

CAPULET     All things that we ordainèd festival,¹¹⁸

               Turn from their office¹¹⁹ to black funeral:

120

120         Our instruments to melancholy bells,

               Our wedding cheer¹²¹ to a sad burial feast,

               Our solemn¹²² hymns to sullen dirges change,

               Our bridal flowers serve for a buried corpse,

               And all things change them to the contrary.

125

125         

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE     Sir, go you in, and madam, go with him,

               And go, Sir Paris: everyone prepare

               To follow this fair corpse unto her grave.

               The heavens do lour¹²⁸ upon you for some ill,

               Move¹²⁹ them no more by crossing their high will.

        Exeunt [all but Nurse]

        Musicians may enter here

130

130 

FIRST MUSICIAN

FIRST MUSICIAN     Faith, we may put up¹³⁰ our pipes, and be gone.

NURSE

NURSE     Honest goodfellows, ah, put up, put up,

               For well you know this is a pitiful case.¹³²

        [Exit]

FIRST MUSICIAN

FIRST MUSICIAN     Ay, by my troth, the case may be amended.¹³³

        Enter Peter

PETER

PETER     Musicians, O, musicians, ‘Heart’s ease’,¹³⁴ ‘Heart’s ease’. O, an you will haveme live, play ‘Heart’s ease’.

FIRST MUSICIAN

FIRST MUSICIAN     Why ‘Heart’s ease’?

PETER

PETER     O, musicians, because my heart itself plays ‘My¹³⁴ heart is full of woe’. O, play me some merry dump¹³⁸ to comfort me.

FIRST MUSICIAN

FIRST MUSICIAN     Not a dump we, ’tis no time to play now.

PETER

PETER     You will not, then?

FIRST MUSICIAN

FIRST MUSICIAN     No.

PETER

PETER     I will then give it you soundly.¹⁴²

FIRST MUSICIAN

FIRST MUSICIAN     What will you give us?

PETER

PETER     No money, on my faith, but the gleek:¹⁴⁴ I will give you the minstrel.

FIRST MUSICIAN

FIRST MUSICIAN     Then will I give you the serving-creature.¹⁴⁵

PETER

PETER     Then will I lay the serving-creature’s dagger on your pate.¹⁴⁶ I will carry no crotchets: I’ll re¹⁴⁷ you, I’ll fa you. Do you note me?

FIRST MUSICIAN

FIRST MUSICIAN     An you re us and fa us, you note us.

SECOND MUSICIAN

SECOND MUSICIAN     Pray you put up your dagger, and put out¹⁴⁹ your wit. Then have at you with my wit!

PETER

PETER     I will dry-beat¹⁵¹ you with an iron wit, and put up my iron dagger. Answer me like men:

                                    When¹⁵³ griping griefs the heart doth wound,

                                    Then music with her silver sound—

155

               Why ‘silver sound’? Why ‘music with her silver sound’? What say you, Simon Catling?¹⁵⁶

FIRST MUSICIAN

FIRST MUSICIAN     Marry, sir, because silver hath a sweet sound.

PETER

PETER     Prates.¹⁵⁸ What say you, Hugh Rebeck?

SECOND MUSICIAN

SECOND MUSICIAN     I say ‘silver sound’, because musicians sound for silver.¹⁵⁹

PETER

PETER     Prates too. What say you, James Soundpost?¹⁶⁰

THIRD MUSICIAN

THIRD MUSICIAN     Faith, I know not what to say.

PETER

PETER     O, I cry you mercy,¹⁶² you are the singer: I will say for you. It is ‘music with her silver sound’ because musicians have no gold for sounding:¹⁶³

                                    Then music with her silver sound

165

165                                    With speedy help doth lend redress.

       Exit

FIRST MUSICIAN

FIRST MUSICIAN     What a pestilent knave is this same!

SECOND MUSICIAN

SECOND MUSICIAN     Hang him, Jack!¹⁶⁷ Come, we’ll in here, tarry for the mourners, and stay¹⁶⁸ dinner.

       Exeunt

[Act 5 Scene 1]5.1

running scene 18

       Enter Romeo

ROMEO

ROMEO     If I may trust the flattering¹ truth of sleep,

               My dreams presage² some joyful news at hand:

               My bosom’s lord³ sits lightly in his throne,

               And all this day an unaccustomed spirit

5

5             Lifts me above the ground with cheerful thoughts.

               I dreamt my lady came and found me dead —

               Strange dream, that gives a dead man leave to think! —

               And breathed such life with kisses in my lips,

               That I revived, and was an emperor.

10

10           Ah me, how sweet is love itself possessed,¹⁰

               When but love’s shadows¹¹ are so rich in joy!

       Enter Romeo’s Man Wearing riding boots

               News from Verona!— How now, Balthasar!

               Dost thou not bring me letters from the friar?

               How doth my lady? Is my father well?

15

15           How doth my lady Juliet? That I ask again,

               For nothing can be ill, if she be well.

BALTHASAR

BALTHASAR     Then she is well, and nothing can be ill:

               Her body sleeps in Capel’s monument,

               And her immortal part with angels lives.

20

20           I saw her laid low in her kindred’s vault,

               And presently took post²¹ to tell it you.

               O, pardon me for bringing these ill news,

               Since you did leave it for my office,²³ sir.

ROMEO

ROMEO     Is it even so? Then I deny²⁴ you, stars!—

25

25           Thou know’st my lodging, get me ink and paper,

               And hire post-horses:²⁶ I will hence tonight.

BALTHASAR

BALTHASAR     I do beseech you, sir, have patience:

               Your looks are pale and wild, and do import²⁸

               Some misadventure.²⁹

30

30   

ROMEO

ROMEO           Tush, thou art deceived:

               Leave me, and do the thing I bid thee do.

               Hast thou no letters to me from the friar?

BALTHASAR

BALTHASAR     No, my good lord.

ROMEO

ROMEO     No matter: get thee gone,

35

35           And hire those horses, I’ll be with thee straight.—

       Exit Man

               Well, Juliet, I will lie with thee tonight.

               Let’s see for³⁷ means. O mischief, thou art swift

               To enter in the thoughts of desperate men!

               I do remember an apothecary,³⁹

40

40           And hereabouts a⁴⁰ dwells, which late I noted

               In tattered weeds,⁴¹ with overwhelming brows,

               Culling of simples:⁴² meagre were his looks,

               Sharp misery had worn him to the bones,

               And in his needy⁴⁴ shop a tortoise hung,

45

45           An alligator stuffed, and other skins

               Of ill-shaped fishes, and about his shelves

               A beggarly account⁴⁷ of empty boxes,

               Green earthen⁴⁸ pots, bladders and musty seeds,

               Remnants of packthread⁴⁹ and old cakes of roses,

50

50           Were thinly scattered, to make up a show.

               Noting this penury, to myself I said

               ‘An if a man did need a poison now,

               Whose⁵³ sale is present death in Mantua,

               Here lives a caitiff⁵⁴ wretch would sell it him.’

55

55           O, this same thought did but forerun my need,

               And this same needy man must sell it me.

               As I remember, this should be the house.

               Being holy-day, the beggar’s shop is shut.

               What, ho, apothecary!

       Enter Apothecary

60

60   

APOTHECARY

APOTHECARY           Who calls so loud?

ROMEO

ROMEO     Come hither, man. I see that thou art poor.

               Hold, there is forty ducats:⁶² let me have Shows gold

               A dram of poison, such soon-speeding gear⁶³

               As will disperse itself through all the veins

65

65           That⁶⁵ the life-weary taker may fall dead

               And that the trunk⁶⁶ may be discharged of breath

               As violently as hasty powder fired

               Doth hurry from the fatal cannon’s womb.

APOTHECARY

APOTHECARY     Such mortal⁶⁹ drugs I have, but Mantua’s law

70

70           Is death to any he⁷⁰ that utters them.

ROMEO

ROMEO     Art thou so bare and full of wretchedness,

               And fear’st to die? Famine is in thy cheeks,

               Need and oppression starveth in thy eyes,

               Contempt and beggary hangs upon thy back:

75

75           The world is not thy friend nor the world’s law:

               The world affords no law to make thee rich,

               Then be not poor, but break it⁷⁷ and take this.

APOTHECARY

APOTHECARY     My poverty, but not my will, consents.

ROMEO

ROMEO     I pray⁷⁹ thy poverty, and not thy will.

80

80   

APOTHECARY

APOTHECARY           Put this in any liquid thing you will

               And drink it off, and if you had the strength

               Of twenty men, it would dispatch you straight.

ROMEO

ROMEO     There’s thy gold, worse poison to men’s souls, Gives gold

               Doing more murder in this loathsome world,

85

85           Than these poor compounds⁸⁵ that thou mayst not sell.

               I sell thee poison, thou hast sold me none.

               Farewell, buy food, and get⁸⁷ thyself in flesh.—

               Come, cordial⁸⁸ and not poison, go with me

               To Juliet’s grave, for there must I use thee.

       Exeunt [separately]

[Act 5 Scene 2]5.2

running scene 19

       Enter Friar John to Friar Laurence

FRIAR JOHN

FRIAR JOHN     Holy Franciscan friar, brother, ho!

       Enter Friar Laurence

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE     This same should be the voice of Friar John.—

               Welcome from Mantua: what says Romeo?

               Or if his mind be writ, give me his letter.

5

5     

FRIAR JOHN

FRIAR JOHN         Going to find a barefoot brother⁵ out,

               One of our order, to associate⁶ me,

               Here in this city visiting the sick,

               And finding him, the searchers⁸ of the town,

               Suspecting that we both were in a house

10

10           Where the infectious pestilence¹⁰ did reign,

               Sealed up the doors, and would not let us forth,

               So that my speed¹² to Mantua there was stayed.

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE     Who bare my letter then to Romeo?

FRIAR JOHN

FRIAR JOHN     I could not send it — here it is again — Shows the letter

15

15           Nor get a messenger to bring it thee,

               So fearful were they of infection.

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE     Unhappy fortune! By my brotherhood,

               The letter was not nice¹⁸ but full of charge,

               Of dear import,¹⁹ and the neglecting it

20

20           May do much danger.²⁰ Friar John, go hence,

               Get me an iron crow,²¹ and bring it straight

               Unto my cell.

FRIAR JOHN

FRIAR JOHN     Brother, I’ll go and bring it thee.

       Exit

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE     Now must I to the monument alone,

25

25           Within this three hours will fair Juliet wake:

               She will beshrew me much that Romeo

               Hath had no notice of these accidents,²⁷

               But I will write again to Mantua,

               And keep her at my cell till Romeo come.

30

30           Poor living corpse, closed in a dead man’s tomb!

       Exit

[Act 5 Scene 3]5.3

running scene 20

       Enter Paris and his Page Carrying flowers and a torch

PARIS

PARIS     Give me thy torch, boy. Hence, and stand aloof.¹

               Yet put it out, for I would not be seen.

               Under yon yew trees lay³ thee all along,

               Holding thy ear close to the hollow ground,

5

5             So shall no foot upon the churchyard tread,

               Being⁶ loose, unfirm with digging up of graves,

               But thou shalt hear it: whistle then to me

               As signal that thou hear’st something approach.

               Give me those flowers. Do as I bid thee, go.

10

10   

PAGE

PAGE           I am almost afraid to stand¹⁰ alone Aside

               Here in the churchyard, yet I will adventure.¹¹ Stands back

PARIS

PARIS     Sweet flower, with flowers thy bridal bed I strew — Strews flowers and sprinkles perfumed water

               O woe, thy canopy¹³ is dust and stones —

               Which with sweet water nightly I will dew,

15

15           Or wanting that, with tears distilled by moans;

               The obsequies¹⁶ that I for thee will keep

               Nightly shall be to strew thy grave and weep.

       Whistle Boy

               The boy gives warning something doth approach.

               What cursèd foot wanders this way tonight,

20

20           To cross²⁰ my obsequies and true love’s rite?

               What, with a torch? Muffle me, night, awhile. Stands back

       Enter Romeo and Balthasar Carrying a mattock and wrenching iron

ROMEO

ROMEO     Give me that mattock and the wrenching iron.

               Hold, take this letter: early in the morning Gives a letter

               See thou deliver it to my lord and father.

25

25           Give me the light. Upon thy life, I charge thee, Takes a torch

               Whate’er thou hear’st or see’st, stand all aloof,

               And do not interrupt me in my course.

               Why I descend into this bed of death

               Is partly to behold my lady’s face,

30

30           But chiefly to take thence from her dead finger

               A precious ring, a ring that I must use

               In dear employment:³² therefore hence, begone.

               But if thou, jealous,³³ dost return to pry

               In what I further shall intend to do,

35

35           By heaven, I will tear thee joint by joint

               And strew this hungry churchyard with thy limbs:

               The time and my intents are savage-wild,

               More fierce and more inexorable far

               Than empty tigers or the roaring sea.

40

40   

BALTHASAR

BALTHASAR           I will be gone, sir, and not trouble you.

ROMEO

ROMEO     So shalt thou show me friendship. Take thou that. Gives money

               Live and be prosperous, and farewell, good fellow.

BALTHASAR

BALTHASAR     For⁴³ all this same, I’ll hide me hereabout: Aside

               His looks I fear, and his intents I doubt.⁴⁴ Stands aside

45

45   

ROMEO

ROMEO           Thou detestable maw,⁴⁵ thou womb of death, Romeo begins to open the tomb

               Gorged with the dearest morsel of the earth:

               Thus I enforce thy rotten jaws to open,

               And in despite⁴⁸ I’ll cram thee with more food.

PARIS

PARIS     This is that banished haughty Montague, Aside

50

50           That murdered my love’s cousin, with which grief

               It is supposèd the fair creature died,

               And here is come to do some villainous shame

               To the dead bodies. I will apprehend him.—

               Stop thy unhallowed⁵⁴ toil, vile Montague! Comes forward

55

55           Can vengeance be pursued further than death?

               Condemnèd villain, I do apprehend thee:

               Obey and go with me, for thou must die.

ROMEO

ROMEO     I must indeed, and therefore came I hither.

               Good gentle youth, tempt not a desp’rate man,

60

60           Fly hence, and leave me: think upon these gone,⁶⁰

               Let them affright thee. I beseech thee, youth,

               Put not another sin upon my head,

               By urging me to fury: O, begone!

               By heaven, I love thee better than myself,

65

65           For I come hither armed against myself.

               Stay not, begone, live, and hereafter say,

               A madman’s mercy bid thee run away.

PARIS

PARIS     I do defy thy commiseration,⁶⁸

               And apprehend thee for a felon here.

70

70   

ROMEO

ROMEO           Wilt thou provoke me? Then have at thee, boy! They fight

PAGE

PAGE     O Lord, they fight! I will go call the watch.

       [Exit]

PARIS

PARIS     O, I am slain! If thou be merciful,

               Open the tomb, lay me with Juliet. Dies

ROMEO

ROMEO     In faith, I will. Let me peruse this face.

75

75           Mercutio’s kinsman, noble County Paris!

               What said my man, when my betossèd soul

               Did not attend him as we rode? I think He told me

               Paris should have⁷⁸ married Juliet:

               Said he not so? Or did I dream it so?

80

80           Or am I mad, hearing him⁸⁰ talk of Juliet,

               To think it was so? O, give me thy hand,

               One writ with me in sour misfortune’s book!

               I’ll bury thee in a triumphant⁸³ grave. Opens the tomb, revealing Juliet

               A grave? O no, a lantern,⁸⁴ slaughtered youth,

85

85           For here lies Juliet, and her beauty makes

               This vault a feasting presence⁸⁶ full of light.

               Death, lie thou there, by a dead man interred.

               How oft when men are at the point of death

               Have they been merry, which their keepers⁸⁹ call

90

90           A light’ning before death. O, how may I

               Call this a light’ning? O my love, my wife!

               Death that hath sucked the honey of thy breath,

               Hath had no power yet upon thy beauty:

               Thou art not conquered, beauty’s ensign⁹⁴ yet

95

95           Is crimson in thy lips and in thy cheeks,

               And death’s pale flag is not advancèd⁹⁶ there.—

               Tybalt, liest thou there in thy bloody sheet?

               O, what more favour can I do to thee

               Than with that hand that cut thy youth in twain

100

100        To sunder his¹⁰⁰ that was thy enemy?

               Forgive me, cousin.— Ah, dear Juliet,

               Why art thou yet so fair? Shall I believe

               That unsubstantial¹⁰³ death is amorous,

               And that the lean abhorrèd monster keeps

105

105         Thee here in dark to be his paramour?

               For fear of that, I still¹⁰⁶ will stay with thee,

               And never from this palace of dim night

               // Depart again. Come lie thou in my arms. //

               // Here’s to thy health, where’er thou tumblest in. //

110

110         // O true¹¹⁰ apothecary, //

               // Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die.//

               Depart again. Here, here will I remain

               With worms that are thy chambermaids: O, here

               Will I set up my everlasting rest,

115

115         And shake the yoke of inauspicious stars

               From this world-wearied flesh. Eyes, look your last!

               Arms, take your last embrace! And, lips, O you

               The doors of breath, seal with a righteous kiss

               A dateless bargain¹¹⁹ to engrossing death! Kisses Juliet

120

120         Come, bitter conduct,¹²⁰ come, unsavoury guide!

               Thou desperate pilot, now at once run on

               The dashing¹²² rocks thy seasick weary bark!

               Here’s to my love. O true apothecary, Drinks

               Thy drugs are quick.¹²⁴ Thus with a kiss I die. Dies

       Enter Friar Laurence with lantern, crow and spade

125

125 

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE             Saint Francis be my speed!¹²⁵ How oft tonight

               Have my old feet stumbled at graves! Who’s there?

BALTHASAR

BALTHASAR     Here’s one, a friend, and one that knows you well.

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE     Bliss be upon you! Tell me, good my friend,

               What torch is yon that vainly¹²⁹ lends his light

130

130         To grubs and eyeless skulls? As I discern,

               It burneth in the Capels’ monument.

BALTHASAR

BALTHASAR     It doth so, holy sir, and there’s my master,

               One that you love.

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE     Who is it?

135

135 

BALTHASAR

BALTHASAR             Romeo.

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE     How long hath he been there?

BALTHASAR

BALTHASAR     Full half an hour.

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE     Go with me to the vault.

BALTHASAR

BALTHASAR     I dare not, sir.

140

140         My master knows not but I am gone hence,

               And fearfully did menace me with death

               If I did stay to look on his intents.

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE     Stay then, I’ll go alone. Fear comes upon me:

               O, much I fear some ill unlucky thing.

145

145 

BALTHASAR

BALTHASAR             As I did sleep under this yew tree here,

               I dreamt my master and another fought,

               And that my master slew him.

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE     Romeo!

               Alack, alack, what blood is this which stains

150

150         The stony entrance of this sepulchre?

               What mean these masterless and gory swords

               To lie discoloured by this place of peace?

               Romeo! O, pale! Who else? What, Paris too?

               And steeped in blood? Ah, what an unkind¹⁵⁴ hour

155

155         Is guilty of this lamentable chance!

               The lady stirs.

JULIET

JULIET     O, comfortable¹⁵⁷ friar, where’s my lord? Waking

               I do remember well where I should be,

               And there I am. Where is my Romeo?

160

160 

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE             I hear some noise. Lady, come from that nest

               Of death, contagion and unnatural sleep:

               A greater power than we can contradict

               Hath thwarted our intents. Come, come away.

               Thy husband in thy bosom there lies dead,

165

165         And Paris too. Come, I’ll dispose of thee

               Among a sisterhood of holy nuns.

               Stay not to question, for the watch is coming.

               Come, go, good Juliet, I dare no longer stay.

       Exit

JULIET

JULIET     Go, get thee hence, for I will not away.

170

170         What’s here? A cup closed in my true love’s hand?

               Poison I see hath been his timeless¹⁷¹ end.

               O churl,¹⁷² drink all and left no friendly drop

               To help me after? I will kiss thy lips,

               Haply¹⁷⁴ some poison yet doth hang on them,

175

175         To make me die with a restorative. Kisses him

               Thy lips are warm.

       Enter Boy and Watch [Constable and other Watchmen] At a distance

CONSTABLE

CONSTABLE     Lead, boy, which way?

JULIET

JULIET     Yea, noise? Then I’ll be brief. O happy¹⁷⁸ dagger,

               This is thy sheath: there rust, and let me die.

       Kills herself

180

180 

PAGE

PAGE             This is the place, there where the torch doth burn.

CONSTABLE

CONSTABLE     The ground is bloody, search about the churchyard:

               Go, some of you, whoe’er you find attach.¹⁸²

       [Exeunt some Watchmen]

               Pitiful sight! Here lies the county slain,

               And Juliet bleeding, warm, and newly dead,

185

185         Who here hath lain these two days burièd.

               Go, tell the prince, run to the Capulets,

               Raise up the Montagues, some others search.

       [Exeunt other Watchmen]

               We see the ground whereon these woes do lie,

               But the true ground¹⁸⁹ of all these piteous woes

190

190         We cannot without circumstance¹⁹⁰ descry.

       Enter Romeo’s man [Balthasar with Watchman]

SECOND WATCHMAN

SECOND WATCHMAN     Here’s Romeo’s man: we found him in the churchyard.

CONSTABLE

CONSTABLE     Hold him in safety, till the prince come hither.

       Enter Friar and another Watchman

THIRD WATCHMAN

THIRD WATCHMAN     Here is a friar that trembles, sighs and weeps:

               We took this mattock and this spade from him,

195

195         As he was coming from this churchyard side.

CONSTABLE

CONSTABLE     A great suspicion: stay¹⁹⁶ the friar too.

       Enter the Prince [and Attendants]

PRINCE

PRINCE     What misadventure is so early up,

               That calls our person from our morning rest?

       Enter Capulet and his Wife [and others]

CAPULET

CAPULET     What should it be that they so shriek abroad?

200

200 

LADY CAPULET

LADY CAPULET             O, the people in the street cry ‘Romeo’,

               Some ‘Juliet’, and some ‘Paris’, and all run

               With open outcry toward our monument.

PRINCE

PRINCE     What fear is this which startles in your ears?

CONSTABLE

CONSTABLE     Sovereign, here lies the County Paris slain,

205

205         And Romeo dead, and Juliet, dead before,

               Warm and new killed.

PRINCE

PRINCE     Search, seek, and know how this foul murder comes.

CONSTABLE

CONSTABLE     Here is a friar, and slaughtered Romeo’s man,

               With instruments upon them, fit to open

210

210         These dead men’s tombs.

CAPULET

CAPULET     O heaven! O wife, look how our daughter bleeds!

               This dagger hath mista’en²¹² — for lo his house

               Is empty on the back of Montague —

               And is mis-sheathèd in my daughter’s bosom!

215

215 

LADY CAPULET

LADY CAPULET             O me, this sight of death is as a bell

               That warns²¹⁶ my old age to a sepulchre.

       Enter Montague

PRINCE

PRINCE     Come, Montague, for thou art early up

               To see thy son and heir now early down.

MONTAGUE

MONTAGUE     Alas, my liege, my wife is dead tonight:²¹⁹

220

220         Grief of my son’s exile hath stopped her breath.

               What further woe conspires against my age?

PRINCE

PRINCE     Look and thou shalt see.

MONTAGUE

MONTAGUE     O, thou untaught,²²³ what manners is in this?

               To press before thy father to a grave?

225

225 

PRINCE

PRINCE             Seal up the mouth of outrage²²⁵ for awhile,

               Till we can clear these ambiguities, ↓The tomb may be closed↓

               And know their spring, their head,²²⁷ their true descent,

               And then will I be general²²⁸ of your woes,

               And lead you even to death.²²⁹ Meantime forbear,

230

230         And let mischance be slave to²³⁰ patience.—

               Bring forth the parties of suspicion.

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE     I am the greatest, able to do least,

               Yet most suspected, as the time and place

               Doth make against²³⁴ me of this direful murder:

235

235         And here I stand both to impeach and purge

               Myself condemnèd and myself excused.²³⁵

PRINCE

PRINCE     Then say at once what thou dost know in this.

FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE     I will be brief, for my short date of breath²³⁸

               Is not so long as is a tedious tale.

240

240         Romeo, there dead, was husband to that Juliet,

               And she, there dead, that’s Romeo’s faithful wife:

               I married them and their stol’n marriage day

               Was Tybalt’s doomsday, whose untimely death

               Banished the new-made bridegroom from this city,

245

245         For whom, and not for Tybalt, Juliet pined.

               You, to remove that siege of grief from her,

               Betrothed and would have married her perforce²⁴⁷

               To County Paris. Then comes she to me,

               And with wild looks bid me devise some means

250

250         To rid her from this second marriage,

               Or in my cell there would she kill herself.

               Then gave I her — so tutored by my art²⁵²—

               A sleeping potion, which so took effect

               As I intended, for it wrought²⁵⁴ on her

255

255         The form of death. Meantime I writ to Romeo

               That he should hither come as²⁵⁶ this dire night

               To help to take her from her borrowed grave,

               Being the time the potion’s force should cease.

               But he which bore my letter, Friar John,

260

260         Was stayed²⁶⁰ by accident, and yesternight

               Returned my letter back. Then all alone,

               At the prefixèd hour of her waking,

               Came I to take her from her kindred’s vault,

               Meaning to keep her closely²⁶⁴ at my cell,

265

265         Till I conveniently could send to Romeo.

               But when I came — some minute ere the time

               Of her awaking — here untimely lay

               The noble Paris and true²⁶⁸ Romeo dead.

               She wakes, and I entreated her come forth,

270

270         And bear this work of heaven with patience:

               But then a noise did scare me from the tomb,

               And she, too desperate, would not go with me,

               But, as it seems, did violence on herself.

               All this I know, and to the marriage

275

275         Her nurse is privy:²⁷⁵ and if aught in this

               Miscarried by my fault, let my old life

               Be sacrificed, some hour before the time,²⁷⁷

               Unto the rigour of severest law.

PRINCE

PRINCE     We still²⁷⁹ have known thee for a holy man.—

280

280         Where’s Romeo’s man? What can he say to this?

BALTHASAR

BALTHASAR     I brought my master news of Juliet’s death,

               And then in post²⁸² he came from Mantua

               To this same place, to this same monument.

               This letter he early bid me give his father, Shows letter

285

285         And threatened me with death, going in the vault,

               If I departed not and left him there.

PRINCE

PRINCE     Give me the letter, I will look on it.

               Where is the county’s page, that raised the watch?—

               Sirrah, what made²⁸⁹ your master in this place?

290

290 

PAGE

PAGE             He came with flowers to strew his lady’s grave,

               And bid me stand aloof, and so I did:

               Anon comes one with light to ope the tomb,

               And by and by²⁹³ my master drew on him,

               And then I ran away to call the watch.

295

295 

PRINCE

PRINCE             This letter doth make good²⁹⁵ the friar’s words,

               Their course of love, the tidings of her death:

               And here he writes that he did buy a poison

               Of a poor ’pothecary, and therewithal²⁹⁸

               Came to this vault to die, and lie with Juliet.

300

300         Where be these enemies? Capulet, Montague?

               See, what a scourge³⁰¹ is laid upon your hate,

               That heaven finds means to kill your joys³⁰² with love.

               And I for winking at³⁰³ your discords too

               Have lost a brace³⁰⁴ of kinsmen: all are punished.

305

305 

CAPULET

CAPULET             O brother Montague, give me thy hand:

               This is my daughter’s jointure,³⁰⁶ for no more

               Can I demand.

MONTAGUE

MONTAGUE     But I can give thee more,

               For I will raise³⁰⁹ her statue in pure gold,

310

310         That whiles Verona by that name is known,

               There shall no figure³¹¹ at such rate be set

               As that of true and faithful Juliet.

CAPULET

CAPULET     As rich shall Romeo³¹³ by his lady lie,

               Poor sacrifices of³¹⁴ our enmity!

315

315 

PRINCE

PRINCE             A glooming³¹⁵ peace this morning with it brings,

               The sun, for sorrow, will not show his head.

               Go hence to have more talk of these sad things:

               Some shall be pardoned, and some punishèd,

               For never was a story of more woe

320

320         Than this of Juliet and her Romeo.

       Exeunt

Textual Notes

Q1 = First Quarto text of 1597 (of uncertain authority)

Q2 = Second Quarto text of 1599

Q1/Q2 = a reading in which the First Quarto and Second Quarto agree

Q3 = Third Quarto text of 1609

Q4 = Fourth Quarto text of 1622

F = First Folio text of 1623

F2 = a correction introduced in the Second Folio text of 1632

Ed = a correction introduced by a later editor

SD = stage direction

SH = speech heading (i.e., speaker’s name)

List of parts = Ed

Prologue…mend = Q2. Not in F

1.1.22 in = Q1. Not in F 49 swashing = Q4. F = washing 61 SH LADY CAPULET = Ed. F = Wife (or Mo. or Old La. throughout) 65 SH LADY MONTAGUE = Ed. F = 2. Wife 86 further = Q1/Q2. F = Fathers 114 humour = Q2. F = Honor 131 other = Q2. F = others 164 create = Q1. F = created 166 well-seeming = Q4. F = welseeing 203 bide = Q2. F = bid 204 ope = Q2. F = open

1.2.41 are here = Q2. F = are 47 thy = Q2. F = the 56 God…e’en spelled Godgigoden in F 63 daughters = Q2. F = daughter 94 she…show = Q1/Q2. F (uncorrected) = she shew scant shell. F (corrected) = she shall scant shell seems = Q2. F = shewes

1.3.27 eleven = Q2. F = a eleuen 33 should = Q1/Q2. F = shall 34 Jule = Q2. F = Iulet. Q1 = Juliet 35 SH LADY CAPULET = Ed. F = Old La. 47, 48 honour = Q1. F = houre 80 it = Q1. Not in F 84 SH LADY CAPULET = Ed. F = Mo.

1.4.18 so = Q2. F = to 43 in = Q2. F = I 44 light lights = Ed. F = lights lights 46 five = Ed. F = fine 55–93 O…bodes = prose in Q2/F, verse in Q 57 an = Q1/Q2. Not in F 65 film = F2. F = Philome 68 maid = Q1. F = man 74 curtsies spelled Cursies in F 75 dream = Q2. F = dreamed 81 a = Q1/Q2. Not in F 88 ear = Q2. F = eares 92 elflocks = Q1. F = Elk-locks 119 SH CHIEF SERVINGMAN = Ed. F = Ser. 131 SH CAPULET = Ed. F = 1. Capu. 132 a bout = Ed. F = about 140 SD they = Q2. F = the 156 SH CAPULET = Q2 (1. Capu.). F = 3. Cap. 187 this = Q2. F = the 199 my = Q2. F = the 215 ready = Q1. F = did ready 258 wedding = Q1/Q2. F = wedded 266 learned = Q1/Q2. F = learne

2.0.1 SH CHORUS = Ed. Not in F

2.1.8 SH MERCUTIO Nay…too = Q1. Line assigned to Benvolio in F 12 but = Q2. F = me but pronounce = Q1. F = Prouant dove = Q1. F = day 14 heir = Q1. F = her 18 and I = Q2. F = I 27 it there = Q2. F = it 40 open arse and = Ed. F = open, or. Q1 = open Et caetera 65 eye = F. Q1 = eyes 88 nor any other part = Q1. Not in F 89 Belonging…name = Ed. F = O be some other name / Belonging to a man 90 What’s…name? = Q1. F = What? in a names 139 love me = Q2. F = Loue 142 laughs = Q2. F = laught 150 more = Q1. Not in F 156 blessèd moon = Q2. F = Moone 209 toward = Q2. F = toward 214 mine = Q1. Not in F 220 nyas = Ed. F = Neece 239–40 Parting…morrow assigned to Juliet as in Q1. F assigns to Romeo 241 SH ROMEO Sleep…breast! = Q1. F assigns to Juliet

2.2.95 households’ = Q2. F = houshould

2.3.18 minim rests = Q2. F = minum 22 phantasimes = Ed. F = phantacies 34 the = Q2. F = the the 37 good Mercutio = Q2. F = Mercutio 41 curtsy spelled cursie in F 53 Switch spelled Swits in F 62 then well = Q2. F = well 74 for = Q1/Q2. F = or 83, 84 good e’en spelled gooden in F 89 well said = Q2. F = said 128 SH ROMEO = Q1/Q2. F = Nur. 141 stay = Q2. F = stay thou 152 man’s = Q2. F = man 155 see a toad = Q2. F = a see Toade

2.4.11 Is = Q2. F = I 39 leg = Q2. F = legs 42 gentle as = Q2. F = gentle 44 this = Q2. F = this this 51 that = Q2. F = that that not = Q2. F = so

2.5.23 is his = Q2. F = in his 33 such = Q2. F = such such 34 sum up sum spelled sum vp some in F

3.1.22 ribbon spelled Riband in F 57 love = Q2. F = lou’d 62 stoccado spelled stucatho in F 102 Mercutio is = Q1/Q2. F = Mercutio’s is 105 more spelled mo in F 129 prince’s name = Q2. F = Princes names 140 bloody fray = Q2. F = Fray 147 Tybalt = Q2. F = Tybalts 155 agile = Q1. F = aged 173 SH MONTAGUE = Q4. F = Cap. 183 out = Q2. F = our 187 but = Q1/Q2. F = not

3.2.9 By = Q4. F = And by 38 welladay spelled welady in F he’s dead = Q2. F omits third repetition 51 shut spelled shot in F 56 corpse spelled Coarse in F throughout 58 swoonèd spelled sounded in F 62 one spelled on in F 74 SH NURSE = Q1. Assigned to Juliet in F 75 SH JULIET = Q1. Assigned to the Nurse in F 78 Dove-feathered = Ed. F = Rauenous Doue-feather’d 81 damnèd = Q4. F = dimne 99 chide at = Q2. F = chide 112 word = Q2. F = words 125 with = Q2. F = which

3.3.48 Howling = Q2. F = Howlings 52 a little speak = Q2. F = speake 63 dispute = Q1/Q2. F = dispaire 65 I, Juliet thy = Q2. F = Iuliet my 78 will? F here prints a redundant entry direction for the Nurse 99 cancelled = Q1/Q2. F = conceal’d 105 deadly = Q2. F = dead 120 lives = F2. F = lies 144 of = Q1/Q2. F = or blessings = Q1/Q2. F = blessing 146 mishavèd = Q2. F = mishaped 147 pouts upon = Q4. F = puttest vp

3.4.35 very late = Q2. F = late

3.5.21 the = Q1. Not in F 35 light it = Q1/Q2. F = itli ght 36 SD Enter Nurse = Ed. F = Enter Madam and Nurse 66 It is = Q2. F = Is it 86 him = Q4. Not in F 115 that = Q2. F = this 119 thee there = Q2. F = thee 123 woo = Q2. F = woe 139 thy = Q2. F = the 151 hate = Q1/Q2. F = haue 155 And…you? = Q2. Line omitted in F, probably due to compositorial eyeskip 177 gossips = Q2. F = gossip 179 SH CAPULET = Q1. F = Father (printed as part of the dialogue) 180 SH NURSE = Q4. Not in F 182 bowl = Q2. F = bowles 186 tide = Q2. F = ride 219 Alack = Q2. F = Hlacke 248 Is it = Q1/Q2. F = It is

4.1.35 my face = Q2. F = thy face 41 we = Q1/Q2. F = you 48 strains = Q2. F = streames 55 with this = Q2. F = with’ his 76 from = Q1/Q2. F = fro 79 off spelled of in F 84 chapless = Q1. F = chappels 86 tomb = Ed (Q1 = Or lay me in tombe with one new dead). F = graue 101 wanny = Ed. F = many thy = Q2. F = the 102 shuts = Q2. F = shut 117–18 and…waking = Q3. Not in F, due to compositorial eyeskip 123 fear = Q2. F = care

4.3.17 life = Q2. F = fire 50 wake = Q4. F = walke 58 a = Q2. F = my

4.4.15 what is = Q2. F = what 16 SH SERVINGMAN = Q1. F = Fel. 20 SH ANOTHER SERVINGMAN = Q1 (Ser:). F = Fel. 106 should = Q2. F = shouldst 116 us all = Q2. F = all us 130 SH FIRST MUSICIAN = Ed. F = Mu. 137 of woe = Q4. Not in F 137–8 O…me = Q2. Not in F, probably due to compositorial eyeskip 158, 160 Prates = Q2. F = Pratest

5.1.3 lord abbreviated L. in F 4 this day = Q2. F = thisan day 17 SH BALTHASAR = Q1. F = Man. (throughout scene) 19 lives = Q2. F = live 34 No = Q2. F = Mo 35 SD Exit Man = positioned here in Q1, two lines earlier in F 40 a dwells = Q2. F = dwells

5.3.1 aloof = Q2. F = aloft 3 yew = Q1. F = young 19 way = Q2. F = wayes 20 rite spelled right in F 21 SD Balthasar = Q1. F = Peter 40 SH BALTHASAR = Q1. F = Pet. (throughout scene) 60 these = Q2. F = those 71 SH PAGE = Q4. F = Pet. 94 art = Q2. F = are 102–3 Shall…That = Ed. F = I will beleeue, / Shall I beleeue, that 143 Fear = Q2. F = feares 145 yew = Ed. F = young 169 not away = Q2. F = notuaway 172 left = Q2. F = lest 177 SH CONSTABLE = Ed. F = Match. (for Watch., but has Con. at 192 and 196) 179 This is = Q2. F = ’Tis in 180 SH PAGE = Ed. F = Boy. 191 SH SECOND WATCHMAN = Ed. F = Watch 198 morning = Q2. F = mornings 202 our = Q2. F = out 223 is in = Q1/Q2. F = in is 281 SH BALTHASAR = Q2. F = Boy. 311 such = Q2. F = that

Prologue

    1    CHORUS this speech, which did not appear in the First Folio, is from the Quarto editions of the play; it is written in the form of a sonnet dignity social status/worth

    2    Verona city in northern Italy

    3    ancient long-standing mutiny discord

    4    civil of citizens (plays on the sense of “civilized”)

    5    fatal fateful/deadly

    6    star-crossed thwarted by fate (the malign influence of a star or planet) take their life derive life (with sinister play on the sense of “commit suicide”)

    7    misadventured unfortunate

    9    fearful frightened/fearsome passage progress/passing (playing on the sense of “death”)

  11    but but for

  12    traffic business

  14    miss be found wanting, be unsuccessful

Act 1 Scene 1

 1.1   Location: a public place in Verona bucklers small round shields

    1    carry coals submit to indignity or insult

    2    colliers those who carry coal for sale (a dirty profession and one often associated with cheating)

    3    in choler angry (puns on “collier”) draw i.e., our swords (puns on the sense of “carry, haul”)

    4    draw…o’th’collar withdraw your neck from the hangman’s noose (collar puns on colliers and choler)

    5    strike attack (plays on the sense of “have sex”) moved provoked (plays on the sense of “sexually aroused”)

    8    move…stir in addition to “be provoked/become sexually aroused,” both verbs also now signify “move physically, displace oneself” valiant courageous/firm physically stand stand firm/get an erection

  10    take the wall take the side of the road nearest the wall (forcing anyone else to walk in the gutter that ran down the center of an Elizabethan street)

  12    slave rogue goes…wall are always forced to submit (a proverbial expression)

  13    thrust…wall i.e., for sex

  16    men male servants, i.e., not women

  17    one the same thing

  20    maidenheads virginities

  22    take understand/receive sexually sense meaning/physical feeling

  23    stand remain upright/have an erection pretty…flesh fine fellow/man with a fine penis

  25    fish i.e., the opposite of flesh (meat)/a woman or a vagina poor John salted hake, a poor type of food/sexually inadequate, the possessor of a shriveled penis

  26    tool sword/penis

  27    naked weapon continues the phallic wordplay

  28    How what

  29    Fear doubt (possibly, Gregory then shifts the sense to an incredulous “be afraid of”)

  30    marry by the Virgin Mary

  31    of on

  32    list please

  33    bite my thumb an offensive gesture signifying threat or defiance

  49    swashing a particular stroke in fencing/slashing with great force

  51    heartless hinds cowardly menials, with a pun on “hartless hinds”—i.e., female deer (hinds) without males (harts)

  54    manage use

  58    Clubs…partisans rallying cry used to summon armed apprentices bills and partisans long-handled weapons with blades at the end gown dressing gown

  60    long sword heavy, old-fashioned sword with a long blade

  63    in spite of out of spite/malice for train retinue

  67    Profaners…steel you who defile your swords by staining them with your fellow citizens’ blood

  69    pernicious destructive

  72    mistempered disordered/created for wrongful purposes/wrongly tempered (i.e., made hard) with blood instead of water

  73    movèd angry

  77    ancient aged/venerable

  78    grave beseeming ornaments dignified and seemly accessories/the trappings appropriate to dignified old age

  80    Cankered corroded, rusted (with disuse) cankered malignant, infected with evil

  82    pay…peace be the price for breaching the peace

  86    pleasure intentions, resolution

  89    new abroach newly in motion

  90    by nearby, present

  92    ere before

  94    prepared i.e., drawn

  97    withal thereby

  99    part and part one side and the other

104    forth from forth

105    drave drove abroad out, away from home

107    westward…side grows on the west side of the city

109    ware aware/wary

110    covert shelter/hiding place

111    affections emotions/inclinations

112    then…found were chiefly concerned to find a place of solitude

114    humour mood

115    who he who

121    Aurora goddess of the dawn

122    heavy sorrowful (plays on the sense of “weighty,” generating a play on light—i.e., “bright/not weighty”) son puns on sun

126    Black black/gloomy/deadly humour includes the sense of “bodily fluid thought to affect mood,” in this case the black bile that caused melancholy

129    of it of

130    importuned…means urged him to tell you by every means possible

133    true honest/constant/dependable

134    close secretive, shut up from view

135    sounding having his thoughts fathomed

136    envious malicious worm cankerworm, the plant-destroying grub

143    I…stay I hope that by remaining here you will be fortunate enough

144    shrift confession

145    cousin a general term for a relative or close friend

156    view appearance (Romeo’s reply shifts the sense to “sight”)

157    proof practice, experience

158    muffled Cupid, the Roman god of love, was traditionally depicted as being blind or blindfolded still always

164    create created

165    vanity trifles, foolishness

166    well-seeming apparently orderly

168    Still-waking ever wakeful

176    propagate increase, multiply (perhaps with connotations of sexual reproduction, picked up in pressed which can refer to the pressing of one body on another during sex)

177    love i.e., concern for me

180    purged purified, rid of smoke

181    vexed tormented, afflicted

182    discreet discerning, prudent

183    gall bitterness/poison

184    coz cousin

185    Soft wait a moment

186    An if if

189    sadness seriousness (Romeo’s response plays on the sense of “sorrow”) is that is it that

195    aimed so near i.e., guessed as much

196    mark-man marksman

197    fair mark unobstructed target/attractive vagina hit plays on the sense of “copulated with”

199    Cupid’s arrow playing on phallic connotations Dian’s wit the wisdom and ingenuity of Diana, huntress and Roman goddess of chastity (wit may play on a sense of “genitals”)

200    proof proven impenetrability/armor

201    love’s i.e., Cupid’s, who was traditionally depicted as a young boy uncharmed resistant to Cupid’s spells/unsubdued (some editors emend to the First Quarto’s “unharmed”)

202    stay endure

203    bide undergo, suffer encounter assault/sexual engagement

204    ope…gold a reference to Danae, whom Jove, Roman king of the gods, seduced in the form of a shower of gold lap vagina

206    That…store i.e., when she dies unmarried, her beauty will die forever as she has had no children store wealth/stock/potential to reproduce

207    still always

208    sparing thrift, economy waste puns on “waist,” generating the paradoxical image of a pregnant belly resulting from chastity

209    starved killed off

211    fair beautiful/just

212    merit…despair deserve heaven (through her chastity) by casting me into despair (with its attendant risks of damnation) despair spiritual hopelessness (thought to precede suicide)

213    forsworn to abandoned, repudiated

219    ’Tis…more that would only lead me to reflect on her exquisite beauty even more (to “call in question” means “to consider or examine”)

221    happy fortunate masks worn by ladies to protect their fashionably pale complexions from the sun

223    strucken struck

225    passing surpassingly, exceedingly

226    note marginal note/sign/reminder

227    passed surpassed

229    pay that doctrine i.e., give you that lesson

Act 1 Scene 2

 1.2   Location: a public place in Verona County Count Clown a rustic, comic character

    1    bound formally required (to keep the peace)

    4    reckoning estimation, reputation

    6    suit request/courtship

    7    saying o’er repeating

    9    change passage

  10    pride prime, fullest flowering (may play on the sense of “sexual desire/tumescence”)

  13    marred damaged (puns on “married”) made puns on “maid”

  14    Earth…she i.e., his other children are dead and buried

  15    hopeful promising/expectant earth world/body, from which she has sprung/land, which she will inherit

  16    gentle noble

  18    An if

  19    according agreeing

  20    old accustomed traditional

  22    store plentiful company

  26    comfort enjoyment, pleasure lusty lively/lustful

  27    well-apparelled finely dressed

  29    fennel a fragrant herb with yellow flowers, sometimes associated with love

  30    Inherit possess

  32    Which…none which being the case, you may find that when you have viewed the ladies more thoroughly, my daughter, being but one among a number of them, may make up part of the group, but be found to be worthy of no real consideration; some editors emend “one more view” to the Fourth Quarto’s “on more view”

  33    reck’ning estimation/consideration/counting up

  34    sirrah sir, often used to address a social inferior

  37    stay wait

  38    it…nets in assigning the wrong tools to each tradesman, the Servingman, who cannot read, suggests that it is pointless for him to have been given the task of identifying those who appear on a written list; his words parody a passage from John Lyly’s Euphues, the Anatomy of Wit

  39    meddle concern himself/interfere/have sex yard measuring rod used by a tailor/penis last wooden model of the foot, used by a shoemaker to mold shoes upon/penis

  40    pencil paintbrush/penis

  42    in good time I must do this promptly/here comes help just at the right moment

  43    another’s i.e., another fire’s

  45    holp helped backward turning turning in the reverse direction

  46    another’s languish i.e., the languishing caused by another’s grief

  49    plaintain herb used to ease minor cuts or bruises

  51    broken grazed

  53    bound…madman conventional treatments for madness included tying up the sufferer and confining him in darkness

  55    e’en evening (used for any time after noon)

  56    gi’ give you

  58    without book by heart

  61    rest you merry i.e., goodbye (the Servingman understands Romeo to imply that he cannot read)

  67    whither where

  75    crush drink

  77    ancient long-established

  80    unattainted unbiased/uninfected

  84    Maintains upholds falsehood untruth/faithlessness/deception

  85    these i.e., my eyes (which cannot drown however often they are flooded with tears)

  86    Transparent clear (like eyes)/obvious and easily detected (like heretics) heretics holders of unorthodox religious beliefs; those suspected of heresy or witchcraft were tested by being thrown into water, if they floated they were considered guilty and might be burnt at the stake

  90    poised balanced, weighed

  92    Your lady’s love the love you bear your lady/the negligible amount of love your lady may bear you

  94    scant scarcely

  96    splendour the brilliant light mine own i.e., the sight of my own Rosaline

Act 1 Scene 3

 1.3 Location: the Capulets’ house, Verona

    2    by…old the Nurse cannot swear to having been a virgin at thirteen

    3    What an expression of impatience

    4    God forbid either an apologetic exclamation for the fact that ladybird, as well as being a term of endearment, could also mean “lewd woman,” or an expression of concern for Juliet’s well-being

    8    give leave give us leave (i.e., leave us alone)

  10    thou’s thou shalt

  11    pretty fair/proper

  14    teen sorrow (punning on the suffix of fourteen)

  15    Lammas-tide August, 1 the harvest festival

  17    Even…‘Ay’ all the early texts print this speech as prose, though it has some verse rhythms within it, which have led many editors to set it as verse; the same goes for the Nurse’s remaining speeches in the scene Even or odd the Nurse has misunderstood Lady Capulet’s sense of odd (i.e., a few) Lammas…night the evening of July 31

  18    Susan the Nurse’s dead daughter

  22    laid…dug applied the bitter-tasting plant wormwood to my breast (as a means of weaning the baby)

  24    Mantua city in northern Italy bear a brain i.e., have a good memory

  25    fool a term of endearment

  26    ‘Shake’…dovehouse i.e., the dovehouse shook as a result of the earthquake/the shaking of the dovehouse instructed the Nurse tostir herself quoth said trow am sure

  27    trudge depart, walk off

  28    th’rood Christ’s cross

  29    broke banged, grazed A he

  31    fall backward i.e., for sex wit understanding

  32    holidam holiness/what I consider holy

  33    come about come true warrant assure you

  34    stinted stopped (crying)

  37    it its

  38    stone testicle

  41    say I puns on said ‘Ay’

  42    mark…grace single you out for mercy

  43    once one day

  46    disposition inclination

  49    thy teat the breast that fed you

  53    much…years at much the same age

  56    man of wax i.e., perfect, as if modeled from wax

  64    several individual, separate (an apparently purposeful Folio emendation of Quarto’s “married lineament”) lineament facial feature (playing on the sense of “line or sketch”)

  65    content happiness, satisfaction (plays on the sense of “contents of a volume“)

  67    margent margin (which might contain additional commentary)

  68    unbound unmarried/without a book’s binding

  69    cover plays on the notion of “embracing wife” and puns on the phrase “feme covert” (a wife)

  71    the…hide the fish is in his element within the confines of the sea, and it is an excellent thing for a beautiful exterior to cover and compliment the beauty that lies within

  72    book binding

  73    clasps fastenings on a book/embraces

  76    women…men i.e., in pregnancy

  77    like of be pleased by

  78    look expect/use my eyes liking move may generate liking

  79    endart mine eye gaze piercingly as if firing one of Cupid’s arrows

  83    straight straightaway

  84    county count (i.e., Paris) stays awaits

Act 1 Scene 4

 1.4   Location: near the Capulets’ house; the action then shifts indoors Masquers masked performers

    1    speech…excuse traditionally one of the masquers would make a speech excusing the group’s intrusion and complimenting the company

    3    The…prolixity such long-windedness is out of fashion

    4    Cupid i.e., boy dressed as Cupid who would deliver the speech for the masquers hoodwinked blindfolded

    5    Tartar’s…lath imitation bow made out of a narrow strip of wood and painted to look like the powerful lip-shaped bow of a Tartar (person from central Asia)

    6    crow-keeper scarecrow

    7    measure judge

    8    measure…measure mete out a dance to them/pace out a dance

    9    ambling affected way of walking or dancing

  10    heavy melancholy (plays on the sense of “weighty,” enabling Romeo to pun on light)

  16    common bound ordinary limit (bound puns on the senses of “leap in a dance” and “state of being shackled”)

  17    enpiercèd pierced through shaft arrow

  18    bound fastened down/imprisoned

  19    pitch degree/height (literally, highest point of a falcon’s flight) dull heavy/dim/gloomy

  21    And…love plays on the senses of “and if you penetrated your lover sexually you would weigh her down with your body/and if you lost your erection during sex you would disappoint your lover”

  22    oppression misfortune/physical pressure thing plays on sense of “vagina” (Romeo then shifts the punning sense to “penis”)

  24    rude harsh/turbulent/vulgar/large and coarse boist’rous painful to the feelings/turbulent/stiff (with sexual connotations) pricks plays on sense of “penetrates, thrusts like a penis”

  26    Prick wound, stab/penetrate sexually/stimulate sexually (i.e.,, masturbate) for in return for beat love down get the better of love/get rid of your erection

  27    case mask

  28    visor…visor mask for a face/mask for a face so ugly it resembles a grotesque mask

  29    quote take note of

  30    beetle brows bushy or overhanging eyebrows (on the mask)

  32    betake…legs i.e., dance

  33    wantons lively/promiscuous people light of heart carefree/promiscuous

  34    Tickle plays on sense of “stimulate sexually” senseless lacking feeling rushes commonly used to cover floors heels often associated with sexual license

  35    proverbed…phrase furnished with an old proverb

  36    I’ll…on may refer to the proverb “a good candle-holder proves a good gamester” (i.e., one is better off as a spectator)

  37    The…done refers to the proverb “when play is at the best, it is time to leave”

  38    dun’s…word a reference to the quiet and hidden nature of a dun mouse, hence “be still,” the sort of cautionary phrase a constable might utter dun gray-brown; puns on done

  39    draw…mire refers to the game “Dun is in the mire” in which players heave a horse called Dun, represented by a heavy log, out of imaginary mud

  40    save your reverence if you’ll excuse my language

  41    burn daylight waste time (Romeo interprets this literally and disagrees on the grounds that it is nighttime)

  45    Take…wits understand my true meaning, for good sense is five times more likely tobe found there (through the use of reason) than in the exercise of the senses

  47    mean intend (playing on Mercutio’s sense of “signify”)

  48    wit wisdom

  50    tonight last night

  55    Queen Mab possibly from the Celtic fairy queen “Mabh,” but queen puns on “quean” (i.e., prostitute) and mab could also mean “promiscuous woman”

  57    agate-stone precious stone often set in a ring and carved with tiny figures

  58    alderman influential member of a local council

  59    atomies creatures as tiny as atoms

  61    spinners spiders

  63    traces straps linking the collar round an animal’s neck to the crossbar of the chariot

  65    lash flexible cord of the whip film fine gossamer-like thread

  66    wagoner driver

  67    worm…maid worms were said to breed in the fingers of lazy maids

  70    joiner skilled craftsman who works in wood grub insect larva or worm that bores holes

  74    curtsies bows straight straightaway

  78    sweetmeats candied fruit/confectionary

  80    smelling…suit finding someone with a petition to present at court from whom he may claim a fee for his assistance

  81    tithe-pig pig given to the parson as part of the tithe (the tenth of one’s goods due to the Church annually)

  83    another benefice additional Church position (with property and income)

  86    breaches gaps in fortifications inflicted by artillery ambuscadoes ambushes Spanish blades Spanish swords, especially those made in Toledo, were famed for being of superior quality

  87    healths five-fathom deep toasts drunk from extremely deep glasses anon shortly

  92    bakes stiffens/forms into a mass elflocks tangles (which superstition held to be the work of elves)

  94    hag evil spirit in female form (here the incubus that presses on sleepers and causes nightmares or erotic dreams)

  95    learns teaches bear bear the weight of a man/bear children

  96    carriage deportment/ability to carry a burden (i.e., a man or a baby)

  99    nothing plays on the sense of “vagina”

102    Begot conceived, created vain worthless, empty, idle

107    Turning his side changing direction/changing allegiance

110    misgives fears/is full of foreboding about

112    fearful fear-inspiring date appointed time

113    expire cause to expire term duration/agreed period for repayment (Romeo has mortgaged his life)

115    forfeit penalty/loss

118    drum drummer

119    take away i.e., clear the table

120    trencher wooden plate

121    manners may quibble on the Latin manuarius to suggest “belonging to the hand”

122    foul bad/dirty

123    joint-stools stools made of parts fitted together by a joiner court-cupboard sideboard

124    plate silver or gold tableware marchpane marzipan

125    Grindstone like Potpan, a name that suggests the character has a domestic function, though Grindstone, used to sharpen knives, may additionally be sexually suggestive (“to grind” had a slang sense of “to have sex,” a “stone” could also mean a “testicle”)

129    Cheerly cheerily

130    the…all a proverb equivalent to “the winner takes all”

132    walk a bout dance a round

134    deny refuse makes dainty is coyly reluctant

135    Am…now? Have I touched a sensitive spot/hit home with this?

141    A hall i.e., clear the hall

142    turn…up clear the tables to one side, probably by removing the boards from trestle tables

144    sirrah sir (used to a social inferior, here either a servant, younger male guest, Capulet himself or, affectionately, the cousin) unlooked-for unexpected

149    By’r lady by Our Lady (the Virgin Mary)

152    Pentecost Whit Sunday (the seventh Sunday after Easter)

157    ward minor under the control of a guardian (i.e., under twenty-one)

163    Ethiope’s Ethiopian’s

164    Beauty possibly puns on “booty” use plays on sense of “financial interest” earth life on earth/death and burial dear beloved/costly

167    her…stand where she stands

168    rude rough/uncivilized

169    Forswear it deny it/renounce my former vows of love (to Rosaline)

172    rapier lightweight sword

173    antic grotesque (refers to Romeo’s mask)

174    fleer mock, laugh scornfully solemnity celebration

175    stock ancestry

184    portly of good bearing/dignified

192    semblance appearance

196    goodman boy a contemptuous and belittling expression goodman a man below the rank of gentleman go to an expression of impatience and reproof

198    God…soul an oath

200    set cock-a-hoop behave recklessly/provoke disorder be the man play the big man

203    saucy insolent

204    scathe injure I know what I assure you/I know how much

205    contrary contradict, defy time i.e., time you complied/time you were taught a lesson/time I concerned myself with my guests

206    said done hearts fine friends (i.e., the guests) princox conceited, impertinent youth

209    perforce enforced choler anger

210    different antagonistic, clashing

213    profane desecrate, defile

214    shrine i.e., Juliet’s hand

218    mannerly…this shows proper devotion in this action

219    saints i.e., images of saints

220    palmers pilgrims who have traveled to the Holy Land and returned with a palm leaf as a symbol of their visit (playing on palm of the hand)

224    grant thou you must concede/grant their prayers

225    move entreat, pray (Romeo shifts the sense to “change position”)

229    urged argued/provoked

231    by th’book expertly, by the rules/religiously, in accordance with the Bible

233    What who

234    bachelor young man

237    withal with

238    lay hold of with sexual connotations

239    the chinks lots of money (plays on sense of “vagina”)

241    dear account costly debt, heavy reckoning (dear puns on sense of “beloved”) my foe’s debt a debt I owe to my foe

242    the…best another allusion to the proverb “when play is at the best, it is time to leave”

245    banquet light meal/course of sweetmeats, fruit, and wine towards ready, imminent

247    honest honorable

249    fay faith

251    yond yonder, that

258    like likely

263    Prodigious abnormal (used to describe a deformed baby)/ill-omened

268    Anon coming, just a minute

Act 2

    2    gapes waits eagerly

    3    fair beauty (i.e., Rosaline) groaned…die perhaps with sexual connotations (“to die” can mean “to orgasm”)

    4    matched compared

    5    again in return

    6    Alike both equally looks physical appearance/gazes

    7    foe supposed i.e., Juliet complain make a lover’s laments

    8    fearful frightening

  10    use are accustomed

  14    Temp’ring extremities modifying severe hardships

Act 2 Scene 1

 2.1   Location: outside the Capulets’ walled orchard; the action then shifts to the orchard itself

    1    go forward move on, leave

    2    earth i.e., his body centre i.e., heart/Juliet

    6    orchard garden/land devoted to herbs and fruit trees

    8    conjure summon him with an incantation as one would a spirit

    9    Humours (creature of) moods

  11    rhyme i.e., verse of love poetry

  13    gossip old friend Venus Roman goddess of love

  14    purblind blind

  15    Abraham Cupid i.e., one who is both young and old, and a patriarch like the biblical Abraham

  16    King…beggar-maid the tale of the African King Cophetua, who fell in love with a beggar, was popularized in a ballad

  18    The…dead probably refers to performing apes who played dead as part of an act (ape is also an affectionate term)

  22    demesnes lands (i.e., the vaginal area)

  26    raise a spirit summon a supernatural spirit/get an erect penis circle magic circle/vagina

  27    strange supernatural/belonging to someone other than Romeo stand continues to play on the idea of having an erection

  28    laid…down subdued the spirit/provided sex and caused the erection to subside

  29    spite vexation

  30    honest honorable (plays on the sense of “chaste”)

  33    consorted with associated with/part of (plays on the sense of “sexually intimate with”) humorous damp/subject to varying moods

  35    hit the mark strike the target/penetrate the vagina

  36    medlar fruit with a deep hollow at the top, hence a slang term for the vagina (also puns on “meddler”—i.e., “fornicator”)

  39    O another vaginal pun

  40    open arse medlar fruit, with obvious sexual sense pop’rin pear pear from Poperinghe in Flanders and a slang term for the penis; puns on “pop her in” (where “her” signifies “it”)

  41    truckle-bed small wheeled bed stored under a larger bed

  42    field-bed bed on the ground above i.e., on the upper staging level or gallery; the entry, or the sight of Juliet, might be delayed until “It is my lady”

  51    maid votary (of Diana, Roman goddess of the moon and chastity)

  53    vestal livery virginal clothing

  62    spheres orbits; stars and planets were thought to be contained within transparent concentric spheres that rotated around the earth

  74    glorious magnificent/illustrious/shining

  76    white upturnèd looking upwards, so that the whites of the eyes are visible

  80    wherefore why

  86    though even if you were

  93    owes owns

  94    doff cast off

  95    for in exchange for

100    bescreened concealed

101    counsel private thoughts

115    o’er-perch flyover

122    proof impervious/armored

125    but unless

127    proroguèd postponed wanting of lacking

130    counsel advice, guidance

131    pilot navigator, one who directs the course of a ship

137    Fain willingly form formality, decorum

138    compliment etiquette

142    Jove Jupiter, Roman king of the gods

143    pronounce declare

146    So so long as else otherwise

147    fond loving/infatuated/foolish

148    light frivolous/forward/unchaste

150    coying coyness, affected reluctance strange aloof, reserved

152    ware aware (of you)

155    Which which yielding discoverèd revealed

159    circlèd orb i.e., celestial sphere

163    gracious full of divine grace

168    contract i.e., mutual declarations of love

177    satisfaction may pick up on the sense of “sexual satisfaction”

180    were were mine

182    frank generous/candid

184    bounty generosity

194    bent intention, inclination

203    strife antagonism/strivings, efforts

207    want lack

210    Hist a whispered call for attention

211    tassel-gentle tiercel gentle, a male falcon

212    Bondage is hoarse i.e., one who is confined can only whisper

213    Echo in Greek mythology, Echo, rejected by Narcissus, pined away in caves until only her voice was left

220    nyas young hawk (which has yet to fly)

226    to in order to still yet/always (Romeo plays with these meanings and with the sense of “motionless”)

231    wanton’s spoiled child’s

233    gyves fetters

245    fleckled dappled

246    From forth away from, out of Titan Roman sun god, who drove the sun across the heavens in a chariot

247    ghostly holy, spiritual close cell humble dwelling, especially that of a monk

248    dear hap good fortune (though dear may quibble ominously on “dire, grievous”)

Act 2 Scene 2

 2.2   Location: near Friar Laurence’s cell, Verona

    3    fleckled dappled

    4    From forth away from, out of Titan Roman sun god, who drove the sun across the heavens in a chariot

    5    advance raise

    7    osier cage willow basket

    8    baleful deadly

  11    divers various

  14    None…some there are none that do not have some useful properties

  15    mickle great grace beneficent virtue

  19    aught anything strained forced

  25    that part i.e., its smell

  26    slays some editors prefer the Second Quarto’s “stays” with along with

  27    them still themselves always

  30    canker worm that destroys plants

  32    Benedicite! Bless you!

  34    argues suggests distempered disordered, unhappy

  36    Care worry

  39    couch lay, rest

  53    physic medicine, healing

  54    lo look (a common speech marker)

  55    intercession petition, entreaty steads helps

  56    rest homely remain simple drift meaning/aim

  57    shrift absolution

  75    old former/abundant

  80    sentence maxim, saying

  82    chid’st rebuked

  84    bad’st bade, instructed

  88    grace favor

  91    read by rote recite by memory, without understanding

  93    In one respect for one reason

  96    stand insist/depend

Act 2 Scene 3

 2.3   Location: a public place in Verona

    2    tonight last night

    3    man servant

    9    answer it accept the challenge (in the following line Mercutio plays on the literal meaning)

  11    dared challenged

  13    eye plays on sense of “vagina” pin wooden peg at the center of a target (plays on sense of “penis”)

  14    blind bow-boy’s i.e., Cupid’s butt-shaft strong unbarbed arrow (in archery used for shooting at the butt, a mound on which the target stood)

  16    prince of cats an allusion to Tybert, the cat in the moral tale Reynard the Fox captain of compliments master of the fastidious etiquette of dueling

  17    prick-song written music rests…rests pauses very briefly (between feinting thrusts), like a musician pausing momentarily between very short notes

  18    third i.e., third thrust (the genuine one) butcher…button i.e., so precise he can pierce his opponent’s button

  19    first house best fencing school first…cause in the rules of fencing, the two valid reasons for undertaking a duel

  20    passado forward thrust with one foot advanced punto reverso backhanded thrust hay penetrating thrust

  22    The pox of a plague upon affecting affected, pretentious phantasimes fanciful, extravagant men these…accent those whose speech is peppered with fashionable foreign phrases/those who pronounce words in an affected manner or with a foreign inflection

  23    blade sword/fine fellow tall brave/fine

  24    grandsire Mercutio addresses an imaginary old man or grandfather

  25    strange flies bizarre or foreign parasites stand insist (plays on the literal sense)

  26    form code of behavior, etiquette (plays on sense of bench) old bench i.e., traditional behavior and customs their bones i.e., their bones are so tender they cannot sit on a hard bench/their bones are corrupted from venereal disease (plays on the way such men fill their speech with foreign words, here the French bon, i.e., “good”)

  29    roe female deer/semen—i.e., he is sexually exhausted (plays on the first syllable of Romeo’s name, leaving “me, o,” the lament of a lover) dried herring withered penis (roe was removed from the herring during the curing process) flesh plays on sense of “penis/erection” fishified made fishlike, i.e., coldblooded/dried out (impotent)/obsessed with your mistress’ vagina

  30    numbers…in the Italian poet Petrarch wrote passionate verse (numbers) to his love Laura flowed in wrote fluently/overflowed in/swam in to compared to

  31    better love i.e., Petrarch Dido the legendary Queen of Carthage who committed suicide after her lover Aeneas deserted her dowdy shabbily dressed woman

  32    Cleopatra Egyptian queen of the first century BC who committed suicide after the loss of her kingdom and the death of her lover Antony Helen and Hero the famously beautiful Helen of Troy, and Hero, lover of Leander, who committed suicide when he drowned swimming the Hellespont to see her hildings good-for-nothings/whores Thisbe the lover of Pyramus committed suicide after his death grey considered a particularly beautiful eye color

  33    not nothing bon jour “good day” (French) to…slop to match your French-style loose breeches

  34    the counterfeit i.e., the slip (a counterfeit coin was known as a slip)

  36    conceive understand, work it out

  37    case situation (Mercutio then shifts the sense to “vagina”)

  39    bow…hams bow from the waist (playing on courtesy, a form of curtsy)/ hunch over after a heavy bout of sexual activity or with the pain of venereal disease hams thighs and buttocks

  41    curtsy bow

  42    kindly hit it readily got it/naturally had sex

  44    very pink most excellent example (Romeo plays on the fact that a pink is a type of flower and on the verb “to pink” (i.e., to ornament a pump or garment by punching small holes or designs into it)

  47    pump light shoe flowered decorated with flowers/pinked

  48    Sure sure-footed, secure follow me follow (me is emphatic)

  49    single only/thin sole singular uniquely individual/alone

  51    single-soled…singleness slight, poor jest, only noteworthy for the fact that there is only one of it/that it is simple

  53    Switch and spurs i.e., urge your wits on switch whip cry a match declare the contest is over/declare my victory

  54    wild-goose chase horse race in which the leading rider chose the course and the others were obliged to follow him anywhere/a pointless pursuit of the wild-goose i.e., foolishness (geese were proverbially stupid)

  55    Was…goose? Have I evened the score with my jest about the goose?

  57    for the goose as a stupid person/in search of a prostitute

  61    sweeting sweet apple sharp sauce biting riposte/stinging impudence/bitter sauce for food

  62    And…goose? Romeo may allude to the proverb “sweet meat must have sour sauce”; he may also shift the sense of sauce to “semen,” so that served plays on the sense of sexual service, and goose continues to play on the sense of “prostitute”

  63    wit plays on sense of “penis” cheverel easily stretched kid leather ell forty-five inches/penis

  66    broad large/obvious/outspoken/indecent (may pun on “brood-goose” and on “abroad,” i.e., out and about)

  69    drivelling tedious/dribbling natural idiot, fool lolling with tongue (or bauble) hanging out

  70    bauble baton with a carved head on one end traditionally carried by a fool/penis (fools were supposed to be particularly well-endowed) hole plays on the sense of “vagina”

  71    there i.e., now, at this point in your jesting (but Mercutio plays on the sense of “in the hole”)

  72    stop in cease telling/stuff in tale puns on “tail,” i.e., penis against the hair against my wish/up against the pubic hair

  73    large long/vulgar/erect

  74    short plays on the sense of “flaccid, no longer erect” was…depth had reached the conclusion/had achieved orgasm (whole puns on hole)

  75    occupy continue/have sex with argument topic (almost certainly plays on a sense of “vagina”)

  76    goodly gear applies either to the joke (“good stuff” quibbling on the sense of “fine genitals”) or to the nurse (“fine clothing/good new matter for a joke”) A sail the cry given when a ship is sighted (here a reference to the Nurse’s appearance or manner of approach)

  77    shirt…smock i.e., man and a woman

  85    hand of the clock (plays on the sense of “human hand”) prick mark on the clock face indicating the hour/penis

  87    Out upon you! expression of indignant reproach What what kind of

  88    that…mar i.e., though made in God’s image, such a man will ruin it through sin

  89    troth faith quoth a said he

  92    fault lack

  95    took taken, interpreted

  96    confidence malapropism for “conference”/private conversation

  97    indite intentional malapropism for “invite” supper also euphemistic for sex

  98    bawd hare/procurer, pimp So ho! a hunting cry given when game is sighted

100    hare plays on the sense of “prostitute” Lenten pie pie consumed during Lent when meat-eating was prohibited (in theory such a pie should be meatless so this hare pie may be a leftover or one made of old meat that has been obtained illicitly; pie was also a slang term for the vagina) stale plays on the sense of “prostitute”

101    hoar moldy, old (puns on “whore”) be spent used up, eaten/employed sexually

104    meat plays on sense of “sexual goods/vagina”

105    hoar the word now takes on sense of “syphilitic”

106    too…score not worth paying for/not worth having sex with

107    hoars becomes moldy/is diseased/infects with venereal disease

111    merchant fellow ropery roguery/trickery/Iewdness

113    stand to uphold, abide by (plays on the idea of sustaining an erection)

114    An a if he take him down humble him, take him down a peg or two (plays on sense of “quell his erection”) lustier livelier/more lustful

115    Jacks knaves (and possibly “penises”)

116    flirt-gills loose women, whores skains-mates a “skene” is a dagger, hence “knife-wielding companions/whores” (literally, the sheath for his phallic dagger)

117    use…pleasure treat me as he wishes (Peter plays on the sense of “have sex with me”)

118    weapon sword/penis

121    part with vaginal connotations

126    deal double with deceive/betray sexually (“to deal” was to have sex)

127    weak poor, contemptible

128    protest declare/vow

131    mark listen to

135    shrift confession

137    shrived absolved

143    cords…stair a rope ladder

144    top-gallant highest point (literally the platform at the top of the tallest mast on a ship)

146    quit requite, reward

150    secret trustworthy

151    ‘Two…away’ proverbial saying meaning that two may keep a secret in the absence of a third party

152    Warrant thee be assured

154    prating chattering, babbling fain…aboard willingly lay a claim to her (from the practice of bringing one’s own knife to the dinner table, or “board,” and using it to mark one’s place); to “lay aboard” could also refer to boarding a vessel, and plays on the sense of sexual boarding (knife has phallic connotations)

155    as lief rather, as soon

156    properer finer/better-looking

157    clout piece of cloth/sail versal whole (from “universal”)

158    rosemary the herb symbolized fidelity and remembrance, and was used at weddings and funerals

160    dog’s name because “r” sounds like a dog’s growl R is for the—the Nurse may be about to say “arse”

161    sententious malapropism for “sentences,” i.e., maxims

166    apace quickly

Act 2 Scene 4

 2.4   Location: either the Capulets’ house or their garden

    4    lame slow/unsatisfactory herald messenger

    6    louring frowning, darkened

    7    nimble-pinioned…love Venus, the Roman goddess of love, had a chariot drawn by swift-winged doves

  14    bandy toss (to and fro, like a ball in tennis)

  26    jaunt tiring, troublesome journey

  36    stay the circumstance wait for the details

  38    simple foolish

  49    Beshrew curse

  53    honest honorable

  59    God’s lady the Virgin Mary

  60    hot eager/fervent/impatient (with a play on the sense of “lustful”) come up expression of indignant surprise and reproof

  61    poultice hot preparation applied to the skin to soothe aches

  63    coil fuss

  66    hie hurry

  68    wanton unrestrained/lively/sexually passionate

  72    bird’s nest i.e., Juliet’s room (bird plays on the sense of “young woman” and nest on the sense of “vagina”)

  74    bear the burden do the work/bear the weight of Romeo’s body

Act 2 Scene 5

 2.5   Location: Friar Laurence’s cell

    4    countervail counterbalance

    6    close join

  10    powder gunpowder

  11    consume are destroyed (with a play on sexual consummation)

  13    confounds ruins

  17    flint i.e., stone floor

  18    gossamers fine cobwebs

  19    wanton playful

  20    light not heavy/worthless vanity transitory worldly joy

  22    thank thee i.e., with a kiss

  23    As…much i.e., I must kiss him in return or I shall have been overpaid

  25    that if

  26    blazon describe/proclaim

  27    music’s tongue i.e., Juliet’s voice and words

  28    imagined i.e., not yet expressed

  29    in either from one another

  30    Conceit imagination/idea/understanding matter genuine substance

  31    ornament i.e., descriptive words

  34    sum up sum calculate the total

Act 3 Scene 1

 3.1   Location: a public place in Verona

    3    scape escape

    6    claps me claps (me is emphatic)

    7    by…cup by the time his second drink has taken effect draws…drawer draws his sword on the innkeeper

  10    Jack knave mood anger

  11    moved provoked tobe at being

  13    two puns on to

  18    meat edible matter addle rotten/muddled, confused

  21    doublet close-fitting jacket with a flared base Easter i.e., the time after Lent when new clothes were worn

  22    from to avoid

  23    fee-simple absolute possession (term relating to property)

  24    for…quarter i.e., were he so quarrelsome, his life would be over very soon

  25    simple foolish

  34    consort’st associate with (Mercutio deliberately interprets this as “play in a musical group, or consort”)

  35    minstrels musicians

  36    look expect

  40    coldly calmly

  45    your livery the uniform of your servant (Mercutio has deliberately interpreted man as “manservant”)

  46    go…field should you go to the dueling field follower manservant/pursuer

  51    excuse…greeting excuse me from displaying the rage that is the appropriate response to such a greeting

  57    devise conceive

  59    tender value/cherish

  62    Alla stoccado Italian fencing term meaning “at the thrust” (here a reference to Tybalt) carries it away wins the day

  63    will you walk are you leaving/will you walk aside with me (for a duel)

  65    make bold withal take liberties with

  66    as…hereafter depending on how you treat me subsequently dry-beat beat severely (without using a sword)

  67    pilcher scabbard

  71    passado forward thrust with one foot advanced

  73    forbear stop

  75    bandying exchanging blows

  76    Hold desist

  78    sped gone, dispatched

  82    villain rogue/servant

  85    grave serious, dignified/dead and buried

  86    peppered done for, ruined

  88    by…arithmetic by the fencing manual/precisely

  95    ally relative

  96    very true

101    temper disposition (plays on the sense of “hardness of a sword after it has been tempered, i.e., heated and immersed in water”)

103    aspired ascended to

105    more i.e., future depend hang over

106    others i.e., other days

109    respective lenity considerate mercy, discriminating mildness

110    conduct guide

116    consort associate with

118    This i.e., his sword

121    amazed overwhelmed/stunned/bewildered doom sentence

123    fool dupe/plaything/jester

129    charge order

131    discover reveal

132    unlucky unfortunate/ill-omened manage conduct fatal deadly/fateful

135    cousin a general term for a relative

143    nice trivial withal moreover

146    take truce make peace spleen fiery temper

147    tilts thrusts

150    with… other Mercutio is fighting with a dagger in one hand, with which he deflects blows, and a sword in the other, with which he attacks

153    Retorts returns

157    envious malicious

158    stout brave

159    by and by immediately

166    Affection partiality/love

178    interest plays on the sense of “legal claim” proceeding plays on the sense of “legal action”

179    My blood Mercutio was the prince’s relative

180    amerce punish

183    purchase out abuses redeem these wrongs

187    Mercy…kill i.e., leniency merely encourages murder

Act 3 Scene 2

 3.2   Location: the Capulets’ house

    1    apace swiftly

    2    Phoebus Greek god of the sun, whose chariot was drawn by fiery horses lodging i.e., the west, where the sun sets

    3    Phaethon Phoebus’ son, who, unable to control his father’s chariot, was felled by one of Zeus’ thunderbolts when he burned part of the earth

    5    close private/secretive/enclosing

    6    runaway’s i.e., Phaethon’s/any roaming fugitive’s/a night wanderer’s wink close

  10    civil soberly dressed/grave/seemly

  12    learn teach lose…match Juliet will win Romeo by surrendering to him

  13    maidenhoods virginities (those of Juliet and Romeo)

  14    Hood cover up, blindfold (as a hawk was when it was not pursuing game) unmanned untrained (another term from falconry; plays on the sense of “without a husband”) bating fluttering impatiently (used of a hawk; puns on “beating”)

  15    strange new, unfamiliar/reserved, shy

  21    die may play on the sense of “orgasm”

  27    possessed with sexual connotations (like enjoyed) cords i.e., the rope ladder

  38    welladay expression of sorrow

  39    undone ruined

  41    envious malicious/full of ill will at Juliet’s happiness

  49    cockatrice basilisk, a mythical reptile with a gaze that could kill

  51    those eyes shut i.e., Romeo’s eyes, shut in death

  53    weal well-being

  55    God…mark an apologetic exclamation excusing the mention of unpleasant matters

  58    gore-blood congealing blood

  59    break plays on the sense of “become financially ruined”

  61    earth i.e., her body resign surrender (yourself) motion movement, i.e., life (plays on sense of “strong emotion”)

  62    bier stretcher-like structure on which a corpse is carried to the grave

  68    lord husband

  69    trumpet i.e., the last trumpet, the sound of which, according to the Bible, would announce the end of the world

  76    keep live in

  80    Just exact (justly shifts the sense to “truly, rightfully”)

  83    bower shelter/lodge

  90    dissemblers deceivers

  91    aqua vitae strong alcoholic drink (literally “water of life”)

102    poor my lord my poor lord

107    tributary serving as an offering or tribute (playing on the sense of “streamlike”)

121    needly of necessity ranked accompanied/drawn up in rows (like soldiers)

123    Thy…mother i.e., news of one of their deaths

124    modern…moved might have provoked ordinary sorrow

125    rearward rearguard action (“ward” puns on “word”)

130    word’s death word’s fatal nature (or possibly “word is death”) sound give voice to/measure the depth of

136    beguiled deceived, foiled

143    wot know

Act 3 Scene 3

 3.3   Location: Friar Laurence’s cell

    1    fearful full of fear

    2    parts personal or physical qualities

    4    doom judgment

  10    doomsday Judgment Day, the end of the world (i.e., death)

  11    vanished was expelled, issued into thin air

  18    without outside of

  20    Hence banishèd banished from here

  21    world’s exile exile from the world

  26    Thy…death legally, the crime that you have committed requires the death penalty

  27    rushed forced

  34    validity worth

  35    courtship courtliness/wooing

  36    carrion-flies flies that feed on rotting flesh

  39    vestal virginal

  40    their own kisses the fact that they naturally touch one another

  45    mean method mean lowly, base

  46    But…Banishèd the sequence of clauses is confusing here, suggesting some textual error, perhaps due to undeleted authorial first thoughts; Folio omits a Second Quarto line, “They are freemen, but I am banishèd,” whereas it should perhaps have deleted this line instead

  49    divine clergyman

  52    fond foolish (plays on sense of “loving”)

  57    Yet still Hang up hang

  59    Displant uproot

  63    dispute reason, talk estate situation

  64    that that which

  67    Doting loving madly

  75    taken arrested

  77    simpleness foolishness

  85    even exactly case state (the nurse unintentionally plays on the sense of “vagina”)

  86    sympathy unity, affinity

  89    stand unconscious play on “get an erection” (rise has the same connotations) an if

  91    O groan (plays on sense of “vagina”)

  93    Death plays on sense of “orgasm”

  95    old practiced, experienced

  99    cancelled invalidated, nullified (puns on concealed)

102    on Romeo cries calls upon Romeo/cries out against Romeo

105    level aim

109    sack plunder, destroy

118    tempered balanced (plays on “temper,” i.e., disposition)

123    heaven, and earth i.e., soul and body

125    Fie expression of reproach or disgust wit intelligence, reason

126    Which (you) who usurer moneylender (notorious for charging high interest)

127    in…use for its proper purpose (use plays on the sense of “financial interest”)

128    bedeck adorn shape physical appearance

130    Digressing deviating valour honor/courage

134    Misshapen deformed/ill-directed conduct guidance/management

135    powder gunpowder flask container for gunpowder

137    dismembered…defence blown to bits by the weapon that should have been used to protect you (i.e., wit/ powder)

139    dead i.e., suicidal

140    happy fortunate

145    array clothing

146    mishavèd misbehaved

149    decreed decided (earlier)

151    watch be set night watchmen take up their posts at the city gates

154    blaze proclaim, make public friends relatives

160    apt unto ready for

169    here…state your fortunes depend on what happens now

173    signify inform you

174    good hap favorable event

177    brief hurriedly

Act 3 Scene 4

 3.4   Location: the Capulets’ house

    2    move persuade/encourage

  11    mewed…heaviness confined with her sorrow (a “mew” was a cage for a molting hawk)

  12    desperate reckless/bold tender offer

  16    son (future) son-in-law

  17    mark you me listen to me, pay attention

  24    ado fuss

  25    late recently

  26    held him carelessly did not regard him highly

  33    against in anticipation of

  35    Afore me! either an instruction to a servant bearing a light or a mild oath

Act 3 Scene 5

    7    envious malicious/jealous

    8    severing separating (the clouds drift apart, and in doing so will separate Romeo and Juliet)

    9    jocund merry, sprightly

  13    meteor…exhales ill-omened meteors were believed to be formed of vapors drawn up (“exhaled”) from the earth by the sun

  17    ta’en arrested

  18    so provided

  20    reflex reflection Cynthia another name for the goddess of the moon

  22    vaulty vaulted, arched

  23    care concern/inclination

  26    hie hurry

  28    Straining singing (plays on the sense of “forcing, making an unnatural effort”)

  29    division rapid melodic music

  31    change exchange

  33    arm from arm from one another’s arms affray frighten

  34    hunt’s-up song used to rouse hunters in the morning and sometimes played to the bride the morning after her wedding

  43    friend lover

  46    much in years very old

  54    ill-divining foreseeing evil

  59    Dry thirsty (each sigh was thought to drain the heart of a drop of blood)

  67    not…late not yet in bed

  68    procures brings

  73    An if even if

  76    feeling powerfully felt

  77    feel experience (the loss)/touch (the living friend) friend relative (in her response Juliet privately intends “lover”)

  87    like so much as grieve make sorrowful/anger, vex

  93    runagate fugitive

  94    dram measure (of poisoned drink)

  97    be satisfied be content/be revenged (on)/have enough (of)/be sexually satisfied

  98    dead can apply to either him or to heart

  99    kinsman cousin (Tybalt)/husband (Romeo)

101    temper mix/modify and make safe

103    sleep in quiet die/fall into a harmless sleep

105    wreak avenge/bestow

109    needy destitute

111    careful caring, solicitous

113    sorted out chosen

114    looked not for did not expect

115    in happy time this is opportune

116    Marry plays on the marital sense of the word

133    conduit fountain

135    counterfeits imitates bark small ship

138    flood sea/torrent

140    overset overwhelm/capsize

144    would wish

145    take…you let me understand you properly

146    How what

147    her herself

148    wrought arranged (for)/ persuaded

152    hate…love something hateful that was nevertheless arranged for me out of love

153    Chopped-logic specious, false logic or one who argues in such a manner

157    fettle prepare; literally, “groom (a horse)”

159    hurdle frame on which traitors were dragged to execution

160    Out expression of indignation and scorn green-sickness anemic illness affecting pubescent girls, hence “pale” carrion corpse/worthless wretch

161    tallow-face person with a pale, waxen face tallow animal fat used for making candles and soap

169    itch i.e., to beat you

173    hilding hussy, good-for-nothing

175    rate berate, scold

177    smatter chatter, talk ignorantly gossips women friends

179    God…e’en i.e., for God’s sake/go away (literally, good evening)

182    gravity words of wisdom bowl drinking vessel

185    God’s bread an oath referring to the bread used in the Christian sacrament of Communion

187    still always

190    demesnes lands

191    parts qualities

193    puling whining

194    mammet doll/contemptible weakling in…tender when fortune makes her an offer

197    pardon the sense now shifts from “excuse, forgive” to “give permission to leave”

199    do…jest am not in the habit of joking

200    advise consider

205    be forsworn break my word

211    monument tomb

215    faith i.e., marriage vows

219    practise plot

224    all…nothing the odds are overwhelming

225    challenge lay claim to

230    dishclout dishcloth

231    quick lively/keen

232    Beshrew curse

236    use plays on the sense of “sexual employment”

240    Amen expression of agreement (to the Nurse’s advice/to beshrew them both)

247    Ancient damnation! Damned old woman!

248    forsworn perjured (by breaking marriage vows)

252    bosom i.e., private thoughts twain separated

Act 4 Scene 1

 4.1   Location: Friar Laurence’s cell

    3    nothing slow in no way reluctant

    4    mind opinion

    8    Venus the goddess/the planet house plays on the astrological senses of “one of the twelve parts of the heavens” and “sign of the zodiac in which a particular planet has influence”

  10    sway rule, influence

  13    minded dwelt on, attended to

  14    society companionship

  18    Happily gladly/fortunately

  22    text saying, proverb

  28    price value

  35    my face openly/about my face

  37    not mine own Juliet privately means “as my face belongs to Romeo”

  40    pensive sorrowful, full of melancholy musing

  42    shield forbid

  48    compass bounds

  49    prorogue defer

  55    presently immediately

  58    label seal (technically the strip of paper to which the seal was affixed) deed action/legal document

  60    both i.e., hand and heart

  61    time age

  63    extremes desperate hardships

  64    umpire technically, one brought in to decide a legal matter when arbitrators cannot agree

  65    commission authority/authority to perform judicial functions art skill, knowledge

  66    issue outcome

  76    That cop’st you who would embrace

  80    thievish ways streets frequented by thieves

  82    charnel-house vault containing dead bodies

  84    reeky shanks stinking shinbones chapless jawless

  95    distilling distilled/infusing liquor liquid off i.e., entirely

  97    humour fluid

  98    native natural surcease cease

101    wanny wan, pale eyes’ windows i.e., eyelids

103    supple government power of movement

115    against in anticipation of the time when

116    drift scheme/intention

121    toy aversion/whim

124    prosperous successful/fortunate

127    help afford supply help

Act 4 Scene 2

 4.2   Location: the Capulets’ house

    2    cunning skillful

    3    none ill no bad ones try test

    5    ’tis…fingers proverbial phrase for one who has no faith in his abilities

    8    unfurnished unprovided, unprepared

  10    forsooth indeed, in truth

  12    peevish foolish/obstinate/headstrong harlotry harlot/wretch

  14    gadding wandering, roving idly

  17    behests commands

  24    becomèd befitting, seemly

  31    closet private room

  32    ornaments clothing/accessories

  36    short lacking

  40    deck up her adorn her, prepare her

  43    They i.e., the servants forth out of the house (on errands)

Act 4 Scene 3

 4.3   Location: Juliet’s bedroom in the Capulets’ house

    3    orisons prayers

    5    cross perverse/unfavorable

    7    culled selected

    8    behoveful useful, necessary state ceremony

  16    thrills pierces/passes with a shudder of emotion

  20    dismal ominous/disastrous

  26    Subtly craftily

  30    still always tried proved

  36    strangled ere suffocated before

  37    like likely

  38    conceit conception, idea

  43    green in earth newly buried (green also suggests putrefying flesh)

  48    mandrakes plants with forked roots that resembled the human form and were said to shriek when pulled from the ground, causing madness or death in any who heard them

  50    distraught driven to madness

  51    Environèd surrounded

  54    rage madness

  57    spit impale

  58    Stay stop

Act 4 Scene 4

    2    quinces pear-shaped fruits pastry room in which pastry dishes were made

    4    curfew-bell bell that rang at a fixed hour in the morning

    5    baked meats meat pies Angelica either the Nurse or Lady Capulet (plays on the herb of the same name)

    7    cotquean man who interferes with the housework

    9    watching wakefulness

  12    mouse-hunt hunter of mice (i.e., women, hence “fornicator”)

  13    watch…watching keep an eye on you to prevent such wakeful (sexual) behavior

  14    A jealous hood jealousy/a jealous woman/a jealous spy (wearing a hood as a disguise)

  20    I…logs I have a good head for finding things/having a wooden (i.e., stupid) head I can easily find logs

  22    Mass by the Mass (a common oath) whoreson bastard, whore’s son (spoken jovially)

  23    logger-head in charge of fetching logs/a blockhead

  24    straight straightaway

  27    trim her up adorn her, deck her out

  32    Fast fast asleep

  35    take your pennyworths take what little sleep you can/sleep soundly

  37    set…rest determined (literally a card-playing term meaning “to stake all” and playing on the sense of “got an erection in preparation for the assault”)

  41    take find/have sex with

  42    fright puns on “freight” (i.e., to load, burden)

  43    down in bed

  58    Out, alas expression of sorrow

  74    living being alive/possessions and property

  75    thought long longed/been impatient

  79    lasting endless/unceasing

  82    catched seized

  89    Beguiled deceived, cheated

  94    Uncomfortable comfortless/disquieting

  95    solemnity celebration, marriage ceremony

  99    Confusion disorder/destruction/disaster care management, control

105    promotion social advancement (through marriage to Paris)

106    heaven idea of bliss, of the utmost good

113    stick fasten/place/attach as an adornment rosemary the herb symbolized fidelity and remembrance, and was used at weddings and funerals

117    reason’s merriment i.e., laughably irrational/a cause of joy to reason

118    ordainèd festival intended to be festive

119    office function, appointed role

121    cheer food and drink, provisions

122    solemn ceremonious sullen somber, melancholy

128    lour frown, look threateningly ill wrongdoing

129    Move provoke

130    put up put away, pack up

132    case situation (the First Musician then plays on the sense of “case for a musical instrument”)

133    amended repaired

134    ‘Heart’s ease’ a popular song

137    ‘My…woe’ another popular song, possibly the “Ballad of Two Lovers”

138    dump melody/mournful tune

142    soundly thoroughly/with force (plays in the sense of “audibly, with sound”)

144    gleek gibe, jest (to “give the gleek” meant to mock someone) give…minstrel call you a minstrel (i.e., a vagrant or worthless wanderer)

145    serving-creature derogatory term for a servingman

146    pate head carry no crotchets put up with no whims/sing none of these notes

147    re…you re and fa are musical notes, used here as if they were verbs meaning “to beat” note pay attention to (plays on the sense of “record in musical notation”; in his response the First Musician widens the pun to include “beat us so that we are marked like a musical score”)

149    put out extinguish/display

151    dry-beat beat severely (without using a dagger)

153    When…sound the opening lines of Richard Edwards’ song “In Commendation of Music,” published in The Paradise of Dainty Devices (1576) griping painful/grasping

156    Catling a small lutestring made from catgut

158    Prates mere chatter Rebeck a rebec was a medieval three-stringed fiddle

159    sound for silver play for money

160    Soundpost a supporting wooden peg on a violin or similar instrument

162    cry you mercy beg your pardon

163    for sounding as payment for playing/with which to make a jingling sound

167    Jack the rogue

168    stay await

Act 5 Scene 1

 5.1   Location: Mantua

    1    flattering pleasing/deceptive

    2    presage foretell

    3    bosom’s lord i.e., heart

  10    possessed actually experienced, enjoyed

  11    shadows images, dreams

  21    presently took post immediately set off with a post-horse (i.e., horse kept standing by for the speedy delivery of messages)

  23    for my office as my responsibility

  24    deny repudiate, renounce (some editors emend to the First Quarto’s “defy”)

  26    post-horses horses kept at inns for the use of messengers or for hire by travelers

  28    import suggest, portend

  29    misadventure fatal misfortune

  37    see for seek out, think about mischief calamity, harm, wicked deeds

  39    apothecary person who prepared and sold drugs

  40    a he which whom

  41    weeds clothing overwhelming brows overhanging or bushy eyebrows

  42    Culling of simples gathering medicinal herbs

  44    needy impoverished

  47    account number

  48    earthen earthenware bladders animal bladders were used for storing liquid

  49    packthread twine used for tying up packages cakes of roses preparation of rose petals compressed into a cake for use as perfume

  53    Whose…death the sale of which is punishable by instant death

  54    caitiff miserable/base

  62    ducats gold coins used in most European countries

  63    soon-speeding gear rapidly working stuff/stuff that kills quickly

  65    That so that

  66    trunk body/cylindrical case that discharges explosives in a weapon

  69    mortal fatal

  70    he man utters sells

  77    it i.e., the law

  79    pray entreat (some editors emend to the First Quarto’s “pay”)

  85    compounds mixtures

  87    get…flesh fatten yourself up

  88    cordial medicine that invigorates the heart

Act 5 Scene 2

 5.2   Location: Friar Laurence’s cell

    5    barefoot brother i.e., a fellow Franciscan friar

    6    associate accompany

    8    searchers officials whose job was to view dead bodies and ascertain the cause of death

  10    pestilence plague

  12    speed successful journey, rapid progress stayed prevented

  18    nice trivial charge importance

  19    dear import major significance/costly consequence

  20    danger harm

  21    crow crowbar

  27    accidents events

Act 5 Scene 3

 5.3   Location: the churchyard containing the Capulet family tomb, Verona; the action moves into the tomb itself

    1    aloof at a distance

    3    lay…along lie stretched out

    6    Being i.e., the soil being

  10    stand remain

  11    adventure risk it, take my chances

  13    canopy covering or hangings of a bed

  16    obsequies rites of remembrance

  20    cross thwart mattock pickaxe wrenching iron crowbar

  32    dear employment important business/costly purpose

  33    jealous suspicious

  43    For…same all the same, nonetheless

  44    doubt suspect/fear

  45    maw throat/stomach womb belly

  48    in despite in angry defiance/to spite you

  54    unhallowed unholy, wicked

  60    gone dead

  68    commiseration compassion

  78    should have was to have

  80    him i.e., Paris

  83    triumphant splendid

  84    lantern many-windowed turretlike structure often found at the top of a church

  86    presence reception room in a palace or great house

  89    keepers nurses/jailers

  94    ensign military banner

  96    advancèd raised

100    his…enemy i.e., Romeo’s own

103    unsubstantial bodiless

106    still always

110    true honest/true to his trade

119    dateless bargain eternal contract engrossing monopolizing/all-consuming (with legal connotations: “to engross” is “to write in a manner appropriate to legal documents”)

120    conduct guide (i.e., the poison)

122    dashing destructive

124    quick speedy/active (with a play on “invigorating/life-giving”)

125    speed protector, aid

129    vainly pointlessly

154    unkind unnatural/cruel

157    comfortable comforting

171    timeless untimely/eternal

172    churl miser/villain

174    Haply perhaps/with luck

178    happy fortunate/opportune

182    attach arrest

189    ground cause (quibbles on the literal meaning in the previous line)

190    circumstance details (perhaps with a play on sense of “physical surroundings”)

196    stay detain

212    mista’en mistaken its rightful house (i.e., sheath)

216    warns summons sepulchre tomb

219    is dead tonight died last night

223    untaught ignorant, unmannerly person (referring to Romeo, whose body he has seen)

225    mouth of outrage may refer to the tomb or to the characters who are reacting to events (or both) outrage violence/disorder/passionate outcry

227    spring, their head source

228    general leader

229    to death to the utmost/to death from grief/to securing death as the penalty for the wrongdoers

230    slave to governed by

234    make against conspire against, accuse

235    impeach…excused accuse myself of what I should be condemned for and exonerate myself where I deserve to be excused

238    date of breath amount of remaining life

247    perforce by compulsion

252    art skill, knowledge

254    wrought brought about/fashioned

256    as on

260    stayed detained

264    closely secretly, concealed

268    true faithful, constant

275    privy aware, in on the secret aught anything

277    the time its natural limit

279    still always

282    post haste

289    made did

293    by and by immediately

295    make good confirm

298    therewithal that being accomplished/with the poison

301    scourge punishment of divine origin

302    joys happiness/children

303    winking at shutting my eyes to

304    brace pair (i.e., Mercutio and Paris)

306    jointure marriage portion given by the bridegroom’s family

309    raise have constructed statue almost certainly a reclining figure that would be set on Juliet’s tomb

311    figure statue (plays on the sense of “number”) rate be set worth be valued

313    Romeo i.e., Romeo’s statue

314    Poor sacrifices of pitiful victims of/inadequate atonements for

315    glooming gloomy/darkened/frowning/melancholy

THE LIFE OF TIMON OF ATHENS

In thirty-seven of Shakespeare’s thirty-eight plays, there are representations of family and sexual relationships—parents and children, siblings, lovers, married couples, usually in multiple combinations. The bonds of family and desire are the very DNA of his dramatic world. Timon of Athens is the unique exception that proves the rule. Nobody in the play has a blood relationship to anyone else. The central character has no family and no lover.

The play seems to have been written around the time when Shakespeare was creating his most demanding female roles—Lady Macbeth and Cleopatra—and yet it almost entirely banishes women. Two whores have walk-on parts in one scene, delivering forty words between them. Some Amazons dance in a masque, though they may be intended as cross-dressed men, like the masquers in Love’s Labour’s Lost and Henry VIII. There are no children either: the boy actors in Shakespeare’s company can seldom have been so underemployed.

Cupid, the mischievous god of love, presides invisibly over all Shakespeare’s comedies and several of his tragedies: Timon is the one play in which he actually puts in an appearance, speaking the prologue to the masque. But ironically, he has no part in the action. No character in the play is struck by the dart of love. Cupidity, however—the desire for money—is the heart of the matter.

“In Timon of Athens,” wrote Karl Marx of his favourite play, “Shakespeare attributes two qualities to money. It is the visible deity, the transformation of all human and natural qualities into their opposites, the universal confusion and inversion of things; it brings incompatibles into fraternity. And it is the universal whore, the universal pander between men and nations.” In simpler language: we worship money, it distorts our view of what is important in life and it turns all relationships into commercial exchanges. As Lucius’ servant puts it, “Ay, and I think one business does command us all, / For mine is money.” No other Shakespearean play gives so much attention to servants: by focusing on the master–servant relationship, as opposed to parent–child or man–woman, Shakespeare and his co-author Thomas Middleton (a master in both the comedy and the tragedy of commercial exchange) bring home the Marxist point. Money as the universal whore: that is the symbolic significance of having prostitutes as the only female roles. It is also why the play begins with a selection of unnamed characters selling their wares: jewels, silks for fine clothing, poems, and a painting.

The presence of a poet is especially interesting, in that it gives a glimpse of Shakespeare’s conception of his own art. He knew from his experience of dedicating his early poems to the Earl of Southampton what was involved in the pursuit of patronage, and as a leading member of the King’s Men he was a firsthand witness of the rush for favors in the febrile atmosphere of the Jacobean court. The painter at the beginning of Timon assumes that the poet is assiduously preparing “some work, some dedication / To the great lord,” but the poet’s reply suggests that Shakespeare conceived of his own art in terms of sprezzatura, the air of seeming artlessness. It takes effort to strike fire from a flint, whereas poetry may slip out “idly” and “as a gum, which oozes / From whence ’tis nourished.”

The opening scenes of the play offer a superb presentation of how culture, both in classical times and Shakespeare’s, operates through an elaborate system of ceremonies and rituals in which hospitality and respect are key elements. The granting of favors and the lavishing of gifts are equally essential to the system. Gift giving was not a spontaneous act of generosity (is it ever?): the custom was integral to the network of social obligations and transactions in the early modern period.

In order to maintain the position in which he commands respect, Timon has to spend vast amounts of money throwing parties. As only the wise steward Flavius perceives, the continuance of the show has exhausted his master’s financial resources. On a smaller scale, Shakespeare himself had probably witnessed a similar process in his youth when his father reached a position of eminence in the community, but then overstretched himself, borrowed money, and ran into trouble because he could not pay his debts. It is a familiar enough story, though in Timon of Athens the scale of the wealth is inflated to an extreme and the spiral into poverty is accompanied by a philosophical commentary.

Generally speaking, Shakespeare is skeptical of the claims of philosophy. He is more interested in how people behave in extreme situations than in what they profess to believe. He only used the word “philosopher” ten times in his complete works. Four of these usages are in wry contexts in the comedies, while the other six are confined to two tragedies, written in close proximity to each other early in the reign of King James I. They are two tragedies that follow a similar pattern of a man going from high to low estate, out from city or court to forest or stormy place where there’s “scarce a bush.” In this “outside” space, the protagonist is filled with fury at his fellow humans. One of those two plays is King Lear, the other is Timon of Athens. The resemblances have often been observed.

VARRO’S SERVANT

VARRO’S SERVANT     What is a whoremaster, fool?

FOOL

FOOL     A fool in good clothes, and something like thee. ’Tis a spirit: sometime’t appears like a lord, sometime like a lawyer, sometime like a philosopher with two stones more than’s artificial one. He is very often like a knight; and generally in all shapes that man goes up and down in from fourscore to thirteen, this spirit walks in.

VARRO’S SERVANT

VARRO’S SERVANT     Thou art not altogether a fool.

A snatch of dialogue such as this could easily “change places and handy-dandy” with the voices of Lear and his Fool.

Jaques in As You Like It may fancy himself as a philosopher, but it is in the cast of Timon of Athens that we meet the only professional philosopher in Shakespeare: Apemantus. “I come to observe,” he says during Timon’s first banquet, and he will remain to offer his tart observations throughout the play. He is an extreme embodiment of the philosophy embraced by Jaques: Cynicism. A Cynic takes Stoic rejection of worldliness to an extreme; a Cynic, the saying had it, was a Stoic without a tunic. The paradigm was the outspoken and shameless Diogenes, who rejected “civilization” and returned to the “natural” life by becoming a vagabond. Apemantus is “the philosopher” in Shakespeare. Yet for Apemantus, as for Jaques, Cynicism is a pose. They both actually rather enjoy company and food. It is Timon who becomes the real thing.

In Act 2, the Fool goes off with Apemantus, saying “I do not always follow lover, elder brother and woman: sometime the philosopher.” As on many occasions in King Lear, a line spoken by the Fool is at a deeper level applicable to the main character. Timon is the one who follows the way of the philosopher instead of lover, brother, or woman. “I am Misanthropos, and hate mankind,” he will later announce. He becomes a Diogenes, rejecting all possessions and all worldliness, dying in his cave by the seashore.

The first half of the action is closed with a second banquet, in which with studied irony Timon offers his guests nothing instead of everything. Disgusted with mankind, he retreats to the woods. The general Alcibiades goes into exile at the same time: the point seems to be that both the military hero and the civic benefactor are victims of the system’s ingratitude, scapegoats of Athenian political arrogance. Like the exiled Coriolanus in another classical play written a couple of years later, Alcibiades marches against the city that has mistreated him. The Athenian senators respond by calling on Timon to perform the role of the reconciler that Volumnia plays in Coriolanus; he does so indirectly by committing suicide, symbolically removing hatred from the city and allowing Alcibiades to make peace with the state. The parallel plot is, however, sketched briefly in rather than worked fully out.

The core of the play is the massive third scene of the fourth act in which a succession of visitors comes to Timon in the forest, giving him the opportunity to vent his misanthropy. There is an elegant symmetry between the series of suitors seeking favors in the first half of the play and the series of visitors gawping at Timon’s misfortunes in the second. Among them is Apemantus, the professional philosopher. He has dealt Timon a few home truths in the opening scene, along the lines of “He that loves to be flattered is worthy o’th’flatterer.” Now he says, “The middle of humanity thou never knewest, but the extremity of both ends. When thou wast in thy gilt and thy perfume, they mocked thee for too much curiosity: in thy rags thou know’st none, but art despised for the contrary.” Athenian moral philosophy, embodied for the Renaissance in the figure of Aristotle, extolled the virtues of the middle way, the golden mean. Tragic drama is about people who will not follow that way, who go instead to the extreme. Considered thus, Timon is the exemplary tragic figure.

With its paucity of female characters and absence of familial bonds, this will always remain one of Shakespeare’s least known, least loved, and least performed plays. Its exposure of our enslavement to money is too close to the bone. Why would large numbers of people who have the financial comfort that allows them to benefit from the public art form of theater want to spend an evening being beaten up on the subject? The harsh beauty of Timon’s angry arias in the second half of the play, the exemplary loyalty of the steward Flavius, the incisive wit of Apemantus and the Fool: none of these are quite enough to compensate for the absence of an amorous or heroic counter-voice. Perhaps it would have been a different story if the character of Alcibiades had been more fully developed. It is small wonder that critics have persistently speculated—without any direct evidence—that the play was unfinished or unperformed.

Yet for intellectual muscle, the second half of the play is as powerful as anything in Shakespeare. It directly addresses one of the great questions in both his time and ours: the relationship between culture and nature. The home that Timon leaves and excoriates is the city of Athens, the birthplace of democracy, philosophy, and theater, the epitome of culture. When he goes into the woods, he is returning from culture to nature, reversing the process by which human cultural evolution has led to ever-greater alienation from our environmental origins. Initially, the angry exile believes that the order of nature is no different from that of the city he has left. He perceives natural forces to be in the same kind of relationship of exchange and deception as those of human society:

The sun’s a thief, and with his great attraction

Robs the vast sea: the moon’s an arrant thief,

And her pale fire she snatches from the sun:

The sea’s a thief, whose liquid surge resolves

The moon into salt tears: the earth’s a thief,

That feeds and breeds by a composture stolen

From gen’ral excrement: each thing’s a thief.

And he blames the earth for yielding up the precious metal, which is the origin of that commodity that is the root of all evil.

But in his downward spiral, Timon also makes a kind of spiritual ascent. His trajectory is not after all so very different from that of Antony and Cleopatra in the subsequent play that Shakespeare based on the same source in classical literature. Throwing away the gold, he finds peace in the imminence of death: “My long sickness / Of health and living now begins to mend, / And nothing brings me all things.” He makes “his everlasting mansion / Upon the beachèd verge of the salt flood.” His road from fickle worldly prosperity to the nothingness of death goes via the wood and peters out at the edge of the sea. The nineteenth-century critic William Hazlitt suggested that Timon ends by “seeking in the everlasting solemnities of nature oblivion from the transitory splendour of his lifetime.”

Though the play is couched in the ancient ascetic language of contemptus mundi, there was for Hazlitt, and there should be for us, something profoundly enduring about the image of a human soul contemplating the vastness of the ocean and being brought to the realization that money is not everything and indeed that nothing may bring all things. Like King Lear and his godson Edgar, Timon is one of a tiny handful of tragic characters who are brought to a place that we might call ground zero. The difference between the two plays is that in Lear the meaning of love is discovered amid the apocalypse, whereas in Timon a man dies alone, without any community save that of the elements of earth, sea, and sky.

KEY FACTS

AUTHORSHIP: Long considered to be an incomplete Shakespearean work, Timon of Athens has been shown by modern scholarship to be, in all probability, a collaboration between Shakespeare and Thomas Middleton, with the following likely distribution of scenes:

1.1 | Shakespeare, perhaps with some brief additions by Middleton
1.2 | Middleton
2.1 | Shakespeare
2.2 | mixed authorship
3.1–3.6   | Middleton
3.7 | mixed (beginning and end by Middleton, middle by Shakespeare?)
4.1 | Shakespeare
4.2 | mixed authorship?
4.3–5.1 | Shakespeare, with some Middleton additions (especially to the encounter between Timon and Flavius)
5.2–5.4 | Shakespeare

PLOT: Timon, a rich Athenian, is famous for his liberality. As the play opens a group of people is gathering outside Timon’s house, waiting to offer him flattering gifts or beg favors. There is much talk of his generosity and openheartedness, which is immediately borne out when he appears, paying a friend’s debts to free him from prison and giving money to a servant to allow him to marry. Only the cynical philosopher Apemantus has doubts about the sincerity of Timon’s friends. The young general Alcibiades is warmly welcomed by Timon, who invites him and other friends to a banquet, at which there is more lavish distribution of gifts. However, Timon’s steward Flavius realizes what his master doesn’t—that Timon’s extravagant lifestyle has emptied his coffers. Timon’s creditors start to ask for payment and one after another he asks his friends for help, only to be refused by all. He invites them all to a second banquet, where he turns the tables on them. Alcibiades pleads in vain with the senate for the life of one of his soldiers who has committed a murder; in anger they banish him from Athens. The disillusioned Timon goes to live as a recluse outside Athens, railing bitterly against mankind. One day, digging for roots to eat, he discovers gold. He gives it away, first to Alcibiades, to pay the army he has raised against Athens, and his two whores, Timandra and Phrynia, then to some bandits. He finally offers some to his steward Flavius. Hearing of this, more false friends come out to flatter Timon but he drives them away, along with the senators from Athens who come to beg for his help against Alcibiades. Alcibiades wins his war against the Athenian senators, at which point news reaches the city that Timon is dead.

MAJOR PARTS: (with percentage of lines/number of speeches/scenes on stage) Timon (34%/210/8), Apemantus (10%/100/4), Flavius (8%/41/6), Alcibiades (7%/39/5), Poet (4%/30/2), First Senator (4%/27/4), Painter (3%/30/2), Second Senator (3%/14/4), Lucilius (2%/13/2).

LINGUISTIC MEDIUM: 75% verse, 25% prose.

DATE: 1604–06? No firm evidence for date, but stylistic similarity suggests proximity to King Lear and Middleton’s A Trick to Catch the Old One (1605); this was the period when Middleton was writing for the King’s Men, so is likeliest for a collaboration. The shared source with Antony and Cleopatra (see below) supports such a date. The masque and the concern with flatterers are more Jacobean than Elizabethan (i.e., after the death of Queen Elizabeth in 1603); the absence of a clear five-act structure implies composition before the King’s Men began playing the indoor Blackfriars Theatre (i.e., before 1608).

SOURCES: There is a general outline of the Timon story in Plutarch’s “Life of Marcus Antonius,” which was Shakespeare’s main source for Antony and Cleopatra; Plutarch’s Lives of the Most Noble Grecians and Romanes also included a biography of Alcibiades, providing material for the subplot. The other major source is a dialogue on Timon by the second-century Greek satirist Lucian of Samosata (probably in the 1528 Latin translation by Erasmus). There are close resemblances, especially in the second banquet scene, to an anonymous university or Inns of Court comedy of Timon, which may be a source. It is possible that Shakespeare worked from Plutarch while Middleton brought knowledge of the academic play and Lucian. The character of Apemantus may also be indebted to the misanthropic philosopher Diogenes in John Lyly’s comedy Campaspe (1581).

TEXT: The relative brevity of the play and a plethora of internal inconsistencies, such as the interview between Flavius and Ventidius that is arranged at the end of Act 2 Scene 2 but never materializes, led to the hypothesis that Timon was an incomplete work. Co-authorship is now considered a much likelier explanation for the textual problems. Most scholars believe that the copy was set from the dramatists’ rough draft; though this is not known for certain, most of the difficulties are attributable to problems with the copy rather than the quality of the printers’ work.

THE LIFE OF TIMON OF ATHENS

TIMON OF ATHENS

FLAVIUS, steward to Timon

ALCIBIADES, an Athenian captain*

APEMANTUS, a churlish philosopher

A POET

A PAINTER

A JEWELLER

A MERCHANT who trades in silks

A FOOL

AN OLD ATHENIAN MAN

A PAGE

VENTIDIUS, one of Timon’s false friends

SENATORS

CUPID and MASQUERS

BANDITTI

Three STRANGERS, the second called Hostilius

Two MESSENGERS

Other LORDS

Servants, Attendants

Act 1 Scene 11.1

running scene 1

       Enter Poet, Painter, Jeweller, Merchant (a Mercer) at several doors

POET

POET     Good day, sir.

PAINTER

PAINTER     I am glad you’re well.

POET

POET     I have not seen you long.³ How goes the world?

PAINTER

PAINTER     It wears,⁴ sir, as it grows.

5

5     

POET

POET         Ay, that’s well known.

               But what particular rarity?⁶ What strange,

               Which manifold record⁷ not matches? See,

               Magic of bounty,⁸ all these spirits thy power

               Hath conjured⁹ to attend. I know the merchant.

10

10   

PAINTER

PAINTER           I know them both: th’other’s a jeweller.

MERCHANT

MERCHANT     O, ’tis a worthy lord. To Jeweller

JEWELLER

JEWELLER     Nay, that’s most fixed.¹²

MERCHANT

MERCHANT     A most incomparable man, breathed,¹³ as it were,

               To an untirable and continuate¹⁴ goodness:

15

15           He passes.¹⁵

JEWELLER

JEWELLER     I have a jewel here—

MERCHANT

MERCHANT     O, pray let’s see’t. For the lord Timon, sir?

JEWELLER

JEWELLER     If he will touch the estimate.¹⁸ But for that—

POET

POET     ‘When we¹⁹ for recompense have praised the vile, Recites

20

20           It stains the glory in that happy²⁰ verse

               Which aptly²¹ sings the good.’

MERCHANT

MERCHANT     ’Tis a good form.²² Looks at the jewel

JEWELLER

JEWELLER     And rich:²³ here is a water, look ye.

PAINTER

PAINTER     You are rapt,²⁴ sir, in some work, some dedication To Poet

25

25           To the great lord.

POET

POET     A thing slipped idly²⁶ from me.

               Our poesy is as a gum, which oozes

               From whence ’tis nourished. The fire i’th’flint

               Shows not till it be struck: our gentle flame

30

30           Provokes itself³⁰ and like the current flies

               Each bound³¹ it chafes. What have you there?

PAINTER

PAINTER     A picture, sir. When comes your book forth?

POET

POET     Upon³³ the heels of my presentment, sir.

               Let’s see your piece.

35

35   

PAINTER

PAINTER           ’Tis a good piece. Shows the painting

POET

POET     So ’tis: this comes off³⁶ well and excellent.

PAINTER

PAINTER     Indifferent.³⁷

POET

POET     Admirable. How this³⁸ grace

               Speaks his own standing! What a mental power

40

40           This eye shoots forth! How big⁴⁰ imagination

               Moves⁴¹ in this lip! To th’dumbness of the gesture

               One might interpret.

PAINTER

PAINTER     It is a pretty⁴³ mocking of the life.

               Here is a touch:⁴⁴ is’t good?

45

45   

POET

POET           I will say of it,

               It tutors nature:⁴⁶ artificial strife

               Lives in these touches livelier⁴⁷ than life.

       Enter certain Senators They pass over the stage

PAINTER

PAINTER     How this lord is followed.⁴⁸

POET

POET     The senators of Athens, happy men.

50

50   

PAINTER

PAINTER           Look, more.

POET

POET     You see this confluence,⁵¹ this great flood of visitors.

               I have in this rough work shaped out a man Shows the poem

               Whom this beneath world⁵³ doth embrace and hug

               With amplest entertainment:⁵⁴ my free drift

55

55           Halts not particularly,⁵⁵ but moves itself

               In a wide sea of wax⁵⁶ — no levelled malice

               Infects one comma⁵⁷ in the course I hold —

               But flies an eagle flight, bold and forth on,

               Leaving no tract⁵⁹ behind.

60

60   

PAINTER

PAINTER           How⁶⁰ shall I understand you?

POET

POET     I will unbolt⁶¹ to you.

               You see how all conditions,⁶² how all minds,

               As well of glib⁶³ and slipp’ry creatures as

               Of grave⁶⁴ and austere quality, tender down

65

65           Their services to Lord Timon: his large fortune

               Upon his good and gracious nature hanging⁶⁶

               Subdues⁶⁷ and properties to his love and tendance

               All sorts of hearts; yea, from the glass-faced⁶⁸ flatterer

               To Apemantus, that few things loves better

70

70           Than to abhor⁷⁰ himself — even he drops down

               The knee before him, and returns⁷¹ in peace

               Most rich in Timon’s nod.⁷²

PAINTER

PAINTER     I saw them speak together.

POET

POET     Sir, I have upon a high and pleasant hill

75

75           Feigned⁷⁵ Fortune to be throned: the base o’th’mount

               Is ranked⁷⁶ with all deserts, all kind of natures

               That labour on the bosom of this sphere⁷⁷

               To propagate⁷⁸ their states, amongst them all

               Whose eyes are on this sovereign lady⁷⁹ fixed

80

80           One do I personate⁸⁰ of Lord Timon’s frame,

               Whom Fortune with her ivory hand wafts⁸¹ to her,

               Whose⁸² present grace to present slaves and servants

               Translates his rivals.

PAINTER

PAINTER     ’Tis conceived to scope.⁸⁴

85

85           This throne, this Fortune, and this hill, methinks,

               With one man beckoned from the rest below,

               Bowing his head against⁸⁷ the sleepy mount

               To climb his happiness, would be well expressed

               In our condition.⁸⁹

90

90   

POET

POET           Nay, sir, but hear me on.⁹⁰

               All those which were his fellows⁹¹ but of late,

               Some better than his value,⁹² on the moment

               Follow his⁹³ strides, his lobbies fill with tendance,

               Rain sacrificial⁹⁴ whisperings in his ear,

95

95           Make sacred even his stirrup,⁹⁵ and through him

               Drink the free air.

PAINTER

PAINTER     Ay, marry,⁹⁷ what of these?

POET

POET     When Fortune in her shift and change of mood

               Spurns down⁹⁹ her late belovèd, all his dependants,

100

100         Which laboured after him to the mountain’s top

               Even on their knees and hands, let him fly down,

               Not one accompanying his declining¹⁰² foot.

PAINTER

PAINTER     ’Tis common:

               A thousand moral paintings I can show

105

105         That shall demonstrate these quick¹⁰⁵ blows of Fortune’s

               More pregnantly¹⁰⁶ than words. Yet you do well

               To show Lord Timon that mean¹⁰⁷ eyes have seen

               The¹⁰⁸ foot above the head.

       Trumpets sound. Enter Lord Timon [with Lucilius and other servants following], addressing himself courteously to every suitor [and then speaking with a Messenger]

TIMON

TIMON     Imprisoned is he, say you?

110

110 

MESSENGER

MESSENGER             Ay, my good lord: five talents¹¹⁰ is his debt,

               His means¹¹¹ most short, his creditors most strait.

               Your honourable letter he desires

               To those have shut him up, which failing,

               Periods¹¹⁴ his comfort.

115

115 

TIMON

TIMON             Noble Ventidius! Well,

               I am not of that feather¹¹⁶ to shake off

               My friend when he must need me. I do know him

               A gentleman that well deserves a help,

               Which he shall have: I’ll pay the debt and free him.

120

120 

MESSENGER

MESSENGER             Your lordship ever binds him.¹²⁰

TIMON

TIMON     Commend me¹²¹ to him. I will send his ransom,

               And being enfranchised,¹²² bid him come to me:

               ’Tis not enough to help the feeble up,

               But to support him after. Fare you well.

125

125 

MESSENGER

MESSENGER             All happiness to your honour.

       Exit

       Enter an old Athenian

OLD MAN

OLD MAN     Lord Timon, hear me speak.

TIMON

TIMON     Freely, good father.¹²⁷

OLD MAN

OLD MAN     Thou hast a servant named Lucilius.

TIMON

TIMON     I have so: what of him?

130

130 

OLD MAN

OLD MAN             Most noble Timon, call the man before thee.

TIMON

TIMON     Attends he here or no? Lucilius! Calls

LUCILIUS

LUCILIUS     Here, at your lordship’s service. Comes forward

OLD MAN

OLD MAN     This fellow here, Lord Timon, this thy creature,¹³³

               By night frequents my house. I am a man

135

135         That from my first¹³⁵ have been inclined to thrift,

               And my estate deserves an heir more raised¹³⁶

               Than one¹³⁷ which holds a trencher.

TIMON

TIMON     Well, what further?

OLD MAN

OLD MAN     One only daughter have I, no kin else

140

140         On whom I may confer what I have got:

               The maid is fair, o’th’youngest¹⁴¹ for a bride,

               And I have bred¹⁴² her at my dearest cost

               In qualities¹⁴³ of the best. This man of thine

               Attempts¹⁴⁴ her love: I prithee, noble lord,

145

145         Join with me to forbid him her resort,¹⁴⁵

               Myself have spoke in vain.

TIMON

TIMON     The man is honest.¹⁴⁷

OLD MAN

OLD MAN     Therefore¹⁴⁸ he will be, Timon:

               His honesty rewards him in itself,

150

150         It must not bear¹⁵⁰ my daughter.

TIMON

TIMON     Does she love him?

OLD MAN

OLD MAN     She is young and apt:¹⁵²

               Our own precedent¹⁵³ passions do instruct us

               What levity’s¹⁵⁴ in youth.

155

155 

TIMON

TIMON             Love you the maid? To Lucilius

LUCILIUS

LUCILIUS     Ay, my good lord, and she accepts of it.

OLD MAN

OLD MAN     If in her marriage my consent be missing,

               I call the gods to witness, I will choose

               Mine heir from forth the beggars of the world,

160

160         And dispossess her all.¹⁶⁰

TIMON

TIMON     How¹⁶¹ shall she be endowed

               If she be mated with an equal husband?

OLD MAN

OLD MAN     Three talents on the present; in future, all.

TIMON

TIMON     This gentleman¹⁶⁴ of mine hath served me long:

165

165         To build his fortune I will strain a little,

               For ’tis a bond¹⁶⁶ in men. Give him thy daughter:

               What you bestow, in him I’ll counterpoise,¹⁶⁷

               And make him weigh with¹⁶⁸ her.

OLD MAN

OLD MAN     Most noble lord,

170

170         Pawn¹⁷⁰ me to this your honour, she is his.

TIMON

TIMON     My hand to thee: mine honour on my promise.

LUCILIUS

LUCILIUS     Humbly I thank your lordship: never may

               That state¹⁷³ or fortune fall into my keeping,

               Which is not owed to you!

       Exeunt [Lucilius and Old Man]

175

175 

POET

POET             Vouchsafe¹⁷⁵ my labour, and long live your lordship! Presents the poem

TIMON

TIMON     I thank you. You shall hear from me anon:¹⁷⁶

               Go not away.— What have you there, my friend? To the Painter

PAINTER

PAINTER     A piece of painting, which I do beseech

               Your lordship to accept. Presents the painting

180

180 

TIMON

TIMON             Painting is welcome.

               The painting is almost the natural man,¹⁸¹

               For since dishonour traffics¹⁸² with man’s nature,

               He¹⁸³ is but outside: these pencilled figures are

               Even¹⁸⁴ such as they give out. I like your work,

185

185         And you shall¹⁸⁵ find I like it: wait attendance

               Till you hear further from me.

PAINTER

PAINTER     The gods preserve ye!

TIMON

TIMON     Well fare you, gentleman: give me your hand,

               We must needs¹⁸⁹ dine together.— Sir, your jewel To the Jeweller

190

190         Hath¹⁹⁰ suffered under praise.

JEWELLER

JEWELLER     What, my lord, dispraise?

TIMON

TIMON     A mere satiety¹⁹² of commendations.

               If I should pay you for’t as ’tis extolled¹⁹³

               It would unclew¹⁹⁴ me quite.

195

195 

JEWELLER

JEWELLER             My lord, ’tis rated¹⁹⁵

               As those¹⁹⁶ which sell would give: but you well know

               Things of like¹⁹⁷ value differing in the owners

               Are prized¹⁹⁸ by their masters. Believe’t, dear lord,

               You mend¹⁹⁹ the jewel by the wearing it. Presents the jewel

200

200 

TIMON

TIMON             Well mocked.²⁰⁰

       Enter Apemantus

MERCHANT

MERCHANT     No, my good lord, he speaks the common tongue²⁰¹

               Which all men speak with him.

TIMON

TIMON     Look, who comes here. Will²⁰³ you be chid?

JEWELLER

JEWELLER     we’ll bear with your lordship.

205

205 

MERCHANT

MERCHANT             He’ll spare none.

TIMON

TIMON     Good morrow²⁰⁶ to thee, gentle Apemantus!

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Till I be gentle,²⁰⁷ stay thou for thy good morrow —

               When²⁰⁸ thou art Timon’s dog, and these knaves honest.

TIMON

TIMON     Why dost thou call them knaves? Thou know’st them not.

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Are they not Athenians?

TIMON

TIMON     Yes.

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Then I repent not.

JEWELLER

JEWELLER     You know me, Apemantus?

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Thou know’st I do: I called thee by thy name.²¹⁴

TIMON

TIMON     Thou art proud,²¹⁵ Apemantus!

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Of nothing so much as that I am not like Timon.

TIMON

TIMON     Whither art going?

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     To knock out an honest Athenian’s brains.

TIMON

TIMON     That’s a deed thou’lt die for.

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Right, if doing nothing²²⁰ be death by th’law.

TIMON

TIMON     How lik’st thou this picture, Apemantus?

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     The best, for the innocence.²²²

TIMON

TIMON     Wrought²²³ he not well that painted it?

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     He²²⁴ wrought better that made the painter, and yet he’s but a filthy piece of work.

PAINTER

PAINTER     You’re a dog.²²⁶

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Thy mother’s of my generation:²²⁷ what’s she, if I be a dog?

TIMON

TIMON     Wilt dine with me, Apemantus?

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     No, I eat not lords.²²⁹

TIMON

TIMON     An²³⁰ thou shouldst, thou’dst anger ladies.

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     O, they eat²³¹ lords: so they come by great bellies.

TIMON

TIMON     That’s a lascivious apprehension.²³²

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     So²³³ thou apprehend’st it, take it for thy labour.

TIMON

TIMON     How dost thou like this jewel, Apemantus?

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Not²³⁵ so well as plain-dealing, which will not cost a man a doit.

TIMON

TIMON     What dost thou think ’tis worth?

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Not worth my thinking.— How now,²³⁷ poet?

POET

POET     How now, philosopher?

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Thou liest.

POET

POET     Art not one?

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Yes.

POET

POET     Then I lie not.

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Art not a poet?²⁴³

POET

POET     Yes.

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Then thou liest: look in thy last work, where thou hast feigned him²⁴⁵ a worthy fellow.

POET

POET     That’s not feigned, he is so.

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Yes, he is worthy of²⁴⁸ thee, and to pay thee for thy labour. He that loves to be flattered is worthy o’th’flatterer. Heavens, that I were a lord!

TIMON

TIMON     What wouldst do then, Apemantus?

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     E’en²⁵¹ as Apemantus does now: hate a lord with my heart.

TIMON

TIMON     What, thyself?

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Ay.

TIMON

TIMON     Wherefore?²⁵⁴

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     That I had no angry wit²⁵⁵ to be a lord.— Art not thou a merchant?

MERCHANT

MERCHANT     Ay, Apemantus.

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Traffic²⁵⁷ confound thee, if the gods will not!

MERCHANT

MERCHANT     If traffic do it, the gods do it.

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Traffic’s thy god, and thy god confound thee!

       Trumpet sounds. Enter a Messenger

TIMON

TIMON     What²⁶⁰ trumpet’s that?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     ’Tis Alcibiades, and some twenty horse²⁶¹ All of companionship.²⁶²

TIMON

TIMON     Pray entertain²⁶³ them, give them guide to us.

       [Exeunt some Attendants]

               You must needs dine with me.— Go not you hence

265

265         Till I have thanked you.— When dinner’s done, To Painter

               Show me this piece.— I am joyful of your sights.²⁶⁶ To all

       Enter Alcibiades, with the rest

               Most welcome, sir!

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     So, so, there!²⁶⁸

               Aches contract and starve²⁶⁹ your supple joints!

270

270         That there should be small²⁷⁰ love amongst these sweet knaves,

               And all this courtesy! The strain²⁷¹ of man’s bred out

               Into baboon and monkey.

ALCIBIADES

ALCIBIADES     Sir, you have saved my longing,²⁷³ and I feed To Timon

               Most hungerly²⁷⁴ on your sight.

275

275 

TIMON

TIMON             Right welcome, sir!

               Ere²⁷⁶ we depart, we’ll share a bounteous time

               In different²⁷⁷ pleasures. Pray you, let us in.

       Exeunt [all except Apemantus]

       Enter two Lords

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     What time o’day is’t, Apemantus?

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Time to be honest.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     That²⁸⁰ time serves still.

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     The most accursèd thou, that still omitt’st²⁸¹ it.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     Thou art going to Lord Timon’s feast?

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Ay, to see meat²⁸³ fill knaves and wine heat fools.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     Fare thee well, fare thee well.

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Thou art a fool to bid me farewell twice.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     Why, Apemantus?

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Shouldst have kept one to thyself, for I mean to give thee none.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     Hang thyself!

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     No, I will do nothing at thy bidding: make thy requests to thy friend.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     Away, unpeaceable²⁹⁰ dog, or I’ll spurn thee hence!

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     I will fly,²⁹¹ like a dog, the heels o’th’ass.

       [Exit]

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     He’s opposite to²⁹² humanity. Come, shall we in,

               And taste Lord Timon’s bounty? He outgoes²⁹³

               The very heart of kindness.

295

295 

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD             He pours it out. Plutus,²⁹⁵ the god of gold,

               Is but his steward:²⁹⁶ no meed, but he repays

               Sevenfold above itself: no gift to him

               But breeds the giver a return exceeding

               All²⁹⁹ use of quittance.

300

300 

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD             The noblest mind he carries

               That ever governed man.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     Long may he live in fortunes! Shall we in?

               I’ll keep you company.

       Exeunt

[Act 1 Scene 2]1.2

running scene 2

       Hautboys playing loud music. A great banquet served in: and then enter Lord Timon, the States, the Athenian Lords, [Alcibiades and] Ventidius, which Timon redeemed from prison. Then comes, dropping, after all, Apemantus, discontentedly, like himself

VENTIDIUS

VENTIDIUS     Most honoured Timon,

               It hath pleased the gods to remember my father’s age,

               And call him to long peace.³

               He is gone happy, and has left me rich:

5

5             Then, as in grateful virtue I am bound

               To your free⁶ heart, I do return those talents,

               Doubled with thanks and service,⁷ from whose help

               I derived liberty. Offers money

TIMON

TIMON     O, by no means,

10

10           Honest Ventidius. You mistake my love:

               I gave it freely ever,¹¹ and there’s none

               Can truly say he¹² gives if he receives.

               If our betters play at that game,¹³ we must not dare

               To imitate them: faults¹⁴ that are rich are fair.

15

15   

VENTIDIUS

VENTIDIUS           A noble spirit! The Lords stand ceremoniously

TIMON

TIMON     Nay, my lords,

               Ceremony¹⁷ was but devised at first

               To set¹⁸ a gloss on faint deeds, hollow welcomes,

               Recanting¹⁹ goodness, sorry ere ’tis shown,

20

20           But where there is true friendship, there needs none.²⁰

               Pray, sit: more welcome are ye to my fortunes

               Than my fortunes to me. They sit

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     My lord, we always have confessed²³ it.

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Ho, ho, confessed it? Hanged²⁴ it, have you not?

25

25   

TIMON

TIMON           O, Apemantus, you are welcome.

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     No, you shall not make me welcome:

               I come to have thee thrust me out of doors.

TIMON

TIMON     Fie,²⁸ thou’rt a churl: ye’ve got a humour there

               Does not become²⁹ a man: ’tis much to blame.

30

30           They say, my lords, Ira²⁴¹ furor brevis est,

               But yond³¹ man is ever angry.

               Go, let him have a table by himself,

               For he does neither affect³³ company,

               Nor is he fit for’t, indeed.

35

35   

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS           Let me stay at thine apperil,³⁵ Timon:

               I come to observe,³⁶ I give thee warning on’t.

TIMON

TIMON     I take no heed³⁷ of thee; thou’rt an Athenian, therefore welcome. I myself would³⁸ have no power: prithee let my meat make thee silent.

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     I scorn thy meat: ’twould³⁹ choke me, for I should ne’er flatter thee. O you gods, what a number of men eats⁴⁰ Timon, and he sees ’em not! It grieves me to see so many dip⁴¹ their meat in one man’s blood, and all the madness is, he cheers them up too.

               I wonder men dare trust themselves with men.

               Methinks they should invite them without knives:⁴⁴

45

45           Good⁴⁵ for their meat, and safer for their lives.

               There’s much example⁴⁶ for’t: the fellow that sits next him, now parts bread with him, pledges⁴⁷ the breath of him in a divided draught, is the readiest man to kill him: ’t’as been proved. If I were a huge⁴⁸ man, I should fear to drink at meals, Lest they should spy⁴⁹ my windpipe’s dangerous notes: Great men should drink with harness⁵⁰ on their throats.

TIMON

TIMON     My lord, in heart,⁵¹ and let the health go round.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     Let it flow this way, my good lord.

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     ‘Flow this way’? A brave⁵³ fellow: he keeps his tides well. Those healths will make thee and thy state look ill, Timon.

55

55           Here’s that which is too weak to be a sinner⁵⁵ —

               Honest water — which ne’er left man i’th’mire.⁵⁶

               This and my food are equals, there’s no odds.⁵⁷

               Feasts are too proud⁵⁸ to give thanks to the gods.

       Apemantus’ grace

                                    Immortal gods, I crave no pelf.⁵⁹

60

60                       I pray for no man but myself:

                                    Grant I may never prove so fond,⁶¹

                                    To trust man on his oath or bond,

                                    Or a harlot⁶³ for her weeping

                                    Or a dog that seems a-sleeping,

65

65                       Or a keeper⁶⁵ with my freedom,

                                    Or my friends if I should need ’em.

                                    Amen. So fall to’t.⁶⁷

                                    Rich men sin, and I eat root.⁶⁸

               Much good dich⁶⁹ thy good heart, Apemantus! Eats

70

70   

TIMON

TIMON           Captain Alcibiades, your heart’s in the field⁷⁰ now.

ALCIBIADES

ALCIBIADES     My heart is ever at your service, my lord.

TIMON

TIMON     You had rather be at a breakfast of enemies⁷² than a dinner of friends.

ALCIBIADES

ALCIBIADES     So⁷³ they were bleeding new, my lord, there’s no meat like ’em: I could wish my best friend at such a feast.

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Would all those flatterers were thine enemies then, that then thou mightst kill ’em and bid⁷⁶ me to ’em!

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     Might we but have that happiness, my lord, that you would once use our hearts⁷⁷ whereby we might express some part of our zeals,⁷⁸ we should think ourselves for ever perfect.⁷⁹

TIMON

TIMON     O, no doubt, my good friends, but the gods themselves have provided that I shall have much help from you: how had you been my friends else?⁸¹ Why have you that charitable⁸² title from thousands, did not you chiefly belong to my heart? I have told⁸³ more of you to myself than you can with modesty speak in your own behalf, and thus far I confirm⁸⁴ you. O you gods, think I, what need we have any friends if we should ne’er have need of ’em? They were the most needless⁸⁵ creatures living, should we ne’er have use for ’em, and would most resemble sweet instruments hung up in cases that keeps their sounds to themselves. Why, I have often wished myself poorer, that I might come nearer to you. We are born to do benefits:⁸⁹ and what better or properer can we call our own than the riches of our friends? O, what a precious comfort ’tis to have so many like brothers commanding⁹¹ one another’s fortunes! O joy’s e’en made away ere’t can be born: mine eyes cannot hold out water, methinks. To forget their faults,⁹² I drink to you. Weeps, and drinks a toast

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Thou⁹³ weep’st to make them drink, Timon.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     Joy had the like⁹⁴ conception in our eyes To Timon

95

95           And at that instant like a babe sprung up.⁹⁵

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Ho, ho! I laugh to think that babe a bastard.⁹⁶

THIRD LORD

THIRD LORD     I promise you, my lord, you moved me much. To Timon

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Much!⁹⁸

       Sound tucket

TIMON

TIMON     What means that trump?⁹⁹ How now?

       Enter Servant

SERVANT

SERVANT     Please¹⁰⁰ you, my lord, there are certain ladies most desirous of admittance.

TIMON

TIMON     Ladies? What are their wills?

SERVANT

SERVANT     There comes with them a forerunner,¹⁰² my lord, which bears that office to signify their pleasures.

TIMON

TIMON     I pray, let them be admitted.

       Enter Cupid with the masque of Ladies The Masquers stay back

105

105 

CUPID

CUPID             Hail to thee, worthy Timon, and to all that

               Of his bounties taste! The five best senses

               Acknowledge thee their patron, and come freely

               To gratulate¹⁰⁸ thy plenteous bosom:

               There¹⁰⁹ taste, touch, all, pleased from thy table rise.

110

110         They only¹¹⁰ now come but to feast thine eyes.

TIMON

TIMON     They’re welcome all, let ’em have kind¹¹¹ admittance:

               Music, make their welcome! Cupid brings forward the Masquers

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     You see, my lord, how ample¹¹³ you’re beloved.

       Enter the Masquers of Amazons, with lutes in their hands, dancing and playing

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Hoyday,¹¹⁴ what a sweep of vanity comes this way!

115

115         They dance? They are madwomen.

               Like¹¹⁶ madness is the glory of this life

               As¹¹⁷ this pomp shows to a little oil and root.

               We make ourselves fools to disport¹¹⁸ ourselves,

               And spend¹¹⁹ our flatteries, to drink those men

120

120         Upon whose age¹²⁰ we void it up again

               With poisonous spite and envy.¹²¹

               Who lives that’s not depravèd¹²² or depraves?

               Who dies that bears not one spurn¹²³ to their graves

               Of¹²⁴ their friends’ gift?

125

125         I should fear those that dance before me now

               Would one day stamp upon me. ’T’as been done:

               Men shut their doors against a setting sun.

       The Lords rise from table, with much adoring of Timon, and to show their loves each single out an Amazon and all dance, men with women, a lofty strain or two to the hautboys, and cease

TIMON

TIMON     You have done¹²⁸ our pleasures much grace, fair ladies,

               Set¹²⁹ a fair fashion on our entertainment,

130

130         Which was not half so beautiful and kind:¹³⁰

               You have added worth unto’t and lustre,

               And entertained me with mine own device.¹³²

               I am to thank you for’t.

FIRST LADY

FIRST LADY     My lord, you take¹³⁴ us even at the best.

135

135 

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS             Faith, for¹³⁵ the worst is filthy, and would not hold taking, I doubt me.

TIMON

TIMON     Ladies, there is an idle¹³⁶ banquet attends you:

               Please you to dispose yourselves.¹³⁷

ALL LADIES

ALL LADIES     Most thankfully, my lord.

       Exeunt [Cupid and Ladies]

TIMON

TIMON     Flavius.

140

140 

FLAVIUS

FLAVIUS             My lord.

TIMON

TIMON     The little casket bring me hither.

FLAVIUS

FLAVIUS     Yes, my lord.— More jewels yet! Aside

               There is no crossing¹⁴³ him in’s humour,

               Else I should tell him well¹⁴⁴ — i’ faith I should —

145

145         When all’s spent, he’d be crossed¹⁴⁵ then, an he could.

               ’Tis pity bounty had¹⁴⁶ not eyes behind,

               That man might ne’er be wretched for his mind.¹⁴⁷

       Exit

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     Where be our men?

SERVANT

SERVANT     Here, my lord, in readiness.

150

150 

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD             Our horses.

       Enter Flavius Carrying the casket

TIMON

TIMON     O, my friends,

               I have one word to say to you: look you, my good lord,

               I must entreat you honour me so much Gives a jewel from the casket

               As to advance¹⁵⁴ this jewel. Accept it and wear it,

155

155         Kind my lord.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     I am so¹⁵⁶ far already in your gifts—

ALL

ALL     So are we all. Timon gives jewels to all

       Enter a Servant

SERVANT

SERVANT     My lord, there are certain nobles of the senate Newly alighted and come to visit you.

160

160 

TIMON

TIMON             They are fairly¹⁶⁰ welcome.

       [Exit Servant]

FLAVIUS

FLAVIUS     I beseech your honour,

               Vouchsafe¹⁶² me a word: it does concern you near.

TIMON

TIMON     Near? Why then, another time I’ll hear thee.

               I prithee, let’s be provided¹⁶⁴ to show them entertainment.

165

165 

FLAVIUS

FLAVIUS             I scarce know how. Aside

       Enter another Servant

SECOND SERVANT

SECOND SERVANT     May it please your honour, Lord Lucius —

               Out of his free¹⁶⁸ love — hath presented to you

               Four milk-white horses trapped¹⁶⁹ in silver.

TIMON

TIMON     I shall accept them fairly. Let the presents

170

170         Be worthily entertained.¹⁷⁰ [Exit Second Servant]

       Enter a Third Servant

               How now? What news?

THIRD SERVANT

THIRD SERVANT     Please you, my lord, that honourable gentleman, Lord Lucullus, entreats your company tomorrow to hunt with him, and has sent your honour two brace¹⁷⁴ of greyhounds.

175

175 

TIMON

TIMON             I’ll hunt with him, and let them be received

               Not without fair¹⁷⁶ reward.

       [Exit Third Servant]

FLAVIUS

FLAVIUS     What will this come to? Aside

               He commands us to provide, and give great gifts,

               And all out of an empty coffer:¹⁷⁹

180

180         Nor will he know his purse,¹⁸⁰ or yield me this,

               To show him what a beggar his heart is,

               Being of no power to make¹⁸² his wishes good.

               His promises fly so beyond his state¹⁸³

               That what he speaks is all in debt, he owes

185

185         For ev’ry word: he is so kind that he now

               Pays interest for’t; his land’s put¹⁸⁶ to their books.

               Well, would¹⁸⁷ I were gently put out of office

               Before I were forced out.

               Happier is he that has no friend to feed

190

190         Than¹⁹⁰ such that do e’en enemies exceed.

               I bleed inwardly for my lord.

       Exit

TIMON

TIMON     You do yourselves To the Lords

               Much wrong, you bate¹⁹³ too much of your own merits.

               Here, my lord, a trifle of our love. Gives a gift to Second Lord

195

195 

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD             With more than common thanks I will receive it.

THIRD LORD

THIRD LORD     O, he’s the very soul of bounty!

TIMON

TIMON     And now I remember, my lord, you gave To First Lord

               Good words¹⁹⁷ the other day of a bay courser¹⁹⁸ I rode on.

               ’Tis yours, because you liked it.

200

200 

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD             O, I beseech you pardon me, my lord, in that.²⁰⁰

TIMON

TIMON     You may take my word, my lord: I know, no man

               Can justly praise but what he does affect.²⁰²

               I weigh²⁰³ my friend’s affection with mine own,

               I’ll tell you true. I’ll call to²⁰⁴ you.

205

205 

ALL LORDS

ALL LORDS             O, none so welcome.

TIMON

TIMON     I take all and your several visitations²⁰⁶

               So kind to heart, ’tis not enough to give:

               Methinks I could deal²⁰⁸ kingdoms to my friends,

               And ne’er be weary.— Alcibiades,

210

210         Thou art a soldier, therefore seldom rich.

               It comes in charity to thee, for all thy living²¹¹ Gives a gift?

               Is ’mongst the dead, and all the lands thou hast

               Lie in a pitched²¹³ field.

ALCIBIADES

ALCIBIADES     Ay, defiled²¹⁴ land, my lord.

215

215 

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD             We are so virtuously bound²¹⁵—

TIMON

TIMON     And so am I to you.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     So infinitely endeared²¹⁷—

TIMON

TIMON     All to you.²¹⁸— Lights, more lights! Calls

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     The best of happiness,

220

220         Honour and fortunes keep with you, Lord Timon!

TIMON

TIMON     Ready for²²¹ his friends.

       Exeunt Lords. [Apemantus and Timon remain]

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     What a coil’s²²² here,

               Serving²²³ of becks and jutting-out of bums!

               I doubt whether their legs²²⁴ be worth the sums

225

225         That are given for ’em. Friendship’s full of dregs:²²⁵

               Methinks false²²⁶ hearts should never have sound legs,

               Thus honest fools lay out their wealth on curtsies.

TIMON

TIMON     Now, Apemantus, if thou wert not sullen I would be good to thee.

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     No, I’ll²²⁹ nothing; for if I should be bribed too, there would be none left to rail upon²³⁰ thee, and then thou wouldst sin the faster. Thou giv’st so long, Timon, I fear me²³¹ thou wilt give away thyself in paper shortly. What needs these feasts, pomps and vainglories?²³²

TIMON

TIMON     Nay, an²³³ you begin to rail on society once, I am sworn not to give regard to you. Farewell, and come²³⁴ with better music.

       Exit

235

235 

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS             So:²³⁵

               Thou²³⁶ wilt not hear me now, thou shalt not then.

               I’ll lock thy heaven²³⁷ from thee.

               O, that men’s ears should be

               To counsel²³⁹ deaf, but not to flattery!

       Exit

[Act 2 Scene 1]2.1

running scene 3

       Enter a Senator With bonds in his hand

SENATOR

SENATOR     And late,¹ five thousand: to Varro and to Isidore

               He owes nine thousand, besides my former sum,

               Which makes it five-and-twenty. Still in motion³

               Of raging waste? It cannot hold,⁴ it will not.

5

5             If I want gold, steal but a beggar’s dog

               And give it Timon, why, the dog coins gold.

               If I would sell my horse, and buy twenty more

               Better than he, why, give my horse to Timon,

               Ask nothing, give it him, it foals⁹ me straight

10

10           And able horses. No porter¹⁰ at his gate,

               But rather one that smiles and still¹¹ invites

               All that pass by. It cannot hold: no reason

               Can sound¹³ his state in safety. Caphis, ho!

               Caphis, I say!

       Enter Caphis

15

15   

CAPHIS

CAPHIS           Here, sir. What is your pleasure?

SENATOR

SENATOR     Get on your cloak, and haste you to Lord Timon.

               Importune¹⁷ him for my moneys. Be not ceased

               With slight¹⁸ denial, nor then silenced when

               ‘Commend me to your master’, and the cap

20

20           Plays in the right hand, thus: but tell him

               My uses²¹ cry to me, I must serve my turn

               Out of mine own,²² his days and times are past

               And my reliances on his fracted²³ dates

               Have smit²⁴ my credit. I love and honour him,

25

25           But must not break my back to heal his finger.

               Immediate are my needs, and my relief²⁶

               Must not be tossed and turned²⁷ to me in words,

               But find supply²⁸ immediate. Get you gone.

               Put on a most importunate²⁹ aspect,

30

30           A visage of demand, for I do fear

               When every feather³¹ sticks in his own wing,

               Lord Timon will be left a naked gull,³²

               Which flashes³³ now a phoenix. Get you gone.

CAPHIS

CAPHIS     I go, sir.

35

35   

SENATOR

SENATOR           ‘I go, sir’? Take the bonds along with you, Gives the bonds

               And have³⁶ the dates in. Come.

CAPHIS

CAPHIS     I will, sir.

SENATOR

SENATOR     Go.

       Exeunt

[Act 2 Scene 2]2.2

running scene 4

       Enter Steward [Flavius], with many bills in his hand

FLAVIUS

FLAVIUS     No care, no stop: so senseless of expense

               That he will neither know² how to maintain it,

               Nor cease his flow of riot,³ takes no account

               How things go from him, nor resume⁴ no care

5

5             Of what⁵ is to continue. Never mind

               Was to be so unwise, to be so kind.

               What shall be done? He will not hear, till feel.⁷

               I must be round⁸ with him, now he comes from hunting.

               Fie, fie, fie, fie!

       Enter Caphis, [meeting Servants of] Isidore and Varro

10

10   

CAPHIS

CAPHIS           Good even, Varro. What, you come for money?

VARRO’S SERVANT

VARRO’S SERVANT     Is’t not your business too?

CAPHIS

CAPHIS     It is: and yours too, Isidore?

ISIDORE’S SERVANT

ISIDORE’S SERVANT     It is so.

CAPHIS

CAPHIS     Would we were all discharged!¹⁴

15

15   

VARRO’S SERVANT

VARRO’S SERVANT           I fear it.¹⁵

CAPHIS

CAPHIS     Here comes the lord.

       Enter Timon and his train [including Alcibiades]

TIMON

TIMON     So soon as dinner’s done, we’ll forth¹⁷ again,

               My Alcibiades.— With me? What is your will? To Caphis

CAPHIS

CAPHIS     My lord, here is a note of certain dues.¹⁹ Gives a bill

20

20   

TIMON

TIMON           Dues? Whence are you?²⁰

CAPHIS

CAPHIS     Of Athens here, my lord.

TIMON

TIMON     Go to my steward.

CAPHIS

CAPHIS     Please it your lordship, he hath put me off

               To²⁴ the succession of new days this month:

25

25           My master is awaked²⁵ by great occasion

               To call²⁶ upon his own, and humbly prays you

               That with²⁷ your other noble parts you’ll suit

               In giving him his right.

TIMON

TIMON     Mine honest friend,

30

30           I prithee but repair³⁰ to me next morning.

CAPHIS

CAPHIS     Nay, good my lord—

TIMON

TIMON     Contain thyself, good friend.

VARRO’S SERVANT

VARRO’S SERVANT     One Varro’s servant, my good lord—

ISIDORE’S SERVANT

ISIDORE’S SERVANT     From Isidore:

35

35           He humbly prays your speedy payment.

CAPHIS

CAPHIS     If you did know, my lord, my master’s wants³⁶—

VARRO’S SERVANT

VARRO’S SERVANT     ’Twas due on forfeiture,³⁷ my lord, six weeks and past.

ISIDORE’S SERVANT

ISIDORE’S SERVANT     Your steward puts me off, my lord, and I

               Am sent expressly to your lordship.

40

40   

TIMON

TIMON           Give me breath.⁴⁰—

               I do beseech you, good my lords, keep on:⁴¹ To his train

               I’ll wait upon⁴² you instantly.—

       [Exeunt Alcibiades and Lords]

               Come hither. Pray you, To Flavius

               How goes⁴⁴ the world that I am thus encountered

45

45           With clamorous demands⁴⁵ of broken bonds

               And the detention⁴⁶ of long-since-due debts,

               Against my honour?⁴⁷

FLAVIUS

FLAVIUS     Please you, gentlemen, To Servants

               The time is unagreeable to⁴⁹ this business:

50

50           Your importunacy cease till after dinner,

               That I may make his lordship understand

               Wherefore you are not paid.

TIMON

TIMON     Do so, my friends.— To Servants

               See them well entertained. To Flavius

       [Exit]

FLAVIUS

FLAVIUS     Pray, draw near.⁵⁴ The Servants start to follow

       Exit

       Enter Apemantus and Fool

CAPHIS

CAPHIS     Stay, stay, here comes the fool with Apemantus: let’s ha’ some sport with ’em.

VARRO’S SERVANT

VARRO’S SERVANT     Hang him, he’ll abuse us.

ISIDORE’S SERVANT

ISIDORE’S SERVANT     A plague upon him, dog!

VARRO’S SERVANT

VARRO’S SERVANT     How dost,⁵⁹ fool?

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Dost⁶⁰ dialogue with thy shadow?

VARRO’S SERVANT

VARRO’S SERVANT     I speak not to thee.

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     No,’tis to thyself.— Come away. To Fool

ISIDORE’S SERVANT

ISIDORE’S SERVANT     There’s⁶³ the fool hangs on your back already.

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     No,⁶⁴ thou stand’st single: thou’rt not on him yet.

CAPHIS

CAPHIS     Where’s the fool now?

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     He⁶⁶ last asked the question. Poor rogues and usurers’ men, bawds between gold and want.⁶⁷

ALL SERVANTS

ALL SERVANTS     What are we, Apemantus?

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Asses.

ALL SERVANTS

ALL SERVANTS     Why?

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     That you ask me what you are, and do not know yourselves. Speak to ’em, fool.

FOOL

FOOL     How do you, gentlemen?

ALL SERVANTS

ALL SERVANTS     Gramercies,⁷⁴ good fool. How does your mistress?

FOOL

FOOL     She’s e’en⁷⁵ setting on water to scald such chickens as you are. Would we could see you at Corinth!⁷⁶

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Good, gramercy.

       Enter Page

FOOL

FOOL     Look you, here comes my master’s page.

PAGE

PAGE     Why, how now, captain? To the Fool What do you in this wise company?— How dost thou, Apemantus?

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Would I had a rod⁸¹ in my mouth, that I might answer thee profitably.

PAGE

PAGE     Prithee, Apemantus, read me the superscription⁸² of these letters: Gives letters I know not which is which.

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Canst not read?

PAGE

PAGE     No.

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     There will little learning die then, that day thou art hanged. This is to Lord Timon, this to Alcibiades. Go, thou wast born a bastard, and thou’lt die a bawd.

PAGE

PAGE     Thou wast whelped⁸⁹ a dog, and thou shalt famish a dog’s death. Answer not, I am gone.

       Exit

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     E’en so thou outrunn’st grace.⁹¹—

               Fool, I will go with you to Lord Timon’s.

FOOL

FOOL     Will you leave me there?

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     If⁹⁴ Timon stay at home.— To Servants You three serve three usurers?

ALL SERVANTS

ALL SERVANTS     Ay: would⁹⁵ they served us!

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     So would I: as good a trick as ever hangman served thief.

FOOL

FOOL     Are you three usurers’ men?

ALL SERVANTS

ALL SERVANTS     Ay, fool.

FOOL

FOOL     I think no usurer but has a fool to⁹⁹ his servant: my mistress is one, and I am her fool¹⁰⁰. When men come to borrow of your masters, they approach sadly¹⁰¹ and go away merry, but they enter my master’s house merrily and go away sadly: the reason of this?

VARRO’S SERVANT

VARRO’S SERVANT     I could render¹⁰³ one.

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Do it then, that we may account thee a whoremaster¹⁰⁴ and a knave, which¹⁰⁵ notwithstanding thou shalt be no less esteemed.

VARRO’S SERVANT

VARRO’S SERVANT     What is a whoremaster, fool?

FOOL

FOOL     A fool in good clothes, and something like thee. ’Tis a spirit: sometime’t appears like a lord, sometime like a lawyer, sometime like a philosopher with two stones¹⁰⁹ more than’s artificial one. He is very often like a knight; and generally in all shapes that man goes¹¹⁰ up and down in from fourscore to thirteen, this spirit walks in.

VARRO’S SERVANT

VARRO’S SERVANT     Thou art not altogether a fool.

FOOL

FOOL     Nor thou altogether a wise man: as much foolery as I have, so much wit thou lack’st.

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     That answer might have become¹¹⁵ Apemantus.

ALL SERVANTS

ALL SERVANTS     Aside, aside, here comes Lord Timon.

       Enter Timon and Steward

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Come with me, fool, come.

FOOL

FOOL     I do not always follow lover,¹¹⁸ elder brother and woman: sometime the philosopher.

       [Exeunt Apemantus and Fool]

120

120 

FLAVIUS

FLAVIUS             Pray you walk near:¹²⁰ I’ll speak with you anon.

       Exeunt [Servants]

TIMON

TIMON     You make me marvel¹²¹ wherefore ere this time

               Had you not fully laid my state before me,

               That I might so have rated¹²³ my expense

               As I had leave of means?

125

125 

FLAVIUS

FLAVIUS             You would not hear me:

               At many leisures¹²⁶ I proposed.

TIMON

TIMON     Go to:¹²⁷

               Perchance¹²⁸ some single vantages you took

               When my indisposition¹²⁹ put you back,

130

130         And that¹³⁰ unaptness made your minister

               Thus to excuse yourself.

FLAVIUS

FLAVIUS     O my good lord,

               At many times I brought in my accounts,

               Laid them before you: you would throw them off,

135

135         And say, you found¹³⁵ them in mine honesty.

               When for some trifling present you have bid me

               Return so much, I have shook my head and wept:

               Yea, gainst¹³⁸ th’authority of manners prayed you

               To hold your hand more close.¹³⁹ I did endure

140

140         Not seldom, nor no slight checks¹⁴⁰ when I have

               Prompted you in¹⁴¹ the ebb of your estate

               And your great flow of debts. My loved lord,

               Though you hear now too late, yet now’s a time:¹⁴³

               The greatest¹⁴⁴ of your having lacks a half

145

145         To pay your present debts.

TIMON

TIMON     Let all my land be sold.

FLAVIUS

FLAVIUS     ’Tis all engaged,¹⁴⁷ some forfeited and gone,

               And what remains will hardly stop¹⁴⁸ the mouth

               Of present dues.¹⁴⁹ The future comes apace:

150

150         What shall defend the interim,¹⁵⁰ and at length

               How goes our reck’ning?¹⁵¹

TIMON

TIMON     To Lacedaemon¹⁵² did my land extend.

FLAVIUS

FLAVIUS     O, my good lord, the world is but a word:

               Were it all yours to give it in a breath,

155

155         How quickly were it gone!

TIMON

TIMON     You tell me true.

FLAVIUS

FLAVIUS     If you suspect my husbandry¹⁵⁷ or falsehood,

               Call me before th’exactest auditors¹⁵⁸

               And set me on the proof.¹⁵⁹ So the gods bless me,

160

160         When all our offices¹⁶⁰ have been oppressed

               With riotous feeders,¹⁶¹ when our vaults have wept

               With drunken spilth¹⁶² of wine, when every room

               Hath blazed with lights and brayed with minstrelsy,¹⁶³

               I have retired me to a wasteful cock,¹⁶⁴

165

165         And set¹⁶⁵ mine eyes at flow.

TIMON

TIMON     Prithee, no more.

FLAVIUS

FLAVIUS     Heavens, have I said, the bounty of this lord!

               How many prodigal bits¹⁶⁸ have slaves and peasants

               This night englutted!¹⁶⁹ Who is not Timon’s?

170

170         What heart, head, sword, force, means, but is

               Lord Timon’s?

               Great Timon, noble, worthy, royal Timon!

               Ah, when the means are gone that buy this praise,

               The breath is gone whereof this praise is made:

175

175         Feast-won, fast-lost;¹⁷⁵ one cloud of winter show’rs,

               These flies are couched.¹⁷⁶

TIMON

TIMON     Come, sermon¹⁷⁷ me no further:

               No villainous¹⁷⁸ bounty yet hath passed my heart;

               Unwisely, not ignobly, have I given.

180

180         Why dost thou weep? Canst thou the conscience¹⁸⁰ lack,

               To think I shall lack friends? Secure thy heart:

               If I would broach¹⁸² the vessels of my love

               And try¹⁸³ the argument of hearts by borrowing,

               Men and men’s fortunes could I frankly¹⁸⁴ use

185

185         As I can bid thee speak.

FLAVIUS

FLAVIUS     Assurance¹⁸⁶ bless your thoughts!

TIMON

TIMON     And in some sort¹⁸⁷ these wants of mine are crowned

               That I account¹⁸⁸ them blessings, for by these

               Shall I try friends: you shall perceive how you

190

190         Mistake my fortunes. I am wealthy in my friends.—

               Within there, Flaminius, Servilius! Calls

       Enter three Servants

SERVANTS

SERVANTS     My lord, my lord.

TIMON

TIMON     I will dispatch you severally:¹⁹³ you to Lord Lucius,— To Servilius

               to Lord Lucullus you — I hunted with his honour today— To Flaminius

               you to Sempronius. To Third Servant Commend me to their loves, and I am proud, say, that my occasions¹⁹⁶ have found time to use ’em toward a supply of money: let the request be fifty talents.

FLAMINIUS

FLAMINIUS     As you have said, my lord.

       [Exeunt the Servants]

FLAVIUS

FLAVIUS     Lord Lucius and Lucullus? Hum!¹⁹⁹ Aside

200

200 

TIMON

TIMON             Go you, sir, to the senators —

               Of whom, even to the state’s best health,²⁰¹ I have

               Deserved this hearing — bid ’em send o’th’instant

               A thousand talents to me.

FLAVIUS

FLAVIUS     I have been bold —

205

205         For that²⁰⁵ I knew it the most general way —

               To them to use your signet²⁰⁶ and your name,

               But they do shake their heads, and I am here

               No richer in return.

TIMON

TIMON     Is’t true? Can’t be?

210

210 

FLAVIUS

FLAVIUS             They answer in a joint and corporate²¹⁰ voice

               That now they are at fall,²¹¹ want treasure, cannot

               Do what they would, are sorry, you are honourable,

               But yet they could have wished — they know not —

               Something hath been amiss, a noble nature

215

215         May catch a wrench²¹⁵ — would all were well — ’tis pity.

               And so, intending²¹⁶ other serious matters,

               After distasteful looks and these hard fractions,²¹⁷

               With certain half-caps²¹⁸ and cold-moving nods

               They froze me into silence.

220

220 

TIMON

TIMON             You gods reward them!

               Prithee, man, look cheerly.²²¹ These old fellows

               Have their ingratitude in them hereditary:²²²

               Their blood is caked,²²³ ’tis cold, it seldom flows:

               ’Tis²²⁴ lack of kindly warmth they are not kind;

225

225         And nature, as it grows²²⁵ again toward earth,

               Is fashioned for the journey, dull²²⁶ and heavy.—

               Go to Ventidius.— Prithee be not sad: To a Servant/To Flavius

               Thou art true and honest; ingeniously²²⁸ I speak.

               No blame belongs to thee.— Ventidius lately To Servant

230

230         Buried his father, by whose death he’s stepped²³⁰

               Into a great estate: when he was poor,

               Imprisoned and in scarcity of friends,

               I cleared him with five talents. Greet him from me,

               Bid him suppose some good necessity²³⁴

235

235         Touches his friend, which craves to be remembered

               With those five talents.—

       [Exit Servant]

               That had, give’t these fellows To Flavius

               To whom ’tis instant due. Ne’er speak or think

               That Timon’s fortunes ’mong his friends can sink.

FLAVIUS

FLAVIUS     I would I could not think it: that²³⁹ thought is bounty’s foe;

240

240         Being free²⁴⁰ itself, it thinks all others so.

       Exeunt

[Act 3 Scene 1]3.1

running scene 5

       [Enter] Flaminius waiting to speak with a Lord from his master, enters a Servant to him

SERVANT

SERVANT     I have told my lord of you: he is coming down to you.

FLAMINIUS

FLAMINIUS     I thank you, sir.

       Enter Lucullus

SERVANT

SERVANT     Here’s my lord.

LUCULLUS

LUCULLUS     One of Lord Timon’s men? A gift, I warrant.⁴ Why, this hits right: Aside I dreamt of a silver basin and ewer⁵ tonight.— Flaminius, honest Flaminius, you are very respectively⁶ welcome, sir.— To Servant Fill me some wine.—

               And how does that honourable, complete,⁷ free-hearted gentleman of Athens, thy very bountiful good lord and master?

       [Exit Servant]

FLAMINIUS

FLAMINIUS     His health is well sir.

LUCULLUS

LUCULLUS     I am right glad that his health is well, sir. And what hast thou there under thy cloak, pretty¹¹ Flaminius?

FLAMINIUS

FLAMINIUS     Faith, nothing but an empty box, sir, which in¹² my lord’s behalf I come to entreat your honour to supply,¹³ who, having great and instant occasion to use fifty talents, hath sent to your lordship to furnish¹⁴ him, nothing doubting your present¹⁵ assistance therein.

LUCULLUS

LUCULLUS     La,¹⁶ la, la, la! ‘Nothing doubting’ says he? Alas, good lord! A noble gentleman ’tis, if he would not keep so¹⁷ good a house. Many a time and often I ha’ dined with him, and told him on’t,¹⁸ and come again to supper to him of purpose to have him¹⁹ spend less, and yet he would embrace no counsel, take no warning by my coming. Every man has his fault, and honesty²⁰ is his: I ha’ told him on’t, but I could ne’er get him from’t.

       Enter Servant with wine

SERVANT

SERVANT     Please your lordship, here is the wine.

LUCULLUS

LUCULLUS     Flaminius, I have noted thee always wise. Here’s to thee. Toasts

FLAMINIUS

FLAMINIUS     Your lordship speaks your pleasure.²⁴

LUCULLUS

LUCULLUS     I have observed thee always for a towardly²⁵ prompt spirit, give thee thy due, and one that knows what belongs to reason; and canst use the time well, if the time use²⁷ thee well. Good parts in thee.— To Servant Get you gone, sirrah.—

       [Exit Servant]

               Draw nearer, honest Flaminius. Thy lord’s a bountiful gentleman, but thou art wise, and thou know’st well enough — although thou com’st to me — that this is no time to lend money, especially upon bare³⁰ friendship without security. Gives money Here’s three solidares³¹ for thee. Good boy, wink at me and say thou saw’st me not. Fare thee well.

FLAMINIUS

FLAMINIUS     Is’t possible the world should so much differ,³³

               And we alive that lived? Fly, damnèd baseness,

35

35           To him that worships thee. Throws back the money

LUCULLUS

LUCULLUS     Ha? Now I see thou art a fool, and fit for thy master.

       Exit

FLAMINIUS

FLAMINIUS     May these³⁷ add to the number that may scald thee!

               Let molten³⁸ coin be thy damnation,

               Thou disease of a friend, and not himself!³⁹

40

40           Has friendship such a faint and milky⁴⁰ heart,

               It turns⁴¹ in less than two nights? O you gods,

               I feel my master’s passion!⁴² This slave

               Unto his honour has my⁴³ lord’s meat in him:

               Why should it thrive and turn to nutriment,⁴⁴

45

45           When he is turned to poison?

               O, may diseases only work upon’t!

               And when he’s sick to death, let not that part of nature

               Which my lord paid for be of any power

               To expel sickness, but prolong his hour.⁴⁹

       Exit

[Act 3 Scene 2]3.2

running scene 6

       Enter Lucius with three Strangers

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     Who, the Lord Timon? He is my very good friend, and an honourable gentleman.

FIRST STRANGER

FIRST STRANGER     We know him for³ no less, though we are but strangers to him. But I can tell you one thing, my lord, and which I hear from common rumours: now Lord Timon’s happy hours are done and past, and his estate shrinks from him.

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     Fie, no, do not believe it: he cannot want for money.

SECOND STRANGER

SECOND STRANGER     But believe you this, my lord, that not long ago, one of his men was with the lord Lucullus to borrow so many talents — nay, urged extremely for’t and showed what necessity⁹ belonged to’t, and yet was denied.

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     How?¹⁰

SECOND STRANGER

SECOND STRANGER     I tell you, denied, my lord.

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     What a strange case was that? Now before the gods, I am ashamed on’t. Denied that honourable man? There was very little honour showed in’t. For my own part, I must needs confess I have received some small kindnesses from him, as money, plate, jewels and such-like trifles — nothing comparing to his:¹⁵ yet, had he mistook him¹⁶ and sent to me, I should ne’er have denied his occasion so many talents.

       Enter Servilius

SERVILIUS

SERVILIUS     See, by good hap,¹⁸ yonder’s my lord: Aside

               I have sweat¹⁹ to see his honour.— My honoured lord.— To Lucius

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     Servilius! You are kindly met, sir. Fare thee well: commend me to thy honourable virtuous lord, my very exquisite²¹ friend.

SERVILIUS

SERVILIUS     May it please your honour, my lord hath sent—

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     Ha? What has he sent? I am so much endeared²³ to that lord; he’s ever sending: how shall I thank him, think’st thou? And what has he sent now?

SERVILIUS

SERVILIUS     Has only sent his present occasion²⁵ now, my lord, requesting your lordship to supply his instant use²⁶ with so many talents. Presents a note

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     I know his lordship is but merry²⁷ with me:

               He cannot want fifty— five hundred talents! Reads the note

SERVILIUS

SERVILIUS     But in the meantime he wants less, my lord.

30

30           If his occasion were not virtuous,³⁰

               I should not urge it half so faithfully.

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     Dost thou speak seriously, Servilius?

SERVILIUS

SERVILIUS     Upon my soul, ’tis true, sir.

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     What a wicked beast was I to disfurnish myself against³⁴ such a good time, when I might ha’ shown myself honourable! How unluckily it happened that I should purchase³⁶ the day before for a little part, and undo a great deal of honour. Servilius, now before the gods, I am not able to do — the more beast, I say — I was sending to use³⁸ Lord Timon myself — these gentlemen can witness — but I would³⁹ not, for the wealth of Athens, I had done’t now. Commend me bountifully to his good lordship, and I hope his honour will conceive the fairest⁴⁰ of me because I have no power to be kind:⁴¹ and tell him this from me, I count it one of my greatest afflictions, say, that I cannot pleasure⁴² such an honourable gentleman. Good Servilius, will you befriend⁴³ me so far, as to use mine own words to him?

SERVILIUS

SERVILIUS     Yes, sir, I shall.

       Exit Servilius

45

45   

LUCIUS

LUCIUS           I’ll look⁴⁵ you out a good turn, Servilius.— Calls after him

               True as you said, Timon is shrunk⁴⁶ indeed:

               And he that’s once denied will hardly speed.⁴⁷

       Exit

FIRST STRANGER

FIRST STRANGER     Do you observe this, Hostilius?

SECOND STRANGER

SECOND STRANGER     Ay, too well.

50

50   

FIRST STRANGER

FIRST STRANGER           Why, this is the world’s soul,⁵⁰ and just of the same piece

               Is every flatterer’s sport. Who can call him his friend

               That dips⁵² in the same dish? For, in my knowing,

               Timon has been⁵³ this lord’s father,

               And kept his⁵⁴ credit with his purse,

55

55           Supported his estate: nay, Timon’s money

               Has paid his men their wages. He ne’er drinks,

               But Timon’s silver treads⁵⁷ upon his lip,

               And yet — O, see the monstrousness⁵⁸ of man

               When he looks out⁵⁹ in an ungrateful shape! —

60

               He does deny him, in⁶⁰ respect of his,

               What charitable men afford to beggars.

THIRD STRANGER

THIRD STRANGER     Religion groans at it.

FIRST STRANGER

FIRST STRANGER     For mine own part,

               I never tasted⁶⁴ Timon in my life,

65

65           Nor came any of his bounties over⁶⁵ me

               To mark me for his friend: yet I protest,

               For his right noble mind, illustrious virtue

               And honourable carriage,⁶⁸

               Had his necessity made use of me

70

70           I would have put⁷⁰ my wealth into donation,

               And the best half should have returned to him,

               So much I love his heart. But I perceive

               Men must learn now with⁷³ pity to dispense,

               For policy⁷⁴ sits above conscience.

       Exeunt

[Act 3 Scene 3]*

running scene 7

       Enter a third Servant with Sempronius, another of Timon’s friends

SEMPRONIUS

SEMPRONIUS     Must he needs trouble me in’t. Hum! ’Bove all others?

               He might have tried Lord Lucius or Lucullus,

               And now Ventidius is wealthy too,

               Whom he redeemed from prison: all these

5

5             Owes their estates unto him.

SERVANT

SERVANT     My lord,

               They have all been touched⁷ and found base metal,

               For they have all denied him.

SEMPRONIUS

SEMPRONIUS     How? Have they denied him?

10

10           Has Ventidius and Lucullus denied him,

               And does he send to me? Three? Hum!

               It shows but little love or judgement in him.

               Must I be his last refuge? His friends, like physicians,

               Thrive,¹⁴ give him over: must I take th’cure upon me?

15

15           He’s much disgraced me in’t: I’m angry at him,

               That¹⁶ might have known my place. I see no sense for’t,

               But his occasions might have wooed me first,

               For, in my conscience,¹⁸ I was the first man

               That e’er receivèd gift from him:

20

20           And does he think so backwardly²⁰ of me now

               That I’ll requite²¹ it last? No:

               So it may prove an argument²² of laughter

               To th’rest, and ’mongst lords be thought a fool.

               I’d rather than the worth of thrice the sum,

25

25           Had²⁵ sent to me first, but for my mind’s sake:

               I’d such a courage²⁶ to do him good. But now return,

               And with their faint²⁷ reply this answer join:

               Who bates²⁸ mine honour shall not know my coin.

       Exit

SERVANT

SERVANT     Excellent. Your lordship’s a goodly²⁹ villain. The devil knew not what he did when he made man politic;³⁰ he crossed himself by’t, and I cannot think but in the end the villainies of man will set him clear.³¹ How fairly this lord strives to appear foul!³² Takes virtuous copies to be wicked, like those that under hot ardent zeal would set³³ whole realms on fire: of such a nature is his politic love.

               This was my lord’s best hope. Now all are fled,

35

35           Save only the gods. Now his friends are dead.³⁵

               Doors that were ne’er acquainted with their wards³⁶

               Many³⁷ a bounteous year must be employed

               Now to guard sure³⁸ their master.

               And this is all a liberal³⁹ course allows:

40

40           Who cannot keep his wealth must keep his house.⁴⁰

       Exit

[Act 3 Scene 4]3.4

running scene 8

       Enter Varro’s man meeting others: all Timon’s creditors to wait for his coming out. Then Enter [a Servant of] Lucius, [Titus] and Hortensius

VARRO’S FIRST SERVANT

VARRO’S FIRST SERVANT     Well met: good morrow, Titus and Hortensius.

TITUS

TITUS     The like to you, kind Varro.

HORTENSIUS

HORTENSIUS     Lucius, what, do we meet together?

LUCIUS’ SERVANT

LUCIUS’ SERVANT     Ay, and I think one business does command us all,

5

5             For mine is money.

TITUS

TITUS     So is theirs and ours.

       Enter Philotus

LUCIUS’ SERVANT

LUCIUS’ SERVANT     And Sir Philotus too!

PHILOTUS

PHILOTUS     Good day at once.⁸

LUCIUS’ SERVANT

LUCIUS’ SERVANT     Welcome, good brother.

10

10           What do you think the hour?¹⁰

PHILOTUS

PHILOTUS     Labouring for¹¹ nine.

LUCIUS’ SERVANT

LUCIUS’ SERVANT     So much?¹²

PHILOTUS

PHILOTUS     Is not my lord seen yet?

LUCIUS’ SERVANT

LUCIUS’ SERVANT     Not yet.

15

15   

PHILOTUS

PHILOTUS           I wonder on’t:¹⁵ he was wont to shine at seven.

LUCIUS’ SERVANT

LUCIUS’ SERVANT     Ay, but the days are waxed¹⁶ shorter with him:

               You must consider that a prodigal¹⁷ course

               Is like the sun’s,¹⁸

               But not, like his, recoverable. I fear

20

20           ’Tis deepest winter in Lord Timon’s purse: that is,

               One may reach deep enough, and yet find little.

PHILOTUS

PHILOTUS     I am of²² your fear for that.

TITUS

TITUS     I’ll show you how t’observe²³ a strange event.

               Your lord sends now for money?

25

25   

HORTENSIUS

HORTENSIUS           Most true, he does.

TITUS

TITUS     And he wears jewels now of Timon’s gift,

               For²⁷ which I wait for money.

HORTENSIUS

HORTENSIUS     It is against my heart.²⁸

LUCIUS’ SERVANT

LUCIUS’ SERVANT     Mark²⁹ how strange it shows:

30

30           Timon in this should pay more than he owes,

               And e’en³¹ as if your lord should wear rich jewels,

               And send for money for ’em.

HORTENSIUS

HORTENSIUS     I’m weary of this charge,³³ the gods can witness:

               I know my lord hath spent of Timon’s wealth,

35

35           And now ingratitude makes it worse than stealth.³⁵

VARRO’S FIRST SERVANT

VARRO’S FIRST SERVANT     Yes, mine’s three thousand crowns: what’s yours?

LUCIUS’ SERVANT

LUCIUS’ SERVANT     Five thousand mine.

VARRO’S FIRST SERVANT

VARRO’S FIRST SERVANT     ’Tis much deep,³⁸ and it should seem by th’sum,

               Your master’s confidence³⁹ was above mine,

40

40           Else surely his had equalled.⁴⁰

       Enter Flaminius

TITUS

TITUS     One of Lord Timon’s men.

LUCIUS’ SERVANT

LUCIUS’ SERVANT      Flaminius! Sir, a word: pray, is my lord ready to come forth?

FLAMINIUS

FLAMINIUS     No, indeed, he is not.

TITUS

TITUS     We attend⁴⁴ his lordship: pray signify so much.

FLAMINIUS

FLAMINIUS     I need not tell him that: he knows you are too diligent.⁴⁵

       [Exit]

       Enter Steward [Flavius] in a cloak, muffled

LUCIUS’ SERVANT

LUCIUS’ SERVANT      Ha? Is not that his steward muffled so? He goes away in a cloud.⁴⁷ Call him, call him.

TITUS

TITUS     Do you hear, sir?

VARRO’S SECOND SERVANT

VARRO’S SECOND SERVANT     By your leave, sir—

FLAVIUS

FLAVIUS     What do ye ask of me, my friend?

TITUS

TITUS     We wait for certain⁵¹ money here, sir.

FLAVIUS

FLAVIUS     Ay,

               If money were as certain as your waiting,

               ’Twere sure enough.

55

55           Why then preferred⁵⁵ you not your sums and bills

               When your false⁵⁶ masters eat of my lord’s meat?

               Then they could smile and fawn⁵⁷ upon his debts

               And take down⁵⁸ th’interest into their glutt’nous maws.

               You do yourselves but wrong to stir me up:⁵⁹

60

60           Let me pass quietly.

               Believe’t, my lord and I have made an end:⁶¹

               I have no more to reckon,⁶² he to spend.

LUCIUS’ SERVANT

LUCIUS’ SERVANT     Ay, but this answer will not serve.⁶³

FLAVIUS

FLAVIUS     If ’twill not serve, ’tis not so base⁶⁴ as you,

65

65           For you serve knaves.

       [Exit]

VARRO’S FIRST SERVANT

VARRO’S FIRST SERVANT     How? What does his cashiered⁶⁶ worship mutter?

VARRO’S SECOND SERVANT

VARRO’S SECOND SERVANT     No matter what: he’s poor, and that’s revenge enough. Who can speak broader⁶⁸ than he that has no house to put his head in? Such may rail⁶⁹ against great buildings.

       Enter Servilius

TITUS

TITUS     O, here’s Servilius: now we shall know some answer.

SERVILIUS

SERVILIUS     If I might beseech you, gentlemen, to repair⁷¹ some other hour, I should derive much from’t, for, take’t⁷² of my soul, my lord leans wondrously to discontent: his comfortable⁷³ temper has forsook him; he’s much out of health, and keeps⁷⁴ his chamber.

75

75   

LUCIUS’ SERVANT

LUCIUS’ SERVANT            Many do keep their chambers are not sick,

               And if⁷⁶ it be so far beyond his health,

               Methinks he should the sooner pay his debts

               And make⁷⁸ a clear way to the gods.

SERVILIUS

SERVILIUS     Good gods!

80

80   

TITUS

TITUS           We cannot take this for answer, sir.

FLAMINIUS

FLAMINIUS     Servilius, help! My lord, my lord!

       Within

       Enter Timon, in a rage

TIMON

TIMON     What, are my doors opposed against my passage?⁸²

               Have I been ever free,⁸³ and must my house

               Be my retentive⁸⁴ enemy, my jail?

85

85           The place which I have feasted, does it now,

               Like all mankind, show me an iron heart?

LUCIUS’ SERVANT

LUCIUS’ SERVANT     Put in⁸⁷ now, Titus.

TITUS

TITUS     My lord, here is my bill.

LUCIUS’ SERVANT

LUCIUS’ SERVANT     Here’s mine.

90

90   

HORTENSIUS

HORTENSIUS           And mine, my lord.

VARRO’S FIRST and SECOND SERVANTS

VARRO’S FIRST and SECOND SERVANTS     And ours, my lord.

PHILOTUS

PHILOTUS     All our bills.

TIMON

TIMON     Knock⁹³ me down with ’em: cleave me to the girdle.

LUCIUS’ SERVANT

LUCIUS’ SERVANT     Alas, my lord.

95

95   

TIMON

TIMON           Cut my heart in sums.⁹⁵

TITUS

TITUS     Mine, fifty talents.

TIMON

TIMON     Tell⁹⁷ out my blood

LUCIUS’ SERVANT

LUCIUS’ SERVANT     Five thousand crowns, my lord.

TIMON

TIMON     Five thousand drops pays that. What yours? And yours?

100

100 

VARRO’S FIRST SERVANT

VARRO’S FIRST SERVANT             My lord—

VARRO’S SECOND SERVANT

VARRO’S SECOND SERVANT     My lord—

TIMON

TIMON     Tear me, take me, and the gods fall upon¹⁰² you!

       Exit Timon

HORTENSIUS

HORTENSIUS     ’Faith, I perceive our masters may throw¹⁰³ their caps at their money: these debts may well be called desperate¹⁰⁴ ones, for a madman owes ’em.

       Exeunt

Act 3 Scene 53.5

running scene 8 continues

       Enter Timon [and Flavius]

TIMON

TIMON     They have e’en put¹ my breath from me, the slaves.

               Creditors? Devils!

FLAVIUS

FLAVIUS     My dear lord—

TIMON

TIMON     What⁴ if it should be so?

5

5     

FLAVIUS

FLAVIUS         My lord—

TIMON

TIMON     I’ll have it so. My steward!

FLAVIUS

FLAVIUS     Here, my lord.

TIMON

TIMON     So fitly?⁸ Go, bid all my friends again,

               Lucius, Lucullus, and Sempronius — all luxurs,⁹ all.

10

10           I’ll once more feast the rascals.

FLAVIUS

FLAVIUS     O my lord,

               You only speak from your distracted¹² soul;

               There’s not so much left to furnish out

               A moderate table.

15

15   

TIMON

TIMON           Be¹⁵ it not in thy care: go,

               I charge thee, invite them all. Let in the tide

               Of knaves once more: my cook and I’ll provide.

       Exeunt

[Act 3 Scene 6]3.6

running scene 9

       Enter three Senators at one door, Alcibiades meeting them, with Attendants

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR     My lord, you have my voice¹ to it. The fault’s

               Bloody:² ’tis necessary he should die.

               Nothing emboldens³ sin so much as mercy.

SECOND SENATOR

SECOND SENATOR     Most true; the law shall bruise⁴ ’em.

5

5     

ALCIBIADES

ALCIBIADES         Honour, health, and compassion to the senate! Comes forward

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR     Now, captain.

ALCIBIADES

ALCIBIADES     I am an humble suitor to your virtues;⁷

               For pity is the virtue of the law,

               And none but tyrants use it cruelly.

10

10           It pleases time and fortune to lie heavy

               Upon a friend of mine, who in hot blood¹¹

               Hath stepped into¹² the law, which is past depth

               To those that, without heed,¹³ do plunge into’t.

               He is a man, setting his fate¹⁴ aside,

15

15           Of comely¹⁵ virtues:

               Nor did he soil¹⁶ the fact with cowardice —

               And honour in him which buys out¹⁷ his fault —

               But with a noble fury and fair¹⁸ spirit,

               Seeing his reputation touched to death,¹⁹

20

20           He did oppose his foe,

               And with such sober²¹ and unnoted passion

               He did behave²² his anger, ere ’twas spent,

               As if he had but²³ proved an argument.

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR     You undergo²⁴ too strict a paradox,

25

25           Striving to make an ugly deed look fair:

               Your words have took such pains as if they laboured

               To bring manslaughter into form²⁷ and set quarrelling

               Upon the head²⁸ of valour; which indeed

               Is valour misbegot²⁹ and came into the world

30

30           When sects and factions were newly born.

               He’s truly valiant that can wisely suffer³¹

               The worst that man can breathe,³²

               And make his wrongs³³ his outsides,

               To wear them like his raiment,³⁴ carelessly,

35

35           And ne’er prefer³⁵ his injuries to his heart

               To bring it into danger.

               If wrongs³⁷ be evils and enforce us kill,

               What folly ’tis to hazard life for ill!³⁸

ALCIBIADES

ALCIBIADES     My lord—

40

40   

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR           You cannot make gross⁴⁰ sins look clear:

               To revenge is no valour, but to bear.⁴¹

ALCIBIADES

ALCIBIADES     My lords, then, under favour,⁴² pardon me

               If I speak like a captain.⁴³

               Why do fond⁴⁴ men expose themselves to battle,

45

45           And not endure all threats? Sleep upon’t,

               And let the foes quietly cut their throats

               Without repugnancy?⁴⁷ If there be

               Such valour in the bearing, what⁴⁸ make we

               Abroad? Why then, women are more valiant

50

50           That stay at home, if bearing⁵⁰ carry it.

               And the ass more captain than the lion, the fellow

               Loaden with irons⁵² wiser than the judge,

               If wisdom be in suffering. O my lords,

               As you are great, be pitifully good.

55

55           Who cannot condemn rashness in cold blood?

               To kill, I grant, is sin’s extremest gust,⁵⁶

               But in defence, by mercy,⁵⁷ ’tis most just.

               To be in anger is impiety,

               But who is man that is not angry?

60

60           Weigh⁶⁰ but the crime with this.

SECOND SENATOR

SECOND SENATOR     You breathe⁶¹ in vain.

ALCIBIADES

ALCIBIADES     In vain? His service done

               At Lacedaemon⁶³ and Byzantium

               Were a sufficient briber⁶⁴ for his life.

65

65   

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR           What’s that?

ALCIBIADES

ALCIBIADES     Why, I say, my lords, he’s done fair service,

               And slain in fight many of your enemies:

               How full of valour did he bear himself

               In the last conflict, and made plenteous wounds!

70

70   

SECOND SENATOR

SECOND SENATOR           He has made⁷⁰ too much plenty with ’em.

               He’s a sworn rioter: he has a sin⁷¹

               That often drowns him, and takes his valour prisoner:

               If there were no foes, that were enough

               To overcome him. In⁷⁴ that beastly fury

75

75           He has been known to commit outrages

               And cherish factions:⁷⁶ ’tis inferred to us,

               His days are foul and his drink dangerous.

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR     He dies.

ALCIBIADES

ALCIBIADES     Hard fate! He might have died in war.

80

80           My lords, if not for any parts⁸⁰ in him —

               Though his right⁸¹ arm might purchase his own time

               And be in debt to none — yet, more to move you,

               Take my deserts⁸³ to his and join ’em both.

               And for⁸⁴ I know

85

85           Your reverend ages love security,⁸⁵

               I’ll pawn⁸⁶ my victories, all my honour to you,

               Upon⁸⁷ his good returns.

               If by this crime he owes the law his life,

               Why, let the war receive’t in valiant gore,⁸⁹

90

90           For law is strict, and war is nothing more.

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR     We are for law: he dies: urge it no more

               On⁹² height of our displeasure. Friend or brother,

               He forfeits his own blood that spills another.

ALCIBIADES

ALCIBIADES     Must it be so? It must not be.

95

95           My lords, I do beseech you know⁹⁵ me.

SECOND SENATOR

SECOND SENATOR     How?

ALCIBIADES

ALCIBIADES     Call me to your remembrances.

THIRD SENATOR

THIRD SENATOR     What?

ALCIBIADES

ALCIBIADES     I cannot think but your age has forgot me:

100

100         It could not else be, I should prove so base

               To sue¹⁰¹ and be denied such common grace.

               My wounds ache at you.

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR     Do you dare our anger?

               ’Tis in few words, but spacious in effect:¹⁰⁴

105

105         We banish thee for ever.

ALCIBIADES

ALCIBIADES     Banish me?

               Banish your dotage,¹⁰⁷ banish usury

               That makes the senate ugly.

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR     If after two days’ shine¹⁰⁹ Athens contain thee,

110

110         Attend¹¹⁰ our weightier judgement. And, not to swell our spirit,

               He shall be executed presently.¹¹¹

       Exeunt [Senators]

ALCIBIADES

ALCIBIADES     Now the gods keep you old enough that you may live

               Only in bone,¹¹³ that none may look on you!

               I’m worse than mad: I have kept back their foes

115

115         While they have told¹¹⁵ their money and let out

               Their coin upon large interest, I myself

               Rich only in large hurts. All those for this?

               Is this the balsam¹¹⁸ that the usuring senate

               Pours into captains’ wounds? Banishment!

120

120         It comes not ill:¹²⁰ I hate not to be banished.

               It is a cause worthy¹²¹ my spleen and fury,

               That I may strike at Athens. I’ll cheer up

               My discontented troops, and lay for¹²³ hearts.

               ’Tis honour with most lands to be at odds.¹²⁴

125

125         Soldiers should brook¹²⁵ as little wrongs as gods.

       Exit

[Act 3 Scene 7]3.7

running scene 10

       Enter divers friends [Lords and Senators] at several doors

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     The good time of day to you, sir.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     I also wish it to you. I think this honourable lord did but try² us this other day.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     Upon that were my thoughts tiring⁴ when we encountered. I hope it is not so low⁵ with him as he made it seem in the trial of his several friends.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     It should not be, by the persuasion⁶ of his new feasting.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     I should think so: he hath sent me an earnest inviting, which many⁷ my near occasions did urge me to put off, but he hath conjured⁸ me beyond them, and I must needs appear.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     In like manner was I in debt¹⁰ to my importunate business, but he would not hear my excuse. I am sorry when he sent to borrow of me that my provision¹¹ was out.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     I am sick of¹³ that grief too, as I understand how all things go.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     Every man here’s so.¹⁴ What would he have borrowed of you?

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     A thousand pieces.¹⁵

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     A thousand pieces?

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     What of you?

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     He sent to me, sir — here he comes.

       Enter Timon and Attendants

TIMON

TIMON     With¹⁹ all my heart, gentlemen both; and how fare you?

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     Ever at the best, hearing well of your lordship.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     The swallow follows not summer more willing than we your lordship.

TIMON

TIMON     Nor²² more willingly leaves winter, such summer birds are men.— Aside

               Gentlemen, our dinner will not recompense this long stay.²³ Feast your ears with the music awhile, if²⁴ they will fare so harshly o’th’trumpet’s sound: we shall to’t presently.²⁵

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     I hope it²⁶ remains not unkindly with your lordship that I returned you an empty messenger.

TIMON

TIMON     O, sir, let it not trouble you.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     My noble lord—

TIMON

TIMON     Ah, my good friend, what cheer?³⁰

       The banquet brought in

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     My most honourable lord, I am e’en sick of shame, that, when your lordship this other day sent to me, I was so³² unfortunate a beggar.

TIMON

TIMON     Think not on’t, sir.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     If you had sent but two hours before,—

TIMON

TIMON     Let it not cumber³⁵ your better remembrance.—

               Come, bring in all together. To Servants, who bring in covered dishes

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     All covered dishes!³⁷

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     Royal cheer,³⁸ I warrant you.

THIRD LORD

THIRD LORD     Doubt not that, if money and the season can yield it.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     How do you? What’s the news?

THIRD LORD

THIRD LORD     Alcibiades is banished: hear you of it?

FIRST and SECOND LORDS

FIRST and SECOND LORDS     Alcibiades banished?

THIRD LORD

THIRD LORD     ’Tis so, be sure of it.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     How? How?

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     I pray you upon what?⁴⁵

TIMON

TIMON     My worthy friends, will you draw near?

THIRD LORD

THIRD LORD     I’ll tell you more anon. Here’s a noble feast toward.⁴⁷

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     This is the old man⁴⁸ still.

THIRD LORD

THIRD LORD     Will’t hold?⁴⁹ Will’t hold?

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     It does: but time will⁵⁰— and so—

THIRD LORD

THIRD LORD     I do conceive.⁵¹

TIMON

TIMON     Each man to his stool with that spur⁵² as he would to the lip of his mistress: your diet⁵³ shall be in all places alike. Make not a city feast of it, to let the meat cool ere we can agree upon the first place. Sit, sit. They sit The gods require⁵⁴ our thanks.— You great benefactors, sprinkle our society with thankfulness. For your own gifts, make yourselves praised: but reserve still⁵⁶ to give, lest your deities be despised. Lend to each man enough that one need not lend to another, for were your godheads to borrow of men, men would forsake the gods. Make the meat be beloved more than the man that gives it. Let no assembly of twenty be without a⁵⁹ score of villains: if there sit twelve women at the table, let a dozen of them be as they are.⁶⁰ The rest of your foes, O gods — the senators of Athens, together with the common tag⁶² of people — what is amiss in them, you gods, make suitable for destruction. For these my present friends, as they are to me nothing, so in nothing bless them, and to nothing are they welcome.— Uncover, dogs, and lap! The dishes are uncovered and seen to be full of warm water and stones

SOME LORDS

SOME LORDS     What does his lordship mean?

OTHER LORDS

OTHER LORDS     I know not.

TIMON

TIMON     May you a better feast never behold,

               You knot⁶⁸ of mouth-friends. Smoke and lukewarm water

               Is your perfection.⁶⁹ This is Timon’s last,

70

70           Who, stuck and spangled⁷⁰ with your flatteries,

               Washes it off, and sprinkles in your faces

               Your reeking⁷² villainy. Live loathed and long, Throws water at them

               Most smiling, smooth, detested parasites,

               Courteous destroyers, affable wolves, meek bears,

75

75           You fools of fortune, trencher-friends,⁷⁵ time’s flies,

               Cap⁷⁶ and knee slaves, vapours, and minute-jacks!

               Of man and beast the infinite⁷⁷ malady

               Crust you quite o’er!— A Lord gets up to leave

               What, dost thou go?

               Soft,⁷⁹ take thy physic first.— Thou too, and thou. Throws the stones at them

80

80           Stay, I will lend thee money, borrow none. Leaving their caps and gowns

       [Exeunt the Lords]

               What, all in motion? Henceforth be⁸¹ no feast,

               Whereat⁸² a villain’s not a welcome guest.

               Burn, house! Sink, Athens! Henceforth hated be

               Of⁸⁴ Timon, man and all humanity!

       Exit

       Enter the Senators with other Lords

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     How now, my lords?

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     Know you the quality⁸⁶ of Lord Timon’s fury?

THIRD LORD

THIRD LORD     Push!⁸⁷ Did you see my cap?

FOURTH LORD

FOURTH LORD     I have lost my gown.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     He’s but a mad lord, and nought but humours⁸⁹ sways him. He gave me a jewel th’other day, and now he has beat it out of my hat. Did you see my jewel? They search

THIRD LORD

THIRD LORD     Did you see my cap?

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     Here ’tis.

FOURTH LORD

FOURTH LORD     Here lies my gown.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     Let’s make no stay.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     Lord Timon’s mad.

THIRD LORD

THIRD LORD     I feel’t upon my bones.⁹⁶

FOURTH LORD

FOURTH LORD     One day he gives us diamonds, next day stones.

       Exeunt the Senators [and Lords]

[Act 4 Scene 1]4.1

running scene 11

       Enter Timon

TIMON

TIMON     Let me look back upon thee. O thou wall

               That girdles in² those wolves, dive in the earth,

               And fence not Athens! Matrons,³ turn incontinent,

               Obedience fail in children! Slaves and fools,

5

5             Pluck the grave⁵ wrinkled senate from the bench,

               And minister⁶ in their steads! To general filths

               Convert o’th’instant, green⁷ virginity:

               Do’t⁸ in your parents’ eyes! Bankrupts, hold fast

               Rather than render back; out with your knives,

10

10           And cut your trusters’¹⁰ throats! Bound servants, steal!

               Large-handed¹¹ robbers your grave masters are,

               And pill¹² by law. Maid, to thy master’s bed,

               Thy mistress is o’th’brothel!¹³ Son of sixteen,

               Pluck the lined¹⁴ crutch from thy old limping sire,

15

15           With it beat out his brains! Piety and fear,

               Religion¹⁶ to the gods, peace, justice, truth,

               Domestic awe,¹⁷ night-rest, and neighbourhood,

               Instruction,¹⁸ manners, mysteries and trades,

               Degrees,¹⁹ observances, customs and laws,

20

20           Decline to your confounding contraries,²⁰

               And yet confusion live! Plagues incident²¹ to men,

               Your potent and infectious fevers heap

               On Athens, ripe for stroke!²³ Thou cold sciatica,

               Cripple our senators that their limbs may halt²⁴

25

25           As lamely as their manners. Lust and liberty²⁵

               Creep in the minds and marrows of our youth,

               That gainst the stream of virtue they may strive²⁷

               And drown themselves in riot!²⁸ Itches, blains,

               Sow all th’Athenian bosoms,²⁹ and their crop

30

30           Be general leprosy! Breath infect breath,

               That their society, as their friendship, may

               Be merely³² poison! Nothing I’ll bear from thee

               But nakedness, thou detestable town. Tears off his clothes

               Take thou that too, with multiplying bans!³⁴

35

35           Timon will to the woods, where he shall find

               Th’unkindest beast more kinder³⁶ than mankind.

               The gods confound³⁷ — hear me, you good gods all —

               Th’Athenians both within and out that wall,

               And grant, as Timon grows, his hate may grow

40

40           To the whole race of mankind, high and low! Amen.

       Exit

[Act 4 Scene 2]4.2

running scene 12

       Enter Steward [Flavius] with two or three Servants

FIRST SERVANT

FIRST SERVANT     Hear you, master steward, where’s our master?

               Are we undone,² cast off, nothing remaining?

FLAVIUS

FLAVIUS     Alack, my fellows, what should I say to you?

               Let⁴ me be recorded by the righteous gods,

5

5             I am as poor as you.

FIRST SERVANT

FIRST SERVANT     Such a house⁶ broke?

               So noble a master fall’n? All gone, and not

               One friend to take⁸ his fortune by the arm,

               And go along with him?

10

10   

SECOND SERVANT

SECOND SERVANT           As we do turn our backs

               From our companion thrown into his grave,

               So his familiars¹² to his buried fortunes

               Slink all away, leave their false vows with him

               Like empty purses picked;¹⁴ and his poor self,

15

15           A dedicated¹⁵ beggar to the air,

               With his disease of all-shunned¹⁶ poverty,

               Walks like contempt alone. More of our fellows.¹⁷

       Enter other Servants

FLAVIUS

FLAVIUS     All broken implements¹⁸ of a ruined house.

THIRD SERVANT

THIRD SERVANT     Yet do our hearts wear Timon’s livery:¹⁹

20

20           That see I by our faces. We are fellows still,

               Serving alike in sorrow. Leaked is our bark,²¹

               And we, poor mates, stand on the dying²² deck

               Hearing the surges²³ threat: we must all part

               Into this sea of air.

25

25   

FLAVIUS

FLAVIUS           Good fellows all,

               The latest²⁶ of my wealth I’ll share amongst you.

               Wherever we shall meet, for Timon’s sake,

               Let’s yet be fellows: let’s shake our heads and say,

               As ’twere a knell²⁹ unto our master’s fortunes,

30

30           ‘We have seen better days.’ Let each take some: Offers money

               Nay, put out all your hands. Not one word more.

               Thus part we rich in sorrow, parting poor.

       Embrace, and [the Servants] part several ways

               O, the fierce wretchedness that glory³³ brings us!

               Who would not wish to be from wealth exempt,

35

35           Since riches point to misery and contempt?

               Who would be so mocked with glory, or to live

               But in a dream of friendship?

               To have his pomp³⁸ and all what state compounds

               But only painted,³⁹ like his varnished friends?

40

40           Poor honest lord, brought low by his own heart,

               Undone by goodness! Strange, unusual blood,⁴¹

               When man’s worst sin is he does too much good!

               Who then dares to be half so kind again?

               For bounty, that makes gods, does still mar⁴⁴ men.

45

45           My dearest lord, blessed to be most accursed,

               Rich only to be wretched,⁴⁶ thy great fortunes

               Are made thy chief afflictions. Alas, kind lord!

               He’s flung⁴⁸ in rage from this ingrateful seat

               Of monstrous⁴⁹ friends:

50

50           Nor has he with him to⁵⁰ supply his life,

               Or that which can command⁵¹ it.

               I’ll follow and inquire⁵² him out:

               I’ll ever serve his mind with my best will.

               Whilst I have gold, I’ll be his steward still.

       Exit

[Act 4 Scene 3]4.3

running scene 13

       Enter Timon in the woods With a spade

TIMON

TIMON     O blessèd breeding¹ sun, draw from the earth

               Rotten humidity: below thy sister’s orb²

               Infect the air. Twinned brothers of one womb,

               Whose procreation, residence,⁴ and birth,

5

5             Scarce is dividant,⁵ touch them with several fortunes,

               The greater scorns the lesser. Not⁶ nature,

               To whom all sores lay siege, can bear great fortune

               But by contempt of nature.

               Raise me⁹ this beggar, and deny’t that lord,

10

10           The senators shall bear contempt hereditary,¹⁰

               The beggar native honour.¹¹

               It is the pasture¹² lards the beggar’s sides,

               The want¹³ that makes him lean. Who dares, who dares

               In purity of manhood¹⁴ stand upright

15

15           And say ‘This man’s a flatterer’? If one be,

               So are they all, for every grece¹⁶ of fortune

               Is smoothed¹⁷ by that below. The learnèd pate

               Ducks¹⁸ to the golden fool. All’s oblique:

               There’s nothing level¹⁹ in our cursèd natures

20

20           But direct²⁰ villainy. Therefore be abhorred

               All feasts, societies, and throngs of men!

               His semblable,²² yea, himself, Timon disdains.

               Destruction fang²³ mankind. Earth, yield me roots. Digs

               Who seeks for better of²⁴ thee, sauce his palate

25

25           With thy most operant²⁵ poison! What is here? Discovers gold

               Gold? Yellow, glittering, precious gold?

               No, gods, I am no idle votarist:²⁷

               Roots, you clear²⁸ heavens. Thus much of this will make

               Black white, foul fair, wrong right,

30

30           Base noble, old young, coward valiant.

               Ha, you gods! Why this? What this, you gods? Why, this

               Will lug³² your priests and servants from your sides,

               Pluck stout men’s pillows from below their heads:

               This yellow slave

35

35           Will knit³⁵ and break religions, bless th’accursed,

               Make the hoar³⁶ leprosy adored, place thieves

               And give them title, knee³⁷ and approbation

               With senators on the bench. This is it

               That makes the wappened³⁹ widow wed again;

40

40           She whom the spittle house⁴⁰ and ulcerous sores

               Would cast⁴¹ the gorge at, this embalms and spices

               To th’April day⁴² again. Come, damnèd earth,

               Thou common whore⁴³ of mankind, that puts odds

               Among the rout⁴⁴ of nations, I will make thee

45

45           Do⁴⁵ thy right nature.

       March afar off

               Ha? A drum? Thou’rt quick,

               But yet I’ll bury thee: thou’lt go,⁴⁶ strong thief, Buries the gold

               When gouty keepers⁴⁷ of thee cannot stand.

               Nay, stay thou out for earnest.⁴⁸ Keeps some of the gold

       Enter Alcibiades with Drum and Fife in warlike manner, and Phrynia and Timandra

ALCIBIADES

ALCIBIADES     What art thou there? Speak.

50

50   

TIMON

TIMON           A beast, as thou art. The canker⁵⁰ gnaw thy heart

               For showing me again the eyes of man!

ALCIBIADES

ALCIBIADES     What is thy name? Is man so hateful to thee

               That art thyself a man?

TIMON

TIMON     I am Misanthropos,⁵⁴ and hate mankind.

55

55           For thy part, I do wish thou wert a dog,

               That I might love thee something.⁵⁶

ALCIBIADES

ALCIBIADES     I know thee well,

               But in thy fortunes am unlearned and strange.⁵⁸

TIMON

TIMON     I know thee too, and more than that I know thee

60

60           I not desire to know. Follow thy drum,

               With man’s blood paint the ground gules,⁶¹ gules.

               Religious canons,⁶² civil laws are cruel:

               Then what should war be? This fell⁶³ whore of thine

               Hath in her more destruction than thy sword,

65

65           For all her cherubin look.⁶⁵

PHRYNIA

PHRYNIA     Thy lips rot off!⁶⁶

TIMON

TIMON     I will not kiss thee, then the rot returns

               To thine own lips again.

ALCIBIADES

ALCIBIADES     How came the noble Timon to this change?

70

70   

TIMON

TIMON           As the moon does, by wanting⁷⁰ light to give.

               But then renew⁷¹ I could not like the moon:

               There were no suns to borrow of.

ALCIBIADES

ALCIBIADES     Noble Timon, what friendship may I do thee?

TIMON

TIMON     None, but to maintain my opinion.

ALCIBIADES

ALCIBIADES     What is it, Timon?

TIMON

TIMON     Promise me friendship, but perform none: if thou wilt not promise, the gods plague thee, for thou art a man. If thou dost perform, confound thee, for thou art a man.

ALCIBIADES

ALCIBIADES     I have heard in some sort⁷⁹ of thy miseries.

80

80   

TIMON

TIMON           Thou saw’st them when I had prosperity.

ALCIBIADES

ALCIBIADES     I see them now: then was a blessèd time.

TIMON

TIMON     As thine is now, held with a brace⁸² of harlots.

TIMANDRA

TIMANDRA     Is this th’Athenian minion⁸³ whom the world

               Voiced so regardfully?⁸⁴

85

85   

TIMON

TIMON           Art thou Timandra?

TIMANDRA

TIMANDRA     Yes.

TIMON

TIMON     Be a whore still. They love thee not that use⁸⁷ thee:

               Give them diseases, leaving with thee their lust.

               Make use of thy salt⁸⁹ hours: season the slaves

90

90           For tubs and baths,⁹⁰ bring down rose-cheeked youth

               To the tub-fast⁹¹ and the diet.

TIMANDRA

TIMANDRA     Hang thee, monster!

ALCIBIADES

ALCIBIADES     Pardon him, sweet Timandra, for his wits

               Are drowned and lost in his calamities.

95

               I have but little gold of late,⁹⁵ brave Timon,

               The want whereof⁹⁶ doth daily make revolt

               In my penurious⁹⁷ band. I have heard and grieved

               How cursèd Athens, mindless⁹⁸ of thy worth,

               Forgetting thy great deeds, when neighbour states,

100

100         But¹⁰⁰ for thy sword and fortune trod upon them—

TIMON

TIMON     I prithee beat thy drum and get thee gone.

ALCIBIADES

ALCIBIADES     I am thy friend, and pity thee, dear Timon.

TIMON

TIMON     How dost thou pity him whom thou dost trouble?

               I had rather be alone.

105

105 

ALCIBIADES

ALCIBIADES             Why, fare thee well:

               Here is some gold for thee.

TIMON

TIMON     Keep it, I cannot eat it.

ALCIBIADES

ALCIBIADES     When I have laid proud Athens on a heap¹⁰⁸—

TIMON

TIMON     Warr’st thou gainst Athens?

110

110 

ALCIBIADES

ALCIBIADES             Ay, Timon, and have cause.

TIMON

TIMON     The gods confound them all in thy conquest,

               And thee after, when thou hast conquered!

ALCIBIADES

ALCIBIADES     Why me, Timon?

TIMON

TIMON     That by killing of villains

115

115         Thou wast born to conquer my country.

               Put up¹¹⁶ thy gold. Go on, here’s gold, go on.

               Be as a planetary plague¹¹⁷ when Jove

               Will¹¹⁸ o’er some high-viced city hang his poison

               In the sick¹¹⁹ air. Let not thy sword skip one.

120

120         Pity not honoured age for his white beard:

               He is an usurer. Strike me¹²¹ the counterfeit matron:

               It is her habit¹²² only that is honest,

               Herself’s a bawd. Let not the virgin’s cheek

               Make soft thy trenchant¹²⁴ sword, for those milk-paps

125

125         That through the window-bars¹²⁵ bore at men’s eyes,

               Are not within the leaf of pity¹²⁶ writ,

               But set¹²⁷ them down horrible traitors. Spare not the babe

               Whose dimpled smiles from fools exhaust¹²⁸ their mercy;

               Think it a bastard whom the oracle

130

130         Hath doubtfully¹³⁰ pronounced the throat shall cut,

               And mince¹³¹ it sans remorse. Swear against objects,

               Put armour on thine ears and on thine eyes

               Whose proof¹³³ nor yells of mothers, maids, nor babes,

               Nor sight of priests in holy vestments bleeding,

135

135         Shall pierce a jot. There’s gold to pay thy soldiers: Offers gold

               Make large confusion,¹³⁶ and, thy fury spent,

               Confounded be thyself. Speak not, be gone.

ALCIBIADES

ALCIBIADES     Hast thou gold yet? I’ll take the gold thou givest me, Takes gold

               Not all thy counsel.¹³⁹

140

140 

TIMON

TIMON             Dost¹⁴⁰ thou or dost thou not, heaven’s curse upon thee!

PHRYNIA and TIMANDRA

PHRYNIA and TIMANDRA     Give us some gold, good Timon. Hast thou more?

TIMON

TIMON     Enough to make a whore forswear¹⁴² her trade,

               And to make¹⁴³ whores, a bawd. Hold up, you sluts,

               Your aprons mountant.¹⁴⁴ Throws gold into their aprons

               You are not oathable,

145

145         Although I know you’ll swear, terribly swear

               Into strong shudders and to heavenly agues¹⁴⁶

               Th’immortal gods that hear you. Spare your oaths:

               I’ll trust to your conditions.¹⁴⁸ Be whores still,

               And he whose pious breath seeks to convert you,

150

150         Be strong in whore,¹⁵⁰ allure him, burn him up:

               Let your close fire¹⁵¹ predominate his smoke,

               And be no turncoats.¹⁵² Yet may your pains six months

               Be quite contrary, and thatch your poor thin roofs¹⁵³

               With burdens of¹⁵⁴ the dead — some that were hanged,

155

155         No matter. Wear them, betray with them, whore still,

               Paint¹⁵⁶ till a horse may mire upon your face.

               A pox¹⁵⁷ of wrinkles!

PHRYNIA and TIMANDRA

PHRYNIA and TIMANDRA     Well, more gold: what then?

               Believe’t that we’ll do¹⁵⁹ anything for gold.

160

160 

TIMON

TIMON             Consumptions¹⁶⁰ sow

               In hollow bones of man, strike their sharp¹⁶¹ shins,

               And mar¹⁶² men’s spurring. Crack the lawyer’s voice,

               That he may never more false title¹⁶³ plead,

               Nor sound his quillets¹⁶⁴ shrilly. Hoar the flamen

165

165         That scolds¹⁶⁵ against the quality of flesh,

               And not believes himself. Down¹⁶⁶ with the nose,

               Down with it flat: take the bridge quite away

               Of him that, his¹⁶⁸ particular to foresee,

               Smells¹⁶⁹ from the general weal. Make curled-pate ruffians bald,

170

170         And let the unscarred braggarts¹⁷⁰ of the war

               Derive some pain from you. Plague all,

               That your activity¹⁷² may defeat and quell

               The source of all erection.¹⁷³ There’s more gold.

               Do you damn others, and let this damn you,

175

175         And ditches grave¹⁷⁵ you all!

PHRYNIA and TIMANDRA

PHRYNIA and TIMANDRA     More counsel with more money, bounteous Timon.

TIMON

TIMON     More whore, more mischief first: I have given you earnest.¹⁷⁷

ALCIBIADES

ALCIBIADES     Strike up the drum towards Athens!— Farewell, Timon:

               If I thrive well, I’ll visit thee again.

180

180 

TIMON

TIMON             If I hope well, I’ll never see thee more.

ALCIBIADES

ALCIBIADES     I never did thee harm.

TIMON

TIMON     Yes, thou spok’st well of me.

ALCIBIADES

ALCIBIADES     Call’st thou that harm?

TIMON

TIMON     Men daily find it.¹⁸⁴ Get thee away, and take

185

185         Thy beagles¹⁸⁵ with thee.

ALCIBIADES

ALCIBIADES     We but offend him. Strike!¹⁸⁶ Drums beat

       Exeunt [all but Timon]

TIMON

TIMON     That nature, being sick of¹⁸⁷ man’s unkindness, Digs

               Should yet be hungry! Common mother,¹⁸⁸ thou

               Whose womb unmeasurable and infinite breast

190

190         Teems¹⁹⁰ and feeds all, whose selfsame mettle,

               Whereof thy proud child, arrogant man, is puffed,¹⁹¹

               Engenders¹⁹² the black toad and adder blue,

               The gilded¹⁹³ newt and eyeless venomed worm,

               With all th’abhorrèd births below crisp¹⁹⁴ heaven

195

195         Whereon¹⁹⁵ Hyperion’s quick’ning fire doth shine —

               Yield him, who all thy human sons do hate,

               From forth thy plenteous bosom one poor root.

               Ensear¹⁹⁸ thy fertile and conceptious womb:

               Let it no more bring out ingrateful man.

200

200         Go great²⁰⁰ with tigers, dragons, wolves, and bears,

               Teem with new monsters whom thy upward face

               Hath to the marbled²⁰² mansion all above

               Never presented! O, a root. Dear thanks! Finds a root

               Dry up thy marrows,²⁰⁴ vines, and plough-torn leas,

205

205         Whereof ingrateful man, with liquorish²⁰⁵ draughts

               And morsels unctuous²⁰⁶ greases his pure mind,

               That²⁰⁷ from it all consideration slips!

       Enter Apemantus

               More man? Plague, plague!

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     I was directed hither. Men report

210

210         Thou dost affect²¹⁰ my manners, and dost use them.

TIMON

TIMON     ’Tis then because thou dost not keep a dog,

               Whom I would²¹² imitate. Consumption catch thee!

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     This is in thee a nature but infected,²¹³

               A poor unmanly melancholy sprung

215

215         From change of fortune. Why this spade? This place?

               This slave-like habit?²¹⁶ And these looks of care?

               Thy flatterers yet²¹⁷ wear silk, drink wine, lie soft,

               Hug their diseased perfumes,²¹⁸ and have forgot

               That ever Timon was. Shame not these woods

220

220         By putting on²²⁰ the cunning of a carper.

               Be thou a flatterer now, and seek to thrive

               By that which has undone thee; hinge thy knee²²²

               And let his very breath whom thou’lt observe²²³

               Blow off thy cap: praise his most vicious strain,²²⁴

225

225         And call it excellent. Thou²²⁵ wast told thus:

               Thou gav’st thine ears,²²⁶ like tapsters that bade welcome,

               To knaves and all approachers. ’Tis most just

               That thou turn rascal:²²⁸ hadst thou wealth again,

               Rascals should have’t. Do not assume my likeness.

230

230 

TIMON

TIMON             Were I like thee, I’d throw away myself.

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Thou hast cast away thyself being like thyself:

               A madman so long, now a fool. What, think’st

               That the bleak air, thy boisterous²³³ chamberlain,

               Will put²³⁴ thy shirt on warm? Will these moist trees

235

235         That have outlived the eagle page thy heels²³⁵

               And skip²³⁶ when thou point’st out? Will the cold brook,

               Candied²³⁷ with ice, caudle thy morning taste

               To cure thy o’ernight’s²³⁸ surfeit? Call the creatures

               Whose naked natures live in all the spite

240

240         Of wreakful²⁴⁰ heaven, whose bare unhousèd trunks

               To the conflicting elements exposed

               Answer²⁴² mere nature: bid them flatter thee.

               O, thou shalt find—

TIMON

TIMON     —a fool of thee. Depart.

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     I love thee better now than e’er I did.

245

245 

TIMON

TIMON             I hate thee worse.

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Why?

TIMON

TIMON     Thou flatter’st misery.

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     I flatter not, but say thou art a caitiff.²⁴⁸

TIMON

TIMON     Why dost thou seek me out?

250

250 

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS             To vex²⁵⁰ thee.

TIMON

TIMON     Always a villain’s office²⁵¹ or a fool’s.

               Dost²⁵² please thyself in’t?

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Ay.

TIMON

TIMON     What, a knave too?

255

255 

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS             If thou didst put this sour cold habit²⁵⁵ on

               To castigate thy pride, ’twere well:²⁵⁶ but thou

               Dost it enforcèdly.²⁵⁷ Thou’dst courtier be again,

               Wert thou not beggar. Willing misery²⁵⁸

               Outlives incertain²⁵⁹ pomp, is crowned before:

260

260         The one²⁶⁰ is filling still, never complete,

               The other, at high wish.²⁶¹ Best state, contentless,

               Hath a distracted and most wretched being,

               Worse than the worst, content.

               Thou shouldst desire to die, being miserable.

265

265 

TIMON

TIMON             Not by his breath²⁶⁵ that is more miserable.

               Thou art a slave whom Fortune’s tender arm

               With favour never clasped, but bred a dog.

               Hadst thou like us from our first swath²⁶⁸ proceeded

               The sweet degrees²⁶⁹ that this brief world affords

270

270         To such as may the passive drugs²⁷⁰ of it

               Freely command, thou wouldst have plunged thyself

               In general riot,²⁷² melted down thy youth

               In different beds of lust, and never learned

               The icy precepts of respect,²⁷⁴ but followed

275

275         The sugared game²⁷⁵ before thee. But myself,

               Who had the world as my confectionary,

               The mouths, the tongues, the eyes and hearts of men

               At duty,²⁷⁸ more than I could frame employment,

               That numberless upon me stuck as leaves

280

280         Do on the oak, have with one winter’s brush²⁸⁰

               Fell²⁸¹ from their boughs and left me open, bare

               For every storm that blows: I, to bear this,

               That never knew but better, is some burden.

               Thy nature did commence in sufferance,²⁸⁴ time

285

285         Hath made thee hard in’t.²⁸⁵ Why shouldst thou hate men?

               They never flattered thee. What hast thou given?

               If thou wilt curse, thy father, that poor rag,²⁸⁷

               Must be thy subject, who in spite put²⁸⁸ stuff

               To some she beggar and compounded²⁸⁹ thee

290

290         Poor rogue hereditary.²⁹⁰ Hence, be gone.

               If thou hadst not been born the worst²⁹¹ of men,

               Thou hadst been a knave and flatterer.

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Art thou proud yet?²⁹³

TIMON

TIMON     Ay, that I am not thee.

295

295 

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS             I, that I was no prodigal.²⁹⁵

TIMON

TIMON     I, that I am one now.

               Were all the wealth I have shut up in thee

               I’d give thee leave²⁹⁸ to hang it. Get thee gone.

               That²⁹⁹ the whole life of Athens were in this!

300

300         Thus would I eat it. Eats a root

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Here, I will mend³⁰¹ thy feast. Offers food

TIMON

TIMON     First mend my company: take away thyself.

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     So I shall mend mine own, by th’lack of thine.

TIMON

TIMON     ’Tis not well mended so, it is but botched;³⁰⁴

305

305         If not, I would it were.³⁰⁵

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     What wouldst thou have to³⁰⁶ Athens?

TIMON

TIMON     Thee thither in a whirlwind. If thou wilt,

               Tell them there I have gold. Look, so I have. Shows gold

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Here is no use for gold.

310

310 

TIMON

TIMON             The best and truest,³¹⁰

               For here it sleeps, and does³¹¹ no hirèd harm.

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Where liest a-nights,³¹² Timon?

TIMON

TIMON     Under that’s³¹³ above me.

               Where feed’st thou a-days, Apemantus?

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Where my stomach finds meat, or rather, where I eat it.

TIMON

TIMON     Would poison were obedient and knew my mind!

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Where wouldst thou send it?

TIMON

TIMON     To sauce thy dishes.

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     The middle of humanity³¹⁹ thou never knewest, but the extremity of both ends. When thou wast in thy gilt³²⁰ and thy perfume, they mocked thee for too much curiosity:³²¹ in thy rags thou know’st none, but art despised for the contrary. There’s a medlar³²² for thee, eat it.

TIMON

TIMON     On what I hate I feed not.

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Dost hate a medlar?

TIMON

TIMON     Ay, though it look like thee.

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     An³²⁶ th’hadst hated meddlers sooner, thou shouldst have loved thyself better now. What man didst thou ever know unthrift³²⁷ that was beloved after his means?

TIMON

TIMON     Who, without those means thou talk’st of, didst thou ever know beloved?

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Myself.

TIMON

TIMON     I understand thee: thou³³¹ hadst some means to keep a dog.

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     What things in the world canst thou nearest compare to thy flatterers?

TIMON

TIMON     Women nearest, but men, men are the things themselves. What wouldst thou do with the world, Apemantus, if it lay in thy power?

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Give it the beasts, to be rid of the men.

TIMON

TIMON     Wouldst thou have thyself fall in the confusion³³⁶ of men, and remain a beast with the beasts?

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Ay, Timon.

TIMON

TIMON     A beastly³³⁹ ambition, which the gods grant thee t’attain to. If thou wert the lion, the fox would beguile³⁴⁰ thee: if thou wert the lamb, the fox would eat thee: if thou wert the fox, the lion would suspect thee when peradventure³⁴¹ thou wert accused by the ass: if thou wert the ass, thy dullness³⁴² would torment thee, and still thou livedst but as a breakfast to the wolf. If thou wert the wolf, thy greediness would afflict thee, and oft thou shouldst hazard thy life for thy dinner. Wert thou the unicorn,³⁴⁵ pride and wrath would confound thee and make thine own self the conquest³⁴⁶ of thy fury: wert thou a bear, thou wouldst be killed by the horse: wert thou a horse, thou wouldst be seized by the leopard: wert thou a leopard, thou wert german³⁴⁸ to the lion and the spots of thy kindred were jurors on thy life: all thy³⁴⁹ safety were remotion and thy defence absence. What beast couldst thou be that were not subject to a beast? And what a beast art thou already, that see’st not thy³⁵¹ loss in transformation!

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     If thou couldst please me with speaking to me, thou mightst have hit³⁵² upon it here: the commonwealth of Athens is become a forest of beasts.

TIMON

TIMON     How has the ass broke the wall, that thou art out of the city?

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Yonder³⁵⁵ comes a poet and a painter. The plague of company light upon thee! I will fear to catch it and give way.³⁵⁶ When I know not what else to do, I’ll see thee again.

TIMON

TIMON     When there is nothing living but thee, thou shalt be welcome. I had rather be a beggar’s dog than Apemantus.

360

360 

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS             Thou art the cap³⁶⁰ of all the fools alive.

TIMON

TIMON     Would thou wert clean enough to spit upon.

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     A plague on thee! Thou art too bad to curse.

TIMON

TIMON     All villains that do stand by³⁶³ thee are pure.

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     There is no leprosy but what thou speak’st.

365

365 

TIMON

TIMON             If I name thee.

               I’ll³⁶⁶ beat thee, but I should infect my hands.

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     I would my tongue³⁶⁷ could rot them off!

TIMON

TIMON     Away, thou issue³⁶⁸ of a mangy dog!

               Choler³⁶⁹ does kill me that thou art alive.

370

370         I swoon to see thee.

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Would thou wouldst burst!

TIMON

TIMON     Away, thou tedious rogue! Throws a stone at him

               I am sorry I shall lose a stone by thee.

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Beast!

375

375 

TIMON

TIMON             Slave!

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Toad!

TIMON

TIMON     Rogue, rogue, rogue!

               I am sick of this false world, and will love nought

               But even³⁷⁹ the mere necessities upon’t.

380

380         Then, Timon, presently³⁸⁰ prepare thy grave:

               Lie where the light foam of the sea may beat

               Thy gravestone daily. Make thine epitaph,

               That³⁸³ death in me at others’ lives may laugh.—

               O thou sweet king-killer, and dear³⁸⁴ divorce To the gold

385

385         ’Twixt natural³⁸⁵ son and sire: thou bright defiler

               Of Hymen’s³⁸⁶ purest bed, thou valiant Mars,

               Thou ever young, fresh, loved and delicate wooer,

               Whose blush doth thaw the consecrated snow

               That lies on Dian’s³⁸⁹ lap: thou visible god,

390

390         That sold’rest³⁹⁰ close impossibilities

               And mak’st them kiss; that speak’st with every tongue,³⁹¹

               To every purpose! O thou touch³⁹² of hearts:

               Think³⁹³ thy slave man rebels, and by thy virtue

               Set them into confounding odds,³⁹⁴ that beasts

395

395         May have the world in empire.

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Would ’twere so!

               But not till I am dead. I’ll say th’hast gold:

               Thou wilt be thronged to shortly.

TIMON

TIMON     Thronged to?

400

400 

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS             Ay.

TIMON

TIMON     Thy back,⁴⁰¹ I prithee.

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     Live, and love thy misery. Begins to leave

TIMON

TIMON     Long live so, and so die.— I am quit.⁴⁰³

APEMANTUS

APEMANTUS     More things like men! Eat, Timon, and abhor them.

       Exit Apemantus

       Enter the Banditti At a distance

FIRST BANDIT

FIRST BANDIT     Where should he have this gold? It is some poor fragment, some slender ort⁴⁰⁶ of his remainder: the mere want of gold, and the falling-from of his friends, drove him into this melancholy.

SECOND BANDIT

SECOND BANDIT     It is noised⁴⁰⁸ he hath a mass of treasure.

THIRD BANDIT

THIRD BANDIT     Let us make the assay⁴⁰⁹ upon him: if he care not for’t, he will supply us easily: if he covetously reserve⁴¹⁰ it, how shall’s get it?

SECOND BANDIT

SECOND BANDIT     True, for he bears it not about him: ’tis hid.

FIRST BANDIT

FIRST BANDIT     Is not this he?

OTHER BANDITTI

OTHER BANDITTI     Where?

SECOND BANDIT

SECOND BANDIT     ’Tis his description.

415

415 

THIRD BANDIT

THIRD BANDIT             He, I know him.

ALL BANDITTI

ALL BANDITTI     Save thee,⁴¹⁶ Timon. They come forward

TIMON

TIMON     Now, thieves.

BANDITTI

BANDITTI     Soldiers, not thieves.

TIMON

TIMON     Both too,⁴¹⁹ and women’s sons.

420

420 

BANDITTI

BANDITTI             We are not thieves, but men that much do want.⁴²⁰

TIMON

TIMON     Your greatest want⁴²¹ is, you want much of meat.

               Why should you want? Behold, the earth hath roots:

               Within this mile break forth a hundred springs:

               The oaks bear mast,⁴²⁴ the briers scarlet hips.

425

425         The bounteous housewife nature on each bush

               Lays her full mess⁴²⁶ before you. Want? Why want?

FIRST BANDIT

FIRST BANDIT     We cannot live on grass, on berries, water,

               As beasts and birds and fishes.

TIMON

TIMON     Nor on the beasts themselves, the birds, and fishes:

430

430         You must eat⁴³⁰ men. Yet thanks I must you con

               That you are thieves professed,⁴³¹ that you work not

               In holier shapes,⁴³² for there is boundless theft

               In limited⁴³³ professions. Rascal thieves,

               Here’s gold. Go, suck⁴³⁴ the subtle blood o’th’grape

435

435         Till the high fever seethe⁴³⁵ your blood to froth,

               And so scape hanging.⁴³⁶ Trust not the physician,

               His antidotes are poison, and he slays

               More than you rob. Take wealth and lives together:

               Do, villains, do, since you protest⁴³⁹ to do’t,

440

440         Like workmen. I’ll example you⁴⁴⁰ with thievery.

               The sun’s a thief, and with his great attraction⁴⁴¹

               Robs the vast sea: the moon’s an arrant⁴⁴² thief,

               And her pale fire she snatches from the sun:

               The sea’s a thief, whose liquid surge resolves⁴⁴⁴

445

445         The moon into salt tears: the earth’s a thief,

               That feeds and breeds by a composture⁴⁴⁶ stolen

               From gen’ral excrement: each thing’s a thief.

               The laws, your⁴⁴⁸ curb and whip, in their rough power

               Has unchecked theft.⁴⁴⁹ Love not yourselves, away,

450

450         Rob one another: there’s more gold. Cut throats:

               All that you meet are thieves. To Athens go,

               Break open shops: nothing can you steal

               But thieves do lose it. Steal⁴⁵³ less for this I give you,

               And gold confound you howsoe’er. Amen.

THIRD BANDIT

THIRD BANDIT     Has⁴⁵⁵ almost charmed me from my profession by persuading me to it.

FIRST BANDIT

FIRST BANDIT     ’Tis in⁴⁵⁶ the malice of mankind that he thus advises us, not to have us thrive in our mystery.⁴⁵⁷

SECOND BANDIT

SECOND BANDIT     I’ll believe him as⁴⁵⁸ an enemy, and give over my trade.

FIRST BANDIT

FIRST BANDIT     Let us first see peace in Athens: there is no time so miserable but a man may be true.⁴⁶⁰

       Exeunt Thieves

       Enter the Steward to Timon

FLAVIUS

FLAVIUS     O you gods!

               Is yond⁴⁶² despised and ruinous man my lord?

               Full of decay and failing? O monument⁴⁶³

               And wonder⁴⁶⁴ of good deeds evilly bestowed!

465

465         What an alteration of honour

               Has desp’rate want made!

               What viler thing upon the earth than friends

               Who can bring noblest minds to basest ends!

               How rarely⁴⁶⁹ does it meet with this time’s guise,

470

470         When man was wished to love his enemies!

               Grant I may ever love and rather woo

               Those that⁴⁷² would mischief me than those that do!

               Has⁴⁷³ caught me in his eye: I will present

               My honest grief unto him; and as my lord

475

475         Still⁴⁷⁵ serve him with my life.— My dearest master!

TIMON

TIMON     Away! What art thou?

FLAVIUS

FLAVIUS     Have you forgot me, sir?

TIMON

TIMON     Why dost ask that? I have forgot all men:

               Then, if thou grant’st thou’rt a man, I have forgot thee.

480

480 

FLAVIUS

FLAVIUS             An honest poor servant of yours.

TIMON

TIMON     Then I know thee not.

               I never had honest man about me: ay, all

               I kept were knaves⁴⁸³ to serve in meat to villains.

FLAVIUS

FLAVIUS     The gods are witness,

485

485         Ne’er did poor steward wear a truer grief

               For his undone⁴⁸⁶ lord than mine eyes for you. Weeps

TIMON

TIMON     What, dost thou weep? Come nearer. Then I love thee

               Because thou art a woman, and disclaim’st⁴⁸⁸

               Flinty⁴⁸⁹ mankind whose eyes do never give

490

490         But thorough⁴⁹⁰ lust and laughter. Pity’s sleeping:

               Strange times, that weep with laughing, not with weeping!

FLAVIUS

FLAVIUS     I beg of you to know⁴⁹² me, good my lord,

               T’accept my grief and whilst this poor wealth lasts

               To entertain⁴⁹⁴ me as your steward still.

495

495 

TIMON

TIMON             Had I a steward

               So true, so just, and now so comfortable?⁴⁹⁶

               It almost turns my dangerous nature wild.

               Let me behold thy face. Surely, this man

               Was born of woman.

500

500         Forgive my general and exceptless⁵⁰⁰ rashness,

               You perpetual sober⁵⁰¹ gods! I do proclaim

               One honest man — mistake me not, but⁵⁰² one,

               No more, I pray — and he’s a steward.

               How fain⁵⁰⁴ would I have hated all mankind,

505

505         And thou redeem’st thyself. But all save thee

               I fell⁵⁰⁶ with curses.

               Methinks thou art more honest now than wise,

               For by oppressing⁵⁰⁸ and betraying me

               Thou mightst have sooner got another service:⁵⁰⁹

510

510         For many so arrive at second masters

               Upon⁵¹¹ their first lord’s neck. But tell me true —

               For I must ever doubt, though⁵¹² ne’er so sure —

               Is not thy kindness subtle,⁵¹³ covetous,

               If not a usuring⁵¹⁴ kindness, and, as rich men deal gifts,

515

515         Expecting in return twenty for one?

FLAVIUS

FLAVIUS     No, my most worthy master, in whose breast

               Doubt and suspect,⁵¹⁷ alas, are placed too late.

               You should have feared false times when you did feast:

               Suspect still comes where an estate is least.

520

520         That which I show, heaven knows, is merely⁵²⁰ love,

               Duty and zeal to your unmatchèd⁵²¹ mind,

               Care of your food and living, and, believe it,

               My most honoured lord,

               For⁵²⁴ any benefit that points to me,

525

525         Either in hope⁵²⁵ or present, I’d exchange

               For this one wish: that you had power and wealth

               To requite⁵²⁷ me by making rich yourself.

TIMON

TIMON     Look thee, ’tis so! Thou singly⁵²⁸ honest man,

               Here, take: the gods out of my misery Gives gold

530

530         Has sent thee treasure. Go, live rich and happy,

               But thus conditioned:⁵³¹ thou shalt build from men,

               Hate all, curse all, show charity to none,

               But let the famished flesh slide from the bone

               Ere thou relieve the beggar. Give to dogs

535

535         What thou deniest to men: let prisons swallow ’em,

               Debts wither ’em to nothing, be men like blasted⁵³⁶ woods,

               And may diseases lick up their false bloods.

               And so farewell and thrive.

FLAVIUS

FLAVIUS     O, let me stay,

540

540         And comfort you, my master.

TIMON

TIMON     If thou hat’st curses,

               Stay not: fly, whilst thou art blessed and free.

               Ne’er see thou man, and let me ne’er see thee.

       Exit [Flavius] Timon retires into his cave

[Act 5 Scene 1]

running scene 13 continues

       Enter Poet and Painter

PAINTER

PAINTER     As I took note of the place, it cannot be far where he abides.

POET

POET     What’s to be thought of him? Does the rumour hold for true that he’s so full of gold?

PAINTER

PAINTER     Certain. Alcibiades reports it: Phrynia and Timandra had gold of⁴ him. He likewise enriched poor straggling soldiers with great quantity. ’Tis said he gave unto his steward a mighty sum.

POET

POET     Then this breaking⁷ of his has been but a try for his friends?

PAINTER

PAINTER     Nothing else: you shall see him a palm⁸ in Athens again, and flourish with the highest. Therefore ’tis not amiss we tender⁹ our loves to him, in this supposed distress of his: it will show¹⁰ honestly in us, and is very likely to load our purposes with what they travail¹¹ for, if it be a just and true report that goes of his having.

POET

POET     What have you now to present unto him?

PAINTER

PAINTER     Nothing at this time but my visitation:¹³ only I will promise him an excellent piece.

POET

POET     I must serve him so too, tell him of an intent¹⁵ that’s coming toward him.

PAINTER

PAINTER     Good¹⁶ as the best. Promising is the very air o’th’time: it opens the eyes of expectation. Performance is ever the duller for his act,¹⁷ and but in the plainer and simpler kind of people the¹⁸ deed of saying is quite out of use. To promise is most courtly and fashionable: performance¹⁹ is a kind of will or testament which argues a great sickness in his judgement that makes it.

       Enter Timon from his cave Unobserved by the others

TIMON

TIMON     Excellent workman, Aside thou canst not paint a man so bad as is thyself.

POET

POET     I am thinking what I shall say I have provided for him: it must be a personating of himself,²³ a satire against the softness of prosperity, with a discovery of the infinite flatteries that follow youth and opulency.²⁴

TIMON

TIMON     Must thou needs stand for²⁵ a villain in thine own work? Aside Wilt thou whip thine own faults in other men? Do so, I have gold for thee.

POET

POET     Nay, let’s seek him:

               Then²⁸ do we sin against our own estate,

               When we may profit meet and come too late.

30

30   

PAINTER

PAINTER           True:

               When the day serves,³¹ before black-cornered night,

               Find what thou want’st by free and offered light. Come.

TIMON

TIMON     I’ll meet³³ you at the turn. What a god’s gold, Aside

               That he is worshipped in a baser temple

35

35           Than where swine feed!

               ’Tis thou³⁶ that rigg’st the bark and plough’st the foam,

               Settlest³⁷ admirèd reverence in a slave:

               To thee be worship, and thy saints³⁸ for aye

               Be crowned with plagues that thee alone obey.

40

40           Fit⁴⁰ I meet them. Comes forward

POET

POET     Hail, worthy Timon!

PAINTER

PAINTER     Our late⁴² noble master!

TIMON

TIMON     Have I once⁴³ lived to see two honest men?

POET

POET     Sir,

45

45           Having often of your open⁴⁵ bounty tasted,

               Hearing you were retired,⁴⁶ your friends fall’n off,

               Whose thankless natures — O abhorrèd spirits! —

               Not all the whips of heaven are large enough:

               What, to you,

50

50           Whose star-like nobleness gave life and influence⁵⁰

               To their whole being? I am rapt⁵¹ and cannot cover

               The monstrous bulk of this ingratitude

               With any size⁵³ of words.

TIMON

TIMON     Let it go naked, men may see’t the better:

55

55           You that are honest, by being what you are,

               Make them⁵⁶ best seen and known.

PAINTER

PAINTER     He and myself

               Have travelled in the great shower⁵⁸ of your gifts,

               And sweetly felt it.

60

60   

TIMON

TIMON           Ay, you are honest men.

PAINTER

PAINTER     We are hither come to offer you our service.

TIMON

TIMON     Most honest men. Why, how shall I requite you?

               Can you eat roots and drink cold water? No.

BOTH

BOTH     What we can do we’ll do to do you service.

65

65   

TIMON

TIMON           You’re honest men. You’ve heard that I have gold,

               I am sure you have. Speak truth: you’re honest men.

PAINTER

PAINTER     So it is said, my noble lord, but therefore⁶⁷

               Came not my friend nor I.

TIMON

TIMON     Good honest men.— Thou draw’st a counterfeit⁶⁹ To Painter

70

70           Best in all Athens. Thou’rt, indeed, the best:

               Thou counterfeit’st most lively.⁷¹

PAINTER

PAINTER     So, so,⁷² my lord.

TIMON

TIMON     E’en so,⁷³ sir, as I say.— And for thy fiction, To Poet

               Why, thy verse swells with stuff so fine and smooth⁷⁴

75

75           That thou⁷⁵ art even natural in thine art.

               But, for all this, my honest-natured friends,

               I must needs say you have a little fault:

               Marry, ’tis not monstrous⁷⁸ in you, neither wish I

               You take much pains to mend.

80

80   

BOTH

BOTH           Beseech your honour

               To make it known to us.

TIMON

TIMON     You’ll take it ill.⁸²

BOTH

BOTH     Most thankfully, my lord.

TIMON

TIMON     Will you indeed?

85

85   

BOTH

BOTH           Doubt it not, worthy lord.

TIMON

TIMON     There’s never⁸⁶ a one of you but trusts a knave

               That mightily deceives you.

BOTH

BOTH     Do we, my lord?

TIMON

TIMON     Ay, and you hear him cog,⁸⁹ see him dissemble,

90

90           Know his gross patchery,⁹⁰ love him, feed him,

               Keep⁹¹ in your bosom: yet remain assured

               That he’s a made-up⁹² villain.

PAINTER

PAINTER     I know none such, my lord.

POET

POET     Nor I.

95

95   

TIMON

TIMON           Look you, I love you well. I’ll give you gold,

               Rid me these villains from your companies:

               Hang them or stab them, drown them in a draught,⁹⁷

               Confound⁹⁸ them by some course, and come to me,

               I’ll give you gold enough.

100

100 

BOTH

BOTH             Name them, my lord, let’s know them.

TIMON

TIMON     You¹⁰¹ that way— and you this— but two in company:

               Each man apart, all single and alone,

               Yet an arch-villain keeps him company.

               If where thou¹⁰⁴ art two villains shall not be,

105

105         Come not near him. If thou wouldst not reside

               But where one villain is, then him abandon. Throws stones at them

               Hence, pack!¹⁰⁷ There’s gold: you came for gold, ye slaves.

               You have work for me; there’s payment. Hence! To Painter

               You are an alchemist,¹⁰⁹ make gold of that. To Poet

110

110         Out, rascal dogs! Timon retires to his cave

       Exeunt [Poet and Painter]

       Enter Steward and two Senators

FLAVIUS

FLAVIUS     It is in vain that you would speak with Timon,

               For he is set¹¹² so only to himself

               That nothing but himself which looks like man

               Is friendly with him.

115

115 

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR             Bring us to his cave:

               It is our part¹¹⁶ and promise to th’Athenians

               To speak with Timon.

SECOND SENATOR

SECOND SENATOR     At all times alike

               Men are not still¹¹⁹ the same: ’twas time and griefs

120

120         That framed¹²⁰ him thus: time with his fairer hand,

               Offering the fortunes of his former days,

               The¹²² former man may make him. Bring us to him,

               And chance¹²³ it as it may.

FLAVIUS

FLAVIUS     Here is his cave.—

125

125         Peace and content be here! Lord Timon, Timon,

               Look out and speak to friends: th’Athenians

               By two of their most reverend senate greet thee.

               Speak to them, noble Timon.

       Enter Timon out of his cave

TIMON

TIMON     Thou sun that comforts burn! Speak and be hanged,

130

130         For each true word a blister, and each false

               Be as a cantherizing¹³¹ to the root o’th’tongue,

               Consuming it with speaking!

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR     Worthy Timon—

TIMON

TIMON     Of¹³⁴ none but such as you, and you of Timon.

135

135 

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR             The senators of Athens greet thee, Timon.

TIMON

TIMON     I thank them, and would send them back the plague

               Could I but catch it for them.

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR     O, forget

               What¹³⁹ we are sorry for ourselves in thee.

140

140         The senators with one consent¹⁴⁰ of love

               Entreat thee back to Athens, who have thought

               On special dignities¹⁴² which vacant lie

               For thy best use and wearing.¹⁴³

SECOND SENATOR

SECOND SENATOR     They confess

145

145         Toward thee forgetfulness too general gross;¹⁴⁵

               Which now the public body, which doth seldom

               Play the recanter,¹⁴⁷ feeling in itself

               A lack of Timon’s aid, hath sense withal¹⁴⁸

               Of it own fall, restraining¹⁴⁹ aid to Timon,

150

150         And send forth us to make their sorrowed¹⁵⁰ render,

               Together with a recompense more fruitful

               Than their offence can weigh¹⁵² down by the dram:

               Ay, even such heaps and sums of love and wealth

               As shall to thee blot out what wrongs were theirs

155

155         And write in thee¹⁵⁵ the figures of their love,

               Ever to read them thine.

TIMON

TIMON     You witch¹⁵⁷ me in it,

               Surprise¹⁵⁸ me to the very brink of tears;

               Lend me a fool’s heart and a woman’s eyes,

160

160         And I’ll beweep¹⁶⁰ these comforts, worthy senators.

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR     Therefore so please thee to return with us

               And of our Athens, thine and ours, to take

               The captainship, thou shalt be met with thanks,

               Allowed¹⁶⁴ with absolute power and thy good name

165

165         Live with authority: so soon we shall drive back

               Of¹⁶⁶ Alcibiades th’approaches wild,

               Who, like a boar too savage, doth root up

               His country’s peace.

SECOND SENATOR

SECOND SENATOR     And shakes his threat’ning sword

170

170         Against the walls of Athens.

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR     Therefore, Timon—

TIMON

TIMON     Well, sir, I will: therefore, I will, sir, thus.

               If Alcibiades kill my countrymen,

               Let Alcibiades know this of Timon:

175

175         That Timon cares not. But if he sack¹⁷⁵ fair Athens,

               And take our goodly agèd men by th’beards,

               Giving our holy virgins to the stain¹⁷⁷

               Of contumelious,¹⁷⁸ beastly, mad-brained war,

               Then let him know, and tell him Timon speaks it,

180

180         In pity of our agèd and our youth,

               I cannot choose but tell him that I care not.

               And let him take’t at worst,¹⁸² for their knives care not

               While you have throats to answer.¹⁸³ For myself,

               There’s not a whittle¹⁸⁴ in th’unruly camp

185

185         But I do prize¹⁸⁵ it at my love before

               The reverend’st throat in Athens. So I leave you

               To the protection of the prosperous gods,

               As thieves to keepers.¹⁸⁸

FLAVIUS

FLAVIUS     Stay not, all’s in vain.

190

190 

TIMON

TIMON             Why, I was writing of my epitaph:

               It will be seen tomorrow. My long sickness

               Of health and living now begins to mend,

               And nothing¹⁹³ brings me all things. Go, live still,

               Be Alcibiades your plague, you his,

195

195         And last¹⁹⁵ so long enough.

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR     We speak in vain.

TIMON

TIMON     But yet I love my country, and am not

               One that rejoices in the common wreck

               As common bruit¹⁹⁹ doth put it.

200

200 

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR             That’s well spoke.

TIMON

TIMON     Commend me to my loving countrymen—

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR     These words become²⁰² your lips as they pass through them.

SECOND SENATOR

SECOND SENATOR     And enter in our ears like great triumphers²⁰³

               In their applauding gates.

205

205 

TIMON

TIMON             Commend me to them,

               And tell them that to ease them of their griefs,

               Their fears of hostile strokes, their aches, losses,

               Their pangs of love, with other incident throes²⁰⁸

               That nature’s fragile vessel²⁰⁹ doth sustain

210

210         In life’s uncertain voyage, I will some kindness do them:

               I’ll teach them to prevent wild Alcibiades’ wrath.

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR     I like this well: he will return again. Aside?

TIMON

TIMON     I have a tree, which grows here in my close²¹³

               That mine own use²¹⁴ invites me to cut down,

215

215         And shortly must I fell it. Tell my friends,

               Tell Athens, in the sequence of degree²¹⁶

               From high to low throughout, that whoso please²¹⁷

               To stop affliction, let him take his haste,²¹⁸

               Come hither ere my tree hath felt the axe,

220

220         And hang himself. I pray you do my greeting.

FLAVIUS

FLAVIUS     Trouble him no further: thus you still²²¹ shall find him.

TIMON

TIMON     Come not to me again, but say to Athens,

               Timon hath made his everlasting mansion²²³

               Upon the beachèd verge²²⁴ of the salt flood,

225

225         Who²²⁵ once a day with his embossèd froth

               The turbulent surge shall cover: thither come,

               And let my gravestone be your oracle.²²⁷

               Lips, let four words go by and language end.

               What is amiss, plague and infection mend.

230

230         Graves only be men’s works, and death their gain.

               Sun, hide thy beams. Timon hath done his reign. Into his cave

       Exit Timon

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR     His discontents are unremovably

               Coupled to nature.²³³

SECOND SENATOR

SECOND SENATOR     Our hope in him is dead: let us return,

235

235         And strain²³⁵ what other means is left unto us

               In our dear²³⁶ peril.

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR     It requires swift foot.

       Exeunt

[Act 5 Scene 2]5.2

running scene 14

       Enter two other Senators with a Messenger

THIRD SENATOR

THIRD SENATOR     Thou hast painfully discovered.¹ Are his files

               As full as thy report?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     I have spoke the least.³

               Besides, his⁴ expedition promises

5

5             Present approach.

FOURTH SENATOR

FOURTH SENATOR     We stand much hazard⁶ if they bring not Timon.

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     I met a courier, one⁷ mine ancient friend,

               Whom, though in⁸ general part we were opposed,

               Yet our old love made a particular⁹ force

10

10           And made us speak like friends. This man was riding

               From Alcibiades to Timon’s cave

               With letters of entreaty which imported¹²

               His fellowship¹³ i’th’cause against your city,

               In¹⁴ part for his sake moved.

       Enter the other Senators

15

15   

THIRD SENATOR

THIRD SENATOR           Here come our brothers.¹⁵

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR     No talk of Timon, nothing of him expect.

               The enemy’s drum is heard, and fearful¹⁷ scouring

               Doth choke the air with dust. In, and prepare:

               Ours is the fall,¹⁹ I fear, our foes the snare.

       Exeunt

[Act 5 Scene 3]5.3

running scene 15

       Enter a Soldier in the woods, seeking Timon

SOLDIER

SOLDIER     By all description this should be the place.

               Who’s here? Speak, ho! No answer? What is this? Discovers tomb

               ‘Timon is dead, who hath outstretched his span.³ Reads?

               Some beast read this; there⁴ does not live a man.’

5

5             Dead, sure, and this his grave. What’s on this tomb

               I cannot read: the character⁶ I’ll take with wax.

               Our captain hath in every figure⁷ skill,

               An aged⁸ interpreter, though young in days.

               Before proud Athens he’s set down⁹ by this,

10

10           Whose¹⁰ fall the mark of his ambition is.

       Exit

[Act 5 Scene 4]5.4

running scene 16

       Trumpets sound. Enter Alcibiades with his powers before Athens

ALCIBIADES

ALCIBIADES     Sound¹ to this coward and lascivious town

               Our terrible² approach.

       Sounds a parley

       The Senators appear upon the walls [above]

               Till now you have gone on and filled the time

               With all licentious measure,⁴ making your wills

5

5             The scope⁵ of justice. Till now myself and such

               As slept⁶ within the shadow of your power

               Have wandered with our traversed arms,⁷ and breathed

               Our sufferance vainly.⁸ Now the time is flush

               When crouching marrow⁹ in the bearer strong

10

10           Cries of itself¹⁰ ‘No more.’ Now breathless wrong

               Shall sit and pant in your great chairs of ease,

               And pursy¹² insolence shall break his wind

               With fear and horrid flight.

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR     Noble and young,

15

15           When thy first griefs¹⁵ were but a mere conceit,

               Ere thou hadst power or we had cause of fear,

               We sent¹⁷ to thee to give thy rages balm,

               To wipe out our ingratitude with loves

               Above their quantity.¹⁹

20

20   

SECOND SENATOR

SECOND SENATOR           So²⁰ did we woo

               Transformèd Timon to our city’s love

               By humble message and by promised means:²²

               We were not all unkind, nor all deserve

               The common²⁴ stroke of war.

25

25   

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR           These walls of ours

               Were not erected by their hands from whom

               You have received your grief, nor are they²⁷ such

               That these great tow’rs, trophies and schools²⁸ should fall

               For private²⁹ faults in them.

30

30   

SECOND SENATOR

SECOND SENATOR           Nor are they living

               Who were the motives³¹ that you first went out:

               Shame³² that they wanted cunning, in excess,

               Hath broke their hearts. March, noble lord,

               Into our city with thy banners spread:

35

35           By decimation³⁵ and a tithèd death —

               If thy revenges hunger for that food³⁶

               Which nature loathes — take thou the destined tenth,

               And by the hazard³⁸ of the spotted die

               Let die the spotted.³⁹

40

FIRST SENATOR

40 FIRST SENATOR     All have not offended.

               For those that were,⁴¹ it is not square to take

               On those that are,⁴² revenge: crimes like lands

               Are not inherited. Then, dear countryman,

               Bring in thy ranks, but leave without⁴⁴ thy rage.

45

45           Spare thy Athenian cradle and those kin

               Which in the bluster⁴⁶ of thy wrath must fall

               With those that have offended: like a shepherd,

               Approach the fold⁴⁸ and cull th’infected forth,

               But kill not all together.

50

50   

SECOND SENATOR

SECOND SENATOR           What thou wilt,⁵⁰

               Thou rather shalt enforce it with thy smile

               Than hew to’t with thy sword.

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR     Set but thy foot

               Against our rampired⁵⁴ gates, and they shall ope,

55

55           So⁵⁵ thou wilt send thy gentle heart before,

               To say thou’lt enter friendly.

SECOND SENATOR

SECOND SENATOR     Throw⁵⁷ thy glove,

               Or any token⁵⁸ of thine honour else,

               That thou wilt use the wars as thy redress

60

60           And not as our confusion:⁶⁰ all thy powers

               Shall make their harbour⁶¹ in our town till we

               Have sealed⁶² thy full desire.

ALCIBIADES

ALCIBIADES     Then there’s my glove. Throws his glove

               Descend, and open your unchargèd ports:⁶⁴

65

65           Those enemies of Timon’s and mine own

               Whom you yourselves shall set⁶⁶ out for reproof

               Fall and no more; and to atone⁶⁷ your fears

               With⁶⁸ my more noble meaning, not a man

               Shall pass⁶⁹ his quarter or offend the stream

70

70           Of regular justice in your city’s bounds

               But⁷¹ shall be remedied to your public laws

               At heaviest answer.⁷²

BOTH

BOTH     ’Tis most nobly spoken.

ALCIBIADES

ALCIBIADES     Descend, and keep your words. Exeunt Senators, above, and enter below Soldier from previous scene, carrying a tablet of wax

       Enter a Messenger

75

75   

MESSENGER

MESSENGER           My noble general, Timon is dead:

               Entombed upon the very hem o’th’sea.

               And on his gravestone this insculpture,⁷⁷ which

               With wax I brought away, whose soft impression

               Interprets⁷⁹ for my poor ignorance.

ALCIBIADES

ALCIBIADES     

       Reads the epitaph

80

801013‘Here lies a wretched corpse, of wretched soul bereft.

                                    Seek not my name. A plague consume you wicked caitiffs⁸¹ left!

                                    Here lie I, Timon, who alive all living men did hate:

                                    Pass by and curse thy fill, but pass and stay⁸³ not here thy gait.’

               These⁸⁴ well express in thee thy latter spirits.

85

85           Though thou abhorred’st in us our human griefs,

               Scornedst our brains’ flow⁸⁶ and those our droplets which

               From niggard⁸⁷ nature fall, yet rich conceit

               Taught thee to make vast Neptune⁸⁸ weep for aye

               On thy low⁸⁹ grave, on faults forgiven. Dead

90

               Is noble Timon, of whose memory⁹⁰

               Hereafter more. Bring me into your city,

               And I will use the olive⁹² with my sword,

               Make war breed peace, make peace stint⁹³ war, make each

               Prescribe to other as each other’s leech.⁹⁴

95

95           Let our drums strike. Drums

       Exeunt

Textual Notes

F = First Folio text of 1623

F2 = a correction introduced in the Second Folio text of 1632

F3 = a correction introduced in the Third Folio text of 1663–64

F4 = a correction introduced in the Fourth Folio text of 1685

Ed = a correction introduced by a later editor

SD = stage direction

SH = speech heading (i.e., speaker’s name)

List of parts adapted from “THE ACTORS NAMES” at end of F text

1.1.27 gum, which oozes = Ed. F = Gowne, which vses 101 hands = F2. F = hand fly = Ed. F = sit 200 SD Apemantus often spelled Apermantus in F 235 cost = F3. F = cast 303 I’ll…company. Later editors have assigned this line to FIRST LORD

1.2.0 SD Ventidius spelled Ventigius in F 28 ye’ve spelled ye’haue in F 31 ever = Ed. F = verie 37 thou’rt spelled Th’art in F 109 There = F. Sometimes emended to “Th’ear” 111 welcome = F2. F = wecome 113 SD Enter…playing placed sixteen lines earlier in F 134 SH LADY = Ed. F = Lord. 150 SD Enter Flavius placed ten lines later in F 166 SH SECOND = Ed. Not in F

2.1.7 more spelled moe in F

2.2.1 SH FLAVIUS = Ed. F = Stew. (throughout rest of F) 11 SH VARRO’S SERVANT = Ed. F = Var. 13 SH ISIDORE’S SERVANT = Ed. F = Isid. 45 broken = Ed. F = debt, broken 68 SH ALL SERVANTS = Ed. F = Al. 82 SH PAGE = F4. F = Boy. 107 sometime’t spelled sometime t’ in F 120 walk near spelled walk en eere in F 126 proposed = F2. F = propose 133 accounts spelled accompts in F 135 found = F2. F = sound. Some editors emend to summed 191 Flaminius = Ed. F = Flavius

3.2.3 SH FIRST STRANGER = Ed. F = 1 (throughout scene) 7 SH SECOND STRANGER = Ed. F = 2 (throughout scene) 20 SH LUCIUS = F2. F = Lucil. 51 sport = F. Sometimes emended to spirit 62 SH THIRD STRANGER = Ed. F = 3

3.4.1 SH FIRST SERVANT = Ed. F = man 4 SH LUCIUS’ SERVANT = Ed. F = Luci. 49 SH VARRO’S SECOND SERVANT = Ed. F = 2. Varro 90 SH HORTENSIUS = Ed. F = 1 Var. 91 VARRO’S FIRST and SECOND SERVANTS = Ed. F = 2 Var.

3.5.9 all luxurs = Ed. F = Vllorxa

3.6.22 behave = Ed. F = behooue 51 fellow = F. Sometimes emended to felon 66 Why, I = F2. F = Why 70 ’em = F2. F = him

3.7.1 SH FIRST LORD = Ed. F = 1 (F provides only numerals for the Lords’ speech headings throughout this scene) 42 SH FIRST and SECOND LORDS = Ed. F = Both 61 foes = Ed. F = Fees 62 tag = Ed. F = legge 65 SH SOME LORDS = Ed. F = Some speake 66 SH OTHER LORDS = Ed. F = Some other 70 with your = Ed. F = you with 91 SH THIRD LORD = Ed. F = 2 92 SH SECOND LORD = Ed. F = 3

4.1.13 Son = F2. F = Some 21 yet = F. Sometimes emended to let

4.2.44 does = F4. F = do

4.3.12 beggar’s = Ed. F = Brothers 13 lean = F3. F = leaue 15 say = F2. F = fay 16 grece spelled grize in F 91 tub-fast = Ed. F = Fubfast 125 window-bars = Ed. F = window Barne 141 SH PHRYNIA and TIMANDRA = Ed. F = Both 165 scolds = Ed. F = scold’st 196 thy = Ed. F = the 215 fortune = Ed. F = future 271 command = Ed. F = command’st 302 my = Ed. F = thy 370 swoon spelled swoond in F 385 son and sire = Ed. F = Sunne and fire 404 them = Ed. F = then 405 SH FIRST BANDIT = Ed. F = 1 (F provides only numerals for the Bandits’ speech headings throughout this scene) 413 SH OTHER BANDITTI = Ed. F = All. 439 villains = Ed. F = Villaine 479 grant’st = Ed. F. = grunt’st 497 wild = F. Sometimes emended to mild

5.1.4 Phrynia = Ed. F = Phrinica Timandra = F2. F = Timandylo 38 worship = Ed. F = worshipt 54 go naked, men = Ed. F = go, Naked men 111 in = F3. Not in F 123 chance = F3. F = chanc’d 148 sense = Ed. F = since 186 reverend’st spelled reuerends in F

5.2.1 SH THIRD SENATOR = Ed. F = 1 (F numbers afresh in this scene: thus the senator at line 6 is “2” and that at line 16 is “3”)

5.3.4 read = F. Sometimes emended to reared

5.4.80 corpse spelled Coarse in F

Act 1 Scene 1

    *   List of parts: captain military leader, general

 1.1    Location: outside Timon’s house, Athens    Mercer dealer in silk, whose occupation could be indicated by costume; Folio stage direction is “and Mercer” but “both” at line 10 suggests he is synonymous with the Merchant who speaks with the Jeweller    several different

    3    long for a long time    How…world? i.e., how are things with you (the Painter responds to a more literal sense)

    4    wears wears away, decays    grows gets older

    6    rarity exceptional, striking event    strange strange occurrence

    7    record memory/recorded history    not matches cannot equal

    8    bounty liberality, generosity, goodness    spirits i.e., the other people on stage

    9    conjured summoned with an incantation    attend be present (in response to a summons)/serve, wait upon

  12    fixed certain

  13    breathed accustomed (through exercise)

  14    continuate continual

  15    passes surpasses, excels

  18    touch the estimate meet the designated price

  19    we i.e., poets    recompense payment

  20    happy fortunate (in having a worthwhile subject)

  21    aptly readily/rightfully, fittingly/with appropriate language

  22    form shape, appearance

  23    rich valuable    water transparency, luster

  24    rapt engrossed/emotionally carried away    dedication in the hope of securing patronage poets often dedicated their work to noblemen

  26    idly casually, effortlessly

  30    Provokes itself occurs spontaneously (unlike flint, which has to be struck to create a spark)    current i.e., of water    flies flees from, rushes past

  31    bound bank    chafes moves against/seethes at/erodes

  33    Upon…presentment immediately after its presentation (to Timon)

  36    comes off turns out

  37    Indifferent average

  38    this…standing the grace of the painted figure conveys the dignity of the man himself

  40    How big how powerfully/what a great

  41    Moves comes alive    To…interpret one might readily imagine the words of this silent facial expression

  43    pretty clever, artful    mocking imitation

  44    touch brushstroke/artistic detail

  46    tutors nature i.e., teaches nature what it should be like    artificial strife i.e., the efforts of art to outdo nature

  47    livelier more lifelike/more energetic

  48    followed sought after

  51    confluence meeting point of rivers

  53    beneath world earth (below heaven)

  54    entertainment welcome/treatment    drift i.e., poetic flow

  55    particularly i.e., on specific individuals or details

  56    wax i.e., a malleable substance (used to coat writing tablets)/growth    levelled specifically aimed

  57    comma punctuation mark/phrase

  59    tract trace

  60    How…you? What do you mean?/How shall I interpret your poem?

  61    unbolt reveal, explain

  62    conditions social ranks/dispositions

  63    glib smooth, oily    slipp’ry fickle, treacherous

  64    grave wise/dignified    austere stern    quality rank/character    tender down offer (plays on the sense of “lay down in payment”)

  66    hanging i.e., like clothing

  67    Subdues makes subservient    properties appropriates    his…tendance loving and attending on him

  68    glass-faced mirror-faced (i.e., flattering)

  70    abhor loathe    drops…knee i.e., bows

  71    returns goes home

  72    nod i.e., acknowledging nod

  75    Feigned imagined, depicted poetically

  76    ranked…deserts filled with rows of people of all types of worth

  77    sphere i.e., the earth

  78    propagate multiply, increase    states fortunes/circumstances/status

  79    lady i.e., Fortune

  80    personate represent    frame disposition/form, appearance

  81    wafts beckons

  82    Whose refers to Fortune    present…rivals current favor immediately turns all his rivals into slaves and servants

  84    conceived to scope devised to the purpose

  87    against in the face of

  89    our condition i.e., in paint

  90    hear me on listen further

  91    fellows equals    of late recently

  92    value merit/status

  93    his…tendance fill his halls with their attentive presence

  94    sacrificial worshipping/self-sacrificing

  95    stirrup i.e., as they help him onto his horse    through…air i.e., make themselves dependent on him even for the air they breathe

  97    marry by the Virgin Mary

  99    Spurns down rejects, kicks down the mountain

102    declining falling

105    quick sudden/sharp (plays on the sense of “living”; to be “quick with child” was to be pregnant)

106    pregnantly compellingly

107    mean low, inferior, ignorant

108    The…head i.e., Fortune’s foot, ready to kick one down the mountain/the great man tumbling head over heels suitor petitioner, one with a formal request to make

110    five talents a very large sum of money; the exact value of a talent in the early seventeenth century is unclear, but seems to have been somewhere between £150 and £200

111    means wealth    strait exacting, severe

114    Periods puts an end to    comfort hope, encouragement

116    feather i.e., disposition, type

120    ever binds him makes him obliged to you for ever

121    Commend me convey my greetings

122    enfranchised set free

127    father respectful form of address to an old man

133    creature dependant

135    first i.e., early life    thrift economy/profit making

136    more raised i.e., of higher status

137    one…trencher i.e., a domestic servant    trencher wooden plate

141    o’th’youngest…bride i.e., just old enough to marry

142    bred brought up

143    qualities accomplishments

144    Attempts tries to obtain

145    her resort to visit her

147    honest honorable, worthy

148    Therefore…be i.e., he will continue to be so if he does not pursue her

150    bear carry off as a prize

152    apt impressionable/sexually inclined

153    precedent earlier, youthful

154    levity frivolity/licentiousness, immorality

160    all completely/of everything

161    How…endowed what will her dowry be

164    gentleman a man of good birth attending a man of high rank

166    bond obligation

167    counterpoise match, counterbalance

168    with i.e., as much as

170    Pawn…honour if you will pledge your honor to do this

173    state wealth

175    Vouchsafe deign to accept

176    anon soon

181    the natural man man as he really is

182    traffics has dealings

183    He…outside i.e., human nature is defined by mere (unreliable) outward appearance    pencilled painted

184    Even…out exactly what they appear to be

185    shall…it i.e., will be rewarded for it

189    must needs must

190    Hath…praise i.e., cannot hope to financially match the praise it has received (the Jeweller thinks that Timon means that the jewel has been “underpraised”)

192    A mere satiety an absolute excess

193    extolled praised

194    unclew unwind, undo, ruin

195    rated valued

196    those…give i.e., at the price the seller would pay

197    like the same

198    prized…masters differently valued by different owners/valued according to the respect men have for the owner

199    mend improve, add value to

200    mocked acted

201    common tongue general opinion

203    Will…chid? Do you want to be scolded?

206    morrow morning

207    gentle noble/courteous    stay wait

208    When and that impossibility will only occur when

214    name i.e., knave

215    proud arrogant, presumptuous (Apemantus shifts the sense to “honored, glad”)

220    doing nothing i.e., because there are no honest Athenians

222    innocence inability of the painted character to do harm/foolishness

223    Wrought worked

224    He i.e., God

226    dog plays on the fact that “cynic” is derived from the Greek for “dog”

227    generation species (implying that the Painter’s mother is a “bitch,” i.e., female dog/lewd woman)

229    eat not lords do not consume the wealth (or flesh) of lords

230    An if

231    eat have sex with    come by acquire (perhaps with orgasmic connotations)    great bellies i.e., through overeating/in pregnancy

232    apprehension interpretation/sexual grasping

233    So…labour if you understand it in that way, keep it as a reward for your efforts (labour plays on the sense of “pains of childbirth”)

235    Not…doit “plain-dealing is a jewel, but they that use it die beggars” (proverbial)    plain-dealing honest behavior/forthright lechery    doit coin of little value

237    How now greeting that implies inquiry about well-being

243    poet…liest the idea of the creative artist as a liar was conventional

245    him i.e., Timon

248    worthy of plays on the idea of “of financial value to”

251    E’en even, i.e., exactly

254    Wherefore? Why?

255    no angry wit not enough anger in my wit

257    Traffic trade, business    confound ruin

260    What whose

261    horse horsemen

262    of companionship one party, together

263    entertain welcome    give them guide show them

266    of your sights to see you

268    So, so, there! a comment on the greetings that are underway (“Well, look at that”) exclamation of observation/commentary on the greetings

269    contract and starve shrink and wither

270    small hardly any    sweet smooth, falsely pleasant

271    strain race    bred out degenerated

273    saved my longing i.e., satisfied my desire to see you

274    hungerly hungrily    your sight the sight of you

276    Ere before    depart part    bounteous abundant

277    different various    in go in

280    That…still it is always that time

281    omitt’st neglect

283    meat food

290    unpeaceable quarrelsome    spurn kick

291    fly flee, run away from    o’th’ass of the donkey/idiot

292    opposite to antagonistic toward/the reverse of

293    outgoes exceeds

295    Plutus the wealthy Greek god of the underworld

296    steward servant in charge of all domestic affairs    meed gift

299    All…quittance repayment with interest

Act 1 Scene 2

 1.2    Location: the banqueting room in Timon’s house    Hautboys oboelike instruments    States senators    dropping moodily, unenthusiastically/casually

    3    long peace i.e., death

    6    free generous

    7    service respect, homage

  11    ever always

  12    he…receives biblical: “if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye?” (Luke 6:34), “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35)

  13    that game i.e., appearing freely generous yet permitting repayment

  14    faults…fair “rich men have no faults” (proverbial)

  17    Ceremony respectful courtesy, formal conduct

  18    set…on give a fair appearance to, smooth over    faint half-hearted/trivial    hollow insincere

  19    Recanting goodness goodness that will be withdrawn ere before

  20    none i.e., no ceremony

  23    confessed acknowledged, granted (Apemantus shifts the sense to “heard the confession of a criminal”)

  24    Hanged “confess and be hanged” (proverbial)

  28    Fie exclamation of disgust or reproach    churl peasant/villain (i.e., ungracious, contemptible)    humour mood, temperament (the four humors were bodily fluids thought to govern health and disposition)

  29    become befit, suit

  30    Ira…est “Anger is a brief madness” (Latin)

  31    yond yonder, that

  33    affect like/seek out

  35    apperil peril, risk

  36    observe scrutinize people and make comments on them    on’t of it

  37    heed notice

  38    would wish to    power i.e., to silence you    meat…silent i.e., as you eat

  39    ’twould…thee i.e., the food is a benefit to be enjoyed by Timon’s flatterers; not being one, Apemantus would choke on it

  40    eats i.e., prey upon, consume the wealth of

  41    dip…blood may allude to the Last Supper of Christ and his disciples: “he that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, he shall betray me” (Matthew 26:23)    all…up the maddest thing of all is that he encourages them

  44    without knives in Shakespeare’s day guests brought their own knives to dinner

  45    Good…meat i.e., because less would be eaten

  46    example precedent, previous evidence

  47    pledges…him i.e., drinks a toast to his life    divided draught shared cup (divided may also suggest deception)

  48    huge powerful, high-ranking

  49    spy…notes i.e., see his    windpipe dangerously exposed as his head tilts back    notes distinctive signs (plays on the sense of “musical notes,” with the    windpipe as an instrument)

  50    harness armor

  51    in heart heartily, in friendship    health toast/shared cup

  53    brave fine    keeps…well i.e., does not miss an opportunity    tides time/movement of the sea    Those…ill “to drink health is to drink sickness” (proverbial)    health toast/physical healthiness    state estate, wealth/physical condition

  55    sinner i.e., cause of sin

  56    i’th’mire stuck in the mud, i.e., in trouble

  57    odds difference

  58    proud lavish/arrogant    grace prayer said before a meal

  59    pelf wealth/spoils, booty

  61    fond foolish

  63    harlot prostitute

  65    keeper jailer

  67    fall to’t start eating

  68    root i.e., vegetables

  69    dich do it

  70    field battlefield

  72    breakfast of enemies i.e., cutting enemies up on the battlefield

  73    So provided that    new freshly

  76    bid…’em invite me to eat them

  77    use our hearts make use of the affection that we have for you

  78    zeals loyalties, devotion

  79    perfect satisfied, complete

  81    else otherwise

  82    charitable loving    from from among, out of

  83    told…you described you more expansively/estimated you more highly

  84    confirm corroborate, approve

  85    needless pointless, not needed

  89    do benefits give gifts/help    properer more fittingly/more our own    riches…friends wealth of friendship/wealth belonging to our friends

  91    commanding having at one’s disposal    made…born destroyed before birth, i.e., expressed in tears, which seem sorrowful

  92    faults errors; plays on the sense of “cracks (to let in water)”

  93    Thou…drink Apemantus wryly implies that Timon’s weakness enables his flatterers to take advantage of him

  94    like same

  95    sprung up welled up, like a spring/grew

  96    a bastard illegitimate, i.e., insincere

  98    Much! exclamation of disbelief or sarcasm    tucket trumpet call

  99    trump trumpet

100    Please if it please    most…admittance who wish to enter; may possibly play on sense of “who are desirous to be received sexually”;    wills sexual desires,    office duty/sexual role,    pleasures also resonate sexually

102    forerunner herald    which…pleasures whose job it is to announce their wishes    Cupid Roman god of love, usually depicted as a winged, blindfolded boy    masque courtly entertainment involving dancing and elaborate costumes

108    gratulate greet    plenteous bosom generous heart

109    There refers to Timon’s generosity (plenteous bosom), and the banqueting    table it has provided    all i.e., and the other three senses

110    only…but come solely

111    kind friendly/gracious

113    ample amply    Amazons legendary race of female warriors

114    Hoyday exclamation of surprise    sweep magnificent dancing motion

116    Like similar, comparable    glory vainglory, empty pride

117    As…root as can be seen by comparing this splendor (of banquet and masque) with a simple diet    pomp ceremony, splendor

118    disport amuse

119    spend express/use up/waste    drink toast/swallow, consume

120    Upon whose age old age/decline in fortune    void vomit

121    envy malice

122    depravèd defamed, slandered/morally corrupt

123    spurn insult, rejection

124    Of…gift (that has been) given by their friends    adoring of revering of, expressing respect toward    lofty strain elevated, grand tune

128    done…grace added charm to our enjoyments, honored our revels

129    Set…on i.e., lent elegance to

130    kind gracious

132    mine own device a masque commissioned and invented by me/a masque designed for me

134    take…best evaluate us as highly as it is possible (Apemantus plays on the sexual sense of “take,” i.e., “have sex with”)

135    for because    worst plays on the sense of “worst part,” i.e., vagina    filthy disgusting/infected with venereal disease    hold taking stand up to evaluation/withstand sex (because it is diseased)    doubt me fear, suspect

136    idle light, trifling    banquet light meal, or fruit and sweetmeats served after the main meal    attends awaits

137    dispose yourselves take your places

143    crossing opposing, thwarting    humour mood

144    well plainly, bluntly

145    crossed have his debts crossed out/paid    an if only

146    had…behind i.e., was not wary

147    for his mind as a result of his (generous) disposition

154    advance enhance in value (by wearing)

156    so…gifts already so obliged to you for other gifts

160    fairly kindly/courteously, graciously

162    Vouchsafe permit    near closely, seriously

164    provided prepared

168    free generous, open

169    trapped harnessed

170    worthily entertained received in a manner appropriate to their worth

174    brace pairs

176    fair courteous/generous/just

179    coffer money chest

180    know his purse i.e., pay attention to his finances    yield me this allow me, give me the opportunity

182    make…good put his wishes into effect

183    state estate, wealth

186    put…books mortgaged to them

187    would I wish

190    Than…exceed than to feed such friends as are worse than enemies

193    bate diminish

197    gave good words praised

198    bay courser reddish-brown horse

200    in that for liking it, and thus implying that I wanted it

202    affect desire, like

203    weigh…own consider my friend’s desires to be the same as my own

204    call to visit

206    several visitations your collective and individual visits

208    deal give

211    living income/existence

213    pitched field battle field with armies drawn up for action

214    defiled plays on    pitched as “covered with pitch (a black tarlike substance)”; “file” picks up on the sense of “troop formation”

215    virtuously bound powerfully bound/bound by your virtue

217    endeared indebted/bound by affection/increased in value

218    All to you i.e., the obligation is all mine

221    Ready for at the service of

222    coil confusion, fuss

223    Serving delivering    becks bows

224    legs limbs/bows

225    dregs impurities, corruption

226    false insincere, dishonest

229    I’ll I’ll have

230    rail upon abuse, rant at, insult

231    fear me fear    paper i.e., promissory notes, written securities

232    vainglories showy events

233    an…once if you begin to abuse good company

234    come…music i.e., change your tune, speak more positively

235    So so be it

236    thou…then you will not have the opportunity later

237    heaven salvation (achieved by listening to good advice)

239    counsel advice

Act 2 Scene 1

 2.1    Location: a senator’s house, Athens

    1    late recently

    3    motion…waste in the process of reckless extravagance

    4    hold last, be sustained

    9    foals brings forth more horses (gifts from Timon)    straight immediately/strong

  10    porter i.e., gatekeeper who keeps out visitors

  11    still always

  13    sound…safety probe his finances and find them to be secure/declare his financial situation to be secure    ho! exclamation to attract attention

  17    Importune urge, ask persistently    ceased stopped

  18    slight dismissive, casual    when…hand i.e., with courteous words and gestures

  21    uses needs (perhaps with a suggestion of “financial interest owed”)    serve my turn provide for myself/meet the financial claims on me

  22    own own money    days and times i.e., the deadlines for payment

  23    fracted broken

  24    smit impacted on, damaged

  26    relief i.e., request for repayment

  27    tossed and turned hit back (a tennis metaphor)

  28    supply financial provision

  29    importunate persistent, urgent    aspect facial expression

  31    feather…wing i.e., when every creditor is paid what they are due/when everything is back in its rightful place

  32    gull unfledged bird/dupe, fool

  33    flashes shines brightly/temporarily displays    phoenix mythical Arabian bird that was consumed by fire every five hundred years, then resurrected from the ashes; only one existed at a time

  36    have…in i.e., make sure the (missed) repayment dates are included

Act 2 Scene 2

 2.2    Location: outside Timon’s house, Athens

    2    know learn, be told    maintain afford, stand the cost

    3    riot revelling, extravagance

    4    resumes assumes

    5    what…continue how the future will be provided for/what the consequences will be    Never…kind never was there a mind so unwise in order to be so kind

    7    till feel i.e., until he experiences the consequences

    8    round plain-spoken, severe

  14    discharged paid

  15    fear it doubt that that will happen    train retinue

  17    forth go out (hunting)

  19    dues debts

  20    Whence are you? Where are you from?

  24    To…month i.e., from day to day for a month

  25    awaked…occasion prompted by urgent circumstances

  26    call…own call in what is owed to him

  27    with…suit you will act in accordance with your other noble qualities

  30    repair return

  36    wants needs/shortages

  37    forfeiture penalty of forfeiting the security for the loan (e.g., land and property)

  40    breath breathing space

  41    keep on go on ahead

  42    wait upon follow

  44    How goes what is going on in    encountered confronted/assaulted

  45    demands legal claims

  46    detention withholding

  47    Against my honour contrary to my reputation, damaging my honor

  49    unagreeable to unsuitable for

  54    draw near i.e., follow me    Fool professional jester

  59    dost do, i.e., are you

  60    Dost…shadow? Are you talking to yourself?    dialogue with speak to    shadow mirror image

  63    There’s…back (to Varro’s servant) you have been labeled “fool”/(to Apemantus) the fool is behind you, follows you (perhaps with homosexual connotations, picked up in Apemantus’ reply with    stand’st—”have an erection”—and    on him)

  64    No…single that cannot be as you, a fool, are standing alone

  66    He (it is) he who    usurers moneylenders    bawds pimps, go-betweens

  67    want financial need/sexual desire

  74    Gramercies great thanks

  75    e’en even now    setting on putting on to the fire to boil (possibly plays on the sense of “sexually arousing”)    scald remove the feathers of/infect with venereal disease/treat for venereal disease (by inducing sweating)

  76    Corinth i.e., a brothel (the Greek port of Corinth was notorious for prostitution)

  81    rod punishment cane    answer reply to/punish

  82    superscription address

  89    whelped born as a puppy    famish die by starvation

  91    outrunn’st grace i.e., run away from the advice that might save you (Apemantus shifts the sense of    gone to “damned”)

  94    If…home i.e., if Timon is at home, there is a fool at his house

  95    would if only, we wish    served provided for, advantaged (Apemantus plays on the phrase “to serve a trick”)

  99    to as    one i.e., a usurer (plays on the sense of “pimp, procuress/one who regularly ‘uses’ “men, i.e., has sex with them)

100    fool perhaps with a suggestion of “sexual plaything” (fools were proverbially well-endowed)

101    sadly i.e., because they have spent their money or contracted venereal disease (the Fool continues to joke that the house is a brothel)

103    render give

104    whoremaster user of prostitutes

105    which…esteemed despite which you shall be no less well regarded (i.e., he is poorly regarded already)

109    stones testicles    artificial one philosopher’s stone, which could supposedly turn base metals into gold (mythological)

110    goes…down walks about/gains and loses an erection/has sex    fourscore eighty

115    become done credit to

118    lover…woman i.e., people who are traditionally foolish

120    walk near remain nearby

121    marvel wonder

123    rated…means estimated my expenditure according to what my resources would allow

126    leisures unoccupied moments    proposed brought it up for consideration

127    Go to exclamation of dismissive impatience

128    Perchance perhaps    single isolated/slight, trivial    vantages opportunities

129    indisposition unwillingness    back off

130    that…minister my disinclination became your reason

135    found…honesty i.e., trusted me to calculate them

138    gainst…manners contrary to what good manners require

139    close closed/close to your chest

140    checks rebukes

141    in i.e., about

143    now’s a time at least you can listen now/you must listen now

144    greatest…half the highest estimate of your wealth is not even half enough

147    engaged mortgaged

148    stop feed/silence

149    present dues immediate debts    apace quickly

150    interim the short-term, immediate future    at length in the long run

151    reck’ning settlement of accounts

152    Lacedaemon Sparta (city in southern Greece)

157    husbandry household economy    falsehood dishonesty

158    auditors checkers of accounts

159    proof test

160    offices parts of the house used by servants (kitchen, etc.)    oppressed overstretched/overcrowded

161    feeders guests/servants to guests (who must also be fed)    vaults wine cellars

162    spilth spillage

163    minstrelsy music and singing

164    wasteful cock wastefully flowing tap of a wine barrel

165    set…flow i.e., cried

168    bits excessive tidbits, wasteful morsels    slaves servants/rogues

169    englutted swallowed    Timon’s Timon’s friend, kept at Timon’s expense

175    fast-lost lost quickly/lost due to the absence of food

176    couched hidden

177    sermon preach at

178    villainous proceeding from unworthy motives/extended to villains

180    conscience understanding

182    broach tap (a barrel)

183    try test    argument of hearts protestations of love

184    frankly as freely

186    Assurance…thoughts may your thoughts be blessed by proving true

187    sort way, sense    crowned given dignity/made wealthy

188    account consider (may play on the financial sense)

193    severally separately

196    occasions needs    time occasion, opportunity    toward for/to contribute toward

199    Hum! exclamation of doubt or displeasure

201    even…health for my services to the welfare of the state

205    For that because    general usual

206    signet ring used as a seal, proof of authority

210    corporate collective

211    fall a low ebb (financially)    want lack

215    catch a wrench be accidentally twisted from its natural course

216    intending pretending/occupying themselves with

217    hard fractions harsh fragmentary sentences

218    half-caps semi-courteous greetings, half-doffed hats    cold-moving stiff/indicative of cold feelings

221    cheerly cheerful

222    hereditary i.e., inherited with old age

223    caked congealed

224    ’Tis it is due to    kindly natural

225    grows…earth approaches the grave

226    dull unresponsive, sluggish

228    ingeniously honestly

230    stepped Into has inherited

234    good necessity genuine need

239    that…foe i.e., the belief that friends will remain loyal during times of hardship is the undoing of the generous person

240    free generous (plays on the notion that “thought is free”)

Act 3 Scene 1

 3.1    Location: Lucullus’ house, Athens

    4    warrant am sure    hits right fits in perfectly

    5    ewer pitcher used to contain water for handwashing    tonight i.e., last night

    6    respectively respectfully

    7    complete accomplished    free-hearted generous

  11    pretty excellent, fine

  12    in on

  13    supply fill

  14    furnish provide    nothing in no way

  15    present immediate

  16    La…la! either an exclamation of disdain or equivalent to “Indeed!”

  17    so…house i.e., one in which hospitality is so lavish

  18    on’t of it

  19    have him persuade him to    embrace accept

  20    honesty generosity

  24    speaks your pleasure is kind to say so

  25    towardly promising/helpful, friendly    prompt ready and willing give to give

  27    use…well i.e., make the most of opportunities that arise    parts qualities    sirrah sir (used to a social inferior)

  30    bare mere    security deposit or pledge that guarantees a loan

  31    solidares invented term for a coin of low value, perhaps from the Roman solidus or Italian soldo    wink close your eyes

  33    differ…lived change in the course of a single lifetime

  37    these i.e., the coins    scald burn (in hell)

  38    molten…damnation being boiled in molten metal was the traditional punishment of usurers in hell

  39    himself i.e., a true friend

  40    milky i.e., weak, cowardly

  41    turns curdles

  42    passion suffering/extreme emotion

  43    my…him been fed by Timon

  44    nutriment nourishment

  49    hour suffering as he dies

Act 3 Scene 2

 3.2    Location: a public place in Athens

    3    for to be

    9    necessity belonged to’t how urgent it was

  10    How? What?

  15    his i.e., the gifts Lucullus received from Timon

  16    mistook him made a mistake    occasion need

  18    hap chance

  19    sweat sweated (through hurrying)

  21    exquisite excellent/accomplished

  23    endeared obliged/affectionate

  25    present occasion urgent needs (present plays ironically on the sense of “gift”)

  26    use need

  27    merry joking

  30    virtuous i.e., incurred through virtuous generosity

  34    disfurnish myself against leave myself unprepared for

  36    purchase…part yesterday have spent a sum of money/made a small investment    undo…honour i.e., ruin my chance of helping Timon

  38    use borrow from

  39    would wish

  40    conceive the fairest think the best

  41    kind generous, helpful

  42    pleasure oblige

  43    befriend…far i.e., be so kind

  45    look…turn find something to do for you in return

  46    shrunk i.e., diminished in fortune

  47    hardly speed prosper with great difficulty

  50    world’s soul i.e., the essence of the world    piece kind, type (cut from the same cloth)

  52    dips…dish “he that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, he shall betray me” (Matthew 26:23)    in my knowing to my knowledge

  53    been…father i.e., behaved as a father to him

  54    kept his maintained Lucius’    credit finances/reputation    his i.e., Timon’s

  57    treads presses

  58    monstrousness unnatural behavior (from proverbial “ingratitude is monstrous”)

  59    looks out shows himself

  60    in…his considering, relative to Lucius’ entire fortune

  64    tasted Timon had experience of Timon’s generosity

  65    over upon

  68    carriage conduct

  70    put…donation made a gift of my wealth/considered all my wealth a gift from Timon

  73    with…dispense to do away with compassion

  74    policy strategy, self-interested calculation

Act 3 Scene 3

 3.3    Location: Sempronius’ house, Athens

    7    touched tested (for quality—a touchstone is used to tell pure metals from base ones)

  14    Thrive…over prosper on his money but give up on him

  16    That he who my place i.e., at the top of his list of friends sense…first no reason why, in his need, he should not have turned to me first

  18    in my conscience to my mind

  20    backwardly poorly/slowly/in reverse order of priority

  21    requite repay

  22    argument of topic for

  25    Had he had but…sake on account of my good will toward him

  26    courage desire

  27    faint weak

  28    bates diminishes

  29    goodly fine

  30    politic cunning    crossed thwarted

  31    set him clear make even the devil seem innocent    fairly virtuously/cleanly

  32    foul wicked/dirty    Takes…wicked imitates virtuous behavior in order to be wicked    zeal religious devotion

  33    set…fire i.e., begin wars in the name of religion

  35    dead i.e., to him

  36    wards locks

  37    Many for many

  38    sure securely (from arrest for debt)

  39    liberal over-generous

  40    keep his house stay indoors

Act 3 Scene 4

 3.4    Location: Timon’s house, Athens

    8    at once to all of you

  10    the hour is the time

  11    Labouring for getting on for, approaching

  12    much i.e., late

  15    on’t at it    wont accustomed    shine rise (like the sun)

  16    waxed grown

  17    prodigal wasteful

  18    like the sun’s i.e., reaching a peak, and then declining

  22    am of share your

  23    t’observe to note and interpret

  27    For…money i.e., the money he owes me was spent on the jewels

  28    heart feelings/wish

  29    Mark note, listen to    shows appears

  31    e’en…’em it is as if your lord demands money to pay for the jewels that were a gift to him

  33    charge employment

  35    stealth stealing

  38    much deep very great (amount)

  39    confidence intimacy, trusted friendship    mine i.e., my master’s

  40    his had equalled his loan would have been as great as that of your master

  44    attend wait for    signify so much make this known

  45    diligent dutiful/officious

  47    in a cloud troubled/muffled up

  51    certain certain sums of (in his reply Flavius plays on the sense of “secure, assured”)

  55    preferred brought forward, presented

  56    false disloyal

  57    fawn show delight/grovel

  58    take down swallow    maws throats/stomachs

  59    stir me up provoke me

  61    made an end parted company

  62    reckon add up

  63    serve do, suffice (Flavius plays on the sense of “do a servant’s duty”)

  64    base dishonorable/lowborn

  66    cashiered dismissed (from service)    worship used ironically

  68    broader more plainly

  69    rail rant

  71    repair return

  72    take’t…soul believe me    wondrously extraordinarily

  73    comfortable cheerful    forsook abandoned

  74    keeps remains in

  76    if…health if he is so ill

  78    make…gods i.e., not risk punishment after death for leaving debts behind him    clear unhindered/innocent

  82    passage passing through/moving

  83    free unrestrained/generous

  84    retentive confining

  87    Put in present your bill

  93    Knock…’em Timon plays on the fact that    bill also means “long-handled weapon”    cleave split    girdle belt

  95    sums amounts of money

  97    Tell count

102    fall upon attack, punish

103    throw…at i.e., give up on

104    desperate irrecoverable/mad, reckless

Act 3 Scene 5

 3.5    Location: inside Timon’s house (though the action is continuous from the previous scene)

    1    put…me taken my breath away

    4    What…so? Timon begins to plan the mock banquet

    8    fitly conveniently    bid invite, summon

    9    luxurs lechers, debauched men

  12    distracted agitated/confused, maddened

  15    Be…care do not worry about it

Act 3 Scene 6

 3.6    Location: the senate house, Athens

    1    voice vote    fault’s crime’s

    2    Bloody bloodthirsty, vicious

    3    emboldens encourages

    4    bruise crush

    7    virtues i.e., your virtuous selves

  11    hot blood anger

  12    stepped into i.e., incurred the penalties of (the image is of entering water)    past depth too deep, out of their depth

  13    heed care, thought

  14    fate his ill-fated deed

  15    comely decent, becoming

  16    soil tarnish    fact crime

  17    which buys out redeems

  18    fair noble/just

  19    touched to death fatally damaged    touched hit, wounded/infected, defiled

  21    sober serious/reasonable, controlled    unnoted hardly noticeable

  22    behave control, manage

  23    but…argument carried a point in a debate

  24    undergo undertake    strict forced

  27    form acceptable practice/lawful procedure

  28    Upon the head into the category    which i.e., quarrelling

  29    misbegot illegitimately conceived

  31    suffer endure

  32    breathe utter/take in

  33    his wrongs the wrongs done to him    his outsides i.e., external to him, not essential

  34    raiment clothing    carelessly casually

  35    prefer promote, present

  37    wrongs wrongs done to us    kill to kill

  38    for ill an evil cause

  40    gross obvious/wicked    clear innocent

  41    bear tolerate, endure

  42    under favour with your kind permission

  43    captain soldier

  44    fond foolish

  47    repugnancy resistance

  48    what…Abroad? i.e., why do soldiers go and fight

  50    bearing plays on the senses of “childbearing” and “bearing the weight of a man during sex”    carry it win the day (continues to play on senses relating to pregnancy and sex)

  52    irons fetters, shackles

  56    gust outburst, battering blast

  57    by mercy if seen mercifully

  60    Weigh consider, judge

  61    breathe speak

  63    Lacedaemon Sparta (city in southern Greece)    Byzantium Istanbul (city in Turkey)

  64    briber giver of bribes

  70    made…’em dealt wounds out rather too plentifully

  71    sin…him i.e., drunkenness

  74    In…fury i.e., when drunk

  76    cherish factions encourage dissent    inferred alleged/implied

  80    parts good qualities

  81    right…time military feats should have bought him the right to live out his natural life

  83    deserts merits    to in addition to

  84    for because

  85    security safety/guaranteed return on a loan

  86    pawn pledge, mortgage

  87    Upon…returns as a means of guaranteeing his repayment of your mercy

  89    in valiant gore i.e., by dying in battle

  92    On…our at the risk of our highest

  95    know recognize, acknowledge

101    sue plead    grace favor

104    spacious in effect has considerable implications/leads to exile in the wide world

107    dotage foolishness

109    shine sunshine

110    Attend…judgement expect a more severe punishment    not…spirit so as not to make us more angry

111    presently immediately

113    Only in bone as living skeletons

115    told counted    let out lent

118    balsam healing ointment    usuring practicing usury, inflicting cost for one’s own profit

120    ill unwelcome

121    worthy worthy of, befitting    spleen rage (the spleen was thought tobe the seat of extreme emotion)

123    lay for waylay/endeavor to get (plays on sense of “wager, bet”)    hearts affections, followers (plays on sense of “suit of cards”)

124    at odds in a state of conflict (sustains the gambling image)

125    brook tolerate

Act 3 Scene 7

 3.7    Location: Timon’s house, Athens divers various

    2    try test

    4    tiring exhausting themselves/feeding (as a bird of prey tugs at flesh)    encountered met

    5    low financially dire    several various

    6    persuasion suggestion, evidence

    7    many my near my many pressing obligations

    8    conjured summoned, entreated

  10    in debt obliged, committed to    importunate urgent

  11    provision was out financial means were exhausted

  13    of on account of    how…go how things stand now

  14    so in the same situation

  15    pieces gold coins

  19    With…heart welcome with all my heart

  22    Nor…men “swallows, like false friends, fly away upon the approach of winter” (proverbial)

  23    stay delay

  24    if…sound i.e., if your ears can feed on rough music

  25    presently imminently

  26    it…lordship that you do not resent the fact/that you do not view it to have been harsh and unfriendly

  30    what cheer how are you banquet i.e., table, place settings, etc., since dishes are still forthcoming

  32    so…beggar i.e., too poor to help you

  35    cumber encumber, burden

  37    covered dishes suggesting lavish hot food

  38    cheer food

  45    upon what for what reason

  47    toward forthcoming

  48    old man i.e., the old Timon

  49    hold last/prove to be true

  50    will i.e., will tell

  51    conceive understand

  52    spur eagerness

  53    diet food    city feast formal banquet, where people sit according to rank

  54    require demand/deserve

  56    reserve still always keep something back

  59    a score twenty

  60    as they are i.e., no better than women really are/not wearing make-up/not falsely representing themselves

  62    tag rabble

  68    knot group    mouth-friends men whose friendship is all talk/men who can be won with feasts    Smoke steam/dishonesty, swindling

  69    Is your perfection sums you up perfectly/is your consummate skill/is your foremost virtue

  70    stuck and spangled pinned with jewels and sparkling

  72    reeking steaming

  75    trencher-friends friends won with feasts    trencher wooden plate    flies i.e., parasites

  76    Cap…slaves i.e., always doffing their caps or bowing in a sycophantic manner    vapours i.e., insubstantial, worthless men    minute-jacks i.e., overly punctilious in their attentions    jack figure of a man that strikes the bell on a clock, usually every quarter of an hour

  77    infinite endless/worst possible

  79    Soft wait a moment    physic medicine

  81    be let there be

  82    Whereat at which

  84    Of by

  86    quality nature

  87    Push! exclamation of impatience

  89    humours moods    sways control

  96    upon my bones intuitively/because of the bruises incurred by the stones

Act 4 Scene 1

 4.1    Location: outside the walls of Athens

    2    girdles in encircles

    3    Matrons married women    incontinent sexually unrestrained

    5    grave wise/dignified

    6    minister govern    steads places    general filths common whores

    7    green young/innocent

    8    Do’t change/have sex    eyes i.e., sight    hold fast i.e., hold on to money

  10    trusters those who trust you/creditors    Bound under contract to serve for a specified time

  11    Large-handed grasping

  12    pill plunder

  13    o’th’brothel i.e., a whore

  14    lined padded

  16    Religion devotion

  17    Domestic awe respect given to home and parents    neighbourhood neighborliness

  18    Instruction teaching/knowledge    mysteries crafts, trades

  19    Degrees social ranks    observances ritual, ceremony

  20    confounding contraries ruinous opposites

  21    incident liable to afflict

  23    for stroke tobe struck    cold stiffening/caused by a chill

  24    halt limp

  25    liberty licentiousness

  27    strive contend, wage war

  28    riot debauchery    blains sores, blisters (perhaps venereal)

  29    bosoms i.e., bodies (the image is of sowing seed in the bosom of the earth)

  32    merely absolute    bear carry away

  34    bans curses

  36    kinder more caring/more natural, showing more kinship

  37    confound destroy

Act 4 Scene 2

 4.2    Location: Timon’s house, Athens

    2    undone ruined

    4    Let…gods may the gods hear me/as the gods are my witness

    6    house household    broke bankrupt/broken up

    8    take…arm i.e., support him in his misfortune

  12    familiars…fortunes those who were his close friends when he was rich

  14    picked robbed, emptied

  15    dedicated…air beggar dedicated to life in the open air

  16    all-shunned avoided by everyone

  17    fellows fellow servants

  18    implements furniture, utensils

  19    livery servant’s uniform

  21    bark ship

  22    dying i.e., sinking, doomed

  23    surges waves

  26    latest last

  29    knell funeral bell

  33    glory magnificence/vainglory

  38    pomp ceremony, splendor    what state compounds that constitutes magnificence

  39    painted i.e., superficial, false

  41    blood disposition

  44    still mar always ruin

  46    wretched poor/miserable

  48    flung thrown himself    seat center/place of residence

  49    monstrous unnatural

  50    to…life any of life’s necessities

  51    command purchase

  52    inquire find

Act 4 Scene 3

 4.3    Location: woods near Athens

    1    breeding i.e., breeding infection    draw…humidity the sun was thought to draw putrid vapors from the earth

    2    sister’s orb i.e., the moon (the earthly region    below, which was thought to be corruptible, unlike the heavens above)

    4    residence gestation, time spent in the womb

    5    dividant separable    touch test/afflict    several different

    6    Not…nature i.e., not even human nature, which is subject to all afflictions, can experience good fortune without feeling contempt for others’ misfortune

    9    Raise me promote, elevate

  10    bear contempt hereditary endure contempt as though it came with their position (or birth)

  11    native honour treated as if he was born with honor

  12    pasture i.e., fortune, sustenance, what one gets in life    lards fattens

  13    want lack of

  14    purity of manhood human integrity

  16    grece step, stair

  17    smoothed made easy/smoothed by flattery    pate head

  18    Ducks bows    golden i.e., wealthy    oblique indirect

  19    level direct

  20    direct straightforward

  22    semblable likeness

  23    fang seize, maul

  24    of from    sauce flavor

  25    operant potent, effective

  27    votarist one bound by a vow

  28    clear innocent, pure    this i.e., the gold

  32    lug haul away

  35    knit bind

  36    hoar whitish-gray (the color of the scaly skin characteristic of    leprosy)/puns on “whore” (leprosy was often confused with syphilis)    place appoint to positions of high status

  37    knee homage, the right to be knelt to

  39    wappened sexually exhausted

  40    spittle house hospital

  41    cast…at vomit at the sight of    this i.e., the gold    embalms and spices preserves and perfumes (as one might a corpse)

  42    th’April day i.e., youthful freshness

  43    common whore i.e., because frequently trodden upon or plowed (both euphemisms for sex)    odds discord, conflict

  44    rout company, gathering; plays on sense of “defeat, overthrow”

  45    Do…nature act in accordance with your true nature    quick fast/alive

  46    go keep going, be able to walk    thief i.e., the gold

  47    keepers owners/jailers

  48    for earnest as a deposit, a pledge Drum and Fife a drummer and a player of the fife (a flutelike instrument, often used for military music)

  50    canker cancer/cankerworm (which eats plants and flowers)

  54    Misanthropos “man-hater” (Greek)

  56    something somewhat, a little

  58    strange unacquainted, ignorant

  61    gules red (heraldic term)

  62    canons rules, edicts; plays on “cannons” (large guns)

  63    fell fierce, cruel

  65    cherubin look angelic appearance

  66    lips rot off suggestive of the rotting effects of syphilis

  70    wanting lacking

  71    renew grow again (may play on a sense of “extend the repayment period for a loan”)

  79    in some sort to some extent

  82    brace pair

  83    minion favorite, darling

  84    Voiced so regardfully praised so highly, spoke of with such regard

  87    use employ sexually

  89    salt lecherous (season picks up on the culinary sense)    season prepare/spice, salt

  90    tubs and baths sweating tubs and hot baths used to treat venereal disease

  91    tub-fast sexual abstinence during the treatment

  95    of late lately

  96    whereof of which

  97    penurious poverty-stricken    band i.e., of soldiers

  98    mindless heedless, neglectful

100    But had it not been for    trod would have trodden

108    on a heap in ruins

116    up away

117    planetary plague i.e., a disaster caused by malign planetary influence    Jove supreme Roman god

118    Will resolves to    high-viced very wicked, full of vice

119    sick infected/infectious    skip omit, spare

121    Strike me strike (me is emphatic)    counterfeit matron married woman who feigns respectability

122    habit clothing/bearing

124    trenchant sharp, cutting    milk-paps nipples

125    window-bars open-work squares of a bodice/latticework of a window

126    leaf of pity list of those to be shown pity

127    set write

128    exhaust draw forth

130    doubtfully ambiguously    the…cut will have its throat cut/will be a cutthroat

131    mince chop it up    sans    remorse without pity    objects objections

133    proof tested strength

136    confusion ruin, destruction

139    counsel advice

140    Dost…not whether you do or not

142    forswear renounce

143    make…bawd make pimps give up making women into prostitutes

144    mountant raised (to catch the gold in, with a suggestion of skirts lifted for sex)    oathable able to keep an oath

146    agues fevers characterized by shaking

148    conditions characters/occupations

150    whore (your) whoring    burn him up i.e., with lust/with venereal disease

151    close fire hidden infection/enclosed heat/hot vaginas    predominate prevail over, dominate    smoke i.e., pious (and insincere or insubstantial) words

152    be no turncoats i.e., don’t turn against your true profession (prostitution)    your…contrary your efforts be thwarted    six months later/you suffer harmful venereal pains    six months later/you suffer for six months;    six months may refer to the maximum gestation period for secondary syphilis or to the period of imprisonment for prostitutes

153    thin roofs balding heads (a symptom of syphilis)

154    burdens of i.e., wigs made with hair from

156    Paint apply makeup    mire upon sink, get stuck in/defecate on

157    pox (syphilitic) plague

159    do plays on sense of “have sex with”

160    Consumptions wasting diseases (specifically syphilis, which decays the    bones)

161    sharp starved, wasted

162    mar ruin    spurring ability to use spurs/ability to have sex

163    title claim to possession

164    quillets fine distinctions, quibbles    Hoar decay/whiten (as well as rotting the bones, syphilis causes silvery ulcerations)    flamen priest

165    scolds…flesh preaches against sexual desire

166    down…nose syphilis causes the collapse of the nasal bridge

168    his…foresee to safeguard his personal advantage

169    Smells…weal loses the scent of the common good (hunting imagery)    curled-pate curly haired

170    braggarts boastful cowards

172    activity sexual activity

173    erection personal advancement/penile erection

175    grave bury, serve as a grave for

177    earnest advance payment, a deposit

184    it i.e., to be so

185    beagles hunting dogs/whores

186    Strike! Sound the drum!

187    sick of made ill by

188    Common mother i.e., the earth

190    Teems gives birth to/is fertile, flourishes    mettle spirit, essence (given the buried gold, probably puns on “metal”)

191    puffed inflated (with pride)

192    Engenders produces, breeds    toad thought to be poisonous

193    gilded gold-colored    eyeless venomed worm blindworm (legless lizard)/adder

194    crisp shining, clear (just possibly “marbled with clouds”)

195    Whereon on which    Hyperion’s belonging to the father of the sun, sometimes the sun god himself in Greek mythology    quickening life-giving

198    Ensear dry up    conceptious fertile

200    Go great be pregnant

202    marbled…above i.e., the heavens

204    marrows vitality, nourishing richness, figurative bone marrow    leas fields

205    liquorish sweet, tempting (plays on “lickerous,” i.e., lecherous)    draughts drinks/potions

206    unctuous oily

207    That so that    consideration reflection, reason

210    affect favor/imitate

212    would would rather    catch seize

213    but infected i.e., temporary, not inherent

216    slave-like habit lowly, servile clothing    care anxiety

217    yet still    soft in comfort

218    perfumes i.e., perfumed mistresses

220    putting on assuming/exhibiting    cunning skill, practices    carper cynic, fault finder

222    hinge thy knee i.e., kneel

223    observe follow, pay homage to

224    vicious strain immoral characteristic

225    Thou…thus this is how you were spoken to (i.e., flattered) previously

226    gav’st thine ears i.e., listened    tapsters barmen (who would greet all customers indiscriminately)

228    rascal a lowly commoner/a camp follower (in the following line the sense shifts to “rogues”)

233    boisterous rough    chamberlain servant responsible for the bedroom

234    put…warm i.e., warm your clothes by the fire

235    page thy heels wait on you like your page

236    skip…out i.e., jump to do your bidding

237    Candied encrusted, as if with sugar    caudle…taste i.e., revive you in the morning with a caudle (a warm, strengthening drink)

238    o’ernight’s previous night’s    surfeit excess, overindulgence

240    wreakful vengeful    trunks bodies

242    Answer face    mere absolute, unmitigated

248    caitiff wretch

250    vex torment

251    office task, role

252    Dost…in’t? Are you enjoying it?

255    habit outfit, i.e., manner

256    well good, well done

257    enforcèdly out of necessity    Thou’dst you would like (to be)

258    Willing misery voluntary poverty

259    incertain changeable, unreliable    crowned before sooner satisfied

260    The one i.e.,    pomp filling still i.e., never satisfied, always seeking more

261    high wish the height of its wishes    Best…content it is more miserable to be at the height of prosperity without contentment than to be contented and at the bottom of one’s fortunes    distracted agitated, mentally disturbed

265    breath i.e., advice

268    swath swaddling clothes, i.e., infancy    proceeded climbed/attained/graduated to

269    degrees steps/social ranks/university degrees

270    drugs drudges (menial servants; or possibly “medicinal drugs” that a qualified doctor might dispense)

272    riot debauchery    melted down wasted/exhausted sexually (with connotations of detumescence)

274    precepts of respect commands of those in authority/principles of respect/rules a respected person must live by

275    sugared game sweet (sexual) prey/delicious amusements

278    at duty at my command, available for service    frame devise

280    brush violent gust of wind

281    Fell fallen

284    sufferance hardship

285    hard in’t hardened to it

287    rag worthless scrap

288    put stuff To sexually penetrated/ejaculated in    stuff penis/semen (picks up on rag to play on the sense of “fabric”)

289    compounded conceived

290    hereditary by inheritance

291    worst socially lowest

293    yet still

295    prodigal spendthrift, wasteful person

298    leave permission

299    That I wish that, if only

301    mend improve

304    botched poorly repaired, patched up (as you will remain in your own company)

305    would it were wish it were botched (i.e., I wish you would continue to be discontent on your own/I wish you would leave me alone)

306    to sent to, conveyed

310    truest most honest

311    does…harm i.e., is not used to bribe and corrupt

312    a-nights at night

313    that’s that which is

319    humanity i.e., human experience

320    gilt gold, money/lavish adornments

321    curiosity fastidiousness, delicate refinement

322    medlar applelike fruit eaten when rotten/meddler, one who interferes/slang term for the vagina, hence also “whore”/person who has lots of sex (“to meddle” also meant “to copulate”)

326    An th’hadst if you had

327    unthrift wasteful    after his means for what he had/after he had spent everything

331    thou…dog i.e., only a dog would love you

336    confusion destruction, overthrow

339    beastly beast-like/irrational/low, disgusting    t’attain to gain, achieve

340    beguile deceive, outwit

341    peradventure as chance would probably have it

342    dullness slowness/stupidity    still thou livedst you would always live

345    unicorn…thee supposedly the fierce unicorn could be goaded into charging at a tree, where it would become trapped by embedding its horn in the trunk

346    conquest i.e., victim

348    german closely related    spots…life i.e., you would be blamed for the crimes of your relations    spots markings/crimes

349    thy…remotion your safety would rely on removing yourself elsewhere

351    thy…transformation what you would lose if you became an animal

352    hit upon it done so, pleased me

355    Yonder…painter in fact they do not appear until the beginning of Act 5; either Shakespeare did not correct his former intention to have the characters enter here, or Apemantus is speaking generally and simply means that the men are on their way

356    give way leave

360    cap top, foremost (playing on the literal sense of “fool’s headgear”)

363    stand by i.e., are compared to

366    I’ll I would

367    tongue i.e., speech

368    issue offspring

369    Choler…alive the fact that you are alive kills me with anger

379    But even except    mere necessities absolute fundamentals (basic means to survive, but the dominant sense here is “inevitabilities such as death”)

380    presently immediately

383    That so that    in through

384    dear costly/beloved

385    natural blood-related    sire father

386    Hymen Greek and Roman god of marriage    Mars Roman god of war

389    Dian i.e., Diana, Roman goddess of hunting and chastity

390    sold’rest unites    impossibilities incompatible things

391    with every tongue in every language/with the tongue of every person

392    touch touchstone

393    Think believe that

394    confounding odds ruinous conflict    beasts…empire animals will rule

401    Thy back i.e., turn around and go away

403    quit finished with, rid of him    Banditti outlaws, bandits

406    ort scrap, leftover    remainder remaining wealth    mere want utter lack    falling-from falling away, abandonment

408    noised rumored

409    assay test/attack

410    reserve withhold    shall’s shall we

416    Save thee God save thee (a standard greeting)

419    Both too you are both of these

420    want lack

421    want…meat lack much food/desire elaborate food

424    mast acorns    hips rose hips

426    mess serving of food

430    eat i.e., prey upon the wealth of    con offer

431    professed by trade/declared

432    shapes guises

433    limited officially regulated (the sense of “restricted” contrasts with    boundless)

434    suck…o’th’grape i.e., drink wine    subtle cunning

435    seethe boil/dissipate

436    scape hanging i.e., by dying of drink-induced    fever instead

439    protest profess

440    example you give you precedent through examples

441    attraction power to draw up

442    arrant absolute

444    resolves melts

446    composture compost

448    your…whip i.e., that restrain and punish you

449    Has unchecked theft possess limitless power to steal (or possibly “have filed to limit theft”)

453    Steal…howsoe’er if you steal less because I give you this gold, may gold destroy you in any case

455    Has he has

456    in…of out of hatred for

457    mystery profession

458    as as I would

460    true honest

462    yond yonder, that    ruinous ruined

463    monument memorial

464    wonder extraordinary example    evilly bestowed bestowed upon evil people/badly bestowed

469    rarely splendidly    guise fashion, custom

472    that…do who make it plain that they intend me harm, rather than those who do harm and pretend friendship

473    Has…eye he has seen me

475    Still always

483    knaves servants/rogues

486    undone ruined

488    disclaim’st renounce

489    Flinty hard-hearted, stony    give weep

490    thorough through

492    know recognize, acknowledge

494    entertain receive/employ

496    comfortable comforting

500    exceptless universal, making no exceptions

501    perpetual sober eternally grave, moderate

502    but only

504    fain willingly

506    fell cut down

508    oppressing distressing/persecuting/overwhelming

509    service servant’s post

511    Upon…neck i.e., by standing on and oppressing their previous master

512    though…sure however sure I am

513    subtle devious

514    usuring charging interest

517    suspect suspicion

520    merely purely, only

521    unmatchèd unequaled

524    For as for

525    hope i.e., the future

527    requite repay

528    singly uniquely

531    thus conditioned on this condition    from away from

536    blasted withered

Act 5 Scene 1

    4    of from

    7    breaking bankruptcy    try test

    8    palm…highest “the righteous shall flourish like the palm tree” (Psalms 92:12)

    9    tender offer

  10    show…us show us to be honest    load reward

  11    travail labor/travel    having possessions, wealth

  13    visitation visit

  15    intent planned work, project

  16    Good…best perfect, excellent    air style, fashion

  17    for his act when put into practice    but except

  18    the…saying carrying out a promise    use custom

  19    performance…it acting on a promise is as sure a sign of unhealthy judgment as writing a will is a sign of bodily illness

  23    personating of himself representation of him (in his current circumstances)    discovery revealing

  24    opulency affluence

  25    stand for model as whip punish

  28    Then…late we damage our own fortunes if we arrive too late to benefit from Timon’s wealth

  31    serves is available

  33    meet…turn play you at your own game/meet you at the turning (Timon may have been concealed by a stage pillar and is about to emerge as if from around a corner)

  36    thou i.e., gold    rigg’st the bark sets the rigging on a ship

  37    Settlest establishes

  38    thy saints may your devotees    aye ever

  40    Fit aptly, at the right time

  42    late former

  43    once really

  45    open generous

  46    retired withdrawn

  50    influence astrological influence over human destiny (the invisible substance thought to stream from stars and planets supposedly governed one’s fate)

  51    rapt absorbed by emotion

  53    size quantity/glue applied to canvas before painting

  56    them ungrateful men

  58    shower heavenly downfall (continues astrological imagery)

  67    therefore for that reason

  69    counterfeit image, likeness (plays on the senses of “forgery/deception”)

  71    lively lifelike

  72    So, so passably

  73    E’en so exactly, just    fiction literary creation/lies

  74    smooth elegantly flowing/flattering, deceitful

  75    thou…art your imitations of nature seem like the real thing/you show your true self in your deceit (natural may also have the sense of “foolish”)

  78    monstrous overly large/unnatural

  82    ill badly

  86    never…but i.e., both of you

  89    cog cheat    dissemble disguise the truth

  90    patchery trickery

  91    Keep keep him    bosom heart

  92    made-up complete

  97    draught sewer, cesspool

  98    Confound destroy    course method, course of action

101    You…company even if you part company, neither of you is alone (as each man has a dual identity: honest man and villain)

104    thou…thou Timon addresses first one man, then the other    him i.e., the other man

107    pack be off

109    alchemist i.e., poet who transforms his subjects into something more splendid than they are in reality (and whose creations elicit payment); an alchemist seeks to turn base metals into gold

112    set…himself so self-absorbed

116    part role

119    still always

120    framed made    fairer kinder/more favorable

122    The…him may restore Timon to his former self

123    chance…may let things fall out as they will

131    cantherizing blistering and burning

134    Of…Timon i.e., we are worthy of nothing better than one another

139    What…thee the wrongs that we regret having done to you

140    one consent unanimous agreement

142    dignities high offices

143    wearing possession, employment

145    general gross publicly obvious

147    recanter one who retracts

148    withal moreover, with it

149    restraining in withholding

150    sorrowed sorrowful    render acknowledgment, apology (literally “payment of account”)

152    weigh…dram outweigh when measured with great accuracy    dram one eighth of an ounce

155    write in thee i.e., as if in an account book

157    witch bewitch

158    Surprise overpower (emotionally)

160    beweep weep at

164    Allowed endowed

166    Of…wild Alcibiades’ fierce attacks

175    sack plunder, pillage

177    stain i.e., pollution of rape

178    contumelious insolent, contemptuous

182    take’t at worst put the worst interpretation on it

183    answer i.e., be cut (plays on the sense of “utter a reply”)

184    whittle knife

185    prize…before love and value it more than

188    keepers jailers

193    nothing i.e., the oblivion of death

195    last…enough remain in that suffering state for a long time

199    bruit report, rumor

202    become befit

203    triumphers victorious warriors returning to the city in triumph

208    throes naturally occurring pains

209    nature’s fragile vessel i.e., the body

213    close enclosure

214    use need

216    sequence of degree order of social rank

217    whoso please whoever wishes

218    take his haste hurry

221    still always

223    everlasting mansion eternal dwelling, i.e., grave

224    beachèd verge beach at the edge    salt flood the sea

225    Who refers either to Timon or to his grave    embossèd foaming

227    be your oracle i.e., impart wisdom to you

233    Coupled to nature part of his character

235    strain stretch to their limits

236    dear extreme

Act 5 Scene 2

 5.2    Location: Athens, seemingly just outside the city walls

    1    painfully discovered revealed painful news    files ranks of troops

    3    least lowest estimate

    4    his…approach the speed of his march suggests that he will arrive imminently

    6    stand much hazard are at great risk

    7    one one who is    ancient long-established

    8    in…opposed i.e., we were on opposite sides in this conflict

    9    particular personal

  12    imported concerned/communicated

  13    fellowship partnership

  14    In…moved undertaken, in part, for Timon’s sake

  15    brothers fellow senators

  17    fearful inducing fear    scouring swift movement of troops/cleaning of guns with scouring rods

  19    fall defeat/capture    the snare are the trap we will be caught by

Act 5 Scene 3

 5.3    Location: woods near Athens

    3    outstretched his span i.e., lived beyond his desired time

    4    there…man i.e., all men are beasts

    6    character lettering    take with wax take a wax impression of it/copy it onto a wax tablet

    7    figure kind of writing

    8    aged i.e., experienced

    9    set down encamped    this this time, now

  10    Whose fall the fall of which    mark goal, target

Act 5 Scene 4

 5.4    Location: outside the walls of Athens    powers troops

    1    Sound proclaim by trumpet

    2    terrible terrifying    parley trumpet summons to negotiation, during which a cease-fire was observed    above i.e., on the upper staging level, or gallery

    4    all licentious measure every kind of licentiousness/extremes of licentiousness    wills desires

    5    scope measure

    6    slept dwelt/remained passive

    7    traversed arms folded arms/weapons held crossed (as in a military drill—i.e., not being used in active warfare)    breathed expressed, uttered

    8    vainly in vain    flush in full flood

    9    crouching marrow previously inactive vitality

  10    of itself of its own accord    breathless wrong i.e., wrongdoers who are out of breath from fear or through running away

  12    pursy fat/short of breath    break his wind gasp for breath/fart

  15    griefs grievances    conceit idea, thought

  17    sent i.e., sent messages    balm soothing relief

  19    Above their quantity greater than your    rages (or    griefs)

  20    So in the same manner    woo entreat

  22    means terms of peace/wealth

  24    common indiscriminate

  27    they i.e., those that have caused you grief

  28    trophies and schools monuments and public buildings

  29    private individual, personal

  31    motives…out instigators behind your banishment

  32    Shame…excess excessive shame for their lack of skill and effective policy

  35    decimation…death the death of every tenth person

  36    food…loathes i.e., death

  38    hazard…die throw of a die (the singular of “dice” puns on the verb “to die”)

  39    spotted tainted, guilty (shifting the sense away from “marked with dots”)

  41    were were alive at the time (and did offend)    square just, fair

  42    are are alive now

  44    without outside (the city walls)

  46    bluster violent storm

  48    fold sheep pen    cull select

  50    wilt will, want

  54    rampired reinforced/blocked    ope open

  55    So provided    gentle peaceful/honorable

  57    Throw if you throw

  58    token pledge

  60    confusion ruin    powers troops

  61    make their harbour have safe lodging

  62    sealed completed, satisfied, ratified

  64    unchargèd ports unassailed gates

  66    set…reproof pick out for punishment and disgrace

  67    atone appease

  68    With…meaning by telling you of my nobler intentions

  69    pass leave    quarter designated military lodgings

  71    But…to without being dealt with by

  72    heaviest answer strictest penalty

  77    insculpture inscription

  79    Interprets serves as an interpreter

  81    caitiffs wretches

  83    stay…gait do not pause as you walk by

  84    These i.e., these words    latter recent

  86    brain’s flow tears

  87    niggard miserly    conceit imagination

  88    Neptune Roman god of the sea    aye ever

  89    low near to the edge of the sea/humble    faults forgiven either the wrongs done to Timon (forgiven by Alcibiades as he agrees peace with the senators) or Timon’s own loathing and abuse of humanity

  90    memory memorial

  92    olive olive branch, an emblem of peace

  93    stint stop

  94    leech doctor/cure, literally the parasitic worm used to treat various ailments, hence also possibly “bloodsucker”

THE TRAGEDY OF JULIUS CAESAR

Sir Francis Walsingham, Queen Elizabeth’s Secretary of State, recommended the study of history with an eye to its contemporary applications: “in the reading of histories as you have principally to mark how matters have passed in government in those days, so have you to apply them to these our times and states and see how they may be made serviceable to our age.” It was in this spirit that Sir Thomas North produced his translation of Plutarch’s Lives of the Most Noble Grecians and Romanes, the main source for Shakespeare’s dramatizations of the events leading to the deaths of Julius Caesar, Brutus and Cassius, Marcus Antonius and his beloved Cleopatra, and Caius Martius Coriolanus. Julius Caesar, performed at the Globe Theatre in 1599, was the first of the three plays in which Shakespeare followed Plutarch closely in exploring key moments of transition in the history of Rome.

Unlike Plutarch, though, Shakespeare begins with the people rather than the politicians. The common tradesmen are taking a day’s unofficial holiday in celebration of the return of the conquering Caesar. But the victory in question is not an imperial one: Julius Caesar has defeated another Roman general, Pompey the Great, in a civil war. The play will end with renewed civil war. Elizabethan political culture was much exercised by the dangers of, on the one hand, the civil strife concomitant upon uncertainty over the transmission of power and, on the other hand, the potential for tyranny if too much power were invested in an individual. In the opening scene the Tribunes—official spokesmen for the popular will—are worried that the military supremo is proving too popular. They demand the removal of the tokens honoring Caesar that have been draped over the statues in the Capitol. We learn a little later that for their pains in doing so they have been “put to silence.” This kind of detail lends support to Orson Welles’ influential 1930s production of the play with its jackbooted Caesar and its handling of Antony’s funeral oration as something out of a Nuremberg Rally.

We should, however, be cautious in fully endorsing such a reading. The conspirators are not disinterested idealists. Brutus, the most thoughtful of them, does not initially focus his fears on Caesar’s ambitions; such a prospect is conjured into him by Cassius’ cunning rhetoric. “The quarrel,” remarks Brutus in soliloquy, “will bear no colour for the thing he is.” He only persuades himself to join the conspirators by “fashioning” the argument that the act of crowning Caesar might itself be the egg that, when hatched, would unleash tyranny upon the state. The historical irony for Rome, and the personal tragedy for Brutus, is that the conspiracy itself proves to be the thing that divides the city and lets slip the dogs of a civil war that only ceases at the end of Antony and Cleopatra, when Octavius becomes Augustus and ushers in the imperial phase of Rome’s history.

For over a thousand years, Rome was the city of the world. The Romans ruled the greatest empire that had ever been seen. Even after its decline and fall, the name of Rome lived on for centuries by providing the western world with models of excellence in every dimension of human life from military technology to political sophistication to theory of moral character to cultural glories such as architecture and epic poetry.

Shakespeare’s England was a small, vulnerable, upstart nation near the northwestern edge of the known world. When Queen Elizabeth came to the throne, the country was in a state of near psychotic self-division as a result of her father’s break from that latter-day Roman empire, the universal Catholic Church. But in the course of her reign, aristocrats, intellectuals, seamen, poets, and theater people forged an amazingly bold new vision: that one day, their tiny island-nation might become a second Rome. They laid out the building blocks for the future. Naval power overcame the might of Spain and planted the name of the Virgin Queen on distant shores. Politicians honed a system of checks and balances between the two houses of parliament and the monarchy—a system based on the Roman model of senators, tribunes, and emperor, but with a more flexible legal system, based on common law “precedent” rather than a fixed code of rules. Educators opened grammar schools for the middle classes, steeping the future administrators of nation and empire in both the Latin language and the Roman character of firm backbone and stiff upper lip (known technically as stoicism). And Shakespeare’s actors staged epic dramas in which they told the heroic history both of their own nation and of the Romans who were their ideal. So it was that when Britannia came to rule the waves in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar was central to the education and character-formation of aristocrat, politician, and imperial civil servant alike. Mark Antony’s great speech that sways the popular will—“Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears”—was learned by rote in school and analyzed as the exemplary piece of persuasive oratory (not least because of its witty trope of denying its own force—“I am no orator”).

The year 1599, when the play was written and performed, was a time of intense political debate. The second Spanish Armada had been broken up by bad weather two years before, so superpower rivalry was no longer the most pressing issue of the day. The problem now was how to deal with a country that was apparently harboring rebels and terrorists who were a threat to the new world order. That country was Ireland. Was the answer negotiation or brute force?

The argument that prevailed might be described as the neoconservative position. It went something like this: England stood on the threshold of greatness. Having stood up to Spain, it had the potential to become the greatest empire in the modern world. And so to the classic conservative move: look to the past in order to understand the present. The greatest empire in history was that of the ancient Romans. But Rome hadn’t been built in a day. It had only achieved its power by building a mighty army and developing military technology of unprecedented sophistication. Above all, it needed a military genius, an all-conquering general who could hold whole continents in the palm of his hand. His name, of course, was Julius Caesar.

The leading exponent of this position was the Earl of Essex. He sponsored the authorship of historical works and translations of classical texts that supported his ideals of Roman virtue and fortitude. He offered himself to Queen Elizabeth as a modern Julius Caesar. In March 1599 he set off for Ireland at the head of a mighty army. In the autumn he skulked back to the queen’s court in London, having ignominiously failed to defeat the Irish rebels. Superior firepower could not cope with the guerrilla tactics of the insurgents. Shakespeare’s play was written in the fearful interim between the first motion against the insurrection and the realization of the hideous dream of failure.

Essex’s image of himself as Julius Caesar went to his head. His Rubicon moment came eighteen months later, when “assisted by sundry Noblemen and Gentlemen” (Shakespeare’s patron, the Earl of Southampton, among them), he marched against the queen herself, vainly imagining that the people of London would flood into the streets and offer him the crown. He was executed for his pains.

Shakespeare had a very different take on his material from that of Essex. He was fascinated by the assassination of Julius Caesar and its aftermath because this was the period in Roman history that asked the most fundamental questions about politics: does authority belong to the people, to an individual ruler, or to an abstraction called “the state”? What is the most effective form of government—a monarchy, an empire, an oligarchy, a republic?

At the beginning of the play, the long-established Roman republic, with its system of checks and balances (senators representing the patricians and tribunes the plebeians), is in crisis. If Caesar is not stopped, democracy will be destroyed. But are the men who try to stop him acting out of duty to the state or personal ambition? And what happens once the knife has gone in? Chaos, civil war, and then the events of the play’s sequel, Antony and Cleopatra, in which there is a failed attempt to divide rule between three men and then the rise to power of a new Caesar, Octavius, who would later be called Augustus, the inaugurator of the imperium.

Despite the fact that he was writing under Elizabeth, a queen-emperor who saw herself as another Augustus, and despite the apparent approval of Essex’s Irish expedition that he worked into the prologue of Henry V at exactly the time he was writing Julius Caesar, Shakespeare seems to have been genuinely skeptical about the imperial project associated with the name of Caesar. At the same time, he was horrified by the idea of mob rule, as witnessed in the scene when Cinna the poet is lynched because he happens to share a name with one of the conspirators.

The character who invites particular sympathy is Brutus, guardian of republican values, as he wrestles with the question of whether to be or not to be a conspirator. Cassius espouses the philosophy of Epicurus, who believed that the gods do not intervene in human affairs: what will be will be, and so there is no need to pay attention to omens and auguries. From this philosophy it is only a short step to that of Machiavelli—might is right and there is no such thing as a moral order. Brutus, by contrast, is portrayed as a stoic, a philosophy associated with the idea of duty and the cultivation of mental fortitude as a shield against the vicissitudes of fortune. The austere moralist Cato had killed himself rather than submit to Caesar’s rule, whereas Brutus follows those stoics who said that however bad life became it had to be endured by putting on the armor of “patience.” But in the last resort neither Cassius nor Brutus can maintain their position: Cassius has to accept the power of prophecy and Brutus commits suicide in the manner of Cato. Shakespeare is always interested in how words are confounded by deeds, how philosophical positions collapse under the pressure of action and circumstance.

Shakespeare must have had the heavy folio of North’s English translation of Plutarch open on his desk as he wrote. Read the “Life of Marcus Brutus” therein and you see the raw materials on which the dramatist’s imagination set to work. The glory of the theater is that it can bring the interior character to life. In Act 1, we see the public face of an apparently untroubled Brutus, but at the beginning of Act 2 Shakespeare conjures up the atmosphere of night, takes Brutus from his bed and places him alone on the bare boards of the Globe. The art of soliloquy then allows us to enter into that troubled mind, to weigh the greatness of the danger, to share the deep thoughts of the enterprise:

It must be by his death: and for my part,

I know no personal cause to spurn at him

But for the general. He would be crowned:

How that might change his nature, there’s the question.

There’s the question. Anton Chekhov, perhaps the greatest dramatist since Shakespeare, said that the business of the dramatist is not to provide solutions but to pose problems in the correct way. Julius Caesar doesn’t give us easy answers about the relationship of public duty to private will. Shakespeare was content to dramatize the problem and leave the rest to his audience.

A clock strikes, men wear doublets rather than togas, night-watchmen patrol and there are references to handkerchiefs: such purposeful anachronisms reveal that Shakespeare was a “modern-dress” dramatist, making the past speak to the present. To what degree should political power be concentrated in a single leader? Is the democratic process strong enough to withstand a potential tyrant or are there times when direct action on the street is the only possible course of action? Can we trust politicians to serve the people rather than their own interests? In addressing such questions, the play remains alive and full of troubling force in the twenty-first century.

KEY FACTS

PLOT: Julius Caesar has returned to Rome triumphant from the war against Pompey. The Roman republic is prepared to heap him with new honors, causing concern and dismay among some senators who fear that too much power is held by one man. Caius Cassius plots a conspiracy to murder Caesar, enlisting the support of the well-respected Marcus Brutus. Brutus has misgivings but is persuaded that Caesar’s death is necessary for the good of the republic. However, he rejects Cassius’ proposal that Mark Antony, close friend of Caesar, should also be killed. Brutus, Cassius, and their coconspirators stab Caesar to death at the senate house on the Ides of March. At Caesar’s funeral Brutus addresses the people and successfully explains the conspirators’ motives. However, Mark Antony speaks next and turns the mob against the conspirators, who are forced to flee from Rome. Mark Antony and Caesar’s nephew, Octavius, take command of Rome and lead an army against the conspirators. Brutus and Cassius are defeated at Philippi where they kill themselves rather than be captured.

MAJOR PARTS: (with percentage of lines/number of speeches/scenes on stage) Marcus Brutus (28%/194/12), Caius Cassius (20%/140/8), Mark Antony (13%/51/8), Julius Caesar (5%/ 42/4), Casca (5%/39/4), Portia (4%/16/2), Octavius Caesar (2%/19/3), Decius Brutus (2%/ 12/3).

LINGUISTIC MEDIUM: 95% verse, 5% prose.

DATE: 1599. Not mentioned by Meres in 1598, seen at the Globe by Swiss visitor Thomas Platter in September 1599. Alluded to in several plays and poems by other writers in the period 1599–1601.

SOURCES: Based on the biographies of Julius Caesar and Marcus Brutus, with brief reference to the life of Cicero, in Sir Thomas North’s English translation of Plutarch’s Lives of the Most Noble Grecians and Romanes (1579).

TEXT: 1623 Folio is the only early printed text. Exceptionally good quality of printing, perhaps set from the theater promptbook or a transcription of it. Some editors have detected signs of revision in the fact that Brutus is told twice of Portia’s suicide, and proposed that one or other account should be deleted, but in the theater this double testing of his stoic response is highly effective.

THE TRAGEDY OF JULIUS CAESAR

Julius CAESAR

CALPURNIA, his wife

Marcus BRUTUS, sometime friend of Caesar, then conspirator against him

PORTIA, his wife

A SOOTHSAYER

ARTEMIDORUS, a teacher of rhetoric

CINNA, a poet

Another POET

A CARPENTER

A COBBLER

FIRST, SECOND, THIRD, FOURTH and FIFTH PLEBEIANS

LUCIUS, Brutus’ young servant

PINDARUS, Cassius’ bondman

SERVANT, to Caesar

SERVANT, to Antony

SERVANT, to Octavius

A MESSENGER

FIRST, SECOND and THIRD SOLDIERS, members of Brutus and Cassius’ army

FIRST and SECOND SOLDIERS, members of Antony’s army

GHOST, Caesar’s ghost

Other Commoners, Senators and Soldiers

Act 1 Scene 11.1

running scene 1

       Enter Flavius, Murellus and certain Commoners over the stage

FLAVIUS

FLAVIUS     Hence!¹ Home, you idle creatures, get you home:

               Is this a holiday? What, know you not,

               Being mechanical,³ you ought not walk

               Upon a labouring day, without the sign⁴

5

5             Of your profession?— Speak, what trade art thou?

CARPENTER

CARPENTER     Why, sir, a carpenter.

MURELLUS

MURELLUS     Where is thy leather apron, and thy rule?⁷

               What dost thou with thy best apparel on?—

               You, sir, what trade are you?

COBBLER

COBBLER     Truly, sir, in respect of¹⁰ a fine workman, I am but as you would say, a cobbler.¹¹

MURELLUS

MURELLUS     But what trade art thou? Answer me directly.¹²

COBBLER

COBBLER     A trade, sir, that I hope, I may use with a safe conscience, which is indeed, sir, a mender of bad soles.¹⁴

FLAVIUS

FLAVIUS     What trade, thou knave? Thou naughty¹⁵ knave, what trade?

COBBLER

COBBLER     Nay I beseech you, sir, be not out¹⁶ with me: yet if you be out, sir, I can mend you.

MURELLUS

MURELLUS     What mean’st thou by that? Mend me, thou saucy fellow?

COBBLER

COBBLER     Why sir, cobble¹⁹ you.

FLAVIUS

FLAVIUS     Thou art a cobbler, art thou?

COBBLER

COBBLER     Truly sir, all that I live by is with the awl.²¹ I meddle with no tradesman’s matters, nor women’s matters;²² but withal I am indeed, sir, a surgeon to old shoes: when they are in great danger, I recover²³ them. As proper men as ever trod upon neat’s leather²⁴ have gone upon my handiwork.

25

25   

FLAVIUS

FLAVIUS           But wherefore²⁵ art not in thy shop today?

               Why dost thou lead these men about the streets?

COBBLER

COBBLER     Truly, sir, to wear out their shoes, to get myself into more work. But

               indeed, sir, we make holiday to see Caesar and to rejoice in his triumph.²⁸

MURELLUS

MURELLUS     Wherefore rejoice? What conquest brings he home?

30

30           What tributaries³⁰ follow him to Rome

               To grace³¹ in captive bonds his chariot wheels?

               You blocks, you stones, you worse than senseless things:

               O you hard hearts, you cruel men of Rome,

               Knew you not Pompey?³⁴ Many a time and oft

35

35           Have you climbed up to walls and battlements,

               To towers and windows? Yea, to chimney-tops,

               Your infants in your arms, and there have sat

               The livelong³⁸ day, with patient expectation,

               To see great Pompey pass the streets of Rome:

40

40           And when you saw his chariot but appear,

               Have you not made an universal shout,

               That⁴² Tiber trembled underneath her banks

               To hear the replication⁴³ of your sounds

               Made in her concave⁴⁴ shores?

45

45           And do you now put on your best attire?

               And do you now cull out⁴⁶ a holiday?

               And do you now strew flowers in his way

               That comes in triumph over Pompey’s blood?⁴⁸

               Be gone!

50

50           Run to your houses, fall upon your knees,

               Pray to the gods to intermit⁵¹ the plague

               That needs must light on this ingratitude.

FLAVIUS

FLAVIUS     Go, go, good countrymen, and for this fault

               Assemble all the poor men of your sort;

55

55           Draw them to Tiber banks, and weep your tears

               Into the channel till⁵⁶ the lowest stream

               Do kiss the most exalted shores of all.—

       Exeunt all the Commoners

               See where their basest mettle⁵⁸ be not moved:

               They vanish tongue-tied in their guiltiness.

60

               Go you down that way towards the Capitol,⁶⁰

               This way will I: disrobe the images⁶¹

               If you do find them decked with ceremonies.⁶²

MURELLUS

MURELLUS     May we do so?

               You know it is the feast of Lupercal.⁶⁴

65

65   

FLAVIUS

FLAVIUS           It is no matter. Let no images

               Be hung with Caesar’s trophies.⁶⁶ I’ll about

               And drive away the vulgar⁶⁷ from the streets;

               So do you too, where you perceive them thick.⁶⁸

               These growing feathers plucked from Caesar’s wing

70

70           Will make him fly an ordinary pitch,⁷⁰

               Who else⁷¹ would soar above the view of men,

               And keep us all in servile fearfulness.

       Exeunt

[Act 1 Scene 2]1.2

running scene 1 continues

       Enter Caesar, Antony for the course, Calpurnia, Portia, Decius, Cicero, Brutus, Cassius, Casca, a Soothsayer, after them Murellus and Flavius

CAESAR

CAESAR     Calpurnia.

CASCA

CASCA     Peace, ho!² Caesar speaks.

CAESAR

CAESAR     Calpurnia.

CALPURNIA

CALPURNIA     Here, my lord.

5

5     

CAESAR

CAESAR         Stand⁵ you directly in Antonio’s way

               When he doth run his course. Antonio!

ANTONY

ANTONY     Caesar, my lord.

CAESAR

CAESAR     Forget not in your speed, Antonio,

               To touch Calpurnia, for our elders say,

10

10           The barren touchèd in this holy chase

               Shake off their sterile curse.

ANTONY

ANTONY     I shall remember.

               When Caesar says ‘Do this’ it is performed.

CAESAR

CAESAR     Set on, and leave no ceremony out. Music

15

15   

SOOTHSAYER

SOOTHSAYER           Caesar!

CAESAR

CAESAR     Ha? Who calls?

CASCA

CASCA     Bid every noise be still: peace yet again! Music stops

CAESAR

CAESAR     Who is it in the press¹⁸ that calls on me?

               I hear a tongue shriller than all the music,

20

20           Cry ‘Caesar!’ Speak, Caesar is turned to hear.

SOOTHSAYER

SOOTHSAYER     Beware the Ides of March.²¹

CAESAR

CAESAR     What man is that?

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     A soothsayer bids you beware the Ides of March.

CAESAR

CAESAR     Set him before me: let me see his face.

25

25   

CASSIUS

CASSIUS           Fellow, come from the throng: look upon Caesar. Soothsayer comes forward

CAESAR

CAESAR     What say’st thou to me now? Speak once again.

SOOTHSAYER

SOOTHSAYER     Beware the Ides of March.

CAESAR

CAESAR     He is a dreamer. Let us leave him: pass.

       Sennet. Exeunt. Brutus and Cassius remain

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Will you go see the order²⁹ of the course?

30

30   

BRUTUS

BRUTUS           Not I.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     I pray you do.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     I am not gamesome:³² I do lack some part

               Of that quick³³ spirit that is in Antony.

               Let me not hinder, Cassius, your desires;

35

35           I’ll leave you.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Brutus, I do observe you now of late:³⁶

               I have not from your eyes that gentleness

               And show of love as I was wont³⁸ to have:

               You bear³⁹ too stubborn and too strange a hand

40

40           Over your friend, that loves you.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Cassius,

               Be not deceived: if⁴² I have veiled my look,

               I turn the trouble of my countenance

               Merely⁴⁴ upon myself. Vexed I am

45

45           Of late with passions⁴⁵ of some difference,

               Conceptions⁴⁶ only proper to myself

               Which give some soil,⁴⁷ perhaps, to my behaviours.

               But let not therefore my good friends be grieved —

               Among which number, Cassius, be you one —

50

50           Nor construe⁵⁰ any further my neglect

               Than that poor Brutus, with himself at war,

               Forgets the shows⁵² of love to other men.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Then, Brutus, I have much mistook your passion,

               By means whereof⁵⁴ this breast of mine hath buried

55

55           Thoughts of great value, worthy cogitations.⁵⁵

               Tell me, good Brutus, can you see your face?

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     No, Cassius, for the eye sees not itself

               But⁵⁸ by reflection, by some other things.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     ’Tis just,⁵⁹

60

60           And it is very much lamented, Brutus,

               That you have no such mirrors as will turn⁶¹

               Your hidden worthiness into your eye,

               That you might see your shadow:⁶³ I have heard,

               Where many of⁶⁴ the best respect in Rome —

65

65           Except immortal Caesar — speaking of Brutus,

               And groaning underneath this age’s yoke,⁶⁶

               Have wished that noble Brutus had his eyes.⁶⁷

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius,

               That you would have me seek into myself

70

70           For that which is not in me?

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Therefore,⁷¹ good Brutus, be prepared to hear:

               And since you know you cannot see yourself

               So well as by reflection, I your glass⁷³

               Will modestly⁷⁴ discover to yourself

75

75           That⁷⁵ of yourself which you yet know not of.

               And be not jealous on⁷⁶ me, gentle Brutus:

               Were I a common laughter,⁷⁷ or did use

               To stale⁷⁸ with ordinary oaths my love

               To every new protester,⁷⁹ if you know

80

80           That I do fawn on men, and hug them hard,

               And after scandal⁸¹ them, or if you know

               That I profess⁸² myself in banqueting

               To all the rout,⁸³ then hold me dangerous.

       Flourish, and shout

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     What means this shouting? I do fear the people

85

85           Choose Caesar for their king.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Ay, do you fear it?

               Then must I think you would not have it so.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     I would not, Cassius, yet I love him well.

               But wherefore do you hold me here so long?

90

90           What is it that you would impart to me?

               If it be aught⁹¹ toward the general good,

               Set⁹² honour in one eye, and death i’th’other,

               And I will look on both indifferently.⁹³

               For let the gods so speed⁹⁴ me, as I love

95

95           The name of honour more than I fear death.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     I know that virtue to be in you, Brutus,

               As well as I do know your outward favour.⁹⁷

               Well, honour is the subject of my story:

               I cannot tell what you and other men

100

100         Think of this life, but for my single self,

               I had as lief¹⁰¹ not be as live to be

               In awe of such¹⁰² a thing as I myself.

               I was born free as Caesar, so were you:

               We both have fed as well, and we can both

105

105         Endure the winter’s cold as well as he,

               For once, upon a raw and gusty day,

               The troubled Tiber chafing¹⁰⁷ with her shores,

               Caesar said to me, ‘Dar’st thou, Cassius, now

               Leap in with me into this angry flood¹⁰⁹

110

110         And swim to yonder point?’ Upon the word,

               Accoutrèd¹¹¹ as I was, I plungèd in

               And bade¹¹² him follow: so indeed he did.

               The torrent roared, and we did buffet¹¹³ it

               With lusty¹¹⁴ sinews, throwing it aside,

115

115         And stemming¹¹⁵ it with hearts of controversy.

               But ere¹¹⁶ we could arrive the point proposed,

               Caesar cried, ‘Help me, Cassius, or I sink!’

               I — as Aeneas,¹¹⁸ our great ancestor,

               Did from the flames of Troy upon his shoulder

120

120         The old Anchises bear — so from the waves of Tiber

               Did I the tired Caesar: and this man

               Is now become a god, and Cassius is

               A wretched creature, and must bend¹²³ his body

               If Caesar carelessly but nod on him.

125

125         He had a fever when he was in Spain,

               And when the fit was on him I did mark¹²⁶

               How he did shake: ’tis true, this god did shake,

               His coward lips did from¹²⁸ their colour fly,

               And that same eye, whose bend¹²⁹ doth awe the world,

130

130         Did lose his lustre: I did hear him groan:

               Ay, and that tongue of his that bade¹³¹ the Romans

               Mark him, and write his speeches in their books,

               ‘Alas’, it cried, ‘Give me some drink, Titinius’,

               As a sick girl. Ye gods, it doth amaze me

135

135         A man of such a feeble temper should

               So get the start of¹³⁶ the majestic world

               And bear the palm¹³⁷ alone.

       Shout. Flourish

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Another general shout?

               I do believe that these applauses are

140

140         For some new honours that are heaped on Caesar.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world

               Like a Colossus,¹⁴² and we petty men

               Walk under his huge legs and peep about

               To find ourselves dishonourable graves.

145

145         Men at some time¹⁴⁵ are masters of their fates.

               The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars¹⁴⁶

               But in ourselves, that we are underlings.

               Brutus and Caesar: what should be in that ‘Caesar’?

               Why should that name be sounded¹⁴⁹ more than yours?

150

150         Write them together, yours is as fair a name:

               Sound them, it doth become the mouth as well:

               Weigh them, it is as heavy: conjure¹⁵² with ’em,

               Brutus will start¹⁵³ a spirit as soon as Caesar.

               Now in the names of all the gods at once,

155

155         Upon what meat¹⁵⁵ doth this our Caesar feed

               That he is grown so great?¹⁵⁶ — Age, thou art shamed! —

               Rome, thou hast lost the breed of¹⁵⁷ noble bloods! —

               When went there by an age, since the great flood,¹⁵⁸

               But it was famed with more than with one man?

160

160         When could they say, till now, that talked of Rome,

               That her wide walks encompassed but one man?

               Now is it Rome indeed, and room¹⁶² enough

               When there is in it but one only man.

               O, you and I have heard our fathers say

165

165         There was a Brutus once¹⁶⁵ that would have brooked

               Th’eternal devil to keep his state¹⁶⁶ in Rome

               As easily as a king.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     That you do love me, I am nothing jealous:¹⁶⁸

               What you would work¹⁶⁹ me to, I have some aim:

170

170         How I have thought of this and of these times

               I shall recount hereafter. For this present,

               I would not — so¹⁷² with love I might entreat you —

               Be any further moved.¹⁷³ What you have said

               I will consider, what you have to say

175

175         I will with patience hear, and find a time

               Both meet¹⁷⁶ to hear and answer such high things.

               Till then, my noble friend, chew upon this:

               Brutus had rather be a villager

               Than to repute¹⁷⁹ himself a son of Rome

180

180         Under these hard conditions as this time

               Is like¹⁸¹ to lay upon us.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     I am glad that my weak words

               Have struck but thus much show of fire from Brutus.

       Enter Caesar and his train

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     The games are done, and Caesar is returning.

185

185 

CASSIUS

CASSIUS             As they pass by, pluck Casca by the sleeve,

               And he will, after¹⁸⁶ his sour fashion, tell you

               What hath proceeded worthy¹⁸⁷ note today.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     I will do so: but look you, Cassius,

               The angry spot doth glow on Caesar’s brow,

190

190         And all the rest look like a chidden¹⁹⁰ train:

               Calpurnia’s cheek is pale, and Cicero

               Looks with such ferret¹⁹² and such fiery eyes

               As we have seen him in the Capitol

               Being crossed¹⁹⁴ in conference by some senators.

195

195 

CASSIUS

CASSIUS             Casca will tell us what the matter is.

CAESAR

CAESAR     Antonio.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Caesar?

CAESAR

CAESAR     Let me have men about me that are fat,

               Sleek-headed¹⁹⁹ men, and such as sleep a-nights.

200

200         Yond²⁰⁰ Cassius has a lean and hungry look:

               He thinks too much: such men are dangerous.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Fear him not, Caesar, he’s not dangerous.

               He is a noble Roman, and well given.²⁰³

CAESAR

CAESAR     Would²⁰⁴ he were fatter! But I fear him not:

205

205         Yet if my name²⁰⁵ were liable to fear,

               I do not know the man I should avoid

               So soon as that spare²⁰⁷ Cassius. He reads much,

               He is a great observer, and he looks²⁰⁸

               Quite through the deeds of men. He loves no plays,

210

210         As thou dost, Antony: he hears no music:

               Seldom he smiles, and smiles in such a sort²¹¹

               As if he mocked himself, and scorned his spirit

               That could be moved to smile at anything.

               Such men as he be never at heart’s ease

215

215         Whiles they behold a greater²¹⁵ than themselves,

               And therefore are they very dangerous.

               I rather tell thee what is to be feared

               Than what I fear, for always I am Caesar.²¹⁸

               Come on my right hand, for this ear is deaf,

220

220         And tell me truly what thou think’st of him.

       Sennet. Exeunt Caesar and his train

CASCA

CASCA     You pulled me by the cloak: would you speak with me?

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Ay, Casca, tell us what hath chanced²²² today

               That Caesar looks so sad.²²³

CASCA

CASCA     Why, you were with him, were you not?

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     I should not then ask Casca what had chanced.

CASCA

CASCA     Why, there was a crown²²⁶ offered him; and being offered him, he put it by with the back of his hand, thus, and then the people fell a-shouting.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     What was the second noise for?

CASCA

CASCA     Why, for that too.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     They shouted thrice: what was the last cry for?

CASCA

CASCA     Why, for that too.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Was the crown offered him thrice?

CASCA

CASCA     Ay, marry,²³³ was’t, and he put it by thrice, every time gentler than other; and at every putting-by, mine honest neighbours shouted.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Who offered him the crown?

CASCA

CASCA     Why, Antony.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Tell us the manner of it, gentle Casca.

CASCA

CASCA     I can as well be hanged as tell the manner of it: it was mere²³⁸ foolery, I did not mark it. I saw Mark Antony offer him a crown — yet ’twas not a crown neither, ’twas one of these coronets²⁴⁰ — and as I told you, he put it by once: but for all that, to my thinking, he would fain²⁴¹ have had it. Then he offered it to him again, then he put it by again: but to my thinking, he was very loath to lay his fingers off it. And then he offered it the third time; he put it the third time by, and still as²⁴³ he refused it, the rabblement²⁴⁴ hooted, and clapped their chopped hands, and threw up their sweaty nightcaps,²⁴⁵ and uttered such a deal of stinking breath because Caesar refused the crown that it had almost choked Caesar, for he swooned and fell down at it. And for mine own part, I durst²⁴⁷ not laugh, for fear of opening my lips and receiving the bad air.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     But soft,²⁴⁹ I pray you: what, did Caesar swoon?

CASCA

CASCA     He fell down in the market-place, and foamed at mouth, and was speechless.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     ’Tis very like²⁵² — he hath the falling sickness.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     No, Caesar hath it not: but you, and I,

               And honest Casca, we²⁵⁴ have the falling sickness.

CASCA

CASCA     I know not what you mean by that, but I am sure Caesar fell down. If the tag-rag²⁵⁶ people did not clap him and hiss him according as he pleased and displeased them, as they use²⁵⁷ to do the players in the theatre, I am no true man.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     What said he when he came unto himself?

CASCA

CASCA     Marry, before he fell down, when he perceived the common herd was glad he refused the crown, he plucked me²⁶⁰ ope his doublet and offered them his throat to cut: an²⁶¹ I had been a man of any occupation, if I would not have taken him at a word, I would²⁶² I might go to hell among the rogues. And so he fell. When he came to himself again, he said if he had done or said anything amiss, he desired their worships to think it was his infirmity. Three or four wenches where I stood cried ‘Alas, good soul!’ and forgave him with all their hearts: but there’s no heed to be taken of them; if Caesar had stabbed²⁶⁶ their mothers, they would have done no less.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     And after that he came thus sad away.

CASCA

CASCA     Ay.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Did Cicero say anything?

CASCA

CASCA     Ay, he spoke Greek.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     To what effect?

CASCA

CASCA     Nay, and I tell you that, I’ll ne’er look you i’th’face again. But those that understood him smiled at one another, and shook their heads: but, for mine own part, it was Greek to me.²⁷⁴ I could tell you more news too: Murellus and Flavius, for pulling scarves off Caesar’s images, are put to silence.²⁷⁵ Fare you well. There was more foolery yet, if I could remember it.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Will you sup with me tonight, Casca?

CASCA

CASCA     No, I am promised forth.²⁷⁸

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Will you dine with me tomorrow?

CASCA

CASCA     Ay, if I be alive, and your mind hold,²⁸⁰ and your dinner worth the eating.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Good, I will expect you.

CASCA

CASCA     Do so. Farewell, both.

       Exit

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     What a blunt²⁸³ fellow is this grown to be!

               He was quick mettle²⁸⁴ when he went to school.

285

285 

CASSIUS

CASSIUS             So is he now, in execution

               Of any bold or noble enterprise,

               However he puts on this tardy²⁸⁷ form.

               This rudeness²⁸⁸ is a sauce to his good wit,

               Which gives men stomach²⁸⁹ to digest his words

290

290         With better appetite.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     And so it is. For this time I will leave you:

               Tomorrow if you please to speak with me,

               I will come home to you:²⁹³ or if you will,

               Come home to me, and I will wait for you.

295

295 

CASSIUS

CASSIUS             I will do so. Till then, think of the world.²⁹⁵

       Exit Brutus

               Well, Brutus, thou art noble:²⁹⁶ yet I see

               Thy honourable mettle²⁹⁷ may be wrought

               From that²⁹⁸ it is disposed: therefore it is meet

               That noble minds keep ever with their likes²⁹⁹

300

300         For who³⁰⁰ so firm that cannot be seduced?

               Caesar doth bear me hard,³⁰¹ but he loves Brutus.

               If I were Brutus now, and he were Cassius,

               He³⁰³ should not humour me. I will this night

               In several hands³⁰⁴ in at his windows throw,

305

305         As if they came from several citizens,

               Writings all tending to³⁰⁶ the great opinion

               That Rome holds of his name — wherein obscurely³⁰⁷

               Caesar’s ambition shall be glanced³⁰⁸ at.

               And after this let Caesar seat him sure,³⁰⁹

310

310         For we will shake him, or worse days endure.

       Exit

[Act 1 Scene 3]

running scene 1 continues

       Thunder and lightning. Enter Casca and Cicero

CICERO

CICERO     Good even,¹ Casca. Brought you Caesar home?

               Why are you breathless, and why stare you so?

CASCA

CASCA     Are not you moved,³ when all the sway of earth

               Shakes like a thing unfirm? O Cicero,

5

5             I have seen tempests, when the scolding⁵ winds

               Have rived⁶ the knotty oaks, and I have seen

               Th’ambitious ocean swell, and rage, and foam,

               To be exalted with⁸ the threatening clouds:

               But never till tonight, never till now,

10

10           Did I go through a tempest dropping fire.

               Either there is a civil strife in heaven,

               Or else the world, too saucy¹² with the gods,

               Incenses them to send destruction.

CICERO

CICERO     Why, saw you anything more wonderful?¹⁴

15

15   

CASCA

CASCA           A common slave — you know him well by sight —

               Held up his left hand, which did flame and burn

               Like twenty torches joined; and yet his hand,

               Not sensible of¹⁸ fire, remained unscorched.

               Besides — I ha’ not since put up¹⁹ my sword —

20

20           Against²⁰ the Capitol I met a lion,

               Who glazed²¹ upon me and went surly by

               Without annoying²² me. And there were drawn

               Upon²³ a heap a hundred ghastly women,

               Transformèd with their fear, who swore they saw

25

25           Men, all in fire, walk up and down the streets.

               And yesterday the bird of night²⁶ did sit

               Even at noonday upon the market-place

               Hooting and shrieking. When these prodigies²⁸

               Do so conjointly meet,²⁹ let not men say

30

30           ‘These are their reasons, they are natural’,

               For I believe they are portentous things

               Unto the climate³² that they point upon.

CICERO

CICERO     Indeed, it is a strange-disposèd time:

               But men may construe things after their fashion³⁴

35

35           Clean³⁵ from the purpose of the things themselves.

               Comes Caesar to the Capitol tomorrow?

CASCA

CASCA     He doth, for he did bid Antonio

               Send word to you he would be there tomorrow.

CICERO

CICERO     Goodnight then, Casca: this disturbèd sky

40

40           Is not to walk in.

CASCA

CASCA     Farewell, Cicero.

       Exit Cicero

       Enter Cassius

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Who’s there?

CASCA

CASCA     A Roman.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Casca, by your voice.

45

45   

CASCA

CASCA           Your ear is good. Cassius, what⁴⁵ night is this?

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     A very pleasing night to honest men.

CASCA

CASCA     Whoever knew the heavens menace so?

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Those that have known the earth so full of faults.

               For my part, I have walked about the streets,

50

50           Submitting me unto the perilous night,

               And thus unbracèd,⁵¹ Casca, as you see,

               Have bared my bosom to the thunder-stone:⁵²

               And when the cross⁵³ blue lightning seemed to open

               The breast of heaven, I did present myself

55

55           Even in the aim and very flash of it.

CASCA

CASCA     But wherefore did you so much tempt the heavens?

               It is the part of men to fear and tremble

               When the most mighty gods by tokens⁵⁸ send

               Such dreadful⁵⁹ heralds to astonish us.

60

60   

CASSIUS

CASSIUS           You are dull, Casca, and those sparks of life

               That should be in a Roman you do want,⁶¹

               Or else you use not.⁶² You look pale, and gaze,

               And put on fear, and cast yourself in wonder

               To see the strange impatience⁶⁴ of the heavens:

65

65           But if you would consider the true cause

               Why all these fires, why all these gliding ghosts,

               Why birds and beasts, from⁶⁷ quality and kind,

               Why old men, fools, and children calculate,⁶⁸

               Why all these things change from their ordinance⁶⁹

70

70           Their natures and preformèd⁷⁰ faculties

               To monstrous⁷¹ quality, why, you shall find

               That heaven hath infused them with these spirits

               To make them instruments of fear and warning

               Unto some monstrous state.⁷⁴

75

75           Now could I, Casca, name to thee a man

               Most like this dreadful night

               That thunders, lightens,⁷⁷ opens graves and roars

               As doth the lion in the Capitol:

               A man no mightier than thyself, or me,

80

80           In personal action, yet prodigious⁸⁰ grown

               And fearful,⁸¹ as these strange eruptions are.

CASCA

CASCA     ’Tis Caesar that you mean, is it not, Cassius?

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Let it be who it is, for Romans now

               Have thews⁸⁴ and limbs like to their ancestors;

85

85           But woe the while, our fathers’⁸⁵ minds are dead,

               And we are governed with our mothers’ spirits:

               Our yoke and sufferance⁸⁷ show us womanish.

CASCA

CASCA     Indeed, they say the senators tomorrow

               Mean to establish Caesar as a king,

90

90           And he shall wear his crown by⁹⁰ sea and land,

               In every place, save here in Italy.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     I know where I will wear this dagger then:

               Cassius from⁹³ bondage will deliver Cassius.—

               Therein,⁹⁴ ye gods, you make the weak most strong;

95

95           Therein, ye gods, you tyrants do defeat.—

               Nor stony tower, nor walls of beaten brass,

               Nor airless dungeon, nor strong links of iron,

               Can be retentive to⁹⁸ the strength of spirit:

               But life being weary of these worldly bars⁹⁹

100

100         Never lacks power to dismiss itself.

               If I know¹⁰¹ this, know all the world besides,

               That part of tyranny that I do bear¹⁰²

               I can shake off at pleasure.¹⁰³

       Thunder still

CASCA

CASCA     So can I:

105

105         So every bondman¹⁰⁵ in his own hand bears

               The power to cancel his captivity.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     And why should Caesar be a tyrant then?

               Poor man, I know he would not be a wolf,

               But that he sees the Romans are but sheep:

110

110         He were no lion, were not Romans hinds.¹¹⁰

               Those that with haste will make¹¹¹ a mighty fire

               Begin it with weak straws.¹¹² What trash is Rome?

               What rubbish,¹¹³ and what offal, when it serves

               For the base matter to illuminate

115

115         So vile¹¹⁵ a thing as Caesar?— But, O grief,

               Where hast thou led me? I, perhaps, speak this

               Before a willing bondman: then I know

               My¹¹⁸ answer must be made. But I am armed,

               And dangers are to me indifferent.

120

120 

CASCA

CASCA             You speak to Casca, and to such a man

               That is no fleering¹²¹ tell-tale. Hold, my hand:

               Be factious¹²² for redress of all these griefs

               And I will set¹²³ this foot of mine as far

               As who¹²⁴ goes farthest. They shake hands

125

125 

CASSIUS

CASSIUS             There’s a bargain made.

               Now know you, Casca, I have moved already

               Some certain of the noblest-minded Romans

               To undergo with me an enterprise

               Of honourable dangerous consequence;

130

130         And I do know by this,¹³⁰ they stay for me

               In Pompey’s porch,¹³¹ for now this fearful night

               There is no stir or walking in the streets;

               And the complexion¹³³ of the element

               In favour’s¹³⁴ like the work we have in hand,

135

135         Most bloody, fiery and most terrible.

       Enter Cinna

CASCA

CASCA     Stand close¹³⁶ awhile, for here comes one in haste.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     ’Tis Cinna, I do know him by his gait.

               He is a friend.— Cinna, where haste you so?

CINNA

CINNA     To find out you. Who’s that? Metellus Cimber?

140

140 

CASSIUS

CASSIUS             No, it is Casca, one incorporate¹⁴⁰

               To our attempts. Am I not stayed¹⁴¹ for, Cinna?

CINNA

CINNA     I am glad on’t.¹⁴² What a fearful night is this?

               There’s two or three of us have seen strange sights.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Am I not stayed for? Tell me.

145

145 

CINNA

CINNA             Yes, you are.

               O Cassius, if you could

               But win the noble Brutus to our party—

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Be you content. Good Cinna, take this paper Gives paper

               And look you lay it in the praetor’s¹⁴⁹ chair

150

150         Where Brutus may¹⁵⁰ but find it. And throw this

               In at his window; set this up¹⁵¹ with wax

               Upon old Brutus’ statue. All this done,

               Repair¹⁵³ to Pompey’s porch, where you shall find us.

               Is Decius Brutus and Trebonius there?

155

155 

CINNA

CINNA             All but Metellus Cimber, and he’s gone

               To seek you at your house. Well, I will hie,¹⁵⁶

               And so bestow these papers as you bade me.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     That done, repair to Pompey’s theatre.—

       Exit Cinna

               Come, Casca, you and I will yet ere day

160

160         See Brutus at his house: three parts of him

               Is ours already, and the man entire

               Upon the next encounter yields him ours.

CASCA

CASCA     O, he sits high in all the people’s hearts:

               And that which would appear offence in us,

165

165         His countenance,¹⁶⁵ like richest alchemy,

               Will change to virtue and to worthiness.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Him, and his worth, and our great need of him

               You have right well conceited.¹⁶⁸ Let us go,

               For it is after midnight, and ere day

170

170         We will awake him and be sure of him.

       Exeunt

[Act 2 Scene 1]2.1

running scene 2

       Enter Brutus in his orchard

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     What, Lucius, ho?— Calls

               I cannot by the progress of the stars

               Give guess how near to day.— Lucius, I say!—

               I would it were my fault to sleep so soundly.—

5

5             When,⁵ Lucius, when? Awake, I say: what, Lucius!

       Enter Lucius

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     Called you, my lord?

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Get me a taper⁷ in my study, Lucius,

               When it is lighted, come and call me here.

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     I will, my lord.

       Exit

10

10   

BRUTUS

BRUTUS           It must be by his¹⁰ death: and for my part,

               I know no personal cause to spurn¹¹ at him

               But for the general.¹² He would be crowned:

               How that might change his nature, there’s the question.

               It is the bright day that brings forth the adder,

15

15           And that craves¹⁵ wary walking: crown him that,

               And then I grant we put a sting in him,

               That at his will he may do danger with.

               Th’abuse of greatness is when it disjoins

               Remorse¹⁹ from power: and to speak truth of Caesar,

20

20           I have not known when his affections²⁰ swayed

               More than his reason. But ’tis a common proof²¹

               That lowliness²² is young ambition’s ladder

               Whereto the climber upward turns his face.

               But when he once attains the upmost round,²⁴

25

25           He then unto the ladder turns his back,

               Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees²⁶

               By which he did ascend: so Caesar may;

               Then, lest he may, prevent. And since the²⁸ quarrel

               Will bear no colour for the thing he is,

30

30           Fashion³⁰ it thus: that what he is, augmented,

               Would run to these and these extremities:

               And therefore think him as a serpent’s egg

               Which hatched, would as his kind³³ grow mischievous,

               And kill him in the shell.

       Enter Lucius

35

35   

LUCIUS

LUCIUS           The taper burneth in your closet,³⁵ sir.

               Searching the window for a flint, I found

               This paper, thus sealed up, and I am sure

               It did not lie there when I went to bed.

       Gives him the letter

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Get you to bed again, it is not day.

40

40           Is not tomorrow, boy, the first of March?

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     I know not, sir.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Look in the calendar, and bring me word.

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     I will, sir.

       Exit

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     The exhalations⁴⁴ whizzing in the air

45

45           Give so much light that I may read by them.

       Opens the letter and reads

               ‘Brutus thou sleep’st. Awake, and see thyself.

               Shall Rome, etc. Speak, strike, redress.’ —

               ‘Brutus, thou sleep’st. Awake!’

               Such instigations have been often dropped

50

50           Where I have took them up.

               ‘Shall Rome, etc.’ Thus must I piece it out:⁵¹

               Shall Rome stand under one man’s awe? What Rome?

               My ancestors did from the streets of Rome

               The Tarquin⁵⁴ drive when he was called a king.

55

55           ‘Speak, strike, redress.’ Am I entreated

               To speak and strike? O Rome, I make thee promise,

               If the redress will follow, thou receivest

               Thy full petition⁵⁸ at the hand of Brutus.

       Enter Lucius

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     Sir, March is wasted fifteen days.

       Knock within

60

60   

BRUTUS

BRUTUS           ’Tis good. Go to the gate: somebody knocks.—

       [Exit Lucius]

               Since Cassius first did whet⁶¹ me against Caesar,

               I have not slept.

               Between the acting of a dreadful thing

               And the first motion,⁶⁴ all the interim is

65

65           Like a phantasma,⁶⁵ or a hideous dream:

               The genius⁶⁶ and the mortal instruments

               Are then in council,⁶⁷ and the state of man,

               Like to a little kingdom, suffers then

               The nature of an insurrection.⁶⁹

       Enter Lucius

70

70   

LUCIUS

LUCIUS           Sir, ’tis your brother⁷⁰ Cassius at the door,

               Who doth desire to see you.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Is he alone?

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     No, sir, there are more with him.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Do you know them?

75

75   

LUCIUS

LUCIUS           No, sir, their hats are plucked about⁷⁵ their ears

               And half their faces buried in their cloaks,

               That by no means I may discover⁷⁷ them

               By any mark of favour.⁷⁸

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Let ’em enter:—

       [Exit Lucius]

80

80           They are the faction. O conspiracy,

               Sham’st thou to show thy dang’rous brow by night,

               When evils are most free?⁸² O, then, by day

               Where wilt thou find a cavern dark enough

               To mask thy monstrous visage?⁸⁴ Seek none, conspiracy,

85

85           Hide it in smiles and affability

               For if thou⁸⁶ path thy native semblance on,

               Not Erebus⁸⁷ itself were dim enough

               To hide thee from prevention.⁸⁸

       Enter the conspirators: Cassius, Casca, Decius, Cinna, Metellus and Trebonius

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     I think we are too bold⁸⁹ upon your rest:

90

90           Good morrow, Brutus, do we trouble you?

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     I have been up this hour, awake all night.

               Know I these men that come along with you?

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Yes, every man of them; and no man here

               But honours you, and every one doth wish

95

95           You had but that opinion of yourself

               Which every noble Roman bears of you.

               This is Trebonius.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     He is welcome hither.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     This, Decius Brutus.

100

100 

BRUTUS

BRUTUS             He is welcome too.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     This, Casca; this, Cinna; and this, Metellus Cimber.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     They are all welcome.

               What watchful cares¹⁰³ do interpose themselves

               Betwixt your eyes and night?¹⁰⁴

105

105 

CASSIUS

CASSIUS             Shall I entreat a word?

       They whisper

DECIUS

DECIUS     Here lies the east: doth not the day break here?

CASCA

CASCA     No.

CINNA

CINNA     O, pardon, sir, it doth; and yon¹⁰⁸ grey lines

               That fret¹⁰⁹ the clouds are messengers of day.

110

110 

CASCA

CASCA             You shall confess that you are both deceived:¹¹⁰

               Here, as¹¹¹ I point my sword, the sun arises,

               Which is a great way growing on¹¹² the south,

               Weighing¹¹³ the youthful season of the year.

               Some two months hence, up higher toward the north

115

115         He first presents his fire, and the high east

               Stands as the Capitol, directly here.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Give me your hands all over,¹¹⁷ one by one. Comes forward with Cassius

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     And let us swear our resolution.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     No, not an oath: if not the face of men,¹¹⁹

120

120         The sufferance¹²⁰ of our souls, the time’s abuse;

               If these be motives weak, break off betimes,¹²¹

               And every man hence to his idle¹²² bed.

               So let high-sighted¹²³ tyranny range on

               Till each man drop by lottery.¹²⁴ But if these —

125

125         As I am sure they do — bear fire enough

               To kindle cowards, and to steel¹²⁶ with valour

               The melting spirits of women, then, countrymen,

               What need we any spur but our own cause

               To prick us to redress? What other bond

130

130         Than¹³⁰ secret Romans that have spoke the word

               And will not palter?¹³¹ And what other oath

               Than honesty to honesty engaged,¹³²

               That this shall be, or we will fall¹³³ for it?

               Swear¹³⁴ priests and cowards, and men cautelous,

135

135         Old feeble carrions,¹³⁵ and such suffering souls

               That welcome wrongs: unto bad causes swear

               Such¹³⁷ creatures as men doubt. But do not stain

               The even¹³⁸ virtue of our enterprise,

               Nor th’insuppressive¹³⁹ mettle of our spirits,

140

140         To think that or¹⁴⁰ our cause or our performance

               Did need an oath, when every drop of blood

               That every Roman bears, and nobly bears,

               Is guilty of a several¹⁴³ bastardy

               If he do break the smallest particle

145

145         Of any promise that hath passed from him.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     But what of Cicero? Shall we sound¹⁴⁶ him?

               I think he will stand very strong with us.

CASCA

CASCA     Let us not leave him out.

CINNA

CINNA     No, by no means.

150

150 

METELLUS

METELLUS             O, let us have him, for his silver hairs¹⁵⁰

               Will purchase us a good opinion,

               And buy men’s voices to commend our deeds:

               It shall be said his judgement ruled our hands.

               Our youths and wildness shall no whit appear,

155

155         But all be buried in his gravity.¹⁵⁵

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     O, name him not: let us not break¹⁵⁶ with him,

               For he will never follow anything

               That other men begin.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Then leave him out.

160

160 

CASCA

CASCA             Indeed, he is not fit.

DECIUS

DECIUS     Shall no man else be touched,¹⁶¹ but only Caesar?

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Decius, well urged.— I think it is not meet¹⁶²

               Mark Antony, so well beloved of Caesar,

               Should outlive Caesar. We shall find of him

165

165         A shrewd contriver.¹⁶⁵ And you know his means

               If he improve¹⁶⁶ them may well stretch so far

               As to annoy¹⁶⁷ us all: which to prevent,

               Let Antony and Caesar fall together.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Our course will seem too bloody, Caius Cassius,

170

170         To cut the head off and then hack the limbs —

               Like wrath in death and envy¹⁷¹ afterwards —

               For Antony is but a limb of Caesar.

               Let’s be sacrificers, but not butchers, Caius.

               We all stand up against the spirit¹⁷⁴ of Caesar,

175

175         And in the spirit¹⁷⁵ of men there is no blood.

               O, that we then could come by Caesar’s spirit

               And not dismember Caesar! But, alas,

               Caesar must bleed for it. And, gentle friends,

               Let’s kill him boldly, but not wrathfully:

180

180         Let’s carve him as a dish fit for the gods,

               Not hew him as a carcass fit for hounds.

               And let our hearts, as subtle¹⁸² masters do,

               Stir up¹⁸³ their servants to an act of rage

               And after seem to chide¹⁸⁴ ’em. This shall make

185

185         Our purpose¹⁸⁵ necessary, and not envious,

               Which so appearing to the common eyes,

               We shall be called purgers,¹⁸⁷ not murderers.

               And for Mark Antony, think not of him,

               For he can do no more than Caesar’s arm

190

190         When Caesar’s head is off.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Yet I fear him,

               For in the ingrafted¹⁹² love he bears to Caesar —

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Alas, good Cassius, do not think of him:

               If he love Caesar, all that he can do

195

195         Is to himself; take thought¹⁹⁵ and die for Caesar.

               And that¹⁹⁶ were much he should, for he is given

               To sports, to wildness and much company.

TREBONIUS

TREBONIUS     There is no fear¹⁹⁸ in him; let him not die,

               For he will live and laugh at this hereafter.

       Clock strikes

200

200 

BRUTUS

BRUTUS             Peace! Count the clock.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     The clock hath stricken three.

TREBONIUS

TREBONIUS     ’Tis time to part.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     But it is doubtful yet

               Whether Caesar will come forth today or no,

205

205         For he is superstitious grown of late,

               Quite from the main²⁰⁶ opinion he held once

               Of fantasy, of dreams and ceremonies.²⁰⁷

               It may be these apparent²⁰⁸ prodigies,

               The unaccustomed terror of this night

210

210         And the persuasion of his augurers,²¹⁰

               May hold him from the Capitol today.

DECIUS

DECIUS     Never fear that. If he be so resolved,

               I can o’ersway him,²¹³ for he loves to hear

               That unicorns²¹⁴ may be betrayed with trees,

215

215         And bears with glasses,²¹⁵ elephants with holes,

               Lions with toils²¹⁶ and men with flatterers.

               But when I tell him he hates flatterers,

               He says he does, being then most flattered.

               Let me work,

220

220         For I can give his humour²²⁰ the true bent,

               And I will bring him to the Capitol.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Nay, we will all of us be there to fetch him.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     By the eighth hour. Is that the uttermost?²²³

CINNA

CINNA     Be that the uttermost, and fail not then.

225

225 

METELLUS

METELLUS             Caius Ligarius doth bear Caesar hard,²²⁵

               Who rated²²⁶ him for speaking well of Pompey.

               I wonder none of you have thought of him.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Now, good Metellus, go along by²²⁸ him:

               He loves me well, and I have given him reasons.²²⁹

230

230         Send him but hither and I’ll fashion him.²³⁰

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     The morning comes upon’s:²³¹ we’ll leave you, Brutus.—

               And, friends, disperse yourselves; but all remember

               What you have said, and show yourselves true Romans.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Good gentlemen, look fresh and merrily.

235

235         Let not our looks put on²³⁵ our purposes,

               But bear it as our Roman actors do,

               With untired²³⁷ spirits and formal constancy.

               And so good morrow to you every one.—

       Exeunt. Brutus remains

               Boy! Lucius! Fast asleep? It is no matter. Calls

240

240         Enjoy the honey-heavy dew of slumber:

               Thou hast no figures,²⁴¹ nor no fantasies

               Which busy²⁴² care draws in the brains of men;

               Therefore thou sleep’st so sound.

       Enter Portia

PORTIA

PORTIA     Brutus, my lord.

245

245 

BRUTUS

BRUTUS             Portia, what mean you?²⁴⁵ Wherefore rise you now?

               It is not for your health thus to commit

               Your weak condition to the raw cold morning.

PORTIA

PORTIA     Nor for yours neither. You’ve ungently,²⁴⁸ Brutus,

               Stole from my bed: and yesternight, at supper,

250

250         You suddenly arose, and walked about,

               Musing, and sighing, with your arms a-cross:²⁵¹

               And when I asked you what the matter was,

               You stared upon me with ungentle looks.

               I urged you further, then you scratched your head,

255

255         And too impatiently stamped with your foot:

               Yet I insisted, yet you answered not,

               But with an angry wafture²⁵⁷ of your hand

               Gave sign for me to leave you: so I did,

               Fearing to strengthen that impatience

260

260         Which seemed too much enkindled, and withal²⁶⁰

               Hoping it was but an effect of humour,²⁶¹

               Which sometime hath his hour with every man.

               It will not let you eat, nor talk, nor sleep;

               And could it work so much upon your shape²⁶⁴

265

265         As it hath much prevailed on your condition,²⁶⁵

               I should not know²⁶⁶ you, Brutus. Dear my lord,

               Make me acquainted with your cause of grief.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     I am not well in health, and that is all.

PORTIA

PORTIA     Brutus is wise, and were he not in health,

270

270         He would embrace the means to come by it.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Why, so I do. Good Portia, go to bed.

PORTIA

PORTIA     Is Brutus sick? And is it physical

               To walk unbracèd,²⁷³ and suck up the humours

               Of the dank morning? What, is Brutus sick?

275

275         And will he steal out of his wholesome²⁷⁵ bed

               To dare²⁷⁶ the vile contagion of the night?

               And tempt the rheumy²⁷⁷ and unpurgèd air

               To add unto his sickness? No, my Brutus,

               You have some sick offence²⁷⁹ within your mind

280

280         Which by the right and virtue of my place²⁸⁰

               I ought to know of: and upon my knees Kneels

               I charm²⁸² you, by my once-commended beauty,

               By all your vows of love and that great vow²⁸³

               Which did incorporate and make us one,

285

285         That you unfold²⁸⁵ to me, your self, your half,

               Why you are heavy,²⁸⁶ and what men tonight

               Have had to resort to²⁸⁷ you, for here have been

               Some six or seven who did hide their faces

               Even from darkness.

290

290 

BRUTUS

BRUTUS             Kneel not, gentle Portia. Raises her?

PORTIA

PORTIA     I should not need, if you were gentle Brutus. Rises

               Within the bond of marriage, tell me, Brutus,

               Is it excepted²⁹³ I should know no secrets

               That appertain to you? Am I your self

295

295         But as it were in²⁹⁵ sort or limitation?

               To keep²⁹⁶ with you at meals, comfort your bed

               And talk to you sometimes? Dwell I but in the suburbs²⁹⁷

               Of your good pleasure? If it be no more,

               Portia is Brutus’ harlot,²⁹⁹ not his wife.

300

300 

BRUTUS

BRUTUS             You are my true and honourable wife,

               As dear to me as are the ruddy drops³⁰¹

               That visit my sad heart.

PORTIA

PORTIA     If this were true, then should I know this secret.

               I grant I am a woman; but withal

305

305         A woman that Lord Brutus took to wife:

               I grant I am a woman; but withal

               A woman well-reputed, Cato’s³⁰⁷ daughter.

               Think you I am no stronger than my sex

               Being so fathered and so husbanded?

310

310         Tell me your counsels,³¹⁰ I will not disclose ’em.

               I have made strong proof of my constancy,³¹¹

               Giving myself a voluntary wound

               Here in the thigh: can I bear that with patience

               And not my husband’s secrets?

315

315 

BRUTUS

BRUTUS             O ye gods!

               Render me worthy of this noble wife!

       Knock

               Hark, hark one knocks. Portia, go in awhile,

               And by and by³¹⁸ thy bosom shall partake

               The secrets of my heart.

320

320         All my engagements I will construe³²⁰ to thee,

               All the charactery³²¹ of my sad brows:

               Leave me with haste.—

       Exit Portia

               Lucius, who’s that knocks? Calls

       Enter Lucius and Ligarius Ligarius wears a kerchief

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     Here is a sick man that would speak with you.

325

325 

BRUTUS

BRUTUS             Caius Ligarius, that Metellus spake of.—

               Boy, stand aside.— Caius Ligarius, how?

LIGARIUS

LIGARIUS     Vouchsafe³²⁷ good morrow from a feeble tongue.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     O, what a time have you chose out, brave Caius,

               To wear a kerchief? Would you were not sick!

330

330 

LIGARIUS

LIGARIUS             I am not sick if Brutus have in hand

               Any exploit worthy the name of honour.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Such an exploit have I in hand, Ligarius,

               Had you a healthful ear to hear of it.

LIGARIUS

LIGARIUS     By all the gods that Romans bow before,

335

335         I here discard my sickness. Soul of Rome, Takes off the kerchief

               Brave son, derived from honourable loins,

               Thou like an exorcist³³⁷ hast conjured up

               My mortified³³⁸ spirit. Now bid me run

               And I will strive³³⁹ with things impossible,

340

340         Yea, get the better of them. What’s to do?

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     A piece of work that will make sick men whole.³⁴¹

LIGARIUS

LIGARIUS     But are not some whole that we must make sick?

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     That must we also. What it is, my Caius,

               I shall unfold to thee as we are going

345

345         To whom³⁴⁵ it must be done.

LIGARIUS

LIGARIUS     Set³⁴⁶ on your foot,

               And with a heart new-fired I follow you,

               To do I know not what: but it sufficeth

               That Brutus leads me on.

       Thunder

350

350 

BRUTUS

BRUTUS             Follow me, then.

       Exeunt

[Act 2 Scene 2]2.2

running scene 3

       Thunder and lightning. Enter Julius Caesar in his nightgown

CAESAR

CAESAR     Nor heaven nor earth have been at peace tonight:

               Thrice hath Calpurnia in her sleep cried out,

               ‘Help, ho! They murder Caesar!’ Who’s within?

       Enter a Servant

SERVANT

SERVANT     My lord?

5

5     

CAESAR

CAESAR         Go bid the priests do present⁵ sacrifice

               And bring me their opinions⁶ of success.

SERVANT

SERVANT     I will, my lord.

       Exit

       Enter Calpurnia

CALPURNIA

CALPURNIA     What mean you, Caesar? Think you to walk forth?

               You shall not stir out of your house today.

10

10   

CAESAR

CAESAR           Caesar shall forth. The things that threatened me

               Ne’er looked but on my back: when they shall see

               The face of Caesar, they are vanishèd.

CALPURNIA

CALPURNIA     Caesar, I never stood on¹³ ceremonies,

               Yet now they fright me. There is one within,

15

15           Besides the things that we have heard and seen,

               Recounts most horrid sights seen by the watch.¹⁶

               A lioness hath whelpèd¹⁷ in the streets,

               And graves have yawned,¹⁸ and yielded up their dead;

               Fierce fiery warriors¹⁹ fight upon the clouds

20

20           In ranks and squadrons, and right form of war,

               Which drizzled blood upon the Capitol:

               The noise of battle hurtled²² in the air,

               Horses do neigh, and dying men did groan,

               And ghosts²⁴ did shriek and squeal about the streets.

25

25           O Caesar, these things are beyond all use,²⁵

               And I do fear them.

CAESAR

CAESAR     What can be avoided

               Whose end²⁸ is purposed by the mighty gods?

               Yet Caesar shall go forth, for these predictions

30

30           Are to³⁰ the world in general as to Caesar.

CALPURNIA

CALPURNIA     When beggars die there are no comets seen:

               The heavens themselves blaze forth³² the death of princes.

CAESAR

CAESAR     Cowards die many times before their deaths,

               The valiant never taste of death but once.

35

35           Of all the wonders that I yet have heard,

               It seems to me most strange that men should fear,

               Seeing that death, a necessary end,

               Will come when it will come.

       Enter a Servant

               What say the augurers?

40

40   

SERVANT

SERVANT           They would not have you to stir forth today.

               Plucking the entrails of⁴¹ an offering forth,

               They could not find a heart within the beast.

CAESAR

CAESAR     The gods do this in shame of⁴³ cowardice:

               Caesar should be a beast without a heart

45

45           If he should stay at home today for fear.

               No, Caesar shall not. Danger knows full well

               That Caesar is more dangerous than he.

               We are two lions littered⁴⁸ in one day,

               And I the elder and more terrible,

50

50           And Caesar shall go forth.

CALPURNIA

CALPURNIA     Alas, my lord,

               Your wisdom is consumed in⁵² confidence.

               Do not go forth today: call it my fear

               That keeps you in the house, and not your own.

55

55           We’ll send Mark Antony to the senate house,

               And he shall say you are not well today.

               Let me upon my knee prevail in this. Kneels

CAESAR

CAESAR     Mark Antony shall say I am not well,

               And for thy humour⁵⁹ I will stay at home. Raises her?

       Enter Decius

60

60           Here’s Decius Brutus, he shall tell them so.

DECIUS

DECIUS     Caesar, all hail. Good morrow, worthy Caesar,

               I come to fetch you to the senate house.

CAESAR

CAESAR     And you are come in very happy⁶³ time

               To bear my greeting to the senators,

65

65           And tell them that I will not come today:

               Cannot is false, and that I dare not, falser:

               I will not come today. Tell them so, Decius.

CALPURNIA

CALPURNIA     Say he is sick.

CAESAR

CAESAR     Shall Caesar send a lie?

70

70           Have I in conquest stretched mine arm so far

               To be afeared to tell greybeards⁷¹ the truth?

               Decius, go tell them Caesar will not come.

DECIUS

DECIUS     Most mighty Caesar, let me know some cause,

               Lest I be Iaughed at when I tell them so.

75

75   

CAESAR

CAESAR           The cause is in my will, I will not come,

               That is enough to satisfy the senate.

               But for your private satisfaction,

               Because I love you, I will let you know.

               Calpurnia here, my wife, stays⁷⁹ me at home:

80

80           She dreamt tonight she saw my statue,

               Which, like a fountain with an hundred spouts,

               Did run pure blood, and many lusty⁸² Romans

               Came smiling and did bathe their hands in it.

               And these does she apply for⁸⁴ warnings and portents

85

85           And evils imminent, and on her knee

               Hath begged that I will stay at home today.

DECIUS

DECIUS     This dream is all amiss⁸⁷ interpreted.

               It was a vision, fair and fortunate:

               Your statue spouting blood in many pipes

90

90           In which so many smiling Romans bathed,

               Signifies that from you great Rome shall suck

               Reviving blood, and that great men shall press⁹²

               For tinctures, stains, relics⁹³ and cognizance.

               This by Calpurnia’s dream is signified.

95

95   

CAESAR

CAESAR           And this way have you well expounded it.

DECIUS

DECIUS     I have, when you have heard what I can say:

               And know it now, the senate have concluded

               To give this day a crown to mighty Caesar.

               If you shall send them word you will not come,

100

100         Their minds may change. Besides, it were¹⁰⁰ a mock

               Apt to be rendered, for someone to say,

               ‘Break up the senate till another time

               When Caesar’s wife shall meet with better dreams.’

               If Caesar hide himself, shall they not whisper

105

105         ‘Lo, Caesar is afraid’?

               Pardon me, Caesar, for my dear, dear love

               To our proceeding bids me tell you this,

               And reason¹⁰⁸ to my love is liable.

CAESAR

CAESAR     How foolish do your fears seem now, Calpurnia?

110

110         I am ashamèd I did yield to them.

               Give me my robe, for I will go.

       Enter Brutus, Ligarius, Metellus, Casca, Trebonius, Cinna and Publius

               And look where Publius is come to fetch me.

PUBLIUS

PUBLIUS     Good morrow, Caesar.

CAESAR

CAESAR     Welcome, Publius.—

115

115         What, Brutus, are you stirred so early too?—

               Good morrow, Casca.— Caius Ligarius,

               Caesar was ne’er so much your enemy

               As that same ague¹¹⁸ which hath made you lean.—

               What is’t o’clock?

120

120 

BRUTUS

BRUTUS             Caesar, ’tis strucken eight.

CAESAR

CAESAR     I thank you for your pains and courtesy.

       Enter Antony

               See, Antony, that revels long o’nights,

               Is notwithstanding up.¹²³— Good morrow, Antony.

ANTONY

ANTONY     So to most noble Caesar.

125

125 

CAESAR

CAESAR             Bid them prepare within: To Calpurnia or to a Servant

               I am to blame to be thus waited for.— [Exit Calpurnia or a Servant]

               Now, Cinna, now, Metellus, what, Trebonius,

               I have an hour’s talk in store for you.

               Remember that you call on me today:

130

130         Be near me, that I may remember¹³⁰ you.

TREBONIUS

TREBONIUS     Caesar, I will:— and so near will I be Aside

               That your best friends shall wish I had been further.

CAESAR

CAESAR     Good friends, go in, and taste some wine with me,

               And we, like friends, will straightway go together.

135

135 

BRUTUS

BRUTUS             That¹³⁵ every like is not the same, O Caesar, Aside

               The heart of Brutus earns¹³⁶ to think upon. Exeunt

[Act 2 Scene 3]2.3

running scene 4

       Enter Artemidorus Reading a paper

ARTEMIDORUS

ARTEMIDORUS     ‘Caesar, beware of Brutus, take heed of Cassius, come not near Casca, have an eye to Cinna, trust not Trebonius, mark well Metellus Cimber, Decius Brutus loves thee not, thou hast wronged Caius Ligarius. There is but one mind in all these men, and it is bent⁴ against Caesar. If thou be’st not immortal, look about you: security⁵ gives way to conspiracy. The mighty gods defend thee. Thy lover, Artemidorus.’

                                    Here will I stand till Caesar pass along,

                                    And as a suitor⁸ will I give him this.

                                    My heart laments that virtue cannot live

10

                                 Out of¹⁰ the teeth of emulation.

                                    If thou read this, O Caesar, thou mayst live;

                                    If not, the Fates with traitors do contrive.¹²

       Exit

[Act 2 Scene 4]2.4

running scene 5

       Enter Portia and Lucius

PORTIA

PORTIA     I prithee, boy, run to the senate house.

               Stay not to answer me, but get thee gone.

               Why dost thou stay?

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     To know my errand, madam.

5

5     

PORTIA

PORTIA         I would have had thee there and here again

               Ere I can tell thee what thou shouldst do there.—

               O constancy,⁷ be strong upon my side, Aside

               Set a huge mountain ’tween my heart and tongue:

               I have a man’s⁹ mind, but a woman’s might.

10

10           How hard it is for women to keep counsel.¹⁰—

               Art thou here yet?

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     Madam, what should I do?

               Run to the Capitol, and nothing else?

               And so return to you, and nothing else?

15

15   

PORTIA

PORTIA           Yes, bring me word, boy, if thy lord look well,

               For he went sickly forth: and take good note¹⁶

               What Caesar doth, what suitors press to him.

               Hark, boy, what noise is that?

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     I hear none, madam.

20

20   

PORTIA

PORTIA           Prithee listen well:

               I heard a bustling rumour²¹ like a fray,

               And the wind brings it from the Capitol.

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     Sooth,²³ madam, I hear nothing.

       Enter the Soothsayer

PORTIA

PORTIA     Come hither, fellow. Which way hast thou been?

25

25   

SOOTHSAYER

SOOTHSAYER           At mine own house, good lady.

PORTIA

PORTIA     What is’t o’clock?

SOOTHSAYER

SOOTHSAYER     About the ninth hour, lady.

PORTIA

PORTIA     Is Caesar yet gone to the Capitol?

SOOTHSAYER

SOOTHSAYER     Madam, not yet. I go to take my stand

30

30           To see him pass on to the Capitol.

PORTIA

PORTIA     Thou hast some suit³¹ to Caesar, hast thou not?

SOOTHSAYER

SOOTHSAYER     That I have, lady, if it will please Caesar

               To be so good to Caesar as to hear me:

               I shall beseech him to befriend³⁴ himself.

35

35   

PORTIA

PORTIA           Why, know’st thou any harm’s intended towards him?

SOOTHSAYER

SOOTHSAYER     None that I know will be

               Much that I fear may chance.

               Good morrow to you. Here the street is narrow:

               The throng that follows Caesar at the heels,

40

40           Of senators, of praetors,⁴⁰ common suitors,

               Will crowd a feeble man almost to death:

               I’ll get me to a place more void,⁴² and there

               Speak to great Caesar as he comes along.

       Exit

PORTIA

PORTIA     I must go in. Ay me! How weak a thing

45

45           The heart of woman is.— O Brutus,

               The heavens speed⁴⁶ thee in thine enterprise.—

               Sure, the boy heard me. Brutus hath a suit

               That Caesar will not grant. O, I grow faint.—

               Run, Lucius, and commend me⁴⁹ to my lord,

50

50           Say I am merry. Come to me again,

               And bring me word what he doth say to thee.

       Exeunt [separately]

Act 3 [Scene 1]3.1

running scene 6

       Flourish. Enter Caesar, Brutus, Cassius, Casca, Decius, Metellus, Trebonius, Cinna, Antony, Lepidus, Artemidorus, Publius [Popilius Lena] and the Soothsayer

CAESAR

CAESAR     The Ides of March are come. To the Soothsayer

SOOTHSAYER

SOOTHSAYER     Ay, Caesar, but not gone.

ARTEMIDORUS

ARTEMIDORUS     Hail, Caesar. Read this schedule.³

DECIUS

DECIUS     Trebonius doth desire you to o’erread⁴ —

5

5             At your best leisure — this his humble suit.

ARTEMIDORUS

ARTEMIDORUS     O Caesar, read mine first, for mine’s a suit

               That touches Caesar nearer.⁷ Read it, great Caesar.

CAESAR

CAESAR     What touches us ourself shall be last served.⁸

ARTEMIDORUS

ARTEMIDORUS     Delay not, Caesar, read it instantly.

10

10   

CAESAR

CAESAR           What, is the fellow mad?

PUBLIUS

PUBLIUS     Sirrah,¹¹ give place. To Artemidorus

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     What, urge you your petitions in the street?

               Come to the Capitol. Caesar and his train move on

POPILIUS

POPILIUS     I wish your enterprise today may thrive. To Cassius

15

15   

CASSIUS

CASSIUS           What enterprise, Popilius?

POPILIUS

POPILIUS     Fare you well. Moves toward Caesar

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     What said Popilius Lena?

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     He wished today our enterprise might thrive:

               I fear our purpose is discoverèd.

20

20   

BRUTUS

BRUTUS           Look how he makes to²⁰ Caesar: mark him.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Casca, be sudden,²¹ for we fear prevention.

               Brutus, what shall be done? If this be known,

               Cassius or Caesar never shall turn back,²³

               For I will slay myself.

25

25   

BRUTUS

BRUTUS           Cassius, be constant:²⁵

               Popilius Lena speaks not of our purposes,

               For look, he smiles, and Caesar²⁷ doth not change.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Trebonius knows his time: for look you, Brutus.

               He draws Mark Antony out of the way.

       [Exeunt Antony and Trebonius]

30

30   

DECIUS

DECIUS           Where is Metellus Cimber? Let him go Caesar sits?

               And presently prefer³¹ his suit to Caesar.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     He is addressed:³² press near and second him.

CINNA

CINNA     Casca, you are the first that rears³³ your hand.

CAESAR

CAESAR     Are we all ready? What is now amiss

35

35           That Caesar and his senate must redress?

METELLUS

METELLUS     Most high, most mighty and most puissant³⁶ Caesar, Comes forward

               Metellus Cimber throws before thy seat³⁷ Kneels

               An humble heart—

CAESAR

CAESAR     I must prevent thee, Cimber.

40

40           These couchings⁴⁰ and these lowly courtesies

               Might fire⁴¹ the blood of ordinary men,

               And turn⁴² pre-ordinance and first decree

               Into the lane of children. Be not fond⁴³

               To think that Caesar bears such rebel blood⁴⁴

45

45           That will be thawed from the true quality⁴⁵

               With that which melteth fools — I mean sweet⁴⁶ words,

               Low-crookèd⁴⁷ curtsies and base spaniel-fawning.

               Thy brother by decree is banishèd:

               If thou dost bend and pray⁴⁹ and fawn for him,

50

50           I spurn⁵⁰ thee like a cur out of my way.

               Know, Caesar doth not wrong, nor without cause⁵¹

               Will he be satisfied.⁵²

METELLUS

METELLUS     Is there no voice more worthy than my own

               To sound more sweetly in great Caesar’s ear

55

55           For the repealing⁵⁵ of my banished brother?

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     I kiss thy hand, but not in flattery, Caesar, Kneels

               Desiring thee that Publius Cimber may

               Have an immediate freedom of repeal.⁵⁸

CAESAR

CAESAR     What, Brutus?

60

60   

CASSIUS

CASSIUS           Pardon, Caesar: Caesar, pardon.

               As low as to thy foot doth Cassius fall, Kneels

               To beg enfranchisement⁶² for Publius Cimber.

CAESAR

CAESAR     I could be well moved if I were as you:

               If I could pray to move,⁶⁴ prayers would move me.

65

65           But I am constant as the northern star,⁶⁵

               Of whose true-fixed and resting⁶⁶ quality

               There is no fellow⁶⁷ in the firmament.

               The skies are painted with unnumbered sparks,⁶⁸

               They are all fire and every one doth shine:

70

70           But there’s but one in all doth hold his place.

               So in the world: ’tis furnished well with men,

               And men are flesh and blood, and apprehensive;⁷²

               Yet in the number I do know but one

               That unassailable holds⁷⁴ on his rank,

75

75           Unshaked of motion.⁷⁵ And that I am he,

               Let me a little show it, even in this:

               That I was constant Cimber should be banished,

               And constant do remain to keep him so.

CINNA

CINNA     O Caesar— Kneels

80

80   

CAESAR

CAESAR           Hence.⁸⁰ Wilt thou lift up Olympus?

DECIUS

DECIUS     Great Caesar— About to kneel

CAESAR

CAESAR     Doth not Brutus bootless⁸² kneel?

CASCA

CASCA     Speak hands⁸³ for me!

       They stab Caesar Casca first, Brutus last

CAESAR

CAESAR     Et tu, Bruté?⁸⁴— Then fall, Caesar. Dies

85

85   

CINNA

CINNA           Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead!

               Run hence, proclaim, cry it about the streets.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Some to the common pulpits⁸⁷ and cry out In the ensuing tumult, exeunt all but the conspirators

               ‘Liberty, freedom and enfranchisement!’ and Publius

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     People and senators, be not affrighted.⁸⁹

90

90           Fly not, stand still: ambition’s⁹⁰ debt is paid.

CASCA

CASCA     Go to the pulpit, Brutus.

DECIUS

DECIUS     And Cassius too.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Where’s Publius?

CINNA

CINNA     Here, quite confounded with⁹⁴ this mutiny.

95

95   

METELLUS

METELLUS           Stand fast⁹⁵ together, lest some friend of Caesar’s

               Should chance—

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Talk not of standing.⁹⁷ Publius, good cheer:

               There is no harm intended to your person,

               Nor to no Roman else: so tell them, Publius.

100

100 

CASSIUS

CASSIUS             And leave us, Publius, lest that the people,

               Rushing on us, should do your age¹⁰¹ some mischief.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Do so, and let no man abide¹⁰² this deed

               But we the doers.

       [Exit Publius]

       Enter Trebonius

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Where is Antony?

105

105 

TREBONIUS

TREBONIUS             Fled to his house amazed.¹⁰⁵

               Men, wives and children stare, cry out and run

               As¹⁰⁷ it were doomsday.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Fates, we will know your pleasures.¹⁰⁸

               That we shall die we know: ’tis but the time¹⁰⁹

110

110         And drawing days out¹¹⁰ that men stand upon.

CASCA

CASCA     Why, he that cuts off twenty years of life

               Cuts off so many years of fearing death.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Grant that, and then is death a benefit:

               So are we Caesar’s friends that have abridged

115

115         His time of fearing death. Stoop, Romans, stoop,

               And let us bathe our hands in Caesar’s blood

               Up to the elbows and besmear our swords:

               Then walk we forth, even to the market-place,¹¹⁸ They smear their hands and weapons with Caesar’s blood

               And waving our red weapons o’er our heads,

120

120         Let’s all cry ‘Peace, freedom and liberty!’

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Stoop, then, and wash. How many ages hence

               Shall this our lofty scene be acted over,¹²²

               In states unborn and accents¹²³ yet unknown?

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     How many times shall Caesar bleed in sport

125

125         That now on Pompey’s basis¹²⁵ lies along

               No worthier than the dust?

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     So oft as that shall be,

               So often shall the knot¹²⁸ of us be called

               The men that gave their country liberty.

130

130 

DECIUS

DECIUS             What, shall we forth?

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Ay, every man away.

               Brutus shall lead, and we will grace¹³² his heels

               With the most boldest and best hearts of Rome.

       Enter a Servant

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Soft,¹³⁴ who comes here? A friend of Antony’s.

135

135 

SERVANT

SERVANT             Thus, Brutus, did my master bid me kneel, Kneels

               Thus did Mark Antony bid me fall down,

               And being prostrate thus he bade me say:

               Brutus is noble, wise, valiant and honest;¹³⁸

               Caesar was mighty, bold, royal and loving.

140

140         Say I love Brutus and I honour him,

               Say I feared¹⁴¹ Caesar, honoured him and loved him.

               If Brutus will vouchsafe¹⁴² that Antony

               May safely come to him and be resolved¹⁴³

               How Caesar hath deserved to lie in death,

145

145         Mark Antony shall not love Caesar dead

               So well as Brutus living, but will follow

               The fortunes and affairs of noble Brutus

               Thorough¹⁴⁸ the hazards of this untrod state

               With all true faith.¹⁴⁹ So says my master Antony.

150

150 

BRUTUS

BRUTUS             Thy master is a wise and valiant Roman:

               I never thought him worse.

               Tell him, so please him come unto this place,

               He shall be satisfied,¹⁵³ and by my honour

               Depart untouched.¹⁵⁴

155

155 

SERVANT

SERVANT             I’ll fetch him presently.¹⁵⁵

       Exit Servant

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     I know that we shall have him well to¹⁵⁶ friend.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     I wish¹⁵⁷ we may: but yet have I a mind

               That fears¹⁵⁸ him much, and my misgiving still

               Falls shrewdly to the purpose.

       Enter Antony

160

160 

BRUTUS

BRUTUS             But here comes Antony.— Welcome, Mark Antony.

ANTONY

ANTONY     O mighty Caesar! Dost thou lie so low? To the body

               Are all thy conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils,¹⁶²

               Shrunk to this little measure?¹⁶³ Fare thee well.—

               I know not, gentlemen, what you intend,

165

165         Who else must be let blood,¹⁶⁵ who else is rank:

               If I myself, there is no hour so fit

               As Caesar’s death’s hour, nor no instrument

               Of half that worth as those your swords, made rich

               With the most noble blood of all this world.

170

170         I do beseech ye, if you bear me hard,

               Now, whilst your purpled¹⁷¹ hands do reek and smoke,

               Fulfil your pleasure. Live¹⁷² a thousand years,

               I shall not find myself so apt¹⁷³ to die.

               No place will please me so, no mean¹⁷⁴ of death,

175

175         As here by Caesar, and by you cut off,¹⁷⁵

               The choice¹⁷⁶ and master spirits of this age.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     O Antony! Beg not your death of us:

               Though now we must appear bloody and cruel,

               As by our hands and this our present act

180

180         You see we do, yet see you but¹⁸⁰ our hands

               And this the bleeding business they have done:

               Our hearts you see not: they are pitiful,¹⁸²

               And pity to the general wrong of Rome —

               As fire drives out fire, so pity pity¹⁸⁴ —

185

185         Hath done this deed on Caesar. For your part,

               To you our swords have leaden¹⁸⁶ points, Mark Antony:

               Our arms in¹⁸⁷ strength of malice, and our hearts

               Of brothers’ temper,¹⁸⁸ do receive you in

               With all kind¹⁸⁹ love, good thoughts and reverence.

190

190 

CASSIUS

CASSIUS             Your voice¹⁹⁰ shall be as strong as any man’s

               In the disposing¹⁹¹ of new dignities.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Only be patient till we have appeased

               The multitude,¹⁹³ beside themselves with fear,

               And then we will deliver you¹⁹⁴ the cause

195

195         Why I, that did love Caesar when I struck him,

               Have thus proceeded.¹⁹⁶

ANTONY

ANTONY     I doubt not of your wisdom.

               Let each man render¹⁹⁸ me his bloody hand.— Shakes hands with each of them in turn

               First, Marcus Brutus, will I shake with you;—

200

200         Next, Caius Cassius, do I take your hand;—

               Now, Decius Brutus, yours;— now yours, Metellus;—

               Yours, Cinna;— and my valiant Casca, yours;—

               Though last, not least in love, yours, good Trebonius.—

               Gentlemen all: alas, what shall I say?

205

205         My credit²⁰⁵ now stands on such slipp’ry ground

               That one of two bad ways you must conceit²⁰⁶ me,

               Either a coward or a flatterer.—

               That I did love thee, Caesar, O, ’tis true:

               If then thy spirit look upon us now,

210

210         Shall it not grieve thee dearer²¹⁰ than thy death

               To see thy Antony making his peace,

               Shaking the bloody fingers of thy foes?

               Most noble²¹³ in the presence of thy corpse,

               Had I as many eyes as thou hast wounds,

215

215         Weeping as fast as they stream forth thy blood,

               It would become²¹⁶ me better than to close

               In terms of friendship with thine enemies.

               Pardon me, Julius! Here wast thou bayed,²¹⁸ brave hart,

               Here didst thou fall, and here thy hunters stand

220

220         Signed in²²⁰ thy spoil and crimsoned in thy Lethe.—

               O world, thou wast the forest to this hart,

               And this²²² indeed, O world, the heart of thee.—

               How like a deer, strucken by many princes,

               Dost thou here lie?

225

225 

CASSIUS

CASSIUS             Mark Antony—

ANTONY

ANTONY     Pardon me, Caius Cassius.

               The enemies²²⁷ of Caesar shall say this:

               Then, in a friend, it is cold modesty.²²⁸

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     I blame you not for praising Caesar so,

230

230         But what compact²³⁰ mean you to have with us?

               Will you be pricked²³¹ in number of our friends,

               Or shall we on,²³² and not depend on you?

ANTONY

ANTONY     Therefore²³³ I took your hands, but was indeed

               Swayed from the point by looking down on Caesar.

235

235         Friends am I with you all, and love you all,

               Upon this hope, that you shall give me reasons

               Why and wherein Caesar was dangerous.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Or else²³⁸ were this a savage spectacle:

               Our reasons are so full of good regard²³⁹

240

240         That were you, Antony, the son of Caesar,

               You should be satisfied.

ANTONY

ANTONY     That’s all I seek,

               And am moreover suitor, that I may

               Produce²⁴⁴ his body to the market-place,

245

245         And in the pulpit, as becomes a friend,

               Speak in the order²⁴⁶ of his funeral.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     You shall, Mark Antony.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Brutus, a word with you.

               You know not what you do. Do not consent Aside to Brutus

250

250         That Antony speak in his funeral:

               Know you how much the people may be moved

               By that which he will utter.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     By your pardon: Aside to Cassius

               I will myself into the pulpit first,

255

255         And show the reason of our Caesar’s death.

               What Antony shall speak, I will protest²⁵⁶

               He speaks by leave²⁵⁷ and by permission,

               And that we are contented Caesar shall

               Have all true rites²⁵⁹ and lawful ceremonies.

260

260         It shall advantage more than do us wrong.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     I know not what may fall.²⁶¹ I like it not. Aside to Brutus

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Mark Antony, here take you Caesar’s body.

               You shall not in your funeral speech blame us,

               But speak all good you can devise of Caesar,

265

265         And say you do’t by our permission:

               Else shall you not have any hand at all

               About²⁶⁷ his funeral. And you shall speak

               In the same pulpit whereto I am going,

               After my speech is ended.

270

270 

ANTONY

ANTONY             Be it so:

               I do desire no more.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Prepare the body then, and follow us.

       Exeunt. Antony remains

ANTONY

ANTONY     O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth, To Caesar’s body

               That I am meek and gentle with these butchers.

275

275         Thou art the ruins of the noblest man

               That ever livèd in the tide of times.²⁷⁶

               Woe to the hand that shed this costly²⁷⁷ blood.

               Over thy wounds now do I prophesy —

               Which like dumb mouths do ope their ruby lips

280

280         To beg the voice and utterance of my tongue —

               A curse shall light upon the limbs of men:

               Domestic fury and fierce civil strife

               Shall cumber²⁸³ all the parts of Italy:

               Blood and destruction shall be so in use,²⁸⁴

285

285         And dreadful objects²⁸⁵ so familiar,

               That mothers shall but smile when they behold

               Their infants quartered²⁸⁷ with the hands of war:

               All pity choked with custom of²⁸⁸ fell deeds,

               And Caesar’s spirit ranging²⁸⁹ for revenge,

290

290         With Ate²⁹⁰ by his side, come hot from hell,

               Shall in these confines,²⁹¹ with a monarch’s voice

               Cry havoc²⁹² and let slip the dogs of war,

               That²⁹³ this foul deed shall smell above the earth

               With²⁹⁴ carrion men, groaning for burial.—

       Enter Octavius’ Servant

295

295         You serve Octavius Caesar, do you not?

SERVANT

SERVANT     I do, Mark Antony.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Caesar did write for him to come to Rome.

SERVANT

SERVANT     He did receive his letters and is coming,

               And bid me say to you by word of mouth—

300

300         O Caesar! Sees the body

ANTONY

ANTONY     Thy heart is big:³⁰¹ get thee apart and weep.

               Passion,³⁰² I see, is catching, for mine eyes,

               Seeing those beads of sorrow stand in thine,

               Began to water. Is thy master coming?

305

305 

SERVANT

SERVANT             He lies tonight within seven leagues³⁰⁵ of Rome.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Post³⁰⁶ back with speed and tell him what hath chanced:

               Here is a mourning Rome, a dangerous Rome,

               No Rome of safety for Octavius yet.

               Hie hence,³⁰⁹ and tell him so. Yet stay awhile.

310

310         Thou shalt not back till I have borne this corpse

               Into the market-place: there shall I try³¹¹

               In my oration how the people take

               The cruel issue³¹³ of these bloody men,

               According to the which³¹⁴ thou shalt discourse

315

315         To young Octavius of the state of things.

               Lend me your hand.

       Exeunt With the body

[Act 3 Scene 2]3.2

running scene 7

       Enter Brutus and goes into the pulpit, and Cassius with the Plebeians

PLEBEIANS

PLEBEIANS     We will be satisfied: let us be satisfied.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Then follow me, and give me audience,² friends.

               Cassius, go you into the other street

               And part the numbers:⁴

5

5             Those that will hear me speak, let ’em stay here;

               Those that will follow Cassius, go with him

               And public⁷ reasons shall be renderèd

               Of Caesar’s death.

FIRST PLEBEIAN

FIRST PLEBEIAN     I will hear Brutus speak.

10

10   

SECOND PLEBEIAN

SECOND PLEBEIAN           I will hear Cassius, and compare their reasons

               When severally¹¹ we hear them renderèd.

       [Exit Cassius, with some of the Plebeians]

THIRD PLEBEIAN

THIRD PLEBEIAN     The noble Brutus is ascended: silence!

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Be patient till the last.¹³ Romans, countrymen, and lovers,¹⁴ hear me for my cause and be silent, that you may hear. Believe me for¹⁵ mine honour and have respect to mine honour, that you may believe. Censure¹⁶ me in your wisdom and awake your senses, that you may the better judge. If there be any in this assembly, any dear friend of Caesar’s, to him I say that Brutus’ love to Caesar was no less than his. If then that friend demand why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer: not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more. Had you rather Caesar were living, and die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live all free men? As Caesar loved me, I weep for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was valiant, I honour him: but as he was ambitious, I slew him. There is tears, for his love: joy, for his fortune: honour, for his valour: and death, for his ambition. Who is here so base, that would be a bondman? If any, speak, for him have I offended. Who is here so rude,²⁶ that would not be a Roman? If any, speak, for him have I offended. Who is here so vile,²⁷ that will not love his country? If any, speak, for him have I offended. I pause for a reply.

ALL

ALL     None, Brutus, none.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Then none have I offended. I have done no more to Caesar, than you shall do to Brutus. The question of³¹ his death is enrolled in the Capitol: his glory not extenuated,³² wherein he was worthy, nor his offences enforced, for which he suffered death.

       Enter Mark Antony with Caesar’s body

               Here comes his body, mourned by Mark Antony, who, though he had no hand in

35

               his death, shall receive the benefit of his dying, a place³⁵ in the commonwealth, as which of you shall not? With this I depart, that as I slew my best lover for the good of Rome, I have the same dagger for myself, when it shall please my country to need my death. Comes down from the pulpit

ALL

ALL     Live Brutus, live, live!

40

FIRST PLEBEIAN

FIRST PLEBEIAN           Bring him with triumph⁴⁰ home unto his house.

SECOND PLEBEIAN⁴¹

SECOND PLEBEIAN     Give him a statue with his ancestors.

THIRD PLEBEIAN

THIRD PLEBEIAN     Let him be Caesar.

FOURTH PLEBEIAN

FOURTH PLEBEIAN     Caesar’s better parts⁴³

               Shall be crowned⁴⁴ in Brutus.

45

45   

FIRST PLEBEIAN

FIRST PLEBEIAN           We’ll bring him to his house with shouts and clamours.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     My countrymen—

SECOND PLEBEIAN

SECOND PLEBEIAN     Peace, silence, Brutus speaks.

FIRST PLEBEIAN

FIRST PLEBEIAN     Peace, ho.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Good countrymen, let me depart alone,

50

50           And, for my sake, stay here with Antony:

               Do grace to⁵¹ Caesar’s corpse and grace his speech

               Tending⁵² to Caesar’s glories, which Mark Antony —

               By our permission — is allowed to make.

               I do entreat you, not a man depart

55

55           Save I alone, till Antony have spoke.

       Exit

FIRST PLEBEIAN

FIRST PLEBEIAN     Stay, ho, and let us hear Mark Antony.

THIRD PLEBEIAN

THIRD PLEBEIAN     Let him go up into the public chair.⁵⁷

               We’ll hear him.— Noble Antony, go up.

ANTONY

ANTONY     For Brutus’ sake I am beholding⁵⁹ to you. Goes into the pulpit

60

60   

FOURTH PLEBEIAN

FOURTH PLEBEIAN           What does he say of Brutus?

THIRD PLEBEIAN

THIRD PLEBEIAN     He says, for Brutus’ sake

               He finds himself beholding to us all.

FOURTH PLEBEIAN

FOURTH PLEBEIAN     ’Twere best he speak no harm of Brutus here.

FIRST PLEBEIAN

FIRST PLEBEIAN     This Caesar was a tyrant.

65

65   

THIRD PLEBEIAN

THIRD PLEBEIAN           Nay, that’s certain:

               We are blest that Rome is rid of him.

SECOND PLEBEIAN

SECOND PLEBEIAN     Peace, let us hear what Antony can say.

ANTONY

ANTONY     You gentle Romans.

ALL

ALL     Peace, ho, let us hear him.

70

70   

ANTONY

ANTONY           Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears:

               I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.

               The evil that men do lives after them:

               The good is oft interrèd⁷³ with their bones.

               So let it be with Caesar. The noble Brutus

75

75           Hath told you Caesar was ambitious:

               If it were so, it was a grievous fault,

               And grievously hath Caesar answered⁷⁷ it.

               Here, under leave⁷⁸ of Brutus and the rest —

               For Brutus is an honourable man:

80

80           So are they all, all honourable men —

               Come I to speak in Caesar’s funeral.

               He was my friend, faithful and just to me;

               But Brutus says, he was ambitious,

               And Brutus is an honourable man.

85

85           He hath brought many captives home to Rome,

               Whose ransoms did the general coffers⁸⁶ fill:

               Did this in Caesar seem ambitious?

               When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept:

               Ambition should be made of sterner stuff.

90

90           Yet Brutus says, he was ambitious,

               And Brutus is an honourable man.

               You all did see, that on the Lupercal,

               I thrice presented him a kingly crown,

               Which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition?

95

95           Yet Brutus says, he was ambitious,

               And sure he is an honourable man.

               I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke,

               But here I am, to speak what I do know.

               You all did love him once, not without cause:

100

100         What cause withholds you then, to mourn for him?—

               O judgement! Thou art fled to brutish beasts

               And men have lost their reason.— Bear with me:

               My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar,

               And I must pause till it come back to me.

105

105 

FIRST PLEBEIAN

FIRST PLEBEIAN             Methinks there is much reason in his sayings.

SECOND PLEBEIAN

SECOND PLEBEIAN     If thou consider rightly of the matter,

               Caesar has had great wrong.

THIRD PLEBEIAN

THIRD PLEBEIAN     Has he, masters?¹⁰⁸

               I fear there will a worse¹⁰⁹ come in his place.

110

110 

FOURTH PLEBEIAN

FOURTH PLEBEIAN             Marked ye his words? He would not take the crown:

               Therefore ’tis certain he was not ambitious.

FIRST PLEBEIAN

FIRST PLEBEIAN     If it be found so, some will dear abide it.¹¹²

SECOND PLEBEIAN

SECOND PLEBEIAN     Poor soul, his eyes are red as fire with weeping.

THIRD PLEBEIAN

THIRD PLEBEIAN     There’s not a nobler man in Rome than Antony.

115

115 

FOURTH PLEBEIAN

FOURTH PLEBEIAN             Now mark him, he begins again to speak.

ANTONY

ANTONY     But¹¹⁶ yesterday the word of Caesar might

               Have stood against¹¹⁷ the world: now lies he there,

               And none so poor¹¹⁸ to do him reverence.

               O masters! If I were disposed to stir

120

120         Your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage,

               I should do Brutus wrong, and Cassius wrong,

               Who — you all know — are honourable men.

               I will not do them wrong: I rather choose

               To wrong the dead, to wrong myself and you,

125

125         Than I will wrong such honourable men.

               But here’s a parchment, with the seal of Caesar. Shows the will

               I found it in his closet:¹²⁷ ’tis his will.

               Let but the commons hear this testament —

               Which, pardon me, I do not mean to read —

130

130         And they would go and kiss dead Caesar’s wounds,

               And dip¹³¹ their napkins in his sacred blood,

               Yea, beg a hair of him for memory,

               And, dying, mention it within their wills,

               Bequeathing it as a rich legacy

135

135         Unto their issue.¹³⁵

FOURTH PLEBEIAN

FOURTH PLEBEIAN     We’ll hear the will. Read it, Mark Antony.

ALL

ALL     The will, the will! We will hear Caesar’s will.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Have patience, gentle friends, I must not read it.

               It is not meet¹³⁹ you know how Caesar loved you.

140

140         You are not wood, you are not stones, but men:

               And being men, hearing the will of Caesar,

               It will inflame you, it will make you mad;

               ’Tis good you know not that you are his heirs,

               For if you should, O, what would come of it!

145

145 

FOURTH PLEBEIAN

FOURTH PLEBEIAN             Read the will. We’ll hear it, Antony.

               You shall read us the will, Caesar’s will.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Will you be patient? Will you stay awhile?

               I have o’ershot myself¹⁴⁸ to tell you of it.

               I fear I wrong the honourable men

150

150         Whose daggers have stabbed Caesar: I do fear it.

FOURTH PLEBEIAN

FOURTH PLEBEIAN     They were traitors: honourable men?

ALL

ALL     The will, the testament!

SECOND PLEBEIAN

SECOND PLEBEIAN     They were villains, murderers. The will, read the will.

ANTONY

ANTONY     You will compel me then to read the will:

155

155         Then make a ring about the corpse of Caesar,

               And let me show you him that made the will.

               Shall I descend? And will you give me leave?

ALL

ALL     Come down.

SECOND PLEBEIAN

SECOND PLEBEIAN     Descend.

160

160         

THIRD PLEBEIAN

THIRD PLEBEIAN      You shall have leave. Antony comes down

FOURTH PLEBEIAN

FOURTH PLEBEIAN     A ring. Stand round.

FIRST PLEBEIAN

FIRST PLEBEIAN     Stand from¹⁶² the hearse, stand from the body.

SECOND PLEBEIAN

SECOND PLEBEIAN     Room for Antony, most noble Antony.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Nay, press not so upon me. Stand far¹⁶⁴ off.

165

165 

ALL

ALL             Stand back: room, bear back.

ANTONY

ANTONY     If you have tears, prepare to shed them now.

               You all do know this mantle.¹⁶⁷ I remember

               The first time ever Caesar put it on.

               ’Twas on a summer’s evening in his tent,

170

170         That day he overcame the Nervii.¹⁷⁰

               Look, in this place ran Cassius’ dagger through:

               See what a rent¹⁷² the envious Casca made:

               Through this, the well-belovèd Brutus stabbed,

               And as he plucked his cursèd steel away,

175

175         Mark how the blood of Caesar followed it,

               As¹⁷⁶ rushing out of doors, to be resolved

               If Brutus so unkindly¹⁷⁷ knocked or no,

               For Brutus, as you know, was Caesar’s angel.¹⁷⁸—

               Judge, O you gods, how dearly Caesar loved him.—

180

180         This was the most unkindest cut of all.

               For when the noble Caesar saw him stab,

               Ingratitude, more strong than traitors’ arms,

               Quite vanquished him: then burst his mighty heart,

               And in his mantle muffling up his face,

185

185         Even at the base of Pompey’s statue —

               Which all the while ran blood — great Caesar fell.

               O, what a fall was there, my countrymen!

               Then I, and you, and all of us fell down,

               Whilst bloody treason flourished¹⁸⁹ over us.

190

190         O, now you weep, and I perceive you feel

               The dint¹⁹¹ of pity: these are gracious drops.

               Kind souls, what weep you when you but behold

               Our Caesar’s vesture¹⁹³ wounded? Look you here, Uncovers the body

               Here is himself, marred¹⁹⁴ as you see with traitors.

195

195 

FIRST PLEBEIAN

FIRST PLEBEIAN             O, piteous spectacle!

SECOND PLEBEIAN

SECOND PLEBEIAN     O noble Caesar!

THIRD PLEBEIAN

THIRD PLEBEIAN     O, woeful day!

FOURTH PLEBEIAN

FOURTH PLEBEIAN     O, traitors, villains!

FIRST PLEBEIAN

FIRST PLEBEIAN     O, most bloody sight!

200

200 

SECOND PLEBEIAN

SECOND PLEBEIAN             We will be revenged.

ALL

ALL     Revenge! About!²⁰¹ Seek! Burn! Fire! Kill! Slay!

               Let not a traitor live!

ANTONY

ANTONY     Stay, countrymen.

FIRST PLEBEIAN

FIRST PLEBEIAN     Peace there, hear the noble Antony.

205

205 

SECOND PLEBEIAN

SECOND PLEBEIAN             We’ll hear him, we’ll follow him, we’ll die with him.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Good friends, sweet friends, let me not stir you up

               To such a sudden flood of mutiny:

               They that have done this deed are honourable.

               What private griefs²⁰⁹ they have, alas, I know not,

210

210         That made them do it: they are wise and honourable

               And will no doubt with reasons answer you.

               I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts:

               I am no orator,²¹³ as Brutus is;

               But as you know me all a plain blunt²¹⁴ man

215

215         That love my friend, and that they know full well

               That gave me public leave to speak of him,

               For I have neither wit,²¹⁷ nor words, nor worth,

               Action,²¹⁸ nor utterance, nor the power of speech,

               To stir men’s blood. I only speak right on:²¹⁹

220

220         I tell you that which you yourselves do know,

               Show you sweet Caesar’s wounds, poor poor dumb mouths,

               And bid them speak for me. But were I Brutus,²²²

               And Brutus Antony, there were an Antony

               Would ruffle up²²⁴ your spirits, and put a tongue

225

225         In every wound of Caesar that should move

               The stones of Rome to rise and mutiny.

ALL

ALL     We’ll mutiny.

FIRST PLEBEIAN

FIRST PLEBEIAN     We’ll burn the house of Brutus.

THIRD PLEBEIAN

THIRD PLEBEIAN     Away, then, come, seek the conspirators.

230

230 

ANTONY

ANTONY             Yet hear me, countrymen, yet hear me speak.

ALL

ALL     Peace ho, hear Antony, most noble Antony.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Why, friends, you go to do you know not what:

               Wherein²³³ hath Caesar thus deserved your loves?

               Alas, you know not. I must tell you then:

235

235         You have forgot the will I told you of.

ALL

ALL     Most true. The will: let’s stay and hear the will.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Here is the will, and under Caesar’s seal.

               To every Roman citizen he gives,

               To every several²³⁹ man, seventy-five drachmas.

240

240 

SECOND PLEBEIAN

SECOND PLEBEIAN             Most noble Caesar, we’ll revenge his death.

THIRD PLEBEIAN

THIRD PLEBEIAN     O royal Caesar.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Hear me with patience.

ALL

ALL     Peace ho.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Moreover, he hath left you all his walks,

245

245         His private arbours and new-planted orchards,²⁴⁵

               On this side Tiber. He hath left them you

               And to your heirs for ever: common pleasures²⁴⁷

               To walk abroad and recreate²⁴⁸ yourselves.

               Here was a Caesar: when comes such another?

250

250 

FIRST PLEBEIAN

FIRST PLEBEIAN             Never, never. Come, away, away:

               We’ll burn his body in the holy place,

               And with the brands²⁵² fire the traitors’ houses.

               Take up the body.

SECOND PLEBEIAN

SECOND PLEBEIAN     Go fetch fire.

255

255 

THIRD PLEBEIAN

THIRD PLEBEIAN             Pluck down benches.

FOURTH PLEBEIAN

FOURTH PLEBEIAN     Pluck down forms,²⁵⁶ windows, anything.

       Exeunt Plebeians With the body

ANTONY

ANTONY     Now let it work. Mischief,²⁵⁷ thou art afoot:

               Take thou what course thou wilt.—

       Enter Servant

               How now, fellow?

SERVANT

SERVANT     Sir, Octavius is already come to Rome.

260

260 

ANTONY

ANTONY             Where is he?

SERVANT

SERVANT     He and Lepidus are at Caesar’s house.

ANTONY

ANTONY     And thither will I straight,²⁶² to visit him:

               He comes upon a wish.²⁶³ Fortune is merry

               And in this mood will give us anything.

265

265 

SERVANT

SERVANT             I heard him say Brutus and Cassius

               Are rid²⁶⁶ like madmen through the gates of Rome.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Belike²⁶⁷ they had some notice of the people

               How I had moved them. Bring me to Octavius.

       Exeunt

[Act 3 Scene 3]3.3

running scene 7 continues

       Enter Cinna the poet, and after him the Plebeians

CINNA

CINNA     I dreamt tonight¹ that I did feast with Caesar,

               And things unluckily² charge my fantasy:

               I have no will to wander forth³ of doors,

               Yet something leads me forth.

5

5     

FIRST PLEBEIAN

FIRST PLEBEIAN         What is your name?

SECOND PLEBEIAN

SECOND PLEBEIAN     Whither are you going?

THIRD PLEBEIAN

THIRD PLEBEIAN     Where do you dwell?

FOURTH PLEBEIAN

FOURTH PLEBEIAN     Are you a married man or a bachelor?

SECOND PLEBEIAN

SECOND PLEBEIAN     Answer every man directly.⁹

10

10   

FIRST PLEBEIAN

FIRST PLEBEIAN           Ay, and briefly.

FOURTH PLEBEIAN

FOURTH PLEBEIAN     Ay, and wisely.

THIRD PLEBEIAN

THIRD PLEBEIAN     Ay, and truly, you were best.

CINNA

CINNA     What is my name? Whither am I going? Where do I dwell? Am I a married man or a bachelor? Then, to answer every man directly and briefly, wisely and truly: wisely I say I am a bachelor.

SECOND PLEBEIAN

SECOND PLEBEIAN     That’s as much as to say they are fools that marry: you’ll bear¹⁶ me a bang for that, I fear. Proceed, directly.

CINNA

CINNA     Directly, I am going to Caesar’s funeral.

FIRST PLEBEIAN

FIRST PLEBEIAN     As a friend or an enemy?

CINNA

CINNA     As a friend.

SECOND PLEBEIAN

SECOND PLEBEIAN     That matter is answered directly.

FOURTH PLEBEIAN

FOURTH PLEBEIAN     For your dwelling, briefly.

CINNA

CINNA     Briefly, I dwell by the Capitol.

THIRD PLEBEIAN

THIRD PLEBEIAN     Your name, sir, truly.

CINNA

CINNA     Truly, my name is Cinna.

FIRST PLEBEIAN

FIRST PLEBEIAN     Tear him to pieces, he’s a conspirator.²⁶

CINNA

CINNA     I am Cinna the Poet, I am Cinna the Poet.

FOURTH PLEBEIAN

FOURTH PLEBEIAN     Tear him for his bad verses, tear him for his bad verses.

CINNA

CINNA     I am not Cinna the conspirator.

FOURTH PLEBEIAN

FOURTH PLEBEIAN     It is no matter, his name’s Cinna. Pluck³⁰ but his name out of his heart and turn him going.³¹

THIRD PLEBEIAN

THIRD PLEBEIAN     Tear him, tear him! Come, brands, ho! Fire-brands! To Brutus’, to They attack Cinna

               Cassius’, burn all! Some to Decius’ house, and some to Casca’s; some to Ligarius’! Away, go!

       Exeunt all the Plebeians [dragging Cinna]

[Act 4 Scene 1]4.1

running scene 8

       Enter Antony, Octavius and Lepidus

ANTONY

ANTONY     These many, then, shall die: their names are pricked.¹ Shows a list

OCTAVIUS

OCTAVIUS     Your brother² too must die: consent you, Lepidus?

LEPIDUS

LEPIDUS     I do consent.

OCTAVIUS

OCTAVIUS     Prick him down, Antony.

5

5     

LEPIDUS

LEPIDUS         Upon condition Publius shall not live,

               Who is your sister’s son, Mark Antony.

ANTONY

ANTONY     He shall not live; look, with a spot⁷ I damn him.

               But, Lepidus, go you to Caesar’s house:

               Fetch the will hither, and we shall determine

10

10           How to cut¹⁰ off some charge in legacies.

LEPIDUS

LEPIDUS     What, shall I find you here?

OCTAVIUS

OCTAVIUS     Or¹² here, or at the Capitol.

       Exit Lepidus

ANTONY

ANTONY     This is a slight¹³ unmeritable man,

               Meet¹⁴ to be sent on errands: is it fit,

15

15           The¹⁵ three-fold world divided, he should stand

               One of the three to share it?

OCTAVIUS

OCTAVIUS     So you thought him,

               And took his voice¹⁸ who should be pricked to die

               In our black sentence¹⁹ and proscription.

20

20   

ANTONY

ANTONY           Octavius, I have²⁰ seen more days than you,

               And though we lay these honours on this man

               To ease ourselves of divers sland’rous loads,²²

               He shall but bear them as the ass bears gold,

               To groan and sweat under the business,²⁴

25

25           Either led or driven, as we point the way:

               And having brought our treasure where we will,²⁶

               Then take we down his load, and turn him off²⁷ —

               Like to the empty²⁸ ass — to shake his ears

               And graze in commons.²⁹

30

30   

OCTAVIUS

OCTAVIUS           You may do your will:

               But he’s a tried³¹ and valiant soldier.

ANTONY

ANTONY     So is my horse, Octavius, and for that

               I do appoint³³ him store of provender.

               It is a creature that I teach to fight,

35

35           To wind,³⁵ to stop, to run directly on,

               His corporal³⁶ motion governed by my spirit,

               And, in some taste,³⁷ is Lepidus but so:

               He must be taught, and trained, and bid go forth —

               A barren-spirited³⁹ fellow; one that feeds

40

40           On objects,⁴⁰ arts and imitations

               Which, out of use and staled⁴¹ by other men,

               Begin his fashion.⁴² Do not talk of him

               But as a property.⁴³ And now, Octavius,

               Listen⁴⁴ great things. Brutus and Cassius

45

45           Are levying powers.⁴⁵ We must straight make head:

               Therefore let our alliance be combined,⁴⁶

               Our best friends made,⁴⁷ our means stretched,

               And let us presently⁴⁸ go sit in counsel,

               How covert⁴⁹ matters may be best disclosed,

50

50           And open⁵⁰ perils surest answerèd.

OCTAVIUS

OCTAVIUS     Let us do so, for we are at the stake⁵¹

               And bayed about⁵² with many enemies,

               And some that smile have in their hearts, I fear,

               Millions of mischiefs.⁵⁴

       Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 2]4.2

running scene 9

       Drum. Enter Brutus, Lucilius and the army. Titinius and Pindarus meet them

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Stand ho.¹

LUCILIUS

LUCILIUS     Give² the word, ho, and stand.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     What now, Lucilius, is Cassius near?

LUCILIUS

LUCILIUS     He is at hand, and Pindarus is come

5

5             To do you salutation from his master.⁵

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     He greets me well. Your master, Pindarus,

               In his own change,⁷ or by ill officers,

               Hath given me some worthy⁸ cause to wish

               Things done, undone: but if he be at hand

10

10           I shall be satisfied.¹⁰

PINDARUS

PINDARUS     I do not doubt

               But that my noble master will appear

               Such as he is, full of regard¹³ and honour.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     He is not doubted.— A word, Lucilius. Brutus and Lucilius speak apart

15

15           How he¹⁵ received you: let me be resolved.

LUCILIUS

LUCILIUS     With courtesy and with respect enough,

               But not with such familiar instances,¹⁷

               Nor with such free and friendly conference¹⁸

               As he hath used of old.

20

20   

BRUTUS

BRUTUS           Thou hast described

               A hot²¹ friend, cooling: ever note, Lucilius,

               When love begins to sicken and decay

               It useth²³ an enforced ceremony.

               There are no tricks in plain and simple faith:

25

25           But hollow²⁵ men, like horses hot at hand,

               Make gallant²⁶ show, and promise of their mettle:

       Low march within

               But when they should endure the bloody²⁷ spur,

               They fall²⁸ their crests, and like deceitful jades

               Sink²⁹ in the trial. Comes his army on?

30

30   

LUCILIUS

LUCILIUS           They mean this night in Sardis to be quartered:³⁰

               The greater part, the horse in general,³¹

               Are come with Cassius.

       Enter Cassius and his powers

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Hark, he is arrived:

               March gently³⁴ on to meet him.

35

35   

CASSIUS

CASSIUS           Stand ho.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Stand ho. Speak the word along.

FIRST SOLDIER

FIRST SOLDIER     Stand.

SECOND SOLDIER

SECOND SOLDIER     Stand.

THIRD SOLDIER

THIRD SOLDIER     Stand.

40

40   

CASSIUS

CASSIUS           Most noble brother,⁴⁰ you have done me wrong.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Judge me, you gods; wrong I mine enemies?

               And if not so, how should⁴² I wrong a brother?

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Brutus, this sober form of yours hides wrongs,

               And when you do them—

45

45   

BRUTUS

BRUTUS           Cassius, be content.

               Speak your griefs⁴⁶ softly. I do know you well:

               Before the eyes of both our armies here —

               Which should perceive nothing but love from us —

               Let us not wrangle. Bid them move away:

50

50           Then in my tent, Cassius, enlarge⁵⁰ your griefs,

               And I will give you audience.⁵¹

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Pindarus,

               Bid our commanders lead their charges⁵³ off

               A little from this ground.

55

55   

BRUTUS

BRUTUS           Lucilius, do you the like, and let no man

               Come to our tent till we have done our conference.

               Let Lucius and Titinius guard our door.

       Exeunt. Brutus and Cassius remain

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     That you have wronged me doth appear in this: They enter the tent

               You have condemned and noted⁵⁹ Lucius Pella

60

60           For taking bribes here of the Sardians;

               Wherein my letters, praying⁶¹ on his side

               Because I knew the man, was slighted off.⁶²

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     You wronged yourself to write in such a case.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     In such a time as this it is not meet⁶⁴

65

65           That every nice⁶⁵ offence should bear his comment.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Let me tell you, Cassius, you yourself

               Are much condemned⁶⁷ to have an itching palm,

               To sell and mart⁶⁸ your offices for gold

               To undeservers.

70

70   

CASSIUS

CASSIUS           I, an itching palm?

               You⁷¹ know that you are Brutus that speaks this,

               Or by the gods, this speech were else your last.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     The name of Cassius honours⁷³ this corruption,

               And chastisement⁷⁴ doth therefore hide his head.

75

75   

CASSIUS

CASSIUS           Chastisement?

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Remember March, the Ides of March remember:

               Did not great Julius bleed for justice’ sake?

               What villain touched his body, that did stab

               And not for justice? What, shall one of us,

80

80           That struck the foremost man of all this world

               But⁸¹ for supporting robbers: shall we now

               Contaminate our fingers with base bribes?

               And sell the mighty space of our large honours⁸³

               For so much trash⁸⁴ as may be graspèd thus?

85

85           I had rather be a dog and bay⁸⁵ the moon,

               Than such a Roman.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Brutus, bait not me,

               I’ll not endure it: you forget yourself

               To hedge me in.⁸⁹ I am a soldier, I,

90

90           Older in practice, abler than yourself

               To make conditions.⁹¹

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Go to,⁹² you are not Cassius.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     I am.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     I say you are not.

95

95   

CASSIUS

CASSIUS           Urge me no more, I shall forget myself.⁹⁵

               Have mind upon⁹⁶ your health: tempt me no further.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Away, slight⁹⁷ man!

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Is’t possible?

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Hear me, for I will speak.

100

100         Must I give way and room¹⁰⁰ to your rash choler?

               Shall I be frighted when a madman stares?

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     O ye gods, ye gods, must I endure all this?

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     All this? Ay, more: fret till your proud heart break.

               Go show your slaves how choleric you are,

105

105         And make your bondmen tremble. Must I budge?¹⁰⁵

               Must I observe¹⁰⁶ you? Must I stand and crouch

               Under your testy humour?¹⁰⁷ By the gods,

               You shall digest¹⁰⁸ the venom of your spleen

               Though it do split you. For, from this day forth,

110

110         I’ll use you for my mirth, yea, for my laughter,

               When you are waspish.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Is it come to this?

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     You say you are a better soldier:

               Let it appear so; make your vaunting¹¹⁴ true

115

115         And it shall please me well. For mine own part,

               I shall be glad to learn of¹¹⁶ noble men.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     You wrong me every way: you wrong me, Brutus.

               I said, an elder soldier, not a better.

               Did I say ‘better’?

120

120 

BRUTUS

BRUTUS             If you did, I care not.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     When Caesar lived, he durst¹²¹ not thus have moved me.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Peace, peace, you durst not so have tempted him.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     I durst not?

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     No.

125

125 

CASSIUS

CASSIUS             What? Durst not tempt him?

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     For your life you durst not.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Do not presume¹²⁷ too much upon my love:

               I may do that I shall be sorry for.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     You have done that you should be sorry for.

130

130         There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats,

               For I am armed so strong in honesty

               That they pass by me as the idle¹³² wind,

               Which I respect not. I did send to you

               For certain sums of gold, which you denied me,

135

135         For I can raise no money by vile means:¹³⁵

               By heaven, I had rather coin¹³⁶ my heart

               And drop¹³⁷ my blood for drachmas, than to wring

               From the hard¹³⁸ hands of peasants their vile trash

               By any indirection.¹³⁹ I did send

140

140         To you for gold to pay my legions,

               Which you denied me: was that done like Cassius?

               Should I have answered Caius Cassius so?

               When Marcus Brutus grows so covetous,

               To lock such rascal counters¹⁴⁴ from his friends,

145

145         Be ready, gods, with all your thunderbolts,

               Dash him to pieces!

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     I denied you not.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     You did.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     I did not. He was but a fool that brought

150

150         My answer back. Brutus hath rived¹⁵⁰ my heart:

               A friend should bear his friend’s infirmities;¹⁵¹

               But Brutus makes mine greater than they are.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     I do not, till you practise them on me.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     You love me not.

155

155 

BRUTUS

BRUTUS             I do not like your faults.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     A friendly eye could never see such faults.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     A flatterer’s would not, though they do appear

               As huge as high Olympus.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Come, Antony, and young Octavius, come,

160

160         Revenge yourselves alone on Cassius,

               For Cassius is aweary of the world:

               Hated by one he loves, braved¹⁶² by his brother,

               Checked¹⁶³ like a bondman, all his faults observed,

               Set in a notebook, learned and conned by rote¹⁶⁴

165

165         To cast into my teeth. O, I could weep

               My spirit from mine eyes! There is my dagger,

               And here my naked breast: within, a heart

               Dearer¹⁶⁸ than Pluto’s mine, richer than gold.

               If that thou be’st a Roman, take it forth.¹⁶⁹

170

170         I that denied thee gold will give my heart:

               Strike as thou didst at Caesar, for I know,

               When thou didst hate him worst, thou lov’dst him better

               Than ever thou lov’dst Cassius.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Sheathe your dagger.

175

175         Be angry when you will, it shall have scope:

               Do what you will, dishonour¹⁷⁶ shall be humour.

               O Cassius, you are yokèd with a lamb¹⁷⁷

               That carries anger as the flint bears fire,

               Who, much enforcèd,¹⁷⁹ shows a hasty spark

180

180         And straight is cold again.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Hath Cassius lived

               To be but mirth and laughter to his Brutus,

               When grief and blood ill-tempered¹⁸³ vexeth him?

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     When I spoke that, I was ill-tempered too.

185

185 

CASSIUS

CASSIUS             Do you confess so much? Give me your hand.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     And my heart too. They embrace

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     O Brutus!

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     What’s the matter?

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Have not you love enough to bear with me,

190

190         When that rash humour¹⁹⁰ which my mother gave me

               Makes me forgetful?¹⁹¹

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Yes, Cassius, and from henceforth

               When you are over-earnest with your Brutus,

               He’ll think your mother chides, and leave you so.¹⁹⁴

       Enter a Poet [with Lucilius and Titinius]

195

195 

POET

POET             Let me go in to see the generals.

               There is some grudge between ’em, ’tis not meet

               They be alone.

LUCILIUS

LUCILIUS     You shall not come to them.

POET

POET     Nothing but death shall stay me.

200

200 

CASSIUS

CASSIUS             How now? What’s the matter?

POET

POET     For shame, you generals; what do you mean?²⁰¹

               Love and be friends, as two such men should be,

               For I have seen more years, I’m sure, than ye.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Ha, ha, how vilely doth this cynic²⁰⁴ rhyme!

205

205 

BRUTUS

BRUTUS             Get you hence, sirrah. Saucy²⁰⁵ fellow, hence.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Bear with him, Brutus, ’tis his fashion.²⁰⁶

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     I’ll²⁰⁷ know his humour when he knows his time:

               What should the wars do with these jigging²⁰⁸ fools?

               Companion,²⁰⁹ hence.

210

210 

CASSIUS

CASSIUS             Away, away, be gone.

       Exit Poet

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Lucilius and Titinius, bid the commanders Prepare to lodge their companies tonight.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     And come yourselves, and bring Messala with you

               Immediately to us.

       [Exeunt Lucilius and Titinius]

215

215 

BRUTUS

BRUTUS             Lucius, a bowl of wine. Calls

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     I did not think you could have been so angry.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     O Cassius, I am sick of²¹⁷ many griefs.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Of your philosophy²¹⁸ you make no use,

               If you give place²¹⁹ to accidental evils.

220

220 

BRUTUS

BRUTUS             No man bears sorrow better. Portia is dead.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Ha? Portia?

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     She is dead.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     How scaped²²³ I killing when I crossed you so?

               O, insupportable and touching²²⁴ loss!

225

225         Upon²²⁵ what sickness?

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Impatient of my absence,

               And grief that young Octavius with Mark Antony

               Have made themselves so strong — for with her²²⁸ death

               That tidings²²⁹ came — with this she fell distract,

230

230         And — her attendants absent — swallowed fire.²³⁰

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     And died so?

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Even so.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     O ye immortal gods!

       Enter Boy [Lucius] with wine and tapers

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Speak no more of her. Give me a bowl of wine.

235

235         In this I bury all unkindness, Cassius.

       Drinks

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     My heart is thirsty for that noble pledge.

               Fill, Lucius, till the wine o’erswell²³⁷ the cup: Drinks

               I cannot drink too much of Brutus’ love.

       [Exit Lucius]

       Enter Titinius and Messala

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Come in, Titinius. Welcome, good Messala.

240

240         Now sit we close about this taper here

               And call in question²⁴¹ our necessities. They sit

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Portia, art thou gone?

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     No more, I pray you.—

               Messala, I have here receivèd letters, Shows letters

245

245         That young Octavius and Mark Antony

               Come down upon us with a mighty power,

               Bending²⁴⁷ their expedition toward Philippi.

MESSALA

MESSALA     Myself have letters of the selfsame tenor.²⁴⁸

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     With what addition?

250

250 

MESSALA

MESSALA             That by proscription²⁵⁰ and bills of outlawry,

               Octavius, Antony and Lepidus

               Have put to death an hundred senators.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Therein our letters do not well agree:

               Mine speak of seventy senators that died

255

255         By their proscriptions, Cicero being one.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Cicero one?

MESSALA

MESSALA     Cicero is dead,

               And by that order of proscription.

               Had you your letters from your wife, my lord?

260

260 

BRUTUS

BRUTUS             No, Messala.

MESSALA

MESSALA     Nor nothing in your letters writ of her?

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Nothing, Messala.

MESSALA

MESSALA     That, methinks, is strange.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Why ask you? Hear you aught of her in yours?

265

265 

MESSALA

MESSALA             No, my lord.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Now, as you are a Roman, tell me true.

MESSALA

MESSALA     Then like a Roman bear the truth I tell,

               For certain she is dead, and by strange manner.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Why, farewell, Portia: we must die, Messala:

270

270         With meditating that she must die once,²⁷⁰

               I have the patience to endure it now.

MESSALA

MESSALA     Even so²⁷² great men great losses should endure.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     I have as much of this in art²⁷³ as you,

               But yet my nature²⁷⁴ could not bear it so.

275

275 

BRUTUS

BRUTUS             Well, to our work alive.²⁷⁵ What do you think

               Of marching to Philippi presently?

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     I do not think it good.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Your reason?

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     This it is:

280

280         ’Tis better that the enemy seek us,

               So shall he waste his means, weary his soldiers,

               Doing himself offence,²⁸² whilst we, lying still,

               Are full of rest, defence and nimbleness.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Good reasons must of force²⁸⁴ give place to better:

285

285         The people ’twixt Philippi and this ground

               Do stand but in a forced affection,²⁸⁶

               For they have grudged us contribution.²⁸⁷

               The enemy, marching along by them,

               By them shall make²⁸⁹ a fuller number up,

290

290         Come on refreshed, new-added²⁹⁰ and encouraged,

               From which advantage shall we cut him off

               If at Philippi we do face him there,

               These²⁹³ people at our back.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Hear me, good brother.

295

295 

BRUTUS

BRUTUS             Under your pardon.²⁹⁵ You must note beside

               That we have tried²⁹⁶ the utmost of our friends,

               Our legions are brim-full, our cause is ripe.

               The enemy increaseth every day:

               We, at the height, are ready to decline.

300

300         There is a tide in the affairs of men

               Which, taken³⁰¹ at the flood, leads on to fortune:

               Omitted,³⁰² all the voyage of their life

               Is bound in shallows³⁰³ and in miseries.

               On such a full sea are we now afloat,

305

305         And we must take the current when it serves,

               Or lose our ventures.³⁰⁶

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Then with your will go on:

               We’ll along³⁰⁸ ourselves, and meet them at Philippi.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     The deep of night is crept upon our talk,

310

310         And nature must obey necessity,

               Which we will niggard³¹¹ with a little rest.

               There is no more to say.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     No more. Goodnight.

               Early tomorrow will we rise, and hence.

       Enter Lucius

315

315 

BRUTUS

BRUTUS             Lucius. My gown.³¹⁵—

       [Exit Lucius]

               Farewell, good Messala.—

               Goodnight, Titinius.— Noble, noble Cassius,

               Goodnight, and good repose.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     O my dear brother,

               This was an ill beginning of the night:

320

320         Never come such division ’tween our souls.

               Let it not, Brutus.

       Enter Lucius with the gown

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Everything is well.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Goodnight, my lord.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Goodnight, good brother.

325

325 

TITINIUS and MESSALA

TITINIUS and MESSALA             Goodnight, Lord Brutus.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Farewell, every one.

       Exeunt [Cassius, Titinius and Messala]

               Give me the gown. Where is thy instrument?³²⁷

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     Here in the tent.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     What, thou speak’st drowsily?

330

330         Poor knave, I blame thee not: thou art o’er-watched.³³⁰

               Call Claudio and some other of my men.

               I’ll have them sleep on cushions in my tent.

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     Varrus and Claudio! Calls

       Enter Varrus and Claudio

VARRUS

VARRUS     Calls my lord?

335

335 

BRUTUS

BRUTUS             I pray you, sirs, lie in my tent and sleep.

               It may be I shall raise³³⁶ you by and by

               On business to my brother Cassius.

VARRUS

VARRUS     So please you, we will stand and watch your pleasure.³³⁸

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     I will not have it so: lie down, good sirs,

340

340         It may be I shall otherwise bethink me.³⁴⁰ They lie down

               Look, Lucius, here’s the book I sought for so:

               I put it in the pocket of my gown.

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     I was sure your lordship did not give it me.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Bear with me, good boy, I am much forgetful.

345

345         Canst thou hold up thy heavy eyes awhile

               And touch³⁴⁶ thy instrument a strain or two?

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     Ay, my lord, an’t³⁴⁷ please you.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     It does, my boy.

               I trouble thee too much, but thou art willing.

350

350 

LUCIUS

LUCIUS             It is my duty, sir.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     I should not urge thy duty past thy might.³⁵¹

               I know young bloods look for³⁵² a time of rest.

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     I have slept, my lord, already.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     It was well done, and thou shalt sleep again.

355

355         I will not hold³⁵⁵ thee long. If I do live,

               I will be good to thee.

       Music, and a song Lucius falls asleep

               This is a sleepy tune:— O murderous³⁵⁷ slumber!

               Lay’st thou thy leaden mace³⁵⁸ upon my boy,

               That plays thee music?— Gentle knave, goodnight.

360

360         I will not do thee so much wrong to wake thee:

               If thou dost nod, thou break’st thy instrument,

               I’ll take it from thee. And, good boy, goodnight. Takes away the instrument and reads

               Let me see, let me see; is not the leaf turned down

               Where I left reading? Here it is, I think.

       Enter the Ghost of Caesar

365

365         How ill this taper burns. Ha? Who comes here?

               I think it is the weakness of mine eyes

               That shapes³⁶⁷ this monstrous apparition.

               It comes upon me: art thou any thing?

               Art thou some god, some angel, or some devil,

370

370         That mak’st my blood cold, and my hair to stare?³⁷⁰

               Speak to me what thou art.

GHOST

GHOST     Thy evil spirit, Brutus.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Why comest thou?

GHOST

GHOST     To tell thee thou shalt see me at Philippi.

375

375 

BRUTUS

BRUTUS             Well: then I shall see thee again?

GHOST

GHOST     Ay, at Philippi.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Why, I will see thee at Philippi, then.

       [Exit Ghost]

               Now I have taken heart,³⁷⁸ thou vanishest.

               Ill spirit, I would hold more talk with thee.—

380

380         Boy, Lucius, Varrus, Claudio! Sirs, awake! Claudio!

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     The strings, my lord, are false.³⁸¹

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     He thinks he still is at his instrument.—

               Lucius, awake!

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     My lord?

385

385 

BRUTUS

BRUTUS             Didst thou dream, Lucius, that thou so cried’st out?

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     My lord, I do not know that I did cry.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Yes, that thou didst: didst thou see anything?

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     Nothing, my lord.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Sleep again, Lucius. Sirrah Claudio,

390

390         Fellow thou,³⁹⁰ awake! To Varrus

VARRUS

VARRUS     My lord?

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     My lord?

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Why did you so cry out, sirs, in your sleep?

BOTH

BOTH      Did we, my lord? They get up

395

395 

BRUTUS

BRUTUS             Ay: saw you anything?

VARRUS

VARRUS     No, my lord, I saw nothing.

CLAUDIO

CLAUDIO     Nor I, my lord.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Go and commend me³⁹⁸ to my brother Cassius:

               Bid him set³⁹⁹ on his powers betimes before

400

400         And we will follow.

BOTH

BOTH     It shall be done, my lord.

       Exeunt

Act 5 [Scene 1]5.1

running scene 10

       Enter Octavius, Antony and their army

OCTAVIUS

OCTAVIUS     Now, Antony, our hopes are answerèd.

               You said the enemy would not come down,

               But keep³ the hills and upper regions:

               It proves not so: their battles⁴ are at hand.

5

5             They mean to warn⁵ us at Philippi here,

               Answering⁶ before we do demand of them.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Tut, I am⁷ in their bosoms, and I know

               Wherefore they do it: they could be content⁸

               To visit other places,⁹ and come down

10

10           With fearful bravery,¹⁰ thinking by this face

               To fasten¹¹ in our thoughts that they have courage;

               But ’tis not so.¹²

       Enter a Messenger

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Prepare you, generals.

               The enemy comes on in gallant¹⁴ show:

15

15           Their bloody¹⁵ sign of battle is hung out,

               And something to¹⁶ be done immediately.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Octavius, lead your battle softly¹⁷ on,

               Upon the left hand of the even¹⁸ field.

OCTAVIUS

OCTAVIUS     Upon the right hand I: keep thou the left.

20

20   

ANTONY

ANTONY           Why do you cross me in this exigent?²⁰

OCTAVIUS

OCTAVIUS     I do not cross you: but I will do so.

       March

       Drum. Enter Brutus, Cassius and their army [Lucilius, Titinius, Messala and others]

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     They stand, and would have parley.²²

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Stand fast, Titinius, we must out and talk.

OCTAVIUS

OCTAVIUS     Mark Antony, shall we give sign of battle?

25

25   

ANTONY

ANTONY           No, Caesar, we will answer²⁵ on their charge.

               Make forth,²⁶ the generals would have some words.

OCTAVIUS

OCTAVIUS     Stir not until the signal. To his officers

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Words before blows: is it so, countrymen? The armies advance toward each other

OCTAVIUS

OCTAVIUS     Not that we love words better, as you do.

30

30   

BRUTUS

BRUTUS           Good words are better than bad strokes,³⁰ Octavius.

ANTONY

ANTONY     In your bad strokes, Brutus, you give good words:

               Witness the hole you made in Caesar’s heart,

               Crying ‘Long live! Hail, Caesar!’

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Antony,

35

35           The³⁵ posture of your blows are yet unknown

               But for³⁶ your words, they rob the Hybla bees,

               And leave them honeyless.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Not stingless too?

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     O yes, and soundless too,

40

40           For you have stol’n their buzzing,⁴⁰ Antony,

               And very wisely threat⁴¹ before you sting.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Villains, you did not so,⁴² when your vile daggers

               Hacked one another in the sides of Caesar:

               You showed your teeth⁴⁴ like apes, and fawned like hounds,

45

45           And bowed like bondmen, kissing Caesar’s feet;

               Whilst damnèd Casca, like a cur,⁴⁶ behind

               Struck Caesar on the neck. O you flatterers!

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Flatterers? Now, Brutus, thank yourself.

               This⁴⁹ tongue had not offended so today

50

50           If Cassius might have ruled.

OCTAVIUS

OCTAVIUS     Come, come, the cause.⁵¹ If arguing make us sweat,

               The proof⁵² of it will turn to redder drops:

               Look, I draw a sword against conspirators. Draws

               When think you that the sword goes up⁵⁴ again?

55

55           Never, till Caesar’s three and thirty wounds

               Be well avenged, or till another Caesar⁵⁶

               Have added slaughter to⁵⁷ the sword of traitors.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Caesar, thou canst not die by traitors’ hands

               Unless thou⁵⁹ bring’st them with thee.

60

60   

OCTAVIUS

OCTAVIUS           So I hope:

               I was not born to die on Brutus’ sword.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     O, if⁶² thou wert the noblest of thy strain,

               Young man, thou couldst not die more honourable.⁶³

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     A peevish⁶⁴ schoolboy, worthless of such honour,

65

65           Joined with a masquer⁶⁵ and a reveller.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Old Cassius still.

OCTAVIUS

OCTAVIUS     Come, Antony, away.

               Defiance, traitors, hurl we in your teeth.

               If you dare fight today, come to the field;

70

70           If not, when you have stomachs.⁷⁰

       Exeunt Octavius, Antony and army

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Why now, blow wind, swell billow⁷¹ and swim bark:

               The storm is up and all is on the hazard.⁷²

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Ho, Lucilius, hark, a word with you.

       Lucilius and Messala stand forth

LUCILIUS

LUCILIUS      My lord. Brutus and Lucilius speak apart

75

75   

CASSIUS

CASSIUS           Messala.

MESSALA

MESSALA     What says my general?

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Messala,

               This is my birthday: as this⁷⁸ very day

               Was Cassius born. Give me thy hand, Messala:

80

80           Be thou my witness that against my will —

               As Pompey was⁸¹ — am I compelled to set

               Upon one battle all our liberties.

               You know that I held Epicurus⁸³ strong

               And his opinion: now I change my mind

85

85           And partly credit⁸⁵ things that do presage.

               Coming from Sardis, on our former ensign⁸⁶

               Two mighty eagles fell,⁸⁷ and there they perched,

               Gorging and feeding from our soldiers’ hands,

               Who to Philippi here consorted⁸⁹ us:

90

90           This morning are they fled away and gone,

               And in their steads⁹¹ do ravens, crows and kites

               Fly o’er our heads and downward look on us

               As⁹³ we were sickly prey; their shadows seem

               A canopy most fatal,⁹⁴ under which

95

95           Our army lies, ready to give up the ghost.

MESSALA

MESSALA     Believe not so.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     I but believe it partly,

               For I am fresh of spirit and resolved

               To meet all perils very constantly.⁹⁹

100

100 

BRUTUS

BRUTUS              Even so, Lucilius.¹⁰⁰ To Cassius

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Now, most noble Brutus,

               The¹⁰² gods today stand friendly, that we may,

               Lovers¹⁰³ in peace, lead on our days to age.

               But since the affairs of men rests still¹⁰⁴ incertain,

105

105         Let’s reason with¹⁰⁵ the worst that may befall.

               If we do lose this battle, then is this

               The very last time we shall speak together:

               What are you then determinèd to do?

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Even by the rule of that philosophy¹⁰⁹

110

110         By which I did blame Cato¹¹⁰ for the death

               Which he did give himself — I know not how,¹¹¹

               But I do find it cowardly and vile,

               For fear of what might fall,¹¹³ so to prevent

               The time of life — arming myself with patience

115

115         To stay¹¹⁵ the providence of some high powers

               That govern us below.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Then, if we lose this battle,

               You are contented to be led in triumph¹¹⁸

               Through the streets of Rome?

120

120 

BRUTUS

BRUTUS             No, Cassius, no: think not, thou noble Roman,

               That ever Brutus will go bound to Rome.

               He bears too great¹²² a mind. But this same day

               Must end that work the Ides of March begun.

               And whether we shall meet again I know not:

125

125         Therefore our everlasting farewell take.

               For ever and for ever farewell, Cassius.

               If we do meet again, why, we shall smile;

               If not, why then, this parting was well made.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     For ever and for ever farewell, Brutus:

130

130         If we do meet again, we’ll smile indeed;

               If not, ’tis true this parting was well made.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Why, then, lead on. O, that a man might know

               The end of this day’s business ere it come:

               But it sufficeth that the day will end,

135

135         And then the end is known. Come ho, away!

       Exeunt

[Act 5 Scene 2]5.2

running scene 10 continues

       Alarum. Enter Brutus and Messala

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Ride, ride, Messala, ride, and give these bills¹ Gives orders

               Unto the legions on the other side.²

       Loud alarum

               Let them set on³ at once, for I perceive

               But cold⁴ demeanour in Octavio’s wing,

5

5             And sudden push⁵ gives them the overthrow.

               Ride, ride, Messala: let them all come down.⁶

       Exeunt

[Act 5 Scene 3]

running scene 10 continues

       Alarums. Enter Cassius and Titinius

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     O, look, Titinius, look, the villains¹ fly:

               Myself have to mine own² turned enemy:

               This ensign³ here of mine was turning back.

               I slew the coward, and did take it⁴ from him.

5

5     

TITINIUS

TITINIUS         O Cassius, Brutus gave the word too early,

               Who having some advantage on Octavius,

               Took it too eagerly: his soldiers fell to spoil,⁷

               Whilst we by Antony are all enclosed.⁸

       Enter Pindarus

PINDARUS

PINDARUS     Fly further off, my lord, fly further off.

10

10           Mark Antony is in your tents, my lord:

               Fly, therefore, noble Cassius, fly far off.

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     This hill is far enough. Look, look, Titinius:

               Are those my tents where I perceive the fire?

TITINIUS

TITINIUS     They are, my lord.

15

15   

CASSIUS

CASSIUS           Titinius, if thou lovest me,

               Mount thou my horse, and hide¹⁶ thy spurs in him,

               Till he have brought thee up to yonder troops

               And here¹⁸ again, that I may rest assured

               Whether yond troops are friend or enemy.

20

20   

TITINIUS

TITINIUS           I will be here again, even with²⁰ a thought.

       Exit

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     Go, Pindarus, get higher on that hill:

               My sight was ever thick.²² Regard Titinius,

               And tell me what thou not’st about the field. Pindarus goes aloft²³

               This²⁴ day I breathèd first. Time is come round,

25

25           And where I did begin, there shall I end.

               My life is²⁶ run his compass.— Sirrah, what news?

PINDARUS

PINDARUS      O, my lord!

       Above

CASSIUS

CASSIUS     What news?

PINDARUS

PINDARUS      Titinius is enclosèd round about

30

30           With horsemen, that make to him on the spur,³⁰

               Yet he spurs on. Now they are almost on him:

               Now, Titinius. Now some light:³² O, he lights too.

               He’s ta’en.³³ And, hark, they shout for joy.

       Shout

CASSIUS

CASSIUS      Come down, behold no more. Pindarus comes down

35

35           O, coward that I am, to live so long,

               To see my best friend ta’en before my face.

       Enter Pindarus

               Come hither, sirrah.

               In Parthia³⁸ did I take thee prisoner,

               And then I swore thee,³⁹ saving of thy life,

40

40           That whatsoever I did bid thee do,

               Thou shouldst attempt it. Come now, keep thine oath:

               Now be a freeman, and with this good sword

               That ran through Caesar’s bowels,⁴³ search this bosom.

               Stand⁴⁴ not to answer: here, take thou the hilts, Pindarus takes the sword

45

45           And when my face is covered, as ’tis now, Covers his face

               Guide thou the sword.— Caesar, thou art revenged,

               Even with the sword that killed thee. Pindarus kills him

PINDARUS

PINDARUS     So, I am free, yet would⁴⁸ not so have been

               Durst I have done my will. O Cassius,

50

50           Far from this country Pindarus shall run,

               Where never Roman shall take note of⁵¹ him.

       [Exit]

       Enter Titinius and Messala Titinius wears a laurel wreath

MESSALA

MESSALA     It is but change,⁵² Titinius, for Octavius

               Is overthrown by noble Brutus’ power,

               As Cassius’ legions are by Antony.

55

55   

TITINIUS

TITINIUS           These tidings will well comfort⁵⁵ Cassius.

MESSALA

MESSALA     Where did you leave him?

TITINIUS

TITINIUS     All disconsolate,

               With Pindarus his bondman, on this hill.

MESSALA

MESSALA     Is not that he that lies upon the ground?

60

60   

TITINIUS

TITINIUS           He lies not like the living. O my heart!

MESSALA

MESSALA     Is not that he?

TITINIUS

TITINIUS     No, this was he, Messala,

               But Cassius is no more.— O setting sun:

               As in thy red rays thou dost sink tonight,

65

65           So in his red blood Cassius’ day is set.—

               The sun of Rome is set. Our day is gone:

               Clouds, dews⁶⁷ and dangers come: our deeds are done.

               Mistrust⁶⁸ of my success hath done this deed.

MESSALA

MESSALA     Mistrust of good success hath done this deed.—

70

70           O hateful error, melancholy’s child,

               Why dost thou show to the apt⁷¹ thoughts of men

               The⁷² things that are not? O error soon conceived,

               Thou never com’st unto a happy birth

               But kill’st the mother⁷⁴ that engendered thee.

75

75   

TITINIUS

TITINIUS            What, Pindarus? Where art thou, Pindarus?

MESSALA

MESSALA     Seek him, Titinius, whilst I go to meet

               The noble Brutus, thrusting this report

               Into his ears. I may say, thrusting it:

               For piercing steel and darts⁷⁹ envenomèd

80

80           Shall be as welcome to the ears of Brutus

               As tidings of this sight.

TITINIUS

TITINIUS     Hie you, Messala,

               And I will seek for Pindarus the while.—

       [Exit Messala]

               Why didst thou send me forth, brave Cassius?

85

85           Did I not meet thy friends? And did not they

               Put on my brows this wreath of victory⁸⁶

               And bid me give it thee? Didst thou not hear their shouts?

               Alas, thou hast misconstrued everything.

               But hold thee, take this garland on thy brow: Puts wreath on him

90

90           Thy Brutus bid me give it thee, and I

               Will do his bidding.— Brutus, come apace,⁹¹

               And see how I regarded⁹² Caius Cassius.—

               By your leave, gods: this is a Roman’s part.⁹³—

               Come, Cassius’ sword, and find Titinius’ heart. Stabs himself

       Dies

       Alarum. Enter Brutus, Messala, Young Cato, Strato, Volumnius and Lucilius

95

95   

BRUTUS

BRUTUS           Where, where, Messala, doth his body lie?

MESSALA

MESSALA     Lo, yonder, and Titinius mourning it.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Titinius’ face is upward.

CATO

CATO     He is slain.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     O Julius Caesar, thou art mighty yet,

100

100         Thy spirit walks abroad and turns our swords

               In our own proper¹⁰¹ entrails.

       Low alarums

CATO

CATO     Brave Titinius,

               Look whe’er¹⁰³ he have not crowned dead Cassius.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Are yet two Romans living such as these?—

105

105         The last of all the Romans, fare thee well:

               It is impossible that ever Rome

               Should breed thy fellow.¹⁰⁷— Friends, I owe more tears

               To this dead man than you shall see me pay.—

               I shall find time, Cassius: I shall find time.—

110

110         Come therefore, and to Thasos¹¹⁰ send his body.

               His funerals shall not be in our camp,

               Lest it discomfort¹¹² us.— Lucilius, come,

               And come, young Cato: let us to the field.

               Labio and Flavius set our battles¹¹⁴ on:

115

115         ’Tis three o’clock, and, Romans, yet ere night

               We shall try¹¹⁶ fortune in a second fight. With the bodies

       Exeunt

[Act 5 Scene 4]5.4

running scene 10 continues

       Alarum. Enter Brutus, Messala, [Young] Cato, Lucilius and Flavius

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Yet, countrymen: O yet, hold up your heads!

       [Exit, fighting, followed by Messala and Flavius]

CATO

CATO     What bastard doth not? Who will go with me?

               I will proclaim my name about the field.

               I am the son of Marcus Cato,⁴ ho!

5

5             A foe to tyrants, and my country’s friend.

               I am the son of Marcus Cato, ho!

       Enter soldiers and fight

LUCILIUS

LUCILIUS      And I am Brutus,⁷ Marcus Brutus, I!

               Brutus, my country’s friend: know me for Brutus! Young Cato falls

               O young and noble Cato, art thou down?

10

10           Why, now thou diest as bravely as Titinius,

               And mayst be honoured, being Cato’s son.

FIRST SOLDIER

FIRST SOLDIER      Yield, or thou diest. To Lucilius

LUCILIUS

LUCILIUS      Only¹³ I yield to die:

               There is so much¹⁴ that thou wilt kill me straight: Offers money?

15

15           Kill Brutus, and be honoured in his death.

FIRST SOLDIER

FIRST SOLDIER     We must not: a noble prisoner!

       Enter Antony

SECOND SOLDIER

SECOND SOLDIER     Room, ho:¹⁷ tell Antony, Brutus is ta’en.

FIRST SOLDIER

FIRST SOLDIER     I’ll tell the news. Here comes the general.

               Brutus is ta’en, Brutus is ta’en, my lord.

20

20   

ANTONY

ANTONY           Where is he?

LUCILIUS

LUCILIUS     Safe, Antony, Brutus is safe enough:

               I dare assure thee that no enemy

               Shall ever take alive the noble Brutus:

               The gods defend him from so great a shame!

25

25           When you do find him, or²⁵ alive or dead,

               He will be found like Brutus, like himself.

ANTONY

ANTONY      This is not Brutus, friend, but, I assure you, To First Soldier

               A prize no less in worth. Keep this man safe,

               Give him all kindness. I had rather have

30

30           Such men my friends than enemies. Go on,

               And see whe’er Brutus be alive or dead,

               And bring us word unto Octavius’ tent

               How everything is chanced.³³

       Exeunt

[Act 5 Scene 5]

running scene 10 continues

       Enter Brutus, Dardanius, Clitus, Strato and Volumnius

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Come, poor remains¹ of friends, rest on this rock. Sits

CLITUS

CLITUS     Statilius showed the torch-light,² but, my lord,

               He came not back: he is or ta’en or slain.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Sit thee down, Clitus: slaying is the word.

5

5             It is a deed in fashion. Hark thee, Clitus. Whispers

CLITUS

CLITUS     What, I, my lord? No, not for all the world.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Peace then, no words.

CLITUS

CLITUS     I’ll rather kill myself.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Hark thee, Dardanius. Whispers

10

10   

DARDANIUS

DARDANIUS           Shall I do such a deed?

CLITUS

CLITUS     O Dardanius!

DARDANIUS

DARDANIUS     O Clitus!

CLITUS

CLITUS     What ill request did Brutus make to thee?

DARDANIUS

DARDANIUS     To kill him, Clitus. Look, he meditates.

15

15   

CLITUS

CLITUS           Now is that noble vessel full of grief,

               That it runs over even at his eyes.

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Come hither, good Volumnius, list¹⁷ a word.

VOLUMNIUS

VOLUMNIUS     What says my lord?

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Why this, Volumnius:

20

20           The ghost of Caesar hath appeared to me

               Two several²¹ times by night: at Sardis once,

               And this last night, here in Philippi fields:

               I know my hour is come.

VOLUMNIUS

VOLUMNIUS     Not so, my lord.

25

25   

BRUTUS

BRUTUS           Nay, I am sure it is, Volumnius.

               Thou seest the world, Volumnius, how it goes.

               Our enemies have beat²⁷ us to the pit:

       Low alarums

               It is more worthy to leap in ourselves

               Than tarry²⁹ till they push us. Good Volumnius,

30

30           Thou know’st that we two went to school together:

               Even for that³¹ our love of old, I prithee

               Hold thou my sword-hilts,³² whilst I run on it.

VOLUMNIUS

VOLUMNIUS     That’s not an office³³ for a friend, my lord.

       Alarum still

CLITUS

CLITUS     Fly, fly, my lord, there is no tarrying here.

35

35   

BRUTUS

BRUTUS           Farewell to you, and you, and you, Volumnius.—

       Addressing Clitus, Dardanius, Volumnius, and Strato in turn

               Strato, thou hast been all this while asleep:

               Farewell to thee too, Strato.— Countrymen,

               My heart doth joy that yet in all my life

               I found no man but he was true to me.

40

40           I shall have glory by this losing day

               More than Octavius and Mark Antony

               By this vile⁴² conquest shall attain unto.

               So fare you well at once, for Brutus’ tongue

               Hath almost ended his life’s history:

45

45           Night hangs upon mine eyes, my bones would rest,

               That have but⁴⁶ laboured to attain this hour.

       Alarum. Cry within: ‘Fly fly fly!’

CLITUS

CLITUS     Fly, my lord, fly!

BRUTUS

BRUTUS     Hence: I will follow.

       [Exeunt Clitus, Dardanius and Volumnius]

               I prithee, Strato, stay thou by thy lord.

50

50           Thou art a fellow of a good respect:⁵⁰

               Thy life hath had some smatch⁵¹ of honour in it.

               Hold then my sword, and turn away thy face,

               While I do run upon it. Wilt thou, Strato?

STRATO

STRATO     Give me your hand first. Fare you well, my lord.

55

55   

BRUTUS

BRUTUS            Farewell, good Strato.—

       Runs on his sword

               Caesar, now be still:⁵⁵

               I killed not thee with half so good a will.

       Dies

       Alarum. Retreat. Enter Antony, Octavius, Messala, Lucilius and the army

OCTAVIUS

OCTAVIUS     What man is that?

MESSALA

MESSALA     My master’s man.⁵⁸ Strato, where is thy master?

STRATO

STRATO     Free from the bondage you are in, Messala,

60

60           The conquerors can but make⁶⁰ a fire of him:

               For Brutus only⁶¹ overcame himself,

               And no man else hath honour by his death.

LUCILIUS

LUCILIUS     So⁶³ Brutus should be found. I thank thee, Brutus,

               That thou hast proved Lucilius’ saying true.

65

65   

OCTAVIUS

OCTAVIUS           All that served Brutus, I will entertain⁶⁵ them.

               Fellow, wilt thou bestow thy time with me?

STRATO

STRATO     Ay, if Messala will prefer⁶⁷ me to you.

OCTAVIUS

OCTAVIUS     Do so, good Messala.

MESSALA

MESSALA     How died my master, Strato?

70

70   

STRATO

STRATO           I held the sword and he did run on it.

MESSALA

MESSALA     Octavius, then take him to follow thee,

               That did the latest⁷² service to my master.

ANTONY

ANTONY     This was the noblest Roman of them all:

               All the conspirators save only he

75

75           Did that⁷⁵ they did in envy of great Caesar.

               He⁷⁶ only, in a general honest thought

               And common good to all, made one of them.

               His life was gentle,⁷⁸ and the elements

               So mixed⁷⁹ in him that Nature might stand up

80

80           And say to all the world ‘This was a man!’

OCTAVIUS

OCTAVIUS     According to his virtue let us use⁸¹ him

               With all respect and rites of burial.

               Within my tent his bones tonight shall lie,

               Most like a soldier, ordered⁸⁴ honourably.

85

85           So call the field⁸⁵ to rest, and let’s away,

               To part⁸⁶ the glories of this happy day.

       Exeunt

Textual Notes

F = First Folio text of 1623

F2 = a correction introduced in the Second Folio text of 1632

F3 = a correction introduced in the Third Folio text of 1663–64

Ed = a correction introduced by a later editor

SH = speech heading (i.e., speaker’s name)

List of parts = Ed

1.2.249 swoon spelled swound in F 289 digest = Ed. F = disgest

1.3.21 glazed = F. Sometimes emended to glared 134 In favour’s like = Ed. F = Is Fauors, like

2.1.257 wafture = Ed. F = wafter 278 his = Ed. F = hit 292 the = Ed. F = tho 327 SH LIGARIUS = Ed. F = Cai. (throughout scene)

2.2.48 are = Ed. F = heare

2.3.1 SH ARTEMIDORUS = Ed. Not in F

3.1.123 states = F2. F = State 125 lies = F2. F = lye 273 SH ANTONY = Ed. Not in F 294 SD Octavius’ = Ed. F = Octavio’s 302 for = F2. F = from

3.2.201 SH ALL = Ed. Lines assigned to the Second Plebeian in F 217 wit = F2. F = writ

4.2.37 SH FIRST SOLDIER = Ed. Not in F 38 SH SECOND SOLDIER = Ed. Not in F 39 SH THIRD SOLDIER = Ed. Not in F 105 budge spelled bouge in F 248 tenor spelled Tenure in F 339 will = F2. F = will it 385 Lucius spelled Lucus in F

5.1.44 teeth = F3. F = teethes 91 steads spelled steeds in F

5.3.103 whe’er = Ed. F = where 105 fare = Ed. F = far 107 more = Ed. F = mo 110 Thasos = Ed (after Plutarch). F = Tharsus 114 Flavius = F2. F = Flavio

5.4.7 SH LUCILIUS = Ed. Not in F 12 SH FIRST SOLDIER = Ed. F = Sold. 18 tell the = Ed. F = tell thee 31 whe’er = Ed. F = where

Act 1 Scene 1

 1.1    Location: a public place in Rome

    1    Hence! Getaway!

    3    mechanical working men, artisans    walk be out and about

    4    sign i.e., clothing, tools

    7    rule measuring stick (plays on the sense of “decorum, discipline”)

  10    in respect of compared with    fine workman skilled craftsman    but merely

  11    cobbler shoe mender/one who mends clumsily

  12    directly plainly/immediately

  14    soles puns on “souls”

  15    naughty wicked

  16    be not out do not be angry/do not have holes in your shoes    mend you repair your shoes/improve your temper

  19    cobble fix; plays on the sense of “have sex with”

  21    awl shoe-mending tool used to prick leather/penis    meddle get involved/have sex    tradesman’s matters professional issues/sex/prostitution

  22    women’s matters the concerns of women/sex or perhaps “vaginas”    withal nevertheless (puns on with all/awl)    Shoes plays on sense of “vaginas”

  23    recover patch/restore to health (may play on sense of “cover with my body during sex”)    proper fine/handsome    trod upon plays on sense of “had sex with”

  24    neat’s leather cowhide, i.e., shoes;    leather could also be slang for “vagina”    gone upon walked on/had sex with    handiwork possible connotations of masturbation

  25    wherefore why

  28    triumph victory/ceremonious procession in which the victors rode in chariots with their captives chained

  30    tributaries prisoners of war (for whom a ransom would be demanded)

  31    grace adorn

  34    Pompey great Roman general defeated by Caesar at the battle of Pharsalus in 48 BC; he fled to Egypt where he was murdered

  38    livelong entire

  42    That so that    Tiber Rome’s river

  43    replication reverberation, echo

  44    concave hollowed out/curved

  46    cull out choose for yourself

  48    blood life-blood/relatives (specifically, his sons, who were also defeated by Caesar)

  51    intermit stop

  56    till…all i.e., until the water level rises from its very lowest to reach the highest banks

  58    basest mettle lowly dispositions/base metal (an image from alchemy, the pseudoscience that sought to turn base metals into gold)    moved stirred, persuaded/changed (into gold)

  60    Capitol Capitoline Hill, site of the temple of supreme Roman god Jupiter; used in the play as the location of the senate house

  61    images statues of Caesar

  62    ceremonies ornamental trappings of state/worshipful tokens

  64    feast of Lupercal Roman festival held on February in honor of Lupercus, the god of shepherds; festivities centered around the Lupercal, a cave in which a wolf was believed to have suckled Rome’s founders, Romulus and Remus

  66    trophies tokens of victory    about walk about (the city)

  67    vulgar common people

  68    thick numerous, thronging

  70    pitch height (achieved by bird of prey before swooping)

  71    else otherwise

Act 1 Scene 2

 1.2    for ready for    course wearing nothing but goatskins, youths celebrating the festival of Lupercal ran round Palatine Hill striking women with strips of goat hide to promote fertility    Soothsayer prophet

    2    ho a call for attention

    5    Stand…course in order that Calpurnia should be touched by Antony, as an aid to fertility

  18    press crowd

  21    Ides of March March    Sennet trumpet call signaling a procession

  29    order arrangement/proceedings

  32    gamesome fond of sport/lively/merry

  33    quick lively

  36    now of late lately

  38    wont accustomed

  39    bear…Over are too unyielding and unfamiliar toward

  42    if…myself i.e., if I have seemed distant, it is because I have directed all my anxieties inward

  44    Merely entirely

  45    passions…difference conflicting emotions/powerful feelings that have come between myself and my friends

  46    Conceptions thoughts    only proper belonging only/only appropriate

  47    soil stain/explanation

  50    construe interpret, understand

  52    shows outward manifestations

  54    By means whereof as a result of which    buried kept to itself/suppressed/put to rest

  55    cogitations thoughts, ideas

  58    But except

  59    just true

  61    turn return/reflect

  63    shadow reflection

  64    of…respect most highly regarded men

  66    yoke apparatus worn on the neck, used to restrict the movement of a captive or conquered enemy

  67    had his eyes i.e., saw things for himself/saw things as the speaker did

  71    Therefore hence/as for that

  73    glass mirror

  74    modestly without exaggeration    discover reveal

  75    That…of i.e., your potential

  76    jealous on mistrustful of    gentle noble/kind

  77    common laughter subject of public ridicule    did use were I accustomed

  78    stale make stale/depreciate/make into a laughingstock    ordinary common, banal

  79    protester declarer of friendship

  81    scandal scorn/slander

  82    profess myself declare friendship

  83    rout rabble/assembled company Flourish trumpet fanfare accompanying a person in authority

  91    aught anything

  92    Set…i’th’other i.e., present me with both

  93    indifferently impartially

  94    speed prosper

  97    favour appearance/face

101    as lief as soon, rather be exist

102    such…myself i.e., a fellow man

107    chafing with fretting at/raging against

109    flood river

111    Accoutrèd dressed

112    bade invited/told

113    buffet it beat it back

114    lusty sinews vigorous muscles, strong arms

115    stemming cutting through hearts of controversy competitive hearts, contentious spirits

116    ere before

118    Aeneas legendary founder of Rome; Virgil’s Aeneid relates how he carried his old father,    Anchises, on his back as they escaped from the burning city of Troy

123    bend his body i.e., bow

126    mark note, observe

128    from…fly i.e., became pale (colour plays on the sense of “military flag,” the    lips being cowardly deserters)

129    bend gaze

131    bade ordered

136    start of advantage over

137    palm palm leaf, symbol of victory

142    Colossus giant; the Colossus of Rhodes, a gigantic statue of the sun god Apollo, supposedly stood astride the entrance to the harbor

145    at some time at times

146    our stars i.e., fate

149    be sounded be spoken/resound/be celebrated

152    conjure invoke spirits

153    start raise, awake

155    meat food

156    great powerful (plays on the sense of “fat”)    Age i.e., the present time

157    breed of ability to produce/supply of

158    the great flood feature of both the Bible and Greek mythology; in the classical flood, Zeus drowns all mankind except for Deucalion and his wife Pyrrha

162    room puns on Rome (the words were pronounced in a similar way)

165    a Brutus once i.e., Lucius Junius Brutus, who expelled the last King of Rome and founded the Roman republic    brooked tolerated, endured

166    state throne/kingship

168    nothing jealous in no doubt

169    work persuade    aim idea, understanding

172    so…you if I may entreat you in friendship

173    moved urged, persuaded

176    meet fitting    high important

179    repute consider

181    like likely    train retinue

186    after according to

187    worthy that is worthy of

190    chidden scolded, rebuked

192    ferret ferret-like, i.e., small and red

194    crossed challenged    conference debate

199    Sleek-headed well-groomed, smooth-haired

200    yond i.e., yonder, over there

203    given disposed

204    Would I wish

205    my name i.e., I

207    spare lean, gaunt

208    looks…deeds i.e., sees right through to the motives behind men’s actions

211    sort way

215    greater i.e., greater man

218    Caesar i.e., not    liable to fear

222    chanced happened

223    sad serious/downcast

226    crown laurel crown, symbol of kingship    put it by waved it away, declined it

233    marry indeed (literally, “by the Virgin Mary”)    gentler more courteously/with less insistence

238    mere complete

240    coronets smaller crowns, inferior to that worn by a king

241    fain willingly

243    still as whenever

244    rabblement crowd, rabble    chopped chapped, roughened

245    nightcaps a slighting reference to their headgear, not to caps worn in bed

247    durst dared

249    soft wait a moment

252    like likely    the falling sickness epilepsy

254    we…sickness i.e., our fortunes are falling, we are neglected

256    tag-rag ragged

257    use are accustomed    true honest

260    plucked me plucked (me is an intensifier)    ope open    doublet close-fitting Elizabethan man’s jacket

261    an if    a…occupation i.e., a working man, one of the crowd (plays on sense of “a man of action”)    taken…word taken him at his word (taken plays on sense of “struck”)

262    would wish

266    stabbed plays on sense of “penetrated sexually”

274    Greek to me i.e., unintelligible

275    put to silence i.e., removed from office (or possibly “put to death”)

278    promised forth engaged to dine elsewhere

280    mind hold inclination doesn’t change

283    blunt forthright/dull

284    quick mettle lively spirited, quick-witted

287    tardy sluggish, reluctant

288    rudeness rough, uncouth manner    wit intelligence

289    stomach appetite, inclination

293    home to you to your house

295    the world i.e., the state of Rome/your civic duty

296    noble begins an alchemical metaphor: “noble” metals (gold and silver) cannot be transmuted into base substances (though despite this, Cassius thinks he can alter Brutus)

297    mettle spirit, disposition (puns on “metal”)    wrought manipulated/transmuted

298    that…disposed its usual inclination/its natural disposition    meet right, fitting

299    their likes those like them

300    who i.e., who is

301    bear me hard tolerate me grudgingly, dislike me

303    He…me i.e., Brutus would not be able to sway my views (as I do his)/Caesar would still not be able to entice me

304    several hands different styles of handwriting

306    tending to concerning

307    obscurely covertly, subtly

308    glanced hinted

309    seat him sure seat himself most securely (in the chair of power), i.e., “take great care”

Act 1 Scene 3

    1    even evening    Brought accompanied

    3    moved upset, affected    sway order, rule, authority (plays on sense of “swinging movement”)

    5    scolding clamoring/rebuking

    6    rived split

    8    exalted with raised up to

  12    saucy insolent, defiant

  14    wonderful astonishing, extraordinary

  18    sensible of feeling

  19    put up sheathed

  20    Against close to/in front of

  21    glazed stared

  22    annoying harming

  23    Upon into    heap crowd    ghastly terrified

  26    bird of night the owl, considered a bird of ill omen; its cry was thought to herald death

  28    prodigies unnatural things/bad omens

  29    conjointly meet happen in unison, coincide

  32    climate region    point upon are directed at, happen in

  34    after their fashion in their own way

  35    Clean utterly

  45    what what kind of

  51    unbracèd with doublet unbuttoned

  52    thunder-stone thunderbolt

  53    cross forked/hostile

  58    tokens signs, omens

  59    dreadful inspiring dread and fear    heralds messengers

  61    want lack

  62    use not ignore them

  64    impatience anger

  67    from…kind against their natures

  68    calculate (are able to) interpret events

  69    ordinance appointed function

  70    preformèd established, innate

  71    monstrous unnatural

  74    state condition, state of affairs/commonwealth (i.e., Rome)

  77    lightens flashes lightning

  80    prodigious ominous/unnatural

  81    fearful frightening    eruptions disturbances

  84    thews sinews, muscles

  85    fathers (noble) forefathers, ancestors

  87    yoke and sufferance patience in servitude

  90    by…land i.e., in all dominions

  93    from…Cassius i.e., will commit suicide

  94    Therein i.e., through suicide

  98    be retentive to confine, restrict

  99    bars prison bars/obstacles

101    know…besides let it be known by all the world

102    bear endure

103    pleasure will

105    bondman slave

110    hinds female deer/servants

111    make…fire i.e., achieve fame, power

112    weak straws i.e., the Roman people    trash twigs, hedge cuttings (i.e., paltry but flammable)

113    rubbish debris from decayed buildings    offal rubbish/wood shavings

115    vile base, corrupt

118    My…made I must answer for it (i.e., be punished/fight you)

121    fleering sneering    Hold, my enough, take my

122    factious prepared to form a faction

123    set…mine i.e., commit myself, proceed

124    who whoever

130    this this time, now    stay wait

131    Pompey’s porch colonnade built by Pompey in 55 BC to provide shelter for spectators attending the Theatrum Pompei (Pompey’s theater) that was constructed at the same time

133    complexion appearance/disposition    element sky, heavens

134    favour appearance/face

136    close concealed

140    incorporate To united to, part of

141    stayed waited

142    on’t of it

149    praetor high-ranking magistrate, i.e., Brutus

150    may…it i.e., cannot avoid finding it

151    set this up attach this

153    Repair make your way

156    hie hurry

165    countenance approval/face, appearance    alchemy pseudoscience that sought to turn base metals into gold

168    conceited conceived of, understood/expressed with an elaborate image

Act 2 Scene 1

 2.1    Location: Brutus’ garden, Rome    orchard garden

    5    When exclamation of impatience

    7    taper candle

  10    his i.e., Caesar’s; Brutus is in mid-thought

  11    spurn strike, kick

  12    general general cause, public good

  15    craves requires    crown him that i.e., crown him

  19    Remorse pity, compassion

  20    affections emotions    swayed influenced, ruled (him)

  21    proof experience

  22    lowliness humility/pretended humbleness    ladder i.e., means of rising to power

  24    upmost round highest rung

  26    base degrees lower rungs/those of lower social status

  28    the…is our cause for complaint cannot be justified on the grounds of his current behavior    colour good reason/pretext

  30    Fashion contrive/fabricate, pervert    augmented i.e., once he has been given more power

  33    as his kind like the rest of its species    mischievous harmful, dangerous

  35    closet private room

  44    exhalations meteors (considered bad omens, these were thought to consist of noxious vapors that had been drawn up, or “exhaled,” from the earth by the sun)

  51    piece it out add to it, fill it out

  54    Tarquin Tarquinius Superbus, the last King of Rome, who was expelled by Lucius Junius Brutus

  58    petition request

  61    whet incite (literally refers to sharpening of a knife)

  64    motion suggestion/impulse

  65    phantasma illusion, hallucination

  66    genius attendant guardian spirit thought to influence a man throughout his life    mortal instruments human functions (mental and physical; these should obey the genius)

  67    council intense debate, dispute    state condition/commonwealth

  69    insurrection rebellion

  70    brother brother-in-law; Cassius was married to Brutus’ sister

  75    plucked about pulled down over

  77    discover identify

  78    mark of favour facial feature

  82    free unconfined

  84    visage face

  86    thou…on pursue (i.e., maintain) your natural appearance

  87    Erebus in classical mythology, the dark place through which the dead must pass before they reach the underworld, Hades

  88    prevention being (recognized and) forestalled

  89    are too bold intrude too boldly

103    watchful cares sleep-preventing anxieties

104    night i.e., sleep

108    yon yonder, those

109    fret adorn, lace

110    deceived mistaken

111    as i.e., where

112    growing on advancing toward

113    Weighing considering, taking into account

117    all over all of you

119    face of men i.e., troubled look of the people

120    sufferance suffering

121    betimes quickly

122    idle unoccupied/lazy

123    high-sighted ambitious, with the sight directed upward/soaring beyond view (image from falconry)    range move freely

124    lottery chance

126    steel make firm

130    Than than that of    secret trustworthy/concealed

131    palter equivocate, use trickery

132    engaged pledged, committed

133    fall i.e., die

134    Swear i.e., those who take oaths are    cautelous cautious

135    carrions corpses (used here of sick old men)

137    Such…doubt the sort of wretches one can have little faith in

138    even true, steady

139    th’insuppressive the indomitable, not suppressible

140    or either

143    several individual    bastardy i.e., act that shows he is no true, legitimate Roman

146    sound sound out, question

150    silver hairs i.e., old age/wisdom (silver also suggests money, an image picked up in    purchase and    buy)

155    gravity sober authority/wisdom

156    break speak, broach the matter

161    touched affected, i.e., killed

162    meet fitting

165    shrewd contriver cunning schemer/astute strategist    means resources/power

166    improve exploit, make good use of

167    annoy injure

171    envy malice

174    spirit influence/essence/disposition

175    spirit soul

182    subtle cunning

183    Stir up provoke    their servants i.e., our hands

184    chide rebuke

185    purpose purpose seem

187    purgers cleansers, healers (of the state)

192    ingrafted firmly implanted (gardening term referring to the practice of grafting a shoot from one plant onto the stem of another)

195    take thought become depressed, sunk in grief

196    that…should it would be extreme if he did

198    no fear nothing to fear

206    from the main contrary to the solid

207    ceremonies ritual divination of omens

208    apparent conspicuous, plainly visible

210    augurers Roman religious officials who predicted the future by interpreting a variety of signs and portents

213    o’ersway him influence him, change his mind

214    unicorns…trees supposedly the fierce unicorn could be goaded into charging at a tree, where it would become trapped when its horn got embedded in the trunk

215    glasses mirrors (into which the bear would gaze, distracted)    holes holes in the ground, booby traps

216    toils nets, snares

220    humour mood/disposition    true bent right inclination, proper direction

223    uttermost latest time

225    bear Caesar hard bear a grudge toward Caesar, dislike him

226    rated reproached, rebuked

228    by i.e., to

229    reasons i.e., reasons to love me

230    fashion him work on him, shape him to our purposes

231    upon’s upon us

235    put on show, reflect

237    untired inexhaustible (may play on the sense of “uncostumed” although this is not historically accurate)    formal constancy outward integrity, fidelity to one’s role

241    figures…fantasies imaginings

242    busy constantly active/interfering

245    mean you are you doing

248    ungently unkindly, rudely

251    arms a-cross conventional gesture of melancholy or introspection

257    wafture (dismissive) wave

260    withal in addition

261    humour (a bad) mood, (a disordered) temperament

264    shape physical appearance

265    condition state of mind

266    know recognize

273    unbracèd with clothing unbuttoned    humours dampness, noxious vapors

275    wholesome healthful

276    dare risk/defy

277    rheumy moist    unpurgèd impure (the sun having yet to purge its moisture)

279    sick offence harmful disorder

280    place position (as your wife)

282    charm conjure, entreat

283    that great vow i.e., the marriage vow

285    unfold reveal    half other half

286    heavy sad

287    resort to visit

293    excepted made an exception (that)

295    in…limitation within certain limits (legal phrase)

296    keep remain    comfort make comfortable, bring pleasure to

297    suburbs outskirts, the less tightly regulated parts of a city well-known for prostitution

299    harlot prostitute

301    ruddy drops i.e., blood

307    Cato Marcus Porcius Cato was known for his rigid moral integrity; as an ally of Pompey, he committed suicide rather than give in to Caesar

310    counsels plans/secrets

311    constancy fortitude

318    by and by imminently    bosom i.e., heart

320    construe explain

321    charactery writing, i.e., meaning    kerchief scarf generally worn about the head (especially by invalids)

327    Vouchsafe deign to accept

337    exorcist one who calls up spirits by magical rites

338    mortified deadened (by illness/by Caesar)

339    strive contend

341    whole healthy, well

345    To whom i.e., to meet the man to whom

346    Set…foot advance, lead on

Act 2 Scene 2

 2.2    Location: Caesar’s house, Rome

    5    present immediate

    6    opinions predictions (based on study of the entrails of sacrificed animals)

  13    stood on insisted on, gave weight to    ceremonies omens, portents

  16    watch night watchmen

  17    whelpèd given birth

  18    yawned gaped open

  19    fiery warriors i.e., comets, considered to be bad omens

  22    hurtled clashed noisily

  24    ghosts…squeal ghosts were traditionally supposed to have thin, high-pitched voices

  25    use customary experience

  28    end outcome    purposed determined, intended

  30    to directed just as much to

  32    blaze forth i.e., proclaim with meteors, fire

  41    of…forth out of one of the sacrificial animal corpses

  43    in shame of to shame

  48    littered born

  52    consumed in devoured by

  59    humour whim, fancy

  63    happy opportune

  71    greybeards old men (often derogatory)

  79    stays detains

  82    lusty vigorous, lively, eager

  84    apply for interpret as

  87    amiss wrongly

  92    press appeal/crowd forward

  93    tinctures, stains, relics i.e., tokens marked with a martyr’s blood (tinctures also includes the sense “colors on a coat of arms”)    cognizance tokens/heraldic badge worn by a nobleman’s servant

100    were…rendered would be a likely joke

108    reason…liable decorum is overruled by my love

118    ague fever, sickness

123    notwithstanding up nevertheless out of bed

130    remember acknowledge, reward

135    That…same i.e., the fact that those who behave    like friends may not actually be so

136    earns grieves

Act 2 Scene 3

 2.3    Location: a street near the Capitol, Rome

    4    bent resolved/directed

    5    security overconfidence, complacency    way opportunity/access    lover dear and loyal friend

    8    suitor petitioner

  10    Out of free from    teeth i.e., bite    emulation ambitious rivalry

  12    contrive plot, conspire

Act 2 Scene 4

 2.4    Location: outside Brutus’ house, Rome

    7    constancy resolution, fortitude

    9    man’s i.e., strong, virtuous

  10    counsel secrets

  16    take good note observe closely

  21    bustling rumour agitated commotion    fray fight, noisy brawl/din, stir

  23    Sooth in truth

  31    suit petition, formal request

  34    befriend i.e., help, protect

  40    praetors magistrates (of whom Brutus is one)

  42    void empty

  46    speed prosper

  49    commend me convey my greetings

Act 3 Scene 1

 3.1    Location: on the way to and then within the Capitol, Rome

    3    schedule document

    4    o’erread read over

    7    touches Caesar nearer affects Caesar more directly

    8    served seen to, addressed/formally delivered (legal term)

  11    Sirrah sir (term of address used to a social inferior)    place way

  20    makes to approaches

  21    sudden swift    prevention interruption, intervention

  23    turn back return (alive)

  25    constant steady, controlled

  27    Caesar i.e., Caesar’s expression

  31    prefer advance, promote

  32    addressed prepared    second support

  33    rears raises up

  36    puissant powerful

  37    seat chair of state/high status

  40    These couchings this bowing, stooping    lowly courtesies humble (or “low”) bows

  41    fire excite/incite to action

  42    turn…lane cast…into the path/return (or transform)…to the narrow understanding;    lane may be a variant of “line” (i.e., “rule”) though many editors emend to “law”    pre-ordinance…decree previously established and fundamental laws

  43    fond (so) foolish

  44    rebel blood i.e., blood that will revolt against reason

  45    quality nature, property/excellence

  46    sweet flattering, sugary

  47    Low-crookèd with body and knee bent low (both “low” and “crooked” have connotations of dishonesty)    spaniel-fawning doglike fawning (spaniels were proverbially submissive)

  49    pray beg

  50    spurn kick    cur dog

  51    cause good reason

  52    satisfied convinced (to grant a pardon)

  55    repealing recalling (from exile)

  58    freedom of repeal permission to be recalled/freedom resulting from being recalled

  62    enfranchisement liberation

  64    pray to move plead with others to act

  65    northern star the only star in the sky that does not appear to move when viewed from earth

  66    resting unchanging, stable

  67    fellow counterpart, equal    firmament sky

  68    sparks i.e., stars

  72    apprehensive capable of perception and understanding

  74    holds…rank maintains his position

  75    of motion by movement of his own/by the persuasions of others

  80    Hence be gone    Olympus in Greek mythology, the mountain home of the gods

  82    bootless pointlessly, uselessly

  83    hands i.e., his own hands; perhaps also those of the other conspirators

  84    Et tu, Bruté? “And you (too), Brutus?” (Latin)

  87    common pulpits public speaking platforms

  89    affrighted frightened

  90    ambition’s…paid i.e., the price for Caesar’s ambition has been paid with his death (and no one else will be harmed)

  94    confounded with dumbfounded, confused by    mutiny chaos/revolt

  95    fast firm

  97    standing making a stand    good cheer cheer up, be heartened

101    age elderly personage    mischief injury, harm

102    abide pay the penalty for/remain with

105    amazed stunned/dismayed/alarmed

107    As as if

108    pleasures wills

109    time i.e., time of death

110    drawing days out prolonging of life    stand upon are uncertain about/attach importance to/demand to know

118    market-place i.e., the Forum, center of public life

122    acted over acted out/acted over again

123    accents languages

125    Pompey’s basis the pedestal of Pompey’s statue    along stretched out

128    knot group

132    grace honor (by following)

134    Soft wait a moment

138    honest honorable

141    feared felt reverence and awe for

142    vouchsafe permit, grant

143    be resolved learn

148    Thorough through    untrod state unprecedented state of affairs

149    faith loyalty, constancy

153    satisfied informed, reassured, convinced

154    untouched unharmed

155    presently immediately

156    well to as a good

157    wish hope    mind feeling, presentiment

158    fears doubts, mistrusts    still…purpose always proves horribly accurate    shrewdly astutely/seriously/dangerously

162    spoils plunder of war

163    measure extent, quantity

165    be let blood i.e., killed (literally, “bled” as a doctor’s patient was)    rank diseased/swollen

171    purpled blood-red    reek steam (with hot blood)

172    Live were I to live

173    apt ready, prepared

174    mean manner

175    cut off killed

176    choice best, most worthy    master leading

180    see you but you only see

182    pitiful full of pity, merciful

184    pity pity i.e., our pity for Rome drove out pity for Caesar

186    leaden dull, blunt, i.e., benign

187    in…malice though strongly hostile to Caesar/though strong with the power to harm

188    Of brothers’ temper with brotherly temperament    receive admit, embrace

189    kind gentle, well-meaning/brotherly, natural

190    voice vote

191    disposing distribution    dignities offices of state, formal roles

193    multitude common people

194    deliver you inform you of    Cause reason (plays on the sense of “grounds for legal action”)

196    proceeded taken action (plays on the sense of “taken legal action”)

198    render give

205    credit credibility/reputation    slipp’ry perhaps also literally, due to Caesar’s blood

206    conceit think of

210    dearer more acutely

213    Most noble addressed to Caesar’s spirit

216    become befit, suit    close come to an agreement, unite

218    bayed hunted by dogs until cornered    hart male deer; puns on “heart”

220    Signed in marked with    spoil slaughter, (blood of your) mangled body    Lethe the river of Hades, the classical underworld, which induced forgetfulness; here refers to Caesar’s death/oblivion

222    this i.e., this hart, Caesar

227    The enemies even the enemies

228    cold modesty sober moderation

230    compact agreement

231    pricked marked down

232    on proceed

233    Therefore for that reason (i.e., to be counted as a friend)

238    Or else otherwise

239    good regard just consideration

244    Produce bring forth

246    order ceremony

256    protest declare

257    leave permission, consent

259    true rites proper funeral rites

261    fall befall, happen

267    About i.e., in

276    tide of times course of history

277    costly dear, precious

283    cumber overwhelm, destroy/trouble, burden

284    in use commonplace, customary

285    objects sights

287    quartered in cut to pieces by

288    custom of constant exposure to    fell cruel, fierce

289    ranging roving, roaming

290    Ate Greek goddess of discord and vengeance

291    confines regions

292    havoc war cry signaling merciless slaughter    let slip unleash

293    That so that    foul wicked/stinking

294    With i.e., along with    carrion men rotting carcasses/corrupt men    groaning crying out

301    big swollen (with grief)

302    Passion grief, strong emotion

305    seven leagues twenty-one miles

306    Post ride quickly

309    Hie hence hurry away

311    try test

313    issue outcome (of the deed)

314    which results of which    discourse relate

Act 3 Scene 2

 3.2    Location: the Roman Forum

    2    give me audience listen to me

    4    part the numbers divide the crowd

    7    public given in public/concerning the public    renderèd given

  11    severally separately

  13    last end (of my speech)

  14    lovers friends    cause grounds for action/explanation/subject of concern

  15    for because of

  16    Censure judge    senses minds, wits

  26    rude uncivilized

  27    vile lowly, contemptible

  31    question of considerations behind    enrolled officially recorded

  32    extenuated lessened, minimized    enforced exaggerated, emphasized

  35    place…commonwealth i.e., his rights as a free man in the Roman republic

  40    triumph pomp, ceremony

  41    SECOND PLEBEIAN not the same man who left earlier to hear Cassius

  43    parts qualities

  44    crowned literally crowned/rewarded/surpassed

  51    Do grace to honor, respect    grace listen courteously to

  52    Tending relating

  57    public chair pulpit, platform for public orations

  59    beholding obliged, indebted

  73    interrèd buried

  77    answered paid for

  78    leave permission

  86    general coffers public treasury

108    masters sirs

109    worse i.e., worse tyrant

112    dear abide it suffer grievously for it

116    But only

117    stood against resisted, fought against

118    poor humble

127    closet cabinet

131    dip…blood i.e., as if Caesar were a martyr    napkins handkerchiefs

135    issue children

139    meet fit

148    o’ershot myself gone further than I intended

162    from back from    hearse coffin or stand on which the body rests

164    far further

167    mantle cloak

170    Nervii Belgian tribe of warriors defeated by Caesar

172    rent tear, slash

176    As as if it were

177    unkindly cruelly/unnaturally

178    angel favorite, dearest friend/protective spirit

189    flourished triumphed/prospered/brandished (its sword)

191    dint impression, mark    gracious virtuous/blessed

193    vesture clothing

194    marred spoiled, stained    with by

201    About! Get moving!

209    private griefs personal grievances

213    orator eloquent speaker, master of rhetoric

214    plain blunt plain-speaking and forthright

217    wit intelligence

218    Action gestures (used by a skilled orator to reinforce his words)

219    right on directly, truthfully

222    Brutus i.e., a skilled orator

224    ruffle up incite, enrage

233    Wherein for what

239    several individual    drachmas silver coins;    seventy-five would be a generous sum

245    orchards gardens

247    common pleasures public parks, pleasure gardens

248    recreate enjoy

252    brands burning logs    fire set fire to

256    forms benches    windows shutters

257    Mischief evil, harm

262    straight (go) straightaway

263    upon a wish just as I would have wished    merry in good spirits, inclined toward us

266    Are rid have ridden

267    Belike probably notice of news about

Act 3 Scene 3

 3.3    Location: a street in Rome

    1    tonight last night

    2    unluckily…fantasy ominously burden my imagination

    3    forth out

    9    directly without evasion/immediately

  16    bear…bang get a beating

  26    he’s a conspirator the First Plebeian confuses Cinna with the conspirator of the same name

  30    pluck tear, wrench

  31    turn him going set him on his way

Act 4 Scene 1

 4.1    Location: a private place, Rome

    1    pricked marked down

    2    Your brother Lucius Aemilius Paulus, a supporter of Brutus

    7    spot mark (against his name); may play on the sense of “moral stain,” which would cause damn to resonate with its religious sense    damn condemn (legally)

  10    cut…legacies reduce some of the cost entailed by Caesar’s legacies (to the people; the suggestion is that the will is to be altered)

  12    Or either

  13    slight worthless, insignificant

  14    Meet fit

  15    The…divided after Caesar’s fall, the Roman empire was divided into three parts, each ruled by one of the triumvirs (Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus)

  18    voice vote (regarding)

  19    black sentence sentencing of men to death    proscription branding of men as outlaws (which meant their property was confiscated)

  20    have…days i.e., am older

  22    divers sland’rous loads various burdensome accusations

  24    business task/load

  26    will want it

  27    off away

  28    empty unburdened, idle

  29    commons public fields

  31    tried experienced

  33    appoint…provender provide him with plenty of food

  35    wind turn sharply

  36    corporeal bodily

  37    taste degree, sense

  39    barren-spirited dull-minded, lacking initiative

  40    objects…imitations i.e., trivialities, curiosities, things of fashion

  41    staled worn out, made stale

  42    Begin his fashion i.e., he takes as fashionable

  43    property means to an end

  44    Listen hear

  45    levying powers raising armies    make head muster troops

  46    combined united, of one mind

  47    made decided (upon), secured    stretched extended as far as possible

  48    presently immediately    sit in counsel i.e., discuss, be advised

  49    covert…disclosed hidden affairs may best be revealed

  50    open visible, apparent    surest most securely and decisively

  51    at the stake tied to a stake, like a bear being baited with dogs

  52    bayed about surrounded

  54    mischiefs evils, harms

Act 4 Scene 2

 4.2    Location: a camp near Sardis (the capital of the ancient kingdom of Lydia, Asia Minor); outside Brutus’ tent, into which the action then moves

    1    Stand ho halt

    2    Give…ho pass on the command (to halt)

    5    his master i.e., Cassius

    7    change i.e., changed behavior, altered attitude    ill officers unruly, poor subordinates

    8    worthy justifiable/substantial

  10    be satisfied be resolved, have an explanation

  13    regard respect

  15    he i.e., Cassius    resolved informed

  17    familiar instances signs of friendship

  18    conference conversation

  21    hot eager, devoted    ever always

  23    useth…ceremony manifests itself with forced courtesy

  25    hollow insincere    hot at hand eager at the outset

  26    gallant fine, splendid    mettle vigor, spirit    march i.e., march played on drums

  27    bloody i.e., spattered with blood from the horse’s sides

  28    fall let fall    crests necks    jades worn-out horses

  29    Sink…trial fail when put to the test

  30    quartered billeted, lodged

  31    horse in general entire cavalry

powers troops

  34    gently nobly/in an unthreatening manner

  40    brother brother-in-law

  42    should i.e., could I possibly

  46    griefs grievances

  50    enlarge give free voice to

  51    give you audience listen to you

  53    charges troops    off away

  59    noted disgraced, discredited

  61    praying entreating

  62    slighted off slightingly dismissed

  64    meet appropriate

  65    nice petty    bear his comment be subject to such criticism

  67    condemned…palm to blame for your greed

  68    mart trade, barter    offices positions of responsibility

  71    You…last i.e., if you weren’t my friend Brutus, I’d kill you for saying this

  73    honours gives honor to

  74    chastisement punishment    hide his head i.e., is not enforced (with the suggestion of a head hung in shame)

  81    But merely    supporting robbers i.e., permitting corruption

  83    large honours great reputations/powerful positions

  84    trash money

  85    bay howl at

  89    hedge me in restrict me, challenge my authority

  91    make conditions manage affairs

  92    Go to expression of dismissive contempt

  95    forget myself i.e., lose my temper

  96    Have mind upon remember, be concerned for

  97    slight worthless, insignificant/thin, lean

100    way and room scope    choler rage

105    budge flinch/give way

106    observe honor, wait upon    crouch cringe

107    testy humour irritable mood

108    digest i.e., be obliged to swallow    spleen bad temper, anger (the spleen was thought to be the seat of strong emotions)

114    vaunting boasting

116    of from/about

121    durst…me would not have dared provoke me is such a manner

127    presume rely

132    idle useless/frivolous/inactive

135    vile means shameful methods (i.e., corruption, extortion)

136    coin turn into money

137    drop shed    drachmas silver coins

138    hard toughened with work/ungenerous    vile worthless, lowly, contemptible

139    indirection deceit, dishonesty

144    rascal counters worthless coins

150    rived split

151    infirmities flaws, weaknesses

162    braved challenged, defied

163    Checked rebuked/restrained

164    conned by rote memorized through repetition

168    Dearer more valuable    Pluto fabulously rich Greek god of the underworld    mine silver and gold mines

169    take it forth i.e., tear this heart out

176    dishonour…humour i.e., your dishonorable behavior shall be attributed to a bad mood

177    lamb i.e., the supposedly gentle Brutus

179    enforcèd acted upon by force (i.e., struck to create a spark)    hasty quick, brief

183    blood ill-tempered a disordered temperament (physical and mental health was thought to be governed by the four bodily fluids or “humors”; the excess of one would lead to illness or an imbalanced mood)

190    rash humour i.e., choler, the humor responsible for impetuous anger

191    forgetful irrational, badly behaved

194    leave you so i.e., leave it at that

201    mean i.e., think you are doing

204    cynic i.e., faultfinder (literally, a follower of Cynic philosophy, which disdained pleasure and enjoyment)

205    Saucy insolent

206    fashion manner

207    I’ll…time I’ll acknowledge his manner when he recognizes the proper occasion for it (time plays on the sense of “musical time, rhythm”)

208    jigging rhyming in a jerking and metrically unsophisticated manner

209    Companion rogue, rascal

217    of with

218    philosophy usually identified as stoicism, which valued endurance in the face of hardship, but according to Plutarch, Brutus was a Platonist

219    place room/precedence    accidental evils chance misfortunes

223    scaped escaped    crossed challenged, opposed

224    touching deeply felt

225    Upon as a result of

228    her i.e., news of her

229    That tidings i.e., news of Octavius and Antony’s power    distract mad, deranged

230    fire specifically, burning coals

237    o’erswell overflow

241    call in question discuss

247    Bending directing    expedition speedy setting forth/military enterprise    Philippi city in Macedonia

248    tenor drift, substance

250    proscription…outlawry i.e., legislation declaring some people to be outlaws punishable by death

270    must die once had to die some day

272    Even so in just such a manner

273    art practiced fortitude, learned behavior

274    nature natural feelings    bear it carry it off, maintain it

275    alive concerning those who are living/of present importance

282    offence damage/attack (the opposite of defence)

284    force necessity    place way

286    affection allegiance

287    contribution resources, supplies (including soldiers)

289    make…up increase its numbers

290    new-added reinforced, with augmented numbers

293    These…back behind us (supporting us/cut off from our enemy)

295    Under your pardon i.e., allow me to continue

296    tried put (successfully) to the test

301    taken…flood i.e., set sail on when it is in

302    Omitted neglected

303    bound in shallows confined to shallow waters

306    ventures investments at sea/enterprises

308    along go along

311    niggard fob off, stint

315    gown dressing gown

327    instrument musical instrument, perhaps a lute

330    art o’er-watched have been awake (perhaps on guard) for too long

336    raise rouse, wake

338    watch your pleasure remain awake and ready to respond to your needs

340    otherwise bethink me i.e., change my mind

346    touch i.e., play on

347    an’t if it

351    might capabilities, strength

352    look for need, expect

355    hold detain

357    murderous i.e., that gives the appearance of death

358    leaden mace heavy staff of office (used by a sergeant to arrest offenders by touching them with his mace)

367    shapes creates, forms    monstrous unnatural

370    stare stand on end

378    taken heart gathered my courage

381    false out of tune

390    Fellow thou thou, fellow

398    commend me convey my greetings

399    set…before set off with his troops early in the morning

Act 5 Scene 1

 5.1    Location: near Philippi

    3    keep keep to

    4    battles battalions

    5    warn challenge

    6    Answering responding to/encountering for a fight    demand of ask

    7    am…bosoms know their secrets

    8    could be content would like

    9    visit other places be elsewhere, take up different positions    come down attack (by surprise)

  10    fearful bravery alarming bravery/a false show of bravery to hide their fear    face show

  11    fasten fix the impression

  12    ’tis not so they are unable to do so/they have no courage

  14    gallant splendid, smart

  15    bloody…battle red flag, a signal for battle

  16    to is to, must

  17    softly slowly, warily

  18    even level, flat

  20    exigent critical moment

  22    have parley negotiation, during which hostilities were suspended

  25    answer…charge respond when they attack

  26    Make forth go forward

  30    strokes blows

  35    The…blows the nature of your blows, how you will strike

  36    for as for    your words refers to Antony’s deceptively friendly words to the conspirators after Caesar’s murder, or perhaps to his flattering words to the people regarding Caesar’s love for them    Hybla town in Sicily, famed for its honey

  40    buzzing plays on the sense of “rumor-mongering”

  41    threat threaten

  42    so i.e., give warning

  44    showed your teeth grinned    apes i.e., fools

  46    cur dog

  49    This…ruled i.e., if Cassius had had his way, Antony would have been killed along with Caesar

  51    cause grounds for hostility, central issue

  52    proof trial (on the battlefield)

  54    goes up is sheathed

  56    another Caesar i.e., myself, Octavius Caesar

  57    added slaughter to i.e., been killed by

  59    thou…thee i.e., those hands are your own

  62    if even if    strain family line

  63    more honourable more honorably (than being killed by Brutus)

  64    peevish foolish/obstinate/ill-tempered

  65    masquer one who participates in masques (theatrical entertainments involving elaborate costumes and dancing)

  70    stomachs courage, appetites (for battle)

  71    billow wave    bark ship

  72    on the hazard at stake

  78    as this this

  81    Pompey was Pompey was reluctantly persuaded into a disastrous final battle with Caesar at Pharsalus in 48 BC    set stake

  83    Epicurus Greek philosopher who believed that the gods were indifferent to human affairs, and thus that omens did not influence the course of events

  85    credit give credit to, believe    presage foretell events

  86    former ensign foremost military banner

  87    fell swooped

  89    consorted accompanied

  91    steads places    ravens…kites scavenging birds considered to be bad omens

  93    As as if

  94    fatal ominous, boding death

  99    constantly resolutely

100    Even so, Lucilius Brutus finishes his private conversation with Lucilius

102    The may the

103    Lovers dear friends

104    rests still remain always

105    reason with consider

109    philosophy the antisuicide sentiment Brutus expresses is stoic

110    Cato Portia’s father, an ally of Pompey who committed suicide rather than surrender to Caesar

111    how i.e., why

113    fall happen    prevent…life cut short one’s natural lifespan

115    stay await

118    in triumph chained to the victor’s chariot during the triumphal return to Rome

122    great noble

Act 5 Scene 2

 5.2    Location: the battlefield near Philippi    Alarum call to arms, usually with trumpet or drum

    1    bills written commands

    2    other side i.e., Cassius’ division of the army, located in another part of the battlefield

    3    set on advance

    4    cold unenthusiastic/miserable    Octavio’s i.e., Octavius’    wing division of the army

    5    push attack

    6    come down attack (by surprise)

Act 5 Scene 3

    1    the villains i.e., Cassius’ own troops

    2    mine own i.e., my own men

    3    ensign military flag bearer

    4    it i.e., the flag or banner

    7    fell to spoil were slaughtered

    8    enclosed surrounded

  16    hide i.e., dig hard

  18    here back here

  20    even with i.e., as quick as

  22    thick dim, poor    Regard watch

  23    goes aloft i.e., exits and mounts to the upper staging level or gallery

  24    This…first i.e., it is my birthday

  26    is…compass has come full circle

  30    on the spur rapidly

  32    light alight, dismount

  33    ta’en captured

  38    Parthia now northern Iran

  39    swore thee made you swear

  43    bowels guts, intestines    search probe, i.e., stab

  44    Stand wait    hilts sword handle

  48    would…will had I been able to act as I wished, I would not have gained freedom in such a manner

  51    take note of i.e., find

  52    change exchange of advantages

  55    comfort hearten, encourage

  67    dews disease-ridden dampness

  68    Mistrust Cassius’ doubt

  71    apt readily believing

  72    The…not? i.e., the apparent capture of Titinius

  74    the mother i.e., the melancholy mind

  79    darts arrows/spears    envenomèd poisoned

  86    wreath of victory i.e., laurel wreath

  91    apace quickly

  92    regarded respected, esteemed

  93    part role, duty/proper conduct

101    own proper very own    Low muted, quiet

103    whe’er whether

107    fellow equal

110    Thasos island in the north of the Aegean Sea, not far from Philippi

112    discomfort dishearten

114    battles battalions

116    try test

Act 5 Scene 4

    2    bastard i.e., base person, one who is no legitimate Roman

    4    Marcus Cato also Portia’s father

    7    I am Brutus Lucilius lies in order to confuse the enemy and protect Brutus

  13    Only…die I yield only to die

  14    so much either Lucilius offers the soldier money or he refers to the abundance of honor to be gained from killing Brutus    straight straightaway

  17    Room, ho make room

  25    or either

  33    is chanced has fallen out, come to pass

Act 5 Scene 5

    1    remains remnants, survivors

    2    showed the torch-light i.e., signaled to show that he had completed his reconnaissance mission

  17    list hear

  21    several separate

  27    beat driven    pit trap for animals/grave

  29    tarry wait

  31    that…old that old friendship of ours

  32    sword-hilts sword handle

  33    office task    still continuing

  42    vile ignoble, morally reprehensible

  46    but…hour toiled with the sole aim of finding death/done nothing other than toil to arrive at this point

  50    respect reputation

  51    smatch smack, taste

  55    still at peace    Retreat signal for the pursuing troops to cease

  58    man servant

  60    make…him i.e., cremate his body

  61    only alone    overcame conquered

  63    So in just such a way

  65    entertain employ

  67    prefer recommend

  72    latest last

  75    that what    envy of malice toward/jealousy of

  76    He…them he alone joined the conspiracy out of honorable concern for the common good    honest honorable/genuine

  78    gentle noble    elements i.e., of the universe (air, earth, fire, and water)/of “bodily humors”

  79    mixed (harmoniously) combined

  81    use treat

  84    ordered treated

  85    field battlefield

  86    part share out

THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH

Macbeth is Shakespeare’s shortest, quickest tragedy. Its colors are black and red. It summons up dusk and midnight and at last a poor player who struts and frets with empty sound and fury, his life a candle that is snuffed out, signifying nothing. But along the way we witness high passion, vaulting ambition, alliances made and broken. Macbeth himself is great in action but not in judgment. Give him a task on the battlefield and he will carry it through with aplomb. But give him words and he will be first easily led, then hesitant. His wife chides him for this, but ironically as the two of them wade deeper into blood he becomes more purposeful, she a nightmare-beset shadow of her former self.

In Shakespearean tragedy, the time is out of joint and the lead character is out of his accustomed role. Hamlet the scholar is happy to be presented with an intellectual puzzle, but unsure how to proceed when presented with a demand to kill. Macbeth the soldier, by contrast, relishes violent action but is restless when it comes to waiting for his reward. Hamlet meditates on the nature of providence, while Macbeth is prompted to take his fate into his own hands. Imagine Macbeth in Hamlet’s situation. He would have needed no second prompting. On hearing the ghost’s story, he would have gone straight down from the battlements and unseamed King Claudius “from the nave to th’chops.” His courage and his capacity to act are without question.

Macbeth is, however, more like Hamlet than appears at first glance. He has a conscience. When his ambition is stirred by the weyard sisters’ prophecies, he tries to slap it down (“Stars, hide your fires: / Let not light see my black and deep desires”), and when he returns to his castle he soliloquizes on the afterlife every bit in the manner of the Danish prince. But where Hamlet is profoundly alone, unable to bring himself to confide in Ophelia because Gertrude has destroyed his faith in womankind, Macbeth has a wife to take charge of him. She enters as he is concluding his conscience-ridden soliloquy and with a few brisk exchanges and put-downs (“When you durst do it, then you were a man”) she changes his mind and settles him to the terrible feat.

His conscience is still working after the regicide, as he is haunted by the sound of the voice crying “Sleep no more.” His wife, on the other hand, is cool and practical (“A little water clears us of this deed”). But as the play progresses, in one of Shakespeare’s finest structural movements, a reversal takes place. It is Lady Macbeth who sleeps no more, whose mind is emptied of everything save the night of the murder, who cannot wash away the blood (“All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand”). Macbeth, by contrast, steeps himself so far in blood that it becomes easier to carry on than to turn back. He does not tell his wife about the plan to murder Banquo and Fleance, and by the fourth act, when he massacres Macduff’s innocent family, she has temporarily disappeared from the action. By the fifth, he is willing on the final encounter: “Blow wind, come wrack, / At least we’ll die with harness on our back.” The final thoughts inspired by his wife are fatalistic: she began by spurring him to take his destiny into his own hands, she ends as the provocation to his meditation on the meaninglessness of life.

Macbeth is a play about how dreams may become nightmares, how a castle that by day seems the pleasant seat of nesting birds is transformed by night into hell itself (with a grimly witty Porter at the gate). And how the world may be turned upside down: the sun refuses to rise the morning after Duncan has been killed and other strange phenomena are interpreted as disruptions of the natural order. The English court, in contrast, is represented as a haven, a place of grace and “healing benediction.” Malcolm’s stay in England serves as an education into virtue. His conquest of Scotland, with the worthy English Siward in support, is made to seem like a restoration of nature, the moving trees of Birnam symbolic of spring and rebirth. The play was written in the first few years after James I united the thrones of Scotland and England: Macduff’s final entrance with the tyrant’s head and his announcement that the time is free express hope for an end to the uncertainty about the nation’s future, which had attended the final years of the Virgin Queen’s reign.

Within weeks of James VI of Scotland becoming James I of England in 1603, Shakespeare’s acting company was given the title “The King’s Men.” In return for this honor, they were expected to play at court whenever required. They duly gave more command performances at royal events than any of their rivals: between ten and twenty shows per year for the rest of Shakespeare’s career. Macbeth is steeped in the preoccupations of the new king: the rights of royal succession, the relationship between England and Scotland, the reality of witchcraft, the sacred powers of the monarch (James revived the ancient custom of “touching” his subjects in order to cure them of scrofula, “the king’s evil”). And there was one enduring concern inherited from his predecessor’s reign: anxiety about high treason and Roman Catholic plots. The Porter’s reference to “equivocation” has often been seen as an allusion to the verbal cunning shown by Father Garnet, one of the Gunpowder Plot conspirators, during his trial in the early months of 1606.

Whether or not there were such things as witches was a fiercely debated subject in the period. In his treatise Of Demonology, King James affirmed that there were. He believed that nine times out of ten, witches were women, but women with unnaturally masculine features such as facial hair; that they were in league with the devil, that they had familiar spirits in the shape of cats and toads, that their most dangerous work consisted of conjuring up images of people and cursing them, that they sent succubi to remove the sexual lifeblood from men, that they caused disease in animals. One could establish whether or not a woman was devilishly possessed by a “witch mark” on her body, which would not bleed when pricked (when Shylock in The Merchant of Venice says “If you prick us, do we not bleed?” he means that Jews are not devilish in the way that witches are). The Macbeth witches answer to most of these characteristics: they are women with beards, summoning Grey Malkin the cat and Paddock the toad, while lines such as “I’ll drain him dry as hay” and “killing swine” suggest succubi and diseased livestock.

Yet no one in the play calls them “witches.” They are always the “weyard sisters.” The adjective denotes both their prophetic power and their waywardness, the sense that they exist in an untamed space beyond the margins of society. What is more, the earliest eyewitness account of Macbeth on stage, written by Dr. Simon Forman after he saw a performance in 1611, refers to them as “fairies or nymphs.” Macbeth’s source, Holinshed’s “Chronicle of Scotland,” variously calls them “weird sisters,” “fairies,” and “women in strange and wild apparel, resembling creatures of the elder world.” A woodcut in Holinshed shows them as rather grumpy but elegantly dressed ladies, certainly not bearded hags. A further complication is that the only surviving printed text of Macbeth seems to represent the play not as it was written by Shakespeare, but as it was revised for later performance, probably by the younger dramatist Thomas Middleton, who had written a play of his own called The Witch. There is a genuine possibility that Shakespeare intended the women to be “weyard sisters,” prophets akin to the classical sibyl, and that it was only with Middleton that they were converted into full-blown witches with double-trouble cauldron (Forman’s recollection of seeing the play in 1611 makes no mention of Macbeth’s return visit in the fourth act).

Why was King James so interested in witches? The main reason was that his ideology of kingship was closely bound to a cosmology of good and evil. He believed passionately in the idea that the monarch was God’s representative on earth, the embodiment of virtue, blessed with the power to heal his people and restore cosmic harmony. The idea that the devil was active in the world through the dark agency of witchcraft was the necessary antithesis of this vision. The imagery of Shakespeare’s play creates a pervasive sense of connection between the state and the cosmos: witness those signs of disruption in the order of nature reported by Lennox and Ross on the night of Duncan’s murder.

Another consequence of James’ theory of kingship was the idea that royal succession was divinely ordained rather than achieved arbitrarily through a struggle between rival candidates or a popular vote. It is therefore extremely significant that in Holinshed’s Chronicles Duncan’s anointing of his son Malcolm as Prince of Cumberland is a turning point in Scottish history: this is the moment when the principle of primogeniture is established in Scotland. In Holinshed, Macbeth is Duncan’s cousin and until this moment he has the right to the succession in the event of Duncan dying before Malcolm comes of age.

In the mid-twentieth century there was a tendency among critics to mock the Victorian scholar A. C. Bradley for treating Shakespeare’s characters as if they were real people, with a past and a life beyond that which is seen on stage. The shorthand term for this mockery was Bradley’s question “How many children had Lady Macbeth?” But Bradley has outlasted his critics: to a greater degree than any other writer prior to the flowering of the realist novel, Shakespeare did use language to create the illusion that his characters have an interior life and that there is a “back story” to his plots. The language of Macbeth is steeped in images of children, of birth, of inheritance, and future generations. The sons of Duncan, Banquo, and Macduff are all crucial to the action, and there is even a telling bit-part for the son of the English soldier Siward. No other Shakespearean tragedy has so many significant male children in the cast. Only Macbeth is without a son. Hence his appalled realization that he has a barren scepter in his hand, that his bloody deeds have been done only “to make them kings, the seed of Banquo kings.”

Shakespeare doesn’t usually portray married couples working together as partners. There are moments of exceptional tenderness between the Macbeths. Yet there is an emptiness at the core of their relationship. The play is scarred by images of sterility and harrowed by glimpses of dead babies. Is power in the end a substitute for love, ambition nothing but compensation for the sorrow of childlessness? It has to be assumed that Lady Macbeth means what she says when she speaks of giving suck and knowing how tender it is to love the babe that milks her: we can only assume that the Macbeths have had a child and lost it. Perhaps that is why they channel the energies of their marriage into the lust for power instead.

Shakespeare is the least autobiographical of great writers, but can it be entirely a coincidence that, a decade before, he too had lost a child, his only son Hamnet, and that in the years since then he had channeled all his creative powers not into a family, but into his work, his theater company, and the thrill of those extraordinary occasions when he found himself—a grammar boy from the provinces with no university education—witnessing the King of England and Scotland, with all his court, listening in rapt attention as his words were spoken from the platform of the banqueting hall in the royal palace?

KEY FACTS

AUTHORSHIP: There is no doubt about Shakespeare’s authorship of the bulk of the play, but it is probable that the printed text bears the marks of some theatrical revision, possibly by Thomas Middleton. In particular, the scenes involving Hecate seem to be additions by Middleton.

PLOT: Macbeth and Banquo, generals in the service of King Duncan of Scotland, are returning victorious from battle when they are hailed by three witches or “weyard sisters” who prophesy that Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor and then King of Scotland, whereas Banquo’s descendants will be kings. The first part of the prophesy is soon fulfilled when Duncan rewards Macbeth’s loyal service: encouraged by this, and playing on her husband’s ambition, Lady Macbeth persuades him to murder Duncan while he is a guest at their castle. Malcolm and Donalbain, Duncan’s sons, flee to England for safety. Macbeth, now king, has Banquo murdered in an attempt to secure his own position, but Banquo’s ghost appears to him at a banquet. Macbeth visits the witches again. They warn him to beware of Macduff, a noble who has also fled to England, but assure him that he cannot be harmed by any man born of woman. Macbeth orders the murder of Macduff’s wife and children. In England, Malcolm tests Macduff’s loyalty and they then raise an army to march against Macbeth, but he, armed with the witches’ prophecy, believes himself invincible. As his enemies draw nearer, Macbeth learns that his wife is dead. He faces Macduff in combat but when he learns Macduff was born by cesarean section he realizes that he must face death. Malcolm is crowned King of Scotland.

MAJOR PARTS: (with percentage of lines/number of speeches/scenes on stage) Macbeth (29%/ 146/15), Lady Macbeth (11%/59/9), Malcolm (9%/40/8), Macduff (7%/59/7), Ross (6%/39/ 7), Banquo (5%/33/7), First Witch (3%/23/4), Lennox (3%/21/6), Duncan (3%/18/3), Second Witch (2%/15/3), Third Witch (2%/13/3), Porter (2%/4/1), Wife of Macduff (2%/19/1), Scottish Doctor (2%/19/2).

LINGUISTIC MEDIUM: 95% verse, 5% prose.

DATE: 1606? Certainly Jacobean rather than Elizabethan, to judge from its several compliments to King James. Performed at the Globe in April 1611 and perhaps at court in August or December 1606. References to “equivocation” and other allusions suggest written soon after trial of Gunpowder Plot conspirators (January–March 1606). The ship Tiger, mentioned in Act 1 Scene 3, sailed for the east in 1604 and returned after a terrible voyage in the summer of 1606.

SOURCES: Based on account of reigns of Duncan and Makbeth in “The Chronicles of Scotland,” from vol. 2 of Raphael Holinshed’s Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland (1587 edition), with some use of material elsewhere in the Scottish chronicles. Shows awareness of the Stuart dynasty’s claim to lineage from Banquo. Some of the imagery is influenced by the language of Seneca’s tragedies. Hecate scenes incorporate material from Thomas Middleton’s play The Witch.

TEXT: 1623 Folio is the only early printed text. Its brevity suggests possible theatrical cutting. Good quality of printing, though with severe problems of lineation.

THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH

KING DUNCAN of Scotland

A CAPTAIN in Duncan’s army

MACBETH, Thane of Glamis, later Thane of Cawdor, then King of Scotland

LADY MACBETH, his wife

A PORTER at Macbeth’s castle

SEYTON, servant to Macbeth

A DOCTOR

A GENTLEWOMAN, attendant upon Lady Macbeth

THREE MURDERERS

BANQUO, a thane

FLEANCE, his son

MACDUFF, Thane of Fife

LADY MACDUFF, his wife

MACDUFF’S SON

AN OLD MAN

SIWARD, Earl of Northumberland

YOUNG SIWARD, his son

DOCTOR at the English court

THREE WITCHES, known as Weyard Sisters

HECATE, Queen of Witches

Lords, Thanes, Attendants, Servants, Torchbearers, Soldiers, Drummers, a Messenger, Apparitions (including an armed head, a bloody child, a child crowned, a show of eight kings)

Act 1 Scene 11.1

running scene 1

       Thunder and lightning. Enter three Witches

FIRST WITCH

FIRST WITCH     When shall we three meet again?

               In thunder, lightning, or in rain?

SECOND WITCH

SECOND WITCH     When the hurly-burly’s³ done,

               When the battle’s lost and won.

5

5     

THIRD WITCH

THIRD WITCH         That will be ere⁵ the set of sun.

FIRST WITCH

FIRST WITCH     Where the place?

SECOND WITCH

SECOND WITCH     Upon the heath.

THIRD WITCH

THIRD WITCH     There to meet with Macbeth.

FIRST WITCH

FIRST WITCH     I come, Grey Malkin.⁹

10

10   

SECOND WITCH

SECOND WITCH           Paddock¹⁰ calls.

THIRD WITCH

THIRD WITCH     Anon.¹¹

ALL

ALL     Fair is foul, and foul is fair:

               Hover through the fog and filthy air.

       Exeunt

Act 1 Scene 21.2

running scene 2

       Alarum within. Enter King [Duncan], Malcolm, Donalbain, Lennox, with Attendants, meeting a bleeding Captain

DUNCAN

DUNCAN     What bloody man is that? He can report,

               As seemeth by his plight,² of the revolt

               The newest state.³

MALCOLM

MALCOLM     This is the sergeant

5

5             Who like a good and hardy⁵ soldier fought

               Gainst my captivity.⁶— Hail, brave friend; To the Captain

               Say to the king the knowledge of the broil⁷

               As thou didst leave it.

CAPTAIN

CAPTAIN     Doubtful it stood,

10

10           As two spent¹⁰ swimmers that do cling together

               And choke their art.¹¹ The merciless Macdonald —

               Worthy to be a rebel, for to that¹²

               The multiplying¹³ villainies of nature

               Do swarm upon him — from the Western Isles¹⁴

15

15           Of kerns¹⁵ and gallowglasses is supplied,

               And Fortune on his damnèd quarrel¹⁶ smiling,

               Showed¹⁷ like a rebel’s whore. But all’s too weak,

               For brave Macbeth — well he deserves that name —

               Disdaining Fortune, with his brandished¹⁹ steel

20

20           Which smoked with bloody execution,

               Like valour’s minion²¹ carved out his passage

               Till he faced the slave,²²

               Which²³ ne’er shook hands nor bade farewell to him

               Till he unseamed him²⁴ from the nave to th’chops

25

25           And fixed his head upon our battlements.

DUNCAN

DUNCAN     O valiant cousin, worthy gentleman!

CAPTAIN

CAPTAIN     As²⁷ whence the sun ’gins his reflection,

               Shipwrecking storms and direful thunders,

               So from that spring²⁹ whence comfort seemed to come,

30

30           Discomfort swells.³⁰ Mark, King of Scotland, mark:

               No sooner justice had, with valour armed,

               Compelled these skipping³² kerns to trust their heels,

               But the Norwegian lord,³³ surveying vantage,

               With furbished³⁴ arms and new supplies of men,

35

35           Began a fresh assault.

DUNCAN

DUNCAN     Dismayed not this our captains, Macbeth and Banquo?

CAPTAIN

CAPTAIN     Yes,³⁷ as sparrows eagles, or the hare the lion.

               If I say sooth,³⁸ I must report they were

               As cannons overcharged with double cracks,³⁹

40

40           So they doubly redoubled strokes upon the foe.

               Except⁴¹ they meant to bathe in reeking wounds

               Or memorize⁴² another Golgotha,

               I cannot tell.

               But I am faint, my gashes cry for help.

45

45   

DUNCAN

DUNCAN           So well thy words become⁴⁵ thee as thy wounds:

               They smack⁴⁶ of honour both.— Go get him surgeons.

       [Exit Captain,

       attended]

       Enter Ross and Angus

               Who comes here?

MALCOLM

MALCOLM     The worthy Thane⁴⁸ of Ross.

LENNOX

LENNOX     What a haste looks through⁴⁹ his eyes!

50

50           So should he look that seems to⁵⁰ speak things strange.

ROSS

ROSS     God save the king.

DUNCAN

DUNCAN     Whence cam’st thou, worthy thane?

ROSS

ROSS     From Fife,⁵³ great king,

               Where the Norwegian banners flout⁵⁴ the sky

55

55           And fan our people cold.

               Norway himself,⁵⁶ with terrible numbers,

               Assisted by that most disloyal traitor,

               The Thane of Cawdor, began a dismal⁵⁸ conflict

               Till that Bellona’s bridegroom,⁵⁹ lapped in proof,

60

60           Confronted⁶⁰ him with self-comparisons,

               Point⁶¹ against point, rebellious arm gainst arm,

               Curbing his lavish⁶² spirit: and to conclude,

               The victory fell on us—

DUNCAN

DUNCAN     Great happiness.

ROSS

ROSS     That now Sweno, the Norways’⁶⁴ king,

65

65           Craves composition:⁶⁵

               Nor would we deign⁶⁶ him burial of his men

               Till he disbursèd⁶⁷ at Saint Colme’s inch

               Ten thousand dollars⁶⁸ to our general use.

DUNCAN

DUNCAN     No more that Thane of Cawdor shall deceive

70

70           Our bosom interest:⁷⁰ go pronounce his present death,

               And with his former title greet Macbeth.

ROSS

ROSS     I’ll see it done.

DUNCAN

DUNCAN     What he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won.

       Exeunt

Act 1 Scene 31.3

running scene 3

       Thunder. Enter the three Witches

FIRST WITCH

FIRST WITCH     Where hast thou been, sister?

SECOND WITCH

SECOND WITCH     Killing swine.

THIRD WITCH

THIRD WITCH     Sister, where thou?

FIRST WITCH

FIRST WITCH     A sailor’s wife had chestnuts in her lap,

5

5             And munched and munched and munched.

               ‘Give me’, quoth⁶ I.

               ‘Aroint thee,⁷ witch!’ the rump-fed runnion cries.

               Her husband’s to Aleppo⁸ gone, master o’th’Tiger:

               But in a sieve I’ll thither sail,

10

10           And like¹⁰ a rat without a tail,

               I’ll do,¹¹ I’ll do and I’ll do.

SECOND WITCH

SECOND WITCH     I’ll give thee a wind.

FIRST WITCH

FIRST WITCH     Thou’rt kind.

THIRD WITCH

THIRD WITCH     And I another.

15

15   

FIRST WITCH

FIRST WITCH           I myself have all the other,¹⁵

               And the very ports they blow,¹⁶

               All the quarters¹⁷ that they know

               I’th’shipman’s card.¹⁸

               I’ll drain¹⁹ him dry as hay:

20

20           Sleep shall neither night nor day

               Hang upon his penthouse lid:²¹

               He shall live a man forbid:²²

               Weary sennights²³ nine times nine

               Shall he dwindle, peak and pine.²⁴

25

25           Though his bark²⁵ cannot be lost,

               Yet it shall be tempest-tossed.²⁶

               Look what I have.

SECOND WITCH

SECOND WITCH     Show me, show me.

FIRST WITCH

FIRST WITCH     Here I have a pilot’s²⁹ thumb,

30

30           Wrecked as homeward he did come.

       Drum within

THIRD WITCH

THIRD WITCH     A drum, a drum:

               Macbeth doth come.

ALL

ALL     The weyard³³ sisters, hand in hand,

       They dance in a circle

               Posters³⁴ of the sea and land,

35

35           Thus³⁵ do go about, about,

               Thrice to thine and thrice to mine

               And thrice again, to make up nine.

               Peace,³⁸ the charm’s wound up.

       Enter Macbeth and Banquo

MACBETH

MACBETH     So foul and fair³⁹ a day I have not seen.

40

40   

BANQUO

BANQUO           How far is’t called⁴⁰ to Forres?— What are these,

               So withered and so wild in their attire,

               That look not like th’inhabitants o’th’earth

               And yet are on’t?⁴³— Live you, or are you aught To Witches

               That man may question? You seem to understand me

45

45           By each at once her choppy⁴⁵ finger laying

               Upon her skinny lips. You should be⁴⁶ women,

               And yet your beards forbid me to interpret

               That you are so.

MACBETH

MACBETH     Speak if you can: what are you?

50

50   

FIRST WITCH

FIRST WITCH           All hail, Macbeth: hail to thee, Thane of Glamis!

SECOND WITCH

SECOND WITCH     All hail, Macbeth: hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor!

THIRD WITCH

THIRD WITCH     All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!

BANQUO

BANQUO     Good sir, why do you start⁵³ and seem to fear

               Things that do sound so fair?— I’th’name of truth, To Witches

55

55           Are ye fantastical⁵⁵ or that indeed

               Which outwardly ye show?⁵⁶ My noble partner

               You greet with present grace⁵⁷ and great prediction

               Of noble having⁵⁸ and of royal hope,

               That he seems rapt withal:⁵⁹ to me you speak not.

60

60           If you can look into the seeds of time

               And say which grain will grow and which will not,

               Speak then to me, who neither⁶² beg nor fear

               Your favours nor your hate.

FIRST WITCH

FIRST WITCH     Hail!

65

65   

SECOND WITCH

SECOND WITCH           Hail!

THIRD WITCH

THIRD WITCH     Hail!

FIRST WITCH

FIRST WITCH     Lesser than Macbeth, and greater.

SECOND WITCH

SECOND WITCH     Not so happy,⁶⁸ yet much happier.

THIRD WITCH

THIRD WITCH     Thou shalt get⁶⁹ kings, though thou be none:

70

70           So all hail, Macbeth and Banquo!

FIRST WITCH

FIRST WITCH     Banquo and Macbeth, all hail!

MACBETH

MACBETH     Stay, you imperfect⁷² speakers: tell me more.

               By Sinel’s⁷³ death I know I am Thane of Glamis,

               But how of Cawdor? The Thane of Cawdor lives,

75

75           A prosperous gentleman: and to be king

               Stands not within the prospect⁷⁶ of belief,

               No more than to be Cawdor. Say from whence⁷⁷

               You owe this strange intelligence or why

               Upon this blasted⁷⁹ heath you stop our way

80

80           With such prophetic greeting? Speak, I charge⁸⁰ you.

       Witches vanish

BANQUO

BANQUO     The earth hath bubbles, as the water has,

               And these are of them. Whither are they vanished?

MACBETH

MACBETH     Into the air: and what seemed corporal⁸³

               Melted as breath into the wind. Would⁸⁴ they had stayed.

85

85   

BANQUO

BANQUO           Were such things here as we do speak about?

               Or have we eaten on⁸⁶ the insane root

               That takes the reason prisoner?

MACBETH

MACBETH     Your children shall be kings.

BANQUO

BANQUO     You shall be king.

90

90   

MACBETH

MACBETH           And Thane of Cawdor too: went it not so?

BANQUO

BANQUO     To th’selfsame⁹¹ tune and words. Who’s here?

       Enter Ross and Angus

ROSS

ROSS     The king hath happily received, Macbeth,

               The news of thy success, and when he reads⁹³

               Thy personal venture⁹⁴ in the rebels’ fight,

95

95           His⁹⁵ wonders and his praises do contend

               Which should be thine or his: silenced with that,

               In viewing o’er the rest o’th’selfsame day,

               He finds thee in the stout⁹⁸ Norwegian ranks,

               Nothing afeard⁹⁹ of what thyself didst make,

100

100         Strange images of death. As¹⁰⁰ thick as tale

               Can post with post, and every one did bear

               Thy praises in his kingdom’s great defence,

               And poured them down before him.

ANGUS

ANGUS     We are sent

105

105         To give thee from our royal master thanks,

               Only¹⁰⁶ to herald thee into his sight,

               Not pay thee.

ROSS

ROSS     And for an earnest¹⁰⁸ of a greater honour,

               He bade me, from him, call thee Thane of Cawdor:

110

110         In which addition,¹¹⁰ hail, most worthy thane,

               For it is thine.

BANQUO

BANQUO     What, can the devil speak true?

MACBETH

MACBETH     The Thane of Cawdor lives:

               Why do you dress me in borrowed robes?

115

115 

ANGUS

ANGUS             Who¹¹⁵ was the thane lives yet,

               But under heavy judgement¹¹⁶ bears that life

               Which he deserves to lose.

               Whether he was combined¹¹⁸ with those of Norway,

               Or did line¹¹⁹ the rebel with hidden help

120

120         And vantage, or that with both he laboured

               In his country’s wreck, I know not:

               But treasons capital,¹²² confessed and proved,

               Have overthrown him.

MACBETH

MACBETH     Glamis and Thane of Cawdor: Aside

125

125         The greatest is behind.¹²⁵— Thanks for your pains.— To Ross and Angus

               Do you not hope your children shall be kings Aside to Banquo

               When those that gave the Thane of Cawdor to me

               Promised no less to them?

BANQUO

BANQUO     That, trusted home,¹²⁹ Aside to Macbeth

130

130         Might yet enkindle¹³⁰ you unto the crown,

               Besides the Thane of Cawdor. But ’tis strange:

               And oftentimes, to win us to our harm,

               The instruments of darkness¹³³ tell us truths,

               Win us with honest trifles,¹³⁴ to betray’s

135

135         In deepest consequence.¹³⁵—

               Cousins, a word, I pray you. To Ross and Angus; they converse apart

MACBETH

MACBETH     Two truths are told, Aside

               As happy¹³⁸ prologues to the swelling act

               Of the imperial theme.¹³⁹—

               I thank you, gentlemen.— To Ross and Angus

140

140         This supernatural soliciting¹⁴⁰ Aside

               Cannot be ill, cannot be good: if ill,

               Why hath it given me earnest¹⁴² of success

               Commencing in a truth? I am Thane of Cawdor.

               If good, why do I yield to that suggestion¹⁴⁴

145

145         Whose horrid¹⁴⁵ image doth unfix my hair

               And make my seated¹⁴⁶ heart knock at my ribs

               Against the use¹⁴⁷ of nature? Present fears

               Are less¹⁴⁸ than horrible imaginings:

               My thought, whose murder¹⁴⁹ yet is but fantastical,

150

150         Shakes so my single state¹⁵⁰ of man

               That function¹⁵¹ is smothered in surmise,

               And nothing¹⁵² is, but what is not.

BANQUO

BANQUO     Look how our partner’s rapt.

MACBETH

MACBETH     If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me Aside

155

155         Without my stir.¹⁵⁵

BANQUO

BANQUO     New honours come upon him,

               Like our strange¹⁵⁷ garments, cleave not to their mould

               But with the aid of use.

MACBETH

MACBETH     Come what come may, Aside

160

160         Time¹⁶⁰ and the hour runs through the roughest day.

BANQUO

BANQUO      Worthy Macbeth, we stay¹⁶¹ upon your leisure.

MACBETH

MACBETH     Give me your favour:¹⁶²

               My dull brain was wrought¹⁶³ with things forgotten.

               Kind gentlemen, your pains are registered¹⁶⁴

165

165         Where¹⁶⁵ every day I turn the leaf to read them.

               Let us toward the king.—

               Think upon what hath chanced,¹⁶⁷ and at more time, Aside to Banquo

               The¹⁶⁸ interim having weighed it, let us speak

               Our free¹⁶⁹ hearts each to other.

170

170 

BANQUO

BANQUO             Very gladly.

MACBETH

MACBETH     Till then, enough.— Come, friends.

       Exeunt

Act 1 Scene 41.4

running scene 4

       Flourish. Enter King [Duncan], Lennox, Malcolm, Donalbain and Attendants

DUNCAN

DUNCAN     Is execution done on Cawdor, or not¹

               Those in commission² yet returned?

MALCOLM

MALCOLM     My liege,³

               They are not yet come back. But I have spoke

5

5             With one that saw him die, who did report

               That very frankly he confessed his treasons,

               Implored your highness’ pardon and set forth

               A deep repentance: nothing in his life

               Became⁹ him like the leaving it. He died

10

10           As one that had been studied¹⁰ in his death

               To throw away the dearest thing he owed¹¹

               As ’twere a careless¹² trifle.

DUNCAN

DUNCAN     There’s no art¹³

               To find the mind’s construction¹⁴ in the face:

15

15           He was a gentleman on whom I built

               An absolute trust.—

       Enter Macbeth, Banquo, Ross and Angus

               O worthiest cousin,

               The sin of my ingratitude even now

               Was heavy on me. Thou art so far before¹⁸

               That swiftest wing of recompense is slow

20

20           To overtake thee. Would²⁰ thou hadst less deserved,

               That the proportion both of thanks and payment

               Might have been mine. Only I have left to say,

               More is thy due than more than all²³ can pay.

MACBETH

MACBETH     The service and the loyalty I owe,

25

25           In²⁵ doing it, pays itself. Your highness’ part

               Is to receive our duties, and our duties

               Are to your throne and state, children and servants;

               Which do but what they should by doing everything

               Safe toward²⁹ your love and honour.

30

30   

DUNCAN

30 DUNCAN           Welcome hither:

               I have begun to plant thee and will labour

               To make thee full of growing.— Noble Banquo,

               That hast no less deserved, nor³³ must be known

               No less to have done so, let me enfold³⁴ thee Embraces him

35

35           And hold thee to my heart.

BANQUO

BANQUO     There if I grow, the harvest is your own.

DUNCAN

DUNCAN     My plenteous joys,

               Wanton³⁸ in fullness, seek to hide themselves

               In drops of sorrow.³⁹— Sons, kinsmen, thanes,

40

40           And you whose places are the nearest,⁴⁰ know

               We will establish our estate⁴¹ upon

               Our eldest, Malcolm, whom we name hereafter

               The Prince of Cumberland,⁴³ which honour must

               Not unaccompanied invest him only,

45

45           But signs of nobleness, like stars, shall shine

               On all deservers.— From hence to Inverness,⁴⁶ To Macbeth

               And bind⁴⁷ us further to you.

MACBETH

MACBETH     The⁴⁸ rest is labour which is not used for you:

               I’ll be myself the harbinger⁴⁹ and make joyful

50

50           The hearing of my wife with your approach:

               So humbly take my leave.

DUNCAN

DUNCAN     My worthy Cawdor.

MACBETH

MACBETH     The Prince of Cumberland: that is a step Aside

               On which I must fall down or else o’erleap,

55

55           For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires:

               Let not light see my black and deep desires.

               The eye wink⁵⁷ at the hand; yet let that be

               Which the eye fears when it is done to see.

       Exit

DUNCAN

DUNCAN     True, worthy Banquo, he⁵⁹ is full so valiant,

60

60           And in his commendations⁶⁰ I am fed:

               It is a banquet to me. Let’s after him,

               Whose care⁶² is gone before to bid us welcome:

               It is a peerless⁶³ kinsman.

       Flourish. Exeunt.

Act 1 Scene 51.5

running scene 5

       Enter Macbeth’s Wife, alone with a letter

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH      Reads ‘They met me in the day of success: and I have learned by the perfect’st report,² they have more in them than mortal knowledge. When I burned in desire to question them further, they made themselves air into which they vanished. Whiles I stood rapt in the wonder of it, came missives⁴ from the king, who all-hailed me “Thane of Cawdor”, by which title before, these weyard sisters saluted me, and referred me to the coming on of time with “Hail, king that shalt be!” This have I thought good to deliver thee⁷ — my dearest partner of greatness — that thou mightst not lose the dues of rejoicing by being ignorant of what greatness is promised thee. Lay⁹ it to thy heart, and farewell.’

10

               Glamis thou art, and Cawdor, and shalt be

               What thou art promised: yet do I fear thy nature:

               It is too full o’th’milk¹² of human kindness

               To catch¹³ the nearest way. Thou wouldst be great,

               Art not without ambition, but without

15

15           The illness¹⁵ should attend it. What thou wouldst highly,

               That wouldst thou holily:¹⁶ wouldst not play false,

               And yet wouldst wrongly win. Thou’dst have,¹⁷ great Glamis,

               That which cries ‘Thus thou must do’ if thou have¹⁸ it,

               And¹⁹ that which rather thou dost fear to do

20

20           Than wishest should be undone. Hie²⁰ thee hither,

               That I may pour my spirits in thine ear

               And chastise²² with the valour of my tongue

               All that impedes²³ thee from the golden round,

               Which fate and metaphysical²⁴ aid doth seem

25

25           To have thee crowned withal.²⁵—

       Enter Messenger

               What is your tidings?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     The king comes here tonight.

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH     Thou’rt mad to say it.

               Is not thy master with him? Who, were’t so,

               Would have informed for preparation?²⁹

30

30   

MESSENGER

MESSENGER           So please you, it is true: our thane is coming.

               One of my fellows had³¹ the speed of him,

               Who, almost dead for breath, had scarcely more

               Than would make up his message.

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH     Give him tending:³⁴

35

35           He brings great news.

       Exit Messenger

               The raven³⁶ himself is hoarse

               That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan

               Under my battlements. Come, you spirits

               That tend on³⁹ mortal thoughts, unsex me here

40

40           And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full

               Of direst cruelty. Make thick my blood,

               Stop up th’access and passage to remorse,⁴²

               That no compunctious⁴³ visitings of nature

               Shake my fell⁴⁴ purpose, nor keep peace between

45

45           Th’effect and it.⁴⁵ Come to my woman’s breasts

               And take⁴⁶ my milk for gall, you murd’ring ministers,

               Wherever in your sightless⁴⁷ substances

               You wait on⁴⁸ nature’s mischief. Come, thick night,

               And pall⁴⁹ thee in the dunnest smoke of hell,

50

50           That my keen⁵⁰ knife see not the wound it makes,

               Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark,

               To cry ‘Hold,⁵² hold!’—

       Enter Macbeth

               Great Glamis, worthy Cawdor,

               Greater than both by the all-hail hereafter!⁵³

               Thy letters have transported me beyond

55

55           This ignorant⁵⁵ present, and I feel now

               The future in the instant.⁵⁶

MACBETH

MACBETH     My dearest love,

               Duncan comes here tonight.

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH     And when goes hence?

60

60   

MACBETH

MACBETH           Tomorrow, as he purposes.⁶⁰

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH     O, never

               Shall sun that morrow see!

               Your face, my thane, is as a book where men

               May read strange⁶⁴ matters. To beguile the time,

65

65           Look⁶⁵ like the time: bear welcome in your eye,

               Your hand, your tongue: look like th’innocent flower,

               But be the serpent under’t. He that’s coming

               Must be provided for,⁶⁸ and you shall put

               This night’s great business into my dispatch,⁶⁹

70

70           Which shall to all our nights and days to come

               Give solely⁷¹ sovereign sway and masterdom.

MACBETH

MACBETH     We will speak further.

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH     Only look up clear:⁷³

               To alter favour⁷⁴ ever is to fear.

75

75           Leave all the rest to me.

       Exeunt

Act 1 Scene 61.6

running scene 6

       Hautboys and Torches. Enter King [Duncan], Malcolm, Donalbain, Banquo, Lennox, Macduff, Ross, Angus and Attendants

DUNCAN

DUNCAN     This castle hath a pleasant seat:¹ the air

               Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself

               Unto our gentle³ senses.

BANQUO

BANQUO     This guest of summer,

5

5             The temple-haunting⁵ martlet, does approve

               By his loved mansionry⁶ that the heaven’s breath

               Smells wooingly⁷ here: no jutty, frieze,

               Buttress,⁸ nor coign of vantage, but this bird

               Hath made his pendent⁹ bed and procreant cradle:

10

10           Where they most breed and haunt, I have observed

               The air is delicate.¹¹

       Enter Lady [Macbeth]

DUNCAN

DUNCAN     See, see, our honoured hostess.—

               The¹³ love that follows us sometime is our trouble,

               Which still we thank as love. Herein¹⁴ I teach you

15

15           How you shall bid God yield us for your pains,

               And thank us for your trouble.

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH     All our service

               In every point¹⁸ twice done, and then done double

               Were poor and single¹⁹ business to contend

20

20           Against those honours deep and broad wherewith

               Your majesty loads our house: for those of old,²¹

               And the late²² dignities heaped up to them,

               We rest your hermits.²³

DUNCAN

DUNCAN     Where’s the Thane of Cawdor?

25

25           We coursed²⁵ him at the heels, and had a purpose

               To be his purveyor:²⁶ but he rides well,

               And his great love, sharp as his spur, hath holp²⁷ him

               To his home before us. Fair and noble hostess,

               We are your guest tonight.

30

30   

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH           Your servants ever

               Have theirs,³¹ themselves and what is theirs, in compt

               To make their audit³² at your highness’ pleasure,

               Still³³ to return your own.

DUNCAN

DUNCAN     Give me your hand,

35

35           Conduct me to mine host: we love him highly,

               And shall continue our graces³⁶ towards him.

               By your leave,³⁷ hostess.

       Exeunt

Act 1 Scene 71.7

running scene 7

       Hautboys. Torches. Enter a Sewer and divers Servants with dishes and service over the stage. Then enter Macbeth

MACBETH

MACBETH     If¹ it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well

               It were done quickly: if th’assassination

               Could trammel up³ the consequence and catch

               With his surcease⁴ success: that but this blow

5

5             Might be the be-all and the end-all — here,

               But here, upon this bank and shoal⁶ of time,

               We’d jump⁷ the life to come. But in these cases

               We still⁸ have judgement here, that we but teach

               Bloody instructions,⁹ which, being taught, return

10

10           To plague th’inventor:¹⁰ this even-handed justice

               Commends¹¹ th’ingredients of our poisoned chalice

               To our own lips. He’s here in double trust:

               First, as I am his kinsman and his subject,

               Strong both¹⁴ against the deed: then, as his host,

15

15           Who should against his murderer shut the door,

               Not bear the knife myself. Besides, this Duncan

               Hath borne his faculties¹⁷ so meek, hath been

               So clear¹⁸ in his great office, that his virtues

               Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against

20

20           The deep damnation of his taking-off:²⁰

               And pity, like a naked new-born babe,

               Striding²² the blast, or heaven’s cherubin, horsed

               Upon the sightless couriers²³ of the air,

               Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye,

25

25           That²⁵ tears shall drown the wind. I have no spur

               To prick the sides of my intent, but only

               Vaulting²⁷ ambition, which o’erleaps itself

               And falls on th’other.—

       Enter Lady [Macbeth]

How now? What news?

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH     He has almost supped. Why have you left the chamber?

30

30   

MACBETH

MACBETH           Hath he asked for me?

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH     Know you not he has?

MACBETH

MACBETH     We will proceed no further in this business:

               He hath honoured me of late, and I have bought³³

               Golden opinions from all sorts of people,

35

35           Which would³⁵ be worn now in their newest gloss,

               Not cast aside so soon.

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH     Was the hope drunk

               Wherein you dressed yourself? Hath it slept since?

               And wakes it now, to look so green and pale

40

40           At what it did so freely? From this time

               Such⁴¹ I account thy love. Art thou afeard

               To be the same in thine own act and valour

               As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that

               Which thou esteem’st⁴⁴ the ornament of life,

45

45           And live a coward in thine own esteem,

               Letting ‘I dare not’ wait upon⁴⁶ ‘I would’,

               Like the poor cat i’th’adage?⁴⁷

MACBETH

MACBETH     Prithee, peace.

               I dare do⁴⁹ all that may become a man:

50

50           Who dares do more is none.⁵⁰

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH     What beast was’t, then,

               That made you break⁵² this enterprise to me?

               When you durst⁵³ do it, then you were a man:

               And to be more than what you were, you would

55

55           Be so much more the man. Nor time nor place

               Did then adhere,⁵⁶ and yet you would make both:

               They have made themselves, and that their fitness⁵⁷ now

               Does unmake⁵⁸ you. I have given suck, and know

               How tender ’tis to love the babe that milks me:

60

60           I would, while it was smiling in my face,

               Have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums,

               And dashed the brains out, had I so sworn as you

               Have done to this.

MACBETH

MACBETH     If we should fail?

65

65   

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH           We fail?

               But⁶⁶ screw your courage to the sticking-place

               And we’ll not fail. When Duncan is asleep —

               Whereto the rather⁶⁸ shall his day’s hard journey

               Soundly invite him — his two chamberlains⁶⁹

70

70           Will I with wine and wassail⁷⁰ so convince,

               That memory, the warder⁷¹ of the brain,

               Shall be a fume,⁷² and the receipt of reason

               A limbeck⁷³ only: when in swinish sleep

               Their drenchèd natures lies as in a death,

75

75           What cannot you and I perform upon

               Th’unguarded Duncan? What not put upon⁷⁶

               His spongy⁷⁷ officers, who shall bear the guilt

               Of our great quell?⁷⁸

MACBETH

MACBETH     Bring forth men-children only,

80

80           For thy undaunted mettle⁸⁰ should compose

               Nothing but males. Will it not be received,⁸¹

               When we have marked with blood those sleepy two

               Of his own chamber and used their very daggers,

               That they have done’t?

85

85   

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH           Who dares receive it other,⁸⁵

               As⁸⁶ we shall make our griefs and clamour roar

               Upon his death?

MACBETH

MACBETH     I am settled,⁸⁸ and bend up

               Each corporal agent⁸⁹ to this terrible feat.

90

90           Away, and mock⁹⁰ the time with fairest show:

               False⁹¹ face must hide what the false heart doth know.

       Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 12.1

running scene 8

       Enter Banquo and Fleance, with a Torch [bearer] before him

BANQUO

BANQUO      How¹ goes the night, boy?

FLEANCE

FLEANCE     The moon is down: I have not heard the clock.

BANQUO

BANQUO     And she goes down at twelve.

FLEANCE

FLEANCE     I take’t ’tis later, sir.

5

5     

BANQUO

BANQUO         Hold, take my sword. There’s husbandry⁵ in heaven: Gives his sword

               Their⁶ candles are all out. Take thee that too. Gives cloak? Diamond?

               A heavy summons⁷ lies like lead upon me,

               And yet I would not sleep. Merciful powers,

               Restrain in me the cursèd thoughts that nature

10

10           Gives way to in repose.

       Enter Macbeth and a Servant with a torch

               Give me my sword.— Who’s there? Takes sword

MACBETH

MACBETH     A friend.

BANQUO

BANQUO     What, sir, not yet at rest? The king’s abed:

               He hath been in unusual pleasure,

15

15           And sent forth great largess¹⁵ to your offices.

               This diamond he greets your wife withal, Presents a diamond

               By the name of most kind hostess, and shut up¹⁷

               In measureless content.

MACBETH

MACBETH     Being¹⁹ unprepared,

20

20           Our will became the servant to defect,

               Which else should free have wrought.

BANQUO

BANQUO      All’s well.

               I dreamt last night of the three weyard sisters:

               To you they have showed some truth.

25

25   

MACBETH

MACBETH           I think not of them.

               Yet, when we can entreat an hour to serve,

               We would spend it in some words upon that business,

               If you would grant the time.

BANQUO

BANQUO      At your kind’st leisure.

30

30   

MACBETH

MACBETH           If you shall cleave³⁰ to my consent when ’tis,

               It shall make honour for you.

BANQUO

BANQUO      So³² I lose none

               In seeking to augment it, but still keep

               My bosom franchised³⁴ and allegiance clear,

35

35           I shall be counselled.³⁵

MACBETH

MACBETH     Good repose the while.³⁶

BANQUO

BANQUO      Thanks, sir: the like to you.

       Exeunt Banquo [with Fleance and Torchbearer]

MACBETH

MACBETH     Go bid thy mistress, when my drink is ready,

               She strike upon the bell. Get thee to bed.—

       Exit [Servant]

40

40           Is this a dagger which I see before me,

               The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee:

               I have thee not, and yet I see thee still.

               Art thou not, fatal vision, sensible⁴³

               To feeling as to sight? Or art thou but

45

45           A dagger of the mind, a false creation,

               Proceeding from the heat-oppressèd⁴⁶ brain?

               I see thee yet,⁴⁷ in form as palpable

               As this which now I draw. Draws his dagger

               Thou marshall’st⁴⁹ me the way that I was going,

50

50           And such an instrument I was to use.

               Mine eyes are made the fools o’th’other senses,

               Or else worth⁵² all the rest. I see thee still,

               And on thy blade and dudgeon⁵³ gouts of blood,

               Which was not so before. There’s no such thing:

55

55           It is the bloody business which informs⁵⁵

               Thus to mine eyes. Now o’er the one halfworld⁵⁶

               Nature seems dead, and wicked dreams abuse

               The curtained⁵⁸ sleep: witchcraft celebrates

               Pale Hecate’s off’rings:⁵⁹ and withered murder,

60

60           Alarumed⁶⁰ by his sentinel the wolf,

               Whose howl’s his watch,⁶¹ thus with his stealthy pace,

               With Tarquin’s⁶² ravishing strides, towards his design

               Moves like a ghost.— Thou sure⁶³ and firm-set earth,

               Hear not my steps which way they walk, for fear

65

65           Thy very stones prate⁶⁵ of my whereabout

               And take⁶⁶ the present horror from the time

               Which now suits with it.— Whiles I threat,⁶⁷ he lives:

               Words to the heat of deeds too cold breath gives.

       A bell rings

               I go, and it is done: the bell invites me.

70

70           Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a knell⁷⁰

               That summons thee to heaven or to hell.

       Exit

Act 2 Scene 22.2

running scene 8 continues

       Enter Lady [Macbeth]

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH     That which hath made them¹ drunk hath made me bold:

               What hath quenched² them hath given me fire.— Hark! Peace!—

               It was the owl³ that shrieked, the fatal bellman

               Which gives the stern’st⁴ goodnight. He is about it.

5

5             The doors are open, and the surfeited⁵ grooms

               Do mock⁶ their charge with snores: I have drugged their possets,

               That⁷ death and nature do contend about them

               Whether they live or die.

       Enter Macbeth Initially within or above or unseen by his wife; with bloody daggers

MACBETH

MACBETH     Who’s there? What ho?

10

10   

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH           Alack, I am afraid they have awaked,

               And ’tis not done: th’attempt and not the deed

               Confounds¹² us. Hark! I laid their daggers ready:

               He could not miss ’em. Had he¹³ not resembled

               My father as he slept, I had done’t.— Sees Macbeth

               My husband?

15

15   

MACBETH

MACBETH           I have done the deed. Didst thou not hear a noise?

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH     I heard the owl scream and the crickets cry.

               Did not you speak?

MACBETH

MACBETH     When?

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH      Now.

20

20   

MACBETH

MACBETH           As I descended?

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH      Ay.

MACBETH

MACBETH     Hark!

               Who lies i’th’second chamber?

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH     Donalbain.

25

25   

MACBETH

MACBETH            This is a sorry sight. Looks at his hands

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH     A foolish thought, to say ‘a sorry sight’.

MACBETH

MACBETH     There’s one²⁷ did laugh in’s sleep, and one cried ‘Murder!’

               That they did wake each other: I stood and heard them.

               But they did say their prayers, and addressed them²⁹

30

30           Again to sleep.

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH     There are two lodged together.

MACBETH

MACBETH     One cried ‘God bless us’ and ‘Amen’ the other,

               As³³ they had seen me with these hangman’s hands.

               List’ning their fear, I could not say ‘Amen’,

35

35           When they did say ‘God bless us.’

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH     Consider it not so deeply.

MACBETH

MACBETH     But wherefore³⁷ could not I pronounce ‘Amen’?

               I had most need of blessing, and ‘Amen’

               Stuck in my throat.

40

40   

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH           These deeds must not be thought⁴⁰

               After these ways: so,⁴¹ it will make us mad.

MACBETH

MACBETH     Methought I heard a voice cry ‘Sleep no more,

               Macbeth does murder sleep: the innocent sleep,

               Sleep that knits up the ravelled⁴⁴ sleeve of care,

45

45           The death of each day’s life, sore labour’s bath,⁴⁵

               Balm⁴⁶ of hurt minds, great nature’s second course,

               Chief nourisher in life’s feast’—

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH     What do you mean?

MACBETH

MACBETH     Still it cried ‘Sleep no more’ to all the house:

50

50           ‘Glamis hath murdered sleep, and therefore Cawdor

               Shall sleep no more, Macbeth shall sleep no more.’

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH     Who was it that thus cried? Why, worthy thane,

               You do unbend⁵³ your noble strength to think

               So brainsickly of things. Go get some water

55

55           And wash this filthy witness⁵⁵ from your hand.

               Why did you bring these daggers from the place?

               They must lie⁵⁷ there: go carry them and smear

               The sleepy grooms with blood.

MACBETH

MACBETH     I’ll go no more.

60

60           I am afraid to think what I have done:

               Look on’t again I dare not.

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH     Infirm of purpose!

               Give me the daggers. The sleeping and the dead Takes the daggers

               Are but as pictures: ’tis the eye of childhood

65

65           That fears a painted⁶⁵ devil. If he do bleed,

               I’ll gild⁶⁶ the faces of the grooms withal,

               For it must seem their guilt.

       Exit

       Knock within

MACBETH

MACBETH     Whence⁶⁸ is that knocking?

               How is’t with me, when every noise appals me?⁶⁹

70

70           What hands are here? Ha? They pluck out mine eyes.

               Will all great Neptune’s⁷¹ ocean wash this blood

               Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather

               The multitudinous⁷³ seas incarnadine,

               Making the green one red.⁷⁴

       Enter Lady [Macbeth]

75

75   

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH           My hands are of your colour, but I shame⁷⁵

               To wear a heart so white.⁷⁶— I hear a knocking

       Knock

               At the south entry:⁷⁷ retire we to our chamber.

               A little water clears⁷⁸ us of this deed:

               How easy is it, then! Your constancy⁷⁹

80

80           Hath left you unattended.— Hark! More knocking.

       Knock

               Get on your nightgown,⁸¹ lest occasion call us

               And show us to be watchers.⁸² Be not lost

               So poorly⁸³ in your thoughts.

MACBETH

MACBETH     To⁸⁴ know my deed, ’twere best not know myself.

       Knock

85

85           Wake Duncan with thy knocking! I would thou couldst!

       Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 3

running scene 8 continues

       Knocking within. Enter a Porter

PORTER

PORTER     Here’s a knocking indeed! If a man were porter of hell gate, he should have old² turning the key.

       Knock

               Knock, knock, knock! Who’s there, i’th’name of Beelzebub?³ Here’s a farmer that hanged himself on th’expectation of plenty:⁴ come in time, have napkins enough about you: here you’ll sweat for’t.

        Knock

               Knock, knock! Who’s there, in th’other devil’s⁶ name? Faith, here’s an equivocator that could swear in both the scales⁷ against either scale, who committed treason enough for God’s sake,⁸ yet could not equivocate to heaven: O, come in, equivocator.

       Knock

               Knock, knock, knock! Who’s there? Faith, here’s an English tailor come hither for stealing¹¹ out of a French hose: come in, tailor: here you may roast your goose.

       Knock

               Knock, knock, never at quiet! What are you? But this place is too cold for hell. I’ll devil-porter it no further: I had thought to have let in some of all professions that go the primrose¹⁴ way to th’everlasting bonfire.

       Knock

               Anon, anon! I pray you remember¹⁵ the porter. Opens the gate

       Enter Macduff and Lennox

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     Was it so late, friend, ere you went to bed, That you do lie so late?

PORTER

PORTER     Faith, sir, we were carousing¹⁸ till the second cock: and drink, sir, is a great provoker of three things.

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     What three things does drink especially provoke?

PORTER

PORTER     Marry,²¹ sir, nose-painting, sleep and urine. Lechery, sir, it provokes and unprovokes: it provokes the desire, but it takes away the performance. Therefore much drink may be said to be an equivocator with lechery: it makes him and it mars²⁴ him; it sets him on and it takes him off; it persuades him and disheartens him; makes him stand²⁵ to and not stand to: in conclusion, equivocates him in a sleep, and, giving²⁶ him the lie, leaves him.

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     I believe drink gave thee the lie last night.

PORTER

PORTER     That it did, sir, i’the²⁸ very throat on me: but I requited him for his lie, and, I think, being too strong for him, though he took²⁹ up my legs sometime, yet I made a shift to cast him.³⁰

       Enter Macbeth

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     Is thy master stirring? Our knocking has awaked him: here he comes. Porter may exit

LENNOX

LENNOX     Good morrow, noble sir.

MACBETH

MACBETH     Good morrow, both.

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     Is the king stirring, worthy thane?

MACBETH

MACBETH      Not yet.

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     He did command me to call timely³⁷ on him: I have almost slipped the hour.³⁸

MACBETH

MACBETH     I’ll bring you to him.

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     I know this is a joyful trouble to you, But yet ’tis one.⁴¹

MACBETH

MACBETH     The⁴² labour we delight in physics pain. This is the door.

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     I’ll make so bold to call, For ’tis my limited⁴⁵ service.

       Exit Macduff

LENNOX

LENNOX     Goes the king hence today?

MACBETH

MACBETH     He does: he did appoint⁴⁷ so.

LENNOX

LENNOX     The night has been unruly.⁴⁸ Where we lay,

               Our chimneys were blown down, and, as they say,

50

50           Lamentings⁵⁰ heard i’th’air, strange screams of death,

               And prophesying⁵¹ with accents terrible

               Of dire combustion⁵² and confused events

               New hatched to⁵³ th’woeful time: the obscure bird

               Clamoured the livelong⁵⁴ night. Some say the earth

55

55           Was feverous and did shake.

MACBETH

MACBETH     ’Twas a rough night.

LENNOX

LENNOX     My⁵⁷ young remembrance cannot parallel

               A fellow to it.

       Enter Macduff

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     O, horror, horror, horror!

60

60           Tongue nor heart cannot conceive⁶⁰ nor name thee!

MACBETH and LENNOX

MACBETH and LENNOX     What’s the matter?

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     Confusion⁶² now hath made his masterpiece.

               Most sacrilegious⁶³ murder hath broke ope

               The Lord’s anointed temple,⁶⁴ and stole thence

65

65           The life o’th’building.

MACBETH

MACBETH     What is’t you say? The life?

LENNOX

LENNOX     Mean you his majesty?

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     Approach the chamber and destroy your sight

               With a new Gorgon.⁶⁹ Do not bid me speak:

70

70           See, and then speak yourselves.—

       Exeunt Macbeth and Lennox

               Awake, awake!

               Ring the alarum bell. Murder and treason!

               Banquo and Donalbain! Malcolm, awake!

               Shake off this downy⁷⁴ sleep, death’s counterfeit,

75

75           And look on death itself! Up, up, and see

               The great doom’s image!⁷⁶ Malcolm, Banquo,

               As from your graves rise up and walk like sprites⁷⁷

               To countenance⁷⁸ this horror! Ring the bell.

       Bell rings. Enter Lady [Macbeth]

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH     What’s the business,

80

80           That such a hideous trumpet⁸⁰ calls to parley

               The sleepers of the house? Speak, speak!

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     O, gentle lady,

               ’Tis not for you to hear what I can speak:

               The repetition⁸⁴ in a woman’s ear

85

85           Would murder as it fell.—

       Enter Banquo

               O, Banquo, Banquo,

               Our royal master’s murdered!

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH     Woe, alas!

               What, in our house?

BANQUO

BANQUO     Too cruel anywhere.

90

90           Dear Duff, I prithee contradict thyself

               And say it is not so.

       Enter Macbeth, Lennox and Ross Perhaps with Attendants

MACBETH

MACBETH     Had I but died an hour before this chance,⁹²

               I had lived a blessèd time, for from this instant

               There’s nothing serious in mortality:⁹⁴

95

95           All is but toys:⁹⁵ renown and grace is dead.

               The wine of life is drawn,⁹⁶ and the mere lees

               Is left⁹⁷ this vault to brag of.

       Enter Malcolm and Donalbain

DONALBAIN

DONALBAIN      What is amiss?

MACBETH

MACBETH     You are, and do not know’t:

100

100         The spring, the head, the fountain of your blood

               Is stopped,¹⁰¹ the very source of it is stopped.

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     Your royal father’s murdered.

MALCOLM

MALCOLM     O, by whom?

LENNOX

LENNOX     Those of his chamber, as it seemed, had done’t:

105

105         Their hands and faces were all badged¹⁰⁵ with blood,

               So were their daggers, which unwiped we found

               Upon their pillows. They stared¹⁰⁷ and were distracted:

               No man’s life was to be trusted with them.

MACBETH

MACBETH     O, yet I do repent me of my fury,

110

110         That I did kill them.

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     Wherefore did you so?

MACBETH

MACBETH     Who can be wise, amazed,¹¹² temp’rate and furious,

               Loyal and neutral in a moment? No man.

               Th’expedition¹¹⁴ of my violent love

115

115         Outrun the pauser,¹¹⁵ reason. Here lay Duncan,

               His silver skin laced with his golden blood,

               And his gashed stabs looked like a breach¹¹⁷ in nature

               For ruin’s wasteful¹¹⁸ entrance: there the murderers,

               Steeped¹¹⁹ in the colours of their trade, their daggers

120

120         Unmannerly¹²⁰ breeched with gore. Who could refrain

               That had a heart to love, and in that heart

               Courage to make’s¹²² love known?

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH      Help me hence, ho! Faints or feigns to do so

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     Look to the lady.

125

125 

MALCOLM

MALCOLM             Why¹²⁵ do we hold our tongues, Aside to Donalbain

               That most may claim this argument for ours?

DONALBAIN

DONALBAIN     What should be spoken here, where our fate, Aside to Malcolm

               Hid in an auger hole,¹²⁸ may rush and seize us?

               Let’s away: our tears are not yet brewed.¹²⁹

130

130 

MALCOLM

MALCOLM              Nor our strong sorrow Aside to Donalbain

               Upon¹³¹ the foot of motion.

BANQUO

BANQUO      Look to the lady.— Lady Macbeth may be helped off

               And when we have our¹³³ naked frailties hid,

               That suffer in exposure, let us meet

135

135         And question¹³⁵ this most bloody piece of work

               To know it further. Fears and scruples¹³⁶ shake us:

               In the great hand of God I stand, and thence¹³⁷

               Against¹³⁸ the undivulged pretence I fight

               Of treasonous malice.

140

140 

MACDUFF

MACDUFF             And so do I.

ALL

ALL     So all.

MACBETH

MACBETH     Let’s briefly¹⁴² put on manly readiness

               And meet i’th’hall together.

ALL

ALL     Well contented.

       Exeunt [all but Malcolm and Donalbain]

145

145 

MALCOLM

MALCOLM             What will you do? Let’s not consort¹⁴⁵ with them:

               To show an unfelt sorrow is an office¹⁴⁶

               Which the false man does easy. I’ll to England.

DONALBAIN

DONALBAIN     To Ireland, I. Our separated fortune

               Shall keep us both the safer: where we are,

150

150         There’s daggers in men’s smiles; the¹⁵⁰ nea’er in blood,

               The nearer bloody.

MALCOLM

MALCOLM     This murderous shaft¹⁵² that’s shot

               Hath not yet lighted,¹⁵³ and our safest way

               Is to avoid the aim. Therefore to horse,

155

155         And let us not be dainty of leave-taking,¹⁵⁵

               But shift away:¹⁵⁶ there’s warrant in that theft

               Which steals¹⁵⁷ itself when there’s no mercy left.

       Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 42.4

running scene 9

       Enter Ross with an Old Man

OLD MAN

OLD MAN     Threescore and ten¹ I can remember well,

               Within the volume of which time I have seen

               Hours dreadful³ and things strange: but this sore night

               Hath trifled former knowings.⁴

5

5     

ROSS

ROSS         Ha, good father,⁵

               Thou see’st the heavens,⁶ as troubled with man’s act,

               Threatens his bloody stage: by th’clock ’tis day,

               And yet dark night strangles the travelling lamp.⁸

               Is’t night’s predominance⁹ or the day’s shame

10

10           That darkness does the face of earth entomb

               When living light should kiss it?

OLD MAN

OLD MAN     ’Tis unnatural,

               Even¹³ like the deed that’s done. On Tuesday last,

               A falcon, tow’ring¹⁴ in her pride of place,

15

15            Was by a mousing owl¹⁵ hawked at and killed.

ROSS

ROSS     And Duncan’s horses — a thing most strange and certain —

               Beauteous and swift, the minions¹⁷ of their race,

               Turned wild in nature, broke their stalls, flung out,

               Contending gainst obedience, as¹⁹ they would

20

20           Make war with mankind.

OLD MAN

OLD MAN     ’Tis said they ate each other.

ROSS

ROSS     They did so, to th’amazement of mine eyes

               That looked upon’t.

       Enter Macduff

               Here comes the good Macduff.—

               How goes the world, sir, now?

25

25   

MACDUFF

MACDUFF           Why, see you not?

ROSS

ROSS     Is’t known who did this more than bloody deed?

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     Those that Macbeth hath slain.

ROSS

ROSS     Alas, the day,

               What good could they pretend?²⁹

30

30   

MACDUFF

MACDUFF           They were suborned:³⁰

               Malcolm and Donalbain, the king’s two sons,

               Are stol’n away and fled, which puts upon them

               Suspicion of the deed.

ROSS

ROSS     Gainst nature still:

35

35           Thriftless³⁵ ambition, that will ravin up

               Thine own life’s means!³⁶ Then ’tis most like

               The sovereignty will fall upon Macbeth.

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     He is already named³⁸ and gone to Scone

               To be invested.³⁹

40

40   

ROSS

ROSS           Where is Duncan’s body?

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     Carried to Colmekill,⁴¹

               The sacred storehouse of his predecessors

               And guardian of their bones.

ROSS

ROSS     Will you to Scone?

45

45   

MACDUFF

MACDUFF           No, cousin, I’ll to Fife.

ROSS

ROSS     Well, I will thither.⁴⁶

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     Well, may you see things well done there. Adieu,

               Lest⁴⁸ our old robes sit easier than our new!

ROSS

ROSS     Farewell, father.

50

OLD MAN

OLD MAN      God’s benison⁵⁰ go with you, and with those

               That would make good of bad, and friends of foes!

       Exeunt

Act 3 Scene 13.1

running scene 10

       Enter Banquo

BANQUO

BANQUO     Thou hast it now: king, Cawdor, Glamis, all

               As the weyard women promised, and I fear

               Thou played’st most foully³ for’t. Yet it was said

               It⁴ should not stand in thy posterity,

5

5             But that myself should be the root and father

               Of many kings. If there come truth from them —

               As upon thee, Macbeth, their speeches shine⁷ —

               Why, by the verities⁸ on thee made good,

               May they not be my oracles as well,

10

10           And set me up in hope? But hush, no more.

       Sennet sounded. Enter Macbeth as King, Lady [Macbeth as Queen], Lennox, Ross, Lords and Attendants

MACBETH

MACBETH     Here’s our chief guest.

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH     If he had been forgotten,

               It had been as a gap in our great feast

               And all-thing unbecoming.¹⁴

15

15   

MACBETH

MACBETH           Tonight we hold a solemn¹⁵ supper, sir, To Banquo

               And I’ll request your presence.

BANQUO

BANQUO     Let your highness

               Command upon¹⁸ me, to the which my duties

               Are with a most indissoluble tie

20

20           Forever knit.²⁰

MACBETH

MACBETH     Ride you this afternoon?

BANQUO

BANQUO     Ay, my good lord.

MACBETH

MACBETH     We should have else²³ desired your good advice —

               Which still²⁴ hath been both grave and prosperous —

25

25           In this day’s council:²⁵ but we’ll take tomorrow.

               Is’t far you ride?

BANQUO

BANQUO     As far, my lord, as will fill up the time

               ’Twixt this²⁸ and supper: go not my horse the better,

               I must become a borrower of the night

30

30           For a dark hour or twain.³⁰

MACBETH

MACBETH     Fail not our feast.

BANQUO

BANQUO     My lord, I will not.

MACBETH

MACBETH     We hear our bloody cousins³³ are bestowed

               In England and in Ireland, not confessing

35

35           Their cruel parricide,³⁵ filling their hearers

               With strange invention:³⁶ but of that tomorrow,

               When therewithal³⁷ we shall have cause of state

               Craving us jointly. Hie you to horse. Adieu,

               Till you return at night. Goes Fleance with you?

40

40   

BANQUO

BANQUO     Ay, my good lord. Our time does call upon’s.

MACBETH

MACBETH     I wish your horses swift and sure of foot,

               And so I do commend⁴² you to their backs. Farewell.

       Exit Banquo

               Let every man be master of his time

               Till seven at night. To⁴⁴ make society

45

45           The sweeter welcome, we will keep ourself

               Till supper-time alone: while⁴⁶ then, God be with you!

       Exeunt Lords.

       [Macbeth and a Servant remain]

               Sirrah,⁴⁷ a word with you. Attend those men

               Our pleasure?

SERVANT

SERVANT     They are, my lord, without⁴⁹ the palace gate.

50

50   

MACBETH

MACBETH           Bring them before us.

       Exit Servant

               To be thus⁵¹ is nothing, but to be safely thus:

               Our fears in Banquo stick⁵² deep,

               And in his royalty of nature reigns that

               Which would be feared. ’Tis much he dares,

55

55           And to⁵⁵ that dauntless temper of his mind,

               He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour

               To act in safety. There is none but he

               Whose being⁵⁸ I do fear: and under him

               My genius⁵⁹ is rebuked, as it is said

60

60           Mark⁶⁰ Antony’s was by Caesar. He chid the sisters

               When first they put the name of king upon me,

               And bade them speak to him: then prophet-like

               They hailed him father to a line of kings:

               Upon my head they placed a fruitless⁶⁴ crown,

65

65           And put a barren⁶⁵ sceptre in my grip,

               Thence to be wrenched with an unlineal⁶⁶ hand,

               No son of mine succeeding. If’t be so,

               For Banquo’s issue⁶⁸ have I filed my mind:

               For them the gracious⁶⁹ Duncan have I murdered:

70

70           Put rancours⁷⁰ in the vessel of my peace

               Only for them, and mine eternal jewel⁷¹

               Given to the common⁷² enemy of man

               To make them kings: the seeds of Banquo kings.

               Rather than so, come fate into the list,⁷⁴

75

75           And champion me⁷⁵ to th’utterance!— Who’s there?

       Enter Servant and two Murderers

               Now go to the door, and stay there till we call.— To Servant

       Exit Servant

               Was it not yesterday we spoke together?

MURDERERS

MURDERERS     It was, so please your highness.

MACBETH

MACBETH     Well⁷⁹ then, now have you considered of my speeches? Know that it was he in the times past which held⁸⁰ you so under fortune, which you thought had been our innocent self: this I made good⁸¹ to you in our last conference, passed in probation with you how you were borne in hand,⁸² how crossed, the instruments, who wrought⁸³ with them, and all things else that might to half a soul and to a notion⁸⁴ crazed say ‘Thus did Banquo.’

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER     You made it known to us.

MACBETH

MACBETH     I did so, and went further, which is now our point of second meeting. Do you find your patience so predominant in your nature that you can let this go?

               Are you so gospelled⁸⁸ to pray for this good man and for his issue, whose heavy hand hath bowed you to the grave and beggared yours⁸⁹ for ever?

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER     We are men, my liege.

MACBETH

MACBETH     Ay, in the catalogue⁹¹ ye go for men,

               As hounds and greyhounds, mongrels, spaniels, curs,⁹²

               Shoughs,⁹³ water-rugs and demi-wolves are clept

               All by the name of dogs: the valued file⁹⁴

95

95           Distinguishes the swift, the slow, the subtle,⁹⁵

               The housekeeper,⁹⁶ the hunter, every one

               According to the gift which bounteous⁹⁷ nature

               Hath in him closed,⁹⁸ whereby he does receive

               Particular⁹⁹ addition from the bill

100

100         That writes them all alike: and so of men.

               Now, if you have a station¹⁰¹ in the file,

               Not i’th’worst rank¹⁰² of manhood, say’t,

               And I will put that business in your bosoms

               Whose execution¹⁰⁴ takes your enemy off,

105

105         Grapples¹⁰⁵ you to the heart and love of us,

               Who wear our health but sickly in his life,¹⁰⁶

               Which in his death were perfect.¹⁰⁷

SECOND MURDERER

SECOND MURDERER     I am one, my liege,

               Whom the vile blows and buffets¹⁰⁹ of the world

110

110         Hath so incensed that I am reckless what

               I do to spite the world.

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER     And I another,

               So weary with disasters, tugged with¹¹³ fortune,

               That I would set¹¹⁴ my life on any chance

115

115         To mend¹¹⁵ it or be rid on’t.

MACBETH

MACBETH     Both of you know Banquo was your enemy.

MURDERERS

MURDERERS     True, my lord.

MACBETH

MACBETH     So is he mine, and in such bloody distance¹¹⁸

               That every minute of his being thrusts¹¹⁹

120

120         Against my near’st of life:¹²⁰ and though I could

               With barefaced power sweep him from my sight

               And bid¹²² my will avouch it, yet I must not,

               For¹²³ certain friends that are both his and mine,

               Whose loves I may not drop, but wail¹²⁴ his fall

125

125         Who I myself struck down. And thence it is

               That I to¹²⁶ your assistance do make love,

               Masking the business from the common eye

               For sundry¹²⁸ weighty reasons.

SECOND MURDERER

SECOND MURDERER     We shall, my lord,

130

130         Perform what you command us.

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER     Though our lives¹³¹—

MACBETH

MACBETH     Your spirits shine through you. Within this hour at most

               I will advise¹³³ you where to plant yourselves,

               Acquaint you with the perfect spy o’th’time,¹³⁴

135

135         The moment on’t, for’t must be done tonight,

               And something¹³⁶ from the palace, always thought

               That I require a clearness. And with him —

               To leave no rubs nor botches¹³⁸ in the work —

               Fleance his son, that keeps him company,

140

140         Whose absence is no less material¹⁴⁰ to me

               Than is his father’s, must embrace the fate

               Of that dark hour. Resolve yourselves apart:¹⁴²

               I’ll come to you anon.

MURDERERS

MURDERERS     We are resolved, my lord.

145

145 

MACBETH

MACBETH             I’ll call upon you straight:¹⁴⁵ abide within.—

       [Murderers may exit]

               It is concluded. Banquo, thy soul’s flight,

               If it find heaven, must find it out tonight.

       Exeunt

Act 3 Scene 2

running scene 10 continues

       Enter Macbeth’s Lady and a Servant

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH     Is Banquo gone from court?

SERVANT

SERVANT     Ay, madam, but returns again tonight.

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH     Say to the king, I would attend his leisure

               For a few words.

5

5     

SERVANT

SERVANT         Madam, I will.

       Exit

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH     Naught’s had, all’s spent,⁶

               Where our desire is got without content:⁷

               ’Tis safer to be that which we destroy

               Than by destruction dwell in doubtful⁹ joy.

       Enter Macbeth

10

10           How now, my lord? Why do you keep alone,

               Of sorriest fancies¹¹ your companions making,

               Using¹² those thoughts which should indeed have died

               With them¹³ they think on? Things without all remedy

               Should be without regard:¹⁴ what’s done is done.

15

15   

MACBETH

MACBETH           We have scorched¹⁵ the snake, not killed it:

               She’ll close¹⁶ and be herself, whilst our poor malice

               Remains in danger of her former tooth.¹⁷

               But let¹⁸ the frame of things disjoint, both the worlds suffer,

               Ere we will eat our meal in fear and sleep

20

20           In the affliction of these terrible dreams

               That shake²¹ us nightly. Better be with the dead,

               Whom we, to²² gain our peace, have sent to peace,

               Than on²³ the torture of the mind to lie

                In restless ecstasy.²⁴ Duncan is in his grave:

25

25           After life’s fitful²⁵ fever he sleeps well.

               Treason has done his worst: nor²⁶ steel, nor poison,

               Malice domestic,²⁷ foreign levy, nothing

               Can touch him further.

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH     Come on,

30

30           Gentle my lord,³⁰ sleek o’er your rugged looks:

               Be bright and jovial among your guests tonight.

MACBETH

MACBETH     So shall I, love, and so I pray be you.

               Let your remembrance³³ apply to Banquo:

               Present him eminence,³⁴ both with eye and tongue:

35

35           Unsafe³⁵ the while, that we

               Must lave our honours in these flattering streams

               And make our faces vizards³⁷ to our hearts,

               Disguising what they are.

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH     You must leave this.

40

40   

MACBETH

MACBETH           O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife!

               Thou know’st that Banquo and his Fleance lives.

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH     But in them nature’s copy’s⁴² not eterne.

MACBETH

MACBETH     There’s comfort yet: they are assailable:

               Then be thou jocund.⁴⁴ Ere the bat hath flown

45

45           His cloistered⁴⁵ flight, ere to black Hecate’s summons

               The shard-born⁴⁶ beetle with his drowsy hums

               Hath rung night’s yawning⁴⁷ peal, there shall be done

               A deed of dreadful note.⁴⁸

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH     What’s to be done?

50

50   

MACBETH

MACBETH           Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck,⁵⁰

               Till thou applaud the deed.— Come, seeling⁵¹ night,

               Scarf up⁵² the tender eye of pitiful day,

               And with thy bloody and invisible hand

               Cancel and tear to pieces that great bond⁵⁴

55

55           Which keeps me pale.⁵⁵ Light thickens,

               And the crow makes wing⁵⁶ to the rooky wood:

               Good things of day begin to droop and drowse,

               Whiles night’s black agents to their preys do rouse.⁵⁸—

               Thou marvell’st at my words: but hold thee still.⁵⁹

60

60           Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill.

               So prithee go with me.

       Exeunt

Act 3 Scene 33.3

running scene 11

       Enter three Murderers

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER      But who did bid thee join with us? To Third Murderer

THIRD MURDERER

THIRD MURDERER     Macbeth.

SECOND MURDERER

SECOND MURDERER     He³ needs not our mistrust, since he delivers

               Our offices and what we have to do

5

5             To⁵ the direction just.

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER     Then stand with us.

               The west yet glimmers with some streaks of day.

               Now spurs the lated⁸ traveller apace

               To gain⁹ the timely inn, and near approaches

10

10           The subject of our watch.

THIRD MURDERER

THIRD MURDERER     Hark, I hear horses.

BANQUO

BANQUO     Give us a light there, ho!

       Within

SECOND MURDERER

SECOND MURDERER     Then ’tis he: the rest

               That are within¹⁴ the note of expectation

15

15           Already are i’th’court.

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER     His horses go about.¹⁶

THIRD MURDERER

THIRD MURDERER     Almost a mile: but he does usually,

               So all men do, from hence to th’palace gate

               Make it their walk.

       Enter Banquo and Fleance, with a torch

20

20   

SECOND MURDERER

SECOND MURDERER            A light, a light!

THIRD MURDERER

THIRD MURDERER      ’Tis he.

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER     Stand to’t.²²

BANQUO

BANQUO      It will be rain tonight.

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER      Let it come down.²⁴ He puts out the torch

25

25   

BANQUO

BANQUO           O, treachery! Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly! They attack Banquo

               Thou mayst revenge.— O slave! He dies. Fleance flees

THIRD MURDERER

THIRD MURDERER     Who did strike out the light?

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER     Was’t not the way?²⁸

THIRD MURDERER

THIRD MURDERER     There’s but one down: the son is fled.

30

30   

SECOND MURDERER

SECOND MURDERER           We have lost best half of our affair.

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER     Well, let’s away, and say how much is done.

       Exeunt

Act 3 Scene 43.4

running scene 12

       Banquet prepared. Enter Macbeth, Lady [Macbeth], Ross, Lennox, Lords and Attendants

MACBETH

MACBETH     You know your own degrees,¹ sit down: at first

               And last the hearty welcome. They sit

LORDS

LORDS     Thanks to your majesty.

MACBETH

MACBETH     Ourself will mingle with society⁴

5

5             And play the humble host:

               Our hostess keeps her state,⁶ but in best time

               We will require her welcome.⁷

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH     Pronounce it for me, sir, to all our friends,

               For my heart speaks they are welcome.

       Enter First Murderer [at the door]

10

10   

MACBETH

MACBETH           See, they encounter¹⁰ thee with their hearts’ thanks.

               Both¹¹ sides are even: here I’ll sit i’th’midst.

               Be large in mirth,¹² anon we’ll drink a measure

               The table round.— Moves to the door

               There’s blood upon thy face. To First Murderer

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER     ’Tis Banquo’s then.

15

15   

MACBETH

MACBETH           ’Tis better thee¹⁵ without than he within.

               Is he dispatched?¹⁶

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER     My lord, his throat is cut: that I did for him.

MACBETH

MACBETH     Thou art the best o’th’cut-throats.

               Yet he’s good that did the like for Fleance:

20

20           If thou didst it, thou art the nonpareil.²⁰

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER     Most royal sir, Fleance is scaped.²¹

MACBETH

MACBETH     Then comes my fit²² again. I had else been perfect,

               Whole as the marble, founded²³ as the rock,

               As broad and general²⁴ as the casing air:

25

25           But now I am cabined,²⁵ cribbed, confined, bound in

               To saucy²⁶ doubts and fears. But Banquo’s safe?

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER     Ay, my good lord: safe in a ditch he bides,²⁷

               With twenty trenchèd²⁸ gashes on his head,

               The least²⁹ a death to nature.

30

30   

MACBETH

MACBETH           Thanks for that.—

               There the grown serpent lies: the worm³¹ that’s fled

               Hath nature that in time will venom breed,

               No teeth for th’present.— Get thee gone: tomorrow

               We’ll hear ourselves³⁴ again.

       Exit Murderer

35

35   

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH           My royal lord,

               You do not give the cheer:³⁶ the feast is sold

               That is not often vouched, while ’tis a-making,

               ’Tis given with welcome. To³⁸ feed were best at home:

               From thence,³⁹ the sauce to meat is ceremony:

40

40           Meeting⁴⁰ were bare without it.

       Enter the Ghost of Banquo, and sits in Macbeth’s place

MACBETH

MACBETH     Sweet remembrancer.⁴¹

               Now, good digestion wait on appetite,

               And health on both!

LENNOX

LENNOX     May’t please your highness sit.

45

45   

MACBETH

MACBETH           Here had we⁴⁵ now our country’s honour roofed,

               Were the graced⁴⁶ person of our Banquo present,

               Who may I rather challenge⁴⁷ for unkindness

               Than pity for mischance.⁴⁸

ROSS

ROSS     His absence, sir,

50

50           Lays⁵⁰ blame upon his promise. Please’t your highness

               To grace us with your royal company?

MACBETH

MACBETH     The table’s full.

LENNOX

LENNOX     Here is a place reserved, sir.

MACBETH

MACBETH     Where?

55

55   

LENNOX

LENNOX           Here, my good lord. What is’t that moves⁵⁵ your highness?

MACBETH

MACBETH     Which of you have done this?

LORDS

LORDS     What, my good lord?

MACBETH

MACBETH     Thou canst not say I did it: never shake

               Thy gory locks⁵⁹ at me.

60

60   

ROSS

ROSS           Gentlemen, rise: his highness is not well. The Lords begin to rise

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH     Sit, worthy friends: my lord is often thus,

               And hath been from his youth. Pray you keep seat,

               The fit is momentary: upon a thought⁶³

               He will again be well. If much you note him,⁶⁴

65

65           You shall offend him and extend his passion:⁶⁵

               Feed, and regard⁶⁶ him not.—

               Are you a man? Lady Macbeth and Macbeth speak aside

MACBETH

MACBETH     Ay, and a bold one, that dare look on that

               Which might appal the devil.

70

70   

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH           O, proper stuff!⁷⁰

               This is the very painting⁷¹ of your fear:

               This is the air-drawn⁷² dagger which you said

               Led you to Duncan. O, these flaws⁷³ and starts —

               Impostors to⁷⁴ true fear — would well become

75

75           A woman’s story at a winter’s fire,

               Authorized⁷⁶ by her grandam. Shame itself!

               Why do you make such faces? When all’s done,

               You look but on a stool.

MACBETH

MACBETH     Prithee see there! Behold, look, lo!⁷⁹— How say you?

80

80           Why, what care I? If thou canst nod, speak too.

               If charnel houses⁸¹ and our graves must send

               Those that we bury back, our monuments⁸²

               Shall be the maws of kites.

       [Exit Ghosi]

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH     What, quite unmanned⁸⁴ in folly?

85

85   

MACBETH

MACBETH           If I stand here, I saw him.

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH     Fie,⁸⁶ for shame!

MACBETH

MACBETH     Blood hath been shed ere now, i’th’olden time,

               Ere⁸⁸ human statute purged the gentle weal:

               Ay, and since too, murders have been performed

90

90           Too terrible for the ear. The time has been

               That, when the brains were out, the man would die,

               And there an end: but now they rise again

                With twenty mortal murders⁹³ on their crowns,

               And push us from our stools:⁹⁴ this is more strange

95

95           Than such a murder is.

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH     My worthy lord,

               Your noble friends do lack⁹⁷ you.

MACBETH

MACBETH     I do forget.—

               Do not muse⁹⁹ at me, my most worthy friends, Aloud

100

100         I have a strange infirmity¹⁰⁰ which is nothing

               To those that know me. Come, love¹⁰¹ and health to all,

               Then I’ll sit down.— Give me some wine: fill full.— A servant fills his goblet

       Enter Ghost

               I drink to th’general joy o’th’whole table,

               And to our dear friend Banquo, whom we miss:

105

105         Would he were here! To all, and him, we thirst,¹⁰⁵

               And all to all.¹⁰⁶

LORDS

LORDS     Our duties¹⁰⁷ and the pledge. They drink

MACBETH

MACBETH     Avaunt,¹⁰⁸ and quit my sight! Let the earth hide thee! Sees the Ghost

               Thy bones are marrowless, thy blood is cold:

110

110         Thou hast no speculation¹¹⁰ in those eyes

               Which thou dost glare with.

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH     Think of this, good peers,

               But as a thing of custom: ’tis no other,

               Only it spoils the pleasure of the time.

115

115 

MACBETH

MACBETH             What man dare, I dare.

               Approach thou like the rugged¹¹⁶ Russian bear,

               The armed¹¹⁷ rhinoceros, or th’Hyrcan tiger:

               Take any shape but that,¹¹⁸ and my firm nerves

               Shall never tremble: or be alive again

120

120         And dare¹²⁰ me to the desert with thy sword.

               If trembling I inhabit¹²¹ then, protest me

               The¹²² baby of a girl. Hence, horrible shadow!

               Unreal mock’ry,¹²³ hence!— Why, so: being gone,

       [Exit Ghost]

               I am a man again.— Pray you sit still. To the Lords

125

125 

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH             You have displaced the mirth,¹²⁵ broke the good meeting

               With most admired¹²⁶ disorder.

MACBETH

MACBETH     Can such things be,

               And overcome¹²⁸ us like a summer’s cloud,

               Without our special¹²⁹ wonder? You make me strange

130

130         Even to the disposition that I owe,

               When now I think you can behold such sights

               And keep the natural ruby of your cheeks

               When mine is blanched¹³³ with fear.

ROSS

ROSS     What sights, my lord?

135

135 

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH             I pray you speak not: he grows worse and worse:

               Question enrages him. At once,¹³⁶ goodnight.

               Stand¹³⁷ not upon the order of your going,

               But go at once.

LENNOX

LENNOX     Goodnight, and better health

140

140         Attend his majesty.

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH     A kind goodnight to all.

       Exeunt Lords.

       [Macbeth and Lady Macbeth remain]

MACBETH

MACBETH     It will have blood, they say: blood will have blood.

               Stones have been known to move and trees to speak,

               Augurs¹⁴⁴ and understood relations have

145

145         By magot-pies¹⁴⁵ and choughs and rooks brought forth

               The secret’st¹⁴⁶ man of blood. What is the night?

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH     Almost at odds¹⁴⁷ with morning, which is which.

MACBETH

MACBETH     How say’st thou,¹⁴⁸ that Macduff denies his person

               At our great bidding?

150

150 

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH             Did you send¹⁵⁰ to him, sir?

MACBETH

MACBETH     I hear it by the way,¹⁵¹ but I will send.

               There’s not a one of them¹⁵² but in his house

               I keep a servant fee’d.¹⁵³ I will tomorrow —

               And betimes¹⁵⁴ I will — to the weyard sisters:

155

155         More shall they speak, for now I am bent¹⁵⁵ to know

               By the worst means,¹⁵⁶ the worst. For mine own good,

               All¹⁵⁷ causes shall give way. I am in blood

               Stepped in so far, that, should I¹⁵⁸ wade no more,

               Returning were¹⁵⁹ as tedious as go o’er.

160

160         Strange things I have in head,¹⁶⁰ that will to hand,

               Which must be acted ere they may be scanned.¹⁶¹

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH     You lack the season¹⁶² of all natures, sleep.

MACBETH

MACBETH     Come, we’ll to sleep. My strange and self-abuse¹⁶³

               Is the initiate¹⁶⁴ fear that wants hard use:

165

165         We are yet but young in deed.¹⁶⁵

       Exeunt

Act 3 Scene 53.5

running scene 13

       Thunder. Enter the three Witches meeting Hecate

FIRST WITCH

FIRST WITCH     Why, how now, Hecate? You look angerly.¹

HECATE

HECATE     Have I not reason, beldams² as you are,

               Saucy³ and overbold? How did you dare

               To trade and traffic⁴ with Macbeth

5

5             In riddles and affairs of death;

               And I, the mistress of your charms,

               The close⁷ contriver of all harms,

               Was never called to bear⁸ my part

               Or show the glory of our art?⁹

10

10           And, which is worse, all you have done

               Hath been but for a wayward¹¹ son,

               Spiteful and wrathful, who, as others do,

               Loves for his own ends, not for you.

               But make amends now: get you gone,

15

15           And at the pit of Acheron¹⁵

               Meet me i’th’morning: thither he

               Will come to know his destiny:

               Your vessels¹⁸ and your spells provide,

               Your charms and everything beside.

20

20           I am for th’air. This night I’ll spend²⁰

               Unto a dismal²¹ and a fatal end:

               Great business must be wrought²² ere noon.

               Upon the corner of the moon

               There hangs a vap’rous drop²⁴ profound:

25

25           I’ll catch it ere it come to ground,

               And that distilled by magic sleights,²⁶

               Shall raise such artificial²⁷ sprites

               As by the strength of their illusion²⁸

               Shall draw him on to his confusion.²⁹

30

30           He shall spurn³⁰ fate, scorn death, and bear

               His hopes ’bove³¹ wisdom, grace and fear.

               And you all know, security³²

               Is mortals’ chiefest enemy.

       Music and a song

               Hark, I am called: my little spirit, see,

35

35           Sits in a foggy cloud and stays³⁵ for me.

       [Exit]

       Sing within: ‘Come away, come away’ etc.

FIRST WITCH

FIRST WITCH     Come, let’s make haste: she’ll soon be back again.

       Exeunt

Act 3 Scene 63.6

running scene 14

       Enter Lennox and another Lord

LENNOX

LENNOX     My former speeches have but hit¹ your thoughts,

               Which² can interpret further: only I say

               Things have been strangely borne.³ The gracious Duncan

               Was pitied of⁴ Macbeth, marry, he was dead:

5

5             And the right-valiant Banquo walked too late,⁵

               Whom you may say — if’t please you — Fleance killed,

               For Fleance fled: men must not walk too late.

               Who cannot⁸ want the thought how monstrous

               It was for Malcolm and for Donalbain

10

10           To kill their gracious father? Damnèd fact!¹⁰

               How it did grieve Macbeth! Did he not straight¹¹

               In pious¹² rage the two delinquents tear

               That were the slaves of drink and thralls¹³ of sleep?

               Was not that nobly done? Ay, and wisely too,

15

15           For ’twould have angered any heart alive

               To hear the men deny’t. So that I say

               He has borne all things well,¹⁷ and I do think

               That had he Duncan’s sons under his key¹⁸ —

               As, an’t¹⁹ please heaven, he shall not — they should find

20

20           What ’twere to kill a father: so should Fleance.²⁰

               But, peace! For from²¹ broad words and cause he failed

               His presence at the tyrant’s feast, I hear

               Macduff lives in disgrace. Sir, can you tell

               Where he bestows himself?²⁴

25

25   

LORD

LORD           The son of Duncan²⁵ —

               From whom this tyrant holds²⁶ the due of birth —

               Lives in the English court, and is received

               Of²⁸ the most pious Edward with such grace

               That the malevolence of fortune²⁹ nothing

30

30           Takes³⁰ from his high respect. Thither Macduff

               Is gone to pray³¹ the holy king, upon his aid

               To wake³² Northumberland and warlike Siward,

               That by the help of these — with him above

               To ratify³⁴ the work — we may again

35

35           Give to our tables meat,³⁵ sleep to our nights,

               Free³⁶ from our feasts and banquets bloody knives,

               Do faithful homage,³⁷ and receive free honours,

               All which we pine for now: and this report³⁸

               Hath so exasperate³⁹ their king that he

40

40           Prepares for some attempt of war.

LENNOX

LENNOX     Sent he⁴¹ to Macduff?

LORD

LORD     He did: and with an absolute⁴² ‘Sir, not I’,

               The cloudy⁴³ messenger turns me his back

               And hums,⁴⁴ as who should say, ‘You’ll rue the time

45

45           That clogs⁴⁵ me with this answer.’

LENNOX

LENNOX     And that well might

               Advise⁴⁷ him to a caution, t’hold what distance

               His wisdom can provide. Some holy angel

               Fly to the court of England and unfold

50

50           His message ere he come, that⁵⁰ a swift blessing

               May soon return to this our suffering⁵¹ country

               Under a hand accursed.

LORD

LORD     I’ll send my prayers with him.

       Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 14.1

running scene 15

       Thunder. Enter the three Witches

FIRST WITCH

FIRST WITCH     Thrice the brinded¹ cat hath mewed.

SECOND WITCH

SECOND WITCH     Thrice and once the hedge-pig² whined.

THIRD WITCH

THIRD WITCH     Harpier³ cries: ’tis time, ’tis time!

FIRST WITCH

FIRST WITCH     Round about the cauldron go:

5

5             In the poisoned entrails⁵ throw.

               Toad, that under cold stone

               Days⁷ and nights has thirty-one

               Sweltered venom sleeping got,

               Boil thou first i’th’charmèd pot. They dance around the cauldron

10

10   

ALL

ALL           Double, double, toil¹⁰ and trouble:

               Fire burn, and cauldron bubble.

SECOND WITCH

SECOND WITCH     Fillet¹² of a fenny snake,

               In the cauldron boil and bake:

               Eye of newt and toe of frog,

15

15           Wool¹⁵ of bat and tongue of dog,

               Adder’s fork¹⁶ and blindworm’s sting,

               Lizard’s leg and howlet’s¹⁷ wing,

               For a charm of powerful trouble,

               Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.

20

20   

ALL

ALL           Double, double, toil and trouble:

               Fire burn, and cauldron bubble.

THIRD WITCH

THIRD WITCH     Scale of dragon, tooth of wolf,

               Witches’ mummy,²³ maw and gulf

               Of the ravined²⁴ salt-sea shark,

25

25           Root of hemlock²⁵ digged i’th’dark,

               Liver of blaspheming²⁶ Jew,

               Gall of goat, and slips²⁷ of yew

               Slivered²⁸ in the moon’s eclipse,

               Nose of Turk and Tartar’s²⁹ lips,

30

30           Finger of birth-strangled³⁰ babe

               Ditch-delivered³¹ by a drab,

               Make the gruel thick and slab:³²

               Add thereto a tiger’s chaudron,³³

               For th’ingredients of our cauldron.

35

35   

ALL

ALL           Double, double, toil and trouble:

               Fire burn, and cauldron bubble.

SECOND WITCH

SECOND WITCH     Cool it with a baboon’s blood,

               Then the charm is firm and good.

       Enter Hecate and the other three Witches

HECATE

HECATE     O, well done: I commend your pains,

40

40           And everyone shall share i’th’gains.

               And now about the cauldron sing

               Like elves and fairies in a ring,

               Enchanting all that you put in.

       Music and a song: ‘Black spirits’, etc.

       [Exit Hecate and the other three Witches?]

SECOND WITCH

SECOND WITCH     By the pricking⁴⁴ of my thumbs,

45

45           Something wicked this way comes. Knock

               Open, locks, whoever knocks.

       Enter Macbeth

MACBETH

MACBETH     How now, you secret, black⁴⁷ and midnight hags?

               What is’t you do?

ALL

ALL     A deed without a name.

50

50   

MACBETH

MACBETH           I conjure⁵⁰ you, by that which you profess —

               Howe’er you come to know it — answer me:

               Though⁵² you untie the winds and let them fight

               Against the churches, though the yeasty⁵³ waves

               Confound⁵⁴ and swallow navigation up,

55

55           Though bladed corn⁵⁵ be lodged and trees blown down,

               Though castles topple on their warders’⁵⁶ heads,

               Though palaces and pyramids do slope⁵⁷

               Their heads to their foundations, though the treasure

               Of nature’s germens⁵⁹ tumble all together,

60

60           Even till destruction sicken,⁶⁰ answer me

               To what I ask you.

FIRST WITCH

FIRST WITCH     Speak.

SECOND WITCH

SECOND WITCH     Demand.

THIRD WITCH

THIRD WITCH     We’ll answer.

65

65   

FIRST WITCH

FIRST WITCH           Say, if thou’dst rather hear it from our mouths

FIRST WITCH

FIRST WITCH      Or from our masters?

MACBETH

MACBETH     Call ’em: let me see ’em.

FIRST WITCH

FIRST WITCH     Pour in sow’s blood, that hath eaten

FIRST WITCH

FIRST WITCH      Her nine farrow:⁶⁹ grease that’s sweaten

70

70           From the murderer’s gibbet⁷⁰ throw

               Into the flame.

ALL

ALL     Come high or low,

               Thyself and office⁷³ deftly show!

       Thunder. First Apparition, an armed head

MACBETH

MACBETH     Tell me, thou unknown power—

75

75   

FIRST WITCH

FIRST WITCH           He knows thy thought:

               Hear his speech, but say thou nought.

FIRST APPARITION

FIRST APPARITION     Macbeth, Macbeth, Macbeth: beware Macduff,

               Beware the Thane of Fife. Dismiss me. Enough.

       He descends⁷⁸

MACBETH

MACBETH     Whate’er thou art, for thy good caution, thanks:

80

80           Thou hast harped⁸⁰ my fear aright. But one word more—

FIRST WITCH

FIRST WITCH     He will not be commanded. Here’s another,

               More potent than the first.

       Thunder. Second Apparition, a bloody child

SECOND APPARITION

SECOND APPARITION     Macbeth, Macbeth, Macbeth!

MACBETH

MACBETH     Had I three ears, I’d hear thee.

85

85   

SECOND APPARITION

SECOND APPARITION           Be bloody, bold and resolute: laugh to scorn

               The power of man, for none of woman born

               Shall harm Macbeth.

       Descends

MACBETH

MACBETH     Then live, Macduff: what need I fear of thee?

               But yet I’ll make assurance⁸⁹ double sure,

90

90           And take a bond⁹⁰ of fate: thou shalt not live,

               That I may tell pale-hearted fear it lies,

               And sleep in spite of thunder.

       Thunder. Third Apparition, a child crowned, with a tree in his hand

               What is this

               That rises like the issue of a king

               And wears upon his baby-brow the round⁹⁴

95

95           And top of sovereignty?

ALL

ALL     Listen, but speak not to’t.

THIRD APPARITION

THIRD APPARITION     Be lion-mettled,⁹⁷ proud, and take no care

               Who chafes, who frets,⁹⁸ or where conspirers are:

               Macbeth shall never vanquished be until

100

100         Great Birnam¹⁰⁰ Wood to high Dunsinane Hill

               Shall come against him.

       Descend

MACBETH

MACBETH     That will never be:

               Who can impress¹⁰³ the forest, bid the tree

               Unfix his earth-bound root? Sweet bodements,¹⁰⁴ good!

105

105         Rebellious dead,¹⁰⁵ rise never till the wood

               Of Birnam rise, and our high-placed Macbeth

               Shall live the lease of nature,¹⁰⁷ pay his breath

               To time and mortal custom.¹⁰⁸ Yet my heart

               Throbs to know one thing: tell me, if your art

110

110         Can tell so much: shall Banquo’s issue ever

               Reign in this kingdom?

ALL

ALL     Seek to know no more.

MACBETH

MACBETH     I will be satisfied: deny me this,

               And an eternal curse fall on you! Let me know.

115

115         Why sinks that cauldron? And what noise is this?

       Hautboys Cauldron sinks

FIRST WITCH

FIRST WITCH     Show.

SECOND WITCH

SECOND WITCH     Show.

THIRD WITCH

THIRD WITCH     Show.

ALL

ALL     Show his eyes, and grieve his heart:

120

120         Come like shadows, so¹²⁰ depart!

       A show of eight kings and Banquo last: [the eighth king] with a glass in his hand

MACBETH

MACBETH     Thou art too like the spirit of Banquo: down!

               Thy crown does sear¹²² mine eyeballs: and thy hair,

               Thou other¹²³ gold-bound brow, is like the first:

               A third is like the former.— Filthy hags,

125

125         Why do you show me this?— A fourth? Start,¹²⁵ eyes!

               What, will the line stretch out to th’crack of doom?¹²⁶

               Another yet? A seventh? I’ll see no more:

               And yet the eighth appears, who bears a glass

               Which shows me many more: and some I see

130

130         That two-fold¹³⁰ balls and treble sceptres carry.

               Horrible sight! Now I see ’tis true,

               For the blood-boltered¹³² Banquo smiles upon me,

               And points at them for his.¹³³

       [Exeunt kings and Banquo]

               What, is this so?

FIRST WITCH

FIRST WITCH     Ay, sir, all this is so: but why

135

135         Stands Macbeth thus amazedly?¹³⁵—

               Come, sisters, cheer we up his sprites¹³⁶

               And show the best of our delights.

               I’ll charm the air to give a sound,

               While you perform your antic round,¹³⁹

140

140         That this great king may kindly¹⁴⁰ say,

               Our¹⁴¹ duties did his welcome pay.

       Music

       The Witches dance and vanish

MACBETH

MACBETH     Where are they? Gone? Let this pernicious¹⁴² hour

               Stand aye¹⁴³ accursèd in the calendar!—

               Come in, without¹⁴⁴ there!

       Enter Lennox

145

145 

LENNOX

LENNOX             What’s your grace’s will?

MACBETH

MACBETH     Saw you the weyard sisters?

LENNOX

LENNOX     No, my lord.

MACBETH

MACBETH     Came they not by you?

LENNOX

LENNOX     No, indeed, my lord.

150

150 

MACBETH

MACBETH             Infected be the air whereon they ride,

               And damned all those that trust them! I did hear

               The galloping of horse:¹⁵² who was’t came by?

LENNOX

LENNOX     ’Tis two or three, my lord, that bring you word

               Macduff is fled to England.

155

155 

MACBETH

MACBETH             Fled to England?

LENNOX

LENNOX     Ay, my good lord.

MACBETH

MACBETH     Time, thou anticipat’st¹⁵⁷ my dread exploits: Aside

               The flighty¹⁵⁸ purpose never is o’ertook

               Unless the¹⁵⁹ deed go with it. From this moment

160

160         The¹⁶⁰ very firstlings of my heart shall be

               The firstlings of my hand. And even now,

               To crown my thoughts with acts, be it thought and done:

               The castle of Macduff I will surprise,¹⁶³

               Seize upon Fife,¹⁶⁴ give to th’edge o’th’sword

165

165         His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls

               That trace¹⁶⁶ him in his line. No boasting like a fool,

               This deed I’ll do before this purpose cool.

               But no more sights!¹⁶⁸— Where are these gentlemen? To Lennox

               Come, bring me where they are.

       Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 24.2

running scene 16

       Enter Macduff’s Wife, her Son and Ross

LADY MACDUFF

LADY MACDUFF     What had he done to make him fly the land?

ROSS

ROSS     You must have patience, madam.

LADY MACDUFF

LADY MACDUFF     He had none:

               His flight was madness: when⁴ our actions do not,

5

5             Our fears do make us traitors.

ROSS

ROSS     You know not

               Whether it was his wisdom or his fear.

LADY MACDUFF

LADY MACDUFF     Wisdom? To leave his wife, to leave his babes,

               His mansion and his titles⁹ in a place

10

10           From whence himself does fly? He loves us not:

               He wants¹¹ the natural touch, for the poor wren —

               The most diminutive of birds — will fight,

               Her young ones in¹³ her nest, against the owl.

               All is the fear and nothing is the love;

15

15           As little is the wisdom, where the flight

               So runs against all reason.

ROSS

ROSS     My dearest coz,¹⁷

               I pray you school¹⁸ yourself: but, for your husband,

               He is noble, wise, judicious,¹⁹ and best knows

20

20           The fits o’th’season.²⁰ I dare not speak much further,

               But cruel are the times when we²¹ are traitors

               And do not know ourselves, when we hold²² rumour

               From what we fear, yet know not what we fear,

               But float upon a wild and violent sea

25

25           Each²⁵ way and none. I take my leave of you:

               Shall not be long but I’ll be here again.

               Things at the worst will cease, or else climb upward²⁷

               To what they were before. My pretty cousin,²⁸

               Blessing upon you!

30

30   

LADY MACDUFF

LADY MACDUFF           Fathered he is, and yet he’s fatherless.

ROSS

ROSS     I am so much a fool, should I stay longer

               It³² would be my disgrace and your discomfort.

               I take my leave at once.

       Exit Ross

LADY MACDUFF

LADY MACDUFF     Sirrah, your father’s dead, and what will you do now? How will you live?

SON

SON     As birds do, mother.

LADY MACDUFF

LADY MACDUFF     What, with worms and flies?

SON

SON     With what I get, I mean, and so do they.

LADY MACDUFF

LADY MACDUFF     Poor³⁹ bird, thou’dst never fear the net nor lime, the pitfall nor the gin.

SON

SON     Why should I, mother? Poor⁴⁰ birds they are not set for. My father is not dead, for all your saying.

LADY MACDUFF

LADY MACDUFF     Yes, he is dead. How wilt thou do for a father?

SON

SON     Nay, how will you do for a husband?

LADY MACDUFF

LADY MACDUFF     Why, I can buy me twenty at any market.

SON

SON     Then you’ll buy ’em to sell again.

LADY MACDUFF

LADY MACDUFF     Thou speak’st with all thy wit, and yet, i’faith, with wit enough for thee.

SON

SON     Was my father a traitor, Mother?

LADY MACDUFF

LADY MACDUFF     Ay, that he was.

SON

SON     What is a traitor?

LADY MACDUFF

LADY MACDUFF     Why, one that swears and lies.⁵¹

SON

SON     And be all traitors that do so?

LADY MACDUFF

LADY MACDUFF     Everyone that does so is a traitor, and must be hanged.

SON

SON     And must they all be hanged that swear and lie?

LADY MACDUFF

LADY MACDUFF     Every one.

SON

SON     Who must hang them?

LADY MACDUFF

LADY MACDUFF     Why, the honest men.

SON

SON     Then the liars and swearers are fools, for there are liars and swearers enough to beat the honest men and hang up⁵⁹ them.

LADY MACDUFF

LADY MACDUFF     Now, God help thee, poor monkey! But how wilt thou do for a father?

SON

SON     If he were dead, you’d weep for him: if you would not, it were a good sign that I should quickly have a new father.

LADY MACDUFF

LADY MACDUFF     Poor prattler,⁶³ how thou talk’st!

       Enter a Messenger

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Bless you, fair dame. I am not to you known,

65

65           Though in⁶⁵ your state of honour I am perfect.

               I doubt⁶⁶ some danger does approach you nearly:

               If you will take a homely⁶⁷ man’s advice,

               Be not found here: hence with your little ones.

               To fright you thus, methinks, I am too savage:

70

70           To do⁷⁰ worse to you were fell cruelty,

               Which is too nigh your person.⁷¹ Heaven preserve you!

               I dare abide no longer.

       Exit Messenger

LADY MACDUFF

LADY MACDUFF     Whither should I fly?

               I have done no harm. But I remember now

75

75           I am in this earthly world, where to do harm

               Is often laudable, to do good sometime

               Accounted dangerous folly. Why then, alas,

               Do I put up that womanly defence

               To say I have done no harm?—

80

80           What are these faces?

       Enter Murderers

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER     Where is your husband?

LADY MACDUFF

LADY MACDUFF     I hope in no place so unsanctified⁸²

               Where such as thou mayst find him.

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER     He’s a traitor.

85

85   

SON

SON           Thou liest, thou shag-eared⁸⁵ villain!

FIRST MURDERER

FIRST MURDERER     What, you egg?⁸⁶ Young fry of treachery! Stabs him

SON

SON     He has killed me, mother. Run away, I pray you! Dies

       Exit [Lady Macduff,] crying ‘Murder!’ [pursued by the Murderers]

Act 4 Scene 34.3

running scene 17

       Enter Malcolm and Macduff

MALCOLM

MALCOLM     Let us seek out some desolate¹ shade, and there

               Weep our sad bosoms empty.

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     Let us rather

               Hold fast⁴ the mortal sword, and like good men

5

5             Bestride⁵ our downfall birthdom. Each new morn

               New widows howl, new orphans cry, new sorrows

               Strike heaven on the face, that⁷ it resounds

               As if it felt with Scotland and yelled out

               Like⁹ syllable of dolour.

10

10   

MALCOLM

MALCOLM           What I believe I’ll wail;¹⁰

               What know, believe; and what I can redress,

               As I shall find the time to friend,¹² I will.

               What you have spoke, it may be so, perchance.¹³

               This tyrant, whose sole name¹⁴ blisters our tongues,

15

15           Was once thought honest.¹⁵ You have loved him well:

               He hath not touched¹⁶ you yet. I am young, but something

               You may discern of him through me, and wisdom¹⁷

               To offer up a weak, poor, innocent lamb

               T’appease an angry god.¹⁹

20

20   

MACDUFF

MACDUFF           I am not treacherous.

MALCOLM

MALCOLM     But Macbeth is.

               A good and virtuous nature may recoil²²

               In an imperial charge.²³ But I shall crave your pardon:

               That²⁴ which you are my thoughts cannot transpose;

25

25           Angels are bright still, though the brightest²⁵ fell:

               Though all things foul²⁶ would wear the brows of grace,

               Yet grace must still look²⁷ so.

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     I have lost my hopes.

MALCOLM

MALCOLM     Perchance even there²⁹ where I did find my doubts.

30

30           Why in that rawness³⁰ left you wife and child,

               Those precious motives,³¹ those strong knots of love,

               Without leave-taking?³² I pray you,

               Let³³ not my jealousies be your dishonours,

               But mine own safeties. You may be rightly just,

35

35           Whatever I shall think.

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     Bleed, bleed, poor country!

               Great tyranny, lay thou thy basis sure,³⁷

               For goodness dare not check³⁸ thee: wear thou thy wrongs,

               The title is affeered!³⁹— Fare thee well, lord.

40

40           I would not be the villain that thou think’st

               For the whole space that’s in the tyrant’s grasp,

               And the rich east to boot.⁴²

MALCOLM

MALCOLM     Be not offended:

               I speak not as in absolute fear of you.

45

45           I think our country sinks beneath the yoke:⁴⁵

               It weeps, it bleeds, and each new day a gash

               Is added to her wounds. I think withal⁴⁷

               There would be hands uplifted in my right,⁴⁸

               And here from gracious England⁴⁹ have I offer

50

50           Of goodly thousands:⁵⁰ but, for all this,

               When I shall tread upon the tyrant’s head,

               Or wear it on my sword, yet my poor country

               Shall have more vices than it had before,

               More suffer, and more sundry⁵⁴ ways than ever,

55

55           By him that shall succeed.⁵⁵

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     What⁵⁶ should he be?

MALCOLM

MALCOLM     It is myself I mean, in whom I know

               All the particulars⁵⁸ of vice so grafted

               That, when they shall be opened,⁵⁹ black Macbeth

60

60           Will seem as pure as snow, and the poor state

               Esteem⁶¹ him as a lamb, being compared

               With my confineless⁶² harms.

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     Not in the legions⁶³

               Of horrid hell can come a devil more damned

65

65           In evils to top⁶⁵ Macbeth.

MALCOLM

MALCOLM     I grant him bloody,

               Luxurious,⁶⁷ avaricious, false, deceitful,

               Sudden,⁶⁸ malicious, smacking of every sin

               That has a name, but there’s no bottom, none,

70

70           In my voluptuousness:⁷⁰ your wives, your daughters,

               Your matrons⁷¹ and your maids, could not fill up

               The cistern⁷² of my lust, and my desire

               All continent⁷³ impediments would o’erbear

               That did oppose my will.⁷⁴ Better Macbeth

75

75           Than such an one to reign.

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     Boundless⁷⁶ intemperance

               In nature is a tyranny: it hath been

               Th’untimely emptying of the happy throne

               And fall of many kings. But fear not yet

80

80           To take upon you what is yours:⁸⁰ you may

               Convey⁸¹ your pleasures in a spacious plenty,

               And yet seem cold.⁸² The time you may so hoodwink.

               We have willing dames enough: there cannot be

               That vulture in you to devour so⁸⁴ many

85

85           As will to greatness dedicate themselves,

               Finding it so inclined.

MALCOLM

MALCOLM     With this there grows

               In my most ill-composed affection⁸⁸ such

               A stanchless⁸⁹ avarice that, were I king,

90

90           I should cut off⁹⁰ the nobles for their lands,

               Desire his⁹¹ jewels and this other’s house:

               And my more-having⁹² would be as a sauce

               To make me hunger more, that I should forge⁹³

               Quarrels unjust against the good and loyal,

95

95           Destroying them for wealth.

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     This avarice

               Sticks deeper, grows with more pernicious root

               Than summer-seeming⁹⁸ lust, and it hath been

               The sword⁹⁹ of our slain kings. Yet do not fear:

100

100         Scotland hath foisons¹⁰⁰ to fill up your will

               Of¹⁰¹ your mere own. All these are portable,

               With other graces weighed.¹⁰²

MALCOLM

MALCOLM     But I have none. The king-becoming¹⁰³ graces,

               As justice, verity,¹⁰⁴ temp’rance, stableness,

105

105         Bounty,¹⁰⁵ perseverance, mercy, lowliness,

               Devotion, patience, courage, fortitude,

               I have no relish¹⁰⁷ of them, but abound

               In the division of each several crime,

               Acting it many ways. Nay, had I power, I should

110

110         Pour the sweet milk of concord¹¹⁰ into hell,

               Uproar¹¹¹ the universal peace, confound

               All unity on earth.

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     O Scotland, Scotland!

MALCOLM

MALCOLM     If such a one be fit to govern, speak:

115

115         I am as I have spoken.

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     Fit to govern?

               No, not to live. O nation miserable,

               With an untitled¹¹⁸ tyrant bloody-sceptred,

               When shalt thou see thy wholesome¹¹⁹ days again,

120

120         Since that the truest issue of thy throne

               By his own interdiction¹²¹ stands accused

               And does blaspheme¹²² his breed?— Thy royal father

               Was a most sainted¹²³ king: the queen that bore thee,

               Oft’ner upon her knees¹²⁴ than on her feet,

125

125         Died¹²⁵ every day she lived. Fare thee well.

               These evils thou repeat’st upon¹²⁶ thyself

               Hath¹²⁷ banished me from Scotland.— O my breast,

               Thy hope ends here!

MALCOLM

MALCOLM     Macduff, this noble passion,

130

130         Child of integrity, hath from my soul

               Wiped the black scruples,¹³¹ reconciled my thoughts

               To thy good truth and honour. Devilish Macbeth

               By many of these trains¹³³ hath sought to win me

               Into his power, and modest wisdom plucks¹³⁴ me

135

135         From over-credulous¹³⁵ haste: but God above

               Deal between thee and me! For even now

               I put myself to thy direction¹³⁷ and

               Unspeak¹³⁸ mine own detraction: here abjure

               The taints¹³⁹ and blames I laid upon myself

140

140         For¹⁴⁰ strangers to my nature. I am yet

               Unknown to woman,¹⁴¹ never was forsworn,

               Scarcely¹⁴² have coveted what was mine own,

               At no time broke my faith, would not betray

               The devil to his fellow, and delight

145

145         No less in truth than life. My first false speaking¹⁴⁵

               Was this upon myself.¹⁴⁶ What I am truly

               Is thine and my poor country’s to command:

               Whither indeed, before thy here-approach,¹⁴⁸

               Old Siward with ten thousand warlike men,

150

150         Already at a point,¹⁵⁰ was setting forth.

               Now we’ll¹⁵¹ together, and the chance of goodness

               Be like our warranted quarrel. Why are you silent?

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     Such welcome and unwelcome things at once

               ’Tis hard to reconcile.

       Enter a Doctor

155

155 

MALCOLM

MALCOLM             Well, more anon.— Comes the king forth, I pray you?

DOCTOR

DOCTOR     Ay, sir, there are a crew of wretched souls

               That stay¹⁵⁷ his cure: their malady convinces

               The great assay of art,¹⁵⁸ but at his touch —

               Such sanctity¹⁵⁹ hath heaven given his hand —

160

160         They presently amend.¹⁶⁰

       Exit

MALCOLM

MALCOLM     I thank you, doctor.

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     What’s the disease he means?

MALCOLM

MALCOLM     ’Tis called the¹⁶³ evil:

               A most miraculous work in this good king,

165

165         Which often, since my here-remain¹⁶⁵ in England,

               I have seen him do. How he solicits¹⁶⁶ heaven

               Himself best knows: but strangely-visited¹⁶⁷ people,

               All swoll’n and ulcerous, pitiful to the eye,

               The mere¹⁶⁹ despair of surgery, he cures,

170

170         Hanging a golden stamp¹⁷⁰ about their necks

               Put on with holy prayers: and ’tis spoken,¹⁷¹

               To the succeeding royalty¹⁷² he leaves

               The healing benediction.¹⁷³ With this strange virtue

               He hath a heavenly gift of prophecy,

175

175         And sundry blessings hang about his throne

               That speak him¹⁷⁶ full of grace.

       Enter Ross

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     See who comes here.

MALCOLM

MALCOLM     My countryman,¹⁷⁸ but yet I know him not.

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     My ever-gentle¹⁷⁹ cousin, welcome hither.

180

180 

MALCOLM

MALCOLM             I know him now. Good God betimes¹⁸⁰ remove

               The means¹⁸¹ that makes us strangers!

ROSS

ROSS     Sir, amen.

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     Stands Scotland where it did?

ROSS

ROSS     Alas, poor country,

185

185         Almost afraid to know itself. It cannot

               Be called our mother, but our grave; where nothing¹⁸⁶

               But who knows nothing is once seen to smile:

               Where sighs and groans and shrieks that rend the air

               Are made, not marked:¹⁸⁹ where violent sorrow seems

190

190         A modern ecstasy.¹⁹⁰ The dead man’s knell

               Is there scarce asked for who, and good men’s lives

               Expire before the flowers in their caps,

               Dying or¹⁹³ ere they sicken.

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     O, relation¹⁹⁴ too nice, and yet too true!

195

195 

MALCOLM

MALCOLM             What’s the newest grief?

ROSS

ROSS     That of an hour’s age doth hiss the speaker:¹⁹⁶

               Each minute teems¹⁹⁷ a new one.

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     How does my wife?

ROSS

ROSS     Why, well.

200

200 

MACDUFF

MACDUFF             And all my children?

ROSS

ROSS     Well, too.

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     The tyrant has not battered at their peace?

ROSS

ROSS     No, they were well at peace²⁰³ when I did leave ’em.

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     Be not a niggard of²⁰⁴ your speech: how goes’t?

205

205 

ROSS

ROSS             When I came hither to transport the tidings

               Which I have heavily²⁰⁶ borne, there ran a rumour

               Of many worthy fellows that were out,²⁰⁷

               Which was to my belief witnessed the rather,²⁰⁸

               For that I saw the tyrant’s power²⁰⁹ afoot.

210

210         Now is the time of help.— Your eye²¹⁰ in Scotland To Malcolm

               Would create soldiers, make our women fight,

               To doff²¹² their dire distresses.

MALCOLM

MALCOLM     Be’t²¹³ their comfort

               We are coming thither. Gracious England hath

215

215         Lent us good Siward and ten thousand men:

               An²¹⁶ older and a better soldier none

               That Christendom gives out.

ROSS

ROSS     Would I could answer

               This comfort with the like.²¹⁹ But I have words

220

220         That would²²⁰ be howled out in the desert air,

               Where hearing should not latch²²¹ them.

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     What concern they?

               The general cause?²²³ Or is it a fee-grief

               Due to some single breast?

225

225 

ROSS

ROSS             No mind that’s honest

               But in it shares some woe, though the main part

               Pertains to you alone.

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     If it be mine,

               Keep it not from me, quickly let me have it.

230

230 

ROSS

ROSS             Let not your ears despise my tongue for ever,

               Which shall possess them with²³¹ the heaviest sound

               That ever yet they heard.

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     Hum! I guess at it.

ROSS

ROSS     Your castle is surprised,²³⁴ your wife and babes

235

235         Savagely slaughtered: to relate the manner²³⁵

               Were, on the quarry²³⁶ of these murdered deer,

               To add the death of you.

MALCOLM

MALCOLM     Merciful heaven!

               What, man, ne’er pull²³⁹ your hat upon your brows:

240

240         Give sorrow words. The grief that does not speak

               Whispers²⁴¹ the o’er-fraught heart and bids it break.

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     My children too?

ROSS

ROSS     Wife, children, servants, all that could be found.

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     And I must²⁴⁴ be from thence! My wife killed too?

245

245 

ROSS

ROSS             I have said.

MALCOLM

MALCOLM     Be comforted:

               Let’s make us med’cines of our great revenge,

               To cure this deadly grief.

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     He²⁴⁹ has no children.— All my pretty ones?

250

250         Did you say all? O hell-kite!²⁵⁰ All?

               What, all my pretty chickens and their dam²⁵¹

               At one fell swoop?²⁵²

MALCOLM

MALCOLM     Dispute²⁵³ it like a man.

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     I shall do so,

255

255         But I must also feel it as a man:

               I cannot but remember such things were

               That were most precious to me. Did heaven look on

               And would not take their part? Sinful Macduff,

               They were all struck²⁵⁹ for thee! Naught that I am,

260

260         Not for their own demerits,²⁶⁰ but for mine,

               Fell²⁶¹ slaughter on their souls. Heaven rest them now!

MALCOLM

MALCOLM     Be this the whetstone²⁶² of your sword. Let grief

               Convert to anger: blunt not the heart, enrage it.

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     O, I could play²⁶⁴ the woman with mine eyes

265

265         And braggart²⁶⁵ with my tongue! But, gentle heavens,

               Cut short all intermission.²⁶⁶ Front to front

               Bring thou this fiend of Scotland and myself:

               Within my sword’s length set him. If he scape,²⁶⁸

               Heaven forgive him too!

270

270 

MALCOLM

MALCOLM             This tune²⁷⁰ goes manly.

               Come, go we to the king. Our power²⁷¹ is ready:

               Our²⁷² lack is nothing but our leave. Macbeth

               Is ripe for shaking,²⁷³ and the powers above

               Put²⁷⁴ on their instruments. Receive what cheer you may:

275

275         The night is long that never finds the day.

       Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 15.1

running scene 18

       Enter a Doctor of Physic and a Waiting-Gentlewoman

DOCTOR

DOCTOR     I have two nights watched¹ with you, but can perceive no truth in your report. When was it she last walked?²

GENTLEWOMAN

GENTLEWOMAN     Since his majesty went into the field,³ I have seen her rise from her bed, throw her nightgown upon her, unlock her closet,⁴ take forth paper, fold it, write upon’t, read it, afterwards seal it, and again return to bed; yet all this while in a most fast sleep.

DOCTOR

DOCTOR     A great perturbation⁷ in nature, to receive at once the benefit of sleep and do the effects of watching.⁸ In this slumbery agitation, besides her walking and other actual performances, what — at any time — have you heard her say?

GENTLEWOMAN

GENTLEWOMAN     That, sir, which I will not report after her.

DOCTOR

DOCTOR     You may to me, and ’tis most meet¹¹ you should.

GENTLEWOMAN

GENTLEWOMAN     Neither to you nor anyone, having no witness to confirm my speech.

       Enter Lady [Macbeth], with a taper

               Lo you, here she comes. This is her very guise,¹³ and, upon my life, fast asleep. Observe her: stand close.¹⁴ They stand aside

DOCTOR

DOCTOR     How came she by that light?

GENTLEWOMAN

GENTLEWOMAN     Why, it stood by her. She has light by her continually: ’tis her command.

DOCTOR

DOCTOR     You see her eyes are open.

GENTLEWOMAN

GENTLEWOMAN     Ay, but their sense are shut.

DOCTOR

DOCTOR     What is it she does now? Look how she rubs her hands.

GENTLEWOMAN

GENTLEWOMAN     It is an accustomed action with her to seem thus washing her hands: I have known her continue in this a quarter of an hour.

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH     Yet here’s a spot.

DOCTOR

DOCTOR     Hark, she speaks. I will set down²⁴ what comes from her, to satisfy my remembrance²⁵ the more strongly.

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH     Out, damned spot! Out, I say!— One: two:²⁶ why then, ’tis time to do’t.— Hell is murky.— Fie, my lord, fie, a soldier, and afeard? What need we fear who knows it, when none²⁸ can call our power to account?— Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him?

DOCTOR

DOCTOR     Do you mark that?

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH     The Thane of Fife³¹ had a wife: where is she now?— What, will these hands ne’er be clean?— No more o’that, my lord, no more o’that: you mar³² all with this starting.³³

DOCTOR

DOCTOR     Go to,³⁴ go to: you have known what you should not.

GENTLEWOMAN

GENTLEWOMAN     She has spoke what she should not, I am sure of that: heaven knows what she has known.

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH     Here’s the smell of the blood still. All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand. O, O, O!

DOCTOR

DOCTOR     What a sigh is there! The heart is sorely charged.³⁹

GENTLEWOMAN

GENTLEWOMAN     I would not have such a heart in my bosom for the dignity⁴⁰ of the whole body.

DOCTOR

DOCTOR     Well, well, well.

GENTLEWOMAN

GENTLEWOMAN     Pray God it be,⁴³ sir.

DOCTOR

DOCTOR     This disease is beyond my practice.⁴⁴ Yet I have known those which have walked in their sleep who have died holily in their beds.

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH     Wash your hands, put on your nightgown, look not so pale. I tell you yet again, Banquo’s buried; he cannot come out on’s⁴⁷ grave.

DOCTOR

DOCTOR     Even so?⁴⁸

LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH     To bed, to bed. There’s knocking at the gate. Come, come, come, come, give me your hand. What’s done cannot be undone. To bed, to bed, to bed.

       Exit Lady [Macbeth]

DOCTOR

DOCTOR     Will she go now to bed?

GENTLEWOMAN

GENTLEWOMAN     Directly.

DOCTOR

DOCTOR     Foul whisp’rings are abroad. Unnatural deeds

               Do breed unnatural troubles: infected minds

55

55           To their deaf pillows will discharge their secrets.

               More needs she the divine⁵⁶ than the physician.

               God, God forgive us all! Look after her:

               Remove from her the means of all annoyance,⁵⁸

               And still⁵⁹ keep eyes upon her. So, goodnight.

60

60           My mind she has mated,⁶⁰ and amazed my sight.

               I think, but dare not speak.

GENTLEWOMAN

GENTLEWOMAN     Goodnight, good doctor.

       Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 25.2

running scene 19

       Drum and Colours. Enter Menteith, Caithness, Angus, Lennox [and] Soldiers

MENTEITH

MENTEITH     The English power is near, led on by Malcolm,

               His uncle Siward and the good Macduff.

               Revenges burn in them, for their dear³ causes

               Would to the bleeding⁴ and the grim alarm

5

5             Excite⁵ the mortified man.

ANGUS

ANGUS     Near Birnam Wood

               Shall we well meet them: that way are they coming.

CAITHNESS

CAITHNESS     Who knows if Donalbain be with his brother?

LENNOX

LENNOX     For certain, sir, he is not: I have a file⁹

10

10           Of all the gentry: there is Siward’s son,

               And many unrough¹¹ youths that even now

               Protest¹² their first of manhood.

MENTEITH

MENTEITH     What does the tyrant?

CAITHNESS

CAITHNESS     Great Dunsinane¹⁴ he strongly fortifies.

15

15           Some say he’s mad, others that lesser hate him

               Do call it valiant fury: but for certain

               He cannot buckle¹⁷ his distempered cause

               Within the belt of rule.

ANGUS

ANGUS     Now does he feel

20

20           His secret murders sticking²⁰ on his hands,

               Now minutely²¹ revolts upbraid his faith-breach.

               Those he commands move²² only in command,

               Nothing in love: now does he feel his title

               Hang loose about him, like a giant’s robe

25

25           Upon a dwarfish thief.

MENTEITH

MENTEITH     Who then shall blame

               His pestered²⁷ senses to recoil and start,

               When all that is within him does condemn

               Itself for being there?

30

30   

CAITHNESS

CAITHNESS           Well, march we on

               To give obedience where ’tis truly owed:

               Meet we the med’cine³² of the sickly weal,

               And with him pour we in our country’s purge³³

               Each drop³⁴ of us.

35

35   

LENNOX

LENNOX           Or so much as it needs

               To dew³⁶ the sovereign flower and drown the weeds.

               Make we our march towards Birnam.

       Exeunt, marching

Act 5 Scene 35.3

running scene 20

Enter Macbeth, Doctor and Attendants

MACBETH

MACBETH     Bring me no more reports. Let them¹ fly all:

               Till Birnam Wood remove² to Dunsinane,

               I cannot taint³ with fear. What’s the boy Malcolm?

               Was he not born of woman? The spirits that know

5

5             All mortal consequences⁵ have pronounced me thus:

               ‘Fear not, Macbeth: no man that’s born of woman

               Shall e’er have power upon thee.’ Then fly, false thanes,

               And mingle with the English epicures.⁸

               The mind I sway by⁹ and the heart I bear

10

10           Shall never sag with doubt nor shake with fear.

       Enter Servant

               The devil damn thee black, thou cream-faced¹¹ loon!

               Where got’st thou that goose¹² look?

SERVANT

SERVANT     There is ten thousand—

MACBETH

MACBETH     Geese, villain?

15

15   

SERVANT

SERVANT           Soldiers, sir.

MACBETH

MACBETH     Go prick thy face and over-red¹⁶ thy fear,

               Thou lily-livered¹⁷ boy. What soldiers, patch?

               Death of¹⁸ thy soul! Those linen cheeks of thine

               Are counsellors to¹⁹ fear. What soldiers, whey-face?

20

20   

SERVANT

SERVANT           The English force, so please you.

MACBETH

MACBETH     Take thy face hence.—

       [Exit Servant]

               Seyton!²¹— I am sick at heart,

               When I behold— Seyton, I say!— This push²²

               Will cheer²³ me ever, or disseat me now.

               I have lived long enough: my way²⁴ of life

25

25           Is fall’n into the sear,²⁵ the yellow leaf,

               And that which should accompany old age,

               As²⁷ honour, love, obedience, troops of friends,

               I must not look to have, but in their stead²⁸

               Curses, not loud but deep, mouth-honour,²⁹ breath,

30

30           Which the poor heart would fain³⁰ deny and dare not.— Seyton!

       Enter Seyton

SEYTON

SEYTON     What’s your gracious pleasure?

MACBETH

MACBETH     What news more?

SEYTON

SEYTON     All is confirmed, my lord, which was reported.

MACBETH

MACBETH     I’ll fight till from my bones my flesh be hacked.

35

35           Give me my armour.

SEYTON

SEYTON     ’Tis not needed yet.

MACBETH

MACBETH     I’ll put it on.

               Send out more horses: skirr³⁸ the country round:

               Hang those that talk of fear. Give me mine armour.— Seyton gets the armor

40

40           How does your patient, doctor?

DOCTOR

DOCTOR     Not so sick,⁴¹ my lord,

               As she is troubled with thick-coming⁴² fancies

               That keep her from her rest.

MACBETH

MACBETH     Cure her of that.

45

45           Canst thou not minister to a mind diseased,

               Pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow,

               Raze out⁴⁷ the written troubles of the brain,

               And with some sweet oblivious⁴⁸ antidote

               Cleanse the stuffed⁴⁹ bosom of that perilous stuff

50

50           Which weighs upon the heart?

DOCTOR

DOCTOR     Therein the patient

               Must minister to himself.

MACBETH

MACBETH     Throw physic to the dogs, I’ll none of it.—

               Come, put mine armour on: give me my staff.⁵⁴— To Attendants, who arm him

55

55           Seyton, send out.⁵⁵ Doctor, the thanes fly from me.—

               Come, sir, dispatch.⁵⁶— If thou couldst, doctor, cast

               The water of my land, find her disease,

               And purge it to a sound and pristine⁵⁸ health,

               I would applaud thee to the very echo,

60

60           That should applaud again.— Pull’t off,⁶⁰ I say.— To Attendants

               What rhubarb,⁶¹ cyme, or what purgative drug To Doctor

               Would scour⁶² these English hence? Hear’st thou of them?

DOCTOR

DOCTOR     Ay, my good lord: your royal preparation⁶³

               Makes us hear something.

65

65          

MACBETH

MACBETH     Bring it⁶⁵ after me.— To Seyton or Attendants

               I will not be afraid of death and bane,⁶⁶

               Till Birnam Forest come to Dunsinane.

DOCTOR

DOCTOR     Were I from Dunsinane away and clear,⁶⁸ Aside

               Profit again should hardly⁶⁹ draw me here.

       Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 45.4

running scene 21

       Drum and Colours. Enter Malcolm, Siward, Macduff, Siward’s Son, Menteith, Caithness, Angus and Soldiers, marching

MALCOLM

MALCOLM     Cousins, I hope the days are near at hand

               That chambers² will be safe.

MENTEITH

MENTEITH     We doubt it nothing.³

SIWARD

SIWARD     What wood is this before us?

5

5     

MENTEITH

MENTEITH         The wood of Birnam.

MALCOLM

MALCOLM     Let every soldier hew him down a bough

               And bear’t before him: thereby shall we shadow⁷

               The numbers of our host⁸ and make discovery

               Err⁹ in report of us.

10

10   

A SOLDIER

A SOLDIER           It shall be done.

SIWARD

SIWARD     We learn no other but the confident tyrant

               Keeps¹² still in Dunsinane and will endure

               Our setting down¹³ before’t.

MALCOLM

MALCOLM     ’Tis his main hope:

15

15           For where¹⁵ there is advantage to be given,

               Both more¹⁶ and less have given him the revolt,

               And none serve with him but constrainèd things

               Whose hearts are absent too.

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     Let¹⁹ our just censures

20

20           Attend the true event, and put we on

               Industrious soldiership.

SIWARD

SIWARD     The time approaches

               That will with due²³ decision make us know

               What we shall say we have and what we owe.²⁴

25

25           Thoughts²⁵ speculative their unsure hopes relate,

               But certain issue strokes must arbitrate:

               Towards which advance the war.

       Exeunt, marching

Act 5 Scene 55.5

running scene 22

       Enter Macbeth, Seyton, and Soldiers with Drum and Colours

MACBETH

MACBETH     Hang out our banners on the outward walls:

               The cry is still ‘They come.’ Our castle’s strength

               Will laugh a siege to scorn: here let them lie

               Till famine and the ague⁴ eat them up.

5

5             Were they not forced⁵ with those that should be ours,

               We might have met them dareful,⁶ beard to beard,

               And beat them backward home.

       A cry within of women

               What is that noise?

SEYTON

SEYTON     It is the cry of women, my good lord. Exit or goes to the door

MACBETH

MACBETH     I have almost forgot the taste of fears:

10

10           The time has been my senses would have cooled

               To hear a night-shriek, and my fell of hair¹¹

               Would at a dismal treatise¹² rouse and stir

               As¹³ life were in’t. I have supped full with horrors:

               Direness,¹⁴ familiar to my slaughterous thoughts,

15

15           Cannot once start me.¹⁵— Seyton reenters or comes forward

               Wherefore was that cry? To Seyton

SEYTON

SEYTON     The queen, my lord, is dead.

MACBETH

MACBETH     She¹⁷ should have died hereafter:

               There would have been a time for such a word.¹⁸

               Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,

20

20           Creeps in this petty²⁰ pace from day to day

               To the last syllable²¹ of recorded time:

               And all our yesterdays have lighted²² fools

               The way to dusty²³ death. Out, out, brief candle.

               Life’s but a walking shadow,²⁴ a poor player

25

25           That struts and frets²⁵ his hour upon the stage

               And then is heard no more. It is a tale

               Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,²⁷

               Signifying nothing.

       Enter a Messenger

               Thou com’st to use thy tongue: thy story quickly.²⁹

30

30   

MESSENGER

MESSENGER           Gracious my lord,

               I should report that which I say I saw,

               But know not how to do’t.

MACBETH

MACBETH     Well, say, sir.

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     As I did³⁴ stand my watch upon the hill,

35

35           I looked toward Birnam, and anon methought

               The wood began to move.

MACBETH

MACBETH     Liar and slave!

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Let me endure your wrath if’t be not so.

               Within this three mile may you see it coming:

40

40           I say, a moving grove.

MACBETH

MACBETH     If thou speak’st false,

               Upon the next tree shall thou hang alive

               Till famine cling⁴³ thee: if thy speech be sooth,

               I care not if thou dost⁴⁴ for me as much.—

45

45           I pull in resolution,⁴⁵ and begin

               To doubt th’equivocation of the fiend⁴⁶

               That lies like truth. ‘Fear not, till Birnam Wood

               Do come to Dunsinane’, and now a wood

               Comes toward Dunsinane.— Arm, arm, and out!

50

50           If this which he avouches⁵⁰ does appear,

               There is nor⁵¹ flying hence nor tarrying here.—

               I ’gin⁵² to be aweary of the sun,

               And wish th’estate⁵² o’th’world were now undone.—

               Ring the alarum bell! Blow wind, come wrack,⁵⁴

55

55           At least we’ll die with harness⁵⁵ on our back.

       Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 65.6

running scene 23

       Drum and Colours. Enter Malcolm, Siward, Macduff and their army, with boughs

MALCOLM

MALCOLM     Now near enough. Your leafy screens throw down,

               And show² like those you are. You, worthy uncle,

               Shall with my cousin, your right noble son,

               Lead our first battle.⁴ Worthy Macduff and we

5

5             Shall take upon’s what else remains to do,

               According to our order.⁶

SIWARD

SIWARD     Fare you well.

               Do⁸ we but find the tyrant’s power tonight,

               Let us be beaten if we cannot fight.

10

10   

MACDUFF

MACDUFF           Make all our trumpets speak: give them all breath,

               Those clamorous harbingers¹¹ of blood and death.

       Exeunt. Alarums continued

Act 5 Scene 7

running scene 23 continues

       Enter Macbeth

MACBETH

MACBETH     They have tied me to a stake: I cannot fly,

               But bear-like² I must fight the course. What’s he

               That was not born of woman? Such a one

               Am I to fear, or none.

       Enter Young Siward

5

5     

YOUNG SIWARD

YOUNG SIWARD         What is thy name?

MACBETH

MACBETH     Thou’lt be afraid to hear it.

YOUNG SIWARD

YOUNG SIWARD     No, though thou call’st thyself a hotter name

               Than any is⁸ in hell.

MACBETH

MACBETH     My name’s Macbeth.

10

10   

YOUNG SIWARD

YOUNG SIWARD           The devil himself could not pronounce a title

               More hateful to mine ear.

MACBETH

MACBETH     No, nor more fearful.

YOUNG SIWARD

YOUNG SIWARD      Thou liest, abhorrèd tyrant: with my sword

               I’ll prove the lie thou speak’st.

       Fight and Young Siward slain

15

15   

MACBETH

MACBETH           Thou wast born of woman.

               But swords I smile at, weapons laugh to scorn,

               Brandished by man that’s of a woman born.

       Exit

       Alarums. Enter Macduff

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     That way the noise is. Tyrant, show thy face.

               If thou be’st slain, and with no stroke of mine,

20

20           My wife and children’s ghosts will haunt me still.

               I cannot strike at wretched kerns,²¹ whose arms

               Are hired to bear their staves:²² either thou, Macbeth,

               Or else my sword with an unbattered edge

               I sheathe again undeeded.²⁴ There thou shouldst be:

25

25           By this great clatter, one of greatest note²⁵

               Seems bruited.²⁶ Let me find him, Fortune,

               And more I beg not.

       Exit. Alarums

       Enter Malcolm and Siward

SIWARD

SIWARD     This way, my lord. The castle’s gently rendered:²⁸

               The tyrant’s people on both sides do fight,

30

30           The noble thanes do bravely in the war,

               The³¹ day almost itself professes yours,

               And little is to do.

MALCOLM

MALCOLM     We have met with foes that strike beside us.³³

SIWARD

SIWARD     Enter, sir, the castle.

       Exeunt. Alarum

       Enter Macbeth

35

35   

MACBETH

MACBETH           Why should I play³⁵ the Roman fool and die

               On mine own sword? Whiles I see lives,³⁶ the gashes

               Do better upon them.

       Enter Macduff

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     Turn, hell-hound, turn.

MACBETH

MACBETH     Of all men else³⁹ I have avoided thee.

40

40           But get thee back: my soul is too much charged⁴⁰

               With blood of thine already.

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     I have no words:

               My voice is in my sword, thou bloodier villain

               Than terms⁴⁴ can give thee out.

       Fight. Alarum

45

45   

MACBETH

MACBETH           Thou losest labour.⁴⁵

               As easy mayst thou the intrenchant⁴⁶ air

               With thy keen⁴⁷ sword impress as make me bleed.

               Let fall thy blade on vulnerable crests:⁴⁸

               I bear a charmed life, which must not yield

50

50           To one of woman born.

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     Despair thy charm,

               And let the angel⁵² whom thou still hast served

               Tell thee: Macduff was from his mother’s womb

               Untimely⁵⁴ ripped.

55

55   

MACBETH

MACBETH           Accursèd be that tongue that tells me so,

               For it hath cowed⁵⁶ my better part of man.

               And be these juggling⁵⁷ fiends no more believed

               That palter⁵⁸ with us in a double sense,

               That keep⁵⁹ the word of promise to our ear

60

60           And break it to our hope. I’ll not fight with thee.

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     Then yield thee, coward,

               And live to be the show⁶² and gaze o’th’time:

               We’ll have thee, as our rarer monsters are,

               Painted upon a pole,⁶⁴ and underwrit,

65

65           ‘Here may you see the tyrant.’

MACBETH

MACBETH     I will not yield

               To kiss the ground before young Malcolm’s feet

               And to be baited with the rabble’s⁶⁸ curse.

               Though Birnam Wood be come to Dunsinane,

70

70           And thou opposed,⁷⁰ being of no woman born,

               Yet I will try the last.⁷¹ Before my body

               I throw my warlike shield. Lay on,⁷² Macduff,

               And damned be him that first cries, ‘Hold, enough!’

       Exeunt fighting. Alarums

       Enter fighting, and Macbeth slain

       [Exit Macduff with Macbeth’s body]

       Retreat and flourish. Enter, with Drum and Colours, Malcolm, Siward, Ross, Thanes and Soldiers

MALCOLM

MALCOLM     I would⁷⁴ the friends we miss were safe arrived.

75

75   

SIWARD

SIWARD           Some must go off:⁷⁵ and yet, by these I see

               So great a day as this is cheaply bought.

MALCOLM

MALCOLM     Macduff is missing, and your noble son.

ROSS

ROSS     Your son, my lord, has paid a soldier’s debt:⁷⁸

       To Siward

               He only lived but till he was a man,

80

80           The which no sooner had his prowess⁸⁰ confirmed

               In the unshrinking station⁸¹ where he fought,

               But like a man he died.

SIWARD

SIWARD     Then he is dead?

ROSS

ROSS     Ay, and brought off the field. Your cause of sorrow

85

85           Must not be measured by his worth, for then

               It hath no end.

SIWARD

SIWARD     Had he his hurts before?⁸⁷

ROSS

ROSS     Ay, on the front.

SIWARD

SIWARD     Why then, God’s soldier be he!

90

90           Had I as many sons as I have hairs⁹⁰

               I would not wish them to a fairer death:

               And so his knell is knolled.⁹²

MALCOLM

MALCOLM     He’s worth more sorrow,

               And that I’ll spend⁹⁴ for him.

95

95   

SIWARD

SIWARD           He’s worth no more.

               They say he parted well and paid his score,⁹⁶

               And so God be with him! Here comes newer comfort.

Enter Macduff with Macbeth’s head

MACDUFF

MACDUFF     Hail, king, for so thou art. Behold where stands⁹⁸

               Th’usurper’s cursèd head. The time is free:⁹⁹

100

100         I see thee compassed¹⁰⁰ with thy kingdom’s pearl,

               That speak my salutation¹⁰¹ in their minds,

               Whose voices I desire aloud with mine:

               Hail, King of Scotland!

ALL

ALL     Hail, King of Scotland!

       Flourish

105

MALCOLM

MALCOLM     We shall not spend¹⁰⁵ a large expense of time

               Before we reckon¹⁰⁶ with your several loves

               And make¹⁰⁷ us even with you. My thanes and kinsmen,

               Henceforth be earls, the first that ever Scotland

               In such an honour named. What’s more to do

110

110         Which would be planted¹¹⁰ newly with the time,

               As calling home our exiled friends abroad

               That fled the snares of watchful tyranny,

               Producing forth the cruel ministers¹¹³

               Of this dead butcher and his fiend-like queen,

115

115         Who — as ’tis thought — by¹¹⁵ self and violent hands

               Took off her life: this, and what needful else¹¹⁶

               That calls upon us, by the grace of grace¹¹⁷

               We will perform in measure,¹¹⁸ time and place.

               So thanks to all at once and to each one,

120

120         Whom we invite to see us crowned at Scone.

       Flourish. Exeunt

The Songs (apparently by Thomas Middleton, used in stagings after Shakespeare’s retirement)

       Song 1: at end of 3.5:

UNSEEN SPIRITS

UNSEEN SPIRITS     Come away, come away, Above

                                    Hecate, Hecate, O come away!

HECATE

HECATE     I come, I come, I come, I come,

                                    With all the speed I may,

5

5                       With all the speed I may.

               Where’s Stadlin?

UNSEEN SPIRIT

UNSEEN SPIRIT     Here.

HECATE

HECATE     Where’s Puckle?

UNSEEN SPIRIT

UNSEEN SPIRIT     Here.

UNSEEN SPIRITS

UNSEEN SPIRITS     And Hoppo too, and Hellway too,

               We lack but you, we lack but you.

10

                                 Come away, make up the count.¹⁰

HECATE

HECATE     I will but ’noint,¹¹ and then I mount.

                                    I will but ’noint, and then I mount.

       Malkin, a spirit like a cat, descends

UNSEEN SPIRITS

UNSEEN SPIRITS     Here comes one down to fetch his dues,¹³

                                    A kiss, a cull,¹⁴ a sip of blood,

15

15                       And why thou stay’st so long I muse,¹⁵ I muse,

                                    Since the air’s so fresh and good.

HECATE

HECATE     O, art thou come? What news, what news?

MALKIN

MALKIN     All goes well to our delight:

                                    Either come or else

20

20                       Refuse, refuse.

HECATE

HECATE     Now I am furnished²¹ for the flight. Going up

                                    Now I go, O now I fly,

                                    Malkin my sweet spirit and I.

                                    O what a dainty pleasure is this

25

25                       To ride in the air

                                    When the moon shines fair,

                                    And feast and sing and toy and kiss!

                                    Over woods, high rocks and mountains,

                                    Over seas, our crystal²⁹ fountains,

30

30                       Over steeples, towers, turrets,

                                    We fly by night ’mongst troops of spirits:

                                    No ring of bells to our ears sound,³²

                                    No howls of wolves, nor yelps of hounds,

                                    No, nor the noise of water’s breach,³⁴

35

5                       Nor cannon’s throat our height can reach.

UNSEEN SPIRITS

UNSEEN SPIRITS     No ring of bells to our ears sound,

                                    No howls of wolves, nor yelps of hounds,

                                    No, nor the noise of water’s breach,

                                    Nor cannon’s throat our height can reach.

       [Exeunt]

       Song 2: in 4.1, before Macbeth’s entrance:

HECATE

HECATE     Black spirits and white, red spirits and grey,

                                    Mingle, mingle, mingle, you that mingle may.

FOURTH WITCH

FOURTH WITCH     Titty, Tiffin, keep³ it stiff in,

                                    Firedrake, Puckey, make it lucky,

5

5                       Liard, Robin, you must bob in.

ALL

ALL     Round, around, around, about, about,

                                    All ill come running in, all good keep out.

FOURTH WITCH

FOURTH WITCH     Here’s the blood of a bat.

HECATE

HECATE     Put in that, O put in that!

10

FIFTH WITCH

FIFTH WITCH     Here’s leopard’s bane.¹⁰

HECATE

HECATE     Put in a grain.

FOURTH WITCH

FOURTH WITCH     The juice of toad, the oil¹² of adder.

FIFTH WITCH

FIFTH WITCH     Those will make the charm grow madder.¹³

HECATE

HECATE     Put in, there’s all, and rid¹⁴ the stench.

15

15   

SIXTH WITCH

SIXTH WITCH     Nay, here’s three ounces of a red-haired wench.¹⁵

ALL

ALL     Round, around, around, about, about,

                                    All ill come running in, all good keep out.

       [Exit Hecate and the other three Witches]

Textual Notes

F = First Folio text of 1623, the only authority for the play

F2 = a correction introduced in the Second Folio text of 1632

F3 = a correction introduced in the Third Folio text of 1663–64

Ed = a correction introduced by a later editor

SD = stage direction

SH = speech heading (i.e., speaker’s name)

List of parts = Ed

1.1.1 SH FIRST WITCH = Ed. F = 1. (throughout) 3 SH SECOND WITCH = Ed. F = 2. (throughout) 5 SH THIRD WITCH = Ed. F = 3. (throughout) 10 SH SECOND WITCH = Ed. Line assigned to All in F 11 SH THIRD WITCH = Ed. Line assigned to All in F 12 SH ALL = Ed. At line 10 in F

1.2.1 SH DUNCAN = Ed. F = King (throughout) 11 Macdonald = Ed. F = Macdonwald 15 gallowglasses = Ed. F = Gallowgrosses 16 quarrel = Ed. F = Quarry 23 ne’er = Ed. F = neu’r

1.3.33 weyard always spelled weyard or weyward in F, never weird 40 Forres = Ed. F = Soris 59 rapt = Ed. F = wrapt 117 lose = Ed. F = loose 145 hair = Ed. F = Heire

1.4.49 harbinger spelled Herbenger in F

1.5.1 SH LADY MACBETH = Ed. F = Lady. (throughout) 8 lose = Ed. F = loose 12 human spelled humane in F 45 it = Ed. F = hit

1.6.0 SD Hautboys spelled Hoboyes in F (throughout) 5 martlet = Ed. F = Barlet 6 mansionry = Ed. F = Mansonry 10 most = Ed. F = must 23 hermits spelled Ermites in F

1.7.6 shoal = Ed. F = Schoole 11 th’ingredients spelled th’Ingredience in F 50 do = Ed. F = no

2.1.62 strides = Ed. F = sides 63 sure = Ed. F = sowre 64 way they = Ed. F = they may

2.3.150 nea’er = Ed. F = neere

2.4.8 travelling spelled trauailing in F 21 ate spelled eate in F 36 life’s = Ed. F = liues 51 SD Exeunt = Ed. F = Exeunt omnes

3.1.78 SH MURDERERS = Ed. F = Murth. (throughout the scene) 93 clept spelled clipt in F

3.3.1 SH FIRST MURDERER = Ed. F = 1. (throughout the scene) 2 SH THIRD MURDERER = Ed. F = 3. (throughout the scene) 3 SH SECOND MURDERER = Ed. F = 2. (throughout the scene) 9 and = F2. F = end

3.4.14 SH FIRST MURDERER = Ed. F = Mur. 88 human spelled humane in F 90 time = F2. F = times 165 in deed = Ed. F = indeed

3.5.26 sleights = Ed. F = slights

3.6.25 son = Ed. F = Sonnes

4.1.59 germens = Ed. F = Germaine 73 SD First Apparition = Ed. F = 1. Apparation 82 SD Second Apparition = Ed. F = 2 Apparition 92 SD Third Apparition = Ed. F = 3 Apparation 100 Birnam spelled Byrnam, Byrnan, Birnan, Byrnane, and Birnane in F Dunsinane = Ed. F = Dunsmane 128 eighth = F3. F = eight

4.2.1 SH LADY MACDUFF = Ed. F = Wife. 25 none = Ed. F = moue 81 SH FIRST MURDERER = Ed. F = Mur.

4.3.39 Fare = Ed. F = Far 121 accused spelled accust in F 148 thy = F2. F = they 188 rend = Ed. F = rent 270 tune = Ed. F = time

5.1.27–8 fear who = Ed. F = feare?who

5.3.23 disseat spelled dis-eate in F 38 more spelled moe in F 44 Cure her = Ed. F = Cure 58 pristine = Ed. F = pristiue

5.4.4 SH SIWARD = Ed. F = Syew. (throughout the scene; also Syw., at line 11 and Sey. at line 22)

5.5.41 false = Ed. F = fhlse 45 pull = F. Sometimes emended to pall

5.7.120 SD Exeunt = Ed. F = Exeunt Omnes

Act 1 Scene 1

 1.1    Location: an open place

    3    hurly-burly turmoil, uproar, strife

    5    ere before

    9    Grey Malkin a cat, the First Witch’s familiar (a spirit in animal form that carried out evil deeds for a witch)

  10    Paddock the Second Witch’s familiar, a toad

  11    Anon soon, in a moment

Act 1 Scene 2

 1.2    Location: Scotland, outdoors, exact location unspecified    Alarum a trumpet call to arms

    2    plight condition, appearance

    3    newest state latest state of affairs

    5    hardy bold/vigorous

    6    captivity capture by the enemy

    7    broil battle, tumult

  10    spent exhausted

  11    choke their art destroy their skill (i.e., weigh each other down and drown)

  12    to that to that end, for that reason

  13    multiplying…nature increasing numbers of evils within nature/growing numbers of unnatural rebel soldiers

  14    Western Isles the Hebrides (islands west of Scotland) and possibly Ireland

  15    Of kerns with lightly armed foot soldiers    gallowglasses soldiers armed with axes    supplied reinforced

  16    quarrel dispute/hostile cause (“her damnèd quarry” would be an alternative reading)

  17    Showed appeared/sexually displayed herself

  19    brandished shining/flourished

  21    minion favorite one, darling    carved…passage hacked his way through

  22    slave villain (i.e., the rebel Macdonald)

  23    Which who (i.e., Macbeth)

  24    unseamed him ripped him in two (clothing metaphor)    nave to th’chops navel to the jaws

  27    As…thunders just as destructive storms and dreadful thunder originate (like the Norwegian invaders) in the east, where the warming sun rises/just as when the sun begins to return at the spring equinox, it is accompanied by storms; ’gins begins    reflection shining/return

  29    spring source (of water)/springtime    comfort encouraging news

  30    swells wells up/becomes swollen    Mark note, pay attention

  32    skipping lightly armed/nervously bounding/absconding    trust their heels run away

  33    Norwegian lord i.e., Sweno (original pronunciation: “Norweyan”)    surveying vantage perceiving an advantage

  34    furbished gleaming/revived

  37    Yes…lion i.e., only as much as a weak creature would dismay a powerful predator

  38    sooth truth    report tell (plays on the sense of “noise of a cannon firing”)

  39    cracks charges of gunpowder

  41    Except unless    reeking bloody/steaming (as the hot blood meets the air)

  42    memorize make memorable    Golgotha “place of skulls” where Christ was crucified

  45    become befit/honor

  46    smack savor (plays on the sense of “the noise lips make in tasting” and so continues the idea of gashes as mouths)

  48    Thane title of a member of the Scottish nobility (broadly equivalent to an English earl)

  49    looks through appears in

  50    seems to seems to be about to

  53    Fife region on the east coast of Scotland

  54    flout defy/mock

  56    Norway himself i.e., Sweno, King of Norway    terrible numbers terrifying quantities of soldiers

  58    dismal devastating/ominous

  59    Bellona’s bridegroom i.e., Macbeth    Bellona Roman goddess of war    lapped in proof wrapped in armor of tried and tested strength

  60    Confronted…self-comparisons i.e., matched him in every respect

  61    Point sword’s point    arm weapon

  62    lavish unrestrained, wild

  64    Norways’ Norwegians’

  65    Craves composition requests a peace treaty

  66    deign condescend to permit

  67    disbursèd paid out    Saint Colme’s inch Inchcolm, an island in the Firth of Forth (estuary on the east coast of Scotland)

  68    dollars English name for the German thaler, as well as for silver coins from various northern countries

  70    bosom interest closest, most intimate concerns    present immediate

Act 1 Scene 3

 1.3    Location: a heath

    6    quoth said

    7    Aroint thee be off with you    rump-fed fed on rump (a generous cut of meat), hence greedy/with a well-fed vagina, hence lecherous    runnion abusive term for a woman (possibly plays on the abusive slang sense of “penis”)

    8    Aleppo trading city in northern Syria    master captain Tiger the ship’s name

  10    like in the guise of

  11    do act/have sex (it was thought that witches often seduced their male victims)

  15    other other winds

  16    ports they blow a wind blowing from land would make a port inaccessible to a ship at sea

  17    quarters directions/compass points

  18    I’th’shipman’s card sailor’s chart/card showing the compass points

  19    drain exhaust/drain sexually

  21    penthouse lid eyelid (that projects like a top-heavy upper floor of a building)

  22    forbid cursed

  23    sennights weeks (seven nights)

  24    peak and pine waste away and starve (perhaps with connotations of phallic detumescence)

  25    bark ship

  26    tempest-tossed tossed on the sea by storms

  29    pilot steersman of a ship

  33    weyard wayward; with the power to control or foresee destiny; the fact that there are three witches invites a comparison with the classical Fates (always spelled “weyard” or “weyward” in Folio; never “weird,” the spelling in the play’s source, Holinshed’s “Chronicle of Scotland”)

  34    Posters swift travelers

  35    Thus…nine the witches perform a ritualized dance or series of movements

  38    Peace be still/be silent    charm magic spell    wound up prepared, ready

  39    foul and fair darkly stormy yet bright in terms of military success (the phrase also resonates with the sense of “morally wicked and virtuous”)

  40    is’t called is it said to be    Forres town in the northeast of Scotland, east of Inverness

  43    on’t on it (the earth)    aught anything

  45    choppy chapped

  46    should be would appear to be

  53    start flinch/react nervously/recoil

  55    fantastical imaginary    indeed in truth/in deed

  56    show appear to be

  57    present grace immediate honor

  58    having gain

  59    rapt withal entranced, absorbed by it

  62    neither…hate neither begs your favor nor fears your hate

  68    happy favored by fortune/content

  69    get beget, conceive

  72    imperfect unclear/cryptic/incomplete

  73    Sinel Macbeth’s father

  76    prospect field of view/anticipation of the future

  77    whence…intelligence where you got this strange information

  79    blasted blighted/accursed

  80    charge command

  83    corporal physical, bodily

  84    Would I wish

  86    on of    insane root root of plant (probably henbane) that was reputed to cause madness if eaten

  91    th’selfsame the very same

  93    reads perceives, comprehends

  94    venture risky involvement

  95    His…his i.e., his personal feelings of awe and praises for you are both so great as to compete with one another (the result being that he finds himself silenced)

  98    stout brave

  99    Nothing afeard not at all afraid    what…make i.e., slaughter on the battlefield (strange images of death)

100    As…post messengers arrived as thick and fast as the tales they had to tell (though some editors emend “tale” to “hail,” which fits better with the subsequent poured down)

106    Only…thee only in order to usher you into his presence, not as a means of rewarding you

108    earnest pledge, foretaste

110    addition title

115    Who he who

116    judgement sentence

118    combined in league

119    line reinforce (metaphorically, “line the rebel’s garment”)    rebel i.e., Macdonald

122    capital deserving of the death penalty

125    behind yet to come

129    home fully

130    enkindle inflame, provoke

133    darkness i.e., the devil

134    trifles insignificant things

135    deepest consequence the profoundly serious outcome

138    happy fortunate    prologue preliminary actions/lines spoken by an actor before the beginning of a play    swelling growing/exalted    act division of a play (plays on the sense of “deed, action”)

139    imperial theme royal subject matter (theme plays on the sense of “subject that causes action”)

140    soliciting incitement

142    earnest pledge, foretaste

144    suggestion temptation, incitement

145    horrid frightful/bristling (like Macbeth’s hair)    unfix my hair make my hair stand on end

146    seated fixed, stable

147    use usual practice

148    less i.e., not as ghastly and terrifying

149    whose murder the enactment of which (this unusual use of murder reveals only too clearly what Macbeth’s thought is of)

150    single state unified existence/weak condition (state introduces a human body/body politic metaphor)

151    function…surmise usual powers of action are overwhelmed by speculation and imaginings

152    nothing…not only imaginings have any reality for me

155    stir stirring, taking action

157    strange unfamiliar    cleave…use do not cling snugly to the body’s contours until they have been worn many times

160    Time…day i.e., time is unstoppable and even the worst day has an end

161    stay wait

162    favour pardon

163    wrought preoccupied/stirred/worked on

164    registered recorded

165    Where…them i.e., in his memory

167    chanced happened    at more time when we have more time/at a later time

168    The…it i.e., having had time to consider it thoroughly

169    free frank, unrestrained

Act 1 Scene 4

 1.4    Location: Scotland, exact location unspecified    Flourish trumpet fanfare signaling the arrival of a person of authority

    1    or not or are not

    2    in commission given a warrant to see the execution carried out

    3    liege lord

    9    Became befitted/honored

  10    studied practiced/skilled

  11    owed owned

  12    careless uncared for

  13    art craft, skill

  14    construction interpretation, explanation/way of building itself

  18    before ahead (in terms of merit)

  20    Would…mine I wish that you were less deserving so that I might have had sufficient thanks and payment with which to reward you

  23    all everything, all my thanks and payment

  25    In…itself i.e., being a loyal servant is sufficient reward

  29    Safe toward to safeguard

  33    nor…so i.e., your equal worth must be recognized

  34    enfold embrace

  38    Wanton unrestrained/abundant

  39    drops of sorrow i.e., tears

  40    nearest closest to Duncan (i.e., relatives and favored nobles)

  41    establish our estate settle the succession of the state

  43    Prince of Cumberland the title given to the heir to the Scottish throne    which…only an honor that must not be the only one to be bestowed (i.e., other nobles will be favored too)    invest adorn, clothe

  46    Inverness town in the north of Scotland, location of Macbeth’s castle

  47    bind…you make me more indebted to you (as your guest)

  48    The…you a period of rest that is not used to serve you seems like hard work/anything that is not done on your behalf is tedious

  49    harbinger royal messenger

  57    wink…hand shut itself to the deeds carried out by the hand    be come to pass

  59    he…valiant Macbeth is just as brave (as you say); Duncan and Banquo have been conversing during Macbeth’s aside

  60    his commendations praises given to him

  62    care considerate solicitude

  63    peerless without equal

Act 1 Scene 5

 1.5    Location: Macbeth’s castle, Inverness

    2    perfect’st report most accurate testimony

    4    missives messengers

    7    deliver thee report to you

    9    Lay…heart reflect seriously on it/keep it secret

  12    milk…kindness compassion/natural humanity

  13    catch seize    nearest most obvious, most direct    wouldst want to

  15    illness…it wickedness that must go with it    highly greatly/ambitiously

  16    holily virtuously    play false be deceptive, treacherous

  17    thou’dst have thou wouldst have, i.e., you want

  18    have are to have

  19    And…undone i.e., you fear carrying out the deed (murder) rather than its consequences (the crown)

  20    Hie hasten

  22    chastise rebuke

  23    impedes hinders    golden round crown

  24    metaphysical supernatural

  25    withal with

  29    informed for preparation sent news so that preparations might be made

  31    had…of overtook

  34    tending attention, care

  36    raven considered a bird of ill omen

  39    tend on attend    mortal deadly/human

  42    remorse pity

  43    compunctious remorseful, filled with conscience

  44    fell fierce, cruel    keep maintain, preserve

  45    Th’effect and it the outcome and my intention (purpose)

  46    take exchange/consider, treat (as)/feed on    gall bile, bitterness    ministers agents/attendants

  47    sightless invisible

  48    wait on wait upon/lie in wait for    nature’s mischief human evil

  49    pall envelop, wrap (as if with a pall or cloth used to cover a coffin)    dunnest darkest/murkiest

  50    keen sharp (plays on the sense of “eager, fervent”)

  52    Hold stop, desist

  53    all-hail hereafter the future prophesied by the witches/the salutation of “king” that followed Glamis and Cawdor

  55    ignorant unknowing

  56    instant present moment

  60    purposes intends

  64    strange mysterious/unnatural/unfamiliar    beguile deceive

  65    Look…time look ordinary, appear to be like everyone else

  68    provided for prepared for, taken care of (relates to hospitality and to murder)

  69    dispatch management

  71    solely entirely, exclusively    sway rule

  73    look up clear appear to be untroubled and innocent

  74    alter favour change your accustomed facial expression

Act 1 Scene 6

 1.6    Location: outside Macbeth’s castle    Hautboys players of oboe-like instruments Torches torchbearers

    1    seat setting

    3    gentle noble/made gentle by the air

    5    temple-haunting nesting in or frequenting places of worship    martlet swift (type of bird)    approve prove, demonstrate

    6    mansionry mansions, i.e., nests

    7    wooingly enticingly    jutty projecting part of a building    frieze decorative section underneath the cornice of a building

    8    Buttress support built against a main wall    coign of vantage advantageous corner

    9    pendent hanging    procreant fertile

  11    delicate pleasant, delightful

  13    The…love while I am always appreciative of the love behind it, such devoted service can be troublesome (to me/to you)

  14    Herein…pains by saying this I am encouraging you to ask God to reward me for your efforts (said in a light-hearted or self-deprecating manner)    yield reward

  18    point aspect, detail

  19    single weak    business affair/effort    contend Against compete with

  21    those of old honors previously bestowed

  22    late recent

  23    rest your hermits remain your beadsmen (i.e., those who pray on behalf of others)

  25    coursed chased

  26    purveyor official sent ahead to make arrangements for his master’s food, lodging, etc.

  27    holp helped

  31    theirs i.e., their own servants    in compt held in trust (from the king)

  32    audit account

  33    Still…own always ready to return to you what is yours

  36    graces favors

  37    By your leave with your permission

Act 1 Scene 7

 1.7    Location: within Macbeth’s castle    Sewer butler-like official in charge of serving meals    divers various    service portions of food

    1    If…done if it were truly over and finished with when the action itself has been completed

    3    trammel up entangle, trap (as in a net; may play on sense of “bind up a corpse”)    catch seize/ensnare

    4    surcease ending, death    success a final outcome/good fortune (plays on sense of “succession of heirs”)    that but if only

    6    bank and shoal river bank and shallow (though Folio’s “Banke and Schoole” could alternatively mean “bench and school,” pointing forward to the court and schoolroom imagery that follows, whereas “shoal,” an alternative spelling of “school,” emerges from the preceding fishing nets of “trammel” and “catch”)

    7    jump risk/overleap

    8    still always    here i.e., in this life    that in that

    9    instructions lessons

  10    th’inventor the teacher, he who composed the instructions

  11    Commends presents, offers    chalice goblet (perhaps recalling the cup used in Holy Communion; Macbeth’s is poisoned because of the unholy nature of murdering a king)

  14    Strong both i.e., both strong reasons

  17    faculties kingly powers

  18    clear faultless

  20    taking-off murder

  22    Striding sitting astride (as on a horse)/standing over to defend    blast storm/gale    cherubin cherubs (angels traditionally associated with the winds)    horsed on horseback

  23    sightless couriers invisible messengers (i.e., the winds)

  25    That so that    tears…wind tears (of sorrow but also a reaction to having the deed blown into the eye) will be so plentiful that they will calm the wind

  27    Vaulting…th’other like arider attempting to vault into his saddle, ambition leaps too far and crashes to the ground on the other side of the horse/ambition spurs the horse over an obstacle and horse and rider fall

  33    bought won

  35    would should    newest gloss freshest luster

  41    Such i.e., you are like the drunkard, bold only when inebriated    account deem, consider    Art…desire? Are you now afraid to be as brave and active as you would like to be (and claimed to be)?; act and desire suggest a reference to sexual potency

  44    esteem’st value as    ornament of life i.e., the crown    ornament distinction/adornment

  46    wait upon follow

  47    cat i’th’adage “the cat would eat fish but she will not wet her feet”    adage proverb

  49    do the verb can also mean “to have sex”

  50    none i.e., no man (because killing the king would be dishonorable and unnatural; in the following line, however, Lady Macbeth understands “beast-like, irrational”)

  52    break broach, reveal

  53    durst dared

  56    adhere agree, fit    make both i.e., make time and place adhere, create an opportunity

  57    that their fitness their very suitability

  58    unmake make incapable/destroy    given suck i.e., breast-fed a baby

  66    But only    screw…sticking-place wind up your courage to the limit    sticking-place the point at which something is made tightly secure (here the metaphor may refer to the groove on a crossbow into which its cord is fitted, or to the peg on a musical instrument around which string is tightened)

  68    Whereto the rather to which all the more readily

  69    chamberlains servants who attended the royal bedchamber

  70    wassail liquor/revelry    convince overcome

  71    warder keeper, guard

  72    fume vapor    receipt receptacle

  73    limbeck apparatus for distilling (i.e., extracting the essence of a liquid)    swinish pig-like/coarse/drunken

  76    put upon blame on/impose on

  77    spongy i.e., absorbent, saturated with drink    officers servants

  78    quell murder

  80    undaunted mettle fearless/intrepid temperament (mettle was undistinguished from “metal” that may lead to a pun on    males/(chain) mails in the next line)

  81    received understood, thought

  85    other otherwise

  86    As seeing as, given that

  88    settled committed/determined/steady    bend up tighten

  89    corporal agent bodily faculty/muscle

  90    mock deceive/imitate

  91    False deceptive/treacherous/artificial

Act 2 Scene 1

 2.1    Location: Macbeth’s castle (probably an open-air courtyard within the building)

    1    How…night how much of the night has passed, what time is it

    5    husbandry thrift, economy

    6    Their…out i.e., the stars are not visible

    7    summons urge to sleep

  15    largess gifts    offices servants’ quarters

  17    shut up concluded his speech/went to bed/was wrapped up

  19    Being…wrought i.e., being unprepared for Duncan’s visit my desire to entertain the king nobly and generously was hampered by a lack of provisions

  30    cleave…consent agree with me, support me    when ’tis when the time comes

  32    So provided that

  34    bosom franchised heart free (of guilt)

  35    counselled guided/open to your opinions

  36    the while in the meantime

  43    sensible perceptible (to the senses)

  46    heat-oppressèd overwhelmed by heat/feverish

  47    yet still    palpable tangible, capable of being touched

  49    marshall’st guide    the…going i.e., toward my intention/to Duncan’s chamber

  52    worth…rest more reliable than the other senses

  53    dudgeon hilt    gouts drops

  55    informs takes on a shape

  56    the one halfworld one half of the world

  58    curtained screened by the eyelids/veiled by bed curtains

  59    Hecate’s off’rings sacrifices to Hecate, Greek goddess of witchcraft and night, associated with the moon (hence    pale)

  60    Alarumed moved to action    sentinel guard, watchman

  61    watch signal, watchman’s call

  62    Tarquin Roman who raped Lucrece; he was the king’s son and this deed led to the overthrow of the Roman monarchy    ravishing intent on rape    design undertaking/scheme

  63    sure stable

  65    prate…whereabout betray my location    prate speak

  66    take…it (in breaking the silence) take on (or “remove”) the acute horror of this moment that is so suitable for it    present immediate/pressing

  67    threat threaten (to act)

  70    knell toll of a bell rung at funerals or after a death

Act 2 Scene 2

 2.2    Location: within Macbeth’s castle

    1    them i.e., Duncan’s servants

    2    quenched extinguished (fire)

    3    owl considered a bird of ill omen whose cry heralded death    bellman one who rang a bell to announce a death/night watchman who rang a bell every hour

    4    stern’st good night harshest and final good night (death)

    5    surfeited sated, drunk    grooms male servants

    6    mock make a mockery of/defy/imitate    possets hot spiced drinks often consumed before bed

    7    That so that    contend about compete for, fight over

  12    Confounds ruins, defeats

  13    he i.e., Duncan

  27    one…one Malcolm and Donalbain (although possibly the grooms)

  29    addressed them prepared themselves

  33    As as if    hangman’s hands perhaps a general reference to any executioner, though a hangman might have had bloody hands as he sometimes disemboweled the bodies of hanged men

  37    wherefore why

  40    thought…ways dwelt on in this manner

  41    so to do so

  44    ravelled unraveled, frayed    sleeve part of the arm of a piece of clothing/silk filament produced by untwisting a thicker thread

  45    bath soothing bath/healing liquid

  46    Balm healing ointment    second course main, most nourishing dish in a feast

  53    unbend slacken, weaken

  55    filthy witness i.e., Duncan’s blood

  57    lie remain (plays on sense of “deceive”)

  65    painted pictured/smeared (with blood)    do bleed is still bleeding/begins to bleed afresh (murdered corpses were thought to bleed in the presence of the murderer)

  66    gild paint, as with gold-leaf (puns on    guilt)

  68    Whence from where

  69    Appals me makes me pale/terrifies me

  71    Neptune Roman god of the sea

  73    multitudinous numerous/containing many waves    incarnadine make red, stain with blood

  74    green one red green sea entirely red/the green one (i.e., the sea) red

  75    shame would be ashamed

  76    white i.e., cowardly

  77    south entry southern entrance to the castle

  78    clears cleans/frees from accusation

  79    constancy…unattended your firmness has abandoned you

  81    nightgown dressing gown    occasion events/chance

  82    watchers those who remain awake

  83    poorly miserably/feebly, inadequately

  84    To…myself i.e., being mentally    lost is preferable to acknowledging what I have done/if consciousness of what I have done is to be endured, I must abandon my former self

Act 2 Scene 3

    2    old plenty of

    3    Beelzebub common name of a devil    Here’s the Porter begins to imagine those arriving in hell

    4    th’expectation of plenty presumably the farmer anticipated making a profit by hoarding his grain, only to be confounded by an abundant harvest and low prices; alternatively, he staked everything on a plentiful harvest that did not materialize    come in time you have come at a good time    napkins handkerchiefs (to wipe the sweat resulting from the heat of hell)

    6    other devil another devil whose name escapes the Porter (though also suggestive of Macbeth)    Faith by my faith (a common oath)    equivocator one who uses words ambiguously, so that more than one meaning may apply

    7    scales here specifically the scales of justice

    8    for God’s sake a common oath, but also a reference to Catholics who used equivocation in court as a way of escaping prosecution

  11    stealing…hose scrimping on the material used to make a pair of breeches/being too lecherous and dying of syphilis (tailors were popularly viewed as lustful and this one has let his penis steal out too often from his breeches; tail was slang for “penis”)    roast your goose heat up your tailor’s iron/have sex with your prostitute/contract venereal disease

  14    primrose…bonfire seemingly attractive but sinful path to eternal damnation

  15    remember give a tip to

  18    carousing reveling/drinking toasts    second cock second crowing of the cockerel (3 a.m. or later)

  21    Marry by the Virgin Mary    nose-painting i.e., reddening of the nose

  24    mars spoils    sets…off creates a sexual urge but renders him impotent

  25    stand…to get an erection and lose it    equivocates…sleep gives him erotic pleasure in a dream only

  26    giving…lie deceiving him (as he cannot actually perform sexually)/laying him flat (as in wrestling)/leaving him without an erection/calling him a liar/making him urinate

  28    i’the…me literally, in my throat/(deceiving) deliberately, outrageously    requited repaid (with violence)

  29    took…legs made me incapable of walking, pulled my legs out from under me (as a wrestler would)    made a shift contrived

  30    cast him throw him down/vomit

  37    timely early/promptly

  38    slipped the hour missed the designated time

  41    yet ’tis one nevertheless it still is a trouble

  42    The…pain tasks we take pleasure in cure any hardship they entail

  45    limited appointed

  47    appoint intend/determine

  48    unruly disordered, turbulent

  50    Lamentings cries of grief

  51    prophesying foretelling/preaching/uttering solemnly    accents terrible terrifying utterances

  52    dire combustion dreadful confusion/dangerous tumult    events outcomes

  53    New hatched to newly born as offspring to/newly born into    obscure bird i.e., the owl, bird of darkness    obscure of darkness/hidden

  54    livelong long-lasting

  57    My…to it my youthful memory cannot remember one like it/I cannot remember one like it even during my youth

  60    conceive imagine/comprehend, take in

  62    Confusion disorder/destruction/disaster

  63    sacrilegious unholy, profane (literally “sacrilege” is “stealing what is God’s”)    ope open

  64    Lord’s anointed temple God’s consecrated house of worship/Duncan’s head or body (anointed with holy oil at his coronation)

  69    Gorgon in Greek mythology, a female monster; anyone who looked at her was turned to stone

  74    downy soft, comfortable    counterfeit imitator/likeness

  76    great doom’s image image of Judgment Day, the end of the world when the dead were supposed to    rise from their graves

  77    sprites spirits, ghosts

  78    countenance face/be in keeping with

  80    trumpet i.e., noise, clamor (a trumpet was also supposed to sound at Judgment Day)    parley conversation/negotiationbetween enemy forces (announced with a trumpet call)

  84    repetition recital, report

  92    chance moment/event/misfortune

  94    mortality life

  95    toys trifles, insignificant things    renown and grace honor

  96    drawn drained (from a barrel)    lees dregs

  97    left left in    vault wine cellar/world beneath the arched sky    brag boast, be proud

101    stopped ended/stopped-up

105    badged marked as if with a badge worn by liveried servants

107    stared looked stunned, horror-struck/gazed fixedly    distracted agitated/confused

112    amazed stunned/confused/dismayed    temp’rate calm, composed, restrained

114    Th’expedition the haste    violent passionate/impetuous (plays on the sense of “destructive, bloody”)

115    pauser provoker of hesitation and self-restraint (the faculty of reason)

117    breach flaw/gap in fortifications made by an onslaught of heavy blows

118    wasteful destructive

119    Steeped dyed/soaked

120    Unmannerly improperly    breeched covered, as if wearing breeches (puns on breach)

122    make’s make his

125    Why…ours? Why do we remain silent when this subject has most to do with us?

128    auger hole small hole drilled with a carpenter’s tool (auger), i.e., undetectable hiding place    rush…us Donalbain fears that his father’s murderer may now seek to harm him and his brother    seize ambush

129    brewed i.e., ready to be shown

131    Upon…motion ready to move

133    our…hid i.e., temporarily put aside our horror and distress/got dressed

135    question discuss/inquire into

136    scruples doubts

137    thence i.e., with God’s help

138    Against…malice I shall fight against the unknown purpose that lies behind this treasonous and hostile act

142    briefly quickly    manly readiness i.e., clothes/manly resolve

145    consort associate, accompany

146    office task/role

150    the…bloody i.e., the more closely one is related to Duncan the more likely one is to be murdered

152    shaft i.e., of an arrow

153    lighted alighted, landed

155    dainty of leave-taking scrupulous about formal goodbyes

156    shift away leave secretly    warrant justification

157    steals purloins/slips away

Act 2 Scene 4

 2.4    Location: somewhere near Macbeth’s castle, Inverness

    1    Threescore and ten seventy (years); a score is twenty

    3    dreadful frightening    sore harsh, grievous

    4    trifled former knowings made previous experiences insignificant

    5    father respectful term of address for an old man

    6    heavens sky/heavenly powers/roof over a    stage act deed/theatrical performance/division of a play

    8    travelling lamp i.e., the sun

    9    predominance greater power/ascendancy (as of a planet or star)    shame i.e., at the murder of Duncan

  13    Even exactly

  14    tow’ring mounting in order to swoop down on her prey (falconry term)    pride of place the highest point in her flight

  15    mousing owl i.e., inferior bird that usually feeds on mice    hawked at attacked in flight

  17    minions darlings, favorites

  19    as as if

  29    pretend intend

  30    suborned bribed

  35    Thriftless wasteful, unprofitable    ravin up devour greedily

  36    life’s means resources necessary for survival/source of life (i.e., father)    like likely

  38    named selected    Scone ancient city north of Perth, traditional location for Scottish coronations

  39    invested formally given authority/dressed in the royal garments

  41    Colmekill the western Hebridean island of Iona, the ancient burial place for Scottish kings

  46    thither go there (to Scone)

  48    Lest…new i.e., in case our former situation proves preferable to what is to come

  50    benison blessing

Act 3 Scene 1

 3.1    Location: the Scottish royal palace; exact location unspecified

    3    foully wickedly, sinfully

    4    It…posterity the kingship would not remain in your line of descendants

    7    shine illuminate/look upon favorably

    8    verities truths    made good fulfilled Sennet trumpet fanfare signaling a procession

  14    all-thing unbecoming inappropriate in every way

  15    solemn formal, ceremonious

  18    Command upon lay your commands on

  20    knit united, bound

  23    else otherwise

  24    still always    grave and prosperous wise and profitable

  25    council i.e., of state officials who advised the king

  28    this now    go…better if my horse does not go sufficiently quickly

  30    twain two

  33    cousins i.e., Malcolm and Donalbain    bestowed lodged

  35    parricide murder of one’s father

  36    invention fabrications, lies

  37    therewithal with it, in addition    cause…jointly affairs of state claiming equal attention

  42    commend entrust

  44    To…welcome in order to make socializing more delightful

  46    while until

  47    Sirrah sir (term of address to a social inferior)    Attend…pleasure? Are those men waiting for me?

  49    without outside

  51    thus in this position, i.e., king

  52    stick are fixed/pierce, stab

  55    to in addition to    dauntless temper fearless temperament

  58    being personage/existence

  59    genius personal governing spirit    rebuked forcibly retrained/reproached

  60    Mark…Caesar the Roman general Mark Antony was defeated by Octavius Caesar    chid upbraided, rebuked

  64    fruitless useless/childless

  65    barren infertile    sceptre ornamental rod held by a monarch (possible phallic connotations here)

  66    unlineal not descended directly (from Macbeth)

  68    issue offspring    filed defiled, corrupted

  69    gracious generous/virtuous/possessed of divine grace

  70    rancours bitter hatred/poison    vessel cup (perhaps recalling the Holy Communion cup)

  71    eternal jewel i.e., soul

  72    common…man i.e., the devil

  74    list designated combat area at a tournament

  75    champion me support/challenge, i.e., in combat    th’utterance the limit (death)

  79    Well…ever these two speeches are lineated as verse in Folio, but so irregularly that they are likely to be mistakenly set as prose    he i.e., Banquo

  80    held…fortune i.e., prevented you from improving your fortunes

  81    made good demonstrated    conference conversation    passed in probation proved

  82    borne in hand deceived    crossed thwarted    instruments means/agents

  83    wrought worked

  84    notion mind

  88    gospelled filled with the teachings of the Gospel (the New Testament)

  89    yours i.e., your issue, children

  91    catalogue official list    go for pass for

  92    curs dogs, especially watchdogs or sheepdogs

  93    Shoughs lap-dogs    water-rugs long-haired water dogs (trained to retrieve waterfowl)    demi-wolves dogs that are half wolf    clept called

  94    valued file list classified according to value

  95    subtle wily

  96    housekeeper watchdog

  97    bounteous generous

  98    closed enclosed

  99    Particular…alike special distinction unlike the general list in which they all sound the same

101    station position/place to stand    file list/row (of soldiers)

102    rank quality/row (of soldiers)

104    execution enactment (plays on the sense of “murder”)

105    Grapples attaches tightly

106    in his life while he (Banquo) lives

107    perfect complete/entirely healthy

109    buffets blows/beatings

113    tugged with knocked about by

114    set stake, gamble

115    mend improve    on’t of it

118    distance hostility, discord

119    thrusts stabs

120    near’st of life vital parts

122    bid…it justify it on the grounds that it is my wish

123    For on account of

124    wail I must lament

126    to…love do wooingly entreat your help

128    sundry various

131    Though our lives— the First Murderer is interrupted as he declares that he and his companion will carry out the deed even if their lives depend upon it

133    advise inform

134    perfect spy o’th’time perhaps “exact awareness of the time (to do the deed),” though some editors suppose the line may be a reference to the Third Murderer

136    something some distance    always…clearness it being always remembered that I must be considered guiltless

138    rubs nor botches impediments or flaws

140    material of consequence

142    Resolve yourselves apart determine matters (or work up your resolution) in private

145    straight straightaway    abide remain

Act 3 Scene 2

    6    spent wasted

    7    content contentedness, peace of mind

    9    doubtful uncertain, fearful

  11    sorriest fancies wretched imaginings

  12    Using entertaining

  13    them…on i.e., past events/Duncan

  14    regard thought, consideration

  15    scorched slashed

  16    close heal up    poor malice feeble animosity

  17    her former tooth the snake’s original fang

  18    let…suffer let the ordered universe collapse, heaven and earth perish

  21    shake afflict/make tremble

  22    to…peace have sent to death as a means of fulfilling our desires

  23    on…lie Macbeth is thinking of the rack, a bedlike torture instrument that stretched the limbs

  24    ecstasy frenzy

  25    fitful restless/full of fits brought on by a high temperature

  26    nor neither

  27    Malice domestic civil war    foreign levy the raising of enemy armies by foreign countries

  30    Gentle my lord my gentle (i.e., noble) lord    sleek smooth    rugged rough, troubled

  33    remembrance attention, regard

  34    Present him eminence show him respect, honor him

  35    Unsafe…streams (our position) being unsafe at the moment, we must cleanse our reputation in streams of flattery/as long as we have to flatter in this way, we remain unsafe    lave wash

  37    vizards masks

  42    copy abundance/pattern from which copies (i.e., descendants) are made/lease (of life), i.e., legal “copyhold” is    eterne everlasting

  44    jocund cheerful

  45    cloistered in or around cloisters (covered walkways adjoining buildings)

  46    shard-born born in dung

  47    yawning sleepy (with connotations of “yawning open,” like the mouth of a bell that    peals to announce the arrival of night)

  48    note noteworthiness/notoriety (puns on the sense of “musical note, chime”)

  50    chuck chick (term of endearment)

  51    seeling blinding (falconry term referring to the sewing together of a young bird’s eyelids for training purposes)

  52    Scarf up blindfold    tender gentle/young    pitiful compassionate, merciful

  54    bond bond of (Banquo’s) life/moral law that prohibits murder (the image is of a legal contract)

  55    pale white with fear or cowardice (puns on “paled” meaning “fenced in”)

  56    makes wing flies    rooky filled with rooks (often undistinguished from the    crow; both regarded as birds of ill omen)

  58    rouse rouse themselves

  59    hold thee still remain calm

Act 3 Scene 3

 3.3    Location: about a mile from the Scottish royal palace

    3    He…mistrust we need not suspect him    delivers Our offices brings details of our duties

    5    To…just exactly in keeping with the in structions we received

    8    lated belated    apace speedily

    9    gain…inn reach the inn in good time

  14    within…expectation on the guest list

  16    go about are walked to the stables/are walked to cool them down

  22    Stand to’t get ready/stand firm

  24    come down i.e., the rain/the attack

  28    way plan, thing to do

Act 3 Scene 4

 3.4    Location: a banqueting hall in the Scottish royal palace

    1    degrees ranks (according to which the guests would be seated)    at…last to everyone

    4    with society among the guests

    6    keeps her state remains in her throne    in best time at the appropriate moment

    7    require her welcome ask her to welcome you

  10    encounter respond to

  11    Both…even there is an equal number of people sitting on each side of the table

  12    large in mirth unrestrained in merry-making    drink…round drink a toast with every guest/all join in a collective toast

  15    thee…within on your outside rather than within his body

  16    dispatched killed

  20    the nonpareil without equal

  21    is scaped has escaped

  22    fit paroxysm of fear    perfect complete/flawless/entirely sane

  23    founded grounded, secure

  24    broad and general widely ranging and universal    casing surrounding (but also, paradoxically, “enclosing”)

  25    cabined confined (as in a cabin or hut)    cribbed shut up (as in a crib or cattle stall)

  26    saucy insolent    safe taken care of, i.e., dead

  27    bides remains

  28    trenched trenchlike, deeply cut

  29    least…nature very least of which would be fatal

  31    worm baby snake

  34    hear ourselves converse

  36    give the cheer welcome your guests/participate in the merriment    the…welcome the feast that is not affirmed throughout to be one that is given warmly and freely seems like an event the guests are having to pay for    vouched avouched, guaranteed

  38    To…home if it is only mere eating that is involved, one is better off at home

  39    From thence away from home    ceremony courtesy

  40    Meeting socializing (puns on meat)    bare basic/worthless

  41    remembrancer one who reminds

  45    had we we would have    country’s honour i.e., the nobility, the glory of Scotland    roofed under one roof

  46    graced honored

  47    challenge take to task, rebuke

  48    mischance some mishap (preventing him from attending the feast)

  50    Lays…promise brings his promise (to attend) into disrepute

  55    moves stirs, affects/angers

  59    gory locks hair matted with blood

  63    upon a thought in a moment (the time it takes to have a thought)

  64    note him pay attention to him

  65    passion overwhelming emotion/fit of rage/seizure/outburst of madness

  66    regard heed/look at

  70    proper stuff absolute rubbish

  71    painting…fear image of your fear itself/image created by your fear

  72    air-drawn drawn like a picture in the air/drawn, as from a sheath, out of the air

  73    flaws bursts of emotion (plays on the sense of “defects”)    starts nervous movements, fits, outbursts

  74    Impostors to false versions, imitators of    become suit

  76    Authorized originally told and affirmed as true by    grandam grandmother

  79    lo look    How what

  81    charnel houses buildings containing bones of the dead

  82    monuments…kites only tombs shall be the stomachs of birds of prey

  84    unmanned made feeble, unmanly    folly foolishness, mental weakness/sin

  86    Fie an expression of disgust or indignation

  88    Ere…weal before civil law cleansed and made peaceful the commonwealth    human of people/humane

  93    mortal murders fatal injuries    crowns heads

  94    stools seats (at the feast)/ thrones

  97    lack miss/need

  99    muse wonder

100    infirmity illness, weakness (physical or mental)

101    love…all Macbeth proposes a toast

105    thirst wish to drink/long to see

106    all to all may everyone drink to everyone else

107    duties loyalty and respect    pledge toast

108    Avaunt begone

110    speculation power of sight

116    rugged rough, shaggy, wild

117    armed armored (i.e., with a tough skin)    th’Hyrcan from Hyrcania, in classical times the region south of the Caspian Sea

118    that i.e., that of Banquo

120    dare…desert challenge me to a fight in a desolate place

121    trembling I inhabit trembling possesses me/if I remain indoors out of fear    protest declare

122    The…girl a baby girl/a girl’s doll    shadow ghost, illusion, dark thing

123    mock’ry imitation/impudent counterfeit

125    displaced the mirth put an end to the merriment

126    admired wondered at

128    overcome cover, overwhelm

129    special particular    make…owe cause me to feel (or view me as being) a stranger to my own nature

133    blanched whitened

136    At once all of you/immediately

137    Stand…once do not observe the protocol of leaving in order of rank

144    Augurs prophecies made by interpreting the behavior of birds    understood relations interpreted accounts/connections between things

145    magot-pies magpies (thought to be birds of ill omen, like choughs and rooks)    choughs crows

146    secret’st…blood most hidden murderer    What…night? What is the time of night?

147    at odds contending, striving

148    How say’st thou what do you say (to the fact)    denies his person refuses to come

150    send i.e., send a messenger

151    by the way indirectly

152    them i.e., the nobles

153    fee’d paid (to spy)    will will go

154    betimes speedily/early

155    bent determined

156    means methods

157    All…way all other affairs shall be put aside

158    should I even if I were to

159    were would be    tedious wearisome/time-consuming    go o’er going on

160    head (my) mind    to hand be carried out

161    scanned examined, scrutinized

162    season food preservative such as salt/period of time assigned to an event/time during which a plant ripens

163    strange and self-abuse strange self-abuse    strange extraordinary/alienating    self-abuse violation of myself/self-deception

164    initiate new, inexperienced    wants lacks/needs    hard use toughening, persistent experience

165    young in deed inexperienced in action (in deed puns on indeed)

Act 3 Scene 5

 3.5    Location: unspecified. This scene is probably by Thomas Middleton, apparently added for performances after Shakespeare’s retirement

    1    angerly angry

    2    beldams hags

    3    saucy impudent

    4    trade and traffic have dealings with

    7    close secret

    8    bear carryout

    9    art magic

  11    wayward perverse, willful

  15    pit of Acheron hell    Acheron a river in Hades, the classical underworld

  18    vessels receptacles (presumably cauldrons)    provide prepare/be equipped with

  20    spend use

  21    dismal devastating/ominous    fatal deadly/destined

  22    wrought brought about/performed

  24    vap’rous drop in response to powerful enchantments the moon was supposed to release a foam that transformed the things it fell upon    profound deep, complex/hanging heavily

  26    sleights tricks, cunning

  27    artificial false/produced by artifice or magic

  28    illusion illusory nature/power to deceive

  29    confusion destruction/mental disorder, irrationality

  30    spurn reject

  31    ’bove above, beyond reach of    grace virtue/fortune/divine salvation

  32    security confidence in one’s safety

  35    stays waits   Come…etc. for text of song, see this page

Act 3 Scene 6

 3.6    Location: Scotland, exact location unspecified

    1    hit coincided with

    2    Which…further i.e., there is no need for Lennox to elaborate    only I I only

    3    borne tolerated/managed

    4    pitied of lamented by    he was dead i.e., Macbeth only pitied Duncan after he was dead

    5 walked too late was alive only too recently/was out too late at night (there are reverberations of death in the words:    walked often referred to the appearances of a ghost and late could mean dead)

    8    cannot…thought does not think    want lack    monstrous unnatural

  10    fact crime/truth

  11    straight straightaway

  12    pious loyal, dutiful

  13    thralls captives, slaves

  17    well i.e., for himself

  18    under his key locked up

  19    an’t if it

  20    so should Fleance i.e., were Fleance to be imprisoned he too would be punished for killing his father

  21    from as a result of    broad frank, unrestrained    cause…presence because he failed to attend

  24    bestows himself is lodging

  25    son of Duncan i.e., Malcolm

  26    holds…birth withholds his birthright (the crown)

  28    Of by    pious devout, holy    Edward Edward the Confessor, who ruled England from 1042 to 1066    grace honor/favor/divine virtue

  29    malevolence of fortune i.e., Malcolm’s misfortunes

  30    Takes detracts    respect courtesy/regard (for Malcolm)

  31    pray ask, entreat (but surrounding references to Edward’s holiness add a religious sense)    upon his aid in aid of Malcolm

  32    wake rouse, stir    Northumberland Earl (or possibly, people) of Northumberland, a county in the north of England    Siward son of the Earl of Northumberland

  34    ratify sanction, approve

  35    meat food

  36    Free…banquets free our feasts and banquets from

  37    homage acts of allegiance    free freely given/noble/unpolluted

  38    report account (of the situation in Scotland)

  39    exasperate exasperated (i.e., incensed)    their king i.e., Edward

  41    he i.e., Macbeth

  42    absolute resolved/blunt    ‘Sir, not I’ Macduff’s words to the messenger

  43    cloudy frowning/gloomy    turns me i.e., turns (me is emphatic; the lord was not present)

  44    hums i.e., makes a noise of displeasure    who should if to    rue regret

  45    clogs burdens, hampers

  47    Advise…caution serve to warn him    distance i.e., from Macbeth

  50    that so that

  51    suffering…accursed country suffering under an accursed hand

Act 4 Scene 1

 4.1    Location: unspecified; an interior space, perhaps a cavern

    1    brinded having fur marked with darker streaks (probably tabby)

    2    hedge-pig hedgehog

    3    Harpier the Third Witch’s familiar

    5    entrails intestines or bodily insides generally/contents of the cauldron

    7    Days…got for thirty-one days and nights has exuded poison produced while sleeping    Sweltered sweated, exuded

  10    toil labor/dissent, turmoil    trouble effort/disorder/distress

  12    fillet slice (of meat)    fenny muddy/from the fens (swamps)

  15    Wool downy hair

  16    fork forked tongue    blindworm adder/slow-worm (legless lizard)

  17    howlet owlet, young owl

  23    mummy substance used for embalming/dead flesh itself/substance made from dead bodies and used in magic (properly called “mummia”)    maw throat/stomach    gulf throat/stomach

  24    ravined ravaged by hunger/glutted with its prey

  25    hemlock poisonous plant

  26    blaspheming i.e., denying Christian beliefs

  27    slips sprigs/cuttings    yew yew tree (often planted in graveyards and associated with death)

  28    Slivered cut off

  29    Tartar person from Central Asia (like the Turk, a Muslim)

  30    birth-strangled strangled at birth, probably by the mother (and thus unbaptized)

  31    Ditch-delivered born in a ditch    drab prostitute

  32    slab viscous, glutinous

  33    chaudron intestines/insides in general Enter…Witches the following sequence (Hecate’s speech and the song) is probably by Thomas Middleton, apparently added for performances after Shakespeare’s retirement; there are six witches in the song (see this page)    ‘Black spirits’, etc. for text of song, see this page

  44    pricking tingling

  47    black deadly/evil/associated with the black arts

  50    conjure call upon solemnly (plays on sense of “magically invoke”)    profess claim to know about/practice as a trade

  52    Though even if

  53    yeasty frothy

  54    Confound destroy, overthrow    navigation shipping

  55    bladed corn i.e., where the blade (leaf) is still folded around the seed-containing ear    lodged beaten flat

  56    warders guards

  57    slope bend down

  59    germens seeds/essential parts    tumble all together collapse into whirling chaos/all fall at once

  60    sicken grows nauseously sated/begins to be destroyed itself

  69    farrow piglets    sweaten sweated

  70    gibbet gallows

  73    office function    armed armored, i.e., wearing a helmet

  78    descends i.e., through the trapdoor

  80    harped hit upon, guessed    aright rightly

  89    assurance the Second Apparition’s promise/sense of personal security

  90    bond contract, legal guarantee thou i.e., Macduff

  94    round And top crown

  97    lion-mettled of a lion’s temperament (fierce, regal, courageous)

  98    chafes, who frets is roused and angry/enrages and vexes you

100    Birnam…him Birnam Wood moves itself to attack Macbeth at Dunsinane Hill (about ten miles north of Perth; Birnam Wood is about fifteen miles further northwest)

103    impress conscript, enlist into an army

104    bodements predictions

105    Rebellious dead i.e., Banquo, who will not stay in his grave

107    lease of nature natural lifespan

108    mortal custom death, the customary way of humanity/the usual length of human life/life’s rent (custom)

120    so in the same manner    eight kings supposedly descended from Banquo; James VI of Scotland and I of England, king when Shakespeare wrote the play, claimed descent from Banquo    glass magic mirror or crystal that could show the future

122    sear burn/dazzle

123    Thou other Macbeth now addresses the second king    gold-bound brow i.e., crowned head

125    Start gape/burst from your sockets

126    th’crack of doom peal of thunder at Judgment Day

130    two-fold…scepters two orbs and three scepters; probably refers to King James, the actual monarch of England and Scotland (two orbs), and titular king of Britain, France, and Ireland (three scepters)

132    blood-boltered clogged with blood/with hair matted with blood

133    his i.e., his descendants

135    amazedly stunned, bewildered

136    sprites spirits, mood

139    antic round bizarre, grotesque dance

140    kindly graciously, courteously

141    Our…pay our respectful behavior was an appropriate display of hospitality and reverence

142    pernicious ruinous

143    aye for ever

144    without you who are outside

152    horse horses

157    anticipat’st forestall, hinder    dread exploits fearsome enterprises (i.e., the intended murder of Macduff)

158    flighty fleeting, swift    o’ertook overtaken

159    the…it the action accompanies the intention promptly

160    The…hand i.e., the moment I decide to do something I will act upon that thought    firstlings first-born things

163    surprise ambush, attack, and seize

164    Fife the region of which Macduff is thane    give…o’th’sword i.e., slaughter

166    trace…line follow him in his lineage, are descended from him

168    sights visions

Act 4 Scene 2

 4.2    Location: Macduff’s castle, Fife

    4    when…traitors even when we have committed no treasonous act, fearful behavior makes us appear guilty

    9    titles all to which he is entitled (lands, his thaneship)

  11    wants…touch lacks natural instincts/family feeling

  13    in being in

  17    coz cousin (used for any relative, or as an affectionate term of address to a friend)

  18    school control    for as for

  19    judicious prudent, of good judgment

  20    fits o’th’season violent and unpredictable disturbances of the current time

  21    we…ourselves we are declared traitors though we do not recognize ourselves as such/when loyalties become confused and we do not know whom to trust

  22    hold…fear make rumors out of the things we are afraid of

  25    Each…none (being tossed) in every direction and thus never making progress

  27    climb upward improve

  28    pretty cousin i.e., Lady Macduff’s son

  32    It…discomfort i.e., because I would weep/because I might be discovered by Macbeth’s spies

  39    Poor pitiful/impoverished    lime sticky substance spread on branches as a means of catching birds    pitfall trap in which a cover falls over a hole    gin snare

  40    Poor…for i.e., they are only set for superior birds

  51    swears and lies vows and then breaks his word

  59    hang up hang

  63    prattler chatterer

  65    in…perfect I am fully acquainted with your honorable status and reputation

  66    doubt fear    nearly imminently/closely

  67    homely plain, simple

  70    do…you i.e., to harm you physically/not to warn you at all    fell fierce

  71    nigh your person close to you

  82    unsanctified unconsecrated, unholy

  85    shag-eared with cropped ears (a punishment for criminals; the mutilated ear might have an uneven appearance); some editors prefer “shag-haired,” shaggy hair being a traditional attribute of stage villains

  86    egg i.e., very young thing    fry spawn, offspring

Act 4 Scene 3

 4.3    Location: the English royal court

    1    desolate barren/lonely/miserable    shade shadowy or reclusive place

    4    fast firmly    mortal deadly

    5    Bestride…birthdom protect our fallen birthright (as one would stand astride and defend a fallen soldier on the battlefield)

    7    that so that

    9    Like…dolour the same cry of sorrow

  10    wail lament

  12    to friend favorable, on my side

  13    perchance perhaps

  14    sole name name alone

  15    honest honorable

  16    touched harmed    something…me you may detect something of him in me

  17    wisdom you may deem it wisdom

  19    angry god i.e., Macbeth

  22    recoil degenerate, give way (plays on sense of “rebound like a firearm that has been shot”)

  23    imperial charge royal command (charge plays on sense of “quantity of gunpowder in a firearm”)

  24    That…transpose my (suspicious) thoughts cannot change you from what you really are

  25    the brightest i.e., Lucifer, or Satan, the brightest angel who was cast out of heaven for defying God

  26    foul sinful/dirty, tarnished    wear…grace assume the appearance of goodness (thus casting suspicion on true goodness)

  27    look so look like itself

  29    there i.e., Scotland    doubts suspicions

  30    rawness vulnerability/incompleteness (without    leave-taking)

  31    motives incentives (to loving, protective behavior)

  32    leave-taking formal farewell/permission to depart

  33    Let…safeties do not think that my suspicions are intended to shame and insult you, but that they arise from concern for my own security

  37    basis sure foundation firmly

  38    check restrain/rebuke

  39    title is affeered (Macbeth’s) title is confirmed; plays on sense of “affeared,” i.e., Malcolm is frightened to claim his title

  42    to boot in addition

  45    yoke wooden apparatus worn on the neck of a captive or conquered enemy used to subdue and prevent escape

  47    withal moreover

  48    right rightful cause

  49    England the King of England

  50    thousands i.e., of soldiers

  54    more sundry in more diverse

  55    succeed follow (Macbeth; with a play on sense of “inherit the throne”)

  56    What who

  58    particulars individual features/detailed aspects    so grafted are so merged (as in horticulture: a shoot from one plant is grafted onto the stem of another)

  59    opened revealed/unfurled (like a bud)

  61    Esteem regard, value

  62    confineless boundless

  63    legions multitudes/armies

  65    top surpass

  67    Luxurious lustful    avaricious greedy for wealth

  68    Sudden impetuous, violently hasty, unpredictable

  70    voluptuousness lust for pleasure

  71    matrons married women    maids virgins

  72    cistern large water tank

  73    continent restrictive/chaste/containing (perhaps with vaginal connotations)    o’erbear overflow/crush (with my body weight during rape)

  74    will sexual desire/penis

  76    Boundless…tyranny in human nature, excessive lack of control is a form of tyranny over the self

  80    what is yours i.e., the Scottish throne

  81    Convey manage, carry out (secretly)

  82    cold chaste/lacking in sexual passion    hoodwink blindfold, i.e., deceive

  84    so…inclined the amount of women who will offer themselves to a man in your royal position once they realize you desire them

  88    ill-composed affection character constituted of evil/poorly constituted disposition

  89    stanchless unstoppable

  90    cut off kill

  91    his i.e., one man’s

  92    more-having greater wealth/greed for more

  93    forge fabricate, invent

  98    summer-seeming befitting summer, i.e., youth (lust may wane with age)

  99    sword…kings i.e., means by which they died (e.g., in wars motivated by greed)

100    foisons plentiful resources

101    Of…own of your very own, belonging entirely to you (as king)    these i.e., these vices you mention    portable bearable, endurable

102    weighed counterbalanced

103    king-becoming befitting a king (plays on the idea of one who is about to gain kingship)

104    verity truthfulness    temp’rance moderation, self-restraint

105    Bounty kindness, generosity    lowliness humility

107    relish trace/taste for    abound…crime i.e., I am full of all possible aspects of vice    division category/variation    several individual

110    concord harmony, peace

111    Uproar bring into a state of uproar

118    untitled without rightful title

119    wholesome healthy

121    interdiction prohibition

122    blaspheme slanders/commits sacrilege (to the sainted Duncan)    breed his family line

123    sainted saintly, holy

124    upon her knees i.e., in prayer

125    Died…lived spent every day of her life in a state of holy readiness for death

126    repeat’st upon utter against/recount about

127    Hath…Scotland have destroyed any hope I had of returning to Scotland/are exactly those, which, in Macbeth, caused me to flee Scotland

131    scruples doubts

133    trains tricks, stratagems (i.e., sending an apparently sympathetic nobleman to try and lure Malcolm back to Scotland)

134    plucks withholds

135    over-credulous too readily believing

137    direction guidance

138    Unspeak…detraction take back the harmful things I said about myself    abjure renounce

139    taints (moral) stains

140    For as being

141    Unknown to woman i.e., a virgin    forsworn perjured, a breaker of oaths

142    Scarcely…own have hardly ever desired even what I myself owned

145    false speaking lie

146    this upon myself i.e., the false statements he made about his character

148    here-approach arrival here

150    at a point prepared, ready

151    Now we’ll set forth    the…quarrel may our success match the degree to which our cause is justified

157    stay await    cure kings were believed to possess a healing touch    convinces defeats

158    assay of art efforts of medical practitioners

159    sanctity holiness

160    presently amend immediately recover

163    the evil “the king’s evil,” i.e., scrofula, an inflammation of the lymph nodes, which the monarch’s touch was believed to cure

165    here-remain stay

166    solicits entreats (through prayer)

167    strangely-visited severely afflicted

169    mere absolute

170    stamp coin

171    ’tis spoken it is said

172    succeeding royalty king’s successors

173    benediction grace, blessing    strange inexplicable

176    speak him declare him to be

178    countryman i.e., fellow Scot    know recognize (presumably Ross’s clothing identifies him as Malcolm’s countryman, or perhaps Malcolm means that sorrow has so altered Ross that he seems like a different man)

179    ever-gentle ever noble

180    betimes hastily

181    means circumstances (more specifically, Macbeth)

186    nothing…nothing no one other than a fool

189    marked paid attention to

190    modern ecstasy commonplace frenzy    The…who i.e., no one bothers to inquire about who has died when they hear the funeral bell toll as death has become so common

193    or…sicken before becoming ill

194    relation report, account    nice detailed/accurate/extraordinary, strange

196    hiss the speaker mock the speaker (as the news is already out of date)

197    teems gives rise to, breeds

203    at peace i.e., dead (though Macduff continues to understand the sense of “untroubled”)

204    niggard of miser in

206    heavily sorrowfully/as a burden

207    out i.e., preparing for war/committed to rebellion

208    witnessed the rather further confirmed

209    power army    afoot on the march

210    eye i.e., you, your presence

212    doff cast off (as one would a garment)

213    Be’t let it be

216    An…out i.e., there is not an older or better soldier in all Christendom    gives out reports, proclaims

219    the like i.e., similarly encouraging news

220    would should    desert lonely, desolate

221    latch take hold of, receive

223    general cause i.e., the woes of Scotland    fee-grief grief owned by one person only (a term derived from legal language relating to property)

231    possess them with put them in possession of/cause them to become (demonically) possessed by    heaviest most sorrowful, grievous

234    surprised ambushed

235    manner way in which they were killed, details

236    quarry heap of deer killed at a hunt    deer puns on “dear”

239    pull…brows a conventional gesture of grief

241    Whispers whispers to    o’er-fraught overburdened

244    must…thence had to be away from home

249    He refers either to Macbeth or to Malcolm

250    hell-kite bird of prey from hell

251    dam mother

252    fell swoop cruel swooping down of the    hell-kite

253    Dispute fight against

259    struck killed violently and suddenly    Naught wicked, sinful person

260    demerits faults

261    Fell quibbles on the adjectival sense of “cruel”

262    whetstone stone on which swords are sharpened

264    play…eyes i.e., weep

265    braggart play on one who brags, i.e., gives out a braying cry/talks emptily and ceaselessly

266    intermission pause in action    Front to front face to face

268    scape escape

270    tune style (of speech)/tone/frame of mind

271    power army

272    Our…leave it remains only to obtain formal permission to depart (from the English king)

273    ripe for shaking i.e., ready to fall (like ripe fruit from a tree)    powers above heavenly powers

274    Put…instruments urge on their agents (us)/put on their weapons

Act 5 Scene 1

 5.1    Location: Macbeth’s castle at Dunsinane Physic medicine

    1    watched remained awake

    2    walked sleepwalked

    3    field battlefield (i.e., prepared for war)

    4    closet cabinet

    7    perturbation disturbance

    8    effects of watching appearance and actions of waking    agitation disturbed state of mind/nervous activity

  11    meet suitable    taper candle

  13    guise custom/manner

  14    close concealed

  24    set down write down    satisfy meets the needs of, confirm

  25    remembrance memory

  26    One: two Lady Macbeth imagines she hears the striking of a clock or perhaps the bell she was to strike as a signal to Macbeth

  28    none…account no one can hold us responsible as we are now so powerful

  31    Thane of Fife Macduff

  32    mar spoil

  33    starting nervousness/fits, outbursts

  34    Go to expression of reproof similar to “come, come” (probably directed at Lady Macbeth)

  39    sorely charged grievously burdened

  40    dignity worth, high status

  43    be i.e., be well

  44    practice medical skill

  47    on’s of his

  48    Even so? i.e., is that how it is

  56    divine priest

  58    annoyance injury (here self-harm)

  59    still continually

  60    mated bewildered

Act 5 Scene 2

 5.2    Location: near Dunsinane Drum and Colours drummer and bearer of military flags

    3    dear heartfelt/noble/grievous    causes motives for revenge, grounds for action

    4    bleeding shedding of blood/bloody (alarm)    alarm call to arms

    5    Excite…man rouse even a dead or insensible man

    9    file list

  11    unrough beardless, i.e., young

  12    Protest declare, assert

  14    Dunsinane i.e., the castle

  17    buckle…rule i.e., legally (or morally) justify his grounds for fighting; the image is of a diseased and bloated belly one cannot buckle a belt around    distempered disordered/diseased    cause grounds for action/illness

  20    sticking i.e., with blood

  21    minutely every minute    upbraid reproach, censure    faith-breach breaking of (secular and spiritual) loyalty

  22    move…love only obey because they are following orders, not out of love for their king

  27    pestered diseased/troubled

  32    med’cine cure/physician (i.e., Malcolm)    weal commonwealth, state

  33    purge purgative medicine, used to cleanse the body

  34    drop of blood/medicine

  36    dew cover with dew    sovereign royal/excelling/healing

Act 5 Scene 3

 5.3    Location: Macbeth’s castle at Dunsinane

    1    them i.e., the thanes who have deserted him

    2    remove move

    3    taint lose courage/become stained

    5    mortal consequences outcomes of human affairs    pronounced me proclaimed/pronounced judgment on me

    8    epicures lovers of luxury

    9    sway by rule with/govern myself by

  11    cream-faced i.e., pale with fear    loon rogue/idiot/lowly youth

  12    goose white, fearful/idiotic

  16    over-red cover over with red

  17    lily-livered with a liver as pale as a lily, i.e., cowardly (the liver was thought to be the seat of strong passions)    patch fool/rogue

  18    of fall on    linen i.e., white

  19    counsellors to i.e., teach, encourage others to    whey-face face the color of whey (white)

  21    Seyton may be pronounced “Satan”

  22    push attack/crisis

  23    cheer comfort, encourage; puns on “chair,” i.e., (en)throne    disseat dethrone

  24    way path/course/manner

  25    sear withered condition (if associated with way of life)/withered (if applied to leaf)    yellow i.e., autumnal/decaying

  27    As such as

  28    stead place

  29    mouth-honour insincere verbal expressions of respect

  30    fain gladly

  38    skirr scour, pass speedily through

  41    Not so sick not so much physically ill

  42    thick-coming thronging    fancies imaginings, delusions

  47    Raze out erase, wipe out

  48    oblivious inducing oblivion, forgetfulness

  49    stuffed overfull/oppressed

  54    staff rod of office/spear or clublike weapon

  55    send out i.e., send out    more horses

  56    dispatch hurry up    cast The water make a diagnosis by examining the urine

  58    pristine original, former

  60    Pull’t off either an instruction to remove a piece of armor that is proving difficult to put on or has been put on incorrectly, or Macbeth has changed his mind about wearing his armor at all

  61    rhubarb plant used to make purgative drugs    cyme senna, a plant used to make purgative drugs and sometimes mixed with rhubarb for this purpose

  62    scour cleanse, purge

  63    preparation mobilized army/military proceedings

  65    it probably the armor removed a few lines earlier

  66    bane murder/destruction

  68    clear safe/free/untroubled

  69    hardly with great difficulty

Act 5 Scene 4

 5.4    Location: near Birnam Wood

    2    chambers private rooms (like the bedchamber in which Duncan was murdered)

    3    nothing not at all

    7    shadow conceal

    8    host army    discovery military reconnaissance

    9    Err be mistaken

  12    Keeps remains (with connotations of defensive preservation)

  13    setting down encampment for a siege

  15    where…given while they could have advantaged Macbeth (through loyalty)/wherever it is possible to advantage the English forces/where military advantage must be conceded to the English (who are about to besiege the castle)/when they had the opportunity (i.e., were not confined to the castle during a siege)

  16    more…revolt people of both high and low social status have deserted Macbeth

  19    Let…event let an exact assessment be made only after the outcome of the actual battle

  23    due appropriate, necessary (plays on the sense of “owing”)

  24    owe own/are required to repay

  25    Thoughts…arbitrate speculation deals with uncertain hopes; for a definitive outcome, combat must be the deciding factor

Act 5 Scene 5

 5.5    Location: Macbeth’s castle at Dunsinane

    4    ague fever

    5    forced reinforced

    6    dareful defiantly/boldly

  11    fell of hair entire head of hair

  12    treatise tale

  13    As as if    supped full had my fill of horror/dined in the company of horrors (i.e., Banquo’s ghost)

  14    Direness dreadfulness, horror

  15    start me make me start

  17    She…hereafter she should have died at a future time/she would have died at some point anyway

  18    such a word i.e., news of her death

  20    petty slow/insignificant

  21    syllable most minute portion/basic element of a word    recorded written/narrated/remembered

  22    lighted lit the way for (with a candle)

  23    dusty i.e., characterized by the dust to which all mortals return

  24    shadow insubstantial thing/illusion/ghost/actor (the theatrical sense is picked up in fool and player)    poor wretched/unskilled

  25    frets wears out/worries his way through/rants and rages (in the manner of a bad actor)

  27    Fury fierce passion/frenzy, madness/wild anger/violence

  29    thy story quickly relate your news at once

  34    did…watch was on guard

  43    cling shrivel    sooth truth

  44    dost…much do the same for me

  45    pull in resolution (am forced to) rein in my firmness of purpose; some editors emend to “pall”

  46    fiend i.e., the Third Apparition

  50    avouches affirms

  51    nor…here no point either fleeing from here or remaining

  52    ’gin begin

  53    th’estate the kingdom/condition/settled order

  54    wrack ruin, destruction

  55    harness armor

Act 5 Scene 6

 5.6    Location: outside Macbeth’s castle at Dunsinane

    2    show appear    uncle i.e., Siward

    4    battle battalion

    6    order arrangement, battle plan

    8    Do i.e., if    power army

  11    harbingers forerunners, messengers

Act 5 Scene 7

    2    bear-like like a bear tied to a    stake and baited with dogs, a popular form of entertainment    course designated bout, during which the bear was attacked by dogs

    8    is that is

  21    kerns lightly armed foot soldiers

  22    staves staffs used as weapons

  24    undeeded without it having carried out any action

  25    note reputation/notoriety (plays on the sense of “musical note”)

  26    bruited loudly announced

  28    gently rendered calmly (or easily) surrendered

  31    The…yours i.e., you have almost won

  33    strike beside us fight alongside us/deliberately miss when they strike at us

  35    play…sword i.e., do as the Romans did and commit suicide when defeated

  36    lives anyone living

  39    men else other men

  40    charged burdened; plays on the senses of “blamed/accused (of a crime)”

  44    terms…out words can proclaim you to be

  45    losest labour waste time

  46    intrenchant unable to be cut

  47    keen sharp (plays on the sense of “eager, fervent”)    impress make a physical impression, mark

  48    crests helmets, heads

  52    angel personal governing spirit/Lucifer

  54    Untimely prematurely (Macduff was born by Cesarean section)

  56    cowed overawed, intimidated    better…man i.e., courage, manly spirit

  57    juggling deceiving/equivocating

  58    palter equivocate

  59    keep…hope only fulfill their promises verbally rather than in the manner we expected

  62    show…o’th’time sideshow or public spectacle of the age

  64    Painted…pole (your picture) painted on a sign, as an advertisement for the attraction    underwrit written underneath

  68    rabble mob of commoners

  70    opposed facing me/hostile to me

  71    try the last attempt the extreme/undergo the utmost

  72    Lay on set to, go about it

  74    would wish

  75    go off die    these i.e., those present

  78    soldier’s debt i.e., death

  80    prowess bravery

  81    unshrinking station brave stand

  87    before on the front of his body (which would show that he had died fighting honorably, not running away)

  90    hairs puns on “heirs”

  92    knolled tolled

  94    spend expend (in tears)

  96    score bill, amount owed

  98    stands i.e., on a pole or lance

  99    free liberated from tyranny

100    compassed…pearl i.e., surrounded by the finest nobles of Scotland (plays on the idea of being crowned)

101    salutation greeting

105    spend waste/pay out

106    reckon settle accounts

107    make…you i.e., by rewarding the thanes’ loyalty

110    planted…time performed now as befits the beginning of a new age

113    ministers agents

115    by…life i.e., committed suicide    self and violent her own violent

116    needful else other necessary things

117    grace of grace i.e., grace of God (the essence of grace itself)

118    measure due proportion

Song 1

  10    the count the full number

  11    ’noint anoint (apply an oil, perhaps in ritual manner)

  13    dues what is owed to him

  14    cull embrace

  15    muse wonder

  21    furnished prepared/equipped

  29    crystal an alternative reading in the early musical sources is    mistress’

  32    sound make noise/can be heard

  34    breach breaking (waves)

Song 2

    3    keep…in keep the gruel in the cauldron viscous

  10    bane poison

  12    oil venom

  13    madder more potent, liable to provoke frenzy/red-colored (from the plant “madder” used in dyeing)

  14    rid get rid of

  15    wench girl/lass (red-haired people were sometimes associated with evil)

THE TRAGEDY OF HAMLET, PRINCE OF DENMARK

The mood of Hamlet is set by its opening exchange: “Who’s there?” “Nay, answer me.” The play creates the illusion of asking as many questions of its audience and interpreters as we may ask of it. Shakespeare won’t tell us who he is or where he stands. Instead, he makes us—and our culture—reveal ourselves. That is the source of his endurance and one of the reasons why Hamlet has long been regarded as his greatest, or at least his most characteristic, play.

The Prince of Denmark himself is the most famously interrogative of all dramatic characters. He is Shakespeare’s ultimate man of words. The actor who plays him has to learn over 340 speeches; the role has a higher proportion of its play’s words (nearly 40 percent) than any other in Shakespeare. Hamlet’s favorite intellectual move is to make an action that he witnesses—a player weeping, a skull tossed from an old grave—into the occasion for speculation: “What’s Hecuba to him, or he to Hecuba, / That he should weep for her?” “Where be your gibes now, your gambols, your songs, your flashes of merriment that were wont to set the table on a roar?” In watching or reading the play, we are moved, like Hamlet, to ask the big questions: What should we believe? How should we act? What happens after death? Whose version of the truth should we have faith in?

Horatio, the commentator who comes closest to being the voice of the audience, says that he “in part” believes stories about ghosts and portents. His qualifier is a watchword for the whole play. Humankind is in part a god-like creature, full of mental and verbal powers, “The beauty of the world, the paragon of animals.” But, to take the other part, we are also “quintessence of dust”—the politician, the lawyer, the heroic man of action (Alexander the Great), and the humble clown (Yorick) all end up in the same place.

Like the wood in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, but with tragic as opposed to comic consequences, Elsinore is a place where “everything seems double.” Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are a double act engaged to spy on Hamlet, with the result that he has “at each ear a hearer.” Hardly anyone in the play seems able to speak without producing a double epithet: “the sensible and true avouch / Of mine own eyes,” “the gross and scope of my opinion,” “post-haste and rummage in the land,” “the grace and blush of modesty,” and so on. Stage props also come in pairs: two contrasting portraits of two brothers, a pair of rapiers (one of which is sharpened and anointed for the kill), two skulls. Entrances seem to repeat themselves: the appearances of the ghost; Hamlet overheard in meditation, first with a book, later with his reflections on being and not being; the king and Gertrude in their respective private rooms after the trauma of the Mousetrap play; Ophelia’s two mad scenes.

The story of a son seeking vengeance for his father’s death is doubled after Hamlet kills Polonius: “by the image of my cause I see / The portraiture of his,” remarks Hamlet of Laertes. The motif is redoubled in the figure of Young Fortinbras out to avenge the defeat of Old Fortinbras. A further commentary is provided by the Player’s speech about Pyrrhus, son of Achilles, furiously seeking atonement for his father’s loss by slaughtering old King Priam. But this might be construed as a negative example: Priam himself is an “unnervèd father” and his slaughter moves a wife and mother, Hecuba, to distraction. If Hamlet were to become a killing machine like Pyrrhus, he would be diminishing himself to the inhumanity of his adversary, besides emotionally destroying his mother: that is his dilemma bounded in a nutshell.

Hamlet is a student, a model for the perpetual students and idealists who people later literature, especially in Germany and Russia. Like Shakespeare’s other highly intellectual drama, Troilus and Cressida, this is a play that debates the great questions of epistemology, ethics, and metaphysics. “Humanism,” the dominant educational theory of the sixteenth century, proposed that wisdom was to be derived from book learning. The student developed the arts of language through his rhetorical training, while collecting the wisdom of the ancients in the form of citations and sententiae copied into a commonplace book. Polonius’ maxims on how Laertes should behave when away from home, climaxing in the cliché; “to thine own self be true,” are classic examples. The art of “reason” was refined through the study of “common themes,” one of which was “death of fathers.” Reason and judgment were supposed to prevail over will and passion. The Stoicism of Seneca provided a model for the use of “philosophy” as protection against the fickleness of fortune and the vicissitudes of court politics.

Hamlet’s uncle must once have been a good student. He is a master of balanced rhetoric, the measure and decorum of his verse belying his crime against the order of nature and state. He thinks he knows, and that everyone in the court will accept, what is the appropriate length of time to mourn the death of a brother, husband, father. Hamlet despises such propriety. He is not interested in the “common” way of behaving. He speaks for the “particular,” the individual. “Mourning duties,” maintained for a set period, are to him mere outward show, the signs of a “seeming” with which he refuses to play along. He has “that within which passeth show”: the solitary self is set against social custom. He has returned from the university determined to “wipe away” all the customary wisdom of Stoic decorum, all that “discourse of reason,” which humanist theorists regarded as the gift that set men above the beasts. He will have nothing to do with “saws of books” or the codes of behavior that “youth and observation” are supposed to copy from their humanist texts. After encountering the ghost, he vows to fill his commonplace book (“my tables”) from experience instead of books. This new way of seeing is initially regarded by his fellow students Horatio and Marcellus as no more than “wild and whirling words,” madness brought on by an encounter with an evil spirit. But Hamlet knows what he is doing. He tries on his “antic disposition” as a way of testing the limits of the rational “philosophy” embodied by Horatio. Ophelia tells of how she witnessed Hamlet utter a sigh that seemed to “end his being.” That end is also a beginning: the birth of a new man dedicated to the proposition that the opposite of reason is not madness, but true feeling. Later, when Ophelia is mad, she is described as “Divided from herself and her fair judgement, / Without the which we are pictures or mere beasts.” When Hamlet feigns madness, by contrast, he speaks with true judgment, as even Polonius half-recognizes: “A happiness that often madness hits on, which reason and sanity could not so prosperously be delivered of.”

Hamlet is a political drama as well as a play about the journey of an individual self. It begins with portents betokening “some strange eruption to our state.” It holds up a mirror to a world of royalty, courtiers, politicians, and ambassadors, but also ordinary people: students, actors, gravediggers, even (on the margins) an underclass of “lawless resolutes” following Fortinbras and a “rabble” who wants Laertes to be king. “Denmark’s a prison”: Hamlet is cabined, cribbed and confined by his princely birth, by the machinations of statecraft, and by the limitations of the material world. In his melancholy, when he complains that he has lost interest in all gentlemanly pursuits (“custom of exercise”), he points to the “canopy” over the stage. The self-conscious allusion to the architecture of the Globe Theatre hints at how he finds his freedom: in play, first by pretending to be mad, then through theater. It is the arrival of the actors that reinvigorates him. Hamlet loves plays and the players because he recognizes the power of acting to expose the feigning of public life, the fact that courtiership and rhetorical decorum are themselves but performances. He comes to the truth through “a fiction” and “a dream of passion.” In this he can only be regarded as an apologist for the art of his creator.

Hamlet’s shortest soliloquy, after he has been fired up by the play-within-the-play, is very much in the style of the traditional stage revenger, such as Hieronimo in Thomas Kyd’s Spanish Tragedy: “Now could I drink hot blood / And do such bitter business as the day / Would quake to look on.” Hamlet is as capable of violent action as any other revenger—witness his cruel rejection of Ophelia and his casual lugging of Polonius’ guts into the neighboring room. Nor does he delay nearly so much as he tells us he is delaying. He has to establish the authenticity of the ghost, to ensure that it is not a devil sent to tempt him into evil action, and as soon as he has done this by watching Claudius’ reaction to the play he goes off to kill him; he doesn’t kill him at prayer because that would be “hire and salary, not revenge,” would send him to heaven not to hell; he then thinks that he has killed him in Gertrude’s closet; it turns out that he has killed Polonius instead and as a result he is packed off to England. As soon as he has tricked and dispatched Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, effected his daring escape via the pirate ship, and returned to Denmark, he is in a state of “readiness” and the revenge takes place during the duel.

But the style of the “hot blood” soliloquy is completely unlike that of the other solo speeches, which are all much longer and more introspective. It is from them that we derive our image of the character of Hamlet: in the first act, so disgusted by his mother’s hasty remarriage that he wishes he were dead; in the second, moved to self-disgust by the way in which the player can work himself into a frenzy for the fictional sorrows of Hecuba, while he himself has not yet done anything about his father’s murder; in the third, meditating on the pros and cons of suicide; and in the Quarto text of the fourth, still chiding himself when he compares his own inaction with the military activity of Fortinbras and his army (“How all occasions do inform against me / And spur my dull revenge!”). Hamlet’s self-analysis has led some commentators to wonder whether his failure to kill the praying usurper might be the result of procrastination, not calculation about whether he would be sending him to heaven or hell. The soliloquies present such a convincing picture of irresolution and inaction that even when it comes to the final scene it may occur to us that the killing of the king seems to be not so much the climax of Hamlet’s plans as an incidental consequence of Laertes’ quest for revenge for the deaths of his father and sister.

For the Romantics such as Goethe and Coleridge, Hamlet was the archetype of the sensitive man paralyzed into inaction by his sheer capacity for thought—which is to say an image of themselves as poets uneasily inhabiting the public sphere. Debatable as this reading is, there can be little doubt that Shakespeare’s innovation in Hamlet was to take the figure of the revenger from the old play and turn him into an intellectual, so making revenge into a moral dilemma as opposed to a practical task to be carried out through effective plotting. Hamlet’s problem is that his intelligence makes him see both sides of every question, whereas there is no place for debate and half-measure in the drama of revenge. The lesson from both the Old Testament and Greek tragedy, which was mediated to Shakespeare via Seneca’s Latin versions, was that action requires reactions: a crime in one generation demands the meting out of punishment in the next, an eye for an eye. Requital must be exact and complete. Hamlet does not kill the king while he is praying because that would send him straight to heaven, which does not correspond to the fate of Old Hamlet, who was murdered “grossly, full of bread, / With all his crimes broad blown.” It is one of the play’s many ironies that, immediately on Hamlet’s departure, the king acknowledges that his prayer for forgiveness is not working—if Hamlet had struck, he would have damned his enemy.

One of the paradoxes of the play is that the ghost of Old Hamlet comes from Purgatory, where he is confined in fire “Till the foul crimes done in his days of nature / Are burnt and purged away,” while Hamlet’s speech giving his reasons for not plunging his sword into his praying uncle implies that the act of penitence can instantly purge sin away and allow even a man who has committed the most terrible crime immediate access to heaven on his death. Purgatory is a Roman Catholic doctrine, the leap to grace supposed by Hamlet a Protestant one. At several points, the play engages with the great doctrinal disputes of the Reformation and Counter-Reformation. Hamlet, after all, longs to be back at Wittenberg, Martin Luther’s university, intellectual home of the Protestant revolution, in which authenticity of feeling is paramount and the key term is “conscience.” As Hamlet says at the end of “To be, or not to be,” “conscience does make cowards of us all.” In Elizabethan English, “conscience” means not only moral scruple but also “consciousness.” A polyglot dictionary of the period glosses the word as “witness of one’s own mind, knowledge, remorse.” It is Hamlet’s extreme self-consciousness that sets him apart from the traditional revenger. When alone on stage, reflecting on his own situation, he seems to embody the very nature of human being; it is “conscience” in its multiple senses that forms his self-image, his “character,” and in so doing makes it agonizingly difficult for him to perform the action that is demanded of him. Yet when he does come to act, he is decisive and ruthless. He reaches the point of “readiness” when he accepts—never easy for an intellectual—that what will be will be. Thereafter, he considers it “perfect conscience” to kill the king and has no compunction about his treatment of the former schoolfellows who have betrayed not only him but the precious virtue of friendship: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, he says, “are not near my conscience.”

It is sometimes said that chance, not Hamlet, brings the plot to a resolution. Hamlet certainly believes that Providence is operating on his behalf, as witnessed by the good fortune of his having the means to seal Rosencrantz and Guildenstern’s fate. But the exchange of rapiers during the fencing match with Laertes is not a matter of chance, as is sometimes suggested. Many modern productions use the épée that had not been invented in Shakespeare’s time—a flexible foil that may be knocked from the hand, leading to the possibility of an accidental exchange of weapons. But Hamlet and Laertes duel with “rapier and dagger,” the commonest weapons for such an encounter, as illustrated in Vincentio Saviolo’s treatise on fencing skills, The Art of Practice (1595).

“Rapier and dagger”: on-guard position, as illustrated in Vincentio Saviolo’s English fencing treatise of 1595

“They change rapiers”: disarm and exchange by left-hand seizure, as illustrated in Henri de Saint-Didier’s French fencing treatise of 1573

The grip used for the rapier meant that it was very hard to remove from the opponent’s hand save by an advanced maneuver known as the “left-hand seizure”: Hamlet would have dropped his dagger to the ground and grabbed the hilt of Laertes’ rapier with his left hand, twisting it out of his grip; Laertes would have responded with the same action, resulting in the switch of weapons.

The move, which is illustrated in continental fencing handbooks of the period, is so skillful that Hamlet’s action must have been purposeful. He would not initially have seen that Laertes’ rapier was “unbated” (not blunted in the way that was customary to prevent the injury of gentlemen participating in sporting fights), but on receiving a “hit” his skin would have been pierced by the point. Realizing that Laertes is in earnest, not play, he instantly responds with the maneuver that makes the switch. Now he is in deadly earnest himself. Deeds take over from words, revenge is performed without further compunctious visitings of nature, and “the rest is silence.”

KEY FACTS

PLOT: Old Hamlet, King of Denmark, is dead and has been succeeded by his brother. The new king has also married Gertrude, the widowed queen. Hamlet, Gertrude’s son, is already distressed by his father’s death and the hasty remarriage; when his father’s ghost appears to tell him that he was murdered by his own brother, Hamlet vows revenge. To cover his intentions, he feigns madness. Polonius, councilor to the court, whose daughter Ophelia is all but betrothed to Hamlet, believes that his madness is caused by love. Spied on by Polonius and the king, Hamlet encounters Ophelia and violently rejects her. A company of actors arrives and Hamlet asks them to perform a play, hoping that its similarity to the murder of his own father will force the king to reveal his guilt. Hamlet’s suspicions are confirmed. He visits his mother, reviling her for her hasty marriage, and accidentally kills Polonius, who is hiding in the chamber. The king sends Hamlet to England, planning to have him murdered. Laertes, Polonius’ son, demands revenge for his father’s death. His sister, Ophelia, maddened by grief, has drowned. Hamlet returns and confronts Laertes at her funeral. The king, meanwhile, has plotted with Laertes to kill Hamlet in a fencing match in which Laertes will have a poisoned sword. The plot miscarries and Laertes dies. Gertrude drinks from a poisoned cup intended for Hamlet, and also dies. Hamlet, wounded by the poisoned sword, kills the king before he, too, dies. Young Fortinbras of Norway arrives and lays claim to the throne of Denmark.

MAJOR PARTS: (with percentage of lines/number of speeches/scenes on stage) Hamlet (37%/341/12), King (14%/100/11), Polonius (9%/86/8), Horatio (7%/105/9), Laertes (5%/60/6), Ophelia (4%/58/5), Gertrude (4%/70/10), Rosencrantz (2%/44/6), First Player (2%/8/2), Ghost (2%/15/2), First Clown (2%/34/1), Marcellus (2%/34/4), Guildenstern (1%/29/5), Osric (1%/19/1).

LINGUISTIC MEDIUM: 75% verse, 25% prose.

DATE: 1600? Not mentioned by Meres in 1598; registered for publication in summer 1602. Allusions to Julius Caesar (1599) in the dialogue suggest that it was performed after that play; a reference to Shakespeare’s Hamlet by the Cambridge academic Gabriel Harvey seems to date from before February 1601. The exchange concerning boy actors alludes to rivalries in the London theaters during 1600 and 1601, but it may have been inserted in the play some time after its original composition (the passage is absent from the Second Quarto text). An old Hamlet play, of unknown authorship and now lost, was extant in the late 1580s to mid-1590s; it is not known whether Shakespeare had any direct involvement with it.

SOURCES: Given the frequency with which Shakespeare reworked old plays, it may be assumed that the old Hamlet play was his chief source. The Danish prince Amleth is a revenger in the twelfth-century Historiae Danicae of Saxo Grammaticus, familiar to Elizabethan readers via a retelling in François de Belleforest’s Histoires tragiques (1570). In Belleferest, the Gertrude figure definitely begins her affair with her husband’s brother before the murder, in which she is suspected of complicity. The Player’s speech on the fall of Troy is influenced by the language of Christopher Marlowe’s Dido Queen of Carthage; Hamlet’s philosophizing sometimes resembles the tone of Michel de Montaigne’s Essais, but a direct link has not been proved.

TEXT: The First Quarto was published in 1603 under the title The Tragicall Historie of HAMLET Prince of Denmarke by William Shakespeare. As it hath beene diuerse times acted by his Highnesse seruants in the Cittie of London: as also in the two Vniuersities of Cambridge and Oxford, and elsewhere. Much shorter than the later texts, and with many garbled lines, it seems to be a reconstruction of an acting version. There are some notable differences from the later texts (e.g., Polonius called Corambis, “To be or not to be,” and the “nunnery” dialogue positioned with the “fishmonger” exchange, not after the arrival of the players), but some of the stage directions are valuable (e.g., “Enter Ofelia playing on a Lute, and her haire downe singing” for the mad scene). The Second Quarto, published in 1604/05, was clearly an “authorized” text, intended to displace the First Quarto, as may be seen from its title-page claim, “Newly imprinted and enlarged to almost as much againe as it was, according to the true and perfect Coppie.” Most scholars believe that the text derives from Shakespeare’s manuscript; over 4,000 lines long, it is unlikely to have been staged in full. The text in the 1623 Folio seems to have been set from the theater promptbook or a transcript of it. It has much fuller stage directions than the Second Quarto, and considerable textual variations: about seventy new lines are present, while about 230 Quarto lines are absent, including the whole of Hamlet’s last major soliloquy, “How all occasions do inform against me”—in Folio, he is not there to witness Fortinbras’ army. Hundreds of individual readings differ, strongly suggesting that the Second Quarto and Folio represent different stages in the play’s life. Some scholars regard the revision as systematic (e.g., making subtle changes to Hamlet’s relationship with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern), but it may have been more incremental and haphazard. Given the major differences, the editorial practice of conflation, which began with Nicholas Rowe’s insertion of the Second Quarto’s final soliloquy in his Folio-based text of 1709, has recently fallen into disrepute. We edit the Folio text, but include the Quarto-only passages (edited and annotated) independently at the end. Though Folio seems to have been set from a theatrical manuscript, it was also influenced by the Quarto tradition; so too, a modern edition of Folio can benefit from Quarto readings when the Folio text is manifestly erroneous, as it is on numerous occasions.

THE TRAGEDY OF HAMLET, PRINCE OF DENMARK*

HAMLET, Prince of Denmark

KING of Denmark, Hamlet’s uncle

GHOST of old Hamlet, former King of Denmark, Hamlet’s father

GERTRUDE, queen of Denmark, Hamlet’s mother

POLONIUS, councillor to the state of Denmark

LAERTES, Polonius’ son

OPHELIA, Polonius’ daughter

REYNALDO, Polonius’ servant

HORATIO, Hamlet’s friend and fellow student

FRANCISCO, another sentinel of the king’s guard

OSRIC, a courtier

PLAYERS, who take the roles of prologue, player KING, BAPTISTA and LUCIANUS

FORTINBRAS, Prince of Norway

A CAPTAIN in his army

Two CLOWNS, a gravedigger and his companion

Two MESSENGERS

A SAILOR

A PRIEST

AMBASSADOR from England

Lords, Soldiers, Attendants, Servants, Followers of Laertes

Act 1 Scene 11.1

running scene 1

       Enter Barnardo and Francisco, two sentinels Meeting

BARNARDO

BARNARDO     Who’s there?

FRANCISCO

FRANCISCO     Nay, answer me:² stand and unfold yourself.

BARNARDO

BARNARDO     Long live the king!

FRANCISCO

FRANCISCO     Barnardo?

5

5     

BARNARDO

BARNARDO     He.

FRANCISCO

FRANCISCO     You come most carefully⁶ upon your hour.

BARNARDO

BARNARDO     ’Tis now struck twelve: get thee to bed, Francisco.

FRANCISCO

FRANCISCO     For this relief much thanks: ’tis bitter cold,

               And I am sick at heart.

10

10   

BARNARDO

BARNARDO           Have you had quiet guard?

FRANCISCO

FRANCISCO     Not a mouse stirring.

BARNARDO

BARNARDO     Well, goodnight.

               If you do meet Horatio and Marcellus,

               The rivals¹⁴ of my watch, bid them make haste.

       Enter Horatio and Marcellus

15

15   

FRANCISCO

FRANCISCO           I think I hear them.— Stand! Who’s there?

HORATIO

HORATIO     Friends to this ground.¹⁶

MARCELLUS

MARCELLUS     And liegemen¹⁷ to the Dane.

FRANCISCO

FRANCISCO     Give¹⁸ you goodnight.

MARCELLUS

MARCELLUS     O, farewell, honest soldier. Who hath relieved you?

20

20   

FRANCISCO

FRANCISCO           Barnardo has my place. Give you goodnight.

       Exit Francisco

MARCELLUS

MARCELLUS     Holla! Barnardo!

BARNARDO

BARNARDO     Say, what, is Horatio there?

HORATIO

HORATIO     A piece of him.

BARNARDO

BARNARDO     Welcome, Horatio: welcome, good Marcellus.

25

25   

MARCELLUS

MARCELLUS           What, has this thing appeared again tonight?

BARNARDO

BARNARDO     I have seen nothing.

MARCELLUS

MARCELLUS     Horatio says ’tis but our fantasy,²⁷

               And will not let belief take hold of him

               Touching²⁹ this dreaded sight twice seen of us:

30

30           Therefore I have entreated him along³⁰

               With us to watch³¹ the minutes of this night,

               That if again this apparition come,

               He may approve³³ our eyes and speak to it.

HORATIO

HORATIO     Tush, tush, ’twill not appear.

35

35   

BARNARDO

BARNARDO           Sit down awhile,

               And let us once again assail³⁶ your ears,

               That are so fortified against our story,

               What we two nights have seen.

HORATIO

HORATIO     Well, sit we down,

40

40           And let us hear Barnardo speak of this.

BARNARDO

BARNARDO     Last⁴¹ night of all,

               When yond⁴² same star that’s westward from the pole

               Had made his course t’illume⁴³ that part of heaven

               Where now it burns, Marcellus and myself,

45

45           The bell then beating one—

MARCELLUS

MARCELLUS     Peace, break thee off.

       Enter the Ghost

               Look where it comes again.

BARNARDO

BARNARDO     In the same figure⁴⁷ like the king that’s dead.

MARCELLUS

MARCELLUS     Thou art a scholar;⁴⁸ speak to it, Horatio.

BARNARDO

BARNARDO     Looks it not like the king? Mark it,⁴⁹ Horatio.

50

50   

HORATIO

HORATIO           Most like: it harrows⁵⁰ me with fear and wonder.

BARNARDO

BARNARDO     It would⁵¹ be spoke to.

MARCELLUS

MARCELLUS     Question it, Horatio.

HORATIO

HORATIO     What art thou that usurp’st⁵³ this time of night,

               Together with that fair and warlike form

55

55           In which the majesty of buried Denmark⁵⁵

               Did sometimes⁵⁶ march? By heaven I charge thee speak!

MARCELLUS

MARCELLUS     It is offended.

BARNARDO

BARNARDO     See, it stalks away.

HORATIO

HORATIO     Stay! Speak, speak! I charge thee, speak!

       Exit the Ghost

60

60   

MARCELLUS

MARCELLUS           ’Tis gone and will not answer.

BARNARDO

BARNARDO     How now, Horatio? You tremble and look pale.

               Is not this something more than fantasy?

               What think you on’t?⁶³

HORATIO

HORATIO     Before my God, I might not this believe

65

65           Without the sensible⁶⁵ and true avouch

               Of mine own eyes.

MARCELLUS

MARCELLUS     Is it not like the king?

HORATIO

HORATIO     As thou art to thyself.

               Such was the very armour he had on

70

70           When he th’ambitious Norway⁷⁰ combated:

               So frowned he once when, in an angry parle,⁷¹

               He smote the steelèd pole-axe⁷² on the ice.

               ’Tis strange.

MARCELLUS

MARCELLUS     Thus twice before, and just at this dead hour,

75

75           With martial stalk hath he gone by our watch.

HORATIO

HORATIO     In⁷⁶ what particular thought to work I know not,

               But in the gross and scope⁷⁷ of my opinion,

               This bodes some strange eruption⁷⁸ to our state.

MARCELLUS

MARCELLUS     Good now,⁷⁹ sit down and tell me, he that knows,

80

80           Why this same strict and most observant watch

               So nightly toils⁸¹ the subject of the land,

               And why such daily cast⁸² of brazen cannon

               And foreign mart⁸³ for implements of war:

               Why such impress⁸⁴ of shipwrights, whose sore task

85

85           Does⁸⁵ not divide the Sunday from the week:

               What might be toward,⁸⁶ that this sweaty haste

               Doth make the night joint-labourer with the day:

               Who is’t that can inform me?

HORATIO

HORATIO     That can I,

90

90           At least, the whisper⁹⁰ goes so: our last king,

               Whose image even but now appeared to us,

               Was, as you know, by Fortinbras of Norway,

               Thereto⁹³ pricked on by a most emulate pride,

               Dared to the combat, in which our valiant Hamlet —

95

95           For so this side of our known world esteemed him —

               Did slay this Fortinbras, who by a sealed compact,⁹⁶

               Well ratified by law and heraldry,

               Did forfeit, with his life, all those his lands

               Which he stood seized on⁹⁹ to the conqueror:

100

100         Against the which, a moiety competent¹⁰⁰

               Was gagèd¹⁰¹ by our king, which had returned

               To the inheritance of Fortinbras,

               Had he been vanquisher, as, by the same cov’nant,¹⁰³

               And carriage¹⁰⁴ of the article designed,

105

105         His fell to Hamlet. Now, sir, young Fortinbras,

               Of unimprovèd¹⁰⁶ mettle hot and full,

               Hath in the skirts¹⁰⁷ of Norway here and there

               Sharked up¹⁰⁸ a list of landless resolutes

               For¹⁰⁹ food and diet to some enterprise

110

110         That hath a stomach¹¹⁰ in’t, which is no other —

               And it doth well appear unto our state¹¹¹ —

               But to recover of us, by strong hand

               And terms compulsative,¹¹³ those foresaid lands

               So by his father lost: and this, I take it,

115

115         Is the main motive of our preparations,

               The source of this our watch and the chief head¹¹⁶

               Of this post-haste¹¹⁷ and rummage in the land.

       Enter Ghost again

               But soft,¹¹⁸ behold! Lo, where it comes again!

               I’ll cross it,¹¹⁹ though it blast me. Stay, illusion!

120

120         If thou hast any sound or use of voice,

               Speak to me:

               If there be any good thing to be done

               That may to thee do ease and grace to me,

               Speak to me:

125

125         If thou art privy to thy country’s fate —

               Which, haply,¹²⁶ foreknowing may avoid — O, speak!

               Or if thou hast uphoarded¹²⁷ in thy life

               Extorted¹²⁸ treasure in the womb of earth — ↓A cock crows↓

               For which, they say, you spirits oft walk in death —

130

130         Speak of it: stay and speak!— Stop it, Marcellus.

MARCELLUS

MARCELLUS     Shall I strike at it with my partisan?¹³¹

HORATIO

HORATIO     Do, if it will not stand.¹³² They attempt to strike it

BARNARDO

BARNARDO     ’Tis here!

HORATIO

HORATIO     ’Tis here!

135

135 

MARCELLUS

MARCELLUS             ’Tis gone!

       Exit Ghost

               We do it wrong, being so majestical,

               To offer it the show of violence,

               For it is as the air invulnerable,

               And our vain blows malicious mockery.

140

140 

BARNARDO

BARNARDO             It was about to speak when the cock crew.

HORATIO

HORATIO     And then it started like a guilty thing

               Upon a fearful summons. I have heard

               The cock, that is the trumpet to the day,

               Doth with his lofty and shrill-sounding throat

145

145         Awake the god of day, and at his warning,

               Whether in sea or fire, in earth or air,

               Th’extravagant and erring¹⁴⁷ spirit hies

               To his confine:¹⁴⁸ and of the truth herein

               This present object made probation.¹⁴⁹

150

150 

MARCELLUS

MARCELLUS             It faded on the crowing of the cock.

               Some say that ever gainst¹⁵¹ that season comes

               Wherein our Saviour’s¹⁵² birth is celebrated,

               The bird of dawning¹⁵³ singeth all night long,

               And then, they say, no spirit can walk abroad:

155

155         The nights are wholesome,¹⁵⁵ then no planets strike,

               No fairy talks,¹⁵⁶ nor witch hath power to charm,

               So hallowed¹⁵⁷ and so gracious is the time.

HORATIO

HORATIO     So have I heard and do in part believe it.

               But, look, the morn in russet¹⁵⁹ mantle clad,

160

160         Walks o’er the dew of yon high eastern hill.

               Break we our watch up, and by my advice,

               Let us impart what we have seen tonight

               Unto young Hamlet, for upon my life,

               This spirit, dumb to us, will speak to him.

165

165         Do you consent we shall acquaint him with it,

               As needful in our loves, fitting our duty?

MARCELLUS

MARCELLUS     Let’s do’t, I pray, and I this morning know

               Where we shall find him most conveniently.

       Exeunt

Act 1 Scene 21.2

running scene 2

       Enter Claudius King of Denmark, Gertrude the Queen, Hamlet, Polonius, Laertes and his sister Ophelia, Lords Attendant

KING

KING     Though yet of Hamlet our dear brother’s death

               The memory be green,² and that it us befitted

               To bear our hearts in grief and our whole kingdom

               To be contracted⁴ in one brow of woe,

5

5             Yet so far hath discretion⁵ fought with nature

               That we with wisest sorrow think on him

               Together with remembrance of ourselves.

               Therefore our sometime⁸ sister, now our queen,

               Th’imperial jointress⁹ of this warlike state,

10

10           Have we, as ’twere with a defeated joy,

               With one¹¹ auspicious and one dropping eye,

               With mirth in funeral and with dirge in marriage,

               In equal scale weighing delight and dole,¹³

               Taken to wife; nor have we herein barred¹⁴

15

15           Your better wisdoms, which have freely gone

               With this affair along. For all, our thanks.

               Now follows that you know¹⁷ young Fortinbras,

               Holding a weak supposal¹⁸ of our worth,

               Or thinking by our late dear brother’s death

20

20           Our state to be disjoint and out of frame,

               Colleaguèd²¹ with the dream of his advantage,

               He hath not failed to pester us with message

               Importing²³ the surrender of those lands

               Lost by his father, with all bonds of law,

25

25           To our most valiant brother. So much for him.

       Enter Voltemand and Cornelius

               Now for ourself and for this time of meeting,

               Thus much the business is: we have here writ

               To Norway, uncle of young Fortinbras —

               Who, impotent²⁹ and bedrid, scarcely hears

30

30           Of this his nephew’s purpose — to suppress

               His³¹ further gait herein, in that the levies,

               The lists and full proportions, are all made

               Out of his subject. And we here dispatch

               You, good Cornelius, and you, Voltemand,

35

35           For bearing of this greeting to old Norway,

               Giving to you no further personal power

               To³⁷ business with the king, more than the scope

               Of these dilated articles³⁸ allow. Gives a paper

               Farewell, and let your haste³⁹ commend your duty.

40

40   

VOLTEMAND

VOLTEMAND           In that, and all things, will we show our duty.

KING

KING     We doubt it nothing:⁴¹ heartily farewell.—

       Exeunt Voltemand and Cornelius

               And now, Laertes, what’s the news with you?

               You told us of some suit:⁴³ what is’t, Laertes?

               You cannot speak of reason to the Dane⁴⁴

45

               And lose your voice:⁴⁵ what wouldst thou beg, Laertes,

               That⁴⁶ shall not be my offer, not thy asking?

               The head is not more native⁴⁷ to the heart,

               The hand more instrumental⁴⁸ to the mouth,

               Than is the throne of Denmark to thy father.

50

50           What wouldst thou have, Laertes?

LAERTES

LAERTES     Dread my lord,⁵¹

               Your leave and favour⁵² to return to France,

               From whence though willingly I came to Denmark

               To show my duty in your coronation,

55

55           Yet now I must confess, that duty done,

               My thoughts and wishes bend again towards France

               And bow them⁵⁷ to your gracious leave and pardon.

KING

KING     Have you your father’s leave? What says Polonius?

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     He hath, my lord:

60

60           I do beseech you, give him leave to go.

KING

KING     Take thy fair hour, Laertes: time be thine,

               And thy best graces⁶² spend it at thy will.—

               But now, my cousin⁶³ Hamlet, and my son—

HAMLET

HAMLET     A⁶⁴ little more than kin and less than kind.

65

65   

KING

KING           How is it that the clouds still hang on you?

HAMLET

HAMLET     Not so, my lord:— I am too much i’th’sun. Aside?

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     Good Hamlet, cast thy nightly colour⁶⁷ off,

               And let thine eye look like a friend on Denmark.

               Do not forever with thy veilèd lids⁶⁹

70

70           Seek for thy noble father in the dust:

               Thou know’st ’tis common,⁷¹ all that lives must die,

               Passing through nature to eternity.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Ay, madam, it is common.

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     If it be,

75

75           Why seems it so particular⁷⁵ with thee?

HAMLET

HAMLET     ‘Seems’, madam? Nay it is: I know not ‘seems’.

               ’Tis not alone my inky cloak, good mother,

               Nor customary⁷⁸ suits of solemn black,

               Nor windy suspiration⁷⁹ of forced breath,

80

80           No, nor the fruitful river in the eye,

               Nor the dejected ’haviour⁸¹ of the visage,

               Together with all forms, moods,⁸² shows of grief,

               That can denote⁸³ me truly: these indeed seem,

               For they are actions that a man might play,

85

85           But I have that within which passeth⁸⁵ show;

               These but the trappings and the suits of woe.

KING

KING     ’Tis sweet and commendable in your nature, Hamlet,

               To give these mourning duties to your father:

               But you must know your father lost a father,

90

90           That father lost, lost his, and the survivor bound

               In filial obligation for some term

               To do obsequious⁹² sorrow. But to persever

               In obstinate condolement⁹³ is a course

               Of impious stubbornness: ’tis unmanly grief:

95

               It shows a will most incorrect⁹⁵ to heaven,

               A heart unfortified, a mind impatient,⁹⁶

               An understanding simple and unschooled.

               For what we know must be and is as common

               As any⁹⁹ the most vulgar thing to sense,

100

100         Why should we in our peevish¹⁰⁰ opposition

               Take it to heart? Fie,¹⁰¹ ’tis a fault to heaven,

               A fault against the dead, a fault to nature,

               To reason most absurd, whose common theme

               Is death of fathers, and who still¹⁰⁴ hath cried,

105

105         From the first corpse till he that died today,

               ‘This must be so.’ We pray you throw to earth

               This unprevailing¹⁰⁷ woe, and think of us

               As of a father; for let the world take note,

               You are the most immediate¹⁰⁹ to our throne,

110

110         And with no less nobility of love

               Than that which dearest father bears his son,

               Do I impart towards you. For¹¹² your intent

               In going back to school in Wittenberg,¹¹³

               It is most retrograde¹¹⁴ to our desire,

115

115         And we beseech you bend you¹¹⁵ to remain

               Here in the cheer and comfort of our eye,

               Our chiefest courtier, cousin, and our son.

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     Let not thy mother lose her prayers, Hamlet:

               I prithee stay with us, go not to Wittenberg.

120

120 

HAMLET

HAMLET             I shall in all my best obey you, madam.

KING

KING     Why, ’tis a loving and a fair reply.

               Be as ourself in Denmark.— Madam, come:

               This gentle¹²³ and unforced accord of Hamlet

               Sits smiling to my heart, in grace whereof,¹²⁴

125

125         No jocund health¹²⁵ that Denmark drinks today

               But the great cannon to the clouds shall tell,¹²⁶

               And the king’s rouse¹²⁷ the heavens shall bruit again,

               Re-speaking¹²⁸ earthly thunder. Come away.

       Exeunt. Hamlet remains

HAMLET

HAMLET     O, that this too too solid flesh would melt,

130

130         Thaw and resolve¹³⁰ itself into a dew!

               Or that the Everlasting¹³¹ had not fixed

               His canon¹³² gainst self-slaughter! O God, O God!

               How weary, stale, flat and unprofitable

               Seem to me all the uses¹³⁴ of this world!

135

135         Fie on’t! O, fie, fie! ’Tis an unweeded garden

               That grows to seed: things rank and gross¹³⁶ in nature

               Possess it merely.¹³⁷ That it should come to this!

               But two months dead: nay, not so much, not two.

               So excellent a king, that was to¹³⁹ this

140

140         Hyperion¹⁴⁰ to a satyr, so loving to my mother

               That he might not beteem¹⁴¹ the winds of heaven

               Visit her face too roughly. Heaven and earth,

               Must I remember? Why, she would hang on him

               As if increase of appetite had grown

145

               By what it fed on, and yet within a month —

               Let me not think on’t: frailty, thy name is woman! —

               A little month, or ere¹⁴⁷ those shoes were old

               With which she followed my poor father’s body,

               Like Niobe,¹⁴⁹ all tears: why she, even she —

150

150         O, heaven! A beast that wants¹⁵⁰ discourse of reason

               Would have mourned longer — married with mine uncle,

               My father’s brother but no more like my father

               Than I to Hercules.¹⁵³ Within a month?

               Ere yet the salt of most unrighteous¹⁵⁴ tears

155

155         Had left the flushing¹⁵⁵ of her gallèd eyes,

               She married. O, most wicked speed, to post¹⁵⁶

               With such dexterity to incestuous sheets!

               It is not nor it cannot come to good:

               But break my heart, for I must hold my tongue.

       Enter Horatio, Barnardo and Marcellus

160

160 

HORATIO

HORATIO             Hail to your lordship!

HAMLET

HAMLET     I am glad to see you well:

               Horatio — or I do forget myself. Recognizes him

HORATIO

HORATIO     The same, my lord, and your poor servant ever.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Sir, my good friend, I’ll change¹⁶⁴ that name with you.

165

165         And what make you from¹⁶⁵ Wittenberg, Horatio?— Marcellus.

MARCELLUS

MARCELLUS     My good lord.

HAMLET

HAMLET     I am very glad to see you.— Good even,¹⁶⁷ sir.— To Barnardo

               But what in faith make you from Wittenberg? To Horatio

HORATIO

HORATIO     A truant¹⁶⁹ disposition, good my lord.

170

170 

HAMLET

HAMLET             I would not have your enemy say so,

               Nor shall you do mine ear that violence,

               To make it truster of your own report

               Against yourself: I know you are no truant.

               But what is your affair in Elsinore?

175

175         We’ll teach you to drink deep ere¹⁷⁵ you depart.

HORATIO

HORATIO     My lord, I came to see your father’s funeral.

HAMLET

HAMLET     I pray thee do not mock me, fellow student:

               I think it was to see my mother’s wedding.

HORATIO

HORATIO     Indeed, my lord, it followed hard¹⁷⁹ upon.

180

180 

HAMLET

HAMLET             Thrift,¹⁸⁰ thrift, Horatio! The funeral baked meats

               Did coldly furnish forth the marriage tables.

               Would I had met my dearest¹⁸² foe in heaven

               Ere I had ever seen that day, Horatio.

               My father, methinks I see my father.

185

185 

HORATIO

HORATIO             O, where, my lord?

HAMLET

HAMLET     In my mind’s eye, Horatio.

HORATIO

HORATIO     I saw him once; he was a goodly king.

HAMLET

HAMLET     He was a man, take him for all in all:

               I shall not look upon his like again.

190

190 

HORATIO

HORATIO             My lord, I think I saw him yesternight.¹⁹⁰

HAMLET

HAMLET     Saw who?

HORATIO

HORATIO     My lord, the king your father.

HAMLET

HAMLET     The king my father?

HORATIO

HORATIO     Season your admiration¹⁹⁴ for a while

195

195         With an attent¹⁹⁵ ear till I may deliver,

               Upon the witness of these gentlemen,

               This marvel to you.

HAMLET

HAMLET     For heaven’s love, let me hear.

HORATIO

HORATIO     Two nights together had these gentlemen,

200

200         Marcellus and Barnardo, on their watch,

               In the dead waste²⁰¹ and middle of the night,

               Been thus encountered. A figure like your father,

               Armed at all points²⁰³ exactly, cap-à-pie,

               Appears before them, and with solemn march

205

205         Goes²⁰⁵ slow and stately: by them thrice he walked,

               By their oppressed and fear-surprisèd²⁰⁶ eyes

               Within his truncheon’s²⁰⁷ length, whilst they, distilled

               Almost to jelly with the act²⁰⁸ of fear

               Stand dumb and speak not to him. This to me

210

210         In dreadful²¹⁰ secrecy impart they did,

               And I with them the third night kept the watch,

               Where, as they had delivered, both in time,

               Form of the thing, each word made true and good,

               The apparition comes. I knew your father:

215

215         These²¹⁵ hands are not more like.

HAMLET

HAMLET     But where was this?

MARCELLUS

MARCELLUS     My lord, upon the platform²¹⁷ where we watched.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Did you not speak to it?

HORATIO

HORATIO     My lord, I did;

220

220         But answer made it none. Yet once methought

               It lifted up its head and did address²²¹

               Itself to motion, like as it would speak:

               But even then the morning cock crew loud,

               And at the sound it shrunk in haste away

225

225         And vanished from our sight.

HAMLET

HAMLET     ’Tis very strange.

HORATIO

HORATIO     As I do live, my honoured lord, ’tis true;

               And we did think it writ down in our duty

               To let you know of it.

230

230 

HAMLET

HAMLET             Indeed, indeed, sirs; but this troubles me.

               Hold you the watch tonight?

MARCELLUS

MARCELLUS     We do, my lord.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Armed, say you?

MARCELLUS

MARCELLUS     Armed, my lord.

235

235 

HAMLET

HAMLET             From top to toe?

MARCELLUS

MARCELLUS     My lord, from head to foot.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Then saw you not his face?

HORATIO

HORATIO     O, yes, my lord, he wore his beaver²³⁸ up.

HAMLET

HAMLET     What, looked he frowningly?

240

240 

HORATIO

HORATIO             A countenance²⁴⁰ more in sorrow than in anger.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Pale or red?

HORATIO

HORATIO     Nay, very pale.

HAMLET

HAMLET     And fixed his eyes upon you?

HORATIO

HORATIO     Most constantly.

245

245 

HAMLET

HAMLET             I would I had been there.

HORATIO

HORATIO     It would have much amazed you.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Very like, very like. Stayed it long?

HORATIO

HORATIO     While one with moderate haste might tell²⁴⁸ a hundred.

MARCELLUS and BARNARDO

MARCELLUS and BARNARDO      Longer, longer.

250

250 

HORATIO

HORATIO             Not when I saw’t.

HAMLET

HAMLET     His beard was grizzly,²⁵¹ no?

HORATIO

HORATIO     It was, as I have seen it in his life,

               A sable silvered.²⁵³

HAMLET

HAMLET     I’ll watch tonight; perchance ’twill walk again.

255

255 

HORATIO

HORATIO             I warrant²⁵⁵ you it will.

HAMLET

HAMLET     If it assume my noble father’s person,

               I’ll speak to it though hell itself should gape

               And bid me hold my peace. I pray you all,

               If you have hitherto concealed this sight,

260

260         Let it be tenable²⁶⁰ in your silence still,

               And whatsoever else shall hap tonight,

               Give it an understanding but no tongue.

               I will requite²⁶³ your loves. So, fare ye well:

               Upon the platform ’twixt eleven and twelve

265

265         I’ll visit you.

ALL

ALL     Our duty to your honour.

       Exeunt [all but Hamlet]

HAMLET

HAMLET     Your love, as mine to you: farewell.—

               My father’s spirit in arms? All is not well:

               I doubt²⁶⁹ some foul play. Would the night were come.

270

270         Till then, sit still my soul: foul deeds will rise,

               Though all the earth o’erwhelm them, to men’s eyes.

       Exit

Act 1 Scene 31.3

running scene 3

       Enter Laertes and Ophelia

LAERTES

LAERTES     My necessaries are embarked, farewell:

               And, sister, as² the winds give benefit

               And convoy is assistant,³ do not sleep

               But let me hear from you.

5

5     

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     Do you doubt that?

LAERTES

LAERTES     For Hamlet and the trifling of his favours,

               Hold it a fashion and a toy in blood,⁷

               A violet in the youth of primy⁸ nature,

               Froward,⁹ not permanent, sweet, not lasting,

10

10             The suppliance¹⁰ of a minute, no more.

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     No more but so?¹¹

LAERTES

LAERTES     Think it no more,

               For nature crescent¹³ does not grow alone

               In thews¹⁴ and bulk, but as his temple waxes,

15

15           The inward service of the mind and soul

               Grows wide withal.¹⁶ Perhaps he loves you now,

               And now no soil nor cautel¹⁷ doth besmirch

               The virtue of his will:¹⁸ but you must fear,

               His greatness weighed,¹⁹ his will is not his own;

20

20           For he himself is subject to his birth:

               He may not, as unvalued²¹ persons do,

               Carve²² for himself, for on his choice depends

               The sanctity²³ and health of the whole state,

               And therefore must his choice be circumscribed

25

25           Unto the voice and yielding²⁵ of that body

               Whereof he is the head. Then if he says he loves you,

               It fits your wisdom so far to believe it

               As he in his peculiar²⁸ sect and force

               May give his saying deed, which is no further

30

30           Than the main voice³⁰ of Denmark goes withal.

               Then weigh what loss your honour may sustain

               If with too credent³² ear you list his songs,

               Or lose your heart, or your chaste treasure³³ open

               To his unmastered importunity.³⁴

35

35           Fear it, Ophelia, fear it, my dear sister,

               And keep³⁶ within the rear of your affection,

               Out of the shot³⁷ and danger of desire.

               The chariest³⁸ maid is prodigal enough

               If she³⁹ unmask her beauty to the moon:

40

40           Virtue itself scapes⁴⁰ not calumnious strokes:

               The canker⁴¹ galls the infants of the spring

               Too oft before the buttons be disclosed,⁴²

               And in the morn and liquid dew of youth

               Contagious blastments⁴⁴ are most imminent.

45

45           Be wary then: best safety lies in fear.

               Youth to⁴⁶ itself rebels, though none else near.

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     I shall th’effect of this good lesson keep

               As watchman to my heart. But, good my brother,

               Do not, as some ungracious⁴⁹ pastors do,

50

50           Show me the steep and thorny way to heaven,

               Whilst, like a puffed⁵¹ and reckless libertine

               Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads,

               And recks⁵³ not his own rede.

LAERTES

LAERTES     O, fear me not.⁵⁴

       Enter Polonius

55

55           I stay⁵⁵ too long. But here my father comes.

               A double blessing⁵⁶ is a double grace;

               Occasion⁵⁷ smiles upon a second leave.

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     Yet here, Laertes? Aboard, aboard, for shame!

               The wind sits in the shoulder of your sail,

60

60           And you are stayed⁶⁰ for there. My blessing with you!

               And these few precepts in thy memory

               See thou character.⁶² Give thy thoughts no tongue,

               Nor any unproportioned⁶³ thought his act.

               Be thou familiar,⁶⁴ but by no means vulgar.

65

65           The friends thou hast, and their adoption tried,⁶⁵

               Grapple⁶⁶ them to thy soul with hoops of steel,

               But do not dull thy palm⁶⁷ with entertainment

               Of each new-hatched, unfledged⁶⁸ comrade: beware

               Of entrance to a quarrel, but being in,

70

70           Bear’t that th’opposèd⁷⁰ may beware of thee.

               Give every man thine ear, but few thy voice:

               Take each man’s censure,⁷² but reserve thy judgement:

               Costly thy habit⁷³ as thy purse can buy,

               But not expressed in fancy;⁷⁴ rich, not gaudy:

75

75           For the apparel oft proclaims the man,

               And they in France of the best rank and station

               Are⁷⁷ of a most select and generous chief in that.

               Neither a borrower nor a lender be,

               For loan oft loses both itself and friend,

80

80           And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry.⁸⁰

               This above all: to thine own self be true,

               And it must follow, as the night the day,

               Thou canst not then be false⁸³ to any man.

               Farewell: my blessing season⁸⁴ this in thee!

85

85   

LAERTES

LAERTES           Most humbly do I take my leave, my lord.

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     The time invites you. Go, your servants tend.⁸⁶

LAERTES

LAERTES     Farewell, Ophelia, and remember well

               What I have said to you.

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     ’Tis in my memory locked,

90

90           And you yourself shall keep the key of it.

LAERTES

LAERTES     Farewell.

       Exit Laertes

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     What is’t, Ophelia, he hath said to you?

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     So please you, something touching⁹³ the lord Hamlet.

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     Marry,⁹⁴ well bethought.

95

95           ’Tis told me, he hath very oft of late

               Given private time to you; and you yourself

               Have of your audience⁹⁷ been most free and bounteous:

               If it be so, as so ’tis put on⁹⁸ me,

               And that in way of caution, I must tell you

100

100         You do not understand yourself so clearly

               As it behoves¹⁰¹ my daughter and your honour.

               What is between you? Give me up the truth.

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     He hath, my lord, of late made many tenders¹⁰³

               Of his affection to me.

105

105 

POLONIUS

POLONIUS             Affection? Puh! You speak like a green¹⁰⁵ girl,

               Unsifted¹⁰⁶ in such perilous circumstance.

               Do you believe his tenders, as you call them?

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     I do not know, my lord, what I should think.

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     Marry, I’ll teach you: think yourself a baby

110

110         That you have ta’en his tenders for true pay

               Which are not sterling.¹¹¹ Tender yourself more dearly;

               Or — not to crack¹¹² the wind of the poor phrase,

               Running¹¹³ it thus — you’ll tender me a fool.

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     My lord, he hath importuned¹¹⁴ me with love

115

115         In honourable fashion.

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     Ay, fashion¹¹⁶ you may call it. Go to, go to.

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     And hath given countenance¹¹⁷ to his speech,

               My lord, with all the vows of heaven.

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     Ay, springes¹¹⁹ to catch woodcocks. I do know,

120

120         When the blood burns, how prodigal¹²⁰ the soul

               Lends the tongue vows: these blazes, daughter,

               Giving more light than heat, extinct¹²² in both

               Even in their promise, as it is a-making,

               You must not take for fire. For this time,¹²⁴ daughter,

125

125         Be somewhat scanter¹²⁵ of your maiden presence;

               Set your entreatments¹²⁶ at a higher rate

               Than a command to parley.¹²⁷ For Lord Hamlet,

               Believe so much in him that he is young

               And with a larger tether may he walk

130

130         Than may be given you: in few,¹³⁰ Ophelia,

               Do not believe his vows, for they are brokers,¹³¹

               Not of the dye which their investments¹³² show,

               But mere implorators¹³³ of unholy suits,

               Breathing like sanctified and pious bawds,¹³⁴

135

135         The better to beguile.¹³⁵ This is for all:

               I would not, in plain terms, from this time forth,

               Have you so slander any moment¹³⁷ leisure,

               As to give words or talk with the Lord Hamlet.

               Look to’t, I charge you. Come your ways.¹³⁹

140

140 

OPHELIA

OPHELIA             I shall obey, my lord.

       Exeunt

[Act 1 Scene 4]1.4

running scene 4

       Enter Hamlet, Horatio, Marcellus

HAMLET

HAMLET     The air bites shrewdly:¹ is it very cold?

HORATIO

HORATIO     It is a nipping and an eager² air.

HAMLET

HAMLET     What hour now?

HORATIO

HORATIO     I think it lacks of⁴ twelve.

5

5     

HAMLET

HAMLET     No, it is struck.

HORATIO

HORATIO     Indeed? I heard it not: then it draws near the season

               Wherein the spirit held his wont⁷ to walk. A flourish of trumpets and drums, perhaps also cannon

               What does this mean, my lord?

HAMLET

HAMLET     The king doth wake⁹ tonight and takes his rouse,

10

10           Keeps wassail,¹⁰ and the swaggering upspring reels:

               And as he drains his draughts of Rhenish¹¹ down,

               The kettledrum¹² and trumpet thus bray out

               The triumph of his pledge.

HORATIO

HORATIO     Is it a custom?

15

15   

HAMLET

HAMLET           Ay, marry, is’t:

               And to my mind, though I am native here

               And to the manner¹⁷ born, it is a custom

               More¹⁸ honoured in the breach than the observance.

       Enter Ghost

HORATIO

HORATIO     Look, my lord, it comes!

20

20           

HAMLET

HAMLET      Angels and ministers of grace²⁰ defend us!

               Be thou²¹ a spirit of health or goblin damned,

               Bring with thee airs from heaven or blasts from hell,

               Be thy intents wicked or charitable,

               Thou com’st in such a questionable shape²⁴

25

25           That I will speak to thee: I’ll call thee Hamlet,

               King, father, royal Dane. O, O, answer me!

               Let me not burst in ignorance, but tell

               Why thy canonized²⁸ bones, hearsèd in death,

               Have burst their cerements,²⁹ why the sepulchre

30

30           Wherein we saw thee quietly inurned,³⁰

               Hath oped his ponderous³¹ and marble jaws

               To cast³² thee up again. What may this mean,

               That thou, dead corpse, again in complete steel³³

               Revisits thus the glimpses³⁴ of the moon,

35

35           Making night hideous,³⁵ and we fools of nature

               So horridly³⁶ to shake our disposition

               With thoughts beyond the reaches of our souls?

               Say, why is this? Wherefore?³⁸ What should we do?

       Ghost beckons Hamlet

HORATIO

HORATIO     It beckons you to go away with it,

40

40           As if it some impartment⁴⁰ did desire

               To you alone.

MARCELLUS

MARCELLUS     Look, with what courteous action

               It wafts⁴³ you to a more removèd ground:

               But do not go with it.

HORATIO

HORATIO     No, by no means.

HAMLET

HAMLET     It will not speak; then will I follow it.

HORATIO

HORATIO     Do not, my lord.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Why, what should be the fear?

               I do not set my life at a pin’s fee;⁴⁹

50

50           And for my soul, what can it do to that,

               Being a thing immortal as itself?

               It waves me forth again: I’ll follow it.

HORATIO

HORATIO     What if it tempt you toward the flood,⁵³ my lord,

               Or to the dreadful summit of the cliff

55

55           That beetles o’er⁵⁵ his base into the sea,

               And there assumes some other horrible form

               Which might deprive⁵⁷ your sovereignty of reason

               And draw you into madness? Think of it.

HAMLET

HAMLET     It wafts me still.— Go on, I’ll follow thee.

60

60   

MARCELLUS

MARCELLUS           You shall not go, my lord. Holds him back

HAMLET

HAMLET     Hold off your hand.

HORATIO

HORATIO     Be ruled: you shall not go.

HAMLET

HAMLET     My fate cries out,

               And makes each petty artery⁶⁴ in this body

65

65           As hardy as the Nemean lion’s⁶⁵ nerve.—

               Still am I called?— Unhand me, gentlemen.

               By heav’n, I’ll make a ghost of him that lets⁶⁷ me!

               I say, away!— Go on, I’ll follow thee.

       Exeunt Ghost and Hamlet

HORATIO

HORATIO     He waxes⁶⁹ desperate with imagination.

70

70   

MARCELLUS

MARCELLUS           Let’s follow; ’tis not fit thus to obey him.

HORATIO

HORATIO     Have after.⁷¹ To what issue will this come?

MARCELLUS

MARCELLUS     Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.

HORATIO

HORATIO     Heaven will direct it.⁷³

MARCELLUS

MARCELLUS     Nay, let’s follow him.

       Exeunt

[Act 1 Scene 5]

running scene 4 continues

       Enter Ghost and Hamlet

HAMLET

HAMLET     Where wilt thou lead me? Speak; I’ll go no further.

GHOST

GHOST     Mark² me.

HAMLET

HAMLET     I will.

GHOST

GHOST     My hour is almost come,

5

               When I to sulphurous and tormenting flames

               Must render up myself.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Alas, poor ghost!

GHOST

GHOST     Pity me not, but lend thy serious hearing

               To what I shall unfold.⁹

10

10   

HAMLET

HAMLET           Speak: I am bound¹⁰ to hear.

GHOST

GHOST     So art thou to revenge, when thou shalt hear.

HAMLET

HAMLET     What?

GHOST

GHOST     I am thy father’s spirit,

               Doomed for a certain term to walk the night,

15

15           And for the day confined to fast in fires,

               Till the foul crimes done in my days of nature

               Are burnt and purged away. But¹⁷ that I am forbid

               To tell the secrets of my prison-house,

               I could a tale unfold whose lightest word

20

20           Would harrow up²⁰ thy soul, freeze thy young blood,

               Make thy two eyes like²¹ stars start from their spheres,

               Thy knotty²² and combinèd locks to part

               And each particular hair to stand on end

               Like quills upon the fretful porpentine.²⁴

25

25           But this eternal blazon²⁵ must not be

               To ears of flesh and blood. List,²⁶ Hamlet, O, list!

               If thou didst ever thy dear father love—

HAMLET

HAMLET     O heaven!

GHOST

GHOST     Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder.

30

30   

HAMLET

HAMLET           Murder?

GHOST

GHOST     Murder most foul, as in the best³¹ it is,

               But this most foul, strange and unnatural.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Haste, haste me to know it, that I with wings as swift

               As meditation³⁴ or the thoughts of love

35

35           May sweep³⁵ to my revenge.

GHOST

GHOST     I find thee apt,³⁶

               And duller³⁷ shouldst thou be than the fat weed

               That roots itself in ease on Lethe wharf,³⁸

               Wouldst thou not stir in this. Now, Hamlet, hear:

40

40           It’s given out that, sleeping in mine orchard,⁴⁰

               A serpent stung me, so the whole ear of Denmark

               Is by a forgèd process⁴² of my death

               Rankly⁴³ abused. But know thou, noble youth,

               The serpent that did sting thy father’s life

45

45           Now wears his crown.

HAMLET

HAMLET     O, my prophetic soul! Mine uncle!

GHOST

GHOST     Ay, that incestuous, that adulterate⁴⁷ beast,

               With witchcraft of his wit, with traitorous gifts⁴⁸ —

               O, wicked wit and gifts, that have the power

50

50           So to seduce! — won to his shameful lust

               The will⁵¹ of my most seeming-virtuous queen.

               O Hamlet, what a falling-off was there!

               From me, whose love was of that dignity⁵³

               That it went hand in hand even with the vow

55

55           I made to her in marriage, and to decline⁵⁵

               Upon a wretch whose natural gifts were poor

               To those of mine!

               But virtue, as it⁵⁸ never will be moved,

               Though lewdness court it in a shape of heaven,

60

60           So lust, though to a radiant angel linked,

               Will sate itself⁶¹ in a celestial bed,

               And prey on garbage.⁶²

               But, soft, methinks I scent the morning’s air;

               Brief let me be. Sleeping within mine orchard,

65

65           My custom always in the afternoon,

               Upon my secure⁶⁶ hour thy uncle stole,

               With juice of cursèd hebenon⁶⁷ in a vial,

               And in the porches of mine ears did pour

               The leperous distilment,⁶⁹ whose effect

70

70           Holds such an enmity with blood of man

               That swift as quicksilver⁷¹ it courses through

               The natural gates and alleys of the body,

               And with a sudden vigour it doth posset⁷³

               And curd, like eager⁷⁴ droppings into milk,

75

75           The thin and wholesome blood: so did it mine,

               And a most instant tetter⁷⁶ barked about,

               Most lazar-like,⁷⁷ with vile and loathsome crust,

               All my smooth body.

               Thus was I, sleeping, by a brother’s hand

80

80           Of life, of crown and queen, at once dispatched:⁸⁰

               Cut off even in the blossoms of my sin,

               Unhouseled, disappointed, unaneled,⁸²

               No reckoning⁸³ made, but sent to my account

               With all my imperfections on my head.

85

85           O horrible, O horrible, most horrible!

               If thou hast nature⁸⁶ in thee, bear it not;

               Let not the royal bed of Denmark be

               A couch for luxury⁸⁸ and damnèd incest.

               But, howsoever thou pursuest this act,

90

90           Taint⁹⁰ not thy mind nor let thy soul contrive

               Against thy mother aught;⁹¹ leave her to heaven

               And to those thorns that in her bosom lodge,

               To prick and sting her. Fare thee well at once;

               The glow-worm shows the matin⁹⁴ to be near,

95

95           And ’gins⁹⁵ to pale his uneffectual fire.

               Adieu, adieu, Hamlet: remember me.

       Exit

HAMLET

HAMLET     O all you host⁹⁷ of heaven! O earth! What else?

               And shall I couple⁹⁸ hell? O, fie! Hold, my heart;

               And you, my sinews, grow not instant old,

100

100         But bear me stiffly up. Remember thee?

               Ay, thou poor ghost, while memory holds a seat

               In this distracted¹⁰² globe. Remember thee?

               Yea, from the table¹⁰³ of my memory

               I’ll wipe away all trivial fond¹⁰⁴ records,

105

105         All saws¹⁰⁵ of books, all forms, all pressures past

               That youth and observation copied there;

               And thy commandment all alone shall live

               Within the book and volume of my brain,

               Unmixed with baser matter: yes, yes, by heaven!

110

110         O most pernicious¹¹⁰ woman!

               O villain, villain, smiling, damnèd villain!

               My tables,

               My tables: meet¹¹³ it is I set it down

               That one may smile and smile and be a villain;

115

115         At least I’m sure it may be so in Denmark. Writes

               So, uncle, there you are. Now to my word:¹¹⁶

               It is ‘Adieu, adieu, remember me.’

               I have sworn’t.

HORATIO and MARCELLUS

HORATIO and MARCELLUS      My lord, my lord!

       Within

       Enter Horatio and Marcellus

120

120 

MARCELLUS

MARCELLUS             Lord Hamlet!

HORATIO

HORATIO     Heaven secure him.

HAMLET

HAMLET     So be it.

HORATIO

HORATIO     Hillo, ho, ho, my lord!

HAMLET

HAMLET     Hillo,¹²⁴ ho, ho, boy! Come, bird, come.

125

125 

MARCELLUS

MARCELLUS             How is’t,¹²⁵ my noble lord?

HORATIO

HORATIO     What news, my lord?

HAMLET

HAMLET     O, wonderful!¹²⁷

HORATIO

HORATIO     Good my lord, tell it.

HAMLET

HAMLET     No, you’ll reveal it.

130

130 

HORATIO

HORATIO             Not I, my lord, by heaven.

MARCELLUS

MARCELLUS     Nor I, my lord.

HAMLET

HAMLET     How say you, then, would heart of man once¹³² think it?

               But you’ll be secret?

BOTH

BOTH     Ay, by heaven, my lord.

135

135 

HAMLET

HAMLET             There’s ne’er a villain dwelling in all Denmark

               But he’s an arrant¹³⁶ knave.

HORATIO

HORATIO     There needs no ghost, my lord, come from the grave

               To tell us this.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Why, right, you are i’th’right;

140

140         And so, without more circumstance¹⁴⁰ at all,

               I hold it fit that we shake hands and part:

               You, as¹⁴² your business and desires shall point you,

               For every man has business and desire,

               Such as it is: and for mine own poor part,

145

145         Look you, I’ll go pray.

HORATIO

HORATIO     These are but wild and whirling words, my lord.

HAMLET

HAMLET     I’m sorry they offend you, heartily:

               Yes, faith, heartily.

HORATIO

HORATIO     There’s no offence, my lord.

150

150 

HAMLET

HAMLET             Yes, by Saint Patrick,¹⁵⁰ but there is, Horatio,

               And much offence too. Touching this vision here,

               It is an honest¹⁵² ghost, that let me tell you:

               For your desire to know what is between us,

               O’ermaster’t¹⁵⁴ as you may. And now, good friends,

155

155         As you are friends, scholars and soldiers,

               Give me one poor request.

HORATIO

HORATIO     What is’t, my lord? We will.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Never make known what you have seen tonight.

BOTH

BOTH     My lord, we will not.

160

160 

HAMLET

HAMLET             Nay, but swear’t.

HORATIO

HORATIO     In faith, my lord, not I.¹⁶¹

MARCELLUS

MARCELLUS     Nor I, my lord, in faith.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Upon my sword.¹⁶³ Holds out his sword

MARCELLUS

MARCELLUS     We have sworn, my lord, already.

165

165 

HAMLET

HAMLET             Indeed, upon my sword, indeed.

GHOST

GHOST      Swear.

       Ghost cries under the stage¹⁶⁶

HAMLET

HAMLET     Ah ha, boy, say’st thou so? Art thou there, truepenny?¹⁶⁷—

               Come on, you hear this fellow in the cellarage:¹⁶⁸

               Consent to swear.

170

170 

HORATIO

HORATIO             Propose the oath, my lord.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Never to speak of this that you have seen,

               Swear by my sword.

GHOST

GHOST      Swear.

       They swear

HAMLET

HAMLET     Hic et ubique?¹⁷⁴ Then we’ll shift our ground. Moves

175

175         Come hither, gentlemen,

               And lay your hands again upon my sword:

               Never to speak of this that you have heard,

               Swear by my sword.

GHOST

GHOST      Swear.

       They swear

180

180 

HAMLET

HAMLET             Well said, old mole. Canst work i’th’ground so fast?

               A worthy pioneer!¹⁸¹ Once more remove, good friends.

HORATIO

HORATIO     O, day and night, but this is wondrous strange!

HAMLET

HAMLET     And therefore as a stranger¹⁸³ give it welcome.

               There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Aside to Horatio?

185

185         Than are dreamt of in our philosophy.— But come,

               Here, as before, never,¹⁸⁶ so help you mercy,

               How¹⁸⁷ strange or odd soe’er I bear myself —

               As I perchance hereafter shall think meet

               To put an antic¹⁸⁹ disposition on —

190

190         That you, at such time seeing me, never shall,

               With arms encumbered¹⁹¹ thus, or thus headshake,

               Or by pronouncing of some doubtful¹⁹² phrase,

               As ‘Well, we know’ or ‘We could, an if¹⁹³ we would’

               Or ‘If we list¹⁹⁴ to speak’ or ‘There be, an if they might’

195

195         Or such ambiguous giving out,¹⁹⁵ to note

               That you know aught of me: this not to do,

               So grace and mercy at your most need help you. Swear.

GHOST

GHOST      Swear.

       They swear

HAMLET

HAMLET     Rest, rest, perturbèd spirit!— So, gentlemen,

200

200         With all my love I do commend me²⁰⁰ to you:

               And what²⁰¹ so poor a man as Hamlet is

               May do t’express his love and friending²⁰² to you,

               God willing, shall not lack. Let us go in together:

               And still²⁰⁴ your fingers on your lips, I pray.

205

205         The time²⁰⁵ is out of joint: O, cursèd spite

               That ever I was born to set it right!

               Nay, come, let’s go together.

       Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 12.1

running scene 5

       Enter Polonius and Reynaldo

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     Give him this money and these notes, Reynaldo. Gives money and papers

REYNALDO

REYNALDO     I will, my lord.

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     You shall do marvellous³ wisely, good Reynaldo,

               Before you⁴ visit him, you make inquiry

5

               Of his behaviour.

REYNALDO

REYNALDO     My lord, I did intend it.

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     Marry, well said; very well said. Look you, sir,

               Inquire me⁸ first what Danskers are in Paris,

               And how, and who, what means and where they keep,⁹

10

10           What company, at what expense, and finding

               By this encompassment¹¹ and drift of question

               That they do know my son, come¹² you more nearer

               Than your particular demands will touch it:

               Take you,¹⁴ as ’twere, some distant knowledge of him,

15

15           As thus, ‘I know his father and his friends

               And in part him.’ Do you mark this, Reynaldo?

REYNALDO

REYNALDO     Ay, very well, my lord.

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     ‘And in part him, but’, you may say, ‘not well,

               But if’t be he I mean, he’s very wild;

20

20           Addicted²⁰ so and so’, and there put on him

               What forgeries²¹ you please: marry, none so rank

               As may dishonour him — take heed of that —

               But, sir, such wanton,²³ wild and usual slips

               As are companions noted and most known

25

25           To youth and liberty.

REYNALDO

REYNALDO     As gaming,²⁶ my lord.

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     Ay, or drinking, fencing, swearing, quarrelling,

               Drabbing:²⁸ you may go so far.

REYNALDO

REYNALDO     My lord, that would dishonour him.

30

30   

POLONIUS

POLONIUS           Faith, no, as you may season³⁰ it in the charge.

               You must not put another scandal on him,

               That he is open to incontinency;³²

               That’s not my meaning: but breathe his faults so quaintly³³

               That they may seem the taints of liberty,³⁴

35

35           The flash and outbreak of a fiery mind,

               A savageness³⁶ in unreclaimèd blood,

               Of general assault.³⁷

REYNALDO

REYNALDO     But, my good lord—

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     Wherefore should you do this?

40

40   

REYNALDO

REYNALDO           Ay, my lord, I would know that.

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     Marry, sir, here’s my drift,⁴¹

               And I believe, it is a fetch of warrant:⁴²

               You laying these slight sullies on my son,

               As ’twere⁴⁴ a thing a little soiled i’th’working,

45

45           Mark you, your party in converse,⁴⁵ him you would sound,

               Having ever⁴⁶ seen in the prenominate crimes

               The youth you breathe of⁴⁷ guilty, be assured

               He closes⁴⁸ with you in this consequence:

               ‘Good sir’ or so, or ‘friend’ or ‘gentleman’,

50

50           According to the phrase and the addition⁵⁰

               Of man and country.

REYNALDO

REYNALDO     Very good, my lord.

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     And then, sir, does he this — he does — what was I about to say? I was about to say something: where did I leave?

REYNALDO

REYNALDO     At ‘closes in the consequence’ at ‘friend or so’ and ‘gentleman’.

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     At ‘closes in the consequence’, ay, marry.⁵⁶

               He closes with you thus: ‘I know the gentleman,

               I saw him yesterday, or t’other day’,

               Or then, or then, with such and such; and, as you say,

60

60           There was he gaming, there o’ertook in’s rouse,⁶⁰

               There falling out at tennis, or perchance,

               ‘I saw him enter such a house of sale’,

               Videlicet,⁶³ a brothel, or so forth.

               See you now;

65

65           Your bait of falsehood takes this carp⁶⁵ of truth:

               And thus do we⁶⁶ of wisdom and of reach,

               With windlasses⁶⁷ and with assays of bias,

               By indirections⁶⁸ find directions out:

               So by my former lecture⁶⁹ and advice,

70

70           Shall you my son. You have⁷⁰ me, have you not?

REYNALDO

REYNALDO     My lord, I have.

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     God buy⁷² you; fare you well.

REYNALDO

REYNALDO     Good my lord.

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     Observe⁷⁴ his inclination in yourself.

75

75   

REYNALDO

REYNALDO           I shall, my lord.

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     And let him ply his music.⁷⁶

REYNALDO

REYNALDO     Well,⁷⁷ my lord.

       Exit

       Enter Ophelia

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     Farewell.— How now, Ophelia, what’s the matter?

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     Alas, my lord, I have been so affrighted!

80

80   

POLONIUS

POLONIUS            With what, in the name of heaven?

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     My lord, as I was sewing in my chamber,

               Lord Hamlet, with his doublet⁸² all unbraced,

               No hat⁸³ upon his head, his stockings fouled,

               Ungartered,⁸⁴ and down-gyvèd to his ankle,

85

85           Pale as his shirt, his knees knocking each other,

               And with a look so piteous in purport⁸⁶

               As if he had been loosèd out of hell

               To speak of horrors — he comes before me.

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     Mad for thy love?

90

90   

OPHELIA

OPHELIA           My lord, I do not know, but truly I do fear it.

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     What said he?

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     He took me by the wrist and held me hard;

               Then goes⁹³ he to the length of all his arm,

               And with his other hand thus o’er his brow

95

95           He falls to such perusal of my face

               As⁹⁶ he would draw it. Long stayed he so.

               At last, a little shaking of mine arm

               And thrice his head thus waving up and down,

               He raised a sigh so piteous and profound

100

100         That it did seem to shatter all his bulk

               And end his being: that done, he lets me go,

               And, with his head over his shoulders turned,

               He seemed to find his way without his eyes,

               For out o’doors he went without their help,

105

105         And to the last, bended their light¹⁰⁵ on me.

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     Go with me: I will go seek the king.

               This is the very ecstasy¹⁰⁷ of love,

               Whose¹⁰⁸ violent property fordoes itself

               And leads the will to desperate undertakings

110

110         As oft as any passion under heaven

               That does afflict our natures. I am sorry.

               What, have you given him any hard words of late?

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     No, my good lord, but as you did command,

               I did repel his letters and denied

115

115         His access to me.

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     That hath made him mad.

               I am sorry that with better speed¹¹⁷ and judgement

               I had not quoted¹¹⁸ him: I feared he did but trifle,

               And meant to wreck¹¹⁹ thee. But beshrew my jealousy!

120

120         It seems it is as proper¹²⁰ to our age

               To cast beyond ourselves¹²¹ in our opinions

               As it is common for the younger sort

               To lack discretion. Come, go we to the king:

               This must be known, which, being kept close,¹²⁴ might move

125

125         More grief to hide than hate to utter love.

       Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 2

running scene 6

       Enter King, Queen, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, with others

KING

KING     Welcome, dear Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.

               Moreover that² we much did long to see you,

               The need we have to use you did provoke

               Our hasty sending. Something have you heard

5

               Of Hamlet’s transformation, so I call it,

               Since not th’exterior nor the inward man

               Resembles that it was. What it should be,

               More than his father’s death, that thus hath put him

               So much from th’understanding of himself,

10

10           I cannot deem¹⁰ of. I entreat you both,

               That, being of so young days brought up with him,

               And since so neighboured¹² to his youth and humour,

               That you vouchsafe your rest¹³ here in our court

               Some little time, so by your companies

15

15           To draw him on to pleasures, and to gather

               So much as from occasions¹⁶ you may glean,

               Whether aught, to us unknown, afflicts him thus,

               That, opened,¹⁸ lies within our remedy.

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     Good gentlemen, he hath much talked of you,

20

20           And sure I am two men there are not living

               To whom he more adheres.²¹ If it will please you

               To show us so much gentry²² and good will

               As to expend your time with us awhile,

               For the supply and profit²⁴ of our hope,

25

25           Your visitation shall receive such thanks

               As fits a king’s remembrance.

ROSENCRANTZ

ROSENCRANTZ     Both your majesties

               Might, by the sovereign power you have of²⁸ us,

               Put your dread pleasures²⁹ more into command

30

30           Than to entreaty.

GUILDENSTERN

GUILDENSTERN     We both obey,

               And here give up ourselves in³² the full bent

               To lay our services freely at your feet,

               To be commanded.

35

35   

KING

KING            Thanks, Rosencrantz and gentle Guildenstern.

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     Thanks, Guildenstern and gentle Rosencrantz.

               And I beseech you instantly to visit

               My too much changèd son.— Go, some of ye,

               And bring the gentlemen where Hamlet is.

40

40   

GUILDENSTERN

GUILDENSTERN           Heavens make our presence and our practices⁴⁰

               Pleasant and helpful to him.

       Exeunt [Ros. and Guild. with some Attendants]

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     Amen.

               Enter Polonius

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     Th’ambassadors from Norway, my good lord, Are joyfully returned.

45

45   

KING

KING           Thou still⁴⁵ hast been the father of good news.

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     Have I, my lord? I assure you, my good liege,

               I hold⁴⁷ my duty, as I hold my soul,

               Both to my God and to my gracious king:

               And I do think, or else this brain of mine

50

50           Hunts not the trail of policy⁵⁰ so sure

               As I have used to do, that I have found

               The very cause of Hamlet’s lunacy.

KING

KING     O, speak of that: that I do long to hear.

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     Give first admittance to th’ambassadors:

55

55           My news shall be the fruit⁵⁵ to that great feast.

KING

KING     Thyself do grace⁵⁶ to them and bring them in.—

       [Exit Polonius]

               He tells me, my sweet queen, that he hath found

               The head and source of all your son’s distemper.⁵⁸

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     I doubt⁵⁹ it is no other but the main:

60

60           His father’s death and our o’erhasty marriage.

       Enter Polonius, Voltemand and Cornelius

KING

KING     Well, we shall sift him.⁶¹— Welcome, good friends.

               Say, Voltemand, what from our brother Norway?

VOLTEMAND

VOLTEMAND     Most fair return of greetings and desires.⁶³

               Upon our first,⁶⁴ he sent out to suppress

65

65           His nephew’s levies, which to him appeared

               To be a preparation gainst the Polack,⁶⁶

               But, better looked into, he truly found

               It was against your highness: whereat grieved

               That so his sickness, age and impotence⁶⁹

70

70           Was falsely borne in hand,⁷⁰ sends out arrests

               On Fortinbras, which he, in brief, obeys,

               Receives rebuke from Norway, and in fine⁷²

               Makes vow before his uncle never more

               To give⁷⁴ th’assay of arms against your majesty.

75

75           Whereon old Norway, overcome with joy,

               Gives him three thousand crowns⁷⁶ in annual fee

               And his commission⁷⁷ to employ those soldiers,

               So levied as before, against the Polack,

               With an entreaty, herein further shown, Gives a paper

80

80           That it might please you to give quiet pass⁸⁰

               Through your dominions for his enterprise

               On⁸² such regards of safety and allowance

               As therein are set down.

KING

KING     It likes⁸⁴ us well,

85

85           And at⁸⁵ our more considered time we’ll read,

               Answer and think upon this business.

               Meantime we thank you for your well-took labour.

               Go to your rest: at night we’ll feast together.

               Most welcome home!

       Exeunt Ambassadors

90

90   

POLONIUS

POLONIUS           This business is very well ended.

               My liege, and madam, to expostulate⁹¹

               What majesty should be, what duty is,

               Why day is day, night night, and time is time,

               Were nothing but to waste night, day and time.

95

95           Therefore, since brevity is the soul of wit,⁹⁵

               And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes,

               I will be brief: your noble son is mad:

               Mad call I it, for,⁹⁸ to define true madness,

               What is’t but to be nothing else but mad?

100

100         But let that go—

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     More matter, with less art.

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     Madam, I swear I use no art at all.

               That he is mad, ’tis true: ’tis true ’tis pity,

               And pity it is true: a foolish figure,¹⁰⁴

105

105         But farewell it, for I will use no art.

               Mad let us grant him, then, and now remains

               That we find out the cause of this effect,

               Or rather say, the cause of this¹⁰⁸ defect,

               For this effect defective comes by cause.

110

110         Thus¹¹⁰ it remains, and the remainder thus. Perpend:

               I have a daughter — have whilst she is mine —

               Who, in her duty and obedience, mark,

               Hath given me this: now gather, and surmise.¹¹³ Shows a letter

       The letter

               ‘To the celestial and my soul’s idol, the most beautified Ophelia’— That’s an ill Reads

               phrase, a vile phrase: ‘beautified’ is a vile phrase. But you shall hear these,¹¹⁵ ‘in her excellent white bosom’, these—

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     Came this from Hamlet to her?

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     Good madam, stay awhile: I will be faithful.¹¹⁸

                                    ‘Doubt thou the stars are fire, Reads

120

120                       Doubt that the sun doth move,

                                    Doubt¹²¹ truth to be a liar,

                                    But never doubt I love.

               O dear Ophelia, I am ill¹²³ at these numbers: I have not art to reckon my groans; but that I love thee best, O, most best, believe it. Adieu. Thine evermore, most dear

               lady, whilst this machine is to¹²⁵ him, Hamlet.’

               This in obedience hath my daughter showed me,

               And more above,¹²⁷ hath his solicitings,

               As they fell out¹²⁸ by time, by means and place,

               All given to mine ear.

130

130 

KING

KING             But how hath she received his love?

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     What do you think of me?

KING

KING     As of a man faithful and honourable.

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     I would fain¹³³ prove so. But what might you think,

               When I had seen this hot love on the wing —

135

135         As I perceived it, I must tell you that,

               Before my daughter told me — what might you,

               Or my dear majesty your queen here, think,

               If I had played¹³⁸ the desk or table-book,

               Or given¹³⁹ my heart a winking, mute and dumb,

140

140         Or looked upon this love with idle sight?¹⁴⁰

               What might you think? No, I went round¹⁴¹ to work,

               And my young mistress thus I did bespeak:¹⁴²

               ‘Lord Hamlet is a prince, out¹⁴³ of thy star:

               This must not be.’ And then I precepts¹⁴⁴ gave her

145

145         That she should lock herself from his resort,¹⁴⁵

               Admit no messengers, receive no tokens:

               Which done, she took the fruits of my advice,

               And he, repulsèd — a short tale to make —

               Fell into a sadness, then into a fast,

150

150         Thence to a watch,¹⁵⁰ thence into a weakness,

               Thence to a lightness,¹⁵¹ and, by this declension

               Into the madness whereon now he raves,

               And all we wail for.

KING

KING     Do you think ’tis this? To Gertrude

155

155 

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE             It may be, very likely.

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     Hath there been such a time — I’d fain know that —

               That I have positively said “Tis so’

               When it proved otherwise?

KING

KING     Not that I know.

160

160 

POLONIUS

POLONIUS             Take this from this, if this be otherwise: Points to his head and shoulders?

               If circumstances¹⁶¹ lead me, I will find

               Where truth is hid, though it were hid indeed

               Within the centre.¹⁶³

KING

KING     How may we try¹⁶⁴ it further?

165

165 

POLONIUS

POLONIUS             You know sometimes he walks four hours together

               Here in the lobby.

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     So he does indeed.

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     At such a time I’ll loose¹⁶⁸ my daughter to him:

               Be you and I behind an arras¹⁶⁹ then: To the King

170

170         Mark the encounter: if he love her not

               And be not from his reason fall’n thereon,¹⁷¹

               Let me be no assistant¹⁷² for a state,

               But keep a farm and carters.¹⁷³

KING

KING     We will try it.

       Enter Hamlet reading on a book

175

175 

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE             But look where sadly¹⁷⁵ the poor wretch comes reading.

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     Away, I do beseech you both away:

               I’ll board¹⁷⁷ him presently. O, give me leave.—

       Exeunt King and Queen

               How does my good lord Hamlet?

HAMLET

HAMLET     Well, God-a-mercy.¹⁷⁹

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     Do you know me, my lord?

HAMLET

HAMLET     Excellent, excellent well: you’re a fishmonger.¹⁸¹

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     Not I, my lord.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Then I would you were so honest a man.

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     Honest, my lord?

HAMLET

HAMLET     Ay, sir: to be honest, as this world goes, is to be one man picked out of two thousand.

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     That’s very true, my lord.

HAMLET

HAMLET     For if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog, being a good kissing carrion¹⁸⁸— Have you a daughter?

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     I have, my lord.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Let her not walk i’th’sun:¹⁹¹ conception is a blessing, but not as your daughter may conceive. Friend, look to’t.

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     How say you by that? Aside Still harping on my daughter: yet he knew me not at first; he said I was a fishmonger. He is far gone, far gone: and truly in my youth I suffered much extremity for love, very near this. I’ll speak to him again.— What do you read, my lord?

HAMLET

HAMLET     Words, words, words.

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     What is the matter,¹⁹⁸ my lord?

HAMLET

HAMLET     Between who?

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     I mean, the matter that you read, my lord.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Slanders, sir, for the satirical slave says here that old men have grey beards, that their faces are wrinkled, their eyes purging²⁰² thick amber or plum-tree gum and that they have a plentiful lack of wit, together with weak hams:²⁰³ all which, sir, though I most powerfully and potently believe, yet I hold it not honesty²⁰⁵ to have it thus set down, for you yourself, sir, should be old as I am, if like a crab you could go backward.

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     Though this be madness, yet there is method in’t.— Will you walk out of the air, my lord? Aside

HAMLET

HAMLET     Into my grave?

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     Indeed, that is out o’th’air.— Aside How pregnant²¹⁰ sometimes his replies are! A happiness²¹¹ that often madness hits on, which reason and sanity could not so prosperously be delivered of. I will leave him and suddenly²¹² contrive the means of meeting between him and my daughter.— My honourable lord, I will most humbly take my leave of you.

HAMLET

HAMLET     You cannot, sir, take from me anything that I will more willingly part withal:²¹⁶ except my life, my life.

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     Fare you well, my lord.

HAMLET

HAMLET     These tedious old fools.

       Enter Rosencrantz and Guildenstern

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     You go to seek my lord Hamlet; there he is.

ROSENCRANTZ

ROSENCRANTZ     God save you, sir! To Polonius

GUILDENSTERN

GUILDENSTERN     Mine honoured lord!

       [Exit Polonius]

ROSENCRANTZ

ROSENCRANTZ     My most dear lord!

HAMLET

HAMLET     My excellent good friends! How dost thou, Guildenstern? O, Rosencrantz! Good lads, how do ye both?

ROSENCRANTZ

ROSENCRANTZ      As the indifferent²²⁵ children of the earth.

GUILDENSTERN

GUILDENSTERN     Happy,²²⁶ in that we are not over-happy: On fortune’s cap we are not the very button.²²⁷

HAMLET

HAMLET     Nor the soles of her shoe?

ROSENCRANTZ

ROSENCRANTZ     Neither, my lord.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Then you live about her waist, or in the middle of her favours?²³⁰

GUILDENSTERN

GUILDENSTERN     Faith, her privates²³¹ we.

HAMLET

HAMLET     In the secret parts of fortune? O, most true: she is a strumpet.²³² What’s the news?

ROSENCRANTZ

ROSENCRANTZ     None, my lord, but that the world’s grown honest.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Then is doomsday near. But your news is not true. Let me question more in particular:²³⁶ what have you, my good friends, deserved at the hands of fortune that she sends you to prison hither?

GUILDENSTERN

GUILDENSTERN     Prison, my lord?

HAMLET

HAMLET     Denmark’s a prison.

ROSENCRANTZ

ROSENCRANTZ     Then is the world one.

HAMLET

HAMLET     A goodly one, in which there are many confines,²⁴¹ wards and dungeons, Denmark being one o’th’worst.

ROSENCRANTZ

ROSENCRANTZ     We think not so, my lord.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Why, then, ’tis none to you; for there is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so: to me it is a prison.

ROSENCRANTZ

ROSENCRANTZ     Why then, your ambition makes it one: ’tis too narrow for your mind.

HAMLET

HAMLET     O God, I could be bounded in a nutshell and count myself a king of infinite space, were it not that I have bad dreams.

GUILDENSTERN

GUILDENSTERN     Which dreams indeed are ambition, for the very substance²⁴⁹ of the ambitious is merely the shadow of a dream.

HAMLET

HAMLET     A dream itself is but a shadow.

ROSENCRANTZ

ROSENCRANTZ     Truly, and I hold ambition of so airy and light a quality that it is but a shadow’s shadow.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Then²⁵⁴ are our beggars bodies, and our monarchs and outstretched heroes the beggars’ shadows. Shall we to th’court? For, by my fay,²⁵⁵ I cannot reason.

BOTH

BOTH     we’ll wait upon²⁵⁶ you.

HAMLET

HAMLET     No such matter:²⁵⁷ I will not sort you with the rest of my servants, for, to speak to you like an honest man, I am most dreadfully attended.²⁵⁸ But, in the beaten way²⁵⁹ of friendship, what make you at Elsinore?

ROSENCRANTZ

ROSENCRANTZ     To visit you, my lord, no other occasion.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Beggar that I am, I am even poor in thanks; but I thank you, and sure, dear friends, my thanks are too²⁶² dear a halfpenny. Were you not sent for? Is it your own inclining? Is it a free visitation? Come, deal justly with me: come, come; nay, speak.

GUILDENSTERN

GUILDENSTERN     What should we say, my lord?

HAMLET

HAMLET     Why, anything,²⁶⁶ but to the purpose. You were sent for, and there is a kind of confession in your looks which your modesties²⁶⁷ have not craft enough to colour: I know the good king and queen have sent for you.

ROSENCRANTZ

ROSENCRANTZ     To what end, my lord?

HAMLET

HAMLET     That you must teach me. But let me conjure²⁷⁰ you, by the rights of our fellowship, by the consonancy²⁷¹ of our youth, by the obligation of our ever-preserved love, and by what more dear²⁷² a better proposer could charge you withal, be even²⁷³ and direct with me whether you were sent for or no?

ROSENCRANTZ

ROSENCRANTZ     What say you? Aside to Guildenstern?

HAMLET

HAMLET     Nay, then, I have an eye of²⁷⁵ you.— Aside? If you love me, hold not off.

GUILDENSTERN

GUILDENSTERN     My lord, we were sent for.

HAMLET

HAMLET     I will tell you why; so shall my²⁷⁷ anticipation prevent your discovery, and your secrecy to the king and queen moult no feather.²⁷⁸ I have of late — but wherefore I know not — lost all my mirth, forgone all custom of exercise;²⁷⁹ and indeed it goes so heavily²⁸⁰ with my disposition that this goodly frame, the earth, seems to me a sterile promontory,²⁸¹ this most excellent canopy, the air, look you, this brave²⁸² o’erhanging firmament, this majestical roof fretted with golden fire, why, it appears no other thing to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of vapours. What a piece of work is a man! How noble in reason, how infinite in faculty, in form and moving how express²⁸⁵ and admirable, in action how like an angel, in apprehension²⁸⁶ how like a god! The beauty of the world, the paragon of animals — and yet, to me, what is this quintessence²⁸⁷ of dust? Man delights not me — no, nor woman neither, though by your smiling you seem to say so.

ROSENCRANTZ

ROSENCRANTZ     My lord, there was no such stuff in my thoughts.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Why did you laugh when I said ‘Man delights not me’?

ROSENCRANTZ

ROSENCRANTZ     To think, my lord, if you delight not in man, what Lenten²⁹¹ entertainment the players shall receive from you: we coted²⁹² them on the way, and hither are they coming to offer you service.

HAMLET

HAMLET     He that plays the king shall be welcome; his majesty shall have tribute²⁹⁴ of me: the adventurous knight shall use his foil and target:²⁹⁵ the lover shall not sigh gratis:²⁹⁶ the humorous man shall end his part in peace: the clown shall make those laugh whose lungs are tickled o’th’sear:²⁹⁷ and the lady shall say her mind freely, or the blank verse shall halt²⁹⁸ for’t. What players are they?

ROSENCRANTZ

ROSENCRANTZ     Even those you were wont²⁹⁹ to take delight in, the tragedians of the city.

HAMLET

HAMLET     How chances it they travel? Their residence,³⁰⁰ both in reputation and profit, was better both ways.

ROSENCRANTZ

ROSENCRANTZ     I think their inhibition³⁰² comes by the means of the late innovation.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Do they hold the same estimation³⁰³ they did when I was in the city? Are they so followed?

ROSENCRANTZ

ROSENCRANTZ     No, indeed, they are not.

HAMLET

HAMLET     How comes it? Do they grow rusty?

ROSENCRANTZ

ROSENCRANTZ     Nay, their endeavour keeps in the wonted pace. But there is, sir, an eyrie³⁰⁸ of children, little eyases, that cry out on the top of question and are most tyrannically³⁰⁹ clapped for’t: these are now the fashion, and so berattle the common stages — so they call them — that many³¹⁰ wearing rapiers are afraid of goose-quills and dare scarce come thither.

HAMLET

HAMLET     What, are they children? Who maintains ’em? How are they escoted?³¹² Will they pursue the quality³¹³ no longer than they can sing? Will they not say afterwards, if they should grow themselves to common³¹⁴ players — as it is most like,³¹⁵ if their means are no better — their writers do them wrong, to make them exclaim against their own succession?³¹⁶

ROSENCRANTZ

ROSENCRANTZ     Faith, there has been much to-do on both sides, and the nation holds it no sin to tar³¹⁸ them to controversy. There was for a while no money bid for argument unless the poet and the player went to cuffs in the question.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Is’t possible?

GUILDENSTERN

GUILDENSTERN     O, there has been much throwing about of brains.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Do the boys carry it away?³²²

ROSENCRANTZ

ROSENCRANTZ     Ay, that they do, my lord: Hercules and his load³²³ too.

HAMLET

HAMLET     It is not strange, for mine uncle is King of Denmark, and those that would make mows³²⁵ at him while my father lived, give twenty, forty, an hundred ducats a-piece for his picture in little.³²⁶ There is something in this more than natural, if philosophy³²⁷ could find it out.

       Flourish for the Players

GUILDENSTERN

GUILDENSTERN      There are the players.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Gentlemen, you are welcome to Elsinore. Your hands, come: the appurtenance³³⁰ of welcome is fashion and ceremony: let me comply with you in the garb,³³¹ lest my extent to the players — which, I tell you, must show fairly outward — should more appear like entertainment³³² than yours. You are welcome: but my uncle-father and aunt-mother are deceived.

GUILDENSTERN

GUILDENSTERN     In what, my dear lord?

HAMLET

HAMLET     I am but mad north-north-west:³³⁵ when the wind is southerly I know a hawk from a handsaw.³³⁶

       Enter Polonius

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     Well be with you, gentlemen.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Hark you, Guildenstern, and you too — at each ear a hearer: that great baby you see there is not yet out of his swathing-clouts.³³⁹

ROSENCRANTZ

ROSENCRANTZ     Happily³⁴⁰ he’s the second time come to them, for they say an old man is twice a child.

HAMLET

HAMLET     I will prophesy: he comes to tell me of the players, mark it.— You³⁴² say right, sir: for a Monday morning, ’twas so indeed.

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     My lord, I have news to tell you.

HAMLET

HAMLET     My lord, I have news to tell you. When Roscius,³⁴⁶ an actor in Rome—

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     The actors are come hither, my lord.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Buzz, buzz!³⁴⁸

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     Upon mine honour—

HAMLET

HAMLET     Then came each actor on his ass—³⁵⁰

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     The best actors in the world, either for tragedy, comedy, history, pastoral, pastorical-comical, historical-pastoral, tragical-historical, tragical-comical-historical-pastoral, scene individable,³⁵³ or poem unlimited. Seneca cannot be too heavy,³⁵⁴ nor Plautus too light. For the law of writ and the liberty, these are the only men.

HAMLET

HAMLET     O³⁵⁶ Jephthah, judge of Israel, what a treasure hadst thou!

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     What a treasure had he, my lord?

HAMLET

HAMLET     Why,

               ‘One³⁵⁹ fair daughter and no more,

360

360         The which he loved passing well.’

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     Still on my daughter. Aside

HAMLET

HAMLET     Am I not i’th’right, old Jephthah?

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     If you call me Jephthah, my lord, I have a daughter that I love passing

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     well.

365

365 

HAMLET

HAMLET             Nay, that follows not.³⁶⁵

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     What follows, then, my lord?

HAMLET

HAMLET     Why,

                                    ‘As by lot,³⁶⁸ God wot’,

               and then, you know,

370

370                       ‘It came to pass, as most like³⁷⁰ it was’ —

               the first row³⁷¹ of the pious chanson will show you more, for look

               where my abridgements³⁷² come.—

       Enter four or five Players

               You’re welcome, masters, welcome all.— I am glad to see thee well.— Welcome, good friends.— O, my old friend! Thy face is valanced³⁷⁴ since I saw thee last: com’st thou to beard³⁷⁵ me in Denmark?— What, my young lady and mistress! By’r lady, your ladyship³⁷⁶ is nearer heaven than when I saw you last, by the altitude of a chopine.³⁷⁷ Pray God your voice, like a piece of uncurrent gold, be not cracked within the ring. Masters, you are all welcome. We’ll e’en to’t³⁷⁸ like French falconers, fly at anything we see. We’ll have a speech straight:³⁷⁹ come, give us a taste of your quality:³⁸⁰ come, a passionate speech.

FIRST PLAYER

FIRST PLAYER     What speech, my lord?

HAMLET

HAMLET     I heard thee speak me a speech once, but it was never acted, or if it was, not above once, for the play, I remember, pleased not the million: ’twas caviar³⁸³ to the general. But it was — as I received it, and others, whose judgement in such matters cried³⁸⁵ in the top of mine — an excellent play, well digested in the scenes, set down with as much modesty³⁸⁶ as cunning. I remember one said there was no sallets³⁸⁷ in the lines to make the matter savoury, nor no matter in the phrase that might indict³⁸⁸ the author of affectation, but called it an honest method, as wholesome as sweet, and by very much more handsome than fine.³⁸⁹ One speech in it I chiefly loved: ’twas Aeneas’³⁹⁰ tale to Dido, and thereabout of it especially where he speaks of Priam’s³⁹¹ slaughter: if it live in your memory, begin at this line — let me see, let me see —

                                    ‘The rugged³⁹³ Pyrrhus, like th’Hyrcanian beast’—

               It is not so: it begins with Pyrrhus:

395

395                       ‘The rugged Pyrrhus, he whose sable³⁹⁵ arms,

                                    Black as his purpose, did the night resemble

                                    When he lay couchèd³⁹⁷ in the ominous horse,

                                    Hath now this dread and black complexion smeared

                                    With heraldry more dismal:³⁹⁹ head to foot

400

400                       Now is he total gules,⁴⁰⁰ horridly tricked

                                    With blood of fathers, mothers, daughters, sons,

                                    Baked and impasted⁴⁰² with the parching streets

                                    That lend a tyrannous⁴⁰³ and damnèd light

                                    To their vile murders: roasted in wrath and fire,

405

405                       And thus o’er-sizèd⁴⁰⁵ with coagulate gore,

                                    With eyes like carbuncles,⁴⁰⁶ the hellish Pyrrhus

                                    Old grandsire⁴⁰⁷ Priam seeks.’

               So, proceed you.

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     Fore God, my lord, well spoken, with good accent and good discretion.⁴⁰⁹

410

410 

FIRST PLAYER

FIRST PLAYER             ‘Anon⁴¹⁰ he finds him

                                    Striking too short⁴¹¹ at Greeks: his antique sword,

                                    Rebellious to his arm, lies where it falls,

                                    Repugnant⁴¹³ to command. Unequal matched,

                                    Pyrrhus at Priam drives, in rage strikes wide,

415

415                       But with the whiff and wind⁴¹⁵ of his fell sword

                                    Th’unnervèd⁴¹⁶ father falls. Then senseless Ilium,

                                    Seeming to feel this blow, with flaming top

                                    Stoops to his base, and with a hideous crash

                                    Takes⁴¹⁹ prisoner Pyrrhus’ ear, for, lo, his sword,

420

420                       Which was declining⁴²⁰ on the milky head

                                    Of reverend Priam, seemed i’th’air to stick:

                                    So as a painted⁴²² tyrant Pyrrhus stood,

                                    And, like⁴²³ a neutral to his will and matter,

                                    Did nothing.

425

425                       But as we often see against⁴²⁵ some storm

                                    A silence in the heavens, the rack⁴²⁶ stand still,

                                    The bold winds speechless and the orb⁴²⁷ below

                                    As hush as death, anon the dreadful thunder

                                    Doth rend the region,⁴²⁹ so, after Pyrrhus’ pause,

430

430                       Arousèd vengeance sets him new a-work,

                                    And never did the Cyclops’⁴³¹ hammers fall

                                    On Mars his⁴³² armours forged for proof eterne

                                    With less remorse⁴³³ than Pyrrhus’ bleeding sword

                                    Now falls on Priam.

435

435                       Out, out, thou strumpet Fortune! All you gods

                                    In general synod⁴³⁶ take away her power,

                                    Break all the spokes and fellies⁴³⁷ from her wheel,

                                    And bowl the round nave⁴³⁸ down the hill of heaven,

                                    As low as to the fiends!’

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     This is too long.

HAMLET

HAMLET     It shall to th’barber’s, with your beard.— Prithee, say on: he’s for a jig⁴⁴¹ or a tale of bawdry, or he sleeps: say on; come to Hecuba.⁴⁴²

FIRST PLAYER

FIRST PLAYER     ‘But who,⁴⁴³ O, who had seen the mobled queen—’

HAMLET

HAMLET     ‘The mobled queen.’

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     That’s good: ‘mobled queen’ is good.

FIRST PLAYER

FIRST PLAYER     ‘Run barefoot up and down, threat’ning the flame

                                    With bisson rheum,⁴⁴⁷ a clout about that head

                                    Where late⁴⁴⁸ the diadem stood, and for a robe,

                                    About her lank⁴⁴⁹ and all o’er-teemèd loins

450

450                       A blanket, in th’alarm of fear caught up.

                                    Who⁴⁵¹ this had seen, with tongue in venom steeped,

                                    Gainst Fortune’s state⁴⁵² would treason have pronounced:

                                    But if the gods themselves did see her then

                                    When she saw Pyrrhus make malicious sport

455

455                       In mincing with his sword her husband’s limbs,

                                    The instant burst of clamour that she made —

                                    Unless things mortal move them not at all —

                                    Would have made milch⁴⁵⁸ the burning eyes of heaven,

                                    And passion⁴⁵⁹ in the gods.’

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     Look, whe’er⁴⁶⁰ he has not turned his colour and has tears in’s eyes. Pray you no more.

HAMLET

HAMLET     ’Tis well: I’ll have thee speak out the rest soon.— Good my lord, will you see the players well bestowed?⁴⁶³ Do ye hear, let them be well used, for they are the abstracts⁴⁶⁴ and brief chronicles of the time: after your death you were better have a bad epitaph than their ill report while you lived.

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     My lord, I will use them according to their desert.⁴⁶⁶

HAMLET

HAMLET     God’s bodikins,⁴⁶⁷ man, better: use every man after his desert, and who should scape whipping? Use them after your own honour and dignity: the less they deserve, the more merit is in your bounty.⁴⁶⁹ Take them in.

POLONIUS

POLONIUS      Come, sirs.

       Exit Polonius

HAMLET

HAMLET     Follow him, friends: we’ll hear a play tomorrow.—

               Dost thou hear me, old friend? To a Player Can you play The Murder of Gonzago?

A PLAYER

A PLAYER     Ay, my lord.

HAMLET

HAMLET      We’ll ha’t⁴⁷⁴ tomorrow night. You could, for a need, study a speech of some dozen or sixteen lines which I would set down and insert in’t, could ye not?

A PLAYER

A PLAYER     Ay, my lord.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Very well. Follow that lord, and look you mock him not.—

       [Exeunt Players]

               My good friends, I’ll leave you till night. You are welcome to Elsinore.

ROSENCRANTZ

ROSENCRANTZ      Good my lord.

       Exeunt [Rosencrantz and Guildenstern], Hamlet remains

480

480 

HAMLET

HAMLET              Ay, so, God buy ye.— Now I am alone.

               O, what a rogue and peasant slave am I!

               Is it not monstrous that this player here,

               But⁴⁸³ in a fiction, in a dream of passion,

               Could force his soul so to his whole conceit⁴⁸⁴

485

485         That from her⁴⁸⁵ working all his visage wanned,

               Tears in his eyes, distraction⁴⁸⁶ in’s aspect,

               A broken voice, and his⁴⁸⁷ whole function suiting

               With forms to his conceit? And all for nothing!

               For Hecuba!

490

490         What’s Hecuba to him, or he to Hecuba,

               That he should weep for her? What would he do

               Had he the motive⁴⁹² and the cue for passion

               That I have? He would drown the stage with tears

               And cleave the general ear with horrid⁴⁹⁴ speech,

495

495         Make mad the guilty and appal⁴⁹⁵ the free,

               Confound⁴⁹⁶ the ignorant and amaze indeed

               The very faculty of eyes and ears. Yet I,

               A dull and muddy-mettled⁴⁹⁸ rascal, peak

               Like John-a-dreams,⁴⁹⁹ unpregnant of my cause,

500

500         And can say nothing: no, not for a king

               Upon whose property⁵⁰¹ and most dear life

               A damned defeat⁵⁰² was made. Am I a coward?

               Who calls me villain? Breaks my pate⁵⁰³ across?

               Plucks off⁵⁰⁴ my beard and blows it in my face?

505

505         Tweaks me by th’nose? Gives⁵⁰⁵ me the lie i’th’throat,

               As deep as to the lungs? Who does me this?⁵⁰⁶

               Ha!

               Why, I should take it, for it cannot be

               But I am pigeon-livered⁵⁰⁹ and lack gall

510

510         To make oppression bitter, or ere this

               I should have fatted all the region kites⁵¹¹

               With this slave’s offal:⁵¹² bloody, bawdy villain!

               Remorseless,⁵¹³ treacherous, lecherous, kindless villain!

               O, vengeance!

515

515         Why, what an ass am I! Ay, sure, this is most brave,⁵¹⁵

               That I, the son of the dear murderèd,

               Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell,

               Must like a whore unpack my heart with words

               And fall a-cursing, like a very drab,⁵¹⁹ a scullion!

520

520         Fie upon’t, foh! About,⁵²⁰ my brain! I have heard

               That guilty creatures sitting at a play

               Have by the very cunning⁵²² of the scene

               Been struck so to the soul that presently⁵²³

               They have proclaimed their malefactions:⁵²⁴

525

525         For murder, though it have no tongue, will speak

               With most miraculous organ. I’ll have these players

               Play something like the murder of my father

               Before mine uncle: I’ll observe his looks,

               I’ll tent⁵²⁹ him to the quick: if he but blench,

530

530         I know my course. The spirit that I have seen

               May be the devil, and the devil hath power

               T’assume a pleasing shape, yea, and perhaps,

               Out of my weakness and my melancholy,

               As he is very potent with such spirits,⁵³⁴

535

535         Abuses me to damn me. I’ll have grounds

               More relative⁵³⁶ than this: the play’s the thing

               Wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the king.

       Exit

[Act 3 Scene 1]

running scene 7

       Enter King, Queen, Polonius, Ophelia, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern and Lords

KING

KING     And can you by no drift¹ of circumstance

               Get from him why he puts on this confusion,

               Grating³ so harshly all his days of quiet

               With turbulent and dangerous lunacy?

5

5     

ROSENCRANTZ

ROSENCRANTZ     He does confess he feels himself distracted,

               But from what cause he will by no means speak.

GUILDENSTERN

GUILDENSTERN     Nor do we find him forward⁷ to be sounded,

               But with a crafty madness keeps aloof

               When we would bring him on to some confession

10

10           Of his true state.

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     Did he receive you well?

ROSENCRANTZ

ROSENCRANTZ     Most like a gentleman.

GUILDENSTERN

GUILDENSTERN     But with much forcing of his disposition.¹³

ROSENCRANTZ

ROSENCRANTZ     Niggard of question,¹⁴ but of our demands

15

15           Most free in his reply.

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     Did you assay¹⁶ him to any pastime?

ROSENCRANTZ

ROSENCRANTZ     Madam, it so fell out that certain players

               We o’erraught¹⁸ on the way: of these we told him,

               And there did seem in him a kind of joy

20

20           To hear of it: they are about the court,

               And, as I think, they have already order

               This night to play before him.

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     ’Tis most true:

               And he beseeched me to entreat your majesties

25

25           To hear and see the matter.

KING

KING     With all my heart, and it doth much content me

               To hear him so inclined.

               Good gentlemen, give him a further edge²⁸

               And drive his purpose on to these delights.

30

30   

ROSENCRANTZ

ROSENCRANTZ            We shall, my lord.

       Exeunt [Rosencrantz and Guildenstern]

KING

KING     Sweet Gertrude, leave us too.

       ↓Exit Lords↓

               For we have closely³² sent for Hamlet hither,

               That he, as ’twere by accident, may here

               Affront³⁴ Ophelia:

35

35           Her father and myself, lawful espials,³⁵

               Will so bestow ourselves that, seeing unseen,

               We may of their encounter frankly judge,

               And gather by him, as he is behaved,

               If’t be th’affliction of his love or no

40

40           That thus he suffers for.

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     I shall obey you.—

               And for your part, Ophelia, I do wish

               That your good beauties be the happy cause

               Of Hamlet’s wildness: so shall I hope your virtues

45

45           Will bring him to his wonted way again,

               To both your honours.

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     Madam, I wish it may.

       [Exit Gertrude]

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     Ophelia, walk you here.— Gracious,⁴⁸ so please you,

               We will bestow ourselves.— Read on this book, To Ophelia

50

50           That show of such an exercise⁵⁰ may colour Gives a book

               Your loneliness. We are oft to blame in this —

               ’Tis too much proved — that with devotion’s visage⁵²

               And pious action we do sugar o’er

               The devil himself.

55

55   

KING

KING           O, ’tis true! Aside

               How smart a lash that speech doth give my conscience!

               The harlot’s cheek, beautied with plast’ring art,⁵⁷

               Is not more ugly to⁵⁸ the thing that helps it

               Than is my deed to my most painted word.

60

60           O, heavy burden!

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     I hear him coming: let’s withdraw, my lord.

       Exeunt [King and Polonius]

       To a place from where they eavesdrop, while Ophelia pretends to read

               Enter Hamlet

HAMLET

HAMLET     To be, or not to be, that is the question:

               Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer

               The slings⁶⁴ and arrows of outrageous fortune,

65

65           Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,

               And by opposing end them? To die, to sleep —

               No more — and by a sleep to say we end

               The heartache and the thousand natural shocks⁶⁸

               That flesh is heir to: ’tis a consummation⁶⁹

70

70           Devoutly to be wished. To die, to sleep:

               To sleep, perchance to dream: ay, there’s the rub,⁷¹

               For in that sleep of death what dreams may come

               When we have shuffled off⁷³ this mortal coil,

               Must give us pause: there’s the respect⁷⁴

75

75           That makes calamity of⁷⁵ so long life,

               For who would bear the whips and scorns⁷⁶ of time,

               The oppressor’s wrong, the proud man’s contumely,⁷⁷

               The pangs of disprized⁷⁸ love, the law’s delay,

               The insolence of office⁷⁹ and the spurns

80

80           That patient merit of⁸⁰ the unworthy takes,

               When he himself might his quietus⁸¹ make

               With a bare⁸² bodkin? Who would these fardels bear,

               To grunt and sweat under a weary life,

               But that the dread of something after death,

85

85           The undiscovered country from whose bourn⁸⁵

               No traveller returns, puzzles⁸⁶ the will,

               And makes us rather bear those ills we have

               Than fly to others that we know not of?

               Thus conscience⁸⁹ does make cowards of us all:

90

90           And thus the native hue⁹⁰ of resolution

               Is sicklied o’er with the pale cast⁹¹ of thought,

               And enterprises of great pith and moment⁹²

               With this regard their currents turn away,

               And lose the name of action. Soft you⁹⁴ now,

95

95           The fair Ophelia.— Nymph, in thy orisons⁹⁵

               Be all my sins remembered.

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     Good my lord,

               How does your honour for this many a day?

HAMLET

HAMLET     I humbly thank you: well, well, well.

100

100 

OPHELIA

OPHELIA             My lord, I have remembrances¹⁰⁰ of yours,

               That I have longèd long to re-deliver:

               I pray you now receive them. Offers love tokens

HAMLET

HAMLET     No, no: I never gave you aught.

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     My honoured lord, I know right well you did,

105

105         And with them words of so sweet breath composed

               As made the things more rich: their perfume lost,

               Take these again, for to the noble mind

               Rich gifts wax poor when givers prove unkind.

               There, my lord. Tries to hand over tokens

HAMLET

HAMLET     Ha, ha! Are you honest?¹¹⁰

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     My lord?

HAMLET

HAMLET     Are you fair?¹¹²

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     What means your lordship?

HAMLET

HAMLET     That if you be honest and fair, your¹¹⁴ honesty should admit no discourse to your beauty.

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     Could beauty, my lord, have better commerce¹¹⁶ than with honesty?

HAMLET

HAMLET     Ay, truly, for the power of beauty will sooner transform honesty from what it is to a bawd than the force of honesty can translate beauty into his¹¹⁸ likeness: this was sometime¹¹⁹ a paradox, but now the time gives it proof. I did love you once.

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     Indeed, my lord, you made me believe so.

HAMLET

HAMLET     You should not have believed me, for virtue¹²² cannot so inoculate our old stock but we shall relish of it: I loved you not.

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     I was the more deceived.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Get thee to a nunnery.¹²⁵ Why wouldst thou be a breeder of sinners? I am myself indifferent honest,¹²⁶ but yet I could accuse me of such things that it were better my mother had not borne me: I am very proud, revengeful, ambitious, with more offences at my beck¹²⁸ than I have thoughts to put them in, imagination to give them shape, or time to act them in. What should such fellows as I do crawling between heaven and earth? We are arrant knaves all: believe none of us. Go thy ways to a nunnery. Where’s your father?

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     At home, my lord.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Let the doors be shut upon him, that he may play the fool nowhere but in’s own house. Farewell.

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     O, help him, you sweet heavens!

HAMLET

HAMLET     If thou dost marry, I’ll give thee this plague for thy dowry: be thou as chaste as ice, as pure as snow, thou shalt not escape calumny.¹³⁷ Get thee to a nunnery: go, farewell. Or, if thou wilt needs marry, marry a fool, for wise men know well enough what monsters¹³⁹ you make of them. To a nunnery, go, and quickly too. Farewell.

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     O heavenly powers, restore him!

HAMLET

HAMLET     I have heard of your paintings¹⁴² too, well enough. God has given you one face and you make yourself another: you jig, you amble¹⁴³ and you lisp, and nickname God’s creatures, and make¹⁴⁴ your wantonness your ignorance. Go to, I’ll no more on’t:¹⁴⁵ it hath made me mad. I say we will have no more marriages: those that are married already, all but one shall live: the rest shall keep as they are. To a nunnery, go.

       Exit Hamlet

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     O, what a noble mind is here o’erthrown!

               The courtier’s, soldier’s, scholar’s, eye, tongue, sword,

150

150         Th’expectancy¹⁵⁰ and rose of the fair state,

               The glass of fashion¹⁵¹ and the mould of form,

               Th’observed of all observers, quite, quite down!

               And I, of ladies most deject and wretched,

               That sucked the honey of his music vows,

155

155         Now see that noble and most sovereign reason

               Like sweet bells jangled out of tune and harsh,

               That unmatched form and feature of blown¹⁵⁷ youth

               Blasted with ecstasy.¹⁵⁸ O, woe is me,

               T’have seen what I have seen, see what I see!

       Enter King and Polonius From their hiding place

160

160 

KING

KING      Love? His affections¹⁶⁰ do not that way tend,

               Nor what he spake, though it lacked form a little,

               Was not like madness. There’s something in his soul

               O’er which his melancholy sits on brood,¹⁶³

               And I do doubt¹⁶⁴ the hatch and the disclose

165

165         Will be some danger, which to prevent,

               I have in quick determination

               Thus set it down:¹⁶⁷ he shall with speed to England

               For the demand of our neglected tribute.¹⁶⁸

               Haply¹⁶⁹ the seas and countries different

170

170         With variable objects¹⁷⁰ shall expel

               This something-settled matter¹⁷¹ in his heart,

               Whereon his brains still beating puts him thus

               From fashion of himself.¹⁷³ What think you on’t?

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     It shall do well. But yet do I believe

175

175         The origin and commencement of this grief

               Sprung from neglected love.— How now, Ophelia?

               You need not tell us what Lord Hamlet said:

               We heard it all. My lord, do as you please,

               But, if you hold it fit, after the play

180

180         Let his queen mother all alone entreat him

               To show his griefs: let her be round¹⁸¹ with him,

               And I’ll be placed, so please you, in the ear

               Of all their conference. If she find him not,¹⁸³

               To England send him, or confine him where

185

185         Your wisdom best shall think.

KING

KING     It shall be so:

               Madness in great ones must not unwatched go.

       Exeunt

[Act 3 Scene 2]

running scene 8

       Enter Hamlet and two or three of the Players

HAMLET

HAMLET     Speak the speech, I pray you, as I pronounced it to you, trippingly¹ on the tongue: but if you mouth² it, as many of your players do, I had as lief the town-crier had spoke my lines. Nor do not saw the air too much with your hand, thus, but use all gently; for in the very torrent, tempest, and, as I may say, the whirlwind of passion, you must acquire and beget a temperance that may give it smoothness. O, it offends me to the soul to see a robustious⁶ periwig-pated fellow tear a passion to tatters, to very rags, to split the ears of the groundlings,⁷ who for the most part are capable of⁸ nothing but inexplicable dumb shows and noise: I could have such a fellow whipped for o’erdoing Termagant:⁹ it out-Herods Herod. Pray you avoid it.

A PLAYER

A PLAYER     I warrant¹¹ your honour.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Be not too tame neither, but let your own discretion¹² be your tutor: suit the action to the word, the word to the action, with this special observance: that you o’erstep not the modesty¹⁴ of nature; for anything so overdone is from the purpose of playing, whose end, both at the first and now, was and is to hold as ’twere the mirror up to nature, to show virtue her own feature, scorn her own image, and the very age and body of the time his form and pressure.¹⁷ Now this overdone or come tardy off,¹⁸ though it make the unskilful laugh, cannot but make the judicious grieve; the censure¹⁹ of the which one must in your allowance o’erweigh a whole theatre of others. O, there be players that I have seen play, and heard others praise, and that highly — not to speak it profanely — that, neither having the accent of Christians nor the gait of Christian, pagan, nor no man, have so strutted and bellowed that I have thought some of nature’s journeymen²³ had made men and not made them well, they imitated humanity so abominably.²⁴

A PLAYER

A PLAYER     I hope we have reformed that indifferently²⁵ with us, sir.

HAMLET

HAMLET     O, reform it altogether. And let those that play your clowns speak no more than is set down for them, for there be of²⁷ them that will themselves laugh, to set on some quantity of barren²⁸ spectators to laugh too, though in the meantime some necessary question²⁹ of the play be then to be considered: that’s villainous, and shows a most pitiful ambition in the fool that uses³⁰ it. Go, make you ready.—

       Exeunt Players

       Enter Polonius, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern

               How now, my lord, will the king hear this piece of work?

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     And the queen too, and that presently.³²

HAMLET

HAMLET     Bid the players make haste.—

       Exit Polonius

               Will you two help to hasten them?

35

35   

BOTH

BOTH            We will, my lord.

       Exeunt [Rosencrantz and Guildenstern]

       Enter Horatio

HAMLET

HAMLET     What ho, Horatio!

HORATIO

HORATIO     Here, sweet lord, at your service.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Horatio, thou art e’en as just a man

               As³⁹ e’er my conversation coped withal.

40

40   

HORATIO

HORATIO           O, my dear lord—

HAMLET

HAMLET     Nay, do not think I flatter,

               For what advancement may I hope from thee

               That no revenue hast but thy good spirits

               To feed and clothe thee? Why should the poor be flattered?

45

45           No, let the candied⁴⁵ tongue lick absurd pomp,

               And crook⁴⁶ the pregnant hinges of the knee

               Where thrift⁴⁷ may follow fawning. Dost thou hear?

               Since my dear soul was mistress of her choice

               And could of men distinguish, her election⁴⁹

50

50           Hath sealed⁵⁰ thee for herself, for thou hast been

               As⁵¹ one, in suffering all, that suffers nothing,

               A man that fortune’s buffets⁵² and rewards

               Hath ta’en with equal thanks: and blest are those

               Whose blood⁵⁴ and judgement are so well commingled

55

55           That they are not a pipe for fortune’s finger

               To sound what stop⁵⁶ she please. Give me that man

               That is not passion’s slave, and I will wear him

               In my heart’s core,⁵⁸ ay, in my heart of heart,

               As I do thee. Something too much of this.

60

60           There is a play tonight before the king:

               One scene of it comes near the circumstance

               Which I have told thee of my father’s death:

               I prithee, when thou see’st that act afoot,

               Even with the⁶⁴ very comment of thy soul

65

65           Observe mine uncle: if his occulted⁶⁵ guilt

               Do not itself unkennel⁶⁶ in one speech,

               It is a damnèd⁶⁷ ghost that we have seen,

               And my imaginations are as foul⁶⁸

               As Vulcan’s stithy.⁶⁹ Give him heedful note,

70

70           For I mine eyes will rivet to his face,

               And after we will both our judgements join

               In censure⁷² of his seeming.

HORATIO

HORATIO     Well, my lord.

               If he steal aught⁷⁴ the whilst this play is playing

75

75           And scape detecting, I will pay the theft.

       Enter King, Queen, Polonius, Ophelia, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern and other Lords Attendant with his Guard carrying torches. Danish march. Sound a flourish

HAMLET

HAMLET      They are coming to the play: I must be idle.⁷⁶

               Get you a place.

KING

KING     How fares⁷⁸ our cousin Hamlet?

HAMLET

HAMLET     Excellent, i’faith, of the chameleon’s dish:⁷⁹ I eat the air, promise-crammed: you cannot feed capons⁸⁰ so.

KING

KING     I have nothing with⁸¹ this answer, Hamlet: these words are not mine.

HAMLET

HAMLET     No, nor mine now.— To Polonius My lord, you played once i’th’university, you say?

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     That I did, my lord, and was accounted a good actor.

HAMLET

HAMLET     And what did you enact?

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     I did enact Julius Caesar: I was killed i’th’Capitol:⁸⁶ Brutus killed me.

HAMLET

HAMLET     It was a brute⁸⁷ part of him to kill so capital a calf there.— Be the players ready?

ROSENCRANTZ

ROSENCRANTZ     Ay, my lord: they stay⁸⁹ upon your patience.

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     Come hither, my good Hamlet, sit by me.

HAMLET

HAMLET     No, good mother, here’s metal more attractive.⁹¹

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     O, ho! To King Do you mark that?

HAMLET

HAMLET     Lady, shall I lie⁹³ in your lap?

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     No, my lord.

HAMLET

HAMLET     I mean, my head upon your lap?

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     Ay, my lord.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Do you think I meant country matters?⁹⁷

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     I think nothing, my lord.

HAMLET

HAMLET     That’s a fair thought to lie between maids’ legs.

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     What is, my lord?

HAMLET

HAMLET     Nothing.¹⁰¹

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     You are merry, my lord.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Who, I?

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     Ay, my lord.

HAMLET

HAMLET     O, God, your only jig-maker.¹⁰⁵ What should a man do but be merry? For look you how cheerfully my mother looks, and my father died within’s two hours.

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     Nay, ’tis twice two months, my lord.

HAMLET

HAMLET     So long? Nay then, let the devil wear black, for I’ll have a suit of sables.¹⁰⁸ O heavens! Die two months ago, and not forgotten yet? Then there’s hope a great man’s memory may outlive his life half a year: but, by’r lady, he must build churches, then, or else shall he suffer not¹¹¹ thinking on, with the hobby-horse, whose epitaph is ‘For, O, for, O, the hobby-horse is forgot.’

       Hautboys play. The dumb show enters

       Enter a King and Queen very lovingly, the Queen embracing him. She kneels, and makes show of protestation unto him. He takes her up, and declines his head upon her neck: lays him down upon a bank of flowers: she, seeing him asleep, leaves him. Anon comes in a fellow, takes off his crown, kisses it, and pours poison in the King’s ears, and exits. The Queen returns, finds the King dead, and makes passionate action. The Poisoner, with some two or three Mutes, comes in again, seeming to lament with her. The dead body is carried away. The Poisoner woos the Queen with gifts: she seems loath and unwilling awhile, but in the end accepts his love.

       Exeunt

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     What means this, my lord?

HAMLET

HAMLET     Marry, this is miching malicho:¹¹⁴ that means mischief.

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     Belike¹¹⁵ this show imports the argument of the play.

HAMLET

HAMLET     We shall know by these fellows: the players cannot keep counsel,¹¹⁶ they’ll tell all.

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     Will they tell us what this show meant?

HAMLET

HAMLET     Ay, or any show¹¹⁹ that you’ll show him: be not you ashamed to show, he’ll not shame to tell you what it means.

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     You are naught,¹²¹ you are naught: I’ll mark the play.

       Enter Prologue

PROLOGUE

PROLOGUE     For us, and for our tragedy,

                                    Here stooping to your clemency,

                                    We beg your hearing patiently.

       [Exit]

HAMLET

HAMLET     Is this a prologue, or the posy of a ring?¹²⁵

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     ’Tis brief, my lord.

HAMLET

HAMLET     As woman’s love.

       Enter [two Players as] King and his Queen [Baptista]

PLAYER KING

PLAYER KING Full thirty times hath Phoebus’ cart¹²⁸ gone round

                                    Neptune’s salt wash¹²⁹ and Tellus’ orbèd ground,

130

130                       And thirty dozen moons with borrowed sheen¹³⁰

                                    About the world have times twelve thirties been,

                                    Since love our hearts and Hymen¹³² did our hands

                                    Unite commutuai in most sacred bands.¹³³

BAPTISTA

HAMLET      So many journeys may the sun and moon

135

135                       Make us again count o’er ere love be done!

                                    But, woe is me, you are so sick of late,

                                    So far from cheer and from your former state,

                                    That I distrust¹³⁸ you: yet, though I distrust,

                                    Discomfort¹³⁹ you, my lord, it nothing must,

140

140                       For women’s fear and love holds quantity,¹⁴⁰

                                    In¹⁴¹ neither aught, or in extremity.

                                    Now, what my love is, proof¹⁴² hath made you know,

                                    And as¹⁴³ my love is sized, my fear is so.

PLAYER KING

PLAYER KING Faith, I must leave thee, love, and shortly too:

145

145                       My operant¹⁴⁵ powers my functions leave to do.

                                    And thou shalt live in this fair world behind,

                                    Honoured, beloved: and haply one as kind

                                    For husband shalt thou—

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA  O, confound¹⁴⁸ the rest!

                                    Such love must needs be treason in my breast:

150

150                       In second husband let me be accurst!

                                    None¹⁵¹ wed the second but who killed the first.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Wormwood,¹⁵² wormwood. Aside?

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA      The instances¹⁵³ that second marriage move

                                    Are base respects of thrift,¹⁵⁴ but none of love:

155

155                       A second time I kill my husband dead,

                                    When second husband kisses me in bed.

PLAYER KING

PLAYER KING  I do believe you think what now you speak,

                                    But what we do determine oft we break.

                                    Purpose¹⁵⁹ is but the slave to memory,

160

160                       Of violent birth, but poor validity,

                                    Which¹⁶¹ now, like fruit unripe, sticks on the tree,

                                    But fall unshaken when they mellow be.

                                    Most¹⁶³ necessary ’tis that we forget

                                    To pay ourselves what to ourselves is debt:

165

165                       What to ourselves in passion we propose,

                                    The passion ending, doth the purpose lose.

                                    The violence of either grief or joy

                                    Their own enactures¹⁶⁸ with themselves destroy:

                                    Where joy most revels, grief doth most lament;

170

170                       Grief¹⁷⁰ joys, joy grieves, on slender accident.

                                    This world is not for aye,¹⁷¹ nor ’tis not strange

                                    That even our loves should with our fortunes change,

                                    For ’tis a question left us yet to prove,

                                    Whether love lead fortune, or else fortune love.

175

175                       The great man down,¹⁷⁵ you mark his favourites flies:

                                    The poor advanced¹⁷⁶ makes friends of enemies.

                                    And hitherto¹⁷⁷ doth love on fortune tend,

                                    For who not needs¹⁷⁸ shall never lack a friend,

                                    And who in want¹⁷⁹ a hollow friend doth try,

180

180                       Directly seasons him¹⁸⁰ his enemy.

                                    But, orderly to end where I begun,

                                    Our wills and fates do so contrary run

                                    That our devices¹⁸³ still are overthrown:

                                    Our thoughts are ours, their ends¹⁸⁴ none of our own.

185

185                       So think thou wilt no second husband wed,

                                    But die thy thoughts when thy first lord is dead.

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA     Nor¹⁸⁷ earth to me give food, nor heaven light,

                                    Sport¹⁸⁸ and repose lock from me day and night,

                                    Each opposite¹⁸⁹ that blanks the face of joy

190

190                       Meet¹⁹⁰ what I would have well and it destroy!

                                    Both here and hence¹⁹¹ pursue me lasting strife,

                                    If, once a widow, ever I be wife!

HAMLET

HAMLET     If she should break it now!

PLAYER KING

PLAYER KING  ’Tis deeply sworn. Sweet, leave me here awhile:

195

195                       My spirits grow dull, and fain¹⁹⁵ I would beguile

                                    The tedious day with sleep.

BAPTISTA

BAPTISTA      Sleep rock thy brain,

        [He] sleeps

                                    And never come mischance between us twain.

                                    Exit

HAMLET

HAMLET     Madam, how like you this play?

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     The lady protests²⁰⁰ too much, methinks.

HAMLET

HAMLET     O, but she’ll keep her word.

KING

KING     Have you heard the argument? Is there no offence²⁰² in’t?

HAMLET

HAMLET     No, no, they do but jest,²⁰³ poison in jest: no offence i’th’world.

KING

KING     What do you call the play?

HAMLET

HAMLET     The Mousetrap. Marry, how? Tropically.²⁰⁵ This play is the image of a murder done in Vienna: Gonzago is the duke’s²⁰⁶ name, his wife, Baptista. You shall see anon: ’tis a knavish piece of work, but what o’that? Your majesty and we that have free souls, it touches us not: let the galled jade²⁰⁸ wince, our withers are unwrung.²⁰⁹

       Enter Lucianus

               This is one Lucianus, nephew to the king.

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     You are a good chorus,²¹¹ my lord.

HAMLET

HAMLET     I could interpret²¹² between you and your love, if I could see the puppets dallying.²¹³

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     You are keen,²¹⁴ my lord, you are keen.

HAMLET

HAMLET     It would cost you a groaning²¹⁵ to take off my edge.

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     Still better, and worse.²¹⁶

HAMLET

HAMLET     So²¹⁷ you mis-take your husbands.— Begin, murderer: pox, leave thy damnable faces, and begin. Come, the²¹⁸ croaking raven doth bellow for revenge.

LUCIANUS

LUCIANUS     Thoughts black, hands apt, drugs fit and time agreeing,

220

220         Confederate²²⁰ season, else no creature seeing,

               Thou mixture rank,²²¹ of midnight weeds collected,

               With Hecate’s ban²²² thrice blasted, thrice infected,

               Thy natural magic and dire property,²²³

               On wholesome²²⁴ life usurp immediately.

       Pours the poison in his ears

HAMLET

HAMLET     He poisons him i’th’garden for’s²²⁵ estate. His name’s Gonzago: the story is extant and writ in choice Italian. You shall see anon how the murderer gets the love of Gonzago’s wife. King stands

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     The king rises.

HAMLET

HAMLET     What, frighted with false fire?²²⁹

230

230 

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE             How fares my lord?

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     Give o’er the play.

KING

KING     Give me some light. Away!

ALL

ALL     Lights, lights, lights!

       Exeunt. Hamlet and Horatio remain

HAMLET

HAMLET     Why, let the strucken²³⁴ deer go weep,

235

235         The hart ungallèd²³⁵ play,

               For some must watch,²³⁶ while some must sleep:

               So runs the world away.

                  Would not this,²³⁸ sir, and a forest of feathers — if the rest of my fortunes turn Turk with me — with two Provincial roses²³⁹ on my razed shoes, get me a fellowship in a cry of players, sir?

HORATIO

HORATIO     Half a share.²⁴¹

HAMLET

HAMLET     A whole one, I.

               For thou dost know, O Damon²⁴³ dear,

               This realm dismantled²⁴⁴ was

245

245         Of Jove²⁴⁵ himself, and now reigns here

               A very, very — pajock.²⁴⁶

HORATIO

HORATIO     You might have rhymed.²⁴⁷

HAMLET

HAMLET     O, good Horatio, I’ll take the ghost’s word for a thousand pound. Didst perceive?

HORATIO

HORATIO     Very well, my lord.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Upon the talk of the poisoning?

HORATIO

HORATIO     I did very well note him.

HAMLET

HAMLET     O, ha! Come, some music. Come, the recorders.

               For if the king like not the comedy,

255

255         Why then, belike, he likes it not, perdy.²⁵⁵

               Come, some music!

       Enter Rosencrantz and Guildenstern

GUILDENSTERN

GUILDENSTERN     Good my lord, vouchsafe²⁵⁷ me a word with you.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Sir, a whole history.

GUILDENSTERN

GUILDENSTERN     The king, sir—

HAMLET

HAMLET     Ay, sir, what of him?

GUILDENSTERN

GUILDENSTERN     Is in his retirement²⁶¹ marvellous distempered.

HAMLET

HAMLET     With drink, sir?

GUILDENSTERN

GUILDENSTERN     No, my lord, rather with choler.²⁶³

HAMLET

HAMLET     Your wisdom should show itself more richer to signify²⁶⁴ this to his doctor, for for me to put him to his purgation²⁶⁵ would perhaps plunge him into far more choler.

GUILDENSTERN

GUILDENSTERN     Good my lord, put your discourse into some frame²⁶⁷ and start not so wildly from my affair.

HAMLET

HAMLET     I am tame, sir: pronounce.

GUILDENSTERN

GUILDENSTERN     The queen, your mother, in most great affliction of spirit, hath sent me to you.

HAMLET

HAMLET     You are welcome.

GUILDENSTERN

GUILDENSTERN     Nay, good my lord, this courtesy is not of the right breed.²⁷³ If it shall please you to make me a wholesome²⁷⁴ answer, I will do your mother’s commandment: if not, your pardon²⁷⁵ and my return shall be the end of my business.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Sir, I cannot.

GUILDENSTERN

GUILDENSTERN     What, my lord?

HAMLET

HAMLET     Make you a wholesome answer: my wit’s diseased. But, sir, such answers as I can make, you shall command, or rather, as you say, my mother: therefore no more, but to the matter: my mother, you say—

ROSENCRANTZ

ROSENCRANTZ     Then thus she says: your behaviour hath struck her into amazement²⁸² and admiration.²⁸³

HAMLET

HAMLET     O, wonderful²⁸⁴ son, that can so astonish a mother! But is there no sequel at the heels of this mother’s admiration?

ROSENCRANTZ

ROSENCRANTZ     She desires to speak with you in her closet²⁸⁶ ere you go to bed.

HAMLET

HAMLET     We shall obey, were she ten times our mother. Have you any further trade²⁸⁷ with us?

ROSENCRANTZ

ROSENCRANTZ     My lord, you once did love me.

HAMLET

HAMLET     So I do still, by these pickers and stealers.²⁹⁰

ROSENCRANTZ

ROSENCRANTZ     Good my lord, what is your cause of distemper? You do freely bar the door of your own liberty,²⁹² if you deny your griefs to your friend.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Sir, I lack advancement.

ROSENCRANTZ

ROSENCRANTZ     How can that be, when you have the voice of the king himself for your succession in Denmark?

HAMLET

HAMLET     Ay, but ‘While²⁹⁶ the grass grows’ — the proverb is something musty.

       Enter one with a recorder

               O, the recorder! Let me see. Takes the recorder

               To withdraw²⁹⁸ with you: To Rosencrantz and Guildenstern why do you go about to recover the wind of me, as if you would drive me into a toil?

GUILDENSTERN

GUILDENSTERN     O, my lord, if³⁰⁰ my duty be too bold, my love is too unmannerly.

HAMLET

HAMLET     I do not well understand that. Will you play upon this pipe?

GUILDENSTERN

GUILDENSTERN     My lord, I cannot.

HAMLET

HAMLET     I pray you.

GUILDENSTERN

GUILDENSTERN     Believe me, I cannot.

HAMLET

HAMLET     I do beseech you.

GUILDENSTERN

GUILDENSTERN     I know no touch of it, my lord.

HAMLET

HAMLET     ’Tis as easy as lying: govern these ventages³⁰⁷ with your finger and thumb, give it breath with your mouth and it will discourse most excellent music. Look you, these are the stops.

GUILDENSTERN

GUILDENSTERN     But these cannot I command to any utterance of harmony: I have not the skill.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Why, look you now, how unworthy a thing you make of me! You would play upon me; you would seem to know my stops, you would pluck out the heart of my mystery,³¹⁴ you would sound me from my lowest note to the top of my compass,³¹⁵ and there is much music, excellent voice, in this little organ, yet cannot you make it speak. Why, do you think that I am easier to be played on than a pipe? Call me what instrument you will, though you can fret³¹⁷ me, you cannot play upon me.— To the entering Polonius God bless you, sir!

       Enter Polonius

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     My lord, the queen would speak with you, and presently.³¹⁹

HAMLET

HAMLET     Do you see that cloud that’s almost in shape like a camel?

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     By th’mass,³²¹ and it’s like a camel indeed.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Methinks it is like a weasel.

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     It is backed like a weasel.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Or like a whale?

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     Very like a whale.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Then will I will come to my mother by and by.— Aside They fool³²⁶ me to the top of my bent.— I will come by and by.

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     I will say so.

       Exit

HAMLET

HAMLET     ‘By and by’ is easily said.

330

330         Leave me, friends.

       [Exeunt all but Hamlet]

               ’Tis now the very witching time of night,

               When churchyards yawn and hell itself breathes out

               Contagion to this world: now could I drink hot blood

               And do such bitter business as the day

335

335         Would quake to look on. Soft, now to my mother.

               O heart, lose not thy nature;³³⁶ let not ever

               The soul of Nero³³⁷ enter this firm bosom:

               Let me be cruel, not unnatural.

               I will speak daggers to her, but use none.

340

340         My tongue and soul in this be hypocrites:

               How³⁴¹ in my words somever she be shent,

               To give them seals³⁴² never my soul consent!

       [Exit]

[Act 3 Scene 3]

running scene 9

       Enter King, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern

KING

KING     I like him¹ not, nor stands it safe with us

               To let his madness range. Therefore prepare you:

               I your commission will forthwith dispatch,³

               And he to England shall along with you.

5

               The terms⁵ of our estate may not endure

               Hazard so dangerous as doth hourly grow

               Out of his lunacies.

GUILDENSTERN

GUILDENSTERN     We will ourselves provide:⁸

               Most holy and religious fear⁹ it is

10

10           To keep those many many bodies safe

               That live and feed upon your majesty.

ROSENCRANTZ

ROSENCRANTZ     The single and peculiar¹² life is bound

               With all the strength and armour of the mind

               To keep itself from noyance,¹⁴ but much more

15

15           That spirit upon whose weal¹⁵ depends and rests

               The lives of many. The cease¹⁶ of majesty

               Dies not alone, but like a gulf¹⁷ doth draw

               What’s near it with it: it is a massy¹⁸ wheel

               Fixed on the summit of the highest mount,

20

20           To whose huge spokes ten thousand lesser things

               Are mortised²¹ and adjoined, which, when it falls,

               Each small annexment,²² petty consequence,

               Attends²³ the boist’rous ruin. Never alone

               Did the king sigh, but with a general groan.

25

25   

KING

KING           Arm you,²⁵ I pray you, to this speedy voyage,

               For we will fetters put upon this fear,

               Which now goes too free-footed.

BOTH

BOTH      We will haste us.

       Exeunt Gentlemen [Rosencrantz and Guildenstern]

       Enter Polonius

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     My lord, he’s going to his mother’s closet:

30

30           Behind the arras I’ll convey myself

               To hear the process.³¹ I’ll warrant she’ll tax him home,

               And, as you said, and wisely was it said,

               ’Tis meet³³ that some more audience than a mother,

               Since nature makes them partial, should o’erhear

35

35           The speech, of vantage.³⁵ Fare you well, my liege:

               I’ll call upon you ere you go to bed,

               And tell you what I know.

KING

KING     Thanks, dear my lord.—

       [Exit Polonius]

               O, my offence is rank,³⁹ it smells to heaven:

40

40           It hath the primal eldest curse⁴⁰ upon’t,

               A brother’s murder. Pray can I not,

               Though inclination⁴² be as sharp as will:

               My stronger guilt defeats my strong intent,

               And like a man to double business bound,⁴⁴

45

45           I stand in pause where I shall first begin,

               And both neglect. What if this cursèd hand

               Were thicker than itself with brother’s blood,

               Is there not rain enough in the sweet heavens

               To wash it white as snow? Whereto⁴⁹ serves mercy

50

50           But to confront the visage of offence?

               And what’s in prayer but this two-fold force,

               To be forestallèd⁵² ere we come to fall,

               Or pardoned being down? Then I’ll look up:

               My fault is past. But, O, what form of prayer

55

55           Can serve my turn?⁵⁵ ‘Forgive me my foul murder’?

               That cannot be, since I am still possessed

               Of those effects⁵⁷ for which I did the murder:

               My crown, mine own ambition and my queen.

               May one be pardoned and retain th’offence?⁵⁹

60

60           In the corrupted currents⁶⁰ of this world

               Offence’s gilded⁶¹ hand may shove by justice,

               And oft ’tis seen the wicked prize itself

               Buys out the law. But ’tis not so above:

               There⁶⁴ is no shuffling, there the action lies

65

65           In his true nature, and we ourselves compelled,

               Even to⁶⁶ the teeth and forehead of our faults,

               To give in⁶⁷ evidence. What then? What rests?

               Try what repentance can. What can it not?

               Yet what can it, when one cannot repent?

70

70           O, wretched state! O, bosom black as death!

               O, limèd⁷¹ soul that, struggling to be free,

               Art more engaged! Help, angels, make assay!⁷²

               Bow, stubborn knees, and heart with strings of steel, Kneels

               Be soft as sinews of the newborn babe!

75

75           All may be well.

       Enter Hamlet

HAMLET

HAMLET     Now might I do it pat,⁷⁶ now he is praying: Draws

               And now I’ll do’t. And so he goes to heaven,

               And so am I revenged. That would be scanned:⁷⁸

               A villain kills my father, and for that,

80

80           I, his foul⁸⁰ son, do this same villain send

               To heaven.

               O, this is hire and salary,⁸² not revenge.

               He took my father grossly,⁸³ full of bread,

               With all his crimes broad blown,⁸⁴ as fresh as May,

85

85           And how his audit⁸⁵ stands who knows save heaven?

               But in our circumstance⁸⁶ and course of thought

               ’Tis heavy⁸⁷ with him: and am I then revenged,

               To take him⁸⁸ in the purging of his soul,

               When he is fit and seasoned⁸⁹ for his passage?

90

90           No. Puts up his sword

               Up, sword, and know thou a more horrid hent:⁹¹

               When he is drunk asleep,⁹² or in his rage,

               Or in th’incestuous pleasure of his bed,

               At gaming, swearing, or about some act

95

95           That has no relish⁹⁵ of salvation in’t,

               Then trip him, that his heels may kick at heaven,

               And that his soul may be as damned and black

               As hell, whereto it goes. My mother stays.⁹⁸

               This physic⁹⁹ but prolongs thy sickly days.

       Exit

100

100 

KING

KING              My words fly up, my thoughts remain below:

               Words without thoughts never to heaven go.

       Exit

[Act 3 Scene 4]

running scene 10

       Enter Queen and Polonius

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     He will come straight.¹ Look you lay home to him:

               Tell him his pranks have been too broad² to bear with,

               And that your grace hath screened and stood between

               Much heat⁴ and him. I’ll silence me e’en here.

5

               Pray you, be round⁵ with him.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Mother, mother, mother! Within

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     I’ll warrant you,

               Fear me not: withdraw, I hear him coming.

       Enter Hamlet Polonius hides behind the arras

HAMLET

HAMLET     Now, mother, what’s the matter?

10

10   

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE           Hamlet, thou hast thy father much offended.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Mother, you have my father much offended.

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     Come, come, you answer with an idle tongue.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Go, go, you question with a wicked tongue.

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     Why, how now, Hamlet?

15

15   

HAMLET

HAMLET           What’s the matter now?

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     Have you forgot me?

HAMLET

HAMLET     No, by the rood,¹⁷ not so:

               You are the queen,¹⁸ your husband’s brother’s wife,

               But — would you were not so — you are my mother.

20

20   

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE           Nay, then, I’ll set those to you that can speak.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Come, come, and sit you down, you shall not budge:

               You go not till I set you up a glass²²

               Where you may see the inmost part of you.

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     What wilt thou do? Thou wilt not murder me?

25

25           Help, help, ho!

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     What, ho? Help, help, help! Behind the arras

HAMLET

HAMLET     How now? A rat? Dead,²⁷ for a ducat, dead! Draws

POLONIUS

POLONIUS     O, I am slain!

       [Hamlet] kills Polonius

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     O me, what hast thou done?

30

30   

HAMLET

HAMLET           Nay, I know not: is it the king?

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     O, what a rash and bloody deed is this!

HAMLET

HAMLET     A bloody deed: almost as bad, good mother,

               As kill a king and marry with his brother.

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     As kill a king?

35

35   

HAMLET

HAMLET           Ay, lady, ’twas my word.— Discovers Polonius

               Thou wretched, rash, intruding fool, farewell.

               I took thee for thy better: take thy fortune;

               Thou find’st to be too busy³⁸ is some danger.—

               Leave wringing of your hands. Peace. Sit you down,

40

40           And let me wring your heart, for so I shall,

               If it be made of penetrable stuff,

               If damnèd custom have not brazed⁴² it so

               That it is proof⁴³ and bulwark against sense.

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     What have I done, that thou dar’st wag thy tongue

45

45           In noise so rude⁴⁵ against me?

HAMLET

HAMLET     Such an act

               That blurs the grace and blush of modesty,

               Calls virtue hypocrite, takes off the rose

               From the fair forehead of an innocent love

50

50           And sets a blister there, makes marriage vows

               As false as dicers’ oaths: O, such a deed

               As from the body of contraction⁵² plucks

               The very soul, and sweet religion makes

               A rhapsody⁵⁴ of words. Heaven’s face doth glow:

55

55           Yea, this⁵⁵ solidity and compound mass

               With tristful⁵⁶ visage, as against the doom,

               Is thought-sick at the act.

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     Ay me, what act,

               That roars so loud and thunders in the index?⁵⁹

60

60   

HAMLET

HAMLET           Look here, upon this picture, and on this, Shows her two pictures

               The counterfeit presentment⁶¹ of two brothers.

               See what a grace was seated on his brow:

               Hyperion’s⁶³ curls, the front of Jove himself,

               An eye like Mars⁶⁴ to threaten or command,

65

65           A station⁶⁵ like the herald Mercury

               New-lighted⁶⁶ on a heaven-kissing hill,

               A combination and a form indeed

               Where every god did seem to set his seal⁶⁸

               To give the world assurance of a man:

70

70           This was your husband. Look you now, what follows:

               Here is your husband, like a mildewed ear,⁷¹

               Blasting⁷² his wholesome brother. Have you eyes?

               Could you on this fair mountain leave⁷³ to feed

               And batten⁷⁴ on this moor? Ha! Have you eyes?

75

75           You cannot call it love, for at your age

               The heyday⁷⁶ in the blood is tame, it’s humble,

               And waits upon the judgement: and what judgement

               Would step from this to this? What devil was’t

               That thus hath cozened⁷⁹ you at hoodman-blind?

80

80           O, shame, where is thy blush? Rebellious hell,

               If thou canst mutine⁸¹ in a matron’s bones,

               To flaming youth let virtue be as wax

               And melt in her own fire. Proclaim no shame

               When the compulsive⁸⁴ ardour gives the charge,

85

85           Since frost⁸⁵ itself as actively doth burn

               And reason panders⁸⁶ will.

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     O Hamlet, speak no more:

               Thou turn’st mine eyes into my very soul,

               And there I see such black and grainèd⁸⁹ spots

90

90           As will not leave their tinct.⁹⁰

HAMLET

HAMLET     Nay, but to live

               In the rank sweat of an enseamèd⁹² bed,

               Stewed⁹³ in corruption, honeying and making love

               Over the nasty⁹⁴ sty—

95

95   

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE           O, speak to me no more:

               These words like daggers enter in mine ears.

               No more, sweet Hamlet!

HAMLET

HAMLET     A murderer and a villain,

               A slave that is not twentieth part the tithe⁹⁹

100

100         Of your precedent lord,¹⁰⁰ a vice of kings,

               A cutpurse¹⁰¹ of the empire and the rule,

               That from a shelf the precious diadem¹⁰² stole,

               And put it in his pocket!

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     No more!

       Enter Ghost

105

105 

HAMLET

HAMLET             A king of shreds and patches¹⁰⁵—

               Save me, and hover o’er me with your wings, Sees the Ghost

               You heavenly guards!— What would you, gracious figure?

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     Alas, he’s mad!

HAMLET

HAMLET     Do you not come your tardy son to chide,

110

110         That, lapsed in time and passion, lets go by

               Th’important¹¹¹ acting of your dread command? O, say!

GHOST

GHOST     Do not forget: this visitation

               Is but to whet thy almost blunted purpose.

               But look, amazement on thy mother sits.

115

115         O, step between her and her fighting soul:

               Conceit¹¹⁶ in weakest bodies strongest works:

               Speak to her, Hamlet.

HAMLET

HAMLET     How is it with you, lady?

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     Alas, how is’t with you,

120

120         That you do bend your eye on vacancy

               And with th’incorporal¹²¹ air do hold discourse?

               Forth at your eyes your spirits¹²² wildly peep,

               And, as¹²³ the sleeping soldiers in th’alarm,

               Your bedded hair, like¹²⁴ life in excrements,

125

125         Start up and stand on end. O gentle son,

               Upon the heat and flame of thy distemper

               Sprinkle cool patience. Whereon do you look?

HAMLET

HAMLET     On him, on him! Look you how pale he glares!

               His¹²⁹ form and cause conjoined, preaching to stones,

130

130         Would make them capable.¹³⁰— Do not look upon me, To the Ghost

               Lest with this piteous¹³¹ action you convert

               My stern effects: then what I have to do

               Will want¹³³ true colour; tears perchance for blood.

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     To who do you speak this?

135

135 

HAMLET

HAMLET             Do you see nothing there?

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     Nothing at all, yet all that is I see.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Nor did you nothing hear?

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     No, nothing but ourselves.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Why, look you there: look, how it steals away.

140

140         My father, in his habit¹⁴⁰ as he lived!

               Look where he goes even now out at the portal.

       Exit [Ghost]

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     This is the very coinage¹⁴² of your brain:

               This bodiless creation ecstasy is very cunning¹⁴³ in.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Ecstasy?

145

145         My pulse as yours doth temperately keep time,

               And makes as healthful music: it is not madness

               That I have uttered. Bring me to the test,

               And I the matter will reword,¹⁴⁸ which madness

               Would gambol¹⁴⁹ from. Mother, for love of grace,

150

150         Lay not a flattering unction¹⁵⁰ to your soul

               That not your trespass,¹⁵¹ but my madness speaks:

               It will but skin and film¹⁵² the ulcerous place,

               Whilst rank corruption, mining¹⁵³ all within,

               Infects unseen. Confess yourself to heaven,

155

155         Repent what’s past, avoid what is to come,

               And do not spread the compost o’er the weeds

               To make them ranker.¹⁵⁷ Forgive me this my virtue,

               For in the fatness of these pursy¹⁵⁸ times

               Virtue itself of vice must pardon beg,

160

160         Yea, curb and woo¹⁶⁰ for leave to do him good.

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     O Hamlet, thou hast cleft my heart in twain.

HAMLET

HAMLET     O, throw away the worser part of it,

               And live the purer with the other half.

               Goodnight. But go not to mine uncle’s bed:

165

165         Assume a virtue, if you have it not.

               Refrain tonight,

               And that shall lend a kind of easiness

               To the next abstinence. Once more, goodnight:

               And when you are desirous to be blessed,

170

170         I’ll blessing beg of you. For this same lord, Points to the body

               I do repent, but heaven hath pleased it so

               To punish me with this, and this with me,

               That¹⁷³ I must be their scourge and minister.

               I will bestow¹⁷⁴ him, and will answer well

175

175         The death I gave him. So, again, goodnight.

               I must be cruel, only to be kind:

               Thus bad begins and worse remains behind.¹⁷⁷

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     What shall I do?

HAMLET

HAMLET     Not this by no means that I bid you do:

180

180         Let the bloat¹⁸⁰ king tempt you again to bed,

               Pinch wanton¹⁸¹ on your cheek, call you his mouse,

               And let him, for a pair of reechy¹⁸² kisses,

               Or paddling in your neck with his damned fingers,

               Make you to ravel¹⁸⁴ all this matter out,

185

185         That I essentially am not in madness,

               But mad in craft.¹⁸⁶ ’Twere good you let him know,

               For who that’s but a queen, fair, sober, wise,

               Would from a paddock,¹⁸⁸ from a bat, a gib,

               Such dear concernings¹⁸⁹ hide? Who would do so?

190

190         No, in despite of sense and secrecy,

               Unpeg¹⁹¹ the basket on the house’s top,

               Let the birds fly, and like the famous¹⁹² ape,

               To try conclusions, in the basket creep,

               And break your own neck down.

195

195 

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE             Be thou assured, if words be made of breath

               And breath of life, I have no life to breathe

               What thou hast said to me.

HAMLET

HAMLET     I must to England: you know that?

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     Alack,

200

200         I had forgot: ’tis so concluded on.

HAMLET

HAMLET     This man shall set me packing:²⁰¹

               I’ll lug the guts into the neighbour room.

               Mother, goodnight. Indeed this counsellor

               Is now most still,²⁰⁴ most secret and most grave,

205

205         Who was in life a foolish prating²⁰⁵ knave.—

               Come, sir, to draw²⁰⁶ toward an end with you.—

               Goodnight, mother.

       Exit Hamlet tugging in Polonius

       Enter King

KING

KING     There’s matter²⁰⁸ in these sighs, these profound heaves,

               You must translate: ’tis fit we understand them.

210

210         Where is your son?

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     Ah, my good lord, what have I seen tonight!

KING

KING     What, Gertrude? How does Hamlet?

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     Mad as the seas and wind when both contend

               Which is the mightier: in his lawless fit,

215

215         Behind the arras hearing something stir,

               He whips his rapier out and cries, ‘A rat, a rat!’

               And in his brainish apprehension²¹⁷ kills

               The unseen good old man.

KING

KING     O, heavy²¹⁹ deed!

220

220         It had been so with us, had we been there.

               His liberty is full of threats to all:

               To you yourself, to us, to everyone.

               Alas, how shall this bloody deed be answered?²²³

               It will be laid to us, whose providence²²⁴

225

225         Should have kept short,²²⁵ restrained and out of haunt

               This mad young man: but so much was our love,

               We would not understand what was most fit,

               But, like the owner of a foul disease,

               To keep it from divulging,²²⁹ lets it feed

230

230         Even on the pith of life. Where is he gone?

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     To draw apart²³¹ the body he hath killed,

               O’er whom his very madness, like some ore²³²

               Among a mineral²³³ of metals base,

               Shows itself pure: he weeps for what is done.

235

235 

KING

KING             O Gertrude, come away!

               The sun no sooner shall the mountains touch,

               But we will ship him hence, and this vile deed

               We must with all our majesty and skill,

               Both countenance²³⁹ and excuse.—

       Enter Rosencrantz and Guildenstern

               Ho, Guildenstern!

240

240         Friends both, go join you with some further aid.

               Hamlet in madness hath Polonius slain,

               And from his mother’s closet hath he dragged him:

               Go seek him out, speak fair, and bring the body

               Into the chapel. I pray you haste in this.

       Exeunt Gentlemen [Ros. and Guild.]

245

245         Come, Gertrude, we’ll call up our wisest friends

               To let them know, both what we mean to do

               And what’s untimely done.²⁴⁷ O, come away!

               My soul is full of discord and dismay.

       Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 1]

running scene 11

       Enter Hamlet

HAMLET

HAMLET     Safely stowed.¹

GENTLEMEN²

GENTLEMEN     Hamlet, Lord Hamlet! Within

HAMLET

HAMLET     What noise? Who calls on Hamlet? O, here they come.

       Enter Rosencrantz and Guildenstern With Attendants?

ROSENCRANTZ

ROSENCRANTZ     What have you done, my lord, with the dead body?

HAMLET

HAMLET     Compounded⁵ it with dust, whereto ’tis kin.

ROSENCRANTZ

ROSENCRANTZ     Tell us where ’tis, that we may take it thence And bear it to the chapel.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Do not believe it.

ROSENCRANTZ

ROSENCRANTZ     Believe what?

HAMLET

HAMLET     That I can keep¹⁰ your counsel and not mine own. Besides, to be demanded of a sponge, what replication¹¹ should be made by the son of a king?

ROSENCRANTZ

ROSENCRANTZ     Take you me for a sponge, my lord?

HAMLET

HAMLET     Ay, sir, that soaks up the king’s countenance,¹³ his rewards, his authorities. But such officers do the king best service in the end: he keeps them, like an ape an apple, in the corner of his jaw, first mouthed¹⁵ to be last swallowed: when he needs what you have gleaned, it is but squeezing you, and, sponge, you shall be dry again.

ROSENCRANTZ

ROSENCRANTZ     I understand you not, my lord.

HAMLET

HAMLET     I am glad of it: a knavish speech sleeps in¹⁹ a foolish ear.

ROSENCRANTZ

ROSENCRANTZ     My lord, you must tell us where the body is, and go with us to the king.

HAMLET

HAMLET     The²² body is with the king, but the king is not with the body. The king is a thing—

GUILDENSTERN

GUILDENSTERN     A thing, my lord?

HAMLET

HAMLET     Of nothing. Bring me to him. Hide²⁵ fox, and all after. Running

       Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 2]

running scene 11 continues

       Enter King

KING

KING     I have sent to seek him and to find the body.

               How dangerous is it that this man goes loose!

               Yet must not we put the strong law on him:

               He’s loved of⁴ the distracted multitude,

5

               Who like not in their judgement, but their eyes,

               And where ’tis so, th’offender’s scourge⁶ is weighed,

               But ne’er the offence. To bear⁷ all smooth and even,

               This sudden sending him away must seem

               Deliberate pause.⁹ Diseases desperate grown

10

10           By desperate appliance¹⁰ are relieved,

               Or not at all.

       Enter Rosencrantz

               How now? What hath befall’n?

ROSENCRANTZ

ROSENCRANTZ     Where the dead body is bestowed, my lord,

               We cannot get from him.

KING

KING     But where is he?

15

15   

ROSENCRANTZ

ROSENCRANTZ           Without,¹⁵ my lord, guarded, to know your pleasure.

KING

KING     Bring him before us.

ROSENCRANTZ

ROSENCRANTZ     Ho, Guildenstern! Bring in my lord. Calls

       Enter Hamlet and Guildenstern

       With Attendants?

KING

KING     Now, Hamlet, where’s Polonius?

HAMLET

HAMLET     At supper.

KING

KING     At supper? Where?

HAMLET

HAMLET     Not where he eats, but where he is eaten: a certain convocation²¹ of worms are e’en²² at him. Your worm is your only emperor for diet: we fat all creatures else to fat us, and we fat ourselves for maggots: your fat king and your lean beggar is but variable service,²⁴ two dishes, but to one table. That’s the end.

KING

KING     Alas, alas!

HAMLET

HAMLET     A man may fish with the worm that hath eat²⁶ of a king, and eat of the fish that hath fed of that worm.

KING

KING     What dost thou mean by this?

HAMLET

HAMLET     Nothing but to show you how a king may go a progress²⁹ through the guts of a beggar.

KING

KING     Where is Polonius?

HAMLET

HAMLET     In heaven, send thither to see. If your messenger find him not there, seek him i’th’other place yourself. But indeed, if you find him not this month, you shall nose him as you go up the stairs into the lobby.

KING

KING      Go seek him there. To Rosencrantz or Attendants

HAMLET

HAMLET     He will stay till ye come.

       [Exit Rosencrantz or Attendants]

KING

KING     Hamlet, this deed of thine, for thine especial safety —

               Which we do tender,³⁸ as we dearly grieve

               For that which thou hast done — must send thee hence

40

40           With fiery quickness: therefore prepare thyself.

               The bark⁴¹ is ready and the wind at help,

               Th’associates tend⁴² and everything at bent

               For England.

HAMLET

HAMLET     For England?

KING

KING     Ay, Hamlet.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Good.

KING

KING     So is it, if thou knew’st our purposes.

HAMLET

HAMLET     I see a cherub⁴⁸ that sees them. But come, for England! Farewell, dear mother.

KING

KING     Thy loving father, Hamlet.

HAMLET

HAMLET     My mother. Father and mother is man and wife: man and wife is one flesh, and so, my mother. Come, for England!

       Exit

KING

KING     Follow him at foot,⁵³ tempt him with speed aboard:

               Delay it not, I’ll have him hence tonight.

55

55           Away! For everything is sealed and done

               That else leans on⁵⁶ th’affair: pray you make haste.

       [Exit Guildenstern and perhaps Rosencrantz]

               And, England, if my love thou hold’st at aught⁵⁷ —

               As my great power thereof⁵⁸ may give thee sense,

               Since yet thy cicatrice⁵⁹ looks raw and red

60

60           After the Danish sword, and thy free awe⁶⁰

               Pays homage to us — thou mayst not coldly set⁶¹

               Our sovereign process,⁶² which imports at full,

               By letters conjuring⁶³ to that effect,

               The present⁶⁴ death of Hamlet. Do it, England,

65

65           For like the hectic⁶⁵ in my blood he rages,

               And thou must cure me. Till I know ’tis done,

               Howe’er my haps,⁶⁷ my joys were ne’er begun.

       Exit

[Act 4 Scene 3]4.3

running scene 12

       Enter Fortinbras with an army

FORTINBRAS

FORTINBRAS     Go, captain, from me greet the Danish king:

               Tell him that by his licence² Fortinbras

               Claims the conveyance of³ a promised march

               Over his kingdom. You know the rendezvous.

5

               If that his majesty would aught with us,

               We shall express our duty⁶ in his eye,

               And let him know so.

CAPTAIN

CAPTAIN     I will do’t, my lord.

FORTINBRAS

FORTINBRAS     Go softly⁹ on.

       Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 4]4.4

running scene 13

       Enter Queen and Horatio

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     I will not speak with her.

HORATIO

HORATIO     She is importunate,² indeed distract:

               Her mood will needs be pitied.

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     What would she have?

5

5     

HORATIO

HORATIO     She speaks much of her father; says she hears

               There’s tricks i’th’world, and hems,⁶ and beats her heart,

               Spurns⁷ enviously at straws, speaks things in doubt

               That carry but half sense: her speech is nothing,

               Yet the unshapèd use⁹ of it doth move

10

10           The hearers to collection;¹⁰ they aim at it,

               And botch¹¹ the words up fit to their own thoughts,

               Which,¹² as her winks and nods and gestures yield them,

               Indeed would make one think there might be thought,¹³

               Though nothing sure, yet much unhappily.¹⁴

15

15   

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE           ’Twere good she were spoken with, for she may strew

               Dangerous conjectures in ill-breeding¹⁶ minds.

               Let her come in. Horatio goes to the door or may exit

               To my sick soul — as sin’s true nature is — Aside

               Each toy¹⁹ seems prologue to some great amiss:

20

20           So full of artless jealousy²⁰ is guilt,

               It²¹ spills itself in fearing to be spilt.

       Enter Ophelia, distracted With Horatio?

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     Where is the beauteous majesty of Denmark?

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     How now, Ophelia!

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     How should I your true love know Sings

25

25           From another one?

               By his cockle hat²⁶ and staff,

               And his sandal shoon.²⁷

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     Alas, sweet lady, what imports this song?

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     Say you? Nay, pray you, mark.

30

30           He is dead and gone, lady, Sings

               He is dead and gone.

               At his head a grass-green turf,

               At his heels a stone.

       Enter King

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     Nay, but, Ophelia—

35

35   

OPHELIA

OPHELIA            Pray you, mark.

               White his shroud as the mountain snow— Sings

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     Alas, look here, my lord.

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     Larded³⁸ with sweet flowers Sings

               Which bewept to the grave did not go

40

40           With true-love showers.⁴⁰

KING

KING     How do ye, pretty lady?

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     Well, God yield⁴² you! They say the owl was a baker’s daughter. Lord, we know what we are, but know not what we may be. God be at your table!

KING

KING     Conceit upon⁴⁴ her father.

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     Pray you let’s have no words of this, but when they ask you what it means, say you this:

                                    Tomorrow is Saint Valentine’s day, Sings

                                    All in the morning betime,⁴⁸

                                    And I a maid at your window,

50

50                       To be your Valentine.⁵⁰

                                    Then up he rose,⁵¹ and donned his clothes,

                                    And dupped⁵² the chamber door:

                                    Let in the maid,⁵³ that out a maid

                                    Never departed more.

KING

KING     Pretty Ophelia.

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     Indeed, la, without an oath, I’ll make an end on’t:

                                    By Gis⁵⁷ and by Saint Charity, Sings

                                    Alack, and fie for shame!

                                    Young men will do’t,⁵⁹ if they come to’t,

60

                       By cock,⁶⁰ they are to blame.

                                    Quoth she, ‘Before you tumbled⁶¹ me,

                                    You promised me to wed.’

                                    ‘So would I ha’ done, by yonder sun,

                                    An⁶⁴ thou hadst not come to my bed.’

KING

KING     How long hath she been thus?

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     I hope all will be well. We must be patient, but I cannot choose but weep to think they should lay him i’th’cold ground. My brother shall know of it: and so I thank you for your good counsel. Come, my coach! Goodnight, ladies, goodnight, sweet ladies, goodnight, goodnight.

       Exit

70

70   

KING

KING           Follow her close: give her good watch, I pray you. To Horatio

       [Exit Horatio]

               O, this is the poison of deep grief: it springs

               All from her father’s death. O Gertrude, Gertrude,

               When sorrows come, they come not single spies⁷³

               But in battalions. First, her father slain:

75

75           Next, your son gone, and he most violent author

               Of his own just remove:⁷⁶ the people muddied,

               Thick and unwholesome in their thoughts and whispers

               For good Polonius’ death, and we have done but greenly⁷⁸

               In hugger-mugger⁷⁹ to inter him: poor Ophelia

80

80           Divided from herself and her fair judgement,

               Without the which we are pictures or mere beasts:

               Last, and as much containing⁸² as all these,

               Her brother is in secret come from France,

               Feeds on his wonder,⁸⁴ keeps himself in clouds,

85

85           And wants⁸⁵ not buzzers to infect his ear

               With pestilent speeches of his father’s death,

               Wherein necessity, of matter beggared,⁸⁷

               Will nothing⁸⁸ stick our persons to arraign

               In ear and ear. O, my dear Gertrude, this,

90

90           Like to a murdering-piece,⁹⁰ in many places

               Gives⁹¹ me superfluous death.

       A noise within

       Enter a Messenger

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     Alack, what noise is this?

KING

KING     Where are my Switzers?⁹³ Let them guard the door.—

               What is the matter?

95

95   

MESSENGER

MESSENGER           Save yourself, my lord.

               The ocean, overpeering⁹⁶ of his list,

               Eats not the flats⁹⁷ with more impiteous haste

               Than young Laertes, in a riotous head,⁹⁸

               O’erbears your officers. The rabble call him lord,

100

100         And, as¹⁰⁰ the world were now but to begin,

               Antiquity¹⁰¹ forgot, custom not known,

               The¹⁰² ratifiers and props of every word,

               They cry ‘Choose we! Laertes shall be king.’

               Caps,¹⁰⁴ hands and tongues, applaud it to the clouds:

105

105         ‘Laertes shall be king, Laertes king!’

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     How cheerfully on the false trail they cry!

               O, this is counter,¹⁰⁷ you false Danish dogs!

       Noise within

       Enter Laertes His followers remain at the door

KING

KING     The doors are broke.

LAERTES

LAERTES     Where is the king?— Sirs, stand you all without.¹⁰⁹

110

110 

ALL FOLLOWERS

ALL FOLLOWERS             No, let’s come in. At the door

LAERTES

LAERTES     I pray you give me leave.

ALL

ALL     We will, we will.

LAERTES

LAERTES     I thank you: keep¹¹³ the door.— O thou vile king,

               Give me my father!

115

115 

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE             Calmly, good Laertes. Restrains him or blocks his way

LAERTES

LAERTES     That drop of blood that’s calm proclaims me bastard,

               Cries cuckold¹¹⁷ to my father, brands the harlot

               Even here, between¹¹⁸ the chaste unsmirched brow

               Of my true¹¹⁹ mother.

120

120 

KING

KING             What is the cause, Laertes,

               That thy rebellion looks so giant-like?—

               Let him go, Gertrude: do not fear¹²² our person:

               There’s such divinity doth hedge¹²³ a king

               That treason can but¹²⁴ peep to what it would,

125

125         Acts little of his will.— Tell me, Laertes,

               Why thou art thus incensed.— Let him go, Gertrude.—

               Speak, man.

LAERTES

LAERTES     Where’s my father?

KING

KING     Dead.

130

130 

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE             But not by him.

KING

KING     Let him demand his fill.

LAERTES

LAERTES     How came he dead? I’ll not be juggled with:¹³²

               To hell, allegiance! Vows, to the blackest devil!

               Conscience and grace, to the profoundest pit!

135

135         I dare damnation. To¹³⁵ this point I stand,

               That both¹³⁶ the worlds I give to negligence,

               Let come what comes, only I’ll be revenged

               Most throughly¹³⁸ for my father.

KING

KING     Who shall stay¹³⁹ you?

140

140 

LAERTES

LAERTES             My¹⁴⁰ will, not all the world:

               And for my means, I’ll husband¹⁴¹ them so well,

               They shall go far with little.

KING

KING     Good Laertes,

               If you desire to know the certainty

145

145         Of your dear father’s death, is’t writ in your revenge,

               That, sweepstake,¹⁴⁶ you will draw both friend and foe,

               Winner and loser?

LAERTES

LAERTES     None but his enemies.

KING

KING     Will you know them then?

150

150 

LAERTES

LAERTES             To his good friends thus wide I’ll ope my arms,

               And like the kind life-rend’ring pelican,¹⁵¹

               Repast¹⁵² them with my blood.

KING

KING     Why, now you speak

               Like a good child and a true gentleman.

155

155         That I am guiltless of your father’s death,

               And am most sensible¹⁵⁶ in grief for it,

               It shall as level¹⁵⁷ to your judgement pierce

               As day does to your eye.

       A noise within

ALL FOLLOWERS

ALL FOLLOWERS     Let her come in!

       Enter Ophelia

160

160 

LAERTES

LAERTES              How now? What noise is that?

               O, heat dry up my brains, tears seven times salt Sees Ophelia

               Burn out the sense and virtue¹⁶² of mine eye!

               By heaven, thy madness shall be paid by weight,

               Till our scale turns¹⁶⁴ the beam. O rose of May,

165

165         Dear maid, kind sister, sweet Ophelia!

               O heavens, is’t possible a young maid’s wits

               Should be as mortal as an old man’s life?

               Nature¹⁶⁸ is fine in love, and where ’tis fine,

               It sends some precious instance¹⁶⁹ of itself

170

170         After¹⁷⁰ the thing it loves.

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     They bore him barefaced on the bier,¹⁷¹ Sings

                                    Hey¹⁷² non nonny, nonny, hey nonny,

                                    And on his grave rains many a tear—

               Fare you well, my dove.

175

175 

LAERTES

LAERTES             Hadst thou thy wits and didst persuade revenge,

               It could not move¹⁷⁶ thus.

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     You¹⁷⁷ must sing ‘a-down a-down’, and you call him ‘a-down-a’. O, how the wheel¹⁷⁸ becomes it! It is the false steward that stole his master’s daughter.

LAERTES

LAERTES     This¹⁷⁹ nothing’s more than matter.

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     There’s rosemary,¹⁸⁰ that’s for remembrance: pray, love, remember: and there is pansies,¹⁸¹ that’s for thoughts. Gives real or imaginary flowers

LAERTES

LAERTES     A document¹⁸² in madness, thoughts and remembrance fitted.

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     There’s fennel¹⁸³ for you, and columbines: there’s rue for you, and here’s some for me: we may call it herb-grace o’Sundays:¹⁸⁴ O, you must wear your rue with a difference.¹⁸⁵ There’s a daisy: I would give you some violets, but they withered all when my father died: they say he made a good end—

                                    For¹⁸⁷ bonny sweet Robin is all my joy. Sings

LAERTES

LAERTES     Thought¹⁸⁸ and affliction, passion, hell itself,

               She turns to favour¹⁸⁹ and to prettiness.

190

190 

OPHELIA

OPHELIA     And will he not come again? Sings

                                    And will he not come again?

                                    No, no, he is dead:

                                    Go to thy death-bed,

                                    He never will come again.

195

                                    His beard as white as snow,

                                    All flaxen¹⁹⁶ was his poll:

                                    He is gone, he is gone,

                                    And we cast away moan.¹⁹⁸

                                    Gramercy¹⁹⁹ on his soul!

200

200         And of all Christian souls, I pray God. God buy ye.²⁰⁰

       Exeunt Ophelia [and Gertrude?]

LAERTES

LAERTES     Do you see this, you gods?

KING

KING     Laertes, I must commune with your grief,

               Or you deny me right. Go but apart,

               Make choice of whom²⁰⁴ your wisest friends you will,

205

205         And they shall hear and judge ’twixt²⁰⁵ you and me:

               If by direct or by collateral²⁰⁶ hand

               They find us touched,²⁰⁷ we will our kingdom give,

               Our crown, our life, and all that we call ours

               To you in satisfaction. But if not,

210

210         Be you content to lend your patience to us,

               And we shall jointly labour with your soul

               To give it due content.

LAERTES

LAERTES     Let this be so:

               His means of death, his obscure burial —

215

215         No trophy,²¹⁵ sword, nor hatchment o’er his bones,

               No noble rite nor formal ostentation²¹⁶ —

               Cry to be heard, as ’twere from heaven to earth,

               That²¹⁸ I must call in question.

KING

KING     So you shall,

220

220         And where th’offence is, let the great axe fall.

               I pray you go with me.

       Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 5

running scene 14

       Enter Horatio with an Attendant

HORATIO

HORATIO     What are they that would speak with me?

SERVANT

SERVANT     Sailors, sir: they say they have letters for you.

HORATIO

HORATIO     Let them come in. [Exit Servant]

               I do not know from what part of the world

5

               I should be greeted, if not from Lord Hamlet.

       Enter Sailor

SAILOR

SAILOR     God bless you, sir.

HORATIO

HORATIO     Let him bless thee too.

SAILOR

SAILOR     He shall, sir, an’t⁸ please him. Gives a letter There’s a letter for you, sir: it comes from th’ambassador that was bound for England, if your name be Horatio, as I am let to know it is.

HORATIO

HORATIO     Reads the letter ‘Horatio, when thou shalt have overlooked¹¹ this, give these fellows some means¹² to the king: they have letters for him. Ere we were two days old at sea, a pirate of very warlike appointment¹³ gave us chase. Finding ourselves too slow of sail, we put on a compelled¹⁴ valour, in the grapple I boarded them: on the instant they got clear of our ship, so I alone became their prisoner. They have dealt with me like thieves of mercy,¹⁶ but they knew what they did: I am to do a good turn for them. Let the king have the letters I have sent, and repair¹⁷ thou to me with as much haste as thou wouldst fly death. I have words to speak in your ear will make thee dumb, yet are they much too¹⁹ light for the bore of the matter. These good fellows will bring thee where I am. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern hold their course for England: of them I have much to tell thee. Farewell. He that thou knowest thine, Hamlet.’—

                  Come, I will give you way²³ for these your letters,

               And do’t the speedier that you may direct me

               To him from whom you brought them.

       Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 6

running scene 15

       Enter King and Laertes

KING

KING     Now must your conscience my acquittance seal,¹

               And you must put me in your heart for friend,

               Sith³ you have heard, and with a knowing ear,

               That he which hath your noble father slain

5

               Pursued my life.

LAERTES

LAERTES     It well appears. But tell me

               Why you proceeded not⁷ against these feats

               So crimeful and so capital⁸ in nature,

               As⁹ by your safety, wisdom, all things else,

10

10           You mainly were stirred up.

KING

KING     O, for two special reasons,

               Which may to you, perhaps, seem much unsinewed,¹²

               And yet to me they are strong. The queen his mother

               Lives almost by his looks, and for myself —

15

15           My virtue or my plague, be it either which —

               She’s so conjunctive¹⁶ to my life and soul,

               That, as the star moves not but in his sphere,¹⁷

               I could not but¹⁸ by her. The other motive,

               Why to a public count¹⁹ I might not go,

20

20           Is the great love the general gender²⁰ bear him,

               Who, dipping all his faults in their affection,

               Would like the spring²² that turneth wood to stone,

               Convert his gyves²³ to graces, so that my arrows,

               Too slightly timbered²⁴ for so loud a wind,

25

25           Would have reverted to my bow again

               And not where I had aimed them.

LAERTES

LAERTES     And so have I a noble father lost,

               A sister driven into desperate terms,²⁸

               Who has — if praises may go back again²⁹ —

30

30           Stood challenger on mount³⁰ of all the age

               For her perfections: but my revenge will come.

KING

KING     Break not your sleeps for that: you must not think

               That we are made of stuff so flat and dull

               That we can let our beard be shook with³⁴ danger

35

35           And think it pastime. You shortly shall hear more:

               I loved your father, and we love ourself,

               And that, I hope, will teach you to imagine—

       Enter a Messenger

               How now? What news?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Letters, my lord, from Hamlet:

40

40           This to your majesty, this to the queen.
Gives letters

KING

KING     From Hamlet? Who brought them?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Sailors, my lord, they say: I saw them not.

               They were given me by Claudio:⁴³ he received them.

KING

KING     Laertes, you shall hear them.— Leave us.

       Exit Messenger

               ‘High and mighty, you shall know I am set naked⁴⁵ on your kingdom. Tomorrow shall I beg leave to see your kingly eyes, when I shall, first asking your pardon⁴⁶ thereunto, recount th’occasions of my sudden and more strange return. Hamlet.’ What should this mean? Are all the rest come back?

               Or is it some abuse?⁴⁹ Or no such thing?

50

50   

LAERTES

LAERTES           Know you the hand?

KING

KING     ’Tis Hamlet’s character.⁵¹ ‘Naked’ —

               And in a postscript here, he says ‘alone’.

               Can you advise me?

LAERTES

LAERTES     I’m lost in it, my lord. But let him come:

55

55           It warms the very sickness in my heart

               That I shall live and tell him to his teeth,

               ‘Thus diest thou.’

KING

KING     If it be so, Laertes —

               As how should it be so? How otherwise? —

60

60           Will you be ruled by me?

LAERTES

LAERTES     If so⁶¹ you’ll not o’errule me to a peace.

KING

KING     To thine own peace. If he be now returned,

               As checking at⁶³ his voyage, and that he means

               No more to undertake it, I will work him

65

65           To an exploit, now ripe in my device,⁶⁵

               Under the which he shall not choose but fall;

               And for his death no wind of blame shall breathe,

               But even his mother shall uncharge the practice⁶⁸

               And call it accident. Some two months since,

70

70           Here was a gentleman of Normandy.

               I’ve seen myself, and served against, the French,

               And they can well⁷² on horseback; but this gallant

               Had witchcraft in’t; he grew into his seat,

               And to such wondrous doing brought his horse

75

75           As⁷⁵ had he been incorpsed and demi-natured

               With the brave⁷⁶ beast: so far he passed my thought,

               That I in forgery⁷⁷ of shapes and tricks

               Come short of what he did.

LAERTES

LAERTES     A Norman was’t?

80

80   

KING

KING           A Norman.

LAERTES

LAERTES     Upon my life, Lamond.⁸¹

KING

KING     The very same.

LAERTES

LAERTES     I know him well: he is the brooch⁸³ indeed

               And gem of all our nation.

85

85   

KING

KING           He made⁸⁵ confession of you,

               And gave you such a masterly report

               For⁸⁷ art and exercise in your defence,

               And for your rapier most especially,

               That he cried out, ’twould be a sight indeed

90

90           If one could match you. Sir, this report of his

               Did Hamlet so envenom⁹¹ with his envy

               That he could nothing do but wish and beg

               Your sudden⁹³ coming o’er, to play with him.

               Now, out of this—

95

95   

LAERTES

LAERTES           What out of this, my lord?

KING

KING     Laertes, was your father dear to you?

               Or are you like the painting of a sorrow,

               A face without a heart?

LAERTES

LAERTES     Why ask you this?

100

100 

KING

KING             Not that I think you did not love your father,

               But that I know love is begun by time,¹⁰¹

               And that I see, in passages of proof,¹⁰²

               Time qualifies¹⁰³ the spark and fire of it.

               Hamlet comes back: what would you undertake

105

105         To show yourself your father’s son in deed

               More than in words?

LAERTES

LAERTES     To cut his throat i’th’church.

KING

KING     No place, indeed, should murder sanctuarize;¹⁰⁸

               Revenge should have no bounds. But, good Laertes,

110

110         Will you¹¹⁰ do this, keep close within your chamber.

               Hamlet returned shall know you are come home:

               We’ll put on¹¹² those shall praise your excellence

               And set a double varnish on the fame

               The Frenchman gave you, bring you in fine¹¹⁴ together

115

115         And wager on your heads: he, being remiss,¹¹⁵

               Most generous¹¹⁶ and free from all contriving,

               Will not peruse¹¹⁷ the foils, so that with ease,

               Or with a little shuffling, you may choose

               A sword unbated,¹¹⁹ and in a pass of practice

120

120         Requite¹²⁰ him for your father.

LAERTES

LAERTES     I will do’t,

               And for that purpose I’ll anoint my sword.

               I bought an unction¹²³ of a mountebank

               So mortal I¹²⁴ but dipped a knife in it,

125

125         Where it draws blood no cataplasm¹²⁵ so rare,

               Collected from all simples¹²⁶ that have virtue

               Under the moon,¹²⁷ can save the thing from death

               That is but scratched withal:¹²⁸ I’ll touch my point

               With this contagion,¹²⁹ that if I gall him slightly,

130

130         It may be death.

KING

KING     Let’s further think of this,

               Weigh what convenience both of time and means

               May fit¹³³ us to our shape: if this should fail,

               And that our drift¹³⁴ look through our bad performance,

135

135         ’Twere better not assayed: therefore this project

               Should have a back or second, that might hold,

               If this should blast in proof.¹³⁷ Soft, let me see:

               We’ll make a solemn wager on your cunnings.¹³⁸

               I ha’t:¹³⁹

140

140         When in your motion you are hot and dry —

               As¹⁴¹ make your bouts more violent to the end —

               And that he calls for drink, I’ll have prepared him

               A chalice for the nonce,¹⁴³ whereon but sipping,

               If he by chance escape your venomed stuck,¹⁴⁴

145

145         Our purpose may hold there.—

       Enter Queen

                                    How now, sweet queen?

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     One woe doth tread upon another’s heel,

               So fast they’ll follow: your sister’s drowned, Laertes.

LAERTES

LAERTES     Drowned? O, where?

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     There is a willow¹⁴⁹ grows aslant a brook,

150

150         That shows his hoar¹⁵⁰ leaves in the glassy stream:

               There with fantastic¹⁵¹ garlands did she come

               Of crow-flowers,¹⁵² nettles, daisies and long purples

               That liberal¹⁵³ shepherds give a grosser name,

               But our cold¹⁵⁴ maids do dead men’s fingers call them:

155

155         There on the pendent¹⁵⁵ boughs her coronet weeds

               Clamb’ring to hang, an envious sliver¹⁵⁶ broke,

               When down the weedy¹⁵⁷ trophies and herself

               Fell in the weeping brook. Her clothes spread wide,

               And mermaid-like awhile they bore her up,

160

160         Which time she chanted snatches of old tunes,

               As one incapable¹⁶¹ of her own distress,

               Or like a creature native and indued¹⁶²

               Unto that element: but long it could not be

               Till that her garments, heavy with their drink,

165

               Pulled the poor wretch from her melodious lay¹⁶⁵

               To muddy death.

LAERTES

LAERTES     Alas, then, is she drowned?

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     Drowned, drowned.

LAERTES

LAERTES     Too much of water hast thou, poor Ophelia,

170

170         And therefore I forbid my tears. But yet

               It is our trick:¹⁷¹ nature her custom holds,

               Let shame say what it will: when these¹⁷² are gone,Weeps

               The woman¹⁷³ will be out.— Adieu, my lord:

               I have a speech of fire that fain would blaze,

175

175         But that this folly¹⁷⁵ douts it.

       Exit

KING

KING     Let’s follow, Gertrude:

               How much I had to do to calm his rage!

               Now fear I this will give it start again;

               Therefore let’s follow.

       Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 15.1

running scene 16

       Enter two Clowns With a spade and a pickax

FIRST CLOWN

FIRST CLOWN     Is she to be buried in Christian burial¹ that wilfully seeks her own salvation?²

SECOND CLOWN

SECOND CLOWN     I tell thee she is: and therefore make her grave straight:³ the crowner hath sat⁴ on her, and finds it Christian burial.

FIRST CLOWN

FIRST CLOWN     How can that be, unless she drowned herself in her own defence?

SECOND CLOWN

SECOND CLOWN     Why, ’tis found so.

FIRST CLOWN

FIRST CLOWN     It must be se offendendo,⁷ it cannot be else. For here lies the point: if I drown myself wittingly, it argues an act, and an act hath three branches: it is to act, to do and to perform: argal,⁹ she drowned herself wittingly.

SECOND CLOWN

SECOND CLOWN     Nay, but hear you, goodman¹⁰ delver—

FIRST CLOWN

FIRST CLOWN     Give me leave: here lies the water; good: here stands the man; good: if the man go to this water, and drown himself, it is, will¹² he, nill he, he goes — mark you that. But if the water come to him and drown him, he drowns not himself: argal, he that is not guilty of his own death shortens not his own life.

SECOND CLOWN

SECOND CLOWN     But is this law?

FIRST CLOWN

FIRST CLOWN     Ay, marry, is’t: crowner’s quest¹⁶ law.

SECOND CLOWN

SECOND CLOWN     Will you ha’ the truth on’t? If this had not been a gentlewoman, she should have been buried out of Christian burial.

FIRST CLOWN

FIRST CLOWN     Why, there thou say’st:¹⁹ and the more pity that great folk should have countenance²⁰ in this world to drown or hang themselves, more than their even Christian. Come, my spade. There is no ancient gentlemen but gardeners, ditchers²¹ and grave-makers: they hold up Adam’s profession.²²

SECOND CLOWN

SECOND CLOWN     Was he a gentleman?

FIRST CLOWN

FIRST CLOWN     He was the first that ever bore arms.²⁴

SECOND CLOWN

SECOND CLOWN     Why, he had none.

FIRST CLOWN

FIRST CLOWN     What, art a heathen? How dost thou understand the Scripture? The Scripture says ‘Adam digged’. Could he dig without arms? I’ll put another question to thee: if thou answerest me not to the purpose, confess thyself²⁸—

SECOND CLOWN

SECOND CLOWN     Go to.

FIRST CLOWN

FIRST CLOWN     What is he that builds stronger than either the mason, the shipwright, or the carpenter?

SECOND CLOWN

SECOND CLOWN     The gallows-maker, for that frame outlives a thousand tenants.

FIRST CLOWN

FIRST CLOWN     I like thy wit well, in good faith: the gallows does well;³³ but how does it well? It does well to those that do ill: now thou dost ill to say the gallows is built stronger than the church: argal, the gallows may do well to thee. To’t again, come.

SECOND CLOWN

SECOND CLOWN     Who builds stronger than a mason, a shipwright, or a carpenter?

FIRST CLOWN

FIRST CLOWN     Ay, tell me that, and unyoke.³⁸

SECOND CLOWN

SECOND CLOWN     Marry, now I can tell.

FIRST CLOWN

FIRST CLOWN     To’t.

SECOND CLOWN

SECOND CLOWN     Mass, I cannot tell.

       Enter Hamlet and Horatio afar off Hamlet cloaked?

FIRST CLOWN

FIRST CLOWN     Cudgel thy brains no more about it, for your dull ass will not mend⁴² his pace with beating; and when you are asked this question next, say ‘A grave-maker: the houses that he makes lasts till doomsday.’ Go, get thee to Yaughan:⁴⁴ fetch me a stoup⁴⁵ of liquor.

       [Exit Second Clown]

                                    In⁴⁶ youth, when I did love, did love,

       Sings

                                    Methought it was very sweet,

                                    To contract-O-the⁴⁸ time, for-a-my behove,

                                    O, methought there was nothing meet.⁴⁹

HAMLET

HAMLET     Has this fellow no feeling of his business that he sings at grave-making?

HORATIO

HORATIO     Custom hath made it in him a property of easiness.⁵¹

HAMLET

HAMLET     ’Tis e’en so: the hand of little employment hath⁵² the daintier sense.

FIRST CLOWN

FIRST CLOWN     But age with his stealing steps

       Sings

                                    Hath caught me in his clutch,

                                    And hath shipped⁵⁵ me intil the land,

                                    As if I had never been such.⁵⁶ Throws up a skull

HAMLET

HAMLET     That skull had a tongue in it and could sing once: how the knave jowls⁵⁷ it to th’ground, as if it were Cain’s⁵⁸ jaw-bone, that did the first murder. It might be the pate of a politician,⁵⁹ which this ass o’er-offices, one that could circumvent God, might it not?

HORATIO

HORATIO     It might, my lord.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Or of a courtier, which could say ‘Good morrow, sweet lord! How dost thou, good lord?’ This might be my lord Such-a-one, that praised my lord Such-a-one’s horse when he meant to beg it, might it not?

HORATIO

HORATIO     Ay, my lord.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Why, e’en so, and now my lady Worm’s, chapless,⁶⁶ and knocked about the mazzard⁶⁷ with a sexton’s spade: here’s fine revolution, if we had the trick to see’t. Did⁶⁸ these bones cost no more the breeding, but to play at loggats with ’em? Mine ache to think on’t.

FIRST CLOWN

FIRST CLOWN     A pickaxe and a spade, a spade,

       Sings

                                    For and⁷¹ a shrouding sheet:

                                    O, a pit of clay for to be made

                                    For such a guest is meet. Throws up another skull

HAMLET

HAMLET     There’s another: why may not that be the skull of a lawyer? Where be his quiddities⁷⁵ now, his quillets, his cases, his tenures, and his tricks? Why does he suffer this rude⁷⁶ knave now to knock him about the sconce with a dirty shovel, and will not tell him of his action of battery?⁷⁷ Hum. This fellow might be in’s time a great buyer of land, with his statutes,⁷⁸ his recognizances, his fines, his double vouchers, his recoveries: is this the fine⁷⁹ of his fines and the recovery of his recoveries, to have his fine pate full of fine dirt? Will his vouchers vouch⁸⁰ him no more of his purchases, and double ones too, than the⁸¹ length and breadth of a pair of indentures? The very conveyances⁸² of his lands will hardly lie in this box; and must the inheritor⁸³ himself have no more, ha?

HORATIO

HORATIO     Not a jot more, my lord.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Is not parchment made of sheepskins?

HORATIO

HORATIO     Ay, my lord, and of calf-skins too.

HAMLET

HAMLET     They are sheep and calves that seek out assurance in that.⁸⁷ I will speak to this fellow.— Whose grave’s this, sirrah?⁸⁸

FIRST CLOWN

FIRST CLOWN     Mine, sir.

               O, a pit of clay for to be made Sings

               For such a guest is meet.

HAMLET

HAMLET     I think it be thine, indeed, for thou liest in’t.

FIRST CLOWN

FIRST CLOWN     You lie out on’t, sir, and therefore it is not⁹³ yours. For my part, I do not lie in’t, and yet it is mine.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Thou dost lie in’t, to be in’t and say ’tis thine: ’tis for the dead, not for the quick:⁹⁶ therefore thou liest.

FIRST CLOWN

FIRST CLOWN     ’Tis a quick lie, sir: ’twill away again, from me to you.

HAMLET

HAMLET     What man dost thou dig it for?

FIRST CLOWN

FIRST CLOWN     For no man, sir.

HAMLET

HAMLET     What woman, then?

FIRST CLOWN

FIRST CLOWN     For none, neither.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Who is to be buried in’t?

FIRST CLOWN

FIRST CLOWN     One that was a woman, sir; but, rest her soul, she’s dead.

HAMLET

HAMLET     How absolute¹⁰⁴ the knave is! We must speak by the card, or equivocation will undo us. By the Lord, Horatio, these three years I have taken note of it: the age is grown so picked¹⁰⁶ that the toe of the peasant comes so near the heels of our courtier, he galls his kibe.¹⁰⁷— How long hast thou been a grave-maker?

FIRST CLOWN

FIRST CLOWN     Of all the days i’th’year, I came to’t that day that our last king Hamlet o’ercame Fortinbras.

HAMLET

HAMLET     How long is that since?

FIRST CLOWN

FIRST CLOWN     Cannot you tell that? Every fool can tell that: it was the very day that young Hamlet was born — he that was mad and sent into England.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Ay, marry, why was he sent into England?

FIRST CLOWN

FIRST CLOWN     Why, because he was mad: he shall recover his wits there, or if he do not, it’s no great matter there.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Why?

FIRST CLOWN

FIRST CLOWN     ’Twill not be seen in him: there the men are as mad as he.

HAMLET

HAMLET     How came he mad?

FIRST CLOWN

FIRST CLOWN     Very strangely, they say.

HAMLET

HAMLET     How strangely?

FIRST CLOWN

FIRST CLOWN     Faith, e’en with losing his wits.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Upon what ground?¹²²

FIRST CLOWN

FIRST CLOWN     Why, here in Denmark: I have been sexton here, man and boy, thirty years.

HAMLET

HAMLET     How long will a man lie i’th’earth ere he rot?

FIRST CLOWN

FIRST CLOWN     I’faith, if he be not rotten before he die — as we have many pocky¹²⁶ corpses now-a-days, that will scarce hold¹²⁷ the laying in — he will last you some eight year or nine year: a tanner¹²⁸ will last you nine year.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Why he more than another?

FIRST CLOWN

FIRST CLOWN     Why, sir, his hide is so tanned with his trade that he will keep out water a great while, and your water is a sore decayer of your whoreson¹³¹ dead body. Here’s a skull¹³² now: this skull has lain in the earth three-and-twenty years.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Whose was it?

FIRST CLOWN

FIRST CLOWN     A whoreson mad fellow’s it was: whose do you think it was?

HAMLET

HAMLET     Nay, I know not.

FIRST CLOWN

FIRST CLOWN     A pestilence on him for a mad rogue! A¹³⁶ poured a flagon of Rhenish on my head once. This same skull, sir, this same skull, sir, was Yorick’s skull, the king’s jester.

HAMLET

HAMLET     This?

FIRST CLOWN

FIRST CLOWN     E’en that.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Let me see.— Takes the skull Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio: a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy.¹⁴² He hath borne me on his back a thousand times — and how abhorred¹⁴³ my imagination is! My gorge rises at it. Here hung those lips that I have kissed I know not how oft.— Where be your gibes now, your gambols, your songs, your flashes of merriment that were wont to set the table on a roar? No¹⁴⁶ one now to mock your own jeering? Quite chop-fallen? Now get you to my lady’s chamber and tell her, let her paint an inch thick, to this favour¹⁴⁷ she must come. Make her laugh at that.— Prithee, Horatio, tell me one thing.

HORATIO

HORATIO     What’s that, my lord?

HAMLET

HAMLET     Dost thou think Alexander¹⁵⁰ looked o’this fashion i’th’earth?

HORATIO

HORATIO     E’en so.

HAMLET

HAMLET      And smelt so? Puh! Places the skull on the ground or throws it down

HORATIO

HORATIO     E’en so, my lord.

HAMLET

HAMLET     To what base uses we may return, Horatio! Why may not imagination trace the noble dust of Alexander till he find it stopping a bung-hole?¹⁵⁵

HORATIO

HORATIO     ’Twere to consider too curiously¹⁵⁶ to consider so.

HAMLET

HAMLET     No, faith, not a jot, but to follow him thither with modesty¹⁵⁷ enough, and likelihood to lead it, as thus: Alexander died, Alexander was buried, Alexander returneth into dust; the dust is earth; of earth we make loam,¹⁵⁹ and why of that loam whereto he was converted might they not stop a beer-barrel?

               Imperial Caesar, dead and turned to clay,

               Might stop a hole to keep the wind away.

               O, that that earth, which kept the world in awe,

               Should patch a wall t’expel the winter’s flaw!¹⁶⁴

165

165         But soft, but soft, aside: here comes the king.

       Enter King, Queen, Laertes, [a Priest] and a coffin with Lords Attendant

               The queen, the courtiers — who is that they follow?

               And with such maimèd¹⁶⁷ rites? This doth betoken

               The corpse they follow did with desperate¹⁶⁸ hand

               Fordo¹⁶⁹ it own life: ’twas of some estate.

170

170         Couch¹⁷⁰ we awhile and mark. They hide

LAERTES

LAERTES     What ceremony else?

HAMLET

HAMLET     That is Laertes, a very noble youth. Mark. Aside to Horatio

LAERTES

LAERTES     What ceremony else?

PRIEST

PRIEST     Her obsequies¹⁷⁴ have been as far enlarged

175

175         As we have warrantise:¹⁷⁵ her death was doubtful,

               And but that great command o’ersways¹⁷⁶ the order

               She should in ground unsanctified¹⁷⁷ have lodged

               Till the last trumpet.¹⁷⁸ For charitable prayer,

               Shards,¹⁷⁹ flints and pebbles should be thrown on her.

180

180         Yet here she is allowed her virgin rites,

               Her maiden strewments¹⁸¹ and the bringing home

               Of bell and burial.

LAERTES

LAERTES     Must there no more be done?

PRIEST

PRIEST     No more be done:

185

185         We should profane the service of the dead

               To sing sage requiem¹⁸⁶ and such rest to her

               As to peace-parted¹⁸⁷ souls.

LAERTES

LAERTES     Lay her i’th’earth:

               And from her fair and unpolluted flesh

190

190         May violets¹⁹⁰ spring! I tell thee, churlish priest,

               A minist’ring angel shall my sister be

               When thou liest howling.¹⁹²

HAMLET

HAMLET     What, the fair Ophelia! Aside to Horatio

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     Sweets to the sweet. Farewell! Scatters flowers

195

195         I hoped thou shouldst have been my Hamlet’s wife:

               I thought thy bride-bed to have decked, sweet maid,

               And not t’have strewed thy grave.

LAERTES

LAERTES     O, treble woe

               Fall ten times treble on that cursèd head

200

200         Whose wicked deed thy most ingenious sense²⁰⁰

               Deprived thee of!— Hold off the earth awhile,

               Till I have caught her once more in mine arms:

       Leaps in the grave

               Now pile your dust upon the quick²⁰³ and dead,

               Till of this flat a mountain you have made,

205

205         To o’ertop old Pelion²⁰⁵ or the skyish head

               Of blue Olympus.

HAMLET

HAMLET     What is he whose grief Comes forward

               Bears such an emphasis?²⁰⁸ Whose phrase of sorrow

               Conjures²⁰⁹ the wand’ring stars, and makes them stand

210

210         Like wonder-wounded hearers? This is I, Removes cloak

               Hamlet the Dane. Leaps into the grave

LAERTES

LAERTES     The devil take thy soul! They fight

HAMLET

HAMLET     Thou pray’st not well.

               I prithee take thy fingers from my throat,

215

215         Sir: though I am not splenitive²¹⁵ and rash,

               Yet have I something in me dangerous,

               Which let thy wiseness fear: away thy hand!

KING

KING     Pluck them asunder.

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     Hamlet, Hamlet!

220

220 

HORATIO

HORATIO      Good my lord, be quiet.²²⁰ Attendants part them, and they come out of the grave

HAMLET

HAMLET     Why I will fight with him upon this theme

               Until my eyelids will no longer wag.²²²

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     O my son, what theme?

HAMLET

HAMLET     I loved Ophelia: forty thousand brothers

225

225         Could not — with all their quantity of love —

               Make up my sum. What wilt thou do for her?

KING

KING     O, he is mad, Laertes.

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     For love of God, forbear him.²²⁸

HAMLET

HAMLET     Come, show me what thou’lt do:

230

230         Woo’t²³⁰ weep? Woo’t fight? Woo’t fast? Woo’t tear thyself?

               Woo’t drink up eisel?²³¹ Eat a crocodile?

               I’ll do’t. Dost thou come here to whine?

               To outface²³³ me with leaping in her grave?

               Be buried quick with her, and so will I:

235

235         And if thou prate of mountains, let them throw

               Millions of acres on us, till our ground,²³⁶

               Singeing his pate against the burning zone,²³⁷

               Make Ossa²³⁸ like a wart! Nay, an thou’lt mouth,

               I’ll rant as well as thou.

240

240 

KING

KING             This is mere²⁴⁰ madness,

               And thus awhile the fit will work on him:

               Anon, as patient as the female dove

               When that her golden couplets²⁴³ are disclosed,

               His silence will sit drooping.

245

245 

HAMLET

HAMLET             Hear you, sir: To Laertes

               What is the reason that you use²⁴⁶ me thus?

               I loved you ever: but it is no matter.

               Let²⁴⁸ Hercules himself do what he may,

               The cat will mew and dog will have his day.

       Exit

250

250 

KING

KING             I pray you, good Horatio, wait upon him.—

       [Exit Horatio]

               Strengthen your patience in²⁵¹ our last night’s speech: To Laertes

               We’ll put the matter to the present push.²⁵²—

               Good Gertrude, set some watch over your son.—

               This grave shall have a living²⁵⁴ monument:

255

255         An hour of quiet shortly shall we see;

               Till then, in patience our proceeding be.

       Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 25.2

running scene 17

       Enter Hamlet and Horatio

HAMLET

HAMLET     So much for this,¹ sir; now let me see the other:

               You do remember all the circumstance?²

HORATIO

HORATIO     Remember it, my lord?

HAMLET

HAMLET     Sir, in my heart there was a kind of fighting

5

               That would not let me sleep: methought I lay

               Worse than the mutines⁶ in the bilboes. Rashly —

               And praise be rashness for it — let us know⁷

               Our indiscretion⁸ sometimes serves us well,

               When our dear⁹ plots do pall, and that should teach us

10

10           There’s a divinity that shapes our ends,

               Rough-hew¹¹ them how we will—

HORATIO

HORATIO     That is most certain.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Up from my cabin,

               My sea-gown¹⁴ scarfed about me, in the dark

15

15           Groped I to find out them,¹⁵ had my desire,

               Fingered¹⁶ their packet, and in fine withdrew

               To mine own room again, making so bold —

               My fears forgetting manners — to unseal

               Their grand commission, where I found, Horatio —

20

20           O, royal knavery! — an exact command,

               Larded²¹ with many several sorts of reason

               Importing²² Denmark’s health and England’s too,

               With, ho, such bugs²³ and goblins in my life,

               That on the supervise,²⁴ no leisure bated,

25

25           No, not to stay²⁵ the grinding of the axe,

               My head should be struck off.

HORATIO

HORATIO     Is’t possible?

HAMLET

HAMLET     Here’s the commission: read it at more leisure. Gives a paper

               But wilt thou hear me how I did proceed?

30

30   

HORATIO

HORATIO           I beseech you.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Being thus benetted round³¹ with villainies —

               Ere³² I could make a prologue to my brains,

               They had begun the play — I sat me down,

               Devised a new commission, wrote it fair:³⁴

35

35           I once did hold it, as our statists³⁵ do,

               A baseness to write fair and laboured much

               How to forget that learning, but, sir, now

               It did me yeoman’s³⁸ service. Wilt thou know

               The effect³⁹ of what I wrote?

40

40   

HORATIO

HORATIO           Ay, good my lord.

HAMLET

HAMLET     An earnest conjuration⁴¹ from the king,

               As England was his faithful tributary,⁴²

               As love between them as the palm should flourish,

               As peace should still⁴⁴ her wheaten garland wear

45

45           And stand a comma⁴⁵ ’tween their amities,

               And many such-like ‘As’es⁴⁶ of great charge,

               That on the view and know of these contents,

               Without debatement further, more or less,

               He should the bearers put to sudden death,

50

50           Not shriving-time⁵⁰ allowed.

HORATIO

HORATIO     How was this sealed?

HAMLET

HAMLET     Why, even in that was heaven ordinant.⁵²

               I had my father’s signet⁵³ in my purse,

               Which was the model⁵⁴ of that Danish seal:

55

55           Folded the writ⁵⁵ up in form of the other,

               Subscribed⁵⁶ it, gave’t th’impression, placed it safely,

               The changeling⁵⁷ never known. Now, the next day

               Was our sea-fight, and what to⁵⁸ this was sequent

               Thou know’st already.

60

60   

HORATIO

HORATIO           So Guildenstern and Rosencrantz go to’t.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Why, man, they did make love to⁶¹ this employment:

               They are not near my conscience; their defeat⁶²

               Doth by their own insinuation⁶³ grow.

               ’Tis dangerous when the baser⁶⁴ nature comes

65

65           Between the pass⁶⁵ and fell incensèd points

               Of mighty opposites.⁶⁶

HORATIO

HORATIO     Why, what a king is this!

HAMLET

HAMLET     Does⁶⁸ it not, think’st thee, stand me now upon —

               He that hath killed my king and whored my mother,

70

70           Popped in between th’election⁷⁰ and my hopes,

               Thrown out his angle⁷¹ for my proper life,

               And with such cozenage⁷² — is’t not perfect conscience

               To quit⁷³ him with this arm? And is’t not to be damned,

               To let this canker⁷⁴ of our nature come

75

75           In further evil?

HORATIO

HORATIO     It must be shortly known to him from England

               What is the issue⁷⁷ of the business there.

HAMLET

HAMLET     It will be short: the interim is mine,

               And a man’s life’s no⁷⁹ more than to say ‘one’.

80

80           But I am very sorry, good Horatio,

               That to Laertes I forgot myself;

               For by⁸² the image of my cause I see

               The portraiture of his. I’ll count his favours.

               But, sure, the bravery⁸⁴ of his grief did put me

85

85           Into a tow’ring passion.

HORATIO

HORATIO     Peace, who comes here?

       Enter young Osric Takes off his hat

OSRIC

OSRIC     Your lordship is right welcome back to Denmark.

HAMLET

HAMLET     I humbly thank you, sir.— Dost know this water-fly?⁸⁸

HORATIO

HORATIO     No, my good lord.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Thy state is the more gracious,⁹⁰ for ’tis a vice to know him. He hath much land, and fertile: let⁹¹ a beast be lord of beasts, and his crib shall stand at the king’s mess; ’tis a chough,⁹² but, as I say, spacious in the possession of dirt.

OSRIC

OSRIC     Sweet lord, if⁹³ your friendship were at leisure, I should impart a thing to you from his majesty.

HAMLET

HAMLET     I will receive it with all diligence of spirit. Put your bonnet⁹⁵ to his right use: ’tis for the head.

OSRIC

OSRIC     I thank your lordship, ’tis very hot.

HAMLET

HAMLET     No, believe me, ’tis very cold: the wind is northerly.

OSRIC

OSRIC     It is indifferent⁹⁹ cold, my lord, indeed.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Methinks it is very sultry and hot for my complexion.¹⁰⁰

OSRIC

OSRIC     Exceedingly, my lord: it is very sultry, as ’twere, I cannot tell how. But, my lord, his majesty bade me signify to you that he has laid a great wager on your head: sir, this is the matter—

HAMLET

HAMLET     I beseech you remember¹⁰⁴—Gestures toward hat

OSRIC

OSRIC     Nay, in good faith, for mine ease,¹⁰⁵ in good faith. Sir, you are not ignorant of what excellence Laertes is at his weapon.

HAMLET

HAMLET     What’s his weapon?

OSRIC

OSRIC     Rapier¹⁰⁸ and dagger.

HAMLET

HAMLET     That’s two of his weapons; but, well.¹⁰⁹

OSRIC

OSRIC     The king, sir, has waged with him six Barbary horses,¹¹⁰ against the which he imponed,¹¹¹ as I take it, six French rapiers and poniards, with their assigns, as girdle, hangers¹¹² or so. Three of the carriages, in faith, are very dear to fancy, very responsive¹¹³ to the hilts, most delicate carriages, and of very liberal conceit.

HAMLET

HAMLET     What call you¹¹⁴ the carriages?

OSRIC

OSRIC     The carriages, sir, are the hangers.

HAMLET

HAMLET     The phrase would be more germane¹¹⁶ to the matter, if we could carry cannon¹¹⁷ by our sides: I would it might be hangers till then. But, on: six Barbary horses against six French swords, their assigns, and three liberal-conceited carriages: that’s the French bet against the Danish. Why is this ‘imponed’ as you call it?

OSRIC

OSRIC     The king, sir, hath laid,¹²¹ that in a dozen passes between you and him, he shall not exceed you three hits: he hath laid on twelve for nine, and that would come to immediate trial, if your lordship would vouchsafe the answer.¹²³

HAMLET

HAMLET     How if I answer ‘no’?

OSRIC

OSRIC     I mean, my lord, the opposition¹²⁵ of your person in trial.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Sir, I will walk here in the hall: if it please his majesty, ’tis the breathing¹²⁶ time of day with me; let the foils be brought, the gentleman willing, and the king hold his purpose, I will win for him if I can: if not, I’ll gain nothing but my shame and the odd¹²⁹ hits.

OSRIC

OSRIC     Shall I redeliver you¹³⁰ e’en so?

HAMLET

HAMLET     To this effect, sir, after what flourish¹³¹ your nature will.

OSRIC

OSRIC     I commend¹³² my duty to your lordship.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Yours, yours.—

       [Exit Osric]

               He does well to commend it himself, there are no tongues else for’s turn.¹³⁴

HORATIO

HORATIO     This lapwing¹³⁵ runs away with the shell on his head.

HAMLET

HAMLET     He did comply¹³⁶ with his dug, before he sucked it. Thus has he — and many more of the same bevy¹³⁷ that I know the drossy age dotes on — only got the tune of the time and outward habit of encounter,¹³⁸ a kind of yeasty collection, which carries them through¹³⁹ and through the most fond and winnowed opinions; and do but blow them to their trials, the bubbles are out.

HORATIO

HORATIO     You will lose this wager, my lord.

HAMLET

HAMLET     I do not think so: since he went into France, I have been in continual practice; I shall win at the odds.¹⁴³ But thou wouldst not think how ill all’s here about my heart, but it is no matter.

HORATIO

HORATIO     Nay, good my lord—

HAMLET

HAMLET     It is but foolery; but it is such a kind of gain-giving¹⁴⁶ as would perhaps trouble a woman.

HORATIO

HORATIO     If your mind dislike anything, obey it: I will forestall their repair¹⁴⁸ hither, and say you are not fit.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Not a whit, we defy augury:¹⁵⁰ there’s a special providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it¹⁵¹ be now, ’tis not to come: if it be not to come, it will be now: if it be not now, yet it will come: the readiness¹⁵² is all. Since no man has aught of what he leaves, what is’t to leave betimes?¹⁵³

       Enter King, Queen, Laertes and Lords, with [Osric and] other Attendants with foils and gauntlets, a table and flagons of wine on it

KING

KING     Come, Hamlet, come and take this hand from me. Puts Laertes’ hand into Hamlet’s

155

155 

HAMLET

HAMLET             Give me your pardon, sir: I’ve done you wrong,

               But pardon’t, as you are a gentleman.

               This presence¹⁵⁷ knows,

               And you must needs have heard, how I am punished

               With sore distraction. What I have done

160

160         That might your nature,¹⁶⁰ honour and exception

               Roughly awake, I here proclaim was madness.

               Was’t Hamlet wronged Laertes? Never Hamlet:

               If Hamlet from himself be ta’en away,

               And when he’s not himself does wrong Laertes,

165

165         Then Hamlet does it not, Hamlet denies it.

               Who does it, then? His madness. If’t be so,

               Hamlet is of the faction¹⁶⁷ that is wronged,

               His madness is poor Hamlet’s enemy.

               Sir, in this audience,

170

170         Let my disclaiming from¹⁷⁰ a purposed evil

               Free me so far in your most generous¹⁷¹ thoughts

               That I have¹⁷² shot mine arrow o’er the house,

               And hurt my brother.

LAERTES

LAERTES     I am satisfied in nature,

175

175         Whose motive in this case should stir me most

               To my¹⁷⁶ revenge: but in my terms of honour

               I stand aloof, and will¹⁷⁷ no reconcilement

               Till by some elder masters, of known honour

               I have a voice¹⁷⁹ and precedent of peace,

180

180         To keep my name ungored.¹⁸⁰ But till that time,

               I do receive your offered love like love,

               And will not wrong it.

HAMLET

HAMLET     I do embrace it freely,

               And will this brother’s wager frankly¹⁸⁴ play.—

185

185         Give us the foils. Come on.

LAERTES

LAERTES     Come, one for me.

HAMLET

HAMLET     I’ll be your foil,¹⁸⁷ Laertes: in mine ignorance

               Your skill shall, like a star i’th’darkest night,

               Stick fiery off¹⁸⁹ indeed.

190

190 

LAERTES

LAERTES             You mock me, sir.

HAMLET

HAMLET     No, by this hand.

KING

KING     Give them the foils, young Osric. Cousin Hamlet,

               You know the wager?

HAMLET

HAMLET     Very well, my lord:

195

195         Your grace hath laid the odds¹⁹⁵ o’th’weaker side.

KING

KING     I do not fear it: I have seen you both:

               But since he is bettered,¹⁹⁷ we have therefore odds.

LAERTES

LAERTES     This is too heavy, let me see another.Looks over the foils

HAMLET

HAMLET     This likes¹⁹⁹ me well. These foils have all a length?

       Prepare to play

200

200 

OSRIC

OSRIC             Ay, my good lord.

KING

KING     Set me the stoups²⁰¹ of wine upon that table:

               If Hamlet give the first or second hit,

               Or quit²⁰³ in answer of the third exchange,

               Let all the battlements their ordnance²⁰⁴ fire:

205

205         The king shall drink to Hamlet’s better breath,²⁰⁵

               And in the cup an union²⁰⁶ shall he throw

               Richer than that which four successive kings

               In Denmark’s crown have worn. Give me the cups,

               And let the kettle²⁰⁹ to the trumpets speak,

210

210         The trumpet to the cannoneer without,

               The cannons to the heavens, the heaven to earth,

               ‘Now the king drinks to Hamlet.’ Come, begin:

               And you, the judges, bear a wary eye.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Come on, sir.

215

215 

LAERTES

LAERTES             Come on, sir.

       They play

HAMLET

HAMLET     One.

LAERTES

LAERTES     No.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Judgement.

OSRIC

OSRIC     A hit, a very palpable hit.

220

220 

LAERTES

LAERTES             Well, again.

KING

KING     Stay, give me drink.— Hamlet, this pearl is thine: Drinks, then puts the pearl in the cup?

               Here’s to thy health.— Give him the cup.

       Trumpets sound and shot goes off

HAMLET

HAMLET     I’ll play this bout first: set by awhile.— Come.They play

               Another hit; what say you?

225

225 

LAERTES

LAERTES             A touch, a touch, I do confess.

KING

KING     Our son shall win.

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     He’s fat,²²⁷ and scant of breath.—

               Here’s a napkin,²²⁸ rub thy brows: To Hamlet

               The queen carouses to²²⁹ thy fortune, Hamlet.

230

230 

HAMLET

HAMLET             Good madam.

KING

KING     Gertrude, do not drink!

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     I will, my lord; I pray you, pardon me. Drinks

KING

KING     It is the poisoned cup: it is too late. Aside

HAMLET

HAMLET     I dare not drink yet, madam: by and by.

235

235 

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE             Come, let me wipe thy face.

LAERTES

LAERTES     My lord, I’ll hit him now. To the King

KING

KING     I do not think’t.

LAERTES

LAERTES     And yet ’tis almost gainst my conscience. Aside

HAMLET

HAMLET     Come, for the third: Laertes, you but dally.

240

240         I pray you pass²⁴⁰ with your best violence:

               I am afeard you make²⁴¹ a wanton of me.

LAERTES

LAERTES     Say you so? Come on.

       Play

OSRIC

OSRIC     Nothing, neither way.

LAERTES

LAERTES      Have at you now!

In scuffling²⁴⁴ they change rapiers

245

245 

KING

KING             Part them: they are incensed.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Nay, come, again.Gertrude falls?

OSRIC

OSRIC     Look to the queen there, ho!

HORATIO

HORATIO     They bleed on both sides.— How is it, my lord? To Hamlet

OSRIC

OSRIC     How is’t, Laertes?

250

250 

LAERTES

LAERTES             Why, as a woodcock²⁵⁰ to mine own springe, Osric:

               I am justly killed with mine own treachery.

HAMLET

HAMLET     How does the queen?

KING

KING     She swoons to see them bleed.

GERTRUDE

GERTRUDE     No, no, the drink, the drink — O my dear Hamlet —

255

255         The drink, the drink! I am poisoned.Dies

HAMLET

HAMLET     O, villainy! Ho! Let the door be locked:

               Treachery! Seek it out.

LAERTES

LAERTES     It is here, Hamlet. Hamlet, thou art slain:

               No medicine in the world can do thee good,

260

260         In thee there is not half an hour of life;

               The treacherous instrument is in thy hand,

               Unbated and envenomed. The foul practice²⁶²

               Hath turned itself on me: lo, here I lie,

               Never to rise again. Thy mother’s poisoned.

265

265         I can no more. The king, the king’s to blame.

HAMLET

HAMLET     The point envenomed too!

               Then, venom, to thy work.

       Hurts the King

ALL

ALL     Treason! Treason!

KING

KING     O, yet defend me, friends, I am but hurt.

270

270 

HAMLET

HAMLET             Here, thou incestuous, murd’rous, damnèd Dane,

               Drink off²⁷¹ this potion. Is thy union here?

               Follow my mother.

       King dies

LAERTES

LAERTES     He is justly served:

               It is a poison tempered²⁷⁴ by himself.

275

275         Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet:

               Mine and my father’s death come not upon thee,

               Nor thine on me.

       Dies

HAMLET

HAMLET     Heaven make thee free of it! I follow thee.—

               I am dead, Horatio.— Wretched queen, adieu!—

280

280         You that look pale and tremble at this chance,²⁸⁰

               That are but mutes²⁸¹ or audience to this act,

               Had I but time — as this fell²⁸² sergeant, death,

               Is strict²⁸³ in his arrest — O, I could tell you.

               But let it be.— Horatio, I am dead:

285

285         Thou liv’st: report me and my causes²⁸⁵ right

               To the unsatisfied.²⁸⁶

HORATIO

HORATIO     Never believe it.

               I am more an antique Roman²⁸⁸ than a Dane:

               Here’s yet some liquor left.

290

290 

HAMLET

HAMLET             As thou’rt a man,

               Give me the cup: let go, by heaven, I’ll have’t.

               O, good Horatio, what a wounded name —

               Things standing thus unknown — shall live behind me!

               If thou didst ever hold me in thy heart,

295

295         Absent thee from felicity²⁹⁵ awhile,

               And in this harsh world draw thy breath in pain,

               To tell my story.

       March afar off and shot within

               What warlike noise is this?

       Enter Osric

OSRIC

OSRIC     Young Fortinbras, with conquest come from Poland,

               To th’ambassadors of England gives

300

300         This warlike volley.

HAMLET

HAMLET     O, I die, Horatio:

               The potent poison quite o’er-crows³⁰² my spirit.

               I cannot live to hear the news from England,

               But I do prophesy th’election³⁰⁴ lights

305

305         On Fortinbras: he has my dying voice,³⁰⁵

               So tell him, with the occurrents³⁰⁶ more and less

               Which have solicited.³⁰⁷ The rest is silence. O, o, o, o! Dies

HORATIO

HORATIO     Now cracks a noble heart. Goodnight, sweet prince,

               And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!—

310

310         Why does the drum come hither?

       Enter Fortinbras and English Ambassador, with Drum, Colours and Attendants

FORTINBRAS

FORTINBRAS      Where is this sight?

HORATIO

HORATIO      What is it ye would³¹² see?

               If aught of woe or wonder, cease your search.

FORTINBRAS

FORTINBRAS     This quarry³¹⁴ cries on havoc. O proud death,

315

315         What feast is toward³¹⁵ in thine eternal cell,

               That thou so many princes at a shot

               So bloodily hast struck?

AMBASSADOR

AMBASSADOR     The sight is dismal,³¹⁸

               And our affairs from England come too late:

320

320         The ears³²⁰ are senseless that should give us hearing,

               To tell him his commandment is fulfilled,

               That Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead.

               Where should we have our thanks?

HORATIO

HORATIO     Not from his mouth,

325

325         Had it th’ability of life to thank you:

               He never gave commandment for their death.

               But since, so jump³²⁷ upon this bloody question,

               You from the Polack wars, and you from England,

               Are here arrived, give order that these bodies

330

330         High on a stage³³⁰ be placed to the view,

               And let me speak to th’yet unknowing world

               How these things came about: so shall you hear

               Of carnal, bloody and unnatural acts,

               Of accidental judgements,³³⁴ casual slaughters,

335

335         Of deaths put on³³⁵ by cunning and forced cause,

               And, in this upshot,³³⁶ purposes mistook

               Fall’n on the inventors’ heads: all this can I

               Truly deliver.³³⁸

FORTINBRAS

FORTINBRAS     Let us haste to hear it,

340

340         And call the noblest to the audience.

               For me, with sorrow I embrace my fortune:

               I have some rights of memory³⁴² in this kingdom,

               Which now to claim my vantage³⁴³ doth invite me.

HORATIO

HORATIO     Of that I shall have also cause to speak,

345

345         And from his mouth whose voice³⁴⁵ will draw on more:

               But let this same³⁴⁶ be presently performed,

               Even while men’s minds are wild,³⁴⁷ lest more mischance

               On³⁴⁸ plots and errors happen.

FORTINBRAS

FORTINBRAS     Let four captains

350

350         Bear Hamlet, like a soldier, to the stage,

               For he was likely, had he been put on,³⁵¹

               To have proved most royally: and for his passage,³⁵²

               The soldiers’ music and the rites of war

               Speak³⁵⁴ loudly for him.

355

355         Take up the body: such a sight as this

               Becomes the field,³⁵⁶ but here shows much amiss.

               Go, bid the soldiers shoot.

       Exeunt marching. After the which a peal of ordnance are shot off

Textual Notes

Q1 = First Quarto text of 1603 (of uncertain authority)

Q2 = Second Quarto text of 1604–05

Q1/Q2 = a reading in which the First Quarto and Second Quarto texts agree

F = First Folio text of 1623

F2 = a correction introduced in the Second Folio text of 1632

Ed = a correction introduced by a later editor

SD = stage direction

SH = speech heading (i.e., speaker’s name)

List of parts = Ed

1.1.70 he = Q1/Q2. Not in F 72 steelèd = Ed. Q1/Q2 = sleaded. F = sledded pole-axe = F (Pollax). Sometimes emended to Polacks 104 designed = F2. F = designe 126 haply spelled happily in F 151 say = Q1/Q2. F = sayes 167 Let’s = Q1/Q2. F = Let

1.2.8 sometime = Q2. F = sometimes 67 SH GERTRUDE = Ed. F = Queen. 129 solid = F. Q2 = sallied, sometimes emended to sullied 134 Seem = Q2. F = Seemes 141 beteem = Q2. F = beteene 207 distilled = Q1/Q2. F = bestil’d 212 Where, as = Ed. F = Whereas 221 its = Q4. F = it 232 SH MARCELLUS and BARNARDO = Ed. F = Both. 249 SH MARCELLUS and BARNARDO = Ed. F = All. 254 walk = Q1/Q2. F = wake 260 tenable = Q1/Q2. F = treble

1.3.18 will = Q2. F = feare 23 sanctity = F. Q2 = safety. Ed = sanity whole = Q2. F = weole 48 watchman Q2. F = watchmen 68 new-hatched = Q2. F = vnhatch’t 77 chief spelled cheff in F 113 Running = Ed. F = Roaming 121 Lends = Q1/Q2. F = Giues 132 dye = Q2. F = eye 134 bawds = Ed. F = bonds

1.4.10 wassail = Q1/Q2. F = wassels 23 intents = Q1/Q2. F = euents 37 the = Q1/Q2. F = thee; 54 summit = Ed. F = Sonnet 64 artery = Ed. F = Artire

1.5.23 on spelled an in F 33 I = Q2. Not in F 38 roots = Q1/Q2. F = rots 48 wit = Ed. F = wits with = Q1/Q2. F = hath 50 to his = Q1/Q2. F = to to this 74 eager spelled Aygre in F 76 barked = Q1/Q2. F = bak’d 112–13 My tables, My tables = F (in one line). Q1/Q2 does not repeat 122 SH HAMLET = Q2. F = Mar. 123 Hillo spelled Ilio in F 146 whirling spelled hurling in F 150 Horatio = Q2. F = my Lord 174 our = Q1/Q2. F = for 194 they = Q1/Q2. F = there

2.1.1 this = Q1/Q2. F = his 3 marvellous spelled maruels in F 15 As = Q2. F = And 65 carp = Q2. F = Cape 118 feared = Q2. F = feare

2.2.0 SD with others F has the Latin “Cum alijs” 17 Whether…thus = Q2. Not in F (compositor’s eyeskip?) 46 lord? I = Q2. F = lord? 48 and = Q1/Q2. F = one 55 fruit = Q2. F = Newes 127 solicitings = Q2. F = soliciting 167 does = Q2. F = ha’s 200 that you read = Q2. F = you meane 203 lack = Q2. F = locke 218 SD Enter … Guildenstern placed one line later in F 230 favours = Q2. F = fauour 267 of = Q1/Q2. Not in F 277 discovery, and = Q2. F = discouery of 280 heavily = Q2. F = heauenly 282 firmament = Q2. Not in F 309 berattle = F2. F = be-ratled 314–15 most like = Ed. F = like most 346 Roscius, an = F (Rossius an). Q1/Q2 = Rossius was an 350 came = Q2. F = can 353 individable = Q2. F = indiuible 371 pious = Q2. F = Pons 374 valanced = Q2. F = valiant 383 caviar spelled Caviarie in F 388–9 as…fine = Q2. Not in F 389 One = Q2. F = One cheefe 400 total = Q1/Q2. F = to take 408 So, proceed you. = Q2. Not in F 413 matched = Q2. F = match 417 this = Q2. F = his 437 fellies spelled Fallies in F 443 mobled = Q1/Q2. F = inobled (throughout) 485 wanned = Q2. F = warm’d 512 bawdy = Q2. F = a Bawdy 515 Why = Q2. F = Who

3.1.33 here = Q2. F = there 48 please you = Q2. F = please ye 53 sugar = Q2. F = surge 77 proud = Q2. F = poore 82 would these = F. Q2 = would 93 away = F. Q2 = awry 104 I know = F. Q2 = you know 106 their perfume lost = Q2. F = then perfume left 116 with = Q1/Q2. F = your 133 nowhere = Q2. F = no way 142 paintings = Q1/Q2. F = pratlings 143 face = Q1/Q2. F = pace jig spelled gidge in F 153 And = Q2. F = Haue 175 this = F. Q2 = his

3.2.3 with = Q2. Not in F 14 o’erstep = Q2. F = ore-stop 22 nor no man = Ed. F = or Norman 45 lick = Q2. F = like 47 fawning = Q2. F = faining 48 her = Q2. F = my 64 thy = Q2. F = my 69 stithy spelled Stythe in F heedful = Q2. F = needfull 82 mine now. = Ed. F = mine. Now 122 SH PROLOGUE = Ed. Not in F 128 SH PLAYER KING = Ed. F = King. 137 former = Q2. F = forme 157 you think = Q2. F = you. Think 167 either = Q2. F = other 168 enactures = Q2. F = ennactors 208 wince spelled winch in F 217 mis-take = Ed. F = mistake your = Q1/Q2. Not in F 256 SD Enter … Guildenstern occurs four lines earlier in F 280 as you = Q2. F = you 316 speak = Q2. Not in F 321 mass = Q2. F = Misse

3.3.15 weal = Q2. F = spirit 19 summit = Ed. F = Somnet

3.4.4 silence = F. Sometimes emended to sconce = conceal 13 a wicked = Q2. F = an idle (probably picked up by compositor from previous line) 37 better = Q2. F = Betters 50 sets = Q2. F = makes 72 brother = Q2. F = breath 86 And = Q2. F = As 120 do = Q2. Not in F 121 th’incorporal = Q2. F = their corporall 125 on = Ed. F = an 150 a = F. Q2 = that 157 ranker = Q2. F = ranke 158 these = Q2. F = this 180 bloat = Ed. F = blunt. Q2 = blowt 242 mother’s closet = Q2. F = Mother Clossets

4.1.14–15 ape an apple = Ed. F = Ape. Q = an apple

4.2.7 ne’er spelled neerer in F 23 ourselves = Q2. F = our selfe 25 SH KING Alas…worm = Q2. Not in F (probably due to printer’s error) 48 them = Q2. F = him

4.4.13 might = Q2. F = would 42 yield spelled dil’d in F 73 sorrows come = Q2. F = sorrows comes 74 battalions = Q2. F = Battaliaes 84 Feeds = Q2. F = Keepes 110 SH ALL FOLLOWERS = Ed. F = All. 116 that’s calm = Q2. F = that calmes 145 is’t = Q2. F = if 146 sweepstake spelled Soop-stake in F 151 pelican = Q2. F = Politician 159 SH ALL FOLLOWERS = Ed. Not in F 177 sing a-down = Q2. F = sing downe 181 pansies = Q2. F = Paconcies 202 commune = Q2. F = common

4.5.9 ambassador = Q2. F = Ambassadours 11 SH HORATIO = Ed. Not in F

4.6.26 aimed = Q2. F = arm’d 29 has = Ed. F = was 57 diest = Ed. F = diddest 69 since = Q2. F = hence 72 can = Q2. F = ran 95 What = Q2. F = Why 138 cunnings = Q2. F = commings 145 How now = F2. F = how 164 their = Q1/Q2. F = her 165 lay = Q2. F = buy

5.1.1 SH FIRST CLOWN = Ed. F = Clown 3 SH SECOND CLOWN = Ed. F = Other 8 to = Q2. F = an 74 of = Q2. F = of of 75 quiddities = Q2. F = Quiddits 88 sirrah = Q2. F = Sir 123 sexton = Q2. F = sixeteene 169 of = Q2. Not in F 198 treble woe = Q2. F = terrible woer 207 grief = Q2. F = griefes 209 Conjures = Q2. F = Coniure 220 SH HORATIO = Q2. F = Gen. 230 Woo’t fast? = Q2. Not in F 243 couplets = Q2. F = Cuplet 251 your = Q2. F = you

5.2.31 villainies = Ed. F = Villaines 39 effect = Q2. F = effects 52 ordinant = Q2. F = ordinate 58 sequent = Q2. F = sement 62 defeat = Q2. F = debate 78 interim is = Q2. F = interim’s 92 say = Q2. F = saw 110 king, sir = Q2. F = sir King 119 bet = Q2. F = but 122 laid on = Q2. F = one nine = Q2. F = mine 134 turn = Q2. F = tongue 136 has = Q2. F = had many = Q2. F = mine 143 ill all’s = Q2. F = all 148 it = Q2. Not in F 173 brother = Q2. F = Mother 180 ungored = Q2. F = vngorg’d 250 own = Q2. Not in F 253 swoons spelled sounds in F 256 Ho! spelled How! in F 297 SD shot = Ed. F = shout 308 cracks = Q2. F = cracke 314 This = Q2. F = His 316 shot = Q2. F = shoote 343 now = Q1/Q2. F = are 344 also = Q2. F = alwayes 347 while = Q2. F = whiles

Second Quarto passages that do not appear in the Folio

       Lines are numbered continuously, for ease of reference.

       Following 1.1.117:

BARNARDO

BARNARDO     I think it be no other but e’en so:

               Well may it sort that this portentous figure

               Comes armèd through our watch, so like the king

               That was and is the question of these wars.

5

5     

HORATIO

HORATIO     A mote⁵ it is to trouble the mind’s eye.

               In the most high and palmy state of Rome,

               A little ere the mightiest Julius fell,

               The graves stood tenantless and the sheeted dead

               Did squeak and gibber in the Roman streets:

10

10           As stars with trains of fire and dews of blood,

               Disasters in the sun, and the moist star

               Upon whose influence Neptune’s empire stands

               Was sick almost to doomsday with eclipse:

               And even the like precurse of feared¹⁴ events,

15

15           As harbingers preceding still the fates

               And prologue to the omen coming on,

               Have heaven and earth together demonstrated

               Unto our climatures and countrymen.—

       Following 1.2.59:

                                    wrung from me my slow leave

20

20           By laboursome petition, and at last

               Upon his will I sealed my hard consent.

       Following 1.4.18:

               This heavy-headed revel east and west

               Makes us traduced and taxed of other nations:

               They clepe²⁴ us drunkards, and with swinish phrase

25

25           Soil our addition: and indeed it takes

               From our achievements, though performed at height,

               The pith and marrow of our attribute.

               So, oft it chances in particular men

               That for some vicious mole of nature in them,

30

30           As in their birth — wherein they are not guilty,

               Since nature cannot choose his origin —

               By their o’ergrowth of some complexion,

               Oft breaking down the pales and forts of reason,

               Or by some habit that too much o’erleavens

35

35           The form of plausive manners, that these men,

               Carrying, I say, the stamp of one defect,

               Being nature’s livery, or fortune’s star,

               His virtues else — be they as pure as grace,

               As infinite as man may undergo —

40

40           Shall in the general censure take corruption

               From that particular fault: the dram of eale

               Doth all the noble substance often douse,⁴²

               To his own scandal.

       Following 1.4.58:

               The very place puts toys of desperation,

45

45           Without more motive, into every brain

               That looks so many fathoms to the sea

               And hears it roar beneath.

       Following 3.2.143:

               Where love is great, the littlest doubts are fear:

               Where little fears grow great, great love grows there.

       Following 3.2.188:

50

50           To desperation turn my trust and hope!

               An anchor’s⁵¹ cheer in prison be my scope,

       Following 3.4.78 (before “What devil was’t”):

               Sense sure, you have,

               Else could you not have motion: but sure that sense

               Is apoplexed, for madness would not err

55

55           Nor sense to ecstasy was ne’er so thralled

               But it reserved some quantity of choice,

               To serve in such a difference.

       Following 3.4.79:

               Eyes without feeling, feeling without sight,

               Ears without hands or eyes, smelling sans all,

60

60           Or but a sickly part of one true sense

               Could not so mope.

       Following 3.4.165:

               That monster, custom, who all sense doth eat

               Of habits devil, is angel yet in this,

               That to the use of actions fair and good

65

65           He likewise gives a frock or livery,

               That aptly is put on.

       Following 3.4.168 (before “Once more, goodnight”):

               the next more easy,

               For use almost can change the stamp of nature,

               And either [] the devil, or throw him out

70

70           With wondrous potency.

       Following 3.4.177:

               One word more, good lady.

       Following 3.4.200:

HAMLET

HAMLET     There’s letters sealed: and my two schoolfellows,

               Whom I will trust as I will adders fanged,

               They bear the mandate, they must sweep my way,

75

75           And marshal me to knavery. Let it work:

               For ’tis the sport to have the enginer

               Hoist with his own petard: and’t shall go hard

               But I will delve one yard below their mines

               And blow them at the moon. O, ’tis most sweet

80

80           When in one line two crafts directly meet.

       Following 4.3.9:

       Exeunt all [but the Captain]

       Enter Hamlet, Rosencrantz and others

HAMLET

HAMLET      Good sir, whose powers are these?

CAPTAIN

CAPTAIN      They are of Norway, sir.

HAMLET

HAMLET     How purposed, sir, I pray you?

CAPTAIN

CAPTAIN     Against some part of Poland.

85

85   

HAMLET

HAMLET           Who commands them, sir?

CAPTAIN

CAPTAIN     The nephew to old Norway, Fortinbras.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Goes it against the main of Poland, sir,

               Or for some frontier?

CAPTAIN

CAPTAIN     Truly to speak, and with no addition,

90

90           We go to gain a little patch of ground

               That hath in it no profit but the name.

               To pay five ducats, five, I would not farm it:

               Nor will it yield to Norway or the Pole

               A ranker rate, should it be sold in fee.

95

95   

HAMLET

HAMLET           Why, then the Polack never will defend it.

CAPTAIN

CAPTAIN     Yes, it is already garrisoned.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Two thousand souls and twenty thousand ducats

               Will not debate the question of this straw!

               This is th’imposthume of much wealth and peace,

100

100         That inward breaks, and shows no cause without

               Why the man dies. I humbly thank you, sir.

CAPTAIN

CAPTAIN     God buy you, sir.

       [Exit]

ROSENCRANTZ

ROSENCRANTZ     Will’t please you go, my lord?

HAMLET

HAMLET     I’ll be with you straight: go a little before.

       [Exeunt all but Hamlet]

105

105         How all occasions do inform against me,

               And spur my dull revenge. What is a man,

               If his chief good and market of his time

               Be but to sleep and feed? A beast, no more.

               Sure he that made us with such large discourse,

110

110         Looking before and after, gave us not

               That capability and godlike reason

               To fust in us unused. Now, whether it be

               Bestial oblivion, or some craven scruple

               Of thinking too precisely on th’event —

115

115         A thought which, quartered, hath but one part wisdom

               And ever three parts coward — I do not know

               Why yet I live to say this thing’s to do,

               Sith I have cause and will and strength and means

               To do’t. Examples gross as earth exhort me:

120

120         Witness this army of such mass and charge

               Led by a delicate and tender prince,

               Whose spirit with divine ambition puffed

               Makes mouths at the invisible event,

               Exposing what is mortal and unsure

125

125         To all that fortune, death and danger dare,

               Even for an eggshell. Rightly to be great

               Is not to stir without great argument,

               But greatly to find quarrel in a straw

               When honour’s at the stake. How stand I then,

130

130         That have a father killed, a mother stained,

               Excitements of my reason and my blood,

               And let all sleep, while to my shame I see

               The imminent death of twenty thousand men

               That, for a fantasy and trick of fame,

135

135         Go to their graves like beds, fight for a plot

               Whereon the numbers cannot try the cause,

               Which is not tomb enough and continent

               To hide the slain? O, from this time forth,

               My thoughts be bloody, or be nothing worth!

       Exit

       Following 4.6.43:

140

140         Of him that brought them.

       Following 4.6.69 (before “Some two months since”):

LAERTES

LAERTES     My lord, I will be ruled,

               The rather, if you could devise it so

               That I might be the organ.

KING

KING     It falls right.

145

145         You have been talked of since your travel much,

               And that in Hamlet’s hearing, for a quality

               Wherein they say you shine: your sum of parts

               Did not together pluck such envy from him

               As did that one, and that, in my regard,

150

150         Of the unworthiest siege.

LAERTES

LAERTES     What part is that, my lord?

KING

KING     A very ribbon in the cap of youth,

               Yet needful too, for youth no less becomes

               The light and careless livery that it wears

155

155         Than settled age his sables and his weeds

               Importing health and graveness.

       Following 4.6.90 (before “Sir, this report”):

               The scrimers of their nation,

               He swore had neither motion, guard, nor eye,

               If you opposed them.

       Following 4.6.103:

160

160         There lives within the very flame of love

               A kind of wick or snuff that will abate it:

               And nothing is at a like goodness still,

               For goodness, growing to a pleurisy,

               Dies in his own too much. That we would do,

165

165         We should do when we would, for this ‘would’ changes

               And hath abatements and delays as many

               As there are tongues, are hands, are accidents,

               And then this ‘should’ is like a spendthrift¹⁶⁸ sigh

               That hurts by easing. But, to the quick of th’ulcer:

       Following 5.2.105 (before “Sir, you are not ignorant of”):

170

               Sir, here is newly come to court Laertes — believe me, an absolute gentleman, full of most excellent differences, of very soft society and great showing: indeed, to speak feelingly¹⁷³ of him, he is the card or calendar of gentry, for you shall find in him the continent of what part a gentleman would see.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Sir, his definement suffers no perdition in you, though I know, to divide him inventorially would dizzy¹⁷⁸ th’arithmetic of memory, and yet but yaw neither, in respect of his quick sail. But, in the verity of extolment, I take him to be a soul of great article and his infusion of such dearth and rareness as, to make true diction of him, his semblable is his mirror and who else would trace him his umbrage, nothing more.

OSRIC¹⁸⁵

OSRIC¹⁸⁵     Your lordship speaks most infallibly of him.

HAMLET

HAMLET     The concernancy, sir? Why do we wrap the gentleman in our more rawer breath?

OSRIC

OSRIC     Sir?

HORATIO

HORATIO     Is’t not possible to understand in another tongue? You will do’t, sir, really.

HAMLET

HAMLET     What imports the nomination of this gentleman?

OSRIC

OSRIC     Of Laertes?

HORATIO

HORATIO     His purse is empty already: all’s golden words are spent.

HAMLET

HAMLET     Of him, sir.

OSRIC

OSRIC     I know you are not ignorant—

HAMLET

HAMLET     I would you did, sir. Yet in faith if you did, it would not much approve me. Well, sir?

OSRIC

OSRIC     You are not ignorant of what excellence Laertes is—

HAMLET

HAMLET     I dare not confess that, lest I should compare with him in excellence: but to know a man well were to know himself.

OSRIC

OSRIC     I mean, sir, for his weapon: but in the imputation laid on him, by them in his meed, he’s unfellowed.

       Following 5.2.114:

HORATIO

HORATIO     I knew you must be edified by the margent ere you had done.

       Following 5.2.140:

       Enter a Lord

LORD

LORD     My lord, his majesty commended him to you by young Osric, who brings back to him that you attend him in the hall: he sends to know if your pleasure hold to play with Laertes or that you will take longer time.

HAMLET

HAMLET     I am constant to my purposes, they follow the king’s pleasure: if his fitness speaks, mine is ready. Now or whensoever, provided I be so able as now.

LORD

LORD     The king and queen and all are coming down.

HAMLET

HAMLET     In happy time.

LORD

LORD     The queen desires you to use some gentle entertainment to Laertes before you fall to play.

HAMLET

HAMLET     She well instructs me.

       [Exit Lord]

Textual Notes

Q2 = Second Quarto text of 1604/05

Q3 = a correction introduced in the Third Quarto text of 1611

Ed = a correction introduced by a later editor

Act 1 Scene 1

    *    List of parts: KING called Claudius in his first entry direction, but never named in the dialogue, so a theater audience would not know what he is called

 1.1    Location: the gun terrace of the royal castle at Elsinore, Denmark

    2    me Francisco asserts that, as the sentry on guard, he is the one who should be making the challenge    unfold reveal/identify

    6    carefully…hour responsibly at your appointed time

  14    rivals partners

  16    ground country

  17    liegemen…Dane sworn servants of the Danish king

  18    Give God give

  27    fantasy imagination

  29    Touching concerning    of by

  30    along to come along

  31    watch remain awake during/keep guard through

  33    approve corroborate the reliability of

  36    assail attack

  41    Last…all this very night past

  42    yond yonder, that    pole Pole Star (i.e., North Star)

  43    t’illume to illuminate

  47    figure appearance/likeness

  48    scholar i.e., one knowledgeable enough to know how to address a ghost; a ghost was thought to be unable to speak until spoken to

  49    Mark it observe it closely

  50    harrows wounds/distresses

  51    would wants to

  53    usurp’st wrongfully occupies (both the night and the form of the dead king)

  55    Denmark the King of Denmark

  56    sometimes formerly    charge order

  63    on’t of it

  65    sensible perceptible to the senses    avouch assurance

  70    Norway King of Norway

  71    parle negotiation

  72    steelèd pole-axe halberd or similar long-handled weapon (tempered with steel) carried by the bodyguard of a king

  76    In…not i.e., I don’t know exactly what to think    work occupy myself, engage

  77    gross and scope general drift

  78    eruption disturbance, turmoil

  79    Good now a polite entreaty for attention

  81    toils causes to toil    subject subjects

  82    cast casting, manufacturing    brazen brass

  83    mart trading

  84    impress conscription

  85    Does…week i.e., they work seven days a week including Sundays

  86    toward impending/afoot

  90    whisper rumor

  93    Thereto…pride refers to Fortinbras, not Hamlet, the Danish king    pricked spurred    emulate ambitious, rivalrous

  96    sealed compact formally certified agreement

  99    seized on legally possessed of

100    moiety competent sufficient portion

101    gagèd pledged    had returned would have gone

103    cov’nant i.e., the    sealed compact

104    carriage…designed carrying out of the clause that had been drawn up in it

106    unimprovéd untested/undisciplined/uncensured    mettle temperament, spirit

107    skirts outlying parts

108    sharked up gathered up indiscriminately, as a shark does fish/seized upon like a predator    list troop    resolutes resolved people/desperadoes

109    For…enterprise i.e., men who will serve in return for food/men who will serve to feed the enterprise

110    a stomach courage/an appetite

111    state governing powers

113    compulsative compulsory

116    head origin

117    post-haste great speed    rummage turmoil, bustle

118    soft wait a moment    Lo look

119    cross it challenge it/make the sign of the cross at it/cross its path (believed to expose one to evil influence)    blast wither/destroy

126    haply perhaps

127    uphoarded hoarded up

128    Extorted wrongfully obtained

131    partisan long-handled spear

132    stand stop, remain

147    Th’extravagant and erring the wandering and straying (out of bounds)    hies hastens

148    confine specific region/place of confinement

149    probation proof

151    gainst in anticipation of/just before

152    our Saviour i.e., Jesus Christ

153    bird of dawning i.e., the cock

155    wholesome healthy (damp night air was usually viewed as noxious)    strike destroy with evil influence

156    talks whispers spells (some editors prefer Quarto’s “takes,” enchants/steals)    charm cast spells

157    hallowed holy    gracious full of divine grace

159    russet reddish-brown (from the coarse cloth of that color)

Act 1 Scene 2

  1.2    Location: the royal castle at Elsinore

    2    green fresh

    4    contracted knit together

    5    discretion good judgment, reason

    8    sometime former

    9    jointress widow with rights to property that she formerly owned with her husband

  11    one…eye one eye looking cheerfully to the future and the other downcast and tearful

  13    dole sorrow

  14    barred ignored/excluded

  17    that you know what you should know, that/what you already know

  18    supposal estimate

  21    Colleaguèd joined, allied    dream…advantage illusion of his superior position/dream of what he might gain

  23    Importing concerning

  29    impotent powerless, frail    bedrid bedridden

  31    His i.e., Fortinbras’    gait proceeding    in…subject since the full number of troops mustered is drawn from his (the king’s) subjects

  37    To for

  38    dilated articles detailed, fully expressed terms

  39    haste…duty speedy departure, rather than words, convey your dutifulness

  41    nothing not at all

  43    suit formal request

  44    Dane Danish king

  45    lose your voice waste your words

  46    That…asking that I shall not give you rather than have you ask for it

  47    native closely related

  48    instrumental serviceable

  51    Dread my lord my revered lord

  52    leave and favour kind permission

  57    bow them submit themselves    leave and pardon indulgent permission

  62    graces qualities/virtues

  63    cousin a general term for a relative

  64    A…kind i.e., after his marriage to Gertrude, Claudius has become more closely (too closely) related to Hamlet, but the relationship is lacking in natural feeling    kind natural/familial/affectionate

  67    nightly colour dark mourning clothes/gloomy demeanor

  69    veilèd lids lowered eyes

  71    common universal; in his reply, Hamlet engineers a dig at Gertrude by playing on the senses of “vulgar/whorish”

  75    particular specific, personal

  78    customary habitual to me/socially conventional

  79    suspiration sighing

  81    ’haviour…visage facial expression

  82    moods outward expressions of mood

  83    denote depict

  85    passeth surpasses, exceeds

  92    obsequious relating to obsequies (commemorative rites for the dead)    persever persevere

  93    condolement grieving

  95    incorrect disobedient

  96    impatient unwilling to endure (suffering)

  99    any…sense the most ordinary thing we may experience

100    peevish stubborn, willful

101    Fie expression of disgust or indignation

104    still always

107    unprevailing unavailing, pointless

109    most immediate i.e., heir

112    For as for

113    Wittenberg city in Germany, home to a well-known Protestant university

114    retrograde contrary

115    bend you incline yourself

123    gentle kind/noble    accord consent

124    grace whereof thanksgiving for which

125    jocund health merry toast    Denmark i.e., himself, king of Denmark

126    tell report/count out (i.e., a celebratory cannon shot will be fired for each toast)

127    rouse (drinking of a) full draught of liquor    bruit proclaim/celebrate

128    Re-speaking echoing, repeating

130    resolve dissolve

131    Everlasting i.e., God

132    canon law, decree

134    uses habits, customary practices

136    rank and gross coarsely profuse in growth

137    merely completely

139    to compared to

140    Hyperion Greek god of the sun, and one of the Titans    satyr mythological creature, part-man and part-goat (often associated with lechery)

141    beteem permit

147    or ere before

149    Niobe for boasting that she had more children than the goddess Leto, Niobe’s offspring were killed; she grieved until she was turned into a stone, from which tears continued to stream

150    wants…reason lacks the faculty of reason

153    Hercules famously strong Greek hero who completed twelve arduous labors

154    unrighteous wicked/insincere

155    flushing redness    gallèd sore, irritated

156    post rush (literally, ride swiftly)

164    change…you exchange the name of    servant for that of    friend/exchange the name of servant with you (and become yours)/mutually exchange the name of friend with you

165    make you from are you doing away from

167    even evening (also used in the afternoon)

169    truant lazy, negligent

175    ere before

179    hard close

180    Thrift economy    baked meats meat pies, pastries

182    dearest closest, greatest

190    yesternight last night

194    Season your admiration control your astonishment

195    attent attentive    deliver report

201    waste desolate expanse (puns on “waist”)

203    at all points in every respect    cap-à-pie from head to foot

205    Goes walks/passes along

206    oppressed and fear-surprisèd overcome and taken prisoner by fear

207    truncheon staff carried as a symbol of military authority    distilled dissolved

208    act action/influence

210    dreadful full of dread and fear

215    These…like my two hands are not more alike than the ghost was like your father

217    platform terrace on which guns were mounted

221    address…speak prepare itself for action as if it were about to speak

238    beaver visor of a helmet

240    countenance facial expression

248    tell count

251    grizzly gray

253    sable silvered black mixed with silver hairs

255    warrant assure

260    tenable capable of being held    still plays on the sense of “silent”

263    requite reward

269    doubt suspect/fear

Act 1 Scene 3

 1.3    Location: within the castle

    2    as whenever

    3    convoy is assistant transport (for letters) is available

    7    toy in blood amorous whim

    8    primy in its prime/early/wonderful/sexually excited

    9    Froward perverse/obstinate/willful/ungovernable

  10    suppliance fulfillment/pastime

  11    but so than that

  13    crescent growing

  14    thews bodily proportions, muscles    temple i.e., body (the temple of the soul)

  16    withal with it

  17    soil nor cautel stain nor deceit

  18    will intent/(sexual) desire

  19    weighed being considered

  21    unvalued i.e., without rank

  22    Carve choose (from the image of serving oneself meat; with sexual connotations)

  23    sanctity inviolability/worthiness of religious respect

  25    yielding consent

  28    peculiar…force particular circumstances of rank and power

  30    main voice general agreement    withal along with

  32    credent credulous, trusting    list listen to

  33    chaste treasure i.e., virginity (treasure was slang for “vagina”)

  34    unmastered importunity unrestrained persistence

  36    keep…affection i.e., do not advance headlong into the dangerous territory your affection might lead you into    rear back portion of an army, which moves last

  37    shot maintains the military image, with suggestions of phallic attack

  38    chariest most modest/cautious/frugal

  39    If she i.e., if she does no more than    moon symbol of chastity

  40    scapes escapes    calumnious strokes slanderous blows

  41    canker cankerworm, a grub that destroys plants    galls wounds, destroys    infants…spring i.e., young plants

  42    buttons be disclosed buds be open

  44    blastments blights/withering

  46    to against

  49    ungracious ungodly

  51    puffed swollen with pride and vanity

  53    recks heeds    rede advice

  54    fear me not do not worry about me

  55    stay delay

  56    double blessing i.e., a second chance to say goodbye to and receive the blessing of Polonius

  57    Occasion opportunity    leave leave-taking, farewell

  60    stayed waited

  62    See thou character make sure that you inscribe

  63    unproportioned immoderate/unruly    his its

  64    familiar friendly, sociable

  65    adoption tried worthiness to be adopted as friends having been tested

  66    Grapple fasten firmly

  67    dull thy palm i.e., by shaking hands too often

  68    unfledged still unfeathered (i.e., new, untried)

  70    Bear’t that th’opposèd manage it so that your opponent

  72    censure judgment/opinion

  73    habit clothing

  74    fancy elaborate, fanciful style

  77    Are…that are of a most distinguished and noble pre-eminence in their choice garments

  80    husbandry economy

  83    false dishonest, disloyal

  84    season ripen    this i.e., his advice

  86    tend await

  93    touching concerning

  94    Marry by the Virgin Mary    bethought thought of

  97    audience hearing, reception

  98    put on conveyed to/impressed upon

101    behoves befits, is appropriate for

103    tenders offers (Polonius subsequently shifts the sense to “offers of money”)

105    green inexperienced/gullible

106    Unsifted untested

111    sterling true currency    Tender…dearly take greater care of yourself/value yourself more highly/offer yourself at a higher rate

112    crack…of make broken-winded, i.e., wear out

113    Running the image is of urging a horse    tender…fool show yourself up to be a fool/show me to be a fool/present me with an illegitimate baby

114    importuned entreated persistently

116    fashion shifts the sense from Ophelia’s “manner” to “mere form/passing fancy”    Go to expression of dismissive impatience

117    countenance authority/confirmation

119    springes snares    woodcocks birds that were easily caught, hence regarded as stupid, gullible

120    prodigal prodigally, liberally

122    extinct…a-making i.e., both light and heat are extinguished in such passionate declarations even as they are being uttered

124    For this time for the time being

125    scanter more sparing

126    entreatments discussions/military negotiations

127    command to parley call from the enemy for the negotiation of terms (i.e., Ophelia is not obliged to meet with and possibly discuss surrender to Hamlet simply because he requests it)

130    in few in short

131    brokers negotiators/go-betweens/pimps

132    investments clothes

133    mere implorators out-and-out pleaders    suits requests/courtship (plays on the sense of “clothing”)

134    bawds procurers, pimps

135    beguile deceive    for all once for all/in sum

137    moment moment of

139    Come your ways come along

Act 1 Scene 4

 1.4    Location: the gun terrace of the royal castle at Elsinore

    1    shrewdly sharply, keenly

    2    eager biting

    4    lacks of is just before

    7    held his wont has been accustomed    flourish trumpet fanfare accompanying a person in authority

    9    wake stay up/revel    takes his rouse carouses

  10    Keeps wassail revels/drinks heartily    the…reels drunkenly dances the upspring, a German dance

  11    Rhenish German wine from area around the River Rhine

  12    kettledrum type of drum often associated with the Danes    bray…pledge i.e., raucously celebrate the king’s fulfillment of his earlier promise to drain a full draught of liquor

  17    manner custom

  18    More…observance better being broken than observed

  20    ministers of grace God’s messengers, angels

  21    Be thou whether you are    health benevolence/salvation    goblin demon

  24    questionable shape form that invites question

  28    canonized consecrated, buried according to Christian rite (three syllables, stress on second)    hearsèd entombed

  29    cerements grave clothes    sepulchre tomb

  30    inurned enclosed/buried

  31    ponderous weighty

  32    cast vomit

  33    complete steel full armor

  34    glimpses…moon earth by moonlight, literally “flashes of moonlight”

  35    hideous frightening, full of horror    fools of nature ignorant mortals/playthings of nature

  36    horridly dreadfully/with horror    disposition ordinary temperaments/mental composure

  38    Wherefore? Why?

  40    impartment communication

  43    wafts waves, beckons

  49    a pin’s fee the (tiny) worth of a pin

  53    flood sea

  55    beetles o’er overhangs (like frowning eyebrows)

  57    deprive…reason remove your reason from its position of control

  64    artery thought not to convey blood, but the ethereal fluid known as “vital spirits”

  65    Nemean lion supposedly invincible beast strangled by Hercules as one of his twelve labors    nerve sinew, tendon

  67    lets hinders

  69    waxes grows

  71    Have after let’s follow    issue outcome

  73    it i.e., the    issue

Act 1 Scene 5

    2    Mark listen, pay attention to

    9    unfold reveal

  10    bound ready/under obligation

  17    But were it not

  20    harrow up distress/tear up

  21    like…spheres individual stars and planets were thought to be contained within concentric hollow spheres that revolved around the earth

  22    knotty…locks neat and carefully styled hair

  24    porpentine porcupine

  25    eternal blazon revelation of the secrets of the eternal world

  26    List listen

  31    in the best even at best

  34    meditation thought

  35    sweep swoop in sudden attack

  36    apt fit/ready/responsive

  37    duller…be you would be more sluggish

  38    Lethe wharf the banks of the Lethe, the river of forgetfulness in the classical underworld

  40    orchard garden

  42    forgèd process fabricated account

  43    Rankly excessively/foully

  47    adulterate adulterous

  48    gifts natural talents/presents

  51    will sexual desire

  53    dignity worth, excellence

  55    decline Upon sink to

  58    virtue, as it as virtue

  61    sate itself become satiated/grow weary

  62    garbage filth/animal entrails

  66    secure carefree, unsuspecting

  67    hebenon a poisonous substance—possibly “henbane” or “yew” (hebenus)

  69    leperous distilment distillation causing leprosy-like symptoms (i.e., corrosion of the skin)

  71    quicksilver liquid mercury

  73    posset And curd clot, curdle

  74    eager sour/acid

  76    tetter eruption of the skin    barked about covered with a barklike crust

  77    lazar-like leperlike

  80    dispatched deprived through death

  82    Unhouseled, disappointed, unaneled without having received Holy Communion (the “housel”), unprepared, and without having received extreme unction (being anointed with holy oil before death)

  83    reckoning settling of debts    account i.e., judgment

  86    nature natural feeling

  88    luxury lust

  90    Taint pollute

  91    aught anything

  94    matin morning

  95    ’gins begins    uneffectual i.e., no longer providing light

  97    host angels

  98    couple add (to heaven and earth)

102    distracted distressed, agitated    globe world/head (plays on the name of the Globe Theatre)

103    table writing tablet, slate

104    fond foolish    records memories/written accounts

105    saws sayings, maxims    pressures impressions, stamps

110    pernicious destructive/wicked

113    meet fitting

116    word watchword/motto

124    Hillo…come Hamlet mockingly responds as if Horatio’s call were that of a falconer summoning his bird to return

125    How is’t how is it with you, how are you

127    wonderful astonishing, extraordinary

132    once ever

136    arrant downright/notorious

140    circumstance roundabout talk/details

142    as i.e., in the direction that

150    Saint Patrick the keeper of Purgatory

152    honest genuine (i.e., not an evil spirit)

154    O’ermaster’t repress it

161    not I i.e., I will not tell (not “I will not swear”)

163    sword i.e., the hilt of the sword (the shape of a cross)

166    under the stage accessed through the trapdoor, this region was often associated with hell

167    truepenny honest fellow

168    cellarage cellars

174    Hic et ubique? “Here and everywhere?” (Latin)

181    pioneer soldier whose responsibility it was to dig trenches    remove move

183    stranger i.e., one in need of hospitality

186    never…mercy never, as you hope for God’s mercy (Hamlet begins the oath)

187    How…soe’er however strangely or oddly

189    antic grotesque/fantastic/bizarre

191    encumbered entangled (i.e., folded)    headshake shaking the head

192    doubtful ambiguous

193    an if if

194    list wished ‘There…might’ there are those who might tell, if they could

195    giving out utterance/suggestion note indicate

200    commend me entrust myself

201    what whatever

202    friending friendship

204    still always

205    The time things generally, the age    out of joint dislocated, disordered

Act 2 Scene 1

 2.1    Location: within the royal castle at Elsinore; this remains the location for all scenes until Act 4 Scene 3

    3    marvellous marvelosly, extremely

    4    you i.e., if you

    8    Inquire me inquire (me is emphatic)    Danskers Danes

    9    keep lodge

  11    encompassment roundabout manner of talking    drift general aim

  12    come…it you will come closer to the truth than you would were you to ask specific, pointed questions

  14    Take you assume, affect

  20    Addicted devoted or inclined to

  21    forgeries fabrications    rank excessive/coarse

  23    wanton boisterous/wild/lustful    slips flaws, foibles

  26    gaming gambling

  28    Drabbing using prostitutes

  30    season…charge moderate the accusation

  32    incontinency excessive sexual license

  33    quaintly artfully, skillfully

  34    taints of liberty faults resulting from too much freedom

  36    savageness wildness    unreclaimèd untamed

  37    Of general assault by which all men are affected

  41    drift intention/plan

  42    fetch of warrant legitimate stratagem

  44    As ’twere as if he were    i’th’working in the handling, the manufacture

  45    party in converse the person with whom you are conversing    sound question, probe

  46    Having ever if he has ever    prenominate aforementioned

  47    breathe of speak about (i.e., Laertes)

  48    closes…consequence agrees with you in the following way

  50    addition form of address

  56    ay, marry yes, by the Virgin Mary, i.e., yes, of course

  60    o’ertook in’s rouse overcome in his carousals (i.e., drunk)

  63    Videlicet “that is to say” (Latin)

  65    carp type of fish

  66    we…reach we who are wise and widely perceptive

  67    windlasses roundabout routes    assays of bias indirect ventures

  68    directions the way things are really going

  69    lecture lesson

  70    have understand

  72    buy i.e., be with

  74    Observe…yourself observe his behavior in person/go along with his inclinations

  76    ply his music (literally) practice his musical skills/(metaphorically) go his own way

  77    Well very well

  82    doublet close-fitting jacket with buttons down the front    unbraced undone

  83    No hat Elizabethans usually wore hats indoors when in company

  84    Ungartered falling down, untied (garters were bands that held the stockings in place)    down-gyvèd fallen down and resembling fetters (gyves)

  86    purport meaning

  93    goes…arm he backs away until he stands at arm’s length

  96    As as if

105    bended their light i.e., directed their gaze

107    ecstasy frenzy, madness

108    Whose…itself the violent nature of which causes self-destruction

117    speed profit/promptness

118    quoted observed

119    wreck dishonor, ruin sexually    beshrew my jealousy curse my suspicion

120    proper…age i.e., typical of old men

121    cast beyond ourselves miscalculate/miss the mark (another angling metaphor)

124    close secret    move…love cause more unhappiness by concealment than unpleasantness by coming forward

Act 2 Scene 2

    2    Moreover that in addition to the fact that

  10    deem think, discern/judge

  12    neighboured to familiar with    humour temperament

  13    vouchsafe your rest consent to stay

  16    occasions opportunities

  18    opened revealed

  21    more adheres is more attached

  22    gentry courtesy

  24    supply and profit fulfillment and advancement

  28    of over

  29    dread pleasures revered wishes

  32    in…bent to the utmost

  40    practices actions (perhaps playing on the sense of “schemes”)

  45    still always

  47    hold regard/uphold

  50    policy shrewdness/statecraft

  55    fruit i.e., dessert

  56    grace honor (plays on sense of “prayer before a meal”)

  58    distemper illness, derangement

  59    doubt suspect    main chief concern

  61    sift him question him (Polonius) closely

  63    desires good wishes

  64    Upon our first as soon as we raised the matter

  66    Polack Polish/King of Poland

  69    impotence frailty, helplessness

  70    borne in hand deluded, taken advantage of    arrests orders to cease military activity

  72    fine conclusion

  74    give…arms attempt to use force

  76    crowns gold coins (of varying values according to the countries they were used in)

  77    commission authority

  80    quiet pass safe passage

  82    On…allowance i.e., according to conditions regarding the safety of Denmark and your permission for such an enterprise

  84    likes pleases

  85    at…time when we have the time for proper consideration

  91    expostulate discuss/ask

  95    wit intellect/good sense

  98    for…mad Polonius means that it would be mad to attempt to define madness, but ends up implying, rather nonsensically, that the definition of madness is “being mad”

104    figure figure of speech

108    this…cause this defective behavior (Hamlet’s madness) has a cause

110    Thus…thus this is the current state of affairs, and now for the rest    Perpend consider

113    gather, and surmise collect your thoughts, draw your conclusions (or gather maybe a request to Claudius and Gertrude to draw closer and look at the letter)

115    these i.e., this letter/these phrases

118    faithful i.e., to the letter/in reading the letter fully

121    Doubt in this third line the sense shifts to “suspect”

123    ill…numbers poor at writing verse    reckon my groans count my groans/make my groans scan poetically

125    machine is to bodily structure belongs to

127    more above moreover

128    fell out occurred

133    fain willingly

138    played…table-book remained silent and withheld the information/assisted in conveying messages between them

139    given…winking closed the eyes of my heart

140    with idle sight complacently/without recognizing its significance

141    round roundly, in a forthright manner

142    bespeak address/speak angrily to

143    out…star beyond your reach/outside your destiny

144    precepts instructions

145    resort visits

150    a watch sleeplessness

151    lightness light-headedness    declension decline (plays on the grammatical sense)

161    circumstances circumstantial evidence

163    centre i.e., of the earth

164    try test

168    loose set loose (often used of an animal; sometimes with the sense of releasing the female to the male for sex, which would lend sexual connotations to encounter)

169    arras large tapestry wall hanging

171    thereon on that account

172    assistant…state policy adviser

173    carters cart drivers

175    sadly solemnly

177    board accost    presently immediately    give me leave a polite way of asking to be left alone

179    God-a-mercy God have mercy (i.e., thank you)

181    fishmonger plays on slang senses of “lecher” and “pimp”

188    good kissing carrion good piece of rotting flesh to kiss (carrion also suggests “whore”)

191    i’th’sun in public/in the sun (or “son”) that causes breeding    conception understanding/becoming pregnant

198    matter content (Hamlet plays on sense of “cause of a dispute”)

202    purging discharging    amber…gum tree resin

203    hams legs

205    honesty decent/honorable    old as old

210    pregnant meaningful/quick-witted (with childbearing connotations, continued in delivered of)

211    happiness fortuitousness

212    suddenly immediately

216    withal with

225    indifferent ordinary, average

226    Happy fortunate

227    button i.e., point at the very top of the cap

230    favours sexual favors (middle has vaginal connotations)

231    privates ordinary citizens/genitals

232    strumpet prostitute

236    particular detail

241    confines places of confinement    wards prison cells

249    substance…ambitious material that fuels ambition/stuff ambitious men are made of

254    Then…shadows i.e., if ambition is nothing but shadow, then only unambitious beggars have bodily substance; their shadows must then be made up of ambitious people such as monarchs and heroes outstretched reaching out ambitiously/elongated like shadows

255    fay faith

256    wait upon accompany (Hamlet emphasizes the sense of “serve”)

257    No such matter i.e., I’ll have no such thing    sort class

258    dreadfully attended poorly waited upon (with possible play on sense of “haunted by dire visions”)

259    beaten way well-trodden path

262    too…halfpenny too expensive at a halfpenny (i.e., worthless)/too expensive by a halfpenny (if the visitors are not being honest about the reason for their visit)

266    anything…purpose anything irrelevant, any lie you wish

267    modesties decency/sense of shame    colour disguise, excuse

270    conjure entreat, appeal to

271    consonancy harmony, friendship

272    what more dear whatever more precious thing    proposer questioner    charge urge, entreat

273    even level/honest

275    of on

277    my…discovery my saying it first means that you are not forced to reveal anything

278    moult no feather remain undiminished

279    custom of exercise usual pursuits/gentlemanly activities

280    heavily dejectedly    frame framework, structure (like canopy, may also evoke the physical structure of the theater building)

281    sterile promontory barren point of land jutting out into the sea

282    brave splendid    firmament sky    fretted adorned

285    express well-designed/expressive/exact

286    apprehension understanding

287    quintessence essence/purest form (literally the “fifth essence,” of which heavenly bodies were composed and supposedly present in all matter)

291    Lenten entertainment poor reception/meager employment, i.e., appropriate to Lent

292    coted overtook

294    tribute homage/payment

295    foil and target sword and shield

296    gratis for nothing    humorous moody or ill-tempered (with an imbalance of the four bodily “humors,” fluids thought to control mood)

297    tickled o’th’sear easily triggered (to laughter)    sear part of the mechanism involved in firing a gun

298    halt limp (if the actor playing the lady is interrupted by heckling from the audience the rhythm of his speech will be lost)

299    wont accustomed

300    residence remaining in their usual home

302    inhibition (city) ban on performing plays    late innovation recent political insurrection/new fashion for boy actors

303    estimation reputation

308    eyrie nest/brood    eyases young hawks    cry…question shrilly dominate the debate (i.e., the rivalry between child and adult acting companies)

309    tyrannically outrageously/vehemently    berattle…stages clamor against the public theaters (where the adult acting companies perform)

310    many…thither many fashionable young men hardly dare attend the public theaters as they are so afraid of being mocked by the playwrights working for the boy actors

312    escoted supported

313    quality (acting) profession    no…sing i.e., only until their voices break

314    common i.e., adult

315    like likely    means financial resources

316    succession future professions

318    tar incite    no…question the acting companies paid for the plots of no new plays unless they featured the quarrel between the children’s dramatists and the adult actors (or “without the playwright and the adult acting company coming to blows over the controversy”)

322    carry it away win the day

323    his load i.e., the world, carried on Hercules’ shoulders (possibly a reference to the emblem of the Globe Theatre)

325    mows mouths, grimaces    ducats gold coins

326    picture in little miniature portrait    more than natural i.e., unnatural

327    philosophy science    Flourish trumpet fanfare

330    appurtenance appropriate accompaniment    comply observe proper courtesies

331    garb appropriate manner    extent the behavior I extend    fairly courteously

332    entertainment welcome

335    but mad north-north-west only mad when the wind is in the north-northwest/only slightly mad (like a faulty compass that points north-northwest rather than north)

336    handsaw handheld saw (some editors emend to “hernshaw,” a type of heron)

339    swathing-clouts swaddling clothes in which a newborn baby was wrapped

340    Happily perhaps

342    You…indeed Hamlet pretends to Polonius that he is mid-conversation with his friends

346    Roscius a famous Roman actor

348    Buzz, buzz! dismissive exclamation made in response to idle gossip or old news

350    ass may pun on “arse”

353    scene individable a play observing the unities of time, place and action/a play whose genre is unclassifiable    poem unlimited dramatic verse (a play) that does not observe the unities of time, place, and action/a play whose genre is all-inclusive/a play that explores a general rather than a specific question (a rhetorical application of unlimited)    Seneca Roman writer of tragedies

354    heavy sorrowful/weighty    Plautus Roman writer of comedies    For…liberty for plays written according to the rules and for those that disregard all prescriptions

356    O…thou? In the Bible, Jephthah vowed to God that if he was successful in war he would sacrifice the first creature he met on his return home; he encountered his daughter but kept his word

359    ‘One…well’ lines from a well-known ballad    passing surpassingly, exceedingly

365    follows not is not logical/is not the next line

368    lot chance    wot knows

370    like likely

371    row line    chanson song

372    my abridgements things that cut me short/entertainment (in either case, the arrival of the players)

374    valenced fringed (with a beard)

375    beard defy, affront (plays on the usual sense)    By’r lady by Our Lady (the Virgin Mary)

376    your ladyship addressed to a teenage apprentice actor who plays women’s parts

377    chopine high woman’s shoe with a very thick platform sole    uncurrent not legal tender    cracked…ring i.e., broken, and therefore unfit for women’s roles, with play on the sense of “deflowered” (coins featured the monarch’s head within a ring; if the coin was damaged within the ring it was no longer valid)

378    e’en to’t go straight to it

379    straight straight away

380    quality skill

383    caviar…general i.e., wasted on the unappreciative multitude

385    cried…of was superior to    digested arranged

386    modesty restraint/propriety    cunning skill, artistry

387    sallets salads or their components (i.e., spicy parts, vulgar phrases)    savoury highly flavored

388    indict accuse    as…fine this line is missing from the Folio text, probably due to printer’s error (the same goes for the short line at the end of Hamlet’s speech)

389    handsome than fine seemly and graceful rather than showy

390    Aeneas’…Dido after the Trojan War Aeneas landed at Carthage, where Dido was queen; he told of his experiences and she fell in love with him

391    Priam king of Troy, killed by Pyrrhus during the attack on his city

393    rugged harsh, severe    Pyrrhus Achilles’ son; after the death of his father in the Trojan War, he took part in the conflict and was noted for his vengeful savagery    th’Hyrcanian beast the tiger of Hyrcania (land bordering the Caspian sea), known for its ferocity

395    sable black

397    couchèd hidden    ominous horse fateful wooden horse by which the Greeks gained access to Troy

399    heraldry more dismal i.e., blood, imaged as heraldic markings    dismal ominous, fatal

400    total gules entirely red (gules is a heraldic term)    tricked adorned/delineated (heraldic term for the sketching of a coat of arms)

402    impasted dried into a crust    parching scorching (because burning)

403    tyrannous harsh

405    o’er-sizèd covered, as if with size (a sticky substance used to treat paper)/rendered larger (through a thick covering of blood)    coagulate coagulated, congealed

406    carbuncles red gems supposed to emit light in the dark

407    grandsire grandfather (Priam had fifty sons and numerous grandchildren)

409    discretion judgment

410    Anon shortly

411    too short inadequately (presumably because of his old age)    antique old

413    Repugnant resistant

415    whiff and wind i.e., mere slicing through the air    fell fierce

416    Th’unnervèd the weakened    senseless incapable of feeling    Ilium Troy/the royal palace at Troy

419    Takes…ear i.e., the noise arrests him in mid-action

420    declining descending    milky white with age

422    painted motionless as if in a painting/blood-covered

423    like…matter suspended between his will and its effect

425    against in anticipation of/before

426    rack clouds

427    orb i.e., earth

429    region sky

431    Cyclops one-eyed giants who worked for the blacksmith god Vulcan making armor for the gods

432    Mars his Mars’ (Roman god of war)    proof eterne eternal impenetrability

433    remorse pity

436    synod assembly

437    fellies pieces of wood that form the rim of a wheel    wheel the wheel of fortune, according to the turns of which men rose or fell

438    nave central part of the wheel, the hub

441    jig a light, often bawdy, entertainment that took place after the main play and involved singing and dancing

442    Hecuba wife of King Priam

443    who whoever    mobled muffled/veiled

447    bisson rheum blinding tears    clout cloth

448    late recently    diadem crown

449    lank shrunken, empty    o’er-teemèd exhausted with childbearing

451    Who…seen whoever had seen this

452    state rule, government    pronounced spoken

458    milch milk-producing, i.e., tearful

459    passion (produced) grief

460    whe’er whether

463    bestowed lodged    used treated

464    abstracts summaries, epitomes

466    desert merit, worth

467    God’s bodikins by God’s little body    after according to

469    bounty generosity

474    ha’t have it    for a need if necessary    study memorize

483    But merely

484    conceit imagination

485    her i.e., conceit’s, imagination’s    wanned paled

486    distraction distress, agitation    aspect expression/glance

487    his…conceit all of his natural powers furnishing actions to match his imaginings

492    motive provocation (modern sense of “motivation” of a dramatic character did not yet exist, though    cue is clearly an actor’s term)

494    horrid terrifying, horrifying

495    appal make pale/shock    free innocent

496    Confound stun/confuse    the ignorant those who know nothing of the crime    amaze bewilder/terrify/stun

498    muddy-mettled dull-spirited    peak mope, languish

499    John-a-dreams general name for a dreamy person    unpregnant of sluggish toward, not prompted by

501    property regal identity/kingdom

502    defeat destruction

503    pate head

504    Pluck off pulls a tuft from

505    Gives…lungs? Calls me an outrageous liar?

506    me this this to me

509    pigeon-livered pigeons were proverbially gentle birds, supposed to lack    gall (bitterness/anger)

511    region kites sky’s birds of prey

512    offal intestines/remains

513    Remorseless pitiless    kindless unnatural

515    brave fine/bold

519    drab prostitute/slut    scullion lowest domestic servant

520    About about it, to work

522    cunning skill

523    presently immediately

524    malefactions wrongdoings, crimes

529    tent probe (as one would a wound)    blench flinch/turn pale

534    spirits i.e.,    melancholy

536    relative relevant/cogent/substantial

Act 3 Scene 1

    1    drift of circumstance course of roundabout talk

    3    Grating fretting/harping, dwelling querulously upon/wearing away

    7    forward ready, inclined    sounded questioned, probed

  13    disposition inclination

  14    Niggard of question sparing in his questions/reluctant to initiate conversation    demands questions

  16    assay try to tempt

  18    o’erraught overtook

  28    edge sharpness of inclination/incitement

  32    closely secretly/privately

  34    Affront come face to face with

  35    espials spies

  48    Gracious your grace (addressed to the king)

  50    exercise devout practice (the book is presumably of a religious nature)    colour…loneliness account for the fact that you are alone

  52    visage face, appearance

  57    plastering art i.e., cosmetics

  58    to…it compared to the cosmetics that improve it

  64    slings catapults, ballista, cannons, or the missiles hurled by them    outrageous excessively wicked/violent, cruel

  68    shocks violent blows/clashes with the enemy

  69    consummation ending

  71    rub obstacle (a bowling term)

  73    shuffled off cast off/evaded/got rid of in a perfunctory or unsatisfactory manner    mortal coil bustle or turmoil of this mortal life

  74    respect consideration

  75    of…life continue for so long

  76    scorns insults, mockeries

  77    contumely insolence, contempt, insulting language or behavior

  78    disprized undervalued/dishonored

  79    office officeholders    spurns kicks

  80    of…takes receives from those who are unworthy

  81    quietus discharge of debts (i.e., death)

  82    bare mere/unsheathed    bodkin dagger/awl/pointed instrument    fardels burdens

  85    bourn boundary

  86    puzzles bewilders, confounds

  89    conscience consciousness/introspection/awareness of right and wrong

  90    native hue natural color

  91    cast tinge, shade

  92    pith and moment substance and importance

  94    Soft you wait a moment

  95    orisons prayers

100    remembrances keepsakes, love tokens

110    honest chaste

112    fair beautiful

114    your…beauty your chastity should hold no dealings with your beauty/your chastity should not permit anyone to converse with your beauty

116    commerce interaction (Hamlet picks up on the sense of “sexual dealings”)

118    his its (i.e., honesty’s)

119    sometime once    paradox seemingly absurd statement/observation that contradicts commonly held beliefs

122    virtue…it virtue cannot be so successfully grafted onto an old sinful tree without some flavor of sin being retained

125    nunnery convent, playing on slang sense of “brothel”

126    indifferent honest moderately virtuous

128    beck command

137    calumny slander

139    monsters men with unfaithful wives were traditionally supposed to grow horns

142    paintings use of cosmetics

143    amble walk with an easy (or an exaggerated) motion    lisp speak in an affected manner

144    make…ignorance use innocence as an excuse for behavior that is willful/affected/promiscuous

145    on’t of it

150    expectancy hope

151    glass of fashion mirror on whose image men model themselves    form etiquette/ideal pattern

157    blown blooming

158    Blasted with ecstasy destroyed by madness

160    affections emotions

163    on brood brooding, like a bird sitting on eggs

164    doubt fear    disclose disclosure/hatching

167    set it down decided

168    tribute regular amount paid by one state to another, usually in return for peace

169    Haply perhaps/with luck

170    objects sights

171    something-settled matter somewhat fixed preoccupation (perhaps with medical sense “festering pus” or, sinisterly, “stagnant blood”)

173    fashion of himself his usual behavior, his old self

181    round blunt/severe

183    find him not fails to find the cause of his unhappiness

Act 3 Scene 2

    1    trippingly nimbly

    2    mouth declaim, speak pompously    as lief as soon, rather

    6    robustious boisterous/unruly    periwig-pated wig-wearing

    7    groundlings members of the audience standing in the yard in front of the stage, the cheapest place from which to watch

    8    are capable of can understand    dumb shows mimes/unsophisticated spectacles

    9    Termagant imaginary deity believed to have been worshipped by Muslims and represented in the old mystery plays as a violent, overbearing person    Herod biblical king who featured in the mystery plays as a raging tyrant

  11    warrant assure

  12    discretion judgment

  14    modesty restraints    from i.e., far from

  17    pressure stamp, impression

  18    come tardy off performed inadequately    unskilful ignorant, unsophisticated

  19    censure judgment/criticism    the which one one of whom    allowance admission, acknowledgment

  23    journeymen laborers

  24    abominably plays on the popular misconception that the word was derived from Latin ab homine, i.e., “away from man, unnatural” (previously spelled “abhominably”)

  25    indifferently moderately well

  27    of some among

  28    barren apathetic/dull-witted

  29    necessary question important aspect

  30    uses does, practices

  32    presently imminently

  39    As…withal as ever my dealings with people brought me into contact with

  45    candied sugared (i.e., flattering)

  46    crook bend    pregnant ready

  47    thrift profit

  49    election choice

  50    sealed designated (literally, placed a legally binding seal upon)

  51    As…nothing like one who endures everything with fortitude and is not wounded by any of it    suffering undergoing/enduring (the sense then shifts to “is hurt by”)

  52    buffets blows

  54    blood passion

  56    stop note produced by placing the finger over a hole in a wind instrument

  58    core puns on the Latin cor meaning “heart”

  64    the…soul your most insightful, penetrating consideration

  65    occulted hidden

  66    unkennel reveal (as a fox is driven out of its hole)

  67    damnèd i.e., evil, devilish

  68    foul black, grimy

  69    Vulcan’s stithy the forge of Vulcan, Roman god of fire and blacksmiths    heedful note careful attention

  72    censure…seeming forming an opinion of his appearance

  74    steal aught gets away with anything    march i.e., march played on drums

  76    idle unoccupied/mad

  78    fares is (but Hamlet responds to the sense of “feeds”)

  79    chameleon’s dish supposedly these reptiles fed on air

  80    capons castrated cockerels fattened to make their meat more flavorsome

  81    have nothing with gain nothing from    not mine nothing to do with my question (Hamlet responds to the sense of “do not belong to me”)

  86    i’th’Capitol at Capitoline Hill, site of the temple of supreme Roman god Jupiter

  87    brute brutal/stupid/animal (with obvious pun on Brutus)    part deed/role    calf fool

  89    stay…patience await your permission (to start)

  91    metal more attractive more magnetic metal (metal puns on “mettle” for an additional sense of “one of a more pleasing disposition”)

  93    lie…lap recline upon your lap/have sex with you

  97    country matters sex (country puns on “cunt”)

101    Nothing i.e., “no thing” (vagina)

105    your only jig-maker I’m your unrivaled composer of jigs (bawdy playlets)

108    suit of sables luxurious suit trimmed with dark-colored sable fur

111    suffer…on be forgotten    hobby-horse artificial horse fastened around the waist of one of the participants in a morris dance; the hobby-horse is forgot was a popular phrase    Hautboys oboelike instruments    protestation solemn declaration (of love)    passionate action gestures of extreme grief    Mutes i.e., other actors

114    miching malicho lurking iniquity, skulking mischief

115    Belike presumably    argument plot

116    counsel a secret

119    show sexual display    be not you if you are not

121    naught indecent/offensive

125    posy of a ring short (usually clichéd) verse motto engraved on a ring

128    Phoebus’ cart the sun god’s chariot

129    Neptune’s salt wash i.e., the sea (of which Neptune was god)    Tellus’ orbèd ground i.e., the earth (of which Tellus was goddess)

130    borrowed sheen reflected radiance

132    Hymen god of marriage

133    bands bonds

138    distrust fear for

139    Discomfort dismay, discourage

140    holds quantity are to be found in the same proportions

141    In…extremity they are either nonexistent or excessive

142    proof tried and tested experience

143    as…so my fear is just as great as my love

145    operant vital/active    leave to do cease to perform

148    confound destroy (i.e., do not say)

151    None no woman

152    Wormwood i.e., that’s bitter (the sharp-tasting plant was also used to purge the digestive tract of worms, so there may also be a suggestion of bringing forth gnawing guilt)

153    instances motives    move prompt

154    respects of thrift considerations of personal profit

159    Purpose…validity our intentions are subject to the weakness of memory, being passionate at the outset, but lacking in endurance

161    Which i.e., purpose

163    Most…debt it is inevitable that we should forget to fulfill our obligations to ourselves

168    enactures fulfillments, performances

170    Grief…accident i.e., one extreme of emotion turns to its opposite at the slightest event

171    aye ever

175    down fallen in fortune

176    poor advanced poor man who improves his station in life

177    hitherto up to this point (in the argument)    tend attend/serve

178    who not needs he who does not lack fortune

179    who in want he who, being in need    try test

180    seasons him ripens him into

183    devices plans    still continually

184    ends outcomes

187    Nor let neither

188    Sport…night let me be barred from recreation during the day and rest at night

189    opposite opposing force    blanks makes pale

190    Meet…destroy (may it) encounter and destroy everything that I would like to see prosper

191    here and hence in this and in the next world

195    fain willingly    beguile while away

200    protests makes declarations, vows

202    offence offensive matter (Hamlet shifts the sense to “actual injury/real crime”)

203    jest pretend, act

205    Tropically figuratively

206    duke’s i.e., king’s

208    galled jade saddle-sore old horse    wince kick out from pain    withers part of the horse’s back between the shoulder blades

209    unwrung not pinched or chafed

211    chorus actor who narrated or interpreted parts of a play

212    interpret provide dialogue as an actor does in a puppet show/act as a go-between    puppets possibly plays on a sense of “breasts/genitals”

213    dallying spending idle time together/flirting/having sex

214    keen quick/cutting

215    groaning the moans of a woman losing her virginity (or possibly subsequently, in labor)    take…edge deter my sharp wit/blunt my sexual appetite/cause me to lose my erection

216    better, and worse i.e., wittier, yet more insulting

217    So in just such a manner    mis-take…husbands swear insincerely to love and be faithful to your husbands (according to the marriage vow “for better or for worse”); plays on the idea of “mistaking” another man for one’s true husband, as Hamlet deems Gertrude to have done    pox i.e., a plague on it

218    the…revenge refers to lines from the anonymous True Tragedy of Richard III    raven considered a bird of ill omen whose cry heralded death

220    Confederate…seeing the occasion itself an ally, there being no one else to see me

221    rank virulent/pungent/foul

222    Hecate’s ban the curse of Hecate, goddess of witchcraft

223    dire property dreadful nature

224    wholesome healthy

225    for’s for his    His i.e., the king’s

229    false fire the discharge of blank cartridges from a firearm

234    strucken wounded

235    hart ungallèd uninjured male deer

236    watch remain awake

238    this the play/the verse just uttered    feathers i.e., elaborate plumes on a hat    turn Turk with abandon (like one renouncing Christianity to become a Muslim)

239    Provincial roses French roses from Provence (here rosettes, worn to hide the shoe fastenings and, like the    feathers, a feature of the actor’s garb)    razed shoes shoes with ornamental cuts in the leather    fellowship…cry partnership in a pack

241    share the major players in the Chamberlain’s Men had shares in the company’s assets

243    Damon either an allusion to the Greek tale of Damon and Pythias, famous for their great friendship, or used as a traditional pastoral name

244    dismantled stripped/deprived

245    Jove supreme Roman god

246    pajock either “patchock” (i.e., base, ragged fellow) or “peacock”

247    rhymed the word that might be expected to rhyme with    was is “ass”

255    perdy corruption of the French par dieu (“by God”)

257    vouchsafe permit

261    retirement withdrawal to his rooms    distempered out of humor (Hamlet chooses to understand the sense of “drunk”)

263    choler anger (provoked by an excess of bile, one of the four bodily humors)

264    signify communicate

265    purgation cleansing the body through bloodletting or the use of emetics or laxatives (Hamlet plays on the idea of eliciting confession; the senses of legal and spiritual purging are also relevant)

267    frame order    start swerve/recoil

273    breed kind/courtly breeding

274    wholesome healthy, sane

275    pardon permission (to leave)

282    amazement bewilderment/alarm

283    admiration astonishment, wonder

284    wonderful astonishing/excellent

286    closet private room

287    trade dealings (a deliberately derogatory term here)

290    pickers and stealers hands

292    liberty freedom from mental anguish (but a suggestive image of literal imprisonment)    deny refuse to tell

296    ‘While…grows’ the rest of the proverb is “the horse starves”

298    withdraw speak privately    recover…toil a hunting metaphor: the hunter would get to the windward side of the prey (recover the wind), allowing it to scent him and thus driving the animal in the opposite direction and into a net (toil)

300    if…unmannerly i.e., if I am overly bold in my behavior it is my love for you that is to blame

307    ventages holes (or stops)

314    mystery secret/craft, skill (playing an instrument)    sound question/produce music from

315    compass range

317    fret irritate/provide with frets (ridges for fingering on a lute)

319    presently straightaway

321    By th’mass by the Mass (a common oath)

326    fool…bent indulge me in my foolishness to the limit/force me to play the fool to the limit of my ability (or endurance)

336    nature natural feelings

337    Nero Roman emperor who murdered his mother

341    How…shent however much I rebuke and punish her verbally    somever to whatever extent

342    give them seals i.e., by acting upon them

Act 3 Scene 3

    1    him i.e., his behavior

    3    dispatch make ready/deal with promptly

    5    terms…estate conditions or responsibilities of my position as king

    8    provide prepare, equip ourselves

    9    fear concern, responsibility

  12    single and peculiar individual and private

  14    noyance vexation/harm

  15    weal welfare

  16    cease cessation/decease

  17    gulf whirlpool

  18    massy massive/weighty

  21    mortised fastened securely

  22    annexment adjunct, hanger-on    petty consequence trivial attachment

  23    attends accompanies    boist’rous massive/turbulent

  25    Arm you prepare yourselves

  31    process proceedings    tax him home reprove him thoroughly

  33    meet fitting

  35    of vantage in addition/from an advantageous position

  39    rank foul-smelling/rotten

  40    primal eldest curse God’s curse on Cain, the first murderer, who killed his brother Abel (biblical)

  42    inclination…will my urge and determination to pray are equally strong

  44    bound directed/tied/sworn

  49    Whereto…offence? What is the point of mercy if not to confront sin face to face?

  52    forestallèd prevented

  55    turn need, purpose

  57    effects benefits, acquisitions

  59    th’offence i.e., the profits gained from committing the offense

  60    currents courses, practices

  61    gilded golden/bearing bribes    by to one side

  64    There i.e.,    above, in heaven    shuffling evasion, deceit    the action lies the sin is laid bare/the case is admissible (legal metaphor, continued with evidence)

  66    to…forehead in the very face

  67    give in give, submit    rests remains

  71    limèd caught as a bird is trapped by birdlime (sticky substance spread on branches)

  72    assay a great effort/an attempt

  76    pat opportunely, conveniently

  78    would be scanned needs to be examined/would be interpreted as follows

  80    foul sinful/treacherous/shameful; most editor’s prefer Quarto’s “sole”

  82    hire and salary i.e., as if Hamlet had hired Claudius to do the murder and was now giving him his wages

  83    grossly…bread i.e., in the grips of worldly pleasures, with no spiritual preparation (such as fasting)

  84    broad blown in full bloom

  85    audit account

  86    circumstance…thought situation and way of thinking/limited condition and way of thinking/indirect way of thinking

  87    heavy grave/gloomy

  88    take him kill Claudius

  89    seasoned prepared    passage journey into the next world

  91    hent time to be seized at/opportunity

  92    drunk asleep in a drunken stupor

  95    relish trace, flavor

  98    stays awaits

  99    physic medicine (either Claudius’ prayer or Hamlet’s postponement of the murder)

Act 3 Scene 4

    1    straight straightaway    lay home speak plainly, take to task

    2    broad unrestrained

    4    heat i.e., Claudius’ anger

    5    round blunt/severe

  17    rood Christian cross

  18    queen perhaps this puns on “quean” (i.e., whore)

  22    glass mirror

  27    Dead…ducat i.e., I’ll bet a ducat (gold coin) he’ll soon be dead/I’ll kill him for a mere ducat

  38    busy interfering, prying

  42    brazed covered with brass, hardened

  43    proof…sense fortified against feeling    proof armor

  45    rude violent/harsh/offensive

  52    contraction binding agreement (specifically the marriage contract)

  54    rhapsody confused mass    glow i.e., blush for shame

  55    this…mass i.e., the earth

  56    tristful sorrowful    as…doom as if in anticipation of doomsday

  59    index table of contents that prefaces the body of a book

  61    counterfeit presentment painted representation

  63    Hyperion Greek god of the sun, and one of the Titans    front forehead/face

  64    Mars Roman god of war

  65    station manner of standing    Mercury winged messenger of the Roman gods

  66    New-lighted newly alighted

  68    seal i.e., mark of approval

  71    ear i.e., of corn

  72    Blasting withering

  73    leave cease

  74    batten feed greedily    moor marshland/waste ground (may play on the sense of “dark-skinned person” to contrast with the fair mountain)

  76    heyday…blood (youthful) period of sexual excitement

  79    cozened cheated    hoodman-blind blindman’s buff (Hamlet imagines a blindfolded Gertrude being tricked into picking the wrong man)

  81    mutine mutiny    matron mature married woman

  84    compulsive…charge compelling sexual passion (of youth) attacks

  85    frost i.e., age

  86    panders acts as a go-between for/ministers to the gratification of    will sexual desire

  89    grainèd engrained, indelible

  90    leave their tinct abandon their color

  92    enseamèd saturated with grease or pig’s fat, i.e., soiled from sexual activity

  93    Stewed soaked/slowly boiled (puns on “stew”—i.e., brothel)    honeying exchanging endearments    making love talking amorously/having sex

  94    nasty filthy/lewd/repellent    sty pigsty/place inhabited by whores and lustful people

  99    tithe tenth part

100    precedent lord previous husband (precedent may have connotations of “exemplary/higher ranking”)    vice epitome of wickedness/buffoon or trickster from morality plays

101    cutpurse pickpocket

102    diadem crown

105    shreds and patches paltry bits and pieces/the multicolored clothing of a fool or clown

111    important urgent, pressing

116    Conceit imagination

121    th’incorporal the insubstantial

122    spirits vital spirits, a bodily fluid thought to be vital for life

123    as…th’alarm like soldiers awoken abruptly by a call to arms

124    like…excrements as if growths of hair had lives of their own

129    His…conjoined the combination of his appearance and his reason (for wanting revenge)

130    capable responsive

131    piteous pity-inspiring    convert…effects divert me from the grim deeds I intend to carry out

133    want lack    colour character, quality/motive, grounds/hue (colorless    tears rather than red blood)

140    habit clothing/demeanor    as as when/as if

142    coinage invention

143    cunning skillful/crafty

148    reword repeat

149    gambol spring away

150    unction ointment

151    trespass sin

152    skin and film form a thin skin over

153    mining corroding/undermining/sapping

157    ranker more abundant    virtue i.e., virtuous talk and rebukes

158    pursy short-winded/fat

160    curb and woo bow and entreat

173    That so that    scourge and minister agent of retribution

174    bestow dispose of/stow away    answer well justify/pay for

177    behind yet to come

180    bloat bloated/flabby/swollen with self-indulgence

181    Pinch wanton in pinching your cheeks leave marks that proclaim you a wanton (lewd woman)    mouse common term of endearment

182    reechy filthy, squalid (literally “smoky”)

184    ravel…out unravel (i.e., reveal) all this business

186    in craft through cunning, by design

188    paddock…gib toad, bat, tomcat (creatures popularly supposed to be the familiars of witches)

189    dear concernings important matters

191    Unpeg unfasten (thus letting the birds out)

192    famous…down a reference to a lost story; presumably the ape attempted to imitate the birds who had been released from the basket by climbing in, then leaping out in the hope of flying, only to succeed in breaking his neck    try conclusions experiment

201    set me packing cause me to be sent away at once/make me begin plotting

204    still…grave quiet, trustworthy, and dignified/dead

205    prating prattling, chattering

206    draw…you finish my dealings with you/haul you to your grave

208    matter significance

217    brainish apprehension headstrong conviction/deluded understanding

219    heavy sorrowful

223    answered accounted for

224    providence foresight/arrangements

225    short on a tight leash    haunt company

229    divulging becoming apparent

231    apart away

232    ore precious metal

233    mineral mine or its products

239    countenance confront/bear out

247    what’s untimely done i.e., Polonius’ premature death

Act 4 Scene 1

    1    Stowed lodged (refers to Polonius’ body) plays on slang sense of “kept quiet”/”shut up”

    2    GENTLEMEN i.e., Rosencrantz and Guildenstern

    5    Compounded united, mingled

  10    keep…own keep your secrets and not my own/follow your advice (and tell you where the body is) and yet keep my own secret    demanded of questioned by

  11    replication response

  13    countenance favor    authorities power, influence

  15    mouthed taken into the mouth

  19    sleeps in i.e., is wasted on

  22    The…body Claudius has a physical body, but he does not possess true kingship/the body is here in the castle, like Claudius; however, he, not being dead, is not with Polonius/Polonius is with the true king, dead Hamlet senior, not with the usurping Claudius/Polonius is with God, rather than Claudius

  25    Hide…after refers to a children’s game in which one person (the fox) hides and the others pursue him

Act 4 Scene 2

    4    of by    distracted deranged/confused/foolish

    6    scourge punishment    weighed considered

    7    bear…even manage matters smoothly and evenly

    9    Deliberate pause i.e., the result of careful consideration

  10    appliance remedy

  15    Without outside

  21    convocation political assembly

  22    e’en even now    diet a punning allusion to the Diet (i.e., assembly) of the German city of Worms

  24    variable service different dishes in the same meal

  26    eat eaten

  29    progress official journey of state undertaken by the monarch

  38    tender hold dear

  41    bark ship

  42    tend await    bent ready

  48    cherub angel possessed of insight and knowledge

  53    at foot closely

  56    leans on appertains to

  57    aught any worth

  58    thereof…sense may give you an awareness of the value of my love

  59    cicatrice scar

  60    free awe voluntary submission, uncompelled deference

  61    coldly set disregard/regard coolly

  62    process command    imports at full is fully concerned with/conveys detailed instructions for

  63    conjuring solemnly charging/conspiring

  64    present immediate

  65    hectic fever

  67    Howe’er my haps whatever my fortunes

Act 4 Scene 3

 4.3    Location: the Danish border (see “Second Quarto passages that do not appear in the Folio,” lines 81–139 on this page, for a longer version of this scene, in which Hamlet witnesses the army’s march and speaks his soliloquy “How all occasions do inform against me, / And spur my dull revenge”)

    2    licence permission

    3    conveyance of granting of/Danish escort for

    6    duty respect    eye presence

    9    softly slowly, carefully

Act 4 Scene 4

 4.4    Location: within the royal castle at Elsinore

    2    importunate insistent, pressing    distract agitated/deranged

    6    hems makes “hmm” noises

    7    Spurns…straws strikes out spitefully at trifles    in doubt of unclear meaning

    9    use manner/utterance

  10    collection a gathering of meaning    aim guess

  11    botch patch, stitch clumsily together

  12    Which which words    yield convey, deliver

  13    thought intended

  14    unhappily ominously near the truth/maliciously

  16    ill-breeding mischief-making

  19    toy trifle    amiss wrong, calamity

  20    artless jealousy unskilled suspicion

  21    It…spilt its excessive fear of being revealed ends up betraying it (“to spill” means both to destroy and to reveal)

  26    cockle hat hat with a cockleshell on it, showing that the wearer had visited the Spanish shrine of Santiago (Saint James) of Compostela; a staff and sandals were also typical of such a pilgrim

  27    shoon shoes

  38    Larded strewn, covered

  40    showers i.e., of tears

  42    yield reward; a common way to express thanks    owl…daughter refers to the tale of a baker’s daughter who was turned into an owl after she had been ungenerous to Jesus when he begged for bread

  44    Conceit upon fanciful thinking about/brooding on

  48    betime early

  50    Valentine sweetheart, supposedly the first person of the opposite sex one saw on Valentine’s Day

  51    rose the sexual innuendo of Ophelia’s language suggests possible erectile connotations

  52    dupped opened (perhaps punning on “tupped,” i.e., “had sex with”)    chamber door playing on vaginal connotations

  53    maid virgin

  57    Gis Jesus

  59    do’t have sex

  60    cock euphemism for God, plays on sense of “penis”

  61    tumbled had sex with

  64    An if

  73    spies scouts sent ahead of the main army

  76    remove removal    muddied stirred up

  78    greenly foolishly

  79    hugger-mugger secrecy

  82    as much containing of as much significance

  84    wonder bewilderment/doubt (about his father’s death)    in clouds in a state of confusion (or suspicion)/aloof and inscrutable

  85    wants lacks    buzzers gossips, rumor-mongers

  87    of matter beggared deprived of facts and solid evidence

  88    nothing…ear not hesitate to accuse me to one listener after another

  90    murdering-piece small cannon, which scattered its shot and so could kill more people

  91    Gives…death kills me over and over

  93    Switzers Swiss guards (mercenaries commonly employed in royal households)

  96    overpeering…list rising over its boundary

  97    flats flat or low-lying land near the shore

  98    head insurrection

100    as as if

101    Antiquity ancient tradition

102    The…word (antiquity and custom are) the things that confirm and support every utterance

104    Caps thrown into the air in support

107    counter following the scent in the wrong direction (hunting term)    false disloyal/erring

109    without outside

113    keep guard

117    cuckold man with an unfaithful wife

118    between in the middle of    unsmirched unstained

119    true faithful

122    fear fear for

123    hedge protect

124    but…will only peep through at what it desires, and carry out little of its intention

132    juggled with tricked, deceived

135    To…stand I am fixed in this resolve

136    both…negligence I disregard both this world and the next

138    throughly thoroughly, completely

139    stay prevent

140    My…world by my will, not all the world shall stop me

141    husband manage

146    sweepstake indiscriminately (from gambling, where one person sweeps up all the stakes on the table)    draw gather

151    pelican supposedly this bird fed its young with its own blood

152    Repast feed

156    sensible feeling

157    level directly

162    virtue power, efficacy

164    turn the beam tilts the crossbar of the scales (i.e., tips in our favor)

168    Nature human nature    fine in refined by

169    instance sign, token

170    After…loves i.e., after Polonius, to the grave

171    bier movable stand on which a corpse is carried to the grave

172    Hey…nonny a refrain more usually associated with merry love songs

176    move affect (me)/persuade    move thus move me as powerfully as this does

177    You Ophelia assigns parts to the individuals in the room ‘a-down…a-down-a’ well-known refrains

178    wheel refrain    false…daughter refers to a story or ballad that remains unidentified

179    This…matter this nonsense is actually more meaningful than sane talk/this nonsense contains significance that is beyond the reach of sense

180    rosemary herb symbolizing remembrance

181    pansies flowers symbolic of love, named from French pensées (thoughts)

182    document lesson    fitted put together

183    fennel herb said to symbolize flattery    columbines flowers symbolic of infidelity    rue herb symbolizing repentance

184    o’Sundays on Sundays

185    difference variation on a coat of arms to distinguish different members or branches of a family (or Ophelia may simply mean “differently”)    daisy possibly symbolic of deception; alternatively, a springtime flower associated with love    violets flowers symbolic of faithfulness and of chastity

187    For…joy a line from a well-known song

188    Thought melancholy    passion extreme grief

189    favour charm, attractiveness

196    flaxen white    poll head, i.e., hair

198    cast away moan waste our laments

199    Gramercy great mercy

200    God buy ye goodbye (literally, “God be with you”)

204    whom whichever of

205    ’twixt between

206    collateral indirect

207    touched implicated

215    trophy memorial    hatchment tablet bearing the coat of arms of the dead person, placed over the tomb

216    ostentation ceremony

218    That so that    call in question demand an explanation

Act 4 Scene 5

    8    an’t if it

  11    overlooked looked over, read

  12    means means of access

  13    appointment equipment

  14    compelled necessary    grapple forcible seizing of a ship for the purpose of boarding

  16    thieves of mercy merciful thieves

  17    repair come

  19    too…matter i.e., inadequate to convey the importance of the issue    bore caliber of a gun (Hamlet’s words are bullets that are too small to fit)

  23    way access

Act 4 Scene 6

    1    my acquittance seal confirm my innocence

    3    Sith since    knowing understanding/knowledgeable

    7    proceeded not did not take legal proceedings    feats deeds/crimes

    8    capital punishable by death

    9    As…up i.e., given that it was greatly in the interests of safety and prudence to do so

  12    unsinewed weak

  16    conjunctive closely united (an astronomical term referring to proximity between planets)

  17    sphere orbit; individual stars and planets were thought to be contained within concentric hollow spheres that revolved around the earth

  18    but except, unless I were

  19    count account, reckoning, indictment

  20    general gender common people    gender kind/sort

  22    spring…stone a spring with high levels of lime in its water would petrify a piece of wood placed in it

  23    gyves fetters

  24    Too slightly timbered i.e., too light

  28    terms circumstances

  29    go back again i.e., recall her as she was

  30    on mount on high

  34    shook with tugged (contemptuously) by

  43    Claudio a bluff, an intermediary, or Shakespeare’s slip when he meant “Horatio”

  45    naked destitute

  46    pardon permission

  49    abuse deceit    no such thing not what it seems, a trick

  51    character handwriting

  61    If so so long as

  63    As checking at as a result of deviating from or aborting (a falconry term referring to the hawk turning away from its pursuit in mid-flight)

  65    device devising

  68    uncharge the practice acquit the plot from blame

  72    can well are skilled    gallant fine young man

  75    As as if    incorpsed of one body    demi-natured half of the same nature

  76    brave splendid    passed my thought surpassed anything I could have imagined

  77    forgery…tricks imagining feats of horsemanship

  81    Lamond some editors prefer Quarto’s Lamord, with its hint of death (la mort, French for “death”)

  83    brooch jewel/ornament

  85    made…you testified to your skill

  87    For…defence with regard to your skill and performance in self-defense

  91    envenom embitter/poison

  93    sudden immediate    play compete

101    begun by time generated by particular circumstances

102    passages of proof events that have proved it

103    qualifies weakens, diminishes

108    sanctuarize give sanctuary to, protect

110    Will you if you are to    close secluded

112    put on encourage/organize

114    in fine in conclusion, finally

115    remiss negligent, not vigilant

116    generous noble-minded

117    peruse examine carefully    foils light swords, blunted for use in fencing

119    unbated not blunted    pass of practice treacherous thrust/deliberately planned thrust

120    Requite repay, have revenge on

123    unction ointment    mountebank quack doctor who traveled around selling various remedies

124    I…it Laertes leaves unfinished the account of what happened when he did this; or perhaps he means “one need but dip a knife in it”; some editors prefer Quarto’s “so mortal that, but dip”

125    cataplasm medicated plaster, poultice    rare excellent

126    simples medicinal herbs

127    Under the moon i.e., anywhere, though gathering herbs by moonlight was thought to lend them extra potency

128    withal with it

129    contagion poison    gall graze

133    fit…shape suit our plan/fit us for the roles we are going to play

134    drift scheme, intention    look becomes visible

137    blast in proof explode when put to the test

138    cunnings skills (i.e., Laertes’ and Hamlet’s)

139    ha’t have it

141    As i.e., you should    bouts rounds in a fight

143    nonce purpose

144    stuck thrust

149    willow a tree associated with sadness and forsaken love

150    hoar grayish-white

151    fantastic elaborate/fanciful

152    crow-flowers buttercups/ragged robins (both types of wild flower)    long purples a type of purple orchid; the roots resemble testicles, hence the    grosser names

153    liberal freely spoken/licentious    grosser coarser/more vulgar

154    cold chaste

155    pendent drooping, overhanging

156    envious sliver malicious part of a branch

157    weedy made of wild flowers

161    incapable uncomprehending/insensible    distress affliction, calamity

162    indued adapted

165    lay song

171    trick way, habit

172    these i.e., his tears

173    woman…out the woman in me will be finished

175    folly i.e., his weeping    douts extinguishes

Act 5 Scene 1

 5.1    Location: a graveyard near the royal castle at Elsinore    Clowns rustics

    1    Christian burial suicides were not allowed Christian burial rites

    2    salvation probably a malapropism for “damnation,” though perhaps the Clown suggests Ophelia was trying to get to heaven early

    3    straight straightaway (plays on the sense of “not crooked”)    crowner coroner

    4    sat held an inquest (with a play on the literal sense)

    7    se offendendo perversion of se defendendo (Latin for “in self-defence,” a legal term); literally “in self-offence”

    9    argal perversion of ergo (Latin for “therefore”)

  10    goodman title for a person below the rank of gentleman and often followed by the individual’s occupation (here a delver or digger)

  12    will…he whether he will or no

  16    quest inquest

  19    there thou say’st i.e., how right you are

  20    countenance authority, permission    even Christian fellow Christians

  21    ditchers ditch makers

  22    Adam’s profession in the Bible, Adam’s job was to look after the Garden of Eden

  24    bore arms had a coat of arms (the sign of a gentleman); with obvious play on sense of “limbs”

  28    confess thyself the saying continues “and be hanged”

  33    does well i.e., as an answer (the sense then shifts to “serves well”)

  38    unyoke give up, stop laboring (literally, unyoke the oxen)

  42    mend improve

  44    Yaughan variant spelling of Vaughan, presumably the name of the local innkeeper, perhaps based on one near the Globe

  45    stoup tankard

  46    In…love this and the following stanza are loose versions of parts of Thomas Vaux’s poem “The Aged Lover Renounceth Love,” printed in 1557;    O and a may be the gravedigger’s grunts as he goes about his work

  48    contract…behove pass away the time to my own advantage

  49    meet (more) fitting

  51    property of easiness something he can undertake with indifference

  52    hath…sense is more sensitive/fastidious

  55    shipped…land dispatched me into the earth (i.e., my grave/dust)    intil into

  56    been such been a young man in love

  57    jowls strikes, dashes (puns on “jowl”—i.e., jawbone)

  58    Cain in the Bible, the first murderer; he killed his brother Abel

  59    politician crafty schemer    o’er-offices lords it over (on account of his office as gravedigger)    circumvent cheat, outwit

  66    chapless jawless

  67    mazzard head (from the term for a drinking bowl)    revolution change/turn of the wheel of fortune    trick knack

  68    Did…’em? Did these people cost so little to bring up that we may play games with their bones?    loggats a game where pieces of wood shaped like bowling pins were thrown at a stake fixed in the ground

  71    For and and furthermore    shrouding sheet sheet in which the corpse was wrapped

  75    quiddities…quillets subtleties, verbal distinctions, quibbling arguments    tenures (documents or cases relating to) conditions on which property is held

  76    rude ignorant/rough    sconce head

  77    action of battery litigation concerning physical assault

  78    statutes legal documents that secured a debt on land and property (similar to a mortgage)    recognizances legal documents that formally acknowledged a debt    fines…recoveries legal processes concerned with securing the outright ownership of land;    double vouchers refers to the practice of having two people vouch for a claimant’s ownership of the land

  79    fine…fines end of his fines (the sense of fine then shifts to “elegant, handsome” and then to “finely powdered”)

  80    vouch guarantee

  81    the…indentures land (i.e., his grave) only as long and wide as a legal document    pair of indentures two copies of an agreement drawn up on the same sheet of paper, which was then halved along a zigzag line to form documents that, when placed together, were a unique match

  82    conveyances deeds relating to the transfer of land and property (plays on the sense of “light-fingered theft/sleight of hand”)    box deed box/coffin

  83    inheritor i.e., owner

  87    assurance in that security in legal documents

  88    sirrah sir (used to a social inferior)

  93    not lie the First Clown begins a series of puns on the senses of “dwell/fib”

  96    quick living (in his reply, the First Clown plays on the senses of “quick-witted/speedy”)

104    absolute strictly accurate    by the card precisely (literally, according to either the sailor’s map or compass)    equivocation verbal ambiguity

106    picked over-refined/fastidious

107    galls his kibe chafes his chilblain

122    ground cause (but the First Clown responds to the literal sense of the word)

126    pocky diseased especially with the pox, i.e., syphilis

127    hold…in hold together long enough to be buried

128    tanner one who converts animal hides into leather by tanning (infusing with an astringent liquid)

131    whoreson wretched (an abusive intensifier used in a jocular manner)

132    Here’s a skull presumably one of the two thrown up earlier, but conceivably a third if he is still digging

136    A he    Rhenish German wine from the area around the River Rhine

142    fancy imagination

143    abhorred filled with horror    my gorge rises i.e., I feel like vomiting    gorge stomach contents

146    No…jeering? there’s no one left to laugh at the way you mocked and made fun of people    chop-fallen downcast/lacking the lower jaw

147    favour facial appearance

150    Alexander Alexander the Great, fourth-century King of Macedonia and one of the world’s most successful military leaders

155    bung-hole hole in a barrel stoppered with a bung

156    too curiously too closely/overly ingeniously

157    modesty moderation

159    loam mortar made of clay, sand, and straw

164    flaw squall, violent gust of wind

167    maimèd truncated, insufficient

168    desperate filled with spiritual despair, suicidal

169    Fordo destroy    estate status

170    Couch hide

174    obsequies commemorative rites for the dead

175    warrantise authorization    doubtful suspicious

176    o’ersways overrules

177    unsanctified not consecrated by the Church

178    last trumpet i.e., Doomsday, which would, according to the Bible, be heralded by the sound of a trumpet    For instead of

179    Shards fragments of broken pottery

181    strewments flowers strewn on the coffin or grave    bringing…burial bringing her to her final resting place accompanied by the funeral bell and burial rites

186    sage requiem solemn funeral chant    such rest pray for the same rest

187    peace-parted peacefully departed

190    violets the flower was associated with chastity

192    howling i.e., in hell

200    ingenious sense quick, intelligent mind

203    quick living (i.e., Laertes)

205    Pelion the mountain in Thessaly that, in Greek mythology, the warring giants piled on top of Mount Ossa in their attempt to scale    Olympus, the mountain home of the gods

208    emphasis strength of expression (a rhetorical term)

209    Conjures…stars casts a spell on the planets

215    splenitive hot-tempered (the spleen was thought to be the seat of the passions)

220    quiet calm

222    wag open and shut

228    forbear him leave him alone

230    Woo’t wilt thou    tear tear violently at (hair, clothing)/injure/destroy

231    eisel vinegar    crocodile i.e., something tough and dangerous, the creature that was supposed to shed copious hypocritical tears

233    outface defy/defeat

236    our ground the piled-up earth above us

237    burning zone sun’s orbit between the tropics

238    Ossa in Greek mythology, the mountain on which the giants piled Pelion in their attempt to reach Olympus    an if    mouth grimace/rant

240    mere complete

243    golden couplets baby birds covered in golden down    disclosed hatched

246    use treat

248    Let…day i.e., even Hercules could not stop Laertes from his tiresome rant/my turn will come and even Hercules (or the ranting Laertes) cannot stop me

251    in i.e., by remembering

252    present push immediate test (push may also be suggestive of the thrust of a weapon)

254    living lasting (but also implies that murdering Hamlet will serve as a memorial)

Act 5 Scene 2

 5.2    Location: within the royal castle at Elsinore

    1    this the pair enter mid-conversation;    this refers to what Hamlet has just been telling Horatio    see the other hear the other news

    2    circumstance details

    6    mutines…bilboes mutineers in shackles    Rashly on impulse (Hamlet then digresses before returning to his tale in line 13)

    7    know acknowledge

    8    indiscretion lack of forethought and prudence

    9    dear important    pall weaken/become flat and stale

  11    Rough-hew carve roughly

  14    sea-gown short-sleeved, calf-length sailor’s gown made of coarse material    scarfed wrapped loosely

  15    them i.e., Rosencrantz and Guildenstern

  16    Fingered stole    in fine finally, in conclusion

  21    Larded garnished, interspersed    several various

  22    Importing concerning

  23    bugs…life terrors to be feared were I to be allowed to continue living    bug hobgoblin, bogeyman

  24    supervise reading (of the commission)    leisure bated time wasted

  25    stay await

  31    benetted round snared, surrounded as if in a net

  32    Ere…play i.e., before my brain could begin to consider the issue, I had already taken action

  34    fair in elegant handwriting

  35    statists statesmen

  38    yeoman’s i.e., efficient, loyal (a yeoman was an attendant in a royal household)

  39    effect nature

  41    conjuration entreaty

  42    tributary country owing him a tribute (a regular payment after defeat in war)

  44    still always (i.e., continue)    wheaten garland symbolic of peace

  45    comma the mark of punctuation that indicated only a slight break between words, thus a symbol of closeness and connection between the two countries    amities friendship

  46    ‘As’es phrases beginning with “as” (puns on “asses”)    charge importance/burden (continuing the play on “asses”)

  50    shriving-time time for confession and absolution from sin

  52    ordinant in control

  53    signet signet ring, which acted as a seal

  54    model…seal exactly the same as the seal used to secure the commission

  55    writ letter/written command

  56    Subscribed signed (in Claudius’ name)    th’impression the seal

  57    changeling substitution, i.e., false letter (literally a fairy child substituted for a human one)

  58    to…sequent followed this

  61    make love to court, entreat

  62    defeat destruction

  63    insinuation ingratiating behavior/intrusive involvement

  64    baser of lower social status/inferior

  65    pass sword thrust    fell fierce    points swords

  66    opposites opponents, enemies

  68    Does…upon do you not think that it is now incumbent upon me

  70    th’election i.e., the designation as king

  71    angle fishing hook and line    proper own

  72    cozenage deception (puns on “cousinage”—i.e., kinship)

  73    quit requite, repay

  74    canker spreading ulcer    come In spread to, generate

  77    issue outcome

  79    no…‘one’ is only as brief as the time it takes to say “one”

  82    by…his i.e., in my situation (having a murdered father) I recognize his also

  84    bravery extravagance, ostentatious display

  88    water-fly i.e., buzzing insect

  90    gracious blessed, fortunate

  91    let…mess even if you are an animal yourself, provided that you own a lot of livestock you shall eat at the king’s table (mess)    crib animal’s food receptacle

  92    chough jackdaw (i.e., chatterer)/chuff (i.e., rustic, churl)

  93    if…leisure i.e., if the two of you have finished talking

  95    bonnet hat (usually worn indoors when in company)

  99    indifferent moderately

100    complexion constitution

104    remember probably “remember your courtesy,” a way of asking someone to put on their hat

105    for mine ease a polite way of resisting Hamlet’s request

108    rapier long, pointed, double-edged sword (the flexible épée of modern fencing had not yet been invented)

109    well very well, never mind

110    Barbary horses valued North African horses, noted for their speed

111    imponed wagered (impawned; or an affected coinage from the Latin imponere, meaning “to pile or lay on”)    poniards daggers    assigns accessories    as such as    girdle sword belt

112    hangers loops on sword belts, from which the sword was hung; often richly ornamented    carriages an affected word for    hangers dear to fancy pleasing to the fancy/delightfully tasteful

113    responsive…hilts well-matched to the sword handle    delicate finely made    liberal conceit elaborate design

114    call you do you mean by

116    germane relevant

117    cannon…sides “carriage” is the word for the wheeled support on which a cannon is mounted

121    laid wagered    in…nine famously incomprehensible and much-debated wager; Claudius bets that, in a series of twelve rounds, Laertes’ total number of hits will not exceed Hamlet’s by three or more, but it is unclear what is meant by “twelve for nine,” where “he” may be Claudius or Laertes    passes rounds    him i.e., Laertes

123    vouchsafe the answer be pleased to accept the challenge (Hamlet interprets answer more literally as “reply”)

125    opposition…trial presenting of yourself as an opponent in a contest

126    breathing time time for exercise

129    odd occasional/extra three

130    re-deliver you report back what you say

131    after what flourish according to whatever lavish gesture or manner of speaking you choose

132    commend entrust (part of a standard phrase, but Hamlet responds to the sense of “recommend, praise”)

134    for’s turn to do it for him

135    lapwing bird proverbial for youthful precocity as it left the nest soon after being hatched    shell…head may suggest that Osric has just put his hat on

136    comply…dug pay courteous compliments to his mother’s (or nurse’s) nipple

137    bevy company/group of birds    drossy worthless, impure    tune i.e., fashionable speech/general style

138    habit of encounter custom of social interaction/fashionable dress    yeasty frothy    collection i.e., of fashionable words and manners

139    carries them through enables them to successfully pass off/enables them to hold their own among    fond foolish    winnowed selective (literally refers to the blowing away of chaff from grain)    and…out yet test them by blowing on them and the bubbles will burst/test their opinions and they are lost for words

143    at the odds given the odds that have been laid

146    gain-giving misgiving, foreboding

148    repair coming

150    augury prophecy (literally, making predictions based on an interpretation of the behavior of birds)    there’s…sparrow i.e., God’s hand is in every slightest thing—alluding to Matthew 10:29

151    it i.e., his own death

152    readiness i.e., to meet death    has aught of really owns, can take with him

153    betimes early    gauntlets protective gloves used for fencing

157    presence assembly/royal company

160    nature natural feeling/filial loyalty    exception disapproval, objection

167    faction party

170    disclaiming from disavowal, denial of    purposed intentional

171    generous noble-minded/magnanimous

172    That I have as to think that I have

176    my…honour where my honor is concerned

177    will want, will have

179    voice (authoritative) endorsement    peace reconciliation

180    name ungored reputation uninjured

184    frankly freely, with no ill will

187    foil background material used to set off the luster of a jewel (shifting the sense away from “sword”)

189    Stick fiery off stand out and sparkle brilliantly

195    laid the odds backed

197    he is bettered Laertes is considered to be better    odds the advantage (Laertes is handicapped by having to score three hits over Hamlet)

199    likes pleases    have…length are all of the same length

201    stoups cups

203    quit…exchange repays Laertes (for winning the first two bouts) by scoring a hit in the third bout

204    ordnance cannon

205    better breath increased energy and vigor

206    union valuable pearl

209    kettle kettledrum

227    fat may suggest greasy/sweaty, but primary sense is corpulent, overweight

228    napkin handkerchief

229    carouses to toasts

240    pass thrust

241    make…me toy with me/indulge me    wanton spoilt child

244    scuffling fighting at close quarters    change exchange, probably via the maneuver known as “left-hand seizure” (see Introduction, on this page)

250    woodcock proverbially stupid, easily caught birds    springe snare

262    practice plot

271    Drink off drink up, drain    union pearl (plays on the sense of “marriage”)

274    tempered mixed

280    chance mischance/event

281    mutes silent onlookers/actors without speaking parts    act event/theatrical performance

282    fell cruel

283    strict rigorously just/unrelenting, stern    arrest taking into custody/halting (of my words)

285    causes grievances, grounds for revenge

286    unsatisfied uninformed/those who wish to know

288    antique Roman one of the ancient Romans, who viewed suicide as a noble alternative to an unworthy life

295    felicity happiness, bliss

302    o’er-crows triumphs over (an image from cockfighting)

304    th’election i.e., the selection of the next King of Denmark

305    voice vote/support

306    occurrents events

307    solicited prompted this    O…o! a dying groan is represented thus in several plays of the period    colours battle flags

312    would wish to

314    quarry…havoc mound of bodies proclaims total slaughter and destruction    quarry pile of dead game after a hunt

315    toward imminent/being prepared    cell small dwelling

318    dismal ominous/calamitous/depressing

320    The ears i.e., Claudius’ ears

327    jump precisely    question dispute/affair

330    stage platform    view general view

334    accidental judgements punishments happening by chance    casual occurring by chance

335    put on instigated/arranged    forced cause deliberate contrivance/false grounds

336    upshot conclusion, outcome

338    deliver report

342    of memory old/traditional/unforgotten

343    vantage advantage, favorable opportunity

345    voice speaking voice/vote    draw on encourage, rally the support of

346    this same i.e., the displaying of the bodies and explanation of events    presently immediately

347    wild bewildered/agitated

348    On on top of/as a result of

351    put on put to the test (as king)

352    passage journey into death

354    Speak i.e., let them speak

356    Becomes the field suits the battlefield    shows much amiss is very out of place

Second Quarto passages that do not appear in the Folio

    5    mote spelled moth in Q2

  14    feared = Ed. Q2 = feare

  24    clepe spelled clip in Q2

  42    often douse = Ed. Q2 = of a doubt

  51    An anchor’s = Ed. Q2 = And Anchors

168    spendthrift = Ed. Q2 = spend thirfts

173    feelingly = Q3. Q2 = fellingly (in some copies) sellingly (in other copies)

178    dizzy = Q3. Q2 = dosie (in some copies) dazzie (in other copies)

185185    SH OSRIC = F. Q2 = Cour. (for courtier)

THE TRAGEDY OF KING LEAR

Written soon after King James united the thrones of England and Scotland, and performed in his royal presence at Whitehall, King Lear reveals the dire consequences of dividing a united kingdom. In principle, the aged Lear’s decision to take voluntary retirement does not seem a bad thing: he is losing his grip on matters of state, his daughters and sons-in-law are “younger strengths” with more energy for government, and, most importantly, the division is intended to prevent a future civil war between rival claimants, which would have been a definite possibility in the absence of a son who would automatically inherit the whole kingdom. But can an anointed king abnegate his role at will? If he does, he certainly should not expect to retain the trappings of power. Goneril and Regan have a case for stripping him of his rowdy, extravagant retinue of one hundred knights.

Lear’s mistake is to link the division of the kingdom to a public show of affection. The two older sisters, well versed in the “glib and oily art” of courtly flattery, tell him what he wants to hear, but Cordelia cannot. She is one of the play’s truth tellers and simply lacks the capacity or the experience to dress her love in fine rhetoric. Lear knows that she loves him best, but we may assume that until this moment her love has always been expressed privately. As the youngest and unmarried daughter, Cordelia has probably never spoken publicly before the court. Lear’s intention for the opening scene is that it will be Cordelia’s coming out: she is supposed to give public expression to her great love and in return she will be rewarded with the richest portion of the kingdom and the most-prized husband. He does not bargain on her inability to play the role in which he has cast her. Kings and earls do not necessarily have to be blind to true virtue—witness the examples of Kent and France—but Lear, too long used to having his own way and hearing only the words of flatterers, has blinded himself. Only when he has been stripped of the fine clothes and fine words of the court, and has heard truth in the mouths of a fool and a (supposed) Bedlam beggar, does he find out what it really means to be human.

Where Macbeth and Othello are focused tightly upon a single plot line, the action of Lear greatly extends the technique of parallel plotting with which Shakespeare had experimented in Hamlet, where Laertes and Fortinbras serve as foils to the hero. In Lear, the Gloucester family plot is a sustained presence. Gloucester is another father who is blind to the true nature of his children; that blindness leads, in Shakespeare’s cruelest literalization of metaphor, to the plucking out of his eyes. Edmund corresponds to the wicked daughters; several of the play’s many letters pass between them. It is wholly appropriate that he should end up promised to them both. Like the king’s favorite daughter Cordelia, Edgar (who is the king’s godson) is unjustly exiled from home and excluded from parental care. It is fitting to the parallel structure of the twin plots that the play ends in the Folio version with him returning to take the reins of power, just as there is a certain, though very different, logic to Nahum Tate’s infamous Restoration-period rewrite with a happy ending, in which Edgar is married off to Cordelia.

Shakespeare never takes one side of a question. In the very opening lines of the play we discover that it is Edmund who has previously been unjustly exiled from home and excluded from parental care. Kent, the play’s best judge of character, initially describes Edmund as “proper”: he has the bearing of a gentleman, but his illegitimacy has deprived him of the benefits of society. Edmund’s first soliloquy makes a good case for the unfairness of a social order that practices primogeniture and stigmatizes bastardy; his discovery near the moment of death that “Edmund was beloved” is curiously touching. He is not, then, an uncomplicated stage “machiavel,” an embodiment of pure, unmotivated evil.

Astrology and astronomy were synonymous in the Elizabethan age: the signs of the times were read in the signs of the skies. King Lear is a play about bad times. The state drifts rudderless, child turns against parent, the clouds of war gather, the king and all around him totter on the brink of the abyss. So it is that Gloucester blames it all on the stars: “These late eclipses in the sun and moon portend no good to us.” Edmund, however, disputes this: “an admirable evasion of whoremaster man, to lay his goatish disposition on the charge of a star!” He argues that things often regarded as the product of the “natural order” are actually shaped by “custom”—for him, primogeniture and legitimacy would come into this category. The position articulated here is close to that of the sixteenth-century French essayist Michel de Montaigne in the closing section of his Apology of Raymond Sebond: any custom abhorred or outlawed by one nation is sure to be praised or practiced by another. But if you have nothing save custom, no divinely sanctioned hierarchy, then where does your value system come from? Montaigne’s answer is blind faith in God, whereas Edmund, like an apologist before his time for the political philosophy of Thomas Hobbes, commits himself to “nature” as a principle of survival and self-seeking.

Gloucester’s philosophical orientation, meanwhile, turns toward the stoic idea of finding the right timing for death. After his mock suicide he says, “henceforth I’ll bear / Affliction till it do cry out itself / ‘Enough, enough’ and die.” But he cannot sustain this position: when Lear and Cordelia lose the battle, he is found in “ill thoughts again,” wanting to rot. Edgar responds with more stoic advice: “Men must endure / Their going hence, even as their coming hither: / Ripeness is all.” But this idea of ripe timing doesn’t work out: by mistiming the revelation of his own identity to Gloucester, Edgar precipitates his father’s death.

The play’s pattern, then, is of stoic comfort not working. At the beginning of the fourth act Edgar reflects on his own condition and cheers himself up with thoughts about the worst, but then his father comes on blinded and he is instantly confounded—things are worse than before. If the case of Edgar reveals the deficiency of stoic comfort, that of Albany demonstrates the inadequacy of belief in divine justice. His credo is that the good shall taste “the wages of their virtue” and the bad drink from the poisoned “cup of their deservings.” This scheme works for the bad, but not for the good. In the closing scene, Albany tries to orchestrate events, to make order out of chaos, but each of his resolutions is followed by new disaster: he greets the restored Edgar, then immediately hears the news of Gloucester’s death, then the news of the two queens’ deaths; then Kent comes on, dying; then in response to the news that Cordelia is to be hanged, Albany says “The gods defend her!,” only for Lear to enter with her in his arms already hanged. The gods have not defended her. Then Albany tries to give power back to Lear—and he promptly dies. Then he tries to persuade Kent and Edgar to divide the kingdom, and Kent promptly goes off to die.

The final lines of the play—given to different speakers in the Quarto and Folio versions of the text—suggest that the lesson has been learnt that stoic comfort will not do, that it is better to “speak what we feel” than “what we ought to say.” The Folio’s ascription of this speech to Edgar makes more dramatic sense than the Quarto’s to Albany, since Edgar’s stripping down in Act 3 is an exposure to feeling, occurring in conjunction with Lear’s feeling with and for the poor, which makes him the character better prepared to voice this sentiment.

The stoic philosopher tries to be ruled by reason rather than passion. But for the great sixteenth-century humanist Desiderius Erasmus in his Praise of Folly, there is inhumanity in the notion that to be wise you must suppress the emotions. The most important thing is to “feel”—as Gloucester has to learn, to see the world not rationally but “feelingly.” Erasmus’ Folly points out that friendship is among the highest human values, and it depends on emotion. The people who show friendship to Lear (Fool, Kent disguised as Caius, Edgar disguised as Poor Tom and then as Peasant) and to Gloucester (Servants, Old Man) are not the wise or the rich.

We are ruled by our passions and our bodies; we go through life performing a series of different roles of which we are by no means in control. “All this life of mortal men, what is it else but a certain kind of stage play?” asks Erasmus’ Folly. Lear echoes the sentiment: “When we are born, we cry that we are come / To this great stage of fools.” In the great theater of the world, with the gods as audience, we are the fools on stage. Under the aspect of Folly, we see that a king is no different from any other man. The trappings of monarchy are but a costume: this is both Folly’s and Lear’s discovery.

The play ends on a note of apocalypse, millennial doom. A trumpet sounds three times to announce the final showdown. Then when Lear enters with his beloved daughter dead in his arms, loyal Kent asks “Is this the promised end?” He is thinking of Doomsday, but the line is also a sly allusion on Shakespeare’s part: in all previous versions of the Lear story, several of which would have been familiar to members of his audience, Cordelia survives and Lear is restored to the throne. The death of Cordelia is all the more painful because it is not the end “promised” by previous literary and theatrical tradition.

King Lear is a play full of questions. The big ones go unanswered. The biggest of all is Lear’s “Why should a dog, a horse, a rat have life, / And thou no breath at all?” In this world, there is no rhyme nor reason, no pattern of divine justice. Here again, Shakespeare departs strikingly from his source, the old anonymous play of King Leir, in which Christian providence prevails. Shakespeare reimagines his material in a bleak pagan world. In this, he not only looks back to the past, but also anticipates a future that is ours—a time when the old religious hierarchies and moral certainties have been stripped away.

But in a strange way an answer is to be found in Edgar’s reply to Kent’s line about the promised end. A question is answered with a question: “Or image of that horror?” It’s not really the end of the world; it’s an image of the end. Hamlet said that the player holds up a mirror to nature, but in King Lear we are reminded again and again that what you see in a mirror is an image, not the thing itself. Gloucester doesn’t really jump off the cliff: it’s all an elaborate game, designed by Edgar to teach his father a lesson. In uncertain times, we need images, games, and experiments as ways of trying to make sense of our world. We need plays. That is why, four centuries on, we keep going back to Shakespeare and his dazzling mirror-world in which everyone is a player.

Looked at in one way, the world of King Lear, with its images of doom, its mad king, its scheming ugly sisters, its fool, and its (pretend) mad Bedlam beggar, could not be further from ordinary life. But looked at another way, it is an image of ordinary things, but seen in extremity. It is a play that has more time for a language of ordinary things—garden water pots, wrens, and toasted cheese—than for the glib and oily art of courtly speech.

So is the whole play, like the “Dover cliff” scene, an elaborate game designed by Shakespeare to teach us a lesson? Only if we think of it as a lesson in feeling, not high-minded judgment. To be truly responsive to the play we must, as the final speech has it, “Speak what we feel, not what we ought to say.” To be human is to see feelingly, not to fall back on easy moralizing, the “ought to say” that characterizes people like Albany. And seeing feelingly has to do with our sympathetic response to the images that confront us, both on the stage and in the great theater of the world. Lear becomes human when he stops caring about one kind of image (the glorious trappings of monarchy) and instead confronts another: the image of raw human being, of a fool, and a Bedlam beggar, of poor naked wretches. Come the last trump, the play tells us, we will be judged by our fellow feeling for the dispossessed, not our status in society. In this, as in so much else, Shakespeare speaks not only for his own age, but for ours.

KEY FACTS

PLOT: Lear, King of Britain, decides to abdicate and divide his kingdom among his three daughters. When his beloved youngest, Cordelia, refuses to make a public declaration of love for her father she is disinherited and married to the King of France without a dowry. The Earl of Kent is banished by Lear for daring to defend her. The two elder daughters, Goneril and Regan, and their husbands inherit the kingdom. Gloucester, deceived by his bastard son Edmund, disinherits his legitimate son, Edgar, who is forced to go on the run to save his life. Lear, now stripped of his power, quarrels with Goneril and Regan about the conditions of his lodging in their households. In a rage he goes out into the stormy night, accompanied by his Fool and by Kent, now disguised as a servant. They encounter Edgar, disguised as a mad beggar called “Poor Tom.” Gloucester is betrayed by Edmund and captured by Regan and Cornwall, who put out his eyes. King Lear is taken secretly to Dover, where Cordelia has landed with a French army. The blind Gloucester meets but does not recognize Edgar, who leads him to Dover. Lear and Cordelia are reconciled, but in the ensuing battle are captured by the sisters’ forces. Goneril and Regan are both in love with Edmund, who encourages them both. Discovering this, Goneril’s husband Albany forces Edmund to defend himself against the charge of treachery. A knight appears to challenge Edmund and, after fatally wounding him, reveals himself to be Edgar. News comes that Goneril has poisoned Regan and then committed suicide. Before dying, Edmund reveals that he has ordered the deaths of Lear and Cordelia.

MAJOR PARTS: (with percentage of lines/number of speeches/scenes on stage) Lear (22%/188/10), Edgar (11%/98/10), Earl of Kent (11%/127/12), Earl of Gloucester (10%/118/12), Edmund (9%/79/9), Fool (7%/58/6), Goneril (6%/53/8), Regan (5%/73/8), Duke of Albany (5%/58/5), Cordelia (3%/31/4), Duke of Cornwall (3%/63/5), Oswald (2%/38/7).

LINGUISTIC MEDIUM: 75% verse, 25% prose.

DATE: 1605–06. Performed at court December 1606; draws on old Leir play (published 1605); seems to refer to eclipses of September and October 1605; borrows from books by Samuel Harsnett and John Florio that were published in 1603.

SOURCES: Based on The True Chronicle Historie of King Leir and his Three Daughters, an old play of unknown authorship that was in the London theatrical repertoire in the early 1590s, but makes many changes, including alteration of providential Christian to pagan language and the introduction of a tragic ending. The Lear story also appeared in other sources familiar to Shakespeare: The Mirrour for Magistrates (edition of 1574), Holinshed’s Chronicles (1587), and book 2 canto 10 of Edmund Spenser’s epic poem The Faerie Queene (1590). In all versions of the story before Shakespeare’s, there is a “romance” ending whereby the old king is restored to his daughter Cordelia and to the throne. The Gloucester subplot is derived from the story of the Paphlagonian king in book 2 chapter 10 of The Countess of Pembroke’s Arcadia by Sir Philip Sidney (1590): a blind old man is led to the top of a cliff from where he contemplates suicide because he has been deceived by his bastard son; the good son returns and encounters the bad one in a chivalric duel. The story was intended to exemplify both “true natural goodness” and “wretched ungratefulness”; a few chapters later (2.15), Sidney tells of a different credulous king who is tricked into mistrusting his virtuous son. The characters of “Poor Tom” and the Fool are entirely Shakespearean creations, though some of the language of demonic possession feigned by Edgar is borrowed from Samuel Harsnett’s Declaration of Egregious Popish Impostures (1603), a work of propaganda about Catholic plots and faked exorcisms that Shakespeare probably read because of the Stratford origins of one of the exorcizing priests, Robert Debdale. The language of the play and some of its philosophical ideas reveal that Shakespeare had also been reading The Essayes of Montaigne in John Florio’s English translation (1603).

TEXT: Published in Quarto in 1608 under the title M. William Shak-speare: HIS True Chronicle Historie of the life and death of King LEAR and his three Daughters. With the vnfortunate life of Edgar, sonne and heire to the Earle of Gloster, and his sullen and assumed humor of TOM of Bedlam: As it was played before the Kings Maiestie at Whitehall vpon S. Stephans night in Christmas Hollidayes. By his Maiesties seruants playing vsually at the Gloabe on the Bancke-side. This text was very poorly printed, partly because its printer (Nicholas Okes) was unaccustomed to setting plays and also because it seems to derive from Shakespeare’s own working manuscript, which would have been difficult to read. Quarto includes about 300 lines that are not in the 1623 Folio text, which was entitled “The Tragedy of King Lear” and has clear signs of derivation from the theatrical playbook (though, to complicate matters, the Folio printing was also influenced by a reprint of the Quarto that appeared in 1619 as one of the ten plays published by Thomas Pavier in an attempt to produce a collected Shakespeare). The Folio in turn has about 100 lines that are not in the Quarto, and nearly 1,000 lines have variations of word or phrase. The two early texts thus represent two different stages in the life of the play, with extensive revision having been carried out, either systematically or incrementally. Revisions include diminution of the prominence given to the invading French army (perhaps for political reasons), clarification of Lear’s motives for dividing his kingdom, and weakening of the role of Albany (including reassignment from him to Edgar of the play’s closing speech, and thus by implication—since it was a convention of Shakespearean tragedy that the new man in power always has the last word—of the right to rule Britain). Among the more striking cuts are the mock trial of Goneril in the hovel and the moment of compassion when loyal servants apply a palliative to Gloucester’s bleeding eyes. For centuries, editors have conflated the Quarto and Folio texts, creating a play that Shakespeare never wrote. We endorse the body of scholarship since the 1980s and the new editorial tradition in which Folio and Quarto are regarded as discrete entities. We have edited the more theatrical Folio text, but have corrected its errors (which are plentiful, since much of it was set in type by “Compositor E,” the apprentice who was by far the worst printer in Isaac Jaggard’s shop). The influence of Quarto copy on the Folio is of great assistance in making these corrections. Textual notes are perforce more numerous than for any other work by Shakespeare; several hundred Quarto variants are listed. All the most significant Quarto-only passages are printed at the end of the play.

THE TRAGEDY OF KING LEAR

LEAR, King of Britain

GONERIL, Lear’s eldest daughter

REGAN, Lear’s middle daughter

CORDELIA, Lear’s youngest daughter

Duke of ALBANY, Goneril’s husband

Duke of CORNWALL, Regan’s husband

King of FRANCE, suitor and later husband to Cordelia

Duke of BURGUNDY, suitor to Cordelia

Earl of KENT, later disguised as Caius

Earl of GLOUCESTER

EDGAR, Gloucester’s son, later disguised as Poor Tom

EDMUND, Gloucester’s illegitimate son

OLD MAN, Gloucester’s tenant

CURAN, Gloucester’s retainer

Lear’s FOOL

OSWALD, Goneril’s steward

GENTLEMAN, a Knight serving Lear

GENTLEMAN, attendant on Cordelia

SERVANT of Cornwall

HERALD

CAPTAIN

Knights attendant upon Lear, other Attendants, Messengers, Soldiers, Servants and Trumpeters

Act 1 Scene 11.1

running scene 1

       Enter Kent, Gloucester and Edmund

KENT

KENT     I thought the king had more affected¹ the Duke of Albany than Cornwall.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     It did always seem so to us: but now in the division of the kingdom it appears not which of the dukes he values most, for qualities³ are so weighed that curiosity in neither can make choice of either’s moiety.

KENT

KENT     Is not this your son, my lord?

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     His breeding,⁶ sir, hath been at my charge. I have so often blushed to acknowledge him that now I am brazed⁷ to’t.

KENT

KENT     I cannot conceive⁸ you.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Sir, this young fellow’s mother could; whereupon she grew round-wombed and had indeed, sir, a son for her cradle ere¹⁰ she had a husband for her bed. Do you smell a fault?¹¹

KENT

KENT     I cannot wish the fault undone,¹² the issue of it being so proper.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     But I have a son, sir, by¹³ order of law, some year elder than this, who yet is no dearer¹⁴ in my account, though this knave came something saucily to the world before he was sent for: yet was his mother fair, there was good sport at his making and the whoreson¹⁶ must be acknowledged.— Do you know this noble gentleman, Edmund?

EDMUND

EDMUND     No, my lord.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     My lord of Kent: remember him hereafter as my honourable friend.

EDMUND

EDMUND     My services to your lordship.

KENT

KENT     I must love you, and sue²¹ to know you better.

EDMUND

EDMUND     Sir, I shall study deserving.²²

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     He hath been out²³ nine years, and away he shall again. The king is coming.

       Sennet. Enter [one bearing a coronet, then] King Lear, Cornwall, Albany, Goneril, Regan, Cordelia and Attendants

LEAR

LEAR     Attend²⁵ the lords of France and Burgundy, Gloucester.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     I shall, my lord.

       Exit

LEAR

LEAR     Meantime we shall express our darker²⁷ purpose.

               Give me the map there. Kent or an Attendant gives Lear a map

                                    Know that we have divided

               In three our kingdom, and ’tis our fast intent²⁹

30

30           To shake all cares and business³⁰ from our age,

               Conferring them on younger strengths while we

               Unburdened crawl toward death. Our son³² of Cornwall,

               And you our no less loving son of Albany,

               We have this hour a constant will³⁴ to publish

35

35           Our daughters’ several dowers,³⁵ that future strife

               May be prevented now. The princes, France and Burgundy,

               Great rivals in our youngest daughter’s love,

               Long in our court have made their amorous sojourn³⁸

               And here are to be answered. Tell me, my daughters —

40

40           Since now we will divest us both of rule,

               Interest⁴¹ of territory, cares of state —

               Which of you shall we say doth love us most,

               That we our largest bounty⁴³ may extend

               Where nature⁴⁴ doth with merit challenge? Goneril,

45

45           Our eldest born, speak first.

GONERIL

GONERIL     Sir, I love you more than word can wield⁴⁶ the matter,

               Dearer than eyesight, space and liberty,

               Beyond what can be valued rich or rare,

               No less than life, with grace,⁴⁹ health, beauty, honour:

50

50           As much as child e’er loved or father found:

               A love that makes breath poor⁵¹ and speech unable:

               Beyond all⁵² manner of so much I love you.

CORDELIA

CORDELIA     What shall Cordelia speak? Love and be silent. Aside

LEAR

LEAR     Of all these bounds,⁵⁴ even from this line to this, Points to the map

55

55           With shadowy⁵⁵ forests and with champaigns riched,

               With plenteous rivers and wide-skirted meads,⁵⁶

               We make thee lady. To thine and Albany’s issues

               Be this perpetual.— What says our second daughter?

               Our dearest Regan, wife of Cornwall?

60

60   

REGAN

REGAN I am made of that self-mettle⁶⁰ as my sister,

               And prize⁶¹ me at her worth. In my true heart,

               I find she names my very deed⁶² of love:

               Only she comes too short, that⁶³ I profess

               Myself an enemy to all other joys

65

65           Which the most precious square of sense⁶⁵ professes,

               And find I am alone felicitate⁶⁶

               In your dear highness’ love.

CORDELIA

CORDELIA     Then poor Cordelia: Aside

               And yet not so, since I am sure my love’s

70

70           More ponderous⁷⁰ than my tongue.

LEAR

LEAR     To thee and thine hereditary⁷¹ ever

               Remain this ample third of our fair kingdom,

               No less in space, validity⁷³ and pleasure

               Than that conferred on Goneril.— Now, our joy, To Cordelia

75

75           Although our last and least, to whose young love

               The vines⁷⁶ of France and milk of Burgundy

               Strive to be interessed,⁷⁷ what can you say to draw

               A third more opulent than your sisters’? Speak.

CORDELIA

CORDELIA     Nothing, my lord.

80

80   

LEAR

LEAR           Nothing?

CORDELIA

CORDELIA     Nothing.

LEAR

LEAR     Nothing will come of nothing: speak again.

CORDELIA

CORDELIA     Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave

               My heart into my mouth: I love your majesty

85

85           According to my bond,⁸⁵ no more nor less.

LEAR

LEAR     How, how, Cordelia? Mend⁸⁶ your speech a little,

               Lest you may mar⁸⁷ your fortunes.

CORDELIA

CORDELIA     Good my lord,

               You have begot⁸⁹ me, bred me, loved me:

90

90           I return those duties back as are right fit,

               Obey you, love you and most honour you.

               Why have my sisters husbands if they say

               They love you all? Happily when I shall wed,

               That lord whose hand must take my plight⁹⁴ shall carry

95

95           Half my love with him, half my care and duty:

               Sure I shall never marry like my sisters.

LEAR

LEAR     But goes thy heart with this?

CORDELIA

CORDELIA     Ay, my good lord.

LEAR

LEAR     So young and so untender?⁹⁹

100

100 

CORDELIA

LEAR             So young, my lord, and true.

LEAR

LEAR     Let it be so: thy truth then be thy dower,

               For by the sacred radiance of the sun,

               The mysteries of Hecate¹⁰³ and the night,

               By all the operation¹⁰⁴ of the orbs

105

105         From whom we do exist and cease to be,

               Here I disclaim all my paternal care,

               Propinquity¹⁰⁷ and property of blood,

               And as a stranger to my heart and me

               Hold thee from this¹⁰⁹ for ever. The barbarous Scythian,

110

110         Or he that makes his generation¹¹⁰ messes

               To gorge his appetite, shall to my bosom

               Be as well neighboured,¹¹² pitied and relieved

               As thou my sometime¹¹³ daughter.

KENT

KENT     Good my liege¹¹⁴—

115

115 

LEAR

LEAR             Peace, Kent:

               Come not between the dragon and his wrath.

               I loved her most, and thought to set my rest¹¹⁷

               On her kind¹¹⁸ nursery.— Hence, and avoid my sight!— To Cordelia

               So be my grave my peace, as here I give

120

120         Her father’s heart from her. Call France. Who stirs?¹²⁰

               Call Burgundy.— Cornwall and Albany,

       [Exit Attendant]

               With my two daughters’ dowers digest¹²² the third.

               Let pride, which she calls plainness,¹²³ marry her.

               I do invest you jointly with my power,

125

125         Pre-eminence, and all the large effects¹²⁵

               That troop with¹²⁶ majesty. Ourself by monthly course,

               With reservation of¹²⁷ an hundred knights

               By you to be sustained,¹²⁸ shall our abode

               Make with you by due turn: only we shall retain

130

130         The name and all th’addition to¹³⁰ a king: the sway,

               Revenue, execution of the rest,

               Belovèd sons, be yours, which to confirm,

               This coronet part between you. Gives them coronet to break in half

KENT

KENT     Royal Lear,

135

135         Whom I have ever honoured as my king,

               Loved as my father, as my master followed,

               As my great patron thought on in my prayers—

LEAR

LEAR     The bow is bent and drawn, make¹³⁸ from the shaft.

KENT

KENT     Let it fall rather, though the fork¹³⁹ invade

140

140         The region of my heart: be Kent unmannerly

               When Lear is mad. What wouldst thou¹⁴¹ do, old man?

               Think’st thou that duty shall have dread to speak

               When power to flattery bows? To plainness honour’s bound

               When majesty falls to folly. Reserve thy state,¹⁴⁴

145

145         And in¹⁴⁵ thy best consideration check

               This hideous rashness. Answer¹⁴⁶ my life my judgement:

               Thy youngest daughter does not love thee least,

               Nor are those empty-hearted whose low sounds

               Reverb no hollowness.¹⁴⁹

150

150 

LEAR

LEAR             Kent, on thy life, no more.

KENT

KENT     My life I never held¹⁵¹ but as pawn

               To wage¹⁵² against thine enemies, ne’er fear to lose it,

               Thy safety being motive.

LEAR

LEAR     Out of my sight!

155

155 

KENT

KENT             See better, Lear, and let me still remain

               The true blank¹⁵⁶ of thine eye.

LEAR

LEAR     Now, by Apollo¹⁵⁷—

KENT

KENT     Now, by Apollo, king,

               Thou swear’st thy gods in vain.

160

160         

LEAR

LEAR     O, vassal!¹⁶⁰ Miscreant! Puts his hand on his sword or attacks Kent

ALBANY and CORDELIA

ALBANY and CORDELIA     Dear sir, forbear.¹⁶¹

KENT

KENT     Kill¹⁶² thy physician, and thy fee bestow

               Upon the foul disease. Revoke thy gift,

               Or whilst I can vent clamour from my throat,

165

165         I’ll tell thee thou dost evil.

LEAR

LEAR     Hear me, recreant,¹⁶⁶ on thine allegiance hear me!

               That¹⁶⁷ thou hast sought to make us break our vows,

               Which we durst¹⁶⁸ never yet, and with strained pride

               To come betwixt our sentences¹⁶⁹ and our power,

170

170         Which nor¹⁷⁰ our nature nor our place can bear,

               Our potency¹⁷¹ made good, take thy reward:

               Five days we do allot thee for provision

               To shield thee from disasters¹⁷³ of the world,

               And on the sixth to turn thy hated back

175

175         Upon our kingdom: if on the next day following

               Thy banished trunk¹⁷⁶ be found in our dominions,

               The moment is thy death. Away! By Jupiter,¹⁷⁷

               This shall not be revoked.

KENT

KENT     Fare thee well, king: sith¹⁷⁹ thus thou wilt appear,

180

180         Freedom lives hence and banishment is here.—

               The gods to their dear shelter take thee, maid, To Cordelia

               That justly think’st, and hast most rightly said.—

               And your¹⁸³ large speeches may your deeds approve, To Goneril and Regan

               That good effects may spring from words of love.

185

185         Thus Kent, O princes, bids you all adieu.

               He’ll shape¹⁸⁶ his old course in a country new.

       Exit

       Flourish. Enter Gloucester with France and Burgundy, Attendants

CORDELIA

CORDELIA     Here’s France and Burgundy, my noble lord.

LEAR

LEAR      My lord of Burgundy,

               We first address toward you, who with this king

190

190         Hath rivalled¹⁹⁰ for our daughter: what in the least

               Will you require in present dower¹⁹¹ with her,

               Or cease your quest of love?

BURGUNDY

BURGUNDY     Most royal majesty,

               I crave no more than hath your highness offered,

195

195         Nor will you tender¹⁹⁵ less.

LEAR

LEAR      Right noble Burgundy,

               When she was dear to us, we did hold her so,¹⁹⁷

               But now her price is fallen. Sir, there she stands:

               If aught¹⁹⁹ within that little seeming substance,

200

200         Or all of it, with our displeasure pieced,²⁰⁰

               And nothing more, may fitly like²⁰¹ your grace,

               She’s there, and she is yours.

BURGUNDY

BURGUNDY     I know no answer.

LEAR

LEAR      Will you, with those infirmities²⁰⁴ she owes,

205

205         Unfriended, new-adopted to our hate,

               Dowered with²⁰⁶ our curse and strangered with our oath,

               Take her or leave her?

BURGUNDY

BURGUNDY     Pardon me, royal sir:

               Election²⁰⁹ makes not up in such conditions.

210

210 

LEAR

LEAR      Then leave her, sir, for by the power that made me,

               I tell you²¹¹ all her wealth.— For you, great king, To France

               I would not from²¹² your love make such a stray

               To match you where I hate, therefore beseech you

               T’avert your liking a more worthier way

215

215         Than on a wretch whom nature is ashamed

               Almost t’acknowledge hers.

FRANCE

FRANCE     This is most strange,

               That she whom even but now was your object,²¹⁸

               The argument²¹⁹ of your praise, balm of your age,

220

220         The best, the dearest, should in this trice²²⁰ of time

               Commit a thing so monstrous²²¹ to dismantle

               So many folds of favour. Sure her offence

               Must be of such unnatural degree

               That monsters it,²²⁴ or your fore-vouched affection

225

225         Fall into taint,²²⁵ which to believe of her

               Must be a faith that reason without miracle

               Should never plant in me.

CORDELIA

CORDELIA     I yet beseech your majesty —

               If for²²⁹ I want that glib and oily art

230

230         To speak and purpose not,²³⁰ since what I will intend

               I’ll do’t before I speak — that you make known

               It is no vicious blot, murder, or foulness,²³²

               No unchaste action or dishonoured step

               That hath deprived me of your grace and favour,

235

235         But even for want of that for which²³⁵ I am richer:

               A still-soliciting²³⁶ eye and such a tongue

               That I am glad I have not, though not to have it

               Hath lost me in your liking.

LEAR

LEAR      Better thou hadst

240

240         Not been born than not t’have pleased me better.

FRANCE

FRANCE     Is it but this? A tardiness in nature,²⁴¹

               Which often leaves the history²⁴² unspoke

               That it intends to do? My lord of Burgundy,

               What say you to the lady? Love’s not love

245

245         When it is mingled with regards²⁴⁵ that stands

               Aloof from th’entire point. Will you have her?

               She is herself a dowry.

BURGUNDY

BURGUNDY      Royal king, To Lear

               Give but that portion which yourself proposed,

250

250         And here I take Cordelia by the hand,

               Duchess of Burgundy.

LEAR

LEAR      Nothing: I have sworn: I am firm.

BURGUNDY

BURGUNDY     I am sorry, then, you have so lost a father To Cordelia

               That you must lose a husband.

255

255 

CORDELIA

cordelia     Peace be with Burgundy.

               Since that respect and fortunes²⁵⁶ are his love,

               I shall not be his wife.

FRANCE

FRANCE     Fairest Cordelia, that art most rich being poor,

               Most choice forsaken,²⁵⁹ and most loved despised,

260

260         Thee and thy virtues here I seize upon:²⁶⁰

               Be it lawful,²⁶¹ I take up what’s cast away. Takes her hand

               Gods, gods! ’Tis strange that from their²⁶² cold’st neglect

               My love should kindle to inflamed²⁶³ respect.—

               Thy dowerless daughter, king, thrown²⁶⁴ to my chance,

265

265         Is queen of us, of ours and our fair France:

               Not all the dukes of wat’rish²⁶⁶ Burgundy

               Can buy this unprized²⁶⁷ precious maid of me.—

               Bid them farewell, Cordelia, though unkind.²⁶⁸

               Thou losest here, a better where²⁶⁹ to find.

270

270 

LEAR

LEAR     Thou hast her, France: let her be thine, for we

               Have no such daughter, nor shall ever see

               That face of hers again. Therefore be gone

               Without our grace,²⁷³ our love, our benison.

               Come, noble Burgundy.

       Flourish. Exeunt. [France and the sisters remain]

275

275 

FRANCE

FRANCE     Bid farewell to your sisters.

CORDELIA

CORDELIA     The jewels of our father, with washèd²⁷⁶ eyes

               Cordelia leaves you. I know you what you are,

               And like a sister am most loath to call

               Your faults as²⁷⁹ they are named. Love well our father:

280

280         To your professèd bosoms²⁸⁰ I commit him,

               But yet, alas, stood I within his grace,

               I would prefer²⁸² him to a better place.

               So farewell to you both.

REGAN

REGAN     Prescribe not us our duty.

285

285 

GONERIL

GONERIL     Let your study²⁸⁵

               Be to content your lord who hath received you

               At fortune’s alms.²⁸⁷ You have obedience scanted,

               And well are²⁸⁸ worth the want that you have wanted.

CORDELIA

CORDELIA     Time shall unfold what plighted cunning²⁸⁹ hides:

290

290         Who²⁸⁹ covers faults, at last with shame derides.

               Well may you prosper.

FRANCE

FRANCE     Come, my fair Cordelia.

       Exit France and Cordelia

GONERIL

GONERIL     Sister, it is not little I have to say of what most nearly²⁹³ appertains to us both. I think our father will hence tonight.

REGAN

REGAN     That’s most certain, and with you: next month with us.

GONERIL

GONERIL     You see how full of changes his age is: the observation we have made of it hath not been little. He always loved our sister most, and with what poor judgement he hath now cast her off appears too grossly.²⁹⁸

REGAN

REGAN     ’Tis the infirmity of his age: yet he hath ever²⁹⁹ but slenderly known himself.

GONERIL

GONERIL     The³⁰⁰ best and soundest of his time hath been but rash. Then must we look from his age to receive not alone the imperfections of long-engrafted condition,³⁰¹ but therewithal³⁰² the unruly waywardness that infirm and choleric years bring with them.

REGAN

REGAN     Such unconstant starts³⁰⁴ are we like to have from him as this of Kent’s banishment.

GONERIL

GONERIL     There is further compliment³⁰⁶ of leave-taking between France and him. Pray you let us sit together:³⁰⁷ if our father carry authority with such disposition as he bears, this last surrender³⁰⁸ of his will but offend us.

REGAN

REGAN     We shall further think of it.

310               

GONERIL

GONERIL     We must do something, and i’th’heat.³¹⁰

       Exeunt

Act 1 Scene 21.2

running scene 2

       Enter Bastard [Edmund] With a letter

1        

EDMUND

EDMUND     Thou, nature, art my goddess: to thy law

               My services are bound. Wherefore² should I

               Stand in³ the plague of custom and permit

               The curiosity⁴ of nations to deprive me

5

5             For that I am some twelve or fourteen moonshines⁵

               Lag of⁶ a brother? Why bastard? Wherefore base?

               When my dimensions⁷ are as well compact,

               My mind as generous,⁸ and my shape as true,

               As honest madam’s issue?⁹ Why brand they us

10

           With base? With baseness? Bastardy? Base, base?

               Who¹¹ in the lusty stealth of nature take

               More¹² composition and fierce quality

               Than doth within a dull, stale, tirèd bed,

               Go to th’creating a whole tribe of fops¹⁴

15

15           Got¹⁵ ’tween a sleep and wake? Well then,

               Legitimate Edgar, I¹⁸ must have your land:

               Our father’s love is to the bastard Edmund

               As to th’legitimate — fine word, ‘legitimate’ —

               Well, my legitimate, if this letter speed¹⁹

20

20           And my invention²⁰ thrive, Edmund the base

               Shall to th’legitimate.²¹ I grow, I prosper:

               Now, gods, stand up for bastards!

       Enter Gloucester

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Kent banished thus? And France in choler²³ parted?

               And the king gone tonight? Prescribed²⁴ his power,

25

25           Confined to exhibition?²⁵ All this done

               Upon the gad?²⁶ Edmund, how now? What news?

EDMUND

EDMUND     So please your lordship, none. Hides the letter

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Why so earnestly seek you to put up²⁸ that letter?

EDMUND

EDMUND     I know no news, my lord.

GLOUCESTER

30 gloucester     What paper were you reading?

EDMUND

EDMUND     Nothing, my lord.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     No? What needed, then, that terrible dispatch³² of it into your pocket? The quality of nothing hath not such need to hide itself. Let’s see: come, if it be nothing I shall not need spectacles.

EDMUND

EDMUND     I beseech you, sir, pardon me: it is a letter from my brother that I have not all o’er-read; and for³⁶ so much as I have perused, I find it not fit for your o’erlooking.³⁷

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Give me the letter, sir.

EDMUND

EDMUND     I shall offend either to detain or give it: the contents, as in part I understand them, are to blame.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Let’s see, let’s see. Edmund gives the letter

EDMUND

EDMUND     I hope for my brother’s justification he wrote this but as an essay or taste⁴² of my virtue.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Reads ‘This policy⁴⁴ and reverence of age makes the world bitter to the best of our times, keeps our fortunes⁴⁵ from us till our oldness cannot relish them. I begin to find an idle⁴⁶ and fond bondage in the oppression of aged tyranny, who sways,⁴⁷ not as it hath power, but as it is suffered. Come to me, that of this I may speak more. If our father would sleep till I waked him, you should enjoy half his revenue for ever and live the beloved of your brother, Edgar.’

               Hum! Conspiracy! ‘Sleep till I wake him, you should enjoy half his revenue.’ My son Edgar? Had he a hand to write this? A heart and brain to breed it in? When came you to this? Who brought it?

EDMUND

EDMUND     It was not brought me, my lord; there’s the cunning of it: I found it thrown in at the casement⁵⁴ of my closet.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     You know the character⁵⁵ to be your brother’s?

EDMUND

EDMUND     If the matter⁵⁶ were good, my lord, I durst swear it were his, but in respect of that I would fain⁵⁷ think it were not.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     It is his.

EDMUND

EDMUND     It is his hand, my lord, but I hope his heart is not in the contents.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Has he never before sounded you in this business?

EDMUND

EDMUND     Never, my lord: but I have heard him oft maintain it to be fit that, sons at perfect age⁶¹ and fathers declined,⁶² the father should be as ward to the son, and the son manage his revenue.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     O villain, villain! His very opinion in the letter! Abhorred villain! Unnatural, detested, brutish villain! Worse than brutish! Go, sirrah,⁶⁵ seek him: I’ll apprehend⁶⁶ him. Abominable villain, where is he?

EDMUND

EDMUND     I do not well know, my lord. If it shall please you to suspend your indignation against my brother till you can derive from him better testimony of his intent, you should run⁶⁹ a certain course, where, if you violently proceed against him, mistaking his purpose, it would make a great gap in your own honour and shake in pieces the heart of his obedience. I dare pawn down⁷¹ my life for him, that he hath writ this to feel⁷² my affection to your honour, and to no other pretence of danger.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Think you so?

EDMUND

EDMUND     If your honour judge it meet,⁷⁵ I will place you where you shall hear us confer of this, and by an auricular assurance⁷⁶ have your satisfaction, and that without any further delay than this very evening.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     He cannot be such a monster. Edmund, seek him out: wind⁷⁸ me into him, I pray you: frame⁷⁹ the business after your own wisdom. I would unstate myself to be in a due resolution.

EDMUND

EDMUND     I will seek him, sir, presently:⁸¹ convey the business as I shall find means and acquaint you withal.⁸²

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     These late⁸³ eclipses in the sun and moon portend no good to us: though the wisdom of nature⁸⁴ can reason it thus and thus, yet nature finds itself scourged by the sequent effects:⁸⁵ love cools, friendship falls off, brothers divide: in cities, mutinies; in countries, discord; in palaces, treason; and the bond cracked ’twixt son and father. This villain of mine comes under the prediction: there’s son against father. The king falls from bias of nature:⁸⁸ there’s father against child. We have seen the best of our time: machinations, hollowness, treachery, and all ruinous disorders follow us disquietly to our graves. Find out this villain, Edmund: it⁹¹ shall lose thee nothing. Do it carefully.— And the noble and true-hearted Kent banished! His offence, honesty! ’Tis strange.

       Exit

EDMUND

EDMUND     This is the excellent foppery⁹³ of the world, that when we are sick in fortune — often the surfeits⁹⁴ of our own behaviour — we make guilty of our disasters the sun, the moon⁹⁵ and stars, as if we were villains on necessity, fools by heavenly compulsion, knaves, thieves and treachers⁹⁶ by spherical predominance, drunkards, liars and adulterers by an enforced obedience of planetary influence, and all that we are evil in, by a divine⁹⁸ thrusting on: an admirable evasion⁹⁹ of whoremaster man, to lay his goatish disposition on the charge of a star! My father compounded¹⁰⁰ with my mother under the dragon’s tail and my nativity was under Ursa Major,¹⁰¹ so that it follows I am rough and lecherous. I should have been that I am had the maidenliest¹⁰² star in the firmament twinkled on my bastardizing.¹⁰³

       Enter Edgar

               Pat¹⁰⁴ he comes like the catastrophe of the old comedy: my cue is villainous melancholy, with a sigh like Tom o’Bedlam.¹⁰⁵— O, these eclipses do portend these divisions!¹⁰⁶ Fa, sol, la, mi.

EDGAR

EDGAR     How now, brother Edmund, what serious contemplation are you in?

EDMUND

EDMUND     I am thinking, brother, of a prediction I read this¹⁰⁸ other day, what should follow these eclipses.

EDGAR

EDGAR     Do you busy yourself with that?

EDMUND

EDMUND     I promise you, the effects he writes of succeed¹¹¹ unhappily. When saw you my father last?

EDGAR

EDGAR     The night gone by.

EDMUND

EDMUND     Spake you with him?

EDGAR

EDGAR     Ay, two hours together.

EDMUND

EDMUND     Parted you in good terms? Found you no displeasure in him by word nor countenance?¹¹⁷

EDGAR

EDGAR     None at all.

EDMUND

EDMUND     Bethink yourself wherein you may have offended him, and at my entreaty forbear¹²⁰ his presence until some little time hath qualified the heat of his displeasure, which at this instant so rageth in him that with the mischief¹²¹ of your person it would scarcely allay.¹²²

EDGAR

EDGAR     Some villain hath done me wrong.

EDMUND

EDMUND     That’s my fear. I pray you have¹²⁴ a continent forbearance till the speed of his rage goes slower: and, as I say, retire with me to my lodging, from whence I will fitly¹²⁶ bring you to hear my lord speak. Pray ye go. There’s my key: Gives a key if you do stir abroad,¹²⁷ go armed.

EDGAR

EDGAR     Armed, brother?

EDMUND

EDMUND     Brother, I advise you to the best: I am no honest man if there be any good meaning¹³⁰ toward you: I have told you what I have seen and heard, but faintly, nothing like the image and horror¹³¹ of it. Pray you away.

EDGAR

EDGAR     Shall I hear from you anon?¹³²

       Exit

EDMUND

EDMUND     I do serve¹³³ you in this business.—

               A credulous father and a brother noble,

135

135         Whose nature is so far from doing harms

               That he suspects none: on whose foolish honesty

               My practices¹³⁷ ride easy. I see the business.

               Let me, if not by birth, have lands by wit:¹³⁸

               All with me’s meet¹³⁹ that I can fashion fit. Exit

Act 1 Scene 31.3

running scene 3

       Enter Goneril and Steward [Oswald]

GONERIL

GONERIL     Did my father strike my gentleman¹ for chiding of his fool?

OSWALD

OSWALD     Ay, madam.

GONERIL

GONERIL     By day and night he wrongs me: every hour

               He flashes⁴ into one gross crime or other

5

5             That sets us all at odds. I’ll not endure it.

               His knights grow riotous, and himself upbraids us

               On every trifle. When he returns from hunting

               I will not speak with him: say I am sick.

               If you come slack⁹ of former services

10

10           You shall do well: the fault of it I’ll answer.¹⁰

OSWALD

OSWALD     He’s coming, madam: I hear him. Horns within

GONERIL

GONERIL     Put on what weary negligence you please,

               You and your fellows:¹³ I’d have it come to question:

               If he distaste¹⁴ it, let him to my sister,

15

15           Whose mind and mine, I know, in that are one.

               Remember what I have said.

OSWALD

OSWALD     Well, madam.

GONERIL

GONERIL     And let his knights have colder looks among you: what grows of it, no matter: advise your fellows so. I’ll write straight¹⁹ to my sister, to hold my course. Prepare for dinner.

       Exeunt

Act 1 Scene 4

running scene 3 continues

       Enter Kent Disguised

KENT

KENT     If but as will I¹ other accents borrow,

               That can my speech defuse,² my good intent

               May carry through itself to that full issue³

               For which I razed my likeness.⁴ Now, banished Kent,

5

5             If thou canst serve where thou dost stand condemned,

               So may it come thy master whom thou lov’st,

               Shall find thee full of labours.

       Horns within. Enter Lear and Attendants [his Knights]

LEAR

LEAR     Let me not stay⁸ a jot for dinner: go get it ready.—

       [Exit a Knight]

               How now, what¹¹ art thou? To Kent

KENT

KENT     A man, sir.

LEAR

LEAR     What dost thou profess? What wouldst thou with us?

KENT

KENT     I do profess to be no less than I seem; to serve him truly that will put me in trust, to love him that is honest, to converse with him that is wise and says little, to fear judgement,¹⁴ to fight when I cannot choose and to eat no fish.

LEAR

LEAR     What art thou?

KENT

KENT     A very honest-hearted fellow, and as poor as the king.

LEAR

LEAR     If thou be’st as poor for a subject as he’s for a king, thou art poor enough. What wouldst thou?

KENT

KENT     Service.

LEAR

LEAR     Who wouldst thou serve?

KENT

KENT     You.

LEAR

LEAR     Dost thou know me, fellow?

KENT

KENT     No, sir, but you have that in your countenance which I would fain call master.

LEAR

LEAR     What’s that?

KENT

KENT     Authority.

LEAR

LEAR     What services canst thou do?

KENT

KENT     I can keep honest counsel,²⁸ ride, run, mar a curious tale in telling it, and deliver a plain message bluntly: that which ordinary men are fit for, I am qualified in, and the best of me is diligence.

LEAR

LEAR     How old art thou?

KENT

KENT     Not so young, sir, to love a woman for singing, nor so old to dote on her for anything:³³ I have years on my back forty-eight.

LEAR

LEAR     Follow me, thou shalt serve me: if I like thee no worse after dinner, I will not part from thee yet.— Dinner, ho, dinner! Where’s my knave?³⁵ My fool? Go you and call my fool hither.

       [Exit another Knight]

       Enter Steward [Oswald]

               You, you, sirrah, where’s my daughter?

OSWALD

OSWALD     So³⁸ please you—

       Exit

LEAR

LEAR     What says the fellow there? Call the clotpoll³⁹ back.—

       [Exit another Knight]

               Where’s my fool? Ho, I think the world’s asleep.—

       [Enter a Knight]

               How now? Where’s that mongrel?

KNIGHT

KNIGHT     He says, my lord, your daughter is not well.

LEAR

LEAR     Why came not the slave⁴³ back to me when I called him?

KNIGHT

KNIGHT     Sir, he answered me in the roundest⁴⁴ manner, he would not.

LEAR

LEAR     He would not?

KNIGHT

KNIGHT     My lord, I know not what the matter is, but to my judgement your highness is not entertained⁴⁷ with that ceremonious affection as you were wont: there’s a great abatement of kindness appears as well in the general dependants⁴⁸ as in the duke himself also and your daughter.

LEAR

LEAR     Ha? Say’st thou so?

KNIGHT

KNIGHT     I beseech you pardon me, my lord, if I be mistaken, for my duty cannot be silent when I think your highness wronged.

LEAR

LEAR     Thou but rememb’rest⁵³ me of mine own conception: I have perceived a most faint⁵⁴ neglect of late, which I have rather blamed as mine own jealous curiosity than as a very pretence⁵⁵ and purpose of unkindness. I will look further into’t. But where’s my fool? I have not seen him this two days.

KNIGHT

KNIGHT     Since my young lady’s going into France, sir, the fool hath much pined away.

LEAR

LEAR     No more of that, I have noted it well.— Go you and tell my daughter I would speak with her.—

       [Exit a Knight]

               Go you, call hither my fool.—

       [Exit another Knight]

       Enter Steward [Oswald]

               O, you sir, you, come you hither, sir. Who am I, sir?

OSWALD

OSWALD     My lady’s father.

LEAR

LEAR     My lady’s father’? My lord’s knave: you whoreson dog, you slave, you cur!⁶⁴

65               

OSWALD

OSWALD     I am none of these, my lord, I beseech your pardon.

LEAR

LEAR     Do you bandy⁶⁶ looks with me, you rascal? Strikes him

OSWALD

OSWALD     I’ll not be strucken,⁶⁷ my lord.

KENT

KENT     Nor tripped neither, you base football⁶⁸ player. Trips him

LEAR

LEAR     I thank thee, fellow: thou serv’st me and I’ll love thee.

KENT

KENT     Come, sir, arise, away! I’ll teach you differences:⁷⁰ away, away! If you will measure⁷¹ your lubber’s length again, tarry: but away, go to. Have you wisdom? So. Pushes Oswald out

LEAR

LEAR     Now, my friendly knave, I thank thee. There’s earnest⁷³ of thy service. Gives money

       Enter Fool

FOOL

FOOL     Let me hire him too: here’s my coxcomb.⁷⁴ Offers Kent his cap

LEAR

LEAR     How now, my pretty⁷⁵ knave, how dost thou?

FOOL

FOOL     Sirrah, you were best take my coxcomb. To Kent

LEAR

LEAR     Why, my boy?

FOOL

FOOL     Why? For taking one’s part that’s out of favour: nay, an⁷⁸ thou canst not smile as the wind sits, thou’lt catch cold shortly. There, take my coxcomb. Why, this fellow has banished two on’s⁸⁰ daughters and did the third a blessing against his will: if thou follow him, thou must needs⁸¹ wear my coxcomb.— How now, nuncle?⁸² Would I had two coxcombs and two daughters.

LEAR

LEAR     Why, my boy?

FOOL

FOOL     If I gave them all my living,⁸⁴ I’d keep my coxcombs myself. There’s mine: beg another of thy daughters.

LEAR

LEAR     Take heed, sirrah: the whip.

FOOL

FOOL     Truth’s a dog must to kennel: he must be whipped out when the Lady Brach⁸⁸ may stand by th’fire and stink.

LEAR

LEAR     A pestilent gall⁸⁹ to me!

FOOL

FOOL     Sirrah, I’ll teach thee a speech.

LEAR

LEAR     Do.

FOOL

FOOL     Mark⁹² it, nuncle:

                                    Have more than thou showest,⁹⁵

                                    Speak less than thou knowest,

95

95                                Lend less than thou owest,

                                    Ride more than thou goest,⁹⁶

                                    Learn more than thou trowest,⁹⁷

                                    Set⁹⁸ less than thou throwest;

                                    Leave thy drink and thy whore,

100

100                              And keep in-a-door,

                                    And thou shalt have¹⁰¹ more

                                    Than two tens to a score.

KENT

KENT     This is nothing, fool.

FOOL

FOOL     Then ’tis like the breath of an unfee’d¹⁰⁴ lawyer: To Lear you gave me nothing for’t.— Can you make no use¹⁰⁵ of nothing, nuncle?

LEAR

LEAR     Why, no, boy: nothing can be made out of nothing.

FOOL

FOOL     Prithee tell him, so much the rent of his land comes to: To Kent he will not believe a fool.

LEAR

LEAR     A bitter fool!

FOOL

FOOL     Dost thou know the difference, my boy, between a bitter fool and a sweet one?

LEAR

LEAR     No, lad, teach me.

FOOL

FOOL     Nuncle, give me an egg and I’ll give thee two crowns.¹¹³

LEAR

LEAR     What two crowns shall they be?

FOOL

FOOL     Why, after I have cut the egg i’th’middle and eat up the meat,¹¹⁵ the two crowns of the egg. When thou clovest¹¹⁶ thy crowns i’th’middle and gav’st away both parts, thou bor’st thine ass on thy back o’er the dirt: thou hadst little wit in thy bald crown when thou gav’st thy golden one away. If I speak like myself¹¹⁸ in this, let him be whipped that first finds it so:

120

120                              Fools had ne’er less grace¹²⁰ in a year, Sings

                                    For wise men are grown foppish¹²¹

                                    And know not how their wits to wear,

                                    Their manners are so apish.¹²³

LEAR

LEAR     When were you wont to be so full of songs, sirrah?

FOOL

FOOL     I have used it,¹²⁵ nuncle, e’er since thou mad’st thy daughters thy mothers: for when thou gav’st them the rod¹²⁶ and put’st down thine own breeches,

                                    Then they for sudden joy did weep, Sings

                                    And I for sorrow sung,

                                    That such a king should play bo-peep¹²⁹

130

130                              And go the fool among.¹³⁰

               Prithee, nuncle, keep a schoolmaster that can teach thy fool to lie: I would fain¹³¹ learn to lie.

LEAR

LEAR     An¹³³ you lie, sirrah, we’ll have you whipped.

FOOL

FOOL     I marvel¹³⁴ what kin thou and thy daughters are: they’ll have me whipped for speaking true, thou’lt have me whipped for lying, and sometimes I am whipped for holding my peace. I had rather be any kind o’thing than a fool. And yet I would not be thee, nuncle: thou hast pared¹³⁷ thy wit o’both sides and left nothing i’th’middle. Here comes one o’the parings.

       Enter Goneril

LEAR

LEAR     How now, daughter? What makes that frontlet¹³⁹ on? You are too much of late i’th’frown.

FOOL

FOOL     Thou wast a pretty fellow when thou hadst no need to care for her frowning: now thou art an O without a figure.¹⁴² I am better than thou art now: I am a fool, thou art nothing.— To Goneril Yes, forsooth,¹⁴³ I will hold my tongue, so your face bids me, though you say nothing.

145

145                              Mum, mum, Sings

                                    He that keeps nor¹⁴⁶ crust nor crumb,

                                    Weary of all, shall want some.¹⁴⁷

               That’s a shelled peascod.¹⁴⁸ Points to Lear

GONERIL

GONERIL     Not only, sir, this your all-licensed¹⁴⁹ fool,

150

150         But other of your insolent retinue

               Do hourly carp¹⁵¹ and quarrel, breaking forth

               In rank¹⁵² and not-to-be endured riots, sir.

               I had thought by making this well known unto you

               To have found a safe¹⁵⁴ redress, but now grow fearful,

155

155         By what yourself too late¹⁵⁵ have spoke and done.

               That you protect this course¹⁵⁶ and put it on

               By your allowance, which if you should, the fault

               Would not scape¹⁵⁸ censure, nor the redresses sleep

               Which in¹⁵⁹ the tender of a wholesome weal

160

160         Might in their working do you that offence,

               Which else were shame, that then necessity

               Will call discreet proceeding.

FOOL

FOOL     For you know, nuncle,

                              The hedge-sparrow fed the cuckoo¹⁶⁴ so long,

165

                              That it’s had it¹⁶⁵ head bit off by it young.

               So, out went the candle, and we were left darkling.¹⁶⁶

LEAR

LEAR     Are you our daughter? To Goneril

GONERIL

GONERIL     I would you would make use of your good wisdom —

               Whereof I know you are fraught¹⁶⁹ — and put away

170

170         These dispositions¹⁷⁰ which of late transport you

               From what you rightly are.

FOOL

FOOL     May not an ass know when the cart draws the horse?

               Whoop, Jug!¹⁷³ I love thee.

LEAR

LEAR     Does any here know me? This is not Lear.

175

175         Does Lear walk thus? Speak thus? Where are his eyes?

               Either his notion¹⁷⁶ weakens, his discernings

               Are lethargied — Ha! Waking?¹⁷⁷ ’Tis not so?

               Who is it that can tell me who I am?

FOOL

FOOL     Lear’s shadow.¹⁷⁹

180

180 

LEAR

LEAR      Your name, fair gentlewoman?

GONERIL

GONERIL     This admiration,¹⁸¹ sir, is much o’th’savour

               Of other your new pranks. I do beseech you

               To understand my purposes aright:

               As you are old and reverend, should¹⁸⁴ be wise.

185

185         Here do you keep a hundred knights and squires,

               Men so disordered, so debauched and bold,¹⁸⁶

               That this our court, infected with their manners,

               Shows like a riotous inn: epicurism¹⁸⁸ and lust

               Makes it more like a tavern or a brothel

190

190         Than a graced¹⁹⁰ palace. The shame itself doth speak

               For instant remedy. Be then desired¹⁹¹

               By her, that else will take the thing she begs,

               A little to disquantity your train,¹⁹³

               And the remainders, that shall still depend¹⁹⁴

195

195         To be such men as may besort¹⁹⁵ your age,

               Which know¹⁹⁶ themselves and you.

LEAR

LEAR     Darkness and devils!—

               Saddle my horses, call my train together.— To a Servant

               Degenerate¹⁹⁹ bastard! I’ll not trouble thee. To Goneril

200

200         Yet have I left a daughter.

GONERIL

GONERIL     You strike my people, and your disordered rabble

               Make servants of their betters.

       Enter Albany

LEAR

LEAR     Woe that²⁰³ too late repents!— Is it your will? To Albany

               Speak, sir.— Prepare my horses. To a Servant

205

205         Ingratitude, thou marble-hearted fiend,

               More hideous when thou show’st thee in a child

               Than the sea-monster!

ALBANY

ALBANY     Pray, sir, be patient.

LEAR

LEAR     Detested kite,²⁰⁹ thou liest. To Goneril

210

210         My train are men of choice and rarest parts,²¹⁰

               That all particulars of duty know

               And in²¹² the most exact regard support

               The worships of their name. O, most small fault,

               How ugly didst thou in Cordelia show!

215

215         Which, like an engine,²¹⁵ wrenched my frame of nature

               From the fixed place, drew from my heart all love,

               And added to the gall.²¹⁷ O Lear, Lear, Lear!

               Beat at this gate, that let thy folly in, Hits his head

               And thy dear judgement out!— Go, go, my people.

220

220 

ALBANY

ALBANY     My lord, I am guiltless as I am ignorant

               Of what hath moved²²¹ you.

LEAR

LEAR     It may be so, my lord.—

               Hear, nature, hear, dear goddess, hear!

               Suspend thy purpose if thou didst intend

225

225         To make this creature fruitful:

               Into her womb convey sterility,

               Dry up in her the organs of increase,²²⁷

               And from her derogate²²⁸ body never spring

               A babe to honour her: if she must teem,²²⁹

230

230         Create her child of spleen,²³⁰ that it may live

               And be a thwart²³¹ disnatured torment to her:

               Let it stamp wrinkles in her brow of youth,

               With cadent²³³ tears fret channels in her cheeks,

               Turn all her mother’s pains²³⁴ and benefits

235

235         To laughter and contempt, that she may feel

               How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is

               To have a thankless child!— Away, away! Perhaps with Kent and Knights

       Exit

ALBANY

ALBANY     Now, gods that we adore, whereof comes this?

GONERIL

GONERIL     Never afflict yourself to know more of it,

240

240         But let his disposition have that scope

               As dotage²⁴¹ gives it.

       Enter Lear

LEAR

LEAR     What, fifty of my followers at a clap?²⁴²

               Within a fortnight?

ALBANY

ALBANY     What’s the matter, sir?

245

245 

LEAR

LEAR     I’ll tell thee:— Life and death! I am ashamed To Goneril

               That thou hast power to shake my manhood thus,

               That these hot tears, which break from me perforce,²⁴⁷

               Should make thee worth them. Blasts²⁴⁸ and fogs upon thee!

               Th’untented²⁴⁹ woundings of a father’s curse

250

250         Pierce every sense about thee! Old fond²⁵⁰ eyes,

               Beweep this cause again, I’ll pluck ye out

               And cast you, with the waters²⁵² that you loose,

               To temper²⁵³ clay. Ha? Let it be so.

               I have another daughter,

255

255         Who, I am sure, is kind²⁵⁵ and comfortable:

               When she shall hear this of thee, with her nails

               She’ll flay thy wolvish visage.²⁵⁷ Thou shalt find

               That I’ll resume the shape which thou dost think

               I have cast off for ever.

       Exeunt [Lear, perhaps with Kent and Knights]

260

260 

GONERIL

GONERIL      Do you mark that?

ALBANY

ALBANY     I cannot be so partial,²⁶¹ Goneril,

               To the great love I bear you—

GONERIL

GONERIL      Pray you, content.²⁶³— What, Oswald, ho!—

               You, sir, more knave than fool, after your master. To Fool

265

265 

FOOL

FOOL      Nuncle Lear, nuncle Lear, tarry, take the fool with thee.

                                    A fox, when one has caught her, Sings

                                    And such a daughter

                                    Should sure to the slaughter,

                                    If my cap would buy a halter:²⁶⁹

270

270                              So the fool follows after.

       Exit

GONERIL

GONERIL     This man hath had good counsel. A hundred knights?

               ’Tis politic²⁷² and safe to let him keep

               At point²⁷³ a hundred knights: yes, that on every dream,

               Each buzz,²⁷⁴ each fancy, each complaint, dislike,

275

275         He may enguard²⁷⁵ his dotage with their powers

               And hold our lives in²⁷⁶ mercy.— Oswald, I say!

ALBANY

ALBANY     Well, you may fear too far.

GONERIL

GONERIL     Safer than trust too far:

               Let me still²⁷⁹ take away the harms I fear,

280

280         Not fear still to be taken.²⁸⁰ I know his heart.

               What he hath uttered I have writ my sister:

               If she sustain him and his hundred knights

               When I have showed th’unfitness—

       Enter Steward [Oswald]

                                    How now, Oswald?

               What, have you writ that letter to my sister?

285

285 

OSWALD

OSWALD     Ay, madam.

GONERIL

GONERIL     Take you some company and away to horse:

               Inform her full of my particular fear,

               And thereto add such reasons of your own

               As may compact²⁸⁹ it more. Get you gone,

290

290         And hasten your return.—

       [Exit Oswald]

                                    No, no, my lord,

               This milky gentleness and course of yours

               Though I condemn not, yet, under pardon,²⁹²

               You are much more at task²⁹³ for want of wisdom

               Than praised for harmful mildness.

295

295 

ALBANY

ALBANY     How far your eyes may pierce I cannot tell:

               Striving to better, oft we mar what’s well.

GONERIL

GONERIL     Nay, then—

ALBANY

ALBANY     Well, well, th’event.²⁹⁸

       Exeunt

Act 1 Scene 5

running scene 3 continues

                      Enter Lear, Kent, Gentleman and Fool Kent disguised as Caius

LEAR

LEAR     Go you before¹ to Gloucester with these letters. To Kent Acquaint my daughter no further with anything you know than comes from her demand out of² the letter. If your diligence be not speedy, I shall be there afore you.

KENT

KENT     I will not sleep, my lord, till I have delivered your letter.

              Exit

5

FOOL

FOOL     If a man’s brains were in’s heels, were’t not in danger of kibes?⁵

LEAR

LEAR     Ay, boy.

FOOL

FOOL     Then, I prithee be merry: thy wit⁷ shall not go slip-shod.

LEAR

LEAR     Ha, ha, ha!

FOOL

FOOL      Shalt⁹ see thy other daughter will use thee kindly, for though she’s as like this as a crab’s¹⁰ like an apple, yet I can tell what I can tell.

LEAR

LEAR     What canst tell, boy?

FOOL

FOOL     She will taste as like this as a crab does to a crab. Thou canst tell why one’s nose stands i’th’middle on’s¹³ face?

LEAR

LEAR     No.

15               

FOOL

FOOL     Why, to keep one’s eyes of either side’s¹⁵ nose, that what a man cannot smell out he may spy into.

LEAR

LEAR     I did her¹⁷ wrong—

FOOL

FOOL     Canst tell how an oyster makes his shell?

LEAR

LEAR     No.

20               

FOOL

FOOL     Nor I neither; but I can tell why a snail has a house.

LEAR

LEAR     Why?

FOOL

FOOL     Why, to put’s head in, not to give it away to his daughters and leave his horns without a case.

LEAR

LEAR     I will forget my nature. So kind a father!— Be my horses ready?

25               

FOOL

FOOL     Thy asses²⁵ are gone about ’em. The reason why the seven stars are no more than seven is a pretty²⁶ reason.

LEAR

LEAR     Because they are not eight.

FOOL

FOOL     Yes, indeed: thou wouldst make a good fool.

LEAR

LEAR     To take’t again²⁹ perforce. Monster ingratitude!

30               

FOOL

FOOL     If thou wert my fool, nuncle, I’d have thee beaten for being old before thy time.

LEAR

LEAR     How’s that?

FOOL

FOOL     Thou shouldst not have been old till thou hadst been wise.

LEAR

LEAR     O, let me not be mad, not mad, sweet heaven!

35

35           Keep me in temper:³⁵ I would not be mad!—

               How now, are the horses ready? To Gentleman

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN     Ready, my lord.

LEAR

LEAR     Come, boy.

FOOL

FOOL     She that’s a maid³⁹ now, and laughs at my departure,

40

40           Shall not be a maid long, unless things⁴⁰ be cut shorter.

              Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 12.1

running scene 4

                      Enter Bastard [Edmund] and Curan, severally

EDMUND

EDMUND     Save thee,¹ Curan.

CURAN

CURAN     And you, sir. I have been with your father, and given him notice that the Duke of Cornwall and Regan his duchess will be here with him this night.

EDMUND

EDMUND     How comes that?

CURAN

CURAN     Nay, I know not. You have heard of the news abroad:⁵ I mean the whispered ones,⁶ for they are yet but ear-kissing arguments?

EDMUND

EDMUND     Not I: pray you, what are they?

CURAN

CURAN     Have you heard of no likely wars toward⁸ ’twixt the dukes of Cornwall and Albany?

10               

EDMUND

EDMUND     Not a word.

CURAN

CURAN     You may do then in time. Fare you well, sir.

              Exit

EDMUND

EDMUND     The duke be here tonight? The better — best!

               This weaves itself perforce¹³ into my business.

               My father hath set guard to take¹⁴ my brother,

15

15           And I have one thing, of a queasy question,¹⁵

               Which I must act. Briefness and fortune, work!—

                      Enter Edgar Appears above and then enters below

               Brother, a word: descend, brother, I say!

               My father watches:¹⁸ O sir, fly this place.

               Intelligence¹⁹ is given where you are hid;

20

20           You have now the good advantage of the night.

               Have you not spoken gainst the Duke of Cornwall?

               He’s coming hither, now, i’th’night, i’th’haste,²²

               And Regan with him: have²³ you nothing said

               Upon his party gainst the Duke of Albany?

25

25           Advise yourself.²⁵

EDGAR

EDGAR     I am sure on’t, not a word.

EDMUND

EDMUND     I hear my father coming, pardon me:

               In cunning²⁸ I must draw my sword upon you: Draws

               Draw, seem to defend yourself. Now quit you²⁹ well. Edgar draws

30

30           Yield: come before my father.— Light, ho, here!—

               Fly, brother.— Torches, torches!— So, farewell.

              Exit Edgar

               Some blood drawn on me would beget³² opinion Wounds his arm

               Of my more fierce endeavour: I have seen drunkards

               Do more than this in sport.— Father, father!

35

35           Stop, stop! No help?

                      Enter Gloucester and Servants with torches

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Now, Edmund, where’s the villain?

EDMUND

EDMUND     Here stood he in the dark, his sharp sword out,

               Mumbling of wicked charms, conjuring³⁸ the moon

               To stand auspicious mistress³⁹—

40

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     But where is he?

EDMUND

EDMUND     Look, sir, I bleed.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Where is the villain, Edmund?

EDMUND

EDMUND     Fled this way, sir. When by no means he could—

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Pursue him, ho! Go after.

                      [Exeunt Servants]

45

45           By no means what?

EDMUND

EDMUND     Persuade me to the murder of your lordship,

               But that I told him the revenging gods

               Gainst parricides did all the thunder bend,⁴⁸

               Spoke with how manifold and strong a bond

50

50           The child was bound to th’father; sir, in fine,⁵⁰

               Seeing how loathly opposite⁵¹ I stood

               To his unnatural purpose, in fell⁵² motion

               With his preparèd⁵³ sword, he charges home

               My unprovided⁵⁴ body, latched mine arm;

55

55           And when he saw my best alarumed⁵⁵ spirits,

               Bold in the quarrel’s right,⁵⁶ roused to th’encounter,

               Or whether ghasted⁵⁷ by the noise I made,

               Full⁵⁸ suddenly he fled.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Let him fly far:

60

60           Not in this land shall he remain uncaught,

               And found — dispatch.⁶¹ The noble duke my master,

               My worthy arch and patron,⁶² comes tonight:

               By his authority I will proclaim it,

               That he which finds him shall deserve our thanks,

65

65           Bringing the murderous coward to the stake:⁶⁵

               He that conceals him, death.

EDMUND

EDMUND     When I dissuaded him from his intent

               And found him pight⁶⁸ to do it, with curst speech

               I threatened to discover⁶⁹ him: he replied,

70

70           ‘Thou unpossessing⁷⁰ bastard, dost thou think,

               If I would stand against⁷¹ thee, would the reposal

               Of any trust, virtue, or worth in thee

               Make thy words faithed?⁷³ No: what should I deny —

               As this I would, though thou didst produce

75

75           My very character⁷⁵ — I’d turn it all

               To thy suggestion,⁷⁶ plot, and damnèd practice,

               And thou must make⁷⁷ a dullard of the world,

               If they not thought⁷⁸ the profits of my death

               Were very pregnant⁷⁹ and potential spirits

80

80           To make thee seek it.’

       Tucket⁸⁰ within

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     O, strange⁸¹ and fastened villain!

               Would he deny his letter, said he?

               Hark, the duke’s trumpets! I know not where⁸³ he comes.

               All ports⁸⁴ I’ll bar: the villain shall not scape:

85

85           The duke must grant me that. Besides, his picture⁸⁵

               I will send far and near, that all the kingdom

               May have due note of him, and of my land,

               Loyal and natural⁸⁸ boy, I’ll work the means

               To make thee capable.⁸⁹

                      Enter Cornwall, Regan and Attendants

90

90   

CORNWALL

CORNWALL           How now, my noble friend? Since I came hither —

               Which I can call but now — I have heard strangeness.

REGAN

REGAN     If it be true, all vengeance comes too short

               Which can pursue th’offender. How dost, my lord?

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     O, madam, my old heart is cracked, it’s cracked!

95

95   

REGAN

REGAN     What, did my father’s godson seek your life?

               He whom my father named? Your Edgar?

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     O, lady, lady, shame would have it hid!

REGAN

REGAN     Was he not companion with the riotous knights

               That tended upon⁹⁹ my father?

100

100 

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER      I know not, madam: ’tis too bad, too bad.

EDMUND

EDMUND     Yes, madam, he was of that consort.¹⁰¹

REGAN

REGAN     No marvel, then, though¹⁰² he were ill affected:

               ’Tis they have put him on¹⁰³ the old man’s death,

               To have th’expense¹⁰⁴ and waste of his revenues.

105

105         I have this present evening from my sister

               Been well informed of them, and with such cautions

               That if they come to sojourn at my house,

               I’ll not be there.

CORNWALL

CORNWALL     Nor I, assure thee, Regan.—

110

110         Edmund, I hear that you have shown your father

               A child-like¹¹¹ office.

EDMUND

EDMUND     It was my duty, sir.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     He did bewray¹¹³ his practice and received To Cornwall

               This hurt you see striving to apprehend him.

115

115 

CORNWALL

CORNWALL     Is he pursued?

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Ay, my good lord.

CORNWALL

CORNWALL     If he be taken, he shall never more

               Be feared of doing harm: make¹¹⁸ your own purpose,

               How in my strength you please. For¹¹⁹ you, Edmund,

120

120         Whose virtue and obedience doth this instant

               So much commend itself, you shall be ours:¹²¹

               Natures of such deep trust we shall much need:

               You we first seize on.¹²³

EDMUND

EDMUND     I shall serve you, sir, truly, however else.

125

125 

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     For him I thank your grace.

CORNWALL

CORNWALL     You know not why we came to visit you?

REGAN

REGAN     Thus out of season,¹²⁷ threading dark-eyed night:

               Occasions,¹²⁸ noble Gloucester, of some prize,

               Wherein we must have use of your advice:

130

130         Our father he hath writ, so hath our sister,

               Of differences,¹³¹ which I best thought it fit

               To answer from¹³² our home: the several messengers

               From hence attend dispatch.¹³³ Our good old friend,

               Lay comforts to your bosom, and bestow

135

135         Your needful counsel to our businesses,

               Which craves¹³⁶ the instant use.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     I serve you, madam:

               Your graces are right welcome.

       Exeunt. Flourish

Act 2 Scene 22.2

running scene 5

                      Enter Kent and Steward [Oswald], severally Kent disguised as Caius

OSWALD

OSWALD     Good dawning¹ to thee, friend: art of this house?

KENT

KENT     Ay.²

OSWALD

OSWALD     Where may we set³ our horses?

KENT

KENT     I’th’mire.⁴

OSWALD

OSWALD     Prithee, if⁵ thou lov’st me, tell me.

KENT

KENT     I love thee not.

OSWALD

OSWALD     Why then, I care not for thee.

KENT

KENT     If I had thee in Lipsbury pinfold,⁸ I would make thee care for me.

OSWALD

OSWALD     Why dost thou use⁹ me thus? I know thee not.

KENT

KENT     Fellow, I know thee.

OSWALD

OSWALD     What dost thou know me for?¹¹

KENT

KENT     A knave,¹² a rascal, an eater of broken meats, a base, proud, shallow, beggarly, three-suited,¹³ hundred-pound, filthy, worsted-stocking knave, a lily-livered, action-taking,¹⁴ whoreson, glass-gazing, super-serviceable finical rogue:                one-trunk-inheriting¹⁵ slave: one that wouldst be a bawd in way of good service, and art nothing but the composition¹⁶ of a knave, beggar, coward, pander, and the son and heir of a mongrel bitch: one whom I will beat into clamorous whining if thou deny’st the least syllable of thy addition.¹⁸

OSWALD

OSWALD     Why, what a monstrous fellow art thou thus to rail¹⁹ on one that is neither known of thee nor knows thee!

KENT

KENT     What a brazen-faced varlet²¹ art thou to deny thou knowest me! Is it two days since I tripped up thy heels and beat thee before the king? Draw,²² you rogue, for though it be night, yet the moon shines: I’ll make a sop o’th’moonshine²³ of you, you whoreson cullionly²⁴ barber-monger. Draw. Draws his sword

OSWALD

OSWALD      Away! I have nothing to do with thee.

KENT

KENT     Draw, you rascal: you come with letters against the king, and take vanity the puppet’s²⁶ part against the royalty of her father: draw, you rogue, or I’ll so carbonado²⁸ your shanks: draw, you rascal, come your ways.

OSWALD

OSWALD     Help, ho! Murder! Help!

KENT

30 kent     Strike, you slave! Stand, rogue, stand, you neat³⁰ slave, strike! Beats him

OSWALD

OSWALD     Help, ho! Murder! Murder!

                      Enter Bastard [Edmund], Cornwall, Regan, Gloucester, Servants

EDMUND

EDMUND     How now, what’s the matter? Part!

KENT

KENT     With you,³³ Goodman boy, if you please: come, I’ll flesh ye: come on, young master.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER      Weapons? Arms? What’s the matter here?

CORNWALL

CORNWALL     Keep peace, upon your lives: he dies that strikes again. What is the matter?

REGAN

REGAN     The messengers from our sister and the king.

CORNWALL

CORNWALL     What is your difference?³⁹ Speak.

OSWALD

40 oswald     I am scarce in breath, my lord.

KENT

KENT     No marvel, you have so bestirred your valour.⁴¹ You cowardly rascal, nature disclaims in⁴² thee: a tailor made thee.

CORNWALL

CORNWALL     Thou art a strange fellow — a tailor make a man?

KENT

KENT     A tailor, sir: a stone-cutter or a painter could not have made him so ill,⁴⁴ though they had been but two years o’th’trade.

CORNWALL

CORNWALL     Speak yet, how grew your quarrel?

OSWALD

OSWALD     This ancient ruffian, sir, whose life I have spared at suit⁴⁷ of his grey beard—

KENT

KENT     Thou whoreson zed,⁴⁸ thou unnecessary letter!— My lord, if you will give me leave, I will tread this unbolted⁴⁹ villain into mortar and daub the wall of a jakes with him.— Spare my grey beard, you wagtail?⁵⁰

CORNWALL

CORNWALL     Peace, sirrah!

               You beastly⁵² knave, know you no reverence?

KENT

KENT     Yes, sir, but anger hath a privilege.⁵³

CORNWALL

CORNWALL     Why art thou angry?

55

55       

KENT

KENT      That such a slave as this should wear a sword,

               Who wears no honesty.⁵⁶ Such smiling rogues as these,

               Like rats, oft bite the holy cords⁵⁷ a-twain

               Which are too intrinse t’unloose,⁵⁸ smooth every passion

               That in the natures of their lords rebel,⁵⁹

60

60           Being⁶⁰ oil to fire, snow to the colder moods,

               Revenge, affirm, and turn their halcyon beaks⁶¹

               With every gall⁶² and vary of their masters,

               Knowing nought, like dogs, but following.—

               A plague upon your epileptic visage!⁶⁴ To Oswald

65

65           Smile you my⁶⁵ speeches, as I were a fool?

               Goose,⁶⁶ if I had you upon Sarum plain,

               I’d drive ye cackling home to Camelot.

CORNWALL

CORNWALL     What, art thou mad, old fellow?

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     How fell you out? Say that.

70

70   

KENT

KENT     No contraries hold more antipathy

               Than I and such a knave.

CORNWALL

CORNWALL     Why dost thou call him knave? What is his fault?

KENT

KENT     His countenance likes⁷³ me not.

CORNWALL

CORNWALL     No more, perchance, does mine, nor his, nor hers—

75

75   

KENT

KENT     Sir, ’tis my occupation⁷⁵ to be plain:

               I have seen better faces in my time

               Than stands on any shoulder that I see

               Before me at this instant.

CORNWALL

CORNWALL     This is some fellow

80

80           Who, having been praised for bluntness, doth affect

               A saucy⁸¹ roughness, and constrains the garb

               Quite from his nature. He cannot flatter, he:

               An honest mind and plain, he must speak truth!

               An⁸⁴ they will take it, so: if not, he’s plain.

85

85           These kind of knaves I know, which in this plainness

               Harbour more craft⁸⁶ and more corrupter ends

               Than twenty silly ducking⁸⁷ observants

               That stretch⁸⁸ their duties nicely.

KENT

KENT     Sir, in good faith, in sincere verity,⁸⁹

90

90           Under th’allowance⁹⁰ of your great aspect,

               Whose influence,⁹¹ like the wreath of radiant fire

               On flickering Phoebus’⁹² front—

CORNWALL

CORNWALL     What mean’st by this?

KENT

KENT     To go out of my dialect,⁹⁴ which you discommend so much. I know, sir, I am no flatterer: he that beguiled⁹⁵ you in a plain accent was a plain knave, which for my part I will not be, though⁹⁶ I should win your displeasure to entreat me to’t.

CORNWALL

CORNWALL     What was th’offence you gave him? To Oswald

OSWALD

OSWALD     I never gave him any.

               It pleased the king his master very late

100

100         To strike at me, upon his misconstruction:¹⁰⁰

               When he, compact¹⁰¹ and flattering his displeasure,

               Tripped me behind, being¹⁰² down, insulted, railed,

               And put upon him such a deal of man¹⁰³

               That worthied him,¹⁰⁴ got praises of the king

105

105         For him attempting¹⁰⁵ who was self-subdued:

               And, in the fleshment¹⁰⁶ of this dread exploit,

               Drew on me here again.

KENT

KENT     None¹⁰⁸ of these rogues and cowards

               But Ajax is their fool.

110

110 

CORNWALL

CORNWALL     Fetch forth the stocks!¹¹⁰—

               You stubborn ancient knave, you reverent¹¹¹ braggart,

               We’ll teach you.

KENT

KENT     Sir, I am too old to learn.

               Call not your stocks for me: I serve the king,

115

115         On whose employment I was sent to you:

               You shall do small respects, show too bold malice¹¹⁶

               Against the grace¹¹⁷ and person of my master,

               Stocking his messenger.

CORNWALL

CORNWALL     Fetch forth the stocks! As I have life and honour,

120

120         There shall he sit till noon.

REGAN

REGAN     Till noon? Till night, my lord, and all night too.

KENT

KENT     Why, madam, if I were your father’s dog

               You should not use¹²³ me so.

REGAN

REGAN     Sir, being his knave, I will.

                      Stocks brought out

125

125 

CORNWALL

CORNWALL     This is a fellow of the self-same colour¹²⁵

               Our sister¹²⁶ speaks of. Come, bring away the stocks!

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Let me beseech your grace not to do so:

               The king his master needs must take it ill

               That he so slightly valued in his messenger,

130

130         Should have him thus restrained.

CORNWALL

CORNWALL     I’ll answer¹³¹ that.

REGAN

REGAN     My sister may receive it much more worse

               To have her gentleman abused, assaulted. Kent put in the stocks

CORNWALL

CORNWALL     Come, my lord, away.

                      Exeunt. [Gloucester and Kent remain]

135

135 

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     I am sorry for thee, friend: ’tis the duke’s pleasure,¹³⁵

               Whose disposition all the world well knows

               Will not be rubbed¹³⁷ nor stopped. I’ll entreat for thee.

KENT

KENT     Pray do not, sir. I have watched¹³⁸ and travelled hard:

               Some time I shall sleep out, the rest I’ll whistle.

140

140         A good man’s fortune may grow out at heels.¹⁴⁰

               Give¹⁴¹ you good morrow.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     The duke’s to blame in this: ’twill be ill taken.

              Exit

KENT

KENT     Good king, that must approve¹⁴³ the common saw,

               Thou out¹⁴⁴ of heaven’s benediction com’st

145

145         To the warm sun. Pulls out a letter

               Approach, thou beacon¹⁴⁶ to this under globe,

               That by thy comfortable¹⁴⁷ beams I may

               Peruse this letter. Nothing¹⁴⁸ almost sees miracles

               But misery. I know ’tis from Cordelia,

150

150         Who hath most fortunately been informed

               Of my obscurèd course,¹⁵¹ and shall find time

               From¹⁵² this enormous state, seeking to give

               Losses their remedies. All weary and o’erwatched,¹⁵³

               Take vantage,¹⁵⁴ heavy eyes, not to behold

155

155         This shameful lodging.

               Fortune,¹⁵⁶ goodnight: smile once more, turn thy wheel! Sleeps

                      Enter Edgar Appears above and then enters below

EDGAR

EDGAR     I heard myself proclaimed,¹⁵⁷

               And by the happy¹⁵⁸ hollow of a tree

               Escaped the hunt. No port is free, no place

160

160         That guard and most unusual vigilance

               Does not attend my taking.¹⁶¹ Whiles I may scape,

               I will preserve myself, and am bethought¹⁶²

               To take the basest and most poorest shape

               That ever penury in¹⁶⁴ contempt of man

165

165         Brought near to beast: my face I’ll grime with filth,

               Blanket my loins, elf¹⁶⁶ all my hairs in knots,

               And with presented¹⁶⁷ nakedness outface

               The winds and persecutions of the sky.

               The country gives me proof and precedent

170

170         Of Bedlam¹⁷⁰ beggars, who with roaring voices

               Strike in their numbed and mortifièd¹⁷¹ arms

               Pins, wooden pricks,¹⁷² nails, sprigs of rosemary,

               And with this horrible object,¹⁷³ from low farms,

               Poor pelting¹⁷⁴ villages, sheepcotes, and mills,

175

175         Sometimes with lunatic bans,¹⁷⁵ sometime with prayers,

               Enforce their charity. Poor¹⁷⁶ Turlygod, poor Tom!

               That’s something yet:¹⁷⁷ Edgar I nothing am.

              Exit

                      Enter Lear, Fool and Gentleman

LEAR

LEAR     ’Tis strange that they¹⁷⁸ should so depart from home

               And not send back my messengers.

180

180 

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN     As I learned,

               The night before there was no purpose in them Of this remove.

KENT

KENT     Hail to thee, noble master! Wakes

LEAR

LEAR     Ha? Mak’st thou this shame thy pastime?

185               

KENT

KENT     No, my lord.

FOOL

FOOL     Ha, ha, he wears cruel¹⁸⁶ garters. Horses are tied by the heads, dogs and bears by th’neck, monkeys by th’loins, and men by th’legs: when a man’s over-lusty at legs,¹⁸⁷ then he wears wooden nether-stocks.¹⁸⁸

LEAR

LEAR     What’s he that hath so much thy place¹⁸⁹ mistook

190

190         To¹⁹⁰ set thee here?

KENT

KENT     It is both he and she:

               Your son¹⁹² and daughter.

LEAR

LEAR     No.

KENT

KENT     Yes.

195

195 

LEAR

LEAR     No, I say.

KENT

KENT     I say, yea.

LEAR

LEAR     By Jupiter, I swear, no.

KENT

KENT     By Juno,¹⁹⁸ I swear, ay.

LEAR

LEAR     They durst not do’t:

200

200         They could not, would not do’t: ’tis worse than murder

               To do upon respect²⁰¹ such violent outrage.

               Resolve²⁰² me with all modest haste which way

               Thou might’st deserve or they impose this usage,²⁰³

               Coming from us.²⁰⁴

205

205 

KENT

KENT     My lord, when at their home

               I did commend²⁰⁶ your highness’ letters to them,

               Ere I was risen from the place that showed

               My duty kneeling, came there a reeking²⁰⁸ post,

               Stewed²⁰⁹ in his haste, half breathless, panting forth

210

210         From Goneril his mistress salutations,

               Delivered letters, spite of intermission,²¹¹

               Which presently²¹² they read: on those contents

               They summoned up their meiny,²¹³ straight took horse,

               Commanded me to follow and attend²¹⁴

215

215         The leisure of their answer, gave me cold looks:

               And meeting here the other messenger,

               Whose welcome I perceived had poisoned mine —

               Being the very fellow which of late

               Displayed²¹⁹ so saucily against your highness —

220

220         Having more man than wit²²⁰ about me, drew.

               He raised the house with loud and coward cries:

               Your son and daughter found this trespass worth

               The shame which here it suffers.

FOOL

FOOL     Winter’s²²⁴ not gone yet if the wild geese fly that way.

225

225                              Fathers that wear rags Sings

                                    Do make their children blind,²²⁶

                                    But fathers that bear bags²²⁷

                                    Shall see their children kind.

                                    Fortune, that arrant²²⁹ whore,

230

230         Ne’er turns the key²³⁰ to th’poor.

               But, for all this, thou shalt have as many dolours²³¹ for thy daughters as thou canst tell²³² in a year.

LEAR

LEAR     O, how this mother²³³ swells up toward my heart!

               Hysterica passio,²³⁴ down, thou climbing sorrow:

235

235         Thy element’s²³⁵ below!— Where is this daughter?

KENT

KENT     With the earl, sir, here within.

LEAR

LEAR     Follow me not: stay here.

              Exit

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN     Made you no more offence but what you speak of?

KENT

KENT     None. How chance the king comes with so small a number?

240

240               

FOOL

FOOL     An thou had’st been set i’th’stocks for that question, thou’dst well deserved it.

KENT

KENT     Why, fool?

FOOL

FOOL     We’ll set thee to school to²⁴³ an ant to teach thee there’s no labouring i’th’winter. All that follow their noses are led by their eyes but blind men, and there’s not a nose among twenty but can smell him that’s stinking.²⁴⁵ Let go thy hold when a great wheel runs down a hill lest it break thy neck with following: but the great one that goes upward, let him draw thee after. When a wise man gives thee better counsel, give me mine again:²⁴⁸ I would have none but knaves follow it, since a fool gives it.

250

250               That sir²⁵⁰ which serves and seeks for gain, Sings

                                    And follows but for form,²⁵¹

                                    Will pack²⁵² when it begins to rain,

                                    And leave thee in the storm.

                                    But I will tarry, the fool will stay,

255

255               And let the wise man fly:

                                    The knave turns fool that runs away,

                                    The fool no knave, perdy.²⁵⁷

                      Enter Lear and Gloucester

KENT

KENT     Where learned you this, fool?

FOOL

FOOL     Not i’th’stocks, fool.

260

260 

LEAR

LEAR      Deny²⁶⁰ to speak with me? They are sick, they are weary,

               They have travelled all the night? Mere fetches,²⁶¹

               The images of revolt and flying off.²⁶²

               Fetch me a better answer.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     My dear lord,

265

265         You know the fiery quality of the duke,

               How unremovable and fixed he is

               In his own course.

LEAR

LEAR     Vengeance, plague, death, confusion!²⁶⁸

               Fiery? What quality? Why, Gloucester, Gloucester,

270

270         I’d speak with the Duke of Cornwall and his wife.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Well, my good lord, I have informed them so.

LEAR

LEAR     Informed them? Dost thou understand me, man?

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Ay, my good lord.

LEAR

LEAR     The king would speak with Cornwall: the dear father

275

275         Would with his daughter speak, commands, tends,²⁷⁵ service.

               Are they informed of this? My breath and blood!

               Fiery? The fiery duke? Tell the hot duke that —

               No, but not yet: maybe he is not well.

               Infirmity²⁷⁹ doth still neglect all office

280

280         Whereto our health is bound: we are not ourselves

               When nature, being oppressed,²⁸¹ commands the mind

               To suffer with the body. I’ll forbear,

               And am fallen²⁸³ out with my more headier will,

               To take the indisposed and sickly fit

285

285         For the sound²⁸⁵ man. Death on my state! Wherefore Sees Kent

               Should he sit here? This act persuades me

               That this remotion²⁸⁷ of the duke and her

               Is practice²⁸⁸ only. Give me my servant forth.

               Go tell the duke and’s²⁸⁹ wife I’d speak with them,

290

290         Now, presently: bid them come forth and hear me,

               Or at their chamber-door I’ll beat the drum

               Till it cry sleep to death.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     I would have all well betwixt you.

              Exit

LEAR

LEAR     O me, my heart, my rising heart! But, down!

FOOL

FOOL     Cry to it, nuncle, as the cockney²⁹⁵ did to the eels when she put ’em i’th’paste alive: she knapped²⁹⁶ ’em o’th’coxcombs with a stick and cried ‘Down, wantons, down!’ ’Twas her brother that, in pure kindness to his horse, buttered his hay.²⁹⁷

                      Enter Cornwall, Regan, Gloucester, Servants

LEAR

LEAR     Good morrow to you both.

CORNWALL

CORNWALL     Hail to your grace!

                      Kent here set at liberty

300

300 

REGAN

REGAN     I am glad to see your highness.

LEAR

LEAR     Regan, I think you are. I know what reason

               I have to think so: if thou shouldst not be glad,

               I would divorce me from thy mother’s tomb,

               Sepulch’ring³⁰⁴ an adult’ress.— O, are you free? To Kent

305

305         Some other time for that.— Belovèd Regan,

               Thy sister’s naught:³⁰⁶ O Regan, she hath tied

               Sharp-toothed unkindness, like a vulture,³⁰⁷ here. Points to his heart

               I can scarce speak to thee. Thou’lt not believe

               With how depraved a quality — O Regan!

310

310 

REGAN

REGAN     I pray you, sir, take patience: I have hope

               You³¹¹ less know how to value her desert

               Than she to scant her duty.

LEAR

LEAR     Say? How is that?

REGAN

REGAN     I cannot think my sister in the least

315

315         Would fail her obligation: if, sir, perchance

               She have restrained the riots of your followers,

               ’Tis on such ground and to such wholesome end

               As clears her from all blame.

LEAR

LEAR     My curses on her!

320

320 

REGAN

REGAN     O, sir, you are old:

               Nature in you stands on the very verge³²¹

               Of her confine: you should be ruled and led

               By some discretion³²³ that discerns your state

               Better than you yourself. Therefore, I pray you,

325

325         That to our sister you do make return:

               Say you have wronged her.

LEAR

LEAR     Ask her forgiveness?

               Do you but mark how this becomes the house:³²⁸

               Dear daughter, I confess that I am old; Kneels

330

330         Age is unnecessary.³³⁰ On my knees I beg

               That you’ll vouchsafe³³¹ me raiment, bed and food.

REGAN

REGAN     Good sir, no more: these are unsightly tricks:

               Return you to my sister.

LEAR

LEAR     Never, Regan: Rises

335

335         She hath abated³³⁵ me of half my train,

               Looked black upon me, struck me with her tongue

               Most serpent-like upon the very heart.

               All the stored vengeances of heaven fall

               On her ingrateful top!³³⁹ Strike her young bones,

340

340         You taking³⁴⁰ airs, with lameness—

CORNWALL

CORNWALL     Fie, sir, fie!

LEAR

LEAR     You nimble lightnings, dart your blinding flames

               Into her scornful eyes! Infect her beauty,

               You fen-sucked³⁴⁴ fogs drawn by the powerful sun

345

345         To fall and blister!

REGAN

REGAN     O the blest gods! So will you wish on me

               When the rash mood is on.

LEAR

LEAR     No, Regan, thou shalt never have my curse:

               Thy tender-hafted³⁴⁹ nature shall not give

350

350         Thee o’er to harshness. Her eyes are fierce, but thine

               Do comfort and not burn. ’Tis not in thee

               To grudge my pleasures, to cut off my train,

               To bandy hasty words, to scant my sizes,³⁵³

               And, in conclusion, to oppose the bolt³⁵⁴

355

355         Against my coming in: thou better know’st

               The offices of nature,³⁵⁶ bond of childhood,

               Effects³⁵⁷ of courtesy, dues of gratitude:

               Thy half o’th’kingdom hast thou not forgot,

               Wherein I thee endowed.

360

360 

REGAN

REGAN     Good sir, to th’purpose.³⁶⁰

       Tucket within

LEAR

LEAR     Who put my man i’th’stocks?

                      Enter Steward [Oswald]

CORNWALL

CORNWALL     What trumpet’s that?

REGAN

REGAN     I know’t my sister’s: this approves³⁶³ her letter,

               That she would soon be here.— Is your lady come? To Oswald

365

365 

LEAR

LEAR     This is a slave, whose easy-borrowed³⁶⁵ pride

               Dwells in the sickly³⁶⁶ grace of her he follows.—

               Out, varlet, from my sight!

CORNWALL

CORNWALL     What means your grace?

                      Enter Goneril

LEAR

LEAR     Who stocked my servant? Regan, I have good hope

370

370         Thou didst not know on’t.³⁷⁰ Who comes here? O heavens,

               If you do love old men, if your sweet sway³⁷¹

               Allow³⁷² obedience, if you yourselves are old,

               Make it your cause, send down, and take my part!—

               Art not ashamed to look upon this beard?³⁷⁴— To Goneril

375

375         O Regan, will you take her by the hand? Regan and Goneril join hands

GONERIL

GONERIL     Why not by th’hand, sir? How have I offended?

               All’s not offence that indiscretion³⁷⁷ finds

               And dotage terms so.

LEAR

LEAR     O sides,³⁷⁹ you are too tough!

380

380         Will you yet hold?— How came my man i’th’stocks?

CORNWALL

CORNWALL     I set him there, sir: but his own disorders³⁸¹

               Deserved much less advancement.³⁸²

LEAR

LEAR     You? Did you?

REGAN

REGAN     I pray you, father, being weak, seem so.

385

385         If till the expiration of your month,

               You will return and sojourn with my sister,

               Dismissing half your train, come then to me:

               I am now from home, and out of that provision

               Which shall be needful for your entertainment.³⁸⁹

390

390 

LEAR

LEAR     Return to her? And fifty men dismissed?

               No, rather I abjure³⁹¹ all roofs, and choose

               To wage³⁹² against the enmity o’th’air,

               To be a comrade with the wolf and owl,

               Necessity’s³⁹⁴ sharp pinch! Return with her?

395

395         Why, the hot-blooded France, that dowerless took

               Our youngest born, I could as well be brought

               To knee³⁹⁷ his throne and, squire-like, pension beg

               To keep base life afoot.³⁹⁸ Return with her?

               Persuade me rather to be slave and sumpter³⁹⁹

400

400         To this detested groom.⁴⁰⁰ Points at Oswald

GONERIL

GONERIL     At your choice, sir.

LEAR

LEAR     I prithee, daughter, do not make me mad.

               I will not trouble thee, my child, farewell:

               We’ll no more meet, no more see one another.

405

405         But yet thou art my flesh, my blood, my daughter —

               Or rather a disease that’s in my flesh,

               Which I must needs call mine: thou art a boil,

               A plague-sore, or embossèd carbuncle,⁴⁰⁸

               In my corrupted blood.⁴⁰⁹ But I’ll not chide thee:

410

410         Let shame come when it will, I do not call it:

               I do not bid the thunder-bearer shoot,

               Nor tell tales of thee to high-judging Jove.

               Mend⁴¹³ when thou canst, be better at thy leisure:

               I can be patient, I can stay with Regan,

415

415         I and my hundred knights.

REGAN

REGAN     Not altogether so:

               I looked not for⁴¹⁷ you yet, nor am provided

               For your fit welcome. Give ear, sir, to my sister,

               For those that mingle⁴¹⁹ reason with your passion

420

420         Must be content to think you old, and so —

               But she knows what she does.

LEAR

LEAR     Is this well spoken?

REGAN

REGAN     I dare avouch⁴²³ it, sir: what, fifty followers?

               Is it not well? What should you need of more?

425

425         Yea, or so many, sith that⁴²⁵ both charge and danger

               Speak gainst so great a number? How in one house

               Should many people under two commands

               Hold amity? ’Tis hard, almost impossible.

GONERIL

GONERIL     Why might not you, my lord, receive attendance

430

430         From those that she calls servants, or from mine?

REGAN

REGAN     Why not, my lord? If then they chanced to slack ye,⁴³¹

               We could control⁴³² them. If you will come to me —

               For now I spy a danger — I entreat you

               To bring but five-and-twenty: to no more

435

435         Will I give place or notice.⁴³⁵

LEAR

LEAR     I gave you all—

REGAN

REGAN     And in⁴³⁷ good time you gave it.

LEAR

LEAR     Made you my guardians, my depositaries,⁴³⁸

               But kept a reservation⁴³⁹ to be followed

440

440         With such a number. What, must I come to you

               With five-and-twenty? Regan, said you so?

REGAN

REGAN     And speak’t again, my lord: no more with me.

LEAR

LEAR     Those wicked creatures yet do look well-favoured⁴⁴³

               When others are more wicked: not being the worst

445

445         Stands⁴⁴⁵ in some rank of praise.— I’ll go with thee: To Goneril

               Thy fifty yet doth double five-and-twenty,

               And thou art twice her love.

GONERIL

GONERIL     Hear me, my lord:

               What need you five-and-twenty, ten, or five,

450

450         To follow in a house where twice so many

               Have a command to tend you?

REGAN

REGAN     What need one?

LEAR

LEAR     O, reason not the need! Our⁴⁵³ basest beggars

               Are in the poorest thing superfluous:

455

455         Allow not⁴⁵⁵ nature more than nature needs,

               Man’s life is cheap as beast’s. Thou art a lady;

               If⁴⁵⁷ only to go warm were gorgeous,

               Why, nature needs not what⁴⁵⁸ thou gorgeous wear’st,

               Which scarcely keeps thee warm. But for true need —

460

460         You heavens, give me that patience, patience I need!

               You see me here, you gods, a poor old man,

               As full of grief as age, wretched in both.

               If it be you that stirs these daughters’ hearts

               Against their father, fool⁴⁶⁴ me not so much

465

465         To bear it tamely: touch me with noble anger,

               And let not women’s weapons, water drops,

               Stain my man’s cheeks! No, you unnatural hags,

               I will have such revenges on you both,

               That all the world shall — I will do such things —

470

470         What they are yet I know not, but they shall be

               The terrors of the earth! You think I’ll weep:

               No, I’ll not weep: I have full cause of weeping,

                      Storm and tempest

               But this heart shall break into a hundred thousand flaws,⁴⁷³

               Or ere⁴⁷⁴ I’ll weep. O fool, I shall go mad! Exeunt [Lear, Gloucester, Kent and Fool]

475

475 

CORNWALL

CORNWALL     Let us withdraw: ’twill be a storm.

REGAN

REGAN     This house is little: the old man and’s⁴⁷⁶ people

               Cannot be well bestowed.⁴⁷⁷

GONERIL

GONERIL     ’Tis his own blame⁴⁷⁸ hath put himself from rest

               And must needs taste his folly.

480

480 

REGAN

REGAN     For his particular,⁴⁸⁰ I’ll receive him gladly,

               But not one follower.

GONERIL

GONERIL     So am I purposed.

               Where is my lord of Gloucester?

                      Enter Gloucester

CORNWALL

CORNWALL     Followed the old man forth: he is returned.

485

485 

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     The king is in high rage.

CORNWALL

CORNWALL     Whither is he going?

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     He calls to horse, but will⁴⁸⁷ I know not whither.

CORNWALL

CORNWALL     ’Tis best to give him way:⁴⁸⁸ he leads himself.

GONERIL

GONERIL     My lord, entreat him by no means to stay.

490

490 

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Alack, the night comes on, and the high winds

               Do sorely ruffle,⁴⁹¹ for many miles about

               There’s scarce a bush.

REGAN

ALBANY      O, sir, to wilful men

               The injuries that they themselves procure⁴⁹⁴

495

495         Must be their schoolmasters. Shut up your doors:

               He is attended with a desperate train,⁴⁹⁶

               And what they may incense him to, being apt

               To have⁴⁹⁸ his ear abused, wisdom bids fear.

CORNWALL

CORNWALL     Shut up your doors, my lord, ’tis a wild night.

500

500         My Regan counsels well: come out o’th’storm.

                      Exeunt

Act 3 Scene 13.1

running scene 6

                      Storm still. Enter Kent and a Gentleman, severally

KENT

KENT     Who’s there, besides foul weather?

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN     One minded² like the weather, most unquietly.

KENT

KENT     I know you. Where’s the king?

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN     Contending⁴ with the fretful elements;

5

5             Bids the wind blow the earth into the sea

               Or swell the curlèd waters ’bove the main,⁶

               That things might change or cease.

KENT

KENT     But who is with him?

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN     None but the fool, who labours to out-jest⁹

10

10           His heart-struck injuries.¹⁰

KENT

KENT     Sir, I do know you,

               And dare, upon the warrant¹² of my note

               Commend¹³ a dear thing to you. There is division —

               Although as yet the face of it is covered

15

15           With mutual cunning — ’twixt Albany and Cornwall,

               Who have — as¹⁶ who have not, that their great stars

               Throned and set high? — servants, who seem no less,¹⁷

               Which are to France¹⁸ the spies and speculations

               Intelligent of¹⁹ our state. What hath been seen,

20

20           Either in snuffs²⁰ and packings of the dukes,

               Or the hard rein²¹ which both of them hath borne

               Against the old kind king, or something deeper,

               Whereof perchance these are but furnishings.²³

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN     I will talk further with you.

25

25   

KENT

KENT     No, do not.

               For confirmation that I am much more

               Than my out-wall,²⁷ open this purse and take Gives a purse

               What it contains. If you shall see Cordelia —

               As fear not but you shall — show her this ring, Gives a ring

30

30           And she will tell you who that fellow³⁰ is

               That yet you do not know. Fie on this storm!

               I will go seek the king.

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN     Give me your hand. Have you no more to say?

KENT

KENT     Few words, but, to effect,³⁴ more than all yet:

35

35           That when we have found the king — in³⁵ which your pain

               That way, I’ll this — he that first lights on him

               Holla³⁷ the other.

                      Exeunt [separately]

Act 3 Scene 2

running scene 6 continues

                      Storm still. Enter Lear and Fool

LEAR

LEAR     Blow winds and crack your cheeks! Rage, blow,

               You cataracts² and hurricanoes, spout

               Till you have drenched our steeples, drown the cocks!³

               You sulphurous and thought-executing fires,⁴

5

5             Vaunt-couriers⁵ of oak-cleaving thunderbolts,

               Singe my white head! And thou, all-shaking thunder,

               Strike flat the thick rotundity o’th’world!

               Crack nature’s moulds,⁸ all germens spill at once

               That makes ingrateful man!

10               

FOOL

FOOL     O, nuncle, court holy-water¹⁰ in a dry house is better than this rain-water out o’door. Good nuncle, in, ask thy daughters’ blessing: here’s a night pities neither wise men nor fools.

LEAR

LEAR     Rumble thy bellyful! Spit fire! Spout rain!

               Nor rain, wind, thunder, fire, are my daughters.

15

15           I tax¹⁵ not you, you elements, with unkindness:

               I never gave you kingdom, called you children;

               You owe me no subscription.¹⁷ Then let fall

               Your horrible pleasure: here I stand, your slave,

               A poor, infirm, weak and despised old man:

20

20           But yet I call you servile ministers,²⁰

               That will with two pernicious²¹ daughters join

               Your high-engendered battles²² gainst a head

               So old and white as this. O, ho, ’tis foul!²³

FOOL

FOOL     He that has a house to put’s²⁴ head in has a good head-piece:

25

25                                The codpiece²⁵ that will house Sings

                                    Before the head has any,²⁶

                                    The head and he shall louse,²⁷

                                    So²⁸ beggars marry many.

                                    The man that makes²⁹ his toe

30

30                                What he his heart should make

                                    Shall of a corn³¹ cry woe,

                                    And turn his sleep to wake.

               For there was never yet fair woman, but she made³³ mouths in a glass.

                      Enter Kent Disguised as Caius

LEAR

LEAR     No, I will be the pattern of all patience:

35

35           I will say nothing.

KENT

KENT     Who’s there?

FOOL

FOOL     Marry, here’s grace³⁷ and a codpiece: that’s a wise man and a fool.

KENT

KENT     Alas, sir, are you here? Things that love night

               Love not such nights as these: the wrathful skies

40

40           Gallow⁴⁰ the very wanderers of the dark

               And make them keep their caves. Since I was man,

               Such sheets of fire, such bursts of horrid thunder,

               Such groans of roaring wind and rain, I never

               Remember to have heard: man’s nature cannot carry

45

45           Th’affliction nor the fear.

LEAR

LEAR     Let the great gods,

               That keep this dreadful pudder⁴⁷ o’er our heads,

               Find out their enemies now. Tremble, thou wretch,

               That hast within thee undivulgèd crimes

50

50           Unwhipped of⁵⁰ justice: hide thee, thou bloody hand,

               Thou perjured, and thou simular⁵¹ of virtue

               That art incestuous: caitiff,⁵² to pieces shake,

               That under covert and convenient seeming⁵³

               Has practised on⁵⁴ man’s life: close pent-up guilts,

55

55           Rive⁵⁵ your concealing continents and cry

               These dreadful summoners grace. I am a man

               More sinned against than sinning.

KENT

KENT     Alack, bare-headed?

               Gracious my lord, hard⁵⁹ by here is a hovel:

60

60           Some friendship will it lend you gainst the tempest.

               Repose you there while I to this hard house⁶¹ —

               More harder than the stones whereof ’tis raised,

               Which even but now, demanding⁶³ after you,

               Denied me to come in — return and force

65

65           Their scanted⁶⁵ courtesy.

LEAR

LEAR     My wits begin to turn.

               Come on, my boy: how dost, my boy? Art cold?

               I am cold myself.— Where is this straw, my fellow?⁶⁸

               The⁶⁹ art of our necessities is strange,

70

70           And can make vile things precious. Come, your hovel.—

               Poor fool and knave, I have one part in my heart

               That’s sorry yet for thee.

FOOL

FOOL     He⁷³ that has and a little tiny wit, Sings

               With hey, ho, the wind and the rain,

75

75           Must make content with his fortunes fit,

               Though the rain it raineth every day.

LEAR

LEAR     True, boy.— Come, bring us to this hovel.

                      Exeunt [Lear and Kent]

FOOL

FOOL     This is a brave⁷⁸ night to cool a courtesan.

               I’ll speak a prophecy ere I go:

80

80           When priests are more in⁸⁰ word than matter;

               When brewers mar⁸¹ their malt with water;

               When nobles are⁸² their tailors’ tutors;

               No heretics⁸³ burned, but wenches’ suitors;

               When every case in law is right;⁸⁴

85

85           No squire in debt, nor no poor knight;

               When slanders do not live in tongues;

               Nor cutpurses⁸⁷ come not to throngs;

               When usurers⁸⁸ tell their gold i’th’field,

               And bawds⁸⁹ and whores do churches build,

90

90           Then shall the realm of Albion⁹⁰

               Come to great confusion:⁹¹

               Then comes the time, who⁹² lives to see’t,

               That going⁹³ shall be used with feet.

               This prophecy Merlin⁹⁴ shall make, for I live before his time.

              Exit

Act 3 Scene 33.3

running scene 7

       Enter Gloucester and Edmund Carrying torches

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Alack, alack, Edmund, I like not this unnatural dealing. When I desired their leave² that I might pity him, they took from me the use of mine own house, charged me on pain of perpetual displeasure neither to speak of him, entreat for him, or any way sustain him.

EDMUND

EDMUND     Most savage and unnatural.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Go to;⁶ say you nothing. There is division between the dukes, and a worse matter than that. I have received a letter this night — ’tis dangerous to be spoken — I have locked the letter in my closet.⁸ These injuries the king now bears will be revenged home;⁹ there is part of a power already footed. We must incline to the king: I will look¹⁰ him and privily relieve him. Go you and maintain talk with the duke, that¹¹ my charity be not of him perceived: if he ask for me, I am ill and gone to bed: if I die for it — as no less is threatened me — the king my old master must be relieved. There is strange things toward,¹³ Edmund: pray you be careful.

       Exit

EDMUND

EDMUND     This courtesy forbid thee¹⁴ shall the duke

15

15           Instantly know, and of that letter too:

               This¹⁶ seems a fair deserving and must draw me

               That which my father loses: no less than all.

               The younger rises when the old doth fall.

              Exit

Act 3 Scene 43.4

running scene 8

       Enter Lear, Kent and Fool Kent disguised as Caius

KENT

KENT     Here is the place, my lord. Good my lord, enter:

               The tyranny of the open night’s too rough

               For nature³ to endure.

              Storm still

LEAR

LEAR     Let me alone.

5

5     

KENT

KENT         Good my lord, enter here.

LEAR

LEAR     Will’t break my heart?

KENT

KENT     I had rather break mine own. Good my lord, enter.

LEAR

LEAR     Thou think’st ’tis much that this contentious storm

               Invades us to the skin so: ’tis to thee,

10

10           But where the greater malady¹⁰ is fixed

               The lesser is scarce felt. Thou’dst shun a bear,

               But if thy flight lay toward the roaring sea

               Thou’dst meet the bear i’th’mouth.¹³ When the mind’s free,

               The body’s delicate:¹⁴ the tempest in my mind

15

15           Doth from my senses take all feeling else

               Save what beats there. Filial ingratitude!

               Is it not as¹⁷ this mouth should tear this hand

               For lifting food to’t? But I will punish home.¹⁸

               No, I will weep no more. In such a night

20

20           To shut me out? Pour on, I will endure.

               In such a night as this? O Regan, Goneril,

               Your old kind father, whose frank²² heart gave all —

               O, that way madness lies: let me shun that:

               No more of that.

25

25   

KENT

KENT           Good my lord, enter here.

LEAR

LEAR     Prithee go in thyself: seek thine own ease:

               This tempest will not give me leave to ponder

               On things would hurt me more. But I’ll go in.—

               In, boy, go first.— To the Fool

                                    You houseless poverty—

30

30           Nay, get thee in.— I’ll pray, and then I’ll sleep.

              Exit [Fool]

               Poor naked wretches, wheresoe’er you are, Kneels

               That bide³² the pelting of this pitiless storm,

               How shall your houseless heads and unfed sides,³³

               Your lopped and windowed³⁴ raggedness, defend you

35

35           From seasons such as these? O, I have ta’en

               Too little care of this! Take physic,³⁶ pomp,

               Expose thyself to feel what wretches feel,

               That thou mayst shake the superflux³⁸ to them

               And show the heavens more just.

              Enter Edgar and Fool Within the hovel

EDGAR

EDGAR     Fathom and half,⁴⁰ fathom and half! Poor Tom!

FOOL

FOOL     Come not in here, nuncle, here’s a spirit.⁴¹ Help me, help me!

KENT

KENT     Give me thy hand. Who’s there?

FOOL

FOOL     A spirit, a spirit: he says his name’s poor Tom.

KENT

KENT     What art thou that dost grumble⁴⁴ there i’th’straw? Come forth.

       Edgar comes out, disguised as a mad beggar

EDGAR

EDGAR     Away! The foul⁴⁸ fiend follows me! Through the sharp hawthorn blow the winds. Hum! Go to thy bed and warm thee.

LEAR

LEAR     Did’st thou give all to thy daughters? And art thou come to this?

EDGAR

EDGAR     Who gives anything to poor Tom? Whom the foul fiend hath led through fire and through flame, through ford and whirlpool, o’er bog and quagmire, that hath laid knives⁵⁰ under his pillow, and halters in his pew, set ratsbane by his porridge,⁵¹ made him proud of heart, to ride on a bay trotting-horse over four-inched bridges, to course⁵² his own shadow for a traitor. Bless thy five wits! Tom’s a-cold. O, do⁵³ de, do de, do de. Bless thee from whirlwinds, star-blasting and taking! Do poor Tom some charity, whom the foul fiend vexes:⁵⁴ there could I have him now — and there — and there again, and there.

              Storm still

LEAR

LEAR     Has his daughters brought him to this pass?⁵⁶

               Couldst thou save nothing? Wouldst thou give ’em all?

FOOL

FOOL     Nay, he reserved a blanket,⁵⁸ else we had been all shamed.

LEAR

LEAR     Now, all the plagues that in the pendulous⁵⁹ air

60

60           Hang fated⁶⁰ o’er men’s faults light on thy daughters!

KENT

KENT     He hath no daughters, sir.

LEAR

LEAR     Death, traitor! Nothing could have subdued nature⁶²

               To such a lowness but his unkind daughters.

               Is it the fashion that discarded fathers

65

65           Should have thus⁶⁵ little mercy on their flesh?

               Judicious punishment! ’Twas this flesh begot

               Those pelican⁶⁷ daughters.

EDGAR

EDGAR     Pillicock⁶⁸ sat on Pillicock-hill: alow, alow, loo, loo!

FOOL

FOOL     This cold night will turn us all to fools and madmen.

EDGAR

EDGAR     Take heed o’th’foul fiend: obey⁷⁰ thy parents, keep thy word’s justice, swear not, commit not⁷¹ with man’s sworn spouse, set not thy sweetheart on proud array. Tom’s a-cold.

LEAR

LEAR     What hast thou been?

EDGAR

EDGAR     A servingman, proud in heart and mind, that curled my hair, wore gloves⁷⁴ in my cap, served the lust of my mistress’ heart, and did the act of darkness with her: swore as many oaths as I spake words, and broke them in the sweet face of heaven: one that slept in⁷⁷ the contriving of lust, and waked to do it: wine loved I dearly, dice⁷⁸ dearly, and in woman out-paramoured the Turk: false of heart, light of ear, bloody of hand: hog in sloth, fox in stealth, wolf in greediness, dog in madness, lion in prey. Let not the creaking⁸⁰ of shoes nor the rustling of silks betray thy poor heart to woman: keep thy foot out of brothels, thy hand out of plackets,⁸¹ thy pen from lenders’ books, and defy the foul fiend. Still through the hawthorn blows the cold wind, says suum, mun,⁸³ nonny, Dolphin my boy, boy sessa! Let him trot by.

              Storm still

LEAR

LEAR     Thou wert better in a grave than to answer⁸⁵ with thy uncovered body this extremity of the skies. Is man no more than this? Consider him well. Thou ow’st the worm no silk, the beast no hide, the sheep no wool, the cat no perfume.⁸⁷ Ha? Here’s three on’s⁸⁸ are sophisticated. Thou art the thing itself: unaccommodated man is no more but such a poor bare, forked animal as thou art. Off, off, you lendings!⁹⁰ Tears off his clothes Come, unbutton here.

              Enter Gloucester with a torch

FOOL

FOOL     Prithee, nuncle, be contented: ’tis a naughty⁹¹ night to swim in. Now a little fire in a wild field were like an old lecher’s heart, a small spark, all the rest on’s body cold. Look, here comes a walking fire.⁹³

EDGAR

EDGAR     This is the foul Flibbertigibbet:⁹⁴ he begins at curfew and walks till the first cock:⁹⁵ he gives the web and the pin, squints the eye and makes the hare-lip, mildews the white wheat, and hurts the poor creature of earth.

                                    Swithold⁹⁷ footed thrice the old, Chants?

                                    He met the nightmare⁹⁸ and her nine-fold;

                                    Bid her alight,

100

100                              And her troth plight,¹⁰⁰

                                    And, aroint¹⁰¹ thee, witch, aroint thee!

KENT

KENT     How fares your grace?

LEAR

LEAR     What’s¹⁰³ he?

KENT

KENT     Who’s there? What is’t you seek?

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     What are you there? Your names?

EDGAR

EDGAR     Poor Tom, that eats the swimming frog, the toad, the tadpole, the wall-newt¹⁰⁶ and the water,¹⁰⁷ that in the fury of his heart, when the foul fiend rages, eats cow-dung for salads, swallows the old rat and the ditch-dog,¹⁰⁸ drinks the green mantle of the standing¹⁰⁹ pool, who is whipped from tithing to tithing, and stocked, punished and imprisoned, who hath had three¹¹⁰ suits to his back, six shirts to his body:

                                    Horse to ride, and weapon to wear,

                                    But mice and rats and such small deer¹¹³

                                    Have been Tom’s food for seven long year.

               Beware my follower. Peace, Smulkin,¹¹⁵ peace, thou fiend!

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     What, hath your grace no better company?

EDGAR

EDGAR     The¹¹⁷ prince of darkness is a gentleman:

               Modo¹¹⁸ he’s called, and Mahu.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Our flesh and blood,¹¹⁹ my lord, is grown so vile, To Lear

120

120         That it doth hate what gets¹²⁰ it.

EDGAR

EDGAR     Poor Tom’s a-cold.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Go in with me: my duty cannot suffer

               T’obey in all your daughters’ hard commands:

               Though their injunction be to bar my doors

125

125         And let this tyrannous night take hold upon you,

               Yet have I ventured to come seek you out

               And bring you where both fire and food is ready.

LEAR

LEAR     First let me talk with this philosopher.—

               What is the cause of thunder? To Edgar

130

130 

KENT

KENT             Good my lord, take his offer: go into th’house.

LEAR

LEAR     I’ll talk a word with this same learnèd Theban.¹³¹—

               What is your study? To Edgar

EDGAR

EDGAR     How to prevent¹³³ the fiend and to kill vermin.

LEAR

LEAR     Let me ask you one word in private. They talk apart

135

135 

KENT

KENT             Importune¹³⁵ him once more to go, my lord: To Gloucester

               His wits begin t’unsettle.¹³⁶

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Canst thou blame him?

              Storm still

               His daughters seek his death. Ah, that good Kent!

               He said it would be thus, poor banished man!

140

140         Thou sayest the king grows mad: I’ll tell thee, friend,

               I am almost mad myself. I had a son,

               Now outlawed from my blood:¹⁴² he sought my life

               But lately, very late. I loved him, friend:

               No father his son dearer. True to tell thee,

145

145         The grief hath crazed my wits. What a night’s this!—

               I do beseech your grace— To Lear

LEAR

LEAR     O, cry you mercy,¹⁴⁷ sir.—

               Noble philosopher, your company. To Edgar

EDGAR

EDGAR     Tom’s a-cold.

150

150 

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER             In, fellow, there, into th’hovel: keep thee warm. To Edgar

LEAR

LEAR     Come let’s in all.

KENT

KENT     This way, my lord.

LEAR

LEAR     With him;

               I will keep still¹⁵⁴ with my philosopher.

155

155 

KENT

KENT             Good my lord, soothe¹⁵⁵ him: let him take the fellow. To Gloucester

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Take him you on.¹⁵⁶ To Kent

KENT

KENT     Sirrah, come on: go along with us. To Edgar

LEAR

LEAR     Come, good Athenian.¹⁵⁸

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     No words, no words: hush.

160

160 

EDGAR

EDGAR             Child¹⁶⁰ Rowland to the dark tower came,

               His word¹⁶¹ was still: fie, foh and fum,

               I smell the blood of a British man.

              Exeunt

Act 3 Scene 53.5

running scene 9

       Enter Cornwall and Edmund

CORNWALL

CORNWALL     I will have my revenge ere I depart his¹ house.

EDMUND

EDMUND     How, my lord, I may be censured, that nature² thus gives way to loyalty, something fears³ me to think of.

CORNWALL

CORNWALL     I now perceive it was not altogether your brother’s evil disposition made him seek his⁵ death, but a provoking merit set a-work by a reprovable badness in himself.

EDMUND

EDMUND     How malicious is my fortune — that I must repent to be⁷ just! Shows a letter This is the letter which he spoke of which approves⁸ him an intelligent party to the advantages of France. O heavens! That this treason were not, or not I the detector!

CORNWALL

CORNWALL     Go with me to the duchess.

EDMUND

EDMUND     If the matter of this paper be certain, you have mighty business in hand.

CORNWALL

CORNWALL     True or false, it hath made thee Earl of Gloucester. Seek out where thy father is, that he may be ready for our apprehension.¹⁴

EDMUND

EDMUND     If I find him comforting the king, it will stuff his suspicion¹⁵ more fully.— I Aside will persevere in my course of loyalty, though the conflict be sore between that and my blood.

CORNWALL

CORNWALL     I will lay trust upon thee, and thou shalt find a dear father in my love.

              Exeunt

Act 3 Scene 63.6

running scene 10

       Enter Kent and Gloucester

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Here is better than the open air, take it thankfully. I will piece out¹ the comfort with what addition I can: I will not be long from you.

              Exit

KENT

KENT     All the power of his wits have given way to his impatience:³ the gods reward your kindness!

              Enter Lear, Edgar and Fool Edgar disguised as Poor Tom

EDGAR

EDGAR     Frateretto⁵ calls me, and tells me Nero is an angler in the lake of darkness. Pray, innocent, and beware the foul fiend.

FOOL

FOOL     Prithee, nuncle, tell me whether a madman be a gentleman or a yeoman?⁷

LEAR

LEAR     A king, a king!

FOOL

FOOL     No, he’s a yeoman that has a gentleman to⁹ his son, for he’s a mad yeoman that sees his son a gentleman before him.

LEAR

LEAR     To have a thousand¹¹ with red burning spits

               Come hizzing¹² in upon ’em—

EDGAR

EDGAR     Bless thy five wits!

KENT

KENT     O pity! Sir, where is the patience now

15

15           That you so oft have boasted to retain?

EDGAR

EDGAR     My tears begin to take his part so much Aside

               They mar my counterfeiting.¹⁷

LEAR

LEAR     The little dogs and all,

               Trey,¹⁹ Blanch and Sweetheart, see, they bark at me.

20

20   

EDGAR

EDGAR           Tom will throw his head²⁰ at them. Avaunt, you curs!

               Be thy mouth or black or²¹ white,

               Tooth that poisons²² if it bite,

               Mastiff, greyhound, mongrel grim,²³

               Hound or spaniel, brach²⁴ or him,

25

25           Or bobtail tyke²⁵ or trundle-tail,

               Tom will make him weep and wail:

               For, with throwing thus my head,

               Dogs leapt the hatch,²⁸ and all are fled.

               Do²⁹ de, de, de. Sessa! Come, march to wakes and fairs and market towns. Poor Tom, thy horn³⁰ is dry.

LEAR

LEAR     Then let them anatomize³¹ Regan: see what breeds about her heart. Is there any cause in nature that make these hard hearts?— You, sir, I entertain³³ for one of my hundred; To Edgar only I do not like the fashion of your garments: you will say they are Persian;³⁴ but let them be changed.

              Enter Gloucester At a distance

35

35   

KENT

KENT           Now, good my lord, lie here and rest awhile.

LEAR

LEAR     Make no noise, make no noise: draw the curtains.³⁶

               So, so, we’ll go to supper i’th’morning. Sleeps

FOOL

FOOL     And I’ll go to bed at noon.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Come hither, friend: where is the king my master? To Kent

40

40   

KENT

KENT           Here, sir, but trouble him not: his wits are gone.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Good friend, I prithee take him in thy arms;

               I have o’erheard a plot of death upon him:

               There is a litter⁴³ ready, lay him in’t

               And drive toward Dover,⁴⁴ friend, where thou shalt meet

45

45           Both welcome and protection. Take up thy master:

               If thou shouldst dally half an hour, his life,

               With thine and all that offer to defend him,

               Stand in assurèd loss. Take up, take up,

               And follow me, that will to⁴⁹ some provision They carry Lear

50

50           Give thee quick conduct. Come, come, away.

              Exeunt

Act 3 Scene 73.7

running scene 11

       Enter Cornwall, Regan, Goneril, Bastard [Edmund] and Servants

CORNWALL

CORNWALL     Post¹ speedily to my lord your husband; To Goneril show him this letter: the army of France is landed.— Gives a letter Seek out the traitor Gloucester.

              [Exeunt some Servants]

REGAN

REGAN     Hang him instantly.

GONERIL

GONERIL     Pluck out his eyes.

CORNWALL

CORNWALL     Leave him to my displeasure. Edmund, keep you our sister⁵ company: the revenges we are bound to take upon your traitorous father are not fit for your beholding. Advise⁷ the duke where you are going, to a most festinate preparation: we are bound to the like. Our posts⁸ shall be swift and intelligent betwixt us. Farewell, dear sister: farewell, my lord of Gloucester.⁹

              Enter Oswald

10

10           How now? Where’s the king?

OSWALD

OSWALD     My lord of Gloucester hath conveyed him hence:

               Some five- or six-and-thirty of his knights,

               Hot questrists¹³ after him, met him at gate,

               Who, with some other of the lord’s¹⁴ dependants,

15

15           Are gone with him toward Dover, where they boast

               To have well-armèd friends.

CORNWALL

CORNWALL     Get horses for your mistress.

GONERIL

GONERIL     Farewell, sweet lord, and sister.

              Exeunt [Goneril, Edmund and Oswald]

CORNWALL

CORNWALL     Edmund, farewell.—

20

20           Go seek the traitor Gloucester,

               Pinion him²¹ like a thief, bring him before us.

              [Exeunt other Servants]

               Though well we may not pass²² upon his life

               Without the form of justice, yet our power

               Shall do a court’sy²⁴ to our wrath, which men

25

25           May blame but not control.

              Enter Gloucester and Servants

               Who’s there? The traitor?

REGAN

REGAN     Ingrateful fox! ’Tis he.

CORNWALL

CORNWALL     Bind fast his corky²⁷ arms.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     What means your graces?

               Good my friends, consider you are my guests:

30

30           Do me no foul play, friends.

CORNWALL

CORNWALL     Bind him, I say. Servants bind him

REGAN

REGAN     Hard, hard. O, filthy traitor!

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Unmerciful lady as you are, I’m none.

CORNWALL

CORNWALL     To this chair bind him.— Villain, thou shalt find— Regan plucks his beard³⁴

35

35   

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER           By the kind gods, ’tis most ignobly done

               To pluck me by the beard.

REGAN

REGAN     So white,³⁷ and such a traitor?

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Naughty³⁸ lady,

               These hairs which thou dost ravish³⁹ from my chin

40

40           Will quicken⁴⁰ and accuse thee. I am your host:

               With robbers’ hands my hospitable favours⁴¹

               You should not ruffle⁴² thus. What will you do?

CORNWALL

CORNWALL     Come, sir, what letters had you late from France?

REGAN

REGAN     Be simple answered,⁴⁴ for we know the truth.

45

45   

CORNWALL

CORNWALL           And what confederacy have you with the traitors

               Late footed⁴⁶ in the kingdom?

REGAN

REGAN     To whose hands you have sent the lunatic king? Speak.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     I have a letter guessingly⁴⁸ set down,

               Which came from one that’s of a neutral heart,

50

50           And not from one opposed.⁵⁰

CORNWALL

CORNWALL     Cunning.

REGAN

REGAN     And false.

CORNWALL

CORNWALL     Where hast thou sent the king?

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     To Dover.

55

55   

REGAN

REGAN           Wherefore to Dover? Wast thou not charged at peril⁵⁵—

CORNWALL

CORNWALL     Wherefore to Dover? Let him answer that.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     I am tied to th’stake⁵⁷ and I must stand the course.

REGAN

REGAN     Wherefore to Dover?

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Because I would not see thy cruel nails

60

60           Pluck out his poor old eyes, nor thy fierce sister

               In his anointed⁶¹ flesh stick boarish fangs.

               The sea, with such a storm as his bare head

               In hell-black night endured, would have buoyed⁶³ up

               And quenched the stellèd⁶⁴ fires:

65

65           Yet, poor old heart, he holp⁶⁵ the heavens to rain.

               If wolves had at thy gate howled that stern⁶⁶ time,

               Thou shouldst have said ‘Good porter, turn the key.⁶⁷’

               All⁶⁸ cruels else subscribe: but I shall see

               The wingèd vengeance⁶⁹ overtake such children.

70

70   

CORNWALL

CORNWALL           See’t shalt thou never. Fellows,⁷⁰ hold the chair.—

               Upon these eyes of thine I’ll set my foot.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     He that will think to live till he be old,

               Give me some help! O cruel! O you gods! Cornwall grinds out his eye

REGAN

REGAN     One side will mock another: th’other too.

75

75   

CORNWALL

CORNWALL           If you see vengeance—

SERVANT

CORNWALL     Hold your hand, my lord:

               I have served you ever since I was a child,

               But better service have I never done you

               Than now to bid you hold.

80

80   

REGAN

REGAN           How now, you dog?

SERVANT

CORNWALL     If you did wear a beard upon your chin, To Regan

               I’d shake⁸² it on this quarrel.— What do you mean?

CORNWALL

CORNWALL     My villain?⁸³ They draw and fight

SERVANT

CORNWALL     Nay, then, come on, and take the chance of anger.⁸⁴

85

85   

REGAN

REGAN           Give me thy sword. A peasant stand up thus? To a Servant

              Kills him

SERVANT

CORNWALL     O, I am slain! My lord, you have one eye left

               To see some mischief on him.⁸⁷ O! Dies

CORNWALL

CORNWALL     Lest it see more, prevent it. Out, vile jelly! Puts out Gloucester’s other eye

               Where is thy lustre now?

90

90   

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER           All dark and comfortless. Where’s my son Edmund?

               Edmund, enkindle all the sparks of nature⁹¹

               To quit⁹² this horrid act.

REGAN

REGAN     Out,⁹³ treacherous villain!

               Thou call’st on him that hates thee: it was he

95

95           That made the overture⁹⁵ of thy treasons to us,

               Who is too good to pity thee.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     O, my follies! Then Edgar was abused.⁹⁷

               Kind gods, forgive me that, and prosper him!

REGAN

REGAN     Go thrust him out at gates, and let him smell

100

100         His way to Dover.

              Exit [a Servant] with Gloucester

               How is’t, my lord? How look you?¹⁰¹

CORNWALL

CORNWALL     I have received a hurt: follow me, lady.—

               Turn out that eyeless villain: throw this slave

               Upon the dunghill.— Regan, I bleed apace:¹⁰⁴

105

105         Untimely¹⁰⁵ comes this hurt. Give me your arm.

              Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 14.1

running scene 12

       Enter Edgar Disguised as Poor Tom

EDGAR

EDGAR     Yet better thus,¹ and known to be contemned,

               Than still contemned and flattered.² To be worst,

               The lowest and most dejected thing of fortune,

               Stands still in esperance,⁴ lives not in fear:

5

5             The⁵ lamentable change is from the best,

               The worst returns to laughter. Welcome, then,

               Thou unsubstantial air that I embrace!

               The wretch that thou hast blown unto the worst

               Owes nothing to thy blasts.

              Enter Gloucester and an Old Man

10

10           But who comes here? My father, poorly led?¹⁰

               World, world, O world!

               But¹² that thy strange mutations make us hate thee,

               Life¹³ would not yield to age.

OLD MAN

OLD MAN     O, my good lord, I have been your tenant and your father’s tenant these fourscore¹⁵ years.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Away, get thee away! Good friend, be gone:

               Thy comforts can do me no good at all,

               Thee¹⁸ they may hurt.

OLD MAN

OLD MAN     You cannot see your way.

20

20   

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER           I have no way and therefore want no eyes:

               I stumbled when I saw. Full oft ’tis seen

               Our means secure us,²² and our mere defects

               Prove our commodities.²³ O dear son Edgar,

               The food of thy abusèd²⁴ father’s wrath!

25

25           Might I but live to see thee in my touch,

               I’d say I had eyes again!

OLD MAN

OLD MAN     How now? Who’s there?

EDGAR

EDGAR     O gods! Who is’t can say, ‘I am at the worst’? Aside

               I am worse than e’er I was.

30

30   

OLD MAN

OLD MAN           ’Tis poor mad Tom.

EDGAR

EDGAR     And worse I may be yet: the worst is not³¹ Aside

               So long as we can say ‘This is the worst.’

OLD MAN

OLD MAN     Fellow, where goest?

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Is it a beggar-man?

35

35   

OLD MAN

OLD MAN           Madman and beggar too.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     He has some reason,³⁶ else he could not beg.

               I’th’last night’s storm I such a fellow saw,

               Which made me think a man a worm: my son

               Came then into my mind and yet my mind

40

40           Was then scarce friends with him. I have heard more since.

               As flies to wanton⁴¹ boys are we to th’gods:

               They kill us for their sport.

EDGAR

EDGAR     How should this be? Aside

               Bad is the trade⁴⁴ that must play fool to sorrow,

45

45           Ang’ring itself and others.— Bless thee, master!

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Is that the naked fellow?

OLD MAN

OLD MAN     Ay, my lord.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Get thee away: if for my sake

               Thou wilt o’ertake us hence a mile or twain

50

50           I’th’way toward Dover, do it for ancient love,⁵⁰

               And bring some covering for this naked soul,

               Which I’ll entreat to lead me.

OLD MAN

OLD MAN     Alack, sir, he is mad.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     ’Tis the time’s plague,⁵⁴ when madmen lead the blind.

55

55           Do as I bid thee, or rather do thy pleasure:

               Above the rest,⁵⁶ be gone.

OLD MAN

OLD MAN     I’ll bring him the best ’pparel⁵⁷ that I have,

               Come⁵⁸ on’t what will.

              Exit

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Sirrah, naked fellow—

60

60   

EDGAR

EDGAR           Poor Tom’s a-cold.— I cannot daub it⁶⁰ further. Aside

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Come hither, fellow.

EDGAR

EDGAR     And yet I must.— Bless thy sweet eyes, they bleed. Aside

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Know’st thou the way to Dover?

EDGAR

EDGAR     Both stile and gate, horseway and footpath. Poor Tom hath been scared out of his good wits: bless thee, good man’s son, from the foul fiend!

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Here, take this purse, thou whom the heav’ns’ plagues Gives a purse

               Have humbled to all strokes:⁶⁷ that I am wretched

               Makes thee the happier:⁶⁸ heavens, deal so still.

               Let the superfluous⁶⁹ and lust-dieted man,

70

70           That slaves your ordinance,⁷⁰ that will not see

               Because he does not feel,⁷¹ feel your pow’r quickly,

               So distribution should undo excess,

               And each man have enough. Dost thou know Dover?

EDGAR

EDGAR     Ay, master.

75

75   

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER           There is a cliff, whose high and bending⁷⁵ head

               Looks fearfully in the confinèd⁷⁶ deep:

               Bring me but to the very brim⁷⁷ of it

               And I’ll repair the misery thou dost bear

               With something rich about me:⁷⁹ from that place

80

80           I shall no leading need.

EDGAR

EDGAR     Give me thy arm:

               Poor Tom shall lead thee.

              Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 24.2

running scene 13

       Enter Goneril, Bastard [Edmund] and Steward [Oswald]

GONERIL

GONERIL     Welcome, my lord:¹ I marvel our mild husband

               Not met us on the way.— Now, where’s your master?

OSWALD

OSWALD     Madam, within, but never man so changed.

               I told him of the army⁴ that was landed,

5

5             He smiled at it: I told him you were coming,

               His answer was ‘The worse’: of Gloucester’s treachery

               And of the loyal service of his son

               When I informed him, then he called me ‘sot’⁸

               And told me I had turned⁹ the wrong side out.

10

10           What most he should dislike seems pleasant to him;

               What like, offensive.

GONERIL

GONERIL     Then shall you go no further. To Edmund

               It is the cowish¹³ terror of his spirit,

               That dares not undertake:¹⁴ he’ll not feel wrongs

15

15           Which tie¹⁵ him to an answer. Our wishes on the way

               May prove effects.¹⁶ Back, Edmund, to my brother:

               Hasten his musters¹⁷ and conduct his powers.

               I must change¹⁸ names at home and give the distaff

               Into my husband’s hands. This trusty servant

20

20           Shall pass between us: ere long you are like²⁰ to hear —

               If you dare venture in your own behalf —

               A mistress’s²² command. Wear this; spare speech. Gives a favor

               Decline your head: this kiss, if it durst speak, Kisses him

               Would stretch thy²⁴ spirits up into the air.

25

25           Conceive,²⁵ and fare thee well.

EDMUND

EDMUND     Yours in the ranks of death.²⁶

              Exit

GONERIL

GONERIL     My most dear Gloucester!

               O, the difference of man and man!

               To thee a woman’s services²⁹ are due:

30

30           My fool³⁰ usurps my body.

OSWALD

OSWALD     Madam, here comes my lord.

              Exit

              Enter Albany

GONERIL

GONERIL     I have been worth the whistle.³²

ALBANY

ALBANY     O Goneril,³³

               You are not worth the dust which the rude³⁴ wind

35

35           Blows in your face.

GONERIL

GONERIL     Milk-livered³⁶ man,

               That bear’st a cheek for blows, a head for wrongs,

               Who hast not in thy brows an eye discerning³⁸

               Thine honour from thy suffering.

40

40   

ALBANY

ALBANY           See thyself, devil!

               Proper⁴¹ deformity seems not in the fiend

               So horrid as in woman.

GONERIL

GONERIL     O vain⁴³ fool!

              Enter a Messenger

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     O, my good lord, the Duke of Cornwall’s dead,

45

45           Slain by his servant, going to put out

               The other eye of Gloucester.

ALBANY

ALBANY     Gloucester’s eyes?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     A servant that he bred,⁴⁸ thrilled with remorse,

               Opposed⁴⁹ against the act, bending his sword

50

50           To his great master, who, threat-enraged,⁵⁰

               Flew on him and amongst them felled him dead,

               But not without that harmful stroke which since

               Hath plucked him after.⁵³

ALBANY

ALBANY     This shows you are above,

55

55           You justices,⁵⁵ that these our nether crimes

               So speedily can venge.⁵⁶ But, O, poor Gloucester!

               Lost he his other eye?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Both, both, my lord.—

               This letter, madam, craves a speedy answer: Gives a letter

60

60           ’Tis from your sister.

GONERIL

GONERIL     One way I like this well: Aside

               But being widow, and my Gloucester with her,

               May all⁶³ the building in my fancy pluck

               Upon my hateful life: another way,

65

65           The news is not so tart.⁶⁵— I’ll read, and answer.

              [Exit]

ALBANY

ALBANY     Where was his son when they did take his eyes?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Come with my lady hither.

ALBANY

ALBANY     He is not here.

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     No, my good lord, I met him back⁶⁹ again.

70

70   

ALBANY

ALBANY           Knows he the wickedness?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Ay, my good lord: ’twas he informed against him,

               And quit the house on purpose that their punishment

               Might have the freer course.

ALBANY

ALBANY     Gloucester, I live

75

75           To thank thee for the love thou showed’st the king

               And to revenge thine eyes.— Come hither, friend:

               Tell me what more thou know’st.

              Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 34.3

running scene 14

       Enter with Drum and Colours Cordelia, Gentleman and Soldiers

CORDELIA

CORDELIA     Alack, ’tis he: why, he was met even now

               As mad as the vexed² sea, singing aloud,

               Crowned with rank fumiter³ and furrow weeds,

               With burdocks,⁴ hemlock, nettles, cuckoo-flowers,

5

5             Darnel,⁵ and all the idle weeds that grow

               In our sustaining corn. A sentry send forth;

               Search every acre in the high-grown field

               And bring him to our eye.—

              [Exit a Soldier]

               What⁸ can man’s wisdom

               In the restoring his bereavèd⁹ sense?

10

10           He that helps him take all my outward worth.¹⁰

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN     There is means, madam:

               Our foster-nurse of nature is repose,¹²

               The which he lacks: that¹³ to provoke in him

               Are many simples operative, whose power

15

15           Will close the eye of anguish.

CORDELIA

CORDELIA     All blest secrets,

               All you unpublished virtues¹⁷ of the earth,

               Spring with my tears! Be aidant¹⁸ and remediate

               In the good man’s distress! Seek, seek for him,

20

20           Lest his ungoverned rage²⁰ dissolve the life

               That wants the means²¹ to lead it.

              Enter Messenger

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     News, madam:

               The British powers are marching hitherward.

CORDELIA

CORDELIA     ’Tis known before: our preparation²⁴ stands

25

25           In expectation of them. O dear father,

               It is thy business that I go about:

               Therefore great France²⁷

               My mourning and importuned²⁸ tears hath pitied.

               No blown²⁹ ambition doth our arms incite,

30

30           But love, dear love, and our aged father’s right:

               Soon may I hear and see him!

              Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 44.4

running scene 15

       Enter Regan and Steward [Oswald]

REGAN

REGAN     But are my brother’s powers set forth?

OSWALD

OSWALD     Ay, madam.

REGAN

REGAN     Himself in person there?

OSWALD

OSWALD     Madam, with much ado:⁴

5

5             Your sister is the better soldier.

REGAN

REGAN     Lord Edmund spake not with your lord at home?

OSWALD

OSWALD     No, madam.

REGAN

REGAN     What might import⁸ my sister’s letter to him?

OSWALD

OSWALD     I know not, lady.

10

10   

REGAN

REGAN           Faith, he is posted¹⁰ hence on serious matter.

               It was great ignorance,¹¹ Gloucester’s eyes being out,

               To let him live: where he arrives he moves

               All hearts against us. Edmund, I think, is gone,

               In pity of his misery, to dispatch

15

15           His nighted¹⁵ life: moreover, to descry

               The strength o’th’enemy.

OSWALD

OSWALD     I must needs after¹⁷ him, madam, with my letter.

REGAN

REGAN     Our troops set forth tomorrow. Stay with us:

               The ways¹⁹ are dangerous.

20

OSWALD

OSWALD     I may not, madam:

               My lady charged my duty²¹ in this business.

REGAN

REGAN     Why should she write to Edmund? Might not you

               Transport her purposes by word? Belike,²³

               Some things I know not what. I’ll love thee²⁴ much,

25

25           Let me unseal the letter.

OSWALD

OSWALD     Madam, I had rather—

REGAN

REGAN     I know your lady does not love her husband,

               I am sure of that: and at her late being here

               She gave strange oeillades²⁹ and most speaking looks

30

30           To noble Edmund. I know you are of her bosom.³⁰

OSWALD

OSWALD     I, madam?

REGAN

REGAN     I speak in understanding. Y’are,³² I know’t.

               Therefore I do advise you, take this note.³³

               My lord is dead: Edmund and I have talked,

35

35           And more convenient³⁵ is he for my hand

               Than for your lady’s: you may gather more.³⁶

               If you do find him, pray you give him this, Gives a token or a letter

               And when your mistress hears thus much from you,

               I pray desire her call³⁹ her wisdom to her.

40

40           So, fare you well.

               If you do chance to hear of that blind traitor,

               Preferment falls on him that cuts him off.

OSWALD

OSWALD     Would I could meet,⁴³ madam, I should show

               What party I do follow.

45

45   

REGAN

REGAN           Fare thee well.

              Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 54.5

running scene 16

       Enter Gloucester and Edgar Edgar dressed like a peasant

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     When shall I come to th’top of that same hill?¹

EDGAR

EDGAR     You do climb up it now: look how we labour.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Methinks the ground is even.

EDGAR

EDGAR     Horrible steep.

5

5             Hark, do you hear the sea?

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     No, truly.

EDGAR

EDGAR     Why, then, your other senses grow imperfect

               By your eyes’ anguish.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     So may it be, indeed:

10

10           Methinks thy voice is altered and thou speak’st

               In better phrase and matter¹¹ than thou didst.

EDGAR

EDGAR     You’re much deceived: in nothing am I changed

               But in my garments.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Methinks you’re better spoken.

15

15   

EDGAR

EDGAR           Come on, sir, here’s the place: stand still. How fearful

               And dizzy ’tis to cast one’s eyes so low!

               The crows and choughs¹⁷ that wing the midway air

               Show scarce so gross¹⁸ as beetles: halfway down

               Hangs one that gathers samphire,¹⁹ dreadful trade!

20

20           Methinks he seems no bigger than his head.

               The fishermen that walk upon the beach

               Appear like mice, and yond²² tall anchoring bark

               Diminished to her cock,²³ her cock, a buoy

               Almost too small for sight. The murmuring surge,

25

25           That on th’unnumbered idle pebble²⁵ chafes,

               Cannot be heard so high. I’ll look no more,

               Lest my brain turn and the deficient²⁷ sight

               Topple²⁸ down headlong.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Set me where you stand.

30

30   

EDGAR

EDGAR           Give me your hand: you are now within a foot

               Of th’extreme verge: for all beneath the moon

               Would I not leap upright.³²

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Let go my hand.

               Here, friend’s³⁴ another purse: in it a jewel Gives a purse

35

35           Well worth a poor man’s taking: fairies and gods

               Prosper it³⁶ with thee! Go thou further off:

               Bid me farewell, and let me hear thee going.

EDGAR

EDGAR     Now fare ye well, good sir.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     With all my heart.

40

40   

EDGAR

EDGAR           Why I do trifle⁴⁰ thus with his despair Aside

               Is done to cure it.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     O you mighty gods! Kneels

               This world I do renounce, and in your sights

               Shake patiently my great affliction off:

45

45           If I could bear it longer, and not fall

               To quarrel with your great opposeless⁴⁶ wills,

               My⁴⁷ snuff and loathèd part of nature should

               Burn itself out. If Edgar live, O, bless him!—

               Now, fellow, fare thee well. He falls forward

50

50   

EDGAR

EDGAR           Gone, sir: farewell.—

               And yet I know not how conceit⁵¹ may rob Aside

               The treasury of life, when life itself

               Yields⁵³ to the theft: had he been where he thought,

               By this⁵⁴ had thought been past. Alive or dead?—

55

55           Ho, you sir! Friend! Hear you, sir! Speak!—

               Thus might he pass⁵⁶ indeed: yet he revives.—

               What⁵⁷ are you, sir?

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Away, and let me die.

EDGAR

EDGAR     Hadst thou been aught⁵⁹ but gossamer, feathers, air —

60

60           So many fathom down precipitating⁶⁰ —

               Thou’dst shivered⁶¹ like an egg: but thou dost breathe,

               Hast heavy substance, bleed’st not, speak’st, art sound.

               Ten masts at each⁶³ make not the altitude

               Which thou hast perpendicularly fell:

65

65           Thy life’s a miracle. Speak yet again.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     But have I fall’n or no?

EDGAR

EDGAR     From the dread summit of this chalky bourn.⁶⁷

               Look up a-height⁶⁸ the shrill-gorged lark so far

               Cannot be seen or heard: do but look up.

70

70   

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER           Alack, I have no eyes.

               Is wretchedness deprived that benefit,

               To end itself by death? ’Twas yet some comfort

               When misery could beguile⁷³ the tyrant’s rage

               And frustrate his proud will.

75

75   

EDGAR

EDGAR           Give me your arm. Helps him up

               Up, so. How is’t? Feel you your legs? You stand.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Too well, too well.

EDGAR

EDGAR     This is above all strangeness.

               Upon the crown o’th’cliff what thing was that

80

80           Which parted from you?

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     A poor unfortunate beggar.

EDGAR

EDGAR     As I stood here below, methought his eyes

               Were two full moons: he had a thousand noses,

               Horns whelked⁸⁴ and waved like the enragèd sea.

85

85           It was some fiend:⁸⁵ therefore, thou happy father,

               Think that the clearest⁸⁶ gods, who make them honours

               Of men’s impossibilities, have preserved thee.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     I do remember now: henceforth I’ll bear

               Affliction till it do cry out itself

90

90           ‘Enough, enough’ and die. That thing you speak of,

               I took it for a man: often ’twould say

               ‘The fiend, the fiend’: he led me to that place.

EDGAR

EDGAR     Bear free⁹³ and patient thoughts.

              Enter Lear Dressed with weeds

               But who comes here?

               The⁹⁴ safer sense will ne’er accommodate

95

95           His master thus.

LEAR

LEAR     No, they cannot touch⁹⁶ me for crying: I am the king himself.

EDGAR

EDGAR     O thou side-piercing sight!

LEAR

LEAR     Nature’s above art in that respect. There’s your press-money.⁹⁸ That fellow handles his bow like a crow-keeper.⁹⁹ Draw me a clothier’s yard. Look, look, a mouse! Peace, peace, this piece of toasted cheese will do’t. There’s my gauntlet:¹⁰⁰ I’ll prove it on¹⁰¹ a giant. Bring up the brown bills. O, well flown, bird! I’th’clout, i’th’clout: hewgh!¹⁰² Give the word.

EDGAR

EDGAR     Sweet marjoram.¹⁰³

LEAR

LEAR     Pass.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     I know that voice.

LEAR

LEAR     Ha? Goneril with a white beard? They flattered me like a dog¹⁰⁶ and told me I had¹⁰⁷ the white hairs in my beard ere the black ones were there. To say ‘Ay’ and ‘No’ to everything that I said ‘Ay’ and ‘No’ to was no good divinity.¹⁰⁸ When the rain came to wet me¹⁰⁹ once and the wind to make me chatter, when the thunder would not peace¹¹⁰ at my bidding, there I found ’em, there I smelt ’em out. Go to, they are not men o’their words: they told me I was everything: ’tis a lie, I am not ague-proof.¹¹¹

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     The trick¹¹³ of that voice I do well remember:

               Is’t not the king?

115

115 

LEAR

LEAR             Ay, every inch a king.

               When I do stare, see how the subject quakes.

               I pardon that man’s life. What was thy cause?¹¹⁷

               Adultery?

               Thou shalt not die: die for adultery? No.

120

120         The wren goes to’t¹²⁰ and the small gilded fly

               Does lecher¹²¹ in my sight. Let copulation thrive,

               For Gloucester’s bastard son was kinder to his father

               Than were my daughters got¹²³ ’tween the lawful sheets.

               To’t, luxury,¹²⁴ pell-mell, for I lack soldiers.

125

125         Behold yond simp’ring dame,

               Whose face between¹²⁶ her forks presages snow,

               That minces virtue¹²⁷ and does shake the head

               To hear of pleasure’s name:

               The fitchew¹²⁹ nor the soilèd horse goes to’t

130

130         With a more riotous¹³⁰ appetite. Down from the waist

               They are centaurs,¹³¹ though women all above:

               But¹³² to the girdle do the gods inherit,

               Beneath is all the fiends’:

               There’s hell,¹³⁴ there’s darkness, there is the sulphurous pit: burning, scalding, stench, consumption. Fie, fie, fie! Pah, pah! Give me an ounce of civet,¹³⁵ good apothecary,¹³⁶ sweeten my imagination: there’s money for thee.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     O, let me kiss that hand!

LEAR

LEAR     Let me wipe it first: it smells of mortality.¹³⁸

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     O, ruined piece of nature! This great world

140

140         Shall so¹⁴⁰ wear out to nought. Dost thou know me?

LEAR

LEAR     I remember thine eyes well enough. Dost thou squinny¹⁴¹ at me? No, do thy worst, blind Cupid:¹⁴² I’ll not love. Read thou this challenge, mark but the penning of it.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Were all thy letters suns, I could not see.

145

145 

EDGAR

EDGAR             I would not take¹⁴⁵ this from report: it is, Aside

               And my heart breaks at it.

LEAR

LEAR     Read.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     What, with the case¹⁴⁸ of eyes?

LEAR

LEAR     O, ho, are you there with me? No eyes in your head, nor no money in your purse? Your eyes are in a heavy case,¹⁵⁰ your purse in a light, yet you see how this world goes.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     I see it feelingly.¹⁵²

LEAR

LEAR     What, art mad? A man may see how this world goes with no eyes. Look with thine ears: see how yond justice¹⁵⁴ rails upon yond simple thief. Hark, in thine ear: change places, and handy-dandy,¹⁵⁵ which is the justice, which is the thief? Thou hast seen a farmer’s dog bark at a beggar?

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Ay, sir.

LEAR

LEAR     And the creature run from the cur? There thou mightst behold the great image of authority: a¹⁵⁹ dog’s obeyed in office.

160

160         Thou rascal beadle,¹⁶⁰ hold thy bloody hand!

               Why dost thou lash that whore? Strip thy own back:

               Thou hotly lusts to use¹⁶² her in that kind

               For which thou whip’st her. The usurer¹⁶³ hangs the cozener.

               Through tattered clothes great vices do appear:

165

165         Robes and furred gowns hide all. Place¹⁶⁵ sins with gold,

               And the strong lance of justice hurtless¹⁶⁶ breaks:

               Arm it¹⁶⁷ in rags, a pigmy’s straw does pierce it.

               None does offend, none, I say, none: I’ll able ’em.¹⁶⁸

               Take that of me, my friend, who have the power

170

170         To seal th’accuser’s lips. Get thee glass eyes,

               And like a scurvy politician¹⁷¹ seem

               To see the things thou dost not. Now,¹⁷² now, now, now.

               Pull off my boots: harder, harder: so.

EDGAR

EDGAR     O, matter and impertinency¹⁷⁴ mixed! Reason in madness! Aside

175

175 

LEAR

LEAR             If thou wilt weep my fortunes, take my eyes.

               I know thee well enough: thy name is Gloucester.

               Thou must be patient; we came crying hither.¹⁷⁷

               Thou know’st the first time that we smell the air

               We wail and cry. I will preach to thee: mark.

180

180 

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER             Alack, alack the day!

LEAR

LEAR     When we are born, we cry that we are come

               To this great stage of fools. This a good block:¹⁸²

               It were a delicate¹⁸³ stratagem to shoe

               A troop of horse with felt: I’ll put’t in proof,¹⁸⁴

185

185         And when I have stol’n upon these son-in-laws,

               Then kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill!

              Enter a Gentleman [with Attendants]

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN     O, here he is: lay hand upon him.— Sir,

               Your most dear daughter—

LEAR

LEAR     No rescue? What, a prisoner? I am even

190

190         The natural fool¹⁹⁰ of fortune. Use me well,

               You shall have ransom. Let me have surgeons:

               I am cut to th’brains.

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN     You shall have anything.

LEAR

LEAR     No seconds?¹⁹⁴ All myself?

195

195         Why, this would make a man a man of salt¹⁹⁵

               To use his eyes for garden water-pots,

               I will die¹⁹⁷ bravely, like a smug bridegroom. What?

               I will be jovial.¹⁹⁸ Come, come, I am a king,

               Masters,¹⁹⁹ know you that?

200

200 

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN             You are a royal one, and we obey you.

LEAR

LEAR     Then there’s life in’t. Come, an you get it, you shall get it by running. Sa,²⁰¹ sa, sa, sa. Running, Attendants

              Exit

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN     A sight most pitiful in the meanest wretch, follow

               Past speaking of in a king! Thou hast a daughter

205

205         Who redeems nature²⁰⁵ from the general curse

               Which twain²⁰⁶ have brought her to.

EDGAR

EDGAR     Hail, gentle²⁰⁷ sir.

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN     Sir, speed you:²⁰⁸ what’s your will?

EDGAR

EDGAR     Do you hear aught, sir, of a battle toward?²⁰⁹

210

210 

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN             Most sure and vulgar:²¹⁰ everyone hears that

               Which can distinguish sound.

EDGAR

EDGAR     But, by your favour,²¹²

               How near’s the other army?

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN     Near and on speedy foot: the main²¹⁴ descry

215

215         Stands on the hourly thought.

EDGAR

EDGAR     I thank you, sir: that’s all.

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN     Though that²¹⁷ the queen on special cause is here,

               Her army is moved on.

              Exit

EDGAR

EDGAR     I thank you, sir.

220

220 

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER             You ever-gentle gods, take my breath from me:

               Let not my worser spirit²²¹ tempt me again

               To die before you please!

EDGAR

EDGAR     Well pray you, father.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Now, good sir, what are you?

225

225 

EDGAR

EDGAR             A most poor man, made tame to fortune’s blows,

               Who, by the art of known²²⁶ and feeling sorrows,

               Am pregnant²²⁷ to good pity. Give me your hand:

               I’ll lead you to some biding.²²⁸ Takes his arm

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Hearty thanks:

230

230         The bounty and the benison²³⁰ of heaven

               To²³¹ boot, and boot.

       Enter Steward [Oswald]

OSWALD

OSWALD     A proclaimed prize!²³² Most happy!

               That eyeless head of thine was first framed flesh²³³

               To raise my fortunes. Thou old unhappy traitor, Draws

235

235         Briefly thyself remember:²³⁵ the sword is out

               That must destroy thee.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     Now let thy friendly hand

               Put strength enough to’t. Edgar interposes

OSWALD

OSWALD     Wherefore, bold peasant,

240

240         Darest thou support a published²⁴⁰ traitor? Hence,

               Lest that th’infection of his fortune take

               Like hold on thee. Let go his arm.

EDGAR

EDGAR     ’Chill²⁴³ not let go, zir, without vurther ’casion.

OSWALD

OSWALD     Let go, slave, or thou diest!

EDGAR

EDGAR     Good gentleman, go your gait,²⁴⁵ and let poor volk pass. An ’chud ha’ bin zwaggered out of my life, ’twould not ha’ bin zo long as ’tis by a vortnight. Nay, come not near th’old man: keep out, che vor ye,²⁴⁷ or I’se try whether your costard or my ballow²⁴⁸ be the harder. ’Chill be plain with you.

OSWALD

OSWALD     Out, dunghill!

250

250 

EDGAR

EDGAR             ’Chill pick²⁵⁰ your teeth, zir: come, no matter vor your foins. They fight

OSWALD

OSWALD     Slave, thou hast slain me. Villain, take my purse:

               If ever thou wilt thrive, bury my body

               And give the letters which thou find’st about me

               To Edmund, Earl of Gloucester: seek him out

255

255         Upon the English party.²⁵⁵ O, untimely death! Death! He dies

EDGAR

EDGAR     I know thee well: a serviceable²⁵⁶ villain,

               As duteous to the vices of thy mistress

               As badness would desire.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     What, is he dead?

260

260 

EDGAR

EDGAR             Sit you down, father: rest you.

               Let’s see these pockets: the letters that he speaks of

               May be my friends. He’s dead: I am only sorry

               He had no other deathsman.²⁶³ Let us see. Opens the letter

               Leave,²⁶⁴ gentle wax, and manners, blame us not:

265

265         To know our enemies’ minds we rip their hearts:

               Their papers is more lawful.

       Reads the letter

               ‘Let our reciprocal vows be remembered. You have many opportunities to cut him off: if your will²⁶⁸ want not, time and place will be fruitfully offered. There is nothing done²⁶⁹ if he return the conqueror: then am I the prisoner, and his bed my jail, from the loathed warmth whereof deliver me, and supply the place for your labour.²⁷⁰

               Your — wife, so I would say — affectionate servant,²⁷¹ Goneril.’

               O, undistinguished space²⁷² of woman’s will!

               A plot upon her virtuous husband’s life,

               And the exchange my brother! Here in the sands

275

275         Thee²⁷⁵ I’ll rake up, the post unsanctified

               Of murderous lechers: and in²⁷⁶ the mature time

               With this ungracious²⁷⁷ paper strike the sight

               Of the death-practised²⁷⁸ duke: for him ’tis well

               That of thy death and business I can tell.

280

280 

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER             The king is mad: how stiff²⁸⁰ is my vile sense,

               That I stand up and have ingenious²⁸¹ feeling

               Of my huge sorrows. Better I were distract,²⁸²

               So should my thoughts be severed from my griefs, Drum afar off

               And woes by wrong imaginations²⁸⁴ lose

285

285         The knowledge of themselves.

EDGAR

EDGAR     Give me your hand:

               Far off, methinks, I hear the beaten drum.

               Come, father, I’ll bestow you with a friend.

       Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 64.6

running scene 17

       Enter Cordelia, Kent and Gentleman Kent still disguised

CORDELIA

CORDELIA     O thou good Kent, how shall I live and work

               To match thy goodness? My life will be too short,

               And every³ measure fail me.

KENT

KENT     To be acknowledged, madam, is o’erpaid.⁴

5

5             All⁵ my reports go with the modest truth,

               Nor⁶ more nor clipped, but so.

CORDELIA

CORDELIA     Be better suited:⁷

               These weeds⁸ are memories of those worser hours,

               I prithee put them off.

10

10   

KENT

KENT           Pardon, dear madam,

               Yet¹¹ to be known shortens my made intent:

               My¹² boon I make it, that you know me not

               Till time and I think meet.¹³

CORDELIA

CORDELIA     Then be’t so, my good lord.— How does the king?

15

15   

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN           Madam, sleeps still.

CORDELIA

CORDELIA     O you kind gods,

               Cure this great breach in his abusèd nature!

               Th’untuned and jarring senses, O, wind up¹⁸

               Of this child-changèd¹⁹ father!

20

20   

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN           So please your majesty

               That we may wake the king: he hath slept long.

CORDELIA

CORDELIA     Be governed by your knowledge, and proceed

               I’th’sway²³ of your own will. Is he arrayed?

       Enter Lear in a chair carried by Servants

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN     Ay, madam: in the heaviness of sleep

25

25           We put fresh garments on him.

               Be by, good madam, when we do awake him:

               I doubt of²⁷ his temperance.

CORDELIA

CORDELIA     O my dear father! Restoration hang Kisses him

               Thy medicine on my lips and let this kiss

30

30           Repair those violent harms that my two sisters

               Have in thy reverence³¹ made!

KENT

KENT     Kind and dear princess!

CORDELIA

CORDELIA     Had you³³ not been their father, these white flakes

               Did challenge³⁴ pity of them. Was this a face

35

35           To be opposed against the jarring winds?

               Mine enemy’s dog though he had bit me

               Should have stood that night against my fire,

               And wast thou fain,³⁸ poor father,

               To hovel thee with swine and rogues forlorn³⁹

40

40           In short⁴⁰ and musty straw? Alack, alack!

               ’Tis wonder that thy life and wits at once⁴¹

               Had not concluded all.⁴²— He wakes: speak to him.

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN     Madam, do you: ’tis fittest.

CORDELIA

CORDELIA     How does my royal lord? How fares your majesty?

45

45   

LEAR

LEAR           You do me wrong to take me out o’th’grave:

               Thou art a soul in bliss,⁴⁶ but I am bound

               Upon a wheel of fire,⁴⁷ that mine own tears

               Do scald like molten lead.

CORDELIA

CORDELIA     Sir, do you know me?

50

50   

LEAR

LEAR           You are a spirit, I know: where did you die?

CORDELIA

CORDELIA     Still, still, far wide!⁵¹

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN     He’s scarce awake: let him alone awhile.

LEAR

LEAR     Where have I been? Where am I? Fair daylight?

               I am mightily abused.⁵⁴ I should ev’n die with pity

55

55           To see another thus. I know not what to say.

               I will not swear these are my hands. Let’s see:

               I feel this pinprick. Would⁵⁷ I were assured

               Of my condition!

CORDELIA

CORDELIA     O, look upon me, sir, Kneels?

60

60           And hold your hand in benediction o’er me:

               You must not kneel. Stops him from kneeling?

LEAR

LEAR     Pray, do not mock me:

               I am a very foolish fond⁶³ old man,

               Fourscore and upward, not an hour more nor less,

65

65           And to deal plainly,

               I fear I am not in my perfect mind.

               Methinks I should know you and know this man,

               Yet I am doubtful, for I am mainly ignorant

               What place this is, and all the skill I have

70

70           Remembers not these garments, nor I know not

               Where I did lodge last night. Do not laugh at me,

               For, as I am a man, I think this lady

               To be my child Cordelia.

CORDELIA

CORDELIA     And so I am, I am. Weeps

75

75   

LEAR

LEAR           Be your tears wet? Yes, faith. I pray, weep not:

               If you have poison for me, I will drink it.

               I know you do not love me, for your sisters

               Have, as I do remember, done me wrong:

               You have some cause, they have not.

80

80   

CORDELIA

CORDELIA           No cause, no cause.

LEAR

LEAR     Am I in France?

KENT

KENT     In your own kingdom, sir.

LEAR

LEAR     Do not abuse me.

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN     Be comforted, good madam: the great rage,⁸⁴

85

85           You see, is killed in him. Desire him to go in:

               Trouble him no more till further settling.⁸⁶

CORDELIA

CORDELIA     Will’t please your highness walk?

LEAR

LEAR     You must bear with me. Pray you now, forget and forgive:

               I am old and foolish.

       Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 15.1

running scene 18

       Enter with Drum and Colours Edmund, Regan, Gentlemen and Soldiers

EDMUND

EDMUND     Know of¹ the duke if his last purpose hold, To a Gentleman

               Or whether since² he is advised by aught

               To change the course: he’s full of alteration

               And self-reproving:⁴ bring his constant pleasure.

       [Exit Gentleman]

5

5     

REGAN

REGAN         Our sister’s man is certainly miscarried.⁵

EDMUND

EDMUND     ’Tis to be doubted,⁶ madam.

REGAN

REGAN     Now, sweet lord,

               You know the goodness I intend upon you:

               Tell me but truly — but then speak the truth —

10

10           Do you not love my sister?

EDMUND

EDMUND     In honoured¹¹ love.

REGAN

REGAN     But have you never found my brother’s way

               To the forfended place?¹³

EDMUND

EDMUND     No, by mine honour, madam.

15

15   

REGAN

REGAN           I¹⁵ never shall endure her: dear my lord,

               Be not familiar¹⁶ with her.

EDMUND

EDMUND     Fear not. She and the duke her husband!

       Enter with Drum and Colours Albany, Goneril, Soldiers

ALBANY

ALBANY     Our very loving sister, well be-met.

               Sir, this I heard: the king is come to his daughter,

20

20           With others whom the rigour²⁰ of our state

               Forced to cry out.²¹

REGAN

REGAN     Why²² is this reasoned?

GONERIL

GONERIL     Combine together²³ gainst the enemy,

               For these domestic²⁴ and particular broils

25

25           Are not the question here.

ALBANY

ALBANY     Let’s then determine

               With th’ancient of war²⁷ on our proceeding.

REGAN

REGAN     Sister, you’ll go with us?

GONERIL

GONERIL     No.

30

30   

REGAN

REGAN           ’Tis most convenient:³⁰ pray, go with us.

GONERIL

GONERIL     O, ho, I know the riddle.³¹— I will go. Aside

       Exeunt both the armies. [Albany remains]

       Enter Edgar Disguised

EDGAR

EDGAR     If e’er your grace had speech with man so poor,

               Hear me one word.

ALBANY

ALBANY     I’ll overtake you.³⁴— Speak.

35

35   

EDGAR

EDGAR           Before you fight the battle, ope³⁵ this letter: Gives a letter

               If you have victory, let the trumpet sound³⁶

               For him that brought it. Wretched though I seem,

               I can produce a champion³⁸ that will prove

               What is avouchèd³⁹ there. If you miscarry,

40

40           Your business of the world hath so an end,

               And machination⁴¹ ceases. Fortune loves you.

ALBANY

ALBANY     Stay till I have read the letter.

EDGAR

EDGAR     I was forbid it.

               When time shall serve, let but the herald cry⁴⁴

45

45           And I’ll appear again.

       Exit

ALBANY

ALBANY     Why, fare thee well: I will o’erlook⁴⁶ thy paper.

       Enter Edmund

EDMUND

EDMUND     The enemy’s in view: draw up your powers.⁴⁷

               Here is the guess of their true strength and forces Offers a paper

               By diligent discovery,⁴⁹ but your haste

50

50           Is now urged on you.

ALBANY

ALBANY     We will greet the time.⁵¹

       Exit

EDMUND

EDMUND     To both these sisters have I sworn my love,

               Each jealous⁵³ of the other, as the stung

               Are of the adder. Which of them shall I take?

55

55           Both? One? Or neither? Neither can be enjoyed

               If both remain alive. To take the widow

               Exasperates, makes mad her sister Goneril,

               And hardly⁵⁸ shall I carry out my side,

               Her husband being alive. Now then, we’ll use

60

60           His countenance⁶⁰ for the battle, which being done,

               Let her who would be rid of him devise

               His speedy taking off.⁶² As for the mercy

               Which he intends to Lear and to Cordelia,

               The battle done and they within our power,

65

65           Shall⁶⁵ never see his pardon, for my⁶⁶ state

               Stands on me to defend, not to debate.

       Exit

Act 5 Scene 25.2

running scene 19

       Alarum within. Enter, with Drum and Colours, Lear, Cordelia and Soldiers over the stage and exeunt. Enter Edgar and Gloucester

EDGAR

EDGAR     Here, father,¹ take the shadow of this tree

               For your good host.² Pray that the right may thrive.

               If ever I return to you again,

               I’ll bring you comfort.

5

5     

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER         Grace go with you, sir!

       Exit [Edgar]

       Alarum and retreat within

       Enter Edgar

EDGAR

EDGAR     Away, old man! Give me thy hand, away!

               King Lear hath lost, he and his daughter ta’en:⁷

               Give me thy hand, come on.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     No further, sir: a man may rot even here.

10

10   

EDGAR

EDGAR           What, in ill thoughts again? Men must endure

               Their going hence, even as their coming hither:

               Ripeness¹² is all: come on.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     And that’s true too.

       Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 35.3

running scene 20

       Enter in conquest, with Drum and Colours, Edmund, Lear and Cordelia as prisoners, Soldiers, Captain

EDMUND

EDMUND     Some officers take them away: good guard,¹

               Until their greater pleasures² first be known

               That are to censure³ them.

CORDELIA

CORDELIA     We are not the first To Lear

5

5             Who with best meaning⁵ have incurred the worst.

               For thee, oppressèd king, I am cast down:⁶

               Myself could else out-frown false fortune’s frown.

               Shall we not see these daughters and these sisters?

LEAR

LEAR     No, no, no, no! Come, let’s away to prison.

10

10           We two alone will sing like birds i’th’cage:

               When thou dost ask me blessing, I’ll kneel down

               And ask of thee forgiveness: so we’ll live,

               And pray, and sing, and tell old tales, and laugh

               At gilded butterflies,¹⁴ and hear poor rogues

15

15           Talk of court news, and we’ll talk with them too —

               Who loses and who wins, who’s in, who’s out —

               And take¹⁷ upon’s the mystery of things,

               As if we were God’s spies:¹⁸ and we’ll wear out

               In a walled prison packs and sects¹⁹ of great ones

20

20           That²⁰ ebb and flow by th’moon.

EDMUND

EDMUND     Take them away.

LEAR

LEAR     Upon such sacrifices,²² my Cordelia,

               The gods themselves throw incense.²³ Have I caught thee?

               He that parts us shall bring a brand²⁴ from heaven

25

25           And fire us hence like foxes. Wipe thine eyes:

               The good years shall devour them, flesh and fell,²⁶

               Ere they shall make us weep: We’ll see ’em starved²⁷ first. Come.

       Exeunt [Lear and Cordelia, guarded]

EDMUND

EDMUND     Come hither, captain, hark.

               Take thou this note, go follow them to prison. Gives a paper

30

30           One step I have advanced thee: if thou dost

               As this instructs thee, thou dost make thy way

               To noble fortunes. Know thou this: that men

               Are as the time is; to be tender-minded³³

               Does not become³⁴ a sword. Thy great employment

35

35           Will not bear question:³⁵ either say thou’lt do’t

               Or thrive by other means.

CAPTAIN

CAPTAIN     I’ll do’t, my lord.

EDMUND

EDMUND     About it, and write happy³⁸ when th’hast done.

               Mark, I say, instantly, and carry³⁹ it so

40

40           As I have set it down.

       Exit Captain

       Flourish. Enter Albany, Goneril, Regan, Soldiers

ALBANY

ALBANY     Sir, you have showed today your valiant strain,⁴¹

               And fortune led you well. You have the captives

               Who were the opposites⁴³ of this day’s strife:

               I do require them of you, so to use⁴⁴ them

45

45           As we shall find their merits and our safety

               May equally determine.

EDMUND

EDMUND     Sir, I thought it fit

               To send the old and miserable king to some retention⁴⁸

               Whose⁴⁹ age had charms in it, whose title more,

50

50           To pluck⁵⁰ the common bosom on his side

               And turn⁵¹ our impressed lances in our eyes

               Which do command them. With him I sent the queen,⁵²

               My reason all the same, and they are ready

               Tomorrow, or at further space, t’appear

55

55           Where you shall hold your session.⁵⁵

ALBANY

ALBANY     Sir, by your patience,⁵⁶

               I hold you but a subject of⁵⁷ this war,

               Not as a brother.

REGAN

REGAN     That’s as we list⁵⁹ to grace him.

60

60           Methinks our pleasure⁶⁰ might have been demanded

               Ere you had spoke so far. He led our powers,

               Bore the commission⁶² of my place and person,

               The which immediacy⁶³ may well stand up

               And call itself your brother.

65

65   

GONERIL

GONERIL           Not so hot:

               In his own grace⁶⁶ he doth exalt himself

               More than in your addition.⁶⁷

REGAN

REGAN     In my rights,

               By me invested, he compeers⁶⁹ the best.

70

70   

ALBANY

ALBANY           That⁷⁰ were the most if he should husband you.

REGAN

REGAN     Jesters do oft prove prophets.

GONERIL

GONERIL     Holla,⁷² holla!

               That eye that told you so looked but asquint.⁷³

REGAN

REGAN     Lady, I am not well, else I should answer

75

75           From a full-flowing stomach.⁷⁵— General, To Edmund

               Take thou my soldiers, prisoners, patrimony:⁷⁶

               Dispose of⁷⁷ them, of me: the walls is thine:

               Witness the world⁷⁸ that I create thee here

               My lord and master.

80

80   

GONERIL

GONERIL           Mean you to enjoy⁸⁰ him?

ALBANY

ALBANY     The let-alone⁸¹ lies not in your good will.

EDMUND

EDMUND     Nor in thine, lord.

ALBANY

ALBANY     Half-blooded⁸³ fellow, yes.

REGAN

REGAN     Let the drum strike and prove my title thine. To Edmund

85

85   

ALBANY

ALBANY           Stay yet, hear reason. Edmund, I arrest thee

               On capital treason, and, in⁸⁶ thy arrest,

               This gilded serpent.⁸⁷ For your claim, fair sister,

               I bar it⁸⁸ in the interest of my wife:

               ’Tis she is subcontracted⁸⁹ to this lord,

90

90           And I, her husband, contradict your banns.⁹⁰

               If you will marry, make⁹¹ your loves to me,

               My lady is bespoke.⁹²

GONERIL

GONERIL     An interlude!⁹³

ALBANY

ALBANY     Thou art armed, Gloucester: let the trumpet sound:

95

95           If none appear to prove upon thy person

               Thy heinous, manifest, and many treasons,

               There is my pledge:⁹⁷ I’ll make it on thy heart, Throws down a glove

               Ere I taste bread, thou art in nothing⁹⁸ less

               Than I have here proclaimed thee.

100

100 

REGAN

REGAN             Sick, O, sick!

GONERIL

GONERIL     If not, I’ll ne’er trust medicine.¹⁰¹ Aside

EDMUND

EDMUND     There’s my exchange: what¹⁰² in the world he’s

               That names me traitor, villain-like he lies. Throws down a glove

               Call by the trumpet: he that dares approach,

105

105         On him, on you — who not? — I will maintain

               My truth and honour firmly.

       Enter a Herald

ALBANY

ALBANY     A herald, ho!

               Trust to thy single virtue,¹⁰⁸ for thy soldiers, To Edmund

               All levied in my name, have in my name

110

110         Took their discharge.

REGAN

REGAN     My sickness grows upon me.

ALBANY

ALBANY     She is not well: convey her to my tent.—

       [Exit Regan, led]

               Come hither, herald. Let the trumpet sound

               And read out this.

       A trumpet sounds

HERALD

HERALD     Reads ‘If any man of quality or degree¹¹⁵ within the lists of the army will maintain upon Edmund, supposed Earl of Gloucester, that he is a manifold traitor, let him appear by the third sound of the trumpet: he is bold in his defence.’

       First trumpet

HERALD

HERALD     Again!

       Second trumpet

HERALD

HERALD     Again!

       Third trumpet

       Trumpet answers within

       Enter Edgar armed His helmet visor down

120

120 

ALBANY

ALBANY             Ask him his purposes, why he appears

               Upon this call o’th’trumpet.

HERALD

HERALD     What are you?

               Your name, your quality, and why you answer

               This present summons?

125

125 

EDGAR

EDGAR             Know, my name is lost

               By treason’s tooth bare-gnawn and canker-bit:¹²⁶

               Yet am I noble as the adversary

               I come to cope.¹²⁸

ALBANY

ALBANY     Which is that adversary?

130

130 

EDGAR

EDGAR             What’s he that speaks for Edmund Earl of Gloucester?

EDMUND

EDMUND     Himself: what say’st thou to him?

EDGAR

EDGAR     Draw thy sword,

               That, if my speech offend a noble heart,

               Thy arm may do thee justice: here is mine. Draws

135

135         Behold, it is my privilege —

               The privilege of mine honours¹³⁶ —

               My oath and my profession. I protest,¹³⁷

               Maugre¹³⁸ thy strength, place, youth and eminence,

               Despise thy victor sword and fire-new¹³⁹ fortune,

140

140         Thy valour and thy heart, thou art a traitor:

               False to thy gods, thy brother and thy father,

               Conspirant¹⁴² gainst this high illustrious prince,

               And from th’extremest upward¹⁴³ of thy head

               To the descent¹⁴⁴ and dust below thy foot

145

145         A most toad-spotted¹⁴⁵ traitor. Say thou no,

               This sword, this arm and my best spirits are bent¹⁴⁶

               To prove upon thy heart whereto I speak,

               Thou liest.

EDMUND

EDMUND     In wisdom I should ask thy name,

150

150         But since thy outside looks so fair and warlike,

               And that thy tongue some say¹⁵¹ of breeding breathes,

               What safe and nicely¹⁵² I might well delay

               By rule of knighthood, I disdain and spurn.

               Back do I toss these treasons to thy head,

155

155         With the hell-hated lie¹⁵⁵ o’erwhelm thy heart,

               Which, for they¹⁵⁶ yet glance by and scarcely bruise,

               This sword of mine shall give them instant way,¹⁵⁷

               Where they shall rest forever. Trumpets, speak! Draws

       Alarums. Fights Edmund falls

ALBANY

ALBANY     Save him,¹⁵⁹ save him!

160

160 

GONERIL

GONERIL             This is practice,¹⁶⁰ Gloucester:

               By th’law of war thou wast not bound to answer

               An unknown opposite: thou art not vanquished,

               But cozened and beguiled.¹⁶³

ALBANY

ALBANY     Shut your mouth, dame,¹⁶⁴

165

165         Or with this paper shall I stop it.— Hold, sir.—

               Thou worse than any name, read thine own evil. To Goneril

               No tearing, lady: I perceive you know¹⁶⁷ it. Shows her the letter

GONERIL

GONERIL     Say, if I do, the laws are mine, not thine:

               Who can arraign¹⁶⁹ me for’t.

       Exit

170

170 

ALBANY

ALBANY             Most monstrous! O, know’st thou this paper?

EDMUND

EDMUND     Ask me not what I know.

ALBANY

ALBANY     Go after her: she’s desperate: govern¹⁷² her.

       [Exit a soldier]

EDMUND

EDMUND     What you have charged me with, that have I done,

               And more, much more: the time will bring it out:

175

175         ’Tis past and so am I.— But what art thou To Edgar

               That hast this fortune on¹⁷⁶ me? If thou’rt noble,

               I do forgive thee.

EDGAR

EDGAR     Let’s exchange charity.¹⁷⁸

               I am no less in blood than thou art, Edmund:

180

180         If more, the more th’hast¹⁸⁰ wronged me.

               My name is Edgar, and thy father’s son. Removes his helmet

               The gods are just, and of our pleasant¹⁸² vices

               Make instruments to plague us:

               The dark¹⁸⁴ and vicious place where thee he got

185

185         Cost him his eyes.

EDMUND

EDMUND     Th’hast spoken right: ’tis true,

               The wheel¹⁸⁷ is come full circle: I am here.

ALBANY

ALBANY     Methought thy very gait did prophesy¹⁸⁸ To Edgar

               A royal nobleness: I must embrace thee.

190

190         Let sorrow split my heart if ever I

               Did hate thee or thy father!

EDGAR

EDGAR     Worthy prince, I know’t.

ALBANY

ALBANY     Where have you hid yourself?

               How have you known the miseries of your father?

195

195 

EDGAR

EDGAR             By nursing them, my lord. List¹⁹⁵ a brief tale,

               And when ’tis told, O, that my heart would burst!

               The bloody proclamation¹⁹⁷ to escape

               That followed me so near — O, our lives’ sweetness!

               That we the¹⁹⁹ pain of death would hourly die

200

200         Rather than die at once! — taught me to shift

               Into a madman’s rags, t’assume a semblance²⁰¹

               That very dogs disdained: and in this habit²⁰²

               Met I my father with his bleeding rings,²⁰³

               Their precious stones new lost, became his guide,

205

205         Led him, begged for him, saved him from despair,²⁰⁵

               Never — O, fault! — revealed myself unto him

               Until some half-hour past, when I was armed.

               Not sure, though hoping, of this good success,²⁰⁸

               I asked his blessing, and from first to last

210

210         Told him our pilgrimage:²¹⁰ but his flawed heart —

               Alack, too weak the conflict to support —

               ’Twixt two extremes of passion, joy and grief,

               Burst smilingly.

EDMUND

EDMUND     This speech of yours hath moved me,

215

215         And shall perchance do good: but speak you on:

               You look as you had something more to say.

ALBANY

ALBANY     If there be more, more woeful, hold it in,

               For I am almost ready to dissolve,²¹⁸

               Hearing of this.

       Enter a Gentleman With a bloody knife

220

220 

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN             Help, help, O, help!

EDGAR

EDGAR     What kind of help?

ALBANY

ALBANY     Speak, man.

EDGAR

EDGAR     What means this bloody knife?

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN     ’Tis hot, it smokes:²²⁴

225

225         It came even from the heart of — O, she’s dead!

ALBANY

ALBANY     Who dead? Speak, man.

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN     Your lady, sir, your lady; and her sister

               By her is poisoned: she confesses it.

EDMUND

EDMUND     I was contracted to them both: all three

230

230         Now marry in an instant.

EDGAR

EDGAR     Here comes Kent.

       Enter Kent

ALBANY

ALBANY     Produce the bodies, be they alive or dead:

       Goneril and Regan’s bodies brought out

               This judgement of the heavens, that makes us tremble,

               Touches us not with pity.— O, is this he?— Sees Kent

235

235         The time will not allow the compliment²³⁵ To Kent

               Which very manners urges.

KENT

KENT     I am come

               To bid my king and master aye²³⁸ goodnight:

               Is he not here?

240

240 

ALBANY

ALBANY             Great thing²⁴⁰ of us forgot!

               Speak, Edmund, where’s the king? And where’s Cordelia?—

               See’st thou this object,²⁴² Kent? Points to the bodies

KENT

KENT     Alack, why thus?

EDMUND

EDMUND     Yet Edmund was beloved:

245

245         The one the other poisoned for my sake

               And after slew herself.

ALBANY

ALBANY     Even²⁴⁷ so. Cover their faces.

EDMUND

EDMUND     I pant for life: some good I mean to do,

               Despite of mine own nature. Quickly send —

250

250         Be brief in it — to th’castle, for my writ²⁵⁰

               Is on the life of Lear and on Cordelia:

               Nay, send in time.

ALBANY

ALBANY     Run, run, O, run!

EDGAR

EDGAR     To who, my lord? Who has the office?²⁵⁴

255

255         Send thy token of reprieve. To Edmund

EDMUND

EDMUND     Well thought on: take my sword,

               Give it the captain.

EDGAR

EDGAR     Haste thee, for thy life. To a Gentleman

       [Exit Gentleman]

EDMUND

EDMUND     He hath commission from thy wife and me

260

260         To hang Cordelia in the prison and

               To lay the blame upon her own despair,

               That she fordid²⁶² herself.

ALBANY

ALBANY     The gods defend her! Bear him hence awhile. Edmund is borne off

       Enter Lear with Cordelia in his arms Gentleman and others following

LEAR

LEAR     Howl, howl, howl! O, you are men of stones:

265

265         Had I your tongues and eyes, I’d use them so

               That heaven’s vault should crack. She’s gone for ever!

               I know when one is dead and when one lives:

               She’s dead as earth. Lend me a looking-glass:

               If that her breath will mist or stain the stone,²⁶⁹

270

270         Why, then she lives.

KENT

KENT     Is this the promised end?²⁷¹

EDGAR

EDGAR     Or image of that horror?

ALBANY

ALBANY     Fall and cease!²⁷³

LEAR

LEAR     This feather stirs: she lives! If it be so,

275

275         It is a chance which does redeem all sorrows

               That ever I have felt.

KENT

KENT     O my good master! Kneels

LEAR

LEAR     Prithee, away.

EDGAR

EDGAR     ’Tis noble Kent, your friend.

280

280 

LEAR

LEAR             A plague upon you, murderers, traitors all!

               I might have saved her: now she’s gone for ever!—

               Cordelia, Cordelia! Stay a little. Ha?

               What is’t thou say’st?— Her voice was ever soft,

               Gentle and low, an excellent thing in woman.—

285

285         I killed the slave²⁸⁵ that was a-hanging thee.

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN     ’Tis true, my lords, he did.

LEAR

LEAR     Did I not, fellow?

               I have seen the day, with my good biting falchion²⁸⁸

               I would have made him skip: I am old now,

290

290         And these same crosses²⁹⁰ spoil me.— Who are you?

               Mine²⁹¹ eyes are not o’th’best: I’ll tell you straight.

KENT

KENT     If fortune brag of two²⁹² she loved and hated,

               One of them we behold.

LEAR

LEAR     This is a dull sight.²⁹⁴ Are you not Kent?

295

295 

KENT

KENT             The same,

               Your servant Kent: where is your servant Caius?²⁹⁶

LEAR

LEAR     He’s a good fellow, I can tell you that:

               He’ll strike, and quickly too. He’s dead and rotten.

KENT

KENT     No, my good lord, I am the very man—

300

300 

LEAR

LEAR             I’ll³⁰⁰ see that straight.

KENT

KENT     That from your³⁰¹ first of difference and decay

               Have followed your sad steps.

LEAR

LEAR     You are welcome hither.

KENT

KENT     Nor³⁰⁴ no man else: all’s cheerless, dark and deadly.

305

305         Your eldest daughters have fordone³⁰⁵ themselves,

               And desperately³⁰⁶ are dead.

LEAR

LEAR     Ay, so I think.

ALBANY

ALBANY     He knows not what he says, and vain³⁰⁸ is it

               That we present us to him.

       Enter a Messenger

310

310 

EDGAR

EDGAR             Very bootless.³¹⁰

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Edmund is dead, my lord.

ALBANY

ALBANY     That’s but a trifle here.

               You lords and noble friends, know our intent:

               What comfort to this great decay³¹⁴ may come

315

315         Shall be applied. For³¹⁵ us, we will resign,

               During the life of this old majesty,

               To him our absolute power:— you, to your rights To Edgar and Kent

               With boot³¹⁸ and such addition as your honours

               Have more than merited. All friends shall taste

320

320         The wages of their virtue, and all foes

               The cup³²¹ of their deservings.— O, see, see!

LEAR

LEAR     And my poor fool³²² is hanged! No, no, no life?

               Why should a dog, a horse, a rat have life,

               And thou no breath at all? Thou’lt come no more,

325

325         Never, never, never, never, never!

               Pray you undo this button:³²⁶ thank you, sir.

               Do you see this? Look on her, look, her lips,

               Look there, look there! He dies

EDGAR

EDGAR     He faints! My lord, my lord!

330

KENT

KENT     Break, heart, I prithee, break.

EDGAR

EDGAR     Look up, my lord.

KENT

KENT     Vex not his ghost:³³² O, let him pass! He hates him

               That would upon the rack³³³ of this tough world

               Stretch him out longer.³³⁴

335

335 

EDGAR

EDGAR             He is gone, indeed.

KENT

KENT     The wonder is he hath endured so long:

               He but usurped³³⁷ his life.

ALBANY

ALBANY     Bear them from hence. Our present business

               Is general woe.—

340

340         Friends of my soul, you twain To Kent and Edgar

               Rule in this realm, and the gored³⁴¹ state sustain.

KENT

KENT     I have a journey,³⁴² sir, shortly to go:

               My master calls me, I must not say no.

EDGAR

EDGAR     The weight of this sad time we must obey:

345

345         Speak what we feel, not what we ought to say.

               The oldest hath borne most: we that are young

               Shall never see so much nor live so long.

       Exeunt with a dead march

Textual Notes

Q = First Quarto text of 1608

F = First Folio text of 1623

F2 = a correction introduced in the Second Folio text of 1632

Ed = a correction introduced by a later editor

SD = stage direction

SH = speech heading (i.e., speaker’s name)

List of parts = Ed

EDMUND sometimes spelled Edmond, often referred to in directions and speech headings as Bastard

1.1.24 SD one…then = Q. Not in F 26 lord = F. Q = Liege 29 fast = F. Q = first 30 age = F. Q = state 31 Conferring = F. Q = Confirming strengths = F. Q = yeares 31–6 while…now = F. Not in Q 40–1 Since…state = F. Not in Q 50 found = F. Q = friend 55–6 and…rivers = F. Not in Q 59 of Cornwall = F. Q = to Cornwell, speake 70 ponderous = F. Q = richer 74 conferred = F. Q = confirm’d 75 our…love = F. Q = the last, not least in our deere loue 77 interessed = Ed. F = interest draw = F. Q = win 80 SH LEAR Nothing?…Nothing. = F. Not in Q 96 sisters = F. Q = sisters, to loue my father all. 103 mysteries = F2. F = miseries. Q = mistresse night = F. Q = might 111 shall…bosom = F. Q = Shall 129 shall = F. Q = still 144 falls = F. Q = stoops Reserve thy state = F. Q = Reuerse thy doome 151 pawn = F. Q = a pawne 152 ne’er = F. Q = nor 157 SHLEAR = Q. F = Kear. 158 SHKENT = Q. F = Lent. 160 Miscreant = F. Q = recreant 161 SHALBANY…forbear. = F. Not in Q SH CORDELIA some editors expand F’s Cor. to Cornwall 163 gift = F. Q = doome 168 strained = F. Q = straied 169 sentences = F (corrected). F (uncorrected), Q = sentence 172 Five = F. Q = Foure 173 disasters = F. Q = diseases 174 sixth = F. Q = fift 175 next = Ed. F, Q = tenth 180 Freedom = F. Q = Friendship 187 SH CORDELIA = F (corrected). Some editors expand to Cornwall. Q = Glost. 206 Dowered = F. Q = Couered 218 object = F. Q = best object 227 Should = F. Q = Could 230 will = F. Q = well 231 make known = F. Q = may know 241 but = F. Q = no more but 245 regards = F. Q = respects 248 king = F. Q = Leir 256 respect and fortunes = F. Q = respects / Of fourtune 264 my = F. Q = thy 279 Love = F. Q = vse 284 SH REGAN = F (Regn). Q = Gonorill 285 SHGONERIL = F. Q = Regan 288 want = F. Q = worth 289 plighted = F. Q = pleated 290 with shame derides = F. Q = shame them derides 297 not been = Q. F = beene 307 sit = F. Q = hit

1.2.1 SH EDMUND = Ed. F, Q = Bast. (throughout) 13 tirèd = F. Q = lyed 18 fine word, ‘legitimate’ = F. Not in Q 21 to th’legitimate = F. Sometimes emended to top the legitimate 24 Prescribed = F. Q = subscribd 37 o’erlooking = F. Q = liking 50 wake = F. Q = wakt 52 you to this = F. Q = this to you 62 declined = F. Q = declining 72 that…writ = F. Q = he hath wrote other = F. Q = further 87–90 This…graves = F. Not in Q 92 honesty! ’Tis strange = F. Q = honest, strange strange 95 stars = F. Q = the starres 96 spherical = F. Q = spirituall 99 a star = F. Q = Starres 101 I should = F. Q = Fut, I should. 102 maidenliest spelled maidenlest in F and Q 103 bastardizing = F. Q = bastardy 104 Pat = F. Q = Edgar; and out 105 sigh…o’Bedlam = F. Q = sith like them of Bedlam 106 Fa…mi. = F. Not in Q 111 writes = F. Q = writ 125–8 I…brother? = F. Not in Q 129 I am = F. Q = go arm’d, I am

1.3.0 SD Steward = F. Q = Gentleman 2 SH OSWALD = Ed. F = Ste. Q = Gent. (throughout) 13 I’d = F. Sometimes emended to I’ll 14 distaste = F. Q = dislike 16 have said = F. Q = tell you 19 so. = F. Q = so. I would breed from hence occasions, and I shall, That I may speak: 19 course. Prepare = F. Q = very course, goe prepare

1.4.1 will = F. Q = well 6 So…thy = F. Q = thy 7 SD Horns…Attendants = F. Q = Enter Lear 36 SD Enter Steward appears one line later in F 42 SH KNIGHT = F (spelled Knigh here and on two other occasions in Act 1 scene 4). Q = Kent daughter = Q. F = Daughters 44 SH KNIGHT = F. Q = seruant (throughout) 48 of kindness appears = F. Q = apeer’s 55 purpose = F. Q = purport 61 SD Enter Steward placed one line later in F 65 these = F. Q = this your pardon = F. Q = you pardon me 67 strucken = F. Q = struck 71–2 Have…So = F. Q = you haue wisedome 77 SH LEAR Why, my boy? = F. Q = Kent. Why Fool? 84 all my = F. Q = any 87 the Lady Brach = F. Q = Ladie oth’e brach 89 gall = F. Q = gull 92 nuncle = F. Q = vncle 103 SH KENT = F. Q = Lear 111 one = F. Q = foole 120 grace = F. Q = wit 122 And = F. Q = They to = F. Q = doe 130 fool = F. Q = fooles 139 You = F. Q = Methinks you 142 frowning = F. Q = frowne 146 nor crust = F. Q = neither crust nor crumb = Q. F = not crum 148 shelled spelled sheal’d in F, sheald in Q 163 know = F. Q = trow 168 I = F. Q = Come sir, I your = F. Q = that 170 transport = F. Q = transforme 174 This = F. Q = why this 176 weakens, his = F. Q = weaknes, or his 177 Ha! Waking? = F. Q = sleeping or wakeing; ha! sure 179 SH FOOL Lear’s shadow. = F. Assigned to Lear in Q 181 This admiration, sir = F. Q = Come sir, this admiration 190 graced = F. Q = great 202 SD Albany = F. Q = Duke (throughout) 203 Woe = F. Q = We 204 Speak…my = F. Q = that wee prepare any 208 SH ALBANY Pray…patient. = F. Not in Q 209 liest = F. Q = list 210 My = F. Q = list my are = F. Q = and 221 Of…you. = F. Not in Q 233 cadent = F. Q = accent 237 Away, away! = F. Q = goe, goe, my people? 239 more of it = F. Q = the cause 248 thee worth them = F. Q = the worst 249 Th’untented = F. Q (uncorrected) = the vntender 250 Pierce = F. Q (uncorrected) = peruse 250 thee! Old = F. Q = the old 252 loose = F. Q = make 253–4 Ha?…daughter = F. Q = yea, i’st come to this? yet haue I left a daughter 257 flay spelled flea in F and Q 260 that = F. Q = that my Lord 263–4 Pray…sir = F. Q = Come sir no more, you 271–83 SH GONERIL This…SD Enter Steward = F. Q = Gon. What Oswald, ho. 283 How now, Oswald? = F. Q = Oswald. Here Madam. 284 What = F. Q = Gon. What 292 condemn = F. Q = dislike 293 at task = F. Q (uncorrected) = alapt. Q (corrected) = attaskt 296 better, oft = F. Q = better ought

1.5.0 SD Enter…Fool = F. Q = Enter Lear. 12 tell = F. Q = not tell 35–6 Keep…now, = F. Q = I would not be mad, keepe me in temper, I would not be mad, 37 SH GENTLEMAN = F. Q = Seruant.

2.1.2 you = Q. F = your 6 ear-kissing = F. Q = eare-bussing 16 act…work = F. Q = aske breefnes…helpe 27–8 pardon…I = F. Q = pardon me in crauing, I 35 SD Enter … torches = F. Q = Enter Glost. 38 Mumbling = F. Q = warbling 39 stand = F. Q = stand’s 47 revenging = F. Q = reuengiue 48 the thunder = F. Q = their thunders 54 latched = F. Q = lancht 55 And = F. Q = but 58 Full = F. Q = but 65 coward = F. Q = caytife 71 would the reposal = F. Q = could the reposure 73 should I = F. Q = I should 76 practice = F. Q = pretence 79 spirits = F. Q = spurres 81 O, strange = F. Q = Strong 82 said he? = F. Q = I neuer got him, 83 where = F. Q = why 89 SD Enter … Attendants = F. Q = Enter the Duke of Cornwall 91 strangeness = F. Q = strange newes 99 tended = F. Q = tends 104 th’expense…of = F. Q (uncorrected) = these—and wast of this. Q (corrected) = the wast and spoyle of 113 bewray = F. Q = betray 127 threading = F. Q = threatning 128 prize = F. Q (corrected) = poyse 131 differences = F. Q (uncorrected) = defences best = F. Q (corrected) = lest thought = Q. F = though 132 home = F. Q (uncorrected) = hand 135 businesses = F. Q = busines

2.2.1 dawning = F. Q (corrected) = euen. Q (uncorrected) = deuen 13 worsted-stocking = Q (corrected). F = woosted-stocking. Q (uncorrected) = wosted stocken 14 whoreson = F. Q = knaue, a whorson super-serviceable finical = F. Q = supersinicall 17 clamorous spelled clamours in F 22 since = F. Q = ago since 24 you = F. Q = draw, you 33 if = F. Q = and 45 they = F. Q = hee years o’th’trade = F. Q = houres at the trade 46 SH CORNWALL = F. Q = Glost. 52 know you = F. Q = you haue 57 the holy = F. Q = those 58 too intrinse = Ed. F = t’intrince 60 fire = F. Q = stir the = F. Q = their 61 Revenge = F. Ed = Reneage 62 gall = F. Q = gale 63 dogs = F. Q = dayes 65 Smile spelled Smoile in F, smoyle in Q 68 What = F. Ed = Why 72 fault = F. Q = offence 83 An…plain = F. Q = he must be plaine 89 faith, in = F. Q = sooth, or in 92 flickering = Q (flitkering). F = flicking 101 compact = F. Q = coniunct 106 fleshment = F. Q = flechuent dread = Q. F = dead 111 ancient = F. Q (corrected) = miscreant. Q (uncorrected) = ausrent 118 Stocking = F. Q (corrected) = stopping. Q (uncorrected) = stobing. 129 he = F. Q = hee’s 135 duke’s = Q. F = Duke 138 travelled spelled trauail’d in F and Q 143 saw = F. Q (uncorrected) = say 148 miracles = F. Q (corrected) = my wracke. Q (uncorrected) = my rackles 150 most = F. Q (uncorrected) = not 154 Take = F. Q (uncorrected) = Late heavy spelled heanie in F 160 unusual spelled vnusall in F 166 hairs = F. Q = haire 171 arms = F. Q = bare arms 172 Pins = F. Q (uncorrected) = Pies 173 farms = F. Q = seruice 175 Sometimes = F. Q = Sometime 177 SD Enter…Gentleman = F. Q = Enter King 180 SH GENTLEMAN = F. Q = Knight (throughout) 182 this = F. Q = his 184 thy = Q. F = ahy 186 heads = F. Q = heeles 187 man’s = Q. F = man 197–8 By…ay = F. Q = No no, they would not./ Kent. Yes they haue 203 impose = F. Q = purpose 209 panting = Q. F = painting 212 those = F. Q = whose 213 meiny = F. Q = men 224–32 SH FOOL Winter’s…a year. = F. Not in Q 234 Hysterica spelled Historica in F and Q 239 the = Q. F = the the number = F. Q = traine 245 twenty = F. Q = a 100 247 upward = F. Q = vp the hill 248 have = Q. F = hause 250 serves and seeks = F. Q = serues 261 have…the = F. Q = traueled hard to; travelled spelled travail’d in F 261 fetches = F. Q = Iustice 271–2 SH GLOUCESTER Well…man? = F. Not in Q 274 father = F. Q (uncorrected) = fate 275 commands, tends, = F. Q (corrected) = commands her. Q (uncorrected) = come and tends 276–7 Are…Fiery? = F. Not in Q 296 knapped = F. Q = rapt 301 you = Q. F = your 303 mother’s tomb = Q (corrected). F = Mother Tombe. Q (uncorrected) = mothers fruit 313–19 SH LEAR Say?…blame. = F. Not in Q 322 her = Q. F = his 345 blister = F. Q = blast her pride 369 SH LEAR = F. Q = Gon. stocked = F. Q = struck 395 hot-blooded = F (uncorrected). F (corrected) = hot-bloodied. Q = hot bloud in 407 boil spelled Byle in F 453 need = F. Q = deed 456 is = F. Q = as. Sometimes emended to is as 465 tamely = F. Q = lamely 473 flaws = F. Q = flowes 482 SH GONERIL = F. Q = Duke 484 SH CORNWALL = F. Q = Reg. 486–7 SH CORNWALL Wither…horse = F. Not in Q 488 SH CORNWALL = F. Q = Re. 490 high = F. Q = bleak

3.1.1 Who’s there, besides = F. Q = Whats here beside 12 note = F. Q = Arte 16–23 Who…furnishings = F. See “Quarto passages that do not appear in the Folio,” p. 2077, for alternative lines in Q 30 that = F. Q = your 35–6 in…this = F. Q = Ile this way, you that

3.2.8 all = F. Ed = an germens spelled germaines in F 12 wise…fools = F. Q = wise man nor foole 15 tax = F. Q = taske 21 will…join = F. Q = haue…ioin’d 38 are = F. Q = sit 45 fear = F. Q = force 51 of = F. Q = man of 55 concealing continents = F. Q = concealed centers 63 you = F. Q = me 72 That’s sorry = F. Q = That sorrowes 73 little tiny = Ed. F = little-tyne. Q = little tine 76 Though = F. Q = for 77 True, boy = F. Q = True my good boy 78–94 SH FOOL This…time. = F. Not in Q

3.3.0 SD Edmund = F. Q = the Bastard with lights. 3 perpetual = F. Q = their 9 footed = F. Q = landed 12 if = F. Q = though 13 strange things = F. Q = some strange thing

3.4.8 contentious = F. Q (corrected) = tempestious. Q (uncorrected) = crulentious 9 skin so: = F (corrected). F (uncorrected) = skin: so: 12 thy = Q. F = they roaring = F. Q (uncorrected) = raging 18 home = F. Q = sure 19–20 In…endure = F. Not in Q 22 all = F. Q = you all 29–30 In…sleep = F. Not in Q 32 storm = F. Q = night 34 lopped = F. Q = loopt 40 SH EDGAR Fathom…Tom! = F. Not in Q 45–6 blow the winds = F. Q = blowes the cold wind 46 Hum!…bed = F. Q = goe to thy cold bed 47 Did’st…thy = F. Q = Hast thou giuen all to thy two 48–9 through fire = Q. F = though Fire 49 and through flame = F. Not in Q ford = Q. F = Sword 52 Bless = Q. F = Blisse 53 O…de. = F. Not in Q Bless = Q. F = blisse 56 Has = F. Q = What. Ed = What, have 57 Wouldst = F. Q = didst 60 light = F. Q = fall 70 word’s justice = F. Q = words justly 77–8 I dearly = F. Q = I deeply 83 says…nonny = F. Q = hay no on ny boy, boy = F. Q = boy, my boy, sessa = Ed. F = Sesey. Q = cease 85 a = F. Q = thy 90 lendings!…here = F. Q (corrected) = lendings, come on. Q (uncorrected) = leadings, come on bee true 92 on’s = F. Q = in 94 foul = F. Q = foul fiend till the = Q. F = at 95 squints = F. Q (corrected) = squemes. Q (uncorrected) = queues 99 alight = F. Q = O light 109–10 stocked, punished = F. Q = stock-punisht 110 hath had three = Q. F = hath three 115 Smulkin = F. Q = snulbug 119 my…vile = F. Q = is growne so vild my Lord 131 same = F. Q = most 147 you = F. Ed = your 160 tower came = F. Q = towne come

3.5.9 were not = F. Q = were

3.6.9–10 SH FOOL No…him. = F. Not in Q 17 They = F. Q = Theile 23–4 mongrel grim, Hound = Ed. F = Mongrill, Grim, / Hound. Q = mungril, grim-hound 24 him = F (Hym). Sometimes emended to lym 25 tyke = Q (tike). F = tight 29 Do…Sessa! = F. Q = loudla doodla 32 these hard hearts = F. Q = this hardnes 34 Persian = F. Q = Persian attire 35 and rest awhile = F. Q = awhile 37 So, so, we’ll = F. Q = so, so, so, / Weele i’th’morning = F. Q = i’th’morning so, so, so 38 SH FOOL And…noon = F. Not in Q 48 Take up, take up = F. Q (corrected) = Take vp the King. Q (uncorrected) = Take vp to keepe

3.7.2 traitor = F. Q = vilaine 7 Advise = Q. F = Aduice festinate spelled festiuate in F and festuant in Q 33 none = F. Q = true 44 answered = F. Q = answerer 56 answer = F. Q = first answere 58 Dover? = F. Q = Dover, sir? 61 stick = F. Q = rash 62 as his bare = F. Q (corrected) = on his lowd. Q (uncorrected) = of his lou’d 63 buoyed = F. Q (corrected) = bod. Q (uncorrected) = layd 65 rain = F. Q = rage 66 howled that stern = F. Q = heard that dearne 91 enkindle = F. Q = vnbridle

4.1.6–10 Welcome…comes = F. Q = Who’s 10 poorly led = F. Q (corrected) = parti, eyd 14–15 these fourscore years = F. Q = this forescore 19 You = F. Q = Alack sir, you 42 kill = F. Q = bitt 48 Get thee away = F. Q = Then, prethee, get thee gon 49 hence = F. Q = here 60 daub = F. Q = dance 62 And…Bless = F. Q = Blesse 65 thee…son = F. Q = the good man 70 slaves = F. Q = stands 72 undo = F. Q = under 76 fearfully = F. Q = firmely

4.2.10 most…dislike = F. Q = hee should most desire 13 terror = F. Q (uncorrected) = curre 16 Edmund = F. Q = Edgar 18 names = F. Q = armes 28 O…man! = F. Not in Q 30 My fool = F. Q (corrected) = A Foole. Q (uncorrected) = My foote body = F. Q (corrected) = bed 32 whistle = F. Q (corrected) = whistling 41 seems = F. Q (corrected) = shewes 44 SH MESSENGER = F. Q = Gent. 48 thrilled = F. Q = thrald 50 threat-enraged = F. Q = thereat inraged 55 justices = F. Q (corrected) = Iustisers. Q (uncorrected) = your Iustices 65 tart = F. Q = tooke

4.3.0 SD Gentleman = Ed. F = Gentlemen. Q = Doctor 2 vexed = F. Q = vent 3 fumiter = Ed. F = Fenitar. Q = femiter 4 burdocks = Ed. F = Hardokes. Q = hor-docks 6 sentry spelled Centery in F, centurie in Q send = F. Q = sent 10 helps = F. Q = can help 19 distress = Q. F = desires 28 importuned = F. Q = important 29 incite = F. Q = in sight

4.4.6 lord = F. Q = lady 13 Edmund = F. Q = and now 16 o’th’enemy = F. Q = at’h army 17 madam…letter = F. Q = with my letters 18 troops set = F. Q = troope sets 24 Some things = F. Q = Some thing 29 oeillades spelled Eliads in F, aliads in Q 43 meet = F. Q = meet him should = F. Q = would

4.5.0 SD Edgar = F. Q = Edmund 1 I = F. Q = we 21 walk = Q. F = walk’d 48 bless him = F. Q = blesse 67 summit = F. Q = summons 76 How is’t? Feel = F. Q = how feele 84 whelked spelled wealk’d in F enragèd = F. Q = enridged 86 make them = F. Q = made their 96 crying = F. Q = coyning 100 piece of toasted = F. Q = tosted 101–2 I’th’clout, i’th’clout: hewgh = F. Q = in the ayre, hagh 106 Goneril…beard? = F. Q = Gonorill, ha Regan, 111–12 ague-proof = F. Q = argue-proofe 123 were = Ed. Not in F, Q 135 consumption = F. Q = consumation 135–6 civet…sweeten = F. Q = Ciuet, good Apothocarie, to sweeten 138 Let me = F. Q = Here 142 this = F. Q = that 144 thy = F. Q = the see = F. Q = see one 155 change places, and = F. Not in Q 159 dog’s obeyed = F. Q = dogge, so bade 164 tattered clothes great = F. Q = tottered raggs, smal 165–70 Place…lips = F. Not in Q; Place sins = F. Ed. = Plate sin 172 Now…now. = F. Q = no now 179 wail spelled wawle in F, wayl in Q 183 shoe = F. Q = shoot 184 felt = F. Q = fell I’ll…proof = F. Not in Q 187 hand…Sir = F. Q = hands upon him sirs 191 surgeons = F. Q = a churgion 196 water-pots = F. Q = water-pots, Ay, and laying autumn’s dust. / Gent. Good sir— / Lear. 197 smug bridegroom = F. Q = bridegroome 199 Masters = F. Q = my maisters 201 Come = F. Q = nay 202 Sa…sa. = F. Not in Q 204 a daughter = F. Q = one daughter 211 sound = F. Q = sence 214 speedy foot = F. Q = speed fort 225 tame to = F. Q = lame by 230 bounty…benison = F. Q (uncorrected) = bornet and beniz 231 To…boot = F. Q (corrected) = to boot, to boot. Q (uncorrected) = to saue thee 234 old = F. Q = most 247 I’se spelled ice in F 248 ballow = F. Q (corrected) = bat. Q (uncorrected) = battero 255 English = F. Q = British 261 these = F. Q = his the = F. Q = These 262 sorry = F. Q = sorrow 271 affectionate servant, Goneril = F. Q = your affectionate seruant and for your own Venter, Gonorill 272 will = F. Q = wit 283 severed = F. Q = fenced

Act 4 Scene 6 = Ed. F = Scæna Septima

4.6.0 SD Gentleman = F. Q = Doctor 18 jarring = F. Q = hurrying 24 SH GENTLEMAN = F. Q assigns this and the next line to the Doctor, and the following two lines to a Gentleman 27 of = F. Q = not of temperance. = F. Q = temperance. / Cord. Very well. / Doct. Please you draw neere, louder the musicke there, 35 opposed = F. Q = exposd jarring = F. Q = warring 36 enemy’s = F. Q = iniurious 49 do…me? = F. Q = know me. 64 not…less = F. Not in Q 85 killed = F. Q = cured him. = F. Q = him and yet it is danger to make him euen ore the time hee has lost

5.1.3 alteration = F. Q (uncorrected) = abdication 11 In = F. Q = I, 17 not = F. Q = me not 19 Sir…heard = F. Q = For…heare 24 and particular broils = F. Q = dore particulars 27 proceeding. = F. Q = proceeding. / Bast. I shall attend you presently at your tent. 41 And machination ceases = F. Not in Q loves = F. Q = loue 48 Here = F. Q = Hard guess = F. Q = quesse true = F. Q = great

5.2.1 tree = F. Q = bush 13 SH GLOUCESTER And…too. = F. Not in Q.

5.3.2 first = F. Q = best 26 good years = F. Q = goode 40 down. = F. Q = down. / Cap. I cannot draw a cart, nor eate dride oats, / If it bee mans worke ile do’t. 48 send = F. Q (uncorrected) = saue retention = F. Q (uncorrected) = retention and appointed guard 49 had = F. Q = has 60 might = F. Q = should 63 immediacy = F. Q = imediate 67 addition = F. Q = aduancement 70 SH ALBANY = F. Q = Gon. 77 Dispose…thine: = F. Not in Q 84 SH REGAN = F. Q = Bast. thine = F. Q = good 86 thy arrest = F. Q = thine attaint 87 sister = Q. F = sister 88 bar = Ed. F = bare 91 loves = F. Q = loue 94 let…sound: = F. Not in Q 95 person = F. Q = head 97 make = F. Q = proue 101 medicine = F. Q = poyson 115 lists = F. Q = hoast 117 by = F. Q = at 118 SH HERALD = F. Q = Edmund 127–8 Yet…cope = F. Q = yet are I mou’t / Where is the aduersarie I come to cope with all 135–6 my…honours — = F. Q = the priuiledge of my tongue, 139 Despise = F. Q = Despite 142 Conspirant = F. Q = Conspicuate 144 below thy foot = F. Q = beneath thy feet 146 are = F. Q = As 151 tongue = F. Q = being 152 What…delay = F. Not in Q 153 rule = F. Q = right 154 Back = F. Q = Heere 155 hell-hated lie o’erwhelm = F. Q = hell hatedly, oreturnd 156 scarcely = Q. F = scarely 161 war = F. Q = armes wast = F. Q = art 165 stop…sir = F. Q = stople it 166 name = F. Q = thing 171 SH EDMUND = F. Q = Gon. 182 vices = F. Q = vertues 183 plague = F. Q = scourge 199 we = F. Q = with 206 fault = F. Q = Father 210 our = F. Q = my 221 SH EDGAR = F. Q = Alb. 222 SH ALBANY Speak, man. = F. Not in Q 223 SH EDGAR = F. Q assigns line to Albany 225 O, she’s dead! = F. Not in Q 226 Who…man. = F. Q = Who man, speake? 228 confesses = F. Q = hath confest 233 judgement = F. Q = Iustice 234 is this = F. Q = tis 264 you = Q. F = your 280 you, murderers, traitors = F. Q = your murderous traytors 286 SH GENTLEMAN = F. Q = Cap. 289 him = F. Q = them 294 This…sight. = F. Not in Q 297 you that = F. Q = that 301 first = F. Q = life 308 says = F. Q = sees 326 sir. = F. Q = sir, O, o, o, o. 327–8 Do…there! = F. Not in Q 330 SH KENT = F. Q = Lear 341 realm = F. Q = kingdome 344 SH EDGAR = F. Q = Duke

Quarto passages that do not appear in the Folio

Lines are numbered continuously, for ease of reference.

       Following 1.2.78:

EDMUND¹

EDMUND¹     Nor is not, sure.

GLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER     To his father, that so tenderly and entirely loves him. Heaven and earth!

       Following 1.2.111:

                  as of unnaturalness between the child and the parent, death, dearth, dissolutions of ancient amities, divisions in state, menaces and maledictions against king and nobles, needless diffidences, banishment of friends, dissipation of cohorts, nuptial breaches, and I know not what.

EDGAR

EDGAR     How long have you been a sectary astronomical?

EDMUND

EDMUND     Come, come,

       Following 1.3.15:

                  Not to be overruled. Idle old man, That still would manage those authorities That he hath given away! Now by my life Old fools are babes again, and must be used With checks as flatteries, when they are seen abused.

       Following 1.4.112:

FOOL

FOOL     That lord that counselled thee to give away thy land,

                  Come place him here by me, do thou for him stand,

                  The sweet and bitter fool will presently appear:

                  The one in motley here, the other found out there.

LEAR

LEAR     Dost thou call me fool, boy?

FOOL

FOOL     All thy other titles thou hast given away, that thou wast born with.

KENT

KENT     This is not altogether fool my lord.

FOOL

FOOL     No, faith, lords and great men will not let me, if I had a monopoly out, they would have part on’t: and ladies²⁸ too, they will not let me have all the fool to myself, they’ll be snatching.

       Following 1.4.179:

                  I would learn that, for by the marks of sovereignty, knowledge, and reason, I should be false persuaded I had daughters.

FOOL

FOOL     Which they will make an obedient father.

       Following 2.2.127:

                  His fault is much, and the good king, his master,

                  Will check him for’t: your purposed low correction

                  Is such as basest and ’temnest³⁶ wretches

                  For pilf’rings and most common trespasses

                  Are punished with.

       Following 3.1.7:

                  tears his white hair,

                  Which the impetuous blasts with eyeless rage

                  Catch in their fury, and make nothing of,

                  Strives in his little world of man to out-scorn,

                  The to-and-fro-conflicting wind and rain:

                  This night wherein the cubdrawn bear would couch,

                  The lion and the belly-pinchèd wolf

                  Keep their fur dry, unbonneted he runs,

                  And bids what will take all.

       Replaces 3.1.16–23:

                  But true it is, from France there comes a power

                  Into this scattered kingdom, who already

                  Wise in our negligence, have secret feet

                  In some of our best ports, and are at point

                  To show their open banner.

                  Now to you:

                  If on my credit you dare build so far

                  To make your speed to Dover, you shall find

                  Some that will thank you, making just report

                  Of how unnatural and bemadding sorrow

                  The king hath cause to ‘plain.

                  I am a gentleman of blood and breeding,

                  And from some knowledge and assurance,

                  Offer this office to you.

       Following 3.6.12:

EDGAR

EDGAR     The foul fiend bites my back.

FOOL

FOOL     He’s mad that trusts in the tameness of a wolf, a horse’s health, a boy’s love, or a whore’s oath.

LEAR

LEAR     It shall be done, I will arraign them straight,

                  Come sit thou here most To Edgar

                  learnèd justice.—

                  Thou, sapient sir sit here. To the Fool

                  No, you she foxes—

EDGAR

EDGAR     Look where he stands and glares. Want’st⁷⁰ thou eyes at trial, madam?

                  Come o’er the bourn,⁷² Bessy, to me—

FOOL

FOOL     Her boat hath a leak, Sings

                  And she must not speak

                  Why she dares not come over to thee.

EDGAR

EDGAR     The foul fiend haunts poor Tom in the voice of a nightingale, Hopdance cries in Tom’s belly for two white herring,

                  Croak not black angel, I have no food for thee.

KENT

KENT     How do you sir? Stand you not so amazed,

                  Will you lie down and rest upon the cushings?

LEAR

LEAR     I’ll see their trial first, bring in their evidence.—

                  Thou robèd man of justice, take To Edgar thy place—

                  And thou, his yoke-fellow of equity, To the Fool

                  Bench by his side:— you are To Kent o’th’commission,

                  Sit you too.

EDGAR

EDGAR     Let us deal justly.

                  Sleepest or wakest thou, jolly shepherd?

                  Thy sheep be in the corn,

                  And for one blast of thy minikin mouth,

                  Thy sheep shall take no harm.

                  Purr, the cat is grey.

LEAR

LEAR     Arraign her first, ’tis Goneril. I here take my oath before this honourable assembly, she⁹⁴ kicked the poor king her father.

FOOL

FOOL     Come hither, mistress. Is your name Goneril?

LEAR

LEAR     She cannot deny it.

FOOL

FOOL     Cry you mercy, I took you for a joint-stool.⁹⁸

LEAR

LEAR     And here’s another whose warped looks proclaim

                  What store her heart is made on:¹⁰⁰ stop her there!

                  Arms, arms, sword, fire! Corruption in the place!

                  False justicer, why hast thou let her scape?

       Following 3.6.50:

KENT

KENT     Oppressed nature sleeps:

                  This rest might yet have balmed thy broken sinews,

                  Which, if convenience will not allow,

                  Stand in hard cure.—

                  Come help To Fool

                  to bear thy master:

                  Thou must not stay behind.

       Exeunt. [Edgar remains]

EDGAR

EDGAR     When we our betters see bearing our woes,

                  We scarcely think our miseries our foes.

                  Who alone suffers, suffers most i’th’mind,

                  Leaving free things and happy shows behind,

                  But then the mind much sufferance doth o’erskip,

                  When grief hath mates, and bearing fellowship:

                  How light and portable my pain seems now,

                  When that which makes me bend, makes the king bow:

                  He childed as I fathered. Tom away!

                  Mark the high noises and thyself bewray

                  When false opinion, whose wrong thoughts defile thee,

                  In thy just proof repeals and reconciles thee.

                  What will hap more tonight, safe scape the king:

                  Lurk, lurk.

       Exit

       Following 3.7.105:

SERVANT

SERVANT     I’ll never care what wickedness I do,

                  If this man come to good.

SECOND SERVANT

SECOND SERVANT     If she live long,

                  And in the end meet the old course of death,

                  Women will all turn monsters.

FIRST SERVANT

FIRST SERVANT     Let’s follow the old earl, and get the Bedlam

                  To lead him where he would: his madness¹²⁸

                  Allows itself to anything.

SECOND SERVANT

SECOND SERVANT     Go thou: I’ll fetch some flax and whites of eggs

                  To apply to his bleeding face. Now heaven help him!

       Following 4.1.65:

                  Five fiends have been in poor Tom at once: of lust, as Obidicut, Hobbididence, prince of dumbness, Mahu of stealing, Modo of murder, Flibbertigibbet¹³⁵ of mopping and mowing, who since possesses chambermaids and waiting-women. So, bless thee, master

       Following 4.2.35:

                  I fear your disposition:

                  That nature, which contemns i’th’origin

                  Cannot be bordered certain in itself.

                  She that herself will sliver and disbranch

                  From her material sap perforce must wither

                  And come to deadly use.

GONERIL

GONERIL     No more, the text is foolish.

ALBANY

ALBANY     Wisdom and goodness to the vile seem vile:

                  Filths savour but themselves. What have you done?

                  Tigers, not daughters, what have you performed?

                  A father, and a gracious agèd man,

                  Whose reverence even the head-lugged bear would lick,

                  Most barbarous, most degenerate, have you madded.

                  Could my good brother suffer you to do it?

                  A man, a prince, by him so benefited!

                  If that the heavens do not their visible spirits

                  Send quickly down to tame the vile offences, it will come,

                  Humanity¹⁵⁵ must perforce prey on itself,

                  Like monsters of the deep.

       Following 4.2.39:

                  that not know’st

                  Fools do those villains pity who are punished

                  Ere they have done their mischief. Where’s thy drum?

                  France spreads his banners in our noiseless land,

                  With plumèd helm, thy state¹⁶¹ begins threat,

                  Whilst thou, a moral fool, sits still and cries

                  ‘Alack, why does he so?’

       Following 4.2.43:

ALBANY

ALBANY     Thou changèd and self-covered thing, for shame

                  Bemonster not thy feature. Were’t my fitness

                  To let these hands obey my blood,

                  They are apt enough to dislocate and tear

                  Thy flesh and bones: howe’er thou art a fiend,

                  A woman’s shape doth shield thee.

GONERIL

GONERIL     Marry, your manhood mew¹⁷⁰—

       Enter a Gentleman

ALBANY

ALBANY     What news?

       Following 4.2.77:

       Enter Kent and a Gentleman

KENT

KENT     Why the King of France is so suddenly gone back, know you no reason?

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN     Something he left imperfect in the state, which since his coming forth is thought of, which imports to the kingdom so much fear and danger that his personal return was most required and necessary.

KENT

KENT     Who hath he left behind him general?

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN     The Marshal of France, Monsieur La Far.

KENT

KENT     Did your letters pierce the queen to any demonstration of grief?

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN     Ay, sir,¹⁸⁴ she took them, read them in my presence,

                  And now and then an ample tear trilled down

                  Her delicate cheek: it seemed she was a queen over

                  Her passion, who, most rebel-like,

                  Sought to be king o’er her.

KENT

KENT     O, then it moved her.

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN     Not to a rage: patience and sorrow strove¹⁹⁰

                  Who should express her goodliest. You have seen

                  Sunshine and rain at once: her smiles and tears

                  Were like a better way: those happy smilets,

                  That played on her ripe lip seem not to know

                  What guests were in her eyes, which, parted thence,

                  As pearls from diamonds dropped. In brief,

                  Sorrow would be a rarity most beloved,

                  If all could so become it.

KENT

KENT     Made she no verbal question?

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN     Faith, once or twice she heaved the name of ‘father’

                  Pantingly forth, as if it pressed her heart:

                  Cried ‘Sisters, sisters! Shame of ladies, sisters!

                  Kent, father, sisters! What, i’th’storm, i’th’night?

                  Let pity not be believed!’ There she shook

                  The holy water from her heavenly eyes,

                  And clamour moistened her: then away she started

                  To deal with grief alone.

KENT

KENT     It is the stars,

                  The stars above us, govern our conditions,

                  Else one self mate and make could not beget

                  Such different issues. You spoke not with her since?

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN     No.

KENT

KENT     Was this before the king returned?

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN     No, since.

KENT

KENT     Well, sir, the poor distressèd Lear’s i’th’town;

                  Who sometime, in his better tune, remembers

                  What we are come about, and by no means

                  Will yield to see his daughter.

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN     Why, good sir?

KENT

KENT     A sovereign shame so elbows him: his own unkindness,

                  That stripped her from his benediction, turned her

                  To foreign casualties, gave her dear rights

                  To his dog-hearted daughters: these things sting

                  His mind so venomously, that burning shame

                  Detains him from Cordelia.

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN     Alack, poor gentleman!

KENT

KENT     Of Albany’s and Cornwall’s powers you heard not?

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN     ’Tis so, they are afoot.

KENT

KENT     Well, sir, I’ll bring you to our master Lear,

                  And leave you to attend him: some dear cause

                  Will in concealment wrap me up awhile.

                  When I am known aright, you shall not grieve

                  Lending me this acquaintance. I pray you go

                  Along with me.

       Exeunt

       Following 4.6.27:

CORDELIA

CORDELIA     Very well.

DOCTOR

DOCTOR     Please you, draw near.— Louder the music there!

       Following 4.6.35:

                  To stand against the deep dread-bolted thunder,

                  In the most terrible and nimble stroke

                  Of quick cross lightning? To watch — poor perdu! —

                  With this thin helm?

       Following 4.6.89:

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN     Holds it true, sir, that the Duke of Cornwall was so slain?

KENT

KENT     Most certain, sir.

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN     Who is conductor of his people?

KENT

KENT     As ’tis said, the bastard son of Gloucester.

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN     They say Edgar, his banished son, is with the Earl of Kent in Germany.

KENT

KENT     Report is changeable. ’Tis time to look about: the powers of the kingdom approach apace.

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN     The arbitrament is like to be bloody. Fare you well, sir.

KENT

KENT     My point and period will be throughly wrought,

                  Or well or ill, as this day’s battle’s fought.

       Exit

       Following 5.1.13:

EDMUND

EDMUND     That thought abuses you.

REGAN

REGAN     I am doubtful that you have been conjunct

                  And bosomed with her, as far as we call hers.

       Following 5.1.17:

GONERIL

GONERIL     I had rather lose the battle than that sister

                  Should loosen him and me.

       Following 5.1.21:

                  Where I could not be honest,

                  I never yet was valiant. For this business,

                  It touches us as France invades our land,

                  Not bolds the king, with others whom I fear,

                  Most just and heavy causes make oppose.

EDMUND

EDMUND     Sir, you speak nobly.

       Following 5.3.55:

                  At this time

                  We sweat and bleed: the friend hath lost his friend;

                  And the best quarrels, in the heat, are cursed

                  By those that feel their sharpness:

                  The question of Cordelia and her father

                  Requires a fitter place.

       Following 5.3.219:

EDGAR

EDGAR     This would have seemed a period

                  To such as love not sorrow, but another,

                  To amplify too much, would make much more,

                  And top extremity.

                  Whilst I was big in clamour, came there in a man,

                  Who, having seen me in my worst estate,

                  Shunned my abhorred society, but then finding

                  Who ‘twas that so endured, with his strong arms

                  He fastened on my neck and bellowed out

                  As he’d burst heaven, threw me on my father,

                  Told the most piteous tale of Lear and him

                  That ever ear received, which in recounting

                  His grief grew puissant and the strings of life

                  Began to crack: twice then the trumpets sounded,

                  And there I left him ‘tranced.

ALBANY

ALBANY     But who was this?

EDGAR

EDGAR     Kent, sir, the banished Kent, who in disguise

                  Followed his enemy king and did him service

                  Improper for a slave.

Textual Notes

Q = First Quarto text of 1608

Q2 = a correction introduced in the Second Quarto text of 1619

Ed = a correction introduced by a later editor

SH = Speech heading (i.e., speaker’s name)

Robert Armin took over as company clown after Will Kempe left the Chamberlain’s Men in 1599. A playwright as well as the author of joke-books, he practiced a more intellectual form of comedy than Kempe, full of witty verbal pyrotechnics: his style is given full rein in such parts as Lear’s Fool, Feste in Twelfth Night, and the sour Lavatch in All’s Well That Ends Well.

Act 1 Scene 1

 1.1    Location: the royal court, Britain

    1    affected favored

    3    qualities…moiety their qualities are so evenly balanced that the most careful scrutiny cannot distinguish between either man’s share

    6    breeding upbringing (plays on the sense of “conception”)    charge cost (plays on the sense of “accusation, blame”)

    7    brazed made brazen, hardened

    8    conceive understand (Gloucester then plays on sense of “become pregnant”)

  10    ere before

  11    fault transgression/loss of scent during a hunt/vagina

  12    undone plays on the sense of “not copulated with”    issue outcome/child    proper handsome/worthy/rightful

  13    by…law legitimate    some year about a year

  14    dearer more beloved (plays on the sense of “more expensive”)    account estimation (plays on the financial sense)

  16    whoreson i.e., bastard (here used affectionately)

  21    sue entreat, seek

  22    deserving to be worthy of (your esteem)

  23    out away (perhaps abroad or in the house of another nobleman; it was common for a nobleman’s son to be educated in the house of another important family)    Sennet trumpet call signaling a procession    bearing a coronet carring a small crown (denoting inferior rank)/wearing a wreath or garland about the head (must be of material that can be broken in half)

  25    Attend wait on, look after

  27    darker secret (with sinister connotations)

  29    fast intent firm intention

  30    business official duties/exertion/anxiety

  32    son i.e., son-in-law (like Albany)

  34    constant will unshakeable intention    publish proclaim, make public

  35    several dowers individual dowries    that so that

  38    sojourn stay

  41    Interest possession

  43    bounty generosity/gift

  44    nature…challenge natural affection, combined with merit, makes a claim

  46    wield express

  49    grace virtue

  51    makes breath poor makes words insufficient/renders one breathless (in the attempt to express it)    unable inadequate

  52    all…much i.e., all possible expressions of the amount of love

  54    bounds territories

  55    shadowy shady    champaigns riched rich open countryside

  56    wide-skirted meads extensive meadows

  60    self-mettle same temperament/same substance (“metal”)

  61    prize…worth value myself in equal terms

  62    deed action, performance/bond, legal document

  63    that in that

  65    square of sense guiding principle governing the senses/(physical or mental) region of the senses

  66    alone felicitate only happy

  70    ponderous weighty

  71    hereditary by inheritance

  73    validity value

  76    vines…Burgundy Lear characterizes France and Burgundy by their assets: vineyards and cattle pastures

  77    interessed admitted, given a share    draw attract/receive, collect/pull forth (as one “draws lots”)

  85    bond duty (with connotations both of a binding legal agreement and of restrictive shackles)

  86    Mend improve

  87    mar spoil

  89    begot conceived, fathered    bred raised, brought up

  94    plight pledge, promise

  99    untender hard/cruel (plays on the sense of “not young”)

103    Hecate Greek goddess of witchcraft and the moon

104    operation movement and astrological influence    orbs planets

107    Propinquity…blood close ties of kinship

109    this this time (or Lear gestures toward himself)    Scythian person from Scythia, an ancient region extending over much of eastern Europe and Asiatic Russia, notorious for its    barbarous inhabitants

110    generation children/own people    messes small groups of people who eat together/portions of food, meals/disgusting concoctions/troubled, confused conditions

112    neighboured treated with hospitable kindness

113    sometime former

114    liege lord, one to whom feudal duty and service was owed

117    set my rest stake everything (card-playing term)/repose, be at ease

118    kind affectionate (in the manner of a family member)    nursery care    avoid leave

120    Who stirs? Get on with it!/Why don’t you move?

122    digest absorb, incorporate

123    plainness frankness, plain speaking    marry her be her dowry/get her a husband

125    large effects extensive trappings

126    troop with accompany

127    With reservation of reserving the right to have (legal language)

128    sustained maintained, supported

130    th’addition to the title and honors of    sway authority, rule

138    make…shaft avoid the arrow (of my anger)

139    fork barbed arrowhead

141    thou kings are almost always addressed, respectfully, as “you”; Kent is unmannerly in his use of the familiar “thou”

144    Reserve thy state retain your sovereignty

145    In…consideration with wise and careful reflection

146    Answer…judgement I’ll stake my life on my opinion

149    Reverb no hollowness do not reverberate hollowly (i.e., emptily/insincerely)

151    held regarded, valued    pawn a pledge, surety

152    wage deposit as security

156    blank center of a target/line of sight (Kent asks to be the means to help Lear see better)

157    Apollo Greek and Roman sun god

160    vassal servant/wretch    Miscreant villain (literally, “infidel, unbeliever”)

161    forbear stop, desist

162    Kill…disease i.e., Lear has got things the wrong way around    foul disease loathsome, festering disease/syphilis

166    recreant traitor

167    That in that, since

168    durst dared    strained excessive/unnatural

169    sentences pronouncements, decisions

170    nor…   nor neither…nor    place status, rank

171    potency power    made good being carried into effect/shown to be valid/secured, defended

173    disasters misfortunes

176    trunk body

177    Jupiter supreme Roman god

179    sith since

183    your…   approve may your actions prove the truth of your grand statements

186    shape…   course behave in his usual manner    Flourish trumpet fanfare signaling the arrival of an important person

190    rivalled competed    in the least at the lowest

191    present dower immediately available dowry

195    tender offer

197    hold her so consider her to be    dear (i.e., beloved/worth a great deal)

199    aught anything    little seeming substance insignificant (or physically small) thing/one who totally refuses to play a part

200    pieced augmented, increased

201    fitly like justly please

204    infirmities deficiencies    owes owns

206    Dowered with given as a dowry    strangered made a stranger, disowned

209    Election…up choice is impossible

211    tell you inform you of/enumerate

212    from…stray stray so far from your love as

218    your object your focus, the object of your sight (the apple of your eye)

219    argument theme    balm soothing ointment

220    trice mere moment

221    monstrous unnatural    dismantle strip off (the    folds of the metaphorical cloth of favor)

224    monsters it it becomes monstrous    fore-vouched previously sworn

225    Fall into taint (must) come under suspicion    which…me i.e., and to believe in all reason that she had committed such a monstrous offense would require a miracle

229    for (your anger is) because    want lack

230    purpose not not intend to do what I say

232    foulness wickedness/moral impurity

235    for which i.e., for lack of which

236    still-soliciting constantly entreating, self-seeking

241    tardiness in nature natural slowness

242    history account (of an action)

245    regards…point irrelevant concerns

256    respect and fortunes status and wealth

259    Most choice forsaken most desirable when rejected

260    seize upon take possession of (legal term)

261    be it lawful provided it is lawful

262    their may refer to either the gods or to Lear and Burgundy

263    inflamed glowing, ardent

264    thrown…chance cast to my luck (gambling metaphor)

266    wat’rish well watered (with rivers)/wet, feeble

267    unprized unvalued (may play on a sense of “priceless”)

268    though unkind though they are cruel (or “lacking in natural familial affection”)

269    where somewhere, place

273    grace favor (with connotations of “divinely sanctioned mercy”)    benison blessing

276    washèd i.e., wet with tears

279    as…named by their true names

280    your professèd bosoms i.e., the love you claim to have for him    commit entrust; perhaps with connotations of “confine (to prison)”

282    prefer advance, promote

285    study concern, endeavor

287    At fortune’s alms as a charitable gift from fortune    scanted stinted, withheld/slighted, neglected

288    are…wanted deserve to be deprived of the love you have failed to show (to others)

289    plighted cunning secret cunning/deceitful promises

290    Who…derides those who hide their faults will in the end be shamed and mocked

293    nearly closely

298    grossly obviously

299    ever always    slenderly slightly

300    The…rash even at his best and healthiest he was impulsive    look expect

301    long-engrafted condition long-implanted tendencies

302    therewithal in addition to that    choleric irascible, hot-tempered, impulsive/bilious; one of the four “humors” or temperaments thought to be related to an excess of bile in the constitution

304    unconstant starts unpredictable fits

306    compliment etiquette, ceremony

307    sit together i.e., get together, confer    carry maintain, manage    disposition frame of mind

308    last surrender recent yielding (of authority)    offend harm

310    i’th’heat immediately

Act 1 Scene 2

 1.2    Location: the Earl of Gloucester’s residence

    2    Wherefore why

    3    Stand in endure/stand still under

    4    curiosity scruples, fussiness    nations i.e., society

    5    moonshines months

    6    Lag of behind (i.e., younger than)    base illegitimate (also low/unworthy/dishonorable)

    7    dimensions physical proportions    compact composed

    8    generous noble    true well-proportioned/authentic, true to his father’s likeness

    9    honest madam’s issue a legitimate child

  11    Who i.e., we bastards who    take require/receive

  12    More…quality a more complex creation and more vigorous disposition

  14    fops weak fools

  15    Got conceived

  18    As the same as

  19    speed succeed

  20    invention scheme

  21    to th’legitimate advance to (or “take over”) the place of the legitimate son; editors sometimes emend this to “top the legitimate”

  23    choler anger    parted departed

  24    Prescribed restricted, limited

  25    exhibition an allowance, maintenance

  26    gad spur of the moment

  28    up away

  32    terrible dispatch fearful and hasty stowing away

  36    for as for

  37    o’erlooking reading

  42    essay or taste test

  44    policy…age policy of revering the old (policy also suggests the “strategic cunning” of the elderly)    the…times i.e., our youth, our prime

  45    fortunes inheritance    relish savor, enjoy

  46    idle useless    fond foolish

  47    sways rules    as…suffered only insofar as it is allowed to do so

  54    casement window    closet private room

  55    character handwriting

  56    matter subject matter    in…that given the contents

  57    fain willingly

  61    at perfect age being mature

  62    declined old/ill

  65    sirrah sir (used to social inferiors and children)

  66    apprehend arrest    Abominable often, popularly, “inhuman, unnatural” (from the incorrect belief that the word was derived from the Latin ab homine, i.e., “away from man”)

  69    run…course proceed securely    where whereas    proceed perhaps with legal connotations (in keeping with apprehend and testimony)

  71    pawn down pledge

  72    feel test, feel out    pretence intention, purpose

  75    meet suitable

  76    auricular assurance i.e., by hearing for yourself    have your satisfaction resolve yourself of any doubt

  78    wind…him insinuate yourself into his confidence for me

  79    frame devise, arrange    unstate…resolution give up my rank and wealth to be resolved on this matter

  81    presently immediately    convey manage, undertake

  82    withal therewith

  83    late recent

  84    wisdom of nature human reason/natural science    scourged punished

  85    sequent effects subsequent events

  88    bias of nature natural inclination (a bowling image; the bias refers to the curving path taken by a weighted ball)

  91    it…nothing i.e., it will advantage you

  93    excellent foppery supreme foolishness

  94    surfeits excesses    disasters misfortunes

  95    on i.e., by

  96    treachers traitors    spherical predominance the dominant influence of a particular planet at one’s birth

  98    divine celestial, supernatural

  99    evasion shuffling excuse    whoremaster i.e., lecherous, whore-using    goatish lustful    charge responsibility

100    compounded had sex    the dragon’s tail the constellation Draco

101    Ursa Major (constellation of) the Great Bear (or Plough)    rough cruel, violent

102    maidenliest most virginal    firmament sky, heavens

103    bastardizing conception out of wedlock

104    Pat on cue    catastrophe conclusion    comedy play    my cue could also mean “designated role”

105    Tom o’Bedlam i.e., a madman (from the Saint Mary of Bethlehem hospital in London, an institution for the insane)

106    divisions conflicts, discords (plays on the sense of “musical variations”)    Fa…mi Edmund hums a musical scale to himself

108    this the

111    succeed follow    unhappily unluckily, by misfortune

117    countenance bearing, demeanor/facial expression

120    forbear avoid    qualified cooled, lessened

121    mischief…person harm caused by your presence

122    allay abate, calm

124    have…forbearance i.e., restrain yourself and stay away from him

126    fitly at an appropriate time

127    abroad out of the house

130    meaning intention

131    image and horror horrific true picture

132    anon soon

133    serve help/trick, deceive

137    practices plots

138    wit intelligence, ingenuity

139    meet fitting    fashion fit shape to my purposes

Act 1 Scene 3

 1.3    Location: Goneril and the Duke of Albany’s residence

    1    gentleman man of gentle (i.e., noble) birth attached to a royal household    chiding rebuking

    4    flashes breaks out

    9    come slack fall short

  10    answer be answerable for

  13    fellows fellow servants    question conflict, a dispute

  14    distaste dislike

  19    straight straightaway    to i.e., and tell her to

Act 1 Scene 4

    1    as will I perhaps “as I intend” (but most editors opt for the Quarto “well”—i.e., “as well as being disguised”)

    2    defuse confuse, disorder

    3    full issue complete outcome

    4    razed my likeness erased my true appearance

    8    stay wait

  11    What…profess? What is your occupation? (Kent shifts the sense of    profess to “claim, declare”)    wouldst thou do you want    us Lear continues to use the royal plural pronoun

  14    judgement i.e., God’s judgment/the judgment of fellow men    cannot choose have no other option    to…fish i.e., only to eat a hearty diet of meat/not to eat fish on Fridays like a Roman Catholic/not to have sex with prostitutes

  28    keep honest counsel keep secrets like an honorable man/keep secrets that are honorable    mar…tale spoil an elaborate story

  33    anything “thing” plays on the sense of “vagina”

  35    knave rogue/servant

  38    So if it

  39    clotpoll idiot

  43    slave servant/villain

  44    roundest bluntest

  47    entertained received, treated hospitably    wont accustomed (to receive)

  48    general dependants servants as a whole

  53    rememb’rest remind    conception notion, thought

  54    faint slight/lazy, halfhearted    jealous curiosity mistrustful fastidiousness

  55    very pretence real intention

  64    cur dog

  66    bandy exchange looks as an equal (literally, “bat to and fro” as in tennis)

  67    strucken struck, beaten

  68    football played by the lower classes (unlike tennis)

  70    differences class distinctions

  71    measure…length be knocked flat to the floor    lubber clumsy lout    tarry stay    go to an expression of impatient dismissal

  73    earnest part-payment in advance

  74    coxcomb fool’s headgear with a crest like a cock’s comb

  75    pretty fine-looking/clever

  78    an…sits i.e., if you cannot please those in power

  80    on’s of his

  81    needs necessarily

  82    nuncle contraction of “mine uncle”    Would I wish

  84    living property, possessions

  88    Brach bitch

  89    pestilent gall troublesome irritation

  92    Mark pay attention to

  95    owest own

  96    goest walk

  97    trowest believe

  98    Set…throwest don’t stake everything on the throw of the dice

101    have…score i.e., make a profit    score twenty

104    unfee’d unpaid

105    use employment/profit

113    crowns coins (the sense then shifts to “eggshells,” “royal headgear,” and “head”)

115    meat edible contents

116    clovest split

118    like myself i.e., foolishly

120    grace favor, patronage

121    foppish foolish

123    apish silly

125    used it made it my custom

126    rod punishment cane

129    bo-peep a child’s game (in which an adult alternately conceals and reveals his or her face)

130    the fool among among fools

131    fain gladly

133    An if

134    marvel wonder

137    pared trimmed

139    frontlet ornamental headband/band worn around the forehead at night to smooth wrinkles

142    figure accompanying digit (to make it a number higher than zero)

143    forsooth in truth

146    nor…crumb i.e., no part of the loaf

147    want some need something/experience need

148    peascod pea pod

149    all-licensed licensed to speak entirely freely

151    carp complain

152    rank excessive, uncontrolled

154    safe certain

155    too late all too recently

156    course behavior    put it on encourage it

158    scape escape    redresses sleep punishments be neglected

159    in…proceeding might offend and shame you but which, in the interests of maintaining a healthy state, must be deemed a prudent course of action

164    cuckoo young cuckoo, hatched from an egg its mother had laid in another bird’s nest

165    it’s had it it had its    it young the young cuckoo

166    darkling in darkness

169    fraught equipped (literally “freighted”)

170    dispositions moods

173    Jug a form of “Joan,” often used as a generic name for a prostitute

176    notion understanding    discernings Are lethargied power of discernment is asleep

177    Waking? Am I awake?

179    shadow reflection/ghost/shadow cast by the sun/imitator, actor

181    admiration air of wonder    o’th’savour of the flavor

184    should i.e., you should

186    bold presumptuous, audacious

188    epicurism gluttony/pleasure seeking

190    graced honorable    speak call

191    desired requested, entreated

193    disquantity your train reduce your retinue

194    depend be your dependants, serve you

195    besort befit, suit

196    know…you i.e., know their place, and yours

199    Degenerate having lost the qualities proper to a family member

203    that to he who

209    kite bird of prey, scavenger

210    rarest parts splendid qualities

212    in…name uphold the honor of their names with the most careful consideration (or “…in every respect”)

215    engine piece of machinery

217    gall bitterness

221    moved provoked, angered

227    increase procreation

228    derogate degenerate, debased

229    teem be fertile, have children

230    spleen malice

231    thwart perverse, obstinate    disnatured unnatural

233    cadent falling    fret erode, wear

234    pains efforts (also suggests labor pains)    benefits kindnesses

241    dotage foolish old age

242    at a clap with one blow

247    perforce by force, uncontrollably

248    Blasts violent gusts of wind

249    untented festering (literally, not probed and cleaned surgically)

250    fond foolish/doting

252    waters…   loose i.e., tears

253    temper moisten    clay i.e., earth, the ground

255    kind benevolent/possessed of natural familial love    comfortable comforting

257    visage face

261    partial biased

263    content content yourself, i.e., be quiet

269    halter hangman’s noose

272    politic prudent, shrewd

273    At point armed and ready    that so that

274    buzz rumor    fancy whim

275    enguard protect, defend

276    in at (his)

279    still always

280    taken defeated, captured

289    compact confirm, consolidate

292    under pardon if you’ll pardon my saying so

293    at task taken to task, blamed

298    th’event the outcome (will tell)

Act 1 Scene 5

    1    before ahead

    2    demand out of questions prompted by

    5    kibes chilblains

    7    wit intellect    slip-shod in slippers (worn for chilblains)

    9    Shalt i.e., thou shalt

  10    crab sour-tasting crab apple

  13    on’s of his

  15    side’s side of his

  17    her i.e., Cordelia (though Goneril is just possible)

  25    asses idiots/donkeys (i.e., Lear’s servants)    the seven stars the Pleiades

  26    pretty ingenious

  29    again back again (refers either to an intention to reclaim sovereignty, or to Goneril’s withdrawal of Lear’s privileges)

  35    temper my right state of mind

  39    maid virgin

  40    things penises

Act 2 Scene 1

 2.1    Location: the Earl of Gloucester’s residence    severally separately

    1    Save thee God save thee (a common greeting)

    5    abroad out there, in circulation

    6    ones i.e., the news, regarded as plural    ear-kissing arguments rumored, whispered topics, not established truths

    8    toward impending

  13    perforce of necessity

  14    take arrest

  15    queasy question dangerous, uncertain nature

  18    watches is on guard, on the lookout

  19    intelligence information

  22    i’th’haste in haste

  23    have…Albany i.e., have you spoken in support of Cornwall and against Albany/have you spoken critically about Cornwall’s hostility to Albany

  25    Advise yourself consider

  28    in cunning to deceive (Gloucester; though playing on the fact that it is Edgar who is being tricked)

  29    quit you acquit yourself

  32    beget…endeavour give the impression that I fought more fiercely    fierce violent/brave/zealous

  38    conjuring invoking    the moon i.e., Hecate, goddess of the moon and of witchcraft

  39    stand auspicious mistress favor him as his patroness

  48    bend direct

  50    fine conclusion

  51    loathly opposite deeply opposed, horrified

  52    fell savage, ruthless

  53    preparèd unsheathed    charges home makes a direct attack on

  54    unprovided unprotected    latched caught

  55    alarumed stirred, roused

  56    quarrel’s right rightfulness of my cause    encounter fight

  57    ghasted frightened

  58    Full very

  61    found—dispatch once found, he shall be killed

  62    arch and patron chief patron

  65    stake i.e., place of execution

  68    pight determined    curst angry

  69    discover reveal his plans

  70    unpossessing unable to take possession of land and property (illegitimate children could not legally inherit)

  71    would stand against stood against, contradicted    reposal placing

  73    faithed believed

  75    character handwriting

  76    suggestion incitement to evil    practice scheme

  77    make…world think the world very stupid

  78    not thought did not think    profits i.e., benefits to Edmund

  79    pregnant…spirits fertile and powerful temptations (literally, evil spirits)

  80    Tucket personal trumpet call, here signaling the arrival of Cornwall

  81    strange unnatural    fastened confirmed, determined

  83    where why

  84    ports seaports/gates of walled towns

  85    picture could also mean “description”

  88    natural naturally loyal and loving to one’s family (plays on the sense of “illegitimate”)    work the means find a way

  89    capable able to inherit

  99    tended upon attended, waited on

101    consort company (often pejorative)

102    though…affected if he is ill-disposed

103    put him on incited him to

104    th’expense the spending

111    child-like i.e., obedient, loving    office duty/service

113    bewray inform on, expose    his practice Edgar’s plot

118    make…please to achieve your ends, use my means and authority in any way you wish

119    For as for

121    be ours i.e., work for us, join our household

123    seize on take possession of (legal term)

127    out of season inconveniently, unconventionally    threading finding a way through (sewing image)    dark-eyed quibbling on the idea of a needle’s eye

128    Occasions events/circumstances    prize importance

131    differences disputes

132    from away from

133    attend dispatch wait to be dispatched

136    craves…use requires immediate action

Act 2 Scene 2

 2.2    Location: outside the Earl of Gloucester’s residence severally separately

    1    dawning it is actually before dawn; we later learn that the moon shines

    2    Ay in fact, Kent is not a servant at this house; perhaps Kent opens up an opportunity to abuse Oswald

    3    set put, lodge (Kent plays on the sense of “fix, make stuck”)

    4    mire mud

    5    if…me i.e., if you would be so kind (Kent pretends to take the expression literally)

    8    Lipsbury pinfold the pound for stray animals in Lips-town (i.e., “between my teeth”)

    9    use treat

  11    for as

  12    knave rogue (two lines later the sense shifts to “servant”)    broken meats scraps of food

  13    three-suited servingmen were permitted to have three outfits a year    hundred-pound far more than a servingman’s income; possibly a contemptuous reference to those who bought knighthoods from James I for £100    worsted-stocking i.e., servant/unable to afford silk stockings (worsted is a woollen fabric)    lily-livered cowardly, with a bloodless liver (the organ thought to be the seat of strong emotions)

  14    action-taking litigious    whoreson bastard    glass-gazing vain    glass mirror    super-serviceable ready to do any kind of service    finical fussy

  15    one-trunk-inheriting owner of (or heir to) no more than would fit in a single trunk    bawd pimp    service plays on the sense of “sex”

  16    composition combination    pander go-between/pimp

  18    addition attributes/title/mark of honor added to a coat of arms (ironic)

  19    rail rant, heap abuse

  21    varlet rogue

  22    Draw draw your sword

  23    sop o’th’moonshine i.e., beat you to a pulp (so that you resemble either a soggy piece of bread lying under the moon’s light, or the blancmange pudding called moonshine)

  24    cullionly rascally    barber-monger frequenter of barbers (i.e., vain fop)

  26    vanity the puppet i.e., Goneril, imagined as a puppet (or dressed-up woman) who is the personification of vanity

  28    carbonado slash diagonally, like meat prepared for broiling or grilling    come your ways come on then

  30    neat trim, foppish

  33    With you i.e., I’ll fight with you    Goodman boy a contemptuous and belittling form of address (used to Edmund)    Goodman a man below the rank of gentleman    flesh ye initiate you (into fighting; from the practice of feeding dogs bits of freshly killed meat in order to excite them for prey)

  39    difference argument

  41    bestirred your valour worked up your courage (ironic)

  42    disclaims in disowns    tailor made thee i.e., his only worth lies in his fancy clothes

  44    ill badly

  47    suit…beard his own request, because his old age required it

  48    zed…letter “z” was regarded as    unnecessary because “s” could be used instead and there was no “z” in the Latin alphabet

  49    unbolted unsifted (plays on the sense of “unmanly/impotent”— a “bolt” was a term for the penis)    jakes privy, toilet

  50    wagtail tail-wagger, obsequious person/womanizer

  52    beastly brutish

  53    a privilege license to express itself

  56    honesty honor, integrity

  57    holy cords sacred bonds (family or matrimonial ties)    a-twain in two

  58    too intrinse t’unloose too intertwined to be disentangled    smooth flatter, indulge

  59    rebel i.e., against reason

  60    Bring…fire i.e., feed the fire of their masters’ passions

  61    halcyon beaks the kingfisher (halcyon) was thought to act as a weather vane if dried and hung up

  62    gall irritation    vary change

  64    epileptic visage seeing Oswald smiling away his insults, Kent compares his expression to that of an epileptic, grimacing involuntarily

  65    my at my    as as if

  66    Goose proverbially stupid bird;    cackling suggests that Oswald may be laughing    if…Camelot i.e., if I had you at my mercy, I’d send you running home in fright; the exact nature of this reference is unclear, though, as Camelot was sometimes identified with Winchester, some suspect a jibe about a “Winchester goose” (i.e., a prostitute/venereal disease)    Sarum Salisbury, in Wiltshire    Camelot legendary city that was home to King Arthur

  73    likes pleases

  75    occupation habit, business

  81    saucy insolent    constrains…nature forces the style (of speaking) away from its true purpose

  84    An if    so so be it    plain honest (his excuse for his rudeness)

  86    craft cunning    corrupter corrupt

  87    ducking observants bowing attendants

  88    stretch…nicely strain to perform their duties to the last detail

  89    verity truth

  90    allowance approval    aspect face/planetary position (in comparing Cornwall to a powerful planet, Kent mocks a courtier’s flattery)

  91    influence astrological influence

  92    Phoebus the Greek and Roman sun god    front forehead

  94    dialect usual manner of speaking

  95    beguiled deceived

  96    though…to’t even if I should incur your displeasure by refusing (to be a knave) when asked

100    misconstruction misinterpretation

101    compact colluding (with the king)

102    being and I being

103    deal of man great show of manliness

104    worthied him earned him honor/made him a hero

105    attempting…self-subdued attacking one who offered no resistance

106    fleshment excitement of a first success    dread exploit fearsome military enterprise (sarcastic)

108    None…fool there is not one of these rogues and cowards who cannot make a fool of a man like Ajax (the great Greek warrior was famously stupid; Cornwall is the subject of this dig)

110    stocks instrument of public punishment in which the offender sat with his ankles and sometimes wrists confined

111    reverent old and revered (sarcastic)    braggart boaster

116    bold malice impudent hostility

117    grace sovereignty

123    use treat

125    colour type

126    sister sister-in-law, i.e., Goneril    away here/there (Cornwall directs where the stocks are to be placed)

131    answer be responsible for

135    pleasure will

137    rubbed deflected (from bowling where the “rub” is the obstacle that disrupts the path of the ball)

138    watched gone without sleep

140    out at heels worn out (literally, coming through one’s stockings or shoes; an appropriate phrase for one whose feet are poking out of the stocks)

141    Give…morrow Goodbye

143    approve prove    saw saying

144    out…sun proverbial for going from good to bad; Kent means that Regan will prove worse than Goneril

146    beacon i.e., the sun    this under globe i.e., the earth

147    comfortable comforting, encouraging

148    Nothing…misery the miserable are almost the only people to see miracles

151    obscurèd course secret (and “disguised”) course of action/dimmed fortunes

152    From away from (i.e., in France)    enormous state disordered situation (or country)

153    o’erwatched worn out by lack of sleep

154    vantage advantage

156    Fortune…wheel! Fortune was traditionally depicted as a woman turning a wheel that raised humans up and cast them down

157    proclaimed publicly declared an outlaw

158    happy opportune, fortunate

161    attend my taking wait to catch me

162    am bethought have decided

164    in…man despising mankind (in particular, man’s claim to be superior to beasts)

166    elf tangle (into “elflocks” or messy knots of hair)

167    presented openly displayed

170    Bedlam the Saint Mary of Bethlehem hospital in London; a number of those who were released became    beggars

171    mortifièd deadened

172    pricks spikes

173    object sight    low humble, lowly

174    pelting paltry, insignificant

175    bans curses

176    Poor…Tom! the sorts of cries the beggars would utter; several sixteenth-century accounts refer to beggars calling themselves “poor Tom”    Turlygod unexplained; perhaps a deliberately nonsensical name

177    That’s something yet i.e., at least as Poor Tom I have some form of existence    Edgar…am as Edgar I do not exist/I renounce my identity as Edgar    Gentleman presumably one of Lear’s reduced retinue of knights

178    they i.e., Regan and Cornwall

186    cruel puns on “crewel” (i.e., wool used for stockings)

187    over-lusty at legs as a servant, too ready to run away (perhaps plays on the sense of “too eager for sex”)

188    nether-stocks stockings

189    place position (as Lear’s messenger)

190    To as to

192    son son-in-law

198    Juno wife of    Jupiter, the supreme Roman god

201    upon respect upon consideration/against the respect due to a king and his representatives

202    Resolve make clear to, inform    modest moderate, reasonable    which way why, how

203    usage treatment

204    Coming from us when you were sent by me

206    commend deliver

208    reeking steaming (with sweat)    post messenger

209    Stewed hot and drenched in sweat

211    spite of intermission in spite of interrupting me/in spite of his halting breath

212    presently immediately

213    meiny retinue    straight straightaway

214    attend…answer wait until they had time to answer

219    Displayed…against openly behaved so impudently toward

220    man than wit courage than sense    drew drew my sword

224    Winter’s…way i.e., there is more stormy weather (trouble) on the way

226    blind i.e., to their father’s needs

227    bags money bags

229    arrant downright/notorious

230    turns the key opens the door/provides sexual favors

231    dolours griefs (puns on “dollar,” a silver coin)

232    tell relate/count

233    mother i.e., hysteria (frequently a female affliction thought to arise from the womb or, in men, the abdomen; characterized by breathlessness and agitation)

234    Hysterica passio the Latin term for hysteria

235    element rightful environment    below i.e., in the womb

243    to school to i.e., to learn from    ant…i’th’ winter i.e., the ant gathers food only in the summer when it is abundant; similarly, men work only when there is profit to be gained from a patron who is at the height of his fortunes

245    stinking i.e., with the stench of decaying fortunes

248    again back again

250    sir man

251    form appearances, outward show

252    pack pack up, be off

257    perdy by God (from the French par dieu)

260    Deny refuse

261    fetches tricks, stratagems (Lear goes on to employ the sense of “bring”)

262    flying off desertion

268    confusion destruction, overthrow

275    tends attends, awaits

279    Infirmity…bound illness always makes us neglect the duties that, when healthy, we are bound to carry out

281    oppressed overwhelmed/afflicted

283    fallen…will angry with my more headstrong impulse

285    sound healthy    my state royal state

287    remotion removal

288    practice deceit, cunning    Give…forth release my servant

289    and’s and his

295    cockney squeamish or affected woman/town dweller not used to hardier country ways    i’th’paste alive alive into the pie (being too squeamish to kill them first)

296    knapped hit    o’th’coxcombs on the heads    wantons frisky creatures

297    buttered his hay another example of misguided kindness (horses dislike grease)

304    Sepulch’ring entombing    adult’ress i.e., as you could not possibly be my daughter if you were not glad to see me

306    naught wicked/worthless

307    vulture recalls the Greek legend of Prometheus, who was punished for stealing fire from the gods by having his liver perpetually gnawed by vultures

311    You…duty you are more likely to undervalue her worth than she is to neglect her duty

321    verge…confine limit of her domain (i.e., you are near death)

323    discretion (person of) good judgment    state personal condition (imaged as a country; ironic glance at the sense of “kingship”)

328    becomes the house befits the royal line or family

330    unnecessary superfluous, useless

331    vouchsafe permit    raiment clothing

335    abated deprived

339    top head

340    taking infectious

344    fen-sucked…blister noxious vapors produced by sunshine on swampy ground were considered to be infectious and so to cause blistering

349    tender-hafted delicately framed, gently disposed

353    scant my sizes reduce my allowances (of food and drink, etc.)

354    oppose the bolt lock the door

356    offices of nature natural filial duties

357    Effects outward marks

360    to th’purpose get to the point

363    approves confirms, bears out

365    easy-borrowed easily assumed

366    sickly diseased, corrupt    grace favor/royalty

370    on’t of it

371    sway authority, rule

372    Allow sanctions, approves

374    beard gray beard, symbol of his age

377    indiscretion poor judgment

379    sides bodily frame, ribcage

381    disorders misconduct

382    much less advancement less favorable treatment

389    entertainment hospitable reception

391    abjure renounce

392    wage…o’th’air battle against the hostility of the open air

394    Necessity’s need’s, deprivation’s

397    knee kneel before    squire-like like a servant or follower    pension financial allowance

398    afoot going

399    sumpter packhorse, beast of burden

400    groom manservant

408    embossèd carbuncle swollen tumor

409    corrupted blood diseased lineage

413    Mend improve

417    looked not for did not expect

419    mingle…passion apply rational judgment to your impulsive behavior

423    avouch declare, affirm

425    sith that since    charge and danger expense and the risk of riotous behavior

431    slack ye treat you negligently

432    control discipline

435    place or notice room or acknowledgment

437    in…it it was about time you did so

438    guardians, my depositaries trustees

439    kept a reservation reserved the right

443    well-favoured good-looking

445    Stands…praise is, in relative terms, worthy of some praise

453    Our…superfluous even our most wretched beggars have something, however poor, that is more than they absolutely need

455    Allow not if you do not allow

457    If…gorgeous if being sumptuously dressed simply entailed wearing sufficiently warm clothes

458    what…wear’st your magnificent clothes

464    fool…much don’t make me such a fool as

473    flaws fragments

474    Or ere before

476    and’s and his

477    bestowed lodged, accommodated

478    blame fault (that he)    put…rest turned himself away from repose/deprived himself of peace of mind

480    his particular him individually

487    will will go

488    give him way let him go, give him scope

491    ruffle rage, bluster

494    themselves procure bring on themselves

496    desperate train retinue of dangerous men

498    have…abused be misled by what he is told

Act 3 Scene 1

 3.1    Location: somewhere out in the open, not far from the Earl of Gloucester’s residence severally separately

    2    minded…unquietly in the same restless and disturbed mood as the storm

    4    Contending battling against/competing with

    6    main mainland

    9    out-jest drive out with jokes

  10    heart-struck injuries in juries that strike to the heart

  12    warrant…note basis of what I have observed (about you)

  13    Commend…you entrust you with an important matter

  16    as…high i.e., like anyone to whom fortune has given power and royal authority

  17    seem no less seem to be only servants (but are really spies)

  18    France the King of France    speculations observers

  19    Intelligent of bearing information about

  20    snuffs resentments    packings plots

  21    hard rein harsh curbing (equestrian metaphor; puns on “reign”)    borne maintained

  23    furnishings superficial trappings

  27    out-wall outward appearance

  30    that fellow i.e., Kent

  34    to effect in importance

  35    in…this to which end you employ your efforts that way while I go this way

  37    Holla shout to

Act 3 Scene 2

    2    cataracts floods/waterspouts    hurricanoes waterspouts

    3    cocks weathercocks

    4    thought-executing fires i.e., lightning (as swift as thought/thought-destroying)

    5    Vaunt-couriers forerunners

    8    nature’s moulds the molds in which nature makes living creatures    germens seeds

  10    court holy-water courtly flattery

  15    tax…with accuse…of

  17    subscription allegiance

  20    ministers agents

  21    pernicious destructive/wicked

  22    high-engendered battles battalions created in the heavens    head plays on the sense of “army”

  23    foul wicked/bad (weather)

  24    put’s put his    head-piece helmet/brain

  25    codpiece penis (literally, appendage worn on the front of a man’s breeches to cover and emphasize the genitals)    house find a house for itself, i.e., have sex

  26    any i.e., any shelter

  27    louse get lice (in pubic and head hair)

  28    So…many in this way beggars end up with a string of mistresses (or “end up not only with a woman but a quantity of lice”)

  29    makes…make values most what he should value least/considers his penis (sex) more important than his heart (love/moral integrity)

  31    corn may suggest a syphilitic sore

  33    made…glass practiced smiling or pouting in a mirror

  37    grace…codpiece royalty and a fool (fools sometimes wore exaggerated codpieces and were proverbially well-endowed)

  40    Gallow gally, i.e., frighten    wanderers…dark nocturnal animals

  47    pudder pother, tumult

  50    Unwhipped of unpunished by

  51    simular faker, pretender

  52    caitiff villain, wretch

  53    seeming false appearances, deception

  54    practised on plotted against

  55    Rive split open    continents containers    cry…grace beg for mercy from these terrifying    summoners (officers who summoned the accused to court)

  59    hard near

  61    hard house pitiless household (Gloucester’s house, under the authority of Cornwall and Regan)

  63    demanding (when I was) asking urgently

  65    scanted withheld

  68    fellow servant (but with connotations of “companion”)

  69    The…strange necessity has a strange skill

  73    He…day adapted from Feste’s song at the end of Twelfth Night    and a a very    wit possibly plays on the sense of “penis”    make…fit make his happiness fit his fortunes/be content with the fortune that he deserves

  78    brave fine    cool i.e., cool the lust of    courtesan courtier’s mistress, high-class prostitute

  80    in…matter more concerned with words than substance (i.e., do not practice what they preach)

  81    mar spoil (i.e., water down for their own profit)

  82    are…tutors i.e., teach their tailors about fashion

  83    heretics religious dissenters, conventionally punished with burning at the stake    wenches’ suitors i.e., who are afflicted with the burning effects of syphilis

  84    right just

  87    cutpurses thieves who cut the strings of money bags hanging at their victims’ waists    throngs crowds

  88    usurers moneylenders, notorious for charging excessively high interest    tell…i’th’field count their money openly

  89    bawds pimps

  90    Albion ancient name for Britain

  91    confusion destruction, overthrow

  92    who whoever

  93    going…feet walking will be done on foot (perhaps simply meaning “things will return to normal”)

  94    Merlin in the legendary history of Britain, the reign of Lear precedes that of Arthur by centuries

Act 3 Scene 3

 3.3    Location: the Earl of Gloucester’s residence

    2    leave…pity permission to help, take pity on

    6    Go to expression of impatient dismissal

    8    closet private room/cabinet

    9    home thoroughly    power army    footed ashore    incline to support, side with

  10    look look for    privily relieve secretly help

  11    that so that    of by

  13    toward imminent

  14    courtesy forbid thee forbidden kindness (to Lear)

  16    This…deserving i.e., my action should be worth a good reward

Act 3 Scene 4

 3.4    Location: Location outside a hovel somewhere out in the open, not far from the Earl of Gloucester’s residence

    3    nature human nature

  10    greater malady i.e., mental suffering

  13    i’th’mouth face to face    free free of worry, untroubled

  14    delicate sensitive

  17    as as if

  18    home soundly

  22    frank generous

  32    bide endure

  33    sides bodies (with visible ribs)

  34    lopped and windowed full of holes

  36    physic medicine (often a purgative)    pomp splendor, ostentatious display (i.e., rich and powerful people)

  38    superflux superfluity, excess (flux was used for a discharge of excrement from the bowels, the result of a purgative)

  40    Fathom and half Edgar calls as though he is measuring the depth of the water in the hovel, as a sailor might in a leaking ship    Fathom about six feet

  41    spirit evil spirit, demon

  44    grumble mutter, mumble

  48    foul wicked

  50    knives…pew the devil was believed to tempt men to damnation by leaving them the means of committing suicide (even in church)    ratsbane rat poison

  51    porridge vegetable or meat soup    bay reddish-brown    four-inched four inches wide (the devil gives one the arrogance to try and perform extremely difficult feats)

  52    course hunt    for as    five wits five mental faculties (common wit, imagination, fantasy, estimation, and memory)

  53    do…de the sound of chattering teeth?    star-blasting being afflicted by the malign influence of the stars    taking being infected with disease/malign influence of the stars

  54    vexes torments    there…there perhaps Edgar snatches at parts of his body as he tries to catch lice or the devil; or he may grab or point at the air around him

  56    pass state, predicament

  58    reserved a blanket kept a blanket (to cover himself)

  59    pendulous overhanging

  60    fated…faults destined to punish men’s faults

  62    subdued nature reduced human nature

  65    thus…flesh refers to Edgar’s self-mutilation

  67    pelican young pelicans supposedly fed on their mother’s blood; they were proverbial for filial cruelty

  68    Pillicock…Pillicock-hill possibly part of an old nursery rhyme, but    Pillicock is slang for penis and    Pillycock-hill the female genitals    alow…loo possibly from “halloo” (cry to incite dogs in a hunt), perhaps an imitation of a cock’s crow, or simply a nonsensical sound

  70    obey Edgar begins a paraphrased version of five of the Ten Commandments

  71    commit not i.e., do not commit adultery    on proud array in overly fine clothes

  74    gloves i.e., a mistress’ gift, displayed by being worn in one’s    cap

  77    slept in i.e., dreamed of

  78    dice i.e., gambling    out-paramoured the Turk had more lovers than the Turkish Sultan, famous for his harem    light of ear eager to listen to gossip

  80    creaking…silks i.e., the sounds of a fashionable woman walking

  81    plackets openings in skirts/vaginas    keep…books i.e., do not sign a loan agreement

  83    suum, mun presumably Edgar imitates the sounds of the wind    nonny often used as part of a refrain in popular songs    Dolphin…by perhaps Edgar addresses an imaginary horse;    sessa is a cry of encouragement used in hunting or may derive from the French cessez (“stop”)

  85    answer face, encounter

  87    cat no perfume the secretions of the anal glands of the civet cat are used to make perfume

  88    on’s of us    sophisticated not simple or natural    unaccommodated unprovided for (i.e., not wearing clothes)

  90    lendings clothes that are “lent” only, not part of him

  91    naughty nasty, wicked

  93    walking fire i.e., Gloucester and his torch

  94    Flibbertigibbet the name of a devil (all of the devils Edgar mentions are to be found in Samuel Harsnett’s 1603 Declaration of Egregious Popish Impostures)    curfew i.e., nightfall

  95    cock cockcrow    web…pin cataract of the eye    squints causes to squint

  97    Swithold probably Saint Withold, apparently a protector from harm    footed thrice walked three times    old wold, downs

  98    nightmare evil female spirit supposed to settle upon a sleeper’s chest, inducing bad dreams and feelings of suffocation    nine-fold perhaps the imps who attend her

100    her troth plight give a solemn promise (to do no more harm)

101    aroint begone (used to witches and demons)

103    What’s who’s

106    wall-newt i.e., lizard on the wall

107    water i.e., water newt

108    ditch-dog i.e., dead dog in a ditch    mantle scum

109    standing stagnant    whipped the standard punishment for vagabonds    tithing parish

110    three…shirts the clothing allowance of a servant

113    deer animals

115    Smulkin the name of a devil (that, according to Harsnett, took the form of a mouse)

117    The…darkness the devil

118    Modo…Mahu the names of two devils

119    flesh and blood i.e., children (Gloucester is thinking of Edgar, Goneril, and Regan)    vile debased, corrupted

120    gets begets, conceives

131    Theban i.e., Greek philosopher (from Thebes)

133    prevent forestall, thwart

135    Importune urge

136    t’unsettle to be disturbed

142    blood lineage, family

147    cry you mercy excuse me

154    keep still remain

155    soothe indulge, humor

156    him you on him along with you

158    Athenian i.e., Greek philosopher (from Athens)

160    Child…came perhaps a line from a lost ballad about the legendary French hero Roland (Child was the title for a young man seeking knighthood)

161    word password/customary saying    still always    fie…man the cry of the giant in the children’s tale of Jack the giant killer

Act 3 Scene 5

 3.5    Location: the Earl of Gloucester’s residence

    1    his i.e., Gloucester’s

    2    nature natural familial affection

    3    something fears somewhat frightens

    5    his i.e., Gloucester’s    provoking…himself Edgar’s sense of his own worth, provoked into action by Gloucester’s reprehensible badness/a provoking quality in Gloucester, which incited Edgar’s reprehensible wickedness

    7    to be of being

    8    approves proves    an intelligent party a spy, an informer

  14    apprehension arrest

  15    his suspicion suspicion of Gloucester

Act 3 Scene 6

 3.6    Location: unspecified; presumably an outbuilding on the Earl of Gloucester’s estate

    1    piece out supplement

    3    impatience anger/inability to bear suffering

    5    Frateretto the name of a devil; in Harsnett he is associated with a “fiddler,” which perhaps suggests    Nero, the first-century Roman emperor who famously played the fiddle while Rome burned    lake of darkness presumably the Stygian lake of the classical underworld, but a phallic fishing rod and vaginal dark lake may also be implied; perhaps Nero’s murder of his own mother is glanced at—she reportedly asked to be stabbed in the womb as this was where her son had grown    angler fisherman/thief

    7    yeoman land owner below the rank of gentleman

    9    to as    mad sense now shifts to “angry”

  11    a thousand i.e., a thousand devils

  12    hizzing hissing    ’em them i.e., Goneril and Regan; the Quarto text continues at this point with an imaginary “arraignment” of Goneril (see “Quarto passages that do not appear in the Folio,” on this page)

  17    mar my counterfeiting spoil my pretence

  19    Trey…Sweetheart names for bitches—even his female dogs, he imagines, have turned against him; their names may suggest Lear’s daughters (“tray” can mean “pain, affliction,” “blanch” can mean “to deceive,” “to flatter”)

  20    throw his head unclear; presumably a threatening gesture of some sort    Avaunt begone

  21    or black or either black or

  22    poisons i.e., with rabies

  23    grim fierce

  24    brach bitch    him male

  25    bobtail tyke small dog with a tail that has been bobbed (cut short)    trundle-tail dog with a long, curling tail

  28    hatch lower half of a divided door

  29    Do…de apparently the sound of chattering teeth again    Sessa! cry of encouragement used in hunting or may derive from the French cessez (“stop”)    wakes annual parish fairs (frequented by beggars)

  30    horn beggars carried drinking horns on strings round their necks

  31    anatomize dissect

  33    entertain employ

  34    Persian i.e., gorgeous, luxurious

  36    curtains Lear imagines that he is in a curtained bed

  43    litter vehicle containing a bed, here apparently drawn by horses

  44    Dover port on the south coast

  49    to…conduct i.e., hastily guide you to the necessary supplies for your journey

Act 3 Scene 7

 3.7    Location: the Earl of Gloucester’s residence

    1    Post

    5    sister sister-in-law, i.e., Goneril

    7    Advise counsel, urge    duke i.e., the Duke of Albany    festinate preparation hasty preparation of troops

    8    posts messengers    intelligent possessed of information

    9    lord of Gloucester Edmund’s new title (though when Oswald uses it, he refers to Edmund’s father)

  13    questrists seekers

  14    the lord’s i.e., Gloucester’s

  21    Pinion him bind his arms

  22    pass…justice issue a death sentence without a formal trial

  24    do a court’sy bow, yield

  27    corky withered, dry

  34    plucks his beard a highly insulting gesture

  37    white i.e., old, dignified

  38    Naughty wicked

  39    ravish seize forcibly, pluck

  40    quicken come to life

  41    hospitable favours welcoming (facial) features

  42    ruffle treat roughly/snatch

  44    Be simple answered answer straightforwardly

  46    late footed recently landed

  48    guessingly without certain knowledge

  50    opposed i.e., to the dukes

  55    charged at peril commanded on peril of your life

  57    tied to th’stake like a bear in the popular sport of bearbaiting    stand endure    course designated bout, during which the bear was attacked by dogs

  61    anointed i.e., holy (having been anointed with holy oil at the coronation)

  63    buoyed swelled, risen

  64    stellèd starry

  65    holp…rain i.e., by weeping    holp helped

  66    stern cruel, unyielding

  67    turn the key i.e., to let them in

  68    All…subscribe i.e., in such circumstances, all other cruel people would sanction a kind action

  69    wingèd vengeance i.e., vengeance of the gods

  70    Fellows servants

  82    shake…quarrel i.e., defy you (or “challenge you to a fight”) over this cause    What…mean? What do you think you are doing?

  83    villain servant

  84    chance of anger risk of what anger may bring (in a fight)

  87    mischief on him injury done to him

  91    sparks of nature warmth of natural filial affection

  92    quit requite, avenge

  93    Out expression of impatience and disgust

  95    overture disclosure

  97    abused wronged, maligned

101    How look you? How are you?

104    apace rapidly

105    Untimely at the wrong time (with war imminent)    Exeunt here the Quarto text has an additional sequence in which loyal servants apply a palliative to Gloucester’s eye sockets (see “Quarto passages that do not appear in the Folio,” on this page)

Act 4 Scene 1

 4.1    Location: somewhere out in the open, not far from the Earl of Gloucester’s residence

    1    thus i.e., a beggar    contemned despised

    2    contemned and flattered despised secretly though flattered to your face

    4    esperance hope

    5    The…laughter the most miserable kind of change is a decline in fortunes; when things are at their worst they can only get better

  10    poorly led led by a poor man/led in a way unsuitable to his status

  12    But were it not    mutations changes/fickleness

  13    Life…age we would not accept old age

  15    fourscore eighty

  18    Thee…hurt i.e., you may be punished for helping me

  22    means secure us wealth gives us false security, overconfidence    mere defects sheer deficiencies

  23    Prove our commodities turn out to be benefits

  24    abusèd deceived

  31    is not has not yet arrived

  36    reason rationality, sanity

  41    wanton unruly/cruelly mischievous

  44    trade course of action/practice

  50    ancient love old affection

  54    plague affliction

  56    the rest all

  57    ’pparel apparel, clothing

  58    Come…will whatever may come of it

  60    daub it put on a false face, pretend

  67    strokes blows, afflictions

  68    happier more fortunate

  69    superfluous immoderate, extravagant, overindulgent    lust-dieted fed solely by pleasure

  70    slaves your ordinance subjects your laws to his desires

  71    feel empathize, feel compassion (sense then shifts to “experience”)    quickly soon/while he is alive/sharply

  75    bending overhanging

  76    confinèd channeled (between England and France)

  77    brim edge

  79    about me that I have on my person

Act 4 Scene 2

 4.2    Location: outside Goneril and the Duke of Albany’s residence

    1    my lord i.e., Edmund

    4    army i.e., French army

    8    ‘sot’ fool

    9    turned…out turned inside out, got things the wrong way round (clothing metaphor)

  13    cowish cowardly

  14    undertake take action

  15    tie…answer oblige him to respond    on the way i.e., that we expressed during the journey here

  16    prove effects be fulfilled    brother brother-in-law, i.e., Cornwall

  17    musters gathering of troops    conduct his powers escort his forces

  18    change exchange    distaff spindle for weaving, common symbol of womanhood or wifeliness

  20    like likely

  22    mistress ruler/lover    favor love token

  24    thy Goneril starts to use the more intimate pronoun to Edmund    spirits plays on sense of “penis”

  25    conceive understand/imagine (with procreative connotations)

  26    death plays on sense of “orgasm”

  29    services sexual services

  30    fool i.e., Albany    usurps wrongfully possesses

  32    worth the whistle worth looking for (from the proverb “it is a poor dog that is not worth the whistling”)

  33    Goneril…face the Quarto text has a longer dialogue in which Albany berates Goneril (see “Quarto passages that do not appear in the Folio,” on this page)

  34    rude rough

  36    Milk-livered pale-livered, cowardly (cowardice was associated with lack of blood in the liver and milk with women)

  38    discerning…suffering that can distinguish between what may be honorably tolerated from what must not be endured

  41    Proper…woman deformity does not seem as abhorrent in a devil (to whom it is appropriate) as it does in a woman

  43    vain stupid/worthless

  48    bred brought up in his household    thrilled pierced, moved    remorse pity (for Gloucester)

  49    Opposed opposed himself    bending aiming, directing

  50    threat-enraged enraged by the threat

  53    after i.e., to death

  55    justices (divine) judges    nether earthly

  56    venge avenge, punish

  63    all…life demolish the dream (of having Edmund) that I have constructed, leaving me with the life I hate

  65    tart sour

  69    back going back

Act 4 Scene 3

 4.3    Location: the French camp, near Dover. The Quarto text precedes this scene with another one in which Kent and a Gentleman discuss the French king’s return to France and Cordelia’s concern for her father (see “Quarto passages that do not appear in the Folio,” on this page)    Colours military banners    Gentleman perhaps the same man that Kent gave instructions to in Act 3 Scene 1

    2    vexed angry, turbulent

    3    rank fumiter abundant fumitory (a vigorously growing weed)    furrow weeds weeds that grow in the furrows of ploughed fields

    4    burdocks weeds with prickly flower heads or burs    hemlock plant producing a potentially lethal sedative    cuckoo-flowers name given to various wild flowers growing when the cuckoo calls (i.e., May/June)

    5    Darnel type of grass that grows as a weed among corn    idle useless

    8    What…wisdom what can human knowledge do

    9    bereavèd stolen, lost

  10    outward worth worldly goods

  12    repose rest, sleep

  13    that…operative there are many effective medicinal herbs that can induce that in him

  17    unpublished virtues secret powers (of herbs)

  18    aidant helpful    remediate remedial, healing

  20    rage frenzy

  21    wants the means i.e., lacks the sanity

  24    preparation equipped military force

  27    France i.e., the King of France

  28    importuned importunate, pressing

  29    blown swollen with pride/corrupt

Act 4 Scene 4

 4.4    Location: the Earl of Gloucester’s residence

    4    ado fuss

    8    import mean, contain

  10    posted hurried

  11    ignorance folly

  15    nighted darkened (literally, and in terms of his fortunes)    descry discover

  17    after go after

  19    ways roads

  21    charged my duty swore me to obedience

  23    Belike perhaps/probably

  24    I’ll love thee Regan switches to the familiar    thee to cajole him—   love implies the promise of favors, sexual or otherwise

  29    oeillades amorous glances    speaking eloquent

  30    of her bosom in her confidence/sexually intimate

  32    Y’are ye (you) are

  33    take this note note this well

  35    convenient fitting

  36    gather more infer the rest

  39    call…her have more sense

  43    meet i.e., meet him

Act 4 Scene 5

 4.5    Location: somewhere out in the open, near Dover

    1    that same hill the hill I mentioned (i.e., the cliff Gloucester described at the end of Act 4 Scene 1)

  11    phrase and matter style and sense

  17    choughs jackdaws or other birds of the crow family    wing fly across    midway i.e., middle regions of

  18    gross large

  19    samphire aromatic plant used in pickling; it was picked from cliffs by men suspended on ropes

  22    yond yonder, that    bark small ship

  23    her cock (the size of) her cockboat, a small boat towed behind a ship

  25    th’unnumbered idle pebble countless insignificant pebbles

  27    the deficient my defective

  28    Topple topple me

  32    leap upright jump up in the air

  34    Here, friend’s here, friend, is

  36    Prosper it cause it to prosper

  40    trifle play

  46    opposeless irresistible

  47    My…nature the smoldering wick and hated remains of my life

  51    conceit imagination

  53    Yields submits willingly

  54    this this time, now

  56    pass die

  57    What who (Edgar adopts another persona)

  59    aught anything

  60    precipitating falling headlong

  61    shivered shattered

  63    at each end to end

  67    bourn boundary (between land and sea)

  68    a-height on high    shrill-gorged shrill-throated

  73    beguile cheat

  84    whelked twisted

  85    fiend i.e., tempting him to the sin of suicide    happy father fortunate old man (father was a form of address for an elderly man, though Edgar plays with the literal sense)

  86    clearest brightest, purest    make…impossibilities acquire honor for themselves by performing things that are impossible in the human world

  93    free untroubled

  94    The…thus were he (Lear) in his right mind, he would never permit himself to dress like this (or possibly “Gloucester’s senses will not be able to withstand seeing his master like this”)

  96    touch accuse, blame/lay hands on

  98    press-money money paid to military recruits when they were conscripted (Lear seems to imagine he is recruiting an army)

  99    crow-keeper scarecrow/person employed to scare crows from the crops    Draw…yard draw your bow to its fullest extent (the length of a longbow’s arrow, which, at about thirty-six inches, was the same as the length of a cloth seller’s measuring rod)

100    gauntlet armored glove thrown down as a challenge to a duel

101    prove it on make good my cause against    brown bills long-handled weapons, painted or varnished brown and topped with ax-like blades; or soldiers carrying such weapons    well flown, bird the language of falconry, here used to describe an arrow’s flight    I’th’clout cloth at the center of an archer’s target

102    hewgh perhaps Lear imitates the sound of the arrow as it flies through the air or hits the target    word password (continues Lear’s military fantasy)

103    Sweet marjoram Edgar invents a password that relates to Lear’s headgear and to the plant’s alleged medicinal properties in treating brain disorders

106    like a dog i.e., as if they were fawning dogs

107    had…there i.e., was wise even while I was still a child

108    divinity theology

109    me i.e., my teeth

110    peace be still

111    ague-proof immune to fever and shivering

113    trick characteristic, individual quality

117    cause charge, offense

120    goes to’t does it, has sex

121    lecher fornicate

123    got begot, conceived

124    luxury lechery, lust    for…soldiers i.e., more sex means more children to man his army

126    between…snow forecasts frigidity between her legs

127    minces virtue affects chastity    shake the head i.e., in disapproval

129    fitchew polecat/prostitute    soilèd fed with green fodder, so lively, skittish

130    riotous unrestrained, lustful

131    centaurs mythical creatures that were human above the waist and horse below; reputed to be lustful

132    But…girdle only as far as the waist    inherit possess, have power over

134    hell slang term for the vagina    sulphurous suggests both hell and syphilis    burning…consumption alludes to painful syphilitic burning, odor and decay (consumption)

135    civet perfume

136    apothecary person who prepared and sold drugs, spices, perfumes, etc.

138    mortality being human/death

140    so similarly

141    squinny squint

142    Cupid Roman god of    love, traditionally depicted as    blind or blindfolded    challenge written challenge to a duel    penning style/handwriting

145    take…report believe it if I heard it reported

148    case sockets

150    heavy case sorrowful predicament

152    feelingly literally, through touch/with great emotion

154    justice judge    simple humble

155    handy-dandy take your pick (from the child’s game of guessing which clenched hand contains something)

159    a…office given authority, even a dog will be obeyed

160    beadle parish officer, responsible for punishing thieves, prostitutes, and vagabonds

162    use employ sexually    kind manner

163    usurer moneylender, notorious for charging excessively high interest    cozener cheat

165    Place…gold i.e., when sins are committed by the rich

166    hurtless harmlessly

167    it i.e., sin

168    able ’em authorize them

171    scurvy politician despicable schemer

172    Now…now perhaps comforting Gloucester, perhaps distracted by his boots

174    matter and impertinency sense and nonsense

177    hither i.e., into this world

182    block style of hat or mold for hats (perhaps Lear removes his headgear)/ block from which to mount a horse/tree stump (stage may even give rise to a sense of “scaffold and executioner’s block”)

183    delicate ingenious

184    put’t in proof try it out

190    natural fool born fool (as opposed to a professional jester)

194    seconds supporters (as for a duel)

195    salt i.e., tears

197    die plays on the sense of “orgasm”    bravely handsomely

198    jovial cheerful/majestic (like Jove, king of the gods)

199    Masters sirs

201    Sa…sa hunting cry, from French ça (“that’s it,” “it’s there”)

205    nature i.e., human nature    general curse curse of original sin

206    twain Adam and Eve (but also suggests Goneril and Regan)

207    gentle noble

208    speed you (may God) prosper you

209    toward impending

210    vulgar widely known

212    by your favour if you would be so good

214    main…thought sight of the main army is expected hourly

217    Though that though    on special cause for a special reason (i.e., to find Lear)

221    worser spirit evil angel/bad side of my nature

226    known…sorrows deeply felt sorrows I have experienced

227    pregnant…pity disposed to compassion

228    biding dwelling

230    benison blessing

231    To…boot in addition, and may it benefit you

232    proclaimed prize i.e., a man with a price on his head    happy fortunate

233    framed flesh conceived and born

235    thyself remember recall your sins (i.e., prepare to die)

240    published proclaimed

243    ’Chill…’casion I shall not let go, sir, without further occasion (cause); for his new persona, Edgar adopts a West Country accent in which he substitutes “v” for “f” and “z” for “s”;    ’Chill I shall

245    your gait on your way    An…vortnight if I could have been killed by boasting, I would not have lasted a fortnight (or “it would have been shorter by a fortnight”)

247    che vor ye I warrant you, I promise you    I’se I shall    costard head (literally, a large apple)

248    ballow cudgel

250    pick knock out with the cudgel    foins sword thrusts

255    party side

256    serviceable eager to serve, ready to do anything

263    deathsman executioner

264    Leave give me leave, permit me

268    will desire/lust    want not is not lacking

269    done achieved

270    for your labour as a reward for your efforts/as a place for sexual activity

271    servant lover

272    undistinguished space limitless scope    will lust

275    Thee…up I will bury you (Oswald)    post unsanctified unholy messenger

276    in…time when the time is ripe

277    ungracious wicked, sinful    strike blast/afflict

278    death-practised whose death is plotted

280    stiff stubborn

281    ingenious sensitive, intelligent

282    distract mad

284    wrong imaginations illusions

Act 4 Scene 6

 4.6    Location: the French camp, near Dover

    3    every…me all my efforts will be inadequate

    4    o’erpaid i.e., already more than enough

    5    All…truth everything I have told you is the simple truth (or possibly “may all reports of me be unexaggerated and accurate”)

    6    No…clipped neither overstated nor abbreviated

    7    suited dressed

    8    weeds clothes

  11    Yet…intent to have my identity known now would spoil the plan I have devised

  12    My…it the favor I ask is    know me not do not acknowledge me

  13    meet suitable

  18    wind up put in tune (by tightening the pegs on a stringed instrument)

  19    child-changèd changed by his children

  23    I’th’sway…will as you see fit, under your own authority    arrayed dressed (appropriately)

  27    doubt of fear for    temperance self-control

  31    reverence i.e., position deserving respect, venerable state

  33    Had you even if you had    flakes locks of hair

  34    Did challenge would have demanded    of from

  38    fain obliged

  39    rogues forlorn destitute vagabonds

  40    short i.e., broken up (and hence less comfortable)

  41    at once at the same time

  42    concluded all come entirely to an end

  46    bliss i.e., heaven

  47    wheel of fire i.e., one of hell’s tortures of the damned; recalls Ixion, who, in Greek mythology, was bound to a wheel of fire for attempting to seduce the queen of the gods    that so that

  51    wide wide of the mark, confused

  54    abused wronged, ill-treated/deluded

  57    Would…condition! I wish I could be sure of what state I am in!

  63    fond silly

  84    rage frenzy

  86    further settling his mind is more settled

Act 5 Scene 1

 5.1    Location: the British camp, near Dover Drum and Colours soldiers with military flags and a drum beating

    1    Know of find out from    last purpose most recent intention

    2    since subsequently    advised persuaded/warned    aught anything, i.e., any news

    4    self-reproving self-reproach    constant pleasure fixed wishes

    5    miscarried come to harm

    6    doubted feared

  11    honoured honorable

  13    forfended place forbidden place, i.e., Goneril’s vagina

  15    I…her I cannot stand her

  16    familiar too friendly/sexually intimate

  20    rigour…state harshness of our government

  21    cry out i.e., protest in pain

  22    Why…reasoned? Why are we discussing this?

  23    Combine together i.e., let us combine our two armies

  24    domestic…broils private internal squabbles

  27    th’ancient of war experienced senior officers

  30    convenient suitable, seemly

  31    know the riddle understand your enigmatic request, see your trick (Regan wants to keep a suspicious eye on Goneril)

  34    I’ll overtake you presumably Albany calls after those who have or are in the process of departing

  35    ope open    letter i.e., the letter Oswald was carrying from Goneril to Edmund

  36    sound i.e., sound a summons

  38    champion one who fights in single combat

  39    avouchèd declared, affirmed    miscarry lose the battle and die

  41    machination plotting

  44    cry make the proclamation

  46    o’erlook read over

  47    powers troops

  49    discovery intelligence gathering, reconnaissance

  51    greet the time be ready when the time comes

  53    jealous suspicious, mistrustful

  58    hardly with difficulty    carry…side fulfill my side of the agreement (with Goneril)/achieve my own (power-seeking) ends

  60    countenance authority

  62    taking off murder

  65    Shall i.e., they shall

  66    my…debate my position relies on action not discussion

Act 5 Scene 2

 5.2    Location: not far from the battlefield, near Dover    Alarum trumpet call to arms

    1    father form of address for an old man

    2    host i.e., shelter    retreat trumpet call signaling retreat

    7    ta’en (are) captured

  12    Ripeness readiness/the right time

Act 5 Scene 3

 5.3    Location: the British camp, near Dover

    1    good guard guard them carefully

    2    greater pleasures the wishes of more important people (i.e., Goneril, Regan, Albany)

    3    censure judge, sentence

    5    meaning intentions

    6    cast down humbled by fortune/defeated in battle/dejected

  14    gilded butterflies actual butterflies/lavishly dressed courtiers    poor rogues wretched fellows

  17    take…things understand the secret inner workings of the world

  18    God’s spies spying on the world on God’s behalf/looking at the world from a lofty vantage point, like God    wear out outlive

  19    packs and sects cliques and factions

  20    That…th’moon i.e., whose fortunes ebb and flow like the tides

  22    sacrifices refers to either Cordelia’s sacrifice for Lear or their joint loss of freedom

  23    throw incense i.e., like priests performing the sacrifice

  24    brand…foxes alludes to the practice of smoking foxes out of their holes

  26    flesh and fell flesh and skin (i.e., entirely)

  27    starved dead

  33    tender-minded sensitive, soft-hearted

  34    become befit, suit

  35    bear question permit discussion

  38    write happy count yourself fortunate

  39    carry manage

  41    strain lineage

  43    opposites opponents

  44    use treat

  48    retention detention, confinement

  49    Whose refers to the king    charms bewitching spells    title name of king/legal entitlement (to land and power)

  50    pluck…bosom draw the sympathies of the common people

  51    turn…them i.e., turn our conscripted soldiers’ weapons against ourselves

  52    queen i.e., Cordelia

  55    session hearing in a court of justice

  56    by your patience if you’ll excuse me

  57    subject of subordinate in

  59    list please

  60    pleasure…demanded wishes might have been asked

  62    commission authority

  63    immediacy closeness, connection

  66    grace merit

  67    your addition the honors or titles you bestow on him

  69    compeers equals

  70    That…most i.e., he would be most fully invested with your rights

  72    Holla whoa, stop

  73    asquint crookedly, distortedly

  75    full-flowing stomach a stomach full of anger (where stomach is used like “heart” for the seat of the passions)

  76    patrimony inheritance

  77    Dispose of use, deal with    walls Regan images herself as a fortress surrendering

  78    Witness the world let the world witness

  80    enjoy i.e., have sex with him as your husband

  81    let-alone permission or refusal to give it

  83    Half-blooded illegitimate (fellow is contemptuous)

  86    in i.e., along with

  87    gilded serpent i.e., Goneril    For as for

  88    bar it prevent its advancement (legal term)

  89    subcontracted engaged for a second time, entered into a contract that is subsidiary to her marriage contract with Albany

  90    banns proclamation of marriage (spelled “banes” in Folio, perhaps playing on “evildoings”)

  91    make…to woo, make advances to

  92    bespoke spoken for

  93    interlude brief comic play (i.e., “What a farce!”)

  97    pledge challenge/pledge to fight    make it i.e., make it good

  98    nothing no way

101    medicine drugs (i.e., poison)

102    what whoever

108    single virtue unaided courage or strength

115    quality or degree noble birth or high rank    lists catalogue of soldiers

126    canker-bit eaten away by cankerworms (grubs that feed on plants)

128    cope encounter, fight with

136    honours…profession i.e., as a knight

137    protest declare

138    Maugre despite    place position, rank

139    fire-new i.e., brand new, freshly minted

142    Conspirant a conspirator

143    upward top, crown

144    descent lowest part, sole

145    toad-spotted toads’ spots were believed to contain venom

146    bent resolved/tensed for action

151    say assay, evidence

152    nicely in strict keeping with the rules

155    hell-hated lie the lie I hate as much as hell

156    for they since they (the treasons)    by off

157    instant way an immediate passage (to your heart)

159    him probably a call to Edgar to spare Edmund’s life so that a confession can be obtained from him

160    practice trickery

163    cozened and beguiled cheated and deceived

164    dame woman

167    know recognize

169    arraign indict, bring to trial

172    govern restrain

176    fortune on good fortune to defeat

178    charity forgiveness

180    th’hast thou hast (i.e., you have)

182    pleasant pleasurable (sexually so in this case)

184    dark literally and metaphorically    vicious immoral    got begot, conceived

187    wheel wheel of fortune

188    prophesy suggest, foretell

195    List listen (to)

197    bloody proclamation i.e., the sentence of death pronounced on him

199    the…die would repeatedly suffer pain as bad as death

201    semblance outward appearance

202    habit clothing/guise, appearance

203    rings i.e., eye sockets

205    despair the spiritual hopelessness that precedes suicide

208    success outcome (in the duel with Edmund)

210    pilgrimage course of events/period of exile/spiritual journey    flawed cracked

218    dissolve i.e., in tears

224    smokes i.e., steams with hot blood

235    compliment etiquette (of greeting)

238    aye forever (Kent is aware he is dying)

240    Great thing vital matter

242    object sight

247    Even exactly

250    writ written order (for execution; a legal term)

254    office task, responsibility

262    fordid killed

269    stone specular stone, a crystalline substance used to make mirrors

271    promised end the death Lear expected (when he divided the kingdom)/Judgment Day, the end of the world (the sense that Edgar understands)

273    Fall and cease! either Albany calls for the end of the world, or he wishes for Lear to die and be put out of his anguish

285    slave villain/wretched servant

288    falchion curved sword

290    crosses troubles, frustrations

291    Mine…o’th’best failing sight was believed to be a sign of approaching death    straight in a moment

292    two…hated perhaps “two people she first loved and then hated”; it is not entirely clear who the    one Kent refers to is

294    dull sight refers either to Lear’s dim eyesight or to the motionless Cordelia

296    Caius the only mention of the name Kent assumed when he was in disguise

300    I’ll…straight I’ll attend to that in a moment

301    your…decay the beginning of the change and decline in your fortunes (may also suggest mental decay)

304    Nor…else completes Kent’s previous, unfinished sentence with “and no one else” as well as beginning his current one with “neither I nor anyone else (is welcome)”

305    fordone killed

306    desperately as a result of the spiritual despair that precedes suicide

308    vain…him it is useless for us to tell him who we are

310    bootless pointless

314    this great decay noble ruin, i.e., Lear

315    For as for    resign handover

318    boot advantage, additions    addition titles, honors

321    cup painful experience (plays on the related sense of “drinking vessel”)    see, see something attracts Albany’s attention, presumably to Lear

322    fool i.e., Cordelia (fool was a term of endearment), but recalls Lear’s Fool as well

326    this button may refer to Cordelia’s (hoping to help her breathe) or Lear’s own (if he is once again afflicted by “the mother,” the hysteria that causes one to struggle for breath)    sir it is unclear whom Lear addresses here

332    ghost spirit

333    rack torture instrument that stretched the limbs

334    longer for a longer period of time/to longer physical dimensions

337    usurped stole, made illegal use of (beyond its rightful length)

341    gored wounded, bleeding    sustain support/keep alive

342    journey i.e., to death

Quarto passages that do not appear in the Folio

    1    1    SH EDMUND = Ed. Q = Bast. (throughout)

  28    ladies = Q (corrected). Q (uncorrected) = lodes

  36    basest and ’temnest = Q (corrected). Q (uncorrected)= belest and contaned

  70    Want’st = Q2. Q = wanst

  72    bourn = Ed. Q = broome

  94    she kicked = Ed. Q = kickt

  98    joint-stool = Q2. Q = ioyne stoole

100    on = Ed. Q = an

128    madness = Q (corrected). Q (uncorrected)= rogish madnes

135    Flibbertigibbet spelled Stiberdigebit in Q    mopping and mowing = Ed. Q = Mobing, & Mohing

155    Humanity = Q (corrected). Q (uncorrected) = Humanly

161    state begins threat = Q (corrected) (threat spelled thereat). Q (uncorrected) = slayer begin threats

170    mew = Q (corrected). Q (uncorrected)= now

184    Ay, sir, = Ed. Q = I say

190    strove = Ed. Q = streme

THE TRAGEDY OF OTHELLO, THE MOOR OF VENICE

For Shakespeare’s original audience, “the Moor of Venice” would have instantly suggested a meeting of the familiar and the strange, of east and west. “Venice” was synonymous with European sophistication, “Moor” with the atmosphere of the Orient, of North Africa and the Middle East. Yet the short Italian novel on which the play is based makes little of the Moor’s status as an outsider. Written by Giraldi Cinthio, it was one of a series of exemplary stories concerning marital infidelity. Its purpose was to show how “it sometimes happens that without any fault at all, a faithful and loving lady, through the insidious plots of a villainous mind, and the frailty of one who believes more than he need, is murdered by her faithful husband.” In Venice, a Moor, dear to the senate because he has served the interests of the republic in battle, marries a virtuous lady called Disdemona. The Venetian lords decide to change the guard in Cyprus and the Moor is chosen as commandant. Disdemona insists on going with him; they arrive safely in Cyprus (no storm, no Turks). The Moor’s ensign or standard-bearer falls in love with Disdemona, who does not reciprocate. The ensign assumes that this is because she is in love with his superior, the corporal. His love for Disdemona turns to hate and he decides that if he cannot have her, nor should the Moor. He accordingly plots to make the Moor jealous of the corporal, thus destroying them both.

Venice was notorious for the number and openness of its courtesans, and the laxness of its wives. It was the pleasure capital of Europe, a city of sexual tourism. Cinthio’s Disdemona, however, is “impelled not by female appetite but by the Moor’s good qualities”: she is an atypical Venetian woman. Shakespeare intends his Desdemona to be regarded in the same way, even as the men in the play exploit the stereotypical image of Venetian women. Iago pumps up Rodorigo’s desire on the quayside with talk of female lechery and he plays on Othello’s fear that his wife might revert to type, reminding the Moor that Venetian women are habitual sexual deceivers:

I know our country disposition well:

In Venice they do let heaven see the pranks

They dare not show their husbands: their best conscience

Is not to leave’t undone, but kept unknown.

Visiting Venice in the 1590s, Sir Henry Wotton remarked on the difficulty of distinguishing between whores and virtuous wives on the streets—the presence in the play of Bianca the courtesan is telling here. In the overhearing scene, Othello fails to make exactly this distinction as to which woman, wife or courtesan, Iago and Cassio are talking about. Iago’s seemingly casual references to Desdemona’s “appetite” and “will,” his view of Venetian women as sexual beasts, soon cause Othello to be convinced that his wife’s hand is hot and moist, traditional signs of sexual license. The division between wife and whore is horribly dissolved in the fourth act, where home is turned into brothel, and Desdemona twice called strumpet and thrice whore, culminating in the savage lines “I took you for that cunning whore of Venice / That married with Othello.” Only when he has killed her does Othello rediscover the true coldness of her chastity—though in speaking of Desdemona thus, we should not regard her as the icy maiden of Petrarchan poetic tradition, for in the scene before Othello’s arrival in Cyprus she proves herself adept in feisty and sexually knowing banter with her male interlocutors.

Othello is ill at ease with the language of double entendre because he is an “extravagant and wheeling stranger” who works within a very different poetic register. His verbal sphere is rich in allusion to an exotic other world filled with Arabian trees and turbaned Turks in Aleppo, not to mention “The Anthropophagi and men whose heads / Grew beneath their shoulders.” “Valiant Othello, we must straight employ you / Against the general enemy Ottoman,” says the Duke of Venice early in the play. The audience hears a consonance between the names of the captain-general “Othello” and the general enemy “Ottoman.” This would have been especially apparent if, as is likely, the original pronunciation of the hero’s name was Italianized as “Otello.” Othman was the name of the founder of the mighty Ottoman or Turkish Empire, the great rival civilization to Christianity. Othello’s name suggests his origin in the Ottoman territories, against which he is now fighting. The clash of Christian against Turk was one of Shakespeare’s major additions to his source.

To Shakespeare and his contemporaries, Turk, Arab and Moor all represented the Islamic “other,” but they were not necessarily homogenized into a single image of generic “barbarianism.” Arabic culture was frequently associated with learning and civilization, in contrast to the prevailing images of Turk and Saracen. A Barbar could be “brave” rather than “barbarous”: George Peele’s Battle of Alcazar in Barbary, a play based on real recent historical events, has both “a barbarous Moor, / The negro Muly Hamet” and a “brave Barbarian Lord Muly Molocco.” A Moor could help you out in your war against the Turk—or, for that matter, the Spaniard. How you judged the Islamic “other” depended not only on ideological stereotype but also on the particularities of diplomatic liaison and changing allegiance in a world of superpower rivalry. At the end of Alcazar, the evil Moor Muly Mahamet is defeated. The throne of Barbary goes to Abdelmelec’s virtuous brother, who is also called Muly Mahamet and who was a real historical figure. His ambassador Abd-el-Oahed ben Massaood visited the Elizabethan court in 1600 in order to explore the possibility of forming an alliance to conquer Spain with a mixture of the English navy and African troops. Shakespeare’s company played at court that Christmas, so he may have seen the Barbarian delegation in the flesh. The surviving portrait of the ambassador is perhaps the best image we have of what Shakespeare intended Othello to look like (see plate section).

Peele’s play mingled historical matter with a more general sense of the barbarian, the other, the devilish—bad Muly Mahamet surrounds himself with demonic and underworld associations. Audiences would have come to The Moor of Venice with the expectation of something similar, but witnessed a remarkable inversion whereby a sophisticated Venetian is the one who comes to be associated with the devil and damnable actions.

The primary usage of the term “Moor” in early modern English was as a religious, not a racial, identification: Moor meant “Mohamedan,” that is to say Muslim. The word was frequently used as a general term for “not one of us,” non-Christian. To the play’s original audience, one of the most striking things about the figure of Othello would have been that he is a committed Christian. The ground of the play is laid out in the first scene, when Iago trumpets his own military virtues, in contrast to Cassio’s “theoretical” knowledge of the art of war (Cassio comes from Florence, home of such experts in the theory of war as Machiavelli):

And I—of whom his eyes had seen the proof

At Rhodes, at Cyprus and on others’ grounds,

Christened and heathen…

These lines give an immediate sense of confrontation between Christian and heathen dominions, with Rhodes and Cyprus as pressure points. Startlingly, though, the Moor is fighting for the Christians, not the heathens.

Again, consider Othello’s response to the drunken brawl in Cyprus:

Are we turned Turks, and to ourselves do that

Which heaven hath forbid the Ottomites?

For Christian shame, put by this barbarous brawl!

Such Christian language in the mouth of a Moor, a Muslim, is inherently a paradox. It suggests that Othello would have been assumed to be a convert. The “baptism” that Iago says he will cause Othello to renounce would have taken place not at birth but at conversion. The action of the play re-converts Othello from Christianity, through the machinations of Iago. In this sense, it is fitting that Iago appeals to a “Divinity of hell” and that Othello acknowledges at the end of the play that he is bound for damnation.

The notion of conversion was crucial in the Elizabethan perception of the relationship between European Christianity and the Ottoman Empire. The phrase to “turn Turk” entered the common lexicon. Islam was as powerful an alien force to Europeans in the sixteenth century as Communism was to Americans in the twentieth. To turn Turk was to go over to the other side. It could happen in a number of different ways: some travelers converted by a process of cultural assimilation, others who had been captured and enslaved did so in the belief that they would then be released. It is easy to forget how many English privateers became Ottoman slaves—on one occasion, two thousand wives petitioned King James and parliament for help in ransoming their husbands from Muslim captivity.

Othello dies on a kiss, an embrace of black and white, perhaps a symbolic reconciliation of the virtues of west and east, Europe and Orient, but the public image he wants to be remembered by in the letter back to Venice is of confrontation between Christian and Turk, with himself as the defender of Christianity in Aleppo, a point of eastern extremity in Syria. In smiting himself, Othello recognizes that he has now become the Turk. By killing Desdemona he has renounced his Christian civility and damned himself. He symbolically takes back upon himself the insignia of Islam—turban, circumcision—that he had renounced when he turned Christian. He has beaten a Venetian wife and traduced the state. He has been turned Turk. Not, however, by the general Ottoman but by the “supersubtle” Venetian, the “honest” Iago.

As Shakespeare adds the Turkish context to the story that was his source, so he takes away the simple motivation of being in love with Disdemona that Cinthio gave the ensign. Iago has sometimes been considered motiveless, utterly devilish. It was a convention of Renaissance drama that what a character says in soliloquy is to be believed, yet it is barely possible to credit Iago’s paranoid claim that both Othello and Cassio have been in his bed. Emilia is one of Shakespeare’s strongest-minded female characters: she robustly condemns the sexual double standard whereby men are allowed their extramarital affairs and women are not. One cannot rule out the possibility that she has been unfaithful to Iago (Gregory Doran’s Royal Shakespeare Company production hinted at an affair with Lodovico), but the idea of Othello making love to her is absurd.

Jealousy over the matter of promotion is sufficient explanation for the first part of Iago’s plot, whereby Cassio’s weakness for the bottle leads to his being cashiered. But why does Iago then go so much further, utterly destroying the general on whose patronage he depends? Othello asks the question at the end of the play: “Will you, I pray, demand that demi-devil / Why he hath thus ensnared my soul and body?” But Iago refuses to answer: “Demand me nothing: what you know, you know: / From this time forth I never will speak word.” It sounds like a deliberate challenge to the audience to work it out for themselves. No one has risen to that challenge better than the Romantic critic William Hazlitt, who regarded the love of play-acting as the key to Iago’s procedure:

He is an amateur of tragedy in real life; and instead of employing his invention on imaginary characters, or long-forgotten incidents, he takes the bolder and more desperate course of getting up his plot at home, casts the principal parts among his nearest friends and connections, and rehearses it in downright earnest, with steady nerves and unabated resolution.

Exactly because he is scriptwriter, director and stage-villain rolled into one, Iago is a compelling presence in the theater. And he is given the largest part. It would have been easy for him to dwarf the other characters, as Edmund can dwarf Edgar in King Lear. Shakespeare’s challenge was to make Othello rise far above Iago’s other dupe, Rodorigo. To be reduced to a gibbering idiot over the matter of a misplaced handkerchief is to be duped indeed. But the mesmerizing effect of the poetic writing is such that we never think of Othello as foolish or laughable, not even in the temptation scene of the third act in which Iago twists every word, every detail, to the advantage of his plot. Instead, we turn the Moor’s own phrase back on to him: “But yet the pity of it, Iago! O, Iago, the pity of it, Iago!”

Desdemona inspires our pity not because she is pitiful, but because her courage in going against her father’s will, in following her husband to the far frontier of the Venetian empire in Cyprus, and in generously speaking out for Cassio, becomes the cause of her death. Othello inspires our pity because he also inspires our awe, above all through his soaring language. For the Renaissance, the twin powers of rational thought and persuasive language, oratio and ratio, were what raised humankind above the level of the beasts. The tragedy of Othello is that Iago’s persuasive but specious reasoning (you’re black, you’re getting on in years, Venetian women are notoriously fickle …) transforms Othello from great orator (“Rude am I in my speech,” he says with deftly rhetorical modesty as he proceeds to bewitch his listeners with an anything-but-rude narrative “Of moving accidents by flood and field, / Of hair-breadth scapes i’th’imminent deadly breach”) to savage beast. And yet in the dignity of his two last speeches, first poised and public, then tender and intimate, there is a linguistic fortitude that turns Othello back into something human, something magnificent.

KEY FACTS

PLOT: Othello the Moor, a general employed by the Venetian state, has secretly married Desdemona, a daughter of the senator Brabantio. Iago, an ensign nursing resentment against Othello, enlists the help of Rodorigo, a disappointed suitor of Desdemona. They wake Brabantio in the middle of the night with the news of his daughter’s elopement. Brabantio takes the case to the senate where, learning that she has married Othello of her own accord, he disowns his daughter. Othello is immediately ordered to the Venetian colony of Cyprus to repel a threatened Turkish invasion. Desdemona sails with her husband, taking with them her companion Emilia, who is also Iago’s wife, and Othello’s lieutenant Michael Cassio, newly promoted over Iago’s head. Once in Cyprus, Iago plants the suspicion in Othello’s mind that Desdemona has been unfaithful to him with Cassio. He engineers a drunken brawl for which Cassio is blamed and dismissed by Othello. Desdemona intercedes on Cassio’s behalf but her constant pleas to Othello for his reinstatement only serve to convince Othello that Cassio is her lover. Iago acquires a treasured handkerchief that belonged to Desdemona and uses it as “proof” of the affair. Increasingly maddened by jealousy, Othello orders Iago to kill Cassio and strangles Desdemona himself. Emilia discloses her husband’s plot and Othello, tormented by grief and remorse, kills himself. Iago, after murdering his own wife, is left to the justice of the Venetian state.

MAJOR PARTS: (with percentage of lines/number of speeches/scenes on stage) Iago (31%/272/12), Othello (25%/274/12), Desdemona (11%/165/9), Cassio (8%/110/9), Emilia (7%/103/8), Brabantio (4%/30/3), Rodorigo (3%/59/7), Lodovico (2%/33/4), Duke of Venice (2%/25/1), Montano (2%/24/3).

LINGUISTIC MEDIUM: 80% verse, 20% prose.

DATE: 1604. Performed at court, November 1604; apparently uses Knolles’ Historie of the Turkes, published late 1603; probably postdates the period when theaters were closed due to the plague from May 1603 to April 1604. The Turkish wars in the eastern Mediterranean were of interest to King James, who had written a poem about the 1571 naval battle of Lepanto, which was reprinted in 1603, the year of his accession to the English throne. Some scholars, however, argue for a slightly earlier date.

SOURCES: Based on a novella in Giovanni Battista Giraldi Cinthio’s Gli Hecatommithi (1565), perhaps read in a 1584 French translation by Gabriel Chappuys. Context probably provided by Richard Knolles, The Generall Historie of the Turkes (1603), Sir Lewis Lewkenor’s translation of Gasparo Contarini’s The Commonwealth and Government of Venice (1599) and John Pory’s translation of Leo Africanus’ Geographical Historie of Africa (1600).

TEXT: There are two early texts, markedly different from each other: a Quarto published in 1622 and the First Folio of 1623. The Folio contains over 150 lines that are not in the Quarto. The Quarto has fuller stage directions, a handful of lines that are absent from the Folio, and a large number of oaths that were watered down or omitted in the Folio, as a result of the prohibition on stage swearing. In all, there are about a thousand verbal variants. The two texts seem to derive from different theatrical manuscripts, the Folio possibly having being set from a transcript by Ralph Crane, scribe to the King’s Men. Scholars are divided as to whether the Folio-only passages, which include Othello’s “Pontic sea” speech and Desdemona’s willow song, are theatrically purposeful additions or theatrically pragmatic cuts. We respect the integrity of the Folio text, but in correcting its manifest errors—which are many, largely due to the presence of “Compositor E,” the apprentice who was the poorest of the Folio’s typesetters—we have been greatly helped by the existence of the Quarto.

THE TRAGEDY OF OTHELLO, THE MOOR OF VENICE

OTHELLO, the Moor (a general in the military service of Venice)

BRABANTIO (a senator) father to Desdemona

CASSIO, an honorable lieutenant

IAGO, a villain (Othello’s flagbearer)

RODORIGO, a gulled gentleman

DUKE of Venice

SENATORS

MONTANO, Governor of Cyprus

GENTLEMEN of Cyprus

SAILORS

CLOWN (servant to Othello)

DESDEMONA (daughter of Brabantio) wife to Othello

EMILIA, wife to Iago

BIANCA, a courtesan

(Officers, Messenger, Herald, Musicians and Attendants)

Act 1 Scene 11.1

running scene 1

        Enter Rodorigo and Iago

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     Never tell me!¹ I take it much unkindly

               That thou, Iago, who hast had my purse

               As if the strings were thine, shouldst know of this.³

IAGO

IAGO     But you’ll not hear me: if ever I did dream

5

5             Of such a matter, abhor me.

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     Thou told’st me

               Thou didst hold him⁷ in thy hate.

IAGO

IAGO     Despise me

               If I do not. Three great ones⁹ of the city,

10

10           In personal suit¹⁰ to make me his lieutenant,

               Off-capped¹¹ to him, and by the faith of man,

               I know my price, I am worth no worse a place:

               But he, as loving his own pride and purposes,

               Evades them with a bombast circumstance¹⁴

15

15           Horribly stuffed with epithets of war,¹⁵

               Nonsuits my mediators.¹⁶ For ‘Certes’, says he,

               ‘I have already chose my officer.’

               And what was he?

               Forsooth,¹⁹ a great arithmetician,

20

20           One Michael Cassio, a Florentine²⁰ —

               A fellow almost²¹ damned in a fair wife —

               That never set a squadron²² in the field

               Nor the division²³ of a battle knows

               More than a spinster,²⁴ unless the bookish theoric,

25

25           Wherein the toga’d consuls²⁵ can propose

               As masterly as he. Mere prattle²⁶ without practice

               Is all his soldiership. But he, sir, had th’election;²⁷

               And I — of whom his²⁸ eyes had seen the proof

               At Rhodes,²⁹ at Cyprus and on others’ grounds,

30

30           Christened³⁰ and heathen — must be beleed and calmed

               By debitor and creditor:³¹ this counter-caster,

               He — in good time³² — must his lieutenant be,

               And I — bless the mark!³³ — his Moorship’s ancient.

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     By heaven, I rather would have been his hangman.

35

35   

IAGO

IAGO           Why, there’s no remedy: ’tis the curse of service;³⁵

               Preferment³⁶ goes by letter and affection,

               And not by old gradation,³⁷ where each second

               Stood heir to th’first. Now, sir, be judge yourself

               Whether I in any just term³⁹ am affined

40

40           To love the Moor.

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     I would not follow⁴¹ him then.

IAGO

IAGO     O, sir, content you:

               I follow him to serve my turn⁴³ upon him.

               We cannot all be masters, nor all masters

45

45           Cannot be truly⁴⁵ followed. You shall mark

               Many a duteous and knee-crooking⁴⁶ knave

               That — doting on his own obsequious bondage —

               Wears out his time,⁴⁸ much like his master’s ass,

               For nought but provender,⁴⁹ and when he’s old, cashiered:

50

50           Whip me⁵⁰ such honest knaves. Others there are

               Who, trimmed⁵¹ in forms and visages of duty,

               Keep yet their hearts attending on⁵² themselves,

               And throwing but shows of service on their lords,

               Do well thrive by them,

55

55           And when they have lined their coats⁵⁵

               Do themselves homage:⁵⁶ these fellows have some soul,

               And such a one do I profess myself. For, sir,

               It is as sure as you are Rodorigo,

               Were⁵⁹ I the Moor, I would not be Iago:

60

60           In following him, I follow but myself.

               Heaven is my judge, not I for⁶¹ love and duty,

               But seeming so, for my peculiar⁶² end,

               For when my outward action doth demonstrate⁶³

               The native⁶⁴ act and figure of my heart

65

65           In compliment extern,⁶⁵ ’tis not long after

               But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve

               For daws⁶⁷ to peck at: I am not what I am.

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     What a full⁶⁸ fortune does the thick-lips owe

               If he can carry’t⁶⁹ thus!

70

70   

IAGO

IAGO           Call up her father:

               Rouse him, make after⁷¹ him, poison his delight,

               Proclaim⁷² him in the streets, incense her kinsmen,

               And though⁷³ he in a fertile climate dwell,

               Plague him with flies: though that⁷⁴ his joy be joy,

75

75           Yet throw such chances⁷⁵ of vexation on’t

               As it may⁷⁶ lose some colour.

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     Here is her father’s house, I’ll call aloud.

IAGO

IAGO     Do, with like timorous accent⁷⁸ and dire yell

               As when, by night and negligence, the fire

80

80           Is spied in populous cities.

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     What, ho, Brabantio! Signior Brabantio, ho!

IAGO

IAGO     Awake! What, ho! Brabantio, thieves, thieves!

               Look to your house, your daughter and your bags!⁸³

               Thieves, thieves!

85

85   

BRABANTIO

BRABANTIO           What is the reason of this terrible summons? At a window⁸⁵

        Above

               What is the matter there?

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     Signior, is all your family within?

IAGO

IAGO     Are your doors locked?

BRABANTIO

BRABANTIO     Why? Wherefore⁸⁹ ask you this?

90

90   

IAGO

IAGO           Sir, you’re robbed. For shame, put on your gown!⁹⁰

               Your heart is burst, you have lost half your soul:

               Even now, now, very now, an old black ram⁹²

               Is tupping⁹³ your white ewe. Arise, arise!

               Awake the snorting⁹⁴ citizens with the bell,

95

95           Or else the devil⁹⁵ will make a grandsire of you.

               Arise, I say!

BRABANTIO

BRABANTIO     What, have you lost your wits?

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     Most reverend⁹⁸ signior, do you know my voice?

BRABANTIO

BRABANTIO     Not I: what are you?

100

100 

RODORIGO

RODORIGO             My name is Rodorigo.

BRABANTIO

BRABANTIO     The worser welcome.

               I have charged¹⁰² thee not to haunt about my doors:

               In honest plainness thou hast heard me say

               My daughter is not for thee: and now in madness —

105

105         Being full of supper and distemp’ring draughts¹⁰⁵ —

               Upon malicious knavery dost thou come

               To start¹⁰⁷ my quiet.

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     Sir, sir, sir—

BRABANTIO

BRABANTIO     But thou must needs be sure

110

110         My spirits¹¹⁰ and my place have in their power

               To make this bitter to thee.

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     Patience, good sir.

BRABANTIO

BRABANTIO     What tell’st thou me of robbing?

               This is Venice: my house is not a grange.¹¹⁴

115

115 

RODORIGO

RODORIGO             Most grave¹¹⁵ Brabantio,

               In simple¹¹⁶ and pure soul I come to you.

IAGO

IAGO     Sir, you are one of those that will not serve God if the devil bid you. Because we come to do you service and you think we are ruffians, you’ll have your daughter covered¹¹⁹ with a Barbary horse: you’ll have your nephews neigh to you: you’ll have coursers¹²⁰ for cousins and jennets for germans.

BRABANTIO

BRABANTIO     What profane¹²¹ wretch art thou?

IAGO

IAGO     I am one, sir, that comes to tell you your daughter and the Moor are making¹²³ the beast with two backs.

BRABANTIO

BRABANTIO     Thou art a villain.

125

125 

IAGO

IAGO             You are a senator.

BRABANTIO

BRABANTIO     This thou shalt answer.¹²⁶ I know thee, Rodorigo.

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     Sir, I will answer anything. But I beseech you

               If’t be your pleasure¹²⁸ and most wise consent —

               As partly I find it is — that your fair daughter,

130

130         At this odd-even¹³⁰ and dull watch o’th’night,

               Transported with¹³¹ no worse nor better guard

               But with¹³² a knave of common hire, a gondolier,

               To the gross¹³³ clasps of a lascivious Moor:

               If this be known to you and your allowance¹³⁴

135

135         We then have done you bold and saucy¹³⁵ wrongs:

               But if you know not this, my manners tell me

               We have your wrong rebuke. Do not believe

               That, from¹³⁸ the sense of all civility,

               I thus would play and trifle with your reverence.¹³⁹

140

140         Your daughter — if you have not given her leave¹⁴⁰ —

               I say again, hath made a gross¹⁴¹ revolt,

               Tying her duty, beauty, wit¹⁴² and fortunes

               In¹⁴³ an extravagant and wheeling stranger

               Of here and everywhere. Straight¹⁴⁴ satisfy yourself:

145

145         If she be in her chamber or your house,

               Let loose on me the justice of the state

               For thus deluding you.

BRABANTIO

BRABANTIO     Strike¹⁴⁸ on the tinder, ho!

               Give me a taper!¹⁴⁹ Call up all my people!

150

150         This accident¹⁵⁰ is not unlike my dream:

               Belief of it oppresses me already.

               Light, I say, light!

        Exit [above]

IAGO

IAGO     Farewell, for I must leave you:

               It seems not meet¹⁵⁴ nor wholesome to my place

155

155         To be producted¹⁵⁵ — as, if I stay, I shall —

               Against the Moor, for I do know the state,

               However this may gall¹⁵⁷ him with some check,

               Cannot with safety cast¹⁵⁸ him, for he’s embarked

               With such loud reason¹⁵⁹ to the Cyprus wars,

160

160         Which even now stands in act,¹⁶⁰ that, for their souls,

               Another of his fathom¹⁶¹ they have none,

               To lead their business: in which regard,

               Though I do hate him as I do hell-pains.

               Yet for necessity of present life¹⁶⁴

165

165         I must show out a flag and sign¹⁶⁵ of love,

               Which is indeed but sign. That¹⁶⁶ you shall surely find him,

               Lead to the Sagittary¹⁶⁷ the raisèd search,

               And there will I be with him. So farewell.

        Exit

        Enter Brabantio with Servants and torches

BRABANTIO

BRABANTIO     It is too true an evil: gone she is,

170

170         And what’s to come of my despised time¹⁷⁰

               Is nought but bitterness. Now, Rodorigo,

               Where didst thou see her?— O, unhappy¹⁷² girl!—

               With the Moor, say’st thou?— Who would be a father?—

               How didst thou know ’twas she?— O, she deceives me

175

175         Past thought!¹⁷⁵— What said she to you?— Get more tapers:

               Raise all my kindred.— Are they married, think you?

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     Truly, I think they are.

BRABANTIO

BRABANTIO     O heaven! How got she out? O treason¹⁷⁸ of the blood!

               Fathers, from hence trust not your daughters’ minds

180

180         By what you see them act. Is there not charms¹⁸⁰

               By which the property¹⁸¹ of youth and maidhood

               May be abused? Have you not read, Rodorigo,

               Of some such thing?

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     Yes, sir, I have indeed.

185

185 

BRABANTIO

BRABANTIO             Call up my brother.— O, would you had had her!—

               Some one way, some another.— Do you know To Rodorigo

               Where we may apprehend her and the Moor?

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     I think I can discover¹⁸⁸ him, if you please

               To get good guard and go along with me.

190

190 

BRABANTIO

BRABANTIO             Pray you lead on. At every house I’ll call:

               I may command¹⁹¹ at most.— Get weapons, ho!

               And raise some special officers of might.—

               On, good Rodorigo: I will deserve your pains.¹⁹³

        Exeunt

Act 1 Scene 21.2

running scene 2

        Enter Othello, Iago, Attendants with torches

IAGO

IAGO     Though in the trade¹ of war I have slain men,

               Yet do I hold it very stuff² o’th’conscience

               To do no contrived³ murder: I lack iniquity

               Sometime to do me service. Nine or ten times

5

5             I had thought t’have yerked⁵ him here under the ribs.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     ’Tis better as it is.

IAGO

IAGO     Nay, but he prated⁷

               And spoke such scurvy⁸ and provoking terms

               Against your honour

10

10           That with the little godliness I have

               I did full hard forbear him. But I¹¹ pray you, sir,

               Are you fast¹² married? Be assured of this,

               That the magnifico¹³ is much beloved,

               And hath in his effect¹⁴ a voice potential

15

15           As double as the duke’s: he will divorce you,

               Or put upon you what¹⁶ restraint or grievance

               The law — with all his might to enforce it on —

               Will give him cable.¹⁸

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Let him do his spite;

20

20           My services which I have done the signiory²⁰

               Shall out-tongue his complaints. ’Tis²¹ yet to know —

               Which, when I know that boasting is an honour,

               I shall promulgate²³ — I fetch my life and being

               From men of royal siege,²⁴ and my demerits

25

25           May speak, unbonneted,²⁵ to as proud a fortune

               As this that I have reached. For know, Iago,

               But that I love the gentle Desdemona,

               I would not my unhousèd²⁸ free condition

               Put into circumscription and confine²⁹

30

30           For the sea’s worth.³⁰ But look, what lights come yond?

        Enter Cassio [and Officers] with torches

IAGO

IAGO     Those are the raisèd³¹ father and his friends:

               You were best go in.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Not I: I must be found.

               My parts,³⁴ my title and my perfect soul

35

35           Shall manifest me rightly. Is it they?

IAGO

IAGO     By Janus,³⁶ I think no.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     The servants of the duke’s? And my lieutenant?—

               The goodness of the night upon you, friends!

               What is the news?

40

40   

CASSIO

CASSIO           The duke does greet you, general,

               And he requires your haste-post-haste⁴¹ appearance

               Even on the instant.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     What is the matter,⁴³ think you?

CASSIO

CASSIO     Something from Cyprus, as I may divine.⁴⁴

45

45           It is a business of some heat:⁴⁵ the galleys

               Have sent a dozen sequent⁴⁶ messengers

               This very night at one another’s heels,

               And many of the consuls, raised and met,

               Are at the duke’s already. You have been hotly called for:

50

50           When, being not at your lodging to be found,

               The senate hath sent about three several quests⁵¹

               To search you out.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     ’Tis well I am found by you.

               I will but spend a word here in the house

55

55           And go with you.

        [Exit]

CASSIO

CASSIO     Ancient, what makes he⁵⁶ here?

IAGO

IAGO     Faith,⁵⁷ he tonight hath boarded a land caract:

               If it prove lawful prize, he’s made for ever.

CASSIO

CASSIO     I do not understand.

60

60   

IAGO

IAGO           He’s married.

CASSIO

CASSIO     To who?

IAGO

IAGO     Marry,⁶² to—

        [Enter Othello]

                                Come, captain, will you go?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Have with you.⁶³

CASSIO

CASSIO     Here comes another troop to seek for you.

        Enter Brabantio, Rodorigo, with Officers and torches And weapons

65

65   

IAGO

IAGO           It is Brabantio. General, be advised:⁶⁵

               He comes to⁶⁶ bad intent.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Holla,⁶⁷ stand there!

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     Signior, it is the Moor.

BRABANTIO

BRABANTIO     Down with him, thief! They draw

70

70   

IAGO

IAGO           You, Rodorigo? Come, sir, I am for you.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Keep up⁷¹ your bright swords, for the dew will rust them.

               Good signior, you shall more command with years

               Than with your weapons.

BRABANTIO

BRABANTIO     O thou foul⁷⁴ thief,

75

75           Where hast thou stowed⁷⁵ my daughter?

               Damned as thou art, thou hast enchanted her,

               For I’ll refer me to⁷⁷ all things of sense —

               If she in chains of magic were not bound —

               Whether a maid so tender,⁷⁹ fair and happy,

80

80           So opposite⁸⁰ to marriage that she shunned

               The wealthy curlèd⁸¹ dearling of our nation,

               Would ever have — t’incur a general mock⁸² —

               Run from her guardage⁸³ to the sooty bosom

               Of such a thing as thou: to fear, not to delight.

85

85           Judge⁸⁵ me the world if ’tis not gross in sense

               That thou hast practised on⁸⁶ her with foul charms,

               Abused her delicate youth with drugs or minerals⁸⁷

               That weakens motion:⁸⁸ I’ll have’t disputed on:

               ’Tis probable and palpable to thinking.

90

90           I therefore apprehend and do attach⁹⁰ thee

               For an abuser of the world, a practiser

               Of arts⁹² inhibited and out of warrant.—

               Lay hold upon him: if he do resist,

               Subdue him at his peril.

95

95   

OTHELLO

OTHELLO           Hold⁹⁵ your hands,

               Both you of my inclining⁹⁶ and the rest:

               Were it my cue to fight, I should have known it

               Without a prompter.— Whither⁹⁸ will you that I go

               To answer this your charge?

100

100 

BRABANTIO

BRABANTIO             To prison, till fit time

               Of law and course¹⁰¹ of direct session

               Call thee to answer.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     What if I do obey?

               How may the duke be therewith satisfied,

105

105         Whose messengers are here about my side

               Upon some present¹⁰⁶ business of the state

               To bring me to him?

OFFICER

OFFICER     ’Tis true, most worthy signior:

               The duke’s in council and your noble self,

110

110         I am sure, is sent for.

BRABANTIO

BRABANTIO     How? The duke in council?

               In this time of the night? Bring him away;

               Mine’s not an idle cause: the duke himself,

               Or any of my brothers¹¹⁴ of the state,

115

115         Cannot but feel this wrong as ’twere their own:

               For if such actions may have passage free,¹¹⁶

               Bond-slaves and pagans shall our statesmen be.

        Exeunt

Act 1 Scene 31.3

running scene 3

        Enter Duke, Senators and Officers With torches

DUKE

DUKE     There’s no composition¹ in this news They sit at a table

               That gives them² credit.

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR     Indeed, they are disproportioned;³

               My letters say a hundred and seven galleys.

5

5     

DUKE

DUKE         And mine a hundred forty.

SECOND SENATOR

SECOND SENATOR     And mine two hundred:

               But though they jump⁷ not on a just account —

               As in these cases where the aim reports,

               ’Tis oft with difference — yet do they all confirm

10

10           A Turkish fleet, and bearing up to Cyprus.

DUKE

DUKE     Nay, it is possible enough to judgement:

               I¹² do not so secure me in the error

               But the main article I do approve

               In fearful sense.

15

15   

SAILOR

SAILOR           What ho, what ho, what ho!

        Within

        Enter Sailor

OFFICER

OFFICER     A messenger from the galleys.

DUKE

DUKE     Now? What’s the business?

SAILOR

SAILOR     The Turkish preparation¹⁸ makes for Rhodes:

               So was I bid report here to the state

20

20           By Signior Angelo.

        [Exit Sailor]

DUKE

DUKE     How²¹ say you by this change?

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR     This cannot be

               By no assay²³ of reason: ’tis a pageant,

               To keep us in false gaze.²⁴ When we consider

25

25           Th’importancy²⁵ of Cyprus to the Turk,

               And let ourselves again but understand

               That as it more concerns the Turk than Rhodes,

               So²⁸ may he with more facile question bear it,

               For that²⁹ it stands not in such warlike brace,

30

30           But altogether lacks th’abilities³⁰

               That Rhodes is dressed in:³¹ if we make thought of this,

               We must not think the Turk is so unskilful

               To leave that latest³³ which concerns him first,

               Neglecting an attempt³⁴ of ease and gain

35

35           To wake and wage³⁵ a danger profitless.

DUKE

DUKE     Nay, in all confidence, he’s not for Rhodes.

OFFICER

OFFICER     Here is more news.

        Enter a Messenger

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     The Ottomites,³⁸ reverend and gracious,

               Steering with due course toward the isle of Rhodes,

40

40           Have there injointed them⁴⁰ with an after fleet.

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR     Ay, so I thought. How many, as you guess?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Of thirty sail: and now they do restem⁴²

               Their backward course, bearing with frank⁴³ appearance

               Their purposes toward Cyprus. Signior Montano,

45

45           Your trusty and most valiant servitor,⁴⁵

               With his free⁴⁶ duty recommends you thus,

               And prays you to believe him.

        [Exit Messenger]

DUKE

DUKE     ’Tis certain then for Cyprus.

               Marcus Luccicos, is not he in town?

50

50   

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR           He’s now in Florence.

DUKE

DUKE     Write from us to him: post-post-haste,⁵¹ dispatch!

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR     Here comes Brabantio and the valiant Moor.

        Enter Brabantio, Othello, Cassio, Iago, Rodorigo and Officers

DUKE

DUKE     Valiant Othello, we must straight employ you

               Against the general enemy Ottoman.⁵⁴—

55

55           I did not see you: welcome, gentle⁵⁵ signior, To Brabantio

               We lacked your counsel and your help tonight.

BRABANTIO

BRABANTIO     So did I yours. Good your grace, pardon me:

               Neither my place⁵⁸ nor aught I heard of business

               Hath raised me from my bed, nor doth the general care⁵⁹

60

60           Take hold on me, for my particular⁶⁰ grief

               Is of so floodgate⁶¹ and o’erbearing nature

               That it engluts⁶² and swallows other sorrows

               And it is still itself.⁶³

DUKE

DUKE     Why? What’s the matter?

65

65   

BRABANTIO

BRABANTIO           My daughter! O, my daughter!

SENATORS

SENATORS     Dead?

BRABANTIO

BRABANTIO     Ay, to me:

               She is abused,⁶⁸ stol’n from me and corrupted

               By spells and medicines bought of mountebanks;⁶⁹

70

70           For nature so prepost’rously⁷⁰ to err —

               Being not deficient, blind, or lame of sense⁷¹ —

               Sans⁷² witchcraft could not.

DUKE

DUKE     Whoe’er he be that in this foul proceeding⁷³

               Hath thus beguiled⁷⁴ your daughter of herself,

75

75           And you of her, the bloody⁷⁵ book of law

               You shall yourself read in the bitter letter

               After⁷⁷ your own sense: yea, though our proper son

               Stood⁷⁸ in your action.

BRABANTIO

BRABANTIO     Humbly I thank your grace.

80

80           Here is the man: this Moor, whom now it seems

               Your special mandate for the state affairs

               Hath hither brought.

ALL

ALL     We are very sorry for’t.

DUKE

DUKE     What, in your own part, can you say to this? To Othello

85

85   

BRABANTIO

BRABANTIO           Nothing, but⁸⁵ this is so.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Most potent, grave⁸⁶ and reverend signiors,

               My very noble and approved⁸⁷ good masters:

               That I have ta’en away this old man’s daughter,

               It is most true: true I have married her;

90

90           The very head and front⁹⁰ of my offending

               Hath this extent, no more. Rude⁹¹ am I in my speech,

               And little blessed with the soft phrase of peace;

               For since⁹³ these arms of mine had seven years’ pith,

               Till⁹⁴ now some nine moons wasted, they have used

95

95           Their dearest⁹⁵ action in the tented field,

               And little of this great world can I speak

               More than pertains to feats of broils⁹⁷ and battle,

               And therefore little shall I grace my cause

               In speaking for myself. Yet, by your gracious patience,

100

100         I will a round¹⁰⁰ unvarnished tale deliver

               Of my whole course of love: what drugs, what charms,

               What conjuration¹⁰² and what mighty magic —

               For such proceeding I am charged withal¹⁰³ —

               I won his daughter.

105

105 

BRABANTIO

BRABANTIO             A maiden never bold,

               Of spirit so still and quiet that her motion¹⁰⁶

               Blushed at herself: and she, in spite of nature,

               Of years,¹⁰⁸ of country, credit, everything,

               To fall in love with what she feared to look on!

110

110         It is a judgement maimèd and most imperfect

               That will confess perfection so could err

               Against all rules of nature, and must be driven

               To find out practices¹¹³ of cunning hell

               Why this should be. I therefore vouch¹¹⁴ again

115

115         That with some mixtures¹¹⁵ pow’rful o’er the blood,

               Or with some dram,¹¹⁶ conjured to this effect,

               He wrought¹¹⁷ upon her.

DUKE

DUKE     To vouch this is no proof,

               Without more wider and more overt test¹¹⁹

120

120         Than these thin habits¹²⁰ and poor likelihoods

               Of modern seeming¹²¹ do prefer against him.

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR     But, Othello, speak:

               Did you by indirect¹²³ and forcèd courses

               Subdue and poison this young maid’s affections?

125

125         Or came it by request and such fair question¹²⁵

               As soul to soul affordeth?¹²⁶

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     I do beseech you,

               Send for the lady to the Sagittary

               And let her speak of me before her father:

130

130         If you do find me foul in her report,

               The trust, the office¹³¹ I do hold of you

               Not only take away, but let your sentence

               Even fall upon my life.

DUKE

DUKE     Fetch Desdemona hither.

135

135 

OTHELLO

OTHELLO             Ancient, conduct them: you best know the place.— To Iago

        [Exeunt Iago and Attendants]

               And, till she come, as truly as to heaven

               I do confess the vices of my blood,¹³⁷

               So justly¹³⁸ to your grave ears I’ll present

               How I did thrive in this fair lady’s love,

140

140         And she in mine.

DUKE

DUKE     Say it, Othello.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Her father loved me, oft invited me,

               Still¹⁴³ questioned me the story of my life

               From year to year: the battle, sieges, fortune,

145

145         That I have passed.¹⁴⁵

               I ran it through, even from my boyish days

               To th’very moment that he bade me tell it,

               Wherein I spoke of most disastrous¹⁴⁸ chances,

               Of moving¹⁴⁹ accidents by flood and field,

150

150         Of hair-breadth scapes¹⁵⁰ i’th’imminent deadly breach,

               Of being taken by the insolent¹⁵¹ foe

               And sold to slavery, of my redemption thence,

               And portance¹⁵³ in my traveller’s history,

               Wherein of antres¹⁵⁴ vast and deserts idle,

155

155         Rough quarries, rocks, hills whose head touch heaven,

               It was my hint¹⁵⁶ to speak: such was my process.

               And of the cannibals that each other eat,

               The Anthropophagi¹⁵⁸ and men whose heads

               Grew beneath their shoulders: these¹⁵⁹ things to hear

160

160         Would Desdemona seriously¹⁶⁰ incline,

               But still the house-affairs would draw her thence,

               Which ever as she could with haste dispatch,

               She’d come again, and with a greedy ear

               Devour up my discourse: which I observing,

165

165         Took once a pliant¹⁶⁵ hour, and found good means

               To draw from her a prayer of earnest heart

               That I would all my pilgrimage¹⁶⁷ dilate,

               Whereof by parcels¹⁶⁸ she had something heard,

               But not intentively.¹⁶⁹ I did consent,

170

170         And often did beguile her of¹⁷⁰ her tears,

               When I did speak of some distressful stroke¹⁷¹

               That my youth suffered. My story being done,

               She gave me for my pains a world of kisses:¹⁷³

               She swore, ‘In faith ’twas strange, ’twas passing¹⁷⁴ strange,

175

175         ’Twas pitiful, ’twas wondrous pitiful!’

               She wished she had not heard it, yet she wished

               That heaven had made her¹⁷⁷ such a man. She thanked me,

               And bade me, if I had a friend that loved her,

               I should but teach him how to tell my story,

180

180         And that would woo her. Upon this hint¹⁸⁰ I spake:

               She loved me for the dangers I had passed,

               And I loved her that she did pity them.

               This only is the witchcraft I have used.

               Here comes the lady: let her witness¹⁸⁴ it.

        Enter Desdemona, Iago, Attendants

185

185 

DUKE

DUKE             I think this tale would win my daughter too.

               Good Brabantio,

               Take¹⁸⁷ up this mangled matter at the best:

               Men do their broken weapons rather use

               Than their bare hands.

190

190 

BRABANTIO

BRABANTIO             I pray you hear her speak:

               If she confess that she was half the wooer,

               Destruction on my head if my bad¹⁹² blame

               Light on the man!— Come hither, gentle mistress. To Desdemona

               Do you perceive in all this noble company

195

195         Where most you owe obedience?

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     My noble father,

               I do perceive here a divided duty.

               To you I am bound for life and education:¹⁹⁸

               My life and education both do learn¹⁹⁹ me

200

200         How to respect you. You are the lord of duty,

               I am hitherto²⁰¹ your daughter. But here’s my husband,

               And so much duty as my mother showed

               To you, preferring²⁰³ you before her father,

               So much I challenge²⁰⁴ that I may profess

205

205         Due to the Moor my lord.

BRABANTIO

BRABANTIO     God be with you! I have done.

               Please it²⁰⁷ your grace, on to the state affairs.

               I had rather to adopt a child than get²⁰⁸ it.

               Come hither, Moor:

210

210         I here do give thee that with all my heart

               Which but²¹¹ thou hast already, with all my heart

               I would keep from thee.— For your sake,²¹² jewel, To Desdemona

               I am glad at soul I have no other child,

               For thy escape²¹⁴ would teach me tyranny,

215

215         To hang clogs²¹⁵ on them.— I have done, my lord. To the Duke

DUKE

DUKE     Let me speak like yourself,²¹⁶ and lay a sentence

               Which, as a grise²¹⁷ or step, may help these lovers.

               When remedies are past,²¹⁸ the griefs are ended

               By seeing the worst, which late²¹⁹ on hopes depended.

220

220         To mourn a mischief²²⁰ that is past and gone

               Is the next²²¹ way to draw new mischief on.

               What cannot be preserved when fortune takes,²²²

               Patience²²³ her injury a mock’ry makes.

               The robbed that smiles steals something from the thief:

225

225         He robs himself that spends²²⁵ a bootless grief.

BRABANTIO

BRABANTIO     So let the Turk of Cyprus us beguile,²²⁶

               We lose it not, so long as we can smile.

               He²²⁸ bears the sentence well that nothing bears

               But the free comfort which from thence he hears:

230

230         But he bears both the sentence and the sorrow

               That, to²³¹ pay grief, must of poor patience borrow.

               These²³² sentences, to sugar or to gall,

               Being strong on both sides, are equivocal.

               But words are words: I never yet did hear

235

235         That the bruisèd²³⁵ heart was pierced through the ears.

               I humbly beseech you proceed to th’affairs of state.

DUKE

DUKE     The Turk with a most mighty preparation makes for Cyprus. Othello, the fortitude²³⁸ of the place is best known to you, and though we have there a substitute of most allowed sufficiency,²³⁹ yet opinion, a more sovereign mistress of effects, throws²⁴⁰ a more safer voice on you: you must therefore be content to slubber the gloss of your new fortunes with this more stubborn²⁴¹ and boisterous expedition.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     The tyrant custom, most grave senators,

               Hath made the flinty²⁴³ and steel couch of war

               My thrice-driven²⁴⁴ bed of down: I do agnize

245

245         A natural and prompt alacrity²⁴⁵

               I find in hardness,²⁴⁶ and do undertake

               This present wars against the Ottomites.

               Most humbly therefore bending²⁴⁸ to your state,

               I crave fit disposition²⁴⁹ for my wife,

250

250         Due reference²⁵⁰ of place and exhibition,

               With such accommodation²⁵¹ and besort

               As levels with²⁵² her breeding.

DUKE

DUKE     Why, at her fathers.

BRABANTIO

BRABANTIO     I will not have it so.

255

255 

OTHELLO

OTHELLO             Nor I.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Nor would I there reside,

               To put my father in impatient thoughts

               By being in his eye.²⁵⁸ Most gracious duke,

               To my unfolding²⁵⁹ lend your prosperous ear,

260

260         And let me find a charter²⁶⁰ in your voice

               T’assist my simpleness.²⁶¹

DUKE

DUKE     What would you, Desdemona?

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     That I love the Moor to live with him,

               My downright violence²⁶⁴ and storm of fortunes

265

265         May trumpet to the world. My heart’s subdued²⁶⁵

               Even to the very quality²⁶⁶ of my lord.

               I saw Othello’s visage in his mind,

               And to his honours and his valiant parts²⁶⁸

               Did I my soul and fortunes consecrate:²⁶⁹

270

270         So that, dear lords, if I be left behind

               A moth²⁷¹ of peace, and he go to the war,

               The rites²⁷² for why I love him are bereft me,

               And I a heavy interim shall support

               By his dear²⁷⁴ absence. Let me go with him.

275

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Let her have your voice.²⁷⁵

               Vouch²⁷⁶ with me, heaven, I therefore beg it not

               To please the palate of my appetite,

               Nor to comply with heat²⁷⁸ — the young affects

               In my defunct²⁷⁹ and proper satisfaction —

280

280         But to be free²⁸⁰ and bounteous to her mind:

               And heaven²⁸¹ defend your good souls that you think

               I will your serious and great business scant²⁸²

               When she is with me. No, when light-winged toys²⁸³

               Of feathered²⁸⁴ Cupid seel with wanton dullness

285

285         My speculative²⁸⁵ and officed instrument,

               That²⁸⁶ my disports corrupt and taint my business,

               Let housewives make a skillet²⁸⁷ of my helm,

               And all indign²⁸⁸ and base adversities

               Make head²⁸⁹ against my estimation!

290

290 

DUKE

DUKE             Be it as you shall privately determine,

               Either for her stay or going: th’affair cries²⁹¹ haste,

               And speed must answer it.

A SENATOR

A SENATOR     You must away tonight.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     With all my heart.

295

295 

DUKE

DUKE             At nine i’th’morning here we’ll meet again.

               Othello, leave some officer behind,

               And he shall our commission bring to you,

               And such things else of quality and respect²⁹⁸

               As doth import²⁹⁹ you.

300

300 

OTHELLO

OTHELLO             So please your grace, my ancient:

               A man he is of honesty and trust:

               To his conveyance³⁰² I assign my wife,

               With what else needful your good grace shall think

               To be sent after me.

305

305 

DUKE

DUKE             Let it be so.

               Goodnight to everyone.— And, noble signior, To Brabantio

               If virtue no delighted³⁰⁷ beauty lack,

               Your son-in-law is far more fair³⁰⁸ than black.

A SENATOR

A SENATOR     Adieu, brave Moor: use Desdemona well.

310

310 

BRABANTIO

BRABANTIO             Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see:

               She has deceived her father, and may thee.

        Exeunt [Duke, Senators and Officers]

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     My life upon her faith! Honest³¹² Iago,

               My Desdemona must I leave to thee:

               I prithee let thy wife attend on her,

315

315         And bring them after in³¹⁵ the best advantage.

               Come, Desdemona, I have but an hour

               Of love, of worldly matter and direction³¹⁷

               To spend with thee: we must obey the time.³¹⁸

        Exeunt [Othello and Desdemona]

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     Iago—

320

320 

IAGO

IAGO             What say’st thou, noble heart?³²⁰

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     What will I do, think’st thou?

IAGO

IAGO     Why, go to bed and sleep.

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     I will incontinently³²³ drown myself.

IAGO

IAGO     If thou dost, I shall never love thee after. Why, thou silly gentleman?

325

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     It is silliness to live when to live is torment: and then have we a prescription³²⁶ to die when death is our physician.

IAGO

IAGO     O villainous! I have looked upon the world for four times seven years, and since I could distinguish betwixt a benefit and an injury, I never found man that knew how to love himself. Ere³²⁹ I would say I would drown myself for the love of a guinea-hen,³³⁰ I would change my humanity with a baboon.

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     What should I do? I confess it is my shame to be so fond,³³¹ but it is not in my virtue³³² to amend it.

IAGO

IAGO     Virtue? A fig!³³³ ’Tis in ourselves that we are thus or thus. Our bodies are our gardens, to the which our wills are gardeners: so that if we will plant nettles or sow lettuce, set³³⁵ hyssop and weed up thyme, supply it with one gender of herbs or distract³³⁶ it with many, either to have it sterile with idleness or manured with industry, why, the power and corrigible authority³³⁷ of this lies in our wills. If the beam³³⁸ of our lives had not one scale of reason to poise another of sensuality, the blood³³⁹ and baseness of our natures would conduct us to most preposterous conclusions:³⁴⁰ but we have reason to cool our raging motions, our carnal stings, our unbitted³⁴¹ lusts, whereof I take this that you call love to be a sect or scion.

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     It cannot be.

IAGO

IAGO     It is merely a lust of the blood and a permission of the will.³⁴³ Come, be a man. Drown thyself? Drown cats and blind puppies. I have professed me thy friend and I confess me knit³⁴⁵ to thy deserving with cables of perdurable toughness: I could never better stead³⁴⁶ thee than now. Put money in thy purse: follow thou the wars: defeat³⁴⁷ thy favour with an usurped beard: I say, put money in thy purse. It cannot be long that Desdemona should continue her love to the Moor. Put money in thy purse. Nor he his to her: it was a violent commencement in her, and thou shalt see an answerable sequestration.³⁵⁰ Put but money in thy purse. These Moors are changeable in their wills. Fill thy purse with money. The food that to him now is as luscious as locusts³⁵² shall be to him shortly as bitter as coloquintida. She must change for youth:³⁵³ when she is sated with his body, she will find the errors of her choice: therefore put money in thy purse. If thou wilt needs damn thyself, do it a more delicate³⁵⁵ way than drowning. Make all the money thou canst. If sanctimony and a frail vow betwixt an erring³⁵⁶ barbarian and supersubtle Venetian be not too hard for my wits and all the tribe of hell, thou shalt enjoy her. Therefore make money. A pox of³⁵⁸ drowning thyself! It is clean out of the way: seek thou rather to be hanged in³⁵⁹ compassing thy joy than to be drowned and go without her.

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     Wilt thou be fast³⁶⁰ to my hopes if I depend on the issue?

IAGO

IAGO     Thou art³⁶¹ sure of me. Go, make money. I have told thee often, and I re-tell thee again and again, I hate the Moor: my cause is hearted;³⁶² thine hath no less reason. Let us be conjunctive³⁶³ in our revenge against him: if thou canst cuckold him, thou dost thyself a pleasure, me a sport. There are many events in the womb of time which will be delivered. Traverse,³⁶⁵ go, provide thy money. We will have more of this tomorrow. Adieu.

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     Where shall we meet i’th’morning?

IAGO

IAGO     At my lodging.

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     I’ll be with thee betimes.³⁶⁹

IAGO

IAGO     Go to,³⁷⁰ farewell. Do you hear, Rodorigo? As Rodorigo leaves

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     I’ll sell all my land.

        Exit

IAGO

IAGO     Thus do I ever make my fool my purse,

               For I mine own gained knowledge should profane,³⁷³

               If I would time expend with such a snipe³⁷⁴

375

375         But³⁷⁵ for my sport and profit. I hate the Moor:

               And it is thought abroad³⁷⁶ that ’twixt my sheets

               He has done my office:³⁷⁷ I know not if’t be true,

               But I, for mere suspicion in that kind,³⁷⁸

               Will do³⁷⁹ as if for surety. He holds me well,

380

380         The better shall my purpose work on him.

               Cassio’s a proper³⁸¹ man. Let me see now:

               To get his place and to plume up³⁸² my will

               In double knavery. How, how? Let’s see:

               After some time, to abuse Othello’s ears

385

385         That he³⁸⁵ is too familiar with his wife.

               He hath a person³⁸⁶ and a smooth dispose

               To be suspected, framed³⁸⁷ to make women false.

               The Moor is of a free³⁸⁸ and open nature,

               That thinks men honest that but seem to be so,

390

390         And will as tenderly³⁹⁰ be led by th’nose

               As asses are.

               I have’t: it is engend’red:³⁹² hell and night

               Must bring this monstrous³⁹³ birth to the world’s light.

        [Exit]

Act 2 Scene 12.1

running scene 4

        Enter Montano and two Gentlemen

MONTANO

MONTANO     What from the cape¹ can you discern at sea?

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     Nothing at all: it is a high-wrought flood:²

               I cannot, ’twixt the heaven and the main,³

               Descry⁴ a sail.

5

5     

MONTANO

MONTANO         Methinks the wind hath spoke aloud at land:

               A fuller blast ne’er shook our battlements.

               If it hath ruffianed⁷ so upon the sea,

               What ribs⁸ of oak, when mountains melt on them,

               Can hold the mortise?⁹ What shall we hear of this?

10

10   

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN           A segregation¹⁰ of the Turkish fleet:

               For do but stand upon the foaming shore,

               The chidden¹² billow seems to pelt the clouds:

               The wind-shaked surge, with high and monstrous mane,¹³

               Seems to cast water on the burning bear¹⁴

15

15           And quench the guards¹⁵ of th’ever-fixèd pole.

               I never did like molestation¹⁶ view

               On the enchafèd¹⁷ flood.

MONTANO

MONTANO     If that the Turkish fleet

               Be not ensheltered and embayed,¹⁹ they are drowned:

20

20           It is impossible to bear it out.

        Enter a [Third] Gentleman

THIRD GENTLEMAN

THIRD GENTLEMAN     News, lads! Our wars are done:

               The desperate tempest hath so banged the Turks

               That their designment²³ halts. A noble ship of Venice

               Hath seen a grievous wreck and sufferance²⁴

25

25           On most part of their fleet.

MONTANO

MONTANO     How? Is this true?

THIRD GENTLEMAN

THIRD GENTLEMAN     The ship is here put in,

               A Veronesa.²⁸ Michael Cassio,

               Lieutenant to the warlike Moor Othello,

30

30           Is come on shore: the Moor himself at sea,

               And is in³¹ full commission here for Cyprus.

MONTANO

MONTANO     I am glad on’t: ’tis a worthy governor.

THIRD GENTLEMAN

THIRD GENTLEMAN     But this same Cassio, though he speak of comfort

               Touching³⁴ the Turkish loss, yet he looks sadly

35

35           And pray³⁵ the Moor be safe; for they were parted

               With foul and violent tempest.

MONTANO

MONTANO     Pray heavens he be,

               For I have served him, and the man commands

               Like a full³⁹ soldier. Let’s to the seaside, ho!

40

40           As well to see the vessel that’s come in

               As to throw out our eyes for brave Othello,

               Even till we make the⁴² main and th’aerial blue

               An indistinct regard.

THIRD GENTLEMAN

THIRD GENTLEMAN     Come, let’s do so;

45

45           For every minute is expectancy

               Of more arrivancy.⁴⁶

        Enter Cassio

CASSIO

CASSIO     Thanks, you the valiant of the warlike isle,

               That so approve⁴⁸ the Moor. O, let the heavens

               Give him defence against the elements,

50

50           For I have lost him on a dangerous sea.

MONTANO

MONTANO     Is he well shipped?

CASSIO

CASSIO     His bark⁵² is stoutly timbered, and his pilot

               Of⁵³ very expert and approved allowance;

               Therefore my hopes, not⁵⁴ surfeited to death,

55

55           Stand in bold cure.

[VOICES]

[VOICES]     A sail, a sail, a sail!

        Within

CASSIO

CASSIO     What noise?

[VOICES]

[VOICES]     The town is empty: on the brow o’th’sea⁵⁸

               Stand ranks of people, and they cry ‘A sail!’

60

60   

CASSIO

CASSIO           My hopes do shape him for⁶⁰ the governor. A shot is heard

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN     They do discharge their shot of courtesy:⁶¹

               Our friends at least.

CASSIO

CASSIO     I pray you, sir, go forth

               And give us truth who ’tis that is arrived.

65

65   

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN           I shall. Exit

MONTANO

MONTANO     But, good lieutenant, is your general wived?

CASSIO

CASSIO     Most fortunately: he hath achieved⁶⁷ a maid

               That paragons⁶⁸ description and wild fame,

               One that excels the quirks⁶⁹ of blazoning pens,

70

70           And in th’essential⁷⁰ vesture of creation

               Does tire the engineer.⁷¹

        Enter Gentleman

               How now? Who has put in?⁷²

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN     ’Tis one Iago, ancient to the general.

CASSIO

CASSIO     He’s had most favourable and happy speed:⁷⁴

75

75           Tempests themselves, high seas and howling winds,

               The guttered⁷⁶ rocks and congregated sands,

               Traitors ensteeped⁷⁷ to enclog the guiltless keel,

               As⁷⁸ having sense of beauty, do omit

               Their mortal⁷⁹ natures, letting go safely by

80

80           The divine Desdemona.

MONTANO

MONTANO     What is she?

CASSIO

CASSIO     She that I spake of, our great captain’s captain,

               Left in⁸³ the conduct of the bold Iago,

               Whose footing⁸⁴ here anticipates our thoughts

85

85           A sennight’s⁸⁵ speed. Great Jove, Othello guard,

               And swell his sail with thine own powerful breath,

               That he may bless this bay with his tall⁸⁷ ship,

               Make love’s quick⁸⁸ pants in Desdemona’s arms,

               Give renewed fire to our extincted⁸⁹ spirits—

        Enter Desdemona, Iago, Rodorigo and Emilia [with Attendants]

90

90           O, behold,

               The riches of the ship is come on shore! Kneels

               You men of Cyprus, let her have your knees.—

               Hail to thee, lady! And the grace of heaven,

               Before, behind thee, and on every hand

95

95           Enwheel⁹⁵ thee round! Rises

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     I thank you, valiant Cassio.

               What tidings can you tell of my lord?

CASSIO

CASSIO     He is not yet arrived, nor know I aught

               But that he’s well and will be shortly here.

100

100 

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA             O, but I fear. How lost you company?

CASSIO

CASSIO     The great contention of sea and skies

               Parted our fellowship.¹⁰²— But, hark! A sail.

[VOICES]

[VOICES]     A sail, a sail! A shot is heard

        Within

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN     They give this greeting to the citadel:¹⁰⁴

105

105         This likewise is a friend.

CASSIO

CASSIO     See for the news.

        [Exit Gentleman]

               Good ancient, you are welcome.— Welcome, mistress.—

               Let it not gall¹⁰⁸ your patience, good Iago,

               That I extend my manners: ’tis my breeding¹⁰⁹

110

110         That gives me this bold show of courtesy. Kisses Emilia

IAGO

IAGO     Sir, would she give you so much of her lips

               As of her tongue¹¹² she oft bestows on me,

               You would have enough.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Alas, she has no speech.¹¹⁴

115

115 

IAGO

IAGO             In faith, too much:

               I find it still,¹¹⁶ when I have leave to sleep.

               Marry, before¹¹⁷ your ladyship, I grant,

               She puts her tongue a little in her heart

               And chides¹¹⁹ with thinking.

120

120 

EMILIA

EMILIA             You have little cause to say so.

IAGO

IAGO     Come on, come on: you are pictures¹²¹ out of door, bells in your parlours, wild-cats in your kitchens, saints in your injuries, devils being offended, players¹²² in your housewifery,¹²³ and housewives in your beds.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     O, fie upon thee, slanderer!

125

125 

IAGO

IAGO             Nay, it is true, or else I am a Turk:¹²⁵

               You rise to play¹²⁶ and go to bed to work.

EMILIA

EMILIA     You shall not write my praise.

IAGO

IAGO     No, let me not.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     What wouldst write of me, if thou shouldst praise me?

130

130 

IAGO

IAGO             O gentle lady, do not put me to’t,

               For I am nothing if not critical.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Come on assay.¹³² There’s one gone to the harbour?

IAGO

IAGO     Ay, madam.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     I am not merry, but I do beguile¹³⁴

135

135         The thing I am by seeming otherwise.

               Come, how wouldst thou praise me?

IAGO

IAGO     I am about it, but indeed my invention¹³⁷

               Comes from my pate¹³⁸ as birdlime does from frieze,

               It plucks out brains and all. But my muse¹³⁹ labours,

140

140         And thus she is delivered:

               ‘If she be fair¹⁴¹ and wise, fairness and wit,

               The¹⁴² one’s for use, the other useth it.’

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Well praised! How if she be black¹⁴³ and witty?

IAGO

IAGO     ‘If she be black, and thereto¹⁴⁴ have a wit,

145

145         She’ll find a white¹⁴⁵ that shall her blackness fit.’

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Worse and worse.

EMILIA

EMILIA     How if fair and foolish?

IAGO

IAGO     ‘She never yet was foolish that was fair,

               For even her folly¹⁴⁹ helped her to an heir.’

150

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     These are old fond¹⁵⁰ paradoxes to make fools laugh i’th’ale-house. What miserable praise hast thou for her that’s foul¹⁵¹ and foolish?

IAGO

IAGO     ‘There’s none so foul and foolish thereunto,¹⁵²

               But does foul pranks¹⁵³ which fair and wise ones do.’

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     O heavy¹⁵⁴ ignorance! Thou praisest the worst best. But what praise couldst thou bestow on a deserving woman indeed, one¹⁵⁵ that, in the authority of her merit, did justly put on the vouch of very malice itself?

IAGO

IAGO     ‘She that was ever fair and never proud,

               Had tongue¹⁵⁸ at will and yet was never loud,

               Never lacked gold and yet went never gay,¹⁵⁹

160

160         Fled¹⁶⁰ from her wish and yet said “Now I may”,

               She that being ang’red, her revenge being nigh,

               Bade her wrong stay and her displeasure fly,

               She that in wisdom never was so frail

               To change¹⁶⁴ the cod’s head for the salmon’s tail,

165

165         She that could think and ne’er disclose her mind,

               See suitors following and not look behind,

               She was a wight,¹⁶⁷ if ever such wights were—’

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     To do what?

IAGO

IAGO     ‘To suckle¹⁶⁹ fools and chronicle small beer.’

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     O, most lame and impotent conclusion! Do not learn of him, Emilia, though he be thy husband. How say you, Cassio? Is he not a most profane and liberal¹⁷² counsellor?

CASSIO

CASSIO     He speaks home,¹⁷³ madam: you may relish him more in the soldier than in the scholar. Cassio takes Desdemona’s hand and they converse apart

IAGO

IAGO     He takes her by the palm: Aside ay, well said, whisper. With as little a web as this will I ensnare as great a fly as Cassio. Ay, smile upon her, do: I will gyve¹⁷⁶ thee in thine own courtship.¹⁷⁷ You say true, ’tis so, indeed: if such tricks as these strip you out of your lieutenantry, it had been better you had not kissed¹⁷⁸ your three fingers so oft, which now again you are most apt to play the sir¹⁷⁹ in. Very good: well kissed, and excellent courtesy!¹⁸⁰ ’Tis so, indeed. Yet again your fingers to your lips? Would they were clyster-pipes¹⁸¹ for your sake!— Trumpet within The Moor! I know his trumpet.

CASSIO

CASSIO     ’Tis truly so.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Let’s meet him and receive him.

CASSIO

CASSIO     Lo,¹⁸⁴ where he comes!

        Enter Othello and Attendants

185

185 

OTHELLO

OTHELLO             O my fair warrior!

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     My dear Othello!

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     It gives me wonder great as my content

               To see you here before me. O my soul’s joy!

               If after every tempest come such calms,

190

190         May the winds blow till they have wakened death!

               And let the labouring bark¹⁹¹ climb hills of seas

               Olympus-high¹⁹² and duck again as low

               As hell’s from heaven! If it were now to die,¹⁹³

               ’Twere now to be most happy, for I fear

195

195         My soul hath her content so absolute

               That not another comfort like to this

               Succeeds¹⁹⁷ in unknown fate.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     The heavens forbid

               But that our loves and comforts should increase,

200

200         Even as our days do grow!

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Amen to that, sweet powers!

               I cannot speak enough of this content:

               It stops²⁰³ me here: it is too much of joy.

               And this, and this, the greatest discords be Kisses her

205

205         That e’er our hearts shall make!

IAGO

IAGO     O, you are well tuned now! Aside

               But I’ll set down²⁰⁷ the pegs that make this music,

               As honest as I am.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Come, let us to the castle.— To Desdemona

210

210         News, friends: our wars are done, the Turks are drowned.

               How does my old acquaintance of this isle?—

               Honey, you shall be well desired in Cyprus:

               I have found great love amongst them. O my sweet,

               I prattle²¹⁴ out of fashion, and I dote

215

215         In mine own comforts.²¹⁵ I prithee, good Iago,

               Go to the bay and disembark my coffers.²¹⁶

               Bring thou the master²¹⁷ to the citadel:

               He is a good one, and his worthiness

               Does challenge²¹⁹ much respect.— Come, Desdemona,

220

220         Once more, well met at Cyprus.

        Exeunt Othello and Desdemona [with Attendants. Iago and Rodorigo remain]

IAGO

IAGO     Do thou meet me presently at the harbour.— To an Attendant as he exits

       Come hither. To Rodorigo If thou be’st valiant — as they say base²²² men being in love have then a nobility in their natures more than is native to them — list²²³ me: the lieutenant tonight watches²²⁴ on the court of guard. First, I must tell thee this: Desdemona is directly²²⁵ in love with him.

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     With him? Why, ’tis not possible.

IAGO

IAGO     Lay thy finger thus,²²⁷ and let thy soul be instructed. Mark me with what violence she first loved the Moor, but²²⁸ for bragging and telling her fantastical lies. To love him still for prating?²²⁹ Let not thy discreet heart think it. Her eye must be fed: and what delight shall she have to look on the devil? When the blood is made dull²³¹ with the act of sport, there should be a game to inflame it and to give satiety a fresh appetite, loveliness in favour,²³² sympathy in years, manners and beauties, all which the Moor is defective in. Now, for want of these required conveniences,²³³ her delicate tenderness will find itself abused, begin to heave the gorge,²³⁴ disrelish abhor the Moor: very nature will instruct her in it and compel her to some second choice. Now, sir, this granted — as it is a most pregnant²³⁶ and unforced position—who stands so eminent²³⁷ in the degree of this fortune as Cassio does? A knave very voluble,²³⁸ no further conscionable than in putting on the mere form of civil and humane²³⁹ seeming for the better compass of his salt and most hidden loose affection? Why, none, why, none. A slipper²⁴⁰ and subtle knave, a finder of occasion, that has an eye can stamp²⁴¹ and counterfeit advantages, though true advantage never present itself: a devilish knave. Besides, the knave is handsome, young, and hath all those requisites in him that folly²⁴³ and green minds look after. A pestilent complete²⁴⁴ knave, and the woman hath found him already.

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     I cannot believe that in her: she’s full of most blessed condition.²⁴⁵

IAGO

IAGO     Blessed fig’s-end!²⁴⁶ The wine she drinks is made of grapes. If she had been blessed, she would never have loved the Moor. Blessed pudding!²⁴⁷ Didst thou not see her paddle²⁴⁸ with the palm of his hand? Didst not mark that?

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     Yes, that I did, but that was but courtesy.

IAGO

IAGO     Lechery, by this hand: an index²⁵⁰ and obscure prologue to the history of lust and foul thoughts. They met so near with their lips that their breaths embraced together. Villainous thoughts, Rodorigo! When these mutabilities²⁵² so marshal the way, hard²⁵³ at hand comes the master and main exercise, th’incorporate conclusion. Pish! But, sir, be you ruled by me: I have brought you from Venice. Watch you²⁵⁵ tonight: for the command, I’ll lay’t upon you. Cassio knows you not. I’ll not be far from you. Do you find some occasion to anger Cassio, either by speaking too loud, or tainting his discipline,²⁵⁷ or from what other course you please, which the time shall more favourably minister.²⁵⁸

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     Well.

IAGO

IAGO     Sir, he’s rash and very sudden in choler,²⁶⁰ and haply may strike at you: provoke him that he may, for even out of that will I cause these²⁶¹ of Cyprus to mutiny, whose²⁶² qualification shall come into no true taste again but by the displanting²⁶³ of Cassio. So shall you have a shorter journey to your desires by the means I shall then have to prefer²⁶⁴ them, and the impediment most profitably removed, without the which there were no expectation of our prosperity.²⁶⁵

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     I²⁶⁶ will do this, if you can bring it to any opportunity.

IAGO

IAGO     I warrant²⁶⁷ thee. Meet me by and by at the citadel: I must fetch his necessaries ashore. Farewell.

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     Adieu.

        Exit

270

IAGO

IAGO     That Cassio loves her, I do well believe’t:

               That she loves him, ’tis apt²⁷¹ and of great credit.

               The Moor — howbeit²⁷² that I endure him not —

               Is of a constant, loving, noble nature,

               And I dare think he’ll prove to Desdemona

275

275         A most dear²⁷⁵ husband. Now, I do love her too,

               Not out of absolute lust — though peradventure²⁷⁶

               I stand accountant²⁷⁷ for as great a sin —

               But partly led to diet²⁷⁸ my revenge,

               For that²⁷⁹ I do suspect the lusty Moor

280

280         Hath leaped into²⁸⁰ my seat, the thought whereof

               Doth — like a poisonous mineral — gnaw my inwards:

               And nothing can or shall content my soul

               Till I am evened with him, wife for wife,

               Or failing so, yet that I put the Moor

285

285         At least into a jealousy so strong

               That judgement cannot cure. Which thing to do,

               If this poor²⁸⁷ trash of Venice, whom I trace

               For²⁸⁸ his quick hunting, stand the putting on,

               I’ll have our Michael Cassio on the hip,²⁸⁹

290

290         Abuse him to the Moor in the right garb²⁹⁰ —

               For I fear Cassio with my night-cap²⁹¹ too —

               Make the Moor thank me, love me and reward me

               For making him egregiously²⁹³ an ass

               And practising upon²⁹⁴ his peace and quiet

295

295         Even to madness. ’Tis here,²⁹⁵ but yet confused:

               Knavery’s plain face is never seen till used.

        Exit

Act 2 Scene 2*

running scene 5

        Enter Othello’s Herald with a proclamation

HERALD

HERALD     It is Othello’s pleasure, our noble and valiant general, that upon certain tidings now arrived, importing the mere perdition² of the Turkish fleet, every man put himself into triumph:³ some to dance, some to make bonfires, each man to what sport and revels his addition⁴ leads him, for besides these beneficial news, it is the celebration of his nuptial.⁵ So much was his pleasure should be proclaimed. All offices⁶ are open, and there is full liberty of feasting from this present hour of five till the bell have told⁷ eleven. Bless the isle of Cyprus and our noble general Othello!

        Exit

[Act 2 Scene 3*]

running scene 6

        Enter Othello, Desdemona, Cassio and Attendants

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Good Michael, look you to the guard tonight:

               Let’s teach ourselves that honourable stop²

               Not to outsport discretion.³

CASSIO

CASSIO     Iago hath direction what to do,

5

5             But notwithstanding, with my personal eye

               Will I look to’t.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Iago is most honest.

               Michael, goodnight: tomorrow with your earliest⁸

               Let me have speech with you.—

                                                               Come, my dear love, To Desdemona

10

10           The¹⁰ purchase made, the fruits are to ensue:

               That profit’s yet to come ’tween me and you.—

               Goodnight.

        Exeunt [Othello, Desdemona and Attendants]

        Enter Iago

CASSIO

CASSIO     Welcome, Iago: we must to the watch.

IAGO

IAGO     Not this hour, lieutenant: ’tis not yet ten o’th’clock. Our general cast¹⁴ us thus early for the love of his Desdemona, who let us not therefore blame: he hath not yet made wanton¹⁶ the night with her, and she is sport for Jove.

CASSIO

CASSIO     She’s a most exquisite¹⁷ lady.

IAGO

IAGO     And, I’ll warrant her, full of game.¹⁸

CASSIO

CASSIO     Indeed, she’s a most fresh and delicate¹⁹ creature.

IAGO

IAGO     What an eye she has! Methinks it sounds a parley²⁰ to provocation.

CASSIO

CASSIO     An inviting eye, and yet methinks right modest.

IAGO

IAGO     And when she speaks, is it not an alarum²² to love?

CASSIO

CASSIO     She is indeed perfection.

IAGO

IAGO     Well, happiness to their sheets! Come, lieutenant, I have a stoup²⁴ of wine, and here without²⁵ are a brace of Cyprus gallants that would fain have a measure to the health of black Othello.

CASSIO

CASSIO     Not tonight, good Iago: I have very poor and unhappy²⁷ brains for drinking: I could well wish courtesy would invent some other custom of entertainment.

IAGO

IAGO     O, they are our friends. But one cup: I’ll drink for you.

CASSIO

CASSIO     I have drunk but one cup tonight, and that was craftily qualified³⁰ too, and behold what innovation³¹ it makes here: I am infortunate in the infirmity and dare not task my weakness with any more.

IAGO

IAGO     What, man? ’Tis a night of revels: the gallants desire it.

CASSIO

CASSIO     Where are they?

IAGO

IAGO     Here at the door. I pray you call them in.

CASSIO

CASSIO     I’ll do’t, but it dislikes me.³⁶

        Exit

IAGO

IAGO     If I can fasten but one cup upon him,

               With that which he hath drunk tonight already,

               He’ll be as full of quarrel and offence³⁹

40

40           As my⁴⁰ young mistress’ dog. Now, my sick fool Rodorigo,

               Whom love hath turned almost the wrong side out,

               To Desdemona hath tonight caroused⁴²

               Potations pottle-deep;⁴³ and he’s to watch:

               Three else of Cyprus, noble swelling⁴⁴ spirits —

45

45           That⁴⁵ hold their honours in a wary distance,

               The very elements⁴⁶ of this warlike isle —

               Have I tonight flustered⁴⁷ with flowing cups,

               And they watch⁴⁸ too. Now, ’mongst this flock of drunkards

               Am I to put our Cassio in some action⁴⁹

50

50           That may offend the isle.— But here they come:

        Enter Cassio, Montano and Gentlemen Servants following with wine

               If consequence do but approve⁵¹ my dream,

               My boat sails freely, both with wind and stream.⁵²

CASSIO

CASSIO     ’Fore heaven, they have given me a rouse⁵³ already.

MONTANO

MONTANO     Good faith, a little one, not past a pint, as I am a soldier.

55

55   

IAGO

IAGO     Some wine, ho!

                                    And let me the cannikin⁵⁶ clink, clink, Sings

                                    And let me the cannikin clink.

                                    A soldier’s a man,

                                    O, man’s life’s but a span:⁵⁹

60

60                                Why, then, let a soldier drink.

                                    Some wine, boys

CASSIO

CASSIO     ’Fore heaven, an excellent song.

IAGO

IAGO     I learned it in England, where indeed they are most⁶³ potent in potting: your Dane, your German, and your swag-bellied⁶⁴ Hollander— Drink, ho!— are nothing to your English.

CASSIO

CASSIO     Is your Englishman so exquisite in his drinking?

IAGO

IAGO     Why, he drinks you⁶⁷ with facility, your Dane dead drunk: he sweats not to overthrow your Almain:⁶⁸ he gives your Hollander a vomit ere the next pottle can be filled.

CASSIO

CASSIO     To the health of our general!

MONTANO

MONTANO     I am for it, lieutenant, and I’ll do you justice.⁷¹

IAGO

IAGO     O sweet England!

                                    King Stephen⁷³ was and-a worthy peer, Sings

                                    His breeches cost him but a crown:⁷⁴

75

75                                He held⁷⁵ them sixpence all too dear,

                                    With that he called the tailor lown.⁷⁶

                                    He was a wight of high renown,

                                    And thou art but of low degree:

                                    ’Tis pride that pulls the country down:

80

80                                Then take thy auld⁸⁰ cloak about thee.

               Some wine, ho!

CASSIO

CASSIO     Why, this is a more exquisite song than the other.

IAGO

IAGO     Will you hear’t again?

CASSIO

CASSIO     No, for I hold him to be unworthy of his place that does those things. Well, heav’n’s above all, and there be souls must be saved, and there be souls must not be saved.

IAGO

IAGO     It’s true, good lieutenant.

CASSIO

CASSIO     For mine own part — no offence to the general, nor any man of quality⁸⁸ — I hope to be saved.

IAGO

IAGO     And so do I too, lieutenant.

CASSIO

CASSIO     Ay, but, by your leave, not before me: the lieutenant is to be saved before the ancient. Let’s have no more of this: let’s to our affairs. Forgive us our sins! Gentlemen, let’s look to our business. Do not think, gentlemen, I am drunk: this is my ancient, this is my right hand, and this is my left. I am not drunk now: I can stand well enough, and I speak well enough.

GENTLEMEN

GENTLEMEN     Excellent well.

CASSIO

CASSIO     Why, very well then: you must not think then, that I am drunk.

        Exit

MONTANO

MONTANO     To th’platform,⁹⁸ masters. Starts to leave Come, let’s set the watch.

        [Exeunt Gentlemen?]

IAGO

IAGO     You see this fellow that is gone before: To Montano

100

100         He’s a soldier fit to stand by Caesar

               And give direction. And do but see his vice:

               ’Tis to his virtue a just equinox,¹⁰²

               The one as long as th’other. ’Tis pity of¹⁰³ him.

               I fear the trust Othello puts him in

105

105         On some odd time of his infirmity

               Will shake this island.

MONTANO

MONTANO     But is he often thus?

IAGO

IAGO     ’Tis evermore his prologue to his sleep:

               He’ll watch¹⁰⁹ the horologe a double set,

110

110         If drink rock not his cradle.

MONTANO

MONTANO     It were well

               The general were put in mind of it.

               Perhaps he sees it not, or his good nature

               Prizes the virtue that appears in Cassio

115

               And looks not on his evils: is not this true?

        Enter Rodorigo

IAGO

IAGO     How now, Rodorigo? Aside to Rodorigo

               I pray you, after the lieutenant, go.

        [Exit Rodorigo]

MONTANO

MONTANO     And ’tis great pity that the noble Moor

               Should hazard¹¹⁹ such a place as his own second

120

120         With one of an ingraft¹²⁰ infirmity:

               It were an honest action to say so

               To the Moor.

IAGO

IAGO     Not I, for this fair island:

               I do love Cassio well and would do much

125

125         To cure him of this evil.— Cry within

But, hark! What noise?

        Enter Cassio pursuing Rodorigo

CASSIO

CASSIO     You rogue! You rascal!

MONTANO

MONTANO     What’s the matter, lieutenant?

CASSIO

CASSIO     A knave¹²⁸ teach me my duty?

               I’ll beat the knave into a twiggen bottle.¹²⁹

130

130 

RODORIGO

RODORIGO             Beat me?

CASSIO

CASSIO     Dost thou prate, rogue? Strikes Rodorigo

MONTANO

MONTANO     Nay, good lieutenant: Stops him

               I pray you, sir, hold¹³³ your hand.

CASSIO

CASSIO     Let me go, sir,

135

135         Or I’ll knock you o’er the mazzard.¹³⁵

MONTANO

MONTANO     Come, come, you’re drunk.

CASSIO

CASSIO     Drunk? They fight

IAGO

IAGO     Away, I say: go out and cry a mutiny.— Aside to Rodorigo

        [Exit Rodorigo]

               Nay, good lieutenant— Alas, gentlemen—

140

140         Help, ho!— Lieutenant— Sir Montano— Sir—

               Help, masters!¹⁴¹— Here’s a goodly watch indeed! Bell rings

               Who’s that which rings the bell?¹⁴²— Diablo, ho!

               The town will rise.¹⁴³ Fie, fie, lieutenant!

               You’ll be ashamed¹⁴⁴ for ever.

        Enter Othello and Attendants With weapons

145

145 

OTHELLO

OTHELLO             What is the matter here?

MONTANO

MONTANO     I bleed still: I am hurt to th’death. He dies! Attacks Cassio?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Hold, for your lives!

IAGO

IAGO     Hold, ho! Lieutenant— Sir Montano— Gentlemen,

               Have you forgot all sense of place¹⁴⁹ and duty?

150

150         Hold! The general speaks to you. Hold, for shame!

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Why, how now, ho! From whence ariseth this?

               Are we turned Turks,¹⁵² and to ourselves do that

               Which heaven hath forbid the Ottomites?

               For Christian shame, put by this barbarous brawl!

155

155         He that stirs next to carve¹⁵⁵ for his own rage

               Holds his soul light:¹⁵⁶ he dies upon his motion.—

               Silence that dreadful¹⁵⁷ bell: it frights the isle

               From her propriety.¹⁵⁸— What is the matter, masters?

               Honest Iago, that looks dead with grieving,¹⁵⁹

160

160         Speak: who began this? On thy love,¹⁶⁰ I charge thee.

IAGO

IAGO     I do not know. Friends all but now, even now,

               In quarter¹⁶² and in terms like bride and groom

               Devesting them¹⁶³ for bed: and then, but now —

               As if some planet had unwitted men¹⁶⁴ —

165

165         Swords out, and tilting¹⁶⁵ one at other’s breasts

               In opposition bloody. I cannot speak

               Any beginning to this peevish odds,¹⁶⁷

               And would¹⁶⁸ in action glorious I had lost

               Those legs that brought me to a part of it!

170

170 

OTHELLO

OTHELLO             How comes it, Michael, you are thus forgot?¹⁷⁰

CASSIO

CASSIO     I pray you pardon me: I cannot speak.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Worthy Montano, you were wont¹⁷² to be civil:

               The gravity and stillness¹⁷³ of your youth

               The world hath noted, and your name is great

175

175         In mouths of wisest censure.¹⁷⁵ What’s the matter

               That you unlace¹⁷⁶ your reputation thus

               And spend your rich opinion¹⁷⁷ for the name

               Of a night-brawler? Give me answer to it.

MONTANO

MONTANO     Worthy Othello, I am hurt to danger:

180

180         Your officer, Iago, can inform you —

               While I spare speech, which something now offends¹⁸¹ me —

               Of all that I do know, nor know I aught¹⁸²

               By me that’s said or done amiss this night,

               Unless self-charity be sometimes a vice,

185

185         And to defend ourselves it be a sin

               When violence assails us.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Now, by heaven,

               My blood¹⁸⁸ begins my safer guides to rule,

               And passion — having my best judgement collied¹⁸⁹ —

190

190         Assays¹⁹⁰ to lead the way: if I once stir,

               Or do but lift this arm, the best of you

               Shall sink in my rebuke. Give me to know

               How this foul rout¹⁹³ began, who set it on,

               And he that is approved¹⁹⁴ in this offence,

195

195         Though he had twinned¹⁹⁵ with me, both at a birth,

               Shall lose me. What, in a town of war¹⁹⁶

               Yet wild,¹⁹⁷ the people’s hearts brim-full of fear,

               To manage¹⁹⁸ private and domestic quarrel?

               In night, and on¹⁹⁹ the court and guard of safety?

200

200         ’Tis monstrous.²⁰⁰ Iago, who began’t?

MONTANO

MONTANO     If partially²⁰¹ affined, or leagued in office, To Iago

               Thou dost deliver more or less than truth,

               Thou art no soldier.

IAGO

IAGO     Touch²⁰⁴ me not so near:

205

205         I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth

               Than it should do offence to Michael Cassio,

               Yet, I persuade myself, to speak the truth

               Shall nothing wrong him. This it is, general:

               Montano and myself being in speech,

210

210         There comes a fellow crying out for help,

               And Cassio following him with²¹¹ determined sword

               To execute upon him. Sir, this gentleman indicates Montano

               Steps in to Cassio and entreats his pause:²¹³

               Myself the crying fellow did pursue,

215

215         Lest by his clamour — as it so fell out —

               The town might fall in fright: he, swift of foot,

               Outran my purpose, and I returned then rather²¹⁷

               For that I heard the clink and fall of swords

               And Cassio high in oath,²¹⁹ which till tonight

220

220         I ne’er might say before. When I came back —

               For this was brief — I found them close together

               At blow and thrust, even as again they were

               When you yourself did part them.

               More of this matter cannot I report.

225

225         But men are men: the best sometimes forget:²²⁵

               Though Cassio did some little wrong to him,²²⁶

               As men in rage strike those that wish them best,

               Yet surely Cassio, I believe, received

               From him that fled some strange indignity,²²⁹

230

230         Which patience could not pass.²³⁰

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     I know, Iago,

               Thy honesty and love doth mince²³² this matter,

               Making it light to Cassio. Cassio, I love thee,

               But never more be officer of mine.

        Enter Desdemona, attended

235

235         Look, if my gentle love be not raised up.

               I’ll make thee an example.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     What is the matter, dear?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     All’s well, sweeting:²³⁸

               Come away to bed.— Sir, for your hurts, To Montano

240

240         Myself²⁴⁰ will be your surgeon.— Lead him off.

        [Exeunt some with Montano]

               Iago, look with care about the town

               And silence those whom this vile brawl distracted.²⁴²—

               Come, Desdemona: ’tis the soldiers’ life

               To have their balmy²⁴⁴ slumbers waked with strife.

        Exeunt [all but Iago and Cassio]

IAGO

IAGO     What, are you hurt, lieutenant?

CASSIO

CASSIO     Ay, past all surgery.

IAGO

IAGO     Marry, heaven forbid!

CASSIO

CASSIO     Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have lost my reputation! I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial. My reputation, Iago, my reputation!

IAGO

IAGO     As I am an honest man, I had thought you had received some bodily wound; there is more sense²⁵² in that than in reputation. Reputation is an idle and most false imposition:²⁵³ oft got without merit and lost without deserving: you have lost no reputation at all, unless you repute yourself such a loser. What, man, there are more ways to recover²⁵⁵ the general again: you are but now cast in his mood — a punishment more in policy than in malice — even so as one would beat his offenceless dog to affright an imperious lion. Sue to²⁵⁷ him again and he’s yours.

CASSIO

CASSIO     I will rather sue to be despised than to deceive so good a commander with so slight,²⁶⁰ so drunken and so indiscreet an officer. Drunk? And speak parrot? And squabble? Swagger? Swear? And discourse fustian²⁶¹ with one’s own shadow? O thou invisible spirit of wine, if thou hast no name to be known by, let us call thee devil!

IAGO

IAGO     What²⁶⁴ was he that you followed with your sword? What had he done to you?

CASSIO

CASSIO     I know not.

IAGO

IAGO     Is’t possible?

CASSIO

CASSIO     I remember a mass of things, but nothing²⁶⁸ distinctly: a quarrel, but nothing wherefore. O, that men should put an enemy in their mouths to steal away their brains! That we should, with joy, pleasance,²⁷⁰ revel and applause transform ourselves into beasts!

IAGO

IAGO     Why, but you are now well enough: how came you thus recovered?

CASSIO

CASSIO     It hath pleased the devil drunkenness to give place to the devil wrath: one unperfectness shows me another, to make me frankly²⁷⁴ despise myself.

IAGO

IAGO     Come, you are too severe a moraler.²⁷⁵ As the time, the place and the condition of this country stands, I could heartily wish this had not befallen: but since it is as it is, mend it²⁷⁷ for your own good.

CASSIO

CASSIO     I will ask him for my place again: he shall tell me I am a drunkard! Had I as many mouths as Hydra,²⁷⁹ such an answer would stop them all. To be now a sensible man, by and by a fool, and presently a beast! O, strange! Every inordinate²⁸⁰ cup is unblessed, and the ingredient is a devil.

IAGO

IAGO     Come, come, good wine is a good familiar²⁸² creature, if it be well used: exclaim no more against it. And, good lieutenant, I think you think I love you.

CASSIO

CASSIO     I have well approved it,²⁸⁴ sir. I drunk?

IAGO

IAGO     You or any man living may be drunk at a time,²⁸⁵ man. I tell you what you shall do. Our general’s wife is now the general: I may say so in this respect, for that²⁸⁶ he hath devoted and given up himself to the contemplation, mark,²⁸⁷ and denotement of her parts²⁸⁸ and graces: confess yourself freely to her, importune her help to put you in your place again. She is of so free,²⁸⁹ so kind, so apt, so blessed a disposition, she holds it a vice in her goodness not to do more than she is requested. This broken joint between you and her husband entreat her to splinter,²⁹¹ and, my fortunes against any lay²⁹² worth naming, this crack of your love shall grow stronger than it was before.

CASSIO

CASSIO     You advise me well.

IAGO

IAGO     I protest,²⁹⁵ in the sincerity of love and honest kindness.

CASSIO

CASSIO     I think it freely,²⁹⁶ and betimes in the morning I will beseech the virtuous Desdemona to undertake²⁹⁷ for me: I am desperate of my fortunes if they check me.

IAGO

IAGO     You are in the right. Goodnight, lieutenant: I must to the watch.

CASSIO

CASSIO     Goodnight, honest Iago.

        Exit Cassio

300

300 

IAGO

IAGO             And what’s he then that says I play the villain?

               When this advice is free³⁰¹ I give, and honest,

               Probal³⁰² to thinking, and indeed the course

               To win the Moor again? For ’tis most easy

               Th’inclining³⁰⁴ Desdemona to subdue

305

305         In any honest suit: she’s framed as fruitful³⁰⁵

               As the free elements. And then for her

               To win the Moor — were’t to renounce his baptism,

               All seals³⁰⁸ and symbols of redeemèd sin —

               His soul is so enfettered³⁰⁹ to her love

310

310         That she may make, unmake, do what she list,³¹⁰

               Even as her appetite³¹¹ shall play the god

               With his weak function.³¹² How am I then a villain

               To counsel Cassio to this parallel³¹³ course

               Directly to his good? Divinity³¹⁴ of hell!

315

315         When devils will the blackest sins put on,³¹⁵

               They do suggest³¹⁶ at first with heavenly shows,

               As I do now. For whiles this honest fool

               Plies³¹⁸ Desdemona to repair his fortune,

               And she for him pleads strongly to the Moor,

320

320         I’ll pour this pestilence³²⁰ into his ear,

               That she repeals him³²¹ for her body’s lust,

               And by how much she strives to do him good,

               She shall undo her credit³²³ with the Moor.

               So will I turn her virtue into pitch,³²⁴

325

325         And out of her own goodness make the net

               That shall enmesh them all.—

        Enter Rodorigo

How now, Rodorigo?

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     I do follow here in the chase,³²⁷ not like a hound that hunts, but one that fills up the cry. My money is almost spent; I have been tonight exceedingly well cudgelled,³²⁹ and I think the issue will be I shall have so much experience for my pains, and so, with no money at all and a little more wit,³³⁰ return again to Venice.

IAGO

IAGO     How poor are they that have not patience!

               What wound did ever heal but by degrees?

               Thou know’st we work by wit, and not by witchcraft,

               And wit depends on dilatory³³⁴ time.

335

335         Does’t not go well? Cassio hath beaten thee,

               And thou, by that small hurt, hath cashiered³³⁶ Cassio.

               Though other things grow fair against³³⁷ the sun,

               Yet³³⁸ fruits that blossom first will first be ripe.

               Content thyself awhile. In troth,³³⁹ ’tis morning;

340

340         Pleasure and action make the hours seem short.

               Retire thee: go where thou art billeted.

               Away, I say! Thou shalt know more hereafter.

               Nay, get thee gone.

        Exit Rodorigo

               Two things are to be done:

345

345         My wife must move³⁴⁵ for Cassio to her mistress:

               I’ll set her on:

               Myself the while³⁴⁷ to draw the Moor apart

               And bring him jump³⁴⁸ when he may Cassio find

               Soliciting his wife: ay, that’s the way.

350

350         Dull not device³⁵⁰ by coldness and delay.

        Exit

Act 3 Scene 13.1

running scene 7

        Enter Cassio, Musicians, Clown

CASSIO

CASSIO     Masters, play here: I will content your pains:¹

               Something that’s brief, and bid ‘Good morrow, general.’ Music

CLOWN

CLOWN     Why masters, have your instruments been in Naples,³ that they speak i’th’nose⁴ thus?

MUSICIAN

MUSICIAN     How,⁵ sir? How?

CLOWN

CLOWN     Are these, I pray you, wind instruments?

MUSICIAN

MUSICIAN     Ay, marry, are they, sir.

CLOWN

CLOWN     O, thereby hangs a tail.⁸

MUSICIAN

MUSICIAN     Whereby hangs a tale, sir?

CLOWN

CLOWN     Marry, sir, by many a wind instrument¹⁰ that I know. But, masters, here’s money for you: Gives money and the general so likes your music that he desires you, for love’s¹¹ sake, to make no more noise¹² with it.

MUSICIAN

MUSICIAN     Well, sir, we will not.

CLOWN

CLOWN     If you have any music that may not be heard, to’t again: but, as they say, to hear music the general does not greatly care.

MUSICIAN

MUSICIAN     We have none such, sir.

CLOWN

CLOWN     Then put up¹⁷ your pipes in your bag, for I’ll away: go, vanish into air, away!

        Exeunt Musicians

CASSIO

CASSIO     Dost thou hear me, mine honest friend?

CLOWN

CLOWN     No, I hear not your honest friend: I hear you.

CASSIO

CASSIO     Prithee keep²⁰ up thy quillets. There’s a poor piece of gold for thee: Gives money if the gentlewoman²¹ that attends the general be stirring, tell her there’s one Cassio entreats her a little favour of speech: wilt thou do this?

CLOWN

CLOWN     She is stirring, sir: if she will stir hither, I shall seem²³ to notify unto her.

        Exit Clown

        Enter Iago

CASSIO

CASSIO     In happy time,²⁴ Iago.

25

25   

IAGO

IAGO           You have not been a-bed, then?

CASSIO

CASSIO     Why, no: the day had broke

               Before we parted. I have made bold, Iago,

               To send in to your wife: my suit to her

               Is that she will to virtuous Desdemona

30

30           Procure me some access.

IAGO

IAGO     I’ll send her to you presently,³¹

               And I’ll devise a mean³² to draw the Moor

               Out of the way, that your converse and business

               May be more free.

        Exit

35

35   

CASSIO

CASSIO           I humbly thank you for’t.— I never knew

               A Florentine³⁶ more kind and honest.

        Enter Emilia

EMILIA

EMILIA     Good morrow, good Lieutenant: I am sorry

               For your displeasure,³⁸ but all will sure be well.

               The general and his wife are talking of it,

40

40           And she speaks for you stoutly: the Moor replies

               That he you hurt is of great fame⁴¹ in Cyprus

               And great affinity,⁴² and that in wholesome wisdom

               He might not but refuse you: but he protests he loves you

               And needs no other suitor⁴⁴ but his likings

45

45           To bring you in again.

CASSIO

CASSIO     Yet, I beseech you,

               If you think fit, or that it may be done,

               Give me advantage of⁴⁸ some brief discourse

               With Desdemon alone.

50

50   

EMILIA

EMILIA           Pray you come in:

               I will bestow you where you shall have time

               To speak your bosom⁵² freely.

CASSIO

CASSIO     I am much bound to you. [Exeunt]

Act 3 Scene 2

running scene 7 continues

        Enter Othello, Iago and Gentlemen

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     These letters give, Iago, to the pilot, Gives him letters

               And by him do my duties² to the senate:

               That done, I will be walking on the works,³

               Repair⁴ there to me.

5

IAGO

IAGO     Well, my good lord, I’ll do’t.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     This fortification, gentlemen, shall we see’t?

GENTLEMEN

GENTLEMEN     We’ll wait upon your lordship.

        Exeunt

Act 3 scene 3

running scene 7 continues

        Enter Desdemona, Cassio and Emilia

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Be thou assured, good Cassio, I will do

               All my abilities in thy behalf.

EMILIA

EMILIA     Good madam, do: I warrant³ it grieves my husband

               As if the cause were his.

5

5     

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA         O, that’s an honest fellow. Do not doubt, Cassio,

               But I will have my lord and you again

               As friendly as you were.

CASSIO

CASSIO     Bounteous madam,

               Whatever shall become of Michael Cassio,

10

10           He’s never anything but your true servant.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     I know’t: I thank you. You do love my lord:

               You have known him long, and be you well assured

               He shall in strangeness¹³ stand no further off

               Than in a politic¹⁴ distance.

15

CASSIO

CASSIO     Ay, but, lady,

               That policy may either last so long,

               Or feed upon such nice and waterish¹⁷ diet,

               Or breed¹⁸ itself so out of circumstances,

               That I being absent and my place supplied,¹⁹

20

20           My general will forget my love and service.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Do not doubt²¹ that: before Emilia here

               I give thee warrant²² of thy place. Assure thee,

               If I do vow a friendship, I’ll perform it

               To the last article: my lord shall never rest,

25

25           I’ll watch him tame²⁵ and talk him out of patience;

               His bed shall seem a school, his board a shrift:²⁶

               I’ll intermingle everything he does

               With Cassio’s suit. Therefore be merry, Cassio,

               For thy solicitor²⁹ shall rather die

30

30           Than give thy cause away.³⁰

        Enter Othello and Iago

EMILIA

EMILIA     Madam, here comes my lord.

CASSIO

CASSIO     Madam, I’ll take my leave.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Why, stay and hear me speak.

CASSIO

CASSIO     Madam, not now: I am very ill at ease,

35

35           Unfit for mine own purposes.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Well, do your discretion.³⁶

        Exit Cassio

IAGO

IAGO     Ha? I like not that.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     What dost thou say?

IAGO

IAGO     Nothing, my lord; or if — I know not what.

40

40   

OTHELLO

OTHELLO           Was not that Cassio parted from my wife?

IAGO

IAGO     Cassio, my lord? No, sure, I cannot think it,

               That he would steal away so guilty-like,

               Seeing your coming.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     I do believe ’twas he.

45

45   

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA           How now, my lord?

               I have been talking with a suitor⁴⁶ here,

               A man that languishes in your displeasure.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Who is’t you mean?

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Why, your lieutenant, Cassio. Good my lord,

50

50           If I have any grace⁵⁰ or power to move you,

               His present reconciliation take,⁵¹

               For if he be not one that truly loves you,

               That errs in ignorance and not in cunning,⁵³

               I have no judgement in an honest face.

55

55           I prithee call him back.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Went he hence now?

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Ay, sooth;⁵⁷ so humbled

               That he hath left part of his grief with me

               To suffer with him. Good love, call him back.

60

60   

OTHELLO

OTHELLO           Not now, sweet Desdemon: some other time.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     But shall’t be shortly?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     The sooner, sweet, for you.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Shall’t be tonight at supper?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     No, not tonight.

65

65   

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA           Tomorrow dinner,⁶⁵ then?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     I shall not dine at home:

               I meet the captains at the citadel.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Why then, tomorrow night, on Tuesday morn,

               On Tuesday noon, or night; on Wednesday morn:

70

70           I prithee name the time, but let it not

               Exceed three days. In faith, he’s penitent:

               And yet his trespass,⁷² in our common reason —

               Save that they say the wars must make example

               Out of her best⁷⁴ — is not almost a fault

75

75           T’incur a private check.⁷⁵ When shall he come?

               Tell me, Othello: I wonder in my soul

               What you would ask me that I should deny,

               Or stand so mamm’ring⁷⁸ on. What? Michael Cassio,

               That came a-wooing with you, and so many a time —

80

80           When I have spoke of you dispraisingly —

               Hath ta’en your part: to have so much to do

               To bring him in!⁸² Trust me, I could do much—

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Prithee, no more: let him come when he will:

               I will deny thee nothing.

85

85   

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA           Why, this is not a boon:⁸⁵

               ’Tis as I should entreat you wear your gloves,

               Or feed on nourishing dishes, or keep you warm,

               Or sue to you to do a peculiar⁸⁸ profit

               To your own person: nay, when I have a suit

90

90           Wherein I mean to touch⁹⁰ your love indeed,

               It shall be full of poise⁹¹ and difficult weight,

               And fearful to be granted.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     I will deny thee nothing:

               Whereon,⁹⁴ I do beseech thee, grant me this,

95

95           To leave me but a little to myself.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Shall I deny you? No. Farewell, my lord.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Farewell, my Desdemona, I’ll come to thee straight.⁹⁷

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Emilia, come.— Be as your fancies⁹⁸ teach you:

               Whate’er you be, I am obedient. Exeunt

        [Desdemona and Emilia]

100

100 

OTHELLO

OTHELLO             Excellent wretch! Perdition¹⁰⁰ catch my soul,

               But I do love thee! And when I love thee not,

               Chaos is come again.

IAGO

IAGO     My noble lord—

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     What dost thou say, Iago?

105

105 

IAGO

IAGO             Did Michael Cassio, when you wooed my lady,

               Know of your love?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     He did, from first to last: why dost thou ask?

IAGO

IAGO     But for a satisfaction of my thought,

               No further harm.

110

110 

OTHELLO

OTHELLO             Why of thy thought, Iago?

IAGO

IAGO     I did not think he had been acquainted with her.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     O, yes, and went between us very oft.

IAGO

IAGO     Indeed?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Indeed? Ay, indeed. Discern’st thou aught¹¹⁴ in that?

115

115         Is he not honest?

IAGO

IAGO     Honest, my lord?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Honest, ay, honest.

IAGO

IAGO     My lord, for aught I know.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     What dost thou think?

120

120 

IAGO

IAGO             Think, my lord?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     ‘Think, my lord?’ Alas, thou echo’st me,

               As if there were some monster in thy thought

               Too hideous to be shown. Thou dost mean something.

               I heard thee say even now, thou lik’st not that,

125

125         When Cassio left my wife: what didst not like?

               And when I told thee he was of¹²⁶ my counsel

               Of my whole course of wooing, thou cried’st ‘Indeed?’

               And didst contract and purse¹²⁸ thy brow together

               As if thou then hadst shut up in thy brain

130

130         Some horrible conceit:¹³⁰ if thou dost love me,

               Show me thy thought.

IAGO

IAGO     My lord, you know I love you.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     I think thou dost,

               And for¹³⁴ I know thou’rt full of love and honesty,

135

135         And weigh’st thy words before thou giv’st them breath,

               Therefore these stops¹³⁶ of thine fright me the more,

               For such things in a false¹³⁷ disloyal knave

               Are tricks of custom,¹³⁸ but in a man that’s just

               They’re close dilations,¹³⁹ working from the heart

140

140         That passion cannot rule.¹⁴⁰

IAGO

IAGO     For Michael Cassio,

               I dare be sworn I think that he is honest.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     I think so too.

IAGO

IAGO     Men should be what they seem,

145

145         Or those that be not, would they might seem none.¹⁴⁵

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Certain, men should be what they seem.

IAGO

IAGO     Why then, I think Cassio’s an honest man.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Nay, yet there’s more in this!

               I prithee speak to me as to thy thinkings,

150

150         As thou dost ruminate, and give thy worst of thoughts

               The worst of words.

IAGO

IAGO     Good my lord, pardon me:

               Though I am bound to every act of duty,

               I am not bound to that¹⁵⁴ all slaves are free.

155

155         Utter my thoughts? Why, say they are vile and false,

               As where’s that palace whereinto foul things

               Sometimes intrude not? Who has that breast so pure,

               Where no uncleanly¹⁵⁸ apprehensions

               Keep leets¹⁵⁹ and law-days and in sessions sit

160

160         With¹⁶⁰ meditations lawful?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Thou dost conspire against thy friend,¹⁶¹ Iago,

               If thou but think’st him wronged and mak’st his ear

               A stranger to thy thoughts.

IAGO

IAGO     I do beseech you,

165

165         Though I perchance am vicious¹⁶⁵ in my guess —

               As I confess it is my nature’s plague

               To spy into abuses, and oft my jealousy¹⁶⁷

               Shapes faults that are not — that your wisdom,

               From one that so imperfectly conceits,¹⁶⁹

170

170         Would take no notice, nor build yourself a trouble

               Out of his scattering¹⁷¹ and unsure observance.

               It were not for your quiet nor your good,

               Nor for my manhood, honesty and wisdom,

               To let you know my thoughts.

175

175 

OTHELLO

OTHELLO             What dost thou mean?

IAGO

IAGO     Good name in man and woman, dear my lord,

               Is the immediate¹⁷⁷ jewel of their souls.

               Who steals my purse steals trash, ’tis something, nothing;

               ’Twas mine, ’tis his, and has been slave to thousands:

180

180         But he that filches from me my good name

               Robs me of that which not enriches him

               And makes me poor indeed.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     I’ll know thy thoughts.

IAGO

IAGO     You cannot, if¹⁸⁴ my heart were in your hand,

185

185         Nor shall not, whilst ’tis in my custody.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Ha?

IAGO

IAGO     O, beware, my lord, of jealousy:

               It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock¹⁸⁸

               The meat it feeds on. That cuckold¹⁸⁹ lives in bliss

190

190         Who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger:¹⁹⁰

               But, O, what damnèd minutes tells¹⁹¹ he o’er

               Who dotes, yet doubts, suspects, yet soundly loves!

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     O misery!

IAGO

IAGO     Poor and content is rich and rich enough,

195

195         But riches fineless¹⁹⁵ is as poor as winter

               To him that ever fears he shall be poor.

               Good heaven, the souls of all my tribe defend

               From jealousy!

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Why? Why is this?

200

200         Think’st thou I’d make a life of jealousy,

               To follow²⁰¹ still the changes of the moon

               With fresh suspicions? No: to be once in doubt

               Is to be resolved. Exchange me for a goat²⁰³

               When I shall turn the business of my soul

205

205         To such exsufflicate²⁰⁵ and blowed surmises

               Matching thy inference.²⁰⁶ ’Tis not to make me jealous

               To say my wife is fair, feeds well, loves company,

               Is free of speech, sings, plays and dances:

               Where virtue is, these are more virtuous:

210

210         Nor from mine own weak merits²¹⁰ will I draw

               The smallest fear or doubt of her revolt,²¹¹

               For she had eyes, and chose me. No, Iago,

               I’ll see before I doubt; when I doubt, prove;

               And on the proof, there is no more but this:

215

215         Away at once with love or jealousy.

IAGO

IAGO     I am glad of this, for now I shall have reason

               To show the love and duty that I bear you

               With franker spirit: therefore, as I am bound,

               Receive it from me. I speak not yet of proof:

220

220         Look to your wife, observe her well with Cassio,

               Wear your eyes thus, not jealous nor secure.²²¹

               I would not have your free and noble nature,

               Out of self-bounty,²²³ be abused: look to’t.

               I know our country²²⁴ disposition well:

225

225         In Venice they do let heaven see the pranks²²⁵

               They dare not show their husbands: their best conscience

               Is not to leave’t undone,²²⁷ but kept unknown.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Dost thou say so?

IAGO

IAGO     She did deceive her father, marrying you:

230

230         And when she seemed to shake and fear your looks,

               She loved them most.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     And so she did.

IAGO

IAGO     Why, go to²³³ then:

               She that so young could give out such a seeming,

235

235         To seel²³⁵ her father’s eyes up close as oak,

               He thought ’twas witchcraft. But I am much to blame:

               I humbly do beseech you of your pardon

               For too much loving you.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     I am bound²³⁹ to thee for ever.

240

240 

IAGO

IAGO             I see this hath a little dashed your spirits.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Not a jot, not a jot.

IAGO

IAGO     Trust me, I fear it has.

               I hope you will consider what is spoke

               Comes from your love.²⁴⁴ But I do see you’re moved:

245

245         I am to pray you not to strain my speech

               To grosser²⁴⁶ issues nor to larger reach

               Than to suspicion.²⁴⁷

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     I will not.

IAGO

IAGO     Should you do so, my lord,

250

250         My speech should fall into such vile success²⁵⁰

               Which my thoughts aimed not. Cassio’s my worthy friend.

               My lord, I see you’re moved.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     No, not much moved:

               I do not think but Desdemona’s honest.²⁵⁴

255

255 

IAGO

IAGO             Long live she so; and long live you to think so!

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     And yet, how nature erring from itself—

IAGO

IAGO     Ay, there’s the point: as — to be bold with you —

               Not to affect²⁵⁸ many proposèd matches

               Of her own clime,²⁵⁹ complexion and degree,

260

260         Whereto we see in all things nature tends—

               Foh, one may smell in such a will²⁶¹ most rank,

               Foul²⁶² disproportions, thoughts unnatural.

               But pardon me: I do not in position²⁶³

               Distinctly²⁶⁴ speak of her, though I may fear

265

265         Her will, recoiling to her better judgement,

               May fall²⁶⁶ to match you with her country forms

               And happily²⁶⁷ repent.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Farewell, farewell.

               If more thou dost perceive, let me know more:

270

270         Set on thy wife to observe. Leave me, Iago.

IAGO

IAGO     My lord, I take my leave. Starts to leave

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Why did I marry? This honest creature doubtless

               Sees and knows more, much more, than he unfolds.

IAGO

IAGO     My lord, I would I might entreat your honour Returns

275

275         To scan²⁷⁵ this thing no further: leave it to time.

               Although ’tis fit that Cassio have his place,²⁷⁶

               For sure he fills it up with great ability,

               Yet, if you please to put him off awhile,

               You shall by that perceive him and his means.²⁷⁹

280

280         Note, if your lady strain his entertainment²⁸⁰

               With any strong or vehement importunity,

               Much will be seen in that. In the meantime,

               Let me be thought too busy²⁸³ in my fears —

               As worthy cause I have to fear I am —

285

285         And hold her free,²⁸⁵ I do beseech your honour.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Fear not my government.²⁸⁶

IAGO

IAGO     I once more take my leave.

        Exit

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     This fellow’s of exceeding honesty,

               And knows all quantities,²⁸⁹ with a learnèd spirit,

290

290         Of human dealings.²⁹⁰ If I do prove her haggard,

               Though that her jesses²⁹¹ were my dear heartstrings,

               I’d whistle²⁹² her off and let her down the wind

               To prey at fortune.²⁹³ Haply, for I am black

               And have not those soft²⁹⁴ parts of conversation

295

295         That chamberers²⁹⁵ have, or for I am declined

               Into the vale of years — yet that’s not much —

               She’s gone. I am abused,²⁹⁷ and my relief

               Must be to loathe her. O curse of marriage!

               That we can call these delicate²⁹⁹ creatures ours

300

300         And not their appetites! I had rather be a toad

               And live upon the vapour of a dungeon

               Than keep a corner³⁰² in the thing I love

               For others’ uses.³⁰³ Yet, ’tis the plague to great ones,

               Prerogatived³⁰⁴ are they less than the base:

305

305         ’Tis destiny unshunnable, like death:

               Even then this forkèd plague³⁰⁶ is fated to us

               When we do quicken.³⁰⁷ Look where she comes:

        Enter Desdemona and Emilia

               If she be false, heaven mocked³⁰⁸ itself!

               I’ll not believe’t.

310

310 

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA             How now, my dear Othello?

               Your dinner, and the generous³¹¹ islanders

               By you invited, do attend³¹² your presence.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     I am to blame.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Why do you speak so faintly?

315

315         Are you not well?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     I have a pain³¹⁶ upon my forehead here.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Why, that’s with watching.³¹⁷ ’Twill away again:

               Let me but bind it hard, within this hour Offers her handkerchief

               It will be well.

320

320 

OTHELLO

OTHELLO             Your napkin³²⁰ is too little: He pushes away the handkerchief and it drops

               Let it alone. Come, I’ll go in with you.

        Exit

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     I am very sorry that you are not well. Following him

EMILIA

EMILIA     I am glad I have found this napkin: Picks up the handkerchief

               This was her first remembrance³²⁴ from the Moor:

325

325         My wayward husband hath a hundred times

               Wooed³²⁶ me to steal it, but she so loves the token —

               For he conjured her³²⁷ she should ever keep it —

               That she reserves³²⁸ it evermore about her

               To kiss and talk to. I’ll have the work ta’en out,³²⁹

330

330         And give’t Iago: what he will do with it

               Heaven knows, not I:

               I nothing³³² but to please his fantasy.

        Enter Iago

IAGO

IAGO     How now? What do you here alone?

EMILIA

EMILIA     Do not you chide: I have a thing for you.

335

335 

IAGO

IAGO             You have a thing for me? It is a common³³⁵ thing—

EMILIA

     Ha?

IAGO

IAGO     To have a foolish wife.

EMILIA

EMILIA     O, is that all? What will you give me now

               For the same handkerchief?

340

340 

IAGO

IAGO             What handkerchief?

EMILIA

EMILIA     What handkerchief?

               Why, that the Moor first gave to Desdemona,

               That which so often you did bid me steal.

IAGO

IAGO     Hast stol’n it from her?

345

345 

EMILIA

EMILIA             No, but she let it drop by negligence.

               And, to th’advantage,³⁴⁶ I, being here, took’t up.

               Look, here ’tis.

IAGO

IAGO     A good wench: give it me.

EMILIA

EMILIA     What will you do with’t, that you have been

350

350         So earnest to have me filch it?

IAGO

IAGO     Why, what is that to you? Snatches it

EMILIA

EMILIA     If it be not for some purpose of import,

               Give’t me again: poor lady, she’ll run mad

               When she shall lack³⁵⁴ it.

355

355 

IAGO

IAGO             Be³⁵⁵ not acknown on’t: I have use for it.

               Go, leave me.

        Exit Emilia

               I will in Cassio’s lodging loose this napkin

               And let him find it. Trifles light as air

               Are to the jealous confirmations strong

360

360         As proofs of holy writ:³⁶⁰ this may do something.

               The Moor already changes with my poison:

               Dangerous conceits³⁶² are in their natures poisons,

               Which at the first are scarce found to distaste,³⁶³

               But with a little act³⁶⁴ upon the blood,

365

365         Burn like the mines of sulphur. I did say so:

        Enter Othello At a distance

               Look, where he comes! Not poppy,³⁶⁶ nor mandragora,

               Nor all the drowsy syrups of the world

               Shall ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep

               Which thou owed’st³⁶⁹ yesterday.

370

370 

OTHELLO

OTHELLO             Ha, ha, false to me?

IAGO

IAGO     Why how now, general? No more of that.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Avaunt,³⁷² be gone! Thou hast set me on the rack:

               I swear ’tis better to be much abused

               Than but to know’t a little.

375

375 

IAGO

IAGO             How now, my lord?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     What sense had I in her stol’n hours of lust?

               I saw’t not, thought it not, it harmed not me:

               I slept the next night well, fed well, was free³⁷⁸ and merry:

               I found not Cassio’s kisses on her lips.

380

380         He that is robbed, not wanting³⁸⁰ what is stol’n,

               Let him not know’t and he’s not robbed at all.

IAGO

IAGO     I am sorry to hear this.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     I had been happy, if the general camp,

               Pioneers³⁸⁴ and all, had tasted her sweet body,

385

385         So³⁸⁵ I had nothing known. O, now, for ever

               Farewell the tranquil mind; farewell content;

               Farewell the plumèd³⁸⁷ troops and the big wars

               That makes ambition virtue! O, farewell!

               Farewell the neighing steed and the shrill trump,³⁸⁹

390

390         The spirit-stirring drum, th’ear-piercing fife,³⁹⁰

               The royal banner, and all quality,³⁹¹

               Pride,³⁹² pomp and circumstance of glorious war!

               And, O, you mortal engines,³⁹³ whose rude throats

               Th’immortal Jove’s dread clamours³⁹⁴ counterfeit,

395

395         Farewell! Othello’s occupation’s gone.

IAGO

IAGO     Is’t possible, my lord?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Villain, be sure thou prove my love a whore; Grabs him

               Be sure of it: give me the ocular proof,

               Or by the worth of mine eternal soul,

400

400         Thou hadst been better have been born a dog

               Than answer my waked wrath!

IAGO

IAGO     Is’t come to this?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Make me to see’t, or at the least so prove it

               That the probation⁴⁰⁴ bear no hinge nor loop

405

405         To hang a doubt on, or woe upon thy life!

IAGO

IAGO     My noble lord—

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     If thou dost slander her and torture me,

               Never pray more: abandon all remorse,⁴⁰⁸

               On horror’s head horrors accumulate,

410

410         Do deeds to make heaven weep, all earth amazed,⁴¹⁰

               For nothing canst thou to damnation add

               Greater than that.

IAGO

IAGO     O grace! O heaven forgive me!

               Are you a man? Have you a soul? Or sense?

415

415         God b’wi’you,⁴¹⁵ take mine office. O wretched fool,

               That lov’st to make thine honesty a vice!

               O monstrous world! Take note, take note, O world,

               To be direct and honest is not safe.

               I thank you for this profit,⁴¹⁹ and from hence

420

420         I’ll love no friend, sith⁴²⁰ love breeds such offence.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Nay, stay: thou shouldst be⁴²¹ honest.

IAGO

IAGO     I should be⁴²² wise, for honesty’s a fool

               And loses that⁴²³ it works for.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     By the world,

425

425         I think my wife be honest and think she is not:

               I think that thou art just and think thou art not.

               I’ll have some proof. My name, that was as fresh

               As Dian’s⁴²⁸ visage, is now begrimed and black

               As mine own face. If there be cords,⁴²⁹ or knives,

430

430         Poison, or fire, or suffocating streams,

               I’ll not endure it. Would I were satisfied!

IAGO

IAGO     I see you are eaten up with passion:

               I do repent me that I put it to you.

               You would be satisfied?

435

435 

OTHELLO

OTHELLO             Would? Nay, and I will.

IAGO

IAGO     And may: but, how? How satisfied, my lord?

               Would you the supervision⁴³⁷ grossly gape on?

               Behold her topped?⁴³⁸

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Death and damnation! O!

440

440 

IAGO

IAGO             It were a tedious difficulty, I think,

               To bring them to that prospect:⁴⁴¹ damn them then,

               If ever mortal eyes do see them bolster⁴⁴²

               More⁴⁴³ than their own. What then? How then?

               What shall I say? Where’s satisfaction?⁴⁴⁴

445

445         It is impossible you should see this,

               Were they as prime⁴⁴⁶ as goats, as hot as monkeys,

               As salt⁴⁴⁷ as wolves in pride, and fools as gross

               As ignorance made drunk. But yet, I say,

               If imputation⁴⁴⁹ and strong circumstances

450

450         Which lead directly to the door of truth

               Will give you satisfaction, you might have’t.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Give me a living reason she’s disloyal.

IAGO

IAGO     I do not like the office,

               But sith I am entered in this cause so far —

455

455         Pricked⁴⁵⁵ to’t by foolish honesty and love —

               I will go on. I lay⁴⁵⁶ with Cassio lately,

               And being troubled with a raging tooth

               I could not sleep. There are a kind of men

               So loose of soul that in their sleeps will mutter

460

460         Their affairs: one of this kind is Cassio.

               In sleep I heard him say, ‘Sweet Desdemona,

               Let us be wary, let us hide our loves’:

               And then, sir, would he grip and wring my hand,

               Cry ‘O sweet creature!’ then kiss me hard,

465

465         As if he plucked up kisses by the roots

               That grew upon my lips, laid his leg

               O’er my thigh, and sigh,⁴⁶⁷ and kiss, and then

               Cry, ‘Cursèd fate that gave thee to the Moor!’

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     O monstrous! Monstrous!

470

470 

IAGO

IAGO             Nay, this was but his dream.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     But this denoted a foregone conclusion:⁴⁷¹

               ’Tis a shrewd doubt,⁴⁷² though it be but a dream.

IAGO

IAGO     And this may help to thicken other proofs

               That do demonstrate thinly.

475

475 

OTHELLO

OTHELLO             I’ll tear her all to pieces.

IAGO

IAGO     Nay, yet⁴⁷⁶ be wise: yet we see nothing done,

               She may be honest yet. Tell me but this:

               Have you not sometimes seen a handkerchief

               Spotted with strawberries in your wife’s hand?

480

480 

OTHELLO

OTHELLO             I gave her such a one: ’twas my first gift.

IAGO

IAGO     I know not that, but such a handkerchief —

               I am sure it was your wife’s — did I today

               See Cassio wipe his beard with.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     If it be that—

485

485 

IAGO

IAGO             If it be that, or any it was hers,

               It speaks against her with the other proofs.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     O, that the slave⁴⁸⁷ had forty thousand lives:

               One is too poor, too weak for my revenge.

               Now do I see ’tis true. Look here, Iago,

490

490         All my fond⁴⁹⁰ love thus do I blow to heaven.

               ’Tis gone.

               Arise, black vengeance, from thy hollow hell!

               Yield up, O love, thy crown and hearted⁴⁹³ throne

               To tyrannous hate! Swell, bosom, with thy fraught,⁴⁹⁴

495

495         For ’tis of aspics’⁴⁹⁵ tongues!

IAGO

IAGO     Yet be content.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     O, blood, blood, blood!

IAGO

IAGO     Patience, I say: your mind may change.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Never, Iago. Like to the Pontic sea,⁴⁹⁹

500

500         Whose icy current and compulsive⁵⁰⁰ course

               Ne’er feels retiring ebb, but keeps due on

               To the Propontic⁵⁰² and the Hellespont,

               Even so my bloody thoughts with violent pace

               Shall ne’er look back, ne’er ebb to humble love,

505

505         Till that a capable⁵⁰⁵ and wide revenge

               Swallow them up. Now, by yond marble⁵⁰⁶ heaven, Kneels

               In the due reverence of a sacred vow

               I here engage⁵⁰⁸ my words. Attempts to rise

IAGO

IAGO     Do not rise yet. Kneels

510

510         Witness, you ever-burning lights above,

               You elements that clip⁵¹¹ us round about,

               Witness that here Iago doth give up

               The execution⁵¹³ of his wit, hands, heart,

               To wronged Othello’s service! Let him command,

515

515         And to obey shall be in me remorse,⁵¹⁵

               What⁵¹⁶ bloody business ever. They rise

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     I greet thy love,

               Not with vain thanks, but with acceptance bounteous,

               And will upon the instant put thee to’t:⁵¹⁹

520

520         Within these three days let me hear thee say

               That Cassio’s not alive.

IAGO

IAGO     My friend is dead:

               ’Tis done at your request. But let her live.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Damn her, lewd minx!⁵²⁴ O, damn her, damn her!

525

525         Come, go with me apart: I will withdraw

               To furnish me with some swift means of death

               For the fair devil. Now art thou my lieutenant.

IAGO

IAGO     I am your own for ever.

        Exeunt

Act 3 Scene 4*

running scene 8

        Enter Desdemona, Emilia and Clown

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Do you know, sirrah,¹ where Lieutenant Cassio lies?

CLOWN

CLOWN     I dare not say he lies anywhere.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Why, man?

CLOWN

CLOWN     He’s a soldier, and for me to say a soldier lies, ’tis stabbing.⁴

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Go to: where lodges he?

CLOWN

CLOWN     To tell you where he lodges is to tell you where I lie.⁹

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Can anything be made of this?

CLOWN

CLOWN     I know not where he lodges, and for me to devise a lodging and say he lies here or he lies there, were to lie in mine own throat.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Can you inquire him out, and be edified¹⁰ by report?

CLOWN

CLOWN     I will catechize¹¹ the world for him, that is, make questions, and by them answer.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Seek him, bid him come hither: tell him I have moved¹³ my lord on his behalf and hope all will be well.

CLOWN

CLOWN     To do this is within the compass of man’s wit, and therefore I will attempt the doing it.

        Exit Clown

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Where should I lose the handkerchief, Emilia?

EMILIA

EMILIA     I know not, madam.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Believe me, I had rather have lost my purse

20

20           Full of crusadoes:²⁰ and but my noble Moor

               Is true of mind and made of no such baseness

               As jealous creatures are, it were enough

               To put him to ill thinking.

EMILIA

EMILIA     Is he not jealous?

25

25   

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA           Who, he? I think the sun²⁵ where he was born

               Drew all such humours²⁶ from him.

EMILIA

EMILIA     Look where he comes.

        Enter Othello

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     I will not leave him now till Cassio

               Be called to him.— How is’t with you, my lord?

30

30   

OTHELLO

OTHELLO           Well, my good lady.— O, hardness to dissemble!³⁰— Aside

               How do you, Desdemona?

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Well, my good lord.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Give me your hand. This hand is moist, my lady.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     It hath felt no age nor known no sorrow.

35

35   

OTHELLO

OTHELLO           This argues fruitfulness³⁵ and liberal heart: Partially aside?

               Hot, hot, and moist. This hand of yours requires

               A sequester³⁷ from liberty, fasting and prayer,

               Much castigation,³⁸ exercise devout,

               For here’s a young and sweating devil here

40

40           That commonly rebels. ’Tis a good hand,

               A frank⁴¹ one.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     You may, indeed, say so,

               For ’twas that hand that gave away my heart.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     A liberal hand: the⁴⁴ hearts of old gave hands,

45

45           But our new heraldry is hands, not hearts.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     I cannot speak of this. Come now, your promise.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     What promise, chuck?⁴⁷

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     I have sent to bid Cassio come speak with you.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     I have a salt⁴⁹ and sorry rheum offends me:

50

50           Lend me thy handkerchief.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Here, my lord. Offers him a handkerchief

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     That which I gave you.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     I have it not about me.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Not?

55

55   

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA           No, indeed, my lord.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     That’s a fault. That handkerchief

               Did an Egyptian to my mother give:

               She was a charmer, and could almost read

               The thoughts of people: she told her, while she kept it,

60

60           ’Twould make her amiable⁶⁰ and subdue my father

               Entirely to her love, but if she lost it

               Or made a gift of it, my father’s eye

               Should hold her loathèd and his spirits should hunt

               After new fancies:⁶⁴ she, dying, gave it me,

65

65           And bid me, when my fate would have me wived,

               To give it her:⁶⁶ I did so; and take heed on’t,

               Make it a darling like your precious eye:

               To lose’t or give’t away were such perdition

               As nothing else could match.

70

70   

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA           Is’t possible?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     ’Tis true. There’s magic in the web⁷¹ of it:

               A sibyl,⁷² that had numbered in the world

               The sun to course two hundred compasses,⁷³

               In her prophetic fury⁷⁴ sewed the work:

75

75           The worms were hallowed⁷⁵ that did breed the silk,

               And it was dyed in mummy⁷⁶ which the skilful

               Conserved of⁷⁷ maidens’ hearts.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Indeed? Is’t true?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Most veritable: therefore look to’t well.

80

80   

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA           Then would to heaven that I had never seen’t!

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Ha? Wherefore?

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Why do you speak so startingly and rash?⁸²

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Is’t lost? Is’t gone? Speak, is’t out o’th’way?⁸³

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Bless us!

85

85   

OTHELLO

OTHELLO           Say you?

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     It is not lost, but what an if⁸⁶ it were?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     How?⁸⁷

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     I say it is not lost.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Fetch’t, let me see’t.

90

90   

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA           Why, so I can, but I will not now.

               This is a trick to put me from my suit:

               Pray you let Cassio be received again.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Fetch me the handkerchief: my mind misgives.⁹³

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Come, come,

95

95           You’ll never meet a more sufficient⁹⁵ man.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     The handkerchief.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     A man that all his time

               Hath founded his good fortunes on your love,

               Shared dangers with you—

100

100 

OTHELLO

OTHELLO             The handkerchief.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     In sooth,¹⁰¹ you are to blame.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Away!

        Exit Othello

EMILIA

EMILIA     Is not this man jealous?

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     I ne’er saw this before.

105

105         Sure, there’s some wonder¹⁰⁵ in this handkerchief:

               I am most unhappy¹⁰⁶ in the loss of it.

EMILIA

EMILIA     ’Tis not a year or two shows us a man:

               They are all but stomachs, and we all but food:

               They eat us hungerly,¹⁰⁹ and when they are full

110

110         They belch¹¹⁰ us.

        Enter Iago and Cassio

               Look you, Cassio and my husband.

IAGO

IAGO     There is no other way: ’tis she must do’t.

               And, lo, the happiness!¹¹³ Go and importune her.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     How now, good Cassio, what’s the news with you?

115

115 

CASSIO

CASSIO             Madam, my former suit: I do beseech you

               That by your virtuous¹¹⁶ means I may again

               Exist, and be a member of his love

               Whom I with all the office¹¹⁸ of my heart

               Entirely honour. I would not be delayed.

120

120         If my offence be of such mortal¹²⁰ kind

               That nor¹²¹ my service past, nor present sorrows,

               Nor purposed¹²² merit in futurity,

               Can ransom me into his love again,

               But¹²⁴ to know so must be my benefit:

125

125         So shall I clothe me in a forced content,

               And shut¹²⁶ myself up in some other course,

               To fortune’s alms.¹²⁷

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Alas, thrice-gentle Cassio,

               My advocation¹²⁹ is not now in tune;

130

               My lord is not my lord; nor should I know him,

               Were he in favour¹³¹ as in humour altered.

               So help me every spirit sanctified

               As I have spoken for you all my best

               And stood within the blank¹³⁴ of his displeasure

135

135         For my free speech! You must awhile be patient:

               What I can do I will, and more I will

               Than for myself I dare: let that suffice¹³⁷ you.

IAGO

IAGO     Is my lord angry?

EMILIA

EMILIA     He went hence but now,

140

140         And certainly in strange unquietness.

IAGO

IAGO     Can he be angry? I have seen the cannon

               When it hath blown his ranks¹⁴² into the air,

               And like the devil from his very arm

               Puffed his own brother:¹⁴⁴ and is he angry?

145

145         Something of moment¹⁴⁵ then. I will go meet him:

               There’s matter in’t indeed, if he be angry.

        Exit

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     I prithee do so. Something, sure, of state,¹⁴⁷

               Either from Venice, or some unhatched practice¹⁴⁸

               Made demonstrable here in Cyprus to him,

150

150         Hath puddled¹⁵⁰ his clear spirit: and in such cases

               Men’s natures wrangle with inferior things,

               Though great ones are their object. ’Tis even so,

               For let our finger ache, and it indues¹⁵³

               Our other healthful members¹⁵⁴ even to a sense

155

155         Of pain. Nay, we must think men are not gods,

               Nor of them look for such observancy¹⁵⁶

               As fits the bridal. Beshrew¹⁵⁷ me much, Emilia,

               I was — unhandsome¹⁵⁸ warrior as I am —

               Arraigning¹⁵⁹ his unkindness with my soul,

160

160         But now I find I had suborned the witness,¹⁶⁰

               And he’s indicted falsely.

EMILIA

EMILIA     Pray heaven it be state matters, as you think,

               And no conception nor no jealous toy¹⁶³

               Concerning you.

165

165 

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA             Alas the day! I never gave him cause.

EMILIA

EMILIA     But jealous souls will not be answered so;

               They are not ever jealous for the cause,

               But jealous for they’re jealous: it is a monster

               Begot upon¹⁶⁹ itself, born on itself.

170

170 

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA             Heaven keep the monster from Othello’s mind!

EMILIA

EMILIA     Lady, amen.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     I will go seek him.— Cassio, walk hereabout:

               If I do find him fit, I’ll move your suit

               And seek to effect it to my uttermost.

        Exeunt [Desdemona and Emilia]

175

175 

CASSIO

CASSIO             I humbly thank your ladyship.

        Enter Bianca

BIANCA

BIANCA     Save¹⁷⁶ you, friend Cassio!

CASSIO

CASSIO     What make you¹⁷⁷ from home?

               How is’t with you, my most fair Bianca?

               Indeed, sweet love, I was coming to your house.

180

180 

BIANCA

BIANCA             And I was going to your lodging, Cassio.

               What, keep a week away? Seven days and nights?

               Eight score eight¹⁸² hours? And lovers’ absent hours

               More tedious than the dial¹⁸³ eight score times?

               O weary reck’ning!¹⁸⁴

185

185 

CASSIO

CASSIO             Pardon me, Bianca:

               I have this while with leaden thoughts been pressed:

               But I shall, in a more continuate¹⁸⁷ time,

               Strike¹⁸⁸ off this score of absence. Sweet Bianca, Gives her Desdemona’s handkerchief

               Take¹⁸⁹ me this work out.

190

190 

BIANCA

BIANCA             O Cassio, whence came this?

               This is some token from a newer friend:¹⁹¹

               To¹⁹² the felt absence now I feel a cause.

               Is’t come to this? Well, well.

CASSIO

CASSIO     Go to, woman!

195

195         Throw your vile guesses in the devil’s teeth,

               From whence you have them. You are jealous now

               That this is from some mistress, some remembrance;

               No, in good troth, Bianca.

BIANCA

BIANCA     Why, whose is it?

200

200 

CASSIO

CASSIO             I know not, neither: I found it in my chamber.

               I like the work well. Ere it be demanded²⁰¹ —

               As like enough it will — I would have it copied:

               Take it, and do’t, and leave me for this time.

BIANCA

BIANCA     Leave you? Wherefore?

205

205 

CASSIO

CASSIO             I do attend here on the general,

               And think it no addition, nor my wish,

               To have him see me womaned.²⁰⁷

BIANCA

BIANCA     Why, I pray you?

CASSIO

CASSIO     Not that I love you not.

210

210 

BIANCA

BIANCA             But that you do not love me.

               I pray you bring²¹¹ me on the way a little,

               And say if I shall see you soon at night.²¹²

CASSIO

CASSIO     ’Tis but a little way that I can bring you,

               For I attend here: but I’ll see you soon.

215

BIANCA

BIANCA     ’Tis very good: I must be circumstanced.²¹⁵

        Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 1

running scene 8 continues

        Enter Othello and Iago

IAGO

IAGO     Will you think so?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Think so, Iago?

IAGO

IAGO     What, to kiss in private?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     An unauthorized kiss!

5

5     

IAGO

IAGO         Or to be naked with her friend in bed

               An hour or more, not meaning any harm?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Naked in bed, Iago, and not mean harm?

               It is hypocrisy⁸ against the devil:

               They that mean virtuously, and yet do so,

10

10           The devil their virtue tempts, and they tempt heaven.

IAGO

IAGO     If they do nothing, ’tis a venial¹¹ slip:

               But if I give my wife a handkerchief—

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     What then?

IAGO

IAGO     Why, then, ’tis hers, my lord, and being hers,

15

15           She may, I think, bestow’t on any man.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     She is protectress of her honour too:

               May she give that?

IAGO

IAGO     Her honour is an essence that’s not seen:

               They¹⁹ have it very oft that have it not.

20

20           But, for the handkerchief—

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     By heaven, I would most gladly have forgot it.

               Thou said’st — O, it comes o’er my memory

               As doth the raven²³ o’er the infectious house,

               Boding²⁴ to all — he had my handkerchief.

25

25   

IAGO

IAGO           Ay, what of that?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     That’s not so good now.

IAGO

IAGO     What if I had said I had seen him do you wrong?

               Or heard him say — as knaves be such abroad,²⁸

               Who having by their own importunate²⁹ suit,

30

30           Or voluntary dotage³⁰ of some mistress,

               Convincèd³¹ or supplied them, cannot choose

               But they must blab—

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Hath he said anything?

IAGO

IAGO     He hath, my lord, but be you well assured,

35

35           No more than he’ll unswear.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     What hath he said?

IAGO

IAGO     Why, that he did:³⁷ I know not what he did.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     What? What?

IAGO

IAGO     Lie—

40

40   

OTHELLO

OTHELLO           With her?

IAGO

IAGO     With her? On her: what you will.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Lie with her? Lie on⁴² her? We say ‘Lie on her’ when they belie her. Lie with her! That’s fulsome:⁴³ handkerchief — confessions — handkerchief! To confess and be hanged for his labour: first to be hanged and then to confess: I tremble at it. Nature⁴⁵ would not invest herself in such shadowing passion without some instruction. It is not words that shakes me thus. Pish! Noses,⁴⁶ ears and lips. Is’t possible? Confess? Handkerchief? O devil!

        Falls in a trance

IAGO

IAGO     Work on,

               My medicine⁴⁹ works! Thus credulous fools are caught,

50

50           And many worthy and chaste dames even thus,

               All guiltless, meet reproach.⁵¹— What, ho? My lord?

               My lord, I say! Othello!—

        Enter Cassio

How now, Cassio?

CASSIO

CASSIO     What’s the matter?

55

55   

IAGO

IAGO           My lord is fall’n into an epilepsy.

               This is his second fit: he had one yesterday.

CASSIO

CASSIO     Rub him about the temples.

IAGO

IAGO     The lethargy⁵⁸ must have his quiet course:

               If not, he foams at mouth and by and by

60

60           Breaks out to savage madness. Look he stirs:

               Do you withdraw yourself a little while,

               He will recover straight. When he is gone,

               I would on great occasion⁶³ speak with you.

        [Exit Cassio]

               How is it, general? Have you not hurt your head?

65

65   

OTHELLO

OTHELLO           Dost⁶⁵ thou mock me?

IAGO

IAGO     I mock you not, by heaven.

               Would you would bear your fortune like a man!

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     A hornèd man’s a monster and a beast.

IAGO

IAGO     There’s many a beast then in a populous city,

70

70           And many a civil⁷⁰ monster.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Did he confess it?

IAGO

IAGO     Good sir, be a man.

               Think every bearded⁷³ fellow that’s but yoked

               May draw⁷⁴ with you: there’s millions now alive

75

75           That nightly lie in those unproper⁷⁵ beds

               Which they dare swear peculiar:⁷⁶ your case is better.

               O, ’tis the spite of hell, the fiend’s arch-mock,

               To lip⁷⁸ a wanton in a secure couch

               And to suppose her chaste! No, let me know,

80

80           And knowing what I am, I know what she shall be.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     O, thou art wise: ’tis certain.

IAGO

IAGO     Stand you awhile apart,

               Confine yourself but in⁸³ a patient list.

               Whilst you were here o’erwhelmèd with your grief —

85

85           A passion most unsuiting such a man —

               Cassio came hither: I shifted him away,⁸⁶

               And laid⁸⁷ good ’scuses upon your ecstasy,

               Bade him anon⁸⁸ return and here speak with me,

               The which he promised. Do but encave⁸⁹ yourself

90

90           And mark the fleers,⁹⁰ the gibes and notable scorns

               That dwell in every region of his face,

               For I will make him tell the tale anew,

               Where, how, how oft, how long ago and when

               He hath and is again to cope⁹⁴ your wife.

95

95           I say, but mark his gesture. Marry, patience,

               Or I shall say you’re all⁹⁶ in all in spleen,

               And nothing of a man.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Dost thou hear, Iago?

               I will be found most cunning in my patience,

100

100         But — dost thou hear? — most bloody.

IAGO

IAGO     That’s not amiss,

               But yet keep time¹⁰² in all. Will you withdraw? Othello withdraws

               Now will I question Cassio of Bianca,

               A housewife¹⁰⁴ that by selling her desires

105

105         Buys herself bread and cloth: it is a creature

               That dotes on Cassio — as ’tis the strumpet’s¹⁰⁶ plague

               To beguile¹⁰⁷ many and be beguiled by one.

               He, when he hears of her, cannot restrain¹⁰⁸

               From the excess of laughter. Here he comes.

        Enter Cassio

110

110         As he shall smile, Othello shall go mad,

               And his unbookish¹¹¹ jealousy must conster

               Poor Cassio’s smiles, gestures and light¹¹² behaviours

               Quite in the wrong.— How do you, lieutenant?

CASSIO

CASSIO     The worser that you give me the addition¹¹⁴

115

115         Whose want¹¹⁵ even kills me.

IAGO

IAGO     Ply Desdemona well, and you are sure on’t.¹¹⁶ Lowers his voice

               Now, if this suit lay in Bianca’s power,

               How quickly should you speed!¹¹⁸

CASSIO

CASSIO     Alas, poor caitiff!¹¹⁹

120

120 

OTHELLO

OTHELLO             Look how he laughs already! He laughs

IAGO

IAGO     I never knew woman love man so.

CASSIO

CASSIO     Alas, poor rogue, I think, indeed, she loves me.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Now he denies it faintly,¹²³ and laughs it out.

IAGO

IAGO     Do you hear, Cassio?

125

125 

OTHELLO

OTHELLO             Now he importunes him

               To tell it o’er: go to, well said,¹²⁶ well said.

IAGO

IAGO     She gives it out that you shall marry her:

               Do you intend it?

CASSIO

CASSIO     Ha, ha, ha!

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Do ye triumph,¹³⁰ Roman? Do you triumph?

CASSIO

CASSIO     I marry? What? A customer?¹³¹ Prithee bear some charity to my wit: do not think it so unwholesome.¹³² Ha, ha, ha!

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     So, so, so, so: they laugh that wins.

IAGO

IAGO     Why, the cry¹³⁴ goes that you marry her.

CASSIO

CASSIO     Prithee say true.

IAGO

IAGO     I am a very villain else.¹³⁶

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Have you scored me?¹³⁷ Well.

CASSIO

CASSIO     This is the monkey’s own giving out: she is persuaded I will marry her, out of her own love and flattery,¹³⁹ not out of my promise.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Iago beckons me: now he begins the story.

CASSIO

CASSIO     She was here even now: she haunts¹⁴¹ me in every place. I was the other day talking on the sea-bank¹⁴² with certain Venetians, and thither comes the bauble, and falls me¹⁴³ thus about my neck— Embraces him

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Crying, ‘O dear Cassio!’ as it were: his gesture imports¹⁴⁴ it.

CASSIO

CASSIO     So hangs and lolls and weeps upon me, so shakes and pulls me. Ha, ha, ha!

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Now he tells how she plucked¹⁴⁶ him to my chamber. O, I see that nose of yours, but not that dog I shall throw it to.

CASSIO

CASSIO     Well, I must leave her company.

IAGO

IAGO     Before me, look where she comes.

        Enter Bianca

CASSIO

CASSIO     ’Tis such another¹⁵⁰ fitchew! Marry, a perfumed one!— What do you mean by this haunting of me?

BIANCA

BIANCA     Let the devil and his dam¹⁵² haunt you! What did you mean by that same handkerchief you gave me even now? I was a fine fool to take it. I must take out the work? A likely piece of work,¹⁵⁴ that you should find it in your chamber and know not who left it there. This is some minx’s¹⁵⁵ token, and I must take out the work? There, give it your hobby-horse:¹⁵⁶ She gives him the handkerchief wheresoever you had it, I’ll take out no work on’t.

CASSIO

CASSIO     How now, my sweet Bianca? How now? How now?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     By heaven, that should¹⁵⁹ be my handkerchief!

BIANCA

BIANCA     If you’ll come to supper¹⁶⁰ tonight, you may: if you will not, come when you are next prepared for.

        Exit

IAGO

IAGO     After her, after her.

CASSIO

CASSIO     I must: she’ll rail¹⁶³ in the streets else.

IAGO

IAGO     Will you sup there?

CASSIO

CASSIO     Yes, I intend so.

IAGO

IAGO     Well, I may chance to see you, for I would very fain speak with you.

CASSIO

CASSIO     Prithee come. Will you?

IAGO

IAGO     Go to: say no more.

        [Exit Cassio]

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     How shall I murder him, Iago? Comes forward

IAGO

IAGO     Did you perceive how he laughed at his vice?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     O, Iago!

IAGO

IAGO     And did you see the handkerchief?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Was that mine?

IAGO

IAGO     Yours by this hand: and to see how he prizes the foolish¹⁷⁴ woman your wife! She gave it him, and he hath giv’n it his whore.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     I would have him nine years a-killing. A fine woman! A fair woman! A sweet woman!

IAGO

IAGO     Nay, you must forget that.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Ay, let her rot and perish, and be damned tonight, for she shall not live. No, my heart is turned to stone: I strike it, and it hurts my hand. O, the world hath not a sweeter creature: she might lie by an emperor’s side and command him tasks.

IAGO

IAGO     Nay, that’s not your way.¹⁸³

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Hang her! I do but say what she is: so delicate with her needle, an admirable musician. O, she will sing the savageness out of a bear. Of so high and plenteous wit and invention!¹⁸⁶

IAGO

IAGO     She’s the worse for all this.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     O, a thousand, a thousand times! And then, of so¹⁸⁸ gentle a condition!

IAGO

IAGO     Ay, too gentle.¹⁸⁹

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Nay, that’s certain. But yet the pity of it, Iago! O, Iago, the pity of it, Iago!

IAGO

IAGO     If you are so fond over her iniquity, give her patent¹⁹¹ to offend, for if it touch not you, it comes near nobody.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     I will chop her into messes.¹⁹³ Cuckold me?

IAGO

IAGO     O, ’tis foul in her.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     With mine officer?

IAGO

IAGO     That’s fouler.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Get me some poison, Iago, this night: I’ll not expostulate¹⁹⁷ with her, lest her body and beauty unprovide¹⁹⁸ my mind again: this night, Iago.

IAGO

IAGO     Do it not with poison: strangle her in her bed, even the bed she hath contaminated.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Good, good: the justice of it pleases. Very good.

IAGO

IAGO     And for Cassio, let me be his undertaker:²⁰² you shall hear more by midnight.

        Enter Lodovico, Desdemona and Attendants

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Excellent good.

        A trumpet within

               What trumpet is that same?

205

205 

IAGO

IAGO             I warrant something from Venice.

               ’Tis Lodovico: this comes from the duke.

               See, your wife’s with him.

LODOVICO

LODOVICO     Save you, worthy general!

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     With all my heart, sir.

210

210 

LODOVICO

LODOVICO             The duke and the senators of Venice greet you. Gives a letter

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     I kiss the instrument²¹¹ of their pleasures. Opens letter and reads

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     And what’s the news, good cousin²¹² Lodovico?

IAGO

IAGO     I am very glad to see you, signior.

               Welcome to Cyprus.

215

215 

LODOVICO

LODOVICO             I thank you. How does Lieutenant Cassio?

IAGO

IAGO     Lives, sir.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Cousin, there’s fall’n between him and my lord

               An unkind breach:²¹⁸ but you shall make all well.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Are you sure of that?

220

220 

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA             My lord?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     ‘This fail you not to do, as you will—’ Reads

LODOVICO

LODOVICO     He did not call: he’s busy in the paper.

               Is there division ’twixt my lord and Cassio?

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     A most unhappy one: I would do much

225

225         T’atone²²⁵ them, for the love I bear to Cassio.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Fire and brimstone!

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     My lord?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Are you wise?²²⁸

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     What? Is he angry?

230

230 

LODOVICO

LODOVICO             Maybe th’letter moved him,

               For, as I think, they do command him home,

               Deputing Cassio in his government.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Trust me, I am glad on’t.²³³

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Indeed?

235

235 

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA             My lord?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     I am glad to see you mad.²³⁶

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Why, sweet Othello?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Devil! Strikes her

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     I have not deserved this.

240

240 

LODOVICO

LODOVICO             My lord, this would not be believed in Venice,

               Though I should swear I saw’t. ’Tis very much:²⁴¹

               Make her amends, she weeps.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     O devil, devil!

               If that the earth could teem²⁴⁴ with woman’s tears,

245

245         Each drop she falls would prove a crocodile.²⁴⁵—

               Out of my sight!

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     I will not stay to offend you. Starts to leave

LODOVICO

LODOVICO     Truly, an obedient lady:

               I do beseech your lordship, call her back.

250

250 

OTHELLO

OTHELLO             Mistress!

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     My lord? Returns

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     What would you with her, sir?

LODOVICO

LODOVICO     Who, I, my lord?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Ay, you did wish that I would make her turn:

255

255         Sir, she can turn,²⁵⁵ and turn, and yet go on

               And turn again: and she can weep, sir, weep:

               And she’s obedient,²⁵⁷ as you say, obedient:

               Very obedient.— Proceed you in your tears.—

               Concerning this, sir, — O well-painted passion!²⁵⁹ —

260

260         I am commanded home.— Get you away:

               I’ll send for you anon.— Sir, I obey the mandate,

               And will return to Venice.— Hence, avaunt!

        [Exit Desdemona]

               Cassio shall have my place.²⁶³ And, sir, tonight

               I do entreat that we may sup together:

265

265         You are welcome, sir, to Cyprus.— Goats and monkeys!²⁶⁵

        Exit

LODOVICO

LODOVICO     Is this the noble Moor whom our full²⁶⁶ senate

               Call all²⁶⁷ in all sufficient? Is this the nature

               Whom passion could not shake? Whose solid virtue

               The shot of accident nor dart of chance

270

270         Could neither graze nor pierce?

IAGO

IAGO     He is much changed.

LODOVICO

LODOVICO     Are his wits safe? Is he not light of brain?

IAGO

IAGO     He’s that he is: I may not breathe my censure²⁷³

               What he might be: if²⁷⁴ what he might he is not,

275

275         I would to heaven he were!

LODOVICO

LODOVICO     What, strike his wife?

IAGO

IAGO     Faith, that was not so well,²⁷⁷ yet would I knew

               That stroke would prove the worst!

LODOVICO

LODOVICO     Is it his use?²⁷⁹

280

280         Or did the letters work upon his blood

               And new-create his fault?

IAGO

IAGO     Alas, alas!

               It is not honesty in me to speak

               What I have seen and known. You shall observe him,

285

285         And his own courses will denote²⁸⁵ him so

               That I may save my speech: do but go after,

               And mark how he continues.

LODOVICO

LODOVICO     I am sorry that I am deceived in him.

        Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 2*

running scene 9

        Enter Othello and Emilia

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     You have seen nothing then?

EMILIA

EMILIA     Nor ever heard, nor ever did suspect.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Yes, you have seen Cassio and she together.

EMILIA

EMILIA     But then I saw no harm, and then I heard

5

5             Each syllable that breath made up between them.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     What, did they never whisper?

EMILIA

EMILIA     Never, my lord.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Nor send you out o’th’way?

EMILIA

EMILIA     Never.

10

10   

OTHELLO

OTHELLO           To fetch her fan, her gloves, her mask, nor nothing?

EMILIA

EMILIA     Never, my lord.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     That’s strange.

EMILIA

EMILIA     I durst,¹³ my lord, to wager she is honest,

               Lay down my soul at stake:¹⁴ if you think other,

15

15           Remove your thought, it doth abuse your bosom:

               If any wretch have put this in your head,

               Let heaven requite it with the serpent’s curse!¹⁷

               For if she be not honest, chaste and true,

               There’s no man happy: the purest of their wives

20

20           Is foul as slander.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Bid her come hither: go.

        Exit Emilia

               She says enough, yet she’s a simple bawd²²

               That cannot say as much. This²³ is a subtle whore,

               A closet²⁴ lock and key of villainous secrets:

25

25           And yet she’ll kneel and pray, I have seen her do’t.

        Enter Desdemona and Emilia

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     My lord, what is your will?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Pray you, chuck, come hither.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     What is your pleasure?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Let me see your eyes: look in my face.

30

30   

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA           What horrible fancy’s this?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Some³¹ of your function, mistress: To Emilia

               Leave procreants³² alone and shut the door:

               Cough or cry ‘Hem’ if anybody come.

               Your mystery,³⁴ your mystery: nay, dispatch.

        Exit Emilia

35

35   

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA           Upon my knee, what doth your speech import? Kneels

               I understand a fury in your words.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Why, what art thou?

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Your wife, my lord, your true and loyal wife.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Come, swear it, damn thyself

40

40           Lest, being⁴⁰ like one of heaven, the devils themselves

               Should fear to seize thee: therefore be double damned:

               Swear thou art honest.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Heaven doth truly know it.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Heaven truly knows that thou art false as hell.

45

45   

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA           To whom, my lord? With whom? How am I false?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Ah Desdemon! Away, away, away! Weeps

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Alas the heavy⁴⁷ day! Why do you weep?

               Am I the motive of these tears, my lord?

               If haply⁴⁹ you my father do suspect

50

50           An instrument of this your calling back,

               Lay not your blame on me: if you have lost him,

               I have lost him too.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Had it pleased heaven

               To try me with affliction, had they rained

55

55           All kind of sores⁵⁵ and shames on my bare head,

               Steeped⁵⁶ me in poverty to the very lips,

               Given to captivity me and my utmost hopes,

               I should have found in some place of my soul

               A drop of patience: but, alas, to make me

60

60           The fixèd figure⁶⁰ for the time of scorn

               To point his slow and moving finger⁶¹ at!

               Yet could I bear that too, well, very well,

               But there where I have garnered⁶³ up my heart,

               Where either I must live, or bear no life,

65

65           The fountain⁶⁵ from the which my current runs

               Or else dries up: to be discarded thence!

               Or keep it as a cistern⁶⁷ for foul toads

               To knot and gender⁶⁸ in! Turn thy complexion there,

               Patience, thou young and rose-lipped cherubin:⁶⁹

70

70           Ay, here look grim⁷⁰ as hell!

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     I hope my noble lord esteems me honest.⁷¹

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     O, ay, as summer flies are in the shambles,⁷²

               That quicken⁷³ even with blowing. O, thou weed,

               Who art so lovely fair and smell’st so sweet

75

75           That the sense aches at thee, would thou hadst never been born!

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Alas, what ignorant⁷⁶ sin have I committed?⁷⁸

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Was this fair paper, this most goodly book,

               Made to write ‘whore’ upon? What committed?

               Committed? O, thou public commoner,⁷⁹

80

80           I should make very forges of my cheeks,

               That would to cinders burn up modesty,

               Did I but speak thy deeds. What committed?

               Heaven stops⁸³ the nose at it and the moon winks,

               The bawdy wind that kisses all it meets

85

85           Is hushed within the hollow mine⁸⁵ of earth

               And will not hear’t. What committed?

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     By heaven, you do me wrong.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Are not you a strumpet?⁸⁸

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     No, as I am a Christian:

90

90           If to preserve this vessel⁹⁰ for my lord

               From any other foul unlawful touch

               Be not to be a strumpet, I am none.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     What, not a whore?

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     No, as I shall be saved.

95

95   

OTHELLO

OTHELLO           Is’t possible?

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     O, heaven forgive us!

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     I cry you mercy,⁹⁷ then:

               I took you for that cunning whore of Venice

               That married with Othello.— You, mistress, Calls

        Enter Emilia

100

100         That have the office opposite¹⁰⁰ to Saint Peter

               And keeps the gate of hell!¹⁰¹ You, you, ay, you!

               We have done our course:¹⁰² there’s money for your pains.

               I pray you turn the key and keep our counsel.¹⁰³ Gives money

        Exit

EMILIA

EMILIA     Alas, what does this gentleman conceive?¹⁰⁴

105

105         How do you, madam? How do you, my good lady?

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Faith, half asleep.¹⁰⁶

EMILIA

EMILIA     Good madam, what’s the matter with my lord?

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     With who?

EMILIA

EMILIA     Why, with my lord, madam.

110

110 

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA             Who is thy lord?

EMILIA

EMILIA     He that is yours, sweet lady.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     I have none. Do not talk to me, Emilia:

               I cannot weep, nor answers have I none

               But what should go by water.¹¹⁴ Prithee, tonight

115

115         Lay on my bed my wedding sheets: remember,

               And call thy husband hither.

EMILIA

EMILIA     Here’s a change indeed!

        Exit

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     ’Tis meet¹¹⁸ I should be used so, very meet.

               How¹¹⁹ have I been behaved, that he might stick

120

120         The small’st opinion on my least misuse?

        Enter Iago and Emilia

IAGO

IAGO     What is your pleasure, madam?

               How is’t with you?

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     I cannot tell. Those that do teach young babes

               Do it with gentle means and easy tasks:

125

125         He might have chid me so, for, in good faith,

               I am a¹²⁶ child to chiding.

IAGO

IAGO     What’s the matter, lady?

EMILIA

EMILIA     Alas, Iago, my lord hath so bewhored her,¹²⁸

               Thrown such despite¹²⁹ and heavy terms upon her,

130

130         That true hearts cannot bear it.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Am I that name, Iago?

IAGO

IAGO     What name, fair lady?

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Such as she said my lord did say I was.

EMILIA

EMILIA     He called her whore: a beggar in his drink

135

135         Could not have laid such terms upon his callet.¹³⁵

IAGO

IAGO     Why did he so?

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     I do not know: I am sure I am none such. Weeps

IAGO

IAGO     Do not weep, do not weep. Alas the day!

EMILIA

EMILIA     Hath she forsook¹³⁹ so many noble matches?

140

140         Her father? And her country? And her friends?

               To be called whore? Would it not make one weep?

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     It is my wretched fortune.

IAGO

IAGO     Beshrew¹⁴³ him for’t!

               How comes this trick¹⁴⁴ upon him?

145

145 

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA             Nay, heaven doth know.

EMILIA

EMILIA     I will be hanged if some eternal villain,

               Some busy and insinuating rogue,

               Some cogging,¹⁴⁸ cozening slave, to get some office,

               Have not devised this slander: I will be hanged else.

150

150 

IAGO

IAGO             Fie, there is no such man: it is impossible.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     If any such there be, heaven pardon him!

EMILIA

EMILIA     A halter¹⁵² pardon him! And hell gnaw his bones!

               Why should he call her whore? Who keeps her company?

               What place? What time? What form?¹⁵⁴ What likelihood?

155

155         The Moor’s abused by some most villainous knave,

               Some base notorious knave, some scurvy¹⁵⁶ fellow.

               O heavens, that such companions¹⁵⁷ thou’dst unfold,

               And put in every honest hand a whip

               To lash the rascals naked through the world

160

160         Even from the east to th’west!

IAGO

IAGO     Speak within door.¹⁶¹

EMILIA

EMILIA     O, fie upon them! Some such squire¹⁶² he was

               That turned your wit the¹⁶³ seamy side without

               And made you to suspect me with the Moor.

165

165 

IAGO

IAGO             You are a fool: go to.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Alas, Iago,

               What shall I do to win my lord again?

               Good friend, go to him, for, by this light of heaven,

               I know not how I lost him. Here I kneel:

        Kneels

170

170         If e’er my will did trespass gainst his love,

               Either in discourse¹⁷¹ of thought or actual deed,

               Or that¹⁷² mine eyes, mine ears, or any sense

               Delighted them, or any other form,

               Or that I do not yet,¹⁷⁴ and ever did,

175

175         And ever will — though he do shake me off

               To beggarly divorcement — love him dearly,

               Comfort forswear¹⁷⁷ me! Unkindness may do much,

               And his unkindness may defeat my life,

               But never taint my love. I cannot say ‘whore’:

180

180         It does abhor¹⁸⁰ me now I speak the word:

               To do the act that might the addition¹⁸¹ earn

               Not the world’s mass of vanity¹⁸² could make me.

IAGO

IAGO     I pray you be content: ’tis but his humour.¹⁸³

               The business of the state does him offence.

185

185 

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA             If ’twere no other—

IAGO

IAGO     It is but so, I warrant. Trumpets within

               Hark, how these instruments summon to supper!

               The messengers of Venice stays¹⁸⁸ the meat:

               Go in, and weep not: all things shall be well.

        Exeunt Desdemona and Emilia

        Enter Rodorigo

                  How now, Rodorigo?

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     I do not find that thou deal’st justly with me.

IAGO

IAGO     What in the contrary?

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     Every day thou daff’st me¹⁹³ with some device, Iago, and rather, as it seemsto me now, keep’st from me all conveniency¹⁹⁴ than suppliest me with the leastadvantage of hope. I will indeed no longer endure it, nor am I yet persuaded toput up¹⁹⁶ in peace what already I have foolishly suffered.

IAGO

IAGO     Will you hear me, Rodorigo?

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     I have heard too much, and your words and performances are no kin together.

IAGO

IAGO     You charge me most unjustly.

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     With naught but truth: I have wasted myself out of my means. The jewels you have had from me to deliver Desdemona would half have corrupted a votarist:²⁰³ you have told me she hath received them and returned me expectations and comforts²⁰⁴ of sudden respect and acquaintance, but I find none.

IAGO

IAGO     Well, go to,²⁰⁶ very well.

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     Very well’! ‘Go to’! I cannot go to, man, nor ’tis not very well: nay, I think it is scurvy, and begin to find myself fopped²⁰⁷ in it.

IAGO

IAGO     Very well.

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     I tell you ’tis not very well. I will make myself known to Desdemona: if she will return me my jewels, I will give over my suit and repent my unlawful solicitation: if not, assure yourself I will seek satisfaction²¹¹ of you.

IAGO

IAGO     You have said²¹² now.

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     Ay, and said nothing but what I protest intendment²¹³ of doing.

IAGO

IAGO     Why, now I see there’s mettle²¹⁴ in thee, and even from this instant do build on thee a better opinion than ever before. Give me thy hand, Rodorigo: thou hast taken against me a most just exception,²¹⁶ but yet I protest I have dealt most directly in thy affair.

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     It hath not appeared.

IAGO

IAGO     I grant indeed it hath not appeared, and your suspicion is not without wit and judgement. But, Rodorigo, if thou hast that in thee indeed which I have greater reason to believe now than ever — I mean purpose, courage and valour — this night show it: if thou the next night following enjoy not Desdemona, take me from this world with treachery and devise engines²²³ for my life.

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     Well, what is it? Is it within reason and compass?²²⁴

IAGO

IAGO     Sir, there is especial commission come from Venice to depute Cassio in Othello’s place.

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     Is that true? Why then Othello and Desdemona return again to Venice.

IAGO

IAGO     O, no. He goes into Mauritania²²⁸ and taketh away with him the fair Desdemona, unless his abode be lingered²²⁹ here by some accident, wherein none can be so determinate²³⁰ as the removing of Cassio.

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     How do you mean, removing him?

IAGO

IAGO     Why, by making him uncapable of Othello’s place: knocking out his brains.

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     And that you would have me to do?

IAGO

IAGO     Ay, if you dare do yourself a profit and a right. He sups tonight with a harlotry,²³⁵ and thither will I go to him. He knows not yet of his honourable fortune: if you will watch his going thence — which I will fashion²³⁶ to fall out between twelve and one — you may take him at your pleasure. I will be near to second²³⁷ your attempt, and he shall fall between us. Come, stand not amazed²³⁸ at it, but go along with me: I will show you such a necessity in his death that you shall think yourself bound to put it on him. It is now high²⁴⁰ suppertime, and the night grows to waste: about it.

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     I will hear further reason for this.

IAGO

IAGO     And you shall be satisfied.

        Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 3

running scene 9 continues

        Enter Othello, Lodovico, Desdemona, Emilia and Attendants

LODOVICO

LODOVICO     I do beseech you, sir, trouble yourself no further.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     O, pardon me: ’twill do me good to walk.

LODOVICO

LODOVICO     Madam, goodnight. I humbly thank your ladyship.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Your honour is most welcome.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Will you walk, sir?— O, Desdemona!

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     My lord?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Get you to bed on th’instant, I will be returned forthwith. Dismiss your attendant there: look’t be done.

        Exeunt [Othello, Lodovico and Attendants]

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     I will, my lord.

10

10   

EMILIA

EMILIA           How goes it now? He looks gentler than he did.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     He says he will return incontinent,¹¹

               And hath commanded me to go to bed,

               And bid me to dismiss you.

EMILIA

EMILIA     Dismiss me?

15

15   

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA           It was his bidding: therefore, good Emilia,

               Give me my nightly wearing,¹⁶ and adieu.

               We must not now displease him.

EMILIA

EMILIA     I would you had never seen him.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     So would not I: my love doth so approve¹⁹ him

20

20           That even his stubbornness,²⁰ his checks, his frowns —

               Prithee unpin me²¹ — have grace and favour.

EMILIA

EMILIA     I have laid those sheets you bade me on the bed.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     All’s one.²³— Good father, how foolish are our minds!—

               If I do die before, prithee²⁴ shroud me

25

25           In one of these same sheets.

EMILIA

EMILIA     Come, come, you talk.²⁶

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     My mother had a maid called Barbary:²⁷

               She was in love, and he she loved proved mad²⁸

               And did forsake her. She had a song of ‘willow²⁹’,

30

30           An old thing ’twas, but it expressed her fortune,

               And she died singing it: that song tonight

               Will not go from my mind: I³² have much to do

               But to go hang my head all at one side

               And sing it like poor Barbary. Prithee dispatch.

35

35   

EMILIA

EMILIA           Shall I go fetch your nightgown?

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     No, unpin me here.

               This Lodovico is a proper³⁷ man.

EMILIA

EMILIA     A very handsome man.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     He speaks well.

40

40   

EMILIA

EMILIA           I know a lady in Venice would have walked barefoot to Palestine for a

               touch of his nether⁴¹ lip.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     The poor soul sat singing by a sycamore⁴² tree, Sings

                                    Sing all a green willow:

                                    Her hand on her bosom, her head on her knee,

45

                                    Sing willow, willow, willow.

                                    The fresh streams ran by her, and murmured her moans,

                                    Sing willow, willow, willow:

                                    Her salt tears fell from her, and softened the stones,

                                    Sing willow—

50

50           Lay by these⁵⁰— To Emilia

                                    Willow, willow— Sings

               Prithee, hie thee:⁵² he’ll come anon—

                                    Sing all a green willow must be my garland. Sings

                                    Let nobody blame him, his scorn I approve—

55

55           Nay, that’s not next.— Hark, who is’t that knocks?

EMILIA

EMILIA     It’s the wind.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     I called my love false love, but what said he then? Sings

                                    Sing willow, willow, willow:

                                    If I court more women, you’ll couch⁵⁹ with more men!—

60

60           So, get thee gone, goodnight. Mine eyes do itch:

               Doth that bode⁶¹ weeping?

EMILIA

EMILIA     ’Tis neither here nor there.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     I have heard it said so. O, these men, these men!

               Dost thou in conscience think — tell me, Emilia —

65

65           That there be women do abuse⁶⁵ their husbands

               In such gross kind?⁶⁶

EMILIA

EMILIA     There be some such, no question.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Wouldst thou do such a deed for all the world?

EMILIA

EMILIA     Why, would not you?

70

70   

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA           No, by this heavenly light!

EMILIA

EMILIA     Nor I neither by this heavenly light:

               I might do’t as well i’th’dark.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Wouldst thou do such a deed for all the world?

EMILIA

EMILIA     The world’s a huge thing: it is a great price⁷⁴

75

75           For a small vice.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     In troth, I think thou wouldst not.

EMILIA

EMILIA     In troth, I think I should, and undo’t when I had done. Marry, I would not do such a thing for a joint-ring,⁷⁸ nor for measures of lawn, nor for gowns, petticoats, nor caps, nor any petty exhibition:⁷⁹ but for all the whole world, why, who would not make her husband a cuckold to make him a monarch? I should venture⁸¹ purgatory for’t.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Beshrew me, if I would do such a wrong

               For the whole world.

EMILIA

EMILIA     Why, the wrong is but a wrong i’th’world, and having the world for your labour, ’tis a wrong in your own world, and you might quickly make it right.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     I do not think there is any such woman.

EMILIA

EMILIA     Yes, a dozen, and as many to th’vantage⁸⁷ as

               Would store⁸⁸ the world they played for.

               But I do think it is their husbands’ faults

90

90           If wives do fall.⁹⁰ Say that they slack their duties

               And pour our⁹¹ treasures into foreign laps,

               Or else break out in peevish⁹² jealousies,

               Throwing restraint upon us, or say they strike us,

               Or scant⁹⁴ our former having in despite:

95

95           Why, we have galls,⁹⁵ and though we have some grace,

               Yet have we some revenge.⁹⁶ Let husbands know

               Their wives have sense like them: they see and smell

               And have their palates both for sweet and sour,

               As husbands have. What is it that they do

100

100         When they change¹⁰⁰ us for others? Is it sport?

               I think it is. And doth affection¹⁰¹ breed it?

               I think it doth. Is’t frailty that thus errs?

               It is so too. And have not we affections?

               Desires for sport? And frailty, as men have?

105

105         Then let them use¹⁰⁵ us well: else let them know,

               The ills we do, their ills instruct us so.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Goodnight, goodnight: heaven me such uses¹⁰⁷ send

               Not¹⁰⁸ to pick bad from bad, but by bad mend!

        Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 15.1

running scene 10

        Enter Iago and Rodorigo

IAGO

IAGO     Here, stand behind this bulk:¹ straight will he come.

               Wear thy good rapier bare,² and put it home.

               Quick, quick, fear nothing; I’ll be at thy elbow.

               It makes us or it mars⁴ us: think on that,

5

5             And fix most firm thy resolution.

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     Be near at hand: I may miscarry⁶ in’t.

IAGO

IAGO     Here, at thy hand: be bold, and take thy stand. Conceals himself

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     I have no great devotion to the deed,

               And yet he hath given me satisfying reasons.

10

10           ’Tis but a man gone. Forth, my sword: he dies. Draws

IAGO

IAGO     I have rubbed this young quat¹¹ almost to the sense, Aside

               And he grows angry.¹² Now, whether he kill Cassio

               Or Cassio him, or each do kill the other,

               Every way makes my gain. Live Rodorigo,¹⁴

15

15           He calls me to a restitution large

               Of gold and jewels that I bobbed¹⁶ from him

               As gifts¹⁷ to Desdemona:

               It must not be. If Cassio do remain,

               He hath a daily beauty in his life

20

20           That makes me ugly: and besides, the Moor

               May unfold²¹ me to him: there stand I in much peril.

               No, he must die. But so: I heard him coming.

        Enter Cassio

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     I know his gait, ’tis he.— Villain, thou diest! Makes a sword-thrust

CASSIO

CASSIO     That thrust had been mine enemy indeed,

25

25           But that my coat²⁵ is better than thou know’st:

               I will make proof²⁶ of thine. Draws and wounds Rodorigo

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     O, I am slain! He falls; Iago comes forward and stabs Cassio on the leg

        [Exit Iago]

CASSIO

CASSIO     I am maimed for ever. Help, ho! Murder, murder! He falls

        Enter Othello

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     The voice of Cassio: Iago keeps his word.

30

30   

RODORIGO

RODORIGO           O, villain that I am!

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     It is even so.

CASSIO

CASSIO     O, help, ho! Light! A surgeon!

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     ’Tis he. O brave³³ Iago, honest and just,

               That hast such noble sense of thy friend’s wrong!

35

35           Thou teachest me.— Minion,³⁵ your dear lies dead,

               And your unblest³⁶ fate hies. Strumpet, I come:

               For of³⁷ my heart those charms, thine eyes, are blotted,

               Thy bed, lust-stained, shall with lust’s blood be spotted.

        Exit Othello

        Enter Lodovico and Grattano

CASSIO

CASSIO     What, ho! No watch? No passage?³⁹ Murder, murder!

40

40   

GRATIANO

GRATIANO           ’Tis some mischance: the voice is very direful.⁴⁰

CASSIO

CASSIO     O, help!

LODOVICO

LODOVICO     Hark!

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     O wretched villain!

LODOVICO

LODOVICO     Two or three groan. ’Tis heavy⁴⁴ night;

45

45           These may be counterfeits: let’s think’t unsafe

               To come in to⁴⁶ the cry without more help.

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     Nobody come: then shall I bleed to death.

        Enter Iago With a light and weapons

LODOVICO

LODOVICO     Hark!

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     Here’s one comes in his shirt,⁴⁹ with light and weapons.

50

50   

IAGO

IAGO           Who’s there? Whose noise is this that cries on murder?

LODOVICO

LODOVICO     We do not know.

IAGO

IAGO     Do not you hear a cry?

CASSIO

CASSIO     Here, here! For heaven sake, help me!

IAGO

IAGO     What’s the matter?

55

55   

GRATIANO

GRATIANO           This is Othello’s ancient, as I take it. To Lodovico

LODOVICO

LODOVICO     The same indeed: a very valiant fellow. To Gratiano

IAGO

IAGO     What are you here that cry so grievously?

CASSIO

CASSIO     Iago? O, I am spoiled,⁵⁸ undone by villains!

               Give me some help.

60

60   

IAGO

IAGO           O me, lieutenant! What villains have done this?

CASSIO

CASSIO     I think that one of them is hereabout,

               And cannot make away.

IAGO

IAGO     O treacherous villains!— To Lodovico and Gradano

               What are you there? Come in, and give some help.

65

65   

RODORIGO

RODORIGO           O, help me there!

CASSIO

CASSIO     That’s one of them.

IAGO

IAGO     O murd’rous slave! O villain! Stabs Rodorigo

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     O damned Iago! O inhuman dog!

IAGO

IAGO     Kill men i’th’dark!— Where be these bloody thieves?—

70

70           How silent is this town!— Ho! Murder, murder!—

               What may you be? Are you of good or evil? To Lodovico and Gratiano

LODOVICO

LODOVICO     As you shall prove⁷² us, praise us.

IAGO

IAGO     Signior Lodovico?

LODOVICO

LODOVICO     He, sir.

75

75   

IAGO

IAGO           I cry you mercy. Here’s Cassio hurt by villains.

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     Cassio?

IAGO

IAGO     How is’t, brother? To Cassio

CASSIO

CASSIO     My leg is cut in two.

IAGO

IAGO     Marry, heaven forbid!—

80

80           Light, gentlemen. I’ll bind it with my shirt.

        Enter Bianca

BIANCA

BIANCA     What is the matter, ho? Who is’t that cried?

IAGO

IAGO     Who is’t that cried?

BIANCA

BIANCA     O my dear Cassio! My sweet Cassio! O Cassio,

               Cassio, Cassio!

85

85   

IAGO

IAGO           O notable strumpet! Cassio, may you suspect⁸⁵

               Who they should be that have thus mangled you?

CASSIO

CASSIO     No.

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     I am sorry to find you thus: I have been to seek you.

IAGO

IAGO     Lend me a garter.⁸⁹ So.— O, for a chair

90

90           To bear him easily hence!

BIANCA

BIANCA     Alas, he faints! O Cassio, Cassio, Cassio!

IAGO

IAGO     Gentlemen all, I do suspect this trash⁹²

               To be a party in this injury.—

               Patience awhile, good Cassio.— Come, come;

95

95           Lend me a light. Shines light on Rodorigo

Know we this face or no?

               Alas, my friend and my dear countryman

               Rodorigo? No. Yes, sure: yes, ’tis Rodorigo.

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     What, of Venice?

IAGO

IAGO     Even he, sir: did you know him?

100

100 

GRATIANO

GRATIANO             Know him? Ay.

IAGO

IAGO     Signior Gratiano? I cry your gentle pardon:

               These bloody accidents¹⁰² must excuse my manners

               That so neglected you.

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     I am glad to see you.

105

105 

IAGO

IAGO             How do you, Cassio?— O, a chair, a chair!

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     Rodorigo?

IAGO

IAGO     He, he ’tis he.—

               O, that’s well said:¹⁰⁸ the chair! Attendants bring in a chair

               Some good man bear him carefully from hence:

110

110         I’ll fetch the general’s surgeon.—

               For¹¹¹ you, mistress, To Bianca

               Save¹¹² you your labour.— He that lies slain here, Cassio,

               Was my dear friend: what malice was between you?

CASSIO

CASSIO     None in the world, nor do I know the man!

115

115 

IAGO

IAGO             What, look you pale?— O, bear him out o’th’air. To Bianca

               Stay you, good gentlemen.— Look you pale, mistress?— Attendants bear off

               Do you perceive the¹¹⁷ gastness of her eye?— Cassio and Rodorigo

               Nay, if you stare,¹¹⁸ we shall hear more anon.—

               Behold her well: I pray you look upon her:

120

120         Do you see, gentlemen? Nay, guiltiness will speak,

               Though tongues were out of use.

        [Enter Emilia]

EMILIA

EMILIA     Alas, what is the matter? What is the matter, husband?

IAGO

IAGO     Cassio hath here been set on in the dark

               By Rodorigo and fellows that are scaped:

125

125         He’s almost slain, and Rodorigo quite dead.

EMILIA

EMILIA     Alas, good gentleman! Alas, good Cassio!

IAGO

IAGO     This is the fruits of whoring. Prithee, Emilia,

               Go know of Cassio where he supped tonight.— To Bianca

               What, do you shake at that?

130

130 

BIANCA

BIANCA             He supped at my house, but I therefore shake not.

IAGO

IAGO     O, did he so? I charge you go with me.

EMILIA

EMILIA     O, fie upon thee, strumpet!

BIANCA

BIANCA     I am no strumpet, but of life as honest¹³³

               As you that thus abuse me.

135

135 

EMILIA

EMILIA             As I? Fie upon thee!

IAGO

IAGO     Kind gentlemen, let’s go see poor Cassio dressed.¹³⁶—

               Come, mistress, you must tell’s another tale.

               Emilia, run you to the citadel

               And tell my lord and lady what hath happed.—

140

140         Will you go on afore?— This is the night Aside

               That either makes me or fordoes me quite.¹⁴¹

        Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 2*

running scene 11

        Enter Othello and Desdemona in her bed Othello with a light

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     It is the cause,¹ it is the cause, my soul:

               Let me not name it to you, you chaste stars:

               It is the cause. Yet I’ll not shed her blood,

               Nor scar that whiter skin of hers than snow,

5

5             And smooth as monumental alabaster:⁵

               Yet she must die, else she’ll betray more men.

               Put⁷ out the light, and then put out the light.

               If I quench thee, thou flaming minister,⁸

               I can again thy former light restore,

10

10           Should I repent me: but once put out thy light,

               Thou cunning’st pattern¹¹ of excelling nature,

               I know not where is that Promethean¹² heat

               That can thy light relume.¹³ When I have plucked thy rose,

               I cannot give it vital¹⁴ growth again:

15

15           It needs must wither. I’ll smell thee on the tree. Kisses her

               O balmy breath, that dost almost persuade

               Justice¹⁷ to break her sword! One more, one more.

               Be thus when thou art dead, and I will kill thee

               And love thee after. One more, and that’s the last. Kisses her

20

20           So sweet was ne’er so fatal.²⁰ I must weep,

               But they are cruel tears: this sorrow’s heavenly,

               It strikes²² where it doth love. She wakes.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Who’s there? Othello?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Ay,²⁷ Desdemona.

25

25   

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA           Will you come to bed, my lord?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Have you prayed tonight, Desdemon?

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Ay, my lord.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     If you bethink yourself of any crime

               Unreconciled as yet to heaven and grace,

30

30           Solicit³⁰ for it straight.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Alack, my lord, what may you mean by that?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Well, do it, and be brief: I will walk by.

               I would not kill thy unpreparèd spirit,

               No, heavens forfend!³⁴ I would not kill thy soul.

35

35   

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA           Talk you of killing?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Ay, I do.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Then heaven have mercy on me!

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Amen, with all my heart!

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     If you say,³⁹ I hope you will not kill me.

40

40   

OTHELLO

OTHELLO           Hum!

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     And yet I fear you, for you’re fatal then

               When your eyes roll so: why I should fear I know not,

               Since guiltiness I know not, but yet I feel I fear.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Think on thy sins.

45

45   

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA           They⁴⁵ are loves I bear to you.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Ay, and for that thou diest.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     That death’s unnatural that kills for loving.

               Alas, why gnaw you so your nether lip?

               Some bloody passion shakes your very frame:

50

50           These are portents, but yet I hope, I hope,

               They do not point on me.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Peace, and be still!

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     I will so. What’s the matter?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     That handkerchief which I so loved and gave thee

55

55           Thou gav’st to Cassio.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     No, by my life and soul!

               Send for the man and ask him.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Sweet soul, take heed, take heed of perjury:

               Thou art on thy death-bed.

60

60   

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA           Ay, but not yet to die.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Presently:⁶¹

               Therefore confess thee freely of thy sin,

               For to deny each article⁶³ with oath

               Cannot remove nor choke the strong conception⁶⁴

65

65           That I do groan withal.⁶⁵ Thou art to die.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     O, heaven have mercy on me!

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     I say, amen.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     And have you mercy too! I never did

               Offend⁶⁹ you in my life, never loved Cassio

70

70           But with such general warranty⁷⁰ of heaven

               As I might love: I never gave him token.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     By heaven, I saw my handkerchief in’s hand.

               O perjured woman, thou dost stone⁷³ my heart,

               And makes me call what I intend to do

75

75           A murder, which I thought a sacrifice:

               I saw the handkerchief.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     He found it then:

               I never gave it him. Send for him hither,

               Let him confess a truth.

80

80   

OTHELLO

OTHELLO           He hath confessed.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     What, my lord?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     That he hath used⁸² thee.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     How? Unlawfully?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Ay.

85

85   

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA           He will not say so.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     No, his mouth is stopped:

               Honest Iago hath ta’en order⁸⁷ for’t.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     O, my fear interprets! What, is he dead?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Had all his hairs been lives, my great revenge

90

90           Had stomach⁹⁰ for them all.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Alas, he is betrayed and I undone!

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Out, strumpet! Weep’st thou for him to my face?

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     O, banish me, my lord, but kill me not!

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Down, strumpet!

95

95   

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA           Kill me tomorrow, let me live tonight!

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Nay, if you strive⁹⁶—

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     But half an hour!

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Being done,⁹⁸ there is no pause.

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     But while I say one prayer!

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     It is too late.

        Smothers her

        Emilia at the door

EMILIA

EMILIA     My lord, my lord! What, ho! My lord, my lord! Within

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     What noise is this? Not dead? Not yet quite dead?

               I that am cruel am yet merciful:

               I would not have thee linger in thy pain: so, so.

105

105 

EMILIA

EMILIA             What, ho? My lord, my lord! Within

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Who’s there?

EMILIA

EMILIA     O, good my lord, I would speak a word with you! Within

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Yes.— ’Tis Emilia.— By and by.¹⁰⁸— She’s dead.

               ’Tis like¹⁰⁹ she comes to speak of Cassio’s death.—

110

110         The noise¹¹⁰ was high. Ha, no more moving?

               Still as the grave. Shall she come in? Were’t good?—

               I think she stirs again. No. What’s best to do?

               If she come in, she’ll sure speak to my wife:

               My wife, my wife! What wife? I have no wife.

115

115         O insupportable! O heavy hour!

               Methinks it should be now a huge eclipse

               Of sun and moon, and that th’affrighted globe

               Did yawn at alteration.¹¹⁸

EMILIA

EMILIA     I do beseech you Within

120

120         That I may speak with you, O, good my lord!

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     I had forgot thee.— O, come in, Emilia.—

               Soft,¹²² by and by: let me the curtains draw.— Draws the bed curtains and unlocks the door

               Where art thou? What’s the matter with thee now?

        Enter Emilia

EMILIA

EMILIA     O, my good lord, yonder’s foul murders done!

125

125 

OTHELLO

OTHELLO             What? Now?

EMILIA

EMILIA     But now, my lord.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     It is the very error¹²⁷ of the moon:

               She comes more nearer earth than she was wont,¹²⁸

               And makes men mad.

130

130 

EMILIA

EMILIA             Cassio, my lord, hath killed a young Venetian

               Called Rodorigo.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Rodorigo killed? And Cassio killed?

EMILIA

EMILIA     No, Cassio is not killed.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Not Cassio killed? Then murder’s out of tune,

135

135         And sweet revenge grows harsh.¹³⁵

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     O, falsely,¹³⁶ falsely murdered!

EMILIA

EMILIA     Alas! What cry is that?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     That? What?

EMILIA

EMILIA     Out, and alas!¹³⁹ That was my lady’s voice.

140

140         Help, help, ho, help! O lady, speak again! Opens the bed curtains

               Sweet Desdemona! O sweet mistress, speak!

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     A guiltless death I die.

EMILIA

EMILIA     O, who hath done this deed?

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     Nobody: I myself. Farewell.

145

145         Commend me to my kind lord. O, farewell! Dies Dies

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Why, how should she be murdered?

EMILIA

EMILIA     Alas, who knows?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     You hear her say herself it was not I.

EMILIA

EMILIA     She said so: I must needs report the truth.

150

150 

OTHELLO

OTHELLO             She’s like a liar gone to burning hell:

               ’Twas I that killed her.

EMILIA

EMILIA     O, the more angel she, and you the blacker devil!

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     She turned to folly,¹⁵³ and she was a whore.

EMILIA

EMILIA     Thou dost belie¹⁵⁴ her, and thou art a devil.

155

155 

OTHELLO

OTHELLO             She was false as water.

EMILIA

EMILIA     Thou art rash as fire, to say

               That she was false: O, she was heavenly true!

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Cassio did top¹⁵⁸ her: ask thy husband else.

               O, I were damned beneath all depth in hell,

160

160         But¹⁶⁰ that I did proceed upon just grounds

               To this extremity. Thy husband knew it all.

EMILIA

EMILIA     My husband?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Thy husband.

EMILIA

EMILIA     That she was false to wedlock?

165

165 

OTHELLO

OTHELLO             Ay, with Cassio. Had she been true,

               If heaven would make me such another world

               Of one entire and perfect chrysolite,¹⁶⁷

               I’d not have sold her for it.

EMILIA

EMILIA     My husband?

170

170 

OTHELLO

OTHELLO             Ay, ’twas he that told me on¹⁷⁰ her first:

               An honest man he is, and hates the slime¹⁷¹

               That sticks on filthy deeds.¹⁷²

EMILIA

EMILIA     My husband?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     What needs this iterance,¹⁷⁴ woman? I say thy husband.

175

175 

EMILIA

EMILIA             O mistress, villainy hath made mocks with¹⁷⁵ love.

               My husband say she was false?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     He, woman;

               I say thy husband: dost understand the word?

               My friend, thy husband: honest, honest Iago.

180

180 

EMILIA

EMILIA             If he say so, may his pernicious¹⁸⁰ soul

               Rot half a grain a day! He lies to th’heart:

               She was too fond of her most filthy bargain.¹⁸²

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Ha?

EMILIA

EMILIA     Do thy worst:

185

185         This deed of thine is no more worthy heaven

               Than thou wast worthy her.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Peace,¹⁸⁷ you were best—

EMILIA

EMILIA     Thou hast not half that power to do me harm

               As I have to be hurt.¹⁸⁹ O gull, O dolt,

190

190         As ignorant as dirt! Thou hast done a deed —

               I care not for thy sword — I’ll make thee known,¹⁹¹

               Though I lost twenty lives.— Help, help, ho, help!

               The Moor hath killed my mistress! Murder, murder!

        Enter Montano, Grattano and Iago

MONTANO

MONTANO     What is the matter? How now, general?

195

195 

EMILIA

EMILIA             O, are you come, Iago? You have done well,

               That men must lay their murders on your neck.

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     What is the matter?

EMILIA

EMILIA     Disprove this villain, if thou be’st a man: To Iago

               He says thou told’st him that his wife was false:

200

200         I know thou didst not, thou’rt not such a villain.

               Speak, for my heart is full.

IAGO

IAGO     I told him what I thought, and told no more

               Than what he found himself was apt²⁰³ and true.

EMILIA

EMILIA     But did you ever tell him she was false?

205

205 

IAGO

IAGO             I did.

EMILIA

EMILIA     You told a lie, an odious, damnèd lie:

               Upon my soul, a lie, a wicked lie.

               She false with Cassio? Did you say with Cassio?

IAGO

IAGO     With Cassio, mistress! Go to, charm²⁰⁹ your tongue.

210

210 

EMILIA

EMILIA             I will not charm my tongue; I am bound to speak:

               My mistress here lies murdered in her bed—

ALL

ALL     O, heavens forfend!

EMILIA

EMILIA     And your reports have set the murder on.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Nay, stare not, masters: it is true indeed.

215

215 

GRATIANO

GRATIANO             ’Tis a strange truth.

MONTANO

MONTANO     O, monstrous act!

EMILIA

EMILIA     Villainy, villainy, villainy!

               I think upon’t, I think: I smell’t: O villainy!

               I thought so then. I’ll kill myself for grief.

220

220         O villainy! Villainy!

IAGO

IAGO     What, are you mad? I charge you get you home.

EMILIA

EMILIA     Good gentlemen, let me have leave to speak:

               ’Tis proper I obey him, but not now.

               Perchance, Iago, I will ne’er go home.

225

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     O, O, O! He falls on the bed

EMILIA

EMILIA     Nay, lay thee down and roar,

               For thou hast killed the sweetest innocent

               That e’er did lift up eye.²²⁸

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     O, she was foul!²²⁹ Rises

230

230         I scarce did know you, uncle:²³⁰ there lies your niece,

               Whose breath, indeed, these hands have newly stopped:

               I know this act shows horrible and grim.²³²

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     Poor Desdemon! I am glad thy father’s dead:

               Thy match was mortal²³⁴ to him, and pure grief

235

235         Shore²³⁵ his old thread in twain. Did he live now,

               This sight would make him do²³⁶ a desperate turn,

               Yea, curse his better angel from his side,

               And fall to reprobance.²³⁸

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     ’Tis pitiful, but yet Iago knows

240

240         That she with Cassio hath the act of shame

               A thousand times committed: Cassio confessed it,

               And she did gratify his amorous works²⁴²

               With that recognizance²⁴³ and pledge of love

               Which I first gave her: I saw it in his hand:

245

245         It was a handkerchief, an antique²⁴⁵ token

               My father gave my mother.

EMILIA

EMILIA     O heaven! O heavenly powers!

IAGO

IAGO     Come, hold your peace.²⁴⁹

EMILIA

EMILIA     ’Twill out, ’twill out. I peace?

250

250         No, I will speak as liberal²⁵⁰ as the north:

               Let heaven and men and devils, let them all,

               All, all, cry shame against me, yet I’ll speak.

IAGO

IAGO     Be wise, and get you home.

EMILIA

EMILIA     I will not. Iago threatens to stab Emilia

255

255 

GRATIANO

GRATIANO             Fie, your sword upon a woman?

EMILIA

EMILIA     O thou dull²⁵⁶ Moor! That handkerchief thou speak’st of

               I found by fortune and did give my husband,

               For often, with a solemn earnestness —

               More than indeed belonged²⁵⁹ to such a trifle —

260

260         He begged of me to steal’t.

IAGO

IAGO     Villainous whore!

EMILIA

EMILIA     She give it Cassio? No, alas! I found it,

               And I did give’t my husband.

IAGO

IAGO     Filth,²⁶⁴ thou liest!

265

265 

EMILIA

EMILIA             By heaven, I do not, I do not, gentlemen.

               O murd’rous coxcomb!²⁶⁶ What should such a fool

               Do with so good a wife?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Are there no stones²⁶⁸ in heaven

               But what serves for the thunder?— Precious²⁶⁹ villain! He runs at Iago but is disarmed; Iago stabs Emilia

270

270 

GRATIANO

GRATIANO             The woman falls: sure, he hath killed his wife.

        [Exit Iago]

EMILIA

EMILIA     Ay, ay! O, lay me by my mistress’ side.

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     He’s gone, but his wife’s killed.

MONTANO

MONTANO     ’Tis a notorious²⁷³ villain. Take you this weapon

               Which I have recovered²⁷⁴ from the Moor:

275

275         Come, guard the door without:²⁷⁵ let him not pass,

               But kill him rather. I’ll after that same villain,

               For ’tis a damnèd slave.

        [Exeunt Montano and Gratiano]

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     I am not valiant neither,

               But every puny whipster²⁷⁹ gets my sword:

280

280         But why should honour²⁸⁰ outlive honesty?

               Let it go all.

EMILIA

EMILIA     What did thy song bode, lady?

               Hark, canst thou hear me? I will play the swan,²⁸³

               And die in music:—

Willow, willow, willow— Sings

285

285         Moor, she was chaste: she loved thee, cruel Moor.

               So come my soul to bliss, as I speak true,

               So speaking as I think, alas, I die. Dies

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     I have another weapon in this chamber:

               It was a sword of Spain, the ice-brook’s temper:²⁸⁹

290

290         O, here it is. Uncle, I must come forth. Finds sword

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     If thou attempt it, it will cost thee dear: Within

               Thou hast no weapon, and perforce²⁹² must suffer.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Look in upon me then and speak with me,

               Or, naked²⁹⁴ as I am, I will assault thee.

        [Enter Gratiano]

295

295 

GRATIANO

GRATIANO             What is the matter?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Behold, I have a weapon:

               A²⁹⁷ better never did itself sustain

               Upon a soldier’s thigh. I have seen the day

               That, with this little arm and this good sword,

300

300         I have made my way through more impediments

               Than twenty times your stop:³⁰¹ but — O vain boast! —

               Who can control his fate? ’Tis not so now.

               Be not afraid, though you do see me weaponed:

               Here³⁰⁴ is my journey’s end, here is my butt

305

305         And very sea-mark³⁰⁵ of my utmost sail.

               Do you go back dismayed? ’Tis a lost³⁰⁶ fear:

               Man³⁰⁷ but a rush against Othello’s breast

               And he retires. Where should Othello go?

               Now, how dost thou look now? O ill-starred³⁰⁹ wench,

310

310         Pale as thy smock,³¹⁰ when we shall meet at compt,

               This look of thine will hurl my soul from heaven,

               And fiends will snatch at it! Cold, cold, my girl?

               Even like thy chastity. O cursèd, cursèd slave!³¹³

               Whip me, ye devils,

315

315         From the possession of this heavenly sight,

               Blow me about in winds, roast me in sulphur,

               Wash me in steep-down³¹⁷ gulfs of liquid fire!

               O Desdemon! Dead, Desdemon! Dead! O, O!

        Enter Lodovico, Cassio [carried in a chair], Montano and Iago [prisoner] with Officers

LODOVICO

LODOVICO     Where is this rash and most unfortunate man?

320

320 

OTHELLO

OTHELLO             That’s he that was Othello: here I am.

LODOVICO

LODOVICO     Where is that viper? Bring the villain forth.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     I³²² look down towards his feet, but that’s a fable:

               If that thou be’st a devil, I cannot kill thee. Wounds Iago

LODOVICO

LODOVICO     Wrench his sword from him.

325

325 

IAGO

IAGO             I bleed, sir, but not killed.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     I am not sorry neither: I’d have thee live,

               For in my sense³²⁷ ’tis happiness to die.

LODOVICO

LODOVICO     O thou Othello, thou was once so good,

               Fall’n in the practice³²⁹ of a cursèd slave,

330

330         What shall be said to thee?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Why, anything:

               An honourable murderer, if you will,

               For nought I did in hate, but all in honour.

LODOVICO

LODOVICO     This wretch hath part confessed his villainy.

335

335         Did you and he consent in Cassio’s death?

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Ay.

CASSIO

CASSIO     Dear general, I never gave you cause.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     I do believe it, and I ask your pardon.

               Will you, I pray, demand that demi-devil

340

340         Why he hath thus ensnared my soul and body?

IAGO

IAGO     Demand me nothing: what you know, you know:

               From this time forth I never will speak word.

LODOVICO

LODOVICO     What? Not to pray?

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     Torments³⁴⁴ will ope your lips.

345

345 

OTHELLO

OTHELLO             Well, thou dost best.

LODOVICO

LODOVICO     Sir, you shall understand what hath befall’n —

               Which, as I think, you know not. Here is a letter

               Found in the pocket of the slain Rodorigo,

               And here another: the one of them imports³⁴⁹

350

350         The death of Cassio to be undertook

               By Rodorigo.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     O villain!

CASSIO

CASSIO     Most heathenish and most gross!³⁵³

LODOVICO

LODOVICO     Now here’s another discontented³⁵⁴ paper

355

355         Found in his pocket too: and this, it seems,

               Rodorigo meant t’have sent this damned villain,

               But that belike³⁵⁷ Iago in the interim

               Came in and satisfied him.³⁵⁸

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     O thou pernicious caitiff!³⁵⁹—

360

360         How came you, Cassio, by that handkerchief

               That was my wife’s?

CASSIO

CASSIO     I found it in my chamber,

               And he himself confessed it but even now

               That there he dropped it for a special purpose

365

365         Which wrought³⁶⁵ to his desire.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     O fool, fool, fool!

CASSIO

CASSIO     There is besides in Rodorigo’s letter

               How he upbraids Iago, that he made him

               Brave³⁶⁹ me upon the watch, whereon it came

370

370         That I was cast:³⁷⁰ and even but now he spake —

               After long seeming dead — Iago hurt him,

               Iago set him on.

LODOVICO

LODOVICO     You must forsake this room and go with us: To Othello

               Your power and your command is taken off,

375

375         And Cassio rules in Cyprus. For this slave,

               If there be any cunning cruelty

               That can torment him much and hold him long,³⁷⁷

               It shall be his. You shall close³⁷⁸ prisoner rest

               Till that the nature of your fault be known

380

380         To the Venetian state.— Come, bring away.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     Soft you; a word or two before you go.

               I have done the state some service, and they know’t —

               No more of that. I pray you, in your letters,

               When you shall these unlucky deeds relate,

385

385         Speak of me as I am: nothing extenuate,³⁸⁵

               Nor set down aught in malice. Then must you speak

               Of one that loved not wisely but too well:

               Of one not easily jealous, but being wrought,³⁸⁸

               Perplexed³⁸⁹ in the extreme: of one whose hand,

390

390         Like the base³⁹⁰ Judean, threw a pearl away

               Richer than all his tribe: of one whose subdued³⁹¹ eyes,

               Albeit unused to the melting mood,

               Drops tears as fast as the Arabian trees³⁹³

               Their medicinable³⁹⁴ gum. Set you down this,

395

395         And say besides, that in Aleppo³⁹⁵ once,

               Where a malignant and a turbaned Turk

               Beat a Venetian and traduced³⁹⁷ the state,

               I took by th’throat the circumcisèd dog

               And smote him, thus. Stabs himself

400

400 

LODOVICO

LODOVICO             O bloody period!⁴⁰⁰

GRATIANO

GRATIANO     All that is spoke is marred.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     I kissed⁴⁰² thee ere I killed thee: no way but this,

               Killing myself, to die⁴⁰³ upon a kiss. Kisses Desdemona

        Dies

CASSIO

CASSIO     This did I fear, but thought he had no weapon,

405

405         For he was great of heart.

LODOVICO

LODOVICO     O Spartan dog,⁴⁰⁶ To Iago

               More fell⁴⁰⁷ than anguish, hunger, or the sea!

               Look on the tragic loading of this bed:

               This is thy work.— The object poisons sight,

410

410         Let it be hid. Gratiano, keep⁴¹⁰ the house,

               And seize upon⁴¹¹ the fortunes of the Moor,

               For they succeed on⁴¹² you.— To you, lord governor, To Cassio

               Remains the censure⁴¹³ of this hellish villain:

               The time, the place, the torture: O, enforce it!

415

415         Myself will straight aboard, and to the state

               This heavy⁴¹⁶ act with heavy heart relate.

        Exeunt

Quarto passages that do not appear in the Folio

        Following 1.3.354 (after “errors of her choice”):

               she must have change, she must.

        Following 1.3.370:

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     What say you?

IAGO

IAGO     No more of drowning, do you hear?

RODORIGO

RODORIGO     I am changed:

        Following 2.1.89:

               And bring all Cyprus comfort!

        Following 3.1.23:

CASSIO

CASSIO     Do, good my friend.

        Following 3.1.44:

               To take the safest occasion by the front

        Following 3.4.96:

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     I pray, talk me of Cassio.

OTHELLO

OTHELLO     The handkerchief!

        Following 4.2.185:

               And he does chide with you.

        Following 5.2.100:

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA     O, lord, lord, lord!

Textual Notes

Q = First Quarto text of 1622

Q2 = a correction introduced in the Second Quarto text of 1630

F = First Folio text of 1623

F2 = a correction introduced in the Second Folio text of 1632

F3 = a correction introduced in the Third Folio text of 1663–64

F4 = a correction introduced in the Fourth Folio text of 1685

Ed = a correction introduced by a later editor

SH = speech heading (i.e., speaker’s name)

List of parts based on “The Names of the Actors” at end of F text, with additional information provided in parenthesis

RODORIGO spelled thus in F (throughout). Q = Roderigo throughout EMILIA spelled Aemilia in F (throughout)

1.1.1 Never = F. Q = TVsh, neuer 4 But = F. Q = S’blood, but 25 toga’d = Q (toged). F = Tongued 29 Cyprus spelled Ciprus in F (and elsewhere) 33 bless = F. Q = God blesse 68 full = Q. F = fall thick-lips = Ed. F = Thicks-lips. Q = thicklips. 75 chances = F. Q = changes 90 Sir = F. Q = Zounds sir 91 soul: = Ed. F = soule 117 Sir = F. Q = Zouns Sir 120 jennets for germans spelled Gennets for Germaines in F 123 making = F. Q = now making 163 hell-pains = Ed. F = hell apines. Q = hells paines 166 sign. That = Ed. F = signe) that

1.2.41 haste-post-haste = Ed. F = haste, Post-haste 70 You, Rodorigo? Come = F (corrected). F (uncorrected) = You Rodorigo, Come 98 Whither = F2. F = Whether 103 I do = Q. F = do

1.3.24 gaze. When = Ed. F = gaze, when 58 nor = Q. F = hor 62 and = Q. F = snd 66 SH SENATORS ambiguously spelled Sen. in F 84 your = Q. F = yonr 100 tale = Q. F = u Tale 110 maimed spelled main’d in F imperfect = Ed. F = imperfect. 117 wrought upon = Q. F = wtought vp on 118 SH DUKE = Q. Not in F 119 overt = Q. F = ouer 122 SH FIRST SENATOR = Q. F = Sen. 136 till = Q. F = tell 152 slavery, of = Q. F = slauery. Of 154 antres spelled Antars in F 155 rocks, hills = F. Q = rocks and hils 157 other = Q. F = others 158 Anthropophagi spelled Antropophague in F 161 thence = Q. F = hence 169 intentively = Q. F = instinctiuely 173 kisses = F. Q = sighes 190 speak: = Ed. F = speake? 217 lovers. = F. Q = louers / Into your fauour 222 preserved = Q. F = presern’d 243 couch = Q. F = Coach 245 alacrity = Q. F = Alacartie 256 there reside = Q. F = therorecide 263 I love = F. Q = I did loue 289 against = Q. F = againsf 318 the = Q. F = the the 330 guinea-hen spelled Gynney Hen in F 335 thyme spelled Time in F 338 beam = Ed. F = braine. Q = Ballence 341 scion spelled Seyen in F 356 supersubtle = F. Q = a super subtle 374 a snipe = Q. F = Snpe 377 He = Q. F = She

2.1.2 SH FIRST GENTLEMAN = 1. Gent in F 9 mortise = Q. F = Morties. 10 SH SECOND GENTLEMAN = Q. F = 2 13 wind-shaked surge = F3. F = winde-shak’d-Surge mane spelled Maine in F 18 SH MONTANO = Ed. F = Men. 21 SH THIRD GENTLEMAN = Q. F = 3 27–8 in…Cassio = Ed. F = in: A Verennessa, Michael Cassio 42 th’aerial = Ed. F = th’Eriall 44 SH THIRD GENTLEMAN = Q. F = Gent. 47 Thanks, you = Ed. F = Thankes you, 54 hopes = Ed. F = hope’s 56,103 SH [VOICES] = Ed. F = Within 71 engineer spelled Ingeniuer in F 97 tell of = F. Q = tell me of 101 of sea = F. Q = of the sea 155 indeed, one = Ed. F = indeed? One 155 authority spelled authorithy in F 176 gyve = F2. F = giue 180 courtesy spelled Curtsie in F 181 clyster-pipes = Q (Clisterpipes). F = Cluster-pipes 222 hither = Q. F = thither 229 prating? = Q. F = prating, 237 fortune = Q. F = Forune does? = Q. F = do’s: 241 has = Q. F = he’s 252 mutabilities = F. Q = mutualities 260 haply spelled happely in F 277 accountant spelled accomptant in F 283 evened spelled eeuen’d in F for wife = Q. F = for wift 290 right = F. Q = ranke 291 night-cap = Q. F = Night-Cape

2.2.6 present = Q. F = presenr 7 Bless = F. Q = Heauen blesse

[Act 2 Scene 3] = Ed. Scene is continuous in F

2.3.24 stoup = Ed. F = stope 49 to put = Q. F = put to 66 Englishman = Q. F = Englishmen 80 Then = Q. F = And auld = Ed. F = awl’d. Q = owd 92 Forgive = F. Q = God forgiue 94 left = F. Q = left hand 96 SH GENTLEMEN = Q. F = Gent. 126 You = F. Q = Zouns, you 140 Sir Montano—Sir = Ed. F = Sir Montano: 143 lieutenant! = F. Q = Leiutenant, hold, 146 I bleed = F. Q = Zouns, I bleed 149 sense of place = Ed. F = place of sense 181 me — = Ed. F = me. 201 leagued = Ed. F = league 238 well, = F. Q = well now, 269 O, = F. Q = O God, 282 familiar = Q. F = famillar 288 denotement = Q. F = deuotement 293 stronger = Q. F = stonger 297 check me = F. Q = check me here 307 were’t to = Q. F = were to 335 Does’t = Ed. F = Dos’t 346 on: = Ed. F = on. Q = on, 347 the while = Ed. F = a while

3.1.8 tail spelled tale in F 24 SH CASSIO = Q. Not in F

3.2.7 We’ll = F3. F = Well

3.3.5 fellow. Do = Ed. F = Fellow, Do 71 In faith = F4. F = Infaith 73 example = Ed. F = example) 79 with = Q. F = wirh 82 much— = Ed. F = much. 105 you = Q. F = he 154 that all = Q. F = that: All free = F. Q = free to 158 Where no = Ed. F = Wherein. Q = But some 167 oft = Q. F = of 168 wisdom = F. Q = I intreate then 175 What = F. Q = Zouns. 183 I’ll = F. Q = By heauen, I’le 203 Is = F. Q = Is once 205 exsufflicate spelled exufflicate in F 208 dances = F. Q = dances well 278 put = F2. Not in F 289 learnèd = Ed. F = learn’d 290 human spelled humane in F (and elsewhere) 329 talk to = Q. F = talke too 384 Pioneers spelled Pyoners in F 406 lord— = Ed. F = Lord. 409 horror’s = Ed. F = Horrors 432 I see you = F. Q = I see sir, you 466 laid = F. Q = then layed 492 thy = Q. F = the 498 mind may = F. Q = mind perhaps may 501 Ne’er feels = Q2. F = Neu’r keepes

3.4.34 It hath felt = F. Q = It has yet felt 68 lose’t spelled loose’t in F 84 Bless = F. Q = Heauen blesse 90 I can, but = F. Q = I Can sir, but 99 you— = Ed. F = you. 119 honour. I = Ed. F = honor, I 169 born spelled borne in F 172 hereabout = F3. F = heere about 182 lovers’ = Ed. F = Louers 191 friend: = Ed. F = Friend,

4.1.42–3 Lie…That’s = F. Q = lye with her, Zouns, that’s 83 list. = Q. F = List, 85 unsuiting = Q (corrected). F = resulting 111 conster = Q. F = conserue 113 you, lieutenant = F. Q = you now Leiutenant 117 power = Q. F = dowre 131 I marry = F. Q = I marry her 140 beckons = Q. F = becomes 143 and falls me = F. Q = by this hand she fals 163 I = F. Q = Faith I 205 I…Venice = F. Q = Something from Venice sure, 206 Lodovico: this comes = Ed. F = Lodouico, this, comes 208 Save you = F. Q = God saue the 248 an obedient = Q. F = obedient 285 denote = Q. F (corrected) = deonte. F (uncorrected) = deuote

4.2.34 nay = Ed. F = May 49 haply spelled happely in F (and elsewhere) 52 I = F. Q = Why I 70 Ay spelled I in F 173 form, = Ed. F = Forme. 193 daff’st spelled dafts in F 198 I = F. Q = Faith I 222 the = Q. F = rhe 224 within = Q. F = within,

4.3.18 I = Q. F = I, 21 favour = F. Q = fauour in them 24 before, = F. Q = before thee, 34 Barbary spelled Brabarie in F 42 singing = F (corrected). F (uncorrected) = sining 47 Sing…willow = Ed. F = Sing Willough, &c. (and elsewhere)

5.1.1 bulk = Q. F = Barke 46 in to = Ed. F = into 115 him out = Q. F = him

5.2.39 say = F. Q = say so 61 Presently = F. Q = Yes, presently 184 worst = Q. F = wotst 274 have = F. Q = haue here 347 not. Here = Ed. F = not) heere 361 wife’s = Q. F = wiues 390 Judean = F. Q, F2 = Indian

List of parts: gulled duped, deceived

Act 1 Scene 1

 1.1    Location: Venice (street)

    1    Never tell me! expression of disbelief    much unkindly with great resentment/dissatisfaction

    3    this i.e., Desdemona and Othello’s elopement

    7    him i.e., Othello

    9    great ones i.e., noble, influential men/official dignitaries

  10    suit formal request, entreaty

  11    Off-capped removed their hats (a mark of respect)

  14    bombast circumstance elaborate evasive talk, wordy circumlocution

  15    epithets of war military terms

  16    Nonsuits my mediators thwarts the request of my intermediaries (from the legal term “nonsuit” meaning the withdrawal of a lawsuit)    ‘Certes’ certainly

  19    Forsooth in truth arithmetician i.e., mere theorist (in military matters)/mathematician (Florence was known for its bankers)

  20    Florentine person from Florence (then a city-state in northern Italy)

  21    almost…wife a man with a beautiful wife was    damned because he was bound to be cuckolded; perhaps Shakespeare originally intended Cassio to be married, or else the line refers to an imminent or a narrowly avoided wedding (Bianca later claims that Cassio is going to marry her); but editors have struggled to make sense of the line, and a printer’s error is possible; the most satisfactory emendation would be limned (depicted, portrayed), which fits with Iago’s emphasis on Cassio’s effeminacy, as he compares him first to a wife and then to a spinster

  22    squadron group of soldiers in a square formation/small detachment of soldiers

  23    division…battle disposition of a battalion

  24    spinster woman who stays at home spinning    unless except for    theoric theory

  25    toga’d consuls toga-wearing councillors    toga garment worn by citizens of ancient Rome    propose discourse, hold forth

  26    prattle idle talk

  27    had th’election was chosen

  28    his i.e., Othello’s

  29    Rhodes island in the Mediterranean Sea, between Cyprus and Greece    Cyprus Mediterranean island to the south of Turkey

  30    Christened converted to Christianity    beleed unable to move, as a ship is without wind (the nautical metaphor continues with calmed)

  31    debitor and creditor i.e., book-keeping/a book-keeper (another dig at the arithmetician Cassio)    counter-caster one who employs counters in making calculations, an accountant

  32    in good time opportunely (sarcastic)

  33    bless the mark apologetic expression used to excuse the mention of something unpleasant or profane    his Moorship a contemptuous reference to Othello, varying “his worship” or “his lordship”; the term “moor” could be applied to a person of either African or Middle Eastern origin, and was often used to refer to someone from Barbary in north Africa; it was also used to mean “Muslim”    ancient ensign (i.e., soldier who carries the military banner)

  35    service being a servant/military duty

  36    Preferment promotion    letter and affection personal recommendation and favoritism

  37    old gradation the traditional way of advancing steadily up the ranks

  39    term manner, way    affined bound

  41    follow serve

  43    serve my turn serve my own purposes (serve plays on the notion of being a servant)

  45    truly loyally    mark note, observe

  46    knee-crooking bowing

  48    time lifetime/time as a servant

  49    provender food    cashiered (he’s) dismissed/discarded

  50    Whip me whip (me is emphatic)

  51    trimmed dressed up, adorned    visages outward appearances

  52    attending on waiting on, serving

  55    lined their coats i.e., got all they can/lined their purses

  56    Do themselves homage serve their own interests exclusively

  59    Were…Iago if I was Othello I would not wish to be a servant like me/if I were in Othello’s position I would not be fooled by a self-seeking servant

  61    not I for I am not one for, I do not serve out of

  62    peculiar personal

  63    demonstrate display, manifest

  64    native innate, natural    figure form/appearance

  65    compliment extern external show

  67    daws jackdaws (small birds of the crow family, proverbially foolish)/fools

  68    full perfect, complete    owe own

  69    carry’t carry it off, manage it

  71    make after pursue

  72    Proclaim denounce

  73    though even though

  74    though that although

  75    chances possibilities

  76    As it may that may cause it to

  78    like timorous accent such terrifying tones

  83    bags moneybags

  85    Above i.e., on the upper staging level or gallery

  89    Wherefore why

  90    gown coat/senator’s robes

  92    ram a proverbially lustful beast

  93    tupping mounting sexually; the    ram was proverbially lusty, hence slang for “lecher”

  94    snorting snoring (also picks up on the bestial imagery of the previous lines)    bell alarm bell

  95    devil i.e., Othello (the devil was popularly imaged as black)    grandsire grandfather

  98    reverend respected

102    charged ordered    haunt loiter, lurk

105    distemp’ring draughts intoxicating drinks

107    start startle, disrupt

110    spirits…place disposition and my position of authority

114    grange isolated house in the country

115    grave dignified, respected

116    simple honest

119    covered a term for copulation between a stallion and a mare    Barbary horse i.e., Othello    Barbary region in northern Africa including Morocco, Algiers, Tripoli and Tunis    nephews grandsons

120    coursers large powerful horses    jennets small Spanish horses    germans close relatives

121    profane irreverent/foul-mouthed

123    making…backs i.e., having sex

126    answer answer for, be held responsible for

128    pleasure wish

130    odd-even time that is neither day nor night—i.e., around midnight

131    Transported with be transported by

132    But with i.e., than    knave servant, lackey

133    gross lustful/vile

134    allowance permission

135    saucy insolent

138    from contrary to    civility civilized behavior

139    your reverence the respect due to you/you, a respected person

140    leave permission

141    gross monstrous, flagrant/indecent

142    wit intelligence, good sense

143    In i.e., to    extravagant and wheeling roaming and roving    stranger foreigner

144    Straight immediately

148    Strike…tinder i.e., strike a light

149    taper candle

150    accident event

154    meet appropriate    wholesome beneficial, conducive    place position (as Othello’s ensign)

155    producted produced as a witness

157    gall annoy    check reprimand

158    cast cast off, dismiss    embarked engaged, committed

159    loud reason resounding support

160    stands in act are underway    for i.e., to save

161    fathom ability

164    life livelihood

165    sign show, display (plays on the sense of “military flag”)

166    That in order that

167    Sagittary inn or house named after Sagittarius, a centaur (half-man, half-horse) famed for his archery; centaurs were associated with lust, so Sagittarius, always depicted with bow and arrow, may be seen as a type of bestial Cupid    raisèd search search party roused from sleep

170    my despisèd time the miserable remainder of my life/the remainder of my life in which I will be scorned for what has happened

172    unhappy misfortune-causing/ill-fated

175    Past thought beyond belief (or “understanding”)

178    treason…blood rebellion against her family/revolt of the (sexual) passions

180    charms spells, enchantments

181    property rightful nature    maidhood girlhood, virginity

188    discover reveal

191    may command have the authority to demand aid

193    deserve your pains reward you for your trouble

Act 1 Scene 2

 1.2    Location: Venice (outside the Sagittary)

    1    trade (mercantile) dealings/craft

    2    very stuff fundamental material (stuff maintains the metaphor of    trade with its senses of “fabric or goods for exchange/materials for manufacture”)

    3    contrived premeditated    iniquity wickedness

    5    yerked stabbed with a sudden movement    him i.e., Rodorigo

    7    prated spoke insolently/told tales, blabbed

    8    scurvy contemptible

  11    I…him I restrained myself with great difficulty from attacking him/I tolerated him with great difficulty

  12    fast firmly

  13    magnifico i.e., Brabantio, one of the foremost noblemen, or Magnifici, in Venice

  14    in his effect at his disposal    a…duke’s a powerful influence/an influence that is potentially double that of the duke    voice influence/vote

  16    what whatever    grievance hardship, oppression

  18    cable rope, i.e., scope

  20    signiory Venetian governing body

  21    ’Tis…know it is not yet known

  23    promulgate declare publicly

  24    siege throne, i.e., rank    demerits merits, deserts

  25    unbonneted with my hat off (i.e., respectfully, modestly)/without removing my hat (i.e., on terms of equality)    proud great, splendid

  28    unhousèd unconfined

  29    circumscription and confine enclosure and confinement

  30    sea’s worth i.e., treasure lying under the sea    yond yonder, over there

  31    raisèd roused from sleep/angered

  34    parts personal qualities    title legal rights as a husband/high military rank    perfect unblemished, guiltless

  36    Janus Roman god with two faces

  41    haste-post-haste speedy, urgent

  43    matter business

  44    divine guess

  45    heat urgency

  46    sequent successive

  51    several quests separate search parties

  56    makes he is he doing

  57    Faith truly    boarded seized (a vessel) by force/had sex with    caract carrack, large Spanish ship used in war or as a merchant vessel (implicitly loaded with “treasure,” a euphemism for “vagina” or “chastity”)

  62    Marry by the Virgin Mary (a common oath; puns on married)

  63    Have with you I’ll join you

  65    advised warned

  66    to with

  67    Holla whoa, stop

  71    up i.e., in their sheaths

  74    foul abhorrent/wicked/ugly/dirty, black

  75    stowed Brabantio unwittingly continues the nautical imagery: “to stow” is to store cargo on a ship or in a sexual sense “fill with the penis”

  77    refer me to entrust myself to (the authority of)

  79    tender young/gentle/meek    fair beautiful/unstained/pale-complexioned, white

  80    opposite opposed

  81    curlèd i.e., with elegantly styled hair    dearling darlings, favorites

  82    a general mock universal scorn

  83    her guardage the guardianship of her father

  85    Judge…world let the world judge    gross in sense blatantly obvious

  86    practised on worked cunningly on, deceived

  87    minerals mineral potions or poisons

  88    motion normal faculties/perceptions    disputed on debated formally

  90    attach arrest

  92    arts…warrant magical practices that are forbidden and illegal

  95    Hold hold back, halt

  96    of my inclining on my side

  98    Whither…I where do you want me to

101    course…session the proper process of a judicial hearing (or “…of an immediate judicial hearing”)

106    present immediate, urgent/current

114    brothers…state fellow senators

116    have passage free i.e., go unrestrained

Act 1 Scene 3

 1.3    Location: Venice (duke’s residence/council chamber)

    1    composition consistency

    2    them i.e., the news

    3    disproportioned inconsistent

    7    jump agree, coincide    just account exact amount 8    aim guess

  12    I…sense this discrepancy does not make me so overconfident that I fail to recognize and fear the main point (i.e., that the Turkish fleet is making for Cyprus)

  18    preparation force prepared for war

  21    How…by what do you make of

  23    assay test/endeavor    pageant show, spectacle/trick

  24    in false gaze looking in the wrong direction/deluded

  25    Th’importancy the importance

  28    So…it so can he (the Turk) win it (Cyprus) with less arduous conflict

  29    For that because    brace state of defensive readiness

  30    th’abilities the strength/resources

  31    dressed in equipped with

  33    latest last

  34    attempt undertaking/attack

  35    wage risk

  38    Ottomites members of the Ottoman Empire—i.e., Turks    reverend and gracious i.e., senators

  40    injointed them joined themselves    after following (in the rear; nautical term)

  42    restem…course hold once again to their former course

  43    frank open

  45    servitor servant

  46    free unconstrained, willing    recommends informs/commends himself to

  51    post-post-haste immediately/speedily

  54    general enemy Ottoman i.e., universal enemy to all Christians

  55    gentle noble

  58    place position (as a senator)    aught anything

  59    the general care concern for the public interest/widespread anxiety at current events

  60    particular personal

  61    floodgate i.e., torrential (like water released when a floodgate is opened)

  62    engluts consumes

  63    is still itself i.e., is unchanged or undiminished by other    sorrows

  68    abused wronged/misused/deceived

  69    mountebanks charlatans/quack doctors

  70    prepost’rously unnaturally    err stray/blunder/sin

  71    sense perception, discernment, reason

  72    Sans without

  73    proceeding manner of behaving/course of action

  74    beguiled cheated/deprived/bewitched

  75    bloody death-dealing (witchcraft was punishable by death)

  77    After…sense according to your own interpretation (however harsh)    our proper my own

  78    Stood…action were the accused party in your lawsuit

  85    but except

  86    grave respected, wise, dignified

  87    approved proven/esteemed

  90    head and front highest extent (literally, “head and forehead”)

  91    Rude uncultivated/rough

  93    since…pith i.e., since I was seven years old    pith strength

  94    Till…wasted i.e., until nine months ago    wasted passed away/waned/squandered

  95    dearest worthiest, most valuable/best-loved    tented covered with military tents

  97    broils turmoil, conflict

100    round blunt, plain

102    conjuration invocation of spirits/spells

103    withal with

106    motion natural inner impulses/physical movement

108    years age (Othello is older than Desdemona)    credit reputation

113    practices tricks/treachery/schemes

114    vouch assert, affirm

115    mixtures potions, medicines (perhaps with connotations of “unlawful sexual intercourse”)    blood passions/sexual appetite

116    dram small draft, dose

117    wrought worked

119    test evidence/trial

120    habits clothes (i.e., appearances)

121    modern seeming commonplace appearance    prefer put forward

123    indirect devious, deceitful    forcèd courses forcible means

125    question conversation

126    affordeth grants, yields naturally

131    office official position

137    blood nature/passions/anger

138    justly exactly/truthfully    present legal term meaning “to lay before a court”

143    Still continually

145    passed experienced/got through

148    disastrous unlucky/calamitous

149    moving changeable/emotionally stirring    accidents events    flood and field water and land/sea and battlefield

150    scapes escapes    i’th’imminent deadly breach in the gap in a fortification (made by a battery), which presents an imminent danger of death

151    insolent proud, overbearing

153    portance bearing/conduct

154    antres caves    deserts idle empty wildernesses

156    hint occasion/opportunity    process story, account

158    Anthropophagi man-eaters

159    these…hear in order to hear these things

160    seriously earnestly    incline be disposed mentally/lean in physically

165    pliant suitable, accommodating

167    pilgrimage i.e., his life’s journey and its adventures    dilate relate/expand upon

168    parcels small parts

169    intentively intently, with close attention

170    beguile her of coax from her (perhaps a deliberate shift from the sense of “cheat” employed by the duke in line 74)

171    stroke blow

173    kisses could mean “gentle touches”

174    passing surpassingly, exceedingly

177    made her created her to be/made for her

180    hint opportunity/indication

184    witness testify to

187    Take…best i.e., make the best of a bad situation

192    bad mistaken/wrongful

198    education upbringing

199    learn teach

201    hitherto thus far

203    preferring promoting/esteeming

204    challenge claim, assert as a right

207    Please it if it please

208    get beget, conceive

211    but were it not that

212    For your sake because of you

214    escape transgression/elopement

215    clogs blocks of wood attached to the neck or leg to prevent escape

216    like yourself on your behalf/as you would speak if you were calm    lay apply    sentence opinion/saying, maxim

217    grise flight of stairs/single step

218    remedies are past it is too late for remedies    griefs hardships, suffering/distress

219    late recently

220    mischief misfortune/wicked action

221    next nearest

222    takes takes away/seizes hold/strikes

223    Patience…makes enduring it patiently enables one to make light of the injury inflicted by fortune

225    spends engages in/exhausts/expends (perhaps with the suggestion of tears)    bootless pointless/incurable

226    beguile cheat/deprive

228    He…hears he who derives only the easy comfort of such a saying certainly bears out your maxim (bears the sentence plays on the sense of “undergoes judicial sentence”)    free easy/unrestrained/costless

231    to…borrow must try to abate his grief with the scant resources of patience    poor unfortunate/feeble/impecunious

232    These…equivocal i.e., such maxims are just as sweet as they are bitter, so they are equally valid in whichever fashion they are applied

235    bruisèd crushed, battered    pierced affected, moved (i.e., soothed)    through the ears i.e., by words

238    fortitude strength

239    allowed sufficiency acknowledged ability, demonstrable competence    opinion public opinion    effects events/outcomes

240    throws…you votes for you as the more secure choice    slubber soil, smear

241    stubborn difficult/unyielding    boisterous rough, violent

243    flinty hard, stony    couch bed (in addition to the nature of war in general, Othello also refers to having to sleep on the ground in one’s armor)

244    thrice-driven i.e., extremely soft, having had the lightest feathers separated from the rest three times over    down fine feathers of young birds    agnize acknowledge

245    alacrity readiness

246    hardness hardship/a hard bed

248    bending…state submitting (possibly bowing) to your authority as duke

249    fit disposition suitable arrangements

250    reference…exhibition assignment of lodgings and financial maintenance

251    accommodation provision/lodgings    besort suitable company

252    levels with equals/befits

258    eye sight

259    unfolding ensuing speech/explanation    prosperous favorable

260    charter permission/privilege

261    simpleness unassuming disposition/guilelessness/foolishness

264    violence violation of convention/extreme strength of feeling    storm of fortunes the tempestuous nature of my lot/the disruption of my privileged life

265    subdued Even to entirely submissive to/wholly conquered by

266    very quality fundamental nature

268    parts qualities

269    consecrate dedicate solemnly, devote

271    moth i.e., insignificant creature/creature that hovers idly/source of expense

272    rites rites of love/rights, privileges

274    dear heartfelt/costly

275    voice support, consent

276    Vouch witness

278    comply with heat submit to sexual desire    young affects youthful passions

279    defunct…satisfaction no longer active (defunct, dead) desire for sexual satisfaction

280    free generous

281    heaven may heaven    that if

282    scant neglect/diminish

283    toys trifles/Cupid’s arrows

284    feathered alludes either to Cupid’s wings or to his arrows    Cupid Roman god of love (traditionally depicted as a blind boy with wings)    seel blind (literally to sew up the eyes of a young hawk for training purposes)    wanton dullness post-coital lethargy

285    speculative…instrument i.e., eyes, official faculties of vision

286    That so that    disports (sexual) entertainments

287    skillet cooking pot    helm helmet

288    indign unworthy, dishonorable

289    Make head advance/raise troops    estimation reputation

291    cries calls for

298    quality and respect significance and relevance

299    import concern

302    conveyance escorting

307    delighted delightful

308    fair beautiful/pale/virtuous    black ugly/dark-complexioned/wicked

312    Honest honorable/virtuous/truthful

315    in…advantage at the most favorable opportunity

317    direction instruction

318    time i.e., current urgency of affairs

320    heart friend

323    incontinently immediately/loosely, unchastely

326    prescription ancient right/doctor’s prescription

329    Ere before

330    guinea-hen female turkey or guinea fowl/prostitute    change exchange    baboon i.e., an idiot (monkeys were also associated with lechery)

331    fond doting, infatuated/foolish

332    virtue nature/power/moral strength

333    A fig! coarse exclamation of dismissive contempt, often accompanied by the thrusting of the thumb between the index and middle fingers

335    set plant    hyssop an aromatic herb    gender type

336    distract divide    sterile with idleness unproductive as a result of neglect

337    corrigible authority power to correct

338    beam bar from which the scales of a balance are suspended/the balance itself    poise counterbalance

339    blood passions    preposterous perverse/illogical/monstrous

340    conclusions outcomes    motions impulses, emotions    carnal stings sexual urges (with phallic connotations)

341    unbitted unbridled, unrestrained    sect or scion cutting or shoot

343    will personal inclination/sexual desire

345    knit tied firmly, committed    perdurable indestructible

346    stead help, support

347    defeat…beard disfigure your face with a false beard (or perhaps “by growing a beard”)

350    answerable sequestration corresponding separation

352    locusts fruit of the carob tree    coloquintida colocynth, a    bitter apple

353    change for youth exchange Othello for a younger man/because she’s young (and therefore changeable)

355    delicate enjoyable/elegant/ingenious    Make raise    sanctimony holiness

356    erring roving/blundering/sinful    barbarian person from Barbary/uncivilized savage    supersubtle extremely refined/supremely cunning

358    pox of plague on    pox plague, venereal disease    clean…way entirely the wrong measure to take

359    in for    compassing achieving/sexually embracing    joy sexual pleasure/Desdemona

360    fast reliable/constant    issue outcome

361    art i.e., may be

362    hearted grounded in the heart

363    conjunctive united    cuckold him make him a cuckold (i.e., a man with an unfaithful wife)

365    Traverse move (a military command)

369    betimes early

370    Go to expression of dismissive impatience

373    profane abuse/treat irreverently

374    snipe fool, dupe/type of bird

375    But except

376    abroad i.e., widely

377    done my office performed my role (i.e., had sex with my wife)

378    in that kind of that nature

379    do…surety proceed as if it were a certainty    holds me well has a good opinion of me

381    proper handsome/fine/accomplished

382    plume up glorify/put a feather in the cap of

385    he i.e., Cassio

386    person presence/appearance    dispose disposition/manner

387    framed formed    false unfaithful (to their husbands)

388    free frank/generous

390    tenderly easily

392    engend’red conceived

393    monstrous unnatural, deformed

Act 2 Scene 1

 2.1    Location: a port in Cyprus

    1    cape headland

    2    high-wrought flood agitated sea

    3    main sea

    4    Descry catch sight of

    7    ruffianed behaved as a ruffian, i.e., raged

    8    ribs strengthening timbers in the framework of a ship    mountains mountainous waves

    9    hold the mortise keep their joints secure

  10    segregation dispersal

  12    chidden rebuked, repelled (by the shore)    billow ocean swell

  13    mane puns on “main” (i.e., sea)

  14    burning bear the constellation Ursa Minor (used for navigation)

  15    guards the two stars in Ursa Minor that were second in brightness to the Pole Star    pole the Pole Star or North Star

  16    like molestation similar turbulence

  17    enchafèd furious, roused

  19    embayed sheltered in a bay

  23    designment enterprise

  24    sufferance damage

  28    Veronesa ship from or built in Verona (city in northern Italy)

  31    in…here on his way here with full delegated authority

  34    Touching regarding    sadly serious, grave

  35    pray i.e., prays

  39    full complete, perfect

  42    the…regard the blueness of the sea and the sky one indistinguishable sight

  46    arrivancy people arriving

  48    approve praise, testify to the worth of

  52    bark ship    pilot ship’s captain

  53    Of…allowance acknowledged to be a man of proven expertise

  54    not…cure not being fatally overindulged, remain confident of a good outcome (medical metaphor: “surfeit” refers to the gastrointestinal problems that result from too much food and drink)

  58    brow o’th’sea i.e., a cliff top

  60    shape him for imagine it to be

  61    shot of courtesy welcoming cannon shot

  67    achieved won

  68    paragons excels    wild unrestrained/excited    fame report

  69    quirks clever conceits/verbal tricks    blazoning praising/proclaiming/vividly descriptive

  70    th’essential…creation the innate God-given beauty of body or soul    vesture clothing

  71    tire the engineer exhaust the writer trying to describe her (tire, picking up on vesture, puns on “attire”)    engineer author

  72    put in i.e., arrived at the harbor

  74    speed haste/good fortune

  76    guttered jagged    congregated sands massed sands, i.e., sandbanks

  77    ensteeped immersed in water    enclog obstruct

  78    As as if    omit neglect

  79    mortal deadly

  83    in…of to be escorted by

  84    footing landing    anticipates…speed occurs a week earlier than we had expected

  85    sennight’s week’s    Jove supreme Roman god

  87    tall brave/flne/tall-masted

  88    quick lively/rapid/burning

  89    extincted extinguished

  95    Enwheel encircle

102    fellowship company, i.e., group of ships

104    citadel fortress (where a garrison would have been stationed)

108    gall vex, irritate

109    breeding upbringing

112    tongue i.e., in speaking incessantly/in kissing

114    has no speech is not a great talker/has been rendered silent with embarrassment at Iago’s words

116    still always    leave a free moment/permission

117    before in the presence of

119    chides scolds

121    pictures i.e., silent/attractive in appearance    bells i.e., noisy and jangling    parlours nods at the original meaning of the word: “room set aside for conversation”

122    players triflers as opposed to serious workers

123    housewifery housekeeping    housewives hussies, whores

125    Turk i.e., an infidel, not to be trusted

126    play with sexual connotations    work do chores/have sex

132    assay try/put me to the test

134    beguile divert attention from

137    invention inventiveness

138    pate head/brains    birdlime sticky substance spread on twigs to catch birds    frieze coarse woolen cloth

139    muse inspiring goddess    labours toils/is in the process of giving birth (a sense continued with delivered)

141    fair beautiful/fair-haired    wit intelligence, perhaps playing on a “genital” sense

142    The…it i.e., wisdom will make use of fairness;    use plays on sense of “sexual employment”

143    black dark-haired and/or complexioned

144    thereto in addition

145    white fair-complexioned person (puns on “wight,” meaning “person,” and possibly “wit,” witty fellow)    blackness plays on sense of “vagina”    fit suit/fit into during sex

149    folly foolishness/lewdness    to an heir to marry an heir/get pregnant

150    fond foolish

151    foul ugly/black

152    thereunto in addition

153    foul pranks lewd acts

154    heavy grievous/burdensome

155    one…itself one whose virtue is so powerful that it rightfully compels the approving testimony of malice itself

158    tongue i.e., speech, plays on sense of “oral sex”    at will when she wanted, plays on sense of “will”—carnal desire/penis

159    gay showily dressed

160    Fled…may denied her own wishes even when she knew she might indulge them/denied her lover until she chose

164    change…tail i.e., have (adulterous) sex    cod’s head penis    salmon’s tail vagina

167    wight person, plays on “white” meaning “target” (vagina)

169    suckle breastfeed    chronicle small beer concern herself with trivial matters

172    liberal freely spoken/licentious

173    home directly    in the in the role of a

176    gyve shackle

177    courtship courtly manners (plays on sense of “wooing”)    You…indeed Iago mockingly pretends to speak to Cassio    tricks fashionable mannerisms, courtly practices

178    kissed…fingers a gesture of courtesy to a lady

179    sir i.e., well-bred gentleman

180    courtesy bow, courteous gesture

181    clyster-pipes tubes used for anal administration of medicine or enemas

184    Lo look

191    bark sailing ship

192    Olympus-high as high as Mount Olympus, the home of the Greek gods

193    to die my time to die

197    Succeeds can follow

203    stops arrests/chokes    here at this very moment/in my heart or throat

207    set down loosen

214    prattle chatter    out of fashion contrary to my usual manner/unfashionably    dote behave foolishly/indulge

215    comforts happiness

216    coffers boxes, trunks

217    master ship’s captain

219    challenge claim, require

222    base low-born/unworthy

223    list listen to

224    watches…guard is on duty at the guardhouse

225    directly completely

227    thus i.e., on the lips    Mark me note, recollect

228    but only

229    prating chattering    discreet discerning, prudent

231    dull sluggish    act of sport sex    a game sexual play/a new quarry

232    favour appearance    sympathy similarity

233    required conveniences necessary correspondences (or “advantages”)

234    heave the gorge retch    disrelish find distasteful

236    pregnant evident    position proposition, assertion

237    eminent…degree i.e., first in line    eminent high/conspicuous    degree step

238    voluble inconstant/glib    conscionable ruled by conscience

239    humane courteous/kindly    seeming appearance    compass achievement    salt lecherous

240    slipper slippery    subtle cunning    occasion opportunity

241    stamp coin    advantages opportunities    true genuine/honest

243    folly foolishness/lewdness    green young/inexperienced    after out for    pestilent poisonous/confounded

244    complete perfect, consummate

245    condition disposition

246    Blessed fig’s-end! exclamation of dismissive contempt    fig’s-end vagina    The…grapes i.e., she’s as mortal (and open to desire) as the next person

247    pudding sausage/penis

248    paddle stroke/play with her fingers

250    index table of contents/preface (plays on the sense of the pointing “forefinger”)    obscure hidden

252    mutabilities changes, signs of sexual fickleness

253    hard close    main may contribute to the language of hands and fingers with a play on the French main (“hand”)    exercise action/sexual act    incorporate carnal, united in one body

255    Watch you remain alert, be on the lookout    for…you I’ll bestow on you the leading role in carrying out our plan/I’ll give you instructions about what to do

257    tainting his discipline casting aspersions on his military skill

258    minister provide

260    choler anger    haply perhaps/with any luck

261    these i.e., the people

262    whose…again i.e., who will not be appeased

263    displanting uprooting, supplanting

264    prefer promote, advance

265    prosperity success

266    I…opportunity it will bring about any opportunity for me

267    warrant assure    his i.e., Othello’s

271    apt likely/appropriate    of great credit very believable

272    howbeit…not although I cannot bear him

275    dear beloved, precious (with grim play on the sense of “costly”)

276    peradventure perhaps/probably

277    accountant accountable

278    diet feed

279    For that because

280    leaped into plays on the sense of “mounted sexually”    seat official place/saddle/(wife’s) vagina

287    poor…Venice i.e., Rodorigo    trace follow

288    For on account of    stand…on continues to respond to my incitements (suggestive of urging dogs on in a hunt)

289    on the hip at a disadvantage

290    right garb way I plan/most effective manner

291    night-cap wife/(wife’s) vagina; Iago suspects Cassio of having sex with Emilia

293    egregiously monstrously, shamefully

294    practising upon scheming against

295    ’Tis here i.e., the plan exists/the plan is in my head

Act 2 Scene 2

 2.2    Location: Cyprus

    2    mere perdition total destruction

    3    triumph public celebration of victory

    4    addition rank/occupation

    5    nuptial marriage

    6    offices kitchens, pantries

    7    told counted, struck

Act 2 Scene 3

 2.3    Location: Cyprus (the citadel)

    2    stop restraint

    3    outsport discretion make merry beyond the bounds of prudence

    8    with your earliest at your earliest convenience

  10    the…ensue i.e., though married, Othello and Desdemona have yet to consummate their union

  14    cast dismissed

  16    wanton sportive/amorous/lascivious    Jove the supreme Roman god was known for his amorous encounters with beautiful women

  17    exquisite accomplished, perfect

  18    full of game sexually sportive, lustful

  19    delicate charming/dainty/elegant

  20    sounds a parley issues a summons (literally, to military negotiations)

  22    alarum call to arms

  24    stoup cup, tankard

  25    without outside    brace pair    gallants fine young men disposed to pleasure    fain gladly    have a measure i.e., drink a toast

  27    unhappy unfortunate

  30    craftily qualified skillfully diluted

  31    innovation alteration/revolution    infortunate unfortunate, unlucky

  36    it dislikes me it displeases me/I do it reluctantly

  39    offence aggression, readiness to take offense

  40    my…dog the overindulged lapdog of a young lady    sick lovesick

  42    caroused drunk as a toast

  43    Potations pottle-deep half-gallon drafts    watch remain alert, be on the lookout (for a chance to provoke Cassio)

  44    swelling proud

  45    That…distance who are very conscious of protecting their honors (and thus quick to take offense)

  46    elements essence, typical constituents

  47    flustered made drunkenly excitable

  48    watch are awake

  49    action deed/fight

  51    approve prove, bear out

  52    stream current

  53    rouse large quantity of drink

  56    cannikin small drinking vessel

  59    span brief period (literally, span of the hand)

  63    most…potting big drinkers

  64    swag-bellied with a belly that sags heavily

  67    drinks you drinks (you is emphatic)

  68    Almain German    pottle half-gallon drinking vessel

  71    do you justice i.e., match you in the amount you drink

  73    King Stephen twelfth-century King of England    and-a a

  74    crown gold coin of varying value in different countries

  75    held considered

  76    lown loon, rascal, base person

  80    auld old

  88    quality rank

  98    th’platform the terrace on which guns were mounted and where the night watch stood guard    set the watch mount the guard

102    just equinox exact equal    equinox moment when day and night are of equal length

103    pity of a pity about

109    watch…set remain awake during two revolutions of the clock (horologe)

119    hazard…second risk as important a place as lieutenant

120    ingraft engrained

128    knave rogue/servant, low-ranking person

129    twiggen bottle wicker basket (i.e., Rodorigo’s body will be criss-crossed with wounds and bruises)

133    hold hold back

135    mazzard head

141    masters sirs

142    bell town alarm bell Diablo devil (Spanish)

143    rise rise up/riot

144    ashamed filled with shame/dishonored

149    place (your) official positions

152    turned Turks converted to Islam/betrayed ourselves    that…Ottomites attack each other, which the heaven-sent storm prevented the Turks from doing to us; may also allude to Islamic prohibitions against alcohol/internecine strife

155    carve i.e., with his sword

156    light of small value    he dies i.e., I’ll kill him

157    dreadful inspiring dread and terror

158    From her propriety out of its rightful ordered state

159    grieving distress, sorrow

160    love loyal affection for me

162    quarter conduct toward one another    terms speech/relations with one another

163    Devesting them undressing themselves

164    unwitted men deprived men of their senses

165    tilting thrusting

167    peevish odds senseless quarrel/headstrong conflict

168    would wish

170    are thus forgot have forgotten yourself in this way

172    wont accustomed

173    stillness calmness/sobriety

175    censure judgment

176    unlace undo (the strings of a purse in order to spend the contents)

177    opinion reputation

181    offends hurts

182    aught anything

188    blood passion/anger    safer guides i.e., reason, judgment

189    collied blackened, obscured

190    Assays attempts

193    rout brawl

194    approved proved (guilty)

195    twinned…birth been my twin

196    town of war garrison town

197    wild excitable, unruly, not entirely under control

198    manage conduct

199    on…safety! at the guardhouse and while on duty protecting public safety

200    monstrous unnatural, outrageous (ironically, a mere full stop stands in the way of the answer to Othello’s question)

201    partially…office if, being personally predisposed (to Cassio) or allied (to him) because of your official roles

204    Touch test/accuse/provoke    near intimately/closely

211    with…him determined to use his sword upon him (execute plays on sense of “put to death”)

213    his pause him to stop

217    rather For that the more rapidly because

219    high in oath cursing loudly

225    forget forget themselves

226    him i.e., Montano

229    indignity insult, affront

230    pass let pass

232    mince make light of

238    sweeting sweetheart, darling

240    Myself…surgeon i.e., I will ensure that you receive good medical care/dress your wounds

242    distracted confused/caused disorder among

244    balmy soothing

252    sense physical feeling, i.e., pain    idle useless/empty

253    imposition thing imposed on one by others

255    recover regain (the favor of)    cast…mood dismissed in his fit of anger

257    Sue to petition, entreat

260    slight worthless    indiscreet foolish, lacking sound judgment    speak parrot babble repetitively/speak rubbish

261    discourse fustian speak elaborate nonsense

264    What who

268    nothing wherefore no reason for it

270    pleasance pleasure

274    frankly openly, unreservedly

275    moraler moralizer

277    mend it improve matters

279    Hydra in Greek mythology, the many-headed snake that re-grew two heads for every one that was cut off    stop stop up, silence

280    inordinate immoderate

282    familiar friendly (but quibbles on the sense of “malign attendant spirit”)

284    approved it found it to be so through experience

285    a time some time

286    for that (namely) that

287    mark, and denotement observation

288    parts personal qualities    importune crave, entreat; plays on negative senses of “pester, annoy/solicit for purposes of prostitution”

289    free generous, but plays ambiguously on secondary sense of “sexually available”; Iago’s speech is open to a negative construction throughout    apt ready, willing

291    splinter set with a splint

292    lay wager/lying down a woman (for sex)    crack damage (with sexual, anatomical overtones)

295    protest declare, avow

296    think it freely believe so unreservedly    betimes early

297    undertake take on the matter/vouch    desperate of hopeless about    check halt

301    free freely given/generous/frank

302    Probal probable, credible, reasonable

304    Th’inclining disposed to be sympathetic/yielding    subdue win over

305    framed as fruitful created as generous

308    seals pledges/tokens

309    enfettered shackled, enslaved

310    list desires

311    appetite inclination/sexual desire

312    function capabilities, intellectual faculties (weak because he is so enamored of her); possible play on the sense of “sexual potency”

313    parallel i.e., to Iago’s scheming intentions

314    Divinity theology

315    put on urge, incite (men to commit)

316    suggest tempt

318    Plies solicits, works on

320    pestilence plague/wickedness

321    repeals him tries to get him reinstated

323    credit trust/reputation

324    pitch sticky black tarlike substance

327    chase hunt    fills…cry makes up one of the pack

329    cudgelled beaten    issue outcome

330    wit sense

334    dilatory slow/delaying

336    cashiered (got) dismissed

337    against exposed to

338    Yet…ripe i.e., the dismissal of Cassio demonstrates that our plan is blossoming and will ensure that the eventual outcome (fruit) of our schemes is successful

339    troth truth

345    move entreat, solicit

347    the while meanwhile

348    jump precisely

350    device scheming

Act 3 Scene 1

 3.1    Location: Cyprus (governor’s residence/citadel) Musicians music was traditionally played outside a bridal bedroom at dawn

    1    content your pains pay for your efforts

    3    Naples southwestern Italian city

    4    i’th’nose with a nasal twang like that of the Neapolitan accent/like one whose nasal tissue has been damaged by syphilis, of which there was a high incidence in Naples

    5    How what

    8    tail penis (though the Musician hears “tale,” i.e., story)

  10    wind instrument sense has now shifted to “flatulent anus”

  11    love’s the love you bear him/Othello’s lovemaking with Desdemona

  12    noise plays on nose

  17    up away

  20    keep…quillets hold back your quibbles

  21    gentlewoman female attendant    stirring up and about (but in his response the Clown shifts the sense to “sexually arousing”)

  23    seem arrange, contrive

  24    In happy time (you have come at) an opportune moment

  31    presently immediately

  32    mean method

  36    A Florentine i.e., even a Florentine (one of Cassio’s own countrymen)

  38    displeasure being out of favor

  41    fame reputation

  42    affinity family/connections    wholesome sound, beneficial

  44    suitor petitioner

  48    advantage of a favorable opportunity for

  52    bosom heart, inmost thoughts

Act 3 Scene 2

    2    do my duties convey my respects

    3    works fortifications

    4    Repair return/make your way

Act 3 Scene 3

    3    I warrant I’m sure

  13    strangeness aloofness, unfriendliness

  14    politic discreet/expedient

  17    nice and waterish insubstantial and thin (or possibly “luxurious and succulent”)

  18    breed…circumstances renew itself out of various events/generate so few opportunities (for my reinstatement)

  19    supplied filled

  21    doubt fear

  22    warrant assurance, guarantee

  25    watch him tame tame him by preventing him from sleeping (a method for training hawks)

  26    board a shrift table (shall seem) a confessional

  29    solicitor pleader/representative/lawyer (legal language is continued with cause)

  30    away up

  36    do your discretion obey your own judgment

  46    suitor petitioner (Desdemona unconsciously puns on the sense of “lover”)

  50    grace virtue/favor with you

  51    present reconciliation take restore him to your favor immediately/accept the reconciliation he now seeks

  53    in cunning deliberately

  57    sooth truly

  65    dinner lunch

  72    trespass fault, offense    common reason everyday judgment

  74    best best men    not almost hardly even

  75    check reprimand

  78    mamm’ring stammering hesitantly

  82    in i.e., into favor

  85    boon favor graciously granted

  88    peculiar particular, personal

  90    touch test

  91    poise heaviness, importance/balance, equipoise (making choice hard)    difficult weight hard to assess or weigh

  94    Whereon as a result of which

  97    straight straightaway, very soon

  98    fancies inclinations, whims

100    Perdition destruction/damnation    catch seize

114    aught anything

126    of…Of in my confidence during

128    purse furrow, knit

130    conceit imagining/idea

134    for because

136    stops hesitations/abrupt pauses

137    false treacherous

138    custom habit

139    close dilations secret delays/hidden accusations

140    rule control, restrain

145    seem none not be men/not seem to be anything at all, not convince in the slightest

154    that…free the thing that even slaves are not bound to do (i.e., speak their thoughts)

158    uncleanly morally impure

159    leets courts held by some manorial lords    law-days days on which courts of law meet    sessions sittings of the law court

160    With together with

161    thy friend i.e., Othello

165    vicious wicked/faulty/blameworthy

167    jealousy suspicious nature/anxious vigilance

169    conceits conjectures, imagines

171    scattering wild/random/disordered    observance observations/dutiful care

177    immediate closest

184    if even if

188    mock…on taunts the victim (the jealous man) that gives it life    mock torment/delude/ridicule

189    cuckold man with an unfaithful wife

190    wronger i.e., his wife

191    tells counts

195    fineless limitless

201    follow…suspicions imitate the waxing moon by growing in suspicion/like a madman, respond to each new phase of the moon with new suspicions

203    goat proverbially lecherous animal

205    exsufflicate puffed-up    blowed blown-up/whispered/fly-blown (i.e., putrid, full of flies’ eggs)

206    inference conclusion/implication

210    merits qualities/worth

211    revolt disobedience, infidelity

221    secure free from doubt/overconfident

223    self-bounty inherent generosity/good nature

224    country contains a pun on “cunt” (a similar quibble on “con” may lie within conscience)

225    pranks sexual mischief

227    undone plays on sense of “not copulated with”

233    go to expression of dismissive contempt

235    seel sew (as a young hawk’s eyes are for training purposes)    oak a closely grained wood

239    bound indebted (plays on sense of “tied, shackled”)

244    your love love for you

246    grosser larger/more lewd    issues conclusions    larger broader/coarser    reach “stretch, aim” (verb) or “scope, range” (noun)

247    suspicion mere conjecture

250    success outcome

254    honest chaste/virtuous

258    affect like, prefer

259    clime…degree country, race, and rank

261    will inclination/willfulness/sexual appetite    rank rebellious/corrupt/rancid, foul-smelling/lascivious

262    Foul abhorrent/morally impure/dirty, blackened/choked with foreign matter    disproportions deformities/lack of symmetry

263    in position in this assertion

264    Distinctly specifically

266    fall…forms come to compare you with men of her own nationality (conceivably country puns on “cunt”)

267    happily perhaps/with pleasure

275    scan examine

276    place official position (though fills it up generates a vaginal sense)

279    means methods/intentions

280    strain his entertainment urge his reinstatement

283    busy over-zealous/interfering

285    hold her free consider her innocent, plays on negative sense of “sexually available”

286    government self-control

289    quantities dimensions, aspects

290    dealings behavior/interaction/sexual dealings    haggard wild (a haggard is an untamed female hawk)

291    jesses straps fastened around the legs of a hawk to help keep it attached to the falconer

292    whistle…wind set her free (a falconer dismissed a hawk with a whistle; unwanted hawks were released in the same direction as the wind was blowing)

293    prey at fortune fend for herself, hunt randomly    Haply, for perhaps, because

294    soft…conversation pleasing sociable accomplishments

295    chamberers fashionable men who frequent ladies’ chambers

297    abused wronged/deceived

299    delicate charming/pleasure-seeking

302    corner nook/vagina

303    uses sexual employment

304    Prerogatived privileged, advantaged

306    forkèd plague horned affliction (cuckolds were traditionally supposed to grow horns)

307    do quicken are conceived

308    mocked deceived/flouted/parodied

311    generous noble

312    attend await

316    pain…forehead suggestive of the cuckold’s horns

317    watching not sleeping

320    napkin handkerchief

324    remembrance love token

326    Wooed entreated, enticed

327    conjured her entreated her/made her swear

328    reserves keeps

329    work ta’en out embroidery copied

332    I nothing I am nothing to him/I know nothing    fantasy whim/desire

335    common unremarkable/vulgar/open to use by all    thing plays on the sense of “vagina”

346    to th’advantage opportunely, taking the advantage

354    lack miss/need

355    Be…on’t do not admit that you know anything about it

360    holy writ scripture

362    conceits ideas/imaginings

363    distaste be distasteful

364    act action

366    poppy opium    mandragora sedative made from the root of the mandragora, or mandrake, plant

369    owed’st owned

372    Avaunt get away    rack torture device that stretched the limbs

378    free unconstrained, untroubled

380    wanting missing

384    Pioneers foot-soldiers, the lowest kind of soldier

385    So as long as

387    plumèd wearing helmets adorned with feathers

389    trump trumpet

390    fife flute-like instrument, often used in military music

391    quality essential nature

392    Pride glory/proud magnificence    pomp and circumstance splendid display and ceremony

393    mortal engines deadly machines (i.e., cannon)    rude rough, raucous

394    Jove’s dread clamours i.e., thunder, Jove’s weapon

404    probation proof

408    remorse pity/penitence

410    amazed full of terror and consternation

415    God b’wi’you God be with you, i.e., goodbye    O wretched fool Iago addresses himself

419    profit profitable lesson

420    sith since    offence hurt (to me)/antagonism (in my friend)

421    shouldst be seem to be

422    should be ought to be

423    that that which

428    Dian i.e., Diana, Roman goddess of chastity and the moon

429    cords…streams i.e., means of committing suicide, or perhaps murder

437    supervision sight that you are gazing down on    grossly blatantly/coarsely

438    topped mounted sexually

441    prospect point from which they might be viewed

442    bolster share a bed/have sex

443    More other    own i.e., own eyes

444    satisfaction proof/freedom from doubt (plays on the sense of “sexual fulfillment”)

446    prime lecherous    hot sexually excited

447    salt lustful    wolves reputed to be libidinous, especially females    in pride in heat    fools idiots/lewd people    gross great/coarse

449    imputation…circumstances attribution and convincing circumstantial details

455    Pricked spurred

456    lay shared a bed

467    sigh Iago moves into the present tense to give his account an air of horrible immediacy

471    foregone conclusion event that had already occurred

472    shrewd doubt grievous suspicion

476    yet as yet

487    slave villain

490    fond foolish/doting/infatuated

493    hearted fixed in the heart

494    fraught burden

495    aspics asps (venomous snakes)

499    Pontic sea Black Sea

500    compulsive onward-flowing, driven

502    Propontic Sea of Marmora (situated between the Aegean and the Black Sea)    Hellespont the Dardanelles (the strait between the Aegean and the Sea of Marmora)

505    capable capacious

506    marble i.e., dappled with clouds/hard and indifferent

508    engage pledge, commit

511    clip embrace

513    execution action, performance    wit mind

515    remorse (an act of) compassion (for Othello)

516    What…ever whatever the bloodthirsty business

519    to’t to the test

524    minx lewd, wanton woman/prostitute

Act 3 Scene 4

 3.4    Location: Cyprus (presumably outside the citadel)

    1    sirrah sir (used to a social inferior)    lies lodges (the Clown puns on the sense of “to fib”)

    4    stabbing an offense one may be stabbed for

    9    lie…throat fib outrageously

  10    edified instructed (the Clown plays on the sense of “spiritually improved”)

  11    catechize question; the catechism is a form of instruction used by the Church in which a person answers a set of questions about the Christian faith

  13    moved petitioned/persuaded

  20    crusadoes Portuguese gold coins    but were it not that

  25    sun…Drew just as the sun was supposed to draw noxious vapors from the earth

  26    humours moods (literally, bodily fluids thought to govern a person’s temperament)

  30    dissemble deceive/disguise one’s feelings

  35    fruitfulness generosity/fertility/sexual liberality    liberal open/generous/licentious

  37    sequester seclusion/separation

  38    castigation chastisement/corrective discipline    exercise religious observances

  41    frank free/generous/sexually open

  44    the…hearts i.e., whereas once people gave away their hands (in marriage) together with their hearts, nowadays people give away their hands without their hearts

  47    chuck chick (term of endearment)

  49    salt…rheum miserable running cold

  60    amiable lovable

  64    fancies loves

  66    her i.e., my wife    heed careful attention

  71    web weave

  72    sibyl prophetess

  73    compasses annual circuits, i.e., years

  74    prophetic fury frenzy of prophetic inspiration

  75    hallowed holy, consecrated

  76    mummy medicinal substance obtained from mummified bodies

  77    Conserved of prepared/preserved from

  82    startingly and rash abruptly and impetuously

  83    out o’th’way misplaced

  86    an if if

  87    How? What?

  93    misgives is filled with suspicion/foreboding

  95    sufficient competent, able (with unwitting sexual connotations)

101    In sooth truly

105    wonder extraordinary or magical quality

106    unhappy unfortunate/miserable

109    hungerly hungrily

110    belch burp/vomit

113    happiness good fortune (at meeting Desdemona)

116    virtuous good/effective

118    office duty/functioning

120    mortal fatal

121    nor neither

122    purposed…futurity the merit I intend to display in the future

124    But merely    be my benefit content me/be my gain (as I will know the worst)

126    shut…in confine/devote myself to

127    To fortune’s alms relying on the charity of fortune

129    advocation advocacy, pleading (on your behalf)

131    favour appearance    humour mood

134    within the blank at the center of the target/at point-blank range

137    suffice content

142    his ranks Othello’s troops

144    brother brother-in-arms, dearly loved comrade

145    moment momentous importance

147    of state connected with state affairs

148    practice plot, treachery

150    puddled muddied

153    indues brings

154    members limbs

156    observancy…bridal proper attentions as those that befit the wedding

157    Beshrew curse

158    unhandsome inadequate

159    Arraigning indicting, accusing

160    suborned the witness bribed or influenced the witness to give false evidence

163    toy fancy, nonsensical notion

169    Begot upon conceived from

176    Save God save (common greeting)    friend friend/lover

177    make you are you doing

182    Eight score eight i.e., 168 (the number of hours in a week)    score twenty

183    dial (hours on the) clock

184    reck’ning counting/total, account

187    continuate uninterrupted

188    Strike…score settle this account/repay my sexual debt with copulation

189    Take…out copy this embroidery for me

191    friend lover, mistress

192    To…cause I now discern a cause for the absence I have suffered

201    demanded asked after

207    womaned with a woman or paramour

211    bring accompany

212    soon at night soon, tonight/early this evening

215    circumstanced subject to circumstances, i.e., accept the situation

Act 4 Scene 1

    8    hypocrisy…devil i.e., by seeming to do something wicked, but in fact having virtuous intentions

  11    venial light, pardonable

  19    They…not those that have lost it often still appear to possess it

  23    raven a bird of ill omen, whose cry was thought to herald death    infectious disease-ridden

  24    Boding predicting ominously (i.e., making its croaking cry)

  28    abroad out and about, at large

  29    importunate persistent

  30    voluntary dotage willing infatuation

  31    Convincèd conquered sexually    supplied filled up, satisfied sexually

  37    did plays on the sense of “had sex (with)”

  42    lie on tell lies about    belie slander

  43    fulsome repulsive/lustful

  45    Nature…instruction i.e., I would not be losing consciousness and suffering a fit (passion) without good reason    invest clothe, envelop    shadowing darkening/ominous    instruction reliable information

  46    Noses displaced image of the penis    lips also the vaginal labia

  49    medicine poison

  51    reproach disgrace

  58    lethargy faint, torpor

  63    on great occasion about an important matter

  65    Dost…me? Othello thinks that Iago is referring to the growth of a cuckold’s horns on the head 68    hornèd cuckolded

  70    civil city-dwelling/civilized

  73    bearded i.e., adult    yoked married/constrained and oppressed by wrongs

  74    draw pull the plow like a yoked ox

  75    unproper improper/not entirely their own

  76    peculiar their own

  78    lip kiss    wanton lover/lewd woman    secure couch carefree bed

  83    in…list within the bounds of patience

  86    shifted him away got rid of him/used a ruse to get him out of the way

  87    laid…ecstasy gave convincing explanations about your frenzy

  88    anon shortly

  89    encave conceal

  90    fleers sneers

  94    cope have sex with

  96    all…spleen entirely overcome by violent passion

102    keep time remain steady and controlled

104    housewife hussy, prostitute

106    strumpet whore

107    beguile cheat    beguiled charmed, ensnared

108    restrain refrain

111    unbookish unlearned/ignorant    conster construe

112    light merry

114    addition title (of lieutenant)

115    Whose want the lack of which

116    on’t of it

118    speed succeed, prosper

119    caitiff wretch

123    faintly without serious intent/unconvincingly

126    said done

130    triumph exult, gloat (literally “hold a victory procession,” an ancient    Roman celebration during which shackled captives were paraded through the streets)

131    A customer? i.e., Marry a whore?/I, who pay her for sex?    bear…wit be more charitable toward my judgment;    wit plays on the sense of “penis”

132    unwholesome unsound/diseased (i.e., with venereal disease)

134    cry rumor

136    else if it is not so

137    scored me wounded me/got one over on me sexually

139    love and flattery love for me and self-flattery

141    haunts follows, hangs around

142    sea-bank seashore    bauble plaything/worthless trifle

143    falls me falls (me is emphatic)

144    imports signifies, shows

146    plucked drew    nose probably a surrogate for the penis

150    such another just another, a commonplace    fitchew polecat (known for its foul smell and lechery; also a term for a prostitute)

152    dam mother

154    piece of work puns on the senses of “prostitute” and “sexual act”

155    minx whore

156    hobby-horse prostitute

159    should must

160    supper also suggests sex

163    rail rant abusively

174    foolish stupid/lewd

183    your way the right attitude or course of action

186    invention imagination

188    so…condition such a well-bred nature/such a sweet and kind disposition

189    gentle yielding

191    patent license    touch affect/provoke

193    messes portions of meat

197    expostulate argue, remonstrate

198    unprovide disarm

202    his undertaker the one to undertake the task of dealing with him

211    instrument…pleasures i.e., the letter containing their instructions

212    cousin general term for any relative other than parent or sibling

218    unkind breach unnatural separation, unfriendly quarrel

225    T’atone to reconcile

228    wise in your right mind

233    on’t of it

236    mad i.e., insane enough to publicly welcome Cassio’s promotion and make your love for him obvious

241    very much too much

244    teem be fertile, conceive

245    crocodile because crocodiles were supposed to weep insincere tears

255    turn introduces the additional meanings of “have sex”/”change her affections”    go on continue (to have sex/change affections)

257    obedient compliant (plays on sexual sense)

259    well-painted passion well-faked sorrow

263    my place i.e., as governor of Cyprus/as Desdemona’s lover

265    monkeys proverbially lustful creatures

266    full complete, entire

267    all…sufficient competent in everything

273    censure judgment (quibbling on the sense of “condemnation”)

274    if…were if he is not what he might be (i.e., mad), I heartily wish he was (as only madness would explain and partly excuse his behavior)

277    well good    would I wish

279    use habit

285    courses will denote actions will signify

Act 4 Scene 2

 4.2    Location: Cyprus (within the citadel)

  13    durst dare

  14    at stake as the stake in the    wager

  17    serpent’s curse after the serpent’s temptation of Eve in the Garden of Eden, God cursed him and decreed that he should be the lowest and most reviled of all creatures

  22    bawd procuress

  23    This i.e., Desdemona    subtle cunning

  24    closet…key cabinet (or room) complete with lock and key

  31    Some…function behave as one in your role (as a bawd) should

  32    procreants breeders, fornicators

  34    mystery trade, occupation    dispatch hurry up

  40    being…heaven resembling an angel

  47    heavy sorrowful

  49    haply perhaps

  55    sores afflictions

  56    Steeped immersed

  60    figure number (on a clock face)

  61    finger i.e., hour hand of a clock

  63    garnered stored

  65    fountain spring, source

  67    cistern pond/water tank

  68    knot and gender copulate    Turn…there turn your face toward it/change your appearance (or nature) when you see it

  69    cherubin angel (correctly “cherubim,” one of the biblical orders of angels)

  70    grim cruel, unforgiving/ugly

  71    honest truthful, but more specifically “sexually faithful,” “chaste”

  72    shambles slaughterhouse

  73    quicken…blowing give life even though they deposit their eggs in rotting meat

  76    ignorant unwitting

  78    committed Othello picks up on the senses of “committed adultery” and “fornicated”

  79    commoner prostitute

  83    stops stops up, closes    moon a symbol of chastity    winks closes its eyes

  85    mine cave

  88    strumpet harlot, prostitute

  90    vessel body

  97    cry you mercy beg your pardon

100    office opposite opposing job    Saint Peter heaven’s gatekeeper

101    gates of hell vaginal connotations (hell was a slang term for the vagina)

102    done our course finished our business/had our bout of sex

103    counsel secret

104    conceive think, imagine

106    asleep stunned

114    go by water be expressed through tears

118    meet fitting    used treated

119    How…misuse? What must I have done to cause him to attach even the slightest condemnation to my most minor misconduct?

126    a…chiding i.e., know little of being rebuked

128    bewhored her called her a whore

129    despite contempt/malice/abuse    heavy serious/angry/violent/distressing

135    callet drab, trull, whore

139    forsook declined/given up

143    Beshrew curse

144    trick delusion

148    cogging cheating    cozening deceiving

152    halter hangman’s noose

154    form manner, way

156    scurvy contemptible

157    companions rogues    unfold reveal, expose

161    within door i.e., more quietly

162    squire fellow (contemptuous)

163    the…without inside out (with the seams on the outside)

171    discourse course, process

172    that if

174    yet still

177    forswear abandon

180    abhor revolt (puns on whore)

181    addition title, name

182    vanity worthless finery

183    humour mood

188    stays await    meat food

193    daff’st me put me off, deflect me    device trick/stratagem

194    conveniency opportunity

196    put up endure, tolerate

203    votarist nun

204    comforts encouraging hopes    sudden respect imminent esteem and favor    acquaintance familiarity/sexual intimacy (possibly with pun on “quaint,” i.e., vagina)

206    go to Rodorigo shifts the sense to “have sex”

207    fopped deceived, cheated

211    satisfaction recompense

212    said had your say

213    protest intendment declare I have the intention

214    mettle spirit, vigor

216    exception objection    directly straightforwardly/fairly

223    engines plots against

224    compass range

228    Mauritania region in north Africa consisting of parts of Morocco and Algeria

229    abode be lingered stay be prolonged

230    determinate decisive

235    harlotry harlot

236    fashion…out arrange to occur

237    second support, back

238    amazed dumbstruck, stunned

240    high fully    grows to waste is passing/being wasted

Act 4 Scene 3

  11    incontinent immediately, plays on sense of “loosely, unchastely”

  16    nightly wearing nightclothes

  19    approve commend

  20    stubbornness inflexibility, obstinacy/ruthlessness, ferocity

  21    unpin me i.e., loosen or detach parts of my clothing (sleeves etc. were secured on with pins)/ unpin my hair or remove my hair accessory

  23    All’s one it makes no difference/all right    Good father i.e., God in heaven

  24    thee i.e., before you    shroud lay, wrap (ready for burial)

  26    talk talk nonsense, talk on idly

  27    Barbary a form of Barbara, but the name has obvious north African associations

  28    mad insane/wild/faithless

  29    willow the tree symbolized lost or unrequited love

  32    I…to it is all I can do not to

  37    proper handsome/accomplished

  41    nether lower (possibly with bawdy implication)

  42    sycamore type of fig tree or, as now, a species of maple; puns on “sick amour”

  50    Lay by these put these aside (presumably parts of her clothing or accessories)

  52    hie thee hurry yourself

  59    couch lie, sleep

  61    bode foretell

  65    abuse deceive, wrong

  66    gross kind a great way/a coarse manner

  74    price prize

  78    joint-ring ring consisting of two joined halves    lawn fine linen

  79    exhibition gift

  81    venture risk (going to)

  87    to th’vantage in addition, besides

  88    store populate    played gambled/had sex

  90    fall succumb sexually    duties marital and sexual duties

  91    our…laps the semen that is due to us into other women’s vaginas

  92    peevish senseless/perverse/willful

  94    scant reduce/withhold    our former having what we had before/our former financial means    despite spite, malice

  95    have galls are capable of feeling bitterness and resentment    grace charm/virtue/mercy

  96    revenge desire for revenge

100    change exchange    sport entertainment/sex

101    affection desire, lust

105    use treat/employ sexually

107    uses habits (of thought)

108    Not…mend not to learn bad habits from the bad behavior of others, but to learn from such examples to improve myself

Act 5 Scene 1

 5.1    Location: Cyprus (a street)

    1    bulk framework projecting from the front of a shop, a stall

    2    bare unsheathed    put it home drive it firmly to the target

    4    mars destroys

    6    miscarry go wrong, fail

  11    quat pimple    to the sense raw, to the tenderest part

  12    angry inflamed/enraged

  14    Live Rodorigo should Rodorigo live

  16    bobbed cheated

  17    gifts i.e., supposed gifts

  21    unfold reveal

  25    coat (thick) overcoat/metal-plated garment worn under outer clothing

  26    proof trial

  33    brave excellent/noble

  35    Minion whore (addressing Desdemona)

  36    unblest unholy, damned    hies hastens

  37    of out of, from

  39    passage passersby

  40    direful dreadful, dismal, horrible

  44    heavy overcast, gloomy

  46    come in to approach

  49    in his shirt in his nightshirt/without a jacket

  58    spoiled badly damaged, injured    undone ruined

  72    prove discover by testing, find    praise appraise

  85    may you suspect do you have any suspicions about

  89    garter band worn to hold up the stocking or as a belt or sash (Iago requires it for use as a tourniquet)

  92    trash worthless stuff, whore (i.e., Bianca)

102    accidents events/mishaps

108    said done

111    For as for

112    Save…labour don’t bother to try and help Cassio, leave him alone

117    the…eye her terrified look    gastness terror, dread

118    stare i.e., gaze fixedly in horror (suggestive of guilt and an imminent confession)

133    honest chaste

136    Cassio dressed i.e., Cassio’s wound bandaged

141    fordoes me quite ruins me completely

Act 5 Scene 2

 5.2    Location: Cyprus (citadel/governor’s bedroom)

    1    cause offense/reason for action

    5    alabaster used for the construction of funeral monuments

    7    Put…light quench the torch or candle and then extinguish Desdemona’s life

    8    flaming minister i.e., the torch or candle    minister servant

  11    cunning’st pattern most skillfully made model (cunning reverberates with its sense of “deception”)

  12    Promethean in Greek mythology the Titan Prometheus created humankind, for whom he also stole fire from heaven

  13    relume relight

  14    vital living

  17    Justice traditionally depicted as a blindfolded woman carrying scales and a sword

  20    fatal deadly, destructive/doomed

  22    strikes delivers a blow/withers (used of frost)/destroys (used of God or of malign planetary influence)

  27    Ay yes; Folio’s “I” could mean both “I” and “ay” (yes) and sound identical

  30    Solicit beg forgiveness

  34    forfend forbid

  39    say say so, say that

  45    They…you apparently alludes to the sin of loving a human more than God

  61    Presently imminently

  63    article item forming part of an accusation

  64    conception belief/plan

  65    do groan withal suffer with/am in labor with (playing on sense of pregnancy: conception)

  69    Offend sin against, commit a crime against

  70    warranty authorization

  73    stone harden, turn to stone

  82    used had sex with (Desdemona responds to a more general sense of “employed”)

  87    ta’en order made arrangements

  90    stomach appetite

  96    strive struggle

  98    Being done i.e., as I am resolved to do the deed/while it is being done    is no pause must be no hesitation

108    By and by in a moment (addressed to Emilia)

109    like likely

110    noise i.e., following the attack on Cassio    high loud

118    yawn at alteration gape open at this great change in nature

122    Soft wait a moment    curtains bed curtains

127    error roaming, wandering off course/mistake

128    wont accustomed

135    harsh jarring, discordant

136    falsely wrongfully, unjustly

139    Out, and alas! i.e., alas (out is an intensifier)

153    folly lewdness

154    belie slander

158    top mount sexually    else otherwise—i.e., if you do not believe me

160    But were it not

167    chrysolite precious stone, a name given to various gems including the topaz

170    on of

171    slime viscous substance/semen

172    filthy deeds whorish or impure sexual acts

174    iterance iteration, repetition

175    made mocks with made sport of/made a mockery of

180    pernicious destructive/villainous

182    filthy bargain i.e., Othello    filthy dirty, black

187    Peace…best you’d be better off remaining silent

189    be hurt endure pain inflicted by you    gull dupe

191    make thee known expose you

203    apt likely

209    charm put a spell on, i.e., silence

228    lift up eye i.e., look up to heaven

229    foul corrupt/wicked/guilty of an accusation

230    uncle i.e., Gratiano, presumably Brabantio’s brother

232    grim cruel, merciless

234    mortal fatal

235    Shore…thread an allusion to the three Fates: one spun the thread of a man’s life, another measured it and the third cut it

236    do…turn i.e., kill himself; “despair” or “desperation” are terms for the state of spiritual hopelessness thought to precede suicide    turn act

238    reprobance rejection by God (suicide is a sin)

242    works sexual acts

243    recognizance token

245    antique ancient

249    peace be silent

250    liberal…north freely as the north wind

256    dull stupid (plays on the sense of “dark”)

259    belonged was appropriate

264    Filth foul thing/whore

266    coxcomb fool (from the headgear of a professional fool, which resembled a cock’s comb)

268    stones thunderbolts

269    Precious utter, out-and-out

273    notorious obvious, evident

274    recovered taken

275    without from the outside

279    whipster worthless wretch

280    honour good reputation    honesty integrity (for which honour is gained)

283    swan…music proverbially, swans sang just before they died

289    the ice-brook’s temper tempered (i.e., made hard) by immersing it in the water of an ice-cold brook

292    perforce of necessity

294    naked unarmed

297    A…sustain i.e., a soldier never wore a better one    sustain maintain a fixed position

301    your stop the obstruction presented by you

304    Here various possibilities: “in this place”/“this sword” (i.e., don’t be afraid, this will be my rather than your death)/Othello uses the sword to indicate the part of himself he is going to stab/Othello gestures to Desdemona or indicates the sword (with emphasis on my)    butt goal, target (archery term)

305    sea-mark boundary of the flow of the sea/landmark used in navigation

306    lost wasted

307    Man…rush use a mere reed

309    ill-starred ill-fated

310    smock woman’s undergarment    compt the day of reckoning, Judgment Day

313    slave i.e., himself/Iago

317    steep-down extremely steep

322    I…feet i.e., to see if Iago, like the devil, has cloven feet

327    in my sense according to the way I feel

329    practice scheming, treachery

344    Torments torture

349    imports concerns/indicates

353    gross vile/monstrously evident

354    discontented filled with discontent

357    belike probably/perhaps

358    satisfied him provided him with answers and explanations (relating to the issues raised in the letter)

359    caitiff wretch

365    wrought…desire worked in accordance with his wishes

369    Brave challenge, confront    whereon as a result of which

370    cast dismissed

377    hold him long keep him alive under torture for a long time

378    close securely confined

385    extenuate diminish, disparage

388    wrought worked on/worked up

389    Perplexed distressed, tormented, agitated

390    base unworthy    Judean may allude to Judas Iscariot, the Judean disciple who betrayed Christ, or to Herod, the jealous Judean king who accused his wife Mariamne of adultery and had her executed

391    subdued overcome (by emotion)

393    Arabian trees i.e., myrrh trees, which drip with the gum resin

394    medicinable myrrh was used in astringent and expectorant tinctures

395    Aleppo city in Turkey

397    traduced slandered

400    period conclusion

402    kissed…thee perhaps another reference to Judas, who famously identified Christ to his enemies by kissing him; he later killed himself

403    die with shading into sense of “orgasm”

406    Spartan dog a particularly fierce breed of hunting dog

407    fell fierce/cruel

410    keep guard, secure/remain in/seize

411    seize upon take legal possession of

412    succeed on descend to, pass to

413    censure judgment/sentencing

416    heavy sorrowful

THE TRAGEDY OF ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA

Antony and Cleopatra is Shakespeare’s most luxuriant tragedy. The action sprawls around the Mediterranean world as it gives historical form to the mythical encounter between Venus (the embodiment of love) and Mars (the god of war). The play is structured upon a series of oppositions: between female and male, desire and duty, the bed and the battlefield, age and youth, and, above all, Egypt and Rome.

Henry Cockeram’s English Dictionary, published in the same year as Shakespeare’s First Folio, has an entry for Cleopatra: “an Egyptian Queen, she was first beloved of Julius Caesar; after, Marcus Anthonius was by her brought into such dotage that he aspired the Empire, which caused his destruction.” The idea that a great lawgiver or warrior could be destroyed by the lure of sexual desire was commonplace in the period. An earlier dictionary reminded the reader of how King Solomon in the Bible “exceeded all men in wisdom and knowledge” but “nevertheless was by dotage on women brought unto idolatry.” The primary definition of “dotage” was “to be mad or peevish, to play the fool (as old folks do).” To dote was to go against reason; to fall too far in love was to lose one’s wits. At the same time, the word was used with reference to old age: senility atrophies the powers of reason and makes an old person become a child again.

“Nay, but this dotage of our general’s / O’erflows the measure” says a Roman soldier in the very opening line. From the Roman point of view it is a monstrous embarrassment that one of the three men who rule their great empire should be disporting himself like an infatuated teenager. Perhaps he is indeed entering his dotage, approaching the second childhood of old age. From the Egyptian point of view, the power of desire is, on the contrary, something that transcends the petty world of tribal politics. Antony is torn between the two worlds: one moment he kisses Cleopatra and says “The nobleness of life / Is to do thus,” yet the next he says “These strong Egyptian fetters I must break / Or lose myself in dotage.”

Romanness meant controlling the passions within the restraint of reason, but in Egypt love is imagined as something that neither can nor should be controlled or measured. Its capacity is infinite. The love of Antony and Cleopatra “finds out new earth, new heaven.” And love’s medium is poetry: in this play Shakespeare gives his lyrical powers freer rein than ever before or after. Though the opening lines are spoken by a Roman, their style is loyal to Cleopatra: the sentence overflows the measure of the pentameter line, preparing the way for the liquid imagery of Egypt—with the fertile river Nile at its heart—that will overcome the measured rigidity of Rome.

Against the grain of the Renaissance idealization of the age of Augustus, Antony and Cleopatra depicts Octavius as a mealymouthed pragmatist. The play is concerned less with the seismic shift from republic to empire than with the transformation of Mark Antony from military leader to slave of sexual desire: “Take but good note, and you shall see in him / The triple pillar of the world transformed / Into a strumpet’s fool.” To Roman eyes, eros renders Antony undignified to the point of risibility, but the sweep of the play’s poetic language, down to its closing speech (“No grave upon the earth shall clip in it / A pair so famous”), celebrates the fame of the lovers, whose imagined erotic union in death is symbolic of cosmic harmony. Octavius himself has to admit that the dead Cleopatra looks as if “she would catch another Antony / In her strong toil of grace”: “toil” is sweatily sexual, but “grace” suggests that even the most Roman character of them all is now seeing Antony and Cleopatra as something other than self-deluding dotards. The aura of Cleopatra’s last speech is still hanging in the air; the power of the poetic language has been such that a sensitive listener will half-believe that Cleopatra has left her baser elements and become all “fire and air.” She is, as Charmian so superbly puts it, “A lass unparalleled”: just one of the girls, but also the unique queen and serpent, embodiment of the Nile’s fertility and the heat of life itself.

Although the “Life of Marcus Antonius” shows more than usual interest in the main female character, the historical structure of Plutarch’s narratives is always premised on the lives of his male heroes. Shakespeare’s play alters this focus to emphasize the death of the woman, not that of the warrior, as the climax of the story. The female perspective stands in opposition to the male voice that orders the march of history. In tone and language Antony and Cleopatra may be described as a “feminized” classical tragedy: Egyptian cookery, luxuriant daybeds, and a billiard-playing eunuch contrast with the rigors of Roman architecture and senatorial business.

At the end of the drama, young Octavius Caesar is left in sole charge of the empire. He will become Augustus, who was regarded as the embodiment of enlightened imperialism—a model for the ambitions of Shakespeare’s patron, King James. But all the poetry of the play has been on the Egyptian side. From Enobarbus’ entranced memory of the barge at Cydnus to the final enrobing for the serpent’s kiss of death, the language of Cleopatra works its magic upon the listener. Theater’s power to create illusion is of a piece with her seductive arts.

She is the consummate actress, able to change her mood on a whim, to keep all around her guessing as to whether she is in earnest or at play. Linguistically, she has a marvelous gift of combining a tone of lightness and wonderment with a sexily down-to-earth robustness (“O happy horse, to bear the weight of Antony!”). She is also the only woman in Shakespeare’s tragedies to have a wit comparable to that of comic heroines such as Rosalind in As You Like It and Portia in The Merchant of Venice. “Can Fulvia die?” she asks with feigned incredulity, playing on the double entendre where to die meant to have an orgasm (Roman wives, she implies, are frigid creatures). Cleopatra is a grown-up Juliet: utterly confident in her body, she relishes her own sexuality and is the dominant partner in the relationship. There is, however, a darker side to her powers. She uses both her sexual allure and her regal authority not only to seduce and to charm, but also to manipulate and to emasculate. She savages the messenger who brings news she does not want to hear. Her principal courtiers are women, Charmian and Iras. Plutarch complained that the affairs of Antony’s entire empire were determined by these two women of the bedchamber who frizzled Cleopatra’s hair and dressed her head. The only men in her entourage are a eunuch, Mardian, and a Greek, Alexas, whose name was synonymous with homoerotic desire.

Historically, Cleopatra’s allegiance was to the Greek as opposed to the Roman world. Her family, the Ptolemies, were Macedonian Greeks. Though some modern productions have played with notions of her blackness, imagining her as a kind of female Othello, Shakespeare’s contemporaries did not regard her as black. George Abbott, who was born within two years of Shakespeare, made the point explicitly in his Brief Description of the Whole World wherein is particularly described all the Monarchies, Empires, and Kingdoms of the same:

Although this country of Egypt doth stand in the self same climate that Mauritania doth, yet the inhabitants there are not black, but rather dun, or tawny. Of which colour Cleopatra was observed to be; who by inticement, so won the love of Julius Caesar, and Antony. And of that colour do those runagates (by devices make themselves to be) who go up and down the world under the name of Egyptians, being indeed but counterfeits and the refuse of rascality of many nations.

“Tawny” was an orange-brown color, associated with the sun, but clearly differentiated from the blackness of the Moors of Mauritania. It was the color of “gipsies,” who claimed to come from Egypt. Whereas lago insults Othello with racial abuse directed at his black features, the Romans insult Cleopatra by calling her a gipsy, associating her with a tribe famous for indolence, vagrancy, theft, fortune-telling and verbal wiles, magic, and counterfeiting—exactly the characteristic of Shakespeare’s representation of Cleopatra’s court.

Gipsies were often associated with beggars, and part of the paradox that is Cleopatra comes from the sense in which the opposite poles of regality and beggary meet in her. Antony begins his journey with the claim that “There’s beggary in the love that can be reckoned,” while Cleopatra ends hers by recognizing that the dungy earth is both “The beggar’s nurse and Caesar’s.” Refusing to demean herself by begging in supplication to Caesar, she welcomes the beggar-like Clown instead and purchases the asp that she will nurse at her breast. It seems that her main reason for refusing to surrender to Caesar is a refusal to undergo the shame of public display: “scald rhymers” will write ballads about her and

…The quick comedians

Extemporally will stage us and present

Our Alexandrian revels: Antony

Shall be brought drunken forth, and I shall see

Some squeaking Cleopatra boy my greatness

I’th’posture of a whore.

This is one of Shakespeare’s most daring self-allusions: he is the scald rhymer, his actors the quick comedians extemporally staging the revels. Antony has been “brought drunken forth” in the person of Richard Burbage, and the “squeaking Cleopatra” who speaks these lines—in the full knowledge that boy actors were sometimes described as the players’ whores—is Burbage’s cross-dressed apprentice, a young man in his late teens or at most his very early twenties (a sobering thought, given that Cleopatra is now considered the supreme Shakespearean role for a mature female actor).

We do not know what role, if any, Shakespeare wrote for himself in Antony and Cleopatra. Probably a small one. But there is no doubt as to which role corresponds most closely to his own point of view. Shakespeare was a realist as well as a romantic, a skilled politician as well as a supreme poet; he was equally capable of imagining Antony’s dramatic trajectory as a rise and as a fall. He was perpetually both inside and outside the action, both an emotionally involved participant in the world he created and a wryly detached commentator upon it. In the play, his own perspective is that of an Egyptian in Rome and a Roman in Egypt, as in earlier life his viewpoint had been that of a country outsider in London. So he invented a new character, the only major player in the story who is absent from the historical source: Enobarbus. Intelligent, funny, at once companionable and guardedly isolated, full of understanding and admiration for women but most comfortable among men (there is a homoerotic frisson to his bond with Menas and his rivalry with Agrippa), clinically analytical in his assessment of others but full of sorrow and shame when his reason overrides his loyalty and leads him to desert his friend and master, Enobarbus is as rewarding a role as any Shakespeare wrote. And it might just be the nearest thing anywhere in his complete works to a considered self-portrait.

KEY FACTS

PLOT: Following the assassination of Julius Caesar and the battle of Philippi, Mark Antony, Octavius Caesar, and Lepidus are the joint rulers of the known world. Antony, however, is captivated by Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, and neglects his responsibilities to spend time with her in Alexandria. This scandal is the talk of Rome and creates a rift between Antony and young Octavius Caesar. News comes from Rome that Antony’s wife is dead. More urgently, the power of the triumvirate is being challenged by Pompey. Antony is forced to return to Rome and resume his responsibilities. When it is suggested that he should cement the alliance with Octavius by marrying his sister, Octavia, Antony agrees. Back in Egypt, the news of Antony’s marriage sends Cleopatra into a jealous tirade. On the brink of war, Antony and Octavius make peace with Pompey. Shortly afterward, however, Antony learns that not only has Octavius attacked Pompey after all, but he has also spoken scornfully of Antony in public and has had Lepidus imprisoned on dubious charges. Antony sends Octavia back to negotiate with her brother while he returns secretly to Alexandria. News arrives in Rome that Antony and Cleopatra have crowned themselves and their children kings and queens in Alexandria. Octavius declares war on Egypt. The Egyptian forces lose the sea-battle of Actium when Antony deserts the battle to follow Cleopatra’s fleeing ship. Antony is consumed with shame and despair. However, hearing that Octavius has offered to make a secret treaty with Cleopatra, he rouses himself for a second, victorious battle. On the eve of the third battle, Antony’s soldiers are nervous and fear bad omens. Even the faithful Enobarbus deserts him. The Egyptian fleet surrenders and Antony, in his fury, accuses Cleopatra of betraying him to Octavius. She retreats from his anger to her monument and sends a false report that she is dead. On hearing this, Antony attempts suicide and is brought to Cleopatra’s monument to die in her arms. Rather than be captured and enslaved by the Romans, Cleopatra also kills herself. With all his enemies eliminated, Octavius returns victorious to Rome.

MAJOR PARTS: (with percentage of lines/number of speeches/scenes on stage) Mark Antony (24%/ 202/22), Cleopatra (19%/204/16), Octavius Caesar (12%/98/14), Enobarbus (10%/113/12), Pompey (4%/41/3), Charmian (3%/63/10), Lepidus (2%/30/6), Menas (2%/35/3), Agrippa (2%/28/7), Dolabella (1%/23/3), Eros (1%/27/6), Scarrus (1%/12/4).

LINGUISTIC MEDIUM: 95% verse, 5% prose.

DATE: 1606–07. Perhaps performed at court Christmas 1606 or Christmas 1607. Registered for publication in May 1608 (though not actually published prior to the First Folio); it seems to have influenced a play by Barnabe Barnes that was performed and published in 1607.

SOURCES: Closely based on the “Life of Marcus Antonius” in Plutarch’s Lives of the Most Noble Grecians and Romanes, translated by Thomas North (1579); there are some exceptionally close verbal parallels. The main addition is the character of Enobarbus, who is only mentioned very briefly in Plutarch. Shakespeare also seems to have known Samuel Daniel’s Cleopatra (1594, a play written to be read rather than performed); Daniel, in turn, seems to have been influenced by Shakespeare when revising his play in 1607.

TEXT: The First Folio of 1623 is the only early text. Apparently set from a scribal transcript of Shakespeare’s manuscript, it is notably inconsistent in the spelling of proper names and has a plethora of minor errors but few major ones.

THE TRAGEDY OF ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA

MARK ANTONY, a triumvir of Rome

An AMBASSADOR for Antony, a schoolmaster

CLEOPATRA, Queen of Egypt

SELEUCUS, Cleopatra’s treasurer

Octavius CAESAR, a triumvir of Rome

LEPIDUS, a triumvir of Rome

OCTAVIA, sister to Octavius Caesar and later wife of Antony

Sextus Pompeius (POMPEY), a rebel against the triumvirs

A SOOTHSAYER

SERVANTS of Pompey

A BOY SINGER

A CAPTAIN of Antony’s army

A CLOWN

Attendants, Eunuchs, Sentries, Guards, Soldiers and Servants

Act 1 Scene 11.1

running scene 1

        Enter Demetrius and Philo

PHILO

PHILO     Nay, but this dotage¹ of our general’s

               O’erflows the measure:² those his goodly eyes,

               That o’er the files and musters³ of the war

               Have glowed like plated⁴ Mars, now bend, now turn

5

5             The office⁵ and devotion of their view

               Upon a tawny⁶ front. His captain’s heart,

               Which in the scuffles of great fights hath burst

               The buckles on his breast, reneges⁸ all temper

               And is become the bellows and the fan

10

10           To cool a gipsy’s¹⁰ lust.

        Flourish. Enter Antony, Cleopatra, her Ladies [Charmian and Iras], the Train, with Eunuchs fanning her

                                             Look where they come:

               Take but good note, and you shall see in him

               The triple¹² pillar of the world transformed

               Into a strumpet’s¹³ fool. Behold and see.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     If it be love indeed, tell¹⁴ me how much.

15

15   

ANTONY

ANTONY           There’s beggary¹⁵ in the love that can be reckoned.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     I’ll set a bourn¹⁶ how far to be beloved.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Then¹⁷ must thou needs find out new heaven, new earth.

        Enter a Messenger

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     News, my good lord, from Rome.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Grates me!¹⁹ The sum.

20

20   

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA           Nay, hear them,²⁰ Antony.

               Fulvia²¹ perchance is angry, or who knows

               If the scarce-bearded Caesar²² have not sent

               His powerful mandate²³ to you: ‘Do this, or this;

               Take in²⁴ that kingdom, and enfranchise that:

25

25           Perform’t, or else we damn thee.’

ANTONY

ANTONY     How,²⁶ my love?

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Perchance?²⁷ Nay, and most like.

               You must not stay here longer: your dismission²⁸

               Is come from Caesar, therefore hear it, Antony.

30

30           Where’s Fulvia’s process?³⁰ — Caesar’s I would say. Both?

               Call in the messengers. As I am Egypt’s queen,

               Thou blushest, Antony, and that blood of thine

               Is Caesar’s homager:³³ else so thy cheek pays shame

               When shrill-tongued Fulvia scolds.³⁴ The messengers!

35

35   

ANTONY

ANTONY           Let Rome in Tiber³⁵ melt, and the wide arch

               Of the ranged³⁶ empire fall: here is my space.

               Kingdoms are clay: our dungy³⁷ earth alike

               Feeds beast as man. The nobleness of life

               Is to do thus: when such a mutual³⁹ pair They embrace

40

40           And such a twain⁴⁰ can do’t, in which I bind,

               On⁴¹ pain of punishment, the world to weet

               We stand up peerless.⁴²

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Excellent falsehood!

               Why did he marry Fulvia and not⁴⁴ love her?

45

45           I’ll seem⁴⁵ the fool I am not. Antony

               Will be himself.

ANTONY

ANTONY     But stirred⁴⁷ by Cleopatra.

               Now, for the love of Love and her soft hours,

               Let’s not confound⁴⁹ the time with conference harsh;

50

50           There’s not a minute of our lives should stretch⁵⁰

               Without some pleasure now. What sport⁵¹ tonight?

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Hear the ambassadors.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Fie,⁵³ wrangling queen,

               Whom everything becomes,⁵⁴ to chide, to laugh,

55

55           To weep, whose every passion fully strives

               To make itself in thee fair and admired.

               No⁵⁷ messenger but thine, and all alone

               Tonight we’ll wander through the streets and note

               The qualities⁵⁹ of people. Come, my queen,

60

60           Last night you did desire it.— Speak not to us. To the Messenger

        Exeunt [Antony and Cleopatra] with⁶¹ the Train

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS     Is Caesar with Antonius prized so slight?

PHILO

PHILO     Sir, sometimes when⁶² he is not Antony,

               He comes too short of that great property⁶³

               Which still⁶⁴ should go with Antony.

65

65   

DEMETRIUS

DEMETRIUS           I am full⁶⁵ sorry

               That he approves⁶⁶ the common liar who

               Thus speaks of him at Rome; but I will hope

               Of better deeds tomorrow. Rest you happy.⁶⁸

        Exeunt

[Act 1 Scene 2]

running scene 1 continues

        Enter Enobarbus, Lamprius, a Soothsayer,* Rannius, Lucillius, Charmian, Iras, Mardian the Eunuch and Alexas

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     Lord Alexas, sweet Alexas, most anything Alexas, almost most absolute¹ Alexas, where’s the soothsayer that you praised so to th’queen? O, that I knew this husband which you say must charge³ his horns with garlands!

ALEXAS

ALEXAS     Soothsayer.

SOOTHSAYER

SOOTHSAYER     Your will?

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     Is this the man? Is’t you, sir, that know things?

SOOTHSAYER

SOOTHSAYER     In nature’s infinite book of secrecy

               A little I can read.

ALEXAS

ALEXAS     Show him your hand. To Charmian

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     Bring in the banquet¹⁰ quickly: To Servants within wine enough Cleopatra’s health to drink. Servants bring fruit and wine

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN      Good sir, give me good fortune. Holds out her hand

SOOTHSAYER

SOOTHSAYER     I make not, but foresee.

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     Pray then foresee me one.

SOOTHSAYER

SOOTHSAYER     You shall be yet far fairer¹⁵ than you are.

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     He means in flesh.

IRAS

IRAS     No, you shall paint¹⁷ when you are old.

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     Wrinkles forbid!

ALEXAS

ALEXAS     Vex not his prescience:¹⁹ be attentive.

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     Hush!

SOOTHSAYER

SOOTHSAYER     You shall be more beloving²¹ than beloved.

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     I had rather heat my liver²² with drinking.

ALEXAS

ALEXAS     Nay, hear him.

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     Good now,²⁴ some excellent fortune: let me be married to three kings in a forenoon²⁵ and widow them all: let me have a child at fifty to whom Herod of Jewry may do homage.²⁶ Find me to marry me with Octavius Caesar and companion me with my mistress.

SOOTHSAYER

SOOTHSAYER     You shall outlive the lady whom you serve.

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     O, excellent! I love long life better than figs.²⁹

SOOTHSAYER

SOOTHSAYER     You have seen and proved³⁰ a fairer former fortune

               Than that which is to approach.

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     Then belike³² my children shall have no names: prithee, how many boys and wenches³³ must I have?

SOOTHSAYER

SOOTHSAYER     If every of your wishes had a womb,

35

35           And fertile every wish, a million.

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     Out,³⁶ fool! I forgive thee for a witch.

ALEXAS

ALEXAS     You think none but your sheets are privy to³⁷ your wishes.

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     Nay, come, tell Iras hers.

ALEXAS

ALEXAS     we’ll know all our fortunes.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     Mine, and most of our fortunes tonight, shall be drunk to bed.⁴⁰

IRAS

IRAS     There’s a palm presages⁴¹ chastity, if nothing else. Holds out her hand

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     E’en as the o’erflowing Nilus presageth famine.⁴²

IRAS

IRAS     Go, you wild⁴³ bedfellow, you cannot soothsay.

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     Nay, if an oily palm⁴⁴ be not a fruitful prognostication, I cannot scratch mine ear. Prithee tell her but a workaday⁴⁵ fortune.

SOOTHSAYER

SOOTHSAYER     Your fortunes are alike.

IRAS

IRAS     But how? But how? Give me particulars.

SOOTHSAYER

SOOTHSAYER     I have said.⁴⁸

IRAS

IRAS     Am I not an inch of fortune better than she?

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     Well, if you were but an inch of fortune better than I, where would you choose it?

IRAS

IRAS     Not⁵² in my husband’s nose.

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN      Our worser thoughts heavens mend. Alexas — come, his fortune, his fortune! O, let him marry a woman that cannot go,⁵⁴ sweet Isis, I beseech thee, and Iet her die too, and give him a worse, and let worse follow worse, till the worst of all follow him laughing to his grave, fifty-fold⁵⁶ a cuckold! Good Isis, hear me this prayer, though thou deny me a matter⁵⁷ of more weight: good Isis, I beseech thee!

IRAS

IRAS     Amen, dear goddess, hear that prayer of the people! For as it is a heartbreaking to see a handsome man loose-wived,⁵⁹ so it is a deadly sorrow to behold a foul⁶⁰ knave uncuckolded: therefore, dear Isis, keep decorum and fortune him accordingly.

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     Amen.

ALEXAS

ALEXAS     Lo, now, if it lay in their hands to make me a cuckold, they would make themselves whores, but they⁶⁴’d do’t!

        Enter Cleopatra

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     Hush, here comes Antony.

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     Not he, the queen.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Saw you my lord?

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     No, lady.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Was he not here?

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     No, madam.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     He was disposed to mirth, but on the sudden

               A Roman thought⁷² hath struck him. Enobarbus?

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS      Madam?

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Seek him and bring him hither. [Exit Enobarbus]

               Where’s AIexas?

75

75   

ALEXAS

ALEXAS           Here, at your service. My lord approaches.

        Enter Antony with a Messenger

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     We⁷⁶ will not look upon him: go with us.

        Exeunt. [Antony and Messenger remain]

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Fulvia thy wife first came into the field.⁷⁷

ANTONY

ANTONY     Against my brother Lucius?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER      Ay,

80

80           But soon that war had end, and the time’s state⁸⁰

               Made friends of them, jointing their force⁸¹ gainst Caesar,

               Whose better issue⁸² in the war from Italy

               Upon the first encounter,⁸³ drave them.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Well, what worst?

85

85   

MESSENGER

MESSENGER           The nature of bad news infects the teller.

ANTONY

ANTONY     When it concerns the fool or coward. On!

               Things that are past are done with me. ’Tis thus:

               Who⁸⁸ tells me true, though in his tale lie death,

               I hear him as he flattered.

90

90   

MESSENGER

MESSENGER           Labienus⁹⁰ —

               This is stiff⁹¹ news — hath with his Parthian force

               Extended⁹² Asia: from Euphrates

               His conquering banner shook, from Syria

               To Lydia⁹⁴ and to Ionia, whilst—

95

95   

ANTONY

ANTONY           Antony, thou wouldst⁹⁵ say.

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     O, my lord!

ANTONY

ANTONY     Speak to me home,⁹⁷ mince not the general tongue,

               Name Cleopatra as she is called in Rome,

               Rail⁹⁹ thou in Fulvia’s phrase, and taunt my faults

100

100         With such full licence as both truth and malice

               Have power to utter. O, then we bring forth weeds

               When our quick¹⁰² minds lie still, and our ills told us

               Is as our earing. Fare thee well awhile.

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     At your noble pleasure.

        Exit Messenger

        Enter another Messenger

105

105 

ANTONY

ANTONY             From Sicyon¹⁰⁵ how the news? Speak there.

SECOND MESSENGER

SECOND MESSENGER     The man from Sicyon—

ANTONY

ANTONY     Is there such an one?

SECOND MESSENGER

SECOND MESSENGER     He stays¹⁰⁸ upon your will.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Let him appear.—

        [Exit Second Messenger]

110

110         These strong Egyptian fetters I must break,

               Or lose myself in dotage.—

        Enter another Messenger with a letter

               What¹¹¹ are you?

THIRD MESSENGER

THIRD MESSENGER     Fulvia thy wife is dead.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Where died she?

THIRD MESSENGER

THIRD MESSENGER     In Sicyon.

115

115         Her length of sickness, with what else more serious

               Importeth¹¹⁶ thee to know, this bears. Gives him the letter

ANTONY

ANTONY     Forbear me.¹¹⁷—

        [Exit Third Messenger]

               There’s a great spirit gone. Thus did I desire it:

               What¹¹⁹ our contempts doth often hurl from us

120

120         We wish it ours again. The present pleasure,

               By revolution low’ring,¹²¹ does become

               The opposite of itself. She’s good, being gone.

               The hand could¹²³ pluck her back that shoved her on.

               I must from this enchanting¹²⁴ queen break off:

125

125         Ten thousand harms, more than the ills I know,

               My idleness¹²⁶ doth hatch.—

        Enter Enobarbus

               How now, Enobarbus?

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     What’s your pleasure, sir?

ANTONY

ANTONY     I must with haste from hence.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     Why, then, we kill all our women. We see how mortal¹²⁹ an unkindness is to them: if they suffer¹³⁰ our departure, death’s the word.

ANTONY

ANTONY     I must be gone.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     Under a compelling occasion, let women die.¹³² It were pity to cast them away for nothing, though between them and a great cause they should be esteemed nothing. Cleopatra, catching but the least noise¹³⁴ of this, dies instantly: I have seen her die twenty times upon¹³⁵ far poorer moment. I do think there is mettle in death which commits some loving act upon her, she hath such a celerity¹³⁶ in dying.

ANTONY

ANTONY     She is cunning¹³⁸ past man’s thought.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     Alack, sir, no: her passions are made of nothing but the finest part¹³⁹ of pure love. We cannot call her winds and waters sighs and tears: they are greater storms and tempests than almanacs¹⁴¹ can report. This cannot be cunning in her; if it be, she makes a shower of rain as well as Jove.¹⁴²

ANTONY

ANTONY     Would¹⁴³ I had never seen her.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     O sir, you had then left unseen a wonderful piece of work,¹⁴⁴ which not to have been blest withal¹⁴⁵ would have discredited your travel.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Fulvia is dead.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     Sir?

ANTONY

ANTONY     Fulvia is dead.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     Fulvia?

ANTONY

ANTONY     Dead.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     Why, sir, give the gods a thankful sacrifice. When it pleaseth their deities to take the wife of a man from him, it shows¹⁵² to man the tailors of the earth: comforting therein,¹⁵³ that when old robes are worn out, there are members to make new. If there were no more women but Fulvia, then had you indeed a cut,¹⁵⁴ and the case¹⁵⁵ to be lamented. This grief is crowned with consolation: your old smock¹⁵⁶ brings forth a new petticoat, and indeed the tears live in an onion that should water this sorrow.

ANTONY

ANTONY     The business¹⁶⁰ she hath broachèd in the state Cannot endure my absence.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     And the business you have broached here cannot be without you, especially that of CIeopatra’s, which wholly depends on your abode.¹⁶¹

ANTONY

ANTONY     No more light¹⁶² answers. Let our officers

               Have notice what we purpose. I shall break

               The cause of our expedience¹⁶⁴ to the queen,

               And get her leave to part.¹⁶⁵ For not alone

               The death of Fulvia, with more urgent touches,¹⁶⁶

               Do strongly speak to us, but the letters too

               Of many our contriving¹⁶⁸ friends in Rome

               Petition¹⁶⁹ us at home. Sextus Pompeius

170

170         Hath given¹⁷⁰ the dare to Caesar and commands

               The empire of the sea. Our slippery¹⁷¹ people,

               Whose love is never linked to the deserver

               Till his deserts are past, begin to throw¹⁷³

               Pompey the Great¹⁷⁴ and all his dignities

175

175         Upon his son, who, high¹⁷⁵ in name and power,

               Higher than both in blood and life,¹⁷⁶ stands up

               For the main¹⁷⁷ soldier, whose quality going on,

               The¹⁷⁸ sides o’th’world may danger. Much is breeding

               Which, like the courser’s¹⁷⁹ hair, hath yet but life

180

180         And not a serpent’s poison. Say¹⁸⁰ our pleasure,

               To such whose place is under us, requires

               Our quick remove¹⁸² from hence.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS      I shall do’t.

        [Exeunt separately]

[Act 1 Scene 3]

running scene 1 continues

        Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Alexas and Iras

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Where is he?

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     I did² not see him since.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     See where he is, who’s with him, what he does. To Alexas

               I⁴ did not send you: if you find him sad,

5

5             Say I am dancing, if in mirth, report

               That I am sudden sick. Quick, and return. [Exit Alexas]

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     Madam, methinks if you did love him dearly,

               You do not hold⁸ the method to enforce

               The like⁹ from him.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     What should I do I do not?

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     In each thing give him way:¹¹ cross him in nothing.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Thou teachest like a fool, the way to lose him.

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     Tempt¹³ him not so too far. I wish, forbear:

               In time we hate that which we often fear.

        Enter Antony

15

15           But here comes Antony.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     I am sick and sullen.¹⁶

ANTONY

ANTONY     I am sorry to give breathing¹⁷ to my purpose—

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Help me away, dear Charmian! I shall fall.

               It cannot be thus long:¹⁹ the sides of nature

20

20           Will not sustain it.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Now, my dearest queen—

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Pray you stand²² further from me.

ANTONY

ANTONY     What’s the matter?

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     I know by that same eye²⁴ there’s some good news.

25

25           What, says the married woman²⁵ you may go?

               Would she had never given you leave to come.

               Let her not say ’tis I that keep you here.

               I have no power upon you: hers you are.

ANTONY

ANTONY     The gods best know—

30

30   

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA           O, never was there queen

               So mightily betrayed! Yet at the first

               I saw the treasons planted.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Cleopatra—

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Why should I think you can be mine, and true —

35

35           Though you in swearing shake the thronèd gods —

               Who have been false³⁶ to Fulvia? Riotous madness,

               To be entangled with those mouth-made³⁷ vows

               Which break themselves in swearing!³⁸

ANTONY

ANTONY     Most sweet queen—

40

40   

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA           Nay, pray you seek no colour⁴⁰ for your going,

               But bid farewell and go: when you sued staying,⁴¹

               Then was the time for words: no going then.

               Eternity was in our⁴³ lips and eyes,

               Bliss in our brows bent:⁴⁴ none our parts so poor

45

45           But was a⁴⁵ race of heaven. They are so still,

               Or thou, the greatest soldier of the world,

               Art turned the greatest liar.

ANTONY

ANTONY     How now,⁴⁸ lady?

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     I would I had thy inches:⁴⁹ thou shouldst know

50

50           There were a heart⁵⁰ in Egypt.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Hear me, queen:

               The strong necessity of time commands

               Our services awhile, but my full heart

               Remains in use⁵⁴ with you. Our Italy

55

55           Shines o’er with civil swords;⁵⁵ Sextus Pompeius

               Makes his approaches to the port⁵⁶ of Rome.

               Equality⁵⁷ of two domestic powers

               Breed scrupulous faction: the hated,⁵⁸ grown to strength,

               Are newly grown to love: the condemned Pompey,

60

60           Rich in his father’s honour, creeps apace⁶⁰

               Into the hearts of such as have not thrived

               Upon⁶² the present state, whose numbers threaten,

               And quietness, grown sick of rest, would purge⁶³

               By any desperate change. My more particular,⁶⁴

65

65           And that which most with you should safe⁶⁵ my going,

               Is Fulvia’s death.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Though age from folly could not give me freedom,

               It does from childishness. Can Fulvia die?

ANTONY

ANTONY      She’s dead, my queen. Gives her the letters

70

70           Look here, and at thy sovereign leisure read

               The garboils⁷¹ she awaked: at the last, best,

               See when and where she died.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     O most false love!

               Where be the sacred vials⁷⁴ thou shouldst fill

75

75           With sorrowful water? Now I see, I see,

               In Fulvia’s death how mine received shall be.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Quarrel no more, but be prepared to know⁷⁷

               The⁷⁸ purposes I bear, which are, or cease,

               As you shall give th’advice.⁷⁹ By the fire

80

80           That quickens Nilus’ slime, I go from hence

               Thy soldier, servant, making peace or war

               As thou affects.⁸²

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Cut my lace,⁸³ Charmian, come!

               But let it be:⁸⁴ I am quickly ill and well,

85

85           So Antony loves.⁸⁵

ANTONY

ANTONY     My precious queen, forbear⁸⁶

               And give true evidence⁸⁷ to his love, which stands

               An honourable trial.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     So Fulvia told me.

90

90           I prithee turn aside and weep for her,

               Then bid adieu to me, and say the tears

               Belong to Egypt.⁹² Good now, play one scene

               Of excellent dissembling,⁹³ and let it look

               Like perfect honour.

95

95   

ANTONY

ANTONY           You’ll heat my blood⁹⁵ no more!

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     You can do better yet, but this is meetly.⁹⁶

ANTONY

ANTONY     Now, by sword—

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     And target.⁹⁸ Still he mends,

               But this is not the best. Look, prithee, Charmian,

100

100         How this Herculean¹⁰⁰ Roman does become

               The carriage of his chafe.

ANTONY

ANTONY     I’ll leave you, lady.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Courteous lord, one word:

               Sir, you and I must part, but that’s not it:

105

105         Sir, you and I have loved, but there’s not it:

               That you know well. Something it is I would:

               O, my oblivion¹⁰⁷ is a very Antony,

               And I am all forgotten.¹⁰⁸

ANTONY

ANTONY     But¹⁰⁹ that your royalty

110

110         Holds¹¹⁰ idleness your subject, I should take you

               For idleness itself.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     ’Tis sweating labour¹¹²

               To bear such idleness so near the heart

               As Cleopatra this. But, sir, forgive me,

115

115         Since my becomings¹¹⁵ kill me when they do not

               Eye¹¹⁶ well to you. Your honour calls you hence:

               Therefore be deaf to my unpitied folly,

               And all the gods go with you. Upon your sword

               Sit laurel¹¹⁹ victory, and smooth success

120

120         Be strewed before your feet.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Let us go. Come:

               Our¹²² separation so abides and flies

               That thou, residing here, goes yet with me,

               And I, hence fleeting, here remain with thee.

125

125         Away!

        Exeunt

[Act 1 Scene 4*]

running scene 2

        Enter Octavius [Caesar] reading a letter, Lepidus and their Train

CAESAR

CAESAR     You may see, Lepidus, and henceforth know

               It is not Caesar’s natural vice to hate

               Our great competitor.³ From Alexandria

               This is the news: he fishes, drinks and wastes

5

5             The lamps of night in revel. Is⁵ not more manlike

               Than Cleopatra, nor the Queen of Ptolemy⁶

               More womanly than he. Hardly gave audience,⁷ or

               Vouchsafed⁸ to think he had partners. You shall find there

               A man who is th’abstract⁹ of all faults

10

10           That all men follow.

LEPIDUS

LEPIDUS     I must not think there are

               Evils enough to darken all his goodness:

               His faults in him seem as the spots of heaven,¹³

               More fiery by night’s blackness; hereditary

15

15           Rather than purchased,¹⁵ what he cannot change,

               Than what he chooses.

CAESAR

CAESAR     You are too indulgent. Let’s grant it is not

               Amiss to tumble¹⁸ on the bed of Ptolemy,

               To give a kingdom for a mirth,¹⁹ to sit

20

20           And keep²⁰ the turn of tippling with a slave,

               To reel²¹ the streets at noon, and stand the buffet

               With knaves that smell of sweat: say this becomes him —

               As²³ his composure must be rare indeed

               Whom these things cannot blemish — yet must Antony

25

25           No way excuse his foils²⁵ when we do bear

               So great weight in his lightness. If he filled

               His vacancy²⁷ with his voluptuousness,

               Full surfeits²⁸ and the dryness of his bones

               Call on him for’t. But to confound²⁹ such time

30

30           That drums³⁰ him from his³¹ sport, and speaks as loud

               As his own state and ours, ’tis to be chid

               As we rate³² boys, who, being mature in knowledge,

               Pawn their experience to their present pleasure

               And so rebel to³⁴ judgement.

        Enter a Messenger

35

LEPIDUS

LEPIDUS     Here’s more news.

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Thy biddings³⁶ have been done, and every hour,

               Most noble Caesar, shalt thou have report

               How³⁸ ’tis abroad. Pompey is strong at sea,

               And it appears he is beloved of those

40

40           That only have feared⁴⁰ Caesar: to the ports

               The discontents⁴¹ repair, and men’s reports

               Give him⁴² much wronged.

CAESAR

CAESAR     I should have known no less.

               It hath been taught us from the primal state⁴⁴

45

45           That he⁴⁵ which is was wished until he were,

               And the ebbed⁴⁶ man, ne’er loved till ne’er worth love,

               Comes deared⁴⁷ by being lacked. This common body,

               Like to a vagabond⁴⁸ flag upon the stream,

               Goes to and back, lackeying⁴⁹ the varying tide,

50

50           To rot itself with motion.

        [Enter another Messenger]

SECOND MESSENGER

SECOND MESSENGER     Caesar, I bring thee word

               Menecrates and Menas, famous⁵² pirates,

               Make the sea serve them, which they ear⁵³ and wound

               With keels of every kind. Many hot inroads⁵⁴

55

55           They make in Italy: the borders maritime⁵⁵

               Lack blood⁵⁶ to think on’t, and flush youth revolt.

               No vessel can peep forth but ’tis as soon

               Taken⁵⁸ as seen, for Pompey’s name strikes more

               Than could his war resisted.

60

60   

CAESAR

CAESAR           Antony,

               Leave thy lascivious wassails.⁶¹ When thou once

               Was beaten from Modena,⁶² where thou slew’st

               Hirtius and Pansa, consuls, at thy heel

               Did famine follow, whom⁶⁴ thou fought’st against —

65

65           Though daintily⁶⁵ brought up — with patience more

               Than savages could suffer. Thou didst drink

               The stale⁶⁷ of horses and the gilded puddle

               Which beasts would cough at. Thy palate then did deign⁶⁸

               The roughest berry on the rudest⁶⁹ hedge.

70

70           Yea, like the stag when snow the pasture sheets,⁷⁰

               The barks of trees thou browsèd.⁷¹ On the Alps,

               It is reported thou didst eat strange flesh

               Which some did die to look on: and all this —

               It wounds thine honour that I speak it now —

75

75           Was borne so like a soldier, that thy cheek

               So⁷⁶ much as lanked not.

LEPIDUS

LEPIDUS      ’Tis pity of⁷⁷ him.

CAESAR

CAESAR     Let his shames quickly

               Drive him to Rome: ’tis time we twain⁷⁹

80

80           Did show ourselves i’th’field,⁸⁰ and to that end

               Assemble we immediate council. Pompey

               Thrives in our idleness.

LEPIDUS

LEPIDUS      Tomorrow, Caesar,

               I shall be furnished to inform you rightly

85

85           Both what by sea and land I can be able⁸⁵

               To front⁸⁶ this present time.

CAESAR

CAESAR     Till which encounter,

               It is my business too. Farewell.

LEPIDUS

LEPIDUS      Farewell, my lord. What you shall know meantime

90

90           Of stirs⁹⁰ abroad, I shall beseech you, sir,

               To let me be partaker.

CAESAR

CAESAR     Doubt not, sir,

               I knew it for my bond.⁹³

        Exeunt

[Act 1 Scene 5*]

running scene 3

        Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras and Mardian

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Charmian!

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     Madam?

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Ha, ha. Yawns

               Give me to drink mandragora.⁴

5

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     Why, madam?

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     That I might sleep out this great gap of time

               My Antony is away.

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     You think of him too much.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     O, ’tis treason!

10

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     Madam, I trust not so.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Thou, eunuch Mardian!

MARDIAN

MARDIAN     What’s your highness’ pleasure?

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Not¹³ now to hear thee sing. I take no pleasure

               In aught an eunuch has: ’tis well for thee

15

15           That, being unseminared,¹⁵ thy freer thoughts

               May not fly forth of Egypt. Hast thou affections?¹⁶

MARDIAN

MARDIAN     Yes, gracious madam.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Indeed?

MARDIAN

MARDIAN     Not in deed,¹⁹ madam, for I can do nothing

20

20           But what in deed is honest²⁰ to be done:

               Yet have I fierce affections, and think

               What Venus²² did with Mars.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     O, Charmian,

               Where think’st thou he is now? Stands he, or sits he?

25

25           Or does he walk? Or is he on his horse?

               O happy horse, to bear the weight of Antony!

               Do bravely,²⁷ horse, for wot’st thou whom thou mov’st?

               The demi-Atlas²⁸ of this earth, the arm

               And burgonet of men. He’s speaking now,

30

30           Or murmuring ‘Where’s my serpent of old Nile?’

               For so he calls me. Now I feed myself

               With most delicious poison. Think on me

               That am with Phoebus’³³ amorous pinches black

               And wrinkled deep in time. Broad-fronted³⁴ Caesar,

               When thou wast here above the ground, I was

               A morsel³⁶ for a monarch, and great Pompey

               Would stand and make³⁷ his eyes grow in my brow:

               There would he anchor his aspect,³⁸ and die

               With looking on his life.³⁹

        Enter Alexas from Antony

40

ALEXAS

ALEXAS     Sovereign of Egypt, hail!

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     How much unlike art thou Mark Antony!

               Yet, coming from him, that great med’cine⁴² hath

               With his tinct⁴³ gilded thee.

               How goes it with my brave⁴⁴ Mark Antony?

45

45   

ALEXAS

ALEXAS           Last thing he did, dear queen,

               He kissed — the last of many doubled kisses —

               This orient⁴⁷ pearl. His speech sticks in my heart.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Mine ear must pluck it thence.

ALEXAS

ALEXAS     ‘Good friend,’ quoth⁴⁹ he,

50

50           ‘Say the firm⁵⁰ Roman to great Egypt sends

               This treasure of an oyster, at whose foot,

               To mend⁵² the petty present, I will piece

               Her opulent throne with kingdoms. All the east,

               Say thou, shall call her mistress.’ So he nodded,

55

55           And soberly did mount an arm-gaunt steed⁵⁵

               Who neighed so high⁵⁶ that what I would have spoke

               Was beastly dumbed⁵⁷ by him.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     What, was he sad, or merry?

ALEXAS

ALEXAS     Like to the time o’th’year between the extremes

60

60           Of hot and cold, he was nor sad nor⁶⁰ merry.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     O well-divided disposition! Note him,

               Note him, good Charmian, ’tis the man;⁶² but note him.

               He was not sad, for he would shine on those

               That make⁶⁴ their looks by his: he was not merry,

65

65           Which seemed to tell them his remembrance lay

               In Egypt with his joy: but between both.

               O heavenly mingle! Be’st thou sad or merry,

               The violence⁶⁸ of either thee becomes,

               So does it no man else.— Met’st thou my posts?⁶⁹

70

ALEXAS

ALEXAS     Ay, madam, twenty several⁷⁰ messengers.

               Why do you send so thick?⁷¹

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Who’s⁷² born that day

               When I forget to send to Antony

               Shall die a beggar. Ink and paper, Charmian.

75

75           Welcome, my good Alexas. Did I, Charmian,

               Ever love Caesar so?

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     O, that brave Caesar!

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Be choked with such another emphasis.

               Say ‘the brave Antony’.

80

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     The valiant Caesar.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     By Isis, I will give thee bloody teeth,

               If thou with Caesar paragon⁸² again

               My man of men.

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN      By your most gracious pardon,

85

85           I sing but after you.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     My salad days,

               When I was green⁸⁷ in judgement, cold in blood,

               To say as I said then. But come, away,

               Get me ink and paper.

90

90           He shall have every day a several greeting

               Or I’ll unpeople Egypt!

        Exeunt

[Act 2 Scene 1*]

running scene 4

        Enter Pompey, Menecrates and Menas, in warlike manner

POMPEY

POMPEY     If the great gods be just, they shall assist

               The deeds of justest men.

MENECRATES

MENECRATES     Know, worthy Pompey,

               That what⁴ they do delay, they not deny.

5

5     

POMPEY

POMPEY         Whiles⁵ we are suitors to their throne, decays

               The thing we sue for.

MENECRATES

MENECRATES     We, ignorant of ourselves,

               Beg often our own harms, which the wise powers

               Deny us for our good: so find we profit

10

10           By losing of our prayers.

POMPEY

POMPEY     I shall do well:

               The people love me, and the sea¹² is mine;

               My powers¹³ are crescent, and my auguring hope

               Says it will come to th’full. Mark Antony

15

15           In Egypt sits at dinner,¹⁵ and will make

               No wars without¹⁶ doors: Caesar gets money where

               He loses hearts: Lepidus flatters both,

               Of¹⁸ both is flattered, but he neither loves,

               Nor either cares for him.

20

20   

MENAS

MENAS           Caesar and Lepidus are in the field:

               A mighty strength²¹ they carry.

POMPEY

POMPEY     Where have you this? ’Tis false.

MENAS

MENAS     From Silvius, sir.

POMPEY

POMPEY     He dreams. I know they are in Rome together,

25

25           Looking for²⁵ Antony. But all the charms of love,

               Salt²⁶ Cleopatra, soften thy waned lip!

               Let witchcraft join with beauty, lust with both,

               Tie up the libertine in a field of feasts:

               Keep his brain fuming:²⁹ epicurean cooks

30

30           Sharpen with cloyless³⁰ sauce his appetite

               That³¹ sleep and feeding may prorogue his honour,

               Even till a Lethe’d³² dullness—

        Enter Varrius

               How now, Varrius?

VARRIUS

VARRIUS     This³³ is most certain that I shall deliver:

               Mark Antony is every hour in Rome

35

35           Expected. Since he went from Egypt ’tis³⁵

               A space for further travel.

POMPEY

POMPEY     I could have given less matter³⁷

               A better ear.³⁸ Menas, I did not think

               This amorous surfeiter would have donned his helm³⁹

40

40           For such a petty war: his⁴⁰ soldiership

               Is twice the other twain. But let us rear⁴¹

               The higher our opinion, that our stirring

               Can from the lap⁴³ of Egypt’s widow pluck

               The ne’er lust-wearied Antony.

45

45   

MENAS

MENAS           I cannot hope⁴⁵

               Caesar and Antony shall well greet together;⁴⁶

               His wife that’s dead⁴⁷ did trespasses to Caesar:

               His brother⁴⁸ warred upon him, although I think

               Not moved⁴⁹ by Antony.

50

50   

POMPEY

POMPEY           I know not, Menas,

               How lesser enmities may give way to greater.

               Were’t not that we stand up against them all,

               ’Twere pregnant⁵³ they should square between themselves,

               For they have entertainèd⁵⁴ cause enough

55

55           To draw their swords. But how the fear of us

               May cement their divisions, and bind up

               The petty difference, we yet not⁵⁷ know.

               Be’t as our gods will have’t! It⁵⁸ only stands

               Our lives upon to use our strongest hands.

60

60           Come, Menas.

        Exeunt

[Act 2 Scene 2*]

running scene 5

        Enter Enobarbus and Lepidus

LEPIDUS

LEPIDUS      Good Enobarbus, ’tis a worthy deed,

               And shall become you well, to entreat your captain

               To soft and gentle speech.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     I shall entreat him

5

5             To answer like himself:⁵ if Caesar move him,

               Let Antony look⁶ over Caesar’s head

               And speak as loud as Mars.⁷ By Jupiter,

               Were I the wearer of Antonio’s beard,

               I⁹ would not shave’t today!

10

10   

LEPIDUS

LEPIDUS           ’Tis not a time for private stomaching.¹⁰

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     Every time

               Serves for the matter that is then born in’t.

LEPIDUS

LEPIDUS     But small to greater matters must give way.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     Not if the small come first.

15

15   

LEPIDUS

LEPIDUS           Your speech is passion:

               But pray you stir no embers up. Here comes

               The noble Antony.

        Enter Antony and Ventidius

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     And yonder Caesar.

        Enter Caesar, Maecenas and Agrippa

ANTONY

ANTONY     If we compose¹⁹ well here, to Parthia.

20

20           Hark,²⁰ Ventidius. They converse apart

CAESAR

CAESAR     I do not know, Maecenas, ask Agrippa.

LEPIDUS

LEPIDUS      Noble friends,

               That which combined²³ us was most great, and let not

               A leaner²⁴ action rend us. What’s amiss,

25

25           May it be gently²⁵ heard. When we debate

               Our trivial difference loud, we do commit²⁶

               Murder in healing wounds. Then, noble partners,

               The rather for²⁸ I earnestly beseech,

               Touch²⁹ you the sourest points with sweetest terms,

30

30           Nor³⁰ curstness grow to th’matter.

ANTONY

ANTONY     ’Tis spoken well:

               Were we before our armies, and to³² fight,

               I should do thus.

        Flourish

CAESAR

CAESAR     Welcome to Rome.

35

35   

ANTONY

ANTONY           Thank you.

CAESAR

CAESAR     Sit.

ANTONY

ANTONY      Sit, sir.

CAESAR

CAESAR      Nay then.³⁸ Caesar sits, then Antony

ANTONY

ANTONY     I learn you take things ill which are not so,

40

40           Or being,⁴⁰ concern you not.

CAESAR

CAESAR     I must be laughed at

               If, or⁴² for nothing or a little, I

               Should say myself offended, and with you

               Chiefly i’th’world:⁴⁴ more laughed at that I should

45

45           Once name you derogately⁴⁵ when to sound your name

               It not concerned me.⁴⁶

ANTONY

ANTONY     My being in Egypt, Caesar,

               What was’t to you?

CAESAR

CAESAR     No more than my residing here at Rome

50

50           Might be to you in Egypt: yet if you there

               Did practise⁵¹ on my state, your being in Egypt

               Might be my question.⁵²

ANTONY

ANTONY     How intend you,⁵³ ‘practised’?

CAESAR

CAESAR     You may be pleased to catch at⁵⁴ mine intent

55

55           By what did here befall me. Your wife and brother

               Made wars upon me, and their contestation⁵⁶

               Was theme for you:⁵⁷ you were the word of war.

ANTONY

ANTONY     You do mistake your business. My brother never

               Did urge me⁵⁹ in his act: I did inquire it,

60

60           And have my learning⁶⁰ from some true reports

               That drew⁶¹ their swords with you. Did he not rather

               Discredit my authority with⁶² yours,

               And make the wars alike against my stomach,⁶³

               Having⁶⁴ alike your cause? Of this my letters

65

65           Before did satisfy you. If you’ll patch⁶⁵ a quarrel,

               As matter whole⁶⁶ you have to make it with,

               It must not be with this.

CAESAR

CAESAR     You praise yourself

               By laying defects of judgement to me, but

70

70           You patched up your excuses.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Not so, not so:

               I⁷² know you could not lack, I am certain on’t,

               Very necessity of this thought, that I,

               Your partner in the cause gainst which he⁷⁴ fought,

75

75           Could not with graceful⁷⁵ eyes attend those wars

               Which fronted⁷⁶ mine own peace. As for my wife,

               I⁷⁷ would you had her spirit in such another:

               The third o’th’world is yours, which with a snaffle⁷⁸

               You may pace⁷⁹ easy, but not such a wife.

80

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     Would we had all such wives, that the men might go to wars with the women!

ANTONY

ANTONY     So much uncurbable,⁸² her garboils, Caesar,

               Made out of her impatience — which not wanted⁸³

               Shrewdness of policy⁸⁴ too — I grieving grant

85

85           Did you too much disquiet. For that you must

               But⁸⁶ say I could not help it.

CAESAR

CAESAR     I wrote to you:

               When rioting⁸⁸ in Alexandria you

               Did pocket up my letters, and with taunts

90

90           Did gibe⁹⁰ my missive out of audience.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Sir,

               He fell upon me ere admitted,⁹² then.

               Three kings I had newly⁹³ feasted, and did want

               Of what I was i’th’morning. But next day

95

95           I told⁹⁵ him of myself, which was as much

               As to have asked him pardon. Let this fellow

               Be nothing⁹⁷ of our strife: if we contend,

               Out of our question⁹⁸ wipe him.

CAESAR

CAESAR     You have broken

100

100         The article¹⁰⁰ of your oath, which you shall never

               Have tongue to charge me with.

LEPIDUS

LEPIDUS     Soft,¹⁰² Caesar!

ANTONY

ANTONY     No, Lepidus, let him speak.

               The honour is sacred which he talks on now,

105

105         Supposing¹⁰⁵ that I lacked it. But, on, Caesar:

               The article of my oath—

CAESAR

CAESAR     To lend me arms and aid when I required¹⁰⁷ them,

               The which you both denied.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Neglected rather:

110

110         And then when poisoned hours had bound me up

               From mine own knowledge.¹¹¹ As nearly as I may,

               I’ll play the penitent to you: but mine honesty

               Shall¹¹³ not make poor my greatness, nor my power

               Work without it. Truth is that Fulvia,

115

115         To have me out of Egypt, made wars here,

               For which myself, the ignorant motive,¹¹⁶ do

               So far ask pardon as befits mine honour

               To stoop in such a case.

LEPIDUS

LEPIDUS     ’Tis noble spoken.

120

120 

MAECENAS

MAECENAS             If it might please you to enforce no further

               The griefs¹²¹ between ye, to forget them quite

               Were to remember that the present need

               Speaks to atone¹²³ you.

LEPIDUS

LEPIDUS      Worthily spoken, Maecenas.

125

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     Or, if you borrow one another’s love for the instant,¹²⁵ you may, when you hear no more words of Pompey, return it again: you shall have time to wrangle in when you have nothing else to do.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Thou art a soldier only. Speak no more.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     That truth should be silent, I had almost forgot.

130

130 

ANTONY

ANTONY             You wrong this presence,¹³⁰ therefore speak no more.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     Go to, then!¹³¹ You considerate stone.

CAESAR

CAESAR     I do not much dislike the matter, but

               The manner of his speech: for’t cannot be

               We shall remain in friendship, our conditions¹³⁴

135

135         So diff’ring in their acts. Yet if I knew

               What hoop should hold us staunch,¹³⁶ from edge to edge

               O’th’world I would pursue it.

AGRIPPA

AGRIPPA     Give me leave, Caesar.

CAESAR

CAESAR     Speak, Agrippa.

140

140 

AGRIPPA

AGRIPPA             Thou hast a sister¹⁴⁰ by the mother’s side,

               Admired Octavia: great Mark Antony

               Is now a widower.

CAESAR

CAESAR     Say not so, Agrippa:

               If Cleopatra heard you, your reproof¹⁴⁴

145

145         Were well deserved of rashness.

ANTONY

ANTONY     I am not married, Caesar: let me hear

               Agrippa further speak.

AGRIPPA

AGRIPPA     To hold you in perpetual amity,¹⁴⁸

               To make you brothers and to knit your hearts

150

150         With an unslipping knot, take Antony

               Octavia to his wife, whose beauty claims

               No worse a husband than the best of men,

               Whose¹⁵³ virtue and whose general graces speak

               That which none else can utter. By this marriage

155

155         All little jealousies¹⁵⁵ which now seem great,

               And all great fears which now import¹⁵⁶ their dangers

               Would then be nothing. Truths¹⁵⁷ would be tales,

               Where now half-tales be truths. Her love to both¹⁵⁸

               Would each to other, and all loves to both

160

160         Draw after her. Pardon what I have spoke,

               For ’tis a studied, not a present¹⁶¹ thought,

               By duty ruminated.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Will Caesar speak?

CAESAR

CAESAR     Not till he hears how Antony is touched¹⁶⁴

165

165         With what is spoke already.

ANTONY

ANTONY     What power¹⁶⁶ is in Agrippa,

               If I would¹⁶⁷ say, ‘Agrippa, be it so’,

               To make this good?

CAESAR

CAESAR     The power of Caesar, and

170

170         His power unto¹⁷⁰ Octavia.

ANTONY

ANTONY     May I never,

               To this good purpose that so fairly shows,¹⁷²

               Dream of impediment!¹⁷³ Let me have thy hand.

               Further this act of grace,¹⁷⁴ and from this hour

175

175         The heart of brothers govern in our loves

               And sway our great designs!

CAESAR

CAESAR     There’s my hand: They clasp hands

               A sister I bequeath you, whom no brother

               Did ever love so dearly. Let her live

180

180         To join our kingdoms and our hearts, and never¹⁸⁰

               Fly off our loves again!

LEPIDUS

LEPIDUS     Happily, amen!

ANTONY

ANTONY     I did not think to draw my sword gainst Pompey,

               For¹⁸⁴ he hath laid strange courtesies and great

185

185         Of late upon me. I must thank him, only

               Lest my remembrance¹⁸⁶ suffer ill report:

               At¹⁸⁷ heel of that, defy him.

LEPIDUS

LEPIDUS     Time calls upon’s.

               Of¹⁸⁹ us must Pompey presently be sought,

190

190         Or else he seeks out us.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Where lies he?

CAESAR

CAESAR     About the Mount Misena.¹⁹²

ANTONY

ANTONY     What is his strength by land?

CAESAR

CAESAR     Great and increasing, but by sea

195

195         He is an absolute master.

ANTONY

ANTONY     So is the fame.¹⁹⁶

               Would¹⁹⁷ we had spoke together! Haste we for it.

               Yet, ere¹⁹⁸ we put ourselves in arms, dispatch we

               The business we have talked of.

200

200 

CAESAR

CAESAR             With most gladness,

               And do invite you to my sister’s view,²⁰¹

               Whither straight I’ll lead you.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Let us, Lepidus, not²⁰⁵ lack your company.

LEPIDUS

LEPIDUS     Noble Antony,

205

205         Not sickness should detain me.

        Flourish. Exeunt all. Enobarbus, Agrippa, Maecenas remain

MAECENAS

MAECENAS     Welcome from Egypt, sir.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     Half the heart²⁰⁷ of Caesar, worthy Maecenas! My honourable friend, Agrippa!

AGRIPPA

AGRIPPA     Good Enobarbus!

210

MAECENAS

MAECENAS     We have cause to be glad that matters are so well digested.²¹⁰ You stayed well by’t in Egypt.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     Ay, sir, we did sleep day²¹² out of countenance and made the night light with drinking.

MAECENAS

MAECENAS     Eight wild boars roasted whole at a breakfast, and but²¹⁴ twelve personsthere. Is this true?

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     This was but as a fly by²¹⁶ an eagle: we had much more monstrous matter of feast, which worthily deserved noting.

MAECENAS

MAECENAS     She’s a most triumphant²¹⁸ lady, if report be square to her.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     When she first met Mark Antony, she pursed²¹⁹ up his heart upon the river of Cydnus.

AGRIPPA

AGRIPPA     There she appeared indeed, or my reporter²²¹ devised well for her.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     I will tell you

               The barge she sat in, like a burnished²²³ throne,

               Burned²²⁴ on the water: the poop was beaten gold,

225

225         Purple the sails, and so perfumèd that

               The winds were lovesick with them: the oars were silver,

               Which to the tune of flutes kept stroke, and made

               The water which they beat to follow faster,

               As amorous of their strokes.²²⁹ For her own person,

230

230         It beggared all description: she did lie

               In her pavilion, cloth-of-gold of tissue,²³¹

               O’er-picturing²³² that Venus where we see

               The fancy out-work nature: on each side her²³³

               Stood pretty dimpled boys, like²³⁴ smiling Cupids,

235

235         With divers-coloured²³⁵ fans whose wind did seem

               To glow²³⁶ the delicate cheeks which they did cool,

               And what they undid did.

AGRIPPA

AGRIPPA     O, rare²³⁸ for Antony!

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     Her gentlewomen,²³⁹ like the Nereides,

240

240         So many mermaids, tended her i’th’eyes,²⁴⁰

               And made²⁴¹ their bends adornings. At the helm

               A seeming mermaid steers: the silken tackle²⁴²

               Swell²⁴³ with the touches of those flower-soft hands

               That yarely²⁴⁴ frame the office. From the barge

245

245         A strange invisible perfume hits the sense

               Of the adjacent wharfs.²⁴⁶ The city cast

               Her people out upon her, and Antony,

               Enthroned i’th’market-place, did sit alone,

               Whistling to th’air, which, but for vacancy,²⁴⁹

250

250         Had²⁵⁰ gone to gaze on Cleopatra too,

               And made a gap in nature.

AGRIPPA

AGRIPPA     Rare Egyptian!²⁵²

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS      Upon her landing, Antony sent to her,

               Invited her to supper: she replied

255

255         It should be better he became her guest,

               Which she entreated. Our courteous Antony,

               Whom ne’er the word of ‘No’ woman heard speak,

               Being barbered²⁵⁸ ten times o’er, goes to the feast,

               And for his ordinary,²⁵⁹ pays his heart

260

               For what²⁶⁰ his eyes eat only.

AGRIPPA

AGRIPPA     Royal wench!²⁶¹

               She made great Caesar²⁶² lay his sword to bed.

               He ploughed her, and she cropped.²⁶³

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     I saw her once

265

               Hop forty paces through the public street

               And, having lost her breath, she spoke and panted,

               That²⁶⁷ she did make defect perfection,

               And, breathless, pour breath forth.

MAECENAS

MAECENAS     Now Antony must leave her utterly.

270

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     Never! He will not.

               Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale²⁷¹

               Her infinite variety: other women cloy

               The appetites they feed, but she makes hungry

               Where most she satisfies. For vilest²⁷⁴ things

275

               Become themselves in her, that the holy priests

               Bless her when she is riggish.²⁷⁶

MAECENAS

MAECENAS     If beauty, wisdom, modesty, can settle

               The heart of Antony, Octavia is

               A blessèd lottery²⁷⁹ to him.

280

AGRIPPA

AGRIPPA     Let us go.

               Good Enobarbus, make yourself my guest

               Whilst you abide here.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     Humbly, sir, I thank you.

        Exeunt

[Act 2 Scene 3]

running scene 5 continues

        Enter Antony, Caesar, Octavia between them

ANTONY

ANTONY     The world and my great office¹ will sometimes

               Divide me from your bosom.

OCTAVIA

OCTAVIA     All which time

               Before the gods my knee shall bow my prayers

5

5             To them for you.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Goodnight, sir. My Octavia,

               Read⁷ not my blemishes in the world’s report:

               I have not kept my square,⁸ but that to come

               Shall all be done by th’rule.⁹ Goodnight, dear lady.

10

10   

OCTAVIA

OCTAVIA           Goodnight, sir.

CAESAR

CAESAR     Goodnight.

        Exeunt [Caesar and Octavia]

        Enter Soothsayer

ANTONY

ANTONY     Now, sirrah:¹² you do wish yourself in Egypt?

SOOTHSAYER

SOOTHSAYER     Would I had never come from thence, nor you thither.¹³

ANTONY

ANTONY     If you can,¹⁴ your reason?

15

15   

SOOTHSAYER

SOOTHSAYER           I see it in my motion,¹⁵ have it not in my tongue.

               But yet hie you¹⁶ to Egypt again.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Say to me, whose fortunes shall rise higher,

               Caesar’s or mine?

SOOTHSAYER

SOOTHSAYER     Caesar’s.

20

20           Therefore, O Antony, stay not by his side:

               Thy demon,²¹ that thy spirit which keeps thee, is

               Noble, courageous, high unmatchable,

               Where Caesar’s is not. But near him, thy angel²³

               Becomes afeared, as²⁴ being o’erpowered: therefore

25

25           Make space enough between you.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Speak this no more.

SOOTHSAYER

SOOTHSAYER     To none but thee, no²⁷ more but when to thee.

               If thou dost play with him at any game,

               Thou art sure to lose, and of that natural luck

30

30           He beats thee gainst the odds. Thy lustre thickens³⁰

               When he shines by: I say again, thy spirit

               Is all afraid to govern thee near him,

               But, he³³ away, ’tis noble.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Get thee gone.

35

35           Say to Ventidius I would speak with him:

        Exit [Soothsayer]

               He shall to Parthia. Be it art or hap,³⁶

               He hath spoken true: the very dice obey him,

               And in our sports my better³⁸ cunning faints

               Under his chance. If we draw lots, he speeds:³⁹

40

40           His cocks do win the battle still of mine

               When it⁴¹ is all to nought, and his quails ever

               Beat mine, inhooped,⁴² at odds. I will to Egypt:

               And though I make this marriage for my peace,

               I’th’east my pleasure lies.— O, come, Ventidius,

        Enter Ventidius

45

45           You must to Parthia: your commission’s ready,

               Follow me and receive’t.

        Exeunt

[Act 2 Scene 4]

running scene 5 continues

        Enter Lepidus, Maecenas and Agrippa

LEPIDUS

LEPIDUS     Trouble yourselves no further: pray you hasten

               Your generals after.²

AGRIPPA

agrippa     Sir, Mark Antony

               Will e’en⁴ but kiss Octavia, and we’ll follow.

5

5     

LEPIDUS

LEPIDUS         Till I shall see you in your soldier’s dress,

               Which will become you both, farewell.

MAECENAS

maecenas     We shall,

               As I conceive the journey, be at the Mount⁸

               Before you, Lepidus.

10

10   

LEPIDUS

LEPIDUS           Your way is shorter.

               My purposes do draw¹¹ me much about:

               You’ll win two days upon me.

BOTH

BOTH     Sir, good success!

LEPIDUS

LEPIDUS     Farewell.

        Exeunt

[Act 2 Scene 5]2.5

running scene 6

        Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras and Alexas

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Give me some music: music, moody food

               Of us that trade² in love.

ALL

ALL     The music, ho!

        Enter Mardian the Eunuch

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Let it alone. Let’s to billiards: come, Charmian.

5

5     

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN         My arm is sore, best play with Mardian.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     As⁶ well a woman with an eunuch played

               As with a woman. Come, you’ll play with me, sir?

MARDIAN

MARDIAN     As well as I can, madam.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     And when good will⁹ is showed, though’t come too short,

10

10           The actor¹⁰ may plead pardon. I’ll none now.

               Give me mine angle:¹¹ we’ll to th’river. There,

               My music playing far off, I will betray¹²

               Tawny-finned¹³ fishes: my bended hook shall pierce

               Their slimy jaws, and, as I draw them up,

15

15           I’ll think them every one an Antony,

               And say ‘Ah, ha! You’re caught!’

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     ’Twas merry when

               You wagered on your angling, when your diver¹⁸

               Did hang a salt-fish¹⁹ on his hook, which he

20

20           With fervency²⁰ drew up.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     That time? O times!

               I Iaughed him out of patience, and that night

               I laughed him into patience, and next morn,

               Ere the ninth hour, I drunk him to his bed,

25

25           Then put my tires and mantles²⁵ on him, whilst

               I wore his sword Philippan.²⁶—

        Enter a Messenger

                                    O, from Italy

               Ram²⁷ thou thy fruitful tidings in mine ears,

               That long time have been barren.

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Madam, madam—

30

30   

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA           Antonio’s dead! If thou say so, villain,

               Thou kill’st thy mistress. But well and free,

               If thou so yield³² him, there is gold, and here Offers gold

               My bluest veins to kiss: a hand that kings Offers her hand

               Have lipped,³⁴ and trembled kissing.

35

35   

MESSENGER

MESSENGER           First, madam, he is well.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Why, there’s more gold.

               But sirrah, mark, we use³⁷

               To say³⁸ the dead are well: bring it to that,

               The gold I give thee will I melt and pour

40

40           Down thy ill-uttering throat.

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Good madam, hear me.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Well, go to,⁴² I will.

               But there’s no goodness in thy face if Antony

               Be free and healthful; so tart a favour⁴⁴

45

45           To trumpet such good tidings! If not well,

               Thou shouldst come like a Fury⁴⁶ crowned with snakes,

               Not like a formal⁴⁷ man.

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Will’t please you hear me?

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     I have a mind to strike thee ere thou speak’st:

50

50           Yet if thou say Antony lives, ’tis well,⁵⁰

               Or⁵¹ friends with Caesar, or not captive to him,

               I’ll set thee in a shower of gold⁵² and hail

               Rich pearls upon thee.

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Madam, he’s well.

55

55   

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA           Well said.

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     And friends with Caesar.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Thou’rt an honest⁵⁷ man.

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Caesar and he are greater friends than ever.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Make thee a fortune from me.

60

60   

MESSENGER

MESSENGER           But yet, madam—

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     I do not like ‘But yet’: it does allay⁶¹

               The good precedence. Fie upon ‘But yet’!

               ‘But yet’ is as a jailer to bring forth

               Some monstrous malefactor.⁶⁴ Prithee friend,

65

65           Pour⁶⁵ out the pack of matter to mine ear,

               The good and bad together: he’s friends with Caesar,

               In state of health thou say’st and, thou say’st, free.

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Free, madam? No: I made no such report.

               He’s bound⁶⁹ unto Octavia.

70

70   

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA           For what good turn?⁷¹

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     For the best turn i’th’bed.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     I am pale, Charmian.

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Madam, he’s married to Octavia.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     The most infectious pestilence⁷⁴ upon thee!

        Strikes him down

75

75   

MESSENGER

MESSENGER           Good madam, patience.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     What say you?

        Strikes him

               Hence, horrible villain, or I’ll spurn⁷⁷ thine eyes

               Like balls before me! I’ll unhair thy head!

        She hauls him up and down

               Thou shalt be whipped with wire and stewed in brine,

80

80           Smarting in ling’ring pickle!⁸⁰

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Gracious madam,

               I that do bring the news made not the match.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Say ’tis not so, a province I will give thee,

               And make thy fortunes proud:⁸⁴ the blow thou hadst

85

85           Shall make thy peace⁸⁵ for moving me to rage,

               And I will boot⁸⁶ thee with what gift beside

               Thy modesty can beg.

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     He’s married, madam.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Rogue, thou hast lived too long!

        Draw a knife

90

90   

MESSENGER

MESSENGER           Nay then, I’ll run.

               What mean you, madam? I have made no fault.

        Exit

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     Good madam, keep yourself⁹² within yourself.

               The man is innocent.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Some innocents scape not the thunderbolt.⁹⁴

95

95           Melt Egypt⁹⁵ into Nile, and kindly creatures

               Turn all to serpents! Call the slave again.

               Though I am mad,⁹⁷ I will not bite him: call!

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     He is afeard to come.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     I will not hurt him.

        [Exit Charmian]

100

100         These hands do lack nobility that they strike

               A meaner¹⁰¹ than myself, since I myself

               Have given myself the cause.—

        Enter the Messenger again [with Charmian]

                                    Come hither, sir.

               Though it be honest, it is never good

               To bring bad news: give to a gracious¹⁰⁴ message

105

105         An host of tongues,¹⁰⁵ but let ill tidings tell

               Themselves when they be felt.

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     I have done my duty.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Is he married?

               I cannot hate thee worser than I do

110

110         If thou again say ‘Yes.’

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     He’s married, madam.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     The gods confound¹¹² thee! Dost thou hold there still?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Should I lie, madam?

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     O, I would thou didst,

115

115         So¹¹⁵ half my Egypt were submerged and made

               A cistern¹¹⁶ for scaled snakes! Go, get thee hence!

               Hadst thou Narcissus¹¹⁷ in thy face, to me

               Thou wouldst appear most ugly. He is married?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     I crave your highness’ pardon.

120

120 

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA             He is married?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Take¹²¹ no offence that I would not offend you.

               To punish me for what you make me do

               Seems much unequal.¹²³ He’s married to Octavia.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     O,¹²⁴ that his fault should make a knave of thee,

125

125         That art not what thou’rt sure of! Get thee hence,

               The merchandise¹²⁶ which thou hast brought from Rome

               Are all too dear¹²⁷ for me: lie they upon thy hand,

               And be undone by ’em!

        [Exit Messenger]

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     Good your highness, patience.

130

130 

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA             In praising Antony, I have dispraised Caesar.

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     Many times, madam.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     I am paid for’t now. Lead me from hence:

               I faint! O Iras, Charmian! ’Tis no matter.

               Go to the fellow, good Alexas, bid him

135

135         Report the feature¹³⁵ of Octavia: her years,

               Her inclination,¹³⁶ let him not leave out

               The colour of her hair. Bring me word quickly.

        [Exit Alexas]

               Let him¹³⁸ for ever go.— Let him not, Charmian,

               Though he be painted¹³⁹ one way like a Gorgon,

140

140         The other way’s a Mars.— Bid you Alexas To Iras

               Bring me word how tall she is.— Pity me, Charmian,

               But do not speak to me. Lead me to my chamber.

        Exeunt

[Act 2 Scene 6]2.6

running scene 7

        Flourish. Enter Pompey at one door, with Drum and Trumpet, at another, Caesar, Lepidus, Antony, Enobarbus, Maecenas, Agrippa, Menas with Soldiers marching

POMPEY

POMPEY     Your hostages I have, so have you mine,

               And we shall talk before we fight.

CAESAR

CAESAR     Most meet³

               That first we come to words, and therefore have we

5

5             Our written purposes⁵ before us sent,

               Which, if thou hast considered, let us know

               If ’twill tie up⁷ thy discontented sword

               And carry back to Sicily much tall⁸ youth

               That else⁹ must perish here.

10

POMPEY

POMPEY     To you all three,

               The senators alone¹¹ of this great world,

               Chief factors¹² for the gods: I do not know

               Wherefore¹³ my father should revengers want,

               Having a son and friends, since Julius Caesar,

15

15           Who at Philippi the good Brutus ghosted,¹⁵

               There saw you labouring for him. What was’t

               That moved¹⁷ pale Cassius to conspire? And what

               Made the all-honoured, honest¹⁸ Roman, Brutus,

               With the armed rest, courtiers¹⁹ of beauteous freedom,

20

20           To drench²⁰ the Capitol, but that they would

               Have one²¹ man but a man? And that is it

               Hath made me rig my navy, at whose burden

               The angered ocean foams, with which I meant

               To scourge²⁴ th’ingratitude that despiteful Rome

25

25           Cast on my noble father.

CAESAR

CAESAR     Take your time.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Thou canst not fear²⁷ us, Pompey, with thy sails.

               We’ll speak²⁸ with thee at sea. At land thou know’st

               How much we do o’er-count²⁹ thee.

30

30   

POMPEY

POMPEY     At land indeed

               Thou dost o’er-count³¹ me of my father’s house:

               But since the cuckoo³² builds not for himself,

               Remain in’t as thou mayst.³³

LEPIDUS

LEPIDUS     Be pleased to tell us —

35

35           For this is from the present³⁵ — how you take

               The offers we have sent you.

CAESAR

CAESAR     There’s the point.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Which do not be entreated to,³⁸ but weigh

               What it is worth embraced.³⁹

40

40   

CAESAR

CAESAR     And what⁴⁰ may follow,

               To try a larger fortune.

POMPEY

POMPEY     You have made me offer

               Of Sicily, Sardinia, and I must

               Rid all the sea of pirates. Then to send

45

45           Measures of wheat to Rome: this ’greed upon

               To part⁴⁶ with unhacked edges, and bear back

               Our targes⁴⁷ undinted.

CAESAR, ANTONY and LEPIDUS

CAESAR, ANTONY and LEPIDUS     That’s our offer.

POMPEY

POMPEY     Know, then,

50

50           I came before you here a man prepared

               To take this offer. But Mark Antony

               Put me to some impatience, though I lose

               The praise of⁵³ it by telling. You must know

               When Caesar and your brother were at blows,

55

55           Your mother came to Sicily and did find

               Her welcome friendly.

ANTONY

ANTONY     I have heard it, Pompey,

               And am well studied⁵⁸ for a liberal thanks

               Which I do owe you.

60

60   

POMPEY

POMPEY     Let me have your hand: They shake hands

               I did not think, sir, to have met you here.

ANTONY

ANTONY     The beds i’th’east are soft, and thanks to you,

               That called me timelier⁶³ than my purpose hither,

               For I have gained by’t.

65

65   

CAESAR

CAESAR     Since I saw you last, there’s a change upon you.

POMPEY

POMPEY     Well, I know not

               What counts⁶⁷ harsh fortune casts upon my face,

               But in⁶⁸ my bosom shall she never come

               To make my heart her vassal.

70

70   

LEPIDUS

LEPIDUS     Well met here.

POMPEY

POMPEY     I hope so, Lepidus. Thus we are agreed:

               I crave our composition⁷² may be written

               And sealed between us.⁷³

CAESAR

CAESAR     That’s the next to do.

75

75   

POMPEY

POMPEY     we’ll feast each other ere we part, and let’s

               Draw lots who shall begin.

ANTONY

ANTONY     That will I, Pompey.

POMPEY

POMPEY     No, Antony, take the lot:⁷⁸ but, first

               Or last, your fine Egyptian cookery

80

80           Shall have the fame.⁸⁰ I have heard that Julius Caesar

               Grew⁸¹ fat with feasting there.

ANTONY

ANTONY     You have heard much.

POMPEY

POMPEY     I have fair⁸³ meanings, sir.

ANTONY

ANTONY     And⁸⁴ fair words to them.

85

85   

POMPEY

POMPEY     Then so much have I heard,

               And I have heard, Apollodorus⁸⁶ carried—

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     No more of that: he did so.

POMPEY

POMPEY     What, I pray you?

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     A certain queen to Caesar in a mattress.

90

90   

POMPEY

POMPEY     I know thee now. How far’st⁹⁰ thou, soldier?

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     Well,

               And well am like to do, for I perceive

               Four feasts are toward.⁹³

POMPEY

POMPEY     Let me shake thy hand. They shake hands

95

95           I never hated thee: I have seen thee fight,

               When I have envied thy behaviour.⁹⁶

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     Sir,

               I never loved you much, but I ha’ praised ye

               When you have well deserved ten times as much

100

100         As I have said you did.

POMPEY

POMPEY     Enjoy thy plainness,¹⁰¹

               It nothing ill becomes¹⁰² thee.

               Aboard my galley¹⁰³ I invite you all.

               Will you lead, lords?

105

105 

CAESAR, ANTONY and LEPIDUS

CAESAR, ANTONY and LEPIDUS     Show’s the way, sir.

POMPEY

POMPEY     Come.

        Exeunt. Enobarbus and Menas remain

MENAS

MENAS     Thy father, Pompey, would ne’er have made this treaty.— Aside You and I have known,¹⁰⁸ sir. To Enobarbus

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     At sea, I think.

MENAS

MENAS     We have, sir.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS      You have done well by water.

MENAS

MENAS     And you by land.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     I will praise any man that will praise me, though it cannot be denied what I have done by land.

MENAS

MENAS     Nor what I have done by water.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     Yes, something you can deny for your own safety: you have been a great thief by sea.

MENAS

MENAS     And you by land.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     There I deny my land service. But give me your hand, Menas. If our eyes They shake hands had authority, here they might take¹²⁰ two thieves kissing.

MENAS

MENAS     All men’s faces are true,¹²¹ whatsome’er their hands are.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     But there is never a fair woman has a true¹²² face.

MENAS

MENAS     No slander. They steal hearts.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     We came hither to fight with you.

MENAS

MENAS     For my part, I am sorry it is turned to a drinking. Pompey doth this day laugh away his fortune.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     If he do, sure he cannot weep’t back again.

MENAS

MENAS     You’ve said,¹²⁸ sir. We looked not for Mark Antony here. Pray you, is he married to Cleopatra?

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     Caesar’s sister is called Octavia.

MENAS

MENAS     True, sir, she was the wife of Caius Marcellus.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     But she is now the wife of Marcus Antonius.

MENAS

MENAS     Pray ye, sir?¹³³

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     ’Tis true.

MENAS

MENAS     Then is Caesar and he forever knit together.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     If I were bound to divine¹³⁶ of this unity, I would not prophesy so.

MENAS

MENAS     I think the policy¹³⁷ of that purpose made more in the marriage than the love of the parties.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     I think so too. But you shall find, the band¹³⁹ that seems to tie their friendship together will be the very strangler of their amity: Octavia is of a holy, cold and still¹⁴¹ conversation.

MENAS

MENAS     Who would not have his wife so?

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS      Not he that himself is not so, which is Mark Antony. He will to his Egyptian dish¹⁴⁴ again: then shall the sighs of Octavia blow the fire up in Caesar, and — as I said before — that which is the strength of their amity shall prove the immediate author¹⁴⁶ of their variance. Antony will use his affection where it is. He married but his occasion¹⁴⁷ here.

MENAS

MENAS     And thus it may be. Come, sir, will you aboard? I have a health¹⁴⁸ for you.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS      I shall take it, sir: we have used our throats in Egypt.

150

MENAS

MENAS     Come, let’s away.

        Exeunt

[Act 2 Scene 7]2.7

running scene 8

        Music plays. Enter two or three Servants with a banquet

FIRST SERVANT

FIRST SERVANT     Here they’ll be, man. Some o’their plants¹ are ill-rooted already: the least wind i’th’world will blow them down.

SECOND SERVANT

SECOND SERVANT     Lepidus is high-coloured.³

FIRST SERVANT

FIRST SERVANT     They have made him drink alms-drink.⁴

SECOND SERVANT

SECOND SERVANT     As they pinch⁵ one another by the disposition, he cries out ‘No more’, reconciles them to his entreaty, and himself to th’drink.

FIRST SERVANT

FIRST SERVANT     But it raises the greater war between him and his discretion.⁷

SECOND SERVANT

SECOND SERVANT     Why, this it is to have⁸ a name in great men’s fellowship: I had as lief have a reed that will do me no service as a partisan⁹ I could not heave.

FIRST SERVANT

FIRST SERVANT     To be called into a huge sphere and not to¹⁰ be seen to move in’t, are the holes where eyes should be, which pitifully¹¹ disaster the cheeks.

        A sennet sounded. Enter Caesar, Antony, Pompey, Lepidus, Agrippa, Maecenas, Enobarbus, Menas, with other Captains [and a Boy Singer]

ANTONY

ANTONY     Thus do they, sir: they take¹² the flow o’th’Nile

               By certain scales¹³ i’th’pyramid. They know,

               By th’height, the lowness, or the mean,¹⁴ if dearth

15

15           Or foison¹⁵ follow. The higher Nilus swells,

               The more it promises. As it ebbs, the seedsman

               Upon the slime and ooze¹⁷ scatters his grain,

               And shortly comes to harvest.

LEPIDUS

LEPIDUS     You’ve strange serpents there?

ANTONY

ANTONY     Ay, Lepidus.

LEPIDUS

LEPIDUS     Your serpent of Egypt is bred now of your mud by the operation of your sun: so is your²¹ crocodile.

ANTONY

ANTONY     They are so.

POMPEY

POMPEY     Sit, and some wine! They sit and drink A health to Lepidus!

LEPIDUS

LEPIDUS     I am not so well as I should be, but I’ll ne’er out.²⁵

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     Not till you have slept.— Aside I fear me you’ll be in²⁶ till then.

LEPIDUS

LEPIDUS     Nay, certainly, I have heard the Ptolemies’²⁷ pyramises are very goodly things: without contradiction, I have heard that.

MENAS

MENAS     Pompey, a word. Aside to Pompey

PMOPEY

pompey     Say in mine ear what is’t. Aside to Menas

MENAS

MENAS     Forsake³¹ thy seat, I do beseech thee, captain, Aside to Pompey And hear me speak a word.

POMPEY

POMPEY     Whispers in’s ear Forbear³³ me till anon.— This wine for Lepidus!

LEPIDUS

LEPIDUS     What manner o’thing is your crocodile?

ANTONY

ANTONY     It is shaped, sir, like itself, and it is as broad as it hath breadth: it is just so high as it is, and moves with it own organs: it lives by that which nourisheth it, and the elements once out of it, it transmigrates.³⁷

LEPIDUS

LEPIDUS     What colour is it of?

ANTONY

ANTONY     Of it³⁹ own colour too.

LEPIDUS

LEPIDUS     ’Tis a strange serpent.

ANTONY

ANTONY     ’Tis so. And the tears⁴¹ of it are wet.

CAESAR

CAESAR     Will this description satisfy him?

ANTONY

ANTONY     With the health that Pompey gives him, else⁴³ he is a very epicure. Menas whispers again

POMPEY

POMPEY     Go hang, sir, hang! Tell me of that? Away! Aside to Menas

45

45           Do as I bid you.— Where’s this cup I called for?

MENAS

MENAS     If for the sake of merit⁴⁶ thou wilt hear me, Aside to Pompey

               Rise from thy stool.

POMPEY

POMPEY     I think thou’rt mad. The matter?⁴⁸ Aside to Menas

        Pompey and Menas step aside and converse apart

MENAS

MENAS     I have ever held⁴⁹ my cap off to thy fortunes.

50

50   

POMPEY

POMPEY     Thou hast served me with much faith.⁵⁰ What’s else to say?—

               Be jolly, lords. To the others

ANTONY

ANTONY     These quicksands,⁵² Lepidus,

               Keep off them, for you sink.

MENAS

MENAS     Wilt thou be lord of all the world?

55

55   

POMPEY

POMPEY     What say’st thou?

MENAS

MENAS     Wilt thou be lord of the whole world? That’s twice.

POMPEY

POMPEY     How should that be?

MENAS

MENAS     But entertain⁵⁸ it,

               And, though thou think me poor, I am the man

60

60           Will give thee all the world.

POMPEY

POMPEY     Hast thou drunk well?

MENAS

MENAS     No, Pompey, I have kept me from the cup.

               Thou art, if thou dar’st be, the earthly Jove:

               Whate’er the ocean pales⁶⁴ or sky inclips

65

65           Is thine, if thou wilt ha’t.

POMPEY

POMPEY     Show me which way.

MENAS

MENAS     These three world-sharers, these competitors,⁶⁷

               Are in thy vessel. Let me cut the cable,⁶⁸

               And when we are put off,⁶⁹ fall to their throats:

70

70           All there is thine.

POMPEY

POMPEY     Ah, this thou shouldst have done

               And not have spoke on’t.⁷² In me ’tis villainy:

               In thee’t had been good service. Thou must know,

               ’Tis⁷⁴ not my profit that does lead mine honour:

75

75           Mine honour, it. Repent that e’er thy tongue

               Hath so betrayed⁷⁶ thine act: being done unknown,

               I should have found it afterwards well done,

               But must condemn it now. Desist,⁷⁸ and drink. Joins the others

MENAS

MENAS     For this, I’ll never follow thy palled⁷⁹ fortunes more:⁸¹ Aside

80

80           Who seeks and will not take when once ’tis offered,

               Shall never find it more.

POMPEY

POMPEY     This health to Lepidus! They drink

ANTONY

ANTONY     Bear him ashore. I’ll pledge⁸³ it for him, Pompey.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     Here’s to thee, Menas!

85

85   

MENAS

MENAS     Enobarbus, welcome!

POMPEY

POMPEY     Fill till the cup be hid.⁸⁶

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     There’s a strong fellow, Menas. Points to an Attendant who is carrying off Lepidus

MENAS

MENAS     Why?

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     A⁸⁹ bears the third part of the world, man: see’st

90

90           not?

MENAS

MENAS     The third part then he is drunk: would it were all,

               That it might go on wheels!⁹²

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     Drink thou: increase the reels.⁹³

MENAS

MENAS     Come.

95

95   

POMPEY

POMPEY     This is not yet an Alexandrian feast.

ANTONY

ANTONY     It ripens towards it. Strike the vessels,⁹⁶ ho!

               Here’s to Caesar!

CAESAR

CAESAR     I could well forbear’t.⁹⁸

               It’s monstrous⁹⁹ labour when I wash my brain

100

100         And it grow fouler.¹⁰⁰

ANTONY

ANTONY     Be a child o’th’time.¹⁰¹

CAESAR

CAESAR     ‘Possess¹⁰² it’, I’ll make answer.

               But I had rather fast from all¹⁰³ four days

               Than drink so much in one.

105

105 

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     Ha, my brave¹⁰⁵ emperor! To Antony

               Shall we dance now the Egyptian Bacchanals¹⁰⁶

               And celebrate¹⁰⁷ our drink?

POMPEY

POMPEY     Let’s ha’t, good soldier.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Come, let’s all take hands

110

110         Till that the conquering wine hath steeped our sense

               In soft and delicate Lethe.¹¹¹

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     All take hands:

               Make battery to¹¹³ our ears with the loud music,

               The while¹¹⁴ I’ll place you, then the boy shall sing.

115

115         The holding¹¹⁵ every man shall beat as loud

               As his strong sides can volley.¹¹⁶

        Music plays. Enobarbus places them hand in hand.

BOY

BOY     The Song

                                    Come, thou monarch of the vine, Sings

                                    Plumpy Bacchus¹¹⁸ with pink eyne!

                                    In thy fats¹¹⁹ our cares be drowned,

120

120                              With thy grapes our hairs be crowned.

                                    Cup us¹²¹ till the world go round,

                                    Cup us till the world go round!

CAESAR

CAESAR     What would you more? Pompey, goodnight. Good brother,¹²³

               Let me request you off:¹²⁴ our graver business

125

125         Frowns at this levity. Gentle lords, let’s part:

               You see we have burnt our cheeks.¹²⁶ Strong Enobarb

               Is weaker than the wine, and mine own tongue

               Splits what it speaks: the wild disguise¹²⁸ hath almost

               Anticked¹²⁹ us all. What needs more words? Goodnight.

130

130         Good Antony, your hand.

POMPEY

POMPEY     I’ll try you¹³¹ on the shore.

ANTONY

ANTONY     And shall, sir. Give’s your hand.

POMPEY

POMPEY     O, Antony,

               You have my father’s house. But what,¹³⁴ we are friends?

135

135         Come down into the boat.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     Take heed you fall not.—

        [Exeunt all but Enobarbus and Menas]

                                    Menas, I’ll not on shore.

MENAS

MENAS     No, to my cabin.

               These drums, these trumpets, flutes! What!¹³⁸

               Let Neptune¹³⁹ hear we bid a loud farewell

140

140         To these great fellows. Sound and be hanged! Sound out!

        Sound a flourish, with drums

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     Ho, says a.¹⁴¹ There’s my cap. Throws his cap in the air

MENAS

MENAS     Ho! Noble captain, come.

        Exeunt

[Act 3 Scene 1]3.1

running scene 9

        Enter Ventidius as it were in triumph, the dead body of Pacorus borne before him, [with Silius and other Roman officers and soldiers]

VENTIDIUS

VENTIDIUS     Now, darting Parthia,¹ art thou struck, and now

               Pleased fortune does of Marcus Crassus’² death

               Make me revenger. Bear the king’s son’s body

               Before our army: thy Pacorus,⁴ Orodes,

5

5             Pays this for Marcus Crassus.

SILIUS

SILIUS     Noble Ventidius,

               Whilst yet with Parthian blood thy sword is warm,

               The⁸ fugitive Parthians follow. Spur through Media,

               Mesopotamia,⁹ and the shelters whither

10

10           The routed fly. So thy grand captain Antony

               Shall set thee on triumphant¹¹ chariots and

               Put garlands on thy head.

VENTIDIUS

VENTIDIUS     O Silius, Silius,

               I have done enough. A lower place,¹⁴ note well,

15

15           May make¹⁵ too great an act. For learn this, Silius:

               Better to leave undone, than by our deed

               Acquire too high a fame when him we serve’s away.

               Caesar and Antony have ever won¹⁸

               More in their officer than person. Sossius,

20

20           One of my place²⁰ in Syria, his lieutenant,

               For quick accumulation of renown,

               Which he achieved by th’minute,²² lost his favour.

               Who does i’th’wars more than his captain can,

               Becomes his captain’s captain, and ambition —

25

25           The soldier’s virtue — rather makes choice of²⁵ loss,

               Than gain which darkens²⁶ him.

               I could do more to do Antonius good,

               But ’twould offend him, and in his offence²⁸

               Should my performance²⁹ perish.

30

30   

SILIUS

SILIUS     Thou hast, Ventidius, that³⁰

               Without the which a soldier and his sword

               Grants scarce distinction. Thou wilt write to Antony?

VENTIDIUS

VENTIDIUS     I’ll humbly signify what in his name,

               That magical word of war, we have effected,

35

35           How with his banners and his well-paid ranks

               The ne’er-yet-beaten horse³⁶ of Parthia

               We have jaded³⁷ out o’th’field.

SILIUS

SILIUS     Where is he now?

VENTIDIUS

VENTIDIUS     He purposeth³⁹ to Athens, whither, with what haste

40

40           The weight⁴⁰ we must convey with’s will permit,

               We shall appear before him. On there, pass along!

        Exeunt

[Act 3 Scene 2]3.2

running scene 10

        Enter Agrippa at one door, Enobarbus at another

AGRIPPA

AGRIPPA     What, are the brothers¹ parted?

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     They have dispatched² with Pompey, he is gone.

               The other three³ are sealing. Octavia weeps

               To part from Rome, Caesar is sad, and Lepidus

5

5             Since Pompey’s feast as Menas says, is troubled

               With the green sickness.⁶

AGRIPPA

AGRIPPA     ’Tis a noble Lepidus.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     A very fine⁸ one: O, how he loves Caesar!

AGRIPPA

agrippa     Nay, but how dearly he adores Mark Antony!

10

10           

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     Caesar? Why, he’s the Jupiter of men.

AGRIPPA

agrippa     What’s Antony? The god of Jupiter!

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     Spake you of Caesar? How, the non-pareil!¹²

AGRIPPA

agrippa     O Antony! O thou Arabian bird!¹³

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     Would you praise Caesar, say ‘Caesar’: go no further.

15

15   

AGRIPPA

agrippa     Indeed, he plied them both with excellent praises.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     But he loves Caesar best, yet he loves Antony:

               Ho! Hearts, tongues, figures,¹⁷ scribes, bards, poets, cannot

               Think, speak, cast,¹⁸ write, sing, number, ho,

               His love to Antony. But as for Caesar,

20

20           Kneel down, kneel down and wonder!

AGRIPPA

agrippa     Both he loves.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     They are his shards²² and he their beetle. So: Trumpet within

               This is to horse. Adieu, noble Agrippa.

AGRIPPA

agrippa     Good fortune, worthy soldier, and farewell.

        Enter Caesar, Antony, Lepidus and Octavia

25

25   

ANTONY

ANTONY     No further,²⁵ sir.

CAESAR

CAESAR     You take from me a great part of myself:

               Use²⁷ me well in’t. Sister, prove such a wife

               As²⁸ my thoughts make thee, and as my farthest bond

               Shall pass on thy approof. Most noble Antony,

30

30           Let not the piece³⁰ of virtue which is set

               Betwixt³¹ us as the cement of our love

               To keep it builded, be the ram to batter

               The fortress of it: for better might we

               Have loved without this mean,³⁴ if on both parts

35

35           This be not cherished.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Make me not offended in³⁶ your distrust.

CAESAR

CAESAR     I have said.³⁷

ANTONY

ANTONY     You shall not find,

               Though you be therein curious,³⁹ the least cause

40

40           For what you seem to fear. So the gods keep⁴⁰ you,

               And make the hearts of Romans serve your ends.

               We will here part.

CAESAR

CAESAR     Farewell, my dearest sister, fare thee well.

               The elements⁴⁴ be kind to thee, and make

45

45           Thy spirits all of comfort. Fare thee well.

OCTAVIA

OCTAVIA     My noble brother! Weeps

ANTONY

ANTONY     The April’s⁴⁷ in her eyes: it is love’s spring

               And these the showers to bring it on. Be cheerful.

OCTAVIA

OCTAVIA     Sir, look⁴⁹ well to my husband’s house, and—

50

50   

CAESAR

CAESAR     What, Octavia?

OCTAVIA

OCTAVIA     I’ll tell you in your ear. Whispers to Caesar

ANTONY

ANTONY     Her tongue will not obey her heart, nor can

               Her heart inform her tongue — the⁵³ swan’s-down feather,

               That stands upon the swell at full of tide,

55

55           And neither way inclines.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     Will Caesar weep? Enobarbus and Agrippa speak aside

AGRIPPA

agrippa     He has a cloud⁵⁷ in’s face.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     He were the worse for that were he a horse,

               So is he, being a man.

60

60   

AGRIPPA

agrippa     Why, Enobarbus,

               When Antony found Julius Caesar dead,

               He cried almost to roaring, and he wept

               When at Philippi he found Brutus slain.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     That year, indeed, he was troubled with a rheum;⁶⁴

65

65           What willingly he did confound⁶⁵ he wailed,

               Believe’t, till I wept too.

CAESAR

CAESAR     No, sweet Octavia,

               You shall hear from me still:⁶⁸ the time shall not

               Outgo⁶⁹ my thinking on you.

70

70   

ANTONY

ANTONY     Come, sir, come:

               I’ll wrestle with you in my strength of love.

               Look, here I have you, thus I let you go, Embraces him

               And give you to the gods.

CAESAR

CAESAR     Adieu. Be happy!

75

75   

LEPIDUS

LEPIDUS     Let all the number of the stars give light

               To thy fair way.

CAESAR

CAESAR     Farewell, farewell!

        Kisses Octavia

ANTONY

ANTONY     Farewell!

        Trumpets sound. Exeunt

[Act 3 Scene 3]3.3

running scene 11

        Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras and Alexas

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Where is the fellow?¹

ALEXAS

ALEXAS     Half afeard to come.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Go to, go to.— Come hither, sir.

        Enter the Messenger as before

ALEXAS

ALEXAS     Good majesty,

5

5             Herod of Jewry⁵ dare not look upon you

               But when you are well pleased.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     That Herod’s head

               I’ll have: but how,⁸ when Antony is gone

               Through whom I might command it?— Come thou near.

10

10   

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Most gracious majesty.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Didst thou behold Octavia?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Ay, dread¹² queen.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Where?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Madam, in Rome.

15

15           I looked her in the face, and saw her led

               Between her brother and Mark Antony.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Is she as tall as me?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     She is not, madam.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Didst hear her speak? Is she shrill-tongued or low?

20

20   

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Madam, I heard her speak: she is low-voiced.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     That’s²¹ not so good: he cannot like her long.

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     Like her? O Isis! ’Tis impossible.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     I think so, Charmian: dull of tongue and dwarfish!

               What majesty is in her gait?²⁴ Remember,

25

25           If e’er thou look’dst on majesty.

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     She creeps:

               Her motion and her station²⁷ are as one.

               She shows²⁸ a body rather than a life,

               A statue than a breather.²⁹

30

30   

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Is this certain?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Or I have no observance.³¹

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     Three in Egypt cannot make better note.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     He’s very knowing,

               I do perceive’t. There’s nothing in her yet:³⁴

35

35           The fellow has good judgement.

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     Excellent.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Guess at her years, I prithee.

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Madam, she was a widow.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Widow? Charmian, hark.

40

40   

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     And I do think she’s thirty.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Bear’st thou her face in mind? Is’t long or round?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Round, even to faultiness.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     For the most part, too, they are foolish that are so.

               Her hair, what colour?

45

45   

MESSENGER

MESSENGER           Brown, madam: and her forehead

               As⁴⁶ low as she would wish it.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     There’s gold for thee.

               Thou must not take my former sharpness ill.

               I will employ⁴⁹ thee back again: I find thee

50

50           Most fit for business. Go, make thee ready.

               Our letters are prepared.

        [Exit Messenger]

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     A proper⁵² man.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Indeed, he is so: I repent me much

               That so I harried⁵⁴ him. Why, methinks, by him,

55

55           This creature’s no such thing.⁵⁵

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     Nothing, madam.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     The man hath seen some majesty, and should know.

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     Hath he seen majesty? Isis else defend,⁵⁸

               And serving you so long!

60

60   

cleopatra

cleopatra     I have one thing more to ask him yet, good Charmian:

               But ’tis no matter. Thou shalt bring him to me

               Where I will write. All may be well enough.

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     I warrant⁶³ you, madam.

        [Exeunt]

[Act 3 Scene 4]3.4

running scene 12

        Enter Antony and Octavia

ANTONY

ANTONY     Nay,¹ nay, Octavia, not only that —

               That were excusable, that, and thousands more

               Of semblable import³ — but he hath waged

               New wars gainst Pompey, made⁴ his will, and read it

5

5             To public ear,

               Spoke scantly⁶ of me, when perforce he could not

               But pay me terms of honour: cold and sickly

               He vented⁸ them, most narrow measure lent me:

               When the best hint⁹ was given him, he not took’t,

10

10           Or did it from his teeth.¹⁰

OCTAVIA

OCTAVIA     O my good lord,

               Believe not all, or if you must believe,

               Stomach¹³ not all. A more unhappy lady,

               If this division chance,¹⁴ ne’er stood between,

15

15           Praying for both parts:

               The good gods will mock me presently¹⁶

               When I shall pray, ‘O, bless my lord and husband!’,

               Undo¹⁸ that prayer, by crying out as loud,

               ‘O, bless my brother!’ Husband win, win brother,

20

20           Prays and destroys the prayer, no midway

               ’Twixt these extremes at all.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Gentle Octavia,

               Let²³ your best love draw to that point which seeks

               Best to preserve it. If I lose mine honour,

25

25           I lose myself: better I were not yours

               Than yours so branchless.²⁶ But, as you requested,

               Yourself shall go between’s. The meantime, lady,

               I’ll raise the preparation²⁸ of a war

               Shall stain²⁹ your brother. Make your soonest haste,

30

30           So³⁰ your desires are yours.

OCTAVIA

OCTAVIA     Thanks to my lord.

               The Jove of power make me most weak, most weak,

               Your reconciler! Wars ’twixt you twain would be

               As if the world should cleave,³⁴ and that slain men

35

35           Should solder up the rift.

ANTONY

ANTONY     When it³⁶ appears to you where this begins,

               Turn your displeasure that way, for our³⁷ faults

               Can never be so equal that your love

               Can equally move with them. Provide your going,³⁹

40

40           Choose your own company, and command what⁴⁰ cost

               Your heart has mind to.

        Exeunt

[Act 3 Scene 5]

running scene 12 continues

        Enter Enobarbus and Eros Meeting

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     How now, friend Eros?

EROS

EROS     There’s strange news come, sir.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     What, man?

EROS

EROS     Caesar and Lepidus have made wars upon Pompey.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     This is old. What is the success?⁵

EROS

EROS     Caesar, having made use of him⁶ in the wars gainst Pompey, presently denied him rivality,⁷ would not let him partake in the glory of the action, and not resting here,⁸ accuses him of letters he had formerly wrote to Pompey, upon his own appeal seizes him: so the poor third is up,⁹ till death enlarge his confine.

10

10           

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     Then, world, thou hast a pair of chaps,¹⁰ no more,

               And throw¹¹ between them all the food thou hast,

               They’ll grind the one the other. Where’s Antony?

EROS

EROS     He’s walking in the garden, thus, and spurns¹³ Imitates Antony’s angry walk

               The rush¹⁴ that lies before him, cries, ‘Fool Lepidus!’

15

15           And threats¹⁵ the throat of that his officer

               That murdered Pompey.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     Our great navy’s rigged.¹⁷

EROS

EROS     For Italy and Caesar. More,¹⁸ Domitius:

               My lord desires you presently.¹⁹ My news

20

20           I might have told hereafter.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     ’Twill be naught,²¹

               But let it be. Bring me to Antony.

EROS

EROS     Come, sir.

        Exeunt

[Act 3 Scene 6]3.6

running scene 13

        Enter Agrippa, Maecenas and Caesar

CAESAR

CAESAR     Contemning¹ Rome, he has done all this, and more

               In Alexandria. Here’s the manner of’t:

               I’th’market-place, on a tribunal³ silvered,

               Cleopatra and himself in chairs of gold

5

5             Were publicly enthroned: at the feet sat

               Caesarion,⁶ whom they call my father’s son,

               And all the unlawful issue⁷ that their lust

               Since then hath made between them. Unto her

               He gave the stablishment⁹ of Egypt, made her

10

10           Of lower Syria, Cyprus, Lydia,

               Absolute queen.

MAECENAS

MAECENAS     This in the public eye?

CAESAR

CAESAR     I’th’common show-place¹³ where they exercise.

               His sons he there proclaimed the kings of kings:

15

15           Great Media, Parthia and Armenia

               He gave to Alexander: to Ptolemy he assigned

               Syria, Cilicia¹⁷ and Phoenicia. She

               In th’habiliments¹⁸ of the goddess Isis

               That day appeared, and oft before gave audience,

20

20           As ’tis reported, so.

MAECENAS

MAECENAS     Let Rome be thus informed.

AGRIPPA

agrippa     Who,²² queasy with his insolence

               Already, will their good thoughts call from him.²³

CAESAR

CAESAR     The people knows it, and have now received

25

25           His accusations.

AGRIPPA

agrippa     Who does he accuse?

CAESAR

CAESAR     Caesar: and that having in Sicily

               Sextus Pompeius spoiled,²⁸ we had not rated him

               His part o’th’isle. Then does he say he lent me

30

30           Some shipping unrestored.³⁰ Lastly, he frets

               That Lepidus of the triumvirate

               Should be deposed and, being,³² that we detain

               All his revenue.

AGRIPPA

agrippa     Sir, this should be answered.

35

35   

CAESAR

CAESAR     ’Tis done already, and the messenger gone.

               I have told him Lepidus was grown too cruel,

               That he his high authority abused,

               And did deserve his change. For³⁸ what I have conquered,

               I grant him part, but then in his Armenia

40

40           And other of his conquered kingdoms, I

               Demand the like.

MAECENAS

MAECENAS     He’ll never yield to that.

CAESAR

CAESAR     Nor must not then be yielded to in this.

        Enter Octavia with her Train

OCTAVIA

OCTAVIA     Hail, Caesar, and my lord! Hail, most dear Caesar!

45

45   

CAESAR

CAESAR     That ever I should call thee castaway!⁴⁵

OCTAVIA

OCTAVIA     You have not called me so, nor have you cause.

CAESAR

CAESAR     Why have you stol’n⁴⁷ upon us thus? You come not

               Like⁴⁸ Caesar’s sister: the wife of Antony

               Should have an army for an usher, and

50

50           The neighs of horse⁵⁰ to tell of her approach

               Long ere she did appear: the trees by th’way⁵¹

               Should have borne men, and expectation fainted,

               Longing for what it had not: nay, the dust

               Should have ascended to the roof of heaven,

55

55           Raised by your populous troops.⁵⁵ But you are come

               A market-maid to Rome, and have prevented⁵⁶

               The ostentation⁵⁷ of our love, which, left unshown,

               Is often left unloved. We should have met you

               By sea and land, supplying⁵⁹ every stage

60

60           With an augmented greeting.

OCTAVIA

OCTAVIA     Good my lord,

               To come thus was I not constrained, but did it

               On my free will. My lord Mark Antony,

               Hearing that you prepared for war, acquainted

65

65           My grievèd ear withal,⁶⁵ whereon, I begged

               His pardon for⁶⁶ return.

CAESAR

CAESAR     Which soon he granted,

               Being an abstract⁶⁸ ’tween his lust and him.

OCTAVIA

OCTAVIA     Do not say so, my lord.

70

70   

CAESAR

CAESAR     I have eyes⁷⁰ upon him,

               And his affairs come to me on the wind.

               Where is he now?

OCTAVIA

OCTAVIA     My lord, in Athens.

CAESAR

CAESAR     No, my most wrongèd sister. Cleopatra

75

75           Hath nodded him to her. He hath given his empire

               Up to a whore, who⁷⁶ now are levying

               The kings o’th’earth for war. He hath assembled

               Bocchus, the King of Libya, Archelaus,

               Of Cappadocia,⁷⁹ Philadelphos, King

80

80           Of Paphlagonia,⁸⁰ the Thracian king, Adallas,

               King Malchus of Arabia, King of Pont,⁸¹

               Herod of Jewry,⁸² Mithridates, King

               Of Comagene,⁸³ Polemon and Amyntas,

               The Kings of Mede and Lycaonia,⁸⁴

85

85           With a more larger list of sceptres.⁸⁵

OCTAVIA

OCTAVIA     Ay me, most wretched,

               That have my heart parted betwixt two friends

               That does afflict⁸⁸ each other!

CAESAR

CAESAR     Welcome hither:

90

90           Your letters did withhold our breaking forth⁹⁰

               Till we perceived both how you were wrong led⁹¹

               And we in negligent danger.⁹² Cheer your heart,

               Be you not troubled with the time⁹³ which drives

               O’er your content these strong necessities,

95

95           But let determined⁹⁵ things to destiny

               Hold unbewailed their way. Welcome to Rome,

               Nothing⁹⁷ more dear to me. You are abused

               Beyond the mark⁹⁸ of thought, and the high gods,

               To do you justice, makes his⁹⁹ ministers

100

100         Of us and those that love you. Best of comfort,

               And ever welcome to us.

AGRIPPA

agrippa     Welcome, lady.

MAECENAS

MAECENAS     Welcome, dear madam.

               Each heart in Rome does love and pity you.

105

105         Only th’adulterous Antony, most large¹⁰⁵

               In his abominations,¹⁰⁶ turns you off

               And gives his potent regiment¹⁰⁷ to a trull

               That noises it¹⁰⁸ against us.

OCTAVIA

OCTAVIA     Is it so, sir?

110

110 

CAESAR

CAESAR     Most certain. Sister, welcome: pray you

               Be ever known to patience,¹¹¹ my dear’st sister!

        Exeunt

[Act 3 Scene 7]3.7

running scene 14

        Enter Cleopatra and Enobarbus

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     I will be even with thee, doubt it not.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     But why, why, why?

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Thou hast forspoke³ my being in these wars,

               And say’st it is not fit.

5

5             

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     Well, is it, is it?

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     If⁶ not denounced against us, why should not we

               Be there in person?

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     Well, I could reply: Aside

               If we should serve⁹ with horse and mares together,

10

10           The horse¹⁰ were merely lost. The mares would bear

               A soldier and his horse.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     What is’t you say?

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     Your presence needs must puzzle¹³ Antony,

               Take from his heart, take from his brain, from’s time

15

15           What should not then be spared. He is already

               Traduced¹⁶ for levity, and ’tis said in Rome

               That Photinus an eunuch and your maids

               Manage this war.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Sink Rome,¹⁹ and their tongues rot

20

20           That speak against us! A charge²⁰ we bear i’th’war,

               And as the president²¹ of my kingdom will

               Appear there for²² a man. Speak not against it,

               I will not stay behind.

        Enter Antony and Canidius

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     Nay, I have done.

25

25           Here comes the emperor.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Is it not strange, Canidius,

               That from Tarentum and Brundusium²⁷

               He could so quickly cut²⁸ the Ionian Sea

               And take in²⁹ Toryne?— You have heard on’t, sweet?

30

30   

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Celerity³⁰ is never more admired

               Than by the negligent.

ANTONY

ANTONY     A good rebuke,

               Which might have well becomed³³ the best of men,

               To taunt at slackness. Canidius, we

35

35           Will fight with him by sea.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     By sea, what else?

CANIDIUS

CANIDIUS     Why will my lord do so?

ANTONY

ANTONY     For that he dares us to’t.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     So hath my lord dared him to single fight.

40

40   

CANIDIUS

CANIDIUS     Ay, and to wage this battle at Pharsalia,⁴⁰

               Where Caesar fought with Pompey. But these offers,

               Which serve not for his vantage, he shakes off,

               And so should you.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     Your ships are not well manned,

45

45           Your mariners are muleteers,⁴⁵ reapers, people

               Ingrossed⁴⁶ by swift impress. In Caesar’s fleet

               Are those that often have gainst Pompey fought.

               Their ships are yare,⁴⁸ yours heavy: no disgrace

               Shall fall⁴⁹ you for refusing him at sea,

50

50           Being prepared for land.

ANTONY

ANTONY     By sea, by sea.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     Most worthy sir, you therein throw away

               The absolute⁵³ soldiership you have by land,

               Distract⁵⁴ your army, which doth most consist

55

55           Of war-marked footmen,⁵⁵ leave unexecuted

               Your own renownèd knowledge, quite forgo

               The way which promises assurance,⁵⁷ and

               Give up yourself merely to chance and hazard

               From firm security.

60

60   

ANTONY

ANTONY     I’ll fight at sea.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     I have sixty sails, Caesar none better.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Our overplus⁶² of shipping will we burn,

               And with the rest full-manned, from th’head⁶³ of Actium

               Beat th’approaching Caesar. But if we fail,

65

65           We then can do’t at land.—

        Enter a Messenger

                                    Thy business?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     The news is true, my lord: he is descried.⁶⁶

               Caesar has taken Toryne.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Can he be there in person? ’Tis impossible⁶⁸

               Strange that his power⁶⁹ should be. Canidius,

70

70           Our nineteen legions thou shalt hold by land

               And our twelve thousand horse. We’ll to our ship:

               Away, my Thetis!⁷²—

        Enter a Soldier

                                    How now, worthy soldier?

SOLDIER

SOLDIER     O, noble emperor, do not fight by sea:

               Trust not to rotten planks.⁷⁴ Do you misdoubt

75

75           This sword and these my wounds? Let th’Egyptians

               And the Phoenicians⁷⁶ go a-ducking: we

               Have used⁷⁷ to conquer standing on the earth

               And fighting foot to foot.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Well, well, away!

        Exeunt Antony, Cleopatra and Enobarbus

80

80   

SOLDIER

SOLDIER     By Hercules,⁸⁰ I think I am i’th’right.

CANIDIUS

CANIDIUS     Soldier, thou art. But his whole action⁸¹ grows

               Not in the power on’t. So our leader’s led,

               And we are women’s men.⁸³

SOLDIER

SOLDIER     You keep by land

85

85           The legions and the horse whole,⁸⁵ do you not?

CANIDIUS

CANIDIUS     Marcus Octavius, Marcus Justeius,

               Publicola and Caelius are for sea,

               But we keep whole by land. This speed of Caesar’s

               Carries⁸⁹ beyond belief.

90

90   

SOLDIER

soldier     While he was yet⁹⁰ in Rome,

               His power⁹¹ went out in such distractions as

               Beguiled⁹² all spies.

CANIDIUS

CANIDIUS     Who’s his lieutenant, hear you?

SOLDIER

SOLDIER     They say one Taurus.

95

95   

CANIDIUS

CANIDIUS     Well I know the man.

        Enter a Messenger

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     The emperor calls Canidius.

CANIDIUS

CANIDIUS     With news the time’s in labour, and throws forth⁹⁷

               Each minute, some.

        Exeunt

[Act 3 Scene 8]3.8

running scene 15

        Enter Caesar [and Taurus] with his army, marching

CAESAR

CAESAR     Taurus!

TAURUS

TAURUS     My lord?

CAESAR

CAESAR     Strike not by land. Keep whole,³ provoke not battle

               Till we have done at sea. Do not exceed⁴

5

5             The prescript⁵ of this scroll: our fortune lies Gives him a scroll

               Upon this jump.⁶

        Exeunt

[Act 3 Scene 9]3.9

running scene 15 continues

        Enter Antony and Enobarbus

ANTONY

ANTONY     Set we our squadrons on yond side o’th’hill

               In eye² of Caesar’s battle, from which place

               We may the number of the ships behold

               And so proceed accordingly.

        Exeunt

[Act 3 Scene 10]3.10

running scene 15 continues

        Canidius marcheth with his land army one way over the stage, and Taurus, the lieutenant of Caesar, the other way. After their going in, is heard the noise of a sea-fight. Alarum Enter Enobarbus

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     Naught, naught, all naught! I can behold no longer:

               Th’Antoniad, the Egyptian admiral,²

               With all their sixty,³ fly and turn the rudder:

               To see’t mine eyes are blasted.⁴

        Enter Scarrus

5

5     

SCARRUS

SCARRUS         Gods and goddesses,

               All the whole synod of them!

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     What’s thy passion?⁷

SCARRUS

SCARRUS     The greater cantle⁸ of the world is lost

               With very ignorance.⁹ We have kissed away

10

10           Kingdoms and provinces.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     How appears the fight?

SCARRUS

SCARRUS     On our side, like the tokened pestilence¹²

               Where death is sure. Yon¹³ ribaudred nag of Egypt —

               Whom leprosy o’ertake!¹⁴ — i’th’midst o’th’fight

15

15           When vantage¹⁵ like a pair of twins appeared

               Both¹⁶ as the same, or rather ours the elder,

               The breeze¹⁷ upon her, like a cow in June,

               Hoists sails and flies.¹⁸

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     That I beheld:

20

20           Mine eyes did sicken at the sight and could not

               Endure a further view.

SCARRUS

SCARRUS     She once being loofed,²²

               The noble ruin of her magic, Antony,

               Claps²⁴ on his sea-wing and, like a doting mallard,

25

25           Leaving the fight in²⁵ height, flies after her.

               I never saw an action²⁶ of such shame:

               Experience, manhood, honour, ne’er before

               Did violate so itself.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     Alack, alack!

        Enter Canidius

30

30   

CANIDIUS

CANIDIUS           Our fortune on the sea is out of breath

               And sinks most lamentably. Had our general

               Been what he knew himself,³² it had gone well.

               O, he has given example for our flight

               Most grossly³⁴ by his own!

35

35   

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     Ay, are you thereabouts?³⁵ Why, then, goodnight indeed.

CANIDIUS

CANIDIUS     Toward Peloponnesus³⁶ are they fled.

SCARRUS

SCARRUS     ’Tis easy to’t,³⁷ and there I will attend

               What further comes.

CANIDIUS

CANIDIUS     To Caesar will I render³⁹

40

40           My legions and my horse: six kings already

               Show me the way of yielding.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     I’ll yet follow

               The wounded chance⁴³ of Antony, though my reason

               Sits in the wind against⁴⁴ me.

        [Exeunt separately]

[Act 3 Scene 11]3.11

running scene 16

        Enter Antony with Attendants

ANTONY

ANTONY     Hark! The land bids me tread no more upon’t:

               It is ashamed to bear me. Friends, come hither.

               I am so lated³ in the world that I

               Have lost my way forever. I have a ship

5

5             Laden with gold: take that, divide it: fly

               And make your peace with Caesar.

ALL

ALL     Fly? Not we.

ANTONY

ANTONY     I have fled myself and have instructed cowards

               To run and show their shoulders. Friends, be gone:

10

10           I have myself resolved upon a course

               Which has no need of you. Be gone.

               My treasure’s in the harbour: take it. O,

               I followed that¹³ I blush to look upon.

               My very hairs do mutiny,¹⁴ for the white

15

15           Reprove the brown for rashness, and they them¹⁵

               For fear and doting. Friends, be gone. You shall

               Have letters from me to some friends that will

               Sweep your way¹⁸ for you. Pray you look not sad

               Nor make replies of loathness:¹⁹ take the hint

20

20           Which my despair²⁰ proclaims. Let that be left

               Which leaves itself. To the seaside straightway:

               I will possess you²² of that ship and treasure.

               Leave me, I pray, a little.²³ Pray you now,

               Nay do so, for indeed I have lost command:²⁴

25

25           Therefore I pray you, I’ll see you by and by.

        Sits down

        [Exeunt Attendants]

        Enter Cleopatra led by Charmian, [Iras] and Eros

EROS

EROS     Nay, gentle madam, to him, comfort him.

IRAS

IRAS     Do, most dear queen.

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     Do? Why, what else?

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Let me sit down. O Juno!²⁹

30

30   

ANTONY

ANTONY     No, no, no, no, no!

EROS

EROS     See you here, sir?

ANTONY

ANTONY     O fie,³² fie, fie!

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     Madam!

IRAS

IRAS     Madam, O good empress!

35

35           

EROS

EROS     Sir, sir—

ANTONY

ANTONY     Yes, my lord,³⁶ yes; he at Philippi kept

               His sword³⁷ e’en like a dancer while I struck

               The lean and wrinkled Cassius, and ’twas I

               That the mad³⁹ Brutus ended: he alone

40

40           Dealt on lieutenantry,⁴⁰ and no practice had

               In the brave squares⁴¹ of war: yet now, no matter.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Ah, stand by.⁴²

EROS

EROS     The queen, my lord, the queen!

IRAS

IRAS     Go to him, madam, speak to him:

45

45           He’s unqualitied⁴⁵ with very shame.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Well then, sustain⁴⁶ me. O!

EROS

EROS     Most noble sir, arise, the queen approaches.

               Her head’s declined,⁴⁸ and death will seize her, but

               Your comfort⁴⁹ makes the rescue.

50

50   

ANTONY

ANTONY           I have offended reputation,⁵⁰

               A most unnoble swerving.⁵¹

EROS

EROS     Sir, the queen!

ANTONY

ANTONY     O, whither hast thou led me, Egypt? See

               How I convey⁵⁴ my shame out of thine eyes

55

55           By looking back what I have left behind

               ’Stroyed⁵⁶ in dishonour.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     O my lord, my lord,

               Forgive my fearful sails! I little thought

               You would have followed.

60

60   

ANTONY

ANTONY     Egypt, thou knew’st too well

               My heart was to thy rudder tied by th’strings⁶¹

               And thou shouldst tow me after. O’er my spirit

               Thy full supremacy thou knew’st, and that

               Thy beck⁶⁴ might from the bidding of the gods

65

65           Command me.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     O, my pardon!

ANTONY

ANTONY     Now I must

               To the young man⁶⁸ send humble treaties, dodge

               And palter⁶⁹ in the shifts of lowness, who

70

70           With half the bulk o’th’world played as I pleased,

               Making and marring fortunes. You did know

               How much you were my conqueror, and that

               My sword,⁷³ made weak by my affection, would

               Obey it on all cause.⁷⁴

75

75   

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Pardon, pardon!

ANTONY

ANTONY     Fall not a tear, I say. One of them rates⁷⁶

               All that is won and lost. Give me a kiss: They kiss

               Even this repays me.

               We sent our schoolmaster:⁷⁹ is a come back?

80

80           Love, I am full of lead.⁸⁰ Some wine

               Within there and our viands!⁸¹ Fortune knows

               We scorn her most when most she offers blows.

        Exeunt

[Act 3 Scene 12]3.12

running scene 17

        Enter Caesar, Agrippa and [Thidias,] Dolabella with others

CAESAR

CAESAR     Let him appear that’s come from Antony.

               Know you him?

DOLABELLA

DOLABELLA     Caesar, ’tis his schoolmaster,

               An argument⁴ that he is plucked, when hither

5

5             He sends so poor a pinion⁵ of his wing,

               Which⁶ had superfluous kings for messengers

               Not many moons gone by.

        Enter Ambassador from Antony

CAESAR

CAESAR     Approach, and speak.

AMBASSADOR

AMBASSADOR     Such as I am, I come from Antony:

10

10           I was of late as petty¹⁰ to his ends

               As is the morn-dew on the myrtle leaf¹¹

               To his grand sea.¹²

CAESAR

CAESAR     Be’t so. Declare thine office.¹³

AMBASSADOR

AMBASSADOR     Lord of his fortunes he salutes thee, and

15

15           Requires¹⁵ to live in Egypt, which not granted,

               He lessens his requests, and to thee sues¹⁶

               To let him breathe¹⁷ between the heavens and earth,

               A private man in Athens: this for him.

               Next, Cleopatra does confess thy greatness,

20

20           Submits her to thy might, and of thee craves

               The circle²¹ of the Ptolemies for her heirs,

               Now hazarded²² to thy grace.

CAESAR

CAESAR     For Antony,

               I have no ears to his request. The queen

25

25           Of²⁵ audience nor desire shall fail, so she

               From Egypt drive her all-disgraced friend²⁶

               Or take his life there. This if she perform,

               She shall not sue unheard. So to them both.

AMBASSADOR

AMBASSADOR     Fortune pursue thee!

30

30   

CAESAR

CAESAR     Bring³⁰ him through the bands.—

        [Exit Ambassador, attended]

               To try thy eloquence now ’tis time. Dispatch.³¹ To Thidias

               From³² Antony win Cleopatra. Promise,

               And in our name,³³ what she requires: add more,

               From thine invention, offers. Women³⁴ are not

35

35           In their best fortunes strong, but want will perjure

               The ne’er touched vestal. Try thy cunning,³⁶ Thidias:

               Make³⁷ thine own edict for thy pains, which we

               Will answer³⁸ as a law.

THIDIAS

THIDIAS     Caesar, I go.

40

40   

CAESAR

CAESAR     Observe how Antony becomes his flaw,⁴⁰

               And what thou think’st his very action speaks⁴¹

               In every power that moves.⁴²

THIDIAS

THIDIAS     Caesar, I shall.

        Exeunt

[Act 3 Scene 13]3.13

running scene 18

        Enter Cleopatra, Enobarbus, Charmian and Iras

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     What shall we do, Enobarbus?

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     Think,² and die.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Is Antony or we³ in fault for this?

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     Antony only, that would make his will⁴

5

5             Lord of his reason. What though you fled

               From that great face of war, whose several ranges⁶

               Frighted each other? Why should he follow?

               The itch of his affection⁸ should not then

               Have nicked⁹ his captainship, at such a point,

10

10           When half to half the world opposed, he being

               The meerèd question.¹¹ ’Twas a shame no less

               Than was his loss, to course¹² your flying flags

               And leave his navy gazing.¹³

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Prithee, peace.

        Enter the Ambassador with Antony

15

15   

ANTONY

ANTONY     Is that his answer?

AMBASSADOR

AMBASSADOR     Ay, my lord.

ANTONY

ANTONY     The¹⁷ queen shall then have courtesy, so she

               Will yield us up.

AMBASSADOR

AMBASSADOR     He says so.

20

20   

ANTONY

ANTONY     Let her know’t.

               To the boy Caesar send this grizzled head,

               And he will fill thy wishes to the brim

               With principalities.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     That head, my lord?

25

25   

ANTONY

ANTONY     To him again. Tell him he²⁵ wears the rose

               Of youth upon him, from which the world should note

               Something particular: his coin, ships, legions,

               May be a coward’s, whose ministers²⁸ would prevail

               Under the service of a child as soon

30

30           As i’th’command of Caesar. I dare him therefore

               To lay his gay caparisons³¹ apart

               And answer me declined,³² sword against sword,

               Ourselves alone.³³ I’ll write it: follow me.

        [Exeunt Antony and Ambassador]

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     Yes, like enough, high-battled³⁴ Caesar will Aside

35

35           Unstate his happiness,³⁵ and be staged to th’show

               Against a sworder.³⁶ I see men’s judgements are

               A parcel of³⁷ their fortunes, and things outward

               Do draw the inward quality after them

               To suffer all alike. That he should dream,

40

40           Knowing⁴⁰ all measures, the full Caesar will

               Answer⁴¹ his emptiness. Caesar, thou hast subdued

               His judgement too.

        Enter a Servant

SERVANT

SERVANT     A messenger from Caesar.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     What, no more ceremony? See, my women,

45

45           Against the blown⁴⁵ rose may they stop their nose

               That kneeled unto the buds. Admit him, sir.

        [Exit Servant]

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     Mine honesty⁴⁷ and I begin to square. Aside

               The loyalty well held to fools does make

               Our faith⁴⁹ mere folly. Yet he that can endure

50

50           To follow with allegiance a fall’n lord

               Does conquer him that did his master conquer,

               And earns a place i’th’story.⁵²

        Enter Thidias

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Caesar’s will?

THIDIAS

THIDIAS     Hear it apart.⁵⁴

55

55   

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA           None but friends:⁵⁵ say boldly.

THIDIAS

THIDIAS     So, haply,⁵⁶ are they friends to Antony.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     He needs as many, sir, as Caesar has,

               Or⁵⁸ needs not us. If Caesar please, our master

               Will leap to be his friend: for⁵⁹ us, you know,

60

60           Whose⁶⁰ he is we are, and that is Caesar’s.

THIDIAS

THIDIAS     So.

               Thus then, thou most renowned: Caesar entreats

               Not⁶³ to consider in what case thou stand’st,

               Further than he is Caesar.

65

65   

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Go on: right royal.⁶⁵

THIDIAS

THIDIAS     He knows that you embrace not Antony

               As you did love, but as you feared him.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     O!

THIDIAS

THIDIAS     The scars upon your honour, therefore, he

70

70           Does pity as constrainèd⁷⁰ blemishes,

               Not as deserved.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     He is a god and knows

               What is most right:⁷³ mine honour was not yielded,

               But conquered merely.⁷⁴

75

75   

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     To be sure of that, Aside

               I will ask Antony. Sir, sir, thou art so leaky

               That we must leave thee to thy sinking, for

               Thy dearest quit⁷⁸ thee.

        Exit Enobarbus

THIDIAS

THIDIAS     Shall I say to Caesar

80

80           What you require⁸⁰ of him? For he partly begs

               To be desired⁸¹ to give. It much would please him

               That of his fortunes you should make a staff

               To lean upon. But it would warm his spirits

               To hear from me you had left Antony

85

85           And put yourself under his⁸⁵ shroud,

               The universal landlord.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     What’s your name?

THIDIAS

THIDIAS     My name is Thidias.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Most kind messenger,

90

90           Say to great Caesar this in deputation:⁹⁰

               I kiss his conqu’ring hand: tell him I am prompt

               To lay my crown at’s feet, and there to kneel:

               Tell him from his all-obeying breath⁹³ I hear

               The doom⁹⁴ of Egypt.

95

95   

THIDIAS

THIDIAS     ’Tis your noblest course:

               Wisdom and fortune combating together,

               If⁹⁷ that the former dare but what it can,

               No chance may shake it. Give me grace to lay

               My duty on your hand.

100

100 

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Your Caesar’s father¹⁰⁰ oft— Offers him her hand

               When he hath mused¹⁰¹ of taking kingdoms in —

               Bestowed his lips on that unworthy place

               As¹⁰³ it rained kisses.

        Enter Antony and Enobarbus

ANTONY

ANTONY     Favours?¹⁰⁴ By Jove that thunders!

105

105         What art thou, fellow?¹⁰⁵

THIDIAS

THIDIAS     One that but performs

               The bidding of the fullest¹⁰⁷ man and worthiest

               To have command obeyed.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     You will be whipped. Aside

110

110 

ANTONY

ANTONY     Approach there!— Ah, you kite!¹¹⁰— Now, gods and devils, Calls for Servants

               Authority melts from me of late. When I cried ‘Ho!’,

               Like boys unto a muss,¹¹² kings would start forth

               And cry ‘Your will?’ Have you no ears? I am

               Antony yet.— Take hence this jack¹¹⁴ and whip him.

        Enter a Servant Other Servants follow

115

115 

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     ’Tis better playing with a lion’s whelp¹¹⁵ Aside

               Than with an old one dying.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Moon and stars!

               Whip him. Were’t twenty of the greatest tributaries¹¹⁸

               That do acknowledge Caesar, should I find them

120

120         So saucy¹²⁰ with the hand of she here — what’s her name,

               Since she was¹²¹ Cleopatra? Whip him, fellows,

               Till like a boy you see him cringe¹²² his face

               And whine aloud for mercy. Take him hence.

THIDIAS

THIDIAS     Mark Antony!

125

125 

ANTONY

ANTONY     Tug him away: being whipped,

               Bring him again. The jack of Caesar’s shall

               Bear us an errand to him.

        Exeunt [Servants] with Thidias

               You were half blasted¹²⁸ ere I knew you: ha?

               Have I my pillow left unpressed in Rome,

130

130         Forborne¹³⁰ the getting of a lawful race,

               And by a gem of women, to be abused

               By one that looks on feeders?¹³²

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Good my lord—

ANTONY

ANTONY     You have been a boggler¹³⁴ ever,

135

135         But when we in our viciousness grow hard —

               O, misery on’t! — the wise gods seel¹³⁶ our eyes,

               In our own filth drop our clear judgements, make us

               Adore our errors, laugh at’s while we strut

               To our confusion.¹³⁹

140

140 

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     O, is’t come to this?

ANTONY

ANTONY     I found you as a morsel cold upon

               Dead Caesar’s trencher:¹⁴² nay, you were a fragment

               Of Gneius Pompey’s¹⁴³, besides what hotter hours

               Unregistered in vulgar fame¹⁴⁴ you have

145

145         Luxuriously¹⁴⁵ picked out. For I am sure,

               Though you can guess what temperance¹⁴⁶ should be,

               You know not what it is.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Wherefore is this?

ANTONY

ANTONY     To let a fellow that will take rewards

150

150         And say ‘God quit you!’¹⁵⁰ be familiar with

               My playfellow, your hand, this kingly seal¹⁵¹

               And plighter¹⁵² of high hearts! O, that I were

               Upon the hill of Basan,¹⁵³ to outroar

               The hornèd herd! For I have savage cause,¹⁵⁴

155

155         And to proclaim it civilly,¹⁵⁵ were like

               A haltered neck¹⁵⁶ which does the hangman thank

               For being yare¹⁵⁷ about him.— Is he whipped?

        Enter a Servant with Thidias

SERVANT

SERVANT     Soundly, my lord.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Cried he? And begged a¹⁵⁹ pardon?

160

160 

SERVANT

SERVANT     He did ask favour.

ANTONY

ANTONY     If that thy father live, let him repent To Thidias

               Thou wast not made his daughter, and be thou sorry

               To follow¹⁶³ Caesar in his triumph, since

               Thou hast been whipped for following him. Henceforth

165

165         The white hand¹⁶⁵ of a lady fever thee,

               Shake thou to look on’t. Get thee back to Caesar:

               Tell him thy entertainment:¹⁶⁷ look thou say

               He makes me angry with him. For he seems

               Proud and disdainful, harping on what I am,

170

170         Not what he knew I was. He makes me angry,

               And at this time most easy ’tis to do’t,

               When my good stars that were my former guides

               Have empty left their orbs¹⁷³ and shot their fires

               Into th’abysm¹⁷⁴ of hell. If he mislike

175

175         My speech and what is done, tell him he has

               Hipparchus, my enfranchèd bondman,¹⁷⁶ whom

               He may at pleasure whip or hang or torture,

               As he shall like to quit¹⁷⁸ me. Urge it thou.

               Hence with thy stripes! Be gone!

        Exit Thidias [with Servant]

180

180 

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Have you done yet?

ANTONY

ANTONY     Alack, our terrene moon¹⁸¹ is now eclipsed

               And it portends alone¹⁸² the fall of Antony.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     I must stay his time.¹⁸³

ANTONY

ANTONY     To flatter Caesar would you mingle eyes¹⁸⁴

185

185         With one that ties his points?¹⁸⁵

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Not know me yet?

ANTONY

ANTONY     Cold-hearted toward me?

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Ah, dear, if I be so,

               From my cold heart let heaven engender hail

190

190         And poison it in the source, and the first stone

               Drop in my neck:¹⁹¹ as it determines, so

               Dissolve my life! The next Caesarion¹⁹² smite,

               Till by degrees the memory of my womb,

               Together with my brave Egyptians all,

195

195         By the discandying¹⁹⁵ of this pelleted storm

               Lie graveless, till the flies and gnats of Nile

               Have buried¹⁹⁷ them for prey!

ANTONY

ANTONY     I am satisfied.

               Caesar sets down¹⁹⁹ in Alexandria, where

200

200         I will oppose his fate.²⁰⁰ Our force by land

               Hath nobly held, our severed navy too

               Have knit again, and fleet,²⁰² threat’ning most sea-like.

               Where hast thou been, my heart? Dost thou hear, lady?

               If from the field I shall return once more

205

205         To kiss these lips, I will appear in blood:²⁰⁵

               I and my sword will earn our chronicle:²⁰⁶

               There’s hope in’t yet.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     That’s my brave lord!

ANTONY

ANTONY     I will be treble-sinewed, hearted, breathed,²⁰⁹

210

210         And fight maliciously.²¹⁰ For when mine hours

               Were nice²¹¹ and lucky, men did ransom lives

               Of me for jests. But now I’ll set my teeth

               And send to darkness all that stop me. Come,

               Let’s have one other gaudy²¹⁴ night: call to me

215

215         All my sad²¹⁵ captains: fill our bowls once more:

               Let’s mock²¹⁶ the midnight bell.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     It is my birthday:

               I had thought t’have held it poor,²¹⁸ but since my lord

               Is Antony again, I will be Cleopatra.

220

220 

ANTONY

ANTONY     We will yet do well.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Call all his noble captains to my lord! To Charmian and Iras

ANTONY

ANTONY     Do so, we’ll speak to them, and tonight I’ll force

               The wine peep through their scars. Come on, my queen,

               There’s sap in’t yet.²²⁴ The next time I do fight

225

225         I’ll make death love me, for I will contend²²⁵

               Even with his pestilent scythe.

        Exeunt [all but Enobarbus]

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     Now he’ll outstare²²⁷ the lightning. To be furious

               Is to be frighted out of fear, and in that mood

               The dove will peck the estridge;²²⁹ and I see still,

230

230         A diminution in our captain’s brain

               Restores his heart.²³¹ When valour preys on reason,

               It eats the sword it fights with. I will seek

               Some way to leave him.

        Exit

[Act 4 Scene 1]4.1

running scene 19

        Enter Caesar, Agrippa and Maecenas with his Army, Caesar reading a letter

CAESAR

CAESAR     He calls me boy, and chides as¹ he had power

               To beat me out of Egypt. My messenger

               He hath whipped with rods, dares me to personal combat,

               Caesar to Antony. Let the old ruffian⁴ know

5

5             I have many other ways to die: meantime

               Laugh at his challenge.

MAECENAS

MAECENAS     Caesar must think,

               When one so great begins to rage, he’s hunted

               Even to falling. Give him no breath,⁹ but now

10

10           Make boot¹⁰ of his distraction: never anger

               Made good guard for itself.

CAESAR

CAESAR     Let our best heads¹²

               Know that tomorrow the last of many battles

               We mean to fight. Within our files¹⁴ there are,

15

15           Of those that served Mark Antony but late,¹⁵

               Enough to fetch him in.¹⁶ See it done,

               And feast the army. We have store¹⁷ to do’t

               And they have earned the waste.¹⁸ Poor Antony!

        Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 2]4.2

running scene 20

        Enter Antony, Cleopatra, Enobarbus, Charmian, Iras, Alexas with others

ANTONY

ANTONY     He will not fight with me, Domitius?¹

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     No.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Why should he not?

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     He thinks, being twenty times of better fortune,⁴

5

5             He is twenty men to one.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Tomorrow, soldier,

               By sea and land I’ll fight: or⁷ I will live,

               Or bathe⁸ my dying honour in the blood

               Shall make it live again. Woo’t⁹ thou fight well?

10

10   

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     I’ll strike, and cry ‘Take all.¹⁰’

ANTONY

ANTONY     Well said. Come on.

               Call forth my household servants, let’s tonight

        Enter three or four Servitors

               Be bounteous at our meal.— Give me thy hand:

               Thou hast been rightly honest.¹⁴— So hast thou.—

15

15           Thou, and thou, and thou: you have served me well,

               And kings have been your fellows.¹⁶

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     What means this? Aside to Enobarbus

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     ’Tis one of those odd tricks¹⁸ which sorrow shoots Aside to Cleopatra

               Out of the mind.

20

20   

ANTONY

ANTONY     And thou art honest too:

               I wish I could be made so many men,

               And all of you clapped up²² together in

               An Antony, that I might do you service

               So good as you have done.

25

25   

ALL

ALL     The gods forbid!

ANTONY

ANTONY     Well, my good fellows, wait on me tonight:

               Scant²⁷ not my cups, and make as much of me

               As when mine empire was your fellow too

               And suffered²⁹ my command.

30

30   

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     What does he mean? Aside to Enobarbus

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     To make his followers weep. Aside to Cleopatra

ANTONY

ANTONY     Tend me tonight:

               Maybe it is the period³³ of your duty.

               Haply³⁴ you shall not see me more, or if,

35

35           A mangled shadow. Perchance³⁵ tomorrow

               You’ll serve another master. I look on you

               As one that takes his leave. Mine honest friends,

               I turn you not away, but, like a master

               Married to your good service, stay till death.

40

40           Tend me tonight two hours, I ask no more,

               And the gods yield⁴¹ you for’t.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     What mean you, sir,

               To give them this discomfort?⁴³ Look, they weep,

               And I, an ass, am onion-eyed.⁴⁴ For shame,

45

45           Transform us not to women.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Ho, ho, ho!

               Now the⁴⁷ witch take me if I meant it thus!

               Grace⁴⁸ grow where those drops fall! My hearty friends,

               You take me in too dolorous⁴⁹ a sense,

50

50           For I spake to you for your comfort,⁵⁰ did desire you

               To burn⁵¹ this night with torches: know, my hearts,

               I hope well of tomorrow, and will lead you

               Where rather I’ll expect victorious life

               Than death and honour. Let’s to supper, come,

55

55           And drown consideration.⁵⁵

        Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 3]

running scene 21

        Enter a Company of Soldiers

FIRST SOLDIER

FIRST SOLDIER     Brother, goodnight: tomorrow is the day.¹

SECOND SOLDIER

second soldier     It will determine one way.² Fare you well.

               Heard you of nothing strange about the streets?

FIRST SOLDIER

FIRST SOLDIER     Nothing. What news?

5

5     

SECOND SOLDIER

SECOND SOLDIER     Belike⁵ ’tis but a rumour. Goodnight to you.

FIRST SOLDIER

FIRST SOLDIER     Well, sir, goodnight.

        They meet other Soldiers

SECOND SOLDIER

SECOND SOLDIER     Soldiers, have careful⁷ watch.

THIRD SOLDIER

THIRD SOLDIER     And you. Goodnight, goodnight.

        They place themselves in every corner of the stage

SECOND SOLDIER

SECOND SOLDIER     Here we: and if tomorrow

10

10           Our navy thrive, I have an absolute¹⁰ hope

               Our landmen will stand up.

FIRST SOLDIER

FIRST SOLDIER     ’Tis a brave¹² army, and full of purpose.

        Music of the hautboys is under the stage

SECOND SOLDIER

SECOND SOLDIER     Peace! What noise?

FIRST SOLDIER

FIRST SOLDIER     List,¹⁴ list!

15

15           

SECOND SOLDIER

SECOND SOLDIER     Hark!

FIRST SOLDIER

FIRST SOLDIER     Music i’th’air.

THIRD SOLDIER

THIRD SOLDIER     Under the earth.

FOURTH SOLDIER

FOURTH SOLDIER     It signs well,¹⁸ does it not?

THIRD SOLDIER

THIRD SOLDIER No.

20

20           

FIRST SOLDIER

FIRST SOLDIER     Peace, I say! What should this mean?

SECOND SOLDIER

SECOND SOLDIER     ’Tis the god Hercules,²¹ whom Antony loved,

               Now leaves him.

FIRST SOLDIER

FIRST SOLDIER     Walk. Let’s see if other watchmen

               Do hear what we do.

25

25           

SECOND SOLDIER

SECOND SOLDIER     How now, masters?²⁸

ALL

ALL     How now? How now? Do you hear this? Speak together

FIRST SOLDIER

FIRST SOLDIER     Ay. Is’t not strange?

THIRD SOLDIER

THIRD SOLDIER     Do you hear, masters? Do you hear?

FIRST SOLDIER

THIRD SOLDIER     Follow the noise so far as we have quarter.²⁹

30

30           Let’s see how it will give off.³⁰

ALL

ALL     Content. ’Tis strange.

        Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 4]

running scene 22

        Enter Antony and Cleopatra with others

ANTONY

ANTONY     Eros! Mine armour, Eros!

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Sleep a little.

ANTONY

ANTONY     No, my chuck.³ Eros! Come, mine armour, Eros!

        Enter Eros With armor

               Come, good fellow, put thine iron⁴ on.

5

5             If fortune be not ours today, it is

               Because we brave⁶ her. Come.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Nay, I’ll help too, Antony.

               What’s this for? Picks up a piece of armor

ANTONY

ANTONY     Ah, let be, let be! Thou art

10

10           The armourer of my heart. False,¹⁰ false: this, this!

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Sooth,¹¹ la, I’ll help: thus it must be. She helps arm him

ANTONY

ANTONY     Well,¹² well,

               We shall thrive now. See’st thou, my good fellow?

               Go, put on thy defences.¹⁴

15

15   

EROS

EROS     Briefly,¹⁵ sir.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Is not this buckled well?

ANTONY

ANTONY     Rarely,¹⁷ rarely:

               He that unbuckles this, till we¹⁸ do please

               To doff’t¹⁹ for our repose, shall hear a storm.

20

20           Thou fumblest, Eros, and my queen’s a squire²⁰

               More tight²¹ at this than thou: dispatch!— O love,

               That thou couldst see my wars today, and knew’st²²

               The royal occupation,²³ thou shouldst see

               A workman²⁴ in’t.—

        Enter an armed Soldier

                                    Good morrow to thee! Welcome!

25

25           Thou look’st like him²⁵ that knows a warlike charge:

               To business that we love we rise betime²⁶

               And go to’t with delight.

SOLDIER

SOLDIER     A thousand, sir,

               Early though’t be, have on their riveted trim²⁹

30

30           And at the port³⁰ expect you.

        Shout. Trumpets flourish

        Enter Captains and Soldiers

CAPTAIN

CAPTAIN     The morn is fair. Good morrow, general.

ALL

ALL     Good morrow, general.

ANTONY

ANTONY     ’Tis well blown,³³ lads.

               This morning, like the spirit of a youth

35

35           That means to be of note,³⁵ begins betimes.—

               So, so. Come, give me that. This way, well said. To Cleopatra

               Fare thee well, dame.³⁷ Whate’er becomes of me,

               This is a soldier’s kiss: rebukable Kisses her

               And worthy shameful check³⁹ it were, to stand

40

40           On more mechanic compliment.⁴⁰ I’ll leave thee

               Now, like a man of steel.— You that will⁴¹ fight,

               Follow me close. I’ll bring you to’t.— Adieu.

        Exeunt. [Cleopatra and Charmian remain]

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN Please you retire to your chamber?

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Lead me.

45

45           He goes forth gallantly. That⁴⁵ he and Caesar might

               Determine⁴⁶ this great war in single fight!

               Then Antony — but now…Well, on.

        Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 5]4.5

running scene 23

        Trumpets sound. Enter Antony and Eros A Soldier meets them

SOLDIER

SOLDIER     The gods make this a happy¹ day to Antony!

ANTONY

ANTONY     Would² thou and those thy scars had once prevailed

               To make me fight at land!

SOLDIER

SOLDIER     Hadst thou done so,

5

5             The kings that have revolted⁵ and the soldier

               That has this morning left thee would have still

               Followed thy heels.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Who’s gone this morning?

SOLDIER

SOLDIER     Who?

10

10           One ever near thee: call for Enobarbus,

               He shall not hear thee, or from Caesar’s camp

               Say ‘I am none of thine.’

ANTONY

ANTONY     What say’st thou?

SOLDIER

SOLDIER     Sir,

15

15           He is with Caesar.

EROS

EROS     Sir, his chests and treasure

               He has not with him.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Is he gone?

SOLDIER

SOLDIER     Most certain.

20

20   

ANTONY

ANTONY     Go, Eros, send his treasure after: do it:

               Detain no jot, I charge²¹ thee. Write to him —

               I will subscribe²² — gentle adieus and greetings;

               Say that I wish he never find more cause

               To change a master. O, my fortunes have

25

25           Corrupted honest men! Dispatch.²⁵— Enobarbus!

        Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 6]4.6

running scene 24

        Trumpets sound. Enter Antony and Eros Flourish. Enter Agrippa, Caesar, with Enobarbus and Dolabella

CAESAR

CAESAR     Go forth, Agrippa, and begin the fight.

               Our will is Antony be took² alive:

               Make it so known.

AGRIPPA

AGRIPPA     Caesar, I shall.

        [Exit]

5

5     

CAESAR

CAESAR     The time of universal peace⁵ is near:

               Prove this a prosp’rous day, the three-nooked⁶ world

               Shall bear the olive⁷ freely.

        Enter a Messenger

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Antony is come into the field.

CAESAR

CAESAR     Go charge Agrippa

10

10           Plant those that have revolted in the van¹⁰

               That Antony may seem to spend his fury

               Upon himself.

        Exeunt. [Enobarbus remains]

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     Alexas did revolt, and went to Jewry¹³ on

               Affairs of Antony, there did dissuade¹⁴

15

15           Great Herod¹⁵ to incline himself to Caesar

               And leave his master Antony. For this pains

               Caesar hath hanged him. Canidius and the rest

               That fell away¹⁸ have entertainment but

               No honourable trust. I have done ill,

20

20           Of which I do accuse myself so sorely,

               That I will joy no more.

        Enter a Soldier of Caesar’s

SOLDIER

SOLDIER     Enobarbus, Antony

               Hath after thee sent all thy treasure, with

               His bounty overplus.²⁴ The messenger

25

25           Came on my guard,²⁵ and at thy tent is now

               Unloading of his mules.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     I give it you.

SOLDIER

SOLDIER     Mock not, Enobarbus.

               I tell you true: best you safed²⁹ the bringer

30

30           Out of the host.³⁰ I must attend mine office

               Or would have done’t myself. Your emperor

               Continues still a Jove.

        Exit

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     I am alone³³ the villain of the earth,

               And feel I am so most.³⁴ O Antony,

35

35           Thou mine of bounty, how wouldst thou have paid

               My better service, when my turpitude³⁶

               Thou dost so crown with gold! This blows³⁷ my heart.

               If swift thought³⁸ break it not, a swifter mean

               Shall outstrike³⁹ thought, but thought will do’t, I feel.

40

40           I fight against thee? No, I will go seek

               Some ditch wherein to die: the foul’st⁴¹ best fits

               My latter part of life.

        Exit

[Act 4 Scene 7]4.7

running scene 25

        Trumpets sound. Enter Antony and Eros Alarum. Drums and trumpets. Enter Agrippa [and others]

AGRIPPA

AGRIPPA     Retire,¹ we have engaged ourselves too far:

               Caesar himself has work,² and our oppression

               Exceeds what we expected.

        Exit

        Alarums. Enter Antony, and Scarrus wounded

SCARRUS

SCARRUS     O my brave emperor, this is fought indeed!

5

5             Had we done so at first, we had droven⁵ them home

               With clouts⁶ about their heads. A retreat sounds

        Far off

ANTONY

ANTONY     Thou bleed’st apace.

SCARRUS

SCARRUS     I had a wound here that was like a T,

               But now ’tis made an H.⁹

10

10   

ANTONY

ANTONY     They do retire.

SCARRUS

SCARRUS     we’ll beat ’em into bench-holes.¹¹ I have yet

               Room for six scotches¹² more.

        Enter Eros

EROS

EROS     They are beaten, sir, and our advantage serves¹³

               For a fair victory.

15

15   

SCARRUS

SCARRUS     Let us score¹⁵ their backs

               And snatch¹⁶ ’em up, as we take hares behind!

               ’Tis sport to maul a runner.¹⁷

ANTONY

ANTONY     I will reward thee

               Once for thy sprightly comfort,¹⁹ and tenfold

20

20           For thy good valour. Come thee on.

SCARRUS

SCARRUS     I’ll halt²¹ after.

        Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 8]

running scene 25 continues

        Alarum. Enter Antony again, in a march, Scarrus with others

ANTONY

ANTONY     We have beat him to his camp: run one before

               And let the queen know of our gests.² Tomorrow,

        [Exit a Soldier]

               Before the sun shall see’s, we’ll spill the blood

               That has today escaped. I thank you all,

5

5             For doughty-handed⁵ are you, and have fought

               Not as⁶ you served the cause, but as’t had been

               Each man’s like mine: you have shown all Hectors.⁷

               Enter the city, clip⁸ your wives, your friends,

               Tell them your feats, whilst they with joyful tears

10

10           Wash the congealment¹⁰ from your wounds, and kiss

               The honoured gashes whole.¹¹—

        Enter Cleopatra

                                    Give me thy hand. To Scarrus

               To this great fairy¹² I’ll commend thy acts,

               Make her thanks bless thee.—

                                    O thou day¹³ o’th’world, To Cleopatra

               Chain¹⁴ mine armed neck, leap thou, attire and all,

15

15           Through proof of harness¹⁵ to my heart, and there

               Ride on the pants triumphing!¹⁶ They embrace

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Lord of lords!

               O infinite virtue,¹⁸ com’st thou smiling from

               The world’s great snare uncaught?

20

20   

ANTONY

ANTONY           My nightingale,

               We have beat them to their beds. What, girl! Though grey

               Do something²² mingle with our younger brown, yet ha’ we

               A brain that nourishes our nerves²³ and can

               Get²⁴ goal for goal of youth. Behold this man:

25

25           Commend²⁵ unto his lips thy favouring hand. She offers Scarrus her hand

               Kiss it, my warrior: he hath fought today

               As if a god in hate of mankind had

               Destroyed in such a shape.²⁸

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     I’ll give thee, friend,

30

30           An armour all of gold: it was a king’s.

ANTONY

ANTONY     He has deserved it, were it carbuncled³¹

               Like holy Phoebus’ car.³² Give me thy hand:

               Through Alexandria make a jolly march,

               Bear our hacked targets³⁴ like the men that owe them.

35

35           Had our great palace the capacity

               To camp³⁶ this host, we all would sup together

               And drink carouses³⁷ to the next day’s fate

               Which promises royal peril.³⁸ Trumpeters,

               With brazen³⁹ din blast you the city’s ear,

40

40           Make mingle⁴⁰ with rattling taborins,

               That⁴¹ heaven and earth may strike their sounds together,

               Applauding our approach. Trumpets sound

        Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 9]4.9

running scene 26

        Enter a Sentry and his Company, Enobarbus follows

SENTRY

SENTRY     If we be not relieved within this hour,

               We must return to th’court of guard:² the night

               Is shiny³ and they say we shall embattle

               By th’second hour i’th’morn.

5

5     

FIRST WATCH

first watch     This last day was a shrewd⁵ one to’s.

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     O, bear me witness, night—

SECOND WATCH

SECOND WATCH     What man is this?

FIRST WATCH

FIRST watch     Stand close,⁸ and list him. They stand aside

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     Be witness to me — O thou blessèd moon —

10

10           When¹⁰ men revolted shall upon record

               Bear hateful memory, poor Enobarbus did

               Before thy face repent!

SENTRY

SENTRY     Enobarbus?

SECOND WATCH

SECOND WATCH     Peace! Hark further.

15

15   

ENOBARBUS

ENOBARBUS     O sovereign¹⁵ mistress of true melancholy,

               The poisonous damp of night¹⁶ disponge upon me,

               That life, a very rebel¹⁷ to my will,

               May hang no longer on me. Throw my heart

               Against the flint¹⁹ and hardness of my fault,

20

20           Which, being dried with grief,²⁰ will break to powder

               And finish all foul thoughts. O Antony,

               Nobler than my revolt is infamous,

               Forgive me in thine own particular,²³

               But let the world rank²⁴ me in register

25

25           A master-leaver and a fugitive.²⁵

               O Antony! O Antony! He sinks down and dies

FIRST WATCH

FIRST WATCH     Let’s speak to him.

SENTRY

SENTRY     Let’s hear him, for the things he speaks

               May concern Caesar.

30

30   

SECOND WATCH

SECOND WATCH     Let’s do so. But he sleeps.

SENTRY

SENTRY     Swoons³¹ rather, for so bad a prayer as his

               Was never yet for sleep.

FIRST WATCH

FIRST WATCH     Go we to him.

SECOND WATCH

SECOND WATCH     Awake, sir, awake! Speak to us!

35

35   

FIRST WATCH

FIRST WATCH     Hear you, sir?

SENTRY

SENTRY     The hand of death hath raught³⁶ him.

        Drums afar off

               Hark! The drums demurely³⁷ wake the sleepers.

               Let us bear him to th’court of guard:

               He is of note:³⁹ our hour is fully out.

40

40   

SECOND WATCH

SECOND WATCH           Come on, then,

               He may recover yet.

        Exeunt [with the body]

[Act 4 Scene 10]4.10

running scene 27

        Enter Antony and Scarrus with their Army

ANTONY

ANTONY     Their preparation is today by sea,

               We please them not by land.

SCARRUS

SCARRUS     For both,³ my lord.

ANTONY

ANTONY     I would they’d fight i’th’fire or i’th’air,⁴

5

5             We’d fight there too. But this it is: our foot⁵

               Upon the hills adjoining to the city

               Shall stay with us. Order for sea is given:

               They have put⁸ forth the haven,

               Where their appointment⁹ we may best discover,

10

10           And look on their endeavour.

        Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 11]

running scene 27 continues

        Enter Caesar and his Army

CAESAR

CAESAR     But being charged¹ we will be still by land,

               Which, as I take’t, we shall,² for his best force

               Is forth to man his galleys. To the vales,³

               And hold⁴ our best advantage.

        Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 12]

running scene 27 continues

        Alarum afar off, as at a sea-fight. Enter Antony and Scarrus

ANTONY

ANTONY     Yet¹ they are not joined: where yond pine does stand,

               I shall discover all. I’ll bring thee word

               Straight, how ’tis like to go.

        Exit

SCARRUS

SCARRUS     Swallows have built

5

5             In Cleopatra’s sails their nests. The augurers⁵

               Say they know not, they cannot tell, look grimly,

               And dare not speak their knowledge. Antony

               Is valiant and dejected, and by starts⁸

               His fretted⁹ fortunes give him hope and fear

10

10           Of what he has and has not.

        Enter Antony

ANTONY

ANTONY     All is lost:

               This foul Egyptian hath betrayèd me:

               My fleet hath yielded to the foe, and yonder

               They cast their caps up, and carouse together

15

15           Like friends long lost. Triple-turned whore!¹⁵ ’Tis thou

               Hast sold me to this novice, and my heart

               Makes only wars on thee. Bid them all fly:

               For when I am revenged upon my charm,¹⁸

               I have done all. Bid them all fly. Be gone!

        [Exit Scarrus]

20

20           O sun, thy uprise²⁰ shall I see no more.

               Fortune and Antony part here, even here

               Do we shake hands. All come to this? The hearts

               That spanieled²³ me at heels, to whom I gave

               Their wishes, do discandy,²⁴ melt their sweets

25

25           On blossoming Caesar, and this pine²⁵ is barked

               That overtopped them all. Betrayed I am.

               O this false soul of Egypt! This grave²⁷ charm

               Whose eye becked²⁸ forth my wars and called them home,

               Whose²⁹ bosom was my crownet, my chief end,

30

30           Like a right gipsy³⁰ hath at fast and loose

               Beguiled³¹ me to the very heart of loss.

               What, Eros, Eros!—

        Enter Cleopatra

                                    Ah, thou spell!³² Avaunt!

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Why is my lord enraged against his love?

ANTONY

ANTONY     Vanish or I shall give thee thy deserving

35

35           And blemish Caesar’s triumph.³⁵ Let him take thee

               And hoist thee up to the shouting plebeians.³⁶

               Follow his chariot like the greatest spot³⁷

               Of all thy sex. Most monster-like, be shown³⁸

               For³⁹ poor’st diminutives, for dolts, and let

40

40           Patient⁴⁰ Octavia plough thy visage up

               With her preparèd⁴¹ nails!

        Exit Cleopatra

                                    ’Tis well thou’rt gone

               If it be well to live. But better ’twere

               Thou fell’st into⁴³ my fury, for one death

               Might have prevented many. Eros, ho!

45

45           The shirt of Nessus⁴⁵ is upon me. Teach me,

               Alcides,⁴⁶ thou mine ancestor, thy rage:

               Let me lodge Lichas⁴⁷ on the horns o’th’moon,

               And with those hands that grasped the heaviest club⁴⁸

               Subdue my worthiest⁴⁹ self. The witch shall die.

50

50           To the young Roman boy she hath sold me, and I fall

               Under this plot. She dies for’t. Eros, ho!

        Exit

[Act 4 Scene 13]4.13

running scene 27 continues

        Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, Mardian

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Help me, my women! O, he’s more mad

               Than Telamon² for his shield: the boar of Thessaly

               Was never so embossed.³

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     To th’monument!⁴

5

5             There lock yourself and send him word you are dead:

               The soul and body rive⁶ not more in parting

               Than greatness going off.⁷

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     To th’monument!

               Mardian, go tell him I have slain myself:

10

10           Say that the last I spoke was ‘Antony’,

               And word it — prithee — piteously. Hence, Mardian,

               And bring me how he takes my death. To th’monument!

        Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 14]

running scene 27 continues

        Enter Antony and Eros

ANTONY

ANTONY     Eros, thou¹ yet behold’st me?

EROS

EROS     Ay, noble lord.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Sometimes we see a cloud that’s dragonish,³

               A vapour sometime like a bear or lion,

5

5             A towered citadel, a pendent⁵ rock,

               A forkèd mountain, or blue promontory⁶

               With trees upon’t that nod unto the world

               And mock⁸ our eyes with air. Thou hast seen these signs:

               They are black vesper’s⁹ pageants.

10

10   

EROS

EROS     Ay, my lord.

ANTONY

ANTONY     That which is now a horse, even with a thought¹¹

               The rack¹² dislimns and makes it indistinct

               As water is in water.

EROS

EROS     It does, my lord.

15

15   

ANTONY

ANTONY     My good knave¹⁵ Eros, now thy captain is

               Even such a body: here I am Antony,

               Yet cannot hold this visible shape, my knave.

               I made these wars for Egypt,¹⁸ and the queen —

               Whose heart I thought I had, for she had mine,

20

20           Which whilst it was mine had annexed unto’t

               A million more, now lost — she, Eros, has

               Packed²² cards with Caesar, and false-played my glory

               Unto an enemy’s triumph.²³

               Nay, weep not, gentle Eros, there is left us

25

25           Ourselves to end ourselves.—

        Enter Mardian

                                    O, thy vile lady!

               She has robbed²⁶ me of my sword.

MARDIAN

MARDIAN No, Antony,

               My mistress loved thee and her fortunes mingled²⁸

               With thine entirely.

30

30   

ANTONY

ANTONY     Hence, saucy³⁰ eunuch. Peace!

               She hath betrayed me and shall die the death.

MARDIAN

MARDIAN Death of one person can be paid but once,

               And that she has discharged.³³ What thou wouldst do

               Is done unto thy hand:³⁴ the last she spake

35

35           Was ‘Antony! Most noble Antony!’

               Then in the midst a tearing groan did break

               The name of Antony: it was divided³⁷

               Between her heart and lips: she rendered³⁸ life,

               Thy name so buried in her.

40

40   

ANTONY

ANTONY     Dead, then?

MARDIAN

MARDIAN     Dead.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Unarm, Eros: the long day’s task is done

               And we must sleep.— That⁴³ thou depart’st hence safe To Mardian

               Does pay thy labour richly. Go.— Exit Mardian

45

45           Off, pluck off! Eros unarms him

               The seven-fold⁴⁶ shield of Ajax cannot keep

               The battery⁴⁷ from my heart.— O, cleave, my sides!

               Heart, once be stronger than thy continent,⁴⁸

               Crack thy frail case!— Apace,⁴⁹ Eros, apace!—

50

50           No more a soldier: bruisèd pieces,⁵⁰ go.

               You have been nobly borne.— From⁵¹ me awhile.—

        Exit Eros

               I will o’ertake thee, Cleopatra, and

               Weep for my pardon.— So it must be, for now

               All length⁵⁴ is torture: since the torch is out,

55

55           Lie down and stray no further. Now all labour

               Mars what it does: yea, very⁵⁶ force entangles

               Itself with strength. Seal⁵⁷ then, and all is done.—

               Eros!— I come, my queen.— Eros!— Stay⁵⁸ for me:

               Where souls⁵⁹ do couch on flowers we’ll hand in hand

60

60           And with our sprightly port⁶⁰ make the ghosts gaze.

               Dido⁶¹ and her Aeneas shall want troops,

               And all⁶² the haunt be ours.— Come, Eros, Eros!

        Enter Eros

EROS

EROS     What would⁶³ my lord?

ANTONY

ANTONY     Since Cleopatra died,

65

65           I have lived in such dishonour that the gods

               Detest my baseness. I, that with my sword

               Quartered the world and o’er green Neptune’s back⁶⁷

               With ships made cities,⁶⁸ condemn myself to lack

               The courage of a woman, less noble mind

70

70           Than she which by her death our Caesar tells

               ‘I am conqueror of myself’. Thou art sworn, Eros,

               That when the exigent⁷² should come, which now

               Is come indeed, when I should see behind me

               Th’inevitable prosecution⁷⁴ of

75

75           Disgrace and horror, that on my command

               Thou then wouldst kill me. Do’t: the time is come:

               Thou strikest not me, ’tis Caesar thou defeat’st.

               Put colour in thy cheek.

EROS

EROS     The gods withhold⁷⁹ me!

80

80           Shall I do that which all the Parthian darts⁸⁰ —

               Though enemy⁸¹ — lost aim, and could not?

ANTONY

ANTONY     Eros,

               Wouldst thou be windowed⁸³ in great Rome and see

               Thy master thus with pleached⁸⁴ arms, bending down

85

85           His corrigible⁸⁵ neck, his face subdued

               To penetrative⁸⁶ shame, whilst the wheeled seat

               Of fortunate Caesar, drawn before him, branded

               His baseness that ensued?⁸⁸

EROS

EROS     I would not see’t.

90

90   

ANTONY

ANTONY     Come, then. For with a wound I must be cured.

               Draw that thy honest⁹¹ sword which thou hast worn

               Most useful for thy country.

EROS

EROS     O, sir, pardon me!⁹³

ANTONY

ANTONY     When I did make thee free, swor’st thou not then

95

95           To do this when I bade thee? Do it at once,

               Or thy precedent⁹⁶ services are all

               But accidents unpurposed.⁹⁷ Draw, and come.

EROS

EROS     Turn from me then that noble countenance

               Wherein the worship⁹⁹ of the whole world lies.

100

100 

ANTONY

ANTONY Lo thee!¹⁰⁰ Turns away from him

EROS

EROS     My sword is drawn.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Then let it do at once

               The thing why thou hast drawn it.

EROS

EROS     My dear master,

105

105         My captain and my emperor, let me say,

               Before I strike this bloody stroke, farewell.

ANTONY

ANTONY     ’Tis said, man, and farewell.

EROS

EROS     Farewell, great chief. Shall I strike now?

ANTONY

ANTONY     Now, Eros.

110

110 

EROS

EROS     Why, there then: thus I do escape the sorrow

               Of Antony’s death.

        Kills himself

ANTONY

ANTONY     Thrice-nobler than myself!

               Thou teachest me, O valiant Eros, what

               I¹¹⁴ should and thou couldst not. My queen and Eros

115

115         Have by their brave instruction¹¹⁵ got upon me

               A nobleness in record.¹¹⁶ But I will be

               A bridegroom¹¹⁷ in my death and run into’t

               As to a lover’s bed. Come then,— and, Eros,

               Thy master dies thy scholar: to do thus Fails on his sword

120

120         I learned of thee.— How, not dead? Not dead?—

               The guard, ho! O, dispatch me!¹²¹

        Enter a [Company of] Guard One of them Dercetus

FIRST GUARD

FIRST GUARD     What’s the noise?

ANTONY

ANTONY     I have done my work ill, friends: O, make an end

               Of what I have begun!

125

125 

SECOND GUARD

SECOND GUARD     The star is fall’n.

FIRST GUARD

FIRST GUARD     And time is at his period.¹²⁶

ALL

ALL     Alas, and woe!

ANTONY

ANTONY     Let him that loves me strike me dead.

FIRST GUARD

FIRST GUARD     Not I.

130

130 

SECOND GUARD

SECOND GUARD     Nor I.

THIRD GUARD

THIRD GUARD     Nor anyone.

        Exeunt [all the Guard but Dercetus]

DERCETUS

DERCETUS     Thy death and fortunes bid thy followers fly.

               This sword but shown to Caesar with this tidings,

               Shall enter¹³⁴ me with him. Takes Antony’s sword

        Enter Diomedes

135

135 

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     Where’s Antony?

DERCETUS

DERCETUS     There, Diomed there!

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     Lives he? Wilt thou not answer, man?

        [Exit Dercetus with Antony’s sword]

ANTONY

ANTONY     Art thou there, Diomed? Draw thy sword, and give me

               Sufficing¹³⁹ strokes for death.

140

140 

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     Most absolute¹⁴⁰ lord,

               My mistress Cleopatra sent me to thee.

ANTONY

ANTONY     When did she send thee?

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     Now, my lord.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Where is she?

145

145 

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     Locked in her monument. She had a prophesying fear

               Of what hath come to pass, for when she saw —

               Which never shall be found¹⁴⁷ — you did suspect

               She had disposed¹⁴⁸ with Caesar, and that your rage

               Would not be purged, she sent you word she was dead:

150

150         But, fearing since how¹⁵⁰ it might work, hath sent

               Me to proclaim the truth, and I am come,

               I dread, too late.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Too late, good Diomed. Call my guard, I prithee.

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     What, ho, the emperor’s guard! The guard, what, ho!

155

155         Come, your lord calls!

        Enter four or five of the Guard of Antony

ANTONY

ANTONY     Bear me, good friends, where Cleopatra bides:¹⁵⁶

               ’Tis the last service that I shall command you.

FIRST GUARD

FIRST GUARD     Woe, woe are we, sir, you may not live¹⁵⁸ to wear

               All your true followers out.

160

160 

ALL

ALL     Most heavy¹⁶⁰ day!

ANTONY

ANTONY     Nay, good my fellows, do not please sharp¹⁶¹ fate

               To grace¹⁶² it with your sorrows. Bid that welcome

               Which comes to punish us, and we punish it,

               Seeming to bear it lightly. Take me up:

165

165         I have led you oft, carry me now, good friends,

               And have my thanks for all.

        Exeunt, bearing Antony [and Eros]

[Act 4 Scene 15]4.15

running scene 28

        Enter Cleopatra and her maids aloft, with Charmian and Iras

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     O, Charmian, I will never go from hence.

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN      Be comforted, dear madam.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     No, I will not:

               All strange and terrible events are welcome,

5

5             But comforts we despise. Our size of sorrow,

               Proportioned to our cause, must be as great

               As that which makes it.—

        Enter Diomedes Below

                                    How now? Is he dead?

DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES     His death’s upon him, but not dead.

               Look out o’th’other side your monument:

10

10           His guard have brought him thither.

        Enter Antony and the Guard Below

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     O sun,

               Burn the great sphere¹² thou mov’st in! Darkling stand

               The varying shore o’th’world!¹³ O Antony,

               Antony, Antony! Help, Charmian! Help, Iras, help!

15

15           Help, friends below! Let’s draw him hither.

ANTONY

ANTONY     Peace!

               Not Caesar’s valour hath o’erthrown Antony,

               But Antony’s hath triumphed on itself.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     So it should be, that none but Antony

20

20           Should conquer Antony, but woe ’tis so!

ANTONY

ANTONY     I am dying, Egypt, dying: only

               I here importune²² death awhile until

               Of many thousand kisses the poor last

               I lay upon thy lips.

25

25   

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     I dare not, dear.

               Dear my lord, pardon: I dare not,

               Lest I be taken. Not th’imperious show²⁷

               Of the full-fortuned Caesar ever shall

               Be brooched²⁹ with me. If knife, drugs, serpents have

30

30           Edge, sting, or operation,³⁰ I am safe:

               Your wife Octavia, with her modest eyes

               And still conclusion,³² shall acquire no honour

               Demuring³³ upon me. But come, come, Antony.—

               Help me, my women.— We must draw thee up.—

35

35           Assist, good friends. They begin lifting

ANTONY

ANTONY     O, quick, or I am gone.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Here’s sport indeed! How heavy weighs my lord!

               Our strength is all gone into heaviness,³⁸

               That makes the weight. Had I great Juno’s³⁹ power,

40

40           The strong-winged Mercury⁴⁰ should fetch thee up

               And set thee by Jove’s side. Yet come a little:

               Wishers⁴² were ever fools. O, come, come, come.

        They heave Antony aloft to Cleopatra

               And welcome, welcome! Die⁴³ when thou hast lived,

               Quicken⁴⁴ with kissing: had my lips that power,

45

45           Thus would I wear them out. Kisses him

ALL

ALL     A heavy⁴⁶ sight!

ANTONY

ANTONY     I am dying, Egypt, dying.

               Give me some wine and let me speak a little.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     No, let me speak, and let me rail so high⁴⁹

50

50           That the false housewife⁵⁰ Fortune break her wheel,

               Provoked by my offence⁵¹—

ANTONY

ANTONY     One word — sweet queen —

               Of Caesar seek your honour with your safety. O!

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     They⁵⁴ do not go together.

55

55           

ANTONY

ANTONY     Gentle, hear me:

               None⁵⁶ about Caesar trust but Proculeius.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     My resolution and my hands I’ll trust:

               None about Caesar.

ANTONY

ANTONY     The miserable change now at my end,

60

60           Lament nor sorrow at, but please your thoughts

               In feeding them with those my former fortunes

               Wherein I lived, the greatest prince o’th’world,

               The noblest: and do now not basely die,

               Not⁶⁴ cowardly put off my helmet to

65

65           My countryman. A Roman by a Roman⁶⁵

               Valiantly vanquished. Now my spirit is going:

               I can no more.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Noblest of men, woo’t⁶⁸ die?

               Hast thou no care of me? Shall I abide

70

70           In this dull world, which in thy absence is

               No better than a sty?⁷¹— O, see, my women,

               The crown o’th’earth doth melt.— My lord?— Antony dies

               O, withered is the garland⁷³ of the war,

               The soldier’s pole⁷⁴ is fall’n: young boys and girls

75

75           Are level now with men: the odds is gone⁷⁵

               And there is nothing left remarkable⁷⁶

               Beneath the visiting⁷⁷ moon. She faints

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     O, quietness, lady!

IRAS

IRAS     She’s dead too, our sovereign.

80

80   

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     Lady!

IRAS

IRAS     Madam!

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     O madam, madam, madam!

IRAS

IRAS     Royal Egypt! Empress! Cleopatra stirs

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     Peace, peace, Iras!

85

85   

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     No more, but e’en⁸⁵ a woman, and commanded

               By such poor passion⁸⁶ as the maid that milks

               And does the meanest chares.⁸⁷ It were for me

               To throw my sceptre⁸⁸ at the injurious gods

               To tell them that this world did equal theirs

90

90           Till they had stol’n our jewel. All’s but naught:

               Patience is sottish,⁹¹ and impatience does

               Become a dog that’s mad: then is it sin

               To rush into the secret house of death

               Ere death dare come to us? How do you, women?

95

95           What, what, good cheer! Why, how now, Charmian?

               My noble girls? Ah, women, women! Look,

               Our lamp⁹⁷ is spent, it’s out.— Good sirs, take heart,

               We’ll bury him, and then, what’s brave,⁹⁸ what’s noble,

               Let’s do’t after the high Roman fashion

100

100         And make death proud to take us. Come, away.

               This case of that huge spirit now is cold.

               Ah, women, women! Come, we have no friend

               But resolution and the briefest end.¹⁰³

        Exeunt, bearing of Antony’s body

[Act 5 Scene 1]5.1

running scene 29

        Enter Caesar, Agrippa, Dolabella, Maecenas, [Gallus, Proculeius], with his Council of War

CAESAR

CAESAR     Go to him, Dolabella, bid him yield.

               Being so frustrate,² tell him he mocks

               The pauses³ that he makes.

DOLABELLA

DOLABELLA     Caesar, I shall.

        [Exit]

        Enter Dercetus with the sword of Antony

5

5     

CAESAR

CAESAR     Wherefore is that? And what art thou that dar’st

               Appear thus⁶ to us?

DERCETUS

DERCETUS     I am called Dercetus:

               Mark Antony I served, who best was worthy

               Best to be served: whilst he stood up and spoke

10

10           He was my master, and I wore¹⁰ my life

               To spend upon his haters. If thou please

               To take me to thee, as I was to him

               I’ll be to Caesar: if thou pleasest not,

               I yield thee up my life.

15

15   

CAESAR

CAESAR     What is’t thou say’st?

DERCETUS

DERCETUS     I say — O Caesar — Antony is dead.

CAESAR

CAESAR     The breaking¹⁷ of so great a thing should make

               A greater crack.¹⁸ The round world

               Should have shook lions into civil¹⁹ streets

20

20           And citizens to their dens.²⁰ The death of Antony

               Is not a single doom:²¹ in the name lay

               A moiety²² of the world.

DERCETUS

DERCETUS     He is dead, Caesar,

               Not by a public minister of justice,

25

25           Nor by a hirèd knife, but that self²⁵ hand

               Which writ his honour in the acts it did

               Hath, with the courage which the heart did lend it,

               Splitted the heart. This is his sword: Shows sword

               I robbed his wound of it. Behold it stained

30

30           With his most noble blood.

CAESAR

CAESAR Look you, sad friends. Points to the sword

               The gods rebuke me, but it is tidings

               To wash the eyes of kings.

AGRIPPA

AGRIPPA     And strange it is

35

35           That nature must compel us to lament

               Our most persisted³⁶ deeds.

MAECENAS

MAECENAS     His taints and honours waged equal with³⁷ him.

AGRIPPA

AGRIPPA     A rarer spirit never

               Did steer humanity:³⁹ but you gods will give us

40

40           Some faults to make us men. Caesar is touched.

MAECENAS

MAECENAS     When such a spacious mirror’s set before him,

               He needs must see himself.

CAESAR

CAESAR     O Antony,

               I have followed thee to this, but we do launch⁴⁴

45

45           Diseases in our bodies. I must perforce

               Have shown⁴⁶ to thee such a declining day

               Or look on thine: we could not stall⁴⁷ together

               In the whole world. But yet let me lament,

               With tears as sovereign⁴⁹ as the blood of hearts

50

50           That thou my brother, my competitor⁵⁰

               In top⁵¹ of all design, my mate in empire,

               Friend and companion in the front⁵² of war,

               The arm of mine own body, and the heart⁵³

               Where mine his thoughts did kindle, that our stars,⁵⁴

55

55           Unreconciliable, should divide⁵⁵

               Our equalness to this.— Hear me, good friends —

               But I will tell you at some meeter season:⁵⁷

               The business of this man looks⁵⁸ out of him:

               We’ll hear him what he says.—

        Enter an Egyptian

                                    Whence are you?

60

60   

EGYPTIAN

EGYPTIAN     A poor Egyptian yet,⁶⁰ the queen my mistress,

               Confined in all she has, her monument,

               Of thy intents⁶² desires instruction,

               That she preparedly may frame herself⁶³

               To th’way she’s forced to.

65

65   

CAESAR

CAESAR     Bid her have good heart.

               She soon shall know of us, by⁶⁶ some of ours,

               How honourable and how kindly we

               Determine for her. For Caesar cannot lean⁶⁸

               To be ungentle.⁶⁹

70

70   

EGYPTIAN

EGYPTIAN     So the gods preserve thee!

        Exit

CAESAR

CAESAR     Come hither, Proculeius. Go and say

               We purpose⁷² her no shame: give her what comforts

               The quality⁷³ of her passion shall require,

               Lest, in her greatness, by some mortal stroke

75

75           She do defeat us. For her⁷⁵ life in Rome

               Would be eternal in our triumph. Go,

               And with your speediest⁷⁷ bring us what she says

               And how you find of her.⁷⁸

PROCULEIUS

PROCULEIUS     Caesar, I shall.

        Exit Proculeius

80

80   

CAESAR

CAESAR     Gallus, go you along.—

        [Exit Gallus]

                                    Where’s Dolabella

               To second Proculeius?

ALL

ALL     Dolabella!

CAESAR

CAESAR     Let him alone, for I remember now

               How he’s employed: he shall in time be ready.

85

85           Go with me to my tent, where you shall see

               How hardly⁸⁶ I was drawn into this war,

               How calm and gentle I proceeded still⁸⁷

               In all my writings.⁸⁸ Go with me and see

               What I can show in this.

        Exeunt

[Act 5 Scene 2]5.2

running scene 30

        Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras and Mardian

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     My desolation¹ does begin to make

               A better life:² ’tis paltry to be Caesar:

               Not being Fortune, he’s but Fortune’s knave,³

               A minister of her will: and it is great

5

5             To do that thing⁵ that ends all other deeds,

               Which shackles⁶ accidents and bolts up change,

               Which sleeps, and never palates⁷ more the dung,

               The beggar’s⁸ nurse and Caesar’s.

        Enter Proculeius

PROCULEIUS

PROCULEIUS     Caesar sends greeting to the Queen of Egypt,

10

10           And bids thee study on¹⁰ what fair demands

               Thou mean’st¹¹ to have him grant thee.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     What’s thy name?

PROCULEIUS

PROCULEIUS     My name is Proculeius.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Antony

15

15           Did tell me of you, bade me trust you, but

               I¹⁶ do not greatly care to be deceived

               That have no use for trusting. If your master

               Would have a queen his beggar, you must tell him

               That majesty, to keep decorum, must

20

20           No less beg than a kingdom: if he please

               To give me conquered Egypt for my son,

               He gives me so much of mine own as I

               Will kneel to him with thanks.

PROCULEIUS

PROCULEIUS     Be of good cheer:

25

25           You’re fall’n into a princely hand, fear nothing.

               Make²⁶ your full reference freely to my lord,

               Who is so full of grace²⁷ that it flows over

               On all that need. Let me report to him

               Your sweet dependency,²⁹ and you shall find

30

30           A conqueror that will pray in aid³⁰ for kindness

               Where he for grace is kneeled to.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Pray you, tell him

               I am his fortune’s vassal³³ and I send him

               The greatness he has got. I hourly learn

35

35           A doctrine³⁵ of obedience, and would gladly

               Look him i’th’face.

PROCULEIUS

PROCULEIUS     This I’ll report, dear lady.

               Have comfort, for I know your plight is pitied

               Of him that caused it.—

        [Enter Gallus and Roman Soldiers]

40

40           You see how easily she may be surprised:⁴⁰ To the Soldiers

               Guard her till Caesar come.

        [Exit Gallus and Soldiers]

IRAS

IRAS     Royal queen!

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     O Cleopatra, thou art taken, queen!

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Quick, quick, good hands! Draws a dagger

45

45   

PROCULEIUS

PROCULEIUS     Hold, worthy lady, hold! Disarms her

               Do not yourself such wrong, who are in this

               Relieved,⁴⁷ but not betrayed.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     What, of death too,

               That rids our dogs of anguish?

50

50   

PROCULEIUS

PROCULEIUS     Cleopatra,

               Do not abuse my master’s bounty by

               Th’undoing of yourself: let the world see

               His nobleness well acted, which your death

               Will never let come forth.⁵⁴

55

55   

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Where art thou, death?

               Come hither, come! Come, come, and take a queen

               Worthy many babes and beggars!

PROCULEIUS

PROCULEIUS     O, temperance, lady!

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Sir, I will eat no meat,⁵⁹ I’ll not drink, sir:

60

60           If idle⁶⁰ talk will once be necessary,

               I’ll not sleep neither. This mortal house⁶¹ I’ll ruin,

               Do Caesar what he can. Know, sir, that I

               Will not wait pinioned⁶³ at your master’s court,

               Nor once be chastised with the sober eye

65

65           Of dull Octavia. Shall they hoist me up

               And show me to the shouting varletry⁶⁶

               Of censuring⁶⁷ Rome? Rather a ditch in Egypt.

               Be gentle grave unto me! Rather on Nilus’ mud

               Lay me stark naked, and let the water-flies

70

70           Blow⁷⁰ me into abhorring! Rather make⁷¹

               My country’s high pyramides my gibbet

               And hang me up in chains!

PROCULEIUS

PROCULEIUS     You do extend⁷³

               These thoughts of horror further than you shall

75

75           Find cause in Caesar.

        Enter Dolabella

DOLABELLA

DOLABELLA     Proculeius,

               What thou hast done thy master Caesar knows,

               And he hath sent for⁷⁸ thee. For the queen,

               I’ll take her to my guard.

80

80   

PROCULEIUS

PROCULEIUS     So, Dolabella,

               It shall content me best: be gentle to her.—

               To Caesar I will speak what you shall please, To Cleopatra

               If you’ll employ me to him.

        Exit Proculeius [with Gallus and Soldiers]

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Say I would die.

85

85   

DOLABELLA

DOLABELLA     Most noble empress, you have heard of me?

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     I cannot tell.

DOLABELLA

DOLABELLA     Assuredly you know me.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     No matter, sir, what I have heard or known.

               You laugh when boys or women tell their dreams:

90

90           Is’t not your trick?⁹⁰

DOLABELLA

DOLABELLA     I understand not, madam.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     I dreamt there was an Emperor Antony:

               O, such another sleep, that I might see

               But such another man!

95

95   

DOLABELLA

DOLABELLA             If it might please ye—

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     His face was as the heavens, and therein stuck⁹⁶

               A sun and moon which kept their course and lighted

               The little⁹⁸ o’th’earth.

DOLABELLA

DOLABELLA     Most sovereign creature—

100

100 

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA             His legs bestrid¹⁰⁰ the ocean, his reared arm

               Crested¹⁰¹ the world: his voice was propertied

               As all the tunèd spheres, and that to friends:¹⁰²

               But when he meant to quail¹⁰³ and shake the orb,

               He was as rattling thunder. For¹⁰⁴ his bounty,

105

105         There was no winter in’t: an autumn it was

               That grew the more by reaping. His delights¹⁰⁶

               Were dolphin-like: they showed his back above

               The element they lived in. In his livery¹⁰⁸

               Walked crowns and crownets,¹⁰⁹ realms and islands were

110

110         As plates¹¹⁰ dropped from his pocket.

DOLABELLA

DOLABELLA     Cleopatra!

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Think you there was or might be such a man

               As this I dreamt of?

DOLABELLA

DOLABELLA     Gentle madam, no.

115

115 

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     You lie up to the hearing of the gods!

               But if there be nor ever were one such,

               It’s past the size¹¹⁷ of dreaming. Nature wants stuff

               To vie strange forms with fancy: yet¹¹⁸ t’imagine

               An Antony were nature’s piece gainst fancy,

120

120         Condemning shadows quite.

DOLABELLA

DOLABELLA     Hear me, good madam:

               Your loss is as yourself, great, and you bear it

               As¹²³ answering to the weight. Would I might never

               O’ertake pursued success: but I do feel,

125

125         By the rebound of yours, a grief that smites

               My very heart at root.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     I thank you, sir.

               Know you what Caesar means to do with me?

DOLABELLA

DOLABELLA     I am loath¹²⁹ to tell you what I would you knew.

130

130 

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA             Nay, pray you, sir.

DOLABELLA

DOLABELLA     Though he be honourable—

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     He’ll lead me, then, in triumph.

DOLABELLA

DOLABELLA     Madam, he will, I know’t.

        Flourish. Enter Proculeius, Caesar, Gallus, Maecenas and others of his train

ALL

ALL     Make way there! Caesar!

135

135 

CAESAR

CAESAR             Which is the Queen of Egypt?

DOLABELLA

DOLABELLA     It is the emperor, madam.

        Cleopatra kneels

CAESAR

CAESAR     Arise, you shall not kneel:

               I pray you rise. Rise, Egypt.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Sir, the gods

140

140         Will have it thus. My master and my lord

               I must obey. She stands

CAESAR

CAESAR     Take¹⁴² to you no hard thoughts.

               The record of what injuries you did us,

               Though written¹⁴⁴ in our flesh, we shall remember

145

145         As things but done by chance.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Sole sir¹⁴⁶ o’th’world,

               I cannot project¹⁴⁷ mine own cause so well

               To make it clear, but do confess I have

               Been laden with like frailties¹⁴⁹ which before

150

150         Have often shamed our sex.

CAESAR

CAESAR     Cleopatra, know,

               We will extenuate¹⁵² rather than enforce:

               If you apply¹⁵³ yourself to our intents,

               Which towards you are most gentle, you shall find

155

155         A benefit in this change: but if you seek

               To lay¹⁵⁶ on me a cruelty by taking

               Antony’s course, you shall bereave¹⁵⁷ yourself

               Of my good purposes, and put your children

               To that destruction which I’ll guard them from

160

160         If thereon you rely. I’ll take my leave.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     And may through all the world: ’tis yours, and we,

               Your scutcheons¹⁶² and your signs of conquest, shall

               Hang in what place you please. Here, my good lord. Gives him a paper

CAESAR

CAESAR     You shall advise me in all for¹⁶⁴ Cleopatra.

165

165 

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     This is the brief¹⁶⁵ of money, plate, and jewels

               I am possessed of. ’Tis exactly valued,

               Not¹⁶⁷ petty things admitted.— Where’s Seleucus?

        [Enter Seleucus]

SELEUCUS

SELEUCUS     Here, madam.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     This is my treasurer. Let him speak, my lord,

170

170         Upon his peril, that I have reserved

               To myself nothing. Speak the truth, Seleucus.

SELEUCUS

SELEUCUS     Madam,

               I had rather seal my lips than to my peril

               Speak that which is not.

175

175 

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA             What have I kept back?

SELEUCUS

SELEUCUS     Enough to purchase what you have made known.

CAESAR

CAESAR     Nay, blush not, Cleopatra: I approve

               Your wisdom in the deed.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     See, Caesar! O, behold,

180

180         How pomp is followed!¹⁸⁰ Mine will now be yours

               And should we shift estates,¹⁸¹ yours would be mine.

               The ingratitude of this Seleucus does

               Even make me wild.— O slave, of no more trust

               Than love that’s hired!¹⁸⁴ What, go’st thou back? Thou shalt Seleucus backs away

185

185         Go back, I warrant thee: but I’ll catch thine eyes

               Though¹⁸⁶ they had wings. Slave, soulless villain, dog!

               O rarely¹⁸⁷ base!

CAESAR

CAESAR     Good queen, let us entreat you.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     O Caesar, what a wounding shame is this,

190

190         That thou, vouchsafing¹⁹⁰ here to visit me,

               Doing the honour of thy lordliness

               To one so meek, that mine own servant should

               Parcel¹⁹³ the sum of my disgraces by

               Addition of his envy. Say, good Caesar,

195

195         That I some lady¹⁹⁵ trifles have reserved,

               Immoment toys,¹⁹⁶ things of such dignity

               As we greet modern¹⁹⁷ friends withal, and say

               Some nobler token I have kept apart

               For Livia¹⁹⁹ and Octavia, to induce

200

200         Their mediation: must I be unfolded²⁰⁰

               With one that I have bred?²⁰¹ The gods! It smites me

               Beneath the fall I have.— Prithee go hence, To Seleucus

               Or I shall show the cinders²⁰³ of my spirits

               Through th’ashes of my chance.²⁰⁴ Wert thou a man,

205

205         Thou wouldst have mercy on me.

CAESAR

CAESAR     Forbear,²⁰⁶ Seleucus.

        [Exit Seleucus]

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Be it known that we, the greatest, are misthought²⁰⁷

               For things that others do, and when we fall,

               We answer others’ merits²⁰⁹ in our name,

210

               Are therefore to be pitied.

CAESAR

CAESAR     Cleopatra,

               Not what you have reserved, nor what acknowledged

               Put we i’th’roll of conquest.²¹³ Still be’t yours,

               Bestow²¹⁴ it at your pleasure, and believe

215

215         Caesar’s no merchant to make prize²¹⁵ with you

               Of things that merchants sold. Therefore be cheered:

               Make²¹⁷ not your thoughts your prisons. No, dear queen,

               For we intend so to dispose²¹⁸ you as

               Yourself shall give us counsel. Feed, and sleep:

220

220         Our care and pity is so much upon you

               That we remain your friend, and so, adieu.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     My master, and my lord!

CAESAR

CAESAR     Not so. Adieu.

        Flourish. Exeunt Caesar and his Train

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     He words me,²²⁴ girls, he words me, that I should not

225

225         Be noble to myself.— But, hark thee, Charmian. Whispers to Charmian

IRAS

IRAS     Finish, good lady, the bright day is done

               And we are for the dark.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Hie thee again.²²⁸

               I have spoke²²⁹ already and it is provided.

230

230         Go put²³⁰ it to the haste.

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     Madam, I will.

        Enter Dolabella

DOLABELLA

DOLABELLA     Where’s the queen?

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     Behold, sir.

        [Exit]

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Dolabella!

235

235 

DOLABELLA

DOLABELLA             Madam, as thereto sworn by your command —

               Which my love makes religion to obey —

               I tell you this: Caesar through Syria

               Intends his journey, and within three days

               You with your children will he send before.²³⁹

240

240         Make your best use of this. I have performed

               Your pleasure and my promise.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Dolabella,

               I shall remain your debtor.

DOLABELLA

DOLABELLA     I your servant.

245

245         Adieu, good queen, I must attend on Caesar.

        Exit

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Farewell, and thanks.— Now, Iras, what think’st thou?

               Thou an Egyptian puppet²⁴⁷ shalt be shown

               In Rome, as well as I. Mechanic slaves²⁴⁸

               With greasy aprons, rules²⁴⁹ and hammers shall

250

250         Uplift us to the view. In their thick²⁵⁰ breaths,

               Rank of²⁵¹ gross diet, shall we be enclouded,

               And forced to drink²⁵² their vapour.

IRAS

IRAS     The gods forbid!

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Nay, ’tis most certain, Iras. Saucy²⁵⁴ lictors

255

255         Will catch at us like strumpets,²⁵⁵ and scald rhymers

               Ballad us²⁵⁶ out o’tune. The quick comedians

               Extemporally²⁵⁷ will stage us and present

               Our Alexandrian revels: Antony

               Shall be brought drunken forth, and I shall see

260

260         Some²⁶⁰ squeaking Cleopatra boy my greatness

               I’th’posture of a whore.

IRAS

IRAS     O the good gods!

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Nay, that’s certain.

IRAS

IRAS     I’ll never see’t, for I am sure my nails

265

265         Are stronger than mine eyes.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Why, that’s the way

               To fool their preparation and to conquer

               Their most absurd intents.—

        Enter Charmian

                                    Now, Charmian!

               Show me,²⁶⁹ my women, like a queen: go fetch

270

270         My best attires.²⁷⁰ I am again for Cydnus

               To meet Mark Antony.— Sirrah²⁷¹ Iras, go.—

               Now, noble Charmian, we’ll dispatch²⁷² indeed,

               And when thou hast done this chare,²⁷³ I’ll give thee leave

               To play till doomsday. Bring our crown and all.

        [Exit Iras]

        A noise within

275

275         Wherefore’s this noise?

        Enter a Guardsman

GUARDSMAN

GUARDSMAN     Here is a rural fellow

               That will not be denied your highness’ presence.

               He brings you figs.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Let him come in.—

        Exit Guardsman

280

280         What poor an²⁸⁰ instrument

               May do a noble deed! He brings me liberty.

               My resolution’s placed,²⁸² and I have nothing

               Of woman in me: now from head to foot

               I am marble-constant:²⁸⁴ now the fleeting moon

285

290         No planet is of mine.

        Enter Guardsman and Clown With a basket

GUARDSMAN

GUARDSMAN     This is the man.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Avoid,²⁸⁷ and leave him.—

        Exit Guardsman

               Hast thou the pretty worm²⁸⁸ of Nilus there

               That kills and pains not?

CLOWN

CLOWN     Truly, I have him: but I would not be the party that should desire you to touch him, for his biting is immortal:²⁹¹ those that do die of it do seldom or never recover.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Remember’st thou any that have died on’t?²⁹³

CLOWN

CLOWN     Very many, men and women too. I heard of one of them no longer than yesterday: a very honest²⁹⁵ woman, but something given to lie, as a woman should not do²⁹⁶ but in the way of honesty. How she died of the biting of it, what pain she felt: truly, she makes a very good report o’th’worm.²⁹⁷ But he that will believe all that they say, shall never be saved by half that they do. But this is most falliable,²⁹⁸ the worm’s an odd worm.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Get thee hence. Farewell.

CLOWN

CLOWN     I wish you all joy of the worm. Sets down his basket

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Farewell.

CLOWN

CLOWN     You must think this, look you, that the worm will do his kind.³⁰³

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Ay, ay. Farewell.

CLOWN

CLOWN     Look you, the worm is not to be trusted but in the keeping of wise people, for, indeed, there is no goodness in the worm.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Take³⁰⁷ thou no care, it shall be heeded.

CLOWN

CLOWN     Very good. Give it nothing, I pray you, for it is not worth the feeding.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Will it eat³⁰⁹ me?

CLOWN

CLOWN     You must not think I am so simple but I know the devil himself will not eat a woman: I know that a woman is a dish for the gods if the devil dress³¹¹ her not. But truly, these same whoreson³¹² devils do the gods great harm in their women, for in every ten that they make, the devils mar five.

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Well, get thee gone. Farewell.

CLOWN

CLOWN     Yes, forsooth:³¹⁵ I wish you joy o’th’worm.

        Exit

        [Enter Iras]

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Give me my robe, put on my crown: I have Iras brings a robe, crown and jewels

               Immortal longings³¹⁷ in me. Now no more

               The juice of Egypt’s grape shall moist this lip. The women dress her

               Yare,³¹⁹ yare, good Iras! Quick! Methinks I hear

320

320         Antony call: I see him rouse himself³²⁰

               To praise my noble act.³²¹ I hear him mock

               The luck of Caesar, which the gods give men

               To excuse their after wrath.³²³— Husband, I come!

               Now to that name my courage prove my title!³²⁴

325

325         I am fire and air:³²⁵ my other elements

               I give to baser life.— So, have you done?

               Come then, and take the last warmth of my lips.

               Farewell, kind Charmian. Iras, long farewell. Kisses them. Iras falls and dies

               Have I the aspic³²⁹ in my lips? Dost fall?

330

330         If thou and nature can so gently part,

               The stroke³³¹ of death is as a lover’s pinch

               Which hurts and is desired. Dost thou lie still?

               If thus thou vanishest, thou tell’st the world

               It is not worth leave-taking.³³⁴

335

335 

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN             Dissolve thick cloud, and rain, that I may say,

               The gods themselves do weep!

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     This³³⁷ proves me base:

               If she first meet the curlèd³³⁸ Antony,

               He’ll make demand of her, and spend³³⁹ that kiss

340

340         Which is my heaven to have.— To an asp, which she applies to her breast Come, thou mortal³⁴⁰ wretch,

               With thy sharp teeth this knot intrinsicate³⁴¹

               Of life at once untie: poor venomous fool³⁴²

               Be angry, and dispatch. O, couldst thou speak,

               That I might hear thee call great Caesar ass

345

345         Unpolicied!³⁴⁵

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     O eastern star!³⁴⁶

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     Peace, peace!

               Dost thou not see my baby at my breast

               That sucks the nurse asleep?

350

350 

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN             O, break! O, break!

CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA     As sweet as balm, as soft as air, as gentle.—

               O Antony!— Nay, I will take thee too. Applies another asp to her arm

               What³⁵³ should I stay—

        Dies

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     In this wild world? So, fare thee well.—

355

355         Now boast thee, death, in thy possession lies

               A lass unparalleled.— Downy windows,³⁵⁶ close,

               And golden Phoebus never be beheld

               Of³⁵⁸ eyes again so royal!— Your crown’s awry.

               I’ll mend³⁵⁹ it, and then play—

        Enter the Guard, rustling in

360

360 

FIRST GUARD

FIRST GUARD             Where’s the queen?

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     Speak softly, wake her not.

FIRST GUARD

FIRST GUARD     Caesar hath sent—

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     Too slow a messenger.— Applies an asp

               O, come apace, dispatch! I partly feel thee.

365

365 

FIRST GUARD

FIRST GUARD             Approach, ho! All’s not well: Caesar’s beguiled.³⁶⁵

SECOND GUARD

SECOND GUARD     There’s Dolabella sent from Caesar: call him.

        [Exit a Guardsman]

FIRST GUARD

FIRST GUARD     What work is here, Charmian? Is this well done?

CHARMIAN

CHARMIAN     It is well done, and fitting for a princess

               Descended of so many royal kings.

370

370         Ah, soldier!

        Charmian dies

        Enter Dolabella

DOLABELLA

DOLABELLA     How goes it here?

SECOND GUARD

SECOND GUARD     All dead.

DOLABELLA

DOLABELLA     Caesar, thy³⁷³ thoughts

               Touch their effects in this: thyself art coming

375

375         To see performed the dreaded act which thou

               So sought’st to hinder.

        Enter Caesar and all his Train marching

ALL

ALL     A way there, a way for Caesar!

DOLABELLA

DOLABELLA     O, sir, you are too sure an augurer:³⁷⁸

               That³⁷⁹ you did fear is done.

380

380 

CAESAR

CAESAR             Bravest at the last,

               She levelled³⁸¹ at our purposes and, being royal,

               Took her own way. The manner of their deaths?

               I do not see them bleed.

DOLABELLA

DOLABELLA     Who was last with them?

385

385 

FIRST GUARD

FIRST GUARD             A simple³⁸⁵ countryman, that brought her figs:

               This was his basket.

CAESAR

CAESAR     Poisoned, then.

FIRST GUARD

FIRST GUARD     O Caesar,

               This Charmian lived but now. She stood and spake.

390

390         I found her trimming up³⁹⁰ the diadem

               On her dead mistress. Tremblingly she stood

               And on the sudden dropped.

CAESAR

CAESAR     O, noble weakness!

               If they had swallowed poison, ’twould appear

395

395         By external swelling: but she looks like sleep,

               As³⁹⁶ she would catch another Antony

               In her strong toil³⁹⁷ of grace.

DOLABELLA

DOLABELLA     Here on her breast

               There is a vent³⁹⁹ of blood and something blown,

400

400         The like is on her arm.

FIRST GUARD

FIRST GUARD     This is an aspic’s trail, and these fig-leaves

               Have slime upon them such as th’aspic leaves

               Upon the caves of Nile.

CAESAR

CAESAR     Most probable

405

405         That so she died, for her physician tells me

               She hath pursued conclusions infinite⁴⁰⁶

               Of easy ways to die. Take up her bed,

               And bear her women from the monument.

               She shall be buried by her Antony.

410

410         No grave upon the earth shall clip⁴¹⁰ in it

               A pair so famous: high⁴¹¹ events as these

               Strike⁴¹² those that make them, and their story is

               No less in pity than his glory which

               Brought them to be lamented. Our army shall

415

415         ;In solemn show attend this funeral,

               And then to Rome. Come, Dolabella, see

               High order in this great solemnity. The Soldiers bearing the dead bodies

        Exeunt all

Textual Notes

F = First Folio text of 1623

F2 = a correction introduced in the Second Folio text of 1632

F3 = a correction introduced in the Third Folio text of 1663–64

F4 = a correction introduced in the Fourth Folio text of 1685

Ed = a correction introduced by a later editor

SD = stage direction

SH = speech heading (i.e., speaker’s name)

List of parts = Ed

1.1.55 whose = F2. F = who

1.2.3 charge = Ed. F = change 35 fertile = Ed. F = fore-tell 45 workaday spelled worky day in F 53 Alexas = Ed. Printed as a speech heading in F 67 Saw…lord? = F2. F = Saue you, my Lord 102 minds = Ed. F = windes 106 SH SECOND MESSENGER = Ed. F = 1 Mes. 107 SH ANTONY = Ed. Not in F 145 travel spelled Trauaile in F 165 leave = Ed. F = loue 181 place…requires = F2. F = places…require

1.3.53 services = F2. F = Seruicles 95 blood no more = F. Ed. = blood. No more 97 by sword = F. F2 = by my sword

1.4.3 Our = Ed. F = One 8 Vouchsafed = Ed. F = vouchsafe 9 abstract = F2. F = abstracts 22 smell = F2. F = smels 47 deared = Ed. F = fear’d 49 lackeying = Ed. F = lacking 61 wassails = Ed. F = Vassailes 62 Modena = Ed. F = Medena 63 Hirtius = F4. F = Hirsius Pansa = F2. F = Pausa 81 we = F2. F = me

1.5.39 SD Antony = Ed. F = Caesar 57 dumbed = Ed. F = dumbe 69 man = F2. F = mans

2.1.20, 23, 45 SH MENAS = Ed. F = Mene 26 waned = Ed. F = wand 48 warred = F2. F = wan’d

2.2.128 soldier only. Speak = Ed. F = Souldier, onely speake 143 so = Ed. F = say 144, 250 Cleopatra spelled Cleopater in F reproof = Ed. F = proofe 192 Mount Misena = Ed. F = Mount-Mesena 210 digested = F2. F = disgested 220 Cydnus = F2. F = Sidnis 226 lovesick with them: the = Ed. F = Loue-sicke. With them the 232 Venus = Ed. F = Venns 236 glow = Ed. F = gloue 239 gentlewomen = F2. F = Gentlewoman 257 heard = Ed. F = hard 268 and, breathless, pour = Ed. F = and breathless powre 274 vilest = Ed. F = vildest

2.3.10 SH OCTAVIA = F2. Not in F 24 afeared = Ed. F = a feare 27 no…when = Ed. F = no more but: when 33 away = Ed. F = alway 35 Ventidius = F2. F = Ventigius (throughout)

2.4.8 at the Mount = F2. F = at Mount

2.5.3 SH ALL Omnes (Latin) in F 13 Tawny-finned = Ed. F = Tawney fine 125 art = F. Sometimes emended to act

2.6.18 Made…Roman = F2. F = Made all-honor’d, honest, Romaine 21 is = F2. F = his 34–5 For…take = Ed. F = (For this is from the present how you take) 48 SH CAESAR, ANTONY and LEPIDUS = Ed. F = Omnes 83 meanings = Ed. F = meaning 87 more of that = F3. F = more that 105 SH CAESAR, ANTONY and LEPIDUS = Ed. F = All

2.7.1 SH FIRST SERVANT = Ed. F = 1 o’their = Ed. F = o’th’their 3 SH SECOND SERVANT = Ed. F = 2 high-coloured = F2. F = high Conlord 8 leif = Ed. F = liue 70 there = F. Sometimes emended to then 116 SH BOY = Ed. Not in F 124 off: our = Ed. F = of our 128 Splits spelled Spleet’s in F 132 sir. Give’s = Ed. F = Sir, giues 134 father’s = F2. F = Father 137 SH MENAS = Ed. Not in F

3.1.6 SH SILIUS = Ed. F = Romaine (throughout scene)

3.2.17 figures = Ed. F = Figure 28 bond = Ed. F = Band 54 at full of = F3. F = at the full of 66 wept = Ed. F = weepe

3.4.8 them…me = Ed. F = then most narrow measure: lent me 9 took’t = Ed. F = look’t 26 yours = F2. F = your 33 Your = F2. F = You 35 solder spelled soader in F 41 has = F2. F = he’s

3.5.10 world, thou hast = Ed. F = would thou hadst 12 the one = Ed. Not in F

3.6.14 he there = Ed. F = hither kings of kings = Ed. F = King of Kings 31 triumvirate spelled Triumpherate in F 32 and, being, that = Ed. F = and being that, 68 abstract = F. Sometimes emended to obstruct 83 Comagene = Ed. F = Comageat

3.7.4 it is = F2. F = it it 23 SD Canidius = Ed. F = Camidias 27 Brundusium = F2. F = Brandusium 29 Toryne = F2. F = Troine 45 muleteers = F2. F = Militers 63 Actium = F2. F = Action 82 leader’s led spelled Leaders leade in F 86 SH CANIDIUS = Ed. F = Ven 97 in = Ed. F = with

3.10.0 SD Enter Enobarbus = Ed. F = Enter Enobarbus and Scarus 33 he = F2. F = his

3.11.7 SH ALL = Ed. F = Omnes 20 that = Ed. F = them 48 seize = F2. F = cease 62 tow = Ed. F = stowe 63 Thy = Ed. The = F

3.12.0 SD Dolabella = F2. F = Dollabello 16 lessens = F2. F = Lessons

3.13.31 caparisons = Ed. F = Comparisons 64 Caesar = F2. F = Cæsars 90 deputation = Ed. F = disputation 127 errand = Ed. F = arrant 192 Caesarion = Ed. F = Caesarian smite = Ed. F = smile 195 discandying = Ed. F = discandering 231 on = Ed. F = in

4.2.1 Domitius = Ed. F = Domitian 25 SH ALL = Ed. F = Omnes

4.3.4 SH FIRST SOLDIER = Ed. F = 1 5 SH SECOND SOLDIER = Ed. F = 2 8 SH THIRD SOLDIER = Ed. F = 1 12 SD hautboys spelled Hoboyes in F 26, 31 SH ALL = Ed. F = Omnes

4.4.9 SH ANTONY = Ed. Not in F 11 SH CLEOPATRA = Ed. Not in F la = Ed. F = law 19 doff’t spelled daft in F 31 SH CAPTAIN = Ed. F = Alex. 40–1 thee Now = Ed. F = thee. Now

4.5.1 SH SOLDIER = Ed. F = Eros. (and elsewhere throughout the scene)

4.6.10 van = Ed. F = Vant 17 Canidius = F2. F = Camindius 21 more = F2. F = mote

4.8.2 gests = Ed. F = guests 4 has = Ed. F = ha’s 20 My = F2. F = Mine

4.12.5 augurers = Ed. F = Auguries 23 spanieled = Ed. F = pannelled

4.14.5 towered = Ed. F = toward 12 dislimns = Ed. F = dislimes 22 Caesar = Ed. F = Caesars 25 vile spelled vilde in F 121 ho! = Ed. F = how? 125 SH SECOND GUARD = Ed. F = 2 (throughout scene) 131 SH THIRD GUARD = Ed. F = 3

4.15.85 e’en = Ed. F = in

5.1.0 SD Maecenas = Ed. F = Menas 4 SD Dercetus = Ed. F = Decretas (throughout scene) 34, 38 SH AGRIPPA = Ed. F = Dol. and Dola. 68 lean = Ed. F = leaue

5.2.18 queen = Ed. F = Queece 49 anguish = F. An inked space in F leads most editors to read as languish 66 varletry = F2. F = Varlotarie 98 o’th’earth = F. Ed = O, the earth 105 autumn = Ed. F = Anthony 125 smites = Ed. F = suites 256 Ballad = F2. F = Ballads 264 my = F2. F = mine 354 wild = F. Sometimes emended to vile 358 awry = Ed. F = away 359 SD Enter…in = Ed. F adds and Dolabella

Act 1 Scene 1

 1.1    Location: Alexandria, the Egyptian capital

    1    dotage folly/infatuation/senility    general’s i.e., Antony’s

    2    measure prescribed limit    goodly fine

    3    files and musters rows of assembled troops

    4    plated armored    Mars Roman god of war    bend direct

    5    office service, duty

    6    tawny brown-skinned    front forehead, face (plays on the sense of “front line of troops”)

    8    reneges renounces, abandons    temper moderation, restraint/resilience (used of swords’ hardness)

  10    gipsy’s gypsies were believed to come from Egypt; “gypsy” was also a term for a deceitful woman or whore    Flourish trumpet fanfare announcing the approach or departure of an important person    Train retinue, followers    Eunuchs castrated males, often employed in Oriental courts

  12    triple…world Mark Antony was one of three triumvirs who ruled the lands conquered by Rome

  13    strumpet loose woman or whore

  14    tell relate (in his reply, Antony responds to the sense of “count”)

  15    beggary…reckoned if love can be calculated, it’s worthless

  16    bourn boundary, limit

  17    Then…earth i.e., his love’s infinitely greater than the known world

  19    Grates me! How annoying!    The sum give me the gist

  20    them i.e., the news

  21    Fulvia Antony’s wife    perchance perhaps

  22    scarce-bearded Caesar Octavius Caesar, another of the triumvirs and great-nephew of Julius Caesar; he was twenty-three, twenty years younger than Antony

  23    mandate command

  24    Take in conquer, occupy    enfranchise liberate

  26    How what

  27    Perchance?…like Perhaps? No, almost certainly

  28    dismission dismissal, order to leave

  30    process summons (legal term)

  33    homager vassal, one who acknowledges the duty ofloyalty and obligation    else so or else

  34    scolds quarrels noisily/chastises with violent language

  35    Tiber Rome’s chief river

  36    ranged ordered (with connotations of buildings set out in a line or troops drawn up in ranks)

  37    dungy made up of or abounding in dung

  39    mutual intimate (especially in sexual sense)

  40    twain pair    bind oblige, constrain with legal authority

  41    On…punishment a phrase used in official statutes; Antony makes a public proclamation of their love    weet know

  42    peerless matchless

  44    and not if he did not

  45    seem pretend to be

  47    stirred inspired/sexually aroused

  49    confound waste, ruin    conference conversation

  50    stretch pass/be extended

  51    sport entertainment (with connotations of sexual pleasure)

  53    Fie exclamation of disgust or reproach    wrangling noisily contentious

  54    Whom everything becomes whom all things suit, who is beautified by all moods    chide scold, reprimand

  57    No i.e., I shall hear no

  59    qualities characteristics, dispositions

  61    with by    prized so slight valued so little

  62    when…Antony i.e., he fails to live up to his great reputation

  63    property special personal quality

  64    still always

  65    full deeply

  66    approves proves right

  68    Rest you happy remain fortunate, go well

Act 1 Scene 2

 1.2    Soothsayer one who foretells the future

    1    absolute perfect

    3    charge decorate, festoon    horns with garlands cuckolds (men with unfaithful wives) were fancifully supposed to grow horns on their foreheads; to festoon them with garlands suggests Charmian’s husband will be a champion cuckold

  10    banquet a dessert course of sweetmeats, fruit, and wine

  15    fairer more fortunate/beautiful/plump/spotless, pale

  17    paint use cosmetics

  19    prescience foreknowledge

  21    beloving loving

  22    liver the organ regarded as the seat of the passions

  24    Good now well then, come on

  25    forenoon morning    Herod of Jewry King of Judaea who ordered the slaughter of all male infants in an attempt to kill the young Jesus Christ; he appears as the villain in numerous morality plays

  26    homage acknowledge allegiance to

  29    figs usually euphemistic for the vagina; possible phallic connotations here

  30    proved experienced

  32    belike perhaps/probably    have no names be illegitimate

  33    wenches girls    must shall

  36    Out exclamation of impatience or irritation    forgive…witch absolve you of the charge of witchcraft (because his predictions are worthless)

  37    are privy to know of, are familiar with

  40    drunk to bed to go to bed drunk

  41    presages foretells

  42    Nilus presageth famine Charmian is being ironic; the fertility of the river Nile’s flood ensured good harvests

  43    wild flighty/mischievous/lustful

  44    oily palm moist palms were thought to indicate sensuality    fruitful prognostication sign of fertility    scratch mine ear itching ears proverbially signify an enjoyment of hearing novelties

  45    workaday humdrum, ordinary

  48    I have said there is no more to be said

  52    Not…nose implies that his penis would be a better place for an extra inch (though the nose itself often had phallic connotations)

  54    go walk/have sex/carry a child    Isis Egyptian goddess of the moon and fertility

  56    fifty-fold fifty times over    cuckold man with an unfaithful wife

  57    matter…weight something of greater importance/(lover with a) bigger penis/the weight of a lover’s body during sex/the weight of a child during pregnancy

  59    loose-wived with an unfaithful wife

  60    foul ugly    knave fellow    uncuckolded with a faithful wife    keep decorum behave appropriately/observe what is proper to character and rank

  64    they…do’t they would stop at nothing even if it meant making themselves whores

  72    A Roman thought a serious thought, imbued with Roman notions of virtue and honor

  76    We the royal plural

  77    field battlefield

  80    time’s state circumstances at the time

  81    jointing their force uniting their forces

  82    better issue greater success

  83    encounter battle    drave them drove them (out of Italy)

  88    Who…flattered I will listen to a truth-teller as if he were a flatterer, even if he tells of death

  90    Labienus rebel Roman general who defected to the Parthians after the defeat of Brutus and Cassius at the battle of Philippi

  91    stiff formidable, grave    Parthian Asiatic people whose army were challenging Roman expansion in the Middle East

  92    Extended seized upon (legal term)    Euphrates one of the two main rivers of Mesopotamia (Iraq)

  94    Lydia ancient country of Asia Minor    Ionia ancient region of Anatolia (Turkey)

  95    wouldst wanted, meant to

  97    home directly, bluntly    mince…tongue do not moderate public opinion

  99    Rail…phrase scold me in the way that Fulvia would

102    quick lively    still inactive    our…earing being told of our misdeeds improves us as plowing (earing) does land

105    Sicyon ancient city situated in the northern Peloponnese, southern Greece    how what is

108    stays…will awaits your command

111    What who

116    Importeth it concerns

117    Forbear me leave me alone

119    What…again we often wish to have again what we’ve thrown away in contempt

121    By revolution low’ring decreasing over the course of time (as the wheel of fortune turns)

123    could would willingly

124    enchanting bewitching, with the power to cast spells

126    idleness indolence/folly

129    mortal fatal, deadly

130    suffer permit/undergo/experience pain at

132    die plays on the sense of “orgasm”

134    noise rumor

135    upon…moment over a much less important matter (moment quibbles on the sense of “orgasm”)    mettle spirit, vitality/sexual vigor

136    celerity swiftness

138    cunning perhaps a buried resonance of “cunt/con”

139    part plays on the sense of “sexual part, vagina”

141    almanacs calendars containing astrological and meteorological forecasts

142    Jove supreme Roman god who controlled the rain; the reference may recall Jove’s seduction of Danae when he took the form of a shower of gold

143    Would I wish

144    piece of work masterpiece/whore

145    withal with    your travel i.e., reputation as a traveler (puns on “travail,” i.e., “work/sexual labor”)

152    shows…earth shows men that the gods are the earth’s tailors (replacing worn-out wives with new ones as tailors make new clothes out of old ones); tailors were proverbially lecherous

153    therein in this respect    members plays on the sense of “penises”

154    cut shock, blow/vagina

155    case plays on the sense of “vagina”    crowned plays on the idea of the encircling vagina    consolation puns on “con” (vagina)

156    smock woman’s undergarment, hence woman in her sexual capacity    petticoat woman’s skirt or undergarment, hence woman in her sexual capacity

160    business plays on the sense of “copulation”    broached Enobarbus widens the sense of the word from “started” to incorporate the sexual sense of “pricked, penetrated”

161    abode staying

162    light frivolous/indecent, lewd

164    expedience speed/expedition requiring haste

165    leave to part permission to depart    alone only

166    touches motives

168    contriving working or scheming on Antony’s behalf

169    Petition…home urge us to come home    Sextus Pompeius younger son of Pompey the Great, the defeated rival of Octavius Caesar’s great-uncle Julius Caesar

170    given…to challenged, defied

171    slippery fickle, unreliable

173    throw bestow

174    Pompey the Great i.e., the title of Sextus Pompeius’ father    dignities titles, honors

175    high great/dignified/proud

176    blood and life vigor and spirit    stands up For shows himself to be/claims to be

177    main greatest, leading    quality abilities/party, supporters    going on continuing, being maintained

178    The…danger may endanger the very frame of the world (or perhaps “…the borders of the Roman empire”)

179    courser’s…poison refers to the belief that a horse hair placed in stagnant water would turn into a snake, a phenomenon caused by microscopic fauna attaching themselves to the hair and causing it to move    courser large horse used in battle

180    Say…hence tell those who serve me that I wish to depart quickly

182    remove departure

Act 1 Scene 3

    2    did…since have not seen him recently

    4    I…you i.e., do not say I sent you    sad serious/sorrowful

    8    hold follow, adopt

    9    like same

  11    give him way let him have his own way    cross thwart, obstruct

  13    Tempt provoke/test    forbear (you would) desist

  16    sullen serious/melancholy

  17    breathing voice, speech

  19    thus long so long (before I die)    the…it my constitution won’t survive the strain

  22    stand…me i.e., give me air

  24    eye look in your eye

  25    the married woman i.e., Fulvia

  36    false unfaithful    Riotous madness unrestrained, wanton folly (on my part)

  37    mouth-made i.e., insincere, not from the heart

  38    in swearing even as they are being sworn

  40    colour pretext

  41    sued staying begged to stay

  43    our my (Cleopatra uses the royal plural as she reminds Antony of his former praises of her)

  44    brows bent arched eyebrows    none our parts not one of my features (was)

  45    a…heaven a child of heaven/inherently divine

  48    How now exclamation of reproach

  49    inches height/manly strength (with phallic connotations)

  50    heart courage, resolution    Egypt Cleopatra/the country

  54    in use as (financial) security/in trust (legal term)/for your use (with connotations of sexual employment)

  55    civil swords swords drawn in civil war

  56    port city gate/harbor

  57    Equality…faction having an equal division of power in the state (between Octavius Caesar and Lepidus) produces factional squabbles over small details

  58    hated…love those who were hated, having grown strong, are now loved

  60    apace rapidly

  62    Upon…state under the present government

  63    purge cleanse, purify itself (medical term referring to the use of emetics or laxatives)

  64    particular personal concern

  65    safe make safe

  71    garboils brawls, disturbances    best best of all (or possibly, referring to Fulvia, “when showed herself to be at her best”)

  74    sacred vials lachrymatory bottles; small vessels placed in Roman graves and thought to have contained mourners’ tears

  77    know learn

  78    The…bear my intentions    are, or cease stand or fall

  79    th’advice the judgment    fire…slime sun that brings fertility to the mudbanks of Egypt’s river Nile

  82    thou affects you desire

  83    lace the ties of her bodice as she struggles for breath

  84    let it be leave it alone

  85    So Antony loves Antony loves in just such a changeable manner/depending on whether or not Antony loves me

  86    forbear be patient/control yourself

  87    give true evidence bear witness    stands will sustain

  92    Belong to Egypt are shed for the Queen of Egypt

  93    dissembling play-acting

  95    heat my blood make me angry/passionate

  96    meetly fairly good

  98    target small shield; Cleopatra completes Antony’s phrase and makes it into a blustering theatrical oath    mends improves (in his act)

100    Herculean heroic, prodigiously strong; Antony’s family claimed descent from the Greek hero Hercules    become…chafe carry off his anger convincingly

107    oblivion forgetfulness/loss, abandonment

108    all forgotten forgetful/completely forgotten

109    But were it not

110    holds…subject considers frivolity beneath you/means that you are in control of frivolity    idleness foolishness/frivolity/triviality/worthlessness

112    sweating labour the language of childbirth, continued with    bear

   115 becomings attractive qualities

116    Eye look, seem

119    laurel…feet on his return to Rome, a victorious general wore a laurel wreath, and had flowers and rushes strewn in his path

122    Our…thee i.e., although separated physically they will still be together since they are joined spiritually

Act 1 Scene 4

 1.4    Location: Rome, Italy

    3    competitor associate, partner (plays on the sense of “rival”)

    5    Is he is

    6    Queen of Ptolemy i.e., Cleopatra; in keeping with Egyptian royal tradition she was married first to her brother Ptolemy XIII and, after he was accidentally drowned, to a younger brother, Ptolemy XIV, whom she was subsequently thought to have poisoned

    7    gave audience received messengers

    8    Vouchsafed condescended

    9    abstract epitome, summary

  13    spots of heaven stars; his faults stand out against his virtues as the stars do against the dark

  15    purchased acquired otherwise than by inheritance (legal term)

  18    tumble have sex

  19    mirth joke

  20    keep…tippling take turns in drinking toasts

  21    reel stagger drunkenly around    stand the buffet exchange or endure blows

  23    As though    composure constitution, disposition

  25    foils disgraces    when…lightness since we have to bear an extra burden because of his frivolity (or “promiscuity”)

  27    vacancy spare time    voluptuousness sensual pleasures

  28    surfeits digestive disorders resulting from too much food and drink    dryness…bones corrosion of the bones is a symptom of syphilis

  29    confound waste

  30    drums summons with a (military) drum

  31    his…ours i.e., our positions as triumvirs    ’tis…chid deserves reprimand

  32    rate berate, scold    mature in knowledge old enough to know what’s right

  34    to against

  36    biddings commands

  38    How ’tis what the situation is

  40    only have feared have obeyed (Caesar) through fear not love

  41    discontents discontented

  42    Give him claim he is

  44    primal state beginning of the world/first organized government

  45    he…were he who is in power was only deemed desirable until he gained power

  46    ebbed declining in fortunes, on his way out    ne’er…love no longer powerful/unable to reward his followers

  47    Comes deared becomes loved/becomes valued    lacked absent, missed    This common body the people

  48    vagabond drifting    flag water iris/reed, rush

  49    lackeying following lik ea servant

  52    famous notorious

  53    ear plow

  54    hot inroads violent raids

  55    borders maritime coastal regions

  56    Lack blood turn pale    flush youth vigorous, lively/flushed, ruddy (i.e., unafraid)

  58    Taken captured    strikes…resisted causes more loss than resisting him in battle

  61    wassails revels

  62    Modena city in northern Italy

  64    whom i.e., famine

  65    daintily with fine food/in a refined way

  67    stale urine    gilded tinged with gold glint of scum

  68    deign not refuse

  69    rudest wildest

  70    sheets covers

  71    browsèd fed on

  76    So…not did not so much as grow thin

  77    pity of a shame for/about

  79    twain two

  80    i’th’field on the battlefield

  85    can be able am capable of mustering

  86    front confront

  90    stirs events/uprisings

  93    bond duty/obligation

Act 1 Scene 5

 1.5    Location: Alexandria

    4    mandragora juice of the mandrake, a plant with strong narcotic properties

  13    Not…sing an anachronism: castrated singers were employed in Renaissance courts

  15    unseminared castrated, deprived of virility    freer looser, less restrained

  16    affections desires

  19    in deed in terms of the sexual act (punning on indeed)    do perform/have sex

  20    honest chaste

  22    Venus…Mars the Roman goddess of love and the god of war had a passionate adulterous love affair

  27    bravely splendidly    wot’st thou do you know

  28    demi-Atlas in classical mythology, Atlas carried the world on his shoulders; Cleopatra, ignoring Lepidus, describes Antony bearing responsibility for half the world    arm and burgonet i.e., complete soldier/defender    arm weapon    burgonet light steel infantryman’s helmet/helmet with a visor

  33    Phoebus Greek and Roman sun god    black i.e., deeply tanned

  34    Broad-fronted with a broad forehead/with a wide or open face    Caesar Julius Caesar, with whom Cleopatra had an affair

  36    morsel beautiful woman/sexual mouthful    great Pompey Cleopatra was actually supposed to have had an affair with Gneius (or Gnaeus) Pompey, the son of Pompey the Great (though great here may simply be a descriptive “noble” applied to Gneius)

  37    make…brow fix his eyes on my face (but stand and grow are suggestive of penile erection)

  38    aspect gaze    die be consumed with desire/orgasm

  39    his life what he lived for

  42    great med’cine alchemical term for the supposed elixir which turned base metal into gold

  43    tinct dye, color/transmuting elixir

  44    brave valiant/splendid

  47    orient lustrous

  49    quoth said

  50    firm constant, resolute    Egypt the Queen of Egypt

  52    mend make amends for    piece enrich, augment

  55    arm-gaunt steed slender-limbed horse/horse that is battle-hardened or eager for battle

  56    high loud

  57    beastly dumbed drowned out by the horse’s noise/rendered inarticulate like the sounds of a beast

  60    nor sad nor neither sad nor

  62    ’tis the man that’s him exactly

  64    make…his model themselves on him

  68    violence extremity

  69    posts messengers

  70    several separate

  71    so thick such a throng

  72    Who’s whoever is

  82    paragon compare

  87    green young, inexperienced    blood passion/sexual desire

Act 2 Scene 1

 2.1    Location: Sicily

    4    what…deny delay does not signify denial

    5    Whiles…for while we’re praying to the gods, the thing we ask for is decaying

  12    the sea i.e., control of the sea

  13    powers military forces    crescent growing, like the new moon    auguring prophetic

  15    dinner often euphemistic for sex

  16    without out of

  18    Of by    neither loves loves neither

  21    strength military force

  25    Looking for expecting    charms spells

  26    Salt lecherous    waned faded, aging

  29    fuming fuddled with alcohol    epicurean gourmet

  30    cloyless never-cloying, which will not satiate

  31    That so that    prorogue delay, postpone

  32    Lethe’d oblivious (Lethe was a river in Hades, the Greek underworld; drinking from it caused complete forgetfulness)

  33    This…deliver what I am about to report is most certain

     35 ’tis…for there’s been time for

  37    less matter less serious news

  38    ear hearing

  39    donned his helm put on his helmet

  40    his…twain he’s twice as good a soldier as the other two (Octavius Caesar and Lepidus)

  41    rear…opinion elevate our opinion of ourselves

  43    lap vagina    Egypt’s widow Cleopatra was the widow of Ptolemy XIV

  45    hope suppose

  46    well greet together meet on friendly terms

  47    wife that’s dead i.e., Fulvia    trespasses wrongs, injuries

  48    brother i.e., Lucius

  49    moved incited

  53    pregnant obvious    square quarrel

  54    entertainèd received

  57    yet not do not yet

  58    It…hands our lives depend upon our using our greatest strength

Act 2 Scene 2

 2.2    Location: Rome

    5    like himself i.e., in a manner appropriate to his position/according to his natural disposition    move angers, provokes

    6    look…head treat him as small and insignificant

    7    loud as Mars loudly and aggressively like the god of war    Jupiter another name for Jove, supreme Roman god

    9    I…today i.e., in order to dare Caesar to pluck it insultingly

  10    stomaching resentments, being offended, or the provocation of such feelings

  19    compose settle our differences    to Parthia we should make for Parthia (the Middle Eastern empire that was a rival to Rome)

  20    Hark…Agrippa Antony and Caesar both continue their private discussions until Lepidus’ intervention

  23    That which combined the cause that united

  24    leaner…us lesser enterprise (or “military campaign”) divide us    What’s whatever is

  25    gently mildly, without anger/honorably

  26    commit…wounds destroy attempts at healing and reconciliation

  28    The rather for all the more because

  29    Touch refer to, deal with

  30    Nor…th’matter don’t allow bad temper to aggravate the situation

  32    to preparing to

  38    Nay then well since you insist

  40    being even if they were

  42    or…or either…or

  44    Chiefly i’th’world of all people/more than anyone else

  45    derogately disparagingly

  46    not concerned me was none of my business

  51    practise…state plot against my position

  52    question business

  53    How intend you what do you mean by

  54    catch at grasp

  56    contestation conflict

  57    theme for you about a subject that concerned you/about you/on your behalf    you…war the war was in your name/your name was their war cry

  59    urge me cite me as his motive    inquire make inquiries into

  60    learning information    reports informants

  61    drew…you fought on your side

  62    with along with

  63    stomach inclination

  64    Having…cause I having the same reason as you to oppose his actions

  65    patch put together, contrive

  66    As matter whole though you have sufficient material

  72    I…thought I’m sure you must have known

  74    he i.e., Lucius

  75    graceful friendly, favorable

  76    fronted confronted, opposed

  77    I…another I wish you had a wife like her

  78    snaffle bridle bit, giving gentle control of a horse

  79    pace put through its paces, manage

  82    uncurbable uncontrollable (maintains the horse-handling metaphor; a “curb” is part of a horse’s bit)    garboils disturbances, tumult

  83    not wanted did not lack

  84    policy planning, strategy    grieving grant regretfully admit

  86    But only

  88    rioting reveling

  90    gibe…audience jeer my messenger away, out of hearing

  92    ere admitted before he had even been announced

  93    newly very recently    did…was wasn’t at my best

  95    told…myself explained my condition

  97    nothing no part    contend quarrel

  98    question debate, argument

100    article clause, terms

102    Soft wait a moment/go gently

105    Supposing implying

107    required requested

111    mine own knowledge knowing my own mind

113    Shall…it won’t detract from my authority, nor shall I exercise that authority without    honesty

116    ignorant motive unwitting cause

121    griefs grievances    quite completely

123    atone reconcile

125    instant time being

130    presence assembly

131    Go to, then! expression of impatient dismissal (“Very well then!”)    You i.e., I shall be your    considerate showing consideration/thoughtful, deliberate

134    conditions characters, dispositions

136    staunch firm

140    sister…side i.e., a half-sister; historically, however, she was Caesar’s full, younger sister

144    reproof…rashness reprimand would be merited by your rash speech

148    amity friendship

153    Whose…utter i.e., no one else’s words can express the true nature and extent of her virtue/no one else’s virtues can match hers

155    jealousies suspicions, misunderstandings

156    import bring about/signify

157    Truths…truths uncomfortable truths would be dismissed instead of malicious half-truths being accepted

158    both i.e., Antony and Caesar

161    present spontaneous

164    touched With affected by

166    power authority

167    would were to

170    unto over

172    so fairly shows seems so agreeable, looks so promising

173    impediment obstacle; echoes the use of the term in the marriage service

174    act of grace pleasing (or “divinely sanctioned”) action

180    never…again may our love never desert us again

184    For…me Pompey had courteously received Antony’s mother when she fled Italy with Fulvia    strange extraordinary

186    remembrance memory/reputation

187    At…him immediately after which I must nevertheless challenge him

189    Of by    presently immediately

192    Mount Misena Misenum, a port in southern Italy

196    fame rumor/report

197    Would…together! Antony either wishes he had discussed matters with Caesar or Pompey sooner, or that he had gone to battle sooner

198    ere before    dispatch we let’s speedily settle

201    my sister’s view see my sister

205    Not not even

207    Half the heart i.e., intimate friend

210    digested settled    stayed well by’t kept at it, stuck it out well

212    day…countenance upset day by sleeping through it    light bright/merry/dissolute

214    but only

216    by to    monstrous matter strange, exotic foods

218    triumphant magnificent    square just

219    pursed pocketed (sexual connotations; “purse” is a term for the vagina)    river of Cydnus now the Tarsus Cay; not in Egypt but Cilicia, a region in what is now southern Turkey

221    reporter…her made up a good story about her

223    burnished shining, as if made of metal

224    Burned gleamed as though it were in flames    poop highest deck at the stern or back of a ship

229    strokes beats of the oars/caresses/blows (eroticized violence)

231    cloth-of-gold of tissue rich cloth, woven with gold thread

232    O’erpicturing…nature more beautiful than a painted image of Venus in which (the artist’s) imagination has surpassed nature

233    her of her

234    like resembling/in the guise of    Cupid Roman god of love, son of Venus and Mercury; always depicted as a child

235    divers-coloured multicolored

236    glow make glow (with amorous excitement)

238    rare splendid, magnificent

239    gentlewomen…Nereides female attendants resembling (or “in the guise of”) beautiful sea nymphs

240    tended her i’th’eyes attended to her every glance

241    made…adornings made the scene more beautiful with their graceful bows

242    tackle gear, i.e., ropes and sails

243    Swell with connotations of penile erection

244    yarely…office nimbly perform the task

246    wharfs riverbanks/buildings

249    but for vacancy except that it would have created a vacuum (something nature proverbially “abhors”)

250    Had would have

252    Egyptian potentially ambiguous since the word could be a synonym for “gypsy,” and both Egyptians and gypsies were associated with magic and witchcraft

258    Being barbered having had his hair and beard trimmed and styled

259    ordinary supper; meal available at a fixed price in a tavern

260    what…only i.e., he ate nothing except with his eyes

261    wench loose woman/whore/lower-class woman (creates oxymoron with Royal)

262    Caesar Julius Caesar    lay…bed abandon his military responsibilities/have sex/abate his erection (through orgasm)

263    cropped bore fruit; Cleopatra had a son by Caesar, Caesarion

267    That in such a way that

271    stale make stale (along with custom, plays on the idea of prostitution; a stale was a whore)

274    vilest…themselves foulest things achieve dignity (or “…become truly themselves”)

276    riggish licentious

279    lottery prize

Act 2 Scene 3

    1    office duty, position (as triumvir)

    7    Read…report don’t believe popular accounts of my faults

    8    my square my life in strict order (carpentry metaphor: a square is an implement for measuring right angles)

    9    by th’rule in a direct and orderly manner (maintains carpentry image)    th’rule the ruler

  12    sirrah sir (used to social inferiors)

  13    nor you thither and that you had never gone there

  14    can know it

  15    motion inner prompting

  16    hie you hurry

  21    demon attendant spirit, guardian angel    that thy thy    keeps protects

  23    angel spirit, demon

  24    as as though

  27    no…thee I shall say no more except to you personally

  30    lustre thickens splendor darkens

  33    he he being

  36    art or hap magical skill or chance

  38    better…chance greater skill fails against his luck

  39    speeds succeeds, wins

  41    it i.e., the odds in my favor

  42    inhooped in cockfights, the birds were confined to a hoop to make them fight    at odds even against the odds

Act 2 Scene 4

    2    Your generals after after your generals (rathera than accompanying me)

    4    e’en just, only

    8    Mount i.e., Misena (Misenum), where Pompey’s ships are anchored

  11    draw…about require me to go the long way around

Act 2 Scene 5

 2.5    Location: Alexandria

    2    trade engage, deal (with connotations of prostitution)

    6    As…play a woman might as well play (or “have sex”) with a eunuch

    9    will intention/sexual desire/penis    come too short the performance is inadequate/he orgasms prematurely/the penis is too small

  10    actor stage actor/performer of sexual deeds

  11    angle fishing tackle (literally, the hook at the end of the line)

  12    betray deceive, entrap

  13    Tawny-finned with golden-brown fins

  18    your diver i.e., one of Cleopatra’s men, who dived underwater to attach the dried fish to Antony’s hook

  19    salt-fish dried, salted fish (a euphemism for an impotent penis; “salt” plays on the sense of “Iustful”)

  20    fervency eagerness/sexual excitement

  25    tires and mantles headdresses and robes

  26    Philippan the sword he used at the battle of Philippi to defeat Brutus and Cassius

  27    Ram…barren a highly sexualized image of being vigorously penetrated and made pregnant

  32    yield report

  34    lipped kissed, touched with their lips

  37    use are accustomed

  38    say…well i.e., because they are in heaven

  42    go to get on with it

  44    tart a favour sour a look

  46    Fury in classical mythology, the Furies were the three goddesses of vengeance, commonly depicted as winged women with    snakes for hair

  47    formal normal/in the form of

  50    ’tis well that’s good

  51    Or…or either…or

  52    shower of gold may recall Jove’s seduction of Danae in the form of a shower of gold

  57    honest worthy

  61    allay…precedence detract from the good news that preceded it

  64    monstrous malefactor hideous criminal

  65    Pour…ear tell me everything (as if the messenger were a pedlar with a pack of news)

  69    bound married (plays on the sense of “captive”; Cleopatra then shifts the sense to “indebted”)

  71    turn the Messenger shifts the sense to “sexual act”

  74    pestilence plague

  77    spurn kick

  80    pickle salt pickling solution

  84    proud magnificent

  85    make thy peace atone

  86    boot enrich

  92    keep…yourself contain yourself

  94    thunderbolt Jove’s weapon of punishment

  95    Egypt the country/Cleopatra    kindly good/natural

  97    mad angry/frenzied, like a rabid dog

101    A meaner one of lower social rank    I…cause it’s my own fault I’m so upset

104    gracious joyful/full of esteem and nobility

105    host of tongues may glance at the mythological figure of Fame (renown), who was represented as multitongued    tell…felt announce themselves as their effects are felt

112    confound destroy    hold there still stick to your story

115    So even if

116    cistern pond/water tank

117    Narcissus in classical mythology, a young man who was so beautiful he fell in love with his own reflection

121    Take…you do not be offended because I am reluctant to offend you

123    much unequal most unjust

124    O…of! What a pity that Antony’s fault makes you into the villain that you’re not, by equating you with the bad news you report!    fault failing/fornication    knave rogue, villain

126    merchandise i.e., news

127    dear expensive/heartfelt    lie…’em may you be unable to sell them, and be ruined

135    feature appearance    years age

136    inclination disposition

138    him i.e., Antony

139    painted…Mars as in a perspective picture in which the image changed depending on the angle of the viewer    Gorgon mythical creature with snakes for hair and a gaze that turned people to stone    Mars Roman god of war

Act 2 Scene 6

 2.6    Location: near Misena (Misenum), a port in southern Italy    Drum and Trumpet drummer and trumpeter

    3    meet fitting, appropriate

    5    purposes proposals

    7    tie up hang up/curb

    8    tall brave

    9    else otherwise

  11    senators alone sole rulers

  12    factors agents, representatives

  13    Wherefore why    father Pompey the Great, defeated by Julius Caesar    want need/lack

  15    ghosted haunted; Julius Caesar was assassinated by conspirators that included Brutus and Cassius; they were then defeated and killed at the battle of Philippi by Antony and Octavius Caesar

  17    moved incited

  18    honest truthful/honorable

  19    courtiers wooers/courtly attendants

  20    drench drown in blood    Capitol Capitoline Hill, site of the senate house where Julius Caesar was killed

  21    one…man i.e., prevent Julius Caesar, a mere mortal, from being crowned and treated like a god

  24    scourge punish    despiteful malicious, spiteful

  27    fear frighten

  28    speak encounter, fight

  29    o’er-count outnumber

  31    o’er-count…house alludes to the confiscation of his father’s estate which Antony bought but failed to pay for    o’er-count cheat

  32    cuckoo…himself the cuckoo does not build its own nest but lays its eggs in another bird’s

  33    as thou mayst as long as you can

  35    from the present irrelevant    take respond to

  38    be entreated to cajoled into accepting    weigh consider seriously

  39    embraced if accepted

  40    what…fortune the future advantages to be gained/the dangerous consequences of fighting a battle

  46    part depart    unhacked edges undamaged sword blades (i.e., without fighting)

  47    targes shields    undinted without dents, unmarked by blows

  53    praise of credit for    must should, ought to

  58    studied prepared

  63    timelier sooner    my purpose I intended

  67    counts marks (literally, tally marks from adding up accounts)

  68    in…vassal I shall never become a slave to bad luck

  72    composition agreement, truce

  73    sealed between us following signature, affixed with seals by each party

  78    take the lot draw lots like the rest of us    first Or last whether your turn comes first or last

  80    have the fame gain the glory

  81    Grew…there another image of sex as eating; “grew fat” may have erectile connotations

  83    fair sincere/courteous/decent

  84    And…them Antony’s tone may be placatory or sarcastic here

  86    Apollodorus a Sicilian friend of Cleopatra; Plutarch tells the tale of him rolling her up in a    mattress in order that she might be conducted to Julius Caesar in secret

  90    far’st are (from “fare,” pronounced “fairst”)

  93    toward forthcoming

  96    behaviour conduct in battle

101    plainness bluntness, plain speaking

102    nothing ill becomes suits

103    galley Greek or Roman warship with banks of oars on each side

108    known met before

120    take arrest    thieves i.e., hands (or possibly the men embrace after the handshake)

121    true honest

122    true genuine, i.e., without cosmetics

128    said spoken the truth    looked not for did not expect to see

133    Pray ye, sir? Is that right?

136    divine predict the outcome

137    policy…in politics of that alliance had more to do with

139    band wedding ring/bond, pledge

141    cold and still calm, reserved, meek/sexually unresponsive    conversation demeanor (plays on the sense of “sexual intercourse”)

144    Egyptian dish i.e., the delicious Cleopatra (dish plays on the sense of “vagina”)    blow…up inflame, enrage (like a pair of bellows fans a fire)

146    author creator, instigator    variance dispute, contention    use…is satisfy his sexual appetite where it is already lodged (with Cleopatra in Egypt)

147    occasion opportunity

148    health toast, drink

Act 2 Scene 7

 2.7    Location: on board Pompey’s galley, off Misena (Misenum) in southern Italy    banquet dessert course of sweetmeats, fruit, and wine (though possibly the main part of the feast)

    1    plants seedlings/soles of the feet (i.e., the agreement between them is not well-founded/they’re unsteady on their feet due to alcohol)

    3    high-coloured red in the face

    4    alms-drink normally the remains of liquor given to the poor in charity, but here most likely Lepidus is drinking as a charitable act to further the reconciliation process

    5    pinch…disposition snipe at and irritate each other in accordance with their differing personalities

    7    discretion sound judgment

    8    have…fellowship be one of a group of powerful men    as lief rather

    9    partisan long-handled spear    heave lift

  10    To…cheeks to occupy an exalted position but be seen to be incapable of filling it is as pitiful as empty eye sockets which ruin the face    sphere refers to the belief that planets orbited within transparent concentric spheres that ringed the earth

  11    pitifully puns on the sense of “with pits”    sennet trumpet call signaling a procession

  12    take measure

  13    scales marks    i’th’pyramid on the obelisk (rather than the conventional Egyptian pyramids)

  14    mean middle    dearth famine

  15    foison plenty, abundance

  17    ooze mud

  21    Your…crocodile a widespread belief that the influence of the sun on vegetable matter could create certain forms of life; the repetition of the colloquial “your” suggests Lepidus is fairly drunk

  25    ne’er out never back out

  26    in in your cups, drunk/indoors

  27    the Ptolemies the Ptolemaic dynasty, rulers of Egypt    pyramises pyramids; Lepidus is slurring drunkenly

  31    Forsake leave

  33    Forbear…anon wait until a little later

  37    the…transmigrates once it dies, its soul passes into another body; Antony refers to a Pythagorean theory

  39    it its

  41    tears crocodiles supposedly cried before eating their victims

  43    else or else    epicure glutton, since nothing can satisfy him/unbeliever, a follower of Epicurus who rejected the theory of life after death

  46    merit my past services to you/my worth

  48    The matter? What’s this all about?

  49    held…off deferred respectfully

  50    faith loyalty

  52    quicksands the drunken Lepidus is unsteady on his feet

  58    entertain consider

  64    pales encompasses    inclips clasps, embraces

  67    competitors partners/rivals

  68    cable rope or chain attached to the anchor

  69    put off adrift/away from the shore

  72    on’t of it

  74    ’Tis…it I always put my honor before my personal profit

  76    betrayed revealed

  78    Desist leave off

  79    palled weakened

  81    more again

  83    pledge i.e., drink the toast

  86    hid i.e., brimful

  89    A he

  92    on wheels i.e., fast/dizzily (the “world goes on wheels” was a proverbial phrase)

  93    reels revels/staggering motions

  96    Strike the vessels clink or fill the cups/pierce the wine casks (precise meaning unclear)

  98    forbear’t abstain from it (drink)

  99    monstrous huge/unnatural

100    fouler more dirty (despite washing)

101    Be…o’th’time live for the moment

102    ‘Possess…answer my answer is “control it” (rather than be its subject)

103    fast from all abstain from all food (for)

105    brave splendid

106    Bacchanals dances in honor of Bacchus, the Roman god of wine

107    celebrate consecrate with religious ceremony

111    Lethe the river of forgetfulness in Hades

113    battery to an assault on

114    The while in the meanwhile

115    holding refrain

116    volley produce repeated noise (perhaps “like firearms or artillery”)

118    Plumpy Bacchus plump Roman god of wine    pink half-closed/reddened from drink    eyne eyes

119    fats vats

121    Cup us fill our cups

123    brother brother-in-law (i.e., Antony)

124    off to come ashore

126    burnt our cheeks i.e., they’re flushed from drinking

128    disguise dance/transformative powers of drink

129    Anticked made grotesque clowns

131    try you test your capacity for drink

134    what so what

138    What! i.e., strike up, let’s hear them

139    Neptune Roman god of the sea

141    a he

Act 3 Scene 1

 3.1    Location: Syria    triumph the ceremonial procession undertaken by victorious generals, in which captives and the bodies of high-ranking enemies were displayed; a Roman practice

    1    darting Parthia the Parthians were famed for their mounted archers whose tactics included shooting arrows behind them

    2    Marcus Crassus member of the first triumvirate with Pompey and Julius Caesar; he was defeated by the Parthians and his head taken to their king,    Orodes, who filled its mouth with molten gold as a punishment for greed

    4    Pacorus Orodes’ son

    8    The…follow follow the fleeing Parthians    Spur ride swiftly    Media eastern Iran

    9    Mesopotamia present-day Iraq

  11    triumphant triumphal

  14    lower place a subordinate

  15    make…act do too much

  18    won…person been more successful through their officers’ military skill than their own

  20    my place the same rank I hold

  22    by th’minute all the time

  25    makes choice of chooses

  26    darkens eclipses, darkens his fortunes

  28    in his offence through his being offended

  29    performance achievements

  30    that…distinction i.e., good judgment, understanding, without which a soldier can scarcely be distinguished from his sword

  36    horse cavalry

  37    jaded exhausted and reduced to jades (inferior horses)

  39    purposeth intends to go

  40    weight i.e., the spoils of war, military equipment, and others    with’s with us

Act 3 Scene 2

 3.2    Location: Rome

    1    brothers brothers-in-law (i.e., Antony and Octavius Caesar)    parted departed

    2    dispatched settled matters

    3    other three triumvirate    sealing putting their seals to the agreement

    6    green sickness anemic disease usually suffered by teenage girls and associated with lovesickness; Enobarbus mockingly attributes Lepidus’ hangover to his adulation of his fellow triumvirs

    8    fine puns on the Latin lepidus (“fine, elegant”)

  12    non-pareil paragon, matchless one

  13    Arabian bird the phoenix, a mythical bird which was reborn from its own ashes; only one existed at a time

  17    figures figures of speech, rhetorical conceits

  18    cast calculate

  22    shards patches of dung (in which some types of    beetle live)

  25    No further accompany me no further/you needn’t continue urging your point

  27    Use…in’t treat that part of me which is in Octavia well

  28    as…approof such a wife that my greatest pledge of your worth will be justified by your behavior    pass on be (legally) determined by    approof act of proving

  30    piece masterpiece (but also a term for a woman)

  31    Betwixt between

  34    mean means/intermediary

  36    in by

  37    said finished

  39    curious determinedly scrupulous in your inquiry

  40    keep protect

  44    elements weather, climate

  47    April’s…on i.e., she’s weeping; “April showers bring May flowers” was proverbial

  49    look…house think kindly of Antony’s household

  53    the…inclines unable to express her feelings, Octavia’s mind is poised like a feather caught before the turn of the tide

  57    cloud sorrowful raincloud (but Enobarbus introduces the sense of “dark spot on a horse’s face”)

  64    rheum a cold causing streaming eyes

  65    confound destroy, overthrow    wailed lamented

  68    still continually

  69    Outgo overtake (i.e., I shall think of you constantly)

Act 3 Scene 3

 3.3    Location: Alexandria

    1    fellow man/servant

    5    Herod of Jewry i.e., even the famously cruel tyrant

    8    how can I have it

  12    dread revered/feared

  21    That’s…good i.e., for Octavia (or for Cleopatra, who then shifts into a more optimistic vein)

  24    gait bearing

  27    station standing still

  28    shows appears like

  29    breather living creature

  31    observance power of observation

  34    in her yet i.e., that need concern me

  46    As…it i.e., she would not wish it any lower (high foreheads were considered attractive)

  49    employ…again send you back with a message

  52    proper fine/handsome

  54    harried ill-treated    by according to

  55    no such thing nothing special

  58    else defend forbid that it should be otherwise

  63    warrant assure

Act 3 Scene 4

 3.4    Location: Athens, Greece

    1    Nay…that Antony enters mid-conversation; he is in the process of listing Caesar’s abuses

    3    semblable import similar significance

    4    made…ear a strategy to win support by suggesting that the terms of the will were advantageous to the Roman people

    6    scantly grudgingly    perforce of necessity

    8    vented expressed    most…me in the most ungenerous way

    9    hint cue/opportunity (to praise Antony)

  10    from his teeth feignedly, insincerely

  13    Stomach resent

  14    chance should happen

  16    presently immediately

  18    Undo and then undo

  23    Let…it love him best who does most to preserve you and your love

  26    branchless bare, destitute; perhaps alludes to the oak or laurel wreath awarded to a man who won honor in battle

  28    preparation…war army

  29    stain deprive of his luster/dishonor

  30    So…yours in order to achieve your wishes/if that’s what you want

  34    cleave break apart    slain…rift bodies of the dead would fill up the gap

  36    it…begins you realize who started this    appears becomes apparent

  37    our…them it is impossible that Caesar and I should be equally at fault and you impartially attached to both of us

  39    Provide your going prepare for your departure

  40    what whatever

Act 3 Scene 5

    5    success outcome/sequel

    6    him i.e., Lepidus    presently instantly

    7    rivality equality, rights of partnership    action military campaign

    8    resting here stopping there    his own appeal the authority of his own accusation

    9    up shut up, imprisoned    enlarge his confine releases him

  10    chaps jaws, chops    no more i.e., than two

  11    throw…other however much they’re given they’ll grind each other down

  13    spurns kicks

  14    rush reed, grass

  15    threats threatens    that his officer that officer of his

  17    rigged ready, equipped

  18    More i.e., there is more to tell    Domitius Enobarbus’ first name

  19    presently immediately

  21    naught unimportant/bad news

Act 3 Scene 6

 3.6    Location: Rome

    1    Contemning scorning

    3    tribunal dais

    6    Caesarion Cleopatra’s son by Julius Caesar    My father’s Octavius Caesar was adopted by Julius Caesar, his great-uncle

    7    unlawful issue illegitimate offspring

    9    stablishment confirmed possession

  13    common show-place public arena    exercise observe public ceremonies/perform public entertainments or sports

  17    Cilicia a region in what is now southern Turkey    Phoenicia now the coastal area of Lebanon

  18    th’habiliments the dress, clothing

  22    Who i.e., the Roman people    queasy nauseated, disgusted

  23    their…him withdraw their good opinion of Antony

  28    spoiled destroyed/plundered    rated allotted

  30    unrestored which I failed to return

  32    being that being so

  38    For as for

  45    castaway cast off, rejected

  47    stol’n come stealthily

  48    Like in a manner appropriate to

  50    horse horses

  51    th’way the roadside

  55    populous troops numerous attendants

  56    prevented forestalled

  57    ostentation ceremonial display    left…unloved must be demonstrated or it ceases to exist

  59    supplying…greeting providing a more elaborate greeting at every stage

  65    withal with this

  66    pardon for permission to

  68    an abstract the removal (of an impediment)

  70    eyes spies

  76    who and they

  79    Cappadocia part of present-day central Turkey

  80    Paphlagonia in modern northwestern Turkey    Thracian from Thrace, an area of southeastern Europe including parts of present-day Greece, Bulgaria, and Turkey

  81    Pont Pontus, part of modern Turkey

  82    Jewry the Jews in Judaea, present-day Israel/Palestine

  83    Comagene part of Syria

  84    Mede and Lycaonia modern Iran and eastern Turkey

  85    sceptres kings

  88    afflict torment, distress

  90    breaking forth breaking out into open conflict

  91    wrong led misled, deceived

  92    negligent danger danger due to our negligence

  93    time state of affairs

  95    determined…way events predetermined by destiny maintain their course without lamenting them

  97    Nothing…me my dearest

  98    mark reach

  99    his…us us his agents

105    large licentious

106    abominations degrading vices    turns you off rejects you

107    potent regiment powerful authority, government    trull low prostitute

108    noises it is clamorous, cries out

111    Be…patience remain calm, patient

Act 3 Scene 7

 3.7    Location: Actium, on the north coast of Greece

    3    forspoke spoken against

    6    If…us even if the war had not been declared against me personally

    9    serve undertake military action (plays on the sense of “have sex”)    horse…together both male and female horses

  10    horse…lost cavalry would be completely useless    bear…horse carry the soldiers and have sex with the stallions

  13    puzzle confound, make difficulties for/bewilder, perplex

  16    Traduced blamed, censured

  19    Sink Rome let Rome sink

  20    charge responsibility/cost

  21    president ruler

  22    for as/in place of

  27    Tarentum and Brundusium Italian ports, modern Taranto and Brindisi

  28    cut cross    Ionian Sea part of the Mediterranean Sea, south of the Adriatic Sea between Italy and Greece

  29    take in conquer    Toryne town on Greek coast north of Actium

  30    Celerity speed

  33    becomed suited

  40    Pharsalia a plain in Thessaly, central Greece; site of Julius Caesar’s decisive defeat of Pompey the Great

  45    muleteers mule drivers

  46    Ingrossed collected wholesale    swift impress hasty conscription

  48    yare easily managed

  49    fall befall

  53    absolute consummate

  54    Distract disrupt/confuse/demoralize

  55    footmen foot-soldiers, infantry    unexecuted unused

  57    assurance sure success

  62    overplus surplus

  63    th’head the headland, promontory

  66    descried spotted, seen

  68    impossible impossibly

  69    power army

  72    Thetis sea nymph, mother of the great warrior Achilles; sometimes confused with Tethys, the mother of the Nile

  74    rotten planks i.e., ships    misdoubt doubt, mistrust

  76    Phoenicians a seafaring people from the coastal regions of what is now Lebanon    a-ducking getting wet (perhaps with hints of “cringing, bowing”)

  77    used been accustomed

  80    Hercules legendary Greek hero of immense strength, supposed ancestor of Antony

  81    action…on’t enterprise is not founded on his military strength

  83    men men/servingmen

  85    horse whole cavalry undivided

  89    Carries shoots forward like an arrow or other missile

  90    yet still

  91    power…distractions army was deployed in separate detachments (or “…employed such diversionary tactics”)

  92    Beguiled deceived

  97    throws forth delivers

Act 3 Scene 8

 3.8    Location: Actium

    3    whole together, undivided

    4    exceed go beyond

    5    prescript instruction, command

    6    jump venture, hazard

Act 3 Scene 9

    1    yond the further, other

    2    eye sight    battle army

Act 3 Scene 10

3.10    Alarum a trumpet call to arms

    2    admiral flagship (named Antoniad)

    3    sixty other ships of the Egyptian fleet

    4    blasted blinded, as though struck by lightning or malign planetary influence

    7    thy passion the cause of your outburst

    8    cantle portion, section

    9    With very ignorance through sheer stupidity    kissed away said goodbye to, but also implying that Antony’s amorous behavior is the cause

  12    tokened pestilence final stages of the plague, when red spots (“the Lord’s tokens”) appear

  13    Yon yonder, that    ribaudred exact meaning unclear; perhaps “ribald” (licentious, immoral) or “ribald-rid” (ridden by a licentious man)—“ribald” is a variant spelling of “ribaud”    nag worn-out old horse/whore

  14    o’ertake infect/overcome (leprosy was often confused with venereal disease)

  15    vantage advantage

  16    Both…same equal on each side    elder stronger, more likely to achieve victory

  17    breeze gadfly that bites cattle (plays on the sense of “light wind,” necessary to fill the    sails of Cleopatra’s departing ship)

  18    flies flees

  22    loofed luffed, brought around into the wind/aloof, at a distance

  24    Claps…sea-wing hoists his sails    doting mallard lovesick male duck

  25    in at its

  26    action deed/military campaign

  32    knew himself knew himself to be (i.e., courageous, honorable)

  34    grossly flagrantly

  35    thereabouts considering such a course    goodnight it’s all over

  36    Peloponnesus large peninsula in southern Greece

  37    to’t to get to it    attend await

  39    render surrender, hand over

  43    chance fortunes

  44    Sits…against is in direct opposition

Act 3 Scene 11

3.11    Location: unspecific

    3    lated late, overtaken by night

  13    that that which

  14    mutiny quarrel with one other

  15    they them the brown hairs reprove the white

  18    Sweep your way make the path easy

  19    loathness reluctance    hint opportunity

  20    despair spiritual hopelessness that precedes suicide    Let…itself leave me since I have abandoned myself

  22    possess you put you in possession

  23    little little while    Pray you I pray you, please

  24    command the power to order you (to go)/authority over my troops/command over myself

  29    Juno chief Roman goddess, wife to Jupiter

  32    fie exclamation of disgust or reproach

  36    Yes, my lord Antony is lost in thought; unaware of Cleopatra’s presence, he addresses someone he is thinking of    he i.e., Caesar    Philippi the battle at which Antony and Octavius Caesar defeated Cassius and Brutus, key members of the group that had just assassinated Julius Caesar

  37    sword…dancer in its scabbard, like a dancer’s sword worn for ornament

  39    mad foolish/insane/enraged    ended defeated    alone only

  40    Dealt on lieutenantry employed subordinates to do the fighting

  41    squares affairs/rules/squadrons

  42    stand by be ready to help me; apparently Cleopatra feels faint

  45    unqualitied deprived of the qualities that define him, unmanned

  46    sustain support

  48    declined drooping, bowed    but unless

  49    comfort support/well-being

  50    reputation personal honor, my good name

  51    swerving error, transgression

  54    convey…dishonour hide away brooding over everything I have lost through my dishonorable behavior    eyes sight

  56    ’Stroyed destroyed

  61    strings heartstrings

  64    beck nod, silent gesture of command    bidding orders

  68    young man i.e., Caesar    treaties entreaties/negotiations

  69    palter haggle, negotiate/equivocate, deal evasively or cunningly    shifts of lowness desperate measures (or “tricks”) to which the humiliated are driven

  73    sword phallic connotations    affection love/passion/sexual desire

  74    on all cause whatever the reason

  76    rates equals, is worth

  79    sent our schoolmaster i.e., as ambassador to Caesar    a he (i.e., the schoolmaster)

  80    full of lead i.e., burdened with grief

  81    viands food

Act 3 Scene 12

3.12    Location: Caesar’s camp outside Alexandria

    4    argument sign, indication    plucked i.e., stripped of power and authority

    5    pinion furthest section of a bird’s wing

    6    Which who    Ambassador the schoolmaster

  10    petty insignificant    ends plans

  11    myrtle leaf of the myrtle, an aromatic Mediterranean shrub, sacred to Venus, symbol of love, peace and honor

  12    his grand sea the great ocean that is Antony/the great ocean from which it originated

  13    Declare thine office say what you’ve come for

  15    Requires requests    not granted if this request is not granted

  16    sues formally requests

  17    breathe i.e., live

  21    circle…Ptolemies crown of the Kings of Egypt

  22    hazarded…grace dependent upon your favor, staked on your good will

  25    Of…so will not fail to get a hearing or her wish so long as

  26    friend lover

  30    Bring escort    bands troops

  31    Dispatch make haste/get going

  32    From…Cleopatra persuade Cleopatra to abandon Antony

  33    in our name on my authority (Caesar uses the royal pronoun)    add…offers think up further offers yourself

  34    Women…vestal women aren’t strong at the best of times but when in need the purest virgin will break her vows

  36    cunning skill

  37    Make…pains decide on your own reward for your efforts

  38    answer make good, fulfil, observe

  40    becomes his flaw behaves in his downfall

  41    very action speaks every action means

  42    power that moves move he makes

Act 3 Scene 13

3.13    Location: Alexandria

    2    Think i.e., reflect on our situation/indulge in melancholy thoughts

    3    we I

    4    will desire/penis

    6    several ranges separate battle lines

    8    affection passion/lust

    9    nicked negated/dented, damaged/won (gambling term)/cut off (possible castration connotations)    captainship military leadership

  11    meerèd question entire cause

  12    course follow    fying fleeing

  13    gazing watching in amazement

  17    The…up Cleopatra will be well treated if she gives me up to Caesar

  25    he…particular as he has the bloom of youth on him, the world should expect some remarkable deed

  28    ministers agents, subordinates

  31    gay caparisons showy trappings

  32    answer me declined fight with me in a similarly diminished fashion

  33    Ourselves alone just the two of us

  34    high-battled with great armies at his command

  35    Unstate his happiness deprive himself of his powerful position and good fortune    staged to th’show put on public display (as if in a gladiatorial contest)

  36    sworder gladiator

  37    A parcel of of a piece with, reflect    things…alike calamitous external events have a corresponding psychological effect (Antony’s judgment has been impaired by the deterioration in his fortunes)

  40    Knowing understanding    measures a “measure” is a vessel of a fixed capacity and sets up the image of power as a cup that can be    full or empty    full at the height of his power

  41    Answer respond to

  45    blown withered

  47    honesty sense of honor, integrity    square be in conflict

  49    faith fidelity    he…i’th’story he who remains loyal to his lord in defeat overcomes the ill fortune that overthrew his master and so deserves fame and recognition

  52    i’th’story in the narrative/history book

  54    apart in private

  55    None but friends all are friends here

  56    haply perhaps/probably

  58    Or…us or else he doesn’t need us (his situation being so desperate)

  59    for as for

  60    Whose…Caesar’s i.e., any friend of Antony is a friend of ours, so we are Caesar’s friends

  63    Not…Caesar do not worry about your situation insofar as you know you’re dealing with Caesar (a deliberately ambiguous statement: being Caesar may imply mercy or the power to punish)

  65    right royal very generous

  70    constrainèd forced, compelled

  73    right true

  74    merely only/completely

  78    quit abandon

  80    require request

  81    desired asked

  85    his…landlord the protection of he who is the lord of the whole world (shroud plays ominously on the sense of “sheet in which to wrap a corpse”)

  90    in deputation as my representative/in your role as deputy

  93    all-obeying breath voice that is obeyed by all

  94    doom fate/sentence    Egypt Cleopatra/the country

  97    If…it i.e., if one is courageous enough to exercise wisdom, no ill fortune can affect matters

100    father by adoption only; in fact Julius Caesar was his great-uncle

101    mused…in thought about conquering kingdoms

103    As as if

104    Favours? i.e., referring to Thidias being allowed to kiss Cleopatra’s hand (sexual connotations)

105    fellow (lowly) man/servant

107    fullest most powerful

110    kite whore/scavenging bird of prey (addressed to Cleopatra)

112    muss game in which small objects are thrown to be scrambled for

114    jack knave, common fellow

115    whelp cub

118    tributaries those who pay tribute

120    saucy familiar

121    Since she was who used to be

122    cringe contract, distort (in pain)

128    blasted blighted, withered

130    Forborne done without    getting begetting, conceiving    a lawful race legitimate descendants

132    feeders parasites/dependants who eat at another’s table

134    boggler waverer, equivocator/one ready to use her bogle boe, i.e., vagina

136    seel close up (literally, sew up, as the eyes of a young hawk were for training purposes)

139    confusion overthrow, destruction

142    trencher wooden platter    fragment scrap, leftover

143    Gneius Pompey son of Pompey the Great and lover of Cleopatra    hotter more lustful

144    vulgar fame common gossip

145    Luxuriously lecherously    picked out collected/passed

146    temperance restraint of sexual appetite

150    ‘God quit you!’ expression of thanks from one of lower rank    quit requite, reward

151    seal token, pledge

152    plighter one who pledges    high noble

153    hill of Basan near the Sea of Galilee and described in Psalms 22:12 as frequented by “many bulls”    outroar…herd men with unfaithful wives were popularly supposed to grow horns    outroar bellow more angrily than, be more bull-like than

154    savage cause cause for beastly behavior

155    civilly politely

156    haltered neck neck with a noose around it

157    yare brisk, nimble

159    begged a did he beg

163    follow…triumph serve Caesar now that he’s triumphant/follow in Caesar’s triumphal procession

165    hand…lady i.e., offered for you to kiss    fever thee put you into a feverish sweat

167    thy entertainment how you were received    look make sure

173    orbs orbits/rotating transparent spheres in which stars and planets were thought to be contained

174    th’abysm the abyss

176    enfranchèd bondman freed bond slave (he had deserted Antony for Caesar)

178    quit requite, repay

181    terrene moon earthly moon (i.e., Cleopatra, associated with the moon goddess Isis)

182    portends alone foretells only (eclipses were regarded as bad omens)

183    stay his time wait until he’s finished

184    mingle eyes exchange glances

185    ties his points does up Caesar’s points (laces with metal tags, used for fastening clothes)

191    in my neck on my head/down my throat    determines comes to an end, melts

192    Caesarion Cleopatra’s son by Julius Caesar

195    discandying melting    pelleted consisting of pellets, hail

197    buried…prey i.e., eaten them

199    sets down encamps

200    oppose his fate do battle with his destiny

202    fleet is afloat    sea-like like the sea itself/seaworthy and shipshape

205    in blood bloodstained from battle/in full vigor/sexually aroused

206    chronicle place in history

209    treble-sinewed, hearted, breathed three times myself in muscle, heart, and breath

210    maliciously fiercely

211    nice extravagant, pampered/lascivious    men…jests I allowed captives tobe redeemed for trifles

214    gaudy luxurious

215    sad melancholy/somber, grave

216    mock…bell stay up late, make a night of it (perhaps with suggestion of scorning the death bell)

218    held it poor marked it in a poor fashion

224    sap in’t yet still life left

225    contend…scythe compete with death, killing as many as he does with the plague (contend plays on the sense of “engage in amorous conflict, embrace”)

227    outstare defy, stare down    furious full of fierce passion/frenzied, raging

229    estridge ostrich/goshawk

231    heart courage

Act 4 Scene 1

 4.1    Location: Caesar’s camp outside Alexandria

    1    as as if

    4    ruffian villain/swaggering bully/protector or confederate of prostitutes

    9    breath breathing space

  10    Make boot take advantage    distraction madness

  12    best heads chief commanders

  14    files ranks

  15    but late only recently

  16    fetch him in capture him

  17    store plenty of supplies

  18    waste extravagance

Act 4 Scene 2

 4.2    Location: Alexandria

    1    Domitius the only time that Antony uses Enobarbus’ first name

    4    of better fortune more fortunate than you

    7    or…Or either…or

    8    bathe…again a metaphor drawn from the belief that bathing in warm blood could cure one of debilitating diseases

    9    Woo’t wilt, i.e., will you

  10    ‘Take all’ “Winner takes all” (gambling phrase; plays on the sense of “Lower my ship’s sails in defeat and surrender everything”)

  14    honest honorable, faithful

  16    fellows fellow-servants

  18    tricks whims, caprices

  22    clapped up combined

  27    Scant…cups give me plenty to drink

  29    suffered was under, was subject to

  33    period end

  34    Haply perhaps    if…shadow if you do, it will be as a mutilated ghost

  35    Perchance maybe

  41    yield reward

  43    discomfort grief, distress

  44    onion-eyed i.e., weeping

  47    the…me may I be bewitched

  48    Grace forgiveness/the herb of grace (rue)    hearty kind-hearted/sincere/noble, courageous

  49    dolorous sad, dismal

  50    for your comfort in order to cheer you up

  51    burn…torches i.e., spend all night in revelry

  55    consideration serious thoughts

Act 4 Scene 3

    1    day i.e., of battle

    2    determine one way decide matters/conclude one way or another

    5    Belike probably

    7    careful cautious, wary

  10    absolute positive, free from all doubt

  12    brave valiant/splendid    purpose determination hautboys oboe-like instruments

  14    List listen

  18    signs well is a good omen

  21    Hercules legendary Greek hero of immense strength, supposed ancestor of Antony

  28    masters sirs

  29    we have quarter our watch extends

  30    give off cease

Act 4 Scene 4

    3    chuck chick (term of endearment)

    4    thine iron the armor that you are holding

    6    brave defy

  10    False that’s wrong (Cleopatra has got the wrong piece of armor, or has tried to attach a piece incorrectly)

  11    Sooth in truth    la emphatic exclamation

  12    Well i.e., Cleopatra’s assistance

  14    thy defences your own armor

  15    Briefly shortly

  17    Rarely splendidly

  18    we…repose I choose to remove it in order to rest (Antony uses the royal pronoun)

  19    doff’t take it off    storm rain of blows

  20    squire young man of good birth attendant on a knight

  21    tight deft    dispatch hurry up

  22    knew’st understood

  23    royal occupation business of kings, i.e., warfare

  24    workman expert craftsman

  25    him one    knows…charge has a military responsibility (i.e., comes to deliver a message)/has experience of fighting

  26    betime early

  29    riveted trim armor

  30    port gate

  33    ’Tis well blown referring either to the flourish of trumpets or to the dawning of the morning

  35    of note famous

  37    dame queen/my lady

  39    check reprimand    stand insist

  40    mechanic compliment formal etiquette

  41    that will who intend to

  45    That if only

  46    Determine decide/end

Act 4 Scene 5

 4.5    Location: Antony’s camp outside Alexandria

    1    happy fortunate

    2    Would I wish    prevailed succeeded in persuading

    5    revolted deserted

  21    charge order

  22    subscribe sign

  25    Dispatch do it straight away

Act 4 Scene 6

 4.6    Location: Caesar’s camp outside Alexandria

    2    took captured

    5    universal peace the Pax Romana, a long period of relative peace established under the rule of Emperor Augustus (Octavius’ subsequent title); also the beginning of the Christian era

    6    three-nooked three-cornered; either refers to the tripartite division of lands ruled by a triumvirate, or to the continents of Europe, Africa and Asia

    7    bear the olive bring forth the olive tree/wear an olive garland (symbolic of peace)    freely willingly, readily/abundantly/without impediment

  10    van vanguard, the front

  13    Jewry Judaea, modern Israel/Palestine

  14    dissuade persuaded to change his allegiance

  15    Great Herod Herod the Great, King of the Jews

  18    fell away deserted    entertainment hospitality/employment

  24    bounty overplus generous gift in addition

  25    on my guard while I was on guard duty

  29    safed escorted safely

  30    host army    office duties

  33    alone the only, the worst

  34    most more than anyone else, most acutely

  36    turpitude wickedness, depravity

  37    blows swells/batters

  38    swift thought instant despair    mean method (i.e., suicide)

  39    outstrike deal a heavier blow than/obliterate

  41    foul’st worst/muddiest

Act 4 Scene 7

 4.7    Location: the battlefield outside Alexandria    Alarum a call to arms

    1    Retire retreat, fall back

    2    has work has his hands full    our oppression the pressure on us

    5    droven driven

    6    clouts cloths, bandages/blows

    9    H puns on “ache” (the two were similarly pronounced)

  11    bench-holes toilet holes

  12    scotches gashes

  13    serves is as good as/gives us the opportunity

  15    score mark with cuts

  16    snatch…behind an image from hare-hunting

  17    runner one who runs away, a coward

  19    sprightly comfort spirited encouragement

  21    halt limp

Act 4 Scene 8

    2    gests deeds

    5    doughty-handed hardy in battle

    6    as…cause as though you merely served the general cause    as’t…mine as if each of you had the same personal motivation as me

    7    shown all Hectors all behaved like Hector, the most renowned Trojan warrior

    8    clip embrace

  10    congealment congealed blood

  11    whole better, healed (puns on “hole”)

  12    fairy magical being, enchantress

  13    day light

  14    Chain…neck put your arms around my armor-clad neck

  15    proof of harness invulnerable armor

  16    pants triumphing in triumph on my panting breast

  18    virtue courage

  22    something somewhat

  23    nerves muscles

  24    Get…youth score as many victories as a young man (the image may be of running or of football)

  25    Commend entrust

  28    such a shape the shape of a man

  31    carbuncled studded with gems

  32    holy Phoebus’ car the chariot of the Greek and Roman sun god

  34    targets shields    like…them i.e., honorably (or possibly “hacked at like the soldiers they belong to”)    owe own

  36    camp accommodate    sup eat

  37    carouses toasts

  38    royal peril great danger, fit for a king

  39    brazen brass/bold

  40    Make mingle combine your sounds with those of    taborins drums

  41    That…together so that their sounds reverberate back and forth from earth to heaven

Act 4 Scene 9

 4.9    Location: Caesar’s camp outside Alexandria

    2    th’court of guard the guardroom

    3    shiny bright    embattle prepare for battle

    5    shrewd bad, difficult/damaging

    8    close concealed    list listen to

  10    When…memory when deserters are remembered with hatred in written accounts

  15    sovereign…melancholy i.e., the moon, associated with melancholy and madness

  16    damp of night the damp night air was considered noxious    disponge pour down as from a squeezed sponge

  17    rebel…will i.e., because Enobarbus wishes to die

  19    flint stony hardness

  20    dried with grief each sigh was thought to drain the heart of a drop of blood

  23    thine own particular personally

  24    rank…register publicly record me to be

  25    fugitive deserter

  31    Swoons faints    bad desperate

  36    raught seized

  37    demurely quietly

  39    of note an important man    hour…out time on duty is over

Act 4 Scene 10

4.10    Location: the battlefield outside Alexandria

    3    both i.e., sea and land

    4    i’th’fire or i’th’air the remaining two of the four elements (air, earth, fire, water)

    5    foot infantry

    8    put…haven left the harbor

    9    appointment purpose/equipment

Act 4 Scene 11

    1    But being charged unless we’re attacked    still inactive

    2    we shall we will be able to do

    3    vales flat lands between hills

    4    hold…advantage stay in the most advantageous position

Act 4 Scene 12

    1    Yet…joined battle has still not begun

    5    augurers Roman religious officials who predicted the future by interpreting, among other things, the behavior of birds

    8    by starts in turn

    9    fretted worn, decayed/checkered

  15    Triple-turned whore! i.e., Cleopatra, whose affections shifted three times: she had affairs with Julius Caesar, Gneius Pompey and Antony

  18    charm enchantress

  20    uprise rising

  23    spanieled followed like fawning spaniels

  24    discandy dissolve    melt their sweets the image is of dogs slobbering from the treats which have dissolved in their mouths

  25    this pine i.e., Antony himself    barked stripped of its bark

  27    grave serious/deadly, dangerous

  28    becked gestured

  29    Whose…end i.e., whose love was the aim and achievement of my life    crownet coronet

  30    gipsy believed to come from Egypt, proverbially deceitful    fast and loose cheating game much practiced by gypsies in which the victim bets on the apparent security of (or bets that he can secure) a cunningly coiled belt that is then readily unrolled; plays on the sense of “sexual cheating”

  31    Beguiled deceived

  32    spell enchantment    Avaunt! Be gone!

  35    blemish Caesar’s triumph spoil Caesar’s triumphal procession (in which he intends to display you as a captive)

  36    plebeians commoners

  37    spot stain, blemish

  38    monster-like, be shown be exhibited like a freak at a fair

  39    For for the benefit of, to (an audience of)    poor’st diminutives undergrown weaklings/dwarves    dolts idiots

  40    Patient long-suffering

  41    preparèd ready and waiting

  43    fell’st into had fallen victim to

  45    shirt of Nessus the poisoned shirt that Hercules’ wife Deianira unwittingly gave him; it was soaked with the blood of the centaur Nessus, whom Hercules had shot with a poisoned arrow after the attempted rape of Deianira, and who had revenged himself by telling Deianira that his blood could be used as a love charm

  46    Alcides Hercules

  47    Lichas the servant who brought Hercules the poisoned shirt and who was thrown into the sea by his enraged and pain-crazed master

  48    club famous emblem of Hercules’ strength

  49    worthiest most heroic, noblest/most deserving of death

Act 4 Scene 13

4.13    Location: Alexandria

    2    Telamon…shield Telamonian Ajax went mad and killed himself when the shield and armor of the dead Achilles were awarded to Ulysses rather than himself    boar of Thessaly sent by Diana to ravage the kingdom of Calydon in Thessaly, central Greece

    3    embossed driven to extremity, foaming at the mouth (used of a hunted animal)

    4    th’monument the tomb, burial chamber

    6    rive split

    7    going off departing, being lost

Act 4 Scene 14

    1    thou…me can you still see me (Antony feels himself to have become insubstantial)

    3    dragonish dragon-shaped

    5    pendent jutting, overhanging

    6    promontory headland

    8    mock deceive    signs images/omens/pretences

    9    vesper evening    pageants theatrical shows/empty illusions/tricks

  11    with a thought as quick as thought

  12    rack cloud (plays on the sense of “torture instrument that dislocates the limbs”)    dislimns paints out, obliterates (puns on “dislimbs,” i.e., removes the limbs from their sockets)

  15    knave boy, lad

  18    Egypt the Queen of Egypt

  22    Packed stacked, shuffled    false-played falsely played away

  23    triumph victory/trump card

  26    robbed…sword destroyed my soldiership/emasculated me

  28    mingled…entirely were completely bound up with yours

  30    saucy impudent

  33    discharged paid in full

  34    unto thy hand for you

  37    divided…lips she spoke half of your name before she died, the rest was still in her heart

  38    rendered surrendered, gave up

  43    That…richly you may consider yourself amply rewarded by the fact that I haven’t harmed you

  46    seven-fold…Ajax Ajax’s bronze shield was backed by seven layers of oxhide

  47    battery assault with heavy blows, bombardment    cleave split

  48    continent container

  49    Apace quickly

  50    bruisèd pieces dented armor

  51    From leave

  54    length delay    torch i.e., the life of Cleopatra (aural play on torture)

  56    very…strength as an animal caught in a net is entangled by its efforts to escape

  57    Seal conclude

  58    Stay wait

  59    souls…flowers i.e., the paradisiacal Elysian Fields, where, in Greek mythology, the blessed went after death    couch lie

  60    sprightly port lively bearing

  61    Dido…Aeneas emblematic tragic lovers in Virgil’s Aeneid; the Trojan hero, Aeneas, survived the sack of Troy, landed at Carthage in north Africa and became the lover of Queen Dido, whom he eventually abandoned to found Rome; she committed suicide in despair    want troops lack followers

  62    all…ours all will follow us (haunt plays on its ghostly sense)

  63    would wishes

  67    green Neptune’s back the sea, of which Neptune was the Roman god

  68    With…cities commanded fleets of ships so large that they were like cities    to lack for lacking

  72    exigent emergency/urgent legal summons

  74    prosecution pursuit/persecution/carrying out of legal proceedings

  79    withhold restrain/preserve

  80    Parthian darts arrows of the Parthians, famous for shooting backward on horseback

  81    enemy hostile

  83    windowed placed at a window

  84    pleached folded/crossed and bound

  85    corrigible submissive

  86    penetrative intense, penetrating    wheeled seat chariot

  88    branded…ensued marked, as a brand does a criminal, the humiliating lowliness of he who followed

  91    honest faithful, honorable    worn Most useful put to such good use

  93    pardon me release me from this duty

  96    precedent previous

  97    unpurposed of no use

  99    worship worth, honor

100    Lo thee! See!

114    I…not I ought to do and you couldn’t do for me

115    instruction teaching by example    got upon me gained before I have/got as an advantage over me

116    nobleness in record noble reputation in history

117    bridegroom…bed playing on the idea of death as orgasm

121    dispatch me finish me off

126    his period its end

134    enter…him gain me admittance to his service/allow me to ingratiate myself

139    Sufficing…death sufficient blows to kill me

140    absolute complete, perfect

147    found proved true

148    disposed come to terms

150    how…work the effect it might have

156    bides waits/dwells

158    live…out outlive your faithful men

160    heavy sorrowful

161    sharp harsh, merciless

162    grace honor    Bid…Which welcome what

Act 4 Scene 15

4.15    Location: outside Cleopatra’s monument, Alexandria    aloft on the gallery above the main stage

  12    sphere planets and stars were thought to orbit within transparent concentric spheres that ringed the earth    Darkling in darkness

  13    The…o’th’world the world is imaged as a coastline against which darkness and light ebb and flow; there is also suggestion of the world itself being a changeable place

  22    importune urge, entreat (death to delay)

  27    th’imperious show the imperial spectacle, i.e., triumphal procession

  29    brooched adorned by my presence like a brooch

  30    operation power, efficacy

  32    still conclusion silent judgment

  33    Demuring looking demurely/gazing at length

  38    heaviness sorrow/weight

  39    Juno supreme Roman goddess, Jove’s wife

  40    Mercury messenger of the Roman gods, traditionally depicted wearing winged sandals

  42    Wishers…fools proverbial

  43    Die…lived do not die until you have really lived (“die” has orgasmic connotations)

  44    Quicken come to life

  46    heavy grievous, pitiful

  49    rail so high curse so loudly

  50    false housewife treacherous whore    wheel the Roman goddess Fortuna was conventionally depicted turning a wheel, which raised men up before casting them down (may pick up on the domestic sense of housewife to play on the sense of “spinning wheel”)

  51    offence abusive language

  54    They…together i.e., honor and safety

  56    None…Proculeius trust none of Caesar’s officers except Proculeius

  64    Not…countryman I have not submitted like a coward to Caesar

  65    by a Roman i.e., by himself; Roman signifies the virtues of honor and courage

  68    woo’t wilt, i.e., will you

  71    sty pigsty/place inhabited by whores and lustful people

  73    garland wreath crowning a victorious war hero

  74    pole battle-standard, pole bearing a military flag/Pole Star (phallic connotations are also present)

  75    odds is gone distinction between great and small

  76    remarkable wonderful, extraordinary

  77    visiting i.e., which comes and goes as it waxes and wanes

  85    e’en only

  86    passion overpowering emotion/grief/a faint

  87    chares chores

  88    sceptre ornamental rod, symbol of royal authority    injurious harmful/unjust

  91    sottish foolish

  97    Our lamp i.e., Antony    sirs valid, if less frequently used, address form for women

  98    brave splendid/valiant

  103    briefest end swiftest death    bearing of carrying

Act 5 Scene 1

 5.1    Location: Caesar’s camp outside Alexandria

    2    frustrate defeated    mocks makes himself ridiculous in

    3    pauses delays

    6    thus i.e., with drawn sword in the presence of a ruler; in Shakespeare’s time this was a treasonous offense

  10    wore…haters spent my life fighting his enemies

  17    breaking destruction (of Antony)/disclosure (of the news)

  18    crack loud noise/fracture

  19    civil city/orderly

  20    their dens their own homes/lions’dens

  21    single doom the fate of one individual alone

  22    moiety half

  25    self same

  36    persisted persistently sought

  37    waged equal with battled equally within

  39    steer humanity guide a man/govern mankind

  44    launch lance

  46    shown i.e., through my own downfall

  47    stall dwell

  49    sovereign…hearts potent as heart’s blood

  50    competitor partner

  51    top…design the loftiest of undertakings

  52    front battlefront/forehead

  53    heart…kindle my heart took courage from his

  54    stars, Unreconciliable unreconcilable fortunes

  55    divide…this separate us, who were so equally matched in everything, to this degree

  57    meeter season fitter time

  58    looks…him appears to be urgent judging by his expression

  60    yet i.e., still not a Roman subject

  62    intents intentions

  63    frame herself ready herself, adapt herself

  66    by…ours through my representatives

  68    lean incline, be disposed

  69    ungentle unkind/discourteous/ignoble

  72    purpose intend

  73    quality…passion nature ofher grief

  75    her…triumph her presence at my triumphal procession would make it famous forever

  77    with your speediest as fast as you can

  78    of her her to be

  86    hardly reluctantly

  87    still always

  88    writings i.e., to Antony

Act 5 Scene 2

 5.2    Location: inside Cleopatra’s monument, Alexandria

    1    desolation despair/loneliness/ruin

    2    better life more virtuous, unworldly

    3    knave servant

    5    that thing i.e., suicide

    6    shackles…change prevents the effects of chance and changes of mortality

    7    palates tastes    dung The dungy earth

    8    beggar’s…Caesar’s i.e., sustainer of all men

  10    study on consider    fair liberal/just

  11    Thou mean’st you would wish

  16    I…trusting I’m not concerned whether you deceive me since I have no interest in trust/I do not like being deceived since I know how little value there is in trust

  26    Make…reference refer your entire situation

  27    grace virtue/mercy

  29    sweet dependency willing submissiveness

  30    pray in aid crave your assistance (legal phrase)

  33    vassal slave/servant and dependant    send…got recognize his great achievement and authority

  35    doctrine lesson

  40    surprised ambushed and captured

  47    Relieved rescued

  54    let come forth allow to be demonstrated

  59    meat food

  60    idle…necessary even if I must engage in idle chatter (in order to stay awake)

  61    mortal house her body/royal line of the Ptolemies

  63    pinioned with clipped wings

  66    varletry rabble

  67    censuring disapproving, judgmental

  70    Blow…abhorring lay their eggs in my body, making me repulsive as they hatch out

  71    make…gibbet let me hang from the pyramids (again, seemingly thought of as an obelisk)    pyramides i.e., four syllables with stress on second

  73    extend exaggerate

  78    For as for

  90    trick custom, habit

  96    stuck were set

  98    little little people (most editors emend unnecessarily to “little O,” small circle)

100    bestrid straddled; reminiscent of the Colossus of Rhodes, the giant statue of the sun god Helios that stood astride the harbor entrance    reared raised

101    Crested crowned; a raised arm brandishing a sword was a common heraldic emblem    propertied…spheres had the same qualities as those found in the harmonious spheres (supposedly, the crystalline spheres thought to contain the planets and stars produced heavenly music as they rotated)

102    to friends when he spoke to friends

103    quail subdue, terrify    orb earth

104    For as for

106    delights…in his joys and pleasures lifted him above the everyday world in which he lived as a dolphin’s leaps lift it clear of the water

108    livery particular uniform of a nobleman’s servants

109    crowns and crownets kings and princes

110    plates silver coins

117    size scope    wants…fancy lacks material to make creatures that can compete with those of the imagination

118    yet…quite but if nature could imagine such an Antony it would be her masterpiece and would completely discredit the creations of imagination

123    As…weight correspondingly heavily    Would…root may I never achieve the success I’ve sought if the grief I see reflected in you doesn’t strike to the bottom of my heart

129    loath reluctant    would wish

142    Take…thoughts Do not reproach yourself harshly

144    written…flesh I bear the scars

146    sir master

147    project present, set out

149    like frailties similar moral weaknesses

152    extenuate…enforce excuse rather than emphasize (faults)

153    apply…intents comply with my plans

156    lay…cruelty make me appear cruel

157    bereave deprive

162    scutcheons shields bearing coats of arms; the shields of captured enemies were often displayed by the victor    signs tokens/military banners

164    for that concerns

165    brief inventory, summary

167    Not…admitted discounting trivial items

180    pomp is followed those in power are served    Mine my servants

181    shift estates change places

184    hired paid for

186    Though even if

187    rarely exceptionally

190    vouchsafing condescending

193    Parcel enumerate one by one/make up, add to

195    lady suitable for a lady, i.e., insignificant

196    Immoment toys trifling knickknacks

197    modern ordinary    withal with

199    Livia Caesar’s wife

200    unfolded With exposed by

201    bred brought up (or “trained”) as a member of my household

203    cinders glowing coals

204    chance fortune

206    Forbear withdraw

207    misthought misjudged

209    merits deserts, whether good or bad

213    i’th’roll of conquest on the official list of booty

214    Bestow dispose of

215    make prize haggle

217    Make…prisons you are confined only by your own thoughts

218    dispose make arrangements for

224    words me deceives me with words    that…myself in order to prevent me taking the noble course of action (i.e., suicide)

228    Hie thee again come back quickly

229    spoke given orders

230    put…haste do it quickly

239    before ahead

247    puppet actor in a pantomime (or triumphal pageant)/dressed-up doll/contemptuous term for a woman

248    Mechanic slaves coarse workmen

249    rules measuring rods

250    thick foul

251    Rank of reeking due to

252    drink drink in, breathe

254    Saucy impudent/lascivious    lictors local officials

255    strumpets prostitutes    scald scurvy, contemptible

256    Ballad us sing ballads about us    quick quick-witted    comedians actors

257    Extemporally in improvised performance

260    Some…greatness my greatness imitated by a boy with a squeaky voice; on the Shakespearean stage, Cleopatra was herself played by a boy actor

269    Show me let me appear

270    attires clothing/headdress    Cydnus the river on which she first met Antony, now the Tarsus Cay, in southern Turkey

271    Sirrah sir (used to social inferiors, more commonly to men)

272    dispatch make haste/finish matters

273    chare chore

280    poor an a poor

282    placed fixed

284    marble-constant as firm and unyielding as marble    fleeting changeful, inconstant    Clown rustic

287    Avoid withdraw

288    worm snake

291    immortal malapropism for “mortal”

293    on’t from it

295    honest truthful/chaste    lie tell lies/have sex

296    do plays on the sense of “have sex”    died plays on the sense of “had an orgasm”

297    o’th’worm now with phallic connotations

298    falliable malapropism for “infallible”

303    do his kind do what is natural to him (do plays on its sexual sense)

307    Take…care don’t worry

309    eat bite/consume after death/enjoy sexually

311    dress clothe/prepare for cooking

312    whoreson damned, bastard

315    forsooth indeed

317    Immortal longings longings for immortality

319    Yare quickly, nimbly

320    rouse himself with connotations of penile erection

321    act deed/theatrical performance (with connotations of “sexual act”)

323    their after wrath the anger of the gods that was subsequently visited on those who became insolent in their good fortune    come with connotations of orgasm

324    title right

325    fire and air the more spiritual of the four elements

329    aspic asp, a small venomous snake

331    stroke blow/caress/lethal snakebite

334    leave-taking a formal goodbye

337    This i.e., Iras’ death

338    curlèd handsome, with beautifully styled hair

339    spend expend, bestow (perhaps with connotations of ejaculation)

340    mortal deadly

341    intrinsicate intricate (but with shades of “intrinsic,” i.e., situated within)

342    fool like    wretch, a term of endearment

345    Unpolicied outwitted in political intrigue

346    eastern star Venus, the Morning Star, visible in the eastern sky

353    What why

356    Downy windows i.e., eyelids

358    Of by    awry crooked, askew

359    mend adjust    rustling making a noise, clattering

365    beguiled cheated

373    thy…this your fears have been realized here    Train retinue, followers

378    augurer prophet

379    That what

381    levelled took aim at, guessed    purposes intentions

385    simple harmless/humble

390    trimming up neatening    diadem crown/jeweled head band worn by eastern monarchs

396    As as if

397    toil net, snare    grace charm, beauty

399    vent discharge    blown swollen/deposited

406    conclusions infinite innumerable experiments

410    clip encompass/embrace

411    high of great magnitude/noble

412    Strike…them afflict with sorrow those who brought them about    their…lamented the pity that their story provokes is as great as the glory of their conqueror (Caesar)/their story is as tragic as Antony’s glory was great

THE TRAGEDY OF CYMBELINE

Many commentators have observed how fitting it is that The Tempest is printed at the beginning of the First Folio of Shakespeare’s plays. Its reflections on art, together with the resemblance of Prospero to a dramatist and his island to a theater, where a play is staged within the play by actors who are spirits, make it seem like a Shakespearean showpiece, a summation of his art. Far fewer commentators have considered how equally appropriate it is that Cymbeline is printed at the end of the First Folio. Though entitled The Tragedy of Cymbeline, it ends not with multiple deaths but with family reunion and political reconciliation. “Pardon’s the word to all” as revelations pile in upon one another, each of them “a mark of wonder,” while a nation is restored to peace: the play could equally well have been classed as a comedy or a British history. The stylistic experimentation almost serves as an ironic epilogue to the Folio’s tripartite division into comedies, histories, and tragedies: tragical-comical-historical-pastoral, Cymbeline would have been Polonius’ favorite work in the canon. Furthermore, in a manner analogous to the wittily extreme variations on classical motifs in Baroque art, both the narrative arc and the characterization revisit and revise, in a highly self-conscious manner, an array of favorite Shakespearean motifs: the cross-dressed heroine, the move from court to country, obsessive sexual jealousy, malicious Machiavellian plotting, the interrogation of Roman values.

For Shakespeare, the material provided the opportunity to reach back to some of his earliest work. As in Titus Andronicus, a copy of Ovid’s Metamorphoses is brought on stage as a prop. It is Innogen’s bedtime reading: “She hath been reading late, / The tale of Tereus. Here the leaf’s turned down / Where Philomel gave up.” The allusion marks the moment at which Innogen is betrayed. But whereas in Titus Lavinia’s quoting of Philomel’s tragic tale is the means to the revelation of her own rape, Iachimo can destroy Innogen’s reputation simply by looking at her. His removal of the bracelet from her arm is a symbolic violation of her chastity. In Shakespeare’s other rape story, the poem of Lucrece, Tarquin presses violently down on his victim’s breasts, but here Iachimo merely watches and reports, noting in particular an identifying mole on her left breast. It is the eyes of a spectator that do the undressing here, not the tearing hands of a Tarquin. When Iachimo himself alludes to the rapacious emperor—“Our” Tarquin, a fellow-Roman—he rewrites the night scene of Lucrece in a lyrical mode: “Our Tarquin thus / Did softly press the rushes, ere he wakened / The chastity he wounded.” The sibilance seems tender rather than sinister: “Softly press” suggests not only stealth, but also a lover’s touch. And “wounded” grossly understates the severity of Tarquin’s deed. This has the effect of sublimating the image of rape—Philomel gives up as in a dream, not in brutal reality as on the stage of Titus, thus making it easier for the audience to put itself in the position of Iachimo. To note and to wonder at the beauty of the sleeping Innogen does not seem to do any harm. Yet “yellow Iachimo” does work harm, and it takes all the play’s twists and turns, including an apparent death and an actual physical violation when Posthumus strikes Fidele/Innogen, to undo that harm.

The audience, then, is forced to confront its own complicity in Iachimo’s deed. His gaze is ours. Shakespeare makes the point by means of the chimneypiece in the bedroom. While in the room, Iachimo records “the contents o’th’story.” In his subsequent narration to Posthumus he reveals them:

The chimney

Is south the chamber, and the chimney-piece

Chaste Dian bathing: never saw I figures

So likely to report themselves; the cutter

Was as another nature dumb, outwent her,

Motion and breath left out.

The gaze is fixed on the naked Diana bathing: Iachimo and with him the audience stand in the position occupied in Ovidian mythology by the hunter Actaeon, who is metamorphosed into a stag and torn to pieces by his own hounds as punishment for his desiring gaze upon the goddess of chastity. Shakespeare uses this reference to introduce the motif of self-destructive sexual desire. The poetry almost makes us forget that we never saw the chimneypiece: what we witnessed was the sleeping figure of Innogen, as mediated through the language of Iachimo’s gorgeous but prurient soliloquy.

The art of the chimneypiece, like that of Hermione’s statue in The Winter’s Tale, is said to have outdone nature. A few lines earlier, Iachimo has reported that the tapestry in the chamber told the story of Mark Antony meeting Cleopatra at Cydnus; here Shakespeare echoes back his own recent play in which Enobarbus describes Cleopatra at Cydnus as being so desirable that “but for vacancy” the air would have joined the people of the city in going to gaze on her. The fictive chimneypiece recapitulates and goes beyond this: the artist’s figures seem on the verge of speech and movement, they are “likely to report themselves” and though they are “dumb” they seem to make nature seem dumber. The air has vacated nature and entered the artwork. When we associate Diana with Innogen, the goddess seems to step down from the chimneypiece and become embodied on stage in the form of a lovely boy actor. The image effects in the audience’s mind what The Winter’s Tale feigns to deliver in performance: the metamorphosis of art into life. This is late Shakespeare at his most sophisticated and self-consciously inventive.

An eyewitness account of a performance of the play in 1611 makes much of the scene in which Iachimo emerges from the trunk. Watching for the plot, what Dr. Simon Forman remembered most vividly was Innogen’s bedchamber:

Remember also the story of Cymbeline king of England, in Lucius’ time, how Lucius came from Octavius Caesar for tribute, and being denied, after sent Lucius with a great army of soldiers who landed at Milford Haven, and after were vanquished by Cymbeline, and Lucius taken prisoner, and all by means of 3 outlaws, of the which 2 of them were the sons of Cymbeline, stolen from him when they were but 2 years old by an old man whom Cymbeline banished, and he kept them as his own sons 20 years with him in a cave. And how [one] of them slew Cloten, that was the queen’s son, going to Milford Haven to seek the love of Innogen the king’s daughter, whom he had banished also for loving his daughter, and how the Italian that came from her love conveyed himself into a chest, and said it was a chest of plate sent from her love and others, to be presented to the king. And in the deepest of the night, she being asleep, he opened the chest, and came forth of it, and viewed her in her bed, and the marks of her body, and took away her bracelet, and after accused her of adultery to her love, etc. And in the end how he came with the Romans into England and was taken prisoner, and after revealed to Innogen, who had turned herself into man’s apparel and fled to meet her love at Milford Haven, and chanced to fall on the cave in the woods where her 2 brothers were, and how by eating a sleeping dram they thought she had been dead, and laid her in the woods, and the body of Cloten by her, in her love’s apparel that he left behind him, and how she was found by Lucius, etc. (“Book of Plays,” spelling modernized)

Forman’s report reveals how much detail an attentive spectator could grasp in a complex Shakespearean drama—though he does seem to have momentarily muddled Cloten and Posthumus, just as Innogen/Fidele does. The account also suggests that Shakespearean playgoers worried little about the plot’s dependence on frequent coincidences. Strikingly, though, this spectator’s enthusiasm peters out toward the end: the closing reunions and the descent of Jupiter in Posthumus’ dream do not merit a mention. The long and outlandish final scene is extremely difficult to stage effectively: it has sometimes been played as parody, is often heavily cut, and has even been comprehensively rewritten (by George Bernard Shaw).

In the movement of the action from court to country, Cymbeline has a similar structure to the more popular and better-known Winter’s Tale. The two plays were probably written within a year of each other. The similarities are abundant. A man is falsely led to believe in his wife’s infidelity, with the result that his powers of reasoning are distorted and his language collapses into crabbed, dense invective against female wiles:

…for there’s no motion

That tends to vice in man, but I affirm

It is the woman’s part: be it lying, note it,

The woman’s: flattering, hers: deceiving, hers:

Lust and rank thoughts, hers, hers: revenges, hers:

Ambitions, covetings, change of prides, disdain,

Nice longing, slanders, mutability,

All faults that may be named, nay, that hell knows,

Why, hers, in part or all…

In fact, throughout Shakespeare’s works, most of these vices and faults are to be found in the men’s parts, not the women’s. It is the woman—Marina, Perdita, Innogen—who restores harmony.

In Cymbeline, as in The Winter’s Tale, she does so in combination with the forces of nature. The febrile air of court intrigue is cleared when we move outdoors and encounter princes disguised as shepherds. It is perhaps in Cymbeline that Shakespeare’s art of natural observation is at its most acute. The supposedly dead Fidele is apostrophized with the phrase “the azured harebell like thy veins.” The color and structure of the harebell do precisely resemble those of human veins.

The association of Innogen with nature goes back to the bedroom scene. The key token of recognition, the mole on her breast, is “cinque-spotted: like the crimson drops / I’th’bottom of a cowslip.” Is there any other English poet save the country laborer John Clare who could have created such a simile, who has such an eye as acute as Shakespeare’s for the intricacies of natural history and the apt metaphorical application of them to human encounters?

As well as being a pastoral fantasy and a fairy story, complete with wicked stepmother and poison (which, thanks to an honest-hearted physician, turns out to be mere sleeping potion), this is a play about the Romans in Britain, under the auspices of the god Jupiter. The title in the Folio contents list is “Cymbeline King of Britain.” Shakespeare’s other King of Britain was Lear, who made the mistake of dividing his kingdom in three. Cymbeline may have been placed among the tragedies by the editors of the Folio because it traverses the same elevated ground of national history and destiny. But whereas the disarray of the divided nation in Lear is a negative example, perhaps intended to make the play’s original audience feel relief that King James had recently united the thrones of Scotland and England, the resolution of Cymbeline is altogether positive: “Never was a war did cease, / Ere bloody hands were washed, with such a peace.”

Cymbeline was supposed to have been King of Britain in the year when Christ was born; at that time, the Roman emperor was Augustus. Shakespeare’s audience would have known that Augustus was the Caesar to whom Cymbeline agrees to pay tribute money, despite the miraculous victory of the British when Belarius, Guiderius, and Arviragus (otherwise known as Morgan, Polydore, and Cadwal) hold the road against apparently insurmountable odds. The end of the play heralds an “Augustan peace,” in which Britain is imagined as the equal of Rome. Milford Haven in Wales is a vital location and point of reference in the play. The more historically and politically literate members of Shakespeare’s original audience would have recalled that it was the port where Henry Tudor—the Richmond of Richard III and the future King Henry VII—landed in 1485, the year that brought the Wars of the Roses to an end and established the Tudor dynasty that turned the tables on modern Rome and began to establish an image of their nation as the divinely chosen Christian successor-empire to that of Augustus.

Imagine King James watching the play: he would have seen himself as a composite version of Cymbeline and Augustus, both a British king and a neo-Roman emperor. From the point of view of characterization, the part of King Cymbeline is astonishingly underwritten. His interior life is never opened to us, as is that of Lear or, in this play, Princess Innogen. All he seems to do in the long closing scene is ask questions, express amazement, and pronounce benediction. This makes sense if he is intended to offer an oblique representation of James, King of Britain. It would not do to inquire too closely into the monarch’s interior life. Instead, Cymbeline is the ideal spectator: during a court performance, the king would have been sitting at the focal point of the hall. In a production that works, his amazement, his questions, and his acceptance are also ours.

KEY FACTS

PLOT: Cymbeline, King of Britain when Augustus Caesar was Emperor of Rome, has a daughter, Innogen, and two sons who were stolen in infancy. The queen, his second wife, has a son, Cloten, whom Cymbeline wishes Innogen to marry; but she has secretly married a commoner, Posthumus Leonatus. Cymbeline banishes Posthumus to Rome, where he meets Iachimo, who wagers with him that he can seduce Innogen. Arriving in Britain, Iachimo realizes that she is incorruptible, but, hiding in her bedroom, obtains evidence that convinces Posthumus that he has won the wager. Posthumus orders his servant Pisanio to kill Innogen at Milford Haven, but instead Pisanio advises her to disguise herself as Fidele, a page; in Wales, she meets her brothers, who were stolen twenty years before by the banished nobleman Belarius. Cloten pursues Innogen to Wales in Posthumus’ clothes, determined to rape her and kill Posthumus. Instead, he is killed by one of her brothers, and his decapitated body laid beside Innogen, who has taken a potion that makes her appear dead. When she revives, Innogen/ Fidele joins the Roman army, which is invading Britain as a result of Cymbeline’s failure to pay tribute to Rome. Posthumus and the stolen princes are instrumental in defeating the Roman army. A final scene of explanations leads to private and public reconciliation.

MAJOR PARTS: (with percentage of lines/number of speeches/scenes on stage) Innogen (16%/118/10), Posthumus Leonatus (12%/77/8), Iachimo (12%/77/6), Belarius (9%/58/6), Cymbeline (8%/81/6), Cloten (7%/77/7), Pisanio (6%/58/10), Guiderius (5%/62/6), Queen (5%/27/5), Arviragus (4%/46/5), Caius Lucius (3%/25/5), Cornelius (2%/13/2), First Gentleman (2%/ 10/1), First Jailer (1%/9/1), Second Lord (1%/20/3), Philario (1%/14/2).

LINGUISTIC MEDIUM: 85% verse, 15% prose.

DATE: 1610. Simon Forman attended a performance in April 1611; composition apparently postdates Beaumont and Fletcher’s Philaster (1608–10); probably belongs to the months when the theaters were reopened in spring 1610 after a long period of closure due to the plague; the emphasis on Wales may suggest composition around the time of the investiture of Henry as Prince of Wales in June 1610; perhaps performed at court during the winter of 1610–11.

SOURCES: The plot involving Cymbeline, Guiderius, Arviragus, and the Romans in Britain is derived from a rudimentary outline in Holinshed’s Chronicles (1587 edition); the heroic defense of the lane in the battle is imported from elsewhere in Holinshed. The story of the wager on a virtuous wife’s chastity goes back to Giovanni Boccaccio’s Decameron (2nd Day, 9th novel) via an anonymous prose romance, Frederyke of Jennen (1560 edition). The idea of combining pseudohistory with romance may have been inspired by Beaumont and Fletcher’s recent play Philaster, a pioneering work of Jacobean tragicomedy with a girl disguised as a boy, a mischief making older woman, a virtuous lady accused of an illicit sexual liaison, a contrast between a noble hero and an ignoble prince, the forbidden marriage of a princess to a commoner, a movement from court to country, and elements of masque-form. Some scholars, however, propose that Cymbeline influenced Philaster rather than vice versa.

TEXT: First Folio of 1623 is the only text. Probably set from a transcript by Ralph Crane, scribe to the King’s Men. Fairly well-printed text, though some correction required, especially in those parts of the play that were typeset by “Compositor E,” the least competent man in the printing house. The heroine is called “Innogen” in both Holinshed’s Chronicles and Simon Forman’s notes on seeing the play; this name also appears in Much Ado about Nothing (as well as in works by contemporaries such as Thomas Heywood and Michael Drayton). “Imogen” did not exist as a name at this time and, besides, the heroines of Shakespeare’s late plays are given symbolic names (Marina = from the sea; Perdita = the lost one; Miranda = cause for admiration; hence Innogen = innocent one). All this very strongly suggests that Folio’s “Imogen” was a minim scribal or compositorial error for “Innogen,” so we have corrected accordingly.

THE TRAGEDY OF CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE, King of Britain

INNOGEN, his daughter by a former queen, later disguised as Fidele

QUEEN, his second wife

CLOTEN, her son, Cymbeline’s stepson

POSTHUMUS Leonatus, husband to Innogen

PISANIO, his servant

CORNELIUS, a doctor

LADY attendant on Innogen, named Helen

Two LORDS attendant on Cloten

Two GENTLEMEN

Two British CAPTAINS

Two JAILERS

BELARIUS, a banished lord, living in Wales under the name Morgan

PHILARIO, an Italian, Posthumus’ host in Rome

IACHIMO, an Italian nobleman, friend to Philario

A FRENCHMAN

A Dutchman

A Spaniard

Caius LUCIUS, general of the Roman army

SOOTHSAYER, named Philharmonus

Two Roman SENATORS

A Roman TRIBUNE

A Roman CAPTAIN

JUPITER

Ghost of SICILIUS LEONATUS, Posthumus’ father

Ghost of Posthumus’ MOTHER

Ghosts of Posthumus’ two BROTHERS

Lords, Attendants, Messengers, Musicians, Roman Tribunes, British and Roman Captains, Soldiers

Act 1 Scene 11.1

running scene 1

        Enter two Gentlemen

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     You do not meet a man but frowns.¹ Our bloods

               No more obey the heavens than our courtiers

               Still³ seem as does the king.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN     But what’s the matter?

5

5     

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN             His daughter, and the heir of’s kingdom, whom

               He purposed to⁶ his wife’s sole son — a widow

               That late⁷ he married — hath referred herself

               Unto a poor but worthy gentleman. She’s wedded,

               Her husband banished, she imprisoned, all⁹

10

10            Is outward sorrow, though I think the king

               Be touched at very heart.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN     None but the king?

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     He¹³ that hath lost her too: so is the queen,

               That most desired the match. But not a courtier,

15

15            Although they wear their faces to the bent¹⁵

               Of the king’s looks, hath a heart that is not

               Glad at the thing they scowl at.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN     And why so?

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     He that hath missed¹⁹ the princess is a thing

20

20            Too bad for bad report: and he that hath her —

               I mean, that married her, alack, good man,

               And therefore banished — is a creature²² such

               As, to seek through the regions of the earth

               For one his like,²⁴ there would be something failing

25

25            In him that should compare. I do not think

               So fair an outward²⁶ and such stuff within

               Endows²⁷ a man but he.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN     You speak him far.²⁸

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     I do extend,²⁹ sir, within himself,

30

30            Crush him together rather than unfold

               His measure³¹ duly.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN     What’s his name and birth?³²

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     I cannot delve³³ him to the root: his father

               Was called Sicilius, who did join his honour³⁴

35

35            Against the Romans with Cassibelan,³⁵

               But had his titles by³⁶ Tenantius whom

               He served with glory and admired success:

               So gained the sur-addition³⁸ Leonatus.

               And had, besides this gentleman in question,

40

40            Two other sons, who in the wars o’th’time

               Died with their swords in hand. For which their father,

               Then old and fond of issue,⁴² took such sorrow

               That he quit being, and his gentle lady,

               Big of⁴⁴ this gentleman, our theme, deceased

45

45            As he was born. The king he takes the babe

               To his protection, calls him Posthumus Leonatus,

               Breeds him, and makes him of his bedchamber,⁴⁷

               Puts to him all the learnings⁴⁸ that his time

               Could make him the receiver of, which he took

50

50            As we do air, fast⁵⁰ as ’twas ministered,

               And in’s⁵¹ spring became a harvest: lived in court —

               Which rare⁵² it is to do — most praised, most loved:

               A sample⁵³ to the youngest, to th’more mature

               A glass⁵⁴ that feated them, and to the graver,

55

55            A child that guided dotards.⁵⁵ To his mistress,

               For whom he now is banished, her own price⁵⁶

               Proclaims⁵⁷ how she esteemed him; and his virtue

               By her election may be truly read,

               What kind of man he is.

60

60   

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN             I honour him even out of⁶⁰ your report.

               But pray you tell me, is she sole child to th’king?

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     His only child.

               He had two sons — if this be worth your hearing,

               Mark it — the eldest of them at three years old,

65

65            I’th’swathing clothes⁶⁵ the other, from their nursery

               Were stol’n, and to this hour no guess in knowledge

               Which way they went.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN     How long is this ago?

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     Some twenty years.

70

70 

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN             That a king’s children should be so conveyed,⁷⁰

               So slackly⁷¹ guarded, and the search so slow

               That could not trace them.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     Howsoe’er ’tis strange,⁷³

               Or that the negligence may well be laughed at,

75

75            Yet is it true, sir.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN     I do well believe you.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     We must forbear.⁷⁷ Here comes the gentleman,

               The queen and princess.

        Exeunt

        Enter the Queen, Posthumus and Innogen

QUEEN

QUEEN     No, be assured you shall not find me, daughter,

80

80            After the slander⁸⁰ of most stepmothers,

               Evil-eyed unto you. You’re my prisoner, but

               Your jailer shall deliver you the keys

               That lock up your restraint.⁸³ For you, Posthumus,

               So soon as I can win⁸⁴ th’offended king,

85

85            I will be known your advocate: marry,⁸⁵ yet

               The fire of rage is in him, and ’twere good

               You leaned unto⁸⁷ his sentence, with what patience

               Your wisdom may inform you.

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     Please⁸⁹ your highness,

90

90            I will from hence⁹⁰ today.

QUEEN

QUEEN     You know the peril.⁹¹

               I’ll fetch a turn⁹² about the garden, pitying

               The pangs⁹³ of barred affections, though the king

               Hath charged⁹⁴ you should not speak together.

        Exit

95

95   

INNOGEN

INNOGEN             O dissembling⁹⁵ courtesy! How fine this tyrant

               Can tickle where she wounds! My dearest husband,

               I something fear my father’s wrath, but nothing —

               Always reserved⁹⁸ my holy duty — what

               His rage can do on me. You must be gone,

100

100          And I shall here abide the hourly shot¹⁰⁰

               Of angry eyes: not comforted to live,

               But that there is this jewel in the world

               That I may see again.

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     My queen, my mistress:

105

105          O lady, weep no more, lest I give cause

               To be suspected of more¹⁰⁶ tenderness

               Than doth become a man. I will remain

               The loyal’st husband that did e’er plight troth.¹⁰⁸

               My residence in Rome, at one Philario’s,

110

110          Who to my father was a friend, to me

               Known but by letter: thither¹¹¹ write, my queen,

               And with mine eyes I’ll drink the words you send,

               Though ink be made of gall.¹¹³

        Enter Queen

QUEEN

QUEEN     Be brief, I pray you:

115

115          If the king come, I shall incur I know not

               How much of his displeasure.— Yet I’ll move him Aside

               To walk this way: I never do him wrong,

               But he does buy¹¹⁸ my injuries to be friends:

               Pays dear for my offences.

        [Exit]

120

120 

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS             Should we be taking leave

               As long a term¹²¹ as yet we have to live,

               The loathness¹²² to depart would grow. Adieu.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     Nay, stay a little:

               Were you but riding forth to air yourself,

125

125          Such parting were too petty.¹²⁵ Look here, love,

               This diamond was my mother’s; take it, heart, Gives a ring

               But keep it till you woo another wife,

               When Innogen is dead.

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     How, how? Another?

130

130          You gentle gods, give me but this I have,

               And cere¹³¹ up my embracements from a next

               With bonds of death. Remain, remain thou here Puts on the ring

               While sense¹³³ can keep it on: and sweetest, fairest,

               As¹³⁴ I my poor self did exchange for you

135

135          To your so infinite loss, so in our trifles¹³⁵

               I still win of you. For my sake wear this,

               It is a manacle of love. I’ll place it

               Upon this fairest prisoner.¹³⁸ Puts a bracelet on her arm

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     O, the gods!

140

140          When shall we see¹⁴⁰ again?

        Enter Cymbeline and Lords

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     Alack,¹⁴¹ the king!

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     Thou basest¹⁴² thing, avoid hence, from my sight:

               If after this command thou fraught¹⁴³ the court

               With thy unworthiness, thou diest. Away,

145

145          Thou’rt poison to my blood.

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     The gods protect you,

               And bless the good remainders¹⁴⁷ of the court:

               I am gone.

        Exit

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     There cannot be a pinch¹⁴⁹ in death

150

150          More sharp than this is.

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     O disloyal thing,

               That shouldst repair¹⁵² my youth, thou heap’st

               A year’s age on me.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     I beseech you, sir,

155

155          Harm not yourself with your vexation,

               I am senseless of¹⁵⁶ your wrath; a touch more rare

               Subdues all pangs, all fears.

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     Past grace?¹⁵⁹ Obedience?

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     Past hope and in despair: that way past grace.

160

160 

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE             That mightst have had the sole son of my queen.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     O, blest that I might not: I chose an eagle,

               And did avoid a puttock.¹⁶²

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     Thou took’st a beggar, wouldst have made my throne

               A seat for baseness.

165

165 

INNOGEN

INNOGEN             No, I rather added a lustre to it.

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE      O thou vile one!

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     Sir,

               It is your fault that I have loved Posthumus:

               You bred him as my playfellow, and he is

170

170          A man worth any woman: overbuys¹⁷⁰ me

               Almost the sum he pays.

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     What? Art thou mad?

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     Almost, sir: heaven restore me! Would I were

               A neatherd’s¹⁷⁴ daughter, and my Leonatus

175

175          Our neighbour shepherd’s son.

        Enter Queen

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     Thou foolish thing!—

               They were again together: you have done To Queen

               Not after¹⁷⁸ our command.— Away with her,

               And pen her up.

180

180 

QUEEN

QUEEN             Beseech¹⁸⁰ your patience: peace,

               Dear lady daughter, peace. Sweet sovereign,

               Leave us to ourselves, and make yourself some comfort

               Out of your best advice.¹⁸³

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     Nay, let her languish¹⁸⁴

185

185          A drop of blood a day, and being aged,

               Die of this folly.

        Exeunt [Cymbeline and Lords]

        Enter Pisanio

QUEEN

QUEEN     Fie,¹⁸⁷ you must give way.

               Here is your servant.— How now, sir? What news?

PISANIO

PISANIO     My lord your son drew¹⁸⁹ on my master.

190

190 

QUEEN

QUEEN             Ha?

               No harm I trust is done?

PISANIO

PISANIO     There might have been,

               But that my master rather played than fought,

               And had no¹⁹⁴ help of anger: they were parted

195

195          By gentlemen at hand.

QUEEN

QUEEN     I am very glad on’t.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     Your son’s my father’s friend, he takes his part¹⁹⁷

               To draw upon an exile.— O brave sir!—

               I would they were in Afric¹⁹⁹ both together,

200

200          Myself by with a needle, that I might prick

               The goer-back.²⁰¹—Why came you from your master?

PISANIO

PISANIO     On his command: he would not suffer²⁰² me

               To bring him to the haven:²⁰³ left these notes

               Of what commands I should be subject to,

205

205          When’t pleased you to employ me.

QUEEN

QUEEN     This hath been

               Your faithful servant: I dare lay²⁰⁷ mine honour

               He will remain so.

PISANIO

PISANIO     I humbly thank your highness.

210

210 

QUEEN

QUEEN             Pray walk awhile. To Innogen

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     About some half hour hence, pray you speak with me. To Pisanio

               You shall, at least, go see my lord aboard.

               For this time leave me.

        Exeunt

Act 1 Scene 2

running scene 1 continues

        Enter Cloten and two Lords

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     Sir, I would advise you to shift a shirt;¹ the violence of action hath made you reek as a sacrifice: where² air comes out, air comes in: there’s none abroad so wholesome as that you vent.

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     If my shirt were bloody, then to⁴ shift it. Have I hurt him?

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     No, faith: Aside not⁵ so much as his patience.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     Hurt him? His body’s a passable carcass⁶ if he be not hurt. It is a thoroughfare for steel if it be not hurt.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     Aside His⁸ steel was in debt, it went o’th’backside the town.

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     The villain would not stand me.⁹

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     Aside No, but he fled forward still, toward your face.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     Stand you? You have land enough of your own: but he added to your having, gave you some ground.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     As many inches as you have oceans.¹³ Aside Puppies!

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     I would they had not come between us.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     Aside So would I, till¹⁵ you had measured how long a fool you were upon the ground.

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     And that she should love this fellow, and refuse me!

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     Aside If it be a sin to make a true election,¹⁸ she is damned.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     Sir, as I told you always: her beauty and her brain go not together. She’s¹⁹ a good sign, but I have seen small reflection²⁰ of her wit.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     Aside She shines not upon fools, lest the reflection should hurt her.

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     Come, I’ll to my chamber: would there had²² been some hurt done.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     Aside I wish not so, unless it had been the fall of an ass,²³ which is no great hurt.

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     You’ll go with us?

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     I’ll attend your lordship.

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     Nay, come, let’s go together.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     Well,²⁸ my lord.

        Exeunt

Act 1 Scene 3

running scene 1 continues

        Enter Innogen and Pisanio

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     I would thou grew’st unto¹ the shores o’th’haven,

               And² questioned’st every sail: if he should write,

               And I not have it, ’twere a paper lost,

               As offered mercy⁴ is. What was the last

5

5              That he spake⁵ to thee?

PISANIO

PISANIO     It was his queen, his queen.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     Then waved his handkerchief?

PISANIO

PISANIO     And kissed it, madam.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     Senseless⁹ linen, happier therein than I:

10

10            And that was all?

PISANIO

PISANIO     No, madam: for so long

               As he could make me¹² with this eye, or ear,

               Distinguish him from others, he did keep¹³

               The deck, with glove, or hat, or handkerchief,

15

15            Still waving, as¹⁵ the fits and stirs of’s mind

               Could best express how slow¹⁶ his soul sailed on,

               How swift his ship.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     Thou¹⁸ shouldst have made him

               As little as a crow, or less, ere left¹⁹

20

20            To after-eye²⁰ him.

PISANIO

PISANIO     Madam, so I did.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     I would have broke mine eyestrings,²² cracked them, but

               To look upon him, till the diminution²³

               Of space had pointed²⁴ him sharp as my needle:

25

25            Nay, followed him, till he had melted from

               The smallness of a gnat to air: and then

               Have turned mine eye, and wept. But, good Pisanio,

               When shall we hear from him?

PISANIO

PISANIO     Be assured, madam,

30

30            With³⁰ his next vantage.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     I did not take my leave of him, but had

               Most pretty things to say: ere I could tell him

               How I would think on him at certain hours,

               Such thoughts and such: or I could make him swear

35

35            The shes³⁵ of Italy should not betray

               Mine interest³⁶ and his honour: or have charged him,

               At³⁷ the sixth hour of morn, at noon, at midnight,

               T’encounter³⁸ me with orisons, for then

               I am in heaven for him: or ere I could

40

40            Give him that parting kiss, which I had set

               Betwixt two charming⁴¹ words, comes in my father,

               And like the tyrannous breathing of the north,⁴²

               Shakes all our buds from growing.

        Enter a Lady

LADY

LADY     The queen, madam,

45

45            Desires your highness’ company.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     Those things I bid you do, get them dispatched.

               I will attend the queen.

PISANIO

LEPIDUS      Madam, I shall.

        Exeunt

Act 1 Scene 41.4

running scene 2

        Enter Philario, Iachimo, a Frenchman, a Dutchman and a Spaniard

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     Believe it, sir, I have seen him in Britain; he was then of¹ a crescent note, expected to prove so worthy as since he hath been² allowed the name of. But I could then have looked on him without³ the help of admiration, though the catalogue of his endowments⁴ had been tabled by his side and I to peruse him by items.

PHILARIO

PHILARIO     You speak of him when he was less furnished than now he is with that which makes him both without and within.

FRENCHMAN

FRENCHMAN     I have seen him in France: we had very many there could behold⁸ the sun with as firm eyes as he.

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     This matter of marrying his king’s daughter, wherein he must be weighed¹⁰ rather by her value than his own, words¹¹ him, I doubt not, a great deal from the matter.

FRENCHMAN

FRENCHMAN     And then his banishment.

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     Ay, and the approbation¹⁴ of those that weep this lamentable divorce under her colours are wonderfully to extend him, be it but¹⁵ to fortify her judgement, which else an easy battery¹⁶ might lay flat, for taking a beggar without less quality. But how comes it he is to sojourn¹⁷ with you? How creeps acquaintance?

PHILARIO

PHILARIO     His father and I were soldiers together, to whom I have been often bound for no less than my life.

        Enter Posthumus

Here comes the Briton. Let him be so entertained amongst you as suits²⁰ with gentlemen of your knowing²¹ to a stranger of his quality. I beseech you all be better known to this gentleman, whom I commend to you as a noble friend of mine. How worthy he is I will leave to appear hereafter, rather than story²³ him in his own hearing.

FRENCHMAN

FRENCHMAN     Sir, we²⁵ have known together in Orleans.

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     Since when I have been debtor to you for courtesies, which²⁶ I will be ever to pay, and yet pay still.

FRENCHMAN

FRENCHMAN     Sir, you o’errate my poor kindness, I was glad I did atone²⁸ my countryman and you: it had been pity you should have been put together,²⁹ with so mortal³⁰ a purpose as then each bore, upon importance of so slight and trivial a nature.

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     By your pardon, sir, I was then a young traveller, rather³² shunned to go even with what I heard than in my every action to be guided by others’ experiences: but upon my mended judgement — if I offend not to say it is mended — my quarrel was not altogether slight.

FRENCHMAN

FRENCHMAN     Faith, yes, to be put to the arbitrament of³⁶ swords, and by such two that would by all likelihood have confounded one the other, or have fallen both.

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     Can we, with manners, ask what was the difference?

FRENCHMAN

FRENCHMAN     Safely, I think: ’twas a contention in public, which may, without contradiction, suffer the report.⁴⁰ It was much like an argument that fell out last night, where each of us fell in praise of our country mistresses.⁴¹ This gentleman at that time vouching⁴² — and upon warrant of bloody affirmation — his to be more fair, virtuous, wise, chaste, constant, qualified and less attemptable⁴³ than any the rarest of our ladies in France.

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     That lady is not now living; or this gentleman’s opinion, by⁴⁵ this, worn out.

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     She holds⁴⁶ her virtue still, and I my mind.

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     You must not so far prefer her ’fore ours of Italy.

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     Being so far provoked as I was in France, I would abate her nothing,⁴⁸ though I profess myself⁴⁹ her adorer, not her friend.

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     As fair and as good — a kind of hand-in-hand comparison⁵⁰ — had been something too fair and too good for any lady in Britain. If she went before⁵¹ others I have seen as that diamond of yours outlustres many I have beheld, I could not but believe she excelled many: but I have not seen the most precious diamond that is, nor you the lady.

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     I praised her as I rated⁵⁵ her: so do I my stone.

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     What do you esteem⁵⁶ it at?

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     More than the world enjoys.⁵⁷

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     Either your unparagoned⁵⁸ mistress is dead, or she’s outprized by a trifle.

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     You are mistaken: the one may be sold or⁵⁹ given, or if there were wealth enough for the purchase, or merit for the gift. The other is not a thing for sale, and only the gift of the gods.

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     Which the gods have given you?

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     Which by their graces I will keep.

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     You⁶⁴ may wear her in title yours: but you know strange fowl light upon neighbouring ponds. Your ring⁶⁵ may be stolen too, so your brace of unprizable estimations, the one is but frail⁶⁶ and the other casual. A cunning thief, or a that-way-accomplished courtier, would hazard the winning both of first and last.

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     Your Italy contains none so accomplished a courtier to convince⁶⁸ the honour of my mistress, if in the holding or loss of that you term her frail. I do nothing doubt you have store⁷⁰ of thieves, notwithstanding, I fear not my ring.

PHILARIO

PHILARIO     Let us leave here,⁷¹ gentlemen.

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     Sir, with all my heart. This worthy signior, I thank him, makes no stranger of me, we are familiar at first.⁷³

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     With five times so much conversation, I should get⁷⁴ ground of your fair mistress, make her go back, even to the yielding, had I admittance and opportunity to friend.⁷⁶

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     No, no.

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     I dare thereupon pawn the moiety⁷⁸ of my estate, to your ring, which in my opinion o’ervalues it something:⁷⁹ but I make my wager rather against your confidence than her reputation. And to bar your offence⁸⁰ herein too, I durst attempt it against any lady in the world.

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     You are a great deal abused⁸² in too bold a persuasion, and I doubt not you⁸³ sustain what you’re worthy of by your attempt.

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     What’s that?

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     A repulse, though your attempt, as you call it, deserve more: a punishment too.

PHILARIO

PHILARIO     Gentlemen, enough of this, it came in⁸⁷ too suddenly. Let it die as it was born, and I pray you be better acquainted.

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     Would I had put my estate⁸⁹ and my neighbour’s on th’approbation of what I have spoke.

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     What lady would you choose to assail?

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     Yours, whom in constancy you think stands so safe. I will lay you ten thousand ducats⁹² to your ring, that commend⁹³ me to the court where your lady is, with no more advantage than the opportunity of a second conference,⁹⁴ and I will bring from thence that honour of hers which you imagine so reserved.⁹⁵

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     I will wage⁹⁶ against your gold, gold to it: my ring I hold dear as my finger, ’tis part of it.

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     You are a friend, and therein the wiser:⁹⁸ if you buy ladies’ flesh at a million a dram,⁹⁹ you cannot preserve it from tainting. But I see you have some religion in you, that you fear.

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     This is but a custom in your tongue:¹⁰¹ you bear a graver purpose I hope.

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     I am the master of my speeches, and would undergo¹⁰² what’s spoken, I swear.

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     Will you? I shall but lend my diamond till your return: let there be covenants drawn between’s.¹⁰⁵ My mistress exceeds in goodness the hugeness of your unworthy thinking. I dare you to this match: here’s my ring.

PHILARIO

PHILARIO     I will have¹⁰⁷ it no lay.

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     By the gods, it is one. If I bring you no sufficient testimony¹⁰⁸ that I have enjoyed the dearest bodily part of your mistress, my ten thousand ducats are yours, so is your diamond too. If I come off,¹¹⁰ and leave her in such honour as you have trust in, she your jewel, this your jewel and my gold are yours, provided I have your commendation¹¹² for my more free entertainment.

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     I embrace these conditions, let us have articles betwixt us.¹¹³ Only thus far you shall answer: if you make¹¹⁴ your voyage upon her and give me directly to understand you have prevailed, I am no further your enemy, she is not worth our debate. If she remain unseduced, you not making it appear otherwise, for your ill opinion and th’assault you have made to her chastity, you shall answer me with your sword.

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     Your hand, a covenant:¹¹⁹ we will have these things set down by lawful counsel, and straight away for Britain, lest¹²⁰ the bargain should catch cold and starve: I will fetch my gold and have our two wagers recorded

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     Agreed.

        [Exeunt Posthumus and Iachimo]

FRENCHMAN

FRENCHMAN     Will this hold,¹²³ think you?

PHILARIO

PHILARIO     Signior Iachimo will not from it.¹²⁴ Pray let us follow ’em.

        Exeunt

Act 1 Scene 51.5

running scene 3

        Enter Queen, Ladies and Cornelius

QUEEN

QUEEN     Whiles¹ yet the dew’s on ground, gather those flowers.

               Make haste. Who has the note² of them?

LADY

LADY     I, madam.

QUEEN

QUEEN     Dispatch.⁴ Exeunt Ladies

5

5              Now, master doctor, have you brought those drugs?

CORNELIUS

CORNELIUS     Pleaseth your highness, ay: here they are, madam: Presents a small box

               But I beseech your grace, without offence⁷ —

               My conscience bids me ask — wherefore⁸ you have

               Commanded of me these most poisonous compounds,⁹

10

10               Which are¹⁰ the movers of a languishing death:

               But¹¹ though slow, deadly?

QUEEN

QUEEN     I wonder, doctor,

               Thou ask’st me such a question: have I not been

               Thy pupil long? Hast thou not learned¹⁴ me how

15

15            To make perfumes? Distil? Preserve?¹⁵ Yea so,

               That our great king himself doth woo me oft

               For my confections?¹⁷ Having thus far proceeded —

               Unless thou think’st me devilish — is’t not meet¹⁸

               That I did amplify¹⁹ my judgement in

20

20            Other conclusions? I will try the forces²⁰

               Of these thy compounds on such creatures as

               We count not worth the hanging, but none human,

               To try the vigour²³ of them, and apply

               Allayments²⁴ to their act, and by them gather

25

25            Their several²⁵ virtues and effects.

CORNELIUS

CORNELIUS     Your highness

               Shall from this practice but make hard your heart:

               Besides, the seeing these effects will be

               Both noisome and infectious.²⁹

30

30   

QUEEN

QUEEN             O, content thee.³⁰—

        Enter Pisanio

               Here comes a flattering rascal, upon him Aside

               Will I first work: he’s for his master,

               And enemy to my son.— How now, Pisanio?—

               Doctor, your service for this time is ended,

35

35            ;Take your own way.

CORNELIUS

CORNELIUS     I do suspect you, madam, Aside

               But you shall do no harm.

QUEEN

QUEEN     Hark thee, a word. To Pisanio

CORNELIUS

CORNELIUS     I do not like her. She doth think she has Aside

40

40            Strange⁴⁰ ling’ring poisons: I do know her spirit,

               And will not trust one of her malice with

               A drug of such damned nature. Those she has

               Will stupefy and dull the sense awhile,

               Which first, perchance, she’ll prove⁴⁴ on cats and dogs,

45

45            Then afterward up higher:⁴⁵ but there is

               No danger in what show⁴⁶ of death it makes,

               More than the locking-up⁴⁷ the spirits a time,

               To be more fresh, reviving.⁴⁸ She is fooled

               With a most false effect: and I the truer

50

50            So to be false with her.

QUEEN

QUEEN     No further service, doctor,

               Until I send for thee.

CORNELIUS

CORNELIUS     I humbly take my leave.

        Exit

QUEEN

QUEEN     Weeps she still, say’st thou? Dost thou think in time

55

55            She will not quench,⁵⁵ and let instructions enter

               Where folly now possesses? Do thou work:⁵⁶

               When thou shalt bring me word she loves my son,

               I’ll tell thee on the instant thou art then

               As great as is thy master: greater, for

60

60            His fortunes⁶⁰ all lie speechless, and his name

               Is at last gasp. Return he cannot, nor

               Continue where he is: to shift his being⁶²

               Is to exchange one misery with another,

               And every⁶⁴ day that comes comes to decay

65

65            A day’s work in him. What shalt thou expect

               To be depender⁶⁶ on a thing that leans?

               Who cannot be new built, nor has no friends

               So much as but to prop him? She drops the box and Pisanio picks it up

               Thou takest up

70

70            Thou know’st not what: but take it for thy labour,

               It is a thing I made, which hath the king

               Five times redeemed from death. I do not know

               What⁷³ is more cordial. Nay, I prithee, take it,

               It is an earnest⁷⁴ of a farther good

75

75            That I mean to thee. Tell thy mistress how

               The case stands with her: do’t, as from thyself;⁷⁶

               Think what a chance thou changest on, but think⁷⁷

               Thou⁷⁸ hast thy mistress still, to boot, my son,

               Who shall take⁷⁹ notice of thee. I’ll move the king

80

80            To any shape of thy preferment, such

               As thou’lt desire: and then myself, I chiefly,

               That set⁸² thee on to this desert, am bound

               To load⁸³ thy merit richly. Call my women.

               Think on my words.—

        Exit Pisanio

                                    A sly and constant⁸⁴ knave,

85

85            Not to be shaked:⁸⁵ the agent for his master,

               And the remembrancer⁸⁶ of her to hold

               The handfast⁸⁷ to her lord. I have given him that,

               Which if he take, shall quite unpeople⁸⁸ her

               Of liegers⁸⁹ for her sweet: and which she after,

90

90            Except⁹⁰ she bend her humour, shall be assured

               To taste of too.—

        Enter Pisanio and Ladies With flowers

                                    So, so: well done, well done:

               The violets, cowslips and the primroses

               Bear to my closet.⁹³— Fare thee well, Pisanio.

               Think on my words.

        Exeunt Queen and Ladies

95

95   

PISANIO

PISANIO             And shall do:

               But when to my good lord I prove untrue,

               I’ll choke myself: there’s all I’ll do for you.

        Exit

Act 1 Scene 6

running scene 3 continues

        Enter Innogen alone

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     A father cruel and a stepdame¹ false,

               A foolish suitor to a wedded lady,

               That hath her husband banished:³ O, that husband,

               My supreme crown of grief, and those repeated

5

5              Vexations of it! Had I been thief-stol’n,⁵

               As my two brothers, happy: but most miserable

               Is the desire that’s glorious.⁷ Blest be those,

               How mean⁸ soe’er, that have their honest wills,

               Which seasons⁹ comfort. Who may this be? Fie!

        Enter Pisanio and Iachimo

10

10   

PISANIO

PISANIO             Madam, a noble gentleman of Rome,

               Comes from my lord with letters.

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     Change you,¹² madam:

               The worthy Leonatus is in safety

               And greets your highness dearly. Presents a letter

15

15   

INNOGEN

INNOGEN             Thanks good sir,

               You’re kindly welcome.

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     All of her that is out of door¹⁷ most rich! Aside

               If she be furnished¹⁸ with a mind so rare,

               She is alone th’Arabian bird,¹⁹ and I

20

20            Have lost the wager. Boldness be my friend:

               Arm me audacity²¹ from head to foot,

               Or like the Parthian²² I shall flying fight,

               Rather, directly fly.²³

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     Reads ‘He is one of the noblest note,²⁴ to whose kindnesses I am most infinitely tied. Reflect²⁵ upon him accordingly, as you value your trust. Leonatus.’

               So far²⁶ I read aloud.

               But even the very middle of my heart

               Is warmed by th’rest, and takes it thankfully.

               You are as welcome, worthy sir, as I

30

30            Have words to bid you, and shall find it so

               In all that I can do.

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     Thanks, fairest lady.—

               What, are men mad? Hath nature given them eyes

               To see this vaulted arch³⁴ and the rich crop

35

35            Of sea and land, which³⁵ can distinguish ’twixt

               The fiery orbs³⁶ above and the twinned stones

               Upon th’unnumbered³⁷ beach, and can we not

               Partition³⁸ make with spectacles so precious

               ’Twixt fair and foul?

40

40   

INNOGEN

INNOGEN             What makes your admiration?⁴⁰

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     It cannot be i’th’eye: for apes and monkeys,

               ’Twixt two such shes,⁴² would chatter this way and

               Contemn⁴³ with mows the other. Nor i’th’judgement:

               For idiots⁴⁴ in this case of favour would

45

45            Be wisely definite. Nor i’th’appetite:⁴⁵

               Sluttery,⁴⁶ to such neat excellence opposed,

               Should make desire vomit emptiness,⁴⁷

               Not so allured⁴⁸ to feed.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     What is the matter, trow?⁴⁹

50

50   

IACHIMO

IACHIMO             The cloyèd⁵⁰ will,

               That satiate yet unsatisfied desire, that tub

               Both filled and running,⁵² ravening first the lamb,

               Longs after for the garbage.⁵³

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     What, dear sir,

55

55            Thus raps⁵⁵ you? Are you well?

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     Thanks, madam, well.— Beseech you, sir, To Pisanio

               Desire⁵⁷ my man’s abode where I did leave him:

               He’s strange⁵⁸ and peevish.

PISANIO

PISANIO     I was going, sir,

60

60            To give him welcome.

        Exit

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     Continues well my lord? His health, beseech you?

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     Well, madam.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     Is he disposed to mirth? I hope he is.

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     Exceeding pleasant: none a stranger there

65

65            So merry and so gamesome:⁶⁵ he is called

               The Briton reveller.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     When he was here

               He did incline to sadness,⁶⁸ and oft-times

               Not knowing why.

70

70   

IACHIMO

IACHIMO             I never saw him sad.

               There is a Frenchman his companion, one⁷¹

               An eminent monsieur, that it seems much loves

               A Gallian⁷³ girl at home. He furnaces

               The thick sighs from him, whiles the jolly Briton —

75

75            Your lord, I mean — laughs from’s free lungs:⁷⁵ cries ‘O,

               Can my sides hold, to think that man, who knows

               By history, report or his own proof,⁷⁷

               What woman is, yea, what she cannot choose

               But must be, will’s free hours languish

80

80            For assurèd bondage?’

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     Will my lord say so?

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     Ay, madam, with his eyes in flood with laughter:

               It is a recreation to be by

               And hear him mock the Frenchman. But, heavens know,

85

85            Some men are much to blame.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     Not he, I hope.

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     Not he: but⁸⁷ yet heaven’s bounty towards him might

               Be used more thankfully. In himself ’tis⁸⁸ much;

               In you, which I account⁸⁹ his, beyond all talents.

90

90            Whilst I am bound to wonder, I am bound

               To pity too.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     What do you pity, sir?

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     Two creatures heartily.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     Am I one, sir?

95

95            You look on me: what wreck discern you in me

               Deserves your pity?

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     Lamentable! What,

               To hide me⁹⁸ from the radiant sun, and solace

               I’th’dungeon by a snuff?⁹⁹

100

100 

INNOGEN

INNOGEN             I pray you, sir,

               Deliver with more openness your answers

               To my demands. Why do you pity me?

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     That others do —

               I was about to say, enjoy¹⁰⁴ your — but

105

105          It is an office¹⁰⁵ of the gods to venge it,

               Not mine to speak on’t.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     You do seem to know

               Something of me, or what concerns me; pray you,

               Since doubting¹⁰⁹ things go ill often hurts more

110

110          Than to be sure they do — for certainties

               Either are past remedies, or, timely knowing,¹¹¹

               The remedy then born¹¹² — discover to me

               What both you spur and stop.

LACHIMO

LACHIMO     Had¹¹⁴ I this cheek

115

115          To bathe my lips upon: this hand, whose touch,

               Whose every touch, would force the feeler’s¹¹⁶ soul

               To th’oath of loyalty: this object,¹¹⁷ which

               Takes¹¹⁸ prisoner the wild motion of mine eye,

               Firing¹¹⁹ it only here: should I, damned then,

120

120          Slaver¹²⁰ with lips as common as the stairs

               That mount the Capitol: join grips with hands

               Made hard with hourly falsehood¹²² — falsehood, as

               With labour — then by-peeping¹²³ in an eye

               Base and illustrous¹²⁴ as the smoky light

125

125          That’s fed with¹²⁵ stinking tallow: it were fit

               That all the plagues of hell should at one time

               Encounter such revolt.¹²⁷

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     My lord, I fear,

               Has forgot Britain.

130

130 

IACHIMO

IACHIMO             And himself. Not¹³⁰ I

               Inclined to this intelligence pronounce

               The beggary of his change: but ’tis your graces

               That from my mutest conscience to my tongue

               Charms this report out.

135

135 

INNOGEN

INNOGEN             Let me hear no more.

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     O dearest soul: your cause doth strike my heart

               With pity that doth make me sick. A lady

               So fair, and fastened to an empery¹³⁸

               Would¹³⁹ make the great’st king double, to be partnered

140

140          With tomboys¹⁴⁰ hired with that self-exhibition

               Which your own coffers yield: with diseased ventures¹⁴¹

               That play¹⁴² with all infirmities for gold

               Which rottenness can lend nature: such boiled stuff¹⁴³

               As well might poison poison. Be revenged,

145

145          Or she that bore you was no queen, and you

               Recoil¹⁴⁶ from your great stock.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     Revenged?

               How should I be revenged? If this be true —

               As I have such a heart that both mine ears

150

150          Must not in haste abuse — if it be true,

               How should I be revenged?

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     Should he make me

               Live like Diana’s priest,¹⁵³ betwixt cold sheets,

               Whiles he is vaulting¹⁵⁴ variable ramps,

155

155          In your despite,¹⁵⁵ upon your purse — revenge it.

               I dedicate myself to your sweet pleasure,

               More noble than that runagate¹⁵⁷ to your bed,

               And will continue fast¹⁵⁸ to your affection,

               Still close as sure.

160

160 

INNOGEN

INNOGEN             What ho, Pisanio! Calls

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     Let¹⁶¹ me my service tender on your lips.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     Away, I do condemn mine ears that have

               So long attended¹⁶³ thee. If thou wert honourable

               Thou wouldst have told this tale for virtue, not

165

165          For such an end thou seek’st, as base as strange.

               Thou wrong’st a gentleman who is as far

               From thy report as thou from honour, and

               Solicit’st here a lady that disdains

               Thee and the devil alike.— What ho, Pisanio!

170

170          The king my father shall be made acquainted

               Of thy assault: if he shall think it fit,

               A saucy¹⁷² stranger in his court to mart

               As in a Romish stew,¹⁷³ and to expound

               His beastly mind to us,¹⁷⁴ he hath a court

175

175          He little cares for, and a daughter who

               He not respects at all.— What ho, Pisanio!

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     O happy Leonatus I may say,

               The credit¹⁷⁸ that thy lady hath of thee

               Deserves thy trust, and thy most perfect goodness

180

180          Her assured credit. Blessèd live you long,

               A lady to the worthiest sir that ever

               Country called his; and you his mistress, only

               For the most worthiest fit. Give me your pardon.

               I have spoke this to know if your affiance¹⁸⁴

185

185          Were deeply rooted, and shall make your lord

               That which he is new o’er:¹⁸⁶ and he is one

               The truest mannered,¹⁸⁷ such a holy witch

               That he enchants societies into him:

               Half all men’s hearts are his.

190

190 

INNOGEN

INNOGEN             You make amends.

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     He sits ’mongst men like a descended god;

               He hath a kind of honour sets him off

               More than a mortal seeming. Be not angry,

               Most mighty princess, that I have adventured

195

195          To try your taking¹⁹⁵ of a false report, which hath

               Honoured with confirmation your great judgement

               In¹⁹⁷ the election of a sir so rare,

               Which you know cannot err. The love I bear him

               Made me to fan¹⁹⁹ you thus, but the gods made you,

200

200          Unlike all others, chaffless.²⁰⁰ Pray your pardon.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     All’s well, sir: take my power i’th’court for yours.

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     My humble thanks. I had almost forgot

               T’entreat your grace but²⁰³ in a small request,

               And yet of moment²⁰⁴ too, for it concerns

205

205          Your lord: myself and other noble friends

               Are partners in the business.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     Pray what is’t?

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     Some dozen Romans of us and your lord —

               The best²⁰⁹ feather of our wing — have mingled sums

210

210          To buy a present for the emperor:

               Which I, the factor²¹¹ for the rest, have done

               In France: ’tis plate²¹² of rare device, and jewels

               Of rich and exquisite form, their value’s great,

               And I am something curious,²¹⁴ being strange,

215

215          To have them in safe stowage: may it please you

               To take them in protection?

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     Willingly:

               And pawn²¹⁸ mine honour for their safety, since

               My lord hath interest²¹⁹ in them. I will keep them

220

220          In my bedchamber.

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     They are in a trunk

               Attended by my men: I will make bold

               To send them to you, only for this night:

               I must aboard tomorrow.

225

225 

INNOGEN

INNOGEN             O, no, no.

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     Yes, I beseech: or I shall short²²⁶ my word

               By length’ning my return. From Gallia²²⁷

               I crossed the seas on purpose and on promise

               To see your grace.

230

230 

INNOGEN

INNOGEN             I thank you for your pains:

               But not away tomorrow.

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     O, I must, madam.

               Therefore I shall beseech you, if you please

               To greet your lord with writing, do’t tonight.

235

235          I have outstood²³⁵ my time, which is material

               To th’tender²³⁶ of our present.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     I will write:

               Send your trunk to me, it shall safe be kept,

               And truly yielded you. You’re very welcome.

        Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 1

running scene 4

        Enter Cloten and the two Lords

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     Was there ever man had such luck? When I kissed the jack¹ upon an upcast, to be hit away! I had a hundred pound on’t: and then a whoreson jackanapes² must take me up³ for swearing, as if I borrowed mine oaths of him, and might not spend⁴ them at my pleasure.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     What got he by that? You have broke his pate⁵ with your bowl.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     Aside If⁶ his wit had been like him that broke it, it would have run all out.

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     When a gentleman⁷ is disposed to swear, it is not for any standers-by to curtail⁸ his oaths. Ha?

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     No my lord.— Aside Nor crop the ears of them.

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     Whoreson dog! I give him satisfaction? Would he had been one of my rank.¹⁰

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     Aside To have smelled like a fool.

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     I am not vexed more at anything in th’earth: a pox on’t!¹² I had rather not be so¹³ noble as I am: they dare not fight with me, because of the queen my mother: every jack-slave¹⁴ hath his bellyful of fighting, and I must go up and down like a cock¹⁵ that nobody can match.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     Aside You are cock and capon¹⁶ too, and you crow, cock, with your comb on.

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     Sayest thou?¹⁷

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     It is not fit your lordship should undertake¹⁸ every companion that you give offence to.

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     No, I know that: but it is fit I should commit offence²⁰ to my inferiors.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     Ay, it is fit²¹ for your lordship only.

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     Why, so I say.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     Did you hear of a stranger that’s come to court tonight?

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     A stranger, and I not know on’t?

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     Aside He’s a strange fellow himself, and knows it not.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     There’s an Italian come, and ’tis thought one of Leonatus’ friends.

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     Leonatus? A banished rascal; and he’s another, whatsoever²⁷ he be. Who told you of this stranger?

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     One of your lordship’s pages.

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     Is it fit I went to look upon him? Is there no derogation³⁰ in’t?

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     You cannot derogate,³¹ my lord.

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     Not easily, I think.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     Aside You are a fool granted, therefore your issues,³³ being foolish, do not derogate.

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     Come, I’ll go see this Italian: what I have lost today at bowls I’ll win tonight of him. Come, go.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     I’ll attend your lordship.—

        Exeunt [Cloten and First Lord]

               That such a crafty devil as is his mother

               Should yield the world this ass: a woman that

40

               Bears all down⁴⁰ with her brain, and this her son

               Cannot take two from twenty, for his heart,⁴¹

               And leave eighteen. Alas, poor princess,

               Thou divine Innogen, what thou endur’st,

               Betwixt⁴⁴ a father by thy stepdame governed,

45

               A mother⁴⁵ hourly coining plots, a wooer

               More hateful than the foul expulsion⁴⁶ is

               Of thy dear husband, than that horrid act

               Of the divorce he’d make!⁴⁸ The heavens hold firm

               The walls of thy dear honour, keep unshaked

50

               That temple, thy fair mind, that thou mayst stand,

               T’enjoy thy banished lord and this great land.

        Exit

Act 2 Scene 2

running scene 5

        Enter Innogen in her bed, and a Lady A trunk is brought in

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     Who’s there? My woman Helen?

LADY

LADY     Please you, madam.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     What hour is it?

LADY

LADY     Almost midnight, madam.

5

5     

INNOGEN

INNOGEN             I have read three hours then: mine eyes are weak.⁵

               Fold down the leaf⁶ where I have left: to bed. Gives her the book

               Take not away the taper,⁷ leave it burning:

               And if thou canst awake by four o’th’clock,

               I prithee call me.— Sleep hath seized me wholly.

        [Exit Lady]

10

10            To your protection I commend me, gods,

               From fairies¹¹ and the tempters of the night.

               Guard me, beseech ye.

        Sleeps

        Iachimo from the trunk

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     The crickets sing,¹³ and man’s o’er-laboured sense

               Repairs itself by rest. Our Tarquin¹⁴ thus

15

15            Did softly press the rushes,¹⁵ ere he wakened

               The chastity he wounded. Cytherea,¹⁶

               How bravely thou becom’st¹⁷ thy bed; fresh lily,

               And whiter than the sheets: that I might touch,

               But kiss, one kiss! Rubies¹⁹ unparagoned,

20

20            How dearly²⁰ they do’t! ’Tis her breathing that

               Perfumes the chamber thus: the flame o’th’taper

               Bows toward her, and would underpeep her lids²²

               To see th’enclosèd lights,²³ now canopied

               Under these windows,²⁴ white and azure laced

25

25            With blue of heaven’s own tinct.²⁵ But my design:

               To note the chamber. I will write all down.

               Such and such pictures, there the window, such Writes

               Th’adornment²⁸ of her bed; the arras, figures,

               Why, such and such: and the contents²⁹ o’th’story.

30

30            Ah, but some natural notes³⁰ about her body,

               Above³¹ ten thousand meaner movables

               Would testify³² t’enrich mine inventory.

               O sleep, thou ape³³ of death, lie dull upon her,

               And be her sense³⁴ but as a monument

35

35            Thus in a chapel lying. Come off, come off; Takes off her bracelet

               As slippery as the Gordian knot³⁶ was hard.

               ’Tis mine, and this will witness outwardly,³⁷

               As strongly as the conscience does within,

               To th’madding³⁹ of her lord. On her left breast

40

40            A mole cinque-spotted:⁴⁰ like the crimson drops

               I’th’bottom of a cowslip.⁴¹ Here’s a voucher

               Stronger than ever law could make; this secret⁴²

               Will force him think I have picked⁴³ the lock and ta’en

               The treasure of her honour. No more: to what end?

45

45            Why should I write this down that’s riveted,

               Screwed to my memory? She hath been reading late,

               The tale of Tereus.⁴⁷ Here the leaf’s turned down

               Where Philomel gave up.⁴⁸ I have enough.

               To th’trunk again, and shut the spring⁴⁹ of it.

50

50            Swift, swift, you dragons⁵⁰ of the night, that dawning

               May bare the raven’s eye! I lodge in fear:

               Though this⁵² a heavenly angel, hell is here.

        Clock strikes

               One, two, three: time, time!

        Exit [into the trunk]

        Bed and trunk removed

Act 2 Scene 3

running scene 5 continues

        Enter Cloten and Lords

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     Your lordship is the most patient man in loss, the most coldest¹ that ever turned up ace.²

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     It would make any man cold³ to lose.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     But not every man patient after⁴ the noble temper of your lordship. You are most hot and furious when you win.

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     Winning will put any man into courage. If I could get this foolish Innogen, I should have gold enough. It’s almost morning, is’t not?

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     Day, my lord.

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     I would this music would come: I am advised to give her music o’ mornings, they say it will penetrate.¹⁰—

        Enter Musicians

Come on, tune: if you can penetrate her with your fingering,¹¹ so: we’ll try with tongue too: if none will do, let her remain:¹² but I’ll never give o’er. First, a very excellent good-conceited thing;¹³ after, a wonderful sweet air, with admirable rich words to it, and then let her consider.

                                    Song Sung by either Cloten or a Musician

15

15                                  Hark, hark, the lark at heaven’s gate sings,

                                    And Phoebus¹⁶ ’gins arise,

                                    His steeds to water at those springs¹⁷

                                    On chaliced¹⁸ flowers that lies:

                                    And winking¹⁹ Mary-buds begin to ope their golden eyes

20

20                                  With everything that pretty is, my lady sweet, arise:

                                    Arise, arise.

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     So, get you gone: if this penetrate, I will consider your music the better: if it do not, it is a vice in her ears which horsehairs²³ and calves’ guts, nor the voice of unpaved²⁴ eunuch to boot, can never amend.

        [Exeunt Musicians]

        Enter Cymbeline and Queen

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     Here comes the king.

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     I am glad I was up so late, for that’s the reason I was up so early: he cannot choose but take this service I have done fatherly.²⁷— Good morrow to your majesty and to my gracious mother.

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     Attend you here²⁹ the door of our stern daughter?

30

30            Will she not forth?

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     I have assailed her with musics, but she vouchsafes³¹ no notice.

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     The exile of her minion³² is too new,

               She hath not yet forgot him: some more time

               Must wear³⁴ the print of his remembrance on’t,

35

35            And then she’s yours.

QUEEN

QUEEN     You are most bound³⁶ to th’king,

               Who lets go by no vantages³⁷ that may

               Prefer³⁸ you to his daughter: frame yourself

               To orderly solicits, and be³⁹ friended

40

40            With aptness of the season: make denials⁴⁰

               Increase your services: so seem, as if

               You were inspired to do those duties which

               You tender to her: that you in all obey her,

               Save when command to your dismission⁴⁴ tends,

45

45            And therein you are senseless.⁴⁵

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     Senseless? Not so.

        [Enter a Messenger]

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     So like you,⁴⁷ sir, ambassadors from Rome;

               The one is Caius Lucius.

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     A worthy fellow,

50

50            Albeit⁵⁰ he comes on angry purpose now;

               But that’s no fault of his: we must receive⁵¹ him

               According to the honour of his sender,⁵²

               And towards himself, his goodness forspent⁵³ on us,

               We must extend our notice.⁵⁴ Our dear son,

55

55            When you have given good morning to your mistress,

               Attend the queen and us. We shall have need

               T’employ you towards this Roman.— Come, our queen.

        Exeunt [all but Cloten]

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     If she be up, I’ll speak with her: if not,

               Let her lie still and dream.— By your leave, ho!— Knocks

60

60            I know her women are about her: what

               If I do line⁶¹ one of their hands? ’Tis gold

               Which buys admittance — oft it doth — yea, and makes

               Diana’s rangers⁶³ false themselves, yield up

               Their deer to th’stand o’th’stealer:⁶⁴ and ’tis gold

65

65            Which makes the true⁶⁵ man killed and saves the thief:

               Nay, sometime hangs both thief and true man: what

               Can it not do and undo? I will make

               One of her women lawyer to me,⁶⁸ for

               I yet not⁶⁹ understand the case myself.—

        Knocks

70

70            By your leave.

        Enter a Lady

LADY

LADY     Who’s there that knocks?

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     A gentleman.

LADY

LADY     No more?

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     Yes, and a gentlewoman’s son.

75

75   

LADY

LADY             That’s⁷⁵ more

               Than some whose tailors are as dear as yours

               Can justly boast of: what’s your lordship’s pleasure?

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     Your lady’s person: is she ready?

LADY

LADY     Ay,

80

80            To keep⁸⁰ her chamber.

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     There is gold for you, Gives money

               Sell⁸² me your good report.

LADY

LADY     How, my good name? Or to report of you

               What I shall think is good? The princess.

        Enter Innogen

85

85   

CLOTEN

CLOTEN             Good morrow, fairest: sister,⁸⁵ your sweet hand.

        [Exit Lady]

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     Good morrow, sir. You lay out⁸⁶ too much pains

               For purchasing but⁸⁷ trouble: the thanks I give

               Is telling you that I am poor of thanks,

               And scarce can spare them.

90

90   

CLOTEN

CLOTEN             Still I swear I love you.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     If you but said so, ’twere as deep⁹¹ with me:

               If you swear still,⁹² your recompense is still

               That I regard it not.

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     This is no answer.

95

95   

INNOGEN

INNOGEN             But⁹⁵ that you shall not say I yield being silent,

               I would not speak. I pray you spare me: faith,

               I shall unfold⁹⁷ equal discourtesy

               To your best kindness: one of your great knowing⁹⁸

               Should learn, being taught, forbearance.

100

100 

CLOTEN

CLOTEN             To leave you in your madness, ’twere my sin:

               I will not.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     Fools cure not mad folks.

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     Do you call me fool?

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     As I am mad, I do:

105

105          If you’ll be patient, I’ll no more be mad.

               That cures us both. I am much sorry, sir,

               You put me¹⁰⁷ to forget a lady’s manners

               By being so verbal:¹⁰⁸ and learn now, for all,

               That I, which¹⁰⁹ know my heart, do here pronounce

110

110          By th’very truth of it, I care not for you,

               And am so near the lack of charity

               To accuse myself I hate you, which I had rather

               You felt than make’t my boast.¹¹³

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     You sin against

115

115          Obedience, which you owe your father. For

               The contract you pretend¹¹⁶ with that base wretch,

               One bred of alms¹¹⁷ and fostered with cold dishes,

               With scraps o’th’court, it is no contract, none:

               And though it be allowed in meaner parties¹¹⁹ —

120

120          Yet who than he more mean? — to knit their souls,

               On whom there is no more dependency

               But brats and beggary, in self-figured knot,¹²²

               Yet you are curbed¹²³ from that enlargement by

               The consequence o’th’crown,¹²⁴ and must not foil

125

125          The precious note¹²⁵ of it with a base slave,

               A hilding¹²⁶ for a livery, a squire’s cloth,

               A pantler;¹²⁷ not so eminent.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     Profane fellow,

               Wert thou the son of Jupiter, and no more

130

130          But what thou art besides, thou wert¹³⁰ too base

               To be his groom:¹³¹ thou wert dignified enough,

               Even to the point of envy, if ’twere made

               Comparative¹³³ for your virtues, to be styled

               The under-hangman¹³⁴ of his kingdom, and hated

135

135          For¹³⁵ being preferred so well.

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     The south-fog¹³⁶ rot him!

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     He never can meet more mischance than come

               To be but named of thee.¹³⁸ His meanest garment

               That ever hath but clipped¹³⁹ his body is dearer

140

140          In my respect than all the hairs above thee,

               Were they all made such men.¹⁴¹— How now, Pisanio?

        Enter Pisanio

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     His garment? Now the devil—

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     To Dorothy my woman hie thee presently. To Pisanio

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     His garment?

145

145 

INNOGEN

INNOGEN             I am sprited¹⁴⁵ with a fool,

               Frighted and angered worse: go bid my woman

               Search for a jewel that too casually

               Hath left mine arm: it was thy master’s. ’Shrew¹⁴⁸ me

               If I would lose it for a revenue

150

150          Of any king’s in Europe. I do think

               I saw’t this morning: confident I am.

               Last night ’twas on mine arm; I kissed it.

               I hope it be not gone to tell my lord

               That I kiss aught¹⁵⁴ but he.

155

155 

PISANIO

PISANIO             ’Twill not be lost.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     I hope so: go and search.

        [Exit Pisanio]

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     You have abused me:

               His meanest garment?

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     Ay, I said so, sir:

160

160          If you will make’t an action,¹⁶⁰ call witness to’t.

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     I will inform your father.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     Your mother too:

               She’s my good lady, and will conceive,¹⁶³ I hope,

               But the worst of me. So, I leave you, sir,

165

165          To th’worst of discontent.

        Exit

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     I’ll be revenged:

               His meanest garment? Well.

        Exit

Act 2 Scene 42.4

running scene 6

        Enter Posthumus and Philario

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     Fear it not, sir: I would I were so sure

               To win² the king as I am bold her honour

               Will remain hers.

PHILARIO

PHILARIO     What means⁴ do you make to him?

5

5     

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS             Not any: but abide the change of time,

               Quake in the present winter’s state⁶ and wish

               That warmer days would come: in these seared⁷ hopes

               I barely gratify⁸ your love; they failing,

               I must die much your debtor.

10

10   

PHILARIO

PHILARIO             Your very goodness and your company

               O’erpays all I can do. By this¹¹ your king

               Hath heard of¹² great Augustus: Caius Lucius

               Will do’s commission throughly.¹³ And I think

               He’ll¹⁴ grant the tribute: send th’arrearages,

15

15            Or look upon¹⁵ our Romans, whose remembrance

               Is yet¹⁶ fresh in their grief.

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     I do believe —

               Statist¹⁸ though I am none, nor like to be —

               That this will prove¹⁹ a war; and you shall hear

20

20            The legions now in Gallia sooner landed

               In our not-fearing Britain than have tidings

               Of any penny tribute paid. Our countrymen

               Are men more ordered²³ than when Julius Caesar

               Smiled at their lack of skill, but found their courage

25

25            Worthy his frowning²⁵ at. Their discipline,

               Now mingled with their courages, will make known

               To their approvers²⁷ they are people such

               That mend upon the world.

        Enter Iachimo

PHILARIO

PHILARIO     See Iachimo.

30

30   

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS             The swiftest harts³⁰ have posted you by land,

               And winds of³¹ all the corners kissed your sails,

               To make your vessel nimble.

PHILARIO

PHILARIO     Welcome, sir.

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     I hope the briefness of your answer³⁴ made

35

35            The speediness of your return.

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     Your lady

               Is one of the fairest that I have looked upon—

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     And therewithal³⁸ the best, or let her beauty

               Look through a casement³⁹ to allure false hearts,

40

40            And be false with them.

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     Here are letters for you. Gives letters

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     Their tenor⁴² good, I trust.

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     ’Tis very like.⁴³

PHILARIO

PHILARIO     Was Caius Lucius in the Britain court

45

45            When you were there?

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     He was expected then,

               But not approached.⁴⁷

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     All is well yet.

               Sparkles⁴⁹ this stone as it was wont, or is’t not Shows the ring

50

50            Too dull for your good wearing?

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     If I had lost it,

               I should have lost the worth of it in gold.

               I’ll make a journey twice as far t’enjoy

               A second night of such sweet shortness which

55

55            Was mine in Britain, for the ring is won.

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     The stone’s too hard to come by.

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     Not a whit,⁵⁷

               Your lady being so easy.

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     Make not, sir,

60

60            Your loss your sport:⁶⁰ I hope you know that we

               Must not continue friends.

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     Good sir, we must

               If you keep covenant.⁶³ Had I not brought

               The knowledge⁶⁴ of your mistress home, I grant

65

65            We were to question further,⁶⁵ but I now

               Profess myself the winner of her honour,

               Together with your ring, and not the wronger

               Of her or you, having proceeded but

               By both your wills.⁶⁹

70

70   

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS             If you can make’t apparent

               That you have tasted⁷¹ her in bed, my hand

               And ring is yours. If not, the foul opinion

               You had of her pure honour gains⁷³ or loses

               Your sword or mine, or⁷⁴ masterless leaves both

75

75            To who shall find them.

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     Sir, my circumstances,⁷⁶

               Being so near the truth, as I will make them,

               Must first induce you to believe: whose strength

               I will confirm with oath, which I doubt not

80

80            You’ll give me leave to spare,⁸⁰ when you shall find

               You need it not.

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     Proceed.

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     First, her bedchamber —

               Where I confess I slept not, but profess

85

85            Had that was well worth watching⁸⁵ — it was hanged

               With tapestry of silk and silver,⁸⁶ the story

               Proud Cleopatra when she met her Roman

               And Cydnus⁸⁸ swelled above the banks, or for

               The press⁸⁹ of boats, or pride. A piece of work

90

90            So bravely⁹⁰ done, so rich, that it did strive

               In workmanship and value, which I wondered

               Could be so rarely⁹² and exactly wrought,

               Since the true life on’t was—

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     This is true:

95

95            And this you might have heard of here, by me,

               Or by some other.

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     More particulars

               Must justify my knowledge.

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     So they must,

100

100          Or do your honour injury.

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     The chimney

               Is south the chamber, and the chimney-piece¹⁰²

               Chaste Dian bathing:¹⁰³ never saw I figures

               So likely to report themselves;¹⁰⁴ the cutter

105

105          Was as another nature dumb, outwent her,¹⁰⁵

               Motion¹⁰⁶ and breath left out.

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     This is a thing

               Which you might from relation likewise reap,¹⁰⁸

               Being, as it is, much spoke of.

110

110 

IACHIMO

IACHIMO             The roof o’th’chamber

               With golden cherubins is fretted.¹¹¹ Her andirons —

               I had forgot them — were two winking¹¹² Cupids

               Of silver, each on one foot standing, nicely¹¹³

               Depending¹¹⁴ on their brands.

115

115 

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS             This is her honour!

               Let it be granted you have seen all this — and praise

               Be given to your remembrance¹¹⁷ — the description

               Of what is in her chamber nothing saves¹¹⁸

               The wager you have laid.

120

120 

IACHIMO

IACHIMO             Then if you can Shows the bracelet

               Be pale, I beg but leave¹²¹ to air this jewel: see,

               And now ’tis up¹²² again: it must be married

               To that your diamond, I’ll keep them.

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     Jove!

125

125          Once more let me behold it: is it that

               Which I left with her?

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     Sir — I thank her — that.

               She stripped it from her arm: I¹²⁸ see her yet:

               Her pretty action did outsell¹²⁹ her gift,

130

130          And yet enriched it too: she gave it me, and said

               She prized¹³¹ it once.

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     Maybe she plucked it off

               To send it me.

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     She writes so to you, doth she?

135

135 

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS             O no, no, no, ’tis true. Here, take this too, Gives the ring

               It is a basilisk¹³⁶ unto mine eye,

               Kills me to look on’t. Let there be no honour

               Where there is beauty: truth, where semblance:¹³⁸ love,

               Where there’s another man. The vows of women

140

140          Of no more bondage¹⁴⁰ be to where they are made

               Than they are to their virtues, which is nothing.

               O, above measure false!

PHILARIO

PHILARIO     Have patience, sir,

               And take your ring again, ’tis not yet won:

145

145          It may be probable¹⁴⁵ she lost it: or

               Who knows if one of her women, being corrupted,¹⁴⁶

               Hath stol’n it from her?

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     Very true,

               And so¹⁴⁹ I hope he came by’t. Back my ring, Takes back the ring

150

150          Render to me some corporal sign¹⁵⁰ about her

               More evident¹⁵¹ than this: for this was stol’n.

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     By Jupiter, I had it from her arm.

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     Hark you, he swears: by Jupiter he swears.

               ’Tis true, nay, keep the ring, ’tis true: I am sure

155

155          She would not lose it: her attendants are

               All sworn¹⁵⁶ and honourable: they induced to steal it?

               And by a stranger? No, he hath enjoyed her:¹⁵⁷

               The cognizance¹⁵⁸ of her incontinency

               Is this: she¹⁵⁹ hath bought the name of whore thus dearly.

160

160          There, take thy hire,¹⁶⁰ and all the fiends of hell Gives the ring again

               Divide themselves between you!¹⁶¹

PHILARIO

PHILARIO     Sir, be patient:

               This is not strong enough to be believed

               Of one persuaded¹⁶⁴ well of.

165

165 

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS             Never talk on’t:

               She hath been colted¹⁶⁶ by him.

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     If you seek

               For further satisfying, under her breast —

               Worthy the pressing — lies a mole, right proud

170

170          Of that most delicate lodging. By my life,

               I kissed it, and it gave me present¹⁷¹ hunger

               To feed again, though full. You do remember

               This stain¹⁷³ upon her?

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     Ay, and it doth confirm

175

175          Another stain, as big as hell can hold,

               Were there no more but it.

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     Will you hear more?

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     Spare your arithmetic, never count the turns:¹⁷⁸

               Once,¹⁷⁹ and a million!

180

180 

IACHIMO

IACHIMO             I’ll be sworn.

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     No swearing.

               If you will swear you have not done’t, you lie,

               And I will kill thee if thou dost deny

               Thou’st¹⁸⁴ made me cuckold.

185

185 

IACHIMO

IACHIMO             I’ll deny nothing.

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     O, that I had her here, to tear her limb-meal!¹⁸⁶

               I will go there and do’t, i’th’court, before

               Her father. I’ll do something.

        Exit

PHILARIO

PHILARIO     Quite besides¹⁸⁹

190

190          The government¹⁹⁰ of patience. You have won:

               Let’s follow him and pervert¹⁹¹ the present wrath

               He hath against himself.

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     With all my heart.

        Exeunt

        Enter Posthumus

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     Is there no way for men to be, but women

195

195          Must be half-workers?¹⁹⁵ We are all bastards,

               And that most venerable¹⁹⁶ man, which I

               Did call my father, was I know not where

               When I was stamped.¹⁹⁸ Some coiner with his tools

               Made me a counterfeit: yet my mother seemed

200

200          The Dian of that time: so doth my wife

               The nonpareil²⁰¹ of this. O, vengeance, vengeance!

               Me of my lawful pleasure²⁰² she restrained,

               And prayed²⁰³ me oft forbearance: did it with

               A pudency²⁰⁴ so rosy, the sweet view on’t

205

205          Might well have warmed old Saturn,²⁰⁵ that I thought her

               As chaste as unsunned snow. O, all the devils!

               This yellow²⁰⁷ Iachimo in an hour — wast not? —

               Or less — at first?²⁰⁸ Perchance he spoke not, but

               Like a full-acorned boar,²⁰⁹ a German one,

210

210          Cried ‘O!’ and mounted; found no opposition

               But what he looked for²¹¹ should oppose, and she

               Should from encounter²¹² guard. Could I find out

               The woman’s part²¹³ in me — for there’s no motion

               That tends to vice in man, but I affirm

215

215          It is the woman’s part: be it lying, note it,

               The woman’s: flattering, hers: deceiving, hers:

               Lust and rank²¹⁷ thoughts, hers, hers: revenges, hers:

               Ambitions, covetings,²¹⁸ change of prides, disdain,

               Nice longing,²¹⁹ slanders, mutability,

220

220          All faults that may be named, nay, that hell knows,

               Why, hers, in part or all: but rather all,

               For even to vice

               They are not constant, but are changing still²²³

               One vice, but of²²⁴ a minute old, for one

225

225          Not half so²²⁵ old as that. I’ll write against them,

               Detest them, curse them: yet ’tis greater skill²²⁶

               In a true hate, to pray they have their will:²²⁷

               The very devils cannot plague them better.

        Exit

Act 3 Scene 13.1

running scene 7

        Enter in state Cymbeline, Queen, Cloten and Lords at one door, and at another, Caius Lucius and Attendants

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     Now say, what would Augustus Caesar with us?

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     When Julius Caesar — whose remembrance² yet

               Lives in men’s eyes and will to ears and tongues

               Be theme⁴ and hearing ever — was in this Britain

5

5              And conquered it, Cassibelan, thine uncle —

               Famous⁶ in Caesar’s praises no whit less

               Than in his feats deserving it — for⁷ him,

               And his succession, granted Rome a tribute,

               Yearly three thousand pounds,⁹ which by thee lately

10

10            Is left untendered.¹⁰

QUEEN

QUEEN     And to kill the marvel,¹¹

               Shall be so ever.

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     There be¹³ many Caesars

               Ere such another Julius: Britain’s

15

15            A world by itself, and we will nothing pay

               For wearing our own noses.

QUEEN

QUEEN     That opportunity

               Which then they had to take from’s,¹⁸ to resume

               We have again. Remember, sir, my liege,¹⁹

20

20            The kings your ancestors, together with

               The natural bravery²¹ of your isle, which stands

               As Neptune’s²² park, ribbed and paled in

               With oaks unscalable and roaring waters,

               With sands that will not bear²⁴ your enemies’ boats,

25

25            But suck²⁵ them up to th’topmast. A kind of conquest

               Caesar made here, but made not here his brag

               Of ‘came,²⁷ and saw, and overcame’: with shame —

               The first that ever touched him — he was carried

               From off our coast, twice beaten: and his shipping —

30

30            Poor ignorant baubles³⁰ — on our terrible seas

               Like eggshells moved upon their surges, cracked

               As easily gainst our rocks. For joy whereof

               The famed Cassibelan, who was once at point³³ —

               O giglot³⁴ fortune! — to master Caesar’s sword,

35

35            Made Lud’s town³⁵ with rejoicing fires bright,

               And Britons strut with courage.

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     Come, there’s no more tribute to be paid: our kingdom is stronger than it was at that time, and, as I said, there is no more such Caesars. Other of them may have crooked³⁹ noses, but to owe such straight arms, none.

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     Son, let your mother end.

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     We have yet many among us can grip⁴¹ as hard as Cassibelan: I do not say I am one, but I have a hand. Why tribute? Why should we pay tribute? If Caesar can hide the sun from us with a blanket, or put the moon in his pocket, we will pay him tribute for light: else,⁴⁴ sir, no more tribute, pray you now.

45

45   

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE             You must know, To Lucius

               Till the injurious⁴⁶ Romans did extort

               This tribute from us, we were free. Caesar’s ambition,

               Which swelled so much that it did almost stretch

               The sides o’th’world, against all colour⁴⁹ here

50

50            Did put the yoke upon’s; which to shake off

               Becomes⁵¹ a warlike people, whom we reckon

               Ourselves to be. We do say then to Caesar,

               Our ancestor was that Mulmutius⁵³ which

               Ordained our laws, whose use⁵⁴ the sword of Caesar

55

55            Hath too much mangled, whose repair⁵⁵ and franchise

               Shall, by the power we hold, be our good deed,

               Though Rome be therefore angry. Mulmutius made our laws

               Who was the first of Britain which did put

               His brows within a golden crown and called

60

60            Himself a king.

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     I am sorry, Cymbeline,

               That I am to pronounce Augustus Caesar —

               Caesar, that hath more kings his servants than

               Thyself domestic officers — thine enemy:

65

65            Receive it from me, then. War and confusion⁶⁵

               In Caesar’s name pronounce⁶⁶ I gainst thee: look

               For fury not to be resisted. Thus defied,⁶⁷

               I thank thee for myself.

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     Thou art welcome, Caius.

70

70            Thy Caesar knighted me; my youth I spent

               Much under him: of him I gathered honour,

               Which he to seek of me again, perforce,⁷²

               Behoves⁷³ me keep at utterance. I am perfect

               That the Pannonians and Dalmatians⁷⁴ for

75

75            Their liberties are now in arms, a precedent⁷⁵

               Which not to read⁷⁶ would show the Britons cold:

               So Caesar shall not find them.

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     Let proof speak.⁷⁸

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     His majesty bids you welcome. Make pastime⁷⁹ with us a day or two, or longer: if you seek us afterwards in other terms, you shall find us in our saltwater girdle:⁸⁰ if you beat us out of it, it is yours: if you fall in the adventure,⁸¹ our crows shall fare the better for you: and there’s an end.

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     So,⁸³ sir.

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     I know your master’s pleasure,⁸⁴ and he mine:

85

85         All the remain⁸⁵ is ‘Welcome’.

        Exeunt

Act 3 Scene 2

running scene 7 continues

        Enter Pisanio, reading of a letter

PISANIO

PISANIO     How?¹ Of adultery? Wherefore write you not

               What monster’s her accuser? Leonatus,

               O master, what a strange infection

               Is fall’n into thy ear! What false Italian,

5

5              As⁵ poisonous-tongued as handed, hath prevailed

               On thy too ready hearing? Disloyal? No.

               She’s punished for her truth,⁷ and undergoes,

               More goddess-like than wife-like, such assaults

               As would take in⁹ some virtue. O my master,

10

10            Thy mind to her is now as low as were

               Thy fortunes. How? That I should murder her,

               Upon¹² the love and truth and vows which I

               Have made to thy command? I, her? Her blood?

               If it be so to do good service, never

15

15            Let me be counted serviceable. How look I,

               That I should seem to lack humanity

               So much as this fact¹⁷ comes to? ‘Do’t: the letter Reads

               That I have sent her, by her own command

               Shall give thee opportunity.’ O damned paper,

20

20            Black as the ink that’s on thee! Senseless bauble,²⁰

               Art thou a fedary²¹ for this act, and look’st

               So virgin-like without? Lo, here she comes.

        Enter Innogen

               I am ignorant in²³ what I am commanded.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     How now, Pisanio?

25

25   

PISANIO

PISANIO             Madam, here is a letter from my lord.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     Who, thy lord? That is my lord, Leonatus!

               O, learned indeed were that astronomer²⁷

               That knew the stars as I his characters²⁸ —

               He’d lay the future open. You good gods,

30

30            Let what is here contained relish³⁰ of love,

               Of my lord’s health, of his content: yet not³¹

               That we two are asunder, let that grieve him;

               Some griefs are med’cinable,³³ that is one of them,

               For it doth physic love:³⁴ of his content,

35

35            All but in that. Good wax,³⁵ thy leave: blest be Opens the seal

               You bees that make these locks of counsel!³⁶ Lovers

               And men in dangerous bonds pray not alike:

               Though forfeiters³⁸ you cast in prison, yet

               You clasp young Cupid’s³⁹ tables. Good news, gods!

Reads ‘Justice and your father’s wrath, should he take me in his dominion, could not be so cruel to me, as you, O the dearest of creatures, would even renew⁴¹ me with your eyes. Take notice that I am in Cambria,⁴² at Milford Haven: what your own love will out of this advise you, follow. So he wishes you all happiness, that remains loyal to his vow, and your increasing in love, Leonatus Posthumus.’

45

45            O, for a horse with wings! Hear’st thou, Pisanio?

               He is at Milford Haven: read, and tell me

               How far ’tis thither. If one of mean affairs⁴⁷

               May plod it in a week, why may not I

               Glide thither in a day? Then, true Pisanio,

50

50            Who long’st like me to see thy lord; who long’st —

               O, let me bate⁵¹ — but not like me: yet long’st

               But in a fainter kind.⁵² O, not like me,

               For mine’s⁵³ beyond, beyond: say, and speak thick —

               Love’s counsellor should fill the bores of hearing,⁵⁴

55

55            To th’smothering⁵⁵ of the sense — how far it is

               To this same blessèd Milford. And by th’way⁵⁶

               Tell me how Wales was made so happy as

               T’inherit such a haven. But first of all,

               How we may steal⁵⁹ from hence: and for the gap

60

60            That we shall make in time, from our hence-going

               And our return, to excuse:⁶¹ but first, how get hence.

               Why⁶² should excuse be born or e’er begot?

               We’ll talk of that hereafter. Prithee, speak,

               How many score⁶⁴ of miles may we well ride

65

65            ’Twixt⁶⁵ hour and hour?

PISANIO

PISANIO     One score ’twixt⁶⁶ sun and sun,

               Madam, ’s enough for you: and too much too.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     Why, one that rode to’s execution, man,

               Could never go so slow: I have heard of riding wagers,⁶⁹

70

70            Where horses have been nimbler than the sands

               That run i’th’clock’s behalf.⁷¹ But this is foolery:

               Go, bid my woman feign⁷² a sickness, say

               She’ll home⁷³ to her father; and provide me presently

               A riding-suit, no costlier than would fit⁷⁴

75

75            A franklin’s⁷⁵ housewife.

PISANIO

PISANIO     Madam, you’re best⁷⁶ consider.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     I see before me,⁷⁷ man: nor here, nor here,

               Nor what ensues,⁷⁸ but have a fog in them

               That I cannot look through. Away, I prithee,

80

80            Do as I bid thee: there’s no more to say:

               Accessible is none⁸¹ but Milford way.

        Exeunt

Act 3 Scene 33.3

running scene 8

        Enter Belarius, Guiderius and Arviragus From their cave

BELARIUS

BELARIUS     A goodly day not to keep house¹ with such

               Whose roof’s as low as ours. Stoop, boys: this gate²

               Instructs³ you how t’adore the heavens, and bows you

               To a morning’s holy office.⁴ The gates of monarchs

5

5              Are arched so high that giants may jet⁵ through

               And keep their impious turbans⁶ on, without

               Good morrow to the sun. Hail, thou fair heaven!

               We house⁸ i’th’rock, yet use thee not so hardly

               As prouder livers⁹ do.

10

10   

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS             Hail, heaven!

ARVIRAGUS

ARVIRAGUS     Hail, heaven!

BELARIUS

BELARIUS     Now for our mountain sport. Up to yond hill,

               Your legs are young: I’ll tread these flats.¹³ Consider,

               When you above perceive me like a crow,

15

15            That it is place¹⁵ which lessens and sets off,

               And you may then revolve¹⁶ what tales I have told you

               Of courts, of princes, of the tricks¹⁷ in war.

               This service is not service, so being done,

               But being so allowed.¹⁹ To apprehend thus

20

20            Draws us a profit from all things we see:

               And often, to our comfort, shall we find

               The sharded²² beetle in a safer hold

               Than is the full-winged eagle. O, this life

               Is nobler than attending²⁴ for a check,

25

25            Richer than doing nothing for a robe,²⁵

               Prouder than rustling in unpaid-for silk:

               Such²⁷ gain the cap of him that makes ’em fine,

               Yet²⁸ keeps his book uncrossed: no life to ours.

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     Out of your proof²⁹ you speak: we poor unfledged

30

30            Have never winged from view o’th’nest, nor know not

               What air’s from home.³¹ Haply this life is best,

               If quiet life be best: sweeter to you

               That have a sharper known, well corresponding

               With your stiff³⁴ age; but unto us it is

35

35            A cell of ignorance, travelling abed,³⁵

               A prison for a debtor that not dares

               To stride a limit.³⁷

ARVIRAGUS

ARVIRAGUS     What should we speak of

               When we are old as you? When we shall hear

40

40            The rain and wind beat dark December, how,

               In this our pinching⁴¹ cave, shall we discourse

               The freezing hours away? We have seen nothing:

               We are beastly:⁴³ subtle as the fox for prey,

               Like⁴⁴ warlike as the wolf for what we eat:

45

45            Our valour is to chase what flies:⁴⁵ our cage

               We make a choir, as doth the prisoned bird,

               And sing our bondage freely.

BELARIUS

BELARIUS     How you speak!

               Did you but know the city’s usuries,⁴⁹

50

50            And felt them knowingly:⁵⁰ the art o’th’court,

               As hard to leave as keep,⁵¹ whose top to climb

               Is certain falling, or so slipp’ry that

               The fear’s as bad as falling: the toil o’th’war,

               A pain⁵⁴ that only seems to seek out danger

55

55            I’th’name of fame and honour, which dies i’th’search,

               And hath as oft⁵⁶ a sland’rous epitaph

               As record⁵⁷ of fair act. Nay, many times

               Doth ill deserve⁵⁸ by doing well: what’s worse,

               Must curtsy⁵⁹ at the censure. O boys, this story

60

60            The world may read in me: my body’s marked

               With Roman swords, and my report⁶¹ was once

               First with the best of note.⁶² Cymbeline loved me,

               And when a soldier was the theme,⁶³ my name

               Was not far off: then was I as⁶⁴ a tree

65

65            Whose boughs did bend with fruit. But in one night,

               A storm, or robbery — call it what you will —

               Shook down my mellow hangings,⁶⁷ nay, my leaves,

               And left me bare to weather.⁶⁸

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     Uncertain favour!⁶⁹

70

70   

BELARIUS

BELARIUS             My fault being nothing — as I have told you oft —

               But that two villains, whose false oaths prevailed

               Before my perfect⁷² honour, swore to Cymbeline

               I was confederate with the Romans: so

               Followed my banishment, and this⁷⁴ twenty years

75

75            This rock and these demesnes⁷⁵ have been my world

               Where I have lived at⁷⁶ honest freedom, paid

               More pious debts to heaven than in all

               The fore-end⁷⁸ of my time. But up to th’mountains!

               This is not hunters’ language. He that strikes

80

80            The venison⁸⁰ first shall be the lord o’th’feast,

               To him the other two shall minister,⁸¹

               And we will fear no poison, which attends⁸²

               In place of greater state. I’ll meet you in the valleys.

        Exeunt [Guid. and Arv.]

               How hard it is to hide the sparks of nature!⁸⁴

85

85            These boys know little they are sons to th’king,

               Nor Cymbeline dreams that they are alive.

               They think they are mine, and though trained⁸⁷ up thus meanly

               I’th’cave wherein they bow,⁸⁸ their thoughts do hit

               The roofs of palaces and nature prompts them

90

90            In simple and low things to prince it⁹⁰ much

               Beyond the trick⁹¹ of others. This Polydore,

               The heir of Cymbeline and Britain, who

               The king his father called Guiderius — Jove!

               When on my three-foot⁹⁴ stool I sit, and tell

95

95            The warlike feats I have done, his spirits fly out

               Into my story: say⁹⁶ ‘Thus mine enemy fell,

               And thus I set my foot on’s neck’, even then

               The princely blood flows in his cheek, he sweats,

               Strains his young nerves,⁹⁹ and puts himself in posture

100

100          That acts my words. The younger brother, Cadwal,

               Once Arviragus, in¹⁰¹ as like a figure

               Strikes life into my speech, and shows much more¹⁰²

               His own conceiving.¹⁰³ Hark, the game is roused! A horn sounds

               O Cymbeline, heaven and my conscience knows

105

105          Thou didst unjustly banish me: whereon,¹⁰⁵

               At three and two years old, I stole these babes,

               Thinking to bar¹⁰⁷ thee of succession, as

               Thou reft’st¹⁰⁸ me of my lands. Euriphile,

               Thou wast their nurse,¹⁰⁹ they took thee for their mother,

110

110          And every day do honour to her¹¹⁰ grave:

               Myself, Belarius, that am Morgan called,

               They take for natural father. The game is up.

        Exit

Act 3 Scene 43.4

running scene 9

        Enter Pisanio and Innogen Innogen in a riding suit

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     Thou told’st me when we came from horse¹ the place

               Was near at hand: ne’er² longed my mother so

               To see me first as I have now. Pisanio, man,

               Where is Posthumus? What is in thy mind

5

5              That makes thee stare thus? Wherefore breaks that sigh

               From th’inward of thee? One but painted thus⁶

               Would be interpreted a thing perplexed⁷

               Beyond self-explication.⁸ Put thyself

               Into a ’haviour of less fear, ere⁹ wildness

10

10            Vanquish my staider¹⁰ senses. What’s the matter?

               Why tender’st thou¹¹ that paper to me with

               A look untender? If’t be summer¹² news,

               Smile to’t before:¹³ if winterly, thou need’st

               But¹⁴ keep that count’nance still. My husband’s hand?

15

15            That drug-damned Italy¹⁵ hath out-craftied him,

               And he’s at some hard point.¹⁶ Speak, man, thy tongue

               May take off some extremity, which to read

               Would be even mortal¹⁸ to me.

PISANIO

PISANIO     Please you read,

20

20            And you shall find me, wretched man, a thing

               The most disdained of fortune.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     Reads ‘Thy mistress, Pisanio, hath played the strumpet in my bed: the testimonies²³ whereof lies bleeding in me. I speak not out of weak surmises, but from proof as strong as my grief,²⁴ and as certain as I expect my revenge. That part thou, Pisanio, must act for me, if thy faith be not tainted²⁵ with the breach of hers; let thine own hands take away her life: I shall give thee opportunity at Milford Haven. She hath my letter for the purpose: where, if thou fear to strike, and to make me certain it is done, thou art the pander²⁸ to her dishonour, and equally to me disloyal.’

PISANIO

PISANIO     What³⁰ shall I need to draw my sword? The paper Aside

               Hath cut her throat already. No, ’tis slander,

               Whose edge is sharper than the sword, whose tongue

               Outvenoms³³ all the worms of Nile, whose breath

               Rides on the posting winds,³⁴ and doth belie

35

25            All corners of the world. Kings, queens and states,³⁵

               Maids, matrons, nay, the secrets of the grave

               This viperous slander enters. What cheer, madam?

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     False to his bed? What is it to be false?

               To lie in watch there, and to think on him?

40

30            To weep ’twixt⁴⁰ clock and clock? If sleep charge nature,

               To break it with a fearful dream of him,

               And cry myself awake? That’s false to’s bed, is it?

PISANIO

PISANIO     Alas, good lady.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     I false? Thy conscience witness:⁴⁴ Iachimo,

45

45            Thou didst accuse him of incontinency.⁴⁵

               Thou then looked’st like a villain: now methinks

               Thy favour’s⁴⁷ good enough. Some jay of Italy,

               Whose mother was her painting,⁴⁸ hath betrayed him:

               Poor I am stale,⁴⁹ a garment out of fashion,

50

50            And for I am richer⁵⁰ than to hang by th’walls,

               I must be ripped:⁵¹ to pieces with me! O,

               Men’s vows are women’s traitors. All good seeming,⁵²

               By thy revolt,⁵³ O husband, shall be thought

               Put on for villainy; not born where’t grows,⁵⁴

55

55            But worn⁵⁵ a bait for ladies.

PISANIO

PISANIO     Good madam, hear me.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     True honest men being heard like⁵⁷ false Aeneas

               Were in his time thought false: and Sinon’s⁵⁸ weeping

               Did scandal⁵⁹ many a holy tear, took pity

60

60            From most true wretchedness. So thou, Posthumus,

               Wilt lay the leaven⁶¹ on all proper men;

               Goodly and gallant shall be false and perjured

               From thy great fail.⁶³— Come, fellow, be thou honest, To Pisanio

               Do thou thy master’s bidding. When thou see’st him,

65

65            A little witness⁶⁵ my obedience. Look,

               I draw the sword myself: take it, and hit Draws sword and gives it to Pisanio

               The innocent mansion⁶⁷ of my love, my heart.

               Fear not, ’tis empty of all things but grief:

               Thy master is not there, who was indeed

70

70            The riches of it. Do his bidding, strike.

               Thou mayst be valiant in a better cause,

               But now thou seem’st a coward.

PISANIO

PISANIO     Hence, vile instrument,⁷³ Throws away sword

               Thou shalt not damn my hand!

75

75   

INNOGEN

INNOGEN             Why, I must die:

               And if I do not by thy hand, thou art

               No servant of thy master’s. Against self-slaughter⁷⁷

               There is a prohibition so divine

               That cravens⁷⁹ my weak hand. Come, here’s my heart:

80

80            Something’s afore’t:⁸⁰ soft, soft, we’ll no defence,

               Obedient⁸¹ as the scabbard. What is here? Takes letters from her bosom

               The scriptures⁸² of the loyal Leonatus,

               All turned to heresy? Away, away, Throws letters away

               Corrupters of my faith,⁸⁴ you shall no more

85

58            Be stomachers⁸⁵ to my heart! Thus may poor fools

               Believe false teachers: though those that are betrayed

               Do feel the treason sharply, yet the traitor

               Stands⁸⁸ in worse case of woe. And thou, Posthumus,

               That didst set up⁸⁹ my disobedience gainst the king

90

90            My father, and make me put into contempt the suits⁹⁰

               Of princely⁹¹ fellows, shalt hereafter find

               It⁹² is no act of common passage, but

               A strain of rareness: and I grieve myself

               To think, when thou shalt be disedged⁹⁴ by her

95

95            That now thou tirest⁹⁵ on, how thy memory

               Will then be panged⁹⁶ by me. Prithee dispatch,

               The lamb entreats the butcher. Where’s thy knife?

               Thou art too slow to do thy master’s bidding

               When I desire it too.

100

100 

PISANIO

PISANIO             O gracious lady:

               Since I received command to do this business

               I have not slept one wink.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     Do’t, and to bed then.

PISANIO

PISANIO     I’ll wake¹⁰⁴ mine eyeballs out first.

105

105 

INNOGEN

INNOGEN             Wherefore then

               Didst undertake it? Why hast thou abused¹⁰⁶

               So many miles with a pretence? This place?

               Mine action and thine own? Our horses’ Iabour?

               The time inviting thee?¹⁰⁹ The perturbed court

110

110          For my being absent, whereunto¹¹⁰ I never

               Purpose¹¹¹ return? Why hast thou gone so far

               To be unbent¹¹² when thou hast ta’en thy stand,

               Th’elected¹¹³ deer before thee?

PISANIO

PISANIO     But to win time

115

115          To lose so bad employment, in the which

               I have considered of a course:¹¹⁶ good lady,

               Hear me with patience.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     Talk thy tongue weary, speak:

               I have heard I am a strumpet,¹¹⁹ and mine ear,

120

120          Therein false struck,¹²⁰ can take no greater wound,

               Nor tent¹²¹ to bottom that. But speak.

PISANIO

PISANIO     Then, madam,

               I thought you would not back¹²³ again.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     Most like,¹²⁴

125

125          Bringing me here to kill me.

PISANIO

PISANIO     Not so, neither:

               But if I were as wise as honest, then

               My purpose would prove¹²⁸ well: it cannot be

               But that my master is abused.¹²⁹ Some villain,

130

130          Ay, and singular¹³⁰ in his art, hath done you both

               This cursèd injury.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     Some Roman courtesan.¹³²

PISANIO

PISANIO     No, on my life:

               I’ll give but notice you are dead, and send him

135

135          Some bloody sign of it, for ’tis commanded

               I should do so: you shall be missed at court,

               And that will well confirm it.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     Why, good fellow,

               What shall I do the while? Where bide?¹³⁹ How live?

140

140          Or in my life what comfort, when I am

               Dead to my husband?

PISANIO

PISANIO     If you’ll back to th’court—

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     No court, no father, nor no more ado

               With that harsh, noble, simple nothing,

145

145          That Cloten, whose love-suit hath been to me

               As fearful as a siege.

PISANIO

PISANIO     If not at court,

               Then not in Britain must you bide.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     Where then?

150

150          Hath Britain all the sun that shines? Day? Night?

               Are they not but¹⁵¹ in Britain? I’th’world’s volume

               Our Britain seems as of it, but not in’t:

               In a great pool a swan’s nest.¹⁵³ Prithee, think

               There’s livers¹⁵⁴ out of Britain.

155

155 

PISANIO

PISANIO             I am most glad

               You think of other place: th’ambassador,

               Lucius the Roman, comes to Milford Haven

               Tomorrow. Now, if you could wear a mind¹⁵⁸

               Dark as your fortune is, and but disguise

160

160          That¹⁶⁰ which, t’appear itself, must not yet be

               But by self-danger,¹⁶¹ you should tread a course

               Pretty and full of view:¹⁶² yea, haply, near

               The residence of Posthumus; so nigh,¹⁶³ at least,

               That though his actions were not visible, yet

165

165          Report should render¹⁶⁵ him hourly to your ear

               As truly as he moves.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     O, for such means,

               Though peril to my modesty,¹⁶⁸ not death on’t,

               I would adventure.¹⁶⁹

170

170 

PISANIO

PISANIO             Well then, here’s the point:

               You must forget to be a woman: change

               Command into obedience,¹⁷² fear and niceness —

               The handmaids¹⁷³ of all women, or more truly

               Woman it¹⁷⁴ pretty self — into a waggish courage,

175

175          Ready in gibes,¹⁷⁵ quick-answered, saucy and

               As quarrellous¹⁷⁶ as the weasel: nay, you must

               Forget¹⁷⁷ that rarest treasure of your cheek,

               Exposing it — but O, the harder heart!

               Alack, no remedy — to the greedy touch

180

180          Of common-kissing Titan,¹⁸⁰ and forget

               Your laboursome¹⁸¹ and dainty trims, wherein

               You made great Juno¹⁸² angry.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     Nay, be brief.

               I see into thy end,¹⁸⁴ and am almost

185

185          A man already.

PISANIO

PISANIO     First, make yourself but like one.

               Forethinking¹⁸⁷ this, I have already fit — ↓Gives a bag of clothes↓

               ’Tis in my cloak-bag — doublet,¹⁸⁸ hat, hose, all

               That answer to¹⁸⁹ them: would you in their serving,

190

190          And with what imitation you can borrow

               From youth of such a season,¹⁹¹ ’fore noble Lucius

               Present yourself, desire his service:¹⁹² tell him

               Wherein you’re happy¹⁹³ — which will make him know,

               If¹⁹⁴ that his head have ear in music — doubtless

195

195          With joy he will embrace you, for he’s honourable,

               And, doubling that, most holy. Your means abroad:¹⁹⁶

               You have me rich, and I will never fail

               Beginning nor supplyment.¹⁹⁸

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     Thou art all the comfort

200

200          The gods will diet²⁰⁰ me with. Prithee away,

               There’s more to be considered: but we’ll even²⁰¹

               All that good time will give us. This attempt

               I am soldier to,²⁰³ and will abide it with

               A prince’s courage. Away, I prithee.

205

205 

PISANIO

PISANIO             Well, madam, we must take a short²⁰⁵ farewell,

               Lest being missed, I be suspected of

               Your carriage²⁰⁷ from the court. My noble mistress,

               Here is a box, I had it from the queen,

               What’s in’t is precious: if you are sick at sea,

210

210          Or stomach-qualmed at land, a dram of this

               Will drive away distemper.²¹¹ To some shade,

               And fit you²¹² to your manhood: may the gods

               Direct you to the best.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     Amen: I thank thee. Exeunt

Act 3 Scene 53.5

running scene 10

        Enter Cymbeline, Queen, Cloten, Lucius and Lords

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     Thus far,¹ and so farewell.

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     Thanks, royal sir:

               My emperor hath wrote, I must from hence,

               And am right sorry that I must report ye

5

5              My master’s enemy.

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     Our subjects, sir,

               Will not endure his yoke; and for ourself⁷

               To show less sovereignty than they, must needs⁸

               Appear unkinglike.

10

10   

LUCIUS

LUCIUS             So,¹⁰ sir: I desire of you

               A conduct¹¹ over land, to Milford Haven.

               Madam, all joy befall¹² your grace, and you.

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     My lords, you are appointed for that office:¹³

               The due of honour¹⁴ in no point omit.

15

15            So farewell, noble Lucius.

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     Your hand, my lord.

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     Receive it friendly: but from this time forth

               I wear it as your enemy.

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     Sir, the event¹⁹

20

20            Is yet to name the winner. Fare you well.

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     Leave not the worthy Lucius, good my lords,

               Till he have crossed the Severn.²² Happiness.

        Exeunt Lucius and others

QUEEN

QUEEN     He goes hence frowning: but it honours us²³

               That we have given him cause.²⁴

25

25   

CLOTEN

CLOTEN             ’Tis all the better,

               Your valiant Britons have their wishes in it.

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     Lucius hath wrote already to the emperor

               How it goes here. It fits us²⁸ therefore ripely

               Our chariots and our horsemen be in readiness:

30

30            The powers that he already hath in Gallia

               Will soon be drawn to head,³¹ from whence he moves

               His war for Britain.

QUEEN

QUEEN     ’Tis not sleepy business,

               But must be looked to speedily and strongly.

35

35   

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE             Our expectation that it would be thus

               Hath made us forward.³⁶ But, my gentle queen,

               Where is our daughter? She hath not appeared

               Before the Roman, nor to us hath tendered

               The duty³⁹ of the day. She looks us like

40

40            A thing more made of malice than of duty,

               We have noted it. Call her before us, for

               We have been too slight in sufferance.⁴²

        [Exit one or more]

QUEEN

QUEEN     Royal sir,

               Since the exile of Posthumus, most retired⁴⁴

45

45            Hath her life been: the cure whereof, my lord,

               ’Tis time must do. Beseech your majesty,

               Forbear⁴⁷ sharp speeches to her. She’s a lady

               So tender of⁴⁸ rebukes that words are strokes,

               And strokes death to her.

        Enter a Messenger

50

50   

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE             Where is she, sir? How

               Can her contempt be answered?⁵¹

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Please you, sir,

               Her chambers are all locked, and there’s no answer

               That will be given to th’loud’st of noise we make.

55

55   

QUEEN

QUEEN             My lord, when last I went to visit her,

               She prayed me to excuse her keeping close,⁵⁶

               Whereto⁵⁷ constrained by her infirmity,

               She should that duty leave unpaid to you

               Which daily she was bound to proffer:⁵⁹ this

60

60            She wished me to make known, but our great court

               Made me to blame in memory.

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     Her doors locked?

               Not seen of late? Grant heavens that which I fear

               Prove false.

        Exit

65

65   

QUEEN

QUEEN             Son, I say, follow the king.

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     That man of hers, Pisanio, her old servant

               I have not seen these two days.

        Exit

QUEEN

QUEEN     Go, look after.—

               Pisanio, thou that stand’st so for⁶⁹ Posthumus!

70

70            He hath a drug of mine: I pray his absence

               Proceed by⁷¹ swallowing that, for he believes

               It is a thing most precious. But for her,

               Where is she gone? Haply⁷³ despair hath seized her:

               Or, winged with fervour of her love, she’s flown

75

75            To her desired Posthumus: gone she is

               To death or to dishonour, and my end⁷⁶

               Can make good use of either. She being down,

               I have the placing⁷⁸ of the British crown.—

        Enter Cloten

               How now, my son?

80

80   

CLOTEN

CLOTEN             ’Tis certain she is fled:

               Go in and cheer the king, he rages, none

               Dare come about him.

QUEEN

QUEEN     All the better: may Aside

               This night forestall⁸⁴ him of the coming day.

        Exit Queen

85

85   

CLOTEN

CLOTEN             I love and hate her:⁸⁵ for she’s fair and royal,

               And that⁸⁶ she hath all courtly parts more exquisite

               Than lady, ladies, woman — from⁸⁷ every one

               The best she hath, and she, of all compounded,⁸⁸

               Outsells⁸⁹ them all — I love her therefore: but

90

90            Disdaining me, and throwing favours on

               The low Posthumus, slanders⁹¹ so her judgement

               That what’s else rare⁹² is choked: and in that point

               I will conclude to hate her, nay, indeed,

               To be revenged upon her. For when fools shall—

        Enter Pisanio

95

95            Who is here?— What, are you packing,⁹⁵ sirrah?

               Come hither: ah, you precious pander!⁹⁶ Villain,

               Where is thy lady? In a word, or else

               Thou⁹⁸ art straightway with the fiends. Threatens him

PISANIO

PISANIO     O, good my lord!

100

100 

CLOTEN

CLOTEN             Where is thy lady? Or, by Jupiter,

               I will not ask again. Close¹⁰¹ villain,

               I’ll have this secret from thy heart, or rip

               Thy heart to find it. Is she with Posthumus,

               From whose so many weights¹⁰⁴ of baseness cannot

105

105          A dram¹⁰⁵ of worth be drawn?

PISANIO

PISANIO     Alas, my lord,

               How can she be with him? When was she missed?

               He is in Rome.

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     Where is she, sir? Come nearer:¹⁰⁹

110

110          No further halting:¹¹⁰ satisfy me home,

               What is become of her?

PISANIO

PISANIO     O my all-worthy lord!

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     All-worthy villain,

               Discover¹¹⁴ where thy mistress is at once,

115

115          At the next word: no more of ‘worthy lord!’

               Speak, or thy silence on the instant is

               Thy condemnation and thy death.

PISANIO

PISANIO     Then, sir,

               This paper is the history of my knowledge

120

120          Touching¹²⁰ her flight. Shows a letter

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     Let’s see’t: I will pursue her

               Even to Augustus’ throne.

PISANIO

PISANIO     Or¹²³ this, or perish. Aside

               She’s far enough, and what he learns by this

125

125          May prove his travel,¹²⁵ not her danger.

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     Hum!

PISANIO

PISANIO     I’ll write to my lord she’s dead: O Innogen, Aside

               Safe mayst thou wander, safe return again!

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     Sirrah, is this letter true?

130

130 

PISANIO

PISANIO             Sir, as I think.

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     It is Posthumus’ hand, I know’t. Sirrah, if thou wouldst not be a villain, but do me true service, undergo¹³² those employments wherein I should have cause to use thee with a serious¹³³ industry, that is, what villainy soe’er I bid thee do, to perform it directly and truly, I would think thee an honest man: thou shouldst neither want¹³⁵ my means for thy relief, nor my voice for thy preferment.

PISANIO

PISANIO     Well, my good lord.

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     Wilt thou serve me? For since patiently and constantly thou hast stuck to the bare fortune of that beggar Posthumus, thou canst not in the course¹³⁸ of gratitude but¹³⁹ be a diligent follower of mine. Wilt thou serve me?

PISANIO

PISANIO     Sir, I will.

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     Give me thy hand, here’s my purse. Hast¹⁴¹ any of thy late master’s garments in thy possession?

PISANIO

PISANIO     I have, my lord, at my lodging, the same suit he wore when he took leave of my lady and mistress.

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     The first service thou dost me, fetch that suit hither: let it be thy first service, go.

PISANIO

PISANIO     I shall, my lord.

        Exit

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     Meet thee at Milford Haven! — I forgot to ask him one thing, I’ll remember’t anon. — Even there, thou villain Posthumus, will I kill thee. I would these garments were come. She said upon a time¹⁵⁰ — the bitterness of it I now belch from my heart — that she held the very garment of Posthumus in more respect than my noble and natural person, together with the adornment of my qualities. With that suit upon my back will I ravish her: first kill him, and in her eyes;¹⁵³ there shall she see my valour, which will then be a torment to her contempt. He on the ground, my speech of insultment¹⁵⁵ ended on his dead body, and when my lust hath dined — which, as I say, to vex her I will execute in the clothes that she so praised — to the court I’ll knock¹⁵⁷ her back, foot her home again. She hath despised me rejoicingly, and I’ll be merry in my revenge.—

        Enter Pisanio With Posthumus’ clothes

Be those the garments?

PISANIO

PISANIO     Ay, my noble lord.

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     How long is’t since she went to Milford Haven?

PISANIO

PISANIO     She can scarce be there yet.

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     Bring this apparel to my chamber. That is the second thing that I have commanded thee. The third is that thou wilt be a voluntary mute¹⁶⁴ to my design. Be but duteous, and true preferment shall tender¹⁶⁵ itself to thee. My revenge is now at Milford: would I had wings to follow it. Come, and be true.

        Exit

PISANIO

PISANIO     Thou bid’st me to my loss:¹⁶⁷ for true to thee

               Were to prove false, which I will never be,

               To him¹⁶⁹ that is most true. To Milford go,

170

170          And find not her whom thou pursuest. Flow, flow,

               You heavenly blessings, on her. This fool’s speed

               Be crossed¹⁷² with slowness; labour be his meed.

        Exit

Act 3 Scene 63.6

running scene 11

        Enter Innogen alone In boy’s clothes

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     I see a man’s life is a tedious one:

               I have tired² myself, and for two nights together

               Have made the ground my bed. I should be sick,

               But that my resolution helps me. Milford,

5

5              When from the mountain-top Pisanio showed thee,

               Thou wast within a ken.⁶ O Jove, I think

               Foundations⁷ fly the wretched: such, I mean,

               Where they should be relieved. Two beggars told me

               I could not miss my way. Will poor folks lie,

10

10            That have afflictions on them, knowing ’tis

               A punishment or trial?¹¹ Yes; no wonder,

               When rich ones scarce¹² tell true. To lapse in fullness

               Is sorer¹³ than to lie for need, and falsehood

               Is worse in kings than beggars. My dear lord,

15

15            Thou art one o’th’false ones. Now I think on¹⁵ thee

               My hunger’s gone; but even before,¹⁶ I was

               At point¹⁷ to sink for food. But what is this?

               Here is a path to’t: ’tis some savage hold:¹⁸

               I were best¹⁹ not call; I dare not call: yet famine,

20

20            Ere²⁰ clean it o’erthrow nature, makes it valiant.

               Plenty and peace breeds cowards: hardness ever

               Of hardiness²² is mother. Ho! Who’s here?

               If anything that’s civil, speak: if savage,

               Take or lend.²⁴ Ho! No answer? Then I’ll enter.

25

25            Best²⁵ draw my sword; and if mine enemy

               But fear the sword like me, he’ll scarcely look on’t. Draws

               Such²⁷ a foe, good heavens!

        Exit [into the cave]

        Enter Belarius, Guiderius and Arviragus

BELARIUS

BELARIUS     You, Polydore, have proved best woodman²⁸ and

               Are master of the feast: Cadwal and I

30

30            Will play the cook and servant: ’tis our match.³⁰

               The³¹ sweat of industry would dry and die

               But for the end it works to. Come, our stomachs

               Will make what’s homely³³ savoury: weariness

               Can snore upon the flint³⁴ when resty sloth

35

35            Finds the down³⁵ pillow hard. Now peace be here,

               Poor house, that keep’st thyself.³⁶

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     I am throughly³⁷ weary.

ARVIRAGUS

ARVIRAGUS     I am weak with toil, yet strong in appetite.

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     There is cold meat i’th’cave, we’ll browse³⁹ on that

40

40            Whilst what we have killed be cooked.

BELARIUS

BELARIUS     Stay; come not in: Looks into the cave

               But that⁴² it eats our victuals, I should think

               Here were a fairy.

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     What’s the matter, sir?

45

45   

BELARIUS

BELARIUS             By Jupiter, an angel! Or if not,

               An earthly paragon.⁴⁶ Behold divineness

               No elder than a boy.

        Enter Innogen

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     Good masters, harm me not:

               Before I entered here, I called, and thought

50

50            To have begged or bought what I have took: good troth,⁵⁰

               I have stol’n nought,⁵¹ nor would not, though I had found

               Gold strewed i’th’floor.⁵² Here’s money for my meat: Offers money

               I would have left it on the board⁵³ so soon

               As I had made my meal, and parted⁵⁴

55

55            With prayers for the provider.

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     Money, youth?

ARVIRAGUS

ARVIRAGUS     All gold and silver rather turn to dirt,

               As ’tis no better reckoned⁵⁸ but of those

               Who worship dirty gods.

60

60   

INNOGEN

INNOGEN             I see you’re angry:

               Know, if you kill me for my fault, I should⁶¹

               Have died had I not made⁶² it.

BELARIUS

BELARIUS     Whither bound?⁶³

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     To Milford Haven.

65

65   

BELARIUS

BELARIUS             What’s your name?

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     Fidele,⁶⁶ sir: I have a kinsman who

               Is bound for Italy; he embarked at Milford,

               To whom being going, almost spent⁶⁸ with hunger,

               I am fall’n in⁶⁹ this offence.

70

70   

BELARIUS

BELARIUS             Prithee, fair youth,

               Think us no churls:⁷¹ nor measure our good minds

               By this rude⁷² place we live in. Well encountered!

               ’Tis almost night: you shall have better cheer⁷³

               Ere you depart, and thanks⁷⁴ to stay and eat it.

75

75            Boys, bid him welcome.

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     Were you a woman, youth,

               I should woo hard⁷⁷ but be your groom in honesty:

               Ay,⁷⁸ bid for you as I’d buy.

ARVIRAGUS

ARVIRAGUS     I’ll make’t my comfort

80

80            He is a man, I’ll love him as my brother:

               And such a welcome as I’d give to him

               After long absence, such is yours. Most welcome!

               Be sprightly,⁸³ for you fall ’mongst friends.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     ’Mongst⁸⁴ friends

85

85            If brothers.— Would it had been so that they Aside

               Had been my father’s sons, then had my prize⁸⁶

               Been less, and so more equal ballasting

               To thee, Posthumus.

BELARIUS

BELARIUS     He wrings⁸⁹ at some distress.

90

90   

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS             Would I could free’t.⁹⁰

ARVIRAGUS

ARVIRAGUS     Or I, whate’er it be,

               What pain it cost, what danger. Gods!

BELARIUS

BELARIUS     Hark, boys. They whisper aside

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     Great men To herself

95

95            That had a court no bigger than this cave,

               That did attend themselves⁹⁶ and had the virtue

               Which their own conscience sealed them⁹⁷ — laying by

               That nothing-gift⁹⁸ of differing multitudes —

               Could not out-peer⁹⁹ these twain. Pardon me, gods,

100

100          I’d change my sex to be companion with them,

               Since Leonatus’¹⁰¹ false.

BELARIUS

BELARIUS     It shall be so:

               Boys, we’ll go dress our hunt.¹⁰³ Fair youth, come in:

               Discourse¹⁰⁴ is heavy, fasting: when we have supped

105

105          We’ll mannerly¹⁰⁵ demand thee of thy story,

               So far as thou wilt speak it.

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     Pray draw near.

ARVIRAGUS

ARVIRAGUS     The¹⁰⁸ night to th’owl and morn to th’lark less welcome.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     Thanks, sir.

110

110 

ARVIRAGUS

ARVIRAGUS             I pray draw near.

        Exeunt

Act 3 Scene 73.7

running scene 12

        Enter two Roman Senators and Tribunes

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR     This is the tenor¹ of the emperor’s writ:

               That since the common men² are now in action

               Gainst the Pannonians and Dalmatians,³

               And that the legions now in Gallia are

5

5              Full⁵ weak to undertake our wars against

               The fall’n-off⁶ Britons, that we do incite

               The gentry to this business. He creates

               Lucius proconsul: and to you the tribunes,

               For this immediate levy, he commands⁹

10

10            His absolute commission.¹⁰ Long live Caesar!

TRIBUNE

TRIBUNE     Is Lucius general of the forces?

SECOND SENATOR

SECOND SENATOR     Ay.

TRIBUNE

TRIBUNE     Remaining now in Gallia?

FIRST SENATOR

FIRST SENATOR     With those legions

15

15            Which I have spoke of, whereunto your levy

               Must be supplyant:¹⁶ the words of your commission

               Will tie you to the numbers and the time

               Of their dispatch.

TRIBUNE

TRIBUNE     We will discharge our duty.

        Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 14.1

running scene 13

        Enter Cloten alone

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     I am near to th’place where they should meet, if Pisanio have mapped it truly. How fit² his garments serve me! Why should his mistress, who was made by him that made the tailor, not be fit³ too? The rather — saving reverence of the word — for ’tis said a woman’s fitness comes by fits.⁴ Therein I must play the workman. I dare speak it to myself, for it is not vainglory⁵ for a man and his glass to confer in his own chamber; I mean, the lines of my body are as well drawn as his: no less young, more strong, not beneath him in fortunes, beyond him in the advantage⁸ of the time, above him in birth, alike conversant in general services, and more remarkable in single oppositions;⁹ yet this imperceiverant thing loves him in my despite.¹⁰ What mortality is! Posthumus, thy head, which now is growing upon thy shoulders, shall within this hour be off, thy mistress enforced,¹¹ thy garments cut to pieces before thy face: and all this done, spurn¹² her home to her father, who may haply¹³ be a little angry for my so rough usage: but my mother, having power of¹⁴ his testiness, shall turn all into my commendations. My horse is tied up safe. Out, sword, and to a sore¹⁵ purpose! Draws Fortune put them into my hand. This is the very description of their meeting-place, and the fellow dares not deceive me.

        Exit

Act 4 Scene 2

running scene 14

        Enter Belarius, Guiderius, Arviragus and Innogen from the cave Innogen disguised as Fideie

BELARIUS

BELARIUS     You are not well: remain here in the cave, To Innogen

               We’ll come to you after hunting.

ARVIRAGUS

ARVIRAGUS     Brother, stay here: To Innogen

               Are we not brothers?

5

5       

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     So man and man should be,

               But clay and clay differs in dignity,

               Whose dust is both alike. I am very sick.

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     Go you to hunting, I’ll abide with him.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     So sick I am not, yet I am not well:

10

10            But not so citizen¹⁰ a wanton as

               To seem to die ere¹¹ sick: so please you, leave me,

               Stick to your journal¹² course: the breach of custom

               Is breach of all. I am ill, but your being by me

               Cannot amend me.¹⁴ Society is no comfort

15

15            To one not sociable: I am not very sick,

               Since I can reason of¹⁶ it: pray you trust me here,

               I’ll rob none¹⁷ but myself, and let me die,

               Stealing so poorly.¹⁸

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     I love thee: I have spoke it,

20

20            How much the quantity, the weight²⁰ as much,

               As I do love my father.

BELARIUS

BELARIUS     What? How? How?

ARVIRAGUS

ARVIRAGUS     If it be sin to say so, sir, I yoke me²³

               In my good brother’s fault: I know not why

25

25            I love this youth, and I have heard you say

               Love’s reason’s without reason. The bier at door,²⁶

               And a demand who is’t shall die, I’d say

               ‘My father, not this youth.’

BELARIUS

BELARIUS     O noble strain!²⁹ Aside

30

30            O worthiness of nature, breed³⁰ of greatness!

               Cowards father cowards, and base things sire base:

               Nature hath meal and bran,³² contempt and grace.

               I’m not their father, yet³³ who this should be

               Doth miracle itself, loved before me.—

35

35            ’Tis the ninth hour o’th’morn. Aloud

ARVIRAGUS

ARVIRAGUS     Brother, farewell.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     I wish ye sport.

ARVIRAGUS

ARVIRAGUS     You health.— So³⁸ please you, sir.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     These are kind creatures. Aside

40

40            Gods, what lies I have heard!

               Our courtiers say all’s savage but⁴¹ at court;

               Experience, O, thou disprov’st report!

               Th’imperious seas breeds monsters; for the dish

               Poor tributary⁴⁴ rivers as sweet fish:

45

45            I am sick still, heart-sick. Pisanio,

               I’ll now taste of thy drug. Drinks

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     I could not stir⁴⁷ him:

               He said he was gentle,⁴⁸ but unfortunate;

               Dishonestly afflicted,⁴⁹ but yet honest.

50

50   

ARVIRAGUS

ARVIRAGUS             Thus did he answer me, yet said hereafter

               I might know more.

BELARIUS

BELARIUS     To th’field,⁵² to th’field!

               We’ll leave you for this time, go in and rest.

ARVIRAGUS

ARVIRAGUS     We’ll not be long away.

55

55   

BELARIUS

BELARIUS             Pray be not sick,

               For you must be our housewife.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     Well or ill,

               I am bound⁵⁸ to you.

        Exit [into the cave]

BELARIUS

BELARIUS     And shalt be ever.

60

60            This youth, howe’er distressed,⁶⁰ appears he hath had

               Good ancestors.

ARVIRAGUS

ARVIRAGUS     How angel-like he sings!

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     But his neat cookery! He cut our roots⁶³ in characters,

               And sauced our broths as⁶⁴ Juno had been sick

65

65            And he her dieter.⁶⁵

ARVIRAGUS

ARVIRAGUS     Nobly he yokes⁶⁶

               A smiling with a sigh, as if the sigh

               Was that⁶⁸ it was for not being such a smile:

               The smile mocking the sigh, that it would fly

70

70            From so divine a temple, to commix⁷⁰

               With winds that sailors rail⁷¹ at.

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     I do note

               That grief and patience, rooted in him both,

               Mingle their spurs⁷⁴ together.

75

75   

ARVIRAGUS

ARVIRAGUS             Grow⁷⁵ patience,

               And let the stinking elder, grief, untwine

               His perishing root with⁷⁷ the increasing vine.

BELARIUS

BELARIUS     It is great morning.⁷⁸ Come away.— Who’s there?

        Enter Cloten

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     I cannot find those runagates,⁷⁹ that villain

80

80            Hath mocked⁸⁰ me. I am faint.

BELARIUS

BELARIUS     ‘Those runagates’?

               Means he not us? I partly know him, ’tis

               Cloten, the son o’th’queen. I fear some ambush.

               I saw him not these many years, and yet

85

85            I know ’tis he. We are held⁸⁵ as outlaws: hence!

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     He is but⁸⁶ one: you and my brother search

               What companies⁸⁷ are near: pray you away,

               Let me alone with him.

        [Exeunt Belarius and Arviragus]

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     Soft,⁸⁹ what are you

90

90            That fly⁹⁰ me thus? Some villain mountaineers?

               I have heard of such. What slave art thou?

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     A thing

               More slavish did I ne’er than answering

               A⁹⁴ slave without a knock.

95

95   

CLOTEN

CLOTEN             Thou art a robber,

               A law-breaker, a villain: yield thee, thief.

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     To who? To thee? What art thou? Have not I

               An arm as big as thine? A heart as big?

               Thy words I⁹⁹ grant are bigger, for I wear not

100

100          My dagger in my mouth. Say what thou art,

               Why I should yield to thee?

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     Thou villain base,

               Know’st me not by my clothes?¹⁰³

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     No, nor thy tailor, rascal,

105

105          Who is thy grandfather: he made those clothes,

               Which, as it seems, make thee.

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     Thou precious varlet,¹⁰⁷

               My tailor made them not.

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     Hence, then, and thank

110

110          The man that gave them thee. Thou art some fool,

               I am loath¹¹¹ to beat thee.

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     Thou injurious¹¹² thief,

               Hear but my name, and tremble.

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     What’s thy name?

115

115 

CLOTEN

CLOTEN             Cloten, thou villain.

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     Cloten, thou double villain be thy name,

               I cannot tremble at it: were it toad, or adder, spider,

               ’Twould move me sooner.

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     To thy further fear,

120

120          Nay, to thy mere confusion,¹²⁰ thou shalt know

               I am son to th’queen.

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     I am sorry for’t: not seeming¹²²

               So¹²³ worthy as thy birth.

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     Art not afeard?

125

125 

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS             Those that I reverence, those I fear, the wise:

               At fools I laugh, not fear them.

CLOTEN

CLOTEN     Die the death:

               When I have slain thee with my proper¹²⁸ hand,

               I’ll follow those that even now fled hence,

130

130          And on¹³⁰ the gates of Lud’s town set your heads:

               Yield, rustic mountaineer.

        Fight and exeunt

        Enter Belarius and Arviragus

BELARIUS

BELARIUS     No company’s abroad?¹³²

ARVIRAGUS

ARVIRAGUS     None in the world: you did mistake him, sure.¹³³

BELARIUS

BELARIUS     I cannot tell: long is it since I saw him,

135

135          But time hath nothing blurred those lines of favour¹³⁵

               Which then he wore: the snatches¹³⁶ in his voice

               And burst of speaking were as his: I am absolute¹³⁷

               ’Twas very¹³⁸ Cloten.

ARVIRAGUS

ARVIRAGUS     In this place we left them.

140

140          I wish my brother make¹⁴⁰ good time with him,

               You say he is so fell.¹⁴¹

BELARIUS

BELARIUS     Being¹⁴² scarce made up,

               I mean to man, he had not apprehension¹⁴³

               Of roaring terrors: for defect of judgement¹⁴⁴

145

145          Is oft the cause of fear.

        Enter Guiderius With Cloten’s head

               But see thy brother.

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     This Cloten was a fool, an empty purse,

               There was no money in’t: not Hercules¹⁴⁸

               Could have knocked out his brains, for he had none:

150

150          Yet I¹⁵⁰ not doing this, the fool had borne

               My head, as I do his.

BELARIUS

BELARIUS     What hast thou done?

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     I am perfect¹⁵³ what: cut off one Cloten’s head,

               Son to the queen, after¹⁵⁴ his own report,

155

155          Who called me traitor, mountaineer, and swore

               With his own single hand he’d take us in,¹⁵⁶

               Displace our heads where — thank the gods — they grow,

               And set them on Lud’s town.

BELARIUS

BELARIUS     We are all undone.

160

160 

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS             Why, worthy father, what have we to lose

               But that he swore to take, our lives? The¹⁶¹ law

               Protects not us, then why should we be tender¹⁶²

               To let an arrogant piece of flesh threat¹⁶³ us,

               Play judge and executioner all himself,

165

165          For¹⁶⁵ we do fear the law? What company

               Discover you abroad?

BELARIUS

BELARIUS     No single soul

               Can we set eye on, but in all safe¹⁶⁸ reason

               He must have some attendants. Though his humour¹⁶⁹

170

170          Was nothing but mutation,¹⁷⁰ ay, and that

               From one bad thing to worse, not frenzy,

               Not absolute madness could so far have raved

               To bring him here alone: although perhaps

               It may be heard at court that such as we

175

175          Cave¹⁷⁵ here, hunt here, are outlaws, and in time

               May make¹⁷⁶ some stronger head, the which he hearing —

               As it is like him¹⁷⁷ — might break out and swear

               He’d fetch us in,¹⁷⁸ yet is’t not probable

               To come¹⁷⁹ alone, either he so undertaking,

180

180          Or they so suffering:¹⁸⁰ then on good ground we fear,

               If we do fear this body hath a tail¹⁸¹

               More perilous than the head.

ARVIRAGUS

ARVIRAGUS     Let ord’nance¹⁸³

               Come as the gods foresay¹⁸⁴ it: howsoe’er,

185

185          My brother hath done well.

BELARIUS

BELARIUS     I had no mind¹⁸⁶

               To hunt this day: the boy Fidele’s sickness

               Did make my way long forth.¹⁸⁸

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     With his own sword,

190

190          Which he did wave against my throat, I have ta’en

               His head from him: I’ll throw’t into the creek

               Behind our rock, and let it to¹⁹² the sea

               And tell the fishes he’s the queen’s son, Cloten:

               That’s all I reck.¹⁹⁴

        Exit

195

195 

BELARIUS

BELARIUS             I fear ’twill be revenged:

               Would, Polydore, thou hadst not done’t, though valour

               Becomes thee well enough.

ARVIRAGUS

ARVIRAGUS     Would I had done’t,

               So¹⁹⁹ the revenge alone pursued me! Polydore,

200

200          I love thee brotherly, but envy much

               Thou hast robbed me of this deed: I would²⁰¹ revenges

               That possible strength²⁰² might meet would seek us through

               And put²⁰³ us to our answer.

BELARIUS

BELARIUS     Well, ’tis done:

205

205          We’ll hunt no more today, nor seek for danger

               Where there’s no profit. I prithee, to our rock,

               You and Fidele play the cooks: I’ll stay

               Till hasty²⁰⁸ Polydore return, and bring him

               To dinner presently.

210

210 

ARVIRAGUS

ARVIRAGUS             Poor sick Fidele!

               I’ll willingly to him: to gain²¹¹ his colour

               I’d let²¹² a parish of such Clotens’ blood,

               And praise myself for charity.

        Exit [into the cave]

BELARIUS

BELARIUS     O thou goddess,

215

215          Thou divine Nature, thou thyself thou blazon’st²¹⁵

               In these two princely boys! They are as gentle

               As zephyrs²¹⁷ blowing below the violet,

               Not wagging²¹⁸ his sweet head; and yet as rough,

               Their royal blood enchafed,²¹⁹ as the rud’st wind,

220

220          That by the top doth take the mountain pine,

               And make him stoop to th’vale. ’Tis wonder

               That an invisible instinct should frame²²² them

               To royalty unlearned, honour untaught,

               Civility not seen from other,²²⁴ valour

225

225          That wildly²²⁵ grows in them, but yields a crop

               As if it had been sowed. Yet still it’s strange

               What Cloten’s being here to us portends,

               Or what his death will bring us.

        Enter Guiderius

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     Where’s my brother?

230

230          I have sent Cloten’s clotpoll²³⁰ down the stream

               In embassy to his mother; his body’s hostage

               For his return.

        Solemn music

BELARIUS

BELARIUS     My ingenious²³³ instrument!

               Hark, Polydore, it sounds: but what occasion²³⁴

235

235          Hath Cadwal now to give it motion?²³⁵ Hark!

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     Is he at home?

BELARIUS

BELARIUS     He went hence even now.

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     What does he mean? Since death of my dear’st mother

               It did not speak²³⁹ before. All solemn things

240

240          Should answer²⁴⁰ solemn accidents. The matter?

               Triumphs²⁴¹ for nothing and lamenting toys

               Is jollity for apes²⁴² and grief for boys.

               Is Cadwal mad?

        Enter Arviragus, with Innogen dead, bearing her in his arms

BELARIUS

BELARIUS     Look, here he comes,

245

245          And brings the dire occasion in his arms

               Of what we blame him for.

ARVIRAGUS

ARVIRAGUS     The bird is dead

               That we have made so much on.²⁴⁸ I had rather

               Have skipped from sixteen years of age to sixty,

250

250          To have turned²⁵⁰ my leaping time into a crutch,

               Than have seen this.

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     O sweetest, fairest lily!

               My brother wears thee not the²⁵³ one half so well

               As when thou grew’st thyself.

255

255 

BELARIUS

BELARIUS             O melancholy,

               Who ever yet could sound thy bottom?²⁵⁶ Find

               The ooze²⁵⁷ to show what coast thy sluggish crare

               Might easiliest²⁵⁸ harbour in? Thou blessèd thing,

               Jove knows what man thou mightst have made: but, ay,

260

260          Thou died’st a most rare²⁶⁰ boy, of melancholy.

               How found you him?

ARVIRAGUS

ARVIRAGUS     Stark,²⁶² as you see:

               Thus smiling, as²⁶³ some fly had tickled slumber,

               Not²⁶⁴ as death’s dart being laughed at: his right cheek

265

265          Reposing on a cushion.

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     Where?

ARVIRAGUS

ARVIRAGUS     O’th’floor:

               His arms thus leagued,²⁶⁸ I thought he slept, and put

               My clouted brogues²⁶⁹ from off my feet, whose rudeness

270

270          Answered²⁷⁰ my steps too loud.

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     Why, he but²⁷¹ sleeps:

               If he be gone, he’ll²⁷² make his grave a bed:

               With female fairies will his tomb be haunted,

               And worms will not come to thee.

275

275 

ARVIRAGUS

ARVIRAGUS             With fairest flowers

               Whilst summer lasts and I live here, Fidele,

               I’ll sweeten thy sad grave: thou shalt not lack

               The flower that’s like thy face, pale primrose, nor

               The azured²⁷⁹ harebell, like thy veins: no, nor

280

280          The leaf of eglantine,²⁸⁰ whom not to slander,

               Out-sweetened not thy breath: the ruddock²⁸¹ would

               With charitable bill — O bill sore shaming

               Those rich-left heirs that let their fathers lie

               Without a monument! — bring thee all this,

285

285          Yea, and furred moss besides, when flowers are none,

               To winter-ground²⁸⁶ thy corpse—

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     Prithee, have done,

               And do not play in wench-like²⁸⁸ words with that

               Which is so serious. Let us bury him,

290

290          And not protract with admiration²⁹⁰ what

               Is now due debt.²⁹¹ To th’grave.

ARVIRAGUS

ARVIRAGUS     Say, where shall’s²⁹² lay him?

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     By good Euriphile, our mother.

ARVIRAGUS

ARVIRAGUS     Be’t so:

295

295          And let us, Polydore, though now our voices

               Have²⁹⁶ got the mannish crack, sing him to th’ground

               As once²⁹⁷ our mother: use like note and words,

               Save²⁹⁸ that Euriphile must be Fidele.

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     Cadwal,

300

300          I cannot sing: I’ll weep, and word³⁰⁰ it with thee,

               For notes of sorrow out of tune are worse

               Than priests and fanes³⁰² that lie.

ARVIRAGUS

ARVIRAGUS     We’ll speak it, then.

BELARIUS

BELARIUS     Great griefs, I see, med’cine the less,³⁰⁴ for Cloten

305

305          Is quite forgot. He was a queen’s son, boys,

               And though he came³⁰⁶ our enemy, remember

               He was paid³⁰⁷ for that: though mean and mighty rotting

               Together have one dust, yet reverence,³⁰⁸

               That angel of the world, doth make distinction

310

310          Of place ’tween high and low. Our foe was princely,

               And though you took his life as being our foe,

               Yet bury him as a prince.

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     Pray you fetch him hither.

               Thersites’³¹⁴ body is as good as Ajax’

315

315          When neither are alive.

ARVIRAGUS

ARVIRAGUS     If you’ll go fetch him,

               We’ll say our song the whilst.³¹⁷ Brother, begin.

        [Exit Belarius]

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     Nay, Cadwal, we must lay his head to th’east.³¹⁸

               My father hath a reason for’t.

320

320 

ARVIRAGUS

ARVIRAGUS             ’Tis true.

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     Come on then, and remove³²¹ him.

ARVIRAGUS

ARVIRAGUS     So, Begin.

                                    Song Spoken or chanted, not sung?

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     Fear no more the heat o’th’sun,

                                    Nor the furious winter’s rages,

325

325                                    Thou thy worldly task hast done,

                                    Home³²⁶ art gone, and ta’en thy wages.

                                    Golden³²⁷ lads and girls all must,

                                    As³²⁸ chimney-sweepers, come to dust.

ARVIRAGUS

ARVIRAGUS     Fear no more the frown o’th’great,

330

330                                    Thou art past the tyrant’s stroke,

                                    Care no more to clothe and eat,

                                    To thee the reed is as the oak.

                                    The sceptre, learning, physic,³³³ must

                                    All follow this and come to dust.

335

335 

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS             Fear no more the lightning flash,

ARVIRAGUS

ARVIRAGUS     Nor th’all-dreaded thunder-stone.³³⁶

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     Fear not slander, censure rash.

ARVIRAGUS

ARVIRAGUS     Thou hast finished joy and moan.

BOTH

BOTH     All lovers young, all lovers must

340

340                                    Consign to thee³⁴⁰ and come to dust.

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     No exorcizer³⁴¹ harm thee,

ARVIRAGUS

ARVIRAGUS     Nor no witchcraft charm³⁴² thee.

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     Ghost³⁴³ unlaid forbear thee.

ARVIRAGUS

ARVIRAGUS     Nothing ill come near thee.

345

345 

BOTH

BOTH             Quiet consummation³⁴⁵ have,

                                    And renownèd be thy grave.

        Enter Belarius with the body of Cloten

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     We have done our obsequies:³⁴⁷ come, lay him down.

BELARIUS

BELARIUS     Here’s a few flowers, but ’bout midnight more:

               The herbs that have on them cold dew o’th’night

350

350          Are strewings fitt’st for graves: upon their faces.³⁵⁰

               You were as flowers, now withered: even so

               These herblets shall,³⁵² which we upon you strew.

               Come on, away, apart³⁵³ upon our knees:

               The ground that gave them first³⁵⁴ has them again:

355

355          Their pleasures here are past, so is their pain.

        Exeunt [all but Innogen]

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     Yes, sir, to Milford Haven, which is the way?

        Awakes

               I thank you: by yond bush? Pray how far thither?

               ’Od’s pittikins:³⁵⁸ can it be six mile yet?

               I have gone³⁵⁹ all night: faith, I’ll lie down and sleep.

        Sees Cloten’s body

360

360          But³⁶⁰ soft, no bedfellow! O gods and goddesses!

               These flowers are like the pleasures of the world,

               This bloody man the care on’t.³⁶² I hope I dream:

               For so³⁶³ I thought I was a cave-keeper,

               And cook to honest creatures. But ’tis not so:

365

365          ’Twas but a bolt³⁶⁵ of nothing, shot at nothing,

               Which the brain makes of fumes.³⁶⁶ Our very eyes

               Are sometimes like our judgements, blind. Good faith,

               I tremble still with fear: but if there be

               Yet left in heaven as small a drop of pity

370

370          As a wren’s eye,³⁷⁰ feared gods, a part of it!

               The dream’s here still: even when I wake it is

               Without³⁷² me, as within me: not imagined, felt.

               A headless man? The garments of Posthumus?

               I know the shape of’s leg: this is his hand:

375

375          His³⁷⁵ foot mercurial: his martial thigh:

               The brawns³⁷⁶ of Hercules: but his jovial face—

               Murder in heaven! How? ’Tis gone. Pisanio,

               All curses madded³⁷⁸ Hecuba gave the Greeks,

               And mine to boot, be darted³⁷⁹ on thee! Thou,

380

380          Conspired³⁸⁰ with that irregulous devil, Cloten,

               Hath here cut off my lord. To write and read

               Be henceforth treacherous! Damned Pisanio

               Hath with his forgèd letters — damned Pisanio —

               From this³⁸⁴ most bravest vessel of the world

385

385          Struck the main-top!³⁸⁵ O Posthumus, alas,

               Where is thy head? Where’s that? Ay me! Where’s that?

               Pisanio might have killed thee at the heart,

               And left this head on. How should this be, Pisanio?

               ’Tis he and Cloten: malice and lucre³⁸⁹ in them

390

390          Have laid³⁹⁰ this woe here. O, ’tis pregnant, pregnant!

               The drug he gave me, which he said was precious

               And cordial³⁹² to me, have I not found it

               Murd’rous to th’senses? That confirms it home:³⁹³

               This is Pisanio’s deed, and Cloten: O,

395

395          Give³⁹⁵ colour to my pale cheek with thy blood,

               That we the horrider³⁹⁶ may seem to those

               Which chance³⁹⁷ to find us! O my lord, my lord! Embraces the body

        Enter Lucius, Captains and a Soothsayer

CAPTAIN

CAPTAIN     To them the legions garrisoned in Gallia³⁹⁸

               After³⁹⁹ your will have crossed the sea, attending

400

400          You here at Milford Haven with your ships:

               They are in readiness.

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     But what from Rome?

CAPTAIN

CAPTAIN     The senate hath stirred up the confiners⁴⁰³

               And gentlemen of Italy, most willing spirits,

405

405          That promise noble service: and they come

               Under the conduct of bold Iachimo,

               Siena’s⁴⁰⁷ brother.

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     When expect you them?

CAPTAIN

CAPTAIN     With the next benefit⁴⁰⁹ o’th’wind.

410

410 

LUCIUS

LUCIUS             This forwardness⁴¹⁰

               Makes our hopes fair. Command our present numbers

               Be mustered: bid the captains look to’t. Now, sir,

               What have you dreamed of late of this war’s purpose?⁴¹³

SOOTHSAYER

SOOTHSAYER     Last night the very gods showed me a vision —

415

415          I fast,⁴¹⁵ and prayed for their intelligence — thus:

               I saw Jove’s bird, the Roman eagle, winged⁴¹⁶

               From the spongy⁴¹⁷ south to this part of the west,

               There vanished in the sunbeams: which portends⁴¹⁸ —

               Unless my sins⁴¹⁹ abuse my divination —

420

420          Success to th’Roman host.⁴²⁰

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     Dream often so,

               And never false.— Soft ho, what trunk⁴²² is here? Sees Cloten’s body

               Without his⁴²³ top? The ruin speaks that sometime

               It was a worthy building. How, a page?

425

425          Or⁴²⁵ dead or sleeping on him? But dead rather:

               For nature doth abhor⁴²⁶ to make his bed

               With the defunct,⁴²⁷ or sleep upon the dead.

               Let’s see the boy’s face.

CAPTAIN

CAPTAIN     He’s alive, my lord.

430

430 

LUCIUS

LUCIUS             He’ll then instruct us of⁴³⁰ this body. Young one,

               Inform us of thy fortunes, for it seems

               They crave⁴³² to be demanded: who is this

               Thou mak’st thy bloody pillow? Or who was he

               That, otherwise than noble nature did,

435

435          Hath altered⁴³⁵ that good picture? What’s thy interest

               In this sad wreck?⁴³⁶ How came’t? Who is’t?

               What art thou?

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     I am nothing; or if not,

               Nothing to be were better. This was my master,

440

440          A very valiant Briton, and a good,

               That here by mountaineers lies slain. Alas,

               There is⁴⁴² no more such masters: I may wander

               From east to occident,⁴⁴³ cry out for service,

               Try many, all good, serve truly, never

445

445          Find such another master.

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     ’Lack,⁴⁴⁶ good youth,

               Thou mov’st no less with thy complaining⁴⁴⁷ than

               Thy master in bleeding: say his name, good friend.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     Richard du Champ.— If I do lie and do Aside

450

450          No harm by it, though the gods hear, I hope

               They’ll pardon it.— Say you,⁴⁵¹ sir?

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     Thy name?

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     Fidele, sir.

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     Thou dost approve⁴⁵⁴ thyself the very same:

455

455          Thy name well fits thy faith, thy faith thy name.

               Wilt take thy chance with me? I will not say

               Thou shalt be so well mastered, but be sure

               No less beloved. The Roman emperor’s letters,

               Sent by a consul to me, should not sooner

460

460          Than thine own worth prefer⁴⁶⁰ thee: go with me.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     I’ll follow, sir. But first, an’t⁴⁶¹ please the gods,

               I’ll hide my master from the flies, as deep

               As these poor pickaxes⁴⁶³ can dig: and when

               With wildwood leaves and weeds I ha’ strewed his grave,

465

465          And on it said a century of⁴⁶⁵ prayers,

               Such as I can,⁴⁶⁶ twice o’er, I’ll weep and sigh,

               And leaving so his service, follow you,

               So⁴⁶⁸ please you entertain me.

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     Ay, good youth,

470

470          And rather father thee than master thee.

               My friends,

               The boy hath taught us manly duties: let us

               Find out the prettiest daisied plot we can,

               And make him with our pikes⁴⁷⁴ and partisans

475

475          A grave: come, arm him.⁴⁷⁵ Boy, he is preferred

               By thee to us, and he shall be interred

               As soldiers can.⁴⁷⁷ Be cheerful, wipe thine eyes:

               Some falls are means the happier to arise.

        Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 34.3

running scene 15

        Enter Cymbeline, Lords and Pisanio [with Attendants]

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     Again,¹ and bring me word how ’tis with her.

        [Exit an Attendant]

               A fever with² the absence of her son,

               A madness of³ which her life’s in danger: heavens,

               How deeply you at once do touch⁴ me! Innogen,

5

5              The great part of my comfort, gone: my queen

               Upon⁶ a desperate bed, and in a time

               When fearful wars point at me: her son gone,

               So needful for this present.⁸ It strikes me, past

               The hope of comfort. But for thee, fellow,

10

10            Who needs must know of her departure and

               Dost seem so ignorant, we’ll enforce¹¹ it from thee

               By a sharp torture.

PISANIO

PISANIO     Sir, my life is yours,

               I humbly set it at your will: but for my mistress,

15

15            I nothing know¹⁵ where she remains, why gone,

               Nor when she purposes¹⁶ return. Beseech your highness,

               Hold¹⁷ me your loyal servant.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     Good my liege,

               The day that she was missing he was here:

20

20            I dare be bound he’s true, and shall perform

               All parts of his subjection²¹ loyally. For Cloten,

               There wants²² no diligence in seeking him,

               And will²³ no doubt be found.

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     The time is troublesome.—

25

25            We’ll slip²⁵ you for a season, but our jealousy To Pisanio

               Does yet depend.²⁶

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     So please your majesty,

               The Roman legions, all from Gallia drawn,

               Are landed on your coast with a supply

30

30            Of Roman gentlemen³⁰ by the senate sent.

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     Now for³¹ the counsel of my son and queen!

               I am amazed with matter.³²

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     Good my liege,

               Your preparation can affront³⁴ no less

35

35            Than what you hear of. Come more,³⁵ for more you’re ready:

               The³⁶ want is but to put those powers in motion

               That long to move.

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     I thank you: let’s withdraw

               And meet the time as it seeks us. We fear not

40

40            What can from Italy annoy⁴⁰ us, but

               We grieve at chances⁴¹ here. Away.

        Exeunt [all but Pisanio]

PISANIO

PISANIO     I heard no letter⁴² from my master since

               I wrote him Innogen was slain. ’Tis strange:

               Nor hear I from my mistress, who did promise

45

45            To yield me often tidings. Neither know I

               What is betid⁴⁶ to Cloten, but remain

               Perplexed in all. The heavens still must work.

               Wherein I am false I am honest: not true, to be true.

               These present wars shall find⁴⁹ I love my country,

50

50            Even⁵⁰ to the note o’th’king, or I’ll fall in them.

               All other doubts, by time let them be cleared:

               Fortune⁵² brings in some boats that are not steered.

        Exit

Act 4 Scene 44.4

running scene 16

        Enter Belarius, Guiderius and Arviragus

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     The noise¹ is round about us.

BELARIUS

BELARIUS     Let us from it.

ARVIRAGUS

ARVIRAGUS     What pleasure, sir, find we in life, to lock it³

               From action and adventure?

5

5     

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS             Nay, what hope

               Have we in hiding us? This way⁶ the Romans

               Must or for⁷ Britons slay us or receive us

               For barbarous and unnatural revolts

               During their use, and slay us after.

10

10   

BELARIUS

BELARIUS             Sons,

               We’ll higher to the mountains, there secure us.¹¹

               To the king’s party there’s no going: newness

               Of Cloten’s death — we being not¹³ known, not mustered

               Among the bands — may drive¹⁴ us to a render

15

15            Where we have lived, and so extort from’s¹⁵ that

               Which we have done, whose answer¹⁶ would be death

               Drawn on with¹⁷ torture.

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     This is, sir, a doubt

               In such a time nothing becoming you,

20

20            Nor satisfying us.

ARVIRAGUS

ARVIRAGUS     It is not likely

               That when they hear the Roman horses neigh,

               Behold their quartered fires,²³ have both their eyes

               And ears so cloyed importantly²⁴ as now,

25

25            That they will waste their time upon our note,²⁵

               To know from whence we are.

BELARIUS

BELARIUS     O, I am known

               Of²⁸ many in the army: many years,

               Though Cloten then²⁹ but young, you see, not wore him

30

30            From my remembrance.³⁰ And besides, the king

               Hath not deserved my service nor your loves,

               Who find in my exile the want of breeding,³²

               The certainty³³ of this hard life, aye hopeless

               To have the courtesy³⁴ your cradle promised,

35

35            But to be still³⁵ hot summer’s tanlings and

               The shrinking³⁶ slaves of winter.

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     Than be so,

               Better to cease to be. Pray, sir, to th’army:

               I and my brother are not known; yourself

40

40            So out of thought,⁴⁰ and thereto so o’ergrown,

               Cannot be questioned.⁴¹

ARVIRAGUS

ARVIRAGUS     By this sun that shines,

               I’ll thither: what thing is’t⁴³ that I never

               Did see man die, scarce ever looked on blood

45

45            But that of coward hares, hot⁴⁵ goats and venison!

               Never bestrid a horse, save one that had

               A rider like myself, who ne’er wore rowel

               Nor iron⁴⁷ on his heel! I am ashamed

               To look upon the holy sun, to have

50

50            The benefit of his blest beams, remaining

               So long a poor unknown.

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     By heavens, I’ll go:

               If you will bless me, sir, and give me leave,

               I’ll take the better care:⁵⁴ but if you will not,

55

55            The hazard therefore due⁵⁵ fall on me by

               The hands of Romans.

ARVIRAGUS

ARVIRAGUS     So say I, amen.

BELARIUS

BELARIUS     No reason I, since of your lives you set

               So slight a valuation, should reserve

60

60            My cracked⁶⁰ one to more care. Have with you, boys!

               If in your country⁶¹ wars you chance to die,

               That is my bed too, lads, and there I’ll lie.

               Lead, lead.— The time seems long, their⁶³ blood thinks scorn Aside

               Till it fly out and show them princes born.

        Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 1*

running scene 17

        Enter Posthumus alone With a bloody handkerchief

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     Yea, bloody cloth,¹ I’ll keep thee: for I wished

               Thou shouldst be coloured thus. You married ones,

               If each of you should take this course,³ how many

               Must murder wives much better than themselves

5

5              For wrying⁵ but a little? O Pisanio,

               Every good servant does not⁶ all commands:

               No bond but⁷ to do just ones. Gods, if you

               Should have⁸ ta’en vengeance on my faults, I never

               Had lived to put on this:⁹ so had you saved

10

10            The noble Innogen to repent,¹⁰ and struck

               Me, wretch, more worth¹¹ your vengeance. But alack,

               You snatch some hence for little faults; that’s love,

               To have them fall¹³ no more: you some permit

               To second¹⁴ ills with ills, each elder worse,

15

15            And make¹⁵ them dread it, to the doer’s thrift.

               But Innogen is your own: do your best wills,

               And make me blest to obey. I am brought hither

               Among th’Italian gentry, and to fight

               Against my lady’s kingdom: ’tis enough

20

20            That, Britain, I have killed thy mistress: peace,

               I’ll give no wound to thee. Therefore, good heavens,

               Hear patiently my purpose: I’ll disrobe me

               Of these Italian weeds²³ and suit myself

               As does a Briton peasant: so I’ll fight

25

25            Against the part²⁵ I come with: so I’ll die

               For thee, O Innogen, even for whom my life

               Is every breath a death: and thus, unknown,

               Pitied²⁸ nor hated, to the face of peril

               Myself I’ll dedicate. Let me make men know

30

30            More valour in me than my habits³⁰ show.

               Gods, put the strength o’th’Leonati in me!

               To shame the guise³² o’th’world, I will begin

               The fashion, less³³ without and more within.

        Exit

Act 5 Scene 2

running scene 18

        Enter Lucius, Iachimo and the Roman army at one door: and the Briton army at another: Leonatus Posthumus following like a poor soldier. They march over and go out. Then enter again, in skirmish, Iachimo and Posthumus: he vanquisheth and disarmeth Iachimo, and then leaves him

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     The heaviness and guilt within my bosom¹

               Takes off² my manhood: I have belied a lady,

               The princess of this country, and the air on’t³

               Revengingly enfeebles me; or could⁴ this carl,

5

5              A very⁵ drudge of nature’s, have subdued me

               In my profession?⁶ Knighthoods and honours, borne

               As I wear mine, are titles but of scorn.⁷

               If that thy gentry, Britain, go before⁸

               This lout as he exceeds our lords, the odds⁹

10

10            Is that we scarce are men and you are gods.

        Exit

        The battle continues, the Britons fly, Cymbeline is taken: then enter, to his rescue, Belarius, Guiderius and Arviragus

BELARIUS

BELARIUS     Stand, stand, we have th’advantage of the ground.

               The lane is guarded: nothing routs¹² us but

               The villainy of our fears.

GUIDERIUS and ARVIRAGUS

GUIDERIUS      Stand, stand and fight.

        Enter Posthumus and seconds the Britons. They rescue Cymbeline, and exeunt. Then enter Lucius, Iachimo and Innogen

15

15   

LUCIUS

LUCIUS             Away, boy, from the troops, and save thyself:

               For friends kill friends, and the disorder’s such

               As¹⁷ war were hoodwinked.

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     ’Tis their fresh supplies.

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     It is a day turned strangely: or¹⁹ betimes

20

               Let’s reinforce, or fly.

        Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 3

running scene 18 continues

        Enter Posthumus and a Briton Lord

LORD

LORD     Cam’st thou from where they made the stand?

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     I did.

               Though you, it seems, come from the fliers.³

LORD

LORD     I did.

5

5     

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS             No blame be to you, sir, for all was lost,

               But⁶ that the heavens fought: the king himself

               Of his wings⁷ destitute, the army broken,

               And but⁸ the backs of Britons seen, all flying

               Through a strait⁹ lane: the enemy full-hearted,

10

10            Lolling the tongue¹⁰ with slaught’ring, having work

               More plentiful than tools to do’t, struck down

               Some mortally,¹² some slightly touched, some falling

               Merely through fear, that the strait pass was dammed¹³

               With dead men hurt behind, and cowards living

15

15            To die with lengthened¹⁵ shame.

LORD

LORD     Where was this lane?

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     Close by the battle, ditched and walled with turf,

               Which gave advantage to an ancient¹⁸ soldier,

               An honest one, I warrant, who¹⁹ deserved

20

20            So long a breeding as his white beard came to

               In doing this for’s country. Athwart the lane,

               He, with two striplings²² — lads more like to run

               The country base than to commit such slaughter,

               With faces fit for masks,²⁴ or rather fairer

25

25            Than those for preservation cased, or shame —

               Made good²⁶ the passage, cried to those that fled,

               ‘Our Britain’s harts²⁷ die flying, not our men:

               To²⁸ darkness fleet souls that fly backwards. Stand,

               Or we are Romans, and will give you that²⁹

30

30            Like beasts³⁰ which you shun beastly, and may save

               But to look back in frown:³¹ stand, stand.’ These three,

               Three³² thousand confident, in act as many —

               For three performers are the file³³ when all

               The rest do nothing — with this word ‘Stand, stand’,

35

35            Accommodated³⁵ by the place, more charming

               With their own nobleness, which could have turned

               A distaff³⁷ to a lance, gilded pale looks;

               Part³⁸ shame, part spirit renewed, that some, turned coward

               But by example³⁹ — O, a sin in war,

40

40            Damned in the first beginners! — ’gan⁴⁰ to look

               The way that they did, and to grin⁴¹ like lions

               Upon the pikes o’th’hunters. Then began

               A stop i’th’chaser;⁴³ a retire: anon

               A rout, confusion thick: forthwith they fly

45

45            Chickens the way which they⁴⁵ stooped eagles: slaves,

               The strides they victors made: and now our cowards,

               Like⁴⁷ fragments in hard voyages, became

               The life o’th’need: having⁴⁸ found the back door open

               Of the unguarded hearts, heavens, how they wound!

50

50            Some⁵⁰ slain before, some dying, some their friends

               O’erborne i’th’former wave, ten chased by one,

               Are now each one the slaughter-man of twenty:

               Those that would die or ere resist⁵³ are grown

               The mortal bugs⁵⁴ o’th’field.

55

55   

LORD

LORD             This was strange chance:

               A narrow lane, an old man, and two boys.

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     Nay, do not wonder at it:⁵⁷ you are made

               Rather to wonder at the things you hear

               Than to work any.⁵⁹ Will you rhyme upon’t,

60

60            And vent⁶⁰ it for a mock’ry? Here is one:

               ‘Two boys, an old man — twice a boy⁶¹ — a lane,

               Preserved the Britons, was the Romans’ bane.⁶²’

LORD

LORD     Nay, be not angry, sir.

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     ’Lack,⁶⁴ to what end?

65

65            Who dares not stand⁶⁵ his foe, I’ll be his friend:

               For if he’ll do as he is made⁶⁶ to do,

               I know he’ll quickly fly my friendship⁶⁷ too.

               You have put me into rhyme.

LORD

LORD     Farewell, you’re angry.

        Exit

70

70   

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS             Still going?⁷⁰ This is a lord! O noble misery,

               To be i’th’field and ask ‘What news?’ of me.

               Today how many would have given their honours⁷²

               To have saved their carcasses? Took⁷³ heel to do’t,

               And yet died too.⁷⁴ I, in mine own woe charmed,

75

75            Could not find death where I did hear him groan,

               Nor feel him where he struck. Being an ugly monster,

               ’Tis strange he hides him in fresh cups, soft beds,

               Sweet words, or hath more ministers⁷⁸ than we

               That draw his knives i’th’war. Well, I will find him:

80

80            For⁸⁰ being now a favourer to the Briton,

               No more a Briton, I have resumed again

               The part⁸² I came in. Fight I will no more,

               But yield me to the veriest hind⁸³ that shall

               Once touch my shoulder.⁸⁴ Great the slaughter is

85

85            Here made⁸⁵ by th’Roman; great the answer be

               Britons must take. For me, my ransom’s death,

               On either side⁸⁷ I come to spend my breath,

               Which neither here I’ll keep⁸⁸ nor bear again,

               But end it by some means for Innogen.

        Enter two Captains and Soldiers

90

90   

FIRST CAPTAIN

FIRST CAPTAIN             Great Jupiter be praised, Lucius is taken.

               ’Tis thought the old man and his sons were angels.

SECOND CAPTAIN

SECOND CAPTAIN     There was a fourth man, in a silly habit,⁹²

               That gave th’affront⁹³ with them.

FIRST CAPTAIN

FIRST CAPTAIN     So ’tis reported:

95

95            But none of ’em can be found. Stand, who’s there?

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     A Roman,

               Who had not now been drooping here, if seconds⁹⁷

               Had answered him.⁹⁸

SECOND CAPTAIN

SECOND CAPTAIN     Lay hands on him: a dog,

100

100          A¹⁰⁰ leg of Rome shall not return to tell

               What crows have pecked them here: he brags his service

               As if he were of note:¹⁰² bring him to th’king.

        Enter Cymbeline, Belarius, Guiderius, Arviragus, Pisanio and Roman Captives [with Jailers]. The Captains present Posthumus to Cymbeline, who delivers him over to a Jailer

        [Exeunt all but Posthumus and two Jailers]

FIRST JAILER

FIRST JAILER     You¹⁰⁴ shall not now be stol’n, you have locks upon you;

               So graze as you find pasture.

105

105   

SECOND JAILER

SECOND JAILER             Ay, or a stomach.¹⁰⁵

        [Exeunt Jailers]

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     Most welcome bondage, for thou art a way,

               I think, to liberty: yet am I better

               Than one that’s sick o’th’gout, since he had rather

               Groan¹⁰⁹ so in perpetuity than be cured

110

110          By th’sure physician, death, who is the key

               T’unbar¹¹¹ these locks. My conscience, thou art fettered

               More than my shanks¹¹² and wrists: you good gods give me

               The¹¹³ penitent instrument to pick that bolt,

               Then free for ever.¹¹⁴ Is’t enough I am sorry?

115

115          So children temporal¹¹⁵ fathers do appease;

               Gods are more full of mercy. Must I¹¹⁶ repent,

               I cannot do it better than in gyves,¹¹⁷

               Desired more than constrained:¹¹⁸ to satisfy,

               If¹¹⁹ of my freedom ’tis the main part, take

120

120          No stricter render¹²⁰ of me than my all.

               I know you are more clement¹²¹ than vile men,

               Who of¹²² their broken debtors take a third,

               A sixth, a tenth, letting them thrive again

               On their abatement:¹²⁴ that’s not my desire.

125

125          For Innogen’s dear life take mine, and though

               ’Tis not so dear, yet ’tis a life; you coined¹²⁶ it.

               ’Tween man and man they weigh not every stamp:¹²⁷

               Though light,¹²⁸ take pieces for the figure’s sake.

               You¹²⁹ rather mine, being yours: and so, great powers,

130

130          If you will take this audit,¹³⁰ take this life,

               And cancel these cold bonds.¹³¹ O Innogen,

               I’ll speak to thee in silence. Sleeps

        Solemn music. Enter, as in an apparition, Sicilius Leonatus, father to Posthumus, an old man, attired like a warrior, leading in his hand an ancient matron, his wife and mother to Posthumus, with music before them. Then, after other music, follows the two young Leonati, brothers to Posthumus, with wounds as they died in the wars. They circle Posthumus round as he lies sleeping

SICILIUS

SICILIUS     No more, thou thunder-master,¹³³ show

               Thy spite on mortal flies:¹³⁴

135

135          With Mars fall out, with Juno chide,

               That¹³⁶ thy adulteries

               Rates¹³⁷ and revenges.

               Hath my poor boy done aught¹³⁸ but well,

               Whose face I never saw?

140

140          I died whilst in the womb he stayed

               Attending nature’s law,¹⁴¹

               Whose father then — as men report

               Thou orphans’ father art —

               Thou shouldst have been, and shielded him

145

145          From this earth-vexing smart.¹⁴⁵

MOTHER

MOTHER     Lucina¹⁴⁶ lent not me her aid,

               But took¹⁴⁷ me in my throes,

               That¹⁴⁸ from me was Posthumus ripped,

               Came crying ’mongst his foes,

150

150          A thing of pity.

SICILIUS

SICILIUS     Great nature, like his ancestry,

               Moulded the stuff¹⁵² so fair,

               That he deserved the praise o’th’world,

               As great Sicilius’ heir.

155

155 

FIRST BROTHER

FIRST BROTHER             When once¹⁵⁵ he was mature for man,

               In Britain where was he

               That could stand up his parallel,

               Or fruitful¹⁵⁸ object be

               In eye of Innogen, that best

160

160          Could deem his dignity?¹⁶⁰

MOTHER

MOTHER     With marriage wherefore¹⁶¹ was he mocked,

               To be exiled, and thrown

               From Leonati seat,¹⁶³ and cast

               From her his dearest one,

165

165          Sweet Innogen?

SICILIUS

SICILIUS     Why did you suffer¹⁶⁶ Iachimo,

               Slight¹⁶⁷ thing of Italy,

               To taint¹⁶⁸ his nobler heart and brain

               With needless jealousy,

170

170          And to become the geck¹⁷⁰ and scorn

               O’th’other’s villainy?

SECOND BROTHER

SECOND BROTHER     For this from stiller seats¹⁷² we came,

               Our parents and us twain,

               That striking in our country’s cause

175

175          Fell bravely and were slain,

               Our fealty¹⁷⁶ and Tenantius’ right

               With honour to maintain.

FIRST BROTHER

FIRST BROTHER     Like hardiment¹⁷⁸ Posthumus hath

               To Cymbeline performed:

180

180          Then, Jupiter, thou king of gods,

               Why hast thou thus adjourned¹⁸¹

               The graces¹⁸² for his merits due,

               Being all to dolours¹⁸³ turned?

SICILIUS

SICILIUS     Thy crystal¹⁸⁴ window ope, look out,

185

185          No longer exercise

               Upon a valiant race¹⁸⁶ thy harsh

               And potent injuries.

MOTHER

MOTHER     Since, Jupiter, our son is good,

               Take off his miseries.

190

190 

SICILIUS

SICILIUS             Peep through thy marble mansion,¹⁹⁰ help,

               Or we poor ghosts will cry

               To th’shining synod¹⁹² of the rest

               Against thy deity.

BROTHERS

BROTHERS     Help, Jupiter, or we appeal,¹⁹⁴

195

195          And from thy justice fly.

        Jupiter descends in thunder and lightning, sitting upon an eagle: he throws a thunderbolt. The Ghosts fall on their knees

JUPITER

JUPITER     No more you petty spirits of region low¹⁹⁶

               Offend our hearing: hush! How dare you ghosts

               Accuse the thunderer, whose bolt, you know,

               Sky-planted,¹⁹⁹ batters all rebelling coasts?

200

200          Poor shadows of Elysium,²⁰⁰ hence, and rest

               Upon your never-withering banks of flowers.

               Be not with mortal accidents²⁰² oppressed,

               No care of yours it is, you know ’tis ours.

               Whom best I love, I cross, to make my gift

205

205          The more delayed, delighted.²⁰⁵ Be content,

               Your low-laid son our godhead will uplift:

               His comforts thrive, his trials well are spent.²⁰⁷

               Our jovial star²⁰⁸ reigned at his birth, and in

               Our temple was he married. Rise, and fade.

210

210          He shall be lord of Lady Innogen,

               And happier much by his affliction made.

               This tablet²¹² lay upon his breast, wherein

               Our pleasure his full fortune doth confine.²¹³

               And so away: no further with your din

215

215          Express impatience, lest you stir up mine.

               Mount, eagle, to my palace crystalline. Ascends

SICILIUS

SICILIUS     He came in thunder, his celestial breath

               Was sulphurous²¹⁸ to smell: the holy eagle

               Stooped²¹⁹ as to foot us: his ascension is

220

220          More sweet²²⁰ than our blest fields: his royal bird

               Prunes²²¹ the immortal wing and claws his beak

               As when²²² his god is pleased.

ALL

ALL     Thanks, Jupiter.

SICILIUS

SICILIUS     The marble pavement²²⁴ closes, he is entered

225

225          His radiant roof. Away, and to be blest,

               Let us with care perform his great behest.²²⁶

        [The Ghosts] vanish

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     Sleep, thou hast been a grandsire, and begot Wakes

               A father to me: and thou hast created

               A mother and two brothers. But, O scorn,²²⁹

230

230          Gone! They went hence so²³⁰ soon as they were born:

               And so I am awake. Poor wretches that depend

               On greatness’ favour²³² dream as I have done,

               Wake and find nothing. But, alas, I swerve:²³³

               Many dream²³⁴ not to find, neither deserve,

235

235          And yet are steeped in favours; so am I,

               That have this golden chance and know not why.

               What fairies haunt this ground? A book?²³⁷ O rare one,

               Be not, as is our fangled²³⁸ world, a garment

               Nobler than that it covers. Let thy effects²³⁹

240

240          So follow, to be most unlike our courtiers,

               As²⁴¹ good as promise.

        Reads

‘Whenas²⁴² a lion’s whelp shall, to himself unknown, without seeking find, and be embraced by a piece²⁴³ of tender air: and when from a stately cedar shall be lopped branches, which being dead many years, shall after revive, be jointed²⁴⁴ to the old stock,²⁴⁵ and freshly grow, then shall Posthumus end his miseries, Britain be fortunate and flourish in peace and plenty.’

               ’Tis still a dream, or else such stuff²⁴⁷ as madmen

               Tongue,²⁴⁸ and brain not: either both or nothing,

               Or senseless speaking, or a speaking such

250

250          As sense cannot untie. Be what it is,

               The action of my life is like it, which²⁵¹ I’ll keep,

               If but for sympathy.

        Enter Jailer

JAILER

JAILER     Come, sir, are you ready for death?

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     Over-roasted rather: ready long ago.

JAILER

JAILER     Hanging is the word, sir: if you be ready for that, you are well cooked.

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     So, if I prove a good repast to the²⁵⁶ spectators, the dish pays the shot.

JAILER

JAILER     A heavy reckoning²⁵⁷ for you, sir. But the comfort is you shall be called to no more payments, fear no more tavern-bills, which are as often the sadness of parting as the procuring of mirth: you come in faint for want of meat, depart reeling with too much drink: sorry that you have paid too much, and sorry that you are paid²⁶¹ too much: purse and brain both empty: the brain the heavier for being too light, the purse too light, being drawn of heaviness.²⁶² Of this contradiction²⁶³ you shall now be quit. O, the charity of a penny cord! It sums up thousands in a trice:²⁶⁴ you have no true debitor and creditor but it: of what’s past, is, and to come, the discharge:²⁶⁵ your neck, sir, is pen, book and counters; so the acquittance²⁶⁶ follows.

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     I am merrier to die than thou art to live.

FIRST JAILER

FIRST JAILER     Indeed, sir, he that sleeps feels not the toothache: but a man that were to sleep your sleep, and a hangman to help him to bed, I think he would change places with his officer:²⁷⁰ for look you, sir, you know not which way you shall go.

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     Yes indeed do I, fellow.

FIRST JAILER

FIRST JAILER     Your death²⁷² has eyes in’s head then: I have not seen him so pictured: you must either be directed by some that take upon them²⁷³ to know, or to take upon yourself that which I am sure you do not know, or jump the after-inquiry²⁷⁴ on your own peril: and how you shall speed²⁷⁵ in your journey’s end, I think you’ll never return to tell on.²⁷⁶

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     I tell thee, fellow, there are none want²⁷⁷ eyes to direct them the way I am going, but such as wink²⁷⁸ and will not use them.

FIRST JAILER

FIRST JAILER     What an infinite mock²⁷⁹ is this, that a man should have the best use of eyes to see the way of blindness! I am sure hanging’s the way of winking.²⁸⁰

        Enter a Messenger

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Knock off his manacles, bring your prisoner to the king.

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     Thou bring’st good news, I am called to be made free.

FIRST JAILER

FIRST JAILER     I’ll be hanged then.

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     Thou shalt be then freer than a jailer: no bolts²⁸⁴ for the dead.

        [Exeunt Posthumus and Messenger]

FIRST JAILER

FIRST JAILER     Unless a man would marry a gallows and beget young gibbets, I never saw one so prone:²⁸⁶ yet on my conscience, there are verier knaves desire to live, for all he be a Roman: and there be some of them too that die against their wills; so should I, if I were one. I would we were all of one mind, and one mind good: O, there were desolation²⁸⁹ of jailers and gallowses! I speak against my present profit, but my wish hath a preferment²⁹⁰ in’t.

        Exit

Act 5 Scene 4

running scene 18 continues

        Enter Cymbeline, Belarius, Guiderius, Arviragus, Pisanio and Lords

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     Stand by my side, you whom the gods have made

               Preservers of my throne: woe is my heart

               That the poor soldier that so richly³ fought,

               Whose rags shamed gilded arms, whose naked⁴ breast

5

5              Stepped before⁵ targes of proof, cannot be found:

               He shall be happy that can find him, if

               Our grace⁷ can make him so.

BELARIUS

BELARIUS     I never saw

               Such noble fury in so poor a thing,

10

10            Such precious deeds in one that promised nought

               But beggary and poor looks.

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     No tidings of him?

PISANIO

PISANIO     He hath been searched¹³ among the dead and living,

               But no trace of him.

15

15   

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE             To my grief, I am

               The heir¹⁶ of his reward,— which I will add To Beiarius and his sons

               To you, the liver,¹⁷ heart and brain of Britain,

               By whom I grant¹⁸ she lives. ’Tis now the time

               To ask of¹⁹ whence you are. Report it.

20

20   

BELARIUS

BELARIUS             Sir,

               In Cambria²¹ are we born, and gentlemen:

               Further to boast were neither true nor modest,

               Unless I add we are honest.

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     Bow your knees: They kneel

25

25            Arise my knights o’th’battle,²⁵ I create you

               Companions to our person, and will fit²⁶ you

               With dignities becoming your estates.²⁷ They rise

        Enter Cornelius and Ladies

               There’s business²⁸ in these faces: why so sadly

               Greet you our victory? You look like Romans,

30

30            And not o’th’court of Britain.

CORNELIUS

CORNELIUS     Hail, great king!

               To sour your happiness, I must report

               The queen is dead.

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     Who worse than a physician

35

35            Would this report become? But I consider

               By med’cine life may be prolonged, yet death

               Will seize the doctor too. How ended she?

CORNELIUS

CORNELIUS     With horror, madly dying, like her life,

               Which, being cruel to the world, concluded

40

40            Most cruel to herself. What she confessed

               I will report, so please you. These her women

               Can trip me⁴² if I err, who with wet cheeks

               Were present when she finished.

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     Prithee, say.

45

45   

CORNELIUS

CORNELIUS             First, she confessed she never loved you, only

               Affected⁴⁶ greatness got by you, not you:

               Married your royalty, was wife to your place,

               Abhorred your person.

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     She alone knew this;

50

50            And, but⁵⁰ she spoke it dying, I would not

               Believe her lips in opening⁵¹ it. Proceed.

CORNELIUS

CORNELIUS     Your daughter, whom she bore in hand⁵² to love

               With such integrity, she did confess

               Was as a scorpion to her sight, whose life,

55

55            But that her flight prevented it, she had

               Ta’en off⁵⁵ by poison.

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     O most delicate⁵⁷ fiend!

               Who is’t can read a woman? Is there more?

CORNELIUS

CORNELIUS     More, sir, and worse. She did confess she had

60

60            For you a mortal mineral,⁶⁰ which being took,

               Should by the minute⁶¹ feed on life, and, ling’ring,

               By⁶² inches waste you. In which time, she purposed

               By watching,⁶³ weeping, tendance, kissing, to

               O’ercome you with her show;⁶⁴ and in time,

65

65            When she had fitted⁶⁵ you with her craft, to work

               Her son into th’adoption⁶⁶ of the crown:

               But, failing of her end⁶⁷ by his strange absence,

               Grew shameless-desperate, opened,⁶⁸ in despite

               Of heaven and men, her purposes, repented

70

70            The evils she hatched were not effected: so

               Despairing died.

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     Heard you all this, her women?

LADY

LADY     We did, so please your highness.

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     Mine eyes

75

75            Were not in fault, for she was beautiful,

               Mine ears,⁷⁶ that heard her flattery, nor my heart,

               That thought her like her seeming.⁷⁷ It had been vicious

               To have mistrusted her: yet, O my daughter,

               That it was folly in me thou mayst say,

80

80            And prove it in thy feeling.⁸⁰ Heaven mend all!

        Enter Lucius, Iachimo, [the Soothsayer] and other Roman prisoners, [Posthumus] Leonatus behind, and Innogen

               Thou com’st not, Caius, now for tribute. That

               The Britons have razed out,⁸² though with the loss

               Of many a bold one: whose kinsmen have made suit⁸³

               That their⁸⁴ good souls may be appeased with slaughter

85

85            Of you their captives, which ourself have granted,

               So think of your estate.⁸⁶

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     Consider, sir, the chance of war. The day

               Was yours by accident: had⁸⁸ it gone with us,

               We should not, when the blood was cool, have threatened

90

90            Our prisoners with the sword. But since the gods

               Will have it thus, that nothing but our lives

               May be called⁹² ransom, let it come: sufficeth

               A Roman with a Roman’s heart can suffer:

               Augustus lives to think on’t:⁹⁴ and so much

95

95            For my peculiar care.⁹⁵ This one thing only

               I will entreat: my boy, a Briton born,

               Let him be ransomed: never master had

               A page so kind, so duteous, diligent,

               So tender⁹⁹ over his occasions, true,

100

100          So feat,¹⁰⁰ so nurse-like: let his virtue join

               With my request, which I’ll make bold your highness

               Cannot deny: he hath done no Briton harm,

               Though he have served a Roman. Save him, sir,

               And¹⁰⁴ spare no blood beside.

105

105 

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE             I have surely seen him:

               His favour¹⁰⁶ is familiar to me. Boy,

               Thou hast looked¹⁰⁷ thyself into my grace,

               And art mine own. I know not why, wherefore,

               To say ‘Live, boy.’ Ne’er¹⁰⁹ thank thy master: live,

110

110          And ask of Cymbeline what boon¹¹⁰ thou wilt,

               Fitting my bounty and thy state,¹¹¹ I’ll give it,

               Yea, though thou do demand a prisoner,

               The noblest ta’en.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     I humbly thank your highness.

115

115 

LUCIUS

LUCIUS             I do not bid thee beg my life, good lad,

               And yet I know thou wilt.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     No, no, alack,

               There’s other work in hand: I see a thing

               Bitter to me as death: your life, good master,

120

120          Must shuffle¹²⁰ for itself.

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     The boy disdains me,

               He leaves me, scorns me: briefly¹²² die their joys

               That place them on the truth¹²³ of girls and boys.

               Why stands he so perplexed?¹²⁴ Innogen looks closely at lachimo

125

125 

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE             What wouldst thou, boy?

               I love thee more and more: think more and more

               What’s best to ask. Know’st him thou look’st on? Speak,

               Wilt have him live? Is he thy kin? Thy friend?

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     He is a Roman, no more kin to me

130

130          Than I to your highness, who, being born your vassal,¹³⁰

               Am something nearer.¹³¹

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     Wherefore¹³² ey’st him so?

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     I’ll tell you, sir, in private, if you please

               To give me hearing.

135

135 

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE             Ay, with all my heart,

               And lend my best attention. What’s thy name?

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     Fidele, sir.

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     Thou’rt my good youth, my page:

               I’ll be thy master: walk with me, speak freely. Cymbeline and Innogen converse apart

140

140 

BELARIUS

BELARIUS             Is not this boy revived from death?

ARVIRAGUS

ARVIRAGUS     One sand another

               Not more resembles that sweet rosy lad

               Who died, and was Fidele. What think you?

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     The same dead thing alive.

145

145 

BELARIUS

BELARIUS             Peace, peace, see further: he eyes¹⁴⁵ us not, forbear.

               Creatures may be alike: were’t he, I am sure

               He would have spoke to us.

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     But¹⁴⁸ we see him dead.

BELARIUS

BELARIUS     Be silent: let’s see further.

150

150 

PISANIO

PISANIO             It is my mistress: Aside

               Since she is living, let the time run on

               To good or bad. Cymbeline and Innogen come forward

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     Come, stand thou by our side,

               Make thy demand aloud.— Sir, step you forth, To Iachimo

155

155          Give answer to this boy, and do it freely

               Or by our greatness and the grace of it,

               Which is our honour, bitter torture shall

               Winnow¹⁵⁸ the truth from falsehood. On, speak to him.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     My boon is that this gentleman may render¹⁵⁹

160

160          Of whom he had this ring. Points to the ring

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     What’s that to him? Aside

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     That diamond upon your finger, say, To Iachimo

               How came it yours?

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     Thou’It torture me¹⁶⁴ to leave unspoken that

165

165          Which to be spoke would torture thee.

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     How? Me?

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     I am glad to be constrained to utter that

               Which torments me to conceal. By villainy

               I got this ring: ’twas Leonatus’ jewel,

170

170          Whom thou didst banish: and — which more may grieve thee,

               As it doth me — a nobler sir ne’er lived

               ’Twixt sky and ground. Wilt thou hear more, my lord?

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     All¹⁷³ that belongs to this.

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     That paragon, thy daughter,

175

175          For whom my heart drops blood, and my false spirits

               Quail to remember — give me leave, I faint.

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     My daughter? What of her? Renew thy strength:

               I had rather thou shouldst live while nature will¹⁷⁸

               Than die ere¹⁷⁹ I hear more: strive, man, and speak.

180

180 

IACHIMO

IACHIMO             Upon a time — unhappy was the clock

               That struck the hour! — it was in Rome — accursed

               The mansion where! — ’twas at a feast — O, would

               Our viands¹⁸³ had been poisoned, or at least

               Those which I heaved to head!¹⁸⁴ — the good Posthumus —

185

185          What should I say? He was too good to be

               Where ill men were, and was the best of all

               Amongst the rar’st¹⁸⁷ of good ones — sitting sadly,

               Hearing us praise our loves of Italy

               For beauty that made barren¹⁸⁹ the swelled boast

190

190          Of him that best could speak: for feature,¹⁹⁰ laming

               The shrine¹⁹¹ of Venus or straight-pight Minerva,

               Postures beyond¹⁹² brief nature: for condition,

               A shop¹⁹³ of all the qualities that man

               Loves woman for, besides that hook of wiving,¹⁹⁴

195

200          Fairness which strikes the eye—

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     I¹⁹⁶ stand on fire.

               Come to the matter.¹⁹⁷

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     All too soon I shall,

               Unless thou wouldst grieve quickly. This Posthumus,

200

205          Most like a noble lord in love and one

               That had a royal lover, took his hint,²⁰¹

               And not dispraising whom we praised — therein

               He was as calm as virtue — he began

               His mistress’ picture, which by his tongue being made,

205

210          And then a mind put in’t,²⁰⁵ either our brags

               Were cracked of²⁰⁶ kitchen-trulls, or his description

               Proved us unspeaking sots.²⁰⁷

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     Nay, nay, to th’purpose.²⁰⁸

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     Your daughter’s chastity — there it begins.

210

215          He spake of her as Dian²¹⁰ had hot dreams

               And she²¹¹ alone were cold: whereat I, wretch,

               Made scruple²¹² of his praise, and wagered with him

               Pieces of gold gainst this, which then he wore

               Upon his honoured finger, to attain

215

220          In suit²¹⁵ the place of’s bed and win this ring

               By hers and mine adultery. He, true knight,

               No lesser of her honour confident

               Than I did truly find her, stakes this ring,

               And would so had it been a carbuncle²¹⁹

220

225          Of Phoebus’ wheel,²²⁰ and might so safely had it

               Been all the worth of’s car.²²¹ Away to Britain

               Post²²² I in this design: well may you, sir,

               Remember me at court, where I was taught

               Of²²⁴ your chaste daughter the wide difference

225

230          ‘Twixt amorous and villainous. Being thus quenched

               Of hope, not longing, mine Italian brain

               ’Gan in your duller Britain²²⁷ operate

               Most vilely: for my vantage,²²⁸ excellent.

               And, to be brief, my practice so prevailed

230

235          That I returned with simular²³⁰ proof enough

               To make the noble Leonatus mad

               By wounding his belief in her renown²³²

               With tokens thus, and thus:²³³ averring notes

               Of chamber-hanging, pictures, this her bracelet — Shows the bracelet

235

240          O, cunning, how I got it! — nay, some marks

               Of secret on her person, that he could not

               But think her bond of chastity quite cracked,²³⁷

               I having ta’en the forfeit.²³⁸ Whereupon —

               Methinks I see him now—

240

240 

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     Ay, so thou dost, Comes forward

               Italian fiend! Ay me, most credulous fool,

               Egregious murderer, thief, anything²⁴²

               That’s due to all the villains past, in being,²⁴³

               To come! O, give me cord,²⁴⁴ or knife, or poison,

245

245          Some upright justicer!²⁴⁵ Thou, king, send out

               For torturers ingenious:²⁴⁶ it is I

               That all th’abhorrèd²⁴⁷ things o’th’earth amend

               By being worse than they. I am Posthumus,

               That killed thy daughter — villain-like, I lie —

250

250          That caused a lesser villain than myself,

               A sacrilegious thief,²⁵¹ to do’t. The temple

               Of virtue was she; yea, and she herself.²⁵²

               Spit, and throw stones, cast mire upon me, set

               The dogs o’th’street to bay²⁵⁴ me: every villain

255

255          Be called Posthumus Leonatus, and

               Be²⁵⁶ villainy less than ’twas! O Innogen!

               My queen, my life, my wife: O Innogen,

               Innogen, Innogen!

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     Peace, my lord, hear, hear. She runs to him?

260

260 

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS             Shall’s have²⁶⁰ a play of this? Thou scornful page,

               There²⁶¹ lie thy part. He strikes her and she falls

PISANIO

PISANIO     O, gentlemen, help!

               Mine and your mistress: O, my lord Posthumus,

               You ne’er killed Innogen till now. Help, help!

265

265          Mine honoured lady.

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     Does the world go round?

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     How comes these staggers²⁶⁷ on me?

PISANIO

PISANIO     Wake, my mistress!

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     If this be so, the gods do mean to strike me

270

270          To death with mortal²⁷⁰ joy.

PISANIO

PISANIO     How fares my mistress?

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     O, get thee from my sight,

               Thou gavest me poison: dangerous fellow, hence!

               Breathe not where princes are.

275

275 

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE             The tune²⁷⁵ of Innogen.

PISANIO

PISANIO     Lady, the gods throw stones of sulphur²⁷⁶ on me if

               That box I gave you was not thought by me

               A precious thing: I had it from the queen.

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     New matter still.

280

280 

INNOGEN

INNOGEN             It poisoned me.

CORNELIUS

CORNELIUS     O gods!

               I left out one thing which the queen confessed,

               Which must approve²⁸³ thee honest. ‘If Pisanio

               Have’, said she, ‘given his mistress that confection²⁸⁴

285

285          Which I gave him for cordial,²⁸⁵ she is served

               As I would serve a rat.’

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     What’s this, Cornelius?

CORNELIUS

CORNELIUS     The queen, sir, very oft importuned me

               To temper²⁸⁹ poisons for her, still pretending

290

290          The satisfaction of her knowledge only

               In killing creatures vile, as cats and dogs,

               Of no esteem.²⁹² I, dreading that her purpose

               Was of more danger, did compound for her

               A certain stuff which, being ta’en, would cease²⁹⁴

295

295          The present power of life, but in short time

               All offices of nature²⁹⁶ should again

               Do their due functions. Have you ta’en of it?

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     Most like²⁹⁸ I did, for I was dead.

BELARIUS

BELARIUS     My boys,

300

300          There was our error.

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     This is sure³⁰¹ Fidele.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     Why did you throw your wedded lady from you?

               Think that you are upon a rock, and now

               Throw me again. Embraces him

305

305 

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS             Hang there like fruit, my soul,

               Till the tree³⁰⁶ die.

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     How now, my flesh, my child?

               What, mak’st³⁰⁸ thou me a dullard in this act?

               Wilt thou not speak to me?

310

310 

INNOGEN

INNOGEN             Your blessing, sir. Kneels

BELARIUS

BELARIUS     Though you did love this youth, I blame ye not. To Guiderius and Arviragus

               You had a motive³¹² for’t.

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     My tears that fall

               Prove holy water on thee! Innogen,

315

315          Thy mother’s³¹⁵ dead.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     I am sorry for’t, my lord.

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     O, she was naught,³¹⁷ and long of her it was

               That we meet here so strangely:³¹⁸ but her son

               Is gone, we know not how nor where.

320

320 

PISANIO

PISANIO             My lord,

               Now fear is from me, I’ll speak troth. Lord Cloten,

               Upon my lady’s missing,³²² came to me

               With his sword drawn, foamed at the mouth, and swore,

               If I discovered³²⁴ not which way she was gone,

325

325          It was my instant death. By accident,³²⁵

               I had a feignèd letter³²⁶ of my master’s

               Then in my pocket, which directed him

               To seek her on the mountains near to Milford,

               Where in a frenzy, in my master’s garments,

330

330          Which he enforced³³⁰ from me, away he posts

               With unchaste purpose, and with oath to violate

               My lady’s honour. What became of him

               I further know not.

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     Let me end the story:

335

335          I slew him there.

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     Marry, the gods forfend!³³⁶

               I would not thy good deeds should from my lips

               Pluck a hard sentence: prithee, valiant youth,

               Deny’t again.³³⁹

340

340 

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS             I have spoke it, and I did it.

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     He³⁴¹ was a prince.

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     A most incivil³⁴² one. The wrongs he did me

               Were nothing prince-like, for he did provoke me

               With language that would make me spurn the sea,

345

345          If it could so roar to me. I cut off’s head,

               And am right glad he is not standing here

               To³⁴⁷ tell this tale of mine.

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     I am sorrow³⁴⁸ for thee:

               By thine own tongue thou art condemned, and must

350

350          Endure our law: thou’rt dead.³⁵⁰

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     That headless man

               I thought had been my lord.

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     Bind the offender,

               And take him from our presence.

355

355 

BELARIUS

BELARIUS             Stay, sir king.

               This man is better than the man he slew,

               As well descended³⁵⁷ as thyself, and hath

               More of³⁵⁸ thee merited than a band of Clotens

               Had³⁵⁹ ever scar for.— Let his arms alone, To the Guard

360

360          They were not born for bondage.

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     Why, old soldier,

               Wilt thou undo the worth³⁶² thou art unpaid for

               By tasting of³⁶³ our wrath? How of descent

               As good as we?

365

365 

ARVIRAGUS

ARVIRAGUS             In that he spake too far.

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     And thou³⁶⁶ shalt die for’t.

BELARIUS

BELARIUS     We will die all three,

               But I will³⁶⁸ prove that two on’s are as good

               As I have given out him.³⁶⁹ My sons, I must

370

370          For³⁷⁰ mine own part unfold a dangerous speech,

               Though haply³⁷¹ well for you.

ARVIRAGUS

ARVIRAGUS     Your danger’s ours.

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     And our good his.

BELARIUS

BELARIUS     Have at it then, by leave.³⁷⁴

375

375          Thou hadst, great king, a subject who

               Was called Belarius.

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     What of him? He is

               A banished traitor.

BELARIUS

BELARIUS     He it is that hath

380

380          Assumed this age:³⁸⁰ indeed, a banished man,

               I know not how a traitor.

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     Take him hence,

               The whole world shall not save him.

BELARIUS

BELARIUS     Not too hot:³⁸⁴

385

385          First pay me for the nursing of thy sons,

               And let it³⁸⁶ be confiscate all so soon

               As I have received it.

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     Nursing of my sons?

BELARIUS

BELARIUS     I am too blunt and saucy,³⁸⁹ here’s my knee: Kneels

390

390          Ere I arise I will prefer³⁹⁰ my sons,

               Then spare not the old father. Mighty sir,

               These two young gentlemen that call me father,

               And think they are my sons, are none of mine.

               They are the issue of your loins, my liege,

395

395          And blood³⁹⁵ of your begetting.

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     How, my issue?

BELARIUS

BELARIUS     So sure as you your father’s. I, old Morgan,

               Am that Belarius whom you sometime³⁹⁸ banished:

               Your pleasure was my mere³⁹⁹ offence, my punishment

400

400          Itself, and all my treason. That⁴⁰⁰ I suffered

               Was all the harm I did. These gentle princes —

               For such and so they are — these twenty years

               Have I trained up: those arts they have as I

               Could put into⁴⁰⁴ them. My breeding was, sir,

405

405          As your highness knows. Their nurse, Euriphile,

               Whom for the theft I wedded, stole these children

               Upon my banishment: I moved⁴⁰⁷ her to’t,

               Having⁴⁰⁸ received the punishment before

               For that which I did then. Beaten⁴⁰⁹ for loyalty

410

410          Excited⁴¹⁰ me to treason. Their dear loss,

               The more of⁴¹¹ you ’twas felt, the more it shaped

               Unto my end of⁴¹² stealing them. But, gracious sir,

               Here are your sons again, and I must lose

               Two of the sweet’st companions in the world.

415

415          The benediction of these covering heavens

               Fall on their heads like dew, for they are worthy

               To inlay heaven with stars.

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     Thou weep’st, and speak’st:

               The service⁴¹⁹ that you three have done is more

420

420          Unlike⁴²⁰ than this thou tell’st. I lost my children:

               If these be they, I know not how to wish

               A pair of worthier sons.

BELARIUS

BELARIUS     Be pleased awhile.⁴²³

               This gentleman, whom I call Polydore,

425

425          Most worthy prince, as yours,⁴²⁵ is true Guiderius:

               This gentleman, my Cadwal, Arviragus,

               Your younger princely son. He, sir, was lapped⁴²⁷

               In a most curious⁴²⁸ mantle, wrought by th’hand

               Of his queen mother, which for more probation⁴²⁹

430

430          I can with ease produce.

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     Guiderius had

               Upon his neck a mole, a sanguine⁴³² star.

               It was a mark of wonder.

BELARIUS

BELARIUS     This is he,

435

435          Who hath upon him still that natural stamp:⁴³⁵

               It was wise nature’s end⁴³⁶ in the donation

               To be his evidence now.

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     O, what am I?

               A mother to the birth of three? Ne’er mother

440

440          Rejoiced deliverance⁴⁴⁰ more: blest pray you be,

               That, after this strange starting⁴⁴¹ from your orbs,

               You may reign in them now! O Innogen,

               Thou⁴⁴³ hast lost by this a kingdom.

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     No, my lord:

445

445          I have got two worlds by’t. O my gentle brothers,

               Have we thus met? O, never say hereafter

               But⁴⁴⁷ I am truest speaker. You called me brother

               When I was but your sister: I you brothers,

               When ye were so indeed.

450

450 

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE             Did you e’er meet?

ARVIRAGUS

ARVIRAGUS     Ay, my good lord.

GUIDERIUS

GUIDERIUS     And at first meeting loved,

               Continued so until we thought he died.

CORNELIUS

CORNELIUS     By the queen’s dram she swallowed.

455

455 

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE             O rare⁴⁵⁵ instinct!

               When shall I hear all through? This fierce abridgement⁴⁵⁶

               Hath to it circumstantial branches,⁴⁵⁷ which

               Distinction⁴⁵⁸ should be rich in. Where? How lived you?

               And when came you to serve our Roman captive?

460

460          How parted with your brothers? How first met them?

               Why fled you from the court? And whither? These,

               And your⁴⁶² three motives to the battle, with

               I know not how much more, should be demanded,⁴⁶³

               And all the other by-dependences,⁴⁶⁴

465

465          From chance⁴⁶⁵ to chance. But nor the time nor place

               Will serve⁴⁶⁶ our long interrogatories. See,

               Posthumus anchors⁴⁶⁷ upon Innogen,

               And she, like harmless lightning, throws her eye⁴⁶⁸

               On him, her brothers, me, her master, hitting

470

470          Each object with a joy: the counterchange⁴⁷⁰

               Is severally in all. Let’s quit this ground,⁴⁷¹

               And smoke⁴⁷² the temple with our sacrifices.—

               Thou art my brother, so we’ll hold⁴⁷³ thee ever. To Beiarius

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     You are my father too, and did relieve me⁴⁷⁴

475

475          To see this gracious season.⁴⁷⁵

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     All o’erjoyed,

               Save⁴⁷⁷ these in bonds: let them be joyful too,

               For they shall taste our comfort.⁴⁷⁸

INNOGEN

INNOGEN     My good master,

480

480          I will yet do you service.

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     Happy be you!

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     The forlorn⁴⁸² soldier, that so nobly fought,

               He would have well becomed⁴⁸³ this place, and graced

               The thankings of a king.

485

485 

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS             I am, sir,

               The soldier that did company⁴⁸⁶ these three

               In poor beseeming:⁴⁸⁷ ’twas a fitment for

               The purpose I then followed. That I was he,

               Speak, Iachimo: I had you down, and might

490

490          Have made you finish.⁴⁹⁰

IACHIMO

IACHIMO     I am down again: Kneels

               But now my heavy conscience sinks⁴⁹² my knee,

               As then your force did. Take that life, beseech you,

               Which I so often⁴⁹⁴ owe: but your ring first,

495

495          And here the bracelet of the truest princess

               That ever swore her faith.

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     Kneel not to me:

               The power that I have on you is to spare you:

               The malice towards you to forgive you. Live,

500

500          And deal with others better.

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     Nobly doomed!⁵⁰¹

               We’ll learn our freeness⁵⁰² of a son-in-law:

               Pardon’s the word to all.

ARVIRAGUS

ARVIRAGUS     You holp⁵⁰⁴ us, sir,

505

505          As⁵⁰⁵ you did mean indeed to be our brother.

               Joyed⁵⁰⁶ are we that you are.

POSTHUMUS

POSTHUMUS     Your servant, princes. Good my lord of Rome,

               Call forth your soothsayer: as I slept, methought

               Great Jupiter, upon⁵⁰⁹ his eagle backed,

510

510          Appeared to me, with other spritely shows⁵¹⁰

               Of mine own kindred. When I waked I found

               This label⁵¹² on my bosom, whose containing

               Is so⁵¹³ from sense in hardness that I can

               Make no collection of⁵¹⁴ it. Let him show

515

515          His skill in the construction.⁵¹⁵

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     Philharmonus.⁵¹⁶

SOOTHSAYER

SOOTHSAYER     Here, my good lord.

LUCIUS

LUCIUS     Read, and declare the meaning.

SOOTHSAYER

SOOTHSAYER     Reads ‘Whenas a lion’s whelp⁵¹⁹ shall, to himself unknown, without seeking find, and be embraced by a piece of tender air: and when from a stately cedar shall be lopped branches, which being dead many years, shall after revive, be jointed to the old stock, and freshly grow, then shall Posthumus end his miseries, Britain be fortunate and flourish in peace and plenty.’

               Thou, Leonatus, art the lion’s whelp:

525

525          The fit and apt construction of thy name,

               Being leo-natus,⁵²⁶ doth import so much.—

               The piece of tender air, thy virtuous daughter, To Cymbeline

               Which we call ‘mollis aer’; and ‘mollis aer’⁵²⁸

               We term it ‘mulier’.— Which ‘mulier’ I divine⁵²⁹

530

530          Is this most constant wife, who even now,

               Answering the letter of the oracle,

               Unknown to you, unsought, were clipped about⁵³²

               With this most tender air.

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     This hath some seeming.⁵³⁴

535

535 

SOOTHSAYER

SOOTHSAYER             The lofty cedar,⁵³⁵ royal Cymbeline,

               Personates⁵³⁶ thee: and thy lopped branches point

               Thy two sons forth, who by Belarius stol’n,

               For many years thought dead, are now revived,

               To the majestic cedar joined, whose issue⁵³⁹

540

540          Promises Britain peace and plenty.

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE     Well,

               My peace we will begin.— And, Caius Lucius,

               Although the victor, we submit to Caesar

               And to the Roman empire, promising

545

545          To pay our wonted⁵⁴⁵ tribute, from the which

               We were dissuaded by our wicked queen,

               Whom⁵⁴⁷ heavens in justice both on her and hers

               Have laid most heavy hand.

SOOTHSAYER

SOOTHSAYER     The fingers of the powers above do tune

550

550          The harmony of this peace. The vision

               Which I made known to Lucius ere the stroke⁵⁵¹

               Of this yet scarce-cold battle, at this instant

               Is full accomplished. For the Roman eagle,

               From south to west on wing soaring aloft,

555

555          Lessened herself,⁵⁵⁵ and in the beams o’th’sun

               So vanished; which foreshowed our princely eagle,

               Th’imperial Caesar, should again unite

               His favour with the radiant Cymbeline,

               Which shines here in the west.⁵⁵⁹

560

560 

CYMBELINE

CYMBELINE             Laud⁵⁶⁰ we the gods,

               And let our crookèd⁵⁶¹ smokes climb to their nostrils

               From our blest altars. Publish⁵⁶² we this peace

               To all our subjects. Set we forward:⁵⁶³ let

               A Roman and a British ensign⁵⁶⁴ wave

565

565          Friendly together: so through Lud’s town march,

               And in the temple of great Jupiter

               Our peace we’ll ratify, seal⁵⁶⁷ it with feasts.

               Set on there!⁵⁶⁸ Never was a war did cease,

               Ere bloody hands were washed, with such a peace.

        Exeunt

Textual Notes

F = First Folio text of 1623

F2 = a correction introduced in the Second Folio text of 1632

F3 = a correction introduced in the Third Folio text of 1663–64

Ed = a correction introduced by a later editor

SD = stage direction

SH = speech heading (i.e., speaker’s name)

List of parts = Ed

1.1.1 SH FIRST GENTLEMAN = Ed. F = 1. Gent, subsequently 1 3 king = Ed. F = Kings 4 SH SECOND GENTLEMAN = Ed. F = 2 Gent, subsequently 2 35 Cassibelan = F2. F = Cassibulan 65 clothes the other, = Ed. F = cloathes, the other 78 SD Exeunt = Ed. F = Exeunt / Scena Secunda SD Innogen = Ed. F = Imogen (throughout) 109 Philario’s = Ed. F = Filorio’s 131 cere spelled seare in F

Act 1 Scene 2 = Ed. F = Scena Tertia

1.2.1 SH FIRST LORD = Ed. F = 1 5 SH SECOND LORD = Ed. F = 2 6 thoroughfare = F3. F = thorough-fare

Act 1 Scene 3 = Ed. F = Scena Quarta

Act 1 Scene 4 = Ed. F = Scena Quinta

1.4.20 Briton spelled Britaine in F 34 not = Ed. Not in F 51 Britain = Ed. F = Britanie 51–2 others I have = Ed. F = others. I haue 52–3 not but = Ed. F = not 60 purchase = Ed. F = purchases 93 thousand = F3. F = thousands 98 a friend = F. Sometimes emended to afraid

Act 1 Scene 5 = Ed. F = Scena Sexta

1.5.84 SD Exit Pisanio printed one line earlier in F Act 1 Scene 6 = Ed. F = Scena Septima

1.6.7 desire = F2. F = desires 25 trust = F. Sometimes emended to truest 28 takes = Ed. F = take 37 th’unnumbered = Ed. F = the number’d 66 Briton spelled Britaine in F 124 illustrous = Ed. F = illustrious 168 Solicit’st = Ed. F = Solicites 189 men’s = F2. F = men 191 descended = F2. F = defended

2.1.5 SH FIRST LORD = Ed. F = 1 (throughout scene) 10 give = F2. F = gaue 18 your = Ed. F = you 23 tonight = F2. F = night 47 husband, than = Ed. F = Husband. Then 48 make! The = Ed. F = make the

2.2.51 bare spelled beare in F

2.3.22 SH CLOTEN = Ed. Not in F 23 vice = Ed. F = voyce 24 amend = F2. F = amed 39 solicits = F2. F = solicity 102 cure = Ed. F = are 124 foil = F. Sometimes emended to soil 142 garment = F2. F = Garments 164 you = Ed. F = your

2.4.7 seared hopes = Ed. F = fear’d hope 20 legions = Ed. F = Legion 26 mingled = F2. F = wing-led 39 through = Ed. F = thorough 42 tenor = Ed. F = tenure 44 SH PHILARIO = Ed. F = Post. 51 had = Ed. F = haue 59 not = F2. F = note 71 you = F2. F = yon 74 leaves = Ed. F = leaue 146 one of = F2. F = one 169 the = Ed. F = her 209 German one = Ed. F = Iarmen on 220 may be named = F2. F = name

3.1.23 oaks = F. Sometimes emended to rocks 38 more spelled mo in F 52 be. We do say = Ed. F = be, we do. Say

3.2.2 monster’s her accuser = Ed. F = Monsters her accuse 21 fedary = Ed. F = Fœdarie 61 get = F2. F = ger 64 score = F2. F = store ride = F2. F = rid 77 here, nor = F2. F = heere, not

3.3.2 Stoop = Ed. F = Sleepe 25 robe = Ed. F = Babe. Sometimes emended to bauble 27 ’em = Ed. F = him 30 know = F2. F = knowes 33 known, well = Ed. F = knowne. Well 35 travelling spelled trauailing in F 36 for = Ed. F = or 88 wherein they bow = Ed. F = whereon the Bowe 91 Polydore = Ed. F = Paladour 108 reft’st = Ed. F = refts 111 Morgan = Ed. F = Mergan

3.4.80 afore’t = Ed. F = a-foot 90 make = Ed. F = makes 104 out = Ed. Not in F 162 haply = Ed. F = happily

3.5.22 SD and others spelled &c. in F 39 looks us = Ed. F = looke vs 48 strokes = Ed. F = stroke 54 th’loud’st = Ed. F = th’lowd 155 insultment = F2. F = insulment

3.6.27 F marks a new scene here: Scena Septima 78 Ay = Ed. F = I I’d = Ed. F = I do

Act 3 Scene 7 = Ed. F = Scena Octaua

4.1.9 imperceiverant = Ed. F = imperseuerant 12 thy face = F. Ed = her face 13 haply spelled happily in F

4.2.63 cookery! He = Ed. F = Cookerie? / Arui. He (some editors assign “He…dieter” to Belarius) 73 him = Ed. F = them 75 patience = Ed. F = patient 90 mountaineers spelled Mountainers in F 157 thank = Ed. F = thanks 169 humour = Ed. F = Honor 233 ingenious = Ed. F = ingenuous 257 crare = Ed. F = care 258 Might = F2. F = Might’st easiliest = Ed. F = easilest 259 ay spelled I in F 281 ruddock = Ed. F = Raddocke 297 once = Ed. F = once to 355 is = Ed. F = are 401 are = F2. F = are heere 464 wildwood leaves = Ed. F = wild wood-leaues 475 he is = F2. F = hee’s

4.3.18 SH FIRST LORD = Ed. F = Lord. 46 betid = Ed. F = betide

4.4.3 find we = F2. F = we finde 11 us = F2. F = v.. 22 the = Ed. F = their 33 hard = Ed. F = heard

5.1.1 wished = Ed. F = am wisht

5.3.27 harts = Ed. F = hearts 45 stooped = Ed. F = ftopt 46 they = Ed. F = the 90 SH FIRST CAPTAIN = Ed. F = 1 92 SH SECOND CAPTAIN = Ed. F = 2 102 SD Jailers = Ed. F = Gaoler SD Exeunt…Jailers = Ed. F = Enter Posthumus, and Gaoler (F begins new scene here, Scena Quarta) 103 SH FIRST JAILER = Ed. F = Gao. 170 geck = Ed. F = geeke 184 look = F2. F = looke, / looke 221 claws spelled cloyes in F 258 are as = Ed. F = are 262 Of this = Ed. F = Oh, of this 265 sir = F2. F = Sis 276 on = Ed. F = one

Act 5 Scene 4 = Ed. F = Scena Quinta

5.4.76 heard = Ed. F = heare 158 On = Ed. F = One 235 got it = F2. F = got 302 from = Ed. F = fro 368 on’s = Ed. F = one’s 399 mere = Ed. F = neere 400 treason. That = Ed. F = Treason that 416 like = F2. F = liks 449 ye = Ed. F = we 460 brothers = Ed. F = Brother 461 whither? These = Ed. F = whether these? 482 so = F2. F = no 519 SH SOOTHSAYER = Ed. Not in F 552 this yet = F3. F = yet this

Innogen’s bedtime reading (“She hath been reading late, / The tale of Tereus. Here the leaf’s turned down / Where Philomel gave up”) was also one of Shakespeare’s favorite books: Ovid’s Metamorphoses was the main source for his knowledge of classical mythology and the direct inspiration for Venus and Adonis, Titus Andronicus, “Pyramus and Thisbe” in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, as well as key aspects of the Sonnets, The Winter’s Tale, and The Tempest. Arthur Golding’s 1567 translation, which Shakespeare knew well, was dedicated to the Earl of Leicester, so its title page included his insignia of a chained bear and the motto of the Order of the Garter.

Act 1 Scene 1

 1.1    Location: the British royal court (the play moves between ancient Britain and Rome)

    1    but frowns who does not frown    bloods dispositions, temperaments

    3    Still…king mimic the king’s emotions;    seem suggests a lack of sincerity

    6    purposed to intended for, i.e., to marry

    7    late recently    referred…Unto given herself to/chosen

    9    all…heart i.e., Cymbeline is deeply wounded whereas the courtiers’    outward sorrow is false

  13    He…her i.e., Cloten

  15    bent inclination

  19    missed failed to win; also suggests Innogen’s lucky escape    thing contemptuous being, beneath humanity

  22    creature living being, suggesting he is beyond common humanity

  24    his like like him    something…compare anyone chosen for comparison would have some fault to distinguish them

  26    outward physical appearance    stuff substance, quality

  27    Endows…he so enriches/is to be found in any other

  28    speak him far speak highly of him

  29    extend…himself i.e., praise him no further than he deserves

  31    measure true capacity

  32    birth parentage/social status

  33    delve…root properly trace his family history

  34    honour fame, renown; also himself and his forces

  35    Cassibelan Cymbeline’s uncle

  36    by from, under    Tenantius Cymbeline’s father

  38    sur-addition added title    Leonatus means “born of a lion” (Latin)

  42    fond of issue doting on his children

  44    Big of pregnant with

  47    of his bedchamber a personal servant

  48    learnings education    time age/experience

  50    fast as fast

  51    in’s…harvest reached maturity even in his youth

  52    rare unusual

  53    sample example, model

  54    glass mirror    feated them displayed them to themselves    graver more important, influential persons

  55    dotards old fools

  56    her own price the price she paid/her personal merit

  57    Proclaims shows, proves    how to what extent/in what manner    his…read the very fact that she chose Posthumus demonstrates his worth

  60    even out of based only on

  65    I’th’swathing clothes in the swaddling (i.e., baby) clothes

  70    conveyed taken away, stolen

  71    slackly negligently, loosely

  73    Howsoe’er ’tis strange strange as it may seem

  77    forbear cease/give way    Posthumus meaning “after death” (Latin); so named from the deaths of his parents before and at his birth, with the name “Leonatus” living on in him    Innogen Folio’s “Imogen” is probably a misprint or scribal error; she is called Innogen in Shakespeare’s source material, which suggests “innocence”

  80    After the slander as in the conventional unjust image

  83    restraint loss of liberty, perhaps an actual prison cell

  84    win win over, persuade

  85    marry by the Virgin Mary, i.e., indeed

  87    leaned unto went along with, obeyed    with…you with what resignation, compliance you must decide

  89    Please if it please

  90    from hence leave here

  91    peril danger (in staying since Posthumus is banished)

  92    fetch a turn take a walk    pitying because I pity

  93    pangs…affections pains caused by forbidden love

  94    charged ordered

  95    dissembling false, feigned, deceitful

  98    reserved…duty having always dutifully obeyed him as a daughter

100    hourly shot continual glare; the eye was thought to emit beams at objects in order to see them

106    more…man i.e., join you in crying; not considered appropriate for a man

108    plight troth take marriage vows; the phrase was more often associated with engagement

111    thither there, to that place

113    gall an excrescence produced by insects on oak trees used to make ink/bile (a bitter secretion of the liver), hence bitterness of spirit, rancor

118    buy interpret, believe (wrongly)

121    term period of time

122    loathness reluctance, unwillingness

125    petty inadequate

131    cere wrap in a burial cloth

133    sense the ability to feel/control one’s actions

134    As…you just as you gave up more than me for our marriage, you do so again in our exchange of gifts

135    trifles small, insignificant tokens

138    fairest prisoner i.e., Innogen’s arm

140    see meet, see each other

141    Alack expression of sorrow, regret

142    basest most worthless (morally and socially)    avoid hence get away

143    fraught burden/trouble

147    good remainders remaining courtiers/virtuous courtiers

149    pinch pain, torment

152    repair restore, renew, prolong

156    senseless of insensible to    touch more rare greater pain (caused by Posthumus’ departure)

159    past grace Cymbeline means beyond filial duty, but Innogen shifts the sense to “beyond heavenly grace/salvation”

162    puttock kite, seen as an inferior bird to the eagle/greedy scavenger

170    overbuys…pays i.e., the price he has paid is almost twice my worth

174    neatherd cowherd

178    after in accordance with

180    Beseech I beg

183    best advice calm meditation on the matter

184    languish…folly grow weak by loss of a    drop of blood a day for the rest of her life until she is old and dies

187    Fie…way unclear as to whether this is said to Innogen or the departing Cymbeline

189    drew i.e., his sword

194    no…anger wasn’t angry enough to fight seriously

197    takes his part does his duty/takes the king’s side

199    Afric i.e., a desert or remote place where they could fight without intervention

201    goer-back one who retreats, backs off

202    suffer allow

203    haven harbor

207    lay wager

Act 1 Scene 2

    1    shift a shirt change your shirt    violence…sacrifice i.e., your fight (with Posthumus) has made you smell (through sweat or fear) like a sacrificial animal

    2    where…vent the air you give out (vent) is more wholesome than the air that comes in to replace it (ironic flattery)    abroad outside (you)

    4    then to then I would

    5    not…as nothing more than

    6    passable carcass would pass for a dead body/a body that can be stabbed (passed) through

    8    His…town Cloten’s sword (steel) rather went round the back streets like a debtor trying to avoid a creditor

    9    stand me stand his ground/stand up to me

  13    As…oceans i.e., none at all    Puppies! Conceited young fools!

  15    till…ground i.e., until you were fallen prostrate on the ground

  18    election choice, with a pun on salvation; in Calvinist doctrine, the predestined elect were to be saved

  19    She’s…sign she has a good physical appearance

  20    reflection evidence, indication; the Second Lord shifts the sense to “the literal reflection of light” (i.e., her radiance, which fools are unable to absorb and would dazzle her)    wit intelligence, judgment (perhaps with sexual connotation of “genitals”)

  22    would there had I wish there had

  23    ass i.e., Cloten

  28    Well very well

Act 1 Scene 3

    1    grew’st unto took root like a plant (by remaining there so long)

    2    And…sail scrutinized every approaching ship

    4    offered mercy perhaps God’s mercy, but a letter (paper) seems to favor the image of a king’s pardon arriving too late

    5    spake spoke

    9    Senseless inanimate

  12    make me make me out, distinguish me

  13    keep remain on

  15    as as though    fits…mind mental anguish, unsettled thoughts

  16    slow…on reluctant he was to leave

  18    Thou…crow you should have waited until he appeared no bigger than a crow

  19    ere left before you ceased

  20    after-eye gaze after

  22    eyestrings muscles, nerves in the eye; thought to break when a person died or went blind

  23    diminution of space reduction, contraction of the size of everything

  24    pointed fashioned to a point, i.e., made him as small as her    needle’s point

  30    With…vantage at his next opportunity

  35    shes women

  36    interest right

  37    At…midnight three of the hours specified for prayer by the Christian Church

  38    T’encounter…him i.e., they can meet in heaven through prayer    orisons prayers

  41    charming acting as a charm, a spell to ward off evil

  42    north the north wind, which    shakes buds as it blows, and stops them growing

Act 1 Scene 4

 1.4    Location: Rome    Philario means “loving, dear” (Greek)    Iachimo the modern Italian spelling is Giacomo (James)

    1    of…note growing in reputation, like a crescent moon

    2    been…of been recognized as

    3    without…admiration without feeling any particular sense of admiration for him

    4    endowments qualities, attributes    tabled listed

    8    behold…he i.e., there were many as noble as Posthumus there; eagles, the noblest birds, were thought to be able to stare at the sun

  10    weighed judged, assessed

  11    words…matter allows for him to be described in ways that falsely magnify his own worth

  14    approbation approval, praise    divorce physical separation    under her colours from her side

  15    be it but if only    fortify support, justify

  16    battery military assault

  17    sojourn temporarily stay    creeps acquaintance has he insinuated himself into your acquaintance

  20    suits is appropriate, suitable

  21    knowing knowledge/experience of the world

  23    story…hearing speak about him/sing his praises in front of him

  25    we…together we have been acquainted

  26    which…still which I will spend forever repaying, although I will still be in debt

  28    atone make peace between, reconcile

  29    put together set in opposition with each other

  30    mortal deadly, fatal

  32    rather…experiences preferred not to go along with what others said

  36    arbitrament of settlement (of the dispute) by

  40    suffer the report bear recounting    fell out took place

  41    our country mistresses the women of our own countries/the women we have sex with (country puns on “cunt”)

  42    vouching claiming, swearing    and…affirmation with a pledge to back up what he said with bloodshed if necessary

  43    attemptable able to be seduced

  45    by…out by now is worn out

  46    holds retains    mind opinion

  48    abate her nothing not budge in any part of my high opinion of her

  49    profess myself confess I am

  50    hand-in-hand comparison that seeks to imply equality

  51    went before surpassed, were superior to

  55    rated estimated

  56    esteem value

  57    enjoys possesses

  58    unparagoned unequaled, matchless    outprized…trifle surpassed in value by an insignificant thing (the ring)

  59    or either

  64    You…yours you may be able to call her yours in the legal sense (because you are married)    strange…ponds i.e., a man’s neighbor may visit (and seduce) his wife; there are also cruder sexual undercurrents; strange was an epithet for “an illicit sexual partner”; fowl was a term for “a prostitute”; pond also means “vagina”

  65    ring plays on sexual sense of (Innogen’s) “vagina”    brace pair    unprizable estimations objects considered beyond value

  66    frail subject to human weakness    casual subject to mischance, precarious    that-way-accomplished courtier i.e., a womanizer, one who can court successfully

  68    convince persuade/overcome

  70    store plenty, an abundance

  71    leave here leave off now

  73    familiar at first on familiar terms right from the start

  74    get…yielding succeed in advancing upon; fencing terminology with strong sexual undertones

  76    friend befriend/become intimate with (with sexual implication)

  78    pawn the moiety wager one half    to against

  79    something somewhat

  80    bar your offence prevent you taking it as a personal affront

  82    abused deceived    persuasion conviction

  83    you…of you will get what you deserve

  87    came in came about

  89    put my estate bet all my capital    th’approbation the proof

  92    ten thousand ducats anachronistic; ducats were gold coins used in Italy in Shakespeare’s time, not in ancient Rome; a huge sum even for a rich nobleman

  93    commend if you recommend

  94    conference meeting

  95    reserved preserved/averse to displays of emotion

  96    wage pledge, bet

  98    friend…wiser i.e., as her lover you know her well

  99    dram very small amount    preserve stop, prevent    But…fear perhaps alluding to Psalm 3:10, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”    that since

101    but…tongue just your way of speaking, i.e., just idle talk    graver more serious

102    undergo undertake

105    covenants drawn between’s terms of (legal) agreement drawn up between us

107    have…lay not allow this wager

108    testimony proof

110    come off fail

112    commendation (letter of) introduction, recommendation    free entertainment informal, friendly reception (both words are capable of a sexual interpretation)

113    articles betwixt us i.e., a legal agreement, drawn up

114    make…her seduce her; with blatant sexual connotations

119    covenant agreement, i.e., let’s shake on it

120    lest…starve i.e., in case we have time to calm down and reflect, and end up calling it off

123    Will this hold will they really go through with this

124    from it back down

Act 1 Scene 5

 1.5    Location: Britain, the royal court

    1    Whiles…ground while the dew is still on the ground; plants were believed to be at their freshest, most potent when covered with dew

    2    note list

    4    Dispatch see it done

    7    without offence without (wishing to cause) offense

    8    wherefore why

    9    compounds compounded drugs, i.e., drugs made by mixing different chemical elements together

  10    are…of cause    languishing long and drawn-out

  11    But…deadly and although they work slowly, they are, nevertheless, deadly

  14    learned taught

  15    Distil? Preserve? extract the essences from plants and preserve them    Yea so indeed so well

  17    confections mixtures (drugs)

  18    meet appropriate

  19    amplify…conclusions extend my knowledge through other experiments

  20    try test    forces effects

  23    vigour strength

  24    Allayments antidotes    act effect

  25    several various

  29    noisome and infectious physically noxious, harmful/morally corrupting

  30    content thee don’t worry

  40    Strange rare, unfamiliar/special, powerful    ling’ring poisons poisons that cause a slow painful death

  44    prove test, try

  45    higher in the chain of being, i.e., on people

  46    show appearance, illusion

  47    locking-up…time temporary disappearance of the signs of life

  48    reviving upon reviving

  55    quench cool down, settle down    instructions good advice

  56    Do thou work i.e., on persuading Innogen to forget Posthumus and marry Cloten

  60    fortunes…gasp i.e., Posthumus’ state and reputation are like a deathbed patient about to die

  62    shift his being change his dwelling place

  64    every…him i.e., every day is wasted since he has no future

  66    depender dependant    leans is unstable

  73    What…cordial anything more restorative

  74    earnest instalment, foretaste

  76    as from thyself i.e., as if it were your own opinion on the matter

  77    Think…on think how your fortunes will improve by switching sides

  78    Thou…still you won’t lose Innogen    to boot also, as well/to (your) advantage

  79    take…thee acknowledge your service and make sure you are preferred    I’ll…desire I’ll persuade the king to confer on you any kind of rank, social advancement you wish

  82    set…desert persuaded you to go for this reward

  83    load reward

  84    constant loyal, devoted, firm

  85    shaked shaken (in his loyalty)

  86    remembrancer officer responsible for the collection of debts/reminder

  87    handfast marriage contract

  88    unpeople…sweet i.e., it will kill Pisanio if he takes it;    sweet sweetheart

  89    liegers ambassadors, servants

  90    Except…humour unless she changes her attitude

  93    closet private room

Act 1 Scene 6

    1    stepdame stepmother

    3    husband banished i.e., whose husband is banished

    5    thief-stol’n stolen by a thief

    7    glorious lofty, ambitious

    8    mean lowly, humble, poor    wills wishes, plays on sense of “sexual desires”

    9    seasons adds spice to/matures with time/seasons of the year    Fie! exclamation of reproach

  12    Change you i.e., your color, but the phrase plays upon an ambiguous sense—“have your affections changed?”

  17    out of door external/visible

  18    furnished equipped, endowed    rare exceptional

  19    th’Arabian bird the phoenix, a mythical bird, of which, according to legend, only one could exist at any time, therefore a symbol of true uniqueness

  21    Arm me audacity may audacity arm me/may    boldness arm me with audacity

  22    Parthian…fight fight as I retreat like the Parthians: ancient inhabitants of what is now Iraq known for their battle tactic of retreating on horseback while firing arrows at their pursuing enemies

  23    Rather, directly fly or retreat outright

  24    note reputation, distinction

  25    Reflect bestow attention    as…trust to the same degree as you value the quality of trust in yourself/as you value your trust in me/as you value your duty as a wife

  26    So far thus much

  34    vaulted arch i.e., the sky

  35    which i.e., men’s eyes

  36    fiery orbs stars/planets    twinned identical

  37    th’unnumbered the uncountable

  38    Partition distinction    spectacles so precious miraculous organs of sight/such wondrous sights, i.e., Innogen

  40    makes your admiration causes your amazement, wonder

  42    shes women    chatter this way signal approval by their chattering

  43    Contemn scorn, slight    mows grimaces

  44    idiots…definite even an idiot presiding over this case of beauty (favor) would be resolute as would a wise judge

  45    appetite sexual desire

  46    Sluttery sluttishness    neat elegant

  47    vomit emptiness i.e., retch

  48    allured offered, tempted    feed plays on sense of “have sex with her”

  49    trow in truth

  50    cloyèd sated, surfeited    will sexual desire; plays on sense of “genitals,” usually “penis”

  52    running emptying, running over    ravening ravenously devouring

  53    garbage offal, intestines

  55    raps possesses, transports

  57    Desire…abode ask my manservant to remain

  58    strange a stranger    peevish temperamental, irritable

  65    gamesome lively, sportive/lusty, i.e., with sexual implication

  68    sadness gravity, seriousness

  71    one an one (who is) an

  73    Gallian French    furnaces…sighs sighing frequently like a furnace

  75    from’s free lungs openly, without restraint;    free has connotations of licentiousness

  77    proof experience

  87    but…thankfully although he could be more appreciative of the gifts heaven has bestowed upon him, especially of Innogen

  88    ’tis i.e., heaven’s bounty is

  89    account reckon    talents personal qualities/monetary account

  98    hide me hide myself

  99    snuff candle end

104    enjoy take pleasure in, with sexual innuendo

105    office duty    venge avenge

109    doubting…ill suspecting things are going badly

111    timely knowing learning in time

112    born found    discover…stop reveal to me what makes your speech start and    stop (the image is from horse riding)

114    Had I if I had

116    feeler’s i.e., the person who felt the touch (of Innogen’s hand)

117    this object Innogen herself/her eye

118    Takes…motion transfixes the restless gaze

119    Firing setting it aflame (with desire)

120    Slaver flatter/wet with saliva    common…Capitol i.e., used by everyone    Capitol the national temple of Rome dedicated to Jupiter

122    falsehood…labour i.e., just as manual labor hardens the hands, habitual falsehood hardens the heart

123    by-peeping glancing sideways

124    illustrous lackluster, dull

125    fed with produced by    tallow animal fat, used to make candles    fit right, appropriate

127    Encounter such revolt punish such a transgression

130    Not…pronounce it gives me no pleasure to reveal this news

138    empery empire

139    Would…double which would double the power of even the greatest king    partnered equated, considered alongside

140    tomboys prostitutes    self-exhibition same allowance of money

141    ventures hazards/prostitutes

142    play gamble    infirmities diseases

143    boiled stuff women who have been made to sweat in steam rooms: a treatment for venereal disease

146    Recoil…stock degenerate from your royal lineage

153    Diana’s priest Diana was the goddess of chastity, whose female priests were virgins    cold chaste, sexless

154    vaulting to mount sexually    variable ramps various prostitutes    ramp a bold, vulgar woman

155    In your despite in contempt, scorn of you    upon your purse at your expense

157    runagate runaway, vagabond

158    fast constant, firm

161    Let…lips allow me to kiss you

163    attended listened, paid attention to    thee less polite than you as a term of address, used to inferiors but also to intimates

172    saucy impudent, insolent    mart do business; literally “marketplace”

173    Romish stew Roman brothel

174    us the royal plural pronoun

178    credit trust, belief, good reputation, plays on economic sense

184    affiance trothplight, marriage promise

186    new o’er all over again

187    truest mannered most honestly given, most faithful    holy witch i.e., good wizard who uses holy magic

195    try your taking test how you would take

197    In…rare in choosing such an exceptional husband

199    fan winnow; blow air through grain to separate the wheat from the chaff or husks

200    chaffless without chaff or refuse

203    but only

204    moment importance, significance

209    best…wing best among our group of friends    mingled sums all contributed money

211    factor agent

212    plate gold or silver utensils/tableware    rare device exceptional craftwork, carving

214    something curious somewhat anxious    strange a stranger, foreigner

218    pawn lay down

219    interest a stake, a share

226    short fall short of, not live up to

227    Gallia France

235    outstood outstayed    material crucial

236    tender giving

Act 2 Scene 1

    1    kissed the jack bowling term, i.e., Cloten’s bowl touched the small target ball    upon an upcast meaning uncertain: by accident/tossing a throw up/on the last shot (as in upshot)

    2    jackanapes upstart/impertinent fellow

    3    take me up rebuke me    oaths swearwords    of from

    4    spend…pleasure utter them when I please

    5    pate head

    6    If…out i.e., Cloten’s brain is thin, poor stuff

    7    gentleman i.e., a nobleman

    8    curtail cut short

  10    rank status, plays on secondary sense of “smell”

  12    a pox on’t expression of anger    pox any disease characterized by pustules/venereal disease

  13    so as

  14    jack-slave low-born person

  15    cock cockerel, plays on sense of “penis”

  16    capon castrated cockerel/idiot    comb i.e., like a fool; cock and comb together make “cockscomb” a jester’s cap/fool

  17    Sayest thou? What did you say?

  18    undertake take on, fight    companion fellow

  20    commit offence take on in fight/be offensive to

  21    fit…only i.e., only you would show such ill breeding (although on the surface the First Lord means “it is your right alone”)

  27    whatsoever whoever

  30    derogation disgrace, loss of dignity

  31    You cannot derogate i.e., because you have no dignity to lose in the first place

  33    issues deeds, puns on “children”

  40    Bears all down crushes everything that stands in her way

  41    for his heart for the life of him

  44    Betwixt between

  45    mother i.e., stepmother    coining devising, creating

  46    expulsion banishment

  48    he’d make i.e., which he would make happen, in order to marry her himself

Act 2 Scene 2

    5    weak tired

    6    leaf page left left off

    7    taper candle

  11    fairies believed to be malign in folklore    tempters…night presumably evil spirits, perhaps incubi, male demons believed to have sex with sleeping women

  13    crickets sing indicates that it is night and very quiet    o’er-laboured sense overworked capacity for feeling

  14    Our Tarquin Sextus Tarquinius raped Lucrece after which the Tarquins were driven from Rome and the republic was born (events narrated by Shakespeare in The Rape of Lucrece); Iachimo’s use of    our, i.e., a fellow Roman suggests a more sinister affinity

  15    rushes reeds strewn on the floor as a covering    ere before

  16    Cytherea Venus, goddess of love

  17    bravely thou becom’st how finely, admirably you adorn your bed    lily an emblem of purity and chastity

  19    Rubies i.e., Innogen’s red lips    unparagoned unequaled, matchless

  20    dearly exquisitely    do’t i.e., kiss; possibly confirms that he does kiss her on the previous line

  22    underpeep her lids peep under her eyelids

  23    lights i.e., her eyes    canopied covered

  24    windows shutters, i.e., her eyelids    azure bright blue    laced ornamented

  25    tinct color    But my design but back to my purpose

  28    Th’adornment the decoration    arras tapestry wall hanging    figures either sewn into the tapestry or carved into the mantelpiece

  29    contents subject matter

  30    notes distinctive marks    about upon

  31    Above more than    meaner less important/convincing as evidence    movables items of furniture, property

  32    testify…inventory give credibility to my list of evidence

  33    ape mimic    dull heavy

  34    sense senses    monument carved statue of a figure lying on a tomb

  36    Gordian knot that was tied by the Phrygian King Gordias and was so    hard that no one could untie it; a prophecy said that whoever did so would conquer Asia, which Alexander the Great fulfilled by cutting through the knot with his sword

  37    witness outwardly serve as proof

  39    th’madding the maddening

  40    cinque-spotted having five spots    drops spots

  41    cowslip wild spring flower, yellow in color (which does indeed have five spots inside)    voucher piece of evidence; in legal terms offering a warranty of title

  42    secret intimate fact, detail

  43    picked i.e., a delicate and skillful operation, implying he seduced her into giving up her honor to him as opposed to taking it by force

  47    Tereus another famous rapist: King of Thrace, he ravished Philomel, his sister-in-law, and cut out her tongue to stop her revealing the crime

  48    gave up was forced to yield/succumbed, surrendered

  49    spring lock, catch

  50    dragons…night night was imagined as a chariot drawn by dragons    dawning…eye ravens, considered birds of ill omen, were believed to wake at dawn

  52    this i.e., Innogen

Act 2 Scene 3

    1    most coldest least passionate

    2    ace the lowest score in dice

    3    cold gloomy, dispirited

    4    after according to, following the example of    temper temperament

  10    penetrate i.e., move her emotionally, plays on sexual sense

  11    fingering i.e., your playing, with obvious secondary image of penetrating the vagina with fingers    so so much the better    with tongue i.e., with voices, with the secondary image of “cunnilingus”

  12    remain stay as she is

  13    good-conceited thing well devised, fanciful piece    air solo song

  16    Phoebus Apollo, the sun god    ’gins begins to

  17    springs…lies water from the dew that collects in flowers

  18    chaliced cuplike

  19    winking sleeping    Mary-buds marigold buds

  23    horsehairs used for the bows of stringed instruments    calves’ guts used for the strings

  24    unpaved without stones (testicles), i.e., castrated    to boot into the bargain

  27    fatherly as a father, i.e., approve of me as a husband for Innogen

  29    Attend you here are you waiting here (at)

  31    vouchsafes grants, confers

  32    minion favorite

  34    wear bear/wear out

  36    bound indebted

  37    vantages advantageous opportunities

  38    prefer recommend    frame…solicits adjust your conduct to well-mannered solicitations

  39    be…season i.e., behaving as the situation demands will work to your advantage

  40    denials (Innogen’s) rejections

  44    dismission dismissal

  45    senseless insensible, i.e., deaf, which Cloten shifts in next line to meaning “stupid”

  47    So like you if you please

  50    Albeit although

  51    receive welcome

  52    his sender Augustus Caesar, the Roman emperor

  53    forspent exhausted

  54    notice attention

  61    line i.e., with money

  63    Diana’s rangers attendants on Diana, goddess of chastity and hunting    false betray

  64    th’stand o’th’stealer the poacher’s hidden shooting position

  65    true honest

  68    lawyer to me i.e., plead on my behalf

  69    I yet not I still don’t    understand the case comprehend the situation; plays on sexual meanings of stand, “erection,” and case, “vagina”

  75    That’s…of i.e., expensive clothes are all that distinguish his noble birth

  80    keep remain in, stay inside

  82    Sell…report i.e., let me bribe you to speak well of me to Innogen

  85    sister stepsister    your (give me) your

  86    lay out expend

  87    but only

  91    deep moving, effective

  92    still forever

  95    But…silent i.e., to prevent you taking my silence as consent

  97    unfold display, offer

  98    knowing knowledge

107    put me cause me

108    verbal talkative

109    which who

113    boast overt exclamation

116    pretend claim    base wretch i.e., Posthumus

117    bred of alms brought up on (Cymbeline’s) charity

119    meaner parties persons of lower social rank

122    self-figured knot bond made by themselves

123    curbed…enlargement restrained from that freedom of choice

124    consequence o’th’crown importance of the crown (and the fact that you are its heir)    foil dishonor

125    note renown, distinction

126    hilding good-for-nothing    livery uniform worn by servants, bearing their master’s insignia    squire’s cloth servant’s outfit

127    pantler servant in the pantry

130    thou wert you would (still) be

131    groom servant    thou…envy you would be elevated enough to make others envy you

133    comparative…virtues i.e., if your personal merits were compared (you and Posthumus)    styled given the title, position of

134    under-hangman assistant hangman

135    For…well for being promoted even that highly

136    south-fog damp fog brought by the south wind, thought to carry diseases

138    named of thee named, mentioned by you    meanest garment lowliest item of clothing

139    clipped encompassed, embraced

141    made such men turned into men such as you

145    sprited tormented, haunted (as if by a spirit)    with by

148    ’Shrew beshrew, may evil befall

154    aught any, i.e., anyone

160    action lawsuit

163    conceive…me think, I hope, only the worst of me

Act 2 Scene 4

 2.4    Location: Rome

    2    win win over, persuade    bold confident

    4    means approaches

    6    winter’s state i.e., his relationship with Cymbeline

    7    seared withered

    8    gratify repay    they failing if they fail altogether, i.e., his hopes

  11    By this by this time

  12    Hath heard of will have heard from

  13    throughly thoroughly

  14    He’ll i.e., Cymbeline will    th’arrearages the arrears (overdue payments of tribute)

  15    look upon face    whose remembrance the memory of whom

  16    yet still

  18    Statist politician

  19    prove prove to be, come to

  23    more ordered better disciplined

  25    frowning i.e., with worry

  27    their approvers those who put them to the test    such…world whose reputation has gone up in the eyes of the world

  30    harts deer; i.e., Iachimo’s horses have run as fast as the swiftest deer    posted swiftly conveyed, like a post-horse

  31    of…corners from all directions

  34    your answer i.e., the answer she gave you    made is the cause of

  38    therewithal in addition

  39    casement window, i.e., as prostitutes did when trying to attract customers

  42    tenor content, drift

  43    ’Tis very like it’s very likely

  47    approached arrived

  49    Sparkles…wont i.e., does this diamond sparkle as brightly as it was accustomed to

  57    Not a whit not at all

  60    sport amusement

  63    keep covenant keep to our bargain

  64    knowledge i.e., carnal knowledge

  65    question further put this to further dispute

  69    wills wishes; plays on sense of “sexual desire”

  71    tasted had intercourse with, experienced    my hand i.e., a reconciliatory handshake

  73    gains…mine i.e., in a duel

  74    or…them i.e., because we will have killed each other

  76    circumstances list of evidence

  80    spare omit

  85    watching staying awake for

  86    silver silver lace

  88    Cydnus river in modern-day Turkey where Antony and Cleopatra first met; the story is recounted in Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra Act 2 Scene 2    or either

  89    press crowd, throng    pride i.e., in carrying Antony and Cleopatra

  90    bravely splendidly, excellently

  92    rarely excellently

102    chimney-piece ornamental carving on the mantel

103    Chaste Dian bathing perhaps depicting the story of Diana and Actaeon; according to classical mythology, Actaeon came upon Diana bathing, for which she turned him into a stag and he was destroyed by his own hounds

104    report themselves i.e., speak    cutter carver, sculptor

105    outwent her and outdid her, i.e., nature, in perfection

106    Motion…out except that they could not move or breathe

108    relation likewise reap i.e., have also learned about through hearsay

111    fretted decorated with elaborate carvings    andirons firedogs, i.e., a pair of decorative metal supports for burning wood in a fireplace

112    winking i.e., with closed eyes;    Cupid the god of love, was traditionally depicted as blind

113    nicely skillfully, ingeniously

114    Depending…brands leaning on their flaming torches

117    remembrance memory, gift for recollection

118    nothing saves in no way wins/redeems

121    leave permission, opportunity    air show, expose it to the open air

122    up away, hidden

128    I…yet I can still see her now

129    outsell exceed in value

131    prized valued, treasured    once at one time

136    basilisk a mythical reptile with a fatal gaze

138    semblance seeming, outward appearance

140    bondage binding force, obligation

145    probable capable of being proved/likely

146    corrupted bribed

149    so in this manner, thus    Back give back

150    corporal sign piece of physical evidence/a sign relating to her body

151    evident conclusive

156    sworn i.e., they have sworn oaths of loyalty

157    enjoyed her i.e., sexually

158    cognizance badge, token    incontinency lack of self-restraint, faithlessness

159    she…dearly i.e., this is what she has paid for the name of whore

160    hire payment, fee

161    you i.e., you and her (Innogen)

164    persuaded who you are persuaded

166    colted mounted sexually

171    present immediate, instant

173    stain mark (the mole); Posthumus shifts sense to “moral blot”

178    turns i.e., the number of times you had sex

179    Once…million i.e., if you’ve had her once, you may as well have had her a million times

184    Thou’st thou hast (you have)    cuckold a husband whose wife was unfaithful

186    limb-meal limb from limb

189    besides beyond, outside of

190    government control, management

191    pervert avert, turn aside

195    half-workers co-workers, i.e., is there no way for men to live without women?    We…bastards i.e., because there are no faithful women in the world

196    venerable old and worthy of respect

198    stamped made, conceived    coiner counterfeit coin maker

201    nonpareil unrivaled person

202    lawful pleasure i.e., marital sex

203    prayed…forbearance often entreated me to restrain my desire

204    pudency modesty    rosy presumably referring to her blushes    view on’t sight of it

205    Saturn Roman god associated with melancholy and coldness

207    yellow sallow, i.e., dark-complexioned

208    at first straight away

209    full-acorned boar well-fed male pig    German i.e., fierce and fat

211    looked for anticipated

212    encounter sexual encounter

213    woman’s part fault specific to women; plays on sense of “vagina”    motion impulse

217    rank lascivious

218    covetings desires for material objects    change of prides continually changing (or variety of) excesses

219    Nice longing wanton desires    mutability changeableness, inconsistency

223    still always, constantly

224    but of only

225    so as

226    skill wisdom

227    have their will get their way, have their sexual desires fulfilled

Act 3 Scene 1

 3.1    Location: Britain, the royal court

    2    remembrance memory    yet still

    4    theme topic of discussion

    6    Famous…it famous because Caesar praised him, but equally for the feats he performed to earn that praise

    7    for…succession on behalf of himself and his successors, i.e., future British kings

    9    pounds i.e., pounds weight

  10    untendered unpaid

  11    kill the marvel put an end to the surprise

  13    be may/will be

  18    from’s from us    resume…again we have to take back again

  19    liege lord, used to a feudal superior owed duty and allegiance

  21    bravery…isle beauty of the land/courage of the inhabitants

  22    Neptune’s of Neptune, Roman god of the sea    park tract of land held by royal grant used for hunting; also used for an enclosed body of water in which oysters or fish are bred    paled in fenced with pales (long, vertical stakes); the coastline was densely forested with trees that formed a sort of unscalable (hard to climb) perimeter fence

  24    bear support

  25    suck…th’topmast i.e., like quicksand they will suck the ships under until only the topmast (formerly the uppermost mast) is visible

  27    ‘came…overcame’ Caesar reported his victory at the battle of Zela in 47 BC with this phrase in Latin: veni, vidi, vici

  30    ignorant baubles foolish, inexperienced toys

  33    at point ready, just about

  34    giglot whore (i.e., fickle, disloyal)    master overcome, defeat

  35    Lud’s town i.e., London, after King Lud, Cymbeline’s grandfather

  39    crooked i.e., hooked, Roman    owe own    straight powerful, forceful

  41    grip i.e., the handle of a sword

  44    else otherwise

  46    injurious insulting/malicious

  49    against all colour without any pretext; perhaps playing on “collar” in conjunction with yoke in the next line meaning “wooden collar fastened to a pair of animals and attached to a plough or cart”

  51    Becomes is appropriate for

  53    Mulmutius supposedly the first British king (from fourth century BC)    which who

  54    use application, practice (of the laws)

  55    repair restoration    franchise enfranchisement

  65    confusion destruction

  66    pronounce proclaim

  67    Thus defied i.e., now that I have issued this declaration

  72    perforce by necessity

  73    Behoves…utterance obliges me to defend it to the death    perfect well aware/reliably informed

  74    Pannonians and Dalmatians ancient inhabitants of what are now Hungary and the Balkans

  75    precedent example

  76    read interpret    cold lacking spirit

  78    Let proof speak let the outcome of the battle/the battle itself do the talking

  79    Make pastime stay

  80    saltwater girdle the sea

  81    adventure attempt    crows birds that feed on carrion, i.e., dead flesh

  83    So so be it

  84    pleasure desire, aim

  85    the remain that remains (to say)

Act 3 Scene 2

    1    How? What?    Wherefore why

    5    As…handed as capable a poisoner by word as by hand

    7    truth loyalty    undergoes endures

    9    take in defeat, conquer    some virtue some people’s virtue

  12    Upon because of

  17    fact deed

  20    senseless bauble unfeeling, worthless thing

  21    fedary confederate, accomplice

  23    ignorant in to pretend to be ignorant of

  27    astronomer includes sense of an “astrologer”

  28    characters handwriting

  30    relish taste

  31    not i.e., not his content

  33    med’cinable restorative, able to heal

  34    physic love i.e., being apart makes love healthier, stronger

  35    wax i.e., used to seal the letter    thy leave by thy leave; Innogen is asking its permission for her to break it and read the letter

  36    locks of counsel seals to secrecy, private matters

  38    forfeiters defaulters of contracts

  39    Cupid’s of Cupid, Roman god of love    tables writing tablets

  41    even renew could not restore

  42    Cambria Wales    Milford Haven most southwesterly Welsh port

  47    mean affairs trivial business

  51    bate abate, i.e., qualify what I have just said

  52    fainter kind more moderate fashion

  53    mine my longing (to see Posthumus)    thick fast, the words crammed together

  54    bores of hearing i.e., ears

  55    smothering overwhelming

  56    by th’way on the way

  59    steal creep away, surreptitiously go

  61    to excuse i.e., how to explain our absence    how get hence how to get away

  62    Why…begot? i.e., why should an excuse be made before the act that needs excusing has been performed

  64    score twenty    well possibly/comfortably

  65    ’Twixt…hour i.e., in an hour

  66    ’twixt…sun i.e., in a day

  69    riding wagers horse races with bets on them

  71    i’th’clock’s behalf in place of a clock, i.e., an hourglass

  72    feign pretend to be affected by

  73    home go home    presently immediately

  74    fit be suitable for

  75    franklin small landowner, below the rank of a gentleman

  76    you’re best you had better

  77    before me what’s in front of me    nor neither

  78    what ensues what will happen    but but that they

  81    none no route

Act 3 Scene 3

 3.3    Location: Wales, outside Belarius’ cave

    1    keep house stay inside    with such among those

    2    gate entrance

    3    Instructs…heavens i.e., by forcing you to bow

    4    office divine service

    5    jet strut

    6    impious turbans i.e., non-Christian (giants were frequently imaged as Saracens in Romance literature)

    8    use treat    hardly badly

    9    prouder livers those who live more ostentatiously

  13    these flats this plain

  15    place physical position/social rank    lessens…off diminishes and enhances

  16    revolve consider/turn over in the mind

  17    tricks accidents

  19    so allowed acknowledged as such    apprehend thus look at things in this way

  22    sharded living in dung/with scaly wings    hold stronghold, refuge

  24    attending serving/awaiting    for in exchange for    check rebuke

  25    robe i.e., robe of office

  27    Such those who do so    gain…fine gain the respect (by doffing the cap) of the tailor that provides their fine clothes

  28    Yet…uncrossed i.e., the debts in his account book never get crossed off    to compared to

  29    proof experience    unfledged young things; literally of young birds “not yet covered with feathers”

  31    air’s from home the air is like away from home    Haply perhaps

  34    stiff rigid, not flexible or pliant

  35    travelling abed i.e., in the imagination, dreaming of going places

  37    stride a limit step over the threshold, go out

  41    pinching bitingly cold/narrowly restricting

  43    beastly beastlike

  44    Like as

  45    what flies what runs away, i.e., food or prey (as opposed to men who would stand and fight)

  49    usuries corrupt financial practices

  50    knowingly i.e., from experience    art artifice/artfulness

  51    keep stay in

  54    pain labor, effort

  56    oft often

  57    record…act i.e., report of good deeds

  58    Doth ill deserve i.e., is ill rewarded

  59    curtsy…censure bow at the (unjust) reproof

  61    report reputation

  62    best of note most renowned, distinguished

  63    theme topic of discussion

  64    as like

  67    mellow hangings ripe fruit

  68    weather bad weather i.e., ill fortune

  69    favour goodwill, especially of a superior or multitude

  72    perfect unblemished, true

  74    this these

  75    demesnes lands, domains

  76    at in

  78    fore-end early part    time life

  80    venison deer

  81    minister be servants

  82    attends…state is an ever-present threat in places of greater status, pomp

  84    sparks of nature signs of inherent qualities

  87    trained…meanly brought up in such a humble way/in such lowly surroundings

  88    they bow i.e., because the roof is so low    hit i.e., reach as high as

  90    prince it behave like princes

  91    trick capacity, skill

  94    three-foot i.e., having three legs (a modest item of furniture)

  96    say when I say

  99    nerves sinews

101    in…figure in a similar fashion/posture

102    much more i.e., than Guiderius

103    conceiving understanding (of the story)    Hark…roused! Listen, the quarry (the animal being hunted) is driven from cover!

105    whereon for which reason

107    bar deprive    succession successors (to the throne)

108    reft’st robbed

109    nurse wet nurse, i.e., a woman employed to suckle another woman’s children

110    her i.e., Euriphile’s

Act 3 Scene 4

 3.4    Location: near Milford Haven

    1    came from horse dismounted

    2    ne’er…now i.e., the longing I have now (to see Posthumus) exceeds my mother’s longing to see me for the first time

    6    but painted thus i.e., who looked like that in a picture

    7    perplexed troubled, distressed/confused

    8    self-explication the ability to explain themselves    Put…fear i.e., don’t act in such a frightening way

    9    ere before

  10    staider calmer, more settled

  11    tender’st thou do you offer    paper letter

  12    summer i.e., good

  13    to’t before i.e., before giving it to me/in accordance with it (the good news)    winterly i.e., bad

  14    But only    hand handwriting

  15    drug-damned Italy Italians had a reputation for knowledge of poisons and other substances    out-craftied outwitted through guile

  16    hard point tight spot, difficult situation    tongue…extremity i.e., telling me what’s in it may help me bear the worst

  18    mortal fatal

  23    testimonies evidence    lies…me i.e., has cut me to the quick

  24    grief injury/anguish

  25    tainted contaminated

  28    pander procurer, pimp

  30    What why, for what purpose

  33    Outvenoms is more poisonous than    worms of Nile serpents of the Nile; the allusion is to the asp, which Cleopatra used to kill herself

  34    posting winds i.e., speeding, like a post-horse, the winds carry the slanderous news far and wide    belie deceive, spread lies over

  35    states people of high rank, statesmen/countries

  40    ’twixt…clock from hour to hour    charge overcomes, i.e., so that I go to sleep

  44    Thy conscience witness perhaps addressed to the absent Posthumus

  45    incontinency unchastity, lack of sexual self-control

  47    favour’s appearance is    jay whore, literally a brightly colored bird

  48    painting use of cosmetics

  49    stale out of date/a lover made the object of ridicule for a rival’s amusement

  50    richer…th’walls too valuable to just hang on a wall (like an old coat)

  51    ripped torn up for reusing/violently destroyed

  52    seeming outward show, appearance

  53    revolt reversal of ideas/betrayal

  54    born where’t grows natural

  55    worn deliberately put on    bait lure, temptation

  57    being heard like who were heard to speak like    Aeneas hero of Virgil’s Aeneid, who swore love to, and then deserted, Dido, who committed suicide as a result

  58    Sinon wept crocodile tears outside the walls of Troy to persuade the Trojans to admit the wooden horse containing the Greek warriors who destroyed the city

  59    scandal discredit, disgrace    took…wretchedness prevented truly wretched cases from receiving any pity

  61    leaven agent for fermenting dough

  63    fail failure

  65    witness testify to

  67    mansion dwelling place

  73    vile instrument i.e., his sword

  77    self-slaughter suicide

  79    cravens makes a coward of

  80    afore’t in front of it    soft not so fast, wait    we’ll no defence I shan’t defend myself

  81    Obedient…scabbard i.e., as willing to receive the sword as the scabbard is

  82    scriptures…heresy Posthumus’ letters are likened to sacred writings, which, because of his breaking faith with love, are now heretical, sacrilegious

  84    faith truth/honesty

  85    stomachers decorative breast coverings

  88    Stands…woe is worse off (because guilty)

  89    set up initiate, instigate

  90    suits love-suits, wooing

  91    princely royal/fine

  92    It…rareness my love for you/my disobedience against my father was no ordinary thing, but one born of exceptional qualities, circumstances

  94    disedged dulled, blunted, plays on sexual sense

  95    tirest feeds (ravenously, like a bird of prey)

  96    panged afflicted by pangs of conscience    Prithee please, literally “I pray thee”    dispatch hurry up/make an end (of me)

104    wake…first stay awake until my eyeballs drop out before I do that

106    abused deceived/made bad use of

109    inviting thee i.e., by providing such a good opportunity

110    whereunto to which, where

111    Purpose intend to

112    be unbent change your mind; the image is of the bent, drawn hunter’s bow being unbent again without firing at the quarry    stand hidden shooting position

113    Th’elected the chosen

116    course i.e., of action

119    strumpet prostitute

120    Therein false struck in that matter falsely wounded    take receive

121    tent surgical probe to assess the depth of a wound/roll of lint to clean a wound    bottom probe the depths/go deeper than

123    back go back

124    Most like that’s very likely

128    purpose would prove plan would turn out

129    abused deceived

130    singular unrivaled

132    courtesan one attached to a prince’s court/prostitute

139    bide abide, live

151    not but only    I’th’world’s volume in the book of the world; Britain is likened to a page torn out of it

153    swan’s nest i.e., built in the middle of a pool

154    livers people who live

158    wear a mind entertain an idea/follow a course of action

160    That i.e., her female identity

161    self-danger bringing danger upon yourself, i.e., as a woman alone

162    view prospects    haply perhaps

163    nigh near

165    render bring/describe

168    modesty chastity    death on’t its loss

169    adventure take the risk

172    Command into obedience i.e., from a princess to a servant    niceness coyness/fastidiousness

173    handmaids i.e., qualities/attributes

174    it i.e., her    waggish roguish; “wag” was a term for a saucy boy, habitual joker

175    Ready in gibes ready to make mocking remarks    quick-answered quick in reply

176    quarrellous quarrelsome

177    Forget neglect    rarest…cheek i.e., pale complexion, signifying her social rank

180    common-kissing Titan the sun, who shines on everybody alike

181    laboursome…trims beautifully made and pretty clothes

182    Juno wife of the supreme Roman god Jupiter, was jealous of her husband’s attraction to beautiful mortals

184    end purpose, intention

187    Forethinking anticipating    fit ready

188    doublet close-fitting padded men’s jacket    hose clothing for the legs

189    answer to belong with, go with    in their serving with them serving you, i.e., using them as a disguise

191    season age

192    his service to serve him

193    Wherein you’re happy in what ways you are accomplished    make him know convince him

194    If…music if he has any appreciation for music at all

196    means abroad resources away from home

198    Beginning nor supplyment i.e., beginning nor continuing to supply you with money

200    diet feed, supply

201    even keep up with

203    soldier to willing to fight for/bravely prepared for    abide endure

205    short brief, hurried

207    Your carriage taking you away

211    distemper illness    shade cover

212    fit you adapt, adjust yourself

Act 3 Scene 5

 3.5    Location: Britain

    1    Thus far i.e., this is as far (as I will accompany you)

    7    ourself myself using the royal plural pronoun

    8    must needs can only

  10    So very good, so be it

  11    conduct safe conduct/escort

  12    befall come to

  13    office duty, task (i.e., accompanying Lucius)

  14    honour i.e., the honor due to Lucius as an ambassador    point small way

  19    event battle/outcome

  22    Severn river bordering England and Wales

  23    it honours us it does us credit (because we have been patriotic and defiant)

  24    cause reason, grounds

  28    fits us befits us, is appropriate that we    ripely immediately (because the time is ripe)

  31    drawn to head brought to full strength

  36    forward prepared

  39    duty…day daily greeting she owes Cymbeline as her father and king    looks us appears to me (us)

  42    slight in sufferance lax in allowing such behavior

  44    retired withdrawn, reclusive

  47    Forbear hold back, refrain from

  48    tender of sensitive to

  51    answered accounted for, excused

  56    close private, secluded

  57    Whereto…infirmity to which she is compelled by her illness

  59    proffer offer, present

  69    stand’st so for support/represent

  71    Proceed by result from

  73    Haply it may be, perhaps

  76    end aim, design

  78    placing arranging, disposal

  84    forestall…day prevent him from seeing tomorrow

  85    her Innogen    for because

  86    that because    parts qualities

  87    from…hath as though she has taken the best qualities from each and every woman

  88    compounded made up

  89    Outsells exceeds in value

  91    slanders discredits

  92    rare exceptional about her

  95    packing plotting, scheming/running away, leaving    sirrah fellow (addressed to a social inferior)

  96    pander bawd, sexual go-between

  98    Thou…fiends i.e., I will instantly kill you, sending your soul to hell

101    Close secretive

104    weights i.e., weights and measures

105    dram a tiny measure

109    Come nearer get to the point/come (physically) closer to me

110    halting hesitation    home completely

114    Discover reveal

120    Touching regarding

123    Or…perish i.e., either show him the letter or be killed

125    travel literally “traveling”; plays on “travail,” meaning “tronble”/”labor”

132    undergo undertake    employments tasks

133    serious careful, meticulous    industry application, diligence

135    want lack    relief assistance    voice…preferment support for your promotion, advancement

138    course ordinary way

139    but other than

141    Hast do you have    late i.e., former

150    upon a time once

153    her eyes i.e., in her sight

155    insultment scornful, contemptuous triumph

157    knock beat    foot kick

164    voluntary mute i.e., willingly silent; mutes were servants whose tongues were cut out to stop them telling secrets

165    tender offer, present

167    to my loss i.e., to lose my honor

169    him…true i.e., Posthumus

172    crossed hindered, thwarted    meed reward

Act 3 Scene 6

 3.6    Location: Wales, outside Belarius’ cave

    2    tired exhausted/dressed (attired)

    6    ken sight

    7    Foundations…wretched things recede as the poor or desperate approach/charitable organizations fail those who need them most

  11    trial test of their moral character/endurance

  12    scarce hardly ever    lapse in fullness do wrong when in a state of prosperity

  13    sorer worse

  15    on of, about

  16    even before only a moment ago

  17    At point ready, just about

  18    hold stronghold, lair

  19    were best had better

  20    Ere…nature i.e., before it kills me    it nature

  22    hardness…mother hardship always gives rise to (is the mother of) endurance

  24    Take or lend take my life/money, or give me food, help me

  25    Best I had better

  27    Such…heavens! i.e., she begs the heavens to let it be a foe of that sort

  28    woodman hunter

  30    match bargain, agreement

  31    The…to i.e., no one would work if it weren’t for some purpose

  33    homely plain

  34    flint hard, stony ground    resty sloth well-rested laziness

  35    down feather

  36    keep’st thyself i.e., looks after itself, is uninhabited

  37    throughly thoroughly, utterly

  39    browse nibble

  42    But that if it weren’t for the fact that    victuals food

  46    paragon outstanding example

  50    good troth in good truth

  51    nought nothing

  52    i’th’floor on the floor/in among the rushes on the floor

  53    board table    so as

  54    parted departed

  58    reckoned valued, esteemed    but of except by

  61    should would

  62    made committed

  63    Whither bound? Where are you going?

  66    Fidele means “the faithful one” (Latin)

  68    spent exhausted

  69    in into

  71    churls impolite, mean-spirited people/peasants

  72    rude uncivilized

  73    cheer food/entertainment

  74    thanks our approval

  77    hard vigorously, boldly    but be but to be/if I could not otherwise be    in honesty your honest, loyal husband/by honorable means

  78    Ay…buy i.e., woo you in the same way as I would love you as your husband

  83    sprightly cheerful

  84    ’Mongst…brothers I must be among friends if I am among brothers

  86    prize…ballasting value would be less since she would no longer be next in line to the throne and thus more equal to Posthumus; puns on    prize as “cargo, booty in a captured ship”

  89    wrings writhes/wrings his hands

  90    free’t remove the trouble

  96    attend themselves i.e., had no servants

  97    sealed them confirmed in them    laying by setting aside

  98    nothing-gift worthless gift (flattery, adulation)    differing multitudes fickle crowds

  99    out-peer surpass    twain two

101    Leonatus’ Leonatus is

103    dress our hunt i.e., prepare what we have caught for cooking

104    Discourse…fasting speech is tedious while hungry

105    mannerly politely    demand ask

108    The…welcome i.e., not even the night to the owl or the morning to the lark are as welcome to us

Act 3 Scene 7

 3.7    Location: Rome

    1    tenor substance    writ order

    2    men soldiers

    3    Pannonians and Dalmatians ancient inhabitants of what are now Hungary and the Balkans

    5    Full very

    6    fall’n off rebellious/defaulting    incite summon/stir up

    9    commands appoints

  10    absolute commission complete authority

  16    supplyant ready to supply troops/supplementary

Act 4 Scene 1

 4.1    Location: Wales

    2    fit fittingly, perfectly

    3    fit inclined, plays on sense of “sexually compatible”    saving…word standard apology for coarse language; in this case fitness, meaning “sexual inclination”

    4    fits fits and starts    play the workman use my skill like a craftsman

    5    vainglory idle boasting    glass mirror

    8    advantage…time i.e., current favorable circumstances    alike conversant equally experienced    general services military operations serving alongside others, probably with bawdy connotations

    9    single oppositions individual combats    imperceiverant imperceptive

  10    in my despite in spite of my qualities/to spite me    mortality mankind/existence/death

  11    enforced forced, constrained/raped

  12    spurn kick

  13    haply perhaps    usage treatment

  14    power of control over    testiness short temper/rashness    commendations credit, renown

  15    sore grievous, violent; bawdy quibble on sword (penis) and sore (wound/vagina)    Fortune may Fortune

Act 4 Scene 2

  10    citizen city-bred    wanton weakling/spoiled child/unchaste, lewd person

  11    ere before

  12    journal daily, usual routine    breach of custom disruption of usual habit

  14    amend me make me better    Society company

  16    reason of talk (lucidly) about

  17    none no one

  18    Stealing so poorly i.e., if I steal from those who have so little

  20    weight intensity

  23    yoke me am joined, associated

  26    bier at door if the coffin were at the door

  29    strain offspring, stock/inherited character/disposition

  30    breed lineage, ancestry

  32    meal and bran grain and husks

  33    yet…me it is a miracle that they should love this boy, whoever he, is more than me

  38    So…sir at your service, sir (to Belarius)

  41    but except

  44    tributary subsidiary

  47    stir move, persuade

  48    gentle well-born

  49    Dishonestly afflicted unjustly oppressed/troubled by others’ dishonesty

  52    To th’field i.e., let’s go hunting

  58    bound tied, allied/indebted

  60    distressed troubled, afflicted

  63    roots vegetables    characters shapes, especially letters

  64    as as though    Juno wife of Jupiter and queen of the gods

  65    dieter one who regulates the diet/feeder

  66    yokes ties together, attaches

  68    that what

  70    commix mingle

  71    rail utter abusive language

  74    spurs tree roots

  75    Grow…vine the wish is that    grief, like a    stinking elder (which had an evil reputation because of its pungent smell), will disentangle its deadly roots from those of the growing vine (patience)

  77    with from

  78    great morning broad daylight

  79    runagates runaways/rogues

  80    mocked tricked, fooled

  85    held regarded

  86    but only

  87    companies followers, others

  89    Soft not so fast

  90    fly run away, flee from

  94    A…knock I never did anything more slavelike than responding to an insulting slave/someone calling me a slave without beating, hitting them

  99    I…mouth i.e., I am not all talk when it comes to fighting

103    clothes i.e., courtly clothes, showing rank

107    varlet scoundrel

111    loath reluctant

112    injurious insulting

120    mere confusion absolute destruction/agitation of the mind

122    not seeming since you don’t seem

123    So as

128    proper own

130    on…heads the heads of traitors were fixed on poles at the gateway to London Bridge

132    abroad around, about

133    sure clearly

135    lines of favour facial lines, lineaments

136    snatches catches, hesitancy

137    absolute certain

138    very indeed

140    make…with to do well against

141    fell fierce

142    Being…man being intellectually defective/barely come to manhood

143    apprehension perception, understanding

144    judgement reason, i.e., the rational mind

148    Hercules classical hero, who wielded a club, and performed a series of impossible tasks

150    I…this if I hadn’t done this

153    perfect well aware

154    after according to

156    take us in capture us

161    The…us i.e., because they are banished

162    tender meek/submissive

163    threat threaten

165    For because

168    safe sane, sound

169    humour disposition, frame of mind

170    mutation changeableness (of mood)

175    Cave dwell in caves

176    make…head assemble a stronger force

177    like him just like him, in his nature    might break out he might burst out

178    fetch us in capture us and bring us before the court

179    To come that he would come

180    suffering allowing

181    tail i.e., a group coming after him

183    ord’nance what is ordained

184    foresay predict/determine    howsoe’er however it may turn out/nevertheless

186    mind inclination

188    way long forth way forward seem long

192    to i.e., flow to

194    reck care

199    So so that

201    I would I wish that (all the)

202    possible strength power we might muster    meet i.e., in battle

203    put…answer force us to answer them in battle/cause us to show them what we’re made of

208    hasty rash, impetuous

211    gain restore

212    let…blood bloodletting or bleeding a patient was a common medical procedure; Arviragus is proposing a different kind of bloodletting here, shedding the blood of (killing) a parish full of Clotens to make Innogen well

215    blazon’st are depicted

217    zephyrs soft winds, breezes; the    zephyr is the west wind

218    wagging moving/disturbing

219    enchafed heated, aroused    rud’st roughest (rudest)

222    frame train, direct/fit, suit

224    seen from other not learned from others

225    wildly naturally, without being cultivated

230    clotpoll blockhead

233    ingenious skillfully constructed

234    occasion reason

235    give it motion i.e., play it

239    speak emit sound

240    answer correspond to    accidents events

241    Triumphs public celebrations    lamenting toys lamentation over trivial, inconsequential things

242    jollity for apes i.e., only an imitation of jollity    grief for boys considered emotionally fickle

248    on of

250    turned…crutch i.e., turned my youth into old age

253    the…well half as well

256    sound thy bottom measure your depths    Find…in the experience of melancholy is likened to being in a small boat sailing sluggishly through a muddy river of unknowable depth, with no way of knowing the easiest route to harbor    Find explore

257    ooze i.e., the wet mud and slime at the bottom of a river    sluggish slow-moving    crare small trading boat

258    easiliest most easily

260    rare exceptional

262    Stark stiff

263    as…slumber as though some fly had tickled him while he was sleeping

264    Not…at not as though he was laughing at death’s arrow

268    leagued folded

269    clouted brogues hobnailed boots    rudeness roughness

270    Answered…loud i.e., made his steps echo too loudly

271    but only, merely

272    he’ll…bed i.e., because he looks more like someone asleep

279    azured bright blue-colored    harebell a native plant with delicate blue flowers on slender stems, often called “bluebell” but actually a distinct species

280    eglantine sweetbriar (wild rose)

281    ruddock robin (in folklore believed to cover the dead by strewing them with leaves and flowers, hence charitable bill)

286    winter-ground cover and protect in winter

288    wench-like womanish

290    admiration i.e., of Innogen/amazement, wonder

291    due debt the debt that needs to be paid, i.e., burial

292    shall’s shall us (i.e., shall we)

296    Have…crack i.e., have broken

297    once we once did for    like the same

298    Save except

300    word speak

302    fanes temples

304    med’cine the less cure lesser ones

306    came came here as

307    paid given his payment, i.e., death    mean…dust i.e., both high and low come to the same end

308    reverence respect, deference

314    Thersites in Homer’s Iliad, the most scurrilous and cowardly of all the Greek warriors at the siege of Troy    Ajax heroic Greek warrior in the Iliad

317    the whilst in the meanwhile

318    to th’east emphasizing the pagan setting since it is the opposite in Christian practice

321    remove move

326    Home i.e., heaven    ta’en thy wages payment for the worldly task

327    Golden…dust i.e., the rich must die as surely as the poor; dandelions were known as chimney sweepers in Warwickshire

328    As like

333    sceptre, learning, physic i.e., kings, scholars, doctors

336    thunder-stone thunderbolt

340    Consign to thee seal the same contract with/entrust to your charge

341    exorcizer one who conjures or raises spirits

342    charm cast a spell on

343    Ghost…thee let any ghost that has not been laid to rest stay away from you

345    consummation end, fulfillment

347    obsequies funeral rites

350    upon their faces meaning is unclear; possibly “strew the flowers on the front of their bodies”/”turn the bodies face down”/”strew the flowers on their faces”

352    herblets shall small herbs will also (wither)

353    apart…knees let us go and pray

354    gave them first i.e., bore them

358    ’Od’s pittikins a diminutive of “God’s pity,” reduced to its mildest form

359    gone journeyed

360    But…bedfellow! But wait, I don’t remember any bedfellow!

362    care on’t its (the world’s) grief

363    so in the same way, i.e., dreaming

365    bolt arrow

366    fumes bodily vapors, thought to rise from the body to the brain, thus causing dreams

370    wren’s eye i.e., a tiny amount, the wren being regarded as the smallest bird    a part give me some of it

372    Without…me outside me (a physical reality), as it was inside me (in my imagination, dream)    felt tangible

375    His…face Innogen likens bodily attributes to those of gods and heroes; Mercury was the messenger of the gods, Mars the god of war,    Hercules a hero famed for his strength, and Jove (Jupiter) king of the gods

376    brawns muscles

378    madded maddened    Hecuba wife of Priam, King of Troy; accounts describe her frenzied grief, cursing the Greeks as they sacked Troy and murdered Priam

379    darted shot like darts (arrows)

380    Conspired i.e., having conspired    irregulous lawless

384    this…vessel i.e., Posthumus, likened to a ship    bravest most excellent/handsome/courageous, strong    of in

385    Struck the main-top chopped off the top part of the ship’s mainsail, i.e., his head

389    lucre greed for money

390    laid inflicted/placed, laid out    pregnant obvious, clear

392    cordial healthful, restorative

393    home i.e., to my heart

395    Give…blood i.e., she smears his blood on her cheeks

396    horrider more ghastly, intimidating

397    Which chance who happen    Soothsayer one who foretells the future

398    Gallia France

399    After in accordance with    attending waiting for

403    confiners those dwelling within the confines, inhabitants (presumably means common men, as opposed to gentlemen)

407    Siena Duke of Siena

409    benefit advantage

410    forwardness diligence, industriousness/promptness

413    purpose outcome

415    fast fasted    intelligence information, message

416    winged flying, on the wing

417    spongy damp

418    portends indicates

419    sins…divination earthly sins distort my ability to communicate with the gods

420    host army

422    trunk body

423    his its    speaks suggests, attests

425    Or either

426    nature doth abhor i.e., living creatures naturally detest

427    defunct deceased

430    instruct us of tell us about

432    crave…demanded beg to be asked about

435    altered…picture i.e., by cutting off the head

436    wreck ruin, catastrophe/mutilated person

442    is are

443    occident west    service masters to serve

446    ’Lack alas (alack)

447    complaining lamenting, mourning

451    Say you did you speak

454    approve…same i.e., prove yourself true to your name (Fidele means “the faithful one” in Latin)

460    prefer recommend

461    an’t if it

463    poor pickaxes i.e., her fingers

465    century of hundred

466    can am able to

468    So…me if it please you to take me into your service

474    pikes pointed metal tips of a staff or spear    partisans long-handled spears with broad blades

475    arm him take him up in your arms    preferred commended

477    can are, have the right to be

Act 4 Scene 3

 4.3    Location: Britain

    1    Again i.e., go back again

    2    with due to

    3    of as a result of

    4    touch wound, afflict

    6    Upon…bed i.e., she is desperately ill

    8    present i.e., present moment

  11    enforce…thee force it out of you

  15    nothing know know nothing about

  16    purposes intends to

  17    Hold consider

  21    subjection duty as a subject

  22    wants lacks

  23    will he will

  25    slip…season let you be for a while    jealousy suspicion

  26    Does yet depend still hangs in the balance/remains

  30    gentlemen i.e., officers

  31    Now for if only I now had

  32    amazed with matter overwhelmed by all these matters

  34    affront confront, face

  35    Come more if more come

  36    The…but the only thing now needed is

  40    annoy harm

  41    chances events

  42    no letter i.e., no news

  46    is betid has happened

  49    find reveal, prove

  50    Even…o’th’king even to the point where the king takes note    fall die, perish

  52    Fortune…steered i.e., even some boats that are cast adrift are brought safely back to harbor by good fortune

Act 4 Scene 4

 4.4    Location: Wales, outside Belarius’ cave

    1    noise i.e., of the armies preparing for battle

    3    lock it lock it away

    6    This way if we do this

    7    or for either as    receive…use recruit us, thinking us rebels to make use of and then kill us

  11    secure us make ourselves safe, find a stronghold

  13    not…bands i.e., not listed among the forces    mustered enlisted as soldiers

  14    drive…render force us to give an account of

  15    extort from’s extract from us

  16    answer reward, recompense

  17    Drawn on with brought about by

  23    quartered fires campfires (from their quarters in the field)

  24    cloyed importantly clogged, filled with important matters

  25    upon our note in taking notice of us

  28    Of by

  29    then was then    wore effaced, removed

  30    remembrance memory

  32    want of breeding lack of education, cultivation

  33    certainty inevitability    aye hopeless forever without hope

  34    courtesy respect/refined manners    cradle i.e., your circumstances at birth

  35    still forever    tanlings i.e., those tanned by constant exposure to the sun

  36    shrinking as    slaves will recoil from and tremble at punishment, so the    winter cold makes one shiver

  40    out of thought forgotten about    thereto so o’ergrown in that respect your memory obscured/your face covered with hair

  41    questioned suspected

  43    thing is’t ashameful thing it is

  45    hot lecherous    venison deer

  47    rowel Nor iron i.e., spurs    rowel the rotating blade at the end of the spur    iron the framework that attaches it

  54    care attention, caution

  55    hazard therefore due chance, danger coming to me

  60    cracked i.e., because old

  61    country country’s

  63    their…out their mettle, noble spirit/royal blood, stock despises everything until it may break out/be shed in battle

Act 5 Scene 1

5.1    Location: Wales

    1    bloody cloth sent by Pisanio to Posthumus as proof that he had murdered Innogen

    3    course i.e., of action

    5    wrying erring, going astray

    6    does not does not carry out

    7    No bond but there is no obligation except

    8    Should have had

    9    put on this instigate Innogen’s murder/take such a fault upon myself/wear these clothes

  10    repent i.e., her supposed unfaithfulness

  11    worth deserving

  13    fall i.e., sin

  14    second support/follow up    elder later, next (with the implication that evils mature with time)/earlier, with the more recent evils diminishing in severity until finally repentance sets in

  15    make…it i.e., make the perpetrators fearful and repentant    thrift gain, advantage (by becoming saved through repentance)

  23    weeds clothes    suit dress

  25    part side

  28    Pitied neither pitied

  30    habits peasant’s clothes/customary behavior

  32    guise custom, practice

  33    less…within i.e., to privilege inner qualities over outward finery

Act 5 Scene 2

    1    bosom heart

    2    off away    belied slandered, lied about

    3    on’t of it

    4    or could or else could    carl bondman, peasant

    5    very…nature’s natural-born slave

    6    profession i.e., as a soldier

    7    but of scorn only a mockery

    8    go before outgo, excel

    9    odds likelihood

  12    routs defeats    seconds give said to

  17    As as though    hoodwinked blindfolded

  19    or…fly let’s either reinforce our numbers or flee before it’s too late

Act 5 Scene 3

    3    fliers i.e., those who fled

    6    But had it not been

    7    wings flank of the army

    8    but only

    9    strait narrow    full-hearted full of confidence

  10    Lolling the tongue i.e., slavering like dogs, their tongues hanging out

  12    mortally fatally    touched wounded

  13    dammed blocked up, like a dam

  15    lengthened i.e., after spending the rest of their lives in shame

  18    ancient old/noble

  19    who…to who deserved to have lived as long a life as his white beard showed he had

  22    striplings young men    run…base play the rural children’s game of “prisoner’s base,” where players run between two opposing camps or bases and try to capture players on the other team

  24    masks worn by women to protect their delicate complexions from the sun (preservation), or for modesty’s sake (shame)

  26    Made good defended

  27    harts male deer, plays on “hearts”

  28    To…backwards to hell, damnation with those swift (fleet) souls who flee

  29    that i.e., a fight

  30    Like beasts with beastlike ferocity    beastly cowardly

  31    frown i.e., anger, resolved to fight

  32    Three…many as confident as if they were three thousand, and having the effect in their actions as if they were

  33    file entire force, (from front file to rear)

  35    Accommodated aided    charming spellbinding

  37    distaff spindle used in spinning wool, i.e., a housewife would have turned soldier at their example    gilded pale looks restored color to pale, cowardly faces

  38    Part it was partly through

  39    But by example only by imitating the first beginners (those who first began to flee)

  40    ’gan…did began to turn and face the way they (Belarius, Guiderius, and Arviragus) did

  41    grin i.e., bare their teeth, snarl    lions…o’th’hunters cornered lions, kept at bay with (rather than skewered by) the hunters’ spears

  43    stop i’th’chaser halt on the part of the pursuer    retire retreat    anon at once

  45    they…eagles they flee like chickens along the same path they swooped down (stooped) as eagles    slaves…made like slaves along the same path they strode as victors

  47    Like…need like scraps of food, gathered up as a last resort on tough voyages at sea, which become the source of life in a time of desperate need

  48    having…hearts i.e., the Romans had dropped their guard, making it easy for the British cowards to attack them (possibly literally means stab them in the heart through their backs) as they ran away

  50    Some…twenty i.e., Britons who earlier were cut down, dying, trampled, cowardly (ten being chased by one Roman), are now all the killers of twenty Romans each    some…wave some of their friends knocked down in the previous attack/some who their friends knocked down in the previous retreat

  53    or ere resist before they would fight back    are grown have now become

  54    mortal bugs deadly terrors    o’th’field of the battlefield

  57    wonder at it be amazed by it

  59    work any perform any (wondrous deeds)    upon’t upon the subject, about it

  60    vent utter, proclaim    for a mock’ry as a joke

  61    twice a boy proverbial, “old men are twice children”

  62    bane ruin

  64    ’Lack…end? Alas, why should I get angry?

  65    stand stand up to, face

  66    made naturally inclined

  67    fly my friendship run from my friendship (so I won’t have to put up with him anymore)

  70    going running away    O noble misery what a miserable specimen of a noble/what a miserable state for one who is supposedly noble

  72    honours reputations/titles

  73    Took…do’t ran away to do it

  74    too anyway    in…charmed protected, kept safe (as if by a magical spell) by my own misery

  78    ministers agents

  80    For…Briton because he (death) now favors the Britons, I’ll no longer be a Briton

  82    part role/side

  83    veriest hind merest timid creature    hind female deer

  84    touch my shoulder i.e., arrest me

  85    made committed    Roman Romans    answer retribution, retaliation    be will be

  87    either side i.e., either dying for the Britons or the Romans    spend use up/waste

  88    keep preserve    bear again bear away again

  92    silly habit simple rustic clothes (referring to Posthumus)

  93    th’affront attack

  97    seconds reinforcements

  98    answered him supported him/acted as he did

100    A…return i.e., not even the smallest part of Rome shall return there

102    note high rank

104    You…pasture pastured animals had weights tied to one leg to prevent them escaping or being    stolen

105    stomach appetite

109    Groan…perpetuity i.e., put up with the pain forever

111    T’unbar to unlock

112    shanks legs

113    The…bolt the means of penitence to release my conscience

114    Then ever then (I shall be) free forever, i.e., in death

115    temporal worldly, as opposed to “heavenly”

116    Must I if I must

117    gyves fetters, chains

118    constrained forced (on me)    satisfy atone for my sins

119    If…part if it (atonement) is the most important element in freeing my conscience

120    render repayment

121    clement merciful    vile men general humanity, specifically, usurers, moneylenders

122    of from    broken debtors bankrupts, those who can no longer repay their debts

124    their abatement i.e., the little that’s left over by the creditors for the debtors to go on living

126    coined created, stamping it like a new coin

127    stamp coin

128    light underweight/morally deficient    pieces coins    figure’s sake the symbolic sake of the figure stamped on the coin

129    You…yours i.e., you should accept mine since yours is the image stamped onto it

130    audit account

131    bonds legal/mortal/literal, i.e., his fetters

133    thou thunder-master Jupiter, king of the gods, believed to have thunder and lightning at his command

134    flies i.e., people, whom the gods squash like flies

136    That who

137    rates scolds, berates/reckons

138    aught anything

141    Attending nature’s law i.e., staying the full nine months in the womb, according to nature

145    earth-vexing smart suffering that afflicts earthly, mortal men

146    Lucina Roman goddess of childbirth

147    took i.e., to death    in my throes while I was in labor

148    That so that    ripped i.e., born by Cesarean section

152    stuff substance

155    When once when the time came that    mature for man i.e., grown to manhood

158    fruitful gifted, promising/producing love’s fruits

160    deem his dignity judge his worth

161    wherefore why

163    Leonati seat ancestral home of the Leonati (Britain)/family seat of the Leonati (family honor)

166    suffer allow

167    Slight worthless, contemptible

168    taint infect

170    geck dupe

172    stiller seats quieter resting places, i.e., the fields of Elysium (in classical mythology, a paradise inhabited by the good after death)

176    fealty loyalty (to a lord)    Tenantius’ right duty owed to Tenantius, Cymbeline’s father

178    Like hardiment similar deeds of valor

181    adjourned deferred, delayed

182    graces rewards

183    dolours sorrows

184    crystal transparent, like crystal    ope open

186    race breed/family

190    marble mansion i.e., the heavens

192    synod…rest assembly of the other gods

194    appeal i.e., to the other assembled gods, as in a tribunal

196    region low Elysium, which was below Jupiter’s palace on Mount Olympus

199    Sky-planted rooted in the heavens

200    Elysium classical equivalent of heaven

202    mortal accidents human events

205    delighted (the more) delighted (in)

207    well are spent are very nearly over/have been undergone to good effect

208    jovial star the planet Jupiter, supposed to bring good fortune, which was in the ascendant when Posthumus was born

212    tablet a single sheet, richly bound

213    confine enclose, contain

218    sulphurous it is very likely that small fireworks were used to create lightning effects that would have left a sulphurous smell

219    Stooped…us swooped down as if to seize us in its talons

220    sweet calm/sweet-smelling

221    Prunes preens, uses his beak to trim his feathers    claws his beak scratches his beak with his talons

222    As when because/whenever

224    marble pavement the floor of the heavens

226    behest command

229    O scorn what a bitter joke

230    so as

232    greatness’ favor the favor of powerful men at court

233    swerve digress/go astray

234    dream…deserve don’t dream of finding anything, and neither do they deserve to

237    A book i.e., the tablet    rare exceptional

238    fangled foppish, novelty-obsessed

239    effects contents

241    As…good i.e., as they promise to be

242    Whenas when    whelp cub

243    piece creature, individual    tender air a false etymology for Latin mulier, meaning “woman”

244    jointed grafted

245    stock trunk

247    stuff nonsense

248    Tongue…not speak without comprehending the meaning    both i.e., a dream and madness

251    which i.e., the tablet

256    the…shot the meal justifies its price    shot tavern bill

257    reckoning settlement

261    paid punished    heavier…light duller/sleepier as a result of being drunk (light-headed)

262    drawn of heaviness emptied of that which made it heavy i.e., money    Of from

263    contradiction being light and heavy i.e., drunk    you…quit you shall from now on be acquitted, freed    penny cord i.e., very cheap hangman’s rope    sums up pays the reckoning for/disposes of

264    in a trice instantly    debitor and creditor account book (referring to the headings of the two columns in a ledger)

265    discharge payment    counters tokens used for accounting

266    acquittance receipt

270    officer i.e., the hangman

272    death death’s head—a skull    pictured depicted; death’s heads usually have empty eye sockets

273    take upon them profess, claim

274    jump the after-inquiry hazard the final judgment

275    speed fare

276    on of

277    want lack

278    wink shut their eyes

279    mock jest

280    winking i.e., closing the eyes permanently

284    bolts manacles

286    prone eager (to go to the gallows)    verier truer    for all even though

289    there were desolation that would be the end of    profit source of income

290    preferment promotion, either because a world that didn’t need jailers and executions would afford better jobs, or there would be a reward in the afterlife

Act 5 Scene 4

    3    richly nobly, profitably

    4    naked unprotected (by armor)

    5    Stepped before stood at the front of (the British)/stood in opposition to (the Romans)    targes of proof shields of proven strength

    7    grace favor

  13    searched sought

  16    heir…reward inheritor of the reward I should have given to him

  17    liver…brain believed to control passion, affection, and judgment respectively

  18    grant acknowledge, affirm

  19    of…are where you are from

  21    Cambria Wales    are were

  25    knights o’th’battle knights created on the battlefield (an especial honor)

  26    fit supply

  27    estates i.e., new rank as knights

  28    business serious concern

  42    trip me correct me/catch me out

  46    Affected desired, longed for    by through

  50    but if it weren’t for the fact that

  51    opening revealing, disclosing

  52    bore in hand pretended, professed

  55    had Ta’en off would have destroyed

  57    delicate beautiful/crafty, skillful

  60    mortal mineral fatal poison

  61    by the minute minute by minute

  62    By…you consume you little by little    purposed intended

  63    watching i.e., at your bedside by night    tendance attention

  64    show pretence

  65    fitted molded, shaped

  66    th’adoption…crown i.e., becoming adopted heir to the crown

  67    end purpose, design

  68    opened revealed

  76    Mine ears nor were mine ears

  77    seeming appearance    had been vicious would have been reprehensible

  80    feeling emotions/experience

  82    razed out erased

  83    made suit appealed

  84    their i.e., those killed in battle

  86    estate spiritual state

  88    had…us had we been the victors

  92    called named as/taken for    sufficeth it is enough that

  94    think on’t i.e., consider a strategy (with the unspoken implication “and then revenge it”)

  95    peculiar care personal concerns

  99    tender…occasions sensitive to his master’s needs

100    feat deft, graceful

104    And even if you

106    favour face, countenance

107    looked…grace won my favor by your looks

109    Ne’er…master i.e., because I don’t even know why I’m sparing you myself, but it’s not due to his pleading on your behalf

110    boon request

111    state rank

120    shuffle shift, look out

122    briefly quickly

123    truth loyalty, fidelity

124    perplexed distressed

130    vassal subject

131    Am something nearer i.e., I am more closely connected to you by being a British subject

132    Wherefore…so? Why do you stare at him in that way?

145    eyes sees    forbear have patience

148    But…dead but we see him who we know to be dead

158    Winnow separate, like grain from chaff

159    render declare, state

164    Thou’lt torture me i.e., if you had any idea what I have to say, you’d torture me

173    All…this everything relating to this matter

178    while nature will for as long as nature will have it/for the remainder of your natural life

179    ere before

183    viands food

184    heaved to head raised to my mouth

187    rar’st most exceptional    sadly soberly, reservedly

189    made barren rendered impotent

190    feature shape/comeliness/form of face    laming crippling by comparison

191    shrine veneration, idolizing    Venus Roman goddess of love    straight-pight straight pitched, i.e., erect, upright in bearing    Minerva Roman goddess of arts and war

192    beyond surpassing    brief nature the brevity of mortal life    condition character, personality

193    shop storehouse

194    hook of wiving i.e., beauty, which is bait for marriage

196    I…fire i.e., I am burning with impatience

197    matter point

201    hint cue/opportunity

205    mind put in’t described her character

206    cracked of boastfully uttered about    kitchen-trulls kitchen maids    trull wench/trollop

207    unspeaking sots fools/drunkards, incapable of articulate speech

208    to th’purpose get to the point

210    as Dian as though Diana (Roman goddess of chastity)    hot erotic, lustful

211    she i.e., Innogen    cold chaste

212    scruple doubt

215    In suit by courtship

219    carbuncle precious stone, mythical gem said to emit light in the dark

220    Of Phoebus’ wheel from the chariot wheel of Phoebus Apollo, the sun god    might so might have done so

221    of’s car of his chariot

222    Post hurry

224    Of by

227    duller Britain refers to the idea that cold, northern countries produced slower-witted people than those from the hot south

228    vantage profit, gain

230    simular simulated, specious

232    renown reputation

233    thus, and thus of this and that kind    averring affirming

237    cracked broken

238    forfeit that which is due when a contract is breached

242    anything any name, title

243    in being present

244    cord rope

245    justicer judge

246    ingenious masterly, skillful

247    th’abhorrèd the detested    amend make seem better

251    sacrilegious thief because he sacked the    temple that was Innogen

252    she herself i.e., virtue

254    bay bark at

256    Be…’twas i.e., by comparing it with what I have done

260    Shall’s have shall we make

261    There…part play your part by lying on the ground

267    staggers giddiness, dizziness; a disease in animals that causes them to walk unsteadily

270    mortal earthly, human/deadly, fatal

275    tune voice

276    stones of sulphur thunderbolts

283    approve prove

284    confection mixture (drug)

285    for cordial as a restorative

289    temper mix, concoct    still pretending always claiming

292    esteem value, worth

294    cease halt, arrest

296    offices of nature natural faculties/bodily parts

298    Most like very likely

301    sure definitely

306    the tree i.e., himself

308    mak’st…act do you cast me as an idiot

312    motive reason

315    mother’s i.e., stepmother is

317    naught nothing/wicked    long of because of (along of)

318    strangely as strangers/in unusual circumstances

322    missing absence

324    discovered revealed

325    accident chance

326    feignèd letter i.e., the letter falsely claiming that Posthumus was waiting at Milford Haven

330    enforced took by force    posts hurries

336    forfend forbid

339    Deny’t again take it back again, unsay it

341    He…prince i.e., killing him is therefore treasonable and merits death

342    incivil unmannerly

347    To…mine i.e., to tell you that he had cut off my head

348    sorrow sorry/filled with sorrow

350    dead condemned to die

357    As well descended of as good lineage, family stock

358    of from    merited deserved

359    Had…for ever deserved for their wounds in battle

362    worth…for the reward you have not yet been given

363    tasting of experiencing, feeling

366    thou i.e., Belarius

368    But I will unless I    on’s of us

369    given out him declared him (Guiderius) to be

370    For…speech i.e., what I am about to say will prove dangerous to me

371    haply perhaps, with luck    well for beneficial to

374    by leave with your permission

380    Assumed this age attained this aged appearance

384    hot hasty

386    it i.e., the payment    confiscate all all confiscated    so as

389    saucy impudent

390    prefer raise in social stature

395    blood offspring

398    sometime once

399    mere whole

400    That…did i.e., I did no harm at all, unless you think my suffering harmful

404    put into teach

407    moved persuaded

408    Having…then i.e., he had already been unjustly banished for treason, but stealing the children was actually a treasonable offense

409    Beaten being beaten

410    Excited provoked, incited

411    of by    shaped Unto fitted, suited

412    end of purpose in (to make Cymbeline suffer)

419    service i.e., in battle

420    Unlike unlikely, amazing

423    Be pleased awhile permit me to speak for a few more moments

425    as yours as your son

427    lapped wrapped

428    curious exquisite

429    probation proof

432    sanguine bloodred

435    natural stamp birthmark

436    end…donation purpose in giving it

440    deliverance in giving birth    pray I pray

441    starting…orbs displacement from your spheres

443    Thou…kingdom because Guiderius and Arviragus are immediate heirs to the throne

447    But anything other than

455    rare exceptional

456    fierce abridgement drastically compressed account

457    branches details

458    Distinction…in need to be distinguished fully from one another/should prove plentiful once they have been distinguished from one another

462    your…to what motives the three of you (Belarius, Guiderius, and Arviragus) had for joining

463    demanded asked about

464    by-dependences side issues, related matters

465    chance happening, occurrence    nor neither

466    Will serve are suited to    interrogatories interrogations

467    anchors concentrates his looks, attention

468    throws her eye gazes

470    counterchange…all each reciprocates the looks of the others

471    quit this ground leave this place

472    smoke fill with smoke (from incense or sacrificial fires)

473    hold consider

474    relieve me help/rescue me

475    gracious season joyous occasion

477    Save except

478    taste our comfort feel, experience our mercy/share in our happiness

482    forlorn wretched, destitute

483    becomed become, suited    graced done honor to/made rich

486    company accompany

487    beseeming appearance, i.e., his peasant’s garb    fitment preparation

490    you finish an end of you

492    sinks makes bend, weighs down

494    often many times over

501    doomed judged, sentenced

502    freeness generosity, benevolence

504    holp helped

505    As as if

506    Joyed overjoyed

509    upon…backed riding upon his eagle’s back

510    spritely shows ghostly visions

512    label sheet of paper (the tablet)    containing contents

513    so…hardness i.e., hard to understand

514    collection of deduction, inference from

515    construction interpretation

516    Philharmonus i.e., lover of harmony

519    whelp cub

526    leo-natus born of a lion    import signify, mean

528    mollis aer Latin for “soft air”; a false etymology of    mulier, Latin for “woman”

529    divine interpret (by divine inspiration)

532    clipped about embraced

534    seeming plausibility

535    cedar the tree was an emblem of sovereignty, especially in the Bible

536    Personates stands for    point…forth indicate your two sons

539    issue offspring, descendants

545    wonted usual, accustomed

547    Whom on whom

551    stroke action, onset

555    Lessened herself i.e., by disappearing into the distance

559    west understood in classical geography as the location of Britain

560    Laud praise

561    crookèd curling

562    Publish announce

563    Set we forward let’s set on, begin marching

564    ensign standard, banner

567    seal confirm

568    Set on there! Onward, forward march!

PERICLES

A lone figure, venerable and archaically dressed, steps onto the bare stage: “To sing a song that old was sung / From ashes ancient Gower is come.” Probably begun by a hack dramatist in 1607 and completed by Shakespeare in 1608, Pericles marks a fresh departure for the master after his exclusive focus on tragedy in the previous few years (Macbeth, King Lear, Timon of Athens, Antony and Cleopatra, and the contemporaneous Coriolanus). In his next group of plays, Shakespeare worked in a much more mellow form. The sea, the voyage, the storm, the unlucky and lucky chances, the years of quest and grief, the child lost and found, the resurrection of the apparently dead: this is the matter of the enduring literary form of romance.

One of the most widely circulated and oft-repeated tales from ancient Greece was that of Apollonius of Tyre, who wandered round virtually the whole of the Mediterranean world before what he had lost was restored to him. Chaucer’s friend, John Gower, included a version of it in his rambling poetic repository of old stories, Confessio Amantis. Just over two hundred years later, Gower was brought back to life on the boards of the Globe Theatre, with Apollonius renamed Pericles. The poet serves as Chorus, guiding the audience through the story, asking us to hold in imagination the wanderer’s ship, two great storms, and a series of landfalls at Antioch and Tarsus in the northeastern corner of the Mediterranean, way over at Pentapolis in North Africa, back at Tarsus and Tyre, and eventually at Ephesus and Mytilene on the Aegean.

Old songs are true in deep but simple ways. If we come to Pericles looking for the psychological complexities of Shakespearean tragedy, we will be disappointed. There are none of the subtle shades of moral gray that endlessly fascinate us in Antony and Cleopatra, another play that circles around the ancient Mediterranean world and that may have been written immediately before Pericles. Instead, we have to accept black and white, and, most disconcertingly, white becoming black (Dionyza is protectress one moment, murderess the next), then black becoming white (Lysimachus sets out to deflower Marina in a brothel, but ends up being deemed a fit husband for her).

The play proceeds by a series of tableaux and formal dumb shows that offer stark contrasts: first Pericles woos a daughter whose relationship with her father is turned inward in incest, then he woos a daughter whose father banteringly pretends to play the oppressive patriarch when really he is delighted that she has fallen in love with the knight in rusty armor. The narrative begins with a daughter who is “an eater of her mother’s flesh / By the defiling of her parents’ bed.” It ends with a daughter who regenerates her father. In Pericles’ extraordinary line, “Thou that beget’st him that did thee beget,” the daughter seems to father her father without any trace of illicit desire. Having converted the clientele of the brothel, and even the randy old Bolt, from lust to honesty, now Marina brings her father from unshaven sack-clothed wandering to a new life. The fifth act’s inversion of the first act’s perversion suggests that, episodic though it may be, the play has its own unity. Though the first two acts were written by another dramatist, George Wilkins, and the last three by Shakespeare, the stitching together of the plot was effectively done.

The language is more variable. It only begins to thrill with the hum of late Shakespearean verse from the great storm speech onward: “O still / Thy deaf’ning dreadful thunders, gently quench / Thy nimble sulphurous flashes!” From here to the end of the play, there are certain speeches of quite extraordinary beauty and power. Most revelatory of all is the reunion of father and daughter, which recapitulates yet somehow goes beyond the reunion of Lear and Cordelia. Shakespeare never wrote a more moving scene.

KEY FACTS

AUTHORSHIP: By Shakespeare and George Wilkins, author of pamphlets and plays all published in the period 1606–08, including The Miseries of Enforced Marriage (1607), acted by the King’s Men. Most dramatic collaborations in the period include an element of alternation of scenes between authors, whereas in Pericles there is a clear break, with Wilkins composing the first two acts and Shakespeare the last three. This suggests that Wilkins began the play and abandoned it halfway through, leaving Shakespeare, the company dramatist, to finish it (and perhaps to apply some polish to the first half). Wilkins seems not to have written any more plays after 1608, so perhaps there was a falling out, which may have been exacerbated by his publication of a prose romance, The Painfull Adventures of Pericles Prince of Tyre (“Being the true History of the Play of Pericles, as it was lately presented by the worthy and ancient Poet John Gower”), closely based on the play.

PLOT: Pericles goes to Antioch as suitor to the daughter of King Antiochus. He solves a riddle, but it reveals a terrible secret about the king, so he has to flee. Unsafe even at home in Tyre, he leaves the trusted Helicanus to govern and sails for Tarsus, where he relieves the city of famine, earning the gratitude of governor Cleon and his wife Dionyza. Pericles is then shipwrecked and washed up on the shores of Pentapolis, where he is rescued by fishermen. They take him to the court of King Simonides, who is celebrating the birthday of his daughter Thaisa with a grand tournament. Pericles, concealing his identity, defeats the many knights jousting for the princess’ hand and wins her. Antiochus dies. His life no longer in danger—and his identity finally revealed—Pericles sets sail for Tyre with Thaisa, now pregnant with their first child. During a storm, Thaisa dies giving birth to a daughter and is buried at sea. Pericles lands at Tarsus and entrusts his baby daughter, christened Marina, to the care of Cleon and Dionyza. Thaisa’s coffin lands at Ephesus, where she is revived by the physician Cerimon. She enters the temple of Diana as a nun. Fourteen years pass. Marina attracts the envy of Dionyza, who arranges her murder, only for her to be abducted by pirates who sell her into a brothel in Mytilene, where her chastity proves bad for business. Lysimachus, the governor, visiting the brothel in disguise, is greatly impressed by her. Pericles, still wandering the seas, arrives by chance at Mytilene, where his ship is visited by Lysimachus. The latter has Marina brought aboard in an attempt to rouse Pericles from his sorrows. When their conversation reveals her to be his daughter, Pericles is overjoyed. In a dream, the goddess Diana directs him to make sacrifice at her temple in Ephesus and they set sail to accomplish this final act.

MAJOR PARTS: (with percentage of lines/number of speeches/scenes on stage) Pericles (25%/121/10), Gower (13%/8/8), Marina (8%/63/5), Simonides (6%/42/3), Helicanus (5%/37/5), Cleon (5%/19/3), Cerimon (4%/23/3), Lysimachus (4%/40/2), Bawd (4%/43/2), Dionyza (4%/19/ 4), Thaisa (3%/32/6), Bolt (3%/38/2), Antiochus (3%/12/1).

LINGUISTIC MEDIUM: 80% verse, 20% prose.

DATE: 1608. Registered for publication May 1608; Wilkins’ novel The Painfull Adventures of Pericles, cashing in on the success of the play, published 1608; performance seen by Venetian and French ambassadors, probably between April and July 1608. Frequency of editions and subsequent allusions suggest that the play was a considerable popular success.

SOURCES: Based primarily on the story of Apollonius of Tyre (an ancient romance) in book 8 of John Gower’s fourteenth-century poem, Confessio Amantis; some use of Lawrence Twine’s version of the same story in the 1607 novella The Patterne of Painefull Aduentures, which was also borrowed from extensively by Wilkins in his novelization of the play.

TEXT: Not in the First Folio, perhaps because the editors knew that Shakespeare only contributed the second half. Added to the second issue of the Third Folio (1664), together with a number of “apocryphal” plays. Though originally registered in 1608 by Edward Blount, who would eventually publish the Folio, Pericles appeared in Quarto in 1609 under the imprint of a different publisher, with title THE LATE, and much admired Play, called Pericles, Prince of Tyre. With the true Relation of the whole Historie, aduentures, and fortunes of the said Prince: As also, The no lesse strange, and worthy accidents, in the Birth and Life, of his Daughter MARIANA. As it hath been diuers and sundry times acted by his Maiesties Seruants, at the Globe on the Banck-side. By William Shakespeare. The printing is of poor quality, with many corruptions and incomprehensible sequences, thus requiring more editorial intervention than is necessary in any Folio play. Wilkins’ novelization assists in the interpretation of some passages, but since we do not know the exact status of his treatment in relation to Shakespeare’s, it is unsafe to incorporate its readings into the text, as some editors have done. The Quarto went through six editions (two in 1609 alone), attesting to the play’s popularity. The Sixth Quarto of 1635, together with the 1634 Quarto of The Two Noble Kinsmen, may have been intended to supplement the 1632 Second Folio.

PERICLES

GOWER, the Chorus

PERICLES, Prince of Tyre

MARINA, his daughter

Antioch

ANTIOCHUS, King of Antioch

Antiochus’ DAUGHTER

THALIARD, a lord

MESSENGER

Tyre

FIRST LORD

SECOND LORD

HELICANUS, a grave and wise counselor

ESCANES, an old counselor

THIRD LORD

Tarsus

CLEON, governor of Tarsus

DIONYZA, Cleon’s wife

LORD

OTHER TARSIANS

LEONINE

FIRST PIRATE

SECOND PIRATE

THIRD PIRATE

Pentapolis

FIRST FISHERMAN, the master

SECOND FISHERMAN

THIRD FISHERMAN

SIMONIDES, King of Pentapolis

THAISA, Simonides’ daughter

FIRST KNIGHT, of Sparta

SECOND KNIGHT, of Macedon

THIRD KNIGHT, of Antioch

FOURTH KNIGHT

FIFTH KNIGHT

FIRST LORD

SECOND LORD

THIRD LORD

MARSHAL

On the ship

FIRST SAILOR, the ship’s master

SECOND SAILOR

LYCHORIDA, Marina’s nurse

Ephesus

Lord CERIMON

PHILEMON, his attendant

FIRST SERVANT

A survivor of the storm

FIRST GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN

CERIMON’S SERVANT

DIANA, goddess of chastity

Mytilene

PANDER

BAWD, pander’s wife

BOLT, pander and bawd’s servant

FIRST GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN

LYSIMACHUS, governor of Mytilene

SAILOR OF TYRE

SAILOR OF MYTILENE

FIRST GENTLEMAN, of Tyre

LORD, of Mytilene

Marina’s companion

Followers, Attendants, Gentlemen, Messengers, Lords, Servants, Priests of Diana

[Prologue]

running scene 1

       Enter Gower*

GOWER

GOWER     To sing a song that old¹ was sung

               From ashes ancient² Gower is come,

               Assuming man’s infirmities³

               To glad your ear and please your eyes.

5

5              It hath been sung at festivals,

               On ember eves⁶ and holidays,

               And lords and ladies in their lives

               Have read it for restoratives.⁸

               The purchase⁹ is to make men glorious,

10

10            Et¹⁰ bonum quo antiquius eo melius.

               If you — born in these latter times,

               When wit’s¹² more ripe — accept my rhymes,

               And that to hear an old man sing

               May to your wishes pleasure bring,

15

15            I¹⁵ life would wish, and that I might

               Waste¹⁶ it for you like taper light.

               This Antioch,¹⁷ then: Antiochus the great

               Built up this city for his chiefest seat¹⁸ —

               The fairest in all Syria.

20

20            I tell you what mine authors²⁰ say:

               This king unto him took a peer,²¹

               Who died and left a female heir,

               So buxom,²³ blithe and full of face

               As²⁴ heaven had lent her all his grace,

25

25            With whom the father liking²⁵ took

               And her to incest did provoke:

               Bad child, worse father, to entice his own

               To evil should be done by none.

               But custom²⁹ what they did begin

30

30            Was with long use³⁰ account’ no sin.

               The beauty of this sinful dame

               Made many princes thither frame³²

               To seek her as a bedfellow,

               In marriage pleasures, playfellow,

35

35            Which to prevent he made a law

               To keep her still,³⁶ and men in awe:

               That whoso³⁷ asked her for his wife,

               His³⁸ riddle told not, lost his life.

               So for her many a wight³⁹ did die, Points to the heads on display above, or reveals them

40

40            As yon⁴⁰ grim looks do testify.

               What now ensues, to⁴¹ the judgement of your eye

               I give my cause, who best can justify.

       Exit

[Act 1 Scene 1]1.1

running scene 1 continues

       Enter Antiochus, Prince Pericles and Followers

ANTIOCHUS

ANTIOCHUS     Young Prince of Tyre,¹ you have at large received

               The danger of the task you undertake?

PERICLES

PERICLES     I have, Antiochus, and with a soul

               Emboldened with the glory of her praise

5

5              Think death no hazard in this enterprise.

ANTIOCHUS

ANTIOCHUS     Music! Music plays

               Bring in our daughter, clothèd like a bride

               For embracements⁸ even of Jove himself,

               At whose⁹ conception, till Lucina reigned,

10

10            Nature this dowry gave: to glad her presence¹⁰

               The senate house¹¹ of planets all did sit,

               To knit¹² in her their best perfections.

       Enter Antiochus’ Daughter

PERICLES

PERICLES     See where she comes, apparelled like the spring,¹³

               Graces her subjects,¹⁴ and her thoughts the king

15

15            Of every virtue gives¹⁵ renown to men:

               Her face the book of praises,¹⁶ where is read

               Nothing but curious¹⁷ pleasures, as from thence

               Sorrow were ever razed,¹⁸ and testy wrath

               Could never be her mild companion.¹⁹

20

20            You gods that made me man and sway²⁰ in love,

               That have inflamed desire in my breast

               To taste²² the fruit of yon celestial tree

               Or die in the adventure, be my helps,

               As I am son and servant to your will,

25

25            To compass²⁵ such a boundless happiness.

ANTIOCHUS

ANTIOCHUS     Prince Pericles—

PERICLES

PERICLES     That would be son²⁷ to great Antiochus.

ANTIOCHUS

ANTIOCHUS     Before thee stands this²⁸ fair Hesperides,

               With golden fruit, but dangerous to be touched,

30

30            For deathlike³⁰ dragons here affright thee hard.

               Her face, like heaven, enticeth thee to view

               Her countless³² glory, which desert must gain,

               And which without desert, because thine eye

               Presumes to reach,³⁴ all the whole heap must die.

35

35            Yon³⁵ sometimes famous princes, like thyself Points to the heads

               Drawn by report, adventurous³⁶ by desire,

               Tell thee with speechless tongues and semblance³⁷ pale

               That without covering save yon³⁸ field of stars

               Here they stand, martyrs slain in Cupid’s wars,

40

40            And with dead cheeks advise thee to desist

               From going⁴¹ on death’s net, whom none resist.

PERICLES

PERICLES     Antiochus, I thank thee, who hath taught

               My frail mortality⁴³ to know itself,

               And by those fearful objects⁴⁴ to prepare

45

45            This body, like to them, to what I must:

               For death remembered⁴⁶ should be like a mirror

               Who tells us life’s but breath,⁴⁷ to trust it error.

               I’ll make my will, then, and as sick men do

               Who know the world, see heaven, but feeling woe

50

50            Grip not at earthly joys as⁵⁰ erst they did.

               So I bequeath a happy peace to you

               And all good men, as every prince should do,

               My riches to the earth from whence they came,—

               But my unspotted⁵⁴ fire of love to you.— To Daughter

55

55            Thus ready for the way of life or death, To Antiochus

               I wait the sharpest blow.

ANTIOCHUS

ANTIOCHUS     Scorning advice, read the conclusion⁵⁷ then, Gives Pericles the riddle

               Which read and not expounded, ’tis decreed,

               As these⁵⁹ before thee, thou thyself shalt bleed.

60

60   

DAUGHTER

DAUGHTER             Of all ’ssayed⁶⁰ yet, mayst thou prove prosperous, To Pericles

               Of all ’ssayed yet, I wish thee happiness.

PERICLES

PERICLES     Like a bold champion I assume the lists,⁶²

               Nor⁶³ ask advice of any other thought

               But faithfulness and courage.

       The riddle Reads

65

65            ‘I am no viper,⁶⁵ yet I feed

               On mother’s flesh which did me breed.

               I sought a husband, in which labour⁶⁷

               I found that kindness⁶⁸ in a father.

               He’s father, son and husband mild,

70

70            I mother, wife and yet his child:

               How they may be, and yet in two,⁷¹

               As you will live resolve it you.’

               Sharp physic⁷³ is the last!— But O, you powers Aside

               That gives heaven countless eyes⁷⁴ to view men’s acts,

75

75            Why cloud⁷⁵ they not their sights perpetually

               If this be true, which makes me pale to read it?—

               Fair glass of light,⁷⁷ I loved you, and could still To Daughter

               Were not this glorious casket⁷⁹ stored with ill.

               But I must tell you, now my thoughts revolt,

80

80            For he’s no man on⁸⁰ whom perfections wait,

               That knowing⁸¹ sin within will touch the gate.

               You are a fair viol,⁸² and your sense the strings,

               Who, fingered⁸³ to make man his lawful music,

               Would draw heaven down, and all the gods to hearken.

85

85            But being played upon⁸⁵ before your time,

               Hell⁸⁶ only danceth at so harsh a chime.

               Good sooth,⁸⁷ Pericles gestures toward

                   I care not for you. the Daughter

ANTIOCHUS

ANTIOCHUS     Prince Pericles, touch not, upon thy life,

               For that’s an article⁸⁹ within our law

90

90            As dangerous as the rest. Your time’s expired:

               Either expound now or receive your sentence.

PERICLES

PERICLES     Great king,

               Few love to hear the sins they love to act,

               ’Twould braid⁹⁴ yourself too near for me to tell it.

95

95            Who⁹⁵ has a book of all that monarchs do,

               He’s more secure to keep it shut than shown.

               For vice⁹⁷ repeated is like the wandering wind

               Blows dust in others’ eyes to spread itself.

               And⁹⁹ yet the end of all is bought thus dear,

100

100            The breath is gone and the sore eyes see clear

               To stop the air would hurt them. The blind mole casts

               Copped¹⁰² hills towards heaven, to tell the earth is thronged

               By man’s oppression, and the poor worm¹⁰³ doth die for’t.

               Kings are earth’s gods: in vice, their law’s their will,

105

105            And if Jove stray, who dares say Jove doth ill?

               It is enough you know, and it is fit,

               What¹⁰⁷ being more known grows worse, to smother it.

               All love the womb that their first being bred,

               Then give my tongue like leave¹⁰⁹ to love my head.

110

110 

ANTIOCHUS

ANTIOCHUS             Heaven, that I had thy head! Aside

                    He has found the meaning,

               But I will gloze with¹¹¹ him.—

                    Young prince of Tyre, To Pericles

               Though by the tenor¹¹² of your strict edict,

               Your exposition¹¹³ misinterpreting,

               We might proceed to cancel of¹¹⁴ your days,

115

115            Yet hope, succeeding from so fair a tree

               As your fair self, doth¹¹⁶ tune us otherwise.

               Forty days longer we do respite you,

               If by which time our secret be undone,¹¹⁸

               This mercy shows we’ll joy¹¹⁹ in such a son.

120

120            And until then your entertain¹²⁰ shall be

               As doth befit our honour and your worth.

       [Exeunt.] Pericles remains alone

PERICLES

PERICLES     How courtesy would seem to¹²² cover sin,

               When what is done is like an hypocrite,

               The which is good in nothing but in sight.¹²⁴

125

125            If it be true that I interpret false,

               Then were it certain you were not so bad

               As with foul incest to abuse your soul:

               Where now you’re both a father and a son

               By your untimely¹²⁹ claspings with your child —

130

130            Which pleasures fits a husband, not a father —

               And she an eater of her mother’s flesh

               By the defiling of her parents’ bed.

               And both like serpents are, who though¹³³ they feed

               On sweetest flowers, yet they poison breed.

135

135            Antioch farewell, for wisdom sees those men¹³⁵

               Blush not in actions blacker than the night

               Will ’schew¹³⁷ no course to keep them from the light.

               One sin, I know, another doth provoke:

               Murder’s as near to lust as flame to smoke.

140

140            Poison and treason are the hands of sin —

               Ay, and the targets¹⁴¹ to put off the shame.

               Then lest my life be cropped,¹⁴² to keep you clear,

               By flight, I’ll shun the danger which I fear.

       Exit

       Enter Antiochus

ANTIOCHUS

ANTIOCHUS     He hath found the meaning,

145

145            For which we mean to have his head:

               He must not live to trumpet forth¹⁴⁶ my infamy,

               Nor tell the world Antiochus doth sin

               In such a loathèd manner.

               And therefore instantly this prince must die,

150

150            For by his fall my honour must keep high.

               Who attends us there?

       Enter Thaliard

THALIARD

THALIARD     Doth your highness call?

ANTIOCHUS

ANTIOCHUS     Thaliard, you are of our chamber,¹⁵³ Thaliard,

               And our mind partakes¹⁵⁴ her private actions

155

155            To your secrecy, and for your faithfulness

               We will advance you, Thaliard.

               Behold, here’s poison and here’s gold:

               We hate the Prince of Tyre, and thou must kill him.

               It fits thee not to ask the reason why:

160

160            Because we bid it. Say, is it done?

THALIARD

THALIARD     My lord, ’tis done.

       Enter a Messenger Running

ANTIOCHUS

ANTIOCHUS     Enough.—

Let¹⁶³ your breath cool yourself, telling your haste. To Messenger

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     My lord, Prince Pericles is fled.

       [Exit]

165

165 

ANTIOCHUS

ANTIOCHUS             As thou wilt live, fly after, and like an arrow To Thaliard

               Shot from a well experienced archer hits

               The mark his eye doth level¹⁶⁷ at,

               So thou never return unless thou say

               Prince Pericles is dead.

170

170 

THALIARD

THALIARD             My lord, if I can get him within my pistol’s

               length¹⁷¹ I’ll make him sure enough, so farewell to

               your highness.

ANTIOCHUS

ANTIOCHUS     Thaliard adieu.— Till Pericles be dead,

       [Exit Thaliard]

               My¹⁷³ heart can lend no succour to my head.

       [Exit]

[Act 1 Scene 2]1.2

running scene 2

       Enter Pericles with his Lords

PERICLES

PERICLES     Let none disturb us!

       [Exeunt the Lords]

               Why should this change of thoughts,²

               The sad companion, dull-eyed³ melancholy,

               Be my so used⁴ a guest as not an hour

5

5              In the day’s glorious walk⁵ or peaceful night,

               The tomb where grief should sleep, can breed me quiet?⁶

               Here pleasures court mine eyes and mine eyes shun them,

               And danger which I feared is at Antioch,

               Whose arm seems far too short to hit me here.

10

10            Yet neither pleasure’s art can joy¹⁰ my spirits,

               Nor yet the other’s¹¹ distance comfort me.

               Then it is thus: the passions¹² of the mind,

               That have their first conception by misdread,¹³

               Have¹⁴ after-nourishment and life by care,

15

15            And what was first but fear what might be done,

               Grows elder now, and cares¹⁶ it be not done.

               And so with me. The great Antiochus,

               Gainst whom I am too little to contend,

               Since he’s so great can¹⁹ make his will his act,

20

20            Will think me speaking though I swear to silence.

               Nor boots it me²¹ to say ‘I honour’,

               If he suspect I may dishonour him.

               And what may make him blush in being known,

               He’ll stop the course²⁴ by which it might be known.

25

25            With hostile forces he’ll o’erspread the land,

               And with th’ostent²⁶ of war will look so huge,

               Amazement²⁷ shall drive courage from the state,

               Our men be vanquished ere²⁸ they do resist,

               And subjects punished that ne’er thought offence.²⁹

30

30            Which care of them, not pity of myself,

               Who am no more but as³¹ the tops of trees,

               Which fence³² the roots they grow by and defend them,

               Makes both my body pine and soul to languish,

               And³⁴ punish that before that he would punish.

       Enter [Helicanus and] all the Lords to Pericles

35

35   

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     Joy and all comfort in your sacred breast.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     And keep your mind peaceful and comfortable.

HELICANUS

HELICANUS     Peace, peace, and give experience tongue!³⁷

               They do abuse the king that flatter him,

               For flattery is the bellows blows up³⁹ sin,

40

40            The thing the which is flattered, but a spark

               To which that breath⁴¹ gives heat, and stronger

               Glowing, whereas reproof, obedient and in order,⁴²

               Fits kings as they are men, for they may err.

               When Signior Sooth⁴⁴ here does proclaim ‘peace’,

45

45            He flatters you, makes⁴⁵ war upon your life.

               Prince, pardon me, or strike me if you please,

               I cannot be much lower than my knees. Kneels

PERICLES

PERICLES     All⁴⁸ leave us else, but let your cares o’erlook To Lords

               What shipping, and what lading’s⁴⁹ in our haven,

50

50            And then return to us.— Helicanus,

       [Exeunt Lords]

               Thou hast moved⁵¹ us, what see’st thou in our looks?

HELICANUS

HELICANUS     An angry brow,⁵² dread lord.

PERICLES

PERICLES     If there be such a dart⁵³ in princes’ frowns,

               How durst thy tongue move⁵⁴ anger to our face?

55

55   

HELICANUS

HELICANUS     How dares the plants look up to heaven,

               From whence they have their nourishment?

PERICLES

PERICLES     Thou know’st I have power to take thy life from thee.

HELICANUS

HELICANUS     I have ground⁵⁸ the axe myself,

               Do but you strike the blow.

60

60   

PERICLES

PERICLES     Rise, prithee rise! Sit down. Thou art no flatterer, Helicanus rises

               I thank thee for’t, and heaven forbid

               That kings should let⁶² their ears hear their faults hid.

               Fit⁶³ counsellor and servant for a prince,

               Who by thy wisdom makes a prince thy servant,

65

65            What wouldst thou have me do?

HELICANUS

HELICANUS     To bear with patience

               Such griefs as you do lay upon yourself.

PERICLES

PERICLES     Thou speak’st like a physician, Helicanus,

               That ministers⁶⁹ a potion unto me

70

70            That thou wouldst tremble to receive thyself.

               Attend me⁷¹ then: I went to Antioch,

               Where, as thou know’st, against the face of death

               I sought the purchase⁷³ of a glorious beauty

               From whence an issue⁷⁴ I might propagate,

75

75            Are⁷⁵ arms to princes, and bring joys to subjects.

               Her face was to mine eye beyond all wonder,

               The rest — hark in thine ear — as black as incest,

               Which by my knowledge found, the sinful father

               Seemed⁷⁹ not to strike, but smooth. But thou know’st this:

80

80            ’Tis time to fear when tyrants seems to kiss.

               Which fear so grew in me I hither fled

               Under the covering of a careful⁸² night,

               Who⁸³ seemed my good protector, and, being here,

               Bethought⁸⁴ me what was past, what might succeed.

85

85            I knew him tyrannous, and tyrants’ fears

               Decrease not, but grow faster than the years.

               And should he doubt⁸⁷ — as doubt no doubt he doth —

               That I should open to the list’ning air

               How many worthy princes’ bloods were shed

90

90            To keep his bed of blackness unlaid ope,⁹⁰

               To lop⁹¹ that doubt he’ll fill this land with arms,

               And make pretence of wrong that I have done him,

               When all⁹³ for mine — if I may call’t — offence

               Must feel war’s blow, who⁹⁴ spares not innocence.

95

95            Which love to all of which thyself art one,

               Who now reproved’st⁹⁶ me for’t—

HELICANUS

HELICANUS     Alas, sir—

PERICLES

PERICLES     Drew sleep out of mine eyes, blood from my cheeks,

               Musings into my mind, with thousand doubts⁹⁹

100

100          How I might stop this tempest ere it came,

               And finding little comfort to relieve them,

               I thought it princely charity to grieve for them.

HELICANUS

HELICANUS     Well, my lord, since you have given me leave to speak,

               Freely will I speak. Antiochus you fear —

105

105          And justly too, I think, you fear the tyrant

               Who either by public war or private

               Treason will take away your life:

               Therefore, my lord, go travel for a while,

               Till that his rage and anger be forgot, or till

110

110          The destinies¹¹⁰ do cut his thread of life:

               Your rule direct¹¹¹ to any, if to me,

               Day serves not light more faithful than I’ll be.

PERICLES

PERICLES     I do not doubt thy faith.

               But should he¹¹⁴ wrong my liberties in my absence?

115

115   

HELICANUS

HELICANUS     We’ll¹¹⁵ mingle our bloods together in the earth

               From whence we had our being and our birth.

PERICLES

PERICLES     Tyre, I now look from thee then, and to Tarsus¹¹⁷

               Intend¹¹⁸ my travel, where I’ll hear from thee,

               And by whose letters I’ll dispose¹¹⁹ myself.

120

120            The care I had and have of subjects’ good

               On thee I lay, whose wisdom’s strength can bear it.

               I’ll take thy word for faith, not¹²² ask thine oath:

               Who¹²³ shuns not to break one, will crack both.

               But in our orbs¹²⁴ we’ll live so round and safe

125

125            That time¹²⁵ of both this truth shall ne’er convince:

               Thou showed’st a subject’s shine,¹²⁶ I a true prince.

       Exeunt

[Act 1 Scene 3]

running scene 2 continues

       Enter Thaliard alone

THALIARD

THALIARD     So this is Tyre, and this the court. Here must I kill King Pericles, and if I do it not, I am sure to be hanged at home: ’tis dangerous. Well, I³ perceive he was a wise fellow, and had good discretion, that being bid to ask what he would of⁵ the king, desired he might know none of his secrets. Now do I see he had some reason for’t: for if a king bid a man be a villain, he’s bound by the indenture⁹ of his oath to be one. Husht, here comes the lords of Tyre. Thaliard stands aside

       Enter Helicanus, Escanes, with other Lords

HELICANUS

HELICANUS     You shall not need, my fellow peers of Tyre,

               Further to question me of your king’s departure:

               His sealed¹³ commission left in trust with me,

               Does speak sufficiently¹⁴ he’s gone to travel.

15

15   

THALIARD

THALIARD     How? The king gone? Aside

HELICANUS

HELICANUS     If further yet you will be satisfied

               Why — as it were unlicensed¹⁷ of your loves —

               He would depart, I’ll give some light¹⁸ unto you.

               Being at Antioch—

20

20   

THALIARD

THALIARD     What, from Antioch? Aside

HELICANUS

HELICANUS     Royal Antiochus, on what cause I know not,

               Took some displeasure at him — at least he judged so —

               And doubting²³ lest he had erred or sinned,

               To show his sorrow, he’d correct²⁴ himself:

25

25            So puts²⁵ himself unto the shipman’s toil,

               With whom each minute threatens life or death.

THALIARD

THALIARD     Aside Well, I perceive I shall not be hanged now although I would.²⁸ But since he’s gone, the²⁹ king’s ears this must please: he scaped the land to perish at the sea. I’ll present myself.— Peace to the lords of Tyre! Aloud

HELICANUS

HELICANUS     Lord Thaliard from Antiochus is welcome.

THALIARD

THALIARD     From him I come with message unto princely Pericles, but since my landing I have understood your lord has betook³⁵ himself to unknown travels, now message³⁶ must return from whence it came.

HELICANUS

HELICANUS     We have no reason to desire it,³⁷

               Commended³⁸ to our master, not to us,

               Yet ere you shall depart, this we desire:

40

40            As friends to Antioch we may feast in Tyre.

       Exeunt

[Act 1 Scene 4]1.4

running scene 3

       Enter Cleon the governor of Tarsus, with his wife [Dionyza] and others

CLEON

CLEON     My Dionyza, shall we rest us here

               And by relating tales of others’ griefs

               See if ’twill teach us to forget our own?

DIONYZA

DIONYZA     That were to blow at fire in hope to quench it.

5

5              For who digs⁵ hills because they do aspire,

               Throws down one mountain to cast up a higher.

               O, my distressèd lord, even such our griefs are:

               Here they are but felt, and seen with mischief’s eyes,⁸

               But like to groves, being topped⁹ they higher rise.

10

10   

CLEON

CLEON             O, Dionyza,

               Who wanteth¹¹ food and will not say he wants it,

               Or can conceal his hunger till he famish?

               Our¹³ tongues our sorrows do sound deep,

               Our woes into the air, our eyes to weep

15

15            Till tongues fetch breath that may proclaim them louder,

               That if heaven slumber while their creatures want,

               They may awake their helpers to comfort them.

               I’ll then discourse¹⁸ our woes, felt several years,

               And wanting¹⁹ breath to speak, help me with tears.

20

20   

DIONYZA

DIONYZA             I’ll do my best, sir.

CLEON

CLEON     This Tarsus, o’er which I have the government,

               A city o’er²² whom plenty held full hand,

               For riches²³ strewed herself even in her streets,

               Whose towers bore heads so high they kissed the clouds,

25

25            And strangers ne’er beheld, but wondered²⁵ at.

               Whose men and dames so jetted²⁶ and adorned,

               Like²⁷ one another’s glass to trim them by,

               Their tables were stored full to glad²⁸ the sight,

               And not so much to feed on as delight.

30

30            All poverty was scorned, and pride so great

               The³¹ name of help grew odious to repeat.

DIONYZA

DIONYZA     O, ’tis too true.

CLEON

CLEON     But see what heaven can do by³³ this our change.

               These mouths who but of late earth, sea and air

35

35            Were all too little to content and please,

               Although they gave their creatures in abundance,

               As houses are defiled for want³⁷ of use,

               They are now starved for want of exercise.

               Those palates who, not³⁹ yet two summers younger,

40

40            Must have inventions⁴⁰ to delight the taste

               Would now be glad of bread and beg for it.

               Those mothers who to nuzzle⁴² up their babes

               Thought naught too curious,⁴³ are ready now

               To eat those little darlings whom they loved.

45

45            So sharp are hunger’s teeth, that man and wife,

               Draw lots who first shall⁴⁶ die to lengthen life.

               Here stands a lord, and there a lady, weeping.

               Here many sink, yet those which see them fall,

               Have scarce strength left to give them burial.

50

50            Is not this true?

DIONYZA

DIONYZA     Our cheeks and hollow eyes do witness it.

CLEON

CLEON     O, let those cities that of plenty’s cup

               And her prosperities so largely⁵³ taste

               With their superfluous riots,⁵⁴ hear these tears!

55

55            The misery of Tarsus may be theirs.

       Enter a Lord

LORD

LORD     Where’s the lord governor?

CLEON

CLEON     Here.

               Speak out thy sorrows, which thou bring’st in haste,

               For comfort is too far for us to expect.

60

60   

LORD

LORD             We have descried⁶⁰ upon our neighbouring shore,

               A portly⁶¹ sail of ships make hitherward.

CLEON

CLEON     I thought as much.

               One sorrow never comes but brings an heir,

               That may succeed as his inheritor.

65

65            And so in ours: some neighbouring nation,

               Taking advantage of our misery,

               Hath stuffed the hollow vessels with their power,⁶⁷

               To beat us down, the which are down already,

               And make a conquest of unhappy⁶⁹ me,

70

70            Whereas⁷⁰ no glory’s got to overcome.

LORD

LORD     That’s the least fear,⁷¹ for by the semblance

               Of their white flags⁷² displayed, they bring us peace,

               And come to us as favourers,⁷³ not as foes.

CLEON

CLEON     Thou speak’st like him’s⁷⁴ untutored to repeat:

75

75            Who⁷⁵ makes the fairest show means most deceit.

               But bring they what they will and what they can,

               What need we fear?

               The⁷⁸ ground’s the lowest, and we are halfway there.

               Go tell their general we attend him here,

80

80            To know from whence he comes and what he craves.

LORD

LORD     I go, my lord.

       [Exit]

CLEON

CLEON     Welcome is peace, if he on peace consist,⁸²

               If wars, we are unable to resist.

       Enter Pericles with attendants

PERICLES

PERICLES     Lord governor, for so we hear you are,

85

85            Let not our ships and number of our men

               Be like a beacon⁸⁶ fired t’amaze your eyes.

               We have heard your miseries as far as Tyre,

               And seen the desolation of your streets.

               Nor come we to add⁸⁹ sorrow to your tears,

90

90            But to relieve them of their heavy load,

               And these⁹¹ our ships you happily may think

               Are like the Trojan horse was stuffed within

               With bloody veins expecting overthrow,

               Are stored with corn to make your needy bread,

95

95            And give them life whom hunger starved half dead.

ALL TARSIANS

ALL TARSIANS     The gods of Greece protect you,

       They kneel

               And we’ll pray for you.

PERICLES

PERICLES     Arise, I pray you, rise. They rise

               We do not look for reverence but for love,

100

100          And harbourage for ourself, our ships and men.

CLEON

CLEON     The which when any shall not gratify,¹⁰¹

               Or pay you with unthankfulness in thought,¹⁰²

               Be it our wives, our children or ourselves,

               The curse of heaven and men succeed¹⁰⁴ their evils!

105

105          Till when — the which, I hope, shall ne’er be seen —

               Your grace is welcome to our town and us.

PERICLES

PERICLES     Which welcome we’ll accept, feast here awhile,

               Until our stars¹⁰⁸ that frown, lend us a smile.

       Exeunt

[Act 2 Chorus]

running scene 4

       Enter Gower

GOWER

GOWER     Here have you seen a mighty king

               His child, iwis,² to incest bring,

               A better prince,³ and benign lord,

               That will prove awful⁴ both in deed and word.Be

5

5              quiet then, as men should be,

               Till he hath passed necessity:⁶

               I’ll show you those⁷ in troubles reign,

               Losing a mite,⁸ a mountain gain.

               The good⁹ in conversation,

10

10            To whom I give my benison,¹⁰

               Is still at Tarsus, where each man

               Thinks all is writ,¹² he speken can,

               And to remember¹³ what he does

               Build his statue¹⁴ to make him glorious.

15

15            But tidings¹⁵ to the contrary

               Are brought your eyes, what need speak I?

       Dumb show

       Enter at one door Pericles talking with Cleon, all the train with them. Enter at another door a Gentleman with a letter to Pericles. Pericles shows the letter to Cleon. Pericles gives the messenger a reward, and knights him. Exit Pericles [with his Attendants] at one door, and Cleon at another [with his Attendants]

GOWER

GOWER     Good Helicane¹⁷ that stayed at home

               Not to¹⁸ eat honey like a drone

               From others’ labours: though he strive

20

20            To killen²⁰ bad, keeps good alive.

               And to fulfil his prince’ desire

               Sends word of all that haps²² in Tyre:

               How Thaliard came full bent²³ with sin

               And had intent to murder him,

25

25            And that in Tarsus was not best

               Longer for him to make his rest.

               He doing so,²⁷ put forth to seas,

               Where when men been²⁸ there’s seldom ease:

               For now the wind begins to blow,

30

30            Thunder above and deeps below

               Makes such unquiet, that the ship

               Should³² house him safe is wracked and split,

               And he, good prince, having all lost,

               By waves from coast to coast is tossed.

35

35            All perishen³⁵ of man, of pelf,

               Ne aught escapend³⁶ but himself.

               Till Fortune, tired with doing bad,

               Threw him ashore, to give him glad.³⁸

               And here he comes: what shall be next,

40

40            Pardon old Gower, this ’longs⁴⁰ the text.

       [Exit]

[Act 2 Scene 1]2.1

running scene 5

       Enter Pericles wet

PERICLES

PERICLES     Yet cease your ire,¹ you angry stars ofheaven!

               Wind, rain and thunder, remember earthly man

               Is but a substance that must yield to you,

               And I, as fits my nature, do obey you.

5

5              Alas, the seas hath cast me on the rocks,

               Washed me from shore to shore, and left my breath⁶

               Nothing to think on but ensuing death.

               Let it suffice the greatness of your powers

               To have bereft a prince of all his fortunes,

10

10            And having thrown him from your wat’ry grave,

               Here to have death in peace is all he’ll crave.

       Enter three Fishermen

FIRST FISHERMAN

FIRST FISHERMAN     What ho, Pilch!¹²

SECOND FISHERMAN

SECOND FISHERMAN     Ha, come and bring away the nets.

FIRST FISHERMAN

FIRST FISHERMAN     What, Patch-breech,¹⁵ I say!

THIRD FISHERMAN

THIRD FISHERMAN     What say you, master?

FIRST FISHERMAN

FIRST FISHERMAN     Look¹⁷ how thou stirr’st now! Come away, or I’ll fetch th’¹⁸ with a wanion.

THIRD FISHERMAN

THIRD FISHERMAN     Faith, master, I am thinking of the poor men that were cast away before us even now.

FIRST FISHERMAN

FIRST FISHERMAN     Alas, poor souls, it grieved my heart to hear what pitiful cries they made to us to help them when, well-a-day,²³ we could scarce help ourselves.

THIRD FISHERMAN

THIRD FISHERMAN     Nay, master, said not I as much when I saw the porpoise²⁶ how he bounced and tumbled? They say they’re half fish, half flesh: a plague on them, they ne’er come but I²⁸ look to be washed. Master, I marvel how the fishes live in the sea.

FIRST FISHERMAN

FIRST FISHERMAN     Why, as men do a-land:³⁰ the great ones eat up the little ones. I can compare our rich misers to nothing so fitly³² as to a whale: a plays and tumbles, driving the poor fry³³ before him, and, at last, devours them all at a mouthful. Such whales have I heard on³⁵ o’th’land, who never leave gaping till they swallowed the whole parish: church, steeple, bells and all.

PERICLES

PERICLES     Aside A pretty³⁸ moral.

THIRD FISHERMAN

THIRD FISHERMAN     But master, if I had been the sexton,⁴⁰ I would have been that day in the belfry.

SECOND FISHERMAN

SECOND FISHERMAN     Why, man?

THIRD FISHERMAN

THIRD FISHERMAN     Because he should have swallowed me too, and when I had been in his belly I would have kept such a jangling of the bells that he should never have left till he cast⁴⁵ bells, steeple, church and parish up again! But if the good King Simonides were of my mind—

PERICLES

PERICLES     Aside Simonides?

THIRD FISHERMAN

THIRD FISHERMAN     We would purge the land of these drones⁵⁰ that rob the bee of her honey.

PERICLES

PERICLES     How from the finny subject⁵¹ of the sea Aside

               These fishers tell the infirmities of men,

               And from their wat’ry empire recollect⁵³

               All⁵⁴ that may men approve or men detect.—

55

55            Peace be at your labour, honest fishermen. To Fishermen

SECOND FISHERMAN

SECOND FISHERMAN     ‘Honest’, good fellow? What’s that? If⁵⁷ it be a day fits you, search’t out of the calendar and nobody will look after it!

PERICLES

PERICLES     May⁵⁹ see the sea hath cast upon your coast —

SECOND FISHERMAN

SECOND FISHERMAN     What a drunken knave was the sea to cast⁶² thee in our way!

PERICLES

PERICLES     A man, whom both the waters and the wind

               In that vast tennis-court⁶⁴ hath made the ball

65

65            For them to play upon, entreats you pity him:

               He asks of you that never used⁶⁶ to beg.

FIRST FISHERMAN

FIRST FISHERMAN     No, friend, cannot you beg? Here’s them⁶⁷ in our country of Greece gets more with begging than we can do with working.

SECOND FISHERMAN

SECOND FISHERMAN     Canst thou catch any fishes then?

PERICLES

PERICLES     I never practised it.

SECOND FISHERMAN

SECOND FISHERMAN     Nay, then thou wilt starve sure, for here’s nothing to be got nowadays unless thou canst fish for’t.⁷⁴

75

75   

PERICLES

PERICLES             What I have been I have forgot to know,

               But what I am, want teaches me to think on:

               A man thronged up⁷⁷ with cold. My veins are chill,

               And have no more of life than may suffice

               To give my tongue that heat to ask your help,

80

80            Which if you shall refuse, when I am dead,

               For that⁸¹ I am a man, pray you see me burièd.

FIRST FISHERMAN

FIRST FISHERMAN     ‘Die’, quotha?⁸² Now gods forbid’t, an I have a gown here. Gives a gown to Pericles Come, put it on, keep thee warm: now, afore me,⁸⁴ a handsome fellow! Come, thou shalt go home, and we’ll have flesh for holidays, fish for fasting-days⁸⁶ and, moreo’er, puddings⁸⁷ and flapjacks, and thou shalt be welcome.

PERICLES

PERICLES     I thank you, sir.

SECOND FISHERMAN

SECOND FISHERMAN     Hark you, my friend — you said you could not beg?

PERICLES

PERICLES     I did but crave.⁹²

SECOND FISHERMAN

SECOND FISHERMAN     But crave? Then I’ll turn craver⁹³ too, and so I shall scape whipping.

PERICLES

PERICLES     Why, are your beggars whipped, then?

SECOND FISHERMAN

SECOND FISHERMAN     O, not all, my friend, not all: for if all your beggars were whipped I would wish no better office than to be beadle.⁹⁸ But, master, I’ll go draw up the net.

       [Exeunt Second and Third Fishermen]

PERICLES

PERICLES     How well this honest mirth becomes¹⁰⁰ their labour!

FIRST FISHERMAN

FIRST FISHERMAN     Hark you, sir, do you know where ye are?

PERICLES

PERICLES     Not well.

FIRST FISHERMAN

FIRST FISHERMAN     Why, I’ll tell you: this is called Pentapolis,¹⁰⁶ and our king, the good Simonides.

PERICLES

PERICLES     The good Simonides, do you call him?

FIRST FISHERMAN

FIRST FISHERMAN     Ay, sir, and he deserves so to be called for his peaceable reign and good government.

110

110 

PERICLES

PERICLES             He is a happy king, since he gains from

               His subjects the name of good by his government.

               How far is his court distant from this shore?

FIRST FISHERMAN

FIRST FISHERMAN     Marry,¹¹³ sir, half a day’s journey. And I’ll tell you, he hath a fair daughter, and tomorrow is her birthday, and there are princes and knights come from all parts of the world to joust and tourney¹¹⁷ for her love.

PERICLES

PERICLES     Were my fortunes equal to my desires,

                I could wish to make one¹¹⁹ there.

FIRST FISHERMAN

FIRST FISHERMAN     O, sir, things must be as they may, and what¹²¹ a man cannot get he may lawfully deal for his wife’s soul.

       Enter the two Fishermen, drawing up a net

SECOND FISHERMAN

SECOND FISHERMAN     Help, master, help! Here’s a fish hangs in the net like a poor man’s right¹²⁴ in the law: ’twill¹²⁵ hardly come out. Ha, bots on’t, ’tis come at last, and ’tis turned to a rusty armour.

       They pull pieces of armor from the net

PERICLES

PERICLES     An armour, friends? I pray you let me see it.

               Thanks Fortune yet, that after all crosses¹²⁸

               Thou givest me somewhat to repair myself.

130

130            And though it was mine own, part of my heritage,¹³⁰

               Which my dead father did bequeath to me

               With this strict charge¹³² even as he left his life:

               ‘Keep it my Pericles, it hath been a shield

               ’Twixt me and death’ — and pointed to this brace¹³⁴ —

135

135            ‘For that¹³⁵ it saved me, keep it: in like necessity,

               The which the gods protect thee from, may’t defend thee.’

               It kept¹³⁷ where I kept, I so dearly loved it,

               Till the rough seas, that spares not any man,

               Took it in rage, though¹³⁹ calmed have given’t again.

140

140            I thank thee for’t, my shipwreck now’s no ill

               Since I have here my father¹⁴¹ gave in his will.

FIRST FISHERMAN

FIRST FISHERMAN     What mean you, sir?

PERICLES

PERICLES     To beg of you, kind friends, this coat of worth,¹⁴³

               For it was sometime¹⁴⁴ target to a king:

145

145            I know it by this mark. He loved me dearly,

               And for his sake I wish the having of it,

               And that you’d guide me to your sovereign’s court,

               Where with it I may appear a gentleman.

               And if that ever my low fortune’s better

150

150            I’ll pay your bounties,¹⁵⁰ till then rest your debtor.

FIRST FISHERMAN

FIRST FISHERMAN     Why, wilt thou tourney¹⁵¹ for the lady?

PERICLES

PERICLES     I’ll show the virtue¹⁵³ I have borne in arms.

FIRST FISHERMAN

FIRST FISHERMAN     Why, d’ye take it,¹⁵⁴ and the gods give thee good on’t!¹⁵⁵ Pericles puts on the armor

SECOND FISHERMAN

SECOND FISHERMAN     Ay, but hark you, my friend, ’twas we that made up¹⁵⁷ this garment through the rough seams¹⁵⁸ of the waters. There are certain condolements,¹⁵⁹ certain vails:¹⁵⁹ I hope, sir, if you thrive you’ll remember from whence you had them.

PERICLES

PERICLES     Believe’t, I will.

               By your furtherance¹⁶² I am clothed in steel,

               And spite of all the rapture¹⁶³ of the sea

               This jewel holds his building¹⁶⁴ on my arm.

165

165            Unto thy value¹⁶⁵ I will mount myself

               Upon a courser,¹⁶⁶ whose delightful steps

               Shall make the gazer¹⁶⁷ joy to see him tread.

               Only, my friend, I yet am unprovided

               Of a pair of bases¹⁶⁹—

SECOND FISHERMAN

SECOND FISHERMAN     We’ll sure provide: thou shalt have my best gown to make thee a pair, and I’ll bring thee to the court myself.

PERICLES

PERICLES     Then honour¹⁷³ be but a goad to my will,

               This day I’ll rise, or else add ill to ill.

       [Exeunt]

[Act 2 Scene 2]2.2

running scene 6

       Enter Simonides with attendance, and Thaisa

SIMONIDES

SIMONIDES     Are the knights ready to begin the triumph?¹

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     They are, my liege,

               And stay³ your coming to present themselves.

SIMONIDES

SIMONIDES     Return⁴ them we are ready, and our daughter,

5

5              In honour of whose birth these triumphs are,

               Sits here like beauty’s child, whom Nature gat⁶

               For men to see and, seeing, wonder at.

       [Exit an Attendant]

THAISA

THAISA     It pleaseth you, my royal father, to express⁹

               My commendations great, whose merit’s less.

10

10   

SIMONIDES

SIMONIDES             It’s fit it should be so, for princes¹⁰ are

               A model¹¹ which heaven makes like to itself:

               As jewels lose their glory if neglected,

               So princes their renowns¹³ if not respected.

               ’Tis now your honour,¹⁴ daughter, to entertain

15

15            The labour of each knight in his device.¹⁵

THAISA

THAISA     Which to preserve mine honour I’ll perform.

       The First Knight passes by

       His Attendant presents his shield to Thaisa

SIMONIDES

SIMONIDES     Who is the first that doth prefer¹⁷ himself?

THAISA

THAISA     A knight of Sparta,¹⁸ my renownèd father,

               And the device he bears upon his shield

20

20            Is a black Ethiop²⁰ reaching at the sun,

               The word:²¹ Lux tua vita mihi.

SIMONIDES

SIMONIDES     He loves you well that holds²² his life of you.

       The Second Knight

       Passes by and his Attendant presents his shield to Thaisa

               Who is the second that presents himself?

THAISA

THAISA     A prince of Macedon,²⁴ my royal father,

25

25            And the device he bears upon his shield

               Is an armed knight that’s conquered by a lady.

               The motto thus in Spanish:²⁷ Piùe per dolcezza che per forza.

       The Third Knight

       Passes by and his Attendant presents his shield to Thaisa

SIMONIDES

SIMONIDES     And with the third?

THAISA

THAISA     The third, of Antioch,

30

30            And his device a wreath of chivalry.³⁰

               The word: Me³¹ pompae provexit apex.

       The Fourth Knight

       Passes by and his Attendant presents his shield to Thaisa

SIMONIDES

SIMONIDES     What is the fourth?

THAISA

THAISA     A burning torch that’s turnèd upside down,

               The word: Qui³⁴ me alit me extinguit.

35

35   

SIMONIDES

SIMONIDES             Which shows that beauty hath his power and will,

               Which can as well inflame as it can kill.

       The Fifth Knight

       Passes by and his Attendant presents his shield to Thaisa

THAISA

THAISA     The fifth, an hand environèd³⁷ with clouds,

               Holding out gold, that’s by the touchstone³⁸ tried:

               The motto thus: Sic spectanda fides³⁹.

       The Sixth Knight [Pericles]

       Passes by, wearing the rusty armor

       He presents his own device to Thaisa

40

40   

SIMONIDES

SIMONIDES             And what’s the sixth and last, the which the knight

               Himself with such a graceful courtesy delivered?

THAISA

THAISA     He seems to be a stranger,⁴² but his present is

               A withered branch, that’s only green at top.

               The motto: In⁴⁴ hac spe vivo.

45

45   

SIMONIDES

SIMONIDES             A pretty moral.

               From the dejected state wherein he is

               He hopes by you his fortunes yet may flourish.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     He⁴⁸ had need mean better than his outward show

               Can any way speak in his just commend:

50

50            For by his rusty outside he appears

               To have practised more the whipstock⁵¹ than the lance.

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD     He well may be a stranger, for he comes

               To an honoured triumph strangely⁵³ furnishèd.

THIRD LORD

THIRD LORD     And on set purpose⁵⁴ let his armour rust

55

55            Until this day, to scour⁵⁵ it in the dust.

SIMONIDES

SIMONIDES     Opinion’s⁵⁶ but a fool that makes us scan

               The outward habit for the inward man.

               But stay, the knights are coming —

               We will withdraw into the gallery.

       [Exeunt]

       Great shouts, and all cry ‘The mean knight!’

[Act 2 Scene 3]2.3

running scene 6 continues

       Enter the King [Simonides, Thaisa, Marshal] and Knights from tilting

SIMONIDES

SIMONIDES     Knights,

               To say you’re welcome were superfluous.

               To place³ upon the volume of your deeds,

               As in a title page, your worth in arms,

5

5              Were more than you expect, or more than’s fit,

               Since every worth in show⁶ commends itself.

               Prepare for mirth, for mirth becomes⁷ a feast:

               You are princes and my guests.

THAISA

THAISA     But you,⁹ my knight and guest, To Pericles

10

10            To whom this wreath of victory I give

               And crown you king of this day’s happiness.

       Crowns him with a wreath

PERICLES

PERICLES     ’Tis more by fortune, lady, than my merit.

SIMONIDES

SIMONIDES     Call it by what you will, the day is yours,

               And here, I hope, is none that envies it.

15

15            In framing¹⁵ artists art hath thus decreed,

               To make some good but others to exceed,

               And you are her laboured scholar.¹⁷ Come, queen o’th’feast —

               For, daughter, so you are — here take your place.

               Marshal,¹⁹ the rest as they deserve their grace. To Marshal

20

20   

KNIGHTS

KNIGHTS     We are honoured much by good Simonides.

SIMONIDES

SIMONIDES     Your presence glads our days: honour we love,

               For who²² hates honour hates the gods above.

MARSHAL

MARSHAL     Sir, yonder is your place. To Pericles

PERICLES

PERICLES     Some other is more fit.

25

25   

FIRST KNIGHT

FIRST KNIGHT     Contend not,²⁵ sir, for we are gentlemen

               Have²⁶ neither in our hearts nor outward eyes

               Envies²⁷ the great, nor shall the low despise.

PERICLES

PERICLES     You are right²⁸ courteous, knights.

SIMONIDES

SIMONIDES     Sit, sir, sit. They sit

30

30            By³⁰ Jove I wonder, that is king of thoughts, Aside

               These cates resist me he but thought upon.

THAISA

THAISA     By Juno, that is queen of marriage, Aside

               All viands³³ that I eat do seem unsavoury,

               Wishing him my meat.³⁴—

                                    Sure, he’s To Simonides

               a gallant gentleman.

35

35    

SIMONIDES

SIMONIDES     He’s but a country gentleman.

               He’s done no more than other knights have done,

               He’s broken a staff,³⁷ or so. So let it pass.

THAISA

THAISA     To me he seems like diamond to³⁸ glass. Aside?

PERICLES

PERICLES     Yon³⁹ king’s to me like to my father’s picture, Aside

40

40            Which tells me⁴⁰ in that glory once he was,

               Had⁴¹ princes sit like stars about his throne,

               And he the sun for them to reverence.⁴²

               None that beheld him, but like lesser lights

               Did vail⁴⁴ their crowns to his supremacy,

45

45            Where⁴⁵ now his son’s like a glow-worm in the night,

               The which hath fire in darkness, none in light.

               Whereby I see that time’s the king of men,

               He’s both their parent and he is their grave,

               And gives them what he will, not what they crave.

50

50   

SIMONIDES

SIMONIDES     What, are you merry, knights?

KNIGHTS

KNIGHTS     Who can be other in this royal presence?

SIMONIDES

SIMONIDES     Here, with a cup that’s stored⁵² unto the brim,

               As you do love, fill⁵³ to your mistress’ lips:

               We drink this health to you. Drinks a toast

55

55   

KNIGHTS

KNIGHTS     We thank your grace.

SIMONIDES

SIMONIDES     Yet pause awhile. Yon⁵⁶ knight doth sit too melancholy,

               As if the entertainment in our court

               Had not a show might countervail⁵⁸ his worth.

               Note⁵⁹ it not you, Thaisa?

60

60   

THAISA

THAISA     What is’t to me, my father?

SIMONIDES

SIMONIDES     O, attend, my daughter,

               Princes in this should live like gods above,

               Who freely give to everyone that come to honour them,

               And princes not doing so are like⁶⁴ to gnats,

65

65            Which make a sound, but killed are wondered at.

               Therefore to make his entertain⁶⁶ more sweet,

               Here, say we drink this standing bowl⁶⁷ of wine to him.

       Drinks a toast

THAISA

THAISA     Alas, my father, it befits not me

               Unto a stranger knight⁶⁹ to be so bold:

70

70            He may my proffer⁷⁰ take for an offence,

               Since men take women’s gifts for impudence.

SIMONIDES

SIMONIDES     How? Do as I bid you, or you’ll move me⁷² else.

THAISA

THAISA     Now by the gods, he could not please me better. Aside

SIMONIDES

SIMONIDES     And, further, tell him we desire to know

75

75            Of whence he is, his name and parentage?

THAISA

THAISA     The king my father, sir, has drunk to you— To Pericles

PERICLES

PERICLES     I thank him.

THAISA

THAISA     Wishing it so much blood⁷⁸ unto your life.

PERICLES

PERICLES     I thank both him and you, and pledge him⁷⁹ freely.

80

80   

THAISA

THAISA     And, further, he desires to know of you

               Of whence you are, your name and parentage?

PERICLES

PERICLES     A gentleman of Tyre, my name Pericles,

               My education being in arts and arms,⁸³

               Who, looking for adventures in the world,

85

85            Was by the rough seas reft⁸⁵ of ships and men,

               And after shipwreck driven upon this shore.

THAISA

THAISA     He thanks your grace, To Simonides

               Names himself Pericles, a gentleman of Tyre,

               Who only by misfortune of the seas

90

90            Bereft of ships and men, cast⁹⁰ on this shore.

SIMONIDES

SIMONIDES     Now by the gods, I pity his misfortune,

               And will awake him from his melancholy.

               Come, gentlemen, we sit⁹³ too long on trifles To Knights

               And waste the time which looks for other revels:

95

95            Even in your armours as you are addressed,⁹⁵

               Will⁹⁶ well become a soldier’s dance.

               I⁹⁷ will not have excuse with saying this:

               ‘Loud music is too harsh for ladies’ heads’,

               Since they love men in arms as well as beds.

       They dance

100

100          So, this¹⁰⁰ was well asked, ’twas so well performed.

               Come, sir, here’s a lady that wants breathing¹⁰¹ too, To Pericles

               And I have heard you knights of Tyre

               Are excellent in making ladies trip,¹⁰³

               And that their measures¹⁰⁴ are as excellent.

105

105 

PERICLES

PERICLES     In those that practise them¹⁰⁵ they are, my lord.

SIMONIDES

SIMONIDES     O, that’s¹⁰⁶ as much as you would be denied

               Of your fair courtesy!

       They dance

                                    Unclasp, unclasp!

               Thanks, gentlemen, to all: all have done well,

               But you the best. Pages and lights to conduct To Pericles

110

110          These knights unto their several¹¹⁰ lodgings!

               Yours, sir, we have given order be next our own.

PERICLES

PERICLES     I am at your grace’s pleasure.

SIMONIDES

SIMONIDES     Princes, it is too late to talk of love,

               And that’s the mark, I know, you level¹¹⁴ at:

115

115          Therefore each one betake him¹¹⁵ to his rest,

               Tomorrow all for speeding¹¹⁶ do their best.

               [Exeunt]

[Act 2 Scene 4]2.4

running scene 7

       Enter Helicanus and Escanes

HELICANUS

HELICANUS     No, Escanes, know this of me:

               Antiochus from incest lived not free,

               For which the most high gods not minding longer³

               To withhold the vengeance that they had in store,

5

5              Due to this heinous capital⁵ offence,

               Even in the height and pride of all his glory —

               When he was seated in a chariot

               Of inestimable value, and his daughter with him —

               A fire from heaven came and shrivelled up

10

10            Those bodies even to loathing. For they so stunk

               That all those eyes adored¹¹ them ere their fall

               Scorn now their hand should give them burial.

ESCANES

ESCANES     ’Twas very strange.

HELICANUS

HELICANUS     And yet but justice: for though this king were great,

15

15            His greatness was no guard to bar¹⁵ heaven’s shaft,

               But sin had his¹⁶ reward.

ESCANES

ESCANES     ’Tis very true.

       Enter two or three Lords

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     See, not a man in private conference

               Or council has respect¹⁹ with him but he.

20

20   

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD             It shall no longer grieve²⁰ without reproof.

THIRD LORD

THIRD LORD     And cursed be he that will not second it.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     Follow me then.— Lord Helicane, a word. To Helicanus

HELICANUS

HELICANUS     With me? And welcome. Happy day,²³ my lords.

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     Know that our griefs²⁴ are risen to the top,

25

25            And now at length they overflow their banks.

HELICANUS

HELICANUS     Your griefs, for what? Wrong not your prince, you love.²⁶

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD     Wrong not yourself then, noble Helicane,

               But if the prince do live let us salute him,

               Or know what²⁹ ground’s made happy by his breath.

30

30            If in the world he live, we’ll seek him out,

               If in his grave he rest, we’ll find him there.

               We’ll be resolved³² he lives to govern us,

               Or dead, give’s³³ cause to mourn his funeral

               And leave us to³⁴ our free election.

35

35   

SECOND LORD

SECOND LORD             Whose³⁵ death’s indeed the strongest in our censure.

               And knowing this kingdom is without a head —

               Like goodly buildings left³⁷ without a roof,

               Soon fall to ruin — your noble self,

               That best know how to rule and how to reign,

40

40            We thus submit unto: our sovereign.

ALL

ALL     Live, noble Helicane!

HELICANUS

HELICANUS     Try honour’s cause,⁴² forbear your suffrages!

               If that you love Prince Pericles, forbear.⁴³

               Take I your wish, I leap into the seas,

45

45            Where’s hourly trouble, for a minute’s ease.

               A twelvemonth longer let me entreat you

               To forbear⁴⁷ the absence of your king.

               If in which time expired he not⁴⁸ return,

               I shall with agèd patience bear your yoke.⁴⁹

50

50            But if I cannot win you to this love,⁵⁰

               Go search like nobles, like noble subjects,

               And in your search spend⁵² your adventurous worth,

               Whom⁵³ if you find, and win unto return,

               You shall like diamonds sit about his crown.

55

55   

FIRST LORD

FIRST LORD             To wisdom he’s a fool that will not yield.

               And since Lord Helicane enjoineth⁵⁶ us,

               We with our travels⁵⁷ will endeavour it.

HELICANUS

HELICANUS     Then you love us, we you, and we’ll clasp hands:

               When peers thus knit,⁵⁹ a kingdom ever stands.

       [Exeunt]

[Act 2 Scene 5]2.5

running scene 8

       Enter the King [Simonides] reading of a letter at one door, the Knights meet him

FIRST KNIGHT

FIRST KNIGHT     Good morrow to the good Simonides.

SIMONIDES

SIMONIDES     Knights, from my daughter this I let you know:

               That for this twelvemonth she’ll not undertake

               A married life.

5

5              Her reason to herself is only known,

               Which from her by no means can I get.

SECOND KNIGHT

SECOND KNIGHT     May we not get access to her, my lord?

SIMONIDES

SIMONIDES     Faith, by no means, she hath so strictly

               Tied her⁹ to her chamber that ’tis impossible.

10

10            One twelvemoons¹⁰ more she’ll wear Diana’s livery:

               This by the¹¹ eye of Cynthia hath she vowed

               And on her virgin honour will not break it.

THIRD KNIGHT

THIRD KNIGHT     Loath to bid farewell, we take our leaves.

       [Exeunt Knights]

SIMONIDES

SIMONIDES     So, they are well dispatched.¹⁴

15

15            Now, to my daughter’s letter:

               She tells me here she’ll wed the stranger knight,

               Or never more to view nor day nor¹⁷ light.

               ’Tis well, mistress, your choice agrees with mine:

               I like that well! Nay, how absolute¹⁹ she’s in’t,

20

20            Not minding whether I dislike or no.

               Well, I do commend her choice

               And will no longer have it be delayed.

               Soft,²³ here he comes — I must dissemble it.

       Enter Pericles

PERICLES

PERICLES     All fortune to the good Simonides.

25

25   

SIMONIDES

SIMONIDES             To you as much. Sir, I am beholding²⁵ to you

               For your sweet music this last night: I do

               Protest, my ears were never better fed

               With such delightful pleasing harmony.

PERICLES

PERICLES     It is your grace’s pleasure to commend,

30

30            Not my desert.³⁰

SIMONIDES

SIMONIDES     Sir, you are music’s master.

PERICLES

PERICLES     The worst of all her scholars, my good lord.

SIMONIDES

SIMONIDES     Let me ask you one thing:

               What do you think of my daughter, sir?

35

35   

PERICLES

PERICLES             A most virtuous princess.

SIMONIDES

SIMONIDES     And she is fair, too, is she not?

PERICLES

PERICLES     As a fair day in summer: wondrous fair.

SIMONIDES

SIMONIDES     Sir, my daughter thinks very well of you,

               Ay, so well that you must be her master

40

40            And she will be your scholar, therefore look to it.

PERICLES

PERICLES     I am unworthy for her schoolmaster.

SIMONIDES

SIMONIDES     She thinks not so: peruse this writing else.⁴²

       Gives a letter

PERICLES

PERICLES     What’s here? Aside

               A letter that⁴⁴ she loves the knight of Tyre?

45

45            ’Tis the king’s subtlety⁴⁵ to have my life! Reads

               O, seek not to entrap me, gracious lord, To Simonides

               A stranger and distressèd gentleman

               That never aimed so high to⁴⁸ love your daughter,

               But bent⁴⁹ all offices to honour her.

50

50   

SIMONIDES

SIMONIDES             Thou hast bewitched my daughter,

               And thou art a villain.

PERICLES

PERICLES     By the gods I have not!

               Never did thought of mine levy⁵³ offence,

               Nor never did my actions yet commence

55

55            A deed might⁵⁵ gain her love, or your displeasure.

SIMONIDES

SIMONIDES     Traitor, thou liest.

PERICLES

PERICLES     Traitor?

SIMONIDES

SIMONIDES     Ay, traitor.

PERICLES

PERICLES     Even in his throat, unless it be the king

60

60            That calls me traitor, I return the lie.

SIMONIDES

SIMONIDES     Now by the gods, I do applaud his courage. Aside

PERICLES

PERICLES     My actions are as noble as my thoughts,

               That never relished⁶³ of a base descent:

               I came unto your court for honour’s cause,

65

65            And not to be a rebel to her state.⁶⁵

               And he that otherwise accounts of me,⁶⁶

               This sword shall prove he’s honour’s enemy.

SIMONIDES

SIMONIDES     No?

               Here comes my daughter, she can witness it.

       Enter Thaisa

70

70   

PERICLES

PERICLES             Then as you are as virtuous as fair, To Thaisa

               Resolve⁷¹ your angry father if my tongue

               Did e’er solicit or my hand subscribe⁷²

               To any syllable that made love to⁷³ you?

THAISA

THAISA     Why, sir, say if you had,

75

75            Who takes offence at that, would⁷⁵ make me glad?

SIMONIDES

SIMONIDES     Yea, mistress, are you so peremptory?⁷⁶

               I am glad on’t with all my heart!— Aside

               I’ll tame you, I’ll bring you in subjection. To Thaisa

               Will you, not having my consent,

80

80            Bestow your love and your affections

               Upon a stranger?— Who, for aught⁸¹ I know, Aside

               May be — nor can I think the contrary —

               As great in blood as I myself.—

               Therefore hear you, mistress, either frame⁸⁴ your will To Thaisa

85

85            To mine — and you sir, hear you — either be

               Ruled by me, or I’ll make you man and wife! Joins their hands

               Nay, come, your hands and lips must seal it too,

               And being joined I’ll thus your hopes destroy, Pulls their hands apart

               And for further grief— God give you joy! Joins their hands again

90

90            What, are you both pleased?

THAISA

THAISA     Yes, if you love me, sir?

PERICLES

PERICLES     Even as my life my blood that fosters⁹² it.

SIMONIDES

SIMONIDES     What, are you both agreed?

BOTH

BOTH     Yes, if’t please your majesty.

95

95   

SIMONIDES

SIMONIDES             It pleaseth me so well that I will see you wed,

               And then with what haste you can, get you to bed.

       Exeunt

[Act 3 Chorus]

running scene 9

       Enter Gower

GOWER

GOWER     Now sleep y-slackèd¹ hath the rouse,

               No din but snores about the house,

               Made louder by the o’erfed breast³

               Of this most pompous⁴ marriage feast.

5

5              The cat with eyne⁵ of burning coal

               Now couches⁶ from the mouse’s hole,

               And crickets sing⁷ at the oven’s mouth

               Are the blither⁸ for their drouth.

               Hymen⁹ hath brought the bride to bed,

10

10            Where by the loss of maidenhead¹⁰

               A babe is moulded. Be attent,¹¹

               And time that is so briefly¹² spent

               With your fine fancies¹³ quaintly eche.

               What’s dumb in show, I’ll plain¹⁴ with speech.

       Dumb show

       Enter Pericles and Simonides at one door with Attendants. A Messenger meets them, kneels and gives Pericles a letter. Pericles shows it Simonides, the Lords kneel to him. Then enter Thaisa, with child, with Lychorida, a nurse. The King shows her the letter, she rejoices: she and Pericles take leave of her father, and depart [with Lychorida and their Attendants. Exeunt Simonides and his train]

15

15   

GOWER

GOWER     By many a dern¹⁵ and painful perch,

               Of¹⁶ Pericles the careful search

               By the four opposing coigns¹⁷

               Which the world together joins,

               Is made with all due diligence

20

20            That horse and sail and high expense

               Can stead²¹ the quest. At last from Tyre —

               Fame²² answering the most strange inquire—

               To th’court of King Simonides

               Are letters brought, the tenor²⁴ these:

25

25            Antiochus and his daughter dead,²⁵

               The men of Tyrus on the head

               Of Helicanus would set on

               The crown of Tyre, but he will none.²⁸

               The mutiny he there hastes t’appease,²⁹

30

30            Says to ’em, if King Pericles

               Come not home in twice six moons,³¹

               He, obedient to their dooms,³²

               Will take the crown. The sum³³ of this

               Brought hither to Pentapolis

35

35            Y-ravishèd³⁵ the regions round,

               And everyone with claps³⁶ can sound,

               ‘Our heir apparent³⁷ is a king:

               Who dreamt? Who thought of such a thing?’

               Brief,³⁹ he must hence depart to Tyre.

40

40            His queen, with child, makes her desire —

               Which who shall cross?⁴¹ — along to go:

               Omit we all their dole⁴² and woe.

               Lychorida her nurse⁴³ she takes,

               And so to sea. Their vessel shakes

45

45            On Neptune’s billow,⁴⁵ half the flood

               Hath their keel cut, but Fortune, moved,⁴⁶

               Varies again. The grizzled⁴⁷ north

               Disgorges such a tempest forth

               That as a duck for life that dives,

50

50            So up and down the poor ship drives.⁵⁰

               The lady shrieks and, well-a-near,⁵¹

               Does⁵² fall in travail with her fear.

               And what ensues in this fell⁵³ storm

               Shall for itself, itself perform:

55

55            I nill⁵⁵ relate, action may

               Conveniently⁵⁶ the rest convey,

               Which⁵⁷ might not what by me is told.

               In your imagination hold⁵⁸

               This stage the ship, upon whose deck

60

60            The sea-tossed Pericles appears to speak.⁶⁰

       [Exit]

[Act 3 Scene 1]3.1

running scene 10

       Enter Pericles on shipboard

PERICLES

PERICLES     The god¹ of this great vast, rebuke these surges

               Which wash both heaven and hell, and thou² that hast

               Upon the winds command, bind³ them in brass,

               Having called them from the deep! O, still⁴

5

5              Thy⁵ deaf’ning dreadful thunders, gently quench

               Thy nimble⁶ sulphurous flashes!— O, how, Lychorida! Calls

               How does my queen? — Thou stormest venomously,

               Wilt⁸ thou spit all thyself? The seaman’s whistle

               Is as⁹ a whisper in the ears of death,

10

10            Unheard. Lychorida!— Lucina,¹⁰ O Calls

               Divinest patroness, and midwife gentle

               To those that cry by night, convey thy deity

               Aboard our dancing boat, make swift the pangs

               Of my queen’s travails!¹⁴— Now, Lychorida!

       Enter Lychorida With the baby

15

15   

LYCHORIDA

LYCHORIDA             Here is a thing too young for such a place,

               Who if it had conceit¹⁶ would die,

               As I am like¹⁷ to do. Take in your arms

               This piece¹⁸ of your dead queen.

PERICLES

PERICLES     How? How, Lychorida?

20

20   

LYCHORIDA

LYCHORIDA             Patience, good sir, do not assist²⁰ the storm.

               Here’s all that is left living of your queen:

               A little daughter. For the sake of it,

               Be manly and take comfort.

       Gives him the baby

PERICLES

PERICLES     O you gods!

25

25            Why do you make us love your goodly gifts

               And snatch them straight away? We here below

               Recall not²⁷ what we give, and therein may

               Use²⁸ honour with you.

LYCHORIDA

LYCHORIDA     Patience, good sir, even for this charge.²⁹

30

30   

PERICLES

PERICLES             Now, mild³⁰ may be thy life, To the baby

               For a more blusterous birth had never babe.

               Quiet and gentle thy conditions,³² for

               Thou art the rudeliest³³ welcome to this world

               That ever was prince’s child. Happy what follows:³⁴

35

35            Thou hast as chiding³⁵ a nativity

               As fire, air, water, earth and heaven can make

               To herald thee from the womb.

               Even at the first, thy³⁸ loss is more than can

               Thy portage³⁹ quit with all thou can’st find here.

40

40;            Now the good gods throw their best eyes⁴⁰ upon’t!

       Enter two Sailors

FIRST SAILOR

FIRST SAILOR     What courage, sir? God save you!

PERICLES

PERICLES     Courage enough. I do not fear the flaw,⁴²

               It hath done to me the worst: yet for the love

               Of this poor infant, this fresh new seafarer,

45

45            I would it would be quiet.

FIRST SAILOR

FIRST SAILOR     Slack⁴⁶ the bowlines there! Thou wilt not, wilt thou, blow and split thyself.

SECOND SAILOR

SECOND SAILOR     But sea-room⁴⁸ an the brine and cloudy billow⁴⁹ kiss the moon, I care not.

FIRST SAILOR

FIRST SAILOR     Sir, your queen must overboard. The sea works high,⁵¹ the wind is loud, and will not lie till the ship be cleared of the dead.

PERICLES

PERICLES     That’s your superstition.

FIRST SAILOR

FIRST SAILOR     Pardon us, sir. With us at sea it hath been still⁵⁵ observed, and we are strong in custom. Therefore briefly⁵⁶ yield ’er, for she must overboard straight.⁵⁷

PERICLES

PERICLES     As you think meet.⁵⁸ Most wretched queen!

LYCHORIDA

LYCHORIDA     Here she lies, sir. Reveals the body

60

60   

PERICLES

PERICLES             A terrible childbed hast To Thaisa thou had, my dear.

               No light, no fire, th’unfriendly elements

               Forgot thee utterly. Nor have I time

               To give thee hallowed⁶³ to thy grave, but straight

               Must cast thee, scarcely coffined, in the ooze,

65

65            Where, for a monument⁶⁵ upon thy bones

               And aye-remaining⁶⁶ lamps, the belching whale

               And humming⁶⁷ water must o’erwhelm thy corpse,

               Lying with simple shells. O Lychorida,

               Bid Nestor⁶⁹ bring me spices, ink and paper,

70

70            My casket and my jewels, and bid Nicander⁷⁰

               Bring me the satin⁷¹ coffer. Lay the babe

       Gives her the baby

               Upon the pillow. Hie thee,⁷² whiles I say

               A priestly farewell to her. Suddenly,⁷³ woman!

       [Exit Lychorida]

SECOND SAILOR

SECOND SAILOR     Sir, we have a chest beneath the hatches,⁷⁴ caulked⁷⁵ and bitumed ready.

PERICLES

PERICLES     I thank thee. Mariner, say, what coast is this?

FIRST SAILOR

FIRST SAILOR     We are near Tarsus.

PERICLES

PERICLES     Thither, gentle mariner,

               Alter⁷⁹ thy course for Tyre. When can’st thou reach it?

80

80   

FIRST SAILOR

FIRST SAILOR             By break of day, if the wind cease.

PERICLES

PERICLES     O, make for Tarsus!

               There will I visit Cleon, for the babe

               Cannot hold out to Tyrus. There I’ll leave it

               At careful nursing. Go thy ways,⁸⁴ good mariner,

85

85            I’ll bring the body presently.⁸⁵

       Exeunt

[Act 3 Scene 2]3.2

running scene 11

       Enter Lord Cerimon with a Servant

       And another survivor of the storm

CERIMON

CERIMON     Philemon, ho!

       Enter Philemon

PHILEMON

PHILEMON     Doth my lord call?

CERIMON

CERIMON     Get fire and meat for these poor men.

       [Exit Philemon]

               ’T has been a turbulent and stormy night.

5

5     

SERVANT

SERVANT             I have been in many, but such a night as this

               Till now, I ne’er endured.

CERIMON

CERIMON     Your master will be dead ere you return, To Servant

               There’s nothing can be ministered⁸ to nature

               That can recover him.— Give this to the ’pothecary,⁹ To the other

10

10            And tell me how it works.

       [Exeunt all but Cerimon]

       Enter two Gentlemen

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     Good morrow.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN     Good morrow to your lordship.

CERIMON

CERIMON     Gentlemen, why do you stir so early?

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     Sir, our lodgings standing bleak upon¹⁴ the sea

15

15            Shook as¹⁵ the earth did quake:

               The very principals¹⁶ did seem to rend

               And all to topple. Pure surprise and fear

               Made me to quit the house.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN     That is the cause we trouble you so early,

20

20            ’Tis not our husbandry.²⁰

CERIMON

CERIMON     O,²¹ you say well.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     But I much marvel that your lordship, having

               Rich tire²³ about you, should at these early hours,

               Shake off the golden slumber of repose.²⁴

25

25            ’Tis most strange nature should be so conversant²⁵ with pain,

               Being thereto not compelled.

CERIMON

CERIMON     I hold it ever²⁷

               Virtue and cunning²⁸ were endowments greater

               Than nobleness and riches. Careless²⁹ heirs

30

30            May the two latter darken³⁰ and expend,

               But immortality attends the former,

               Making a man a god. ’Tis known, I ever

               Have studied physic,³³ through which secret art,

               By turning o’er authorities,³⁴ I have,

35

35            Together with my practice,³⁵ made familiar

               To me and to my aid³⁶ the blest infusions

               That dwells in vegetives,³⁷ in metals, stones,

               And I can speak of the disturbances

               That nature works³⁹ and of her cures, which doth give me

40

40            A more content⁴⁰ in course of true delight

               Than to be thirsty after tottering honour,⁴¹

               Or tie⁴² my pleasure up in silken bags

               To⁴³ please the fool and death.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN     Your honour has

45

45            Through Ephesus⁴⁵ poured forth your charity,

               And hundreds call⁴⁶ themselves your creatures, who

               By you have been restored. And not⁴⁷ your knowledge,

               Your personal pain,⁴⁸ but even your purse still open,

               Hath built Lord Cerimon such strong renown,

50

50            As time shall never—

       Enter two or three with a chest

CERIMON’S SERVANT

CERIMON’S SERVANT     So, lift there.

CERIMON

CERIMON     What’s that?

CERIMON’S SERVANT

CERIMON’S SERVANT     Sir, even now

               Did the sea toss up upon our shore this chest.

55

55            ’Tis of some wreck.

CERIMON

CERIMON     Set’t down, let’s look upon’t.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN     ’Tis like a coffin, sir.

CERIMON

CERIMON     What e’er it be,

               ’Tis wondrous heavy. Wrench it open straight:

60

60            If the sea’s stomach be o’ercharged⁶⁰ with gold,

               ’Tis a good constraint of fortune⁶¹ it belches upon us.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN     ’Tis so, my lord.

CERIMON

CERIMON     How close⁶³ ’tis caulked and bitumed!

               Did the sea cast it up?

65

65   

CERIMON’S SERVANT

CERIMON’S SERVANT             I never saw so huge a billow,⁶⁵ sir,

               As tossed it upon shore.

CERIMON

CERIMON     Wrench it open.

               Soft!⁶⁸ It smells most sweetly in my sense.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN     A delicate odour.

70

70   

CERIMON

CERIMON             As ever hit⁷⁰ my nostril. So, up with it.

       They open the chest

               O you most potent gods! What’s here, a corpse?

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN     Most strange!

CERIMON

CERIMON     Shrouded in cloth of state,⁷³ balmed and entreasured

               With full bags of spices, a passport⁷⁴ too!

75

75            Apollo,⁷⁵ perfèct me in the characters:

               ‘Here I give to understand, Reads

               If e’er this coffin drives a-land,⁷⁷

               I, King Pericles, have lost

               This queen, worth all our mundane cost.⁷⁹

80

80            Who⁸⁰ finds her, give her burying:

               She was the daughter of a king.

               Besides this treasure for a fee,

               The gods requite his charity.’

               If thou livest, Pericles, thou hast a heart

85

85            That even⁸⁵ cracks for woe. This chanced tonight?

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN     Most likely, sir.

CERIMON

CERIMON     Nay, certainly tonight,

               For look how fresh she looks: they were too rough⁸⁸

               That threw her in the sea. Make a fire within,

90

90            Fetch hither all my boxes in my closet.⁹⁰

       [Exit a Servant]

               Death may usurp on nature many hours,

               And yet the fire of life kindle again

               The o’er-pressed⁹³ spirits. I heard of an Egyptian

               That had nine hours lain dead, who was

95

95            By good appliance⁹⁵ recoverèd.

       Enter one with napkins and fire

               Well said,⁹⁶ well said — the fire and cloths. The rough and

               Woeful music that we have, cause it to sound, beseech you. Music

               The viol⁹⁸ once more — how thou stirr’st, thou block!

               The music there! I pray you give her air. Music again

100

100          Gentlemen, this queen will live,

               Nature¹⁰¹ awakes a warm breath out of her!

               She hath not been entranced above¹⁰² five hours:

               See how she ’gins¹⁰³ to blow into life’s flower again.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     The heavens through you increase our wonder,

105

105          And sets up your fame for ever.

CERIMON

CERIMON     She is alive! Behold her eyelids, cases

               To those heavenly jewels¹⁰⁷ which Pericles hath lost,

               Begin to part their fringes¹⁰⁸ of bright gold.

               The diamonds¹⁰⁹ of a most praisèd water

110

110          Doth appear, to make the world twice rich. Live,

               And make us weep to hear your fate, fair creature,

               Rare¹¹² as you seem to be.

       She moves

THAISA

THAISA     O dear Diana, where am I? Where’s my lord?

               What world is this?

115

115 

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN             Is not this strange?

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     Most rare.¹¹⁶

CERIMON

CERIMON     Hush, my gentle neighbours.

               Lend me your hands, to the next chamber bear her.

               Get linen. Now this matter must be looked to,

120

120          For her relapse is mortal.¹²⁰ Come, come,

               And Aesculapius¹²¹ guide us.

       They carry her away. Exeunt

[Act 3 Scene 3]3.3

running scene 12

       Enter Pericles [and Lychorida with Marina] at Tarsus, with Cleon and Dionyza

PERICLES

PERICLES     Most honoured Cleon, I must needs be gone:

               My twelve months are expired, and Tyrus stands

               In a litigious³ peace. You and your lady

               Take⁴ from my heart all thankfulness, the gods

5

5              Make up the rest upon you.

CLEON

CLEON     Your shakes of fortune,⁶ though they haunt you mortally

               Yet glance⁷ full wond’ringly on us.

DIONYZA

DIONYZA     O, your sweet queen!

               That the strict fates had pleased you had brought her

10

10            Hither to have blessed mine eyes with her.

PERICLES

PERICLES     We cannot but obey the powers above us.

               Could I rage and roar as doth the sea she lies in,

               Yet the end must be as ’tis. My gentle babe Marina,¹³

               Whom, for she was born at sea, I have named so,

15

15            Here I charge¹⁵ your charity withal, leaving her

               The infant of¹⁶ your care, beseeching you to give her

               Princely training, that she¹⁷ may be mannered as she is born.

CLEON

CLEON     Fear not, my lord, but think

               Your grace that fed my country with your corn —

20

20            For²⁰ which the people’s prayers still fall upon you —

               Must in your child be thought on. If neglection²¹

               Should therein make me vile, the common body²²

               By you relieved, would force me to my duty,

               But if to that²⁴ my nature need a spur,

25

25            The gods revenge it upon me and mine,

               To²⁶ the end of generation.

PERICLES

PERICLES     I believe you: your honour and your goodness

               Teach me to’t²⁸ without your vows. Till she be married,

               Madam, by bright Diana whom we honour all,

30

30            Unscissored shall this hair of mine remain, Though

               I show ill in’t.³¹ So I take my leave:

               Good madam, make me blessèd³² in your care

               In bringing up my child.

DIONYZA

DIONYZA     I have one myself,

35

35            Who shall not be more dear to my respect³⁵

               Than yours, my lord.

PERICLES

PERICLES     Madam, my thanks and prayers.

CLEON

CLEON     We’ll bring your grace e’en to the edge o’th’shore,

               Then give you up to the masked³⁹ Neptune, and

40

40            The gentlest winds of heaven.

PERICLES

PERICLES     I will embrace your offer. Come, dearest; madam.—

               O, no tears, Lychorida, no tears! To Lychorida

               Look to your little mistress, on whose grace

               You may depend hereafter.— Come, my lord.

       [Exeunt]

[Act 3 Scene 4]3.4

running scene 13

       Enter Cerimon and Thaisa

CERIMON

CERIMON     Madam, this letter and some certain jewels

               Lay with you in your coffer,² which are

               At your command. Know you the character?³

       Shows the letter

THAISA

THAISA     It is my lord’s. That I was shipped at⁴ sea

5

5              I well remember, even on⁵ my eaning time,

               But whether there delivered,⁶ by the holy gods

               I cannot rightly⁷ say. But since King Pericles,

               My wedded lord, I ne’er shall see again,

               A vestal livery⁹ will I take me to

10

10            And never more have joy.

CERIMON

CERIMON     Madam, if this¹¹ you purpose as ye speak,

               Diana’s temple is not distant far,

               Where you may abide¹³ till your date expire.

               Moreover, if you please, a niece of mine

15

15            Shall there attend you.

THAISA

THAISA     My recompense¹⁶ is thanks, that’s all,

               Yet my good will is great, though the gift small.

       Exeunt

[Act 4 Chorus]

running scene 14

       Enter Gower

GOWER

GOWER     Imagine Pericles arrived at Tyre,

               Welcomed and settled to² his own desire.

               His woeful queen we leave at Ephesus,

               Unto Diana there’s⁴ a votaress.

5

5              Now to Marina bend⁵ your mind,

               Whom our fast-growing⁶ scene must find

               At Tarsus, and by Cleon trained

               In music’s letters,⁸ who hath gained

               Of education all the grace,

10

10            Which makes her both the heart and place¹⁰

               Of general wonder. But, alack,

               That monster envy, oft the wrack¹²

               Of earnèd¹³ praise, Marina’s life

               Seeks to take off by treason’s knife,

15

15            And in this kind:¹⁵ our Cleon hath

               One daughter and a full grown wench

               Even ripe¹⁷ for marriage-rite. This maid

               Hight¹⁸ Philoten, and it is said

               For certain¹⁹ in our story she

20

20            Would ever with Marina be,

               Be’t when they weaved the sleded²¹ silk,

               With fingers long, small,²² white as milk,

               Or when she would with sharp nee’le²³ wound

               The cambric²⁴ which she made more sound

25

25            By hurting it, or when to th’lute

               She sung, and made the night-bird²⁶ mute

               That still records with moan,²⁷ or when

               She would with rich²⁸ and constant pen,

               Vail²⁹ to her mistress Dian. Still

30

30            This Philoten contends in skill

               With absolute³¹ Marina: so

               With dove of Paphos³² might the crow

               Vie feathers white.³³ Marina gets

               All praises, which are paid as debts

35

35            And not as given.³⁵ This so darks

               In Philoten all graceful marks³⁶

               That Cleon’s wife with envy rare³⁷

               A present³⁸ murder does prepare

               For good Marina, that her daughter

40

40            Might stand peerless by this slaughter.

               The sooner her vile thoughts to stead,⁴¹

               Lychorida, our nurse, is dead,

               And cursèd Dionyza hath

               The pregnant⁴⁴ instrument of wrath

45

45            Pressed⁴⁵ for this blow. The unborn event

               I do commend to your content,⁴⁶

               Only I carry wingèd Time,⁴⁷

               Post⁴⁸ on the lame feet of my rhyme,

               Which never⁴⁹ could I so convey

50

50            Unless your thoughts went on my way.

               Dionyza does appear

               With Leonine a murderer.

       Exit

[Act 4 Scene 1]4.1

running scene 15

       Enter Dionyza with Leonine

DIONYZA

DIONYZA     Thy oath remember, thou hast sworn to do’t.

               ’Tis but a blow, which never shall be known,

               Thou canst not do a thing in the world so soon³

               To yield thee so much profit. Let not conscience,

5

5              Which is but cold, inflame love⁵ in thy bosom,

               Nor let pity, which even women have cast off,

               Melt thee, but be⁷ a soldier to thy purpose.

LEONINE

LEONINE     I will do’t, but yet she is a goodly⁸ creature.

DIONYZA

DIONYZA     The fitter⁹ then the gods should have her.

10

10            Here she comes weeping for her only¹⁰ mistress’ death —

               Thou art resolved?¹¹

LEONINE

LEONINE     I am resolved.

       Enter Marina with a basket of flowers

MARINA

MARINA     No: I will rob Tellus¹³ of her weed

               To strew thy green¹⁴ with flowers, the yellows, blues,

15

15            The purple violets, and marigolds,

               Shall as a carpet hang upon thy grave

               While summer days doth last. Ay me,¹⁷ poor maid,

               Born in a tempest when my mother died,

               This world to me is as a lasting¹⁹ storm,

20

20            Whirring²⁰ me from my friends.

DIONYZA

DIONYZA     How now,²¹ Marina, why do you keep alone?

               How chance²² my daughter is not with you?

               Do not consume your blood with sorrowing,²³

               Have²⁴ you a nurse of me! Lord, how your favour’s

25

25            Changed with this unprofitable woe!

               Come, give me your flowers, o’er²⁶ the sea margent

               Walk with Leonine. The air is quick²⁷ there

               And it pierces and sharpens the stomach.²⁸

               Come, Leonine, take her by the arm, walk with her.

30

30   

MARINA

MARINA             No, I pray you, I’ll not bereave you of your servant.

DIONYZA

DIONYZA     Come, come.

               I love the king your father and yourself

               With³³ more than foreign heart. We every day

               Expect him here: when he shall come and find

35

35            Our³⁵ paragon, to all reports, thus blasted,

               He will repent the breadth of his great voyage,

               Blame both my lord and me, that we have taker

               No care to your best courses.³⁸ Go, I pray you,

               Walk and be cheerful once again, reserve³⁹

40

40            That excellent complexion, which did steal

               The eyes of young and old. Care not for me,

               I can go home alone.

MARINA

MARINA     Well, I will go,

               But yet I have no desire to it.

45

45   

DIONYZA

DIONYZA             Come, come, I know ’tis good for you.

               Walk half an hour, Leonine, at the least.

               Remember what I have said.

LEONINE

LEONINE     I warrant⁴⁸ you, madam.

DIONYZA

DIONYZA     I’ll leave you, my sweet lady, for a while.

50

50            Pray walk softly,⁵⁰ do not heat your blood.

               What, I must have care of you!

MARINA

MARINA     My thanks, sweet madam.—

       [Exit Dionyza]

               Is this wind westerly that blows?

LEONINE

LEONINE     South-west.

55

55   

MARINA

MARINA             When I was born the wind was north.

LEONINE

LEONINE     Was’t so?

MARINA

MARINA     My father, as nurse says, did never fear,

               But cried ‘Good seamen’ to the sailors,

               Galling⁵⁹ his kingly hands haling ropes,

60

60            And clasping to the mast endured a sea

               That almost burst the deck.

LEONINE

LEONINE     When was this?

MARINA

MARINA     When I was born.

               Never was waves nor wind more violent,

65

65            And from the ladder tackle⁶⁵ washes off

               A canvas climber.⁶⁶ ‘Ha,’ says one, ‘wolt out?’

               And with a dropping⁶⁷ industry they skip

               From stem to stern,⁶⁸ the boatswain whistles, and

               The master calls and trebles their confusion.

70

70   

LEONINE

LEONINE             Come, say your prayers.

MARINA

MARINA     What mean you?

LEONINE

LEONINE     If you require a little space for prayer,

               I grant it. Pray, but be not tedious,

               For the gods are quick of ear and I am sworn

75

75            To do my work with haste.

MARINA

MARINA     Why will you kill me?

LEONINE

LEONINE     To satisfy my lady.

MARINA

MARINA     Why, would she have me killed, now?

               As I can remember, by my troth,⁷⁹

80

80            I never did her hurt in all my life.

               I never spake bad word, nor did ill turn

               To any living creature. Believe me, la,⁸²

               I never killed a mouse nor hurt a fly.

               I trod upon a worm against my will,

85

85            But I wept for’t. How have I offended,

               Wherein my death might yield her any profit

               Or my life imply her any danger?

LEONINE

LEONINE     My commission⁸⁸

               Is not to reason of the deed, but do’t.

90

90   

MARINA

MARINA             You will not do’t for all the world, I hope.

               You are well favoured,⁹¹ and your looks foreshow

               You have a gentle heart. I saw you lately

               When you caught hurt⁹³ in parting two that fought.

               Good sooth,⁹⁴ it showed well in you. Do so now:

95

95            Your lady seeks my life, come you between

               And save poor me, the weaker.

LEONINE

LEONINE     I am sworn and will dispatch. Seizes her

       Enter Pirates Leonine runs away

FIRST PIRATE

FIRST PIRATE     Hold, villain!

SECOND PIRATE

SECOND PIRATE     A prize,⁹⁹ a prize!

100

100 

THIRD PIRATE

THIRD PIRATE             Half part,¹⁰⁰ mates, half part! Come,

               let’s have¹⁰¹ her aboard suddenly.

       Exeunt [Pirates with Marina]

       Enter Leonine

LEONINE

LEONINE     These roguing¹⁰² thieves serve the great pirate Valdes,

               And they have seized Marina. Let her go,

               There’s no hope she will return — I’ll swear she’s dead,

105

105          And thrown into the sea. But I’ll see further.

               Perhaps they will but please themselves upon¹⁰⁶ her,

               Not carry her aboard. If she remain,

               Whom they have ravished¹⁰⁸ must by me be slain.

       Exit

[Act 4 Scene 2]4.2

running scene 16

       Enter the three bawds: [Pander, Bawd and Bolt]

PANDER

PANDER     Bolt.

BOLT

BOLT     Sir.

PANDER

PANDER     Search the market narrowly.³ Mytilene is full of gallants,⁴ we lost too much money this mart by being too wenchless.

BAWD

BAWD     We were never so much out of creatures.⁶ We have but poor three,⁷ and they can do no more than they can do, and they with continual action⁸ are even as good as rotten.⁹

PANDER

PANDER     Therefore let’s have fresh¹⁰ ones, whate’er we pay for them. If¹¹ there be not a conscience to be used in every trade, we shall never prosper.

BAWD

BAWD     Thou say’st true. ’Tis¹³ not our bringing up of poor bastards — as I think, I have brought up some eleven—

BOLT

BOLT     Ay, to¹⁶ eleven, and brought them down again. But shall I search the market?

BAWD

BAWD     What else, man? The stuff¹⁸ we have, a strong wind will blow¹⁹ it to pieces, they are so pitifully sodden.²⁰

PANDER

PANDER     Thou say’st true, they’re too unwholesome,²¹ o’conscience:²² the poor Transylvanian is dead that lay with the little baggage.²³

BOLT

BOLT     Ay, she quickly pooped²⁴ him, she made him roast²⁵ meat for worms. But I’ll go search the market.

       Exit

PANDER

PANDER     Three or four thousand chequins²⁷ were as pretty a proportion²⁸ to live quietly, and so give over.

BAWD

BAWD     Why to give over, I pray you? Is it a shame to get³⁰ when we are old?

PANDER

PANDER     O, our³¹ credit comes not in like the commodity, nor the commodity wages not with the danger. Therefore, if³³ in our youths we could pick up some pretty estate, ’twere not amiss to keep our door hatched. Besides, the sore³⁵ terms we stand upon with the³⁶ gods will be strong with us for giving o’er.

BAWD

BAWD     Come, other sorts³⁸ offend as well as we.

PANDER

PANDER     As well as we, ay, and better too. We offend worse: neither is our profession⁴⁰ any trade, it’s no calling.⁴¹ But here comes Bolt.

       Enter Bolt with the Pirates and Marina

BOLT

BOLT     Come your ways,⁴² my masters. You say she’s a virgin?

FIRST PIRATE

FIRST PIRATE     O, sir, we doubt it not.

BOLT

BOLT     Master, I have gone through⁴⁵ for this piece⁴⁶ you see. If you like her, so. If not, I have lost my earnest.⁴⁷

BAWD

BAWD     Bolt, has she any qualities?⁴⁸

BOLT

BOLT     She has a good face, speaks well, and has excellent good clothes: there’s⁵⁰ no further necessity of qualities can make her be refused.

BAWD

BAWD     What’s her price, Bolt?

BOLT

BOLT     I cannot be bated⁵³ one doit of a thousand pieces.⁵⁴

PANDER

PANDER     Well, follow me, my masters, you shall have your money presently.⁵⁶ Wife, take her in, instruct her what she has to do, that she may not be raw⁵⁸ in her entertainment.

       [Exeunt Pander and the Pirates]

BAWD

BAWD     Bolt, take you the marks⁵⁹ of her — the colour of her hair, complexion, height, her age — with warrant⁶¹ of her virginity, and cry: ‘He that will give most shall have her first.’ Such a maidenhead were no cheap thing, if men were as they have been. Get this done as I command you.

BOLT

BOLT     Performance shall follow.⁶⁶ Exit

MARINA

MARINA     Alack that Leonine was so slack, so slow:

               He should have struck, not spoke. Or that these pirates,

               Not enough barbarous, had but o’erboard thrown me,

70

70            For to seek my mother.

BAWD

BAWD     Why lament you, pretty one?

MARINA

MARINA     That I am pretty.

BAWD

BAWD     Come, the gods have done their part⁷³ in you.

75

75   

MARINA

MARINA     I accuse them not.

BAWD

BAWD     You are light⁷⁶ into my hands, where you are like⁷⁷ to live.

MARINA

MARINA     The more my fault,⁷⁸

               To scape his hands, where I was like to die.

80

80   

BAWD

BAWD     Ay, and you shall live in pleasure.

MARINA

MARINA     No.

BAWD

BAWD     Yes indeed shall you, and taste⁸² gentlemen of all fashions.⁸³ You shall fare well, you shall have the difference⁸⁴ of all complexions. What, do you stop your ears?

MARINA

MARINA     Are you a woman?

BAWD

BAWD     What would you have me be, an⁸⁷ I be not a woman?

MARINA

MARINA     An honest⁸⁹ woman, or not a woman.

BAWD

BAWD     Marry,⁹⁰ whip the gosling! I think I shall have something⁹¹ to do with you. Come, you’re a young foolish sapling⁹² and must be bowed as I would have you.

MARINA

MARINA     The gods defend me!

BAWD

BAWD     If it please the gods to defend you by⁹⁵ men, then men must comfort⁹⁶ you, men must feed you, men stir you up.⁹⁷

       [Enter Bolt]

Bolt’s returned. Now, sir, hast thou cried her⁹⁸ through the market?

BOLT

BOLT     I have cried her almost¹⁰⁰ to the number of her hairs, I have drawn her picture with my voice.

BAWD

BAWD     And I prithee tell me, how dost thou find the inclination of the people, especially of the younger sort?

BOLT

BOLT     Faith, they listened to me as they would have hearkened to their fathers’ testament.¹⁰⁶ There was a Spaniard’s¹⁰⁷ mouth watered, and he went to bed to her very description.

BAWD

BAWD     We shall have him here tomorrow with his best ruff¹⁰⁹ on.

BOLT

BOLT     Tonight, tonight!¹¹¹ But mistress, do you know the French¹¹² knight, that cowers i’th’hams?

BAWD

BAWD     Who, Monsieur Veroles?¹¹³

BOLT

BOLT     Ay, he. He offered¹¹⁴ to cut a caper at the proclamation, but he¹¹⁵ made a groan at it, and swore he would see her tomorrow.

BAWD

BAWD     Well, well. As for him, he¹¹⁷ brought his disease hither, here he does but repair¹¹⁸ it. I know he will come in our shadow¹¹⁹ to scatter his crowns in the sun.

BOLT

BOLT     Well, if we had of every nation a traveller,¹²¹ we should lodge¹²² them with this sign.

BAWD

BAWD     Pray you, come hither awhile. To Marina You¹²⁴ have fortunes coming upon you. Mark me, you must seem to do that fearfully which you commit willingly, despise¹²⁶ profit where you have most gain. To weep that you live as ye do makes¹²⁸ pity in your lovers. Seldom but that pity begets you a good opinion, and that opinion a mere¹²⁹ profit.

MARINA

MARINA     I understand you not.

BOLT

BOLT     O, take her home,¹³² mistress, take her home! These blushes of hers must be quenched with some present¹³⁴ practice.

BAWD

BAWD     Thou say’st true, i’faith, so they must, for your bride goes to that with shame¹³⁶ which is her way to go with warrant.

BOLT

BOLT     Faith,¹³⁸ some do, and some do not. But mistress, if I have bargained for the joint—

BAWD

BAWD     Thou mayst cut¹⁴⁰ a morsel off the spit.

BOLT

BOLT     I may so.

BAWD

BAWD     Who should deny it?— To Marina

Come, young one, I like the manner¹⁴³ of your garments well.

BOLT

BOLT     Ay, by my faith, they shall not be changed yet.

BAWD

BAWD     Bolt, spend thou that in the town. Gives money Report what a sojourner¹⁴⁸ we have, you’ll¹⁴⁹ lose nothing by custom. When Nature framed this piece,¹⁵⁰ she meant thee a good turn, therefore say what a paragon¹⁵¹ she is, and thou hast the harvest out of thine own report.

BOLT

BOLT     I warrant¹⁵³ you, mistress, thunder shall not so awake the beds of eels as my giving out¹⁵⁴ her beauty stirs up¹⁵⁵ the lewdly inclined. I’ll bring home some tonight.

       [Exit]

BAWD

BAWD     Come your ways,¹⁵⁷ follow me. To Marina

MARINA

MARINA     If fires be hot, knives sharp or waters deep,

               Untried¹⁵⁹ I still my virgin knot will keep.

160

160          Diana, aid my purpose!¹⁶⁰

BAWD

BAWD     What have we to do with Diana? Pray you, will you go with us? Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 3]4.3

running scene 17

       Enter Cleon and Dionyza

DIONYZA

DIONYZA     Why, are you foolish, can it be undone?

CLEON

CLEON     O Dionyza, such a piece of slaughter

               The sun and moon ne’er looked upon.

DIONYZA

DIONYZA     I think you’ll turn a child again.

5

5     

CLEON

CLEON             Were I chief lord of all this spacious world,

               I’d give it to undo the deed. O lady,

               Much less in blood⁷ than virtue, yet a princess

               To equal any single crown⁸ o’th’earth

               I’th’justice of compare.⁹ O villain

10

10            Leonine, whom thou hast poisoned too,

               If thou hadst drunk¹¹ to him ’t’ad been a kindness

               Becoming well thy face. What canst thou say

               When noble Pericles shall demand his child?

DIONYZA

DIONYZA     That she is dead. Nurses¹⁴ are not the Fates,

15

15            To foster it, not ever to preserve.

               She died at night, I’ll say so — who can cross¹⁶ it

               Unless you play the impious innocent,

               And for¹⁸ an honest attribute, cry out

               ‘She died by foul play.’

20

20   

CLEON

CLEON             O, go to!²⁰ Well, well,

               Of all the faults beneath the heavens, the gods

               Do like this worst.

DIONYZA

DIONYZA     Be one of those that thinks

               The petty²⁴ wrens of Tarsus will fly hence

25

25            And open²⁵ this to Pericles. I do shame

               To think of what a noble strain you are,

               And of how coward a spirit.

CLEON

CLEON     To such proceeding

               Whoever but²⁹ his approbation added,

30

30            Though not his prime consent, he did not³⁰ flow

               From honourable courses.

DIONYZA

DIONYZA     Be it so, then.

               Yet none does know but you how she came dead,³³

               Nor none can know, Leonine being gone.

35

35            She did disdain my child, and stood between

               Her and her fortunes: none would look on her,

               But cast their gazes on Marina’s face,

               Whilst ours was blurted at³⁸ and held a malkin

               Not³⁹ worth the time of day. It pierced me through,

40

40            And though you call my course⁴⁰ unnatural,

               You⁴¹ not your child well loving, yet I find

               It greets me⁴² as an enterprise of kindness

               Performed to your sole daughter.

CLEON

CLEON     Heavens forgive it!

45

45   

DIONYZA

DIONYZA             And as for Pericles, what should he say?

               We wept after her hearse, and yet⁴⁶ we mourn.

               Her monument is almost finished, and her epitaphs⁴⁷

               In glitt’ring golden characters⁴⁸ express

               A general⁴⁹ praise to her, and care in us

50

50            At whose expense ’tis done.

CLEON

CLEON     Thou art like⁵¹ the harpy,

               Which to betray, dost with thine angel’s face

               Seize with thine eagle’s talons.

DIONYZA

DIONYZA     Ye’re like one that superstitiously

55

55            Do swear⁵⁵ to th’gods that winter kills the flies.

               But yet I know, you’ll do as I advise.

       [Exeunt]

[Act 4 Second Chorus]

running scene 18

       Enter Gower

GOWER

GOWER     Thus time we waste¹ and long leagues make short,

               Sail seas in cockles,² have and wish but for’t,

               Making to³ take our imagination,

               From bourn⁴ to bourn, region to region.

5

5              By you being pardoned we commit no crime

               To use one language in each several⁶ clime

               Where our scenes seems to live. I do beseech you

               To learn of me, who stand i’th’gaps⁸ to teach you

               The stages⁹ of our story. Pericles

10

10            Is now again thwarting¹⁰ the wayward seas,

               Attended on by many a lord and knight,

               To see his daughter, all his life’s delight.

               Old Helicanus goes along: behind

               Is left to govern, if you bear in mind,

15

15            Old Escanes, whom Helicanus late¹⁵

               Advanced in time¹⁶ to great and high estate.

               Well-sailing ships and bounteous winds have brought

               This king to Tarsus. Think¹⁸ his pilot thought,

               So with his steerage shall your thoughts go on

20

20            To fetch his daughter home, who first is gone.

               Like motes²¹ and shadows see them move awhile,

               Your²² ears unto your eyes I’ll reconcile.

       Dumb show

       Enter Pericles at one door with all his train, Cleon and Dionyza at the other. Cleon shows Pericles the tomb, whereat Pericles makes lamentation, puts on sack-cloth, and in a mighty passion departs.

       [Exeunt Cleon and Dionyza]

GOWER

GOWER     See how belief may suffer by foul show:²³

               This borrowed²⁴ passion stands for true old woe.

25

25            And Pericles in sorrow all devoured,

               With sighs shot through and biggest tears o’ershowered.

               Leaves Tarsus and again embarks. He swears

               Never to wash his face nor cut his hairs.

               He puts on sackcloth, and to sea he bears²⁹

30

30            A tempest³⁰ which his mortal vessel tears,

               And yet he rides it out.³¹ Now please you wit

               The epitaph is³² for Marina writ

               By wicked Dionyza:

               ‘The fairest, sweetest and best lies here, Reads

35

35            Who withered in her spring of year:

               She was of Tyrus the king’s daughter

               On whom foul death hath made this slaughter.

               Marina was she called, and at her birth

               Thetis,³⁹ being proud, swallowed some part o’th’earth.

40

40            Therefore the earth, fearing to be o’erflowed,

               Hath Thetis’ birth-child on the heavens bestowed.

               Wherefore she⁴² does, and swears she’ll never stint,

               Make⁴³ raging batt’ry upon shores of flint.’

               No visor⁴⁴ does become black villainy

45

45            So well as soft and tender flattery.

               Let Pericles believe his daughter’s dead,

               And bear⁴⁷ his courses to be orderèd

               By Lady Fortune, while our scene⁴⁸ must play

               His daughter’s woe and heavy⁴⁹ well-a-day

50

50            In her unholy service. Patience, then,

               And think you now are all in Mytilene.

       Exit

[Act 4 Scene 4]*

running scene 19

       Enter two Gentlemen From the brothel

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     Did you ever hear the like?

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN     No, nor never shall do in such a place as this, she being once gone.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     But to have divinity⁴ preached there — did you ever dream of such a thing?

SECOND GENTLEMAN

SECOND GENTLEMAN     No, no. Come, I am for no more bawdy houses,⁷ shall’s go hear the vestals sing?

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     I’ll do anything now that is virtuous, but I am out of the road⁹ of rutting for ever.

       Exeunt

[Act 4 Scene 5]

running scene 19 continues

       Enter three bawds [Pander, Bawd and Bolt]

PANDER

PANDER     Well, I¹ had rather than twice the worth of her she had ne’er come here.

BAWD

BAWD     Fie, fie upon her, she’s able to freeze the god Priapus⁴ and undo a whole generation! We must either get her ravished or be rid of her. When she should do⁶ for clients her fitment, and do me the kindness⁷ of our profession, she has me her quirks,⁸ her reasons, her master reasons, her prayers, her knees, that she would make a puritan⁹ of the devil if he should cheapen¹⁰ a kiss of her.

BOLT

BOLT     Faith, I must ravish her, or she’ll disfurnish¹¹ us of all our cavalleria¹² and make our swearers priests.

PANDER

PANDER     Now the pox upon her green-sickness¹⁴ for me.

BAWD

BAWD     Faith, there’s no way to be rid on’t¹⁵ but by the¹⁶ way to the pox — here comes the lord Lysimachus disguised.

BOLT

BOLT     We should have both lord and loon,¹⁸ if the peevish¹⁹ baggage would but give way to customers.

       Enter Lysimachus

LYSIMACHUS

LYSIMACHUS     How²¹ now, how a dozen of virginities?

BAWD

BAWD     Now the²² gods to bless your honour!

BOLT

BOLT     I am glad to see your honour in good health.

LYSIMACHUS

LYSIMACHUS     You may, so: ’tis the better for you that²⁵ your resorters stand upon sound legs. How now? Wholesome iniquity²⁶ have you, that a man may deal withal²⁷ and defy the surgeon?

BAWD

BAWD     We have here one, sir, if she would — but there never came her like in Mytilene.

LYSIMACHUS

LYSIMACHUS     If she’d do the deeds of darkness,³⁰ thou wouldst say.

BAWD

BAWD     Your honour knows what³² ’tis to say well enough.

LYSIMACHUS

LYSIMACHUS     Well, call forth, call forth.

       [Exit Pander]

BOLT

BOLT     For flesh³⁵ and blood, sir, white and red, you shall see a rose,³⁶ and she were a rose indeed, if she had but—

LYSIMACHUS

LYSIMACHUS     What, prithee?

BOLT

BOLT     O, sir, I can be modest.³⁹

LYSIMACHUS

LYSIMACHUS     That⁴⁰ dignifies the renown of a bawd, no less than it gives a good report to a number to be chaste.

       [Enter Pander with Marina]

BAWD

BAWD     Here comes that⁴³ which grows to the stalk — never plucked yet, I can assure you. Is she not a fair creature?

LYSIMACHUS

LYSIMACHUS     Faith, she⁴⁶ would serve after a long voyage at sea. Well, there’s for you. Gives money Leave us.

BAWD

BAWD     I beseech your honour, give me leave: a word, and I’ll have done presently.⁵⁰

LYSIMACHUS

LYSIMACHUS     I beseech you, do.

BAWD

BAWD     First, I would have you note⁵² this is an honourable man. To Marina

MARINA

MARINA     I desire to find him so, that I may worthily note⁵⁴ him.

BAWD

BAWD     Next, he’s the governor of this country, and a man whom I am bound⁵⁷ to.

MARINA

MARINA     If he govern the country you are bound⁵⁸ to him indeed, but how honourable he is in that,⁵⁹ I know not.

BAWD

BAWD     Pray you, without any more virginal fencing,⁶¹ will you use him kindly?⁶² He will line your apron with gold.

MARINA

MARINA     What he will do graciously,⁶⁴ I will thankfully receive.

LYSIMACHUS

LYSIMACHUS     Ha’ you done?

BAWD

BAWD     My lord, she’s⁶⁷ not paced yet, you must take some pains to work⁶⁸ her to your manage.—Come, we will leave his honour and her together. To Bolt and Pander Go thy ways.⁷⁰

       [Exeunt Bawd, Bolt and Pander]

LYSIMACHUS

LYSIMACHUS     Now, pretty one, how long have you been at this trade?⁷²

MARINA

MARINA     What trade, sir?

LYSIMACHUS

LYSIMACHUS     Why, I cannot name’t but I shall offend.

MARINA

MARINA     I cannot be offended with my trade. Please you to name it.

LYSIMACHUS

LYSIMACHUS     How long have you been of this profession?

MARINA

MARINA     E’er since I can remember.

LYSIMACHUS

LYSIMACHUS     Did you go to’t⁸⁰ so young? Were you a gamester⁸¹ at five, or at seven?

MARINA

MARINA     Earlier too, sir, if now I be one.

LYSIMACHUS

LYSIMACHUS     Why, the house you dwell in proclaims you to be a creature of sale.⁸⁴

MARINA

MARINA     Do you know this house to be a place of such resort,⁸⁶ and will come into’t? I hear say you’re of honourable parts,⁸⁷ and are the governor of this place.

LYSIMACHUS

LYSIMACHUS     Why, hath your principal⁸⁹ made known unto you who I am?

MARINA

MARINA     Who is my principal?

LYSIMACHUS

LYSIMACHUS     Why, your herb-woman,⁹² she that sets⁹³ seeds and roots of shame and iniquity. O, you have heard something of my power, and so stand aloof for more serious wooing! But I protest to thee, pretty one, my⁹⁶ authority shall not see thee, or else look friendly upon thee. Come, bring me to some private place. Come, come.

MARINA

MARINA     If⁹⁹ you were born to honour, show it now, If¹⁰⁰ put upon you, make the judgement good That thought you worthy of it.

LYSIMACHUS

LYSIMACHUS     How’s this? How’s this? Some more, be sage.¹⁰²

MARINA

MARINA     For me

               That am a maid, though most ungentle fortune

105

105          Have placed me in this sty,¹⁰⁵ where, since I came,

               Diseases¹⁰⁶ have been sold dearer than physic.

               That the gods

               Would set me free from this unhallowed place,

               Though they did change me to the meanest¹⁰⁹ bird

110

110          That flies i’th’purer air!

LYSIMACHUS

LYSIMACHUS     I did not think thou couldst have spoke so well,

               Ne’er dreamt thou couldst!

               Had I brought hither a corrupted mind,

               Thy speech had altered it. Hold, here’s gold for thee: Gives gold

115

115          Persevere in that clear¹¹⁵ way thou goest

               And the gods strengthen thee!

MARINA

MARINA     The good gods preserve you.

LYSIMACHUS

LYSIMACHUS     For me be you thoughten,¹¹⁸ that I came

               With no ill intent, for to me the very doors

120

120          And windows savour¹²⁰ vilely. Fare thee well —

               Thou art a piece of virtue,¹²¹ and I doubt not

               But thy training¹²² hath been noble.

               Hold, here’s more gold for thee. Gives gold

               A curse upon him, die he like a thief

125

125          That robs thee of thy goodness. If thou dost

               Hear from me it shall be for thy good.

       [Enter Bolt]

BOLT

BOLT     I beseech your honour, one piece for me?

LYSIMACHUS

LYSIMACHUS     Avaunt,¹²⁸ thou damned doorkeeper!

               Your house, but for this virgin that doth prop it,¹²⁹

130

130          Would sink and overwhelm you. Away!

       [Exit]

BOLT

BOLT     How’s this? We must take another course¹³² with you! If your peevish chastity, which is not worth a breakfast in the cheapest country under the cope,¹³⁴ shall undo a whole household, let me be gelded like a spaniel.¹³⁵ Come your ways.

MARINA

MARINA     Whither¹³⁶ would you have me?

BOLT

BOLT     I must have your maidenhead taken off, or the common hangman¹³⁸ shall execute it. Come your ways, we’ll have no more gentlemen driven away. Come your ways, I say.

       Enter bawds [Bawd and Pander]

BAWD

BAWD     How now, what’s the matter?

BOLT

BOLT     Worse and worse, mistress. She has here spoken holy words to the Lord Lysimachus.

BAWD

BAWD     O, abominable!

BOLT

BOLT     He makes our profession as it were to stink afore the face of the gods.

BAWD

BAWD     Marry, hang her up for ever!

BOLT

BOLT     The nobleman would have dealt¹⁴⁸ with her like a nobleman, and she sent him away as cold as a snowball, saying his prayers, too.

BAWD

BAWD     Bolt, take her away, use her at thy pleasure: crack¹⁵² the glass of her virginity and make the rest malleable.

BOLT

BOLT     An if¹⁵⁴ she were a thornier piece of ground than she is, she shall be ploughed.¹⁵⁵

MARINA

MARINA     Hark, hark you gods!

BAWD

BAWD     She conjures!¹⁵⁷ Away with her, would she had never come within my doors. Marry, hang you! She’s born to undo us. Will you not go the way of womankind? Marry, come up,¹⁶⁰ my dish of chastity with rosemary¹⁶¹ and bays!

       [Exeunt Bawd and Pander]

BOLT

BOLT     Come, mistress, come your way with me.

MARINA

MARINA     Whither wilt thou have me?

BOLT

BOLT     To take from you the jewel¹⁶⁴ you hold so dear.

MARINA

MARINA     Prithee, tell me one thing first.

BOLT

BOLT     Come now, your one thing?¹⁶⁷

MARINA

MARINA     What¹⁶⁸ canst thou wish thine enemy to be?

BOLT

BOLT     Why, I could wish him to be my master, or rather my mistress.

MARINA

MARINA     Neither of these are so bad as thou art,

               Since they do¹⁷² better thee in their command.

               Thou hold’st a place¹⁷³ for which the painèd’st fiend

               Of hell would not in reputation change:¹⁷⁴

175

175          Thou art the damned doorkeeper¹⁷⁵ to every

               Coistrel¹⁷⁶ that comes inquiring for his Tib.

               To¹⁷⁷ the choleric fisting of every rogue

               Thy ear is liable, thy¹⁷⁸ food is such

               As hath been belched on by infected lungs.

BOLT

BOLT     What would you have me do? Go to the wars, would you?¹⁸¹ Where a man may serve seven years for¹⁸² the loss of a leg, and have not money enough in the end to buy him a wooden one?

185

185 

MARINA

MARINA             Do anything but this thou dost. Empty

               Old receptacles¹⁸⁶ or common shores of filth,

               Serve by indenture¹⁸⁷ to the common hangman:

               Any of these ways are yet better than this,

               For what thou professest¹⁸⁹ a baboon, could he speak,

190

190          Would own¹⁹⁰ a name too dear. O, that the gods

               Would safely deliver me from this place!

               Here, here’s gold for thee. If that thy master would gain Gives gold

               By me, proclaim that I can sing, weave, sew, and dance,

               With other virtues¹⁹⁴ which I’ll keep from boast,

195

195          And will undertake all these to teach.

               I doubt not but this populous city will

               Yield many scholars.

BOLT

BOLT     But can you teach all this you speak of?

MARINA

MARINA     Prove that I cannot, take me home again And prostitute me to the basest groom²⁰⁰ That doth frequent your house.

BOLT

BOLT     Well, I will see what I can do for thee. If I can place thee, I will.

MARINA

MARINA     But amongst honest²⁰⁴ women.

BOLT

BOLT     Faith, my²⁰⁵ acquaintance lies little amongst them. But since my master and mistress hath bought you, there’s no going but by their consent. Therefore I will make them acquainted with your purpose, and I doubt not but I shall find them tractable²¹⁰ enough. Come, I’ll do for thee what I can. Come your ways.²¹¹

       Exeunt

[Act 5 Chorus]

running scene 20

       Enter Gower

GOWER

GOWER     Marina thus the brothel scapes, and chances

               Into an honest house, our story says.

               She sings like one immortal, and she³ dances

               As goddess-like to her admirèd lays.⁴

5

5              Deep⁵ clerks she dumbs, and with her nee’le composes

               Nature’s own shape of bud, bird, branch or berry,

               That even her art sisters⁷ the natural roses,

               Her inkle,⁸ silk, twin with the rubied cherry.

               That pupils lacks she none of noble race,

10

10            Who pour their bounty on her, and her gain

               She gives the cursèd bawd. Here we her place,

               And to her father turn our thoughts again,

               Where we left him on the sea. We there him lost,

               Whence, driven before the winds, he is arrived

15

15            Here where his daughter dwells, and on this coast

               Suppose him now at anchor. The city strived

               God Neptune’s annual feast to keep, from whence

               Lysimachus our Tyrian ship espies,

               His¹⁹ banners sable, trimmed with rich expense,

20

20            And to him in his barge with fervour hies.²⁰

               In your supposing²¹ once more put your sight

               Of heavy²² Pericles: think this his bark,

               Where what²³ is done in action, more if might,

               Shall be discovered, please you sit and hark.

       Exit

[Act 5 Scene 1]5.1

running scene 21

       Enter Helicanus, to him two Sailors

       One of Tyre and one of Mytilene

SAILOR OF TYRE

SAILOR OF TYRE     Where is Lord Helicanus? He can resolve¹ you— To Sailor of Mytilene

               O, here he is.—

               Sir, there is a barge put off from Mytilene, To Helicanus

               And in it is Lysimachus, the governor,

5

5              Who craves to come aboard. What is your will?

HELICANUS

HELICANUS     That he have his. Call up some gentlemen.

SAILOR OF TYRE

SAILOR OF TYRE     Ho, gentlemen, my lord calls!

       Enter two or three Gentlemen Of Tyre

FIRST GENTLEMAN

FIRST GENTLEMAN     Doth your lordship call?

HELICANUS

HELICANUS     Gentlemen, there is some of worth⁹ would come aboard.

10

10            I pray, greet him fairly.¹⁰

       Enter Lysimachus And a Lord

SAILOR OF MYTILENE

SAILOR OF MYTILENE     Sir, To Lysimachus

               This is the man that can in aught you would¹²

               Resolve you.

LYSIMACHUS

LYSIMACHUS     Hail, reverent¹⁴ sir, the gods preserve you.

15

15   

HELICANUS

HELICANUS             And you, to outlive the age I am

               And die¹⁶ as I would do.

LYSIMACHUS

LYSIMACHUS     You wish me well.

               Being on shore, honouring of Neptune’s triumphs,¹⁸

               Seeing this goodly vessel ride before us,

20

20            I made to it, to know of whence you are.

HELICANUS

HELICANUS     First, what is your place?²¹

LYSIMACHUS

LYSIMACHUS     I am the governor of this place you lie before.

HELICANUS

HELICANUS     Sir, our vessel is of Tyre, in it the king,

               A man, who for this²⁴ three months hath not spoken

25

25            To anyone, nor taken sustenance

               But to prorogue²⁶ his grief.

LYSIMACHUS

LYSIMACHUS     Upon²⁷ what ground is his distemperature?

HELICANUS

HELICANUS     ’Twould be too tedious²⁸ to repeat,

               But the main grief springs from the loss of a

30

30            Belovèd daughter and a wife.

LYSIMACHUS

LYSIMACHUS     May we not see him?

HELICANUS

HELICANUS     You may, but bootless³² is your sight: he will

               Not speak to any.

LYSIMACHUS

LYSIMACHUS     Yet let me obtain my wish.

35

35   

HELICANUS

HELICANUS             Behold him. Reveals Pericles This was a goodly person.

               Till the disaster that one mortal³⁶ night

               Drove him to this.

LYSIMACHUS

LYSIMACHUS     Sir king, all hail, the gods preserve you! To Pericles

               Hail, royal sir!

40

40   

HELICANUS

HELICANUS             It is in vain, he will not speak to you.

LORD

LORD     Sir, we have a maid in Mytilene, I durst wager

               Would win some words of him.

LYSIMACHUS

LYSIMACHUS     ’Tis well bethought.

               She questionless with her sweet harmony

45

45            And other chosen⁴⁵ attractions, would allure

               And make⁴⁶ a battery through his deafened parts,

               Which now are midway stopped,

               She is all happy⁴⁸ as the fairest of all,

               And with her fellow maid is now upon

50

50            The leafy shelter that abuts against

               The island’s side.

       [Exit Lord]

HELICANUS

HELICANUS     Sure all effectless,⁵² yet nothing we’ll omit

               That bears recovery’s name.⁵³ But since your kindness

               We have stretched thus far, let us beseech you

55

55            That for our gold we may provision have,

               Wherein we are not destitute for want

               But weary for the staleness.

LYSIMACHUS

LYSIMACHUS     O, sir, a courtesy

               Which if we should deny, the most just gods

60

60            For every graft⁶⁰ would send a caterpillar

               And so inflict⁶¹ our province. Yet once more

               Let me entreat to know at large⁶² the cause

               Of your king’s sorrow.

HELICANUS

HELICANUS     Sit, sir, I will recount it to you—

       [Enter Lord with Marina and her companion]

65

65            But see, I am prevented.

LYSIMACHUS

LYSIMACHUS     O, here’s the lady that I sent for!—

               Welcome, fair one— is’t not a goodly present?⁶⁷

HELICANUS

HELICANUS     She’s a gallant⁶⁸ lady.

LYSIMACHUS

LYSIMACHUS     She’s such a one that, were I well assured

70

70            Came of a gentle kind⁷⁰ and noble stock,

               I’d wish no better choice, and think me rarely wed.⁷¹

               Fair one, all goodness that consists⁷² in beauty

               Expect even here, where is a kingly patient.

               If that thy prosperous⁷⁴ and artificial feat

75

75            Can draw him but to answer thee in aught,⁷⁵

               Thy sacred physic⁷⁶ shall receive such pay

               As thy desires can wish.

MARINA

MARINA     Sir, I will use my utmost skill in his

               Recovery, provided that none but

80

80            I and my companion maid be suffered⁸⁰

               To come near him.

LYSIMACHUS

LYSIMACHUS     Come, let us leave her, and the gods make her prosperous.

       The Song

       All men except Pericles stand aside while Marina sings

LYSIMACHUS

LYSIMACHUS     Marked he⁸⁴ your music? Comes forward

85

85   

MARINA

MARINA             No, nor looked on us.

LYSIMACHUS

LYSIMACHUS     See, she will speak to him. Steps back

MARINA

MARINA     Hail, sir! My lord, lend ear.

PERICLES

PERICLES     Hum, ha. Pushes Marina away

MARINA

MARINA     I am a maid,

90

90            My lord, that ne’er before invited eyes,

               But have been gazed on like a comet. She speaks,

               My lord, that maybe hath endured a grief

               Might equal yours, if both were justly weighed.⁹³

               Though wayward⁹⁴ Fortune did malign my state,

95

95            My derivation was from ancestors

               Who stood equivalent with mighty kings,

               But time hath rooted out⁹⁷ my parentage,

               And to the world and awkward casualties⁹⁸

               Bound me in servitude.— I will desist, Aside

100

100          But there is something¹⁰⁰ glows upon my cheek

               And whispers in mine ear, ‘Go not till he speak.’

PERICLES

PERICLES     My fortunes — parentage — good parentage —

               To equal mine? Was it not thus? What say you?

MARINA

MARINA     I said, my lord, if you did know my parentage

105

105          You would not do me violence.

PERICLES

PERICLES     I do think so. Pray you, turn your eyes upon me.

               You’re like something that — What countrywoman?¹⁰⁷

               Here of these shores?

MARINA

MARINA     No, nor of any shores,

110

110          Yet I was mortally brought forth and am

               No other than I appear.

PERICLES

PERICLES     I am great¹¹² with woe, and shall deliver weeping.

               My dearest wife was like this maid, and such a one

               My daughter might have been. My queen’s square brows,¹¹⁴

115

115          Her stature to an inch, as wand-like straight,¹¹⁵

               As silver-voiced, her eyes as jewel-like,

               And cased¹¹⁷ as richly, in pace another Juno,

               Who starves¹¹⁸ the ears she feeds, and makes them hungry

               The more she gives them speech. Where do you live?

120

120 

MARINA

MARINA             Where I am but a stranger: from the deck

               You may discern the place.

PERICLES

PERICLES     Where were you bred?

               And how achieved you these endowments which

               You make more rich to owe?¹²⁴

125

125 

MARINA

MARINA             If I should tell my history, it would seem

               Like lies disdained in the reporting.

PERICLES

PERICLES     Prithee speak,

               Falseness cannot come from thee, for thou look’st

               Modest as justice,¹²⁹ and thou seem’st a palace

130

130          For the crowned truth to dwell in. I will believe thee

               And make senses credit thy relation¹³¹

               To¹³² points that seem impossible, for thou look’st

               Like one I loved indeed. What were thy friends?¹³³

               Did’st thou not say when I did push thee back —

135

135          Which was when I perceived thee — that thou cam’st

               From good descending?

MARINA

MARINA     So indeed I did.

PERICLES

PERICLES     Report thy parentage. I think thou saidst

               Thou hadst been tossed from wrong to injury,

140

140          And that thou thought’st thy griefs might equal mine,

               If both were opened.¹⁴¹

MARINA

MARINA     Some such thing I said,

               And said no more but what my thoughts

               Did warrant¹⁴⁴ me was likely.

145

145 

PERICLES

PERICLES             Tell thy story.

               If thine considered prove the thousand part

               Of my endurance,¹⁴⁷ thou art a man, and I

               Have suffered like a girl. Yet thou dost look

               Like Patience,¹⁴⁹ gazing on kings’ graves and smiling

150

150          Extremity¹⁵⁰ out of act. What were thy friends?

               How lost thou them? Thy name, my most kind virgin?

               Recount, I do beseech thee. Come, sit by me.

MARINA

MARINA     My name is Marina. Sits

PERICLES

PERICLES     O, I am mocked,

155

155          And thou by some incensèd god sent hither

               To make the world to laugh at me!

MARINA

MARINA     Patience,

               Good sir, or here I’ll cease.

PERICLES

PERICLES     Nay, I’ll be patient.

160

160          Thou little know’st how thou dost startle me

               To call thyself Marina.

MARINA

MARINA     The name

               Was given me by one that had some power:

               My father, and a king.

165

165 

PERICLES

PERICLES             How! A king’s daughter?

               And called Marina?

MARINA

MARINA     You said you would believe me,

               But not to be a troubler of your peace,

               I will end here.

170

170 

PERICLES

PERICLES             But are you flesh and blood?

               Have you a working pulse, and are no fairy?

               Motion?¹⁷² Well, speak on. Where were you born?

               And wherefore called Marina?

MARINA

MARINA     Called Marina,

175

175          For I was born at sea.

PERICLES

PERICLES     At sea? What mother?

MARINA

MARINA     My mother was the daughter of a king,

               Who died the minute I was born,

               As my good nurse Lychorida hath oft

180

180          Delivered weeping.¹⁸⁰

PERICLES

PERICLES     O, stop there a little!

               This is the rarest dream that e’er dulled¹⁸² sleep

               Did mock sad fools withal.¹⁸³ This cannot be

               My daughter, buried.¹⁸⁴ Well, where were you bred?

185

185          I’ll hear you more, to th’bottom of your story,

               And never interrupt you.

MARINA

MARINA     You scorn. Believe me, ’twere best I did give o’er.

PERICLES

PERICLES     I will believe you by the syllable¹⁸⁸

               Of what you shall deliver. Yet give me leave —

190

190          How came you in these parts? Where were you bred?

MARINA

MARINA     The king my father did in Tarsus leave me,

               Till cruel Cleon, with his wicked wife,

               Did seek to murder me, and wooed a villain

               To attempt it, who having drawn¹⁹⁴ to do’t,

195

195          A crew of pirates came and rescued me,

               Brought me to Mytilene. But, good sir,

               Whither¹⁹⁷ will you have me? Why do you weep? It may be

               You think me an imposture.¹⁹⁸ No, good faith.

               I am the daughter to King Pericles,

200

200          If good King Pericles be.²⁰⁰

PERICLES

PERICLES     Ho, Helicanus! Calls

HELICANUS

HELICANUS     Calls my lord?

       Helicanus, Lysimachus, and Attendants come forward

PERICLES

PERICLES     Thou art a grave and noble counsellor,

               Most wise in general.²⁰⁴ Tell me if thou canst,

205

205          What this maid is, or what is like²⁰⁵ to be,

               That thus hath made me weep.

HELICANUS

HELICANUS     I know not,

               But here’s the regent, sir, of Mytilene,

               Speaks²⁰⁹ nobly of her.

210

210 

LYSIMACHUS

LYSIMACHUS             She never would tell

               Her parentage, being demanded that,

               She would sit still²¹² and weep.

PERICLES

PERICLES     O, Helicanus, strike me!— Honoured sir, To Lysimachus

               Give²¹⁴ me a gash! Put me to present pain,

215

215          Lest this great sea of joys rushing upon me

               O’erbear²¹⁶ the shores of my mortality,

               And drown me with their sweetness.— O, come hither, To Marina

               Thou that beget’st²¹⁸ him that did thee beget,

               Thou that wast born at sea, buried at Tarsus,

220

220          And found at sea again! O Helicanus,

               Down on thy knees, thank the holy gods as²²¹ loud

               As thunder threatens us: this is Marina!

               What was thy mother’s name? Tell me but that,

               For truth can never be confirmed enough

225

225          Though doubts did ever sleep.²²⁵

MARINA

MARINA     First, sir, I pray, what is your title?

PERICLES

PERICLES     I am Pericles of Tyre. But tell me now

               My drowned queen’s name, as in the rest you said

               Thou hast been god-like perfect, the heir of kingdoms,

230

230          And another life to Pericles thy father.

MARINA

MARINA     Is it no more to be your daughter than

               To say my mother’s name was Thaisa?

               Thaisa was my mother, who did end

               The minute I began.

235

235 

PERICLES

PERICLES             Now blessing on thee! Rise, th’art my child.— She rises

               Give me fresh garments.— To Attendants Mine own, Helicanus!

               She is not dead at Tarsus, as she should have been,

               By savage Cleon. She shall tell thee all,

               When²³⁹ thou shalt kneel and justify in knowledge

240

240          She is thy very princess. Who is this?

HELICANUS

HELICANUS     Sir, ’tis the governor of Mytilene,

               Who hearing of your melancholy state

               Did come to see you.

PERICLES

PERICLES     I embrace you.— To Lysimachus

245

245          Give me my robes. I am wild²⁴⁵ in my beholding. To Attendants

               O heavens, bless my girl! But hark, what music?

               Tell Helicanus, my Marina, tell him

               O’er point by point, for yet he seems to doubt²⁴⁸

               How sure²⁴⁹ you are my daughter. But what music?

250

250 

HELICANUS

HELICANUS             My lord, I hear none.

PERICLES

PERICLES     None?

               The music²⁵² of the spheres! List, my Marina.

LYSIMACHUS

LYSIMACHUS     It is not good to cross²⁵³ him, give him way.

PERICLES

PERICLES     Rarest²⁵⁴ sounds, do ye not hear?

255

255 

LYSIMACHUS

LYSIMACHUS             Music, my lord? I hear.

PERICLES

PERICLES     Most heavenly music.

               It nips²⁵⁷ me unto list’ning, and thick slumber

               Hangs upon mine eyes. Let me rest. Sleeps

LYSIMACHUS

LYSIMACHUS     A pillow for his head. So, leave him all. To Attendants

260

260          Well, my companion friends,

               If this but answer²⁶¹ to my just belief,

               I’ll well remember²⁶² you.

       All except Pericles stand back

       [Enter] Diana

DIANA

DIANA     My temple stands in Ephesus. Hie thee thither²⁶³

               And do upon mine altar sacrifice.

265

265          There when my maiden²⁶⁵ priests are met together,

               Before the people all

               Reveal how thou at sea didst lose thy wife,

               To mourn thy crosses²⁶⁸ with thy daughter’s. Call,

               And give²⁶⁹ them repetition to the life.

270

270          Perform my bidding, or thou liv’st in woe:

               Do it, and happy, by my silver bow.²⁷¹

               Awake and tell thy dream.

       [Exit Diana]

PERICLES

PERICLES     Celestial Dian, goddess argentine.²⁷³

               I will obey thee.— Helicanus!

       Helicanus, Lysimachus, and Marina come forward

275

275 

HELICANUS

HELICANUS             Sir.

PERICLES

PERICLES     My purpose was for²⁷⁶ Tarsus, there to strike

               The inhospitable Cleon, but I am

               For other service first. Toward Ephesus

               Turn our blown²⁷⁹ sails, eftsoons I’ll tell thee why.

280

280          Shall we refresh us, sir, To Lysimachus upon your shore

               And give you gold for such provision

               As our intents will need?

LYSIMACHUS

LYSIMACHUS     Sir, with all my heart,

               And when you come ashore I have another suit.

285

285 

PERICLES

PERICLES             You shall prevail, were it to woo my daughter,

               For it seems you have been noble towards her.

LYSIMACHUS

LYSIMACHUS     Sir, lend me your arm.

PERICLES

PERICLES     Come, my Marina. Exeunt

[Act 5 Second Chorus]

running scene 22

       Enter Gower

GOWER

GOWER     Now our sands are almost run,

               More a little,² and then dumb.

               This my last boon³ give me,

               For such kindness must relieve me:

5

5              That you aptly⁵ will suppose

               What pageantry, what feats, what shows,

               What minstrelsy,⁷ and pretty din,

               The regent made in Mytilene

               To greet the king. So he thrived

10

10            That he is promised to be wived

               To fair Marina, but in no wise¹¹

               Till he¹² had done his sacrifice

               As Dian bade, whereto being bound,¹³

               The interim,¹⁴ pray you, all confound.

15

15            In feathered briefness¹⁵ sails are filled,

               And wishes fall out as they’re willed.

               At Ephesus the temple see

               Our king and all his company.

               That he can hither come so soon,

20

20            Is by²⁰ your fancies’ thankful doom.

       [Exit]

[Act 5 Scene 2]5.2

running scene 23

       [Enter Pericles, Marina, Lysimachus, Helicanus and Attendants, and Thaisa, Cerimon and the Priests of Diana]

PERICLES

PERICLES     Hail Dian! To perform thy just¹ command,

               I here confess² myself the King of Tyre,

               Who frighted from my country did wed

               At Pentapolis, the fair Thaisa.

5

5              At sea in childbed died she, but brought forth

               A maid-child called Marina whom, O goddess,

               Wears⁷ yet thy silver livery. She at Tarsus

               Was nursed with Cleon, who at fourteen years

               He sought to murder, but her better stars⁹

10

10            Brought her to Mytilene, against¹⁰ whose shore

               Riding, her fortunes brought the maid aboard us,

               Where by her own most clear remembrance she

               Made known herself my daughter.

THAISA

THAISA     Voice and favour!¹⁴

15

15            You are, you are, O royal Pericles! She faints

PERICLES

PERICLES     What means the nun? She dies — help, gentlemen!

CERIMON

CERIMON     Noble sir, if you have told Diana’s altar true,

               This is your wife.

PERICLES

PERICLES     Reverend appearer,¹⁹ no.

20

20            I threw her overboard with these very arms.

CERIMON

CERIMON     Upon this coast, I warrant you.

PERICLES

PERICLES     ’Tis most certain.

CERIMON

CERIMON     Look to the lady. O, she’s but o’erjoyed.

               Early one blustering morn this lady was

25

25            Thrown upon this shore. I oped the coffin,

               Found there rich jewels, recovered her, and placed her

               Here in Diana’s temple.

PERICLES

PERICLES     May we see them?

CERIMON

CERIMON     Great sir, they shall be brought you to my house,

30

30            Whither I invite you. Look, Thaisa is recovered.

THAISA

THAISA     O, let me look! Rises

               If he be none of mine, my sanctity³²

               Will to my sense³³ bend no licentious ear,

               But curb³⁴ it, spite of seeing. O my lord,

35

35            Are you not Pericles? Like him you spake,

               Like him you are. Did you not name a tempest,

               A birth and death?

PERICLES

PERICLES     The voice of dead Thaisa!

THAISA

THAISA     That Thaisa am I,

40

40            Supposèd dead and drowned.

PERICLES

PERICLES     Immortal Dian!

THAISA

THAISA     Now I know you better.

               When we with tears parted Pentapolis,

               The king my father gave you such a ring.

       Points to his ring

45

45   

PERICLES

PERICLES             This, this! No more, you gods, your present kindness

               Makes my past miseries sports!⁴⁶ You shall do well

               That on the touching of her lips I may melt

               And no more be seen. O, come, be buried

               A second time within these arms. Embraces her

50

50   

MARINA

MARINA             My heart Kneels

               Leaps to be gone into my mother’s bosom.

PERICLES

PERICLES     Look who kneels here, flesh of thy flesh, Thaisa,

               Thy burden at the sea, and called Marina

               For she was yielded⁵⁴ there.

55

55   

THAISA

THAISA             Blest, and mine own. They embrace

HELICANUS

HELICANUS     Hail, madam, and my queen.

THAISA

THAISA     I know you not.

PERICLES

PERICLES     You have heard me say, when I did fly from Tyre,

               I left behind an ancient substitute.⁵⁹

60

60            Can you remember what I called the man?

               I have named him oft.

THAISA

THAISA     ’Twas Helicanus then.

PERICLES

PERICLES     Still confirmation.

               Embrace him, dear Thaisa, this is he.

       They embrace

65

65            Now do I long to hear how you were found,

               How possibly preserved,⁶⁶ and who to thank,

               Besides the gods, for this great miracle?

THAISA

THAISA     Lord Cerimon, my lord: this man

               Through whom the gods have shown their power, that can

70

70            From first to last resolve you.

PERICLES

PERICLES     Reverend sir, To Cerimon

               The gods can have no mortal officer⁷²

               More like a god than you, will you deliver

               How this dead queen relives?

75

75   

CERIMON

CERIMON             I will, my lord,

               Beseech you, first go with me to my house,

               Where shall⁷⁷ be shown you all was found with her,

               How she came placèd⁷⁸ here in the temple,

               No needful thing omitted.

80

80   

PERICLES

PERICLES             Pure Dian,

               I bless thee for thy vision, and will offer

               Night oblations⁸² to thee. Thaisa,

               This prince, the fair⁸³ betrothèd of your daughter,

               Shall marry her at Pentapolis,

85

85            And now this ornament⁸⁵

               Makes⁸⁶ me look dismal will I clip to form,

               And what this fourteen years no razor touched

               To grace thy marriage-day I’ll beautify.

THAISA

THAISA     Lord Cerimon hath letters of good credit,⁸⁹

90

90            Sir, my father’s dead.

PERICLES

PERICLES     Heavens make a star of him! Yet there⁹¹ my queen,

               We’ll celebrate their nuptials, and ourselves

               Will in that kingdom spend our following days.

               Our son⁹⁴ and daughter shall in Tyrus reign.

95

95            Lord Cerimon, we do⁹⁵ our longing stay

               To hear the rest untold.⁹⁶ Sir, lead’s the way.

       [Exeunt]

[Epilogue]

       [Enter Gower]

GOWER

GOWER     In Antiochus and his daughter you have heard

               Of monstrous lust the due and just reward.

               In Pericles, his queen and daughter seen,

               Although assailed with fortune fierce and keen,⁴

5

5              Virtue preserved from fell⁵ destruction’s blast,

               Led on by heaven and crowned with joy at last.

               In Helicanus may you well descry⁷

               A figure⁸ of truth, of faith, of loyalty.

               In reverend Cerimon there well appears

10

10            The worth that learnèd charity aye¹⁰ wears.

               For wicked Cleon and his wife, when fame¹¹

               Had spread his cursèd deed to¹² th’honoured name

               Of Pericles, to¹³ rage the city turn,

               That him and his they in his palace burn.

15

15            The gods for murder seemèd so¹⁵ content

               To punish, although¹⁶ not done, but meant.

               So, on your patience evermore attending,

               New joy wait on you. Here our play has ending.

       [Exit]

Textual Notes

Q = First Quarto text of 1609

Q2 = a correction introduced in the Second Quarto text of 1609

Q3 = a correction introduced in the Third Quarto text of 1611

Q4 = a correction introduced in the Fourth Quarto text of 1619

Q5 = a correction introduced in the Fifth Quarto text of 1630

F3 = a correction introduced in the Third Folio text, second issue, of 1664

F4 = a correction introduced in the Fourth Folio text of 1685

PA = a reading in George Wilkins’ novel, The Painfull Adventures of Pericles, Prince of Tyre (1608)

Ed = a correction introduced by a later editor

SD = stage direction

SH = speech heading (i.e., speaker’s name)

List of parts = Ed. Not in Q

Prologue 1 SH GOWER = Ed. Not in Q 6 holidays = Q. Sometimes emended to holy-ales 11 these = Q2. Q = those 30 account’ = Ed. Q = account’d 39 a = F3. Q = of

1.1.18 razed = Ed. Q = racte 25 boundless = Ed. Q = bondlesse 41 From = Ed. Q = For 50 Grip spelled Gripe in Q 57 SH ANTIOCHUS = Ed. Q prints (Antiochus) at the end of the preceding line. Some editors, noting Pericles’ frequent repetition of the king’s name, print I wait the sharpest blow, Antiochus followed by Antiochus’ reply. 60, 61 ’ssayed = Ed. Q = sayd 114 cancel = Q3. Q = counsell 128 you’re = Q3. Q = you 137 ’schew = Ed. Q = shew 173 SH ANTIOCHUS = Ed. Not in Q

1.2.4 Be my = Ed. Q = By me 6 should = Ed. Q = stould 17 me. The = Ed. Q = me the 26 th’ostent = Ed. Q = the stint 31 am = Ed. Q = once 36 And…comfortable = Ed. Q = And keepe your mind till you returne to vs peacefull and comfortable 41 breath = Ed. Q = sparke. Sometimes emended to wind 46 pardon = Ed. Q = paadon 61 heaven = Ed. Q = heaue 67 Such…yourself = Ed. Q = such griefes as you your selfe doe lay vpon your selfe 72 Where, as = Ed. Q = Whereas 84 me = Ed. Not in Q 85 fears = F4. Q = feare 87 he doubt = Ed. Q = he doo’t as doubt no = Ed. Q = as no 93 call’t = Ed. Q = call 124 we’ll = Ed. Q = will

1.3.1 SH THALIARD = Ed. Not in Q 29 king’s ears this = Ed. Q = Kings seas. Sometimes emended to king’s ears it 30 sea = Q. Sometimes emended to seas 32 SH HELICANUS = Ed. Not in Q 35 betook = Ed. Q = betake travels spelled trauailes in Q

1.4.13 our = Ed. Q = and do = Ed. Q = to 22 o’er = Ed. Q = on 36 they = Ed. Q = thy 39 two summers = Ed. Q = too sauers. Sometimes emended to two savours. The analogous passage in PA reads: this their City…not two summers younger, did so excell in pompe 58 thou = Q4. Q = thee 67 Hath = Ed. Q = That 74 him’s = Ed. Q = himnes 77 fear = Q4. Q = leaue 78 The = Q4. Q = our 80 from…craves = Ed. Q = for what he comes, and whence / he comes, and what he craues 96 SH ALL TARSIANS = Ed. Q = Omnes.

2 Chorus 1 SH GOWER = Q4. Not in Q 11 Tarsus = Ed. Q = Tharstill 12 speken = Ed. Q = spoken 17 SH GOWER = Ed. Not in Q Helicane = Ed. Q = Helicon 19 though = Ed. Q = for though. Sometimes emended to forthy or for that 20 keeps = Ed. Q = keepe 22 Sends word = Ed. Q = Sau’d one. Sometimes emended to Sent word 24 had intent = Q (corrected). Q = hid in Tent to murder = Q (corrected). Q = murdred. Sometimes emended to murdren 25 Tarsus = Ed. Q = Tharsis 34 tossed = Ed. Q = tost 40 ’longs = Ed. Q = long’s

2.1.12 What ho, Pilch! = Ed. Q = What, to pelch 34 devours = Ed. Q = deuowre 42 SH THIRD FISHERMAN = Ed. Q = I. 51 finny subject = Ed. Q = fenny subiect. PA = finny subjects 57 search’t = Ed. Q = Search 58 nobody will = Ed. Q = no body 82 quotha = Ed. Q = ke-tha an = Ed. Q = and 86 holidays = Ed. Q = all day moreo’er = Ed. Q = more; or 95 your = Ed. Q = you 105 is called Pentapolis = Q2. Q = I cald Pantapoles 117 joust = Ed. Q = Iust 136 thee from, may’t = Ed. Q = thee, Fame may. Sometimes emended to the Gods forfend, the same 154 d’ye = Ed. Q (corrected) = do’e. Q (uncorrected) = di’e on’t = Ed. Q = an’t 163 rapture = Ed. Q = rupture. PA = a Iewel, whom all the raptures of the sea could not bereaue from his arme 166 delightful = Ed. Q = delight. Sometimes emended to delightsome 173 goad = Ed. Q = Goale. Sometimes emended to equal

2.2.1 SH SIMONIDES = Ed. Q = King (throughout) 4 daughter = Ed. Q = daughter heere 27–8 Piùe per dolcezza che per forza = Ed. Q = Pue Per doleera kee per forsa. Sometimes emended to Piu per dulcura que per fuerça 30 chivalry = Ed. Q = Chiually 31 Me pompae provexit apex = Ed. Q = Me Pompey prouexit apex 57 for = Ed. Q = by. PA = as Uertue was not to be approoued by wordes, but by actions, so the outward habite was the least table of the inward minde

2.3.3 To = F4. Q = I 13 yours = Q3. Q = your 15 artists = Ed. Q = an Artist 31 but = Ed. Q = not 36, 37 He’s = Ed. Q = ha’s 39 Yon = Q2. Q = You 40 me = Q4. Not in Q 45 son’s = Ed. Q = sonne 52 stored = Ed. Q = stur’d. F3 = stirr’d 53 you do = Q4. Q = do you 66 entertain = Ed. Q = entraunce 74 And, further = Ed. Q = And furthermore. Sometimes emended to Furthermore know = Ed. Q = know of him 83 education being = Q5. Q = education beene. Sometimes emended to education’s been or education has been 113 SH SIMONIDES = Ed. Not in Q

2.4.8 Of = Ed. Q = of an 19 council has = Ed. Q = counsaile, ha’s 27 Helicane spelled Hellican in Q 32 We’ll = Ed. Q = And 35 death’s indeed = Ed. Q = death in deed. Sometimes emended to death indeed’s 57 endeavour it = Ed. Q = endeauour. Sometimes emended to endeavour us

2.5.77 SD Aside printed on the following line in Q 94 SH BOTH spelled Ambo in Q

3 Chorus 1 SH GOWER = Ed. Not in Q rouse = Ed. Q = rout 7 crickets sing = Ed. Q = Cricket sing. Sometimes emended to crickets 13 eche = Ed. Q = each 15 SH GOWER = Ed. Not in Q 17 coigns = Ed. Q = Crignes 29 t’appease = Ed. Q = t’oppresse. PA = appeased the stubborne mutiny of the Tyrians 34 Pentapolis spelled Penlapolis in Q 35 Y-ravishèd = Ed. Q = Iranyshed 46 Fortune, moved = Ed. Q = fortune mou’d. Sometimes emended to fortune’s mood 57 not what = Ed. Q = not? what 60 sea-tossed = Ed. Q = seas tost

3.1.0 SD on = Q4. Q = a 7 Thou stormest = Ed. Q = then storme 8 spit = Ed. Q = speat. F3 = spet. Sometimes emended to split, spite or speak 11 midwife = Ed. Q = my wife 46 Slack = Q (corrected). Q (uncorrected) = Slake bowlines = Ed. Q = bolins 55 custom = Ed. Q = easterne. Sometimes emended to In ease or in earnest 64 the ooze = Ed. Q = oare. Sometimes emended to care 66 And = Ed. Q = The aye-remaining = Ed. Q = ayre remayning. Sometimes emended to e’er remaining 69 paper = Q2. Q = Taper 71 coffer = Ed. Q = Coffin 77, 80 SH FIRST SAILOR = Ed. Q = 2.

3.2.4 ’T has = Ed. Q = T’as 18 quit = Ed. Q = quite 38 I = Ed. Not in Q 50 SD chest = Ed. Q = Chist 51 SH CERIMON’S SERVANT = Ed. Q = Seru. (throughout) 54 chest = Ed. Q = Chist 63 bitumed = Ed. Q = bottomed 71 corpse = Ed. Q = Corse 74–5 too! Apollo = Ed. Q = to Apollo 85 even = Q4. Q = ever. PA = thou hast a body even drowned with woe 94 lain spelled lien in Q 96 cloths = Ed. Q = clothes. Q4 = cloathes 101 warm = Q2. Q = warmth

3.3.0 SD at Tarsus spelled Atharsus in Q 6 haunt = Ed. Q = hant. Sometimes emended to hurt 29–30 all…remain = Ed. Q = All vnsisterd shall this heyre of mine remayne. PA = his head should grow unscissored 31 ill = Ed. Q = will 42 Lychorida spelled Licherida in Q

3.4.0 SD Thaisa spelled Tharsa in Q 5 eaning = F3. Q = learning. Sometimes emended to groaning, bearing, yearning or yielding 9 vestal = Ed. Q = vastall 16 SH THAISA = Ed. Q = Thin.

4 Chorus 1 SH GOWER = Q4. Not in Q 8 music’s letters = Q. Sometimes emended to music, letters 10 her = Ed. Q = hie. Sometimes emended to high heart = Ed. Q = art 14 Seeks = Ed. Q = Seeke 17 ripe = Ed. Q = right marriage-rite = Ed. Q = marriage light 21 Be’t spelled Beet in Q 23 nee’le = Ed. Q = needle 26 night-bird = Ed. Q = night bed 32 With = Ed. Q = The. Sometimes emended to With the the = Ed. Q = with the 38 murder = Ed. Q = murderer 47 carry = Ed. Q = carried 48 on = Ed. Q = one

4.1.5 inflame…bosom = Ed. Q = in flaming, thy loue bosome, enflame too nicelie. Sometimes emended to inflaming love in thy bosom, / Inflame or or fanning love thy bosom / Unflame or or flaming love thy bosom / Enslave or in flaming, thy love-bosom / Inflame 19 as = Ed. Not in Q 26 o’er…margent = Ed. Q = ere the sea marre it 68 stem = Ed. Q = sterne 82 la = Ed. Q = law 84 trod spelled trode in Q

4.2.4 much = Q2. Q = much much 21 they’re too = Ed. Q = ther’s two 27 chequins spelled Checkins in Q 44 SH FIRST PIRATE = Ed. Q = Sayler 68 struck = Ed. Q = strooke 69 but = Ed. Q = not 77 like = Q4. Not in Q 112 i’th’ = Ed. Q = ethe 113 Veroles spelled Verollus in Q 128 lovers. Seldom = Ed. Q = Louers sel-dome 135 SH BAWD = F3. Q = Mari. 159 Untried = Ed. Q = Vntide

4.3.1 are = Q4. Q = ere 4 child = Ed. Q = chidle 30 prime = Ed. Q = prince. Q4 = whole 38 malkin = Ed. Q = Mawkin 39 through spelled thorow in Q 53 talons spelled talents in Q 54 Ye’re = Ed. Q = Yere

4 Second Chorus 8 i’th’ = Ed. Q = with. Q4 = in 10 the = Q2. Q = thy 12 life’s = Ed. Q = liues 13 along: behind = Ed. Q = along behind, 14 if = Ed. Q = it 18 his = Ed. Q = this 19 go on = Ed. Q = grone. Sometimes emended to groan or grow on 29 puts = Ed. Q = put 48 scene = Ed. Q = Steare. Sometimes emended to stir

4.5.12 cavalleria = Ed. Q = Caualereea 18 loon = Ed. Q = Lowne 40 dignifies = Q4. Q = dignities 67 paced spelled pac’ste in Q 74 name’t = Ed. Q = name. Sometimes emended to name it 95 aloof = Ed. Q = aloft. Sometimes emended to off aloof 135 ways = Ed. Q = way 160 womankind = Ed. Q = wemen-kinde 176 Coistrel = Ed. Q = custerell 190 O, that = Q4. Q = that 204 women = Q3. Q = woman

5 Chorus 1 SH GOWER = Ed. Not in Q 5 nee’le = Ed. Q = neele 8 twin = Ed. Q = Twine 10 pour = Ed. Q = powre 13 We…lost = Ed. Q = wee there him left. Q4 = tumbled and tost. Sometimes emended to Waves there him tossed 14 Whence = Ed. Q = Where. Q4 = And

5.1.1 SH SAILOR OF TYRE = Ed. Q = I. Say. 7 SH SAILOR OF TYRE = Ed. Q = 2. Say. 11 SH SAILOR OF MYTILENE = Ed. Q = I. Say. 34 SH LYSIMACHUS = Q4. Not in Q (this line is part of Helicanus’ speech) 35 SH HELICANUS = Q4. Q = Lys 36 Till = Ed. Q = SH Hell. Till night = Ed. Q = wight 46 deafened = Ed. Q = defend 48–9 She…upon = Ed. Q = shee is all happie as the fairest of all, and her fellow maides, now vpon. Sometimes emended to She in all happy, / As the fair’st of all, among her fellow maids / Dwells now i’th 50 leafy = Ed. Q = leauie 59 gods = Ed. Q = God 60 graft = Ed. Q = graffe 71 I’d = Ed. Q = I do wed = Ed. Q = to wed 72 one = Ed. Q = on 74 feat = Ed. Q = fate 84 Marked = Ed. Q = Marke 98 awkward = Ed. Q = augward 107 You’re = Ed. Q = your 107–8 countrywoman = Ed. Q = Countrey women 108 Here = Ed. Q = heare shores = Ed. Q = shewes 117 cased = Ed. Q = caste 129 seem’st spelled seemest in Q palace = Ed. Q = Pallas 132 look’st spelled lookest in Q 134 say = Ed. Q = stay 139 tossed spelled tost in Q 140 thought’st = Ed. Q = thoughts 148 dost = Ed. Q = doest 151 them? Thy = Ed. Q = thy 172 Motion? Well, = Ed. Q = Motion well, Sometimes emended to Motion as well? 193 and wooed = Ed. Q = and hauing wooed 201 SH PERICLES = Ed. Q = Hell. 230 another = Ed. Q = an other life = Ed. Q = like 236 garments…Helicanus = Ed. Q = garments, mine owne Hellicanus 240 princess = Ed. Q = Princes 248 doubt = Ed. Q = doat. Sometimes emended to dote 269 life = Ed. Q = like 270 Perform = Ed. Q = or performe 271 Do it = Ed. Q = doo’t 284 suit = Ed. Q = sleight

5 Second Chorus 16 willed = Ed. Q = wild

5.2.10 against = Ed. Q = gainst 16 nun = Ed. Q = mum 19 Reverend = Q2. Q = Reuerent 23 o’erjoyed spelled ouer-joyde in Q 24 one = Ed. Q = in 41 Immortal = Ed. Q = I mortall 58 SH PERICLES = Q4. Q = Hell 71 Reverend = F3. Q = Reuerent 81 I bless = Ed. Q = blesse

Epilogue = Ed. Q = FINIS. 5 preserved = Ed. Q = preferd 12 deed to th’honoured = Ed. Q = deede, the honor’d

Marina’s Song in Act 5 Scene 1

       Wilkins’ Painfull Adventures provides the following words for the song (spelling modernized):

               Amongst the harlots foul I walk,

               Yet harlot none am I:

               The rose amongst the thorns doth grow,

               And is not hurt thereby.

               The thief that stole me, sure I think,

               Is slain before this time.

               A bawd me bought, yet am I not

               Defiled by fleshly crime:

               Nothing were pleasanter to me,

               Than parents mine to know.

               I am the issue of a king,

               My blood from kings doth flow.

               In time the heavens may mend my state,

               And send a better day,

               For sorrow adds unto our griefs,

               But helps not any way:

               Show gladness in your countenance,

               Cast up your cheerful eyes,

               That God remains, that once of naught

               Created earth and skies.

Prologue

     *    Gower John Gower (?1330–1408), medieval poet whose Confessio Amantis is an important source for Pericles

    1    old long ago

    2    ancient old/venerable

    3    man’s infirmities human form

    6    ember eves evenings before festival (ember) days    holidays religious feasts

    8    restoratives medicine

    9    purchase profit    glorious eager for/worthy of glory

  10    Et…melius “A good thing improves with age” (Latin)

  12    wit wisdom/poetry    ripe mature/sophisticated

  15    I…wish I would hope to give it life

  16    Waste…light i.e., like a candle (taper) my story will consume (waste) itself in the telling

  17    Antioch one of the largest cities of the Roman Empire, capital of the province of Syria

  18    chiefest seat capital

  20    authors authorities/sources

  21    peer mate/companion

  23    buxom lively/bright/wanton    full of face beautiful    full complete/perfect

  24    As as if

  25    liking lustful affection

  29    But custom but (through) habit

  30    use usual practice (playing on use, i.e., “sexual intercourse”)    account’ an elision of “accounted”

  32    frame take themselves

  36    still silent/motionless/always    awe reverence/subjection

  37    whoso whoever    for as

  38    His…not and left (Antiochus’) riddle unsolved

  39    wight person

  40    yon those grim looks stern faces (i.e., the heads of former suitors)

  41    to…justify I give my business (cause) to those discerning viewers (judgement…eye) who are most able (best) to judge/confirm (justify) it

Act 1 Scene 1

 1.1    Location: Antioch    Pericles from Latin for “peril”

    1    Tyre Phoenician trading city on the coast of Syria    at large received fully comprehended/heard in detail

    8    For embracements fit for the embraces    Jove Jupiter, king of the gods in Roman mythology

    9    whose i.e., the Daughter’s    till Lucina reigned until her birth    Lucina Roman goddess of childbirth, associated with Diana and Juno

  10    glad her presence make her presence welcome

  11    senate house council

  12    knit…perfections unite all virtues in her

  13    the spring Flora, Roman goddess of the spring

  14    Graces her subjects the Graces (personifications of beauty, grace, and artistic inspiration) are inferior to her

  15    gives which gives    renown reputation/honor

  16    book of praises collection of everything praiseworthy

  17    curious exquisite/rare (also unusual/peculiar)    as as if

  18    ever razed forever erased    testy irritable

  19    mild companion companion to someone as mild as she

  20    sway rule

  22    taste…tree enjoy Antiochus’ daughter sexually; also refers to the apples stolen by Hercules from the garden of Hesperus and the one eaten by Eve    yon that

  25    compass achieve/embrace

  27    son son-in-law

  28    this…fruit i.e., Antiochus’ daughter; Hesperus’ garden was known as the Hesperides

  30    deathlike deadly    dragons Antiochus’ followers/the dragon that guarded Hesperus’ apples

  32    countless beyond value    desert worthiness

  34    reach reach out for    heap company/multitude (i.e., Pericles’ body)

  35    Yon those    sometimes once/formerly

  36    adventurous made bold

  37    semblance appearance

  38    yon that

  41    going…net entering into death’s trap

  43    mortality mortal nature/humanity

  44    those fearful objects i.e., the heads of the former suitors

  46    remembered brought to mind

  47    life’s but breath life is ephemeral

  50    as…did like terminally ill men who can see heaven and no longer cling to the earthly pleasure that they once (erst) pursued

  54    unspotted pure/free from lust

  57    conclusion riddle

  59    these the former suitors

  60    ’ssayed assayed/tried

  62    assume the lists enter the combat/tournament area

  63    Nor Nor do I

  65    viper…flesh young vipers were supposed to eat their way out of their mother’s womb

  67    labour hard work/sexual exertion

  68    kindness affection/kinship/sexual acquiescence

  71    two i.e., two people

  73    Sharp physic harsh medicine    the last the final line of the riddle

  74    countless eyes the stars

  75    cloud…sights do they not shield their eyes

  77    glass of light the Daughter is imagined as a lantern holding a candle or a shining glass vessel; light can mean lustful, and glass often represents a woman’s (fragile) chastity

  79    casket i.e., the Daughter’s body

  80    on…wait who is attended by heavenly virtues

  81    knowing…gate will enter knowing that there is evil inside/will engage in sexual relations with a depraved person    gate vagina

  82    viol stringed instrument played between the legs    sense senses/reason

  83    fingered…music “played” by an appropriate sexual partner

  85    played upon used sexually

  86    Hell…chime i.e., only the devil could approve

  87    Good sooth in truth/truly

  89    article stipulation/requirement

  94    braid reproach    near closely/intimately

  95    Who whoever

  97    vice…itself to talk about evil deeds (of powerful people) is to behave like the wind, which blows dust into eyes (of the offenders or of innocent people)

  99    And…them but the painful lesson is that the wind (breath), i.e., the rumor, runs its course and those people harmed by it (whose sore eyes can now see) can take action to prevent further indiscretions

102    Copped heaped/humped    tell tell that    thronged crushed/overwhelmed

103    worm creature (either the person who dares to criticize or an innocent bystander)

107    What…it i.e., it is appropriate (fit) to suppress something that would be made worse by its exaggerated repetition

109    like leave similar permission

111    gloze with speak plausibly to

112    tenor substance/content/purpose    edict (royal) order

113    exposition explanation

114    cancel of put an end to

116    doth…otherwise adjusts our mood/intention

118    undone solved

119    joy rejoice

120    entertain entertainment

122    would seem to deceives in order to

124    sight appearance

129    untimely premature

133    though…breed although they appear beautiful, they only produce evil

135    those men that those men who

137    ’schew eschew/avoid    keep…light i.e., keep their actions hidden

141    targets shields    put off deflect

142    cropped harvested/cut down    clear free from blame

146    trumpet forth proclaim    Thaliard in the sources either a Privy Councillor or Antiochus’ steward

153    of our chamber one of our most trusted attendants or advisers

154    partakes imparts/communicates

163    Let…haste use your rapid breathing to cool yourself by telling me why you are in such a hurry

167    level aim

171    length range    sure harmless (i.e., I’ll kill him)

173    My…head i.e., I will have no peace of mind

Act 1 Scene 2

 1.2    Location: Tyre

    2    change of thoughts altered mental state

    3    dull-eyed sluggish/lacking insight

    4    used familiar/regular    as that

    5    day’s glorious walk daily movement of the sun

    6    breed me quiet produce peace of mind for me

  10    joy gladden/bring joy to    spirits emotions

  11    the other’s danger’s

  12    passions…mind emotions/obsessions

  13    misdread fear of evil

  14    Have…care are fed and kept alive by anxiety

  16    cares takes care

  19    can that he can    make…act turn his thoughts into actions

  21    boots it me is it any help to me

  24    course flowing stream

  26    th’ostent the display/manifestation

  27    Amazement (that) terror

  28    ere before

  29    ne’er thought offence never offended even in their thoughts

  31    as…them like the treetops (i.e., the monarch), which protect and defend the roots (i.e., the people) that nourish them

  32    fence protect

  34    And…punish Pericles’ own body punishes itself before it can be punished by Antiochus

  37    give experience tongue let the wise/experienced speak

  39    blows up that inflames

  41    breath i.e., the air from the    bellows (the flattering speech)

  42    in order orderly/delivered in the correct manner

  44    Signior Sooth Mister Sycophant

  45    makes…life puts your life in danger

  48    All…else everyone else leave me    cares diligence    o’erlook supervise

  49    lading’s cargo is

  51    moved provoked/angered

  52    brow appearance/countenance

  53    dart an arrow or light spear

  54    move arouse

  58    ground sharpened

  62    let…hid allow themselves to listen to flattery

  63    Fit fitting/suitable

  69    ministers provides/dispenses

  71    Attend me listen to me

  73    purchase benefit/acquisition/prize

  74    an issue a child/an heir

  75    Are…subjects i.e., royal heirs (issue), which are weapons/protection to princes and bring joy to their subjects

  79    Seemed pretended    smooth indulge/conciliate

  82    careful protecting

  83    Who i.e., the night

  84    Bethought considered    succeed follow

  87    doubt suspect

  90    unlaid ope undiscovered/concealed

  91    lop remove/eliminate    doubt suspicion    arms weapons (i.e., soldiers)

  93    all all my subjects    mine…offence my offense—if I may call it that

  94    who which (i.e., war)

  96    now reproved’st was just rebuking

  99    doubts fears/anxieties

110    The destinies the three Fates, who control destiny in Greco-Roman mythology

111    direct delegate

114    should he what if he (Antiochus) should    my liberties my domains/my royal prerogatives and the rights of my subjects

115    We’ll…earth i.e., we’ll die fighting him

117    Tarsus a city on the River Cydnus in Cillicia, present-day Turkey

118    Intend direct

119    dispose conduct

122    not…oath i.e., I won’t ask you to swear a formal oath

123    Who whoever

124    orbs spheres of activity (i.e., areas of influence)    round straightforwardly/openly

125    time…convince time shall never disprove (convince) this truth regarding the pair of us

126    shine brightness/virtue

Act 1 Scene 3

    3    I…secrets the poet Philippides reputedly asked this of King Lysimachus of Thrace

    5    would of wanted from

    9    indenture contract between a master and servant    Husht hush/be quiet

  13    sealed bearing the royal seal    commission warrant

  14    speak sufficiently proclaim satisfactorily

  17    unlicensed…loves without your devoted approval

  18    light enlightenment

  23    doubting lest fearing

  24    he’d correct he wished to punish

  25    puts…toil subjects himself to the rigors of the sea

  28    although I would even if I wished to be

  29    the…please the king must be satisfied with this news

  35    betook taken

  36    message my message

  37    it i.e., the message

  38    Commended (which has been) directed/addressed

Act 1 Scene 4

 1.4    Location: Tarsus

    5    who digs whoever digs up (the image is of someone trying to flatten a hill by digging it up, only to create a bigger pile with the earth they have removed)

    8    with mischief’s eyes through the eyes of misfortune/misery

    9    topped pruned/cut back (making them grow faster than before)

  11    Who wanteth whoever lacks/desires

  13    Our…them i.e., we proclaim (sound) our misfortunes (sorrows) low and high, then we weep until we have enough breath back (till…breath) to bewail our sorrows even more loudly, so that if the gods (heaven) are asleep and are oblivious to the suffering of their creatures, our cries may wake them in order that they can comfort those in need sound proclaim

  18    discourse relate

  19    wanting…speak when I want breath/because you want breath

  22    o’er…hand over whom plenty poured her gifts

  23    riches a personification of wealth or of plenty (from French richesse, “plenty”)

  25    wondered at admired/were astonished by

  26    jetted strutted/swaggered    adorned adorned themselves

  27    Like…by as if they were like one another’s mirror (glass) with which to adorn (trim) themselves/they mirrored one another’s finery

  28    glad gladden/make glad

  31    The…repeat even to propose asking for help became repulsive

  33    by…change through the example of our change in fortune

  37    want lack

  39    not…younger only two years ago

  40    inventions novelties

  42    nuzzle up nurture/bring up

  43    curious elaborate/carefully prepared

  46    shall…life will die so that the other can survive

  53    largely abundantly

  54    superfluous riots extravagant indulgence    these tears this lamentation

  60    descried spotted/observed

  61    portly stately/majestic    sail fleet    make hitherward sail toward us

  67    power army

  69    unhappy wretched

  70    Whereas…overcome in whom no glory can be gained in conquering

  71    least fear not to be feared in the least

  72    white flags used to show that a ship had no hostile intention

  73    favourers friends

  74    him’s…repeat someone who has not learned (the following maxim)/someone too inexperienced to comment

  75    Who he who

  78    The…there i.e., the ground is as far as we can fall, and we are nearly there

  82    on peace consist is disposed toward peace

  86    beacon fire or light placed in a prominent position as an alarm signal    t’amaze to terrify

  89    add…tears i.e., add to your misfortunes

  91    these…bread although you may think that our ship is like the Trojan horse, which was filled with ferocious warriors (bloody veins: a metonymy), it is actually filled with grain to make bread for your hungry people    happily haply/perhaps

101    gratify show gratitude for/grant

102    in thought even in thought

104    succeed inevitably follow

108    stars fates/fortunes

Act 2 Chorus

    2    iwis certainly/truly (archaic)

    3    A better prince i.e., Pericles

    4    awful awe-inspiring/worthy of respect

    6    passed necessity gone through extreme suffering

    7    those…reign those who rule during periods of difficulty (or, alternatively, “trouble’s reign,” those who are ruled by trouble)

    8    mite a tiny particle

    9    The good i.e., Pericles    conversation behavior/manners

  10    benison blessing

  12    writ holy scripture/authoritative command    he speken can he (Pericles) is able to speak (speken is archaic)

  13    remember commemorate

  14    Build his statue construct a statue of him    make him glorious glorify his deeds

  15    tidings…contrary i.e., adverse news    Dumb show a mimed sequence, common in early modern plays    train retinue

  17    Helicane i.e., Helicanus

  18    Not to not intending to

  20    killen kill (archaic)

  22    haps happens

  23    full bent fully determined

  27    doing so doing as advised

  28    been are (archaic)

  32    Should which should

  35    perishen perish (archaic)    pelf possessions

  36    Ne aught escapend nor did anything escape (archaic)

  38    glad gladness/happiness

  40    ’longs belongs to/prolongs

Act 2 Scene 1

 2.1    Location: the seashore at Pentapolis

    1    ire fury

    6    breath life

  12    Pilch leather coat/jerkin

  15    Patch-breech patched trousers

  17    Look…now! Get a move on!/Now you’re moving! (ironic)

  18    fetch th’ strike thee    wanion vengeance

  23    well-a-day alas

  26    porpoise porpoises were thought to appear before stormy weather

  28    I…washed I expect to be soaked

  30    a-land on land

  32    fitly appropriately    a he

  33    fry young fish

  35    on of

  38    pretty clever/ingenious    moral story with a moral point

  40    sexton church officer whose duties included bell ringing    belfry bell tower

  45    cast regurgitated

  50    drones…honey i.e., lazy and unproductive subjects

  51    finny subject fin-bearing citizens (i.e., fish)

  53    recollect gather up

  54    All…detect i.e., everything that might represent men in a positive or negative light

  57    If…it! i.e., if honesty is a condition that suits a bedraggled creature such as Pericles, it could be eradicated and no one would miss it (it is possible that a line is missing, in which Pericles says “good day” to the fishermen)    search’t remove it

  59    May you may    hath cast has thrown

  62    cast vomit

  64    that vast tennis-court i.e., the sea

  66    never used was never accustomed

  67    Here’s them there are those

  74    fish for’t get it through fishing/get it by artifice (i.e., begging or trickery)

  77    thronged up overwhelmed

  81    For that because    pray you may I ask/please

  82    quotha says he/indeed    gods forbid’t i.e., god forbid    an if/as long as

  84    afore me a mild oath

  86    fish for fasting-days meat was forbidden during Lent, on Fridays and Saturdays, and on some other penitential days

  87    puddings sausages; also carries its modern meaning of a sweet or savory pudding    flapjacks pancakes

  92    crave request

  93    craver supplicant/beggar

  98    beadle parish constable, whose duties included whipping vagrants

100    becomes suits/is appropriate for

106    Pentapolis seemingly located in Greece, but should probably be identified with Cyrene in Cyrenaica, the major Greek colony in North Africa

113    Marry by the Virgin Mary (a mild oath)

117    tourney take part in a tournament

119    make one be one of the participants

121    what…soul what a man cannot otherwise obtain he may get by selling his wife for sex; plays on “wife’s soul”/”wife’s hole” (i.e., vagina) and puns on get: if the man cannot    get (beget) children, then he can sell his wife to someone who will father them for him

124    right just claim

125    ’twill…out the “fish” will not come out of the net/the poor man will not get the verdict he desires    bots on’t an expletive, equivalent to “a plague on it”    bots a maggot infection in horses

128    crosses misfortunes/trials

130    heritage inheritance

132    charge order/command

134    brace vambrace, armor covering the arms

135    For that because    in like necessity in a similarly dire situation

137    kept dwelt/stayed

139    though…again i.e., now the seas are calm, they have given it back again

141    my father that which my father

143    coat of worth valuable coat (i.e., the armor)

144    sometime once    target shield/protection

150    pay your bounties repay your generosity    rest remain

151    tourney joust/take part in a tournament

153    virtue courage/ability

154    d’ye take it do you take it (i.e., take it)

155    on’t of it/from it

157    made up fitted together, as in the making of clothes

158    seams the furrows of the waves, imagined as the seams of a garment

159    condolements usually means expressions of sympathy: the Second Fisherman either confuses it with “emoluments” (profits) or with “dole” (portion or share), or he is being deliberately euphemistic

159    vails tips/gratuities (literally, the remnants of cloth kept by tailors after a suit is finished)

162    furtherance assistance

163    rapture seizure/plundering

164    holds his building occupies its proper position

165    Unto thy value either a jewel on Pericles’ arm has also survived, with which he will buy the horse, or Pericles will buy a horse equal to the worth of the piece of armor (described as a jewel)

166    courser horse

167    gazer onlooker

169    bases knee-length skirts worn by a knight on horseback

173    honour…will let honor spur me on    goad a rod used for driving cattle

Act 2 Scene 2

 2.2    Location: Pentapolis

    1    triumph tournament

    3    stay wait for

    4    Return answer/inform

    6    gat begat: conceived/bred

    9    express…great praise me highly

  10    princes men and women of high (princely) rank

  11    model image

  13    renowns reputations

  14    honour honorable duty    entertain accept/receive

  15    device heraldic design and motto

  17    prefer present

  18    Sparta powerful ancient Greek city-state

  20    Ethiop used loosely in the seventeenth century to refer to all black Africans

  21    word motto    Lux…mihi “Your light is life to me” (Latin)

  22    holds…of regards his life as being dependent on

  24    Macedon Macedonia, a kingdom at the northern end of the Greek peninsula that became a world power under Philip II and Alexander the Great

  27    in Spanish puzzling as the motto is closer to Italian than Spanish    Piùe…forza “More by gentleness than by force”

  30    wreath of chivalry chaplet or garland of leaves or flowers, worn or awarded as a mark of distinction/the twisted band by which the crest is joined to a knight’s helmet

  31    Me…apex the honor of the contest has led me on

  34    Qui…extinguit “Who feeds me extinguishes me”

  37    environèd surrounded

  38    touchstone smooth black quartz or jasper, used to test the purity of gold; the touchstone became a symbol of fidelity    tried tested

  39    Sic spectanda fides “Thus is faithfulness to be tested”    device may be a real branch, as Pericles has no shield

  42    stranger unfamiliar person/foreigner    present offering

  44    In…vivo “In this hope I live”

  48    He…commend i.e., he must prove that he is better than his appearance would suggest, because that cannot speak in his favor

  51    whipstock handle of a whip

  53    strangely bizarrely (playing on stranger)    furnishèd equipped/fitted out

  54    on set purpose deliberately

  55    scour clean

  56    Opinion’s…man public opinion makes us foolishly examine (scan) the external appearance of a man in search of (for) his inner worth    mean humble/poor

Act 2 Scene 3

 2.3    tilting jousting

    3    place…arms i.e., advertise your martial ability

    6    in show inaction

    7    becomes suits

    9    you you are

  15    framing making/creating

  17    her laboured scholar the scholar into whom art has put most effort/the scholar who has laboriously studied art

  19    Marshal arrange/position    as…grace according to their merit

  22    who whoever

  25    Contend not do not argue

  26    Have who have    outward eyes eyes that see outward/eyes on the outside of the body

  27    Envies that which envies

  28    right very

  30    By…upon by Jove, who is aware of everything, I marvel that these delicacies (cates) become unappetizing to me when I think of him

  33    viands foodstuffs    unsavoury tasteless/unappetizing

  34    meat food/object of my sexual attention    gallant fine/brave

  37    a staff i.e., his opponent’s lance in the tournament

  38    to compared with

  39    Yon that

  40    tells me announces or discloses (him to) me

  41    Had when he had

  42    reverence pay homage to

  44    vail lower

  45    Where…light i.e., like a glowworm, Pericles is best seen at night; in the light of his father’s glory he would not seem to glow at all    Where whereas

  52    stored filled

  53    fill…lips i.e., drink a full cup in honor of your mistress

  56    Yon that

  58    countervail match/equal

  59    Note…you don’t you observe it

  64    like…at like gnats, which when they are dead seem very small considering how noisy they were

  66    entertain entertainment

  67    standing bowl bowl/goblet with a stem or legs

  69    stranger knight knight who is a stranger/foreign knight    bold shameless/immodest

  70    proffer offering

  72    move me provoke me

  78    blood spirit/health

  79    pledge him drink his health

  83    arts and arms artistic/scholarly pursuits and martial skills

  85    reft robbed/deprived

  90    cast was cast

  93    sit dwell
   trifles trivialities

  95    addressed dressed/attired

  96    Will you will    become suit/be appropriate for

  97    I…beds i.e., I won’t have anyone excuse themselves by saying that women don’t like the loud music of a soldier’s dance, as I know that they like men in arms (i.e., knights) as well as men in their beds

100    this…asked i.e., I did well to ask for this

101    breathing exercising

103    trip dance/step lightly/fall sexually

104    measures formal dance steps/strategies in wooing

105    practise them put them to use

106    that’s…courtesy i.e., you are too modest

110    several various

114    level aim

115    betake him take himself

116    speeding success

Act 2 Scene 4

 2.4    Location: Tyre

    3    not minding longer intending no longer

    5    capital punishable by death

  11    eyes adored eyes that adored

  15    bar prevent    shaft arrow (i.e., vengeance)

  16    his its

  19    respect influence

  20    grieve cause grievance

  23    Happy day i.e., “good day”

  24    griefs grievances

  26    you love i.e., that you love

  29    what…breath what country he is living in

  32    resolved reassured/persuaded    he lives if/that he lives

  33    give’s i.e., it will give us    mourn his funeral mourn at his funeral/regret his death

  34    to…election to choose another ruler

  35    Whose i.e., Pericles’    strongest…censure most likely (probability) in our assessment

  37    left which, if left

  42    Try honour’s cause try being honorable    forbear your suffrages refrain from voting (for me)/avoid electing (another ruler)

  43    forbear leave off/have patience

  47    forbear to endure with patience

  48    not does not

  49    yoke harness (i.e., the servitude of the ruler to the people)

  50    love demonstration of your affection

  52    spend…worth demonstrate your courageous nobility

  53    Whom i.e., Pericles    win unto persuade to

  56    enjoineth instructs/urges

  57    travels journeys (or travails, endeavors)

  59    knit unite

Act 2 Scene 5

 2.5    Location: Pentapolis

    9    Tied her confined herself

  10    twelve moons twelve months    Diana goddess of hunting, virginity, and the moon; also associated with childbirth and with witchcraft    livery uniform (i.e., Thaisa will remain a virgin)

  11    the…Cynthia the moon    Cynthia Diana as moon goddess

  14    dispatched dismissed

  17    nor day nor either day or

  19    absolute certain

  23    Soft be quiet

  25    beholding indebted

  30    desert merit

  42    else if you don’t believe it

  44    that saying that

  45    subtlety trick

  48    to as to

  49    bent directed    offices service

  53    levy raise/intend; possibly misused for    level, aim

  55    might that might

  63    relished tasted    base ignoble/common

  65    state kingdom/rule

  66    accounts of me thinks me

  71    Resolve assure

  72    subscribe sign

  73    made love to courted

  75    that, would that which would

  76    peremptory determined

  81    aught anything

  84    frame adapt/accommodate    will intentions (puns on will, sexual desire)

  92    fosters nourishes

Act 3 Chorus

    1    y-slackèd reduced to inactivity (archaic)    rouse carousing/mirth

    3    breast stomach

    4    pompous magnificent/ceremonious

    5    eyne eyes

    6    couches lies asleep    from away from

    7    crickets sing i.e., crickets that sing

    8    blither more happy    drouth the dryness of their position (crickets were thought to like heat)

    9    Hymen Roman god of marriage

  10    maidenhead virginity

  11    Be attent listen

  12    briefly quickly

  13    fancies imaginations    eche eke out/supplement

  14    plain explain

  15    dern dreary/secret    painful laborious    perch unit of distance (around sixteen and a half feet)

  16    Of for

  17    coigns corners

  21    stead help/assist

  22    Fame rumor    most…inquire inquiries from the most distant places

  24    tenor substance/content

  25    dead being dead

  28    will none will have none of it

  29    t’appease to pacify/subdue

  31    moons months

  32    dooms decisions/judgments

  33    sum summary/essence

  35    Y-ravishèd entranced/enraptured (archaic)

  36    claps applause    can began    sound declare

  37    heir apparent next in line to the throne

  39    Brief in short

  41    cross contradict

  42    dole grief/sorrow

  43    nurse nurse/midwife

  45    Neptune’s billow the waves    Neptune god of the oceans    half…cut they are halfway there    flood waves/rushing water

  46    moved provoked

  47    grizzled grisly/horrible/gray    north north wind (thought to raise storms)

  50    drives is propelled

  51    well-a-near alas

  52    Does…travail goes into labor

  53    fell cruel

  55    nill will not (archaic)    action performance

  56    Conveniently suitably

  57    Which…told i.e., which my story might not be able to convey

  58    hold consider/retain

  60    appears to speak appears and speaks

Act 3 Scene 1

 3.1    Location: a ship

    1    The god i.e., Neptune    vast immense space, i.e., the sea    rebuke repress    surges violent waves

    2    thou Aeolus, god of the winds

    3    bind…brass in Homer’s Odyssey, Aeolus’ island was surrounded by walls of brass

    4    still calm

    5    Thy Pericles may now address Jove, who controlled thunder

    6    nimble sudden    sulphurous flashes lightning

    8    Wilt…thyself i.e., will you spit out all of your thunder and lightning at once    seaman’s whistle used to give orders

    9    as…Unheard as silent as a whisper to the dead

  10    Lucina goddess of childbirth

  14    travails labor, with a pun on “travels”

  16    conceit understanding

  17    like likely

  18    piece fragment/masterpiece

  20    assist i.e., by ranting or weeping

  27    Recall not do not demand the return of    therein in that respect

  28    Use…you deal honorably with you/deserve to be treated honorably by you

  29    charge responsibility

  30    mild…life i.e., may your life be mild

  32    conditions way of life

  33    rudeliest most roughly

  34    Happy what follows may what follows be happy

  35    chiding noisy/tumultuous

  38    thy…here i.e., the cost of losing her mother is so great that in coming into the world Marina has already lost more than the world can ever repay her

  39    portage porterage or freight charges    quit repay

  40    best eyes most favorable aspect

  42    flaw gust/squall

  46    Slack slacken    bowlines ropes used to steady the sails    Thou the storm

  48    But sea-room if we have room to maneuver the ship brine sea

  49    cloudy billow sea spray

  51    works high is turbulent

  55    still always    strong in custom adhere strongly to our traditions

  56    briefly quickly/immediately

  57    straight immediately

  58    meet suitable

  63    hallowed with religious ceremony

  65    for a monument instead of a tomb

  66    aye-remaining lamps ever-burning votive lights    belching spouting

  67    humming murmuring

  69    Nestor the name of an old and wise king in classical mythology

  70    Nicander the name of a Greek poet, physician, and grammarian

  71    satin satin-lined    coffer box/chest

  72    Hie thee go quickly

  73    Suddenly immediately

  74    beneath the hatches below deck

  75    caulked sealed    bitumed made waterproof with bitumen (pitch)

  79    Alter…Tyre alter your direction (course), which is currently toward Tyre

  84    Go thy ways go ahead/go about it

  85    presently at once

Act 3 Scene 2

 3.2    Location: Ephesus

    8    ministered given in assistance    nature a person’s physical strength or constitution

    9    ’pothecary apothecary, who prepares and sells drugs for medicinal purposes

  14    bleak upon exposed to/in an exposed position next to    bleak windswept

  15    as as if

  16    principals main rafters, posts, or braces of a building    rend tear apart

  20    husbandry industriousness

  21    O…well an ironic dismissal responding to the gentleman’s self-depreciation

  23    tire furnishings

  24    repose sleep

  25    conversant familiar    pain labor

  27    hold it ever have always believed

  28    cunning skill/cleverness/knowledge

  29    Careless prodigal/reckless

  30    darken sully/dishonor

  33    physic medicine

  34    turning o’er authorities reading learned books

  35    practice practical investigations

  36    to my aid to assist me in healing    blest infusions medicinal properties

  37    vegetives plants/herbs

  39    works causes

  40    more content truer happiness    in course in the pursuit

  41    tottering honour unstable reputation

  42    tie…bags draw all my pleasure from the acquisition of wealth

  43    To…death i.e., which would please only a fool, or death, who will inherit in the end

  45    Ephesus ancient city on the western coast of Asia Minor (in present-day Turkey), famous for its temple to Diana; also the setting of Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors

  46    call…creatures acknowledge that they owe their lives to you    creatures dependants

  47    not not only

  48    pain labor    your…open i.e., your generosity

  60    o’ercharged overfilled

  61    constraint of fortune act commanded by fortune

  63    close tightly    caulked sealed    bitumed smeared with bitumen (pitch)

  65    billow wave

  68    Soft! Wait a moment!

  70    it i.e., the lid

  73    cloth of state material fit for a queen (literally refers to the canopy over a throne)    balmed embalmed/anointed    entreasured kept as in a treasury

  74    passport document providing identification/guaranteeing admission

  75    Apollo Greco-Roman god of medicine, learning, and music    perfèct me help me to understand    characters handwriting/writing

  77    drives a-land is driven ashore

  79    mundane cost worldly wealth

  80    Who whoever

  85    even just now/fully    This chanced tonight? This happened last night?

  88    rough hasty/careless

  90    closet private room/inner chamber

  93    o’er-pressed overwhelmed    spirits vital powers or energies (in medieval and early modern medicine, substances or fluids thought to permeate the blood and organs)

  95    appliance attention/treatment

  96    Well said well done    cloths the Quarto text’s spelling could indicate cloths or clothes

  98    viol a stringed instrument    how thou stirr’st how slow you are    block blockhead/idiot

101    Nature…her i.e., Nature sets her breathing again

102    above more than

103    ’gins begins    blow blossom/bloom

107    heavenly jewels Thaisa’s eyes

108    fringes…gold Thaisa’s eyelashes

109    diamonds…water Thaisa’s eyes    water luster/quality

112    Rare marvelous/exceptional

116    Most rare most unusual/extraordinary

120    is mortal would be fatal

121    Aesculapius Greco-Roman god of healing (the son of Apollo)

Act 3 Scene 3

 3.3    Location: Tarsus

    3    litigious contentious

    4    Take…you i.e., I cannot thank you enough, the gods will fully reward you

    6    shakes of fortune damaging shocks delivered by fortune    haunt you mortally pursue you with lethal intent

    7    glance…us touch us and amaze us

  13    Marina “child of the sea” (from Latin mare)

  15    charge…withal entrust to your kindness/burden your kindness with

  16    of in

  17    she…born her behavior may match her high status

  20    for…fall the people constantly bless Pericles/the people should always bless Pericles

  21    neglection negligence

  22    common body people of Tarsus

  24    that i.e., that duty    a spur encouragement

  26    To…generation until all procreation stops/until Cleon’s descendants die out

  28    to’t to do it

  31    show ill in’t (shall) look unattractive

  32    blessèd fortunate

  35    respect esteem/fondness or care/attention

  39    masked deceptively calm/withdrawn

Act 3 Scene 4

 3.4    Location: Ephesus

    2    coffer coffin

    3    character handwriting

    4    shipped at sent to

    5    even on just at    eaning time time of giving birth (eaning means “lambing,” but writers also use it of humans)

    6    whether there delivered whether I gave birth there

    7    rightly accurately

    9    vestal livery a virgin priestess’ clothing; Vestal Virgins tended the sacred fire in the temple of Vesta, Roman goddess of the hearth

  11    this…speak you mean to do as you say

  13    abide…expire stay for the rest of your life

  16    recompense payment

Act 4 Chorus

    2    to in accordance with

    4    there’s there is/there as    votaress priestess

    5    bend direct/turn

    6    fast-growing i.e., because fourteen years have passed

    8    music’s letters the study of music

  10    heart and place focal point

  12    wrack ruin/destruction

  13    earnèd justified

  15    kind manner

  17    ripe mature/sexually available

  18    Hight is called (deliberately archaic)    Philoten the name is taken from Gower’s Confessio Amantis

  19    For certain assuredly

  21    sleded separated into fine threads, ready to be used in weaving or embroidery

  22    small slender

  23    nee’le needle

  24    cambric fine white linen originally made in Cambrai, France    sound strong (the embroidery covers the fabric, making it stronger)

  26    night-bird nightingale

  27    records with moan sings in a mournful fashion/recalls sadly; alludes to the classical legend of Philomela, raped by her brother-in-law Tereus and eventually transformed into a nightingale

  28    rich eloquent    constant consistent/loyal

  29    Vail pay homage

  31    absolute incomparable

  32    dove of Paphos white dove sacred to Venus, who rose from the waves near Paphos in Cyprus

  33    Vie feathers white compete to see which had the whiter feathers

  35    as given as compliments    darks eclipses

  36    graceful marks attractive characteristics/signs of virtue

  37    rare exceptional

  38    present immediate

  41    stead assist

  44    pregnant ready/compliant

  45    Pressed pushed forward/forced into service

  46    content pleasure (in watching the play)

  47    wingèd Time Time was represented as an old man with wings

  48    Post quickly    lame…rhyme halting verse    feet metrical units

  49    never…way I could not express (convey) without the help of your imaginations

Act 4 Scene 1

 4.1    Location: Tarsus

    3    soon quickly

    5    love i.e., love for Marina

    7    be…purpose behave like a soldier and do your job

    8    goodly attractive

    9    fitter more appropriate

  10    only one and only

  11    Thou art resolved you have decided

  13    Tellus Roman goddess of the earth    weed garment/clothing

  14    green the green grass of the grave

  17    Ay me alas

  19    lasting perpetual

  20    Whirring rushing/whirling

  21    How now what is the matter    keep remain

  22    How chance how does it happen that

  23    sorrowing sighing (thought to waste the blood and cause ill-health)

  24    Have…me make me your nurse    favour’s appearance is

  26    o’er…margent along the edge of the sea (i.e., on the seashore)

  27    quick invigorating

  28    stomach appetite

  33    With…heart i.e., as if we were relatives/of the same nation

  35    Our…reports our unequalled beauty, as all agree (paragon plays on sense of “rival”)    blasted blighted/withered

  38    courses interests

  39    reserve preserve

  48    warrant promise/assure

  50    softly slowly/gently    heat your blood overexert yourself

  59    Galling chafing/rubbing    haling pulling/hauling

  65    ladder tackle ropes or a rope ladder in the rigging of the ship

  66    canvas climber sailor climbing in the rigging    wolt out are you going

  67    dropping dripping    industry toil/labor

  68    stem to stern from the front to the back of the ship    boatswain ship’s chief officer

  79    by my troth a mild expletive, meaning “by my faith”    troth truth

  82    la an exclamation (like “indeed”)

  88    commission order

  91    well favoured of a good appearance/pleasant-looking    foreshow indicate

  93    caught hurt received an injury

  94    Good sooth in good truth (a mild expletive)

  99    prize ship or property captured at sea

100    Half part fair shares (either in selling Marina or in raping her)

101    have carry    suddenly immediately

102    roguing villainous    Valdes may refer to Pedro de Valdes, a Spanish admiral in the Armada fleet of 1588

106    please themselves upon i.e., rape

108    ravished abducted/raped

Act 4 Scene 2

 4.2    Location: Mytilene    three bawds the term “bawd” (one who sells another person for sex) could still be used of both sexes    Pander a stereotypical name for a male bawd, derived from Pandarus who brought Troilus and Cressida together    Bolt a projectile or a pin for fastening (both with phallic associations), “to bolt” means “to sift”

    3    narrowly carefully    Mytilene chief town of the Greek island of Lesbos

    4    gallants fashionable young men    mart market

    6    creatures servants (i.e., whores)

    7    but poor three only three

    8    action sexual action

    9    rotten diseased (“rot” means venereal disease)

  10    fresh inexperienced/undiseased

  11    If…trade if we don’t conscientiously provide our customers with good products (conscience also carries sexual puns: to have a ready    conscience is to have an erection, and con is a slang term for the vagina)

  13    ’Tis…bastards i.e., bringing up the prostitutes’ bastard children does not make us a profit

  16    to…again and lowered them to prostitution as soon as they turned eleven

  18    stuff prostitutes (used to refer to the genitals and to goods)

  19    blow…pieces make them fall apart/disintegrate as a result of syphilis

  20    sodden suffering from syphilis (i.e., stewed, as if in a sweating tub)

  21    unwholesome diseased

  22    o’conscience on my conscience (a mild expletive)

  23    baggage slut

  24    pooped infected or killed with venereal disease (“poop” is a slang term for female genitals)

  25    roast…worms a meal for worms    roast meat a body corrupted by venereal disease

  27    chequins Italian gold coins (zecchini), worth between seven shillings, and nine shillings and a sixpence

  28    proportion portion/fortune    give over i.e., retire

  30    get gain/make money (can also mean breed/copulate)

  31    our…danger a good reputation isn’t gained as easily as profits (commodity), nor do the profits measure up to the risks (with a pun on commodity, referring to the whores)

  33    if…hatched if we could earn enough while we were young, it would not be a mistake to close our door to business

  35    sore severe

  36    the…o’er the gods’ disapproval should encourage us to retire

  38    sorts kinds/social ranks/professions    as…we in addition to us; the Pander takes it to mean “as skillfully as we do”

  40    profession career; puns on “profession” in the sense of “declaration of love”

  41    calling vocation

  42    Come your ways come along

  45    gone through bargained (puns on “go,” to copulate)

  46    piece piece of flesh: a pejorative term for a woman or girl    so well and good

  47    earnest deposit

  48    qualities accomplishments

  50    there’s…refused i.e., these are all the qualities she needs

  53    be bated get it reduced (by)    do it a small Dutch coin, worth around one-eighth of a penny (i.e., a negligible amount)

  54    pieces gold pieces (often refers to the unite of James I, worth about twenty shillings)

  56    presently immediately

  58    raw unpolished    entertainment reception of her clients

  59    marks characteristics

  61    warrant assurance/guarantee

  66    Performance shall follow I will do as you say (puns on sexual    performance)

  73    done their part done well by you/fulfilled their obligations in you

  76    are light have fallen (light can also mean wanton/promiscuous)

  77    like likely

  78    fault misfortune

  82    taste have sexual knowledge of

  83    of all fashions of all kinds/manners

  84    difference range/variety    complexions constitutions/appearances

  87    an if

  89    honest chaste/respectable

  90    Marry by the Virgin Mary (a mild oath) whip the gosling confound the little fool; prostitutes were called geese, so a    gosling might be a young or inexperienced prostitute

  91    something…you have some trouble with you (with a sexual pun on do)

  92    sapling a young tree    bowed made to bend

  95    by by means of

  96    comfort give (sexual pleasure) to    feed sexually gratify

  97    stir you up arouse you

  98    cried her advertised her

100    almost…hairs in minute detail/any number of times

106    testament will

107    Spaniard syphilis was known as “the Spanish pox”    went…to was aroused by

109    his best ruff may indicate the Spaniard’s pleasure at the report of Marina and has further sexual connotations;    ruff was frequently used to refer to the female genitalia and a torn ruff could be an emblem of the wearer’s moral frailty

111    Tonight, tonight! i.e., he’ll be here tonight

112    French syphilis was also known as “the French pox”    cowers i’th’hams is bow-legged, indicating his sexual debility

113    Veroles from French vérole, “syphilis”

114    offered to attempted    cut a caper leap or dance for joy; to    caper can also mean to fornicate

115    he…it the attempt made him groan in pain

117    he…hither he was already suffering from syphilis

118    repair cure/renew

119    in our shadow under our roof    scatter…sun refers to the baldness caused by syphilis and to French gold coins

121    traveller visitor (puns on “travail,” painful or laborious effort, used as a euphemism for sexual activity)

122    lodge house/intercept    this sign either the sign of the brothel or Marina herself

124    You…you i.e., you will earn a lot of money (with a sexual pun on coming upon)

126    despise seem to despise

128    makes encourages

129    mere clear

132    take her home talk plainly to her

134    present immediate    practice sexual activity

136    shame modesty/reluctance    which…warrant which she is entitled to do (may refer to the bride or to Marina)

138    Faith…not i.e., some of the brides are bashful, others are not

140    cut…spit cut some meat from the joint while it is still roasting/have sex with Marina before the customers do

143    manner fashion

148    sojourner guest

149    you’ll…custom i.e., the greater number of customers they have, the more Bolt will earn in tips

150    this piece i.e., Marina    piece girl/masterpiece    good turn favor/good sexual experience

151    paragon embodiment of perfection

153    warrant promise/assure    thunder…inclined just as thunder rouses eels from the mud, the description of Marina will (sexually) arouse the brothel’s customers (the phallic eels are paralleled with the customers’ penises)

154    giving out advertising

155    stirs up arouses    lewdly inclined lecherous

157    Come your ways come along

159    Untried…keep i.e., I will protect my virginity

160    aid my purpose i.e., help me

Act 4 Scene 3

 4.3    Location: Tarsus

    7    blood rank/social status

    8    crown ruler

    9    I’th’justice of compare in a fair comparison

  11    drunk…face if Dionyza had merely toasted him, sparing his life, it would have been an act that suited her appearance better

  14    Nurses…preserve those who look after a child cannot control its destiny as the Fates can, to raise it is not to make it live forever

  16    cross deny

  18    for…attribute to get a reputation for honesty

  20    go to an expression of irritation

  24    petty…Pericles alludes to the folklore tradition in which secret murders are revealed by birds    petty small/weak    hence from here

  25    open reveal

  29    but…consent merely gave his approval, not his initial consent    approbation expression of approval

  30    did not would not    flow…courses derive from honorable origins (courses)

  33    came dead i.e., came to be dead

  38    blurted at derided    malkin wench/slut

  39    Not…day not worth greeting

  40    course course of action

  41    You…loving i.e., because you don’t love your own child very much

  42    greets me presents itself to me    enterprise of kindness action motivated by natural affection

  46    yet still

  47    epitaphs inscriptions on her tomb

  48    characters letters

  49    general universal

  51    like…talons like the treacherous harpy, which uses its angelic face to deceive its victims, giving it the opportunity to seize them with its eagle’s talons    harpy mythological creature with a woman’s face and torso and a bird of prey’s wings and claws

  55    swear…flies complain to the gods about something as natural as the winter killing flies/blame the death of flies on winter, rather than acknowledging your own guilt

Act 4 Second Chorus

    1    waste quickly pass over    leagues distances (a league is around three miles)

    2    cockles seashells/small shell-shaped boats    and…for’t just by wishing for it

    3    Making to proceeding to (usually applied to ships)

    4    bourn boundary/limit

    6    several different    clime country/region

    8    i’th’gaps in time gaps (between the scenes represented)

    9    stages…story i.e., both the periods of time and the places in which events occurred

  10    thwarting crossing/defying    wayward contrary/hostile

  15    late recently

  16    time due time

  18    Think…on imagine that thought pilots Pericles, and let your imagination go with the steering of his ship

  21    motes specks of dust/particles    shadows spirits/illusions

  22    Your…reconcile i.e., I’ll explain what you see

  23    foul show hypocrisy

  24    borrowed pretended/assumed    stands for stands in for

  29    bears carries (with him/inside him)

  30    tempest i.e., raging emotions    mortal vessel i.e., his body

  31    rides it out survives it    wit understand/be assured (perhaps archaic)

  32    is that is

  39    Thetis…bestowed the sea (Thetis—a sea nymph and the mother of the Greek hero Achilles, often confused (as here) with Tethys, the sister and wife of Oceanus) swelled with pride at the birth of Marina (Thetis’ birth-child), and the land, afraid of being swamped (o’erflowed), decided to give Marina to the heavens

  42    she i.e., Thetis    stint cease

  43    Make…flint furiously beating against the rocky shore

  44    visor mask

  47    bear permit    courses life (with a nautical pun; a course is the direction in which a ship sails)    orderèd managed/dictated

  48    scene stage

  49    heavy sorrowful    well-a-day lamentation/grief

Act 4 Scene 4

 4.4   Location: Mytilene

    4    divinity moral statements/talk about divine things

    7    bawdy houses brothels    shall’s shall we (“shall us”)    vestals Vestal Virgins

    9    road path; also a euphemism for the vagina    rutting sexual activity

Act 4 Scene 5

    1    I…here I would rather have lost twice what she is worth than have had her come here

    4    Priapus god of fertility and lechery    undo…generation prevent the conception of the next generation/make a whole generation unhappy/ruin us financially

    6    do…fitment do that which is fitting/proper (with a sexual pun on fit)

    7    kindness goodness/sexual favor

    8    quirks verbal tricks/quibbles    master main/principal

    9    puritan person with strict (or apparently strict) religious or moral convictions

  10    cheapen bargain for

  11    disfurnish strip/deprive

  12    cavalleria society of knights/gentlemen (from Italian), i.e., the regular customers of the brothel    swearers people who use bad language/delinquents

  14    green-sickness chlorosis, an anaemic disease (a metaphor for female sexual squeamishness)    for me as far as I’m concerned

  15    rid on’t rid of it

  16    the…pox i.e., sexual intercourse

  18    loon rogue/commoner

  19    peevish silly/spiteful/perverse/coy    baggage a worthless or immoral woman/slut    give way yield sexually

  21    how how much for

  22    the…bless I pray the gods to bless/may the gods bless entirely

  25    that…legs if your clients (resorters) appear healthy (sound) (with a sexual pun on stand)

  26    Wholesome iniquity healthy sin

  27    deal withal have sexual dealings with

  30    deeds of darkness sexual acts (a common euphemism)

  32    what…say what I am saying

  35    flesh woman in a sexual capacity/whore/penis    blood seat of sexual appetite/semen/may also refer to menstrual or hymeneal blood    white and red a conventional description of female beauty

  36    rose maid/maidenhead    if…but— the missing words are probably “a thorn”; Bolt says that Marina is sexually inexperienced: she would be a true rose if only she would have (i.e., accept) a thorn (i.e., a penis)

  39    modest decorous/chaste

  40    That…chaste i.e., modesty gives a bawd a good reputation (renown), no less than it gives a good character (report) to any number of (probably unchaste) people

  43    that…yet is a still virgin; Bolt reduces Marina to her virginity, which is a rose whose stalk has not yet been broken in being plucked

  46    she…sea she would satisfy a sex-starved traveler

  50    have done presently be done soon

  52    note pay attention to the fact that

  54    worthily note pay due respect to

  57    bound obliged

  58    bound subject

  59    in that i.e., in his government

  61    virginal fencing quibbling about/defense of your virginity

  62    use him kindly treat him pleasantly/acquiesce to his sexual needs    He…gold he will reward you financially and (it is implied) sexually (line, copulate with; white    aprons were associated with whores)

  64    graciously virtuously/through divine grace

  67    she’s…yet she hasn’t yet been trained sexually    paced smooth in her gait (used of a horse)

  68    work…manage train her    manage training of a horse

  70    Go thy ways go along

  72    trade profession, i.e., prostitution (euphemistically referred to as trade)

  80    go to’t i.e., have sexual intercourse

  81    gamester prostitute

  84    creature of sale whore

  86    resort attracting such clientele; “house of resort” is a euphemistic term for a brothel

  87    parts qualities

  89    principal mistress (i.e., the Bawd)

  92    herb-woman a euphemistic title for the Bawd, playing on the sexual associations of seed and root in the following lines

  93    sets…iniquity plants and nurtures sinful activities, with sexual puns on    seed (semen) and    root (penis)

  96    my…thee i.e., I will wink at your offenses

  99    If…now if you were born to rule, prove it

100    If…it if you were appointed to rule/have risen to noble status, validate the judgment of those who thought you worthy of that position

102    sage wise/discreet

105    sty brothel

106    Diseases…physic i.e., it costs more to buy a venereal disease (through buying a whore) than it does to pay for the treatment

109    meanest most humble

115    clear blameless/unstained

118    be you thoughten assure yourself

120    savour smell/reek

121    piece of virtue virtuous woman/outstanding example

122    training upbringing/education

128    Avaunt begone/go away    doorkeeper pander

129    prop it hold it up

132    course course of action    peevish silly/spiteful/perverse/coy

134    cope canopy (the sky)

135    spaniel proverbially submissive dog

136    Whither…me? what do you want of me, plays on sexual sense of “have”

138    hangman…it or I’ll have you executed (pun on maidenhead makes a common equation between sex and death)

148    dealt…nobleman i.e., liberally (in his sexual behavior and/or his financial reward)

152    crack…virginity take her virginity by force (glass alludes to the fragility of the hymen and of women’s sexual reputation)

154    An if if/even if    thornier…ground i.e., an even more resistant victim (ground, woman as land vulnerable to tillage)

155    ploughed penetrated/raped

157    conjures invokes supernatural aid

160    Marry, come up an exclamation used to express indignant or amused surprise or contempt

161    rosemary used in cooking and as a decoration at weddings and funerals; recommended by some herbalists to induce menstruation or abortion    bays bay leaves are also used in cooking (perhaps puns on bay, vagina)

164    the jewel i.e., her virginity

167    thing with leering innuendo (thing can mean female genitalia)

168    What…be? i.e., what is the worst thing you could wish upon your enemy

172    do…command have the advantage of having authority over you

173    place position/job    painèd’st most tormented

174    change exchange

175    doorkeeper pander

176    Coistrel knave/scoundrel    Tib whore (a pet form of “Isabel,” a general name for prostitutes)

177    To…liable you are vulnerable to the angry attack (choleric fisting) of any rogue

178    thy…lungs i.e., you take nourishment from something that is unhealthy

181    would you would you have me

182    for…leg only to end up losing a leg

186    receptacles containers/vessels    shores waterside rubbish dumps or sewage channels

187    by indenture on a contract/as an apprentice

189    professest make a profession of    baboon baboons were proverbially lustful

190    own…dear value his reputation too highly

194    virtues accomplishments

200    basest groom lowest scoundrel

204    honest virtuous/chaste

205    my…little I have few friends

210    tractable compliant/cooperative

211    Come your ways come along

Act 5 Chorus

    3    she…goddess-like i.e., she dances as well as she sings

    4    lays songs

    5    Deep learned/erudite    clerks scholars    dumbs reduces to silence    nee’le needle

    7    sisters closely resembles

    8    inkle linen tape/linen thread    silk silk thread or the silk on which she embroiders    twin are identical to    rubied red

  19    His its    sable black (used in heraldry)

  20    hies hurries

  21    supposing imagination

  22    heavy sorrowful    bark ship

  23    what…action i.e., what is acted    if might if it were possible

Act 5 Scene 1

 5.1    Location: off the shore of Mytilene

    1    resolve satisfy/answer

    9    some of worth someone of rank/value

  10    fairly cordially/politely

  12    aught you would anything you would like to know

  14    reverent worthy of respect

  16    die…do i.e., die honorably

  18    triumphs festivities

  21    place position/rank

  24    this the past

  26    prorogue prolong

  27    Upon…distemperature? What is the cause of his mental disturbance?

  28    tedious painful/tiresome

  32    bootless fruitless/unavailing

  36    mortal fatal

  45    chosen choice/special    allure win over

  46    make…stopped i.e., penetrate the parts of his body that are currently so deafened that attempts to communicate can get only halfway in

  48    all happy endowed with all good qualities

  52    effectless useless

  53    bears recovery’s name can be called a cure

  60    graft grafted plant

  61    inflict afflict (with famine)

  62    at large without restraint/in detail

  67    present i.e., gift that may restore Pericles to health

  68    gallant fine/splendid

  70    gentle kind honorable family/lineage    stock descent/ancestry

  71    rarely wed i.e., married to an exceptional person

  72    consists is embodied/resides

  74    prosperous beneficial    artificial feat skillful accomplishment

  75    aught anything

  76    physic treatment/medicine

  80    suffered allowed    The Song see text at end of Textual Notes, here.

  84    Marked he did he notice

  93    justly weighed assessed equally

  94    wayward hostile/erratic    did…state was hostile toward my welfare

  97    rooted out torn up

  98    awkward casualties perverse mishaps

100    something…ear i.e., something tells me    glows flushes with expectation

107    What countrywoman? i.e., what is your nationality

112    great pregnant/heavy    deliver give birth/speak

114    square brows high and broad forehead

115    as wand-like straight as straight as a rod

117    cased enclosed    pace gait/movement    Juno Roman goddess, wife of Jupiter, renowned for stately beauty

118    starves…speech i.e., the more she says, the more they want to hear

124    to owe by owning them

129    Modest as justice alludes to the virginal goddess of justice, Astraea    thou…in i.e., you seem to be virtuous enough for truth to make its home in you

131    relation story

132    To even to

133    friends relatives

141    opened revealed/made plain

144    warrant tell/assure    likely appropriate

147    my endurance what I have endured

149    Patience i.e., a statue of Patience on a tomb

150    Extremity hardship    act action

172    Motion? i.e., can you move

180    Delivered weeping said tearfully

182    dulled gloomy/lethargic

183    withal with

184    buried who I thought was buried

188    by the syllable in every word

194    drawn drawn his sword

197    Whither…me? i.e., where are your questions leading

198    imposture imposter    good faith truly

200    be lives

204    general all things

205    like likely

209    Speaks who speaks

212    still silent/motionless

214    Give…gash wound me    present immediate

216    O’erbear overwhelm

218    beget’st gives life to

221    as…us with shouts as loud as the thunder with which they threaten us

225    did ever sleep were laid to rest

239    When whereupon    justify in knowledge assure yourself beyond all doubt

245    wild…beholding made delirious by what I see

248    doubt have suspicions about

249    sure certainly

252    music…spheres harmony supposedly produced by the movement of stars and planets on the concentric spheres thought to surround the earth    List listen

253    cross contradict/challenge

254    Rarest most splendid/exceptional

257    nips compels

261    answer…belief prove true, as I expect

262    well remember recall you vividly/reward you handsomely

263    Hie thee thither go there quickly

265    maiden virginal/chaste

268    crosses trials/misfortunes    Call speak out loudly/declare

269    give…life describe them faithfully

271    silver bow i.e., crescent moon

273    argentine silvery

276    purpose was for intention was to go to

279    blown swollen/wind-driven    eftsoons shortly

Act 5 Second Chorus

    2    More a little a little more

    3    boon request/favor

    5    aptly easily/readily

    7    minstrelsy noisy music    pretty din pleasing noise

  11    wise way

  12    he i.e., Pericles

  13    bound i.e., by his promise to Diana/on his way

  14    interim…confound make the intervening time seem as nothing

  15    feathered briefness the speed of a bird in flight

  20    by…doom thanks to the consent of your imagination

Act 5 Scene 2

 5.2    Location: Ephesus

    1    just righteous/exact

    2    confess admit/proclaim

    7    Wears…livery i.e., is still a virgin

    9    stars fortune/destiny

  10    against…Riding as we were anchored

  14    favour appearance

  19    reverend appearer person who appears reverend

  32    sanctity i.e., religious vows

  33    sense i.e., desire    bend direct    licentious lustful

  34    curb restrain    spite of seeing in spite of what I see

  46    sports amusements/entertainments

  54    yielded born

  59    substitute deputy

  66    How possibly preserved by what possible means you were preserved

  72    officer agent

  77    all all that

  78    came placèd came to be placed

  82    Night oblations nightly/evening prayers

  83    fair handsome

  85    this ornament i.e., Pericles’ beard and long hair

  86    Makes which makes    to form into shape

  89    of good credit credible

  91    there in Pentapolis

  94    son i.e., Lysimachus

  95    do…stay i.e., frustrate our longing

  96    untold that is untold

Epilogue

    4    keen harsh/cruel

    5    fell cruel/savage

    7    descry see/discover

    8    figure emblem

  10    aye always/forever

  11    fame report/rumor

  12    to against

  13    to…turn the citizens become angry

  15    so in this manner

  16    although…meant even though it was not done, but only intended

THE TWO NOBLE KINSMEN

The Two Noble Kinsmen, written in collaboration with John Fletcher, is a dramatization of the first and noblest of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, the tragic “Knight’s Tale.” Two near-brothers fall out with each other because of their shared desire for a woman: it is a theme familiar from many earlier Shakespearean works. Stylistic studies suggest that Shakespeare was primarily responsible for the first and last acts, Fletcher for the middle of the play. The most touching scenes are the non-Chaucerian ones featuring the Jailer’s Daughter who runs mad as a result of her unrequited love for the dashing Palamon. These sequences were written by Fletcher in the style of Shakespeare: the junior partner was manifestly under the influence of one of his collaborator’s most celebrated creations: the demented Ophelia.

In the final act, written in the supple blank verse that is characteristic of late Shakespeare, the kinsmen fight for Emilia by way of chivalric single combat. Arcite dedicates himself to Mars, the god of war, on the grounds that this will be the best way of winning the martial contest. Palamon, on the other hand, dedicates himself to Venus, goddess of love, on the grounds that love is at issue. Emilia admires both men equally; she sensibly prays to Diana, goddess of chastity, that either the one who loves her best should win or, failing this, that they should both be killed, leaving her a perpetual virgin. There appears to be a tragic bind: since Arcite has prayed to Mars, he will win the joust, but since Palamon has prayed to Venus, he deserves the love prize. Fortune ends up playing a subtle game: in the words of Theseus, who presides over the action, “the conquered triumphs, / The victor has the loss.” Arcite wins the day, but only for an instant: he is mortally injured in a riding accident in his very victory parade. As is appropriate, the romantic hero Palamon is granted his romance with Emilia. But this “comic” requital has only been made possible by the suffering of others. “O cousin,” laments Palamon, “That we should things desire, which do cost us / The loss of our desire! That nought could buy / Dear love, but loss of dear love!” This paradox comes to the heart of Shakespeare and Fletcher’s tragicomic vision of the world.

With its wedding and funeral processions, its morris dance featuring a countryman dressed as a baboon, and its knights prostrating themselves before the temples of various classical deities, The Two Noble Kinsmen appealed to the taste for spectacle that characterized the later Jacobean theater. The preponderance of special effects may have been the result of its being written during the period when the Globe Theatre was being rebuilt after the fire of 1613: this seems to have been one of the very few King’s Men plays written specifically for the smaller indoor Blackfriars Theatre, an intimate space where artificial effects could be more precisely controlled than in the rowdy outdoor arena of the Globe. Strikingly, the epilogue ends “Gentlemen, goodnight,” a reminder that the audience at the Blackfriars, close to the Inns of Court, was much more male-dominated than that at the Globe.

Although the play draws on the fashions of its time, it also looks back to Shakespeare’s Elizabethan comedies. The title echoes The Two Gentlemen of Verona, and the long central sequence in which assorted love tangles are played out in a wood outside Athens is structurally highly reminiscent of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. At times, both the language and the treatment of the relationship between friendship and sexuality suggest that Shakespeare was revisiting old territory even as he was learning from some of the new techniques of Fletcher.

One passage in particular takes him back into the vein of Dream and his bestselling love-poem Venus and Adonis. Ovid’s Metamorphoses become once again a template for reflections on desire and identity. Emilia remembers Flavina, whom she loved as a girl, and the way that they would each place flowers between their swelling breasts, which became an “innocent cradle, where phoenix-like / They died in perfume.” The dying flower in Venus and Adonis is an emblem of unrequited love. The phoenix and the turtle in Shakespeare’s marriage poem published with Robert Chester’s Loves Martyr are emblems of reciprocal love between male and female. In Emilia’s image, the paired flowers become two phoenixes, with the wonderful contradiction of the bird’s defining uniqueness proclaiming the perfection of same-sex love. The speech ends with the claim that “the true love ’tween maid and maind may be / More than in sex dividual.” The Two Noble Kinsmen is a tragedy because same-sex love is disrupted by heterosexual desire and the conflicting demands of the different gods that are enacted in the sacrifices before their altars in the final act. The momentary fusion of the two pubescent girls remembered by Emilia cannot be replicated between Palamon and Arcite. Shakespeare’s final representation of sexual relations is uncompromising. Whereas A Midsummer Night’s Dream moved toward a celebration of the nuptials of Theseus and Hippolyta, The Two Noble Kinsmen, from the first disruptive entry of the three widowed queens, moves rapidly away from that union. The lost Flavina is a version of the dead votaress whom Titania loved, but one who dies before the fall into sexuality that brings so much confusion to Shakespeare’s comedies. She is the mark of a yearning in Shakespeare for a kind of presexual love, free from the quest for mastery.

KEY FACTS

AUTHORSHIP: By Shakespeare and John Fletcher. Active collaboration is generally assumed, but the possibility of Fletcher taking over an incomplete Shakespearean work cannot be ruled out. Most scholars agree on the following division of labor, whereby Shakespeare wrote the beginning and end, Fletcher the middle (including the Jailer’s Daughter subplot):

Prologue | Fletcher
Act 1 | Shakespeare
2.1 | Shakespeare
2.2–2.6 | Fletcher
3.1–3.2 | Shakespeare (some doubt about 3.2)
rest of Act 3 | Fletcher
Act 4 | Fletcher (some doubt about 4.2)
5.1 | Shakespeare (some doubt about opening 38 lines)
5.2 | Fletcher
5.3–5.4 | Shakespeare
Epilogue | Fletcher

PLOT: On the day planned for his wedding to Hippolyta, Duke Theseus of Athens is petitioned by three queens to go to war against King Creon of Thebes, who has deprived their dead husbands of proper burial rites. In Thebes, the “two noble kinsmen,” Palamon and Arcite, realize that their own hatred of Creon’s tyranny must be put aside while their native city is in danger, but in spite of their valor in battle it is Theseus who is victorious. Imprisoned in Athens, the cousins catch sight of Hippolyta’s sister, Emilia, and both fall instantly in love with her. Arcite is set free, but disguises himself rather than return to Thebes, while Palamon escapes with the help of the Jailer’s Daughter, who loves him. Meeting each other, the kinsmen agree that mortal combat between them must decide the issue, but they are discovered by Theseus who is persuaded to revoke his sentence of death and instead decrees that a tournament shall decide which cousin is to be married to the indecisive Emilia and which is to lose his head. The Jailer’s Daughter has been driven mad by unrequited love, but accepts her former suitor when he pretends to be Palamon. Before the tournament Arcite makes a lengthy invocation to Mars, while Palamon prays to Venus, and Emilia to Diana—for victory to go to the one who loves her best. Although Arcite triumphs, he is thrown from his horse before the death sentence on Palamon can be carried out, and with his last breath bequeaths Emilia to his friend.

MAJOR PARTS: (with percentage of lines/number of speeches/scenes on stage) Palamon (18%/139/8), Arcite (16%/132/10), Emilia (11%/64/10), Theseus (10%/70/9), Jailer’s Daughter (10%/54/9), Jailer (4%/64/5), Pirithous (4%/37/9), Wooer (3%/38/3), Hippolyta (3%/25/9), Schoolmaster (3%/19/1), Doctor (2%/30/2), First Queen (2%/12/3).

LINGUISTIC MEDIUM: 95% verse, 5% prose.

DATE: 1613–14. Morris dance borrows from Francis Beaumont’s Masque of the Inner Temple and Gray’s Inn, February 1613; alluded to in Ben Jonson’s Bartholomew Fair (first performed October 1614); ‘‘our losses’’ in the Prologue probably refers to the Globe fire of June 1613; probably first performed at Blackfriars Theatre in the winter season of 1613–14.

SOURCES: Based on Chaucer’s ‘‘Knight’s Tale’’ (the debt is specifically acknowledged in the Prologue, as with the debt to Gower in Pericles). There is no direct source for the Jailer’s Daughter subplot, but the influence of Hamlet is strong. The striking opening sequence of a royal wedding interrupted by harbingers of royal death may be shaped by recent public events: the wedding of King James’ daughter, Princess Elizabeth, was planned for January 1613, but postponed because of the death in November 1612 of Prince Henry, heir to the throne.

TEXT: Not in the First Folio, presumably because it was thought to belong to the canon of the living Fletcher as much as the dead Shakespeare. Published in Quarto in 1634, as ‘‘Presented at the Blackfriers by the Kings Maiesties servants, with great applause: Written by the memorableWorthies of their time: Mr John Fletcher, and MrWilliam Shakspeare. Gent[lemen].’’ Thomas Cotes, the printer, also produced a new Quarto of Pericles the following year: the two plays may have been intended as an addendum to the Shakespeare Second Folio of 1632, which was also printed by Cotes. A well-printed text, perhaps based on a scribal transcript of the authors’ manuscript, but with theatrical annotation. Some of the stage directions are intended for the bookkeeper, who acted as stage manager, preparing props backstage; they are proof of the theatrical origin of the text and of great interest in revealing stage practice. The text was reprinted in the Second Folio (1679) of Beaumont and Fletcher’s Comedies and Tragedies.

THE TWO NOBLE KINSMEN

The PROLOGUE

Thebans

THREE QUEENS, widows of besiegers of Thebes

VALERIUS

THREE KNIGHTS, Arcite’s supporters

THREE KNIGHTS, Palamon’s supporters

Athenians

THESEUS, Duke of Athens

PIRITHOUS, Theseus’ friend

HIPPOLYTA, Amazon queen, Theseus’ bride

EMILIA, Hippolyta’s sister

WAITING WOMAN, attendant on Emilia

Artesius, an OFFICER of Theseus

HERALD

JAILER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

WOOER of Jailer’s daughter

JAILER’S BROTHER

TWO FRIENDS of Jailer

DOCTOR

Gerald, a SCHOOLMASTER

FIVE COUNTRYMEN: Areas, Rycas, Sennois and two others

FIVE COUNTRYWOMEN: Barbary, Friz, Luce, Maudlin, Nell

TIMOTHY, a TABORER

Actor playing a BABOON

GENTLEMEN

EXECUTIONER

TWO MESSENGERS

The EPILOGUE

Other Servants, Guards and Attendants

Prologue

       Flourish.* [Enter the Prologue]

               New plays and maidenheads¹ are near akin:

               Much followed² both, for both much money gi’en,

               If they stand³ sound and well. And a good play —

               Whose modest scenes blush on his marriage day,

5

5              And shake⁵ to lose his honour — is like her

               That after holy tie and first night’s stir⁶

               Yet still is Modesty, and still retains

               More of the maid, to sight, than husband’s pains.⁸

               We pray our play may be so, for I am sure

10

10            It has a noble breeder¹⁰ and a pure,

               A learnèd, and a poet never went¹¹

               More famous yet ’twixt Po¹² and silver Trent.

               Chaucer — of all admired — the story gives,

               There,¹⁴ constant to eternity, it lives.

15

15            If we let fall¹⁵ the nobleness of this

               And the first sound this child hear be a hiss,

               How will it shake the bones of that good man

               And make him cry from under ground, ‘O, fan¹⁸

               From me the witless chaff of such a writer

20

20            That blasts my bays²⁰ and my famed works makes lighter

               Than Robin Hood!²¹’ This is the fear we bring,

               For, to say truth, it were an endless²² thing

               And too ambitious to aspire to him,

               Weak as we are, and almost breathless swim

25

25            In this deep water. Do²⁵ but you hold out

               Your helping hands and we shall tack about,²⁶

               And something do to save us: you shall hear

               Scenes, though below his art, may yet appear

               Worth two hours’ travel. To his bones sweet sleep,

30

30            Content to you. If this play do not keep

               A little dull time from us, we perceive

               Our losses fall so thick, we must needs leave.³²

       Flourish. [Exit]

Act 1 [Scene 1]1.1

running scene 1

       Music. Enter Hymen with a torch burning, a Boy, in a white robe, before, singing and strewing flowers; after Hymen, a Nymph, encompassed in her tresses, bearing a wheaten garland. Then Theseus between two other Nymphs with wheaten chaplets on their heads. Then Hippolyta the bride, led by [Pirithous], and another holding a garland over her head, her tresses likewise hanging. After her Emilia, holding up her train.

                                    The song

BOY

BOY     Roses their sharp spines being gone,

               Not royal² in their smells alone,

                                    But in their hue.

                                    Maiden pinks, of odour faint,

5

5                                   Daisies smell-less, yet most quaint⁵

                                    And sweet thyme true.

                                    Primrose, first-born child of Ver,⁷

                                    Merry springtime’s harbinger,⁸

                                    With harebells dim,

10

10                                 Oxlips in their cradles¹⁰ growing,

                                    Marigolds on deathbeds blowing,¹¹

                                    Lark’s-heels¹² trim.

                                    All dear Nature’s children sweet,

                                    Lie ’fore bride and bridegroom’s feet,

       Strew flowers

15

15                                 Blessing their sense.¹⁵

                                    Not an angel of the air,

                                    Bird melodious, or bird fair,

                                    Is absent hence.

                                    The crow, the sland’rous¹⁹ cuckoo, nor

20

20                                 The boding²⁰ raven, nor chough hoar

                                    Nor chatt’ring ’pie,²¹

                                    May on our bride-house²² perch or sing,

                                    Or with them any discord bring,

                                    But from it fly.

       Enter three Queens in black, with veils stained, with imperial crowns. The First Queen falls down at the foot of Theseus, the second falls down at the foot of Hippolyta, the third before Emilia

25

25   

FIRST QUEEN

FIRST QUEEN             For pity’s sake and true gentility’s, To Theseus

               Hear and respect²⁶ me.

SECOND QUEEN

SECOND QUEEN     For your mother’s sake To Hippolyta

               And as you wish your womb may thrive with fair ones,

               Hear and respect me,

30

30   

THIRD QUEEN

THIRD QUEEN             Now for the love of him whom Jove³⁰ hath marked To Emilia

               The honour³¹ of your bed and for the sake

               Of clear virginity, be advocate

               For us and our distresses: this good deed

               Shall raze³⁴ you out o’th’book of trespasses

35

35            All you are set down there.

THESEUS

THESEUS     Sad lady, rise. To First Queen

HIPPOLYTA

HIPPOLYTA     Stand up. To Second Queen

EMILIA

EMILIA     No knees³⁸ to me. To Third Queen

               What woman I may stead³⁹ that is distressed

40

40            Does bind me to her.

       Second and Third Queens may rise here while First Queen continues to kneel, or all three may continue kneeling

THESEUS

THESEUS     What’s your request? To First Queen Deliver you for all.

FIRST QUEEN

FIRST QUEEN     We are three queens, whose sovereigns fell before

               The wrath of cruel Creon,⁴³ who endured

               The beaks of ravens, talons of the kites

45

45            And pecks of crows in the foul fields of Thebes.

               He will not suffer⁴⁶ us to burn their bones,

               To urn their ashes, nor to take th’offence

               Of mortal loathsomeness from the blest eye

               Of holy Phoebus,⁴⁹ but infects the winds

50

50            With stench of our slain lords. O pity, duke,

               Thou purger⁵¹ of the earth, draw thy feared sword

               That does good turns to th’world: give us the bones

               Of our dead kings that we may chapel⁵³ them:

               And of⁵⁴ thy boundless goodness take some note

55

55            That for our crownèd heads we have no roof,

               Save this which is the lion’s and the bear’s,

               And vault⁵⁷ to everything.

THESEUS

THESEUS     Pray you, kneel not:

               I was transported⁵⁹ with your speech and suffered

60

60            Your knees to wrong themselves. I have heard the fortunes

               Of your dead lords, which gives me such lamenting

               As wakes my vengeance and revenge for ’em.—

               King Capaneus was your lord. The day To First Queen

               That he should⁶⁴ marry you, at such a season

65

65            As now it is with me, I met your groom.

               By Mars’s⁶⁶ altar you were that time fair:

               Not Juno’s⁶⁷ mantle fairer than your tresses,

               Nor in more bounty spread her. Your⁶⁸ wheaten wreath

               Was then nor threshed nor blasted: Fortune at you

70

70            Dimpled her cheek with smiles. Hercules⁷⁰ our kinsman —

               Then weaker than your eyes — laid by his club:

               He tumbled down upon his Nemean⁷² hide

               And swore his sinews thawed.⁷³ O grief and time,

               Fearful consumers, you will all devour!

75

75   

FIRST QUEEN

FIRST QUEEN             O, I hope some god,

               Some god hath put his mercy in your manhood,

               Whereto⁷⁷ he’ll infuse power, and press you forth

               Our undertaker.⁷⁸

THESEUS

THESEUS     O, no knees, none, widow!

80

80            Unto the helmeted Bellona⁸⁰ use them,

               And pray for me, your soldier. First Queen rises

               Troubled I am.

       Turns away

SECOND QUEEN

SECOND QUEEN     Honoured Hippolyta, Kneeling

               Most dreaded Amazonian, that hast slain

85

85            The scythe-tusked boar, that with thy arm, as strong

               As it is white, wast⁸⁶ near to make the male

               To thy sex captive, but that this thy lord

               Born to uphold⁸⁸ creation in that honour

               First nature styled it in, shrunk thee into

90

90            The bound⁹⁰ thou wast o’er-flowing, at once subduing

               Thy force and thy affection, soldieress,

               That equally canst poise⁹² sternness with pity,

               Whom now I know hast much more power on him

               Than ever he had on thee, who ow’st⁹⁴ his strength

95

95            And his love too, who is a servant for

               The tenor⁹⁶ of the speech, dear glass of ladies:

               Bid him that we, whom flaming war doth scorch,

               Under the shadow of his sword may cool us:

               Require him he advance it o’er our heads.

100

100          Speak’t in a woman’s key,¹⁰⁰ like such a woman

               As any of us three: weep ere you fail,

               Lend¹⁰² us a knee,

               But touch the ground for us no longer time

               Than a dove’s motion when the head’s plucked off.

105

105          Tell him if he i’th’blood-sized¹⁰⁵ field lay swoll’n,

               Showing the sun his teeth, grinning at the moon,

               What you would do.

HIPPOLYTA

HIPPOLYTA     Poor lady say no more:

               I had as lief¹⁰⁹ trace this good action with you

110

110          As that whereto I am going, and never yet

               Went I so willing way. My lord is taken¹¹¹

               Heart deep with your distress: let him consider:

               I’ll speak anon. Second Queen rises

THIRD QUEEN

THIRD QUEEN     O, my petition was

       Kneel to Emilia

115

115          Set¹¹⁵ down in ice, which by hot grief uncandied

               Melts into drops: so sorrow wanting form¹¹⁶

               Is pressed¹¹⁷ with deeper matter.

EMILIA

EMILIA     Pray stand up:

               Your grief is written in your cheek.

120

120 

THIRD QUEEN

THIRD QUEEN             O, woe, Third Queen rises

               You cannot read it there: there, through my tears,

               Like wrinkled pebbles in a glass stream,

               You may behold ’em — lady, lady, alack —

               He that will all the treasure know o’th’earth

125

125          Must know¹²⁵ the centre too: he that will fish

               For my least minnow, let him lead his line

               To catch one at my heart. O, pardon me,

               Extremity, that sharpens sundry wits,¹²⁸

               Makes me a fool.

130

130 

EMILIA

EMILIA             Pray you say nothing, pray you.

               Who cannot feel nor see the rain, being in’t,

               Knows neither wet nor dry. If that you were

               The ground-piece¹³³ of some painter, I would buy you

               T’instruct me gainst¹³⁴ a capital grief indeed

135

135          Such heart-pierced demonstration: but alas,

               Being a natural¹³⁶ sister of our sex,

               Your sorrow beats so ardently¹³⁷ upon me

               That it shall¹³⁸ make a counter-reflect gainst

               My brother’s heart, and warm it to some pity,

140

140          Though it were made of stone. Pray have good comfort.

THESEUS

THESEUS     Forward to th’temple! Leave not out a jot¹⁴¹

               O’th’sacred ceremony.

FIRST QUEEN

FIRST QUEEN     O, this celebration

               Will longer last and be more costly than

145

145          Your suppliants’¹⁴⁵ war! Remember that your fame

               Knolls¹⁴⁶ in the ear o’th’world: what you do quickly

               Is not done rashly: your first thought is more

               Than others’ laboured meditance,¹⁴⁸ your pre-meditating

               More than their actions. But, O Jove, your actions,

150

150          Soon as they move, as ospreys¹⁵⁰ do the fish,

               Subdue before they touch. Think, dear duke, think

               What beds our slain kings have.

SECOND QUEEN

SECOND QUEEN     What griefs our beds,

               That our dear lords have none.

155

155 

THIRD QUEEN

THIRD QUEEN             None fit for th’dead:

               Those that with cords, knives, drams’¹⁵⁶ precipitance,

               Weary of this world’s light, have to themselves

               Been death’s most horrid agents, humane grace

               Affords them dust and shadow.

160

160 

FIRST QUEEN

FIRST QUEEN             But our lords

               Lie blist’ring ’fore the visitating¹⁶¹ sun,

               And were good kings, when living.

THESEUS

THESEUS     It is true, and I will give you comfort,

               To give¹⁶⁴ your dead lords graves:

165

165          The which to do must make some work with Creon.

FIRST QUEEN

FIRST QUEEN     And that work presents¹⁶⁶ itself to th’doing:

               Now ’twill take form, the heats are gone tomorrow:

               Then, bootless¹⁶⁸ toil must recompense itself

               With its own sweat: now he’s secure,

170

170          Not dreams, we stand before your puissance¹⁷⁰

               Rinsing our holy begging in our eyes

               To make petition clear.¹⁷²

SECOND QUEEN

SECOND QUEEN     Now you may take him,

               Drunk with his victory.

175

175 

THIRD QUEEN

THIRD QUEEN             And his army full

               Of bread and sloth.

THESEUS

THESEUS     Artesius, that best knowest To Officer

               How to draw out¹⁷⁸ fit to this enterprise

               The prim’st¹⁷⁹ for this proceeding and the number

180

180          To carry such a business, forth and levy¹⁸⁰

               Our worthiest instruments,¹⁸¹ whilst we dispatch

               This grand act of our life, this daring deed

               Of fate in wedlock.

FIRST QUEEN

FIRST QUEEN     Dowagers, take hands. To the other Queens

185

185          Let us be widows¹⁸⁵ to our woes: delay

               Commends us to a famishing¹⁸⁶ hope.

ALL QUEENS

ALL QUEENS     Farewell.

SECOND QUEEN

SECOND QUEEN     We come unseasonably: but when could grief

               Cull¹⁸⁹ forth, as unpanged judgement can, fitt’st time

190

190          For best solicitation?

THESEUS

THESEUS     Why, good ladies,

               This is a service,¹⁹² whereto I am going,

               Greater than any war: it more imports¹⁹³ me

               Than all the actions that I have foregone,¹⁹⁴

195

195          Or futurely can cope.¹⁹⁵

FIRST QUEEN

FIRST QUEEN     The more proclaiming¹⁹⁶

               Our suit shall be neglected, when her arms,

               Able to lock¹⁹⁸ Jove from a synod, shall

               By warranting¹⁹⁹ moonlight corslet thee: O, when

200

200          Her twinning cherries²⁰⁰ shall their sweetness fall

               Upon thy taste-full²⁰¹ lips, what wilt thou think

               Of rotten kings or blubbered²⁰² queens? What care

               For what thou feel’st not, what thou feel’st being able

               To make Mars spurn his drum? O, if thou couch

205

205          But one night with her, every hour in’t will

               Take hostage of thee for a hundred and

               Thou shalt remember nothing more, than what

               That banquet bids²⁰⁸ thee to.

HIPPOLYTA

HIPPOLYTA     Though much unlike²⁰⁹ To Theseus

210

210          You should be so transported, as much sorry

               I should be such a suitor, yet I think

               Did I not by th’abstaining of my joy

               Which breeds a deeper longing, cure their surfeit²¹³

               That craves a present²¹⁴ med’cine, I should pluck

215

215          All ladies’ scandal²¹⁵ on me. Therefore, sir Kneels

               As I shall here make trial of my prayers,

               Either presuming them to have some force,

               Or sentencing for aye²¹⁸ their vigour dumb,

               Prorogue²¹⁹ this business we are going about and hang

220

220          Your shield afore your heart, about that neck

               Which is my fee²²¹ and which I freely lend

               To do these poor queens service.

ALL QUEENS

ALL QUEENS     O, help now, To Emilia

               Our cause cries for your knee.

225

225 

EMILIA

EMILIA             If you grant not Kneels to Theseus

               My sister her petition in that force,

               With that celerity and nature, which

               She makes it in, from henceforth I’ll not dare

               To ask you anything, nor be so hardy²²⁹

230

230          Ever to take a husband.

THESEUS

THESEUS     Pray stand up. They rise

               I am entreating of myself to do

               That which you kneel to have me.— Pirithous,

               Lead on the bride: get you²³⁴ and pray the gods

235

235          For success and return: omit not anything

               In the pretended²³⁶ celebration.— Queens,

               Follow your soldier.— As before, hence you, To Officer

               And at the banks of Aulis²³⁸ meet us with

               The forces you can raise, where we shall find

240

240          The moiety²⁴⁰ of a number for a business

               More bigger look’t.— Since that our theme is haste,

       [Exit Officer]

               I stamp this kiss upon thy current²⁴² lip:

               Sweet, keep it as my token. Set you forward,

               For I will see you gone.—

       [They begin to] exeunt towards the temple

245

245          Farewell, my beauteous sister.— Pirithous,

               Keep the feast full,²⁴⁶ bate not an hour on’t.

PIRITHOUS

PIRITHOUS     Sir,

               I’ll follow you at heels: the feast’s solemnity²⁴⁸

               Shall want²⁴⁹ till your return.

250

250 

THESEUS

THESEUS             Cousin,²⁵⁰ I charge you

               Budge not from Athens: we shall be returning

               Ere you can end this feast, of which I pray you

               Make no abatement.²⁵³— Once more, farewell all.

       [Exeunt all except Theseus and Queens]

FIRST QUEEN

FIRST QUEEN     Thus dost thou still make good the tongue o’th’world²⁵⁴—

255

255 

SECOND QUEEN

SECOND QUEEN             And earn’st a deity equal with Mars—

THIRD QUEEN

THIRD QUEEN     If not above him, for

               Thou, being but mortal, mak’st affections²⁵⁷ bend

               To godlike honours: they themselves, some say,

               Groan under such a mast’ry.

260

260 

THESEUS

THESEUS             As we are men,

               Thus should we do, being sensually subdued²⁶¹

               We lose our human title.²⁶² Good cheer, ladies:

               Now turn we towards your comforts.

       Flourish. Exeunt

Act 1 Scene 21.2

running scene 2

       Enter Palamon and Arcite

ARCITE

ARCITE     Dear Palamon, dearer in love than blood¹

               And our prime² cousin, yet unhardened in

               The crimes of nature,³ let us leave the city

               Thebes, and the temptings in’t, before we further

5

5              Sully⁵ our gloss of youth

               And here to keep in abstinence we shame⁶

               As in incontinence,⁷ for not to swim

               I’th’aid o’th’current, were almost to sink,

               At least to frustrate striving,⁹ and to follow

10

10            The common stream, ’twould bring us to an eddy¹⁰

               Where we should turn or drown: if labour through,

               Our gain but life and weakness.

PALAMON

PALAMON     Your advice

               Is cried up¹⁴ with example. What strange ruins

15

15            Since first we went to school, may we perceive

               Walking in Thebes! Scars and bare weeds¹⁶

               The gain o’th’martialist,¹⁷ who did propound

               To his bold ends honour and golden ingots,¹⁸

               Which though he won, he had not, and now flurted¹⁹

20

20            By peace for whom he fought. Who then shall offer

               To Mars’s so scorned altar? I do bleed

               When such I meet and wish great Juno would

               Resume her ancient fit of jealousy

               To get the soldier work, that peace might purge²⁴

25

25            For her repletion and retain²⁵ anew

               Her charitable heart, now hard and harsher

               Than strife or war could be.

ARCITE

ARCITE     Are you not out?²⁸

               Meet you no ruin but the soldier in

30

30            The cranks³⁰ and turns of Thebes? You did begin

               As if you met decays of many kinds:

               Perceive you none that do arouse your pity

               But th’unconsidered soldier?

PALAMON

PALAMON     Yes, I pity

35

35            Decays where’er I find them, but such most

               That sweating in an honourable toil

               Are paid³⁷ with ice to cool ’em.

ARCITE

ARCITE     ’Tis not this

               I did begin to speak of: this is virtue

40

40            Of no respect⁴⁰ in Thebes. I spake of Thebes,

               How dangerous, if we will keep our honours,

               It is for our residing, where every evil

               Hath a good colour:⁴³ where every seeming good’s

               A certain evil: where not to be e’en jump⁴⁴

45

45            As they are here were to be strangers, and

               Such things to be, mere⁴⁶ monsters.

PALAMON

PALAMON     ’Tis in our power —

               Unless we fear that apes⁴⁸ can tutor’s — to

               Be masters of our manners. What need I

50

50            Affect⁵⁰ another’s gait, which is not catching

               Where there is faith,⁵¹ or to be fond upon

               Another’s way of speech when by mine own

               I may be reasonably conceived,⁵³ saved too,

               Speaking it truly?⁵⁴ Why am I bound

55

55            By any generous bond⁵⁵ to follow him

               Follows his tailor, haply⁵⁶ so long until

               The followed make pursuit?⁵⁷ Or let me know

               Why mine own barber is unblessed, with him

               My poor chin too, for⁵⁹ ’tis not scissored just

60

60            To such a favourite’s glass?⁶⁰ What canon is there

               That does command my rapier⁶¹ from my hip

               To dangle’t in my hand, or to go tiptoe

               Before the street be foul? Either I am

               The fore-horse in the team or I am none

65

65            That draw i’th’sequent trace.⁶⁵ These poor slight sores

               Need not a plantain:⁶⁶ that which tips my bosom

               Almost to th’heart’s—

ARCITE

ARCITE     Our uncle Creon.

PALAMON

PALAMON     He:

70

70            A most unbounded tyrant, whose successes

               Makes heaven unfeared and villainy assured

               Beyond its power there’s nothing, almost puts

               Faith in a fever, and deifies⁷³ alone

               Voluble⁷⁴ chance: who only attributes

75

75            The faculties of other instruments

               To his own nerves and act: commands men service,

               And what they win in’t, boot⁷⁷ and glory: one

               That fears not to do harm, good, dares not.⁷⁸ Let

               The blood of mine that’s sib⁷⁹ to him be sucked

80

80            From me with leeches, let them break⁸⁰ and fall

               Off me with that corruption.

ARCITE

ARCITE     Clear-spirited⁸² cousin,

               Let’s leave his court, that we may nothing share

               Of his loud⁸⁴ infamy, for our milk

85

85            Will relish of the pasture and we must

               Be vile⁸⁶ or disobedient: not his kinsmen

               In blood unless in quality.

PALAMON

PALAMON     Nothing truer:

               I think the echoes of his shames have deafed

90

90            The ears of heav’nly justice. Widows’ cries

               Descend again into their throats and have not

       Enter Valerius

               Due audience of⁹² the gods.— Valerius!

VALERIUS

VALERIUS     The king calls for you: yet be leaden-footed⁹³

               Till his great rage be off him. Phoebus, when

95

95            He broke his whipstock⁹⁵ and exclaimed against

               The horses of the sun, but⁹⁶ whispered to

               The loudness of his fury.

PALAMON

PALAMON     Small winds shake him.

               But what’s the matter?

100

100 

VALERIUS

VALERIUS             Theseus — who, where he threats, appals¹⁰⁰ — hath sent

               Deadly defiance to him and pronounces

               Ruin to Thebes, who is at hand to seal¹⁰²

               The promise of his wrath.

ARCITE

ARCITE     Let him approach.

105

105          But¹⁰⁵ that we fear the gods in him, he brings not

               A jot of terror to us. Yet what man

               Thirds¹⁰⁷ his own worth — the case is each of ours —

               When that his action’s dregged,¹⁰⁸ with mind assured

               ’Tis bad he goes about?

110

110 

PALAMON

PALAMON             Leave that unreasoned.¹¹⁰

               Our services stand now for Thebes, not Creon.

               Yet¹¹² to be neutral to him were dishonour,

               Rebellious to oppose: therefore we must

               With him stand to the mercy of our fate,

115

115          Who hath bounded¹¹⁵ our last minute.

ARCITE

ARCITE     So we must.—

               Is’t said this war’s afoot? Or it shall be, To Valerius

               On fail of¹¹⁸ some condition?

VALERIUS

VALERIUS     ’Tis in motion.

120

120          The intelligence of state¹²⁰ came in the instant

               With the defier.¹²¹

PALAMON

PALAMON     Let’s to the king, who, were he

               A quarter-carrier of that honour which

               His enemy come in, the blood we venture

125

125          Should be as¹²⁵ for our health, which were not spent,

               Rather laid¹²⁶ out for purchase: but, alas,

               Our hands¹²⁷ advanced before our hearts, what will

               The fall o’th’stroke do damage?

ARCITE

ARCITE     Let th’event,¹²⁹

130

130          That never-erring arbitrator, tell us

               When we know all ourselves, and let us follow

               The becking¹³² of our chance.

       Exeunt

Act 1 Scene 31.3

running scene 3

       Enter Pirithous, Hippolyta, Emilia

PIRITHOUS

PIRITHOUS     No further.

HIPPOLYTA

HIPPOLYTA     Sir, farewell: repeat my wishes

               To our great lord, of whose success I dare not

               Make any timorous⁴ question: yet I wish him

5

5              Excess and overflow of power, an’t⁵ might be

               To dure⁶ ill-dealing fortune. Speed to him!

               Store⁷ never hurts good governors.

PIRITHOUS

PIRITHOUS     Though I know

               His ocean needs not my poor drops, yet they

10

10            Must yield their tribute there.— My precious maid, To Emilia

               Those best affections¹¹ that the heavens infuse

               In their best-tempered pieces,¹² keep enthroned

               In your dear heart.

EMILIA

EMILIA     Thanks, sir. Remember me

15

15            To our all-royal brother, for whose speed

               The great Bellona I’ll solicit: and

               Since in our terrene¹⁷ state petitions are not

               Without gifts understood, I’ll offer to her

               What I shall be advised she likes. Our hearts

20

20            Are in his army, in his tent.

HIPPOLYTA

HIPPOLYTA     In’s bosom:

               We have been soldiers and we cannot weep

               When our friends don their helms,²³ or put to sea,

               Or tell of babes broached²⁴ on the lance, or women

25

25            That have sod²⁵ their infants in — and after eat them —

               The brine they wept at killing ’em. Then if

               You stay²⁷ to see of us such spinsters, we

               Should hold you here for ever.

PIRITHOUS

PIRITHOUS     Peace be to you

30

30            As³⁰ I pursue this war, which shall be then

               Beyond further requiring.³¹

       Exit Pirithous

EMILIA

EMILIA     How his longing

               Follows his³³ friend! Since his depart, his sports,

               Though craving seriousness and skill, passed slightly³⁴

35

35            His careless execution,³⁵ where nor gain

               Made him regard or³⁶ loss consider, but

               Playing one business in his hand, another

               Directing in his head, his mind nurse equal

               To these so-differing twins.³⁹ Have you observed him,

40

40            Since our great lord departed?

HIPPOLYTA

HIPPOLYTA     With much labour,⁴¹

               And I did love him for’t. They two have cabined⁴²

               In many as dangerous as poor a corner,

               Peril and want contending: they have skiffed⁴⁴

45

45            Torrents whose roaring tyranny and power

               I’th’least of these was dreadful: and they have

               Fought out together where⁴⁷ death’s self was lodged.

               Yet fate hath brought them off:⁴⁸ their knot of love

               Tied, weaved, entangled, with so true, so long,

50

50            And with a finger of so deep a cunning,⁵⁰

               May be outworn, never undone. I think

               Theseus cannot be umpire⁵² to himself,

               Cleaving his conscience into twain and doing

               Each side like⁵⁴ justice, which he loves best.

55

55   

EMILIA

EMILIA             Doubtless

               There is a best, and reason has no manners

               To say it is not you. I was acquainted

               Once with a time when I enjoyed⁵⁸ a play-fellow:

               You were at wars when she the grave enriched,

60

60            Who made too proud⁶⁰ the bed, took leave o’th’moon —

               Which then looked pale at parting — when our count⁶¹

               Was each eleven.

HIPPOLYTA

HIPPOLYTA     ’Twas Flavina.

EMILIA

EMILIA     Yes.

65

65            You talk of Pirithous’ and Theseus’ love.

               Theirs has more ground,⁶⁶ is more maturely seasoned,

               More buckled⁶⁷ with strong judgement, and their needs

               The one of th’other may be said to water

       Two hearses ready with Palamon and Arcite: the three

       Queens, Theseus and his Lords ready

               Their intertangled roots of love, but I

70

70            And she I sigh and spoke of were things innocent,

               Loved for⁷¹ we did, and like the elements

               That know not what nor why, yet do effect

               Rare issues by their operance,⁷³ our souls

               Did so to one another. What she liked

75

75            Was then of me approved, what not, condemned,

               No more arraignment.⁷⁶ The flower that I would pluck

               And put between my breasts — O, then but beginning

               To swell about the blossom — she would long

               Till she had such another, and commit it

80

80            To the like innocent cradle, where phoenix-like⁸⁰

               They died in perfume. On my head no toy⁸¹

               But was her pattern,⁸² her affections — pretty,

               Though happily⁸³ her careless wear — I followed

               For my most serious decking.⁸⁴ Had mine ear

85

85            Stol’n some new air or at adventure hummed one

               From musical coinage,⁸⁶ why, it was a note

               Whereon her spirits would sojourn⁸⁷ — rather dwell on —

               And sing it in her slumbers. This rehearsal⁸⁸ —

               Which fury innocent wots⁸⁹ well — comes in

90

90            Like old importment’s bastard,⁹⁰ has this end:

               That the true love ’tween maid and maid may be

               More than in sex dividual.⁹²

HIPPOLYTA

HIPPOLYTA     You’re out of breath,

               And this high-speeded pace is but to say

95

95            That you shall never — like the maid Flavina —

               Love any that’s called man.

EMILIA

EMILIA     I am sure I shall not.

HIPPOLYTA

HIPPOLYTA     Now, alack, weak sister,

               I must no more believe thee in this point —

100

100          Though in’t I know thou dost believe thyself —

               Than I will trust a sickly appetite

               That loathes even as it longs. But sure, my sister,

               If I were ripe¹⁰³ for your persuasion, you

               Have said enough to shake me from the arm

105

105          Of the all-noble Theseus, for whose fortunes

               I will now in¹⁰⁶ and kneel, with great assurance

               That we, more than his Pirithous, possess

               The high throne in his heart.

EMILIA

EMILIA     I am not

110

               Against your faith, yet I continue mine. Exeunt

Act 1 Scene 41.4

running scene 4

       Cornets. A battle struck within, then a retreat. Flourish. Then enter [with a Herald, Lords and Soldiers,] Theseus, victor. The three Queens meet him, and fall on their faces before him

       Palamon and Arcite are borne in on hearses

FIRST QUEEN

FIRST QUEEN     To thee no star be dark!²

SECOND QUEEN

SECOND QUEEN     Both heaven and earth

               Friend thee for ever!

THIRD QUEEN

THIRD QUEEN     All the good that may

5

5              Be wished upon thy head, I cry ‘Amen’ to’t!

THESEUS

THESEUS     Th’impartial gods, who from the mounted⁶ heavens

               View us, their mortal herd, behold who err

               And in their time chastise. Go and find out

               The bones of your dead lords and honour them

10

10            With treble ceremony, rather than a gap

               Should be in their dear rights. We would supply’t,

               But those we will depute, which shall invest¹²

               You in your dignities and even¹³ each thing

               Our haste does leave imperfect. So adieu,

15

15            And heaven’s good eyes look on you.—

       Exeunt Queens

               What are those? Sees Palamon and Arcite

HERALD

HERALD     Men of great quality,¹⁷ as may be judged

               By their appointment.¹⁸ Some of Thebes have told’s

               They are sisters’ children, nephews to the king.

20

20   

THESEUS

THESEUS             By th’helm of Mars, I saw them in the war,

               Like to a pair of lions, smeared with prey,

               Make lanes²² in troops aghast. I fixed my note

               Constantly on them, for they were a mark²³

               Worth a god’s view. What prisoner was’t that told me

25

25            When I inquired their names?

HERALD

HERALD     Wi’leave,²⁶ they’re called

               Arcite and Palamon.

THESEUS

THESEUS     ’Tis right, those, those.

               They are not dead?

30

30   

HERALD

HERALD             Nor in a state of life. Had they been taken

       Three hearses ready

               When their last hurts were given, ’twas possible

               They might have been recovered, yet they breathe

               And have³³ the name of men.

THESEUS

THESEUS     Then like men use³⁴ ’em.

35

35            The very lees³⁵ of such — millions of rates —

               Exceed the wine of others. All our surgeons

               Convent³⁷ in their behoof, our richest balms,

               Rather than niggard,³⁸ waste: their lives concern us

               Much more than Thebes is worth. Rather than have ’em

40

40            Freed of this plight and in⁴⁰ their morning state —

               Sound and at liberty — I would⁴¹ ’em dead,

               But forty-thousandfold we had rather have ’em

               Prisoners to us than death. Bear ’em speedily

               From our kind air, to them unkind,⁴⁴ and minister

45

45            What man to man may do for our sake — more,

               Since I have known frights, fury, friends’ behests,

               Love’s provocations, zeal, a mistress’ task,

               Desire of liberty, a fever, madness,

               Hath set a mark⁴⁹ which nature could not reach to

50

50            Without some imposition,⁵⁰ sickness in will

               O’er-wrestling strength in reason. For our love

               And great Apollo’s⁵² mercy, all our best

               Their best skill tender. Lead into the city,

               Where having bound things scattered,⁵⁴ we will post

55

55            To Athens ’fore our army.

       Flourish. Exeunt.

Act 1 Scene 5

running scene 5

       Music. Enter the Queens with the hearses of their knights in a funeral solemnity, and others

ALL

ALL     Urns and odours bring away, Sing

                                    Vapours, sighs, darken the day:

                                    Our dole³ more deadly looks than dying.

                                    Balms and gums⁴ and heavy cheers,

5

5                                  Sacred vials filled with tears,

                                    And clamours through the wild air flying.

                                    Come all sad and solemn shows,

                                    That are quick-eyed⁸ Pleasure’s foes:

                                    We convent⁹ naught else but woes.

10

10                                We convent naught else but woes.

THIRD QUEEN

THIRD QUEEN     This funeral path brings to your household’s grave:

               Joy seize on you again, peace sleep with him.

SECOND QUEEN

SECOND QUEEN     And this to yours.

FIRST QUEEN

FIRST QUEEN     Yours this way: heavens lend

15

15            A thousand differing ways to one sure end.

THIRD QUEEN

THIRD QUEEN     This world’s a city full of straying¹⁶ streets,

               And death’s the market-place where each one meets.

       Exeunt severally¹⁷

Act 2 Scene 12.1

running scene 6

       Enter Jailer and Wooer

JAILER

JAILER     I may depart¹ with little while I live: something I may cast² to you, not much. Alas, the prison I keep, though it be for great ones, yet they seldom come: before one salmon,⁴ you shall take a number of minnows.⁵ I am given out to be better lined⁶ than it can appear to me report is a true speaker: I would I were really that I am delivered⁸ to be. Marry, what I have, be it what it will, I will assure⁹ upon my daughter at the day of my death.

WOOER

WOOER     Sir, I demand no more than your own offer and I will estate¹² your daughter in what I have promised.

JAILER

JAILER     Well, we will talk more of this when the solemnity¹⁵ is past. But have you a full promise of her?

       Enter [Jailer’s] Daughter With rushes

When that shall be seen, I tender¹⁶ my consent.

WOOER

WOOER     I have, sir. Here she comes.

JAILER

JAILER     Your friend and I have chanced to name¹⁸ you here, upon the old business.¹⁹ But no more of that now: so soon as the court hurry²⁰ is over, we will have an end of it. I’th’meantime, look tenderly²¹ to the two prisoners: I can tell you they are princes.

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     These strewings²³ are for their chamber. ’Tis pity they are in prison and ’twere pity they should be out: I do think they have patience to make any adversity ashamed. The prison itself is proud of ’em and they have all²⁷ the world in their chamber.

JAILER

JAILER     They are famed to be a pair of absolute²⁹ men.

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     By my troth,³⁰ I think fame but stammers³¹ ’em: they stand a grise above the reach of report.

JAILER

JAILER     I heard them reported in the battle to be the only doers.³⁴

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     Nay, most likely, for they are noble suff’rers. I marvel how they would have looked had they been victors, that with such a constant nobility enforce³⁸ a freedom out of bondage, making misery their mirth, and affliction a toy⁴⁰ to jest at.

JAILER

JAILER     Do they so?

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     It seems to me they have no more sense of their captivity than I of ruling Athens: they eat well, look merrily, discourse of many things, but nothing of their own restraint⁴⁵ and disasters. Yet sometime a divided⁴⁶ sigh, martyred⁴⁷ as ’twere i’th’deliverance, will break from one of them, when the other presently⁴⁸ gives it so sweet a rebuke that I could wish myself a sigh to be so chid,⁵⁰ or at least a sigher to be comforted.

WOOER

WOOER     I never saw ’em.

JAILER

JAILER     The duke himself came privately in the night, and so did they.

       Enter Palamon, and Arcite above In shackles

What the reason of it is, I know not. Look, yonder⁵⁴ they are: that’s Arcite looks out.

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     No, sir, no, that’s Palamon. Arcite is the lower⁵⁷ of the twain: you may perceive a part of him.

JAILER

JAILER     Go to,⁵⁹ leave your pointing: they would not make us their object. Out of their sight.

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     It is a holiday to look on them. Lord, the difference of⁶² men!

       Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 22.2

running scene 6 continues

       Enter Palamon, and Arcite in prison Above

PALAMON

PALAMON     How do you, noble cousin?

ARCITE

ARCITE     How do you, sir?

PALAMON

PALAMON     Why, strong enough to laugh at misery

               And bear the chance⁴ of war: yet we are prisoners,

5

5              I fear, for ever, cousin.

ARCITE

ARCITE     I believe it,

               And to that destiny have patiently

               Laid⁸ up my hour to come.

PALAMON

PALAMON     O cousin Arcite,

10

10            Where is Thebes now? Where is our noble country?

               Where are our friends and kindreds?¹¹ Never more

               Must we behold those comforts, never see

               The hardy¹³ youths strive for the games of honour,

               Hung with the painted favours¹⁴ of their ladies,

15

15            Like tall ships under sail: then start¹⁵ amongst ’em

               And as an east wind leave ’em all behind us,

               Like lazy clouds, whilst Palamon and Arcite

               Even in the wagging¹⁸ of a wanton leg

               Outstripped¹⁹ the people’s praises, won the garlands,

20

20            Ere they have time to wish ’em ours. O, never

               Shall we two exercise, like twins²¹ of honour,

               Our arms again and feel our fiery horses

               Like proud seas under us. Our good swords now —

               Better the red-eyed²⁴ god of war ne’er wore—

25

25            Ravished²⁵ our sides, like age must run to rust

               And deck the temples of those gods that hate us.

               These hands shall never draw ’em out like lightning

               To blast²⁸ whole armies more.

ARCITE

ARCITE     No, Palamon,

30

30            Those hopes are prisoners with us. Here we are,

               And here the graces of our youths must wither

               Like a too-timely³² spring: here age must find us,

               And, which is heaviest,³³ Palamon, unmarried.

               The sweet embraces of a loving wife,

35

35            Loaden³⁵ with kisses, armed with thousand Cupids,

               Shall never clasp our necks. No issue³⁶ know us,

               No figures³⁷ of ourselves shall we ev’r see,

               To glad³⁸ our age, and like young eagles teach ’em

               Boldly to gaze against bright arms and say,

40

40            ‘Remember what your fathers were, and conquer!’

               The fair-eyed maids shall weep our banishments

               And in their songs curse ever-blinded Fortune⁴²

               Till she for shame see what a wrong she has done

               To youth and nature. This is all our world:

45

45            We shall know nothing here but one another,

               Hear nothing but the clock that tells⁴⁶ our woes.

               The vine shall grow but we shall never see it:

               Summer shall come and with her all delights,

               But dead-cold winter must inhabit here still.

50

50   

PALAMON

PALAMON             ’Tis too true, Arcite. To our Theban hounds

               That shook the agèd forest with their echoes

               No more now must we hallow,⁵² no more shake

               Our pointed javelins whilst the angry swine⁵³

               Flies like a Parthian⁵⁴ quiver from our rages,

55

55            Struck with our well-steeled⁵⁵ darts. All valiant uses,

               The food and nourishment of noble minds,

               In us two here shall perish: we shall die,

               Which is the curse of honour, lastly,⁵⁸

               Children of grief and ignorance.

60

60   

ARCITE

ARCITE             Yet, cousin,

               Even from the bottom of these miseries,

               From all that Fortune can inflict upon us,

               I see two comforts rising, two mere⁶³ blessings,

               If the gods please: to hold⁶⁴ here a brave patience

65

65            And the enjoying⁶⁵ of our griefs together.

               Whilst Palamon is with me, let me perish

               If I think this our prison.

PALAMON

PALAMON     Certainly,

               ’Tis a main⁶⁹ goodness, cousin, that our fortunes

70

70            Were twined together: ’tis most true, two souls

               Put in two noble bodies, let ’em suffer

               The gall of hazard,⁷² so they grow together,

               Will never sink:⁷³ they must not, say they could.

               A willing⁷⁴ man dies sleeping and all’s done.

75

75   

ARCITE

ARCITE             Shall we make worthy uses of this place

               That all men hate so much?

PALAMON

PALAMON     How, gentle cousin?

ARCITE

ARCITE     Let’s think this prison holy sanctuary,

               To keep us from corruption of worse men.

80

80            We are young and yet⁸⁰ desire the ways of honour,

               That liberty and common⁸¹ conversation,

               The poison of pure spirits, might, like women,

               Woo⁸³ us to wander from. What worthy blessing

               Can be but our imaginations

85

85            May make it ours? And here being thus together,

               We are an endless mine⁸⁶ to one another:

               We are one another’s wife, ever begetting⁸⁷

               New births of love: we are father, friends, acquaintance,

90

90            We are, in one another, families:

               I am your heir and you are mine: this place

               Is our inheritance. No hard oppressor

               Dare take this from us: here with a little patience

               We shall live long and loving. No surfeits⁹⁴ seek us:

95

95            The hand of war hurts none here, nor the seas

               Swallow their youth. Were we at liberty,

               A wife might part us lawfully, or business,

               Quarrels consume⁹⁸ us, envy of ill men

               Crave our acquaintance. I might sicken, cousin,

100

100          Where you should never know it, and so perish

               Without your noble hand to close mine eyes,

               Or prayers to the gods. A thousand chances,

               Were we from hence, would sever us.

PALAMON

PALAMON     You have made me —

105

105          I thank you cousin Arcite — almost wanton¹⁰⁵

               With my captivity: what a misery

               It is to live abroad¹⁰⁷ and everywhere!

               ’Tis like a beast, methinks. I find the court here,

               I am sure, a more¹⁰⁹ content, and all those pleasures

110

110          That woo the wills of men to vanity

               I see through now, and am sufficient¹¹¹

               To tell the world ’tis but a gaudy¹¹² shadow

               That old Time as he passes by takes with him.

               What¹¹⁴ had we been, old in the court of Creon,

115

115          Where sin is justice, lust and ignorance

               The virtues of the great ones? Cousin Arcite,

               Had not the loving gods found this place for us,

               We had died as they do, ill¹¹⁸ old men, unwept,

               And had their epitaphs, the people’s curses.

120

120          Shall I say more?

ARCITE

ARCITE     I would hear you still.¹²¹

PALAMON

PALAMON     Ye shall.

               Is there record of any two that loved

               Better than we do, Arcite?

125

125 

ARCITE

ARCITE             Sure there cannot.

PALAMON

PALAMON     I do not think it possible our friendship

               Should ever leave us.

ARCITE

ARCITE     Till our deaths it cannot.

       Enter Emilia and her Woman Below

               And after death our spirits shall be led

130

130          To those that love eternally. Speak on, sir. Palamon sees Emilia

EMILIA

EMILIA     This garden has a world of pleasures in’t. To her Woman

               What flower is this?

WOMAN

WOMAN     ’Tis called narcissus,¹³³ madam.

EMILIA

EMILIA     That was a fair boy, certain, but a fool

135

135          To love himself. Were there not maids enough?

ARCITE

ARCITE     Pray forward.¹³⁶ To Palamon

PALAMON

PALAMON     Yes.

EMILIA

EMILIA     Or were they all hard-hearted?

WOMAN

WOMAN     They could not be to one so fair.

140

140 

EMILIA

EMILIA             Thou wouldst not.¹⁴⁰

WOMAN

WOMAN     I think I should not, madam.

EMILIA

EMILIA     That’s a good wench:¹⁴²

               But take heed to¹⁴³ your kindness though.

WOMAN

WOMAN     Why, madam?

145

145 

EMILIA

EMILIA             Men are mad¹⁴⁵ things.

ARCITE

ARCITE     Will ye go forward,¹⁴⁶ cousin?

EMILIA

EMILIA     Canst not thou work¹⁴⁷ such flowers in silk, wench?

WOMAN

WOMAN     Yes.

EMILIA

EMILIA     I’ll have a gown full of ’em, and of these.

150

150          This is a pretty colour, will’t not do

               Rarely¹⁵¹ upon a skirt, wench?

WOMAN

WOMAN     Dainty,¹⁵² madam.

ARCITE

ARCITE     Cousin, cousin, how do you, sir? Why, Palamon?

PALAMON

PALAMON     Never till now I was in prison, Arcite.

155

155 

ARCITE

ARCITE             Why, what’s the matter, man?

PALAMON

PALAMON     Behold, and wonder. Indicates Emilia

               By heaven, she is a goddess.

ARCITE

ARCITE     Ha! Sees Emilia

PALAMON

PALAMON     Do reverence:

160

160          She is a goddess, Arcite.

EMILIA

EMILIA     Of all flowers

               Methinks a rose is best.

WOMAN

WOMAN     Why, gentle madam?

EMILIA

EMILIA     It is the very emblem¹⁶⁴ of a maid.

165

165          For when the west wind courts her gently,

               How modestly she blows¹⁶⁶ and paints the sun

               With her chaste blushes. When the north¹⁶⁷ comes near her,

               Rude¹⁶⁸ and impatient, then, like chastity,

               She locks her beauties in her bud again,

170

170          And leaves him to base¹⁷⁰ briars.

WOMAN

WOMAN     Yet, good madam,

               Sometimes her modesty will blow so far

               She falls¹⁷³ for’t: a maid,

               If she have any honour, would be loath

175

175          To take example by her.

EMILIA

EMILIA     Thou art wanton.¹⁷⁶

ARCITE

ARCITE     She is wondrous fair.

PALAMON

PALAMON     She is all the beauty extant.¹⁷⁸

EMILIA

EMILIA     The sun grows high, let’s walk in. Keep these flowers:

180

180          We’ll see how near art¹⁸⁰ can come near their colours.

               I am wondrous merry-hearted, I could laugh now.

WOMAN

WOMAN     I could lie down,¹⁸² I am sure.

EMILIA

EMILIA     And take one¹⁸³ with you?

WOMAN

WOMAN     That’s as we bargain,¹⁸⁴ madam,

185

185 

EMILIA

EMILIA             Well, agree then.

       Exeunt Emilia and Woman

PALAMON

PALAMON     What think you of this beauty?

ARCITE

ARCITE     ’Tis a rare one.

PALAMON

PALAMON     Is’t but¹⁸⁸ a rare one?

ARCITE

ARCITE     Yes, a matchless beauty,

190

190 

PALAMON

PALAMON             Might not a man well lose himself and love her?

ARCITE

ARCITE     I cannot tell what you have done. I have,

               Beshrew¹⁹² mine eyes for’t: now I feel my shackles.

PALAMON

PALAMON     You love her then?

ARCITE

ARCITE     Who would not?

195

195 

PALAMON

PALAMON             And desire her?

ARCITE

ARCITE     Before my liberty.

PALAMON

PALAMON     I saw her first.

ARCITE

ARCITE     That’s nothing.

PALAMON

PALAMON     But it shall be.

200

200 

ARCITE

ARCITE             I saw her too.

PALAMON

PALAMON     Yes, but you must not love her.

ARCITE

ARCITE     I will not as you do, to worship her

               As she is heavenly and a blessèd goddess.

               I love her as a woman, to enjoy²⁰⁴ her:

205

205          So both may love.

PALAMON

PALAMON     You shall not love at all.

ARCITE

ARCITE     Not love at all?

               Who shall deny²⁰⁸ me?

PALAMON

PALAMON     I that first saw her, I that took possession

210

210          First with mine eye of all those beauties

               In her revealed to mankind. If thou lov’st her,

               Or entertain’st a hope to blast²¹² my wishes,

               Thou art a traitor, Arcite, and a fellow²¹³

               False as thy title²¹⁴ to her: friendship, blood

215

215          And all the ties between us I disclaim

               If thou once think upon²¹⁶ her.

ARCITE

ARCITE     Yes, I love her

               And if the lives of all my name²¹⁸ lay on it,

               I must do so. I love her with my soul:

220

220          If that will lose ye, farewell, Palamon.

               I say again, I love, and in loving her maintain

               I am as worthy and as free²²² a lover,

               And have as just a title to her beauty,

               As any Palamon or any living

225

225          That is a man’s son.

PALAMON

PALAMON     Have I called thee friend?

ARCITE

ARCITE     Yes, and have found me so: why are you moved²²⁷ thus?

               Let me deal coldly²²⁸ with you: am not I

               Part of your blood, part of your soul? You have told me

230

230          That I was Palamon and you were Arcite

PALAMON

PALAMON     Yes.

ARCITE

ARCITE     Am not I liable to those affections,²³²

               Those joys, griefs, angers, fears, my friend shall suffer?

PALAMON

PALAMON     Ye may be.

235

235 

ARCITE

ARCITE             Why then would you deal so cunningly,²³⁵

               So strangely,²³⁶ so unlike a noble kinsman,

               To love alone? Speak truly: do you think me

               Unworthy of her sight?

PALAMON

PALAMON     No, but unjust²³⁹

240

240          If thou pursue that sight.

ARCITE

ARCITE     Because another

               First sees the enemy, shall I stand still

               And let²⁴³ mine honour down, and never charge?

PALAMON

PALAMON     Yes, if he be but one.

245

245 

ARCITE

ARCITE             But say that one

               Had rather combat me?

PALAMON

PALAMON     Let that one say so,

               And use thy freedom: else if thou pursuest her,

               Be as that cursèd man that hates his country,

250

250          A branded²⁵⁰ villain.

ARCITE

ARCITE     You are mad.

PALAMON

PALAMON     I must be

               Till thou art worthy,²⁵³ Arcite: it concerns me.

               And in this madness, if I hazard²⁵⁴ thee

255

255          And take thy life, I deal but truly.

ARCITE

ARCITE     Fie,²⁵⁶ sir.

               You play the child²⁵⁷ extremely. I will love her:

               I must, I ought to do so, and I dare,

               And all this justly.²⁵⁹

260

260 

PALAMON

PALAMON             O that now, that now

               Thy false self and thy friend had but this fortune:

               To be one hour at liberty and grasp

               Our good swords in our hands! I would quickly teach thee

               What ’twere to filch²⁶⁴ affection from another.

265

265          Thou art baser²⁶⁵ in it than a cutpurse;

               Put but thy head out of this window more,²⁶⁶

               And as I have a soul, I’ll nail thy life to’t.²⁶⁷

ARCITE

ARCITE     Thou dar’st not, fool, thou canst not, thou art feeble.

               Put my head out? I’ll throw my body out

270

270          And leap the garden, when I see her next,

       Enter Keeper [ Jailer]

               And pitch²⁷¹ between her arms to anger thee.

PALAMON

PALAMON     No more: the keeper’s coming. I shall live

               To knock thy brains out with my shackles.

ARCITE

ARCITE     Do!

275

275 

JAILER

JAILER             By your leave,²⁷⁵ gentlemen.

PALAMON

PALAMON     Now, honest keeper?

JAILER

JAILER     Lord Arcite, you must presently to th’duke:

               The cause I know not yet.

ARCITE

ARCITE     I am ready, keeper.

280

280 

JAILER

JAILER             Prince Palamon, I must awhile bereave²⁸⁰ you

               Of your fair cousin’s company.

       Exeunt Arcite and Keeper

PALAMON

PALAMON     And me too,

               Even, when you please, of life. Why is he sent for?

               It may be he shall marry her: he’s goodly²⁸⁴

285

285          And like enough the duke hath taken notice

               Both of his blood²⁸⁶ and body. But his falsehood!

               Why should a friend be treacherous? If that

               Get him a wife so noble and so fair,

               Let honest men ne’er love again. Once more

290

290          I would but see this fair one. Blessèd garden

               And fruit and flowers more blessèd that still blossom

               As her bright eyes shine on ye: would I were

               For all the fortune of my life hereafter

               Yon²⁹⁴ little tree, yon blooming apricock!

295

295          How I would spread and fling my wanton arms

               In at her window!²⁹⁶ I would bring her fruit

               Fit for the gods to feed on: youth and pleasure

               Still as²⁹⁸ she tasted should be doubled on her

               And if she be not heavenly, I would make her

300

300          So near the gods in nature, they should fear her,

       Enter Keeper [Jailer]

               And then I am sure she would love me.— How now, keeper,

               Where’s Arcite?

JAILER

JAILER     Banished. Prince Pirithous

               Obtained his liberty, but never more

305

305          Upon his oath and life must he set foot

               Upon this kingdom.

PALAMON

PALAMON     He’s a blessèd man.

               He shall see Thebes again, and call to arms

               The bold young men that, when he bids ’em charge,

310

310          Fall on³¹⁰ like fire. Arcite shall have a fortune,

               If he dare make himself a worthy lover,

               Yet in the field to strike a battle³¹² for her:

               And if he lose her then, he’s a cold coward.

               How bravely may he bear himself to win her

315

315          If he be noble Arcite. Thousand ways!

               Were I at liberty, I would do things

               Of such a virtuous greatness, that this lady,

               This blushing virgin, should take manhood to her

               And seek to ravish me.

320

320 

JAILER

JAILER             My lord, for you

               I have this charge³²¹ too.

PALAMON

PALAMON     To discharge my life?

JAILER

JAILER     No, but from this place to remove your lordship:

               The windows are too open.³²⁴

325

325 

PALAMON

PALAMON             Devils take ’em

               That are so envious to me! Prithee³²⁶ kill me.

JAILER

JAILER     And hang for’t afterward.

PALAMON

PALAMON     By³²⁸ this good light,

               Had I a sword I would kill thee.

330

330 

JAILER

JAILER             Why, my lord?

PALAMON

PALAMON     Thou bring’st such pelting³³¹ scurvy news continually,

               Thou art not worthy life. I will not go.

JAILER

JAILER     Indeed you must, my lord.

PALAMON

PALAMON     May I see the garden?

335

335 

JAILER

JAILER             No.

PALAMON

PALAMON     Then I am resolved: I will not go.

JAILER

JAILER     I must constrain you then: and for³³⁷ you are dangerous

               I’ll clap more irons on you.

PALAMON

PALAMON     Do, good keeper.

340

340          I’ll shake ’em so, ye shall not sleep:

               I’ll make ye a new morris.³⁴¹ Must I go?

JAILER

JAILER     There is no remedy.

PALAMON

PALAMON     Farewell, kind window.

               May rude wind never hurt thee.— O my lady,

345

345          If ever thou hast felt what sorrow was,

               Dream how I suffer.— Come, now bury me.

       Exeunt Palamon and Keeper

Act 2 Scene 32.3

running scene 7

       Enter Arcite

ARCITE

ARCITE     Banished the kingdom? ’Tis a benefit,

               A mercy I must thank ’em for: but banished

               The free enjoying of that face I die for,

               O, ’twas a studied⁴ punishment, a death

5

5              Beyond imagination: such a vengeance

               That were I old and wicked, all my sins

               Could never pluck⁷ upon me. Palamon,

               Thou hast the start now: thou shalt stay and see

               Her bright eyes break⁹ each morning gainst thy window

10

10            And let in life into thee: thou shalt feed

               Upon the sweetness of a noble beauty

               That nature ne’er exceeded nor ne’er shall.

               Good gods! What happiness has Palamon!

               Twenty to one, he’ll come to speak to her,

15

15            And if she be as gentle as she’s fair,

               I know she’s his: he has a tongue will tame

               Tempests¹⁷ and make the wild rocks wanton.

               Come what can come,

               The worst is death: I will not leave the kingdom.

20

20            I know mine own²⁰ is but a heap of ruins

               And no redress²¹ there. If I go, he has her.

               I am resolved another shape²² shall make me

               Or end my fortunes. Either way, I am happy:

               I’ll see her and be near her, or no more.

       Arcite stands aside

       Enter four Country People and one with a garland before them

25

25   

FIRST COUNTRYMAN

FIRST COUNTRYMAN             My masters, I’ll be there, that’s certain.

SECOND COUNTRYMAN

SECOND COUNTRYMAN     And I’ll be there.

THIRD COUNTRYMAN

THIRD COUNTRYMAN     And I.

FOURTH COUNTRYMAN

FOURTH COUNTRYMAN     Why then, have with ye,²⁸ boys. ’Tis but a chiding.

               Let the plough play today, I’ll tickle’t²⁹ out

30

30            Of the jades’³⁰ tails tomorrow.

FIRST COUNTRYMAN

FIRST COUNTRYMAN     I am sure

               To have my wife as jealous³² as a turkey.

               But that’s all one:³³ I’ll go through, let her mumble.

SECOND COUNTRYMAN

SECOND COUNTRYMAN     Clap her aboard³⁴ tomorrow night and stow her,

35

35            And all’s made up³⁵ again.

THIRD COUNTRYMAN

THIRD COUNTRYMAN     Ay, do but put

               A fescue³⁷ in her fist and you shall see her

               Take³⁸ a new lesson out and be a good wench.

               Do we all hold against³⁹ the maying?

FOURTH COUNTRYMAN

FOURTH COUNTRYMAN     Hold? What should ail⁴⁰ us?

THIRD COUNTRYMAN

THIRD COUNTRYMAN     Arcas will be there.

SECOND COUNTRYMAN

SECOND COUNTRYMAN     And Sennois, and Rycas, and three better lads ne’er danced under green tree, and ye know what wenches, ha? But will the dainty⁴⁵ domine, the schoolmaster, keep touch do you think? For he does all,⁴⁶ ye know.

THIRD COUNTRYMAN

THIRD COUNTRYMAN     He’ll eat a hornbook⁴⁷ ere he fail. Go to: the matter’s too far driven⁴⁸ between him and the tanner’s daughter to let slip⁴⁹ now, and she must see the duke and she must dance too.

FOURTH COUNTRYMAN

FOURTH COUNTRYMAN     Shall we be lusty?⁵¹

SECOND COUNTRYMAN

SECOND COUNTRYMAN     All the boys in Athens blow⁵² wind i’th’breech⁵³ on’s, and here I’ll be, and there I’ll be for our town and here again, and there again — ha, boys, hey⁵⁵ for the weavers!

FIRST COUNTRYMAN

FIRST COUNTRYMAN     This must be done i’th’woods.

FOURTH COUNTRYMAN

FOURTH COUNTRYMAN     O, pardon me.⁵⁷

SECOND COUNTRYMAN

SECOND COUNTRYMAN     By any means:⁵⁸ our thing of learning says so: where he himself will edify⁵⁹ the duke most parlously⁶⁰ in our behalfs. He’s excellent i’th’woods: bring him to th’plains, his learning makes no cry.⁶²

THIRD COUNTRYMAN

THIRD COUNTRYMAN     We’ll see the sports, then every man to’s tackle.⁶⁴ And, sweet companions, let’s rehearse by any means before the ladies see us and do⁶⁶ sweetly and God knows what may come on’t.

FOURTH COUNTRYMAN

FOURTH COUNTRYMAN     Content:⁶⁷ the sports once ended, we’ll perform.

               Away, boys and— hold.⁶⁸ Arcite comes forward

ARCITE

ARCITE     By your leaves honest friends:

70

70            Pray you, whither go you?⁷⁰

FOURTH COUNTRYMAN

FOURTH COUNTRYMAN     Whither? Why, what a question’s that?

ARCITE

ARCITE     Yes, ’tis a question,

               To me that know not.

THIRD COUNTRYMAN

THIRD COUNTRYMAN     To the games, my friend.

75

75   

SECOND COUNTRYMAN

SECOND COUNTRYMAN             Where were you bred, you know it not?

ARCITE

ARCITE     Not far, sir.

               Are there such games today?

FIRST COUNTRYMAN

FIRST COUNTRYMAN     Yes, marry,⁷⁸ are there

               And such as you never saw. The duke himself

80

80            Will be in person there.

ARCITE

ARCITE     What pastimes are they?

SECOND COUNTRYMAN

SECOND COUNTRYMAN     Wrestling, and running.—

               ’Tis a pretty⁸³ fellow.

THIRD COUNTRYMAN

THIRD COUNTRYMAN     Thou wilt not go along?

85

85   

ARCITE

ARCITE             Not yet, sir.

FOURTH COUNTRYMAN

FOURTH COUNTRYMAN     Well, sir,

               Take your own time.— Come, boys.

FIRST COUNTRYMAN

FIRST COUNTRYMAN     My mind misgives me⁸⁸ Aside to the others

               This fellow has a vengeance⁸⁹ trick o’th’hip:

90

90            Mark how his body’s made for’t

SECOND COUNTRYMAN

SECOND COUNTRYMAN     I’ll be hanged though

               If he dare venture. Hang him, plum-porridge!⁹²

               He wrestle? He roast eggs!⁹³ Come let’s be gone lads.

       Exeunt four [Countrymen]

ARCITE

ARCITE     This is an offered opportunity

95

95            I durst⁹⁵ not wish for. Well, I could have wrestled —

               The best men called it excellent — and run

               Swifter than wind upon a field of corn,

               Curling the wealthy⁹⁸ ears, never flew. I’ll venture

               And in some poor disguise be there. Who knows

100

100          Whether my brows may not be girt¹⁰⁰ with garlands

               And happiness prefer¹⁰¹ me to a place

               Where I may ever dwell in sight of her?

       Exit Arcite

Act 2 Scene 42.4

running scene 8

       Enter Jailer’s Daughter alone

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     Why should I love this gentleman? ’Tis odds¹

               He never will affect² me: I am base,

               My father the mean³ keeper of his prison,

               And he a prince. To marry him is hopeless,

5

5              To be his whore is witless.⁵ Out upon’t!

               What pushes⁶ are we wenches driven to

               When⁷ fifteen once has found us! First, I saw him:

               I, seeing, thought he was a goodly man:

               He has as much to please a woman in him,

10

10            If he please to bestow¹⁰ it so, as ever

               These eyes yet looked on. Next, I pitied him:

               And so would any young wench o’my conscience

               That ever dreamed, or vowed her maidenhead¹³

               To a young handsome man. Then, I loved him,

15

15            Extremely loved him, infinitely loved him!

               And yet he had a cousin, fair as he too.

               But in my heart was Palamon, and there,

               Lord, what a coil he keeps!¹⁸ To hear him

               Sing in an evening, what a heaven it is!

20

20            And yet his songs are sad ones. Fairer spoken

               Was never gentleman. When I come in

               To bring him water in a morning, first

               He bows his noble body, then salutes²³ me, thus:

               ‘Fair gentle maid, good morrow. May thy goodness

25

               Get thee a happy husband.’ Once he kissed me.

               I loved my lips the better ten days after:

               Would he would do so every day! He grieves much,

               And me as much to see his misery.

               What should I do to make him know I love him?

30

30            For I would fain³⁰ enjoy him. Say I ventured

               To set him free? What says the law then? Thus much

               For law or kindred! I will do it,

               And this night, or tomorrow, he shall love me.

       Exit

Act 2 [Scene 5]2.5

running scene 9

       This short flourish of cornets and shouts within Enter Theseus, Hippolyta, Pirithous, Emilia, Arcite with a garland, and others

THESEUS

THESEUS     You have done worthily. I have not seen, To Arcite

               Since Hercules,² a man of tougher sinews.

               Whate’er³ you are, you run the best and wrestle,

               That these times can allow.⁴

5

5     

ARCITE

ARCITE             I am proud to please you.

THESEUS

THESEUS     What country bred you?

ARCITE

ARCITE     This: but far off, prince.

THESEUS

THESEUS     Are you a gentleman?

ARCITE

ARCITE     My father said so,

10

10            And to those gentle uses¹⁰ gave me life.

THESEUS

THESEUS     Are you his heir?

ARCITE

ARCITE     His youngest, sir.

THESEUS

THESEUS     Your father

               Sure is a happy sire, then. What proves you?¹⁴

15

15   

ARCITE

ARCITE             A little of all noble qualities:¹⁵

               I could have¹⁶ kept a hawk and well have hollowed

               To a deep cry of dogs: I dare not praise

               My feat in horsemanship, yet they that knew me

               Would say it was my best piece:¹⁹ last and greatest,

20

20            I would be thought a soldier.

THESEUS

THESEUS     You are perfect.²¹

PIRITHOUS

PIRITHOUS     Upon my soul, a proper²² man. To Emilia

EMILIA

EMILIA     He is so.

PIRITHOUS

PIRITHOUS     How do you like him, lady? To Hippolyta

25

25   

HIPPOLYTA

HIPPOLYTA             I admire him.

               I have not seen so young a man so noble,

               If he say true, of his sort.²⁷

EMILIA

EMILIA     Believe,²⁸

               His mother was a wondrous handsome woman:

30

30            His face, methinks, goes that way.³⁰

HIPPOLYTA

HIPPOLYTA     But his body

               And fiery mind illustrate³² a brave father.

PIRITHOUS

PIRITHOUS     Mark how his virtue, like a hidden sun,

               Breaks through his baser garments.

35

35   

HIPPOLYTA

HIPPOLYTA             He’s well got,³⁵ sure.

THESEUS

THESEUS     What made you seek this place, sir? To Arcite

ARCITE

ARCITE     Noble Theseus,

               To purchase name³⁸ and do my ablest service

               To such a well-found³⁹ wonder as thy worth,

40

40            For only in thy court, of all the world,

               Dwells fair-eyed honour.

PIRITHOUS

PIRITHOUS     All his words are worthy.

THESEUS

THESEUS     Sir, we are much indebted to your travel,⁴³ To Arcite

               Nor shall you lose your wish.— Pirithous,

45

45            Dispose of⁴⁵ this fair gentleman.

PIRITHOUS

PIRITHOUS     Thanks, Theseus.—

               Whate’er you are, you’re mine, and I shall give you To Arcite

               To a most noble service, to this lady, Presents him to Emilia

               This bright young virgin. Pray observe⁴⁹ her goodness.

50

50            You have honoured her fair birthday with your virtues,

               And as your due, you’re hers: kiss her fair hand, sir.

ARCITE

ARCITE     Sir, you’re a noble giver.— Dearest beauty,

               Thus let me seal my vowed faith: when your servant, Kisses her hand

               Your most unworthy creature, but offends you,

55

55            Command him die, he shall.

EMILIA

EMILIA     That were too cruel.

               If you deserve well, sir, I shall soon see’t.

               You’re mine and somewhat better than your rank I’ll use⁵⁸ you.

PIRITHOUS

PIRITHOUS     I’ll see you furnished,⁵⁹ and because you say To Arcite

60

60            You are a horseman, I must needs⁶⁰ entreat you

               This afternoon to ride, but ’tis a rough one.⁶¹

ARCITE

ARCITE     I like him better, prince. I shall not then

               Freeze in my saddle.

THESEUS

THESEUS     Sweet, you must be ready.— To Hippolyta

65

65            And you, Emilia— and you, friend—and all, To Pirithous

               Tomorrow by the sun, to do observance⁶⁶

               To flow’ry May, in Dian’s⁶⁷ wood.— Wait well, sir, To Arcite

               Upon your mistress.— Emily, I hope

               He shall not go afoot.⁶⁹

70

70   

EMILIA

EMILIA             That were a shame, sir,

               While I have horses.— Take your choice and what To Arcite

               You want⁷² at any time, let me but know it:

               If you serve faithfully, I dare assure you

               You’ll find a loving mistress.

75

75   

ARCITE

ARCITE             If I do not,

               Let me find that⁷⁶ my father ever hated,

               Disgrace and blows.

THESEUS

THESEUS     Go lead the way: you have won it.

               It shall be so: you shall receive all dues

80

80            Fit for the honour you have won; ’twere wrong else.—

               Sister, beshrew my heart,⁸¹ you have a servant

               That, if I were a woman, would be master.

               But you are wise.

EMILIA

EMILIA     I hope too wise for that, sir.

       Flourish. Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 62.6

running scene 10

       Enter Jailer’s Daughter alone

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     Let all the dukes and all the devils roar,

               He is at liberty: I have ventured² for him

               And out I have brought him, to a little wood

               A mile hence⁴ I have sent him, where a cedar,

5

5              Higher than all the rest spreads like a plane

               Fast⁶ by a brook, and there he shall keep close

               Till I provide him files and food, for yet

               His iron bracelets are not off. O Love,

               What a stout-hearted child thou art! My father

10

10            Durst¹⁰ better have endured cold iron than done it.

               I love him beyond love and beyond reason,

               Or wit,¹² or safety. I have made him know it:

               I care not, I am desperate. If the law

               Find me and then condemn me for’t, some wenches,

15

15            Some honest-hearted maids, will sing my dirge¹⁵

               And tell to memory my death was noble,

               Dying almost a martyr. That way he takes,

               I purpose¹⁸ is my way too. Sure he cannot

               Be so unmanly as to leave me here:

20

20            If he do, maids will not so easily

               Trust men again. And yet he has not thanked me

               For what I have done, no, not so much as kissed me,

               And that methinks is not so well: nor scarcely

               Could I persuade him to become a freeman,

25

25            He made such scruples of the wrong he did

               To me and to my father. Yet I hope,

               When he considers more, this love of mine

               Will take more root within him. Let him do

               What he will with me, so he use me kindly,²⁹

30

30            For use me so he shall, or I’ll proclaim him,

               And to his face, no man.³¹ I’ll presently

               Provide him necessaries and pack my clothes up

               And where there is a path of ground I’ll venture,

               So³⁴ he be with me. By him, like a shadow,

35

35            I’ll ever dwell. Within this hour the hubbub

               Will be all o’er the prison: I am then

               Kissing the man they look for.— Farewell, father,

               Get many more such prisoners and such daughters

               And shortly you may keep yourself.³⁹— Now to him.

       [Exit]

Act 3 Scene 13.1

running scene 11

       Cornets in sundry places. Noise and hallooing as people a-Maying

       Enter Arcite alone

ARCITE

ARCITE     The duke has lost Hippolyta: each took

               A several² laund. This is a solemn rite

               They owe bloomed³ May and the Athenians pay it

               To⁴ th’heart of ceremony. O, Queen Emilia,

5

5              Fresher than May, sweeter

               Than her gold buttons⁶ on the boughs, or all

               Th’enamelled knacks⁷ o’th’mead or garden, yea,

               We challenge too the bank of any nymph

               That makes⁹ the stream seem flowers: thou, O jewel

10

10            O’th’wood, o’th’world, hast likewise blest a pace¹⁰

               With¹¹ thy sole presence: in thy rumination,

               That I, poor man, might eftsoons¹² come between

               And chop on some cold thought. Thrice-blessèd chance

               To drop on¹⁴ such a mistress, expectation

15

15            Most guiltless on’t!¹⁵ Tell me, O Lady Fortune,

               Next after Emily, my sovereign, how far

               I may be proud.¹⁷ She takes strong note of me,

               Hath made me near her, and this beauteous morn,

               The prim’st¹⁹ of all the year, presents me with

20

20            A brace²⁰ of horses: two such steeds might well

               Be by a pair of kings backed,²¹ in a field

               That²² their crowns’ titles tried. Alas, alas,

               Poor cousin Palamon, poor prisoner, thou

               So little dream’st upon²⁴ my fortune, that

25

25            Thou thinkst thyself the happier thing to be

               So near Emilia. Me thou deem’st²⁶ at Thebes,

               And therein²⁷ wretched, although free: but if

               Thou knew’st my mistress breathed on me, and that

               I eared²⁹ her language, lived in her eye, O coz,

30

30            What passion³⁰ would enclose thee!

       Enter Palamon as out of a bush, with his shackles: bends his fist at Arcite

PALAMON

PALAMON     Traitor kinsman,

               Thou shouldst perceive my passion, if these signs

               Of prisonment were off me and this hand

               But owner of a sword! By all oaths in one,

35

35            I and the justice of my love would make thee

               A confessed traitor, O thou most perfidious³⁶

               That ever gently looked, the void’st³⁷ of honour

               That ever bore gentle token,³⁸ falsest cousin

               That ev’r blood made kin: call’st thou her thine?

40

40            I’ll prove it in my shackles, with these hands,

               Void of appointment,⁴¹ that thou liest, and art

               A very thief in love, a chaffy⁴² lord

               Not worth the name of villain. Had I a sword

               And these house-clogs⁴⁴ away—

45

45   

ARCITE

ARCITE             Dear cousin Palamon—

PALAMON

PALAMON     Cozener⁴⁶ Arcite, give me language such

               As thou hast showed me feat.

ARCITE

ARCITE     Not finding in

               The circuit⁴⁹ of my breast any gross stuff

50

50            To form me like your blazon⁵⁰ holds me to

               This gentleness of answer: ’tis your passion

               That thus mistakes, the which to you being enemy,

               Cannot to me be kind: honour and honesty

               I cherish and depend on, howsoev’r

55

55            You skip⁵⁵ them in me, and with them, fair coz,

               I’ll maintain⁵⁶ my proceedings. Pray be pleased

               To show in generous⁵⁷ terms your griefs, since that

               Your question’s⁵⁸ with your equal, who professes

               To clear⁵⁹ his own way with the mind and sword

60

60            Of a true gentleman.

PALAMON

PALAMON     That thou durst, Arcite!

ARCITE

ARCITE     My coz, my coz, you have been well advertised⁶²

               How much I dare: you’ve seen me use my sword

               Against th’advice of⁶⁴ fear. Sure, of another

65

65            You would not hear me doubted, but your silence

               Should break out, though i’th’sanctuary.⁶⁶

PALAMON

PALAMON     Sir,

               I have seen you move in such a place which well

               Might justify your manhood. You were called

70

70            A good knight and a bold: but the whole week’s not fair

               If any day it rain: their valiant temper⁷¹

               Men lose when they incline to treachery

               And then they fight like compelled bears,⁷³ would fly

               Were they not tied.

75

75   

ARCITE

ARCITE             Kinsman, you might as well

               Speak this and act it in your glass⁷⁶ as to

               His ear which now disdains you.

PALAMON

PALAMON     Come up⁷⁸ to me:

               Quit⁷⁹ me of these cold gyves, give me a sword

80

80            Though it be rusty, and the charity

               Of one meal lend me. Come before me then,

               A good sword in thy hand, and do but say

               That Emily is thine: I will forgive

               The trespass thou hast done me, yea, my life

85

85            If then thou carry’t,⁸⁵ and brave souls in shades

               That have died manly, which will seek of me

               Some news from earth, they shall get none but this:

               That thou art brave, and noble.

ARCITE

ARCITE     Be content:

90

90            Again betake⁹⁰ you to your hawthorn house.

               With⁹¹ counsel of the night, I will be here

               With wholesome viands;⁹² these impediments

               Will I file off: you shall have garments and

               Perfumes to kill the smell o’th’prison: after,

95

95            When you shall stretch yourself and say but, ‘Arcite,

               I am in plight⁹⁶’, there shall be at your choice

               Both sword and armour.

PALAMON

PALAMON     O you heavens, dares any

               So nobly bear a guilty⁹⁹ business? None

100

100          But only Arcite: therefore none but Arcite

               In this kind is so bold.¹⁰¹

ARCITE

ARCITE     Sweet Palamon. Moves to embrace him

PALAMON

PALAMON     I do embrace you and your offer. For

               Your offer do’t I only, sir: your person

105

105          Without hypocrisy I may not wish

       Wind¹⁰⁵ horns off, cornets

               More than my sword’s edge on’t.

ARCITE

ARCITE     You hear the horns;

               Enter your musit,¹⁰⁸ lest this match between’s

               Be crossed¹⁰⁹ ere met. Give me your hand, farewell.

110

110          I’ll bring you every needful thing: I pray you

               Take comfort and be strong.

PALAMON

PALAMON     Pray hold your promise

               And do the deed with a bent brow.¹¹³ Most certain

               You love me not: be rough with me and pour

115

115          This oil¹¹⁵ out of your language. By this air,

               I could for each word give a cuff,¹¹⁶ my stomach

               Not reconciled by reason.

ARCITE

ARCITE     Plainly spoken,

               Yet pardon me¹¹⁹ hard language. When I spur

       Wind horns

120

120          My horse I chide him not: content and anger

               In me have but one face.¹²¹ Hark, sir, they call

               The scattered to the banquet: you must guess

               I have an office¹²³ there.

PALAMON

PALAMON     Sir, your attendance

125

125          Cannot please heaven and I know your office

               Unjustly¹²⁶ is achieved.

ARCITE

ARCITE     ’Tis¹²⁷ a good title.

               I am persuaded this question,¹²⁸ sick between’s,

               By bleeding¹²⁹ must be cured. I am a suitor

130

130          That to your sword you will bequeath this plea¹³⁰

               And talk of it no more.

PALAMON

PALAMON     But this one word:

               You are going now to gaze upon my mistress,

               For, note you, mine she is.

135

135 

ARCITE

ARCITE             Nay, then.

PALAMON

PALAMON     Nay pray you!

               You talk of feeding me to breed me strength.

               You are going now to look upon a sun

               That strengthens what it looks on: there

140

140          You have a vantage o’er me, but enjoy’t till

               I may enforce my remedy.¹⁴¹ Farewell.

       Exeunt

Act 3 Scene 2

running scene 11 continues

       Enter Jailer’s Daughter alone With a file

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     He has mistook the brake¹ I meant, is gone

               After his fancy. ’Tis now well-nigh² morning.

               No matter: would it were perpetual night,

               And darkness lord o’th’world! Hark ’tis a wolf!

5

5              In me hath grief slain fear and but for one thing

               I care for nothing and that’s Palamon.

               I wreak⁷ not if the wolves would jaw me, so

               He had this file. What if I hallooed⁸ for him?

               I cannot hallow. If I whooped, what then?

10

10            If he not answered, I should call a wolf,

               And do him but that service.¹¹ I have heard

               Strange howls this livelong¹² night: why may’t not be

               They have made prey of him? He has no weapons,

               He cannot run: the jangling of his gyves

15

15            Might call fell¹⁵ things to listen, who have in them

               A sense to know a man unarmed and can

               Smell where resistance is. I’ll set it down¹⁷

               He’s torn to pieces: they howled many together

               And then they fed on him. So much for that:

20

20            Be²⁰ bold to ring the bell. How stand I then?

               All’s chared²¹ when he is gone. No, no, I lie:

               My father’s to be hanged for his escape,

               Myself to beg, if I prized life so much

               As to deny my act, but that I would not,

25

25            Should I try death by dozens.²⁵ I am moped:

               Food took I none these two days,

               Sipped some water. I have not closed mine eyes

               Save when my lids scoured²⁸ off their brine. Alas,

               Dissolve,²⁹ my life! Let not my sense unsettle

30

30            Lest I should drown, or stab, or hang myself.

               O, state of nature,³¹ fail together in me,

               Since thy best props are warped! So which way now?

               The best way is the next way to a grave:

               Each errant³⁴ step beside is torment. Lo,

35

35            The moon is down, the crickets chirp, the screech-owl

               Calls in the dawn. All offices³⁶ are done

               Save³⁷ what I fail in. But the point is this:

               An end, and that is all.

       Exit

Act 3 Scene 3

running scene 11 continues

       Enter Arcite, with meat, wine and files

ARCITE

ARCITE     I should be near the place. Ho! Cousin Palamon!

       Enter Palamon Hesitantly

PALAMON

PALAMON     Arcite?

ARCITE

ARCITE     The same: I have brought you food and files.

               Come forth and fear not, here’s no Theseus.

5

5     

PALAMON

PALAMON             Nor none so honest, Arcite.

ARCITE

ARCITE     That’s no matter,⁶

               We’ll argue that hereafter.⁷ Come, take courage:

               You shall not die thus beastly.⁸ Here, sir, drink —

               I know you are faint—then I’ll talk further with you.

10

10   

PALAMON

PALAMON             Arcite, thou mightst now poison me.

ARCITE

ARCITE     I might:

               But I must fear you first. Sit down, and good now¹²

               No more of these vain parleys:¹³ let us not,

               Having our ancient¹⁴ reputation with us,

15

15            Make talk for fools and cowards. To your health, sir! Drinks

PALAMON

PALAMON     Do.¹⁶

ARCITE

ARCITE     Pray sit down then, and let me entreat you

               By all the honesty and honour in you,

               No mention of this woman: ’twill disturb us.

20

20            We shall have time enough.

PALAMON

PALAMON     Well, sir, I’ll pledge²¹ you. Drinks

ARCITE

ARCITE     Drink a good hearty draught: it²² breeds good blood, man.

               Do not you feel it thaw you?

PALAMON

PALAMON     Stay,²⁴ I’ll tell you after a draught or two more.

25

25   

ARCITE

ARCITE     Spare it not,

               The duke has more, coz. Eat now.

PALAMON

PALAMON     Yes. Eats

ARCITE

ARCITE     I am glad you have so good a stomach.²⁸

PALAMON

PALAMON     I am gladder I have so good meat to’t.

30

30   

ARCITE

ARCITE             Is’t not mad lodging,³⁰ here in the wild woods, cousin?

PALAMON

PALAMON     Yes, for them that have wild³¹ consciences.

ARCITE

ARCITE     How tastes your victuals? Your hunger³² needs no sauce I see.

PALAMON

PALAMON     Not much.

               But if it did, yours is too tart, sweet cousin. What is this?

35

35   

ARCITE

ARCITE             Venison.

PALAMON

PALAMON     ’Tis a lusty³⁶ meat:

               Give me more wine. Here, Arcite, to the wenches

               We have known in our days. The lord steward’s daughter —

               Do you remember her?

40

40   

ARCITE

ARCITE             After you, coz.

PALAMON

PALAMON     She loved a black-haired man—

ARCITE

ARCITE     She did so: well, sir?

PALAMON

PALAMON     And I have heard some call him Arcite, and—

ARCITE

ARCITE     Out with’t, faith!

45

45   

PALAMON

PALAMON             She met him in an arbour.

               What did she there, coz? Play o’th’virginals?⁴⁶

ARCITE

ARCITE     Something⁴⁷ she did, sir—

PALAMON

PALAMON     Made her groan⁴⁸ a month for’t, or two, or three, or ten.

ARCITE

ARCITE     The marshall’s sister

50

50            Had her share too, as I remember, cousin,

               Else there be tales⁵¹ abroad. You’ll pledge her?

PALAMON

PALAMON     Yes.

ARCITE

ARCITE     A pretty brown wench ’tis. There was a time

               When young men went a-hunting, and a wood,

55

55            And a broad beech: and thereby hangs a tale — hey ho.⁵⁵

PALAMON

PALAMON     For Emily, upon my life! Fool,

               Away with this strained⁵⁷ mirth! I say again,

               That sigh was breathed for Emily. Base cousin,

               Dar’st thou break⁵⁹ first?

60

60   

ARCITE

ARCITE             You are wide.⁶⁰

PALAMON

PALAMON     By heaven and earth, there’s nothing in thee honest.

ARCITE

ARCITE     Then I’ll leave you: you are a beast now.

PALAMON

PALAMON     As thou mak’st me, traitor.

ARCITE

ARCITE     There’s all things needful: files and shirts, and perfumes.

65

65            I’ll come again some two hours hence, and bring

               That that shall quiet all.

PALAMON

PALAMON     A sword and armour.

ARCITE

ARCITE     Fear⁶⁸ me not. You are now too foul, farewell.

               Get off your trinkets,⁶⁹ you shall want nought.

70

70   

PALAMON

PALAMON             Sirrah—

ARCITE

ARCITE     I’ll hear no more. Exit

PALAMON

PALAMON     If he keep touch,⁷² he dies for’t. Exit

Act 3 Scene 4

running scene 11 continues

       Enter Jailer’s Daughter

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     I am very cold and all the stars are out too,

               The little stars and all, that look like aglets:²

               The sun has seen my folly.— Palamon!—

               Alas no, he’s in heaven. Where am I now?

5

5              Yonder’s the sea and there’s a ship: how’t tumbles!⁵

               And there’s a rock lies watching under water:

               Now, now, it beats upon it: now, now, now,

               There’s a leak sprung,⁸ a sound one. How they cry!

               Run her⁹ before the wind, you’ll lose all else.

10

10            Up with a course¹⁰ or two and tack about, boys!

               Goodnight, goodnight, you’re gone.— I am very hungry.

               Would I could find a fine frog: he would tell me

               News from all parts o’th’world: then would I make

               A carrack¹⁴ of a cockleshell and sail

15

15            By east and north-east to the king of pygmies,

               For he tells fortunes rarely.¹⁶ Now my father

               Twenty to one is trussed up¹⁷ in a trice

               Tomorrow morning. I’ll say never a word.

                                    For I’ll cut my green coat, a foot above my knee

       Sings

20

20                                 And I’ll clip my yellow locks, an inch below mine eye.

                                        Hey, nonny,²¹ nonny, nonny.

                                    He’s²² buy me a white cut, forth for to ride,

                                    And I’ll go seek him, through the world that is so wide.

                                        Hey, nonny, nonny, nonny.

25

25            O, for a prick²⁵ now like a nightingale,

               To put my breast against. I shall sleep like a top²⁶ else.

       Exit

Act 3 [Scene 5]3.5

running scene 11 continues

       Enter a Schoolmaster, four Countrymen, and [one disguised as a] Baboon, two or three Wenches, with a Taborer

SCHOOLMASTER

SCHOOLMASTER     Fie, fie, what tediosity¹ and disinsanity is here among ye? Have my rudiments² been laboured so long with ye? Milked unto ye, and by a figure,³ even the very⁴ plum-broth and marrow of my understanding laid upon ye? And do you still cry ‘Where?’ and ‘How?’ and ‘Wherefore?’ You most coarse-frieze⁷ capacities, ye jean judgements, have I said ‘Thus let be’ and ‘There let be’ and ‘Then let be’, and no man understand me? Proh deum!⁹ Medius Fidius! Ye are all dunces. For why? Here stand I. Here the duke comes: there are you, close¹¹ in the thicket: the duke appears: I meet him and unto him I utter learnèd things and many figures: he hears and nods and hums¹⁴ and then cries ‘Rare!’ and I go forward. At length I fling my cap up — mark there! Then do you, as once did Meleager¹⁶ and the boar, break comely¹⁷ out before him: like true lovers, cast yourselves in a body decently¹⁸ and sweetly, by a figure, trace¹⁹ and turn, boys.

20

20   

FIRST COUNTRYMAN

FIRST COUNTRYMAN             And sweetly we will do it, Master Gerald.

SECOND COUNTRYMAN

SECOND COUNTRYMAN     Draw²¹ up the company. Where’s the taborer?

THIRD COUNTRYMAN

THIRD COUNTRYMAN     Why, Timothy!

TABORER

TABORER     Here, my mad boys, have at ye.²³

SCHOOLMASTER

SCHOOLMASTER     But I say, where’s their women?

25

25   

FOURTH COUNTRYMAN

FOURTH COUNTRYMAN             Here’s Friz and Maudlin.

SECOND COUNTRYMAN

SECOND COUNTRYMAN     And little Luce with the white legs and bouncing²⁷ Barbary.

FIRST COUNTRYMAN

FIRST COUNTRYMAN     And freckled Nell that never failed her master.

SCHOOLMASTER

SCHOOLMASTER     Where be your ribbons maids? Swim²⁹ with your bodies

30

30            And carry it sweetly and deliverly³⁰

               And now and then a favour³¹ and a frisk.

NELL

NELL              Let us alone,³² sir.

SCHOOLMASTER

SCHOOLMASTER     Where’s the rest o’th’music?³³

THIRD COUNTRYMAN

THIRD COUNTRYMAN     Dispersed as you commanded.

35

35   

SCHOOLMASTER

SCHOOLMASTER             Couple³⁵ then

               And see what’s wanting.³⁶ Where’s the bavian?—

               My friend, carry your tail³⁷ without offence

               Or scandal to the ladies, and be sure

               You tumble³⁹ with audacity and manhood,

40

40            And when you bark do it with judgement.

BABOON

BABOON     Yes, sir.

SCHOOLMASTER

SCHOOLMASTER     Quo usque tandem?⁴² Here is a woman wanting.

FOURTH COUNTRYMAN

FOURTH COUNTRYMAN     We may go whistle:⁴³ all the fat’s i’th’fire.

SCHOOLMASTER

SCHOOLMASTER     We have,

45

45            As learnèd authors utter, washed a tile,⁴⁵

               We have been fatuus⁴⁶ and laboured vainly.

SECOND COUNTRYMAN

SECOND COUNTRYMAN     This is that scornful piece,⁴⁷ that scurvy hilding

               That gave her promise faithfully, she would be here:

               Cicely, the sempster’s⁴⁹ daughter.

50

50            The next gloves that I give her shall be dogskin!⁵⁰

               Nay, an⁵¹ she fail me once, you can tell, Arcas,

               She swore by wine and bread she would not break.⁵²

SCHOOLMASTER

SCHOOLMASTER     An eel⁵³ and woman,

               A learnèd poet says, unless by th’tail

55

55            And with thy teeth thou hold, will either⁵⁵ fail.

               In manners this was false position.⁵⁶

FIRST COUNTRYMAN

FIRST COUNTRYMAN     A fire ill⁵⁷ take her: does she flinch now?

THIRD COUNTRYMAN

THIRD COUNTRYMAN     What

               Shall we determine, sir?

60

60   

SCHOOLMASTER

SCHOOLMASTER             Nothing.

               Our business is become a nullity,⁶¹

               Yea, and a woeful and a piteous nullity.

FOURTH COUNTRYMAN

FOURTH COUNTRYMAN     Now when the credit of our town lay on it,

               Now to be frampul,⁶⁴ now to piss o’th’nettle.

65

65            Go thy ways,⁶⁵ I’ll remember thee, I’ll fit thee.

       Enter Jailer’s Daughter

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     The George Alow⁶⁶ came from the south Sings

                                    From the coast of Barbary-a

                                    And there he met with brave gallants of war,⁶⁸

                                    By one, by two, by three-a.

70

70                                 ‘Well hailed, well hailed, you jolly gallants,

                                    And whither now are you bound-a?

       Chair and stools out

                                    O, let me have your company

                                    Till I come to the sound-a.’

                                    There was three fools, fell out about an howlet:⁷⁴

75

75                                 The one said it was an owl,

                                    The other he said nay,

                                    The third he said it was a hawk,

                                    And her bells were cut away.

THIRD COUNTRYMAN

THIRD COUNTRYMAN     There’s a dainty⁷⁹ madwoman, master,

80

80            Comes i’th’nick,⁸⁰ as mad as a March hare.

               If we can get her dance, we are made⁸¹ again:

               I warrant⁸² her, she’ll do the rarest gambols.

FIRST COUNTRYMAN

FIRST COUNTRYMAN     A mad woman? We are made, boys.

SCHOOLMASTER

SCHOOLMASTER     And are you mad, good woman? To Jailer’s Daughter

85

85   

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER             I would be sorry else. Give me your hand.

SCHOOLMASTER

SCHOOLMASTER     Why?

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     I can tell your fortune.

               You are a fool. Tell⁸⁸ ten.— I have posed him. Buzz!—

               Friend, you must eat⁸⁹ no white bread: if you do

90

90            Your⁹⁰ teeth will bleed extremely.— Shall we dance, ho?—

               I know you, you’re a tinker:⁹¹ sirrah tinker,

               Stop⁹² no more holes but what you should.

SCHOOLMASTER

SCHOOLMASTER     Dii boni.⁹³ A tinker, damsel?

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     Or a conjurer:

95

95            Raise⁹⁵ me a devil now and let him play

               Chi passa⁹⁶ o’th’bells and bones.

SCHOOLMASTER

SCHOOLMASTER     Go take her

               And fluently persuade her to a peace:

               Et⁹⁹ opus exegi quod nec Jovis ira, nec ignis.

100

100          Strike up and lead her in. Taborer plays

SECOND COUNTRYMAN

SECOND COUNTRYMAN     Come, lass, let’s trip¹⁰¹ it.

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     I’ll lead. Dances Wind horns

THIRD COUNTRYMAN

THIRD COUNTRYMAN     Do, do!

SCHOOLMASTER

SCHOOLMASTER     Persuasively and cunningly. Away, boys!

       Exeunt all but Schoolmaster

105

105          I hear the horns: give me some meditation,¹⁰⁵

               And mark your cue. Pallas¹⁰⁶ inspire me! Calls after them

       Enter Theseus, Pirithous, Hippolyta, Emilia, Arcite and Train

THESEUS

THESEUS     This way the stag took.

SCHOOLMASTER

SCHOOLMASTER     Stay, and edify!¹⁰⁸

THESEUS

THESEUS     What have we here?

110

110 

PIRITHOUS

PIRITHOUS             Some country sport, upon my life, sir.

THESEUS

THESEUS     Well, sir, go forward, we will ‘edify’.— To Schoolmaster

               Ladies, sit down, we’ll stay¹¹² it.

SCHOOLMASTER

SCHOOLMASTER     Thou doughty¹¹³ duke, all hail.— All hail, sweet ladies.

THESEUS

THESEUS     This is a cold¹¹⁴ beginning.

115

115 

SCHOOLMASTER

SCHOOLMASTER             If you but favour, our country pastime made is.

               We are a few of those collected here

               That ruder tongues distinguish¹¹⁷ ‘villager’,

               And to say verity, and not to fable,¹¹⁸

               We are a merry rout,¹¹⁹ or else a rabble,

120

120          Or company, or, by a figure, chorus,¹²⁰

               That ’fore thy dignity will dance a morris.

               And I that am the rectifier¹²² of all,

               By title pedagogus,¹²³ that let fall

               The birch¹²⁴ upon the breeches of the small ones

125

125          And humble with a ferula¹²⁵ the tall ones,

               Do here present this machine,¹²⁶ or this frame,

               And, dainty duke, whose doughty dismal¹²⁷ fame

               From Dis¹²⁸ to Daedalus, from post to pillar,

               Is blown abroad, help me, thy poor well-willer,¹²⁹

130

130          And with thy twinkling eyes look right and straight

               Upon this mighty ‘Moor’ — of mickle¹³¹ weight —

               ‘Is’¹³² now comes in, which, being glued together,

               Makes ‘Morris’ and the cause that we came hither:

               The body¹³⁴ of our sport, of no small study.

135

135          I first appear, though rude and raw and muddy,

               To speak before thy noble grace this tenor:¹³⁶

               At whose great feet I offer up my penner.¹³⁷

               The next the lord of May, and lady bright,

               The chambermaid and servingman, by night

140

140          That seek out silent hanging.¹⁴⁰ Then mine host

               And his fat spouse that welcomes to their cost

               The gallèd¹⁴² traveller and with a beck’ning

               Informs the tapster¹⁴³ to inflame the reck’ning.

               Then the beest-eating¹⁴⁴ clown and next the fool,

145

145          The Bavian with long tail and eke¹⁴⁵ long tool,

               Cum multis aliis¹⁴⁶ that make a dance.

               Say ‘Ay’, and all shall presently advance.

THESEUS

THESEUS     Ay, ay, by any means, dear domine.¹⁴⁸

PIRITHOUS

PIRITHOUS     Produce.¹⁴⁹

       Music. Dance

150

150 

SCHOOLMASTER

SCHOOLMASTER             Intrate filii!¹⁵⁰

       Knocks for [the dance]

               Come forth and foot it.

       Enter the Dance

       The Countrymen and Jailer’s Daughter dance a morris

               Ladies, if we have been merry

               And have pleased ye with a derry,¹⁵²

               And a derry, and a down,

               Say the schoolmaster’s no clown.—

155

155          Duke, if we have pleased thee too

               And have done as good boys should do,

               Give us but a tree or twain¹⁵⁷

               For a maypole and again,

               Ere another year run out,

160

160          We’ll make thee laugh and all this rout.

THESEUS

THESEUS     Take twenty, domine.— How does my sweetheart?

HIPPOLYTA

HIPPOLYTA     Never so pleased, sir.

EMILIA

EMILIA     ’Twas an excellent dance

               And for a preface, I never heard a better.

165

165 

THESEUS

THESEUS             Schoolmaster, I thank you.— One see ’em all rewarded.

PIRITHOUS

PIRITHOUS     And here’s something to paint your pole¹⁶⁶ withal. Gives money

THESEUS

THESEUS     Now to our sports again.

SCHOOLMASTER

SCHOOLMASTER     May the stag thou hunt’st stand long,

               And thy dogs be swift and strong:

170

170          May they kill him without lets¹⁷⁰

               And the ladies eat his dowsets.¹⁷¹—

       Wind horns

       [Exeunt Theseus and his party]

               Come we are all made, dii deæque omnes.¹⁷²

               Ye have danced rarely,¹⁷³ wenches.

       Exeunt

Act 3 [Scene 6]

running scene 11 continues

       Enter Palamon from the bush

PALAMON

PALAMON     About this hour my cousin gave his faith¹

               To visit me again, and with him bring

               Two swords and two good armours.³ If he fail

               He’s neither man nor soldier. When he left me

5

5              I did not think a week could have restored

               My lost strength to me, I was grown so low

               And crest-fall’n with my wants. I thank thee, Arcite,

               Thou art yet a fair foe: and I feel myself,

               With this refreshing, able once again

10

10            To outdure¹⁰ danger. To delay it longer

               Would make the world think, when¹¹ it comes to hearing,

               That I lay fatting¹² like a swine to fight

               And not a soldier. Therefore this blest morning

               Shall be the last, and that sword he refuses,¹⁴

15

15            If¹⁵ it but hold, I kill him with: ’tis justice.

               So love and fortune for me!— O, good morrow.

       Enter Arcite with armours and swords

ARCITE

ARCITE     Good morrow, noble kinsman.

PALAMON

PALAMON     I have put you

               To too much pains, sir.

20

20  

ARCITE

ARCITE             That too much, fair cousin,

               Is but a debt to honour, and my duty.

PALAMON

PALAMON     Would you were so in all, sir: I could wish ye

               As kind a kinsman as you force me find

               A beneficial foe, that my embraces

25

25            Might thank ye, not my blows.

ARCITE

ARCITE     I shall think either

               Well done, a noble recompense.²⁷

PALAMON

PALAMON     Then I shall quit²⁸ you.

ARCITE

ARCITE     Defy me in these fair terms, and you show²⁹

30

30            More than a mistress to me. No more anger,

               As you love anything that’s honourable.

               We were not bred to talk, man: when we are armed

               And both upon our guards, then let our fury,

               Like meeting of two tides, fly strongly from us,

35

35            And then to whom the birthright³⁵ of this beauty

               Truly pertains³⁶ — without upbraidings, scorns,

               Despisings of our persons, and such poutings

               Fitter for girls and schoolboys — will be seen

               And quickly, yours or mine. Wilt please you arm, sir?

40

40            Or, if you feel yourself not fitting⁴⁰ yet

               And furnished with your old strength, I’ll stay,⁴¹ cousin,

               And ev’ry day discourse you into health,

               As I am spared.⁴³ Your person I am friends with

               And I could wish I had not said I loved her,

45

45            Though⁴⁵ I had died: but, loving such a lady

               And justifying my love, I must not fly from’t.

PALAMON

PALAMON     Arcite, thou art so brave an enemy

               That no man but thy cousin’s fit to kill thee.

               I am well and lusty:⁴⁹ Choose your arms.

50

50   

ARCITE

ARCITE             Choose you, sir.

PALAMON

PALAMON     Wilt thou exceed⁵¹ in all, or dost thou do it

               To make me spare thee?

ARCITE

ARCITE     If you think so, cousin,

               You are deceived, for as I am a soldier,

55

55            I will not spare you.

PALAMON

PALAMON     That’s well said.

ARCITE

ARCITE     You’ll find it.⁵⁷

PALAMON

PALAMON     Then as I am an honest man, and love

               With all the justice of affection,

60

60            I’ll pay thee soundly.⁶⁰ This I’ll take. Chooses armor

ARCITE

ARCITE     That’s mine then. Takes the other

               I’ll arm you⁶² first.

PALAMON

PALAMON     Do. Pray thee Arcite begins to arm him tell me, cousin,

               Where got’st thou this good armour?

65

65   

ARCITE

ARCITE             ’Tis the duke’s,

               And to say true, I stole it. Do I pinch you?

PALAMON

PALAMON     No.

ARCITE

ARCITE     Is’t not too heavy?

PALAMON

PALAMON     I have worn a lighter,

70

70            But I shall make it serve.

ARCITE

ARCITE     I’ll buckle’t close.

PALAMON

PALAMON     By any means.

ARCITE

ARCITE     You care not for a grand guard?⁷³

PALAMON

PALAMON     No, no, we’ll use no horses. I perceive

75

75            You would fain⁷⁵ be at that fight.

ARCITE

ARCITE     I am indifferent.

PALAMON

PALAMON     Faith, so am I. Good cousin, thrust the buckle

               Through far enough.

ARCITE

ARCITE     I warrant⁷⁹ you.

80

80   

PALAMON

             My casque⁸⁰ now.

ARCITE

ARCITE     Will you fight bare-armed?

PALAMON

PALAMON     We shall be the nimbler.

ARCITE

ARCITE     But use your gauntlets though. Those are o’th’least:⁸³

               Prithee take mine, good cousin.

85

85   

PALAMON

PALAMON             Thank you, Arcite.

               How do I look? Am I fall’n much away?⁸⁶

ARCITE

ARCITE     Faith very little: love has used you kindly.

PALAMON

PALAMON     I’ll warrant thee, I’ll strike home.⁸⁸

ARCITE

ARCITE     Do, and spare not.

90

90            I’ll give you cause, sweet cousin.

PALAMON

PALAMON     Now to you, sir. Begins to arm Arcite

               Methinks this armour’s very like that, Arcite,

               Thou wor’st that day the three kings fell, but lighter.

ARCITE

ARCITE     That was a very good one, and that day

95

95            I well remember, you outdid me, cousin:

               I never saw such valour: when you charged

               Upon the left wing of the enemy,

               I spurred hard to come up and under me

               I had a right good horse.

100

100 

PALAMON

PALAMON             You had indeed:

               A bright bay,¹⁰¹ I remember.

ARCITE

ARCITE     Yes, but all

               Was vainly laboured in me: you outwent me,

               Nor¹⁰⁴ could my wishes reach you. Yet a little

105

105          I did by imitation.

PALAMON

PALAMON     More by virtue.¹⁰⁶

               You are modest, cousin.

ARCITE

ARCITE     When I saw you charge first,

               Methought I heard a dreadful clap of thunder

110

110          Break from the troop.

PALAMON

PALAMON     But still before that flew

               The lightning of your valour. Stay a little:

               Is not this piece too strait?¹¹³

ARCITE

ARCITE     No, no, ’tis well.

115

115 

PALAMON

PALAMON             I would have nothing hurt thee but my sword:

               A bruise would be dishonour.

ARCITE

ARCITE     Now I am perfect.¹¹⁷

PALAMON

PALAMON     Stand off then.

ARCITE

ARCITE     Take my sword, I hold¹¹⁹ it better.

120

120 

PALAMON

PALAMON             I thank ye, no: keep it, your life lies¹²⁰ on it.

               Here’s one: if it but hold, I ask no more

               For all my hopes. My cause and honour guard me.

ARCITE

ARCITE     And me my love.

       They bow several ways, then advance and stand

               Is there aught¹²⁴ else to say?

125

125 

PALAMON

PALAMON             This only, and no more: thou art mine aunt’s son

               And that blood we desire to shed is mutual,

               In me thine and in thee mine. My sword

               Is in my hand and if thou killest me

               The gods and I forgive thee. If there be

130

130          A place prepared for those that sleep in honour,

               I wish his weary soul that falls may win it.

               Fight bravely, cousin. Give me thy noble hand.

ARCITE

ARCITE     Here, Palamon: this hand shall never more

               Come near thee with such friendship.

135

135 

PALAMON

PALAMON             I commend¹³⁵ thee.

ARCITE

ARCITE     If I fall, curse me, and say I was a coward,

               For none but such dare die in these just trials.

               Once more farewell, my cousin.

PALAMON

PALAMON     Farewell, Arcite.

       Fight. Horns within. They stand

140

140 

ARCITE

ARCITE             Lo,¹⁴⁰ cousin, lo, our folly has undone us.

PALAMON

PALAMON     Why?

ARCITE

ARCITE     This is the duke, a-hunting as I told you:

               If we be found, we are wretched. O, retire,¹⁴³

               For honour’s sake, and safely presently¹⁴⁴

145

145            Into your bush again. Sir, we shall find

               Too many hours to die in. Gentle cousin,

               If you be seen you perish instantly

               For breaking prison, and I, if you reveal me,

               For my contempt.¹⁴⁹ Then all the world will scorn us

150

150            And say we had a noble difference,¹⁵⁰

               But base disposers¹⁵¹ of it.

PALAMON

PALAMON     No, no, cousin,

               I will no more be hidden, nor put off

               This great adventure¹⁵⁴ to a second trial:

155

155            I know your cunning and I know your cause.

               He that faints¹⁵⁶ now, shame take him. Put thyself

               Upon thy present guard.

ARCITE

ARCITE     You are not mad?

PALAMON

PALAMON     Or I will make th’advantage of this hour

160

160            Mine own, and what to come shall threaten me

               I fear less than my fortune. Know, weak cousin,

               I love Emilia and in that I’ll bury

               Thee, and all crosses¹⁶³ else.

ARCITE

ARCITE     Then come what can come.

165

165            Thou shalt know, Palamon, I dare as well

               Die as discourse or sleep. Only this fears¹⁶⁶ me:

               The law will have the honour of our ends.

               Have at thy life.

PALAMON

PALAMON     Look to thine own well, Arcite.

       Fight again. Horns Enter Theseus, Hippolyta, Emilia, Pirithous and Train

170

170 

THESEUS

THESEUS     What ignorant¹⁷⁰ and mad malicious traitors

               Are you, that gainst the tenor of my laws

               Are making battle, thus like knights appointed,¹⁷²

               Without my leave and officers of arms?¹⁷³

               By Castor,¹⁷⁴ both shall die!

175

175 

PALAMON

PALAMON     Hold¹⁷⁵ thy word, Theseus.

               We are certainly both traitors, both despisers

               Of thee and of thy goodness: I am Palamon

               That cannot love thee, he that broke thy prison:

               Think well what that deserves. And this is Arcite:

180

180          A bolder traitor never trod thy ground,

               A falser ne’er seemed friend. This is the man

               Was begged¹⁸² and banished, this is he contemns thee

               And what thou dar’st do; and in this disguise

               Against thine own edict follows¹⁸⁴ thy sister,

185

185          That fortunate bright star, the fair Emilia,

               Whose servant — if there be a right in seeing

               And first bequeathing of the soul to — justly

               I am, and which is more, dares think her his.

               This treachery, like a most trusty lover,

190

190          I called him now to answer. If thou be’st

               As thou art spoken,¹⁹¹ great and virtuous,

               The true decider of all injuries,

               Say, ‘Fight again’ and thou shalt see me, Theseus,

               Do such a justice thou thy self wilt envy.

195

195          Then take my life, I’ll woo¹⁹⁵ thee to’t.

PIRITHOUS

PIRITHOUS     O heaven,

               What more than man is this!

THESEUS

THESEUS     I have sworn.

ARCITE

ARCITE     We seek not

200

200          Thy breath of mercy, Theseus: ’tis to me

               A thing as soon to die as thee to say it

               And no more moved.²⁰² Where this man calls me traitor,

               Let me say thus much: if in love be treason,

               In service of so excellent a beauty,

205

205          As I love most, and in that faith will perish,

               As I have brought my life here to confirm it,

               As I have served her truest, worthiest,

               As I dare kill this cousin that denies it,

               So let me be most traitor and ye please me.

210

210          For²¹⁰ scorning thy edict, duke, ask that lady

               Why she is fair, and why her eyes command me

               Stay here to love her: and if she say ‘Traitor’,

               I am a villain fit to lie unburied.

PALAMON

PALAMON     Thou shalt have pity of us both, O Theseus,

215

215          If unto neither thou show mercy. Stop,²¹⁵

               As thou art just, thy noble ear against us:

               As thou art valiant, for thy²¹⁷ cousin’s soul

               Whose twelve strong labours crown his memory,

               Let’s die together at one instant, duke.

220

220          Only a little let him fall before me,

               That I may tell my soul he shall not have her.

THESEUS

THESEUS     I grant your wish, for to say true, your cousin

               Has ten times more offended, for I gave him

               More mercy than you found, sir, your offences

225

225          Being no more than his. None here speak for ’em,

               For ere the sun set, both shall sleep for ever.

HIPPOLYTA

HIPPOLYTA     Alas the pity! Now or never, sister, To Emilia

               Speak not²²⁸ to be denied. That face of yours

               Will bear the curses else of after ages

230

230          For these lost cousins.

EMILIA

EMILIA     In my face, dear sister,

               I find no anger to ’em, nor no ruin:

               The misadventure of their own eyes kill²³³ ’em.

               Yet²³⁴ that I will be woman, and have pity,

235

235          My knees shall grow to²³⁵ th’ground but I’ll get mercy.

               Help me, dear sister, in a deed so virtuous,

               The powers of all women will be with us.— Kneels

               Most royal brother—

HIPPOLYTA

HIPPOLYTA     Sir, by our tie of marriage— Kneels

240

240 

EMILIA

EMILIA             By your own spotless honour—

HIPPOLYTA

HIPPOLYTA     By that faith,

               That fair hand and that honest heart you gave me—

EMILIA

EMILIA     By that²⁴³ you would have pity in another,

               By your own virtues infinite—

245

245 

HIPPOLYTA

HIPPOLYTA             By valour,

               By all the chaste²⁴⁶ nights I have ever pleased you—

THESEUS

THESEUS     These are strange conjurings.²⁴⁷

PIRITHOUS

PIRITHOUS     Nay then I’ll in too: Kneels

               By all our friendship, sir, by all our dangers,

250

250          By all you love most: wars, and this sweet lady—

EMILIA

EMILIA     By that²⁵¹ you would have trembled to deny

               A blushing maid—

HIPPOLYTA

HIPPOLYTA     By your own eyes, by strength,

               In which you swore I went beyond all women,

255

255          Almost all men, and yet I yielded, Theseus—

PIRITHOUS

PIRITHOUS     To crown all this, by your most noble soul,

               Which cannot want²⁵⁷ due mercy, I beg first—

HIPPOLYTA

HIPPOLYTA     Next hear my prayers—

EMILIA

EMILIA     Last let me entreat, sir—

260

260 

PIRITHOUS

PIRITHOUS             For mercy.

HIPPOLYTA

HIPPOLYTA     Mercy!

EMILIA

EMILIA     Mercy on these princes!

THESEUS

THESEUS     Ye make²⁶³ my faith reel. Say I felt Emilia, Hippolyta, and Pirithous rise

               Compassion to ’em both, how would you place it?²⁶⁴

265

265 

EMILIA

EMILIA             Upon their lives: but with their banishments.

THESEUS

THESEUS     You are a right²⁶⁶ woman, sister: you have pity,

               But want the understanding where to use it.

               If you desire their lives, invent a way

               Safer than banishment. Can these two live

270

270          And have the agony of love about ’em

               And not kill one another? Every day

               They’d fight about you: hourly bring your honour

               In public question²⁷³ with their swords. Be wise then

               And here forget ’em. It concerns your credit²⁷⁴

275

275          And my oath equally. I have said they die.

               Better they fall by th’law than one another.

               Bow²⁷⁷ not my honour.

EMILIA

EMILIA     O my noble brother,

               That oath was rashly made, and in your anger.

280

280          Your reason will not hold²⁸⁰ it: if such vows

               Stand for express will,²⁸¹ all the world must perish.

               Beside, I have another oath gainst yours

               Of more authority, I am sure more love,

               Not made in passion²⁸⁴ neither, but good heed.

285

285 

THESEUS

THESEUS             What is it, sister?

PIRITHOUS

PIRITHOUS     Urge it home, brave lady.

EMILIA

EMILIA     That you would nev’r deny me anything

               Fit for my modest suit and your free granting.

               I tie you to your word now: if ye fail in’t,

290

290          Think how you maim²⁹⁰ your honour —

               For now I am set a-begging, sir, I am deaf

               To all but your compassion — how their lives

               Might breed the ruin of my name. Opinion!

               Shall anything that loves me perish for me?

295

295          That were a cruel wisdom. Do men prune

               The straight young boughs that blush with thousand blossoms

               Because they may be²⁹⁷ rotten? O Duke Theseus,

               The goodly mothers that have groaned²⁹⁸ for these

               And all the longing maids that ever loved,

300

300          If your vow stand, shall curse me and my beauty

               And in their funeral songs for these two cousins

               Despise my cruelty and cry ‘Woe worth³⁰² me’,

               Till I am nothing but the scorn of women.

               For heaven’s sake save their lives and banish ’em.

305

305 

THESEUS

THESEUS             On what conditions?

EMILIA

EMILIA     Swear ’em never more

               To make me their contention,³⁰⁷ or to know me,

               To tread upon thy dukedom, and to be,

               Wherever they shall travel, ever strangers

310

310          To one another.

PALAMON

PALAMON     I’ll be cut a-pieces

               Before I take this oath! Forget I love her?

               O, all ye gods, despise me then! Thy banishment

               I not mislike, so we may fairly carry

315

315          Our swords and cause along, else never trifle

               But take our lives, duke. I must love and will,

               And for that love, must and dare kill this cousin

               On any piece³¹⁸ the earth has.

THESEUS

THESEUS     Will you, Arcite,

320

320          Take these conditions?

PALAMON

PALAMON     He’s a villain then.

PIRITHOUS

PIRITHOUS     These are men!

ARCITE

ARCITE     No, never, duke: ’tis worse to me than begging

               To take my life so basely.³²⁴ Though I think

325

325          I never shall enjoy her, yet I’ll preserve

               The honour of affection and die for her,

               Make³²⁷ death a devil.

THESEUS

THESEUS     What may be done? For now I feel compassion.

PIRITHOUS

PIRITHOUS     Let it not fall again, sir.

330

330 

THESEUS

THESEUS             Say, Emilia,

               If one of them were dead, as one must,³³¹ are you

               Content to³³² take th’other to your husband?

               They cannot both enjoy you. They are princes

               As goodly as your own eyes and as noble

335

335          As ever fame yet spoke of. Look upon ’em

               And if you can love, end this difference.

               I give consent. Are you content too, princes?

BOTH

BOTH     With all our souls.

THESEUS

THESEUS     He that she refuses

340

340          Must die then.

BOTH

BOTH     Any death thou canst invent, duke.

PALAMON

PALAMON     If I fall from that mouth,³⁴² I fall with favour

               And lovers yet unborn shall bless my ashes.

ARCITE

ARCITE     If she refuse me, yet my grave will wed me

345

345          And soldiers sing my epitaph.

THESEUS

THESEUS     Make choice, then. To Emilia

EMILIA

EMILIA     I cannot, sir, they are both too excellent:

               For³⁴⁸ me, a hair shall never fall of these men.

HIPPOLYTA

HIPPOLYTA     What will become of ’em?

350

350 

THESEUS

THESEUS             Thus I ordain it

               And by mine honour, once again it stands,

               Or both shall die. You shall both to your country

               And each within this month accompanied

               With three fair knights, appear again in this place,

355

355          In which I’ll plant a pyramid:³⁵⁵ and whether

               Before us that are here, can force his cousin

               By fair and knightly strength to touch the pillar,

               He shall enjoy her: the other lose his head,

               And all his friends. Nor shall he grudge to fall,³⁵⁹

360

360          Nor think he dies with interest in³⁶⁰ this lady.

               Will this content ye?

PALAMON

PALAMON     Yes. Here, cousin Arcite, Offers his hand to Arcite

               I am friends again, till that hour.

ARCITE

ARCITE     I embrace ye. Embraces him

365

365 

THESEUS

THESEUS     Are you content, sister?

EMILIA

EMILIA     Yes, I must,³⁶⁶ sir,

               Else both miscarry.³⁶⁷

THESEUS

THESEUS     Come shake hands again then,

               And take heed, as you are gentlemen, this quarrel

370

370          Sleep till the hour prefixed, and hold your course.³⁷⁰

PALAMON

PALAMON     We dare not fail thee, Theseus. Palamon and Arcite shake hands

THESEUS

THESEUS     Come, I’ll give ye

               Now usage³⁷³ like to princes and to friends.

               When ye return, who wins, I’ll settle here:³⁷⁴

375

375          Who loses, yet I’ll weep upon his bier.³⁷⁵

       Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 14.1

running scene 12

       Enter Jailer and his Friend

JAILER

JAILER     Hear you no more? Was nothing said of me

               Concerning the escape of Palamon?

               Good sir, remember.

FIRST FRIEND

FIRST FRIEND     Nothing that I heard,

5

5              For I came home before the business

               Was fully ended: yet I might perceive,

               Ere I departed, a great likelihood

               Of both their pardons: for Hippolyta

               And fair-eyed Emily, upon their knees,

10

10            Begged with such handsome¹⁰ pity that the duke

               Methought stood staggering¹¹ whether he should follow

               His rash oath or the sweet compassion

               Of those two ladies: and, to second them,

               That truly noble Prince Pirithous,

15

15            Half¹⁵ his own heart set in too, that I hope

               All shall be well. Neither heard I one question

               Of your name, or his scape.

       Enter Second Friend

JAILER

JAILER     Pray heaven it hold¹⁸ so.

SECOND FRIEND

SECOND FRIEND     Be of good comfort man: I bring you news,

20

20            Good news.

JAILER

JAILER     They²¹ are welcome.

SECOND FRIEND

SECOND FRIEND     Palamon has cleared you,

               And got your pardon, and discovered²³ how

               And by whose means he escaped, which was your daughter’s,

25

25            Whose pardon is procured too: and the prisoner,

               Not to be held ungrateful to her goodness,

               Has given a sum of money to her marriage,

               A large one, I’ll assure you.

JAILER

JAILER     Ye are a good man

30

30            And ever³⁰ bring good news.

FIRST FRIEND

FIRST FRIEND     How was it ended?

SECOND FRIEND

SECOND FRIEND     Why, as it should be: they that ne’er begged

               But they prevailed³³ had their suits fairly granted:

               The prisoners have their lives.

35

35   

FIRST FRIEND

FIRST FRIEND             I knew ’twould be so.

SECOND FRIEND

SECOND FRIEND     But there be new conditions, which you’ll hear of

               At better time.

JAILER

JAILER     I hope they are good.

SECOND FRIEND

SECOND FRIEND     They are honourable:

40

40            How good they’ll prove, I know not.

       Enter Wooer

FIRST FRIEND

FIRST FRIEND     ’Twill be known.

WOOER

WOOER     Alas, sir, where’s your daughter?

JAILER

JAILER     Why do you ask?

WOOER

WOOER     O, sir, when did you see her?

45

45   

SECOND FRIEND

SECOND FRIEND             How he looks!⁴⁵

JAILER

JAILER     This morning.

WOOER

WOOER     Was she well? Was she in health, sir?

               When did she sleep?

FIRST FRIEND

FIRST FRIEND     These are strange questions.

50

50   

JAILER

JAILER             I do not think she was very well, for now

               You make me mind⁵¹ her: but this very day

               I asked her questions, and she answered me

               So far from what she was, so childishly,

               So sillily, as if she were a fool,

55

55            An innocent,⁵⁵ and I was very angry.

               But what of her, sir?

WOOER

WOOER     Nothing⁵⁷ but my pity.

               But you must know it, and as good by⁵⁸ me

               As by another that less loves her.

60

60   

JAILER

JAILER             Well, sir?

FIRST FRIEND

FIRST FRIEND     Not right?⁶¹

SECOND FRIEND

SECOND FRIEND     Not well?

WOOER

WOOER     No, sir, not well. ’Tis too true, she is mad.

FIRST FRIEND

FIRST FRIEND     It cannot be!

65

65   

WOOER

WOOER             Believe, you’ll find it so.

JAILER

JAILER     I half suspected

               What you told me: the gods comfort her!

               Either this was her love to Palamon,

               Or fear of my miscarrying on⁶⁹ his scape,

70

70            Or both.

WOOER

WOOER     ’Tis likely.

JAILER

JAILER     But why all this haste, sir?

WOOER

WOOER     I’ll tell you quickly. As I late⁷³ was angling

               In the great lake that lies behind the palace,

75

75            From the far shore, thick set with reeds and sedges,

               As patiently I was attending sport,⁷⁶

               I heard a voice, a shrill one, and attentive

               I gave my ear, when I might well perceive

               ’Twas one that sung, and by the smallness⁷⁹ of it,

80

80            A boy or woman. I then left my angle⁸⁰

               To⁸¹ his own skill, came near, but yet perceived not

               Who made the sound, the rushes and the reeds

               Had so encompassed⁸³ it. I laid me down

               And listened to the words she sung, for then,

85

85            Through a small glade⁸⁵ cut by the fishermen,

               I saw it was your daughter.

JAILER

JAILER     Pray go on, sir.

WOOER

WOOER     She sung much, but no sense, only I heard her

               Repeat this often: ‘Palamon is gone,

90

90            Is gone to th’wood to gather mulberries.

               I’ll find him out tomorrow.’

FIRST FRIEND

FIRST FRIEND     Pretty⁹² soul!

WOOER

WOOER     ‘His shackles will betray him, he’ll be taken,

               And what shall I do then? I’ll bring a bevy,⁹⁴

95

95            A hundred black-eyed maids that love as I do,

               With chaplets⁹⁶ on their heads of daffodillies,

               With cherry lips and cheeks of damask⁹⁷ roses,

               And all we’ll dance an antic⁹⁸ ’fore the duke

               And beg his pardon.’ Then she talked of you, sir:

100

100          That you must lose your head tomorrow morning,

               And she must gather flowers to bury you,

               And see the house made handsome.¹⁰² Then she sung

               Nothing but ‘Willow, willow, willow’¹⁰³ and between

               Ever was ‘Palamon, fair Palamon’,

105

105          And ‘Palamon was a tall¹⁰⁵ young man.’ The place

               Was knee-deep where she sat: her careless tresses,¹⁰⁶

               A wreath of bullrush rounded:¹⁰⁷ about her stuck

               Thousand fresh water flowers of several colours,

               That methought she appeared like the fair nymph¹⁰⁹

110

110          That feeds the lake with waters, or as Iris¹¹⁰

               Newly dropped down from heaven. Rings she made

               Of rushes that grew by and to ’em spoke

               The prettiest posies:¹¹³ ‘Thus our true love’s tied:

               This you may loose, not me’ and many a one:

115

115          And then she wept, and sung again, and sighed,

               And with the same breath smiled, and kissed her hand.

SECOND FRIEND

SECOND FRIEND     Alas, what pity it is!

WOOER

WOOER     I made¹¹⁸ in to her.

               She saw me, and straight¹¹⁹ sought the flood. I saved her,

120

120          And set her safe to land, when presently

               She slipped away and to the city made,

               With such a cry and swiftness that, believe me,

               She left me far behind her. Three or four

               I saw from far off cross¹²⁴ her: one of ’em

125

125          I knew to be your brother, where she stayed¹²⁵

               And fell, scarce¹²⁶ to be got away. I left them with her,

       Enter Brother, Daughter and others

               And hither came to tell you. Here they are.

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     May¹²⁸ you never more enjoy the light…(etc.) Sings

               Is not this a fine song?

130

130 

JAILER’S BROTHER

JAILER’S BROTHER             O, a very fine one.

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     I can sing twenty more.

JAILER’S BROTHER

JAILER’S BROTHER     I think you can.

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     Yes, truly, can I: I can sing ‘The Broom’,¹³³

               And ‘Bonny Robin’. Are not you a tailor?

135

135 

JAILER’S BROTHER

JAILER’S BROTHER             Yes.

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     Where’s my wedding-gown?

JAILER’S BROTHER

JAILER’S BROTHER     I’ll bring it tomorrow.

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     Do, very early: I¹³⁸ must be abroad else

               To call the maids and pay the minstrels,

140

140          For I must lose my maidenhead¹⁴⁰ by cocklight,

               ’Twill never thrive¹⁴¹ else.

                                    O¹⁴² fair, O sweet…(etc.) Sings

JAILER’S BROTHER

JAILER’S BROTHER     You must ev’n¹⁴³ take it patiently.

JAILER

JAILER     ’Tis true.

145

145 

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER             Good ev’n, good men: pray did you ever hear

               Of one young Palamon?

JAILER

JAILER     Yes, wench, we know him.

DAUGHTER

DAUGHTER     Is’t not a fine young gentleman?

JAILER

JAILER     ’Tis, love.

150

150 

JAILER’S BROTHER

JAILER’S BROTHER             By no means cross¹⁵⁰ her, she is then distempered

               Far worse than now she shows.

FIRST FRIEND

FIRST FRIEND     Yes, he’s a fine man.

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     O, is he so? You have a sister.

FIRST FRIEND

FIRST FRIEND     Yes.

155

155 

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER             But she shall never have him, tell her so,

               For¹⁵⁶ a trick that I know: you’d best look to her,

               For if she see him once, she’s gone,¹⁵⁷ she’s done

               And undone in an hour. All the young maids

               Of our town are in love with him, but I laugh at ’em

160

160          And let¹⁶⁰ ’em all alone. Is’t not a wise course?

FIRST FRIEND

FIRST FRIEND     Yes.

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     There is at least two hundred now with child by him —

               There must be four — yet I keep close¹⁶³ for all this,

               Close¹⁶⁴ as a cockle: and all these must be boys —

165

165          He has the trick on’t¹⁶⁵ — and at ten years old

               They must be all gelt¹⁶⁶ for musicians

               And sing the wars of Theseus.

SECOND FRIEND

SECOND FRIEND     This is strange.

JAILER’S BROTHER

JAILER’S BROTHER     As ever you heard, but say nothing.

170

170 

FIRST FRIEND

FIRST FRIEND             No.

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     They come from all parts of the dukedom to him.

               I’ll warrant ye, he had not so few last night

               As twenty to dispatch, he’ll tickle’t up¹⁷³

               In two hours, if¹⁷⁴ his hand be in.

175

175 

JAILER

JAILER             She’s lost

               Past all cure.

JAILER’S BROTHER

JAILER’S BROTHER     Heaven forbid, man.

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     Come hither, you are a wise man. To Jailer

FIRST FRIEND

FIRST FRIEND     Does she know¹⁷⁹ him? Aside

180

180 

SECOND FRIEND

SECOND FRIEND             No, Aside

                                    Would she did.

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     You are master of a ship?

JAILER

JAILER     Yes.

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     Where’s your compass?

185

185 

JAILER

JAILER             Here.

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     Set it to th’north.

               And now direct your course to th’wood,¹⁸⁷ where Palamon

               Lies longing for me. For the tackling¹⁸⁸

               Let me alone.¹⁸⁹— Come, weigh, my hearts, cheerily all.

190

190          Owgh!¹⁹⁰ Owgh! Owgh!— ’Tis up, the wind’s fair!—

               Top the bowline!—

               Out with the mainsail!— Where’s your whistle, master?

JAILER’S BROTHER

JAILER’S BROTHER     Let’s get her in.

JAILER

JAILER     Up to the top,¹⁹⁴ boy.

195

195 

JAILER’S BROTHER

JAILER’S BROTHER             Where’s the pilot?

FIRST FRIEND

FIRST FRIEND     Here.

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     What kenn’st¹⁹⁷ thou?

SECOND FRIEND

SECOND FRIEND     A fair wood.¹⁹⁸

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     Bear for it, master: tack about.

200

200          When Cynthia²⁰⁰ with her borrowed light…(etc.)

       Sings

       Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 24.2

running scene 13

       Enter Emilia alone with two pictures

EMILIA

EMILIA     Yet I may bind those wounds up, that must open

               And bleed to death for my sake else: I’ll choose,

               And end their strife. Two such young handsome men

               Shall never fall for me: their weeping mothers,

5

5              Following the dead cold ashes of their sons,

               Shall never curse my cruelty. Good heaven, Looks at one picture

               What a sweet face has Arcite! If wise nature,

               With all her best endowments, all those beauties

               She sows into the births of noble bodies,

10

10            Were here a mortal woman and had in her

               The coy¹¹ denials of young maids, yet, doubtless,

               She would run mad for this man: what an eye,

               Of what a fiery sparkle and quick¹³ sweetness,

               Has this young prince! Here Love himself sits smiling:

15

15            Just such another wanton Ganymede¹⁵

               Set Jove afire with and enforced the god

               Snatch up the goodly boy and set him by him,

               A shining constellation.¹⁸ What a brow,

               Of what a spacious majesty he carries,

20

20            Arched like the great-eyed Juno’s, but far sweeter,

               Smoother than Pelops’ shoulder!²¹ Fame and honour,

               Methinks, from hence,²² as from a promontory

               Pointed²³ in heaven, should clap their wings and sing

               To all the underworld²⁴ the loves and fights

25

25            Of gods and such men near ’em.²⁵ Palamon, Looks at the other

               Is but his foil,²⁶ to him, a mere dull shadow:

               He’s swart²⁷ and meagre, of an eye as heavy

               As if he had lost his mother: a still²⁸ temper,

               No stirring²⁹ in him, no alacrity,

30

30            Of all this³⁰ sprightly sharpness, not a smile.

               Yet these that we count errors may become him:

               Narcissus was a sad³² boy, but a heavenly.

               O, who can find the bent³³ of woman’s fancy?

               I am a fool, my reason is lost in me,

35

35            I have no choice,³⁵ and I have lied so lewdly

               That women ought to beat me.— On my knees

               I ask thy pardon, Palamon: thou art alone

               And only⁴² beautiful, and these the eyes,

               These the bright lamps of beauty, that command

40

40            And threaten love, and what young maid dare cross ’em?

               What a bold gravity, and yet inviting,

               Has this brown manly face!— O Love, this only,

               From this hour, is complexion!⁴³— Lie there, Arcite: Sets Arcite’s picture aside

               Thou art a changeling⁴⁴ to him, a mere gipsy,

45

45            And this the noble body.— I am sotted,⁴⁵

               Utterly lost: my virgin’s faith⁴⁶ has fled me.

               For if my brother but even now had asked me

               Whether⁴⁸ I loved, I had run mad for Arcite:

               Now if my sister, more for Palamon.

50

50            Stand both together.— Now, come ask me, brother.

               Alas, I know not.— Ask me now, sweet sister.

               I may go look.⁵² What a mere child is fancy,

               That, having two fair gauds⁵³ of equal sweetness,

               Cannot distinguish,⁵⁴ but must cry for both.

       Enter Gentleman

55

55   

EMILIA

EMILIA             How now, sir?

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN     From the noble duke your brother,

               Madam, I bring you news: the knights are come.

EMILIA

EMILIA     To end the quarrel?

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN     Yes.

60

60   

EMILIA

EMILIA             Would I might end⁶⁰ first!—

               What sins have I committed, chaste Diana,

               That my unspotted⁶² youth must now be soiled

               With blood of princes? And my chastity

               Be made the altar where the lives of lovers,

65

65            Two greater and two better never yet

               Made mothers joy, must be the sacrifice

               To my unhappy beauty?

       Enter Theseus, Hippolyta, Pirithous and Attendants

THESEUS

THESEUS     Bring ’em in

               Quickly, by any means. I long to see ’em.—

70

70            Your two contending lovers are returned, To Emilia

               And with them their fair knights. Now, my fair sister,

               You must love one of them.

EMILIA

EMILIA     I had rather both,

               So neither for my sake should fall untimely.⁷⁴

       Enter Messenger

75

75   

THESEUS

THESEUS             Who saw ’em?

PIRITHOUS

PIRITHOUS     I a while.⁷⁶

GENTLEMAN

GENTLEMAN     And I.

THESEUS

THESEUS     From whence To the Messenger come you, sir?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     From the knights.

80

80   

THESEUS

THESEUS             Pray speak,

               You that have seen them, what they are.

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     I will, sir,

               And truly what I think: six braver spirits

               Than these they have brought, if we judge by the outside,

85

85            I never saw, nor read of. He that stands

               In the first place with Arcite, by his seeming⁸⁶

               Should be a stout⁸⁷ man, by his face a prince,

               His very looks so say⁸⁸ him: his complexion

               Nearer a brown than black, stern, and yet noble,

90

90            Which shows him hardy, fearless, proud of dangers.

               The circles of his eyes show fire within him,

               And as a heated lion, so he looks.⁹²

               His hair hangs long behind him, black and shining

               Like ravens’ wings, his shoulders broad and strong,

95

95            Armed long and round,⁹⁵ and on his thigh a sword

               Hung by a curious baldric,⁹⁶ when he frowns

               To seal his will with. Better⁹⁷ o’my conscience

               Was never soldier’s friend.

THESEUS

THESEUS     Thou hast well described him.

100

100 

PIRITHOUS

PIRITHOUS             Yet a great deal short,

               Methinks, of him that’s first with Palamon.

THESEUS

THESEUS     Pray speak¹⁰² him, friend.

PIRITHOUS

PIRITHOUS     I guess he is a prince too,

               And if it may be, greater, for his show¹⁰⁴

105

105          Has all the¹⁰⁶ ornament of honour in’t.

               He’s somewhat bigger than the knight he spoke of,

               But of a face far sweeter: his complexion

               Is, as a ripe grape, ruddy. He has felt¹⁰⁸

               Without doubt what he fights for, and so apter¹⁰⁹

110

110          To make this cause his own. In’s face appears

               All the fair hopes of what he undertakes

               And when he’s angry, then a settled valour,

               Not tainted with extremes,¹¹³ runs through his body

               And guides his arm to brave things. Fear he cannot:

115

115          He shows no such soft temper. His head’s yellow,

               Hard-haired,¹¹⁶ and curled, thick twined like ivy tods,

               Not to undo¹¹⁷ with thunder. In his face

               The livery¹¹⁸ of the warlike maid appears,

               Pure red and white, for yet no beard has blest him.

120

120          And in his rolling eyes sits victory,

               As if she ever meant to crown his valour.

               His nose stands high, a character¹²² of honour,

               His red lips, after fights, are fit for¹²³ ladies.

EMILIA

EMILIA     Must these men die too?

125

125 

PIRITHOUS

PIRITHOUS             When he speaks, his tongue

               Sounds like a trumpet: all his lineaments¹²⁶

               Are as a man would wish ’em, strong and clean.¹²⁷

               He wears a well-steeled axe, the staff¹²⁸ of gold.

               His age some five-and-twenty.

130

130 

MESSENGER

MESSENGER             There’s another,

               A little man, but of a tough soul, seeming

               As great¹³² as any: fairer promises

               In such a body yet I never looked on.

PIRITHOUS

PIRITHOUS     O, he that’s freckle-faced?

135

135 

MESSENGER

MESSENGER             The same, my lord.

               Are they¹³⁶ not sweet ones?

PIRITHOUS

PIRITHOUS     Yes, they are well.¹³⁷

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Methinks,

               Being so few and well-disposed, they show

140

140          Great and fine art in nature. He’s white-haired,¹⁴⁰

               Not wanton white,¹⁴¹ but such a manly colour,

               Next to an auburn: tough and nimble¹⁴² set,

               Which shows an active soul. His arms are brawny,

               Lined with strong sinews: to the shoulder piece,

145

145          Gently they swell, like women new-conceived,¹⁴⁵

               Which speaks him prone to labour,¹⁴⁶ never fainting

               Under the weight of arms: stout-hearted, still,

               But when he stirs, a tiger. He’s grey-eyed,¹⁴⁸

               Which yields compassion where he conquers, sharp

150

150          To spy advantages, and where he finds ’em,

               He’s swift to make ’em his. He does no wrongs,

               Nor takes none. He’s round-faced and when he smiles

               He shows¹⁵³ a lover, when he frowns, a soldier.

               About his head he wears the winner’s oak¹⁵⁴

155

155          And in it stuck the favour of his lady:

               His age, some six-and-thirty. In his hand

               He bears a charging staff,¹⁵⁷ embossed with silver.

THESEUS

THESEUS     Are they all thus?

PIRITHOUS

PIRITHOUS     They are all the sons of honour.

160

160 

THESEUS

THESEUS             Now, as I have a soul, I long to see ’em.

               Lady, you shall see men fight now. To Hippolyta

HIPPOLYTA

HIPPOLYTA     I wish it,

               But not the cause, my lord. They would show

               Bravely¹⁶³ about the titles of two kingdoms:

165

165          ’Tis pity love should be so tyrannous.—

               O, my soft-hearted sister, what think you?

               Weep not, till they weep blood. Wench, it must be.

THESEUS

THESEUS     You have steeled¹⁶⁸ ’em with your beauty.— Honoured friend, To Pirithous

               To you I give the field:¹⁶⁹ pray order it

170

170          Fitting the persons that must use it.

PIRITHOUS

PIRITHOUS     Yes, sir.

THESEUS

THESEUS     Come, I’ll go visit ’em. I cannot stay —

               Their fame has fired me so — till they appear.

               Good friend, be royal.¹⁷⁴

175

175 

PIRITHOUS

PIRITHOUS             There shall want¹⁷⁵ no bravery.

EMILIA

EMILIA     Poor wench, go weep, for whosoever wins

               Loses a noble cousin for thy sins. Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 34.3

running scene 14

       Enter Jailer, Wooer, Doctor

DOCTOR

DOCTOR     Her distraction is more at some time¹ of the moon, than at other some,² is it not?

JAILER

JAILER     She is continually in a harmless distemper,³ sleeps little, altogether without appetite, save often drinking, dreaming of another world and a better: and what broken piece of matter soe’er she’s about, the name Palamon lards⁷ it, that she farces ev’ry business withal,⁸ fits it to every question.

       Enter Daughter

Look where she comes: you shall perceive her behaviour.

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     I have forgot it quite: the burden¹¹ on’t was ‘Down-a down-a’ and penned by no worse man than Giraldo, Emilia’s schoolmaster: he’s as fantastical¹⁴ too as ever he may go upon’s legs, for in the next world will Dido¹⁵ see Palamon, and then will she be out of love with Aeneas.

DOCTOR

DOCTOR     What stuff’s here? Poor soul!

JAILER

JAILER     Ev’n thus all day long.

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     Now for this charm that I told you of: you must bring a piece of silver²⁰ on the tip of your tongue, or no ferry. Then if it be your chance to come where the blessed spirits are, there’s a sight now! We maids that have our livers²³ perished, cracked to pieces with love, we shall come there, and do nothing all day long but pick flowers with Proserpine.²⁶ Then will I make Palamon a nosegay, then let him mark²⁷ me — then.

DOCTOR

DOCTOR     How prettily²⁸ she’s amiss! Note her a little further.

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     Faith, I’ll tell you: sometime we go to barley break,³¹ we of the blessed. Alas, ’tis a sore life they have i’th’other place:³² such burning, frying, boiling, hissing, howling, chattering, cursing. O, they have shrewd measure!³⁴ Take heed! If one be mad, or hang or drown themselves, thither they go, Jupiter bless us, and there shall we be put in a cauldron of lead and usurer’s grease,³⁸ amongst a whole million of cutpurses, and there boil like a gammon of bacon that will never be enough.⁴⁰

DOCTOR

DOCTOR     How her brain coins!⁴¹

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     Lords and courtiers that have got maids with child, they are in this place. They shall stand in fire up to the navel and in ice up to th’heart, and there th’offending part burns and the deceiving part freezes: in troth a very grievous punishment, as one would think, for such a trifle. Believe me, one would marry a leprous⁴⁸ witch to be rid on’t,⁴⁹ I’ll assure you.

DOCTOR

DOCTOR     How she continues this fancy! ’Tis not an engrafted⁵¹ madness but a most thick and profound melancholy.

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     To hear there a proud lady and a proud city wife howl together: I were⁵⁴ a beast an I’d call it good sport. One cries, ‘O, this smoke!’ another, ‘This fire!’ One cries, ‘O, that ever I did it behind the arras!’⁵⁷ and then howls: th’other curses a suing fellow⁵⁸ and her garden-house.

I will be true, my stars,

       Sings

my fate…(etc.)

       Exit

JAILER

JAILER     What think you of her, sir?

DOCTOR

DOCTOR     I think she has a perturbed mind, which I cannot minister to.

JAILER

JAILER     Alas, what then?

DOCTOR

DOCTOR     Understand you she ever affected⁶⁴ any man, ere⁶⁵ she beheld Palamon?

JAILER

JAILER     I was once, sir, in great hope she had fixed her liking on this gentleman, my friend.

WOOER

WOOER     I did think so too, and would account⁶⁸ I had a great penn’orth on’t,⁶⁹ to give half my state that both she and I at this present stood unfeignedly⁷⁰ on the same terms.

DOCTOR

DOCTOR     That intemperate⁷² surfeit of her eye hath distempered the other senses. They may return and settle again to execute their preordained faculties,⁷⁵ but they are now in a most extravagant vagary.⁷⁶ This you must do: confine her to a place where the light may rather seem to steal in than be permitted. Take upon you, young sir, her friend, the name of Palamon. Say you come to eat with her and to commune⁸⁰ of love. This will catch her attention, for this her mind beats⁸¹ upon: other objects that are inserted ’tween her mind and eye become the pranks and friskins⁸³ of her madness. Sing to her such green⁸⁴ songs of love as she says Palamon hath sung in prison. Come to her, stuck⁸⁶ in as sweet flowers as the season is mistress of and thereto make an addition of some other compounded odours⁸⁸ which are grateful to the sense: all this shall become Palamon, for Palamon can sing, and Palamon is sweet and ev’ry good thing. Desire to eat with her, carve⁹¹ her, drink to her, and still among,⁹² intermingle your petition of grace and acceptance into her favour: learn what maids have been her companions and play-feres⁹⁴ and let them repair⁹⁵ to her with Palamon in their mouths, and appear with tokens,⁹⁶ as if they suggested⁹⁷ for him. It is a falsehood she is in, which is with falsehoods to be combated. This may bring her to eat, to sleep, and reduce⁹⁹ what’s now out of square in her into their former law and regiment. I have seen it approved,¹⁰¹ how many times I know not, but to make the number more I have great hope in this. I will, between the passages¹⁰³ of this project, come in with my appliance.¹⁰⁴ Let us put it in execution and hasten the success,¹⁰⁵ which, doubt not, will bring forth comfort.

       Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 15.1

running scene 15

       Flourish. Enter Theseus, Pirithous, Hippolyta, Attendants

THESEUS

THESEUS     Now let ’em enter and before the gods

               Tender their holy prayers. Let the temples

               Burn bright with sacred fires and the altars

               In hallowed clouds commend their swelling⁴ incense

5

5              To those above us: let no due be wanting.

       Flourish of cornets

               They have a noble work in hand, will⁶ honour

               The very powers that love ’em.

       Enter Palamon and Arcite, and their Knights

PIRITHOUS

PIRITHOUS     Sir, they enter.

THESEUS

THESEUS     You valiant and strong-hearted enemies

10

10            You royal german¹⁰ foes, that this day come

               To blow that nearness¹¹ out that flames between ye:

               Lay by¹² your anger for an hour, and, dove-like,

               Before the holy altars of your helpers,

               The all-feared gods, bow down your stubborn¹⁴ bodies.

15

15            Your ire¹⁵ is more than mortal, so your help be:

               And as the gods regard¹⁶ ye, fight with justice.

               I’ll leave you to your prayers and betwixt ye

               I part¹⁸ my wishes.

PIRITHOUS

PIRITHOUS     Honour crown the worthiest.

       Exit Theseus and his train

20

20   

PALAMON

PALAMON     The glass²⁰ is running now that cannot finish To Arcite

               Till one of us expire. Think you but thus:

               That were there ought in me which strove to show²²

               Mine enemy in this business, were’t one eye

               Against another, arm oppressed by arm,

25

25            I would destroy th’offender, coz, I would,

               Though parcel²⁶ of myself. Then from this gather

               How I should tender²⁷ you.

ARCITE

ARCITE     I am in labour

               To push your name, your ancient love, our kindred

30

30            Out of my memory and i’th’self-same place

               To seat something I would confound.³¹ So hoist we

               The sails that must these vessels port,³² even where

               The heavenly limiter³³ pleases.

PALAMON

PALAMON     You speak well.

35

35            Before I turn,³⁵ let me embrace thee, cousin.

               This I shall never do again. Embraces him

ARCITE

ARCITE     One farewell.

PALAMON

PALAMON     Why, let it be so. Farewell, coz.

       Exeunt Palamon and his Knights

ARCITE

ARCITE     Farewell, sir.—

40

40            Knights, kinsmen, lovers, yea my sacrifices,⁴⁰

               True worshippers of Mars, whose spirit in you

               Expels the seeds of fear and th’apprehension⁴²

               Which still is father of it: go with me

               Before the god of our profession:⁴⁴ there

45

45            Require⁴⁵ of him the hearts of lions and

               The breath⁴⁶ of tigers, yea, the fierceness too,

               Yea, the speed also — to go on,⁴⁷ I mean:

               Else⁴⁸ wish we to be snails. You know my prize

               Must be dragged out of blood. Force and great feat⁴⁹

50

50            Must put my garland⁵⁰ on, where she sticks

               The queen of flowers. Our intercession⁵¹ then

               Must be to him that makes the camp a cistern⁵²

               Brimmed with the blood of men. Give me your aid

               And bend your spirits towards him.— Prostrate before the altar

       They kneel

55

55            Thou mighty one, that with thy power hast turned

               Green Neptune⁵⁶ into purple:

               Whose havoc⁵⁷ in vast field comets prewarn,

               Unearthèd⁵⁸ skulls proclaim, whose breath blows down

               The teeming⁵⁹ Ceres’ foison, who dost pluck

60

60            With hand armipotent⁶⁰ from forth blue clouds

               The masoned⁶¹ turrets, that both mak’st and break’st

               The stony girths⁶² of cities: me thy pupil,

               Youngest follower of thy drum, instruct this day

               With military skill, that to thy laud⁶⁴

65

65            I may advance my streamer,⁶⁵ and by thee

               Be styled⁶⁶ the lord o’th’day. Give me, great Mars,

               Some token of thy pleasure.

       Here they fall on their faces as formerly, and there is heard clanging of armour, with a short thunder, as the burst of a battle, whereupon they all rise, and bow to the altar

               O great corrector of enormous⁶⁸ times,

               Shaker of o’er-rank⁶⁹ states, thou grand decider

70

70            Of dusty and old titles, that heal’st with blood⁷⁰

               The earth when it is sick and cur’st the world

               O’th’pleurisy⁷² of people, I do take

               Thy signs auspiciously and in thy name

               To my design march boldly. Let us go.

       Exeunt

       Enter Palamon and his Knights, with the former observance

75

75   

PALAMON

PALAMON     Our stars⁷⁵ must glister with new fire or be

               Today extinct.⁷⁶ Our argument is love,

               Which if the goddess of it grant, she gives

               Victory too. Then blend your spirits with mine,

               You whose free⁷⁹ nobleness do make my cause

80

80            Your personal hazard. To the goddess Venus

               Commend we our proceeding and implore

               Her power unto our party.—

       Here they kneel as formerly

               Hail, sovereign queen of secrets,⁸³ who hast power

               To call the fiercest tyrant from his rage

85

85            And weep unto a girl, that hast the might,

               Even with an eye-glance, to choke Mars’s drum

               And turn th’alarm to whispers, that canst make

               A cripple flourish⁸⁸ with his crutch and cure him

               Before Apollo, that mayst force the king

90

90            To be his subject’s vassal⁹⁰ and induce

               Stale gravity⁹¹ to dance. The polled bachelor,

               Whose youth like wanton boys through bonfires

               Have skipped⁹³ thy flame, at seventy, thou canst catch

               And make him to the scorn of his hoarse throat

95

95            Abuse young lays⁹⁵ of love: what godlike power

               Hast thou not power upon? To Phoebus⁹⁶ thou

               Add’st flames hotter than his: the heavenly fires

               Did scorch his mortal son,⁹⁸ thine him: the huntress

               All moist⁹⁹ and cold, some say, began to throw

100

100          Her bow away and sigh. Take to thy grace

               Me thy vowed soldier, who do bear thy yoke¹⁰¹

               As ’twere a wreath of roses, yet is heavier

               Than lead itself, stings more than nettles.

               I have never been foul-mouthed against thy law,

105

105          Nev’r revealed secret, for I knew none: would not,

               Had I kenned¹⁰⁶ all that were. I never practised

               Upon man’s wife nor would the libels¹⁰⁷ read

               Of liberal¹⁰⁸ wits. I never at great feasts

               Sought to betray¹⁰⁹ a beauty, but have blushed

110

110          At simpering sirs that did. I have been harsh

               To large confessors¹¹¹ and have hotly asked them

               If they had mothers: I had one, a woman,

               And women ’twere they wronged. I knew a man

               Of eighty winters, this I told them, who

115

115          A lass of fourteen brided.¹¹⁵ ’Twas thy power

               To put life into dust: the agèd cramp¹¹⁶

               Had screwed¹¹⁷ his square foot round,

               The gout had knit his fingers into knots,

               Torturing convulsions from his globy¹¹⁹ eyes

120

120          Had almost drawn their spheres,¹²⁰ that what was life

               In him seemed torture. This anatomy¹²¹

               Had by his young fair fere¹²² a boy, and I

               Believed it was his, for she swore it was,

               And who would not believe her? Brief,¹²⁴ I am

125

125          To those that prate¹²⁵ and have done, no companion:

               To those that boast and have not, a defier:¹²⁶

               To those that would and cannot, a rejoicer.

               Yea, him I do not love that tells close offices¹²⁸

               The foulest way nor names concealments¹²⁹ in

130

130          The boldest¹³⁰ language. Such a one I am

               And vow that lover never yet made sigh

               Truer than I. O, then, most soft sweet goddess,

               Give me the victory of this question, which

               Is true love’s merit,¹³⁴ and bless me with a sign

135

135          Of thy great pleasure.

       Here music is heard, doves are seen to flutter. They fall again upon their faces, then on their knees

               O thou that from eleven to ninety reign’st

               In mortal bosoms, whose chase¹³⁷ is this world

               And we in herds thy game: I give thee thanks

               For this fair token, which being laid unto¹³⁹

140

140          Mine innocent true heart, arms in assurance

               My body to this business.— Let us rise They rise

               And bow before the goddess. Time comes on.¹⁴²

       They bow. Exeunt

       Still music of recorders. Enter Emilia in white, her hair about her shoulders, a wheaten wreath; one in white holding up her train, her hair stuck with flowers; one before her carrying a silver hind, in which is conveyed incense and sweet odours, which being set upon the altar, her Maids standing aloof, she sets fire to it; then they curtsy and kneel

EMILIA

EMILIA     O sacred, shadowy, cold and constant queen,

               Abandoner of revels, mute contemplative,

145

145          Sweet, solitary, white as chaste, and pure

               As wind-fanned snow, who to thy female knights

               Allow’st no more blood than will make a blush,

               Which is their order’s robe:¹⁴⁸ I here, thy priest,

               Am humbled ’fore thine altar. O, vouchsafe¹⁴⁹

150

150          With that thy rare green eye, which never yet

               Beheld thing maculate,¹⁵¹ look on thy virgin,

               And, sacred silver mistress, lend thine ear,

               Which ne’er heard scurrile¹⁵³ term, into whose port

               Ne’er entered wanton¹⁵⁴ sound, to my petition

155

155          Seasoned¹⁵⁵ with holy fear. This is my last

               Of vestal office. I am bride-habited,¹⁵⁶

               But maiden-hearted. A husband I have ’pointed,¹⁵⁷

               But do not know him. Out of two, I should

               Choose one and pray for his success, but I

160

160          Am guiltless¹⁶⁰ of election. Of mine eyes,

               Were I to lose one, they are equal precious,

               I could doom¹⁶² neither: that which perished should

               Go to’t unsentenced. Therefore most modest queen,

               He of the two pretenders¹⁶⁴ that best loves me

165

165          And has the truest title¹⁶⁵ in’t, let him

               Take off my wheaten garland,¹⁶⁶ or else grant

               The file and quality¹⁶⁷ I hold I may

               Continue in thy band.¹⁶⁸—

       Here the hind vanishes under the altar, and in the place ascends a rose tree, having one rose upon it

               See what our general of ebbs and flows,¹⁶⁹

170

170          Out from the bowels of her holy altar,

               With sacred act advances: but one rose!

               If well inspired,¹⁷² this battle shall confound

               Both these brave knights and I, a virgin flower,

               Must grow alone, unplucked.

       Here is heard a sudden twang of instruments, and the rose falls from the tree

175

175          The flower is fall’n, the tree descends.— O mistress,

               Thou here dischargest me. I shall be gathered,¹⁷⁶

               I think so, but I know not thine own will:

               Unclasp¹⁷⁸ thy mystery!— I hope she’s pleased:

               Her signs were gracious.

       They curtsy and exeunt

Act 5 Scene 25.2

running scene 16

       Enter Doctor, Jailer, and Wooer in habit of Palamon

DOCTOR

DOCTOR     Has this advice I told you done any good upon¹ her?

WOOER

WOOER     O, very much: the maids that kept her company

               Have half persuaded her that I am Palamon.

               Within this half hour she came smiling to me

5

5              And asked me what I would eat and when I would kiss her.

               I told her, ‘Presently’⁶ and kissed her twice.

DOCTOR

DOCTOR     ’Twas well done: twenty times had been far better,

               For there the cure lies mainly.

WOOER

WOOER     Then she told me

10

10            She would watch¹⁰ with me tonight, for well she knew

               What hour my fit¹¹ would take me.

DOCTOR

DOCTOR     Let her do so,

               And when your fit comes, fit her¹³ home, and presently.

WOOER

WOOER     She would have me sing.

15

15   

DOCTOR

DOCTOR     You did so?

WOOER

WOOER     No.

DOCTOR

DOCTOR     ’Twas very ill done then.

               You should observe¹⁸ her ev’ry way.

WOOER

WOOER     Alas,

20

20            I have no voice, sir, to confirm²⁰ her that way.

DOCTOR

DOCTOR     That’s all one,²¹ if ye make a noise.

               If she entreat again, do anything.

               Lie²³ with her if she ask you.

JAILER

JAILER     Ho there, doctor!

25

25   

DOCTOR

DOCTOR     Yes, in the way of cure.

JAILER

JAILER     But first, by your leave,

               I’th’way of honesty.²⁷

DOCTOR

DOCTOR     That’s but a niceness.²⁸

               Ne’er cast²⁹ your child away for honesty:

30

30            Cure her first this way, then if she will³⁰ be honest,

               She has the path before her.

JAILER

JAILER     Thank ye, doctor.

DOCTOR

DOCTOR     Pray bring her in and let’s see how she is.

JAILER

JAILER     I will, and tell her

35

35            Her Palamon stays for her. But, doctor,

               Methinks you are i’th’wrong still.

       Exit Jailer

DOCTOR

DOCTOR     Go, go: you fathers are fine fools. Her honesty?

               And we should give her physic³⁸ till we find that!

WOOER

WOOER     Why, do you think she is not honest, sir?

40

40   

DOCTOR

DOCTOR     How old is she?

WOOER

WOOER     She’s eighteen.

DOCTOR

DOCTOR     She may be,

               But that’s all one,⁴³ ’tis nothing to our purpose.

               Whate’er her father says, if you perceive

45

45            Her mood inclining that way that I spoke of,

               Videlicet,⁴⁶ the ‘way of flesh’: you have me?

WOOER

WOOER     Yes, very well, sir.

DOCTOR

DOCTOR     Please her appetite

               And do it home, it cures her ipso facto,⁴⁹

50

50            The melancholy humour⁵⁰ that infects her.

WOOER

WOOER     I am of your mind, doctor. He withdraws

       Enter Jailer, Daughter, mad

DOCTOR

DOCTOR     You’ll find it so. She comes, pray humour her.

JAILER

JAILER     Come, your love Palamon stays for you, child,

               And has done this long hour, to visit you.

55

55   

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     I thank him for his gentle patience:

               He’s a kind gentleman and I am much bound⁵⁶ to him.

               Did you never see the horse he gave me?

JAILER

JAILER     Yes.

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     How do you like him?

60

60   

JAILER

JAILER     He’s a very fair one.

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     You never saw him dance?

JAILER

JAILER     No.

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     I have, often.

               He dances very finely, very comely,

65

65            And for a jig, come⁶⁵ cut and long tail to him,

               He turns ye⁶⁶ like a top.

JAILER

JAILER     That’s fine indeed.

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     He’ll dance the morris twenty mile an hour —

               And that will founder⁶⁹ the best hobby-horse,

70

70            If I have any skill,⁷⁰ in all the parish —

               And gallops to the turn of ‘Light o’ love’.⁷¹

               What think you of this horse?

JAILER

JAILER     Having these virtues

               I think he might be brought to play at tennis.

75

75   

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     Alas, that’s nothing.

JAILER

JAILER     Can he write and read too?

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     A very fair hand,⁷⁷ and casts himself th’accounts

               Of all his hay and provender:⁷⁸ that ostler

               Must rise betime⁷⁹ that cozens him. You know

80

80            The chestnut mare the duke has?

JAILER

JAILER     Very well.

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     She is horribly in love with him, poor beast,

               But he is like his master, coy⁸³ and scornful.

JAILER

JAILER     What dowry has she?

85

85   

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     Some two hundred bottles⁸⁵

               And twenty strike⁸⁶ of oats, but he’ll ne’er have her.

               He lisps in’s neighing, able to entice

               A miller’s mare.⁸⁸ He’ll be the death of her.

DOCTOR

DOCTOR     What stuff she utters!

90

90   

JAILER

JAILER     Make curtsy, here your love comes. Wooer comes forward

WOOER

WOOER     Pretty soul,

               How do ye? That’s a fine maid, there’s a curtsy. She curtsies

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     Yours to command i’th’way of honesty.—

               How far is’t now to th’end o’th’world, my masters?

95

95   

DOCTOR

DOCTOR     Why, a day’s journey, wench.

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     Will you go with me? To Wooer

WOOER

WOOER     What shall we do there, wench?

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     Why, play at stool-ball:⁹⁸

               What is there else to do?

100

100 

WOOER

WOOER     I am content

               If we shall keep¹⁰¹ our wedding there.

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     ’Tis true,

               For there, I will assure you, we shall find

               Some blind priest for the purpose, that will venture

105

105          To marry us, for here they are nice,¹⁰⁵ and foolish.

               Besides, my father must be hanged tomorrow

               And that would be a blot i’th’business.

               Are not you Palamon?

WOOER

WOOER     Do not you know me?

110

110 

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     Yes, but you care not for me: I have nothing

               But this poor petticoat¹¹¹ and two coarse smocks.

WOOER

WOOER     That’s all one, I will have you.

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     Will you surely?

WOOER

WOOER     Yes, by this fair hand will I. Takes her hand

115

115 

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     We’ll to bed then.¹¹⁵

WOOER

WOOER     Ev’n when you will. Kisses her

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     O, sir, you would fain be nibbling.¹¹⁷ Rubs off the kiss

WOOER

WOOER     Why do you rub my kiss off?

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     ’Tis a sweet one

120

120          And will perfume me finely against¹²⁰ the wedding.

               Is not this your cousin Arcite? Indicates the Doctor

DOCTOR

DOCTOR     Yes, sweetheart,

               And I am glad my cousin Palamon

               Has made so fair a choice.

125

125 

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     Do you think he’ll have me? To Doctor

DOCTOR

DOCTOR     Yes, without doubt.

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     Do you think so too? To Jailer

JAILER

JAILER     Yes.

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     We shall have many children.—

130

130          Lord, how you’re grown!¹³⁰ To Doctor

               My Palamon, I hope, will grow¹³¹ too, finely,

               Now he’s at liberty: alas, poor chicken,

               He was kept down with hard meat¹³³ and ill lodging,

               But I’ll kiss him up¹³⁴ again.

       Enter a Messenger

135

135 

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     What do you here? You’ll lose the noblest sight

               That ev’r was seen.

JAILER

JAILER     Are they i’th’field?

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     They are.

               You bear a charge¹³⁹ there too.

140

140 

JAILER

JAILER     I’ll away straight.¹⁴⁰—

               I must ev’n leave you here.

DOCTOR

DOCTOR     Nay, we’ll go with you.

               I will not lose the fight.

JAILER

JAILER     How¹⁴⁴ did you like her?

145

145 

DOCTOR

DOCTOR     I’ll warrant you within these three or four days

               I’ll make her right again.— You must not from¹⁴⁶ her To the Wooer

               But still¹⁴⁷ preserve her in this way.

WOOER

WOOER     I will.

DOCTOR

DOCTOR     Let’s get her in.

150

150 

WOOER

WOOER     Come, sweet, we’ll go to dinner

               And then we’ll play at cards.

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     And shall we kiss too?

WOOER

WOOER     A hundred times.

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     And twenty.

155

155 

WOOER

WOOER     Ay, and twenty.

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     And then we’ll sleep together.

DOCTOR

DOCTOR     Take her offer. To Wooer

WOOER

WOOER     Yes, marry,¹⁵⁸ will we. To Daughter

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     But you shall not hurt me.

WOOER

WOOER     I will not, sweet.

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

JAILER’S DAUGHTER     If you do, love, I’ll cry.

       Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 35.3

running scene 17

       Flourish. Enter Theseus, Hippolyta, Emilia, Pirithous and some Attendants

EMILIA

EMILIA     I’ll no step further.

PIRITHOUS

PIRITHOUS     Will you lose this sight?

EMILIA

EMILIA     I had rather see a wren hawk at³ a fly

               Than this decision:⁴ ev’ry blow that falls

5

5              Threats a brave life, each stroke laments

               The place whereon it falls and sounds more like

               A bell⁷ than blade. I will stay here,

               It is enough my hearing shall be punished

               With what shall happen, gainst the which there is

10

10            No deafing,¹⁰ but to hear, not taint mine eye

               With dread sights it may shun.

PIRITHOUS

PIRITHOUS     Sir, my good lord, To Theseus

               Your sister will no further.

THESEUS

THESEUS     O, she must.

               She shall see deeds of honour in their kind,¹⁴

15

15            Which sometime show well, pencilled.¹⁵ Nature now

               Shall make and act the story, the belief¹⁶

               Both sealed¹⁷ with eye and ear.— You must be present: To Emilia

               You are the victor’s meed,¹⁸ the prize and garland

               To crown the question’s title.¹⁹

20

20   

EMILIA

EMILIA             Pardon me:

               If I were there, I’d wink.²¹

THESEUS

THESEUS     You must be there:

               This trial is as ’twere i’th’night, and you

               The only star to shine.

25

25   

EMILIA

EMILIA             I am extinct.²⁵

               There is but envy²⁶ in that light which shows

               The one the other. Darkness, which ever was

               The dam²⁸ of horror, who does stand accurst

               Of many mortal millions, may even now,

30

30            By casting her black mantle over both

               That neither could find other, get herself

               Some part of a good name and many a murder

               Set off³³ whereto she’s guilty.

HIPPOLYTA

HIPPOLYTA     You must go.

35

35   

EMILIA

EMILIA             In faith, I will not.

THESEUS

THESEUS     Why, the knights must kindle³⁶

               Their valour at your eye. Know, of this war

               You are the treasure and must needs be by

               To give³⁹ the service pay.

40

40   

EMILIA

EMILIA             Sir, pardon me,

               The title of a kingdom may be tried

               Out of itself.⁴²

THESEUS

THESEUS     Well, well, then, at your pleasure.

               Those that remain with you could wish their office

45

45            To any of their enemies.

HIPPOLYTA

HIPPOLYTA     Farewell, sister.

               I am like to know⁴⁹ your husband ’fore yourself

               By some small start of time: he whom the gods

               Do of the two know best, I pray them he

50

50            Be made your lot.

       Exeunt Theseus, Hippolyta, Pirithous and others.

       [Emilia remains]

EMILIA

EMILIA     Arcite is gently visaged, yet his eye

               Is like an engine bent,⁵² or a sharp weapon

               In a soft sheath: mercy and manly courage

               Are bedfellows in his visage. Palamon

55

55            Has a most menacing aspect:⁵⁵ his brow

               Is graved,⁵⁶ and seems to bury what it frowns on,

               Yet sometime ’tis not so, but alters to⁵⁷

               The quality⁵⁸ of his thoughts. Long time his eye

               Will dwell upon his object. Melancholy

60

60            Becomes him nobly: so does Arcite’s mirth.

               But Palamon’s sadness is a kind of mirth,

               So mingled as if mirth did make him sad

               And sadness merry. Those darker humours that

               Stick misbecomingly⁶⁴ on others, on them

65

65            Live in fair dwelling.

       Cornets. Trumpets sound as to a charge

               Hark how yon spurs to spirit⁶⁶ do incite

               The princes to their proof!⁶⁷ Arcite may win me

               And yet may Palamon wound Arcite to

               The spoiling⁶⁹ of his figure. O, what pity

70

70            Enough⁷⁰ for such a chance! If I were by

               I might do hurt, for they would glance their eyes

               Toward⁷³ my seat and in that motion might

               Omit a ward or forfeit an offence

               Which craved⁷⁴ that very time: it is much better

       Cornets. A great cry and noise within, crying ‘A Palamon!’

75

75            I am not there. O, better never born

               Than minister to such harm!— What⁷⁶ is the chance?

Enter Servant

SERVANT

SERVANT     The cry’s ‘A Palamon!’

EMILIA

EMILIA     Then he has won:

               ’Twas ever likely.

80

80            He looked all grace and success, and he is

               Doubtless the prim’st⁸¹ of men. I prithee run

               And tell me how it goes.

       Shout and cornets, crying ‘A Palamon!‘

SERVANT

SERVANT     Still ‘Palamon’.

EMILIA

EMILIA     Run and inquire.— [Exit Servant]

85

85            Poor servant⁸⁵ thou hast lost.

               Upon my right side still⁸⁶ I wore thy picture,

               Palamon’s on the left. Why so, I know not:

               I had no end⁸⁸ in’t, else chance would have it so.

       Another cry and shout within, and cornets

               On the sinister⁸⁹ side, the heart lies: Palamon

90

90            Had the best boding⁹⁰ chance. This burst of clamour

               Is sure th’end o’th’combat.

       Enter Servant

SERVANT

SERVANT     They said that Palamon had Arcite’s body

               Within an inch o’th’pyramid, that the cry

               Was general, ‘A Palamon!’ But anon

95

95            Th’assistants⁹⁵ made a brave redemption and

               The two bold titlers⁹⁶ at this instant are

               Hand to hand at it.

EMILIA

EMILIA     Were they metamorphosed

               Both into one! O, why? There were no woman

100

100          Worth so composed a man: their single share,

               Their nobleness, peculiar to them, gives

               The prejudice of disparity values shortness,¹⁰²

       Cornets. Cry within, ‘Arcite! Arcite!’

               To any lady breathing.— More exulting?

               ‘Palamon’ still?

105

105 

SERVANT

SERVANT             Nay, now the sound is ‘Arcite!’

EMILIA

EMILIA     I prithee lay attention to the cry.

       Cornets. A great shout and cry, ‘Arcite! Victory!’

               Set both thine ears to th’business.

SERVANT

SERVANT     The cry is

               ‘Arcite!’ and ‘Victory!’ Hark! ‘Arcite! Victory!’

110

110          The combat’s consummation¹¹⁰ is proclaimed

               By the wind instruments.

EMILIA

EMILIA     Half-sights¹¹² saw

               That Arcite was no babe. God’s lid,¹¹³ his richness

               And costliness¹¹⁴ of spirit looked through him: it could

115

115          No more be hid in him than fire in flax,

               Than humble banks can go¹¹⁶ to law with waters

               That drift¹¹⁷ winds force to raging. I did think

               Good Palamon would miscarry, yet I knew not

               Why I did think so. Our reasons are not prophets

120

120          When oft our fancies are. They are coming off:¹²⁰

               Alas, poor Palamon!

       Cornets

       Enter Theseus, Hippolyta, Pirithous, Arcite as victor, and Attendants and others

THESEUS

THESEUS     Lo, where our sister is in expectation,

               Yet quaking and unsettled.— Fairest Emily,

               The gods by their divine arbitrament

125

125          Have given you this knight. He is a good one

               As ever struck at head.¹²⁶ Give me your hands:

               Receive you her, you him, be plighted¹²⁷ with

               A love that grows as you decay.

ARCITE

ARCITE     Emily,

130

130          To buy you, I have lost what’s dearest to me,

               Save what is bought, and yet I purchase cheaply,

               As I do rate your value.

THESEUS

THESEUS     O, lovèd sister,

               He speaks now of as brave a knight as e’er

135

135          Did spur a noble steed. Surely the gods

               Would have him die a bachelor, lest his race¹³⁶

               Should show i’th’world too godlike: his behaviour

               So charmed me, that methought Alcides¹³⁸ was

               To him a sow¹³⁹ of lead. If I could praise

140

140          Each part of him to th’all I have spoke, your Arcite

               Did¹⁴¹ not lose by’t, for he that was thus good

               Encountered yet his better. I have heard

               Two emulous¹⁴³ Philomels beat the ear o’th’night

               With their contentious throats, now one the higher,

145

145          Anon¹⁴⁵ the other, then again the first,

               And by and by out-breasted,¹⁴⁶ that the sense

               Could not be judge between ’em: so it fared

               Good space¹⁴⁸ between these kinsmen, till heavens did

               Make hardly¹⁴⁹ one the winner.— Wear the garland To Arcite

150

150          With joy that you have won.— For the subdued,¹⁵⁰

               Give them our present justice,¹⁵¹ since I know

               Their lives but pinch¹⁵² ’em. Let it here be done.

               The scene’s not for our seeing: go we hence,

               Right joyful, with some sorrow.— Arm¹⁵⁴ your prize, To Arcite

155

155          I know you will not lose¹⁵⁵ her.— Hippolyta

               I see one eye of yours conceives a tear,

               The which it will deliver.

       Flourish

EMILIA

EMILIA     Is this winning?

               O, all you heavenly powers, where is your mercy?

160

160          But that your wills have said it must be so,

               And charge me live to comfort this unfriended,¹⁶¹

               This miserable prince, that cuts away

               A life more worthy from him than all women,

               I should, and would die too,

165

165 

HIPPOLYTA

HIPPOLYTA             Infinite pity

               That four such eyes should be so fixed on one¹⁶⁶

               That two must needs be blind¹⁶⁷ for’t.

THESEUS

THESEUS     So it is.

       Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 45.4

running scene 17 continues

       Enter Palamon and his Knights, pinioned, Jailer, Executioner and other Guard

       Some carrying a block and an axe

PALAMON

PALAMON     There’s many a man alive that hath outlived

               The love o’th’people, yea, i’th’selfsame state

               Stands many a father with his child. Some comfort

               We have by so considering: we expire,

5

5              And not without men’s pity: to⁵ live still,

               Have their good wishes: we prevent⁶

               The loathsome misery of age, beguile⁷

               The gout and rheum,⁸ that in lag hours attend

               For grey approachers:⁹ we come towards the gods

10

10            Young and unwappered,¹⁰ not halting under crimes

               Many and stale.¹¹ That sure shall please the gods

               Sooner than such,¹² to give us nectar with ’em,

               For we are more clear¹³ spirits.— My dear kinsmen. To Knights

               Whose lives, for this poor comfort are laid down,

15

15            You have sold ’em too, too cheap.

FIRST KNIGHT

FIRST KNIGHT     What ending could be

               Of more content? O’er us the victors have

               Fortune, whose title¹⁸ is as momentary

               As to us death is certain: a grain of honour

20

20            They not o’er-weigh us.

SECOND KNIGHT

SECOND KNIGHT     Let us bid farewell

               And with our patience anger tott’ring²² fortune,

               Who at her certain’st reels.²³ They embrace

THIRD KNIGHT

THIRD KNIGHT     Come, who begins?

25

25   

PALAMON

PALAMON     Ev’n he that led you to this banquet shall

               Taste²⁶ to you all.— Aha, my friend, my friend, To Keeper

               Your gentle daughter gave me freedom once:

               You’ll see’t done²⁸ now for ever. Pray how does she?

               I heard she was not well; her kind of ill²⁹

30

30            Gave me some sorrow.

JAILER

JAILER     Sir, she’s well restored

               And to be married shortly.

PALAMON

PALAMON     By my short life,

               I am most glad on’t: ’tis the latest³⁴ thing

35

35            I shall be glad of, prithee tell her so.

               Commend me to her, and to piece her portion,³⁶

               Tender her this. He gives his purse

FIRST KNIGHT

FIRST KNIGHT     Nay, let’s be offerers all.

SECOND KNIGHT

SECOND KNIGHT     Is³⁹ it a maid?

40

40    

PALAMON

PALAMON     Verily⁴⁰ I think so,

               A right good creature, more to me deserving

               Than I can quite⁴² or speak of.

ALL KNIGHTS

ALL KNIGHTS     Commend us to her.

       They give their purses

JAILER

JAILER     The gods requite⁴⁴ you all and make her thankful.

45

45    

PALAMON

PALAMON     Adieu, and let my life be now as short,

               As my leave-taking.

       Lies on the block

FIRST KNIGHT

FIRST KNIGHT     Lead, courageous cousin.

SECOND and THIRD KNIGHTS

SECOND and THIRD KNIGHTS     We’ll follow cheerfully.

       A great noise within, crying, ‘Run! Save! Hold!’

       Enter in haste a Messenger

MESSENGER

MESSENGER     Hold, hold! O, hold, hold, hold!

       Enter Pirithous in haste

50

PIRITHOUS

PIRITHOUS     Hold, ho! It is a cursèd haste you made

               If you have done⁵¹ so quickly.— Noble Palamon,

               The gods will show their glory in a life

               That thou art yet to lead.

PALAMON

PALAMON     Can that be,

55

               When Venus, I have said, is false? How do things fare?

PIRITHOUS

PIRITHOUS     Arise, great sir, and give the tidings ear

               That are most rarely sweet and bitter.

PALAMON

PALAMON     What

               Hath waked us from our dream?

60

PIRITHOUS

PIRITHOUS     List then: your cousin,

               Mounted upon a steed that Emily

               Did first bestow on him, a black one, owing⁶²

               Not a hair-worth of white, which some will say

               Weakens his price⁶⁴ and many will not buy

65

               His goodness with this note⁶⁵ — which superstition

               Here finds allowance⁶⁶ — on this horse is Arcite

               Trotting the stones of Athens, which the calkins⁶⁷

               Did rather tell⁶⁸ than trample, for the horse

               Would make his length⁶⁹ a mile, if’t pleased his rider

70

               To put pride⁷⁰ in him. As he thus went counting

               The flinty pavement, dancing as ’twere to th’music

               His own hoofs made — for, as they say, from iron⁷²

               Came music’s origin — what envious flint,

               Cold as old Saturn,⁷⁴ and like him possessed

75

               With fire malevolent, darted a spark,

               Or what fierce sulphur else, to this end made,

               I comment⁷⁷ not. The hot horse, hot as fire,

               Took toy⁷⁸ at this and fell to what disorder

               His power could give his will, bounds, comes on end,⁷⁹

80

               Forgets school-doing,⁸⁰ being therein trained,

               And of kind manage:⁸¹ pig-like he whines

               At the sharp rowell,⁸² which he frets at rather

               Than any jot obeys: seeks all foul means

               Of boist’rous and rough jad’ry,⁸⁴ to disseat

85

               His lord, that kept it bravely. When nought served,

               When neither curb⁸⁶ would crack, girth break, nor diff’ring plunges

               Disroot⁸⁷ his rider whence he grew, but that

               He kept him ’tween his legs, on his hind hoofs on end he stands,

               That Arcite’s legs, being higher than his head,

90

               Seemed with strange art to hang. His victor’s wreath

               Even then fell off his head, and presently

               Backward the jade comes o’er and his full poise⁹²

               Becomes the rider’s load. Yet is he living,

               But such a vessel ’tis, that floats⁹⁴ but for

95

               The surge that next approaches. He much desires

               To have some speech with you: lo, he appears.

       Enter Theseus, Hippolyta, Emilia, Arcite [carried] in a chair

PALAMON

PALAMON     O miserable end of our alliance!

               The gods are mighty. Arcite, if thy heart,

               Thy worthy, manly heart be yet unbroken,

100

               Give me thy last words. I am Palamon,

               One that yet loves thee dying.

ARCITE

ARCITE     Take Emilia

               And with her all the world’s joy. Reach thy hand:

               Farewell. I have told¹⁰⁴ my last hour. I was false,

105

               Yet never treacherous. Forgive me, cousin.

               One kiss from fair Emilia. ’Tis done. Emilia kisses Arcite

               Take her. I die.

PALAMON

PALAMON     Thy brave soul seek Elysium!¹⁰⁸ Arcite dies

EMILIA

EMILIA     I’ll close thine eyes, prince: blessed souls be with thee.

110

               Thou art a right good man, and while I live,

               This day¹¹¹ I give to tears.

PALAMON

PALAMON     And I to honour.

THESEUS

THESEUS     In this place first you fought: ev’n very here

               I sundered¹¹⁴ you. Acknowledge to the gods

115

               Our thanks that you are living:

               His part is played, and though it were too short

               He did it well: your day is lengthened and

               The blissful dew of heaven does arrouse¹¹⁸ you.

               The powerful Venus well hath graced her altar

120

               And given you your love. Our master Mars

               Hast vouched¹²¹ his oracle and to Arcite gave

               The grace¹²² of the contention. So the deities

               Have showed due justice. Bear this¹²³ hence.

PALAMON

PALAMON     O, cousin,

125

               That we should things desire, which do cost us

               The loss of our desire! That nought could buy

               Dear love, but loss of dear love! Arcite’s body is carried out

THESEUS

THESEUS     Never Fortune

               Did play a subtler game: the conquered triumphs,

130

               The victor has the loss: yet in the passage¹³⁰

               The gods have been most equal.¹³¹— Palamon,

               Your kinsman hath confessed the right o’th’lady

               Did lie in you, for you first saw her and

               Even then proclaimed your fancy.¹³⁴ He restored her

135

               As your stolen jewel and desired your spirit

               To send him hence forgiven. The gods my justice

               Take from my hand and they themselves become

               The executioners. Lead your lady off

               And call your lovers¹³⁹ from the stage of death,

140

               Whom I adopt my friends. A day or two

               Let us look sadly and give grace unto

               The funeral of Arcite, in whose end¹⁴²

               The visages of bridegrooms we’ll put on

               And smile with Palamon, for whom an hour,

145

               But one hour since, I was as dearly sorry,

               As glad of Arcite, and am now as glad

               As for him sorry. O, you heavenly charmers,¹⁴⁷

               What things you make of us! For what we lack

               We laugh, for what we have are sorry, still

150

               Are children in some kind.¹⁵⁰ Let us be thankful

               For that which is, and with you leave dispute

               That are above¹⁵² our question. Let’s go off,

               And bear¹⁵³ us like the time. Flourish. Exeunt

Epilogue

       [Enter the Epilogue*]

               I would now ask ye how ye like the play,

               But, as it is with schoolboys, cannot say.²

               I am cruel³ fearful. Pray yet stay a while,

               And let me look upon ye. No man smile?

5

               Then it goes hard⁵ I see. He that has

               Loved a young handsome wench, then, show his face —

               ’Tis strange if none be here — and, if he will,

               Against his conscience let him hiss, and kill

               Our market.⁹ ’Tis in vain, I see, to stay ye:

10

               Have at¹⁰ the worst can come then! Now what say ye?

               And yet mistake me not: I am not bold:

               We have no such cause.¹² If the tale we have told —

               For ’tis no other — any way content ye —

               For to that honest purpose it was meant¹⁴ ye —

15

               We have our end:¹⁵ and ye shall have ere long,

               I dare say, many a better, to prolong

               Your old loves to us. We, and all our might,

               Rest at your service. Gentlemen, goodnight.

       Flourish. [Exit]

Textual Notes

Q = Quarto text of 1634

F = a correction introduced in the Beaumont and Fletcher Folio text of 1679

Ed = a correction introduced by a later editor

SD = stage direction

SH = speech heading (i.e., speaker’s name)

List of parts = Ed. Not in Q. Inaccurate and incomplete in F

Prologue 26 tack spelled take in Q

1.1.0 SD Music = Ed. Placed after “The Song” in Q SD Pirithous = Ed. Q = Theseus 1 SH BOY = Ed. Not in Q 9 harebells = Ed. Q = her bels 20 chough hoar = Ed. Q = Clough hee 24 SD First = Ed. Q = 1. SD second = Ed. Q = 2. SD third = Ed. Q = 3. 39 stead spelled steed in Q 44 talons = Ed. Q = Tallents 63 Capaneus…The = Ed. Q = Capaneus, was your Lord the 72 Nemean = Ed. Q = Nenuan 144 longer = Ed. Q = long 150 move = F. Q = mooves 171 Rinsing spelled Wrinching in Q 177 Artesius = Ed. Q = Artesuis 187 SH ALL QUEENS = Ed. Q = All 193 war = Ed. Q = was 200 twinning = Ed. Q = twyning 238 Aulis = Ed. Q = Anly

1.2.21 Mars’s spelled Marsis in Q 72 power there’s = Ed. Q = power: there’s 77 glory: one = Ed. Q = glory on

1.3.37 one = Ed. Q = ore 38 mind nurse = Ed. Q = minde, nurse 47 Fought = Q. Sometimes emended to Sought 62 eleven = F. Q = a eleven 63 Flavina = Ed. Q = Flauia 83 careless wear = Ed. Q = careles, were, 85 one = Ed. Q = on 86 musical spelled misicall in Q 92 dividual = Ed. Q = individuall

1.4.21 smeared = Q (corrected). Q (uncorrected) = succard 26 Wi’ = Ed. Q = We 46 friends’ = Ed. Q = friends, 47 Love’s = Ed. Q = Loves, 51 O’er-wrestling = Ed. Q = Or wrastling 55 ’fore = Ed. Q = for SD Flourish occurs one line earlier in Q

1.5.0 SD Music located at the end of Act 1 scene 4 in Q 1 SH ALL = Ed. Not in Q 10 naught…woes = Ed. Q = &c.

2.1.19–20 that now: = Ed. Q = that. Now, 31 grise spelled greise in Q

2.2.24 wore = Ed. Q = were 25 Ravished = Ed. Q = Bravishd 107 abroad and = Ed. Q = abroade? And 131 SH EMILIA = Ed. Assigned to Arcite in Q 229 your blood = F. Q = you blood 275 SH JAILER = Ed. Q = Keeper (throughout this scene) 333 you = F. Q = yon

2.3.6 sins = Q (corrected). Q (uncorrected) = fins 25 SH FIRST COUNTRYMAN = Ed. Q = 1 (throughout) 26 SH SECOND COUNTRYMAN = Ed. Q = 2. (throughout) 27 SH THIRD COUNTRYMAN = Ed. Q = 3. (throughout) 28 SH FOURTH COUNTRYMAN = Ed. Q = 4. (throughout) 44 ye = Ed. Q = yet 59 says = Ed. Q = sees 72 Yes = Q. Sometimes emended to Yet

[Scene 5] = Ed. Q = Scæna 4.

2.5.14 proves = Q (prooves). Ed = profess 16 hollowed spelled holloa’d in Q 40 For = F. Q = Fo

2.6.35 hubbub spelled whoobub in Q

3.1.2 laund = Ed. Q = land rite spelled Right in Q 37 void’st spelled voydes in Q 43 Not = Ed. Q = Nor 73 compelled = Q. F = coupl’d 99 nobly = Ed. Q = noble 108 musit = Ed. Q = Musicke 127 ’Tis = Ed. Q = If

3.2.1 mistook the brake = Ed. Q = mistooke;the Beake 8 hallooed = Ed. Q = hallowed 19 fed = Ed. Q = feed 25 dozens spelled dussons in Q 28 brine = Ed. Q = bine 35 screech-owl spelled Schreichowle in Q

3.3.15 sir = Ed. Q = &c. 31 them = F. Q = then

3.4.9 Run = Ed. Q = Vpon 10 tack spelled take in Q

[Scene 5] = Ed. Q = Scæna 6.

3.5.0 SD Baboon = Ed. Q = Baum. 7 jean = Ed. Q = jave 25 Maudlin spelled Maudline in Q 29 ribbons spelled Ribands in Q 66 SH JAILER’S DAUGHTER printed on the following line in Q 73 I = Ed. Not in Q 96 Chi passa spelled Quipassa in Q 111 SH THESEUS = F. Q = Per. 150 SH SCHOOLMASTER Knocks for = Ed. Q prints as marginal SD: Knocke for Schoole. 152 ye = Ed. Q = thee 155 thee = F. Q = three 172–3 made…Ye = Ed. Q = made. Dij Deaq; omnes, ye

[Scene 6] = Ed. Q = Scæna 7.

3.6.36 upbraidings spelled obbraidings in Q 113 strait spelled streight in Q 184 thine = Ed. Q = this 289 fail = Ed. Q = fall 295 prune spelled proyne in Q

4.1.4 SH FIRST FRIEND = Ed. Q = 1 Fr. (throughout) 12 oath = F. Q = o’th 19 SH SECOND FRIEND = Ed. Q = 2 Fr. (throughout) 63 SH WOOER printed as speech in Q (2. Fr. Not well?—Wooer, No…well. Woo. Tis…mad.) 84 sung = F. Q = song 107 wreath = Ed. Q = wreake 138 early = Ed. Q = rarely 150 means = Ed. Q = meane 151 Far = Ed. Q = For 169 SH BROTHER = Ed. Q = Daugh. 180 SH SECOND FRIEND = F. Q = 1. Fr. 187 course = F. Q = conrse 189 all = Ed. Printed as SH in Q 199 tack spelled take in Q

4.2.16 Jove afire = Ed. Q = Love a fire 27 swart spelled swarth in Q 54 SD Enter Gentleman = Ed. Q = Enter Emil. and Gent. 74 SD Enter Messenger = F. Q = Enter Messengers. Curtis (presumably refers to Curtis Greville, an actor with the King’s Men) 86 first = F. Q = fitst 91 fire = Ed. Q = faire 116 tods = Ed. Q = tops 121 crown = Ed. Q = corect

4.3.22 spirits are, = Ed. Q = spirits, as 32 i’th’other = F. Q = i’th|Thother 40 Q accidentally prints an Exit here 57 behind = Q (corrected). Q (uncorrected) = behold 70 unfeignedly spelled unfainedly in Q 91 carve = F. Q = crave 98 falsehoods spelled fasehoods in Q

5.1.43 father of = Ed. Q farther off 52 cistern spelled Cestron in Q 57 Whose…prewarn = Ed. Q = Comets prewarne, whose havocke in vaste Feild 60 armipotent spelled armenypotent in Q 125 done, no companion: = Ed. Q = done; no Companion 126 not, a defier: = Ed. Q = not; a defyer 127 cannot, a rejoicer. = Ed. Q = cannot; a Rejoycer, 142 SD They bow printed two lines earlier in Q SD recorders spelled Records in Q SD which is spelled “whic his” in Q 158 him. Out = Ed. Q = him, out 160 election. Of = Ed. Q = election of

5.2.47 Yes = F. Q = Yet 51 SD mad = Ed. Q = Maide 52 humour = Ed. Q = honor

5.3.0 SD Flourish is printed at end of Act 5 scene 2 in Q (Florish Exeunt) SD Attendants = Ed. Q = Attendants, T. Tuck: Curtis. (presumably referring to Thomas Tuckfield and Curtis Greville, actors in the King’s Men) 18 prize = Ed. Q = price 159 your = Ed. Q = you

5.4.1 SH PALAMON = Ed. Not in Q 47 courageous spelled couragiour in Q 48 SH SECOND and THIRD KNIGHTS = Ed. Q = 1.2. K. 57 rarely = Ed. Q = early

Prologue

     *    Flourish fanfare    Prologue i.e., actor who speaks these lines

    1    maidenheads virginities

    2    followed sought after    gi’en given

    3    stand remain    sound free from error/uninfected (with venereal disease)

    5    shake tremble

    6    stir activity (sexual)

    8    pains exertions

  10    breeder parent/author

  11    went existed

  12    Po river of northern Italy    Trent English river

  14    There i.e., in his works

  15    let fall fail to live up to

  18    fan separate (corn from chaff)

  20    bays laurels (symbol of poetic fame)

  21    Robin Hood “Tales of Robin Hood are good for fools” (proverbial)

  22    endless unattainable

  25    Do…hands i.e., applause

  26    tack about change direction like a ship, due to wind (of applause)

  32    leave i.e., give up acting

Act 1 Scene 1

 1.1    Location: unspecified, in or near Athens    Hymen Greek god of marriage    Nymph young woman dressed as nature spirit    encompassed…tresses i.e., with hair worn loose (signifying virginity)    wheaten garland symbol of fertility/virginity    chaplets garlands, wreaths    Emilia sometimes “Emily”

    2    royal…hue “royal purple” (actually red)

    5    quaint pretty

    7    Ver personification of spring

    8    harbinger herald

  10    cradles i.e., circle of leaves

  11    deathbeds blowing i.e., growing on graves

  12    Lark’s-heels larkspurs—tall blue plants of the delphinium family

  15    sense senses

  19    sland’rous i.e., toward married men by calling “cuckoo,” implying “cuckold,” a husband whose wife is unfaithful

  20    boding prophesying evil    chough hoar jackdaw

  21    ’pie magpie

  22    bride-house house where a wedding is held    stained dyed (black)

  26    respect pay attention to

  30    Jove Jupiter, the supreme Roman god

  31    honour…bed i.e., your future bridegroom

  34    raze erase    o’th’book of trespasses i.e., record of sins kept by heaven

  38    No knees i.e., do not kneel

  39    stead help

  43    Creon King of Thebes

  46    suffer permit

  49    Phoebus Roman god of the sun

  51    purger cleanser, healer

  53    chapel place into a chapel

  54    of out of    note notice

  57    vault roof (i.e., the sky)

  59    transported captivated, carried away    suffered…themselves i.e., wrongly allowed them to remain kneeling

  64    should was about to

  66    Mars Roman god of war

  67    Juno wife to Jupiter, and associated with the life of women and the sanctity of marriage

  68    Your…blasted i.e., you were still a virgin/untroubled by misfortune

  70    Hercules mythological hero famous for his strength and courage

  72    Nemean of the Nemean lion, slain by Hercules

  73    thawed dissolved (with desire)

  77    Whereto to which

  78    undertaker champion, helper

  80    Bellona Roman goddess of war

  86    wast were    make making

  88    uphold…in i.e., maintain the world in the order in which it was created

  90    bound boundary, limit

  92    poise balance

  94    ow’st ownest

  96    tenor meaning, purpose    glass mirror, model

100    key tone

102    Lend…knee i.e., kneel with us

105    i’th’blood-sized in the blood-soaked

109    lief soon    trace follow

111    taken seized

115    Set…ice i.e., coldly made    uncandied thawed, melted

116    form expression

117    pressed…matter forced out by feeling

125    know…too i.e., dig deep

128    sundry wits some minds

133    ground-piece i.e., an example to be copied

134    gainst in anticipation of    capital fatal, mortal

136    natural real (as opposed to painted)/having natural feelings

137    ardently burningly

138    shall…counter-reflect i.e., be reflected by me

141    jot smallest part

145    suppliants’ petitioners’, i.e., the war begged by the widows

146    Knolls rings, tolls

148    meditance meditating, prolonged thought

150    ospreys birds of prey, thought to have a power that made fish roll and yield to them

156    drams poisons    precipitance falling headlong/rapid working (of poisons)

161    visitating inspecting, surveying

164    To give by giving

166    presents…th’doing i.e., needs to be done now

168    bootless futile

170    puissance power

172    clear pure/more intelligible

178    draw out choose

179    prim’st i.e., primest, best

180    levy enlist

181    instruments i.e., soldiers

185    widows…woes i.e., our complaints are dead (because unacknowledged)

186    famishing starving

189    Cull choose carefully    unpanged untroubled by pain

192    service action

193    more imports matters more to

194    foregone previously undertaken

195    cope encounter

196    The more proclaiming i.e., making it more clear that

198    lock keep    synod meeting (of the gods)

199    warranting authorizing    corslet hold tightly (like close-fitting armor)

200    twinning cherries lips

201    taste-full i.e., full of sweet taste

202    blubbered tear-stained

208    bids invites

209    unlike unlikely/not liking

213    surfeit illness through excess (of grie)

214    present immediate    pluck bring down

215    scandal discredit

218    aye always

219    Prorogue postpone

221    fee possession

229    hardy bold

234    get you go

236    pretended intended

238    Aulis seaport in southeast Greece

240    moiety part, portion    business…look’t i.e., a bigger, future conflict

242    current moving away (since he is leaving)/authentic, genuine (as of a coin); may play on “currant,” i.e., sweet, red as a red currant berry

246    full fully    bate lessen

248    solemnity i.e., the ceremony of the occasion

249    want be lacking

250    Cousin courteous form of address

253    abatement decrease

254    tongue o’th’world i.e., reputation

257    affections human feelings, passions

261    sensually subdued i.e., conquered by our senses

262    human title i.e., claim to humanity

Act 1 Scene 2

 1.2    Location: Thebes

    1    blood kinship

    2    prime first/favorite

    3    crimes of nature i.e., human vices

    5    Sully stain, tarnish

    6    shame are ashamed

    7    incontinence lacking self-restraint

    9    frustrate striving i.e., make effort useless

  10    eddy whirlpool

  14    cried up supported by    ruins i.e., ruined individuals

  16    bare weeds ragged clothes

  17    o’th’martialist of the soldier    propound i.e., set as a goal for himself

  18    ingots coins

  19    flurted scorned

  24    purge…repletion i.e., make up for her excess

  25    retain take into service

  28    out in error

  30    cranks winding streets

  37    paid…’em i.e., are treated with cold contempt

  40    respect honor

  43    colour appearance

  44    jump exactly

  46    mere absolute

  48    apes imitators of fashion    tutor’s tutor us

  50    Affect imitate    gait manner of walking    catching infectious

  51    faith self-reliance    fond upon infatuated with

  53    conceived understood

  54    truly accurately, truthfully

  55    generous bond noble obligation    follow imitate

  56    haply perhaps

  57    make pursuit i.e., for unpaid bills

  59    for because

  60    glass image    canon law

  61    rapier light sword used for fencing

  65    i’th’sequent trace i.e., in the following train of horses

  66    plantain herb used to treat wounds

  73    deifies…chance i.e., makes chance his only deity

  74    Voluble inconstant

  77    boot booty, profit

  78    good, dares not i.e., dares not do good

  79    sib related

  80    break burst

  82    clear-spirited noble-spirited

  84    loud notorious    milk…pasture i.e., they will be contaminated by the environment

  86    vile wretched, shameful

  92    due audience of proper attention from

  93    leaden-footed slow

  95    whipstock whip handle

  96    but only

100    appals dismays, terrifies/causes to lose color

102    seal…wrath i.e., do as he has promised

105    But except

107    Thirds reduces to a third

108    dregged made cloudy

110    Leave that unreasoned i.e., do not think about that

112    Yet to continue

115    bounded set the limits of

118    On fail of if we fail to agree to or meet

120    intelligence of state i.e., official news of war

121    defier challenger

125    as…health i.e., like a medical bloodletting    spent wasted

126    laid…purchase i.e., invested for a profit

127    hands…damage i.e., if we don’t fight with our hearts, how much damage can we do

129    th’event the outcome

132    becking beckoning

Act 1 Scene 3

 1.3    Location: the outskirts of Athens

    4    timorous fearful

    5    an’t if it

    6    dure endure    Speed success

    7    Store plenty

  11    affections inclinations

  12    best-tempered pieces i.e., most finely crafted works

  17    terrene earthly

  23    helms helmets

  24    broached impaled

  25    sod boiled

  27    stay wait    spinsters i.e., women who remain at home and spin

  30    As while

  31    requiring praying for

  33    his i.e., Theseus’

  34    slightly neglectfully

  35    execution performance    nor neither

  36    or nor

  39    twins i.e., his sport and his desire to be with Theseus

  41    labour effort

  42    cabined been confined together (in a soldier’s tent)

  44    skiffed traveled (in a small boat)

  47    where…lodged in classical mythology, Pirithous and Theseus went to the underworld, the abode of the dead

  48    brought them off i.e., saved them

  50    cunning skill

  52    umpire mediator

  54    like equal    which i.e., Pirithous or Hippolyta

  58    enjoyed had/took pleasure in

  60    proud splendid/brave

  61    count age

  66    more ground i.e., a firmer basis

  67    buckled fastened    hearses biers or coffins

  71    for because

  73    operance operation

  76    arraignment trial, examination

  80    phoenix-like…perfume i.e., the death of the plucked flower gives rise to the perfume    phoenix mythical bird that lived for 500–600 years before burning on a pyre and being reborn from the ashes

  81    toy trivial ornament

  82    pattern model    affections things she fancied (to dress in)

  83    happily perhaps

  84    decking dressing

  86    coinage improvisation

  87    sojourn reside

  88    rehearsal story

  89    wots knows

  90    importment’s bastard i.e., a false, illegitimate version of the original events    importment significance

  92    dividual different

103    ripe ready

106    in i.e., go in

Act 1 Scene 4

 1.4    Location: outside Thebes    Cornets brass wind instruments signifying sounds of battle    battle struck within i.e., the noise of a battle is heard offstage    retreat the signal to retire is sounded    Flourish fanfare to announce the arrival of a person of distinction, i.e., Theseus    victor i.e., victorious in battle, perhaps signified by a laurel wreath

    2    dark i.e., unfavorable

    6    mounted high

  12    invest clothe

  13    even make even, complete

  17    quality rank

  18    appointment armor and arms

  22    make lanes cut paths through

  23    mark notable sight

  26    Wi’leave with permission

  33    have…men i.e., are still alive enough to be called this

  34    use treat

  35    lees dregs    rates times

  37    Convent assemble    behoof behalf, benefit

  38    niggard grudging

  40    in…state i.e., as they were this morning

  41    would wish

  44    unkind i.e., because it might infect their wounds

  49    mark goal, target

  50    imposition obligation

  52    Apollo Greek sun god associated with healing, prophecy, poetry, music, and archery

  54    bound things scattered i.e., restored order

Act 1 Scene 5

    3    dole mourning/fate

    4    gums resins for incense    cheers looks

    8    quick-eyed sharp-eyed/lively

    9    convent convene

  16    straying winding

  17    severally independently, separately

Act 2 Scene 1

 2.1    Location: a garden outside a prison in Athens

    1    depart part

    2    cast give

    4    salmon large princely fish, i.e., rich man

    5    minnows small, miserable fish, i.e., poor men    given out reputed

    6    better lined wealthier    report rumor

    8    delivered reported    Marry by the Virgin Mary, i.e., indeed

    9    assure settle

  12    estate endow

  15    solemnity i.e., the wedding of Theseus and Hippolyta    of from

  16    tender grant/give

  18    name speak about

  19    old business i.e., marriage

  20    hurry excitement, activity

  21    tenderly carefully

  23    strewings rushes (for the floor)

  27    all…chamber i.e., their friendship is everything to them

  29    absolute perfect, complete

  30    By my troth by my faith

  31    stammers speaks inadequately of    grise step

  34    only doers i.e., the only ones worth mentioning

  38    enforce strengthen/compel

  40    toy trifle

  45    restraint captivity

  46    divided broken

  47    martyred…i’th’deliverance i.e., prevented from getting out

  48    presently immediately

  50    chid reproved    above on the upper stage

  54    yonder over there

  57    lower shorter

  59    Go to get on (exclamation)    leave leave off

  62    of between

Act 2 Scene 2

 2.2    Location: within the prison

    4    chance outcome/fortune

    8    Laid…come i.e., resigned the rest of my life

  11    kindreds families

  13    hardy bold

  14    favours tokens of regard (scarves, gloves)

  15    start move off

  18    wagging moving (quickly)    wanton carefree

  19    Outstripped moved quicker than/exceeded

  21    twins i.e., equals

  24    red-eyed…war i.e., Mars

  25    Ravished torn from

  28    blast destroy

  32    too-timely too early

  33    heaviest hardest to bear

  35    Loaden…Cupids referring either to “wife” or “embraces”    Cupid Roman god of love, son of Venus

  36    issue offspring

  37    figures copies

  38    glad gladden    like…arms “only the eagle can gaze at the sun” (proverbial)

  42    ever-blinded Fortune Fortune is traditionally represented as blind or blindfolded

  46    tells counts

  52    hallow call

  53    swine wild boar

  54    Parthian of Parthia, an ancient kingdom of western Asia, famed for skilled horsemen and archers

  55    well-steeled tipped with steel    uses occupations

  58    lastly finally

  63    mere pure, unalloyed

  64    hold maintain

  65    enjoying experiencing

  69    main major

  72    gall of hazard i.e., bitterness inflicted by fate

  73    sink give up    say even if

  74    willing stoic, accepting    sleeping i.e., peacefully

  80    yet still/nevertheless

  81    common of ordinary people

  83    Woo persuade

  86    mine i.e., resource

  87    begetting giving birth to

  94    surfeits excesses that would lead to illness

  98    consume destroy

105    wanton jovial, free from care

107    abroad outside

109    more greater

111    sufficient capable

112    gaudy extravagant, colorful    shadow passing show/delusion, phantom

114    What…old i.e., what would we have been if we had grown old

118    ill immoral, wicked

121    still continuously, without interruption

133    narcissus botanical name for genus of spring flowers, grown from bulbs; in classical mythology Narcissus was a beautiful young man who fell in love with his own reflection in water and pined to death, after which he became a flower

136    forward i.e., go on (speaking)

140    Thou wouldst not i.e., be hard-hearted

142    wench girl

143    heed to care of

145    mad wild

146    go forward continue (speaking)

147    work embroider

151    Rarely beautifully

152    Dainty excellent

164    emblem symbol

166    blows blossoms    paints the sun i.e., colors the sun’s rays and makes them more beautiful

167    north i.e., north wind

168    Rude rough

170    base non precious    briars thorns

173    falls from the stem/is seduced    for’t because of it

176    wanton mischievous/lewd

178    extant in existence

180    art i.e., embroidery

182    lie down “laugh and lie down” (proverbial), plays on sexual innuendo

183    one someone

184    bargain come to terms

188    but only, merely

192    Beshrew curse

204    enjoy possess (sexually)

208    deny forbid

212    blast destroy

213    fellow companion/contemptuous form of address

214    title claim, right    blood kinship

216    upon about

218    name family    lay i.e., were staked

222    free noble

227    moved upset

228    coldly calmly

232    affections emotions

235    cunningly deviously

236    strangely i.e., like a stranger

239    unjust false (to honor)

243    let…down i.e., fail to act honorably

250    branded marked

253    worthy sensible/honorable

254    hazard put at risk

256    Fie exclamation of indignation

257    play the child i.e., behave childishly

259    justly truly (to honor)

264    filch steal

265    baser more dishonorable/lowborn    cutpurse thief, pickpocket

266    more again

267    to’t i.e., to the window frame

271    pitch land, position myself

275    By your leave I beg your pardon

280    bereave deprive

284    goodly handsome/kindly/excellent

286    blood parentage    falsehood disloyalty

294    Yon that (little tree) over there    apricock apricot (plays on allusion to “cock”)

296    window with sexual innuendo of “vagina”    bring her fruit plays on sense of “impregnate her”

298    Still as whenever/even while

310    Fall on i.e., attack in force    fortune chance

312    strike a battle i.e., make war

321    charge order

324    open with a view/easy to escape from

326    Prithee I pray thee, please

328    By…light mild oath

331    pelting contemptible    scurvy worthless

337    for because    dangerous difficult to deal with/reluctant to comply

341    morris form of folk dance for which dancers wear bells

Act 2 Scene 3

 2.3    Location: countryside outside of Athens

    4    studied carefully calculated

    7    pluck bring down

    9    break i.e., like daybreak

  17    Tempests violent storms    wanton sportive/free from care/changeable/reckless

  20    own i.e., kingdom (Thebes)

  21    redress assistance

  22    shape disguise    make bring success to

  28    have with ye i.e., I’ll join you    chiding scolding (for not working)

  29    tickle’t flog, beat it

  30    jades worn-out horses/disreputable women    tails horse tails/female genitalia/women (derogatory)

  32    jealous…turkey turkeys spread their tails to defend their territory

  33    all one i.e., no matter    mumble grumble

  34    Clap her aboard i.e., board her (sexually)    stow fill, cram (with the penis)

  35    made up reconciled/filled (sexually)

  37    fescue pointer used in a schoolroom/penis

  38    Take…out i.e., learn a new lesson

  39    hold against stick to our intentions/hold close (sexually)    maying May Day celebrations

  40    ail stop, prevent

  45    dainty fastidious/fine    domine “master” (Latin), i.e., the schoolmaster    touch his promise

  46    does all i.e., is organizing everything

  47    hornbook leaf of paper protected by a piece of thin horn displaying the alphabet/plays on sexual innuendo relating to the “horns” supposedly worn by a cuckold (a man with an unfaithful wife)

  48    driven pursued/carried forward/thrust (with sexual implication)

  49    let slip i.e., break off (the relationship/intercourse)    must see i.e., insists on seeing

  51    lusty lively

  52    blow…on’s i.e., run to keep up with us/break wind

  53    i’th’breech in the buttocks

  55    hey hurrah

  57    O, pardon me exclamation of mild disagreement

  58    By any means certainly    thing of learning i.e., the schoolmaster

  59    edify instruct

  60    parlously amazingly

  62    makes no cry i.e., is not heard/regarded

  64    tackle equipment for the dance/male genitalia

  66    do perform, with play on sexual sense

  67    Content i.e., agreed

  68    hold wait a moment, i.e., when he sees Arcite

  70    whither go you where are you going

  78    marry indeed, literally “by the Virgin Mary”

  83    pretty naïve

  88    misgives me makes me uneasy

  89    vengeance formidable    trick o’th’hip a successful wrestling throw

  92    plum-porridge exclamation of contempt

  93    He roast eggs! i.e., he might just as well do that as wrestle

  95    durst dared    could have wrestled knew how to wrestle

  98    wealthy abundant    ears i.e., of corn    never ever

100    girt circled

101    prefer promote

Act 2 Scene 4

 2.4    Location: in or near the prison

    1    ’Tis odds i.e., the chances are remote that

    2    affect love    base lowborn

    3    mean of low rank/poor

    5    witless foolish    Out upon’t! exclamation of disgust

    6    pushes measures

    7    When…us? once we reach the age of fifteen, i.e., puberty

  10    bestow give

  13    maidenhead virginity

  18    coil he keeps i.e., turmoil he causes

  23    salutes greets

  30    fain wish to    enjoy i.e., sexually

Act 2 Scene 5

 2.5    Location: near a stadium in Athens

    2    Hercules greatest mythological hero, renowned for his strength    sinews muscles/nerves/strength

    3    Whate’er whoever

    4    allow acknowledge

  10    gentle uses i.e., gentlemanly pursuits    gave me life i.e., dedicated me to

  14    What proves you? What do you learn/demonstrate/set yourself to accomplish?

  15    qualities accomplishments

  16    could have knew how to have

  19    piece accomplishment, skill

  21    perfect completely accomplished

  22    proper admirable/complete, worthy/handsome

  27    sort social rank

  28    Believe i.e., believe me

  30    goes that way i.e., suggests it

  32    illustrate give evidence of

  35    got begotten (i.e., born)

  38    purchase name win fame

  39    well-found established

  43    travel journey, puns on “travail” (effort)

  45    Dispose of make arrangements for

  49    observe respect, pay homage to

  58    use treat

  59    furnished i.e., provided with what you need

  60    needs of necessity

  61    one horse

  66    observance dutiful ceremony

  67    Dian i.e., Diana, Roman goddess of the moon associated with chastity and hunting

  69    afoot on foot

  72    want need

  76    that i.e., that which

  81    beshrew my heart mild oath

Act 2 Scene 6

 2.6    Location: near the prison

    2    ventured taken a risk

    4    hence from here

    6    Fast close    close hidden

  10    Durst…endured i.e., would rather have risked    cold iron imprisonment in fetters/stabbing

  12    wit sense

  15    dirge funeral song

  18    purpose intend/resolve

  29    kindly affectionately/according to nature (sexually)

  31    no man i.e., impotent

  34    So provided

  39    keep yourself i.e., be in jail

Act 3 Scene 1

 3.1    Location: a forest near Athens

    2    several separate    laund clearing in a wood

    3    bloomed in bloom

    4    To…ceremony i.e., with all possible ceremony

    6    buttons buds

    7    enamelled knacks brightly colored ornaments (i.e., flowers)    mead meadow    yea yes

    9    makes…flowers i.e., because they are reflected in the water

  10    pace passage, narrow way (some editors emend to “place”)

  11    With…presence i.e., by being there alone/merely by being there

  12    eftsoons occasionally    come…chop i.e., enter into and seize (her thoughts)

  14    drop on come across

  15    Most guiltless on’t i.e., without having expected to

  17    proud elated/confident (in his belief of her regard), plays on sense of “sexually aroused”    takes strong note pays close attention

  19    prim’st finest

  20    brace pair

  21    backed ridden    field i.e., battlefield

  22    That…tried i.e., where claims to the throne were tried in combat

  24    upon about

  26    deem’st judge, estimate to be

  27    therein in that (situation)

  29    eared listened to

  30    passion anger    enclose imprison

  36    perfidious treacherous

  37    void’st emptiest

  38    bore gentle token i.e., appeared like a gentleman

  41    appointment weapons

  42    chaffy worthless (like chaff)

  44    house-clogs prison shackles

  46    Cozener cheater, puns on “cousin”    give…feat i.e., let your words correspond to your actions

  49    circuit compass    gross vulgar, abhorrent    stuff quality

  50    blazon description

  55    skip overlook

  56    maintain justify

  57    generous well-bred, mannerly

  58    question’s quarrel is

  59    clear…way make his own way/prove himself innocent

  62    advertised informed

  64    of…doubted i.e., you would not let another call me a coward

  66    i’th’sanctuary i.e., in a holy place where silence was the rule

  71    temper temperament

  73    compelled bears i.e., at bear-baiting

  76    glass mirror

  78    up forward

  79    Quit rid    gyves shackles

  85    carry’t i.e., win the fight    shades Hades, the underworld in classical mythology

  90    Betake go

  91    With…night i.e., in secrecy    counsel confidence

  92    viands food

  96    plight fit condition

  99    guilty shameful

101    bold courageous, confident/presumptuous

105    Wind blow, play    horns wind instruments traditionally accompanying a hunt

108    musit hiding place/gap for escape (of a hare)

109    crossed prevented

113    bent brow i.e., frowning

115    oil glibness

116    cuff blow    stomach anger

119    pardon me i.e., excuse me from using    hard harsh

121    face outward appearance

123    office duty

126    Unjustly dishonestly

127    ’Tis…title i.e., I earned it

128    question quarrel

129    bleeding bloodletting (medical practice used to cure illness)/bloodshed (in fighting)    I…suitor i.e., I beg you

130    plea quarrel (legal)

141    remedy alternative/cure

Act 3 Scene 2

    1    brake thicket    gone…fancy i.e., wandered off

    2    well-nigh very nearly

    7    wreak care    jaw devour    so provided that

    8    hallooed called out, shouted; to halloo or    hallow is a louder sound and would require a stronger voice than if she    whooped

  11    but that service i.e., calling a wolf to attack him

  12    livelong long—an intensive form

  15    fell savage

  17    set it down record it

  20    Be…bell i.e., do not hesitate to ring his death knell

  21    chared done

  25    death by dozens i.e., in dozens of ways    moped bewildered

  28    scoured…brine i.e., were closed to get rid of their tears

  29    Dissolve release/melt

  31    state of nature i.e., existence    together all at once

  34    errant wandering    beside i.e., in another direction

  36    offices duties, tasks

  37    Save…in i.e., finding Palamon and removing his shackles

Act 3 Scene 3

    6    matter significance

    7    hereafter later

    8    beastly i.e., like an animal

  12    good now please

  13    parleys arguments

  14    ancient former/long-established

  16    Do i.e., do drink

  21    pledge drink to

  22    it…blood “good wine makes good blood” (proverbial)

  24    Stay wait

  28    stomach appetite

  30    mad lodging i.e., a strange place to live    woods woodland, plays on sense of “wood” meaning “mad”

  31    wild erratic, mad/uncivilized

  32    hunger…sauce proverbial

  36    lusty well-flavored/productive of lust

  46    o’th’virginals on the virginals (small keyboard instruments); with sexual innuendo

  47    Something a little

  48    groan i.e., in childbirth

  51    tales rumors    abroad at large

  55    hey ho a sigh

  57    strained forced

  59    Break i.e., your promise not to mention Emilia

  60    wide i.e., of the mark, mistaken

  68    Fear doubt    foul dirty

  69    trinkets i.e., shackles

  72    keep touch i.e., keeps his promise

Act 3 Scene 4

    2    aglets spangles

    5    tumbles rolls around, plays on sense of “copulate”

    8    leak sprung a hole made, plays on sexual sense of a woman who had lost her virginity    sound large

    9    Run her sail her swiftly

  10    course small sail attached to lower yard of a ship    tack about change direction, plays on “tackle” meaning “male genitalia”

  14    carrack large cargo ship    cockleshell small, frail boat/shell of the cockle (shellfish)/perhaps playing on “vagina,” i.e., a shell for a “cock” or “penis”

  16    rarely admirably

  17    trussed up i.e., hanged    trice instantly/at a single pull

  21    nonny a nonsense word, often used in place of an indelicate word in song refrains and as a euphemism for “vagina”

  22    He’s he shall    cut horse (with a cut tail, or gelded), plays on sexual sense of “genitals”    ride plays on sexual meaning also

  25    prick thorn (which the nightingale supposedly presses against to stay awake), plays on sense of “penis”

  26    like a top i.e., soundly (proverbial);    top has a bawdy sense of “copulate with”

Act 3 Scene 5

 3.5    Taborer player of a small drum (tabor)

    1    tediosity i.e., tediousness    disinsanity i.e., madness

    2    rudiments instructions

    3    by a figure metaphorically speaking

    4    very…marrow i.e., rich and nutritious substance

    7    coarse-frieze rough woollen cloth    capacities capabilities, intellects    jean cotton cloth

    9    Proh deum! “O God!” (Latin)    Medius Fidius! “So help me the god of truth” (Latin)

  11    close hidden

  14    hums murmurs encouragement    ‘Rare!’ “excellent!”    go forward carry on

  16    Meleager Greek warrior in classical mythology who organized a hunt in which he killed the Calydonian Boar; Theseus also participated

  17    comely gracefully    lovers i.e., loyal subjects    cast…body i.e., form a group

  18    decently properly

  19    trace tread, step (in dancing)

  21    Draw gather

  23    have at ye exclamation signifying attack

  27    bouncing strapping    Barbary woman’s name/Barbary hen (guinea fowl)—slang for “prostitute”

  29    Swim move gracefully

  30    deliverly nimbly

  31    favour curtsy    frisk caper

  32    Let us alone i.e., leave it to us

  33    music musician

  35    Couple pair off, with sexual meaning

  36    wanting missing    bavian baboon (sometimes also spelled “babion”), an animal thought to be a cross between a dog and an ape; the word could also mean “crafty knave”

  37    tail baboon’s tail/penis

  39    tumble perform acrobatic feats/have sexual intercourse    manhood manliness, courage

  42    Quo usque tandem? “How long then?” (Latin)—quotation from Cicero’s first oration against Catiline    wanting missing

  43    whistle i.e., give up—“you may whistle for it” (proverbial)    all…i’th’fire i.e., everything is ruined (proverbial)

  45    washed a tile i.e., labored in vain (proverbial)

  46    fatuus “foolish” (Latin)

  47    piece woman (derogatory)    hilding worthless individual (especially woman)

  49    sempster tailor

  50    dogskin i.e., cheap leather

  51    an if

  52    break i.e., her promise

  53    eel…says “who has a woman has an eel by the tail” (proverbial)

  55    either both

  56    position hypothesis

  57    fire ill burning disease (possibly venereal)    flinch fall short/abstain from drink or sex

  61    nullity nonevent

  64    frampul disagreeable    piss o’th’nettle i.e., be in a bad temper (proverbial)

  65    Go thy ways be off    fit get even with, plays on sexual sense

  66    George Alow name of a ship

  68    gallants of war i.e., warships

  74    howlet owlet (small owl)

  79    dainty fine

  80    Comes i’th’nick arrives just in time/experiences sexual orgasm    nick slang term for “vagina”

  81    made assured success

  82    warrant pledge for    rarest gambols most wonderful antics, perhaps with sexual implication

  88    Tell count to    posed baffled    Buzz! exclamation of impatience

  89    eat…bread i.e., father no illegitimate children

  90    Your…bleed it was believed that a man’s teeth ached when his wife was pregnant

  91    tinker mender of pots and pans/rascal

  92    Stop…holes i.e., do not mend anything/do not have intercourse

  93    Dii boni “Good gods” (Latin)

  95    raise summon/cause an erection

  96    Chi passa beginning of a popular dance tune    bells and bones used as percussion instruments; plays on “bellibones” (i.e., pretty girls/prostitutes)

  99    Et…ignis “And I have completed a work which neither the anger of Jove nor fire [shall undo]” (Latin)—quotation from Ovid’s Metamorphoses

101    trip skip

105    meditation time to think

106    Pallas Athena, Greek goddess of wisdom    Train retinue

108    edify gain instruction

112    stay wait for/endure

113    doughty valiant

114    cold calm, deliberate, plays on “hail”

117    distinguish describe as

118    fable lie

119    rout company    rabble crowd

120    chorus as in a Greek tragedy

122    rectifier director/one who puts things right

123    pedagogus    “teacher” (Latin)

124    birch birch rod or bunch of twigs used to discipline children    breeches short trousers

125    ferula cane

126    machine entertainment, device    frame construction

127    dismal unlucky/dreadful/fatal, malign

128    Dis Roman god of the underworld (also called Pluto)    Daedalus Athenian builder of the Cretan labyrinth

129    well-willer well-wisher

131    mickle great

132    ‘Is’ possibly an old spelling of “ice,” creating a pun

134    body main part    of…study i.e., the result of careful thought

136    tenor summary (of the performance)

137    penner pen case/authorship

140    silent hanging i.e., curtains or wall hangings that will hide them while they make love    host innkeeper

142    gallèd sore (from riding)

143    tapster innkeeper or waiter; originally a woman    inflame augment, inflate    reck’ning bill

144    beest-eating i.e., drinks the thick milk a cow gives after calving (beest)

145    eke also    tool penis

146    Cum multis aliis    “with many others” (Latin)

148    domine    “master” (Latin)

149    Produce i.e., bring them on

150    Intrate filii! “Come in, my children!” (Latin)    foot it dance away

152    derry word of no meaning, commonly used in chorus of folk songs

157    twain two

166    paint your pole i.e., something extra, playing on sexual innuendo in “pole” (maypole/penis)    withal with/in addition

170    lets hindrance

171    dowsets testicles

172    dii deæque omnes “all you gods and goddesses” (Latin)

173    rarely splendidly    wenches girls

Act 3 Scene 6

    1    faith pledge

    3    armours suits of armor

  10    outdure outlast

  11    when…hearing i.e., when things are generally known

  12    fatting i.e., being fattened up

  14    refuses i.e., Arcite is to have the choice of weapons

  15    If…hold i.e., if it does not break

  27    recompense repayment, return

  28    quit repay

  29    show i.e., show yourself to be

  35    birthright i.e., the right belonging to one of us from birth

  36    pertains belongs

  40    fitting fit, ready

  41    stay wait

  43    spared i.e., from his duties

  45    Though…died i.e., from the effort of suppressing his feelings

  49    lusty vigorous

  51    exceed i.e., surpass me

  57    find it i.e., that it is true

  60    soundly in full

  62    arm you put your armor on

  73    grand guard extra, heavy piece of armor worn to protect the chest and shoulder while jousting

  75    fain gladly    that i.e., on horseback

  79    warrant guarantee (that I will)

  80    casque helmet

  83    o’th’least too small

  86    fall’n much away i.e., much thinner

  88    home unsparingly/to the end/to the heart

101    bay reddish-brown horse

104    Nor…you i.e., I could not catch you up/equal your performance

106    virtue courage

113    strait tight

117    perfect i.e., fully armed

119    hold consider

120    lies depends    several ways in different directions

124    aught anything

135    commend i.e., to God    within i.e., offstage

140    Lo look (drawing attention)

143    retire withdraw

144    presently immediately

149    contempt i.e., disregard of his banishment

150    difference quarrel

151    base disposers i.e., dishonorably settled

154    adventure venture

156    faints loses courage    Put…guard i.e., stand on guard immediately

163    crosses obstacles

166    fears frightens

170    ignorant unwitting    malicious wicked

172    appointed armed

173    officers of arms supervising officials

174    Castor son of the Roman god Jupiter

175    Hold keep

182    begged i.e., had his freedom begged for    contemns scorns

184    follows serves/pursues

191    spoken i.e., said to be

195    woo implore

202    no more moved i.e., with as little emotion    Where whereas

210    For as for

215    Stop close

217    thy…memory i.e., Hercules, who famously completed twelve tasks set him by Eurystheus (King of Mycenae and Tiryns); he was friend and companion to Theseus but not related, although Palamon calls them cousins

228    not…denied i.e., persuasively

233    kill kills

234    Yet to show

235    grow to become one with    but unless

243    that…have i.e., whatever you would invoke to create

246    chaste married, lawful

247    conjurings invocations, entreaties

251    that…maid i.e., your duty as a knight to help a damsel in distress

257    want be lacking in

263    make…reel i.e., you shake my constancy to my oath

264    place it i.e., arrange matters

266    right typical

273    question quarrel

274    credit reputation

277    Bow cause to bend

280    hold uphold

281    express will final decisions

284    passion anger    heed consideration

290    maim wound, damage

297    be become

298    groaned i.e., in childbirth

302    worth become of

307    contention quarrel    know i.e., show that they know

318    piece i.e., of ground

324    basely dishonorably

327    Make…devil i.e., despise death as a poor fellow/regard him as an enemy and fight willingly

331    must i.e., must be

332    to as

342    from that mouth i.e., as a result of the words she speaks

348    For on account of    of from

355    pyramid obelisk, pillar or column of stone    whether whichever of the two

359    grudge to fall i.e., feel that he is unjustly executed

360    with interest in a claim to

366    must i.e., be content

367    miscarry die

370    hold your course i.e., keep your resolve

373    usage treatment

374    settle here i.e., establish in Athens

375    bier movable stand on which a corpse is placed before burial

Act 4 Scene 1

 4.1    Location: the prison in Athens

  10    handsome naturally graceful

  11    staggering hesitating

  15    Half…too i.e., who shares Theseus’ heart with Hippolyta    that so that

  18    hold continue

  21    They i.e., the news

  23    discovered revealed

  30    ever constantly

  33    But they prevailed i.e., without getting what they asked for    fairly completely

  45    How he looks! i.e., anxious

  51    mind think of

  55    innocent simpleton

  57    Nothing…pity i.e., I’m only sorry (at what I have to tell)

  58    by from

  61    right in her right mind

  69    miscarrying on being punished for

  73    late recently    angling fishing

  76    attending sport i.e., waiting for a fish to bite

  79    smallness high pitch

  80    angle fishing rod

  81    To…skill i.e., to fish by itself

  83    encompassed surrounded

  85    glade clearing

  92    Pretty naïve

  94    bevy company of

  96    chaplets wreaths

  97    damask variety of red rose

  98    antic grotesque dance

102    handsome proper

103    ‘Willow, willow, willow’ chorus of a popular song—refers to the wearing of a willow garland by a forsaken lover

105    tall brave

106    careless tresses untidy locks of hair

107    rounded encircled

109    nymph spirit in the form of a maiden inhabiting and tending the lake

110    Iris Greek goddess of the rainbow and messenger to the gods

113    posies short rhyming mottoes often inscribed on rings

118    made i.e., my way

119    straight…flood i.e., at once threw herself into the water

124    cross intercept

125    stayed stopped

126    scarce with difficulty

128    May…(etc.) et cetera indicates that more of the song would have been sung, but the remaining words are lost

133    ‘The…Robin’ both popular songs

138    I…else i.e., otherwise I shall be away from home

140    maidenhead virginity    cocklight dawn, playing on “cock” (penis)

141    thrive go well/grow (in pregnancy)

142    O…sweet first words to the seventh of Sir Philip Sidney’s Certain Sonnets

143    ev’n just

150    cross contradict    distempered deranged

156    For because of

157    gone…undone pregnant, seduced and ruined

160    let…alone i.e., pay no attention to them

163    close secretive

164    Close…cockle proverbial

165    the trick on’t i.e., the technique for only fathering boys

166    gelt castrated, to preserve their singing voices

173    tickle’t up give pleasure/arouse to erection or orgasm

174    if…in metaphorically lucky/literally, using his hand to achieve sexual pleasure

179    know recognize

187    wood forest/state of madness

188    tackling rigging/male genitalia

189    Let me alone i.e., let me handle it    weigh i.e., weigh anchor

190    Owgh! exclamation suggesting exertion    Top the bowline! i.e., tighten the rope that keeps the sail steady in a wind

194    to the top i.e., of the mast (the lookout position)

197    kenn’st see, make out

198    wood forest/madwoman

200    Cynthia Roman goddess of the moon

Act 4 Scene 2

 4.2    Location: Theseus’ palace in Athens

  11    coy modest

  13    quick lively

  15    Ganymede in classical mythology, the beautiful boy snatched from earth by Jove to become his cupbearer

  18    constellation Ganymede was eventually changed into Aquarius

  21    Pelop’s shoulder in classical mythology, Tantalus killed his son Pelops and offered him as food to the gods who then reassembled him and replaced his eaten shoulder with an ivory one

  22    hence i.e., his brow    promontory mountainous stretch of land jutting into the sea

  23    Pointed coming to a peak

  24    underworld i.e., the earth as seen from above

  25    near ’em i.e., like them in character

  26    foil one who sets off another to advantage

  27    swart swarthy, dark    meagre thin    heavy sorrowful

  28    still lethargic

  29    stirring animation

  30    this i.e., Arcite’s    smile hint

  32    sad serious

  33    bent direction

  35    choice capacity for choosing    lewdly ignorantly

  42    only solely

  43    is complexion i.e., is the only attractive complexion

  44    changeling ugly or stupid child left by the fairies in exchange for another    gipsy i.e., dark, hence unattractive

  45    sotted besotted

  46    faith constancy

  48    Whether which one    had would have

  52    go look i.e., for an answer (unsuccessfully)

  53    gauds toys

  54    distinguish choose between

  60    end resolve, settle

  62    unspotted pure

  74    fall untimely die prematurely

  76    a while briefly

  86    seeming appearance

  87    stout brave

  88    say proclaim

  92    he looks i.e., his expression shows

  95    long and round i.e., his arms

  96    baldric belt or girdle    when…with i.e., to carry out his will when he is angry

  97    Better…friend i.e., there was never a better sword

102    speak describe

104    show appearance

106    he i.e., the messenger

108    felt…for i.e., love

109    apter more likely

113    extremes violent emotions

116    Hard-haired tightly curled    tods bushes

117    undo uncurl

118    livery uniform    warlike maid Bellona, Roman goddess of war

122    character sign

123    fit for i.e., to kiss/like those belonging to

126    lineaments form, shape

127    clean well-built

128    staff handle

132    great eminent

136    they i.e., the freckles    sweet attractive

137    well satisfactory

140    white-haired blond

141    wanton white very light so as to be feminine/childlike

142    nimble agile

145    new-conceived newly pregnant

146    labour hard work, punning on childbirth

148    grey-eyed having blue or blue-gray eyes, thought to denote compassion

153    shows looks like

154    oak wreath of oak leaves awarded for valor

157    charging staff lance for jousting    embossed ornamented with figures in relief

163    show Bravely look splendidly (in fighting)

168    steeled given strength to, perhaps playing on sense of “struck (with a steel sword)”

169    the field i.e., management over the tournament

174    be royal i.e., show regal generosity in the arrangements

175    want lack    bravery splendor

Act 4 Scene 3

 4.3    Location: the prison

    1    time…moon at certain phases of the moon/her menstrual cycle

    2    some i.e., times

    3    harmless distemper nonviolent derangement

    7    lards is inserted into (like pieces of fat into a meat roast)    farces stuffs (in cooking), plays on sense of “makes comic”

    8    withal moreover

  11    burden refrain

  14    fantastical fanciful    as…legs i.e., as any man

  15    Dido…Aeneas in Virgil’s Aeneid, Dido (Queen of Carthage) fell in love with the Trojan hero, Aeneas, who afterward left her and she killed herself on a funeral pyre

  20    silver…ferry in classical mythology, the dead were provided with a piece of silver to pay Charon, the ferryman, to take them across the River Styx to the underworld

  23    livers thought to be the seats of human passions

  26    Proserpine Roman queen of the underworld

  27    mark notice

  28    prettily charmingly    amiss ill/in error, plays on senses of “miss” meaning “unmarried woman/whore”

  31    barley break country game involving couples whereby one couple who are in “hell” must try to catch the others, often employed as a metaphor for “having sex”

  32    i’th’other place i.e., in hell

  34    shrewd measure harsh punishment

  38    usurer’s grease moneylender’s sweat (the traditional punishment for usurers was to be boiled in oil and lead)

  40    be enough i.e., fully cooked

  41    coins fabricates ideas

  48    leprous suffering from leprosy, often confused with “pox” (venereal disease)

  49    rid on’t avoid it

  51    engrafted implanted (horticultural metaphor)

  54    were would be    an if

  57    arras tapestry used as a wall hanging

  58    suing fellow persistent suitor    garden-house small house or bower in the garden

  64    affected cared for

  65    ere before

  68    account consider

  69    great penn’orth on’t good bargain    state estate

  70    unfeignedly sincerely

  72    intemperate…eye i.e., excessive gazing at Palamon

  75    faculties functions

  76    vagary wandering

  80    commune talk

  81    beats upon is obsessed by

  83    friskins antics

  84    green youthful

  86    stuck decked

  88    compounded odours perfumes    grateful pleasing

  91    carve i.e., carve for

  92    still among intermittently

  94    play-feres playfellows, can be used with sexual connotation

  95    repair go

  96    tokens small gifts of love

  97    suggested pleaded

  99    reduce restore    out of square disordered

101    approved successfully demonstrated

103    passages stages

104    appliance remedy

105    success result

Act 5 Scene 1

 5.1    Location: a forest near Athens, outside of temples to Mars, Venus, and Diana

    4    swelling billowing

    6    will i.e., that will

  10    german closely related

  11    nearness i.e., of kinship and friendship

  12    Lay by set aside    dove-like peacefully

  14    stubborn antagonistic

  15    ire anger

  16    regard watch over

  18    part divide

  20    glass hourglass

  22    show appear as

  26    parcel part

  27    tender regard

  31    confound ruin, destroy

  32    port bring to port/carry

  33    limiter arbiter, judge

  35    turn i.e., around and depart

  40    sacrifices i.e., because they will die if he fails

  42    apprehension awareness

  44    profession solemn vow/occupation (soldiering)

  45    Require ask

  46    breath endurance

  47    on forward

  48    Else otherwise

  49    feat deed of valor

  50    garland victor’s wreath    sticks…flowers i.e., Emily will be the most beautiful flower he is crowned with/there will be a rose in the garland that Emily crowns him with    sticks places/adorns/stands out

  51    intercession prayer

  52    cistern large vessel or receptacle for liquids

  56    Neptune Roman water god (symbolizing the sea)    purple i.e., with blood

  57    havoc slaughter    field battlefields    prewarn foretell; comets were popularly supposed to be omens of forthcoming events

  58    Unearthèd excavated/unburied

  59    teeming fertile, abundantly productive    Ceres Roman goddess of crops and fruit    foison harvest

  60    armipotent powerful in arms

  61    masoned built of stone

  62    girths walls

  64    laud praise

  65    streamer banner

  66    styled named

  68    enormous disorderly

  69    o’er-rank overripe, rotten

  70    blood bloodshed/bloodletting

  72    O’th’pleurisy of excess

  75    stars fates    glister sparkle

  76    extinct extinguished

  79    free generous

  83    secrets part of the code of courtly love was secrecy

  88    flourish brandish

  90    vassal servant

  91    Stale gravity grave old man    polled bald

  93    skipped jumped over, avoided

  95    young lays youthful love songs

  96    Phoebus i.e., the sun/sun god Apollo

  98    his mortal son i.e., Phaethon, who drove his father’s sun chariot one day but was unable to control it, so that the earth was in danger of being burnt up until Zeus intervened by hurling a thunderbolt at Phaethon who fell into a river    the huntress i.e., Diana

  99    moist because of the moon’s influence on the tides    cold chaste

101    yoke servitude

106    kenned known    practised Upon tried to seduce

107    libels slanders (against women)

108    liberal licentious

109    betray reveal the love secrets of

111    large confessors men who boast of their many sexual conquests    hotly angrily

115    brided married

116    cramp rheumatism

117    screwed twisted    square sturdy

119    globy bulging

120    drawn their spheres come out of their sockets

121    anatomy skeleton

122    fere wife

124    Brief in short

125    prate chatter, tattle

126    defier one who distains or challenges boasts

128    close offices secret affairs

129    concealments what should be concealed

130    boldest coarsest

134    merit reward

137    chase hunting ground

139    laid unto added to

142    comes on approaches    Still soft    hind female deer    aloof at a slight distance

148    order’s robe i.e., symbol of modesty

149    vouchsafe grant, bestow

151    maculate spotted

153    scurrile scurrilous    port portal, opening

154    wanton lewd

155    Seasoned infused    fear awe

156    bride-habited dressed as a bride

157    ’pointed appointed to me

160    guiltless i.e., of condemning either Palamon or Arcite to death/of choosing to marry and therefore betraying Diana    election choice

162    doom sentence, pronounce judgment against

164    pretenders claimants, suitors

165    title claim

166    wheaten garland symbol of virginity

167    file and quality rank and status (a virgin)

168    band fellowship

169    ebbs and flows the tides (influenced by Diana as moon goddess)

172    well inspired of divine origin    confound destroy

176    gathered i.e., lose my virginity

178    Unclasp reveal

Act 5 Scene 2

 5.2    Location: the prison    habit costume

    1    upon toward

    6    ‘Presently’ immediately

  10    watch sit up

  11    fit attack of fever/sexual desire

  13    fit her provide her with what she needs/enter her sexually    home thoroughly

  18    observe humor

  20    confirm strengthen

  21    That’s all one that doesn’t matter    if as long as

  23    Lie lie down/have sex

  27    honesty chastity

  28    niceness excessive scruple

  29    cast…away i.e., abandon her to her madness

  30    will wants to

  38    physic treatment

  43    all one i.e., makes no difference

  46    Videlicet “that is to say” (Latin)    ‘way of flesh’ i.e., sexual desire

  49    ipso facto “by the very act” (Latin)

  50    humour inclination, mood (also a reference to the four “humors,” or fluids, that were believed to influence human health and disposition)

  56    bound obliged

  65    come…tail i.e., whatever happens (proverbial)    cut with a cut tail/gelded    tail horsetail/penis

  66    ye for you

  69    founder lame    hobby-horse man dressed as a horse in a morris dance/prostitute

  70    skill judgment

  71    ‘Light o’ love’ popular song referring to a faithless lover/prostitute

  77    hand handwriting    casts calculates

  78    provender feed

  79    betime early    cozens cheats

  83    coy aloof

  85    bottles bundles (of hay)

  86    strike measure

  88    miller’s mare “as sober as a miller’s mare” (proverbial)

  98    stool-ball game similar to cricket in which a stool was used as the wicket and women usually caught the ball in their laps/innuendo for sexual intercourse

101    keep celebrate

105    nice overscrupulous

111    petticoat overskirt    smocks undergarments (shifts, slips)

115    then after we are married

117    fain be nibbling gladly be eating/having sex

120    against in preparation for

130    grown got taller

131    grow have an erection

133    hard meat coarse food

134    up erect

139    bear a charge have official duties

140    straight immediately

144    How…her? i.e., what did you think of her

146    from leave

147    still…way continue with the current treatment

158    marry by the Virgin Mary, i.e., indeed; plays on sense of “get married”

Act 5 Scene 3

 5.3    Location: in the forest, near the field of combat

    3    hawk at pursue

    4    decision trial (by combat)

    7    bell death knell

  10    deafing…hear no way not to hear

  14    kind actuality

  15    pencilled painted

  16    belief i.e., in the story

  17    sealed authenticated, confirmed

  18    meed reward

  19    question’s title winner’s right in the contest

  21    wink close both eyes

  25    extinct extinguished

  26    envy malice

  28    dam mother

  33    Set off compensate for    whereto of which

  36    kindle incite

  39    give…pay reward/be the reward for (the winning knight)

  42    Out of itself i.e., outside its boundaries

  49    know know to be

  52    engine bent weapon (bow) ready to be discharged

  55    aspect look

  56    graved engraved, playing on “grave”

  57    to in accordance with

  58    quality nature

  64    Stick misbecomingly seem out of place

  66    spurs to spirit i.e., the trumpets

  67    proof trial

  69    spoiling…figure mutilation of his body

  70    Enough would be enough

  73    ward defensive action    offence offensive action

  74    craved…time was needed at that very moment

  76    What…chance? What has happened?

  81    prim’st best

  85    servant i.e., Arcite

  86    still always

  88    end purpose

  89    sinister left

  90    best boding most auspicious

  95    Th’assistants the supporting knights    redemption rescue

  96    titlers those fighting over the title

102    values shortness coming short in value

110    consummation end

112    Half-sights those who are half blind

113    God’s lid by God’s eyelid (a mild oath)

114    costliness rarity    looked through was transparent

116    go…with take legal action against

117    drift driving

120    coming off leaving the arena

126    struck at head fought

127    plighted betrothed

136    race descendants

138    Alcides Hercules

139    sow bar of metal/female pig/fat, slovenly person

141    Did would

143    emulous rival    Philomels nightingales

145    Anon straightaway

146    out-breasted outsung    sense i.e., hearing

148    Good space for some time

149    hardly with difficulty

150    subdued defeated

151    present justice immediate execution

152    pinch torture

154    Arm give your arm to

155    lose part with/be deprived of

161    unfriended bereaved of his friend

166    one Emilia

167    blind closed for ever

Act 5 Scene 4

 5.4    pinioned tied up

    5    to…wishes people wish that we might live longer

    6    prevent forestall

    7    beguile outwit

    8    rheum catarrh    lag last

    9    grey approachers the elderly approaching death

  10    unwappered unexhausted    halting limping

  11    stale old

  12    such as he has been talking of

  13    clear pure

  18    title possession

  22    tott’ring fluctuating

  23    reels wavers

  26    Taste act as taster, go first

  28    see’t done give me freedom (in death)

  29    kind of ill type of illness, i.e., insanity

  34    latest last

  36    piece her portion add to her dowry

  39    Is…maid? Is it her first marriage?/Is she a virgin?

  40    Verily truly

  42    quite repay

  44    requite reward

  51    done finished

  62    owing owning

  64    Weakens his price all-black horses were thought to be vicious

  65    note characteristic

  66    allowance confirmation

  67    calkins raised edges of horseshoes that prevent slipping

  68    tell count

  69    length pace, stride

  70    pride mettle, spirit

  72    iron…origin based on the biblical story of Jubal (Genesis 4:21–2)

  74    Saturn Roman god associated with the harvest, but originally perhaps a blight god and regarded as malevolent

  77    comment speculate

  78    toy foolish aversion    fell abandoned himself

  79    comes on end i.e., rears up on his hindquarters

  80    school-doing training

  81    kind manage gentle handling

  82    rowell spur

  84    jad’ry behavior of an inferior horse/ignoble behavior    disseat unseat, throw off

  86    curb controlling chain or strap passed under a horse’s jaw    girth saddle-securing belt    diff’ring plunges different sudden, violent movements

  87    Disroot dislodge    grew i.e., stayed as though rooted

  92    poise weight

  94    floats…approaches i.e., only until the next wave comes

104    told counted    false i.e., against Palamon’s prior claim to Emilia

108    Elysium final resting place in the underworld of classical mythology for the souls of the heroic and virtuous

111    This day the anniversary of this day

114    sundered parted

118    arrouse bedew, sprinkle, plays on “arouse” meaning “excite sexually”

121    vouched upheld

122    grace favor, success

123    this i.e., Arcite’s body

130    passage of arms

131    equal impartial

134    fancy love

139    lovers supporters    stage of death i.e., scaffold

142    in whose end at the end of which

147    charmers the gods (who work charms or enchantments)

150    kind way/disposition

152    above beyond our capacity

153    bear…time behave appropriately for the funeral and then the wedding

Epilogue

     *    Epilogue i.e., actor who speaks these lines

    2    say speak (for shyness)

    3    cruel terribly

    5    goes hard is going badly

    9    market chances of success/profit

  10    Have at let us face

  12    cause purpose

  14    meant intended for

  15    end purpose

POEMS AND SONNETS

Shakespeare became famous as a poet before most people knew that he also wrote plays. To judge by the frequency of admiring allusions and demand for printed copies, Venus and Adonis was the most popular long poem of the Elizabethan age. Like Shakespeare’s subsequent narrative poem The Rape of Lucrece it was written during the period in 1593–94 when the theaters were closed due to plague, and based on the works of the Roman poet Ovid. These works are calling cards which announce Shakespeare’s poetic sophistication, perhaps in response to the jibe in Greene’s Groatsworth of Wit (1592) about “Shake-scene,” the “upstart crow,” the vulgar jack-of-all-trades from the country.

Great swaths of Venus and Adonis are composed in the form of dialogue, while the eye contact between male and female subjects is self-consciously the atricalized. In both their speech patterns and their accompanying actions, Venus and Adonis are turned into dramatic characters, their story into a theatrical encounter, albeit one that relies on a naturalistic rural setting peopled with animals and natural forces that could not have been represented on stage. The Elizabethan reader’s pleasure in the poem lay in its cunning rhetoric, the inventive conceit of its language. The resourceful Venus has many an example, as when she compares herself to a park and Adonis to a deer. The double entendre whereby landscape and body parts become as one is typical of the poem: Shakespeare is trying out that language of indefatigable innuendo that will characterize so many of his subsequent plays. He is also experimenting with the idea that sexual attraction is sparked by contrariness and apparent disdain. The dynamic between a pair of erotically charged horses anticipates not only the relationship of Venus and Adonis, but also those of the speaker of the sonnets and his beloved, not to mention Berowne and Rosaline in Love’s Labour’s Lost and Beatrice and Benedick in Much Ado about Nothing.

For most of Venus and Adonis, sexual desire is a source of comedy, whereas in The Rape of Lucrece the story of sexual pursuit is replayed in a darker key. Having made a comic spectacle of the rapacious goddess, Shakespeare makes a tragic spectacle of the raped emblem of chastity. The two poems are opposite sides of the same coin, as may be seen from their structural resemblance: in each, an ardent suitor attempts to gain the reluctant object of her/his sexual desire by means of rhetorical persuasion, fails, and indirectly or directly precipitates the death of the object of desire. Both poems are centrally interested in the way in which linguistic art is instrumental in the pursuit of sexual satisfaction. Nothing provokes desire more than antithesis. The more artless Lucrece is, the more Tarquin wishes to exercise the arts of love upon her.

The Rape of Lucrece is not only Shakespeare’s most sustained imitation of a classical source, it is also a supreme example of the art of “copiousness” that was recommended by sixteenth-century humanist literary theorists: Shakespeare expanded the seventy-three lines of the Lucrece story in Ovid’s Fasti into nearly two thousand. As with Venus and Adonis, the most significant elaborations are those that invest the characters with linguistic arts. Three extended discourses are introduced: Tarquin’s inward disquisition as to whether he should carry through his desire, the disputation between the two characters in the bedroom, and Lucrece’s formal “complaint” after the rape. At the end of the poem, the final consequence of the rape is played through as the Tarquins are heaved off their throne and the Roman republic is established. It is because loss of empire is the ultimate cost which Tarquin pays for his conquest—the military metaphors are all-pervasive—that his victory is a defeat. The oxymoronic structure of the narrative is thus brought to a climax: Tarquin’s gain is his family’s loss, Lucrece’s loss is Rome’s gain. She is the sacrificial victim required for the bringing of a new political order.

Shakespeare was much possessed by death, even when—as in Venus and Adonis and the comedies—he wrote in the genres of life and love. Venus expostulates against Death because he is the destroyer of beauty. She proposes to Adonis that the beautiful have a duty to reproduce themselves, not to hoard their loveliness in the manner of a miser (or, in the bawdy subtext, a masturbator). The first seventeen of Shakespeare’s sonnets are a set of variations on the same theme. Throughout the entire collection of 154 sonnets, there is a frequent return to questions first explored in Venus and Adonis: not only mortality and endurance, beauty and its transience, but also the paradoxes of self and other, truth and delusion, in the dynamics of desire. Adonis’ eyes are “Two glasses” (i.e., mirrors) where Venus “herself herself beheld / A thousand times.” At the climax of the sonnet sequence, a key pun plays on the same idea: “For I have sworn thee fair: more perjured eye, / To swear against the truth so foul a lie.” The relationship between “I” and “eye,” inner self and the object of the gaze, is an obsession in the sonnets, while “perjured” is an example of another hallmark of the collection, the application of legal language to the promises made and broken by lovers. So, for instance, in Sonnet 33 (“When to the sessions of sweet silent thought”), term after term has legal connotations (“sessions,” “summon,” “dateless,” “canceled,” “expense,” “grievances,” “account,” “restored”).

It is probable that Shakespeare began composing sonnets soon after writing Venus and Adonis—several are woven into Romeo and Juliet and Love’s Labour’s Lost, plays that he wrote soon after the theaters reopened in 1594, and others circulated in manuscript by 1598. But the collection entitled Shakespeare’s Sonnets was not published until 1609. We know neither whether it was authorized nor whether its arrangement of the sequence was purposeful, though some clearly belong together, in that successive sonnets sometimes allude to each other or enact variations on a similar theme.

As one would expect from the hand of a dramatist, there does seem to be a plotline running through the sequence and a “character” to each of the personae. The first 126 poems appear to be written to a man (or a succession of men?). The narrative extends over a considerable period of time and runs the full gamut of emotions. The person addressed is younger than Shakespeare and of higher rank. He is lovely and the image of his mother. The first seventeen poems are exhortations to breed, in the manner of Venus’ address to Adonis: “From fairest creatures we desire increase, / That thereby beauty’s rose might never die.” There is then a modulation toward the idea that the poet’s own work of praise may enable the young man to escape the ravages of time and death. Some sort of relationship is then imagined, with the youth in a position of power and the poet in one of supplication. Absence, travel, “disgrace,” melancholy, estrangement, and reunion are variously implied. The young man appears to have an affair with the poet’s mistress, thus abusing the bond of friendship. But he is eventually forgiven: “Take all my loves, my love, yea, take them all: / What hast thou then more than thou hadst before?” Later, the poet is discomposed by a rival who claims to have been taught by spirits to write “above a mortal pitch” and who, with “the proud full sail of his great verse,” wins the patronage of the fair youth. The sequence ends with its key motif of the battle between love and time. The final poem to the youth is two lines short of the sonnet form’s customary fourteen. It ends with a pair of empty brackets, signaling some kind of closure or lacuna.

Sonnets 127–52, by contrast, explore the poet’s relationship with a mistress, a dark-complexioned and sexually voracious woman who has “raven black” brows. Sometimes her dark beauty is wittily defended against the blonde Elizabethan ideal, but more frequently these poems are filled with self-abnegation, misogyny, a lingering sense of the sour taste that comes after sex, and disgust at the way in which the body rules the spirit. The woman is accused of infidelity, including an apparent affair with the “man right fair” who is the poet’s “better angel”—this seems to allude back to the purported relationship between “friend” and “mistress” in the earlier sequence. Some of the “dark lady” poems are seeringly honest about the deceptions that may occur between lovers (“O, love’s best habit is in seeming trust…Therefore I lie with her and she with me, / And in our faults by lies we flattered be”), while others are dazzlingly playful (notably 135–6, with their multiple punning on senses of the word “Will,” including a persistent play on Shakespeare’s own name). The final two sonnets are imitations of a Greek epigram about the fire of love being quenched in a cool well, with clear allusion to the Elizabethan custom of taking mercury baths as a cure for syphilis. The implicit suggestion is that the poet has been venereally infected by the “dark lady.”

Shakespeare’s sonnets are a source of endless biographical fascination because they seem to be the one work in which he speaks in his own voice. “Scorn not the sonnet,” William Wordsworth wrote two centuries later: “With this key, Shakespeare unlocked his heart.” So it is that the sonnets are often believed to bear a wholly different relationship to Shakespeare’s biography from that of the rest of his literary work. There is, however, no intrinsic reason why a sonnet—a highly artificial literary form—should not be a dramatic performance just as a play is. It may perfectly well be argued that for an Elizabethan poet to dash off a sequence of sonnets was a kind of exercise, a proof of artistic skill akin to the work of a composer writing a set of variations on a musical theme. If Shakespeare could imagine Hamlet and Romeo and Viola, he could also have invented the “plot” and “characters” of his sonnets. Robert Browning responded to Wordsworth’s claim: “If so, the less Shakespeare he!” Maybe the sonnets are best read as assays of Shakespeare’s art, demonstrations of his seemingly effortless verbal facility.

Unlike several contemporary sonneteers, Shakespeare does not name names. Because he is so guarded, the circumstances of composition have provoked centuries of speculation. The young man to whom the bulk of the poems are addressed may or may not be synonymous with the mysterious “Mr W. H.” named in the collection’s dedication. The traditional candidates for the role of addressee are the Earl of Pembroke and the Earl of Southampton, though neither of them was a “Mr.” A very strong case has been made for the possibility that “Mr W. H.” is actually a misprint for “Mr W. S.” and that in the dedication Thomas Thorpe, the publisher, is merely acknowledging Shakespeare as the “only begetter” of the sonnets (“begetting” was a common metaphor for authoring).

Dozens of male Elizabethan poets wrote sonnet sequences, but only Shakespeare and Richard Barnfield addressed their poems explicitly to a man. Barnfield wrote in the explicitly homoerotic tradition of ancient Greek pastoral poetry, whereas Shakespeare’s sequence emphasizes the spiritual aspects of the poet’s love for the fair youth. The only sonnets in the collection where “Will” is actually in bed with a lover are addressed to the dark lady. The young man’s “thing” (which has been “pricked out” by nature) is, says the poet in Sonnet 20, “to my purpose nothing”—though this is supremely ambiguous, since it could mean either that he is not interested in a physical relationship or that the prick serves him in the same way as a woman’s “nothing” (vagina). Taken in their entirety, the sonnets associate heterosexual desire with consummation and disgust, homoerotic attraction with spirituality and an intensity that derives in large measure from the impossibility of consummation. Tempting as it may be to infer Shakespeare’s sexuality from this duality, it might be better to read the opposition between dark lady and fair youth as a dramatic device: one is a “character” representing desire in its sexual manifestation, the other in its idealizing and spiritual.

Several short poems of the period have been attributed to Shakespeare, but in only two cases is the attribution absolutely secure. One is a beautifully turned epilogue that meditates on time in an address to Queen Elizabeth at the end of a court performance in February 1599. It remained unknown in manuscript until the late twentieth century. The other is the mysterious poem that has become generally known as “The Phoenix and Turtle” (though Shakespeare did not give it a title).

In 1601, a minor author called Robert Chester published a long allegorical poem entitled Love’s Martyr, in which the mythical phoenix, representing Queen Elizabeth, accepts the devoted service of a turtledove, symbolizing a loyal courtier. The poem was dedicated to John Salusbury of Llewenni, Denbighshire, and seems to have been printed in honor of his being knighted by the queen in June 1601. Salusbury is therefore a prime candidate for the role of the turtledove. When the poem was published, it was accompanied by “Diverse Poetical Essays on the Former Subject; viz. The Turtle and Phoenix,” also dedicated to Salusbury and dated 1601. One of these poetical essays, beginning “Let the bird of loudest lay,” was signed “William Shakespeare” and is unmistakably in his style. The poem seems to be a response to the closing sequence of Chester’s: it imagines a group of birds at the funeral of the phoenix and turtle. Again, the phoenix seems to be Elizabeth, the turtle a loyal subject: “Distance and no space was seen / ’Twixt this turtle and his queen.” But “Distance and no space” is more than a metaphor for the combination of propriety and loyalty required by good courtiership. It is also a metaphysical conundrum. On being invited (and presumably paid) to contribute to Chester’s volume, Shakespeare took the opportunity to rework the union of phoenix and turtle as a philosophical tour de force instead of a piece of routine poetic flattery. A line such as “Either was the other’s mine” may allude back to a lengthy and tedious section of Chester’s poem concerning different kinds of mining, but it works primarily as a brilliant pun on the exchange of selfhood that is the core of true love. Whereas Chester’s ambition was to gain or retain Salusbury’s patronage, Shakespeare rose above the occasion and indulged a vein of serious intellectual play of a kind much closer to the dazzling mind-bending of John Donne. “Single natures, double name, / Neither two nor one was called”: these paradoxes could serve not only as an epitaph for the phoenix and the turtle, but also as an epigraph for the double vision—the “I am not that I am,” the seeing “with parted eye, / When everything seems double”—that shapes Shakespeare’s dramatic universe.

KEY FACTS

LINGUISTIC MEDIUM: Venus and Adonis is in a six-line stanza rhyming ababaa, Lucrece in a seven-line stanza rhyming ababbcc (known as “rhyme royal”), both staple meters for poetic romance. Shakespeare’s sonnets, like most other English examples of the period, are shaped as three quatrains and a couplet (typically rhyming ababcdcdefefgg), in contrast to the Petrarchan or Italian structure of an octave and a sestet. “Let the Bird of Loudest Lay” and “To the Queen” are both written in trochaic tetrameters (as is, for example, the Fairies’ song at the end of A Midsummer Night’s Dream).

DATE: Venus and Adonis was published in 1593, The Rape of Lucrece in 1594, “To the Queen” was written for a court performance on February 20, 1599. “Let the Bird of Loudest Lay” was commissioned for a book published in 1601. The date of the sonnets is much disputed: the published volume was registered for publication in May 1609, but the vogue for sonneteering was at its height around the 1592–94 closure of the theaters due to plague. According to Francis Meres, some of Shakespeare’s “sugared sonnets” were circulating “among his private friends” in manuscript by 1598 (variant manuscript texts exist for several of them). Sonnet 107 apparently alludes to Queen Elizabeth’s death (spring 1603). Analysis of rare words suggests that 1–103 and 127–54 may date from the 1590s, 104–26 from the early 1600s.

SOURCES: Venus and Adonis is based on a story in book 10 of Ovid’s Metamorphoses, with some use of other Ovidian stories such as those of the lovely boys Narcissus (book 3) and Hermaphroditus (book 4). Lucrece derives from book 2 of Ovid’s Fasti and perhaps a translation from Livy’s History in William Painter’s Pallace of Pleasure (1566). The sonnets draw on, but also parody, an array of sonneteering conventions in the tradition that goes back to Petrarch; Ovidian interests such as desire and narcissism, time and change, and the durability of poetry are also pervasive.

TEXT: The well-printed 1593 Quarto of Venus and Adonis was reprinted in 1594, 1595?, 1596, 1599, 1599, 1602?, 1602, 1602, 1617, making it by a considerable margin Shakespeare’s bestseller in print. The well-printed 1594 Quarto of Lucrece was a little less popular but still much in demand (reprinted 1598, 1600, 1600, 1607, 1616). “To the Queen” remained in manuscript until 1972. “Let the Bird of Loudest Lay” was included in LOVES MARTYR OR, ROSALINS COMPLAINT. Allegorically shadowing the truth of Loue, in the constant Fate of the Phoenix and Turtle (1601), a verse collection dedicated to Sir John Salusbury, which included work by John Marston, George Chapman, and Ben Jonson appended to a long allegorical poem by the little-known Robert Chester; Shakespeare’s contribution is untitled and only became generally known as “The Phoenix and Turtle” (i.e., turtledove) from 1807. SHAKE-SPEARES SONNETS. Never before Imprinted was published in 1609, with “A Louers complaint. BY WILLIAM SHAKE-SPEARE” filling up the final leaves (not included in this edition). Littered with printing errors, it was little noticed upon publication and not reprinted. In 1640, John Benson published a collection of Poems: Written by Wil. Shake-speare. Gent., mainly based on the 1609 volume, but with considerable additions and alterations. The sonnets and poems did not enter the tradition of “Complete Works” Shakespeare until Edmond Malone edited them for his supplement to the 1778 Samuel Johnson/George Steevens edition.

EXCLUSIONS: The Passionate Pilgrim, a tiny volume containing 20 sonnets and song lyrics, was attributed to Shakespeare on publication in late 1598 or 1599. It is a mix of five poems by Shakespeare (two of the sonnets, and three lyrics from Love’s Labour’s Lost), some by others and some of uncertain authorship. We exclude it, since the Shakespearean poems appear elsewhere in our Complete Works, albeit in variant texts. “A Lover’s Complaint” was published with the sonnets and attributed to Shakespeare, but his authorship has often been doubted, and recent scholarship (notably Brian Vickers, Shakespeare, “A Lover’s Complaint” and John Davies of Hereford, 2007) has devastated the claim to Shakespearean authenticity and made a strong case for the authorship of John Davies of Hereford (1565?–1618), an admirer and imitator of Shakespeare. Various other short poems, notably several epigrams and epitaphs, have early attributions to Shakespeare, but none sufficiently secure to merit inclusion. Edited and annotated texts of The Passionate Pilgrim and “A Lover’s Complaint” are downloadable from our Web site, www.rscshakespeare.co.uk.

VENUS AND ADONIS

Vilia miretur vulgus; mihi flavus Apollo Pocula Castalia plena ministret aqua

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE HENRY WRIOTHESLEY, EARL OF SOUTHAMPTON AND BARON OF TITCHFIELD RIGHT HONOURABLE,

I KNOW not how I shall offend in dedicating my unpolished lines to your lordship, nor how the world will censure me for choosing so strong a prop to support so weak a burden; only if your honour seem but pleased, I account myself highly praised and vow to take advantage of all idle hours, till I have honoured you with some graver labour. But if the first heir of my invention prove deformed, I shall be sorry it had so noble a godfather and never after ear so barren a land, for fear it yield me still so bad a harvest. I leave it to your honourable survey, and your honour to your heart’s content, which I wish may always answer your own wish and the world’s hopeful expectation.

Your honour’s in all duty,

William Shakespeare

               EVEN as¹ the sun with purple-coloured face

               Had ta’en his last leave of the weeping morn,

               Rose-cheeked Adonis hied him³ to the chase.

               Hunting he loved, but love he laughed to scorn.

5

5                    Sick-thoughted⁵ Venus makes amain unto him

                     And like a bold-faced suitor ‘gins to woo him.

               ‘Thrice-fairer than myself’, thus she began,

               ‘The field’s chief flower, sweet above compare,

               Stain to⁹ all nymphs, more lovely than a man,

10

10            More white and red¹⁰ than doves or roses are:

                     Nature that made thee, with herself at strife,

                     Saith¹² that the world hath ending with thy life.

               ‘Vouchsafe,¹³ thou wonder, to alight thy steed

               And rein his proud¹⁴ head to the saddle-bow.

15

15            If thou wilt deign this favour, for thy meed¹⁵

               A thousand honey secrets¹⁶ shalt thou know:

                     Here come and sit, where never serpent hisses,

                     And being set,¹⁸ I’ll smother thee with kisses.

               ‘And yet not cloy thy lips with loathed satiety,¹⁹

20

20            But rather famish them amid their plenty,

               Making them red and pale with fresh variety:

               Ten kisses short as one, one long as twenty.

                     A summer’s day will seem an hour but short,

                     Being wasted²⁴ in such time-beguiling sport.’

25

25            With this she seizeth on his sweating²⁵ palm,

               The precedent²⁶ of pith and livelihood,

               And trembling in her passion, calls it balm,²⁷

               Earth’s sovereign²⁸ salve to do a goddess good:

                     Being so enraged,²⁹ desire doth lend her force

30

                     Courageously³⁰ to pluck him from his horse.

30            Over one arm the lusty³¹ courser’s rein,

               Under her other was the tender³² boy,

               Who blushed and pouted in a dull disdain,

               With leaden³⁴ appetite, unapt to toy,

35

35                  She red and hot as coals of glowing fire,

                     He red for shame, but frosty in desire.

               The studded³⁷ bridle on a ragged bough

               Nimbly she fastens. O, how quick is love!

               The steed is stallèd up,³⁹ and even now

40

40            To tie the rider she begins to prove:⁴⁰

                     Backward she pushed him, as she would⁴¹ be thrust,

                     And governed⁴² him in strength though not in lust.

               So⁴³ soon was she along as he was down,

               Each leaning on their elbows and their hips:

45

45            Now doth she stroke his cheek, now doth he frown

               And ‘gins to chide,⁴⁶ but soon she stops his lips

                     And kissing speaks, with lustful language broken,⁴⁷

                     ‘If thou wilt chide, thy lips shall never open.’

               He burns with bashful shame, she with her tears

50

50            Doth quench the maiden⁵⁰ burning of his cheeks,

               Then with her windy sighs and golden hairs

               To fan and blow them dry again she seeks.

                     He saith she is immodest, blames her miss:⁵³

                     What follows more, she murders with a kiss.

55

55            Even as an empty⁵⁵ eagle, sharp by fast,

               Tires⁵⁶ with her beak on feathers, flesh and bone,

               Shaking her wings, devouring all in haste,

               Till either gorge⁵⁸ be stuffed or prey be gone:

                     Even so she kissed his brow, his cheek, his chin,

60

60                  And where she ends, she doth anew begin.

               Forced to content,⁶¹ but never to obey,

               Panting he lies and breatheth in her face.

               She feedeth on the steam, as on a pray,⁶³

               And calls it heavenly moisture, air of grace,

65

65                  Wishing her cheeks were gardens full of flowers,

                     So they were dewed with such distilling⁶⁶ showers.

               Look, how a bird lies tangled in a net,

               So fastened in her arms Adonis lies.

               Pure shame and awed⁶⁹ resistance made him fret,

70

70            Which bred more beauty in his angry eyes:

                     Rain added to a river that is rank⁷¹

                     Perforce⁷² will force it overflow the bank.

               Still she entreats and prettily⁷³ entreats,

               For to a pretty ear she tunes her tale.

75

75            Still is he sullen, still he lours⁷⁵ and frets,

               ’Twixt⁷⁶ crimson shame and anger ashy-pale:

                     Being red, she loves him best, and being white,

                     Her best is bettered with a more delight.

               Look⁷⁹ how he can, she cannot choose but love,

80

80            And by her fair immortal hand she swears

               From his soft bosom never to remove⁸¹

               Till he take truce with her contending⁸² tears,

                     Which long have rained, making her cheeks all wet,

                     And one sweet kiss shall pay this countless⁸⁴ debt.

85

85            Upon this promise did he raise his chin,

               Like a dive-dapper⁸⁶ peering through a wave,

               Who, being looked on, ducks as quickly in:

               So offers he to give what she did crave,

                     But when her lips were ready for his pay,

90

90                  He winks⁹⁰ and turns his lips another way.

               Never did passenger⁹¹ in summer’s heat

               More thirst for drink than she for this good turn.⁹²

               Her help she sees, but help she cannot get,

               She bathes in water,⁹⁴ yet her fire must burn:

95

95                  ‘O, pity,’ ’gan she cry, ‘flint-hearted boy!

                     ’Tis but a kiss I beg, why art thou coy?⁹⁶

               ‘I have been wooed, as I entreat thee now,

               Even by the stern and direful god of war,⁹⁸

               Whose sinewy⁹⁹ neck in battle ne’er did bow,

100

100          Who conquers where he comes in every jar,¹⁰⁰

                     Yet hath he been my captive and my slave

                     And begged for that which thou unasked shalt have.

               ‘Over my altars hath he hung his lance,

               His battered shield, his uncontrollèd¹⁰⁴ crest,

105

105          And for my sake hath learned to sport¹⁰⁵ and dance,

               To toy, to wanton, dally, smile and jest,

                     Scorning his churlish¹⁰⁷ drum and ensign red,

                     Making my arms¹⁰⁸ his field, his tent my bed.

               ‘Thus he that overruled I overswayed,¹⁰⁹

110

110          Leading him prisoner in a red rose chain.

               Strong-tempered¹¹¹ steel his stronger strength obeyed,

               Yet was he servile to my coy disdain.

                     O, be not proud, nor brag not of thy might,

                     For mast’ring her that foiled¹¹⁴ the god of fight.

115

115          ‘Touch but my lips with those fair lips of thine —

               Though mine be not so fair, yet are they red —

               The kiss shall be thine own as well as mine.

               What see’st thou in the ground? Hold up thy head.

                     Look in mine eyeballs, there¹¹⁹ thy beauty lies,

120

120                Then why not lips on lips, since eyes in eyes?

               ‘Art thou ashamed to kiss? Then wink¹²¹ again,

               And I will wink, so shall the day seem night.

               Love keeps his revels¹²³ where there are but twain:

               Be bold¹²⁴ to play, our sport is not in sight.

125

125                These blue-veined¹²⁵ violets whereon we lean

                     Never can blab nor know not what we mean.

               ‘The tender spring¹²⁷ upon thy tempting lip

               Shows thee unripe; yet mayst thou well be tasted.

               Make use of time, let not advantage slip,

130

130          Beauty within itself should not be wasted.

                     Fair flowers that are not gathered in their prime

                     Rot and consume themselves in little time.

               ‘Were I hard-favoured,¹³³ foul or wrinkled-old,

               Ill-nurtured,¹³⁴ crooked, churlish, harsh in voice,

135

135          O’erworn,¹³⁵ despisèd, rheumatic and cold,

               Thick-sighted,¹³⁶ barren, lean and lacking juice,

                     Then mightst thou pause, for then I were not for thee,

                     But having no defects, why dost abhor me?

               ‘Thou canst not see one wrinkle in my brow,

140

140          Mine eyes are grey¹⁴⁰ and bright and quick in turning:

               My beauty as the spring doth yearly grow,

               My flesh is soft and plump, my marrow¹⁴² burning,

                     My smooth moist hand, were it with thy hand felt,

                     Would in thy palm dissolve or seem to melt.

145

145          ‘Bid me discourse, I will enchant thine ear,

               Or like a fairy trip¹⁴⁶ upon the green,

               Or like a nymph¹⁴⁷ with long dishevelled hair

               Dance on the sands and yet no footing¹⁴⁸ seen.

                     Love is a spirit¹⁴⁹ all compact of fire,

150

150                Not gross¹⁵⁰ to sink, but light and will aspire.

               ‘Witness this primrose bank whereon I lie,

               These forceless¹⁵² flowers like sturdy trees support me:

               Two strengthless doves will draw me through the sky

               From morn till night, even where I list¹⁵⁴ to sport me.

155

155                Is love so light,¹⁵⁵ sweet boy, and may it be

                     That thou should think it heavy¹⁵⁶ unto thee?

               ‘Is thine own heart to thine own face affected?¹⁵⁷

               Can thy right hand seize love upon thy left?¹⁵⁸

               Then woo thyself, be of thyself rejected:

160

160          Steal thine own freedom and complain on¹⁶⁰ theft.

                     Narcissus¹⁶¹ so himself himself forsook,

                     And died to kiss his shadow¹⁶² in the brook.

               ‘Torches are made to light, jewels to wear,

               Dainties¹⁶⁴ to taste, fresh beauty for the use,

165

165          Herbs for their smell and sappy¹⁶⁵ plants to bear.

               Things growing to themselves are growth’s abuse:

                     Seeds spring from seeds and beauty breedeth beauty.

                     Thou wast begot: to get¹⁶⁸ it is thy duty.

               ‘Upon the earth’s increase¹⁶⁹ why shouldst thou feed,

170

170          Unless the earth with thy increase be fed?

               By law of nature thou art bound to breed,

               That thine¹⁷² may live when thou thyself art dead:

                     And so, in spite of death, thou dost survive,

                     In that thy likeness still is left alive.’

175

175          By this¹⁷⁵ the lovesick queen began to sweat,

               For where they lay the shadow had forsook them,

               And Titan,¹⁷⁷ tirèd in the midday heat,

               With burning¹⁷⁸ eye did hotly overlook them,

                     Wishing Adonis had his team¹⁷⁹ to guide,

180

180                So¹⁸⁰ he were like him and by Venus’ side.

               And now Adonis with a lazy sprite¹⁸¹

               And with a heavy, dark, disliking¹⁸² eye,

               His louring brows o’erwhelming his fair sight¹⁸³

               Like misty vapours¹⁸⁴ when they blot the sky,

185

185                Souring¹⁸⁵ his cheeks, cries, ‘Fie, no more of love!

                     The sun doth burn my face. I must remove.’

               ‘Ay me,’ quoth Venus, ‘young and so unkind,

               What bare¹⁸⁸ excuses mak’st thou to be gone!

               I’ll sigh celestial breath, whose gentle wind

190

190          Shall cool the heat of this descending sun:

                     I’ll make a shadow for thee of my hairs,

                     If they burn too, I’ll quench them with my tears.

               ‘The sun that shines from heaven shines but warm,

               And, lo, I lie between that sun and thee:

195

195          The heat I have from thence doth little harm,

               Thine eye darts forth the fire that burneth me,

                     And were I not immortal, life were done¹⁹⁷

                     Between this heavenly¹⁹⁸ and earthly sun.

               ‘Art thou obdurate, flinty, hard as steel?

200

200          Nay, more than flint, for stone at rain relenteth:

               Art thou a woman’s son and canst not feel

               What ’tis to love, how want²⁰² of love tormenteth?

                     O, had thy mother²⁰³ borne so hard a mind,

                     She had not brought forth thee, but died unkind.²⁰⁴

205

205          ‘What am I that thou shouldst contemn²⁰⁵ me this?

               Or what great danger dwells upon my suit?²⁰⁶

               What were thy lips the worse for one poor kiss?

               Speak, fair, but speak fair words or else be mute:

                     Give me one kiss, I’ll give it thee again,

210

210                And one for int’rest, if thou wilt have twain.

               ‘Fie, lifeless picture, cold and senseless stone,

               Well-painted idol, image dull and dead,

               Statue²¹³ contenting but the eye alone,

               Thing like a man, but of no woman bred:

215

215                Thou art no man, though of a man’s complexion,²¹⁵

                     For men will kiss even by²¹⁶ their own direction.’

               This said, impatience chokes her pleading tongue,

               And swelling passion doth provoke a pause,

               Red cheeks and fiery eyes blaze forth²¹⁹ her wrong:

220

220          Being²²⁰ judge in love, she cannot right her cause;

                     And now she weeps and now she fain²²¹ would speak,

                     And now her sobs do her intendments²²² break.

               Sometime she shakes her head and then his hand,

               Now gazeth she on him, now on the ground;

225

225          Sometime her arms enfold him like a band,

               She would,²²⁶ he will not in her arms be bound:

                     And when from thence he struggles to be gone,

                     She locks²²⁸ her lily fingers one in one.

               ‘Fondling,²²⁹’ she saith, ‘since I have hemmed thee here

230

230          Within the circuit of this ivory pale,²³⁰

               I’ll be a park²³¹ and thou shalt be my deer:

               Feed where thou wilt on mountain²³² or in dale,

                     Graze on my lips and, if those hills be dry,

                     Stray lower, where the pleasant fountains lie.

235

235          Within this limit²³⁵ is relief enough,

               Sweet bottom-grass²³⁶ and high delightful plain,

               Round rising hillocks,²³⁷ brakes obscure and rough,

               To shelter thee from tempest and from rain:

                     Then be my deer, since I am such a park,

240

240                No dog shall rouse²⁴⁰ thee, though a thousand bark.’

               At this Adonis smiles as in disdain,

               That in each cheek appears a pretty dimple;

               Love made those hollows, if²⁴³ himself were slain,

               He might be buried in a tomb so simple,

245

245                Foreknowing well, if there he came to lie,

                     Why, there love lived and there he could not die.

               These lovely caves,²⁴⁷ these round enchanting pits,

               Opened their mouths to swallow Venus’ liking:

               Being mad before, how doth she now for wits?²⁴⁹

250

250          Struck²⁵⁰ dead at first, what needs a second striking?

                     Poor queen of love, in thine own law forlorn,²⁵¹

                     To love a cheek that smiles at thee in scorn.

               Now which way shall she turn? What shall she say?

               Her words are done, her woes are more increasing,

255

255          The time is spent, her object will away,

               And from her twining arms doth urge releasing: ‘

                     Pity!’ she cries, ‘Some favour, some remorse!²⁵⁷’

                     Away he springs and hasteth to his horse.

               But, lo, from forth a copse that neighbours by,²⁵⁹

260

260          A breeding²⁶⁰ jennet, lusty, young and proud,

               Adonis’ trampling courser²⁶¹ doth espy,

               And forth she rushes, snorts and neighs aloud.

                     The strong-necked steed, being tied unto a tree,

                     Breaketh his rein and to her straight²⁶⁴ goes he.

265

265          Imperiously he leaps, he neighs, he bounds,

               And now his woven girths²⁶⁶ he breaks asunder,

               The bearing²⁶⁷ earth with his hard hoof he wounds,

               Whose hollow womb resounds like heaven’s thunder,

                     The iron bit he crusheth ’tween his teeth,

270

270                Controlling what he was controllèd with.

               His ears up-pricked, his braided hanging mane

               Upon his compassed crest²⁷² now stand on end,

               His nostrils drink the air and forth again,

               As from a furnace, vapours doth he send:

275

275                His eye, which scornfully glisters²⁷⁵ like fire,

                     Shows his hot courage²⁷⁶ and his high desire.

               Sometime he trots, as if he told²⁷⁷ the steps

               With gentle²⁷⁸ majesty and modest pride,

               Anon²⁷⁹ he rears upright, curvets and leaps,

280

280          As who should²⁸⁰ say, ‘Lo, thus my strength is tried

                     And this I do to captivate the eye

                     Of the fair breeder that is standing by.’

               What recketh he²⁸³ his rider’s angry stir,

               His flattering²⁸⁴ ‘Holla’, or his ‘Stand, I say’?

285

285          What cares he now for curb²⁸⁵ or pricking spur?

               For rich caparisons²⁸⁶ or trappings gay?

                     He sees his love and nothing else he sees,

                     For nothing else with his proud sight agrees.

               Look when a painter would surpass the life

290

290          In limning out²⁹⁰ a well-proportioned steed,

               His art with nature’s workmanship at strife,

               As if the dead the living should exceed:

                     So did this horse excel a common one

                     In shape, in courage, colour, pace and bone.²⁹⁴

295

295          Round-hoofed, short-jointed, fetlocks²⁹⁵ shag and long,

               Broad breast, full eye, small head and nostril wide,

               High crest,²⁹⁷ short ears, straight legs and passing strong,

               Thin mane, thick tail, broad buttock, tender hide:

                     Look what a horse should have he did not lack,

300

300                Save a proud rider on so proud a back.

               Sometime he scuds³⁰¹ far off and there he stares,

               Anon he starts at stirring of a feather:

               To bid³⁰³ the wind a base he now prepares,

               And where³⁰⁴ he run or fly they know not whether:

305

305                For through his mane and tail the high wind sings,

                     Fanning the hairs, who³⁰⁶ wave like feathered wings.

               He looks upon his love and neighs unto her,

               She answers him as if she knew his mind:

               Being proud, as females are, to see him woo her,

310

310          She puts³¹⁰ on outward strangeness, seems unkind,

                     Spurns at³¹¹ his love and scorns the heat he feels,

                     Beating his kind embracements³¹² with her heels.

               Then, like a melancholy malcontent,

               He vails³¹⁴ his tail that like a falling plume

315

315          Cool shadow to his melting buttock lent.

               He stamps and bites the poor flies in his fume:³¹⁶

                     His love, perceiving how he was enraged,

                     Grew kinder and his fury was assuaged.

               His testy³¹⁹ master goeth about to take him,

320

320          When, lo, the unbacked³²⁰ breeder, full of fear,

               Jealous of catching,³²¹ swiftly doth forsake him,

               With her the horse, and left Adonis there:

                     As³²³ they were mad, unto the wood they hie them,

                     Outstripping crows that strive to overfly them.

325

325          All swoll’n with chafing,³²⁵ down Adonis sits,

               Banning³²⁶ his boist’rous and unruly beast;

               And now the happy³²⁷ season once more fits

               That lovesick love³²⁸ by pleading may be blest:

                     For lovers say the heart hath treble wrong

330

330                When it is barred the aidance³³⁰ of the tongue.

               An oven that is stopped³³¹ or river stayed

               Burneth more hotly, swelleth with more rage:

               So³³³ of concealèd sorrow may be said

               Free vent³³⁴ of words love’s fire doth assuage,

335

335                But when the heart’s attorney³³⁵ once is mute,

                     The client³³⁶ breaks, as desperate in his suit.

               He sees her coming and begins to glow,

               Even as a dying coal revives with wind,

               And with his bonnet³³⁹ hides his angry brow,

340

340          Looks on the dull earth with disturbèd mind,

                     Taking no notice that she is so nigh,³⁴¹

                     For all³⁴² askance he holds her in his eye.

               O, what a sight it was, wistly³⁴³ to view

               How she came stealing to the wayward³⁴⁴ boy,

345

345          To note the fighting conflict of her hue,

               How white and red each other did destroy:

                     But³⁴⁷ now her cheek was pale and by and by

                     It flashed forth fire, as lightning from the sky.

               Now was she just before³⁴⁹ him as he sat,

350

350          And like a lowly lover down she kneels,

               With one fair hand she heaveth³⁵¹ up his hat,

               Her other tender hand his fair cheek feels:

                     His tend’rer cheek receives her soft hand’s print,

                     As apt³⁵⁴ as new-fall’n snow takes any dint.

355

355          O, what a war of looks was then between them,

               Her eyes petitioners to his eyes suing,³⁵⁶

               His eyes saw her eyes, as³⁵⁷ they had not seen them,

               Her eyes wooed still, his eyes disdained the wooing:

                     And all this dumb play³⁵⁹ had his acts made plain

360

360                With tears, which chorus-like³⁶⁰ her eyes did rain.

               Full³⁶¹ gently now she takes him by the hand,

               A lily prisoned³⁶² in a jail of snow,

               Or ivory in an alabaster band,³⁶³

               So white a friend engirts³⁶⁴ so white a foe:

365

365                This beauteous combat, wilful³⁶⁵ and unwilling,

                     Showed like two silver doves that sit a-billing.³⁶⁶

               Once more the engine³⁶⁷ of her thoughts began,

               ‘O fairest mover³⁶⁸ on this mortal round,

               Would thou wert³⁶⁹ as I am, and I a man,

370

370          My heart all whole as thine, thy heart my wound,³⁷⁰

                     For one sweet look thy³⁷¹ help I would assure thee,

                     Though nothing but my body’s bane³⁷² would cure thee.’

               ‘Give me my hand,’ saith he, ‘why dost thou feel it?’

               ‘Give me my heart’, saith she, ‘and thou shalt have it.

375

375          O, give it me, lest thy hard heart do steel³⁷⁵ it,

               And being steeled, soft sighs can never grave³⁷⁶ it.

                     Then love’s deep groans I never shall regard,³⁷⁷

                     Because Adonis’ heart hath made mine hard.’

               ‘For shame!’ he cries, ‘Let go and let me go:

380

380          My day’s delight is past, my horse is gone,

               And ’tis your fault I am bereft³⁸¹ him so.

               I pray you hence³⁸² and leave me here alone,

                     For all my mind, my thought, my busy care,

                     Is how to get my palfrey³⁸⁴ from the mare.’

385

385          Thus she replies, ‘Thy palfrey, as he should,

               Welcomes the warm approach of sweet desire:

               Affection³⁸⁷ is a coal that must be cooled,

               Else, suffered,³⁸⁸ it will set the heart on fire.

                     The sea hath bounds, but deep desire hath none,

390

390                Therefore no marvel though thy horse be gone.

               ‘How like a jade³⁹¹ he stood, tied to the tree,

               Servilely mastered with a leathern rein,

               But when he saw his love, his youth’s fair fee,³⁹³

               He held such petty bondage in disdain,

395

395                Throwing the base thong³⁹⁵ from his bending crest,

                     Enfranchising³⁹⁶ his mouth, his back, his breast.

               ‘Who sees his true-love in³⁹⁷ her naked bed,

               Teaching the sheets a whiter hue than white,

               But, when his glutton eye so full hath fed,

400

400          His other agents⁴⁰⁰ aim at like delight?

                     Who is so faint⁴⁰¹ that dares not be so bold

                     To touch the fire, the weather being cold?

               ‘Let me excuse thy courser, gentle boy,

               And learn of⁴⁰⁴ him, I heartily beseech thee,

405

405          To take advantage on⁴⁰⁵ presented joy.

               Though⁴⁰⁶ I were dumb, yet his proceedings teach thee.

                     O, learn to love: the lesson is but plain,

                     And once made perfect,⁴⁰⁸ never lost again.’

               ‘I know not love,’ quoth⁴⁰⁹ he, ‘nor will not know it,

410

410          Unless it be a boar and then I chase it,

               ’Tis much to borrow and I will not owe⁴¹¹ it.

               My⁴¹² love to love is love but to disgrace it,

                     For I have heard it is a life in death,

                     That laughs and weeps and all but⁴¹⁴ with a breath.

415

415          ‘Who wears a garment shapeless and unfinished?

               Who plucks the bud before one leaf put forth?

               If springing⁴¹⁷ things be any jot diminished,

               They wither in their prime, prove nothing worth:

                     The colt that’s backed and burdened⁴¹⁹ being young

420

420                Loseth his pride and never waxeth⁴²⁰ strong.

               ‘You hurt my hand with wringing, let us part

               And leave this idle⁴²² theme, this bootless chat.

               Remove your siege from my unyielding heart:

               To love’s alarms⁴²⁴ it will not ope the gate.

425

425                Dismiss your vows, your feignèd tears, your flattery,

                     For where a heart is hard they make no battery.⁴²⁶’

               ‘What, canst thou talk?’ quoth she, ‘Hast thou a tongue?

               O, would thou hadst not, or I had no hearing.

               Thy mermaid’s⁴²⁹ voice hath done me double wrong:

430

430          I had my load before, now pressed⁴³⁰ with bearing:

                     Melodious discord, heavenly tune harsh sounding,

                     Ear’s deep-sweet music and heart’s deep-sore wounding.

               ‘Had I no eyes but ears, my ears would love

               That inward⁴³⁴ beauty and invisible,

435

435          Or were I deaf, thy outward parts⁴³⁵ would move

               Each part in me that were but sensible:⁴³⁶

                     Though neither eyes nor ears, to hear nor see,

                     Yet should I be in love by touching thee.

               ‘Say that the sense of feeling were bereft me,

440

440          And that I could not see nor hear nor touch,

               And nothing but the very smell were left me,

               Yet would my love to thee be still as much:

                     For from the stillatory⁴⁴³ of thy face excelling

                     Comes breath perfumed that breedeth love by smelling.

445

445          ‘But O, what banquet wert thou to the taste,

               Being nurse and feeder of the other four.⁴⁴⁶

               Would they not wish the feast might ever last

               And bid suspicion⁴⁴⁸ double-lock the door,

                     Lest jealousy, that sour unwelcome guest,

450

450                Should by his stealing in disturb the feast?’

               Once more the ruby-coloured portal⁴⁵¹ opened,

               Which to his speech did honey passage yield,

               Like a red morn that ever yet betokened⁴⁵³

               Wrack to the seaman, tempest to the field,

455

455                Sorrow to shepherds, woe unto the birds,

                     Gusts and foul flaws⁴⁵⁶ to herdmen and to herds.

               This ill presage⁴⁵⁷ advisedly she marketh,

               Even as the wind is hushed before it raineth,

               Or as the wolf doth grin⁴⁵⁹ before he barketh,

460

460          Or as the berry breaks before it staineth,

                     Or like the deadly bullet of a gun,

                     His meaning struck her ere⁴⁶² his words begun.

               And at his look she flatly⁴⁶³ falleth down,

               For looks kill love and love by looks reviveth:

465

465          A smile recures⁴⁶⁵ the wounding of a frown.

               But blessèd bankrupt that by love⁴⁶⁶ so thriveth,

                     The silly boy, believing she is dead,

                     Claps her pale cheek, till clapping makes it red,

               And all amazed brake off his late intent,⁴⁶⁹

470

470          For sharply he did think to reprehend her,

               Which cunning⁴⁷¹ love did wittily prevent:

               Fair fall⁴⁷² the wit that can so well defend her!

                     For on the grass she lies as she were slain,

                     Till his breath breatheth life in her again.

475

475          He wrings⁴⁷⁵ her nose, he strikes her on the cheeks,

               He bends her fingers, holds her pulses hard,

               He chafes her lips: a thousand ways he seeks

               To mend the hurt that his unkindness marred.

                     He kisses her and she, by her good will,

480

480                Will never rise, so⁴⁸⁰ he will kiss her still.

               The night of sorrow now is turned to day.

               Her two blue windows⁴⁸² faintly she upheaveth,

               Like the fair sun when in his fresh array

               He cheers the morn and all the earth relieveth:

485

485                And as the bright sun glorifies the sky,

                     So is her face illumined with her eye,

               Whose beams upon his hairless face are fixed,

               As if from thence they borrowed all their shine.

               Were never four such lamps together mixed,

490

490          Had not his clouded with his brow’s repine,⁴⁹⁰

                     But hers, which through the crystal tears gave light,

                     Shone like the moon in water seen by night.

               ‘O, where am I?’ quoth she, ‘In earth or heaven,

               Or in the ocean drenched⁴⁹⁴ or in the fire?

495

495          What hour is this? Or⁴⁹⁵ morn or weary even?

               Do I delight to die or life desire?

                     But now I lived and life was death’s annoy,⁴⁹⁷

                     But now I died and death was lively joy.

               ‘O, thou didst kill me! Kill me once again!

500

500          Thy eyes’ shrewd⁵⁰⁰ tutor, that hard heart of thine,

               Hath taught them scornful tricks and such disdain

               That they have murdered this poor heart of mine,

                     And these mine eyes, true leaders⁵⁰³ to their queen,

                     But⁵⁰⁴ for thy piteous lips no more had seen.

505

505          ‘Long may they kiss each other for this cure!

               O, never let their crimson liveries⁵⁰⁶ wear,

               And as they last, their verdure⁵⁰⁷ still endure

               To drive infection from the dangerous year

                     That the star-gazers,⁵⁰⁹ having writ on death,

510

510                May say the plague⁵¹⁰ is banished by thy breath.

               ‘Pure lips, sweet seals⁵¹¹ in my soft lips imprinted,

               What bargains may I make, still to be sealing?

               To sell myself⁵¹³ I can be well contented,

               So⁵¹⁴ thou wilt buy and pay and use good dealing,

515

515                Which purchase if thou make, for fear of slips⁵¹⁵

                     Set thy seal-manual⁵¹⁶ on my wax-red lips.

               ‘A thousand kisses buys my heart from me,

               And pay them at thy leisure, one by one.

               What is ten hundred touches⁵¹⁹ unto thee?

520

520          Are they not quickly told⁵²⁰ and quickly gone?

                     Say for non-payment that the debt should double,

                     Is twenty hundred kisses such a trouble?’

               ‘Fair queen,⁵²³’ quoth he, ‘if any love you owe me,

               Measure⁵²⁴ my strangeness with my unripe years,

525

525          Before I know⁵²⁵ myself, seek not to know me.

               No fisher but the ungrown fry⁵²⁶ forbears:

                     The mellow⁵²⁷ plum doth fall, the green sticks fast,

                     Or being early plucked is sour to taste.

               ‘Look, the world’s comforter⁵²⁹ with weary gait

530

530          His day’s hot task hath ended in the west,

               The owl,⁵³¹ night’s herald, shrieks, ’tis very late,

               The sheep are gone to fold,⁵³² birds to their nest,

                     And coal-black clouds that shadow heaven’s light

                     Do summon us to part and bid good night.

535

535          ‘Now let me say “Goodnight”, and so say you:

               If you will say so, you shall have a kiss.’

               ‘Goodnight’, quoth she and ere he says ‘Adieu’

               The honey fee of parting tendered⁵³⁸ is.

                     Her arms do lend his neck a sweet embrace:

540

540                Incorp’rate⁵⁴⁰ then they seem, face grows to face,

               Till, breathless, he disjoined⁵⁴¹ and backward drew

               The heavenly moisture, that sweet coral mouth,

               Whose precious taste her thirsty lips well knew,

               Whereon they surfeit,⁵⁴⁴ yet complain on drouth:

545

545                He with her plenty⁵⁴⁵ pressed, she faint with dearth,

                     Their lips together glued, fall to the earth.

               Now quick desire hath caught the yielding prey,

               And glutton-like she feeds, yet never filleth.

               Her lips are conquerors, his lips obey,

550

550          Paying what ransom the insulter⁵⁵⁰ willeth,

                     Whose vulture⁵⁵¹ thought doth pitch the price so high

                     That she will draw his lips’ rich treasure dry.

               And having felt the sweetness of the spoil,⁵⁵³

               With blindfold fury she begins to forage:⁵⁵⁴

555

555          Her face doth reek and smoke,⁵⁵⁵ her blood doth boil,

               And careless⁵⁵⁶ lust stirs up a desperate courage,

                     Planting oblivion,⁵⁵⁷ beating reason back,

                     Forgetting shame’s pure blush and honour’s wrack.⁵⁵⁸

               Hot, faint and weary, with her hard embracing,

560

560          Like a wild bird being tamed with too much handling,

               Or as the fleet-foot roe⁵⁶¹ that’s tired with chasing,

               Or like the froward⁵⁶² infant stilled with dandling,

                     He now obeys and now no more resisteth,

                     While she takes all she can, not all she listeth.⁵⁶⁴

565

565          What wax so⁵⁶⁵ frozen but dissolves with temp’ring,

               And yields at last to every light impression?

               Things out of hope⁵⁶⁷ are compassed oft with vent’ring,

               Chiefly in love, whose⁵⁶⁸ leave exceeds commission:

                     Affection faints not like a pale-faced coward,

570

570                But then woos best, when most his choice⁵⁷⁰ is froward.

               When he did frown, O, had she then gave over,⁵⁷¹

               Such nectar from his lips she had not sucked.

               Foul⁵⁷³ words and frowns must not repel a lover:

               What though the rose⁵⁷⁴ have prickles, yet ’tis plucked!

575

575                Were beauty under twenty locks kept fast,⁵⁷⁵

                     Yet love breaks through and picks them all at last.

               For pity now she can no more detain him:

               The poor fool prays her that he may depart.

               She is resolved no longer to restrain him,

580

580          Bids him farewell and look well to⁵⁸⁰ her heart,

                     The which, by Cupid’s⁵⁸¹ bow she doth protest,

                     He carries thence incagéd in his breast.

               ‘Sweet boy,’ she says, ‘this night I’ll waste⁵⁸³ in sorrow,

               For my sick heart commands mine eyes to watch.⁵⁸⁴

585

585          Tell me, love’s master, shall we meet tomorrow?

               Say, shall we? Shall we? Wilt thou make the match?⁵⁸⁶’

                     He tells her, ‘No’, tomorrow he intends

                     To hunt the boar with certain of his friends.

               ‘The boar?’ quoth she, whereat a sudden pale,

590

590          Like lawn⁵⁹⁰ being spread upon the blushing rose,

               Usurps her cheek: she trembles at his tale

               And on his neck her yoking⁵⁹² arms she throws.

                     She sinketh down still hanging by his neck,

                     He on her belly falls, she on her back.

595

595          Now is she in the very lists⁵⁹⁵ of love,

               Her champion⁵⁹⁶ mounted for the hot encounter:

               All is imaginary she doth prove,⁵⁹⁷

               He will not manage⁵⁹⁸ her, although he mount her,

                     That⁵⁹⁹ worse than Tantalus’ is her annoy,

600

600                To clip⁶⁰⁰ Elysium and to lack her joy.

               Even so poor birds, deceived with painted grapes,⁶⁰¹

               Do surfeit by the eye and pine the maw:⁶⁰²

               Even so she languisheth in her mishaps,⁶⁰³

               As those poor birds that helpless⁶⁰⁴ berries saw.

605

605                The warm effects,⁶⁰⁵ which she in him finds missing,

                     She seeks to kindle with continual kissing.

               But all in vain: good queen, it will not be.

               She hath assayed⁶⁰⁸ as much as may be proved.

               Her pleading hath deserved a greater fee:

610

610          She’s love, she loves and yet she is not loved.

                     ‘Fie,⁶¹¹ fie!’ he says, ‘You crush me! Let me go!

                     You have no reason to withhold me so.’

               ‘Thou hadst⁶¹³ been gone’, quoth she, ‘sweet boy, ere this,

               But that thou told’st me thou wouldst hunt the boar.

615

615          O, be advised!⁶¹⁵ Thou know’st not what it is

               With javelin’s point a churlish⁶¹⁶ swine to gore,

                     Whose tushes⁶¹⁷ never sheathed he whetteth still,

                     Like to a mortal⁶¹⁸ butcher bent to kill.

               ‘On his bow-back⁶¹⁹ he hath a battle set

620

620          Of bristly pikes⁶²⁰ that ever threat his foes,

               His eyes like glow-worms shine when he doth fret,⁶²¹

               His snout digs sepulchres⁶²² where’er he goes:

                     Being moved,⁶²³ he strikes whate’er is in his way,

                     And whom he strikes, his crooked tushes slay.

625

625          ‘His brawny⁶²⁵ sides with hairy bristles armed

               Are better proof⁶²⁶ than thy spear’s point can enter,

               His short thick neck cannot be easily harmed,

               Being ireful⁶²⁸ on the lion he will venture:

                     The thorny brambles and embracing bushes,

630

630                As fearful of him, part, through whom he rushes.

               ‘Alas, he nought esteems that face of thine,

               To which love’s eyes pays tributary⁶³² gazes,

               Nor thy soft hands, sweet lips and crystal eyne,⁶³³

               Whose full perfection all the world amazes,

635

635                But having thee at vantage⁶³⁵ — wondrous dread! —

                     Would root⁶³⁶ these beauties as he roots the mead.

               ‘O, let him keep his loathsome cabin⁶³⁷ still:

               Beauty hath nought to do with such foul⁶³⁸ fiends.

               Come not within his danger by thy will:⁶³⁹

640

640          They that thrive well take counsel of their friends.

                     When thou didst name the boar, not to dissemble,⁶⁴¹

                     I feared thy fortune and my joints did tremble.

               ‘Didst thou not mark my face? Was it not white?

               Saw’st thou not signs of fear lurk in mine eye?

645

645          Grew I not faint? And fell I not downright?⁶⁴⁵

               Within my bosom whereon thou dost lie,

                     My boding⁶⁴⁷ heart pants, beats and takes no rest,

                     But like an earthquake shakes thee on my breast.

               ‘For where love reigns, disturbing jealousy⁶⁴⁹

650

650          Doth call himself affection’s sentinel,⁶⁵⁰

               Gives false alarms, suggesteth⁶⁵¹ mutiny,

               And in a peaceful hour doth cry ‘Kill, kill!’

                     Distemp’ring⁶⁵³ gentle love in his desire,

                     As air and water do abate⁶⁵⁴ the fire.

655

655          ‘This sour informer, this bate-breeding⁶⁵⁵ spy,

               This canker⁶⁵⁶ that eats up love’s tender spring,

               This carry-tale,⁶⁵⁷ dissentious jealousy,

               That sometime true news, sometime false doth bring,

                     Knocks at my heart and whispers in mine ear

660

660                That if I love thee, I thy death should fear,

               ‘And more than so,⁶⁶¹ presenteth to mine eye

               The picture of an angry, chafing boar,

               Under whose sharp fangs on his⁶⁶³ back doth lie

               An image like thyself, all stained with gore,

665

665                Whose blood upon the fresh flowers being shed

                     Doth make them droop with grief and hang the head.

               ‘What should I do, seeing thee so indeed,⁶⁶⁷

               That⁶⁶⁸ tremble at th’imagination?

               The thought of it doth make my faint heart bleed,

670

670          And fear doth teach it divination;⁶⁷⁰

                     I prophesy thy death, my living sorrow,

                     If thou encounter with the boar tomorrow.

               ‘But if thou needs wilt⁶⁷³ hunt, be ruled by me,

               Uncouple⁶⁷⁴ at the timorous flying hare,

675

675          Or at the fox which lives by subtlety,⁶⁷⁵

               Or at the roe⁶⁷⁶ which no encounter dare:

                     Pursue these fearful creatures o’er the downs,

                     And on thy well-breathed⁶⁷⁸ horse keep with thy hounds.

               ‘And when thou hast on foot⁶⁷⁹ the purblind hare,

680

680          Mark the poor wretch: to overshoot⁶⁸⁰ his troubles,

               How he outruns the wind and with what care

               He cranks and crosses⁶⁸² with a thousand doubles.

                     The many musets⁶⁸³ through the which he goes

                     Are like a labyrinth to amaze⁶⁸⁴ his foes.

685

685          ‘Sometime he runs among a flock of sheep

               To make the cunning⁶⁸⁶ hounds mistake their smell,

               And sometime where earth-delving conies⁶⁸⁷ keep

               To stop the loud pursuers in their yell,

                     And sometime sorteth⁶⁸⁹ with a herd of deer —

690

690                Danger deviseth shifts,⁶⁹⁰ wit waits on fear —

               ‘For there his smell with others being mingled,

               The hot scent-snuffing hounds are driven to doubt,

               Ceasing their clamorous cry till they have singled

               With much ado⁶⁹⁴ the cold fault cleanly out.

695

695                Then do they spend their mouths:⁶⁹⁵ echo replies,

                     As if another chase were in the skies.

               ‘By this, poor Wat,⁶⁹⁷ far off upon a hill,

               Stands on his hinder legs with list’ning ear

               To harken if his foes pursue him still.

700

700          Anon their loud alarums⁷⁰⁰ he doth hear,

                     And now his grief may be comparèd well

                     To one sore⁷⁰² sick that hears the passing-bell.

               ‘Then shalt thou see the dew-bedabbled⁷⁰³ wretch

               Turn and return,⁷⁰⁴ indenting with the way.

705

705          Each envious⁷⁰⁵ briar his weary legs do scratch,

               Each shadow makes him stop, each murmur stay:

                     For misery is trodden on by many

                     And, being low, never relieved⁷⁰⁸ by any.

               ‘Lie quietly and hear a little more —

710

710          Nay, do not struggle, for thou shalt not rise —

               To make thee hate the hunting of the boar:

               Unlike myself⁷¹² thou hear’st me moralize,

                     Applying this to that and so to so —

                     For love can comment upon every woe.

715

715          ‘Where did I leave?⁷¹⁵’ ‘No matter where’, quoth he,

               ‘Leave me and then the story aptly⁷¹⁶ ends:

               The night is spent.’ ‘Why, what of that?’ quoth she.

               ‘I am’, quoth he, ‘expected of⁷¹⁸ my friends,

                     And now ’tis dark and going I shall fall.’

720

720                ‘In night’, quoth she, ‘desire sees best of all.

               ‘But if thou fall, O then imagine this,

               The earth, in love with thee, thy footing trips,

               And all is but to rob thee of a kiss.

               Rich preys make true⁷²⁴ men thieves: so do thy lips

725

725                Make modest Dian⁷²⁵ cloudy and forlorn,

                     Lest she should steal a kiss and die forsworn.⁷²⁶

               ‘Now of⁷²⁷ this dark night I perceive the reason:

               Cynthia⁷²⁸ for shame obscures her silver shine,

               Till forging⁷²⁹ nature be condemned of treason

730

730          For stealing moulds from heaven that were divine,

                     Wherein she framed⁷³¹ thee, in high heaven’s despite,

                     To shame the sun by day and her by night.

               ‘And therefore hath she bribed the destinies⁷³³

               To cross⁷³⁴ the curious workmanship of nature,

735

735          To mingle beauty with infirmities

               And pure perfection with impure defeature,⁷³⁶

                     Making it subject to the tyranny

                     Of mad mischances⁷³⁸ and much misery,

               ‘As burning fevers, agues⁷³⁹ pale and faint,

740

740          Life-poisoning pestilence⁷⁴⁰ and frenzies wood,

               The marrow-eating sickness⁷⁴¹ whose attaint

               Disorder⁷⁴² breeds by heating of the blood,

                     Surfeits,⁷⁴³ impostumes, grief and damned despair:

                     Swear nature’s death for framing thee so fair.

745

745          ‘And not the least of all these maladies

               But in one minute’s fight brings beauty under:

               Both favour,⁷⁴⁷ savour, hue and qualities,

               Whereat th’impartial gazer late did wonder,

                     Are on the sudden wasted, thawed and done,

750

750                As mountain snow melts with the midday sun.

               ‘Therefore, despite of fruitless⁷⁵¹ chastity,

               Love-lacking vestals⁷⁵² and self-loving nuns

               That on the earth would breed a scarcity

               And barren dearth⁷⁵⁴ of daughters and of sons,

755

755                Be prodigal:⁷⁵⁵ the lamp that burns by night

                     Dries up his oil⁷⁵⁶ to lend the world his light.

               ‘What is thy body but a swallowing grave,

               Seeming to bury that posterity

               Which by the rights of time thou needs must have,

760

760          If thou destroy⁷⁶⁰ them not in dark obscurity?

                     If so, the world will hold thee in disdain,

                     Sith⁷⁶² in thy pride so fair a hope is slain.

               ‘So in thyself thyself art made away,⁷⁶³

               A mischief⁷⁶⁴ worse than civil home-bred strife,

765

765          Or theirs whose⁷⁶⁵ desperate hands themselves do slay,

               Or butcher-sire⁷⁶⁶ that reaves his son of life:

                     Foul-cank’ring⁷⁶⁷ rust the hidden treasure frets,

                     But gold that’s put to use⁷⁶⁸ more gold begets.’

               ‘Nay, then,’ quoth Adon, ‘you will fall⁷⁶⁹ again

770

770          Into your idle over-handled⁷⁷⁰ theme;

               The kiss I gave you is bestowed in vain,

               And all in vain you strive against the stream,

                     For, by this black-faced night, desire’s foul⁷⁷³ nurse,

                     Your treatise⁷⁷⁴ makes me like you worse and worse.

775

775          ‘If love have lent you twenty thousand tongues,

               And every tongue more moving⁷⁷⁶ than your own,

               Bewitching like the wanton⁷⁷⁷ mermaids’ songs,

               Yet from mine ear the tempting tune is blown:

                     For know, my heart stands armèd in mine ear

780

780                And will not let a false sound enter there,

               ‘Lest⁷⁸¹ the deceiving harmony should run

               Into the quiet closure⁷⁸² of my breast,

               And then my little heart were quite undone,⁷⁸³

               In his bedchamber to be barred of rest:

785

785                No, lady, no! My heart longs not to groan,

                     But soundly sleeps, while now it sleeps alone.

               ‘What have you urged that I cannot reprove?⁷⁸⁷

               The path is smooth that leadeth on to danger:

               I hate not love, but your device⁷⁸⁹ in love

790

790          That lends embracements unto every stranger —

                     You do it for increase? O strange excuse,

                     When reason is the bawd⁷⁹² to lust’s abuse!

               ‘Call it not love, for love to heaven is fled,

               Since sweating lust on earth usurped his name,

795

795          Under whose simple semblance⁷⁹⁵ he hath fed

               Upon fresh beauty, blotting⁷⁹⁶ it with blame,

                     Which⁷⁹⁷ the hot tyrant stains and soon bereaves,

                     As caterpillars do the tender leaves.

               ‘Love comforteth like sunshine after rain,

800

800          But lust’s effect is tempest after sun:

               Love’s gentle spring doth always fresh remain,

               Lust’s winter comes ere summer half be done:

                     Love surfeits not, lust like a glutton dies:

                     Love is all truth, lust full of forgèd lies.

805

805          ‘More I could tell, but more I dare not say:

               The text⁸⁰⁶ is old, the orator too green.

               Therefore in sadness now I will away.

               My face is full of shame, my heart of teen,⁸⁰⁸

                     Mine ears, that to your wanton talk attended,

810

810                Do burn themselves for having so offended.’

               With this, he breaketh from the sweet embrace

               Of those fair arms which bound him to her breast

               And homeward through the dark laund⁸¹³ runs apace,

               Leaves love upon her back deeply distressed.

815

815                Look how a bright star shooteth from the sky,

                     So glides he in the night from Venus’ eye,⁸¹⁶

               Which after him she darts, as one on shore

               Gazing upon a late-embarkèd⁸¹⁸ friend

               Till the wild waves will have him seen no more,

820

820          Whose ridges⁸²⁰ with the meeting clouds contend;

                     So did the merciless and pitchy⁸²¹ night

                     Fold in⁸²² the object that did feed her sight.

               Whereat amazed, as one that unaware

               Hath dropped a precious jewel in the flood,⁸²⁴

825

825          Or stonished⁸²⁵ as night-wand’rers often are,

               Their light blown out in some mistrustful wood,

                     Even so confounded⁸²⁷ in the dark she lay,

                     Having lost the fair⁸²⁸ discovery of her way.

               And now she beats her heart, whereat it groans,

830

830          That all the neighbour⁸³⁰ caves, as seeming troubled,

               Make⁸³¹ verbal repetition of her moans:

               Passion⁸³² on passion deeply is redoubled,

                     ‘Ay me!’ she cries and twenty times, ‘Woe, woe!’

                     And twenty echoes twenty times cry so.

835

835          She, marking them, begins a wailing note

               And sings extemporally⁸³⁶ a woeful ditty:

               How love makes young men thrall⁸³⁷ and old men dote,

               How love is wise in folly, foolish-witty.

                     Her heavy⁸³⁹ anthem still concludes in woe,

840

840                And still the choir of echoes answer so.

               Her song was tedious and outwore the night,

               For lovers’ hours are long, though seeming short:

               If pleased themselves, others, they think, delight

               In suchlike circumstance, with suchlike sport:

845

845                Their copious⁸⁴⁵ stories, oftentimes begun,

                     End without audience and are never done.

               For who hath she to spend the night withal⁸⁴⁷

               But idle sounds resembling parasites,⁸⁴⁸

               Like shrill-tongued tapsters⁸⁴⁹ answering every call,

850

850          Soothing the humour⁸⁵⁰ of fantastic wits?

                     She says ‘’Tis so’. They answer all ‘’Tis so’,

                     And would say after her, if she said ‘No’.

               Lo, here the gentle lark, weary of rest,

               From his moist cabinet⁸⁵⁴ mounts up on high

855

855          And wakes the morning, from whose silver breast

               The sun ariseth in his majesty,

                     Who doth the world so gloriously behold

                     That cedar tops and hills seem burnished gold.

               Venus salutes him with this fair good-morrow,

860

860          ‘O thou clear⁸⁶⁰ god and patron of all light,

               From whom each lamp and shining star doth borrow

               The beauteous influence⁸⁶² that makes him bright,

There lives a son⁸⁶³ that sucked an earthly mother

May⁸⁶⁴ lend thee light, as thou dost lend to other.’

865

865          This said, she hasteth to a myrtle⁸⁶⁵ grove,

               Musing the morning is so much o’erworn,⁸⁶⁶

               And yet she hears no tidings of her love.

               She hearkens⁸⁶⁸ for his hounds and for his horn:

                     Anon she hears them chant it lustily,

870

870                And all in haste she coasteth⁸⁷⁰ to the cry.

               And as she runs, the bushes in the way

               Some catch her by the neck, some kiss her face,

               Some twined about her thigh to make her stay.

               She wildly breaketh from their strict embrace

875

875                Like a milch doe,⁸⁷⁵ whose swelling dugs do ache,

                     Hasting to feed her fawn hid in some brake.⁸⁷⁶

               By this she hears the hounds are⁸⁷⁷ at a bay,

               Whereat she starts, like one that spies an adder

               Wreathed up in fatal folds⁸⁷⁹ just in his way,

880

880          The fear whereof doth make him shake and shudder:

                     Even so the timorous yelping of the hounds

                     Appals⁸⁸² her senses and her spirit confounds.

               For now she knows it is no gentle chase,⁸⁸³

               But the blunt boar, rough bear, or lion proud,

885

885          Because the cry remaineth in one place,

               Where fearfully the dogs exclaim aloud:

                     Finding their enemy to be so curst,⁸⁸⁷

                     They all strain court’sy⁸⁸⁸ who shall cope him first.

               This dismal⁸⁸⁹ cry rings sadly in her ear,

890

890          Through which it enters to surprise⁸⁹⁰ her heart,

               Who, overcome by doubt and bloodless fear,

               With cold-pale weakness numbs each feeling part:

                     Like soldiers, when their captain once doth yield,

                     They basely fly⁸⁹⁴ and dare not stay the field.

895

895          Thus stands she in a trembling ecstasy,⁸⁹⁵

               Till, cheering up her senses all dismayed,

               She tells them ’tis a causeless fantasy

               And childish error that they are afraid,

                     Bids⁸⁹⁹ them leave quaking, bids them fear no more —

900

900                And with that word she spied the hunted boar,

               Whose frothy⁹⁰¹ mouth, bepainted all with red,

               Like milk and blood being mingled both together,

               A second fear through all her sinews⁹⁰³ spread,

               Which madly hurries her she knows not whither.

905

905                This way runs and now she will no further,

                     But back retires to rate⁹⁰⁶ the boar for murther.

               A thousand spleens⁹⁰⁷ bear her a thousand ways,

               She treads the path that she untreads again.

               Her more than haste is mated⁹⁰⁹ with delays,

910

910          Like the proceedings of a drunken brain,

                     Full of respects,⁹¹¹ yet naught at all respecting,

                     In hand⁹¹² with all things, naught at all effecting.

               Here kennelled in a brake she finds a hound

               And asks the weary caitiff⁹¹⁴ for his master,

915

915          And there another licking of his wound,

               Gainst venomed sores the only sovereign plaster.⁹¹⁶

                     And here she meets another, sadly scowling,

                     To whom she speaks and he replies with howling.

               When he hath ceased his ill-resounding⁹¹⁹ noise,

920

920          Another flap-mouthed⁹²⁰ mourner, black and grim,

               Against the welkin⁹²¹ volleys out his voice.

               Another and another answer him,

                     Clapping⁹²³ their proud tails to the ground below,

                     Shaking their scratched ears, bleeding as they go.

925

925          Look, how the world’s poor people are amazed

               At apparitions, signs and prodigies,⁹²⁶

               Whereon with fearful eyes they long have gazed,

               Infusing⁹²⁸ them with dreadful prophecies:

                     So she at these sad signs draws up⁹²⁹ her breath

930

930                And, sighing it again, exclaims on⁹³⁰ death.

               ‘Hard-favoured⁹³¹ tyrant, ugly, meagre, lean,

               Hateful divorce⁹³² of love’ — thus chides she Death —

               ‘Grim-grinning ghost, earth’s worm,⁹³³ what dost thou mean

               To stifle beauty and to steal his breath,

935

935                Who when he lived, his breath and beauty set

                     Gloss on the rose, smell to the violet?

               ‘If he be dead — O no, it cannot be,

               Seeing his beauty, thou shouldst strike at it!

               O yes, it may! Thou hast no eyes⁹³⁹ to see,

940

940          But hatefully at random dost thou hit:

                     Thy mark⁹⁴¹ is feeble age, but thy false dart

                     Mistakes that aim and cleaves⁹⁴² an infant’s heart.

               ‘Hadst thou but bid beware, then he had⁹⁴³ spoke,

               And, hearing him, thy power had lost his power —

945

945          The destinies will curse thee for this stroke —

               They bid thee crop a weed, thou pluck’st a flower:

                     Love’s golden arrow⁹⁴⁷ at him should have fled,

                     And not death’s ebon⁹⁴⁸ dart to strike him dead.

               ‘Dost thou drink tears, that thou provok’st such weeping?

950

950          What may a heavy⁹⁵⁰ groan advantage thee?

               Why hast thou cast into eternal sleeping

               Those eyes that taught all other eyes to see?

                     Now nature cares not for thy mortal vigour,⁹⁵³

                     Since her best work is ruined with thy rigour.⁹⁵⁴’

955

955          Here overcome as one full of despair,

               She vailed⁹⁵⁶ her eyelids who like sluices stopped

               The crystal tide⁹⁵⁷ that from her two cheeks fair

               In the sweet channel of her bosom dropped,

                     But through the floodgates breaks the silver rain

960

960                And with his strong course⁹⁶⁰ opens them again.

               O, how her eyes and tears did lend and borrow:⁹⁶¹

               Her eye seen in the tears, tears in her eye,

               Both crystals,⁹⁶³ where they viewed each other’s sorrow,

               Sorrow that friendly sighs sought still to dry,

965

960                But like a stormy day, now wind, now rain,

                     Sighs dry her cheeks, tears make them wet again.

               Variable⁹⁶⁷ passions throng her constant woe

               As striving who should best become⁹⁶⁸ her grief:

               All entertained,⁹⁶⁹ each passion labours so

970

965          That every present sorrow seemeth chief,

                     But none is best. Then join they all together

                     Like many clouds consulting for⁹⁷² foul weather.

               By this,⁹⁷³ far off she hears some huntsman hollo.

               A nurse’s song ne’er pleased her babe so well:

975

970          The dire imagination⁹⁷⁵ she did follow

               This sound of hope doth labour to expel,

                     For now reviving joy bids her rejoice

                     And flatters her it is Adonis’ voice.

               Whereat her tears began to turn their tide,

980

975          Being prisoned in her eye like pearls in glass,

               Yet sometimes falls an orient⁹⁸¹ drop beside,

               Which her cheek melts, as scorning it should pass

                     To wash the foul⁹⁸³ face of the sluttish ground,

                     Who is but drunken when she seemeth drowned.

985

985          O hard-believing⁹⁸⁵ love, how strange it seems

               Not to believe and yet too credulous!

               Thy weal⁹⁸⁷ and woe are both of them extremes,

               Despair and hope makes thee ridiculous:

                     The one doth flatter thee in thoughts unlikely,

990

990                In likely thoughts the other kills thee quickly.

               Now she unweaves the web that she hath wrought:⁹⁹¹

               Adonis lives and Death is not to blame.

               It was not she that called⁹⁹³ him all to naught,

               Now she adds honours to his hateful name:

995

995                She clepes⁹⁹⁵ him king of graves and grave for kings,

                     Imperious supreme⁹⁹⁶ of all mortal things.

               ‘No, no,’ quoth she, ‘sweet Death, I did but jest,

               Yet pardon me I felt a kind of fear

               Whenas⁹⁹⁹ I met the boar, that bloody beast,

1000

1000        Which knows no pity, but is still severe:¹⁰⁰⁰

                     Then, gentle shadow¹⁰⁰¹ — truth I must confess —

                     I railed on¹⁰⁰² thee, fearing my love’s decease.

               ‘’Tis not my fault, the boar provoked my tongue:

               Be wreaked¹⁰⁰⁴ on him, invisible commander,

1005

1005        ’Tis he, foul creature, that hath done thee wrong —

               I did but act,¹⁰⁰⁶ he’s author of thy slander.

                     Grief hath two tongues and never woman yet

                     Could rule them both without ten women’s wit.’

               Thus hoping that Adonis is alive,

1010

1010        Her rash suspect¹⁰¹⁰ she doth extenuate,

               And that his beauty may the better thrive,

               With death she humbly doth insinuate,¹⁰¹²

                     Tells him of trophies,¹⁰¹³ statues, tombs and stories,

                     His victories, his triumphs and his glories.

1015

1015        ‘O Jove,¹⁰¹⁵’ quoth she, ‘how much a fool was I

               To be of such a weak and silly mind

               To wail his death who lives and must not die

               Till mutual¹⁰¹⁸ overthrow of mortal kind!

                     For he being dead, with him is beauty slain,

1020

1020              And, beauty dead, black chaos comes again.

               ‘Fie, fie, fond¹⁰²¹ love, thou art as full of fear

               As one with treasure laden, hemmed with¹⁰²² thieves:

               Trifles, unwitnessèd with eye or ear,

               Thy coward heart with false bethinking¹⁰²⁴ grieves.’

1025

1025              Even at this word she hears a merry horn,

                     Whereat she leaps that was but late¹⁰²⁶ forlorn.

               As falcons to the lure,¹⁰²⁷ away she flies,

               The grass stoops not she treads on it so light,

               And in her haste unfortunately¹⁰²⁹ spies

1030

1030        The foul boar’s conquest on her fair delight,

                     Which seen, her eyes, are murdered with the view,

                     Like stars ashamed of day, themselves withdrew,

               Or as the snail, whose tender horns being hit,

               Shrinks backward in his shelly cave with pain,

1035

1035        And there, all smothered up, in shade doth sit,

               Long after fearing to creep forth again:

                     So at his bloody view her eyes are fled

                     Into the deep dark cabins¹⁰³⁸ of her head,

               Where they resign their office¹⁰³⁹ and their light

1040

1040        To the disposing¹⁰⁴⁰ of her troubled brain,

               Who bids them still¹⁰⁴¹ consort with ugly night

               And never wound the heart with looks again,

                     Who,¹⁰⁴³ like a king perplexèd in his throne,

                     By their suggestion¹⁰⁴⁴ gives a deadly groan,

1045

1045        Whereat each tributary subject¹⁰⁴⁵ quakes,

               As when the wind,¹⁰⁴⁶ imprisoned in the ground,

               Struggling for passage, earth’s foundation shakes,

               Which with cold terror doth men’s minds confound.¹⁰⁴⁸

                     This mutiny each part doth so surprise¹⁰⁴⁹

1050

1050              That from their dark beds once more leap her eyes,

               And, being opened, threw unwilling light¹⁰⁵¹

               Upon the wide wound that the boar had trenched¹⁰⁵²

               In his soft flank,¹⁰⁵³ whose wonted lily white

               With purple¹⁰⁵⁴ tears, that his wound wept, had drenched.

1055

1055              No flower was nigh, no grass, herb, leaf or weed,

                     But stole¹⁰⁵⁶ his blood and seemed with him to bleed.

               This solemn sympathy poor Venus noteth.

               Over one shoulder doth she hang her head,

               Dumbly she passions,¹⁰⁵⁹ franticly she doteth,

1060

1060        She thinks he could not die, he is not dead:

                     Her voice is stopped, her joints forget to bow,¹⁰⁶¹

                     Her eyes are mad that they have wept till now.¹⁰⁶²

               Upon his hurt she looks so steadfastly

               That her sight dazzling¹⁰⁶⁴ makes the wound seem three,

1065

1065        And then she reprehends her mangling¹⁰⁶⁵ eye

               That makes more gashes where no breach should be:

                     His face seems twain, each several¹⁰⁶⁷ limb is doubled,

                     For oft the eye mistakes, the brain being troubled.

               ‘My tongue cannot express my grief for one,

1070

1070        And yet’, quoth she, ‘behold two Adons dead!

               My sighs are blown away, my salt tears gone,

               Mine eyes are turned to fire, my heart to lead.

                     Heavy heart’s lead melt at mine eyes’ red fire!

                     So shall I die by drops of hot desire.

1075

1075        ‘Alas, poor world, what treasure hast thou lost!

               What face remains alive that’s worth the viewing?

               Whose tongue is music now? What canst thou boast

               Of things long since, or any thing ensuing?

                     The flowers are sweet, their colours fresh and trim,¹⁰⁷⁹

1080

1080              But true sweet beauty lived and died with him.

               ‘Bonnet¹⁰⁸¹ nor veil henceforth no creature wear!

               Nor sun nor¹⁰⁸² wind will ever strive to kiss you,

               Having no fair¹⁰⁸³ to lose, you need not fear:

               The sun doth scorn you and the wind doth hiss you,

1085

1085              But when Adonis lived, sun and sharp air

                     Lurked like two thieves to rob him of his fair,

               ‘And therefore would he put his bonnet on,

               Under whose brim the gaudy¹⁰⁸⁸ sun would peep.

               The wind would blow it off and, being gone,

1090

1090        Play with his locks, then would Adonis weep,

                     And straight,¹⁰⁹¹ in pity of his tender years,

                     They both would strive who first should dry his tears.

               ‘To see his face the lion walked along

               Behind some hedge because he would not fear¹⁰⁹⁴ him.

1095

1095        To¹⁰⁹⁵ recreate himself when he hath sung,

               The tiger would be tame and gently hear him.

                     If he had spoke, the wolf would leave his prey

                     And never fright the silly¹⁰⁹⁸ lamb that day.

               ‘When he beheld his shadow¹⁰⁹⁹ in the brook,

1100

1100        The fishes spread on it their golden gills,

               When he was by,¹¹⁰¹ the birds such pleasure took

               That some would sing, some other in their bills

                     Would bring him mulberries and ripe red cherries:

                     He fed them with his sight, they him with berries.

1105

1105        ‘But this foul, grim¹¹⁰⁵ and urchin-snouted boar,

               Whose downward¹¹⁰⁶ eye still looketh for a grave,

               Ne’er saw the beauteous livery¹¹⁰⁷ that he wore:

               Witness the entertainment that he gave.

                     If he did see his face, why then I know

1110

1110              He thought to kiss him and hath killed him so.

               “Tis true, ’tis true! Thus was Adonis slain:

               He ran upon the boar with his sharp spear,

               Who did not whet¹¹¹³ his teeth at him again

               But by a kiss thought to persuade him there,¹¹¹⁴

1115

1115              And, nuzzling¹¹¹⁵ in his flank, the loving swine

                     Sheathed unaware the tusk in his soft groin.

               ‘Had I been toothed like him, I must confess,

               With kissing him I should have killed him first,

               But he is dead and never did he bless¹¹¹⁹

1120

1120        My youth with his — the more am I accurst.’

                     With this, she falleth in the place she stood

                     And stains her face with his congealèd blood.

               She looks upon his lips and they are pale,

               She takes him by the hand and that is cold

1125

1125        She whispers in his ears a heavy tale,

               As if they heard the woeful words she told.

                     She lifts the coffer-lids¹¹²⁷ that close his eyes,

                     Where, lo, two lamps burnt out in darkness lies:

               Two glasses,¹¹²⁹ where herself herself beheld

1130

1130        A thousand times and now no more reflect,

               Their virtue¹¹³¹ lost wherein they late excelled,

               And every beauty robbed of his¹¹³² effect.

                     ‘Wonder of time,’ quoth she, ‘this is my spite,

                     That, thou being dead, the day should yet be light.

1135

1135        ‘Since thou art dead, lo, here I prophesy

               Sorrow on love hereafter shall attend:

               It shall be waited on with jealousy,

               Find sweet beginning but unsavoury end,

                     Ne’er¹¹³⁹ settled equally, but high or low,

1140

1140              That all love’s pleasure shall not match his woe.

               ‘It shall be fickle, false and full of fraud,

               Bud and be blasted¹¹⁴² in a breathing while,

               The bottom poison and the top o’erstrawed¹¹⁴³

               With sweets¹¹⁴⁴ that shall the truest sight beguile:

1145

1145              The strongest body shall it make most weak,

                     Strike the wise dumb and teach the fool to speak.

               ‘It shall be sparing¹¹⁴⁷ and too full of riot,

               Teaching decrepit age to tread the measures.¹¹⁴⁸

               The staring¹¹⁴⁹ ruffian shall it keep in quiet,

1150

1150        Pluck down the rich, enrich the poor with treasures.

                     It shall be raging mad and silly¹¹⁵¹ mild,

                     Make the young old, the old become a child.

               ‘It shall suspect where is¹¹⁵³ no cause of fear,

               It shall not fear where it should most mistrust,

1155

1155        It shall be merciful and too severe,

               And most deceiving when it seems most just,¹¹⁵⁶

                     Perverse¹¹⁵⁷ it shall be where it shows most toward,

                     Put fear to¹¹⁵⁸ valour, courage to the coward.

               ‘It shall be cause of war and dire events

1160

1160        And set dissension ’twixt the son and sire,¹¹⁶⁰

               Subject and servile to all discontents,¹¹⁶¹

               As dry combustious¹¹⁶² matter is to fire:

                     Sith¹¹⁶³ in his prime death doth my love destroy,

                     They that love best their loves shall not enjoy.’

1165

1165        By this, the boy that by her side lay killed

               Was melted like a vapour from her sight,

               And in his blood that on the ground lay spilled,

               A purple¹¹⁶⁸ flower sprung up, chequered with white,

                     Resembling well his pale cheeks and the blood

1170

1170              Which in round drops upon their whiteness stood.

               She bows her head, the new-sprung flower to smell,

               Comparing it to her Adonis’ breath,

               And says within her bosom it shall dwell,

               Since he himself is reft¹¹⁷⁴ from her by death.

1175

1175              She crops the stalk and in the breach¹¹⁷⁵ appears

                     Green dropping sap, which she compares to tears.

               ‘Poor flower,’ quoth she, ‘this was thy father’s guise,¹¹⁷⁷

               Sweet issue¹¹⁷⁸ of a more sweet-smelling sire,

               For every little grief to wet his eyes.

1180

1180        To grow unto himself¹¹⁸⁰ was his desire,

                     And so ’tis thine: but know, it is as good

                     To wither in my breast as in his blood.

               ‘Here was thy father’s bed, here in my breast,

               Thou art the next of blood,¹¹⁸⁴ and ’tis thy right.

1185

1185        Lo, in this hollow cradle¹¹⁸⁵ take thy rest,

               My throbbing heart shall rock thee day and night.

                     There shall not be one minute in an hour

                     Wherein I will not kiss my sweet love’s flower.’

               Thus weary of the world, away she hies¹¹⁸⁹

1190

1190        And yokes her silver doves, by whose swift aid

               Their mistress, mounted, through the empty skies

               In her light chariot quickly is conveyed,

                     Holding their course to Paphos,¹¹⁹³ where their queen

                     Means to immure¹¹⁹⁴ herself and not be seen.

Epigraph    Vilia…aqua “Let the rabble admire worthless things, / May golden Apollo supply me with cups full of water from the Castalian spring” (from Ovid, Amores 1.15.35–6; Apollo is the sun god, and the Castalian spring on Mount Parnassus was sacred to him and to the Muses)    Dedication HENRY WRIOTHESLEY poets commonly sought noble patrons for their work; the Earl of Southampton was nineteen in 1593 when the poem was published    idle hours a conventionally modest disclaimer, but may refer to the closure of the theaters due to an outbreak of plague    some graver labour Shakespeare may be thinking of The Rape of Lucrece, published the following year and also dedicated to Wriothesley    graver more important, substantial    first…invention i.e., first published work/first poetic work (deemed more literary than a play)    ear plow    survey literary examination, evaluation

    1    EVEN as just when/in the same way as    purple-coloured red (with connotations of regality or of the flush of dawn)

    3    hied him hurried    chase hunt

    5    Sick-thoughted lovesick    makes amain hastens

    9    Stain to eclipsing, making tarnished (the beauty of)    nymphs beautiful young women/female spirits    lovely beautiful (usually used of a woman)

  10    white and red i.e., in terms of complexion

  12    Saith says

  13    Vouchsafe deign, condescend    alight dismount from

  14    proud splendid/high-spirited    saddle-bow the arched front of a saddle

  15    meed reward

  16    honey secrets sexual sweets (secrets has vaginal connotations)

  18    set seated

  19    satiety excess

  24    wasted spent/diminished    sport sexual entertainment

  25    sweating a moist, warm    palm was thought to be a sign of an amorous, sexually vigorous nature

  26    precedent…livelihood indicator of sexual vitality

  27    balm soothing ointment

  28    sovereign superlative/healing

  29    enraged inflamed, ardent

  30    Courageously boldly/lustfully

  31    lusty lively/lustful courser large powerful horse

  32    tender youthful

  34    leaden dull, inert (with phallic implications)    appetite sexual appetite, desire    unapt not inclined/not able    toy engage in sexual play

  37    studded ornamented with studs, a sign of luxury    ragged rough

  39    stallèd up confined, secured

  40    prove try

  41    would wished to    thrust penetrated sexually

  42    governed…lust was stronger than him but unable to arouse him sexually

  43    So…down she lay down beside him as soon as he was down

  46    chide rebuke (her)

  47    broken interrupted

  50    maiden virginal/girlish

  53    miss wrongdoing, misbehavior

  55    empty unfed    sharp by fast made hungry by lack of food

  56    Tires pulls, tears

  58    gorge crop, gullet in which partially digested food is stored

  61    content please/be content

  63    pray prayer (puns on “prey”)

  66    distilling falling in minute drops

  69    awed awestruck, terrified    fret annoyed, vexed

  71    rank full

  72    Perforce of necessity

  73    prettily ingeniously/coaxingly (sense then shifts to “attractive”)

  75    lours frowns, looks angry

  76    ’Twixt between

  79    Look…can however he looks

  81    remove withdraw (from a siege)

  82    contending striving, antagonistic

  84    countless numberless/infinitely valuable

  86    dive-dapper dabchick, a small diving water-fowl

  90    winks shuts his eyes/winces

  91    passenger traveler on foot

  92    turn favor (plays on sense of “sexual act”)

  94    bathes in water i.e., weeps

  96    coy shy/reserved/disdainful

  98    god of war i.e., Mars, with whom Venus had an adulterous affair

  99    sinewy muscular    bow acknowledge defeat

100    jar fight

104    uncontrollèd unconquered    crest feathers on the top of a helmet

105    sport…dally all terms that can also signify “have sex”

107    churlish harsh, because it signifies war;    red suggests blood and anger, but in line 110 the color signifies passion    ensign battle flag

108    arms plays on sense of “weapons”    field battlefield

109    overswayed ruled, exercised power over

111    Strong-tempered made strong by tempering (heating steel and then immersing it in cold water)    his…obeyed submitted to his superior strength

114    foiled defeated

119    there…lies i.e., reflected in the pupils of her eyes

121    wink close your eyes

123    keeps his revels holds his festivities/has sex (the erotic sense continues in play and sport)    but twain only two

124    bold courageous/sexually immodest    in sight observed

125    blue-veined suggestive of closed eyes (and perhaps with connotations of the erect penis)

127    tender spring youthful growth (of stubble)

133    hard-favoured harsh-featured    foul ugly

134    Ill-nurtured coarse, ill-bred    crooked deformed

135    O’erworn worn out by age or work    rheumatic afflicted by catarrh or by the watering eyes of old age    cold afflicted by a cold/dispirited/sexually passionless

136    Thick-sighted poor-sighted    juice vigor/vaginal moisture

140    grey regarded as a particularly beautiful eye color

142    marrow vitality/sexual essence

146    trip dance lightly

147    nymph female spirit who lived in the sea

148    footing footprint

149    spirit may play on sense of “penis”    compact composed

150    gross heavy, earthy    light may play on sense of “unchaste, lustful”    aspire rise/be ambitious/grow erect

152    forceless powerless

154    list please, choose

155    light unimportant/weightless/unchaste

156    heavy serious/troublesome/weighty

157    affected in love

158    upon thy left i.e., by grasping your left hand

160    on of

161    Narcissus in Greek mythology, a beautiful young man who fell in love with his own reflection in a pool; in some versions of the tale he drowned attempting to embrace himself    himself himself forsook abandoned himself (for himself)

162    shadow reflection

164    Dainties delicacies, sweetmeats    the use enjoyment/sex

165    sappy sap-filled    bear bear fruit

168    get beget, reproduce

169    increase produce

172    That thine so that your offspring

175    this this time, now

177    Titan another name for the Greek sun god    tirèd weary/dressed, attired

178    burning…hotly i.e., hotly/lasciviously

179    his team i.e., Titan’s team of horses that drew the sun’s chariot

180    So…him provided that Titan could be like Adonis

181    lazy sprite sluggish spirit

182    disliking disapproving, reluctant

183    fair sight beautiful eyes/handsome appearance

184    vapours clouds or noxious fogs rising from the ground

185    Souring contracting, pursing

188    bare poor, unconvincing

197    done ended

198    heavenly…sun the sun in the sky and Adonis himself

202    want lack/desire

203    thy mother Adonis was the incestuous product of his mother, Myrrha’s love for her own father

204    unkind cruel/unnatural

205    contemn disdain, scorn    this thus

206    suit request/courtship

213    Statue Adonis was a descendent of Pygmalion and the statue he had made, fallen in love with, and married after she had been brought to life by Aphrodite/Venus

215    complexion appearance

216    by…direction of their own accord

219    blaze forth proclaim/burn forth

220    Being…cause i.e., even though she is the goddess of love and supreme judge of amorous affairs, she cannot determine matters in her own favor

221    fain willingly

222    intendments intentions

226    would wants to (bind him)

228    locks…one intertwines her fingers (so that he cannot escape her embrace)

229    Fondling foolish one/one who is doted upon

230    ivory pale i.e., fair-skinned arms encircling him (a pale is a fence; plays on sense of “white”)

231    park enclosed tract of land reserved for keeping and hunting game    deer puns on “dear”

232    mountain…dale i.e., breasts and vagina (replete with pleasure-giving fountains)

235    limit area defined by a boundary    relief feeding, pasturing (hunting term)/sexual ease

236    bottom-grass lush grass growing at the base of the valley/pubic hair (bottom signifies “lower regions,” not “buttocks/anus,” a sense not then in use)    plain i.e., stomach (possibly pubic mound)

237    hillocks i.e., buttocks (possibly breasts)    brakes thickets, i.e., pubic hair    obscure hidden, secret/dark

240    rouse cause to issue forth from cover (hunting term); Adonis will instead be “roused” sexually by Venus

243    if so that if he

247    caves…pits i.e., dimples

249    wits sanity

250    Struck…first having already been smitten by love

251    in…forlorn helpless and wretched under your own rules/unable to control your own area of authority

257    remorse pity, compassion

259    neighbours by is nearby

260    breeding in heat    jennet small Spanish horse    lusty lively/lustful    proud spirited/sexually aroused

261    trampling courser stallion stamping on the ground

264    straight directly/immediately

266    girths straps that hold the saddle in place

267    bearing carrying his weight/enduring his injuries/fertile

272    compassed crest arched ridge of the neck

275    glisters sparkles, glitters

276    courage disposition/sexual desire

277    told counted

278    gentle noble/calm

279    Anon shortly    curvets springs, frisks

280    As who should like one who might    tried proven

283    recketh he cares he for    stir fuss, agitation

284    flattering coaxing, wheedling    Holla stop (used to a horse)

285    curb restraining strap passing under the horse’s jaw and fastened to the bit

286    caparisons decorated saddle cloths    trappings gay colorful ornamental coverings

290    limning out painting

294    bone frame

295    fetlocks the tufts of hair growing on parts of horse’s ankle joints    shag rough, shaggy

297    crest ridge of the neck    passing surpassingly, exceedingly

301    scuds darts nimbly

303    bid…base challenge the wind to a chase (from the children’s game in which two teams occupy separate bases and chase opponents trying to leave their base)

304    where possibly a contraction of “whether”

306    who which

310    puts…strangeness makes a show of aloofness    unkind cruel/unaffectionate, not sexually interested

311    Spurns at kicks out at/rejects

312    kind embracements affectionate embraces (i.e., as the stallion mounts her for sex)    heels mares often kick out as they’re mounted

314    vails lowers in submission    tail probably with phallic connotations    plume feathers (here probably imagined in a military helmet)

316    fume anger

319    testy irritated

320    unbacked unbroken/riderless    breeder mare in heat

321    Jealous of catching fearful of being caught    forsake abandon

323    As as if    wood wordplay, since it could also mean “mad”    hie them hasten

325    swoll’n with chafing bursting with anger

326    Banning cursing

327    happy…fits moment is opportune again

328    lovesick love i.e., Venus

330    aidance assistance

331    stopped stopped up, closed    stayed dammed up

333    So likewise

334    vent uttering

335    attorney i.e., the tongue

336    client i.e., heart    breaks may play on sense of “goes bankrupt”    as i.e., being    suit lawsuit/courtship

339    bonnet hat

341    nigh near

342    all…eye he watches her out of the corner of his    eye/he watches her mistrustfully

343    wistly intently

344    wayward willful, obstinate

347    But just

349    just before right in front of

351    heaveth lifts

354    apt receptively    dint impression

356    suing pressing their case

357    as as though

359    dumb play theatrical dumb show, mime    his its    made plain explained

360    chorus-like like characters commenting on the action of a play or dumb show

361    Full very

362    prisoned imprisoned    jail Shakespeare’s spelling “gaile” may pun on “gale”

363    band bond, shackle

364    engirts surrounds

365    wilful willing/persistent/desirous

366    a-billing caressing one beak with the other

367    engine instrument, i.e., tongue

368    mover one in motion, i.e., mortal    mortal round earth

369    Would thou wert I wish you were

370    wound i.e., profoundly wounded heart

371    thy…thee I would assure you of my help

372    bane death, destruction

375    steel harden (puns on “steal”)

376    grave engrave, make an impression upon

377    regard notice

381    bereft deprived of

382    hence go away

384    palfrey horse for ordinary riding (as opposed to a warhorse)

387    Affection passion, lust

388    suffered permitted (to burn)

391    jade worn-out horse

393    fee due, reward

395    thong leather strap, i.e., rein    bending crest arched neck

396    Enfranchising freeing

397    in…bed naked in her bed

400    agents parts (i.e., penis)    like similar

401    faint feeble, faint-hearted    bold daring/sexually immodest

404    of from

405    on of    presented offered, available

406    Though even if    yet still, nevertheless    proceedings behavior

408    made perfect learned by heart

409    quoth said

411    owe i.e., take on the responsibility of the debt

412    My…it the only desire I feel for love is the urge to discredit it

414    but…breath in the same breath, at the same time

417    springing sprouting, growing    diminished weakened, deprived

419    backed and burdened broken in and ridden

420    waxeth grows

422    idle worthless    bootless pointless

424    alarms calls to arms    ope open

426    battery assault by heavy bombardment

429    mermaid’s i.e., Siren’s, a mythical creature, part-woman, part-bird, whose enchanting singing lured sailors to their death (also slang for prostitute)

430    pressed (I am) oppressed, crushed

434    inward…invisible inner, invisible beauty (i.e., his voice)

435    outward parts physical appearance    move stir/sexually arouse (picking up on the genital sense of part)

436    sensible capable of feeling

443    stillatory still (in which perfume is distilled)    face excelling incomparably beautiful face

446    other four i.e., senses

448    suspicion wariness of evil

451    ruby-coloured portal i.e., his lips

453    betokened Wrack signified shipwreck

456    flaws squalls of wind

457    presage omen    advisedly attentively, warily    marketh observes, notes

459    grin bare his teeth

462    ere before

463    flatly prostrate/without hesitation

465    recures cures, heals

466    love some editors emend to “loss”    thriveth prospers

469    late intent recent intention

471    cunning skillful/crafty    wittily ingeniously

472    Fair fall may fair befall, good luck to (playing on Venus’ literal “fall”)

475    wrings pinches

480    so…still as long as he continues to kiss her (still may play on sense of “motionless”)

482    blue windows blue-veined eyelids/eyes (though these were gray in line 140)

490    repine discontent

494    drenched immersed/drowned

495    Or either

497    death’s annoy i.e., as distressing as death

500    shrewd severe, harsh

503    leaders military captains (who serve the queen)/guides

504    But were it not    piteous merciful, compassionate

506    liveries uniforms worn by a particular nobleman’s servants    wear wear out

507    verdure freshness/taste

509    star-gazers astrologers

510    plague in 1593, the year of the poem’s publication, the plague was particularly virulent in London

511    seals…imprinted stamps that have left their authoritative impression in my lips, as if in wax

513    sell myself connotations of prostitution

514    So provided that    use good dealing trade fairly/have good sex

515    slips errors/counterfeit coins/sexual lapses

516    seal-manual signature/personal seal on a ring

519    touches kisses

520    told counted

523    queen may pun on “quean,” i.e., prostitute    owe bear, have for

524    Measure…with i.e., attribute my aloofness to

525    know plays on sense of “have sex with”

526    fry very young fish    forbears spares

527    mellow ripe

529    world’s comforter i.e., sun

531    owl…shrieks considered a bird of ill omen, the owl’s cry was thought to herald death

532    fold the pen, enclosure

538    tendered paid (in settlement of a debt)

540    Incorp’rate united in one body

541    disjoined broke off

544    surfeit drink to excess    on drouth of drought

545    plenty abundance (of desire/flesh/kisses)    pressed overwhelmed/pressed literally    dearth famine

550    insulter (victorious) attacker

551    vulture i.e., ravenous desire, predatory imagination    pitch fix, set (may play on a sense of the noun: “highest point to which a bird of prey soars before swooping on its victim”)

553    spoil booty, goods acquired by plunder

554    forage plunder, pillage/glut oneself like a wild beast

555    reek and smoke sweat    reek smoke with heat

556    careless reckless

557    oblivion generating heedlessness

558    wrack destruction

561    roe species of small deer    chasing being hunted

562    froward refractory, fretful    dandling rocked or joggled up and down

564    listeth desires

565    so is so    temp’ring heating

567    out of hope (that seem) hopeless    compassed achieved    vent’ring taking risks

568    whose…commission who has license to go further than his orders

570    choice object of choice

571    gave over given up

573    Foul harsh, unkind

574    rose…plucked like lock-picking, a standard image of (female) virginity loss

575    fast safe, secure

580    look well to take good care of

581    Cupid the Roman god of love was Venus’ son; he caused people to fall in love by firing arrows at them    protest declare

583    waste spend

584    watch remain awake

586    make the match agree to the assignation, appoint a rendezvous (match plays on sense of “sexual encounter”)

590    lawn fine white linen/alternative name for the plant “hound’s tongue” or “Venus’ navelwort”

592    yoking fastening around the neck/subduing

595    lists official enclosure in which tournaments were held (possibly plays on sense of “list” as “pleasure/appetite”)

596    champion opponent/one who fights on her behalf    mounted on horseback, i.e., on top of her    hot encounter spirited fight/lustful sexual encounter

597    prove discover

598    manage take a horse through a series of exercises/handle sexually, “ride”

599    That so that    Tantalus in Greek mythology, a king who stole from the gods and was condemned to stand in a pool below a fruit tree that remained just out of his reach

600    clip embrace    Elysium the heaven of classical mythology

601    painted grapes refers to Pliny’s account of Zeuxis the painter, apparently so skillful that birds mistook his painted grapes for real ones

602    pine the maw starve the stomach

603    mishaps misfortunes

604    helpless useless

605    warm effects sexual feelings and arousal

608    assayed attempted    proved demonstrated, achieved

611    Fie expression of impatience or disgust

613    hadst would have

615    advised warned

616    churlish rough, violent

617    tushes tusks    whetteth still sharpens continually

618    mortal death-dealing    bent determined (referring to the butcher)/curved (referring to the tusks)

619    bow-back arched back    battle battalion in full array

620    pikes spines (maintains the image of armed troops by playing on sense of “long-handled weapons with pointed steel heads”)

621    fret rage

622    sepulchres tombs

623    moved angered/forced to leave his lair (hunting term)

625    brawny covered with hardened skin, unfeeling

626    proof armor

628    ireful angry    venture dare to attack

632    tributary i.e., submissive (a tributary pays homage to his conqueror)

633    eyne eyes

635    vantage his advantage

636    root dig up, destroy    mead meadow

637    cabin lair

638    foul wicked

639    will wish, intention

641    not to dissemble I won’t lie

645    downright straight down/straightaway

647    boding foreboding, fearful

649    jealousy anxious care for another’s safety

650    sentinel guard, lookout

651    suggesteth incites

653    Distemp’ring disturbing the natural constitution of/diluting with water

654    abate put out

655    bate-breeding strife-producing

656    canker parasitic grub that destroys plants    tender spring youthful growth

657    carry-tale rumormonger, telltale    dissentious quarrelsome

661    so that

663    his i.e., Adonis’

667    indeed in reality

668    That I who

670    divination prophetic insight

673    needs wilt must

674    Uncouple release your dogs    flying fleeing

675    subtlety cunning

676    roe species of small timid deer    encounter fight

678    well-breathed fit, not out of breath

679    on foot in pursuit    purblind dimly sighted (which hares were thought to be)

680    overshoot outstrip, overtake

682    cranks and crosses twists and turns about and crosses backward and forward    doubles sharp turns

683    musets gaps in hedges and fences/hares’ lairs

684    amaze confuse

686    cunning well-trained/crafty

687    earth-delving conies burrowing rabbits    keep live

689    sorteth mixes

690    shifts stratagems    waits on attends

694    ado fuss, difficulty    cold fault point at which they lost the scent

695    spend their mouths bark loudly    echo in Greek mythology, Echo was the nymph who loved self-obsessed Narcissus and pined away on his account until only her voice was left

697    Wat common name for a hare

700    alarums sounds of their approach

702    sore grievously    passing-bell bell tolling for the souls of the dead

703    dew-bedabbled made wet by the dew

704    return turn again/turn back    indenting zigzagging

705    envious malicious

708    relieved helped

712    Unlike myself i.e., contrary to my usual behavior as the goddess of love    moralize explain the moral meaning

715    leave break off

716    aptly promptly, readily

718    of by

724    true honest

725    modest Dian i.e., Diana, Roman goddess of chastity (modesty), the moon, and hunting

726    forsworn having broken her vow (of chastity)

727    of…reason I see the reason for the darkness of the night

728    Cynthia the Greek name for Diana

729    forging counterfeiting

731    framed created, shaped    high heaven’s despite defiance of heaven

733    destinies in Greek mythology, the three Fates were also known as “Destinies”: one spun the thread of a man’s life, another measured it, and the third cut it

734    cross thwart, oppose    curious ingenious, beautifully fashioned

736    defeature disfigurement

738    mischances misfortunes, disasters

739    agues acute fevers

740    pestilence plague    wood mad

741    marrow-eating sickness syphilis (which corrodes the bones)    attaint infection

742    Disorder disturbance of bodily balance/(sexual) misdemeanors    blood sexual desire

743    Surfeits digestive disorders resulting from excessive eating or drinking    impostumes abscesses

747    favour facial features    savour sweet scent    hue complexion

751    fruitless childless/useless

752    vestals virgins (specifically the priestesses who guarded the sacred fire of the temple of Vesta in Rome)    self-loving i.e., not giving their love to a man/selfish because producing no children

754    dearth famine

755    prodigal extravagant

756    oil with connotations of semen (burns then refers to sexual heat)

760    destroy…obscurity also alludes to masturbation

762    Sith since    pride arrogance, self-love/state of (masturbatory) phallic erection    slain picking up on the sexual sense of “to die” (“to orgasm”)

763    made away murdered

764    mischief calamity/evildoing

765    whose…slay who commit suicide (but continues the play on masturbation)    desperate spiritually hopeless (the state that preceded suicide)

766    butcher-sire murdering father    reaves deprives

767    Foul-cank’ring discoloring and corroding    treasure plays on sense of “semen”    frets erodes, decays

768    put to use loaned out with interest/employed sexually

769    fall return (plays on the notion of Venus’ literal fall and on sense of sexual succumbing)

770    over-handled too commonly treated (with sexual connotations)

773    foul wicked, immoral/dirty, black

774    treatise tale, talk

776    moving persuasive (also suggests busy literal motion)

777    wanton lustful

781    Lest in case

782    closure enclosure

783    undone ruined

787    reprove reject, condemn

789    device tricks, wily ingenuity

792    bawd pimp

795    semblance appearance

796    blotting tarnishing, staining

797    Which refers to    beauty hot tyrant i.e., lust    stains sexually defiles    bereaves robs, plunders

806    text theme on which one speaks    green young, inexperienced

808    teen sorrow, affliction

813    laund glade, open space in a wood    apace swiftly

816    eye sight

818    late-embarkèd recently departed on a ship    friend could also mean “lover”

820    ridges crests    contend strive in conflict

821    pitchy intensely black (“pitch” is a tarlike substance)

822    Fold in enfold, envelop

824    flood sea

825    stonished astonished/bewildered/dismayed

827    confounded confused/defeated

828    fair…way i.e., Adonis, whose presence illuminated the path

830    neighbour neighboring

831    Make…of echo

832    Passion lament    deeply solemnly/loudly

836    extemporally spontaneously, improvised

837    thrall captive    dote infatuatedly fond/foolish

839    heavy sad    anthem song in which two voices sing in response to one another

845    copious abundant, verbally elaborate

847    withal with

848    parasites flatterers

849    tapsters innkeepers

850    humour mood, whim    fantastic wits young men with fanciful ideas and wild notions

854    moist cabinet dewy dwelling (lark’s nest on the ground)

860    clear shining

862    influence flow of power thought to emit from stars and planets

863    a son i.e., Adonis, mortal but brighter than the sun (on which “son” puns)

864    May who may

865    myrtle the evergreen shrub or small tree was sacred to Venus

866    o’erworn gone by

868    hearkens listens

870    coasteth approaches/pursues at a distance (hunting term)    cry yelping of hounds

875    milch doe lactating female deer    dugs teats, udder

876    brake thicket

877    are…bay have cornered the prey, forcing it to turn to defend itself

879    folds coils

882    Appals dismays, terrifies    confounds overcomes

883    chase animal that is hunted

887    curst fierce, savage

888    strain court’sy are excessively polite regarding (i.e., hang back)    cope encounter, fight

889    dismal ominous

890    surprise ambush

894    basely fly run away in a cowardly manner    stay the field remain on the battlefield

895    ecstasy frenzy (of anxiety)

899    Bids commands

901    frothy foaming

903    sinews nerves

906    rate berate, angrily reprove    murther murder/(being) a murderer

907    spleens impulses

909    mated checked, thwarted

911    respects considerations/intentions    naught…respecting heeding nothing at all/incapable of proper thinking

912    In hand preoccupied

914    caitiff wretch

916    sovereign plaster sure remedy (i.e., licking)

919    ill-resounding harshly echoing

920    flap-mouthed a mouth with broad, hanging lips

921    welkin sky    volleys…voice i.e., barks repeatedly

923    Clapping pressing down, fixing

926    prodigies extraordinary events, regarded as omens

928    Infusing imbuing, filling    dreadful terrifying

929    up in

930    exclaims on cried out on, loudly accuses

931    Hard-favoured harsh-featured

932    divorce separator

933    earth’s worm i.e., creature that feeds on dead bodies

939    no eyes Death’s face is traditionally represented as a skull with empty eye sockets

941    mark target    dart arrow

942    cleaves splits

943    he had Adonis would have

947    golden arrow i.e., that causing love (as opposed to Cupid’s lead arrow, which provoked loathing)    fled hastened

948    ebon ebony (wood)/black

950    heavy sorrowful

953    mortal vigour deadly strength (an oxymoron, as    vigour refers to the strength or attributes of living things)

954    rigour harshness, pitilessness

956    vailed lowered in defeat    who which    sluices dams, floodgates

957    crystal tide i.e., flow of tears

960    course flow, current

961    lend and borrow reflect one another

963    crystals mirrors (or possibly “magic crystals”)

967    Variable changeable, fluctuating    passions strong emotions/sorrow/means of expressing suffering    throng crowd around and press upon

968    become befit, suit

969    entertained received, given hearing    labours so makes such efforts (to be supreme)

972    consulting for conferring about/planning

973    this this time, now    hollo huntsman’s call to his hounds

975    imagination image, train of thought

981    orient lustrous, shining (used of pearls)

983    foul dirty    sluttish grimy/immoral, whorish (as all men tread on it)

985    hard-believing incredulous, skeptical

987    weal happiness, well-being

991    wrought made

993    called…naught claimed Death was worthless

995    clepes calls

996    Imperious supreme imperial ruler

999    Whenas when

1000    still severe always rigorous in punishment

1001    shadow dark presence/ghost

1002    railed on loudly abused

1004    wreaked revenged

1006    act i.e., utter his words

1010    suspect suspicion    extenuate seek to excuse

1012    insinuate ingratiate herself

1013    trophies memorial monuments erected after wars

1015    Jove supreme Roman god

1018    mutual…kind i.e., universal destruction, the end of the world

1021    fond foolish/infatuated

1022    hemmed with surrounded by

1024    with false bethinking misguidedly

1026    but late only recently

1027    lure bunch of feathers used by keepers to recall a hawk (i.e., deceptively enticing)

1029    unfortunately ill-fatedly

1038    cabins caves, i.e., eye-sockets

1039    office function

1040    disposing direction, management

1041    still always

1043    Who refers to the heart    perplexèd confused/afflicted

1044    suggestion prompting/incitement

1045    tributary subject one who acknowledges subordination and pays homage

1046    wind…ground thought to be the cause of earthquakes

1048    confound throw into confusion, overwhelm

1049    surprise ambush

1051    threw unwilling light eyes were thought to emit light, which enabled them to see

1052    trenched gouged, dug (but, like flank, the word also had the military sense it does now)

1053    flank fleshy side between ribs and hip    wonted customary

1054    purple blood-red

1056    But stole that did not steal

1059    passions expresses her grief    doteth behaves in a deranged manner (with suggestion of “dotes infatuatedly on him”)

1061    bow bend

1062    till now before now (for a lesser cause)

1064    dazzling blurring (with the intensity of her gaze or with tears)

1065    mangling that mutilates, disfigures

1067    several separate

1079    trim pretty

1081    Bonnet hat

1082    Nor sun nor neither sun nor

1083    fair pale complexion/beauty (puns on fear)

1088    gaudy brilliantly fine

1091    straight straightaway

1094    would not fear did not wish to frighten

1095    To…sung when he entertained himself by singing (the rhyme is stronger with the old spelling and pronunciation “song”)

1098    silly defenseless

1099    shadow reflection

1101    by nearby

1105    foul, grim ugly    urchin snouted with a snout like a hedgehog

1106    downward directed to the ground (implies literal and moral lowness)    still constantly

1107    beauteous livery i.e., Adonis’ physical beauty

1113    whet sharpen    again in return

1114    persuade him there win him over/persuade him to stay

1115    nuzzling rootling, burrowing with the snout/nestling affectionately

1119    bless…his give himself to me (possibly “give me a child”)

1127    coffer-lids lids of either a treasure chest or coffin    lids i.e., eyelids

1129    glasses mirrors

1131    virtue power

1132    his its

1139    Ne’er…low never emotionally balanced, always swinging between elation and misery (or perhaps “never between social equals”)

1142    blasted withered, as if by frost    a breathing while the space of a mere breath

1143    o’erstrawed strewn over, concealed

1144    sweets delights    beguile deceive

1147    sparing frugal, modest    riot revelry, debauchery, excess

1148    tread the measures dance

1149    staring bold-faced

1151    silly helplessly, weakly

1153    where is where there is

1156    just honest, upright

1157    Perverse self-willed, stubborn    shows most toward appears most docile, willing to learn

1158    to into

1160    sire father

1161    discontents grievances/malcontents

1162    combustious combustible, easily kindled

1163    Sith since

1168    purple blood-red

1174    reft stolen

1175    breach break

1177    guise manner

1178    issue offspring

1180    grow unto himself i.e., not produce offspring/mature, grow up

1184    next of blood next of kin/literally created from Adonis’ blood

1185    hollow cradle i.e., the cleft between Venus’ breasts

1189    hies hastens

1193    Paphos coastal town in southwest Cyprus; sacred to Venus

1194    immure shut away

THE RAPE OF LUCRECE

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE HENRY WRIOTHESLEY, Earl of Southampton and Baron of Titchfield

The love I dedicate to your lordship is without end: whereof this pamphlet without beginning is but a superfluous moiety. The warrant I have of your honourable disposition, not the worth of my untutored lines, makes it assured of acceptance. What I have done is yours, what I have to do is yours, being part in all I have, devoted yours. Were my worth greater, my duty would show greater: meantime, as it is, it is bound to your lordship, to whom I wish long life still lengthened with all happiness.

Your lordship’s in all duty,

William Shakespeare

THE ARGUMENT

Lucius Tarquinius (for his excessive pride surnamed Superbus) after he had caused his own father-in-law, Servius Tullius, to be cruelly murdered and, contrary to the Roman laws and customs, not requiring or staying for the people’s suffrages, had possessed himself of the kingdom, went, accompanied with his sons and other noblemen of Rome, to besiege Ardea. During which siege the principal men of the army meeting one evening at the tent of Sextus Tarquinius, the king’s son, in their discourses after supper every one commended the virtues of his own wife: among whom Collatinus extolled the incomparable chastity of his wife Lucretia. In that pleasant humor they posted to Rome, and intending by their secret and sudden arrival to make trial of that which every one had before avouched, only Collatinus finds his wife, though it were late in the night, spinning amongst her maids: the other ladies were all found dancing and reveling or in several disports, whereupon the noblemen yielded Collatinus the victory and his wife the fame. At that time Sextus Tarquinius, being inflamed with Lucrece’ beauty yet smothering his passions for the present, departed with the rest back to the camp, from whence he shortly after privily withdrew himself and was, according to his estate, royally entertained and lodged by Lucrece at Collatium. The same night he treacherously stealeth into her chamber, violently ravished her and early in the morning speedeth away. Lucrece, in this lamentable plight, hastily dispatcheth messengers, one to Rome for her father, another to the camp for Collatine. They came, the one accompanied with Junius Brutus, the other with Publius Valerius, and, finding Lucrece attired in mourning habit, demanded the cause of her sorrow. She, first taking an oath of them for her revenge, revealed the actor and whole manner of his dealing and withal suddenly stabbed herself. Which done, with one consent they all vowed to root out the whole hated family of the Tarquins, and bearing the dead body to Rome, Brutus acquainted the people with the doer and manner of the vile deed with a bitter invective against the tyranny of the king: wherewith the people were so moved that, with one consent and a general acclamation, the Tarquins were all exiled and the state government changed from kings to consuls.

               From the besiegèd Ardea all in post,¹

               Borne by the trustless² wings of false desire,

               Lust-breathèd³ Tarquin leaves the Roman host

               And to Collatium bears the lightless⁴ fire

5

5              Which, in pale embers hid, lurks to aspire⁵

                     And girdle⁶ with embracing flames the waist

                     Of Collatine’s fair love, Lucrece the chaste.

               Haply⁸ that name of ‘chaste’ unhapp’ly set

               This bateless⁹ edge on his keen appetite,

10

10            When Collatine unwisely did not let¹⁰

               To praise the clear unmatchèd red and white,¹¹

               Which triumphed¹² in that sky of his delight,

                     Where mortal stars,¹³ as bright as heaven’s beauties,

                     With pure aspects¹⁴ did him peculiar duties.

15

15            For he the night before in Tarquin’s tent

               Unlocked the treasure of his happy state:

               What priceless wealth the heavens had him lent

               In the possession of his beauteous mate,

               Reck’ning his fortune at such high proud rate¹⁹

20

20                  That kings might be espousèd²⁰ to more fame,

                     But²¹ king nor peer to such a peerless dame.

               O, happiness enjoyed but of²² a few

               And, if possessed, as soon decayed and done²³

               As is the morning’s silver-melting dew

25

25            Against²⁵ the golden splendour of the sun,

               An expired²⁶ date, cancelled ere well begun.

                     Honour and beauty in the owner’s arms

                     Are weakly fortressed²⁸ from a world of harms.

               Beauty itself doth of²⁹ itself persuade

30

30            The eyes of men without an orator:

               What needeth then apology³¹ be made

               To set forth that which is so singular?³²

               Or why is Collatine the publisher³³

                     Of that rich jewel he should keep unknown

35

35                  From thievish ears because it is his own?

               Perchance³⁶ his boast of Lucrece’ sov’reignty

               Suggested³⁷ this proud issue of a king,

               For by our ears our hearts oft tainted be.

               Perchance that envy of so rich a thing,

40

40            Braving compare,⁴⁰ disdainfully did sting

                     His high-pitched⁴¹ thoughts that meaner men should vaunt

                     That golden hap⁴² which their superiors want.

               But some untimely⁴³ thought did instigate

               His all-too-timeless⁴⁴ speed, if none of those:

45

45            His honour, his affairs, his friends, his state,⁴⁵

               Neglected all, with⁴⁶ swift intent he goes

               To quench the coal which in his liver⁴⁷ glows.

                     O rash false heat,⁴⁸ wrapped in repentant cold,

                     Thy hasty spring still blasts⁴⁹ and ne’er grows old!

50

50            When at Collatium this false lord arrived,

               Well was he welcomed by the Roman dame,

               Within whose face Beauty and Virtue strived

               Which of them both should underprop⁵³ her fame.

               When Virtue bragged, Beauty would blush for shame,

55

55                  When Beauty boasted blushes, in despite⁵⁵

                     Virtue would stain that o’er with silver white.

               But Beauty, in that white intitulèd,⁵⁷

               From Venus’ doves⁵⁸ doth challenge that fair field.

               Then Virtue⁵⁹ claims from Beauty Beauty’s red,

60

60            Which Virtue gave the golden age⁶⁰ to gild

               Their silver cheeks and called it then their shield,⁶¹

                     Teaching them thus to use it in the fight:

                     When shame assailed,⁶³ the red should fence the white.

               This heraldry⁶⁴ in Lucrece’ face was seen,

65

65            Argued⁶⁵ by Beauty’s red and Virtue’s white:

               Of either’s colour was the other queen,

               Proving from world’s minority⁶⁷ their right.

               Yet their ambition makes them still⁶⁸ to fight,

                     The sov’reignty of either being so great

70

70                  That oft they interchange each other’s seat.⁷⁰

               This silent war of lilies and of roses,

               Which Tarquin viewed in her fair face’s field,

               In their pure ranks his traitor eye encloses,⁷³

               Where, lest between them both it should be killed,

75

75            The coward captive vanquishèd doth yield

                     To those two armies that would let him go

                     Rather than triumph in⁷⁷ so false a foe.

               Now thinks he that her husband’s shallow tongue,

               The niggard prodigal⁷⁹ that praised her so,

80

80            In that high task hath done her beauty wrong,

               Which far exceeds his barren skill to show.

               Therefore that praise, which Collatine doth owe,⁸²

                     Enchanted Tarquin answers⁸³ with surmise,

                     In silent wonder of still-gazing⁸⁴ eyes.

85

85            This earthly saint, adorèd by this devil,

               Little suspecteth the false worshipper:

               For unstained thoughts do seldom dream on evil.

               Birds never limed⁸⁸ no secret bushes fear:

               So guiltless she securely⁸⁹ gives good cheer

90

90                  And reverend⁹⁰ welcome to her princely guest,

                     Whose inward ill no outward harm expressed.

               For that⁹² he coloured with his high estate,

               Hiding base sin in pleats⁹³ of majesty,

               That⁹⁴ nothing in him seemed inordinate,

95

95            Save sometime too much wonder of his eye,

               Which, having all, all could not satisfy;

                     But, poorly rich, so⁹⁷ wanteth in his store

                     That, cloyed with much, he pineth⁹⁸ still for more.

               But she that never coped⁹⁹ with stranger eyes

100

100          Could pick no meaning from their parling¹⁰⁰ looks,

               Nor read the subtle shining secrecies¹⁰¹

               Writ in the glassy margents¹⁰² of such books:

               She touched no¹⁰³ unknown baits, nor feared no hooks,

                     Nor could she moralize¹⁰⁴ his wanton sight

105

105                More¹⁰⁵ than his eyes were opened to the light.

               He stories¹⁰⁶ to her ears her husband’s fame,

               Won in the fields of fruitful Italy,

               And decks¹⁰⁸ with praises Collatine’s high name,

               Made glorious by his manly chivalry

110

110          With bruisèd arms¹¹⁰ and wreaths of victory.

                     Her joy with heaved-up¹¹¹ hand she doth express,

                     And wordless so greets¹¹² heaven for his success.

               Far from the purpose of his coming thither,

               He makes excuses for his being there.

115

115          No cloudy show of stormy blust’ring weather

               Doth yet in his fair¹¹⁶ welkin once appear

               Till sable¹¹⁷ night, mother of dread and fear,

                     Upon the world dim darkness doth display

                     And in her vaulty¹¹⁹ prison stows the day.

120

120          For then is Tarquin brought unto his bed,

               Intending¹²¹ weariness with heavy sprite,

               For after supper long he questionèd¹²²

               With modest Lucrece and wore out¹²³ the night.

               Now leaden slumber with life’s strength doth fight

125

125                And everyone to¹²⁵ rest themselves betake,

                     Save thieves and cares¹²⁶ and troubled minds that wake.

               As one of which doth Tarquin lie revolving¹²⁷

               The sundry¹²⁸ dangers of his will’s obtaining,

               Yet ever to obtain his will resolving,

130

130          Though weak-built hopes¹³⁰ persuade him to abstaining:

               Despair to gain doth traffic¹³¹ oft for gaining

                     And when great treasure¹³² is the meed proposed,

                     Though death be adjunct,¹³³ there’s no death supposed.

               Those that much covet are with gain so fond¹³⁴

135

135          That¹³⁵ what they have not, that which they possess

               They scatter and unloose it from their bond,

               And so by hoping¹³⁷ more they have but less,

               Or gaining more, the profit of excess

                     Is but to surfeit,¹³⁹ and such griefs sustain

140

140                That they prove bankrupt in this poor rich gain.

               The aim of all is but to nurse the life

               With honour, wealth and ease in waning age,

               And in this aim there is such thwarting strife,

               That one¹⁴⁴ for all or all for one we gage:

145

145          As¹⁴⁵ life for honour in fell battle’s rage,

                     Honour for wealth and oft that wealth doth cost

                     The death of all and all together lost.

               So that in vent’ring¹⁴⁸ ill, we leave to be

               The things we are for that which we expect:¹⁴⁹

150

150          And this ambitious foul infirmity,¹⁵⁰

               In having much, torments us with defect¹⁵¹

               Of that we have: so then we do neglect

                     The thing we have and, all for want of wit,¹⁵³

                     Make something nothing by augmenting¹⁵⁴ it.

155

155          Such hazard¹⁵⁵ now must doting Tarquin make,

               Pawning his honour to obtain his lust,

               And for himself himself he must forsake.¹⁵⁷

               Then where is truth, if there be no self-trust?

               When shall he think to find a stranger just,

160

160                When he himself himself confounds,¹⁶⁰ betrays

                     To sland’rous tongues and wretched hateful days?

               Now stole upon the time the dead of night,

               When heavy sleep had closed up mortal eyes.

               No comfortable¹⁶⁴ star did lend his light,

165

165          No noise but owls’ and wolves’ death-boding cries.¹⁶⁵

               Now serves the season¹⁶⁶ that they may surprise

                     The silly¹⁶⁷ lambs: pure thoughts are dead and still,

                     While lust and murder wakes to stain and kill.

               And now this lustful lord leapt from his bed,

170

170          Throwing his mantle¹⁷⁰ rudely o’er his arm,

               Is madly tossed between desire and dread:

               Th’one sweetly flatters, th’other feareth harm,

               But honest fear, bewitched with lust’s foul charm,

175                Doth too too oft betake¹⁷⁴ him to retire,

175

                     Beaten away by brainsick rude¹⁷⁵ desire.

               His falchion¹⁷⁶ on a flint he softly smiteth,

               That from the cold stone sparks of fire do fly,

               Whereat a waxen torch forthwith he lighteth,

               Which must be lodestar¹⁷⁹ to his lustful eye,

180

180          And to the flame thus speaks advisedly,¹⁸⁰

                     ‘As from this cold flint I enforced this fire,

                     So Lucrece must I force to my desire.’

               Here pale with fear he doth premeditate¹⁸³

               The dangers of his loathsome enterprise,

185

185          And in his inward mind he doth debate

               What following sorrow may on this arise.

               Then looking scornfully, he doth despise

                     His naked armour of still-slaughtered lust¹⁸⁸

                     And justly¹⁸⁹ thus controls his thoughts unjust:

190

190          ‘Fair torch, burn out thy light and lend it not

               To darken her whose light excelleth thine,

               And die, unhallowed¹⁹² thoughts, before you blot

               With your uncleanness that which is divine.

               Offer pure incense to so pure a shrine.

195

195                Let fair humanity abhor the deed

                     That spots and stains love’s modest snow-white weed.¹⁹⁶

               ‘O shame to knighthood and to shining arms!

               O foul dishonour to my household’s grave!¹⁹⁸

               O impious act, including all foul harms!

200

200          A martial man to be soft²⁰⁰ fancy’s slave!

               True valour still²⁰¹ a true respect should have,

                     Then my digression²⁰² is so vile, so base,

                     That it will live engraven in my face.

               ‘Yea, though I die, the scandal will survive

205

205          And be an eyesore in my golden coat:²⁰⁵

               Some loathsome dash²⁰⁶ the herald will contrive

               To cipher me²⁰⁷ how fondly I did dote,

               That my posterity, shamed with the note,²⁰⁸

                     Shall curse my bones and hold it for²⁰⁹ no sin

210

210                To wish that I their father had not been.

               ‘What win I, if I gain the thing I seek?

               A dream, a breath, a froth²¹² of fleeting joy.

               Who buys a minute’s mirth to wail a week?

               Or sells eternity to get a toy?²¹⁴

215

215          For one sweet grape who will the vine destroy?

                     Or what fond beggar, but to touch the crown,

                     Would with the sceptre straight²¹⁷ be strucken down?

               ‘If Collatinus dream of my intent,

               Will he not wake and in a desp’rate rage

220

220          Post²²⁰ hither, this vile purpose to prevent?

               This siege that hath engirt²²¹ his marriage,

               This blur²²² to youth, this sorrow to the sage,

                     This dying virtue, this surviving shame,

                     Whose crime will bear an ever-during²²⁴ blame?

225

225          ‘O, what excuse can my invention²²⁵ make,

               When thou shalt charge me with so black a deed?

               Will not my tongue be mute, my frail joints shake,

               Mine eyes²²⁸ forgo their light, my false heart bleed?

               The guilt being great, the fear doth still exceed,²²⁹

230

230                And extreme fear can neither fight nor fly,²³⁰

                     But coward-like with trembling terror die.

               ‘Had Collatinus killed my son or sire,²³²

               Or lain in ambush to betray my life,

               Or were he not my dear friend, this desire

235

235          Might have excuse to work upon²³⁵ his wife,

               As in revenge or quittal²³⁶ of such strife.

                     But as he is my kinsman, my dear friend,

                     The shame and fault finds no excuse nor end.

               ‘Shameful it is: ay, if the fact²³⁹ be known,

240

240          Hateful it is: there is no hate in loving.

               I’ll beg her love, but she is not her own:²⁴¹

               The worst is but denial and reproving.

               My will²⁴³ is strong, past reason’s weak removing:

                     Who²⁴⁴ fears a sentence or an old man’s saw

245

245                Shall by a painted cloth²⁴⁵ be kept in awe.’

               Thus, graceless,²⁴⁶ holds he disputation

               ’Tween frozen conscience and hot burning will,

               And with good thoughts make dispensation,²⁴⁸

               Urging the worser sense for vantage still,²⁴⁹

250

250          Which in a moment doth confound²⁵⁰ and kill

                     All pure effects,²⁵¹ and doth so far proceed

                     That what is vile shows like a virtuous deed.

               Quoth²⁵³ he, ‘She took me kindly by the hand

               And gazed for tidings in my eager eyes,

255

255          Fearing some hard²⁵⁵ news from the warlike band,

               Where her belovèd Collatinus lies.

               O, how her fear did make her colour rise!

                     First red as roses that on lawn²⁵⁸ we lay,

                     Then white as lawn, the roses took²⁵⁹ away.

260

260          ‘And how her hand, in my hand being locked,

               Forced it²⁶¹ to tremble with her loyal fear!

               Which²⁶² struck her sad and then it faster rocked,

               Until her husband’s welfare she did hear,

               Whereat she smilèd with so sweet a cheer

265

265                That, had Narcissus²⁶⁵ seen her as she stood,

                     Self-love had never drowned him in the flood.

               ‘Why hunt I then for colour²⁶⁷ or excuses?

               All orators are dumb when beauty pleadeth,

               Poor²⁶⁹ wretches have remorse in poor abuses,

270

270          Love thrives not in the heart that shadows dreadeth:

               Affection²⁷¹ is my captain and he leadeth,

                     And when his gaudy²⁷² banner is displayed,

                     The coward²⁷³ fights and will not be dismayed.

               ‘Then, childish fear, avaunt!²⁷⁴ Debating, die!

275

275          Respect and reason, wait on wrinkled age!

               My heart shall never countermand²⁷⁶ mine eye;

               Sad²⁷⁷ pause and deep regard beseems the sage:

               My part is youth and beats these from the stage.

                     Desire my pilot is, beauty my prize:

280

280                Then who fears sinking²⁸⁰ where such treasure lies?’

               As corn o’ergrown by weeds, so heedful²⁸¹ fear

               Is almost choked by unresisted²⁸² lust:

               Away he steals with open list’ning ear,

               Full of foul hope and full of fond mistrust,²⁸⁴

285

285          Both which, as servitors²⁸⁵ to the unjust,

                     So cross²⁸⁶ him with their opposite persuasion

                     That now he vows a league²⁸⁷ and now invasion.

               Within his thought her heavenly image sits,

               And in the selfsame seat sits Collatine.

290

290          That eye which looks on her confounds his wits,²⁹⁰

               That eye which him beholds, as more divine,²⁹¹

               Unto a view²⁹² so false will not incline,

                     But with a pure appeal seeks²⁹³ to the heart,

                     Which once corrupted takes the worser part,

295

295          And therein heartens up²⁹⁵ his servile powers,

               Who, flattered by their leader’s jocund²⁹⁶ show,

               Stuff up²⁹⁷ his lust, as minutes fill up hours,

               And as their captain, so their pride²⁹⁸ doth grow,

               Paying more slavish tribute than they owe.

300

300                By reprobate³⁰⁰ desire thus madly led,

                     The Roman lord marcheth to Lucrece’ bed.

               The locks between her chamber³⁰² and his will,

               Each one by him enforced, retires his ward,³⁰³

               But as they open they all rate his ill,³⁰⁴

305

305          Which drives the creeping thief to some regard:³⁰⁵

               The³⁰⁶ threshold grates the door to have him heard,

                     Night-wand’ring weasels³⁰⁷ shriek to see him there,

                     They fright him, yet he still pursues his fear.

               As each unwilling portal³⁰⁹ yields him way,

310

310          Through little vents and crannies of the place,

               The wind wars with his torch to make him stay³¹¹

               And blows the smoke of it into his face,

               Extinguishing his conduct³¹³ in this case.

                     But his hot heart, which fond desire doth scorch,

315

315                Puffs forth another wind that fires the torch,

               And, being lighted, by the light he spies

               Lucretia’s glove,³¹⁷ wherein her needle sticks.

               He takes it from the rushes³¹⁸ where it lies,

               And gripping it, the needle his finger pricks,

320

320          As who should³²⁰ say, ‘This glove to wanton tricks

                     Is not inured.³²¹ Return again in haste,

                     Thou see’st our mistress’ ornaments³²² are chaste.’

               But all these poor forbiddings could not stay him.

               He in the worst sense consters³²⁴ their denial:

325

325          The doors, the wind, the glove that did delay him,

               He takes for accidental things of trial,³²⁶

               Or as those bars³²⁷ which stop the hourly dial,

                     Who with a ling’ring stay his course doth let³²⁸

                     Till every minute pays the hour his debt.

330

330          ‘So, so,’ quoth he, ‘these lets attend³³⁰ the time,

               Like little frosts that sometime threat³³¹ the spring

               To add a more³³² rejoicing to the prime

               And give the sneapèd³³³ birds more cause to sing.

               Pain pays the income³³⁴ of each precious thing:

335

335                Huge rocks, high winds, strong pirates, shelves³³⁵ and sands,

                     The merchant fears, ere rich at home he lands.’

               Now is he come unto the chamber door

               That shuts him from the heaven³³⁸ of his thought,

               Which with a yielding latch and with no more

340

340          Hath barred him from the blessèd thing³⁴⁰ he sought.

               So from³⁴¹ himself impiety hath wrought

                     That for his prey to pray he doth begin,

                     As if the heavens should countenance his sin.

               But in the midst of his unfruitful prayer,

345

345          Having solicited th’eternal power

               That his foul³⁴⁶ thoughts might compass his fair fair,

               And they³⁴⁷ would stand auspicious to the hour,

               Even there he starts.³⁴⁸ Quoth he, ‘I must deflow’r.

                     The powers to whom I pray abhor this fact:

350

350                How can they then assist me in the act?³⁵⁰

               ‘Then Love and Fortune be my gods, my guide.

               My will is backed with resolution:

               Thoughts are but dreams till their effects be tried,

               The blackest sin is cleared³⁵⁴ with absolution,

355

355          Against love’s fire fear’s frost hath dissolution.³⁵⁵

                     The eye of heaven³⁵⁶ is out, and misty night

                     Covers the shame that follows sweet delight.’

               This said, his guilty hand plucked up the latch,

               And with his knee³⁵⁹ the door he opens wide.

360

360          The dove sleeps fast³⁶⁰ that this night owl will catch.

               Thus treason works³⁶¹ ere traitors be espied.

               Who³⁶² sees the lurking serpent steps aside,

                     But she, sound sleeping, fearing no such thing,

                     Lies at the mercy of his mortal³⁶⁴ sting.

365

365          Into the chamber wickedly he stalks³⁶⁵

               And gazeth on her yet unstainèd bed:

               The curtains³⁶⁷ being close, about he walks,

               Rolling his greedy eyeballs in his head.

               By their high treason³⁶⁹ is his heart misled,

370

370                Which gives the watchword³⁷⁰ to his hand full soon

                     To draw the cloud³⁷¹ that hides the silver moon.

               Look as³⁷² the fair and fiery-pointed sun,

               Rushing from forth a cloud, bereaves³⁷³ our sight,

               Even so, the curtain drawn, his eyes begun

375

375          To wink,³⁷⁵ being blinded with a greater light.

               Whether it is that she reflects so bright³⁷⁶

                     That dazzleth them, or else some shame supposed,

                     But blind they are and keep themselves enclosed.³⁷⁸

               O, had they in that darksome prison³⁷⁹ died

380

380          Then had they seen the period³⁸⁰ of their ill:

               Then Collatine again, by Lucrece’ side,

               In his clear³⁸² bed might have reposèd still.

               But they must ope³⁸³ this blessèd league to kill,

                     And holy-thoughted Lucrece to their sight

385

385                Must sell her joy, her life, her world’s delight.

               Her lily hand her rosy cheek lies under,

               Coz’ning³⁸⁷ the pillow of a lawful kiss,

               Who, therefore angry, seems to part in sunder,³⁸⁸

               Swelling³⁸⁹ on either side to want his bliss,

390

390          Between whose hills her head entombèd is,

                     Where like a virtuous monument³⁹¹ she lies,

                     To be admired of³⁹² lewd unhallowed eyes.

               Without³⁹³ the bed her other fair hand was

               On the green coverlet, whose perfect white

395

395          Showed like an April daisy on the grass

               With pearly sweat resembling dew of night.

               Her eyes, like marigolds,³⁹⁷ had sheathed their light

                     And, canopied in darkness, sweetly lay

                     Till they might open to adorn the day.

400

400          Her hair like golden threads played with her breath —

               O modest wantons, wanton modesty! —

               Showing life’s triumph in the map⁴⁰² of death

               And death’s dim look in life’s mortality.⁴⁰³

               Each⁴⁰⁴ in her sleep themselves so beautify,

405

405                As if between them twain⁴⁰⁵ there were no strife,

                     But that life lived in death and death in life.

               Her breasts, like ivory globes circled with blue,

               A pair of maiden⁴⁰⁸ worlds unconquerèd,

               Save of their lord no bearing yoke⁴⁰⁹ they knew,

410

410          And him by oath they truly honourèd.

               These worlds in Tarquin new ambition bred,

                     Who like a foul usurper went about

                     From this fair throne to heave the owner out.

               What could he see but mightily he noted?

415

415          What did he note but strongly he desired?

               What he beheld, on that he firmly doted,

               And in his will⁴¹⁷ his wilful eye he tired.

               With more than admiration he admired

                     Her azure⁴¹⁹ veins, her alabaster skin,

420

420                Her coral lips, her snow-white dimpled chin.

               As the grim⁴²¹ lion fawneth o’er his prey,

               Sharp hunger by the conquest satisfied,

               So o’er this sleeping soul doth Tarquin stay,⁴²³

               His rage of lust by gazing qualified,⁴²⁴

425

425          Slaked,⁴²⁵ not suppressed, for standing by her side,

                     His eye, which late⁴²⁶ this mutiny restrains,

                     Unto a greater uproar⁴²⁷ tempts his veins.

               And they, like straggling slaves⁴²⁸ for pillage fighting,

               Obdurate⁴²⁹ vassals fell exploits effecting,

430

430          In bloody death and ravishment⁴³⁰ delighting,

               Nor⁴³¹ children’s tears nor mothers’ groans respecting,

               Swell in their pride,⁴³² the onset still expecting.

                     Anon⁴³³ his beating heart, alarum striking,

                     Gives the hot charge⁴³⁴ and bids them do their liking.

435

435          His drumming heart cheers up⁴³⁵ his burning eye,

               His eye commends⁴³⁶ the leading to his hand,

               His hand, as proud of such a dignity,

               Smoking with pride, marched on to make his stand⁴³⁸

               On her bare breast, the heart of all her land,

440

440                Whose ranks of blue veins, as his hand did scale,⁴⁴⁰

                     Left their round turrets destitute and pale.

               They, must’ring⁴⁴² to the quiet cabinet

               Where their dear governess and lady lies,

               Do tell her she is dreadfully beset⁴⁴⁴

445

445          And fright her with confusion of their cries.

               She, much amazed, breaks ope her locked-up eyes,

                     Who, peeping forth this tumult to behold,

                     Are by his flaming torch dimmed and controlled.

               Imagine her as one in dead of night

450

450          From forth dull sleep by dreadful fancy waking,

               That thinks she hath beheld some ghastly⁴⁵¹ sprite,

               Whose grim aspect⁴⁵² sets every joint a-shaking —

               What terror ’tis! But she, in worser taking,⁴⁵³

                     From sleep disturbèd, heedfully⁴⁵⁴ doth view

455

455                The sight which makes supposèd⁴⁵⁵ terror true.

               Wrapped and confounded in a thousand fears,

               Like to a new-killed bird she trembling lies:

               She dares not look, yet winking⁴⁵⁸ there appears

               Quick-shifting⁴⁵⁹ antics, ugly in her eyes:

460

460          Such shadows⁴⁶⁰ are the weak brain’s forgeries,

                     Who, angry that the eyes fly from their lights,

                     In darkness daunts⁴⁶² them with more dreadful sights.

               His hand that yet remains upon her breast —

               Rude ram⁴⁶⁴ to batter such an ivory wall —

465

465          May feel her heart (poor citizen⁴⁶⁵) distressed,

               Wounding⁴⁶⁶ itself to death, rise up and fall,

               Beating her bulk⁴⁶⁷ that his hand shakes withal.

                     This moves in him more rage and lesser pity

                     To make the breach⁴⁶⁹ and enter this sweet city.

470

470          First like a trumpet doth his tongue begin

               To sound a parley⁴⁷¹ to his heartless foe,

               Who o’er the white sheet peers her whiter chin,

               The reason of this rash alarm⁴⁷³ to know,

               Which he by dumb demeanour⁴⁷⁴ seeks to show.

475

475                But she with vehement prayers urgeth⁴⁷⁵ still

                     Under what colour⁴⁷⁶ he commits this ill.

               Thus he replies, ‘The colour in thy face,

               That even for anger makes the lily pale

               And the red rose blush at her own disgrace,

480

480          Shall plead for me and tell my loving tale.⁴⁸⁰

               Under that colour am I come to scale

                     Thy never-conquered fort: the fault is thine,

                     For those thine eyes betray thee unto mine.

               ‘Thus I forestall thee, if thou mean to chide:⁴⁸⁴

485

485          Thy beauty hath ensnared thee to this night,

               Where thou with patience must my will⁴⁸⁶ abide,

               My will that marks thee for my earth’s delight,

               Which⁴⁸⁸ I to conquer sought with all my might,

                     But as reproof and reason beat it dead,

490

490                By thy bright beauty was it newly bred.⁴⁹⁰

               ‘I see what crosses⁴⁹¹ my attempt will bring,

               I know what thorns the growing rose defends,

               I think the honey⁴⁹³ guarded with a sting:

               All this beforehand counsel⁴⁹⁴ comprehends.

495

495          But will is deaf and hears no heedful friends,

                     Only he hath⁴⁹⁶ an eye to gaze on beauty,

                     And dotes on what he looks, gainst law or duty.

               ‘I have debated, even in my soul,

               What wrong, what shame, what sorrow I shall breed

500

500          But nothing can affection’s course control

               Or stop the headlong fury of his speed.

               I know repentant tears ensue⁵⁰² the deed,

                     Reproach, disdain and deadly enmity,

                     Yet strive I to embrace mine infamy.⁵⁰⁴’

505

505          This said, he shakes⁵⁰⁵ aloft his Roman blade,

               Which, like a falcon⁵⁰⁶ tow’ring in the skies,

               Coucheth⁵⁰⁷ the fowl below with his wings’ shade,

               Whose⁵⁰⁸ crooked beak threats if he mount he dies.

               So under his insulting⁵⁰⁹ falchion lies

510

510                Harmless Lucretia, marking what he tells

                     With trembling fear, as fowl hear falcons’ bells.⁵¹¹

               ‘Lucrece,’ quoth he, ‘this night I must enjoy thee.

               If thou deny,⁵¹³ then force must work my way,

               For in thy bed I purpose to destroy⁵¹⁴ thee.

515

515          That done, some worthless slave of thine I’ll slay,

               To kill thine honour with thy life’s decay,

                     And in thy dead arms do I mean to place him,

                     Swearing I slew him seeing thee embrace him.

               ‘So thy surviving husband shall remain

520

520          The scornful mark⁵²⁰ of every open eye,

               Thy kinsmen hang their heads at this disdain,

               Thy issue blurred⁵²² with nameless bastardy;

               And thou, the author of their obloquy,⁵²³

                     Shalt have thy trespass⁵²⁴ cited up in rhymes

525

525                And sung by children in succeeding times.

               ‘But if thou yield, I rest⁵²⁶ thy secret friend:

               The fault unknown is as a thought unacted,

               A little harm done to a great good end

               For⁵²⁹ lawful policy remains enacted.

530

530          The poisonous simple⁵³⁰ sometime is compacted

                     In a pure compound, being so applied

                     His venom in effect is purified.

               ‘Then, for thy husband and thy children’s sake,

               Tender my suit,⁵³⁴ bequeath not to their lot

535

535          The shame that from them no device⁵³⁵ can take,

               The blemish that will never be forgot,

               Worse than a slavish wipe⁵³⁷ or birth-hour’s blot:

                     For marks descried⁵³⁸ in men’s nativity

                     Are nature’s faults, not their own infamy.’

540

540          Here with a cockatrice’⁵⁴⁰ dead-killing eye

               He rouseth up himself⁵⁴¹ and makes a pause,

               While she, the picture of pure piety,

               Like a white hind⁵⁴³ under the gripe’s sharp claws,

               Pleads⁵⁴⁴ in a wilderness where are no laws

545

545                To the rough beast that knows no gentle⁵⁴⁵ right

                     Nor aught⁵⁴⁶ obeys but his foul appetite.

               But when a black-faced cloud the world doth threat,

               In his dim mist th’aspiring mountains hiding,

               From earth’s dark womb some gentle gust doth get,⁵⁴⁹

550

550          Which blows these pitchy⁵⁵⁰ vapours from their biding,

               Hind’ring their present fall⁵⁵¹ by this dividing,

                     So his unhallowed⁵⁵² haste her words delays,

                     And moody Pluto⁵⁵³ winks while Orpheus plays.

               Yet, foul night-waking cat, he doth but dally,⁵⁵⁴

555

555          While in his holdfast⁵⁵⁵ foot the weak mouse panteth.

               Her sad behaviour feeds his vulture folly,⁵⁵⁶

               A swallowing gulf⁵⁵⁷ that even in plenty wanteth.

               His ear her prayers admits,⁵⁵⁸ but his heart granteth

                     No penetrable⁵⁵⁹ entrance to her plaining:

560

560                Tears harden⁵⁶⁰ lust, though marble wear with raining.

               Her pity-pleading eyes are sadly fixed

               In the remorseless wrinkles of his face.

               Her modest eloquence with sighs is mixed,

               Which to her oratory adds more grace.

565

565          She puts⁵⁶⁵ the period often from his place,

                     And midst the sentence so her accent⁵⁶⁶ breaks

                     That twice she doth begin ere once she speaks.

               She conjures him by⁵⁶⁸ high almighty Jove,

               By knighthood, gentry⁵⁶⁹ and sweet friendship’s oath,

570

570          By her untimely⁵⁷⁰ tears, her husband’s love,

               By holy human law and common troth,⁵⁷¹

               By heaven and earth and all the power of both,

                     That to his borrowed⁵⁷³ bed he make retire

                     And stoop⁵⁷⁴ to honour, not to foul desire.

575

575          Quoth she, ‘Reward not hospitality

               With such black payment as thou hast pretended,⁵⁷⁶

               Mud⁵⁷⁷ not the fountain that gave drink to thee,

               Mar⁵⁷⁸ not the thing that cannot be amended,

               End thy ill aim⁵⁷⁹ before thy shoot be ended.

580

580                He is no woodman⁵⁸⁰ that doth bend his bow

                     To strike⁵⁸¹ a poor unseasonable doe.

               ‘My husband is thy friend, for his sake spare me.

               Thyself art mighty, for thine own sake leave me:

               Myself a weakling, do not then ensnare me.

585

585          Thou look’st not like deceit, do not deceive me.

               My sighs, like whirlwinds, labour hence to heave⁵⁸⁶ thee.

                     If ever man were moved⁵⁸⁷ with woman’s moans,

                     Be movèd with my tears, my sighs, my groans,

               ‘All which together, like a troubled ocean,

590

590          Beat at thy rocky and wrack-threat’ning⁵⁹⁰ heart,

               To soften it with their continual motion,

               For stones dissolved to water do convert.

               O, if no harder than a stone thou art,

                     Melt at my tears and be compassionate:

595

595                Soft pity enters at an iron gate.

               ‘In Tarquin’s likeness I did entertain thee:

               Hast thou put on his shape⁵⁹⁷ to do him shame?

               To all the host of heaven I complain me.

               Thou wrong’st his honour, wound’st his princely name:

600

600          Thou art not what thou seem’st, and if the same,

                     Thou seem’st not what thou art, a god, a king,

                     For kings like gods should govern everything.⁶⁰²

               ‘How will thy shame be seeded⁶⁰³ in thine age

               When thus thy vices bud before thy spring?

605

605          If in thy hope⁶⁰⁵ thou dar’st do such outrage,

               What dar’st thou not when once thou art a king?

               O, be remembered, no outrageous thing

                     From vassal actors⁶⁰⁸ can be wiped away,

                     Then kings’ misdeeds cannot be hid in clay.⁶⁰⁹

610

610          ‘This deed will make thee only loved for⁶¹⁰ fear,

               But happy⁶¹¹ monarchs still are feared for love.

               With⁶¹² foul offenders thou perforce must bear,

               When they in thee the like offences prove.

               If but for fear of this, thy will remove.⁶¹⁴

615

615                For princes are the glass,⁶¹⁵ the school, the book,

                     Where subjects’ eyes do learn, do read, do look.

               ‘And wilt thou be the school where lust shall learn?

               Must he in thee read lectures⁶¹⁸ of such shame?

               Wilt thou be glass wherein it shall discern

620

620          Authority for sin, warrant⁶²⁰ for blame,

               To privilege⁶²¹ dishonour in thy name?

                     Thou back’st⁶²² reproach against long-living laud

                     And mak’st fair reputation but a bawd.⁶²³

               ‘Hast thou command?⁶²⁴ By him that gave it thee,

625

625          From a pure heart command thy rebel will:

               Draw not thy sword to guard iniquity,⁶²⁶

               For it was lent thee all that brood⁶²⁷ to kill.

               Thy princely office⁶²⁸ how canst thou fulfil,

                     When, patterned by⁶²⁹ thy fault, foul sin may say,

630

630                He learned to sin and thou didst teach the way?

               ‘Think but how vile a spectacle it were

               To view thy present trespass in another.

               Men’s faults do seldom to themselves appear:

               Their own transgressions partially they smother.

635

635          This guilt would seem death-worthy in thy brother.

                     O, how are they wrapped in with infamies⁶³⁶

                     That from their own misdeeds askance⁶³⁷ their eyes!

               ‘To thee, to thee, my heaved-up⁶³⁸ hands appeal,

               Not to seducing lust, thy rash relier.⁶³⁹

640

640          I sue for exiled majesty’s repeal:⁶⁴⁰

               Let him return and flatt’ring⁶⁴¹ thoughts retire.

               His true respect⁶⁴² will prison false desire

                     And wipe the dim mist from thy doting eyne,⁶⁴³

                     That thou shalt see thy state⁶⁴⁴ and pity mine.’

645

645          ‘Have done’, quoth he. ‘My uncontrollèd tide

               Turns not, but swells⁶⁴⁶ the higher by this let.

               Small lights are soon blown out, huge fires abide

               And with the wind in greater fury fret:

               The petty streams that pay a daily debt

650

650                To their salt sovereign⁶⁵⁰ with their fresh falls’ haste

                     Add to his flow, but alter not his taste.’

               ‘Thou art’, quoth she, ‘a sea, a sovereign king,

               And, lo, there falls into thy boundless flood

               Black lust, dishonour, shame, misgoverning,

655

655          Who seek to stain the ocean of thy blood.⁶⁵⁵

               If all these petty ills shall change thy good,

                     Thy sea within a puddle’s womb is hearsed,⁶⁵⁷

                     And not the puddle in thy sea dispersed.

               ‘So shall these slaves⁶⁵⁹ be king and thou their slave,

660

660          Thou nobly base, they basely dignified,

               Thou their fair life and they thy fouler grave,

               Thou loathèd in their shame, they in thy pride.

               The lesser thing should not the greater hide.

                     The cedar stoops not to the base shrub’s foot,

665

665                But low shrubs wither at the cedar’s root.

               ‘So let thy thoughts, low vassals⁶⁶⁶ to thy state —’

               ‘No more’, quoth he, ‘by heaven, I will not hear thee.

               Yield to my love. If not, enforcèd hate

               Instead of love’s coy⁶⁶⁹ touch shall rudely tear thee.

670

670          That done, despitefully⁶⁷⁰ I mean to bear thee

                     Unto the base bed of some rascal groom⁶⁷¹

                     To be thy partner in this shameful doom.⁶⁷²’

               This said, he sets his foot upon the light,

               For light and lust are deadly enemies:

675

675          Shame folded up in blind concealing night,

               When most unseen, then most doth tyrannize.

               The wolf hath seized⁶⁷⁷ his prey, the poor lamb cries,

                     Till with her own white fleece⁶⁷⁸ her voice controlled

                     Entombs her outcry in her lips’ sweet fold.⁶⁷⁹

680

680          For with the nightly linen⁶⁸⁰ that she wears

               He pens her piteous clamours in her head,

               Cooling his hot face in the chastest tears

               That ever modest eyes with sorrow shed.

               O, that prone⁶⁸⁴ lust should stain so pure a bed,

685

685                The spots whereof could weeping⁶⁸⁵ purify,

                     Her tears should drop on them perpetually!

               But she hath lost a dearer thing than life

               And he hath won what he would lose again:

               This forcèd league⁶⁸⁹ doth force a further strife,

690

690          This momentary joy breeds months of pain,

               This hot desire converts to cold disdain,

                     Pure chastity is rifled⁶⁹² of her store,

                     And lust, the thief, far poorer than before.

               Look as the full-fed hound or gorgèd⁶⁹⁴ hawk,

695

695          Unapt⁶⁹⁵ for tender smell or speedy flight,

               Make slow pursuit, or altogether balk⁶⁹⁶

               The prey wherein by nature they delight:

               So surfeit-taking⁶⁹⁸ Tarquin fares this night:

                     His taste delicious, in digestion souring,

700

700                Devours his will that lived by foul devouring.

               O, deeper sin than bottomless conceit⁷⁰¹

               Can comprehend in still imagination!⁷⁰²

               Drunken desire must vomit his receipt,⁷⁰³

               Ere he can see his own abomination.

705

705          While lust is in his pride,⁷⁰⁵ no exclamation

                     Can curb his heat or rein his rash desire,

                     Till like a jade⁷⁰⁷ self-will himself doth tire.

               And then with lank and lean discoloured cheek,

               With heavy eye, knit brow and strengthless pace,

710

710          Feeble desire, all recreant,⁷¹⁰ poor and meek,

               Like to a bankrupt beggar wails his case:

               The⁷¹² flesh being proud, desire doth fight with grace,

                     For there⁷¹³ it revels and when that decays,

                     The guilty rebel for remission⁷¹⁴ prays.

715

715          So fares it with this faultful lord of Rome,

               Who this accomplishment so hotly chased,

               For now against himself he sounds this doom,⁷¹⁷

               That through the length of times he stands disgraced.

               Besides, his soul’s fair temple is defaced,

720

720                To whose weak ruins muster troops of cares,

                     To ask the spotted princess⁷²¹ how she fares.

               She says her subjects⁷²² with foul insurrection

               Have battered down her consecrated wall,

               And by their mortal⁷²⁴ fault brought in subjection

725

725          Her immortality and made her thrall⁷²⁵

               To living death and pain perpetual,

                     Which in her prescience⁷²⁷ she controllèd still,

                     But⁷²⁸ her foresight could not forestall their will.

               Ev’n in this thought through the dark night he stealeth,

730

730          A captive victor that hath lost in gain,

               Bearing away the wound that nothing healeth,

               The scar that will, despite of cure, remain,

               Leaving his spoil⁷³³ perplexed in greater pain.

                     She bears the load of lust⁷³⁴ he left behind,

735

735                And he the burden of a guilty mind.

               He like a thievish dog creeps sadly thence,

               She like a wearied lamb lies panting there.

               He scowls and hates himself for his offence,

               She, desperate,⁷³⁹ with her nails her flesh doth tear.

740

740          He faintly flies,⁷⁴⁰ sweating with guilty fear,

                     She stays, exclaiming on⁷⁴¹ the direful night.

                     He runs and chides his vanished, loathed delight.

               He thence departs a heavy convertite,⁷⁴³

               She there remains a hopeless castaway.⁷⁴⁴

745

745          He in his speed looks for the morning light,

               She prays she never may behold the day.

               ‘For day’, quoth she, ‘Night’s scapes⁷⁴⁷ doth open lay,

                     And my true eyes have never practised how

                     To cloak offences with a cunning brow.⁷⁴⁹

750

750          ‘They think not but⁷⁵⁰ that every eye can see

               The same disgrace which they themselves behold,

               And therefore would⁷⁵² they still in darkness be,

               To have their unseen sin remain untold.

               For they their guilt with weeping will unfold,

755

755                And grave,⁷⁵⁵ like water that doth eat in steel,

                     Upon my cheeks what helpless shame I feel.’

               Here she exclaims against repose and rest,

               And bids her eyes hereafter still be blind.

               She wakes her heart by beating on her breast

760

760          And bids it leap from thence, where it may find

               Some purer chest to close⁷⁶¹ so pure a mind.

                     Frantic with grief thus breathes she forth her spite⁷⁶²

                     Against the unseen secrecy of night:

               ‘O comfort-killing Night! Image of hell!

765

765          Dim register⁷⁶⁵ and notary of shame!

               Black stage⁷⁶⁶ for tragedies and murders fell!

               Vast sin-concealing chaos!⁷⁶⁷ Nurse of blame!

               Blind, muffled bawd! Dark harbour for defame!⁷⁶⁸

                     Grim cave of death! Whisp’ring conspirator

770

770                With close-tongued⁷⁷⁰ treason and the ravisher!

               ‘O hateful, vaporous and foggy Night!

               Since thou art guilty of my cureless crime,

               Muster⁷⁷³ thy mists to meet the eastern light,

               Make war against proportioned⁷⁷⁴ course of time,

775

775          Or if thou wilt permit the sun to climb

                     His wonted⁷⁷⁶ height, yet ere he go to bed,

                     Knit⁷⁷⁷ poisonous clouds about his golden head.

               ‘With rotten damps⁷⁷⁸ ravish the morning air,

               Let their exhaled unwholesome breaths make sick

780

780          The life⁷⁸⁰ of purity, the supreme fair,

               Ere he arrive⁷⁸¹ his weary noontide prick,

               And let thy musty vapours march so thick

                     That in their smoky ranks his smothered light

                     May set at noon and make perpetual night.

785

785          ‘Were Tarquin Night, as he is but Night’s child,

               The silver-shining queen⁷⁸⁶ he would distain.

               Her twinkling handmaids⁷⁸⁷ too, by him defiled,

               Through Night’s black bosom should not peep again.

               So should I have co-partners in my pain,

790

790                And fellowship in woe doth woe assuage,

                     As palmers’⁷⁹¹ chat makes short their pilgrimage.

               ‘Where now I have no one to blush with me,

               To cross their arms⁷⁹³ and hang their heads with mine,

               To mask their brows and hide their infamy,

795

795          But I alone alone must sit and pine,⁷⁹⁵

               Seasoning the earth with showers of silver brine,

                     Mingling my talk with tears, my grief with groans,

                     Poor wasting⁷⁹⁸ monuments of lasting moans.

               ‘O Night, thou furnace of foul-reeking⁷⁹⁹ smoke,

800

800          Let not the jealous day behold that face

               Which underneath thy black all-hiding cloak

               Immodestly lies martyred with disgrace.

               Keep still possession of thy gloomy place,

                     That all the faults which in thy reign are made

805

805                May likewise be sepulchred⁸⁰⁵ in thy shade.

               ‘Make me not object⁸⁰⁶ to the tell-tale day:

               The light will show, charactered in my brow,

               The story of sweet chastity’s decay,

               The impious breach of holy wedlock vow.

810

810          Yea, the illiterate, that know not how

                     To cipher⁸¹¹ what is writ in learnèd books,

                     Will quote⁸¹² my loathsome trespass in my looks.

               ‘The nurse, to still her child, will tell my story

               And fright her crying babe with Tarquin’s name.

815

815          The orator, to deck⁸¹⁵ his oratory,

               Will couple⁸¹⁶ my reproach to Tarquin’s shame.

               Feast-finding minstrels,⁸¹⁷ tuning my defame,

                     Will tie⁸¹⁸ the hearers to attend each line,

                     How Tarquin wrongèd me, I Collatine.⁸¹⁹

820

820          ‘Let my good name, that senseless reputation,⁸²⁰

               For Collatine’s dear love be kept unspotted.

               If that be made a theme for disputation,⁸²²

               The branches⁸²³ of another root are rotted,

               And undeserved reproach to him allotted

825

825                That is as clear⁸²⁵ from this attaint of mine

                     As I, ere this, was pure to Collatine.

               ‘O unseen shame! Invisible disgrace!

               O unfelt sore! Crest-wounding,⁸²⁸ private scar!

               Reproach is stamped in Collatinus’ face,

830

830          And Tarquin’s eye may read the mot⁸³⁰ afar,

               How he in peace is wounded, not in war.

                     Alas, how many bear such shameful blows,

                     Which not themselves, but he that gives them knows.

               ‘If, Collatine, thine honour lay in me,

835

835          From me by strong assault it is bereft:⁸³⁵

               My honey lost and I, a drone-like⁸³⁶ bee,

               Have no perfection⁸³⁷ of my summer left,

               But robbed and ransacked by injurious⁸³⁸ theft.

                     In thy weak hive a wand’ring wasp hath crept

840

840                And sucked the honey which thy chaste bee kept.

               ‘Yet am I guilty of thy honour’s wrack,⁸⁴¹

               Yet for thy honour did I entertain him:⁸⁴²

               Coming from thee, I could not put him back,⁸⁴³

               For it had been dishonour to disdain⁸⁴⁴ him.

845

845          Besides, of weariness he did complain him

                     And talked of virtue — O unlooked-for evil

                     When virtue is profaned in such a devil!

               ‘Why should the worm⁸⁴⁸ intrude the maiden bud?

               Or hateful cuckoos⁸⁴⁹ hatch in sparrows’ nests?

850

850          Or toads infect fair founts⁸⁵⁰ with venom mud?

               Or tyrant folly⁸⁵¹ lurk in gentle breasts?

               Or kings be breakers of their own behests?⁸⁵²

                     But no perfection is so absolute

                     That some impurity doth not pollute.

855

855          ‘The agèd man that coffers up⁸⁵⁵ his gold

               Is plagued with cramps and gouts and painful fits

               And scarce hath eyes his treasure to behold,

               But like still-pining⁸⁵⁸ Tantalus he sits

               And useless barns⁸⁵⁹ the harvest of his wits,

860

860                Having no other pleasure of his gain

                     But torment that it cannot cure his pain.

               ‘So then he hath it when he cannot use it

               And leaves it to be mastered by his young,

               Who in their pride do presently⁸⁶⁴ abuse it:

865

865          Their father was too weak and they too strong

               To hold their cursèd-blessèd fortune long.

                     The sweets we wish for turn to loathèd sours

                     Even in the moment that we call them ours.

               ‘Unruly blasts wait on the tender spring,

870

870          Unwholesome weeds take root with precious flowers,

               The adder hisses where the sweet birds sing,

               What virtue breeds iniquity devours.

               We have no good that we can say is ours,

                     But ill-annexèd Opportunity⁸⁷⁴

875

875                Or⁸⁷⁵ kills his life or else his quality.

               ‘O Opportunity, thy guilt is great!

               ’Tis thou that execut’st⁸⁷⁷ the traitor’s treason:

               Thou sets⁸⁷⁸ the wolf where he the lamb may get.

               Whoever plots the sin, thou point’st⁸⁷⁹ the season.

880

880          ’Tis thou that spurn’st⁸⁸⁰ at right, at law, at reason,

                     And in thy shady cell,⁸⁸¹ where none may spy him,

                     Sits Sin, to seize the souls that wander by him.

               ‘Thou mak’st the vestal⁸⁸³ violate her oath,

               Thou blow’st the fire when temperance⁸⁸⁴ is thawed,

885

885          Thou smother’st honesty;⁸⁸⁵ thou murd’rest troth:

               Thou foul abettor, thou notorious bawd,

               Thou plantest scandal and displacest laud.⁸⁸⁷

                     Thou ravisher, thou traitor, thou false thief,

                     Thy honey turns to gall,⁸⁸⁹ thy joy to grief.

890

890          ‘Thy secret pleasure turns to open shame,

               Thy private feasting to a public fast,

               Thy smoothing⁸⁹² titles to a ragged name,

               Thy sugared tongue to bitter wormwood⁸⁹³ taste:

               Thy violent vanities⁸⁹⁴ can never last.

895

895                How comes it then, vile Opportunity,

                     Being so bad, such numbers seek for thee?

               ‘When wilt thou be the humble suppliant’s⁸⁹⁷ friend

               And bring him where his suit may be obtained?

               When wilt thou sort⁸⁹⁹ an hour great strifes to end?

900

900          Or free that soul which wretchedness hath chained?

               Give physic⁹⁰¹ to the sick? Ease to the pained?

                     The poor, lame, blind, halt,⁹⁰² creep, cry out for thee,

                     But they ne’er meet with Opportunity.

               ‘The patient dies while the physician sleeps,

905

905          The orphan pines⁹⁰⁵ while the oppressor feeds.

               Justice is feasting while the widow weeps,

               Advice⁹⁰⁷ is sporting while infection breeds.

               Thou grant’st no time for charitable deeds.

                     Wrath, envy, treason, rape and murder’s rages,

910

910                Thy heinous hours wait on them as their pages.⁹¹⁰

               ‘When Truth and Virtue have to do with thee,

               A thousand crosses⁹¹² keep them from thy aid.

               They buy thy help, but Sin ne’er gives a fee:

               He gratis⁹¹⁴ comes and thou art well apaid

915

915          As well to hear as grant what he hath said.

                     My Collatine would else⁹¹⁶ have come to me

                     When Tarquin did, but he was stayed⁹¹⁷ by thee.

               ‘Guilty thou art of murder and of theft,

               Guilty of perjury and subornation,⁹¹⁹

920

920          Guilty of treason, forgery and shift,⁹²⁰

               Guilty of incest, that abomination:

               An accessary by thine inclination⁹²²

                     To all sins past and all that are to come,

                     From the creation to the general doom.⁹²⁴

925

925          ‘Misshapen Time, copesmate⁹²⁵ of ugly Night,

               Swift subtle post,⁹²⁶ carrier of grisly care,

               Eater of youth, false slave to false delight,

               Base watch of woes,⁹²⁸ sin’s packhorse, virtue’s snare,

               Thou nursest all and murd’rest all that are.

930

930                O, hear me then, injurious, shifting Time,

                     Be guilty of my death, since of⁹³¹ my crime.

               ‘Why hath thy servant, Opportunity,

               Betrayed the hours thou gav’st me to repose?

               Cancelled my fortunes and enchainèd me

935

935          To endless date⁹³⁵ of never-ending woes?

               Time’s office⁹³⁶ is to fine the hate of foes,

                     To eat up errors by opinion⁹³⁷ bred,

                     Not spend the dowry of a lawful bed.

               ‘Time’s glory is to calm contending⁹³⁹ kings,

940

940          To unmask falsehood and bring truth to light,

               To stamp the seal of time in agèd things,

               To wake the morn and sentinel⁹⁴² the night,

               To wrong the wronger till he render right,

                     To ruinate⁹⁴⁴ proud buildings with thy hours

945

945                And smear with dust their glitt’ring golden towers,

               ‘To fill with worm-holes stately monuments,

               To feed oblivion with decay of things,

               To blot old books and alter their contents,

               To pluck the quills⁹⁴⁹ from ancient ravens’ wings,

950

950          To dry the old oak’s sap and cherish springs,⁹⁵⁰

                     To spoil antiquities of hammered steel

                     And turn the giddy round of Fortune’s wheel,⁹⁵²

               ‘To show the beldame⁹⁵³ daughters of her daughter,

               To make the child a man, the man a child,⁹⁵⁴

955

955          To slay the tiger that doth live by slaughter,

               To tame the unicorn and lion wild,

               To mock the subtle⁹⁵⁷ in themselves beguiled,

                     To cheer the ploughman with increaseful⁹⁵⁸ crops

                     And waste⁹⁵⁹ huge stones with little water drops.

960

960          ‘Why work’st thou mischief⁹⁶⁰ in thy pilgrimage,

               Unless thou couldst return to make amends?

               One poor retiring⁹⁶² minute in an age

               Would purchase thee a thousand thousand friends,

               Lending⁹⁶⁴ him wit that to bad debtors lends.

965

965                O, this dread Night, wouldst thou one hour come back,

                     I could prevent this storm and shun thy wrack.

               ‘Thou ceaseless lackey⁹⁶⁷ to eternity,

               With some mischance cross⁹⁶⁸ Tarquin in his flight,

               Devise extremes beyond extremity

970

970          To make him curse this cursèd crimeful night,

               Let ghastly⁹⁷¹ shadows his lewd eyes affright,

                     And the dire thought of his committed evil

                     Shape every bush a hideous shapeless devil.

               ‘Disturb his hours of rest with restless trances,⁹⁷⁴

975

975          Afflict him in his bed with bedrid groans,

               Let there bechance⁹⁷⁶ him pitiful mischances

               To make him moan, but pity not his moans.

               Stone him with hardened hearts harder than stones,

                     And let mild women to him lose their mildness,

980

980                Wilder to him than tigers in their wildness.

               ‘Let him have time to tear his curlèd hair,

               Let him have time against himself to rave,

               Let him have time of Time’s help to despair,

               Let him have time to live a loathèd slave,

985

985          Let him have time a beggar’s orts⁹⁸⁵ to crave,

                     And time to see one⁹⁸⁶ that by alms doth live

                     Disdain⁹⁸⁷ to him disdainèd scraps to give.

               ‘Let him have time to see his friends his foes

               And merry fools to⁹⁸⁹ mock at him resort,

990

990          Let him have time to mark how slow time goes

               In time of sorrow and how swift and short

               His time of folly and his time of sport.⁹⁹²

                     And ever let his unrecalling⁹⁹³ crime

                     Have time to wail th’abusing⁹⁹⁴ of his time.

995

995          ‘O Time, thou tutor both to good and bad,

               Teach me to curse him that⁹⁹⁶ thou taught’st this ill.

               At his own shadow let the thief run mad,

               Himself himself seek every hour to kill:

               Such wretched hands such wretched blood should spill,

1000

1000              For who so base would such an office have

                     As sland’rous deathsman¹⁰⁰¹ to so base a slave?

               ‘The baser is he, coming¹⁰⁰² from a king,

               To shame his hope¹⁰⁰³ with deeds degenerate.

               The mightier man, the mightier is the thing

1005

1005        That makes him honoured or begets him hate:¹⁰⁰⁵

               For greatest scandal waits on¹⁰⁰⁶ greatest state.

                     The moon being clouded presently¹⁰⁰⁷ is missed,

                     But little stars may hide them when they list.

               ‘The crow may bathe his coal-black wings in mire¹⁰⁰⁹

1010

1010        And unperceived fly with the filth away,

               But if the like¹⁰¹¹ the snow-white swan desire,

               The stain upon his silver down will stay.

               Poor grooms¹⁰¹³ are sightless night, kings glorious day,

                     Gnats are unnoted wheresoe’er they fly,

1015

1015              But eagles gazed upon with every eye.

               ‘Out,¹⁰¹⁶ idle words, servants to shallow fools,

               Unprofitable sounds, weak arbitrators!¹⁰¹⁷

               Busy yourselves in skill-contending schools,¹⁰¹⁸

               Debate where leisure serves with dull debaters,

1020

1020        To trembling clients be you mediators.

                     For me, I force¹⁰²¹ not argument a straw,

                     Since that my case¹⁰²² is past the help of law.

               ‘In vain I rail¹⁰²³ at Opportunity,

               At Time, at Tarquin and uncheerful Night,

1025

1025        In vain I cavil¹⁰²⁵ with mine infamy,

               In vain I spurn¹⁰²⁶ at my confirmed despite:

               This helpless smoke of words doth me no right.

                     The remedy indeed to do me good

                     Is to let¹⁰²⁹ forth my foul defilèd blood.

1030

1030        ‘Poor hand, why quiver’st thou at this decree?

               Honour thyself to rid me of this shame,

               For if I die my honour lives in thee,

               But if I live thou liv’st in my defame.

               Since thou couldst not defend thy loyal dame

1035

1035              And wast afeard to scratch her wicked foe,

                     Kill both thyself and her for yielding so.’

               This said, from her betumbled couch¹⁰³⁷ she starteth,

               To find some desp’rate instrument of death.

               But this, no slaughterhouse, no tool imparteth¹⁰³⁹

1040

1040        To make more vent for passage of her breath,

               Which thronging¹⁰⁴¹ through her lips, so vanisheth

                     As smoke from Aetna¹⁰⁴² that in air consumes

                     Or that which from dischargèd cannon fumes.¹⁰⁴³

               ‘In vain,’ quoth she, ‘I live and seek in vain

1045

1045        Some happy mean to end a hapless¹⁰⁴⁵ life.

               I feared by Tarquin’s falchion¹⁰⁴⁶ to be slain,

               Yet for the self-same purpose seek a knife;

               But when I feared I was a loyal wife.

                     So am I now — O no, that cannot be!

1050

1050              Of that true type¹⁰⁵⁰ hath Tarquin rifled me.

               ‘O, that is gone for which I sought to live,

               And therefore now I need not fear to die.

               To clear this spot¹⁰⁵³ by death, at least I give

               A badge¹⁰⁵⁴ of fame to slander’s livery,

1055

1055        A dying life to living infamy:

                     Poor helpless help, the treasure stol’n away,

                     To burn the guiltless casket where it lay.

               ‘Well, well, dear Collatine, thou shalt not know

               The stainèd taste of violated troth,

1060

1060        I will not wrong thy true affection so,

               To flatter¹⁰⁶¹ thee with an infringèd oath.

               This bastard graff¹⁰⁶² shall never come to growth:

                     He shall not boast who did thy stock¹⁰⁶³ pollute,

                     That thou art doting father of his fruit.

1065

1065        ‘Nor shall he smile at thee in secret thought,

               Nor laugh with his companions at thy state,

               But thou shalt know thy int’rest¹⁰⁶⁷ was not bought

               Basely with¹⁰⁷⁰ gold, but stol’n from forth thy gate.

               For me, I am the mistress of my fate,

1070

1070              And with my trespass never will dispense

                     Till life to death acquit my forced offence.

               ‘I will not poison thee with my attaint¹⁰⁷²

               Nor fold my fault in cleanly coined¹⁰⁷³ excuses.

               My sable ground¹⁰⁷⁴ of sin I will not paint

1075

1075        To hide the truth of this false night’s¹⁰⁷⁵ abuses.

               My tongue shall utter all, mine eyes like sluices,

                     As from a mountain-spring that feeds a dale,¹⁰⁷⁷

                     Shall gush pure streams to purge my impure tale.’

               By this,¹⁰⁷⁹ lamenting Philomel had ended

1080

1080        The well-tuned warble of her nightly sorrow,

               And solemn night with slow, sad gait descended

               To ugly hell, when, lo, the blushing morrow

               Lends light to all fair eyes that light will borrow.

                     But cloudy¹⁰⁸⁴ Lucrece shames herself to see,

1085

1085              And therefore still in night would cloistered be.

               Revealing day through every cranny spies

               And seems to point her out where she sits weeping,

               To whom she sobbing speaks: ‘O eye of eyes,

               Why pry’st thou¹⁰⁸⁹ through my window? Leave thy peeping,

1090

1090        Mock with thy tickling beams eyes that are sleeping,

                     Brand not my forehead with thy piercing light,

                     For day hath nought to do¹⁰⁹² what’s done by night.’

               Thus cavils she with everything she sees:

               True grief is fond¹⁰⁹⁴ and testy as a child,

1095

1095        Who wayward¹⁰⁹⁵ once, his mood with nought agrees:

               Old woes, not infant sorrows, bear them mild,¹⁰⁹⁶

               Continuance¹⁰⁹⁷ tames the one, the other wild,

                     Like an unpractised swimmer plunging still,

                     With too much labour drowns for want of skill.

1100

1100        So she, deep-drenchèd¹¹⁰⁰ in a sea of care,

               Holds disputation with each thing she views

               And to herself all sorrow doth compare.

               No¹¹⁰³ object but her passion’s strength renews,

               And as one shifts, another straight¹¹⁰⁴ ensues.

1105

Sometime her grief is dumb and hath no words,

Sometime ’tis mad and too much talk affords.

1105        The little birds that tune their morning’s joy

               Make her moans mad with their sweet melody,

               For mirth¹¹⁰⁹ doth search the bottom of annoy.

1110

1110        Sad souls are slain in merry company,

               Grief best is pleased with grief’s society:

                     True sorrow then is feelingly sufficed¹¹¹²

                     When with¹¹¹³ like semblance it is sympathized.

               ’Tis double death to drown in ken¹¹¹⁴ of shore,

1115

1115        He ten times pines¹¹¹⁵ that pines beholding food,

               To see the salve¹¹¹⁶ doth make the wound ache more,

               Great grief grieves most at that¹¹¹⁷ would do it good,

               Deep woes roll forward like a gentle flood,

                     Who, being stopped, the bounding¹¹¹⁹ banks o’erflows:

1120

1120              Grief dallied¹¹²⁰ with nor law nor limit knows.

               ‘You mocking-birds,’ quoth she, ‘your tunes entomb

               Within your hollow-swelling feathered breasts,

               And in my hearing be you mute and dumb,

               My restless¹¹²⁴ discord loves no stops nor rests:

1125

1125        A woeful hostess brooks¹¹²⁵ not merry guests.

                     Relish¹¹²⁶ your nimble notes to pleasing ears:

                     Distress likes dumps¹¹²⁷ when time is kept with tears.

               ‘Come, Philomel, that sing’st of ravishment,

               Make thy sad grove in my dishevelled¹¹²⁹ hair.

1130

1130        As the dank earth weeps at thy languishment,¹¹³⁰

               So I at each sad strain will strain¹¹³¹ a tear

               And with deep groans the diapason¹¹³² bear:

                     For burden-wise¹¹³³ I’ll hum on Tarquin still,

                     While thou on Tereus¹¹³⁴ descants better skill.

1135

1135        ‘And whiles against¹¹³⁵ a thorn thou bear’st thy part,

               To keep thy sharp woes waking, wretched I,

               To imitate thee well, against my heart

               Will fix a sharp knife to affright mine eye,

               Who, if it wink,¹¹³⁹ shall thereon fall and die.

1140

1140              These means, as frets¹¹⁴⁰ upon an instrument,

                     Shall tune our heartstrings to true languishment.

               ‘And for,¹¹⁴² poor bird, thou sing’st not in the day,

               As shaming¹¹⁴³ any eye should thee behold,

               Some dark deep desert,¹¹⁴⁴ seated from the way,

1145

1145        That knows not parching heat nor freezing cold

               Will we find out, and there we will unfold

                     To creatures stern,¹¹⁴⁷ sad tunes to change their kinds:

                     Since men prove beasts, let beasts bear gentle minds.’

               As the poor frighted deer that stands at gaze,¹¹⁴⁹

1150

1150        Wildly determining which way to fly,

               Or one encompassed¹¹⁵¹ with a winding maze

               That cannot tread the way out readily,

               So with herself is she in mutiny:

                     To live or die which of the twain were better,

1155

1155              When life is shamed and death reproach’s debtor.¹¹⁵⁵

               ‘To kill myself,’ quoth she, ‘alack, what were it

               But¹¹⁵⁷ with my body my poor soul’s pollution?

               They that lose half with greater patience bear it

               Than they whose whole is swallowed in confusion.¹¹⁵⁹

1160

1160        That mother tries¹¹⁶⁰ a merciless conclusion

                     Who, having two sweet babes, when death takes one,

                     Will slay the other and be nurse to none.

               ‘My body or my soul, which was the dearer,

               When the one pure, the other made divine?¹¹⁶⁴

1165

1165        Whose¹¹⁶⁵ love of either to myself was nearer

               When both were kept for heaven and Collatine?

               Ay me! The bark peeled from the lofty pine,

                     His leaves will wither and his sap decay,

                     So must my soul, her bark being peeled away.

1170

1170        ‘Her house is sacked,¹¹⁷⁰ her quiet interrupted,

               Her mansion battered by the enemy,

               Her sacred temple spotted, spoiled, corrupted,

               Grossly engirt¹¹⁷³ with daring infamy.

               Then let it not be called impiety,

1175

1175              If in this blemished fort¹¹⁷⁵ I make some hole

                     Through which I may convey this troubled soul.

               ‘Yet die I will not till my Collatine

               Have heard the cause of my untimely death,

               That he may vow, in that sad hour of mine,

1180

1180        Revenge on him that made me stop my breath.

               My stainèd blood to Tarquin I’ll bequeath,

                     Which by him tainted shall for him be spent,¹¹⁸²

                     And as his due writ in my testament.¹¹⁸³

               ‘My honour I’ll bequeath unto the knife

1185

1185        That wounds my body so dishonourèd.

               ’Tis honour to deprive¹¹⁸⁶ dishonoured life:

               The one will live, the other being dead.

               So of shame’s ashes shall my fame¹¹⁸⁸ be bred,

                     For in my death I murder shameful scorn:

1190

1190              My shame so dead, mine honour is newborn.

               ‘Dear lord of that dear jewel¹¹⁹¹ I have lost,

               What legacy shall I bequeath to thee?

               My resolution,¹¹⁹³ love, shall be thy boast,

               By whose example thou revenged may’st be.

1195

1195        How Tarquin must be used,¹¹⁹⁵ read it in me:

                     Myself, thy friend, will kill myself, thy foe,

                     And for my sake serve thou false Tarquin so.

               ‘This brief abridgement of my will I make:

               My soul and body to¹¹⁹⁹ the skies and ground,

1200

1200        My resolution, husband, do thou take,

               Mine honour be the knife’s that makes my wound,

               My shame be his that did my fame confound,¹²⁰²

                     And all my fame that lives disbursèd¹²⁰³ be

                     To those that live and think no shame of me.

1205

1205        ‘Thou, Collatine, shalt oversee¹²⁰⁵ this will —

               How was I overseen¹²⁰⁶ that thou shalt see it!

               My blood shall wash the slander of mine ill,

               My life’s foul deed my life’s fair end shall free it.

               Faint not, faint heart, but stoutly say “So be it.”

1210

1210              Yield to my hand, my hand shall conquer thee:

                     Thou dead, both die and both shall victors be.’

               This plot of death when sadly she had laid

               And wiped the brinish pearl¹²¹³ from her bright eyes,

               With untuned¹²¹⁴ tongue she hoarsely calls her maid,

1215

1215        Whose swift obedience to her mistress hies,¹²¹⁵

               For fleet-winged duty with thought’s feathers¹²¹⁶ flies.

                     Poor Lucrece’ cheeks unto her maid seem so

                     As winter meads¹²¹⁸ when sun doth melt their snow.

               Her mistress she doth give demure good morrow

1220

1220        With soft, slow tongue, true mark of modesty,

               And sorts¹²²¹ a sad look to her lady’s sorrow,

               For why¹²²² her face wore sorrow’s livery,

               But durst not ask of her audaciously¹²²³

                     Why her two suns were cloud-eclipsèd so,

1225

1225              Nor why her fair cheeks over-washed with woe.

               But as the earth doth weep, the sun being set,

               Each flower moistened like a melting eye,

               Even so the maid with swelling drops gan¹²²⁸ wet

               Her circled eyne,¹²²⁹ enforced by sympathy

1230

1230        Of those fair suns set in her mistress’ sky,

                     Who in a salt-waved ocean quench their light,

                     Which makes the maid weep like¹²³⁴ the dewy night.

               A pretty while these pretty creatures stand,

               Like ivory conduits coral cisterns filling:

1235

1235        One justly¹²³⁵ weeps, the other takes in hand

               No cause, but company,¹²³⁶ of her drops spilling.

               Their gentle sex to weep are often willing,

                     Grieving themselves to¹²³⁸ guess at others’ smarts,

                     And then they drown their eyes or break their hearts.

1240

1240        For men have marble, women waxen minds,

               And therefore are they formed as marble will:¹²⁴¹

               The weak oppressed, th’impression of strange kinds¹²⁴²

               Is formed in them by force, by fraud, or skill.¹²⁴³

               Then call them not the authors of their ill,

1245

1245              No more than wax shall be accounted evil

                     Wherein is stamped the semblance¹²⁴⁶ of a devil.

               Their smoothness, like a goodly champaign¹²⁴⁷ plain,

               Lays open¹²⁴⁸ all the little worms that creep.

               In men, as in a rough-grown grove, remain

1250

1250        Cave-keeping¹²⁵⁰ evils that obscurely sleep.

               Through crystal walls each little mote¹²⁵¹ will peep,

                     Though men can cover crimes with bold stern looks,

                     Poor women’s faces are their own faults’ books.

               No man inveigh against¹²⁵⁴ the withered flow’r,

1255

1255        But chide¹²⁵⁵ rough winter that the flow’r hath killed:

               Not that devoured, but that which doth devour,

               Is worthy blame. O, let it not be hild¹²⁵⁷

               Poor women’s faults, that they are so fulfilled

                     With men’s abuses: those proud lords, to blame,

1260

1260                Make weak-made women tenants to their¹²⁶⁰ shame.

               The precedent¹²⁶¹ whereof in Lucrece’ view,

               Assailed¹²⁶² by night with circumstances strong

               Of present death and shame that might ensue

               By that¹²⁶⁴ her death, to do her husband wrong.

1265

1265        Such danger to resistance did belong

                     That dying fear¹²⁶⁶ through all her body spread,

                     And who cannot abuse a body dead?

               By this, mild patience bid fair Lucrece speak

               To the poor counterfeit¹²⁶⁹ of her complaining:

1270

1270        ‘My girl,’ quoth she, ‘on what occasion break

               Those tears from thee that down thy cheeks are raining?

               If thou dost weep for grief of my sustaining,¹²⁷²

                     Know, gentle wench, it small avails¹²⁷³ my mood:

                     If tears could help, mine own would do me good.

1275

1275        ‘But tell me, girl, when went’ — and there she stayed¹²⁷⁵

               Till after a deep groan — ‘Tarquin from hence?’ ‘

               Madam, ere I was up’, replied the maid,

               ‘The more to blame my sluggard¹²⁷⁸ negligence.

               Yet with the fault I thus far can dispense:¹²⁷⁹

1280

1280              Myself was stirring ere the break of day,

                     And, ere I rose, was Tarquin gone away.

               ‘But, lady, if your maid may be so bold,

               She would request to know your heaviness.¹²⁸³’

               ‘O, peace!’ quoth Lucrece. ‘If it should be told,

1285

1285        The repetition cannot make it less:

               For more it is than I can well express,

                     And that deep torture may be called a hell

                     When more is felt than one hath power to tell.

               ‘Go, get me hither paper, ink and pen —

1290

1290        Yet save that labour, for I have them here.

               What should I say? One of my husband’s men

               Bid thou be ready, by and by, to bear

               A letter to my lord, my love, my dear.

                     Bid him with speed prepare to carry it.

1295

1295              The cause craves haste and it will soon be writ.’

               Her maid is gone and she prepares to write,

               First hovering o’er the paper with her quill.

               Conceit¹²⁹⁸ and grief an eager combat fight:

               What wit¹²⁹⁹ sets down is blotted straight with will.

1300

1300        This is too curious good,¹³⁰⁰ this blunt and ill:

                     Much like a press of people at a door

                     Throng her inventions¹³⁰² which shall go before.

               At last she thus begins: ‘Thou worthy lord

               Of that unworthy wife that greeteth thee,

1305

1305        Health to thy person. Next vouchsafe t’afford¹³⁰⁵ —

               If ever, love, thy Lucrece thou wilt see —

               Some present speed to come and visit me.

                     So I commend me,¹³⁰⁸ from our house in grief:

                     My woes are tedious¹³⁰⁹ though my words are brief.’

1310

1310        Here folds she up the tenor¹³¹⁰ of her woe,

               Her certain sorrow writ uncertainly.

               By this short schedule¹³¹² Collatine may know

               Her grief, but not her grief’s true quality:

               She dares not thereof make discovery,¹³¹⁴

1315

1315              Lest he should hold it her own gross abuse,

                     Ere¹³¹⁶ she with blood had stained her stained excuse.

               Besides, the life and feeling of her passion¹³¹⁷

               She hoards, to spend when he is by to hear her,

               When sighs and groans and tears may grace the fashion

1320

1320        Of her disgrace, the better so to clear her

               From that suspicion which the world might bear her.

                     To shun this blot, she would not blot the letter

                     With words, till action¹³²³ might become them better.

               To see sad sights moves more than hear them told,

1325

1325        For then the eye interprets to the ear

               The heavy motion¹³²⁶ that it doth behold,

               When every part¹³²⁷ a part of woe doth bear.

               ’Tis but a part of sorrow that we hear:

                     Deep sounds¹³²⁹ make lesser noise than shallow fords,

1330

1330              And sorrow ebbs, being¹³³⁰ blown with wind of words.

               Her letter now is sealed and on it writ

               ‘At Ardea to my lord with more than haste’.

               The post¹³³³ attends and she delivers it,

               Charging¹³³⁴ the sour-faced groom to hie as fast

1335

1335        As lagging¹³³⁵ fowls before the northern blast.

                     Speed¹³³⁶ more than speed but dull and slow she deems:

                     Extremity still urgeth such extremes.

               The homely villain¹³³⁸ curtsies to her low,

               And, blushing on her, with a steadfast eye

1340

1340        Receives the scroll without or yea¹³⁴⁰ or no

               And forth with bashful innocence doth hie.

               But they whose guilt within their bosoms lie

                     Imagine every eye beholds their blame:

                     For Lucrece thought he blushed to see her shame,

1345

1345        When, silly¹³⁴⁵ groom, God wot, it was defect

               Of spirit, life and bold audacity.

               Such harmless creatures have a true respect

               To talk in deeds, while others saucily

               Promise more speed, but do it leisurely.

1350

1350              Even so this pattern¹³⁵⁰ of the worn-out age

                     Pawned¹³⁵¹ honest looks, but laid no words to gage.

               His kindled¹³⁵² duty kindled her mistrust,

               That two red fires in both their faces blazed.

               She thought he blushed, as knowing Tarquin’s lust,

1355

1355        And, blushing with him, wistly¹³⁵⁵ on him gazed.

               Her earnest eye did make him more amazed.¹³⁵⁶

                     The more she saw the blood his cheeks replenish,

                     The more she thought he spied in her some blemish.

               But long she thinks¹³⁵⁹ till he return again,

1360

1360        And yet the duteous vassal scarce is gone.

               The weary time she cannot entertain,¹³⁶¹

               For now ’tis stale¹³⁶² to sigh, to weep and groan:

               So woe hath wearied woe, moan tirèd moan,

                     That she her plaints¹³⁶⁴ a little while doth stay,

1365

1365              Pausing for means to mourn some newer way.

               At last she calls to mind where hangs a piece

               Of skilful painting, made for Priam’s Troy,¹³⁶⁷

               Before the which is drawn¹³⁶⁸ the power of Greece,

               For Helen’s rape¹³⁶⁹ the city to destroy,

1370

1370        Threat’ning cloud-kissing Ilion¹³⁷⁰ with annoy,

                     Which the conceited¹³⁷¹ painter drew so proud

                     As heaven, it seemed, to kiss the turrets bowed.

               A thousand lamentable objects there,

               In scorn¹³⁷⁴ of nature, art gave lifeless life.

1375

1375        Many a dry drop seemed a weeping tear

               Shed for the slaughtered husband by the wife.

               The red blood reeked,¹³⁷⁷ to show the painter’s strife,

                     And dying eyes gleamed forth their ashy lights,

                     Like dying coals burnt out in tedious nights.

1380

1380          There might you see the labouring pioneer¹³⁸⁰

               Begrimed with sweat and smearèd all with dust,

               And from the towers of Troy there would appear

               The very eyes of men through loopholes¹³⁸³ thrust,

               Gazing upon the Greeks with little lust:¹³⁸⁴

1385

1385              Such sweet observance¹³⁸⁵ in this work was had

                     That one might see those far-off eyes look sad.

               In great commanders grace and majesty

               You might behold, triumphing in their faces.

               In youth, quick¹³⁸⁹ bearing and dexterity.

1390

1390        And here and there the painter interlaces¹³⁹⁰

               Pale cowards, marching on with trembling paces,

                     Which heartless peasants did so well resemble

                     That one would swear he saw them quake and tremble.

               In Ajax and Ulysses,¹³⁹⁴ O, what art

1395

1395        Of physiognomy¹³⁹⁵ might one behold!

               The face of either ciphered¹³⁹⁶ either’s heart.

               Their face their manners most expressly told:

               In Ajax’ eyes blunt¹³⁹⁸ rage and rigour rolled,

                     But the mild glance that sly¹³⁹⁹ Ulysses lent

1400

1400              Showed deep regard¹⁴⁰⁰ and smiling government.

               There pleading¹⁴⁰¹ might you see grave Nestor stand,

               As ’twere encouraging the Greeks to fight,

               Making such sober action¹⁴⁰³ with his hand,

               That it beguiled¹⁴⁰⁴ attention, charmed the sight.

1405

1405        In speech, it seemed, his beard, all silver white,

                     Wagged up and down and from his lips did fly

                     Thin winding breath which purled¹⁴⁰⁷ up to the sky.

               About him were a press of gaping faces,

               Which seemed to swallow up his sound advice,

1410

1410        All jointly list’ning, but with several graces,¹⁴¹⁰

               As if some mermaid did their ears entice,

               Some high, some low — the painter was so nice.¹⁴¹²

                     The scalps of many, almost hid behind,

                     To jump up higher seemed, to mock the mind.¹⁴¹⁴

1415

1415        Here one man’s hand leaned on another’s head,

               His nose being shadowed by his neighbour’s ear.

               Here one, being thronged,¹⁴¹⁷ bears back, all boll’n and red.

               Another smothered seems to pelt¹⁴¹⁸ and swear,

               And in their rage such signs of rage they bear

1420

1420              As, but¹⁴²⁰ for loss of Nestor’s golden words,

                     It seemed they would debate with angry swords.

               For much imaginary work was there:

               Conceit deceitful,¹⁴²³ so compact, so kind,

               That for¹⁴²⁴ Achilles’ image stood his spear,

1425

1425        Gripped in an armèd hand, himself behind

               Was left unseen, save to the eye of mind:

                     A hand, a foot, a face, a leg, a head

                     Stood for the whole to be imaginèd.

               And from the walls of strong besiegèd Troy,

1430

1430        When their brave hope, bold Hector,¹⁴³⁰ marched to field,

               Stood many Trojan mothers, sharing joy

               To see their youthful sons bright weapons wield,

               And to their hope they such¹⁴³³ odd action yield

                     That through their light joy seemèd to appear,

1435

1435              Like bright things stained, a kind of heavy fear.

               And from the strand of Dardan,¹⁴³⁶ where they fought,

               To Simois’¹⁴³⁷ reedy banks the red blood ran,

               Whose waves to imitate the battle sought

               With swelling ridges¹⁴³⁹ and their ranks began

1440

1440        To break upon the gallèd¹⁴⁴⁰ shore and then

                     Retire again, till, meeting greater ranks,

                     They join and shoot their foam at Simois’ banks.

               To this well-painted piece is Lucrece come,

               To find a face where all distress is stelled.¹⁴⁴⁴

1445

1445        Many she sees where cares have carvèd some,¹⁴⁴⁵

               But none where all distress and dolour¹⁴⁴⁶ dwelled

               Till she despairing Hecuba¹⁴⁴⁷ beheld,

                     Staring on Priam’s wounds, with her old eyes,

                     Which bleeding under Pyrrhus’ proud foot lies.

1450

1450        In her the painter had anatomized¹⁴⁵⁰

               Time’s ruin, beauty’s wrack and grim care’s reign.

               Her cheeks with chaps¹⁴⁵² and wrinkles were disguised:

               Of what she was¹⁴⁵³ no semblance did remain.

               Her blue¹⁴⁵⁴ blood changed to black in every vein,

1455

1455              Wanting the spring¹⁴⁵⁵ that those shrunk pipes had fed,

                     Showed life imprisoned in a body dead.

               On this sad shadow¹⁴⁵⁷ Lucrece spends her eyes

               And shapes her sorrow to the beldame’s¹⁴⁵⁸ woes,

               Who nothing wants¹⁴⁵⁹ to answer her but cries

1460

1460        And bitter words to ban¹⁴⁶⁰ her cruel foes.

               The¹⁴⁶¹ painter was no god to lend her those,

                     And therefore Lucrece swears he did her wrong

                     To give her so much grief and not a tongue.

               ‘Poor instrument,’ quoth she, ‘without a sound,

1465

1465        I’ll tune thy woes with my lamenting tongue,

               And drop sweet balm in Priam’s painted wound,

               And rail on Pyrrhus that hath done him wrong,

               And with my tears quench Troy that burns so long,

                     And with my knife scratch out the angry eyes

1470

1470              Of all the Greeks that are thine enemies.

               ‘Show me the strumpet¹⁴⁷¹ that began this stir,

               That with my nails her beauty I may tear.

               Thy heat of lust, fond¹⁴⁷³ Paris, did incur

               This load of wrath that burning Troy doth bear.

1475

1475        Thy eye kindled the fire that burneth here,

                     And here in Troy, for trespass of thine eye,

                     The sire, the son, the dame,¹⁴⁷⁷ and daughter die.

               ‘Why should the private pleasure of some one

               Become the public plague of many moe?¹⁴⁷⁹

1480

1480        Let sin, alone committed, light¹⁴⁸⁰ alone

               Upon his head that hath transgressèd so.

               Let guiltless souls be freed from guilty woe.

                     For one’s offence why should so many fall,

                     To plague¹⁴⁸⁴ a private sin in general?

1485

1485        ‘Lo, here weeps Hecuba, here Priam dies,

               Here manly Hector faints, here Troilus¹⁴⁸⁶ swoons,

               Here friend by friend in bloody channel¹⁴⁸⁷ lies,

               And friend to friend gives unadvisèd¹⁴⁸⁸ wounds,

               And one man’s lust these many lives confounds.

1490

1490              Had doting¹⁴⁹⁰ Priam checked his son’s desire,

                     Troy had been bright with fame and not with fire.’

               Here feelingly she weeps Troy’s painted woes,

               For sorrow, like a heavy-hanging bell,

               Once set on ringing, with his own weight goes;¹⁴⁹⁴

1495

1495        Then little strength rings out the doleful knell.¹⁴⁹⁵

               So Lucrece, set a-work,¹⁴⁹⁶ sad tales doth tell

                     To pencilled¹⁴⁹⁷ pensiveness and coloured sorrow:

                     She lends them words and she their looks doth borrow.

               She throws her eyes about the painting round,

1500

1500        And whom she finds forlorn she doth lament.

               At last she sees a¹⁵⁰¹ wretched image bound,

               That piteous¹⁵⁰² looks to Phrygian shepherds lent.

               His face, though full of cares, yet showed content.

                     Onward to Troy with the blunt swains¹⁵⁰⁴ he goes,

1505

1505              So mild, that patience seemed to scorn his woes.

               In him the painter laboured with his skill

               To hide deceit and give the harmless show¹⁵⁰⁷

               An humble gait, calm looks, eyes wailing still,¹⁵⁰⁸

               A brow unbent¹⁵⁰⁹ that seemed to welcome woe,

1510

1510        Cheeks neither red nor pale, but mingled so

                     That blushing red no guilty instance¹⁵¹¹ gave,

                     Nor ashy pale the fear that false hearts have.

               But, like a constant and confirmèd devil,

               He entertained a show¹⁵¹⁴ so seeming just,

1515

1515        And therein so ensconced¹⁵¹⁵ his secret evil,

               That jealousy itself could not mistrust

               False-creeping craft and perjury should thrust

                     Into so bright a day such black-faced storms

                     Or blot with hell-born sin such saint-like forms.

1520

1520        The well-skilled workman¹⁵²⁰ this mild image drew

               For perjured Sinon whose enchanting¹⁵²¹ story

               The credulous old Priam after slew,

               Whose words like wildfire¹⁵²³ burnt the shining glory

               Of rich-built Ilion, that the skies were sorry,

1525

1525              And little stars shot from their fixèd places,

                     When their glass¹⁵²⁶ fell wherein they viewed their faces.

               This picture she advisedly¹⁵²⁷ perused

               And chid the painter for his wondrous skill,

               Saying, some¹⁵²⁹ shape in Sinon’s was abused:

1530

1530        So fair a form lodged not a mind so ill.

               And still on him she gazed, and gazing still,

                     Such signs of truth in his plain¹⁵³² face she spied

                     That she concludes the picture was belied.¹⁵³³

               ‘It cannot be,’ quoth she, ‘that so much guile’ —

1535

1535        She would have said ‘can lurk in such a look,’

               But Tarquin’s shape came in her mind the while

               And from her tongue ‘can lurk’ from ‘cannot’ took.

               ‘It cannot be’ she in that sense forsook

                     And turned it¹⁵³⁹ thus, ‘It cannot be, I find,

1540

1540              But¹⁵⁴⁰ such a face should bear a wicked mind.

               ‘For even as subtle Sinon here is painted,

               So sober-sad, so weary and so mild,

               As if with grief or travail¹⁵⁴³ he had fainted,

               To me came Tarquin armèd to beguild¹⁵⁴⁴

1545

1545        With outward honesty but yet defiled

                     With inward vice: as Priam him¹⁵⁴⁶ did cherish,

                     So did I Tarquin; so my Troy did perish.

               ‘Look, look, how list’ning Priam wets his eyes

               To see those borrowed tears that Sinon sheds!

1550

1550        Priam, why art thou old and yet not wise?

               For every tear he falls¹⁵⁵¹ a Trojan bleeds:

               His eye drops fire, no water thence proceeds.

                     Those round clear pearls of his that move thy pity

                     Are balls¹⁵⁵⁴ of quenchless fire to burn thy city.

1555

1555        ‘Such devils steal effects¹⁵⁵⁵ from lightless hell,

               For Sinon in his fire doth quake with cold

               And in that cold hot-burning fire doth dwell.

               These contraries such unity do hold

               Only to flatter fools and make them bold:

1560

1560              So Priam’s trust false Sinon’s tears doth flatter,

                     That he finds means to burn his Troy with water.’

               Here, all enraged, such passion her assails

               That patience is quite beaten from her breast.

               She tears the senseless¹⁵⁶⁴ Sinon with her nails,

1565

1565        Comparing him to that unhappy¹⁵⁶⁵ guest

               Whose deed hath made herself herself detest.

                     At last she smilingly with this gives o’er:¹⁵⁶⁷

                     ‘Fool, fool!’ quoth she, ‘His wounds will not be sore.’

               Thus ebbs and flows the current of her sorrow,

1570

1570        And time doth weary time with her complaining.

               She looks for night and then she longs for morrow,

               And both she thinks too long with her remaining.

               Short time seems long in¹⁵⁷³ sorrow’s sharp sustaining:

                     Though woe be heavy,¹⁵⁷⁴ yet it seldom sleeps,

1575

1575              And they that watch¹⁵⁷⁵ see time how slow it creeps.

               Which all this time hath overslipped¹⁵⁷⁶ her thought

               That she with painted images hath spent,

               Being from¹⁵⁷⁸ the feeling of her own grief brought

               By deep surmise of others’ detriment,¹⁵⁷⁹

1580

1580        Losing her woes in shows¹⁵⁸⁰ of discontent.

                     It easeth some, though none it ever cured,

                     To think their dolour others have endured.

               But now the mindful¹⁵⁸³ messenger come back

               Brings home his lord and other company,

1585

1585        Who finds his Lucrece clad in mourning black,

               And round about her tear-distainèd¹⁵⁸⁶ eye

               Blue circles streamed,¹⁵⁸⁷ like rainbows in the sky.

                     These water-galls¹⁵⁸⁸ in her dim element

                     Foretell new storms to those already spent.

1590

1590        Which when her sad-beholding husband saw,

               Amazedly in her sad face he stares.

               Her eyes, though sod¹⁵⁹² in tears, looked red and raw,

               Her lively colour killed with deadly cares.

               He hath no power to ask her how she fares.

1595

1595              Both stood, like old acquaintance in a trance,

                     Met far from home, wond’ring each other’s chance.¹⁵⁹⁶

               At last he takes her by the bloodless hand

               And thus begins: ‘What uncouth¹⁵⁹⁸ ill event

               Hath thee befall’n, that thou dost trembling stand?

1600

1600        Sweet love, what spite hath thy fair colour spent?

               Why art thou thus attired in discontent?¹⁶⁰¹

                     Unmask, dear dear, this moody heaviness

                     And tell thy grief, that we may give redress.’

               Three times with sighs¹⁶⁰⁴ she gives her sorrow fire,

1605

1605        Ere once she can discharge one word of woe.

               At length addressed¹⁶⁰⁶ to answer his desire,

               She modestly prepares to let them know

               Her honour is ta’en prisoner by the foe,

                     While Collatine and his consorted¹⁶⁰⁹ lords

1610

1610              With sad attention long to hear her words.

               And now this pale swan¹⁶¹¹ in her wat’ry nest

               Begins the sad dirge¹⁶¹² of her certain ending:

               ‘Few words,’ quoth she, ‘shall fit the trespass best,

               Where no excuse can give the fault amending.

1615

1615        In me more woes than words are now depending,¹⁶¹⁵

                     And my laments would be drawn out too long

                     To tell them all with one poor tirèd tongue.

               ‘Then be this all the task it hath to say:

               Dear husband, in¹⁶¹⁹ the interest of thy bed

1620

1620        A stranger came and on that pillow lay

               Where thou was wont¹⁶²¹ to rest thy weary head,

               And what wrong else may be imaginèd

                     By foul enforcement might be done to me,

                     From that, alas, thy Lucrece is not free.

1625

1625        ‘For in the dreadful dead of dark midnight

               With shining falchion¹⁶²⁶ in my chamber came

               A creeping creature with a flaming light

               And softly cried, “Awake, thou Roman dame,

               And entertain¹⁶²⁹ my love, else lasting shame

1630

1630              On thee and thine this night I will inflict,

                     If thou my love’s desire do contradict.

               “ ‘For some hard-favoured groom¹⁶³² of thine,” quoth he,

               “Unless thou yoke thy liking¹⁶³³ to my will,

               I’ll murder straight and then I’ll slaughter thee

1635

1635        And swear I found you where you did fulfil

               The loathsome act of lust and so did kill

                     The lechers in their deed: this act will be

                     My fame and thy perpetual infamy.”

               ‘With this I did begin to start and cry,

1640

1640        And then against my heart he sets his sword,

               Swearing, unless I took all patiently,

               I should not live to speak another word.

               So should my shame still¹⁶⁴³ rest upon record

                     And never be forgot in mighty Rome

1645

1645              Th’adulterate¹⁶⁴⁵ death of Lucrece and her groom.

               ‘Mine enemy was strong, my poor self weak,

               And far the weaker with so strong a fear.

               My bloody¹⁶⁴⁸ judge forbade my tongue to speak,

               No rightful plea might plead for justice there.

1650

1650        His scarlet¹⁶⁵⁰ lust came evidence to swear

                     That my poor beauty had purloined¹⁶⁵¹ his eyes,

                     And when the judge is robbed the prisoner dies.

               ‘O, teach me how to make mine own excuse,

               Or at the least this refuge let me find:

1655

1655        Though my gross¹⁶⁵⁵ blood be stained with this abuse,

               Immaculate and spotless is my mind:

               That was not forced, that never was inclined

                     To accessary yieldings,¹⁶⁵⁸ but still pure

                     Doth in her poisoned closet¹⁶⁵⁹ yet endure.’

1660

1660        Lo, here, the hopeless merchant¹⁶⁶⁰ of this loss,

               With head declined,¹⁶⁶¹ and voice dammed up with woe,

               With sad set eyes and wretched arms across,¹⁶⁶²

               From lips new-waxen¹⁶⁶³ pale begins to blow

               The grief away that stops his answer so.

1665

1665              But, wretched as he is, he strives in vain:

                     What¹⁶⁶⁶ he breathes out his breath drinks up again.

               As through an arch the violent roaring tide

               Outruns the eye that doth behold his haste,

               Yet in the eddy¹⁶⁶⁹ boundeth in his pride

1670

1670        Back to the strait¹⁶⁷⁰ that forced him on so fast,

               In rage sent out, recalled in rage, being past:

                     Even so his sighs, his sorrows, make a saw,¹⁶⁷²

                     To push grief on and back the same grief draw.

               Which speechless woe of his poor she attendeth,¹⁶⁷⁴

1675

1675        And his untimely frenzy¹⁶⁷⁵ thus awaketh:

               ‘Dear lord, thy sorrow to my sorrow lendeth

               Another power,¹⁶⁷⁷ no flood by raining slaketh.

               My woe too sensible¹⁶⁷⁸ thy passion maketh

                     More feeling-painful. Let it then suffice

1680

1680              To drown on¹⁶⁸⁰ woe, one pair of weeping eyes.

               ‘And for my sake, when I might charm thee so,

               For she that was thy Lucrece, now attend¹⁶⁸² me:

               Be suddenly¹⁶⁸³ revengèd on my foe,

               Thine,¹⁶⁸⁴ mine, his own. Suppose thou dost defend me

1685

1685        From what is past. The help that thou shalt lend me

                     Comes all too late, yet let the traitor die,

                     For sparing justice feeds iniquity.

               ‘But ere I name him, you fair lords,’ quoth she,

               Speaking to those that came with Collatine,

1690

1690        ‘Shall plight¹⁶⁹⁰ your honourable faiths to me,

               With swift pursuit to venge¹⁶⁹¹ this wrong of mine,

               For ’tis a meritorious fair design

                     To chase injustice with revengeful arms:

                     Knights, by their oaths, should right poor ladies’ harms.’

1695

1695        At this request, with noble disposition

               Each present lord began to promise aid,

               As bound in knighthood to her imposition,¹⁶⁹⁷

               Longing to hear the hateful foe bewrayed.¹⁶⁹⁸

               But she, that yet her sad task hath not said,¹⁶⁹⁹

1700

1670              The protestation¹⁷⁰⁰ stops. ‘O, speak,’ quoth she,

                     ‘How may this forcèd stain be wiped from me?

               ‘What is the quality¹⁷⁰² of my offence,

               Being constrained with dreadful circumstance?

               May my pure mind with¹⁷⁰⁴ the foul act dispense,

1705

1675        My low-declinèd honour to advance?¹⁷⁰⁵

               May any terms¹⁷⁰⁶ acquit me from this chance?

                     The poisoned fountain clears itself again,

                     And why not I from this compellèd stain?’

               With this, they all at once began to say,

1710

1680        Her body’s stain her mind untainted clears,

               While with a joyless smile she turns away

               The face, that map which deep impression bears

               Of hard misfortune, carved in it with tears.

                     ‘No, no,’ quoth she, ‘no¹⁷¹⁴ dame, hereafter living,

1715

1685              By my excuse shall claim excuse’s giving.’

               Here with a sigh, as if her heart would break,

               She throws forth Tarquin’s name. ‘He, he,’ she says,

               But more than ‘he’ her poor tongue could not speak,

               Till after many accents and delays,

1720

1685        Untimely¹⁷²⁰ breathings, sick and short assays,

                     She utters this, ‘He, he, fair lords, ’tis he,

                     That guides this hand to give this wound to me.’

               Even here she sheathèd in her harmless breast

               A harmful knife, that thence her soul unsheathed.

1725

1690        That blow did bail¹⁷²⁵ it from the deep unrest

               Of that polluted prison¹⁷²⁶ where it breathed.

               Her contrite sighs unto the clouds bequeathed

                     Her wingèd sprite,¹⁷²⁸ and through her wounds doth fly

                     Life’s¹⁷²⁹ lasting date from cancelled destiny.

1730

1730        Stone-still, astonished with this deadly deed,

               Stood Collatine and all his lordly crew,¹⁷³¹

               Till Lucrece’ father, that beholds her bleed,

               Himself on her self-slaughtered body threw,

               And from the purple fountain Brutus¹⁷³⁴ drew

1735

1735              The murd’rous knife and, as it left the place,

                     Her blood, in poor revenge, held¹⁷³⁶ it in chase,

               And bubbling from her breast, it doth divide

               In two slow rivers, that the crimson blood

               Circles her body in on every side,

1740

1740        Who, like a late-sacked¹⁷⁴⁰ island, vastly stood

               Bare and unpeopled in this fearful flood.

                     Some of her blood still pure and red remained,

                     And some looked black and that false Tarquin stained.

               About the mourning and congealèd face

1745

1745        Of that black blood a wat’ry rigol¹⁷⁴⁵ goes,

               Which seems to weep upon the tainted place,

               And ever since, as pitying Lucrece’ woes,

               Corrupted blood some watery token shows,

                     And blood untainted still doth red abide,

1750

1750              Blushing at that which is so putrefied.

               ‘Daughter, dear daughter,’ old Lucretius¹⁷⁵¹ cries,

               ‘That life was mine which thou hast here deprived.

               If in the child the father’s image lies,

               Where shall I live now Lucrece is unlived?

1755

1755        Thou wast not to this end from me derived.

                     If children predecease progenitors,¹⁷⁵⁶

                     We are their offspring and they none of ours.

               ‘Poor broken glass,¹⁷⁵⁸ I often did behold

               In thy sweet semblance my old age new born,

1760

1760        But now that fair fresh mirror, dim and old,

               Shows me a bare-boned death by time outworn.

               O, from thy cheeks my image thou hast torn,

                     And shivered¹⁷⁶³ all the beauty of my glass,

                     That I no more can see what once I was.

1765

1765        ‘O time, cease thou thy course and last no longer,

               If they surcease¹⁷⁶⁶ to be that should survive.

               Shall rotten death make conquest of the stronger

               And leave the falt’ring feeble souls alive?

               The old bees die, the young possess their hive.

1770

1770              Then live, sweet Lucrece, live again and see

                     Thy father die and not thy father thee.’

               By this, starts Collatine as from a dream

               And bids Lucretius give his sorrow place,¹⁷⁷³

               And then in key-cold¹⁷⁷⁴ Lucrece’ bleeding stream

1775

1775        He falls and bathes the pale fear in his face,

               And counterfeits¹⁷⁷⁶ to die with her a space,

                     Till manly shame bids him possess his breath

                     And live to be revengèd on her death.

               The deep vexation¹⁷⁷⁹ of his inward soul

1780

1780        Hath served a dumb arrest upon his tongue,

               Who, mad that sorrow should his use control,

               Or keep him from heart-easing words so long,

               Begins to talk, but through his lips do throng

                     Weak words, so thick come¹⁷⁸⁴ in his poor heart’s aid,

1785

1785              That no man could distinguish what he said.

               Yet sometime ‘Tarquin’ was pronouncèd plain,

               But through his teeth, as if the name he tore.

               This windy tempest, till it blow up rain,

               Held back his sorrow’s tide, to make it more.

1790

1790        At last it rains and busy winds give o’er.¹⁷⁹⁰

                     Then son and father weep with equal strife¹⁷⁹¹

                     Who should weep most, for daughter or for wife.

               The one doth call her his, the other his,

               Yet neither may possess the claim they lay.

1795

1795        The father says, ‘She’s mine’. ‘O, mine she is,’

               Replies her husband. ‘Do not take away

               My sorrow’s interest,¹⁷⁹⁷ let no mourner say

                     He weeps for her, for she was only mine,

                     And only must be wailed by Collatine.’

1800

               ‘O,’ quoth Lucretius, ‘I did give that life

               Which she too early and too late hath spilled.’

               ‘Woe, woe,’ quoth Collatine, ‘she was my wife,

               I owed¹⁸⁰³ her and ’tis mine that she hath killed.’

               ‘My daughter’ and ‘my wife’ with clamours filled

1805

1805              The dispersed¹⁸⁰⁵ air, who, holding Lucrece’ life,

                     Answered their cries, ‘my daughter’ and ‘my wife’.

               Brutus,¹⁸⁰⁷ who plucked the knife from Lucrece’ side,

               Seeing such emulation¹⁸⁰⁸ in their woe,

               Began to clothe his wit¹⁸⁰⁹ in state and pride,

1810

1810        Burying in Lucrece’ wound his folly’s show.¹⁸¹⁰

               He with the Romans was esteemèd so

                     As silly-jeering idiots are with kings,

                     For sportive words and utt’ring foolish things,

               But now he throws that shallow habit¹⁸¹⁴ by,

1815

1815        Wherein deep policy¹⁸¹⁵ did him disguise,

               And armed his long-hid wits advisedly,

               To check the tears in Collatinus’ eyes.

               ‘Thou wrongèd lord of Rome,’ quoth he, ‘arise!

                     Let my unsounded¹⁸¹⁹ self, supposed a fool,

1820

1820              Now set thy long-experienced wit to school.

               ‘Why, Collatine, is woe the cure for woe?

               Do wounds help wounds, or grief help grievous deeds?

               Is it revenge to give thyself a blow

               For his foul act by whom thy fair wife bleeds?

1825

1825        Such childish humour¹⁸²⁵ from weak minds proceeds.

                     Thy wretched¹⁸²⁶ wife mistook the matter so,

                     To slay herself that should have slain her foe.

               ‘Courageous Roman, do not steep¹⁸²⁸ thy heart

               In such relenting¹⁸²⁹ dew of lamentations,

1830

1830        But kneel with me and help to bear thy part

               To rouse our Roman gods with invocations,¹⁸³¹

               That they will suffer¹⁸³² these abominations —

                     Since Rome herself in them doth stand disgraced —

                     By our strong arms from forth her fair streets chased.

1835

1835        ‘Now, by the Capitol¹⁸³⁵ that we adore,

               And by this chaste blood so unjustly stained,

               By heaven’s fair sun that breeds the fat¹⁸³⁷ earth’s store,

               By all our country rights in Rome maintained,

               And by chaste Lucrece’ soul that late complained

1840

1840              Her wrongs to us, and by this bloody knife

                     We will revenge the death of this true wife.’

               This said, he struck his hand upon his breast,

               And kissed the fatal knife, to end his vow,

               And to his protestation¹⁸⁴⁴ urged the rest,

1845

1845        Who, wond’ring¹⁸⁴⁵ at him, did his words allow.

               Then jointly to the ground their knees they bow,

                     And that deep vow, which Brutus made before,

                     He doth again repeat and that they swore.

               When they had sworn to this advisèd doom,¹⁸⁴⁹

1850

1850        They did conclude to bear dead Lucrece thence,

               To show her bleeding body thorough¹⁸⁵¹ Rome,

               And so to publish Tarquin’s foul offence;

               Which being done with speedy diligence,

                     The Romans plausibly¹⁸⁵⁴ did give consent

1855

1855              To Tarquin’s everlasting banishment.

The Phoenix: mythical bird that is the only one of its kind, perpetually regenerating itself from its own ashes, sometimes serving in the period as an image of Queen Elizabeth, but perhaps also suggesting the regenerative power of poetic art.

Dedication love loyalty and respect (though of course the word can signify a more personal affection also)    pamphlet short publication (a modest way of referring to this longer work)    without beginning Lucrece begins in medias res (in the middle of the story)    moiety small part    warrant assurance/guarantee (possibly suggesting that Shakespeare had been rewarded for Venus and Adonis)    What…done i.e., Venus and Adonis and Lucrece    what…do future work    being you being    my…greater i.e., I would have been able to produce a greater poem    ARGUMENT summary, plot outline    Lucius Tarquinius last King of Rome (reigned 535–510 BC)    Superbus “proud” (Latin)    Servius Tullius sixth king of Rome (reigned 578–535 BC), killed when his daughter, Tullia, drove her chariot over him    requiring or staying asking or waiting    suffrages votes    Ardea a city of the Latin Rutuli people, about twenty-five miles south of Rome    humour mood    posted rode with speed    make trial of test    avouched asserted    several disports various amusements (sexual connotations)    privily secretly    according…estate in accordance with his status    Collatium Collatia, a town ten miles northeast of Rome    ravished raped    habit clothing    actor culprit    dealing conduct (with grim play on sense of “copulation”)    withal with that    wherewith at which

      1  post haste

      2  trustless untrustworthy  false treacherous

      3  Lust-breathèd inspired by or well-exercised in lust  host army

      4  lightless smoldering, giving no light

      5  aspire rise, break into flames (perhaps with connotations of penile erection)

      6  girdle encircle, embrace

      8  Haply perhaps, by chance  unhapp’ly unhappily/by mischance

      9  bateless impossible to blunt  keen sharp/eager

    10  let cease, stint

    11  red and white i.e., of her complexion

    12  triumphed…delight i.e., shone triumphantly in her face

    13  mortal stars i.e., Lucrece’s eyes

    14  aspects glances/astral positions (which, according to astrology, influenced human affairs)  peculiar duties expressions of deference that were exclusive to him

    19  proud rate glorious price

    20  espousèd married/attached to

    21  But but neither  peerless unequaled, incomparable

    22  of by

    23  done over, destroyed

    25  Against exposed to

    26  expired…begun period which has run out, rendered void before properly started

    28  fortressed defended

    29  of in

    31  apology argument, justification

    32  singular notable, eminent/exceptional, oustanding

    33  publisher publicizer

    36  Perchance perhaps  sov’reignty preeminence

    37  Suggested tempted, incited  proud arrogant (plays on sense of “sexually desirous”)  issue offspring

    40  Braving compare defying comparison

    41  high-pitched proud, ambitious  meaner lesser, lower ranking  vaunt brag, boast of

    42  hap fortune  want lack/desire

    43  untimely inopportune

    44  all-too-timeless over hasty

    45  state high status

    46  with…intent determined to act swiftly

    47  liver considered the seat of the passions, especially sexual desire

    48  heat lust

    49  still blasts always withers

    53  underprop support, maintain

    55  despite spite

    57  in…intitulèd entitled to that white

    58  Venus’ doves the goddess of love had a chariot drawn by white doves  fair pale, white  field battlefield/surface of a shield on which the heraldic device is displayed (i.e., Lucrece’s face)

    59  Virtue…red i.e., as red is the color of modest blushes

    60  golden age mythical first age of perfection and happiness  gild tinge with gold or red

    61  shield protection/insignia

    63  assailed attacked  fence defend

    64  heraldry heraldic symbolism

    65  Argued (disputed over and) demonstrated

    67  world’s minority the beginnings of time

    68  still constantly

    70  seat throne

    73  traitor eye encloses treacherous gaze is surrounded

    77  in over

    79  niggard prodigal i.e., both inadequate, yet unwisely lavish in her praises

    82  doth owe has yet to pay

    83  answers makes good, pays  surmise conjecture, imagination

    84  still-gazing gazing uninterruptedly

    88  limed caught with birdlime, a sticky substance smeared on branches  secret deceptive, containing a trap

    89  securely unsuspectingly  cheer welcome, hospitable entertainment

    90  reverend respectful

    92  that i.e., his  inward will coloured concealed

    93  pleats folds (of cloth as if his  majesty were a cloak)

    94  That so that  inordinate irregular, out of the ordinary

    97  so…store feels so deprived despite having so much

    98  pineth starves/yearns

    99  coped encountered (literally, fought/embraced sexually)  stranger a stranger’s

  100  parling speaking/negotiating (military term)

  101  subtle shining secrecies sly secret thoughts that gleamed in his eyes

  102  margents margins

  103  touched no sensed, guessed at/had nothing to do with (plays on sense of “had no sexual contact with”)

  104  moralize interpret  wanton sight lascivious gaze

  105  More…light other than to note that his eyes gleamed in the light

  106  stories relates

  108  decks adorns

  110  bruisèd arms dented armor

  111  heaved-up raised

  112  greets i.e., thanks

  116  fair clear, cloud-free  welkin sky, i.e., face

  117  sable black

  119  vaulty cellarlike/having an arched roof  stows stores

  121  Intending pretending  heavy spright sleepy spirits

  122  questionèd conversed

  123  wore out passed

  125  to…betake goes to bed

  126  cares troubles, anxiety

  127  revolving turning over in his mind

  128  sundry various  of…obtaining involved in achieving his sexual desires

  130  weak-built hopes little expectation of success

  131  traffic…gaining often trades dishonestly for profit

  132  treasure quibbles on sense of “vagina”  meed reward

  133  adjunct the consequence  supposed anticipated, thought of

  134  fond foolish/infatuated with

  135  that…bond i.e., they waste what they do have in an attempt to get what they do not

  137  hoping hoping for

  139  surfeit overindulge and become ill  sustain suffer

  144  one…gage i.e., we’re willing to stake everything

  145  As such as  fell fierce, savage

  148  ventr’ing ill undertaking a foolish risk/venturing to commit a sin  leave cease

  149  expect hope for

  150  infirmity weakness

  151  defect insufficiency

  153  wit sense, intelligence

  154  augmenting i.e., seeking to augment

  155  hazard a risk, gamble  doting foolish/infatuated

  157  forsake abandon

  160  confounds defeats, overthrows

  164  comfortable comforting

  165  death-boding cries animal noises which foretold death; the sounds of owls and wolves were considered ill omens

  166  season time  surprise attack suddenly

  167  silly defenseless

  170  mantle cloak  rudely roughly

  174  betake…retire withdraw

  175  rude violent/uncivilized/unruly

  176  falchion curved sword  smiteth strikes

  179  lodestar guiding light

  180  advisedly deliberately

  183  premeditate ponder upon, anticipate

  188  His…lust his poor defense of his intentions, namely lust, which is always destroyed upon being satisfied

  189  justly rightfully, rationally

  192  unhallowed wicked, unholy

  196  weed garment

  198  grave memorial tomb, i.e., the future reputation of his family

  200  soft unmanly, effeminate  fancy’s desire’s

  201  still always

  202  digression moral deviation

  205  golden coat royal coat of arms

  206  loathsome dash mark of dishonor in the coat of arms

  207  cipher me express, symbolize  fondly foolishly/infatuatedly  did dote was infatuated/behaved madly

  208  note mark, sign

  209  hold it for consider it

  212  froth perhaps with connotations of semen

  214  toy trifle

  217  straight immediately

  220  Post hasten

  221  engirt surrounded

  222  blur blemish

  224  ever-during everlasting

  225  invention imagination, ingenuity

  228  eyes…light eyes were thought to see by emitting beams of light

  229  doth still exceed is even greater

  230  fly flee

  232  sire father

  235  work upon strive to persuade/have sex with

  236  quittal requital, payment

  239  fact crime

  241  not her own i.e., she is married

  243  will intention/sexual desire (could also mean “penis”)  past…removing beyond the power of reason to dissuade

  244  Who he who  sentence moral maxim  saw saying

  245  painted cloth wall-hanging depicting scenes from moral or biblical tales (a cheaper substitute for tapestries)

  246  graceless merciless/impious  disputation debate

  248  makes dispensation dispenses

  249  for vantage still constantly to advantage

  250  confound destroy, overthrow

  251  effects influences

  253  Quoth said

  255  hard bad

  258  lawn fine linen

  259  took having been taken

  261  it i.e., Tarquin’s hand

  262  Which refers to her  fear it i.e., Lucrece’s hand

  265  Narcissus in Greek mythology, a beautiful young man who fell in love with his own reflection in a pool; in some versions of the tale he drowned attempting to embrace himself

  267  colour pretext

  269  Poor…abuses worthless, lowly people feel remorse for their trivial misdemeanors

  271  Affection passion, lust

  272  gaudy brightly colored

  273  The coward i.e., even the coward  dismayed discouraged, over come with fear

  274  avaunt begone  Debating, die! Let debate cease!

  276  countermand revoke a command from

  277  Sad serious  beseems suit, befit

  280  sinking perhaps, bearing in mind the vaginal connotations of  treasure, plays on sense of “sexual penetration”

  281  heedful mindful, wary

  282  unresisted irresistible

  284  fond mistrust foolish doubt

  285  servitors attendants

  286  cross thwart  opposite persuasion conflicting advice

  287  league alliance

  290  confounds his wits overthrows his reason

  291  as more divine since it’s more clear-sighted and rational

  292  view sight/judgment  incline be disposed

  293  seeks applies, looks for support

  295  heartens up encourages  servile powers inferior faculties, base instincts  powers faculties/troops

  296  jocund cheerful

  297  Stuff up bolster, fill out (with suggestions of penile erection)

  298  pride plays on sense of “sexual arousal, erection”

  300  reprobate depraved, morally corrupt

  302  chamber plays on sense of “vagina”  will plays on sense of “penis”

  303  retires his ward withdraws its guard

  304  rate his ill reprove his wickedness (by squeaking)

  305  regard caution

  306  The…heard in order to have him discovered, the door makes a grating noise as it opens across the threshold

  307  weasels sometimes kept by households for the purposes of rat-catching

  309  portal door (along with  vents and crannies continues the vaginal imagery)

  311  stay stop

  313  conduct guide  case matter (plays on sense of “vagina”)

  317  glove…needle continuing the sexually suggestive language; both nouns were euphemisms for “vagina” (needle due to its eye)

  318  rushes conventionally strewn over floors

  320  who should one who might  wanton tricks sex

  321  inured accustomed

  322  ornaments accessories

  324  consters construes, explains  denial hindrance, refusals

  326  of trial designed to test him

  327  bars divisions on a clock face

  328  let hinder

  330  attend accompany

  331  threat threaten

  332  a more greater  prime spring

  333  sneapèd pinched with cold

  334  income entrance fee/beginning

  335  shelves sandbanks

  338  heaven sexual bliss  thought imagination

  340  thing plays on sense of “vagina”

  341  from far from, unlike  wrought fashioned, made him

  346  foul sinful/dirty (to contrast with  fair)  compass obtain/embrace

  347  And they and that the  heavens auspicious favorable

  348  starts flinches, recoils

  350  act deed/sexual act

  354  cleared cleaned/declared legally innocent  absolution forgiveness of sins (not necessarily in a religious context)

  355  hath dissolution dissolves

  356  eye of heaven i.e., the moon  out extinguished, in darkness

  359  knee…wide an action that anticipates the rape itself

  360  fast soundly

  361  works plays on sense of “copulates”

  362  Who whoever

  364  mortal deadly  sting phallic connotations

  365  stalks walks stealthily

  367  curtains bed curtains  close closed

  369  high treason extreme treachery/betrayal of the sovereign, i.e., Tarquin himself

  370  watchword signal to begin an attack  full very

  371  draw the cloud open the bed curtains (another symbolic anticipation of the rape)  moon symbol of chastity

  372  as just as, in the same way that

  373  bereaves robs, deprives (us of)

  375  wink close

  376  bright brightly

  378  enclosed closed

  379  darksome prison i.e., behind his eyelids

  380  period end

  382  clear innocent, unsullied/bright

  383  ope open  league alliance, i.e., Collatine and Lucrece’s marriage

  387  Coz’ning cheating

  388  in sunder in two

  389  Swelling i.e., as if in anger (possible phallic connotations and suggestion of sexual frustration)  to want his at the lack of its

  391  virtuous monument effigy of a virtuous wife on a tomb; such a figure was commonly presented asleep beside her husband with her head on a pillow

  392  of by  lewd ignorant/lascivious/wicked  unhallowed impious, sinful

  393  Without outside

  397  marigolds…light these daisy-like flowers close up their petals at night

  402  map picture

  403  life’s mortality human life

  404  Each i.e., life and death

  405  twain two

  408  maiden chaste, faithful to her husband

  409  bearing yoke i.e., weight of a man during sex

  417  will lust  tired exhausted/feed greedily

  419  azure bright blue  alabaster white substance used, among other things, in the making of funeral monuments

  421  grim fierce, savage

  423  stay linger, pause

  424  qualified moderated

  425  Slaked lessened

  426  late a moment ago

  427  uproar insurrection, outbreak of disorder

  428  straggling slaves lowly, contemptible soldiers  pillage plunder, stealing from the defeated enemy

  429  Obdurate hard-hearted  vassals slaves, inferiors  fell fierce, cruel  effecting carrying out

  430  ravishment rape

  431  Nor…nor neither…nor  respecting considering, heeding

  432  pride arrogance/sexual desire; Tarquin is getting an erection  onset military/sexual assault

  433  Anon at once  alarum a call to arms (signaled on a drum)

  434  charge order for attack in which troops bear down on an opposing force  do their liking do as they please/have sex

  435  cheers up encourages

  436  commends commits, entrusts

  438  make his stand take up position (prior to attack); possible quibble on sense of “penile erection”

  440  scale mount, ascend/attack with ladders

  442  must’ring assembling in preparation for battle  cabinet private room, i.e., mind/heart

  444  beset surrounded, besieged

  451  ghastly terrifying/ghostly, pale  sprite spirit

  452  grim aspect stern appearance

  453  taking situation/agitation

  454  heedfully attentively

  455  supposèd imagined

  458  winking with eyes closed/blinking rapidly

  459  Quick-shifting rapidly moving, changing  antics grotesque figures

  460  shadows illusions  forgeries fictions, inventions

  462  daunts subdues, overwhelms

  464  ram battering ram

  465  citizen i.e., of Lucrece’s besieged body

  466  Wounding…death i.e., with furious pounding against her rib cage

  467  bulk body  that so that  withal with it

  469  breach gap in fortifications caused by a sustained bombardment (a vaginal image)

  471  parley trumpet summons to negotiation with the enemy  heartless disheartened, lacking courage

  473  alarm sudden attack

  474  by dumb demeanour silent expression

  475  urgeth asks repeatedly

  476  colour pretext/military insignia

  480  loving tale tale of love

  484  chide scold, rebuke

  486  will purpose/sexual desire/penis  abide endure/await

  488  Which refers to his  will

  490  newly bred revived once more (erectile connotations)

  491  crosses troubles, afflictions

  493  think the honey know that such sexual sweets are

  494  counsel deliberation/prudence

  496  Only he hath he solely has

  502  ensue follow

  504  infamy shame, disgrace

  505  shakes brandishes  Roman blade phallic connotations

  506  falcon puns on  falchion

  507  Coucheth causes to hide

  508  Whose refers to the falcon  mount flies up

  509  insulting insolent, scornful  falchion curved sword

  511  bells attached to straps around the legs of birds that were being trained

  513  deny refuse

  514  destroy kill

  520  mark target, object

  522  blurred tainted  nameless having no legal right to a name (as the father is unknown)

  523  obloquy disgrace

  524  trespass sin, fault

  526  rest remain  secret friend lover

  529  For…enacted is deemed permissible/becomes enshrined in law

  530  simple herb or plant used for medicinal purposes  compacted mixed

  534  Tender my suit grant my request

  535  device measure, contrivance/heraldic emblem

  537  wipe mark (either from a blow or lash, or from the brand with which slaves were marked)  birth-hour’s blot a birthmark

  538  descried observed

  540  cockatrice basilisk (a mythical reptile whose gaze could kill); slang term for a prostitute

  541  rouseth up himself with connotations of penile erection

  543  hind female deer  gripe vulture or griffin (a mythological creature, part-eagle, part-lion); plays on sense of the verb, i.e., “grip”

  544  Pleads plays on the legal sense

  545  gentle noble

  546  aught anything

  549  doth get is created

  550  pitchy black  their biding where they hang

  551  their present fall i.e., the imminent storm

  552  unhallowed wicked, profane

  553  Pluto god of the classical underworld; he was notoriously ill-tempered but so charmed by  Orpheus’ musical skill that he allowed him to retrieve his wife, Eurydice, from the underworld as long as he refrained from looking at her as they made their way back; unfortunately, as she called to him, Orpheus turned around and she was lost again  winks shuts his eyes

  554  dally toy with her/delay

  555  holdfast tenacious

  556  vulture folly predatory madness

  557  gulf stomach/appetite

  558  admits allows to enter/acknowledges/concedes the validity of

  559  penetrable i.e., really effective, moving  plaining lamentation, complaints

  560  harden with phallic connotations

  565  puts…place does not pause in the usual places  period full stop

  566  accent speech

  568  conjures him by appeals to him in the name of  Jove supreme Roman god

  569  gentry the quality of being a gentleman

  570  untimely ill-timed, inopportune

  571  troth loyalty, honesty, good faith

  573  borrowed i.e., guest’s  retire return/military retreat

  574  stoop yield, submit

  576  pretended offered

  577  Mud soil, muddy (an image suggestive of staining the vaginal  fountain with semen)

  578  Mar spoil  thing may play on sense of “vagina”

  579  aim intention/marksman’s aim  shoot plays on sense of “ejaculation”  ended completed and goal-achieving (plays on sense of “in the vagina”)

  580  woodman huntsman (plays on sense of “womanizer”)

  581  strike plays on sense of “have sex with/rape”  unseasonable out of season

  586  heave remove

  587  moved emotionally affected/physically displaced

  590  wrack-threat’ning shipwreck-threatening

  597  shape appearance

  602  everything i.e., including their passions

  603  be seeded ripen, mature

  605  hope expectation (of being  king)  outrage violence/rape

  608  vassal actors low-born who perform such deeds

  609  hid in clay buried, hidden

  610  for out of

  611  happy fortunate  still always  feared revered, held in awe

  612  With…prove you will necessarily have to put up with sinful offenders because their actions match your own

  614  thy will remove change your mind/abandon your intentions

  615  glass mirror

  618  lectures lessons

  620  warrant authorization

  621  privilege grant immunity to

  622  back’st support  laud praise

  623  bawd pimp

  624  command military authority/self-control

  626  iniquity sin, injury to another

  627  brood offspring (of iniquity)

  628  office role and responsibilities

  629  patterned by with the model of

  636  infamies disgrace, shameful acts

  637  askance turn aside

  638  heaved-up raised

  639  relier dependant/quality on which you depend

  640  exiled majesty’s repeal the return of the dignity and greatness you have banished from yourself

  641  flatt’ring false, delusory

  642  respect respectful consideration/dignity

  643  eyne eyes

  644  state regal status/condition

  646  swells with phallic connotations  let hindrance, obstruction

  650  salt sovereign i.e., the sea

  655  blood nobility/bloodline

  657  hearsed buried, entombed

  659  these slaves i.e., the petty ills

  666  vassals subordinates owing allegiance

  669  coy gentle

  670  despitefully cruelly/contemptuously

  671  rascal groom lowborn servingman

  672  doom fate

  677  seized fastened its claws upon; the Latin for “to seize” is rapere, the etymology of “to rape”

  678  white fleece i.e., nightclothes  controlled smothered

  679  fold plays on sense of “sheep pen” (an image maintained by pens)

  680  nightly linen bedclothes or perhaps a smock (though Elizabethans usually slept naked)

  684  prone eager/horizontal/evilly disposed

  685  could weeping if weeping could

  689  league union

  692  rifled plundered

  694  gorgèd crammed with food

  695  Unapt unready

  696  balk refuse

  698  surfeit-taking overindulging

  701  bottomless conceit limitless imagining

  702  still imagination silent thought

  703  receipt what he has received

  705  pride state of sexual arousal  exclamation protest

  707  jade worn out horse

  710  recreant cowardly, faint-hearted

  712  The…proud humanity being arrogant/the penis being erect

  713  there i.e., in the  flesh revels makes merry/has sex  when that decays when such pleasures subside/when the erection is lost

  714  remission pardon, release from debt

  717  doom judgment, sentence

  721  spotted princess i.e., Tarquin’s morally blemished soul

  722  subjects i.e., will and passions

  724  mortal deadly/human

  725  thrall a slave

  727  prescience foreknowledge  controllèd still always (in theory) controlled

  728  But i.e., but even

  733  spoil sexual plunder (Lucrece); with connotations of damage  perplexed afflicted

  734  load of lust emotional burden and repercussions of his lust/semen

  739  desperate in a state of spiritual hopelessness (thought to precede suicide)

  740  faintly flies flees in a cowardly manner

  741  exclaiming on blaming, crying out against

  743  heavy convertite sad penitent

  744  castaway one who has been abandoned

  747  scapes moral transgressions, sins  open lay disclose, reveal

  749  cunning brow sly, crafty countenance

  750  think not but can only think

  752  would…be they wish to remain always in darkness

  755  grave engrave (with connotations of death and burial)

  761  close enclose

  762  spite reproach, outrage

  765  register record/registrar  notary recorder

  766  Black stage possibly refers to an Elizabethan practice of draping the stage with black for the performance of a tragedy, although the evidence for this is fairly slight  fell savage, cruel

  767  chaos the formless void from which the ordered universe emerged  blame blameworthiness, guilt

  768  defame dishonor

  770  close-tongued secretive/silent

  773  Muster assemble for war

  774  proportioned…time i.e., the regular passing of day and night (so that night may be prolonged to conceal shame)

  776  wonted usual, customary

  777  Knit draw closely together

  778  damps fogs, mists  ravish carry off by force (the word could also, of course, mean “rape”)

  780  life life-giving properties

  781  arrive arrive at  noontide prick the dot of noon (marked on a sundial)

  786  silver-shining queen i.e., the moon, symbol of chastity  distain defile, dishonor/cause to look dim

  787  handmaids i.e., the stars

  791  palmers pilgrims who had been to the Holy Land, signified by the carrying of a palm leaf

  793  cross their arms a conventional posture of grief

  795  pine suffer

  798  wasting…moans transitory memorials to permanent grief

  799  foul-reeking “reeking” meant “steaming, smoking” in the period; sense of “smelling” was not yet active

  805  sepulchred entombed

  806  object a sight, spectacle

  811  cipher read, decipher

  812  quote observe, notice  my loathsome trespass the vile shame done to me, the abhorrent breach of my person

  815  deck adorn

  816  couple link (plays on sense of “unite sexually”)

  817  Feast-finding minstrels musicians looking for feasts at which to play and sing  tuning my defame making a song about my dishonor

  818  tie oblige

  819  I Collatine i.e., how I wronged Collatine

  820  senseless reputation reputation for lacking sensuality

  822  theme for disputation subject of debate

  823  branches…root i.e., Collatine’s family tree will be destroyed (branches plays on sense of “divisions of an argument”)

  825  clear innocent  attaint stain of dishonor

  828  Crest-wounding damaging the family crest (may also suggest the pain of cuckoldry: the husband of an unfaithful wife was supposed to grow horns on his head)

  830  mot motto

  835  bereft stolen

  836  drone-like the male honeybee is a nonworker whose function is to impregnate the queen bee

  837  perfection i.e., honey

  838  injurious damaging

  841  wrack wreck, overthrow

  842  entertain him receive him as a guest (Lucrece unwittingly plays on sense of “have sex with him”)

  843  put him back refuse to receive him

  844  disdain treat with contempt

  848  worm cankerworm, a parasitic grub that destroyed plants (here symbolic of the penis)

  849  cuckoos birds that lay their eggs in other birds’ nests

  850  founts fountains  venom toads were thought to be poisonous

  851  folly lust  gentle noble/benign

  852  behests vows/commands

  855  coffers up hoards in a chest

  858  still-pining constantly tormented/always yearning/forever starving  Tantalus in Greek mythology, a king who stole from the gods and was condemned to stand in a pool below a fruit tree that remained just out of his reach

  859  barns puts in a barn

  864  presently immediately

  874  ill-annexèd Opportunity circumstances (opportunity) that lend themselves to evil

  875  Or…or either…or  quality special character/excellence

  877  execut’st carries out

  878  sets places

  879  point’st decides, appoints  season time, occasion

  880  spurn’st aims a kick at, rejects

  881  cell small dwelling

  883  vestal virgin

  884  temperance moderation, self-restraint

  885  honesty integrity/chastity  troth loyalty, honesty, good faith

  887  laud praise

  889  gall bitterness/poison

  892  smoothing flattering  ragged name damaged or worthless reputation

  893  wormwood a plant known for its bitter taste

  894  vanities empty, worthless delights

  897  suppliant’s petitioner’s

  899  sort choose

  901  physic medicine

  902  halt limp

  905  pines starves

  907  Advice medical counsel  sporting at play

  910  as their pages like their personal servants

  912  crosses obstacles

  914  gratis freely  apaid rewarded

  916  else otherwise

  917  stayed prevented

  919  subornation inducing a person to commit an evil action

  920  shift trickery, subterfuge

  922  inclination nature, disposition

  924  general doom the end of the world, Judgment Day

  925  copesmate partner, accomplice/sexual partner

  926  post messenger  carrier bearer, messenger

  928  watch of woes watchman who brings bad news  packhorse horse used to carry heavy burdens

  931  since of since you are guilty of

  935  date period, duration

  936  office duty  fine finish/penalize, punish

  937  opinion report, rumor

  939  contending fighting, antagonistic

  942  sentinel stand guard over

  944  ruinate bring to ruin

  949  quills large feathers

  950  springs new growth, shoots

  952  Fortune’s wheel the Roman goddess Fortuna was conventionally depicted turning a wheel, which raised men up before casting them down

  953  beldame grandmother/old woman

  954  a child i.e., old

  957  the subtle crafty people  in themselves beguiled self-deluded/foiled by their own guile

  958  increaseful productive, fruitful

  959  waste erode, destroy

  960  mischief wickedness

  962  retiring returning

  964  Lending…lends i.e., giving a poor decision-maker the wisdom of hindsight

  967  ceaseless lackey constant servant (specifically, a footman who ran beside his master’s carriage;  lackey has connotations of obsequiousness)

  968  cross thwart, obstruct

  971  ghastly frightening/ghostly  lewd wicked, unprincipled

  974  trances states between sleep and waking/states of extreme dread

  976  bechance befall

  985  orts scraps, leftovers

  986  one…live i.e., a beggar, dependent on charity

  987  Disdain…give disdain to give him even the scraps from his own meal of leftovers  disdained already scorned, despised

  989  to…resort gather to mock him

  992  sport entertainment/pleasure/sex

  993  unrecalling irrevocable, that cannot be called back

  994  th’abusing the misuse

  996  that to whom

1001  sland’rous deathsman reviled executioner

1002  coming descending

1003  hope future prospects

1005  begets him hate generates hatred of him

1006  waits on accompanies/lies in wait for  state status, high rank

1007  presently immediately

1009  mire mud

1011  like same thing

1013  grooms manservants

1016  Out expression of dismissal  idle worthless

1017  arbitrator impartial person who decides the outcome of a dispute

1018  skill-contending schools competitive formal debates were a feature of life in schools and universities

1021  force…straw attach no significance to argument (straws were proverbially worthless)

1022  case plays on sense of “vagina”

1023  rail verbally abuse, rant

1025  cavil dispute, find fault

1026  spurn kick out at  confirmed despite established shame

1029  let…blood bloodletting was a standard medical practice; Lucrece, however, has suicide in mind

1037  betumbled couch disordered, unmade bed/bed on which sex (“tumbling”) had occurred

1039  imparteth provides

1041  thronging forcing its way

1042  Aetna Mount Etna, a volcano in Sicily  consumes vanishes

1043  fumes smokes

1045  hapless unfortunate, luckless

1046  falchion curved sword

1050  true type honest name/authentic character

1053  spot moral blemish

1054  badge…livery i.e., Lucrece’s shame will be partly moderated by the fact that her death is honorable  livery servant’s uniform on which a heraldic  badge indicated which noble household the servant belonged to

1061  flatter lie to  infringèd broken, violated

1062  graff new shoot grafted to mature plant or tree (Lucrece anticipates being pregnant)

1063  stock tree trunk/family

1067  int’rest legal title to property (i.e., right to Lucrece)

1070  with…dispense will never excuse my sin

1072  attaint infection, stain of dishonor

1073  cleanly coined cleverly forged

1074  sable ground black background (of a heraldic shield)

1075  night’s puns on “knight’s”

1077  dale valley

1079  this this time, now  Philomel raped by Tereus, Philomel had her  tongue cut out to prevent her naming him as the perpetrator; she revealed his identity by weaving an account of what had happened and was turned into a nightingale by the gods (Ovid tells the tale in Metamorphoses)

1084  cloudy sorrowful, darkened by misfortune

1089  pry’st thou do you peer, spy

1092  do do with

1094  fond foolish/mad, dazed  testy irritable/aggressive, rash

1095  wayward willful, obstinate

1096  mild mildly, with patience

1097  Continuance continuity, habit

1100  deep-drenchèd deeply immersed/drowning

1103  No…renews everything she sees renews her grief

1104  straight straightaway

1109  mirth…annoy happiness probes the depths of injury (as if it were a doctor probing a wound)

1112  feelingly sufficed emotionally satisfied

1113  with…sympathized i.e., it meets with a corresponding emotion

1114  ken sight

1115  pines starves

1116  salve healing ointment

1117  that that which

1119  bounding forming a boundary

1120  dallied trifled with/delayed  nor law nor neither law nor

1124  restless uneasy, troubled/without musical pauses  stops nor rests hindrances or intervals (plays on the musical senses: a “stop” is “the closing of a finger hole in a wind instrument” and a “rest” is “an interval of silence during music”)

1125  brooks tolerates

1126  Relish sing, warble/make pleasant  pleasing ears i.e., listeners who are pleased

1127  dumps mournful songs

1129  dishevelled a conventional indicator of distress and here reminiscent of the recent rape

1130  languishment grief, suffering

1131  strain will strain melody will squeeze out

1132  diapason bass accompaniment below the melody

1133  burden-wise like a bass accompaniment (burden plays on sense of “heavy load”)

1134  Tereus brother-in-law of  Philomel who raped her and cut out her tongue  descants sing the melodious accompaniment above the melody  better skill with better skill than I

1135  against…waking in order to stay awake and sing of her sorrows all night, the nightingale supposedly rested her breast upon a sharp thorn

1139  wink shut

1140  frets ridges on stringed instruments to regulate fingering (plays on sense of “torments”)

1142  for because

1143  As shaming as if ashamed that

1144  desert deserted place, wild, uninhabited region  seated…way situated away from road or path

1147  stern cruel, merciless  kinds natures

1149  at gaze bewildered

1151  encompassed surrounded

1155  death reproach’s debtor suicide will incur reproach

1157  But…pollution to add the pollution of my soul (through suicide) to the pollution of my raped body

1159  confusion ruin, destruction

1160  tries tests

1164  the…divine the purity of my body made my soul divine/my body was pure, my soul divine

1165  Whose…nearer which did I love more

1170  sacked plundered, ravaged

1173  Grossly engirt flagrantly surrounded

1175  blemished fort damaged stronghold, i.e., her body

1182  spent shed/paid out (as a legacy)

1183  testament last will and testament

1186  deprive take away

1188  fame honor

1191  dear jewel chastity

1193  resolution determination, unwavering purpose

1195  used treated

1199  to i.e., I bequeath respectively to

1202  confound overthrow, destroy

1203  disbursèd paid out, given away

1205  oversee be legal executor of

1206  overseen deceived

1213  brinish pearl i.e., salty tear

1214  untuned harsh-sounding, discordant

1215  hies hastens

1216  thought’s feathers i.e., as swiftly as thought

1218  meads meadows

1221  sorts adapts, suits

1222  For why because

1223  audaciously impudently, presumptuously

1228  gan began to

1229  circled eyne rounded eyes  enforced compelled

1234  Like…cisterns the women resemble fountains in which ivory spouts fill a central reservoir (i.e., their eyes, red from weeping)

1235  justly with reason

1236  company fellowship, sympathy

1238  to…smarts merely at guessing the cause of another’s pain

1241  will wishes

1242  strange kinds other natures

1243  skill cunning

1246  semblance image, appearance

1247  champaign open, level

1248  Lays open reveals

1250  Cave-keeping i.e., that remain hidden  obscurely in darkness, concealed

1251  mote speck/blemish

1254  inveigh against reproach, denounce

1255  chide scold

1257  hild held

1260  tenants to their inhabitants, sharers in men’s

1261  precedent example, pattern

1262  Assailed attacked (sexually)  strong…death strongly suggesting her imminent death

1264  By that on account of

1266  dying fear paralyzing fear/fear of death

1269  counterfeit imitation, i.e., the maid

1272  of my sustaining sustained by me

1273  small avails little helps

1275  stayed paused

1278  sluggard lazy, sluggish

1279  dispense excuse

1283  heaviness (cause of) sorrow

1298  Conceit thought/mode of expression

1299  wit thought, intellect  blotted straight immediately crossed out  will emotion

1300  curious good overelaborate  blunt and ill crude and badly phrased

1302  inventions ideas, attempts to write  which…before competing over who shall go first

1305  vouchsafe t’afford graciously consent to grant

1308  commend me entrust myself to you (conventional form of greeting)

1309  tedious long and troublesome

1310  tenor general drift/legal transcript

1312  schedule note, outline

1314  thereof make discovery reveal it fully

1316  Ere…excuse i.e., before she had a chance to excuse her shame through suicide

1317  passion suffering

1323  action accompanying oratorical gestures  become suit, adorn

1326  heavy motion serious emotion/sad action (motion plays on sense of “entertainment, puppet show”)

1327  part…bear body part bears a portion of woe (a part plays on sense of “a theatrical role”)

1329  sounds straits/inlets/noises

1330  being…words i.e., diminishes through verbal expression

1333  post messenger

1334  Charging ordering

1335  lagging loitering, tardy

1336  Speed…deems the greatest speed nevertheless seems  dull and  slow to her

1338  homely villain simple lowborn fellow  curtsies bows

1340  or yea either a yes

1345  silly simple  wot knows  defect absence, deficiency

1350  pattern…age example from bygone times

1351  Pawned pledged  to gage as a guarantee

1352  His kindled his blushing

1355  wistly intently

1356  amazed confused/alarmed

1359  long she thinks it seems to her a long time

1361  entertain occupy, fill up

1362  stale wearisome

1364  plaints lamentations  stay pause

1367  Priam’s Troy Priam was the King of Troy, and the  painting depicts a scene from the Trojan War in which the Greek army is besieging the city; the cause of the war was Paris’ abduction of  Helen, the wife of Menelaus, King of Sparta

1368  drawn assembled/depicted  power army

1369  rape abduction/sexual violation

1370  Ilion Troy, renowned for its tall towers  annoy trouble, damage

1371  conceited ingenious (plays on sense of  proud)  proud arrogant/splendid/high

1374  scorn contempt, defiance  lifeless life apparent life to inanimate things

1377  reeked smoked  strife effort/contest with nature/engagement in the battle scene

1380  pioneer foot soldier who dug trenches and cleared the terrain

1383  loopholes narrow vertical openings in walls from which arrows were fired

1384  lust friendly inclination

1385  sweet observance delightful attention to detail, pleasing care

1389  quick lively/vivid, lifelike

1390  interlaces mingles, inserts

1394  Ajax and Ulysses two of the Greek generals;  Ajax was known for his strength and  Ulysses for his ingenuity and cunning

1395  physiognomy the facial features as indicators of character

1396  ciphered expressed, delineated  either’s his own

1398  blunt dull, insensitive  rigour harshness

1399  sly skillful/crafty

1400  regard observant attention  government leadership/self-control

1401  pleading i.e., being a persuasive orator  grave dignified  Nestor Greek elder statesman renowned for wisdom

1403  action oratorical gesture

1404  beguiled diverted, charmed

1407  purled curled (puns on “pearled,” suggesting a luminous appearance)

1410  several graces distinct postures/different features

1412  nice subtle/skillful/precise

1414  mock the mind deceive the mind of the viewer

1417  thronged crowded  bears presses, turns  boll’n swollen, puffed up

1418  pelt express anger/hurl abuse

1420  but…of were it not for fear of missing

1423  Conceit deceitful skillful artifice  compact well-composed  kind natural, lifelike

1424  for…spear Achilles, the foremost Greek warrior, is represented by his famous spear

1430  Hector eldest son of  Priam and  Hecuba, foremost of the Trojan warriors

1433  such…yield display such unusual gestures  odd unusual/at odds (with joy)

1436  strand of Dardan Trojan shore

1437  Simois river just outside Troy

1439  ridges crests

1440  gallèd war torn/eroded  then the rhyme is stronger with the original spelling, “than”

1444  stelled delineated, portrayed

1445  some to a certain extent

1446  dolour sorrow

1447  Hecuba wife of Priam, who was killed by Achilles’ son  Pyrrhus

1450  anatomized minutely analyzed, dissected

1452  chaps deep lines, cracks

1453  was had been

1454  blue i.e., noble  black perhaps also suggestive of melancholy, supposedly caused by an excess of black bile

1455  spring source of water/youth  pipes veins

1457  shadow image (but also suggesting Hecuba is a shadow of her former self)  spends employs (perhaps also suggestive of weeping)

1458  beldame old woman

1459  wants…her lacks in order to match Lucrece in sorrow

1460  ban curse

1461  The…those i.e., the painter didn’t have immortal powers with which to give his painted figures the ability to speak

1471  strumpet whore, i.e., Helen (of Troy) whose abduction by  Paris caused the war

1473  fond foolish/infatuated/lustful

1477  dame wife/mother

1479  moe more

1480  light alight, descend

1484  plague…general punish everyone for one person’s offense

1486  Troilus another Trojan warrior, son of Priam and Hecuba and brother to Hector  swoons faints (the rhyme is stronger with the original spelling, “sounds”)

1487  bloody channel stream of blood/gutter running with blood

1488  unadvisèd rash, unintended

1490  doting foolish, indulgent  checked curbed, restrained

1494  goes continues

1495  knell tolling of a bell to mark a person’s death

1496  set a-work once she starts

1497  pencilled…sorrow i.e., to the images in the picture

1501  a…bound the image of a miserable prisoner (Sinon, who deceived the Trojans into believing he had deserted the Greeks and convinced them to allow the wooden horse into Troy; it contained Greek soldiers and heralded Troy’s downfall)

1502  piteous…lent made the Trojan shepherds look on him with pity

1504  blunt swains rough, unpolished rustics

1507  harmless show i.e., the painting

1508  wailing still continually expressing grief/constantly weeping

1509  unbent not furrowed or cast down

1511  guilty instance suggestion of guilt

1514  entertained a show maintained an appearance

1515  ensconced concealed

1520  workman expert craftsman

1521  enchanting spell-like, bewitching

1523  wildfire a combination of highly flammable substances used in warfare

1526  glass mirror (i.e., Troy)

1527  advisedly thoughtfully, attentively

1529  some…abused some innocent person had been wrongfully depicted as Sinon

1532  plain open, unwrinkled/honest

1533  belied false

1539  turned it changed the meaning

1540  But but that

1543  travail labor

1544  beguild beguile, deceive

1546  him i.e., Sinon

1551  falls lets fall

1554  balls…fire i.e., wildfire

1555  effects appearances

1564  senseless inanimate/unfeeling

1565  unhappy misfortune-bringing

1567  gives o’er desists

1573  in…sustaining when sorrow has to be endured

1574  heavy sorrowful/sleepy

1575  watch remain awake

1576  overslipped slipped unnoticed past

1578  from away from

1579  detriment grief, loss

1580  shows images

1583  mindful dutiful

1586  tear-distainèd tear-stained

1587  streamed streamed out, were luminously visible

1588  water-galls secondary, imperfectly formed rainbows or other signs portending rain  dim element overcast sky, i.e., face

1592  sod sodden, soaked

1596  each other’s chance what had befallen the other

1598  uncouth unknown/strange

1601  attired in discontent wrapped in grief/dressed in mourning black

1604  sighs…fire i.e., as if blowing a smoldering wick prior to lighting and discharging artillery

1606  addressed prepared

1609  consorted accompanying/associated, leagued

1611  swan…ending swans were believed to sing before they died

1612  dirge funeral song

1615  depending waiting for settlement (legal term)/hanging heavily

1619  in…of claiming, usurping

1621  wont accustomed

1626  falchion curved sword

1629  entertain receive (sexually)

1632  hard-favoured groom ugly manservant

1633  yoke thy liking submit yourself/unite your desire

1643  still…record be forever recorded in writing

1645  Th’adulterate the adulterous

1648  bloody cruel, bloodthirsty

1650  scarlet the color both of  lust and of a judge’s robes  evidence to swear to present sworn testimony

1651  purloined stolen

1655  gross bodily (as opposed to spiritual)/corrupted

1658  accessary yieldings compliance

1659  closet private room or cabinet, i.e., body

1660  merchant i.e., Collatine

1661  declined lowered, drooping

1662  across folded, a conventional gesture of melancholy

1663  new-waxen newly grown

1666  What…again i.e., he tries to speak but his breath catches and he swallows his words

1669  eddy water that has had its course interrupted and runs contrary to the current  boundeth in restrains

1670  strait narrow channel of water

1672  make a saw works with a sawing motion, backward and forward

1674  attendeth observes

1675  untimely frenzy ill-timed madness

1677  Another power added strength

1678  sensible capable of feeling, painful

1680  on in

1682  attend pay attention to

1683  suddenly immediately

1684  Thine…own i.e., his actions have made Tarquin enemy to Collatine, Lucrece, and himself

1690  plight…faiths take an oath on your honors

1691  venge avenge

1697  imposition the task she imposed

1698  bewrayed exposed, accused

1699  said completed

1700  protestation declarations, avowals

1702  quality nature

1704  with…dispense be exonerated from the sinful deed

1705  advance raise up

1706  terms arguments  chance misfortune

1714  no…giving no woman who comes after will be able to cite my being excused as reason for her to be excused

1720  Untimely ill-timed, irregular  assays attempts (to speak)

1725  bail liberate, release

1726  prison i.e., her body

1728  sprite spirit, soul

1729  Life’s…destiny eternal life, which escapes the mortal life she has ended

1731  crew companions

1734  Brutus Lucius Junius Brutus, who went on to lead the overthrow of Tarquin’s father Tarquinius Superbus, an event that marked the end of Roman kingship and the establishment of the republic

1736  held…chase followed, came after it

1740  late-sacked recently plundered  vastly desolate, empty

1745  wat’ry rigol ring or circle of watery fluid (the blood-serum that separates from clotting blood)

1751  Lucretius Lucrece’s father

1756  predecease progenitors die before their parents

1758  glass mirror, in which her father saw himself young again

1763  shivered shattered

1766  surcease cease

1773  place precedence

1774  key-cold i.e., cold as metal

1776  counterfeits appears, seems

1779  vexation distress, torment

1784  so thick come coming in such a rush or so incomprehensibly

1790  At…o’er i.e., sighs and speech finally give way to tears

1791  strife pain, distress/contention

1797  interest entitlement/share

1803  owed owned

1805  dispersed a transferred epithet; it is the  clamours that are scattered through the air

1807  Brutus Lucius Junius Brutus had pretended to be an idiot (Latin brutus) in order to escape the fate of his brother who had been murdered by Tarquin’s father

1808  emulation rivalry

1809  wit intellect

1810  folly’s show pretence of stupidity

1814  habit guise/accustomed manner

1815  deep policy far-seeing strategy

1819  unsounded untested/not uttered

1825  humour mood, behavior

1826  wretched unhappy

1828  steep drench

1829  relenting softening, weakening

1831  invocations prayers for aid

1832  suffer allow

1835  Capitol hill in Rome, site of the great temple of Jupiter

1837  fat fertile

1844  protestation declared resolution

1845  wond’ring marveling  allow approve, accept

1849  advisèd doom considered judgment

1851  thorough throughout

1854  plausibly approvingly

To the Queen

               As the dial¹ hand tells o’er

               The same hours it had before,

               Still beginning in the ending,

               Circular account still lending,

5

5              So, most mighty Queen we pray,

               Like the dial day by day

               You may lead the seasons on,

               Making new when old are gone,

               That the babe which now is young

10

10            And hath yet no use of tongue

               Many a Shrovetide¹¹ here may bow

               To that empress I do now,

               That the children of these lords,

               Sitting at your council boards,¹⁴

15

15            May be grave and agèd seen

               Of her that was their fathers’ queen.

               Once I wish this wish again,

               Heaven subscribe it with ‘Amen’.

“Let the Bird of Loudest Lay”*

               LET the bird¹ of loudest lay

               On the sole Arabian tree

               Herald sad and trumpet³ be,

               To whose sound chaste wings obey.

5

5              But thou shrieking harbinger,⁵

               Foul precurrer⁶ of the fiend,

               Augur⁷ of the fever’s end,

               To this troop come thou not near.

               From this session⁹ interdict

10

10            Every fowl¹⁰ of tyrant wing,

               Save¹¹ the eagle, feathered king:

               Keep the obsequy¹² so strict.

               Let the priest in surplice¹³ white,

               That defunctive¹⁴ music can,

15

15            Be the death-divining¹⁵ swan,

               Lest the requiem lack his right.¹⁶

               And thou treble-dated¹⁷ crow,

               That thy sable gender¹⁸ mak’st

               With the breath thou giv’st and tak’st,

20

20            ’Mongst our mourners shalt thou go.

               Here the anthem²¹ doth commence:

               Love and constancy is dead;

               Phoenix²³ and the turtle fled

               In²⁴ a mutual flame from hence.

25

25            So²⁵ they loved, as love in twain

               Had the essence²⁶ but in one,

               Two distincts,²⁷ division none:

               Number²⁸ there in love was slain.

               Hearts remote,²⁹ yet not asunder;

30

30            Distance³⁰ and no space was seen

               ’Twixt this turtle and his queen:

               But³² in them it were a wonder.

               So between them love did shine

               That the turtle saw his right³⁴

35

35            Flaming in the phoenix’ sight:³⁵

               Either³⁶ was the other’s mine.

               Property³⁷ was thus appalled

               That the self was not the same:³⁸

               Single³⁹ nature’s double name

40

40            Neither two nor one was called.

               Reason, in itself confounded,⁴¹

               Saw division grow together,⁴²

               To⁴³ themselves yet either neither,

               Simple⁴⁴ were so well compounded,

45

45            That it⁴⁵ cried, ‘How true a twain

               Seemeth this concordant⁴⁶ one!

               Love hath reason, reason none,

               If what⁴⁸ parts can so remain.’

               Whereupon it made this threne⁴⁹

50

50            To the phoenix and the dove,

               Co-supremes⁵¹ and stars of love,

               As chorus to their tragic scene.

               THRENOS⁵²

               Beauty, truth and rarity,

               Grace in all simplicity,

55

55            Here enclosed in cinders lie.

               Death is now the phoenix’ nest,

               And the turtle’s loyal breast

               To eternity doth rest,

               Leaving no posterity.⁵⁹

60

60            ’Twas not their infirmity,⁶⁰

               It was married chastity.

               Truth may seem but cannot be,

               Beauty brag but ’tis not she,

               Truth⁶⁴ and beauty buried be.

65

65            To this urn let those repair⁶⁵

               That are either true or fair,

               For these dead birds sigh a prayer.

       William Shakespeare

Textual Notes

VENUS AND ADONIS

Q = First Quarto text of 1593

Q2 = a correction introduced in the Second Quarto text of 1594

Ed = a correction introduced by a later editor

185 Souring = Q (So wring) 193 shines but = Q corrected by hand in unique copy to shineth but 198 earthly = Q corrected by hand in unique copy to this earthly 231 deer spelled deare in Q 325 chafing = Q. Ed = chasing 466 love = Q. Ed = loss 654 air = Q. Ed = earth 748 th’impartial = Q2. Q = the th’impartiall 754 sons = Q2. Q = suns 832 deeply = Q. Ed = doubly 873 twined = Q (twin’d). Ed = twine 962 the = Q. Ed = her 1031 are = Q. Ed = as 1054 had = Q. Ed = was 1095 sung = Ed. Q = song 1113 did = Q. Q2 = would

THE RAPE OF LUCRECE

Q = First Quarto text of 1594

Q (uncorrected) = uncorrected version of this edition

Q (corrected) = corrected version of this edition

Q2 = a correction introduced in the Second Quarto text of 1598

Ed = a correction introduced by a later editor

THE RAPE OF LUCRECE = Q (poem header and running header, but just LUCRECE on title page) 21 peer = Q. Q2 = prince 24 morning’s = Q (corrected). Q (uncorrected) = morning 31 apology = Q (uncorrected). Q (corrected) = Apologies 48 repentant = Q. Ed = repentance 50 Collatium = Q (uncorrected). Q (corrected) = Colatia 77 in = Q. Ed = o’er 125 themselves betake = Q (corrected). Q (uncorrected) = himself betakes 126 wake = Q (corrected). Q (uncorrected) = wakes 425 Slaked spelled Slakt in Q. Ed = Slacked 550 blows = Ed. Q = blow 684 prone = Q. Ed = proud/foul 755 in = Q. Ed. = e’en 782 musty = Q. Ed = misty 812 quote spelled cote in Q 950 cherish = Q. Ed = perish/blemish 1037 betumbled spelled betombled in Q 1310 tenor spelled tenure in Q 1316 stained her stained = Q. Ed = stained her strain’d/stained her stain’s 1452 chaps spelled chops in Q 1652 robbed spelled rob’d in Q 1680 on = Q. Ed = one/in 1712 The = Q. Ed = Her 1713 in it = Ed. Q = it in 1822 wounds help = Q. Ed = wounds heal

To the Queen

Stanford = a reading in the original manuscript of “To the Queen” (commonplace book of Henry Stanford, Cambridge University Library MS Dd.5.75, fol. 46)

Ed = a modern editorial reading

To the Queen = Stanford (“to the Q. by the players 1598”); date is old style calendar 16 fathers’ = Ed. Stanford = father

“Let the Bird of Loudest Lay”

The 1601 Quarto printing in Robert Chester’s collection, Love’s Martyr, contains no disputed readings

To the Queen

    1    dial clock

  11    Shrovetide the three days immediately preceding the season of Lent; this epilogue was written for a court performance by Shakespeare’s company on Shrove Tuesday February 20, 1599

  14    boards tables

“Let…Lay”

    *    “Let…Lay” untitled when originally published, this poem has been known since the early 1800s as “The Phoenix and Turtle”

    1    bird…lay never positively identified within the poem; the following line suggests that it might refer to the mythological    Arabian phoenix    lay song

    3    trumpet trumpeter

    5    shrieking harbinger often identified as the screech owl, regarded as a bird of ill omen whose cry heralded death

    6    precurrer precursor    fiend devil

    7    Augur predictor (literally soothsayer who made predictions based on the behavior of birds)

    9    session sitting (of court or parliament)    interdict prohibit

  10    fowl…wing bird of prey/usurper, despot

  11    Save except

  12    obsequy funeral rites    strict restricted, exclusive/rigorously maintained

  13    surplice ecclesiastical garment (here, the swan’s white feathers)

  14    defunctive deathly, funereal    can knows

  15    death-divining the swan was thought to know that its own death was coming, at which point it would sing

  16    his right what is due (either to the swan or to the requiem; puns on “rite”)

  17    treble-dated living three times the normal span

  18    sable gender black offspring; the crow was thought to reproduce chastely through the touching of beaks and exchange of breath

  21    anthem piece of music or song of praise

  23    Phoenix mythological Arabian bird which lived for five hundred years, was consumed by fire and then reborn from the ashes; only one existed at a time    turtle turtledove, a bird renowned for love and constancy    fled have departed this life

  24    In…flame together in one flame

  25    So…as they so loved that    twain two

  26    essence…one essential irreducible quality of one thing

  27    distincts separate things

  28    Number the concept of plurality

  29    remote apart    asunder separated

  30    Distance distance and proximity was seen

  32    But…wonder in anyone other than them it would have been extraordinary

  34    right due, what belonged to him

  35    sight eyes, gaze

  36    Either…mine they belonged to each other/each was the source of the other’s wealth

  37    Property ownership/self-possession

  38    the same itself

  39    Single…called i.e., their nature was both separate and united, so it could not properly be called either one or two

  41    confounded confused/overthrown

  42    division grow together separateness resolve into one

  43    To…neither i.e., each one was nothing without the other

  44    Simple a single unmixed substance    compounded combined

  45    it i.e., Reason    true truly/faithful

  46    concordant harmonious

  48    what…remain separate elements remain so united

  49    threne threnody, song of lamentation for the dead

  51    Co-supremes joint rulers

  52    THRENOS threnody, funeral lament

  59    posterity offspring

  60    infirmity physical inability

  64    Truth…be i.e., since both truth and beauty are buried with the phoenix and the turtle, whatever appears like them cannot really be so

  65    repair make their way

SHAKESPEARE’S SONNETS

TO THE ONLY BEGETTER OF

THESE INSUING SONNETS

MR. W. H. ALL HAPPINESS

AND THAT ETERNITY

PROMISED

BY

OUR EVER-LIVING POET

WISHETH

THE WELL-WISHING

ADVENTURER IN

SETTING

FORTH

T.T.

1

               FROM fairest creatures we desire increase,¹

               That² thereby beauty’s rose might never die,

               But as the riper should by time decease,

               His tender⁴ heir might bear his memory:

5

5              But thou,⁵ contracted to thine own bright eyes,

               Feed’st⁶ thy light’s flame with self-substantial fuel,

               Making a famine where abundance lies,

               Thyself thy foe, to thy sweet self too cruel.

               Thou that art now the world’s fresh⁹ ornament

10

10            And only herald¹⁰ to the gaudy spring,

               Within thine own bud¹¹ buriest thy content

               And, tender churl,¹² mak’st waste in niggarding.

                     Pity the world, or else this glutton be,

                     To eat the world’s due,¹⁴ by the grave and thee.

2

               When forty¹ winters shall besiege thy brow

               And dig deep trenches in thy beauty’s field,²

               Thy youth’s proud livery,³ so gazed on now,

               Will be a tattered weed⁴ of small worth held:

5

5              Then being asked where all thy beauty lies,

               Where all the treasure⁶ of thy lusty days,

               To say within thine own deep-sunken eyes

               Were an all-eating shame⁸ and thriftless praise.

               How much more praise deserved⁹ thy beauty’s use

10

10            If thou couldst answer,¹⁰ ‘This fair child of mine

               Shall sum my count¹¹ and make my old excuse’,

               Proving his beauty by succession¹² thine.

                     This were¹³ to be new made when thou art old

                     And see thy blood¹⁴ warm when thou feel’st it cold.

3

               Look in thy glass¹ and tell the face thou viewest

               Now is the time that face should form another,

               Whose fresh repair³ if now thou not renewest

               Thou dost beguile⁴ the world, unbless some mother.

5

5              For where is she so fair whose uneared⁵ womb

               Disdains the tillage⁶ of thy husbandry?

               Or who is he so fond⁷ will be the tomb

               Of his self-love, to stop⁸ posterity?

               Thou art thy mother’s glass and she in thee

10

10            Calls back¹⁰ the lovely April of her prime:

               So thou through windows¹¹ of thine age shalt see,

               Despite of wrinkles, this thy golden time.

                     But if thou live remembered¹³ not to be,

                     Die¹⁴ single and thine image dies with thee.

4

               Unthrifty¹ loveliness, why dost thou spend

               Upon thyself thy beauty’s legacy?²

               Nature’s bequest gives nothing but doth lend,

               And being frank⁴ she lends to those are free.

5

5              Then, beauteous niggard,⁵ why dost thou abuse

               The bounteous largesse given thee to give?

               Profitless usurer,⁷ why dost thou use

               So great a sum of sums, yet canst not live?⁸

               For having traffic⁹ with thyself alone,

10

10            Thou¹⁰ of thyself thy sweet self dost deceive.

               Then how, when nature calls thee to be gone,

               What acceptable audit¹² canst thou leave?

                     Thy unused¹³ beauty must be tombed with thee,

                     Which, usèd, lives th’executor¹⁴ to be.

5

               Those hours, that with gentle work did frame¹

               The lovely gaze² where every eye doth dwell,

               Will play the tyrants to the very same

               And that unfair⁴ which fairly doth excel:

5

5              For never-resting time leads⁵ summer on

               To hideous winter and confounds⁶ him there,

               Sap checked⁷ with frost and lusty leaves quite gone,

               Beauty o’ersnowed⁸ and bareness everywhere.

               Then, were not summer’s distillation⁹ left

10

10            A¹⁰ liquid prisoner pent in walls of glass,

               Beauty’s effect with¹¹ beauty were bereft,

               Nor¹² it nor no remembrance what it was.

                     But flowers distilled, though they with winter meet,

                     Lose but their show,¹⁴ their substance still lives sweet.

6

               Then¹ let not winter’s ragged hand deface

               In thee thy summer, ere thou be distilled:

               Make sweet some vial;³ treasure thou some place

               With beauty’s treasure, ere it be self-killed.⁴

5

5              That use⁵ is not forbidden usury,

               Which happies⁶ those that pay the willing loan;

               That’s for thyself to breed another thee,

               Or ten⁸ times happier be it ten for one.

               Ten times thyself were happier than thou art,

10

10            If ten of thine ten times refigured¹⁰ thee.

               Then what could death do, if thou shouldst depart,

               Leaving thee living in posterity?¹²

                     Be not self-willed,¹³ for thou art much too fair

                     To be death’s conquest and make worms thine heir.

7

               Lo, in the orient¹ when the gracious light

               Lifts up his burning head, each under² eye

               Doth homage to his new-appearing sight,

               Serving with looks his sacred majesty.

5

5              And having climbed the steep-up⁵ heavenly hill,

               Resembling strong youth in his middle age,

               Yet mortal looks adore his beauty still,

               Attending on his golden pilgrimage.

               But when from highmost pitch,⁹ with weary car,

10

10            Like feeble age he reeleth¹⁰ from the day,

               The eyes, fore¹¹ duteous, now converted are

               From his low tract¹² and look another way:

                     So thou, thyself outgoing¹³ in thy noon,

                     Unlooked on diest¹⁴ unless thou get a son.

8

               Music to hear,¹ why hear’st thou music sadly?

               Sweets with sweets war not, joy delights in joy.

               Why lov’st thou that which thou receiv’st not gladly,

               Or else receiv’st with pleasure thine annoy?⁴

5

5              If the true concord of well-tunèd sounds,

               By unions⁶ married, do offend thine ear,

               They do but sweetly chide⁷ thee, who confounds

               In singleness⁸ the parts that thou shouldst bear.

               Mark⁹ how one string, sweet husband to another,

10

10            Strikes¹⁰ each in each by mutual ordering,

               Resembling sire¹¹ and child and happy mother

               Who, all in one, one pleasing note do sing,

                     Whose speechless¹³ song, being many, seeming one,

                     Sings this to thee: ‘Thou¹⁴ single wilt prove none.’

9

               Is it for fear to wet a widow’s eye

               That thou consum’st thyself in single life?

               Ah, if thou issueless³ shalt hap to die,

               The world will wail thee, like a makeless⁴ wife,

5

5              The world will be thy widow and still⁵ weep

               That thou no form⁶ of thee hast left behind,

               When every private⁷ widow well may keep

               By⁸ children’s eyes her husband’s shape in mind.

               Look what⁹ an unthrift in the world doth spend

10

10            Shifts but his¹⁰ place, for still the world enjoys it,

               But beauty’s waste¹¹ hath in the world an end,

               And, kept unused,¹² the user so destroys it.

                     No love toward others in that bosom¹³ sits

                     That on himself such murd’rous shame¹⁴ commits.

10

               For shame¹ deny that thou bear’st love to any,

               Who for thyself art so unprovident.²

               Grant,³ if thou wilt, thou art beloved of many,

               But that thou none lov’st is most evident:

5

5              For thou art so possessed with murd’rous hate

               That gainst thyself thou stick’st⁶ not to conspire,

               Seeking that beauteous roof⁷ to ruinate

               Which to repair should be thy chief desire.

               O, change thy thought,⁹ that I may change my mind.

10

10            Shall hate be fairer lodged¹⁰ than gentle love?

               Be as thy presence¹¹ is, gracious and kind,

               Or to thyself at least kind-hearted prove.

                     Make thee another self,¹³ for love of me,

                     That beauty still¹⁴ may live in thine or thee.

11

               As fast as thou shalt wane,¹ so fast thou grow’st

               In one of thine,² from that which thou departest,

               And that fresh blood³ which youngly thou bestow’st,

               Thou mayst call thine when thou from youth convertest.⁴

5

5              Herein⁵ lives wisdom, beauty and increase:

               Without this, folly, age and cold decay.

               If all were minded so,⁷ the times should cease,

               And threescore year⁸ would make the world away.

               Let those whom nature hath not made for store,⁹

10

10            Harsh, featureless¹⁰ and rude, barrenly perish.

               Look whom¹¹ she best endowed she gave the more,

               Which bounteous gift thou shouldst in bounty¹² cherish.

                     She carved thee for her seal,¹³ and meant thereby

                     Thou shouldst print¹⁴ more, not let that copy die.

12

               When I do count¹ the clock that tells the time

               And see the brave² day sunk in hideous night,

               When I behold the violet past prime³

               And sable⁴ curls all silvered o’er with white,

5

5              When lofty trees I see barren⁵ of leaves,

               Which erst⁶ from heat did canopy the herd,

               And summer’s green all girded up⁷ in sheaves

               Borne on the bier⁸ with white and bristly beard:

               Then of thy beauty do I question make⁹

10

10            That thou among the wastes¹⁰ of time must go,

               Since sweets and beauties¹¹ do themselves forsake

               And die as fast as they see others grow,

                     And nothing gainst Time’s scythe¹³ can make defence

                     Save breed,¹⁴ to brave him when he takes thee hence.

13

               O, that you¹ were yourself! But, love, you are

               No longer yours than you yourself here² live.

               Against³ this coming end you should prepare

               And your sweet semblance⁴ to some other give.

5

5              So should that beauty which you hold in lease⁵

               Find no determination:⁶ then you were

               Yourself again after yourself’s decease,

               When your sweet issue⁸ your sweet form should bear.

               Who lets so fair a house⁹ fall to decay,

10

10            Which husbandry¹⁰ in honour might uphold

               Against the stormy gusts of winter’s day

               And barren rage of death’s eternal cold?

                     O, none but unthrifts!¹³ Dear my love, you know

                     You had a father: let your son say so.

14

               Not from the stars do I my judgement pluck¹

               And yet methinks I have² astronomy,

               But not to tell of good or evil luck,

               Of plagues, of dearths,⁴ or seasons’ quality,

5

5              Nor can I fortune⁵ to brief minutes tell,

               Pointing to each his thunder, rain and wind,

               Or say with princes if it shall go well,

               By oft predict⁸ that I in heaven find.

               But from thine eyes my knowledge I derive,

10

10            And, constant stars, in them I read such art¹⁰

               As¹¹ truth and beauty shall together thrive,

               If from thyself to store¹² thou wouldst convert:

                     Or else of thee this I prognosticate,¹³

                     Thy¹⁴ end is truth’s and beauty’s doom and date.

15

               When I consider¹ everything that grows

               Holds in perfection² but a little moment,

               That this huge stage³ presenteth nought but shows

               Whereon⁴ the stars in secret influence comment:

5

5              When I perceive that men as⁵ plants increase,

               Cheerèd and checked⁶ ev’n by the selfsame sky,

               Vaunt⁷ in their youthful sap, at height decrease,

               And wear⁸ their brave state out of memory:

               Then the conceit⁹ of this inconstant stay

10

10            Sets you most rich in youth before my sight,

               Where wasteful¹¹ time debateth with decay

               To change your day of youth to sullied¹² night,

                     And all in war¹³ with Time for love of you,

                     As he takes from you, I engraft you new.¹⁴

16

               But wherefore¹ do not you a mightier way

               Make war upon this bloody² tyrant, Time?

               And fortify³ yourself in your decay

               With means more blessèd than my barren rhyme?

5

5              Now stand you on⁵ the top of happy hours,

               And many maiden⁶ gardens, yet unset,

               With virtuous wish would bear your living flowers,

               Much liker⁸ than your painted counterfeit:

               So should the lines of life⁹ that life repair,

10

10            Which this,¹⁰ Time’s pencil, or my pupil pen,

               Neither in inward worth nor outward fair,¹¹

               Can make you live yourself¹² in eyes of men.

                     To give away yourself¹³ keeps yourself still,

                     And you must live, drawn¹⁴ by your own sweet skill.

17

               Who will believe my verse in time to come

               If it were filled with your most high deserts?²

               Though yet, heaven knows, it is but as a tomb

               Which hides your life and shows not half your parts.⁴

5

5              If I could write the beauty of your eyes

               And in⁶ fresh numbers number all your graces,

               The age to come would say, ‘This poet lies:

               Such heavenly touches⁸ ne’er touched earthly faces.’

               So should my papers, yellowed with their age,

10

10            Be scorned like old men of less¹⁰ truth than tongue,

               And your true¹¹ rights be termed a poet’s rage

               And stretchèd¹² metre of an antique song.

                     But were some child of yours alive that time,

                     You should live twice — in it and in my rhyme.

18

               Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?

               Thou art more lovely and more temperate.²

               Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,

               And summer’s lease⁴ hath all too short a date.

5

5              Sometime too hot the eye of heaven⁵ shines,

               And often is his gold complexion dimmed,

               And every fair⁷ from fair sometime declines,

               By chance or nature’s changing course untrimmed:⁸

               But thy eternal summer shall not fade

10

10            Nor lose possession¹⁰ of that fair thou ow’st,

               Nor shall death brag thou wand’rest in his shade,

               When in eternal lines¹² to time thou grow’st.

                     So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,

                     So long lives this¹⁴ and this gives life to thee.

19

               Devouring Time, blunt thou the lion’s paws,

               And make the earth devour her own sweet brood,²

               Pluck the keen³ teeth from the fierce tiger’s jaws

               And burn the long-lived phoenix⁴ in her blood,

5

5              Make glad and sorry seasons as thou fleet’st⁵

               And do whate’er thou wilt, swift-footed Time,

               To the wide world and all her fading sweets.⁷

               But I forbid thee one most heinous crime:

               O, carve⁹ not with thy hours my love’s fair brow,

10

10            Nor draw no lines there with thine antique¹⁰ pen.

               Him in thy course untainted¹¹ do allow

               For beauty’s pattern¹² to succeeding men.

                     Yet do thy worst, old Time: despite thy wrong,

                     My love¹⁴ shall in my verse ever live young.

20*

               A woman’s face with¹ Nature’s own hand painted

               Hast thou, the master-mistress² of my passion,

               A woman’s gentle heart, but not acquainted³

               With shifting change as is false⁴ women’s fashion,

5

5              An eye more bright than theirs, less false in rolling,⁵

               Gilding⁶ the object whereupon it gazeth:

               A⁷ man in hue, all hues in his controlling,

               Which steals men’s eyes and women’s souls amazeth.

               And for⁹ a woman wert thou first created,

10

10            Till Nature as she wrought¹⁰ thee fell a-doting,

               And by addition me¹¹ of thee defeated

               By adding one thing¹² to my purpose nothing.

                     But since she pricked thee out¹³ for women’s pleasure,

                     Mine¹⁴ be thy love and thy love’s use their treasure.

21

               So is it not with me as with that Muse,¹

               Stirred² by a painted beauty to his verse,

               Who heaven³ itself for ornament doth use

               And every⁴ fair with his fair doth rehearse,

5

5              Making⁵ a couplement of proud compare

               With sun and moon, with earth and sea’s rich gems,

               With April’s first-born flowers and all things rare⁷

               That heaven’s air in this huge rondure⁸ hems.

               O let me, true in love, but truly write,

10

10            And then believe me, my love is as fair

               As any mother’s child,¹¹ though not so bright

               As those gold candles¹² fixed in heaven’s air.

                     Let them say more that like of hearsay¹³ well:

                     I will not praise that purpose¹⁴ not to sell.

22

               My glass¹ shall not persuade me I am old,

               So long as youth and thou are of one date,²

               But when in thee time’s furrows³ I behold,

               Then look I⁴ death my days should expiate.

5

5              For all that beauty that doth cover thee

               Is but the seemly raiment⁶ of my heart,

               Which in⁷ thy breast doth live, as thine in me:

               How can I then be elder than thou art?

               O, therefore, love, be⁹ of thyself so wary

10

10            As I, not for myself, but for thee will,

               Bearing thy heart, which I will keep so chary¹¹

               As tender nurse her babe from faring ill.

                     Presume¹³ not on thy heart when mine is slain:

                     Thou gav’st me thine, not to give back again.

23

               As an unperfect¹ actor on the stage,

               Who with² his fear is put besides his part,

               Or some fierce thing replete³ with too much rage,

               Whose strength’s abundance weakens his own heart,

5

5              So I, for⁵ fear of trust, forget to say

               The perfect⁶ ceremony of love’s rite,

               And in mine own love’s strength seem to decay,

               O’ercharged⁸ with burden of mine own love’s might.

               O, let my books⁹ be then the eloquence

10

10            And dumb presagers¹⁰ of my speaking breast,

               Who¹¹ plead for love and look for recompense,

               More than that tongue¹² that more hath more expressed.

                     O, learn to read what silent love hath writ:

                     To hear with eyes belongs to love’s fine wit.¹⁴

24

               Mine eye hath played the painter and hath stelled¹

               Thy beauty’s form in table² of my heart,

               My body is the frame³ wherein ’tis held

               And perspective⁴ it is best painter’s art.

5

5              For through⁵ the painter must you see his skill

               To find where your true image pictured lies,

               Which in my bosom’s shop⁷ is hanging still,

               That⁸ hath his windows glazèd with thine eyes.

               Now see what good turns eyes for eyes have done:

10

10            Mine eyes have drawn thy shape and thine for me

               Are windows to my breast, wherethrough the sun

               Delights to peep, to gaze therein on thee.

                     Yet eyes this cunning want¹³ to grace their art:

                     They draw but what they see, know¹⁴ not the heart.

25

               Let those who are in favour with their stars

               Of¹ public honour and proud titles boast,

               Whilst I, whom fortune of such triumph³ bars,

               Unlooked for⁴ joy in that I honour most.

5

5              Great princes’ favourites their fair leaves⁵ spread

               But as the marigold⁶ at the sun’s eye,

               And in⁷ themselves their pride lies burièd,

               For at a frown they in their glory⁸ die.

               The painful⁹ warrior famousèd for might,

10

10            After a thousand victories once foiled,¹⁰

               Is from the book of honour razèd¹¹ quite

               And all the rest forgot for which he toiled.

                     Then happy I, that love and am beloved

                     Where I may not remove¹⁴ nor be removed.

26

               Lord of my love, to whom in vassalage¹

               Thy merit hath my duty strongly knit,²

               To thee I send this written ambassage³

               To witness⁴ duty, not to show my wit.

5

5              Duty so great, which wit so poor as mine

               May make seem bare, in wanting⁶ words to show it,

               But that I hope some⁷ good conceit of thine

               In thy soul’s thought, all naked, will bestow it,

               Till whatsoever star that guides my moving⁹

10

10            Points on me graciously with fair aspect¹⁰

               And puts apparel on my tattered loving

               To show me worthy of thy sweet respect.

                     Then may I dare to boast how I do love thee:

                     Till then not show my head where thou mayst prove me.¹⁴

27

               Weary with toil, I haste me to my bed,

               The dear² repose for limbs with travel tired,

               But then begins a journey in my head,

               To work my mind, when body’s work’s expired:

5

5              For then my thoughts, from far⁵ where I abide,

               Intend⁶ a zealous pilgrimage to thee,

               And keep my drooping eyelids open wide,

               Looking on darkness which the blind do see,

               Save that my soul’s imaginary sight

10

10            Presents thy shadow¹⁰ to my sightless view,

               Which,¹¹ like a jewel hung in ghastly night,

               Makes black night beauteous and her old face new.

                     Lo, thus, by day my limbs, by night my mind,

                     For¹⁴ thee and for myself no quiet find.

28

               How¹ can I then return in happy plight

               That am debarred the benefit of rest,

               When day’s oppression³ is not eased by night,

               But day by night and night by day oppressed?

5

5              And each, though enemies to either’s reign,

               Do in consent shake hands⁶ to torture me,

               The⁷ one by toil, the other to complain

               How far I toil, still further off from thee.

               I tell the day, to please him thou art bright

10

10            And dost him grace¹⁰ when clouds do blot the heaven:

               So flatter I the swart-complexioned¹¹ night,

               When sparkling stars twire¹² not thou gild’st the even.

                     But day doth daily draw my sorrows longer,

                     And night doth nightly make grief’s length seem stronger.

29

               When in disgrace¹ with Fortune and men’s eyes,

               I all alone beweep² my outcast state

               And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless³ cries

               And look upon myself and curse my fate,

5

5              Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,

               Featured⁶ like him, like him with friends possessed,

               Desiring this man’s art⁷ and that man’s scope,

               With⁸ what I most enjoy contented least:

               Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,

10

10            Haply¹⁰ I think on thee and then my state,

               Like to the lark at break of day arising,

               From sullen¹² earth sings hymns at heaven’s gate,

                     For thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings

                     That then I scorn to change¹⁴ my state with kings.

30

               When to the sessions¹ of sweet silent thought

               I summon up remembrance of things past,

               I sigh³ the lack of many a thing I sought

               And with old woes new wail⁴ my dear time’s waste.

5

5              Then can I drown an eye, unused to flow,⁵

               For precious friends hid in death’s dateless⁶ night,

               And weep afresh love’s long since cancelled⁷ woe,

               And moan th’expense⁸ of many a vanished sight.

               Then can I grieve at grievances foregone,⁹

10

10            And heavily¹⁰ from woe to woe tell o’er

               The sad account¹¹ of fore-bemoanèd moan,

               Which I new pay as if not paid before.

                     But if the while I think on thee, dear friend,

                     All losses are restored and sorrows end.

31

               Thy¹ bosom is endearèd with all hearts,

               Which I by lacking² have supposèd dead,

               And there reigns love and all love’s loving parts³

               And all those friends which I thought burièd.

5

5              How many a holy and obsequious⁵ tear

               Hath dear⁶ religious love stol’n from mine eye

               As interest⁷ of the dead, which now appear

               But things removed⁸ that hidden in there lie.

               Thou art the grave where buried love doth live,

10

10            Hung with the trophies¹⁰ of my lovers gone,

               Who all¹¹ their parts of me to thee did give:

               That due of¹² many now is thine alone.

                     Their images I loved¹³ I view in thee,

                     And¹⁴ thou, all they, hast all the all of me.

32

               If thou survive my well-contented day,¹

               When that churl² death my bones with dust shall cover,

               And shalt by fortune³ once more resurvey

               These poor rude⁴ lines of thy deceasèd lover,

5

5              Compare them with the bett’ring⁵ of the time,

               And though they be outstripped by every pen,

               Reserve⁷ them for my love, not for their rhyme,

               Exceeded by the height⁸ of happier men.

               O, then vouchsafe⁹ me but this loving thought:

10

10            ‘Had my friend’s Muse¹⁰ grown with this growing age,

               A dearer birth¹¹ than this his love had brought

               To march¹² in ranks of better equipage,

                     But since he died and poets better prove,

                     Theirs for their style I’ll read, his for his love.’

33

               Full many a glorious morning have I seen

               Flatter the mountain tops with sovereign eye,

               Kissing with golden face the meadows green,

               Gilding pale streams with heavenly alchemy,⁴

5

5              Anon⁵ permit the basest clouds to ride

               With ugly rack⁶ on his celestial face,

               And from the forlorn world his visage⁷ hide,

               Stealing unseen to west with this disgrace:

               Even so my sun one early morn did shine

10

10            With all-triumphant¹⁰ splendour on my brow:

               But out, alack,¹¹ he was but one hour mine,

               The region cloud¹² hath masked him from me now.

                     Yet him for this my love no whit¹³ disdaineth:

                     Suns¹⁴ of the world may stain when heaven’s sun staineth.

34

               Why didst thou¹ promise such a beauteous day

               And make me travel forth without my cloak,

               To let base clouds o’ertake me in my way,

               Hiding thy brav’ry⁴ in their rotten smoke?

5

5              ’Tis not enough that through the cloud thou break

               To dry the rain on my storm-beaten face,

               For no man well of such a salve⁷ can speak

               That heals the wound and cures not the disgrace.⁸

               Nor can thy shame give physic⁹ to my grief:

10

10            Though thou repent, yet I have still the loss.

               Th’offender’s sorrow lends but weak relief

               To him that bears the strong offence’s cross.¹²

                     Ah, but those tears are pearl, which thy love sheds,

                     And they are rich and ransom¹⁴ all ill deeds.

35

               No more be grieved at that which thou hast done:

               Roses have thorns and silver fountains mud,

               Clouds and eclipses stain³ both moon and sun,

               And loathsome canker⁴ lives in sweetest bud.

5

5              All men make faults and even I in this,

               Authorizing⁶ thy trespass with compare,

               Myself corrupting,⁷ salving thy amiss,

               Excusing⁸ thy sins more than thy sins are:

               For⁹ to thy sensual fault I bring in sense —

10

10            Thy¹⁰ adverse party is thy advocate —

               And gainst¹¹ myself a lawful plea commence.

               Such civil war is in my love and hate

                     That I an accessory¹³ needs must be

                     To that sweet thief which sourly robs from me.

36

               Let me confess that we two must be twain,¹

               Although our undivided loves are one:

               So shall those blots³ that do with me remain,

               Without thy help by me be borne alone.

5

5              In our two loves there is but one respect,⁵

               Though in our lives a separable spite,⁶

               Which though it alter not love’s sole⁷ effect,

               Yet doth it steal sweet hours from love’s delight.

               I may not⁹ evermore acknowledge thee,

10

10            Lest my bewailèd guilt¹⁰ should do thee shame,

               Nor thou with public kindness honour me,

               Unless thou take¹² that honour from thy name.

                     But do not so: I love thee in such sort¹³

                     As,¹⁴ thou being mine, mine is thy good report.

37

               As a decrepit father takes delight

               To see his active child do deeds of youth,

               So I, made lame by Fortune’s dearest spite,³

               Take all my comfort of⁴ thy worth and truth.

5

5              For whether beauty, birth or wealth or wit,⁵

               Or any of these all or all or more,

               Entitled⁷ in thy parts do crownèd sit,

               I make⁸ my love engrafted to this store:

               So then I am not lame, poor, nor despised,

10

10            Whilst that this shadow¹⁰ doth such substance give

               That I in thy abundance am sufficed¹¹

               And by a part of all thy glory live.

                     Look what¹³ is best, that best I wish in thee.

                     This wish I have: then ten times happy me.

38

               How can my Muse¹ want subject to invent,

               While thou dost breathe, that pour’st into my verse

               Thine own sweet argument,³ too excellent

               For every vulgar⁴ paper to rehearse?

5

5              O, give thyself the thanks, if aught⁵ in me

               Worthy perusal⁶ stand against thy sight,

               For who’s so dumb⁷ that cannot write to thee,

               When thou thyself dost⁸ give invention light?

               Be thou the tenth Muse,⁹ ten times more in worth

10

10            Than those old nine which rhymers invocate,¹⁰

               And he that calls on thee, let him bring forth

               Eternal¹² numbers to outlive long date.

                     If my slight Muse¹³ do please these curious days,

                     The pain¹⁴ be mine, but thine shall be the praise.

39

               O, how thy worth¹ with manners may I sing,

               When thou art all the better part of me?

               What can mine own praise to mine own self bring?

               And what is’t but mine own when I praise thee?

5

5              Even for⁵ this let us divided live,

               And our dear⁶ love lose name of single one,

               That⁷ by this separation I may give

               That due to thee which thou deserv’st alone.

               O absence, what a torment wouldst thou prove,

10

10            Were it not thy sour leisure gave sweet leave

               To entertain¹¹ the time with thoughts of love,

               Which¹² time and thoughts so sweetly dost deceive,

                     And that thou teachest how to make one twain¹³

                     By praising him here¹⁴ who doth hence remain.

40

               Take¹ all my loves, my love, yea, take them all:

               What hast thou then more than thou hadst before?

               No love, my love, that thou mayst true love call:

               All mine was thine before thou hadst this more.

5

5              Then if for my love⁵ thou my love receivest,

               I cannot blame thee for⁶ my love thou usest.

               But yet be blamed, if thou this self⁷ deceivest

               By wilful taste⁸ of what thyself refusest.

               I do forgive thy robb’ry, gentle thief,

10

10            Although thou steal thee¹⁰ all my poverty:

               And yet love knows it is a greater grief

               To bear love’s wrong¹² than hate’s known injury.

                     Lascivious grace,¹³ in whom all ill well shows,

                     Kill me with spites,¹⁴ yet we must not be foes.

41

               Those pretty wrongs that liberty¹ commits

               When I am sometime absent from thy heart,

               Thy³ beauty and thy years full well befits,

               For still⁴ temptation follows where thou art.

5

5              Gentle⁵ thou art and therefore to be won,

               Beauteous thou art, therefore to be assailed.⁶

               And when a woman woos, what woman’s son

               Will sourly⁸ leave her till he have prevailed?

               Ay me, but yet thou mightst my seat forbear⁹

10

10            And chide¹⁰ thy beauty and thy straying youth,

               Who lead thee in their riot¹¹ even there

               Where thou art forced to break a two-fold truth:¹²

                     Hers¹³ by thy beauty tempting her to thee,

                     Thine¹⁴ by thy beauty being false to me.

42

               That thou hast her, it is not all my grief,

               And yet it may be said I loved her dearly,

               That she hath thee is of³ my wailing chief,

               A loss in love that touches me more nearly.

5

5              Loving offenders,⁵ thus I will excuse ye:

               Thou dost love her, because thou knowst I love her,

               And for my sake even so⁷ doth she abuse me,

               Suff’ring⁸ my friend for my sake to approve her.

               If I lose thee, my loss is my love’s⁹ gain,

10

10            And losing her, my friend hath found that loss:

               Both find each other and I lose both twain,¹¹

               And both for my sake lay on me this cross.¹²

                     But here’s the joy: my friend and I are one.

                     Sweet flatt’ry!¹⁴ Then she loves but me alone.

43

               When most I wink,¹ then do mine eyes best see,

               For all the day they view things unrespected,²

               But when I sleep, in dreams they look on thee

               And, darkly⁴ bright, are bright in dark directed.

5

5              Then thou, whose shadow⁵ shadows doth make bright,

               How would thy⁶ shadow’s form form happy show

               To the clear day with thy much clearer light,

               When to unseeing eyes thy shade⁸ shines so?

               How would, I say, mine eyes be blessèd made

10

10            By looking on thee in the living¹⁰ day,

               When in dead night thy fair imperfect¹¹ shade

               Through heavy sleep on sightless eyes doth stay?

                     All days are¹³ nights to see till I see thee,

                     And nights bright days when dreams do show thee me.

44

               If the dull¹ substance of my flesh were thought,

               Injurious² distance should not stop my way,

               For then despite³ of space I would be brought,

               From limits⁴ far remote, where thou dost stay.

5

5              No matter⁵ then, although my foot did stand

               Upon the farthest earth removed from thee,

               For nimble thought can jump both sea and land

               As soon as think the place where he would be.

               But ah, thought kills me that I am not thought,

10

10            To leap large lengths of miles when thou art gone,

               But that so¹¹ much of earth and water wrought,

               I must attend time’s leisure¹² with my moan,

                     Receiving naught by elements so slow

                     But heavy¹⁴ tears, badges of either’s woe.

45

               The other two,¹ slight air and purging fire,

               Are both with thee, wherever I abide:

               The first³ my thought, the other my desire,

               These present-absent⁴ with swift motion slide.

5

5              For when these quicker⁵ elements are gone

               In tender embassy⁶ of love to thee,

               My life, being made of four, with two alone⁷

               Sinks⁸ down to death, oppressed with melancholy,

               Until life’s⁹ composition be recured

10

10            By those swift messengers returned from thee,

               Who even but now¹¹ come back again, assured

               Of thy fair health, recounting it to me.

                     This told, I joy¹³ — but then no longer glad,

                     I send them back again and straight¹⁴ grow sad.

46

               Mine eye and heart are at a mortal¹ war

               How to divide the conquest² of thy sight:

               Mine³ eye my heart thy picture’s sight would bar,

               My heart mine eye the freedom⁴ of that right.

5

5              My heart doth plead⁵ that thou in him dost lie —

               A closet⁶ never pierced with crystal eyes —

               But the defendant⁷ doth that plea deny

               And says in him thy fair appearance lies.

               To ’cide⁹ this title is empannellèd

10

10            A quest¹⁰ of thoughts, all tenants to the heart,

               And by their verdict is determinèd¹¹

               The clear eye’s moiety¹² and the dear heart’s part,

                     As thus:¹³ mine eye’s due is thy outward part,

                     And my heart’s right thy inward love of heart.

47

               Betwixt mine eye and heart a league¹ is took,

               And each doth good turns now unto the other:

               When that³ mine eye is famished for a look,

               Or heart⁴ in love with sighs himself doth smother,

5

5              With⁵ my love’s picture then my eye doth feast

               And to the painted banquet bids⁶ my heart.

               Another time mine eye is my heart’s guest

               And in his thoughts of love doth share a part.

               So, either by thy picture or my love,

10

10            Thyself away are present still with me,

               For thou not further than my thoughts canst move,

               And I am still¹² with them and they with thee.

                     Or, if they sleep, thy picture in my sight

                     Awakes my heart to heart’s and eye’s delight.

48

               How careful was I, when I took my way,¹

               Each trifle under truest bars² to thrust,

               That to my use³ it might unusèd stay

               From⁴ hands of falsehood, in sure wards of trust.

5

5              But thou, to whom⁵ my jewels trifles are,

               Most worthy comfort, now my greatest grief,

               Thou, best of dearest and mine only care,⁷

               Art left the prey of every vulgar⁸ thief.

               Thee have I not locked up in any chest,

10

10            Save where thou art not, though I feel thou art,

               Within the gentle closure¹¹ of my breast,

               From whence at pleasure¹² thou mayst come and part:

                     And even thence thou wilt be stol’n, I fear,

                     For truth¹⁴ proves thievish for a prize so dear.

49

               Against¹ that time, if ever that time come,

               When I shall see thee frown on my defects,

               When as³ thy love hath cast his utmost sum,

               Called to that audit by advised respects⁴ —

5

5              Against that time when thou shalt strangely⁵ pass

               And scarcely greet me with that sun thine eye,

               When love, converted⁷ from the thing it was,

               Shall reasons⁸ find of settled gravity —

               Against that time do I ensconce me⁹ here

10

10            Within the knowledge of mine own desert,¹⁰

               And this¹¹ my hand against myself uprear

               To guard¹² the lawful reasons on thy part:

                     To leave poor me thou hast the strength of laws,¹³

                     Since why¹⁴ to love I can allege no cause.

50

               How heavy¹ do I journey on the way,

               When what² I seek, my weary travel’s end,

               Doth teach that ease and that repose to say,

               ‘Thus far the miles are measured from thy friend.’

5

5              The beast⁵ that bears me, tirèd with my woe,

               Plods dully⁶ on, to bear that weight in me,

               As if by some instinct the wretch⁷ did know

               His rider loved not speed, being made⁸ from thee:

               The bloody spur cannot provoke him on

10

10            That sometimes anger thrusts into his hide,

               Which heavily¹¹ he answers with a groan,

               More sharp to me than spurring to his side,

                     For that same groan doth put this in my mind:

                     My grief lies onward and my joy behind.

51

               Thus can my love excuse the slow offence¹

               Of my dull bearer² when from thee I speed:

               From where thou art why should I haste me thence?

               Till I return, of posting⁴ is no need.

5

5              O, what excuse will my poor beast then find,

               When swift extremity⁶ can seem but slow?

               Then should I spur,⁷ though mounted on the wind:

               In⁸ wingèd speed no motion shall I know.

               Then can no horse with my desire keep pace:

10

10            Therefore desire, of perfects¹⁰ love being made,

               Shall neigh — no dull flesh¹¹ — in his fiery race,

               But love, for love,¹² thus shall excuse my jade,

                     Since from thee going he went wilful-slow,

                     Towards thee I’ll run and give him leave to go.¹⁴

52

               So¹ am I as the rich, whose blessèd key

               Can bring him to his sweet up-lockèd treasure,

               The which he will not ev’ry hour survey,

               For blunting the fine point of seldom⁴ pleasure.

5

5              Therefore are feasts⁵ so solemn and so rare,

               Since, seldom coming, in the long year set

               Like stones of worth they thinly placèd⁷ are,

               Or captain⁸ jewels in the carcanet.

               So is the time that keeps you as⁹ my chest,

10

10            Or as the wardrobe which the robe doth hide,

               To make some special instant¹¹ special blest

               By new unfolding his imprisoned pride.¹²

                     Blessèd are you, whose worthiness gives scope,

                     Being¹⁴ had, to triumph, being lacked, to hope.

53

               What is your substance, whereof¹ are you made,

               That millions of strange² shadows on you tend?

               Since every one hath, every one, one shade,³

               And you, but one, can every shadow lend.⁴

5

5              Describe Adonis,⁵ and the counterfeit

               Is poorly imitated after you.

               On⁷ Helen’s cheek all art of beauty set,

               And you in Grecian tires are painted new.

               Speak of the spring and foison⁹ of the year:

10

10            The¹⁰ one doth shadow of your beauty show,

               The other as your bounty¹¹ doth appear,

               And you in every blessèd shape we know.¹²

                     In all external grace¹³ you have some part,

                     But you like none, none you, for constant heart.

54

               O, how much more doth beauty beauteous seem

               By² that sweet ornament which truth doth give.

               The rose looks fair, but fairer we it deem³

               For that sweet odour which doth in it live.

5

5              The canker blooms⁵ have full as deep a dye

               As the perfumèd tincture⁶ of the roses,

               Hang on such thorns and play⁷ as wantonly

               When summer’s breath their maskèd buds discloses:⁸

               But, for⁹ their virtue only is their show,

10

10            They live unwooed¹⁰ and unrespected fade,

               Die to themselves.¹¹ Sweet roses do not so:

               Of their sweet deaths are sweetest odours made.¹²

                     And so of you, beauteous and lovely youth,

                     When that¹⁴ shall fade, my verse distils your truth.

55

               Not marble nor the gilded monuments¹

               Of princes shall outlive this powerful rhyme,

               But you shall shine more bright in these contents³

               Than unswept stone besmeared with⁴ sluttish time.

5

5              When wasteful⁵ war shall statues overturn,

               And broils⁶ root out the work of masonry,

               Nor⁷ Mars his sword, nor war’s quick fire shall burn

               The living record of your memory.

               Gainst death and all oblivious enmity⁹

10

10            Shall you pace forth, your praise shall still find room

               Even in the eyes of all posterity

               That wear this world out to the ending doom.¹²

                     So, till the¹³ judgement that yourself arise,

                     You live in this,¹⁴ and dwell in lovers’ eyes.

56

               Sweet love,¹ renew thy force. Be it not said

               Thy edge² should blunter be than appetite,

               Which but³ today by feeding is allayed,

               Tomorrow sharpened in his former might.

5

5              So love, be thou, although today thou fill

               Thy hungry eyes even till they wink⁶ with fullness,

               Tomorrow see again and do not kill

               The spirit of love with a perpetual dullness.⁸

               Let this sad int’rim⁹ like the ocean be

10

10            Which parts the shore, where two contracted new¹⁰

               Come daily to the banks, that,¹¹ when they see

               Return of love, more blest may be the view:

                     Or call it¹³ winter, which being full of care

                     Makes summer’s welcome thrice more wished, more rare.¹⁴

57

               Being your slave, what should I do but tend¹

               Upon the hours and times of your desire?

               I have no precious time at all to spend,

               Nor services to do, till you require.

5

5              Nor dare I chide⁵ the world-without-end hour

               Whilst I, my sovereign, watch the clock for you,

               Nor think the bitterness of absence sour

               When you have bid your servant once adieu.

               Nor dare I question with my jealous⁹ thought

10

10            Where you may be, or your affairs suppose,¹⁰

               But, like a sad slave, stay and think of nought

               Save where you are how happy you make those.¹²

                     So true a fool is love that in your Will,¹³

                     Though you do anything, he thinks no ill.

58

               That¹ god forbid, that made me first your slave,

               I should in thought² control your times of pleasure,

               Or at³ your hand th’account of hours to crave,

               Being your vassal,⁴ bound to stay your leisure.

5

5              O, let me suffer, being at your beck,⁵

               Th’imprisoned⁶ absence of your liberty,

               And patience⁷ tame to sufferance, bide each check

               Without accusing you of injury.

               Be where you list,⁹ your charter is so strong

10

10            That you yourself may privilege¹⁰ your time

               To what you will: to you it doth belong

               Yourself to¹² pardon of self-doing crime.

                     I am to wait, though waiting so be hell,

                     Not blame your pleasure, be it ill or well.

59

               If there be nothing new, but that which is

               Hath been before, how are our brains beguiled,²

               Which, labouring³ for invention, bear amiss

               The second burden of a former child.

5

5              O, that record⁵ could with a backward look,

               Even of five hundred courses⁶ of the sun,

               Show me your image in some antique book,

               Since mind⁸ at first in character was done,

               That I might see what the old world could say

10

10            To this composèd¹⁰ wonder of your frame:

               Whether we are mended,¹¹ or whe’er better they,

               Or whether revolution¹² be the same.

                     O, sure I am the wits¹³ of former days

                     To subjects worse have given admiring praise.

60

               Like as the waves make towards the pebbled shore,

               So do our minutes hasten to their end,

               Each changing place with³ that which goes before,

               In⁴ sequent toil all forwards do contend.

5

5              Nativity,⁵ once in the main of light,

               Crawls to maturity, wherewith being crowned,

               Crooked⁷ eclipses gainst his glory fight,

               And Time that gave doth now his gift confound.⁸

               Time doth transfix⁹ the flourish set on youth

10

10            And delves the parallels¹⁰ in beauty’s brow,

               Feeds on the rarities¹¹ of nature’s truth,

               And nothing stands but for his scythe¹² to mow.

                     And yet to times in hope¹³ my verse shall stand,

                     Praising thy worth, despite his cruel hand.

61

               Is it thy will thy image should keep open

               My heavy eyelids to the weary night?

               Dost thou desire my slumbers should be broken,

               While shadows⁴ like to thee do mock my sight?

5

5              Is it thy spirit that thou send’st from thee

               So far from home into my deeds to pry,

               To find out shames and idle hours in me,

               The scope⁸ and tenure of thy jealousy?

               O no, thy love, though much, is not so great:

10

10            It is my love that keeps mine eye awake,

               Mine own true love that doth my rest defeat

               To play the watchman ever for thy sake.

                     For thee watch I,¹³ whilst thou dost wake elsewhere,

                     From me far off, with others all too near.

62

               Sin of self-love possesseth¹ all mine eye

               And all my soul and all my every part,

               And for this sin there is no remedy,

               It is so grounded inward in my heart.

5

5              Methinks no face so gracious⁵ is as mine,

               No shape so true,⁶ no truth of such account,

               And for myself⁷ mine own worth do define,

               As⁸ I all other in all worths surmount.

               But when my glass⁹ shows me myself indeed,

10

10            Beated and chopped¹⁰ with tanned antiquity,

               Mine own self-love quite contrary I read:

               Self¹² so self-loving were iniquity.

                     ’Tis¹³ thee, my self, that for myself I praise,

                     Painting my age with beauty of thy days.

63

               Against¹ my love shall be as I am now

               With Time’s injurious² hand crushed and o’er-worn,

               When hours have drained his blood³ and filed his brow

               With lines and wrinkles, when his youthful morn

5

5              Hath travelled on to age’s steepy⁵ night,

               And all those beauties whereof now he’s king

               Are vanishing, or vanished, out of sight,

               Stealing⁸ away the treasure of his spring:

               For such a time do I now fortify⁹

10

10            Against confounding¹⁰ age’s cruel knife,

               That¹¹ he shall never cut from memory

               My sweet love’s beauty, though¹² my lover’s life.

                     His beauty shall in these black lines be seen,

                     And they shall live and he in them still green.¹⁴

64

               When I have seen by Time’s fell¹ hand defaced

               The rich proud cost² of outworn buried age,

               When sometime³ lofty towers I see down-razed

               And brass⁴ eternal slave to mortal rage,

5

5              When I have seen the hungry ocean gain

               Advantage on the kingdom of the shore,

               And the firm soil win of⁷ the wat’ry main,

               Increasing⁸ store with loss and loss with store,

               When I have seen such interchange of state,⁹

10

10            Or state¹⁰ itself confounded to decay,

               Ruin hath taught me thus to ruminate¹¹

               That Time will come and take my love away.

                     This thought is as a death, which cannot choose

                     But weep to have that which it fears to lose.

65

               Since¹ brass nor stone nor earth nor boundless sea,

               But sad mortality o’er-sways² their power,

               How with this rage³ shall beauty hold a plea,

               Whose action⁴ is no stronger than a flower?

5

5              O, how shall summer’s honey breath hold out

               Against the wrackful⁶ siege of batt’ring days,

               When rocks impregnable are not so stout,

               Nor gates of steel so strong, but time decays?

               O fearful meditation! Where, alack,

10

10            Shall Time’s best jewel from¹⁰ Time’s chest lie hid?

               Or what strong hand can hold his swift foot back,

               Or who his spoil¹² of beauty can forbid?

                     O none, unless this miracle have might,

                     That in black ink my love may still shine bright.

66

               Tired with all these,¹ for restful death I cry,

               As to behold desert² a beggar born,

               And needy³ nothing trimmed in jollity,

               And purest⁴ faith unhappily forsworn,

5

5              And gilded⁵ honour shamefully misplaced,

               And maiden virtue rudely strumpeted,⁶

               And right⁷ perfection wrongfully disgraced,

               And strength by limping sway⁸ disablèd,

               And art⁹ made tongue-tied by authority,

10

10            And folly doctor-like¹⁰ controlling skill,

               And simple truth miscalled simplicity,¹¹

               And captive good attending¹² captain ill.

                     Tired with all these, from these would I be gone,

                     Save that to¹⁴ die I leave my love alone.

67

               Ah, wherefore¹ with infection should he live,

               And with his presence grace impiety,²

               That sin by³ him advantage should achieve

               And lace⁴ itself with his society?

5

5              Why should false painting⁵ imitate his cheek

               And steal dead seeing⁶ of his living hue?

               Why should poor⁷ beauty indirectly seek

               Roses of shadow,⁸ since his rose is true?

               Why should he live, now Nature bankrupt is,⁹

10

10            Beggared of blood to blush through lively¹⁰ veins,

               For she hath no exchequer¹¹ now but his,

               And, proud of many,¹² lives upon his gains?

                     O, him she stores,¹³ to show what wealth she had

                     In days long since, before these last so bad.

68

               Thus¹ is his cheek the map of days outworn,

               When beauty lived and died as flowers do now,

               Before these bastard³ signs of fair were born

               Or durst inhabit⁴ on a living brow,

5

5              Before the golden⁵ tresses of the dead,

               The right of sepulchres,⁶ were shorn away,

               To live a second life on second head,

               Ere beauty’s dead fleece made another gay:⁸

               In him those holy antique hours⁹ are seen,

10

10            Without all ornament, itself and true,

               Making no summer of another’s green,

               Robbing no old to dress his beauty new,

                     And him as for a map doth Nature store,

                     To show false Art what beauty was of yore.¹⁴

69

               Those parts¹ of thee that the world’s eye doth view

               Want² nothing that the thought of hearts can mend:

               All tongues, the voice of souls, give thee that due,

               Utt’ring bare truth, even⁴ so as foes commend.

5

5              Thy outward⁵ thus with outward praise is crowned,

               But those same tongues that give thee so thine own⁶

               In other accents⁷ do this praise confound

               By seeing farther than the eye hath shown.

               They look into the beauty of thy mind,

10

10            And that, in guess,¹⁰ they measure by thy deeds.

               Then, churls,¹¹ their thoughts, although their eyes were kind,

               To thy fair flower add the rank¹² smell of weeds:

                     But why thy odour matcheth not thy show,

                     The soil¹⁴ is this, that thou dost common grow.

70

               That thou art blamed¹ shall not be thy defect,

               For slander’s mark² was ever yet the fair:

               The³ ornament of beauty is suspect,

               A crow⁴ that flies in heaven’s sweetest air.

5

5              So thou be⁵ good, slander doth but approve

               Thy worth the greater, being wooed oft-time:

               For canker⁷ vice the sweetest buds doth love,

               And thou present’st a pure unstainèd⁸ prime.

               Thou hast passed by the ambush⁹ of young days,

10

10            Either not assailed¹⁰ or victor being charged:

               Yet this thy praise cannot be so¹¹ thy praise,

               To tie¹² up envy evermore enlarged.

                     If some suspect of ill¹³ masked not thy show,

                     Then thou alone kingdoms of hearts shouldst owe.¹⁴

71

               No longer mourn for me when I am dead

               Than you shall hear the surly sullen² bell

               Give warning to the world that I am fled

               From this vile world with vilest worms to dwell.

5

5              Nay, if you read this line, remember not

               The hand that writ it, for I love you so

               That I in your sweet thoughts would be forgot,

               If thinking on me then should make you woe.⁸

               O, if, I say, you look upon this verse

10

10            When I perhaps compounded¹⁰ am with clay,

               Do not so much as my poor name rehearse,¹¹

               But let your love even with my life decay,

                     Lest the wise world should look¹³ into your moan

                     And mock you with me¹⁴ after I am gone.

72

               O, lest the world should task¹ you to recite

               What merit lived in me, that you should love

               After my death, dear love, forget me quite,

               For you in me can nothing worthy prove,

5

5              Unless you would devise some virtuous lie

               To do more for me than mine own desert

               And hang more praise upon deceasèd I

               Than niggard⁸ truth would willingly impart.

               O, lest your true love may seem false in this,

10

10            That you for¹⁰ love speak well of me untrue,

               My name be buried where my body is

               And live no more to shame nor me nor you.

                     For I am shamed by that¹³ which I bring forth,

                     And so should you,¹⁴ to love things nothing worth.

73

               That time of year thou mayst in me behold

               When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang

               Upon those boughs which shake against the cold,

               Bare ruined choirs,⁴ where late the sweet birds sang.

5

5              In me thou see’st the twilight of such day

               As after sunset fadeth in the west,

               Which by and by black night doth take away,

               Death’s second self,⁸ that seals up all in rest.

               In me thou see’st the glowing of such fire

10

10            That on the ashes of his youth doth lie,

               As the death-bed whereon it must expire,

               Consumed¹² with that which it was nourished by.

                     This thou perceiv’st, which makes thy love more strong

                     To love that¹⁴ well which thou must leave ere long.

74

               But¹ be contented when that fell arrest

               Without all bail shall carry me away:

               My life hath in this line³ some interest,

               Which for memorial⁴ still with thee shall stay.

5

5              When thou reviewest⁵ this, thou dost review

               The very part was consecrate⁶ to thee.

               The earth can have but earth, which is his due:

               My spirit is thine, the better part of me.

               So then thou hast but lost the dregs of life,

10

10            The prey of worms, my body being dead,

               The coward¹¹ conquest of a wretch’s knife,

               Too base¹² of thee to be rememberèd.

                     The worth of that¹³ is that which it contains,

                     And that is this,¹⁴ and this with thee remains.

75

               So are you to my thoughts as food to life

               Or as sweet-seasoned² showers are to the ground,

               And for³ the peace of you I hold such strife

               As ’twixt⁴ a miser and his wealth is found:

5

5              Now proud as an enjoyer and anon⁵

               Doubting⁶ the filching age will steal his treasure,

               Now counting⁷ best to be with you alone,

               Then bettered⁸ that the world may see my pleasure,

               Sometime all full with feasting on your sight,

10

10            And by and by clean¹⁰ starvèd for a look,

               Possessing or pursuing no delight,

               Save what is had or must from you be took.

                     Thus do I pine¹³ and surfeit day by day,

                     Or¹⁴ gluttoning on all, or all away.

76

               Why is my verse so barren of new pride?¹

               So far from variation or quick change?

               Why with the time do I not glance aside

               To new-found methods and to compounds strange?⁴

5

5              Why write I still all one,⁵ ever the same,

               And keep invention⁶ in a noted weed,

               That every word doth almost tell my name,

               Showing their birth and where they did proceed?⁸

               O know, sweet love, I always write of you,

10

10            And you and love are still my argument:¹⁰

               So all my best is dressing old words new,

               Spending again what is already spent,

                     For as the sun is daily new and old,

                     So is my love still telling¹⁴ what is told.

77

               Thy glass¹ will show thee how thy beauties wear,

               Thy dial² how thy precious minutes waste,

               The vacant leaves³ thy mind’s imprint will bear,

               And of this book this learning⁴ mayst thou taste.

5

5              The wrinkles which thy glass will truly show

               Of⁶ mouthèd graves will give thee memory,

               Thou by thy dial’s shady stealth⁷ mayst know

               Time’s thievish progress to eternity.

               Look what thy memory cannot contain

10

10            Commit to these waste blanks¹⁰ and thou shalt find

               Those children¹¹ nursed, delivered from thy brain,

               To¹² take a new acquaintance of thy mind.

                     These offices,¹³ so oft as thou wilt look,

                     Shall profit thee and much enrich thy book.

78

               So oft have I invoked thee for my Muse¹

               And found such fair² assistance in my verse

               As³ every alien pen hath got my use

               And under thee⁴ their poesy disperse.

5

5              Thine eyes that taught the dumb on high⁵ to sing

               And heavy ignorance aloft to fly,

               Have added feathers⁷ to the learnèd’s wing

               And given grace⁸ a double majesty.

               Yet be most proud of that which I compile,⁹

10

10            Whose influence is thine and born of thee.

               In others’ works thou dost but mend¹¹ the style,

               And arts¹² with thy sweet graces gracèd be:

                     But thou¹³ art all my art and dost advance

                     As high as learning my rude¹⁴ ignorance.

79

               Whilst I alone did call upon thy aid,

               My verse alone had all thy gentle grace,²

               But now my gracious numbers³ are decayed

               And my sick Muse⁴ doth give another place.

5

5              I grant, sweet love, thy lovely argument⁵

               Deserves the travail⁶ of a worthier pen,

               Yet what of thee⁷ thy poet doth invent

               He robs thee of and pays it thee again.

               He lends thee virtue and he stole that word

10

10            From thy behaviour, beauty doth he give

               And found it in thy cheek: he can afford¹¹

               No praise to thee but what in thee doth live.

                     Then thank him not for that which he doth say,

                     Since what he owes thee thou thyself dost pay.

80

               O, how I faint¹ when I of you do write,

               Knowing a better spirit² doth use your name

               And in the praise thereof spends all his might

               To make me tongue-tied, speaking of your fame.

5

5              But since your worth, wide as the ocean is,

               The humble as⁶ the proudest sail doth bear,

               My saucy bark⁷ inferior far to his

               On your broad main⁸ doth wilfully appear.

               Your shallowest help⁹ will hold me up afloat,

10

10            Whilst he upon your soundless¹⁰ deep doth ride,

               Or being wrecked, I am a worthless boat,

               He of tall building¹² and of goodly pride.

                     Then if he thrive and I be cast away,¹³

                     The worst was this: my¹⁴ love was my decay.

81

               Or¹ I shall live your epitaph to make,

               Or you survive when I in earth am rotten,

               From hence³ your memory death cannot take,

               Although in⁴ me each part will be forgotten.

5

5              Your name from hence immortal life shall have,

               Though I, once gone, to⁶ all the world must die.

               The earth can yield me but a common⁷ grave,

               When you entombèd in men’s eyes shall lie.

               Your monument⁹ shall be my gentle verse,

10

10            Which eyes not yet created shall o’er-read,

               And tongues to be¹¹ your being shall rehearse

               When all¹² the breathers of this world are dead.

                     You still¹³ shall live — such virtue hath my pen —

                     Where breath most breathes, ev’n in the¹⁴ mouths of men.

82

               I grant¹ thou wert not married to my Muse

               And therefore mayst without attaint² o’erlook

               The dedicated words³ which writers use

               Of their fair subject, blessing⁴ every book.

5

5              Thou art as fair in knowledge as in hue,⁵

               Finding thy worth a limit past⁶ my praise,

               And therefore art enforced to seek anew

               Some fresher stamp⁸ of the time-bett’ring days.

               And do so, love, yet when they have devised

10

10            What strainèd¹⁰ touches rhetoric can lend,

               Thou, truly fair, wert truly sympathized¹¹

               In true plain words by thy true-telling friend.

                     And their gross¹³ painting might be better used

                     Where cheeks need blood: in thee it is abused.¹⁴

83

               I never saw that you did painting¹ need,

               And therefore to your fair² no painting set.

               I found, or thought I found, you did exceed

               The barren tender⁴ of a poet’s debt,

5

5              And therefore have I slept⁵ in your report,

               That⁶ you yourself being extant well might show

               How far a modern⁷ quill doth come too short,

               Speaking of worth, what worth in you doth grow.

               This silence for my sin⁹ you did impute,

10

10            Which shall be most my glory, being dumb,

               For I impair not beauty being mute,

               When others would¹² give life and bring a tomb.

                     There lives more life in one of your fair eyes

                     Than both your poets¹⁴ can in praise devise.

84

               Who is it that says most, which¹ can say more

               Than this rich praise, that you² alone are you,

               In whose confine immurèd³ is the store

               Which should example⁴ where your equal grew?

5

5              Lean penury⁵ within that pen doth dwell

               That to his subject lends not some small glory,

               But he that writes of you, if he can tell

               That you are you, so⁸ dignifies his story.

               Let him but⁹ copy what in you is writ,

10

10            Not making worse what nature made so clear,

               And such¹¹ a counterpart shall fame his wit,

               Making his style admirèd everywhere.

                     You to your beauteous blessings add a curse,

                     Being¹⁴ fond on praise, which makes your praises worse.

85

               My tongue-tied Muse¹ in manners holds her still,

               While comments of your praise, richly compiled,

               Reserve their character³ with golden quill

               And precious phrase by all the Muses filed.⁴

5

5              I think good thoughts whilst other write good words,

               And like unlettered clerk⁶ still cry ‘Amen’

               To every hymn that able spirit affords⁷

               In polished form of well-refinèd pen.

               Hearing you praised, I say, ‘’Tis so, ’tis true’,

10

10            And to the most of praise add something more:

               But that is in my thought, whose love to you,

               Though words come hindmost, holds¹² his rank before.

                     Then others for¹³ the breath of words respect,

                     Me for my dumb thoughts, speaking in effect.¹⁴

86

               Was it the proud full sail of his great verse,

               Bound for the prize² of all-too-precious you,

               That did my ripe thoughts in my brain inhearse,³

               Making their tomb the womb wherein they grew?

5

5              Was it his spirit,⁵ by spirits taught to write

               Above a mortal pitch,⁶ that struck me dead?

               No, neither he nor his compeers⁷ by night

               Giving him aid, my verse astonishèd.⁸

               He, nor that affable familiar ghost⁹

10

10            Which nightly gulls¹⁰ him with intelligence,

               As victors of my silence cannot boast.

               I was not sick of any fear from thence,

                     But when your countenance¹³ filled up his line,

                     Then lacked I matter,¹⁴ that enfeebled mine.

87

               Farewell, thou art too dear¹ for my possessing,

               And like enough thou know’st thy estimate.²

               The charter³ of thy worth gives thee releasing,

               My bonds⁴ in thee are all determinate.

5

5              For how do I hold thee but by thy granting?

               And for that riches where is my deserving?

               The cause of⁷ this fair gift in me is wanting,

               And so my patent⁸ back again is swerving.

               Thyself thou gav’st, thy own worth then not knowing,

10

10            Or me, to whom thou gav’st it, else mistaking;

               So thy great gift, upon misprision growing,¹¹

               Comes home again, on better judgement making.

                     Thus have I had thee as a dream doth flatter:

                     In sleep a king, but waking no such matter.¹⁴

88

               When thou shalt be disposed to set me light¹

               And place² my merit in the eye of scorn,

               Upon thy side against myself I’ll fight

               And prove thee virtuous, though thou art forsworn.⁴

5

5              With mine own weakness being best acquainted,

               Upon thy part⁶ I can set down a story

               Of faults concealed, wherein I am attainted,⁷

               That⁸ thou in losing me shalt win much glory:

               And I by this will be a gainer too,

10

10            For bending¹⁰ all my loving thoughts on thee,

               The injuries that to myself I do,

               Doing thee vantage,¹² double-vantage me.

                     Such is my love, to thee I so belong,

                     That for thy right myself will bear all wrong.¹⁴

89*

               Say that thou didst forsake¹ me for some fault

               And I will comment upon² that offence,

               Speak of my lameness and I straight will halt,³

               Against thy reasons making no defence.

5

5              Thou canst not, love, disgrace me half so ill,

               To⁶ set a form upon desirèd change,

               As I’ll myself disgrace, knowing thy will,

               I⁸ will acquaintance strangle and look strange,

               Be absent from thy walks,⁹ and in my tongue

10

10            Thy sweet belovèd name no more shall dwell,

               Lest I, too much profane, should do it wrong

               And haply¹² of our old acquaintance tell.

                     For thee, against myself I’ll vow debate,¹³

                     For I must ne’er love him whom thou dost hate.

90

               Then¹ hate me when thou wilt, if ever, now,

               Now, while the world is bent² my deeds to cross,

               Join with the spite of fortune, make me bow,

               And do not drop⁴ in for an after-loss.

5

5              Ah do not, when my heart hath scaped⁵ this sorrow,

               Come⁶ in the rearward of a conquered woe,

               Give not a windy night a rainy morrow

               To linger⁸ out a purposed overthrow.

               If thou wilt leave me, do not leave me last,

10

10            When other petty griefs have done their spite,

               But in the onset¹¹ come: so shall I taste

               At first the very worst of fortune’s might,

                     And other strains¹³ of woe, which now seem woe,

                     Compared with loss of thee will not seem so.

91

               Some glory¹ in their birth, some in their skill,

               Some in their wealth, some in their body’s force,

               Some in their garments, though new-fangled ill,³

               Some in their hawks and hounds, some in their horse,

5

5              And every humour⁵ hath his adjunct pleasure,

               Wherein it finds a joy above the rest,

               But these particulars are not my measure:⁷

               All these I better⁸ in one general best.

               Thy love is better than high birth to me,

10

10            Richer than wealth, prouder¹⁰ than garments’ cost,

               Of more delight than hawks or horses be:

               And having thee, of all men’s pride I boast —

                     Wretched in this alone, that thou mayst take

                     All this away and me most wretched make.

92

               But¹ do thy worst to steal thyself away,

               For term of life² thou art assurèd mine,

               And life no longer than thy love will stay,

               For it depends upon that love of thine.

5

5              Then need I not to fear the worst of wrongs,⁵

               When in⁶ the least of them my life hath end.

               I see a better state to me belongs

               Than that which on thy humour⁸ doth depend.

               Thou canst not vex me with inconstant mind,

10

10            Since that my life on¹⁰ thy revolt doth lie.

               O, what a happy¹¹ title do I find,

               Happy to have thy love, happy to die.

                     But what’s so blessèd-fair¹³ that fears no blot?

                     Thou mayst be false,¹⁴ and yet I know it not.

93

               So¹ shall I live, supposing thou art true,

               Like a deceivèd husband: so love’s face²

               May still seem love to me, though altered new,³

               Thy looks with me, thy heart in other place,

5

5              For there can live no hatred in thine eye,

               Therefore in that I cannot know thy change.

               In many’s looks the false heart’s history

               Is writ in moods and frowns and wrinkles⁸ strange,

               But heaven in thy creation did decree

10

10            That in thy face sweet love should ever dwell.

               Whate’er thy thoughts or thy heart’s workings be,

               Thy looks should nothing thence but sweetness tell.

                     How like Eve’s apple¹³ doth thy beauty grow,

                     If thy sweet virtue answer¹⁴ not thy show.

94

               They that have power to hurt and will do none,

               That do not do the² thing they most do show,

               Who, moving³ others, are themselves as stone,

               Unmovèd, cold,⁴ and to temptation slow:

5

5              They rightly do inherit heaven’s graces

               And husband⁶ nature’s riches from expense.

               They are the lords⁷ and owners of their faces,

               Others but stewards⁸ of their excellence.

               The summer’s flower is to the summer sweet,

10

10            Though to itself¹⁰ it only live and die,

               But if that flower with base¹¹ infection meet,

               The basest¹² weed outbraves his dignity:

                     For sweetest things¹³ turn sourest by their deeds,

                     Lilies¹⁴ that fester smell far worse than weeds.

95

               How sweet and lovely dost thou make the shame

               Which, like a canker² in the fragrant rose,

               Doth spot³ the beauty of thy budding name.

               O, in what sweets⁴ dost thou thy sins enclose!

5

5              That tongue that tells the story of thy days,

               Making lascivious comments on thy sport,⁶

               Cannot dispraise but in a kind of praise:

               Naming thy name blesses an ill report.

               O, what a mansion⁹ have those vices got

10

10            Which for their habitation chose out thee,

               Where beauty’s veil doth cover every blot,

               And all things turns to fair that eyes can see.

                     Take heed, dear heart, of this large privilege:¹³

                     The hardest knife¹⁴ ill-used doth lose his edge.

96

               Some say thy fault is youth, some wantonness,¹

               Some say thy grace is youth and gentle² sport,

               Both grace and faults are loved of³ more and less:

               Thou⁴ mak’st faults graces that to thee resort.

5

5              As on the finger of a thronèd queen

               The basest⁶ jewel will be well esteemed,

               So are those errors⁷ that in thee are seen

               To truths⁸ translated and for true things deemed.

               How many lambs might the stem wolf betray,

10

10            If like¹⁰ a lamb he could his looks translate?

               How many gazers¹¹ mightst thou lead away,

               If thou wouldst use the strength¹² of all thy state?

                     But¹³ do not so: I love thee in such sort

                     As, thou being mine, mine is thy good report.

97

               How like a winter hath my absence been

               From thee, the pleasure of the fleeting year.

               What freezings have I felt, what dark days seen,

               What old December’s bareness everywhere.

5

5              And yet this time removed⁵ was summer’s time,

               The teeming⁶ autumn, big with rich increase,

               Bearing⁷ the wanton burden of the prime,

               Like widowed wombs after their lords’⁸ decease:

               Yet this abundant issue⁹ seemed to me

10

10            But¹⁰ hope of orphans and unfathered fruit,

               For summer and his pleasures wait¹¹ on thee,

               And, thou away, the very birds are mute —

                     Or if they sing, ’tis with so dull a cheer

                     That leaves look pale, dreading the winter’s near.

98

               From you have I been absent in the spring,

               When proud-pied² April dressed in all his trim

               Hath put a spirit of youth in everything,

               That⁴ heavy Saturn laughed and leaped with him.

5

5              Yet nor⁵ the lays of birds nor the sweet smell

               Of different flowers⁶ in odour and in hue

               Could make me any summer’s⁷ story tell,

               Or from their proud⁸ lap pluck them where they grew.

               Nor did I wonder at the lily’s white,

10

10            Nor praise the deep vermilion in the rose.

               They were but¹¹ sweet, but figures of delight,

               Drawn after¹² you, you pattern of all those.

                     Yet seemed it winter still and, you away,

                     As¹⁴ with your shadow I with these did play.

99*

               The forward¹ violet thus did I chide:

               Sweet thief, whence didst thou steal thy² sweet that smells,

               If not from my love’s breath? The purple pride³

               Which on thy soft cheek for complexion⁴ dwells

5

5              In my love’s veins thou hast too grossly⁵ dyed.

               The lily I condemnèd⁶ for thy hand,

               And buds of marjoram⁷ had stol’n thy hair:

               The roses fearfully on⁸ thorns did stand,

               One blushing shame, another white⁹ despair,

10

10            A third, nor red nor white, had stol’n of both

               And to his robb’ry had annexed thy breath:¹¹

               But for¹² his theft, in pride of all his growth,

               A vengeful canker¹³ eat him up to death.

                     More flowers I noted, yet I none could see

15

                     But¹⁵ sweet or colour it had stol’n from thee.

100

               Where art thou, Muse,¹ that thou forget’st so long

               To speak of that which gives thee all thy might?

               Spend’st thou thy fury³ on some worthless song,

               Dark’ning⁴ thy power to lend base subjects light?

5

5              Return, forgetful Muse, and straight⁵ redeem

               In gentle numbers⁶ time so idly spent,

               Sing to the ear that doth thy lays⁷ esteem

               And gives thy pen both skill and argument.⁸

               Rise, resty⁹ Muse, my love’s sweet face survey,

10

10            If Time have any wrinkle graven¹⁰ there,

               If any, be a satire to¹¹ decay

               And make Time’s spoils¹² despisèd everywhere.

                     Give my love fame faster than Time wastes life,

                     So¹⁴ thou prevent’st his scythe and crooked knife.

101

               O truant Muse,¹ what shall be thy amends

               For thy neglect of truth² in beauty dyed?

               Both truth and beauty on my love depends,³

               So dost thou too, and therein dignified.⁴

5

5              Make answer, Muse. Wilt thou not haply⁵ say,

               ‘Truth needs no colour,⁶ with his colour fixed,

               Beauty no pencil,⁷ beauty’s truth to lay,

               But best is best, if never intermixed⁸’?

               Because he needs no praise, wilt thou be dumb?

10

10            Excuse not silence so, for’t lies in thee¹⁰

               To make him much outlive a gilded tomb

               And to be praised of ages yet to be.

                     Then do thy office,¹³ Muse. I teach thee how

                     To make him seem long hence,¹⁴ as he shows now.

102

               My love is strengthened, though more weak in seeming:¹

               I love not less, though less the show appear.

               That love is merchandised³ whose rich esteeming

               The owner’s tongue doth publish⁴ everywhere.

5

5              Our love was new and then but in the spring,

               When I was wont⁶ to greet it with my lays,

               As Philomel⁷ in summer’s front doth sing

               And stops his pipe⁸ in growth of riper days:

               Not that the summer is less pleasant now

10

10            Than when her mournful hymns did hush the night,

               But that wild¹¹ music burdens every bough,

               And sweets¹² grown common lose their dear delight.

                     Therefore, like her, I sometime hold my tongue,

                     Because I would not dull¹⁴ you with my song.

103

               Alack, what poverty¹ my Muse brings forth,

               That having such a scope to show her pride,²

               The argument all bare³ is of more worth

               Than when it hath my added praise beside.

5

5              O, blame me not, if I no more can write.

               Look in your glass,⁶ and there appears a face

               That overgoes⁷ my blunt invention quite,

               Dulling⁸ my lines and doing me disgrace.

               Were it not sinful then, striving to mend,⁹

10

10            To mar¹⁰ the subject that before was well?

               For to no other pass¹¹ my verses tend

               Than of your graces¹² and your gifts to tell.

                     And more, much more, than in my verse can sit

                     Your own glass shows you when you look in it.

104

               To me, fair friend, you never can be old,

               For as you were when first your eye I eyed,²

               Such seems your beauty still. Three winters cold

               Have from the forests shook three summers’ pride,⁴

5

5              Three beauteous springs to yellow autumn turned

               In process of the seasons have I seen,

               Three April perfumes in three hot Junes burned,

               Since first I saw you fresh, which⁸ yet are green.

               Ah yet doth beauty, like a dial hand,⁹

10

10            Steal¹⁰ from his figure and no pace perceived:

               So your sweet hue,¹¹ which methinks still doth stand,

               Hath motion¹² and mine eye may be deceived.

                     For fear of which, hear this, thou age unbred:¹³

                     Ere¹⁴ you were born was beauty’s summer dead.

105

               Let not my love be called idolatry,¹

               Nor my belovèd as an idol show,²

               Since³ all alike my songs and praises be

               To⁴ one, of one, still such and ever so.

5

5              Kind⁵ is my love today, tomorrow kind,

               Still constant in a wondrous excellence.

               Therefore my verse to constancy confined,

               One thing expressing, leaves out difference.

               ‘Fair,⁹ kind and true’ is all my argument,

10

10            ‘Fair, kind and true’ varying to¹⁰ other words,

               And in this change is my invention spent,¹¹

               Three¹² themes in one, which wondrous scope affords.

                     Fair, kind and true have often lived alone,

                     Which three till now never kept seat¹⁴ in one.

106

               When in the chronicle¹ of wasted time

               I see descriptions of the fairest wights,²

               And beauty making beautiful old rhyme

               In praise of ladies dead and lovely⁴ knights,

5

5              Then in the blazon⁵ of sweet beauty’s best,

               Of hand, of foot, of lip, of eye, of brow,

               I see their antique pen would have expressed

               Even⁸ such a beauty as you master now.

               So all their praises are but prophecies

10

10            Of this our time, all you prefiguring,

               And, for¹¹ they looked but with divining eyes,

               They had not skill enough your worth to sing:

                     For we, which now behold these present days,

                     Have eyes to wonder,¹⁴ but lack tongues to praise.

107

               Not mine own fears, nor the prophetic soul

               Of the wide world dreaming on things to come,

               Can yet the³ lease of my true love control,

               Supposed as⁴ forfeit to a confined doom.

5

5              The⁵ mortal moon hath her eclipse endured

               And the sad augurs⁶ mock their own presage,

               Incertainties⁷ now crown themselves assured

               And peace proclaims olives⁸ of endless age.

               Now with the drops of this most balmy⁹ time

10

10            My love looks fresh and Death to me subscribes,¹⁰

               Since, spite of him, I’ll live in this poor rhyme,

               While he insults¹² o’er dull and speechless tribes.

               And thou in this shalt find thy monument,¹³

               When tyrants’ crests¹⁴ and tombs of brass are spent.

108

               What’s in the brain that ink may character¹

               Which hath not figured² to thee my true spirit?

               What’s new to speak, what now to register,³

               That may express my love or thy dear merit?

5

5              Nothing, sweet boy, but yet like prayers divine

               I must each day say o’er the very same,

               Counting no old thing old, thou mine, I thine,

               Even as when first I hallowed⁸ thy fair name.

               So that eternal love in love’s fresh case⁹

10

10            Weighs not¹⁰ the dust and injury of age,

               Nor gives¹¹ to necessary wrinkles place,

               But makes antiquity¹² for aye his page,

                     Finding the first conceit¹³ of love there bred,

                     Where time and outward form would show it¹⁴ dead.

109

               O, never say that I was false of heart,¹

               Though absence seemed my² flame to qualify.

               As easy might I from myself depart

               As from my soul, which in thy breast doth lie:

5

5              That is my home of love. If I have ranged,⁵

               Like him that travels I return again,

               Just⁷ to the time, not with the time exchanged,

               So that myself bring water⁸ for my stain.

               Never believe, though in my nature reigned

10

10             All frailties¹⁰ that besiege all kinds of blood,

               That it could so preposterously¹¹ be stained,

               To leave for nothing¹² all thy sum of good:

                     For nothing this wide universe I call,

                     Save thou, my rose — in it thou art my all.

110

               Alas, ’tis true, I have gone¹ here and there

               And made myself a motley² to the view,

               Gored³ mine own thoughts, sold cheap what is most dear,

               Made⁴ old offences of affections new.

5

5              Most true it is that I have looked on truth

               Askance and strangely,⁶ but, by all above,

               These blenches⁷ gave my heart another youth,

               And worse essays⁸ proved thee my best of love.

               Now all is done, have what⁹ shall have no end:

10

10            Mine appetite¹⁰ I never more will grind

               On newer proof,¹¹ to try an older friend,

               A god in love, to whom I am confined.¹²

                     Then give me welcome, next¹³ my heaven the best,

                     Even to thy pure and most most loving¹⁴ breast.

111

               O, for my sake do you with Fortune chide,¹

               The guilty goddess of² my harmful deeds,

               That did not better for my life provide

               Than public means⁴ which public manners breeds.

5

5              Thence comes it that my name receives a brand,⁵

               And almost⁶ thence my nature is subdued

               To what it works in, like the dyer’s hand.

               Pity me then and wish I were renewed,⁸

               Whilst, like a willing patient, I will drink

10

10            Potions of eisel¹⁰ gainst my strong infection,

               No bitterness¹¹ that I will bitter think,

               Nor double penance to correct correction.¹²

                     Pity me then, dear friend, and I assure ye

                     Even that your pity is enough to cure me.

112

               Your love and pity doth th’impression¹ fill

               Which vulgar² scandal stamped upon my brow,

               For what care I who calls me well or ill,

               So⁴ you o’er-green my bad, my good allow?

5

5              You are my all the world and I must strive

               To know my shames and praises from your tongue.

               None⁷ else to me, nor I to none alive,

               That my steeled sense or changes right or wrong.

               In so profound abysm⁹ I throw all care

10

10            Of others’ voices, that my adder’s sense¹⁰

               To critic and to flatterer stoppèd are.

               Mark how¹² with my neglect I do dispense:

                     You are¹³ so strongly in my purpose bred

                     That all the world besides me thinks you’re dead.

113

               Since I left you, mine eye is in my mind,

               And that² which governs me to go about

               Doth part³ his function and is partly blind,

               Seems seeing,⁴ but effectually is out,

5

5              For it no form delivers to the heart⁵

               Of bird, of flower, or shape which it doth latch.⁶

               Of his quick objects⁷ hath the mind no part,

               Nor⁸ his own vision holds what it doth catch,

               For if it see the rud’st or gentlest⁹ sight,

10

10            The most sweet favour¹⁰ or deformed’st creature,

               The mountain or the sea, the day or night,

               The crow or dove, it shapes¹² them to your feature.

                     Incapable of¹³ more, replete with you,

                     My most true¹⁴ mind thus makes mine eye untrue.

114

               Or¹ whether doth my mind, being crowned with you,

               Drink up the monarch’s plague, this flattery?

               Or whether shall I say mine eye saith true,

               And that your love taught it this alchemy,⁴

5

5              To make of monsters and things indigest⁵

               Such cherubins⁶ as your sweet self resemble,

               Creating every bad⁷ a perfect best,

               As fast as objects to his beams⁸ assemble?

               O, ’tis the first, ’tis flatt’ry in my seeing,

10

10            And my great mind most kingly¹⁰ drinks it up:

               Mine eye well knows what¹¹ with his gust is ’greeing,

               And to his palate doth prepare the cup.

                     If it be poisoned, ’tis the lesser sin

                     That mine eye loves it and doth first begin.¹⁴

115

               Those lines that I before have writ do lie,

               Even those that said I could not love you dearer:

               Yet then my judgement knew no reason why

               My most full⁴ flame should afterwards burn clearer.

5

5              But reckoning time,⁵ whose millioned accidents

               Creep in ’twixt vows⁶ and change decrees of kings,

               Tan⁷ sacred beauty, blunt the sharp’st intents,

               Divert strong minds to th’course of alt’ring⁸ things —

               Alas why, fearing of Time’s tyranny,

10

10            Might¹⁰ I not then say, ‘Now I love you best’,

               When I was certain o’er incertainty,

               Crowning¹² the present, doubting of the rest?

                     Love¹³ is a babe: then might I not say so,

                     To give¹⁴ full growth to that which still doth grow?

116

               Let me not to the marriage of true minds

               Admit² impediments. Love is not love

               Which alters when it alteration finds

               Or bends⁴ with the remover to remove.

5

5              O no, it is an ever-fixèd mark⁵

               That looks on tempests and is never shaken,

               It is the star⁷ to every wand’ring bark,

               Whose worth’s unknown,⁸ although his height be taken.

               Love’s not Time’s fool,⁹ though rosy lips and cheeks

10

10            Within his bending¹⁰ sickle’s compass come:

               Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,

               But bears it out even to the edge of doom.¹²

                     If this be error and upon me proved,¹³

                     I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

117

               Accuse¹ me thus: that I have scanted all

               Wherein I should your great deserts repay,

               Forgot upon your dearest love to call,³

               Whereto all bonds⁴ do tie me day by day,

5

5              That I have frequent⁵ been with unknown minds

               And given⁶ to time your own dear-purchased right,

               That I have hoisted sail to all the winds

               Which should transport me farthest from your sight.

               Book⁹ both my wilfulness and errors down,

10

10            And on just proof¹⁰ surmise, accumulate,

               Bring me within the level¹¹ of your frown,

               But shoot not at me in your wakened hate,¹²

                     Since my appeal¹³ says I did strive to prove

                     The constancy and virtue¹⁴ of your love.

118

               Like as¹ to make our appetites more keen

               With eager compounds² we our palate urge,

               As to prevent our maladies unseen³

               We sicken⁴ to shun sickness when we purge,

5

5              Even so,⁵ being full of your ne’er-cloying sweetness,

               To bitter sauces did I frame my feeding⁶

               And, sick of welfare,⁷ found a kind of meetness

               To be diseased ere⁸ that there was true needing.

               Thus policy⁹ in love, t’anticipate

10

10            The ills that were not, grew to faults assured

               And brought to medicine¹¹ a healthful state

               Which, rank of¹² goodness, would by ill be cured.

                     But thence I learn and find the lesson true,

                     Drugs poison him that so fell sick of you.

119

               What potions have I drunk of siren¹ tears,

               Distilled from limbecks² foul as hell within,

               Applying³ fears to hopes and hopes to fears,

               Still losing when I saw myself to⁴ win?

5

5              What wretched errors hath my heart committed,

               Whilst it hath thought itself so blessèd never?⁶

               How have mine eyes out of their spheres⁷ been fitted

               In the distraction of this madding⁸ fever?

               O benefit of ill, now I find true

10

10            That better is by evil still made better,

               And ruined love, when it is built anew,

               Grows fairer than at first, more strong, far greater.

                     So I return rebuked to my content¹³

                     And gain by ills thrice¹⁴ more than I have spent.

120

               That you were once unkind befriends me¹ now,

               And for that sorrow which I then did feel

               Needs must I³ under my transgression bow,

               Unless my nerves were brass or hammered steel.

5

5              For if you were by my unkindness shaken

               As I by yours, you’ve passed a hell of⁶ time,

               And I, a tyrant, have no leisure taken⁷

               To weigh⁸ how once I suffered in your crime.

               O, that our night of woe might have remembered⁹

10

10            My deepest sense how hard true sorrow hits,

               And soon to you, as you to me then, tendered¹¹

               The humble salve¹² which wounded bosoms fits.

                     But that your trespass¹³ now becomes a fee:

                     Mine ransoms¹⁴ yours and yours must ransom me.

121

               ’Tis better to be vile than vile esteemed,¹

               When not to be receives reproach of being,²

               And the just³ pleasure lost which is so deemed

               Not by our feeling but by others’ seeing.

5

5              For why should others’ false⁵ adulterate eyes

               Give salutation to⁶ my sportive blood?

               Or on⁷ my frailties why are frailer spies,

               Which in their wills⁸ count bad what I think good?

               No, I am that⁹ I am and they that level

10

10            At my abuses¹⁰ reckon up their own:

               I may be straight, though they themselves be bevel.¹¹

               By¹² their rank thoughts my deeds must not be shown,

                     Unless this general evil they maintain:¹³

                     All men are bad and in¹⁴ their badness reign.

122

               Thy gift, thy tables,¹ are within my brain

               Full charactered² with lasting memory,

               Which shall above that idle rank³ remain

               Beyond all date,⁴ even to eternity,

5

5              Or at the least, so long as brain and heart

               Have faculty⁶ by nature to subsist,

               Till each to razed⁷ oblivion yield his part

               Of thee, thy record never can be missed.

               That poor retention⁹ could not so much hold,

10

10            Nor need I tallies¹⁰ thy dear love to score.

               Therefore to¹¹ give them from me was I bold,

               To trust those¹² tables that receive thee more.

                     To keep an adjunct¹³ to remember thee

                     Were to import¹⁴ forgetfulness in me.

123

               No, Time, thou shalt not boast that I do change.

               Thy pyramids² built up with newer might

               To me are nothing novel, nothing strange:

               They are but dressings⁴ of a former sight.

5

5              Our dates⁵ are brief and therefore we admire

               What thou dost foist⁶ upon us that is old,

               And rather make them born⁷ to our desire

               Than think that we before have heard them told.

               Thy registers⁹ and thee I both defy,

10

10            Not wond’ring¹⁰ at the present nor the past,

               For thy¹¹ records and what we see doth lie,

               Made¹² more or less by thy continual haste.

                     This I do vow and this shall ever be:

                     I will be true,¹⁴ despite thy scythe and thee.

124

               If my dear love¹ were but the child of state,

               It might for² Fortune’s bastard be unfathered,

               As subject to time’s love or to time’s hate,

               Weeds⁴ among weeds, or flowers with flowers gathered.

5

5              No, it was builded far from accident,⁵

               It suffers⁶ not in smiling pomp, nor falls

               Under⁷ the blow of thrallèd discontent,

               Whereto⁸ th’inviting time our fashion calls.

               It fears not policy,⁹ that heretic,

10

10            Which works¹⁰ on leases of short-numbered hours,

               But all alone stands hugely politic,¹¹

               That it nor¹² grows with heat nor drowns with showers.

                     To this I witness¹³ call the fools of time,

                     Which die for goodness,¹⁴ who have lived for crime.

125

               Were’t¹ aught to me I bore the canopy,

               With² my extern the outward honouring,

               Or laid great bases³ for eternity,

               Which⁴ proves more short than waste or ruining?

5

5              Have I not seen dwellers⁵ on form and favour

               Lose all and more, by paying too much rent,⁶

               For⁷ compound sweet forgoing simple savour,

               Pitiful thrivers,⁸ in their gazing spent?

               No, let me be obsequious⁹ in thy heart,

10

10            And take thou my oblation,¹⁰ poor but free,

               Which is not mixed with seconds,¹¹ knows no art,

               But mutual render,¹² only me for thee.

                     Hence, thou suborned informer,¹³ a true soul

                     When most impeached¹⁴ stands least in thy control.

126

               O thou, my lovely boy, who in thy power

               Dost hold Time’s fickle glass,² his sickle hour,

               Who hast by waning grown,³ and therein show’st

               Thy lovers withering as thy sweet self grow’st —

5

5              If Nature, sovereign mistress over wrack,⁵

               As thou goest onwards,⁶ still will pluck thee back,

               She keeps thee to this purpose, that her skill

               May Time disgrace⁸ and wretched minutes kill.

               Yet fear her, O thou minion⁹ of her pleasure:

10

10            She may detain, but not still keep,¹⁰ her treasure.

               Her audit,¹¹ though delayed, answered must be,

               And her quietus¹² is to render thee.

                     (        )¹³

                     (        )

127

               In the old age¹ black was not counted fair,

               Or if it were, it bore² not beauty’s name.

               But now is black beauty’s successive³ heir

               And beauty⁴ slandered with a bastard shame:

5

5              For since each hand hath put on⁵ nature’s power,

               Fairing the foul⁶ with art’s false borrowed face,

               Sweet beauty hath no name,⁷ no holy bower,

               But is profaned,⁸ if not lives in disgrace.

               Therefore my mistress’ brows are raven black,

10

10            Her eyes so suited,¹⁰ and they mourners seem

               At such who, not¹¹ born fair, no beauty lack,

               Sland’ring¹² creation with a false esteem.

                     Yet so they mourn, becoming¹³ of their woe,

                     That every tongue says beauty should look so.

128

               How oft, when thou, my music,¹ music play’st

               Upon that blessèd wood² whose motion sounds

               With thy sweet fingers, when thou gently sway’st³

               The wiry concord⁴ that mine ear confounds,

5

5              Do I envy those jacks⁵ that nimble leap

               To kiss the tender inward of thy hand,

               Whilst my poor lips, which should that harvest⁷ reap,

               At the wood’s boldness by thee blushing stand.

               To be so tickled, they would change their state

10

10            And situation with those dancing chips¹⁰

               O’er whom thy fingers walk with gentle gait,

               Making dead wood more blest than living lips.

                     Since saucy¹³ jacks so happy are in this,

                     Give them thy fingers, me thy lips to kiss.

129

               Th’expense¹ of spirit in a waste of shame

               Is lust in action,² and till action, lust

               Is perjured,³ murd’rous, bloody, full of blame,

               Savage, extreme, rude,⁴ cruel, not to trust,

5

5              Enjoyed no sooner but despisèd straight,⁵

               Past reason⁶ hunted and, no sooner had,

               Past reason hated as a swallowed bait

               On purpose laid to make the taker mad,

               Mad in pursuit and in possession so,

10

10            Had, having and in quest to have, extreme,

               A bliss in proof¹¹ and proved a very woe,

               Before, a joy proposed¹² — behind, a dream.

                     All this the world well knows, yet none knows well

                     To shun the heaven that leads men to this hell.¹⁴

130

               My¹ mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun,

               Coral is far more red than her lips’ red,

               If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun,³

               If hairs be wires,⁴ black wires grow on her head.

5

5              I have seen roses damasked,⁵ red and white,

               But no such roses see I in her cheeks,

               And in some perfumes is there more delight

               Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks.⁸

               I love to hear her speak, yet well I know

10

10            That music hath a far more pleasing sound.

               I grant I never saw a goddess go:¹¹

               My mistress when she walks treads on the ground.

                     And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare

                     As any she¹⁴ belied with false compare.

131

               Thou art as tyrannous,¹ so as thou art,

               As those whose beauties proudly make them cruel,

               For well thou know’st to my dear³ doting heart

               Thou art the fairest and most precious jewel.

5

5              Yet in good faith⁵ some say, that thee behold,

               Thy face hath not the power to make love groan.⁶

               To say they err I dare not be so bold,

               Although I swear it to myself alone.

               And to be sure that is not false I swear

10

10            A thousand groans but¹⁰ thinking on thy face

               One¹¹ on another’s neck do witness bear

               Thy black¹² is fairest in my judgement’s place.

                     In nothing art thou black save in thy deeds,

                     And thence this slander¹⁴ as I think proceeds.

132

               Thine eyes I love and they, as pitying me,

               Knowing thy heart torment me with disdain,

               Have put on black and loving mourners be,

               Looking with pretty ruth⁴ upon my pain.

5

5              And truly not the morning⁵ sun of heaven

               Better becomes⁶ the grey cheeks of the east,

               Nor that full star⁷ that ushers in the even

               Doth half that glory to the sober⁸ west,

               As those two mourning⁹ eyes become thy face:

10

10            O, let it then as well beseem¹⁰ thy heart

               To mourn for me, since mourning doth thee grace,¹¹

               And suit¹² thy pity like in every part.

                     Then will I swear beauty herself is black,

                     And all they foul¹⁴ that thy complexion lack.

133

               Beshrew¹ that heart that makes my heart to groan

               For that deep wound² it gives my friend and me.

               Is’t not enough to torture me alone,

               But slave to slavery⁴ my sweet’st friend must be?

5

5              Me from myself thy cruel eye⁵ hath taken,

               And my next self⁶ thou harder hast engrossed.

               Of⁷ him, myself and thee, I am forsaken,

               A torment thrice threefold thus to be crossed.⁸

               Prison⁹ my heart in thy steel bosom’s ward,

10

10            But then my friend’s heart let my poor heart bail,¹⁰

               Whoe’er keeps¹¹ me, let my heart be his guard:

               Thou canst not then use rigour¹² in my jail.

                     And yet thou wilt, for I, being pent¹³ in thee,

                     Perforce am thine and all¹⁴ that is in me.

134

               So, now I have confessed that he¹ is thine,

               And I myself am mortgaged to thy will,²

               Myself I’ll forfeit, so³ that other mine

               Thou wilt restore, to be my comfort still:

5

5               But thou wilt not, nor he will not be free,

               For thou art covetous and he is kind.⁶

               He learned but surety-like⁷ to write for me

               Under that bond⁸ that him as fast doth bind.

               The statute⁹ of thy beauty thou wilt take,

10

10           Thou usurer,¹⁰ that put’st forth all to use,

               And sue¹¹ a friend came debtor for my sake:

               So him I lose through my unkind abuse.¹²

                     Him have I lost, thou hast¹³ both him and me:

                     He pays the whole,¹⁴ and yet am I not free.

135

               Whoever hath her wish, thou hast thy Will,¹

               And Will to boot,² and Will in overplus:

               More than enough am I that vex³ thee still,

               To⁴ thy sweet will making addition thus.

5

5               Wilt thou, whose will⁵ is large and spacious,

               Not once vouchsafe⁶ to hide my will in thine?

               Shall will in others seem right gracious,⁷

               And in⁸ my will no fair acceptance shine?

               The sea all water, yet receives rain still

10

10           And in abundance addeth to his store.

               So thou, being rich in Will,¹¹ add to thy Will

               One¹² will of mine, to make thy large Will more.

                     Let¹³ no unkind, no fair beseechers kill:

                     Think all¹⁴ but one and me in that one Will.

136

               If thy soul check¹ thee that I come so near,

               Swear to thy blind² soul that I was thy Will,

               And will, thy soul knows, is admitted there:³

               Thus far for love⁴ my love-suit, sweet, fulfil.

5

5               Will⁵ will fulfil the treasure of thy love,

               Ay, fill⁶ it full with wills, and my will one.

               In things of great receipt⁷ with ease we prove

               Among a number one is reckoned none.

               Then in the number let me pass untold,⁹

10

10           Though in thy store’s account¹⁰ I one must be:

               For¹¹ nothing hold me, so it please thee hold

               That nothing me,¹² a something sweet to thee.

                     Make but¹³ my name thy love and love that still,

                     And then thou lovest me, for my name is Will.

137

               Thou blind¹ fool, love, what dost thou to mine eyes,

               That they behold and see not what they see?

               They know what beauty is, see where it lies,³

               Yet what⁴ the best is take the worst to be.

5

5               If eyes corrupt⁵ by over-partial looks

               Be anchored in the bay⁶ where all men ride,

               Why of eyes’ falsehood hast thou forged hooks,

               Whereto the judgement of my heart is tied?

               Why should my heart think that a several plot⁹

10

10           Which my heart knows the wide¹⁰ world’s common place?

               Or¹¹ mine eyes seeing this, say this is not,

               To¹² put fair truth upon so foul a face?

                     In things right true my heart and eyes have erred,

                     And to this false plague¹⁴ are they now transferred.

138*

               When my love swears that she is made of truth,¹

               I do believe her, though I know she lies,²

               That³ she might think me some untutored youth,

               Unlearned in the world’s false subtleties.⁴

5

5               Thus vainly⁵ thinking that she thinks me young,

               Although she knows my days are past the best,

               Simply⁷ I credit her false-speaking tongue:

               On both sides thus is simple truth suppressed.

               But wherefore⁹ says she not she is unjust?

10

10           And wherefore say not I that I am old?

               O, love’s best habit¹¹ is in seeming trust,

               And age in love loves not to have years told.¹²

                     Therefore I lie¹³ with her and she with me,

                     And in our faults by lies we flattered¹⁴ be.

139

               O, call not me to justify the wrong

               That thy unkindness lays upon my heart,

               Wound³ me not with thine eye but with thy tongue,

               Use⁴ power with power and slay me not by art,

5

5               Tell me thou lov’st elsewhere, but in my sight,

               Dear heart, forbear to glance thine eye aside.

               What need’st thou wound with cunning when thy might⁷

               Is more than my o’erpressed⁸ defence can bide?

               Let me excuse thee: ah, my love well knows

10

10           Her pretty looks¹⁰ have been mine enemies,

               And therefore from my face she turns my foes,

               That they elsewhere might dart their injuries:

                     Yet do not so, but since I am near slain,

                     Kill me outright with looks and rid my pain.

140

               Be wise as thou art cruel, do not press²

               My tongue-tied patience with too much disdain,

               Lest sorrow lend me words and words express

               The manner of my pity-wanting pain.⁴

5

5               If I might teach thee wit,⁵ better it were,

               Though not to love, yet, love, to tell me so,

               As testy⁷ sick men, when their deaths be near,

               No news but health from their physicians know.⁸

               For if I should despair, I should grow mad,

10

10           And in my madness might speak ill of thee.

               Now this ill-wresting world¹¹ is grown so bad,

               Mad slanderers by mad ears believèd be.

                     That I may not be so,¹³ nor thou belied,

                     Bear¹⁴ thine eyes straight, though thy proud heart go wide.

141

               In faith, I do not love thee with mine eyes,

               For they in thee a thousand errors¹ note,

               But ’tis my heart that loves what they despise,

               Who in despite of⁴ view is pleased to dote.

5

5               Nor are mine ears with thy tongue’s tune delighted,

               Nor tender feeling to base touches⁶ prone,

               Nor taste, nor smell, desire to be invited

               To any sensual feast⁸ with thee alone.

               But my five wits⁹ nor my five senses can

10

10           Dissuade one foolish heart from serving thee,

               Who leaves¹¹ unswayed the likeness of a man,

               Thy proud heart’s slave and vassal¹² wretch to be:

                     Only my plague¹³ thus far I count my gain,

                     That she that makes me sin awards me pain.¹⁴

142

               Love is my sin and thy dear¹ virtue hate,

               Hate of my sin, grounded on sinful² loving.

               O, but with mine compare thou thine own state,

               And thou shalt find it merits⁴ not reproving,

5

5               Or if it do, not from those lips of thine

               That have profaned⁶ their scarlet ornaments

               And sealed⁷ false bonds of love as oft as mine,

               Robbed⁸ others’ beds’ revenues of their rents.

               Be it⁹ lawful I love thee, as thou lov’st those

10

10           Whom thine eyes woo as mine importune¹⁰ thee.

               Root¹¹ pity in thy heart, that when it grows,

               Thy pity may deserve to pitied be.

                     If thou dost seek to have what thou dost hide,¹³

                     By self-example¹⁴ mayst thou be denied.

143

               Lo, as a careful¹ housewife runs to catch

               One of her feathered creatures² broke away,

               Sets down her babe and makes all swift dispatch³

               In pursuit of the thing she would have stay,

5

5               Whilst her neglected child holds⁵ her in chase,

               Cries to catch her whose busy care is bent

               To follow that which flies before her face,

               Not prizing⁸ her poor infant’s discontent:

               So runn’st thou after that which flies from thee,

10

10           Whilst I, thy babe, chase thee afar behind.

               But if thou catch thy hope, turn back to me,

               And play the mother’s part, kiss me, be kind.¹²

                     So will¹³ I pray that thou mayst have thy Will,

                     If thou turn back and my loud crying still.¹⁴

144*

               Two loves¹ I have of comfort and despair,

               Which like two spirits do suggest² me still:

               The better angel is a man right fair,³

               The worser spirit a woman coloured ill.⁴

5

5               To win me soon to hell, my female evil

               Tempteth my better angel from my side

               And would corrupt my saint to be a devil,

               Wooing his purity with her foul pride.⁸

               And whether that my angel be turned fiend⁹

10

10           Suspect I may, yet not directly tell;

               But being both from me,¹¹ both to each friend,

               I guess one angel in another’s hell.¹²

                     Yet this shall I ne’er know, but live in doubt,

                     Till my bad angel fire¹⁴ my good one out.

145*

               Those lips that Love’s own hand did make

               Breathed forth the sound that said ‘I hate’

               To me that languished for her sake.

               But when she saw my woeful state,

5

5               Straight⁵ in her heart did mercy come,

               Chiding that tongue that ever sweet

               Was used in giving gentle doom,⁷

               And taught it thus anew to greet:

               ‘I hate’ she altered with an end

10

10           That followed it as gentle day

               Doth follow night, who like a fiend

               From heaven to hell is flown away.

                     ‘I hate’ from hate away¹³ she threw

                     And saved my life, saying ‘not you’.

146*

               Poor soul, the centre of my sinful earth,

               [    ] these rebel powers² that thee array,

               Why dost thou pine³ within and suffer dearth,

               Painting thy outward walls so costly gay?⁴

5

5               Why so large cost, having so short a lease,

               Dost thou upon thy fading mansion⁶ spend?

               Shall worms, inheritors of this excess,

               Eat up thy charge?⁸ Is this thy body’s end?

               Then, soul, live thou upon thy servant’s⁹ loss

10

10           And let that pine to aggravate¹⁰ thy store,

               Buy terms divine¹¹ in selling hours of dross,

               Within be fed, without¹² be rich no more:

                     So shalt thou feed on death,¹³ that feeds on men,

                     And death once dead, there’s no more dying then.

147

               My love is as a fever, longing still¹

               For that which longer nurseth² the disease,

               Feeding on that which doth preserve the ill,³

               Th’uncertain⁴ sickly appetite to please.

5

5               My reason, the physician to my love,

               Angry that his prescriptions are not kept,

               Hath left me and I desperate now approve⁷

               Desire is death,⁸ which physic did except.

               Past cure I am, now reason is past care;⁹

10

10           And frantic-mad with evermore¹⁰ unrest,

               My thoughts and my discourse as madmen’s are,

               At¹² random from the truth vainly expressed.

                     For I have sworn thee fair¹³ and thought thee bright,

                     Who art as black¹⁴ as hell, as dark as night.

148

               O me, what eyes hath love¹ put in my head,

               Which have no correspondence with true sight,

               Or if they have, where is my judgement fled

               That censures falsely⁴ what they see aright?

5

5               If that be fair whereon my false eyes dote,

               What means the world to say it is not so?

               If it be not, then love doth well denote

               Love’s eye⁸ is not so true as all men’s ‘no’.

               How can it? O, how can love’s eye be true,

10

10           That is so vexed¹⁰ with watching and with tears?

               No marvel then though¹¹ I mistake my view:

               The sun itself sees not till heaven clears.

                     O cunning love, with tears thou keep’st me blind,

                     Lest eyes well-seeing thy foul faults¹⁴ should find.

149

               Canst thou, O cruel, say I love thee not,

               When I against myself with thee partake?²

               Do I not think on thee, when I forgot³

               Am of myself, all tyrant⁴ for thy sake?

5

5               Who hateth thee that I do call my friend?

               On whom frown’st thou that I do fawn upon?

               Nay, if thou lour’st⁷ on me, do I not spend

               Revenge upon myself with present moan?⁸

               What merit do I in myself respect,⁹

10

10           That is so¹⁰ proud thy service to despise,

               When all¹¹ my best doth worship thy defect,

               Commanded by the motion of thine eyes?

                     But, love, hate on, for now I know thy mind:

                     Those¹⁴ that can see thou lov’st, and I am blind.

150

               O, from what power hast thou this powerful might

               With insufficiency² my heart to sway,

               To make me give³ the lie to my true sight

               And swear that brightness⁴ doth not grace the day?

5

5               Whence hast thou this becoming⁵ of things ill,

               That in the very refuse⁶ of thy deeds

               There is such strength and warrantize⁷ of skill

               That in my mind thy worst all best exceeds?

               Who taught thee how to make me love thee more,

10

10           The more I hear and see just cause of hate?

               O, though I love what others do abhor,¹¹

               With others thou shouldst not abhor my state.

                     If thy unworthiness raised love in me,

                     More worthy I to be beloved of thee.

151

               Love¹ is too young to know what conscience is,

               Yet who knows not conscience² is born of love?

               Then, gentle cheater, urge³ not my amiss,

               Lest guilty of my faults thy sweet self prove.

5

5               For, thou betraying me,⁵ I do betray

               My nobler part⁶ to my gross body’s treason.

               My soul doth tell my body that he may

               Triumph in love: flesh⁸ stays no further reason,

               But rising⁹ at thy name doth point out thee

10

10           As his triumphant prize.¹⁰ Proud of this pride,

               He is contented thy poor drudge¹¹ to be,

               To stand¹² in thy affairs, fall by thy side.

                     No want¹³ of conscience hold it that I call

                     Her ‘love’ for whose dear love I rise and fall.

152

               In loving thee thou know’st I am forsworn,¹

               But thou art twice forsworn to² me love swearing:

               In act³ thy bed-vow broke and new faith torn

               In vowing new⁴ hate after new love bearing.

5

5               But why of two oaths’ breach do I accuse thee,

               When I break twenty? I am perjured most,

               For all my vows are oaths but to misuse⁷ thee,

               And all my honest faith in thee is lost.

               For I have sworn deep oaths of⁹ thy deep kindness,

10

10           Oaths of thy love, thy truth, thy constancy,

               And to enlighten¹¹ thee gave eyes to blindness,

               Or made them swear against the thing they see.

                     For I have sworn thee fair: more perjured eye,¹³

                     To swear against the truth so foul¹⁴ a lie.

153

               Cupid¹ laid by his brand and fell asleep.

               A maid of Dian’s² this advantage found,

               And his love-kindling fire did quickly steep³

               In a cold valley-fountain of that ground,⁴

5

5               Which borrowed from this holy fire of love

               A dateless⁶ lively heat, still to endure,

               And grew⁷ a seething bath, which yet men prove

               Against strange⁸ maladies a sovereign cure.

               But at my mistress’ eye love’s brand new-fired,⁹

10

10           The boy¹⁰ for trial needs would touch my breast.

               I, sick withal,¹¹ the help of bath desired,

               And thither hied,¹² a sad distempered guest,

                     But found no cure: the bath for my help lies

                     Where Cupid got new fire — my mistress’ eyes.

154

               The little Love-god¹ lying once asleep

               Laid by his side his heart-inflaming brand,²

               Whilst many nymphs that vowed chaste life to keep

               Came tripping by, but in her maiden hand

5

5               The fairest votary⁵ took up that fire

               Which many legions of true hearts had warmed,

               And so the general⁷ of hot desire

               Was, sleeping, by a virgin hand disarmed.

               This brand she quenched in a cool well by,

10

10           Which from love’s fire took heat perpetual,

               Growing a bath and healthful remedy

               For men diseased:¹² but I, my mistress’ thrall,

                     Came there for cure, and this by that I prove:

                     Love’s fire heats water, water cools not love.

FINIS

Textual Notes

Q = First Quarto text of 1609

MS = a reading in an early manuscript copy

O1 = First Octavo of The Passionate Pilgrim (1598/99)

Ed = a correction introduced by a later editor

2.4 tattered = MS. Q = totter’d 10 ‘This…excuse’ speechmarks = Ed.

5.14 Lose spelled Leese in Q

6.4 beauty’s = Ed. Q = beautits

8.0 MS Sonnet 8 = title “In laudem musice et opprobrium contemptoris eiusdem” (“In praise of music and opprobium of those who hold it in contempt”) 14 ‘Thou…none’ speechmarks = Ed.

12.4 all silvered o’er = Ed. Q = or siluer’d ore. Alternate Ed = are silver’d o’er/o’er-silvered all/ensilvered o’er/o’er-silvered are

13.7 Yourself = Ed. Q = You selfe

14.8 oft = Q. Ed = aught/ought

17.12 metre spelled miter in Q

19.5 fleet’st = Q. Ed = fleets 14 ever live = Q. Ed = live ever

20.7 man in = Q. Ed = maiden/native/maid in

21.5 couplement = Q (coopelment). Ed = Complement

22.3 furrows = Q (forrwes). Ed = Sorrows 4 expiate = Q. Ed = expirate

23.6 rite spelled right in Q 9 books = Q. Ed = looks 14 with…wit = Ed. Q = wit…wiht

24.1 stelled spelled steeld in Q

25.9 might = Ed. Q = worth. Alternate Ed = fight 11 quite = Q. Ed = forth

26.11 tattered spelled tottered in Q 12 thy = Ed. Q = their

27.2 travel spelled trauaill in Q 10 thy = Ed. Q = their

28.5 either’s = Q (ethers). Ed = other’s 12 gild’st the even = Ed. Q = guil’st th’ eauen 13–14 longer…length…stronger = Q Ed = longer…strength…stronger/ stronger…length…longer

30.8 sight = Q. Ed = sigh

31.8 there = Q. Ed = thee

32.10 ‘Had…love’ speechmarks = Ed

33.8 west = Q. Ed = rest

34.12 cross = Ed. losse = Q

35.8 thy…thy = Ed. Q = their…their. Alternate Ed = thy…their/their…thy/thee…thy/these…these 9 in sense = Q (in sence). Ed = Incense

37.7 thy = Ed. Q = their

39.12 dost = Q. Ed = do/doth

40.7 this self = Q. Ed = thy self 8 thyself = Q (thy selfe). Ed = thy sense

41.8 he = Q. Ed = she 9 mightst = Ed. Q = mighst

43.11 thy = Ed. Q = their

44.13 naught = Ed. Q = naughts

45.5 For = Q. Ed = Forth/So 12 thy = Ed. Q = their 46.3, 8 thy = Ed. Q = their 13, 14 thy = Ed. Q. = their. Alternate Ed = thine

47.10 are = Q. Ed = art 11 not = Ed. Q = nor. Alternate Ed = no

50.4 ‘Thus…friend’ speechmarks = Ed 6 dully spelled duly in Q

51.11 neigh = Q (naigh). Ed = weigh/raign 54.14 fade spelled vade in Q my = Ed. Q = by

55.1 monuments = Ed. Q = monument 9 all oblivious = Q. Ed = all-oblivious/all oblivion’s

56.13 Or = Ed. Q = As. Alternate Ed = Else

58.11 To = Q. Ed = Do

59.11 whe’er spelled where in Q

61.8 tenure = Q. Ed = tenor

62.7 for = Q. Ed = so do = Q. Ed = so 10 Beated = Q. Ed = ‘Bated/Batter’d/Blasted/Beaten

63.3 filed = Ed. Q = fild. Alternate Ed = filled

65.10 chest = Q. Ed = quest 12 Or…of = Ed. Q = Or…or. Alternate Ed = Or…o’er

67.6 seeing = Q. Ed = seeming 12 proud = Q. Ed = prov’d

69.3 that due = Ed. Q = that end. Alternate Ed = thy due 5 Thy = Ed. Q = Their. Alternate Ed = Thine 14 soil = Ed. Q = solye. Alternate Ed = solve

70.1 art = Ed. Q = are 6 Thy = Ed. Q = Their oft-time = MS (oftime). Q = of time

71.2 surly sullen = Q. MS = sullen surly 8 you = Q. MS = me

72.6 To…me = Q. Ed = To do for me more

73.4 Bare ruined choirs = Ed. Q = Bare rn’wd quires. Alternate Ed = Bare ruin’d quires/Barren’d of quires

74.5 review = Q (reuew). Ed = renew

75.3 peace = Q. Ed = price/sake

76.7 tell = Ed. Q = fel. Alternate Ed = fell/sell

77.1 wear = Ed. Q = were 3 The = Q. Ed = These 6 thee = Q. Ed = the 10 blanks = Ed. Q = blacks

78.7 learnèd’s = Q (learneds). Ed = learnedst

82.8 the = Q. Ed = these

85.3 Reserve their = Q. Ed = Preserve their/Rehearse your/ Reserve your 4 filed = Q (fil’d). Ed = filled 9 ‘’Tis…true’ speechmarks = Ed

86.13 filled = Q (fild). Ed = fil’d

88.1 disposed = Ed. Q = dispode

89.11 profane = Q (corrected). Q (uncorrected) = proface

90.11 shall = Ed. Q = stall

91.9 better = Ed. Q = bitter

95.12 turns = Q. Ed = turn

96.11 mightst = Ed. Q = mighst

97.4 bareness = Q. Ed = barrenness

98.9 lily’s spelled Lillies in Q 11 were spelled weare in Q

99.9 One = Ed. Q = Our 13 eat = Q (eate). Ed = ate

100.14 prevent’st = Ed. Q = preuenst. Alternate Ed = preven’st

101.11 him = Q. Ed = her 14 him…he = Q. Ed = her…she

102.8 his = Q. Ed = her

104.1 friend = Q. Ed = love 5 autumn = Q (Autumne). Ed = autumns

106.1 chronicle of wasted = Q. MS = annals of all-wasting 2 descriptions = Q (disciptions). Ed = discription 3 rhyme = Q. Ed = mine 6 Of…foot = Q. MS = Of face, of hand of eye = Q. MS = or eye of brow = Q. MS = or brow 9 their = Q. Ed = these 11 divining = Q. MS = deceiving 12 skill = MS/Ed. Q = still. Alternate Ed = style your = Q. MS/Ed = thy

108.3 now = Q. Ed = new

111.1 with = Ed. Q = wish 2 harmful = Q. Ed = harmless 12 to = Q. Ed = too

112.8 or changes = Q. Ed = e’er changes/o’erchanges 14 you’re spelled y’are in Q

113.6 bird, of = Q. Ed = birds, or latch = Ed. Q = lack 8 catch = Q. Ed = take 10 sweet favour = Q (sweet-fauor). Ed = sweet-favored 14 makes mine eye = Ed. Q = maketh mine. Alternate Ed = mak’th mine eye

116.8 worth’s = Q. Ed = north’s

118.5 ne’er-cloying = Q (nere cloying). Ed = neare cloying

119.7 fitted = Q. Ed = flitted

126.2 fickle = Q. Ed = tickle sickle = Q. Ed = fickle/tickle 8 minutes = Ed. Q = mynuit

127.9 brows…eyes = Ed. Q = eyes…eyes. Alternate Ed = eyes…brows/eyes…hairs/hairs…eyes/eyes…brow 10 and = Q. Ed = that/as

128.14 thy fingers = Ed. Q = their fingers. MS = youre fingers thy lips = Q. MS = youre lipes

129.11 and proved a = Ed. Q = and proud and

132.2 torment = Q. Ed = torments 6 the east = Ed. Q = th’East

136.14 lovest = Q. Ed = lov’st

138.12 to have = O1. Q = t’haue

140.13 belied = Ed. Q = be lyde

144.6 side = O1. Q = sight 9 fiend spelled finde in Q

145.2, 9, 13 ‘I hate’ speechmarks = Ed 14 ‘not you’ speechmarks = Ed

146.2 [] these = Ed. Q = My sinful earth. Alternate Ed = Fool’d by those/Starv’d by the/Hemmed with these/Gull’d by these/Feeding these/Spoiled by these/Seiged by these

148.8 ‘no’ speechmarks = Ed. Q = all mens: no

151.14 ‘love’ speechmarks = Ed

152.14 so = Ed. Q = fo

153.8 strange = Q (strang). Ed = strong 14 eyes = Ed. Q = eye

Dedication BEGETTER creator, father, author; could possibly mean “inspirer”    MR. W. H. often assumed to be the young man addressed in Sonnets 1–126, he has been variously identified—the most likely candidates are Henry Wriothesley, Earl of Southampton (to whom Venus and Adonis and Lucrece were dedicated) and William Herbert, Earl of Pembroke (to whom the First Folio was dedicated); however,    MR. does not suggest an aristocrat, so it is possible that    W. H. is a misprint for “W. S.,” and that this is the publisher’s dedication to the author    ETERNITY immortality    OUR EVER-LIVING POET Shakespeare (if a certain W. H. is the dedicatee)/God, via a pun on    poet as “maker” (if “W. H.” should actually read “W. S.”)    ADVENTURER one who undertakes a commercial venture (i.e., the publisher)    T. T. Thomas Thorpe, the publisher of the sonnets

1

    1    increase reproduction/offspring

    2    That so that

    4    tender young/loving    bear his memory be a reminder of him

    5    thou in ordinary speech, “thou” was generally more intimate than “you” (like tu in French), but it was also the conventional pronoun for poetic address    contracted betrothed (plays on the sense of “diminished,” i.e., by not having children)    eyes perhaps puns on “I’s”

    6    Feed’st…fuel i.e., like a candle, the young man feeds his    flame (i.e., his life) with his own body

    9    fresh young, lively, blooming

  10    herald messenger (announcing the approach of spring)    gaudy bright (without connotations of vulgarity)

  11    bud an image of youth, also of virginity; may additionally refer to the glans of the penis    content happiness/contents (i.e., potential children)

  12    tender churl a paradox: he is both loving/sensitive (tender) and mean/boorish (a churl)    mak’st waste wastes/lays waste, destroys    niggarding being mean, stingy; another paradox—he wastes by being sparing

  14    the world’s due what he owes the world (children)    by…thee i.e., his potential children are eaten twice: by his self-absorption and by the grave that will bury him

2

    1    forty often used to mean “many”

    2    field meadow/battlefield: the fresh meadow of the young man’s beauty will become a battlefield full of trenches (wrinkles)

    3    proud livery splendid uniform (of a nobleman’s servant or a soldier)

    4    weed garment/wild plant

    6    treasure may play on the sense of “semen”    lusty vigorous/sexually desirous

    8    all-eating shame gluttonous shame that totally consumes one    thriftless unprofitable

    9    deserved…use would the active employment of your beauty deserve (use incorporates the senses of “money lending at interest” and “sexual employment”)

  10    answer quibbles on the sense of “pay back, meet a financial obligation”

  11    sum my count add up my accounts, make up the balance sheet (of my life)    make…excuse justify me when I am old/be plentiful reparation

  12    succession inheritance    thine i.e., derived from you

  13    were would be

  14    blood actual blood/blood line, family (may include suggestion of “sexual desire/semen”)

3

    1    glass mirror

    3    fresh repair youthful condition

    4    beguile cheat    unbless some mother deprive some woman of the blessing of being a mother

    5    uneared unplowed

    6    tillage (sexual) plowing    husbandry agricultural cultivation (plays on the sense of “role as a husband”)

    7    fond foolish/infatuated    will be that he will willingly

    8    stop prevent, halt/stop up, enclose    posterity future generations

  10    Calls back literally summons back/remembers

  11    windows i.e., eyes

  13    remembered…be to be forgotten

  14    Die may play on the sense of “orgasm” (giving self-love masturbatory connotations)

4

    1    Unthrifty unprofitable, wasteful    spend plays on the sexual sense of “ejaculate”

    2    beauty’s legacy the beauty you have inherited (and should bequeath to your children)

    4    frank generous    those i.e., those who    free generous/noble/sexually available

    5    niggard miser

    7    usurer moneylender (notorious for charging high interest rates)    use use up, spend/make use of for profit

    8    live make a living/live on through descendants

    9    traffic trade, business/sexual dealings (i.e., masturbation)

  10    Thou…deceive you trick yourself out of enjoying the best part of yourself

  12    audit final account, balance sheet

  13    unused unemployed/not used for profit/sexually inactive    tombed entombed, buried

  14    th’executor one who ensures that the provisions of a will are carried out (i.e., the child who will maintain the father’s beauty)

5

    1    frame create

    2    gaze that which is gazed at    dwell linger

    4    unfair make ugly    fairly beautifully/justly, legitimately

    5    leads guides/lures deceptively

    6    confounds destroys

    7    checked halted    lusty strong, healthy

    8    o’ersnowed covered in snow

    9    distillation essence, perfume

  10    A…glass kept (like rosewater) in a bottle

  11    with along with    were bereft would be lost

  12    Nor…was (leaving) neither itself nor any memory of what it had been

  14    show appearance    still always/yet (aurally echoes distilling)

6

    1    Then…distilled the argument continues directly from Sonnet 5    ragged rough

    3    vial flask, container (i.e., womb)    treasure make rich/ejaculate into    place vaginal connotations

    4    self-killed suggestive of solitary orgasm (“death”)

    5    use employment/sexual activity/money lending at interest

    6    happies makes happy    pay…loan take on the loan willingly

    8    ten…one ten children rather than one

  10    refigured replicated (quibbles on the sense of “made a new number of”)

  12    posterity your descendants

  13    self-willed obstinate/one who bequeaths his assets only to himself/one who directs his sexual desire toward himself    fair beautiful/just

7

    1    orient east    gracious light i.e., the sun

    2    under earthly, mortal/lesser, lowly

    5    steep-up precipitous    heavenly hill i.e., the sky

    9    pitch the highest point (literally, in a falcon’s flight before it swoops to attack)    car chariot (like that of Phoebus, the classical sun god)

  10    reeleth staggers

  11    fore before, previously    converted turned away

  12    tract course

  13    thyself outgoing outstripping, exhausting yourself    noon prime, peak/state of (masturbatory) sexual arousal

  14    diest plays on the sense of “orgasm”    get beget, conceive    son puns on “sun”

8

    1    Music to hear when there is music to hear/you, whom it is music to hear    sadly gravely/sorrowfully

    4    annoy vexation, pain

    6    unions harmonizing chords (plays on the sense of “marriages”)

    7    chide scold, rebuke    confounds destroys

    8    singleness refusing to participate in musical harmony/being a bachelor    parts…bear personal qualities you should reproduce/musical part you should sing

    9    Mark notice

  10    Strikes…each resonates mutually (strikes plays on the sense of “has sex”)

  11    sire father

  13    speechless i.e., instrumental, without voices

  14    ‘Thou…none’ by remaining unmarried, you will amount to nothing

9

    3    issueless childless    hap chance

    4    makeless mateless, i.e., widowed

    5    still continually

    6    form likeness

    7    private individual

    8    By by means of, by looking into her

    9    Look what whatever    unthrift spendthrift, wasteful person

  10    his its    the…it i.e., it remains in circulation

  11    beauty’s waste the waste or consumption of beauty

  12    unused plays on the sense of “virginal/not employed sexually”    user waster (with suggestion of “masturbator”)

  13    bosom heart

  14    murd’rous shame shameful behavior that destroys the doer (with suggestion of masturbation)

10

    1    For shame shame on you/out of a sense of shame (some editors add an exclamation mark after this phrase)    bear’st feel

    2    unprovident careless

    3    Grant admit, accept

    6    stick’st hesitate

    7    roof i.e., body that houses the young man’s soul/family, the house to which he belongs

    9    thought intention    mind opinion (of you)

  10    be fairer lodged have better lodgings

  11    presence appearance, manner    kind benevolent/natural/possessed of family affection

  13    another self i.e., a child

  14    still always    thine or thee your descendants or yourself

11

    1    wane decline, become older and weaker (with suggestion of “become detumescent after sex”)

    2    one of thine a child of yours (or just possibly “your wife” who has become pregnant)    from…departest (which child is formed) out of that which you leave behind, i.e., youth/semen

    3    fresh blood lifeblood/semen    youngly in your youth

    4    from youth convertest i.e., are old    convertest turn away/change

    5    Herein i.e., in having children    increase prosperity, advancement/reproduction/children

    7    minded so of your intention (not to have children)

    8    threescore year sixty years    make…away bring the world to an end

    9    for store to have children/to preserve

  10    featureless lacking attractive features    rude rough, crude

  11    Look whom whomever

  12    in bounty generously

  13    seal stamp of authority

  14    print impress or stamp with a seal    copy pattern from which copies (i.e., descendants) are made/abundance/lease (of life; legal term “copyhold”)

12

    1    count i.e., count the hours the clock strikes    tells counts out/reveals

    2    brave splendid

    3    prime its peak (originally, “the first hour of the day”)

    4    sable black

    5    barren bare (with connotations of infertility)

    6    erst formerly    canopy protect, give shade to

    7    girded up tied up firmly

    8    bier barrow for carrying harvested crops/stand for a coffin    white…beard i.e., the bristly bundles of pale harvested crops (personified as the corpse of a bearded old man)

    9    question make wonder, speculate

  10    wastes deserted or uncharted lands/vast expanses/ruins (with connotations of “wasted moments”)

  11    sweets and beauties sweet and beautiful things    forsake abandon

  13    Time’s scythe the figure of Time was traditionally depicted carrying a scythe with which to cut down the living (continues the harvesting metaphor)

  14    breed children    brave defy

13

    1    you although “thou” was usually a more intimate form of address, it was also more self-consciously poetic, so the decisive shift to “you” (and the use of love) signals a more personal, less conventional approach

    2    here i.e., in this world

    3    Against in anticipation of/to defend yourself against

    4    semblance appearance, likeness    some other i.e., a child

    5    in lease by leasehold, temporarily

    6    determination end (legal term relating to the cessation of tenancy)    were would be

    8    issue child(ren)    your…bear would look like you/would carry your body (to the grave)

    9    house i.e., body/family

  10    husbandry careful household management (plays on the sense of “being a husband”)

  13    unthrifts wasteful people

14

    1    my judgement pluck draw my knowledge

    2    have understand

    4    dearths famines    seasons’ quality what the weather governing the seasons will be like

    5    fortune…tell predict every minute of the future

    8    oft predict frequent predictions

  10    art knowledge

  11    As i.e., as the knowledge that

  12    store having children    convert change/turn

  13    prognosticate foretell

  14    Thy…date your death will bring the final end of truth and beauty    date limit of a fixed period of time

15

    1    consider consider that

    2    Holds in perfection remains perfect

    3    stage i.e., the world

    4    Whereon…comment which the stars comment on and secretly influence    influence the supposed flowing from the stars of ethereal fluid that affected human destiny

    5    as like

    6    Cheerèd and checked encouraged and restrained

    7    Vaunt boast, exult    at height decease start to decay when they are at their height

    8    wear…memory wear out their splendid appearance and vigor until it is quite forgotten

    9    conceit notion    this inconstant stay our uncertain stay in the world

  11    wasteful ruinous    time…decay i.e., either time and decay compete over who shall ruin the youth, or together they discuss the way they will do so

  12    sullied gloomy/tarnished

  13    all in war in all-out war

  14    engraft you new i.e., restore you—“grafting” is the horticultural practice of inserting a shoot from one tree into another; puns on “engrave,” suggesting the reanimation of the young man through the writing of poetry about him

16

    1    But wherefore but why (the argument continues from Sonnet 15)

    2    bloody bloodthirsty

    3    fortify strengthen against attack

    5    on…hours at the peak of your life

    6    maiden virgin    gardens a common metaphor for the female body or uterus    unset unplanted or unseeded (with semen)

    8    liker more like (you)    counterfeit portrait

    9    lines of life family lineage/physical features (of children); also suggests the lines of a poem    that life repair renew that life

  10    this i.e., this sonnet/   Time’s pencil Time’s pencil the paintbrush with which Time has “painted” the young man’s appearance    pupil inexperienced, amateur

  11    fair beauty

  12    live yourself a living reality

  13    give away yourself i.e., to marry and create children    keeps yourself still preserves you forever

  14    drawn…skill i.e., in the children you create; the young man’s pen is his penis

17

    2    deserts merits, worth

    4    parts qualities/physical features

    6    in…number enumerate in new verses

    8    touches qualities/brushstrokes

  10    less…tongue more talk than truthfulness

  11    true genuine/rightful/regular    rights may pun on “rites,” suggesting worshipful ceremonies    poet’s rage frenzied poetic inspiration

  12    stretchèd strained, irregular    antique old; may pun on “antic,” i.e., “grotesque, mad”

18

    2    temperate even-tempered, moderate

    4    lease temporary period of occupancy    date duration

    5    eye of heaven i.e., the sun

    7    fair…declines beautiful thing loses its beauty at some point

    8    untrimmed stripped of ornament and beauty

  10    possession includes the legal sense of “exclusive control over property” (in contrast to lease)    fair thou ow’st beauty you own

  12    lines i.e., of poetry (also suggestive of family lineage)    to…grow’st you become an integral part of time

  14    this i.e., this sonnet

19

    2    brood children (who all return to the earth in death)

    3    keen sharp/eager

    4    phoenix mythical Arabian bird that lived for five hundred years, was consumed by fire and then reborn from its own ashes; only one existed at a time

    5    fleet’st fly past

    7    sweets delights, pleasures

    9    carve i.e., carve wrinkles

  10    antique ancient (puns on “antic,” i.e., “grotesque, distorting”)

  11    untainted unmarked/uninjured

  12    pattern ideal model, exemplar

  14    My love the man I love (with secondary sense of “my love for him”)

20

     *    a sonnet in which each line has a feminine ending (i.e., an extra, unstressed syllable)

    1    with…painted created by Nature herself/not painted with cosmetics

    2    master-mistress sovereign mistress/man with female qualities or beauty—a person who fulfills the traditional role of a lover’s mistress to whom sonnets were addressed, yet is a man and perhaps a social superior    of my passion the object of my passionate love/the master who directs my passions

    3    acquainted plays on the sense of “equipped with a vagina” (a “quaint”)

    4    false fickle, unfaithful

    5    rolling straying

    6    Gilding adding shine to, coating with a superficial layer of gold

    7    A…controlling one with the form of a man, but whose facial beauty has the power to enthrall both men and women    hue form/facial appearance/complexion

    9    for as, to be

  10    wrought made, fashioned    fell a-doting became infatuated (with you)

  11    me…defeated deprived me of you

  12    one thing i.e., a penis    to…nothing irrelevant to my purposes (apparently a denial of homosexual interest, but since nothing can also mean “vagina,” there may be a suggestion of “(a penis that) for my purposes is the equivalent of a vagina”

  13    pricked thee out selected you (by marking your name on a list)/gave you a prick (penis)    pleasure sexual enjoyment

  14    Mine…treasure let me have your love and women have sex with you    use sexual employment (quibbles on the sense of “profit, financial interest”)    treasure may have connotations of “semen”

21

    1    Muse i.e., poet (inspired by a Muse)

    2    Stirred moved, inspired    painted artificial, made up with cosmetics

    3    heaven…use invokes heaven itself as a poetic comparison for his beloved

    4    every…rehearse describes every beautiful thing there is alongside the beauty of his mistress

    5    Making…compare linking her in proud comparisons

    7    rare splendid, exceptionally beautiful

    8    rondure sphere (the world)    hems encloses

  11    any mother’s child i.e., any human being (a deliberately homely expression to contrast with the extravagant language attributed to other poets; perhaps, though, there is also the suggestion that to a mother, her child is always the fairest of all)

  12    gold candles i.e., stars

  13    hearsay rumor, secondhand information

  14    purpose intend

22

    1    glass mirror

    2    one date the same age

    3    furrows i.e., wrinkles

    4    look I I expect    expiate end

    6    raiment clothing

    7    in…me refers to the popular poetic concept of lovers exchanging hearts

    9    be…wary take good care of yourself

  11    chary carefully

  13    Presume…heart do not expect to receive your heart back

23

    1    unperfect not word-perfect

    2    with…part forgets his lines out of stage fright

    3    replete filled

    5    for…trust from lack of confidence/for fear of not being trusted

    6    perfect…rite correct words that make up the rituals of love (rite puns on “right,” i.e., what is owed to a lover)

    8    O’ercharged overloaded    might strength

    9    books i.e., writings (the sonnets)

  10    presagers indicators/announcers (to create an oxymoron with    dumb)    breast heart

  11    Who i.e., my books

  12    that tongue i.e., the tongue of some other person

  14    fine wit sharp intelligence and understanding

24

    1    stelled portrayed, delineated

    2    table flat board on which a picture is painted

    3    frame picture frame, but plays on the sense of “body”

    4    perspective type of painting in which the image appeared distorted (or different) until it was viewed from a particular angle

    5    through i.e., in the work of/by looking into the eyes of

    7    shop can mean “workshop”    still forever

    8    That…eyes i.e., the young man stares into the poet’s eyes (windows), where his own are reflected

  13    this cunning want lack this skill

  14    know understand, see into

25

    1    of from

    3    triumph exultation

    4    Unlooked for unexpectedly/overlooked, disregarded    joy…most take pleasure in what I consider most worthy of honor

    5    leaves petals

    6    marigold the bright orange-yellow flower was noted for opening its petals in response to the sun

    7    in…burièd i.e., without the sun, their splendor is lost (shut up within petals)

    8    glory magnificence/brightness

    9    painful suffering pain    famousèd made famous    might the Quarto text has “worth” here, but the failure to rhyme with quite has caused most editors to emend to    might (or “fight”); some retain “worth” and emend    quite to “forth”

  10    foiled defeated

  11    razèd erased

  14    remove move away (i.e., be unfaithful)

26

    1    vassalage total service and allegiance (feudal term)

    2    knit bound

    3    ambassage formal message

    4    witness bear witness to    wit intelligence/ingenuity

    6    wanting lacking

    7    some…it some clever poetic device that you think up will embellish my plain expression of duty/some favorable opinion of yours will cause you to lodge my vulnerable duty in your soul

    9    moving life and fortunes

  10    fair aspect favorable influence (astrological term)

  14    prove me put me to the test

27

    2    dear precious    travel plays on the sense of “travail” (hard work)

    5    far i.e., far away from you

    6    Intend proceed on/devote themselves toward

  10    shadow image/ghost

  11    Which i.e., which shadow    ghastly frightening/ghostly

  14    For on account of

28

    1    How…then the argument continues from Sonnet 27    plight state, condition

    3    oppression the oppressive    toil mentioned in Sonnet 27

    6    shake hands make a pact

    7    the…complain night by causing me to complain

  10    dost him grace i.e., by shining in the sun’s place

  11    swart-complexioned black-faced

  12    twire twinkle/peep out    gild’st the even make the evening glitter

29

    1    in disgrace out of favor

    2    beweep weep about

    3    bootless useless

    6    Featured…possessed having the looks of one man and the friends of another

    7    art skill/learning    scope freedom

    8    With…least least satisfied with what I have most of

  10    Haply perhaps/by good fortune (puns on “happily”)    state i.e., state of mind

  12    sullen dark/melancholy

  14    change exchange

30

    1    sessions…summon the metaphor is of a law court, to which thoughts are summoned as witnesses

    3    sigh sigh at

    4    new wail lament anew    dear valuable (as in line 13)

    5    flow i.e., weep

    6    dateless endless

    7    cancelled rendered invalid (another legal term)

    8    th’expense the loss

    9    grievances foregone past sorrows

  10    heavily sorrowfully    tell o’er add up/relate

  11    account financial account/narrative (the financial metaphor is maintained with pay and dear)    fore-bemoanèd moan griefs lamented in the past

31

    1    Thy…dead i.e., the qualitites and affections of dead friends live on in the young man (but there is also the suggestion that the poet has been deserted by his friends or lovers in favor of the young man)    bosom heart    endearèd with loved by/made more valuable by

    2    lacking not having, missing

    3    parts attributes

    5    obsequious funereal, mourning

    6    dear tender, heartfelt    religious reverent/conscientious

    7    interest financial interest (owed to the dead)

    8    removed moved elsewhere    there i.e., in the young man’s    bosom

  10    trophies spoils, memorials, relics

  11    all…give gave all their shares in me to you

  12    That due of that which was owed to

  13    I loved which I loved

  14    And…me and you, who are all of them, have all of me

32

    1    my well-contented day the day of my death, which I welcome/the day when I shall pay all my debts (to nature)

    2    churl base villain/miser

    3    fortune chance/good fortune

    4    rude unpolished

    5    bett’ring…time superior work subsequently being produced

    7    Reserve preserve, keep    rhyme poetic qualities

    8    height i.e., height of achievement    happier more fortunate, talented

    9    vouchsafe deign to bestow upon me

  10    Muse inspiration/skill

  11    dearer birth i.e., better literary creation

  12    march…equipage a military metaphor, literally “march among ranks of better equipped soldiers”—i.e., be in the company of more sophisticated poets

33

    4    alchemy the power to turn base metals into gold

    5    Anon soon    basest lowliest/darkest

    6    rack mass of clouds driven by the wind (puns on “wrack,” i.e., wreck)

    7    visage face

  10    all-triumphant glorious

  11    out, alack alas

  12    region cloud cloud of the upper air

  13    no whit in no way, not at all

  14    Suns…world earthly kings (but also puns on “sons of the world,” i.e., ordinary mortals)    stain become stained, lose brightness/become dishonored

34

    1    thou i.e., the sun; continuing the theme of Sonnet 33, the young man’s deception is addressed through weather imagery

    4    brav’ry splendor    rotten smoke unhealthy vapors (clouds were believed to carry disease)

    7    salve soothing ointment

    8    disgrace affront/disfigurement (i.e., scar)

    9    physic medicine

  12    cross affliction

  14    ransom pay, atone for

35

    3    stain darken (also implying moral corruption)

    4    canker cankerworm, a parasitic grub that destroys plants

    6    Authorizing…compare justifying your misdeeds by making comparisons

    7    corrupting compromising morally (plays on the sense of “infecting”)    salving thy amiss (by) smoothing over your misdeeds    salving healing/soothing

    8    Excusing…are going to greater lengths to excuse your sins than they deserve/offering excuses that are greater than your relatively small sins

    9    For…sense to defend your sins of the body I introduce reason

  10    Thy…advocate your legal opponent is also your defense lawyer

  11    gainst…commence I initiate a lawsuit against myself

  13    accessory accomplice

36

    1    twain two separate beings

    3    blots disgraces

    5    respect mutual regard

    6    separable spite malignant situation that separates us

    7    sole single/unique

    9    not…thee never greet you publicly again

  10    my bewailèd guilt the shame I have already lamented

  12    take…name are prepared to damage your reputation

  13    sort a way

  14    As…report that, because you are mine, your good reputation is mine also

37

    3    dearest spite deeply felt injury

    4    of in, from

    5    wit intelligence

    7    Entitled…sit you rightfully sit crowned among your good qualities

    8    make…store graft my love onto this plentiful stock (and am enriched by it)

  10    shadow image (of his friend’s good qualities)

  11    sufficed fully satisfied

  13    Look what whatever

38

    1    Muse poetic inspiration    want…invent lack material for literary invention

    3    argument subject matter

    4    vulgar…rehearse commonplace piece of writing to describe

    5    aught anything

    6    Worthy perusal worth reading    stand…sight meet your eye

    7    dumb lost for words

    8    dost…light brings the light of inspiration

    9    tenth Muse in classical mythology, there were nine Muses, goddesses who presided over and inspired people in the various branches of the arts

  10    rhymers invocate poets call upon (rhymers is disparaging)

  12    Eternal…date immortal verses that will outlive all time

  13    slight Muse small talent    curious exacting, highly critical

  14    pain effort

39

    1    worth merit/value    with manners decently (without boasting)

    5    Even for precisely because of

    6    dear beloved/valuable

    7    That so that

  11    entertain while away

  12    Which…deceive you,    absence, who cunningly charm away that time and those thoughts

  13    twain two

  14    here in the place where I am/in this sonnet    hence elsewhere

40

    1    Take with connotations of sexual possession    all my loves all the different kinds of love I have/all those I love

    5    for my love in return for my love/out of love for me    thou…receivest you accept my love/you have sex with one I love

    6    for…usest because you employ (or exploit) my love/because you have sex with one I love

    7    this self i.e., me, your other self

    8    wilful taste lustful indulgence in sexual pleasures    refusest perhaps refers to the young man’s refusal of lawful sex in marriage

  10    steal thee take for yourself    my poverty the little I have

  12    love’s wrong an injury done by a lover

  13    Lascivious grace an oxymoron: the young man is still lustful yet full of grace (charm/favor/virtue)    all…shows all that is bad seems good, all vices appear virtues

  14    spites injuries

41

    1    liberty freedom/sexual license

    3    Thy…befits (such wrongs) befit your beauty and youth

    4    still constantly

    5    Gentle well-born/tender, compliant

    6    assailed wooed vigorously/seduced (military metaphor)

    8    sourly ill-naturedly    prevailed won (sexually)

    9    my seat forbear stay away from my lover    seat place where I have sexual rights/vagina

  10    chide scold    straying unfaithful

  11    riot debauchery    even there to that very place

  12    truth troth, vow, pledge

  13    Hers her vow to me

  14    Thine your vow to me    false unfaithful

42

    3    of…chief my chief sorrow

    5    Loving offenders you who injure me by your loving/because I love the offenders

    7    even so in the same way    abuse wrong/deceive

    8    Suff’ring allowing    approve praise/try out sexually

    9    my love’s i.e., my female love’s, my mistress’

  11    both twain the two of them

  12    cross burden, affliction

  14    flatt’ry comforting delusion

43

    1    wink close my eyes

    2    unrespected not worthy of respect

    4    darkly…directed able to see in the dark, are directed to your light in the darkness

    5    shadow…bright image makes the darkness bright

    6    thy…show your real presence make a joyful spectacle

    8    shade imagined image (plays on the sense of “darkness” to generate an oxymoron in shade shines)

  10    living full of life and activity

  11    imperfect incomplete, because only an image (fair imperfect is oxymoronic)

  13    are…see appear like night

44

    1    dull heavy, inactive, spiritless

    2    Injurious harmful, malicious

    3    despite in spite

    4    limits regions    where to where

    5    No matter it would not matter

  11    so…wrought made so completely out of earth and water (the body was thought to be composed of earth, water, fire, and air)

  12    attend time’s leisure wait for time to pass (the image is of a lowly petitioner waiting for a great man)

  14    heavy sorrowful/weighty    badges…woe signs of the sorrows of each of these elements (earth being heavy and water wet)

45

    1    two i.e., two elements (the theme continues from Sonnet 44)    slight insubstantial    purging purifying

    3    the first i.e., air    the other i.e., fire

    4    present-absent both with the poet and not with him

    5    quicker speedier/more lively

    6    In tender embassy to deliver an affectionate message (tender also implies the greater delicacy of the quicker elements)

    7    two alone i.e., only earth and water

    8    Sinks…melancholy the oppressive nature of melancholy is emphasized by the extra syllable in the line

    9    life’s…recured bodily balance is restored

  11    even but now just this moment

  13    joy rejoice

  14    straight straightaway

46

    1    mortal deadly

    2    conquest…sight spoils of war (the sight of you)

    3    Mine…bar my eyes want to ban my heart from seeing you

    4    freedom…right liberty to exercise that right

    5    plead urge the claim (legal term)

    6    closet cabinet, but also used for the pericardium, the membranous sac around the heart

    7    defendant i.e., the eye, the opponent in the lawsuit

    9    ’cide decide    title claim, entitlement    empanellèd enrolled as a jury

  10    quest jury    tenants i.e., and therefore loyal to their landlord

  11    determinèd decided/adjudged

  12    moiety share

  13    As thus as follows    outward part external appearance

47

    1    league alliance (in contrast to the mortal war of Sonnet 46)

    3    When that when

    4    Or heart or when my heart    himself itself

    5    With on

    6    bids invites

  12    still always

48

    1    took my way set out on a journey

    2    under truest bars firmly under lock and key

    3    to my use ready for my use

    4    From…falsehood safe from thieving hands    sure secure    wards protection/guards/parts of locks’ mechanisms

    5    to whom compared to whom/in whose eyes

    7    care responsibility/preoccupation/cause of anxiety

    8    vulgar common

  11    closure enclosure, containment

  12    at pleasure as you please

  14    truth (even) honesty    dear valuable/beloved

49

    1    Against in anticipation of/to defend myself against

    3    When as when    cast…sum calculated its final total (i.e., closed its account)

    4    advised respects careful consideration

    5    strangely like a stranger

    7    converted changed

    8    reasons…gravity find weighty reasons for no longer knowing me/find reasons to maintain a dignified distance

    9    ensconce me fortify myself

  10    mine own desert what I deserve

  11    this…uprear raise my hand as if testifying against myself in a court of law

  12    guard defend

  13    strength of laws law on your side

  14    why…cause I can offer no reason why you should love me    cause reason/adequate legal grounds

50

    1    heavy miserably/unwillingly/slowly

    2    what…friend when the urge to reach my destination and rest only reminds me how far I have traveled from my friend

    5    beast i.e., horse

    6    dully slowly

    7    wretch poor thing

    8    being made journeying away

  11    heavily miserably

51

    1    slow offence offense of slowness

    2    dull bearer horse

    4    posting riding swiftly

    6    swift extremity (even) extreme speed

    7    spur use the spur

    8    In…know even at the speed of flight I will not feel like I am moving

  10    perfects most perfect

  11    no dull flesh being made of no heavy, earthly flesh (rather, being dominated by the element of fire)

  12    for love for love’s sake/out of charity    jade worn-out horse

  14    go depart/walk

52

    1    So…rich I am like a rich man

    4    seldom infrequent, rare

    5    feasts feast days    solemn special, ceremonial    rare choice, splendid

    7    thinly placèd spaced out, sparingly distributed

    8    captain chief    carcanet jeweled collar or necklace

    9    as like    chest treasure chest

  11    instant occasion    special specially

  12    imprisoned pride locked-away splendor

  14    Being…hope for one to exult in having you, yet still feel hope in your absence

53

    1    whereof of what

    2    strange indefinable, odd/different, other/foreign    shadows images (with connotations of various other senses of the word, including “ghosts/reflections/shadows cast by the sun”)    on you tend follow, serve you

    3    shade shadow cast by the sun/image

    4    every shadow lend lend (attributes) to everyone else

    5    Adonis in classical mythology, the beautiful youth loved by Venus, goddess of love (Shakespeare tells their story in Venus and Adonis)    counterfeit copy/forgery—i.e., the poor attempt to describe Adonis

    7    On…new use all the arts of beautification to depict Helen and the result is a portrait of you in Grecian clothing (tires)    Helen Helen of Troy, supposedly the most beautiful woman in the world; her abduction by Paris provoked the Greeks to attack Troy

    9    foison abundance, harvest

  10    The…show the spring is a reflection of your beauty

  11    bounty abundance (of attributes)

  12    know recognize

  13    grace beauty

54

    2    By by means of

    3    deem judge

    5    canker blooms dog roses/wild poppies

    6    tincture essence

    7    play can have sexual connotations    wantonly sportively/recklessly/lasciviously

    8    maskèd buds discloses opens their shut buds (an image that may suggest yielding lips or vaginas)

    9    for…show because their worth lies only in their appearance (virtue may incorporate a sense of “chastity”)

  10    unwooed unsought    unrespected disregarded/not esteemed

  11    to themselves alone

  12    sweetest odours made i.e., perfume distilled from rose petals

  14    that i.e., your beauty

55

    1    monuments tombs or other memorial structures

    3    these contents the subject matter of these poems/these containers (poetry as a tomb)

    4    with by    sluttish time time is personified as a slovenly housewife

    5    wasteful destructive

    6    broils turmoil, war    root out uproot

    7    Nor…nor neither nor    Mars his Mars’ (Roman god of war)    quick swift (plays on the sense of “living” to create a contrast with the destruction it causes)

    9    all oblivious enmity hostility that is completely oblivious to everything/hostility that destroys all records of the past/all destructive hostilities

  12    ending doom end of the world, Judgment Day

  13    the…arise you rise from the dead on Judgment Day

  14    this i.e., this sonnet    dwell live/linger

56

    1    love the emotion/the object of love

    2    edge edge of a blade/sharpness of (sexual) appetite    appetite sexual appetite/hunger

    3    but only for

    6    wink close

    8    dullness lack of enthusiasm/bluntness/sexual lethargy

    9    int’rim interim, period apart

  10    contracted new newly betrothed

  11    that so that

  13    it i.e., the    sad int’rim care anxiety, sorrow

  14    rare special, splendid

57

    1    tend attend, wait

    5    chide rebuke    world-without-end seemingly endless

    9    jealous suspicious/envious

  10    suppose imagine, speculate about

  12    those i.e., those who are with you

  13    in your Will with regard to your desire (including sexual urges); plays on the sense of “as far as your Will Shakespeare is concerned”

58

    1    That…slave i.e., may Cupid (the god of love who enthralled me to you) forbid

    2    in thought even in my thoughts    control plays on the sense of “check and regulate payments regarding”

    3    at…crave request an itemized account of how your time has been spent

    4    vassal slave    stay your leisure wait for a time that is convenient for you

    5    beck disposal, beck, and call

    6    Th’imprisoned…liberty the separation from you that your freedom of action brings and which is like an imprisonment to me

    7    patience…sufferance with patient endurance/with the patience that comes from suffering    bide each check bear each rebuke or rebuff

    9    list wish    charter right, entitlement

  10    privilege authorize, license

  12    to…crime it is your responsibility to pardon your own crimes (or crimes you have committed against yourself)

59

    2    beguiled deceived

    3    labouring toiling/being in childbirth    invention new subject matter    bear…child give birth mistakenly to a child that already exists (i.e., write about a subject that has already been tackled)

    5    record memory

    6    courses…sun years

    8    mind…done thoughts were first expressed in writing

  10    composèd…frame your miraculously well-constructed body (plays on the idea of literary composition)

  11    mended improved    whe’er whether

  12    revolution…same the cycle produces the same things again

  13    wits clever men

60

    3    changing place with replacing

    4    In…contend toiling in succession, they strive onward

    5    Nativity birth/a newborn baby    main broad expanse (figurative development from the sense “open sea”)

    7    Crooked malign/distorted (as the moon seems to diverge from its usual course)    eclipses thought to be bad omens    glory beauty/luminescence

    8    confound destroy

    9    transfix pierce    flourish bloom/adornment

  10    delves the parallels digs parallel lines, i.e., wrinkles

  11    rarities delicacies, choice objects    truth integrity, essential quality

  12    scythe the tool of    Time, bringer of death

  13    times in hope the hoped-for future

61

    4    shadows images/illusions/ghosts    mock delude

    8    scope…of purpose and purport of (or possibly “the domains legally held by”)    tenure authority, control/possession, plays on “tenor” meaning “purport”

  13    watch l I cannot sleep/I stay on guard    wake stay awake (for sexual pleasure)

62

    1    possesseth with connotations of disease or demonic possession

    5    gracious lovely

    6    true well-formed    truth well-formed physique/moral integrity    account value

    7    for myself for my own pleasure/with regard to myself

    8    As…surmount to the effect that I possess more virtues than everyone else collectively

    9    glass mirror

  10    Beated and chopped weather-beaten and chapped    tanned antiquity age with its leathery skin

  12    Self…iniquity it would be sinful for one such as me to be so self-loving

  13    ’Tis…praise it is you (my other self) that I praise as myself

63

    1    Against in preparation for when/to counter the time when

    2    injurious damaging    o’er-worn worn out

    3    drained his blood blood was thought to dry up with age; also suggests “drained his vigor”    filed engraved/defiled

    5    steepy precipitous (also suggests night’s power to engulf or “steep” the young man)

    8    Stealing…spring (time) dishonestly taking the beauties of his youth/his youthful beauties creeping away

    9    fortify strengthen defenses against attack

  10    confounding destructive

  11    That so that

  12    though though he cut off

  14    green fresh, youthful

64

    1    fell fierce, cruel/destructive, deadly

    2    proud cost splendid extravagance    outworn worn-out (clothing image)/eroded (suggests tombs or inscriptions)

    3    sometime formerly    down-razed demolished, razed to the ground

    4    brass seen as the most durable of substances    mortal rage death’s destructive fury or frenzy

    7    of from    main sea

    8    Increasing…store i.e., each side alternately winning and losing, each loss being the other side’s gain    store abundance

    9    interchange of state alternating conditions/exchanges of power and position/shifts within the political state

  10    state existence/a kingdom    confounded to decay overthrown and ruined

  11    ruminate puns on    ruin and “ruinate”

65

    1    Since i.e., since there is neither

    2    o’er-sways overrules

    3    with this rage against this violence    hold a plea uphold an argument (legal metaphor)

    4    action power/lawsuit

    6    wrackful wrecking, destructive    batt’ring bombarding repeatedly (as a means of breaching defenses)

  10    from somewhere other than    Time’s chest i.e., age and death; the treasure chest will become a coffin

  12    spoil goods (seized during war)/destruction, pillaging

66

    1    all these i.e., the following

    2    desert…born merit born in poverty

    3    needy…jollity worthlessness adorned with finery

    4    purest…forsworn the most solemn oaths broken/the betrayal of those who have kept their half of a mutual vow

    5    gilded golden

    6    rudely strumpeted crudely prostituted/coarsely slandered (for promiscuity)

    7    right true, absolute

    8    limping sway crippled authority, weak leadership

    9    art scholarship/literature

  10    doctor-like in a knowledgeable manner

  11    simplicity stupidity

  12    attending in service to

  14    to i.e., were I to

67

    1    wherefore why    infection moral corruption

    2    grace impiety make sin attractive

    3    by through    advantage profit, social advancement

    4    lace adorn (as with a lace trimming)    society company

    5    false painting use of cosmetics/portraiture

    6    dead seeing a lifeless appearance    of from    hue complexion

    7    poor inferior

    8    Roses of shadow imitation roses

    9    Nature bankrupt is i.e., because she has given all her riches to the young man

  10    lively living

  11    exchequer treasury

  12    proud of many although boasting of her many creations/proud of the young man’s many attributes    gains profits

  13    stores preserves, hoards

68

    1    Thus the argument continues from Sonnet 67    map image/epitome/record    days outworn times past

    3    bastard…fair false appearances of beauty (i.e., cosmetics)    born sustains the image of illegitimate children, but also puns on “borne,” i.e., worn, displayed

    4    durst inhabit dared live

    5    golden…dead wigs were often made from the hair of corpses (golden hair was particularly favored)

    6    sepulchres tombs

    8    gay attractive, bright

    9    holy antique hours blessed ancient times

  14    of yore in the past

69

    1    parts personal features

    2    Want lack    the…mend heartfelt thoughts can improve on

    4    even…commend that even your enemies are obliged to express approval of

    5    Thy outward your appearance    with outward with public

    6    thine own what is due to you

    7    accents words/tones    confound overthrow, ruin

  10    in guess by conjecture

  11    churls villains

  12    rank rotten, loathsome

  14    soil solution (with possible play on sense of contamination)    common vulgar/promiscuous (like a weed that grows everywhere)

70

    1    blamed censured, criticized    defect fault

    2    mark target

    3    The…suspect beauty is always accompanied by (literally “adorned with”) suspicion

    4    crow a bird associated with malice and evil

    5    So thou be as long as you are    approve prove

    7    canker the cankerworm, a parasitic grub that destroys plants

    8    unstainèd blameless/unfaded    prime youth/springtime

    9    ambush…days dangers that lie in wait for the young

  10    assailed attacked (with overtones of seduction)    victor being charged the winner if assaulted

  11    so sufficiently

  12    tie…enlarged restrict envy, which is always at liberty

  13    suspect of ill suspicion of wrongdoing    masked overshadowed

  14    shouldst owe would possess

71

    2    sullen gloomy/of deep, mournful sound    bell the passing bell that tolled for the dead

    8    make you woe cause you sorrow

  10    compounded mixed

  11    rehearse utter, repeat

  13    look…moan probe the cause of your sorrow

  14    with me on my account

72

    1    task challenge    recite describe, give an account of

    8    niggard miserly

  10    for…untrue out of love praise me undeservedly

  13    that…forth i.e., his poetry

  14    should you i.e., be ashamed

73

    4    choirs the branches are compared to chancels (choirs), the parts of churches reserved for singers    late recently

    8    Death’s second self i.e., night and, by extension, sleep    seals…rest seals people up in sleep as if in a coffin/shuts people’s eyes as a young hawk’s eyelids are “seeled” (i.e., sewn shut for training purposes)

  12    Consumed…by i.e., the fire is smothered by the ashes of the substance on which it fed

  14    that i.e., the poet (and perhaps life/youth)    leave lose/give up

74

    1    But the argument continues from Sonnet 73    fell cruel/deadly    arrest death is seen as an officer taking men away to prison

    3    line i.e., verse    interest right of possession or occupation (legal sense)

    4    for memorial as a reminder/monument    still always

    5    reviewest look over, read

    6    consecrate solemnly dedicated

  11    coward cowardly    wretch’s knife the knife wielded by an assassin (perhaps Death himself), or one used by a suicide

  12    base worthless

  13    of that i.e., of the body

  14    this i.e., the poem (which contains the poet’s spirit)

75

    2    sweet-seasoned springtime/sweetly flavored

    3    for…you for the sake of the peace that you bring me (peace puns on “piece” to continue the food imagery)    hold such strife engage in such conflict

    4    ’twixt between

    5    anon immediately

    6    Doubting fearing    filching thieving

    7    counting considering (it); also suggestive of counting money

    8    bettered thinking it even better

  10    clean utterly

  13    pine starve    surfeit overindulge (in food)

  14    Or…or either…or    all away having nothing

76

    1    pride adornment

    4    compounds strange new compound words/new or different literary styles

    5    all one in the same way

    6    invention creativity/literary composition    noted weed well-known garment (the clothing imagery is maintained in dressing)

    8    did proceed came from

  10    argument subject matter

  14    telling relating/counting over (picking up on financial imagery in spending)

77

    1    glass mirror    wear endure/wear out

    2    dial clock/sundial

    3    vacant leaves empty pages (this book may suggest that the poem was given along with a blank notebook)    thy mind’s imprint i.e., written thoughts and feelings

    4    learning i.e., the profit derived from recording one’s thoughts

    6    Of…memory will serve as a reminder of open graves

    7    shady stealth faintly perceptible movement/slowly moving shadow (perhaps suggestive of a sundial; stealth has connotations of “sneaky, thievish”)

  10    waste blanks empty pages

  11    children i.e., thoughts, born of the brain and nurtured by being recorded

  12    To…of ready to be reintroduced to

  13    offices duties

78

    1    Muse inspiring goddess of poetry, or creative inspiration generally

    2    fair favorable

    3    As that    alien stranger’s    got my use adopted my practice (of taking the young man as inspiration)

    4    under thee under your influence

    5    on high loudly

    7    added feathers an image from falconry, referring to the adding of feathers to a bird’s damaged wing; improving a poet’s quill pen is also suggested

    8    grace excellence    majesty glory, splendor

    9    compile compose, write

  11    mend improve    style plays on the sense of “stylus,” i.e., old form of pen

  12    arts literary style    gracèd be are given added charm and distinction

  13    thou…art all of my literary ability lies in you    advance promote, elevate

  14    rude unpolished

79

    2    gentle grace refined elegance/noble favor

    3    gracious numbers elegant verses/verses graced by your favor

    4    sick Muse failing inspiration    doth…place is forced to make way for another (poet)

    5    thy lovely argument the lovely subject matter of you

    6    travail labor

    7    of thee about you    invent become inspired by, write about

  11    afford offer/manage to pay

80

    1    faint lose heart

    2    better spirit superior, more inspired poet

    6    as as well as    proudest grandest (with connotations of arrogance)

    7    saucy bark impertinent little boat

    8    main open sea    wilfully perversely, stubbornly

    9    shallowest help slightest assistance—a small boat can float in shallower water

  10    soundless unfathomable

  12    tall building high structure    goodly pride handsome splendor (but with connotations of arrogance)

  13    cast away shipwrecked/rejected

  14    my…decay my feelings were the cause of my ruin/the person I loved ruined me

81

    1    Or…Or whether…or (whichever of them survives the longer in flesh, the beloved will endure through the poet’s work)

    3    hence the world/the sonnet/henceforth

    4    in…part all of my attributes

    6    to…world to everyone, all posterity

    7    common ordinary/shared (such as paupers were buried in)

    9    monument tomb or other memorial structure    gentle tender/noble

  11    to be of people not yet born    your…rehearse shall recount your existence (rehearse puns on “re-hearse”—i.e., once again commemorate with funeral rites)

  12    all…world everyone alive in the world now

  13    still yet/always    virtue power

  14    ev’n in the in the very

82

    1    grant concede    Muse inspiring goddess of poetry, or creative inspiration generally

    2    attaint dishonor    o’erlook read

    3    dedicated words devoted words/words used in a poem’s dedication to a particular individual

    4    blessing which    words bless/which    subject favors as a patron

    5    hue complexion, appearance

    6    limit past region beyond the scope of

    8    fresher stamp newer creation (stamp may suggest a newly printed book)    the time-bett’ring days current improved times

  10    strainèd effortful/far-fetched, artificial

  11    truly sympathized depicted with true feeling/presented faithfully

  13    gross excessive/crass    painting representation/ornamentation/cosmetics

  14    abused misused/unnecessary/wasted

83

    1    painting the argument continues from Sonnet 82

    2    fair beauty    set applied

    4    barren tender worthless offer of repayment

    5    slept…report kept quiet about you

    6    That so that    extant alive

    7    modern ordinary, commonplace    come…grow fail to depict, in discussing your worth, the real worth that grows within you

    9    for my sin as a sin    impute reckon, regard

  12    would wish to    bring a tomb kill (by overpraising)

  14    both your poets i.e., Shakespeare and a rival/two rival poets

84

    1    which i.e., which poet (the theme continues from Sonnet 83)

    2    you…you you are unique

    3    immurèd enclosed, walled up    store abundance (of qualities)

    4    example…grew provide a pattern on which to model your likeness

    5    penury poverty

    8    so…story thus elevates his writing

    9    but only

  11    such…wit such a reproduction will make his ingenuity famous

  14    Being…worse i.e., your eagerness for praise encourages flattery and thus debases the praise you receive/being so fond of praise is a weakness that undermines the praise you receive (alternatively, fond on praise may refer to an enjoyment of giving praise indiscriminately to others)

85

    1    Muse inspiring goddess of poetry, or creative inspiration generally    in…still remains politely silent

    3    Reserve their character preserve their appearance (i.e., are written down)    with golden quill i.e., in exquisite style—“aureate” (golden) also refers to a highly ornamental literary style

    4    filed polished

    6    unlettered clerk illiterate parish clerk (who assisted the priest in church by leading the responses to prayers)

    7    able spirit affords gifted poets provide

  12    holds…before maintains its position in the lead

  13    for…respect value others for the breath of words

  14    in effect through action

86

    2    prize rich booty

    3    inhearse bury

    5    spirit intellectual vigor/vital powers    spirits supernatural inspiration/ghosts (of dead writers perhaps)

    6    pitch height (literally, the highest point in a falcon’s flight before it swoops to attack)    struck me dead rendered me dumbstruck

    7    compeers associates

    8    astonishèd stunned into silence

    9    affable familiar ghost kindly attendant spirit

  10    gulls deceives    intelligence information

  13    countenance face/approval    filled up occupied, served as subject matter for/repaired, filled in (giving    line a suggestion of “crack”)    line i.e., the rival poet’s lines of verse; possible play on the additional sense of “ship,” picking up the nautical imagery at the start of the poem

  14    matter subject matter/substance (with which to fill in a flaw)

87

    1    dear expensive (with play on the sense of “beloved”)

    2    estimate worth

    3    charter…worth privilege that results from your merit    releasing freedom/legal dispensation from contractual obligations (charter also has the sense of “legal document relating to the transference of property”)

    4    bonds ties/legal agreements    determinate terminated (legal term relating to the cessation of tenancy)

    7    cause of justification for receiving    wanting lacking

    8    patent right of ownership    back…swerving is reverting to you

  11    upon misprision growing coming from a misunderstanding

  14    no such matter nothing of the kind

88

    1    set me light value me little

    2    place…scorn look scornfully at my worth (or cause others to do so)

    4    forsworn perjured, one who has broken their word

    6    Upon thy part on your side, on your behalf

    7    attainted dishonored/convicted (or, rarely, “accused”)

    8    That so that

  10    bending directing

  12    vantage advantage    double-vantage doubly benefit

  14    bear all wrong endure all hardship/take responsibility for all wrongdoing/behave wrongfully (toward myself)

89

     *    the argument continues from Sonnet 88

    1    forsake abandon

    2    comment upon expand on, give details of

    3    halt limp

    6    To…change in order to make your desire to leave me look justifiable and acceptable

    8    I…strange I will completely suppress my familiarity with you and treat you like a stranger

    9    thy walks the places where you habitually walk

  12    haply perhaps

  13    vow debate commit myself to conflict

90

    1    Then follows on from Sonnet 89

    2    bent determined    cross thwart

    4    drop…after-loss fall upon (me) for further injury in the future

    5    scaped escaped

    6    Come…woe a military metaphor—“come along behind an army (woe) that I have managed to defeat”

    8    linger…overthrow prolong a planned defeat

  11    onset initial assault

  13    strains varieties

91

    1    glory exult, take pride

    3    new-fangled ill highly fashionable but ugly

    5    humour mood/temperament    adjunct corresponding

    7    measure standard (of happiness)

    8    better outdo

  10    prouder…cost more splendid than costly garments/higher than the cost of garments

92

    1    But continues the argument from Sonnet 91

    2    term of life (my) lifetime

    5    worst of wrongs worst injury (i.e., being entirely abandoned by his lover)

    6    in…end the least slight or hint of a rebuff will kill me

    8    humour mood

  10    on…lie lies at the mercy of your change of mind

  11    happy joyous/fortunate    title entitlement

  13    blessèd-fair fortunately happy (fair also suggests “flawless/pale”)    blot blemish, stain

  14    false unfaithful

93

    1    So the argument continues from Sonnet 92

    2    love’s face the appearance of love

    3    altered new newly altered, different

    8    wrinkles grimaces

  13    Eve’s apple the apple that Eve picked in the Garden of Eden, beautiful in appearance, but doomed to bring evil to humankind when eaten (biblical)

  14    answer…show does not correspond to your appearance

94

    2    the…show the action (sex) that, based on their (attractive) appearances, they seem most likely to do

    3    moving provoking sexual desire in

    4    cold lacking passion, chaste

    6    husband…expense preserve their natural endowments from being wasted (expense suggests the emission of semen)

    7    lords…faces the rightful owners of their beauty

    8    stewards domestic managers, administrators

  10    to itself alone

  11    base degrading (perhaps also suggesting “in the lower regions”)    infection suggestive of venereal disease, as well as moral corruption

  12    basest most common    outbraves surpasses, outdoes in appearance

  13    things may play on the sense of “genitals”    deeds actions/sexual exploits

  14    Lilies…weeds this line also appears in Edward III (1596), thought by many scholars to contain some material by Shakespeare

95

    2    canker cankerworm, a parasitic grub that destroys plants

    3    spot stain    name reputation

    4    sweets sweet things (perhaps suggestive of furled petals)

    6    sport pleasures/sexual activity

    9    mansion i.e., the young man’s body

  13    large privilege extensive freedom

  14    knife phallic connotations    ill-used misused sexually    edge effectiveness/sexual appetite

96

    1    wantonness wildness/willfulness/lechery

    2    gentle suitable to a gentleman

    3    of…less by high and low classes alike

    4    Thou…resort you turn the faults that attend you into virtues

    6    basest cheapest, humblest

    7    errors sins/inaccuracies

    8    truths virtues/valid things    translated transformed

  10    like…translate he could change his appearance to that of a lamb

  11    gazers admirers    away i.e., astray

  12    strength…state power that your qualities and birth give you

  13    But…report repeats the closing couplet of Sonnet 36

97

    5    time removed period of separation

    6    teeming fertile    big pregnant    increase offspring

    7    Bearing carrying/giving birth to    wanton…prime offspring of lustful spring (an image suggestive of ripened fruit dropping from trees and crops being harvested)

    8    their lords’ i.e., spring’s

    9    issue offspring

  10    But…fruit i.e., not much hope at all    unfathered fatherless

  11    wait attend

98

    2    proud-pied splendidly multicolored    trim adornment, finery

    4    That so that    heavy Saturn the planet and god were associated with melancholy (“heaviness”)

    5    nor…nor neither…nor    lays songs

    6    different flowers flowers differing

    7    summer’s i.e., cheerful, bright

    8    proud showy    lap i.e., the earth

  11    but only, merely    figures sketches

  12    after in imitation of    pattern model, exemplar

  14    As as if    shadow image

99

     *    the only poem in the collection with fifteen lines

    1    forward early/presumptuous    chide rebuke, upbraid

    2    thy…smells i.e., your sweet perfume

    3    purple pride the purple color you are so proud of/purple splendor

    4    for complexion as (artificial) coloring

    5    grossly obviously/crudely

    6    condemnèd…hand blamed for stealing the whiteness of your hand

    7    buds of marjoram these are tightly curled and sweet-smelling

    8    on…stand grew on thorny stems, but the phrase can also mean “in a state of high anxiety” (the roses are fearful because they have committed theft)

    9    white i.e., fearful

  11    annexed thy breath added the crime of stealing your breath for his perfume

  12    for in punishment for    pride…growth the glory of its prime

  13    canker cankerworm, a parasitic grub that destroys plants    eat ate

  15    But…thee that had not stolen its scent or color from you

100

    1    Muse inspiring goddess of poetry, or creative inspiration generally

    3    fury creative energy, poetic frenzy

    4    Dark’ning…light hiding your real power to give prominence to unworthy subjects

    5    straight straightaway

    6    gentle numbers noble verses    idly worthlessly/foolishly

    7    lays songs

    8    argument subject matter

    9    resty sluggish, lazy

  10    graven engraved

  11    satire to satirist toward (i.e., ridicule, vilify)

  12    spoils destruction, plundering

  14    So thus    prevent’st forestall, confound    scythe…knife a tautology—a scythe is a crooked (curved) knife

101

    1    Muse the address to the Muse continues from Sonnet 100    what…amends how can you make amends

    2    truth…dyed truth imbued with beauty

    3    depends are subordinate, dependent for their existence

    4    dignified you acquire dignity

    5    haply perhaps

    6    colour cosmetics, rouge (plays on the sense of “excuse”)    his colour fixed its complexion ingrained

    7    pencil paintbrush    to lay apply in layers (as paint on canvas)

    8    intermixed adulterated, added to and debased

  10    lies in thee is in your power

  13    office duty

  14    long hence far into the future    shows appears

102

    1    seeming appearance

    3    merchandised treated as a saleable commodity    rich esteeming high value

    4    publish announce publicly

    6    wont accustomed    lays songs (poems)

    7    Philomel the nightingale (in classical mythology, Philomel was raped and had her tongue cut out by her brother-in-law; she was later turned into a nightingale by the gods)    summer’s front the beginning of summer

    8    pipe music    in…days i.e., as summer moves toward autumn

  11    wild belonging to wild birds/unrestrained    burdens weighs down/fills with song (a “burden” can mean “a chorus”)

  12    sweets sweet things, pleasures

  14    dull bore, blunt your appetite

103

    1    poverty poor poetic efforts

    2    pride splendid abilities/pride in the beautiful youth

    3    argument all bare unadorned subject matter (i.e., the young man)

    6    glass mirror

    7    overgoes outdoes, surpasses    invention creative skill

    8    Dulling making tedious/rendering    blunt

    9    mend improve

  10    mar spoil

  11    pass end

  12    graces beauties/attributes

104

    2    eye I eyed an aural pun

    4    pride splendor

    8    which…green you who are still young and    fresh

    9    dial hand the hand of a clock (as in Shakespeare’s poem “To the Queen”)

  10    Steal creep away/rob    figure (clock’s) numeral/appearance/face    pace movement/footstep

  11    hue complexion    still doth stand remains motionless/remains yet

  12    Hath motion does move, change

  13    age unbred unborn future age

  14    Ere before

105

    1    idolatry excessive devotion/worship of many gods

    2    show appear/display

    3    Since since in fact, in my defense (or possibly “simply because”)

    4    To…one only addressed to and about one person    still always

    5    Kind loving/generous

    9    Fair beautiful/just    true genuine/faithful    argument theme

  10    varying to expressed in various

  11    invention spent creativity exhausted

  12    Three…one the religious theme continues with the suggestion of the Christian Trinity (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost)

  14    kept seat resided/were enthroned

106

    1    chronicle historical record    wasted past, consumed (with suggestion of “squandered”)

    2    wights people (deliberately archaic word)

    4    lovely handsome/amorous

    5    blazon description (literally, of a coat of arms)

    8    Even just, exactly    master are owner of

  11    for because    divining predicting (rather than definitively knowing)

  14    wonder admir

107

    3    the…control regulate the duration of my love/restrict my right to possession of love (the person or the emotion)

    4    as…doom subject to a fixed term

    5    The…endured probably a reference to the death (eclipse) of Queen Elizabeth I in 1603; as the Virgin Queen, she was associated with the moon, symbol of chastity    endured undergone

    6    augurs prophets    presage prediction

    7    Incertainties…assured uncertainties are brought securely to an end (crown suggests the coronation of the childless Elizabeth’s successor, James I, putting to an end the uncertainties about England’s future)

    8    olives…age the olive tree (symbol of peace) will last forever (King James regarded himself as an international peacemaker)

    9    balmy soothing (again suggestive of coronation, at which the monarch was anointed with “balm,” i.e., holy oil)

  10    subscribes surrenders

  12    insults triumphs, exults

  13    monument tomb or other memorial structure

  14    crests heraldic devices on coats of arms    spent gone, wasted away

108

    1    character write

    2    figured represented

    3    register record

    8    hallowed treated as holy (with suggestion of “halloo,” i.e., call out)

    9    case clothing/condition

  10    Weighs not does not care about

  11    gives…place yields to the inevitable lines of old age

  12    antiquity age    aye ever    page boy attendant (plays on the sense of “page of poetry”)

  13    conceit notion, conception/poetic device, metaphor    there i.e., in the    sweet boy/in the poetry

  14    show it make it seem

109

    1    false of heart disloyal, unfaithful

    2    my…qualify to moderate my passion

    5    ranged wandered, strayed

    7    Just…exchanged punctual and not changed by time

    8    water…stain tears to wash away my fault

  10    frailties moral weaknesses    blood temperament/sexual desire

  11    preposterously unnaturally (literally, “inversely, back to front”)    stained polluted, morally tarnished

  12    for nothing as something of no value/for no reason

110

    1    gone may play on the sense of “had sex”

    2    motley fool (after the multicolored costume of a jester, so perhaps alluding to Shakespeare’s acting career)

    3    Gored wounded/cut into triangles (resembling the diamond patches of a fool’s motley)

    4    Made…new offended old friends or lovers by finding new ones/repeated former sins because of new passions/committed plenty of sins with the new objects of my affections

    6    Askance and strangely with a side glance and in an unfriendly way    all above i.e., heaven

    7    blenches swervings

    8    worse essays trying out worse loves

    9    what…end i.e., eternal love

  10    appetite implies sexual desire    grind whet, sharpen (as a phallic knife; “to grind” could mean “to have sex”)

  11    proof experiments, experiences (i.e., lovers)    try test the worth of/subject to strain, afflict

  12    confined restricted

  13    next…best you, who are to me the next best thing to heaven

  14    most most loving i.e., supremely loving, but perhaps subverted by a slight suggestion of the young man’s own tendency to love many people

111

    1    with Fortune chide rebuke or complain at Fortune

    2    of responsible for

    4    public means a means of making a living that involves catering to the public (probably a reference to Shakespeare’s theatrical career)    public manners breeds generates (or is generated by) the sort of (low) behavior associated with public life

    5    brand criminals (including strolling players, if they were arrested as vagabonds) were branded on the face or hand with a hot iron

    6    almost applies to    subdued (“my nature is almost subdued”)    subdued To conquered by

    8    renewed restored

  10    eisel vinegar (i.e., bitterness)

  11    No bitterness i.e., there is no bitterness

  12    correct correction correct again what has already been corrected

112

    1    th’impression the mark left by the    brand of Sonnet 111 (line 5)

    2    vulgar base/public

    4    So so long as    o’er-green gloss over/grass over    allow praise

    7    None…wrong no one other than you has the power to alter my fixed sensibilities either for better or for worse, and I do not have such a power over anyone at all

    9    so profound abysm such a deep abyss

  10    adder’s sense i.e., deaf ears; proverbially, adders blocked their ears in order to avoid succumbing to the music of the snake charmer

  12    how…dispense note how I disregard others’ neglect of me

  13    are…bred exist so powerfully in my thoughts

113

    2    that…about eyesight, which shows me where to go

    3    part divide/abandon

    4    Seems seeing appears to see    effectually is out in effect is blind

    5    heart i.e., inner consciousness

    6    latch catch hold of, apprehend

    7    his quick objects the living (or “fleeting”) things he sees

    8    Nor nor does

    9    rud’st or gentlest most uncouth or most well-bred

  10    favour appearance/face

  12    shapes transforms, remodels

  13    Incapable of unable to receive, contain

  14    true faithful    untrue deceptive, unreliable

114

    1    Or…whether is it the case that…or that    crowned with you made into a king by your love

    4    alchemy pseudo-science that sought to turn base metal into gold

    5    indigest shapeless, crude

    6    cherubins angels

    7    Creating every bad making every bad thing into

    8    beams eye beams, rays of light thought to be emitted by the eye and to enable vision

  10    most kingly like a king (subject to deceptive flattery)

  11    what…’greeing what agrees with (the mind’s) taste

  14    doth first begin i.e., drinks first from the poisoned cup itself

115

    4    full intense

    5    reckoning time calculating time    whose starts a long relative clause that continues to the end of line 8, but is not followed by a main clause (which may be purposeful or may be the result of “divert” being a misprint for “diverts,” which would then be the main verb belonging to    reckoning time millioned accidents innumerable chance events

    6    ’twixt vows between (lovers’) vows and their fulfillment

    7    Tan i.e., render unattractive, fair skin being considered a mark of beauty

    8    alt’ring changeable

  10    Might…say was it not natural for me then to say

  12    Crowning seeing as best, privileging

  13    Love…babe Cupid, the god of love, was traditionally depicted as a child    then…so sol should not have spoken as I did

  14    give…grow attribute maturity to love that was still in its infancy

116

    2    Admit acknowledge, concede    impediments echoes the words of the marriage service in the Book of Common Prayer, where the couple and the congregation are asked to declare if they know of any impediment to the marriage

    4    bends…remove is inclined to cease if abandoned by the object of love (or perhaps “is inclined to be unfaithful in response to infidelity from the object of love”)

    5    ever-fixèd mark lighthouse, beacon, or landmark

    7    star the North (or Pole) Star, used in navigation    bark small ship

    8    worth’s unknown value cannot be fully known or measured    height be taken height above the horizon can be scientifically measured

    9    Time’s fool the plaything of Time, or subject of its mockery

  10    bending curved    compass scope/arc

  12    doom doomsday, the end of the world

  13    upon me proved I am proved to have committed it (legal language)

117

    1    Accuse initiates legal imagery that continues through the sonnet    scanted stinted, neglected

    3    call visit/invoke/appeal (to)

    4    bonds physical ties/legal documents

    5    frequent familiar, in company/often    unknown minds strangers

    6    given…right given away your richly bought right to my time

    9    Book record

  10    on just proof on top of what can be fairly proved    accumulate pile up (charges)

  11    level aim/line of fire/sights

  12    wakened hate the hate that my behavior has roused in you

  13    appeal legal appeal for a second hearing

  14    virtue moral integrity/power

118

    1    Like as just as

    2    eager compounds pungent concoctions    our palate urge stimulate our appetite

    3    maladies unseen i.e., potential illnesses

    4    sicken make ourselves ill    shun prevent    purge use laxatives or emetics

    5    Even so in just such a manner

    6    frame my feeding adapt my diet (sexual connotations)

    7    welfare good health    meetness appropriateness

    8    ere…needing before there was any real need

    9    policy…assured my stratagem of anticipating and preventing diseases generated actual ill health

  11    to medicine into a condition requiring medicine

  12    rank of full of/bloated with/diseased by

119

    1    siren a mythical creature, part-woman, part-bird, whose enchanting singing lured sailors to their deaths (presumably suggests a person with whom the poet has been unfaithful)

    2    limbecks alembics, vessels with long nozzles used in distillation    foul loathsome/diseased/sinful/black

    3    Applying administering (medical sense)

    4    saw myself to believed I was going to

    6    so blessèd never never so blessed, as happy as possible

    7    spheres sockets (eyes are compared to planets or stars, which were thought to inhabit concentric hollow spheres that orbited the earth)    fitted forced out by fits or seizures

    8    madding frenzied/maddening

  13    content contentment

  14    thrice three times

120

    1    befriends me stands me in good stead

    3    Needs must I I must of necessity    under…bow bow my head in shame at my wrongdoing

    6    hell of hellish

    7    no leisure taken spared no time

    8    weigh consider

    9    remembered reminded

  11    tendered offered

  12    humble salve soothing ointment of contrition    fits suits

  13    that your trespass that trespass of yours

  14    ransoms pays for, redeems

121

    1    vile esteemed thought to be despicable, worthless

    2    being i.e., being    vile

    3    just legitimate    so deemed i.e., thought to be vile

    5    false deceitful/unfaithful    adulterate impure, corrupt/adulterous

    6    Give salutation to greet (knowingly)    sportive blood playful temperament/lust

    7    on…spies why are my weaknesses spied on by those who are even more at fault themselves (frailty often implies succumbing to sexual temptation)

    8    wills desires/sexual urges

    9    that what (I am that I am were God’s words to Moses in Exodus 3:14)    level guess/aim a metaphorical gun

  10    abuses misdeeds    reckon count

  11    bevel crooked

  12    By through    rank foul/diseased/lustful    shown viewed, interpreted

  13    maintain assert

  14    in…reign prosper in their badness/are supremely bad

122

    1    tables writing tablet, notebook

    2    Full charactered completely inscribed

    3    idle rank trivial series (of writings in the notebook)/worthless type (of memorandum)

    4    date limit

    6    faculty power, ability

    7    razed erased, obliterated

    9    That poor retention i.e., the    tables, memorandum book

  10    tallies sticks marked with notches (scored) to record a debt

  11    to…bold I dared to give them away

  12    those…more the notebook (my memory) that holds you more completely (or “retains more of you”)

  13    adjunct external aid

  14    import imply

123

    2    pyramids obelisks (perhaps suggestive of those built in London to celebrate the coronation of King James I in 1603)    newer might more recent strength/more modern skills

    4    dressings…sight dressed-up versions of something seen before

    5    dates (lives’) duration

    6    foist palm off (originally a term for cheating at dice)

    7    born…desire created for our wishes

    9    registers records

  10    wond’ring marveling

  11    thy…lie both records of the past and what we see for ourselves are deceptive

  12    Made…haste changing in perspective and significance in accordance with the swift passage of time

  14    true faithful (plays on the idea of historical validity as opposed to records and perceptions that lie)

124

    1    my dear love the precious love I feel    child of state product of circumstances

    2    for as    unfathered deemed illegitimate, of no fixed identity

    4    Weeds…gathered i.e., rejected or valued according to the whims of Time (or the times)

    5    accident chance

    6    suffers…pomp does not become corrupt as a result of being favored by the great (or “…as a result of fortune and riches”)/does not suffer due to the whims of the great

    7    Under…discontent by being imprisoned for political discontent/by being enslaved to dissatisfaction

    8    Whereto…calls to which the present times draw people of our sort

    9    policy political cunning, scheming    heretic dissident

  10    works…hours operates on a short-term basis

  11    politic prudent, wise

  12    nor…nor neither…nor

  13    witness as witnesses    fools of time i.e., those who allow themselves (and their love) to be subject to fashion and change    fools idiots/dupes/playthings/laughingstocks

  14    for goodness in the name of goodness, i.e., as martyrs or in an attempt to achieve a good reputation

125

    1    Were’t…me would it mean anything to me if    canopy such as would be carried over a monarch in a public procession

    2    With…honouring honoring public displays of respect with my outward appearance (or behavior)

    3    bases foundations for statues or memorial monuments for eternity i.e., to last for eternity

    4    Which may refer either to bases or to eternity

    5    dwellers…favour those who are preoccupied with ceremony and the favor of the great (or “…with bodily and facial appearance”);    dwellers plays on the literal sense of “inhabitants”

    6    too much rent too high a price

    7    For…savour giving up simple tastes in favor of complex or artificial sweetmeats

    8    Pitiful thrivers materially prosperous but deserving of pity (or contempt)/people who prosper poorly    in…spent exhausted by their gazing (on form and favour)

    9    obsequious obedient (also “dutiful in performing mourning rites,” a sense that is picked up in oblation)

  10    oblation offering (often in a religious context)

  11    seconds inferior material    art skill/cunning

  12    render handing over

  13    suborned informer bribed informant (or witness)

  14    impeached accused (often, of treason)

126

    2    fickle glass changeable and unreliable hourglass    sickle hour time for harvesting (i.e., death)

    3    by waning grown grown older with the passing of time/increased in beauty as you have grown older

    5    wrack wreck, ruin

    6    goest onwards move forward in time

    8    disgrace shame (at being outwitted by Nature)    minutes kill i.e., destroy the effects of time

    9    minion darling, favorite

  10    keep preserve

  11    audit final account, reckoning    answered paid

  12    quietus discharge of a payment, settling of a debt    render hand over, pay in settlement of a debt

  13    ( ) the empty parentheses that appear here in the original 1609 Quarto edition suggest a missing final couplet, but the preceding twelve lines consist of six couplets (unlike the other sonnets), and the poem is complete syntactically; the blanks may be seen as a visual representation of the closure of the sequence addressed to the young man and possibly of his absence/death

127

    1    the old age times past    black this is the first of the “Dark Lady” sonnets, addressed to a dark-haired and/or dark-complexioned woman    fair beautiful/pale

    2    bore…name was not explicitly called beautiful

    3    successive legitimate

    4    beauty…shame what was called beauty is disgraced by being termed illegitimate (or is falsely created through cosmetics)

    5    put on assumed (through use of cosmetics)

    6    Fairing the foul making the ugly beautiful

    7    name good reputation/secure paternity

    8    profaned desecrated, treated with irreverence

  10    so suited the same color

  11    not…lack despite not having been born beautiful, achieve (false) beauty through the use of cosmetics

  12    Sland’ring…esteem giving natural beauty a bad name by being praised for false beauty

  13    becoming…woe looking attractive in their black “mourning”

128

    1    thou, my music you, who are my music (delight, harmony)

    2    wood the wooden keys of the virginals    sounds resounds

    3    sway’st govern/move rhythmically

    4    wiry concord harmony of strings    confounds amazes

    5    jacks i.e., keys (in fact pieces of wood fixed to the backs of the keys, carrying the quills that pluck the strings); plays on the sense of “rascals, knaves”

    7    that harvest i.e., of kisses

  10    chips the wooden keys

  13    saucy impudent/lascivious

129

    1    Th’expense the using up, expenditure/the ejaculation    spirit vital energy/semen    waste of shame shameful    waste (puns on “waist,” the shameful place where the semen is emitted)

    2    lust in action sexual intercourse

    3    perjured oath-breaking    full of blame completely blameworthy

    4    rude brutal/coarse    to trust to be trusted

    5    straight straightaway

    6    Past reason illogically/insanely

  11    in proof while being experienced    proved having been tried

  12    proposed anticipated    behind afterward    dream i.e., a fleeting, insubstantial thing

  14    hell plays on the slang sense of “vagina”

130

    1    My…sun comparing eyes to the sun was common in love poetry; the sonnet goes on to mention a number of conventional similes

    3    dun gray-brown

    4    wires fine golden wires, used for ornamentation (in, for example, headdresses)

    5    damasked of the damask variety/multicolored (red and white)

    8    reeks exhales (did not imply unpleasant odors at this time)

  11    go walk

  14    she…compare woman misrepresented by untrue comparisons

131

    1    tyrannous cruel and domineering    so…art just as you are

    3    dear dearly

    5    in good faith truly

    6    groan with desire/with despair

  10    but merely

  11    One…neck one following rapidly after another

  12    Thy black your black hair and/or complexion    fairest most beautiful/palest    in…place to my mind

  14    this slander i.e., the claim (in line 6) that she is not beautiful enough to provoke such love

132

    4    petty ruth small pity

    5    morning puns on “mourning”

    6    becomes befits, suits

    7    full star bright star, i.e., the planet Venus (known as Hesperus, the Evening Star)    even evening

    8    sober subdued in color

    9    mourning plays on “morning”

  10    beseem befit, suit

  11    doth thee grace makes you more beautiful

  12    suit…part dress your pity entirely in the same way

  14    foul ugly (plays on the sense of “dirty, black”)

133

    1    Beshrew curse

    2    wound plays on the sense of “vagina”

    4    slave to slavery slave to tyranny, utterly enslaved

    5    eye possible vaginal connotations

    6    my next self i.e., my friend    harder perhaps suggestive of penile erection    engrossed bought up wholesale, monopolized/made larger and firmer

    7    Of by    forsaken abandoned

    8    crossed thwarted, tormented

    9    Prison imprison    ward prison cell

  10    bail bail out, release

  11    keeps guards    his i.e., the friend’s

  12    rigour harshness/torture

  13    pent imprisoned

  14    all…me i.e., and so is my friend, kept in my heart

134

    1    he i.e., the friend of Sonnet 133

    2    will resolve/wishes/sexual desire

    3    so…mine provided that my other self (the friend)

    6    kind generous/courteous/loving

    7    surety-like…me to act as my guarantor, to underwrite my debt (and release me)

    8    bond legal agreement/fetter, shackle    fast firmly

    9    statute legal entitlement, specifically the agreement that enabled a creditor to retain the debtor’s security (lands, property) if loan repayments were not met

  10    usurer moneylender (notorious for charging high rates of interest)    put’st…use lends out everything/makes herself entirely sexually available

  11    sue pursue for payment/woo    came debtor who got into debt

  12    my unkind abuse cruel mistreatment I have received from you/my unkindness toward him (having got him into debt)

  13    hast plays on the sense of “have sex with”

  14    pays the whole pays the whole debt/satisfies her sexually (whole puns on vaginal “hole”)

135

    1    Will the sonnet plays on various meanings of the word: Will Shakespeare/wishes/sexual desire/male or female genitals

    2    to boot in addition    overplus excess

    3    vex harass (with sexual demands)    still yet/constantly

    4    To…addition contributing to your desires with my own/filling up your vagina with my penis

    5    will…spacious desire is unrestrained/vagina is wide

    6    vouchsafe condescend, agree    will in thine penis in your vagina

    7    right gracious most attractive

    8    in…shine no favor be shown to my will (all senses)

  11    rich in Will rich in your (sexual) desire/in total possession of me (or another lover called Will)    thy Will the man called Will whom you possess/your (sexual) desires/your vagina

  12    One…mine a (sexual) desire of mine/my penis    make…more increase your vaginal capacity or your sexual desire/make your lover Will’s penis erect

  13    Let…kill do not be unkind, do not kill courteous or attractive wooers

  14    all…Will of all your lovers as one person and of me as your only William/only desire/only penis

136

    1    check rebuke    come so near implies sexual intimacy (come may play on the sense of “orgasm”)

    2    blind Cupid, Roman god of love, was traditionally depicted as blind or blindfolded    Will this sonnet continues the wordplay on Will Shakespeare/wishes/sexual desire/genitals

    3    admitted there acknowledged in your soul/allowed in your body

    4    for love out of charity    love-suit loving request, request for sex

    5    Will William/William’s penis    fulfil fill up    treasure…love vagina

    6    fill…one i.e., have sex with as many men as you want (fill yourself up with penises) and make me one of them

    7    receipt (vaginal) capacity

    9    untold uncounted/unspoken of

  10    thy store’s account the list of your possessions (i.e., lovers;    account puns on “cunt”)

  11    For…me consider me insignificant    so provided    hold embrace

  12    nothing me worthless thing that is me    something suggestive of “some thing,” i.e., penis

  13    Make but only make    my name still playing on Will/sexual desire    still always

137

    1    blind refers to Cupid, god of love, depicted as blind

    3    lies plays on the sense of “deceives”

    4    what…be think the worst is the best

    5    corrupt…looks damaged by looking with too much partiality

    6    bay vaginal harbor    ride anchor their ships/have sex

    9    several plot separate, private plot of (vaginal) ground

  10    wide…place promiscuous vagina, open to all men

  11    Or or why should    not not so

  12    To…place so that they see beautiful virtue in such a vile appearance

  14    false plague unfaithful disease of a woman (an image suggestive of venereal disease)

138

     *    a version of this sonnet appears in The Passionate Pilgrim (1598/99)

    1    made of truth all fidelity (made puns on “maid”)

    2    lies plays on the sense of “has sex with other men”

    3    That so that

    4    false subtleties deceitful tricks

    5    vainly in vain, pointlessly/foolishly/out of vanity

    7    Simply foolishly, naively    credit believe

    9    wherefore why    unjust unfaithful

  11    habit usual behavior/dress, guise    seeming apparent

  12    told counted/spoken aloud

  13    lie fib/have sex

  14    flattered pleasantly deceived

139

    3    Wound…tongue tell me of your infidelities, rather than demonstrating them with your wandering gaze

    4    Use…power employ direct force (not cunning)    art cunning, deception

    7    might power

    8    o’erpressed overburdened    bide stand, endure

  10    pretty looks charming (or cunning) glances/attractive appearance

140

    2    press perhaps suggestive of peine forte et dure, the process by which a person who refused to plead guilty or innocent to a crime was pressed with heavy weights until he either spoke or died

    4    pity-wanting pain pain that lacks (or craves) pity

    5    wit wisdom

    7    testy fretful

    8    know hear

  11    ill-wresting world world that is prone to interpret everything in its worst sense

  13    so i.e., believed when I slander you    belied defamed, slandered

  14    Bear…straight look straight ahead (at me)    go wide i.e., wide of the mark (like a mis-aimed arrow)

141

    1    errors moral defects

    4    in despite of regardless of

    6    base touches vulgar caresses

    8    sensual feast banquet of erotic pleasures

    9    five wits intellectual as opposed to sensory powers, defined as common sense, imagination, fantasy, estimation, memory

  11    leaves…man i.e., leaves me ungoverned, the mere appearance of a man

  12    vassal servile

  13    plague disease (of love; connotations of venereal infection)

  14    awards me pain i.e., makes me suffer now (thus lessening the penitential pain I will have to suffer after death); pain is also erotically suggestive, however

142

    1    dear precious

    2    sinful i.e., lustful

    4    merits deserves

    6    profaned committed sacrilege on

    7    sealed i.e., with a kiss

    8    Robbed…rents deprived others of their rightful dues in bed, i.e., through adultery

    9    Be it if it is

  10    importune beg

  11    Root plant

  13    hide withhold (i.e., pity)

  14    self-example following your own example

143

    1    careful attentive/anxious

    2    feathered creatures i.e., hens (may imply that the men the poet’s mistress chases after are fops in plumed hats)    broke away that has escaped

    3    dispatch haste

    5    holds…chase chases her

    8    Not prizing thinking nothing of

  12    kind loving/sexually benevolent

  13    Will man called Will/desire

  14    still calm

144

     *    a version of this sonnet also appears in The Passionate Pilgrim (1598/99)

    1    loves lovers/kinds of love

    2    suggest tempt, incite    still constantly

    3    fair beautiful/pale-complexioned/virtuous

    4    coloured ill of ugly complexion/of evil disposition (in terms of color, suggests dark looks—considered unattractive—or use of cosmetics)

    8    foul pride ugly vanity;    pride plays on the sense of “sexual desire” (often used of female animals)

    9    fiend i.e., an inhabitant of the vaginal hell

  11    from me away from me    friend friend/lover

  12    hell a slang term for the vagina

  14    fire…out drive him out/infect him with venereal disease

145

     *    the only poem in the collection to have lines of only eight syllables

    5    Straight straightaway

    7    gentle doom a kind judgment, lenient sentence

  13    hate away…And it has been suggested that these words pun on “Hathaway” and “Anne” (the surname and first name of Shakespeare’s wife)

146

     *    [] two syllables are missing here because “My sinful earth” was inadvertently repeated by the printer; many suggestions have been made about them (e.g., “Feeding,” “Fooled by,” “Spoiled by,” “Thrall to,” “Worn by”) but all are necessarily conjectural

    2    rebel powers i.e., rebellious flesh, the body    array clothe/place in readiness for battle

    3    pine starve    dearth famine

    4    gay fine, bright

    6    mansion i.e., body

    8    charge expense

    9    thy servant i.e., your body (subservient to the soul)

  10    aggravate pile up, increase

  11    terms divine eternal life/favorable terms from God    hours of dross time devoted to worthless material pleasures

  12    without on the outside, in terms of appearance

  13    feed on death i.e., be nourished spiritually

147

    1    still continually

    2    nurseth sustains, nurtures

    3    ill sickness

    4    Th’uncertain the unreliable, changeable    appetite includes sexual appetite

    7    approve am proof of/discover by experience

    8    Desire is death sexual desire is fatal (perhaps with connotations of orgasmic “death”)    which…except which desire medicine forbade

    9    past care i.e., past caring

  10    evermore continual

  12    At…truth wandering haphazardly from the truth    vainly pointlessly, ineffectually

  13    fair beautiful/fair-complexioned/virtuous

  14    black ugly/dark-complexioned/sinful

148

    1    love perhaps recalls the fact that Cupid, the Roman god of love, was conventionally depicted as blind

    4    censures falsely judges wrongly (not necessarily in a negative manner)

    8    Love’s eye again recalls Cupid and puns on “ay” (“yes”)

  10    vexed troubled    watching remaining awake

  11    though if    mistake my view misunderstand what I see

  14    foul faults ugly defects, loathsome sins (perhaps also suggests “diseased vagina”)

149

    2    partake take sides

    3    forgot Am of am forgotten by

    4    tyrant cruel (to myself)

    7    lour’st scowl, frown    spend may play on the sense of “ejaculate”

    8    present moan immediate lamenting (with possible connotations of erotic groaning)

    9    respect value, esteem

  10    so…despise too proud to serve you

  11    all…defect all that is best in me adores your imperfection

  14    Those…lov’st you love those who can see

150

    2    insufficiency imperfection    sway rule

    3    give…to call a liar

    4    brightness…day i.e., because the poet’s mistress is dark, light ceases to be an attractive quality

    5    becoming…ill power to make vile things attractive

    6    refuse…deeds worst of your actions/worthless rubbish that your deeds consist of

    7    warrantize evidence, proof

  11    abhor hate; puns on the sense of “make a whore of”

151

    1    Love…young Cupid, the Roman god of love, was always depicted as a child

    2    conscience moral sense; puns on “con-science,” i.e., “cunt knowledge”

    3    urge…amiss do not accuse me of (or lead me into) wrongdoing

    5    betraying me revealing my sins/leading me treacherously into sin

    6    nobler part i.e., the soul    to…treason to be treacherously overcome by my gross body    gross coarse/earthly (not spiritual)

    8    flesh…reason the penis doesn’t wait for more justification

    9    rising becoming erect

  10    triumphant prize spoils of victory    pride state of sexual arousal, erection

  11    drudge (sex) slave

  12    stand…fall fight and die by your side like a loyal soldier/grow erect in your vagina and then flaccid after sex

  13    want lack    hold consider

152

    1    forsworn perjured, an oath-breaker

    2    to…swearing in swearing love to me

    3    act the sexual act    bed-vow marriage vow

    4    new…bearing i.e., you tear up a new contract of love (to me) by saying that you hate me (or “…by saying that you hate me now that you have yet another lover”—if this is the sense then    bearing suggests bearing the weight of the new lover’s body during sex)

    7    misuse mistreat/slander/deceive/exploit sexually

    9    of…kindness about your profound generosity (also suggests an accommodating vagina)

  11    enlighten illuminate, make fairer

  13    eye puns on “I”

  14    foul loathsome/sinful/dirty, dark

153

    1    Cupid Roman god of love, often depicted carrying a    brand or flaming torch with which to inflame passion

    2    Dian i.e., Diana, Roman goddess of chastity

    3    steep dip

    4    of that ground nearby

    6    dateless eternal    still to endure lasting forever

    7    grew became    prove find

    8    strange unfamiliar/foreign (perhaps syphilis, variously thought to have come from Italy, France or the New World; steam baths were a form of treatment)    sovereign excellent/healing

    9    new-fired rekindled

  10    boy i.e., Cupid    for trial to test (it)    needs would had to    touch my breast i.e., inflame my heart

  11    withal with it    help of bath steam baths used in treating syphilis

  12    hied hurried    distempered diseased

154

    1    little Love-god i.e., Cupid; this sonnet tells the same tale as Sonnet 153

    2    heart-inflaming brand flaming torch used to kindle love

    5    votary devotee

    7    general i.e., Cupid, commander of    hot desire

  12    men diseased i.e., with syphilis, for which steam baths were a treatment    thrall slave    FINIS the end

A SCENE FOR SIR THOMAS MORE

Since no manuscripts survive for any of Shakespeare’s printed plays (they were probably thrown out or used as waste paper after the printers had set the plays into type), the four handwritten pages that he contributed to a play entitled Sir Thomas More rank among the most important dramatic manuscripts extant. One page of the manuscript is reproduced in the plates section, and we here present an exact transcription (based upon fresh examination of the manuscript in the British Library) followed by a modernized version.

The original script of Sir Thomas More, written by Anthony Munday in the early 1590s, was rejected by the Master of the Revels, the government censor, who instructed the acting company to “Leave out the insurrection wholly and the cause thereof and begin with Sir Thomas More at the mayor’s sessions with a report afterwards of his good service done being sheriff of London upon a mutiny against the Lombards only by a short report and not otherwise at your own perils.” In the wake of the censor’s objections and threats, it appears that the manuscript was shelved until nearly a decade later when a number of dramatists—including Shakespeare, Henry Chettle, Thomas Dekker, and Thomas Heywood—were called in as “play doctors” to revise the original.

Shakespeare’s participation in the project was not particularly interactive: it seems that he did not even know the names of the characters in the play, for he uses the place-holder speech heading “other” in several places, and the individual characters’ names were subsequently inserted by a theatrical scribe. Shakespeare apparently regarded his scene as a rough draft, known in the period by the descriptive term “foul papers.” The draft ends abruptly on the final page with a single speech heading “all” but no further dialogue.

As the unique example of a Shakespearean rough draft, the More manuscript offers a fascinating view of the playwright at work. Heminge and Condell’s claim in their preface to the First Folio that “we have scarce received from him a blot in his papers” is called into question by the many instances here of Shakespeare changing his mind in the act of composition: altering “watrie” to “sorry” (line 9), “theise” to “the” (63), “helpe” to “advauntage” (67), “and” to “wt” (71), “warrs” to “hurly” (109), “sayeng” to “alas alas” (118) and “their” to “yor” (133). Shakespeare’s figurative fingerprints, if not his literal ones, appear throughout: the unusual spellings “a leven” (1–2), “argo” (5), “scilens” (46), “deule” (49), “adicion” (114) and “elaments” (132) are found in the manuscript and in Shakespeare’s printed texts but rarely elsewhere in the literature of the period. Interestingly, the phrases “peace scilens” (46), “bloody tymes” (62) and “woold feed on on[e] another” (83) are also unique to Shakespeare.

The More manuscript provides the opportunity for analysis of Shakespeare’s handwriting, through which several anomalies in the early printed texts can be resolved. For instance, an examination of “nature” in line 122 (see Plate) reveals Shakespeare’s tendency to close up his manuscript u, making it indistinguishable from his manuscript a. This explains why Gertrude is spelled “Gertrad” in the Second Quarto Hamlet. Moreover, the u/a confusion combined with Shakespeare’s idiosyncratic spelling of “devil” as “deule” explains the curious line in the Second Quarto Hamlet: “The spirit that I haue seene may be a deale, and the deale hath power t’assume a pleasing shape.”

Unfortunately, a nineteenth-century attempt to preserve the manuscript by pasting tracing paper over it backfired: the tracing paper darkened with age and now obscures much of the first page. In places where the manuscript has deteriorated, the present transcription relies upon a transcript made in 1844, and brackets those readings; boldfaced readings are alterations introduced by the theatrical scribe.

Eric Rasmussen

KEY FACTS

AUTHORSHIP: The first draft of the play was written by Anthony Munday, perhaps in collaboration with Henry Chettle, and the original sixteen-page manuscript is in Munday’s hand. Paleographic and stylistic analysis suggests that the playwrights who worked on the revised version included Chettle, Shakespeare, Thomas Dekker, and Thomas Heywood.

PLOT: The apprentices of London are up in arms against foreigners in the city—who they believe have been accorded preferential treatment—and plan to massacre the “aliens” on May Day. A Sergeant-at-Arms, the Lord Mayor, and the Earls of Surrey and Shrewsbury have little success in their attempts to calm the mob, but the insurgents are prepared to listen to Sir Thomas More, the Sheriff of London, who appears to have established himself as a popular figure. More’s eloquent arguments ultimately succeed in stemming the tide of the insurrection.

DATE: The original play was probably composed in 1592–93, the years in which “libels” against foreigners were frequently posted throughout London in an attempt to incite violence against them. (The playwright Christopher Marlowe was suspected by the authorities of having written one of these libels.) Stylistic evidence, and the contribution of the younger dramatists Dekker and Heywood, suggest that the revisions date from around 1600–04. Thomas Goodale, an actor named in one of the other “additions,” was with the Lord Chamberlain’s Men by 1597–98.

SOURCE: Holinshed’s Chronicles (1587) provides an account of the May Day riot of 1517. Although the historical More failed to quell the insurrection, he did petition King Henry VIII to obtain a pardon for the insurgents.

A Scene for Sir Thomas More – Transcription of the Manuscript

[Folio 7v]

Enter Lincoln · Doll · Clown · Georg betts williamson others

And A sergaunt at armes

[Folio 8r]

Lincolne

Lincolne      Peace heare me, he that will not see [a red] hearing at a harry grote, butter at a levenpence a pou[nde, meal at] nyne shillings a Bushell and Beeff at fower nob[les a stone, lys]t to me

other Geo bett

other Geo bett      yt will Come to that passe yf strain[gers be su]fferd mark him

Linco

Linco      our Countrie is a great eating Country, argo they eate more in our Countrey then they do in their owne

other betts clow

other betts clow      by a half penny loff a day troy waight

Linc

Linc      they bring in straing rootes, which is meerly to the vndoing of poor prentizes, for whats a watrie a sorry psnyp to a good hart

oth william

oth william      trash trash,: they breed sore eyes and tis enough to infect the Cytty wt the palsey

Lin

Lin      nay yt has infected yt wt the palsey, for theise basterds of dung as you knowe they growe in Dvng haue infected vs, and yt is our infeccion will make the Cytty shake which ptly Coms through the eating of psnyps

o Clown betts

o Clown betts      trewe and pumpions togeather

Enter

Enter     

seriant

seriant      what say y[ou] to t[he] mercy of the king do you refuse yt

Lin

Lin      you w[oo]ld haue [vs] vppon thipp woold you no marry do we not, we accept of the kings mercy but wee will showe no mercy vppō the straingers

seriaunt

seriaunt      you ar the simplest things that eu’ stood in such a question

              now prenty

20

20   

Lin

Lin      how say you prentisses symple downe wth him

all

all      prentisses symple prentisses symple

                                    Enter the L maier Surrey

                                    Shrewsbury

Sher Maior

Sher Maior      hold in the kings name hold

Surrey

Surrey      frends masters Countrymen

25

25   

mayer

mayer      peace how peace I sh Charg you keep the peace

Shro

Shro     . my masters Countrymen

Sher williamson

Sher williamson      The noble Earle of Shrewsbury letts hear him

Ge betts

Ge betts      weele heare the Earl of Surrey

Linc

Linc      the earle of Shrewsbury betts weele heare both

30

30   

betts

betts      weele heare both

all

all      both both both both

Linc

Linc      Peace I say peace ar you men of Wisdome qar or what ar you

Surr

Surr      But what you will haue them but not men of Wisdome

35

35   

all

all      weele not heare my L of Surrey, all no no no no

                                    Shrewsbury shr

moor

moor      whiles they ar ore the banck of their obedyenc thus will they bere downe all things

Linc

Linc      Shreiff moor speakes shall we heare shreef moor speake

Doll

Doll      Letts heare him a keepes a plentyfull shrevaltry, and a made my Brother Arther watchin[s] Seriant Safes yeoman lets heare shreeve moore

all

all      Shreiue moor moor more Shreue moore

[Folio 8v]

moor

moor      [ev]en by the rule you haue among yor sealues Comand still audience

all

all      [S]urrey Sury

45

45    

all

all      moor moor

Lincolne betts

Lincolne betts      peace peace scilens peace

moor

moor      You that haue voyce and Credyt wt the mv nvmber Comaund them to a ftilnes

Lincolne

Lincolne      a plaigue on them they will not hold their peace the deule

50

50           Cannot rule them

moor

moor      Then what a rough and ryotous charge haue you

              to Leade those that the deule Cannot rule good masters heare me speake

Doll

Doll      I byth mas will we moor thart a good howskeeper and I

55

55           thanck thy good worship for my Brother Arthur watchins

all

all      peace peace

moor

moor      look what you do offend you Cry vppō

              that is the peace; not [on] of you heare present

              had there such fellowes lyvd when you wer babes

60

60           that coold haue topt the p[ea]ce, as nowe you woold

              the peace wherin you haue till nowe growne vp

              had bin tane from you, and the bloody tymes

              coold not haue brought you to theise the state of men

              alas poor things what is yt you haue gott

65

65           although we graunt you geat the thing you seeke

D Bett

D Bett      marry the removing of the straingers wch cannot choose but

              much helpe advauntage the poor handycraftes of the Cytty

moor

moor     graunt them remoued and graunt that this yor y noyce

              hath Chidd downe all the matie of Ingland

70

70           ymagin that you see the wretched straingers

              wt

              their babyes at their backs, and their poor lugage

              plodding tooth ports and costs for transportacion

              and that you sytt as kings in your desyres

              aucthoryty quyte sylenct by yor braule

75

75           and you in ruff of yor yo opynions clothd

              what had you gott.,. Ile tell you, you had taught

              how insolenc and strong hand shoold prevayle

              how orderd shoold be quelld, and by this patterne

              not on of you shoold lyve an aged man

80

80           for other ruffians as their fancies wrought

              wth sealf same hand sealf reasons and sealf right

              woold shark on you and men lyke ravenous fishes

              woold feed on on another

Doll

Doll      before god thats as trewe as the gospell

85

85   

Betts lincoln

Betts lincoln      nay this a sound fellowe I tell you lets mark him

moor

moor      Let me sett vp before yor thoughts good freinds

              on supposytion, which if you will marke

              you shall pceaue howe horrible a shape

              your ynnovation beres, first tis a sinn

              which oft thappostle did forwarne vs of vrging obedienc to aucthory[ty]

90

90           and twere in no error yf I told you all you wer in armes gainst [god]

[Folio 9r]

all

all      marry god forbid that

moo

moo      nay certainly you ar

              for to the king god hath his offyc lent

95

95           of dread of Iustyce, power and Comaund

              hath bid him rule, and willd you to obay

              and to add ampler matie to this

              he god hath not le only lent the king his figure

              &

              his throne his sword, but gyven him his own name

100

100         calls him a god on earth, what do you then

              rysing gainst him that god himsealf enstalls

              but ryse gainst god, what do you to yor fowles

              in doing this o desperat ar as you are.

              wash your foule mynds wt teares and those same hands

105

105         that you lyke rebells lyft against the peace

              lift vp for peace, and your vnreuerent knees

              that make them your feet to kneele to be forgyven

              is safer warrs, then euer you can make

              in in to yor obedienc

              whose discipline is ryot, why euen yor warrs hurly

              tell me but this

110

110         cannot pceed but by obedienc what rebell captaine

              n

              as mutyes ar incident, by his name

              can still the rout who will obay th a traytor

              or howe can well that pclamation sounde

              when ther is no adicion but a rebell

115

115         to quallyfy a rebell, youle put downe straingers

              kill them cutt their throts possesse their howses

              and leade the matie of lawe in liom

              alas alas

              to flipp him lyke a hound; sayeng say nowe the king

              as he is clement,. yf thoffendor moorne

120

120         shoold so much com to short of your great trespas

              [.]as but to banysh you, whether woold you go.

              what Country by the nature of yor error

              shoold gyve you harber go you to ffraunc or flanders

              to any Iarman pvince, to spane or portigall

125

125         nay any where why you that not adheres to Ingland

              why you must needs be straingers., woold you be pleasd

              to find a nation of such barbarous temper

              that breaking out in hiddious violence

              would not afoord you, an abode on earth

130

130         whett their detested knyves against yor throtes

              spurne you lyke doggs, and lyke as yf that god

              owed not nor made not you, nor that the elaments

              yor

              wer not all appropriat to their Comforts.

              but Charterd vnto them, what woold you thinck

135

135         to be thus vsd, this is the straingers case

all

all      and this your montanish inhumanity

              faith a saies trewe letts vs do as we may be doon by

all Linco

all Linco      weele be ruld by you master moor yf youle stand our

              freind to pcure our pdon

140

140 

moor

moor      Submyt you to theise noble gentlemen

              entreate their mediation to the kinge

              gyve vp yor sealf to forme obay the maiestrat

              and thers no doubt, but mercy may be found yf you so seek [yt]

[Folio 9v]

all

all     

A Scene for Sir Thomas More – Modernized Version

        Enter Lincoln, Doll, Clown, George Betts, Williamson, others [a crowd of armed Prentices*] More could enter here

LINCOLN

LINCOLN     Peace, hear me! He that will not see a red herring at a Harry groat,² butter at eleven pence a pound, meal³ at nine shillings a bushel and beef at four nobles⁴ a stone, list to me.

GEORGE BETTS

GEORGE BETTS     It will come to that pass if strangers⁵ be suffered.⁶ Mark him.

LINCOLN

LINCOLN     Our country is a great eating country: argo,⁷ they eat more in our country than they do in their own.

CLOWN

CLOWN     By a halfpenny loaf a day — troy weight.¹⁰

LINCOLN

LINCOLN     They bring in strange roots,¹¹ which is merely to the undoing of poor prentices, for what’s a sorry parsnip to a good heart?¹³

WILLIAMSON

WILLIAMSON     Trash, trash! They breed sore eyes¹⁴ and ’tis enough to infect the city with the palsy.¹⁵

LINCOLN

LINCOLN     Nay, it has infected it with the palsy, for these bastards of dung — as you know, they grow in dung — have infected us: and it is our infection¹⁸ will make the city shake,¹⁹ which partly comes through the eating of parsnips.

CLOWN

CLOWN     True, and pumpkins together.

        Enter a Sergeant-at-Arms

SERGEANT

SERGEANT     What say you to the mercy of the king?

               Do you refuse it?

LINCOLN

LINCOLN     You would have us upon th’hip,²⁴ would you? No, marry,²⁵ do we not. We accept of the king’s mercy, but we will show no mercy upon the strangers.

SERGEANT

SERGEANT     You are the simplest²⁸ things that ever stood in²⁹ such a question.

LINCOLN

LINCOLN     How say you now, To the Prentices prentices? ‘Prentices simple’? Down with him!

ALL

ALL     Prentices simple? Prentices simple!

        Enter Lord Mayor, Surrey, Shrewsbury More could enter here

LORD MAYOR

LORD MAYOR     Hold,³³ in the king’s name, hold!

SURREY

SURREY     Friends, masters,³⁴ countrymen—

LORD MAYOR

LORD MAYOR     Peace ho, peace! I charge you keep the peace.

SHREWSBURY

SHREWSBURY     My masters, countrymen—

WILLIAMSON

WILLIAMSON     The noble Earl of Shrewsbury, let’s hear him.

GEORGE BETTS

GEORGE BETTS     We’ll hear the Earl of Surrey.

LINCOLN

LINCOLN     The Earl of Shrewsbury.

GEORGE BETTS

GEORGE BETTS     We’ll hear both.

ALL

ALL     Both, both, both, both!

LINCOLN

LINCOLN     Peace, I say, peace! Are you men of wisdom, or what are you?

SURREY

SURREY     What⁴⁶ you will have them, but not men of wisdom.

ALL

ALL     We’ll not hear my Lord of Surrey! No, no, no, no, no! Shrewsbury, Shrewsbury!

50

50   

MORE

MORE             Whiles they are⁵⁰ o’er the bank of their obedience

               Thus will they bear down all things.

LINCOLN

LINCOLN     Sheriff More speaks! Shall we hear Sheriff

               More speak?

DOLL

DOLL     Let’s hear him. A⁵⁴ keeps a plentiful shrievaltry, and a made my brother, Arthur Watchins,⁵⁵ Sergeant Safe’s yeoman.⁵⁶ Let’s hear Sheriff More.

ALL

ALL     Sheriff More! More, More, Sheriff More!

MORE

MORE     Even by the rule you have among yourselves,

               Command still audience!⁵⁹

60

ALL

ALL     [part of the mob] Surrey, Surrey!

ALL

ALL     [another part of the mob] More, More!

LINCOLN

LINCOLN     and GEORGE BETTS Peace, peace, silence, peace!

MORE

MORE     You that have voice⁶⁴ and credit with the number,

65

65           Command them to a stillness.

LINCOLN

LINCOLN     A plague on them, they will not hold their peace.

               The devil cannot rule them!

MORE

MORE     Then what a rough and riotous To Lincoln charge⁶⁸ have you,

               To lead those that the devil cannot rule.—

70

70           Good masters, hear me speak. To the Prentices

DOLL

DOLL     Ay, by th’mass will we, More. Thou’rt a good housekeeper,⁷² and I thank thy good worship for my brother Arthur Watchins.

ALL

ALL     Peace, peace!

75

75   

MORE

MORE             Look what⁷⁵ you do offend you cry upon,

               That is the peace. Not one of you here present

               Had there such fellows lived when you were babes

               That could have topped⁷⁸ the peace as now you would,

               The peace wherein you have till now grown up

80

80           Had been ta’en from you, and the⁸⁰ bloody times

               Could not have brought you to the state of men.

               Alas, poor things, what is it you have got

               Although we grant⁸³ you get the thing you seek?

GEORGE BETTS

GEORGE BETTS     Marry, the removing of the strangers, which cannot choose but much advantage the poor handicrafts⁸⁶ of the city.

MORE

MORE     Grant⁸⁷ them removed, and grant that this your noise

               Hath chid down⁸⁸ all the majesty of England.

               Imagine that you see the wretched strangers,

90

90           Their babies at their backs, with their poor luggage

               Plodding to th’ports and coasts for transportation,

               And that you sit as kings in your desires,

               Authority quite silenced by your brawl

               And you in ruff of your opinions clothed.

95

95           What had you got? I’ll tell you: you had taught

               How insolence and strong hand⁹⁶ should prevail,

               How order should be quelled, and by this pattern

               Not one of you should live an agèd man,

               For other ruffians, as⁹⁹ their fancies wrought

100

100           With selfsame hand, self¹⁰⁰ reasons and self right,

               Would shark on¹⁰¹ you, and men like ravenous fishes

               Would feed on one another.

DOLL

DOLL     Before God, that’s as true as the gospel.

LINCOLN

LINCOLN     Nay, this’¹⁰⁴ a sound fellow, I tell you: let’s

105

105         mark him.

MORE

MORE     Let me set up before your thoughts, good friends,

               One supposition, which if you will mark

               You shall perceive how horrible a shape

               Your innovation¹⁰⁹ bears: first, ’tis a sin

110

110         Which oft th’apostle¹¹⁰ did forewarn us of,

               Urging obedience to authority.

               And ’twere no error if I told you all

               You were in arms gainst God.

ALL

ALL     Marry, God forbid that!

115

115 

MORE

MORE             Nay, certainly you are,

               For to the king God hath his office¹¹⁶ lent

               Of dread,¹¹⁷ of justice, power and command,

               Hath bid him rule, and willed you to obey.

               And to add ampler majesty to this,

120

120         He hath not only lent the king his figure,¹²⁰

               His throne and sword, but given him his own name,

               Calls him a god on earth. What do you then,

               Rising gainst him that God himself installs,

               But rise gainst God? What do you to your souls

125

125         In doing this? O, desperate as you are,

               Wash your foul¹²⁶ minds with tears, and those same hands

               That you like rebels lift against the peace

               Lift up¹²⁸ for peace, and your unreverent knees,

               Make them your feet. To kneel to be forgiven

130

130         Is safer wars than ever you can make

               Whose discipline is riot.

               In,¹³² in, to your obedience! Why, even your hurly

               Cannot proceed but by obedience.

               Tell me but this: what rebel captain,

135

135         As mut’nies are incident,¹³⁵ by his name

               Can still the rout?¹³⁶ Who will obey a traitor?

               Or how can well that proclamation sound

               When there is no addition¹³⁸ but ‘a rebel’

               To qualify a rebel? You’ll put down¹³⁹ strangers,

140

140         Kill them, cut their throats, possess¹⁴⁰ their houses,

               And lead the majesty of law in lyam¹⁴¹

               To slip¹⁴² him like a hound. Alas, alas! Say now the king,

               As he is clement¹⁴³ if th’offender mourn,

               Should so much come too short of your great trespass

145

145         As but¹⁴⁵ to banish you. Whither would you go?

               What country, by the nature of your error,

               Should give you harbour? Go you to France or Flanders,

               To any German province, Spain or Portugal —

               Nay, anywhere that not adheres to¹⁴⁹ England —

150

150         Why, you must needs¹⁵⁰ be strangers. Would you be pleased

               To find a nation of such barbarous¹⁵¹ temper

               That breaking out in hideous violence

               Would not afford you an abode on earth,

               Whet their detested knives against your throats,

155

155         Spurn¹⁵⁵ you like dogs, and like as if that God

               Owed¹⁵⁶ not nor made not you nor that the elements

               Were¹⁵⁷ not all appropriate to your comforts

               But chartered¹⁵⁸ unto them? What would you think

               To be thus used?¹⁵⁹ This is the strangers’ case,

160

160         And this your mountainish inhumanity.

ALL

ALL     Faith, a says true. Let’s do as we may be done by.

LINCOLN

LINCOLN     We’ll be ruled by you, Master More, if you’ll stand¹⁶⁴ our friend to procure our pardon.

165

160 

MORE

MORE             Submit you to these noble gentlemen,

               Entreat their mediation to the king,

               Give up yourself to form,¹⁶⁷ obey the magistrate,

               And there’s no doubt but mercy may be found,

               If you so seek it.

170

170 

ALL

ALL             

Textual Notes

MS = unique manuscript of The Book of Sir Thomas More (signatures 8r–9v)

Ed = a correction introduced by a later editor

21 SD Sergeant-at-Arms = Ed. Placed at the opening direction in MS 48 Although the theatrical scribe deleted Shakespeare’s “all” in the middle of this line, the dramatist may have intended that the first half of the line be spoken by part of the mob, with the second half spoken by the other 97 order = Ed. MS = orderd 130 Is…obedience these lines were deleted by the theatrical scribe who then interlined “tell me but this” 160 mountainish = MS. Some editors read momtanish and suggest a possible form of Mohammetanish, meaning “un-Christian”

    *    Prentices apprentices

    2    a Harry groat fourpenny coin minted in the reign of Henry VIII

    3    meal flour    bushel when applied to flour, a measure of weight of varying quantities

    4    nobles gold coins worth a third of a pound    stone measure of weight usually equivalent to about fourteen pounds    list listen

    5    strangers foreigners

    6    suffered tolerated    Mark pay attention to

    7    argo i.e., ergo (Latin for “therefore”)

  10    troy weight (according to) the standard system for weighing bread

  11    strange roots foreign vegetables (Lincoln seems to confuse parsnips with the newly imported potato)    merely entirely

  13    heart fine fellow

  14    sore eyes symptom of syphilis (perhaps suggested by phallic shape of parsnips)

  15    palsy paralysis or weakness, often accompanied by shaking

  18    infection perhaps suggestive of plague

  19    shake i.e., become weakened/agitate, mutiny

  24    upon th’hip at a disadvantage (wrestling term)

  25    marry by the Virgin Mary

  28    simplest most foolish

  29    stood in remained resolute over/took a stand against, fought over    question issue/cause for dispute

  33    Hold desist, stop

  34    masters sirs

  46    What whatever

  50    are…of have flooded

  54    A…shrievaltry he is a generous sheriff    shrievaltry either role of or term of office as sheriff

  55    Watchins like    Safe, a name suggestive of law enforcement; Watchins may be part of the watch, the group of men responsible for maintaining order in the streets

  56    yeoman assistant

  59    audience hearing, attention

  64    voice influence, authority    credit trust/reputation    number crowd, multitude

  68    charge task, responsibility

  72    housekeeper hospitable, generous person

  75    what that which    cry upon shout about, call for

  78    topped shouted down/mutilated

  80    the…men things would have been so violent that you would not have survived to adulthood

  83    Although we grant even if

  86    handicrafts craftsmen, artisans

  87    Grant suppose, imagine

  88    chid down scolded into submission

  96    strong hand force, (illegal) violence

  99    as…wrought according to the workings of their particular whims

100    self same

101    shark on prey on, devour

104    this’ this is

109    innovation riot, commotion (may pick up on fancies to suggest also “novelty, new fashion”)

110    th’apostle i.e., Paul, who states, in Romans 13:1–6, that kings are God’s ministers on earth

116    office role and responsibilities

117    dread awe and reverence

120    figure image, likeness

126    foul sinful/dirty

128    Lift up i.e., in prayer

132    In…obedience! i.e., go home obediently/be bound by your obedience    hurly turmoil, riot

135    incident common, liable to happen

136    rout mob/riot

138    addition title/mark of honor

139    put down suppress/kill

140    possess seize (legal term)

141    lyam a leash for hounds

142    slip unleash, set loose

143    clement merciful    mourn repent

145    but merely

149    not adheres to is not part of

150    needs of necessity

151    barbarous savage, violent/foreign

155    Spurn kick

156    Owed owned

157    Were…appropriate did not belong

158    chartered belonged as a privilege

159    used treated

164    stand remain

167    form formal procedure

SHAKESPEARE’S WORKS:
A Conjectural Chronology

Probable Date: 1589-91

Work and Authorship: Possible authorship of at least one scene in Arden of Faversham, a domestic tragedy (involvement of Thomas Kyd and/or Christopher Marlowe has also been proposed)

Evidence for Date: Play is based on a story in 1587 edition of Holinshed’s Chronicles; registered for publication Apr. 1592

First Publication and Relationship of Texts: Anonymous Quarto 1592. Not in Folio. Assigned to Shakespeare in a printer’s catalogue of 1656. Not included in this edition

Probable Date: 1589–92

Work and Authorship: The Taming of the Shrew

Evidence for Date: Assumed on stylistic grounds to be early work; references to villages around Stratford-upon Avon may suggest that Shakespeare had not long been a London resident at time ofwriting; if anonymous Quarto Taming of a Shrew (published 1594) is a version rather than a source, then predates plague closure of 1592–94

First Publication and Relationship of Texts: Folio 1623, though bears some relation to anonymous 1594 Quarto Taming of a Shrew

Probable Date: 1589–92

Work and Authorship: Possible authorship of Countess of Salisbury scenes and perhaps one battle scene in Edward the Third, a history play mostly by an anonymous coauthor

Evidence for Date: Registered for publication Dec. 1595; Armada allusions suggest early 1590s; ballad based on Countess scenes registered for publication Mar. 1593

First Publication and Relationship of Texts: Anonymous Quarto 1596. Not in Folio. Assigned to Shakespeare in a printer’s catalogue of 1656. Not included in this edition

Probable Date: 1591

Work and Authorship: The Second Part of Henry the Sixth, originally called The First Part of the Contention betwixt the Two Famous Houses of York and Lancaster. Element of coauthorship possible

Evidence for Date: A line in its sequel was parodied in 1592. Registered for publication Mar. 1594

First Publication and Relationship of Texts: Quarto version 1594, reprinted 1600 and, with True Tragedy, 1619. Folio 1623 (major variations)

Probable Date: 1591

Work and Authorship: The Third Part of Henry the Sixth, originally called The True Tragedy of Richard Duke of York. Element of coauthorship probable

Evidence for Date: Parodied 1592

First Publication and Relationship of Texts: Octavo version 1595, reprinted 1600 and, with Contention, 1619. Folio 1623 (major variations)

Probable Date: 1591–92

Work and Authorship: The Two Gentlemen of Verona

Evidence for Date: Mentioned by Francis Meres 1598; stylistically related to works of John Lyly, suggesting early 1590s

First Publication and Relationship of Texts: Folio 1623

Probable Date: 1591–92; perhaps revised 1594

Work and Authorship: The Lamentable Tragedy of Titus Andronicus, probably cowritten with, or revising an earlier version by, George Peele

Evidence for Date: Performed Jan. 1594. Title page may imply performance by two earlier companies, suggesting a version (Peele’s?) in existence prior to plague closure of 1592–93

First Publication and Relationship of Texts: Quarto 1594, reprinted 1600, 1611. Folio 1623 (one additional scene)

Probable Date: 1592

Work and Authorship: The First Part of Henry the Sixth, probably with Thomas Nashe and others

Evidence for Date: Performed Mar. 1592, apparently marked as “new”; praised by Nashe later that year

First Publication and Relationship of Texts: Folio 1623

Probable Date: 1592 or 1594

Work and Authorship: King Richard the Third

Evidence for Date: Closely related to 3 Henry VI. 1592 suggested by flattering portraits of Stanley and Pembroke, whose descendants were patrons of the acting companies Shakespeare seems to have been associated with at this time; some scholars, however, date to 1594, immediately after theaters reopened when plague abated, so perhaps written as first play for newly formed Chamberlain’s Men, with Burbage as Richard

First Publication and Relationship of Texts: Quarto version 1597, reprinted 1598, 1602, 1605, 1612, 1622. Folio 1623 (major variations)

Probable Date: 1593

Work and Authorship: Venus and Adonis [long narrative poem]

Evidence for Date: Registered for publication Apr. 1593; poetry written when theaters were closed due to plague

First Publication and Relationship of Texts: Quarto 1593, reprinted 1594, 1595?, 1596, 1599, 1599, 1602?, 1602, 1602, 1617 (by a considerable margin, Shakespeare’s bestseller in print)

Probable Date: 1593–94

Work and Authorship: The Rape of Lucrece [long narrative poem]

Evidence for Date: Registered for publication May 1594; dedication indicates written after Venus; poetry written when theaters were closed due to plague

First Publication and Relationship of Texts: Quarto 1594, reprinted 1598, 1600, 1600, 1607, 1616

Probable Date: 1593–1608

Work and Authorship: Sonnets [154 poems] possible authorship of A Lover’s Complaint [narrative poem in form of elegiac monologue]

Evidence for Date: Registered for publication May 1609. Vogue for sonnets was at height around time of 1592–94 plague closures; Meres knew of some by 1598; others may date from early 1600s; Sonnet 107 apparently alludes to Queen Elizabeth’s recent death (spring 1603). Analysis of rare words suggests that 1–103 and 127–54 may date from the 1590s, 104– 26 from after 1600

First Publication and Relationship of Texts: Two sonnets included in The Passionate Pilgrim 1599. Whole sequence, with A Lover’s Complaint, 1609. Date of Lover’s Complaint unknown: vocabulary has been linked to plays of 1603–05 such as All’s Well, but Shakespeare’s authorship has been strongly challenged, so not included in this edition

Probable Date: 1594

Work and Authorship: The Comedy of Errors

Evidence for Date: Performed at Gray’s Inn Dec. 1594

First Publication and Relationship of Texts: Folio 1623

Probable Date: 1595

Work and Authorship: Love’s Labour’s Lost

Evidence for Date: Possibly alludes to Christmas 1594 Gray’s Inn revels; performed at court Christmas 1597

First Publication and Relationship of Texts: Quarto 1598, reprinted Folio 1623; there seems to have been an earlier Quarto that is now lost (Folio has minor editorial changes)

Probable Date: 1595–97

Work and Authorship: Love’s Labour’s Won, either a lost play or the original title for another comedy, e.g. Much Ado, As You Like It or All’s Well

Evidence for Date: Mentioned by Meres 1598

First Publication and Relationship of Texts: Edition is mentioned in bookseller’s catalogue of 1603, all copies lost

Probable Date: 1595–96

Work and Authorship: A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Evidence for Date: Weather references suggest 1595–96; close links with Romeo

First Publication and Relationship of Texts: Quarto 1600, reprinted 1619, Folio 1623 (minor editorial changes, deriving from theater)

Probable Date: 1595–96

Work and Authorship: The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet

Evidence for Date: Includes part for Will Kempe, who joined Lord Chamberlain’s Men in 1594; first edition assigns to “Lord Hunsdon’s Men” (the name of Shakespeare’s company from Jul. 1596 to Aug. 1597); astrological allusions and earthquake reference may suggest composition in 1595–96; close links with Dream

First Publication and Relationship of Texts: Quarto version 1597 (corrupt text). Quarto 1599, reprinted 1609, 1622, Folio 1623 (minor editorial changes; prologue missing from Folio)

Probable Date: 1595–96

Work and Authorship: King Richard the Second

Evidence for Date: Influenced by Daniel’s Civil Wars (published early 1595); registered for publication Aug. 1597; style closer to “lyrical” plays (Romeo, Dream) than earlier histories; described by Shakespeare’s company in early 1601 as “old and long out of use”

First Publication and Relationship of Texts: Quarto 1597 (with deposition scene censored out), reprinted 1598 (twice), 1608 (this and subsequent editions included the deposition scene), 1615, Folio 1623 (with editorial changes and better printing of deposition)

Probable Date: 1595–97, possibly earlier

Work and Authorship: The Life and Death of King John

Evidence for Date: Mentioned by Meres 1598; close relationship to two-part King John play published 1591, but stylistically closer to later histories

First Publication and Relationship of Texts: Folio 1623

Probable Date: 1596–97

Work and Authorship: The First Part of Henry the Fourth

Evidence for Date: Registered for publication Feb. 1598; name of Oldcastle probably changed to Falstaff either during months when William Brooke, Lord Cobham, was Lord Chamberlain (Aug. 1596– Mar. 1597) or following suppression of playing (Jul.–Oct. 1597) caused by inflammatory Isle of Dogs

First Publication and Relationship of Texts: Quarto 1598 (two printings, one of them lost save for a few sheets), reprinted 1599, 1604, 1608, 1613, 1622, Folio 1623 (minor editorial changes)

Probable Date: 1597–98

Work and Authorship: The Second Part of Henry the Fourth

Evidence for Date: Registered for publication Aug. 1600; must follow 1 Henry IV and precede Henry V, which is datable to early 1599

First Publication and Relationship of Texts: Quarto 1600, reprinted Folio 1623 (minor but complex alterations)

Probable Date: 1598

Work and Authorship: Much Ado About Nothing

Evidence for Date: Late 1598: not mentioned by Meres but includes part for Kempe, who left company by early 1599

First Publication and Relationship of Texts: Quarto 1600, reprinted Folio 1623

Probable Date: 1598–99

Work and Authorship: The Passionate Pilgrim [collection of twenty poems attributed to W. Shakespeare; five definitely by Shakespeare, four by other authors, eleven of uncertain attribution]

Evidence for Date: First edition (title page lost) published some time after Sep. 1598; second edition published 1599; Poems 1 and 2 are version of sonnets published in the 1609 collection; the three other definitely Shakespearean poems are from Love’s Labour’s Lost

First Publication and Relationship of Texts: Octavo 1598–99, reprinted 1599, then reprinted 1612 with additional poems by Thomas Heywood (a practice to which Heywood and apparently Shakespeare objected). Not included in this edition

Probable Date: 1599

Work and Authorship: The Life of Henry the Fifth

Evidence for Date: Registered for publication Aug. 1600; not mentioned by Meres in Sep. 1598; choruses apparently written during Earl of Essex’s Irish campaign (Mar.–Sep. 1599)

First Publication and Relationship of Texts: Quarto 1600 (corrupt text), reprinted 1602, 1619. Folio 1623 (major variations)

Probable Date: 1599

Work and Authorship: "To the Queen"

Evidence for Date: Written for court performance of 20 Feb. 1599

First Publication and Relationship of Texts: Not printed in Shakespeare’s lifetime

Probable Date: 1599

Work and Authorship: As You Like It

Evidence for Date: Registered for publication Aug. 1600; “all the world’s a stage” may allude to Globe Theatre, built 1599; includes apparent allusions to Marlowe and his death, as described in a book of 1599

First Publication and Relationship of Texts: Folio 1623

Probable Date: 1599

Work and Authorship: The Tragedy of Julius Caesar

Evidence for Date: Performed at Globe Sep. 1599; not mentioned by Meres 1598

First Publication and Relationship of Texts: Folio 1623

Probable Date: 1600–01

Work and Authorship: The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark

Evidence for Date: Registered for publication Jul. 1602 as “lately acted”; allusion to acting of Julius Caesar’s death suggests written soon after that play; apparently known to Gabriel Harvey before execution of Essex in Feb. 1601; “little eyases” passage about boy actors probably added in 1601; an earlier Hamlet play was extant by 1589 (a few commentators have associated this with Shakespeare, but Hamlet is not in Meres’ 1598 list of plays)

First Publication and Relationship of Texts: Quarto version 1603 (corrupt text). Quarto 1604–05. Folio 1623 (substantial cuts and variations)

Probable Date: 1600–01 (perhaps revising version of 1597–99)

Work and Authorship: The Merry Wives of Windsor

Evidence for Date: Registered for publication Jan. 1602; must postdate 1 Henry IV; not mentioned by Meres in 1598; a version may have been performed at Garter festivities in 1597 or 1599

First Publication and Relationship of Texts: Quarto version 1602 (corrupt text), reprinted 1619. Folio 1623 (major variations)

Probable Date: 1600–03

Work and Authorship: Probable authorship of riot-quelling scene for Sir Thomas More, a play originally by Anthony Munday, with other revisions by Henry Chettle, Thomas Dekker, and Thomas Heywood

Evidence for Date: Original version may be as early as 1592; additions, including Shakespearean scene, almost certainly date from several years later (Thomas Goodale, an actor named in one of the other additions, was with the Lord Chamberlain’s Men by about 1597)

First Publication and Relationship of Texts: No early printed edition; manuscript not published until 1844. “Hand D” additions believed by most scholars to be only extant manuscript in Shakespeare’s own hand. This scene only included in this edition

Probable Date: 1601

Work and Authorship: “Let the Bird of Loudest Lay,” known since 1807 as “The Phoenix and Turtle” (turtledove) [short elegiac poem]

Evidence for Date: In a collection published in honor of John Salusbury’s knighthood, Jun. 1601, among a group of poems by Marston, Jonson, and Chapman, who were active around this time; has been connected to events of Feb. 1601

First Publication and Relationship of Texts: Published in Robert Chester, Love’s Martyr, 1601

Probable Date: 1601

Work and Authorship: Twelfth Night, or What You Will

Evidence for Date: Performed at Middle Temple Feb. 1602; not mentioned by Meres 1598; alludes to Anthony Sherley’s visit to the Persian Sophy (1598–1601) and to a map first published in 1599; parodies Jonson’s Cynthia’s Revels (late 1600–early 1601) and is apparently alluded to in his Poetaster, 1601

First Publication and Relationship of Texts: Folio 1623

Probable Date: 1601–02

Work and Authorship: The Tragedy of Troilus and Cressida

Evidence for Date: Registered for publication Feb. 1603; indebted to Chapman’s Homer, published 1598; seems to postdate Jonson’s Poetaster, performed 1601

First Publication and Relationship of Texts: Quarto 1609. Folio 1623 (major variations)

Probable Date: 1604

Work and Authorship: The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice

Evidence for Date: Performed at court Nov. 1604; apparently uses Knolles’ History of the Turks, published late 1603; probably postdates plague closure of May 1603–Apr. 1604

First Publication and Relationship of Texts: Quarto 1622. Folio 1623 (major alterations and additional passages)

Probable Date: 1604

Work and Authorship: Measure for Measure

Evidence for Date: Performed at court Dec. 1604; probably written after plague closure of May 1603– April 1604

First Publication and Relationship of Texts: Folio 1623, in a version that may include elements of post- Shakespearean theatrical alteration, perhaps by Thomas Middleton

Probable Date: 1605

Work and Authorship: All’s Well That Ends Well

Evidence for Date: No firm evidence for date, though not mentioned by Meres 1598; close links to Measure for Measure, so may well have been written after plague closures of May 1603– Apr. 1604 and May–Sep. 1604; since not in court season of late 1604, probably written in 1605

First Publication and Relationship of Texts: Folio 1623

Probable Date: 1605

Work and Authorship: The Life of Timon of Athens, probably with Thomas Middleton

Evidence for Date: No firm evidence for date or performance; some resemblances between Timon and Lear

First Publication and Relationship of Texts: Folio 1623

Probable Date: 1605–06

Work and Authorship: The Tragedy of King Lear

Evidence for Date: Performed at court Dec. 1606; draws on earlier Leir play (published 1605); seems to refer to eclipses of Sep. and Oct. 1605; borrows from books by Samuel Harsnett and John Florio published 1603

First Publication and Relationship of Texts: Quarto version 1608, reprinted 1619. Folio 1623 (very major alterations, additions and cuts)

Probable Date: 1605–08

Work and Authorship: Possible authorship of one or more of The Four Plays in One (lost), perhaps with Thomas Middleton and others

Evidence for Date: All’s One, or One of the Four Plays in One, called A Yorkshire Tragedy as it was played by the King’s Majesty’s Players, based on a pamphlet published in 1605, registered May 1608

First Publication and Relationship of Texts: A Yorkshire Tragedy written by W. Shakespeare Quarto 1608, reprinted 1619, added to second issue of Third Folio 1664; not included in this edition, now attributed to Middleton

Probable Date: 1606

Work and Authorship: The Tragedy of Macbeth

Evidence for Date: Compliments King James; performed at Globe in Apr. 1611 and perhaps at court in Aug. or Dec. 1606; local allusions suggest written soon after trial of Gunpowder Plot conspirators (Jan.–Mar. 1606); the ship Tiger, mentioned in Act 1 Scene 3, sailed for the east in 1604 and returned after a terrible voyage in the summer of 1606

First Publication and Relationship of Texts: Folio 1623, with probable additions by Thomas Middleton

Probable Date: 1606–07

Work and Authorship: The Tragedy of Antony and Cleopatra

Evidence for Date: Registered for publication May 1608; apparently seen by Barnabe Barnes before summer 1607; perhaps performed at court Christmas 1606 or 1607

First Publication and Relationship of Texts: Folio 1623

Probable Date: 1608

Work and Authorship: The Tragedy of Coriolanus

Evidence for Date: No firm evidence for date; probably indebted to Camden’s Remains (1605); may allude to great frost of winter 1607–08; alluded to in Jonson’s Epicoene (1609); theaters closed for plague most of time from Jul. 1606 to Feb. 1610, so may belong to open period Apr.–Jul. 1608

First Publication and Relationship of Texts: Folio 1623

Probable Date: 1608

Work and Authorship: Pericles, Prince of Tyre, with George Wilkins

Evidence for Date: Registered for publication May 1608; Wilkins’ Painfull Adventures of Pericles, cashing in on success of play, published 1608; performance seen by Venetian and French ambassadors, probably between Apr. and Jul. 1608

First Publication and Relationship of Texts: Quarto 1609 (corrupt text), reprinted 1609, 1612, 1619. Not in Folio 1623, perhaps for copyright reasons; added to second issue of Third Folio 1664

Probable Date: 1610

Work and Authorship: The Tragedy of Cymbeline

Evidence for Date: Performed at Globe Apr. 1611; apparently postdates Beaumont and Fletcher’s Philaster (1608–10); probably belongs to period when theaters were reopened in spring 1610 after long period of plague closure; perhaps performed at court during winter 1610–11

First Publication and Relationship of Texts: Folio 1623

Probable Date: 1611

Work and Authorship: The Winter’s Tale

Evidence for Date: Performed at Globe May 1611; dance of satyrs apparently borrows from a court entertainment of Jan. 1611; performed at court Nov. 1611

First Publication and Relationship of Texts: Folio 1623

Probable Date: 1611

Work and Authorship: The Tempest

Evidence for Date: Performed at court Nov. 1611; indebted to sources not available before late 1610

First Publication and Relationship of Texts: Folio 1623

Probable Date: 1612–13

Work and Authorship: Cardenio, with John Fletcher, a lost play

Evidence for Date: Performed at court May and Jul. 1613; based on translation of Don Quixote published 1612

First Publication and Relationship of Texts: Registered for publication Sep. 1653 as by Shakespeare and Fletcher, but not published; adaptation deriving from theater manuscript published by Lewis Theobald in 1728 as Double Falsehood

Probable Date: 1613

Work and Authorship: Henry VIII (All is True), with John Fletcher

Evidence for Date: Performed at Globe Jun. 1613 (when the theater burned down); recorded at this time as a new play, acted no more than two or three times before

First Publication and Relationship of Texts: Folio 1623

Probable Date: 1613–14

Work and Authorship: The Two Noble Kinsmen, with John Fletcher

Evidence for Date: Morris dance borrowed from a Beaumont masque of Feb. 1613; prologue apparently alludes to Globe fire of Jun. 1613; alluded to by Jonson in Bartholomew Fair (first performed Oct. 1614)

First Publication and Relationship of Texts: Quarto 1634, by “William Shakespeare and John Fletcher”; reprinted in Beaumont and Fletcher Second Folio 1679

THE HOUSES OF YORK AND LANCASTER: A Genealogy

To download a PDF of this chart, click here.

KINGS AND QUEENS OF ENGLAND:
From the History Plays to
Shakespeare’s Lifetime

THE HISTORY BEHIND THE HISTORIES: A Chronology

Date: May 22, 1200

Event: Truce between King John and Philip Augustus

Location: Le Goulet, Normandy

Play: King John

Date: Apr. 1203

Event: Death of Arthur

Location: Rouen

Play: King John

Date: 1209

Event: Pope Innocent III excommunicates King John

Play: King John

Date: Oct. 18/19, 1216

Event: Death of King John

Location: Swineshead, Lincolnshire

Play: King John

Date: Apr.–Sep. 1398

Event: Quarrel, duel, and exile of Bolingbroke and Mowbray

Location: Coventry

Play: Richard II

Date: Feb. 3, 1399

Event: Death of John of Gaunt

Location: Leicester

Play: Richard II

Date: Jul. 1399

Event: Bullingbrook lands in England

Location: Ravenspur, Yorkshire

Play: Richard II

Date: Aug. 1399

Event: Richard II captured by Bullingbrook

Location: Wales

Play: Richard II

Date: Sep. 30, 1399

Event: Richard II abdicates

Location: London

Play: Richard II

Date: Oct. 13, 1399

Event: Coronation of Henry IV

Location: London

Play: Richard II

Date: Jan.–Feb. 1400

Event: Death of Richard II

Location: Pontefract Castle

Play: Richard II

Date: Jun. 22, 1402

Event: Owen Glendower captures Edmund Mortimer

Location: Bryn Glas, Wales

Play: 1 Henry IV

Date: Sep. 14, 1402

Event: Henry Percy defeats Scottish army

Location: Homildon Hill, Yorkshire

Play: 1 Henry IV

Date: Jul. 21, 1403

Event: Battle of Shrewsbury; death of Henry Percy (Hotspur)

Location: Battlefield, near Shrewsbury, Shropshire

Play: 1 & 2 Henry IV

Date: Feb. 1405

Event: Tripartite Indenture between Owen Glendower, Edmund Mortimer, and Northumberland (Henry Percy)

Location: Bangor

Play: Henry IV

Date: May–Jun. 1405

Event: Rebellion of Archbishop of York (Richard Scroop), Earl of Norfolk (Thomas Mowbray) and Lord Bardolph

Location: Yorkshire

Play: 2 Henry IV

Date: Jun. 8, 1405

Event: Trial and execution of Archbishop of York and Earl of Norfolk

Location: York

Play: 2 Henry IV

Date: Mar. 20, 1413

Event: Death of Henry IV

Location: Westminster Abbey

Play: 2 Henry IV

Date: Apr. 9, 1413

Event: Coronation of Henry V

Location: Westminster Abbey

Play: 2 Henry IV

Date: c.1415–16?

Event: Death of Owen Glendower

Location: Wales?

Play: 2 Henry IV

Date: Early Aug. 1415

Event: Execution of Earl of Cambridge, Lord Scroop and Sir Thomas Grey

Location: Southampton

Play: Henry V

Date: Aug. 14–Sep. 22, 1415

Event: Siege of Harfleur

Location: Harfleur, Normandy

Play: Henry V

Date: Oct. 25, 1415

Event: Battle of Agincourt

Location: Agincourt, Pas de Calais

Play: Henry V

Date: Aug. 31, 1422

Event: Death of Henry V

Location: Bois de Vincennes, near Paris

Play: 1 Henry VI

Date: Jan. 18, 1425

Event: Death of Edmund Mortimer

Location: Ireland

Play: 1 Henry VI

Date: Oct. 1428–May 1429

Event: Siege of Orléans

Location: Orléans

Play: 1 Henry VI

Date: Oct. 17 1428

Event: Death of Lord Salisbury

Location: Orléans

Play: 1 Henry VI

Date: Jun. 18, 1429

Event: Capture of Lord Talbot at battle of Patay

Location: Patay, near Orléans

Play: 1 Henry VI

Date: Jul. 18, 1429

Event: Coronation of Charles VII

Location: Rheims Cathedral

Play: 1 Henry VI

Date: Nov. 6, 1429

Event: Coronation of Henry VI as King of England

Location: Westminster Abbey

Play: [1 Henry VI]

Date: May 23, 1430

Event: Capture of Joan of Arc

Location: Compiégne, near Soissons

Play: 1 Henry VI

Date: May 30, 1431

Event: Execution of Joan of Arc

Location: Saint-Ouen, near Paris

Play: 1 Henry VI

Date: Dec. 16, 1431

Event: Coronation of Henry VI as King of France

Location: Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris

Play: 1 Henry VI

Date: Sep. 14, 1435

Event: Death of Duke of Bedford

Location: Rouen

Play: 1 Henry VI

Date: Summer–Autumn 1441

Event: Arrest and trial of Eleanor Cobham and accomplices

Location: London

Play: 2 Henry VI

Date: May 20, 1442

Event: Lord Talbot created Earl of Shrewsbury

Location: Paris

Play: 2 Henry VI

Date: Apr. 23, 1445

Event: Marriage of Henry VI and Margaret of Anjou

Location: Titchfield, Hampshire

Play: 2 Henry VI

Date: Feb. 23, 1447

Event: Death of Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester

Location: Bury St. Edmunds

Play: 2 Henry VI

Date: Apr. 11, 1447

Event: Death of Cardinal Beaufort

Location: Winchester

Play: 2 Henry VI

Date: May 2, 1450

Event: Death of Earl of Suffolk

Location: English Channel

Play: 2 Henry VI

Date: Jun.–Jul. 1450

Event: Rebellion of Jack Cade

Location: Kent and London

Play: 2 Henry VI

Date: Spring 1452

Event: Richard, Duke of York, marches on London

Location: London

Play: 2 Henry VI

Date: Jul. 17, 1453

Event: Death of Lord Talbot at battle of Cantillon

Location: Cantillon, Gascony

Play: 1 Henry VI

Date: May 22, 1455

Event: First battle of St. Albans

Location: St. Albans, Hertfordshire

Play: 2 Henry VI

Date: Jul. 10, 1460

Event: Battle of Northampton

Location: Northampton

Play: [3 Henry VI]

Date: Oct. 1460

Event: Richard, Duke of York, holds Parliament

Location: London

Play: 3 Henry VI

Date: Dec. 30, 1460

Event: Battle of Wakefield

Location: Wakefield, Yorkshire

Play: 3 Henry VI

Date: Feb. 2, 1461

Event: Battle of Mortimer’s Cross

Location: Near Wigmore, Herefordshire

Play: 3 Henry VI

Date: Mar. 29, 1461

Event: Battle of Towton

Location: Near Tadcaster, Yorkshire

Play: 3 Henry VI

Date: Jun. 28, 1461

Event: Coronation of Edward IV

Location: Westminster Abbey

Play: 3 Henry VI

Date: May 1, 1464

Event: Marriage of Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville

Location: Northamptonshire

Play: 3 Henry VI

Date: Jul. 1465

Event: Henry VI captured

Location: Lancashire

Play: 3 Henry VI

Date: Jul. 26, 1469

Event: Battle of Edgecote Moor

Location: Near Banbury, Oxfordshire

Play: 3 Henry VI

Date: Oct. 1470–Apr./ May 1471

Event: Readeption (restoration) of Henry VI

Location: London

Play: 3 Henry VI

Date: Apr. 14, 1471

Event: Battle of Barnet; death of Warwick

Location: Barnet, near London

Play: 3 Henry VI

Date: May 4, 1471

Event: Battle of Tewkesbury; death of Edward, Prince of Wales

Location: Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire

Play: 3 Henry VI

Date: May 21, 1471

Event: Death of Henry VI

Location: Tower of London

Play: 3 Henry VI

Date: Jul. 12, 1472

Event: Marriage of Richard, Duke of Gloucester, to Anne

Location: Westminster Abbey

Play: Richard III

Date: Feb. 18, 1478

Event: Death of Duke of Clarence

Location: Tower of London

Play: Richard III

Date: Apr. 9, 1483

Event: Death of Edward IV

Location: Westminster

Play: Richard III

Date: Jun. 1483

Event: Death of Lord Hastings

Location: Tower of London

Play: Richard III

Date: Jul. 6, 1483

Event: Coronation of Richard III

Location: Westminster Abbey

Play: Richard III

Date: Nov. 2, 1483

Event: Death of Duke of Buckingham

Location: Salisbury

Play: Richard III

Date: Mar. 16, 1485

Event: Death of Queen Anne

Location: Westminster

Play: Richard III

Date: Aug. 22, 1485

Event: Battle of Bosworth Field

Location: Leicestershire

Play: Richard III

Date: Oct. 30, 1485

Event: Coronation of Henry VII

Location: Westminster Abbey

Play: [Richard III]

Date: Jan. 18, 1486

Event: Marriage of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York

Location: Westminster Abbey

Play: [Richard III]

Date: Jun. 1520

Event: Meeting of Henry VIII and Francis I

Location: “Field of the Cloth of Gold,” near Calais, France

Play: [Henry VIII]

Date: May 17, 1521

Event: Death of Duke of Buckingham

Location: Tower Hill, London

Play: Henry VIII

Date: Nov. 29, 1530

Event: Death of Wolsey

Location: Leicester

Play: Henry VIII

Date: Jan. 25, 1533

Event: Marriage of Henry VIII and Anne Bullen (Boleyn)

Location: Whitehall

Play: Henry VIII

Date: Jun. 1, 1533

Event: Coronation of Anne Bullen (Boleyn)

Location: Westminster Abbey

Play: Henry VIII

Date: Sep. 7, 1533

Event: Birth of Princess Elizabeth

Location: Greenwich Palace

Play: Henry VIII

Date: Sep. 10, 1533

Event: Christening of Princess Elizabeth

Location: Greenwich Palace

Play: Henry VIII

THE HISTORY BEHIND THE TRAGEDIES: A Chronology

Era/Date: Greek myth

Event: Trojan War

Location: Troy

Play: Troilus and Cressida

Era/Date: Greek myth

Event: Theseus King of Athens

Location: Athens

Play: The Two Noble Kinsmen

Era/Date: c. tenth–ninth century BC?

Event: Leir King of Britain (legendary)

Location: Britain

Play: King Lear

Era/Date: 535–510 BC

Event: Tarquin II King of Rome

Location: Rome

Play: The Rape of Lucrece

Era/Date: 493 BC

Event: Caius Martius captures Corioli

Location: Italy

Play: Coriolanus

Era/Date: 431–404 BC

Event: Peloponnesian war

Location: Greece

Play: Timon of Athens

Era/Date: Mar. 17, 45 BC

Event: Battle of Munda: Caesar’s victory over Pompey’s sons

Location: Munda, Spain

Play: Julius Caesar

Era/Date: Oct. 45 BC

Event: Caesar returns to Rome for triumph

Location: Rome

Play: Julius Caesar

Era/Date: Mar. 15, 44 BC

Event: Assassination of Caesar

Location: Rome

Play: Julius Caesar

Era/Date: Nov. 27, 43 BC

Event: Formation of Second Triumvirate

Location: Rome

Play: Julius Caesar

Era/Date: Oct. 42 BC

Event: Battle of Philippi

Location: Philippi, Macedonia

Play: Julius Caesar

Era/Date: Winter 41–40 BC

Event: Antony visits Cleopatra

Location: Egypt

Play: Antony and Cleopatra

Era/Date: Oct. 40 BC

Event: Pact of Brundisium; marriage of Antony and Octavia

Location: Italy

Play: Antony and Cleopatra

Era/Date: 39 BC

Event: Pact of Misenum between Pompey and the triumvirs

Location: Campania, Italy

Play: Antony and Cleopatra

Era/Date: 39–38 BC

Event: Ventidius defeats the Parthians in a series of engagements

Location: Syria

Play: Antony and Cleopatra

Era/Date: 34 BC

Event: Cleopatra and her children proclaimed rulers of the eastern Mediterranean

Location: Alexandria

Play: Antony and Cleopatra

Era/Date: Sep. 2, 31 BC

Event: Battle of Actium

Location: On the coast of western Greece

Play: Antony and Cleopatra

Era/Date: Aug. 30 BC

Event: Death of Antony

Location: Alexandria

Play: Antony and Cleopatra

Era/Date: Aug. 12, 30 BC

Event: Death of Cleopatra

Location: Alexandria

Play: Antony and Cleopatra

Era/Date: Early first century AD

Event: Cunobelinus/Cymbeline rules Britain (and dies before AD 43)

Location: Britain

Play: Cymbeline

Era/Date: During the reign of a fictional (late?) Roman emperor

Location: Rome

Play: Titus Andronicus

Era/Date: c. ninth–tenth century AD

Event: Existence of legendary Amleth?

Location: Denmark

Play: Hamlet

Era/Date: Aug. 15, 1040

Event: Death of Duncan I of Scotland

Location: Bothnguane, Scotland

Play: Macbeth

Era/Date: 1053

Event: Malcolm invades Scotland

Location: Scotland

Play: Macbeth

Era/Date: Aug. 15, 1057

Event: Death of Macbeth

Location: Lumphanan, Scotland

Play: Macbeth

Era/Date: Oct. 7, 1571

Event: Naval battle of Lepanto between Christians and Turks

Location: The Mediterranean, off the coast of Greece

Play: A context for Othello

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We are immensely grateful to our distinguished international Advisory Board for reading material and making invaluable comments and suggestions, often at very short notice. For their lessons in the art of editing, Eric Rasmussen owes a huge personal debt to David Bevington, and Jonathan Bate to Richard Proudfoot and Stanley Wells.

Jonathan Bate wishes to express special thanks to the team for sustaining the edition during the exceptionally difficult months when his young daughter Ellie was seriously ill. The editors and the RSC wish to thank everyone at Random House (notably Judy Sternlight, Vincent La Scala, Richard Elman, Jane von Mehren, Benjamin Dreyer), Palgrave Macmillan (Sam Burridge, Paula Kennedy, Tim Fox, Vicky Capstick) and Chase Publishing Services (Ray Addicott, Tracey Day) for the breathtaking speed and quality of the production process.

Paula Byrne and Tom and Ellie Bate endured a permanently closed study door with heroic forbearance and good humor, while Harry Bate obligingly remained in the womb a few extra days to allow for the delivery of the final Folio plays, then proved himself an exemplary baby during the writing of the general introduction. With bemused understanding, Vicky Hines and Tristan and Arden Rasmussen put up with a husband and father who persisted in collating First Folio texts in the most unlikely of venues (including a Wimbledon queue, a Venetian vaporetto, and a sea-turtle nesting beach).

Both Jonathan Bate and the Royal Shakespeare Company owe a huge debt to Andrew Wylie, literary agent extraordinaire, for making the deal happen. Kate Horton coordinated RSC input into the edition with great aplomb, with Helen Robson undertaking picture research.

Jonathan Bate is grateful to the British Academy for a small grant toward the cost of research assistance in collating and checking textual variants.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS FOR ILLUSTRATIONS/PHOTOGRAPHS

General Introduction

Robeson as Othello and Ashcroft as Desdemona, reproduced courtesy of Mander and Mitchenson Theatre Collection.

London panorama including Globe. Reproduced courtesy of the Guildhall Library, City of London.

Engraving from Chandos portrait (private collection © Bardbiz Limited).

Drawing of the Swan Theatre, Southwark by Arendt van Buchell © Private collection/The Bridgeman Art Library.

Reconstruction of Elizabethan theater © Charcoalblue.

Engraving of New Place, reproduced by permission of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust Records Office.

Title page from Roxana (private collection © Bardbiz Limited).

Portrait of Ned Kynaston (private collection © Bardbiz Limited).

His Majesty James I and his Royal Progeny together with the Family of the King of Bohemia, engraving from painting attributed to Simon or Willem de Passe/ © City of Westminster Archive Centre, London, UK/The Bridgeman Art Library.

Engraving from William Hogarth, Garrick as Richard III (private collection © Bardbiz Limited).

Engraving of sixteenth-century printing house (private collection © Bardbiz Limited).

The forms of Elizabethan secretary hand (private collection © Bardbiz Limited).

Title page in the First Folio, with engraving of William Shakespeare, reproduced by permission of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.

Catalogue of plays in the First Folio, reproduced by permission of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.

First page of Henry V in the First Folio, © The Royal Shakespeare Company.

Introductions to Individual Plays

Title page to Merry Wives of Windsor © The Royal Shakespeare Company.

Remaining images in introductions to individual plays, private collection © Bardbiz Limited.

Plate Section

Portrait of Henry Wriothesley (1573–1624), Third Earl of Southampton, c.1590–93 (oil on panel), Critz, John de (1555–1641). © Private collection/The Bridgeman Art Collection.

Queen Elizabeth I (1533–1603) being carried in Procession (Eliza Triumphans), c.1601 (oil on canvas) attributed to Robert Peake (fl. 1580–1626). © The Bridgeman Art Library.

Portrait of Richard Burbage (1568–1619) (oil on canvas), English School (seventeenth century) © Dulwich Picture Gallery, London, UK/The Bridgeman Art Library.

Abd el-Ouahed ben Messaoud ben Mohammed Anoun, Moorish Ambassador to Queen Elizabeth I, 1600, reproduced courtesy of the University of Birmingham Collection © the University of Birmingham.

Page from Sir Thomas More © British Library Board. All rights reserved.

The Tempest: Joe Cocks Studio Collection, © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.

Much Ado About Nothing: Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream: (Peter Brook) Reg Wilson / © Royal Shakespeare Company; (Michael Boyd) Donald Cooper / © Royal Shakespeare Company.

As You Like It: (Michael Elliott) Angus McBean / © Royal Shakespeare Company; (Adrian Noble) Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.

The Taming of the Shrew: (Michael Bogdanov) Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust; (Gregory Doran) Jonathan Dockar-Drysdale / © Royal Shakespeare Company.

Romeo and Juliet: Bob Workman / © Royal Shakespeare Company.

Twelfth Night: Reg Wilson / © Royal Shakespeare Company.

Henry V: Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.

Henry VI: John Haynes / © Royal Shakespeare Company.

Richard III: (Bill Alexander) Reg Wilson / © Royal Shakespeare Company; (Sam Mendes) © Michael Le Poer Trench.

Coriolanus: Reg Wilson / © Royal Shakespeare Company.

Macbeth: Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.

Titus Andronicus: (Deborah Warner) Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust; (Yukio Ninagawa) Ellie Kurttz / © Royal Shakespeare Company.

Julius Caesar: (Nunn and Goodbody) Reg Wilson / © Royal Shakespeare Company; (David Farr) Manuel Harlan/ © Royal Shakespeare Company.

Hamlet: (Peter Hall) Reg Wilson / © Royal Shakespeare Company; (Ron Daniels) © Richard Mildenhall.

King Lear: (Peter Brook) Angus McBean / © Royal Shakespeare Company; (Adrian Noble) © Mark Douet/ArenaPAL.

Othello: (Michael Attenborough) Donald Cooper / © Royal Shakespeare Company; (Trevor Nunn) Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.

Antony and Cleopatra: (Trevor Nunn) Reg Wilson / © Royal Shakespeare Company; (Gregory Doran) Pascal Molliere / © Royal Shakespeare Company.

INDEX OF PLAYS AND POEMS

All’s Well That Ends Well

Antony and Cleopatra

As You Like It

Comedy of Errors, The

Coriolanus

Cymbeline

Hamlet, Prince of Denmark

Henry the Eighth

Henry the Fifth

Henry the Fourth, First Part

Henry the Fourth, Second Part

Henry the Sixth, First Part

Henry the Sixth, Second Part

Henry the Sixth, Third Part

Julius Caesar

King John

King Lear

“Let the Bird of Loudest Lay”

Love’s Labour’s Lost

Macbeth

Measure for Measure

Merchant of Venice, The

Merry Wives of Windsor, The

Midsummer Night’s Dream, A

Much Ado About Nothing

Othello, the Moor of Venice

Pericles, Prince of Tyre

Rape of Lucrece, The

Richard the Second

Richard the Third

Romeo and Juliet

Shakespeare’s Sonnets

Taming of the Shrew, The

Tempest, The

Thomas More, Sir

Timon of Athens

Titus Andronicus

“To the Queen”

Troilus and Cressida

Twelfth Night, or What You Will

Two Gentlemen of Verona, The

Two Noble Kinsmen, The

Venus and Adonis

Winter’s Tale, The

THE MODERN LIBRARY EDITORIAL BOARD

Maya Angelou

•

A. S. Byatt

•

Caleb Carr

•

Christopher Cerf

•

Charles Frazier

•

Vartan Gregorian

•

Richard Howard

•

Charles Johnson

•

Jon Krakauer

•

Edmund Morris

•

Azar Nafisi

•

Joyce Carol Oates

•

Elaine Pagels

•

John Richardson

•

Salman Rushdie

•

Oliver Sacks

•

Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.

•

Carolyn See

•

Gore Vidal